Tension, as Saraki names c'ttee heads, deputies

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62619

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

N2bn pension scam: EFCC declares Maina wanted

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Tension, as Saraki names c’ttee heads, deputies •APC, PDP to get equal chairmanship slots •Raises committees from 56 to 64 •PDP senators meet at Mark’s residence

By Henry Umoru &Joseph Erunke

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BUJA —AHEAD of the unveiling of names of chairmen and vice-chairmen of standing committees by Senate President, Bukola Saraki, tension has gripped the lawmakers over who heads the juicy committees.

According to a source, ranking senators across party lines have vowed to resist any move to give them committees that are seen not to be powerful.

Continues on Page 5

Case file of Dele Giwa's murder disappeared — Tsav 47 JONATHAN'S VISIT—President Muhammadu Buhari (right) and immediate past President, Goodluck Jonathan when the latter paid a private visit to President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida. See story on Page 46.

Fasoranti's resignation: No crisis in Afenifere — Adebanjo COLUMNISTS: How assassins butchered Cross River APC body-language MPC's obituary community chair of witch-hunting the See Inside C M Y K

PDP

•P.17

announcement

•P.20

MTN had no discussion with VP on N1.04 trillion fine —PRESIDENCY

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Mr & Mrs

2 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015— 3

C M Y K

4 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

C M Y K

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POCKET CARTOON

DASUKI IN COURT— From left: Former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki; his lead Counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN) and Ahmed Raji (SAN) at the Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday.

Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Tension, as Saraki names Senate c’ttee chairmen, deputies Continues from Page 1 were, yesterday night, At press time last night, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, senators were said to be meeting at the residence of former Senate President, Senator David Mark, over the issue.

It was gathered, yesterday, that those who had been fighting Saraki have vowed to continue with the fight, using the standing committees as a reason.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Senate

putting finishing touches to the list.

List to be unveiled tomorrow if...

Barring any lastminute change, the Senate President will unveil the list tomorrow.

Asked in a text message if the list was ready, a principal officer replied: “No, we may finish the final touches

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO E all cannot be rich, neither can we all be great; but surely we all can make significant contributions to humanity. It's up to you.

W

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

The minute you alter your perception of yourself and future, both you and your future begin to change —Marilee Zdenek

T

HE only thing standing in your way towards happiness is you; no one else is allowed to set limits for you, nor should there be any from you. No matter the challenges you’ re dealing with, how old you are or where you live, you deserve to be happy.

Know that you are in control of your future. Do something about it.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE

D

ON’T expect anything from anyone.

Expectations always hurt.

tonight (yesterday).

The source said that the composition of the committees will help calm frayed nerves generated by the confirmation of former Rivers State Governor, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, last Thursday.

PDP senators staged a walk-out from the plenary on Thursday during the confirmation of Amaechi following the All Progressives Congress, APC, senators’ decision to ignore their PDP colleagues.

Committees now 64 According to a source, as part of moves to ensure stability in the Senate, Saraki has increased the standing committees by eight, thereby moving it from 56 to 64.

With this development, the Senate will be toeing the line of the House of Representatives which recently increased the number of its standing committees from 89 to 95.

Vanguard gathered that Saraki’s inner caucus had agreed that

for the Senate President to enjoy a stable reign, he must find ways to accommodate more senators as committee chairmen.

A source told Vanguard that the Senate leadership, which had been working on the committee composition since August would

round off, yesterday night, having agreed to increase the number of committees to 64.

The source said that the Senate Selection Committee, made up of the Principal Officers, decided to increase the number of the standing committees to ensure stability in the 8th Senate.

It was gathered that ranking senators have said that the 8th Senate might continue to witness turbulence following the emergence of the Senate Unity Forum, SUF, led by Senator Ahmed Lawan and Like Minds, headed by Senate President Saraki.

Regional spread It was also gathered that the amended Senate Standing Rules 2015 prescribes equal c o m m i t t e e chairmanship positions for each of the six geopolitical zones of the

country.

This provision as contained in Section 3(iv) of the 2015 Senate Standing Orders, does not exist in 2011 edition used during the Seventh Senate.

The implication of this is that the zones controlled by the PDP will chair almost the same number of committees with those controlled by the ruling APC. The section reads: “The appointment of senators as chairmen and members of committees shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the six geopolitical zones of the country and there shall be no predominance of senators from a few geopolitical zones.”

This development is a deviation from the hitherto existing tradition in the Senate in which chairmanships of two committees - Public Accounts and Ethics and Privileges - were the only two committees reserved for the opposition.

MTN had no discussion with VP on N1.04 trillion fine —PRESIDENCY

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AGOS—Vanguard, y e s t e r d a y, published a story that there was a meeting between MTN Group and the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, over the N1.04 trillion fine imposed on MTN by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC. Vanguard has since discovered that there was no such meeting, official or private between the MTN team and the Vice President over the fine imposed on the telecom company.

The report in Vanguard had said that there were series of meetings

between MTN management team from South Africa and Nigeria with the presidency at the weekend.

The report had further said that MTN has finally bowed to pressure as it has accepted to pay the N1.04 trillion fine slammed on it last week by the telecoms regulatory authority, the NCC. The report read in part: “There have been series of meetings at the Presidency between Vice President Osinbajo and the MTN team both

from South Africa and the Nigerian arm. MTN wanted a waiver considering their level of investments in the country, but government did not buy the idea of waiver. Instead, I think there will be concession, but certainly not a waiver.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the MTN people negotiated on how to stagger the payment. The Presidency is even angry because MTN was a signatory to the regulation, but they are failing to comply with rules.”

— Editor.

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

4 suspected kidnappers of 53-year-old matron nabbed in Ondo

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By Dayo Johnson

KURE—DETECTIVES in Ondo state have arrested four suspected kidnappers of the 53-year-old matron, Mrs Eralkhuemen Unulkiere working with the Rubber Estate Nigeria Limited located at Araromi Obu in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The four suspects include Toosin Adenikiju,Abiodun Olabowale,Omoniyi Akinsoyimi and Olatunji igbekele.

The suspects, who have made confessional statements after the victim was rescued, are currently in police custody.

Vanguard gathered that the suspects were apprehended at the Creeks by detectives who were deployed there by the state police command.

Image maker of the state Police Command, Femi Joseph, said no ransom was paid by the company or the family of the victim.

Joseph told Vanguard that the victim was rescued through a well coordinated intelligence gathering.

“The woman was rescued last night unhurt and without any ransom paid," he said.

The image maker pointed out that detectives were on the trail of others still at large.

However, it was gathered that the anti kidnapping squad, led by DSP Onabanjo Adekunle, effected the arrest of the suspects and the release of the victim.

It would be recalled that the suspects ambushed the victim while she was on her way to church along Alaye- Araromi road.

After her abduction, a ransom of N35 million was demanded from the management of the company and her family.

Vanguard gathered that negotiation was still on between the abductors and the family of the victim when detectives swooped on them in their hideout.

Eralkuemen, according to sources in the company, is one of the old staff of the company The victim hails from Edo State and is the only matron in the company’s clinic.

Vanguard's efforts to speak with the Managing Director of the company, Mr Eric Hocepied, to confirm if any ransom was paid to the kidnappers bythecompanyorthefamilyyielded no fruits last night.

Soldiers assault journalist over right of way

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

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BA—UNIDENTIFIED soldiers have beat up Aba correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria, Ijendu Iheaka, over right of way.

Trouble started for Iheaka who was on his way to an assignment at Umuode area of the city when he came face to face with a group of soldiers in a patrol van, marked Army 014, at a muddy portion of the road, close to Winners Church, along the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway.

He said: “I got to a muddy portion of the road and even

waited for the coming vehicle to pass before stepping in to wade through the spot. The soldiers van came into the same portion when I had already gone half way. ‘’There was no safe place to make way for them to pass in the mud. Before I know what was happening, the driver started shouting, ‘waka, waka’, pointing his fingers at me while others came out and started beating me. ‘’They used the nozzle of their guns to hit my knees and tore my shirt. After they left, I couldn’t even walk, a good Samaritan assisted me to a tricycle which

took me home. I have contacted the military authorities in Aba, they promised to investigate; yet nothing has come out of it.”

Iheaka told Vanguard that apart from the swollen knees and torn shirts, the soldiers would have inflicted more injuries on him but for passersby who pleaded that he should be left alone and later assisted to clean him up when his attackers had gone.

The journalist is yet to resume work as he is still nursing the injuries sustained in the attack.

At the time of filing this report, efforts to contact the Public

Relations Officer of 14 Brigade, Ohafia, one Capt. Mbaneme, proved abortive as his lines were unavailable.

Reacting to the incident, chairman of Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, Aba Unit, Prof. Charles Chinekezi, condemned the attack and urged soldiers to be civil while going about their duties in the city.

Chinekezi appealed to the military authorities in the state to fish out the culprits and punish them to serve as a deterrent to others.

Confusion over death of varsity student in Jigawa D

By Aliyu Dangida

UTSE—THERE was pandemonium last weekend at the Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State, following the death of one of the students, Bashir Musa, during interrogation by the police in the state.

The police command, however, debunked the rumour, saying Bashir died in a hospital and not during interrogation.

“Investigation is on course on the death of one Bashir Musa, a student of the Federal University Dutse, FUD, who lost his life recently after a scuffle with five others over a girl friend, Aisha Sale, of Jigawa State Polytechnic Dutse,” the police stated.

According to reports, the deceased and four others, all students of FUD, engaged in a fight over their girl friend, Aisha Sale who is studying at Jigawa State Polytechnic, Dutse, weekend.

The source further revealed that after the fight, one of the boy friends of Aisha, Abdulnajib Ibrahim, went to Dutse Divisional Police Station and lodged a complaint over the beaten he received from Bashir and four others.

According to sources, when the report reached the police, the deceased was arrested and taken to the police station to write a statement where he later died as a result of alleged tourture by the police.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abdul Jinjiri, confirmed the incident.

DSP Jinjiri explained that when the police received the complain from one Abdulmajib Ibrahim, they arrested Bashir Musa but discovered he was already injured which made them took him to the Police hospital where he later died as a result of injury he sustained during the fight.

Jinjiri said he was not taken to the police station let alone killed by the police during

interrogation. His words: “So Absulmajib having been injured, rushed and reported the matter to the police that he was injured by Bashir Musa and his friends, and on

returning, he still met them and fight broke out again for the second time where he was said to have hit Bashir Musa with a stick on his head in retaliation to the beaten he

received earlier.”

According to the Police spokesman, investigation on the matter is being handled by the police. The details of the cause of death would be made known in due course.

RELIEF MATERIALS: From left: An internally displaced Chibok resident, Mr. James Mamman; Executive Director, Abuja and Northern Directorate, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Idris Yakubu; another displaced person, Mr. Moses Shehu; Head of the displaced Chibok community, Mallam Alhassan Idris; and Skye Bank's Head of Human Capital Management, Mr. Taiwo Olupeka, during the distribution of relief materials to the displaced persons by the bank in Abuja, yesterday.

3 nabbed over alleged production of fake products

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By Esther Onyegbula

AGOS—OPERATIVES of the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, FCIB, Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos have arrested three persons for allegedly producing fake Alteco 110 super glue products.

The suspects, identified as Ijeoma Okpalaugo, Aloysius Nwangwu and Nwangwu Damia, were arrested in Lagos

last Friday.

Vanguard learned that in 2013, the attention of the producers of super glue was drawn to the existence of fake super glue products bearing the name, trademarks and designs of its product.

It was also gathered that sometime in November 2014, the fake products were withdrawn from circulation, but resurfaced again.

Counsel to Alteco Chemical Pte Limited, producers of the product, Isaac Ogbah, said: “These same fake products are being imported in large quantities with criminal intent and in most cases ,they are not having any super glue content whatsoever. They have been deceiving the unsuspecting public into believing that they were, indeed, produced and marketed by our company.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015—7

3 shot dead, 5 injured as rival cults clash in Abakaliki A

By Peter Okutu

BAKALIKI—NO fewer than three persons were last week shot dead, while five others sustained gunshot wounds in different parts of their bodies as rival cult groups clashed in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

Those killed in the clash include 35-year-old-man and beer palour owner, Amaechi Ude an indigene of Enugu State but resident in Abakaliki where he was doing his business.

Others are Sunday Onwe of Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and a staff of Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, whose name could not be immediately ascertained.

Ude was killed in his beer palour at Isiuke lane, off Norom Street, Abakalik, while Onwe was shot at a drinking joint, identified as yori yori, located close to Ebonyi State School of Health Technology in Ngbo court.

policemen were sent to the scene, adding that before they got there, the hoodlums had already fled.

He said efforts were on to arrest Ude’s killers.

The injured

Meanwhile, five young men, including one Nwatu

Ikenna and Chukwuebuka Mbam ,were shot in different parts of their bodies.

Narrating his ordeal, one of the victims, Ikenna said he was going to his shop when he saw young men on mask who opened fire on him and shot him at the back.

He said a five-year-old boy

whose mother sold beans cake near the scene, was hit by stray bullets.

The remains of the dead victims have been deposited in different mortuaries, while those wounded are currently receiving treatment in different hospitals in the state.

Third victim shot thrice

The third victim was shot three times in the head at the Abakaliki Township Stadium where he had gone to play football.

The incidents happened simultaneously in different locations in the state.

Ude was sitting in his bar around 7:pm when two unidentified gunmen who operated on a motor bike shot him.

The incident forced customers to flee, while the victim was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.

Onwe, on the other hand, was at a birthday party with his friends at the yori yori joint when hoodlums invaded the area and shot him in the chest and he gave up the ghost instantly.

Chairman of Ohaukwu local government area, Barr.

Clement Odaah, who confirmed the killing of Onwe, the younger brother of Ngbo Central Development Centre Coordinator, Ofobuike Onwe, said he had reported the matter to the police.

“The police is already investigating the matter and some persons have been arrested in connection with the killing.

“More persons will be arrested and I am assuring the people that all the perpetrators will be brought to book,” he said.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP George Okafor, also confirmed the killing of Amechi Ude. He said when the command got a distress call from Ude’s family over the incident,

RECOVERED: A motorcycle recovered from suspected Boko Haram terrorists by the 243 Battalion, 5 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, set ablaze, at Dunaway Village near Maiduguri.

Photo: NAN.

Gunmen abduct NGC staff at Ughelli

By Perez Brisibe

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GHELLI—A staff of the Nigerian Gas Company, NGC, was last weekend abducted around the popular post office roundabout, Ughelli in Delta State.

Confirming the incident, a senior police officer at Ughelli Division ‘A’ police station who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Vanguard that despite the incident occurring over the weekend, the matter was only formally reported at the division yesterday morning.

The abduction of the NGC staff, identified as Mr. Emeka Eziako, is coming three days after an Ughelli-based businessman was abducted on his way home from work.

Though the management of NGC could not be reached for comments, a newspaper vendor at the scene of the incident told Vanguard that the victim was abducted after he had purchased some compact discs at a store by the roundabout.

According to the vendor who spoke on anonymity, the victim was whisked away in his Toyota car to an unknown destination by his abductors.

Anxiety in Bayelsa over kidnapped 105-year-old mother of APC running mate Y

By Emem Idio

ENAGOA—YENAGOA— THERE was anxiety yesterday in the fold of All Progressives Congress, APC, and family of its deputy governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, Wilberforce Igiri, following news of the death of his mother, Madam Ebifeghe Dikoro, in the custody of her kidnappers.

Dikoro, who is said to be over 105 years old, was kidnapped by gunmen last Thursday, October 29, 2015, at her Foropa home in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

Her abduction came barely one week after the governorship candidate of the APC, Timipre Sylva, formally presented Igiri to the party in Yenagoa as his running mate in the forthcoming December 5 governorship election in the state.

But a close family source, who did not want to be named, dismissed news of Dikoro’s death in the hands of the hoodlums.

“There is nothing like that.

Nothing like (her death) that happened. It’s a rumour,” he

said.

He, however, said the hoodlums had yet to contact the family, stressing that effort was being intensified to ensure her rescue.

Dikoro’s kidnappers were said to have invaded her house at

about 1am on the fateful day and whisked her away to an unknown place.

It was gathered that news of her death broke early on Monday about five days after the incident.

When contacted, the state police command Public Relations Officer,

Asinim Butswat, described it as untrue,saying there was no iota of truth in the rumoured death of Dikoro in the custody of her abductors.

“We are on it. Investigation is on going. It’s not true that she has died in the hands of the kidnappers”, he confirmed.

Remains of drowned UNILORIN student after he reportedly dived into a recovered Chief Security Officer of the river located behind the Park

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By Demola Akinyemi

LORIN—AFTER painful search by the University of Ilorin and a combined rescue team of Kwara State Fire Service and National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA,the remains of the student declared missing after he got drowned Saturday were recovered on Sunday night in the river.

Among the people at the scene to receive the remains of the deceased are the Deputy ViceChancellor, Research, Technology and Innovation, Professor Gabriel Olatunji, wife of the Vice-Chancellor, Doctor Taye Ambali; the Dean, Students Affairs, Professor Omoteso; the

University, Mr. I. M. Tijani the Director COMSIT, Professor Musa Isiyaku Ahmed, team from the university of Ilorin clinic led by the Chief Medical Officer who represented the Director, Dr. Odunola Adekeye.

Already, the remains of the deceased has been deposited at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital mortuary for autopsy.

Recall that the deceased was declared missing on Saturday after he attended a keep fit exercise organised by the “Man O War” of the university.

The deceased, whose name was given as Onikenku Michael Atunde of the Department of Science Education, was said to have been discovered missing

and Gardens area of the institution.

Since then, the rescue team of the state fire service and NEMA had been working round the clock until his remains were discovered in the river on Sunday night.

But the management of the institution in a condolence statement issued in Ilorin yesterday and signed by the Deputy Director of Corporate Affairs, Alhaji Kunle Akogun, said: “The management of the University of Ilorin has commiserated with the family of late Michael Onikeku, a member of Man ‘O’ War club in the University of Ilorin who died on Saturday."

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

SCARCITY:

Customs appoints 6 new DC-Gs, 8 AC-Gs

DPR to fine, prosecute erring marketers for sabotage

By Kingsley Omonobi

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B U J A — FOLLOWING the recent retirements of senior management officers of the Nigerian Customs Service, six new Deputy Comptrollers General, DCG, have been appointed.

The officers, who are of the rank of Assistant Comptroller-General, ACG, will occupy the positions of DCG in acting capacity.

Those appointed are Idris Suleiman, Finance Administration and Technical Service; Iya Umar, Tariff and Trade; Dan Ugo, Enforcement Investigation and Inspection; Grace Adeyemo, Excise, FTZ & Industrial Incentive; Austin Warikoru, Human Resource Development, and Paul Ukaigwe, Strategic Research and Policy.

A statement from Customs headquarters disclosed that eight comptrollers were similarly announced to occupy the positions of Assistant Comptrollers-General created in the exercise.

It said: “They are to occupy the following new offices in acting capacity: Comptroller Umar Sanusi, ACG Headquarters; Comptroller Funsho Adegoke, ACG ICT; Comptroller Mohammed Abbas, ACG Board; Comptroller Olatunji Aremu, Command & Staff College; Comptroller Charles Edike, Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘A’, and Comptroller Abubakar Dangaladima, Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘B’.

Others are Comptroller Azarema Abdulkadir, Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘C’ and Comptroller Chidi Augustine, Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘D’.

Seven ACG were redeployed. They are Adesina Odunmbaku, Finance and Technical Service; Robert Alu, Tariff and Trade; Ade Dosumu, Enforcement and Drugs; Monday Abueh, Excise & Industrial Incentive; Ahmed Mohammed, Human Resource Management; Patience Iferi, Strategic Research and Policy, and Comptroller Aminu Abba, Technical Services.

By Michael Eboh

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TOUR: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (left); Assistant Inspector-General of Police, in charge of Zone 12, comprising Bauchi, Borno and Yobe states, Tunde Ogunsakin (right), and others during Osinbajo's familiarization tour of the zone.

Govt lawyer opposes Dasuki’s request for treatment abroad

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA—THE Federal Government, yesterday, opposed an application by the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), to be allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment.

Dasuki, who is facing a fivecount charge bordering on alleged illegal possession of firearms and money laundering, is seeking the permission of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to go for three weeks medical check-up outside the country.

In the application he moved through his lawyer, Mr. J. B. Daudu (SAN), yesterday, Dasuki urged trial Justice Ademola Adeniyi to order the release of the travelling documents he surrendered to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the High Court.

It will be recalled that the court had on September 1, granted the embattled former NSA bail on self-recognition after he deposited his international passport.

Meanwhile, Daudu, yesterday, told the court that his client was suffering from a sickness that would require attention of his medical doctors abroad, pledging that the passport would be returned to the court after the three weeks treatment period.

Besides, Daudu stressed, the accused person ought to be presumed innocent despite the criminal charges against

Ruling on secret trial for today him.

He pleaded: “My Lord, it is only the living that can stand trial in any law court. It is highly necessary that the accused person be allowed to go for this medical attention.”

‘Abuja has good hospitals’

However, government, yesterday, vehemently opposed Dasuki’s application, contending that the National Hospital in Abuja is well equipped to handle whatever sickness he is suffering from.

Government, through the Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Mohammed Diri, maintained that the application was a deliberate ploy by Dasuki to delay his trial.

More so, government, yesterday, told the court that it had already commenced a fresh investigation on another money laundering case involving Dasuki.

It urged the court to refuse the application for the accused to travel abroad, saying he could escape if allowed to leave the shores of Nigeria.

The DPP drew the attention of the court to the fact that Dasuki’s travelling document was the only condition upon which he was granted bail, noting that he did not produce any surety in view of the fact that he was released on selfrecognition.

Meanwhile, after listening to all the parties yesterday, Justice Adeniyi adjourned

ruling on the application till today.

On witnesses' security

Similarly, the court said it will today, decide government’s application to mask all the witnesses that will testify against Dasuki.

It had, in an application it filed pursuant to Section 36(4) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 232 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, prayed the court to okay secret trial of the former NSA. Aside praying the court not to reflect the names of the witnesses in its record of proceedings, government asked that they be allowed to use pseudo names.

It was also government’s application that the witnesses be allowed access to a nonpublic route to and from the court premises.

It urged the court to only allow lawyers involved in the matter and accredited newsmen to observe the trial.

The prosecuting counsel told the court that Dasuki’s trial was likely to suffer a setback considering that the witnesses declined to testify without protection for fear that they might be attacked afterwards.

The application was opposed by Dasuki’s lawyer, who urged the court to dismiss it for want of merit and for being frivolous.

HE Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, yesterday, stated that any petroleum products depots and filling stations owners engaged in sharp practices would be fined and prosecuted for economic sabotage.

Director of DPR, Mordecai Ladan, in a statement in Abuja, against the backdrop of the purported resurgence of fuel scarcity in some parts of the country, warned oil marketers against products diversion, hoarding, pump manipulation and selling products above government approved prices.

According to Ladan, any petroleum products marketer found to be under-dispensing or selling products above government regulated prices shall be suspended for a minimum of two months.

He said: “Marketers caught diverting or hoarding the products for profiteering shall be sanctioned with a fine of two million naira and have their operating license revoked and prosecuted for national economic sabotage.”

Ladan also stated that DPR was collaborating with the Petroleum Equilization Fund, PEF, and Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, to ensure that defaulters were sanctioned accordingly.

To this end, he stated that all DPR offices nationwide have been directed to step up their monitoring activities and ensure full compliance by marketers.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, had, last week, following rumours of an impending fuel scarcity, stated that it had deployed 306 truckloads of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as fuel, which is about 10 million litres, to some northern states.

According to NNPC, the deployment was to halt queues noticeable in some petrol stations.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015—9

FG owes us N39bn —Egbin Power Decries non-implementation of power, gas agreements Mulls solar energy production

By Clara Nwachukwu

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AGOS — EGBIN Power, yesterday, declared that the Federal Government owes the generation company, GENCO, between N38 billion and N39 billion for electricity generated but not paid for.

The power company also blamed the huge debts for its inability to pay for gas supply, as about a quarter of the amount, if paid, will be deployed to servicing gas debts.

Chairman, Egbin Power, Mr. Kola Adesina, told journalists in Lagos, yesterday, that the GENCO was highly constrained by the debt burden, as it is frustrating its power development plans.

He said: “We are highly constrained by the lack of payment for services rendered.

No matter how broad-minded you are and no matter the desire to serve your nation, if services are not paid for, the momentum to continue to serve will not be sustained.”

He disclosed that industry operators are in dire need of funds, as most of the monies used in acquiring the power assets and other postprivatisation investments came from the banks.

He said: “But banks don’t want to hear about any delays or the reasons for such delays. When the amount of the debt payment is due, they simply call for their money.”

Regulatory issues

Besides, Adesina further noted that policy inconsistency, especially as regards regulatory issues, is also frustrating investment planning in the sector, saying that till date, the power purchase agreements, PPAs, and Gas Supply Agreement, GSAs, have not been implemented.

Such a declaration comes as a surprise given that government had set up the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company, NBET, while also declaring the Transition Electricity Market, TEM, to deal with such issues.

Besides, Adesina insisted that operators are also faced with regulatory challenges, saying: “A lot of institutional issues were not fully resolved and these pose serious constraints in planning and affects our business operations. Regulations are of strategic importance for our business, as strategy has very serious implications for our business.”

Impact of policy inconsistency

Citing the impact of policy inconsistency on its operations, he said a change in tariff model by the industry regulator, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, is frustrating the ability of the GENCO to access the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, N230 billion lifeline to the power sector.

According to him, “we have only drawn 25 percent of the CBN fund. We couldn’t draw the balance of 75 per cent because the regulator (NERC) suddenly changed the tariff model. The economic implication is that with the change in the tariff model, it became obvious that there won't be any flow backs. So, when the regulator changed the tariff model, the CBN said, ‘No, this is no longer feasible.’

“This is because the CBN intervention fund to power is not a gratis, because it is a loan meant to be paid back at a particular period, with interest.

So the new model cannot support the mechanics for the fund.”

But NERC is yet to react to these issues, as its Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, promised to call back once he is done with writing an official report for the Presidency.

He, however, noted that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his economic team have been meeting with stakeholders with a view to resolving all the outstanding issues.

Renewable power

Meanwhile, Adesina also disclosed that Egbin is considering delving into

renewable energy, specifically solar, and is using its housing estate as the pilot for the project.

This is even as the management plans to expand existing capacity at Egbin with additional 1,350 megawatts to ramp up capacity at the thermal plant to 2,670MW by 2019.

To this end, he said the management is in the process of doing the feasibility and viability study for the expansion programme, which will also include the environmental impact assessment, EIA; the front end engineering design, FEDD; and the award for the engineering, procurement and construction, EPC, contract.

SEMINAR: From left: Deputy Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Chiedu Mafiana; Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Julius Okojie, and Director, Office of the Executive Secretary of NUC, Mrs Constance Goddy-Nnadi, at a Capacity Development for M.B.B.S Academic Staff in Nigerian universities, in Abuja yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Federal workers to get October salaries today

A

BUJA— THE Presidency has said that federal workers salaries for the month of October which remained unpaid will be paid today following the restoration of the computers that crashed as the salaries were about being paid last month.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement yesterday said the delay was inadvertent, caused by unforeseen technical challenges.

According to the statement, the President “is seriously concerned about the ordeals of civil servants on account of delayed payment of salaries.”

The statement explained that the happiness and welfare of the people is one of the cardinal objectives of any democratically elected government.

Shehu also emphasised that President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to these objectives not only on paper but also in practice.

The statement further thanked Nigerians for their patience and understanding, adding that empathy would be the guiding philosophy of the Buhari administration.

N2bn pension scam: EFCC declares Maina wanted

A

BUJA — THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, declared Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, wanted.

The commission, in a statement by its spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said Maina was wanted for his role in the fraudulent biometric contracts through which himself and former Head of Service, Steve Oronsaye, and two others allegedly stole over N2 billion of pension funds.

Maina was on July 21, 2015 charged alongside Oronsaye, Osarenkhoe Afe and Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited before a Federal High Court on a 24-count charge

bordering on procurement fraud and obtaining by false pretense.

While Oronsaye and two others were in court and pleaded not guilty to the charge, Maina had been at large.

However on July 21 when the court heard the bail applications of the accused persons, Maina through his counsel, Esther Uzoma, told the court that he was not at large, claiming that the EFCC had never invited him.

Consequently, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, pleaded with the court to prevail on the counsel to the accused person to produce Maina in court as the commission had no clues as to his whereabouts.

The court granted Rotimi’s prayers, yet Maina continued

to shun court proceedings, leaving the commission with no option than to declare him wanted.

Wilson said that since the commission filed charges against Maina, more damning evidence had emerged on how the ebullient former PTT boss siphoned pension funds using secret accounts in a new generation bank in Abuja.

It will be recalled that two senior officers of the bank were quizzed two weeks ago.

The commission sources said last night that they had since been making damning revelations of several opaque transactions through which Maina allegedly lined his pockets at the expense of thousands of hapless pensioners.

The Commission then implored anyone with information on Maina’s whereabouts to contact any of its offices across Nigeria.

Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina.

10—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Arik insures passengers for N1,000

B R E A S T C A N C E R SUMMIT: From left—

Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Ms. Nonny Ugboma; Director, MTN Foundation, Mr. Dennis Okoro; Chairman, National Consultative Committee on Cancer Control in Nigeria, Profesor Francis Durosinmi-Etti, and TV veteran, Ms. Moji Makanjuola, at the Breast Cancer Awareness summit sponsored by MTN Foundation in Abuja.

By Lawani Mikairu & Daniel Eteghe

A

RIK Air, yesterday, unveiled an insurance policy that safeguards passengers against flight delays and cancellation, among other benefits.

Unveiling the policy at Arik headquarters in Lagos during the 9th anniversary celebration of the airline, Managing Director, Arik Air, Mr. Chris Ndulue, said the policy cost N1,000 and that it was optional.

Ndulue, who said the air travel insurance was provided by Old Mutual Insurance Company in partnership with Risk Analysts Insurance Brokers, added: “The policy provides cover against accident resulting in damage to baggage, missing bags, flight cancellation and delays, medical expenses, permanent disablement or bodily injury, within 90 days of the occurrence of the accident.

“The cover is valid for such incidents occurring while aboard Arik aircraft.”

Some of the benefits of the policy the passengers will enjoy include getting N1 million in the event of personal accident. A passenger whose flight is cancelled or delayed for more than eight hours gets N20,000 per trip.

Emergency medical expenses attracts up to N50,000, while mishandled and missing baggage will attract N20,000 per passenger.

Damage to baggage will attract N20,000 per passenger.

“All you need to do is buy Arik Air ticket online to any destination within Nigeria and buy an Air Travel Insurance for just N1,000,” Ndulue said.

Olakpe replaces Arebamen as LASTMA boss

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

G

OVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, yesterday, relieved the Chief Executive Officer of Lagos

State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, Mr. Young Arebamen, of his appointment and replaced him with retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mr. Christian Akioja Olakpe.

Blogger in prison over publication on bank boss

By Onozure Dania

L

AGOS—A 29-year-old blogger, Desmond IkeChima, has been remanded in prison pending the hearing of his bail application over alleged malicious publication against the Managing Director of United Bank of Africa, UBA, Plc, Philips Oduoza.

The defendant was remanded by Justice Mohammed Yunusa of a Federal High Court Lagos.

He was arraigned on a twocount charge bordering on malicious publication, preferred against him by the police.

The prosecutor, Henry Obiazi, told the court that the defendant and others still at large sometime in March 2015, at Ojodu falsely published an article by means of computer on the Internet

entitled Randy UBA MD, Philips Oduoza in Adultery Mess, Romances Star Actress Genevieve Nnaji.

He alleged that the publication was for the purpose of causing annoyance, incontinence danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to the victim.

Obiazi, also alleged that the blogger’s publication led to the wife of Oduoza divorcing him over the alleged affairs with actress Genevieve.

According to the prosecutor, the offences committed are punishable under Sections 24 (1) (b) Cybercrime Prohibition Prevention Act, laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2015.

Ike-Chima pleaded not guilty to the charges, while the trial judge adjourned the case to November 6 for the hearing of the bail application.

The move, according to reliable government sources, is to reposition the agency for higher performance.

Arebamen was said to have been indisposed for a while, which was tacitly referred to by the statement that announced his removal.

The poor performance of LASTMA officials in recent times was premised on lack of “impetus expected with the previous appointment due to the docile nature of the headship of the agency” according to the statement.

Ambode also approved the appointment of Mr. Taofik Fashola, Mr. Tunde Ogunleye and Mr. Fola Padonu as Permanent Secretaries in the state's public service, while seven others were redeployed.

The governor, in separate statements yesterday, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, explained that the appointment of Olakpe was in response to the mounting complaints by the public over lingering traffic gridlocks across the metropolis and revamping LASTMA for improved performance and better relations with the public.

Ambode recently approved the appointment of a new General Manager, Mr. Bashir Braimoh for the agency.

Lagos shuts 33 drug outlets over illegalities, ‘defiance’

By Chioma Obinna

L

AGOS—IN a renewed fight against fake and substandard drugs in the state, Lagos State Task Force on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods has sealed 33 pharmacy and patent medicine outlets, even as it impounds fake drugs worth

millions of Naira in Ojo area of the state.

Disclosing this while reviewing the recent raid in the state, Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary Health Care, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga, said the exercise was informed by the persistent defiance of government’s stipulated regulations on drug

production, importation, manufacturing and sales, among others.

He further stated that they had declared zero tolerance on fake drugs and operators of illegal pharmacies.

Onanuga said the 33 outlets were shut for various offences contrary to the provisions of the law on the operation of

pharmacies and patent medicine stores in Lagos.

He noted that the sealing of illegal pharmaceutical premises was in accordance with the provision of Chapter C34 of the Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provision) Act of 1999, Number 25.

Residents sue estate mgt over contract breach

By Onozure Dania

L

AGOS—RESIDENTS and registered trustees of Alpha Bay Estate Association in Lekki area of Lagos has filed a N200 million suit against a property company, Admiralty Homes Limited and its Chairman, Mr. Dun Salami, before a Lagos State High Court at Igbosere, over alleged breach of contract.

The claimant, through its lawyer Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), is urging the court for a declaration that it is entitled to control and manage the facilities of Alpha Bay Estate.

It’s also asking the court to declare that the management of the estate

by Admiralty Homes was illegal and constitutes a breach of agreement between the claimant and the defendants.

The claimant further sought for an order directing the companies to hand over the estate’s management to the residents’ association pursuant to the agreement, as well as an order directing the companies to remit to it all estate dues paid by some residents from November 2013 till date.

The complaint wants the court to perpetually restrain the defendants from interfering with its control of the estate and from constructing any structures on same.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 , 2015—11

No crisis in Afenifere over Fasoranti's resignation — Adebanjo As group's scribe calls for calm

By Daud Olatunji & Dayo Johnson

A

BEOKUTA — A chieftain of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has denied that there was crisis in the group.

Adebanjo who spoke with Vanguard on phone over the resignation of the leader of the group, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, said it did not shock them because the leader has explained why he took such an action.

According to him, "the man is 89 years old. Where is the crisis?

You are the one creating the crisis.

The man said a lot of people are disloyal and stepped aside.

“There is no problem in Afenifere. The man is 89 . He has cited old age. He was as old as Pa Ajasin and Pa Adesanya.”

Asked about the likely successor, Adebanjo said: “When we get to the bridge we will cross it. We will take decision when the time comes.”

Scribe calls for calm Meanwhile, Chief Seinde Arogbofa, the Secretary-General, Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba sociocultural group, yesterday, urged for calm following the resignation of its leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

The Afenifere leader resigned on Sunday over an alleged polarisation of the group and its deviation from its set vision and goals.

Fasoranti became the leader of Afenifere following the death of Senator Abraham Adesanya.

Crisis rocked the group in 2008

which led to the emergence of a splinter group, the Afenifere Renewal Group, ARG, with Mr Wale Oshun as its current leader.

Arogbofa told Vanguard that he had not met with Fasoranti since he tendered his letter of resignation, saying: “I know Papa anchored his resignation mainly on old age. We should not see what has happened as what has never happened; there is nothing new in it.

“We should be calm and begin to think and strategise on how to make and move the organisation forward. We will put heads together and set a new course for the group as we did when Pa Adesanya was old and could not go ahead.”

Arogbofa, an author of several literature books and plays, called

for the cooperation of all members and the Yoruba, saying: “I alone cannot take the decision as to how to move the organisation forward.”

Also speaking, Mr Yinka Odumakin, spokesman for the organisation, said what happened was not beyond their control, adding that Afenifere would be meeting soon and that details of the meeting would be made public.

He said: “We have some internal things to sort out.

Nigerians will soon know when we are through.”

He said Fasoranti had been there in the most difficult period in the life of the organisation and that he did well as a leader, noting: “All is well with the Afenifere.”

Nigerian leaders are overzealous —Paseda

By Daud Olatunji

A

BEOKUTA— The Ogun State governorship candidate of Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in the last general elections, Rotimi Paseda, has berated political leaders in the country for their overzealousness and lack of continuity in their style of governance.

According to him, Nigerian politicians are not matured enough to be managing the nurtured democracy gained by the earliest nationalists like Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Tafawa Balewa and others.

Addressing newsmen at the weekend during the 31st Sagamu Day celebration, held at Makun High School, Sagamu, Ogun State, Paseda said the way political gladiators in the country were practising democracy does not portray Nigeria as a developing country, worthy to be called giant of Africa.

“I totally disagree with the way politics is being played“.

MEETING: From left: Head, CSR, Airtel Nigeria, Chinda Manjor; President, Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria, PRCAN, John Ehiguese; Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission, Tony Ojobo; Airtel's Media and Digital PR Manager, Erhumu Bayagbon; and MD/CEO, CMC Connect, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya at the 4th PRCAN breakfast meeting hosted by Airtel Nigeria, in Lagos.

NBA discovers 1,000 fake lawyers nationwide

By Dayo Johnson

A

KURE — SEQUEL to the introduction of a Stamp Policy, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has

discovered no fewer than 1,000 fake lawyers across the country.

The association’s Vice President, Akintokunbo Oluwole, said this in Akure during a special sitting of the NBA to mark the opening of the 2015/2016 legal year.

Oluwole said the fake lawyers were discovered after the inauguration of the association’s Stamp Policy introduced to curb the infiltration of quacks into the legal profession.

According to him, “the issue of quacks has been a serious cankerworm which has eaten deep into the fabric of the legal profession.’’

He said the issue is being addressed frontally by the association, adding: "So far, the NBA Stamp Policy has been able to revive the system and has increased the revenue stream of lawyers across the country.

“Most importantly, it has

improved the authenticity of documents which are now being filed in court registries since all legal documents must now bear the stamps of lawyers to be considered valid.“ The vice Chairman sought the cooperation of all stakeholders in actualising the vision of restoring the integrity of the legal profession.

Also speaking, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olasehinde Kumuyi, said the judiciary had been able to curb malpractices in the state judiciary.

Justice Kumuyi noted that dubious individuals had carved out personal stamps which they used in issuing illegal affidavits to unsuspecting members of the public.

He, however, said affidavits can no longer be done by proxy irrespective of the respondent’s status.

APC carpets Ondo govt over demolitions in Akure

By Dayo Johnson

A

KURE — THE opposition All Progressive Congress, APC, in Ondo State, yesterday, condemned the Ondo State government over demolition of containers used as shops by traders in Akure, the state capital, last weekend.

But the state government in a swift reaction said the structures demolished were illegal. It pointed out that the demolition was done after the owners were given an ultimatum to remove them but failed.

A statement by the party’s Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, in Akure accused officials of the Physical and Urban Development ministry of looting the containers that were demolished.

This demolition exercise, according to the party, "took place along Kajola junction, Oda Road, Akure and was said to have been carried out at midnight of Saturday/ Sunday by the officials of the ministry.

“The actions of the state Ministry of Physical and Urban Development was nothing but a callous one targeted to ostracise these traders out of business and pave the way for the Shoprite Mall being promoted by the Ondo State Government.

“It is appalling that the government has since not made any statement on these illegal and inhuman demolitions carried out in a gangster manner at midnight on private property by the officials of the ministry.

“This callous action of the Ondo State Government was most unfortunate and one meant to further increase the hardship currently being faced by the people in the state.

“We condemn outrightly the demolition of these containers and the subsequent looting of wares of these traders by the officials of the state ministry."

Speaking on behalf of the ministry, it’s Press Officer, Banji Akadiri, denied any looting by officials of the ministry during the exercise, saying a long ultimatum to remove the illegal structures dotting the state capital was given before the exercise was carried out last weekend.

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Six govs, Alaibe boycott inauguration of Sylva’s campaign council A

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

BUJA—SIGNS that the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, is walking on a lonely path ahead of December 5 governorship election became glaring yesterday when six out of seven governors slated for the inauguration of his campaign council failed to turn up for the ceremony.

It will be recalled that Sylva's emergence as the governorship candidate became controversial after the first primary election was marred by violence.

His closest rival in the election, Mr. Timi Alaibe, who was a member of the campaign council, was absent just as the APC deputy national publicity secretary and Bayelsa indigene, Timi Frank, rejected his membership.

Similarly, the council which has Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomhole as chairman and Sokoto state governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as deputy chairman had only Tambuwal in attendance.

Lagos state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Kano State governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari stayed away.

Senator Heineken Lokpobiri will serve as the Secretary of the council.

Giving reasons why he rejected his membership of the council, Frank said he was an aggrieved member of the APC, Bayelsa State chapter and would not accept his membership.

“I was earlier briefed about the Bayelsa campaign council that was inaugurated anyway by a text message that got into my phone.

But, practically I refused to attend that programme because I felt I don’t hide my feelings anytime any day. I am an aggrieved member of the APC in Bayelsa State. As much as I remain aggrieved, I will continue to stand my ground. I will continue to stand on what I believe. I do not believe in what is happening as at today that was why purposely I refused to attend that function.

So, how do you expect me to be part of his campaign team, I am not ready for that, I am ready to face my party”, he said.

Inaugurating the committee, National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said the party would win the election.

He noted that the committee had a crack team that would deliver.

He said: “The work that this committee is going to embark upon will produce the first progressive governor of Bayelsa State. Let me thank all of you that have accepted to serve in this very challenging assignment. As you

can see, it is a campaign council like no other. Our expectation is that all 22 APC governors are going to storm Bayelsa State. But what is important is that seven governors have volunteered to give up their time and energy to serve as members of the campaign council. That had never happened before. I think it underscores in very clear terms, the importance to which the whole party attaches to the Bayelsa election.

“The time is short, that we understand, but the circumstances and the situation are very upbeat and very promising for eventual victory at the election. Just like I was confident about the national election, I am confident of the Bayelsa election because we have a good product.

“We have a non-performing governor in Bayelsa State.

Thirdly, even the governing party in Bayelsa State has crumbled because most of the significant people in that party are today with us canvassing for votes for a progressive governor.

Lastly, we have a crack team as members of the campaign council and our job here today is to send them forth to undertake this challenging assignment. The mandate is simple, and that is, let Bayelsa State witness endless transformation to a meaningful change. Change must arrive in Bayelsa State. It is a state where we want to prove a point, where we need to prove a point. It is an election that we need to win to bring Bayelsa into the fold, into the movement, into the train of change in this nation.

“Let me make this clear. We are not working towards creating a one party nation. We are only

saying today that the challenges facing this nation are so enormous that we need every man, woman and child on board so that the trajectory on which we are travelling should change dramatically.

For that, we need all geopolitical zones as well as all the good people of this country to please come on board because the task at hand is enormous.”

Oyegun also insisted that the government in Bayelsa had failed to meet the needs of the people, saying that the state needed people like president Mohammadu Buhari to turn it around.

“We have a nation that is in every way gifted. Starting from our President, for the first time in the history of this nation, we have a man in charge who is accepted, acknowledged and known to be a man of his words," he said.

Edo has 108 erosion sites —Oshiomhole

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday said no fewer than 108 erosion sites existed in state.

Comrade Oshiomhole, represented by his deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu, stated this when the Senate Committee on Works, led by Senator Barnabas Gemade, visited the state during inspection of some gully erosion sites.

The governor, however, disclosed that his government was at present working on three of the erosion sites and had contingency plans for 10 other sites.

Other members of the Senate committee, who inspected erosion sites in Edo Central and South Senatorial districts, were Matthew Urhoghide, Clifford Ordia, Uche Ekwunife and Bassey Akpan.

Tenants protest sale of Delta govt property in Lagos

By Tare Youdeowei

O

RALLY: Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State (3rd right); Senator John Brambaifa (right); Chief Alex Ekiotene (2nd left); Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (retd) (2ndleft); Acting Chairman of Bayelsa PDP, Barr. Serena Dokubo-Spiff (left) and the South-South PDP Zonal Chairman, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, during a rally at the Peace Park in Yenagoa.

CORRUPTION ALLEGATION: I'm being framed for supporting Jonathan —ORUBEBE

By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor

F

ORMER Niger Delta Minister, Elder Godsday Orubebe, has denied allegations of corruption levelled against him by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, claiming that he is being framed for his unalloyed support for former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Orubebe, who is being charged before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, told Vanguard in Abuja that he had not committed any offence to warrant being vilified by the present administration.

The former minister also declared that he neither demanded nor collected bribe throughout his six-year tenure as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He said he was convinced that the CCT was out to frame him given the way it had already begun his trial in the media when he had only been served with the summons to appear before the court on November 9, 2015.

He said: “I was served with Code of Conduct Tribunal summons on Friday last week and the paper, which I personally signed and collected, stated that I was

expected to appear before them on November 9. I was taken aback by the news that I had already been arraigned.

This tells me that it is an issue of witch-hunt which is not good for this country. It is not good to take me to the public court before being tried. The issues contained in the summons are that I took N50 million bribe from one of the contractors who handled a project for the Ministry of Niger Delta and another N20 million from the same contractor as well as not declaring my plots of land in Asokoro and Kyame districts of Abuja. I find these charges very empty and frivolous."

CCUPANTS of Plot 235 Apapa-Costain Road, a property of Delta State Government in Lagos State, managed by Delta Development Property Authority, DDPA, have protested the sale of the property and their proposed eviction.

Counsel to the occupants, George Utomhim, said: “Several petitions have been written to Delta State Government on this matter and if indeed this planned eviction is true, then it is a grave injustice that must not be allowed to happen. When the General Manager of DDPA was reached on this matter he declined to comment saying his hands were tied and the occupants should explore all lawful media available to exercise their rights since they are occupants of the premises.

I vow to pursue all lawful means including a mass peaceful protest by all tenants and civil society groups to Delta State liaison office in Lagos and Delta State Government House, Asaba, to ensure that this grave injustice does not happen.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015—13

Edo to tackle striking workers with no work, no pay policy

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State yesterday warned that the state would not use the taxes of workers to pay workers who chose to stay at home for months strikes, stressing that the government was committed to fully implementing the no work, no pay clause in the law.

Speaking at the 2015/2016 Legal Year of the state's Judiciary, the governor said the law was clear that a worker who embarked on a strike would forfeit his wage.

It will be recalled that members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, in the state had embarked on a seven-month strike to press home their demand for financial autonomy for the judiciary.

The governor, who said the state was proud of its judicial arm, said: “We in the Executive in Edo State have utmost respect for the Judicial arm on account of the courage and hard work that you have displayed. Under Convention 98 of the International Labour Organisation, ILO, it states clearly that you have a right to go on strike; otherwise, it would be slave labour. But the Trade Union Act is very clear that notwithstanding any reason, if you embark on a strike, you forfeit your wages.

That is the law, that is the convention and this convention has been domesticated in our labour

laws and I ask you to look at all the provisions taken together in the various Trade Dispute Acts and Amendment Act. You not only forfeit your wages, you forfeit your seniority and you can be dismissed summarily. This is the law and the business of the court is to interpret the law without fear even if the litigant is an officer of the court. The court is not a respecter of its own employees. So, it must dispense justice even if it doesn’t favour the officers of the High Court and that is what we have taken note to

do.

“I asked my lord privately when he was pushing for this case and I put it here. At what point does it become acceptable that we resort to illegal tools in pursuance of legal ends? Can you seek legal ends by resorting to illegal means? That is resorting to self help and if other groups resort to self help, the first casualty will be the judiciary. Survival of the fittest, everybody will go for cutlass. So, I ask that JUSUN must run the union within the provisions of the Trade Union Act and within the provisions

of the Trade Dispute Acts. If they exceed those boundaries, there are consequences. I cannot take tax payers money which we have to fight to collect even from senior lawyers, when we have compelled them and get the naira, then I go and give it to a JUSUN worker who is at home on a self-imposed holiday.

“There would be more honour in vacating the office than to make compensation because even the bible says that he who does not work does not deserve to eat."

BRIEFING: From left: Meka Olowola, Chairman, Organising Committee,Sustainability in the Extractive Industries, SITEI, 2015; Delia Asuzu, Head of Client & Market Development, PwC Nigeria; Bekeme Masade(Ms), Executive Director, CSR-in-Action and Shani Eribo, SITEI 2015 Technical Partner, at the press conference for SITEI 2015. Photo: Akeem Salau.

Delta Steel resumes operation in 14 months —Okowa

By Emma Amaize & Festus Ahon

A

SABA—DELTA State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday, assured that the multi-billion naira Delta Steel Company, Aladja, would commence full operations in the next 14 months.

Okowa, who dropped the hint while addressing leaders of Delta North senatorial district who paid him a solidarity visit at Asaba, said he had fruitful discussions with the owners of one of the companies that took over DSC during the recent India/Africa Business summit in India.

The governor was among the governors that accompanied President Muhammadu Buhari on his visit to India He said: “During our visit to India, I met with one of the companies that recently took over Delta Steel Complex, Aladja, and I thank God because they are serious minded and committed to reviving the company and I believe that in another 12- 14 C M Y K

months, DSC will come alive again with many other companies in the state. DSC is our pride and I believe that when that company is revamped, it will employ people from all parts of Delta State and beyond.”

The governor also talked about the need for Deltans to be security conscious, especially, on the issue of Fulani herdsmen and host communities, noting,

“There are challenges with herdsmen and I believe that there are ways of tackling the challenges. I want to plead that patience be exercised and the process must be engaged with intelligence. There are the cattle rearers who are peaceful and herdsmen who have criminals among them that create problems for our communities.

That is why you find out that

those rustlers are armed and some are involved in the kidnappings that we hear about.

So, we must be careful and be diplomatic.”

He urged the people to be receptive of investors by making land and other incentives available to encourage investments in their areas while ensuring that they maintain peace and shun any action

Abductors of RCCG pastor demand N30m

By Emem Idio

Y

E N A G O A — ABDUCTORS of a Yenagoa-based clergyman, Pastor Mark Christmas of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, “New Anointing Chapel”, are demanding N30 milion ransom for his freedom.

The pastor, according to his wife, Mrs Evelyn Christmas, was abducted along with two of his church members at his

hometown in Biseingbene, a riverine community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state on October 18.

Mrs Christmas said her husband was lured to the community on the pretext of attending an emergency family meeting with his kinsmen when the incident happened.

“You know we reside in Yenagoa. So, on that fateful day, my husband was invited

to Biseingbene by his kinsmen for a meeting.

When he got there, he found out that the invitation for a meeting was false and a devilish plan to kidnap him.

My husband has spent over two weeks in their hands,” she narrated.

It was gathered that the kidnappers had contacted the family and demanded for N200, 000 as cost for phone calls made and N30 million as ransom for their freedom.

Monarch tasks Ijaw leaders on unity

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— LEADERS of Ijaw nation have been urged to bury their differences for the common good of the ethnic nationality.

Speaking against the backdrop of the sack of 11 national officers of the Ijaw National Congress, INC, His Royal Majesty, King W. S. J. Igbugburu X, the Ebenanaowei of Bomo clan, said there was urgent need for the Ijaw nation to unite against forces of retrogression.

The monarch, who inaugurated officers elected to replace those relieved of their offices, allegedly charged Ijaw leaders to be committed to the development of Ijaw nation.

National Secretary, Dr Bibobra Bello Orubebe, and the National Publicity Secretary of the body, Mr. Dagogo Tamunomiebi, explained in a statement that those relieved of their offices did not allegedly meet the condition for membership of the body.

“The positions became vacant following the failure of the former office holders to perfect the conditions for participating membership of Congress as stipulated in Article 6(iii)-(v) of the Constitution of the Ijaw National Congress, 2009 as amended,” the statement said.

Okowa's aide outlines benefits of healthy living

S

PECIAL Adviser to the Delta State Governor on Rural Development and Peace Building, Brother Emmanuel Ogidi, has described merry heart as the best ingredient for a healthy living and long life.

Ogidi, who spoke in Asaba during the 10th anniversary of the Society for Positive Living, SPL, and the launch of a book titled “Twelve Keys To A Merry Heart” with the theme “Staying Positive in a Turbulent World”, explained that a merry heart was necessary to cope with life’s challenges, pointing out that smiling or laughing in the midst of difficulties makes solutions easily available.

He said being merry entailed more than material wealth but a continual appreciation of the precious gift of life only obtainable from God.

14—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVENBER 3, 2015

BVN: CBN extends enrolment for Diaspora bank customers

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief & Babajide Komolafe

T

HE CENTRAL Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has extended the deadline for Nigerian bank customers in the Diaspora to undertake their Bank Verification Numbers, BVN, to January 31, 2016.

According to a statement by the CBN’s Director, C o r p o r a t e Communications, Alhaji Ibrahim Mu’azu, the extension was to enable the customers in the Diaspora complete the enrolment exercise, as well as, link the BVN with their respective accounts.

He stressed that the extension was only for customers in the Diaspora.

Meanwhile, the CBN, had stressed that withdrawals remain prohibited until the holders of such accounts (resident in Nigeria) register accordingly.

"They won’t lose their deposits. With the expiration of the October 31 enrolment deadline, the CBN has directed that bank accounts of Nigeria residents without the BVN would henceforth be operated as ‘No Customer Initiated Debit’ account, until the account holders obtain and attach BVNs to the accounts. This means that a customer may not be allowed to withdraw money from his or her account until the BVN has been acquired and linked to the account,” the bank said.

C M Y K

‘Foreign investors withdrew N40.07bn from stock market in Sept' T

HE NIGERIAN Stock Exchange, NSE, said that foreign investors withdrew the sum of N40.07 billion from the equities market in the month of September. This is contained in a domestic and foreign portfolio participation in equity trading for

September 2015 posted on NSE web site, yesterday. The report stated that total foreign outflow for September stood at N40.07 billion, compared to N48.07 billion recorded in August.

The exchange stated that total foreign in-flow during the review

period stood at N29.26 billion as against N33.06 billion in August. It added that foreign portfolio investment transactions at the nation’s bourse in September reduced to N69.33 billion from N81.13 billion in August, recording a decrease of

CONFERENCE/LAUNCH: From left, Arik Air Chief Pilot, Captain Adetokunbo Adekunbi; Managing Director, Risk Analysts Insurance Brokers Ltd, Mrs. Funmi Babington-Ashaye; Managing Director, Arik Air, Mr. Chris Ndulue; Managing Director, Old Mutual Nigeria General Insurance, Mrs. Rachel Emenike and Associate Vice President, Sales and Distribution, Arik Air, Mr. Trevor Henry, during Arik's 9th anniversary press conference/launch of travel insurance, in Lagos, yesterday.

14.54 per cent.

According to the report, total domestic transactions stood at N60.59 billion in contrast with N64.56 billion in August. It added that total transactions in September dropped to N129.92 billion as against N145.69 billion achieved in the preceding month.

The statistics showed that foreign investors’ in-flows accounted for 22.52 per cent of total transactions. It stated that foreign investors’ out-flows accounted for 30.84 per cent of the total transactions in September.

Commenting on the issue, Mr. Okechukwu Unegbu, the former President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that the exchange must map out strategies aimed at sustaining local investors’ confidence in the market.

Unegbu said that market regulators must reduce their emphasis on foreign investors and concentrate on local investors who invest for long-term purpose.

He said that uncertainties in the economy made it imperative for NSE to look inwards, noting that foreign investors could exit at the market at any given time.

Buhari to open National Political Summit January 24 •As Mantu, Ghali Na’ Abba, Nkanga, Melaye, Emodi, Anenih, Buba Galadima,

others re-group

By Henry Umoru

T

O DEEPEN Nigeria’s democracy and improve on the gains of the 2015 general elections leading politicians in the country will hold a threeday meeting in January.

Entitled National Political Summit and organized by a group under the aegis, Save Democracy Group of Africa, SDG-

Africa, the gathering will be declared open by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Expected to be an assemblage of politicians in Nigeria, the summit, which will be held between January 24 to 26, will, among others, discuss issues relating to the nation’s political environment, especially on how to consolidate on the success recorded during the 2015 presidential election, just as it would be a followup to yesterday’s official unveiling of the annual national political summit.

The maiden summit is being put together by former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Mantu; former Speaker, House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’ Abba; former Special Adviser to the President on National

Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emodi; Iyom Josephine Anenih; Dr. John Dara; former military governor of Akwa Ibom State, Idongesit Nkanga; Senator Dino Melaye, All Progressives Congress, APC, Kogi West; member, House of Representatives, Sani Zoro; former Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory, Lawrence Alobi; Chairman, Labour Party, Abdulkadir Salami; Buba Galadima, Tom Adaba, Alhaji Isa Salami; Senator Adefemi Kila, and 2015 presidential candidate of Action Alliance, AA, Anifowose Kelani, among others.

In his address of welcome, yesterday, at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, the DirectorGeneral, Save Democracy Group Africa, Dr. Ifedi Okwenna said: "The Annual National Political Summit is a flagship event of the Save Democracy Group Africa in collaboration with some international development partners, corporate organizations and the Nigerian political parties.

The decision to institute the

summit was consequent on the landmark successes of the 2015 general elections, generally accepted to have against all predictions brought peace and stability to our polity and elevated our prestige and international recognition and acceptance among democratic nations. ‘’Consolidating on the gains of this success, we reasoned, will help us curb the many ills of our politics which include the lack of internal democracy, absence of ideological framework, lack of party discipline and inability of participants to develop positive political culture.

“We equally noticed that, the continuous call for political dialogue at any turn of event in Nigeria shows that some issues in our democracy and in our body politic are far from being settled.

"It therefore behoves on us as a nation to continuously dialogue and to build on our past experiences to create a better nation. The political engineering of our nation should be continuous and all democrats should be on board.’’

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVENBER 3, 2015—15

MASSOB vows to actualize struggle

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—THE Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, yesterday, said its selfdetermination struggle remains on course.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had recently maintained that the Biafran struggle had become an avenue to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

But in a reaction through Mr. Uchenna Madu, the factional National Director of Information, MASSOB, said the Biafran struggle remained a genuine movement despite the activities of few bad eggs.

Madu said contrary to Obasanjo’s claims, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of Independent People of Biafra, IPOB, and Director, Biafra Radio, was totally committed towards realizing Biafra.

The MASSOB faction slammed Chief Raph Uwazurike, accusing him of sabotaging the struggle.

According to Madu, “after our monthly National Officers’ meeting at MASSOB headquarters at Freedom House, Okwe, we have decided as follows: Olusegun Obasanjo’s assertion that Biafran activists are fraudsters and General Gowon’s statement that Biafra is a closed issue, were all made because of their conviction on Ralph Uwazuruike’s betrayal and deviation on the Biafran struggle because of his lust for wealth, compromising nature, open political romance and public association with Nigerian government during the Jonathan administration.

“MASSOB condemns the hypocritical call of Ralph Uwazuruike for Nnamdi Kanu’s release. Uwazuruike hates Nnamdi Kanu and celebrates his detention because he is jittery that

Nnamdi Kanu has taken over the mainstream of Biafra actualization, which attracts major international sympathies.

“Uwazuruike will be the happiest man if Nnamdi Kanu is dead. Uwazuruike, who claimed that he expelled Nnamdi Kanu from the struggle is making a caricature of himself and his MASSOB faction.”

He added that “MASSOB also condemns the sudden wake-up of Ralph Uwazuruike to establish another Radio Biafra to counter the current Radio Biafra broadcasting all over the world.

“This Uwazuruike’s Radio, which he levied N250, 000 on each local government area of his

followers in the South East, Rivers, Delta and some western states, through which he raised about N70 million, has been diverted to another personal venture.

“Since June 2015, the money meant for establishment of Uwazuruike’s Radio Biafra has been raised; why is his radio not on air? What is still holding the operation of the radio? On which project has the money been diverted to? Can Uwazurike explain to Ndigbo and his brainwashed members what happened to the N70 million? This is another fraud in the name of Biafra actualization.”

While accusing Uwazurike of collecting billions of naira to

AWARD: Amb. Chibuzo Patrick,MD/CEO, Meljenstin Nigeria Ltd (left), Uloma Wise, receiving the Best Supportive First Lady of the Year Award, on behalf of Chief Ebelechukwu Obiano, first lady of Anambra State, while Mr. Marcel Andeweg,GM, Golden Tulip Hotel (right) looks on, during the 2nd edition of Motivational Award 2015, entitled, 'Rewarding the Epitomes of Success" by Meljenstin Nigeria Ltd, at the Golden Tulip Hotel, weekend. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

Police nab two kidnap suspects in Enugu community

By Chinenyeh Ozor

N

SUKKA—TWO kidnap kingpin suspects terrorizing Amala community and its environs in Udenu Local

Government Area,of Enugu State have been arrested by the state police in their hide-out in the community.

The two suspects were said to be the architect of major armed robbery operations against motorists on the

Chime, sons, Ifeoma Nwobodo battle to stop EFCC probe

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—FORMER Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, his two sons, Nnamdi and Tochuckwu, yesterday, filed a counter affidavit in opposition to an applicant’s motion for judicial review seeking to compel the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to investigate his actions as governor during his eight years tenure allegedly fraught with misappropriation of public funds and abuse of office.

The petition brought before a Federal High Court sitting in Enugu by the applicant, Mr. Ray Nnaji with Suit No. FH9/EN/94/ C M Y K

support ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election, the MASSOB faction threatened to “expose all the fraud and criminalities Ralph Uwazuruike committed in the name of Biafra as well as all the houses, hostels, estates and hotels he built, bought and still constructing in Owerri, Lagos and Abuja.”

They maintained that “Nnamdi Kanu was not suspended or expelled by Ralph Uwazuruike or MASSOB; he left MASSOB in 2009 when Ralph Uwazuruike came to London to buy a personal mansion for his family."

WS7/2015 had the EFCC as first respondent, Code of Conduct Bureau second respondent, and Sullivan Chime as third respondent.

Others are, Chime’s sons, Nnamdi and Tochukwu, 4th, 5th respondents, Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, 6th respondent and former Chief of Staff to Chime, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo as 7th respondent.

Addressing newsmen after the matter came up for mention,the applicant, Ray Nnaji revealed that Chime’s sons filed a counter affidavit and notice of preliminary objection, insisting that the petition lacks locus standi to maintain the suit.

“I had applied to EFCC to investigate Chime,his children and associates who squandered and cannibalized the state resources and properties by the virtue of the act establishing EFCC. “EFCC seem to be dilly-dallying which prompted me to apply for judicial review with Order of Mandamus to compel them to do their public duty and for ICPC to release to Code of Conduct forms Chime filled before he became governor in 2007 to enable us determine the extent of cannibalization.

The matter was however adjourned to January 26 for hearing.

highway that linked the state through Obollo- Afor to the northern part of the country.

The suspects identified simply as Okwudili Agbo, a.k.a Smooth, and Chizoba Okoro, a.k.a Chameleon, were nabbed in the community around 10p.m. after engaging the police in exchange of gunshots, which lasted for hours.

The suspects were badly injured in the gun duel with the police, which led to the recovery of one locally made double muzzle pistol, one single barrel gun with four live cartridges, two cutlasses and assorted objects believed to be charms.

It was further gathered that the suspects alongside their colleagues at large participated in the alleged kidnap of one Odo Cletus last May as well as several robbery operations on new Markurdi /Obollo -Afor Road.

Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ebere Amaraizu comfirmed the incident, adding that man-hunt for their fleeing colleagues had commenced.

PDP holds factional meetings in Owerri

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—THE growing schism within the ranks of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Imo State, further widened, weekend, following the holding of separate meetings by the party faithful in Owerri.

While a section of the party loyalists, who branded themselves “Coalition of True Imo PDP Democrats, CTIPD,” gathered in the cosy Aladinma Shopping Mall, the others converged at the State Party Secretariat, on Okigwe Road, Owerri.

Vanguard gathered that the former Imo State governor, Chief Achike Udenwa, chaired the proceedings at the Aladinma Shopping Mall, the Expanded State Executive Council of the PDP controlled the events in the Secretariat, and had different agenda and resolutions.

Police want advocacy against violence strengthened

By Chidi Nkwopara & Chinonso Alozie

O

WERRI—THE wife of the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Owowomi Lakanu, has called in the Civil Society Orgarnisations, CSOs, not to relent in their advocacy against domestic violence against women and children.

Mrs. Lakanu made the call in Owerri, during a sensitization workshop organized by the Nigeria Police in collaboration with a non-governmental organization, Cleen Foundation.

She described the theme of the workshop, “sexual and gender based violence in Nigeria,” as very apt, adding that it was aimed at proffering solutions to the prevalent cases of domestic violence against women and children.

The Imo CP’s wife also appealed to CSOs, church leaders, royal fathers and other stakeholders, to help build a society where women would be recognized as partners in national development.

16—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Take your personal hygiene serious, Imo Dep Gov urges Imolites

By Chidi Nkwopara

OWERRI—IMO Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere has urged the Imo people to take their personal hygiene and the current fortnightly sanitation exercise seriously.

Madumere, who made the plea while speaking to newsmen on Wetheral Road, Owerri, was also of the view that a clean environment would drastically reduce health hazards and improve longevity.

“Cleanliness remains the easiest and cheapest way to remain healthy and productive to self and the nation,” the Deputy Governor said.

Speaking to the members of the Committee on Waste Management, the Deputy Governor advised them to devise an effective way of clearing refuse on sanitation days.

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Anambra moves to unravel, disband unregistered vigilante groups

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

O

N I T S H A — PARTICIPANTS at a one-day workshop organized by the office of the chairman of

Anambra State Vigilante Supervisory Committee and Special Assistant to Governor, Willie Obiano, on Vigilante Matters, for members of Anambra Vigilance Group, AVG, Anambra North Area Command Zone, have

resolved to expose and disband all unregistered vigilante units in the state.

They also resolved that henceforth, the use of torture on criminal suspects by the vigilante operatives had become a

Police arraign female doctor for allegedly pouring hot water on minor

By Peter Okutu

A

BAKALIKI—EBONYI State Police Command said it has arraigned a female medical doctor for allegedly pouring hot water on a minor in Abakaliki.

In a chat with Vanguard, the Police Spokesperson, ASP George Okafor, who noted that the police acted swiftly when the matter was reported, added that the court would give a final verdict on the case as it bordered on attempted murder and victimization.

The doctor, Jane- Glad Ugbala, who works with the Federal Teaching Hospital, FETHA, was accused of

pouring hot water on her house-help for allegedly disobeying her directive.

Vanguard learned that the medical doctor ’s action came to be known when her victim was brought to the Federal Teaching Hospital, FETHA II, Abakaliki, three days after the incident allegedly occurred on Friday, October 16, 2015, in the home of the accused in Abakaliki.

The victim, Nwanga Chidiebere, who is still receiving treatment at the plastic surgery ward of the hospital, explained that he had been leaving with the lady since January 2015 and that on that fateful day, he had just returned from school and was about washing some clothes

when his Madam asked him to go and boil yam that her children will eat.

Recounting his ordeal, the victim, who is a JSS 3 student of Presco Secondary School said:”The pain was so much that I ran outside where I almost cried out my eyeballs from their sockets, when she came to meet me outside and asked me to go and clean where I washed clothes and after that, I should pack my belongings and leave her house that she didn’t want to live with me again.

Vanguard further gathered that the intervention of a Civil Defence Officer and the parent of the victim ensured that justice was meted out on the accused.

punishable offence, declaring that any form of extortion of the general public by the vigilance groups was strictly illegal and prohibited.

In an 11-point communique issued at the end of the workshop, weekend, the participants, who included the police, chairmen, commanders and operatives of the AVG, traditional rulers, red cap chiefs, presidents-general of town unions, local government chairmen, members of Onitsha North Legislative Council and security stakeholders from all strata of life, further resolved that police-vigilance groups collaboration was paramount to effective security in the state.

At the workshop held at the Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC Hall, Onitsha Police Area Command headquarters, entitled, ‘Prospects of Vigilance Groups in National Security,' aimed at promoting a cordial relationship between the police and AVG, the participants also resolved that the police must supervise the activities of vigilance groups.

The communique also stated that firearms used by vigilante groups must be kept in police custody when not in use.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015 — 17

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HE signs are now crystal clear: the All Progressives Congress, APC, is out on a fullblown witch-hunt of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The objective is not only to decimate the opposition, but to ensure it does not recover. All the roadmaps point to one destination: the creation of a one-party state in Nigeria in everything but the name. Should this succeed, it would mean the end of effective democracy in Nigeria.

Part of the problem here is the anomaly of attempting to overcome a long-drawn military culture and institute a democratic one by electing military men as president. No matter what military-turned-civilian presidents say, they are not true democrats. As long as we continue to elect former military men as president, even so shall Nigeria continue to experience a hangover of military rule that militates against the growth of a full-blown democratic ethos.

Obasanjo’s agenda Olusegun Obasanjo was elected as president in 1999. At the time, there were two strong national political parties: the PDP and the ANPP. The AD was, to a large extent, a regional party. After the election, the PDP set out to decimate the ANPP and the AD. Obasanjo unleashed the dogs of the EFCC on the opposition, with a body language that compelled a rash of defections from the ANPP to the PDP. He also planted Trojan horses in the leadership of the ANPP whose job was to create perennial conflict in the party. Under the questionable leadership of men like Senator Mahmud Waziri, Alhaji Yusuf Ali, Chief Don Etiebet, Governor Attahiru Bafarawa, retired General Jeremiah Useni and Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, the ANPP was provoked to self-destruction.

The assault on the AD also decimated the party, albeit temporarily. In the end, there remained only one major holdout against the tyranny of Obasanjo: Bola Tinubu and Lagos State. The abject reality of Nigerian politics is that Bola Tinubu mobilised Lagos State politically to fight against the marauding “dictatorship” of the Obasanjo regime.

By the 2007 election, Obasanjo used Maurice Iwu and INEC to declare one of the most fraudulent election results in the history of Nigeria. PDP’s Umaru Yar’Adua was awarded 24 million votes, while his nearest opponent, Muhammadu Buhari, was given only six million. Even Yar’Adua was embarrassed by the result. He admitted to Ban-Ki Moon, the U.N. SecretaryGeneral, that the election that brought him to power “had flaws and shortcomings.”

Enter Goodluck Jonathan: In 2010, as a result of the untimely death of President Yar’Adua, C M Y K

APC body-language of witch-hunting the PDP divine providence thrust Goodluck Jonathan into the position of president of Nigeria.

Jonathan also admitted that the 2007 election that brought him and Yar ’Adua to power was flawed. He said: “Each time one travelled abroad, people asked all kinds of questions that even got one angry. That is why I said nobody should manipulate elections for me in the 2011 elections.”

To many people, Jonathan’s commitment to democracy was part of what made him clueless.

Although he was from the South, he chose a Northerner to be chairman of INEC. He allowed the APC, a formidable opposition party from its inception, to be registered. (Your guess is as good as mine whether such a party would have been registered under Obasanjo). He then oversaw successive PDP defeats in by-elections.

Under him, the PDP lost in Edo in July 2012. It lost in Ondo in October 2013. It lost in Anambra in December 2013. It lost in Osun in August 2014. In the five elections before 2015, the PDP only won in Ekiti in June 2014.

Jonathan kept telling Nigerians that one of the legacies he would like to bequeath Nigeria is that of being the man that revamped the democratic system in the country. We heard him say this again and again, but somehow did not take him seriously.

However, his commitment to

As the PDP boasted in the past that it would remain in power for 60 years, so is the APC now showing the determination to remain in power for 100 years

democracy ensured that he even conceded defeat in March 2015. In an election where Kano State declared a whopping 2.3 million votes without a single wrongly-filled ballot paper (1.9 million out of this for his opponent, Muhammadu Buhari), Jonathan was declared the loser.

Nevertheless, he refused to contest the result, promptly congratulated the declared winner, and left office.

Enter the APC If Jonathan was foolish enough to allow democracy to flourish in Nigeria, the APC seemingly has no intention of following suit.

What we have today under President Buhari, is a return by the APC to the sharp practices of the PDP under Obasanjo. The APC has embarked on an outright campaign to destroy the PDP. It is determined that by 2019, the PDP would have become a shell of itself. As the PDP boasted in the past that it would remain in power for 60 years, so is the APC now showing the determination to remain in power for 100 years.

If you don’t think the jockeying for the 2019 presidential election has already started, think again. Immediately President Buhari got to Aso Rock in June 2015, he said during a congratulatory visit from the people of Benue: “I beg Senator Akume and the governor-elect not to make my 2019 attempt too difficult.”

Today, the APC is not satisfied with the fact that it won not only the presidency, but also the governorship in over 20 of the states of the federation in the 2015 election. It is determined to go after virtually all the states where the PDP was declared the winner. Its main assault, of course, is the oil-rich South-South states of Delta, Rivers and AkwaIbom.

Tribunal

reversals:

Immediately the APC was declared winner of the 2015 election, APC governorship candidate in Delta State, Otega Emerhor, laid out a plan for the conquest of the South-South. On a congratulatory visit to President Buhari in June 2015, he said to the president: “As you are aware, Delta State, along with Akwa Ibom and Rivers, are rich in oil resources

and PDP is determined to hold on to these states at all cost to utilize the huge revenue base of these states to re-launch itself to national reckoning. It is, therefore, strategic for APC and your administration to pay particular attention and to assist us put in place modalities to break the stronghold of PDP in Delta and the other states.”

This plan is already in motion. The election results in the states won by the PDP are being contested in the courts. The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, declared that under his leadership the judiciary would not subscribe to any plot to change the outcome of elections through the instrumentality of the courts.

However, it would now appear that this position only relates to those elections won by the APC. In the APC battle for Rivers and Akwa-Ibom especially, the DSS and police details that actually participated in the elections were transferred out of the states. The judicial officers and members of the election tribunals were juggled.

The tribunals themselves were transferred curiously out of states to APCcontrolled Abuja. The legal technicalities used to uphold APC victory in Lagos, Ogun and Imo were rejected in Rivers and AkwaIbom. In the end, PDP victories in these states were upturned.

INEC question-mark INEC itself no longer looks like an honest-broker. In the first instance, the president went ahead to appoint Amina Zakari as Acting INEC Chairman, to widespread uproar in opposition circles. Zakari’s appointment was blatantly illegal because it was made without the statutorily required approval of the National Council of State, and there is no provision in the Constitution for an Acting INEC Chairman.

Zakari continued to act as chairman, even though her tenure as National Electoral Commissioner ended in July 2015. Moreover, Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State reveals she is an in-law of the president, making her appointment even more inappropriate.

When a substantive INEC chairman was finally approved, the president broke another

protocol by choosing a man from his own region, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, continuing the lopsided policy whereby the chief organs of the Federal Government (the presidency, the legislature and the judiciary) are now all headed by Northerners.

This is a completely different departure from the more transparent process under Goodluck Jonathan where Attahiru Jega, a man without any possible connection with the president, was appointed to the INEC chair. Certainly, a government sensitive to the nuances of ethnic, religious and geo-political balancing would have chosen someone from the South, thereby ensuring there can be no suggestion of in-built bias in subsequent INEC organized elections.

Anti-corruption witch-hunting APC’s anti-corruption crusade has become so lopsided, it is difficult not to conclude it is simply an instrument for check-mating and decimating the opposition. The EFCC has gone after PDP bigwigs such as Sule Lamido and Godswill Akpabio.

The former National Security Adviser of President Jonathan has been charged to court on the curious grounds of treasonable felony. An application has been made to try him in a kangaroo court shrouded in absolute secrecy.

Elder Godsday Orubebe of the PDP has been summoned to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal over allegations of false declaration of assets and acceptance of bribes from contracts awarded while he was Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs. Significantly, the pastor alleged to have given him the bribe has not been charged.

While the opponents of the president and his party are being persecuted in the name of anticorruption, APC politicians with corruption allegations hanging over their heads are being rewarded with ministerial appointments and APC governorship candidacies.

Upon all the petitions sent to EFCC against APC chieftains, including Rotimi Amaechi and Babatunde Fashola and Rabiu Kwakwanso, these men have still not been charged to court.

Instead, Fashola and Amaechi have even been approved for ministerial positions. Audu Abubakar has been approved as APC gubernatorial candidate for Kogi, in spite of the corruption allegations hanging over him at the EFCC. The same goes for Timipre Sylvia who is now APC gubernatorial candidate in Bayelsa.

If these tendencies continue unchecked, Nigerians will wake up one morning only to discover that the PDP has been strangled to death; that we now have a oneparty APC system of government; and that the South has become a political colony of the North.

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015 FOR a decade and a half, since 2000, Nigeria’s response towards the attainment of the eight international goals and 21 individual targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has been the focal point of social and developmental agenda at local, state, and national levels.

The primary aim of the MDGs is to encourage overall human development by improving social and economic conditions in the world’s poorest countries on a set 15-year timeline. An enthusiastic signatory to the MDGs, Nigeria pursued the targets vigorously with emphasis on improving the social and economic conditions of the poorest Nigerians.

By utilising the principle of the right of every individual to dignity, freedom, equality, a basic standard of living that includes freedom from hunger and violence, Nigeria, like many of the other 188 signatory countries, produced moderate results.

Nigeria’s achievement of the MDG

From MDGs to SDGs: Meeting the new target targets is a mixed bag: while progress has been above average in some areas, it is less satisfactory in others.

Nigeria utilised the MDG framework to improve its relatively poor health indices such as reduction of maternal and child mortality, eradicating polio, reducing the spread of malaria and HIV/ AIDS, among others.

We are faced with the challenge of tackling a new development framework: the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were set at this year’s UN General Assembly to mobilise the world towards confronting the many

problems facing the people. These new 17 goals for sustainable development are to be met by the year 2030.

The MDG’s were meant to start a universal partnership towards tackling developmental challenges in the world’s least developed countries to achieve a global baseline by 2015. The SDGs are meant to finish the work in 2030 by widening the scope of work needed to be done to promote conditions for sustainable human development such as peace building and overall improvement of the environment.

As Nigeria transits from the MDGs

to the SDGs, government should provide political support and policy guidance. We must pay quality attention to measures that will promote peace and stability, bearing in mind that countries that are embroiled in conflicts always lag behind in sustainable development.

We must work harder to improve our education and health sectors. We are still far from attaining the MDGs in these areas, with many of our wellto-do countrymen and women still streaming abroad for quality education and challenging healthcare issues.

It is also crucial that we pay more attention to issues of environmental protection because of issues of flooding, coastal erosion, desertification, gully erosion and massive deforestation, which threaten present and future of our country.

Meeting the targets of the MDG’s and SDG’s Agenda is panacea towards securing a better future for posterity.

OPINION Ooni: Not catching them old

By Banji Ojewale

U

NLIKE what is going on in the slow business of forming the Federal Executive Council so far characterised by a preponderance of elements of the older generation and the have-been, the kingmakers at Ile-Ife, Osun State, have opted to offer some lessons on how not to catch them old. For our own President Muhammudu Buhari who appears not to believe that the young shall grow, this must be a time to learn from both the Oonielect and the Ife chiefs who have said nay to palace gerontocracy.

At 40, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi comes in as a pulsating and rambunctious challenge to prevalent political notions of old age and experience as exclusive prerequisites for salutary performance in office or industry. To be sure, these “virtues” count. But they are not final or absolute. We must only reckon with them as some of the skills required in a successful team. Their impact will be meaningful only according to the energy input of the emerging generation.

For, the issue of governing or organising society isn’t all about the age of a sage. It is also greatly about energising an enterprise which only the radiance and bubble of young age can do. Both are required for balance or equilibrium. Just as all the stands of the traditional cooking tripod are

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needed for a stable hold of the pot.

When Ogunwusi’s predecessor Oba Okunade Sijuwade was brought in in 1980 th as the 50 Ooni at 50, pundits said it was not too prudent, given the dominance of the political climate by the men and women who held sway in the '50s and '60s.

They were still in charge of all spheres of the Nigerian firmament after an iron-hold on the powerful institutions of state from pre-colonial days right to the two decades after. The point of the critics was that the system could only thrive if kindred spirits (denominated by cronyism and age) ran it at all levels.

Now Sijuwade wasn’t quite a “kindred spirit”. But he had vast business links that accommodated politicians and the government machinery for patronage. He was therefore accepted as one of them, even if as a backroom operator in the industrial military complex of the Nigerian system. This explains why in his

Ogunwusi has spoken of a transcendental future; he is breaking out of the cocoon of palace mentality; he has taken Ile-Ife as the station to launch a global vision

35-year rule that witnessed the rise and fall of several civilian and military governments, Sijuwade’s industrial clusters that dug in westwards and went northwards and eastwards and southwards never shrank, never fell. They maintained a dynamic expansion, the same way the monarch sustained seamless relationships with influential traditional rulers in the far North and East of the Niger before his death at 85 in 2015.

The incoming Ogunwusi hasn’t followed a similar trajectory.

He is being caught young, not old and spent and bereft of spritely bounce, a leap that matches the vision of society that must feed on the wisdom of experience and on the raw vitality of youth. Unlike the old ones who would stop developing once in the palace, Ogunwusi would grow in the saddle; he would age with experience in “office”. He would ride on a horse with two lives: one moving at a slow pace observing and learning and the other jetting with speed and gathering momentum.

Contrasting with those before him, Ogunwusi has spoken of a transcendental future, an age that he says should be the next level for the Yoruba race and for the youth of Nigeria. He is breaking out of the cocoon of palace mentality. He has taken Ile-Ife as the station to launch a global vision. Age is on his side to midwife his goals, if he does not look down on the counsel of the older culture. The two need one another, never mind the principle of only one captain steering the ship.

I believe that Buhari’s approach of

catching members of his change team old as it looks to most Nigerians is not a strategy that respects the future. If you rest only on age or so called experience, you shut out the essential spice of vibrant youth, some substantial percentage of which forms the soul of this country. It is the same bottom of the bag he has put himself in with the mean number of women he has in his cabinet. These days one of the indices you apply to access a society’s development is how far you accommodate women in government and public office, which in turn offers a window into the extent of education you allow them to have.

It is a twist in the tale that tutorials on change based on the infusion of fresh blood in governance and politics are coming from a symbol of what some of us have called a dying institution. Others even say it is dead; it is just that the monarchical system has not been buried.

Whichever way it goes, this extinct order is interrogating us. A relic is reinventing itself. It is rejuvenating itself.

It is throwing off ancient features and habits that stunted its growth and gave it death.

Nigeria can also come alive again by connecting the power and potential of its youth and women to the experience of the older generation to spring a surprise on the world. Let us stop the present from aborting our future prosperity. *Mr. Ojewale, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Ota ,Ogun State.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015— —19

Boko Haram: The way out

By Sunny Ikhioya

G

OING through the news streaming from various media on the activities of the Boko Haram sect, one is hit by a deja vu feeling, of history repeating itself and our hopelessness in the midst of glaring options. We are once again faced with the multiple 'IF' questions. If we had handled the Boko Haram differently, if we had dealt more decisively with them at inception, if we had been more careful with the happenings in our surroundings, if we had connected more with the grassroots, if we had not seen it as a purely Christian problem initially, if we had not seen it as a Muslim problem, if we had not politicised it, if we had not seen it as a northern problem, if we had properly monitored the almajiris, if we had placed proper surveillance on our Mullahs and itinerant preachers, if we had truly allowed everyone to practice his/ her own religion in all parts of the country without discrimination, if the government had maintained true secularity in matters of religion, if the people of the ravaged areas had collectively agreed to take the bull by the horn, if the communities had been more active and proactive to security issues - so many ifs. The reality of the whole situation is that; there is no way that we can contain this

Boko Haram scourge without Nigerians determination to expunge it, not America, not France, Britain or indeed any foreign power but us- Nigerians.

It is not the military sophistication or discipline of our troops that will bring the fight to an end because it is not conventional warfare.

Everywhere the Americans have gone, they have not succeeded in terminating terrorism, in some cases they only helped to escalate the situation like in Iraq, Libya, Syria and their supposed help under the Jonathan administration.

We have heard rumours of foreign mercenaries getting involved with the Boko Haram fight again - although the government refuted the allegation - but the same thing happened under Jonathan and was equally denied by that administration. No foreign country risks its troop in another country without something that will be of benefit to them. The solution to the Boko Haram insurgency resides in us, we failed to act when it was right to do so, we did not see it as a collective responsibility. If you keep quiet when a wrong is being done to another, you are setting up a future date with the same destiny. There was a conspiracy of silence amongst the leadership of the north when the insurgency started;

they bombed churches, moved on to destroy public institutions and schools, no reactions from those who should. Now, they have started bombing Mosques. It is not a matter of Muslim - Christians again, not a fight to remove a southern Christian President again, it has now manifested beyond extreme religious/political interests to a monstrous Frankenstein, a universal scourge that must be determinedly resisted by all.

What is to be done? The Boko Haram activities are mainly concentrated in the north eastern part of Nigeria, there is this traditional saying that, it is only a bastard child that will bring his father or family domain to destruction. We have so many

All political leaders, religious leaders, traditional leaders, youth and ethnic associations must agree that it must be stopped and therefore, must be ready to share information

Of Power probes and national interest

By Ikeogu Oke

A

S revealed by some recent newspaper reports, Nigerians are to expect yet another probe of the power sector by one of the two tiers of the National Assembly, this time the House of Representatives.

This new probe, if and when it happens, would be coming at the heels of the probe of the same sector by the Senate, which had commenced on September 8, 2015, but whose outcome remains indeterminate.

So we have a situation where, in about two months, two probes of one sector of the economy have been proposed – and may be executed with or without clear results – by both tiers of the federal legislature.

And the two are not the only probes of the sector to have been proposed or carried out by the National Assembly. In 2007, the Federal House of Representatives had also instituted a probe of the power sector, chaired by Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, whose outcome also turned out to be indeterminate, and during which the House committee directly responsible for the probe became mired in allegations of corruption.

It must be acknowledged that these incessant – and alas indeterminate – probes may be an expression of the National Assembly’s commitment to its oversight function, which would be commendable depending on the outcome.

But even if probes rather than oil were to be our country’s main revenue earner, and we could mine or manufacture probes for export to alleviate our present economic distress resulting from the slump in the price of oil, shouldn't we on the other hand be interrogating the desirability of such repetitive and fruitless probes of the power sector by the same arm of the federal government, while pointing out the harm they can do to our national interest?

That harm is multi-layered. But first:

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Even if such probes were to have economic value as I have indicated above – like some minable, exportable, revenue-earning natural resource – their overexploitation as it appears in the case of the National Assembly in relation to the power sector should still attract the condemnation due to any abuse. But the main harm they cause to our national interest, which is insidious, begins with the likelihood of their portraying ours as an unserious country to the international community.

One of the news stories which announces the latest probe – published on page 8 of Vanguard of October 15, 2015, and entitled “Reps probe BPE over sale of power assets – states that “the House, in a resolution on the motion entitled Alleged Non-transparent and Fraudulent Sale of Power Assets by the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE..., bemoaned what it called lack of openness in the processes leading to the sale of power infrastructure to private investors.”

The story also states that the House, having unanimously passed the motion through voice votes, “resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the processes and sale of all aspects of power assets ...by BPE to determine if there were malpractices and misconduct in the

And while we must continue to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s war against corruption, we must also guard against some fake moral zealots counterfeiting his genuine passion for probity in their quest to advance all manner of personal and group interests

people in the north claiming to be Nigerians that are not true Nigerians. In the name of religious brotherhood and the like, they are brought in. These ones are the destroyers as they have nothing at stake. Every northern community must begin to identify its children, it is no more a Jonathan government but a government headed by a Hausa- Fulani, their favourite son. There is no reason why there should still be killings

by Boko Haram. This argument is further reinforced by President Buhari in his recent address to victims of the Boko Haram bombings. The statement was credited to NANS (news agency of Nigeria) but published in the leadership online edition of October 25, 2015 under the caption; " Buhari urges communities to play active roles in security". The report says "The president appealed to the people concerned to share in the responsibility of securing their communities. He advised communities in the country to revert to old practices by which new arrivals in their neighbourhood were taken note of by local Chiefs and security agencies". That is the way to go about it and all communities in Nigeria must begin to practice this, set up local intelligence lines whereby infiltrants are promptly fished out and taken out of the community. Proactive security is the only way out of this. Every Emir, Oba, Obi and community leader must add

exercise.” Also, that “the House will ..., in the course of the investigation, determine whether appropriate value was had for money and if any person breached the rules and the law.”

Incidentally, the motion was sponsored

by John Okafor, who represents Ehime Mbano/Ihite Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency of Imo State.

And while reading the story, I couldn't help noting that the motion was referring to the same transaction lauded by Dr. Richard Ichord, the United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Transformation, while speaking at the Nigerian Power Sector Investors Conference held in Abuja on February 14, 2014, which I attended.

During his remarks at that conference, Dr. Ichord revealed that in his “over 30 years’ experience in privatisation” Nigeria’s power sector reform and privatisation was “the most comprehensive and most transparent transaction in recent history”.

Unless I am persuaded by a superior authority, I will continue to believe that this testimonial by Dr. Ichord’s was a very rare case of a transaction carried out within our borders being openly validated for integrity by someone who may be regarded as a voice for the international community.

And here lies the contradiction that could portray ours as an unserious country to the international community: We expend a lot of energy and resources trying to project our nation in good light to the outside world, to convince the world beyond our borders that our country is being wrongly characterised with violence, corruption and such ills, and so is safe for investors and their money. Yet, on such rare occasions when the outside world commends us as a country for conducting business transactions creditably, we turn round to call our integrity to question with the likes of Hon. Okafor and the House of Representatives alleging “non-transparency” and “fraudulence” against such transactions.

But there is a more grievous consequence for our national interest from such allegations. It is that, proven or not, and considering their sometimes high-

intelligence gathering to their core functions. They are already emigrating to the south, in the name of being herdsmen, okada riders, cart pushers, maiguards and other odd professions. They are the foot soldiers or potentials for Boko Haram and every community must begin to look out for them. Majority of them are not Nigerians, that is the most painful part of the whole process. You cannot ask somebody to come and eat with you only to find yourself not only deprived of your livelihood but your life as well.

That is unacceptable, we must begin to rethink our position now.

Our security is in our hands, everywhere the people have taken their security for granted, they leave room for bad men to hold sway. Taking a pacifist stand or sitting on the fence does not yield results these days. The Kurds of Iraq and Turkey are already doing this, the Christian Syrians have chosen to take a stand for their people and for their unborn generations. That is the burden present leaders of - ethnic, religious, state, nation et al - owe the people. All political leaders, religious leaders, traditional leaders, youth and ethnic associations must agree that it must be stopped and therefore, must be ready to share information. *Mr. Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

profile government sources, they are likely to make investors, especially foreign investors, consider our country a high risk destination for investments due to such purported intractable moral challenges, with the result that they would prefer to take their investments elsewhere.

So, how come those behind such allegations cannot perceive that they are disinvesting the country through their actions – by giving the impression, which, incidentally, they have not been able to prove through any of their probes, that this is a country where business, especially government business, is routinely done in a fraudulent, nontransparent manner? Could it be because there are ways the probes arising from such allegations profit those who institute them, especially when the focus is on money that has exchanged hands between entities that may not even have petitioned for their intervention over any perceived wrongdoing against them or the system?

I am not advocating for letting sleeping dogs lie or ignoring corruption in our system. I rather mean to say that discretion is an indispensable quality of good leaders. And I think legislators qualify to be considered as leaders. And I would add that the past, to which the privatisation of the power sector and its concluded transactions can be said to belong, is a foundation we should build on rather than tear down. We mustn’t take down the past before we can build a future.

And while we must continue to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s war against corruption, we must also guard against some fake moral zealots counterfeiting his genuine passion for probity in their quest to advance all manner of personal and group interests with the potential to undermine his government and our nation. And doesn't it undermine his government – and our nation – to make unsubstantiated allegations about corruption in our country, which may repel those whose investments may help him revive our distressed economy? *Mr. Oke, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Lagos.

20—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

MPC’s obituary announcement I

N the days when Boko haram was still halal in our our country,the Communique No.103 of the Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, meeting held on September 21 and 22,2015, would by now have been decoded,dissected and deconstructed by our ivory tower thinkers and public intellectuals.

It was an official obituary of our economy!

Alas,one month after its release and even publication as advertorials the “body language” of our castrated intellectual class shows clearly that boko has truly become haram as many of our intellectual prides of yesteryears now take cue from unbaked politicians before commenting on issues of national importance.

Unlike in the period when professors were unquestionable sources of profound knowledge and elucidation on public issues,today you will almost puke at the level of palpable ignorance that flows from many of them either as a result of mental fatigue or self-censorship because the gods they worship who are anti-intellectual.

Mental fatigue A friend told me how he was at a campus early April and Professors were arguing with passion that the new administration would make $1 exchange at N1.What affliction would make people in ivory towers not to understand that the value of currency is determined by demand and supply and not fiat.

He said he had to quickly exit the place before they could pollute his head. The politicians have since recounted the promise our professors of emptiness were holding on to less than 100 days in office.

That was the campus where every budget presentation by government would be X-rayed with informed positions taken by the unions of students,lecturers and non-academic staff within days of government reading such. The strengths and weaknesses of budget directions are pointed out with alternative policy measures recommended.

The level of debates we used to have on union budget at the Students Representative Councils in those days was much more profound than what obtains in our National C M Y K

Late MKO Abiola

•Port Harcourt refinery Assembly today.

When in 1987, prolific playwright and post- graduate student at Ife then,Dapo Adeniyi, wrote a satire with characters such as Prof Bamgbobe(soup carrier ),Prof Ladiladi(as licker) and Prof Ajetooba(lickspittle ) I thought he was delving into the imponderable , but how fast we have arrived there!

In moments of malady like we are in,one cannot but recollect how those bright chaps in African Concord deconstructed Ibrahim Babangida’s “this economy has defied all analysis” outpour in 1992 with the earthshaking cover “IBB Gives Up” which made the gaptoothed dictator to shut the newsmagazine.

The collapse of the mono-product economy with its command and control centre must give way for the proper structuring of the country that would allow diversification and rebooting of the economy

To the MPC communique we quickly return to.The domestic economic and financial developments output segment gave warning signals.It states that “ real GDP grew by 2.35 per cent in the second quarter of 2015 ,a significant decrease when compared with the 3.96 and 6.54 per cent in the preceding quarter and corresponding period of 2014 respectively. Real GDP growth is projected by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, to stabilise at 2.63 per cent in 2015,compared with the 6.22 per cent recorded in 2014”.

The Committee went on to premise overall outlook for economic activity improvement on “sustained improvement in the supply of power and refined petroleum products and progress with counterinsurgency in the North East axis”. This is the pig in a poke.

There is no record that we have invested a dime in the power sector in the the last five months and the little improvement out of the efforts of the previous administration which was comically attributed to the “ body language” of the present regime is fast diminishing with over 1110MW already dropped as at September.

The local refineries which were hyped by the propagandists in June 2015 are now operating at about 10 per cent. A report by the NNPC exclusively published

by Thisday of October 19, 2015 stated inter alia: “ NNPC report indicates that during the eight-month period under review(January-August 2015), the three refineries operated at a total loss of N31.682 billion, with Kaduna refinery accounting for the

highest loss of N26.183 billion, while Warri and Port Harcourt refineries made losses of N8.496 billion and N8.057 billion respectively.

While Kaduna refinery recorded losses throughout the eight-month period, Warri and Port Harcourt refineries recorded profits in some months within the period under review.

The Kaduna refinery operated at a loss of N5.111 billion in January; N2.673 billion in February; N2.260 billion in March; N3.045 billion in April; N2.595 billion in May; N2.662 billion in June; N3.847 billion in July and N3.990 billion in August.

But Warri refinery recorded profits of N4.668 billion and N79 million in the months of January and July, respectively, but recorded losses in February (N1.390 billion), March (N1.338 billion), April (N1.753 billion), May (N1.288 billion), June (N1.532 billion) and August (N1.195 billion).

Port Harcourt refinery also recorded profits of N705 million in March, N557 million in July and N5.045 billion in August.

The refinery, however, operated at a loss of N1.497 billion in January, N1.705 billion in February, N1.437 billion in April, N1.713 billion in May and N1.705 billion in June.”

Two former rulers Generals Yakubu Gowon and Olusegun Obasanjo have openly lampooned the December deadline set by government to end terrorism as unrealistic given the deadlier exploits of the Boko Haram group.

The sum total of all the above is that the outlook for our possible economic growth are hinged on the impossible.

Macroeconomic environment The considerations of the committee are no less scary. It noted that ''the macroeconomic environment remained fragile”,that the economy “further slowed in the second quarter of the year,making it the second consecutive quarterly less-than-expected performance”.It further bemoaned that growth had come under strains “arising from declining private and public expenditures....the nonpayment of salaries at the state and local government levels as a key dampening factor on consumer demand”.Nonpayment of wages will only worsen as I am aware of a state that had less than N50m left after all bank deductions were made from its September allocations.”

Apart from the decline in oil prices which the communique said had brought tremendous pressure on the foreign exchange market,it feared that “some of the banking sector performance indications could be stressed if conditions worsen further.

Specifically,the committee noted that liquidity withdrawals following the implementation of the TSA, elongation of the tenure of state government loans as well as

loans to the oil and gas sectors could aggravate liquidity conditions in banks and impair their financial intermediation thus affecting economic growth ...”

The optimism of the committee that business confidence would continue to improve is also based on weak premises.One is that the government would continue to unfold its economic plans.We are yet to see any and the level of thought of ministerial nominees who could be charged with such assignment was terribly disappointing save for Okechukwu Enelamah. Second is that “the fight against corruption and improving the business environment would unlock the inflow of foreign direct investment”.This has also been damaged with the Animal Farm approach to the anticorruption war where some suspected thieves are being harassed while their counterparts in the ruling party are being promoted to higher offices by “all means necessary“.

Low quality rumour An anti-graft war that is anchored on innuendos and low quality rumour like Oshiomohole’s sickening rant that an American official told him of a minister who stole $6b (which the U.S State Department has since denied) would scare investment rather than attract.Leaders market their country when they go out while assuring that they are dealing with their challenges. Our own leaders have been going abroad to de-market the country the way they are using corruption as if they are still campaigning against another government in power.

All we are left with in the final analysis is the committee’s admonition: “Having seen two consecutive quarters of slow growth, the committee recognised that the economy could slip into recession in 2016 if proactive steps were not taken to revive growth in key sectors of the economy”.

As fellow Nigerians are encouraged to fasten their seat belts,our Goebbels would sure relapse into their hackneyed and jejune regurgitation of the atavistic nonsense: “ we are clearing the mess of the last six years”. Whatever challenges associated with those years were not the reason why Awo wrote to Shagari in 1982 that the ship of the Nigerian state was about to capsize or why Babangida declared in 1992 that the economy had defied all analysis.

We have eaten the sour grapes for decades and now our teeth are set on the edge.The collapse of the mono-product economy with its command and control centre must give way for the proper structuring of the country that would allow diversification and rebooting of the economy.

Every other measure is dodging the issue and futile attempt at postponing the doomsday which is already here.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

— 21

just five minutes to process each request and link the BVN to the customer’s account, the problem is that the staff processing the request are also the ones that had to attend to those who came for BVN enrolment last week.

She said in addition to this, some customers sent their BVN to friendly bank staff who promised to help link it to their account, but forgot to do so until the deadline expired.

Vanguard investigations however revealed that customers in Diaspora also had problems linking their BVN to their bank accounts.

Linking of bvn to accounts

LAUNCHING: From left, Adekunle Sonola, ED Commercial Banking; Carlos Wanderley, ED CIB (Corporate Banking, Investment Banking and Treasury); Emeka Okonkwo, ED Corporate Banking; and Lucky Jayaratne, ED Operations and IT, all of Union Bank during the launch of the Unionkorrect savings account, in Lagos.

Uproar, as banks fail to link BVN to customers’ accounts

By Babajide Komolafe

M

ILLIONS of bank customers were yesterday denied access to their bank accounts due to failure of banks to link their accounts to their Biometric Verification Number (BVN).

Vanguard investigations revealed that bank customers that had obtained the BVN from one bank, and had submitted it to other banks where they also have accounts, discovered that their accounts in the other banks had been blocked.

According to Mr. Stanley Chima, “I had done my BVN through Access

119.40 $3,219.00

$14.58

0.30 0.00

-0.07

48.98

46.10 CURRENCY DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL SDR KRONA

BUYING

-0.07

0.16

CENTRAL

195.97 196.47 299.5401 300.3044 216.8604 217.4137 199.1363 199.6443 1.6278 1.6319 0.3113 0.3213 273.437 274.1346 30.8134 30.9825 52.2489 52.3822 274.0444 274.7436 29.0649 29.139

196.97 301.0686 217.967 200.1524 1. 6361 0.3313 274.8323 30.9716 52.5155 275.4428 29.2132

CBN Exchange Rate as at 1 /11 /15

Bank, and submitted it to UBA last week. This morning I discovered the UBA account has been blocked, because it was yet to be linked to my BVN.” He was one of the many customers that besieged banks’ branches across the country with similar problems.

A bank staff who spoke to Vanguard

on condition of anonymity however blamed bank customers for the problem.

She said that many customers did not submit their BVN for linkage to other accounts until last week, and the result was piles of BVN linkage request that could not be concluded as at the October 31st deadline. She said though it takes

For example, Mr. Umeh Ricky Kelechi, a customer in Diaspora complained that all attempts to link his BVN to his First Bank account had been unsuccessful. “For two weeks now I have been trying to link my BVN, which I have done via the linkage form, SMS and even sent countless of email and have not received any confirmation. I linked my BVN via online to my accounts in other banks, which didn’t take me 24hours but Firstbank has not answered me in two weeks,” he said.

It would be recalled that the CBN had last week advised bank customers to link their BVN to accounts with other banks. In a statement issued on Thursday, the apex bank said, “The point needs to be stressed here that it is not enough to just enroll for BVN. The process is duly concluded only when all accounts owned by a bank customer are linked to his or her BVN. What is left therefore is for the remaining account holders to get their accounts linked to BVN.”

Non-oil export earnings drop by N52.2bn in Q2 ByFavour Nnabugwu

T

HE Nigerian Export Promotion Council has said that the country’s earnings from non-oil exports dropped by N52.2billion ($261million) in the second quarter of this year.

The country’s non-oil export dipped to N78.2bn ($391m) in the second quarter of 2015 from N130.4bn ($652m) recorded in the second quarter of 2014, representing 39.25 per cent decrease.

The figures were disclosed in Abuja yesterday by the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, during a courtesy call on the Council by the new ComptrollerGeneral of the Nigerian Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd).Awolowo attributed the slump in non-oil export revenue earning to the suspension of the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) and the insurgence in the North East. “The situation is compounded with the non payment of the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) and the insurgency in the North East which is the agricultural basket of the nation.

He said, “The nation is not only

losing on the economic front, the lull in the non-oil export is also affecting the capacity of the manufacturing sector to employ, lamenting that in the period under review, the nation lost 50 per cent of its labour force.“The country has taken a dip of 60 per cent in oil revenue. For any country across the world, it is huge.

However, the challenges we are having in the oil sector are also affecting the value of our non-oil export. One of the challenges is the continued rejection of products by foreign importers, which he noted was due to improper

The nation is not only losing on the economic front, the lull in the non-oil export is also affecting the capacity of the manufacturing sector to employ

documentation by clearing and forwarding agents. Awolowo stated that an inquiry into some of the causes of products rejection revealed that most exporters ran foul of documentation rules adding that exporters employed the services of cheap agents who do hasty jobs for them.

Services of cheap agents On what the Federal Government is doing to put an end to rejection of products from Nigeria, the NEPC boss noted that an inter-agency committee was working to ensure zero rejection by 2016.

“In a bid to unearth the reasons behind the rejection of our export products in Europe, we went to London with seven agencies of government. We visited the largest Port where Nigeria and other West African countries’ goods pass through. To our utter disgust and amazement, many of the rejects were based on improper documentation.

They route some of the goods through fraudulent clearing and forwarding agents. We have to work with the Customs service to address this. When we have an export portal, people can track their exports.

22 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

The warning, though necessary, may be too late, and most importantly, it does not address the root of the problem, the real problem is the lopsided communication about the BVN

INVESTOR'S ,

,

TOP 10 PERFORMING STOCKS

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

F

IDSON Healthcare Plc led last week on the league of top 10 performing stocks, rising by 13.67 per cent or N0.41 to close at N3.41 from N3.00 per share. Dangote Sugar Refinery followed with 8.29 per cent or N0.53 appreciation, closing at N6.92 from N6.39; Continental Reinsurance placed third, rising by 5.26 per cent or N0.05 to close at N1.00 from N0.95 per share.

I k e j a Hotesl Plc was the next as it advanced by 4.07 per cent or N0.14 to close at N3.58 from N3.44; Ecobank Transnational Incorporated’s shares rose by 2.76 per cent or N0.50 to close at N18.60 from N18.10; Beta Glass Company plc went up by 2.33 per cent or N1.05 to close at N46.20 from N45.15; Wema Bank advanced by 2.11 per cent or N0.02 to close at N0.97 from N0.95; Red Star Express appreciated by 1.18 per cent or N0.05 to close at n4.30 from N4.25; Union Bank of Nigeria Plc gained 0.87 or N0.05 to close at n5.80 from N5.75, while Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc advanced by 0.76 per cent or N0.16 to close at N21.16 from N21.00 per share.

Fidson, which led the pack, recently disclosed plans to grow its product portfolio by construction of N7.5 billion biotech plant in Nigeria.

According to the company, the facility which is built to conform to the World Health Organization (Geneva) current Good Manufacturing Practice (WHO-GMP) standards, would double the company ’s production capacity and will also for the first time, add intravenous fluids to Fidson’s product portfolio. The company recently released its results for nine month period ending 30th September 2015, which showed 18 per cent decline in revenue from N7.5 billion to N6.2 billion in the same period in 2014. The results further showed a 14 per cent reduction in cost of sales to N2.9 billion from N3.4 billion.

Consequently, profit before tax increased two per cent to N696.3 million from N685.8 million, while profit after tax rose to N473.5 million from N466.4 million, also indicating two per cent increase. Basic earnings per share increased two per cent to N32 from N31 in the same period in 2014. The biotech plant, which is nearing completion, is expected to impact the company’s earnings in 2016.

Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR), which closed as the second on the list, seems to have started recording reversal in its financials as indicated in the nine month unaudited statement released last week.

Arm Research had placed the shares on sell following poor financial performance recorded in the year ended December 31, 2014. However, the company recorded marginal improvement in top-line and bottom-line with the post-tax profits rising by 1.3 per cent year-on year-to N9.34 billion from N9.14 billion in the previous year despite two percent increase in tax expense.

The company also reported group revenue of N73 billion for the period representing a 1 per cent year-on year-growth. Also, the basic earnings per share rose to 115 kobo from 114 kobo, representing 1.3 per cent increase. Explaining the improvement experienced so far, the company said: “After a good pick up in the second quarter, we struggled to sustain the pace of improvement in the third quarter as we continued to face challenges getting our sugar out of the Apapa area to our customers, which constrained our overall operations in the quarter.

“We have begun to explore alternate means of product evacuation including the rail and additional warehouses to fulfil the growing demand of our sugar in the Northern parts.” The share price has been fluctuating, but rose steadily in the last three trading days to settle at the current market price. The share has recorded 52 wk high of N8.26.

As it is customary with insurance companies quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to renege on the postlisting rules obligations of timely submission of yearly and quarterly f i n a n c i a l statements, Continental Reinsurance is among insurers pencilled as operating below the NSE requirement. Owing to this, the company was fined N900, 000 for late filing of its 2013 full year financial reports. Its financial statement for period, which was later made public, indicated a mixed performance. While its revenue rose for the period, the underwriting profit declined.

The company recorded gross earnings of N16.15 billion as against N15.04 billion in 2013.

The new dimension to e-fraud

By Babajide Komolafe

‘

D

EAR customer, due to the new BVN policy by the CBN your account has been deactivated and to reactivate, call……”

The above text message is the latest bait used by fraudsters to lure unsuspecting bank customers to disclose their bank account details, especially their debit or credit card details and their Personal Identification Number (PIN), so that they can gain unauthorised access into the accounts and fraudulently withdrew the money therein.

The fraudsters realised that many bank customers may not have enrolled for the BVN, and hence decided to take advantage of the warnings from the banks to deny customers that have not enrolled access to their accounts, to lure people into divulging their card details.

Thus the BVN deadline and the threat of account deactivation became a potent weapon in the hands of fraudsters.

While it may be difficult to ascertain if any bank customer have fallen prey to this new antic, the enormity of the threat and perhaps the potential

impact on the industry, was reflected in a press release issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) calling the attention of bank customers to the circulation of such text message.

The press release stated, “It has come to the notice of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) that certain unscrupulous individuals have been sending unsolicited mails and text messages to unsuspecting bank customers, alerting them about deactivation or suspension of their bank accounts due to

uncompleted Bank Verification Number (BVN) registration process.

An example of such messages reads thus; “Dear customer, due to the new BVN policy by the CBN your account has been deactivated and to reactivate, call……”

The Central Bank of Nigeria wishes to warn individuals and the general public that those messages are intended to lure bank account holders to reveal their personal details with which the fraudsters could use to defraud them.

Deposit money banks

The October 31st deadline is not deadline for BVN enrolment, rather it is deadline for liberty to operate accounts without BVN enrolment

“The public is therefore warned that neither the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and deposit money banks nor their employees or agents would ever call bank customers or send e-mail/text messages requesting for passwords, card details or personal identification number (PIN).

Bank customers are therefore advised to personally visit their banks for any issue requiring disclosure of personal bank details. Please be warned.”

The warning, though necessary, may be too late, and most importantly, it does not address the root of the problem.

MARKET NEWS

Fidelity Bank Q3 gross earnings hit N106.6bn

By Nkiruka Nnorom

F

idelity Bank Plc has reported an increase of 11.0 percent and 1.8 percent in its gross earnings and profit respectively for the nine months period ended September 30, 2015.

The bank’s gross earnings grew from N96.0 billion in the nine month period to N106.6billion in the third quarter of 2015. Profit after tax (PAT) went up by 1.8 percent to N11.4 billion as against N11.2 billion made in the comparable period in 2014.

While total equity increased by 4.2 percent to N180.3 billion from N173.1billion as at December 2014, operating income stood at N62.0 billion, a 9.7 percent rise compared to N56.5 billion in the nine month period.

Commenting on the result, Managing Director/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, stated that business

operations during the period under review were constrained by regulatory and economic pressures arising from currency devaluation concerns, tight monetary stance, and implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA). This situation, Okonkwo explained, had culminated in negative

The bank continued to increase yields on earning assets faster than growth in funding costs, which improved its NIM (Net Interest Margin) to 6.9 percent

earnings in the banking sector.

He, however, expressed great optimism in the new business model which the bank adopted and which resulted in a yearon-year (y-o-y) growth in both fund and fee based income resulting in a three percent growth in profitability.

“Despite these challenges we continued with the disciplined execution of our medium term strategy. Profit before Tax (PBT) increased to N13.8 billion despite the decline in our total assets due to the TSA implementation”.

Interestingly, net interest income increased by 10.8 percent y-o-y to N40.6 billion but declined by 4.8 percent qo-q due to the reduction in its earning assets.

Okonkwo, however pointed out that the bank continued to increase yields on earning assets faster than growth in funding costs, which improved its NIM (Net Interest Margin) to 6.9 percent in third quarter of 2015.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015 — 23

,

S FORUM

As a shareholder I can say we have a few insurance companies that delivered returns to shareholders, but the bulk of them have not actually given any reasonable returns to shareholders

,

INVESTORS SPEAK

Why public insurance coys declare losses, by shareholders

By Providence Obuh It is obvious that the publicly owned insurance companies have continued to declare losses compared to the privately owned who usually declare profit.

Shareholders are eager to know the cause and thereby demand that it should be part of board and management of some of the insurance companies.

T

Jenny Hokiop, Brand Ambassador of Langley Torrent (right) presenting an award to Azebeokhai Florence Azebeomo, an awardee from the 18 individuals who emerged winners in the 2015 Skusat CBT Contest in Lagos.

The real problem is the lopsided communication about the BVN. There is so much emphasis on the deadline for enrolment as if customers that fail to enrol by the deadline won’t be able to enrol again.

Also most of the messages from banks, emphasis the fact that customers that fail to enrol by the deadline will be denied access to their account, with less emphasis on the fact that the customers will be allowed access once he enrol for the BVN. The October 31st deadline is not deadline for BVN enrolment, rather it is deadline for liberty to operate accounts without BVN enrolment. After the

deadline, enrolment becomes a criterion for operating a bank account and hence it becomes compulsory.

That is what should have been emphasised. Hence, the messages from the banks should be, “From st November 1 2015, only customers that have enrolled for BVN would be allowed to operate their bank accounts”.

By so doing, the fear or threat of not been able to operate your account, which is been erroneously created, would not arise, and thus, the BVN deadline would not be attractive to fraudsters as a weapon to defraud bank customers.

Forte Oil appoints Anil Dua as director

F

ORTE Oil Plc, one of the foremost indigenous petroleum marketing companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, has announced the appointment of Mr. Anil Dua as a NonExecutive Director in the company.

Prior to his current appointment as a Non-Executive Director, Dua was the Chief Executive Officer for Standard Chartered Bank West Africa.

He is an astute corporate technocrat, who has held Executive positions in Seychelles International Mercantile

Corp, Afrexim bank, Standard Chartered Bank – Nigeria, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana.

The Board of Directors of Forte Oil said it was proud to have such a competent and experienced corporate leader as Dua Forte Oil Plc The Company also announced the resignation of Mrs Korede Omoloja as a director of the Company. The Board thanked Mrs Omoloja for her tenure as a director and wished her well in here future endeavours.

CAP extends empowerment to youths

A

S part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Chemical and Allied Products, CAP Plc, a subsidiary of UAC of Nigeria Plc, has once again extended its empowerment drive to youths through its annual Dulux Painters Academy by providing them with skills to become professional painters.

The Dulux Painters Academy initiative is an 8-week intensive painting apprenticeship programme, specially designed by the company to empower young people to become highly skilled professional painters.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony for the 2015 Dulux Painters Academy at the company’s recreational centre, in Lagos, the Managing Director, Mrs. Omolara Elemide, described the Dulux Painters Academy as one of the several ways CAP gives back to the society.

Elemide, who said that the training is for youths with a minimum of Senior School Certificate, noted that it is a way of empowering them to be selfreliant as professional painters, and a way of reducing unemployment in the country.

HEY have not been doing well for sometime and they are likely not to do well for sometime to come. We as shareholders have never seen sanctions translate into profitability and distributable profit, with the exception of a handful of them. The problem actually is that NAICOM thinks that it behooves on the shareholders to probe management and make them more accountable forgetting to realise the limitations of shareholders.

Everybody has a role to play, we have delegated our policies to the board and management to run the company and no single shareholder can just work into an established organisation and ask for their books and that is why we have regulators because they can demand or ask for their books at any time to find out how things went. Only the regulators have such powers.

So I believe the regulators may not likely shift the blame of lack of performance and regulatory oversight to shareholders. They exist to ensure that companies in their industry keep to certain set standards and have what it takes to enforce those standards, I don't think they are doing enough. As a

•Mr. Adebayo Adeleke, General Secretary, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN)

shareholder I can say we have a few insurance companies that delivered returns to shareholders, but the bulk of them have not actually given any reasonable returns to shareholders neither have we seen anything.

We believe that the regulatory authority like NAICOM can do much more to make shareholders take part in the board and management of these companies and probe into their affairs and find out why privately owned insurance companies always declare profit why publicly owned are declaring losses.

We do not have what it takes to make them accountable but the regulators have all the power backed by the strength of law. That is why institution like NAICOM was created and not just for fines and sanctions, they were created in a manner that would make companies accountable for returning profit to shareholders.

Chief Timothy Adeshiyan, President, Nigerian Shareholders Solidarity Association (NSSA)

T

HERE is no more fire brigade approach to insurance. In those days when brokers had problem they will rush to insurance companies for cover, but these days, from the beginning you don't pay your premium you cannot have cover.

The way insurance companies are being managed presently is very good and I will like them to improve on it.

We are not saying they should not be regulated but it is over regulation that we are complaining about though the regulation in the insurance sector is highly needed because it will give the insurer (the person who wants to insure) the confidence that when he insures and there is a bubble, then he can have somebody to run to and they too can run to reinsurance companies.

For now I can say insurance companies are being well regulated and are responding to management but some of the companies have not been serious but then you can identify them and some of them are better than it was three years ago.

24—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Alleged breach of trust: Land donors seek N100m restitution •Ingrates among you’re fighting our laudable programme — Donee

By Nwabueze Okonkwo, Onitsha

T

HE cordial relationship existing between the people of Umuokparaku kindred, Umuokpara-Nsu in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, owners of Ala Uzo Ikpa land and the management of Mbara Ozioma Foundation, MOF, may degenerate into an irreconcilable proportion, unless the stakeholders meet and take urgent steps to redeem the situation.

This followed the issuance of a quit notice and demand for damages to the Board of Trustees, BOT of MOF by the donors over an alleged breach of contractual agreement. The alleged breach arose from the alleged lack of implementation of the cardinal covenants contained in the document releasing the landed property to the MOF. The Umuokparaku land owners had in the year 2000 donated a parcel of land measuring approximately 1.204 hectres to MOF whose Chairman is a Roman Catholic Priest, Rev. Dr. Jude Ozioma Nwachukwu, for building a skills acquisition centre to be run under the auspices of the Catholic Church.

Cordial relationship The cordial relationship between the parties degenerated in December 2013 when the community discovered that the land which they donated to the Foundation has allegedly been turned into a private family enterprises by Rev Fr. Ozioma Nwachukwu and his elder brother, Anthony Nwachukwu. The Nwachukwus, according to the community, claimed in an online publication that the land was sold outright to them.

Breach of agreement: What added fuel to the alreading burning flame in this predominantly Catholic community was the reconstitution of MOF’s BOT. An Anglican Bishop, David Onuoha was allegedly appointed a member of the BOT without the knowledge, consent or authority of the Catholic Bishop of Okigwe Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Solomon Amatu.

The alleged infractions forced the community to write to the MOF through their lawyer, Chris Ajugwe, a legal practitioner

based in Onitsha, Anambra State, demanding restitution and payment of N100 million for breach of contract.

In the letter, addressed to Rev. Fr. Nwachukwu, President/ Chairman BOT of MOF, the land donors claimed that he deceived them by claiming that the land was being acquired for the purpose of building a skills acquisition center by MOF which he presented as a charitable institution exclusively within the Catholic Church.

The donors said they initially refused to donate their land until the donee presented Rev. Fr. Iheanyi Enwerem, another Catholic priest and a member of the donors’ kindred. According to them, it was at this juncture that they were finally persuaded to part with the land.

The donors further claimed that being devout Catholics, they thought they were doing a religious duty by donating their landed property to a Catholic Foundation. To be sure that the Foundation would actually be run by the Roman Catholic Church, the community stated that certain conditions were spelt outin the Power of Attorney .

Some of these requirements included that the BOT of MOF shall be constituted to include a nomination by St. Columbus Catholic Parish Priest, Nsu; St. Charles Catholic Parish Priest, Umunumo; three representatives from MOF and two representatives of Umuokparaku community.

They explained that these stipulations were embodied in the agreement dated January 15, 2014 between the two parties and their representatives.

“Regrettably, each time we demanded from you the implemen-

We also demand that you should within two months from the date of getting this letter vacate our landed property by removing all your Foundation’s moveable properties

Mbara Ozioma Foundation, MOF tation of the land deal agreements, you would plead with us to be patient as you were either on one sabbatical leave or one religious retreat or the other. To add salt to injury, you published or caused to be published in May, 2014 on the internet, a false statement that our land was sold to you outright. We were outraged by the latest development because on or about October, 2014, you held a meeting with us at the kindred hall at Umuokparaku where you were confronted with your online claims”.

Endless sabbatical leave As the meeting was inconclusive, it was mutually rescheduled for a few weeks time, only for us to learn that you have once again proceeded on your endless sabbatical leave in Austria and now your hide-and-seek game and that of your Foundation with respect to our landed property is up. It is obvious from the proceedings that you and your Foundation are in flagrant and contemptuous breach of contract with respect to our landed property,” the community said.

MOF which was incorporated on February 13, 2011 has Messrs Anthony Nwachukwu, Mahakwe H. Obi, Young Nwaohiri and Mr. Benjamin Onyeji as its trustees. But the community is not comfortable with this composition because “from all intents and purposes, this is contrary to the intentment and spirit of your contract with us with respect to the said land”.

Community’s demands: “It is unfortunate that this has remained so till date in ungodly disregard to the agreement of January 15, 2004. This is the sort of injustice that cries to heaven for vengeance as it at once negates your priestly calling. We therefore demand that you pay us the sum of N100 million being damages for breach of contract,” the community demanded.

“We also demand that you should within two months from the date of getting this letter vacate our landed property by removing all your Foundation’s moveable properties thereon as the land, the building and all other improvements thereon on the land have automatically reverted to us by operation of the law,” they claimed. They warned that failure to comply with the demand, the community will “not hesitate to report to the security agencies to investigate the criminal aspect of your breach of trust and fraudulent misrepresentation and this we shall do without further reference to you”.

The donors contended that even though they signed receipts for N20,000 per plot of land being Ihe Nkutu Aka N’obi (a token for our economic trees), it does not amount to outright alienation of the landed property and cannot detract from the Power of Attorney of 2000 and the addendum thereto of 2004.

MOF’s counsel disputes claims Counsel to the donee, Mahakwe Obi in a tacit reply, stated that the letter portrayed the chairman of the BOT of the Foundation, Rev. Dr. Ozioma Nwachukwu as an organisation or person who could not keep to the terms of agreement with the Umuokparaku people. “This is complete misrepresentation of the true position. Although the Chairman of theBOT has been coordinating the activities of the body, he has never failed in his meetings and other commitments concerning the Umuokparaku community,” he declared.

Insisting that there was no time the BOT did not reflect the interest of all, especially the Catholics, he claimed that it is not only Umuokparaku that

granted irrevocable Power of Attorney to the Foundation for building of its projects. “It is important for you to note that the Foundation acquired every piece of land in the site through Irrevocable Power of Attorney, coupled with valuable consideration and therefore erroneous for you to be informed that you granted the lease with receipts and relevant documents which we can furnish you with when necessary,” he said.

The Foundation further noted that it has never engaged any other religious congregation to manage its day-to-day activities, as alleged, adding that its programmes are presently being formulated to give it strong footing.

It noted that it was Rev. Fr. Iheanyi Enwerem who advised that the BOT of the Foundation should reflect the interest of the different groups that are to benefit from the projects. According to him, it was based on this advice that the current BOT members were selected to reflect the following: Howels League Association, Catholic Diocese of Okigwe, Anglican Diocese of Okigwe South, Nsu Villages, Umunumo, Nzerem and Agbaja Villages.

The Foundation’s lawyer said: “It is unfortunate that the land donors made reference to only a portion of the purported agreement of January 15, 2014 without referring to the addendum to the agreement. The Foundation insisted that the alleged claim by the donors of internet publication that they sold their land to the foundation is completely embarrassing to the Foundation.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015—25

one or two things that I felt on my own personal opinion at that time that weren’t going right. So, I took a decision out of anger at that time.

I can tell you at the national level we are doing very well. We have a very good working relationship with our national chairman. I believe he knows what is right at the moment and he is trying to do what is right to please all members of the party and so on and that was why you could see during the last NEC meeting we had to come together to pass vote of confidence on our chairman. So, I can tell you that we are stable today.

What actually transpired then?

Well, it was politics.

What actually was the bone of contention?

Well, just like I said everyone has their interest whether you like it or not. I have my interest.

I can tell you clearly, maybe the arrogance of Sylva I don’t know, he hasn’t reached out since after the primaries to people like me and not just to me to so many credible Bayelsans who took part in the primaries

Father in politics •Frank: It is my right to 've Atiku as my godfather

Every national officer, everybody including the president has their interest.

The impression out there is that you are more of Atiku’s man than a loyal party man?

Well, I will maintain my position whether anybody likes it or not; Atiku is like my father, my TIMI Frank, the deputy National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC is like a gadfly no one can do anything about. He had in the recent past called for the political mentor, my leader. If anybody removal of the party’s national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and even contradicted party thinks it is wrong for positions as announced by his immediate boss, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. me to adopt any It is no surprise that the party is quaking at the thought of Frank stepping in as Acting National father in politics or a leader who I believe Publicity Secretary. In this interview he speaks on his temperament among other issues in the party. in or a mentor whom Excerpts: I have chosen to have, then that is the person’s personal

By Levinus Nwabughiogu already sustained victory and we are going to opinion. I am a politician. I am a young man retain it and I can tell you that it is just an in politics. It is my right to have a godfather.

OULD you say that the crisis that immediate challenge.

It is my right to have a leader. That is the only engulfed the National Assembly We have started looking at how we will way you can grow. would show that your party cannot manage reconcile all the loopholes and definitely the Are you saying that you are also fighting success? issue of victory will be stable in a matter of for him to become the BoT chairman?

If you remember how Gov. Tambuwal time.

Well, if that time comes, my position will be emerged Speaker in 2011, there were crises.

You once called for the resignation of Chief taken. When that time comes I believe I am Tambuwal wasn’t the choice of the party as at John Odigie-Oyegun as national chairman going to take the best decision that the party that time but eventually you know democracy and flayed your party spokesman, Alhaji Lai will be happy with and Nigerians will be is changing the way whereby the people’s Mohammed. Has that been laid to rest and happy with. opinion has to count at all times, at all levels, do you see yourself working with them We want the best person to take over including the party level. amicably like it used to be? leadership as BoT chairman. I am a national I don’t think it is an issue of whether we Yes definitely. I will work with them. They officer as at today. can’t sustain victory or not. Yes, we are all are my bosses. Anybody that knows Timi Frank Your Principal, Lai Mohammed has been human beings, we have our own differences, knows I am an upright man, I don’t know how cleared for a ministerial appointment. Will our own pains as human beings, individual to pretend in politics, I always speak my mind. you now step in to take his position? issues but that doesn’t mean we are not ready Where I have been oppressed or the people I won’t say much on that right now. When or prepared to sustain victory. We have have been oppressed. At that time there were Continues on page 26

With Sylva, we've lost Bayelsa

— Timi Frank, APC dep national publicity sect

•Why I recanted Oyegun's resignation call

W

C M Y K

We have people who have worked in this party.

If they say Timipre Sylva has worked, I have also worked. In fact the work I did to bring this change not even just at Bayelsa level but at the national level

26—VANGUARD, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Why Ogboru, Emerhor should not appeal tribunal judgment — Eghagbevwa LUCKY Ohwofasa Eghagbevwa, one time deputy president of Enerhen Community Development Committee and currently the deputy president Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Republic of Ireland. In this interview, he spoke on various issues ranging from Delta Election Petition Tribunal, role of his organisation during the last elections. He also called on the parties that lost at the tribunal to jon hands with Governor Okowa to move the state forward. Excerpts;

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HAT’S your take on the election tribunal?

First, I want to congratulate the governor and my boss Chief Senator Ighoyota Amori for deserved victory at the poll and the tribunal. As you can see, we are celebrating the dual victory of Senator Ighoyota Amori and that of our prosperity governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

You can’t deny a landslide victory that is free and fair, the people came out and gladly gave their mandate to our project senator and our SMART governor. As far as I am concerned there is no need for any tribunal. However, they refused to congratulate the winners because their interest comes before the interest of the State. Even a blind man knows that Senator Amori and Governor Okowa won the election hands down.

You live in Ireland; what makes you think that the

elections were free and fair?

My support for Senator Amori and Dr Okowa was not done over the air. I travelled to Nigeria to mobilise my people and encourage them to vote enmass for PDP. The candidate presented by PDP for the senatorial and governorship elections were easy to market because of their past credible records; that’s the reason Deltans came out to vote peacefully for them. I was there to witness one of the most peaceful and credible elections in Delta State.

What role did your organization play in the last elections?

I am also the coordinator of Unity Train Republic of Ireland.

I am the co-founder and director general of Delta youth movement (DYM ) this is the platform we used directly to convey messages to our teeming youths and to educate them to make correct choices on

whom to vote for.

Finally, any advice to those that lost at the tribunal?

Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru is one Deltan that is highly respected in the state. He should continue as elder statesman, by joining hands with our prosperity governor to develop the state.

He shouldn’t be tempted into appealing the tribunal’s

•Eghagbevwa: The tribunal has ruled well

Even a blind man knows that Senator Amori and Governor Okowa won the election hands down

judgement. The same goes to Olorogun O’tega Emerhor of the APC. Let’s allow the governor to focus in developing our dear state.

Deltans, should be a little bit patient as the governor and his team roll out programmes that will better the lives of Deltans.

Some of the key areas this government should look at are: Agricultural development though you know as I do that

the government is doing well in this area. Create more job opportunities for our youths through government and private partnership, road construction and maintenance.

The governor has consolidated on the peace initiative of the previous government with the revival of our vocational studies, the youths will soon be self employed thereby fulfilling electoral promises.

With Sylva, we've lost Bayelsa Continues from page 25 that time comes ... because my boss is still the publicity secretary of my party until he has been sworn in as a minister of the Federal republic of Nigeria then I will tell you clearly that the position is not vacant. It is stated clearly even in our party constitution that once the substantive officer is not there, the deputy automatically takes over.

So, I don’t know if the party will go against that and against its own constitution. When that time comes if the party goes against what they are meant to do right, Nigeria will be watching the party. I am not desperate in becoming the publicity secretary of the party.

Publicity secretary If God says I am going to be, then no man can stop me. It is not something that I am going to lobby to say that I want to be. Already, I am the deputy national publicity secretary of the party which I am comfortable with and if by the grace of God, my boss is no more there, automatically without lobbying, without begging anybody, I fall into the position of acting national publicity secretary of the party.

I don’t know how they are going to do that because it is a constitutional issue because Nigerians will be watching them, people within the party will be watching them. Whatever they do at that point in time...you can do it to me today but tomorrow could be your turn. So that is my position on that.

How do you view your party’s chances in Bayelsa given Governor Oshiomhole’s observations on the emergence of your candidate, Timipire Sylva?

I am using this opportunity to apologize to Adams Oshiomhole. Baylesans in nature are not like that.

We are responsible and credible people. Whatever Adams must have seen during that process I am using C M Y K

this opportunity to say I am sorry to him as a national officer of the party.

There are so many persons in Baylesa who are aggrieved just like Timi (Alaibe), so many. But some of them don’t have the opportunity to speak out and are scared which is very dangerous in politics.

I can tell you clearly, maybe the arrogance of Sylvia I don’t know, he hasn’t reached out since after the primaries to people like me and not just to me to so many credible Baylesans who took part in the primaries. As I speak some aspirants are still aggrieved within the party. If I tell you there are no issues in Baylesa I am trying to pretend and until these issues are resolved under this short period of time, then I am sorry to say I don’t see my party winning in Baylesa.

We can’t win Baylesa when we are fighting ourselves.

We can’t win Baylesa when we are afraid to speak.

There are issues in Baylesa.

What are these issues?

I have to speak for myself and I will say it clearly; I don’t need Sylva as a person but at this point in time he needs me

Whether we like it or not there is nothing APC can do than to either manage his person at this point in time but I also see he is not helping issues. I expected him to lobby people. I expected him to make peace. I expected him to talk to the party. I expected him to beg the people because he needs the people the people don’t need him. I don’t need Timpre Sylvia as a person.

I have to speak for myself and I will say it clearly; I don’t need Sylvia as a person but at this point in time he needs me. He needs my support. He needs my vote. So, he should be the one that should be able to talk to some of us.

National officer He needs to talk to Baylesans. Everyone’s vote is important except he believes that because we are at the centre, we are going to use the centre to rig elections for him so he doesn’t need Baylesans.

What really is your grievance with him?

(Cuts in) Let me tell you my own grievances with Timpre Sylva today. I will use this opportunity to speak out. Firstly I am a national officer of this party whether by low ranking or by high ranking however anybody wants to see it, I am a national officer. So in my state today if anybody wants to contest for election as a national officer I should be contacted. I should be talking with you whether you like it or not, whether you like my face or not you should be able to reach out.

As I speak he doesn’t consult anybody when he wants to take decisions. Recently, when I made an open letter to the president rejecting even the ministerial nominee and I will still tell you whether he becomes minister or not I will continue to kick against his ministerial nomination.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015—27

2015: KOGI DECIDES

BAYELSA DECIDES

Labour Party adopts Sylva

•Sylva: APC/Labour candidate

By Samuel Oyadongha

T

HE Labour Party in Bayelsa State has announced the adoption of the All Progressive Congress, APC’s candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva as the party’s standard bearer in the election.

Party leaders after an emergency State Executive Committee meeting held in Yenogoa weekend, said the decision was influenced by Sylva’s assurance

that he would adopt a pragmatic development agenda if elected as governor.

The Secretary of the party, Comrade Ebiowe Olomu who read the communiqué said the decision to enter into a pact with the APC was, however, not a merger.

Olomu, stated that though the Labour Party received lots of offers from various political parties on partnership he said Sylva offered the best promise. He said: the relationship with the APC is not a merger but a relationship that is expected to benefit both Labour Party, the APC and the people of the state.

“We took the decision to ensure that the state is moved away into a state where there will be no master and servant relationship between the government and the governed.

“A state where the government will not see her senior citizens as being unproductive. A state where culture of winner takes all is cast aside. We want to create a paradigm shift from the shackles of gloom, poverty and deprivation to an upward mobile society where our collective inputs will be harnessed for the benefit of all.”

Dickson thanks pastors for prayers *Gives N100 million offering to Christian cooperatives

By Samuel Oyadongha

A

HEAD of the December 5 governorship election in Bayelsa State, Governor Seriake Dickson has doled out N100 million soft loans to Christian cooperative societies.

He reassured workers of his commitment to pay their salaries despite receiving only N4 billion as revenue accruing to the state from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) last month.

Dickson in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel IworisoMarkson, lamented the harsh economic realities facing the state and the country.

The governor, according to the statement, presented the cheques weekend to the cooperatives at an interactive meeting with Christian leaders in Yenagoa. Dickson explained that the gesture was in fulfilment of an earlier promise to extend his administration’s poverty alleviation and economic empowerment programme to churches.

He urged beneficiaries of the scheme to make judicious use of the revolving funds to enable other Bayelsans benefit.

According to the statement, the governor acknowledged the support and prayers of the various clergy and churches and assured them of closer working relationship if re-elected for second tenure.

He called on them to mobilise their members to come out en masse to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party without any fear of molestation as adequate security would be on ground to protect

C M Y K

•Dickson: Prayers have helped me every law abiding voter.

The governor also used the opportunity to highlight some achievements of his administration within its first two years in office when the allocation hovered between N15billion and N17billion, which include construction of the three senatorial roads, adding that with the state government’s intervention, “people can now drive to places like Nembe that was inaccessible by road.”

On the recent killing of a Pastor in Yenagoa, Dickson assured the clergymen that government was on top of the situation adding that security agencies have already commenced investigations with a view to apprehending the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

•Wada: PDP will defeat Audu again

•Audu: APC candidate

Wada to Audu: I will defeat you any day

By Gbenga Oke

C

ANDIDATE of the Peoples Democratic Party in the forth coming gubernatorial election in Kogi State, Governor Idris Wada has cautioned his main challenger, Prince Abubakar Audu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) not to bank on riding on the coattails of President Muhammadu Buhari’ success in the last general elections to return to office.

Wada who spoke through his Chief Communications Manager, Mr Phrank Shaibu said PDP supporters wondered why members of the APC were still basking in the euphoria of President Buhari’s victory when the party should be strategizing to face the upcoming governorship poll. ”It is a mark of the idleness of the folks in charge of the APC in Kogi State that they will continue to bask in the euphoria of President Buhari’s victory, five months after the presidential election, when they should be busy strategizing on how to save their party from an imminent doom in this month’s governorship election” Shaibu said.

The party expressed shock that the APC can be beating their chest about defeating the PDP, when the party is in big mess following the confusion arising from its primary election which produced Audu

as its flag bearer.”

“No one is deceived by the facade put up by the party at its governorship primary. In fact, the primary election was so tainted with obscene money and underhand tactics that many party faithful have publicly denounced it”.

“Conversely, apart from the unity of purpose which exists within the ranks of the PDP members in the state, Governor Wada comes well prepared to trounce Audu. The reason for this is not farfetched. Wada has touched the lives of everyone in the state in the areas of security, good roads, education and standard medical care, just to mention a few, in about the period of time former governor Audu used to promote violence and divisiveness in the state,” Shaibu said.

He said the PDP considers APC’s boast as nothing but a subtle blackmail, but that the party takes solace in the fact that the people of Kogi State will never pitch their tent with the opposition after their experience under Audu’s four years.

“It is important to state that the people of Kogi State have tasted the honey of good governance under the Idris Wada led PDP government in and will therefore not opt for the bitter pill of bad governance that has been the lot of the APC at all levels of governance”.

Wada should write his handover notes — Omoyele

By Kingsley Fanwo

G

OVERNOR Idris Wada has been urged to start preparing his handover note given the massive turnout of people at last weekend’s flag presentation ceremony to his main challenger, Abubakar Audu.

Chairman of the APC in Mopamuro Local Government Area, Hon. Abayomi Omoyele gave the unsolicited advice on the sidelines of the rally attended by thousands of party loyalists in Lokoja.

“With the massive and

monumental failure of PDP in Kogi State, the masses have joined the train of the progressives. What our governors in other states have achieved will be replicated here if APC is voted into power.

“Prince Abubakar Audu has a track record of performance and excellence. God is bringing him at this material time to redeem our state from total collapse.

He will liberate us from the PDP that has been holding the state down since 2003. The time for liberation has come”.

28 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

•Street hawking

Turbulent times for Ambode’s executive council •Insecurity, revenue generation top agenda of first exco meeting •Security tips for Lagosians

By Leke Adeseri, South West Regional Editor & Evelyn Usman

F

OR four days, last week, key decision makers in Lagos state, including Commissioners, Special Assistants, and Permanent Secretaries attended a retreat where most of the participants were confronted with hard facts that made the joy of juicy appointment to be short lived.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode who led the team, asked the participants to take the lessons learnt from the retreat seriously and make a commitment to implement them in their various ministries, departments and agencies so as to better the lot of the people of the state.

He said the resolutions reached at the retreat will be brought before the weekly State Executive Council meeting to ensure that they are implemented to the letter.

As part of the resolutions reached at the retreat, participants agreed that the police in conjunction with the state government will come up with a holistic and joint approach to tackle traffic robberies, cultism, street trading and menace of area boys in the state.

They agreed to proffer C M Y K

immediate, short and long term solutions towards unlocking traffic gridlock on major roads, highways and streets in Lagos.

They also agreed on the need to deploy appropriate cutting edge technologies to improve revenue generation.

Revenue generation Participants urged the citizenry to embrace voluntary compliance to Government Policies, Laws and Regulations, i.e payment of taxes, environmental and traffic regulations.

They also pledged to support the commitment of government to humane and civilised approach to public service delivery and enforcement of laws in the state.

Governor Ambode, also urged the state police command to step up its surveillance in the state and come up with new strategies to combat the wave of criminal activities.

He lamented that state governors do not have control over police officers. He also said 33,000 policemen are inadequate to police Lagos with 20 million people.

Ambode, who spoke at the closing session of the four-day

Leadership Retreat for the State Executive Council, Body of Permanent Secretaries as well as some heads of Parastatals, urged the police to improve on its mode of operations to ensure the safety of lives and property in the state.

He spoke shortly after the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, addressed participants at the retreat.

Ambode also pledged the support of the state government towards effective policing of the state. He, however, said the resources ploughed into securing the state must reflect in the

Most of the appointees were confronted with hard facts that made the joy of juicy appointment to be short lived

reduction of criminal activities.

He said: “We’re not yet where we want to be. We have only just 33,000 policemen in Lagos for a population of over 20 million.

Again, we don’t have control over these police officers.

“We need to let the Commissioner of Police leave this retreat believing that the Police need to own their own business just the way we have told ourselves that we want to own the business of governance.

“We need to see some things change. There has to be some form of paradigm shift. We want to see our police officers patrol in convoy between 12 midnight and 4am. There should be presence.

“We want to show presence.

Security agencies must also show presence. We need to enforce. We want to see patrol vehicles moving. We don’t want to see stationery policemen.

“They don’t have to stay in the vehicle.“We want to see something different from what it used to be in the past. “It’s still the same style, but people must see improvement on it.

“That’s why we on our own part, we have gone out of our budget limits, using our resources from the Security Trust Fund to say that, yes, it might

not be within our budget, but we would spend money to support the Police because if the state is safe, the economy will thrive.”

How to detect a bomb, suicide bomber. Two years ago, Lagosians were rattled by a near bomb explosion which was foiled by men of the OP MESSA, an operational outfit of the Nigerian Army and those of the Department of State Service ,DSS , at the densely populated ijora Badia area of the state, with the subsequent arrest of a Chadian and a Northerner who confessed to be members of the Boko Haram sect.

The terrorists who reportedly rented an apartment at 24 Oyegbemi Street , concealed some suspected explosives and weapons in a box which they kept in the ceiling. During interrogation , report said they confessed to have attempted to blow up tank farms in Ijora .

Intelligence report But for intelligence report matched with prompt action by the security agencies, lives would have no doubt been lost as well as wanton destruction of properties.

A year after, precisely on June 25, 2014, Lagosians were again gripped with fear, following an explosion that rocked Apapa area of the state which left in its trail the death of four persons , with several others sustaining varying degrees of injuries.

Though report had it that it was a clear case of bomb explosion, with the Boko Haram sect claiming responsibility but the Lagos State Police Command

Continues on page 29

CELEBRITY:

Erosion endangers A’Ibom Govt House

From across Bayelsa community takes on SUBEB, UBEC over ‘ghost projects’

PAGE 3

PAGE 6

unmask the murderers.

The source, however, said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Henry Fadairo, was determined to apprehend the real culprits, adding “the police are not shielding anybody; they released suspects that have nothing to do with the murder.”

VOL. 1: N o. 771 1 No.

•The late Chairman

TUESD AY, NOVEMBER 3, 20 15 TUESDA 201

•His widow

•The palace of the clan head

How assassins butchered Cross River community chair *Cut off genitals, breast, ear; throw body into river *Somebody should wake me from this nightmare, widow cries *Family fingers community leaders

By Ike Uchechukwu

K

AT C H AU N IRRUAN— PEACE has taken flight from Katchaun Irrun community in Boki Local Government Area, Cross River State, since September 30, when suspected contract killers gruesomely executed the chair of the community, Mr. Kyrien Agbor Onabe, cut C M Y K

up his body and threw it into the river.

The executioners, who trailed the father of two, in his 40s, to his cocoa farm, squeezed the life out of him before they cut off his genitals, left breast and part of his left ear. The body parts are still missing at press time.

There was speculation, when Niger Delta Voice visited the remote community, that the killer-gang also killed

a non-indigene, who rushed to the scene on hearing the cry for help by the deceased.

Onabe, loved by the villagers for his singlemindedness, restoration of peace and normal livelihood to the area, reportedly had a rough time with a group of greedy community leaders and criminals, who he allegedly stopped from looting the community ’s internally generated revenue.

The community, residents said, witnessed a new lease of life after he assumed office in May, but his antagonists hated his guts.

A security source, who hinted at attempts to impede investigations, said that police have made several arrests and the matter transferred from the Division to the State Criminal Investigations Department of the Cross River Police Headquarters, Uyo, in a bid to

Search party One of the relations, Mr. Frank Enyia, in an e-mail to Niger Delta Voice, narrated how Mr. Kyrien left home at about 7a.m. on September 30 and never returned to his family and community. He confirmed that the killers sliced his genital organ, breast and ear.

Enyia said: “When he did not return home, the wife raised alarm, then family members and few persons went in search of him. On getting to his cocoa farm, they saw his motorcycle, shoes, shirt, trousers and knife scattered all over the farm, but he was missing.

“The search party returned home that night and the entire community of Katchaun Irruan rose the following morning, which was October 1 for another search. It was then they discovered him stack naked inside the river, with bruises and wounds all over his body.”

Why they eliminated him According to him, when the community gathered to “ascertain” the “cause” of his death, so many factors were considered, including the controversies surrounding his emergence as chairman, his policy of fighting all vices to a standstill, cult activities and criminal elements.

“His major policy was to stamp out corruption that was prevalent among chiefs and other principal actors in the community by stopping the sharing of internally generated revenue and royalties accruing from our palm estate and forestry among themselves.

“He never relented in waging war against Indian hemp dealers; these triggered his assassination by those whom his rule was seriously affecting.”

Secret meetings He disclosed: “It is widely believed that the killers were sponsored and that their sponsors are financing court proceedings to stop police investigations. The said sponsors have been holding secret meetings with the boys since the incident occurred; they held some of the meetings at one of the hotels in Ogoja Lo-

Continued on Page 7

2—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Residents cry for help, as flood submerges more Bayelsa communities BAYELSA… GLORY OF ALL LANDS

By Samuel Oyadongha

A

MASSOMA—SCORES of settlements along the path of rivers and creeks in Bayelsa State have come under the battering of water surge.

Already, the surging River Nun had swamped a section of Amassoma community in Southern Ijaw, just as the Forcados River poured into parts of the low-lying communities along its path in Sagbama council area. Both rivers are tributaries of the River Niger, which flows from the Fouta Jdallon mountains in Guinea.

Residents take flight Affected residents of some areas of Yenagoa, the state capital, Swali, Ogu, and settlements along the Epie creek, had to relocate from their homes, pending the return of normalcy.

A resident of Amassoma, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Niger Delta Voice: “The water level has surpassed that of last year.

However, most homes have been submerged.

“At least, we saw it coming and had prepared for the worst due to the warning alert issued by the Nigerian Metrological Agency, NIMET. “I have since moved my family to a relation’s place. But I am staying back to watch the water level. Our consolation is that before the end of this month, the water will start going down.”

Another, who simply identified himself as Pere,

THE TEAM Emma Amaize, Editor Jimitota Onoyume Samuel Oyadongha Simon Ebegbulem Gabriel Enogholase Festus Ahon Egufe Yafugborhi Emmanuel Una Akpokona Omafuaire Godwin Oghre Tom Moses Chioma Onuegbu Ike Uche Davies Iheamnachor Emem Idio Brisibe Perez Theresa Ugbobu Ochuko Akuopha Barnabas Uzosike Nath Onajoke Chijioke Nwankpa

C M Y K

expressed worry that the deluge would no doubt affect the cost of foodstuff as many cassava farmers forcefully harvested their produce, which ordinarily would have matured in December.

However, unlike the 2012 flood, which caught many by surprise, many residents anticipated the deluge following the alert issued by NIMET early in the year, that the coastal states of the SouthSouth should brace up for flooding.

Flooding is a perennial problem in the predominantly low-lying riverine state and virtually every community in the state is located either along the river, creek, canal or ocean, making it very vulnerable to the flood menace.

Save for the reported release of excess water from dams in Cameroon, suspected to be responsible for the high volume of water currently ravaging communities in the lower River Niger basin, the water level usually starts ebbing in October.

In addition, flood has sacked the poor folks along the Onuebum-Otuoke road from where they sell fresh palm and local delicacies.

•Flood-devastated Onuebum-Otuoke road Innocent Akpan, who runs a palm wine joint, told Niger Delta Voice: “Yes, we have been sacked from our business by the flood. When we noticed the gradual coming of the water from the surrounding bush, we never knew it would rise to the level of putting us out of business.

“Though the water has started ebbing, it will take us time and resources to get back

to business due to the damage caused to our property.”

Jonathan’s community affected In addition, the OnuebumOtuoke stretch of the road connecting former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s hometown in Ogbia council area from the Azikoro and Agbura flank of Yenagoa, has been devastated by the flood.

For now, nobody can quantify the extent of damage done to the road until the water has completely receded, but a great part of the asphalt would be washed off by the swift current around the flooded area

Aside displacing the rural folks, who eke out their livelihoods along the route, it would take huge resources to rehabilitate the damaged portion of the road.

“For now, nobody can quantify the extent of damage done to the road until the water has completely receded, but a great part of the asphalt would be washed off by the swift current around the flooded area,” Vincent, a taxi driver said.

Residents, motorists abandon devastated route Bayelsans residing around the Agbura, Azikoro, Otuokpoti, Onopa, Ovom and Ekeki suburb of Yenagoa, have abandoned the OnuebumOtuoke road, which is the shortest route to the former

Continued on Page 4

Flooded Delta community sends SOS to Okowa DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

O

GODOBIRI—THE people of Ogodobiri community in Bomadi Local Government Area, Delta State, recently sacked by flood, have sent an SOS to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State to come to their rescue.

In the SOS signed by the community leader, Gbekieyen Buoy and others, they said: “We want to use this medium to plead with the federal, state and local governments to come to our aid as the predicted flood has submerged the entire community, destroying properties and farmland worth millions of naira.

“Since the flood overtook the entire community, inhabitants are relocating on their own to urban centres for safety. Neither the federal, state nor local government has made any move to relocate the people or given us any assistance to al-

Flooded Ogodobiri (above and below). leviate our suffering.

“Your Excellency sir, we experienced similar case during the 2012, where all our farmlands, crops, fish farms, poultry and other means of our livelihood were destroyed by the flood. However, the government promised to pay for compensation to victims of the flood, but failed to fulfill the promise up till date.

“Sir, to tell you the severity of the impact of the flood on us, we attached in this letter copies of pictures of the flood.

The few remaining inhabitants of the community move about with canoe and boat because the water has submerged the entire community.

“Government should come to our aid by providing relief materials and financial compensation to the affected vic-

tims or relocate us to the internally displaced people’s camps in the state.”

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015—3

DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

Erosion endangers A’Ibom Govt House, Calabar-Itu federal highway *Problem beyond state govt—Commissioners Inyang, Essien *Senate Ad-Hoc Committee seeks FG’s assistance *Soil texture, topography responsible for escalating menace

AKWA IBOM…

•Affected erosion site in A'Ibom

LAND OF PROMISE

By Tom Moses

UYO—A DEVASTATING gully erosion is threatening Uyo Hilltop Mansion, seat of Akwa Ibom State Government in Uyo, the state capital; University of Uyo, UNIUYO, and the famous centenary Saint Luke’s Hospital at Anua community.

In addition, Akwa Ibom State is on the brink of being cut off from the rest of SouthSouth states and South-East region, as the Calabar-Itu Road, the major road linking the state with other neighbouring states, is in a serious state of disrepair occasioned by gully erosion.

Chair, Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Works, Senator Barnabas Gemade, raised the alarm, weekend, while on inspection of the erosion-ravaged sites in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Niger Delta Voice gathered that unless Federal Government takes urgent steps to check the gully erosion, it might wreak untold havoc on the state.

He lamented that the Saint Luke Hospital, Anua and University of Uyo were also in danger besides residents and investments worth billions of naira standing on the path of the ravaging erosion.

Niger Delta Voice observed during the inspection that in spite of the palliative steps taken by Akwa Ibom State government, the gully erosion was threatening the founda-

•Akwa Ibom gov's lodge tions of the Saint Luke Hospital and the University of Uyo temporary site.

It was also observed that the erosion had seriously devastated the Enen Atai-Itam, Itu Local Government axis of the Calabar-Itu Road, such that with few more rains, Akwa Ibom may be severed from neighbouring states on the eastern and southern flanks.

The same disaster would catch up with Itu, Uruan and Ibesikpo Local Government Areas within the Uyo capital territory if government fails to address the problem swiftly.

Senate c’ttee shocked at damage Senator Gemade said: “We have gone round and inspected the four major erosion sites in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and we have noticed that the state is facing very serious ecological challenges that may affect lives and properties if there is no quick intervention by the Federal Government.

“We have also noticed that here in Akwa Ibom, that there

is judicious use of the Ecological Intervention Fund be-

He explained that it was because of the intervention that no serious disaster had occurred so far at the Enen Atai-Itam axis of the Calabar-Itu Road, which records heavy traffic on a daily basis

cause the quality of work done by the contractors on these sites is quite professional and reasonable.

“We, therefore, recommend the possible stepping up of ecological fund intervention in this state. The people of these areas should also be happy with their representation at the Senate, Senator Bassey Albert, as our coming here is because of motions we received on the floor of the Senate, one of them moved by Senator Bassey Albert representing this Senatorial District.

“The government of Nigeria is a very responsible government and the mantra of change is certainly working.

Therefore, we must begin to do things differently.

“We must attempt to solve some of these problems on a more permanent basis unlike in the past where light palliative measures were carried out and after every season, you come back to face a bigger problem.”

Heavy rains exacerbated condition Briefing the delegation of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Works earlier, Akwa State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ephraim Inyang, said the state government had within the limit of its resources, intervened to curb the gully erosion menace, but that this year’s torrential rains had made nonsense of the monies sunk into the intervention efforts.

Intestinal worms ravage A’Ibom children

By Tom Moses

U

YO— NO fewer than 86 percent of children, aged 5 to 14 years, are reportedly harbouring intestinal worms and related infections due to poor sanitary conditions in the local communities, especially at Udung Uko Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.

Programme Coordinator of Neglected Tropical Diseases, NTDs, Mr. Joseph Kumbur, made the revelation during a stakeholders and volunteers’ workshop on mass drug administration at Uyo, the state capital.

He said a survey conducted in 2014 by the Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with Helen Keller International, HKI, revealed that more than 86 percent of children in Udung

Uko local council of the state were infested with intestinal worms.

Kumbur explained that though most of the local councils in the state had a prevalent rate of more than 20 percent, the case of Udung Uko was pathetic due to the pitiable hygienic condition of the communities in the area.

According to him, intestinal worms were prevalent among people living in places with poor sanitary conditions, lack of water supply, practice of eating without washing hands and walking with bare feet.

The coordinator, however, said that HKI had entered into partnership with the state government to ensure the eradication of intestinal worms’ infestation and other three NTDs prevalent in the state, including ele-

phantiasis and river blindness.

He said: “All the 31 local government areas in Akwa Ibom State have more than the 20 percent prevalence in intestinal worms and 25 local government areas have prevalence from 50 percent and above. The 86.6 percent prevalence in Udung Uko underscores the level of theproblem in the state.

“The effects of intestinal worms are numerous. One is that it keeps children out of school because prolonged effects causes retarded growth and protruding abdomen.

The school age children are the most vulnerable group and in Akwa Ibom, most of the infested ones are between 5 and 15 years.”

Inyang expressed worry that erosion would displace many Akwa Ibom people and destroy invaluable investments in the event of any other torrential rain, hence his appeal on behalf of the state government for the Federal Government’s urgent intervention to rescue the state and millions of Nigerians from the embarrassing situation.

His Ministry of Environment counterpart, Dr. Iniobong Essien, informed the Senate committee that on each of the erosion sites, Akwa Ibom State Government expended huge sums of money beyond the Federal Government’s ecological intervention fund.

He explained that it was because of the intervention that no serious disaster had occurred so far at the Enen AtaiItam axis of the Calabar-Itu Road, which records heavy traffic on a daily basis.

In the same vein, Dr. Essien said the timely intervention in Uyo by Governor Udom Emmanuel in the erosion threatening St. Luke Hospital, Government House and the university, saved the country from bad news except that the situation was now beyond the capacity of the state.

We need more funds—Contractor Managing Director of Nigerpet Construction Company, the outfit handling the erosion intervention works in the state, Engineer, F. Terry, commended the state and the federal government’s efforts so far in checking the erosion menace, but called for release of more funds.

Terry blamed the situation on the texture and topography of Akwa Ibom State soil and recommended the planting of trees with deep roots to hold the soil firmly together and warned against dumping of refuse in gutters and drainage to avoid diverting the course of rain water from drainage to people’s houses.

The delegation of the Senate Committee included Senators Barnabas Gemade, Matthew Urhoghide, Clifford Ordia and Bassey Albert, the Senator representing Uyo Senatorial District.

C M Y K

4—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

CELEBRITY

RIVERS…

THE TREASURE BASE OF THE NA TION NATION

Rivers govt, NEMA abandoned us — Flood victims •They told us to write our names but‘ve done nothing— Chief Abieba, community leader

By Davies Iheamnachor

A

K I N I M A — ALTHOUGH the flood ravaging five riverside communities at Ahoada West Local Government Area, Rivers State has receded, the people are lamenting what they described as insensitivity of government and its agencies to their plight.

The residents of the affected communities said the state government, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and the Ministry of Special Duties have not provided them any help.

They debunked the claim from some quarters in the state that NEMA built an Internally Displaced People’s camp and provided some relief material to the affected people.

We received nothing from govt One of the residents of Akinima community, Mrs. Charity Alpheus, told Niger Delta Voice that the flood damaged everything they owned.

Alpheus said: “The flood has destroyed everything we have both at home and in the farm. I do not know how to cope with the situation I have found myself.

“The painful aspect of the whole thing now is that we have not received anything from government. We only heard that they set up a camp

•The flooded community

•A room that was affected by the flood for the people that were affected somewhere we do not even know the place.

“We used to sell a basin of

We need government’s assistance.

Government should come to our aid so that we can rebuild ourselves

garri for N1,000. Now it is for N200 because the flood has damaged everything, we sell it just to see what we can eat.

“The terrible aspect of this situation will be after the flood because even if we plant new crops, it will take us over six months before we can have food.”

Mr. Leon Mark-Yeri said: “The flood has impacted so much worry in our lives. It has devastated the whole environment. Our farms are mostly affected.

“We need government’s assistance. Government should come to our aid so that we can rebuild ourselves.

No IDP camp in our area “During the 2102 flood, some things were sent to us but those

Residents cry for help, as flood...

Continued from page 2 president's home town, also hosts the Federal University with large student population and mixture of nonindigenes involved in business in the fast growing community.

Only haulage trucks could pass through the submerged portion of the road due to the volume of water.

The situation had forced motorists, especially commercial drivers plying the route through the Azikoro axis, to go through the Elebele-Emeyal flank.

Vincent added: “It will be a suicide mission for a small vehicle to go through this route. There are so many craters on the submerged road that could prove fatal for somebody not conversant with the road, especially now that it has been C M Y K

taken over by flood.”

Redesign project Another resident, Aziba Thomas, said: “The only way out of the problem is for the authorities to redesign the road project.

“The entire stretch of land is low and it is only proper to elevate the road above the water level to avert this type of ugly scenario whenever there is a rise in water level.

“Imagine the economic loss caused by the flood; many families that eke out their livelihoods along this strategic route have been displaced.

Also, the farmers cannot convey their farm produce to the market, where they ought to be sold.”

•Mrs. Charity Alpheus things did not get to us. This year, NEMA tried by predicting this flood and they promised they will put up IDP camps, but till date we have not seen anything.

“NEMA has not done anything about our condition here. The place we are meant to stay, at the local government headquarters, is not kept.”

Meanwhile, a community leader in Akinima, Chief Eniata Abieba, disclosed: “The permanent secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Special Duties, Mrs. Ibaniba Briggs-Iti visited the communities and assessed the situation on ground and said they would set up IDP camps for the people.

“She said they would use the Akinima Health Centre as IDP camp, unfortunately, they did not drop anything for the people. But she promised that they will come back.”

“She directed that we should write names and we have done that, but we have not seen anything more. Possibly, they are doing something over there.”

Hunger looms He asserted: “Despite that the flood is going down, it has already done a lot of damage to the people. Our crops were damaged and we were forced to harvest them. Because we were forced to harvest them, the price of food has gone down.

•Mr. Eniata Abieba “We have immediate problems and aftermath problems like hunger and outbreak of diseases. We are yet to receive enough of government response. The government was aware of the 2012 flood and was aware of the predictions of this year’s flood.

“Since then till now was enough for them to prepare IDP camps and make other provisions available, but they have not done anything.

“As things are now, concerning the outbreak of diseases, if government had opened IDP camps they would have been close to the people and be able to monitor the people. They would have provided relief materials, which would have included drugs.

“We know that NEMA needs to do something, but Rivers State government must not depend on NEMA to take care of its (Rivers) citizens. They should show concern and do something.

“We have not seen NEMA at all. We are aware of what is happening in the North-East, we know the role of NEMA, we know the role it played in 2012; its activities are not hidden.

“But NEMA put up appearance here only the day the permanent secretary visited the communities in September.

Since then NEMA, as an agency, has not come again.

We are not happy.”

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015—5

Police invasion sparks anxiety in Rivers community

•One of the dogs and two motorcycles allegedly burnt by the security operatives invaded us and destroyed every property lawfully owned by the CSO of the community.

“After we finish mourning our Eze within seven days as our tradition demands, we will take up a case against the police.”

*Community, CSO threaten to sue police for violating existing peace

RIVERS…

THE TREASURE BASE OF THE NA TION NATION

By Davies Iheamnachor

R

UMUEKINI—THE recent invasion of Rumuekini community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, by security operatives, has sparked off fresh tension in the quiet town.

Penultimate Friday, a combined security team stormed the community in over six vans loaded with fully-armed men and allegedly raided the home of the Chief Security Officer of Rumuekini, Mr. Samuel Nnamta, killing domestic animals, destroying electronic gadgets and confiscating some of his properties.

The raid, which came less than 14 hours after the monarch, HRH, Eze Ogwu Akandu, joined his ancestors, caused panic as people went into hiding.

Mixed reaction Angry villagers alleged that the invaders could be hired assassins, who came to eliminate the community’s chief security officer, while

DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

By Egufe Yafugborhi

O

some argued that they were police officers.

One of them said: “They cannot be police officers. How can policemen visit the home of somebody who is not around and kill dogs and set his property ablaze.”

Those, who believe they were police officers, accused them of inflicting unrest on the community.

Traditionalists, however, said the invasion was a signal that the community had become helpless at the demise of the highly revered Eze of the community, who might have been using his power to prevent the community from attack.

Climax of impunity

•One of the rooms in Nnamta's home Speaking to Niger Delta Voice, Prince Patrick OgwuAkandu said the invasion was the highest level of impunity against the community, adding that the police carried out such operation without regard for the monarch, who passed on less than 14 hours earlier.

Akandu said: “The

community is not happy that police came and created more tension in the community at a time the community just lost its number one citizen.

“The community will no longer accept this level of impunity from the police.

They did not notify the community before they

After we finish mourning our Eze within seven day as our tradition demands, we will take up a case against the police

•Vandalized

Land grabbers invade Delta School *Okowa's aide furious, vows govt ‘ll repossess land *You caused it, Otokutu leader tells govt

TOKUTU—DELTA State Government has vowed to recover land belonging to Otokutu Grammar School, Otokutu, Ughelli, which some community leaders and land grabbers have allegedly appropriated.

Senior Special Assistant, Peace Building to Delta State Governor, Mr. Austin Ogedegbe, stated this when a government delegation visited the community on a fact-finding mission.

The delegation, which included officials of the Ministry for Basic Education, led by the Director of Schools, Akpojuwa McDonald, found out during inspection that several acres had been cleared and mapped out for private developers.

Speaking at a meeting with community leaders after the inspection, Ogedegbe said government would recover the land.

He warned community leaders to cease further encroachment on the school land and reach out to land grabbers to steer clear, saying that if previous governments were passive on the matter, the current government would not.

Survey documents presented by Ogedegbe indicated 80.42 acres, on which government had built only a few blocks of classrooms and staff offices since inception.

He said: “The land, as government property, is to benefit the community when need for further infrastructure development comes to the area. Government is government. Even if there has been silence for a decade, government will take what belongs to it and anyone who insists on fighting government knows what to expect.”

Community leader blames govt President General of Otokutu, Chief

Alexender Evuyetaipha, who said he had not sold any land since he assumed office, called on the state government to toe the line of peace on the matter, adding “I want peace in Otokutu and this issue can be resolved peacefully.

“To a large extent, government also gave room to what has happened to the school land. Since releasing such vast land to government, no effort has been made for further development of the school, instead the foundation structures erected are fast decaying, but if only government has even fenced the entire school land, it would have guarded against the encroachment.”

McDonald, Director of School, Delta State Ministry for Basic Education, who represented the Commissioner, also said that government would take action on the community’s request for proper fencing of the school as panacea for the encroachment.

CSO threatens legal action Contacted, Mr. Nnamta threatened to drag the Rivers State Police Command to court over the invasion of the community, saying the community had already taken the resolution.

He said: “The police visited my home and maliciously killed my dogs, destroyed all my electronic facilities and carted away some of my belongings without reason.

“The development has indeed threatened the peace in the community and caused unnecessary panic because the people now live in fear.

“I am a law abiding citizen of this country and I see no reason for the action that the police took up against my home. The police must come to defend their action in the community before a court of law.”

‘Police doing their job’ Contacted, Assistant Police Public Relations Officer, Rivers State Police Command, Grace Koko, said she had not been officially briefed on the matter, but noted “if the police do their lawful duty, is there anything wrong with that?

How does it sound that somebody is threatening to sue police to court for doing their job.”

It’s illegal— Lawyer Reacting to the development, a human rights lawyer, Mr. Higher King, said it was unconstitutional for security operatives to invade Nnamta’s home without preinvitation of any allegation, stressing that no person is guilty until proven guilty.

King expressed worry that men of Nigeria Police, comprising Special Operation Squad, Anti-Cultism Unit and Special Anti-Robbery Squad carried out such operation, sometime in July, and detained Mr. Nnamta, but later released him after series of investigations that proved him innocent.

The human rights advocate urged the state police command to investigate the recent raid and ensure justice in the matter, stressing that it would be a sad story if police dismissed knowledge of the attack.

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6—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Dilapidated internal roads worry Asaba residents

By Nath Onojake

A

SABA—RESIDENTS are at pains over the condition of internal road network at Asaba, the capital of Delta State.

They expected that the capital city should have the best internal road network and drainage with walkways and beautification, but the reverse is the case with the appalling state of practically all link roads.

Inhabitants pass through untold hardship whenever it rained because of the impassable state of the roads.

Worse hit were residents at the Direct Labour Agency, DLA Road, which ironically hosts the state’s road construction and maintenance agency. It is a link road to Nnebisi, the only major road in the state capital.

A tricycle operator, Mr. John Okeke, who plies the road, told Niger Delta Voice that he spent an average of N6,000 weekly to fix his tricycle, adding “the bad state of the road has adversely affected my monthly earning.”

A resident, Tony, attributed the bad condition of the road to the abandonment of the construction work by the contractor, a prominent indigene of the area.

•Uda Layout Road, by Ogbeke Square

•Keke-NAPEP swimming on a road He said the road project was awarded during the tenure of the former governor, Chief James Ibori, re-awarded by the immediate past administration of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, but nothing changed the old story.

Our findings showed that shop owners were already relocating from the area because of lack of patronage.

Other badly affected thoroughfares in Asaba are Maryam Babaginda Road, which links the Asaba International Airport; Jesus Saves Road, which hosts the Presidential Guest House; Agric Road, Okpanam Road, leading to the Legislators’ Quarters and Maikpobi link road to the Asa-

ba bypass, where majority of the civil servants live.

Also in ramshackle condition are Ogagifo Street, Federal Lodge, Jarret, Bosac, Uduah Layout by Ogbeke Square, Umuaji and Dennis Osadebey roads.

A staff of the Federal High Court, Asaba, Elliot, who resides at the state Midwifery, General Hospital Road, lamented the terrible condition of the road whenever the heavens opened up, saying Keke NAPEP operators refuse to ply the area because of the condition.

“The aftermath is that most of the residents are stranded and trek for several hours to get to their homes,” he said.

•Federal College Road

•One of the impassable internal roads

Bayelsa community takes on SUBEB, UBEC over ‘ghost projects’ BAYELSA… GLORY OF ALL LANDS

By Emem Idio

S

ANGAKUBU— Sangakubu commu nity in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has expressed shock at the claim by the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, and Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Abuja, that they awarded and executed projects in the community in 2005 and 2008, describing it as a fabrication.

The Amanyanabo of Sangakubu, HRH Domokuma Yokorogha, Chief Ginah Omieworio-Ginah; Community Development Committee, CDC, Chair, Mr. Headman Kumosuowoyo and others in a petition, said the projects purportedly executed in the town and published in the Commission’s Universal Basic Education Commission, Community Accountability Transparency Initiative, UBEC/CATI, manual/ article for Bayelsa State were non-existent.

In the petition signed by their counsel, Barrister Vincent Topman, they said the non-existent C M Y K

projects allegedly awarded and executed in the community in 2005 and 2008 included desks and tables for pupils and teachers, awarded at the cost of N.6 million and renovation of classroom blocks for N6.8 million.

Others were construction of borehole at the cost of N1.1million, construction of 240m perimeter fencing at the cost of N18 million and construction of blocks of four (4) units of detached toilets at the cost of N52 million.

How the hoax was exposed The counsel said the community only became aware of the said projects when the villagers stumbled on the UBEC/ CATI manual published by the commission sometime in February.

He said they “discovered that several SUBEB projects were awarded and claimed to have been executed by the commission (SUBEB) in the community in 2005 and 2008, whereas none of the said projects have been executed and money has been paid for the said projects.

“It is our instruction to state in clear terms that none of the above mentioned SUBEB projects awarded to our clients’ community were actually ex-

ecuted in their community as claimed by the commission (SUBEB).”

SUBEB explains role Responding to the allegations, the Executive Secretary, Bayelsa SUBEB, Mr. Walton Liverpol, said: “The Board wish to bring to your notice that Sangakubu community was in our 2008 action plan that was cancelled in a meeting of the State Executive Council by the then Chief Timipre Sylva’s administration.

“As a result, the board was directed to prepare a new work plan and was re-submitted to UBEC for approval, which was granted and it was acted upon

The acting provost of the college has been running the College of Education, Warri, since 2009 without a governing council and, obviously, without a substantive provost against the clear directives of NCCE

as re-prioritize as year 2008 intervention projects.”

Community disagrees, to petition EFCC Nevertheless, the Sangakubu community expressed dissatisfaction with the defence of SUBEB, insisting that the board should tender to the community a document to prove that the SEC actually cancelled the projects.

The community threatened to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to investigate the matter, take appropriate action, and prosecute whoever supposedly converted money for projects in the community to personal use.

Don gives Okowa 30-day notice to appoint provost

WARRI—A chief lecturer at the Department of Political Science, College of Education, Warri, Delta State, Mr. Odhe Umuakpero, has given Governor Ifeanyi Okowa a 30-day notice to appoint a substantive provost for the college and inaugurate a governing council or face legal action.

Umuakpero, in a letter by his solicitor, Benefit Orugbo (Esq.), addressed to the Commissioner, Ministry of Higher Education,

Asaba, said the present acting Provost of the College of Education, Dr. Sele Ebisine, has overstayed his three-month term and functioning in the capacity for six years running.

He said: “The acting provost of the college has been running the College of Education, Warri, since 2009 without a governing council and, obviously, without a substantive provost against the clear directives of NCCE-National Commission for Colleges of Education, National University Commission and NBPMNational Board Polytechnics and Monotechnics, which stipulated a five- year single tenure.”

He stated that the five-year tenure was not renewable for the office of a provost of a College of Education and/or vice chancellor of a University, adding that the directive/policy of NUC, NCCE and NBPM had been implemented in Delta State by many higher institutions, except College of Education, Warri.

According to him, “the failure of government to appoint a substantive provost and its failure to constitute a governing council for the College of Education, Warri, from 2009 till date has created serious cases of threat to the lives of chief lecturers of the college.”

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015—7

N23b Oghara IPP abandoned Continued from Page 1 cal Government Area of the state.”

A source said security agents arrested one of the suspects, following information that he called some unknown persons on phone demanding for the payment of his balance.

The source, who spoke in pidgin English, said: “The boy dey provoke, dey shout and halla for phone say him don finish him work, make dem come pay the remaining balance of him money, but him no sabi say people dey hear wetin him dey talk.”

He never wanted to become Chairman—WIDOW Speaking to Niger Delta Voice, the bereaved wife, Mrs. Cecelia Onabe, said: “When they wanted to make him chairman, he refused.

“He never wanted to be chairman because my husband does not have time due to his farm work. He was a big time cocoa farmer and did not have time for any form of politics as his cocoa farm was his priority.

“But I know one thing for sure, he was assassinated by some wicked elements from this village, who did not like the sanity and tranquillity he has brought to Katchaun.”

She said her husband was not a politician, alleging that some political actors in the community, who had earlier threatened him to quit the seat, masterminded the killing.

Prophetic warning Mrs. Onabe also narrated how an evangelist, during an openair crusade held by Assemblies of God in the area, called for prayers on behalf of the chair to avert an impending threat to his life.

She disclosed: “During that crusade, the evangelist called for the community Chairman, my husband, and asked him to pray hard because there is a gang up against him.

“He said they have held a meeting against him and asked him to see him privately, but it is so sad that all what that man said happened. To me it is like nightmare that I wish I could wake up from.

“We have two boys. One of them, who is in the polytechnic, is no longer going to school because everything is now at a standstill. It is really heartbreaking; my husband left this house hale and hearty and now he is no more.

“Although I only saw his face when they brought his corpse to the square, there are rumours that his penis, left breast and ears were cut off. God will judge all those behind his gruesome murder.”

She also expressed surprise that some blood relations could not come and condole with them for the colossal loss, even though it had been in public domain for a long time and hoped that they did not have a

•Henry Fadairo, Commissioner of Police

•Governor Ben Ayade hand in her husband’s death.

She called on the police and other security agencies to bring the killers of her husband to book, no matter the challenge.

Mother of the slain chair, Mrs. Immaculata Onabe, who spoke in pidgin English, said: “My pikin nor do dem anything oo. Dem just come kill am like that. I dey cry oo, I still dey cry oo. make dem bring back my pikin ooo.”

Clan head reacts Clan Head of Katchuan, Buda clan, HRH Otu Benedict Jafo Enyia, told Niger Delta Voice that he learned about the demise of the chair like everyone else in the village and had given useful information to the police.

He said security agents had arrested four persons in connection with the killing and prayed that justice should prevail.

On the purported killing of a witness in the murder of Onabe, the clan head denied the killing of any other person in connection with the death as speculated.

He said: “I am above 60 years of age and have no reason to lie to you. No one else was killed in connection to the chairman. All those are mere rumours and unconfirmed as far as I am concerned; there is nothing like that.”

Witness was killed— Motorcyclist A commercial motorcyclist, who preferred anonymity, nonetheless, differed: “No be only that chair dem kill oo. Dem kill the man wey see them wen dem they kill am, becos him been dey shout for help. So those people self been dey inside the bush too dey work.

“They killed one of them, the other escape. Nor mind

anybody wey tell u say them no cut him penis, na true dem cut am.”

However, Niger Delta Voice could not confirm the veracity of his story.

No political undertone— Hon Enyia Former member

representing Boki II in the Cross River State House of Assembly and a leader in the community, Jacob Otu Enyia, expressed shock over the death of the chair, who he revealed was his cousin.

He said: “I am directly related to the deceased; the name Jacob Otu was given to me by his father. I am weakened and really bitter about the incident because the person in question is my brother.

“The way I wanted to come out and handle the matter changed because of the way some persons started going about it; well it is very unfortunate.”

He also revealed that he had been out of the country for

•The pair of trousers he wore on the day, which was found in his farm

months and just came in from a trip, only to behold the shocking news that his brother (Kyrien) had been killed,” adding “I feel very sad and bitter by his demise.

“Some elements are just trying to politicize the matter, but there is no political side to the incident. I want to believe that his death was probably as a result of his fight against some criminal elements in the community because his leadership brought calm and absolute peace to Katchaun.”

Hon Enyia further told Niger Delta Voice that some mischievous elements were trying to use the death of the chairman to cause confusion by bringing a political colouration, which he said was untrue and unfounded because the man was not even a politician and elections were over.

We’ve made several arrests, investigation ongoing—POLICE When Niger Delta Voice contacted the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Cross River State Police Command, ASP John Eluu, he confirmed the incident, adding that police had made several arrests and investigations were ongoing to track down the perpetrators of the crime.

He said: “We are not spirits; we rely on useful information of the people to get to the root of the matter and we can assure them of utmost confidentiality.”

Families urge police to investigate ‘strange’ killings in Delta community

DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

S

APELE—THE families of four victims murdered in cold blood by suspected gangsters at Amukpe, a suburb of Sapele in Delta State between 2009 and 2013 have called on the police to investigate the “strange” butchery.

They urged police not to succumb to the pressure of some politicians to release the alleged linchpin, currently in custody.

Spokesperson of the

families, Mr. Newworld Akpojivughe, told journalists that a squad under the leadership of the suspect, killed the victims, Tiller Akpojivughe, Oghenebrorhie Lucky Tetebe, Tony Kejakpo and Saturday Agbamu.

Akpojivughe, a brother to one of the deceased persons, said police officers from Zone 5, Benin, arrested the top dog on the orders of the Inspector General and letting him loose will pose a serious threat to Sapele and environs.

They, therefore, urged the police and Department of State Services, DSS, to investigate him for several heinous crimes

in the area and ensure his speedy prosecution.

The bereaved families said, “The police must be thorough in their investigations over several alleged crimes and atrocities committed over the years by the suspect, while justice must take its full course without interference from anybody or any quarter.”

They also appealed to the Human Rights Commission to wade into the matter, saying that powerful interests aborted several attempts in the past by them to seek redress on the matter.

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8—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Residents scream over deserted N2.4bn NDDC road project •Claim contractor vamoosed after collecting N700m mobilization

DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

By Perez Brisibe & Ochuko Akuopha

A

GBARHO—THE people of Agbarho kingdom, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, have decried an alleged abandonment of the N2.4 billion Agbarho Township Roads project, four years after it was embarked upon by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. They said that the contractor handling the 12 -kilometer road project abandoned the job after the commission allegedly mobilized him with N700 million.

When Niger Delta Voice visited the community, president general of Agbarho Improvement Union, Chief John Gbenedio, who lamented the deplorable state of the roads in the town, said the community was yet to have any positive impact in 16 years of democratic rule in Nigeria.

30 streets in bad shape Disclosing that over 30 streets in the town were in very bad shape, Gbenedio noted, “In 2011, we heard that Agbarho road project was awarded by NDDC, we were happy but up till now, the roads have not been done. When we investigated, we discovered that they

RIVERS…

THE TREASURE BASE OF THE NA TION NATION

approved the road and some payments made, but the contractor has not done anything meaningful up till now.”

“All our efforts have proved abortive. Initially, they told us that they awarded the contract for the road without stone base and drainage. When we dug into it, we found out that there was stone-base and comprehensive drainage,” he asserted.

Bemoaning the adverse impact of the bad condition of the community roads on the socio-economic lives of the people, Gbenedio said, “Those who have cars cannot drive to their homes, they park their cars somewhere else and take commercial motorcycle to their homes.

“Some people cannot even take motorcycle, they trek. In the raining season, Agbarho is usually in a very terrible shape

... we are telling NDDC to ensure that the contract they awarded is executed

Deplorable road in Agbarho just because of lack of good roads. Agbarho is a wellplanned kingdom by our ancestors, but because of lack of roads, we do not know where we are heading.

“The absence of roads has affected Agbarho badly, if you come here between 6.00 am to 7.00 am daily, you will see the number of people going to Warri. Most of the people working in Warri stay in Agbarho, we are telling NDDC to ensure that the contract they awarded is executed.”

Rivers senior citizens call for aid

P

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our project as ‘Construction of Agbarho Township Roads with Comprehensive Drainage (12km).

“From my interaction with NDDC officials, it became clear that the contractor has collected over N700m out of the project value of N2.4 billion.”

Contacted, Head, Corporate Affairs, NDDC headquarters, Port-Harcourt, Mr. Ibitoye Abosede declined comments on the matter, saying, “If you want information, come to PortHarcourt.”

Deplorable road in Agbarho

By Davies Iheamnachor

ORT HARCOURT INMATES of the Elderly Peoples Home, a Catholic Church welfare initiative for aged people at Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have cried to the Federal and the Rivers State Governments, well meaning organizations and public-spirited individuals to give the home a face-lift.

The senior citizens, who spoke through Sister Chinenye Ohanele, made the call while receiving bags of rice, six cartons of Indomie noodles, beverages and items donated by the Men’s Union of Valiant Men of Livescoal Ministries International in Port Harcourt.

Ohanele said that things were not normal again with the home; saying money was required to

Findings in Port Harcourt An indigene of the community, Mr. Bunor Agbomedarho, alleged that “while NDDC engineers at their Warri office claimed that there was no stone base and drainage on the approved Bill of Quantity, BOQ, but our findings in their PortHarcourt headquarters are to the contrary.”

“We have confirmed from Port-Harcourt that NDDC does not embark on any road construction without stonebase. In fact, NDDC official budget for 2011 clearly captures

•Mr. Ikott handing over the gift items to the home feed the senior citizens, acquire washing machine, water

heater and other things to keep the home in a relatively good

working condition.

Earlier in his speech, national coordinator of the union, Mr. Edwin Ikott, appreciated the Catholic Mission for caring for the less privileged elders in Nigeria.

He said, “The elderly people in our society need our love and care. Every year, we mark our men’s day, but this year, it touched us to be here at the home of the elderly to complement the good works that the Catholic Church is doing here and in our own little way to give our little token to these elders.”

“It is not truly in our culture to send our elderly ones to places like this, rather, we believe in taking care of them at home.

It is not our culture, but I believe that soon Nigerians will

know the importance of sending them to this home,” he said.

Ikott asserted, “Some people believe that if we are sent to places like this, it means that our children have rejected us, it is not correct. Soon, Nigerians will begin to encourage and institutionalize things like this.

This is a nice place to keep elders instead of leaving them in the village for people to mock and insult them when the children are not around, especially when the village is not safe.”

He added, “Old age is not witchcraft rather it is a blessing. I call on the government to encourage institutions like this, not only the government but churches, well meaning organizations and individuals.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015 — 29

Turbulent times for Ambode’s executive council Continues from page 28 described it as a gas explosion.

Before these incidents occurred, there had been report of infiltration of insurgents into Lagos state. Some of them reportedly hide under the cover of darkness through trucks bringing in food stuff from the northern part of the country , to sneak into the slogan centre of excellence . Several of them were however arrested and charged to court.

Just last Friday, the Department of the State Services,DSS again foiled attempt by terrorists to blow up Dolphin estate , Ikoyi , in Eti-Osa local government area of the state , arresting 45 suspected members of Boko Haram and recovered arms from them. The suspects were subsequently also charged to court. In year 2014 alone , over 50 insurgents as reliably gathered , were arrested in Lagos state , with the recovery of several explosives and weapons . Some of the explosives as reliably informed were concealed inside beverages cans.

Security stakeholders In view of the foregoing, Vanguard reliably gathered that security stakeholders have gone back to the drawing board to restrategise with a view to ensuring that formidable measures were put in place to secure lives and properties of Lagosians.

To this effect, the Lagos State Police Command has called on Lagosians to be vigilant and join hands with security operatives, by availing them with information that would not only make the state safe but also safeguard them. It also suggested that it was better to raise false alarm on objects suspected to be combustive, than to ignore it, only to cause the loss of human lives.

Speaking on the infiltration of insurgents into Lagos state, Monday , at the Lagos State Police Command Ikeja, , Assistant Inspector-General of Police incharge of zone 2, Onikan, described the seeming trend an expected move, due to the heat on them by the Military.

He said “ it is s a common knowledge that since the heat on them in the North -east is hot, there is likelihood that these people will move from that area to neighbouring places. We are aware of that and we have put our intelligence men on alert .

We are not resting on our oars in that regard to ensure Lagos is secured.

Investigation at Vanguard’s disposal showed that some suspects arrested had already

•Ambode perfected plans to simultaneously bomb 16 landmark locations in Lagos including tank farms in Apapa and Ijora as well as the popular Third Mainland Bridge.

Areas in Lagos where these arrests were made include Kara , Isheri Berger , Gowon estate, Egbeda , Alimosho Ijora Badia , Apapa and Ebute-Metta .Densely populated areas in the state are reportedly among targets by terrorists.

To this effect , Vanguard gathered that plain clothes policemen have been placed on surveillance in places considered as hot spots in Lagos. Some of these places include Ajegunle, Agege, Idi-Araba, Iyana-Ipaja, Iyana-Iba, Mushin, Alaba-Rago along Badagry express-way, Pen-Cinema, Orile, Mile Two, Ayobo, Ajah, Ijora Badia, Ojuelegba, Ajah, Ijora 7-up among other places.

•Fatai Owoseni on all their prospective tenants, as well as create avenues to meet with their tenants from time to time.

Part of the information as contained in the CounterTerrorism Campaign by the Police high Command include drawing its attention or those of other security agencies to vehicles parked or abandoned by unknown persons . Some security tips which include the need for legitimate sellers of chemicals such as fertilizer, ammonium products, acids e.tc to be wary of persons they sell such products to and report

Community leaders

Illegal immigrants It was also reliable gathered that consistent raids of places considered as hot spots are ongoing. So far, over 400 arrests have reportedly been made.

Most of those arrested were discovered to be illegal immigrants. Among them were truck pushers, wheel barrow traders and Bureau-de-change operators. Also, intensified surveillance around public places such as markets, churches, mosques, schools, parks, had reportedly been put in place by the Lagos state Police command.

Security tips: In view of the current security and terrorism threats in some parts of the country, particularly in Lagos state , the Police High Command recently launched a Counter Terrorism Campaign with a charge to landlords in Lagos to conduct back ground checks

suspicious orders to the appropriate authority were also included..

But the fight against terrorism as stressed by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police , Mr Fatai Owoseni , should not be left alone to security agencies.

He therefore advised Lagosians to adhere strictly to the security tips against terrorism as contained in the CounterTerrorism Campaign pamphlet The tips include: *Know your neighbours: You must strive to know not only the person living in your house but in your surrounding environment . Find out their means of livelihood as every strange face must be probed

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode who led the team, asked the participants to take the lessons learnt from the retreat seriously and make a commitment to implement them in their various ministries, departments and agencies

*Observe what your neigbour normally brings home at night or what he normally moves away in the morning hours, as this may be dangerous to the safety of all. *Community leaders, working in conjunction with the local police, are encouraged to form neigbourhood associations and periodically meet to appraise security situations in their areas. *Do not keep any object that will aid criminals to have easy access to your premises, e.g ladder beside the wall. *Owners of uncompleted building must clear them off undesirable persons or request the assistance of security agencies to do so where necessary. *Park owners, garage operators and operators of shopping malls must ensure that they thoroughly scan, search and take stock of vehicles parked within and around the premises of such public places.

*Hotels and hospitality industries should always screen their guests and lodgers properly and ensure that they obtain accurate details of all guests. *Corporate citizens, high-end commercial and residential establishment, institutions, mega churches/mosque and individuals with valuable assets, including hotels and park owners are encourage to install Close Circuit Televisions and other surveillance system strategically on their premises to help in monitoring criminal activities. *Draw the attention of the police or other security agencies to vehicles parked or abandoned by unknown persons. *Empty containers, gas cylinders, dustbins and other receptacles not in use, must be properly disposed off or kept away from the reach of unauthorized persons. *Do not allow unknown person to drop or abandon bag, boxes, foot barrows, or trolleys, articles of trade, cartons or any wrapped or sealed containers around your premises. *Legitimate sellers of chemicals such as fertilizers, ammonium product, acid, etc should be wary of persons they sell such product to. All suspicious order should be immediately reported to security agencies.

Dangerous objects * Always check your surroundings for suspicious , unexplained and dangerous objects and immediately informed the police where any such object is found. * Never except to take possession of or watch over any bag or object kept by unknown person or person *Be vigilant at public places as bombs can be kept by unscrupulous persons in unattended bags , packages, containers, cars, etc. *In the unforeseen circumstances of a bomb blast, stay away from the blast scene.

Signs of a bomb, suicide bomber Also, security hints on how to recognise signs of a bomb as well as a suicide bomber as provided by the Nigerian Army , include ; unusual or chemical smell from improvised explosives; suspicious bulges or backpack , or packages ; hands in pockets or trigger /wire in hand; tunnel vision- eyes focused on target and heavy clothing inappropriate for the weather.

Traits to look out for in a suicide bomber as listed in the security tips include ; • Alone and nervous • Loose or bulky clothing, inappropriate for weather • Exposed wire/and or eyes appearing to be unaware of surroundings.

• Rigid mid section . May indicate hidden riffle or bomb.

• Tightened hands or hands kept in pockets . May indicate clinching of a detonated device .

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30—VANGUARD, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Elizade explains sharp rise in Toyota price T

HE Managing Director of Elizade Nigeria Limited, dealers in Toyota brand of vehicles, Mr. Ademola Ade-Ojo has attributed the sharp rise in prices of Toyota models to government policies and massive devaluation of the naira.

The Managing Director who was speaking at a customers forum organised by his company for fleet managers at Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Ikeja, Lagos, recently assured the customers that very shortly, the tide would turn in their favour.

According to him, the Nigerian economic terrain in the last 18 months had been quite challenging as the political, economic and legal framework which formed the bedrock of their business, had generated a lot of socio-economic disruptions in the automotive sector of the economy.

Commending the customers for standing by the company over the years through thick and thin, the Elizade boss said “we crave your indulgence and ask for more of your trust, loyalty and commitment going forward.”

He noted that despite the inclement economic weather, Elizade would continue to remain a force to be reckoned with as a world-class indigenous corporate entity with the customers as its pillar of support.

To this end he disclosed that the company has embarked on construction of more 3Star facilities and upgrading of existing facilities across the country, aimed at improving service provision to the customers.

Apart from two 3Star in Lagos, he disclosed that Ibadan facility had been upgraded while Likki and Akure 3Sar facilities are undergoing improvement and enlargement.

Improvement and enlargement Also, in the South-East axis, he explained that Uyo ultra modern 3S facility is almost ready for commissioning, while Enugu facility would be ready next year.

The Managing Director who further pointed out that the company was expanding and strengthening its branch facilities to meet customers need added that arrangement had been made for quick service to customers at selected filling stations in Lagos, where preventive maintenance service can be accessed, while a state of the art 3S facility was being planned to complement Abuja facility in the North.

Meanwhile, the managing director further disclosed that the complete metamorphosis of the Lekki facility into a seven-star 3S facility in West Africa was in the

•To raise Lekki 3S facilities to 7-star

offing.

“Our overall vision is to have 3S facilities of world class all over Nigeria in line with Toyota corporation blueprint,” he said, adding that three of their branches had already earned highest certification by Toyota Corporation while additional two branches will be joining this category. These include Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, while Uyo and Akure facilities would be joining in 2016.

To support these facilities, the

managing director said that Elizade takes the issue of staff training very seriously.

According to him, three of their technicians who were champions at the Toyota organised national skill contest just came back from Japan where they represented Nigeria at the world conference of champions.

For this achievement, he said, “we are proud to announce that we have the highest number of Diagnostic Master Technicians in the Toyota family.”

With all these in place AdeOjo urged the customers to take advantage of Elizades five star service delivery and other incentives to improve the life span of their Toyota cars.

One of the new incentives is the discount voucher reward system for cash paying customers.

He said “We wish to state that as fleet managers, your company and staff can access our products and services in all our locations nationwide with the same level

of customer service quality assurance and at reasonably reduced cost. We have just packaged our incentive for cash paying customers, aimed at ensuring that customers keep maintaining and enjoying their vehicles while they access Elizade Discount Voucher incentive system.''

This scheme, he said, allows a cash-paying customer to enjoy some discount on both spare parts and labour at every preventive maintenance service for their vehicles.

Jaguar Land Rover models thrill at Ride and Drive C

OSCHARIS Motors, representatives of Jaguar Land Rover in Nigeria, recently demonstrated the outstanding qualities of the two brands during its Jaguar Land Rover ‘Ride and Drive,’ event at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

The ‘Ride and Drive’ which has become an annual event in the calendar of Jaguar Land Rover in Nigeria was attended by Jaguar Land Rover customers, the motoring press and prospective customers of the brand.

On hand to demonstrate the capabilities and ride quality of the Jaguar and Land Rover models were driving instructors from Jaguar Land Rover SubSaharan African headquarters from South Africa.

The one-day event saw Coscharis Motors rollout the full range of the two premium brands for the exercise, including the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Autobiography, Range Rover Evoque, Land Rover Discovery Sport and Land Rover Discovery, all luxury Sport Utility Vehicles.

From the Jaguar line up were the Jaguar XJ (flagship sedan),

XF, XE and its the powerful Sport car, the F-Type. Visitors to the ‘Ride and Drive’ event were amazed at the drive qualities of the cars which were tested on braking, manoeuvrability, take off, and overall handling.

Mr. Emeka Nwankwo, one of the visitors who attended the

event told Vanguard Motoring that he reluctantly accepted to be at the event on the invitation of a friend but will be leaving the venue with a different impression about the Jaguar and Land Rover models.

“The comfort level of these cars are above industry standard,” he

said, after taking a close look and ride in the white Range Rover Autobiography at the venue.

Though he said he had never driven any of the Jaguar Land Rover models before, he simply said “Today, Jaguar Land Rover has gotten a potential customer''.

•From left, Mr Yasuhiro Nakamura, General Manager, Aftermarket Group, Aisin Asia PTE Ltd; Mr. Aftab Hashim, Managing Director, Star Sewing Machines Ltd; Mr Nseobong Akpabio, Asst.

Corps Marshal, Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone RS2 FRSC and Mr Abdel Qader (Abed) Abu Hijleh, General Manager, Sales & Marketing, Aisin Asia PTE Ltd , Middle East during the Star Sewing Machines Ltd products launch in Lagos. Photo: by Diran Oshe.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015 — 31

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32—VANGUARD, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

A

ISIN, world renowned original auto equipment manufacturers, OM, has introduced its range of products into the Nigerian market with a mission to rid the nation’s auto market of fake vehicle spare parts, and promote safe driving culture in the country.

Aisin is a world leading auto spare parts supplier to renowned automobile manufacturing companies across the world, especially the Japanese including Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi among others.

Aisin original parts manufacturer enters Nigeria market •Vows to end fake parts patronage The company marked its entry into Nigeria recently as it announced its alliance with Star Sewing Machine to deliver quality products at affordable rate.

The firm is coming to the country about 50 years after commencing operations globally.

The General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Aisin Asia, AbdelQader Abu-Hijleh, said the company supplies one third of the entire parts that make up every Toyota vehicle.

He said: “In every Toyota vehicle, there are about 30,000 parts and Aisin provides 10,000

of those parts,” adding that the spare part firm was also feeding other automakers with vehicle components.

Apart from the Japanese brands, he said the firm was also supplying spare parts to BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Volvo and Mini.

Toyota redefines comfort with Hiace luxury version T

HE luxury version of Toyota Hiace was the cynosure of all eyes at the 17th edition of the Abuja International Motor Show, where it attracted visitors and other participants to the Toyota stand.

The new Hiace, which took the centre stage at the Toyota stand, comes with luxury amenities like never before in its class, thereby redefining comfort.

The new addition to the Toyota Hiace line up in Nigeria, the Hiace luxury version stands out with its high roof which gives passengers the opportunity to move freely inside the bus without hindrances.

Toyota Nigeria Limited, TNL, earlier this year added the Hiace bus luxury version to its line up in Nigeria with full options.

The new Hiace luxury bus, which joined the Toyota family in Nigeria recently, is a 10-seater vehicle and is available in high roof grand cabin with executive seats.

According to a Toyota Nigeria source, the new luxury Hiace version was added to offer customers a wider option of choice to meet their demands, especially for visiting chief executives, who desired to be driven in comfort with their host team and high net worth passengers, who want to travel in comfort.

Transporters and families

•Interior of Toyota Hiace luxury bus version would find the luxury version of the Hiace handy in carrying passengers.

Boasting better legroom, shoulder room and comfort amenities comparable to aircraft cabin, Hiace luxury version is more luxurious than the normal versions and any vehicle in its class in Nigeria at the moment.

Powered by 2700CC petrol

engine, (DOHC 4 cylinders 16 Valve engine type) the Hiace luxury version is available in two wheel drive and four wheel drive as well as automatic transmissions.

Toyota has carved a niche for itself across the world in the transportation of passengers and goods. In Nigeria too, the Hiace has maintained the number one

position in its segment despite tough competition from Chinese and other auto markers.

Toyota Hiace bus is very popular for its smooth run, durability, less maintenance charges and long running performance. The long life and toughness are key reason for Hiace increasing sales across the world, especially in Nigeria.

He lamented the high volume of fake products in the market and stressed the need for collaboration with well-meaning stakeholders to flush out fake auto parts from the country.

He said: “We are here to fight imitation. The problem of this market is imitation. Imitation products not only damage vehicles but also destroy lives of the people and throw families of its victims into prolonged sorrow.”

Abu-Hijleh also explained how the company planned to send producers and dealers of fake auto products out of business in Nigeria.

According to him, Aisin will collaborate with relevant government agencies and other stakeholders, including auto spare part buyers, to educate the people through seminars on how to distinguish fake products from genuine ones.

He also said that the company would make its spare parts quality specification available to the regulatory agencies such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the Nigeria Customs Service, for the purpose of identifying fake products and stop their entry and circulation in the nation’s market.

Abu-Hijleh said: “We have, for the after-sales market, genuine products such as lubricants, water pumps, brake pads and clutches.

And we intend to introduce more products in the future.”

“Our intention is to educate the customers in Africa, including Nigeria, about the good products and the danger of counterfeit products. We hope to work with different groups and government agencies.”

He described the Nigerian market as big, with a lot of potential to be one of the best in Africa.

Boulos, power-bike riders take CRS to motherless babies B

OULOS Enterprises has extended its corporate social responsibility to the Nigerian Red Cross Society by donating materials to the Red Cross Society Babies Home in Yaba, recently.

Boulos Enterprises says beyond assembling and selling automobiles, it is interested in the welfare of the society, especially the less-privileged in areas where it is doing business.

This, it said, was why it got the support of a section of its customers, power-bike riders, in a carnival-like rally recently for the motherless babies home.

The General Sales and Marketing Manager, Boulos, Mr. Stanley Evans, stated this while presenting some gift items to members of the Red Cross Society Motherless Babies.

He said each member of the Boulos Family (Boulos Enterprises, Belimpex Limited

and Boulos Foods & Beverages) was represented at the event as a demonstration of the commitment of the group and to encourage others to identify with the cause.

The Ride Easy Motor Cycling Club, whose members accompanied the Boulos family to the orphanage home, also donated gift items to the children.

Evans, said, “We are committed to the future of Nigerian children at Boulos; we are proud to support them.”

His wife, Devion, who came with their five-month old baby, said, “It is a wonderful place to be; the children are well cared for. They just need love and you don’t really need to have money; what you need is just the time to show them love.”

In his remark, the Marketing Manager of Belimpex Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Bidemi Oladoye, said that caring for motherless

children should be something all Nigerians should do regularly. It is a course for all.”

She was also of the opinion that in as much as the children must be protected, they should be allowed to go to school outside their compound so that they could socialise better with other children. She called on government to align with one of the major goals of the Millenium Development Goals by doing more in the area of children’s education.

One of the motorcycle riders, Mr. Korede Balogun, said, “Coming here will make the children happy, by giving them hope and encouragement even when they don’t know their parents.”

The Assistant Matron of the home, Mrs. Taiwo Idowu, while appreciating Boulos family, and the Ride Easy Motor Cycling Club called on other well-meaning Nigerians, and

non-governmental organisations to key into any of the projects of the orphanage home such as the completion of the construction of

classrooms, purchase of school bus, installation of the CCTV cameras and the fixing of Interlocking stones in order to avert flood during rainy season.

•From left: Mrs.Titi Olodun, Manager, Marketing Boulos, Mrs Taiwo Idowu, Assistant Matron; Nigeria Red Cross Society Motherless Babies Home, Yaba and Mrs Bidemi Abiodun Oladoye, Marketing Manager Bel-Impex with some power bikers.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015 — 33

34 — Vanguard, TUESDAY,

NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Structural engineers unveil low-cost housing design for IDPs •Demand balkanization of NSE

By Kingsley Adegboye

A

S part of its corporate social responsibility,CSR to those displaced by the BokoHaram insurgency in the NorthEastern part of the country, the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers, a division of the Nigeria Society of Engineers, NSE, has unveiled a low- cost housing design estimated to cost N250,000. The design, the product of a competition for undergraduates of engineering and architecture sponsored by the Institution, is for resettling internally displaced persons, IDPs. Vanguard Homes & Property recalls that the NIStructE had invited entries for the design of low -cost houses that will take into consideration structural stability, safety, cultural consideration, durability and use of local materials among others from students of Engineering and Architecture in all Nigerian universities.

Subsequently, twelve entries were submitted for the competition. Earth Bag Housing Solution, a team of three 400level Architecture students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria emerged the winners, carting away a prize of one million naira.

The second prize of N500,000 went to House 1111 team while I-DARE team came third with N250,000 reward.

House design President of NIStructE, Dr. Samuel Ilugbekhai said the institution adopted the house design as CSR to encourage students of engineering and architecture in tertiary institutions across the country.

Ilugbekhai who spoke at the opening of the 28th Annual Conference of the Institution in Abuja last week, lamented the frequent collapse of buildings across the country.

“We are rising up to the occasion, once again, to address the negative effects of the wanton collapse of buildings in our environment with a view to achieving safer buildings and to ensure that the phenomenon of collapsed buildings in Nigeria is a thing of the past.

“It is regrettable that more and more buildings are collapsing all over the country despite the well meaning efforts of organisations such as ours, in combating the menace. Most of the incidents

RECEPTION: British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, welcoming the CASLE President, Mr Joseph Olusegun Ajanlekoko, to a reception for professionals held at St James Palace, in England, last week. reported in the last couple of months were dangerous and fatal, claiming lives, maiming people and destroying property”, he said.

The NIStructE boss explained that structural engineering is the foundation of the development of every nation in the world today.

He regretted that while other nations guard their structural engineering industry jealously for the safety of lives and property of their citizens, the reverse is the case in Nigeria. “We are once again requesting that the qualified and competent practice of Structural Engineering in Nigeria should be backed by a specific Structural Engineering legislation and this will bring an end to Nigerians dying in collapsed buildings in their own country,” he said.

While commending the Federal Government for its achievements, he regretted that not much can

be achieved in the engineering development of the nation with the current structure of the

For as long as these well established institutions are tied down by obnoxious laws between COREN and the Nigerian Society of Engineers, we will continue to beat about the bush on issues relating to true engineering

Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE which has cocooned all the productive professional engineering institutions such as the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers, the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers and a host of others to the engineering detriment of the whole nation.

“The Nigerian Society of Engineers as presently constituted is an unnecessary duplication of the roles and responsibilities of the various well established engineering institutions which it is sitting on and suffocating, thereby confusing the general public, demoralising engineers and creating an atmosphere for quacks to operate.

“For as long as these well established institutions are tied down by obnoxious laws between

South Energyx flaunts unique features of Eko Atlantic City

T

he Vice Chairman, South Energyx Nigeria Limited (developers of Eko Atlantic City), Mr. Ronald Chagoury Jr, has highlighted some of the unique features of the new city. Chagoury who spoke at the Real Estate Unite event organised by Messrs 3invest limited in Lagos, said the most significant feature of the City is the Great Wall that protects it from the devastating surges of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Great Wall is designed to withstand the most severe tidal surges forecast over the next 1,000 years.

Opportunities in novel projects such as

the Eko Atlantic City and others across Africa will deepen investment opportunities in the real estate sector of the continent.

“What we do now and going forward needs to be well thought out. Building a city that can accommodate change is about the infrastructure that is put in the city to make it work. For instance, if you are lucky enough to live and work in Eko Atlantic City, traffic in Lagos will not be a problem,” he said.

Eko Atlantic City has participated in a number of real estate events globally and locally, showcasing its mega city project.

COREN and the Nigerian Society of Engineers, we will continue to beat about the bush on issues relating to true engineering development in Nigeria.

“To take full advantage of the in-built potentials of the result oriented Nigerian professional engineers therefore, we must disestablish the Nigerian Society of Engineers, as presently constituted, now and amend the latest COREN law, for the direct empowerment of the various engineering institutions which are already in existence, which the NSE is sitting on, and challenge them directly along the lines of their specific areas of core competences for the accelerated and synchronised engineering development of Nigeria,” he stressed.

President Mahammudu Buhari who was represented at the conference by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. D.S Kigbu, said the frequent incidents of collapsed buildings in the country are not acceptable.

He urged the Institution to partner with built environment professionals to urgently find a lasting solution to building collapse in the country.

“You must strive to achieve excellence through training and re-training of members to find a lasting solution to the menace of building collapse,” he stressed.

Building collapse Guest speaker and Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir ElRufai, represented by the State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Mr. Usman Hassan, said the theme of the conference, “Structural Engineering Excellence in an Environment Inundated with Collapse” was apt because building collapse has become an epidemic in the country, taking a terrible toll on lives and causing considerable international embarrassment.

“As structural engineers, it is apt that you are considering the matter of building collapse. The country needs the urgent help of professionals in the construction industry to address what has become an issue of public safety,” he emphasised.

President of NSE, Engr. Isaac Ademola Olorunfemi, represented by Engr. Joseph Akinteye, said NSE is ready to partner with the structural engineers to promote the low cost house design to the relevant authorities starting from the presidency.

Ministerial-nominee, Suleiman Adamu, an engineer, charged the engineers to move beyond rhetoric to address the issue of building collapse.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015 — 35

Why Wuye Market is crisis-ridden, by developer •FCTA approve 1,600 shops •Gave us 5, 605 names

By Henry Umoru

D

EVELOPER of Wuye ultra modern Market in Abuja, Messrs All Purpose Shelters Limited has given reasons behind the crisis engulfing the development of the market. The market is presently under lock and key.

According to the company, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA approved a total of 1, 600 shops for it to develop and also presented a list containing

•A typical traffic gridlock along Oshodi-Apapa-Expressway

Developers mull impacts of traffic gridlock on real estate

By KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

A

PPALLED by the worsening traffic gridlock that has rendered Lagos almost impassable, built environment professionals who spoke at the 3 rd biannual Breakfast Meeting organised by Propertygate Development and Investment Plc, have called on the State Government to find a lasting solution to the problem in view of the man-hours being lost on daily basis.

The experts who noted that the gridlock is impacting negatively on real estate business, decried the poor state of roads in the city.

Speaking on Anarchy on our roads: Where is enforcement?, the professionals posited that the gridlock which was caused by the deplorable state of the roads in the “centre of excellence”, has caused patronage in real estate transactions to drop drastically.

This has negatively affected the over-all turn over.

Estate transactions Propertygate’s Managing Director, Mr. Adetokunbo Ajayi who spoke on the implications of anarchy on our roads for living and real estate, built environment and economic activities, explained that achieving liveability status is still a distant dream for Nigerian cities due to the deplorable conditions of roads in the country.

Ajayi attributed the traffic gridlock to a plethora of factors.

“Lawless behaviours rank as a major contributor to the hardship being experienced on our roads,” he said pointing out that wastage of human capacity due to the deplorable state of Nigerian roads has caused loss of business opportunities for real estate practitioners.

Lamenting that the situation has equally led to the emergence of a culture of mediocrity, he said assets degradation and depreciation of road asset as a result of spill over of traffic from major roads to road set backs and medians are some of the factors responsible for the state of our roads.

As a result of the situation, he explained that developers have the dilemma of where to site their investments that will yield good returns on investments. “Where you have massive land for development, the place may not be accessible due to bad state of roads in the area. Again, there is no incentive for development initiative in such place because those who will appreciate your initiative will not go there to see what you are doing,” he lamented.

Explaining the pains developers go through in the course of sourcing for building materials for their projects, the Propertygate boss said the presence of industrial clusters at a particular location in a city, will enable developers to go there and

The experts who noted that the gridlock is impacting negatively on real estate business, decried the poor state of roads in the city

source for building materials for their projects instead of moving from one place to the other in search of materials.

Ajayi who stated that anarchy on Nigerian roads has also led to urban decline leading to devaluation of economic activities, said hawkers, shoe shiners and others are constituting a nuisance in Lagos rather adding value to the city.

Mr. Tayo Odunsi of Northcourt, a firm of real estate practitioners, stated that in measurable terms, the impact of traffic on real estate business cannot be determined.

He said that property appreciation is between 10 and 15 per cent, pointing out however, that in real terms, depreciation of property in the city is between 19 and 20 per cent.

Urban Development: Amuwo-Odofin residents demand relocation of vehicle spraying plant

By Dotun Ibiwoye

T

HE construction of a vehicle painting workshop in Amuwo Odofin G.R.A has drawn the ire of the about 10,000 residents who are now seeking the Lagos State government’s interpretation of the extant Urban and Regional Planning Laws and the National Building Code.

The residents who claimed that the development of the workshop contravened the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2010 . According to the Amuwo-Odofin Residents Association, this prohibits the establishment of a commercial industry in a residential area.

The residents are worried about the health implications of the construction of the factory which manufactures chemical for painting vehicles in their neighbourhood. According to them, the chemicals from the factory are hazardous.

Leader of the residents, Alhaji Tunde

Keshinrou wants the State Government to halt the construction of the factory until the anomaly is rectified.

Keshinro explained that the establishment of the vehicle workshop contravenes both the physical planning law and the legislation on residential schemes.

In a petition to the Permanent Secretary, Physical Planning and Urban Development, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA and the New Town Development Authority, NTDA, the residents called on the the government agencies to shut down the chemical workshop.

The petition which was signed by nine of the executive members of the residents association alleged that the workshop located at Plot 2273, Block 35A, off Abiodun Lawson Crescent of Amuwo Odofin residential scheme did not consider the children in the area who are more liable to succumb to environmental pollutants because their immune system is not as strong as adults.

5,605 names as beneficiaries to be allocated shops when completed.

The Public Relations Officer, P.R.O of the company, Mr. Tosin Adeyanju who spoke to newsmen on the crisis, explained that after winning the bid for the project, the FCTA gave the firm a proviso to sell the shops, upon completion to traders on the 5, 605 list of subscribers handed over to it.

He further explained that these 5,605 subscribers already had provisional allocation letters from the administration.

Trouble he said, started when a group of 707 traders among the 5, 605 subscribers whose names were handed over to the firm, came up with a request that they were entitled to the shops free and approached a court for an order of possession of the shops.

“Immediately after we won the bid, we moved swiftly to commence the construction by approaching three banks for loans to execute the project which the banks responded positively to after all documentations were verified and the C of O in the name of Abuja Investment Company was deposited as collateral for the loan. Work began immediately.

Conduct of the plaintiffs However, the project has witnessed a lot of challenges which by the grace of God we surmounted until this set of traders tried to politicise it,” he said.

He alleged that a judgment given by the court on April 29, 2015 was misinterpreted by some of the aggrieved traders who he said broke into the shops and took possession before security agents were drafted in.

“The conduct of the plaintiffs has been very ridiculous . The other three markets of Kaura, Garki and Mabushi went through the same process and had concluded sales with the previous allottees and business activities have commenced since. “We should look at the professionalism and investment that has been put into this project and its multiplier effect in Wuye district when the market opens.

Traders need to start earning a living from their investment and few Nigerians should not frustrate the good intention of government.

36 — Vanguard, TUESDAY,

NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Renewable energy:

Experts seek replication of BoI/UNDP initiative across Nigeria

By Funmi Olasupo

T

HE need to impact on the lives of thousands of people that are not connected to the national grid in remote villages across the country gave birth to the Bank of Industry, BoI and the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP’s partnership for power generation through its Solar Energy to improve their living standard.

Under the programme, the development finance institution declared that it is providing longterm financing for the installation of off-grid solar home systems in six communities in a pilot phase.

The decision of BoI to fund renewable energy projects, environment experts said, is in line with the policy direction of the present administration.

To this end, experts in the energy sector have called for the replication of the project across the country.

President Muhammadu Buhari had during the just concluded Nigeria Alternative Power Expo(NAEE), called on investors in the power sector to shift emphasis towards environmentally friendly alternative sources of power generation in order to protect the ecosystem.

Protection of ecosystem Meanwhile, apart from the already commissioned 24KW micro-grid solar electrification each in Bisanti, a remote village in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State, and in Ife-North LGA in Osun State, the project is to be replicated in four other communities, namely: Ogbekpen, Ikpoba in Okha LGA, Edo State, Kolwa Kaltunga LGA, in Gombe State, Onono, Anambra West LGA, in Anambra State and Carwa/Cakum, Markarfi LGA, in Kano State.

The over 200 rural dwellers in each of the communities that were captured in the project, are expected to have sufficient solar electricity to power three LED light bulbs, one electric fan, one radio/TV set and mobile phone charger. Unlike in the grid system in which electricity bill is by fiat, the solar power system will be anchored on 'Pay-as-You-Go' prepaid technology.

Speaking during the commissioning, the BoI Managing Director, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, noted that the need to impact on the lives of thousands of people that are not connected to the national grid in remote

villages in the country was the driving force behind the project.

According to him, the rural electrification solution would not only help in reducing the ruralurban migration, it would help to preserve the lives of the people as well as the ecosystem.

He said, "Those that are worse hit by the current electricity situation in the country are the rural communities, especially the off-grid areas which have always been without electricity and are

The solar panel stores energy and the one that is not used during the day is stored in a battery

•Solar panel in Bisanti, Niger state resigned to the use of kerosine lanterns, oil lamps and other types of dangerous and unhealthy sources of light to be able to live their daily lives.

"Firstly the installation of off-grid solar home systems in the two communities will help in developing the communities.

Secondly, we can begin to see a slowdown in rural urban migration, and possibly a reversal.

It is a model we are deploying in six communities across the six geopolitical zones".

Continuing, he said: "Solar is a green energy that relies on

energy from the sun. The solar panel stores energy and the one that is not used during the day is stored in a battery. It is a selfsustaining model, environmentally friendly and we are proud to be supportive of the process."

Olaoluwa, who said the bank's medium term vision was to install solar systems, through the combination of micro-grid and stand-alone solar systems in 100,000 homes in the next five, also expressed his readiness to partner with state government and private investors with a view to replicating the project in other

communities across the country.

While urging the nation to tap into the abundance renewable energy sources in the country he, emphasised that "renewable energy such as hydro, wind and solar are growing in relevance and commercial adoption on a global scale. The critical role of renewable energy was reemphasised at the G7 summit which held in June,2015, where the leading industrial nations agreed to decarbonise the global economy by phasing out the use of fossil fuels by the end of this century."

Govt, professionals endorse new pre-fabricated building system

By Kingsley Adegboye

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YO State Government and the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, NIA have endorsed the new pre-fabricated building

by Vitapur Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Vitafoam Nigeria Plc. Besides, they commended Vitafoam Nigeria Plc on its Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR policy which aims at addressing fundamental needs of humanity despite the inclement operating environment.

Speaking at the commisioning of the two pre-fabricated buildings donated to Government College, Ibadan, by Vitafoam Group, Oyo State Governor Senator Abiola Ajimobi who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Education, described the gesture as a strategic way on the part of Vitafoam Group to take care of one of the basic needs of the people. Senator Ajimobi explained that Corporate Social Responsibility was the hallmark of sacrifice that any organisation can give back to the society that had done well for them.

While recommending the prefabricated buildings to everyone, he said, “I would like to say a big thank you to the Board, Management and Staff of the

Vitafoam Group for donating these two Pre- fabricated buildings constructed by Vitapur Nigeria Limited along with full furniture such as Sofas, Kitchen cabinets, Ward robes mattresses and pillows supplied by other Vitafoam subsidiaries to complement the edifices donated to the Government College, Ibadan”.

In what also amounted to an endorsement by all builders, Lagos State Institute of Buildings Chairman, Mr Ashimiyu Bashir declared that pre-fabricated buildings were of interest to all builders in worldwide.

The inherent adaptability and durability of Vitapur’s prefabricated building units’ means that we can develop buildings to fulfill the needs of even the most demanding or obscure applications

Speaking at the occasion, the former governor of Kano State, Senator Musa Rabiu Kwankwanso also commended Vitapur Nigeria Limited for the innovative pre-fabricated buildings and explained that it would be an option to the Federal Government in its efforts to address housing deficit in Nigeria In his keynote address, the managing Director, Vitafoam Group, Mr Taiwo Adeniyi explained that Vitapur Nigeria Limited had blazed the trail by acquiring a new state-of-the-art sandwich panel production line which can produce a maximum length of 14.7metre with varying thickness, the first of its kind in West Africa.

Pre-fabricated structures According to him, Vitapur sandwich panels can be used for constructing pre-fabricated structures, cold rooms, equipment shelters, quick shelter development, office partitioning, shopping malls, drop temp ceilings etc. Commenting on the benefits of rigid insulation board, Adeniyi stated that “Vitapur Polyurethane Rigid Insulation board comes in various facings depending on intended application. These Insulation boards can be used as wall, floor

and roof insulation. For new buildings, boards are usually used over the purlin before the roofing sheets while Vitapur spray foam application is preferred for existing roofs.”

Adeniyi who described Vitafoam as an integrated system said that all its subsidiaries are contributing effectively to the innovative products. He further stated that “The inherent adaptability and durability of Vitapur’s prefabricated building units’ means that we can develop buildings to fulfill the needs of even the most demanding or obscure applications, creating functional buildings that are time and cost efficient, durable, adaptable and sustainable.”

In his welcome address, Vitafoam Chairman, Dr Dele Makanjuola explained that the project was borne out of the Corporate Social Responsibility that Vitafoam had been accustomed to and also to showcase another arm of the company’s business.

Makanjuola noted that the company’s foam products are faster, easier and more efficient to mass housing construction in Nigeria. According to him, it has also proved that mass housing for our beloved country and Nigerians can be achieved faster, cheaper and with more effective and efficient means.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 , 2015—37

Tension in Warri as Itsekiri shut down DESOPADEC Court adjourns Hostcom N230bn suit to Nov 12

By Emma Amaize, Festus Ahon & Egufe Yafugborhi

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ARRI—ITSEKIRI Joint Action Group, IJAG, a coalition of organizations of Itsekiri ethnic nationality in Warri, Delta State, yesterday, laid siege to the office of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, shutting down its activities.

The group, which alleged marginalization of the ethnic group by the commission, stormed its office yesterday following the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum it issued the commission on October 25.

DESOPADEC workers scampered from their offices for safety when the protesters invaded the commission.

State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Usman Alkali, ordered his men to dislodge the protesters from the premisis of the commission as soon as he got wind of the invasion.

benefit positively from the commission.

While urging the group to sheathe its swords and embrace peace, which he said was the only way to even development, the SA appealed to the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, ILOT, to call the protesting group to order, noting, “It is better to jaw-jaw than to warwar as united Deltans.”

IJAG comprises the National Association of Itsekiri Graduates, NAIG; National Association, Warri Social Development Associations, WSDA; Iwere Development Association, IDA; Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (Itsekiri chapter) and other stakeholders.

Accusation

The group, led Prince O. U. Tuoyo, had accused the Urhobo

ethnic nationality of lording it over other ethnic groups at the commission, claiming only the Urhobo had 1,345 staff, about 45.47 per cent of DESOPADEC’s workforce, while Itsekiri nation had 655, leaving Ijaw, Ndokwa, Isoko and others with the remaining percentage.

The crisis came to a head when the Managing Director of the commission reently redeployed an Itsekiri man, who was the Head of Security of the commission and replaced him with somebody from another ethnic group.

Surprisingly, suspected kidnappers abducted the wife of the new Chief Security Officer of the commission, Mrs Emily Oyokose, last Thursday, from her home at Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area.

The kidnappers, yesterday,

demanded N20 million ransom.

Meanwhile, the state High Court sitting in Asaba, yesterday, adjourned the N230 billion suit by the leadership of Host Communities of Oil and Gas, HOSTCOM, against the state government to November 12, 2015 for further hearing.

Hostcom had in December 2013 dragged the state government to court over the N230 billion alleged cumulated shortfall in the monthly allocation to DESOPADEC from 2007 to December 2013.

The matter which has been lingering for almost two years, was however adjourned by the State Chief Judge, Justice Marshall Umukoro, who just took over the case after it had been handled by two judges who could not conclude it.

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ORT HARCOURT— SENATOR Magnus Abe, who represented Rivers South-East senatorial district in the last dispensation, has denied attacking the judiciary after the tribunal dismissed his petition challenging the result of the last senatorial election in his area.

Abe who spoke in Gokhana Local Government Area, LGA, said there was no time he described the judiciary as a 419 institution, stressing that he only attacked the five days granted him by the tribunal to produce witnesses from every

C M Y K

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B U J A — T H E Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, has said for the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, to sustain its relevance in the country, it must not be left for the government alone.

Tambuwal, who spoke at the Award/Fundraising Dinner organised by the NYSC Support Foundation, in Abuja, noted that with the growing number of participating graduates, it was obvious that there would be challenges that need to be addressed to sustain the main objective of establishing the scheme.

The governor represented

by Hon. Kamil Mudashiru, explained that though the leadership of the NYSC had achieved a lot in its years of existence, it must be supported to sustain the tempo.

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FESTIVAL: Leader of Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Otunba Ganiyu Adams (left) with Coordinator of Ijaw Monitoring Group, IMG, Comrade Joseph Evah, during preparations for 2015 Olokun Festival Day in Lagos.

I never attacked judiciary over Tribunal judgment —ABE

By Jimitota Onoyume

By Caleb Ayansina

Delta APC'll absorb all progressives in PDP —Omaghomi

Arrest

As at 3.00 pm, the police had arrested no fewer than 11 of the protesters and impounded a coffin, which they brought to the commission’s office.

The Area Commander, Warri, Muazu Muhammed, who supervised the operation by the police, instructed his men to take apprehended protesters to the Police Headquarters in Asaba, the state capital.

Reacting to the development, Special Assistant, SA, on Media to the Managing Director of DESOPADEC, Dr Prince Orhomonokpaye, condemned the action of the protesters and said the current board was just two months old in office and required time to settle down and address issues to ensure that all oil-producing communities

Why NYSC must be supported —Tambuwal, others

unit in his senatorial district to prove his case.

Senator Abe, who was the candidate of All progressives Congress, APC, in the last senatorial election, reaffirmed his confidence in the judiciary, saying he was appealing against the judgment of the lower tribunal.

According to him: “The outcome of our case at the tribunal is not satisfactory and we have decided, in keeping with the decision of the APC in Rivers State, that we must seek justice for you and for all of us. We have decided that we must proceed to the Court of Appeal to appeal against the decision of the lower court.

A lot of comments have been made about the decision of the court. And most regrettably, one of the comments that people keep referring to is to say that Senator Abe said it was judicial 419. In making reference to that comment, they forgot everything else that I said in that comment.

“First, I said we have absolute confidence in the Nigerian judiciary; and that we are confident that in this country, there are still judges that see merit in our case and will give all of us an opportunity to present our case the way we should present it. I also said that I respect the industry of the judges that

heard our case, but that I did not agree with the reason that was given for the decision, and I said that we should appeal. In making those remarks, I said that when they ask me that we should have brought witnesses from every polling unit from the senatorial district, and we were given only five days to present our case. It was that action that I said was 419. I did not say that the Nigerian judiciary is 419. I have never said so and I will not say so. So, for those who interpreted my words in that respect, I apologise. I didn’t mean that and I did not say that.”

A R R I — D E LTA South Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Prince Yemi Omaghomi, has said the party will take over all the progressives in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He spoke in Warri while receiving a former Commissioner in the state under Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration and ex-President of Iwere Development Association, IDA, Omolubi Newuwumi, who dumped the PDP for APC along with his political associates and as supporters.

According to him, former Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, Senator Heineken Lokpobri of Bayelsa State and Chief Ayirimi Emami of Delta State, were some of the progressives the APC had taken from PDP, even as he averred that “the APC leadership will do everything possible to win more than 90 per cent of the votes in Warri Federal Constituency in subsequent elections.”

Addressing a large gathering of APC members at the Warri home of Chief Emami, Newuwumi, an Itsekiri activist, noted, “the past 16 years of PDP have not brought the desired development to Nigerians,” hence “I decided to dump PDP for APC to consolidate on the party’s change philosophy which I am a product of.”

38—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Dora Akunyili Centre to gulp N500m

Aba to become ‘Japan of Africa’ —Ikpeazu

Stories by Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA—THE Anambra State government has said it would improve facilities at the redesigned Professor Dora Akunyili Women Development Center in Awka with N500 million.

The project, which is to be completed in nine months will have an expanded amphitheatre,

By Amaka Abayomi

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HE DEPUTY Governor of Abia State, Rt. Hon. Ude Oke Chukwu, has said Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu led administration is particular about fixing the commercial city of Aba to become the Japan of Africa just as it is committed to repositioning and reengineering the state’s economy in line with international best practices.

Speaking at the home coming reception and recognition award held in honour of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Governor Akin Ambode of Lagos, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe, Chief Willie Obiano of Anambra, Mr. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom and himself, the Deputy Governor said the repositioning is apt, especially now that the Nigerian economy is experiencing serious challenges due to the unabated fall in global oil price and needs diversification.

Chukwu said “ the Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu-led administration is leveraging on its five cardinal policy pillars of agriculture, education, health, commerce and industry, and oil and gas to drive the economy with a view to changing the face and fortunes of the state.

a football pitch with carpet grass and a parking space that will accommodate about 2,000 cars.

The state Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Frank Offor said the plan became necessary because the old Awka stadium near Awka Main Market has traffic issues, adding that the Dora Akunyili Centre would serve the needs of women in particular.

He said: “The concept of a stadium and amphitheatre in re-

designed Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre is because it is in a strategic location on Enugu –Onitsha Expressway and it occupies a spacious area where one can park cars.

“It also has a conference hall and a guest house, though some buildings may be removed to make way for the new design.

“Women will love the center because they can use it to do so many things. The Amphitheatre

JUSUN faults Anambra govt’s proposal to end workers’ strike

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WKA—THE Anambra State branch of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, yesterday, faulted the state government’s proposal for ending the ongoing strike by the judiciary workers in the state, insisting that no amount of intimidation will make them return to work unless the lingering issue of Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure, CONJUSS, was addressed.

Reacting on the state government’s proposal to end the strike, the state chairman of JUSUN, Comrade Mark Ifezue said the union was aware that government was making moves to engage those he described as thugs to masquerade as workers to open the courts for business, describing the move as an exercise in futility.

According to the chairman, the union considered the draft proposal from the state government and decided to reject it because it was not time structured, while the phrase that said that CONJUSS would be implemented "when the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, doubles in 2016," was not specific.

The chairman said: “The government proposal did not offer what the state will pay as CONJUSS when the IGR doubles in 2016. Besides, CONJUSS is not peculiar to

Anambra State as it is a salary structure worked out for the judiciary workers in the country and virtually all the state judiciaries are implementing it.

“Again, the union is aware that in January 2015, the state government added 20% to the salary of health workers and raised their salary to 60% from 40%, just as the salaries of teachers were equally adjusted.

That of judiciary workers was left

with a paltry 5%.

“If the increase in the salaries of health workers, as well as the adjustment in teachers’ salary should not wait till when IGR doubles, the issue of CONJUSS should be addressed. We observe with dismay, the state government’s unwillingness to address the issue, but rather chose to indulge in blackmail, propaganda and looking for scape-goats.

existing there now has been redesigned to have a standard football pitch with carpet grass and can host other things for many occasions because it has galleries. ”By the time the proposal is begun, the youth will be happy because it will offer a lot of jobs to them.”

Offor also said that in addition to the Dora Akunyili Center, the state government was working on two other stadia in Awka namely, the old stadium located on Arthur Eze Avenue and a new stadium on the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, near Amansea in Awka North local government.

He also spoke on the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, recently signed by the state government with Affordable Building Concepts International Limited, an Irish company, which is valued at N95.2 billion, adding that under the agreement, the company will deliver 10,000 housing units every year.

Most of the housing programmes, he said, would be executed under the Private Public Participation (PPP).

Reps to probe MDAs on generation, remittance of revenues

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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BUJA—THE House of Representatives has told all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, to prepare their financial books so as to furnish the House with the history of the revenue generated from the relevant revenue sources in the last four years.

The House also plans to assess the health status of the relevant MDAs, how resources had been remitted and managed, the competence level of personnel and framework for collection of revenues as well as the existing structures to check leakages and how they had been applied and utilised.

Chairman, Ad-hoc Committee on the investigation of the alleged fraudulent practice in the collection and management of non-oil revenue remittance by MDAs, Rep Chike Okafor who disclosed this to Vanguard, also said that the committee would also need a proof of adequate records of operating business/companies, activities/transactions and remittance from the MDAs. Okafor said there is need to institute economic transformation to be achieved through necessary structural changes required to jump-start rapid and sustainable growth and development.

According to him, the resources at the nation’s disposal offer a solid base for engineering rapid growth and sustainable

development, adding that on account of the immense potentials of the country, she could become one of the top twenty largest economies of the world by the year 2020.

He said, “we have for so long sat by and watched as our economy witnessed series of turbulent times because we relied solely on one source of revenue while other revenue sources suffered neglect.

“This seeming neglect encouraged complacency amongst those who had vested responsibilities with harnessing and maximising these potentials in the non oil sector thereby ensuring that the revenue from these efforts only trickle into the nation’s coffers.”

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

On Eaglets' performance at ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup

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eep that team to gether, if possible, just few changes, more training, three years from now they can take on the world best and beat them to be the greatest. So kudos to these our Eaglets. -Mr. Jaiyeola Bagbansoro, Businessman C M Y K

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FA should keep these boys together for Under 20 to Super Eagles. They should keep them together instead of spending the money for stupid things. These boys are materials. -Mr. Uzor Martins, Aviation Consultant

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o nobody saw anything wrong with DSTV and Multichoice not relaying the matches after someone will pay N18,000, yet he will not still get a match of his/ her choice to watch? The players are doing a very good job. -Mr. Eworitse Wyse, Worker

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e are proud of you, guys, we are behind you, in prayer.

Bring the trophy home and let us celebrate you more. I have no doubt that these boys will dismantle our so-called Super Eagles if they should play against them. -Mr. Ime Okon, Lecturer

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cannot believe this is from Nigeria. Ride on, boys, victory all the way! In fact, the boys have really made many of us proud, especially with recent poor outings of our Super Eagles. Right on, guys! Mr. Obafemi Destiny, Self Employed

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his goes to show that because we have used men for junior national teams, we have never made any impact till date.

And that is also part of the corruption that we need to destroy before it destroys our national team.

-Mr. Akanbi Johnson, Self Employed

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 , 2015—39

Political thugs disrupt ex-Governor Goje's trial •Many injured, vehicles damaged as judge hurriedly adjourns case

By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor

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OMBE—THE scheduled trial of former governor of Gombe State, Danjuma Goje, was disrupted yesterday morning, as thugs invaded the Federal High Court premises in the state capital, attacking some of the suspects and witnesses and forcing many to flee.

Many vehicles belonging to the defence counsel and supporters of the former governor were also damaged.

The vehicle, in which the defence counsel, Paul Erokoro, was travelling to the court, was among those reportedly vandalised by the thugs.

The attackers unleashed anger on their victims as the star witness in the case, Shehu Mohammed Atiku, Clerk of Gombe State House of Assembly, was testifying against Goje in the dock.

Atiku had barely told the court that the ex-governor forged the resolution of the House of Assembly which he used to collect N5 billion loan facility from Access Bank, when the thugs descended on the court.

Atiku told the court that the said resolution did not emanate from the House of Assembly as there was no record of such proceedings in the House where he served as clerk.

“My Lord, the said resolution

did not emanate from the Gombe State House of Assembly and I was not a signatory to it.

“As the Admin Officer of the House, I chair management committee of the House, keep the record of House proceedings and maintain its records,” the witness said while being led by the prosecuting counsel, Wahab Shittu.

The thugs also launched attack on the accused persons and

others outside the court premises during which the second accused person, Aliyu El-Nafarty and one other person, were seriously wounded.

In the melee, vehicles were vandalized, including that of the defence counsel, Paul Erokoro, SAN. The attack forced the presiding judge, Justice B.O. Quadri, to adjourn to November 25, 2015.

Justice Quadir condemned the

attack and directed both counsel to do a report on what happened which he promised to forward to the Chief Judge, Federal High Court for necessary action Goje, alongside four other accused persons, are being prosecuted by the EFCC on charges of conspiracy, money laundering and embezzlement of funds belonging to the state government.

AWARD: Mr. Tony Ojobo, Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC (left), receiving the National Telecoms Merit Award on behalf of NCC from Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, during the 21st anniversary celebration of Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, ATCON, in Lagos.

School raises alarm over invasion of town

by Fulani herdsmen O

D O G B O L U — MANAGEMENT of Federal Government College, Odogbolu, Ogun State, weekend raised an alarm over the invasion of the sleepy town by Fulani herdsmen, expressing concern that the herds might stray into the school due to lack of perimeter fence.

The alarm came against the backdrop of activities of herdsmen in the different parts of the country, which often resulted in loss of lives and property.

Principal of the college, who was represented by the Vice Principal (Academics 1), Mr. K.T. Famuyibo, disclosed this at the Parents Teachers Association, PTA, at Odogbolu last weekend.

Famuyibo said he had notified the traditional ruler of the community of the development, with a view to reining in the herdsmen stop them from moving their herds to the school environment, where there are hundreds of male and female boarding students.

He said: "Permit me to say that one of the major challenges we have is the issue of security. We are seriously worried about the perimeter fencing of the college.

Our junior hostel, particularly the JS1 block is prone to attack by any C M Y K

intruder. ‘’The Federal Government, through the FME has laid more emphasis on security of lives and properties of their students in all F.U.C. nationwide. We all remember the incidence of Chibok girls in the North East. ‘’To forestall such incident, the PTA executive has agreed to fence the JS1 block that is very close to the express road.’’

The development instilled fears in parents who urged both the state and federal governments to act quickly to address the issue of perimeter fencing for the school to avert a recurrence of Chibok girls episode in the school.

Corroborating the principal, chairman of the PTA, Evangelist Idowu Abudu, expressed concern about the lack of perimeter fencing in one of the Boys’ Hostel.

According to him, the absence of perimeter fencing exposes the school to trespassing from people in the community and the students to danger, including attacks by snakes and other dangerous reptiles.

Abudu noted that the association was making efforts to provide the perimeter fencing and this prompted the parents to appeal to the state and federal

governments to come to the aid of the association and college to address the situation. ‘’At the executive inaugural meeting with the school management, the principal highlighted specific areas which needed the PTA’s intervention, especially the vulnerability of the JSS1 Boys Hostel bordering on the issue of security and the general

well being of the children,’’ Abudu said.

Some of the parents told Vanguard that it was important government reacted quickly to the herdsmen issue to save the school from problems.

They said the herdsmen could enter the college premises because of the absence of perimeter fencing in parts of the school.

ABIA: APGA candidate was

misled —PDP chieftain

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By Elizabeth Uwandu

MUAHIA—A Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain and former assistant to Dr Alex Ekwueme, Mr. Ben Onyechere, has said that the dream by All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, candidate of winning the governorship election in Abia was a dummy packaged and sold to him by a few people whose objective was to obtain his money by tricks.

According to him, he became over obsessed because of his financial clout and refused to listen to wise counsel from major stakeholders not to bother this time around because it was already too late.

His words: “One thing is for sure, which is the fact that I can talk to the Chairman of Diamond Bank,

who incidentally is my relation to reabsorb him in the bank such that he will have soft landing, but in any case, he should stop blaming anybody let alone the tribunal for his woes because his bruises are self inflicted.

“It is embarrassing to the people of Abia and unfortunate the extent to which he had believed the lie that Abia people could easily be bought, particularly after the concept of power shift had been muted and accepted by every segment of the society as a template for Abia politics.

"The attempt by APGA to guesting the veracity of the numerous developmental initiatives of the state governor is in fact pitiable and an indication that APGA’s intention is devoid of progress except to mortgage Abia to the banking industry.”

Troops kill 4 Boko Haram terrorists

By Kingsley Omonobi

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B U J A — I N continuation of the fight against Boko Haram terrorists, Nigerian troops from 243 Battalion under 5 Brigade Nigerian Army on patrol, Sunday, engaged some terrorists in a fierce battle, killing four as others escaped.

The terrorists, who descended on a primary school at Duwabafi village, Borno State, armed with AK 47 rifles, also converted a part of the school to their logistic materials’ base.

A statement signed by Colonel Sani Usman, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, said the soldiers who were on fighting patrol to rid elements of the terrorists from their camps, encountered the suspected elements holed up at the Primary School at Duwabafi village, Borno State, on Sunday.

He said: “There was heavy exchange of gunfire in which the patrol killed four suspected Boko Haram terrorists, recovered two AK47 rifles, four various sizes of solar energy panels, several types of drugs and five motorcycles."

NCPC allocates 500 seats to Bauchi Pilgrims board

B

By Suzan Edeh

AUCHI—THE Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, NCPC, in Abuja has allocated 500 seats to Bauchi State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board for the 2015 pilgrimage.

Mr Ishaya Maleka, Executive Secretary of the Board, disclosed this during an interview with newsmen in Bauchi yesterday.

Maleka further disclosed that 190 of the seats had been sold to intending pilgrims in the state, adding that the figure was against 417 seats allocated to the state during 2015 pilgrimage.

Maleka said that the seats were allocated on first come, first serve basis to the beneficiaries and that the board would adopt the same method in allocating the remaining 310 seats to interested Christians.

40 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Nigerian Breweries 7th Golden Pen Award in Lagos

From left, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, Chairman committee for 7th Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Awards; Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, governor of Abia State; Mr. Anthony Akaeze, Senior Assistant Editor, Tell Magazine and winner of Reporter of the Year, and Chief Kola Jamodu, Chairman of Nigerian Breweries Plc, during the 7th Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Awards, in Lagos. Photos: Diran Oshe

From left, Mr. Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries PLc; Mrs. Nkechi Balogun, winner of Photo-Journalist of the Year; Mr. Issac Ayodele, The Nation, Mr. Godwin Ireke, Telegraph, and Mr. Standley Ogidi, Punch.

From left, Mr. Victor Famuyibo , Director, Human Resources Nigerian Breweries From left, Mr. Mojeed Alabi from New Telegraph, receiving award from Head of PLc; Chief Kola Jamodu, and Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.

Department, Mass Communication, University of Lagos, Professor Ralph Akinfeleye and Gbenga Ogunleye, Rector Nigerian Institute of Journalism.

ADVAN Awards for Marketing Excellence 2015

L-r: Mr Udeme Ufot, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, Chairman, Mr Michael Ikpoki, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria/Guest Speaker, Mr David Okeme, Advertisers Association of Nigeria, ADVAN, President, Mrs Ediri Ose-Ediale, Executive Secretary, ADVAN, with her husband, Mr Allen Ose Ediale, during the ADVAN Awards for Marketing Excellence 2015 in Lagos, on Saturday

From left, Mr. Seun Lawal, Brand Manager, Gulder; Omotunde Adenusi,Brand Manager, Star,Obabiyi Fagade,Brand Manager, Star; Chidike Oluaoha,Senior Brand Manager, Star, all of Nigerian Breweries Plc -winner of Experiential Marketing Award presented by Mr. Lampe Omoyele.

C M Y K

From left, Sam Umukoro, Communication Manager; Patricia Jemibewon,Marketing Director; Gbolahan Sanni, Senior Brand Manager, all of Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd -winner of Marketing Excellence Campaign of the Year Award, and Chief Charles Anyiam-Osigwe, Publisher, Pride Magazine. Photos: Akeem Salau

From left, Kelechi Nwosu,AAAN President; Mr. Tunde Adedoyin, and Femi Ogala, Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, OAAN, General Secretary

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 , 2015—41

‘Healthcare in Nigeria will be more efficient if LGs are directly empowered’ Dr Kinsley Akinroye, is the Executive Director, Nigerian Heart Foundation and Honorary Consul, Finland. In this session, he intimates the need for the Federal government of Nigeria to increase effort in healthcare system, while also advising that primary healthcare system in the country will be more efficient if local governments are directly empowered to run an efficient system and the Federal government runs the tertiary health care services effectively and efficiently.

Akinroye also spoke on the challenging role as the Nigerian Heart Foundation Director and Honorary Consul, Finland, among other issues.

Excerpt;

By Vera Samuel Anyagafu

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HE challenging but interesting role I have being involved in promoting relationship between Finland and Nigeria for quite a long time through personal interaction and as a founding member of Nigerian-Finnish Association, and following my post graduate studies in Finland, I continue to have interactions with Finland. I was nominated as the first Honorary Consul of Finland in Nigeria in 2012, by the Embassy of Finland.

This has being a very interesting and challenging role especially building relationship between a Dr Kinsley Akinroye country of five million people and a country of 160 million people. Over the decision makers, business leaders, and last few years there has being progress in government officials to network and the areas of telecommunication, explore areas of bilateral cooperation. environmental, meteorological and Bi-lateral co-operation and expectations infrastructural technology, power, I am aware that the Finnish healthcare education, and health. and services are of high quality at the level Lesson for Nigerian of primary, secondary and tertiary health The lesson for Nigeria is to have an systems. There are companies involved in effective publicly funded universal health the areas of diagnostics for heart diseases, coverage supported by the National Health cancer, diabetes which are highly efficient, Act. The primary health care system will simple and innovative to use. be more efficient if local governments are directly empowered to providing the health Universal care services. At secondary health care health care system the state government should be directly empowered to run an efficient The Finnish health care system is system while the federal government excellent and operates a publicly funded should be seen to run universal health care. In addition, the tertiary health care Municipalities (Local Governments) are services effectively and responsible for providing health care efficiently. services e.g running local health care Competitive edge centers while there are also regional I look forward to this university teaching hospitals, which are unique event to predominantly financed with tax money showcase the in addition to small affordable user fees. experience of Finland The health policy in Finland works and Finnish expertise, effectively and it is decided at the national innovations and level with the Ministry of Health and Social health devices that can Welfare. Health research is given a high promote health and priority in Finland. wellbeing in Nigeria.

In Characterising Finns, or Finnish Finland is one of the society countries with long life Finnish Though, Finland is regarded as a expectancy in the society, distant, cold and mystical country world, comparable to inhabited by about five million people. It most sub-Saharan one is a country endowed with nature, African countries cannot but beautiful forest, sea, islands, and lakes. including Nigeria, This is a country that has priority for with a gap of almost notice the education, equality of the sexes and fair about twenty years. role of distribution of wealth.

The sharing of In Finnish society, one cannot but notice women in knowledge and the role of women in public and private experience on Finnish public and institutions especially at the highest level. lifestyles would throw private The Finnish are very proud about the light on bridging the which is very close to the heart of institutions sauna gap. every family. Though, Finland and Nigeria Finnish companies especially started relationship in 1963, when Finland working in the areas of established its first sub-Saharan Embassy health are expected to at the in Lagos, there is a lot of potentials for the be present and will highest relationship to grow with mutual benefits also provide a forum to both countries. for companies, experts, level C M Y

MAN faults Shippers Council on cargo tracking note

By Franklin Alli

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HE Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), yesterday, opposed the Nigerian Shippers’ Council bid to re-introduce the Cargo Tracking Note that was discarded by the Federal Government on the request of the operators within the Nigerian manufacturing sector in 2013.

MAN Director General, Remi Ogunmefun, said in a statement that the CTN, if reintroduced, will drive up the cost of cargo clearance at the nation’s ports and have a negative trickle-down effect on businesses.

The statement said, “In the interest of the manufacturing sector and the Nigerian economy, the Nigerian Shippers Council and by extension the Federal Government should jettison the re-introduction of the CTN as currently crafted until the issue of where the cost burden of its implementation will rest.”

According to him, despite weighty reservations expressed by manufacturers at different forum and at a special meeting with the management and Governing Board of NSC and a follow-up technical review session on August 11 and 20, 2015, respectively, NSC was bent on re-introducing the CTN. “This position was reached based on observed limitations, and other yet to be addressed observed lapses that motivated the call for its cancellation few years ago. The rationale for our dissatisfaction was expressed at the afore-mentioned meetings and formally communicated in writing to the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council on September 15, 2015.”

Consequently, he said that manufacturers recommended that NSC should convene a broader stakeholders’ forum that will afford all operators on the maritime value chain, especially those that would carry the cost burden of CTN to technically x-ray its proposal to re-introduce CTN and agree on a mutually beneficial implementation guideline.

He noted: “The NSC is yet to address

the concerns of manufacturers or those raised by other stakeholders, amend observed lapses, provide alternative remedies or convene a maritime stakeholder’s forum but has resorted to the pages of the newspaper expressing the plans to go ahead with the re-introduction.

In consideration of all of above, necessity is laid on MAN as the voice of manufacturers in Nigeria to publicly express our dissatisfaction and objection to the re-introduction of CTN in any form as well as place balanced information in the public domain in the interest of the real sector and the Nigerian economy.

However for avoidance of doubt, it is expedient to restate the position of MAN National Council as follows: *That the limitations and technical lapses that rendered the CTN unacceptable to Maritime stakeholders and Real sector operators that led to its previous rejection are very much present in the ACTN. That all the information required and data that the proposed ACTN intend to collate, as the basis for its re-introduction, are currently available within the domain of Government, specifically Nigeria Customs Service single window platform, Standards Organization of Nigeria, Nigeria Port Authority, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Nigeria Maritime Management and Safety Agency.

“That the re-introduction of ACTN for the purpose of providing information/ data already available with other Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies would amount to mere duplication and at an enormous cost to the manufacturers, importers and other port users. That the ACTN implementation comes with associated cost that will further increase burden of exorbitant cost of doing business for manufacturers who rely on imports for raw materials and machines. This will automatically add to the already suffocating cost structure and renders locally made goods uncompetitive.”

Boko Haram rocket making factory: Allegation a make-belief —Army

By Kingsley Omonobi

F

OLLOWING the posting of rockets manufacturing and bomb making factories by the Boko Haram terrorists’ group in the internet and foreign news organizations which has sent shivers down the spine of many Nigerians, security agencies told Vanguard under condition of anonymity that the allegations and pictures were make belief.

A military in the entourage of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, said the pictures were arranged insertions posted with a view to cause panic among soldiers and Nigerians purporting that the December deadline to end Boko Haram terrorism is not achievable.

“The truth is that Boko Haram have been seriously dealt with and decimated.

They are running helter skelter. They are now powerless. Our troops are really empowered with enough arms and

ammunition. No more running away and because of this, Boko Haram is looking for any means to remain relevant”.

When Vanguard called Defence Spokesman, Colonel Rabe Abubakar and Army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman to respond to the development, they both declined to pick their phones.

The BBC had received pictures of what looks like a rocket-making factory belonging to Boko Haram. The pictures - sent to the Whatsapp account of the BBC Hausa Service - show a number of newly made rockets in what is believed to be a laboratory at a college in Borno State.

An inscription on one of machineries shows the abbreviation of the Government Technical College in Bama, a town previously held by the militants before they were dislodged by the army.

It was not, however, clear when the pictures were taken.

42—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

NECA decries state of federal roads •Says they portend dangers to life, business

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

N

IGERIA Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, has expressed concerns over the failed road networks across the country, stressing that it posed grave danger to the life of citizens and the economy at large.

Director-General of NECA, Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo, in a statement, lamented that the worst hit were the 194,000-kilometre network of federal roads that had deteriorated over the years and cut off many states and communities.

According to Oshinowo, “hardly can you find a major highway in the country without related problem of disrepair: Shagamu – Ore – Benin road and the Lagos-Ota highway, with burned-out metal carcasses of crashed minibuses and wrecked cars doting the sides, the ever-busy Warri-Port Harcourt road and its large portions of crumbled asphalt overlay and potholes, the totally collapsed Ughelli - Asaba highway and Okene – Kabba – Ilorin road network, the abandoned Abuja-Lokoja Expressway project, to mention but a few.

The most pathetic is the 127.6-kilometrelong Lagos–Ibadan Expressway connecting Ibadan and Lagos - the commercial centre of Nigeria and without doubt the busiest inter-state route in Nigeria”. The reconstruction of the expressway was flagged off on July 2013 and had since been abandoned causing untold hardship to motorists.

Several failed portions of the potholed

highway that connects two major cities in Africa’s most populous nation have become the nightmare of the road users, thereby causing serious traffic congestion along the roads, loss of man hours and risk to the lives of citizens. The logjams has also become an opportunity for bandits to have field days” The poor state of the roads has had manifold effects on the private sector, the economy and the citizens. World Health Organisation, WHO’s statistics - Global Status Report on Road Safety, 2015 puts Nigeria at number three in the world’s highest number of fatalities on the roads, behind China and India.

More worrisome is the colossal financial allocations over the years to develop our roads without a corresponding result: for instance, investigation revealed that N4.14 trillion was appropriated from 1999 to 2013 by the National Assembly for road repairs, maintenance, etc”.

The employers’ body reiterated that in spite of the enormous opportunities in the Nigerian business environment and the touted potentials for Nigeria to emerge as a big player in the world economic scene, the continued neglect of critical infrastructure like a good road network complemented by an effective integrated transportation system would continue to retard the development of the Country.

It, called on Federal Government in the context of its “change mantra” to make good things to happen sooner than later.

Chief Olu Falae, leader of Afenifere (4th left), flanked on the right by Mr Solomon Asemota (SAN), Chairman of National Churches Elders Forum (NCEF), and Archbishop Magnus Adeyemi Atilade (2nd left), Chairman Southwest CAN , during a solidarity visit to Chief Falae by members of the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) after his release from kidnappers in Ondo State

Dele Giwa was never a womanizer, Ita-Giwa replies Omeben •Says deceased was only career conscious

By Charles Kumolu

F

ORMER Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, has faulted claims by a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr. Christopher Omeben that her late husband, Mr. Dele Giwa, was a womanizer.

Ita-Giwa, who extolled the virtues of the late founder of Newswatch, wondered why the octogenarian would speak ill of a dead man.

She further noted that Giwa was career driven and too pre-occupied with his C M Y K

profession to womanize, adding that the deceased cherished family values.

In addition, she noted that from the time she separated from the deceased, she never knew where he moved to until after he was assassinated.

She insisted that the separation was amicable and was borne out of the fact that both of them were ambitious and career driven individuals. Ita-Giwa recalled that she was in Calabar when her mother called to break the sad news, noting that she had to travel to Lagos to know if it was true.

Republicans battle the Press

I

T is a tradition for Republicans to attribute their troubles to the machinations of the so-called “liberal” or “mainstream” US press. This practice of misplaced aggression manifests itself all the time, especially in the cycle of electioneering campaigns. This year is not different. Last week, all candidates seeking the endorsement of the Republican Party in the on-going presidential primaries decided to meet to discuss how they have been unfairly hounded by the press during the presidential debates. Ironically, the contestants did not want their party’s national committee to be a part of their discussions on how to curb the real or imagined excesses of the press.

At the heart of this choreographed show of disgruntlement with the press is the allegation that during the three presidential debates held so far, journalists moderating the events frequently asked the contenders tough “gotcha” or “got you” questions whose sole aim was to embarrass the candidates. Earlier on, the same contenders had complained that the time allocated to the debates was too long (three hours maximum so far), a factor which resulted in the last debate being cut down to two hours.

What the Republican candidates cleverly brushed aside is the fact that there are ten of them who had to be asked questions, given the time to respond and an opportunity to take on their opponents or use some time to explain what they intend to do if elected president. Of course, like everything American, there had to be time set aside for commercials and to allow ovations or boos to die down so that the debate could continue as planned. So, what meaningful debate can take place in such a scenario?

If ten candidates think two hours is such a long period, someone needs to remind them that what it amounts to is a mathematical session of twelve minutes per candidate, but a more realistic period of eight or so minutes for each of them, since there are other issues that normally eat up the time in such debates. The truth about what they mean is that none of them is ready to be put in the The spotlight for about ten objective minutes. They just want to reality is that make technical Rubio’s has a appearances in a spurious less than 40 debate and percent walk away, having shown appearance their faces to the and voting potential R e p u b l i c a n record in the Party electorate. law-making Many people chamber see through t h e i r where he is complaints. supposed to The fact is that political debates represent his have become Florida part of the

constituency

presidential election culture in the US. Candidates cannot avoid taking the hard punches from reporters and the public at large. Not only does the public want to know what plans the candidate has in seeking the presidency, people also want to know how articulate the contender is, and even more importantly, how temperamental he or she is. A candidate who easily loses his or her comportment because of being asked “tough” questions leaves a lot of doubts in the minds of potential voters as to whether he or she has what it takes to be a United States president who will have a finger so close to the nuclear button, and will be constantly summoned to tackle a myriad of unexpected intractable local and global issues and events that will surely come up in the course of a presidency.

When Republican candidates blame the press for asking potentially embarrassing questions and accusing the media of having their own agenda, you might think that this volley of criticisms is directed at the so-called liberal press.

Liberal press No. It is often directed at anyone who wears the title, journalist. The first of these debates was moderated by reporters at Fox News, a news channel everyone knows to be on the far right of the ideological continuum. Did candidate Donald Trump not emerge from that debate, screaming that the questions he got were unfair and tough? He practically declared war on Fox News and, in particular, Megyn Kelly who fired a couple of salvos at him regarding his alleged disdainful treatment of women, and buttressed her contention with verifiable statistics.

What did Trump do? He sought solace in the “fact” that the reporter was asking a “gotcha” question meant to embarrass him.

During the last debate hosted by CNBC, Marco Rubio was put to task by a reporter about his less than impressive voting record in the US Senate. The objective reality is that Rubio’s has a less than 40 percent appearance and voting record in the law-making chamber where he is supposed to represent his Florida constituency.

Yet, it was the same Rubio that had accused President Obama that he was not doing the job US voters elected him to do.

When that contradiction was put to him during the debate, he quickly dismissed it as a discredited press tactic to humiliate him. When his co-contenders, Jeb Bush told him to resign from the senate if he could not do the work he was elected to do, Rubio dismissed him by saying that people had planted the “gotcha” question in Jeb. Yet, it was a question that was based on hard facts.

Last week, candidate Ted Cruz told reporters that the only way to avoid reporters asking the “gotcha” questions was to get Republican talk-show hosts to constitute the panel of debate moderators.

In other words, the debates should be reduced to “friendly” questions being fielded by the candidates.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015—43

THIS WEEK November 5-6, 2015 World Health Organisation to hold financing dialogue meeting aimed at achieving for 2016/2017 budget

November 2-6, 2015 The Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries recognise malaria as a major concern and one of the number one killers and causes of poverty in the region.

As a result, SADC countries have become participants to the Abuja declaration of halving malaria deaths by the year 2010 and the millennium development goal of reducing malaria deaths among children under the age of five.

Science World Tumour mutations to build cancer vaccine

V

ACCINES made from mutated proteins found in tumours have bolstered immune responses to cancer in a small clinical trial. The results, published in Science1, are the latest from mounting efforts to generate personalised cancer therapies. In this case, three people with melanoma received vaccines designed to alert the immune system to mutated proteins found in their tumours.

Although scientists say it is too soon to say whether the resulting immune response will be enough to rein in tumour growth, but the trial is a crucial proof of concept.

According to a researcher from the Netherlands Cancer Institute in Amsterdam, Ton Schumacher: "We don't really know how strong an immune response has to be to be clinically meaningful.

Nevertheless, it's an important step."

Cancer is a genetic disease, driven by mutations that lift the brakes on cell proliferation. But the mutated proteins produced by cancerous cells can serve as a siren call to immune cells, signalling the presence of a cell that has become, in a sense, 'foreign'.

Unfortunately, many of these calls are never heard. Some tumours suppress nearby immune responses, and mutated tumour proteins may not be expressed at high enough levels to rally immune cells.

DIALYSIS: Mr. Rafiu on a dialysis machine

Beyond kidney disease, cost of treatment is bigger killer

By Chioma Obinna

K

IDNEY disease is a world wide problem but the magnitude in Nigeria is in a world of its own. The burden of physical, emotional, social and financial complications are in a different class altogether. End Stage Kidney Disease is the worst aspect.

The requirement of a kidney transplant often marks the end of the road for quite a large number of Nigerians because the cost of management is prohibitively high.

Management of any sort of kidney disease is impoverishing not just to the patient but also the family. There are hundreds of thousands of patients and their families have sad tales to tell.

Patients’ experience

Take the case of Stella Emmanuel. After she was diagnosed with ESKD, she ended up selling her house and spending her life time savings in a bid to pay for a kidney transplant.

It all began with an episode of typhoid fever. Life became meaningless to her as her sickness continued unabated. From then Stella was placed on life time dialysis three times a week just to stay alive.

Stella's kidney problem became apparent after she passed a job interview and was undergoing medical assessment. The doctor apologetically announced that the company could not take her on because she had protein in urine.

The dialysis was being done at St Nicholas Hospital, Lagos for

which she paid N35,000 per session amounting to N400,000 N500,000 monthly until 2010, when she kidney transplant done in India.

Out of 120,000 kidney cases diagnosed in Nigeria annually, only 400 patients are on regular dialysis

In a way Stella was lucky. Her aged mother gave her another chance of life by donating a kidney to her.

"By the time you have the transplant; you need to take your tablets and steroids to ensure that your body does not reject the new kidney. But how many people can afford that?

"I sold my house in Lagos to afford a life time dialysis and transplant. My greatest joy today is being able to find a matching donor within the family. My mother who at the time was about 68 years gave me one of her kidneys. Basically, I got another chance with life."

Stella however, claimed that apart from the financial implications, ignorance and difficulties in getting donors is also a serious challenge.

The case of Rafiu Abdulkareem, 47, is similar. Rafiu is seeking

over N8 million for an urgent kidney transplant. He is currently on life time dialysis thrice weekly. He spends N100, 000 every week on dialysis at the newly built Lagos State Cardiac and Renal Centre.

His ordeal began in March 2015 after he developed a strange cough in the middle of the night.

A medical report signed on behalf of the Medical Director, Renal Unit, by Dr. Bomi Omowo, said Rafiu is currently being managed for advanced Chronic Kidney Disease, CKD, secondary to undiagnosed hypertensive nephrosclerosis and being managed as a case of end stage renal disease.

Rafiu's wife, Sofia, a school teacher, says they cannot afford to pay for the treatment. Tearfully, she recounted how they have resorted to begging.

"Every week we spend over N100, 000 on dialysis alone.

Each session costs N37, 500.

Even today, there was no money.

I ran from one room to another begging for help and till this moment, we don't have the money complete. We have sold all our assets, this is September, I'm not sure if my four children will even go back to school."

Kidney disease patients face the same fate across the nation.

Mohammed Abubakar, a kidney survivor, however says beyond the high cost of treatment and transplants, patients are faced with challenges of sustaining post-treatment care as they are expected to be on drugs and ensure regular checks from time to time for the rest of their lives.

He said the lack of support or insurance is the No.1 killer of kid-

ney patients in the country because many cannot afford treatment.

"My transplant was financed by myself. After the transplant, things changed. I cannot do as much as before. I was warned not to strain myself and I have been on drugs since the surgery.

Daily, I take drugs five times. To date, I don't know who paid the initial US$15,000 the Indian hospital demanded before I was given my visa. I usually go to India for check up with not less than US$10,000 because I must buy the drugs that will last one year. The drugs are not cheap. I have been able to cope with the assistance of my church and my family."

The stories of Nigerians affected by kidney disease are in exhaustible. At a recent forum of the National Council on Health, the disturbing rise in kidney failure incidents in the country was a concern. Yobe State reportedly accounted for 35 per cent of the cases nationwide while Lagos State also featured prominently as one of the kidney failure prone states. Also, at a similar forum in Lagos, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris linked the rise to indiscriminate consumption of herbal medicines popularly known as agbo and alcoholic beverages.

Burden of kidney disease Statistics by the Nigeria Association of Nephrology shows that about 36.8 million Nigerians, (23 percent) of the nation's over 170 million population, are suffering from various degrees of kidney diseases.

An estimated 15,000 new patients are diagnosed every year in the country even as children are now the most hit. In a study conducted between 2008 and 2011 at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, kidney- related diseases accounted for 8.9 per cent of paediatric admissions, with a prevalence rate of 22.3 admissions per 1000 child admissions per annum. Yearly incidence also doubled during the study period.

However, many factors have been adduced to the disturbing trend of the disease. Some include untreated microbial infections, especially urinary tract infections, diarrhoea, malaria, hepatitis, diabetes, hypertension, potassium bromate poisoning, abuse of painkillers/ analgesics, particularly paracetamol amongst others.

Dialysis Centre

The Chief Executive Officer, Kidney Clinics Nigeria Limited, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Mr. Adebayo Sokunbi, who lamented

Continues on page 44

44—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Beyond kidney disease, cost of treatment is bigger killer Continues from Page 43 that Nigerian dialysis patients and their families are suffering greatly said out of 120,000 cases diagnosed annually, only 400 patients are on regular dialysis.

In a month, dialysis centres attend to at least 50 persons.

Sokunbi said at Kidney Clinics, Abeokuta Dialysis Centre, an average of about 60 sessions are done monthly. "Nationwide, we have no accurate data but most of the centres are in Lagos, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Abuja and Kano among others.

Managing kidney-related diseases is expensive and complicated in Nigeria and even abroad.

For those that are able to afford to seek expert or specialist medical attention abroad, it has been estimated that they spend over N120 billion annually on foreign medical tourism, while about 5,000 patients travel to India monthly for treatment of various diseases, including kidney challenges.

N100, 000 weekly. Such patient can remain on dialysis for as long as he/she can afford it, but CKD is a terminal illness without kidney transplant.

Olatunji who stressed the need for government to subsidise the cost of dialysis said: "If subsidised a bit, it will improve health and quality of life of kidney patients."

"Dialysis takes a direct toll on patients and their family members due to its high cost and the fact that they have to pay out of pocket to access care. Often then have to stop work to take care of their loved ones and this also becomes an additional burden.

Organ donation

DIALYSIS SUITE:A doctor preparing a patient for dialysis at Kidney Clinics, Abeokuta Dialysis Centre. early. "Kidney disease had always been an epidemic worldwide however many deaths were undiagnosed.

Idris who believed that recent increase in kidney disease is as a result of more awareness and reported diagnoses blamed most cases on uncontrolled hyperten-

sion, uncontrolled Diabetics mellitus, congenital anomalies, nephrotoxins and others such as obstructive uropathy.

Olatunji explained that dialysis is a temporary management and kidney transplant is the treatment However, to maintain a transplant is also very expensive

as its cost is throughout life as also dialysis but transplant gives the patient his/her life back. He said only patients whose monthly income surpasses cost of dialysis for a month can financially sustain regular dialysis sessions.

A CKD patient requires thrice per week dialysis estimated at

Contrary to speculations on challenges of organ donation and racketeering, Olatunji said the only issue concerning organ donation in Nigeria is getting "the right March."The two common types in Nigeria (there are other types): living "related" donors and living "unrelated "donors The donor and recipient goes through series of test to confirm their compatibility which is significant before any transplant could be done. Getting a donor is not a major issue in Nigeria but cost.

Unemployed health officers decry neglect

By Providence Obuh

A INTERVIEW: Dr Idris Olatunji

Experts submission

The Medical Officer, Kidney clinics, Abeokuta Dialysis Centre, Dr. Idris Olatunji, notes that more patients are dying in Nigeria essentially due to cost and late presentation at the hospital, hence most present as a case of chronic kidney disease (CKD) which is "irreversible" kidney damage.

"High cost of dialysis and kidney transplant is a cause for worry.

When patients present late chances of getting better outcome are slim. That is why it is important to cultivate the habit of regular checkups where some of these problems could be picked up

GROUP of unemployed Environmental Health Officers, EHO, has urged the Lagos State Government to properly recognise their role in the society. Espressing their grievances in a roadshow recently, the group lamented government neglect and refusal to employ their members as the cause of shortage of health workers in the state.

Spokesperson for the group, Mr. Opeta Joel said: “When you look at the population of Lagos which is over 20 million, with such population, Lagos State is expected to have over 2,500 EHO but what we have today is less than 500 and as a result of this, so many aspects that need urgent attention are being neglected. “We are celebrating the theme 'Our

Children, Our Future', and what we are really trying to do is call the attention of government to the fact that EHO, Nigeria and worldwide has been neglected, resulting into a whole lot of negativity such as high rate of fire incidents, building collapse and floods.”

He said according to the World Health Organisation, WHO standard, one environmental health officer should be assigned to 8.000 people.

“We want government tolook into recruiting more people in order to increase manpower so that we can meet the WHO standard and meet the goals for which this profession was actually created and also begin to shield ourselves from diseases, epidermics and disasters,” he said.

A member of the group, Ms. Rasak Aminat, urged the government to look into the shortfall in EHO employment and to also conduct a census of Lagos citizens. “We are just appealing to the government to look into the employment of more environmental health officers.

“Lagos is over populated and we have fdewer health officers in place. An appraisal or assessment can be carried out in Lagos state in order to see the population and number of environmental health officers in each local government.

Infertility: FTSF keeps hope alive for 17 couples

By Sola Ogundipe

T

HE Pharmaceutical Society of Hope has been rekindled for 17 couples challenged by infertility as they emerged winners during the first round of draws for the 2015 fertility

IVF CONTEST: From left: Clinic Manager, Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos, Mrs Tola Ajayi; one of the 17 winners, Mrs. Onwumah and the MD, Nordica Lagos, Dr Abayomi Ajayi during the 1st round of draws for the 2015 Fertility Treatment Support Foundation, FTSF.

treatment contest initiative of the Fertility Treatment Support Foundation, FTSF, held at the Civic Centre, Lagos.

Two of the winning couples emerged from the audience during the event tagged “Little Miracles” while 15 others were randomly picked from over 12,000 entries from across the nation.

All the winning couples are to be screened after which five couples will be selected to obtain fully funded IVF cycles completely free of charge.

Formerly known as Expanded Access to Reproductive Treatment, EART, Foundation, FTSF was established in 2008 as a result of the increasing prevalence of infertility in the society.

Its goal is to provide financial support and services for infertile couples to access fully assisted reproduction technology, ART, services, in form of free IVF treatment cycles, in partnership with Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos/Asaba/Abuja.

In addition to providing opportunity for infertile couples

to have their own biological children, the FTSF campaign also serves to heighten awareness about the availability of treatment for infertility in addition to presenting a support system.

In a chat, the Managing Director, Nordica Fertility Clinic, Lagos, Asaba and Abuja, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, explained that the goal this year, as in previous years, is getting a live baby.

“The reality is that we cannot give all of them babies. We can only do the screening. FTSF does not take care of medical issues like uterine fibroids or any operative surgery.

“So if a winner has fibroids for example, unless she agrees to go and do the surgery on her own, she probably would not be considered. But if she agrees to do it, then she gets the free IVF. This is why the certificate has an expiry date.”

He said FTSF tries to look at people that can qualify for IVF treatment without encumberances. “It is a medical decision that we have to take. The last time we did this we

discovered there were many women that had adverse conditions like diabetes and hypertension. In fact all of the winners that came from a particular part of the country had these issues.

“Such are things that we need to control first before doing the IVF, so we try to choose those that do not have these challenges and that is where the work really is choosing the five.”

Pointing out that an IVF cycle can fail, he stated that those who wished to do more cycles would have to pay for those cycles.

“This activity is making us to see a group of people whose healthcare is not optimal, but we are making a difference in their lives, because they are coming in contact with proper healthcare when we refer them. So apart form getting babies, they get better health attention. We are not surprised that we lost the previous pregnancies, because we have realised that in this environment, about 61 percent of the patients we see have problems with their endometrial cavity.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015—45

Fake drug: Gowon, Jega seek support for regulatory Etisalat restores sight to 50 indigents agencies

By Chioma Obinna

F

ORMER Head of State, general Yakubu Gowon and immediate past chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, NEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega last week in Lagos urged Nigerian pharmacists to assist regulatory agencies in the war against drug faking, and substandard products in the country.

The duo spoke during the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm) award night in Lagos.

According to them, although the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC was doing quite much there is need for practitioners to support them.

The former head of state who was given an honorary fellow of NAPharm, at the event where former INEC Chairman was also decorated with the Academy's lifetime achievement award alongside induction of 22 pharmacists as fellows of the academy for their outstanding performances described the award as a rare honour.

Gowon said the practitioners must rededicate themselves to the fight against faking and substandard products all around the country.

Noting that the situation was not peculiar to Nigeria, he said, NAFDAC's relentless efforts over the years is yet to succeed "as perpetrators are more determined and very much in the unfortunate business.

"Drug faking is worth about $7b globally every year, of which the third world receives over 80 per cent of the faked products. Our pharmacists must join hands with NAFDAC to really address this problem. The battle is very difficult but if we all are determined, then we can rid the country of faking and faked products," he stated.

Corroborating his views, Prof. Attahiru Jega expressed worry over the growing phenomenon of drug abuse, where prescription drugs are now freely bought over-the-counter.

Jega who dedicated his award to INEC staff, said that is not unusually to now see youths, political tugs and party vanguards getting hooked on codeine among other opioid pain medications that are strictly prescription drugs in other countries.

He said the academy, as trailblazer of the profession, must be concerned not only about ethical conducts but also proper punishment of practitioners that are bringing the profession to disrepute.

"I urge the academy and the pharmaceutical profession to pay attention

to the way and manner in which prescription drugs are being sold over the counter and these are doing a lot of damage to our youths in particular because some of these drugs are addictive.

Speaking, President of Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, explained that Jega merited the prestigious Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy Lifetime Achievement Award for his personality that stood tall during the 2015 general elections.

Continuing, he noted that the academy has successfully brought together senior pharmacy professionals who have distinguished themselves in the corporate world, in academia and public service.

He tasked inductees to improve on pharmacy and ensure that it gets "better and not bitter."

EYE SCREENING: From left: MD, Gombe Specialist Hospital, Dr. Reuben Maipantaya, Representatives from Gombe State Ministry of Health; Dr. James Nadi; Hassan ElRasheed; and Head, Government and Community Relations, Etisalat Nigeria, Mohammed Suley-Yusuf, District Head of Kagarawa/Malam Inna/ Sabon Fegi, Alh. Muhammadu Kwairanga Saidu Abubakar, at the official flag-off of Etisalat-sponsored Free Eye Surgeries Camp in Gombe State, recently.

By Gabriel Olawale

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O fewer than 50 indigent Nigerians in Gombe State have regained full sight following free eye surgery organised by one of the country's telecommunications operator, Etisalat in partnership with Charity for Cheer Foundation and the State Government.

Among the beneficiaries is Abubakar Yaro, a 74 year- old retired soldier who had suffered from cataract infection for five years before the operation.

The initiative, which is designed to support the company's host communities as well as vulnerable Nigerians, held at the Gombe Specialist Hospital, focused mainly on cataract eye disorder.

Speaking at the flag-off of the initiative, the Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko, who was represented by the company's Head, Government and Community Relations, Mohammed Suleh-Yusuf, said the initiative reflects the company's dedication to delivering on sustainable community support programmes that complement the efforts of governments to the utmost benefit of the people.

"Etisalat is committed to delivering sustainable community support programmes. We are truly passionate about helping our host communities because we believe that corporate organisations should make positive impacts on the The free eye Surgery Camp is a rewarding experience that helps visually impaired and vulnerable persons recover their full sight to enable them remain productive members of their immediate communities," he said.

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46—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 , 2015

MTN resumes trading on JSE

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ENTHRONEMENT: From left: The Akwa Tyap of Atyap chiefdom, Dr. Harison Bungon; Bishop of Kaduna Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev'd & Mrs Timothy Yahaya, during the enthronement service for the Bishop, at The Cathedral of St. Michael, Kaduna.

Photo: Olu Ajayi.

Jonathan visits Buhari at Aso Rock •He has right to visit the villa anytime —Presidency

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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BUJA—FOR the second time since he left office on May 29, former president Goodluck Jonathan yesterday visited his successor, President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The meeting which held behind closed doors at the New Banquet Hall of the State House lasted barely ten minutes.

Jonathan arrived at about 2.00pm and left at 2.13pm after the meeting.

Though the reason for his visit was not disclosed. While it is believed that Jonathan came to brief the president on the outcome of the Tanzania election in which he played a role as the leader of Commonwealth Election Observer Group to observe the conduct of the election, there are, however, feelers that the former president came to seek an understanding with the present government to halt the criticism against his government.

This is predicated on the fact that the former president’s visit came on a day President Buhari insisted that he would not stop talking about the “evils” of the Jonathan and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP government.

It will also be recalled that Jonathan paid a similar visit to the villa recently when criticism against his

government heightened.

Following enquiries made to the presidency on the agenda of the meeting

between Jonathan and Buhari, presidential spokesperson, Mr. Femi Adesina told Vanguard on phone that Jonathan could

call at the villa at will.

“He has the right to visit the villa anytime as a former president,” Adesina said.

Osinbajo calls for review of Nigeria's copy right law L

By Benjamin Njoku

AGOS—THE Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday called for the reformation of the Nigerian intellectual property legislation, warning that the country can longer be treated as dumping ground for counterfeit and pirated products, be that in creative industry or the critical sectors like health and consumer products.

The Vice President made this call, while speaking at the annual Copyright Society of Nigeria,COSON, lecture, at the Sheraton hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

Represented by the DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC, Mr. Afam Ezekude, Osinbajo lamented the current situation where our streets are littered with pirated and counterfeit products insisting that the trend must be arrested with immediate effect.

The Vice President said the drive of the present administration to ensure that laws are respected will be taken from a holistic point of view, and will address issues of these kinds of violations with the decisiveness it deserves.

He spoke on the theme, “Intellectual Property Rights in the Digital Economy,” noting that the nation’s Copyright Act shows that the legislation was made at a time, when the creative economy was largely driven by analogue technology.

While observing that application of the copyright law becomes difficult with the advent of digital technology, the Vice President recalled that a couple of years ago, some attempts were made for the passage of amendments to the copyright Act, which he said, did not seem to have progressed to conclusion.

Speaking further, the Vice President said, even though technology will continue to play an important role in the

production and dissemination of creative works, as a country whose creative industry is gaining global prominence, and waxing stronger in its economic potentials, it behooves over Nigerians to begin to articulate strategies that will transform the fortunes of the creative industries to impact more positively in our national development efforts.

He said that digital technology had brought tremendous improvement to information dissemination, service delivery and commerce, arguing further that, the sustenance of the gains of this development is intricately interwoven with the issue of intellectual property rights protection and enforcement since much of its usable content are intellectual property based.

A G O S —M O B I L E network operator, MTN resumed trading on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, JSE, yesterday afternoon after trade in its shares were suspended in the morning.

MTN’s share price tumbled by around 8% yesterday morning amid media report that said the company had agreed to pay a $5.2bn fine for failing to disconnect five million unregistered subscribers.

JSE had temporarily suspended trading in MTN Group shares after the company ’s stock tumbled last week following a N1.04 trillion fine by the N i g e r i a n Communications Commission, NCC, for violating its directive on SIM deactivation.

JSE Director Issuer Regulation John Burke, had stated that “trading would resume as soon as MTN Group Limited issued a SENS announcement.”

Learn Africa to reward outstanding students in NECO, SSCE

By Nkiruka Nnorom

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AGOS—LEARN Africa E d u c a t i o n Development Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Learn Africa Plc, has announced plans to honour candidates that posted outstanding performances during the June/July 2015 NECO SSCE examination.

Also to be rewarded in the ceremony scheduled to take place between Tuesday, November 17 and Wednesday, December 2, are some of the teachers and schools that produced the students.

These awards are in two categories, national and state. The national awards will go to the overall best three candidates: Alabi Philip Toluwase of Our Lady & St Francis Catholic College, Osogbo, Osun State (first position), Nwaoha Justin Ifeanyi of Isolog College, Ojodu, LagosState(secondposition)and Babalola David Oluwasayo of OritamefaBaptistModelSchool, Ibadan,OyoState(thirdposition).

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015—47

Case file on Dele Giwa’s murder disappeared into thin air— Tsav

By Peter Duru

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A K U R D I — A S controversy over the investigations into the 1986 murder of renowned journalist, Dele Giwa, rages, one of the police officers who investigated the crime, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, has disclosed that the case file on the crime disappeared into thin air in the course of probe.

Dele Giwa, a founding Editor of Newswatch magazine, was killed in his Lagos residence by a parcel bomb on October 19, 1986.

Speaking to Vanguard yesterday in Makurdi, Tsav said that the murder case was initially handled by a former Police Commissioner, now late, adding that it was, thereafter, transferred to him as the officer in charge of general investigations at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, CID, Lagos.

Tsav, who was speaking on outside interference in police assignments, said: “I had this case of Dele Giwa for instance.

It was initially handled by a Commissioner of Police, now

late; then they gave it to me as the Officer-in-Charge of General Investigations at the Force CID, Lagos.

“I investigated the case thoroughly and took statements from Gani Fawehinmi, Ita Giwa, Soyinka, not Wole, and I also took statements from Dele Giwa’s son, who received the parcel from the man who brought it.

“We established a case and then I wrote an interim report to the authorities that I wanted to be given authority, because then we were under military

KOGI GOV:

regime, so that I can go and search the offices and residences of the people we suspected. When the case file went, that was the last I heard of it.”

Asked if President Muhammadu Buhari should revisit the case, Tsav said the President could only take further action on the matter on the advice of the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation.

He said: “They should rather refer the matter to the Attorney-General of the Federation for advice.”

AWA R D :

Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II (left) receiving All Africa Business Leaders Awards AABLA, West Africa Lifetime Achievement Awards from Deputy CEO & Co-founder, IHS Towers, Rajiv Jaitly, in Lagos.

Kogi workers down tools over non-release of bailout fund

By Boluwaji Obahopo

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OKOJA—CIVIL servants in Kogi State, yesterday, shut their offices and boycotted work to protest alleged nonrelease of the N50.8 billion bailout funds approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to offset backlog of salaries.

Most of the ministries visited within Lokoja, the state capital, were under lock as workers stayed off work in compliance

with a directive from organized labour, while some marched round the state capital to register their displeasure on the nonrelease of the intervention fund, carrying placards.

At a joint briefing after the protest, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC; Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, and Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees NULGE, appealed to

President Muhammadu Buhari to re-direct the CBN governor to release the funds without further delay.

Mr. Onuh Edoka of NLC said: “Public service workers in the state boycotted work to register their grievances to President Buhari over nonrelease of funds by the CBN on account of political wrangling by politicians in the state.

“Many workers in the state

Police nab robbers in Abuja, recover cars

By Kingsley Omonobi

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BUJA—THE Police in Federal Capital Territory have arrested two members of an armed robbery gang, which killed six persons and snatched two vehicles during an attack on Pyakasa, a suburb located along Airport Road, Abuja.

Two vehicles, a Toyota Venza and Mercedes ML, were recovered, while the two robbers were arrested in different parts of the FCT an hour later.

Also, five members of another

gang from Osun State, which specialized in robbing passengers of their possessions, were arrested.

Similarly, residents of Dawaki suburb in the FCT were saved the orgy of armed robberry attack last week when the police, acting on a tip-off, swooped on a gang of robbers, arrested them and recovered three double-barrelled guns, one pump action gun, 50 live cartridges and 41 pieces of empty shell cartridges, as they had mobilized and were about

to proceed on an operation.

Making the disclosures yesterday, FCT Police Commissioner, Wilson Inalegwu, noted that the robbers, who attacked Pyakasa at about 12p.m. last Friday, shot and killed six persons because they thought they were out to foil their criminal intent.

He said luck ran out on them when police arrived the scene, recovered a Toyota Venza car and arrested the driver, while the other suspects abandoned the Mercedes ML.

have died of hunger and treatable ailments due to non-payment of several months of salaries, while the N50.8 billion bailout fund approved for us by the Federal Government lie fallow at Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, for over two months.”

Edoka denounced rumours that the organized labour were being sponsored to demand the release of the bailout funds.

Also speaking, State Chairman of NUT, Mr. Abdullahi Suleiman, lamented that the hope of basic education staff in the state was being dashed, going by the present development and also called on President Buhari to intervene in the interest of Kogi workers.

State President of NULGE, Mr. Tom Abutu, rained curses on politicians allegedly behind the non-release of the funds for payment of workers and expressed concerns that local government workers in the state were being owed upward of 18 months salaries.

Omala drums support for Wada

By Kingsley Fanwo

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FFORTS toward the re-election of Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State received a major boost, with stakeholders from Omala Local Government Area of the state endorsing him.

Speaking at an expanded meeting with the governor in Lugard House, the stakeholders, led by the Deputy Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Mr. Aliyu Akuh, said their decision to support and work for Governor Wada’s re-election was informed by his administration’s impressive performance.

In his remarks, Governor Wada, who described Omala as a foundational stronghold of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, expressed gratitude to the people of Omala for their steadfast support for the party since 1999.

Yakasai cautions Buhari on selective probe

By Abdulsalam Muhammad

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ANO—ELDER statesman, Tanko Yakasai, has cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari to halt selective persecution of perceived political opponents in the name of fighting corruption.

In a statement in Kano yesterday, the octogenarian said that recent action of the administration by some of its leading figures left much to be desired.

Yakasai said: “Recent policy and non-policy actions of the new administration as promoted by some leading figures and the administration’s security and anti-graft agencies, have left much to be desired.”

He faulted the treatment meted out on the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd.), and perceived opponents of the administration.

48—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 , 2015

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015—49 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

SAGITTARIUS; Tomorrow will prove more beneficial.

Yet you can make meaningful progress today through your career line. Avoid secretive deal please.

CAPRICORN; It is better to take practical assistance from your good friends than their advice now when Mercury goes on backward motion in Pisces. Be more ambitious.

AQUARIUS; Remarkable success indicated for you today. But it is important you don’t take for granted competitors emerging along your career line. Be more practical.

PISCES; Many ideas will compete for prominent place on your mind today but you will need to be more careful with new ideas not capable to stand test of time.

ARIES; Those soliciting your support in terms of joint venture may not be telling you everything; that is to say you must guard against deception. Practical approach to your work (hard work) will give you good result.. Take good care of your health..

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

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V E RYO N E needs a friend. However, not everyone wants to do what could bring about the much desired friendship.

Friendship is a

Need a friend? deliberate and curteous act aimed at making the other man or woman to like you. Do you want a friend? Then, be

TERROR MUDA

friendly disposed to other people.

Today, one of my my closest friends is someone I met at the bible college. I was sitting

in “Scavenger Elite”

in one corner of the room when he accosted me, asking: Can I shine your shoe?

And I quickly answered: Yes, you can. Tell me, who wouldn’t reciprocate such a friendly gesture?

By Lanre Kehinde

TAURUS; Although you appear more enterprising, s the element of luck may not bring much success today. It is good to be loving but a bad day to create atmosphere for deep seated jealousy as it can take long time to get over the ripples.

GEMINI; For the next few days you will need to take your health more seriously. As for today you will be willing to give priority attention to happenings within your base.

CANCER; You will need to beware of new ideas coming to you suddenly. Take advantage of your sex appeal positively. Learn how to consolidate on progress you have made yesterday. Lovers may have an exciting day.

LEO; Simply because you are able to manage the tension within your base of operation without serious trouble today it does not mean you can continue to lord it over others without negative reaction in the next few days.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in “HEY’

By Andy Akman

VIRGO; You will have the needed opportunity to assert yourself to the betterment of your cause. Unnecessary argument can not help you now.

LIBRA; You can make it your day; financial success is closer to you than you think. The more ambitious and willing you are to keep your secrets the better for your cause.

SCORPIO; You will need to always re-examine your new ideas more than twice before contemplating execution.

Here is a day when friends will assist you. Assert yourself positively

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING,L;MKL Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

What’s ahead of me in December?

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Joshua, I am interested in what you are doing for many people, thus I equally want to benefit from your God’s given knowledge. Next few months are important for my business survival. That is why I am seeking your Astrological opinion.

Molaja, Kano.

Dear Molaja, For your own goodness I appeal to you to take what you will find here-under very seriously so that you will avert very serious business trouble coming through partnership very soon. I wish you the best.

Here is a Month that will reverse most of the difficult situation you have recently gone through. You are therefore advised to take good opportunities. However it is imperative you have it at the back of your mind that next few weeks will bring another round of similar challenges thus you will need to take business you will be able to conclude on or before 28th when the whole thing favours you, especially as it concern partnership related issues.

The month will bring you co-operation, money, love and emotional satisfaction. Savour your good time.

Planetary placement and aspects are calling for carefulness on how you manage your relationships with others as some of them may be forced to betray and or disappoint you over MONEY and other important business transactions, consciously or unconsciously. Either a junior female worker or a lowly rated member of your opposite sex may be willing to tempt you during this period, who you just have to resist whichever way the person comes with her antics.

Your health looks fragile. And you are accident prone.

Although the whole of the period calls for carefulness, last two weeks can be a little bit sensitive. Please take note that nothing fatalistic is predicted here, you only need to take care, so that you will avoid the pitfalls of the period.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

50 — VANGUARD, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Russian airliner says external influence responsible for crash •Plane’s tail damaged during take-off in 2001 •144 bodies found, flown to Russia

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HE Russian airline Kogalymavia has blamed “external influence” for Saturday’s Sinai plane crash which killed 224 people.

A senior airline official said: “The only reasonable explanation is that it was [due to] external influence.”

An investigation by aviation experts using data from the aircraft’s “black boxes” has yet to give its conclusions.

The head of Russia’s Federal Aviation Agency said it was premature to speculate on the cause of the crash.

“This kind of talk is. not based on any proper facts,” Aleksandr Neradko said on Russian TV. The Kremlin has also

warned against speculation as to the possible causes of the crash.

James Clapper, the US director of national intelligence, said there was no “direct evidence of any terrorist involvement yet” adding: “It’s unlikely, but I wouldn’t rule it out.”

At a news conference in Moscow, the deputy director of the airline, which was later renamed Metrojet, ruled out a technical fault and pilot error.

“The only explanation for the plane to have been destroyed in mid-air can be specific impact, purely mechanical, physical influence on the aircraft,” Alexander Smirnov said.

“There is no such combination of failures of systems which could have led

to the plane disintegrating in the air,” he added.

Another airline official acknowledged that there had been previous damage to the plane’s tail in 2001 during take-off.

But he said that the damage had been repaired, and was not thought to be a factor in the crash.

However, the widow of the plane’s co-pilot told Russian TV her husband had complained about the aircraft’s technical condition.

The bodies of 144 of those killed in the crash have been flown back to the Russian city of St Petersburg, where the plane had been headed from the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

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•The Chinese twin-engine C919 plane on display yesterday at a hangar near the Pudong International Airport. Photo: Reuters on Boeing and Airbus aircraft.

The ruling Communist

Lebanon charges Saudi prince with drug smuggling

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ROSECUTORS in Lebanon have charged a Saudi prince and nine other people with drug smuggling, a week after a record seizure at Beirut’s airport.

The prince was not named, but he and four other Saudis were arrested after two tonnes of Captagon pills were found in cases being loaded on a private jet.

The others charged in the case - three Lebanese and two Saudis - are at large.

Captagon pills, which typically contain amphetamine and caffeine, are consumed widely in the Middle East.

The drug has helped fuel the conflict in Syria, generating millions of dollars in revenue for producers inside the country as well as being used by combatants to help them keep fighting.

Captagon, originally the trade name for the syn-

thetic stimulant fenetylline, was first produced in the 1960s to treat hyperactivity, narcolepsy and depression.

Party wants to claw back some of the commercial benefits that flow to foreign suppliers.

For China, the plane represents at least seven years of efforts in a statemandated drive to reduce dependence on European consortium Airbus and Boeing of the United States, and even compete against them.

Vatican arrests two people in latest probe of leaked documents

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Spanish priest and an Italian laywoman who had served on a financial reform commission set up by Pope Francis have been arrested in the probe into yet another leak of confidential information and documents, the Vatican said Monday.

A statement from the Holy See’s press office said that Vatican prosecutors on Monday upheld the arrests of the two, who had been interrogated over the weekend.

It identified the woman as Francesca Chaouqui and the priest as Monsignor Lucio Angel Vallejo Balda.

He is still a Vatican employee. Both of them had served on a now-defunct commis-

OUR South African police officers have been arrested for allegedly shooting dead a suspected robber after a video of the incident emerged.

The video appears to show the suspect drop his pistol and fall to the ground.

It then shows a policeman shooting him at close range, before a colleague runs over and kicks him.

In August eight policemen were convicted of murder after a bystander filmed them tying a taxi driver to the back of their van and driving away. Both incidents happened near Johannesburg.

Police attention was brought to the most re-

•A footage of South African policemen, who allegedly shot dead a robbery suspect. cent incident after South Africa’s Sunday Times newspaper published the CCTV footage.

According to the Sunday Times, the suspect attempted to rob a hardware shop in Krugerdorp, west of Johannesburg on 19 October.

The newspaper says the police, acting on a tip-

off, were waiting nearby and after the suspect left the shop he fired shots at the police van.

It quotes the spokesman for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, Robbie Raburabu, as saying the post mortem showed shots to the head, chest and arm.

Violence hits CAR ahead of Pope’s visit

First made in China passenger jet unveiled HE first plane pro duced by a Chinese government initiative to compete in the market for large passenger jetliners has been unveiled in Shanghai.

The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) showed off its twin-engine C919 in a ceremony on Monday attended by some 4,000 government officials and other guests at a hangar near the Pudong International Airport.

China’s aviation market is growing fast but relies

South African police filmed shooting suspect F

sion that had been set up

by Pope Francis in 2013 as part of his drive to reform the Holy See’s finances.

A Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Ciro Benedettini, said Vallejo Balda is being held in a jail cell in Vatican City.

Chaouqui was allowed to go free because she cooperated in the probe, the Vatican said.

Chaouqui “has furnished the maximum cooperation and deposited documents in support of what she declared,” her lawyer, Giulia Bongiorno was quoted as saying by the Italian news agency ANSA. Noting that her client was already back home, Bongiorno added “she is sure she will very rapidly clarify her position.”

A

RMED men in the capital of Central African Republic slit a person’s throat and set fire to scores of homes, in a cycle of violence that could further delay elections and prevent a visit this month

by Pope Francis.

Witnesses said hundreds of people fled their homes in Bangui on Monday after the weekend’s

attack by men from the mainly Muslim PK-5 neighborhood in which more than a dozen people were also shot and wounded.

It was not immediately clear who the targets and attackers were, but the violence is part of a pattern in which at least 90 people have been killed since late September - after a

Zanzibar president’s term extended

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ANZIBAR’S presi dent has had his term extended after elections on the semi-autonomous Tanzanian archipelago were cancelled last week by the electoral chief, citing fraud.

Ali Mohamed Shein’s term in office was due to expire on Monday.

He was seeking re-election as the ruling CCM’s candidate; his rival Seif Sharif Hamad has declared himself the winner of the 25 October vote.

Tanzania’s outgoing leader says he is mediating to find a peaceful outcome.

Over the weekend, two small bombs exploded on the main island of Zanzibar - no casualties were reported.

Previous elections on Zanzibar - a popular tourist destination - have been marred by riots and violence.

Correspondents say there is a heavy troop presence on the streets.

Mr Hamad, the opposition Ukawa candidate, asked his supporters to

“ remain calm and observe peace” on Monday as “diplomatic efforts have been going on well,” the AFP news agency reports.

Muslim man was found murdered.

The majority Christian country plunged into tumult when mostly Muslim Seleka rebels seized power in a coup in 2013, prompting lethal reprisals

by Christian militias known as anti-balaka, and repeated bouts of bloodletting since then.

The latest attack appeared to be retaliation for a mob attack on PK-5 on Thursday in which four people were killed.

The pope is due to visit Bangui on Nov. 28-29 and go to a mosque in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods, but he hinted in an address on Sunday that the violence might lead him to cancel the trip.

How expectant Nigerian mothers can benefit from Finland

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HE Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria, Pirjo SuomelaChowdhury, has advised the Nigerian government to introduce expectant mothers in the country, to a maternity package, ‘Baby Box,’ to enable children get a decent and equal start in life.

Suomela-Chowdhury, who presented the concept during a breakfast event in Abuja, stated that the concept introduced decades ago by the government government of Finland to support, encourage and motivate expectant mothers, has helped the country achieve low infant mortality rate.

The ambassador, who expressed worry that there is a low turnout of pregnant women at maternity clinics, however,

blamed the low attendance to factors such as inability to pay for services, long waiting hours at the clinics or walking long distances to access necessary health care.

She said: “In Finland, this package, ‘Baby Box,’ is part of the social security which every expectant mother receives free of charge. The package was first introduced in Finland in the 1930’s, to give all children a decent and equal start in life.

This simple concept has played an important role in Finland for over half a century, in promoting child and maternal health, including encouraging mothers to attend maternity clinics which is one important factor behind the very low rate of infant mortality in Finland.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 , 2015—51

The politics and economics of Sanusi’s intervention

By Michael Osa Ewahsiha

L

AST week, the Emir of Kano and immediate past governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, roundly criticised both the monetary policies of CBN as well as the fiscal policies of the new Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Given his public profile, it is not surprising that his comments have received strong media attention but sadly in a manner that strengthens the popular, simplistic and ill-informed arguments of some so called experts and international forces led by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank as well as portfolio investors who want to buy Nigerian assets on the cheap entering and exiting as they choose. As an analyst, who has closely monitored the evolving global economic developments, and the measures taken by the CBN and the government to manage their challenging consequences, I believe it is important to respond to the issues raised by the emir who seems to have all the access to the corridors of the presidential villa, Abuja.

Has the emir told the president all of these privately and then given the presidency – where the emir also has good friends ample time to consider policy actions before using the platform of the CNBC global media to advise his president who he says needs help?

Driving up inflation Does the emir realise that Buhari came to power on the back of the support of millions of teeming poor masses of Nigeria?

Would he then be “helping” the president by advising a devaluation that will immediately drive up inflation and reward the support base with more economic hardship?

I will not discuss some of the politics and contradictions of these comments but will dwell mainly on their economics as one wonders how someone who vehemently opposed any form of devaluation as governor of the CBN would suddenly become its most vocal proponent as Emir of Kano? Though some have suggested that the emir who is now Chairman of the Board of Directors of Black Rhino, a leading US-based private equity firm, is speaking for the global private equity establishment, who will be the biggest beneficiaries of devaluation, I know the emir is smarter than to allow himself to be used. While the motives and politics of these comments are legitimate grounds to explore, one must now go on

Map of Nigeria President Buhari to the economics of his arguments.

It is truly disturbing that someone as knowledgeable as a former governor of Nigeria’s CBN, who was one of the key backers of the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS), will so insouciantly dismiss the size of Nigeria’s economy and its ranking in the world because of fleeting concerns about the size of our debt. According to Emir Sanusi, we “spent years deceiving ourselves as the 21st largest economy in the world because of rebasing but our Debtto-GDP ratio is 11 per cent”.

There are several points to note here. The new size of Nigeria’s GDP was arrived at after years of painstaking work at the NBS with close assistance from international statistical agencies and the CBN in line with global best practice.

In fact, all the leading international financial and development agencies, including the World Bank and the IMF have applauded and approved both the methodology and outcome of the process. It is therefore not fair to either politicise or diminish our GDP estimates. While it is critical to keep an eye on our rising debt (which, of course, was not

The Nigerian banking system is awash with both naira and dollars and there is no sound economic basis to call for a further slackening, especially in the face of rising inflation

accumulated by the Buhari government), one must note that a debt to GDP ratio of 11 per cent is not a disaster.

The real question that should be interrogated is not the size of the debt but what exactly the money was used for. It is in fact advisable to incur debt as long as the money is spent on basic infrastructure and other capital projects that can spur long-term economic growth. This is why some of the largest economies in the world today also have some of the highest debt-to-GDP ratios.

For example, Japan’s debt to GDP ratio is a whopping 246.1%.

Italy is at 132.6%, Belgium’s ratio is 101.5% and France is at 97%.

Even the United States, the world’s largest and leading economy has a debt to GDP ratio of 105.6%, far larger than that of Nigeria. This means that the amount of money the US Government owes is more than the size of its entire economy!

Nigerians should therefore hold the government accountable for what our debt is spent on rather than on its size.

Exchange rate assessment Furthermore, the continued calls for devaluation sadly do not recognise that the naira has already been devalued by over 20 per cent in the last one year, from N155 to N167, and then to N197 per US dollar. So the question is not whether the CBN should devalue or not, but how much devaluation is warranted by current economic conditions.

We have to keep in mind that determining the true value of a currency is not an exact science.

Although there are widely accepted methodologies for exchange rate assessment, their accuracy depends on lots of underlying assumptions and data. For instance, a key input for the methodology is the volume and value of imports. But in Nigeria, we all know that most of our imports are either not captured, under-declared, or over-invoiced. How then can one speak so clearly about the true value of the naira when some of the critical data needed for its computation is flawed?

Relatedly, the emir blames the slow GDP growth of the first half of 2015 on the CBN’s refusal to devalue the naira. Yet, in making this statement, he willfully ignores several facts. First, Nigeria is dealing with a set of exogenous shocks including the sharp decline in oil prices, the slowdown in global growth (which means less imports from Nigeria), and the geopolitical tensions along important trading routes around the world, which has also significantly lowered prospects for global growth.

Global growth In recognition of these shocks, the IMF recently reduced its forecast of global growth in 2015 from 3.5% to 3.1%. Every country in the world has slowed down markedly, and Nigeria is not an island of its own. How then can one simply blame Nigeria’s slow growth on the value of the naira while ignoring the fact that the government is losing more than 50 per cent of its revenues as a result of falling oil prices?

But if devaluation were the simple answer, let us consider what has happened to comparable countries that allowed a full depreciation of their currencies during the last several months. For example, Ghana, Russia, Zambia, and Brazil have all allowed depreciations of their currencies to the tune of 27%, 40%, 45%, and 42%, respectively. Yet, Brazil and Russia are in recession. In fact, analysts now expect Brazil’s GDP to shrink to 0.8% in 2016. In Ghana, the latest growth rate is less than 1% while Zambia just declared a National Day of Prayer because of slow growth! What is clear from these countries is that depreciation is not a silver bullet to the economic challenges that we are facing today. To accurately interrogate these issues require much greater analytical depth than is being shown these days.

Similarly, the assertion that the demand management policy of the CBN has deprived certain industries of critical imports ignores the fact that these are the same policies that have helped the country become self-sufficient

and a net exporter in cement and other areas. Today, cement imports would have been costing Nigeria about $3 billion yearly.

That comment also ignores the fact that most manufacturers of the 41 items restricted from accessing FX are witnessing tremendous increase in demands for their products. For instance Erisco Foods (manufacturers of tomato paste), GZ (manufacturers of aluminum cans), Obasanjo Farms, and the association of cold rolled steel manufacturers of Nigeria have all reported significant increase in sales and are already employing much more Nigerians and expanding their operations to meet with the demand.

What is the “essential raw materials” for the production of items like tomato, palm oil, toothpicks, rice, cement, margarine, vegetable oil, poultry products, chicken, wooden doors, furniture, clothes, and table wares? We have no choice other than to revitalise and encourage the growth of local industry. Not too long ago, Nigeria used to control 40% of the global palm oil market but today we spend billions importing palm oil yearly, while Malaysia and Indonesia control 80% of the global palm oil market. This is clearly not the way to go and we must not allow personal interests to becloud our sense of objectivity.

The emir also incorrectly stated that the Central Bank is currently “pursuing tight monetary policies” and that “it is time to loosen monetary policy”. At the last Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of the CBN, the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) was reduced from 31% to 25%. And owing to the policies of the CBN, the interbank interest rate has crashed to a 5year low of 0.8% and both lending and deposit rates are falling accordingly.

Monetary policy The truth, therefore, is that monetary policy is already loosening significantly. The Nigerian banking system is awash with both naira and dollars and there is no sound economic basis to call for a further slackening, especially in the face of rising inflation.

While the emir’s declaration that “portfolios flows are gone” is true, he presented it as if their exit is a result of flawed policies in Nigeria. However, it is a global phenomenon. According to a recent report by London’s Financial Times, portfolio outflows from emerging market countries, including Nigeria, in the third quarter of 2015 has been the worst since the 2008 global financial crisis. Portfolio investors from emerging market countries have offloaded an estimated US$40 billion worth of securities.

Everyone knows that portfolio investors settle their fears on their side of caution, and as such, once commodity prices start to fall, they quickly pull their resources out of commodity-exporting countries.

•Ewahsiha is an economic analyst

52 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

U-17 W/Cup: Kanu, Echejile tip Eaglets for title T

WO former Nigeria youth-teamersNwankwo Kanu and Elderson Echiejile - expect the Golden Eaglets to win the Fifa Under 17 World Cup following their impressive display against Brazil on Sunday.

The odds favour the Emmanuel Amuneke led side to contest the final on November 8 at the Estadio Sausalito, Viña del Mar, given that they have always been involved in the showpiece game of the tourney whenever they are

Sunshine Stars, Sharks sanctioned by LMC

S

HARKS FC and Sunshine Stars have been sanctioned by the League Management Company (LMC) following separate incidents in Lafia and Akure that led to disruption of their respective Match Day 36 fixtures on Sunday.

The LMC fined Sharks N3, 000, 000 and Sunshine Stars N5, 000, 000 with further sanctions that also included Stadium ban and banishment to neutral venue for Sunshine Stars.

For pitch invasion by the Supporters Club of Sunshine Stars in their match against Lobi Stars in Akure, the Supporters have been banned for the rest of the 2014/15 Glo Premer League for persistent disorderly behavior having been previously warned about such behavior in the Match Day 29 fixture against Nasarawa United.

Sunshine Stars have also been banished to Lagos for their next three home matches while the disrupted

match against Lobi Stars will be concluded in Abuja on November 11.

Sunshine will thus play their rescheduled Match Day 34 fixture against Rangers and 38 fixture against Enyimba at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

The Akure Club has further been ordered to pay the sum of N250, 000 to the Match Referee who was assaulted by the fans and another N250, 000 to the Cameraman of Lobi Stars FC who was also assaulted.

Sharks was sanctioned for the disruption by its players of Match Day 36 fixture in Lafia against Nasarawa United. Sharks players had refused to continue the match after the Referee awarded a penalty to Nasarawa United and was thus fined N3, 000, 0000, ducked three points from the total points won in the season while the three points and three goals for the abandoned game has been awarded to Nasarawa United.

Southern Sun Ikoyi Golf tourney for Nov 11

BY JACOB AJOM

T

HE 5th Southern Sun Ikoyi Golf Tournament tees off Wednesday, next week with over 70 golfers to vie for honours at the one day event.

Unlike the previous four editions that held at the Ikoyi Club 1938 golf course, this year ’s tournament which has attracted amateur golfers from corporate Nigeria and semi professionals from across the country and abroad will hold at the Lakowe Golf Resorts, Ajah, Lagos.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos yesterday, General Manager, Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotels, Mark Loxley said this year ’s edition held a lot of promise as it was C M Y K

going to be different in many ways than one.

“First, the venue has been changed, the format has been changed and the thrust is also different from previous editions,” Loxley started. He said “as golfers, there is always that tendency of facing new challenges. The new venue will provide such challenge.

“The scoring format too has changed to individual scoring method as against the group scoring used in previous editions,” the GM said.

More importantly, the company’s top brass said proceeds from this edition would be channelled towards the welfare of the Arrows of God Orphanage home located in Ajah.

the defending champions.

Nwankwo Kanu, who found the net 5 times at Japan 1993, said : “We are champions and we are champions in making.....Up Eaglets, up Nigeria. Well done boys, we are proud of all of you. Congrats Amunike.”

Ex Nigeria U20 international Elderson Echiejile added : “Up Eaglets.

Through to the semi finals. Go for it boys, it’s yours. GoodPerformance.”

Nigeria have won four of their five games in Chile, scoring an impressive 17 goals in the process, while they have conceded 3 times.

Elderson Echiejile... in action for the Super Eagles. He is showing solidarity with the Eaglets in Chile.

Ighalo'll score more goals for Watford

O

DION Ighalo’s teammate Ben Watson said Watford is relying on the Super Eagles striker to score more goals as they chase English premiership glory.

Ighalo scored a brace last Saturday as Watford beat West Ham to keep their hopes alive. It was his seventh goal of the season. “We had creat-

ed chances (against West Ham United), and if we didn’t score it would have been very disappointing. “Maybe that’s been the case at home, as we probably haven’t scored as many goals as we would like.

But you can always rely on Ighalo to get you a goal,” said Watson.

Ighalo, has also scored 70% of Watford’s league

—Watson

goals this season. He stated that helping his side to win matches is more important than achieving personal glory.

“I’m happy about my goals, but I’m most pleased about the team’s performance. We played very well and we deserved the win and the three points,” Ighalo told Hornets PlayerHD.

NNPC Tennis: Marylove withdraws to Sympathise with Angel Mcleod the national jun- kind of challenge that

A

*Ighalo

LL is now set for the NNPC Junior Tennis Championship taking place in Kaduna from Tuesday November 3 to Sunday December 8.

The ITA Junior Circuit championships famous for throwing up rivalries will be missing Angel

10 foreigners vie for NB Open Chess star prize

BY SOLOMON NWOKE

N

OT less than 10 foreign players and numerous foreign based Nigerian players and their home-based counterparts have signified interest to participate in this year’s Nigerian Breweries (NB) PLC International Open Chess Championship.

The championship which has seen 38 years of unbroken sponsorship by the breweries giants will witness an upward review of the total prize money to N3.39million.

According to the organisers, the winner in the masters (ELO 2000+) receives the star prize of N1 million while the first and second runners

up would cart home the sums of N500,000 and N250,000 respectively.

Other categories where prizes would be won include the Open section (ELO 1800 – 2000), amateur section (ELO 1600), Best Ladies, Weekender (No rating band), Under 14 boys and girls and invitational VIP. Speaking yesterday ahead of the championship which runs from 916th November, 2015 at the Teslim Balogun stadium, the Managing Director of NB PLC, Nicolaas Vervede who spoke through his representative, Edem Vindah reaffirmed their resolve to sponsoring the competition annually.

ior champion whose mother was tragically shot dead by a police officer in Lagos and Marylove Edwards who is withdrawing to sympathise with her rival.

Marylove who has improved very significantly and beat a top 10 senior player in a recent exhibition, said she was looking forward to playing against Angel. “But with this incident I am not sure I can get the

*Angel Mcleod

she will give me from the other players and I am really sad about what happened to her, I am not happy at all.”

Over 108 players have so far registered for the tournament and organisers say this number is bound to rise as Kaduna based players and players from neighbouring States have a habit of flooding the place on registration day.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015— 53

C M Y K

54 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Real battle PSG for first place C

OLOMBIA midfielder James Rodriguez could return to action for Real Madrid when they host Paris StGermain today in the Champions League.

The 24-year-old has only played two games this season because of a persistent thigh problem.

Sergio Ramos also returns to the squad, but Raphael Varane and Pepe are expected to start in central defence.

PSG, unbeaten in 16 matches this season, are without centre-back David Luiz, who has a knee injury.

“Rodriguez is on the list. That does not mean he starts. He lacks match fitness,” said Real coach Rafael Benitez.

Benitez will also be without injured forwards Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, who has endured a stop-start season for his club including picking up a calf injury in the 4-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in September.

“Benzema, Bale and Arbeloa, who are not in the squad, lack the match confidence to have a role in such a high intensity game as this,” said the Spaniard.

Real, who drew 0-0 against the Ligue 1 side when they met in Paris two weeks ago, are also unbeaten in all-competitions, but coach Benitez believes his side have more to give.

*Ibrahimovic

*Ronaldo

Van Gaal orders Man U to attack CSKA Borussia L

OUIS van Gaal has insisted his Manchester United team are capable of playing attacking football despite going more than five hours without a goal.

Ahead of United’s Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford, Van Gaal insisted his team are willing to be adventurous, although he accepted they are going through a ‘bad period’ after winning just one of

their last six games.

He said: “It was not always a big Theatre of Dreams. I am sorry to say that but it is logical also. Now we are making, hopefully, history but it takes time.

“Now we are the best defenders of the Premier League, you say we cannot attack and it’s not true. It’s only a moment in a process. It’s a bad period when you don’t score. Football is scoring goals.”

Kompany: City must win Champions League

*Rooney

W

INNING the Champions League is the final hurdle to Manchester City being viewed as ‘big club’. That the belief of Blues captain Vincent Kompany.

“For us as players it’s the last thing we have to achieve in order to prove we have become a

big club,” he said.

“In England it is undoubted that over the last four or five years we have been amongst the top teams, but in Europe that has not been the case yet. “I understand we have to go to the next level in Champions League. It’s easy to say but very difficult to do.”

Astana to field strongest team games in their debut against Atletico campaign in the compe-

*Simeone

A

STANA coach Sta nimir Stoilov will field his strongest side against Group C leaders Atletico Madrid in today ’s Champions C M Y K

*Stoilov League clash despite his club’s title decider against Aktobe several days later.

Astana have clinched just one point from their opening three Group C

wary of Juve

tition. “We have a difficult week ahead of us.

But we are going to play the best we can against Atletico and against Aktobe.

“We know that Atletico is strong, but we will play at the maximum.

Our plan is to play football and do everything to win. As I’ve already mentioned, we are ready to fight until the end on three fronts - the Champions League, the league and the (domestic) cup. My players are ready physically and we must be prepared mentally.”

*Company

*Morata

B

ORUSSIA Mönchengladbach Coach Andre Schubert warns Juventus are “a great team, no doubt” ahead of their meeting today. The Bianconeri face the German side in the Champions League, having been held at Juventus Stadium two weeks ago.

“Juventus are a great team, there’s no doubt about that. Recent successes, or ones in the past don’t count for much in a game like this. We’re focused on the game, it will feature two good teams and we’ll try to cause trouble for Juve, creating danger, because we want to win the game.

“They’re a great team, with great individual quality and tactics, and a beautiful challenge lies ahead of us. We’ll have to adapt to Juventus’ tactical flexibility, we have an idea of how to do it so I hope it’s a good idea.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015—55

2015 Glo CAF Awards: No Nigerian NFF slams Siasia with fine, warning player in Africa’s top ten N

N

O Nigerian player made the top ten shortlisted for the 2015 African Player of the Year award.

According to the list of the final ten released by the Confederation of African Football there is no Nigerian that made the cut.

The list, which initially comprised of 23 players have now been trimmed to 10 after the announcement on CAF’s website.

The duo of Ahmed Musa and Vincent Enyeama, who were finalists in the last edition have been ousted, while the current holder of the award, Yaya Toure made the top ten cut.

CAF also released the names of the best ten African players playing in Africa, and still, Nigeria is missing on that one too.

Winners for the two categories; African Player of the Year 2015 and African Player of the Year (Based in Africa) 2015 will be decided by votes of the Coaches or Technical Directors of the National Associations affiliated to CAF. The awards gala will be held on Thursday, 7 January 2016 in Abuja, Nigeria.

DROPPED!••• Enyeama (l) and Musa initially in CAF Award list

World Cup Chile 2015 quarter-finals.

In total, this unblemished record stretched to six matches: four at the 1962 FIFA World Cup™ and two at the current c o m p e t i t i o n .

Furthermore, it is worth noting that even though they were eventually soundly beaten by the Nigerians, for 15 minutes the Auriverdes looked on course to chalk up their seventh consecutive victory in this beautiful city, a popular tourist destination whose shores are lapped by the Pacific Ocean.

“We knew that if we wanted to win, we had to make the most of any chances that we created, especially if we were in control of

C M Y K

sober since his bosses came down hard on him.”

Siasia was queried for his media comments and the NFF had already placed Eagles assistant coach Salisu Yusuf on standby to lead Dream Team VI to Senegal.

The African U23 Nations Cup, which will also be a qualifying tournament for next year ’s Rio Olympics, kicks off November 28 in Dakar and Nigeria are drawn with Egypt, Mali and Algeria in the group phase.

Amuneke salutes Buhari after Eaglets batter Brazil G OLDEN Eaglets’ Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke has yet again thanked Nigerians with special kudos for President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) after his wards decimated the A Selecao of Brazil 3-0 in Sunday’ s quarter-final match at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Vina del Mar. Among the goals for the four-time champions within a spate of five minutes in the first half, were Victor Osimhen, who took his tally to eight goals in five matches, as well as

Brazil Continues from BP

IGERIA U23 coach Samson Siasia has been issued a final warning by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) after his critical comments against his employers.

He has also been fined 500,000 Naira and ordered to apologise in the media after he revealed he was owed three months’ pay and his team have been abandoned and so not ready for the Africa U23 Nations Cup in Senegal later this month.

An official said: “Siasia has been very

proceedings at any point,” Brazil coach Carlos Amadeu said after the game. “We’d have liked to see how Nigeria would’ve reacted to going behind. But we wasted our opportunities and then they scored three goals in five minutes, so we’ll never know.”Rather than being sad or disillusioned, the tactician appeared at peace with the result and sought to accentuate the positives. “I haven’t stopped to think whether or not having dominated them so heavily for 15 minutes is a consolation,” he told FIFA.com. “If you look back at the goals, none of them came from us losing our balance.

That only happened after the third goal.”

midfielder Kingsley Michael and Udochukwu Anumudu .

“Today is one of my happiest days because there were so many who doubted our abilities since we started this journey,” Amuneke, who will be 45 on December 25, told thenff.com. “But I’m grateful to God for making this (victory) possible for us. We have qualified for the semi

Osimhen Continues from BP World Cup in Chile and he is just a goal shy of the record jointly held

by France Florentine Sinama Pongolle and Souleyman Coulibally of Mali in 2001 and 2008 respectively.

Osimhen has already equaled the eight goals of Germany ’s Marcel Witecczek in China 1985.

His class has not been in doubt against threetime champions and could even have set a new World Cup record in that game but he was denied by Brazil goalkeeper Juliano, who made at least point-blank saves against the gangling No.9.

Osimhen is the highest scoring Nigeria player at the FIFA U17 World Cup and he will be the third Nigeria player to win the top scorer award at the competition after Wilson Oruma at Japan 1993 with six goals and Macauley Chrisantus at Korea 2007 with seven goals.

finals against all odds.”

He continued: “I want to use this opportunity to thank the players as well as my technical team and backroom staff because we are a team. We believed in what we were doing right from the beginning.

This is a joyful moment for us and we want God to take all the glory of our success so far in this competition, and we also want to enjoy this moment before planning for our next match.”

Speaking further, Amuneke had some good words for PMB, as President Muhammadu

Carneiro Continues from BP team doctor Eva Carneiro in addition to the action she is bringing against the club for constructive dismissal.

Legal papers will be served on Mourinho this week as part of separate but connected claims against him and against the club.

It means the Portuguese manager will have to appear in person at an employment tribunal unless the case is settled out of court beforehand. Under employment law, an individual can be personally liable for damages if victimisation or discrimination can be proved.

The claim against Mourinho will be on the basis that he was instrumental in the actions against Carneiro in having her dropped from firstteam duties and effectively demoted.

Buhari is fondly called, for orchestrating changes in the polity of the county, saying the success of the Golden Eaglets so far at Chile 2015 represents an audacity of change.

“Today ’s victory represents change (for our country) in the sense that many who doubted us will see that hard work, merit and truth are nonnegotiable terms in this team.

•Siasia

We are not aware of NSC’s forensic investigation — NFF

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

T

HE Nigeria F o o t b a l l Federation (NFF), yesterday said it is not aware of the institution of any forensic investigation by the National Sports Commission (NSC) over the recent retirement from the Super Eagles by g o a l ke e p e r Vi n c e n t Enyeama and striker, Emmanuel Emenike.

Last week the Director General of the NSC, Mallam Al Hassan Yakmut told journalists that his office will issue a letter to the NFF to suspend everything about the much publicized Code of Conduct for the national team players pending the outcome of the investigation.

A visibly angry Yakmut had wondered why a player who has

not put up to 10 years in the national team should retire even as he is still playing active football for his club.

But speaking exclusively to Sports Va n g u a r d , G e n e r a l Secretary of the NFF, D r.

Mohammed Sanusi said the federation is yet to receive any correspondence from the NSC directing it to stop the implementation of the Code of Conduct.

“We have not been informed of any investigation on the resignation of players from the senior national team from the NSC, but if we do we will deliberate on that.”

Many soccer analysts have expressed concern over the recent retirement of some key national team players since the arrival of Coach Sunday Oliseh.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Osimhen a goal away from World Cup record

S

TAR striker Victor Osimhen is now just a goal away from matching the all-time

2015 Glo CAF Awards: — Page 55

Top 10 African Player shortlist

No Nigerian player in Africa’s top 10

André Ayew (Ghana & Swansea) Aymen Abdennour (Tunisia & Valencia) Mudather Eltaib Ibrahim ‘Karika’ (Sudan & El Hilal) Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Roma) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Borussia Dortmund) Sadio Mané (Senegal & Southampton) Serge Aurier (Cote d’Ivoire & Paris Saint Germain) Sofiane Feghouli (Algeria & Valencia) Yacine Brahimi ( Algeria & Porto) Yaya Touré (Cote •Pierre-Emerick d’Ivoire & Manchester City)

Top 10 African Players (Based in Africa)

•Ayew

•Toure

Brazil still sulks over Eaglets defeat

Today’s Champions League Fixtures Real Shakhtar Man Utd PSV FC Astana Benfica B/Moenchengladbach Sevilla

goals record of nine goals in the FIFA U17 World Cup. The gangling striker has scored eight goals in the on-going FIFA U17 Continues on Page 55

v v v v v v v v

psg Malmoe CSKA Wolfsburg Atletico Madrid Galatasaray Juventus Man City

8:45pm 8:45pm 8:45pm 8:45pm 8:45pm 8:45pm 8:45pm 8:45pm

I

T is true that venues do not win matches.

Nevertheless, the fact remains that Brazil had never lost at Vina del Mar’s Sausalito stadium in FIFA competitions until their 3-0 defeat by Nigeria in the FIFA U-17 Continues on Page 55

Amuneke

Abdeladim Khadrouf (Morocco & Moghreb Tetouan) Baghdad Bounedjah ( Algeria & Etoile du Sahel) Felipe Ovono (Equatorial Guinea & Orlando Pirates) Kermit Erasmus (South Africa & Orlando Pirates) Mbwana Aly Samatta (Tanzania & TP Mazembe) Mohamed Meftah (Algeria & USM Alger) Mudather Eltaib Ibrahim ‘Karika’ (Sudan & El Hilal) Robert Kidiaba Muteba ( DR Congo & TP Mazembe) Roger Assalé (Cote d’Ivoire & TP Mazembe) Zineddine Ferhat (Algeria & USM Alger)

•Osimhen

Carneiro to sue Mourinho, Chelsea

J

OSE Mourinho is to be the subject of an individual legal claim from former Chelsea Continues on Page 55

•Mourinho

QUICK CROSSWORD

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

FRI DAY'S ANS WERS FRID ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Account-book (6) 5 Thaw (4) 8 Relaxed (5) 9 Curve (3) 10 Rotate (4) 11 Elderly (4) 12 Expiate (5) 13 Terrible (6) 16 Dregs (4) 18 Discharge (4) 20 Consumed (3) 22 Fixed (3) 23 Tear (3) 24 Rank (4) 25 Cut (4) 28 Cows (6) 30 Sorcery (5) 32 Warmth (4) 33 Sun-bathe (4) 34 Relatives (3) 35 Located (5) 36 Record (4) 37 Posture (6)

DOWN 1 Hate (6) 2 Deck (8) 3 Involve (6) 4 Unrealistic (9) 5 Wander (7) 6 Border (4) 7 Neat (4) 8 Epoch (3) 14 Delineated (9) 15 Mouthful (3) 17 Fish (3) 19 Wrong (8) 20 Point (3) 21 Unpredictable (7) 26 Parcel (6) 27 Sitting (6) 29 Hut (4) 30 Gather (4) 31 Rotter (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

ACROSS: 3, Odium 9, Couple 10, Suffer 11, Dried 12, Eros 15, Menu 17, Deserve 20, Rod 21, Ended 23, Item 25, Taxi 26, Renew 28, Cup 30, Receded 33, Real 35, Dude 36, Crisp 38, Clique 39, Elicit 40, Tally.

DOWN: 1, Acted 2, Kudos 3, Old 4, Derive 5, Used 6, Mud 7, Offer 8, Proud 13, Retinue 14, Sewer 16, Noticed 18, Enter 19, Met 22, Dated 24, Men 27, Weasel 28, Crack 29, Panic 31, Dunce 32, Death 34, Area 36, Cut 37, Ply.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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