Emir's son arrested over bomb scare

...towards a better life for the people

**

VOL. 25: NO. 62179

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

Pgs.58-59

Keshi: I'll never coach Eagles again

Arisekola's wife dies in auto crash 6

64

Emir's son arrested over bomb scare

BY ABDULSALAM MUHAMMAD

•Forces himself into college campus in SUV •Police discover hard drugs in his car

K

ANO—THE son of a prominent emir in Jigawa State,(names withheld) was, yesterday, arrested and detained by the Police following a bomb scare that triggered pandemonium in Kano. The Jigawa prince was said to be driving a black SUV recklessly towards Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education located in the

Continues on page 5

The beginning of the end of Aribisala's fiction ....A rejoinder

53 Mr & Mrs KADUNA BLAST—The injured, a damaged car and people at scene of the bomb blast at Asikolaiye area of Nnamdi Azikiwe Bye-pass, Kaduna, Tuesday night. The Kaduna Government says the explosion was a minor one. Photos: Olu Ajayi.

COLUMNISTS:

CONFAB 2014: Headed for the home stretch •P.17

Re: Fashola's Ekiti "takeaway" •P.19

Injustice somewhere is injustice •P.19 everywhere

Reps opt for 42.5 grade of cement 9

2— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 2—Vanguard,

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 — 3

4— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 4—Vanguard,

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014—5

POCKET CARTOON

PENSIONS REFORM LAW— President Goodluck Jonathan flanked from the left by the Director-General, National Pensions Commission, Ms Chinelo Anohu-Amazu; Vice President Namdi Sambo and from the right by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu and Justice Minister, Mohammed Adoke, while signing the 2014 Pensions Reform Bill into law at the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday.

USAID to assist Nigeria in Renewable Energy Project

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

A

Bill on assets of PLCs passes second reading in House of Reps

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

BUJA—THE House of Representatives, yesterday, passed through second reading, a bill that would ensure that private companies, whose total assets exceed N80 billion, convert to public liability companies, PLCs. If finally passed, such companies would also be

expected to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE. The motion promoted

by Rep Chris Emeka Azubogu, is entitled: ‘A bill for an act to provide for private companies whose shareholders’ funds exceed N40 billion or their annual turnover exceeds N80 billion or their total assets exceed N80 billion to convert to public liability compa-

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Malcolm Forbes said: ‘The biggest mistake people make in life is not trying to make a living at what they enjoy.’ As a result, they simply endure their working lives instead of making the most of it.

They live for the weekends. They try to hang on until retirement. That’s a shame, because your chance of success is directly proportional to the degree of pleasure you derive from what you do.’

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us — Socrates When you’re truly at your edge, do not take unnecessary risks. You’re already at your edge so there is no need to compound it. As you approach the edge, pay attention to your body and mind. Are you going too far? Do you feel fatigued? Ask yourself if you’re really committed to this level of edginess. If you’re not, pull back. At this point, pushing yourself to keep going is just ego creation and is harmful to the self. Beware of artificial pride keeping you on the edge. Do you know you should pull back but you’re too proud to do so? Is fear keeping you frozen on the edge? Leave Out Expectations!

Likewise, make sure that going to your edge is not something you’re doing to feed your ego. You don’t go to your edge in order to get a certain outcome, because lots of time when we’re at the edge, the outcome isn’t what we expected.

nies and get their shares listed in the stock exchange, thereby promoting growth for both the companies and the Nigerian Capital Market and for other related matters.

He said: “If proper fundings are given to business owners or small companies in the country, it would help to build up strong business institutions that will reduce the rate of unemployment,” he said. He added that the bill seeks to regulate private companies.

In his contribution, Rep Fort Dike,PDP, Anambra, who spoke against the motion advised the sponsor to dump it.

“The bill did not take so many things into consideration. It is anti busi-

ness to force individuals to go into the stock exchange. This bill should not be allowed to scale through because it will be in conflict with the general ideas of investment in the country. This bill will make the parliament look like it lacks business knowledge,” he said.

Rep Ossai Nicholas Ossai,PDP, Delta who rose to support the bill, noted that local businesses would begin to grow, if such companies are duly listed on NSE. “It will empower Nigerians. It will enable Nigerians participate in the country’s economy. It is in line with international best practices. The bill should be passed so as to improve enterprise in the countr y,” he added.

BUJA—THE United States Agency for International Development, USAID, has promised to assist the Federal Government in renewable energy project for the promotion of energy efficiency market.

The Director of Economic Growth, USAID, Sharon Pauling, who disclosed this, yesterday, while declaring open aone-day workshop organized by WINROCK International, stated that USAID’s renewable energy project would among other benefits facilitate the development and financing of the project.

She said it will also promote energy efficiency market, adding that it would also enhance the capacity of key stakeholders, including financial institutions, universities and give rents.

Pauling noted that WINROCK would through the project provide technical assistance that would contribute to

its broader goal of developing renewable energy in the Nigerian market.

Pauling assured that over 30 new commercial loans would be granted to small and medium scale enterprises for the purchase of renewable energy products, adding that training opportunities would be given to over 100 in the sector.

In his remarks, the representative of WINROCK international, Segun Adaju in his overview of the project disclosed that apart from providing technical support to stakeholders, the project would also be of immense benefit to the agriculture sector, banks as well as providing alternative sources for the fight against HIV/AIDS. Adaju maintained that it was only an improved policy on renewable energy that would help it actualize the goals of the project.

He urged banks to key into the project by doing business with the clean energy sector, stressing that it has already started business with some Nigerian banks, which he noted have agreed to invest in the clean energy sector.

Emir's son arrested over bomb scare Continues from page 1 busy Kano-Zaria federal highway and refused to stop for security checks.

His refusal to stop when asked to, sparked off fears of a suicide bomber, forcing residents to run helterskelter.

The prince then forced his way into the school campus. The ensuing commotion crippled aca-

demic activities as students took flight in various directions to avoid being victims of suicide bombing.

An eyewitness, who did not want his name in print, disclosed that few gallant security guards later accosted him and forced him out of his vehicle.

Upon interrogation, the prince explained that he

had no link with the terrorists but only came to the campus “to see a friend”. Students, who had run away came back angrily and attempted to lynch him.

Vanguard learnt that the police was then invited to the scene to restore order.

Security sources revealed that “the Police had to apply minimum force to restore order while the suspect was

taken to the police station.

A top police officer told Vanguard on condition of anonymity that hard drugs were recovered from his vehicle, adding that investigation had since commenced.

Commenting on the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Kano confirmed the arrest but added that “we are yet to establish the identity of the detained suspect”.

6—Vanguard, TURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

Three fraudsters arraigned over N6.6m theft

BY GIFT WILLIAMS

L

AGOS — THREE s u s p e c t e d fraudsters, Ibrahim Suleman, Habeeb Quadri and Rauf Adebayo, were yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja magistrate's court for allegedly stealing N6.697 million on the pretext of buying fabrics for their victim.

Already, the court presided over by Magistrate Eniola Fabanwo has fixed definite trial of the case for July 22.

The accused, who were said to have committed the offence on May 14 at Ogba area of the state were arraigned on a three-count charge of stealing and obtaining money under false pretence.

However they all pleaded not guilty and the magistrate consequently granted each of them bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The offences against them read in part: “That you Ibrahim Suleiman, Habeeb Quadri and Rauf Adebayo on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did obtain under false pretext the sum of N6,697,000 from one Temilola Akintayo, 'F' to import fabrics for her, knowing same to be false and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 312 (1a) (3) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

“That you Ibrahim Suleiman, Habeeb Quadri and Rauf Adebayo, on the same date, time and place aforementioned magistrate district did steal the sum of N6,697,000, property of one Temilola Akintayo and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 285(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011."

Traffic gridlock at Mile 2 in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Arisekola's wife dies in auto crash

BY OLA AJAYI

I

BADAN —FIFTEEN days after the late business mogul, Aare Musulumi of Yor ubaland, Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola Alao died, another tragedy has befallen his family.

While waiting for the 40th day to round off burial rites for the late philanthropist, one of his wives, identified as Jelilat, aged 63, was involved in an auto crash which led to her death yesterday.

Vanguard gathered that

the woman would have been buried according to Islamic rites at her Apata residence by 2pm yesterday.

According to information gathered from a source, who is close to the family, the woman was involved in an accident on her way from

Ilorin, Kwara State.

After the accident, she was said to have been rushed to the hospital but died later due to shock..

Until her death, the deceased dealt in textile materials.

Man docked over kidnap of neighbour's daughter

L

BY ONOZURE DANIA

AGOS — A 32-year-old bus conductor, Sunday Thomas, has been arraigned before a Lagos chief magistrate’s court, sitting at Ebute-Meta for allegedly kidnapping his neigh-

bour’s four-year-old daughter.

The bus conductor and others, now at large, were said to have conspired to abduct his neighbour’s daughter, Favour Anani.

The defendant, arraigned

Four killed in fresh Ogun cults clash

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA — THERE was a free-for-all, yesterday, when members of rival cult groups engaged one another at Idowa in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State, leaving four persons dead.

Vanguard gathered that three men and a housewife lost their lives in the violence.

It would be recalled that in the last three weeks, both Eiye and Aiye cult groups have been terrorizing Ijebu-Ode. A source said that one man, popularly called Epo, was killed

last night by some members of the Eiye cult group and in a reprisal attack, three persons were reportedly killed, including a woman, who was shot dead instead of her husband, known as Alapo-Iresi, who was said to be on the run.

It was further gathered that the fleeing husband was said to be a member of the Eiye cult group and one of the hit-men for the group in Idowa-Ala-Omu area.

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, could not be reached at press time for comment.

before Magistrate A. Demi-Ajayi, is facing a twocount charge of conspiracy and kidnap, preferred against him by the Police.

Thomas, an Ibibio from Akwa Ibom State, was alleged to have committed the offence May 26 at about 4 a.m., at their residence, 8, Yahaya Street, Shasha, Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Etim Nkankuk, told the court that the mother of the girl, Joy Anani, a Togolese, had informed the Police that she suspected the defendant because he had been telling her that he liked the girl and that one day he would take her away.

He said she had also informed the Police that on the day that her daughter got missing, the defendant came home with his friend, named Daniel, who gave the missing girl, alongside other children in the house N20 to buy biscuits, only to wake up at about the time of the incident to discover that the

window net had been cut while the little girl could not be traced.

Nkankuk further added that she later reported the matter at a police station in the area, which resulted in the arrest of the defendant while his friend, Daniel, could not be found.

According to the prosecutor, the offences are punishable under Sections 231 and 275 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

The conductor, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Magistrate Demi-Ajayi admitted him to bail in the sum of N500,000 with two responsible sureties in like sum.

The sureties, according to the magistrate, must show evidence of three-year tax payment to the Lagos State Government, have their addresses verified and deposit N25,000 to the designated account of the Chief Registrar of the court.

She adjourned the matter till August 4 for mention.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 — 7

Police smash child selling syndicate in Lagos L

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

AGOS — THE Special AntiRobbery Squad, SARS, at the Lagos State Police Command has smashed a syndicate of four women who specialise in selling children in the state.

The suspects, identified as Fausat Ogidan, Abibatu Oresanya, Idiatu Abbas and Bola Obajuruwa, were said to have met their nemesis when they attempted to sell a six-year-old girl for N350,000. .

Vanguard gathered that the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Mr Umar Manko, had directed the Officerin-Charge of SARS, SP Abba Kyari, to go after the syndicate, after receiving an intelligence report on their activities.

Sources at the state command headquarters, Ikeja, further disclosed that Kyari, however, deployed a team of undercover operatives to bargain with one of the child sellers, Ogidan, who said she had a child for sale at N650, 000.

The source added that an arrangement was made for the woman to bring the child to Mobil filling station, Gbagada, along Oshodi-Oworonshoki Expressway where she would be paid.

According to the source, "she appeared with a child and money was handed over to her. As she was walking away, operatives who were on standby, apprehended her with the marked money."

Their confessions

The suspect, Fausat Ogidan, who lives in Bariga confessed to Police that the child was given to her by one Bola Obajuruwa a.k.a Iyalaje who lives in Agege.

Iyalaje was also arrested and she confessed that the child was given to her by Idayat Abbas, a.k.a. Iya Ghana who was also arrested, and confessed that the child was given to her by her elder sister, Abibat Oresanya, a.k.a. Iya Lanre who lives at Ibafo, Ogun State.

She was also arrested and confessed that the child was given to her by somebody in Ibadan who is still at large.

The stolen child gave her name as Yetunde, but the child-selling cabal called her by another name, Blessing. The girl did not know her father's name nor could she give her mother’s name. She said she is nine years.

The child was given to the first suspect, Ogidan by Bola for N350,000, while Ogidan decided to sell her for N650,000.

Fausat Ogidan, 51, from Ondo State, said in her confession: “I live at 29, Alade Street, Shomolu. I'm a divorcee. I have three children.

I'm a traditional healer. The Police arrested me because I wanted to sell the child for N650,000. I took the child from Bola Obajuruwa.

Delta Police kill one robbery suspect, arrest two

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

A

The suspects Bola said I should pay N350,000.

This is my first time of doing such business. I told the person that a man wanted to buy the baby because his wife did not have a child."

For Abibatu Oresanya, 48, from Ijebu, Ogun State, and resident of 21, Salau Dodo Street, Ibafo, Ogun State, a trader in wines said the Police arrested her because of a child.

She said: "One of my friends gave me the child. Her name is Adenike, a.k.a. De Gold. She lives in Ibadan. She said I should find somebody who the girl could work for as househelp. I gave her to my sister, Idiyat, to give to my

friend, Iyalaje, as househelp because Iyalaje said she needed a househelp. She paid me N100,000 through my sister."

The suspect, who claimed to be married with seven children, could not respond to a question on why she did not give out any of her children for sale or househelp.

"It is about two years now since the transaction was made.

Also, Idiyat Abbas, 40, from Ijebu, Ogun State but resident in Ghana as she is married to a Ghanaian, confessed: "I have five children. The Police arrested me after I was called from

Ghana to come to Lagos, Nigeria.

"It's because of the child I gave to Obajuruwa Bola. Bola paid me N105, 000. I gave my sister, Abibat, N100,000. It was only N5,000 I retained from the money."

Also Bola Obajuruwa, 48, from Ilaje, Ondo State and resident of 6, Atanbaje Street, Agege said: "I am married, I have four children and I sell herbs. Police arrested me because of the girl Abibat Abbas brought to me, for which I paid N105,000."

Suspected robber freed after 3 years in detention

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA — AN Ogun State High Court, sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, yesterday, discharged and acquitted a 32-year-old suspected robber, Fatai Adeniji, after spending three years in prison for lack of evidence.

The accused was arrested in Abeokuta, Ogun State for robbing one Taiwo Ogunjide of her gold necklace valued at N20,000 and two ATM cards, on September 16, 2011 at Oke Lantoro, Abeokuta.

The accused was subsequently arraigned and remanded in prison since 2011 before he was set free yesterday

by Justice Olanrewaju Majekodunmi due to failure of Police to identify the real culprit.

In his judgment, Justice Majekodunmi said: “The information in proof of the evidence shows that there was a robbery.

What is to be focused and

proved is whether the defendant before the court was among the gang that carried out the robbery. The issue to also consider is whether there is an identification linked to the defendants.

"According to the report, Taiwo, the victim of the robbery, never identified the defendant as part of the robbery gang which makes his statement to the Police insufficient.

“Furthermore, the accused was not arrested at the scene of the crime, the prosecution could not prove the identification of the defendant.

“The court cannot accept the Police officer’s meresay, given

by Mrs.Taiwo. The defendant has said he has never met Mrs. Taiwo before.

“He also added that the statement was not written by him, that the Police only asked of his name, address and occupation.

“The prosecution has not proved that the Police caught the

real culprit, the defendant is hereby acquitted and discharged."

19-year-old remanded for stealing phones, others

Meantime, the Ogun State Police, yesterday, arraigned a 19-year-old man, Yemi Ogungbade, before the magistrate’s court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta for stealing.

The prosecutor, Inspector Augustine Ozimini, told the court that the acussed committed the crime at Lafenwa market in Abeokuta on June 27.

According to Ozimini, the acussed broke into a shop belonging to one Johnson Izuchukwu and stole phones, memory cards, phone cases, phone batteries and earphones, all valued at N100,000.

SABA — OPERA TIVES of the Delta State Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, in Asaba have arrested two notorious robbery suspects who specialise in snatching exotic cars in Delta, Anambra, Imo States and environs.

According to reports, the suspects, identified as Ifeanyi Anyaogu and Chidubem Nwaeke had successfully snatched a Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV, from Owerri, Imo State and drove it to Asaba, where they used it to track down a man who was driving a Toyota Highlander SUV. Vanguard gathered that as the man was driving into his compound, the robbers held him at gunpoint and used a battle axe to hit him on the head after which they hijacked his SUV. However, luck ran against them as operatives of the State Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, led by Ademola Adebayo intercepted them.

While two were lucky to tell their stories, one of them simply identified as Ike was shot dead during a gun battle with the Police along Lagos-Asaba expressway.

The gang was said to have opened fire on the Police team who swiftly returned fire, and in the process Ike was shot dead.

Speaking with Vanguard, one of the suspects, Anyaogu, urged the Police to pardon him as he vowed to repent.

He said: "If I am left off the hook, I will not go into robbery again. I will become a born again Christian. I swear with my life, I will be in church serving God. I will never do evil again.

"I know that what we did is very bad, but the economy is bad and we must do something to make ends meet. Now that I know better, I feel very sorry for what I did.

"I did not want that man we attacked to die, that was why I begged my gang members not to kill him initially."

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

SUBSIDY: FG set for payment of N45bn to marketers

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE & SEBASTINE OBASI

T

HE Coordinating Minister of Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, has said payment of N45 billion to oil marketers is underway, after the verification of claims currently ongoing.

In a statement from the Special Adviser to the Minister, Paul Nwabuikwu, the Minister said the information was necessary to satisfy all the enquiries with regards to the status of payment to the oil marketers.

According to her, the verification was deemed necessary to ensure that the Federal Government is not held liable in the event of any litigation between the banks and their marketer/ customers, following the institution of the new procedure by Office of the Attorney General.

She said: “Please note that only marketers whose claims have been cleared after they have gone through the verification processes will be paid.

“The process for the latest batch of payments totaling N45 billion is currently on and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation has confirmed that some marketers who have submitted letters of indemnity have already been paid. Other claims are being attended to.”

Meanwhile, facts have emerged that Nigeria, whose economic mainstay is oil may, have lost 220 million barrels of oil between 2004 and 2013.

This was made known

by Mr. Tariye George, Director Technical Services, Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, NEITI, who represented the Executive Secretary, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed at the workshop on fluid accounting and metering issues in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

The workshop was organised by the Nigerian Association of P e t r o l e u m Explorationists, NAPE, in Lagos.

NOMINEES: From left— Ministerial nominees, Dr. Abdul Bulama, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau and Dr. Steve Oru, before their screening by the Senate in Abuja, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

DOCTORS' STRIKE: Patients shun public hospitals zIt's polically motivated, says JOHESU

BY CHIOMA OBINNA VINCENT UJUMADU & GABRIEL OLAWALE

T

HE second day into the nationwide indefinite strike called by medical doctors under the auspices of Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, most of the public- owned hospitals have become a ghost of themselves.

Meanwhile, reactions are beginning to trail the industrial action as other health workers under the auspices of Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU, have declared the strike illegal.

A visit to most of the hospitals in Lagos, yesterday, revealed drastic reduction of patients at the various hospitals.

As early as 8a.m. when Vanguard visited some of the hospitals, the few patients that turned up were later sent away by the nurses since no doctor was on duty to attend to them.

A few hospitals in Lagos that offered some form of healthcare services on the first day of the strike, however, shut their doors against the helpless patients that turned up at their facilities.

At the Federal Medical Centre Ebute Metta, FMC, no single patient was seen.

Only the cleaners were mopping the floor, while a handful of nurses were turning patients back by the entrance.

At the Federal Neuro Psychiatric, Yaba, the Chief Medical Director and two other doctors that were

attending to patients Tuesday, were absent, with the premises a shadow of itself.

At Orthopaedic hospital Igbobi, the situation had gone from bad to worse as patients, whose relatives were not on ground, were advised to seek for alternatives. The patients were given a matching order to vacate the wards to avoid casualities.

At the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, skeletal service were rendered.

Only emergency cases were being attended to while other areas in the hospital remain closed.

JOHESU

Meanwhile, the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, yesterday, declared the strike by NMA as illegal.

In a statement by the National President of the Union, Mr. Felix Faniran, the union who declared the ongoing doctors' strike as illegal, explained that NMA is not a registered union and has no right to go on strike.

He said: “To substantiate this fact, in a land mark National Industrial Court, NIC, judgment delivered on June 20, 2011, between the Attorney General of Enugu State and National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners, NAGGMDP, held that “the right to strike is a right belonging to trade unions and not to individual workers and cannot be exercised by all who are in essential services.

“Arising from this

therefore, the NMA strike is illegal and it is tailored to aggravate the sufferings of the common people in the public.

“In this era of bomb blast and various victims being hospitalised, what justification and moral right does NMA have to embark on strike?

“We can deduce that this strike is politically motivated. We, therefore, assure members of the public that our members in various hospitals shall be at their duty posts to provide adequate services in spite of the strike.”

JOHESU further appealed to its members to remain at their various duty posts and attend adequately to their patients. It further stated that the implementation of all the gains JOHESU had made so far cannot be stalled by anybody or group of persons.

... meeting FG

It said: “JOHESU would be having a meeting with the Federal Government soon and other relevant issues that hitherto have not been discussed would be tabled with a view to resolving them.

“JOHESU and NUAHP are there to confront all these injustices in the health sector.

“The National Secretariat of our union is aware that the Medical and Dental Council Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, took the Ministry of Health to NIC that the implementation of the June 5 collective agreement between

JOHESU and the Federal Government should not be implemented. NUAHP has serious objection to this.

“No individual or group of individuals in whatever disguise can deny the union her legitimate right.

“Since it was NIC that earlier ruled in our favour, JOHESU and NUAHP have instructed her lawyer to join in the case and we shall floor and defeat NMA/MDCAN again come July 10.”

Group holds free medical consultancy for cancer

T

O check the prevalence of cancer in the country, the Lagos chapter of Warri Boys will embark on an enlightenment campaign and also provide free medical consultancy and treatment on the prevention of the disease.

In a statement by its interim President, Mr. George Ogbeneakoke, the group said: “This humanitarian gesture is aimed at providing services to interested persons, who seek relevant information on how to prevent the dreaded disease.”

The event, which is in collaboration with Zinovi Educational Foundation, India, will hold on July 6, at Capital City Hotel, Oba Akran Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014—9

Jega alleges plot to clone voters' cards for 2015 polls

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA—AHEAD of the 2015 general elections, Professor Attahiru Jega, Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, raised the alarm over attempts by some persons to clone the Permanent Voters Card, PVC, currently being issued by the electoral body.

Professor Jega made the disclosure while addressing civil society organisations at an interactive session organised by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, PLAC, in Abuja yesterday.

He said the commission became very vigilant after it was revealed that “some unscrupulous elements” wanted to use the just concluded governorship election in Ekiti State to testrun the cloned cards, which he said could pass as real ones.

He explained that it was in view of the development that INEC, on the election day, ensured that the register of distribution which he said contained names of all the electorate that were duly issued with the PVCs in Ekiti State, were produced at all the polling centres in the state.

disenfranchised in Ekiti State.

He said: “We cannot be accused of disenfranchising anyone.

For days we brought out the voter’s cards for collection.

Some refused to collect their own.

“We later took the cards to our state office where we asked people to come and collect them; it stayed there for over two months, yet some still refused to collect theirs. How then can we be accused of disenfranchising anyone?

Or were they expecting us to start issuing out cards on the election day?”

Launches investigation

He said the commission is currently investigating

how some people were able to collect their PVC by proxy, even as he insisted that the voters register that was used in the conduct of the Ekiti State election was not only credible but “ was much more better that what we have used in previous elections.

“What helped us in Ekiti was early preparation. At least three weeks before the election, all the sensitive materials were distributed.

“Funding requirements were provided in Ekiti State at least 30 days before the election. Even printing of the ballot papers were done earlier than in previous elections.

“Early preparation helps a lot in any election and we are prepared to do even better in Osun State. The other issue is the training of ad hoc staff

Boko Haram makes break-up less likely, says Soyinka

and sensitisation of the electorate.”

He said INEC trained the ad hoc staff it used in Ekiti State for seven weeks, using the Community Development programme of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, adding that they were all compelled to sleep at the Super Residential Centres that were established by INEC, a night before the election.

He said: “It helped us in the early deployment of all the materials. In fact, 95 percent of the polling units opened by 8a.m. on the election day. The other five percent experienced delay on account of lack of security.

“Certainly, we did much better in Ekiti than in the other election.”

A

B E O K U TA — NIGERIA is suffering greater carnage at the hands of Islamist group, Boko Haram, than it did during a secessionist Civil War, yet this has ironically made the country’s break-up less likely, Nigerian Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, has said.

Speaking to Reuters at his Abeokuta home, Soyinka said the horrors inflicted by the militants had shown Nigerians that unity between Muslims and Christians might be the only way to avoid even greater sectarian slaughter.

The bloodshed is now worse than during the 1967-70 Civil War when a secessionist attempt by the Eastern region nearly tore the country into ethnic regions, he added.

According to Soyinka, “ we have never been confronted with butchery on this scale, even during the civil war.

“There were atrocities during the war, but we never had such a near predictable level of carnage and this is what is horrifying.”

… in Ekiti

The INEC boss, however, regretted that despite the measures that were taken by the commission, it was still discovered that some people appeared at the polling centres with valid voter ’s card even though their names were not in the register.

He said: “Though we had persistently warned that nobody should collect the PVC by proxy, some people did.

They had the card but their names were not in the collection register.

“When the information came to us at the headquarters, we asked that they should be allowed to vote since it was actually proved that we actually had their data in our system.

“Our reason for producing the registers was to strengthen our proof against anyone that brought a cloned card.”

However, Jega insisted that there was enough time for people to collect their PVCs before the 2015 general election, adding “nevertheless, there will be no collection by proxy because that is the easiest way to commit electoral fraud.”

Besides, the INEC boss, dismissed allegation that so many people were

INEC ON EKITI: From left— Professor Attahiru Jega, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC; Mr. Clement Nwankwo, Executive Director, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, and Mr. Anyakwee Nsrimovu, Executive Director, Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, during a meeting with civil society on Ekiti State governorship election in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Reps opt for 42.5 grade of cement

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

A

BUJA—FOLLOWING cases of collapsed buildings in the country, the House of Representatives, yesterday, opted for the use of 42.5mpa grade cement for construction works.

The recommendation of the House, which will prompt a ban on the use of 32.5mpa grade cement, was sequel to the adoption of the report of Yakubu Dogara (APC, Bauchi State) who conducted an expanded investigation into the incidences of collapsed buildings.

z Recommend speedy passage of National Building Code Bill The House also mandated the governing council of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, to compel all cement manufacturers in Nigeria to upgrade their production lines to start producing the 42.5mpa grade.

The House further called for a creation of cement fund from contributions of N10 per 50kg bag of cement produced in Nigeria and N20 per 50kg of imported cement for the establishment of state-of-theart laboratories in all the geo political zones within three

years.

The fund, according the House, shall be managed by a task force to be set up by SON, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN; Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria, CORBON, and Nigerian Institute of Building, NIOB. Similarly, lawmakers also recommended the speedy passage of the National Building Code Bill, which they said should be strictly enforced when passed into

law to check quackery and the use of substandard building materials.

Other recommendations are that “all cement packages must clearly and boldly indicate their grades, uses and expiry dates with tamper proofing on the packages to guard against repackaging by middlemen; “Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, should ensure that all cement distributors withdraw expired cement from their warehouses and markets and destroy them.”

10 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

Lagos urges FG on strategies to enforce compliance with new pension scheme

BY MONSUR OLOOOPEJO

L

AGOS — L A G O S State Government, yesterday, urged the Federal Government to evolve a strategy to compel employers’ compliance to the new Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS. This came barely 24 hours after President Goodluck Jonathan signed the Pension Reform Bill 2014 into law, to govern and regulate the administration of the uniform pension scheme for both public and private sectors in the country.

Director-General of the Lagos State Pension Commission, LASPEC, Mr. Rotimi Hussein, spoke at the 6th Pre-Retirement seminar for 1, 200 civil servants who will be retiring either voluntary or statutory between July and December 2104.

According to Hussein, aside the Pension Reform Act 2014, the central government needed to develop innovative strategy that would help to increase and boost employers’ compliance to the new pension scheme.

According to him, “With this, their workers will register into the scheme and there will be more people in the new pension net. At the moment, the level of complaint is low. ''We have not been able to capture more of the unorganized private sector into the new pension scheme.”

He noted that less than 30 percent of the employers in the country especially in the private sector had complied with the CPS. On the Pension Reform Act 2014, Hussein said “We need to study it. After that, we will decide on the part of the law that we can adapted. ''There may be slight differences in what we will come up with.

LASPEC is operating with the 2007 pension law, designed by the state government.”

New auto policy won’t increase cost of vehicles — FG …As operators threaten to shut ports

BY BENAGANDE & GODWIN ORITSE

T

HE Federal Government yesterday said contrary to reports, the new vehicle import tariff which commenced on July 1, did not impose a flat tariff of 70 per cent duty on all imported used cars, saying the new policy would not lead to increase in cost of vehicles in the country.

This came as ports operators under the aegis of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, threatened to shut port activities should the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, go ahead with the implementation of the new auto policy.

Minister of Industry, Trade

and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, who gave this clarification while briefing state House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council, FEC meeting explained that companies involved in the local vehicle manufacturing or assembly programme would pay 35 per cent duty on cars they imported to bridge any gap in local demand.

According to him, “I briefed council today on a misleading article in one of the newspapers on Tuesday on the auto policy and we thought it necessary to communicate and correct it. The article has claimed that the duty on used cars is now 70 per cent from

yesterday, (Tuesday). That is incorrect. It is 35 per cent. It has also claimed that all used cars coming into the country will attract a duty of 70 per cent. That again is incorrect.

“Those in the car assembly programme will be able to import cars to meet the gap, when you look at production and the demand in the country. They will be able to import those cars at 35 per cent, not 70 per cent. It is only for those who are putting a strain on our foreign reserves, who have no intention of creating jobs in the country, who want to continue to remain traders, that the 70 per cent duty applies to. This is to discourage trading, to encourage local assembly, job

MEETING: Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State (middle); Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. Taofeek Tijani (2nd right); Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Aliyu Mohammed Manko (2nd left); Director of State Security Services, Mr. Ben Achu Olaiyi (left) and the Commander 9 Brigade, Cantonment, Ikeja, Brigadier-General A. S. Maikoba during Governor Fashola’s meeting with Tank Farm owners on the need for vigilance and support for government’s regeneration efforts in Apapa at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

Commercial activities grounded in Ikeja as monarch passes on

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

L

AGOS—COMMERCIAL activities in Ikeja and its environs, including the popular Computer Village, were paralysed yesterday, as markets were shut following announcement of the death of traditional ruler in the area, Olu of Ikeja, Oba Rauf Adeniyi Matemi, Amore 1.

According to a source, the monarch actually died on Tuesday at the age of 61.

Hence, the council of chiefs immediately issued an order suspending sales of goods in markets within the area as sign of honour to the departed soul.

As part of tradition, the king’s palace was agog with activities as masquerades displayed to signal the exit of the monarch.

Consequently, consumers who trooped out to Computer Village for business transactions were disappointed as shops were shut.

However, some traders were also seen making brisk business on the sidelines even as the Palace guards were also seen enforcing the close shop order in honour of the late Oba. Later in the afternoon, the entire area around the king’s pal-

ace was cordoned off by palace guards and chiefs to allow for certain traditional rites to be carried out unhindered.

At press time, the state government was yet to make any official statement on the transition of the monarch.

Fayose’s victory vindicates Jonathan, says Salis

L

AGOS—LAGOS Peo ples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant, Akinyegun Owolabi Salis, has said the victory of the Ekiti State chapter of the PDP in the recently concluded governorship election, has vindicated President Goodluck Jonathan.

“This is one victory that has vindicated the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan and a pointer to the genuineness of the President’s Transformation Agen-

da. The peoples of Nigeria can only be fooled some of the time, but not all the time, as the Ekiti elections have shown,” he said.

Congratulating Mr Ayodele Fayose on his victory, Salis said: “Fayose’s victory in all 16 local government areas of the state is further attestation to the acceptability of the Peoples Democratic Party by the masses of the peoples of South-Western Nigeria in particular and Nigeria in general.”

creation and unnecessary pressure on our foreign reserves. So, it’s an economic issue and deliberately so.”

Mr Aganga also assured that the new automotive policy would not lead to an increase in the prices of cars in the country, saying manufacturing and assembly companies and some major car distributors and importers had undertaken not to increase prices.

However, issuing the threat in Lagos, National President of ANLCA, Prince Olayiwola Shittu at an expanded National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the association said the association had been meeting with a sister association; National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF, to ensure total withdrawal of services.

The two associations also plan a joint position on the issue.

ANLCA also accused the Federal Government of abandoning the Apapa-Oshodi expressway as well as the roads leading to Onne Port in Rivers State, where the government generates billions of Naira as revenue, lamenting that it lost two of its members on the bad roads leading to the ports.

Shittu explained that failure of government to address members’ concerns would lead to a total collapse of port activities, claiming the association already had the backing of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, and the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO).

According to him, “Anytime customs implements the 35% levy, we will start a series of protests and placard-carrying that will eventually lead to the withdrawal of service. Many vehicles are now going through the un-approved routes and this is affecting the economy of our members. We have a right to protect the interest of Nigerian shippers more than the interest of government because, government does not care about us. We have been asking them for one per cent based on revenue generated, but they have asked us to collect our money from importers.

"The government has deliberately ignored the roads leading to Apapa, Tin Can and Onne ports. The ports are already closing themselves; now if you want to go to Apapa port you might not get there today. Yet the terminal operators and shipping companies are benefiting from this. At the end of the day people turn around to say agents are delaying cargo clearance.

All roads to the ports where government is making billions per day are bad; they don’t care about them, not even to put palliative measures.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 —11

OSUN BLAST: PDP, APC bicker

Crisis engulfs Ekiti TUC

zPDP imported political thuggery into Osun — APC zHold Aregbesola responsible — OMISORE zNo terrorism in Osun — SECURITY CHIEFS F

zAs 2 claim headship of union

OLLOWING the explosion that rocked the ancient city of Ile Ife on Tuesday, the state chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday pointed accusing fingers at each other.

While the APC accused the PDP of allegedly introducing political thuggery into Osun State, the PDP, on its part, said the Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration should be held responsible for the blast.

This came as security chiefs in the state debunked the rumour that Boko Haram had infiltrated the state to unleash mayham.

PDP introduces political thuggery into Osun – APC

Speaking through its state Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Mr Kunle Oyatomi, the APC alleged that “political terrorism is being introduced into the State of Osun by desperate PDP politicians who want to snatch power by all means; and it would appear they have the blessing of the presidency. These were the angry sentiments expressed by the All Progressives Congress in the State of Osun in reaction to the bomb blast incident in Ile Ife yesterday (Tuesday) and the attack on its supporters by PDP thugs at Oke Bale on their way to a mega rally of APC at Ibokun on the same day as well as PDP’s thugs ripping of posters and destroying billboards of Ogbeni Aregbesola in Ilesha.”

The party, however, fingered the PDP for increase in violence in the state which “appears not unconnected with the desperation of the presidency to have a foothold in the West, which is predominantly APC stronghold.”

Condemning the blast, the APC said “with the bomb going off in Ile Ife, the hometown of the PDP gubernatorial candidate, political terrorism has now crept into the West and its probable link to the

CAMPAIGN: Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State (with mic) addressing a mammoth of crowd during his re-election campaign in Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency on Tuesday.

PDP with a history of unleashing violence on political opponents and citizens of Osun since 2007, we can only expect the worst”.

“The world should not allow political terrorism to grow in the South West. Those who start violence and war usually get consumed by it. A word should be enough for the wise’, the party cautioned and advised Mr. President that political terrorism is anti-democratic. Jonathan owes his office to democratic elections without violence. He therefore cannot keep it through undemocratic means.”

Hold Aregbesola responsible — Omisore

On its part, the Omisore Campaign Organisation, accused the state government of being responsible for the blast.

Reacting, the director, Media and Strategy of the organisation, Prince Diran Odeyemi, however, called on the Inspector General of Police,IGP, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, to investigate the

bomb blast that rocked Ile Ife. Odeyemi, said “since the assumption of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in Osun state the frequency of bomb blast has been on the increase and this is contrary to the peace the state has enjoyed over the year. The latest bomb blast occurred Tuesday in Ile-Ife and one begins to wonder what the intention of these anarchists is. The community where the explosion occurred are pointing accusing finger at some of the boys usually referred to as state boys and up till now no arrest has been made.

“We are aware of these antics.

And for sure, they will fail. It is a sign of a party that is drowning since the masses of our people have rejected them. Every village, every community, every household and every bonafide citizen of Osun State will be safe. We shall all cast our votes in peace.

We shall confidently, fairly vote out and totally reject the Aregbesola-led APC government in Osun State and their incessant

Beware of ‘Greek gifts’, Kashamu tells electorate

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA—CHIEF financier of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State and Chairman, Organisation and Mobilisation Committee of the party in the South West, Prince Buruji Kashamu, has urged the people in the region to beware of what he called “Greek gifts” being dangled by the All Progressives Congress, APC. Kashamu accused the APC governments in the South west states

of making moves to woo workers, students and other members of the voting population across the region.

The PDP chieftain in a statement in Abeokuta yesterday, described the latest gestures of the APC-led governments as “panicky Greek gifts that are meant to deceive the people and hoodwink them; hence our people have to be vigilant.”

According to him, “following the comprehensive trouncing of the APC by the PDP in Ekiti

State, I have heard of some panicky measures being taken by the APC to savage whatever is left of their depleted ego. From Osun to Oyo, Ogun to Lagos, and even Rivers, the story is the same. They are now running from pillar to post, trying to woo the critical sectors of the voting population that they had hitherto ignored. They are now approving all manner of welfare packages for civil servants, political office holders, students and other sectors of the voting population.

call for violence. The real indigenes of Osun State are peace loving people. We will ensure peace and rescue our prosperity from division and violence. We shall not fail. Peace, prosperity and development is the charge that Osun PDP and its candidates commit to. We shall not fail”.

No terrorism in Osun — Security chiefs

Meanwhile the State Security Council has debunked the rumour that Boko Haram has imported its terror activities into the state.

Speaking on behalf of the council, the Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Maishanu, described the report as false the insinuation that the Boko Haram terror group had made incursion into the SouthWest. Also at briefing were the Director of State Security Service in the state, Commandant Nigerian Army Engineering Construction Regiment, Ede and Sector Commander of the FRSC. Maishanu said the detachment of police that went to the spot of the alleged explosion only found a “firecracker and not a deadly explosive or bomb as was earlier reported, which explained while no live was lost nor injuries recorded.” The police boss explained that fire cracker went off in an area predominated by miscreants and hoodlums, who used such means to scare people before dispossessing them of their belonging.

Explaining that there was no threat to lives, he enjoined people in the state to go about their lawful activities “without let or hindrance as police are ever ready to protect them in all nooks and crannies of the state.”

BY GBENGAARIYIBI

A

DO EKITI—THE crisis rocking the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, Ekiti State Chapter has taken a new dimension as two members of the union are claiming head ship of the body.

A faction led by one Mr. Ayodeji Ladeji, has sent a congratulatory message to the governor-elect, Mr Ayodele Fayose, claiming to be doing so as the acting chairman of TUC. However, Mr. Kolawole Olaiya, has faulted the action of Oladeji, saying he remained the authentic chairman of TUC in the state.

Olaiya urged the members of the public to disregard whoever that paraded himself as Acting Chairman.

He described Ladeji’s action as contemptuous and barbaric, considering the judgment of a court in Akure delivered by Justice N. Ubaka in his favour on October 21, 2013, insisting that he was the authentic Chairman of the union.

According to him, another judgment delivered by the same Judge on May 8, 2014 in a case instituted by Ladeji and the National Headquarters of TUC, was explicit that he remained the recognized Chairman.

But Ladeji, who refuted the allegation that he acted as an impostor, insisted the national headquarters of the TUC mandated him to act as Chairman, being an elected Vice Chairman of the union following the expiration of Olaiya’s tenure.

However, Olaiya claimed Ladeji’s action as flagrant violation of the court’s judgments which was tantamount to impersonation.

He said there was no law empowering anybody in the union to act in in the position of chairman.

“Though, I have congratulated Governor Ayodele Fayose, but this should not have been done by him (Ladeji). I had written a letter to the Radio Station warning that such should be discontinued”, he said.

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

Edo Assembly crisis: PDP lawmakers demand oath taking at Ogun-Oba shrine

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—THE crisis rocking Edo State House of Assembly has taken a new dimension as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lawmakers have challenged the state governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole and their colleagues in the All Progressives Congress, APC, to subscribe to an oath at the Ogun-Oba shrine in the palace of the Oba of Benin, over the allegation that they received N50 million to defect to PDP. Addressing newsmen in Benin, yesterday, the eight PDP lawmakers in the House, including the factional Speaker, Mr. Festus Ebea, accused the state government of blackmailing and inciting the youths and market women against them.

Spokesman for the lawmakers, Mr. Patrick Osayimwen, said that it was unfortunate that the governor had resorted to the current tactics after he invited him and Mr. Jude Ise-Idehen to his office on May 10, 2014 and alleged that the governor offered them millions of naira not to opt out of the APC merger, but they declined, though they assured him of their support for his developmental agenda.

Osayimwen, whose state-

ment was endorsed by the PDP lawmakers, narrated the genesis of the crisis, saying, “ I did not collect N50 million or a kobo from President Goodluck Jonathan or anybody as alleged by Governor Oshiomhole, to join PDP. “As a proud Bini man, who received inspiration passed on by my late father, I want to appeal to his Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin, the Esogban of Benin Kingdom and all top palace chiefs to give me and Oshiomhole an opportunity to come to

the palace of our royal father to swear before Ogun-Oba to validate the truth.

“I am prepared to swear before the gods of our land that if I collected a kobo from PDP as an incentive to join the party, let the gods of our land perish me and my offsprings. But the Oba of Benin should continue to bless and pray for me and my offspring if I am innocent.

“In the same vein, Oshiomhole should swear to the same oath that if he is sure

about the accusation he has made, let the Oba of Benin bless him and his offspring, but if he lied, let the gods of our land perish him and his offsprings. I say this because only the guilty is afraid.”

Also speaking on the way out of the crisis, the Minority Whip of the Assembly, Mr. Kingsley Ehigiamusoe, appealed to his colleagues in the APC to see reason on why their ambition should not hold the state to ransom.

PUBLIC HEARING: From left: Mr. Akpan Umoh; Deputy Leader, House of Representatives, Mr. Leo Ogor and Chairman, House Committee on Civil Society and Donor Agencies, Mr. Ini Udoka, at a public hearing on a Bill to Regulate the Acceptance and Utilisation of Financial/Material contribution of Donor Agencies, in Abuja, yesterday.

JTF shuts down 40 illegal refinery camps in Bayelsa

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—OPERATIVES of the Joint Task Force, JTF, in the Niger Delta, code named Operation Pulo Shield, have shut down 40 illegal refinery camps in the creek of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The council, which is one of the biggest in the country, is regarded as the hub of illegal crude oil distilling business in the region.

The Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre, JTF, Lieutenant Colonel Mustapha Anka, yesterday in Yenagoa, said the camps were smoked out due to proactive intelligence gathering on the activities of the illegal oil bunkerers and oil thieves in Niger Delta.

He said: “Troops of JTF have shut down 40 illegal distillery camps along Alkini Kalatoro, Lagosbene and Epelene creeks in Southern Ijaw council of Bayelsa State, where oil thieves operates with 21 Cot-

onou boats, 78 dumps and 154 plastic drums filled with substance suspected to be stolen crude.

“Both the sites and the items were destroyed. No suspect was arrested

during the operation. Troops had already been deployed in the general area.”

He added that troops of the Sector 1, anti-illegal bunkering squad

I was coerced to implicate Okowa —Suspect

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—A middle-aged man, Mr. Sunny Okonye, who was allegedly shot by suspected political hoodlums in Boji-Boji-Agbor, Ika South Local Area, Delta State, over his alleged involvement in the burning down of a campaign billboard, has said he was coerced to implicate Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and his aides in the shooting.

Okonye, who made the clarification when he addressed newsmen, accused a political chieftain in the council (name withheld), of footing his medical bills with promises of funds, empowerment and other sundry gratification and coerced him to falsify his oral and written statements to the police.

The victim, who wore bandages on his left arm, said that none of Okowa’s aides was present at the time of the

incident, reiterating that he was forced to implicate Senator Okowa in a bid to dent his political records ahead of the 2015 governorship election in the state.

Explaining that the political chieftain asked him to claim that his shooting was in connection with the alleged burning down of Senator Okowa’s 2015 governorship campaign billboard at the College of Education Junction in Agbor, he said his earlier statements were made after promises of political and economic empowerment were made to him.

It will be recalled that friends of Senator Okowa had described the allegation as the handiwork of mischief makers, who were out to soil Okowa's name because of his gubernatorial ambition.

of the special security intercepted and arrested four trucks loaded with products suspected to be illegally refined products and crude oil along Akpokoka Waterside in Koko, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.

According to him, the vehicles are currently in the custody of the JTF for preliminary investigation.

Delta LG polls: PDP stakeholders kick against manipulation

P

EOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, stakeholders in Oshimili South Local Government Area, Delta State, have expressed displeasure over the mismanagement of nomination forms for the forthcoming local government elections slated for October by the council's party chairman.

The concerned stakeholders had protested, among other things, the alleged manipulation in the original list of the party executives, alleging that some names were swapped.

The over 500 stakeholders, who met in Oshimili, had earlier staged a protest at the palace of the Asagba of Asaba, condemning what they called the fictitious approach adopted by the council chairman, which they said was a bid to disenfranchise some party members.

They also condemned the partial distribution of nomination forms by the Oshimili South PDP chairman, which they claim has led to some aspirants being denied their rights and privileges.

They also demanded that the PDP Chairman in the council should present to the stakeholders, the minutes of the meeting where the caucus of the party agreed to buy nomination forms for select candidates.

They alleged that the PDP in the area usurped the powers, which should have been a collective responsibility of duly elected executive members of the party, insisting that the action smacks of the totalitarian and unilateral inclination of the incumbent party chairman, who has consistently run the party as a one manshow.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014—13

Edo Assembly crisis: APC lawmakers impeach suspended Deputy Speaker

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM & GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—THE All Progressives Congress, APC, members in the Edo State House of Assembly, yesterday, sat at the old House of Assembly complex at the state Government House and impeached the suspended Deputy Speaker of the House, Mr. Festus Ebea.

They also elected the member representing Esan Central constituency, Mr. Victor Edoror as the new Deputy Speaker.

But reacting to the development, the Minority Whip of the House, Mr. Kingsley Ehigiamusoe, said: “If the rumour that we heard is correct, that a section of the Assembly sat at the Government House to say that they have impeached the Deputy Speaker, then that is the joke of the century.

“The House Rule section 77, is explicit on the way the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker can be removed and

under the rule, a petition must be signed by 2/3 majority of the members stating details of the allegations against the office holder.

“Then an ad hoc committee is set up by the House to investigate the allegations and shall within seven days submit its report. Immediately after the debate on the report, if 2/3 majority favours it, it is only then that the holder of the office can be removed. Anything short of this is null and void and he cannot be removed.

“They are only 15 members and the Speaker cannot vote and for them to remove the Deputy Speaker, they must be 16. That was not done. No petition was written against the Deputy Speaker and their sitting at Government House is null and void as there was no resolution of the House earlier that the plenary session of the House should be moved to Government House.”

Deputy Speaker is for APC caucus—Ewah Also, reacting, the Minority

Leader of the House, Mr. Emma Ewah, said “If the APC wants to have a Deputy Speaker, it is for the APC caucus and not for the Edo State House of Assembly.

The Deputy Speaker can only be impeached by 2/3 majority of the members of the House and they are only 15. That does not constitute 2/3 majority. That is what the constitution says.”

Impeachment

The motion for the impeachment of the suspended Deputy Speaker was moved by the member representing Owan East constituency, Folly Ogedengbe and was seconded by the member representing Akoko Edo 11, Olorotunba Bamidele. They accused the suspended Deputy Speaker of allegedly forceful breaking into the chambers to take over the office of the Speaker, Mr. Uyi Igbe, accusing him of “high handedness and gross misconduct.”

The 15 APC lawmakers House commenced sitting at the old chambers at 11:10a.m., yesterday. The Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Philip Shaibu, also moved a motion for temporal relocation of the proceedings of the House to the old Hallowed Chambers, explaining that it became necessary due to the renovation work at the Ring Road chambers of the House.

Following the impeachment of the Deputy Speaker, Speaker Uyi Igbe explained that “ we are covered by section 92 sub-section 2D of the 1999 Constitution as amended and our House rules order 72, 1A gives us the privilege to do what we have just done.”

Under matters of urgent public importance, Shaibu said that the Speaker had, on Tuesday, visited the Assembly complex on Ringroad and it was agreed that renovation work should commence, explaining therefore that it was the reason why the House decided to relocate temporar-

ily to the old chambers, which was used in 1992.

“Following what happened in the state House of Assembly, we were all aware that the four lawmakers and their cohorts, who were suspended damaged the doors and windows within the chambers, which led to complete renovation of the chambers. And following the inspection of the complex by Mr. Speaker, it was obvious that the place needed to be renovated.

“I moved that the House now temporarily sit in the old Assembly chambers. We are all aware that this chamber was where the House sat before we moved to Ringroad, and for me, I see it as the return to our root. I want to urge the House that for the purpose we were elected and for legislative work to move on, and because we have a lot of committee reports to consider, I move that the House now sit in the old hallowed chambers of the Assembly until the new chamber is refurbished and ready to be used.”

14 —Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

Bizman wants N500m from Police over alleged illegal detention

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A ASSEMBLY: Chairman, Igbo Leaders of Thought, Professor Ben Nwabueze (6th left), Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe (7th left) and their members, during the 8th Assembly of Igbo Leaders of Thought in Enugu, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Crisis brews in Imo over deduction of staff salaries

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—ANOTHER round of labour crisis is brewing in Imo State, following what staff of the 27 local government councils described as arbitrary deduction of staff salaries by government, for staff identification card project.

Some of the aggrieved staff, who spoke on strict grounds of anonymity, alleged that the State Chairman of Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, was working in concert with the state Local Government Service Commission and the Ministry of Local Government to deduct staff salaries without due consultation.

The aggrieved workers alleged that N2,500 was deducted from salaries of staff on grade level 01-10, while N3,000, was deducted from those on grade level 11 and above.

Doing a simple arithmetic, the workers hinted that with a staff strength of about 30,000 NULGE members across the 27 local council areas and with a flat rate of N2,500, a staggering N75 million would have been fleeced from the workers in the exercise.

Some NULGE executive members from the local council areas denied being consulted before the commencement of the deductions.

“We were never consulted.

The programme was never discussed during any meeting. It is, therefore, shocking that some people sat and took the decision to

illegally tax workers.

They appealed to Governor Rochas Okorocha to, not only halt the illegal deductions, but

also refund the deducted amount to the staff.

Efforts made to reach the Commissioner for Information

and Strategy, Dr. Theodore Ekechi, failed as his line could not be reached before press time.

2015: Groups okay political awareness in Taraba

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

ALINGO—TWO human rights groups, Option Without Borders, OWB, and Citizens Rights Campaign, CRC, have expressed satisfaction over the level of political enlightenment at the grassroots in Taraba State towards having credible 2015 general elections in the state.

The groups made the remarks after conducting an enlightenment campaign for the electorate, aimed at deepening electoral education among the rural folks, ahead of the 2015 general elections.

In a campaign aimed at testing electorate knowledge of the five politicians contesting for the gubernatorial seat from Southern Taraba next year, OWB Director, Mr. Onome Richard, and the CRC Director, Mr. Kehinde Balogun, noted with satisfaction that market women, artisans, students, farmers, civil servants and the unemployed across all villages and towns in the state showed that majority of the people were conversant with their rights and obligations at the polls.

“Though we set out to drum more political awareness for the forthcoming polls, we met in Southern Taraba, a people determined to produce a candidate that can sell across the

J

three senatorial divides in the state,” the groups stated.

“In a sample poll carried out among 520,000 respondents which asked a simple question to pick a name among the five leading politicians gunning for the office, which is billed to be filled by the zone, the current Minister for Niger Delta Affairs and a major contender, Mr. Darius Ishaku, polled 81,000 votes, while a Senator representing the Southern Taraba, Emmanuel Bwatcha got 75,000 votes.

“Current Chairman of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, LtGen. Agbu Kefas (rtd), got 7,000 votes, while the Permanent

Secretary, Ministry of Finance Mr. Danladi Kifasi got 112,000 votes, while the former Director of Finance and Administration in the National Assembly and a prominent Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain, Chief David Sabo Kente polled 221,000 votes,” the groups said.

Similarly, the Jukun Development Association, JDA, said in another opinion poll carried out on its facebook.com page, which sampled 256,000 respondents, that 135,000 JDA facebook friends voted for Chief David Sabo Kente, with 42,000 voting for Mr. Danladi Kifasi, 28,000 goes to the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Darius Ishaku, while the NIMASA boss LtGen. Kefas and Senator Bwatcha got 25,510 and 12, 226 votes respectively.

WKA—AN Ogidi, Anambra Statebased businessman, Mr. Okechukwu Nwaforagu is claiming N500 million from the Nigeria Police over what he described as illegal detention.

In a suit filed at Anambra State High Court sitting at Ogidi against the Inspector General of Police, Anambra State Commissioner of Police, the Commissioner of Police in charge of Special Anti- Robbery Squad and two others, Nwaforagu’s lawyer, Mr. H.N.C. Muoghalu, said his client was detained for almost one month for a matter that was not a capital offence.

In the suit, No HID/ Misc.21/2014, the counsel said that in as much as Section 4 of the Police Act conferred on it the right to investigate, arrest and detain a person who is suspected of committing any offence, such a right was not absolute and could not be exercised arbitrarily.

He said: “It is our submission that Section 4 of the Police Act is subject to the provisions of Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides that any person arrested on suspicion of having committed a criminal offence will be charged to court within 24 hours of his arrest or at most 48 hours.

“In the instant case, the applicant was arrested and detained for almost one month and the police have not shown any justification why they detained the applicant for more than is required by law.”

Guber aspirant promises to transform Imo

BY SEBASTINE OBASI

O

W E R R I — A governorship aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Imo State, Dr. Charles Amanze, has promised to make the state the number one in the country in terms of industrialisation, infrastructure development, education, health and security, if elected in 2015.

Amanze, who was former Chairman of the Board of

University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Enugu, made the promise while formally declaring for governorship seat in his Uvuru ward in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area.

He also said that he was prepared to restore Imo to its enviable position bequeathed to it by the first civilian governor, late Sam Mbakwe.

While seeking the support of his people, Amanze assured that his quest to be governor

would put him on a better pedestal to render more selfless services to humanity.

“I am confident that with your support and the will of God, I will make it. I have been rendering services to humanity in various ways.

“As Chairman, Board of UNTH, I saw to the relocation to its permanent site. As a member of the Board of Technical Aid Corps, I also provided jobs to indigenes of Imo State,” he said.

Vanguard , THURSDAY,JULY 3, 2014 — 15

FG denies bomb explosion in Ile-Ife A

BY CALEB AYANSINA

BUJA—FEDERAL Government, yesterday, denied that there was bomb explosion in Ile-Ife in Osun State, urging people to desist from heightening tension by peddling rumours.

On Tuesday, two explosive devices reportedly planted in two strategic locations at Agbedegbede area of the town exploded at 5.30 a.m., leaving residents of the area in shock and apprehension.

But the National Coordinator of National Information Centre, Mr. Mike Omeri, during a routine security briefing, alongside representatives of security forces, in Abuja, said it was just a mere carbide explosion, and nothing was affected.

According to him, “there was a report of a non lethal explosion from an object which was investigated by security agencies at Agbedegbede Street, Ile-Ife, Osun state.

“The outcome of the investigation indicates that the explosion was neither a bomb nor dynamite, but carbide as neither the ground where the explosion occurred nor the building within the vicinity was affected by the explosion, just as no human life was lost neither was plantain shrubs near it destroyed.”

Omeri also condemned the Tuesday’s blast at Maiduguri market, while praising the prompt response of security operatives to secure the area in a bid to prevent further attack.

“We roundly condemn Tuesday’s acts of terrorism in

Maiduguri and to commend the prompt action of our security forces that rapidly secured the area in an effort to prevent further attacks on onlookers, particularly, the Fire service that displayed heroism by putting out the fire caused by the explosion,

VISIT: Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State ((left) and Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, NCPC, John Kennedy Opara, during the NCPC's sensitisation visit to the state.

Fani-Kayode lied on Boko Haram, APC insists

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU BUJA—THE All Progressives Congress, APC, has insisted that Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode not only lied but distorted facts to reach a preproterous conclusion on the party’s comments concerning the proscription of Boko Haram by the Federal Government In a statement issued in Abuja, yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party also said Mr. Fani-Kayode’s emotional response to an earlier statement by the party failed to wash off the thick mud he splashed on himself when he returned to his vomit, and made himself available to be used to castigate the opposition on the altar of glaring exigency.

It said, however, that in the true spirit of the party’s belief in dwelling on issues rather than pettiness, it had decided not to engage Mr. Fani-Kayode in brickbats but to simply set the record straight for the sake of posterity. ‘’On June 9, 2013, the ACN issued a statement in which it said in the opening paragraph, "The Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has said that the recent

A

thereby preventing it from spreading into the market,” he said.

He urged the public to continue giving their support to the security agencies in bringing to an end, activities of insurgents in the country.

proscription order against Boko Haram and Ansaru, desirable as it may be in tackling the terrorist organisations, violates the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by stifling the press and tampering with the fundamental human rights of Nigerians. ‘’Any person, especially one who supposedly had the benefit

of a sound education, who interprets this statement as a condemnation of the proscription itself is either acting out of deliberate mischief or has failed to take advantage of his good education, perhaps in a desperation to escape justice at all cost," the party said.

Senate okays Shekarau, Oru, two others as ministers

BY JOHNBOSCO

AGBAKWURU BUJA—THE Senate yesterday confirmed the nomination of the former governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, the National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Stephen Orise Oru , a former Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Dr. Abdu Bulama, and former National Publicity Secretary, Alliance for Democracy, AD, as ministers.

The senate also confirmed the appointment of Mr. Peter Osaretin Enogieru as the Commissioner representing Edo State on the Board of Niger Delta Development

A

Commission, NDDC. Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has sent the name of Alhaji Mahdi Daura, from Katsina State to the senate for confirmation as a member of the Federal Character Commission, while the President also has reappointment Hon. Sheba Abayomi from Ondo State and Hon. Jonathan Awofisayo from Osun State as members of the Federal Character Commission, FCC. President Jonathan had in June, nominated Shekarau who was a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC but later dumped the party for the PDP.

2014: Agbaje replaces Akeju as new Osun REC

A

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

BU—AHEAD of next month’s governorship election in Osun State, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, last Tuesday yielded to the demand of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and removed the State’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr. Rufus Akeju.

The commission also redeployed the Kogi State REC, Segun Agbaje, to Osun. The redeployed REC has already assumed duty in Osun.

This was confirmed yesterday by the INEC Deputy Director incharge of Public Affairs, Mr Nick Dazang, while speaking to news men in Kaduna.

Dazang had also explained that contrary to speculations, Akeju was only asked to proceed on his annual leave, adding that he would still remain as Osun REC at the end of his vacation, even though he would not be in charge during Osun State governorship election.

He further explained that it was clear that the Osun State REC would not be allowed to conduct Osun election, following the series of petitions and protests against his continued stay as REC by some stakeholders in the state as well as acourtrulingorderinghisremovalfrom office.

16 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

TERRORISM: Army denies allegations of rights abuse A

BY SONI DANIEL

BUJA—THE Nigerian military has denied allegations of rights abuse by soldiers in the course of fighting terrorism in parts of the Northeast.

Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, who made the clarification, yesterday, insisted that allegations of human rights abuses being levied against troops combating terrorism in the North Eastern parts of the country were false and baseless.

Olukolade said: “The position of the Nigerian armed forces and security agencies is guided by rules of engagement, which we will continue to abide by.

Accusations of human rights abuse will be investigated whenever it is believed to have occurred.

“However, I must call your attention to the fact that this has become a stock in trade of organisations that have doubt about our

ability to maintain integrity in our operations but be sure that this remains a professional force.

“We are conducting our activities in the most professional manner and we will stand by it. Please note that the obligation we have is to investigate it and when such allegations come, we do investigate them.”

Olukolade spoke during the thrice weekly briefing by the National Information Centre, NIC. Olukolade, who disclosed that some troops lost their lives in the bomb explosion at a market in Maiduguri on Tuesday, insisted that members of the Nigerian military and other security agencies would continue to defend the nation even at the point of death.

He denied insinuations that residents at the scene of the Maiduguri blast attacked the military and fire fighters saying “we just know that our men did

their job on that spot. In fact we lost soldiers in the process, but be sure that the military and other security agencies will continue to do their duty and I don’t have a report of anybody being denied the right to execute their mandate as a security agent in that area.”

Coordinator of NIC, Mr. Mike Omeri, had earlier clarified the report about the explosion which occurred in Ile-Ife, Osun State on Tuesday.

According to Omeri, what happened was a non-lethal explosion from an object which was investigated by security agencies at Agbedegbede Street, Ile-Ife, Osun state.

He said that the outcome of the investigation indicated that the explosion was neither a bomb nor dynamite, but carbide, which did not affect the ground where the explosion occurred and the building within the vicinity while no human life was lost.

Plot to impeach Nyako thickens zAs House asks CJ to constitute panel

Y

BY UMAR YUSUF

OLA—ADAMAWA State House of Assembly has directed the state Acting Chief Judge, Justice Ambrose Mamadi to constitute a seven-man impeachment panel within seven days to investigate allegations of gross misconduct levelled against Governor Murtala Nyako and his deputy, James Bala Ngillari.

The directive is in defiance of an earlier court oder restraining the Assembly from proceeding with the matter which was before the court.

At yesterday’s plenary, the House cited Section 188 (3)(4) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which empowered the members to proceed with the impeachment processes. They said that both the governor and his deputy failed to defend themselves against allegations of gross misconduct made against them, adding that due processes had been followed to that effect.

The House further noted that the directive to the chief judge followed the expiration of the two weeks given to Nyako and Ngillari

to reply to the allegations of gross mismanagement and fraud levelled against them.

Two requests signed by 20 out of the 25 legislators and verified by the Speaker, Alhaji Umaru Fintiri, led to the resolution of the House to start the impeachment proceedings

against Nyako and Ngillari.

According to the terms of reference of the panel, its proceedings would be held in public and shall be conducted from 9am to 5pm each day.

Yesterday’s proceedings was presided over by the Speaker, Alhaji Fintiri.

Ekpoko emerges Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko Leaders Forum chairman BYEGUFE YAFUGBORHI

W

A R R I – IMMEDIATE past Secretary of the Ijaw, Isoko and Itsekiri Leaders Forum, Mr. Edward Ekpoko has been elected Chairman of the group.

Also elected was Mr Vincent Omorie as Secretary.

Others elected include Chief Bare Etolor as 1st Vice Chairman; Mr Dennis Etaluku, 2nd Vice Chairman; Mr Jonathan Ari, Treasurer and Amorighoye Mene, Assistant Secretary.

Ekpoko shortly after the inauguration of the new executive, said his leadership was “committed to building on the focus of our predecessors in ensuring that Delta South makes progress politically and economically.

“In the times ahead, we will continue to reach out to every group in the other senatorial zones in the state, strengthen bridges of unity because we believe we are one state as no one group can do it alone in leading the state politically and economically.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 — 17

I

got caught in the eye of a storm this week at the National Conference. Pure serendipity really! SUNDAY TRUST’s cover was an exclusive report titled: “NATIONAL CONFAB HIDDEN AGENDA EXPOSED”. The report had gleaned from a 102-page document entitled: “The National Conference 2014 Terms of Agreement of the six Geo-Political Zones”.

This innocuous document listed terms of agreement that included items like 50% Derivation for Oil Producing States; the creation of an additional 13 states in the country; Rotational Presidency and Governorship; cessation of Federal Allocation to Local Government Councils.

The exclusive report said the authors of the report were enticing delegates with bribe money and new states. I was worried because I didn’t know some “Terms of Agreement of the Six Geo-Political Zones” were in the works.

Platforms to canvass Of course I am not naïve about developments. Delegates had been meeting since the commencement of the National Conference. Southern delegates, who mainly agitated since the 1990s for a National Conference, had prepared very elaborate platforms to canvass.

They also built a Southern alliance and also made spirited efforts to drive a wedge into Northern solidarity by reaching out to Jerry Gana’s Middle Belt group. A National Conference, in that sequence of agendas, seemed always targeted against Northern Nigeria. The Conference, too, was

National Conference 2014: Headed for the home stretch ly to actualise its agenda under the platform of Unity Forum convened by Senator Ibrahim Mantu”.

The report similarly alleged plan “to empower President Jonathan to come up with a new national constitution”. I saw a trend from the report in SUNDAY TRUST and the cover in Monday’s DAILY TRUST. I therefore made up my mind to raise a motion of urgent national importance, which I eventually did! I sought for the Deputy Chairman, Professor Akinyemi to defend allegations against him. That opened up a Pandora’s box!

In matters like that emotions overflow and a Masada Complex overtook the hall, with delegates becoming boxed into ethno-regional laagers. As individuals were forced by the circumstance to explain their roles in the document I referred to, it became clearer that meetings had been holding to secure consensus on divisive issues.

That was the reason Bolaji Akinyemi posited for holding meetings with various delega-

,

A mutually assured destruction can never be the logic to pursue when there are so many contending issues that militate against nation building

overwhelmingly skewed in the South’s favour. The North has therefore been wary of agendas against it with an intrinsic vulnerability, but nevertheless determined to secure its position. I know the depth of feelings on all sides, as I consciously try to reach out to all Nigerian compatriots. My attitude was always that, yes I am Northern, but I represent a Pan-Nigerian organisation, the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

I left home early on Monday because we were to discuss the report of my Committee on Political Parties and Electoral Matters. But I was confronted

by DAILY TRUST’s lead story: “Confab Secretariat Lobbies Northern Delegates”. The nut and bolt was that Deputy Chairman, Bolaji Akinyemi was “at the forefront of consultation with Northern delegates to convince them to accept a new constitution”.

The story added that: “Akinyemi is acting at the instance of the Presidency whose political operators inside the conference are already working purported-

,

tions, including the Northern.

It was nevertheless clearer also that subterranean efforts are being made by sections of delegates, to nudge the conference into accepting a constitution, as an outcome of the National Conference with the important adjunct of a referendum to legitimise such a constitution. But as in any such issue, the devil is in the details.

And this is made particularly poignant by the fact that some of the Southern delegates had become giddy with the assumption that they secured a strategic victory, when Conference agreed to the establishment of state police.

These individuals boasted to their friends in the media that their next victory will be a new constitution and therefore needed the support of their media allies!

When I moved my motion, I honestly didn’t quite realise the depth of pain it would inflict on those who had sworn that their constitution would be an outcome of the conference.

As we enter the home stretch,

to borrow a description from athletics, it is clear that we are locked in the most difficult phase of contestation of the National Conference. From issues of local government excision from the constitution, generous ‘donation’ of an extra state to the South East while others

must meet set criteria; the unending demand for resource control and the not-too-hidden agenda for a new constitution, we have arrived at the phase of bitter intrigues when the earlier emotional overflows will seem like child play. The various delegations will stretch every sin-

ew to be seen to have won victory against adversaries on the other side. This is because inter-elite rivalries in Nigeria are almost the continuation of old tribal warfare by other means.

On all sides, the consensus building techniques which elite groups must learn, as the essential ingredient of nation building, has become increasingly the most difficult technique to learn here. Yet an incremental record of agreed successes that benefits all sections of the country should be the best way to moderate the vicious rivalries amongst our elite groups.

A mutually assured destruction can never be the logic to pursue when there are so many contending issues that militate against nation building.

But the home stretch is the scene to burn maximum energy, because all athletes, in our case the delegates, can see the tape they want to breast!

Yadoma Bukar Mandara: The future in the present

I

T was a few days to the opening of the National Conference, 2014, that I first saw a reference to Yadoma Bukar Mandara. Nasir El-Rufai had written a short piece for our National Collective internet group that he probably would only like to help manage the funds that would accrue to Yadoma from the National Conference, because she was going to be the youngest participant at the age of 23. That kind of got filed away in my memory. And two weeks into the Conference, I met her for the first time at lunch.

She was in the company of a group of younger members of the Conference, including Hassan Rilwan, who as Publisher of SARDAUNA magazine, has become a notable young Northern Nigerian entrepreneur, with interest in many other areas of business and is also quite articulate and personable.

We had spoken and when she told me her name, I connected the face and person to the short piece from Nasir El-rufai. She appeared to be shy, was respectful, wore a ready smile and had a tendency to bow slightly in respect to people who tried to greet or speak with her. One day, when I did not have a car, she even offered me a ride into town; it was one service which she readily gave to many delegates, especially the group of young people at the Conference.

Most popular delegates In the weeks and months of the Conference, Yadoma Bukar Mandara has become one of the most popular delegates. This is largely because of her sense of responsibility which came to the fore so early and which seemed to have been readily harvested by the leadership of the Conference.

The young lady has been given various responsibilities which she has applied herself to with admirable dedication.

The fact that she is the youngest delegate was noticed by all, and her surname was one that was readily connected with by many people who knew her father, the late Alhaji Bukar Mandara, a very colourful individual and certainly one of the most noticeable representatives of his generation in Borno and Northern Nigeria. He had built a remarkable network of relationships across Nigeria. Alhaji Mandara used to be a regular visitor to my office, when I was Editor of DAILY TRUST, between 2002 and 2005. Yadoma is very fond of her father and tells whoever asked that she is the old man’s last child!

There seemed to be an unspoken desire to be a true ambassador of her famous father and an urge not to fall below a standard that befitsher background. She ploughs into every assignment with a single-minded devotion, application, enthusiasm and a sense of responsibility which all who relate

with her admire. It is therefore no surprise that she is easily recognisable and is always in one group or other, or is being sought out for a conversation or is just greeted by all with a respect that reflects admiration for the way she carries herself!

When Committee work commenced, she was, not surprisingly, made the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on the Environment. She had studied Environmental Biology at the University of Maiduguri, so her work in the Environment Committee fitted her background; but to be made a Deputy Chairperson of the Committee was an endorsement of her sense of responsibility and an opportunity to help further develop her leadership skills.

By all indication, she applied herself to committee work with the same industry. And when called upon to lay down the Committee’s report at the re-commencement of plenary, she shyly walked to the front of the conference, received a ringing endorsement in the deafening ovation which accompanied her. It was vindication of the trust that the Conference leadership reposes in her, that she was also appointed member of a committee helping to find consensus on the divisive issue of Nigeria’s Land Use Act. Hajiya Aisha Ismail, who chairs the committee, spoke highly of Yadoma’s contribution to the work which the committee did. And to imagine that she turned 24 during the Conference!

As we come closer to the end of the Conference, I think that Yadoma Bukar Mandara is one of the standout individuals of the past few months. She is a representative of the best of Nigerian youth, helping to underscore the possibilities that Nigeria can tap into, if it gives young people the opportunity to learn practical leadership skills in the nation building process.

I have no doubts in my mind that this shy, unassuming and very respectful young lady has learnt incredible lessons about the complexities of Nigeria and the depths that we take our fault lines to amongst our elite groups. She would also have learnt consensus building and harvested friendships across regional, religious, gender, even demographic lines that will redound to her benefit in the future.

Yadoma Bukar Mandara is an expression of the future possibilities of Nigeria, being moulded in the social currents of the present. I think Nigeria will hear a lot about this young lady in the future. How proud her father, Alhaji Bukar Mandara would have been, to see his youngest daughter flower so early in life! And by the way, Yadoma has kept a running blog on the National Conference, since the commencement of the National Conference, 2014.

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 SADLY, the current doctors’ strike, like the series of strikes that preceded it, would not change anything. The reason is simple – it is not based on sustainable principles.

Doctors want improvements on their welfare, not even facilities for their work.

More indefinite strikes would occur as any gains from the present struggle would be lost to the weaknesses of the economy.

Inflation is real. Wages do not match inflation. Doctors are over-worked; ironically there is a high level of unemployment among young doctors.

Things are so bad that students in medical school cannot find places for their housemanship, the mandatory training that attaches them to medical facilities.

The strike is said to be indefinite. The issues are almost infinite. While doctors are pressing for better wages, the public is worried about the quality of private and public medical services. For the 24 demands doctors are making, the public can list more demands from the profession.

President of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Dr. Lawrence Obembe, said the strike was based on failure of the Federal Government to meet doctors’ 24-

Unending Doct or s’ S trik es Doctor ors’ Strik trikes point demand. Many meetings and interventions by Ministers of Health and Justice proved futile. It is remarkable that NMA is embarking on this strike in defiance of an interim injunction by the National Industrial Court, Abuja.

The court order forbade the strike by all health workers. It halted the implementation of agreements reached with government until the substantive case before it was resolved. Before the law, the strike is illegal. For the public, the avoidable loss of lives is something people cannot understand.

Doctors are demanding a full recognition of their primacy in the medical profession.

They want discontinuation of appointing

non-medical doctors as directors and consultants. Other issues include specialised duty allowances.

The frequency of these strikes has become uncontrollable and untenable. It is difficult for the public to understand what doctors and the health sector workers really want.

It gives the impression that doctors are putting unhealthy union politics above their Hippocratic Oath, which places saving of lives above every principle in the conduct of medical doctors.

Complications of the demands are that other health workers start their own strike to prove they are equally important, thus resulting in endless disruptions. How would government manage the endless strikes?

A health sector that can work smoothly, with the various interest groups finding their rightful places and getting what is rightly due to them is possible.

Governments and unions can use the same well laid down best practices that have served other societies so well that wealthy individuals, often at public expense, travel abroad for medical care. Nigerians are tired of strikes, especially ones that cost lives.

OPINION

BY NKEM NWANDU

T

HE Nigerian judiciary was jolted last year by a suit filed by the so-called Trovan Victims Association, TVA, represented by Mustapha Maisekeli and their lawyers against Pfizer Inc., Pfizer Specialties Limited, the Healthcare Meningitis Trust Fund, Chief Anthony Idigbe and Bode Technology Inc. In the case, the plaintiffs accused the respondents of conspiring against them in order to shut them out of the compensation due them as contained in the out-of-court settlement agreement reached on July 30, 2009 by Pfizer Inc. and the Kano State government.

In the said agreement, a provision was made for the establishment of the Healthcare-Related Programmes Trust Fund to finance a health project chosen by Kano State up to the tune of $30 million. It also provided for the establishment of the Healthcare/Meningitis Trust Fund to determine the actual participants or their relatives and pay the appropriate compensation to them. Two Boards, made up of very eminent people elected by the two parties to the agreement, were appointed to administer these funds.

The Healthcare Related Programmes Trust Board had a smooth sail completing its assignment of delivering the ultramodern Diagnostic and Disease Control Centre in record time. Obviously excited, the Kano State government has already designated the facility as the proposed School of Medical Sciences of its newly established Northwest University.

However, the Healthcare Meningitis Trust had some disruption midway in its

Trovan victims: A w ar without end war operations.

The Trovan Victims Association, a group of people who claim to be part of the clinical trials of 1996 and led by Mustapha Maisekeli, went to court and got an injunction stopping the Board from continuing with the DNA testing it embarked upon to verify the claimants.The Meningitis Board had earlier advertised for those who participated in the 1996 study to come up for verification to determine their participation, triggering off a deluge of a total of 547 claimants when only 200 people actually participated in the clinical study. This bloated pool of claimants further necessitated the Board to resort to DNA testing to empirically determine the real participants from the impostors.

After a series of negotiations, the TVA agreed to rejoin the process and promised to abide by the findings and decisions of the Board. The Board thereafter went ahead and screened all the 547 DNA samples submitted to it by the claimants. Out of the 547 people, only 14 people passed the DNA test and qualified for compensation in line with the agreement. These are the people who received compensation ranging between $87, 500 and $175,000 each.

It is worthy to note that of all the 186 members of TVA that came for the test, only four people passed the test and were fully compensated. Even the leadership of the TVA failed the DNA test and were refused compensation. This makes the current court case in Abuja bear all the trappings of a bad-loser syndrome. The plaintiffs seem

to aim at getting from the court what they failed to get from Board.

From the TVA's Statement of Claims, it accused Pfizer Inc of teleguiding the Board, thereby depriving the Board of its independence. It also accused the Board of setting very high standards for qualification, thus reducing the chances of his members' qualification, among others.

A novel ambition was shown in the case by the plaintiffs. They sued Pfizer's lawyer, Chief Anthony Idigbe, for interfering "with the economic relations and interests of the plaintiffs when he wrote to the Board of Trustees asking it to wind up its operation...thereby denying the plaintiffs an opportunity of qualifying for compensation under the Healthcare/ Meningitis Trust Fund process", as contained in TVA's statement of claims.

When Chief Idigbe challenged the inclusion of his name in the suit on the grounds that he was only performing his role as a counsel to Pfizer Inc and Pfizer Specialties, the plaintiffs quickly dropped his name. Also when Pfizer challenged the TVA lawyers' conflicting roles as counsels as well as beneficiaries of the suit, they quickly dropped out of the suit.

Meanwhile, Pfizer Inc. has filed its own motions asking the court to dismiss the suit on numerous grounds, including the plaintiffs' signed releases. According to them: "This new legal action, brought by and on behalf of parties who voluntarily dismissed their lawsuits against Pfizer with prejudice two years ago, after settling their

claims on mutually agreeable terms, is completely groundless and prohibited by unconditional releases these same plaintiffs signed and delivered to Pfizer as a condition of their resolutions."

It further informed that the TVA dismissed their lawsuits against Pfizer with prejudice and agreed to rejoin the Healthcare/ Meningitis Trust Fund claims process being conducted by an independent Board of Trustees. The plaintiffs provided Pfizer with full and complete releases, under which they waived their rights to litigate the matter further and also agreed to be bound by the Board's decisions on their claims.

One wonders why the same TVA, having waived its rights to litigate on the matter further, is now in court for the same case it willingly delivered its full and complete releases to Pfizer Inc. One also wonders why, having accused Pfizer and Kano State government of conspiracy to deprive them of their rights, TVA left out the Kano State government in the suit.

While I will not say the case is an abuse of court processes, as that is for the court to decide, I just hope that the TVA realises that Nigerians are getting tired of this case, which went on for years without actually going to the trial of the substantive suit and heaved a sigh of relief when an out-of-court settlement was reached by both Pfizer Inc and the Kano State government.

TVA should let things be the way they were after the settlement. *Mr. Nwandu, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014—19

, L

AGOS Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, made an interesting foray into column writing last Monday (June 30, 2014) on the back page of THISDAY newspaper as a guest columnist with an article entitled: “Ekiti Poll: My Take Away”. In his revision of the recently concluded electoral exercise, he deployed gritty logic and arcane reasoning to turn out a fine, readable piece befitting of a lawyer who became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) before he was elected in 2007. But going through it, Fashola came across as a deft political ball juggler evocative of his famous talents as a skillful footballer.

It was a thoroughbred political article created to question the popular conventional wisdom that emerged from a cross section of opinion writers and commentators describing the poll as a true reflection of the political will of the Ekiti people. He questioned the notion that incumbent Governor John Kayode Fayemi lost to former Governor Ayo Peter Fayose despite Fayemi’s performance. He

insinuated that Fayose’s vaunted connection to the grassroots owed to his use of some of the said “missing” federal funds to buy the vote. Fashola floated generally down the lane of the All Progressives Congress, APC’s, afterthought of disputing the Ekiti polls, even after the contestant himself, Governor Fayemi, had graciously conceded defeat and gained for himself overwhelming applause as a true democrat and statesman.

It was not really Fashola’s denunciation of the Ekiti vote, and his remonstration of the choice the Ekiti people made that brought me to this topic. The truth is that Ekiti people had a credible background experience based on which they made their choice. Fayose was an elected governor of the state for nearly four years until he and his deputy were impeached by the State House of Assembly. Fayemi was also in office for nearly four years before the June 21, 2014 election. They knew what both men were capable of doing, and made their choice. They must now live with

,

the choice they made.

I do not believe that “rice” and money decided the poll. Both sides spent money. It is futile to pretend otherwise. Every Nigerian incumbent politician does. That is what people refer to as the power of incumbency in Nigerian politics.

That one party was able to manipulate their power of incumbency to win an election cannot make the loser a saint.

There is no difference between the tricks that PDP marshals to win an election and the ones that other political parties, including the APC, deploy.

T

he truth is that the APC has so far failed on many fronts to show it is different from the PDP. The APC has not lived up to the clamour for an opposition party that is DIFFERENT and BETTER than the PDP. The only thing we

Injustice somewhere is injustice everywhere

T

HIS lame-duck Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has brought to the fore, the obvious fact that a fundamental premise of the democratic system of government is the capacity for peaceful leadership change through the ballot box. This implies the right of the people to choose who governs them. It presupposes that a defeated government will automatically relinquish power. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan is right that American democracy did not become effectively operational until 1801, when incumbent President John Adams was defeated by Thomas Jefferson and he relinquished power peacefully.

But in Nigeria, it hardly happens that an incumbent government either loses an election, or on losing, that it accepts defeat and relinquishes power. That explains why the attainment of democracy is still a mirage in this country.

Some of the comments on Fayemi’s acceptance of defeat have been as intriguing as they were interesting. They range from the complimentary to the mundane.

Enter Patrick Ikhariale (PDP-Esan Central/ Esan West/Igueben): On an AIT live programme, he openly asserted that Fayemi was not the first man to accept defeat at an election in Nigeria . He proceeded to insinuate that Professor Oseriemen Osunbor relinquished power to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

His memory failed him to remember that Professor Osunbor enjoyed a stolen mandate for 18 months before he was finally forced out by the courts.

Perhaps the nearest we ever got to the ideal in Edo State was in 2003, when Senator Roland Owie was the ANPP gubernatorial candidate against PDP’s Lucky Igbinedion.

Owie was widely believed, in unofficial quarters, to have won that election but he did not want to put up with all the rigour of the

election tribunal of that time. As soon as the results were announced, he vamoosed from Edo State and remained incommunicado.

Yinka Odumakin captured the total essence of Fayemi’s capitulation: “The crushing defeat of Fayemi is equally unprecedented in the annals of elections in Nigeria. A sitting Governor not winning in one LGA in a free and fair election gives no room for contest.”

The moral message here is that if you must beat your opponent, beat him comprehensively. For sure, Fayemi would not have capitulated if the defeat was just marginal. But Fayose won in all the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State. With Fayose’s total score of 203,090 votes to the incumbent’s 120,433, from where would a protest begin?

As they say in criminology, if you must do it, do it big.

From President Goodluck Jonathan and his PDP, the message was clear: “Fayemi exhibited the spirit of sportsmanship propagated and practiced by the PDP and President Jonathan”. We concede this to them. From Edo to Ondo to Anambra states, wherever the opposition won, President Jonathan was always quick at congratulating the victor, sometimes to the chagrin of the party leadership.

In all honesty, they almost beat Fayemi to it. We still remember how the PDP abandoned its gubernatorial candidate, General Charles Airhiavbere at the court process after the 2012 contest in Edo State.

The same thing happened in Anambra State after the 2013 gubernatorial election there.

We are, however, not quite sure of the point at which President Jonathan must be separated from the party for proper acknowledgment and due credit. We know of the pre-Jonathan PDP. That party was synonymous with the aphorism, “why pay a lawyer when you can buy a judge?” It encouraged members to go to tribunals and

see is that the APC is sworn to use every trick at its disposal to snatch power at the federal level from the PDP and become the new dominant party. It is a legitimate aspiration, but the party has failed to adopt clearcut strategies to portray itself as the credible alternative to the PDP. If anything, it has tended to mimic the ruling party, rather than make a difference.

For instance, the PDP’s cardinal principle of power sharing is through the zoning arrangement.

Principal offices are shared among the geo-political zones of the country, starting from the office of the president. Even though zoning is not poignantly spelt out in the APC charter, it was the arrangement they adopted in the recent election of their party’s national executive. Why did the APC fail to make a difference by, for instance, throwing the party positions open for THE MOST QUALIFIED individuals, thus putting emphasis on MERIT rather than the PDP’s QUOTA SYSTEM? It is clear that they have already decided to zone the presidency of the party to the North. Why not throw it open to the best and most electable candidate from its ranks to be different from PDP? Also, the PDP is often known for “adoption” of candidates through “consensus”, a ploy by which the leaders impose candidates on members, which often leads disgruntled members to look for alternative platforms to pursue their ambitions. Atiku Abubakar is a living example of this in APC ranks. Why doesn’t the APC make the difference by adopting TRUE DEMOCRACY, giving power to its members to elect candidates of their choice? Why did it use the PDP’s “consensus” method to

courts even where they had the worst cases, with the belief that where money talks, nobody walks. In that era, justice belonged to the highest bidder.

Where law ends, tyranny begins.

Who can really talk about a changed PDP when in Ekiti State they are praising Frayemi’s democratic credentials to the high heavens and in Edo State , they are the very authors of the

,

Re: Fashola’s Ekiti ‘takeaway’

Lagos is a state where roads and bridges built with public funds are exorbitantly tolled and the poor cannot afford to send their children to tertiary institutions run by the Lagos State Government under Governor Fashola

A situation in which we are begging erring legislators to obey a simple court order and they are holding everybody to ransom, is not only a slap on the Edo State judiciary but also on the entire Nigerian judicial system

,

rumble in the jungle at the State House of Assembly? For all we know, injustice in Edo State is injustice the world over. A situation in which we are all now on our knees, begging erring legislators to obey a simple court order and they are holding everybody to ransom, is not only a slap on the Edo State judiciary but also on the entire Nigerian judicial system.

I

f with the instrumentality of the so-called federal might, a microscopic minority is able to sack an overwhelming majority in the Edo State House of Assembly, we want to call only four living witnesses – Generals Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, Muhammadu Buhari and Ibrahim Badamosi

produce the new National Chairman of the party, Chief John Oyegun? That is why Chief Tom Ikimi is disgruntled and might move over to another party.

Again, the PDP is known as the party of the Democrats, while the APC is the party of the Progressives.

What, in their processes portray them respectively as such except in name only? The PDP heavily subscribes to the economic blueprint and strategies of the Bretton-Wood institutions – the International Monetary Fund, IMF and the World Bank. They believe in the privatisation of public commercial ventures and the use of the Private, Public Participation, PPP, system of infrastructural delivery. Their economic model is primed primarily for the rich. As the economy grows, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

A credible alternative which is Progressive should create an economic policy that will primarily benefit the masses. Is that the situation in Governor Fashola’s Lagos, the foremost APC state? Lagos is a state where roads and bridges built with public funds are exorbitantly tolled and the poor cannot afford to send their children to tertiary institutions run by the Lagos State Government under Governor Fashola. The Lagos State economic model is not only cozy for the rich, worse still, it is hostile to nonindigenes.

To become truly relevant and progressive, the APC must make a difference. It must stop mimicking the PDP that it spends so much money and energy disparaging.

There must be a clear-cut difference between the party of the Democrats and that of the Progressives.

Babangida, to appear concurrently, to demand how what is now being fueled in Edo State is any different from what they were accused of doing in their days, except, of course, that they did theirs in khaki uniform while the current players are performing in resplendent agbada.

Regrettably, we are in a state of anomie in which we have all abandoned our duty posts.

Our courts have virtually sacked legislatures through the instrumentality of the black market injunctions. Equipped with the injunctions, highly favoured sacred cows in government now browbeat everyone and dilly-dally until their tenures expire and they are free forever! Someday soon, it will be possible to commit murder and rush to the court to restrain the police from questioning you.

In what looks like a quick role reversal, many Houses of Assembly have ousted the courts and taken over their major functions.

For example, the Public Petitions Committees have become courts of first instance. At first, citizens petitioned their parliament after all available remedies had been exhausted and they still felt justice had not been achieved. But now, a man whose wife has not treated him well at night rushes to parliament in the morning to report. Any wonder, then, that the thousands of wishywashy resolutions they reel out are better in the waste baskets?

At the citizens’ level, we have not fared better either. We are only interested in playing to the gallery. In the face of all our complaints about the abysmal performance of elected officials, when are we going to start putting the RECALL procedure to test?

20—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 — 21

Terrorism: Port security officers call for more alertness

By GODWIN ORITSE

P

AGM: From left: Interim Chairman, Board of Director, Ecobank, Mr. Andre Siaka, new Chairman of the Board, Mr. Emmanuel Ikazebo, new Group Managing Director, Mr. Albert Essien and Executive Director, Finance and Risk, Laurence do Rego during the bank’s Annual General Meeting in Lome, Togo.

CBN bans lending to loan defaulters of over N500m

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has banned banks and development banks from lending to loan defaulters of over N500 million, without its prior approval.

The ban was announced by the Director, Banking Supervision, CBN, Mrs Tokunbo Martins in a circular titled, “ Prohibition of Loan Defaulters from Further Access to Credit Facilities in the Nigerian Banking Industry.” This decision according to the CBN was occasioned by, “the level of impunity with which some borrowers default on their loans in some institutions and yet are availed further credit facilities by other institutions under the same or sometimes different identity.

This according to the CBN, “Could have the effect of triggering serial defaults and a build-up of non-performing loans which could negatively impact liquidity in the

172.75

2.3

3,153.00

+98.00

16.63

-0.22

112.48 105.41

-0.33

154.73 263.7063 211.2374 173.7173 1.5261 0.3023 238.1545 24.9395 41.2547 28.3295 239.1971

155.23 264.5585 211.92 174.2787 1.531 0.3123 238.9241 25.0205 41.388 28.421 239.9701

155.73 65.4106 212. 6026 174.84 1.536 0.3223 239.6937 25.1015 41.5214 28.5126 240.743

CBN Exchange rate as at 01/07/2014

“All institutions are also reminded that it is mandatory to perform credit checks on potential borrower on CRMS and from at least two credit bureaux in line with our circular dated April 30, 2010, as part of the credit appraisal process.

“The prohibition threshold may be reviewed from time to time with the aim of inculcating responsible and appropriate credit culture in borrowers.

“The provision of this circular shall, in case of defaulting corporate obligors, also apply to their directors and/or related interests.”

“Any institution that contravenes the above directive shall be required to make immediate 150 per cent provision of the facility in addition to other existing regulatory sanctions that the CBN may apply.

“Where an institution fails to report a facility or status to the CRMS or at least two credit bureaux as required, it shall be considered as concealment and misrepresentation of material fact and the institution shall be penalised in accordance with relevant provision of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act. In addition, officers (or their equivalent) shall be liable to sanctions in line with the relevant provisions of the BOFIA,”

Experts confident of business growth despite security challenges

-0.82

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

financial sector and ultimately hamper its stability.

“In order to proactively avert the menace of resurgence of non-performing loans and in furtherance of the CBN’s mandate of maintaining a safe and sound financial system, the Bank hereby directs as follows: ‘No institution shall, without the prior written approval of the CBN, grant a facility to a potential borrower who is in default of any existing facility to the tune of N500 million and above in the case of a deposit money banks; and N250 million and above in the case of development banks and banks in liquidation. “’No institution shall, except with its prior written approval grant a facility to any potential borrower who has a delinquent facility of any amount whatsoever that had been taken over by AMCON. “’All institutions shall ensure that all returns on credit facilities granted together with their performance status are rendered on the Credit Risk Management System (CRMS) and reported to two credit bureaux in line with our circulars dated September 10, 2013 and October 21, 2013 respectively.

ORT facility Security Officers’ (PFSO) of the Lagos Maritime Security (LMS) zone has called on stakeholders to be more security conscious with a view to curbing possible attack at the ports Speaking at the 10 years celebration of the International Ship and Port Facility Security ( ISPS) code, chairman of the PFSO, Mr. Suberu Anataku said that the code is an extension of the Safety of Life At Sea (SOLAS), adding that code should be a constant reminder of security challenges that has pervaded the entire world..

Anataku explained that the entire world is being challenged to come up with preventive rather that proactive security measures to combat terrorism.

According to him, the sea could be as vulnerable as any place for terrorist, as security has become the fastest growing industry.

He said “Today marks our effort to ensure that we are a step ahead of the bad guys, we have to know what we are doing at all times as the current global security situation calls for more alertness on the part of every stakeholder in the maritime industry”.

Also speaking at the event, Captain Green Egbodi, a senior officer at the ISPS unit of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) said that the agency has concluded plans to set up Nigerian Maritime Security Committee NMSC) with a view to reviewing all maritime security activities on an annual basis.

Egbodi, who delivered a lecture titled “ ISPS Code implementation: the journey so far” said that “the committee will meet to annually to review situation in port industry.

He noted that about 80 percent of facilities covered by the agency are compliant with the Code, while 15 percent are still struggling to comply and 5 percent are yet to meet set standards.

He explained those facilities that are currently complaint with the Code need to ensure sustainability of their security levels.

By JONAH NWOKPOKU

C

hief Financial Officers, CFOs in Nigeria have expressed optimism about the prospects of business growth despite challenges insecurity, infrastructure, and multiple taxations.

This was revealed by a survey conducted by KPMG involving over 40 CFOs drawn from different companies across various sectors, including finance, telecoms, oil and gas, manufacturing, etc.Addressing news men at the pre-launch press conference

for the survey report in Lagos, KPMG’s Partner and Head of Audit Services, Tola Adeyemi said the firm decided to go out and survey Chief Financial Officers, CFOs because of the crucial role they play in the lives of businesses, adding that is important to get their pulse and real thoughts on matters that affect them.

He said the survey focused three broad areas which are: perception on economic growth prospect for Nigeria in 2014, the role of internal audit in businesses and how the role of CFOs have evolved in Nigeria, given the way in which the economy and the complexity of business have also evolved. On

the key findings in the survey, Adeyemi said the CFOs were cautiously optimistic in terms of economic outlook, adding that besides insecurity, they expressed concerns with power, taxation, infrastructure and regulation.

Explaining the findings of the survey, he said: “The key message regarding the outlook is that CFOs in Nigeria are cautiously optimistic about the prospects for their businesses in 2014.

There are two elements to that. The first element is the optimism. We asked them the question that says, how do you see the growth in revenues, growth in their gross margins and growth in cash flows evolving for your business in 2014?

22—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

Employees resist change for three basic reasons. In order of severity: they don’t get it, they don’t like it, or they don’t like you

Resistance: A stranglehold on business

BY LAUREN SIMONDS

T

he ability to adapt and change is essential to business success. But not everyone embraces change so easily. These tips can help you identify and eliminate resistance in the workplace.

Anyone familiar with the Star Trek universe knows that resistance is futile.

Unfortunately, real-life resistance to change is alive and well and often firmly entrenched in many small businesses. Common signs include ideas that never reach fruition and initiatives that go nowhere.

There’s a huge difference between taking a conservative approach and failing to adapt to changes in the market, in customer needs or in technology.

Resistance on that level can have serious consequences and leave you wide open to

giving offense. Either way, they might not really understand what they’ve agreed to, and that quick yes can quickly turn into a protracted, passiveaggressive no.

Take the time to explain your thinking, and make that sure everyone understands the full scope of the changes and why they’re necessary.

Step 2: Identify the reasons Employees resist change for three basic reasons. In order of severity: they don’t get it, they don’t like it, or they don’t like you. Look for someone on your team who’s harboring at least one of these perspectives anytime you have a project, processes or other business initiative that’s stalled.

Step 3: Fix it If they don’t get it, you need to find a new way to deliver

There’s a huge difference between taking a conservative approach and failing to adapt to changes in the market, in customer needs or in technology

,

competitors who are willing and able to adapt and capture your market share.

In an article at Small Business Computing, Rick Maurer, an organisational consultant and author of “Beyond the Wall of Resistance,” notes that workforce resistance causes approximately 70 percent of organisational change to fail.

You can fight back using these steps to identify resistance and break down the barriers to effective change.

Step 1: Identify resistance Blatant criticism is an obvious sign of resistance.

However, the other side of that coin is the easy yes, and while more subtle, it’s no less dangerous. Employees or managers who agree quickly may not have thought things through thoroughly, whether out of a desire to be seen as cooperative or to avoid

,

your message. Repeating yourself won’t help; they heard you the first time.

Instead, try a different approach or provide additional education or training.

If they don’t like it, chances are someone finds something about the new process frightening or uncomfortable. Look at the situation from their perspective. This can help you present the information in a way that addresses their fears or concerns.

If they don’t like you, simply be direct and ask them. You may have to press further if all you get is a polite, but evasive response. Maurer believes these situations are usually a matter of trust. If you outrank the person or people involved, use an anonymous survey with a comment area to discover reasons behind the lack of trust.

BUSINESS NAIRA EXCHANGE RATES Date 01/7/14

S

Currency DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

pices are a common ingredient in many dishes across Africa and have always been valued for their use in preservation, flavouring, colour and taste they add to food. Many have medicinal properties and are also known for their innate healing and magical characteristics.

The spice business is a multibillion dollar global industry and a significant source of revenue for several countries in Africa. In 2012 for example, Ethiopia earned over $700 million from spices and related exports. Almost every country in Africa produces spices but most of it is consumed locally.

Spices are dried parts of plants that usually have strong and special smells/flavours.

They can come from different parts of a plant including: the seeds, fruit, roots, bark, stems, rhizomes or flowers (like saffron).

Global trade in spices is worth billions of dollars every year. Currently, the African continent produces less than 10 percent of the spices produced worldwide.

According to the FAO, some of the leading producers of spices in Africa include Nigeria, Madagascar, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and Ghana. Although the soil and climate in many parts of Africa are favourable to growing spices, we are yet to fully exploit the huge opportunities in these widely traded commodities.

Top selling spices There are over 500 different spice varieties but only about fifty of these have worldwide appeal and are traded in large quantities on the international market. Following are four of the most common spices that can be grown and traded both locally and internationally across Africa.

Pepper: Pepper is the most widely consumed of all spices in the world and is often referred to as the King of Spices. There are different varieties of pepper on the market; black, white, green and red are just a few of the popular varieties. Whether in its fresh, dried or ground forms, pepper can be found (often with table salt) in almost

Buying(N) 154.73 263.7063 211.2374 173.7173 1.5261 0.3023 238.1545 24.9395 41.2547 28.3295 239.1971

Central(N) 155.23 264.5585 211.92 174.2787 1.531 0.3123 238.9241 25.0205 41.388 28.421 239.9701

Selling(N) 155.73 265.4106 212.6062 174.84 1.536 0.3223 239.6937 25.1015 41.5214 28.5126 240.743

Exploring business of spices

every kitchen and on nearly every dinner table in today’s world.

Due to its strong and aromatic flavour, pepper is commonly used to give a rich seasoning and colour to food and is also used for medicinal purposes. Pepper grows well in tropical regions and is abundant in many parts of Africa. However, very little is exported from the continent because most of it is consumed locally.

Vanilla: Vanilla is the world’s most popular sweet spice. It’s a common ingredient in perfumes, aromatherapy and sweet foods where it is highly valued as a flavouring agent. Cakes, biscuits, desserts and lots of other baked stuff contain vanilla, including ice cream.

Everybody loves vanilla ice cream! Due to its worldwide appeal and rich, delicate taste, vanilla remains one of the world’s top selling spices and one of the most expensive too.

Ginger: Ginger is a popular herb and spice and is commonly used in its fresh, dried and powdered forms or as a juice or oil. Although widely used in several foods

and delicacies, ginger appears to have more medicinal applications. It is regarded as an ancient traditional herb and one of the best natural antiinflammatory remedies in the world. Although India and China dominate global ginger production and export, Nigeria and Cameroon are part of the top ten world producers of this highly important spice.

Ginger is indeed a very versatile product. It is commonly used as a flavouring agent in sweet foods and beverages such as tea, beer, ginger ale, gingerbread, biscuits and several other products. In manufacturing industries, ginger is highly valued for its fragrance in soaps and cosmetics. As a medicine, ginger is used to treat arthritis, cold, cough, burns and various types of ‘stomach problems’ including motion sickness, morning sickness, colic and stomach upsets.

Onions: Although onions are technically classified as “aromatic vegetables,” they remain one of the most popular spices in the world. Onions appear on the market in various colours, shapes and sizes. Typical colours are

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014—23

& YOU

Running with the vision is akin to implementing core strategies that will help organisations achieve their end state

COMMODITIES (01/7/14) Commodity Light Crude

Last 105.41

Change ($) -0.33

% Change - 0.26

Natural Gas

4.55

+ 0.01

+ 0.26

Sugar

16.63

- 0.22

- 0.67

Coffee

172.75

+2.30

+ 2.47

Cocoa

3,153.00

+98.00

+ 0.62

Global trade in spices is worth billions of dollars every year. African continent produces less than 10 per cent of global production

,

white, red and purple. Onions are commonly used in its raw form or in other processed forms such as dried flakes, powder or liquid. Onion powder is a versatile spice used to flavor meats, soups, sauces and dressings.

Opportunities for entrepreneurs Starting a spice business is relatively low in startup cost. It doesn’t require a lot of money as capital cost. Various opportunities exist for entrepreneurs who are willing to exploit the spice market. Areas through which entrepreneurs can enter the spice business include the following: Cultivation: Most of the world’s spices are grown in tropical regions of the world where sunlight and rainfall are abundant all year round. Spices like vanilla, black pepper and nutmeg which are native to other countries are cultivated successfully in Africa because of the similar climate with those regions.

Despite this advantage, a lot of these spices are still imported into Africa every year. However, countries like Ethiopia, Madagascar and Tanzania earn significant foreign exchange earnings by exporting

spices and herbs to Europe and United States.

Most spices are easy to cultivate and usually don’t require a lot of land, advanced technology or machines.

However, to enjoy commercial success, you may need to acquire a sizeable piece of land for cultivation.

Depending on the type of spice, the farming techniques and requirements may differ.

Whether you plan to focus on cultivating foreign or local spices, the demand for these commodities will make such a venture worthwhile.

Trading & Processing: If you don’t have the land, skill or time to cultivate spices, you could buy the fresh and halfprocessed spices from farmers and sell them to processing facilities or process them yourself for export.

When spices are processed (usually dried), they last longer and retain their value.

As a result, most spices can be stored for longer periods without any need for advanced or expensive storage facilities.

Blending/Branding: If you’re creative, you could blend (put together) a number of spices that could become your own branded recipe.

Look in your kitchen and you’ll likely find some of these ‘ordinary’ spices that have been branded in attractive packaging and sold under popular brand names. The beautiful thing about brand names is that you earn the right to charge customers more for the same product.

Are there local spices in your area that are sold ‘naked’ in the open market? Are there popular spice blends around you that everybody loves but still have to buy the spices individually to blend them?

That may be a good opportunity for you to produce a branded spice product. Package the spices in an attractive bottle, sachet or anything that works for you.

Give your product a name to set it apart from the ‘ordinary’ and ‘naked’ spices in the open market. The best part is, you will be creating a recognisable product locally and internationally (if you plan to export) and of course, you can sell at a higher price.

Whose role is it to run your organisation's vision?

BY ‘UJU ONWUZULIKE

“Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility.”…… Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I

t is a big risk when the leaders are the only people that understand the vision of an organisation.

There is yet a bigger risk when they chose to run with the vision alone. Developing the vision is the first step; the second and most important step is running with the vision. Two pertinent questions to ask are: who owns the vision of an organisation, and who runs with the vision?

The CEO (with the board or senior management) is expected to develop the vision of any organisation.

The vision helps them to know where they are going to, and what their end state results will look like. That does not mean that the CEO or senior management owns the vision. As soon as any vision is being developed, it ceases to be the CEO’s “property”. Everyone in the organisation now owns the vision. Running with the vision is akin to implementing core strategies that will help organisations achieve their end state. The CEO’s job is not to implement the core strategies, his primary roles are planning and change. Employees implement the change, in order words they run with the vision.

I am disturbed. Why is it that in most organisations, only the senior management sees the organisational “big

picture”? These people constitute about 20-30 percent in population. What happens to the other 70 percent who are middle officers? These groups of people in one way or the other are expected to run with the vision. Can you see why I am disturbed? Why is it easier for senior management to see the big picture? The answer is because they have been taken to a “helicopter ride” and from 5000 feet above the

,

potentials

Leaders are to lead and navigate change in a way that will yield sustainable results

,

ground level they were able to see the big picture. The CEO must ensure that everyone in the organisation sees and knows where the organisation is going to – this is a critical task.

Whenever I am teaching Strategic Thinking to organisations, I always include a slide titled “Danger”. Why danger? Yes, there is a big danger when the CEO or Senior Management thinks that his/her idea is best and only idea. Nobody has the monopoly of best ideas. When the ideas of some group of people (younger officers) are disregarded and slighted, it negates the true fact that “people support what they help create”. When this happens, the people involve might not work with their minds and hearts the way they ought to.

Points to ponder: For a CEO to achieve the organisation’s vision, everyone in the organisation must begin to see the “big picture”. Mildly speaking, some employees do not know what their vision statement is. They also do not know what their core values are, so what guides them and what have they been doing?

Leaders and Managers must avoid “DAD” syndrome when running the affairs of the entire organisation.(“DAD” stands for: Deciding – Announcing – Defending). But rather must enforce “Parallel Involvement Process”where the views of employees are valued. Being a leader does not confer us the right to use veto powers on subordinates. Remember people support what they help create.

Final Note: It is not enough to have a vision. We need to have processes and structures in place that will help us achieve the vision. Remember structures influences behavior. The roles of leaders are to lead and navigate change in a way that will yield sustainable results.

These results are achieved collectively.

Senior management and the collective workforce should not focus on their personal goals but rather on the goals of the organisation. It is much easier to achieve one’s personal goal(s) after helping the organisation’ achieve its goal first.

Call or email us for your views or perspectives.

Email: uju@hainescentre.com Mobile: 09091142093

24 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

Nigeria needs policies that promote job creating FDI —Expert

CBN calls for harmony among MFBs

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

STORIES BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

N

IGERIA’S economy needs policies that will attract foreign direct investment (FDI) in labour intensive industries.

Managing Director/Chief Executive, Financial Derivative Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane made this observation while speaking at the 19th seminar for finance correspondents and business editors, organized by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Kaduna.

The rebasing of the nation’s GDP showed that the service sector accounts for half of the N82 trillion goods and services produced in the country. In a presentation titled, 'Gross Domestic Product Rebasing and Implications for Nigeria’s Investment Environmen' Rewane noted that the outcome of the rebasing exercise showed that Nigeria is becoming a service oriented economy. He however noted that given the fact that investment in services don’t generate much job, the country needs policies that would enhance the performance of job creating sectors like construction and manufacturing.

Represented by Dr. Afolabi Olowookere, Head of Research, FDC, Rewane noted that while the experiences of other countries show that rebasing can lead to increase in investment, there are factors withinNigeria’s investment climate that may militate against such scenario in the country.

He said, “The investment environment in Nigeria is shaped by some macroeconomic, governance, infrastructure and other micro factors. While some successes have been recorded in the macroeconomic environment, much still have to be done to other factors as they grossly limit the competitiveness of the country. Theoretically, rebasing may boost investment in Nigeria; especially foreign investment. Evidence from countries that have rebased and the trends of investment data in Nigeria however suggest that rebasing will have higher impact on foreign portfolio investment than foreign direct investment and domestic investment.

“Even though there are countries that have rebased and experienced higher foreign inflow, Nigeria has to work on improving its competitiveness and removing the identified problems to investment. It has

to exploit the new opportunity presented in the service sector; but this has to be done without jettisoning its industrialization goal. This is because in the end, industrialisation is necessary for sustainable growth. More importantly is the growth in the manufacturing sector.

“In addition to probable increase in investment in these sub-sectors, investments in labour-intensive industries will be high-yielding for the country and help solve its paradox of high growth and high unemployment.”

From left: Former Head of State and Peugeot Brand Grand Patron (BGP), Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd); Chairman, Board of Directors, PAN Nig. Ltd, Alhaji Munir Ja'afaru Yeriman Zazzau; Managing Director, PAN Ltd, Mr Ibrahim Boyi and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Olusegun Aganga at the flag-off of Peugeot 301 production in Nigeria, in Kaduna, yesterday. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

FirstBank sponsors journalists to international course

I

n continuation of its commitment to enhance capacity building in the media industry, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has sponsored selected Nigerian journalists across various media platforms for a four-day broad-based international Advanced Financial Journalism Course at the prestigious Press Association Centre in London, United Kingdom. The course which kicked off on Monday, June 23, 2014 ran from till Thursday, June 26, 2014.

The highly successful international training programme is currently in its second year and falls under the Bank’s widely acknowledged intervention initiative tagged, “Media Thought Leadership Capacity Enhancement Initiative”.

As in the previous year, the journalists who cut across from different beats including online, electronic and print journalism will be trained in core financial journalism which will cover macro and micro economics reporting as well as reporting and writing on and about corporates. The course will also take into consideration other aspects of reporting such as health, culture, brand, CSR and writing for social media.

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has called for harmonious relationship among microfinance banks in order to achieve the mandates of the National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB).

Speaking at the 2013 AGM of NAMB in Lagos, Director, Other Financial Institutions and Supervision Department (OFISD), Mr. Olufemi Fabanwo, said that there are so many issues that are not yet attended to in the association.

Fabanwo tasked operators on the need for awareness creation on operations of microfinance banks specifically on the utilisation of development funds.

He said, “In the association there are so many issues that are not yet attended to, the secretariat needs to be strong, you need to improve on capacity building, you need to improve on transparency and accountability, you need to improve on information dissemination to have one association that is forging ahead.

“The prospects are very bright, there are reforms that will support the association all over in CBN and for foreign investors, but until we become united and on the part of progress, these reforms will elude us.”

Also, immediate past President of NAMB, Mr. Jethro Akum, added that a meeting with NAMB, Managing Directors and Chairmen of MfBs along with other stakeholders is being initiated by the new CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, revealing

Bank Customers’ Association critical to financial stability—Alade

D

EPUTY Governor, Economic Policy, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has commended the formation of the Bank Customers Association of Nigeria (BCAN) saying the mandate of the Association is critical to achieving financial stability in the country.

She stated this at the 2014 summit of the Association held in Lagos last week.

Alade said, “ The goals of the Bank Customers’ Association of Nigeria is in tandem with the goals of the Central Bank of Nigeria of creating a more inclusive, consumer focused and ethical banking sector.

Your association’s mandates are to promote good banking culture and habits among bank customers as well as mutual understanding, trust, confidence and co-operation between banks and their customers. For the banking sector to work properly, one of the ingredients is a well-informed customer pool that understands what they need frmo the system and can adapt to the new innovations in the sector. The responsibility for this lies in an association like yours to champion the education drive. An educated consumer is both an essential and an integral part of an ethical banking sector.

“Consumer awareness plays a key role in customer decision making. By increasing a potential or current customer’s knowledge about a product, service or business, a healthy economic environment evolve where customers are informed and protected

and businesses are accountable for their actions. This summit therefore offers an opportunity to stimulate discussion on the crucial role banks and their customers play in ensuring financial stability.

“Therefore the role of Bank Customers’ Association of Nigeria (BCAN) is very critical in deepening financial awareness in the country and in achieving greater penetration of financial education in the country. Consumer awareness benefits society by promoting customer satisfaction, increasing economic stability and creating realistic customer expectations of the banking industry.

Many analysts have attributed the recent financial crisis to the lack of knowledge and skills by most consumers who did not have enough financial information and sophistication to make informed choices about investment and product choices.

Good knowledge of financial services will help hold banks accountable and reduce the practice of overcharging and other unethically practices as banks will expect consumer to hold them accountable because they understand their rights.

“A well informed consumer population will also promote a more resilient banking system. As consumers become more aware of their rights and responsibilities in the system, the tendency for banks to offer unethical and risky products is reduced. At the same time, consumers will be able to understand any product they want to acquire and be able to fully understand the risks associated with such products before acquisition. This will not only help in reducing financial crisis, it will help sustain financial stability.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 — 25

L I M I T E D A D M I S S I O N S PAC E S :

Way out of admission problems, by stakeholders I

N the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examina tion, (UTME) brochure, candidates seeking admission into Nigeria's tertiary institutions are listed under the following categories: University, Polytechnic/Monotechnic, College of Education (CoE) and Innovation Enterprise Institutions (IEIs). Innovation Enterprise Institutions are institutions approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria to provide a veritable alternative route to higher education.

As at 2013, Nigeria had 40 federal universities, 38 state universities, 50 private universities, 128 polytechnics and monotechnics, 117 Colleges of Education and 57 Innovation Enterprise Institutions, bringing the total number of tertiary institutions to 430. Nevertheless, many Nigerian students seeking tertiary education are more interested in university education.

In 2010/2011, Nigeria had

How AAU achieved stability — Prof. Agbebaku Pg. 27

ASUP/COEASU strikes: Wike shuns meeting with Senate again Pg. 28

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Applying industrial ecology principles to city devt Pg. 29

112 universities with carrying capacity of 450,000 and 1,493,611 applicants. Thus, the admitting capacity was 30.13 per cent of the total number of applicants. This means that at best, only 30.13 per cent of the total number of applicants were accommodated during that academic session.

In the 2011/2012 session, five universities were added, bringing the number to 117, with 500,000 carrying capacity amounting to 33.25 per cent and 1,503,933 students applied that year.

However, in 2012/2013, 11 universities were added bringing it to 128 with 520,000 (29.96 per cent) admission spaces. In that year, a total of 1,735,729 applied for UTME. According to National Universities Commission report of 2011/2012, most of the universities in Nigeria exceeded the alloted admission quota.

For instance, in 2011/2012, University of Lagos (UNILAG)'s admission quota was 6,500 but admitted 7,527; Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) was given 6,688 but admitted 7,397, just as University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) was given 5,970 but admitted 8,267. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) in the same year was supposed to admit 5,514 but ended up admitting 7,098 while University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) which was given 5,600, admitted 5,699. Also Federal Uni-

*Professor Charles Ayo (4th from right) and other participants at the E-Governance conference at Covenant University.

,

BY DAYO ADESULU

If JAMB sees that universities can take only 600,000 students per year but still rolls out forms, what happens to the others? Mind you, it didn’t start this year so the number will increase every year,.

The question is, where will they go? All these learners are qualified to enter the university

,

versity of Agriculture Makurdi which ought to admit just 2,133 ended up admitting 3,350 students. The above analysis of these federal universities admission quota explains why our universities

are over-crowded and lack facilities for students.

Besides, statistical data from JAMB reveals that there are about 30 most preferred universities by students seeking admission every year. In this

report, we will look at the top 10 and the number of applicants.

University of Benin (UNIBEN) tops the table with 98,975 applicants, followed by UNILORIN having 94,869.

Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) has 88,087, UNILAG 86,850, UNN 80,785, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) 69,856, ABU 59,427, Imo State University (IMSU) 53,368, University of Uyo (UNIUYO) 52,359 and University of Ibadan (UI) 50,274. This statistics implies that the above mentioned universities were consistently chosen as stu-

Continues on page 26

Nigeria needs effective e-governance for participatory democracy — Dons

BY IKENNA ASOMBA

I

F the February 14, 2015 presidential elections come to fruition, it will be exactly 16 years of unbroken democracy and the fourth time the nation will witness a successful transition from one democratically elected government to another. With less than eight months to go, the nation’s political landscape has been witnessing cross-carpeting, mudslinging, name-calling and all forms of political intrigues.

The people: Unfortunately, since 1999, it

has been commonplace that despite electoral promises by some politicians during campaigns, the concept of delivering services to the people is no longer seen as an obligation after the election year. The distance between the citizens and their government continues to widen, as the people are alienated from governance and the dividends of democracy.

Arguing that the efficiency of the current system has become questionable, members of the academia

who spoke at the 2014 Conference on E-Governance in Nigeria, organised by the Department of Political Science and International Relations, Covenant University (CU), Ota, Ogun State, have said that it has become expedient for expanding or strengthening the ways and means of delivering public services, promoting transparency and enhancing the interactions between citizens and government, noting that e-governance is definitely the attrac-

Continues on page 26

26 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3 2014

Way out of admission problems, by stakeholders Continues from page 25 dents’ first choice.

According to the Association of American Colleges and Universities, America has 2,680 accredited universities, just as Scotland has 1,419, Wales 1,011. India, with a population of over a billion has over 177 world class standard universities. China has 1,983 institutions of higher learning as at June 2009, as disclosed by the Ministry of Education.

Thus, China with 1.4 billion people has 1,983 universities, India with 1.2 billion people has 177 universities, United States with 318 million people has 2,680 universities compared to Nigeria with about 178 million people and just 128 universities. From the aforementioned statistics, Nigeria still needs more universities and the improvement of the present ones to international standard.

Speaking with Vanguard Learning, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Calaber said that capacity will determine the number of students to be admitted saying: “If we don’t have the capacity, there is no way we can admit more students.”

She noted that licensing more private universities will not solve the problem. According to her, “If you are licensing more universities, where are the lecturers? The same lecturers in federal universities are the ones taking those in private and state universities. The existing universities should be expanded with corresponding infrastructure and facilities to suit the number of students given by the NUC.” She urged the Federal Government to expand the existing universities and get more lecturers before admitting more students.

Reacting in the same vein, the Deputy Director, Academic Centre of Distance Learning, University of Ibadan, Professor Oyesoji Aremu said that it is needless to tell universities to increase their quotas because there is no corresponding increase in terms of infrastructure.

He said, “Telling universities to increase their quota means existing infrastructure would be over stressed. Universities admit the number they can genuinely and comfortably accommodate in the first year."

Explaining further some of the factors to consider before admitting more students Aremu said that infrastructure in departments and faculties are necessary adding that the unavailability of desks in the lecture rooms should be considered.

According to him, in an overcrowded classroom, teaching and learning cannot take place adding that even the lecturer will not be able to do meaningful teaching when the learners are too many.

He said “there is a benchmark for the number of students

each lecturer is supposed to take. When a lecturer takes in excess of that number, he has to be paid for the excess. That would eat into the finances of the university.

“If JAMB sees that universities can take only 600,000 students per year but still

rolls out forms, what happens to the others? Mind you, it didn’t start this year so the number will increase every year,. The question is, where will they go? All these learners are qualified to enter the university.

“Solution: For as many as are qualified to enter the universities, something can

*Hon. Michael Diden, alias Ejele, handing over the prizes to students of Okpe Grammar School, Sapele,winners of the Ejele Mathematics Quiz competition.

be done about it. There is Open and Standard Education or Distance Learning Education. For Open and Standard education, we can have students in excess of millions because it is basically a virtual university. My advice is that the Federal Government should empower universities to develop their virtual universities. For example, in University of Ibadan, we have a centre called Distance Learning Centre of the Univerity of Ibadan. Lagos also has a Distance Learning Institute, there is also the National Open University. In fact, there are seven certified distance learning centres in Nigeria. Universities that have dual mode; regular students and open distance learning programmes can have students in excess. For example; University of India in New Delhi has students in excess of 10 million. They therefore built a virtual university to take these students who are unable to get admission into regular universities.

More so, it is the same programme, exam and system.

The Ministry of Education should encourage virtual universities. There is no need for new universities, just empower universities to have virtual and distance learning centres.

Nigeria needs effective e-governance for participatory democracy Continues from page 25 tive option in the interest of national development.

Those who spoke at the event tagged: E-Governance in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges for Civic Engagement and Participation were; Prof. Charles Ayo, Vice-Chancellor, CU; Prof.

Etim Anim, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Communication Technology, Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), Calabar; Dr. Sheriff Folarin, Head, Department of Political Science and International Relations, CU; Prof. Patience Akpan-Obong of the School of Letters and Sciences, Arizona State University, USA and Prof. Kayode Soremekun of the Department of Political Science and International Relations, CU among others.

Nigeria, not yet there: Prof Ayo, who described egovernance as an attempt to improve the administration of government through the use of information and communication technology, reducing the bureaucracy of government’s businesses, as well as bringing about accountability in managing the affairs of the country, however decried that despite Nigeria’s 15 years of unbroken democracy, little or no application of e-governance has hindered the grassroots from feeling the true dividends of democracy. He said: “Nigeria is not there yet. I know government in the past made frantic efforts to institutionalize e-governance through the installa-

tion of V-SAT facilities across the 774 LGAs, but if you look at the 15 years of democracy in Nigeria, and look at where we are, I am not sure we are making the necessary progress towards attaining that, because if we are, the Boko Haram saga would have been nipped in the bud.”

Corruption: Lamenting that corruption has continued to hinder the nation’s national development because of the irresponsibility of elected leaders and lack of transparency in governance, the don urged government at all levels to put in place an avenue for the general populace to be heard on all issues of governance.

“The people should have a voice in ongoing discourse, even from their houses. Not necessarily interjecting but saying at their own level, that they have voted somebody at the ward, that they have voted somebody at the local government, that they have representatives at the state and federal level and there should be a way by which they interact. There should be a forum by which they are duly consulted. If that is done, that will put in place accountability in government.

"Those in leadership will begin to be cautious because the opinions of the people count and as such, there will be second thought that borders on the activities of the people. Suffice to say, people will be mindful of corruption, because at any point, the

masses that voted them into power can raise an eyebrow about their activities. This system will no doubt, engender transparency and government will be better for it.”

On his part, Professor Anim, who stated that e-governance allows citizens to communicate with government, participate in the governments’ policy-making and the democratic political process, however said there are impediments to the effective practice of e-governance in Nigeria.

His words: “Democracy has had difficulty taking off because many of the actors in the political arena, who also find themselves in critical public positions, were born into a non-responsive, non-transparent, and prebendal political culture. Even law-making is conducted against the background of what the lawmakers stand to gain from it now or in the future. Corruption has become part of the national ethos; rather than abate with the passage of time, it has escalated.

The consequences include a national character of not implementing policy or decisions on even vital national issues. Doing things the right way now tends to be the anomaly. The development of the country is, therefore, held hostage by its culture of impunity, and there is a low level of citizen awareness of e-governance and, therefore, a low level of citizen demand for its adoption and implementation.”

3 ICT students to represent Nigeria at MOS World championship

BY D AYO ADESUL U DA ADESULU

T

HE trio of Olubunmi Agusto, Ntekim Toluwani and Adonijah Airede who emerged best at the 2014 Certiport Microsoft Office Specialist National Championship are to represent Nigeria in the United States of America.

Olubunmi Agusto from Day Waterman College, Abeokuta, Ogun state scored 967 in 15 minutes 88 seconds in Word 2007. Closely allied was Ntekim Toluwani from Thomas Adewunmi International College, Oko, Kwara state who scored 936 in PowerPoint 2010 in 25 minutes 28 seconds. Just as Adonijah Oshioselaga Airede from Regent School Abuja scored 931 in Word 2010 in 22 minutes 38 seconds.

The top 3 students and an ICT teacher Mr Moses Abiodun from Thomas Adewunmi International College, Oko Kwara state would represent Nigeria at the MOS World Championship taking place at Anaheim, California, USA from July 27 - July 30, 2014.

The yearly competition organized by ReadManna is designed to get the best students in Microsoft Office Specialist who will contest in the World Championship in a stiff contest. The competition which is meant for students between ages 13 to 22 drew no fewer than ten registered schools to Lagos to participate in the advanced stage where they were made to defend their scores under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer ReadManna, Mrs. Edna Agusto.

Speaking to journalists at the event, Mrs Agusto said, “one of the objectives is to provide students with a globally recognized and highly valuable credential to use in their academic and professional pursuits.” She said that the certification will provide workers with the means to enhance their skills, prove their expertise, improve their professional performance, and advance their careers.

The CEO explained further that exposing students to ICT at their early stage will encourage our academic institutions to incorporate these international programs in their curriculum, provide our youths with the much needed ICT background to compete on a global level. “Our target is to equip the future Nigeria with the necessities for leadership and foster an ICT literate society, to promote quality education and unlock the untapped potentials of the Nigerian youth,” she added.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 — 27

How AAU achieved stability, by V-C Agbebaku

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

P

ROFESSOR Cordelia Agbebaku is the Vice-Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State. Before her elevation to the position of vice-chancellor in February 2014, she was the acting Vice-Chancellor of the university for two years. She became an Associate Professor in 1998 and a full Professor in 2003. She is the first alumnus of the university to occupy this position.

In this interview with Vanguard Learning, she speaks on the various challenges facing the university, perennial ASUU strike, how it can be averted and other issues.

Excerpts What was your reaction to the confirmation of your appointment after serving as acting Vice-Chancellor for two years?

Naturally, I was very happy because it was a confirmation of the fact that I have done well on the job; and the governor recognises good work and merit when he sees one.

It seemed some people wanted to en•Professor Cordelia Agbebaku sure that you were not confirmed...

That was why in the GoverRight now, Nigeria is facing an agreement that you know nor’s speech during my con- a lot of challenges and AAU is deep down in your heart you firmation, he made copious ref- an integral part of Nigeria and are not going to implement. Tomorrow, problems arise. erence to the fact that some some of these challenges are And there is nothing that the people tried to play the ethnic what we face - insecurity, fi- vice-chancellors can do apart nancial problems, instability factor in the confirmation. From from making these problems what he had seen, especially and the problem of strikes by known to the government. It the Academic Staff Union of from the measure of stability in will be really very difficult for the university since I came on Universities (ASUU). vice-chancellors to stop strikes You will recall that last year, board, he did not allow ethnicwhen there are agreements enity to play a part, but allowed all the universities in the coun- tered into that the government try were on strike including merit to play its role in the conAAU, and that period sort of is not playing its part. firmation exercise. disrupted the smooth running In what way would you say How were you able to of the university because it was TETFUND has contributed to a national strike.

We had to stay achieve stability in the two the growth of AAU? years as an acting vice-chan- away for six months. Then, As far as AAU is concerned, there was the problem of decellor knowing the university TETFUND has done well beto be the hotbed of students' tractors who will never see any- cause on an annual basis, there thing good in any person exand academics' activism? is normal intervention from the We would want to say that cept themselves. body to federal and state uniWhat do you think the goveverybody in the campus conversities and this depends on tributed to the stability; the ernment, unions and vice- how far a university has utilised chancellors can do in the resunions, the students as well as what it was given previously. the management. It was a col- olution of the perennial In AAU, we have a lot of TETstrikes by ASUU? lective responsibility of all beFUND intervention projects to I think government has a cause they saw the need for the showcase. They include the greater role to play because if university to be stable and construction of 3-in-1 300-cawhen you see good work, you you enter into an agreement, it pacity lecture theatre, procurerecognise it. As you have rightment and supply of 969 volly mentioned, AAU Ekpoma is umes of books to AAU’s central the hotbed for intellectualism library, procurement of brand and so, they have the ability to new Toyota ambulance decide between what is good equipped with medical facilities and bad and objectivity. Many at the health centre and so people saw the need for us to many others. put our house in order and The only problem is in the work for the good of the uniNeeds Assessment and the versity. So, that is what contribproblem is that the Federal uted to the stability and also, behooves the parties to keep to Government did not keep to its the management of the univer- the terms of the agreement. It part of what it promised to give sity operated an open door pol- is when you don’t keep to the out as Needs Assessment. Leticy to ensure that those who terms of the agreement that ters were given out to the unimeant well were free to offer you have problems. If you look versities; one cannot really untheir advice on how AAU can at the last ASUU strike, it came derstand the sharing formula move forward and what we up as a result of the Federal because some state universities should do and should not do. Government not playing its got over N2 bn, some N500m The students on their part, saw part after several reminders to and less. Even in the second the need to read their books. I do so from ASUU. So if the gov- letter of allocation, some state am not saying that there were ernment can keep to its part of universities got over N1bn and no distractions, but the univer- the agreement with unions, here in AAU, only N370m was sity enjoyed more stability. I there will be fewer problems. allocated to us while some state would want to say that at the My advice is that if you cannot universities were given N1bn, end of the day, the stability we keep to the terms of agree- N1.3 bn etc. enjoyed was the collective ef- ments, you should lay the cards Will you ascribe this to your forts of staff and students of open on the table. Know what non- inflation of your needs AAU. you are going into whether it and enrolment figures?

What are the major challeng- is an agreement that you can We cannot ascribe it to the es facing AAU? implement. Do not enter into above reasons because before

,

If govt can keep to its part of the agreement with unions, there will be fewer problems

,

TETFUND intervention, they, on their own, sent people to do on-the-spot assessment of the needs of the universities. They spent three or four days here and went round all the facilities; they saw the students, they saw our staff strength and so on. So, that was supposed to be their guide in assessing every need of the university.

How do you hope to solve the problem of dearth of infrastructure in AAU? I appeal to other alumni of the university to take a cue from what Rev. Chris Oyakhilome (who recently donated a lecture theatre to the institution) and others that have contributed to the growth of the university within their limited resources. If you go through the campus, you will see the Central Laboratory for Science students; so I want them to come to the aid of the university and assist their alma mater.

What can you say about the accreditation of your courses by the National Universities Commission (NUC)?

Most of our courses have been accredited by the NUC. As you must know, most courses have accreditation for four or five years and most of the courses that were accredited about five years ago are due for accreditation this year. And the ones that were accredited in 2012 will be due for accreditation in the next three years; so we have most of our courses accredited. However, there are few whose accreditations have been suspended and one of such is the Medical Laboratory Science and we are trying to put things in place. One of the reasons was that we did not have MoU with the Edo State Ministry of Health because the MoU we had only reflected the College of Medicine and there was no Nursing and Medical Laboratory Science. So, we have met with the Board of Management of the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital on the issue and the matter is before the Ministry of Health. As soon as we get response from them, the accreditation body would be invited for the accreditation of the course. The issue of the MoU was the major reason why the course was not accredited.

What efforts are being made to ensure that those courses due for accreditation are accredited?

We have made our request to government and we expect favourable reply.

BRIEF

Students urged to be science oriented

By CHRISTOPHER NJOKU

T

HE students of Loral In ternational school, Festac Town, L agos, have been urged to imbibe a quest for knowledge and emulate successful and prominent scientists in the world today in other to be successful in life.

This was disclosed by Mrs. Ilomuanya, lecturer Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, the guest speaker at the Science and Mathematics week held at Loral International School, Lagos. Schools in attendance were; Festac Grammar School, Tender Touch and Kabe College. Kabe College came first in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Agricultural science quiz organized between invited schools, while Tender Touch College emerged tops in the debate competition.

According to Ilomuanya bio-technology, has enabled the world to have bumper crop harvest, as it has given the world new medications for the treatment of diseases that have been untreatable.“As a researcher and a scientist, or inventor, it is not easy to get backings, so what we will be looking at is to implore the government to help finance research, especially in universities, because when the government finances research in secondary schools and universities, then we can also have home grown talents.”

According to the Head of Science and Math dept of the school, Mr. Godspower Eddie, the essence of the two-day programme was to discover students who are talented in science, in order to create a forum for assisting them.

“This programme aims at selecting talented students in science, so as to help them in whatever they may have discovered. We invite the science and technology association of Nigeria (STAN) to verify the students’ inventions, before we can promote them to a higher level. Most students fail to try because they feel that they have no body.

In Nigeria we have the government and the ministry of science, young people should not hesitate to approach the minister of science for assistance,” he said.

28— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

ASUP/COEASU strikes: Wike shuns meeting with Senate again

Commonwealth quiz: Agidingbi

Grammar School emerges first

BY PRISCA SAM-DURU

BY LAJU ARENYEKA

S

UPERVISING Minister of Education, Sen. Nyesom Wike, was on Tuesday absent at a meeting with the Senate to resolve the grievances of the striking Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP and the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Unions, COEASU. This is the second of such meetings Wike has shunned.

It would be recalled that the meeting was adjourned two weeks ago to July 1, following the absence of the supervising Minister for education, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim among other high ranking officials.

These same officials were absent again yesterday.

After the meeting, the Vice Chairman, COEASU, Mr.

Smart Olugbeko told Vanguard in a phone interview: ‘We just finished the meeting, and these officials were absent again. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on education, Senator Uche Chukwumerije was present, but these people were not there, so there was nothing tangible that could be done or discussed. The only person who sent his regrets was the Minister of Labour, who said he was attending to the striking doctors. But there was no word from the others; it seemed as if they planned not to come for the meeting. It is so sad, and the senate was slighted; they were the ones who screened these people to become ministers and yet they cannot honour a meeting with the senate.’

Olugbeko, whose union has been on strike since December, added: ‘We began this strike with thirteen issues which have now been reduced

to just three. If these ministers were present, we would have at least been able to reach a compromise.’

ASUP was also disappointed at the turn of events. ASUP Chairman, Dr. Chibuzor Asomugha told Vanguard: ‘This is the second meeting with the Senate that the education minister is avoiding; at the meeting last week, he was absent. There was another meeting about a month ago with the House of Representatives that he refused to attend. We think that it shows disdain for the sector and lack of understanding of his responsibility. We gathered that the Senate will try to reach Mr. President directly, and try to get intervention from his office since the ministers are not responding. Although we are not ruling out the possibility, there have been no talks of reconvening so far.’

SAU appoints first female professor B

ENINSAMUEL Adegboye-ga University, owned by the Apostolic Church of Nigeria, in Edo State has appointed its first female professor three years after inception.

Professor F.M. Ogbe has institutional, national and international experience in inter and multi-disciplinary research and projects.

She is credited with over 27 articles, published in foreign/ indexed journals and local/national journals.

Ogbe provided useful information on the Nigerian flora to visiting scientists from the University of Frankfurt (1989), was research contact for the American National Academy of Sciences, has consulted and acted as resource person for national and international scientific meetings, and training workshops. She contributed to the successes of the visit to Edo State in 2009 of the evaluation team on plant Resources of Tropical Africa (PTOTA) project under the auspices of the Technical Cen-

gidingbi Senior Grammar School, Lagos has emerged first at the Commonwealth quiz competition held in Lagos to mark 30 days before the Commonwealth Games scheduled to hold July in Scotland.

In a stiff competition among seven schools - Opebi Junior Grammar School, Oregun Junior School, Opebi Senior Grammar School and Army Cantonment School, Oregun Senior High School, Army Children Junior School and Agindingbi Senior Comprehensive School, Agidingbi Senior Grammar School, Oregun Junior School and Opebi Senior Grammar School came first, second and third respectively.

Speaking with journalists in

‘Etisalat Cliqlite to revolutionise educational system’

BY EMEKAAGINAM

M

*A cross section of graduands at the 2014 Covenant University convocation ceremony last weekend in Ota, Ogun State.

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

A

tre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) in the Netherlands.

As a foundation member, College of Research Associates, UN University/Institute for Natural Resources in Africa, she coordinated interdepartmental and inter-university research projects. She has supervised numerous undergraduate, Master’s and PhD research projects.

Her elevation has further increased the list of seasoned Professors the young University flaunts.

Lagos, representative of the British Council, Mrs Obajemo Abiodun said the essence of the Commonwealth programme is to promote unity among member-nations, adding: “The programme gives us opportunity to teach the children what Commonwealth is all about.”

Obajemo said: “The schools which took part today was due to their active participation in the Commonwealth programme over the years.

Before the quiz competition, lectures were delivered to students especially those offering health and physical education in order to familiarize themselves with the questions. I drafted the questions from the physical education textbooks.

At the end of the exercise, the British Council will decide who will go to Scotland."

OBILE phone operator, Etisalat, has received commendations on its new education package tagged Cliqlite, designed to aid children, aged 8 to 15, in their education.

Cliqlite is a new educational product from Etisalat available via short code to all prepaid packages.

The service is available to all prepaid packages on the network.

Renowned opinion leaders in the country, including the Chief Executive Officer of Rise Networks, Toyosi Akerele; President, Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria, Shola Salako, and Nnenna and Friends TV show anchor, Olayinka Olukunga, all commended the initiative by Etisalat at the product launch in Lagos.

According to them, the product was a timely intervention in the life of the Nigerian child in the 21st century learning.

According to Akerele, what Etisalat has done will revolutionise education in Nigeria, adding:

“The offering is very valuable, coming at N28,000 for the tablet, whereas the cost of past question papers and a lesson teacher would be almost N300,000 per child, per annum.”

Also speaking, the President of Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria, Salako said the product, highly inventive and well thought through from Etisalat was coming at a time when the Nigerian child needed it the most.

“Recently, as a delegate at an international forum on education, we had proposed that telecommunication companies around the world introduce such child oriented product which will aid e-learning and protect children from harmful content on the internet.

According to Nnenna, “Cliqlite is an edutainment gadget that every child should own in this age and time to keep up with trends and learn in an enjoyable manner. Keeping children in class alone has become boring these days."

LearnPads promote creativity in learners —Olagundoye

BY RICHARD UDOFIA

T

he Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Olagundoye has said that the LearnPad, an e-learning device, which the state government plans to introduce into schools, will help simplify concepts, content, and promote creativity among learners.

Country Director, LearnPad, Mr. David Man, said the device is capable of simplifying academic activities simultaneously while teaching is going on. He said that the device "is

designed to make learning exciting and engaging in whatever capacity learners find themselves. The LearnPads have tracking device that can detect when it was stolen and where it is at any time."

He added that "the device allows learners to source for materials themselves, while giving a general historical background to the printed material in any classroom situation. This technology adds value and brings to life every concept displayed on the paper."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 — 29

‘How industrial ecology principles can help industries’ "Here, we intend to link the industries - what industry should work with the new category of enterprises - and then juxtapose everything and come up with a plan."

By EBELE ORAKPO In order to create jobs and contribute to the development of their host state, researchers at the American University of Nigeria, Yola, Adamawa State, are working towards improving the economic and environmental efficiency of all the industries in the state. In this chat with Vanguard Learning, a member of the team, Mr. Fardeen Dodo, an instructor in the School of Business and Entrepreneurship, speaks on his interest in promoting sustainable entrepreneurship in rural agricultural settings.

Excerpts:

F

ers.

“I am doing a lot of work currently in rural communities in Adamawa State, working on how we can use information and communications technology and how we can facilitate entrepreneurship in rural communities.

One of the researches is called industrial ecology,” said Fardeen.

Industrial ecology: “One of the most effective systems on earth is the tropical rain forest. If the sun comes out, almost all the sun (heat and light) is captured. When somebody is working in the forest, sometimes it is not very bright because some of the light is trapped by the leaves and then when the leaves fall, they get back to the soil and the crops make use of it. There is not much waste. I thought about how to apply the same principle in cities; so we designed how industrial ecology could be used to increase economic and en-

*Mr. Fardeen Dodo

,

ardeen Dodo, a 2009 graduate of Agricultural Economics & Ex tension from the Bayero University Kano and a master’s in Renewable Energy, Enterprise and Management from University of Newcastleupon-Tyne and currently studying Global Poverty online with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), says he is interested in how sustainable entrepreneurship could be promoted in a rural agricultural setting.

According to Fardeen, the team is looking at a situation where they could replicate what happens in the tropical rain forest where little or nothing is wasted. They aim to turn an open system into a closed loop so that the waste from one industry could become the input for another industry.

"The desired goal is formulation of a sustainable regional development plan that will simultaneously cut resource use, encourage resource re-use and increase the environmental and economic performance of the entire region’s industries," said the research-

What we are doing in Yola right now is to evaluate what current industries there are, what potential industries exist and optimize where opportunities are, and then formulate a regional development plan

,

vironmental efficiency of industries," he said.

Fardeen noted that applying the industrial ecology principle will enhance

productivity and increase profitability as resources are used and reused repeatedly.

Evaluating potential industries: Giving the example of Afcott Nigeria Plc., Fardeen said: "In Afcott , we realised that they use a lot of soy beans but then, they don’t get soybeans from Adamawa State, they get it from Benue State so we are now thinking of having farmers out in some villages to produce soybeans for Afcott so we can keep the money within Adamawa State and at the same time, reduce the burden on the environment.

You don’t really need to burn fuel to go to Benue; even if you can, it is not really a fantastic thing to do. So we evaluate current industries, think out potential industries based on resource sourcing, may be providing resource locally instead of getting it from elsewhere and then from the waste; and buying products generated. So that is what we mean by evaluating potential industries.

Identifying linkages:

How it works: Explaining how a closed system works mimicking the tropical rain forest, Fardeen said: “Supposing we have a coal-fired power plant, the waste water that comes out of the power plant goes to an oil refinery. The steam goes towards the refinery instead of going up into the atmosphere.

It is used to heat the refinery so that the energy they will use will be reduced. The steam also goes to a pharmaceutical plant where some of it is used. Then the waste heat goes to a green house (where the weather gets extremely cold) towards growing crops in the green house. Also, part of the waste heat goes into the heating systems in housing districts. The fly ash goes towards making cement and the waste gypsum goes towards making wallboard which is what Americans use instead of paint. So basically, what we are doing in Yola right now is to evaluate what current industries there are, what potential industries exist and optimize where opportunities are, and then formulate a regional development plan.

“Now, the way this works is to understand the industries that exist, what resources they use and what they produce. Where are they getting the resources from? What outputs do they produce? What could be recycled and what could be reused from there? Do they have any by product that could serve as an input to another new industry?

So basically, understanding what resources are being used and where they are coming from so we can innovate enterprises that can produce those resources locally and then what outputs are coming out of the industries, what can be recycled, what can be reused and then identify opportunities for establishing new industries.

This could lead to two things –employment creation and generation of economic opportunities for people and secondly, it will increase the environmental efficiency of all the industries in the state. That will, over time, generally reduce the cost of production in this area because the economy will be efficient.

"When waste paper comes out of the university, it goes straight to an industry that uses waste paper to produce other things. So the cost of production will generally reduce and the entire region will be a centre of investment because it is going to be more efficient to invest money here as you spend less to do business. This will create a general economic advantage for the whole area.

Increasing synergy: "Students collected data from a vast majority of enterprises, the raw materials they use, energy input and where they are getting them from. That will give us an idea of where inputs are coming from and then we think of how to get the inputs from the state. You know having the inputs come from other places will cost more and so we can have something reasonable enough to float a new industry that will be producing those inputs locally. They also collected data on outputs – by-products, wastes, where they are taking the wastes to and what they are doing with them currently so we know how else we can use them. This will increase synergy and it will eliminate unnecessary competition. Do you really need to start a new industry in the same thing that already exists? May be if everybody supports one another, it is going to be better than if everybody competes and fights."

*From right; Miss Universe, Ghana, Hannielm Jamin Chianny; Head Teaching Staff, Mr Emeka Ughamadu; Proprietress Caro Favoured College, Mrs Caroline Ughamadu and students at a Girl's Meeting with the Queen durimg a recent visit to her alma mata.

Miss Universe Ghana visits Caro Favoured Collage

By TARE YOUDEOWEI

M

iss Universe, Ghana, Hanniel Jamin Chianny paid a visit to her Alma Mata, Caro Favoured College, Awodi-Ora, Ajegunle, Lagos recently.

The Queen, who is born of a Ghanaian father and Nigerian mother, came back to school to express her heartfelt gratitude for the nurturing she received from the proprietress Mrs. Caroline Ughamadu, the principal, Mr. Mark Okoh and members of staff during her time there.

Miss Universe, in a Girl’s Meeting put together to mentor the female students, admonished them saying; “do not be

like me, be greater than me,” as she answered their manifold questions about life in general.

“Let your family know your plans because their support is essential. Be prayerful, focus, be determined and look to God” she said as she introduced Confidence Walk to the school for training students interested in modeling.

Stating that she never used make up while in school but used white powder, Hanniel pleaded with the girls to focus on their books and be careful.

Proprietress Ughamadu backed the Queen’s admonition by telling the girls to de-focus on make up and focus on books, as she thanked Hanniel profusely for remembering her Alma Mata.

30 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

% " &

' " " "

#

" % "

% " &

( )

*

& " *

'

! " "

#

$ +

" % " &

#

" #

,

. ' / " 0 "

"

/

*

"

" " 1 2 3 0

2 "

# "

# # 3 )

4 2 " " 4# 0563

7

"#

#

6

"

(

7

"

" + 5# 6

#

"

" (

#

"

6

" # "#

2 "

# " # #2 3 )

4 2 " " 4# 0563 6 , " 7

0 "

" * "

/

" "

7 )

" 7

' +7/ )

"

)

8

"# " " 0 "

5 "

" # #

!"#! $ " !%&'

. ' " 0 "

"

/

( ) ) * + ! , *

"

"

)

"

9 + -. ) + $ +

" :;;

< 8 , % "

= , 5

5

7

/ 0 %12 &3%1 * - 7

7

;

"

;

>

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 — 31

32 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 — 33

34—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

NLC insists Oyerinde killers must be brought to book

and not the one that is predicated on overzealous interest pursuit of influential ones. A policy that is forced on people can never stand the test of time.

BITS Bits NLC yet to decide on scribe

Our argument

N

... insists Oyerinde killers must be brought to book

N

IGERIA Labour Con gress, NLC, has said the nation’s labour movement will not rest until the killers of its late Deputy General Secretary, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, are brought to book.

President of NLC, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, spoke in Abuja during the presentation of a book on the biography of the Late Comrade Oyerinde.

The book, written by Lois Otse Adams, is titled: OLAITAN OYERINDE - His Struggles for a Better Nigeria, Oyerinde was murdered in cold blood on May 4, 2012, while serving as the Principal Private Secretary of Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Omar condemned the assassination of Comrade Oyerinde and vowed that the labour movement would not rest until the perpetrators are brought to book.

He said the NLC had immortalised the deceased by naming the Conference Hall at the Labour House in Abuja after the Late Comrade Oyerinde.

Comrade Douglas Adiele, General Secretary, Boniface Isok, President and Goke Olatunji, Deputy Presidet, National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees, NUCFLANMPE, at a briefing in Lagos before the protest.

Our quarrel with new cement policy — Labour VICTOR AHIUMA- YOUNG “OUR union will lose approximately 15,616 direct workers in the cement sector and over a million workers involved in indirect activities related to cement usage.” These were the words of labour leaders and workers in the nation’s Chemical and Non-Metallic Products sector, during a protest at the Lagos State Governor's Office, over the new cement policy of the Federal Government.

The protesting labour leaders and workers, who were at the Governor’s Office to deliver a protest letter to Governor Fashola for delivery to President Goodluck Jonathan, contended that the new policy was illconceived, ill-advised and portends dire consequences for the national economy and could not be defended anywhere outside Nigeria.

Under the umbrella of National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-metallic Products Employees, NUCFRLANMPE, with support from Lagos chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, the workers called on government to halt the policy because it was capable of disrupting the transformation agenda of the present administration.

Armed with placards bearing various inscriptions, they marched from Toyin Street, Ikeja to Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, lamenting that the policy was hasty and would worsen the unemployment situation in the country.

They implored government to give the cement manufacturers a minimum of two years to standardize their operations, arguing that it was wrong for the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, to suddenly introduce a new policy on cement production.

At a briefing before the protest, President of the union, Mr. Boniface Isok, insisted that the introduction of 42.5 standard of cement was a welcome idea if only it was allowed to compete with other types of cement while leaving the choice to the final consumers.

According to him, “We call on all stakeholders in the cement sector in Nigeria to let wisdom prevail and leave the existing

32.5 type of cement to compete with the new 42.5 type while leaving the choice for the final consumers. The 32.5 cement type has been in existence over 70 years ago as long as our memory can recollect and many high rise buildings in the country like the Cocoa House in Ibadan, multi-storey buildings on Broad Street in Lagos, many five star hotels in Lagos and Abuja, Federal Secretariats both in Lagos and Abuja, Government Houses all over the federation, residential buildings and many others too numerous to mention were constructed with the 32.5 cement type and they all have withstood the test of time. Therefore, if government shuts down factories that are producing 32.5 type of cement with impunity as SON is intending to do, it will deny workers of their right to gainful employment.

Job losses “Our union will lose approximately 15,616 direct workers in the cement sector in companies like WAPCO, UNICEM, SOKOTO, ATL AS, ASHAKA, PURECHEM etc. and over a million workers involved in indirect activities related to cement usage. The point we are trying to make is that while we do not oppose 42.5 cement type; other manufacturers like Lafarge Group (WAPCO and ASHAKA), Unicem and Sokoto Cement plants should not be allowed to close down and thereby sending their workers to the already saturated labour market. As a trade union organization and an important stakeholder in the sector which is saddled with the protection of worker ’s interests; the introduction of 42.5 standard of cement is a welcome idea if and only if it would be allowed to co-exist with other different types of cements especially 32.5 type.

"We a v e r t h a t p o l i c y m a k i n g should consider the prevailing circumstances which are hinged on the acceptability of the general masses

,

IGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, is yet to take a decision on who becomes its substantive General Secretary.

Investigations by Labour Vanguard, revealed that leaders of congress are considering several issues before appointing a substantive General Secretary, irrespective of the outcome of the interview recently conducted for the only three applicants to the influential job.

An NLC officer told Labour Vanguard that “there are other factors that determine who eventually becomes the General Secretary. Go and check, you will understand what I am talking about.

So, we are considering other issues beside the performance in the interview.

Dr. Peter Izon Eson, an economist and head of research at the NLC, Comrade Chris Uyot (Acting General Secretary) and Comrade Issa Aremu, a Vice President of NLC and General Secretary of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers, participated in the interview that took place at the NLC secretariat.

Meanwhile, immediate past President of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Comrade Lawal Dutsinma, headed the panel that interviewed the applicants and not Comrade Ayuba Wabba, as reported earlier.

Isok contended that “there exist 27 types of cement in the world and each serves different purposes. It is on record that none of these cement types is inferior to the other in as much as they serve different purposes. The implication is that no particular cement type is applicable to all construction works. We have 12.5 type, 22.5type/ 32.5type, 42.5type, 52.5 type, sulphate resistant cement, oilwell cement, white cement etc. all serving different and specific purposes. Cement type has nothing to do with building collapse, rather, poor application, corruption that is evident in stealing and compromising, lack of technical knowhow on the part of personnel on sites with respect to determining what reinforcement is required for a particular soil type and at a particular location, poor soil analyses and other human factors are the major reasons why building collapse is rampant in Nigeria nowadays.

It is a known fact that most of the highrise buildings and heavy construction works like road, bridges, drainages, factories etc. were constructed with 32.5 type of cement yet they are still standing strong in the face of weather and other climatic elements that are taking toll on them.

“The Union believes that different agenda is being subtly pursued to create monopoly in the sector. It is worrisome that the proponents of the cement standardization failed to put so many things into consideration. The direct gain from market domination if the idea sails through has impaired their senses of reasoning on the negative effect the action will have on the Nigerian economy which is already assuming downturn trend; the attendant consequences will be loss of jobs thereby provoking the already saturated unemployment situation in the country.

To upgrade the crop of cement plants in Nigeria to be able to produce 42.5 type will require nothing less than two

The union believes that different agenda is being subtly pursued to create monopoly in the sector

,

years. The implication is that the likes of Lafarge cement, Sokoto Cement, Unicem, Ashaka Cement etc. will shut down while the upgrading lasted, resulting to scarcity of cement, high price, high demand, and importation of cement, unemployment, and delay in ongoing construction works etc.

According to him, “Supporting 42.5 type of cement as the only cement to be produced in Nigeria would mean that all on-going construction projects have to be re-designed to conform to 42.5 type of cement. The wastage will be unimaginable. Why the fuss about 42.5 type and not 52.5 type and or any of other higher types? If 42.5type is superior to 32.5 type, then Nigeria should even go for 52.5type and/or any other higher one."

Vanguard,THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014—35

2010 and from then till date, he had been waiting and languishing without payment of the outstanding arrears of pension, totaling 36 months.

While noting that he would have since passed on if not for his children and well-wishers who had been taking care of his medical bills and upkeep, the octogenarian pensioner now in a pitiable state, said he did not know what sin he committed that made the authorities concerned not to pay him his federal share of pension for 36 months.

87-yr-old pensioner seeks Jonathan’s help over unpaid pension

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

E

IGHTY SEVEN-yearold blind retired Head Master, Mr. Timothy Dumbiri Akpede, has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan, to prevail on the relevant federal government agencies to pay him the 36 months arrears of his federal share of pension.

Akpede told Pension and You, at his No. 22, Old Lagos/Asaba Road residence in Umunede, Ika North-East local government area of Delta State, that arrears owed him between 2010 and till date had remained unpaid despite fulfilling of requirements.

According to him, he was a head master of several schools in the defunct Ika Local Government area of the then Bendel State before his deployment to Ede Grammar School, Umunede, Delta State, where he retired meritoriously in 1984.

Mr. Akpede recalled that he had been receiving both his federal and state shares of pensions from 1984 until July, 2010 when the payment of his federal share of pension became irregular.

The retiree who lost his sight 11 years ago, said he appeared for data capturing (screening) exercise at Agbor in June, 2010, stressing that he was cleared and issued a cheque for one month (the month of June), lamenting that

Octogenarian Mr. Timothy Akpede

“after that, the federal government authorities in charge of the payment of retirees federal share of pension did not pay me for the remaining part of 2010 and 2011 when I appeared for another screening exercise in Asaba. I lodged a

complaint about the non-payment of my pension.”

According to him, his complaint did not yield the much desired result as he was only paid for 11 months of his federal share of pension in June,

“I do not know the sin I have committed that has made the concerned federal authorities not to pay me my federal share of pension for 36 months now.

Is it a crime to be a pensioner in Nigeria or is it a sin for one to be alive up to 87 years after retirement?", he queried in an emotion laden voice.

He appealed to President Jonathan to direct those concerned to pay his outstanding 36 months arrears of pension to enable him enjoy the fruits of his labour before he passes on.

Stakeholders thump up Trustfund Pension performance

BY FUNMI KOMOLAFE

S

HAREHOLDERS of Trustfund Pensions Plc, have commended the management and staff of the company for its impressive financial result recorded in the last financial year in which it declared a dividend of 25k per share up from 23k declared in 2012.

Speaking at the 6th Annual General Meeting, AGM, Chairman, Board of Directors of the company, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme said, “The company ’s gross earnings and Profit after tax increased by 22 per cent and 28 per cent respectively resulting in a corresponding increase in the total assets and shareholders’ fund of 17% and 30% respectively."

Reacting to the performance of the company, the shareholders represented by Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, among others, said the impressive performance was very encouraging.

Speaking, immediate past President-General of TUC, Comrade Peter Esele, who represents TUC on the board, said “I think Tustfund has done well, because last year the dividend was 23kobo and this year, it is 25kobo. This shows that the last financial year was very tough. It was a very difficult environment but, the company was able to overcome the difficulties. I think the management and workers of Trustfund Plc have done well and we are optimistic that by next year we will do better. You can hear one of the shareholders singing "things are getting better" and by next year the song will change to things have gotten better, bet-

ter and best. And so Trustfund Plc has done well.”

On his part, President of NLC, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, said, “As a labourer, we are very happy. You can see one of the shareholders singing things are getter better and by next year there should be a remarkable improvement. We are happy and our major happiness is that the company is getter stabilized and it is working for the shareholders and for the people, particularly in rendering services to workers who are major stakeholders. I should say without being selfish or bias as a director that they are living up to expectation.

"Our expectation is that they should continue to improve on daily basis on service delivery as we have heard from the Managing Director that they will improve in their service delivery system and dividend to their customers, and improving the dividend also means improving service delivery.”

Also, NSITF as represented by Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said “ you can see that Trustfund has grown from strength to strength when you compare the performance with the previous years. The company has done excellently well, that

is why you can see that the shareholders are happy.

"I think in the pension funds industry, we are leading, and that is why it is good for workers to have their representatives where their interests lie. You can see that this is one of the pension funds administrators that is unique because workers are adequately represented and we will do everything possible to also make sure that their dividends and entitlements at the end of the day are safe and invested in ventures that will yield good returns for them.

“Certainly, as a financial company we will always strive for excellence. Presently on the ladder I think we are second but we want to be the leading PFA in the country; that is our dream and that is what we are working towards. If you can see within the last two years, we have done excellently well, and you can see returns are increasing .”

NLC, TUC laud CPS Speaking on the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, Esele said, “It is a wonderful scheme. Let me make it clear here that in every system there is need to support criticism. I support criticism. One of the problems in Nigeria is that we do not support criticism. Do not forget that when you criticize something, it means that you want it to get better. For me, criticism is a call to duty. On the contributory pension scheme, the workers in the country are better now than where there were before. Right now, I know that with my phone I can call to know what is due to me when I am out of the job as my pension. I do not think that

my father has such opportunity. So, the scheme may not be a perfect system, but it is far better than where we were before now.”

Similarly, Omar said, “So far, the scheme is good for the workers in Nigeria. It is a new scheme in Nigeria, although it is about 10 years old. Despite the very serious teething problems, which Labour has objected to and needed some modification, I think by now we should say it is a scheme in the desired direction. In my view, workers who have suffered most with the introduction of the scheme are workers who are about to retired. It is my belief that all those that have taken up new appointment and join the new scheme, would enjoy the new scheme and benefits from it in the nearest future.

It is something everybody will cherish and it is going to serve the purpose for which it is established.”

On his part, Wabba said, “ Over the years, there had been a lot of burden, especially those in the public service getting their gratuities in bulk. As I speak, I know a lot of people that are yet to get their gratuities and pension. But with the new pension scheme, it means that you are going to follow up the management of your account and I think it is a good concept and all the hurdles that workers passed through in the past to assess their pension are eliminated because you manage the account yourself, you know how much has been paid into your account and that is the beauty of it.

"It is a better system and the 2004 Pension Act is also undergoing review, therefore some of the weaknesses of the 2004 Act are currently being addressed especially in areas of gratuity should be included clearly."

36 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

•Governor Jonah Jang

STANDSTILL ON THE PLATEAU:

Jang's boys become unruly THE once convivial relationship between the administration and legislature on the Plateau has turned sour. How it will end is what no one can guess.

I

BY MARIE-THERESE NANLONG

T was a sign of the once warmth relationship between the seventh assembly of the Plateau House of Assembly and the executive that Governor Jonah Jang was at the inauguration of the legislature alleged to have personally chosen the brand of official vehicles allocated to the lawmakers.

It was thus not surprising that the House regularly passed the annual budget on time and did every bidding of the governor to the point that the citizens dubbed it as a “rubber stamp Assembly”.

Somehow, the relationship got frosty along the way and some members masterminded the removal of the speaker at that time, John Clark Dabwan, PDP, Mangu South and replaced him with Hon. Titus Alams, PDP, Bokkos.

More than a year after the change, many are now wondering whether the House under the former speaker was not after all a more assertive chamber?

One issue that has brought this to fore is the recent petition from the Plateau Patriotic Front sent to the House alleging financial misappropriation of funds amounting to about N50 billion against Governor Jang. The petition also accused the House of being in the know of the

financial misconduct.

Members bothered by the allegation and who recently sought to bring the issue for debate were stopped by the speaker leading to a rowdy

Delta 2015:

session that forced the Speaker to abruptly end the session.

Member representing Dengi constituency, Wokdung Abbas, who was a member of the Labour Party but now said to have pitched

his tent with the APC had on that day informed the House that “the contents are too weighty to be ignored. In all, the petition the House is more hit because the petitioner called us names and also alleged that we have been bribed by the governor not to check the government.”

Speaker Alams overruled Abbas on the premise that the petition was not circulated to members but other members insisted that the petition be mentioned even if the discussion could not commence but the Speaker objected.

Abdullahi Garkuwa, Mangu South constituency, elected on the platform of Labour Party, objecting to Speaker Alam’s ruling said: “The contents of this petition are factual, there is no way to pretend that we don’t know most of these allegations, the petitioners have stated the obvious facts, the governor is only buying time to kill the petition and my annoyance is that the Speaker had forced the House to adjourn without mentioning the petition but this kind of scandal is not the type we can sweep under the carpet. we must discuss it or we are not worth our value as legislature”.

Another Member, Ibrahim Baba-Hassan, Labour Party, Jos North-North constituency but now one foot in the APC said, “the missing N10 billion SUREP fund mentioned in the petition is real, I am a member of the SURE-P committee of the House and I am not aware of the where about of the funds. This is the fact the Speaker is running away from.

Speaker Alams eventually succumbed to pressure from members and constituted a nine man committee on the issue. His

action was said to have been flayed by the leg men of the governor who reportedly berated him for allowing the issue to be even mentioned on the floor of the House.

Before the nine-member committee could settle down for business, Yakubu Jang a son and Special Adviser on Special Duties to the governor instituted a legal action at the State High court to restrain the House from probing him and his father, Jang on the grounds that the House cannot hear a petition brought by a person not elected to the House.

The court has meanwhile granted an interim injunction that the House put the probe on hold pending the determination of the suit filed by Mr. Jang.

When contacted, the Speaker told Vanguard “I only heard about the issue but I am yet to get to the office where I will see the document”.

The Chairman House Committee on Information, Hon. Diket Plang, PDP, Pankshin North, and Chairman of the Committee on Public Account and Petitions, Hon. Gondina Sambo separately confirmed that the investigation has not been aborted.

Sambo was particularly firm that Mr. Jang. Jnr. lacks the locus standi to institute a suit against the House of Assembly on any issue concerning utilisation of public funds.

The Majority Leader, Mr Dem Daniels, PDP, Riyom, on his part, however, said the House could not be said to be probing the governor simply because it received a petition against him.

He added the House was only acting in accordance with its

Continues on page 37

Why Urhobo should always produce gov

D

R Wilson Odafe Omene, a PDP stalwart and immediate past Executive Chairman of Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, is currently a consultant in Maritime Affairs. In this interview he bares his mind on a number of burning political issues in Ethiope West Local Government Area, Delta State and the nation. Excerpts:

BY GODWIN OGHRE

W

HAT is the state of the PDP in your area and Delta State as a whole?

Politics in Ethiope West, and indeed the whole of Delta State, as far as PDP is concerned has been recently reinvigorated and strengthened by the new strategy applied by the Executive Governor of the state. The governor, during the recent byeelection in Delta Central Senatorial District, directed all party big wigs to go back to their various constituencies and make sure that they delivered them to the party. The Local Government had always been a one party council area, and that is PDP, and we are ensuring that all previous disaffections are buried forever.

What do you mean by all previous disaffection?

There was a leadership structure set up by the former governor, Chief James Ibori.

However, the man he entrusted with so

much leverage to keep Ethiope West PDP together almost ruined the political prospect of this local government Area.

He introduced a pressure group called Amoribility which simply was a misguided, selfish and anti-party activism meant to promote personal interest than collective party interest.

At first, in that structure a number of unpopular folks who are members of the so-called AMORIBILITY in the party tried to cause trouble within the party. The party suffered a great loss •Omone: There is nothing like rotational because PDP members that were not governorship in Delta State comfortable with the group were being punished. They also formed another group unpopular party, though with a credible called Urhobo Political Forum, UPF. When candidate, the late Senator Pius Ewherido of they could not have what they wanted, but the DPP. succeeded in politically raping Urhobo Thereafter, some of the arrow heads of UPC, people, they killed UPF and went on to form including its leadership pulled off to form Urhobo Political Congress, UPC. yet another group which they called Urhobo But a sharp disagreement occurred among Political Association, UPA. This chain of fall them over the 2011 senatorial election. As a and rise shows their ineptitude in politics and result PDP lost the election to a very ability to propagate the tenets of PDP.

d o

a

D T a h t i c r r d w a f S

o D

g n D g

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 — 37

Money is the problem of State Assemblies — Ayua, Benue Speaker W

HA T ar HAT aree those issues the confronting interest of state Assemblies in Nigeria?

The issue of funding remains the sole issue. It is assumed and rightly so that in a democratic dispensation such as ours, each arm of government should have some measure of independence from the other, unfortunately due to funding issues and certain constitutional lapses the state assemblies have found themselves in a situation that we have to approach the executives for funding.

That is why, collectively, we agreed and decided that we will continue to sustain our efforts towards the issue of financial autonomy of the state legislatures to really go through during the constitution amendments that is presently with the National Assembly. And secondly, administratively, Benue state does have Assembly Service Commission which means the power of employment, appointment and discipline does not reside with the legislature as an arm of government but with the executive. Even if we have erring staff within the service of the assembly, we don’t have any power to discipline them, we still have to refer them executive for discipline

HONOURABLE Emmanuel Terhile Ayua the Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly was among the 19 Speakers present at the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures held recently at Le Meridien Hotel Nwaniba Akwa Ibom state. In this chat with some newsmen during the 3-day retreat he spoke on few issues bothering on the running of state legislatures, and insecurity in the country. Excerpts: which is also a serious administrative shortcoming for the assembly.

There are some many other challenges. We are supposed to ordinarily oversight the executive, but sometimes it is a little bit awkward asking the person you are supposed to oversight to provide the money which you can use to carry out the oversight function. You know that oversight function no matter the good reason behind it is often perceived as witch hunting.

No matter how you look at it, oversight is seen as a witch hunting and that perception could also impair the release of funds to enable the legislature oversight them effectively. There are several issues but these are the key ones, they all revolve around the issue of funding.

Some delegates of the National Confab have recommended that the legislature should be run on a part time basis, what is your position on this?

Well in our situation in Nigeria, I don’t think we have reached that level of democratic advancement that

vernor — Omene

This is what I meant by previous disaffection in the party which we have overcome.

Now what can you say of the party at the Delta Central and State level?

The party is now very strong at the Delta Central and at the State level.

The same episode which played out at our local government level also happened at the Delta Central and at the State level but now the governor in his wisdom is now engaged in constructive party leadership, recognizing the need for a full-scale reform. He has settled most differences, and the party is now waxing very strong at the Delta Central and at the State level, more so as it has finally won the Delta Central Senatorial bye-election.

What is your comment on the issue of rotating the office of governor in Delta State?

There is nothing like rotational governorship in Delta State. There was no time in history that the people of Delta State sat down regionally as a group to agree on rotational

governorship. I challenge anybody with such evidence as rotational governorship to come forward and tender it. There was no such agreement at anytime and anywhere. In Ethiope West Local Government Council where we have a rotational agreement, the representatives of all the people in the council area came together to agree to it, and as I speak to you there is concrete evidence that can be relied upon.

At the state level, however, there is nothing like that. Urhobo is to Delta State, as a first son is to any family. Just as the words of a first son are respected in any family that is how the words of Urhobo people should be respected in Delta State. Urhobo voice should be and must be the defacto in the decision mechanism of the state.If the children of one father were to share a fish, it is the senior who takes the biggest portion.

Urhobo being the senior in the family of Delta State, naturally deserve to hold on to the governorship position, after all, the state capital is in Asaba and that should be their share. Urhobo cannot lose the capital as well as the governorship.

•Ayua: The issue of funding remains the sole issue can successfully handle this job on a part time basis. Even full time as it is, the challenges are still enormous but I want to believe that with such it will be tasking on the side of the members in the performance of their legislative duty.

What is your position on the current security challenges facing Nigeria?

The situation is regrettable that we have come a long way as citizens of this country and with the struggle for advancement to be able to also stand neck to neck with

other developing countries in the world. A crisis such as this is a major setback. First,

,

BY CHIOMA ONUEGBU

democratically and we don’t want this to continue. In this retreat we also gave words of encouragement to the President that he should continue to sustain the effort in curbing this insurgency which appears clearly to be induced from within the country.

You ar aree in Akwa Ibom for State Speakers retreat will you say the purpose of the retreat was realised?

Yes, to a large extent. For one, most Speakers, representatives attended and so the idea of getting together has been achieved. Secondly, the papers that were presented all aimed at ensuring the stability of democracy in Nigeria were well taken by the presenters/ resource persons and even though they are familiar issues, it is a question of reiterating our position that as speakers of state legislatures we need to support the other arms of the government; that is the Executive and the Judiciary and form a stronger partnership that will ensure the stability and good governance in the country.

So, the papers were well taken and as we go back, we will reflect deeper on some of the key issues that were raised in those papers. To this extent, I will say that we achieved our

It is assumed and rightly so that in a democratic dispensation such as ours, each arm of government should have some measure of independence from the other

it kind of confronts our resolve to move forward, and secondly, there is too much of human and material losses for a country like ours that is struggling to stabilise

,

aim and with the assurance that we need to do what we are able to do to ensure the stability and sustainability of democracy in Nigeria.

Jang's boys become unruly Continues from page 36 constitutional duties by receiving the petition which had been committed to the Account and Petitions Committees for proper investigation.

Governor Jang, meanwhile is taking no chances. A circular was last week issued by the administration directing ministries, departments and agencies to obtain clearance from the governor’s office before appearing before any committee of the House.

“No civil servant working under the State government or political appointees is allowed to honor invitation from the State House of Assembly without seeking clearance from the governor ”, according to the memo issued by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

The memo was copied to all government ministries, department and agencies of the State as well as commissioners and special advisers and they were urged to strictly comply with the directive.

Indeed, the State Ministry of Transport upon the memo was quick to rebuff a move by the House Committee on Transport to carry out an oversight visit.

Alhaji Abubakar Dashe, the state commissioner for transport in a response to the lawmakers told them to shift the visit until the governor gave the go ahead.

In the memo titled: “Re: Working Visit” which reads in parts, “Referring to your letter dated 17th June 2014, I am under instruction to write and inform you that the Honourable Commissioner has written to Government House for clearance but has not been cleared.

“We appeal to you to shift the proposed visit pending when we get the clearance from Government House”.

Meanwhile, Governor Jang has reiterated he did not tamper with State funds as insinuated in some quarters stressing that if he had such amount of money, many more projects which will impact on the lives of the citizens would have been executed.

The governor has, however, assured citizens he will do his best within available resources to ensure he leaves the State better than he met it.

“If I see such an amount, the State will not remain this way, and they said that I embezzled N50 billion,” the governor said recently in his first public response to the fuse.

With the governor yet to give his go ahead for the probe matters for now remain at a standstill.

38—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

A

RECENT circular is sued by the Ondo state government, over precondition for approval/perfection of bail application for those standing sureties for any accused person, has set lawyers on a war path with the government.

Consequently, the Akure branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has asked the authority to withdraw the said circular which makes it mandatory for anybody standing surety for an accused person to show three years tax clearance. But Lawyers in the state described the circular as not only illegal but offensive.

Chairman of NBA Akure branch, Prince Lawrence Dare and other executive members have led lawyers in the state to protest the bail conditions announced by the state judiciary.

To drive home their demand, the lawyers have boycotted the courtrooms in the last three weeks to protest the development, an action which has crippled all court activities.

They also matched into the courtrooms to ensure compliance with the directive of the NBA. The branch executive moved from one courtroom to another to ensure that none of the courts in the town attended to litigants.

Different placards with inscriptions: “the Chief Registrar cannot dictate to our courts” “Judiciary is not a legislative body” “Discretion is still part of our law, free our courts now” “CJ protect the judiciary not the executive” and “Obnoxious tax clearance, Mimiko’s voice, CJ’ hand” were displayed by the protesting lawyers.

Others placards read: “Judiciary not a tax collector ” “Judiciary last hope of common man, don’t dash it” “Mimiko, don’t kill the justice system in Ondo state with your regime of tax” Speaking with Vanguard on the contentious matter, the Chairman Prince Dare said the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olaseinde Kumuyi, has been asked to reverse the practice direction or face permanent closure of all the courts in the state.

Stringent bail conditions pitch lawyers against govt in Ondo

Protesting NBA Akure Branch Lawyers

According to him, the directive that those standing sureties for an accused person should show three years tax clearance would deny

,

BY DAYO JOHNSON

Prince Dare

judges.”

The Chairman noted that the protestring lawyers would not call off the court boycott until the circular is

To drive home their demand, the lawyers have boycotted the courtrooms in the last three weeks to protest the development, an action which has crippled all court activities

many people access to justice, adding that the Chief Judge has no power to issue such directive.

Dare pointed out that the said directive would turn the Ondo to a police state, saying “it is unconstitutional, null and void for a Chief Judge to impose conditions of bail to his learned brother

NBA ELECTION: I’ll bridge gap between national office and branches – Abar

,

withdrawn by the government.

This contentious issue reverberated at the Akure branch of the NBA law week held in Akure .

The law week has the theme” The socio economic realities of Nigeria as a nation now and beyond 2015.”

Dare alleged that some

Page 39

lawyers were locked up inside the court room for hours in the course of the court boycott.

“We have taken the matter to the appropraite authority and we shall not call off the court boycott until the illegal and offensive circular and its implementation is reversed.

As part of our public interest role, we are trained to speak straight to power whenever the need arises. Our reputation and calling demand that we must not be seen to abhor the culture of impunity in this country,” he added.

Dare pointed out that in an attempt to resolve the matter amicably, the bar wrote a letter to the Chief Judge, Justice Sehinde Kumuyi, while the executive members and elders of the bar met with him, but the chief judge “threatened to turn the cir-

cular into practice direction.

The Chief Judge stated that it is his responsibility to generate revenue for the state government.”

Dare noted that consequent upon the circular, many citizens arraigned for the least offences are languishing in prison custody because their prospective sureties are unable to pay a sum of N75,000 per surety being the minimum tax demanded by government.

He added that this is not withstanding “the employment or financial state of such prospective surety/ sureties. To worsen the matter, it is imperative to state that even where and when a Judge/Magistrate has not made production of evidence of tax payment a condition for bail, the circular empow-

Continues on page 39

How insurgents frustrated my multimillion naira law library — Enikhomehin Page 40

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014—39

Stringent bail conditions pitch lawyers against govt in Ondo Continues from page 38 ers the court registrar to demand for it before perfection of bail application.”

Reacting to the lawyers protest, Justice Kumuyi said the directive is meant to ensure that those standing sureties are responsible people in the society, noting that he has the power to issue directive and what he did was to ensure that those standing sureties for accused persons are ready to produce them when the trial commences.

The Chief Judge (Justice Kumuyi) stated that he was ready for constructive criticism and would be opened to suggestions from members of the bar and asked that a committee should be constituted to meet with the judiciary to iron out the grey areas of the directive.

But the lawyers have so far remained adamant despite the explanation of the Chief Judge as they disallowed the courts from sitting. They insisted that, “the only condition to allow the resume of Court sitting is the withdrawal of the offensive circular.”

An end seems not to be in sight on the imbroglio between the lawyers and the state judiciary.

JUSTICE KUMUYI

EDITORIAL TEAM Innocent Anaba ( Head) Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri Dayo Benson (Supervising Editor)

NBA ELECTION:

I’ll bridge gap between national office and branches – Abar

M

r Steve Abar is one of the candidates vying for the office of the general secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association in the forthcoming election. The Jos based legal practitioner is currently the second vice-president of the NBA. In this brief encounter, he spoke on what he intends to do if elected to the position. Excerpts.

BY DAYO BENSON

One of the things you promised to do if elected NBA general secretary is to bridge the gap between the national office of the NBA and branches throughout the country, how do you intend to do this?

By the grace of God as soon as I am elected we will be bridging the gap between the national office and the local branches. With the little experience in the NBA Secretariat in the past years, I found out that the happening in the national officer, largely is a reflection of what is happening in the larger society whereby the leadership is disconnected from the followership. The leadership is interested in coming to read to us economic statistics of how works are being done. But you and I know that the statistics do not tally with the reality. That is exactly what happens in NBA. Most of the programmes on papers are fantastic. But once they are not implemented and do not suit the immediate needs of the branches, they become very ineffective. They are as good as white elephant projects which remain dreams never realised. Take for instance, it doesn’t make sense to me as an individual, that NBA should hike up cost of registration fees for conferences. At the end of the day they declare huge profits, while subjecting the generality of members to untold hardship. Because of the high cost, some of them do not the opportunity to attend. You increase fees to such a high level only to come back to declare profits, profits for who?

It’s not a limited liability company we are running. If it were, all we need to say is ‘come and share the dividends, so that everybody will benefit’. The question is how are the funds being managed?

I can assure you majority of members do not know. So it does not make sense to me.

That anticipated profits, why don’t you spread it down so that every lawyer would ben-

efit by way of reduced conference fees.

This will enable majority of lawyers to be taken to conferences. The intention may be that conferences should be self sustained, but then in the process, you deprive majority of lawyers from partaking in the conferences, some of which come only once in a year. So there is a clear disconnect.

Another issue you said you said you’ll is that of insurance for lawyers which has been on the front burner since 2003. How do you intend to achieve this?

For me, I strongly believe that it is not sufficient for NEC to pass a resolution and prove that an MOU has been signed by a service provider and then the matter is laid to rest. The Secretariat must be at the fore-front of ensuring, just as we intend to galvanise and get popular views on every issue that affects the association. We will similarly be at the fore-front of promoting the programme.

Now referring to the insurance policy you talked about, besides sending text messages within the first week, the scheme has not been promoted. I’m sure if you sample opinions of members at our branches and say, the NBA has signed an agreement for insurance policy, many of them will be surprised.

They are not aware of it.

You pass a message to the

branches and demand the records of their members that are enrolled into the scheme.

More importantly, you precipitate a resolution, that is my view because as second vicepresident, I am also chairman of welfare committee of NBA. Our recommendation to this present executive was that rather than wait for the month of January to March, sending bulk SMS to members that they should pay their practicing fees as at when due, failure of which amounts to official misconduct, why don’t you take out of about N400 million you rake in as practising fees and pay upfront their premium for this insurance policy and simply inform members by same bulk SMS that whoever pays his practising fees on or before 31st day of March that is the cut off day, is automatically covered.

I think people will be motivated more if they appreciate the benefits they stand to derive from the process. This is because you belong to an association in order to benefit. For most members, their connection with the NBA starts and ends with payment of their practising fees. They don’t know how else it affects their lives.

When you pay from what you’ve already gathered and send the same bulk SMS to every member that if you pay

your practising fees as at when due, you are already covered by the policy, I’m sure you will have a larger percentage of members coming to pay their practising fees.

I don’ t know about some cosmopolitan branches like Lagos, but where I come from in Jos which is a rural branch and endangered economy, when we lose a colleague, it is difficult for us to raise N100,000 to N150,000 to support the family. But if we have an insurance policy in the event of such occurrence, and somebody is covered with a minimum of N2 million, you can imagine how happy and interested members would be to pay their practising fees.

If you increase practising fees, they will not complain because they know that the benefit will still come back to them.

We will not make things too rigid, we will make it open.

On every issue we feel so passionate about we will originate it from the president, copy every member of NEC which of course includes representatives of the branches and also require their resolution on the issue. If they shoot it down, all well and good. If they vote for it, then we have their support to drive it. Any association that cannot protect or take care of its members does not worth its name.

40—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

country and its economic survival.

“When one considers that the economy of our country depends entirely on these incomes, therefore anything that tends to disrupt that delicate balance must be fought with all the arms in our arsenal until same is roundly defeated.”

The guest lecturer said that the time had come when crude oil thieves must be treated as economic saboteurs rather than ordinary criminals.

He frowned at the fact that a section of the Criminal Justice system allows an option of fine as a penalty for a convicted crude oil thief. He said, “It must surely be a prison term or something much stiffer. A fine of N2, 000 or N10,000 can never atone for the destruction that the activities of these disgruntled criminals cause to our economy.

From (left): Mrs. Adebisi Benson, the honouree; Chief B. O. Benson (SAN); Hon. S. O. B. Agun“A situation where they are biade and Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) at the lecture. stripped of their right to engage in political activities or contest for electoral posts on our land will fenders. it is only reasonable that the pun- or sent to two years in jail is too According to him, the law as it ishment applicable must equally ridiculous and makes a mockery not be out of place, considering the fact that they are enemies of is applicable “are too soft to act be severe. A situation where a of our judicial system.” the land whose criminal activities as enough deterrence for crude crude oil thief steals crude oil The senior lawyer said the oil theft.” He said, “Crude oil theft worth millions of dollars, only to activities of the crude oil thieves are primarily aimed at preventing involves huge sums of money and be fined a paltry sum of N2,000 threaten the very existence of the all of us from enjoying the good things of life.”

Oil theft: Fagbemi advocates stiffer sanctions

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

T

HE ninth edition of the Chief Babatunde Olusola Benson(SAN) annual public lecture organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikorodu Branch, has come and gone, however the topic chosen by the Ikorodu Bar this time addressed an issue that seems to be threatening the economic survival of the country.

The theme of the lecture organised as part of the Annual Law Week 2014 of the NBA, Ikorodu was: “Oil theft in Nigeria , the Moral, Legal and Economic Implication”.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN), Mr. Lateef Fagbemi who presented the lecture had urged the federal government to impose stiffer penalty on whoever engaged in crude oil theft to serve as deterrent to others. Fagbemi argued that one of the major solutions to curb the crime was to amend the laws regulating crude oil theft which will spell out stiffer punishments for of-

How insurgents frustrated my multimillion naira law library — Enikhomehin

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

A FORMER commissioner representing Ondo State on the board of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr. Benson Enikhomehin, has lamented that his vision of building a multi-million naira law library in Abuja was frustrated by the activities of Boko Haram insurgents in the city.

Even as he also called on lawyers to place emphasis on projects that would enhance the legal profession rather than personal acquisition of wealth.

Enikhomehin said this during the commissioning of the multimillion naira law library in Akure.

Personalities at the event included; the Deji of Akure, Oba Adetutu Adesida-Ojei; Chief Judge of Ondo State, Hon. Justice Olaseinde Kumuyi; Odede of Igboegunrin, Oba Olatunji Kalejaiye; former PDP governorship candidate in Ondo State, Barr. Olusola Oke; celebrant’s mother, Mama Rosana Enikuomehin; Dr. and Mrs. Banji Ajaka among others.

“When I was called to the Nigerian bar on March 22, 1995, I resolved to do my best and contribute my quota to the development of legal profession in Nigeria. I first developed the Lagos office called Shalom Chambers but not to the taste of my dream law office. My sojourn to Akure in 2003 could not have availed me of the law firm I dreamt about in 2005.

When I moved to Abuja in 2008, I proposed to build a National Law firm which would be second to none in Nigeria and probably in West Africa. I decided to invest in law books which culminated in the

commissioning of my Law Library in Abuja,’ Enikhomehin stated.

In addition, he said, ‘’In 2010, my architect designed a five story law centre to be erected at the central area of Abuja. The vision was killed by the invasion of Boko Haram ravaging facilities in the federal capital. So I decided to relocate my dream law firm to Ondo State. The office that was commissioned in

Akure recently is the boys’ quarters to the edifice now under construction. By the grace of God, it will be ready in the next one year.

So, it has always been my dream to have a law centre of repute,” In his remarks, Justice Kumuyi, commended Enikuomehin for his decision to build a structure that will enhance the legal profession, saying “what Dr. Enikuomehin has

done is a big challenge to our colleagues that legal practice is a serious business. I also consider as part of my achievement as the Chief Judge of Ondo State that during my tenure, I witness something that would boost legal work.”

Also speaking, Oke said: “The only thing you can give to the society is knowledge. This newly commissioned law library is the

first of its kind in Ondo State. I want to commend his effort, his endeavour and I appreciate the great role he is making in the area of politics. I have a thirst for law so that when there is no politics I return to my law firm. You have laid a good foundation for the upcoming ones to emulate. This noble course law collection is worthy of emulation.”

NBA Lagos tackles election petition issues A

HEAD of 2015 General Election, Issues arising from election petitions would engage the attention of lawyers at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos branch Law Week, which takes place between July 9 to 11.

In a statement, the event, the discussion would have the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, as Mr. Rickey Tarfa SAN is expected to speak on Election Petition Law. The first session would have as panelists: Mr. Tayo Oyetibo SAN and Resident Electoral Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mr. Mike Igini.

Other programmes lined up for the event include: Visit to Ikoyi Prison, football tournament at Lagos Campos Stadium (Lagos Bar vs.

Ikeja Bar), and variety night at the

Alternate Chair, NBA Lagos Branch Law Week Committee, Mrs Tolani EduAdeola; Branch Chairman, Mr Alex Muoka and Committee Chairman, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade.

Foyer, Lagos High Court in Igbosere.

According to the statement, a dinner in honour of the outgoing Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, is to be held at City Hall, Lagos.

The second session would dwell on Energy Law, with the topic: “Let there be Light: Current Reforms in the Pow-

er Sector ”, while the third session is to deal with current issues in Maritime Investment in Nigeria..

During the Young Lawyers’ Forum, Dr. Konyinsola Ajayi SAN would speak on the topic, “Imperative for Building a Global Law Practice in the 21st Century ”, and Mr. Osaro Eghobamien SAN is expected to treat issues of Trust Law.

In order to ensure better life for its members, NBA Lagos also included in its 3-day Law Week a session tagged: Medical Law, where Chief Anthony Idigbe SAN would speak on the topic, “Balancing Access to Experimental Drugs with the Constitutional Right to Life and the Legal Imperative for Strict Enforcement and Compliance with Clinical Trial Laws”.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

— 41

Benefits of a Veg diet: Balancing your Redcare HMO targets universal health coverage options for Nigerians S TUDIES have shown that vegetarians often have lower incidence of coronary artery disease, hypertension, obesity and some forms of cancer. A vegetarian diet tends to be lower in total fat, and vegetarians tend to eat proportionally more polyunsaturated fat compared with non-vegetarians.

Vegans avoid meat, poultry, game, fish and slaughterhouse by-products such as gelatine and animal fats. The staples of the vegetarian diet are fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, seeds and nuts. Most vegetarians eat dairy products and free-range eggs. Semivegetarians eat fish and/or chicken but no red meat. They are not officially classed as vegetarians.

A vegetarian diet can be a very healthy option but it is important to ensure it is well balanced. You could stuff your face with chips and chocolate at every meal and be vegetarian but you wouldn’t be doing your health much good. A balanced vegetarian diet should include grains and cereals, legumes, nuts and seeds, fruits and vegetables: As much as you want - think variety. Try new fruits and vegetables and dairy products. A typical vegetarian diet closely matches expert dietary recommendations for

Hakeem Jimo’s

Ve ggie Victory

veggienaija@gmail.com

•Heart-friendly diet. healthy eating, being low in saturated fat and high in fibre, complex carbohydrates, and fresh fruit and vegetables. As long as you eat a variety of foods you will be getting all the nutrients you need. There is no hard and fast rules to following a vegetarian diet other than keeping to the vegetables, pulses, dairy and NO meat!

However, some people choose to include fish or even some chicken in their diet which

means they are not following a vegetarian diet by definition.

As long as you make sure you are getting a good variety of balanced and nutritious food, you will be perfectly healthy.

Research has shown that it can decrease the risk of heart disease and some cancers. It’s also thought that you’ll be less likely to suffer from high blood pressure and diabetes. Also you won’t be as much in danger of excessive weight gain either.

BY GABRIEL OLAWALE

I

N line with the Federal Government’s universal healthcare coverage, RedCare Health Maintenance Organisation, HMO, is set to grow its market share in Nigeria’s health insurance through product development targeted at the formal and informal sectors including individual enrollees.

This is coming on the heels of Federal government decision to achieve at least a 22 percent health care coverage for the nation by 2015.

Making this disclosure during the HMO’s 5th year anniversary recently in Lagos, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Redcare HMO, Dr. Babatunde Salako said the philosophy of the company was to develop customised healthcare packages that would address the needs of a targeted segment of the society.

Salako who noted that Redcare was committed to partner with local and international bodies including the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, for the provision of universal health coverage for all under the government agenda for healthcare in the country, said Redcare with share capital of over N400 million and operating in the six geopolitical zones is focused on ensuring Nigerians have access to healthcare services.

“We are continuously reviewing our products and plans to maintain our competitive advantage and leveraging our services on the reputation of Reddington Hospital, a flagship hospital in Nigeria.”

“To further our service, we have strategically position our operation in all six geopolitical zones with head office in Lagos.

In terms of market share, we are in support of universal healthcare coverage, and making strides to cover both the informal and formal sectors, in line with NHIS guidelines and goals and objectives.”

“As a limited liability company, our health insurance cover for corporate organizations is growing as well as new enrollees from companies such as Access bank, Etisalat etc.

Speaking,Chairman, National Sickle Cell Foundation, Professor Olu Akinyanju, noted that RedCare HMO is committed to pursuing excellence in healthcare service delivery. This was made possible through it’s health insurance products to different groups.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

I

have been widowed for two years now and I will like to start dating again. It has been very lonely and it has not been easy. There is a man that is interested in me and he is really nice. But there is a big problem. Once in a while, I see the spirit of my dead husband. Once my male friend visited my house and after he left, I came upstairs to get my phone and my whole room was scattered as if a tornado had passed through my house. I don’t know what to do? I know for a fact that my children did not do it because they were at school that day – Mrs Okene That is strange but let me ask you something.

How did your husband die? Was he killed? While I know very little about ghosts, I understand that sometimes when people die very violent deaths, their spirits tend to get restless and haunt the houses they lived in or the people they lived with. So it seems to me that you are being haunted. When he appears to you, do both of you talk? If you have conversations, you should ask him why he is appearing to you. Maybe he is trying to tell you something. Often when spirits haunt people or houses, it is because of an unresolved incident that happened in the past and when that incident is finally addressed to their satisfaction, the spirits become at peace and go away. Again, I am not an expert on this sort of thing so it is best you talk to a reputed religious person or spiritualist who is familiar with such matters. The best advice I can give you for now is to stop dating this man that comes to visit you. It puts both of you at risk – Uche I am interested in the Mood lubricant but I can see that there are different types. I am confused.

I need something that can arouse a woman who is hard to arouse – Sandra Go for the Mood Arousal Gel. It is an aphrodisiac for women with low genital arousal or for women

who simply want better sexual enjoyment and climax – Uche I told my best friend that I have never had an orgasm and she told me to buy the Jelly Chocolate Vibrator.

She said she bought it from you in 2010. Is there a chance that you still have it? Nneka Yes we do. It is very popular with women. You can call the numbers below to get it – Uche I have read severally that Cockrings help prevent erection loss. Which one would you recommend? Aina Yes Cockrings help prevent erection loss for men who get erections in the beginning and then lose them half way into intercourse. For this, a simple Cockring would do. So you can go for the Donuts Cock Ring. It is new and contains three Cockrings in the pack – Uche Do you know about these new hand cuffs that can be attached to a bathroom door? I saw it in a magazine and I really want to acquire it – Ikenna Yes we know about it. It is called the Closet Cuffs and we have it along with many others. We also have the Door Swing – Uche I just tried the new LS Male Desensitizing Spray for premature ejaculation and it is not bad. It made me last longer than the usual two minutes and I am impressed – Uche I am 64years old and I just cannot get an erection when I need it. I was told that you can help – John There are many options for battling erectile dysfunction. If you have no heart problems, then supplements are best for you. Go for Rhino 5 or Exploding Thunder supplement – Uche The names of the people featured here have been changed for their privacy. Adults in need of these treatments can call us on 08027901621 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. We deliver to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

42 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014—43

24-hr business registration functional — CAC

T

INAUGURATION: Speaker, House of Representatives, Mallam Aminu Tambuwal (right) and Chairman, House of Representatives Press Corps, Mr. Emmanuel Ovuakporie of Vanguard Newspapers, collecting certificate of return during the inauguration of House of Representatives Press Corps in Abuja. PHOTO: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Transformation impossible without people's constitution— IGBO LEADERS

BY TONY EDIKE

E

NUGU—THE Igbo Leaders of Thought led by foremost constitutional lawyer, Professor Ben Nwabueze, yesterday, reaffirmed its position that unless the ongoing national conference fashioned a people’s constitution that would be ratified by a referendum, the desire for the transformation of the country would not be realised.

Professor Nwabueze told journalists in Enugu that the two strategic interests Ndigbo intended to achieve at the conference, which are the adoption of zonal structure for the country and the question of the right of self-determination, were shut down by northern delegates.

He said the meeting reviewed the current security situation in the country, especially the menace of Boko Haram insurgents and the indication that they were infiltrating the South-East and entire Southern part of the country, and resolved to set up a committee to seek ways of handling the situation.

Professor Nwabueze said: “The outcome of today ’s meeting is the reaffirmation of our cause; the objective of the Igbo leaders of thought.

“Our objective is the transformation of Nigeria into a new better and united country.

That is what we set out to do from the beginning.

Lists goals

“Secondly, we reaffirmed again our position that the objective cannot be achieved

without a people’s constitution and by a people’s constitution, we mean a constitution adopted at a national conference and ratified or approved at a referendum of all the peoples of this country.

“Thirdly, we note that what is going on at the National Conference is not designed to achieve this objective.

“We noted the fact of the rowdy session at the conference over the alleged fake draft constitution said to be smuggled into the assembly and that the secretariat was lobbying some northern delegates to support the adoption of this fake draft constitution. As far as we are concerned, this is a pity; a tragedy.”

New federal structure

On the expectations of Ndigbo from the national conference, Nwabueze said: “We also noted that perhaps the two strategic interests of Ndigbo which we are hoping to achieve through the national conference is the zonal structure of the Nigerian federation, that is the creation of six or more zones in the country.

“With the existing 36 states being retained as part of the federal structure, a kind of federation upon federation is had with the 36 states as the basic federating units retaining their powers under the existing constitution.

“At the zonal government, there will be six or more of

them and then the Federal Government. ”

Roll call

Nwabueze disclosed that yesterday’s meeting approved the appointment of Professor Chiweyite Ejike, former Vice Chancellor of Anambra State University of Science and Technology, ASUTHEC, now Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Enugu, as the Deputy Chairman of Igbo Leaders of Thought.

He will work with Professor Mike Echeruo as CoChairman to pilot the affairs of the body.

The meeting was attended by

Eze Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike, Col Emma Nwobosi, Archbishop Maxwell Anikwenwa, Justice G. U. Ononiba, Prof. G. C. Ezeugwu, Prof. Ike Oluka, Prof. Elo Amucheazi, Prof Lawrence Ocho, Mrs. Maria Okwor, Dr. Emeka Ilouno, Prof. Chiweyite Ejike and Prof Uche Azikiwe.

Others were Obi of Onitsha, Obi Alfred Achebe, Bishop Obi Onubogu, Chief Debe Odimegwu-Ojukwu, Dr. Aja Nwachukwu, Prince Emeka Onyesoh, Evangelist Eliot Uko, Prof. Ben Obumselu, Senator Anyim Ude, Chief Enechi Onyia and Major Godfrey Onefuru

Obiano's administration lauded

L

ESS than two weeks after Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State’s celebration of hundred days in office, more encomiums have continued to pour in recognition of his performance, with the State Executive Chairman of ASUBEB, Chief Nnaemeka Olisah, describing the governor ’s performance as remarkable and eventful.

Olisah, who hailed what he called Obiano’s transformational leadership in just 100 days in office, said that “more than ever, Anambra State is witnessing an unprecedented positive transformation in all sectors of the economy.”

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary/Clerk of Anambra State House of Assembly, Pius Udo, said the

emergence of Obiano as the governor was a divine providence, noting that his victory in the last election was the people’s mandate.

Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Council, Chief Victor Agolue, pointed out that the 100 days of the Obiano’s leadership had witnessed a focussed administration, where a governor leads by example.

The Provost, Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, Dr. Ego Uzoezie, noted that the road had been most challenging and eventful, adding that Obiano had taken steps to enhance the welfare of the people of the state since assumption of office, which she described as a landmark achievement.

HE Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, has said that the recent upgrade of its business registration procedure to a 24-hour service was functional, contrary to insinuations in some quarters that it had failed.

A statement by the CAC’s Head of Public Affairs, Williams Churchill, said the new improvement in its service delivery to its clients was not only functional but also efficient, despite occasional hiccups resulting from information and communication technology challenges that were common in developing economies.

It said: “We wish to state unequivocally that the 24-hour business registration procedure launched in 2012 by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment is functional and serviceable to the satisfaction of our clients.”

Imo PDP assures on fairness

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—THE P e o p l e s Democratic Party, PDP, in Imo State, has said it would provide a level playing ground for all its aspirants in next year’s general elections.

The State Chairman of the party, Chief Nnamdi Anyaehie, stated this yesterday, while briefing newsmen shortly after a meeting of the party in Owerri.

He said the party would no longer tolerate the media war among aspirants to elective positions in the state.

He said: “All members of PDP in Imo State must abide by the advice of from the national headquarters of the party. We will provide a level playing ground for all aspirants.”

The Minister of State 1, for Foreign Affairs, Professor Viola Onwuliri, also told newsmen that members of the party were united and had resolved to work for the success of the party.

44—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014—45

Akpabio expresses concern over security challenges

Delta LG boss bags sanitation award

B

OMADI—ENVIR O N M E N TA L Health Officers Association of Nigeria, EHOAN, has confered an award of excellence on the Transition Committee Chairman, Bomadi Local Government Area, Delta State, Mr. Collins Olorogun, in recognition of his relentless efforts in environmental cleanliness in the council.

Presenting the award to the council Chairman in Asaba, the state Commissioner for Housing and Chairman of the event, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, congratulated Olorogun for fulfilling Governor Emmenuel Uduaghan’s mandate to council chairmen in the area of environmental sanitation.

The commissioner, represented by Mrs. Tina Okoli, commended the council boss for his efforts in environmental sanitation and also thanked EHOAN for its dedication in its field of endeavour in the state.

FUPRE VC woos investors

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

W

ARRI—VICEChancellor of Federal University of Petroleum, FUPRE, Effurun, Delta State, Prof. John Etu-Efeotor, has promised to immortalise any donor who invests in the development of the institution.

Etu-Efeotor, who addressed the Warri Correspondent Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, which paid him a visit at the institution’s permanent site, Ugbomoro, said: “I will not put myself in a position to do what my predecessors did in this school. I will not take anybody to court or get involved in fighting. Those conducts by my predecessors made the first four to five years of the institution tumultuous and wasteful.

“I believe in peace. And even you the media acknowledge that peace has come. With peace, there will be development. I am calling on corporate bodies and wealthy individuals, to donate buildings, halls, workshops or institute a chair."

BY OLAYINKA LATONA

G

SWEARING-IN: Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Uyi Igbe, and Mr. Victor Edoror, after the latter's swearing-in as the new Deputy Speaker of the House, at a sitting held at the old Assembly Chambers, Benin City, yesterday.

Four arraigned for arson in Edo N15m property razed

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—FOUR persons have been arraigned before an Irrua Magistrate Court in Edo State on a six-count charge of conspiracy and setting on fire, a house and other property worth over N15 million, belonging to Mr. Peter Okoh, at Ibore–Irrua, in Esan Central Local Government Area of the state.

The offence was alleged to have been committed a day after the All Progressives Congress, APC, Ward congress in the state.

Those arraigned were Sunday

Ikhelua, 31, Ojie Johnson, 34, Daniel Iwelomen, 28 and Stephen Aimufia, 65.

The accused persons and others at large, according to the charge, were alleged to have, on April 9, 2014, at 3 a.m., in Ibore- Irrua, conspired among themselves to commit felony, to wit: Arson, and thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Vol11 Laws of the defunct Bendel State now applicable in Edo State.

They were also alleged to have unlawfully and willfully damaged property, which

include chairs, clothing, DSTV decoder, certificate of occupancy, vehicle particulars, among others, belonging to the said Peter Okoh, valued at N1.6 million by setting them on fire, thereby committed an offence punishable under section 451 of the criminal Code Cap 48Vol 11 Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria now applicable in Edo State.

When the matter came up for hearing, it was adjourned by the court to July 15, 2014 as one of the accused was not in court, because he was reported to be bereaved.

Why varsities, polys fail to access TETFUND —BOT Chair

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—THE Chairman, Board of Trustees, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND, Dr. Musa Babayo, yesterday, lamented that tertiary institutions in the country have failed to access billions of naira from the Fund over the years due to improper documentation of proposals and incomplete renditions of returns on the part of beneficiaries.

He called for guidelines that will be agreeable to all parties, which according to him would help for easy access of the funds so as to accelerate development in universities and polytechnics in the country.

Babayo, represented by a

member of Board of Trustees of the fund, Mr. Richard Anetekhai, spoke in Benin City, Edo State, yesterday, during a workshop on guidelines for accessing intervention funds organised for heads of universities and polytechnics in the SouthSouth by TETFUND. Describing as unacceptable, the difficulties being encountered by tertiary institutions in accessing the funds, Babayo pointed out that the management had been directed to study all the processes developed over time with a view to harmonising and streamlining them into one concise set of guidelines to be presented in booklet form.

He said: “We expect that these guidelines will promote the achievement of the desired results through ensuring effective rendition of returns by beneficiaries and thus bring efficiency and a more sustainable way of reducing the high level of unaccessed funds.”

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Education Trust Fund, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, who was represented by Mr. Steve Ohue, said that the purpose of the workshop was to sensitise stakeholders on the need to comply with the Public Procurement Act 2007 and to also reach a consensus on the best way the funds can be easily accessed.

O V E R N O R Goodswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has urged Nigerians to be vigilant and security conscious, noting that security was critical to the development of any nation.

The governor, at the presentation of Dr. Udo Udo-Aka’s autobiography and the launch of Udoka Foundation, under the chairmanship of Ambassador Arthur Mbanefo, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos, expressed concerned over the security challenges confronting the country. He stressed the need for the masses to work hand in hand with security operatives to ensure the success of their operations against insurgents.

He said: “Actually, no place is safe, there is need to work together as individuals, community, state and nation in order to tackle crime and other social ills in our nation.”

He congratulated Dr. Udo-Aka for being in the vanguard of giving hope to the less priviledged in Akwa Ibom State.

2015: Akwara joins Delta guber race

BY SIMON ADEWALE

D

R. John Akwara, proprietor of Divine Care Hospital, Sapele, has joined the Delta State governorship race, promising to effectively represent the different ethnic nationalities in the state if voted into office in 2015.

Dr. Akwara, who announced his aspiration at his home town, AgborObi, solicited the for support of all Deltans to actualise his dream.

He described democracy as "a system of government largely based on choice and personal conviction,” expressing confidence in his ability to take over the state from Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2015. He urged the people not to let their heart fail them as he was the right man for the job.

46 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

JEDC purchases new transformers, meters

Kwara magistrates begin strike over alleged promotion of 4 members

BYMARIE-THERESE NANLONG

I

J

OS—THE Jos Elec tricity Distribution Company, JEDC has purchased new transformers and metres for installation and effective distribution of electricity within its zone.

The purchase of the new equipment was aimed at addressing the problems of incessant power outages and estimated billings of customers.

Speaking with journalists in Jos yesterday, the company’s Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Paul Ikwu said his organization was worried about customers’ continued complaints about power outages due to obsolete facilities hence the resolve to upgrade them to give customers better services.

His words: “I wish to assure our esteemed customers that very soon, our new transformers and metres will arrive to enable us carry out major repairs at places where there are series of breakages.

“We are out to make profit and we will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that our clients get the best services though the drop in the power supply is a nationwide problem. ”Customers should not lose hope. They should keep faith with JEDC because we are out to give them the best service as expected. We are new, in fact, barely six months in operation and now having a slight problem at our Egbin Power Station, which I believe contributes to the power shortage being experienced.

“We have been meeting with various stakeholders on how to move the company forward towards giving our customers the best of service and these meetings will soon yield results.”

Ikwu, however, explained that the JEDC ‘’does not generate electricity but only distributes what is available,’’ lamenting that the problems of gas shortages and activities of vandals were affecting both the generation and distribution of power across the country.

From right, Chairman, Governing Board, Gbagada General Hospital, Dr. Tokunbo Oluwole, Convener, Arise Women Mobile Medical outreach, Pastor Mrs. Siju Iluyomade presenting free drugs to Mrs. Aneke Garuba while Arise Women Committee Chairman 2014, Mrs. Theresa Ayanru watch during Arise Women Medical Outreach free treatment and dispensing of free drugs to residents of Surulere Local Government Area held at Surulere LGA Secretatriat, in Lagos

FLOOD: Jang orders demolition of buildings along water ways BYMARIE-THERESENANLONG

J

OS—THE Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, has ordered the demolition of all buildings erected along water ways to avoid further floodings in the state.

The governor, who expressed displeasure over what he described as indiscriminate erection of structures in the state urged the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to demolish any building that hinders smooth flow of water in the state.

Speaking during his ongoing inspection of project sites yesterday, Jang frowned at the proliferation of illegal structures especially along waterways, thereby exposing the state to the risk of flood.

Among the project sites visited were the new Government House, Little Rayfield, flyover bridges at Utonkon Road and Secretariat Junction, all in Jos. ”One thing I have observed along the Utonkon road and here at the Secretariat Junction is that people build right on the water ways, and I have given directives to the commissioner of Housing and Urban Development to ensure that all these houses are demolished. ”They are illegal structures; their owners do not have any building plans and I wonder if the owners have Certificates of Occupancy, C of O. If the Ministry of Lands and Survey did their usual thing by giving them C of O in those areas, we will find out from the files who issued those certificates and

they will be disciplined accordingly,’’ he said.

The governor insisted he would not pay compensation for the affected buildings before demolition as they were illegal structures which must give way for water to flow freely, especially now that the rains were increasing and water levels in the areas rising.

At the new Government House, Jang urged contractors to intensify efforts and complete the project because he was determined to occupy the complex before the end of his administration.

According to him, “We want the new administration to take over from that new Government House. Plateau is one of the first states that was created in this country and it will surprise people that this is the first time we are building a Government House; where the governor used to stay was built as Presidential Lodge.”

He then assured citizens of the state that efforts were in top gear to complete and commission all the ongoing projects in the state before 2015 as no uncompleted project will be left at the end of his tenure.

LORIN—THE Kwara State State chapter of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria, MAN, yesterday began an indefinite strike over alleged attempt by state Judicial Service Commission, JSC, to promote four of them appointed in 2012 as senior magistrates.

The four magistrates at the centre of controversy include Ahmed Maryam Belgore, Baraje Abdulkadir Bilqis, Haruna Danladi Mohammed and Shafi Lukman.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the chairman and secretary of the association, Kudirat Yahaya and Oluwatosin Adeniyi respectively.

The magistrates are demanding among others that,”the appointment of the four magistrates be reversed to Magistrates Grade II in consonance with the rules and convention as well as “that the promotion of Ahmed Belgore and Baraje Abdulkadir to senior Magistrates II be reversed.’’

They also stated ‘’that the selective promotion of Magistrates Wahab Saka and Bayo Gegele should be deferred until July 2014 when the set will be due.”

The association had earlier given the JSC a 14-day ultimatum within which to address their grievances which expired on June 23, this year.

Following the development, the association had emebarked on a three- day warning strike before yesterday’s indefinite strike.

Kogi AIDS agency in crisis over N78m World Bank grant

BY BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

L

OKOJA—THE N78 mil lion donated by the World Bank to the Kogi State Agency for Aids and HIV Control, KOSACA, in the state is missing.

The money which was to be disbursed to various Non-Governmental Organizations, NGOs, to curtail the spread of the diseases in the state was said to have been cornered by some top officials of the agency who later set up some ‘’emergency’’ NGOs to siphon the fund.

Vanguard gathered the some of the non-exesistent NGOs had no offices, while the few that could boast of offices were largely owned by staff of the agency and government officials.

Sources told Vanguard that, “out of over 160 NGOs in the state, only 18 of them were shortlisted for the disbursement while only four out of those 18 were genuine; with about 14 others owned by government officials. ”Out of the money disbursed to these genuine ones, they were forced to part with some percentage as kickbacks to the management of the agency.”

Vanguard also gathered that one of the NGOs owned by a powerful woman in the state. The said NGO was reportedly established about two years ago.

The agency was also accused of wasting N5 million on purchase female condoms which were yet to be distributed in the state.

A rights activist in the state,

Comrade Idris Miliki had also raised an alarm on the state television programe, Coast to Coast, expressing his displeasure over the alleged poor manner the agency disbursed the money.

Miliki said persons with HIV/ AIDS in the state were suffering in silence while some government officials were smiling to their banks with the World Bank grant.

The Executive Director of the agency Hajia Rainatu Bala denied the allegations, saying that contrary to insinuations, the agency followed due process in the disbursement of the fund.

Bala who spoke through the Project Manager, Dr Gabriel Musa also said there was nothing wrong with the disbursement of the fund to government agencies as the guidelines for the disbursement did not exclude NGOs.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 — 47

MTN Forum leads entrepreneurs to tutor Nigerians on business

Crisis in Kogi PDP over endorsement of incumbent for 3rd term

By BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

L

L

OKOJA — THE Peo ple Democratic Party, PDP, in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State is heading towards crisis following the endorsement of the incumbent House member, Suleman Babadoko, representing Lokoja I Constituency for a third term in the House.

The local government party executive led by its Secretary, Shuaibu Momoh, yesterday, addressed a press briefing in Lokoja on their decision to return Babadoko unopposed as the party ’s candidate in 2015 without primaries.

Momoh said members of the party across the five wards in the constituency unanimously endorsed Babadoko for the third term, as a result of his superlative performance, which had brought development to the area.

But shortly after Momoh’s address, other aspirants led by Omar Gwadabe Maikafi, told newsmen at another press briefing, that the party did not endorse the incumbent for a third term in the House.

Maikafi said the Assembly seat for Lokoja 1 Constituency had been rotating among the five wards, with wards A, B, D and E having taken their slots, remaining Ward C. Maikafi who said stakeholders from the constituency led by Senator Tunde Ogbeha had agreed that there must be primary election to pick the person that would represent the constituency at the Assembly; wondered why the executive now decided to toe the line of consensus. ”It was as a result of the rotation arrangement that Babadoko was elected to represent the constituency. The decision of the party executive; who must have been induced by money; endorsing the incumbent will only lead to crisis; and we are ready for them,” he stated.

From left: Dr. Femi Thomas, Executive Secretary/CEO, National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS; Prof. Olu Akinyanju, Chairman. Sickle Cell Foundation; Mr. Sani Dangote, Vice President, Dangote Group; Dr Babatunde Salako, Managing Director, Redcare HMO and Chief Executive Officer, Reddington Hospital Group, Dr. Yemi Onabowale during the 5th anniversary of Redcare HMO, in Lagos.

Kaduna govt to review ongoing projects KADUNA— GOVERNOR Mukhtar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State has said his administration would soon commence the review of all ongoing projects to ensure that they were completed on schedule.

Yero, however, threatened punitive action against contractors who abandoned their project sites.

He spoke while inspecting some projects in Soba Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, “the essence of the review is to ensure the completion of projects earmarked in

the 2014 budget before the end of December.”

During the inspection, Yero assessed progress of work on the 28.8 kilometre Soba-Ikara road.

The governor asked the contractor to commence the second phase of work by laying asphalt and completing of the drainage.

He said: ”I can see that the first coating is completed. the second coating which is laying of asphalt should begin immediately. As a matter of urgency, I want this road completed and I want the 1.6 kilometre Soba township section to

also be completed. ”There is no outstanding payment on this project, so I urge you to complete the work so that you can be paid the balance of the contract sum."

Yero also inspected ongoing 2-kilometre Tashan BokoloHayin Tudu road which had "been surface dressed with two bridges,’’ as well as the ongoing rehabilitation of Local Education Authority, LEA, Primary School at Lungun Soba where he expressed satisfaction with progress of work so far done.

From left: Business Director, Insight communication, Mr Marc Dawodu; CEO NEO, Media and Marketing, Mr Ehi Braimah; Corporate Media/Brand PR Manager, Mr Edem Vindah; Marketing Manager, Gulder, Legend and Life, Mr Emmanuel Agu and Snr Brand Manager Gulder, Mr Onejeka Okoli during a press conference by Nigerian Breweries Plc on Gulder Ultimate Search Season 11, in Lagos.

AGOS — IN a bid to im pact basic business skills, MTN Link Forum has led leading entrepreneurs in Nigeria to tutor young Nigerians on ways to achieve business success.

The tutelage was to aid young Nigerians who want to be entrepreneurs achieve efficiency in their business operations at the small, medium and large scale business sector of the economy.

The speakers were Mr. Oguche Agudah, Special Assistant to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Mr. Izuroa Okafor, CEO of Palmas Company Limited and Dr. Jonathan Doerr, Managing Director of Jumia.

Speaking at the event, Jonathan Doerr of Jumia identified people, idea and money as the three most important parameters entrepreneurs must have to start, grow and make a success of any business.

Chief Marketing Officer, MTN, Larry Annetts said the company, as a truly supporting brand, was committed to developing and engaging budding entrepreneurs and encouraging them to be better in various entrepreneurial fields of human endeavour.

In his words: “A strategic focus for MTN is to, constantly, provide an engaging and supporting platform for aspiring entrepreneurs and the organisation has continuously demonstrated this through various initiatives.”

Another business icon, Mr. Uzora Okafor, Managing Director, Power Mass Company Limited, in a short speech, said: “To succeed, an entrepreneur must have capacity to develop an idea, must develop good plan in executing the idea, must have willingness to put things together, should not be afraid of taking risk."

Anglican Bishop tasks lecturers on morality, fear of God

T

HE Bishop of Asaba Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. J. N. Mogekwu, has admonished academic staff of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, to work in the light of God and teach with dignity, morality and fear of God. The cleric stated this during the donation of textbooks worth thousands of naira by Professor

Mathias Mogekwu, a professor of mass communication in the Department of Journalism, University College Ithaca, New York, United States.

Mogekwu said he donated the books because of his desire to contribute to the development of the polytechnic through academic excellence. The donation is the second since the inception of the

polytechnic.

Speaking, HOD, Mass Communication Department, who also doubled as the Acting Dean, School of Business, Mr. Brikins Ogbemi, commended the kind gesture of Mogekwu, saying with the donation, the donor has demonstrated his genuine commitment to the growth and development of the institution.

Earlier in her opening remarks, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Edna Mogekwu, described the donor as a thorough scholar, author and researcher committed to his field of study and charity works.

She said Mogekwu had fulfilled his promise of equipping the polytechnic library with modern books and journals. She promised the books would be put to gainful use.

48â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Vanguard , THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

VISIT: From left: Iyalode Alaba Lawson, 2nd Deputy National President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, National President, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Governor of Ogun State, Chief Bassey Edem, 1st Deputy President, Alhaji Remi Bello, Deputy President (ex- officio), during the association's courtesy visit to the governor in Abeokuta as part of activities to mark its 54th Annual General Meeting.

OPENING: From left: Key Accounts Manager, Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd, NBC, Mrs. Grace Owolabi, GM, Shoprite, Mr. Anton Wagenaar; National Key Accounts Director, NBC, Mrs. Yanju Olomola, and Commercial Manager, Akure, NBC, Mr. Fred Omafomah at the opening of Shoprite in Ibadan

CONCERT: From left: Popular Nigerian artiste, Oritse Femi, Out-going Chief Marketing Officer, MTN, Larry Annetts, Project Fame Season 3 winner, Chidinma Ekile, and Hip hop sensation, Bankole Wellington, at the MTN Project Fame AllStar concert, in Lagos,

DONATION: From left: Mr. Brikins Ogbemi, Ag. Dean, School of Business, Dr. Edna Nneka Mogekwu, Rector, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Mr C.O. Oyenwenu, Registrar, Professor Mathias Mogekwu, and his wife, Mrs. Mogekwu, during the donation of books to the Polytechnic by Prof.

Mathias Mogekwu, at Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State.

DRAW: From left: Tharun George, Regional Sales Manager, Sweetco Foods Ltd, Olumide Fashola, Training Manager, National Lottery Commission, Somoye Habeeb, Brand and Marketing Manager, Startimes and Ayokunle Idowu, Brand Strategist, Startimes, at the second monthly draw of the ongoing Startimes Extratime promo in Lagos.

Photo: Akeem Salau.

BRIEFING: From left: Mr Segun Sowande, Partner, Management Consulting, KPMG, Mr Tola Adeyemi, Partner/Head, Audit Services and Mr. Ajibola Olomola, Partner/Head, Tax Transaction Services, at the briefing on the launch of the KPMG CFO survey report in Lagos. Photo Lamidi Bamidele.

C M Y K

GRADUATION: From left: President, Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, Mrs Bunmi Oke, Founder, Tink (Trends+Intelligence Network) Africa, Franklin Ozekhome, and Channel Services, Diamond Bank, Adanne Anene, at the Orange Academy graduation ceremony, at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

From left: Rotn. Samuel Hundogan, Distrit Governor, special representative, Rotary, District 9110 Nigeria, Rotn.

Charles Ogunmoyero, presenting an award of "Pillar of Support" to Rotn. Otunba Yomi Olomofe, President, Rotary Club of Ajara, at the charter certificate presentation to the newly formed Rotary Club of Badagry Metropolitan, in Lagos.

BRIEFING: From left: Mr. Damilola Koya, Sales Executive, Eko Hotel & Suites, Ebi Atawodi, Head, High Value Events and Sponsorship, Etisalat Nigeria, Wunika Mukan, Brand Director, Lagos Photo Foundation, Enitan Denloye, Director, Brands and Communications, Etisalat Nigeria, and Medina Dugger, Curator, Lagos Photo Foundation, at the Lagos Photo press conference in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014—49

Politicians using insecurity to score cheap publicity — FG

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

A

BUJA—THE Feder al Government, yesterday, condemned the attitude of some politicians who it said were using the current fragile security situation of the country as a means to score cheap popularity.

Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, made this remark in Abuja, while receiving on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan, the National Organizing Committee, NOC, on the first Nigeria Local Government Sports Festival.

Turaki who noted that rather than supporting the government in its efforts to curb insurgency in the country, some people chose to capitalise on the situation for selfish interest, however, assured of the government’s commitment to secure their lives and property, apart from doing everything possible to develop Nigerian youths towards the implementation of the Transformation Agenda of the present administration.

Chairman of the NOC, Mr. Solomon Gbenga said the proposed sports carnival, otherwise known as ‘Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Unity Sports Carnival’ was being organized, in recognition of the efforts of government in the transformation of the Nigerian economy and also to lend the support of the committee to the Transformation Agenda of the administration.

Solomon stated that his committee was a group of young patriotic and positive spirited Nigerians who want to partner with government to contribute their quota to the national development, peace, security and youth re-orientation.

He stressed that the idea of the carnival was anchored on the wordings of the second stanza of the Nigerian National Anthem.

The Committee called on Mr. President to among other things; grant it the go ahead, needed support, security and logistics for the project to take off.

However, the minister called on all groups and organizations to come forward with any positive programme to better the lot of Nigerians.

Dikko for burial Friday

K

BY LUKA BINNIYAT

ADUNA— The body of the late politician, Al haji Umaru Dikko, is yet to arrive Nigeria, but his burial will take place in Zaria on Friday, according to a close family member who spoke to Vanguard, yesterday, on conditions of anonymity. The family said it would issue a statement to that effect, but was still meeting at the time of this report.

He said, “The body of our brother is still in London, but we have finished preparation to bring it to Nigeria early Friday morning. As you know, he is the Turaki Babba of Zazzau Emirate. His jennaiza (Muslim burial prayers and rites) will take place in the Palace of the Emir of Zaria. After that, we have a choice either to lay him to rest in the royal burial ground around the palace, or the general burial ground. ”For now, some of his children and our brothers are in London, and will return with his body. He was a great man, and has completed his work on earth. May Allah grant him Paradise.” The late vocal politician, was the great grandson of Sultan Aliyu Babba, the consolidator of the Caliphate who summoned the first conference for four empires. These are that of Ghana, Songhai, Songhai and Fulani.

From left, the MD/CEO of Dufil Prima Food PLC,Mr Deepak Singhal, 15 year-old one day Governor, Master Edun Olabanji of Army Children Secondary School, Onigbongbo and the PR/Event Manager Dufil Prima Food PLC,Mr Tope Asiwaju during the one day governor's visit to Dufil Prima Food PLC at DufilHead office,Eric Moore,Lagos

Confab recommends additional state for S-East

By HENRY UMORU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

A

BUJA—DELEGATES at the on-going National Conference have recommended the creation of an additional State from the South East geo- political zone of the country, just as they proposed that all other requests for State Creation should be considered.

If the recommendation by the delegates sails through, the South East zone would then be on the same pace with the five geo- political zones of the country that already have six states each with one having seven .

Presently, out of the six geo-political zones in the country, only south East has five states. All other zones have six except the North West with seven. The recommendation for additional state enjoyed very wide acceptability among the delegates.

The delegates also recommended that henceforth, a candidate for an election to the office of President shall run as a sole candidate and then select a Vice president after the election from the Legislature, adding that the President shall be entitled to serve two terms of office of four years each, running consecutively and the second term of a maximum of four years shall be subject to reelection.

These were some of the recommendations presented for debate at yesterday’s plenary at the on- going National Conference by the Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government with Gen. Ike Nwachukwu and Mohammed Umara Kumalia as coChairmen.

The Committee also recommended that the existing structure where the local governments form the third tier of government be expunged from the constitution, with states creat-

ing or reducing councils as they wish as well as the scrapping of the Joint State Local Government Account to be replaced a proposed State Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

The Committee also recommended that there should be a full time unicameral structure, with membership distribution of the Legislature to be 50% based on Equity of States and 50% based on population, even as it recommended for staggered election the Legislature.

The Committee also recommended that there should be zoning with the principle of Zoning and Rotation of elective offices at the Federal and State levels on the basis of equity, justice and fairness.

Following the recommendations of the Committee especially that of the proposed removal of Local Government structure from the Constitution, delegates from the North and South were however divided the delegates, even as the division reared its head on structure of gov-

ernment, state creation, among others.

The chairman of the Conference, Justice Idris Kutigi said the inputs would form the required amendments for the final report, even as the recommendation which received serious attention was the Committee’s recommendation that there should be an additional state for the South East zone, while other requests should be considered on merit.

It was also recommended that federal structures should remain while states that wish to merge should do so without prejudice to the states that constitute the federating units, adding that a referendum voted by 75 per cent of the eligible population is conducted in the states that wish to merge.

On creation of new states, the committee said such ambition must be backed by the viability of the proposed state in terms of economic potential, human, natural and material resources as well as minimum land and water mass, adding that an envisaged

state must have cultural and historical antecedent, with strong cultural affinity amongst its population while the component should be contiguous.

The committee insisted that for any new state to be created such a new state must have a minimum population of one million persons.

In its examination of Nigeria’s political structure, the committee recommended a proper federal system of which has the central government and the states constituting the federating units.

It recommended that states that wish to merge can do so in accordance with the 1999 constitution as amended under three conditions: The first being that such a merger receives support of twothird majority of all members in each of Houses of Assembly of states in which such a merger is proposed.

The second is that a referendum be conducted in each of the states proposing the merger with 75 per cent of eligible voter in each of those states approving the merger.

FAAN shuts Abuja airport runway for three days

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

I

N a bid to ensure the safety of passengers in and around the airport at all times, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, will carry out a three-day maintenance exercise at the Abuja airport starting from Saturday through Monday.

The Coordinating General Manager, Aviation Parastatals, Mr. Yakubu Dati, said the closure was to enable the authority to carry out maintenance on the facility at the airport.

Dati said “The management of the FAAN wishes to inform the public, especially aviation stakeholders and intending passengers that the runway of the NAIA, Abuja will be closed to traffic for maintenance from Saturday, July 5 to Monday, July 7, 2014.

“A NOTAM (Notice to all airmen) of closure at 2300 UTC on Saturday, July 5, 2014 and reopening at 0500 UTC on Monday, July 7, 2014, has already been issued at the airport, notifying all airlines, sister agencies and critical stakeholders.”

According to Dati, when com-

pleted, the maintenance exercise would further enhance safety and security at the airport as he apologised to airport users.

He said, “This facility upgrade, which is in line with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) requirements and NCAA (Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority) approved Safety Standard and Recommended Practices, will further elevate safety and security to greater heights. FAAN hereby apologises for the inconvenience this temporary closure will cause air passengers and airline operators.”

50— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 50—Vanguard,

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014—51

Aregbesola and his economic policies Dear Sir, WRITE to commend Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State for the astute manner he has handled the finances of the state. I read recently how the share of Osun from the Federation Account for the month of April 2014 has dwindled to N2.6 billion.

It was the least collected by any state for that month. It used to be in excess of N4 billion in the past, until July last year when unchecked oil thefts brought a shortfall of 40 per cent to federally collectible revenues and the consequent spread of this misfortune to the 36 states.

Interestingly, the state has a wage bill of N3.6 billion, from the account I gleamed from the state’s Commissioner of Finance, Dr Wale Bolorunduro.

This huge wage bill is a potential crisis generator which has put many states at loggerheads with their workers on account of non-payment of salaries and pensions, slashing of salaries by up to 50 per cent and threat of reduction of the workforce. Many states owe their workers up to four months salaries, while the Federal Government owes workers in some agencies up to three months.

Aregbesola has been able to beat this menace first, by saving all the state’s excess crude accruals for the rainy day and secondly, raising the state’s internally generated revenue, IGR. The IGR he met was a paltry N300 million. When in 2011 he introduced electronic payment system for all government revenues, the figure doubled the next month to N600 million. Today, it has risen to N1.6 billion with huge potentials to rise to N5 billion if well tapped. When this is done, he needs not rely on the unstable federal allocations anymore.

He has thus been able to build

I

roads, new schools, create jobs and make government more impactful on the people. He is also said to be frugal and has stopped the feasting and other money guzzling frivolities of the past which was the bane of the state’s development by past administrations. All the free loaders of the past (including politicians and religious leaders) are now complaining that he no longer patronises them. They alleged that he has been busy spreading the commonwealth to the people,

Nigeria must legislate against religious violence Dear Sir, HERE must be a Federal Government sponsored Bill seeking for life imprisonment and the death penalty for religious bandits and fanatics who terrorize, maim and kill others in the name of their god or whatever.

The Federal government of Nigeria must educate and sensitize religious groups on the fact that Nigeria is a secular state and that they are statutorily obligated to the payment of taxes to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

This must commence immediately. The government must stop sponsoring pilgrims to their holy lands and all Pilgrims Welfare Boards must be reorganized to reflect the present religious realities on ground. The Bible and the Koran assert that God Almighty or Allah can fight His own battles. He does not need a galaxy of hypocrites, criminals, terrorists, miscreants, hoodlums and ignorant looters to fight for Him. It must be courageously said that the violent antics of muslims over the years shows that Imams and Muslims scholars are preaching a Postntifada, Jihad and Fatwa for their selfish political ends and

T

Give Ijora-Badiya a facelift Dear Sir, ERMIT me to use your widely read newspaper to draw the attention of Governor Babatunde Fashola to the plight of motorists plying the Ijora-Amukoko-Alaba Road.

Virtually all roads leading into and out of this slummy neighbourhood are in very distressed conditions.

The traffic gridlock at Ijora is usually caused by the poor state of roads in the area and the bad culvert just after the railway crossing in particular.

Following persistent calls

P

instead of squandering it on the elite and a coterie of palace hangers on. Many of them have secretly waged war against him and are the ones accusing him of habouring an Islamising agenda.

Without doubt, how he has been able turn the fortune of the state around is a testament of astute and visionary leadership committed to development and welfare of the people.

•Dele Oluyemo, Ilesa, Osun State

for the repair of that portion of the road, the local government embarked upon the construction of a new culvert. That road was closed to motorists for over two months until it was reopened to traffic in April this year. But less than a month after, that section has gone bad again.

Although officials of the Council were busy heaping stones on some parts of the road, the traffic snarl in the area has continued unabated.

Chinonye Azoro Amukoko

must condemned in no uncertain terms. They must be prevailed upon to reorientate themselves and their teachings. They must be told that love, friendship, tolerance and brotherhood are the key words and that the idea of infidels does not exist as are all children of Allah or God-Almighty. The idea of a passport to Heaven for killing non muslims is based on parochial judgmental fallacy.

The Federal Government must set up a new and vibrant council on religious affairs incorporating a broad spectrum of the memberships of all faiths. We are sick and tired of religious violence in Nigeria and any consequent reprisal from Christians will deal a fatal blow to the fragile edifice of Nigeria’s nation hood. Boko Haram’s callous spilling of human blood, the breaking of limbs, the senseless bombings, the overflowing preternatural rage and arson has done tremendous disservice to the country’s floundering search for a confluence of national interests. The Federal Government must ensure that adequate compensations are paid to those who lost their lives and properties. They must legislate against religious violence. The legal statute posts that Nigeria is a secular state.

Finally, the Nigeria Police and the Army must be told that their mission statement is to protect lives and property, and not be partisan when there is a religious fracas. Their failure to apprehend and arrest the spread of killings, bombings and burning to other towns and states in Northern Nigeria raises fundamental and disturbing questions about their readiness to attain larger theatres of violence in the future.

Chief Bobson Gbinije Lagos

Born to rule syndrome of the North If insurgency is a product of poverty, how then did the insurgents finance the purchase of AK47, APCs,vehicles, explosives etc?

It is targeted at President Jonathan and the South, based on “born to rule syndrome” of the North .

Anonymous 08037143730 Insurgency: Muslim leaders have a role to play It is becoming clearer by the day that Nigeria’s war on terror cannot be won with military force alone. I honestly think that our Muslim leaders have important roles to play if this war must be won. After watching a video clip uploaded on the internet by Boko Haram recently, I was convinced that Shekau the purported leader of Boko Haram is indeed a mentally unstable man.

His statements contained in the video clip proved it beyond doubt that he does not know enough about Islam as he claims. Muslim leaders should try and re-educate Nigerian muslim youths to enable them resist the radical teachings of the likes of Shekau.

Terrorism is on the rise in the developing world due to the fact that millions of jobless youths are being brainwashed by some radical half- baked Islamic teachers who are taking advantage of their religious illiteracy. Muslim leaders should act now to stop this evil ideology.

Bazakey 08060768946 Security challenges and police excesses The fact is that we have a lot of security challenge in the country today. Nigerians must do away with anything that may likely encourage terrorist acts in our neighbourhood. We hardly differentiate between criminals and police officers in the society just because of the way the police officers carry guns carelessly.

The Federal government should please plead with police officers to stop carrying guns about when they are not in uniform. Whenever they are outside the stations and they

want to carry their guns, they should limit it to the pistol.

They should also be on uniform or carry some kind police identity.

Gabriel O Francis. +2348077666411 Nigeria, biggest economy in Africa The economy keeps growing while the masses keep starving and the political class keeps smiling to the bank with their jumbo salaries. What is economy or what is the use of this big title for a hungry, hopeless people?

We should stop deceiving ourselvers with all these vague achievements without reality.

A.0.Obi Esq 2348056009586 Still on Nigeria as biggest economy in Africa How can Nigeria talk of rebasing and big economy when most of her citizens are living below the poverty line.

Have we all not heard that progress, growth or whatever you call it by any leader are measured by the welfare of the governed? The Federal government should save their strength; we all know the true position.

Anonymous writes in via email Fraud in Nigerian banks Banks must put measures in place to frustrate attempts to defraud by insiders who have tricks up their sleeves. They must be proactive rather than allowing loopholes that can be easily exploited by greedy staff.

K.C. 07035010016 Defectors should resign their positions Why should a sitting governor and other political appointees defect to another party and still remain in their respective positions? It is unconstitutional to be voted for under a political party as a governor and you now defect to another party and still retain such political position or seat. If they are honest with themselves, they should resign to make their positions vacant .

Anonymous 2348136582917

SAYINGS OF OUR ELDERS Your true character is most accurately measured by how you treat those who can do nothing for you Simon Adewale08056180103, Send us your Sayings of Our Elders. They must be African sayings or proverbs. Biblical or English proverbs are unacceptable. Address your sayings to: The Coordinator, Sayings of Our Elders,Vanguard Media Ltd., PMB 1007, Apapa, Lagos

52 — V anguard Vanguard anguard,, THURSDAY, JULY 3 , 2014

How Boko Haram beats US sanctions (2)

UN states commitment to tackle Ebola virus T HE United Nations re assured west Africa yesterday that the world’s deadliest-ever Ebola epidemic could be stopped in its tracks, telling the region’s health ministers: “We can handle this.”

The highly-contagious tropical bug has infected hundreds of people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, with the latest World Health Organization (WHO) figures showing confirmed or suspected cases had left 467 people dead.

The new toll represented a rise of 129 — or 38 percent — since the UN agency’s last bulletin given just a week ago.

“These kinds of outbreaks, these diseases, can be stopped,” Keiji Fukuda, assistant director-general for health security at the WHO, told AFP, as 11 west African health ministers

gathered for a two-day conference in Accra on combatting the killer pathogen.

“This is not a unique situation — we have faced it many times — so I’m quite

confident that we can handle this.

“This is, however, the most complicated Ebola outbreak ever because it is spreading so fast in both urban and rural areas.”

WCC mourns death of Israeli teenagers

T Palestinian youths in street fight in Israel.

Israel, Kogi set to develop Solid Minerals

BY HUGO ODIOGOR

T

HE Israeli Ambassa dor to Nigeria, Mr. Uriel Palti has indicated Israel’s willingness to collaborate with Kogi state government in order to harness the vast solid mineral deposits as well as the tourism potentials of the North Central State. Kogi is said to harbor 29 out of the 34 mineral deposits in the country.

Mr. Palti, who was on an official visit to the state, gave this assurance during a reception by the State Governor, Captain Idris Wada, with the deputy governor, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi and other top of-

Since the region’s first ever epidemic of the deadly and highly contagious fever broke out in Guinea in January, the WHO has sent in more than 150 experts to help tackle the regional crisis.

ficials at the Government House, Lokoja, recently.

He said having lived in Nigeria for the past 15 months as ambassador; he fell in love with the country and was inclined to learn more about its rich cultural, economic, tourism opportunities, which abound outside the Federal Capital Territory. He said he was delighted to accept the invitation of the Governor to visit Kogi state.

The Ambassador then formally invited the Governor to visit Israel with a view to meeting and discussing possible areas of investment with potential investors at the African Israeli Chamber of Com-

merce and Israeli Export Institute.

The Governor had earlier, expressed gratitude to Israel for assisting Nigeria in the areas of agriculture and security noting that Israel had made giant strides in various field of human endeavors “despite its lack of natural resources” He said Kogi State would be happy to partner with Israel to achieve the government’s transformation agenda in the areas of infrastructure, solid minerals, agriculture, dry season farming, tourism, education, and health and industrial development, among others.

HE World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary, Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit has expressed deep sorrow over the killing of three Israeli teenagers whose bodies were recovered on Monday—Naftali Fraenkel, Gilad Shaar and Eyal Yifrah.

“We pray for their families, all their friends and the extended community that grieves their loss,” he said in a pastoral letter issued yesterday.

On behalf of the WCC, Tveit said: “I again express the sorrow we feel, a sorrow felt across national borders and differences in religion and culture, at the suffering and loss of life in Israel and Palestine.”

Tveit said that “no parent, of any creed or country, be it in Israel or Palestine, or in the neighbouring countries of Syria and Iraq, should have to experience such anguish. And yet the violence continues, with inadequate steps toward the resolution of conflict and the prevention of needless death.

Hong Kong police arrest pro-democracy protesters

H

UNDREDS of dem onstrators, including prominent lawmakers, were arrested at a peaceful sit-in in Hong Kong early Wednesday, following a huge rally calling for democracy in the Chinese territory.

Large crowds had turned out for a 5 km march through the city’s central business district Tuesday, in a massive show of defiance against Beijing’s vision for the city’s political future. Police said 98,600 people took part in the march,

while organizers said 510,000 participated. Statisticians from the University of Hong Kong estimated the turnout as between 154,000 and 172,000.

At the end of the rally, student activist groups held illegal sit-ins at two locations, at Chater Road in the heart of the business district, and outside the office of Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chunying.

Police said 511 people were arrested at the Chater Road sit-in for unauthorized assembly and ob-

Hong Kong police arrest protesters. world... that Hong Kong structing police officers. people want democracy so Among those arrested badly and we will fight for were pro-democracy lawit at all costs makers Albert Ho and Lee Johnson Yeung Ching-yin, Cheuk-yan, their staff told Civil Human Rights Front.

CNN. We can show the

Continues from yesterday Boko Haram was paid an other places are using. equivalent of about $3.15 We’re talking AK-47s, a few million by French and r o c k e t - p r o p e l l e d Cameroonian negotiators grenades, and bombbefore the hostages were making materials. It is a released, according to a very low-cost operation,” confidential Nigerian Pham told Reuters.

That includes paying government report later local youth just pennies a obtained by Reuters.

Figures vary on how day to track and report on troop much Boko Haram earns Nigerian from kidnappings. Some movements.

Much of Boko Haram’s U.S. officials estimate the group is paid as much as military hardware is not $1 million for the release bought, it is stolen from the of each abducted wealthy Nigerian army.

In February, dozens of Nigerian.

It is widely assumed in its fighters descended on Nigeria that Boko Haram a remote military outpost receives support from in the Gwoza hills in religious sympathizers northeastern Borno state, inside the country, looting 200 mortar bombs, including some wealthy 50 rocket-propelled professionals and northern grenades and hundreds of Nigerians who dislike the rounds of ammunition. government, although little [ID:nL3N0OD3BU] Such raids have left the evidence has been made public to support that group well armed. In dozens of attacks in the assertion.

Current and former U.S. past year, Nigerian soland Nigerian officials say diers were swept aside by Boko Haram’s operations militants driving trucks, bikes and do not require significant motor amounts of money, which sometimes even stolen means even successful armored vehicles, firing operations tracking and r o c k e t - p r o p e l l e d intercepting their funds are grenades.

Boko Haram’s inner unlikely to disrupt their leadership is security campaign.

Boko Haram had savvy, not only in the way developed “a very it moves money but also in diversified and resilient its communications, model of supporting itself,” relying on face-to-face said Peter Pham, a Nigeria contact, since messages or scholar at the Atlantic calls can be intercepted, Council think-tank in the current and former U.S. officials said.

Washington.

“They ’re quite “It can essentially ‘live off the land’ with very modest sophisticated in terms of additional resources shielding all of these required,” he told a activities from legitimate congressional hearing on law enforcement officials in Africa and certainly our June 11.

“We’re not talking about own intelligence efforts a group that is buying trying to get glimpses and sophisticated weapons of insight into what they do,” the sort that some of the a former U.S. military jihadist groups in Syria and official said.

Sudan demolishes Church of Christ in Khartoum STORIES BY SAM EYOBOKA with Agency reports

A

600- Capacity church in North Khartoum has been demolished and several members injured by Sudanese authorities, according to latest despatches from the International Christian Concern, ICC. International Christian Concern yesterday reported that the Church of Christ in Bahri (north Khartoum) was demolished by Sudanese authorities while a neighboring mosque remains untouched. According to ICC sources, the Church of Christ in Bahri, Sudan’s third-largest city, was highly attended and “one of [the] big local churches in the area.” The reason provided for the church’s demolition is that “it was built on [a] square that belongs to [the] government for public services.” For 20 years, the church had peacefully shared space on that square with its counterpart, the Bahri Mosque, which, after the Church’s state-sanctioned demolition, remains unharmed. A Church of Christ pastor in Khartoum in a despatch to ICC, said: “The people who used to attend service are about 600 people and they will not have place at moment to worship, even though the pastor in charge appealed to authorities to give him time until after rain season but they refused.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3 , 2014 — 53

The beginning of the end of Aribisala's fiction •A rejoinder to Femi Aribisala

marathon we run. There will be obstacles and pitfalls along the way. Ekiti was one but we are not deterred. Our objective is good and right. We seek democratic good governance for the people. We are not ashamed about that.

If seeking to make the people’s vote count and to make government care for the people is wrong, then let us be wrong. For we know that we will only be in the wrong to people

The Special Adviser Media to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in this rejoinder, dismisses Dr. Femi Aribisala's latest column entitled The beginning of the end of Bola Tinubu

By SUNDAY DARE

D

Terror attacks on football viewing centres: Reversing the Trend (2) This is the concluding part of this piece which was first published in Vanguard yesterday.

rebuked this charge many times? Repeatedly, he has stated there can only be Awolowo and to try to fit into his shoes is to lace yourself to failure.

We must learn from the great one and the principles he espoused so that we meet the challenges of our time as our legendary mentor and leader would have us do. This is Tinubu’s position regarding Awo. If you want to accuse Tinubu of believing that Awolowo is the father of progressive politics in Nigeria, he would plead guilty. But Aribisala accuses him of trying to supplant Awolowo. The accusation is wrong and mean-spirited.

Again, at one point, Aribisala invents a Tinubu quote to as proof for his lies. Then at this point, the writer ignores Tinubu’s public statements be-

,

If Aribisala wants to see and criticize something with dynastic pretense, he should do an expose on the PDP

lated into paper and ink.

When the truth does not prove the point he wants to make, Aribisala invents his own truth.

While this might be an asset for a fiction writer, for a public commentator, it is a serious trespass against the tenets of responsible journalism.

Responsible journalism Aribisala may well be jumping through these unethical hoops to currying the favor of the monarch of Aso Villa. But he should not be so hypocritical as to try to confuse us that his efforts are done as a public service.

The man actually criticizes Asiwaju for being a successful political leader as if doing so were some type of sin when , in fact, Nigeria is in great need of more far-sighted politician leaders not fewer. Aribisala claims Asiwaju wants to be another Awolowo. Here, why did he not quote Tinubu who has

BY ACP FRANK MBA

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

,

cause those statements rebuff the lie Aribisala seeks to perpetrate in the public mind. This comes to the meat of the matter. This hack writer asserts that Tinubu seeks a dynasty.

He cannot be more incorrect.

Tinubu is a leader of a political reform movement along with other patriotic Nigerians.

When Tinubu held fast against the tyranny of the PDP and its attempt to capture all states by any means necessary that was the work of a man committed to democracy. If he had not stood against the great odds against him and his party, the PDP would likely have turned Nigeria into a one-party state by now.

Instead, the APC has come about and now challenges the PDP in an unprecedented manner. Any objective person would conclude that this competition is beneficial for the public and for the growth of Nigerian democracy. It begs the question why Aribisala seems not to see this enormous contribution. He

does not see it because those whose favor he seeks do not want him to expose this truth to the wider public.

Take a look at the men Tinubu has helped in their quest for public office. Fashola, Fayemi, Aregbesola, Oshiohmole, Ajimobi, Amosun, etc. These men are not non performing “yes men”. They are all dynamic and outstanding performers in their own right. Each is different than the other and each state government excels in its own unique way.

Dynastic pretence This means that Tinubu is not orchestrating them into some limited uniformity but stands out of the way for them to lead as they believe. No major politician in Nigeria has a track record as good as Tinubu’s when it comes to supporting able people for office then leaving them to perform as they believe. Nowhere in the PDP does this happen.

If Aribisala wants to see and criticize something with dynastic pretence, he should do an expose on the PDP. In barking at Tinubu, he is barking at the wrong house.

This brings us to the Ekiti election. The vote count is in and the PDP has been named the winner. Because there were few overt instances of violence, people have lauded the election as free and fair. I caution you not to be too hasty in drawing that conclusion.

Slowly, the truth is coming out about how the military blanketed the state and intimidated APC members and office holders, including the governor himself. A new, subtler form of voter and opposition intimidation took place.

We have taken note and shall be prepared to outwit it the next time.On a larger note, Bola Tinubu is one of the leaders of a reformist national opposition party contesting against a behemoth, immoral ruling party that will use any all measures to keep power. This is a long

L

IKE other terrorist agen da, Boko Haram wants to shift attention from the electrifying atmosphere of sports to their condemnable acts of terror. For instance, as far back as 1972, during the Munich Olympic Games, the Palestinian terrorists struck and kidnapped Israeli athletes and in this way shifted and monopolized the attention of the global audience.

Now instead of discussing sports, the attention of the world shifted to that singular act of terror.

This piece, therefore, intends to conscientise citizens on terrorist attacks with tips that can help improve their safety in these places, and in this way build natural resilience against terrorism.

Much as this educative guide has not set out to cow citizens into the closet, it is strongly advised that Nigerians opt for safer places in viewing or watching football.

Doing this at home is more preferable as this will even create opportunities to bond

tacks.

Similarly, operators of viewing centres and managers of stadiums should not allow vehicles to be parked close to these areas; vehicles should be parked within the range of 50metres to 100metres to avoid fatal impacts in an unforeseen circumstance. In doing this, operators of these centres should advise their patrons and habitués to dress light to the centres, while handbags and other items that can be used to conceal improvised explosive devices (IEDs) should be disallowed into these places.

In order to ensure compliance to safety standards, government must put measures in place to regulate the operation of viewing centres. Much as the indiscriminate banning of the centres is far from the position of this piece, the states or local governments in regions where these attacks are prevalent may consider this option in the interest of public safety, partic-

Operators of viewing centres and managers of stadiums should not allow vehicles to be parked close to these areas

,

R. Femi Aribisala’s re cent article “The beginning of the end of the Bola Tinubu Dynasty” should not have appeared in The Vanguard or in any newspaper for that matter. What this piece represented was a contribution to fiction writing, not responsible journalism.

Even there, it was bad fiction.

Aribisala is so obsessed with his animus toward Asiwaju Tinubu that Aribisala cannot see or think straight. Thus, his writing is crooked. If one did not know better, one would think Aribisala does not hate Tinubu as much as he envies the man. Aribisala wishes he were Tinubu. Instead, Aribisala is relegated to being the Asiwaju of his own imagination.

The article is presented as an objective news analysis and commentary. In doing so, the writer does injury to the newspaper, the truth and to the reading public. The piece begins with a purported quotation from Bola Tinubu himself used to paint him in an unsavory light. The problem is that this quotation never occurred. It was figment of the author’s dire, envious imagination.

What was presented as fact is fantasy. The man has the freedom to write whatever he pleases be it fact or fiction.

However, it is unethical for him to portray as incisive journalism what are nothing but the fruits of personal hatred trans-

with jaded vision such as Aribisala. History shall prove us right. Long after Aribisala’s efforts find their way to the bottom of the wastebasket, the APC shall stand as having pulled Nigeria from the precipice.

And history will score Tinubu with high marks for ever remaining the one man standing.

Sunday Dare, former General Editor of The News/Tempo magazine and former Supervisor at the Voice of America, Washington D.C. is the Special Adviser Media to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

with family members as entrenched in our culture.

It is also cost effective and health-friendly as it saves the cost of alcohol and protects one from being exposed to passive smoking and other unhealthy circumstances. Where viewing centres are the only option, there must be individual and collective effort to improve and strengthen security and safety around the centres. In other words, operators of these centres and managers of football stadiums and other sporting facilities must employ the services of security guards who will properly screen patrons or customers to these places before allowing them into the facilities. Having this security measures will reduce the vulnerability of these leisure Centres to terrorist at-

,

ularly where the operators of such viewing centres fail to take basic safety and security precautions necessary for safeguarding the lives of the patrons.

Finally, it is no longer necessary restating the fact that efforts should be made to look out for strange faces and suspicious movements, whenever one visits such places as this. Ignoring this important observation may leave room for a devastating terrorist attack. The message therefore is for all to be security conscious, as this is the surest way to prevent terrorists from achieving their aim..

•Frank Mba, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, is the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Nigeria Police Force

54 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

Lagosians celebrate dramatic return of jazz music in grandstyle The nation’s number one cultural hotspot Freedom Park Lagos Island was transformed into a musical wonderland recently when Ayoola Sadare led Inspiro productions in its bid to revive the fading Jazz music, organised its second edition of the Lagos International jazz festival.

BY JAPHET ALAKAM

*JAYA and his consciousness group performing at the event

J

AZZ festival is one of the genre music that comes with its soothing, relaxing and romantic touch and that is why men and elders that know its importance follow it. But after its exploits in the 60s and 70s, the tempo came down as other brand of music like the highlife, hip up, blues took over. Despite the emergence of the new brands that are followed by the youths, jazz still has a place in the minds of many, and that is why the likes of Ayoola Sadare’s Inspiro productions came up with the Lagos International Jazz festival.

It held its first edition in 2008 at Studio 868 in Victoria Island, Lagos, and after six years, the festival made a dramatic come back with the hosting of its second edition at Freedom Park.

The festival which the organiser Ayoola Sadare plans to make an annual event was highly successful both in organization and attendance as it brought out the best of jazz and many who had waited for such opportunity were not disappointed.

Modeled after ‘Africa’s Grandest Gathering’ The Cape

*Master Bassists, Bright Gain (Nigeria) and Victor Masondo(South African ) performing at the event

contemporary music lovers to the country. The long term goal according to Sadare is to establish Lagos as a Jazz Tourism destination alongside cities like Cape Town, Montreal, Montreux, New Orleans, London and others which are significant on the global Jazz tourism circuit calendar and have hundreds of thousands of peo-

,

Positioned to be Nigeria's premier Jazz Festival, the festival is designed to offer visitors in Lagos world class entertainment and also become a major event on Nigeria Tourism calendar

Town International Jazz Festival South Africa whose organizers especially Afrika are Sadare’s mentors in the business will not be quickly forgotten by music enthusiasts. Even the clouds were captivated by the almost magical sounds of cymbals, saxophones, flutes, guitars and keyboards that forced it to hold back the rains for two days to listen.

Positioned to be Nigeria’s Premier Jazz Festival, the festival is designed to offer visitors in Lagos world class entertainment and also become a major event on the Nigerian Tourism calendar attracting jazz and

,

ple visit each year to enjoy good music and experience the cities.

It featured two days of great performance, the first day which was Democracy day was dedicated to master classes by the city’s leading jazz musicians including Bright Gain teaching Bass, Daniel Bankole teaching Saxophone, Ini D minstrel teaching Keyboards, Ray Jehovy teaching Drums and an extensive music business workshop by leading south African bassist Victor Masondo. The evening of also had musical performances at the pre-festival reception jam session and

party hosted at the prestigious 1004 estates in one of their club houses and it was well attended by residents who were treated to Jazz, barbecue and drinks alfresco.

Like a tsunami and as advertised in the media preceding the event, Jazz literally blew into town with about 50 Jazz and Jazz related music bands playing on 3 stages over 2 nights in one venue. The nation’s number one cultural hotspot Freedom Park Lagos Island was transformed into a musical wonderland. It wasn’t the conventional formal setting.

The stages were set, three to be precise and were creatively named after past Nigerian musical legends namely Fela Kuti, Steve Rhodes and Fatai Rolling Dollar. Credence must be given to inspiro for creating a beautiful ambience for Jazz lovers to revel in. No boring seating arrangement with one main stage, rather three beautifully designed and well lit stages were placed in strategic places and also a central DJ pit.

Perhaps, it was a deliberate effort to give the attendees a bit of everything.

Bands played simultaneously on each stage in a well orchestrated manner not disturb-

ing one another but causing a buzz as people moved from one to another trying to catch a glimpse of one act or the other.

The camaraderie was infectious, a high five here, a hug there, screams of excitement in the middle.

On the third stages, each band holding down their own made it difficult to stay glued to one stage. While one was trying to get over to Fadabasi’s performance, Guitar sensation Femi Leye serenaded with his guitar and Agba Joshua beckoned with his serene love sounds in the bolojo genre. Tee Mac Iseli’s performance pooled the crowd to the stage like a magnet, Nesta and his band gave the guests Jazzy reggae

tunes while Adeh held the audience intrigued with his guitar, stroking the strings with such impressive gentility that made one wonder if guitar playing was that simple. Bright Gain and South African Jazz bassist Victor Masondo displayed brilliance; Beat Kaestli delivered classic Jazz standard vocals while Aduke, Tony Ogaga and a host of others were not left behind as they thrilled the audience with harmless doses of beautiful music. DJs Ray Bola Browne and Lati from their central DJ pit also played a variety of sounds from classical Jazz, old skool to naija hiphop gbedu. This added its own flavour to the entire festival.

POEM Ekiti guber election: Elegy for Nigeria My eyes are wet with tears I remain in thrall to this loss Which fills me with melancholy.

June 21, 2014 A day of infamy.

That day should be marked And blotted out of history.

A day when sterling achievements Lost to base politics.

A day when merit was sacrificed On the altar of mediocrity.

Let’s not rejoice Let’s not credit the commoners with any achievement.

But for corrupt influence of money And misuse of security agents Ekiti, the land of honour Should have known its day of visitation.

And reward performance Rather than sacrifice it On the altar of bread Which goes in today And excreted the next day.

I weep for myself And Nigeria.

By Ade Johnson, 3, Ajayi Close, Ketu, Lagos.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 — 55

younger ones; Umunma Dance for the women, Nkwa nkwa dance, Uda Abagu Masquerade Dance, were some of the cultural troupes that came all the way from Aguluezechukwu for the event.

Describing Mojekwu as a disciplined human being who related well with both old and young and the community, the Chairman Organising Committee, Uche Ezemezue said AIU organised the event to honour AVM Mojekwu for his promotion and exemplary qualities.

Exemplary qualities

* Uda Abagu Masquerade dance of Aguluezechukwu

Celebrating Aguluezechukwu's cultural heritage in Lagos T

HE venue was the Apple Garden and Events Hall, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos and the event was supposed to be a simple civic reception for one of their illustrious sons, but it turned into a cultural fiesta as tradtional dances, masquerades display and other forms of culture were displayed.

The massive hall was filled to capacity. Even the surroundings of the Hall was not spared as guests and indegenes of Aguluezechukwu who couldn’t grab hold of seats in the hall, either stood or sat while enjoying the exotic dance steps of the cultural dancers.

Women and men were clad in colourful traditional attires that added glitz and glamour to the reception as they gathered to celebrate one of their own, an illustrious son of Aguluezechukwu a community in Aguata LGA, Anambra State, CKS Mojekwu, for his promotion to the rank of Air Vice Marshal, in the Nigerian Army.

Musical instruments AVM Mojekwu is presently the Managing Director of Nigerian Air Force Post-Service Housing Development (NAFPHD) Company Limited, Abuja. The noise that emanated from the electrifying musical instruments of different cultural groups coupled with that of flutists who busied themselves with praise singing, was so deafening that one hardly heard what was said from the high table.

With their nonstop performances and attitude of trying to out dance or do one another appeared as though they were in a dance competition. Not even the late commencement of the show which was billed to kick off at 12 noon prompt,

bored the excited people because the entertainers kept music and dance alive till about 3pm when it was officially declared open.

From every indication, one would be right to conclude that the event which was organised by the Lagos Branch of Agulu-

ezechukwu Improvement Union (AIU), was a deliberate attempt to showcase some of the cultural heritage of the people.

Awuka Dance by Aguluezechukwu brothers' club for men only, which featured old men dancing alongside much

National Troupe engage youths at Children’s creative station

BY JAPHET ALAKAM

M

ODERNISATION and the influx of western culture has robbed Africans most of their valued culture, especially among the youths who do not have anything to look up to hence the need to inculcate some of the African values. And as part of efforts to engage the youths during the long vacation, the National Troupe is set to host the fourth edition of its annual Children Creative Station Workshop (CCSW). The workshop is conceived as a long vacation theatre workshop for children between the ages of five and seventeen and it is primarily aimed at exposing participants to general theatre practice and appreciation of the creative arts.

The 2014 edition according to the Coordinator of the project and Director in charge of Drama of the National Troupe Ms Josephine Igberaese would begin as from the first week of August 2014 and will run for a period of one month.

She also disclosed that at the end of the creative workshop exercise, the participants would be expected to put up a performance that will detail all they have learnt during the one-month training period.

‘What we are doing is in line with one of our objectives which is to encourage the development of children’s theatre.

But beyond that we have used the project successfully over the last three years to groom future theatre practitioners who may want to take up a career in the theatre and allied genre like taking part in Nigeria’s Nollywood”.

Explaining further that one of the other objectives behind the exercise is to engage the children creatively during the long holidays, Ms Igberaese stated that the command performance, which is

*Children learning the art of dancing in a previous edition

staged at the end of the exercise, is usually staged before parents of the participants, their teachers and invited guests so that they can appreciate the amount of work that has gone into developing the creative talents of the children. ‘’We have earned commendation in the previous special command performances we have held and like I said

,

BY PRISCA SAM DURU

He expressed optimism that now that Mojekwu has been promoted, ”We expect him to encourage our youths in terms of providing employment and pet projects for development of the community" adding that ” AIU runs charity organisation that helps widows and indigent families and would like him to lend his support.”

“We need him to carry our people especially our youths along... because of his achievements, every youth aspires to be like him.”

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of AIU, Lagos branch, Dr Patrick Nduka said, "Öur illustrious son was blessed and because we are part of the blessing, decided to show him support by celebrating him. The people of Aguluezechukwu are very excited because in the armed forces, this is the first time we are having such personality.”

Dr Nduka described Mojekwu as a patriotic man who began showing good examples even during his school days.

His words, “ AVM Mojekwu took after his father who gave awards to outstanding students in his time, he was intelligent from childhood and I will like to use this opportunity to advise the youths that whatever they set out to do, they should do it well.

Because of the get rich quick syndrome, most of them do not bother about education but I’m advising them to first of all, get education before any other thing. He further attributed the exctment witnessed at the reception to the fact that ‘’His ascension to rank of AVM, took the entire community by surprise because we do not have people in the military. Our people only believe that Army is only to go and fight."

It is primarily aimed at exposing participants to general theatre practice and appreciation of creative arts

,

it is usually a product of the one month intensive training. It is usually an opportunity for the children to display their skills in the area of acting, dancing, singing, drumming and even acrobatic depending on the talent they manifest and these performances have drawn applauses from the audience” she said.

Speaking also on the workshop, Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Troupe Mr. Martin Adaji stated that the 2014 edi-

tion has been expanded to include ‘voice training and training for instrumentalist’.

He also disclosed plans to partner with a number of organizations especially those in the private sector for the success of the project. ‘Government has been heavily subsidizing the cost of running the workshop but it is becoming difficult for us to run that workshop and also take on other projects of the troupe. So we feel that the private sector should come in as they have done in the last two editions to support us meaningfully. So our marketing team is out to solicit their support in the area of sponsoring children to be part of the workshop and for logistical support. There is so much that is involved in training them.

56—V anguard, THURSD AY, JUL Y 3, 2014 56—Vanguard, THURSDA JULY

Aregbesola tasks electorate on religious tolerance STORIES BY GBENGA OLARINLOYE

O

SUN State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has enjoined electorates in the state to eschew rancor and see themselves as one despite their religious affiliations.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Ibokun, Ijesha North Federal constituency, Governor Aregbesola advised Christians, Muslims and traditional adherents in the state to be united and tolerate each other ’s religion in order to foster peace and unity in the state.

While addressing the crowd, he urged them not to allow opposition parties to create disharmony in them as the election approaches.

Accusing opposition parties of being “liars from the pit of hell” who want to use religious difference to discredit, he said such antics would not work.

The governor, who said his administration has commenced the payment of June salary despite the shortage in the Federal Government’s allocation to the state, noted that he would not relent in making life bearable for citizens of the state.

He stated that come August 9, the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, will emerge victorious and would continue the developmental projects his

T

•Gov. Rauf Aregbesola administration has already embarked upon in the state.

The APC standard bearer, however advised electorates to vote with all they have no matter what the opposition parties do.

He said “Christians, Muslims and traditional worshippers are offsprings of the same parent and so there is no basis for us to take up arms against one another. Also, what the opposition parties are saying that we are owing workers salaries is a lie from the pit of hell. We have started paying June salary.”

In addition, he said “let us be ready to vote with all that we have during the August 9 election. Let us put in everything that we have; no matter what the opposition does, we shall stand and vote.

I thank you for your support and by the grace of God, come August 10, we shall be triumphant and happy.

“Our administration shall continue to occupy the Government House. You, the electorates have not seen anything yet, we shall do more”, Aregbesola added.

I ‘ll conduct LG polls — Akinwusi, SDP candidate

T

He regretted that the incumbent administration of Mr. Rauf Aregbesola has failed to conduct local council elections since 2010, describing it as “unfair to people at the grassroot who deserved democratic representation at the local government levels.”

Akinwusi said “this is a bad precedence. This is democracy and not a military regime. We have not suspended our constitution which stipulates that each local government area be administered by a Local Government C o u n c i l consisting of a chairman, who is the Chief Executive and other elected members who are referred to a s Councillors.”

He vowed that “our administration will follow the law and we will •Akinwusi addressing his supporters restore full

HE governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party SDP, Mr. Olusegun Akinwusi has promised to conduct local government elections if voted as governor in the August 9 polls.

The SDP candidate during an interactive session with Concerned Ijesa Forum, who paid him a visit in Osogbo, said appointment of Caretaker Committees by governors to head the third tiers of government is “anti-democratic” and against the spirit of the nation’s constitution.

LP candidate promises industrial and agricultural revolution

functions of local governments to the elected representatives of the people. We won’t foist unelected caretaker committees on the people”.

Akinwusi, who was erstwhile Head of Service in Osun state, noted that governors who appointed caretakers committees for councils were not only denying the people the right of choice but “are enemies of democracy and good governance”.

His words: “Those governors refused to allow elections take place because they want to continue spending councils’ funds without anybody querying them.

This is the case in Osun state here where our governor has spent almost four years and cannot allow the conduct of a single LG election”.

Leaders of the group, Elder Olajide Awe assured Akinwusi that Concerned Ijesa Forum, which has members across the six Ijesa council areas, will throw their weight behind him at the polls.

HE governorship candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade says his administration will place premium on industrialisation and mechanisation of agriculture to reduce youth unemployment rate in the state.

Akinbade, in a statement by his Director of Media, Mr. Kayode Oladeji, said the policy would lead to generation of enduring jobs for thousands of job seekers.

He also maintained that the state would witness unprecedented turn around through industrialisation and massive agricultural development if given the opportunity to govern the state.

Akingbade boasted that “ we shall use industrialisation and agriculture as the planks to turn around the fortunes of our state. The economy of this state that has clearly gone down will be rejuvenated. These two major programmes will lead to the provision of infrastructure facilities in our rural and urban centres”.

In addition, he said “in our quest to industrialise the state, if given the mantle, I want to assure that I have done a thorough research on it and we already have what to take off with. There would be steady power supply for all related investors and by the grace of God, many will be surprised how we shall do it.”

The former SSG pointed out that the party ’s

•Akingbade

programmes would lead to the provision of enduring jobs for the unemployed in the state as against the menial one being done under Aregbesola’s administration “This means, our graduates and others alike, will no longer be sweeper and grass cutters under whatever guise whether as “O YES or O NO”, he stated.

“These in turn, will have multiplier effect on education, health and civil service and other sectors.

This is because there will be synergy and nexus in our programmes which will be human centred and people based all through”, he added.

He assured that the local entrepreneurs would be supported to expand their businesses with a view to further creating job opportunities for the young graduates through the private concerns to complement the efforts of the LP administration in the state if voted into power.

He said “all this will lead to the reintroduction of middle class in the state.

Besides,our programmes will curb capital flight currently being witnessed in the state,a development that has left many living from hands to mouth”.

The LP candidate, who expressed the optimism that he would win August 9, 2014, governorship election, also pointed out that having served in different capacities in government and party levels, he was ready for the coming assignment.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014—57

•Delegates at the ongoing national confernce

Uproar as delegate faults Northern census figures

BY HENRY UMORU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

A

DELEGATE from the South South geo- political zone, Mr Chris Agbonmwanegbe yesterday faulted the census figure being showcased by states in the northern part of the country.

He also raised what he called high level of injustice in the country against the backdrop of imbalance in local government creation.

Contributing to the debate on report of Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government with Gen. Ike Nwachukwu and Mohammed Umara Kumalia as co- Chairmen, Agbonmwanegbe, however

challenged previous census figures that have been bandied around since the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria by Lord Lugard.

The delegate, who urged his fellow delegates to address the injustice that led to the creation of more states and local government areas in the North, however made a specific reference to the disparity in the number of local governments in Kano and Lagos states, adding that while Lagos with the highest number of people in Nigeria has only 20 local government areas, Kano state with a population close to that of Lagos, has 44 local government areas.

This led to uproar on the floor apparently from the Northern

delegates who were not comfortable with his submission.

Refusing to be intimidated by the uproar, Agbonmwanegbe said that Nigerians do not have the capacity to conduct a free and credible census.

He therefore called on the United Nations to assist in conducting Nigeria’s census if the country must have credible results.

All their efforts to shout him down proved abortive, as the conference chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi ignored their calls.

A Kano state delegate and former Assistant InspectorGeneral of Police (AIG), Ibrahim Baba Ahmed who could not hold back his anger flouted the procedure rules of the

Conference where screamed, saying, “Arrest him! Arrest him now!”

Agbonmwanegbe continued “I did my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in the north. So, I know what I saw during my service years. I can authoritatively tell you that there is injustice in this country. How can a state like Katsina or Kano have more local government areas than Lagos which has the highest population? It is obvious that there is injustice and this should be addressed?

“From previous censuses we have had, it is obvious that Nigeria cannot conduct a credible census. We need to invite the United Nations to help us in conducting a census that will be accepted by everyone and finally put the argument about the region with the highest number to a rest”, he stressed.

Resource control Meanwhile, a delegate in the Elder statesmen category, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite suggested that all federating units or states must control their resources but should pay taxes and royalty to the federal government.

In his contribution, Braithwaite who supported the creation of additional state for the southeast, said that it was all about redressing imbalance in the country.

He said that “each of the six geo- political zones or such number of geo- political zones as may be agreed upon, owns its resources (mineral and / or agricultural) from which an agreed percentage of the zones’ revenues be paid to the Federal Government for the operation of the federal Government services and responsibilities.”

“This is Resource Control best suited to the Nigerian situation,

Delegates' aides protest over unpaid allowances A IDES of delegates particularly drivers, yesterday protested at the entrance of Andrew Otutu Obaseki hall, over what they termed ill- treatment, but were stopped from entering by men of the Department of State Service, DSS.

Moral compass

According to the aides, who were led by Egwuata Remigius, they were deprived of allowances, welfare ranging from food to accommodation adding that while the delegates whom they drive sleep in hotels, they sleep in their cars.

Their placards read, “many drivers sleep in cars at hotels and parks, have we lost our moral compass?

“Justice Kutigi please do justice

HIGHLIGHTS •Delegates' aides cry over lack of food, allowance and no place to sleep •SSS stops delegates' aides from protest •States must control their resources •Osoba calls for correction on creation of LGs •State lawmakers have failed to check govs' excesses

to our matter. We are citizens of this great country, we are in this together. Take care of us please .

There is God O! Mama please intercede for your children OOO. Our mothers at the conference, please speak for your Children.

“We are degree holders as aides and drivers; we are no pushover. Obasanjo paid aides and drivers at 2005 Political Conference whitter 2014 National Conference.

The protesting aides were however stopped by the SSS led

by Emmanuel Emordi who asked them to leave with their placards.

Igbeke to replace Akunyili Meanwhile, Senator Alphonsus Igbeke was yesterday announced by Chairman of the Conference, Justice Idris Kutigi as a replacement for a former Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili.

It would be recalled that the former Director-General of the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration, NAFDAC and a delegate representing Anambra State, died Saturday June 7.

She was the third delegate to die since the inauguration of the confab by President Goodluck Jonathan 17th March. Igbeke’s name was announced to the plenary by Kutigi amidst applause and clapping of hands from fellow delegates.

The Senator who represented Anambra North Senatorial District on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP was earlier sited by on Tuesday evening when he came to finalize his documentation with the Conference Secretariat and later confirmed that he was at the Conference to replace Akunyili.

which will engender a trickledown social / economic development and benefits to all nooks and corners of the federating States or the Geopolitical zones as the case may be”, he said.

On his part, former governor of Imo State and a delegate on the platform of Former Governors, Chief Achike Udenwa lampooned members of State Houses of Assembly accusing them of failing in their responsibilities of checking the excesses of state governors.

While calling for an increase in local government areas s, he said “state legislators are not doing what they should do. The state houses of Assembly have failed to check the excesses of Governors, the legislators are powerful, but not using their power.”

State creation A former governor of Ogun State and a delegate on the platform of former governors, Chief Olusegun Osoba, who called for the correction of the current injustice regarding the number of council areas in some parts of the country, made a similar reference to Lagos state, which he said contributes more than 80 percent to the nation’s Value Added Tax (VAT), yet does not have the required number of local government areas as obtained in some states of the north.

Osoba said, “the era of trying to manipulate census figure is over.

With the help of Google, we can now get the number of people in a particular area. We can use that to conduct our census. I do not subscribe to the fact that the United Nations should conduct our census for us.”

Delegates recommend an Mayor for FCT Meanwhile, delegates at the ongoing National Conference have recommended that there should be an elected Mayor for the nation’s capital territory, Abuja with an inner nucleus of about 2000 Sq.Km. It was also recommended that there should be a Ministerial slot for the Federal Capital Territory at the Federal cabinet, an increase in the number of area councils from the present six to eight Area Councils.

Also, delegates recommended for an increase in the number of Federal Constituencies from two to four.

These were some of the recommendations presented for debate yesterday by delegates by the Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government.

The Committee with Gen. Ike Nwachukwu and Mohammed Umara Kumalia as co- Chairmen also recommended that the President should as a matter of urgency pay all outstanding compensations due to the indigenes of the Federal Capital Territory by the Federal Government.

58 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 LIBRA; If you back your financial plans with concrete and positive actions things’ll go according to your desire. If you fail to realise importance of your spouse you would work your way into avoidable trouble; aren’t you tired of crisis?

SCORPIO; Your intelligence, competence and level of concentration may today bring you envy, which you don’t deserve within your working arena in a negative form but.

SAGITTARIUS; The Moon highlights your Solar second house of money which is good but, if you try to buy true love with money, you’ll be disappointed CAPRICORN; The. Moon in your Star sign’ll gives you new confidence and with new supports from the powersthat-be, it’s like you are now un-stop-able. But be cautious, especially with the veterans within your base of operation AQUARIUS; Better days are ahead of you but, you will today need to do away with non-productive argument and/ or agreement. Try to be more diplomatic now.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

I

F I may ask you which is the best way to advertise yourself today, I guess many people will be mentioning the different media through

The Best Advertisement which you do this. Some will even go beyond naming them to talking about their exorbitant prices.

However, I want

TERROR MUDA

to let you know that you do not need to pay money in order to get the kind of advert that can promote you.

How? Fine! Let

in “Never say goodbye”

me ask you a question: Who does Tiger Wood pay to get publicity? What of Ali Baba? Want to be advertised?

Just do s o m e t h i n g newsworthy no matter how little.

By Lanre Kehinde

PISCES; If what you’re doing today ’ll depend on tomorrow’s event it’s better you’re more careful now. Even things may not go according to your personal plans today.

Yet it’s important you plan both your immediate and far future carefully now ARIES; If you take to aggression, your ego would be deflated by your superior colleagues, but your being cooperative in a civilised way’ll prevent trouble TAURUS; Those willing to put you to shame one way or the other’ll be disappointed with the turn of things today.

It’s good to secure support of your spouse.

GEMINI; You’ve had enough of fun in the recent times and it’s now time you settle down for hard work in order to prevent avoidable trouble. Be patient please.

CANCER; Your concentration level and determination are the pillars of your success today. Yet you’ll need to respect your senior colleagues and protect your image LEO; It’s true you’re willing to work harder but you just have to drop both aggression and mental arrogance to allow things to roll accordingly. Then, you’re accident prone within your working arena. Respect the law and its agents today.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

VIRGO; Serious thought may be giving to matters of the heart but it’s better you tarry a while. Joint ventures of short duration today may be an invitation to avoidable trouble

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

Success for me?

Dear Joshua, I am interested in your Astrological counselling. Kindly tell me everything about myself, especially my finance and career; would I be rich eventually, if yes what should I do to make it happen quickly.

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Adebayo, Lagos.

Dear Adebayo, There are indications of financial success for you but you can not change what Almighty God Has designed for you talking about the timing (the quickness you talked in your letter) Certainly however no failure for you.

Mercury –the planet of education and Accountancy, together with mighty Sun at positive angle to planets in Virgo (another Accounting Star sign) attracted you to both Accountancy profession and the academic world. Truly you did not make wrong choice of career.

Money will eventually come along this line but it’ll not be as faster as if you take to OIL RELATED BUSINESS. Because Neptune (the planet of OIL) was very comfortable when you were born. It will not be out of place if you have filling stations as time goes by, because you are basically a GAS PERSON. Another money spinning vocation for you include writing either along your line or for film making industry; it is important you exhibit the higher quotient of creativity in your inner-self. Yes your dream of becoming A Professor will come to reality. Politics is another area you are not looking at now but will surely come. Do you say why? Because Aquarius is equally political Venus that was powerfully placed when you were born is all about MONEY. Thus you have special ability to make money. And as it was at positive angle to disciplined Saturn, you are not giving to serious frivolity. One major challenge here is envy by others but you will eventually overcome. Another source of challenges is your love life which looks not totally balanced.

Basically you are a family minded person. You are equally loving and caring. But sometimes your love of freedom get better off you to the resentment of your closer partner(s).Then some other times it is other party’s fault making love-business very interesting. And unless you are more careful and determined you may marry more than once.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 — 59

Bittersweet end to Yobo’s international career I

T wasn’t exactly the way Joseph Yobo wanted to mark his 100th and final appearance for Nigeria.

With one of his last touches in international football, the man who has held Nigeria’s defence together for the past 13 years scored an injurytime own goal in a 2-0 loss to France in the last 16 of the World Cup on Monday.

“I would have loved to have done it differently,” Yobo said with a wry smile.

The 33-year-old Yobo announced after the match in Brasilia that he would be retiring from international duty to concentrate on his club career and spend more time with his family.

He became the first Nigerian to reach a century of international caps and will go down as one of his country ’s greatest defenders, appearing at three World Cups.

“It’s a bittersweet end [for him], yeah,” Nigeria striker Shola Ameobi said.

“He’s been a great leader of this team for over 13 years. He’s been a stalwart of this Nigeria defence — our captain and our leader.

Yobo was emotional in the changing room after the final whistle as the defender made a stirring speech to the squad.

“He’ll be hard to replace,” Ameobi added.

Yobo almost didn’t even make it to Brazil as he struggled with a calf

injury in the final few months of the season on loan at English club Norwich from Turkish side Fenerbahce.

He recovered just in time to be selected in the squad and capitalised on an injury to Godfrey Oboabona to play Nigeria’s final two group games — against BosniaHerzegovina and Argentina — and keep his place for the France game.

Aside from inadvertently turning in Mathieu Valbuena’s low cross for France’s gamesealing second goal, Yobo enjoyed an impressive final appearance for the ‘Super Eagles’ and kept Karim Benzema and Olivier Giroud relatively quiet.

He should have a good few years left in him at club level, where he has also represented Standard Liege, Everton and Marseille.

“I’m moving on with life,” Yobo said. “It’s time to spend more time with the family and focus on club football. I’d like to thank the Nigeria fans and thank all the players.

It’s been a pleasure, it’s been wonderful.

“I won the African Nations Cup, came this far at a World Cup I never thought I’d make because of injury.

Hopefully [the young players] will carry on from here. We have done a lot of things behind the scenes, put a lot of hard work in together, As a leader, they know what I’ve brought in so it’s just to carry on where we finished.”

F

Odemwingie: Evra was unsportsmanly

Intercontinental Hotel woos soccer P

I

N an effort to ensure that Nigerians experience an eventful 2014 World Cup going on in Brazil, Intercontinental Hotel, situated on Victoria Island, Lagos, has opened its Ariya BBQ Terrace to for football lovers to watch matches of the World Cup live on a large screen.

The viewing centre which was opened on Thursday, 12 June when the Mundial kicked off in Samba country will run throughout the duration of the World Cup. Public Relations Manager of the hotel, Ronke Latifat Bamisedun Stated that the hotel is bringing the action of Brazil to Lagos in atmosphere friendliness and comradeship. “in

ORMER Super Eagles star Garba Lawal has told AfricanFootball.com Nigeria lost to France in the Brazil 2014 round of 16 on account of coach Stephen Keshi’s poor tactics.

Lawal, who featured at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, said the injury to Ogenyi Onazi exposed the team and that poor substitution was made in his place.

He also blamed the team’s lack of character for the 2-0 loss to France.

“I can say Eagles lost to France because coach Stephen Keshi lacked tactical knowledge.

When an important player is injured, there must be a very good option in same frame with the player to come on, but that was not to be in the game,” said Garba, who is on the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

“We all saw the French substitution, (Olivier) Giroud was replaced by Antoine Greizemann, who made the attack stronger and scored a goal.

“Eagles also lacked character. The French allowed us to play in the first half and we couldn’t punish them with goals, we started well but didn’t have the attitude to carry on the same way.”

Intercontinental Hotel’s Ariya Terrace Thrown Open To Soccer Fans.

•Yobo

Brazil 2014 World Cup:

fans

Garba Lawal bashes Keshi’s poor tactics

celebration of the games, we have created the ultimate viewing experience for guests featuring a special launch event, festive food and drinks menus, and live play-by-play coverage of matches. ”Rio at The Intercontinental will continue in true SAMBA style and will run for the entirety of the games through 13 July.

ETER Osaze Odemwingie voiced his anger and resentment about the situation from the NigeriaFrance game when Patrice Evra held him still in the box and made it unable for Osaze to participate in the action.

Another dirty play by the winners of the Round of 16 match against Nigeria: France. This time the hero isn’t Blaise Matuidi but Patrice Evra. The Manchester United defender was accused by Osaze Odemwingie of

fouling him in the box when a corner kick was taken by the Super Eagles. “You can see why I couldn’t jump and also couldn’t fall. If I do that to him at old Trafford?

Penalty and probably red card,” Peter Odemwingie said on Twitter. It’s quite clear that Evra was holding Odemwingie forcing him out of action when the corner kick was taken but Mark Geiger didn’t note the whole situation and the play continued. Yet another

evidence that the offciating by the American ref was poor... but what can we do now, when the scoreline is set?

•Osaze

60 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

Messi: Luck was on our side L

IONEL Messi admit ted his side were fortunate to get past a resilient Switzerland outfit as the Albiceleste edged their European rivals 1-0 in their Last 16 encounter on Tuesday evening.

Try as they might, neither side could break the deadlock after 90 minutes, as the game went into extra-time, before a surging run down the middle by the Argentinean skipper found team mate Angel di Maria whose clinical finish secured victory for Alejandro Sabella‚ charges.

Messi was relieved to have secured the tough victory in extra time before the lottery of a dreaded penalty shootout.

The main thing is that we are through, the Man of the Match said after the game.

Klinsmann upbeat about future despite loss

B

CONTROL... Argentina's forward, Lionel Messi stylishly controls the ball during a match at Brazil 2014 World Cup We knew it wasnt‚ going to be easy. Time was going by and we didn‚t want to go to penalties, we wanted to win the

game.

The four-time World Player of the Year then went on to describe the

goal which set up his side‚ victory, before admitting they were fortunate against Ottmar Hitzfeld‚ men.

EATEN but un bowed, the United States exited the World Cup after losing to Belgium on Tuesday, their disappointment to be going home offset by optimism for the future.

The Americans went down 2-1 in an extratime thriller that ended with both teams’ players running themselves to the point of exhaustion after one of the best matches of the tournament.

“Obviously it’s a bummer for us to end on the losing side (but) it was a game which gave everything to the fans, to the crowd,” US coach Juergen Klinsmann told reporters.

“It was real drama, a thriller. We had enough possibilities to equalise the game or even put it away earlier. It was a

•Klinsmann game that just went to the extreme.”

2014 Wimbledon Championship .... 2014 Wimbledon Championship....

Dimitrov stops Murray's defence A

•Murray

NDY Murray’s Wim bledon defence came to a miserable end in the quarter-finals at the hands of rising star Grigor Dimitrov.

After the high of last year, when he ended Fred Perry ’s 77-year reign as the last British man to win the singles title, this was a sad way for the third seed to bow out.

Murray never managed to find anything like his best form while Dimitrov played an inspired match to win 6-1 7-6 (7/4) 6-2 and reach his first grand slam semi-final.

The defeat ended Murray’s 17-match winning streak at the All England Club and was his first slam loss to a player ranked outside the top 10 in four years.

Murray lost his first set of the tournament as Grigor Dimitrov stormed into an early lead in their Wimbledon quarter-final.

The defending champion simply could not get going against an opponent playing highclass tennis and the 6-1 scoreline made it the most one-sided set Murray has lost at the All

England Club since his debut in 2005.

Murray had reached the last eight without dropping a set for the second straight year but his form had been even better than 12 months

ago.

This was the matchup that created excitement when the draw was made - defending champion against tennis’ pin-up boy.

Halep faces Bouchard in semis

T

HIRD seed Simona Halep will meet Eugenie Bouchard in the Wimbledon semi-finals after both completed straight-sets quarter-final victories.

Romanian Halep, the highest seed left in the draw, defeated 2013 finalist Sabine Lisicki 6-4 6-0.

Bouchard, the 13th seed from Canada, reached her third Grand Slam semi-final of the year with a 6-3 6-4 win over German Angelique Kerber. Czech pair Petra Kvitova and Lucie Safarova will meet in the other semi. Kerber, the ninth seed, was back on court less than 24 hours after a three-set win over 2004

•Bouchard champion Maria Sharapova.

The German was presented with four break points in the seventh game but Bouchard, the 2012 girls’ champion, raised her game to save each one and, as she began to attack the Kerber

second serve, forced openings of her own.

Just like her opponent, Kerber went on to save four break points in the following game, but, when a backhand return winner forced a fifth, Bouchard this time took her chance to go 5-3 ahead.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 — 61

I ‘ll never coach Eagles again — Keshi •I was tired of all the plotting and backbiting S

TEPHEN Keshi has parted ways with the Nigeria Football Federation.

This is the true situation and not that the Nigerian coach has resigned.

His contract with the federation ended with the World Cup and the Federation is not planning, as we exclusively reported more than three months ago, to renew the contract.

Keshi is likely to pick the job he has been offered by South Africa. He granted an interview to the cable.ng after the defeat by France in Brasilia Q: Knowing what you know now, what would you have done as regards the preparations of the team before this World Cup? A: I would have loved to have had them in camp a lot earlier. The European season made a little bit difficult as I did not want to have only one half of eration never approached me for a renewal. What does that say? It says to me I'm not wanted. I am going to go and rest, spend some time with my family and then hopefully get another job where I am wanted.

After the Afcon win, President Goodluck Jonathan intervened and sorted things out.

What if he does this time?

As much as I respect and appreciate the number one citizen of the country I am afraid that this time it is going to be difficult. I am totally done with some of these people.

If you were the Sports Minister of Nigeria what is it you

goes to ground he will have skin wounds.

I and my assistants spend our own money to buy training cones and some of the things we use for training sessions. In most countries of the world when a coach is hired he brings in his own coaching team. Well for two years now I have been told to pay the salary of my assistant Valer y Houandinou, someone who has been with me from Togo through to Mali – where those countries paid his salary alongside paying mine.

In two and half years, I had no official residence. I stayed in a hotel. I had no official car.

I thank God for Chief

,

the squad in camp before the others joined.

We had less than two weeks to perfect our plans and it showed as it was only when we got to the tournament that we started picking up our rhythm. We had only three friendly matches which are really not enough to get ready for a tournament like this. So, those are what I would have liked to change.

Have you really quit your post?

Yes. I have done my bit. I am tired of all the intrigues and backbiting and insinuations I get. The criticisms are nothing really because even siblings criticise each other. In this job sometimes it goes overboard and my family and those of my players get called names.

I have had to tell the players many times to ignore those criticisms and just focus on the tasks at hand.

There are many Nigerians who support you. Many who would like to see you continue the work you started with the team.

Can you not change your mind for them?

The same ones who were calling for my head after the Iran match? That “the World Cup is too big for Keshi”? I know there are many who truly support what we have been trying to do over these past months but I just cannot continue in this job anymore.

To start with, my contract ended with the last match and the Fed-

As much as I respect and appreciate the number one citizen of the country I am afraid that this time it is going to be difficult.

,

will do or try and put in place to make the job of the national team coach a lot easier?

Make the Federation pay his salaries on time and those of his assistants. Build a training centre and facility for the national team to train. We never had anywhere decent to train. The Abuja National Stadium is filled with sand and the worst kind of sand. That means when someone

Mike Adenuga for those two cars he gave to me after the Afcon win. However, these federation officials will continue to trumpet that “they gave Keshi everything to succeed.

Mali is one of the poorest countries in Africa but I was given my place of residence and an official car within three days of me taking on the job. I also had a house in Togo and was never owed

•Keshi salaries.

What will happen to the young players you have built up into internationals as it means that Nigeria is losing out on the continuity that you staying on would have brought on?

Well, there is a nucleus of a team to work with there so a new coach will have the players there. In my mind I could set out two equally strong squads with the players available to me.

However, the new coach might come in and say that these players would not fit into his style and so it will be. Not going to be my problem again (smiles).

Clearly your experience with Togo and Mali has helped you at this job?

Oh, without a shadow

of doubt. God took me to those countries to give me the experience of dealing with people.

It is far more difficult to work in your own country I have just found out. When I qualified Togo for the Afcon and the World Cup I got their national honour and diplomatic passport.

Such was their gratitude. They make you comfortable and of course results followed.

God was awesome in taking me through that route.

Did you take a risk with the squad you took to the tournament?

I did not take a risk.

From the training camp and from the friendly matches I chose the players I believed would give me what I wanted on the field.

People say I took play-

ers to sell them and I laugh.

Michael Babatunde has not even started playing. Ramon Azeez will be a top player and he has a big heart. It is unfortunate for Reuben Gabriel that he has suffered a lot with injuries because he has every attribute to be a super player.

Many Nigerians who are sincere know his qualities.

I trust that he will come through.

But would you be his or their coaches then?

No. My job with Nigeria is done. I just hope who comes in will give them the opportunity to showcase their talents. When I took over there was no standing team and I had to build from scratch really but am gone.

I have loved serving my country but I believe I am done.

62 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

Chelsea to give Omeruo big break C

HELSEA are so pleased with the performance of Nigeria defender Kenneth Omeruo at the World Cup that they may not ship him out on loan again, according to his adviser.

A delighted Chika Akujobi said that Omeruo could well be thrown into the deep end by the English Premier League club in the forthcoming season after they kept tabs on the youngster in Brazil.

“Chelsea are very pleased with Kenneth’s performance in Brazil.

They said they’ve seen he has the ability to play straight with the Chelsea ‘A’ team and so they may not let him go on loan when he comes back,” he disclosed.

“He was not jittery against some of the world’s top strikers, he showed courage. The ball is now in his court to take his chance at Chelsea.”

The highly-rated central defender has twice been shipped out on loan, first to Dutch club ADO Den Haag and recently Middlesbrough in the English Championship.

Football expert Akujobi also

E

FE Ambrose has said he believes the current Super Eagles team could go on to be the country’s best-ever team after the experience they garnered at the World Cup in Brazil.

The Eagles under coach Stephen Keshi won the Africa Cup of Nations last year and reached the round of 16 of the 2014 World Cup. “I believe that in time this will be the best team Nigeria will ever produce,” the Celtic of Glasgow defender said “We have to give ourselves

CONVINCING: Kenneth Omeruo in an aerial battle with France forward Oliver Giroud praised the Super Eagles for reaching the knockout stage of Brazil 2014, while stressing that there is still a lot of room for improvement.

“The team didn’t do too badly in Brazil, they gave all they could."

Keshi Continues from BP his players.

However, Keshi denied he has resigned yesterday saying he bid his players farewell because his contract will expire after the World cup and he hasn’t been offered a new one.

Babayaro known for his fearless stand on issues described his denial as that of a confused man.

“When I read about his denial, I felt disappointed because he failed to convince me with his side of the story” He said.

“To start with he didn’t deny he wished his players bye, if he truly have hopes of continuing he won’t address his players so fast, at least let the pain of crashing out subside a little, and maybe hear from the NFF bigwigs before telling his players he might not continue like he claimed.

“To me he is looking for attention and maybe he

Ambrose: We can be Nigeria’s best ever team

is at cross roads over to stay or leave, he appears confused a bit as he loves Nigeria and his job.”

The owner of Pioneer football club also urge the NFF hierarchy to address the issue of Keshi’s stay or departure with all urgency as the 2015 Africa Nations cup is around the corner.

“Our first qualifier for the Nations cup in 2015 is less than two months away,we should be concern with players invitations not who will handle the team?”

“The NFF most move quickly,make a decision on his future to avoid panics when the qualifiers are close or begin. “ Africa champions, Nigeria are grouped with Sudan, South Africa and a yet to be known team after the third round of qualifiers is decided.

FC Porto youngster Eze out of AYC qualifiers

F

C Porto youngster Chidera Eze will not be involved in the Flying Eagles final AYC qualifier against Lesotho as he has been listed for preseason with his Portuguese club.

A top official of Nigeria U20 team said the forward has recovered from a hamstring injury, which he suffered in the team’s AYC qualifier at home against Tanzania, but he will not be available against Lesotho.

“Eze is ruled out of the qualifiers against Lesotho as he will be involved with his club in pre-season training,” disclosed the team official.

Nigeria host Lesotho on August 16 in a first leg clash with the return match a fortnight later in Maseru.

Eze came in as a substitute and scored in 51 win to take the Flying Eagles through to the final round of qualifiers against Lesotho, who eliminated Angola.

Eze is one several players promoted from the country’s U17 team, who won a record fourth FIFA U17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates last year.

credit for the determination, the zeal and the will power to win, we proved a point at the World Cup. “We will carry on from here, there are the AFCON qualifiers and the next World Cup.” From this team, skipper Joseph Yobo and Osaze Odemwinge have called time on their international career, while goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has said he will soon decide if he should continue to feature for the Eagles after more than 12 years with the team.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 — 63

Foreign coaches scramble for Super Omeruo laments Eagles job Eagles’ ouster T

HE scramble for who takes over the position of Super Eagles coach has started. France kicked Eagles out of the Brazil World Cup. Keshi had delivered a valedictory speech to his players at the dressing room in Brasilia after they were bundled out 20 by France to signal the rush for applications by many coaches who admire the glut of talents that abound in the Super Eagles.

But an official of the NFF who pleaded anonymity confirmed that they have been besieged by many interests from foreigners but said that it was too early for them to disclose the identities of such coaches since Keshi had not tendered his resignation letter to the body. ‘’Everything we have heard about his resignation is from the press. He has not informed us formally and as such, we still consider him as our coach. Many coaches have expressed their interests in the job but we need to meet and review our performance in the World Cup and sundry issues. If he insists on resigning, definitely, his position will be taken over by someone else. But for now, he is still our coach”, one of the influential officials of the football house told Sports Vanguard here in Brazil.

Keshi yet again gave a hint that he was done with the Eagles job in an interview he granted TheCable and was asked if he has resigned; ‘’ Yes. I have done my bit. I am tired of all the intrigues and backbiting and insinuations I get”.

When asked if President Goodluck Jonathan intervenes and sort things out like he did after the Africa Cup of Nations, Keshi said: ‘’As much as I respect and appreciate the number one citizen of the country I am afraid that this time it is going to be difficult.

I am totally done with some of these people”.

S

Eagles defender, Efe Ambrose (r) watches an Iranian striker closely. The match ended 0-0. Photo: AFP

F-L-I-C-K-S!

UPER Eagles de fender, Kenneth Omeruo, was one of the few Eagles who excelled in the World Cup as he played full time in the four matches the team played before crashing to France.

Many always point to him as the heart of the future Eagles but the youngster could not hold back his emotions after their misadventure in Brazil.

He spoke to Sports Vanguard; “We did almost everything possible but it was tough for us and I believe they were just the luckier side on the day. We had some good efforts saved and we recorded a good goal that was disallowed.

“There should have been a penalty in our favour and a red card for them for a bad tackle but all those never happened. Pogba himself

was lucky to just be where the ball went after our keeper managed to parry it. So many things went on for France and these are part of the game.”

The Chelsea defender stressed that it was not the end of the world for the Eagles since there are many young players in the team.

“The big advantage of our current team is the youthfulness. Most of us are still very young and we are going to take all that happened here as learning process to get better. A better percentage will still be part of the team as we approach the next Nations Cup and also the next World Cup. “We are taking positives from the competition to get better in future for our respective clubs and the national team,” Omeruo added.

soccer fiesta: pure art.

They are sponsored by the governments/private companies and are heavily protected by not less than 30 stern-looking military police men.

a highly emotional job and lucrative for the painters. Many, though, would love this opportunity even without payment.

I wish I could paint!

T

Brazilian models painted in the colours of national flags.

HIS is football carni val and Brasil is exhibiting it’s prime culture: Amazonian crude nature and the beauty of the woman’s body. The greatest Brasilian architect, who died last year, Oscar Niemeyer, who single-handedly designed Brasilia (a city built from nothing) said he was inspired by the beautiful shape and curvy figures of the Brasilian woman.

These girls are called literarily “the Queens of the World Cup”, (Musas da Copa). In fact, every football club in Brasil must have a “Queen” (a Musa - generally wearing a bikini/swimsuits/or simply painted bodies) who emerges after some stiff contests. It is also common in Carnivals.

Those of the carnivals are better, I don’t want to say worse.

These ones shown in the picture, just painted all over with no single piece of clothing, are designed as free official side attractions at the

They parade around the world cup venues with gait.

This is Brasil...

It is as simple as usual for Brasili a n s .

Culture...eeh?

However, they are not prostitutes but highly respected in the society as star artists.

I admire the ladies but I am envious of the artists who went deep down scribbling and painting on sensitive parts. It is

•Model

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

Chelsea to give Omeruo big break — Pg 61

Keshi: I'll never coach Eagles again F

ORMER Nigeria coach, Stephen Keshi has confirmed Sports Vanguard's breaking news on his parting of ways with the Nigeria Football Federation.

We also told you more than three months ago that Nigeria Football Federation was not interested in renewing Keshi's contract. Keshi has confirmed all our exclusives in an interview interview on page 61

Ambrose: We can be Nigeria's best ever team — Pg. 62

IN VAIN: Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama in one of his heroics in Nigeria's 02 loss to France on Monday. PHOTO: AFP

Babayaro: Keshi is confused A

TLANTA 96 Olympic Gold medalist, Emmanuel Babayaro has reacted to Super Eagles Coach

•Keshi

Stephen Keshi’s denial about his resignation from his role.

Keshi was widely reported to have

resigned from his role after Nigeria’s loss to France in the round of 16 after a meeting with Continues on Page 62

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 4 Contented (5) 7 Rough (6) 9 Pass (3) 10 Frenzied (3) 12 Nude (5) 13 Hypocrisy (4) 15 Animal (5) 17 Decanter (6) 19 Masculine (4) 20 Needles (5) 22 Whim (3) 24 Dropped (7) 27 Hill (3) 28 New (5) 31 Side (4) 33 Stopped (6) 35 Stadium (5) 37 Twist (4) 38 Saying (5) 39 Fasten (3) 41 Writing-fluid (3) 42 Dedicate (6) 43 Upright (5)

DOWN 1 Brawl (6) 2 Means (6) 3 Border (3) 4 Sharpen (4) 5 Frighten (5) 6 Matchless (8) 8 Facts (4) 11 Unlike (9) 14 Lofty (4) 16 Equipment (4) 18 Uproar (4) 21 Bullfighter (8) 23 Adroit (4) 25 Sported (4) 26 Sketched (4) 29 Reviser (6) 30 Concealed (6) 32 Sorcery (5) 34 Spoke (4) 36 Torn (4) 40 Fish (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 3, Waste 9, Turned 10, Affair 11, Edict 12, Gist 15, Wide 17, Entered 20, Led 21, Diced 23, Ruse 25, Polo 26, Elder 28, Ode 30, Rambled 33, Went 35, Tier 36, Light 38, Neuter 39, Ermine 40, Glory.

DOWN: 1, Stage 2, Trust 3, Wee 4, Addled 5, Tact 6, Eft 7, Cavil 8, Greed 13, Intrude 14, Tense 16, Devotee 18, Diver 19, Pep 22, Doubt 24, Elk 27, Rather 28, Owing 29, Ensue 31, Limit 32, Dried 34, Girl 36, Leg 37, Try.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. Advert Dept Hotline: 014544821; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.