9 Killed as pro-Biafra protests turn bloody

...towards a better life for the people

**

VOL. 25: NO. 62641

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015

Falae Cleric seeks testifies Police deploy 3 surveillance helicopters, as Dickson, Sylva support for against trade words over rigging plots anti-graft abductors 16 VANGUARD END OF YEAR THANKSGIVING:

BAYELSA POLL:

war

41

11

9 killed as pro-Biafra protests turn bloody

By Chidi Nkwopara, Kingsley Omonobi, Wole Mosadomi, Omeiza Ajayi, Francis Igata, Ugochukwu Alaribe, Egufe Yafugborhi & Chimaobi Nwaiwu

•18 others injured as JTF fires at protesters •We didn't attack pro-Biafra agitators — Police •North, S-East monarchs meet in Owerri We didn't set Onitsha Central Mosque ablaze — Protesters

A

BUJA—THE threeweek-long proBiafra protests turned bloody, yesterday, as the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) killed nine of the protesters and injured 18 in Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra State.

Irked by the stubborn disposition of the proBiafra agitators, who blocked the Niger Bridge Head and refused to give way to motorists, the JTF comprising Army, Navy, Police and Civil Defence troops, yesterday Pro-Biafra protesters mount road blocks and afternoon, opened fire at bonfires at Onitsha Head Bridge in Anambra State, protesting members of yesterday. Photos: Vincent Ujumadu.

Indigenous People of Continues on Page 5

$2BN ARMS DEAL:

P. 17

IS'HAQ MODIBBO KAWU

Underlining currents of the Kogi conundrum

P. 19

OCHEREOME NNANNA

‘Hand of God' in Kogi polls?

P. 19

JOSEF OMOROTIONWAN

Governors in danger of breaking the law over minimum wage

COLUMNISTS:

EFCC gets warrant to detain Dasuki, Dokpesi, others

Mr & Mrs

•Dokpesi trying to perfect bail conditions •Dasuki moved to EFCC Hq •DSS ejects Are, ex-SSS boss from Lagos home

6 C M Y K

2 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015— —3

C M Y K

4 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015—5

POCKET CARTOON

VISIT—From left: Minister of Interior, Retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, (M); the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Uriel Palti, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Mr Bassey Akpanyung, during a courtesy visit of the Israeli Ambassador to the minister in Abuja, yesterday.

Photo: NAN.

9 killed as pro-Biafra protests turn bloody Continues from Page 1 Biafra, IPOB, and Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, killing nine people and injuring 18.

Five people were killed at Niger Bridge Head while three were killed at Obodoukwu Road. A suya (barbecue meat) seller said to have been hit by a stray bullet died instantly.

The protesters were having a peaceful procession across South East states and had vowed to continue their blockage of the bridge for three days until detained Director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu is released.

Miscreants, on hearing that some people had

been shot dead by the JTF, started another protest, marched to the Central mosque near Onitsha Main Market and set it ablaze. A Hilux pick-up van with Federal Government number plate was also burnt when the JTF held motorists and commuters hostage at Upper Iweka with sporadic shootings that had never been witnessed before in Onitsha.

Despite losing two men, we didn’t attack protesters – Police

The Anambra Police Command said, yesterday, that despite

IT'S UP TO YOU

N

BY AYO ADIO

OBODY claps for a pregnant woman, it is the one who gives birth people celebrate. Don’t just dream of great stuffs, get to work and actualize it. It's up to you.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace—Dalai Lama

C

ULTIVATING happiness and peace is a key to resiliency because it bolsters one’s ability to stay grounded during difficult times. Kindness is a virtue which helps in improving interpersonal relationships. Numerous studies have shown that receiving, giving, or even witnessing acts of kindness increases immunity and the production of serotonin in the brain. Practice random acts of kindness as a way of life.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE

H

E who asks a baby to catch a smelly shrew should be prepared to give him water to wash his hands

losing two of its men during the pro-Biafra protests in Onitsha, the command never retaliated.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Ali Okechukwu, in an interview, faulted the allegation that Police fired at the protesters, adding that one of the policemen, a sergeant, was killed at Obodo Ukwu, while the other was killed at Eze Iweka road.

He said that following the problem in Onitsha, police kept vigil to ensure that peace was maintained and totally denied police involvement in the bloody riot that led to the death of about nine people.

“We did not fire a shot at anybody and even when our men were felled, we still did not retaliate,” he said.

It was gathered that what led to yesterday’s violence was an attempt by the JTF to reopen the blocked roads at the Bridge Head and at Upper Iweka road in the wee hours of Wednesday.

When the security operatives tried to open the roads, it was learned, they met resistance from the protesters, who grounded Onitsha on Tuesday and ensured that no vehicle entered or left the commercial city.

How protests turned bloody

The protesting IPOB members had blocked the Niger Bridge early Tuesday morning, thereby grounding vehicular movements in and out of Onitsha. From Asaba, Delta State, many boarded speed boats provided by the Marine Police to get in and out of Onitsha.

The protest was, however, aggravated by shooting to death of five IPOB members who were observing their peaceful procession at the Niger Bridge Head against the continued detention of their leader, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu at about 1.30 am All the markets in Onitsha were shut around 12.30 pm, as thousands of traders in the markets and environs were seen scampering for safety as sporadic gunshots continued in many parts of the city.

The JTF, who could not disperse the protesters on Tuesday invaded the Niger Bridge at about 1.30 am, yesterday, and opened fire on the IPOB members who refused to leave the Niger Bridge, the gateway to the South East, killing six people including the suya seller said to have been hit by a stray bullet.

The killing of the protesters sparked off another protest by IPOB members who were joined

by MASSOB members.

They made bonfires along Onitsha-Owerri Road and Onitsha-Enugu Express way, forcing motorists coming in and out of Onitsha from Enugu, Asaba and Owerri to be trapped.

A Vanguard reporter who went to Oba for an assignment was trapped at Oba junction, where he had to pay N3,000 from Oba Junction to Tarzan Junction, Onitsha, as over 2,000 vehicles coming into Onitsha were seen parked at the Oba Junction and refused entrance into Onitsha.

C o m m e r c i a l motorcyclists banned on the express roads by the state government made brisk business and had a field day as it was the only means of coming into and out of Onitsha.

Military should not push us into violence — IPOB

Speaking with newsmen, National coordinator of IPOB, Mr. Chidiebere Onwudiwe, alleged that five of their members were killed while 18 people sustained injuries, adding that he learned that more people were killed in the sporadic shooting by the JTF at Upper Iweka.

“The Joint Military Task Force could not disperse the protesters on Tuesday, and they went to regroup and invaded our members who were observing our three-day peaceful protest at the Niger Bridge at about 1.30 am Wednesday morning. We warned that they should not push us to be violent because we have people that can match them violence for violence,” he said.

Vanguard gathered that

Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, the Ogirisi Igbo, a respected Igbo leader, who has the loyalty of both MASSOB and IPOB youths was attacked at about 1.35 am when he went to talk to the protesting youths at the Niger Bridge Head, after some Igbo leaders had pleaded with him to speak with the protesters.

Speaking in an interview at his house in Oba, Chief Ezeonwuka said: “The dangerous game being played by the Federal Government of Nigeria in the continued incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu will end up being an expensive joke and dangerous mistake.

“I am calling on Igbo elite to speak with one voice for immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu before the youths turn their peaceful protest to violent protest. The protest started with free flow of traffic, but today it has advanced to road block,” he said.

The Campaign for Democracy, CD, South East branch, also condemned the killing of the protesters. Chairman of CD, South East branch, Dede Uzor A Uzor, said: “IPOB has been peaceful in their protest and there should not be any reason to open fire on them by security agencies. We are also calling for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu and other IPOB and MASSOB members being incarcerated in various prisons and detention centres in the country, as they have not broken any law for protesting peacefully."

IG reads riot act, begins prosecution of protesters

However, the InspectorGeneral of Police, IGP Solomon Arase, has disclosed that no fewer than 137 protesters have been arrested and currently undergoing prosecution. The police boss spoke yesterday, when he visited the Ministry of Interior.

According to him, the suspects are all members

of MASSOB and IPOB. Arase, who also described Nigerians as lawless, said in as much as government respects the right of citizens to free expression, MASSOB and IPOB activists must stop threatening public peace or face the full wrath of the law.

His words: “What I can assure you is that we will not allow any group to disturb the peace of this country. We will clamp down on them, we will deal with them, we will prosecute them. Already, we have about 137 of them who are undergoing prosecution across the length and breadth of the South East and we will continue to do that.

“The latest manifestation of this threat is the attempt to block the Onitsha end of Niger Bridge on December 1, 2015, an action that caused major hardship to innocent and law abiding motorists and citizens. The act also occasioned serious dislocation of business activities.”

Arase issued a stern warning to MASSOB and IPOB activists to stop threatening public peace or face the full weight of the law.

To maintain law and order, the IG in a statement by Acting ACP Olabisi Kolawole, directed Assistant Inspectors–General of Police Zone 5, (Benin); Zone 6, (Calabar) and Zone 9 (Umuahia) and all Commissioners of Police in the affected states in the South East and neigbouring states "to henceforth maximally exercise their statutory mandate in relation to prevention and disruption of any gathering that threatens public order and national cohesion.

Any person or group of persons so arrested in furtherance to the enforcement of this order will be made to face the full wrath of the law”.

The IGP advised parents and guardians to call their children and wards to order as the patience of the Force was being stretched to the limit, adding that "no Continues on Page 37

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015

SUMMIT: From left; Wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo; wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi; Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State; Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo and former Minister of Industry, Chief Onikepo Akande, at the opening of National Women Summit, in Ibadan, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

$2bn arms deal: EFCC gets warrant to detain Dokpesi, others •DSS moves Dasuki to EFCC headquarters •Dokpesi trying to perfect condition for his release—Son •DSS ejects ex-SSS boss, Col Are from Lagos home

By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor, Henry Umoru & Esther Onyegbula

A

BUJA — THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, failed to free the Chairman of Daar Communications Plc, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, after meeting his bail conditions.

One of the conditions was for the media mogul to surrender his travel documents to the EFCC and produce two directors in the Federal Civil Service as sureties, a condition he met earlier today, according to his lawyers.

His lawyer, Mr. Mike Ozekhome, said they were shocked to be told that the agency had secured a holding warrant from a magistrate’s court to keep his client in detention after perfecting his bail conditions.

“We got the two sureties today (yesterday) and we were ready to meet all the bail conditions before the EFCC told us they were able to get a holding charge warrant from a magistrate.”

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, said a magistrate has no powers to issue a holding charge warrant.

He also said neither Chief Dokpesi nor himself had been made aware of any charges yet.

“We are yet to know the charges levelled against Chief Dokpesi and he himself has told me that no charges were preferred against him,” he said.

Vanguard learned last night, that apart from Daar Communications boss, Chief Raymond Dokpesi; former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda and former Sokoto

State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, there were many other key suspects detained in EFCC cells in connection with the $2 billion arms deal.

It was learnt that while some of the suspects such as Shuaibu Salihu, who was Director of Finance in the office of the National Security Adviser and 19 others had been in detention for over a week, Dokpesi, Bafarawa and Yuguda joined the suspects only this week.

By law, they are expected to be released or charged to court within 48 hours.

Mindful of the position of the law, a top source in the commission told Vanguard last night that the agency might approach a court to seek an order to further detain the high profile suspects.

“The aim is to give them time to speak out on why they received huge public funds from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, and what such curious payments were meant for, especially as the recipients are not security men or security contractors,” a source said.

Some willing to refund the money

It was also gathered from competent sources in the commission that some of the suspects had made very useful statements to the operatives and were willing to refund the money said to have been obtained by them from the ONSA. They were said to have admitted that the money was given to them for ‘security reasons’ but did not explain what aspect of security work they did for the nation and who appointed them for the roles.

The man at the centre of paying out the amount to the detained beneficiaries, Sambo Dasuki, was reportedly not willing to speak to the DSS operatives.

He was said to have insisted that he would only speak in the presence of his legal team headed by a former NBA president, who was making frantic efforts to reach him at press time.

DSS moves Dasuki to EFCC headquarters

The Department of State Services (DSS) has, however, moved Dasuki to the headquarters of the EFCC. He was picked up by the operatives of DSS, yesterday, after laying siege to his residence for about a month and restricted his movement.

Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja will sit tomorrow December 3, 2015 for the hearing of the motion filed by the Federal Government seeking to revoke the bail granted Dasuki.

At the last resumed hearing of the suit, lawyer to the Federal Government, Mr Mohammed Diri, told the court that a notice of appeal has been lodged at the Court of Appeal challenging the judgment of the court granting bail to the former National Security Adviser.

Dasuki, who had pleaded not guilty to previous charges of alleged illegal possession of firearms and money-laundering preferred against him by the DSS had earlier been granted bail by a Federal High Court to enable him seek medical attention.

Dokpesi trying to perfect condition for his release —Son

Meanwhile, Dokpesi as at last night was still trying to perfect conditions for his release.

A statement issued last night by Dokpesi’s son, Raymond Dokpesi Jnr, explaining how his father was invited to the EFCC headquarters said: “On Monday, November 30, 2015 whilst attending the 70th birthday celebration of former minister and PDP stalwart, Professor Jerry Gana, the Chairman Emeritus of DAAR Communications Plc received a telephone call from the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, inviting him to visit the EFCC headquarters to provide some clarifications and documentation regarding some transactions involving the Office of the erstwhile NSA during the 2015 Presidential election campaigns.

“On Tuesday, December 1, 2015 around 2.00pm, High Chief Aleogho Dokpesi

honoured the verbal telephone invitation and voluntarily drove himself to the EFCC headquarters in company of his son, Raymond Dokpesi Jr and a legal representative of the Chambers of Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, in the person of Mr Justin Omogbemeh.

"It is pertinent to state that contrary to news reports, he wasn’t arrested nor was he even formally invited, as there is no letter of invitation. At the commission, he was requested to shed light on some payments that were made to him through the office of the erstwhile National Security Adviser to the former President, Mallam Sambo Dasuki.

"High Chief Aleogho Dokpesi made his statement on the various media exposures and campaign transactions which were dutifully carried out across most broadcast, print and social media in and outside Nigeria.

“Surprisingly, rather than being allowed to go home a free man or at most on administrative bail in self recognizance, High Chief Dokpesi was kept by the EFCC operatives, with onerous bail conditions imposed for his release. It is these conditions that we are now attempting to perfect for his immediate release."

DSS ejects Col. Are from Lagos home

Meanwhile, no fewer than 20 operatives of the DSS, yesterday stormed the Lagos residence of DSS former Director General, Kayode Are and forcefully ejected him and his family.

Vanguard gathered that the operatives stormed his Alexander Road, Ikoyi residence in three buses, and when the family refused to open the door, they broke down the doors and windows and forcefully gained access. They did not produce any legal document backing up their action.

Areh had been ordered to vacate the house by December but he got a court injunction restraining the DSS from evicting him.

Following the forceful eviction by 7.30pm, three cars carrying some of Are’s property left the compound.

A family source said on the invasion: “It was around 12.30pm when they struck. Mrs. Are had just come back from the hospital. We saw them from the window and she asked them who they were but they refused to identify themselves.

“She went and locked the door and the next

thing they did was to break our doors and windows.

“They first told us that they will take all of us to Abuja but we refused their moves and they seized all our phones.

Col Are wasn’t around as at then.

“When he came back, they were pleading with him that they were only obeying orders.

Meanwhile, they did not allow us to go out and also prevented people from coming in to help us.”

The operatives also harassed Vanguard reporters, Esther Onyegbula and Akeem Salau, as well as THISDAY Crime reporter, Chiemelie Ezeobi seizing their phones immediately they realised they were journalists.

After the initial questioning which led to them refusing the three journalists from entering the compound, one of the operatives called back the journalists and seized their phones.

A female operative tried to go through the phones to ensure no pictures were taken.

A senior operative later ordered her to release the phones to the reporters and escorted them out.

We'll never be intimidated — Fani-Kayode Meanwhile, former spokesperson of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Presidential Campaign Organization, Chief Femi Fani -Kayode has condemned the arrest of Dasuki, Dokpesi, and the invasion of the home of Colonel Kayode Are, former Director General of DSS during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, saying that such moves can never intimidate those in opposition.

Fani-Kayode, who took a swipe at President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, described it as unforgiving, petty, unjust, vindictive in nature and above all, not God-fearing, warning that if he continues the way he was presently, Buhari runs the risk of provoking the wrath of God. According to him, rather than terrorize the people of Nigeria, the President should save his terror waves and gestapo tactics for Boko Haram.

In a statement made available to newsmen, yesterday, in Abuja, FaniKayode said President Buhari-led government was playing a dangerous game of Russian roulette with a loaded gun, warning that if not properly handled and careful in the handling of the affairs of the country, the gun would soon explode

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 , 2015—7

Man dies aboard Arik Air plane

Suspected drug addict kills father in Ogun

By Lawani Mikairu

By Daud Olatunji

L

AGOS — A middleaged passenger, yesterday, died aboard an Arik Air flight from Owerri to Lagos. The man, who boarded the flight from Owerri, was confirmed dead at the Lagos airport when his body was brought down from the aircraft after he failed to disembark with other passengers.

The deceased was said to be in the company of his relative and started showing signs of discomfort midway into the flight.

Confirming the incidence, spokesman of Arik Air, Mr Adebanji Ola said in a statement that: “A middle-aged man aboard Arik Air ’s Owerri-Lagos flight was this afternoon confirmed dead by doctors on arrival at the Lagos airport.

“The passenger boarded the flight from Owerri in the company of a relative. He started showing signs of uneasiness midway into the flight.

“The body of the man has been deposited in the mortuary by the Police while investigation into the immediate cause of death is ongoing.”

A

Accident scene on Abuja-Lokoja Road, Gwarko, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN

DPO removed over assault on pregnant woman A

By Daud Olatunji

BEOKUTA—The Divisional Police Officer, Kemta Division of the Ogun State State Police command, who allegedly assaulted a woman that subsequently lost her two-month pregnancy, has been removed and summoned by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali. The state commissioner in a text message to our correspondent on

the matter yesterday , wrote: “the DPO involved had been removed and moved to the state headquarters.”

The commissioner while reacting to the matter said he got to know about it from media reports.

He, however, confirmed that he had called for a discreet investigation into the incident by a team headed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Investigation and Intelligence Department.

Dismissed policeman, school dropout nabbed for stealing manhole

By Esther Onyegbula

L

AGOS — IN a renewed effort to rid Lagos State of criminals, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad,RRS, yesterday, arrested a dismissed police officer and one other person for vandalizing and stealing manhole cover.

The suspect, Earnest Young (30), who coincidentally is a son of a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, was arrested with his accomplice, Rasheed Tiamiyu, (20), on Eko Bridge around 10:00 p.m, Tuesday.

Young who hails from Yala Local Government in Cross River State. He was arrested in possession of man-hole cover, vandalized and stolen on the Eko Bridge.

The suspect stated that he and his accomplice trekked from Ijora under bridge to Eko Bridge to steal the item, adding that they were in search of food when they saw the item which they planned to sell to cart pushers.

He explained that his accomplice, Rasheed Tiamiyu, a primary school drop-out, lured him into the crime, a claim

Tiamiyu denied, stressing that, ‘Young, rather, was the one who lured him into the crime.

Tiamiyu said: “We stole the cover even when I protested against it. The entire plan was all his idea. Despite the fact that the cover was very heavy, Young insisted in stealing it with the plan to sell it to scrap metal buyers the following day.

“Both of us work as load carriers

in Ijora. We sleep in Ijora park.

We had no money to feed ourselves.”

Confirming the arrest of the suspects, Commander of the Rapid Response Squad, Assistant Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu, said the action of the suspects posed a great danger to road users, adding that uncovered manhole can cause accident, particularly at night.

Court admits exhibits against suspected killer of lawyer

By Jane Echewodo

L

AGOS — A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of the alleged killer of the late human rights crusader, Kunle Fadipe, yesterday, at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, tendered some tools said to have been used in carrying out the crime.

The defendant, Seun Oladapo, is standing trial before Justice Atinuke Ipaye for the alleged murder of Fadipe and others at Harmony Estate, near Karaole Estate, College Road, Ifako Ijaiye Local Government Area, Lagos, last year.

At the hearing of the matter, lead prosecution counsel, Mrs.

Idowu Alakija, who is the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), tendered the objects recovered at the scene of incidence through the Investigative Police Officer (IPO), Adefuye James.

The tendered exhibits include a torchlight, a dagger, a kitchen knife, and a pair of black hand gloves.

Other objects are a pair of slippers, a red T-shirt, a black school bag, window blind, and one Nokia phone. All tendered items were blood-stained and were admitted as exhibits.

The defence counsel, Worer Obuagbaka did not oppose the tendering of the objects.

CP Ali said: “I promise to make our findings public at the conclusion of the case.”

The DPO, Amos Samuel, had allegedly assaulted 37-year-old Risikat on Saturday leading to her losing two-month pregnancy.

Contacted, her husband, Tunde Bamidele, said he had written a statement on Wednesday at the state headquarters of the command at Eleweran, Abeokuta of what transpired between last Friday and Sunday.

According to him, "in the statement, I chronicled how my wife lost her pregnancy and our ordeal in the hand of the policemen at Kemta Division of the Ogun State police command.

“One of the Deputy Commissioners was assigned to the case. I had written the statement and submitted to him.”

Risikat’s husband said after he had submitted the statement, two policemen were detailed to follow him to Kemta Division, where the incident happened, to retrieve the case file.

He said the policemen were also detailed to follow him to state hospital, Ijaiye, in Abeokuta where his wife is currently receiving attention, and they took statement from her.

“I am talking to you from Kemta Police Station, the deputy commissioner in charge of the case had asked two policemen to accompany me to retrieve the case file on the incident.

“They (policemen) also followed me to the State Hospital at Ijaiye where my wife is currently receiving treatment, and also took her statement.”

Our correspondent gathered that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, was said to have read the report and sent signals to the state CP to investigate the matter.

BEOKUTA — There was commotion, Tuesday night, in Sabo area of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital when a suspected drug addict allegedly killed his father identified as Baba Basirat.

According to Vanguard’s findings, the incident occurred at 25, Akintobi Badejo Street,Sabo, when the drug addict was said to have pushed his 69-year-old father,who thereafter collapsed.

A source at the family house claimed that the father had taken his son to church for deliverance for the drug addiction, Tuesday, but started struggling with his father at the entrance of the church, before pushing him to death.

The man, who hailed from Ogbomoso in Oyo State, was said to have been rushed to a private hospital in Onikolobo area of Abeokuta where he was confirmed dead.

As at yesterday morning, the alleged killer-son again went wild and destroyed a blue Honda Accord with number plate Lagos, AGL 763 AQ belonging to his brotherin-law before he was arrested.

When journalists visited the house at Sabo, the son was said to be on sedative and tied in a room to prevent further violent act while the deceased was also kept in another room.

One of the sources, who preferred anonymity said: “Baba became ill and the boy was arguing with him because he is a drug addict who takes dangerous substances and whenever he takes alcohol, he causes trouble.

“His father decided to take him to a church for deliverance alongside his brother, he even bought another alcoholic drink on the way to church and when Baba came back he complained that he wasn’t feeling fine and he was taken to hospital where he was confirmed dead.

“As a parent, the father was not happy that the boy smokes Indian hemp and so much had been spent on him. He was ready to take him to a psychiatric hospital but for lack of finance. That was why he took him to a church.”

Although arrangement was ongoing to bury the deceased who was said to be a Muslim but a family member said they were still waiting for other siblings based outside the state.

8 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015—9

Fuel scarcity over in days —Minister

A

By Emanuel Elebeke

BUJA — The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has assured that the current fuel scarcity in the country will be over in a matter of days, following the approval of the subsidy payment by the National Assembly.

The minister, who gave the assurance during a visit to the headquarters of the Daily Trust newspaper in Abuja, yesterday, explained that the N521 billion approved by the National Assembly, as part of the supplementary budget of N574.4 billion, would be enough to cover the fuel subsidy till the end of the year.

He also said the kind of fuel scarcity that has triggered vehicular queues across the country would no longer repeat itself.

He said: "We can confidently announce here today that the scarcity will end in a few days. Subsidy payment till the end of the year has been approved by the National Assembly. As you know we can’t spend money without approval.’’

The minister thanked the management and staff of the newspaper for the role they played during the last general elections.

He said: "The sacrifice you made helped to bring about the change that Nigerians desired. You stood by the people of Nigeria when it mattered most, and we will continue to engage with you all through the tenure of this Administration to exchange ideas in the interest of Nigerians."

The minister, however, used the occasion to announce a plan to set up an adhoc committee, c o m p r i s i n g representatives of the government, the military and the media to enhance the exchange of information, especially concerning the war against terrorism.

He also informed that the 2016 budget would soon be submitted to the National Assembly, which he said would address the yearnings of Nigerians.

Don’t allow politicians use you as pawns, CJN tells new judges

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

BUJA — THE Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, yesterday, warned judges not to allow politicians use them as pawns.

Justice Mohammed gave the warning while swearing-in 30 new judges of the Federal High Court.

While administering oaths on the judges, who were recently elevated to the high court bench

by President Muhammadu Buhari, the CJN warned them not to allow themselves “to be used as pawns by our various politicians in their quest for power.”

The CJN maintained that the current situation in the country has made the role of the judiciary as a neutral and impartial arbiter more crucial.

He enjoined the new judges to always uphold the oaths they took, yesterday, to serve with dedication, fairness, and in a manner that is faithful to the constitution and the law of the land He said: “It is also a solemn covenant to the Almighty that you will perform your duty with all due diligence and honesty. As such, you must strive not to betray these oaths as this will also mean a betrayal of the trust of those who screened, interviewed and recommended you before your eventual appointment.

“It will indeed be a betrayal of the trust of Nigerians who have reposed in you the power of judgement as the representatives of God on earth.

"Your lordships must, therefore, take the proverbial bull by the horns and pull the plough within your courts so that we cultivate a highly professional, incorruptible and effective justice delivery system.

“This we can only do, when we dispense justice without fear or favour, affection or ill will.

“We must be seen to do justice though the heaven may fall and I assure your lordships that the heavens will surely not fall.”

Judicial corruption

Besides, the CJN, while acknowledging need for the judiciary to sanitize itself in view of the mounting allegations of corruption, urged anyone with concrete evidence against any judge to feel free to approach the National Judicial Council, NJC. “I wish to address the vexed issue of judicial corruption. This is because allegations about corrupt judicial officers and staff now make headline news on a more frequent basis. With each allegation that passes, the need is ever present for the judiciary to address this issue and I feel it necessary to once again do so.

“Although I will not hide away

from the reality that some judges and judicial staff may be complicit in corrupt practices, however, I must assert that corruption within the judiciary is only imbibed by a minute minority.

“I believe that the Nigerian judiciary is comprised largely of judicial officers who are hardworking, dedicated, ethically minded, learned, patriotic and possess the highest standards of morals.

“The Nigerian judiciary is one

of the hardest working Judiciaries in the world, despite the paucity of funds and the lack of adequate welfare provisions for its personnel.

“Nevertheless, I must accept the need for the judiciary to sanitize itself where allegations are made. However, as the saying goes- he who alleges must prove. This will indeed be done where the accusers themselves avail us of the particulars of these incidences

of judicial corruption as well as the identity of the perpetrators, so that the NJC can act promptly and appropriately to remove such deviants from the bench.”

He said that the new judges were throughly scrutinised by various legal bodies and the Department of State Service, DSS, before they were selected, saying over 2000 applicants were whittled down to 128 shortlisted persons who stood for interviews at the Federal Judicial Service Commission in June 2015.

VISIT: From left, Mr Babatunde Savage, Chairman, Guinness Nigeria Plc; Mr Peter Ndegwa, MD/CEO Guinness Nigeria and Mr Simon Covener, the Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine during a visit to Guinness Nigeria Plc by Irish Minister in Lagos, yesterday.

Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

100 B-Haram fighters killed, 900 hostages freed in Cameroon

C

AMEROON has said that its troops have killed 100 Boko Haram militants and freed 900 captives that were held by the insurgents According to Cameroonian defence ministry, soldiers killed the militants and rescued the hostages during an operation last week along the Cameroon-Nigeria border.

There has been no

independent confirmation of the claim.

Meanwhile, officials suspect Boko Haram was behind twin suicide attacks that killed at least four people in far northern Cameroon late Tuesday. The suicide bombers blew themselves up in Waza, a town near the Nigerian border.

Cameroon has been

fighting Boko Haram since the Islamist militants began crossborder attacks in 2013.

The country is one of five contributing to a multinational task force dedicated to fighting the group.

Boko Haram has killed more than 10,000 people since launching its campaign for a strict Muslim state in northern Nigeria six years ago.

Glo launches Campus Booster

S

TUDENTS of institutions of higher learning in the country can now have unhindered access to Internet browsing and downloading within their campuses as Globacom has launched a first-of-its-kind product tagged Glo Campus Booster.

Designed to aid academic activities and social networking among students and staff of tertiary institutions across Nigeria, the Glo Campus Booster will, among other benefits, support and improve education standards, create intellectual wealth for students, and provide access to information on research topics and thesis writing.

At the official launch of the product at Globacom’s headquarters in Lagos, yesterday, the company ’s Senior Manager, Events and Sponsorship, Mr. Sola Mogaji, said the Glo Campus Booster is a special data plan that allows students and others on campus to get up to eight times more data value whenever they use their Glo lines on campuses.

For instance, under the Glo Campus Booster, a N200 data recharge will guarantee a subscriber 400MB of data which is eight times more than the 50MB of data a subscriber

would normally get with a N200 recharge.

In the same vein, a recharge of N500 will give one gigabyte of data on campus. The service is available on all Nigerian campuses nationwide, including Military, Police, Customs and Immigration training institutions, Mr. Mogaji explained.

According to him, “students as well as staff on campuses can enjoy this offer when they subscribe to a Glo Campus Data Plan of N200 and above. They will subsequently enjoy enhanced data offered while used in the campuses.”

10—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 , 2015

YULETIDE: Lagos to arrest sellers, users of fireworks

L

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

AGOS—AS the Yuletide activities kicks off nationwide, Lagos State Government, through the state Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, has urged parents and guardians to warn their children and wards to desist from the use of fireworks, popularly called “banger,” even as it warned sellers against the sale of the items.

General Manager LASEMA, Mr. Michael Akindele who gave the warning yesterday, in his Alausa office, said that a special team consisting of the agency, the police and other security operatives have been mobilized to apprehend offenders within the ambit of the law for prosecution.

He warned dealers and end users of fireworks to steer clear of the state because of the potential hazard of the item to the people and the environment.

Akindele reiterated the earlier ban on the use of the device by Lagos State Police Commissioner in order to further ensure safety of lives and properties in the state.

He recalled the ordeal of December 26, 2012 Jankara fire outbreak caused by the storage of fireworks in some of the shops leading to loss of lives and properties worth millions of naira.

Akindele noted that the noise created by fireworks and the large amounts of debris and fallout left over after shooting may also cause health hazards and environmental nuisance which could degenerate to disaster under certain conditions and inimical to health of the communities and neighborhoods where the users live.

“The careless use of fireworks may be dangerous to the users as they stand the risks of sustaining burns and wounds as well as harming bystanders or cause fire outbreak when thrown on inflammable materials, in this period of fuel scarcity and potential storage of it in homes and other public places,” he said.

Nigeria'll overcome its challenges —Ooni Ogunwusi O

By Gbenga Olarinoye

SOGBO—THE Ooni of Ife, Oba Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has predicted that Nigeria would overcome the present economic and security challenges.

The foremost traditional ruler gave the assurance in his residence in Ile-Ife yesterday, when the management of Nigerian Breweries, led by Mr. Joseph Bodunrin, the regional business manager visited him.

Oba Ogunwusi noted that this was not the first time the country was passing through hard times, stressing that the country has always overcome them at the end of the day.

According to him; “The country has gone through too many circles of recession but always overcome it through our resilience and perseverance.”

He described Nigerians as resilient people who can survive in any situation whether in surplus or recession.

The monarch charged multinational companies in the country to always give back to the society where they operate to

alleviate the sufferings of the masses.

Oba Ogunwusi specifically appealed to the management of the company to give more support to all cultural festivals in Yoruba land as a way of preserving its

heritage.

He disclosed that his sports academy which will take off before the end of the year will take care of not less than 2,000 youths when in full operation, adding that greatest employers

of labour all over the world is sports.

Earlier, the regional business manager of NB, Mr. Bodunrin, said the company was in the palace to identify itself with the Olojo Festival which will soon be celebrated in the town.

MUSICAL CONCERT: From left: Mr. O. Ojikutu, Rev. Suzan Oludiya, Dr. Yinka Ayandele, Tutor General, and Permanent Secretary, District I, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Omolabake Olabinjo, representing First Lady of Lagos State at the first ever musical concert held at Agege Stadium, Lagos, yesterday.

Bi-Courtney signs flight agreement with FAAN

By Lawani Mikairu

L

AGOS—CHAIRMAN of BiCourtney Aviation Services, BASL, operators of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two, MMA2, Dr. Wale Babalakin yesterday said that the management of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two, MMA2, has signed agreement with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, to operate regional flights. His reaction is coming on the heels of protest by some aviation unions that the terminal should not be allowed to operate regional flights.

Babalakin explained that the terminal was not given approval contrary to insinuation making the round but that an agreement was signed.

He further explained that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, was invited to inspect the terminal and that the regulatory body gave some conditions that should be met by the terminal before it could commence regional flights from the facility.

Babalakin made these revelations while speaking at a Breakfast Meeting titled, “Ownership, Viability, Safety and Security of Nigerian Airports,” organised by the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative, ASRTI. He also revealed that the conditions

set by NCAA had been fulfilled by the terminal.

According to him; “Approval was not given, we signed an agreement to operate regional flights. NCAA was invited to inspect the facility and gave conditions that must be met and these conditions have been fulfilled and we are waiting for the implementation.”

On the four star hotel directly opposite the multi-story MMA2 car park also belonging to BASL that was allegedly taken from BASL, the Chairman ,explained

that some people had wanted to convert the project to FAAN offices but that the idea did not materialise.

He added that while this was going on its technical partner withdrew because BASL could not explain why the hotel project was taken away from BASL. However, he stated that BASL has signed a fresh agreement with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, on the hotel project,

adding that BASL was only able to achieve this due its relentless efforts.

Speaking on airport development, he said that it could only take place only under a well articulated concessioning system. He said that the Nigerian aviation industry can only move forward and experience rapid development under a well articulated concessioning system devoid of disagreements.

3 women docked for stealing one-week-old baby

L

AGOS—THREE women, Nkechi Obi, Patience Nwogbo and Ogechi Njoku, were yesterday charged before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing a week-old baby.

Obi, 25, Nwogbo, 58 and Njoku, 45, who all reside in Owerri, Imo State, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, deprivation of liberty and child stealing.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Inspector Simon Imhonwa, told the court that the offences were committed on November 3.

Imhonwa said that one of the accused, Obi, had travelled in a

commercial bus from Imo State to Lagos State with a week-old baby that was not hers.

He said the driver of the commercial bus suspected foul play because the baby cried ceaselessly throughout the journey.

“The driver suspected foul play, when the accused bearing the child failed to nurse the baby that had been crying for hours throughout the duration of the journey.

“He then deliberately drove the bus to a police station where a report was made.

“Obi could not, however, give a valid reason for bringing the

baby to Lagos, nor provide information about the mother of the child,” Imhonwa said.

He said that the offences contravened Sections 270, 275 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Bola Osunsanmi, admitted each of the accused to bail in the sum of N300,000, with two sureties each in like sum.

Osunsanm also ordered that the sureties must work in reputable companies and show evidence of tax payments.

The case was adjourned till January 25 for hearing.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015—11

Falae testifies against abductors

By Dayo Johnson

A

KURE—THE former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Chief Olu Falae, yesterday appeared in court as a star witness to testify against his suspected kidnappers.

Chief Falae, while testifying at the High Court in Akure, identified some of the suspects brought before the court as his kidnappers.

He told the court that other members of the gang are still at large.

The elderstatesman was abducted on September 21, which incidentally was his 77th birthday, at his farm in Ilado, Akure.

In his testimony, the witness narrated how six of the seven suspects dragged him out of the office he built in the farm to the bush after one of them inflicted an injury on his arm with a machete.

According to him, the suspects dragged him in the forest for almost one hour and while in the deep forest asked for his wife's phone number to discuss the ransom.

Chief Falae said: ”When one of them saw my wounds, he went to the bush to look for a leaf which he used to treat the wounds. That was how we started a journey that lasted for twelve hours.

“After 7pm, they got my wife on the phone and ordered her to go and look for N100 million as ransom before they would release me.

“One of them said my people

were offering them N2 million, How could my people offer N2 million to Boko-Haram? That was when I asked them to allow me to speak to my wifeand I told her to look around for money to meet their demand which I understand was N5 million at that time.”

The witness told the court that he was released on the fourth day of his abduction after payment of ransom by his family.

Attorney General and

Commissioner for Justice, Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, who is the prosecuting counsel, prayed the court for an adjournment of the case.

Jegede pleaded with the court that the adjournment was to allow the prosecutors to gather all the witnesses.

He said that seven witnesses had been lined up to testify in the case.

The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice urged the court to give the case an accelerated hearing

considering the interest of members of the public in the case.

The trial judge, Justice Rotimi Olumide, thereafter ordered that the suspects be remanded in Olokuta prison.

He therefore adjourned the case till December 15, for further hearing.

The suspected kidnappers are Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibrahim, Masahudu Muhammed, Idris Lawal, Abdulkadir Umar and Babawo Kato.

AWARD: From left: Mrs Teju Phillips, former Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry; Mrs Adejoke Alli, Head, Resources, Fidson Healthcare Plc and Mr. John Bray, Consul General, United States Embassy in Nigeria, during the presentation of 2015 Sectoral Leadership award in Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals sector of the Nigerian Stock Market by Pearl Awards Nigeria.

Fayose bans tipper operations in Ekiti

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

A

DO EKITI— GOVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has placed a ban on sand excavation in state, following tipper owners' failure to comply with the new tax regime.

The tipper owners were also accused of destroying farmlands, unruly behaviour, environmental degradation and sundry offences.

Commissioner for Environment, Otunba Kolawole, said the ban took effect from yesterday.

Trouble started when tipper owners defied the government's directive which imposed a levy of N1,000 per trip on the operators.

The operators, under the auspices of the Union of Tipper and Quarry Employers of Nigeria, described the new tax regime as unacceptable, vowing that their members would not honour the arrangement.

Fayose, while commenting on the ban said: “They have to obey the law of the land. How can

anyone be operating here in Ekiti and refuse to pay tax?

“We cannot run government without money. Apart from tax default, some of their trucks have no particulars, no headlamps and no brakes.

They are also destroying our farmlands and vegetation. We won’t tolerate all these.

“We all owe it a duty to pay our taxes as demanded by the law and this we will implement.”

The Commissioner, in the directive issued, said the move became expedient “in view of the recurrent cases of destruction of valuable crops by tipper owners while excavating sand.”

K o l a w o l e bemoaned how farmlands were being wantonly destroyed by operators of the business without minding the hazard their actions constitute

to the environment.

The Commissioner disclosed that the Ministry had received series of complaints from farm owners, claiming that tipper operators had consistently been wreaking havoc on their crops without paying compensation or offer any palliative.

When called to confirm whether members had complied with the directive, the Chairman, Tipper Owners Association in Ekiti State, Chief James Mokoa, said the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Etop James, is mediating in the matter.

Mokoa, who kept mum on whether his members had complied with the directive, expressed confidence that the issue would be resolved amicably in another round of peace parley at the instance of the police boss.

Osun sacks 82 College of Education workers

By Gbenga Olarinoye

O

SOGBO—A gale of retrenchment yesterday swept through Osun State as no fewer than 82 workers of Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun, were sacked by the management of the stateowned institution.

The affected workers, who were relieved of their duties were mostly members of the non-Academic Staff Union of the college.

When contacted on telephone, the Chairman of College of Education Academic Staff Union, Segun Onifade, confirmed the sack of the 82 workers, but added that the sacked workers were contract staff of the college.

Onifade said some of the sacked workers had spent six years before the institution’s authorities decided to send them packing.

Chairman of the college’s Governing Council, Mr Niyi Akande, said he was not aware of the development.

He said: “I am not aware of that. I have not been told that anybody has been sacked. I am in Abuja.”

Meanwhile, the leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students NANS, has threatened to shut down the economic and social activities in Osun State should the state government merge its tertiary institutions.

NANS Deputy Coordinator, Zone D,A Comrade Afolabi Saheed, in a release made available to our correspondent in Osogbo warned the state governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola against any reformation of the state’s education sector that tends threatens the future of the people of the state.

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015

Funeral rites for late Olu of Warri end at Ode-Itsekiri T

HE funeral rites for the late Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, came to an end yesterday, at Ode-Itsekiri, the ancestral home of the Itsekiri nation with encomiums showered on the late Olu by eminent Nigerians extolling the virtues of the late Olu. He was described as a quintessential royal father who led by example and impacted positively on the lives of many who came across him.

He was also described as an icon of the traditional institution and an embodiment of the culture and pride of Warri people, presiding over a kingdom that dates back to the 14th century and exemplified the awe and majesty of the traditional ancestry.

Ogiame Atuwatse II will forever be remembered as a father, a bridge builder, reformist, peace loving and most importantly, a faithful Christain king who stood by his belief in Jesus Christ inspite of the challenges that his responsibility as an African traditional ruler demanded.

A statement at the end of the funeral rites said: "We will definitely miss him. Throughout his reign, he was a beacon of hope and unity of the Itsekiri nation, a wise leader and worthy king who has left his foot print on the sands of time. He stood out amongst kings and became a reference point for majesty and dignity. He

contributed a great deal to the development of Nigeria."

The high point of the funeral rites was the rich display of Itsekiri culture and tradition by the entire Itsekiri nation. Dances of various forms reserved for royality were on display throughout the 14-day period, especially the ancient Ogolo dance by Irigbo people, which is a spiritual dance where the

drummers sit on mats beating special drums made of metal basins while the women dance.

It is usually performed only for kings and was staged on day 4 with a full dance troupe of 250 persons performing. This dance was performed 28 years ago when Atuwatse II was crowned.

The Ojomo of Warri Kingdom Chief Tesigiweno Yaya Pessu, who is the chairman of Olu

Advisory Council and Warri Traditional Council shed more light on the rite of passage for the late Olu. He said that December 3, 2015 marked the end of the funeral rites for Ogiame Atuwatse II, adding that the 14 days programme had come to an end and the ban on festivities in Warri Kingdom had been lifted as the mourning period for the late Atuwatse II had ended.

FINAL FUNERAL RITES FOR LATE OLU OF WARRI: Elders of Irigbo, Chief Tesigiweno Yaya Pessu, Chief Patric Yalaju, Akoma-Beji and Olotu- Isaka, during the final funeral rites for the late Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, at Ode-Itsekiri.

Rivers suspends overseas scholarships for students

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State Government has suspended its overseas scholarships for students of the state origin in foreign universities, saying it will only pay the tuition fees for those in final year.

Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs Onimim Jack, disclosed this to parents of the students, yesterday, in Port Harcourt. She said the government would see how the students would continue their studies in the state-owned universities, adding that the decision to suspend the scholarship scheme was due to paucity of funds.

Some of the parents who spoke to newsmen condemned the decision of the government, stressing that the government should have sourced money to sustain the scholarship scheme.

Meantime, Governor Nyesom Wike has said that his administration will not reduce workers' salary from the N18, 000 minimum wage.

The governor gave the assurance, yesterday, when he played host to the National Chairman of Labour Party, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, at

Government House, Port Harcourt.

The governor said the backlash of reducing the minimum wage will be more than the gains, stressing that his government would not be party to any move to reduce the minimum wage.

He said the welfare of workers was dear to his administration, adding that it

informed why he cleared three months salaries owed workers by his predecessor.

He said: “Rivers State will not be a party to the reduction of the minimum wage.

Government will not reduce the minimum wage. The state government will continue to pay the salaries of workers because we believe that the worker deserves his wage.”

Earlier, National Chairman of Labour Party, Alhaji Abdulsalam, advised against reduction of the minimum wage.

He commended the governor for giving room for opposition parties to be actively involved in his government by appointing some of their members into offices.

24 journalists selected for Africa leadership programme programme receive seminars in leadership and financial

T

WENTY-FOUR media professionals from three of Africa’s leading economies, Kenya and Nigeria, South Africa, have been selected from prominent organisations for Class 2 of the prestigious Africa Leadership Initiative Media Fellowship Programme.

The twenty-four distinguished journalists, who were nominated for the twoyear programme, will convene in South Africa for the first of four, four-day seminars that will address changing negative perspectives of Africa, as well as the influence

of the media on the continent’s development. Fellows will also consider the quality of financial journalism on the continent. The programme will be moderated by Ferial Haffajee, Editor-in-Chief of City Press, and Derek Thomas, Founder and CEO of Letsema Holdings, individuals who are making positive changes in the media and leadership.

The Africa Leadership Initiative Media Fellow Programme is offered to journalists in senior leadership positions in government, media and civil society.

Fellows selected for the

journalism, access to post graduate studies, professional coaching, and management training. Fellows will examine value-based leadership in a changing Africa, the role of media and development, ethics, social justice, globalization, and the impact of financial journalism on investment and economic growth in Africa.

“Africa is on the rise, and with this robust growth comes opportunities for us as citizens to shape the continent’s narrative," said Isaac Shongwe, the founder of the ALI programme.

Buhari leaves for S-Africa today to discuss railway, power projects with China’s President

A

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

BUJA—PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja for South Africa today to participate in the Forum on China/Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Johannesburg where he will ask China’s President Xi Jinping to fund rail and power projects urgently needed to diversify an economy hit hard by a plunge in oil prices.

The meeting would be a continuation of his interaction with Jinping which began in New York during the last General Assembly of the United Nations, UN. The President would be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema; Minister of Transportation, Chubuike Amaechi; and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah to the forum which would commence on December 4 and end on December 5.

A statement by the presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, stated that during the meeting in New York, President Buhari had indicated to Xi Jinping that “he wanted China to recommence stalled rail projects under new terms that would see China providing nearly all the financing required.”

The statement added that “of particular interest is the coastal railway project stretching for 1402 kilometres linking Lagos in the West with Calabar in the East; a project that is expected to be financed with 12 billion U.S Dollars Chinese loan and which will create about 200,000 jobs.”

Another rail project that will be up for renegotiation is the $8.3bn Lagos-Kano standard gauge modernization project, of which only a segment, Kaduna-Abuja has reached completion stage.

Outside from railways, President Buhari is also expected to discuss ways of kick-starting the 3,050 MW Mambila Power Station, considered to be a strategic project initiated in 1982 but has not taken off.

Adesina revealed that the Chinese President expressed the willingness of his country to finance the whole project through a special loan agreement.

The president is expected back to Nigeria on December 5.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015—13

Workers protest as bank, NSCDC defy court order over Warri hotel

By Egufe Yafugborhi

W

ARRI—WORKERS at Wellington Hotel, Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State, yesterday, protested against men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, for defying a court order to vacate the hotel they had shut down and occupied since August 27.

NSCDC had evicted staff and bemused guests to shut down the hotel at the prompting of a bank after it procured a Lagos High Court order to that effect over a contentious N2.5 billion loan it granted Joma Foods, a company owned by Chief Godspower Agbonifo, who has a stake in the hotel.

The order granted by Justice M. Yunusa was discarded penultimate Thursday by Justice Okon Abang of the same court who ordered the NSCDC to vacate the hotel immediately.

Confrontation ensued as attempts by management and workers to recover and resume business at the hotel were denied by men of the NSCDC, who barred them from entering the premises of the hotel, claiming that they were yet to

get orders from their superiors to pull out.

Agbonifo, a director of the hotel, who led the recovery move said, “We have a court order that NSCDC should vacate our office. That order

was duly served on the agency last Friday at its Asaba office.” He showed a receipt signed by one Augustine Uleh, a Senior Corps Assistant, at 12.40a.m., on November 28.

He added: “Uptill now, they have not obeyed the order. The personnel here say they can’t allow us access into the premises. We wonder why the corps officials are acting above the law.”

CHURCH DEDICATION: From left: Pastor Isaac Faloji, State Pastor; HRM Emmanuel Efeizomor and Pastor Kris Adetayo, Provincial Pastor, Living Faith Church, Agbor, during the dedication of the chuch, at Boji Boji Owa, Delta State.

Youths lay siege to Ndokwa LG secretariat Allege insensitivity by SEEPCO, NAOC

By Festus Ahon & Ochuko Akuopha

A

S A B A — N D O K WA people, under the aegis of Ndokwa East Coastal Communities, Delta State, have layed siege to Ndokwa East Local Government Council Secretariat, Aboh, in protest against Sterling Energy and Exploration Production Limited, SEEPCO, and Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC, over their alleged non-compliance with the Local Content Act. The protesters, numbering over 200, made up of youths, women and men, accused SEEPCO of allegedly defrauding the state and people by refusing to relocate its corporate head office from Lagos to the community where it operates.

The people, during the protest which lasted over three hours, called on the Federal Government to come to their aid.

Urging the companies to recognise Umu-Ugboma community in Aboh as a host community, they advised the companies to stop acts that could lead to communal crisis.

Also speaking, leader of the protesters, Mr Isaac Thompson,

told Agip to step down the 120 mega watts of electricity to the communities from the Okpai Independent Power Plant, IPP, in accordance with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCC. Calling for the provision of employment slots for the

people, Thompson also stressed the need for their traditional rulers and landmarks to be recognized by the oil companies, alleging the community was being polluted and their surface and underground water contaminated as a result of gas flaring and oil spill.

UBLIC spirited individuals and corporate bodies have been enjoined to partner the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration in Delta State to achieve the SMART agenda of the government which is geared towards wealth creation and prosperity for all Deltans.

State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Austin Chikezie, made the call at the commissioning of the permanent site of Prime Vocational Institute, Kwale, headquarters of Ndokwa West Local Government Area of the state.

Commending the proprietor of the institution, Mr. Joseph Ebinum, the commissioner charged public spirited individuals and corporate bodies to support the institution to enable it realise its set goals.

Speaking earlier, the chairman of the

U

By Perez Brisibe

GHELLI—DEPUTY Director General of the Nigerian Law School, Yenegoa campus, Bayelsa State, Prof.

Festus Emiri, has lamented the upsurge of complaints against lawyers with a charge on the Nigerian Bar Associattion, NBA, to prevent a decline in the profession.

Prof. Emiri gave the charge yesterday, in his keynote address at the maiden law week of the Ughelli branch of the NBA. He urged the association to address the competence of lawyers in the country.

Lamenting the upsurge in complaints against lawyers, ranging from misconduct, abuse of judicial process and outright corruption, he noted the importance of lawyers as agents for development, stressing that law enhances growth by providing security in every society for development to thrive.

Dickson tasks Ijaw youths on capacity building

By Emem Idio

He appealed to the local government authorities to convey their complaints to the state and federal governments and all relevant agencies.

Efforts to reach management of the two companies for comments on the protest proved abortive at press time.

Commissioner urges support for Okowa’s SMART agenda

P

Law School Deputy DG laments upsurge in complaints against lawyers

occasion, Mr. Godwin Ossai, said he was proud of the founder of the school, Mr. Ebinum, for his initiative, pointing out that skills needed to be acquired along with knowledge to boost the economic base of any nation.

Y

E N A G O A — GOVERNOR Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has said that for Ijaw youths to catch up with their peers in other parts of the country and remain relevant, they must build their educational capacity.

Dickson, who stated this yesterday in Yenagoa while commissioning a public Information and Communication Technology centre, ICT, library named after the late Ijaw environmental activist, Oronto Douglas, by Ijaw Youths Council, IYC, commended the council for pioneering a new face of Ijaw struggle by laying emphasis on intellectualism.

14—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 , 2015

VANGUARD'S END OF YEAR THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE SERVICE PHOTOS: KEHINDE GBADAMOSI

From left—Elder Emmanuel Obuh, Fellowship Co-ordinator, Prophet Samson Olayooye, Guest Minister, Mr Gbenga Adefaye, General Manager/Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard Media Ltd, Mr Emeka Nkwocha, Advert Manager, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Victor Gotevbe, Admin Manager, Mr. Temisan Amuka, Circulation Manager, and Pastor Innocent Nwanekwu, Assistant Admin Manager, during the 2015 Vanguard Media Christian Fellowship End of Year Service, at Vanguard Corporate Headquarters, Kirikiri Canal, Apapa, Lagos.

Prophet Samson A. Olayooye, guest minister, and General Overseer, GO, Tabernacle of Safety Church Worldwide.

Cross section of Vanguard staff.

From left—Mr Amorghoye Miller, Chief Security Officer, Vanguard Media Ltd, Mr Badmus Jelili, Senior Electrical Engineer, and Mr Joseph Abayomi, Deputy Operations Manager.

Cross section of Vanguard staff.

Cross section of Vanguard staff.

Prophet Samson Olayooye (right) and some participants, during a prayer session on the occasion.

Cross section of participants at the event.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015—15

N600M XMAS, NEW YR DECORATIONS:

Ihedioha blasts Okorocha

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—THE former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has expressed shock over media reports that Imo State government has earmarked over N600 million for Christmas and New Year decorations in the state.

According to a press statement by his media aide, Mr. Chibuike Onyeukwu, the former Deputy Speaker questioned why Imo should spend such huge sums at a time the citizenry are going through untold hardship arising from over 20 months of unpaid salary arrears and pensions.

It was the considered opinion of Chief Ihedioha that the 27 local government councils had been comatose for years, while several industrial disputes had remained unresolved.

“There are several unresolved industrial disputes, while the state’s infrastructure base has collapsed. Today, there is palpable lack of vision for the genuine development of the state, but the government chose to embark on such inciting and frivolous window dressing,” Ihedioha fumed.

Continuing, Chief Ihedioha said that “despite the prevailing widespread disenchantment being expressed by citizens, who recently called for his immediate impeachment over the alarming rate of hunger and insecurity

occasioned by the inept handling of issues of governance and unrepentant deceit so far exhibited by the Okorocha led administration, the governor has refused to repent or address such concerns and other critical issues.”

While saying that “preparations for Christmas celebration is a tradition all over the world," Ihedioha, however, said, it was "ridiculous and indeed smacks of insensitivity for this government to spend over N600 million on decorations when families can no longer afford their meals and basic needs as a result of non-payment of salaries, pensions and other entitlements.”

He expressed displeasure that Governor Okorocha had refused to constitute his cabinet six months after election, pointing out that there was no local government administration and no functional ministry, department or agency in the state.

“The governor has embarked on several trips abroad to woo nonexistent investors with a view to actualizing his failed promises of aggressive industrialization and employment of youths,” Ihedioha said.

Chief Ihedioha urged Governor Okorocha to quickly retrace his steps and begin to address the plight of workers, pensioners and other critical issues of governance in order to avert looming economic crises, insecurity and indeed stave off what could be the bleakest Christmas celebration in the history of Imo State.

By Anozie Egole

T

VISIT: Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi (left), and the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Most Rev. Michael Okoro, during the governor's visit to Catholic clerics, at the Pastoral Centre, in Abakaliki, yesterday.

Subscribers storm MTN offices in Owerri, attack workers excruciating grill periodically.

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—SCORES of angry subscribers, yesterday, attacked the two MTN offices located on the ever busy Wetheral and World Bank roads in Owerri.

Vanguard gathered that the subscribers stormed the offices, following the blocking of their telephone lines by the service provider.

It was not very clear at press time how the earlier apparently peaceful assembly turned rowdy, leading to the smashing of windows and molestation of MTN workers.

A subscriber, who simply identified herself as Ngozi, lamented that she had severally complied with the MTN directive to upgrade her record with the company and wondered why her line was blocked.

“How many times does MTN expect me to upgrade my record?

What did they do with the previous documentations I processed? This is most unfair to subscribers,” Ngozi said.

Similarly, one Chijioke told Vanguard that since the service provider decided to mess customers up, he opted to finally dump the line.

“I do not know why I should be made to go through this

Enugu women demonstrate over sexual abuse

By Emeka Mamah

E

NUGU—A coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs, including the Women Aid Collective, WACOL and Tamar Sarc, has raised alarm over what it described as a sharp increase of sexual abuse against women in Enugu State.

The coalition said that sexual molesters in Enugu “do not know the difference in the age of women as they abuse young girls ranging from five to 10 years.”

The Executive Director, WACOL, Mrs. Joy Ezeilo, who led some members of Tamar Sarc, National Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, to a rally at the Enugu State House of Assembly, as part of the ceremony marking the UN Day on Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, said that 400 cases of sexual abuse against women were recorded between March last year and now.

Ezeilo, who condemned the trend, said the women were in the House to pressurise members to enact a law against violence against women and girls in the

Customs plans summit with S-East govs, bizmen

state.

“We stand against sexual violence. We want you to make a law that would punish those that contravene the law,” Ezeilo said, pointing out that the law had already been enacted by the National Assembly should be replicated in Enugu.

She further said that the women were acting in collaboration with DFID and Justice for All Programme, J4A, urging the state government to set aside huge sums of money to fight both sexual abuse and assault in the

The truth is that the company is taking all of us for a ride,” Chijioke lamented.

One of the workers, who spoke to Vanguard on strict grounds of anonymity, confirmed that some telephone lines were actually blocked, following the instruction of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC. “Actually, the company blocked the lines of the protesters in accordance with NCC directives.

Some of them got angry in the process and attacked the workers,” the staff recounted.

Continuing, the staff said that “ when the situation became critical, we had to invite the police, who quickly came to our rescue.”

When Vanguard visited the scene yesterday afternoon, some Police patrol vehicles were seen stationed near the building, while the protesters were forcefully ejected from the premises.

Although a police inspector posted to the scene did not want to give details of their operation, he, however, told Vanguard that “we are here to quell the riotous situation.”

HE NIGERIAN Customs Service will next year organize a high powered summit in the South-East, preferably in Imo State to interact with the South-East Governors, traders and businessmen of Igbo extraction following the agreement reached by the governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha and the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hammed Ibrahim Ali (rtd) that such a parley has become necessary following the fact that more than eighty percent (80%) of importers or businessmen who deal with customs are from the South-East.

The governor while welcoming Col. Ali and his team, to the Government House, Owerri, called for the citing of the Customs Service Institute in the state, and a summit to be organized next year by the Service in any part of Igboland to enable the Customs personnel, SouthEast governors, Igbo traders and businessmen to discuss and clear all the grey areas and to bridge the communication gap between the Customs and its trade partners from the South-East.

Abia begins implementation of autonomy for judiciary

By Anayo Okoli

U

MUAHIA—ABIA State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has inaugurated a committee to oversee the implementation of financial autonomy for the state judiciary.

The committee, which is headed by the Attorney General and commissioner for Justice, Chief Umeh Kalu, is expected to work out the modalities for granting financial autonomy to Abia state judiciary.

Inaugurating the committee at the Government House, Umuahia, Governor Ikpeazu said that by the move, the government has started the process of giving the judiciary the opportunity to manage their finances and have complete independence for the judiciary.

16—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015

VP hails Corona Schools at 60

THE VICE President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has hailed his alma mater, Corona School on the attainment of a 60th anniversary and for delivering world class education to children.

Speaking during the 60th anniversary of the schools, the VP who was a student of Corona in the 60’s, lauded the schools for delivering world class education to children, inculcating high moral and ethical values and preparing students to be good leaders and global citizens.

The Chairman, Governing Board, Mr. Adedotun Sulaiman, who also spoke, traced the exciting journey the school has embarked on for the past 60 years and its achievements.

Mrs. Olufunto Igun, who chairs Corona Trust, pointed out that the vision of Corona Schools is to transform the educational sector in Nigeria.

VANGUARD END OF YEAR THANKSGIVING:

Cleric wants Nigerians to back Buhari’s anti-graft war ...says no longer business as usual for politicians •Global economic downturn a cycle —Adefaye

By Olayinka Latona & Providence Obuh

T

HE GENERAL Overseer of Tabernacle of Safety Church, Prophet Samson Olayooye, yesterday, appealed to Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s war against corruption in the country.

The cleric, who spoke at the endof-year thanksgiving and praise service, organised by Vanguard Media Limited, said it was imperative to discover the causes of corruption and eliminate them.

The cleric, who assured that in spite of the present economic meltdown in the country, expressed that there is still a strong hope for Nigerians, stressing that President Buhari needed the wisdom of God to pull through in the fight against corruption in the country.

He said: “I pray that God will endow our President with the necessary wisdom that he needs to direct the affairs of the nation, God’s wisdom to fight against corruption will be released on him and he should hold on to his commitment to fight corruption and he will win the battle by God’s grace."

In his words: “In the year 2016, shaking in this nation will stop.

If the prophecies of doom concerning Nigeria did not come to pass, all we needed to do next year is stabilising, although it is not a place for the corrupt.

"Spirituality is the thing that God will use to place people in the position of authority. It is no longer business as usual in Nigeria; it is era of giving account of what you did with people’s money while in office.

“Nigerians must return to God in prayer, and anytime a nation returns to God in prayer, God responds and when He responds, He responds like rain.

"From what will start happening now in Nigeria, the whole world will know that God has decided to help and favour Nigeria. God has been keeping us as a nation despite various challenges because He has plan and purpose for us."

Calling on the newly elected ministers to rule with the fear of God and cooperate with Mr. President in the fight against corruption and also deliver dividends of democracy to the people, Prophet Olayooye said: “All the new ministers should cooperate with Mr. President. It is no longer business as usual.

Transparency, honesty and integrity must be their

watchwords. Anything money is approved for, the evidence must be on ground.”

In his message entitled, “Lord God Omnipotent,” the cleric emphasised that God has power to change all negative circumstances, assuring the participants that no matter the challenges of life, which they had been facing and which they might have sought for solutions in different quarters, God would provide lasting solution to them.

Economic downturn a cycle Meanwhile, the Editor-in-Chief of Vanguard Media Limited, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, in his welcome address urged participants that Vanguard is moving on, describing the global economic downturn as a cycle.

"I can give you words of assurance that it is in challenges like this, when you are tested that you show skill through endurance, prayer and fortitude.

"Vanguard is moving on and trampling over all the troubles and I have full assurance that we will triumph over the present challenges. We do know that even in business, everything is from a cycle, the global economic downturn is a cycle, the cycle that we are passing through will also

pass away in Jesus' name."

Adefaye, who also represented the Publisher, Mr. Sam Amuka, urged the staff to always praise God despite the current challenges facing the country.

He stated: “We need to give praises to God Almighty for preserving us despite all the challenges. I can tell you it is not only here that we are experiencing challenges. It is a national thing, it is a global challenge. It is only when it is tough that the tough gets going and I am happy to say that among the institutions that are considered to be up to weathering the storm globally, Vanguard is counted as one. So, we have a real cause to praise God Almighty.

“I have a good will message of the Chairman, that you all stay strong and steadfast. God will see us through.”

However, the co-coordinator of Vanguard Media Christian Fellowship, Elder Emmanuel Obuh, encouraged the participants to appreciate God in any situation they find themselves, saying, “We need to praise God in all situations, appreciate and thank Him for keeping us from the beginning of the year till now and also for where He is taking us to.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015— —17

I

T became clear to all that the Nigerian Constitution did not envisage nor provided for the eventuality of death of a candidate at an election, who was on the verge of winning, but had not been proclaimed.

When Alhaji Abubakar Audu the APC candidate, tragically died in the early hours of Sunday, November 22, 2015, a cat was let loose amongst the pigeons of Nigerian political society.

As we have seen over the past few days, lawyers have been very busy attempting to legally unravel the situation at hand. Senior lawyers like Auwalu Yadudu and Femi Falana have proffered opinions on the correct legal positions, while Wole Olanipekun, another senior lawyer, has spoken on behalf of the deputy governorship candidate of the APC in the “inconclusive election”.

When the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, asked the APC to submit another candidate for the concluding sequel to the election, it appeared on the surface, that a definitive finale was being approached. Of course, there are still bitter recriminations along the way; for instance, the sitting Governor Wada wants to be declared winner of the election and that is a position to test in court.

But the more complicated issue is within the APC itself and the stance of the Deputy Governorship candidate James Abiodun Faleke. He rejected the party’s decision to field Yahaya Bello to replace the late Alhaji Abubakar Audu.

Faleke argued that he was “governor-elect” and so couldn’t be another person’s running mate; and was already putting forward the late Audu’s son as his own running mate! How these internal APC issues evolve will also significantly impact on the more serious underlining currents.

Underlining currents In the aftermath of Prince Audu’s death, there were genuine outpourings of emotions in the Igala-speaking part of Kogi State as well as reported acts of violence. These came, especially in the days after, when the issue of a substitute candidacy went on the front burner of political discourse.

For the first time since Kogi’s creation, the likelihood was emerging of an unintended power shift to one of the other ethnic constituencies of the state, namely the Ebirra and Okun.

This is the most important underlining current really, because it was clear that Audu’s unexpected death was going to change the dynamics of politics and power configuration of Kogi State. The idea of substituting with Audu’s son was dropped early because it was not going to fly!

Faleke was prepared to name Audu’s son running mate, as sop to the family as well as the Igala community at large. Yahaya Bello is particularly unacceptable to the Audu political family because he was said to have worked against Audu after he lost the primary and was not even gracious enough to C M Y K

Underlining currents of the Kogi conundrum be part of the APC campaign team before the election. The fact that he would become beneficiary of Audu’s death rankles Audu’s supporters, who must now genuinely fear that they would lose out with a Yahaya Bello governorship in Kogi State.

This unplanned power shift will have serious consequences for Kogi’s future. But it should also focus our minds on the underbelly of the states creation process in Nigeria which ostensibly had been done to remove domination by larger groups in the old regions and states, but ended up creating much worse forms of domination.

Kogi is one of the main examples of that trend along with Benue. In the old Kwara State, Adamu Attah, an Ebirra man, could become governor because larger states obliged the elite groups to learn consensus building. But where states have become smaller and there is a dominant ethnic group as we have with the Tiv in Benue and the Igala in Kogi, then a tyranny of ethnic numbers can easily be instituted to the detriment of all.

The Igala elites have literally run a state in their own image since the creation of Kogi and if Prince Audu had not died, that project of dominance was set to continue. What it took was to pick a running mate from one of the other two ethnic blocs and learn how to play one against the other,while sufficiently retaining loyalty of the Igala homefront.

Prince Audu’s tragic death is about to drastically change the equation and offer a new opportunity for the ascendancy of a different set of ethnic elites as well as the potentials for a re-configuration of the prebendal values

The Kogi conundrum speaks very much for a radical surgical intervention in the nature and number of our states; as they are today, they are clearly unwieldly and unsustainable

underpinning the local politics of Kogi State.

The Kogi conundrum speaks

very much for a radical surgical intervention in the nature and number of our states. As they are

today, they are clearly unwieldly and unsustainable. Many people have proffered ways out; mine has been a consistent call for a return to the 12 states of the Gowon era. There were six in the North and six in the South. Each was big enough to become a serious locus of development and because, in most cases, they are multi-ethnic, that consensus building skill that seems lost today, will have to be rediscovered by the Nigerian political elite. It was such consensus building skill that was often lost where a dominant ethnic elite can control the political space as we have seen in a state like Kogi since it was created. The “Confluence State” is navigating through very treacherous political currents at the moment!

Jibo’s 61st birthday: I missed the dinner

O

N Monday, November 31, Dr. Jibrin “Jibo” Ibrahim, political scientist, human rights activist, Marxist scholar and public intellectual, celebrated his 61st birthday.

The day before, I received an invitation from his wife, Charmaine, to a dinner at their residence. I had been licking my “chops” in anticipation of what I knew would be a wonderful feast of food and ideas.

Unfortunately, I had to hurriedly leave Abuja the same day for Maiduguri from where I am writing these lines on Tuesday night.

On Monday night, I called Charmaine and spoke with Jibo, who promised that we would repeat the revelry at our usual grilled fish rendezvous on Tuesday night. The guest for the night

was to be the famous Nigerian political scientist, Professor Adele Jinadu, who shares Jibo’s birthday.

Again, I was unable to join them for an evening that would have passed in a truly enriching manner for belly and mind! The flights to Maiduguri were cancelled because of the harmattan haze at this time of year in this part of Nigeria. I feel the poorer in every sense.

Jibo is one of the finest Nigerian patriots that I know and he has dedicated his incredible intellect and talent to the betterment of Nigeria, and especially its working people and the poor. His work as a civil society activist with wide-ranging contacts around Africa has been deployed in conflicts resolution around our conti-

nent. Jibo was trained at ABU’s famous Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, FASS, in those remarkably productive years of the seventies and eighties, when it was arguably one of the star Faculties of its kind in Africa.

He has continued an engaging life of writing, teaching, research and activism. And his prodigious taste for grilled fish marches his talent as an intellectual. I have known this remarkable intellectual and patriot from our years as militants of the Nigerian Marxist Movement from the eighties, and feel happy that I can call him a brother, friend and comrade.

Happy Birthday. But Jibo, you know that we have to return to our rendezvous soon as I’m back in Abuja, for our grilled fish!

Professor Jerry Gana at 70

I

T is indicative of the changing times in Nigeria that Professor Jerry Gana’s 70th birthday came recently, without much funfair. The times have passed the ultimate survivor of the Nigerian political scene by. Let me confess that I have almost been unable to find objectivity in assessing Jerry Gana. The closest I ever came to the man was during last year’s National Conference; we were both delegates.

Jerry Gana was made CoChairman of the Northern Delegation; he attended our meetings a couple of times and then disappeared. The next time he re-appeared was as Chairman of the Middle Belt group at the Conference and one of the arrowheads of the many controversial horse-trading manoeuvers that dogged the Conference.

I think the man was true to type.

His last major appearance was at PDP’spre-election fund raising dinner where he donated, on behalf of a faceless group of friends, N5 billion to the behemoth that was soon to be felled by the Nigerian people, at the 2015 elections.

I was stunned that the goodly Professor had the charm and pulling power to convince his friends to donate a tidy sum of

N5 billion!

Those close to the man see in him a patriotic worker. And when he tried to run for president in 2007, I wrote a column titled: “JERRY GANA: ‘AGIP’ FOR PRESIDENT”. The late Chief Solomon Lar was so angry, that he wrote a rejoinder, to uphold Jerry Gana’s patriotic credentials. Even Adagbo Onoja was very angry with me recently that I wrote a dismissive piece about the man.

Public space He fired a kindly defence of the “progressive” Jerry Gana. My view remains that we see him from different perspectives as befits a man who has been hugging the Nigerian public space from about 1983, when he first came into the political space by winning a senate seat as the underdog NPP candidate against a better-known NPN grandee.

Jerry Gana would go on to put his considerable oratorical talent at the service of military dictatorships and civilian governments with equal enthusiasm. There didn’t seem to be a moral issue involved in his service and the fact that he could openly or sub-

tly exploit religious identity with so much competence, in the context of Northern Nigeria, became an equally important piece of the jigsaw puzzle of his public longevity.

There can be no gainsaying the fact that while it lasted, Jerry Gana literally held the only Certificate-of-Occpancy to the corridors of Nigerian power! And with his adroitness in faithfully serving dictatorship and civil power alike, I had wondered just what lessons he taught his grandchildren about being principled!

But even a cat with seven lives eventually expends them and expires. When the PDP was thoroughly discredited after 16 years of abuse of power, Jerry Gana seemed to have finally expired and would have his C-of-O to the corridors of power revoked by the new circumstance in Nigeria.

But we can’t discount some residual leftover he can cling onto to find relevance in the contemporary public space. I won’t ever be surprised with Jerry Gana, Nigeria’s ultimate “AGIP: ANY GOVERNMENT IN POWER”!

Happy 70th birthday to Jerry Gana, the Geography Professor who reminded that if you are a professor, profess well!

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015 THE death of Prince Abubakar Audu, the late candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the recent governorship election in Kogi State has undoubtedly stoked serious controversy.

Before his passing on Sunday, a day after the election, Audu had taken the lead in the vote count with 240,867 votes compared to the 199,514 votes scored by his main rival, Captain Idris Wada, the incumbent governor and candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. Though largely free of violence, polling was cancelled in 91 polling units on account of violence and other irregularities.

The total number of voters captured in the 91 polling units was reported by the returning officer of the election, Prof.

Emmanuel Kucha to be 49,953, a figure that is more than the 41,353 votes separating Audu and Wada.

Citing what he claimed as the guidelines of the Independent

Kogi: What INEC should have done National Electoral Commission (INEC) Kucha declared the election inconclusive because the number of cancelled votes was higher than the difference between the two candidates. INEC followed up later by announcing December 5, 2015 as the date for the supplementary election and also invited the APC to present a candidate to replace the late Audu.

For a country that is still developing its democratic institutions and processes, the developments in Kogi State are indeed challenging. There are few

examples to draw from with regard to a candidate dying in the midst of an election, and there are no statutes to guide the stakeholders on the appropriate way forward.

The pronouncements made by many of the officials directly and indirectly involved in the process have not helped matters. The legal opinion proffered by the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to the effect that the APC could substitute the dead candidate in the midst of the election and in effect transfer the votes of the dead candidate to the

new candidate is being disputed in c o u r t , i n t e r e s t i n g l y, e v e n b y James Faleke, Audu’s running mate in the election.

There is no doubt that partisan interests have coloured the opinions of several critical players in the process. We are fortunate that this crisis has not happened at the national level in which case the foundations of the country would have been seriously shaken.

In the light of the above, we are of the opinion that the development in Kogi provides an opportunity to strengthen the country ’s electoral processes and prevent a repetition, not just in another state, but also at the national level.

We believe that the Supreme Court should have been approached to guid stakeholders on legally binding steps to take to resolve the issue and avoid an unnecessary legal quagmire.

OPINION

Minimum wage: Governors conspiracy against whose governor colluded with his State’s workers, presidency House of Assembly in applying and collecting

By Godwin Etakibuebu

I

AGREE totally with the school of thought which says that the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, by its recent pronouncement of not being able to pay the minimum wage of N18, 000 to workers, has declared war against Nigerians [not only workers or labour unions] and as such Nigerians should arise in battle against these governors. I pray that the spirit of the founding fathers of this country, the spirit of our ancestors should arise and battle these dealers parading themselves as leaders to a disgraceful end. I pray as well that God shall reveal to the Presidency enough wisdom to know the illegality of the NGF and be able to distance itself from them, by showing its solidarity with the Nigerian people.

The NGF, a clearly identifiable illegal body, without any constitutional backing, met in the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa on Tuesday November 17, 2015, to conspire against theNigerian workforce and by extension, the Nigerian people.

Their communique could have read like this: “That without recourse to the legality of the minimum wage as epitomised by the Act of Parliament which created it before it was signed into Law by a past President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we hereby resolve to discard that piece of legislation.

“That we shall present this resolution of ours, for the emasculation of the Nigerian workers,

to the Federal Executive Council. That there is nothing the Nigerian workers can do about this, once we the Governors and the Federal Executive Council concretise this conspiracy.

Even the National Assembly that made the law in the first place will not see any illegality in our action. We so resolved”.

The governors based their inability to comply with the law [because the minimum wage remains a law of the Federal Republic]on the dwindling allocation coming from Abuja as result of falling oil price. They mentioned categorically that “they were comfortable paying the minimum wage when a barrel of crude oil sold for $126 and there was no way they could pay the same now that crude has nosedived to $41”.

What a shameless group of people, these governors. Even with the dwindling revenue from oil proceeds, some of the governors’ monthly security vote is more than enough to pay two or three states workforce salaries for months. Take, for example, Katsina State

They [the governors] shall fall before the Nigerian people in the battle over minimum wage

“bail-off fund” from the Federal Governmentunder the pretence that salaries of workers were not paid whereas his predecessor paid salaries up to May 2015 ending, before he took over as Governor.

Their cry over the fall in monthly allocation, better known in some quarters as “sharing of the national cake”, presents these governors as economically bankrupt and thereby unfit to govern. It shows that most of them went into office to steal from the national purse. It shows that they lack ideas to create wealth and therefore are a liability to the nation. It is evident that they cannot take us to Eldorado. If they were to be reasonable like Adams Oshiomole of Edo State who has distanced himself from this minimum wage palaver, they should have known how to survive even if monthly allocation from Abuja is stopped. It is a simple lesson they should have learnt from Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who, when he was governor of Lagos State, suffered total blockade of monthly allocation in the hands of then President Olusegun Obasanjo for four years. Yet Bola Tinubu did not only pay salaries but continued with project execution for the good people of Lagos. That is the way to be a good leader and governor. Create your own wealth by looking inwardly because every state has something great that can put food on its table. That is the sense in “Resource Control”.

A fact that needed to be quickly established about this NGF is the unconstitutionality of its existence. It is neither a creation of the

Nigerian Constitution nor is it registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission [when I last checked]. Yet, NGF has continued its functionality of illegality without any legal challenge from any quarters, not even by the legion of brilliant lawyers in this country. We definitely miss Chief GaniFawehimi, a lawyer of lawyers, the only Nigerian “without corruptible inducement price”, in the words of former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida. He would have done the needed bydemystifying this obnoxious monster through the instrumentality of law by now.

My major worry however isthe continuous recognition of the NGF by the Presidency.

President Goodluck Jonathan did it to his own political peril. First was the betrayal of “a gentleman agreement” he had with the governors in removal of oil subsidy which he announced on January of 2012. The same governors that lured him to the sharing table of the oil subsidy removal denounced him and indeed invited the whole world to “come and hang a bad President” at the GaniFawehimi Freedom Square in Ojota area of Lagos.

Jonathan did not learn his lessons as he continued his personal and official romance with the NGF until the Chairman of the Forum, ChibukeAmaechi, took him[Jonathan] to the cleaners – the rest is now history.

So, the current presidency should be warned to steer clear of illegality which the NGF stands for because they [the governors] shall fall before the Nigerian people in the battle over minimum wage.

*Mr Etakibuebu, a commentator on current affairs, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 3,, 2015 – 19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

‘Hand of God’ in Kogi polls?

O

NCE the candidates for the controversial Kogi State governorship election emerged from the primaries of the two main political parties – the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the All Progressives Congress, APC, most analysts concluded that cruel fate had foisted two irredeemably horrible choices on Kogites.

The first was the incumbent, PDP’s candidate, Governor Idris Wada, whose legacy of incompetence and poor performance goes before him within and outside the state. In 2011, there was no credible alternative to the PDP in terms of ability to strongly compete for power both in Kogi and at the federal level. Former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, forced the candidacy of Captain Wada(who is said to be maritally connected to him) on his party.

The power and glory of the PDP was still enough to push through Captain Wada, even though Alhaji Abubakar Audu, who recently suddenly assumed the image of a returnee “messiah” under the Muhammadu Buhari high tide, was in the race that

time.

Since Wada took over, goodness knows how many times he escaped death in road crashes as a result of the beastly misuse of the highways by his convoys. And only goodness can tell the exact number of innocent people his murderous convoys dispatched to their early graves. Under Wada, government workers were owed many months salaries, and often had to make do with part payments. And so, when the Governors Forum begged President Muhammadu Buhari for a bailout loan, Kogi tabled the highest amount: N50.8 billion! The nearest to it were Imo: N26.8 billion and Oyo: N26.6 billion.

The APC Federal Government saw an opportunity to snatch Kogi from PDP and decided to withhold Kogi’s share of the bailout fund even though Wada swore that the state had met all the conditions demanded by the Central Bank of Nigeria. The APC Federal Government believed that N50 billion in Wada’s pocket at this time of election would be a political windfall which would never be

used for to pay workers’ salaries.

By withholding it, workers would be forced to vote against Wada, and once an APC governor took over, the bailout would be released. It seemed the calculation worked, in view of the outcome of the election before it was incompetently declared as “inconclusive” by Professor Mahmmod Yakubu’s Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The second choice was Abubakar Audu, a former elected governor of the state. Many Kogi indigenes are convinced that, in spite of ever ything, Audu performed creditably when he ran the state in 1999 – 2003 as an All Peoples Party, APP, governor. At least, he was able to establish that reputation, which was what helped him to become

During the cam-paigns, Audu directed supporters to “kill PDP thugs”; beware of what you wish your enemy; it might get you first!

Governors in danger of breaking the law over minimum wage F

OR too long, Nigeria placed all her reliance on revenue from oil. But so soon, we have reached a point where oil is now receiving a bashing from every direction – the price is plummeting; the vandals are stealing a good part of the oil we produce; and the little that is left by the oil thieves, no one wants to buy. Triple tragedy!

This has placed the governors between the rock and the hard place; and in the process, they are confused, to the extent that they are now seeking to break the law. They claim they can no longer pay the minimum wage of N18,000.

The governors are playing smart, unknown to them perhaps that it is not always smart to be smart. We wonder why the governors are picking on the workers.

The truth is that the financial situation of most states is so precarious that very soon, the governors may not even be able to pay themselves.

Of all the emoluments in the public service, the minimum wage is the only one backed by an Act of Parliament – the National Minimum Wage Act, 2011.

The pay of the President and the Governors as well as the stupendous haulage by members of the National Assembly is merely a determination of the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission, not backed by any law.

When the governors argue that the National Minimum Wage Act was promulgated when the price of crude was $126 per barrel, which has now fallen to $41 per barrel, they portray their total ignorance of the legislative process. No one prevented them from approaching the National Assembly when the Bill was being passed, to insert a short clause to predicate the minimum wage on the fluctuation in C M Y K

the price of oil. That would also have meant that when the price of oil hit $175 per barrel, the minimum wage would also have been commensurately reviewed upwards.

By now, all that anyone who is fairly acquainted with the legislative process can do is to seek to amend the law, not to break it. Apparently, our Governors have lost the sense of history. Otherwise, they should have realised that this is not the first time that the price of crude oil has fallen. Our governors should have realised that the volatility of the international oil market is beyond the control of anyone and they should have taken steps to ensure that they would not catch cold whenever the oil market sneezed.

Again, the office of a state governor is not a tea party. In the Sociology of the Family, we know of the concept of the good mother and the bad father and this is the combination that produces the perfect family.

Evidently, tax is the main source of revenue for all tiers of government. Tax laws in Nigeria are federal laws. After the 1914 amalgamation, Lord Lugard introduced

Most state governors choose the path of least resistance; governors that seek to implement tax laws remain in the bad books of the citizenry because nobody wants to pay tax

a front runner against an incumbent. But Audu was a lowball politician, if ever there was any. Samplers: When his wife gave birth to a baby in 2002, Audu’s court jesters and prebendarians were encouraged to congratulate “Baby Excellency” with radio adverts!

Why not? If Abia State could have “Mother Excellency” in the person of Mrs Eunice Kalu, former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu’s mother when he was in power, why not “Baby Excellency”? Laugh out loud!

During the campaigns, Audu asked directed supporters to “kill PDP thugs”. Beware of what you wish your enemy. It might get you first!

On a more serious note, Audu was also rumoured to have filched the hefty sum of N11 billion from the treasury of Kogi State when he was the governor.

I don’t know if the figure is correct, but it is not a hidden story.

The funniest part of it all was that the Kogi State Chairman of the APC, Mr Hadi Ametuo, was sensationally quoted as promising that Audu would return the money to the treasury with interest if elected! Here are the words credited to Ametuo (widely publicised and yet to be refuted): “Nobody is a saint. No governor can claim he has not done any malpractice or stolen anything during his time in the office. We heard of Saraki’s case, even Tinubu is being accused of stealing funds but the truth is that Prince Abubakar Audu has pledged to return the money to the Kogi treasury when he gets elected on the November 21st,

what can be called the universal tax system and the N a t i v e R e v e n u e Ordinance was passed in 1918.

The Ordinance was first applied in Abeokuta in the present Ogun State and Benin City in the present Edo State from where it extended to the defunct Eastern Region in 1923. The Ordinance and other associated regulations were modified and incorporated into the Direct Taxation Ordinance of 1943, which eventually formed the basis for modern taxation in Nigeria.

We have gone at this great length to show that tax laws have always been federal laws and a state government can only take the part it seeks to implement and get its House of Assembly to domesticate it.

Most state governors choose the path of least resistance. Governors that seek to implement tax laws remain in the bad books of the citizenry because nobody wants to pay tax. Instead, most governors want to attain the impossible status of the good father and the good mother for the purpose of winning elections. This is another way of having their cake and eating it; but it is certainly not the way that leads to development.

See where this has now landed them? We commend the Tinubus, the Oshiomholes, the Fashiolas and the Ambodes of this world – the men who saw tomorrow yesterday and who knew that someday, the oil-wells would dry up! Even at the edge of doom and risk to their lives, they fought relentlessly to implement the tax regime and their states are now better for it.

In the particular case of Edo State, the workers should be proud that by the proactive stance of their leadership they

yes he will return the N11 billion or even more than that and that will add to the Kogi economy”.

What do you do when you wind up having candidates with these humongous moral burdens? As Nigerians usually say: “Only God will save us!”

If Audu had remained alive, nothing was going to stop him from climbing into that coveted seat again. In my opinion, he won that election and should have been declared the winner. I don’t know what came over INEC to declare it as “inconclusive”. Was this “God” at work? Shortly after that, Audu died! Still, “God” at work? Whoever was at work solved Kogites’ problem. Neither Audu nor Wada will be governor.

Don’t mind the PDP’s claim that Audu’s death means Wada is now the winner. How can you give the people’s mandate to someone they did not vote for? Someone they actually shunned?

So, what lies ahead? I don’t know. I’m sure you don’t. No one knows. But everyone has gone to court to ask for favours. So, between Wada, Faleke and APC’s new romance, Yahaya Bello, who is likely to laugh last? I do not have crystal balls and I don’t believe in them. But a small bird is whispering in my ear that Faleke will laugh last. This bird is to me like Octopus Paul. You don’t know him? Google it!

As I look at Faleke, I am seeing a re-enactment of the Rotimi Amaechi scenario. The APC has dumped Faleke for Bello to stand and benefit from Audu’s votes leaving out Faleke who was on the ticket with Audu. Bello may enter Lugard House, but how long will he there?

have now been saved all the embarrassment associated with the minimum wage imbroglio. This is where we call on all those fighting against the Land Use Charge to seethe their swords and embrace the tax, because the era of sharing the cake is over. For all those who want the cake, it is time to join in the baking.

For how long will the governors keep running cap-in-hand to Abuja, asking for bail-out when, indeed, there is nothing like bail-out? That Federation Account belongs to all the tiers of government. The ugly situation bequeathed to us by the military whereby the Federal Government simply sits on 52% of the total revenue, thus having so much to steal and throw about; while the States and Localities that really need the money by virtue of being nearer the people are left in penury is unacceptable.

We commend the Nigerian workers whose attitude has been one of allowing the sleeping dog lie, provided the dog is not sleeping on the master’s bed. Today, with crazy bills from electricity companies, erratic fuel increases, school fees and exorbitant health-care charges, the takehome pay of N18,000 can no longer take the worker to the bus-stop.

If the states must survive, we expect the Governors Forum not to continue to exist only in lamentation. The peer review mechanism must be deepened so that the front-runners can teach their colleagues how to look inwards and work harder. After all, there is no royal road to geometry.

20—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015

vised.

He explained that houses wrongly destroyed by the judgement creditor would be repaired because owners have the right to protest for ‘malicious damage’, just as the judgement creditor has the right to take possession.

Meanwhile, the committee set up penultimate week to visit the Surveyor General’s office at the State Secretariat, Alausa, to confirm the status of land, especially those allegedly torched wrongly, is yet to submit its report.

The eldest wife of Ojo Barber, Madam Jokotade Bakare, regretted that her family has suffered enough and and advised those on the land to come and negotiate with the Family. Evangelist Ladipo Olajide who is the second eldest son of the family also enjoined the landlords to come to the negotiation table. “We’ve incurred enough to pursue the land case from High Court to the Appeal Court, where judgement was given in our favour,” he said.

‘

*Jude Idimogu (standing) pleading for peaceful settlement at the meeting organised by Ejigbo DPO.

Ilamoshe: Judgement creditor moves for negotiation

By Alade Aromashodu

T

HE cri sis that erupted at Ilamoshe village near Ejigbo, Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos may soon be amicably settled. This is because the judgement creditor has agreed to negotiate with property owners who allegedly encroached on the land belonging to the late Abdul Hamid Ojo (alias Ojo Barber).

Landlords in the area who are still in doubt about the status of their property have been advised to visit the office of the Surveyor-General at Alausa to confirm their land status from survey plan CD\778.

Survey plan They should thereafter report to Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of Ejigbo Division who has promised to forward same to to the Legal Department of the Police for verification.

Vanguard Metro VM, learnt that 28 days after the Court of Appeal ruled that the late Ojo Barber of 19/25, Mcween Street, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos should take possession of the disputed land, efforts by the judgement creditor to settle amicably with property own-

ers has failed to yield positive results even after a second meeting convened by the DPO in charge of Ejigbo, Supt Segun Titiladun Ayo. The DPO was displeased

with the action of some landlords, describing them as insincere. “Some landlords are sure that their buildings fall within judgement land while some others don’t know at all.

Those that know should strive to negotiate while the doubting landlords should proceed to the Surveyor General’s office to confirm the status of their land,” Titiladun ad-

Landlords in the area who are still in doubt about the status of their property have been advised to visit the office of the Surveyor-General at Alausa to confirm their land status

Widows, orphans day of recognition by Mrs Ambode, others

By Bose Adelaja

W

IFE of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, has described the condition of widows and orphans as a challenging one that requires courage, prayers, discipline and support of society to overcome.

She said this at a one-day seminar tagged: “A day with widows and orphans”, organised by the Naval Officers Wives Association, NOWA, as part of activities to mark its 50th anniversary at the NNS Quorra, Apapa, Lagos. She also donated food items for distribution to the widows and orphans.

Represented by Mrs Fatima Bamigbetan, Mrs Ambode noted that no class of people required more attention and patronage than widows and orphans who probably found themselves in the unfortunate situation because of the supreme sacrifice paid by their breadwinners while answering the patriotic call to national duty.

She noted thus: “Widowhood is a tough challenge and being orphaned

Mrs Bolanle Ambode a trauma and agony for children in the prime of their lives. Life can truly be lonely for the widow just as it can be for the orphan. This is why they need as much companionship and welfare assistance as they can ever get”.

She commended the association for standing as one since the past 50 years and for giving prime consideration to the welfare of widows and orphans.

Speaking earlier, the national president of the association, Mrs Theresa Ibas, assured the widows and orphans that they would never be abandoned by the association in the scheme of welfare consideration, adding that different forms of economic empowerment were being pursued for them.

She thanked the governor’s wife for the items donated, as well as other donors and those who had supported the association all these years.

Highlights of the event included talks by facilitators and presentation of awards to some recipients, including Mrs Ambode.

Dignitaries at the event included the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral A.A. Osinowo, who represented the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibas; Dr. (Mrs) Josephine Akhigbe; Mrs Shola Oladele who represented wife of AIG zone 2 and several top naval officers.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015

— 21

FG mandates SON to reduce substandard goods to 15%

BY Godfrey Bivbere

T

BRIEFING: From left, Director Operations, Julius Berger, Mr Dave Herron,Executive Director (Admin) Alhaji Zubairu Ibrahim Bayi; Head, Media Relations Office, Mr Moses Duku and Finance Director, Julius Berger, Mr Wolfgang Kollermann during a chat with media executives in Abuja. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

HE Federal Government has given the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, the mandate of reducing the level of substandard goods in the country to 15 percent by the first quarter of next year, Director General of SON, Joseph Odumonu, has said.

The SON boss also said that the organisation destroyed substandard goods worth N10 billion in the last four years.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF, yesterday, Odumodu, said that the organisation is not only working hard to meet the target but is working at reducing sub-

Lagos-Ibadan expressway reconstruction not by concession —ICRC I

NFRASTRUCTURE Conces sion Regulatory Commission,ICRC yesterday, said it is not aware that the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has been concessioned.

It assured Nigerians that to the best of its knowledge, there has been no new concession granted as required by law and the National Policy on Public Private Partnership on Lagos Ibadan expressway.

In a release signed by Ms Debora Okafor, Acting Head of Communication of the agency

$116.9 $116.30

-0.25 -0.60

$3,327.00

0.00

$14.83

-0.10

$44.66

40.71 CURRENCY BUYING DOLLAR

said “It will be recalled that after the termination of the concession granted to BiCourtney Highway Services Limited, the Federal Government decided to reconstruct the Lagos-Ibadan expressway as a traditional procurement through Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC)”.

The statement further said: “However, the government could not wholly finance the project and had secured private financing from a consortium of banks to ensure the speedy completion of the road.

0.05

-1.14

CENTRAL

195.97 196.47 POUNDS 295.5032 296.2571 FRANC 190.447 190.9329 EURO 207.6694 208.1993 YEN 1.5914 1.5955 CFA 0.2969 0.3069 WAUA 268.2625 268.947 RENMINBI 30.6242 30.7028 RIYAL 52.189 152.322 SDR 269.2432 269.9301 KRONA 27.824 27.895

196.97 297.0111 191. 4189 208.7291 1.5996 0.3169 269.6314 30.7814 252.4554 270.6171 27.966

CBN Exchange Rate as at 01/12 /15

C M Y K

Government is bound to repay the financing arrangement (such as interest payments, loan repayment, fees, charges and associated returns on equity investment) either through the annual budgetary system or from revenues accruable to Government if the operations and maintenance of the road is granted as a concession to a private party.

“If and when the Federal Government decides to grant concession over the operations and maintenance aspect of the project, the ICRC, as the regulatory agency,

will ensure that the project passes through a normal competitive process as provided for under the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (Establishment, Etc) Act, 2005 Act, (the Act) and the National PPP Policy on Public Private Partnership.

“The ICRC wishes to state further that: Any PPP structuring over the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway can only take place after the ongoing reconstruction is completed and handed over to the Federal Government; the Federal Ministry of Works would then commence the process of procurement of a competent project proponent to handle the Tolling, Operations and Maintenance of the road in compliance with the Act and

Any new concession over the road must, in due course, be certified by ICRC to have complied with the Act and Policy

Policy, which requires that such a process must be done competitively and transparently; Any new concession over the road must, in due course, be certified by ICRC to have complied with the Act and Policy; based on ICRC’s certification, the concession must then be approved by the Federal Executive Council as required under Section 2. 2 of the Act; The Federal Executive Council is the only approving authority for PPP over Federal Government Infrastructure”.

She said that Bi-Courtney Highway Services Limited had instituted an action at the Federal High Court challenging the Federal Government’s termination of the concession granted the company over the LagosIbadan Expressway.

Arising from this case, the court had, on May 19, 2015, issued an order restraining the Federal Ministry of Works, the ICRC and other defendants from, among other things, taking any steps or action to “grant a re-concession or concession over the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway” The court order is still subsisting but the Commission hopes that this legal bottleneck, which may militate against the speedy completion of the extensive reconstruction of this very strategic highway can be amicably resolved without further delay so that Nigerians and the economy can benefit from the expansive work planned for the road.”

standard goods in the country to zero level as soon as possible.

The SON helmsman said that they are collaborating with all other sister agencies to ensure that government’s mandate of reducing sub-standard goods and ensuring compliance to import/export procedure by stakeholders is enforced.

He pointed out that SON would continue to destroy seized substandard goods until there is a new directive to that effect. On impounding of seized consignments outside the port, the SON boss said that they will continue doing that because they must meet up with government’s directive ensure reduction of sub-standard goods.

He said as long as businessman refuses to comply with the law of the land, SON will continue impound consignments outside the port based on intelligence, since they are no longer based at the port.

The Founder of NAGAFF, Boniface Aniebonam, urged freight forwarders and clearing agents to collaborate with SON to reduce sub-standard products in the country.

He said that seized containers should be checked and conveyed to SON base by the officials of the organisation instead of checking points.

“Enlightenment platforms and strategic processes can help in solving all the problems encountered during cargo importation as well as cargo clearance,” Aniebonam said.

He stressed the need for continued campaign to remind agents on the actual time for moving out cargo from ports.

President of NAGAFF, Eugene Nweke, who was represented by the Deputy National President in charge of headquarters, Adeyemi Oluwole, said SON is a critical link within the international trade supply value chain and that NAGAFF appreciates its enormous role in pursuant of product standards and quality conformity of importers.

Nweke said that there was need for harmonisation and coordination to enable his members blend with the era of ecommerce trade facilitation. He commended the organisation on the e-Product Registration and eProvision Clearance Certificate platform.

“We wish to advise SON management to go further by creating a forum where our national officers and other members will be given proper training and sensitisation programme”.

22—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015

Budgetting in both your business and your personal life is essential to becoming successful

,

BUSINESS

,

Tips to investing in start-ups

I

NVEST in an entrepreneur you can trust and believe in – At the early stages of the business, the qualities of the entrepreneur are a major determiner of how successful (or not) the start-up will become.

Does he/she have any relevant experience/technical skill in the business area? Is he/she passionate, persevering and determined to make the business succeed? It is important your investment decisions are not clouded by sentiments or pity. The consequences of making a wrong investment decision are real and can be very harsh.

Before committing any capital, investors must understand the nature of the start-up business and how it will make money. A lack of this knowledge is very likely to lead to friction, mistrust and controversy much later in the investorentrepreneur relationship. No matter how passionate and high-sounding the business idea might be, if it will not make money, it’s just not worth it.

Start your investment with little amounts. As a popular African proverb goes, a wise man would use one foot to test the depth of a river before going in with both feet. Like every sound investor would, it is always wise to first invest little amounts and increase your investment as the business

becomes more promising. This low risk approach allows an investor to cut his losses early in the investment journey and helps to identify a bad situation before it gets worse.

The terms of your investment must be clear from the start – Will you be a lender to the business and expect your capital to be paid back with interest? Or will you invest equity and be a co-owner in the venture? Most times, it is preferable to ask for an ownership stake in the business and be part of the startup’s long term success. Most start-ups will likely require up to one or two years to stabilize before profits start rolling in. You need to consider the different investment time frames before you get in.

Offer to play an active role in the business – Especially in Africa, too much distance from the business may prove to be disastrous for the investor.

Investors must not rely entirely on reports from the entrepreneur and must try to see the business in action for themselves.

Providing guidance and constructive criticism is also very important for the business and your investment. This usually sends a clear message to the entrepreneur that you have a genuine interest in his success (and your investment too).

Food trucks becoming restaurant empires

M

ANY of America’s most successful food truck owners are now building restaurant empires. How did they do it?

To general manager Elizabeth Petrosian of Portland, Oregon’s Burrasca, launching the rustic Tuscan concept as a food truck — or cart, as it’s called in Portland — was the critical first step towards realizing that she and chef Paolo Calamai’s ultimate business plan: a sitdown restaurant.

Hollywood has even learned to invert “the star chef” story.

In the breakout indie hit “Chef,” starring Jon Favreau, the fed-up chef he plays turns renegade food truck entrepreneur. As he plies Cuban sandwiches out of a battered truck, it proves to be the spiritual antidote to the merciless, critic-driven L.A. restaurant scene. In the film, art imitates life: as food trucks have grown over the past decade from indie outliers to a

mainstream phenomenon, they have also become the territory of pedigreed chefs.

But what makes a restaurant concept stick not only as a truck, cart or mobile pop-up, but also for the long haul?

Take Ludo Lefebvre, a Michelin-rated chef from France who took Los Angeles by storm with his fried chicken Ludo Truck.

“The food truck is a great test market for a restaurant concept,” said Lefebvre. “Not unlike a pop-up, it gives you the flexibility to try things without a huge financial investment that a traditional bricks-and-mortar would require.”

Ross Resnick, the founder of Roaming Hunger, a Los Angeles-based company that tracks and promotes food trucks, said that unlike traditional restaurants, where the chef has limited interaction with diners, food trucks offer a direct connection to the chefproprietor.

NAIRA EXCHANGE RATES (02/12/15) Currency DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA YUAN RIYAL KRONA SDR

Buying(N) 195.97 295.5032 207.6694 190.447 1.5914 0.2969 268.2625 30.6242 52.1891 27.824 269.2432

Central(N) 196.47 296.2571 208.1993 190.9329 1.5955 0.3069 268.947 30.7028 52.3222 27.895 269.9301

Selling(N) 196.97 297.0111 208.7291 191.4189 1.5996 0.3169 269.6314 30.7814 52.4554 27.966 270.6171

Commod Light Crud

Natural G Sugar Coffee Cocoa

Cassava farming, an under-tapped goldmine

By Yinka Kolawole, with agency report

I

N the midst of penury and joblessness, Nigerians are sitting on a cash goldmine known as cassava farming and production.The industrial processing of cassava in Nigeria holds much potential for successful investment.

The crop is increasingly attracting attention and processing businesses are slowly starting to spring-up all over the country. Cassava forms the major part of our daily food.

Almost no family can survive a whole year without cassava related food.Cassava can be processed into a number of products such as starch, flour, chips, ethanol and glucose syrup, and bread to name a few.

These products are all in high

demand locally and also have significant export possibilities.

These therefore, place a lot of raw cash in the hands of anyone who has the product.For Cassava plantation, it is important to choose an accessible well-drained fertile soil.

For good cassava production, the following varieties are recommended for their high yield and processing quality: TMS 30572, NR 8082, NR8083, TMS 4(2) 1425, TMS 81/00110, TMS 92/0326. An additional 10 varieties are in the process of being released. Check from the cassava production specialists in Ibadan.

Land preparation: A total herbicide (glyphosate) should be applied to the land where you want to plant your cassava at the rate of 4–5 l/ha 10 days before

land preparation. For cost effectiveness and optimum plant population of your cassava , mechanization and planting on ridges are recommended.It is recommended that 5 (50 kg) bags of agricultural lime be applied per hectare during land preparation.

Planting and materials Experts recommend as follows: Cassava Planting starts in April and can be extended to October. The quantity of cassava recommended for 1 ha is 60 bundles of cassava stem.

Cassava Stem cuttings 25 cm long should be planted at a spacing of 1 m x 1 m. Maintain 100 percent cassava planting rate by replacing dead or nonviable

WORKSHOP: From left, Mr.Rotimi Omotoso, Registrar, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN); Mr. Ayo Oni, past President of ICAN; Mr. Chidi Ajaegbu, President of ICAN, and Alhaji Razaak Jaiyeola, Council member, ICAN at a one-day workshop for Not-for-Profit Organisations organised by ICAN, in Lagos.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015 — 23

,

Many people are confused and sometimes do not understand what taking business ownership means

& YOU

dity de

Gas

Is the blame game gaining prominence in your organisation?

COMMODITIES (02/12/15) Last 41.12

Change ($) -0.73

% Change +1.08

2.20

-0.03

-0.51

15.47

+0.03

-3.11

116.90

-1.25

-1.58

-25.00

-0.06

3,303.00

stems.Where a total herbicide was not used before land preparation for cassava plantation, it is recommended that a selective pre-emergence herbicide be applied within three days after planting. Five litres of Primextra is recommended per hectare.

The following fertilizers and their rate per hectare are recommended: NPK 15:15:15– 12 (50 kg) bags; NPK 20:10:10– 9 (50 kg) bags; NPK 12:12:17– 15 (50 kg) bagsApply fertilizer 8 weeks after planting your cassava. Apply fertilizer in a ring, 6 cm wide and 10 cm from the plant or broadcast with care around the cassava plant, making sure the fertilizer does not touch the cassava stem or leaves.Production cost per hectare Land preparation N10,000.00Cassava cuttings (60 bundles @ N300/bundle) N18,000.00Planting (4 person at N1000/day) - N4,000.00Preemergence herbicides (5 litres at N1000/l) - N5,000.00Fertilizer (20:10:10, 9 bags at N2500/bag) - N22,000.00Insecticides (2 litres at N1000/l) N3,000.00Application of herbicide N3,000.00Application of insecticide N3,000.00Application of fertilizer (4 persons at N1,000/ day) - N4,000.00One weeding (10 person at N1,000/day) N10,000.00Harvesting (15 person at N1,500/day) N17,500.00Total N100,000.00Note: Fixed capital

Cassava Yield of 25 tons per hectare and above can be obtained with good agronomic practices and management

,

investments are not included.

Such capital investments include knapsack or boom sprayers, tractors or power tillers, stem cutters, planters, and harvesters. With planters and harvesters, manual labor use can be minimized. Also, labour wage rates vary with location.

Yield: Cassava Yield of 25 tons per hectare and above can be obtained with good agronomic practices and management. Therefore, every step must be taken seriously in the process of planting your cassava. This means that at an average export price of $300 (about N55,000) per ton, one hectare of cassava can fetch more than N1.4 million.

Serious minded farmers To reduce cost of production and attain high yields, it is recommended that land preparation be fully mechanized. A power tiller can be used if the total land area under cultivation is not more than 250 hectares.

Ogun State government has made conscious efforts to make land available cheaply for serious minded farmers in the state. In fact, an hectare of land can be leased for cassava farming for N5,000 yearly in the state.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun, at the last Ogun State Investors’ forum, said: “Having realised that land is a key factor for meaningful agricultural development, our administration has allocated over two hundred thousand hectares of land to willing investors in agriculture at a minimal cost.

Also, in order to compliment available acquired agricultural land belonging to the government, the state government is taking steps through collaboration with host communities to make more agricultural land available for large scale commercial farming.”

No one wins the blame game ... Carl Jung

M

ORE often than not, it might seem that the easiest way out of troubles or unfavourable situations in our personal or professional lives is to point an accusing finger to someone else.

Interestingly, team members, colleagues, managers and leaders are not left out in this “profession” of blaming others.

Sadly, the Blame Game has succeeded in causing failures in the government arena, businesses and in organisations. This is because; a lot of people have been wired wrongly to first and foremost point an accusing finger to someone when things go wrong, without even seeking for solutions.

We are not responsibility oriented. The bad news is that allowing the Blame Game to blossom in any organisation is not only destructive, but might end up giving us more than we bargained for.

The truth of the matter is that no real result can be achieved without someone taking responsibility for his/ her actions.

Achievement of goals This responsibility is bestowed on every one who earns a salary and should be predicated upon achieving the goals of one’s organisation. The rule of the game is not about winning a law suit and punishing someone who has been blamed, but ensuring that we help one another achieve the goals of the organisation.

Everyone has 100 percent responsibility in making sure that organisation achieves its vision.

If there is any virus to fight against in organisations, it should be the “Blame Game Virus”- where people are not taking responsibility of growing their organisation.

The reality is that no organisation (with the current rate of business uncertainties) can attain its rightful position if this unwanted virus is not dealt with. Surprisingly, the leaders, executives and their collective workforce are affected by this debilitating virus, and guess what;

BY ‘UJU ONWUZULIKE

Any organisation that encourages Blame Game will end up stifling creativity, innovation and productivity organisations are at the receiving ends.

Any organisation that encourages Blame Game will end up stifling creativity, innovation and productivity - the three key ingredients for growth.

Unbelievably, someone in a team might have a solution to something or might have an idea of how best to resolve an issue, but simply because he/ she was not made the team head might decide to do nothing in achieving the desired result.

In a situation where by that particular team’s project did not go well, that same person may be the first to shift the blame to someone else or will decide to proffer solutions when the damage has been done already – probably to “shine” or appear superior to others. Organisations suffer a great deal whenever people have developed the mindset of shifting the blame to someone else when they ought to have helped.

Instead of creating blames, we should help one another to create value for the organisation.

The era we are now in the business world is not that of who is wrong or right, who is to be blamed or not, but the

era of helping the weak in your organisation to achieve better results. The truth is that some are weak in some areas and strong in other areas. The idea is to complement one another for the betterment of the organisation that pays our salaries.

Points to ponder: Do we achieve any positive results when we shift or heap blame on people? Instead we create resentment, conflicts, strife, enmity, disloyalty – and all these will hit the bottom-line unfavourably. Remember the idea of fighting oneself.

What do we want to achieve by blaming people in the workplace? Is it to preserve our ego or help to grow the organisation? Before you blame someone, always ask yourself, have I done all I can to help out in this situation?

Final note: Whether we like it or not, the Blame Game will end up destroying us and our businesses. Even if the blame is justified – taking action is better at least for the sake of your organisation.

Organisations were not founded to act as a law court in discovering who is right or not in the Blame Game, but were founded to deliver results to all shareholders.

When we take responsibility for our actions and help the organisation to win, everybody wins. Our focus should not be for individuals to win first, because, when an individual wins, an organisation might not succeed.

The reason for the individual winning might be to satisfy his/her ego or selfishness. From today onwards, let our goal be to move from “creating blames” to having “together we win” mindset. Like Carl Jung said, “No one wins the blame game”, and I also add that “no one should let an organisation lose the winning game”- then again this is possible when we all take ownership and full responsibility and quit looking at who is to be blamed.

Email: uju@hainescentre.com Mobile: 09091142093 C M Y K

24—

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015

Curbing menace of cataract:

How Etisalat restored sights to 100 in Bauchi, Gombe

H

By Chioma Obinna

AVE you ever thought of the difficult tasks that would be intimidating if you were blind? Have you thought of using a computer to type or navigating around an unfamiliar area? Then, you will appreciate the estimated 1.3 million Nigerians that are blind as a result of avoidable causes like cataracts. Survey by the Nigerian National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey showed that 42 out of every 1,000 adults aged 40 and above are blind and overall, 2 out of every 3 Nigerians are blinded by avoidable causes like cataracts.

For 60 year-old petty trader and mother of 10, Hauwa Tukur and Ibrahim Zaure, a 55 year- old journalist with NTA, Bauchi and father of 4, their battle with cataract, an eye disease that affects clarity of sight, had appeared insuperable. This is because they could not afford the required money for a life-saving surgery.

The duo represent the typical pains, incapacity and deprivation other sufferers of various degrees of blindness are going through, especially in the North East where the disease is most prevalent in the country. While the individuals struggle with the stinging realities of partial or absolute downturn in earning capacity, the governments, on the other side, are required to spend an average of N25,000 to N30,000 per patient and depending on the state.

Recognising that the government cannot do it alone, Etisalat Nigeria, in line with its culture of responsible corporate

Medical Director, Bayara Specialist Hospital, Bauchi, Dr. Dayyabu Mohammed, Deputy Director, Planning, Ministry of Health,Jibrin Barnomu, Head, Government and Community Relations, Etisalat Nigeria, Mohammed SuleyYusuf, Mai Hakimi, Muhammad Lawal and Chairperson, Charity for Cheer Foundation, Mariam Mohammed during the Etisalat Free Eye Surgery Camp in collaboration with Charity for Cheer Foundation. citizenship, recently took up the challenge by sponsoring a three-day free eye surgeries camp in Gombe and Bauchi states in partnership with Charity for Cheer Foundation, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to servicing vulnerable members of the society. A total of 100 patients benefitted from the exercise which held simultaneously in both states.

At the flag off of the initiative, Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko,

said the initiative reflects the company's dedication to delivering on sustainable community support programmes that complement the efforts of partner governments to the utmost benefit of the people.

"We are 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 host

communities in which they operate. The Free Eye Surgeries Camp is a rewarding experience that helps visually impaired and vulnerable persons recover their sight to enable them remain productive members of their immediate communities."

It was not difficult to see the immediate impacts of the initiative at the Bayara Specialist Hospital, Dass, Bauchi and Gombe Specialist Hospital, Gombe, respective venues for the exercise in both states. A guided tour round the male and female wards of both hospitals by a team of traditional rulers, government functionaries, medical officials and the partner organisations revealed a group of people who had just regained independence from a potentially incapacitating disease.

The Medical Director of Bayara Specialist Hospital, Bauchi, Dr. Dayyabu Mohammed echoed same sentiments while describing the feelings of the beneficiaries. "Without good sight, you wouldn't be able to move around independently. You lose your sight, you lose your independence. Sight carries over 75 /80 percent of information.

One of the beneficiaries, Ibrahim Zaure, was ecstatic at the chance of a full sight restoration. "Honestly, I am grateful. I feel better. I have been affected in my career greatly. I found it difficult to work with computers or laptops because I always had headache whenever I did so. That is over now. The Etisalat-sponsored Free Eye Surgeries Camp, a Community Support Initiative, is part of its multifaceted CSR programme that is committed to giving value to its host communities through various intervention programmes covering education, health, etc.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

H

ELLO, My name is Emmanuel. My problem is that I have been masturbating for five years and I want to stop because I am noticing some negative changes in my body. I realize that I always ejaculate in my sleep almost every week and my testicles have shrunk so alarmingly. Please I need a solution to the frequent night ejaculation and also a remedy to rejuvenate my testicles – Kene Dear Kene, from everything you have described, you don’t have a problem. Everybody masturbates. That is how humans cope with sexual pressure because we cannot always have intercourse when we want it and as much as we desire. So this is normal and believe me, the world is a safer place because adults masturbate. Lack of sexual relief is partly responsible for rape, sexual molestation of all types and domestic violence. It is not a coincidence that adults masturbate. That singular act balances a lot of things in nature and protects humanity too – Uche As for ejaculating in your sleep, that is called a wet dream and it is common among young people who don’t have active sex lives. With time, you will get a girlfriend or wife and the regular intercourse that comes with it will make your wet dreams stop. Regarding your testicles, I don’t think you have any problems there either. Testicles change in size regularly depending on room temperatures. Cold temperatures cause the testicles to temporarily shrink in size. This is not a problem. But beyond this, yes it is possible for a man’s testicles to shrink in size due to other factors. This is known as testicularatrophy and it can be caused by lack of sleep and aging. Research also shows that alcohol and marijuana can also cause testicular atrophy. Anyway, I think you are okay but if you really do believe that your testicles are steadily shrinking, see a doctor and get tested – Uche Zee I want to order one pack of Vigrx Penis enlarger and one pack of Prosolution penis enlarger as well. I

was told that they will be available from this week. Also, what can I use for premature ejaculation since I am already using the enlargement supplements? – James James ejaculation prolonging creams will suit you best.

Ask for the LS Delay Spray. You can also combine it with a condom for greater effectiveness – Uche I am 59 years old and I just started taking Stiff Nights pills for erectile dysfunction. Is there anything I need to know while taking it like additional information? Zeb Just use as instructed in your invoice. Drink lots of water, eat well and sleep well – Uche I bought the Luxe Thrusting G Rabbit vibe for my wife and she gave it as a gift to her junior sister. Now her sister is telling her how good it is and she wants me to buy another one. Do you still have it? Ejiro Please call the store with the numbers below to find out.

A lot of these products were sold during the Black Friday bonanza so I am not quite sure if any is left – Uche Can some of these arousal supplements be shared by men and women? I am asking because my wife is taking the G Female supplement libido booster. I love how the thing has fired her up and I want to try one for myself – Stanley The G Female Oral supplement is strictly for women.

Rather than experiment with something that is not for you, why not get the one for that is for men like Stiff Nights or Boss Rhino? They are all very good – Uche Hello sir, after I ejaculate, it takes me a long time to get another erection. It is killing my marriage - Sola Sola wear a Cockring during intercourse and you can maintain an erection for an additional twenty minutes or more after ejaculation – Uche That is all for today. Adults in need of these treatments/ novelties can call 08171912551, 08027901621 or 07086754515 for help or visit www.zeevirtualmedia.comZee Virtual Media delivers all over Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com-Uche Edochie, MD.

Vanguard, THURSDAY,

DECEMBER 3, 2015—25

* Students of Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba in one of their engineering workshops during a hands-on training

Getting technical, vocational education back on track "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” – Confucius.

This quote aptly sums up the difference between technical/ vocational (Tech/Voc) schools and traditional schools. The former is steeped in hands-on training while the latter is focused on theory. Technical/vocational education, designed to bring vocational and technical training to its students, cannot be overlooked by any nation serious about technological advancement or any form of development for that matter. Without a vibrant, knowledgeable and sound working population, a nation will not develop. Many wonder why Nigeria’s growth is stunted. The answer could be that the nation has over the years, neglected its technical/vocational education, paying more attention to traditional schools with little or no hands-on training. Consequently, the nation’s education system has churned out graduates described as unemployable by employers of labour. In this report, Vanguard Learning takes a look at the problem, consequences and way out.

training, although sometimes they get from the little we have.”

However, the Director/ Principal, Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Yaba, Lagos, Rev. Chris Ugorji said the problem is what he termed 'wrong mentality'. He said Nigeria's educational system was "a product of the mentality of the colonial masters who taught Arts and Social sciences. That was the set up before now, until we began to produce graduates that cannot boast of skills.

that the average graduate is unemployable.

Shunning Tech/Voc colleges: Speaking on why parents and students do not find tech/voc education attractive, Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Dr Masa'udu Adamu Kazaure said: “Parents do not have interest in bringing their wards to technical colleges because when they go to these colleges, they do not get the requisite

“This college used to be termed motor parts school where never-do wells go.

Nigerians believed that technical schools are meant for the never-do wells, for second rate students. That was the very bad mentality we inherited from the colonial masters.

“We got it wrong because emphasis was more on grammar and white collar jobs until it became obvious that this cannot drive our economy. So the very moment it got to that stage, people began to think,” said Ugorji.

Dr. Oluwashinaayomi Akintolure, Education consultant with A-Z Consult and proprietor of Stokhan Schools laid the blame squarely at the doorsteps of government.

“There is a complete

By Ebele Orakpo & Tare Youdeowei UP until recently, a typical Nigerian parent would rather make his child stay home until he is able to pass the entrance exam into traditional secondary school than go to a tech/voc college. But the trend changed when the nation got to a crisis point and employers of labour began to complain

Idogho’s last convocation outing as Auchi Poly Rector

PG. 27

Continuous denial will not help our universities PG. 28

Driving the economy

abandonment of vocational education in Nigeria. When the government does not encourage the people, the children lose confidence. When children go to technical colleges and come out with their trade certificate, does the government recognise it? Till today, there is disparity between Higher National Diploma and Bachelor of Science certificates.

“Thus, the death of technical education started from the government. Presently, with a trade certificate, a person does not go beyond being a roadside mechanic, for instance. The employers of labour are also to blame as they discriminate against the certificate, before we can then talk of the students not wanting to go to technical schools.”

Crisis: Mr. Salvation Alibor, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of

The death of technical education started with government.

Presently, with a trade certificate, a person does not go beyond being a roadside mechanic

Syscomptech Communications Ltd., a Lagos-based ICT outfit, decried the situation where employers have to retrain every one they recruit.

“Most of the things you face when you graduate, you didn’t learn in school so you have to do additional skills development on your own. Our curriculum is incomplete as it is not actually designed for the Nigerian system. As it is now, you have to retrain everyone you recruit. The only thing your degree does for you is to make you trainable. But if we get the curriculum right, if someone graduates from the university, he is immediately employable.

Educational curriculum That saves cost. An educational curriculum is designed to reflect the vision of a nation.

“In Nigeria, we are yet to design a curriculum that will reflect our vision. In some nations, they train the people to become entrepreneurs, some are trained to become offshore manpower because they produce virtually nothing in their country so they train them to become expatriates. They work abroad and repatriate funds to their country so they are their country’s export.

"In Nigeria, if we have a curriculum should reflect such and in that case, you put everything in place in institutions of learning that will develop the people to be able to offer those services.”

Dr Patrick Owelle, MD/CEO of PSC Solar said: “I’ll be honest with you; I suspect that in the next 10 years, our Continues on page 26

26—Vanguard, THURSDAY,

DECEMBER 3, 2015

ZODML donates centre to public library

By Tare Youdeowei

I

LAUNCH: From left, Principal, Government Technical College, Agidingbi, Mrs. Belinda Odeh; Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Kayode Oluwagbuyi; Director, Technical and Vocational Services, Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board, Mr. Laolu Oguntuyi; and Director, Project Office, ITF-NECA Technical Skills Development Project, Mrs. Helen Jemerigbe, at the launch of Young Entrepreneurs' Club, in Lagos.

Getting technical, vocational education back on track Continues from page 25 children will be unemployable with the type of education they get, jokes apart. It doesn’t make sense at all. Instead of hiring and firing due to incompetence, I decided I'd be sending them abroad for training.”

Turning point: Said Kazaure: “The chronic unemployment in the country has made many parents to start enrolling their wards in technical colleges. We have a situation now where graduates from the universities go back to polytechnics to gain one skill or the other.

Structure and equipment For so long, technical education has been neglected but you have to get the right structure and equipment in place in order to get the requisite training. We need the artisans, technicians and technologists.

High cost of establishing Tech/Voc colleges: “First of all, establishing vocational and technical colleges is very expensive because we need infrastructure and equipment and these are things we do not find normally in the technical colleges we have at present.

Most of them do not have required workshops, laboratories, buildings, etc. We have 171 technical colleges

approved so far but not up to a quarter of them have passed accreditation. Most are owned by state governments, only about 22 are owned by the Federal Government.

“By provisions of the National Policy on Education, we will need at least one technical college in each of the 774 local government areas of the federation. For each local government, you need a minimum of four vocational centres so the products of the vocational centres will be the raw materials for the technical college. The technical college will produce the craftsmen who will be the raw materials for the polytechnics.

"The polytechnics will produce technicians and technologists. So in effect, we need to have 3,096 vocational centres in the country. For every four technical colleges, we are supposed to have one polytechnic. So Nigeria, with

I suspect that in the next 10 years, our children will be unemployable with the type of education they get, jokes apart

774 local government areas, will need about 194 polytechnics to service our much touted technological revolution.

"That is in addition to infrastructure and electricity which is very critical.

"It will take about N1 billion to establish a technical college of international standard – N500 million for infrastructure and N500 million for equipment for the workshops and laboratories.

Workshops and laboratories So we need about N774 billion to get world standard technical colleges in all the 774 local government areas."

Solution: One way of solving the problem apart from establishing two fully equipped technical colleges in each state (one federal and one state), according to Akintolure, is for government to “enforce a policy where all multinationals in Nigeria have a selection conference for the final-year students in technical colleges, where they can be screened and picked for employment in the companies as opposed to bringing foreign technicians.

Using home-grown technicians would turn around the state of technical education in Nigeria.

There should be no favouritism and the recruitment should be on merit,” said Akintolure.

Students tasked on proper waste mgt

By Elizabeth Uwandu

I

N line with sustenance of the environment, through cleanliness, Retink Media recently launched a three- week campaign on environment advocacy tagged: WeSeparateWaste, to educate secondary school students on the importance of proper waste management and its uses for economic gain.

The campaign which kicked off at Eric Moore Senior Secondary School, saw the organisers donate three waste

bins to the school.

Mr Stanley Uzoma, a representative of Wecyclers, and one of the sponsors of the event said students will gain more through the campaign when they gather waste for recyclers who in turn give them gifts that range from diva pad, phones, to sewing machines among other items, including cash equivalent to their efforts.

In other words, students are awarded for keeping their environment clean, in addition to other benefits they get from the environment.

Throwing light on the initiative, Uzoma said students are advised on how to gather different categories of waste, assemble them based on their categories paper, can and nylon - which recyclers collect for industrial purposes.

Expressing joy over the initiative, the Principal of the school, Mr David Coker said the initiative is good and timely as it will make students healthconscious by way of proper waste management; and at the same time provide them with source income.

N its effort to provide free access to internet and digital resources to public libraries in Lagos State, the Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries, ZODML, has donated to Wellspring Center, a free internet access center, at the Henry Carr Public Library, Agege.

The center is equipped with four internet-enabled laptops and 1000 children and adult books aimed at promoting literacy development in the state.

Speaking at the commissioning, the Special Adviser on Education to Lagos State Governor, Obafela Bank-Olemoh, said library services form an integral part of education development and success and this center will focus

more on development of human capacity and capability through reading and use of technology.

In the same vein, the Director, Lagos State Library Board, Mr. Tajudeen Lawal, said education and enlightenment lift nations to heights of progress and greatness and for this to be achieved, the citizens must be knowledgeable and up to date with modern technologies.

Speaking on the essence of the center, the CEO, ZODML, Ms. Ego Mbagwu, said the aim is to emphasize the endless possibilities of IT for self education and the need to make it accessible to the public.

Founded in 1999, ZODML has set up libraries in 20 public schools, set up full libraries in prisons in Kirikiri, Ikoyi and Badagry, and provided a center equipped with 22 internetenabled computers at Ireti Snr Grammar Sch.

Saudi German Hospital seeks to partner Nigerian medical colleges

By Ikenna Asomba

S

AUDI German Hospital, a leading health care provider in the Middle East has indicated interest in partnering with Nigerian medical colleges.

Iftakhar Asfi, the Business Planning Manager made this known in a chat with journalists, when the representatives of the hospital hosted stakeholders in the healthcare sector at Eko Hotels, Victoria Island Lagos.

Asfi said: “Our medical colleges have working relationship with others around the globe. We are ready to collaborate with medical colleges here as well as we don’t have any barriers to collaborating with colleges anywhere in the world. We are out to serve humanity and the community and at the same time growing in business.

“Aside from the collaboration, we also want to

do what we are doing in Yemen in Nigeria. In Yemen, we have been using our resources to cater for the health needs of the people because we are out to serve local communities by meeting the health needs of the people. We are aware that many Nigerians are in dire need of health services and we are here to assist."

He added "We have been attending to many dignitaries from Nigeria over the years. We receive more than 10, 000 patients from Nigeria in Dubai only. During Hajj, we are the primary responder to emergencies. We had more than 1, 000 Nigerians admitted in our hospitals during the calamity that happened in the holy land.

“The huge number of patients we receive from here showed the gravity of the health needs of the people and that is why we decided to establish two hospitals here so as to lower the cost of treatment."

ExxonMobil empowers medical students with books

E

XXONMOBIL Nigeria has empowered final year Medical students of the University of Lagos with 300 books on Personal Business Plan to boost their future goals.

Speaking at the occasion held at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idiaraba, the Managing Director , TOMEB Foundation, a youth development and empowerment foundation,

Mr. Tunde Popoola, said the initiative is to enrich students goals beyond their calling. “ He said that TOMEB is sensitising the final year students on the importance of planning their lives.

"People succeed because they have an idea of the future and planned for it", he said He said the book will help them conduct research on entrepreneurial activities in Nigeria and world over.

Vanguard, THURSDAY,

VISIT: From left, Dr Pascal Anosike, Director, Centre for African Entrepreneurship and Leadership University of Wolverhampton, UK; Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Patron, CAEL University of Wolverhampton; Mrs. Claire Shaw, Head of Development and Alumni, University of Wolverhampton, UK; and Dr Ayo Ogunsan, Chairman, Executive Trainers at the pre-investiture visit to Asiwaju Tinubu, in Lagos.

Idogho’s last convocation outing as Auchi Poly Rector

T

HESE days, anything concerning Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, attracts more than a passing attention. This is because the only federal government owned first generation polytechnic which started as a technical college located in Auchi, Edo State, has grown in stature and also indulged in some self-cleansing activities to attain its lofty status as one of the most preferred polytechnics in the country.

Since the emergence of Dr. (Mrs) Philippa Idogho as Rector in 2008, Auchi Polytechnic has enjoyed a new lease of life in all ramifications.

Auchi, as host community, is not left out of the dividends. So, on Saturday, December 5, 2015, the ancient city will bubble in celebratory mood once again as all roads lead to the convocation ground for the institution’s 23rd convocation ceremony.

Beauty and serenity For most of the graduands and their well-wishers, the convocation itself may seem as their focal attention. Beneath the razzmatazz of the day, that is, the convocation proper, others such as the visitors, alumni and the rest will be stung by the beauty and serenity of a new look Auchi Polytechnic.

Many of the visitors will not only marvel at the beautiful landscape, they will also be impressed with the magnificence quality and diligence put into it. Today, a lot of people rate her tenure as the most impactful in the chequered history of the school.

First from being called “iron lady” because of her tough and uncompromising stance on issues that border on transparency, quality, accountability and good governance, she is now popularly referred to as the “architect of modern Auchi Poly”.

Having aggressively pursued her transformation policy to a logical conclusion, it is, therefore,

not completely out of sync to assert that she has been able to touch every facet of the school — infrastructure, staff and students’ welfare, massive renovation works, school expansion projects, etc.

A good example is the old administrative block which the school started with in 1964, but which had become derelict with

Will her successor will be able to sustain the momentum this amazon set during her tenure?

age. She transformed the building into a modern one.

From the newly constructed administrative building to the expanded classroom blocks to the shopping mall in Campus II, the transformation is visible and compelling. It is this uncommon transformation that has made some to dub it “modern Auchi Polytechnic.”

Sadly but gloriously however, this is the last convocation ritual the Rector will presid over.

Stakeholders have an opportunity, therefore, to thank her better for leaving the Polytechnic far better than she met it. People wonder if her successor will be able to sustain the momentum and pace this amazon set during her tenure.

Describing the period as the golden era, Alhaji Abubakar

Akokhia, a friend of the school who is now the APC Etsako West chapter chairman, said Dr. Idogho contributed significantly to the all-round development of the school. What is now known as Auchi Polytechnic, started as a technical college and was upgraded to a polytechnic in 1973. It derived the name Auchi polytechnic Auchi in 1975 and the multi campus structure was reversed to a single campus system to be based in Auchi.

Another significant phase in the life of the institution occurred in May 1993, when former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, announced plans by the Federal Government to take over the institution.

From its take off in 1976, with Dr. P. O. Igharo, a senior lecturer in Civil Engineering as first principal, Auchi Poly’s infrastructural development started on a shaky note.

Dr. Robinson Momoh, the first Registrar of the school and author, in his book, “Corridors of Power” hailed Dr. Igharo for his resourcefulness in executing his mandate to set up a strong and functional administrative system that would assist the polytechnic transit into a first rate tertiary institution. Use of the title ‘Rector’, started with the shortlived tenure of Mr. E. U. Bazuaye, between 1987-1989 as Acting Rector.

•Dr. (Mrs) Philippa Idogho

‘Calculations can be mastered with practice’

By Tare Youdeowei

W

INNER Green Essay Competition, Season 2, organized by Society for Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Mitigation, SETPOM, Ebere Maduewesi, an SS3 student and Library Prefect at Canon James Pearce Anglican College, Lagos, has disclosed that continually practising calculations after being taught in class is key to mastering calculations.

She said this to Vanguard Learning at the 2015 SETPOM International Conference and Fellows Award Conferment held in University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, where she was given a certificate and deep freezer.

“Calculations can easily be mastered with determination. I was not good in maths in SS1 but I communicated my weakness to my teachers who helped me through it. However, it is of note that Mathematics should be continually practised. If you are taught a topic, it is best to keep practising and not just dump it till the next class so that it can become a part of you.

“Junior students think science is all about medicine, I say this because most of them say they do not like the sight of blood so they cannot go to science class. They do not know there are other courses like engineering. There is also the fear of science subjects. To this I advice that if any of them has a passion for science but is scared of the subjects, they can go for lessons or be coached on the subjects to reduce their fear and stop being terrified of science class."

On the essay titled domestic waste management and recycling as the best option, as opposed to disposal, Ebere disclosed; “I defined basic terms, highlighted waste management, explained solid and liquid waste, countries that have waste challenges and proffered solutions to reduce waste.

"Most times citizens are lazy, they dispose waste recklessly, even if they cannot personally recycle, it is their civic duty to bag waste properly.

“At a point I was tired of writing because it gave me stress and I was not feeling fine then.

Nonetheless, I am thankful my teachers helped me a lot and gave

me the courage to continue writing. Another challenge was balancing my studies with the preparation and research for the essay. I’m in SS3 and we take tests and class work periodically, so I had to read for all, they were clashing and it was not easy.

The competition, which is aimed at educating students, at a young age, on the need to participate in environment management and recycling, also saw Oyinkansola Olaseni of Yaba College of Technology Secondary School and Odife Favour of Cedec International Secondary School, come second and third respectively.

Ebere advised her fellow students to be themselves. “You do not need to follow others around to feel among, not be left out, or not be lonely, it is not true.

If you can just settle down and remember that your main reason for coming to school is to get educated, pass exams and become someone in life, you will be better for it. Do not complain, all teachers do is so that we can learn. Do not feel shy to ask questions, teachers are there to help us excel.”

DECEMBER 3, 2015—27

5 African Leadership varsities take off in Nigeria

By Dayo Adesulu

F

IVE of the continent-wide African Leadership Universities, ALU, meant to train and develop thousands of young Africans who will develop the continent technologically, economically and educationally have been earmarked to be located in Nigeria.

This was revealed in Lagos by the first Education Minister of Mozambique, Graça Machel, and serial entrepreneur, Fred Swaniker, when they disclosed their vision to make Africa the hub of innovative education models and partnerships.

Graça Machel, who is the Founder of Graça Machel Trust, intends to achieve this feat by partnering with other organizations that champion the empowerment of youth, children and women.

Speaking about the future of education in the continent, Machel said: “We need to culturally ground students in what it means to be African. They must graduate thinking about impacting on a Pan-African level, not just their country.”

Founder, ALU, Fred Swaniker, said his target is to build a network of varsities that will develop 250,000 young leaders and entrepreneurs for Africa, with a vision to having five of those varsities built in Nigeria.

The panel cited a scenario in 2013, where 1.7 million students competed for 500,000 spaces in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

The dearth of higher educational opportunities in Africa’s largest nation is further worsened by the fact that university graduates make up 20 percent of youth unemployment and often remain unemployed for upward of five years after graduation.

To Swaniker therefore, there is clearly a need in Nigeria and across the continent for governments and the private sector to partner and re-think university access, as well as for universities to dramatically revolutionize how they prepare students not just for the job market but to become future job creators.

Swaniker describes ALU as blurring the line between tertiary education and “the real professional world”. ALU curates the best courses globally and combines them with Africarelevant courses such as Entrepreneurial Leadership and Employer Courses to prepare students for success as professional leaders and entrepreneurs. Coupled with innovative technologies and student-driven learning techniques, he said ALU is creating an environment where future leaders of Africa can develop the necessary critical thinking skills and intrinsic motivation to succeed in jobs that haven’t even been created yet.

28—Vanguard, THURSDAY,

DECEMBER 3, 2015

Continuous denial will not help our universities “Recently the Mo Ibrahim Foundation’s Index on African Governance said Nigeria’s education system is one of the worst in Africa. Do you agree?

HAT was the question addressed to Professor Ibidapo-Obe, former Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, by Bayo Akinloye of PUNCH. The interview was published on October 25, 2015. Professor IbidapoObe’s answer was as instructive as it was mostly evasive. The reason for the attempt not to accept the conclusions of a study by an organization like Mo Abraham, which has no reason to denigrate Nigeria, is easy to understand. It is difficult for anyone who had been a leading member of a sector of our society to avoid feeling partly responsible for the situation in which Nigeria finds itself. Some, like Professor Niyi Akinnaso, in the PUNCH of October 20, 2015, seek to distance themselves from their group by adopting a holier than thou attitude. Unfortunately for Niyi, the article appeared in the paper which Governor Aregbesola had singled out as the one guiltiest of what Niyi was writing about. Niyi did more damage to himself by pointing out the inaccuracies attributed to the media without acknowledging that “Every government is run by liars and nothing they say should be believed”, said I.F Stone. Niyi needs to be more skeptical with officials.

Ibidapo-Obe’s reaction was more subtle. He started out by stating that “I know that the Nigerian education system is not up to scale.” Then he went on to state that “But given the background that I am coming from and my international exposure, I do not agree with the Mo Ibrahim’s ranking of Nigeria’s education on the continent.” First of all, he failed to tell us specifically why he disagreed with the score card. Second, he neglected to point to another report which contradicts Mo Ibrahim and supports his position. Third he never told us who conducted that study.

Along the way there was a vital revelation which supports Mo Ibrahim.

According to the Professor, “Perhaps this was aggregated and the per capita education index is the lowest in Africa.” Obe, for short, is not an economist, but one need not be to understand that in the struggle of nations with illiteracy, money is the first weapon that must be made sufficiently available. His further contention that “We have first class man-power in Nigeria and some reasonable infrastructure in our universities” sound convincing, but in reality, as a Chancellor in a Nigerian university, it is understandable that he ignores the fact that the “firstclass manpower” and “reasonable infrastructure” is spread thin.

T

COMPETITION: From left, Mrs. Francisca Olaniyi, representative of wife of the Lagos State Governor; winners of the Lafarge National Literacy Competition, Elizabeth Dibia and Mfon Prince; and Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, First Lady of Ogun State, at the 2nd edition of Lafarge National Literacy Competition, in Lagos. PHOTO: AKEEM SALAU

Children education pivotal to future leadership — Lafarge

By Dayo Adesulu

T

HE Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mrs. Adepeju Adebajo, has charged stakeholders in education sector to invest greatly in children’s education as that it is the only way a nation can guarantee future leaders.

Speaking in Lagos during the Lafarge National Literacy Competition in partnership with Ovie Brume Foundation, Adebajo said ”the education of children who are the leaders of tomorrow is pivotal.”

In the 2015 National Literacy competition, Rivers, Lagos and Kogi states emerged first, second and third respectively.

She vowed that with the support of all stakeholders, Lafarge and Ovie Brume Foundation, the ten million out of school children in Nigeria will go back to school.

Sustainable manner “In Lafarge Africa Plc, we derive utmost joy and satisfaction from making contributions to our society, especially in a sustainable manner as part of our commitment to building better cities in Nigeria, she said.

Adebajo who noted that Lafarge is proud to be making this strong statement as a key contributor to the development of education in Nigeria said “we understand the key role education plays in the development of any society.”

Having sponsored the contest for two years Adebajo said she was delighted with the testimonials and assessment reports shared about the initiative.

“It is a clear indication that immediate and unprecedented

landmark can be achieved simply by doing the right thing at the right time, and in the right direction,” she stated.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Iwalola Akin-Jimoh the Executive Director of Ovie Brume Foundation said: “The literacy competition is one of the avenues being employed by the Foundation to achieve her vision of a society where everyone is educated and empowered.”

“Education is the bedrock of development of any country and the gateway to success in life. This is why Ovie Brume Foundation is giving a voice to

the average child in public school around the country, creating opportunities and platforms where they are given the needed support to help them realize the potentials in them and achieve excellence. and the competition, moved on to other geo-political zones of the South-East (30th of July), North –East (8th of August), North-Central (12th of August), North-West (15th of August) and South-West (16th of September), before the grand finale in Lagos where Rivers State emerged first and Lagos Second.

Inculcate environmental education into the curriculum —Shabi

By Tare Youdeowei

A

CALL has been made by the, GM/CEO Lagos Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Engr.

Adebola Shabi, for the input of Environmental Education into the school curriculum, particularly primary schools.

Speaking on behalf of conferred Fellows of the Society for Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Mitigation (SEPTOM) at the 2015 International Conference of the Society at University of Lagos, Shabi said; “All of us need to show love to the environment.

In the past our forefathers showed love to the environment that is why we are enjoying today. But we have not been showing enough love to the environment, what are we going to leave for the next generation? We need to catch them young. We need to inculcate environmental education into

the curriculum of children even from primary school.”

Giving a basis for his claim, Engr Shabi provided; “I did a survey sometime ago and discovered that only few Nigerians know what environmental protection is. That is why everywhere in this country is highly polluted. We just need to love the environment more.”

In its bid to encourage environmental education, SETPOM’s President, Dr. Funmilayo Doherty said; “We have introduced the Free Empowerment Workshop on Environmental Auditing. This took place on the second day of the conference.

Experts from the industry and academics facilitated the workshop. Certificates were issued to the student participants at the end of the workshop. We believe this will increase their knowledge in the field of environmental management and add value to their education.”

First class manpower Nothing reveals the sad state of our universities in Nigeria better than the latest QS World Universities Rankings. First, no single Nigerian university made the top 700 in the world – not U.I, not Unilag, not Unilorin, not ABU, not UNN. Meanwhile, eighteen African universities made the list – nine from South Africa, five from Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania each had one university listed. Of what use is the “first-class” manpower and “reasonable infrastructure” if we cannot compete with African countries in providing global standard education?

Is the “Giant of Africa” supposed to be classified with Burundi and Sao Tome in terms of quality of education?

And to further contradict himself, Obe went on to admit that “our education system suffers from poor and unattractive infrastructure at the primary school level….secondary schools lack laboratories and libraries….no quality assurance of delivery of the curriculum with teachers that will rather be working elsewhere than be a teacher”. In a few sentences, mostly true, Obe had confessed that Nigeria sends ill-prepared kids from primary school to secondary schools and compounds the original crime against the kids, by sending to universities secondary school graduates who elsewhere would not be considered fit for admission.

It is all a conspiracy which produces the largest collection of human beings destitute of the basic benefits of good education and totally unemployable.

Watching CNN, one is struck by the number of countries advertising for foreign investments on the basis of their world class educated manpower from primary to university level. Which level can Nigeria advertise as its own success story in order to attract investments? That explains why most Foreign Direct Investments in Nigeria are aimed at products and services which are capital-intensive. They skim the cream of our educated people and leave us the dregs unemployed. As one manager told me, we don’t want a lot of people difficult to train. That was a polite way of saying we don’t want your dullards on our hands.

Finally, Obe might not realize it; but, the kids in schools are the “lucky” ones. Today, over 12 million Nigerian school age kids are out of school.

That is the largest population of illiterates anywhere in the world.

Incidentally, the population of kids out of school was less than two million before the oil boom which started in 1973. Now the Age of Oil is over.

On the forgotten 12 million, Federal, State and Local Governments spend ZERO naira on education. That is larger than the populations of Gambia and Mauritius put together. For the unfortunate 12 millions, good things might come for others, if we accept Obe’s prescriptions. But, for them, the Nigerian heaven is empty. Why not face the truth?

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015—29

Only court can resolve the political crisis in Kogi — Alegeh, NBA President Mr Augustine Alegeh, SAN, President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in this interview, spoke on many national issues, including the Kogi State guber poll situation, human rights situation in the country and the position of the bar on justice delivery system in Nigeria, as well as the inability of some state governments to pay workers salaries. Excerpts:

By Abdulwahab Abdulah

V

IEWS are divided on the political crisis created by the death of the All Progressives Congress, APC guber candidate in Kogi State election, Abubakar Audu. What is your position on the issue?

There is provision for what happens if someone dies before voting commences.

In which case, the election can be countermanded and scheduled for another date and the party is allowed to produce another candidate. There is also provision for what happens after the election or voting, before swearing in. Then you have what is called vested rights before the election result is declared.

You have a candidate and a running mate. It is a whole world of difference after that.

After the results are declared, you have vested rights because you then have a governor-elect and a deputy governor-elect. If you look at the provisions, when there is a deputy and no governor-elect, he takes over.

Interpretation of the law When you do not a deputy governorship candidate, the party is allowed to bring a fresh candidate, that is before voting starts. But there is no determination of what happens when voting starts. I have no doubt in my mind that the matter will end up in court for determination. Definitely, there will be lawyers for both parties, however the court will decide one way or the other. In a matter that you are not a party, it’s a big issue. If you are interpreting the law, we can go ahead to say, this is what the law provides and stand by that provisions of the law.

This is what judicial authorities have said and we feel we should respect judicial precedence. But in this case, there is neither statutory provision nor

judicial precedence. So, we cannot have an opinion. All we can say is that we have identified the problem and there is a lacuna in the law and going forward, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC needs to make a decision. So, if the parties accept that decision, they can go by it. If not, they can go to court. INEC is an umpire and not a party in the election. It cannot go to court.

Even, the Attorney-General of the Federation is also not a party in the election, so only the parties can go to court.

Some people have called for the intervention of the Attorney General of the Federation by approaching the Supreme Court to seek an interpretation of the laws as it relates to the Kogi matter. What is your take on this?

What would be the locus of the AGF in the matter? It is an election matter with vested parties.

He is not a party at the election. What would be his cause of action? He cannot go to the Supreme Court to determine an academic issues. For instance, I can go to Supreme Court if I was a party to say that INEC decision to allow the running mate to continue with the sup-

There is no decision (in the Kogi case) that I take that everybody will be happy with, this is because it is a contest where there will be only one winner and that decision will be deemed as providing a winner... But the earlier we start the court process, the better

Lalong promises to deliver dividends of democracy to Plateau citizens Pg 31 C M Y K

Alegeh, SAN plementary election is unlawful. I can go to court to say INEC decision to allow APC to field a new candidate is unlawful.

In those cases, I have a vested interest and a right. It is only when they go to court, that the court in its wisdom, can invite the AGF, Alhaji Abubakar Malami, SAN, as an amicus curae, to offer suggestions.

In essence, you are saying whichever way this matter goes, it will find its way to the Supreme Court?

That is why I don’t have an opinion. If I have an opinion, I will be taking an opinion against the stand of one of my members as the NBA president.

If there is a constitutional provision, and we are interpreting that, I don’t care where you stand.

I will say the constitution says this and it should be followed.

But now, there is no provision for me to anchor my position on.

There is no decision that I take that everybody will be happy with, this is because it is a contest where there will be only one winner and that decision will be deemed as providing a winner.

Let us not be academic about it, it will go to court. But the earlier we start the court process, the better. I hope when it gets to court, they will apply the fastest rules at the Supreme Court

Judicial education fundamental to judicial excellence — Justice Bozimo Pg 31

if it is so stated.

If they take the case from court to court, I am sure the Supreme Court can be able to determine it rapidly and quickly and based on the decision of the Supreme Court, they can then have a way out.

When the court takes a decision, then we can say, this is the decision of the Supreme Court, let us all abide by it.

But there are those who believe that since the deputy contested along with late Audu, he should step in and conclude the process?

For me, it is a very simple way out of the problem. But let me play the devil’s advocate. If Audu contested alone, it would be a void ticket.

Perfect situation For the deputy governor to go alone without a running mate is not allowed. Each candidate must have a running mate. If you play the devil’s advocate, you will see that there is no perfect argument. There is no perfect situation. They can say okay, let the man name a running mate, the call for nomination has expired. There are layers of challenges and as the law did not provide for it, we all have to be careful.

There is no solution that is not good. That solution that you talked about is also good but somebody would tell you if Audu was the main candidate, why do you want to carry his vote into

a supplementary election when he has died? Wada would tell you if I had contested against Faleke, he wouldn’t have scored this number of votes. The man from APGA would say it is because of Audu that he lost the poll.

One of the candidates has called for the adoption of the doctrine of necessity. How do you see this?

The doctrine of necessity does not operate in vacuum. It operates in law. We are all lawyers examining the various challenges, for any position you want to take, it must be in line with the position of the law. If you have a case where they said if you have fresh election, only the parties at the original election can partake. How do you fit that into the scenario when, like you said, one of the parties has died? I don’t have an opinion on that as I have said.

Again, in Nigeria context, it is the political parties that field the candidates that are voted for and not the candidate? How can this be resolved?

The origin of that concept is the Rotimi Amaechi’s case which has been uphelded in some other places as a precedence. It is a fact that we don’t have any governorship candidate, and that it is the party that provides the umbrella for the candidate. But you must also understand that the party alone cannot contest an election.

If the party fails also to present a candidate in an election, it Continues on page 30

30—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015

Only court can resolve the political crisis in Kogi—Alegeh, SAN Continues from page 29 will be a problem. So any way you want to look at it, there are several legal challenges and it is only those wise men at the Supreme Court that would be able to look at it with their experience, with their exposure and find a way out.

National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, inaugurated a committee last week by to review all anti-human rights laws. What areas would you want the committee to look at?

Firstly, I want to say that we must understand the functions of the NHRC. The NHRC is set up to protect human rights and ensure that all our laws provide an environment that respects human rights.

Principal function So when such a commission now causes a committee to look at human rights legislation, then you start asking what are it’s functions as a commission because that committee is being given a principal function of the commission. When any law is being proposed, we interact with the law, what are the components of the law, how does it apply in administration of justice.

Human Rights Commission should be looking at how such laws help in the observance of human rights at all levels. Are they saying that they have not been doing that? However, we must not take a fire brigade approach in our fight against human rights for the simple reason that even if this committee identifies all the laws in order to ensure adequate protection of human rights, what then happens? You still need to go for the laws to be amended. The Commission is doing a great job but I will appeal to them that they should be proactive. It is easier to ensure that those flaws don’t become laws than to wait till the end of the day and try and get the laws back to the lawmakers for amendment.

The NBA recently in Port Harcourt set up a committee to look into human rights abuses in the North Eastern

EDITORIAL TEAM Innocent Anaba ( Head) Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri Dayo Benson (Supervising Editor) 08056180119 dayobenson@yahoo.com

Alegeh , SAN part of the country. How will the committee carry out its assignment given the high risk factor in the area?

We are not going there to investigate human rights abuses.

The situation that has occurred there has been talked about by Amnesty International and other rights groups, they include serious abuses, that our troops in trying to quell the Boko Haram insurgency, are committing human rights violations. Amnesty claimed to have investigated, Human Rights Commission claimed to have investigated.

Our duty is to sensitize the military. We are only going to have a human rights workshop with the military, where the former Attorney General of the Federation and the former Minister of Defence will present a paper that will highlight what they need to do. There are rules of engagement in every war situation. So, we want it to be highlighted to our military. We want to have a collaborative effort with our military.

That sensitization is critical. If we all investigate and investigate and nobody has told them this is the minimum standard expected of you in a war situation, then we will be doing the same thing that Amnesty has done. We are going to set up NBA monitoring team. It is one thing to tell them what to do, we are going to monitor to the

best of our ability to be sure that they are observing the law. So our monitoring team will have telephone numbers that anybody in Maiduguri, Biu, Gombe, Bauchi and the whole area can call to lodge their complains.

As the president of the NBA, what agenda would you to set for the new Attorney General of the Federation?

Firstly, I want to commend the President for appointing not less than 10 of our members as ministers. Secondly, for our members, we have assured them of our support. We have also drawn their attention to the fact that they are ambassadors of the bar and that whatever they do while they are in office would have an impact on the bar positively or negatively. So, in whatever they do, they should realise that they are not just doing it for themselves but for their families, for their constituencies and also for the entire bar. They should, at all times be above board.

They should be performing ministers at all times and be the

There are rules of engagement in every war situation. So, we want it to be highlighted to our military. We want to have a collaborative effort with our military.

That sensitization is critical

top 10 at all times. For the Attorney General of the Federation, Mallami, he is somebody who I know closely and he is passionate about the rule of law, democratic values and about our judiciary and how to improve on it.

So, when his name was announced, as the AGF, we were not surprise. But the most important thing for us to do is to fix our legal system and one of the best ways is by taking certain legislative interventions. If by the grace of God, these interventions are taken by the new administration, they will make other things fall into place to give us good justice administration system.

There are complains by some state governments that they can no longer meet their salaries obligation to workers.

What is the way out?

As at the last count, 28 states cannot pay salaries. There has been a remarkable shortfall in federal income which has affected the states.

Alternative sources So, that is the main challenge. But how do we deal with it? There is no easy way out. We cannot on our own increase the prices of oil. The situation calls for lean government, it calls for government to take measures to look for alternative sources of revenue. We should draw attention to the fact that we should not depend on oil alone. Look at the United Arab Emirates, despite the oil that they have, tourism is also a huge revenue earner for them.

So every country should have more than a source of income.

We are one of the few countries that still have one source of income. But another challenge we must look at is how to address it, but I want to highlight it, so that those who are well versed in economics and finance can address it. When a state for example, receives N600 million every month but has a salary bill of N400 million or N450 million, the consequential and real effect of what is happening is how many civil servants do they have?

May be they have 40,000. But what is the population of that

state? May be two million. You ask, why should 40,000 persons take 80 per cent of the total earning of a state from the federation account? That whole money is meant for the entire people of the state but it is being given to 40,000, less than 10 per cent of the population.

That is a major challenge that we have to look at. I think this is wrong and it is time to find a solution to this because if you extrapolate as the growth continues, in a few years, all the states in the federation will no longer be able to pay salaries.

Major problem So you find out that for a country to have a budget where recurrent outstrips capital development, then we have a major problem.

In a country of 150 million, the total civil service strength, let even say it is two million. Let us ask ourselves how much is being used to maintain the two million people, even 15 million?

How can we not say we give them 10 per cent of our budget.

The remaining 90 per cent, we use to develop other areas, so that the remaining 90 per cent of the population will benefit and they will still enjoy from the 90 per cent resources. What is happening now is that they have taken about 98 per cent.

But that is where our economists and financial experts have to come in. That is food for thought.

There are complains on the conflicting judgements of the Court of Appeal bothering on same issue. What is the Bar doing about it for the credibility of judicial system?

What we have done is to keep highlighting the issue. We don’t have disciplinary control over judges. We cannot say discipline a judge. But in on our part, we have been trumpeting it and will keep trumpeting it that failure to follow judicial precedence is evidence of corruption. If I cite an authority to you, I have a right to distinguish the authority and say you cannot follow that authority for this reason or that reason because the facts are different. At the Court of Appeal level, the challenge you find is that the Court of Appeal know how they do their own thing.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015—31

Lalong promises to deliver dividends of democracy to Plateau citizens

N/A can’t make laws to curtail the power of C-Appeal, S-Court (2) Dr. Alex Izinyon, SAN

B

Y the definition section in Section 494 of ACJA, using the ejusdem generis rule, “the Court” referred in Section 306 are those listed in Section 494 of ACJA. At the risk of over simplicity, Oxford Dictionary of English defines “the” as denoting one or more people or things already mentioned or assumed to be common knowledge. It is a definite article.

Therefore “the Court” used in Section 306 of ACJA refers to the court mentioned in Section 494 of ACJA, viz the Federal Courts which are the Federal High Court, High Court of the FCT, Magistrates Court and Area Courts manned by legal practitioners in the FCT. These are court of first instance or trial court and cannot be interpreted to include Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court.

After all the express mention of one thing implies the exclusion of other or of the alternative “expressio unius est exclusio alterius.”

The power of the Supreme Court as the final court in the judicial hierarchy to order a stay of proceeding especially against the background of an undertaking by prosecution that they will not undermine the substratum of the appeal cannot be said to be illegal by virtue of section 306 of ACJA. By the simple and elementary doctrine of separation of power flowing from the French Jurist Montesquieu the National Assembly lacks the power under the Constitution to make any laws, to curtail the power of the Court

of Appeal or Supreme Court vested under the Constitution.

To argue that section 306 of ACJA oust the Supreme Court to order stay of proceeding is contrary to the separation of powers which has been settled in legion of cases by the Supreme Court. See A-G ABIA V. A-G FEDERATION (2002) 6 NWLR (PT. 763) 264; UGWU V. ARARUME (2007) 12 NWLR (1048) 367.

Indeed to interpret Section 306 of ACJA as applicable to the Supreme Court is to render nebbish the inherent power of the Supreme Court.

Inherent power It must be noted that not even under the Military gladiators was this countenanced as the Supreme Court ventured to castigate and lampoon legislative judgment as seen in LAKANMI V. AG WEST (1971) ALL NLR (PT. 1) 201, though it was described as a banana peel (Prof.

Abiola Ojo) as it was rendered nugatory by a subsequent Decree, but the legal bravery of the Supreme Court in the face of the military tyranny was commendable and salutable. In England, the famous jurist and legendary legal icon Lord Denning, MR in SEAFORD COURT ESTATES LTD V. ASHER (1949) 2 KB 481 opined strongly that decision which a Court or Tribunal will arrive at are not such matter that any parliament however technicality empowered it may be that can completely provide for.

In 1981 the Supreme Court cut down such invasion by the National Assembly which sought to curtail or regulate the powers of the Court in the absence of a Principle Enactment or Act. This was the case of PAUL UNONGO V. APER AKU & ORS. (1981 – 1990) LRECN 1, where it reiterated the doctrine of separation of powers, the independence of the Judiciary and frown at ouster and maintained the Supreme Court has inherent powers to control its internal proceeding pursuant to Section 6(6) of the 1979 Constitution and that the National Assembly lacks the powers to legislate on matter of rule of practice and procedure for election petition in the absence of any principal enactment.

However with the advert and delay in electoral litigation in order to take care of this delay in electoral litigations, the 1999 Constitution was amended spelling out the lifespan for electoral litigations such as 180 days from the date of declaration of result for the tribunal to conclude and deliver Judgment and 60 days from the date of delivering of such judgment on those on appeals within which judgment must be delivered.

See Section 29 of the 1st Alteration and Section 285 of the Constitution.

The Supreme Court has no hesitation in giving its legal imprimatur to this Constitutional amendment in the case of ANPP V. GONI (2012) 2 LRECN 440 the first case to test the validity of the lifespan of electoral litigation.

Judicial education fundamental to judicial excellence — Justice Bozimo

T

HE Biennial Conference, the All Nigeria Judges’ Conference has always been a stock taking event when Judges from all over the country converge to reflect on their activities over a period of time, thereby providing an insight into what has been achieved. It also provides a platform to strategise on how to meet the important and critical challenges in the dispensation of justice to all in our great Country.

The All Nigeria Judges’ Conference is one of the most important functions of the National Judicial Institute.

Section 3(2) c of the National Judicial Institute Act authorizes the Institute to organize once in two years the All Nigeria Judges’ Conference of the Superior Courts.

It is in fulfilment of this mandate that we are all gathered here again to participate in the 2015 All Nigeria Judges’ Conference.

The Institute by its mandate is also empowered to conduct courses for all categories of judicial officers and staff with a view to expanding knowledge

and skills in order to enhance performance and productivity in accordance with the Institute’s motto: “Knowledge for Excellence”. In this regard, the updating of knowledge through Continuing Judicial Education is very fundamental in attaining judicial excellence.

Judicial excellence There is no doubt that the training and retraining of judges, as is done by this Institute, enhances the overall quality of judgements delivered by judicial officers, and I am glad to say that the Institute has over the years lived up to expectation, thereby fulfilling the aspiration of its founding fathers.

The Institute has raised the bar of result oriented research, expanded the frontier of judicial knowledge in a very profound manner and concomitantly made substantial contributions to the development of law and justice in Nigeria.

I am pleased to inform that no effort has been spared in ensuring that you go back to your different jurisdictions better enriched and refreshed, both intellectually and emotionally, as the Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute, under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, has approved the engagement of highly experienced and resourceful Chairmen of Sessions and Speakers who will drive the Sessions during the course of this Conference.

It is my sincere expectation that at the end of the 2015 Conference we would have benefited immensely from the presentations. I am indeed grateful to the Board of Governors of the Institute under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Justice Mohammed. *An address by Justice Bozimo, Administrator, National Judicial Institute at the just concluded All Nigeria Judges’ Conference in Abuja.

By Onozure Dania OVERNOR Simon Lalong of Plateau State has promised to support and promote programmes that would improve the quality of life and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

He spoke while declaring open the 2015 Nigerian Bar Association, NBA Law week and Justice Dauda Azaki memorial lecture in Jos. He said: “The theme for this year ’s event titled “Law, Corruption and National Development” is timely, seeing that it keys into the change mantra anchored on using the instrumentality of rule of law to check corruption in public and private life, so we can drive the process of national development.

“Let me at this point; commend the leadership of the NBA, Jos Branch, for putting up a befitting 2015 Law Week/18th Justice Dauda Azaki Memorial Lectures.

The benefit of starting the Legal Year with a Law Week that allows time for reflections on our calling as legal practitioners cannot be over-emphasized.

“I have said it repeatedly, that Plateau State Government will continue to support every laudable programme that will enhance good governance and by extension catalyst the delivery of the dividends of democracy to our people.

“My acceptance to identify with this programme therefore, goes beyond my being a lawyer, to the value your contribution in the practice of law, will make in getting our state and country to work. You will no doubt agree with me, that as we strengthen the law, and fight corruption with the instrument of the Law, our development as a Nation is guaranteed. It is in this, that I find a charge for you as Ministers in the Temple of Justice.

“Permit me to use this medium to recount the virtues in the sacrificial life of service, of the Late Justice Azaki, who had lived his life dispensing Justice and reconciling people for the good of humanity. I am excited by the feeling that, year in - year out,

G

we have used the character of courage, commitment, incorruptibility and the fear of God in the life of this Icon, to encourage the Judiciary and Legal Practitioners, to live by their oaths of service and call.

“While commending the NBA -Jos Branch for sustaining this lecture, in memory of Late Justice Azaki, I challenge the society to evolve a mechanism for acknowledging good works when somebody is alive, as Berton Bralley says, “now is the time to slip it to him for he cannot read his tombstone, when he is dead.

“As we celebrate the lives and times of this legal titan and Jurist, who was courageous and fearless in the dispensation of justice, and contributed in no small measure to the growth of Judiciary in Plateau State, I urge all to emulate his virtue of Truth, Equity and Justice which brought dignity to the Bench and bar.

Infrastructural challenge “Be rest assured that on our part, our government is committed to enhancing the Justice Delivery System. By some stroke of providence the activities of Government in the last one month have revolved around the Justice Delivery System.

“We have as a government, not only addressed partly, the issue of infrastructural challenge in the judiciary, but have gone further with the swearing-in of three new High Court Judges, proved our unflinching commitment to improving the lot of the Judiciary.

Further to this, is that we will do all within our means to complete the High Court Complex under construction “As a practitioner in the temple of justice, I am very conversant with the role of the judiciary in enhancing the Practice of Democracy. Law as the fulcrum upon which democratic principles and practices are accentuated, requires a functional Judiciary that gives interpretation to the Law and justly dispenses Justice according to the interpretation of that same law.

L-R: Lt. Gen Jerry Useni (retd), Gov Simon Lalong and Justice David Mann.

L-R: Justice Mann, Chairman NBA Jos, Ledak Dafer, Prof. Shehu, Solomon Umoh, SAN, Offordile Okafor, SAN and Chief Solomon Akubor, SAN.

32 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015—33

40 years after, group demands panel report on Ugep massacre A

By Chris Ochayi

BUJA—A sociocultural organisation, Umor Otutu, has called on the Federal Government to revisit the massacre of Ugep people of Yakur Local Government Area of Cross River State by the Nigerian Army 40 years ago and make the panel report on the atrocity public.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja as part of plans to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the massacre on December 24, 1975, President General of the group, Pastor Ben Arikpo, regretted that 40 years after, no action had been taken on the Federal Government White Paper on the massacre.

Pastor Arikpo recalled that on that Black Wednesday, soldiers went violent on the pretext of an erroneous assumption that the people of Ugep killed a soldier serving in the army barracks. he said overran Ugep, attacked the town at midnight, killed, raped and set houses ablaze.

According to Arikpo, the official report indicated that 13 people were killed, 100 injured and 7,500 houses were burnt at the time of the massacre, adding that General Murtala Mohammed was the then military Head of State while the then Brigadier Theophilus Danjuma was the Chief of Army Staff.

At the state level, the then Col. Paul Omu was the Governor of the defunct South Eastern State while then Col Mamman Vasta was Commandant of the then 13th Infantry Brigade of Nigerian Army based in Calabar.

Arikpo said: " A panel of inquiry was set up by the then Head of State, Maj. Gen. Murtala

Mohammed, headed by late Justice Okorobidu. However, the report of the panel is yet to be made public despite the White Paper that had since been issued."

He explained that, prior to the massacre, a soldier of the 8 Battalion in Ugep, was said to have been found dead by the road side.

“The soldiers claimed that he

must have been killed by Ugep people. In reprisal, the military on the night of December 24, 1975, invaded the town in a commando-like style, chanting war songs, and killed our loved ones, raped our sisters, wives and mothers, while men were beaten, clubbed, maimed and killed in the most gruesome manner while they also set the town ablaze.”

AYADE AT DUBAI TOURISM STAND: From left: Regional Manager, West Africa, Emirates, Mr. Manoj Gopi Nair; Manager, Exhibitions Stakeholder Relations, Dubai Tourism, Mr. Talal Al Suwaidi; Governor Ben Ayade of Cross Rivers State; Regional Director, Africa Internal Operations, Ms. Stella Obinwa; Senior Manager, City Operations, Dubai Tourism, Mr. Khalid Falasi and Convener, African Travel Market, Mr. Ikechi Uko, during the governor's visit to Dubai Tourism stand, during the Africa Travel Market (Akwaaba) Exhibition, in Lagos.

Benin Forum scores Oshiomhole high on devt

By Simon Ebegbulem

M

EMBERS of Benin Forum, the apex socio-political organisation in Edo State, have scored Edo State governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, high on infrastructural development in the state.

Benin Forum gave the score-card when its members, led by Chief David Edebiri, Esogban of Benin, joined Governor Oshiomhole on inspection of some projects in the state capital.

Chief Edebiri, who marvelled at the level of reclamation done on the Queen Ede gully erosion site, said critics of the government should see the project to be convinced that the money that comes to the state was judiciously spent.

He said: “We have 12 Wards in Oredo and I would love them to one day, come and see this. Those critics should come and see what is going on here, so that they may know that any money that comes to this state is for development and not wasted or appropriated to individual pockets.

“The work going on here is simply marvellous and I have asked that those lame duck critics in Benin City and elsewhere should be given the opportunity to come and see this work.”

Also, the Enogie of Evbuobanosa, Prof. Greg Akenzua said: “A lot of earthwork is being done at Queen Ede erosion site and as you can see, many of the homes there have been

restored and the people are happy with the governor that he has brought happiness to them, that he has saved their homes. So, we must commend the governor for his courage.”

Okowa set to complete Ughelli-Asaba Road project facing the government.

G

OVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, has set in motion, modalities for the completion of Ughelli-Asaba Road dualisation project.

The Special Project Director in charge of the road, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, made the disclosure

while addressing newsmen during an inspection tour of the project.

He said the state government had directed the contractor handling Sector A of the road to return to site to complete the project despite the paucity of fund

Onesoke said that when the construction of the dual carriage way is completed, it will connect the various communities, towns and cities, opening them up for commercial activities that will also herald other economic developmental endeavours.

DTHA warns DESOPADEC against irrelevant projects

A

By Festus Ahon

SABA—DELTA State House of Assembly has warned the new governing board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, against embarking on programmes that have no positive effect on oil bearing communities in the state.

Handing down the warning during the committee’s maiden meeting with the management of the commission, Chairman, House Committee on DESOPADEC, Dennis Omovie

charged the board not to lose focus on the intent and objectives of the commission.

Omovie said: “At a point, the House was apprehensive that the intent of establishing

DESOPADEC was not being met, but thank God for the intervention of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who brought an amendment bill to restructure the commission.”

‘Bring my brother-in-law’s killers to book'

By Ochuko Akuopha

O

LEH—SURVIVOR of Tuesday ’s Fulani herdsmen attack at Ofagbe community, Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta State, Mr. Thompson Ogege, yesterday, appealed to the state government and security agencies to bring the culprits to book.

Recounting his ordeal to newsmen on his hospital bed at the Ughelli Central Hospital, Ogege disclosed that Mr. Japheth Inibu, who was killed in the attack by the suspected Fulani herdsmen, was his brotherin-law.

He said: “My elder sister told me that her husband and I would go to filter palm-nut the next day, so he left before me to the place where we were to meet for the filtering. While we were there doing the work, we saw cows and one of the herdsmen shouted, 'Don’t move or we will shoot and kill.'

“The next thing I heard was a gun shot only to find that my sister ’s husband had been shot on the chest and he died instantly. They fired another shot at my thigh and I fell down. They then came to see if we were dead. When I pretended to have died, they shouted Allah’kubar before they left with their cows."

Iyatsere of Warri for burial Jan 22

T

HE Iyatsere of Warri Kingdom, Chief G. E. Mabiaku, who passed on August 21, is to be buried January 22, 2016, at Ode Itsekiri.

A statement by the family said the seven-day rites of passage will take place in Warri from January 22 to 28.

It attributed the delay in the Iyatsere's burial to the demise of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, which prohibits all other burial activities throughout Itsekiriland for about three months.

Garden of Life Assembly holds festival

T

HE Garden of Life Assembly holds its annual festival of seeds at the church headquarters, 7, All Saints Lane, off Okere/ Ugborikoko Road, Effurun, Delta State, on December 6.

The theme of the festival is Harvest of Abundance.

Bishop Orovwuje Edward, founder of the church, and other annointed men are expected at the festival.

Late Chief G. E. Mabiaku

34—Vanguard,THURSDAY,DECEMBER 3, 2015

Imo police nab robbers, kidnappers, murder suspects

UGWUANYI TO NJC: Enugu's in

dire need of more judges

By Chidi Nkwopara

By Francis Igata

O

WERRI—IMO State Police Command says it had, in the past 14 days, arrested nine armed robbery and murder suspects, as well as five others for unlawful possession of firearms.

Addressing journalists, yesterday, at the State Police Headquarters, Owerri, the Commissioner of Police, CP, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, said the Command equally recovered two vehicles and 12 firearms from the suspects.

Giving details of the arrests, the CP said that the police had broken the jinx in the gruesome murder of a Customs Officer, while on duty at Umuhu, Ngor Okpala, by hoodlums.

He said that the Command arrested one Chibuzo Ike of Umuota, Umuhu, Ngor Okpala Local Council Area and Henry Ndubuisi Simon of 24 New Road, Amakohia, Owerri North Local Government Area, in connection

E

N U G U — GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, yesterday, swore-in four newly appointed judges of the State High Court with an appeal to National Judicial Council,NJC, to appoint more judges into the state judiciary to enhance better service delivery.

The governor made the appeal, considering that out of the requests for 20 judges made to the NJC, only four were appointed, a situation said to be a far cry from the dire need for more judges in the state.

Those sworn-in are Dr. Cyprian Aja, Dr. Comfort Ani, Mr. Harold Eya and Mr. Kenneth Okpe.

Governor Ugwuanyi on the occasion expressed appreciation for their appointments, but pleaded to the NJC to consider the recommendation of more appointments to enable the state fill vacancies that still exist in the state judiciary.

In his words: “As much as we appreciate these new appointments, I will plead with the NJC to consider the recommendation of more appointments to enable us fill the vacancies that still exist in the Enugu State Judiciary.”

The governor congratulated the new judges on their deserved appointments, urging them to approach their new responsibilities with dignity, integrity and commitment to justify their elevation to the hallowed pedestal.

with the murder of the Customs Officer.

“Our operatives stormed the hide-out of the criminals at the World Bank Housing Estate, where the AK 47 rifle and its magazine assigned to the slain

Customs Officer were recovered,” the CP said.

Other exhibits recovered from the suspects included one Mazda 626 saloon car belonging to the slain Customs Officer, one bucket containing suspected

By Francis Igata

SAN, prayed the appellate court to outrightly declare Nnamani winner since the evidence of PW5 (Forensic Data Analyst) was relied upon by the lower court to establish wide spread irregularities that substantially marred the election.

“Since the evidence of PW5 was relied upon to order fresh election by the lower court, we urge your lordships to declare Nnamani winner having established irregularities of over voting, mutilation of results to the detriment of his (Nnamani) result,” Tarfa urged the panel.

Counsel to Senator Gil Nnaji, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, who

improvised explosive device, two small batteries and one small rod.

“Investigation is still on-going and concerted efforts are being made to apprehend other members of the gang for prosecution,” the CP said.

Enugu-East Senatorial: Nnamani urges Appeal court to declare him winner

E

NUGU—FORMER governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Change, PDC, for Enugu-East senatorial district election last March 28, yesterday, asked the Appeal Court,Enugu Division, to declare him winner, contrary to the verdict of the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal which ordered a fresh election.

In a cross appeal brought before the three-man Justices of Appeal Court led by Justice A.D Yahaya, Counsel to Nnamani, Ricky Tarfa,

appealed the judgment of the tribunal, urged the court to dismiss the evidence of the PW5 and set aside the tribunal judgment since the irregularities were not substantial enough to void the outcome of the poll.

It would be recalled that the tribunal, led by Justice A. O. Adewara of the Kwara High Court sitting in Enugu, had last October 13, ordered a fresh election of the Enugu-East senatorial district within 90 days following substantial irregularities wherein the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, allegedly colluded with PDP to inflate results that gave Nnaji victory.

Igweship aspirant sues Town Union for N200m for excommunication

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

ONITSHA—HEARING is expected to continue on December 8, this year at the Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, presided over by Justice Bature Gafai in the N200 million suit filed by an Igweship aspirant of AdaziNnukwu community in Anaocha Local Government Area of the state, Ichie Emmanuel Ikechukwu Chukwuma and his elder brother, Chief Kenneth Chukwuma, against the President-General of AdaziNnukwu Town Development Union, ATDU, Chief Benedict Enemuo; the town crier, Jude Obianisi and the registered trustees of ATDU.

When the case was called up for hearing, counsel to the respondents, Emeka Ofodile (SAN), filed a motion before the court and served the applicants, asking the court to strike out their written address for lack of merit.

Counsel to the applicants, Nnamdi Ibegbu (SAN), said he would file his counter motion to enable the matter progress on the next adjourned date.

The court therefore gave the December 8 date to enable the applicants file their counter affidavit , to enable the court take the whole case at a time.

In the suit No. FHC/AWK/CS/ 344/15, brought by the applicants under the fundamental rights enforcement procedure) rules, 2009 made by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, pursuant to Section

42 (3) (now Section 46 (3) of the constitution of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the applicants said they were bringing the motion pursuant to Order II, Rules 1, 2, 3, & 4 of the fundamental rights (enforcement procedure) Rules 2009, Sections 40 and 46 of the constitution of Nigeria , 1999 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

In the motion, the applicants are seeking a declaration of the court that the announcement made by the respondents and their agents on September 8, 9, 10 and 11, 2015 respectively excommunicating them and their family members from participating in all programmes, activities and interacting with fellow Adazi-Nnukwu persons in any manner whatsoever is

unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect.

The applicants, therefore, sought an injunction perpetually restraining the respondents, their servants, agents, privies and otherwise from further excommunicating them and any member of their family and imposing such punishment on members of Adazi Nnukwu found communicating or transacting any business with them or having any contact socially, economically, politically, religiously and otherwise with them or their family members or further infringing in whatsoever manner or form upon the fundamental rights to peaceful assembly and association of the applicants as infringement of their fundamental rights.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

On Kogi State governorship furore

M

ay his soul rest in peace. But it is high time all old politicians stopped fighting for power because it is causing them heart attacks that leads them to the grave. Well, I wish his soul rest in peace. -Mr. Daniel Okoji, Student

T

here is time for everything says the Bible. Death comes like a thief, the day we don’t know. Repent today weather politician or not.

May the souls of the departed faithful through the mercy of God rest in peace. -Mr. George Adimkpaya, Worker

S

omeone, who attained political positions as two-time civilian governor of Kogi State should have honourably retired, and enjoy his wealth. I think he should not have presented himself for our stressful election process again. Miss Ebereke Kelechi, Student

C

hief Audu Abubakar had become a wind blown to the sea, blown far away to the mountains in the under-world. His death had done more damage than ever. Now there is crisis everywhere in Kogi State. -Mr. Martins Ifeanyi, Businessman

I

f Kogi State has a good public health system that advocates good health and organized hospital system that have diagnostic capable for abdominal pain, maybe he would have sought it and be alive. Mr Femi Igwe, Engineer

M

ay his soul rest in peace, but I am sure he knew that his health was not in order before risking it to the stresses, anxieties and demands of electioneering all of which had ended in futility. -Mrs. Loveth Chekwube, Fashion Designer

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 , 2015—35

Lion escapes from Jos Wild Life Park, shot dead

1,000 Policemen lost to insurgency in North-East — Borno CP

By Ndahi Marama

M

AIDUGURI—The Nigeria Police Force has lost over 1,000 of its men in the last six years due to the insurgency in the North-East of the country.

This was revealed by the newly posted Borno State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Shuaibu Gambo, during a courtesy visit to Governor Kashim Shettima at the Government House, Maiduguri, yesterday.

While promising that Borno State will soon witness a lasting peace, he said he is determined to work assiduously to ensure that insurgency is brought to an end within the dateline given by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said: “The IGP has given me a mandate to come and serve the people of Borno State.

God willing, we will work hard to see that Borno regain its lost glory as Home of Peace.

He commended the people of the state for cooperating with the security agencies by giving useful information and urged them to continue the good work.

Responding, Governor Shettima said with the new commissioner’s background as the immediate past commissioner in charge of counter terrorism, he believes that the Inspector General of Police is putting a round peg in a round hole.

PAC commends Police's open door policy

P

ORT HARCOURT — THE Police Assistance Committee (PAC) has commended the preparedness of the various Police Commands, Area Commands and the Divisional Police Offices in giving more access to PAC members and the general public for the passage and exchange of information towards crime prevention and combating in the country.

Speaking at a one-day workshop organized in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for their members comprising Chairmen, Secretaries and PRO’s of trade unions and associations as well as Chief Security Officers (CSOs) of industries/companies and government establishments, the Director-General, Dr. Martins John-Oni expressed satisfaction with the current attitude of the Police Force and other security agencies in relating more closely with PAC members over exchange of information/intelligence gathering and dissemination.

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

J

SEMINAR: From left, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo; Country Manager, Google, Mrs. Juliet Ehimuan Chiazor; Creative Director of Hesey Designs, Mrs. Eseoghene Odiete-Ehikhuemelo; and Deputy Managing Director, Skye Bank Plc, Mrs.Amaka Onwughalu at the bank's SME seminar, in Lagos.

Kogi: Olumoroti rejects running mate offer •As protest rocks Faleke’s community L

By Kingsley Fanwo

OKOJA —MOVES by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to draft Olusola Olumoroti as the running mate to Yahaya Bello may have suffered a setback as he is said to have rejected the offer.

This is coming on the heels of protest in Ekinrin Adde, the home town of Hon. James Faleke, running mate to the late Prince Abubakar Audu during the November 21 election.

A source close to the former Mobil employee informed Vanguard that the Kabba-born politician had already turned down the offer. Though no reason was given for his action, it may not be unconnected with his loyalty to the Audu/Faleke ticket.

A source, who craved anonymity, said all the stakeholders in the Audu/Faleke camp may have been instructed not to have anything to do with the Yahaya Bello ticket.

Protest rocks Faleke’s community

Meanwhile, Ekinrin Adde, the home town of Hon Faleke has been rocked by protests as motorists were held hostage by rampaging youths of the community.

The youths are protesting against the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to declare Faleke as the governor-elect of the state.

One of the protesters, Ayorinde

Tanimola, accused INEC of bias, saying there was no need for supplementary poll as Audu had already won the election before his death.

He said: “What INEC should have done was to declare Faleke the governor-elect. The supplementary poll slated for Saturday was a declaration of ethnic war against the Okun people of Kogi State.

“It is immoral to bring Yahaya Bello, who worked against the party, to reap the work of Audu and Faleke. APC has shown that it is worse than PDP and we will fight this case with the last drop of our blood.”

The protest lasted for hours before security agents restored normalcy.

We have no hand in APC crisis — PDP

By Kingsley Fanwo

L

OKOJA —THE Kogi State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has rubbished insinuations in some quarters that the party was behind the crisis bedevilling the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, saying it is only concerned about pursuing its case through constitutional means.

In an exclusive chat with Vanguard in Lokoja, Publicity Secretary of the party, Prince Bode Ogunmola, said APC is embroiled in crisis because of the scramble for illegal booty.

He said: “What is happening in APC is an internal problem. I am not a member of the party and PDP is not interested in the crisis.

“I think it is normal for anyone to attempt to be opportunistic by fighting for only 49,000 votes to become governor in an election where over 500,000 people voted.

They are possibly looking at a window of opportunity in which whoever picks the party’s ticket for the supplementary poll becomes governor in their illusion.

“By asking APC to substitute its

late candidate with the hope of transferring votes cast for one person to another is an issue for determination in court. Our party has reacted at the national level.

Our party has approached the law court for constitutional determination and we shall continue to honour the rule of law.

Cleric tasks Christians on joy, service to God environment, noting

By Tare Youdeowei

B

OJO BOJI OWA— THE state Pastor of Living Faith Church a.k.a Winners Chapel, Pastor Isaac Folaji, has enjoined worshippers to remain joyful and happy in their service to God at all times.

Pastor Isaac Folaji made the call during the dedication of a new church auditorium (God’s Palace) at Boji Boji Owa in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State.

Pastor Folaji speaking on a sermon “What is Mount Zion” said joy is the key to receive from God and it is important that worshippers take delight in being joyful at all times to position themselves to receive from God. He stressed that the presence of God dwells in a joyful

that happiness is far different from being joyful, urging Christians to be joyful and position themselves to enjoy the ever presence of God. Also speaking, the host pastor, Pastor Kris Adetayo, said it was God who built the church auditorium and the worshippers must remain totally grateful to God for bringing members to real palace of God. While the Owa monarch, HRM, Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor during the dedication service thanked God for the monumental palace being dedicated, saying that Owa kingdom indeed is a land of God's grace and prosperity.

The traditional ruler also lauded the church for its contributions towards the development of the land.

OS —RESIDENTS of Jos, the Plateau State capital, have heaved a sigh of relief as a lion which escaped from the Jos Wild Life Park yesterday morning has been found and shot dead within the premises of the park.

The lion escaped from the park situated at Dong community of Jos North Local Government Area thereby causing panic among residents of nearby Dong, State and Federal Low-cost housing estates, Rantiya, Miango Road and Tudun Wada.

The lion which has been caged in the park since 1972 was said to have escaped at about 8am when park attendants went to the cage to feed it but a staff of the Tourism Cooperation confirmed “the lion was sighted within the park premises and shot dead before it could cause any harm to people.”

At the time the wild animal roamed the vicinity of the park which is not fenced, frantic efforts were made to recapture it. Security outfits in the state deployed personnel to the area to assist in keeping the animal within the park premises.

However, efforts to speak with the Acting General Manager of the State Tourism Corporation, Mr John Doy, whose organization oversees the park, was unsuccessful as he did not pick his calls but a staff who confirmed the killing of the lion lamented the death of the carnivore.

He noted: “We are not really having any significant animals in the park. It is the lion and the elephant that attract tourists the most but now that the lion is gone, we are sad because we cannot say exactly when we will have another.

“Since we lost the last hippo some years back, there has not been any replacement. We just pray that this case will be different because tourists may not really be excited if there are no high profile animals in the park.”

36—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015

VISIT: From left—Senator Ighoyota Amori, Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, and Minister for Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, during a courtesy visit by the Minister to the Senate Minority Leader in Abuja.

VISIT: From left—Brand Manager, Goldberg, Mfon Bassey, Public Affairs Manager, West/Mid-West, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Tayo Adelaja, Ooni of IleIfe, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Business Manager, Ibadan, NB Plc, Joseph Bodunrin and Area Sales Manager, Ayodeji Odewabi, during a visit to the Ooni in Ile-Ife, Osun State, yesterday.

AWARD: From left—Senator Solomon Adeola; Sen. Ajayi Boroffice; Ms. Lan Brookfield; Senator Marafa Buhari; award recipient on behalf of her husband, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu; Vice-Chancellor, University of Wolverhampton, Prof. Geoff Layer and Senator Gbenga Ashafa, at the award ceremony for APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, at the Wolverhampton University campus, UK.

UNVEILING: From left—: Executive Director, Institutional Banking,First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Mr. Femi Bakre; Executive Director, Business Development, Mr Adam Nuru; GMD/CE, Mr. Ladi Balogun; the brand ambassador and face of Flexx Account, Tolulope Balogun, during the unveiling of the Flexx Proposition and Youth Account of the bank in Lagos.

GLO'S LAFFTA FEST: From left—Hon. Eugene Dibiagwu; Ace comedian and Glo ambassador, Bright Okpocha popularly called Basket Mouth; Glo subscriber, Mrs Chioma Dibiagwu, and disc jockey, DJ XGee, at the Glo Laffta Fest comedy show in Owerri.

FORUM: From left— Mr. Niyi Osewa, Executive Director, Human Rescource, and Administration, Kings Guards Nigeria Ltd, Mr Dominique Barbereau, Facility Protocol Co-ordinator, Total Nigeria Plc, and Mr Sam Olaniran, MD/ CEO, Kings Guard Nigeria Ltd, during the 2015 customers forum, by Kings Guards in Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

BRIEFING: From left—Eze Ndigbo of Mushinland, Eze John Nwosu, Prince Andy Moore Ezejioha, Director General, Igbo Cultural Day, Mushin, and Chief Kate Ugoka, Women Leader, Igbo community, Lagos State, during the briefing on the 2015 Igbo Cultural Day in Lagos.

CHILD HEALTH PROGRAMME: From left—MD, Society for Family Health, Mr. Bright Ekweremadu, President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Ahmed Yakasai; Board President, Society for Family Health, Prof. Shima Gyoh, and Maternal and Child Health Programme Manager, USAID, Dr. Gertrude Odezugo, during the launch of Waterguard Plus in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015—37

9 killed as pro-Biafra protests turn bloody Continues from Page 5 individual or group interest can override the interest of the nation and that democratic values provide for exploration of rule of law to advance any concern, not the resort to endless and misguided acts of brigandage, unless there is an ulterior motive as the extant instance tends to dictate."

Monarchs to the rescue

Disturbed by the growing protests, representatives of Northern States Council of Traditional Rulers and their South East counterparts met in Owerri, yesterday, to deliberate on the issue.

The visiting royal fathers from the North were led by the Etsu Nupe, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.

Other traditional rulers that made the trip included the Coordinating Committee Chairman of Northern States Council of Traditional Rulers and the Emir of Gumi, Justice Lawal Aliyu Gumi; the Emir of Lafia, Alhaji Mustapha Agwai, who is the Chairman of Nasarawa State Council of Traditional Rulers; Emir of Fika, Alhaji Abali Mohammadu, Chairman of Yobe State Council of Traditional Rulers, and Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Buba Gyang, Chairman of Plateau State Council of Traditional Rulers.

The South-East Traditional Rulers were led to the meeting by the Chairman of the Council, Eze Ebere Dick, who is also the Chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, Chairman of Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers; Eze Agunwa Ohiri, Chairman Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Eze Dr. Agom Eze, Chairman, Ebonyi State Council of Traditional Rulers.

Speaking when the group paid a courtesy call on Governor Rochas Okorocha at the Government House, Owerri, the Etsu Nupe and leader of the delegation, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, explained that they were in the state to meet with the South East Traditional Council, at the instance of His Eminence, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, who is Chairman of the Northern Council of Traditional Rulers.

“We are principally in Imo to discuss the issue of the current and escalating agitation by ProBiafra groups in the South-East geo-political zone and to find the reasons for this renewed agitations and how the situation can be arrested”, Alhaji Abubakar said.

He also disclosed that they are in Imo to find out the truth about the rumour that there was crises in the leadership of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers.

While saying that they would go back home to relate their findings to their colleagues, the royal fathers also remarked that protection of the nation’s unity was paramount.

Speaking also, Chairman of

the South East Traditional Council, Eze Ebere Dick, promised that they would work together with the South East governors to amicably resolve the MASSOB and IPOB issues.

Responding, Governor Okorocha commended the royal fathers for the meeting, which he described as timely and advised them too to “make such meetings regular in the interest of the nation. There is need for traditional rulers across the nation to be meeting regularly, to help in curbing religious and ethnic crises, mostly caused or sponsored by politicians for political gains. It is also important that our traditional rulers should resist the temptation of entering into the murky waters of Nigerian politics.”

On the pro-Biafra protests and agitations, Governor Okorocha informed that the South-East governors and stakeholders in the region had set up a committee to look into the issue and proffer quick solution.

The governor also appealed to the Northern traditional rulers to, as a matter of urgency, address the issue of the activities of Fulani herdsmen within the South-East because their activities constitute great danger to lives and properties of the people of the area.

Obiano sues for peace Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, last night, in a broadcast appealed to the protesters to maintain peace and resist attempt by hoodlums to take advantage of the situation to destabilize the state.

The governor’s address read: “My beloved people of Anambra State, I wish to address you on the on-going protest staged in Onitsha by the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and MASSOB. “The government of Anambra State has been monitoring developments and is greatly concerned about the security of lives and property of residents and visitors to the state. As your Governor and Chief Security Officer of the state, I am compelled to act to avert any likely breakdown of law and order. In all situations, the preservation of human life comes first and I am determined to enforce that.

“Since the inception of my administration, we have made the security of lives and property our priority and we are not going to compromise on that. I, therefore, sincerely appeal to members of the IPOB, MASSOB and other aggrieved groups and individuals to maintain the peace and resist any attempt by hoodlums to take advantage of the situation and destabilize any part of Anambra State.

“I am in constant touch with all the security agencies in the state to ensure that what has otherwise been a peaceful protest is not hijacked by trouble makers. All mischief makers are hereby warned to keep off as we will not tolerate any breach of peace under any

guise or pretext. You are seriously warned! I therefore wish to assure Ndi Anambra and all visitors to the state to go about their normal businesses peacefully as the security agencies are on top of the situation to preserve law and order.”

We didn’t set Onitsha Central Mosque ablaze – IPOB, MASSOB

Meanwhile, the agitating groups have disassociated themselves from acts of arson and violence that culminated in the razing down of Onitsha Central Mosque and burning of some vehicles.

MASSOB Acting Leader, Uchenna Madu, in a statement said: “The setting of Ontisha Central Mosque and vehicles ablaze and making of bonfires, which depict violence are not done by the members of IPOB or MASSOB under my leadership.

“This unwarranted acts of violence are perfected by hoodlums sponsored by agents of the Federal Government to create impression that nonviolence and peaceful proBiafra groups have turned violent in our agitation for Biafra. Our oppressors are no longer comfortable. There is no evidence of terrorism in our protest. How can we resort to violence now that we’re told that the presidency is about negotiating with leaders of proBiafra group?

“With today’s killing of our members and injuring many with bullet shots,we are no longer comfortable with the presidency ’s move for dialogue.

Federal Government’s move for dialogue is hypocritical and deceitful. Any Igbo group, organization and persons negotiating, meeting or dialoguing with the presidency on our behalf without our consent or mandate should stop now.

“MASSOB led by Uchenna Madu and IPOB led by Nnamdi Kanu have never mandated any person to negotiate for us. Even in this persecution, arrest, killings, clampdown, suppression against us by Nigeria Government, we shall continue and intensify our nonviolence agitation for Biafra. For Nigeria to release their Armed Forces against non-violent, defenceless Biafra agitators shows their wickedness and the devilish mind of President Muhammad Buhari against our people.”

Don’t use force

Following the recent development, Igbo living in Niger State have urged the Federal Government not to use force on the agitators for Biafra but rather should dialogue with them in order not to further compound the insecurity that has already enveloped many parts of the country.

RIGHT OF REPLY Re-CAC Pastors assault Vanguard Journalist at Ibadan Dear Editor

W

E read with dismay your report with the above headline written by one Ola Ajayi and published in the Vanguard newspaper on Wednesday, November 18, 2015. We are constrained to say that the report was false and an abuse of the power of the media. By publishing this tale from your reporter, you have lent credence to the feeling that stories published in our newspapers are false.

As a journalist and a former title editor, I am beginning to wonder if the old Journalism maxim that facts are sacred and comments free is no longer the guiding principle of our noble profession.

The photographer in question, Dare Fasube, was not roughhandled by any CAC Pastors or anybody in the court that day.

If that was so, I believe the matter should have been reported to the police and the story should have been taken from the police angle. But your reporter felt that he would show the church the power he wielded as a reporter.

He never suffered any trauma and can never prove the insinuation that he received treatment for the beating he received, in any hospital.

What actually happened was that your photographer, like every reporter in the court on November 12, 2015, was allegedly brought by a faction of the church, to report what they thought would be a “sensational” confession to be made by a former president of the Church who had turned coat, after four years in retirement.

The faction that allegedly brought these reporters thought the “sensational confession” would give them advantage in a case that was already concluded with an appeal pending in the appeal court.

Hearing of the appeal For your information, the parties were in court only to get a stay of proceedings pending the hearing of the appeal. But the faction that brought the reporters thought they would be able to prefer fresh charges against the accused at the Federal High Court and rearraign them, after which they would call the former president to give his sensational “evidence” in the court for the prosecution.

Unfortunately for the reporters, the former president of the church was not in court. Also the defendants’ lawyers opposed the attempt by the prosecution to rearraign the accused. So, the matter was adjourned.

While other newspapers did not see the need to send photographers to the court, your state editor, dispatched a reporter and photographer. But the photographer, Dare Fasube, who thought the “confession” of the former president had been made inside the courtroom, was busy outside taking photographs of the

accused persons as they were moving out of the court. He had taken photographs of one of the accused as he came out. But the second protested that he didn’t want his photograph taken and the pastors around moved to the front of the second accused person to cover his face.

They stood in a distance of not less than 18 feet away from the photographer and his camera.

When Vanguard photographer re-positioned himself and tried to re-focus his lenses to capture the accused, the pastors covering him stretched their hands up to further block the lenses of the camera, until the accused person entered his car.

That was all that happened. At a point, your photographer put down his camera and was daring the pastors to come and destroy it if they were men enough, but the pastors ignored him.

Kind of solidarity You should have asked the reporter whether Vanguard was the only media house in the court that day. There were at least, nine reporters from various newspapers and radio. Given the kind of solidarity among our journalists, if indeed Vanguard reporter was man-handled by our pastors, why was the case reported only in Daily Newswatch, (a paper whose reporter had a petition hanging on him from his past reports on the case) and later in Vanguard newspaper?

Why didn’t other newspapers solidarise with him by publishing it? The truth is that other journalists in the court that day couldn’t file the story because they knew that the incident was not newsworthy.

In this particular incident, your reporter has deceived you. Apart from the fact that the report was false, why didn’t the news editor deem it fit to get the other side of the story before using it? Or are you telling us that because the matter involved your reporter, the rule of balancing can be ignored?

The reputation of Vanguard newspapers has been built over several years by various professionals including my humble self. I am proud to have been the newspaper’s Chief SubEditor under its first Editor, Mr. Muyiwa Adetiba and I know the value Uncle Sam and other editors placed on sacredness of facts. You must not allow any reporter to erode this reputation with this type of false report.

We demand a retraction of the story in its entirety. We also demand an unreserved apology for the false publication, which has not only caused us untold embarrassment but has tarnished the image of the Church in the opinion of right thinking members of the public.

•Pastor Ade Alawode Director of Publicity, CAC Worldwide.

C M Y K

38—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 15 3,, 20 2015

Our battle over unpaid benefits of defunct PHCN staff — AJAERO, NUEE scribe SINCE the privatization of the assets of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, Organised labour has been battling for the payment of entitlements of the staff. In this chat with the General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, Comrade Joe Ajaero, he gives insight into the battle among others. Excerpts.

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

I

SSUES before privatization of PHCN This issue of PHCN is a clear case of where government goes out to cheat its citizens it is meant to protect their interest.

After the so-called ‘arrangee’ privatisation, workers were supposed to be paid their entitlements. But even if you separate the privatisation from it, if you are liquidating a company, you must address the creditors, and the first in the issue of creditors is employees.

Under the Company and Allied Matters Act, CAMA, employee creditors are paramount. The Nigerian Electricity Liability Management, NEMCO, was set up to take over the core assets of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, since it has an old work force and a pool of pensioners so that their pension will continue.

Issue of liquidation Some of the PHCN houses were placed on lease and moneys were coming in. So, the issue of liquidation was not even paramount because ordinarily the 18 successor companies were part of PHCN and they were operating. Then we had a common pension fund that was operating in Nigeria Electric Power Authority, NEPA, then before government said they were going to pay the gratuity and pension workers after privatisation.

Staff benefits unpaid: But as we speak government has not fulfilled that obligation because of about 50, 000 staff of PHCN, everybody has one case or the other.

About 5, 000 of that number, none of them has been paid gratuity or severance two years after privatisation. Most of them are not working and so, some of them are dying. We have over 1, 000 death benefits that have not been paid; they have not paid next of kins of some of the staff who died in active service.

There are staff who they did not pay their leave bonus; some they did not pay their their bulk rent because we paid bulk

housing once in a year. We normally, had staff that would collect in January, March or April. The once that were supposed to collect from October to December nobody paid them and this is their money. So, if your monthly housing is N10, 000, nobody would pay you the N10, 000 at the end of the month. They would pay you N120, 000 either at the beginning or at the end year depending on where you fell into, to enable workers pay house rent in bulk. So, many people fell under this category and they have not paid them.

The major one that cut across the board was that government signed agreement with us around June 2012 or thereabout and staff's entitlements were calculated up to that month. By that time if you had worked for 10 years up to June 2012, government did not pay this entitlement till October/ November 2013. There was a period of six months inbetween. Now, in paying that entitlements you now pay the staff maybe those 10 years leaving the additional six months entitlements and even pension contributions.

Pension contributions And when they started paying, we said when we signed an agreement with you we did not ask you not to pay it. Now, this additional period is not a national service; can we have this additional payment? And we started talking.

At a stage they said they were going to pay only pension, that is 7.5 per cent and we said okay there is the gratuity component; there is the severance component, where are that?

Liquidator's antics: All of a sudden, Joe Gadzama said he had been appointed liquidator.

Unfortunately Joe Gadzama is a PDP lawyer. This is why some of us talk about arangee privatisation because from nowhere Gadzama said he had been appointed liquidator of PHCN. So, the day he wanted to go and take over we matched there. We were shocked that somebody who had been appointed a liquidator, would

Comrade Joe Ajaero... We have over 1, 000 death benefits not paid not ask for the creditors. So, that was how we started engaging him.

That was why we went to court, led protests, wrote to the NBA, Nigerian Bar Association, on some of the antics he was introducing.

And at the same time the Senate and even Mr. President are trying to ask questions on what happened in PHCN. We know the rush to liquidate PHCN is to ensure there is no further investigation and that there are no further questions, that is why we said no. The document he had gave him six months contract to do the job.

As at the time he went there to take over the six months had elapsed, and we asked if it was renewed.

Those are some of the issues

As we talk, about 5,000 of that number have not paid a dime, terminal benefits, gratuity and others

surrounding it. Unfortunately, the government is either paying silence on the arrangee privatisation of PHCN. The government divested 51 per cent. Where is 49 per cent? You sold 51 per cent and handed over 100 per cent to the investors. What type of bargain is that?

Tariff increase twice: The investors, the Distribution Companies, DICOS, if they were collecting N1billion in some stations, fixed the tariff increase twice pre and post privatisation. Some of them are making up to N2billion to N3billion. Now, if government has 49 per cent or even 40 per cent what profit have they declared to government? Why did government abandon almost everything including staff quarters among the noncore assets to these investors?

And who are these investors?

Can government publish the names of the people they sold these PHCN Generation Companies, GENCOs, and DISCOs to? We want to know them. The people answering Chairmen of Boards of these companies can they show us evidence that they have one per cent share in any of these companies? What kind of arrangement took place within the system? Where were some of the companies before now? Where they companies that were registered a month or two before privatisation? That is what we want to know. So, these are

issues. I said privatisation has not really taken place. Some of the successor companies, there were no bidders.

Some there was this gaming; somebody would bid high, like N100 million and another person would price N30 million because the privatisation law says if the person that priced N100 million is unable to pay, the second bidder takes over.

So, that day the person that priced N100 million will not pay.

You call the person that priced N30 million. Is that the value of the place?

So, those are the kind of things that happened that made us to say before we can take the current government serious on all these issues, they have to revisit some of these things to know actually if there was privatisation or not. Let them find out whether some people were settled to say hold this one or the other one. That is why there is no improvement in electricity supply.

Cries of witch-hunting by PDP: On this issue the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had even witch-hunted me. In one of the arrests during which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, came here to pick me up the allegation was that I wanted to go and cut supply off a PDP rally in Eagles Square.

Arrangee privatisation There was no threat of strike and there was no statement from me. But I had to be out of circulation for that period because I said that there was fraud associated with the privatisation.

This issue dates back to 2010 when we started complaining about this arrangee privatisation. So, it is not the issue of PDP saying they are being witch-hunted, it is an issue that even the labour union has been complaining even before PDP was re-elected in 2011. So, it goes beyond party.

This is not a party thing. We are talking of electricity to Nigerians and how a national asset was sold to people, how people probably took loans from Nigerian banks to buy Nigerian assets when the law says the whole essence is to bring foreign direct investment. It is for you and I to find out whether there is one dollar that entered into Nigerian economy.

If people have said we have 4, 000 Megawatts, MW, from former PHCN and you now have 18 companies and you still have 4, 000 MW is that privatisation? Is that reform?

These are questions that we have been asking.

 TO BE CONTINUED.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015—39

‘Kenyan women ignored in local media’ M

EN are 10 times more likely than women to be used as a source for a news story Kenyan media, according to the country ’s media council.

The study launched on Wednesday by the government-sponsored watchdog also found men

were central to 72% of print news stories.

The report found “significant” stereotypes about gender in adverts.

It added most journalists in the country are men - one study showed only 7% of politics articles were by women.

One part of the Kenyan

*Canadian Prime Minister, Trudeau, seen here with his wife and three children, is accused of using Canadian taxpayers’ money to fund his own child care

Russia accuses Turkish President of trading oil with ISIS in this criminal busi-

R

USSIA’s defence ministry has accused the family of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of being directly involved in the trade of petroleum with the Islamic State group.

Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov said Turkey was the biggest buyer of “stolen” oil from Syria and Iraq.

Mr Erdogan said Russia had no right to “slander ” Turkey with such claims.

Russia and Turkey have been locked in an angry dispute since Turkey shot down a Russian jet last month.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had already accused Ankara of downing the plane on its Syrian border to protect oil supply lines.

“According to available information, the highest level of the political leadership of the country, President Erdogan and his family, are involved

SYRIA: British leaders clash over planned air strikes

D

AVID Cameron has told MPs that bombing so-called Islamic State in Syria will “keep the British people safe”. But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the PM’s case “doesn’t stack up” as MPs debate whether to back air strikes.

Mr Cameron faced calls to apologise for saying opponents of military action were “terrorist sympathisers”, with Mr Corbyn saying it “demeaned” his office. The PM declined to apologise, but said there was “honour” in voting for or against military action.

The 10 hour Commons debate will end with a vote on whether the UK joins others such as France, the US and Russia in bombing targets in

Syria. Air strikes could begin soon, if the Commons delivers what Mr Cameron hopes will be a majority after Mr Corbyn abandoned attempts to impose his opposition to military action on Labour and allowed his MPs a free vote.

REECE has admitted it has come under intense pressure over migration, but denies any official attempt has been made to suspend it from the Schengen passport-free zone.

Migration minister Ioannis Mouzalas was reacting to reports of an EU ultimatum to improve migrant conditions.

More than 740,000

A British man accused of plotting terror attacks on the Kenyan coast, Jermaine Grant , who was jailed for nine years in Mombasa.

Guinean ex-leader Konate smuggled $64,000 ciated Press agency, Gen Ethiopia in 2013. into the US He faces up to five Konate, who had been

S

EKOUBA Konate, a former Guinean president and serving African Union general, has pleaded guilty to smuggling money into the US. The 51-year-old tried to sneak in more than $64,000 (£42,600) after arriving on a flight from

years in jail when he is sentenced next February, said the US Department of Justice.

Known as “El Tigre” for his military prowess, he was in the junta which took power in December 2008.

According to the Asso-

Canadian PM accused of funding CAR ‘not safe enough’ for free own child care with public money and fair election

C

ANADIAN Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been accused of hypocrisy after it was revealed he was using public money to pay for nannies to look after his children.

During Mr Trudeau’s campaign, he criticised the Conservative Party’s approach to child care benefits.

Greece under EU pressure on Schengen future

G

ness,” Mr Antonov told journalists in Moscow.

“The Turkish leadership has demonstrated extreme cynicism. Look at what they are doing!” he said.

“They have invaded the territory of another country and are brazenly plundering it.”

The Russian defence ministry does not usually invite foreign journalists to its media briefings on Syria. But on Wednesday it made an exception.

It had a message it wanted the whole world to hear: that the faces of Turkey ’s leaders, including President Erdogan, were “smeared with stolen oil”.

Invited journalists and military attaches were shown satellite images and grainy video footage, purporting to show tanker trucks with oil crossing from IS-held territory into Turkey.

people have arrived on the shores of Greece this year.

A top EU official has warned that children are dying on Greek beaches because of a lack of medical help.

There is also anger that Greece has been slow to let in EU experts and improve its registration of refugees.

He had argued that rich families didn’t need taxpayers’ help.

Two nannies were hired as “special assistants” at the prime minister’s home under the Official Residences Act. The positions were approved last week by the cabinet, though the nannies will be paid for their work from 4 November - the day Trudeau and his cabinet were sworn in.

Conservative party member Lisa Raitt has labelled the use of nannies as “hypocritical” and said that the positions should be funded

by Trudeau’s salary.

Mr Trudeau took issue with the Conservatives’ focus upon child care benefits and income-splitting tax credits. The nannies will be paid between $15 and $20 an hour for day shifts, and $11 to $13 for evenings.

Media Council’s report showed extreme gender imbalance in politics reporting. Ahead of Kenya’s election in 2012, the council analysed 276 articles about the vote in Kenyan newspapers.

Women were the central character of the news stories in only 4% of the articles and only 7% of the stories were written by women.

At the launch of the report Rhonda Breit, associate dean at the graduate school of journalism at the Aga Khan University in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, pointed out that these issues are not unique to Kenya.

“The issues are very similar in other countries - inequalities within the work environment around women reaching the glass ceiling and not having the opportunities to do stories on politics and crime”.

The Global Media Monitoring Project found in its 2015 report on 108 countries that women make up only 24% of the people heard, read about or seen in newspaper, television and radio news.

T

HE Central African Republic will not be safe enough to host a free and fair election at the end of this month, a leading African think-tank has said.

David Zounmenou, a senior researcher at the Institute of Security Studies, told Al Jazeera that authorities are neither prepared to provide security nor able to guarantee all eligible voters would be represented on the voters’ roll.

“There is no way disarmament of the militia groups would be complete

by December 27, and by all indications, I think elections will take place in March 2016,” Zounmenou, of the institute’s African Security Analysis Programme, said.

“Some external partners, like France, are pushing for the elections to take place, to get the country out of this stage and get the issue out of

the way, but I believe this transitional government will be here for a while.” As of now, the country is scheduled to host a referendum over the constitution, while legislative and presidential elections are set for December 27.

due to go on trial on Tuesday, has family in North Carolina and owns property in the state.

He testified at a pre-trial hearing that he did not understand the customs process because of language barriers, the agency reports.

Prosecutors said he claimed to have $10,000 or less when he arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport in June 2013 and did not declare the other cash he was carrying, much of which was hidden in his luggage.

His lawyer asked the court to exclude at trial any statement regarding the source of the money.

Somaliland’s herders devastated by drought

V

AST regions of So maliland, the autonomous territory that declared independence from Somalia in 1991, but has not been internationally recognised, are enduring one of their harshest droughts in two decades.

As the wet seasons have grown increasingly erratic and the rainfall more sporadic over recent years, thousands of herding families across the remote coastal Awdal and Galbeed territories

have been pushed into crisis. These are communities for whom livestock provide the only source of income, but the parched earth means that they are no longer able to feed and hydrate their animals. As a result, their herds are starving to death.

The onset of powerful El Nino weather patterns in November have only exacerbated the current drought. And the forecast for December predicts even more devastation.

40 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015

KOGI: Different strokes for APC AT the edge of trouncing the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Kogi State, the All Progressives Congress, APC is now teetering towards a meltdown •Audu

By Kingsley Fanwo

T

HE All Progressives Congress in Kogi State started on a strong footing, underlining its intent to effect change in the leadership of the Confluence State.

From its membership registration to its congresses, the enthusiasm for change was visible and manifest.

But the build up to the 2015 general elections showed some inherent fault lines in the party. The panel which was dispatched to conduct primaries for the different elective offices was accused of bias as results were allegedly forged, leading to several litigations by aggrieved parties. Not surprisingly, some disaffected members worked against the interest of the party in the elections.

There was, however, a different hue during its governorship primaries. The panel which was led by the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, organized what was arguably the best primary ever in the political history of the state. All the aspirants were given a level playing ground to prove themselves.

Veteran politician, late Prince Abubakar Audu emerged winner of the election. Though no one questioned the integrity of the poll, questions were raised as to the eligibility of the late politician. A video documentary evidence was presented to a special panel to prove that Audu voted during the primaries as a member of the party’s Board of Trustees, a situation that runs contrary to the laws of the party.

Many aggrieved governorship

aspirants chose not to support the emergence of Audu, heralding the beginning of a crack.

Analysts believe that the drafting of Hon. James Faleke into the power equation as running mate to the late politician, was a smart political move to secure the blessings of a national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. . Before now, Faleke had been two term chairman of Ikeja Local Government Area in Lagos and is presently representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of

It is generally believed that Yahaya Bello, a onetime grassroots mobiliser for President Buhari, who has now been chosen as the party’s replacement for Audu does not enjoy the support of Tinubu

Representatives.

With Faleke as running mate, Tinubu was able to rally the leadership of APC behind the ticket. Even at that, President Muhammadu Buhari did not attend any of the two APC governorship campaign rallies in Kogi State.

Stories of historical hostilities between Buhari and the late Audu began to surface in the media, prompting party chieftains to regularly take defensive position on the issue anytime the names of the two was mentioned.

Stupendous war chest With a stupendous war chest and the change mantra, APC was cruising to a nail-biting lead in the governorship election before Audu died throwing spanners into the camp of the APC. Remarkably, even before the announcement of his death, INEC had declared the election inconclusive on the basis of differences between Audu and Captain Idris Wada, the candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. INEC’s directive to the APC to present a replacement for Audu in the supplementary election has now seriously divided the party at the state and at the national level.

It is generally believed that Yahaya Bello, a onetime grassroots mobiliser for President Buhari, who has now been chosen as the party’s replacement for Audu does not enjoy the support of Tinubu.

It is the first open difference between the two leaders and the decision of Faleke not to heed the decision of the

party leadership is bound to remind many of the recent face off in the National Assembly where some were alleged to have rebelled against the party’s leadership.

The decision of Faleke to press his claim as the governor-elect against the inclination of the party to filed Bello as candidate in this weekend’s supplementary election is bound to further aggravate the differences between the party leaders.

Remarkably, he has written INEC withdrawing his name as running mate to Bello further compounding the situation for the party as Bello would require a running mate to be a genuine candidate.

It is also being alleged that the refusal of Engr. George Olusola Olumoroti to accept the offer of running mate to Bello was part of the larger script to ensure it is “Faleke or nobody” as far as the Kogi governorship debacle is involved.

Sources in PDP say the party may go to court again before the supplementary poll to exploit the precarious uncertainty surrounding the inability of the APC to nominate a running mate.

While the Kogi East caucus of the APC feels betrayed by the party leadership for not replacing the late Prince Audu with another Igalaman, the Kogi West people are accusing the APC national leaders of working against Faleke while Christians in the state are insinuating that APC moved against Faleke because he is a Christian.

It is yet to be seen how APC will wriggle out of the current impasse as a united body.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015 — 41

Sylva absent as Dickson, Siasia unveil plans for Bayelsa DEBATE:

•We don’t have resources to satisfy greed — DICKSON

By Charles Kumolu

T

HE governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Timipre Sylva was conspicuously absent at the governorship election debate convened for the candidates of all the participating political parties in forthcoming election in Bayelsa State.

Only Serikae Dickson and Moses Siasia of the PDP, and Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM, were at the debate. A source in the Sylva camp said the candidate was

busy campaigning yesterday.

The two spoke on how they would pilot the state in the areas of agriculture, economy, security, diversification of the economy and employment generation.

According to Dickson: ‘’For more than three years, we have raised the bar on security, we have invested in critical infrastructure. The job is not finished yet. We are running a transparent regime on the revenue profile by curbing corruption. We don’t have the resources to satisfy the greed of some people. If

we allow greed, Bayelsa will go back to where it was.”

On his part, Siasia said: ‘’the diversification of our economy is long overdue.

This is the time to diversify. I believe that it is imperative that my government takes deliberate step on that. In achieving that, we will focus on oil palm production, rice farming and plantain processing. As a people, we will have to build investors’ confidence to be able to achieve diversification.”

The debate was ongoing as at press time.

PDP thumbs Toru bridge as game changer

By Samuel Oyadongha

A

S the political gladiators make last minute moves to sway the undecided voters in the Saturday polls, the PDP candidate, Hon Seriake Dickson is hoping to get the votes of the people of ToruEbeni, Agorogbene, Ogobiri in Sagbama council area and communities along the Otuan axis in Southern Ijaw council area following the commissioning of the long abandoned ToruEbeni/Ogobiri bridge by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The bridge project was conceived by the DSP Alamieyeseigha administration, but started by Jonathan and abandoned by the Sylva administration which ruled for

five years.

The newly commissioned bridge is expected to open up the communities in the hinterland and link the west and central senatorial districts of the state as well as boost commercial activities in the senatorial zones.

Jonathan, who inaugurated the bridge, recalled that the late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, a former governor of the state, conceived the idea of the project, but he (Jonathan) started the construction, which the present administration completed.

He said his administration saw the project as a priority, which would alleviate the sufferings of the people living in the riverine communities of

IYC won't back any candidate — Eradiri, President

By Emem Idio

P

RESEIDENT of the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Comrade Udengs Eradiri has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to sustain the legacy of former President Goodluck, who bequeathed a sound electoral process to the nation.

Eradiri who stated this yesterday in Yenagoa during a chat with newsmen, stressed that the least the Muhammadu Buhari led federal government can do is to continue with the legacy of Jonathan, by ensuring that ‘one man one vote’ is sustained, and that the Bayelsa State election results reflect the mandate of the people.

While commending INEC for the release of the outstanding 52,000 Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, the IYC president noted

that Ijaw youths will hold INEC responsible for failure.

Eradiri said, “The IYC is a non-partisan organization, we have never taken sides in this election and we will never take side. Young people must realize that politicians will always be what they are; therefore we should be very careful about how we get involved so that we don’t kill ourselves.

“Our position is non-violence and INEC as the umpire must ensure that this election is free and fair. President Jonathan has bequeathed a free and fair electoral process to this country, the least the APC government can do is to ensure that they continue on the legacy of the past Jonathan, one man one vote, let the result be a reflection of the mandate of the people.

Bayelsa Central and West as well as helping people of Ekeremor, who will no longer travel through Bomadi in the Delta state to their communities.

The Acting National Chairman of the PDP Uche Secondus, described the quality of the bridge as comparable to the best anywhere in the world.

He lauded Dickson, saying he has achieved a lot for the state in terms of high quality projects which, he said, would attract massive votes for his reelection.

BAYELSA DECIDES

INEC assures on poll

T

HE Independent National Electoral Commission has assured all the parties that it would conduct a free, fair and credible poll.

INEC national chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu at the forum disclosed that 8,683 staff have already been recruited and trained as supervisory, presiding and assistant presiding officers to take charge of 1,939 polling units across the state.

His words, “We have made tremendous progress in our electoral administration, and this INEC is committed to improving on the success of immediate predecessors. Our commitment to the people of Bayelsa State is to deliver a peaceful election in line with the Commission mission statement of ‘providing credible electoral services consistent with the principles of equity, justice and fairplay.’

“All our plans and preparations have been geared towards this outcome. And let me say that nobody can determine who becomes the next governor of Bayelsa, not even the commission but only the people of Bayelsa State. For the election on Saturday, INEC is deploying other technological innovations, which will guarantee the integrity of the process and the outcome.”

Police deploy 3 surveillance helicopters

Also speaking, the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, pledged the commitment of the Nigerian Police towards enforcing provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended and other relevant extant laws to provide a level playing field for all the stakeholders to ensure peace and stability before, during and after the election.

He said aside the massive security presence that would be experienced in the state three helicopters would be deployed in the state for exercise.

“Police human and material assets will be drawn from 10 state commands to complement the existing assets in Bayelsa State. The marine units of the force will be maximally deployed along the waterways and creeks, while an aerial surveillance will be undertaken with not less than 3 police helicopters,” he said.

Dickson accuses APC of rigging plot, Sylva alleges murder of supporters

By Samuel Oyadongha & Emem Idio

G

OVERNOR Seriake Dickson has challenged the Federal Government to absolve itself from claims made by supporters of the main opposition party in the state, the All Progressives Congress, APC, that federal might will be deployed to manipulate the December 5 poll in their favour.

He also called on voters who participated in the last continuous voter exercise to go collect their permanent voter cards from the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission and other designated centres to enable them participate in the state governorship election billed for Saturday.

Dickson who spoke at a stakeholders meeting organised

by INEC Tuesday in Yenagoa said name-dropping should not only be dismissed with a wave of the hand but properly investigated with a view to prosecuting those behind such unfounded claims which according to him, are capable of

•Dickson

•Sylva

making the electorate lose confidence in the credibility of the electoral process.

The governor also stressed the need for people occupying sensitive positions in federal agencies to be mindful of what they say and do in order not to heat up the polity.

“But my position as governor and even as a candidate is that security agencies need maximum support as they have the support of the government and people of this state to move against anybody whether the person is a member of the PDP, APC or any party, there should be no discrimination.

Elder Wilberforce Igiri the All Progressives Congress, APC, running mate who represented the APC candidate, Timipire Sylva at the event lamented the killing of one of their supporters in Ekeremor Local Government Area and attack on APC convoy at Biseni.

He said “In Ekeremor Local Government Area, one of our supporters was murdered. Also, our convoy was attacked in Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area. My 103 year old mother was also kidnaped because I am contesting an election, please the Inspector General of Police should please help us to investigate the these issues..

42 —

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015

Resonating tales from Ake Festival

By Prisca Sam Duru

T

HEY came, from all over the world. Over 80 world renowned writers, visual and performing artistes, researchers, scholars, academia, all assembled with much enthusiasm on the 17th of November 2015, for the 3rd edition of the Ake Arts and Book Festival, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The festival which came to an amazing close on Saturday, 21st November, with palmwine and explosion of poetry/spoken word performances, was what any art lover would term ctting edge in the art and culture community. With the success recorded and kudos the festival team received, it appears culture promoters and producers in the sector are ready to get to the apogee, even without a culture and tourism ministry.

The festival, themed ‘Engaging the Fringe’ put together by Book Buzz Foundation which ended on Saturday 21st, began on Tuesday 17th, with the

commemoration of Environmental Awareness Day. Sponsored by cement maker, Lafarge Africa Plc, the session tagged ‘Our Environment, Our World’, had in attendance, secondary school students from nine schools in Ogun State and wife of the state governor, Olufunso Amosun. After leading the students through the Green Pledge, Mrs Amosun taught them how they can contribute to achieving a cleaner and greener environment. The documentary, ‘No Where To Run’ which is an expose of how badly, oil spillage,

There was more than enough doses of discourses on Africa, Nigeria, literature and other topical issues affecting the globe

A workshop session for young writers at the festival

desertification and erosion have destroyed the environment, was screened in honour of late writer and environmental activist, Ken Saro Wiwa.

Lafarge representative, Mr. Greg Salami, admitted that activities of cement and other companies affect the environment but that his company became interested in supporting the Ake Festival because it is committed to ensuring that cement production is carried out in a sustainable manner by using natural materials that protect the environment. His presentation exemplified his company ’s efforts towards promoting a sustainable environment by adopting

Ovbiebo expands beyond metal in Yet Another Place Japhet Alakam AGOS art collectors, lov ers and promoters were treated to another celebration of the creative ingeunity of a leading contemporary artist, Richardson Ovbiebo, as he opened his second solo exhibition in Lagos tagged Yet Another Place,an exhibition of sculptures and installations.

Richardson who marked his entry into the art scene a few years ago with a solo show titled, The Forms I Heard, in this exhibition presents a collection of his introspections on the idea of a home as a place of shared experience, memory and history and how the social dynamics that emerge within an environment informs the way a home is created and recreated and how the home in return influences the society.

The exhibition which opened on November 28, 2015, at Omenka Gallery and will run till December 12 is a culmination of the artist’s experiments begun about three years ago that explore the use of text in rhetorical manner in an attempt to bring into broader discourse the thoughts and actions of members of his immediate community.

A critical look at the works which were displayed at all the

L

corners of the hall reveals the zeal, dexterity and masterly use of materials by a young man who is determined to make a difference in the art scene. In this new visual language through which he revisits the social dynamics that drive his practice, he continues to demonstrate a commitment to metal by repurposing everyday objects. Collectively, these works consider how language and mundane objects define people and the spaces they occupy. Further, they present a record of today’s communities and interactions therein.

Though the artist’s work and practice are informed by an array of influences, his principal reference is Lagos and specifically Somolu, where he lives and works.

The works in this exhibition begin with the artist’s acute observations of his surroundings in mixed media, including found and custom-made objects.

•

Aso Ebi(Gele 1)one of the works by Richardson Ovbiebo

According to the artist, it is a continuation from his first solo exhibition where he used doors as a metaphor to tap into some of the social dynamics that he observed in his environment.

And in this show, it takes him to another place as he looks at burglary doors, a mosquito net door and a wooden door he installed in his new apartment and the memory of what they stand for as it concerns a space.

Featuring about 28 works, which can be loosely grouped into 4 main strains; the freely standing blocks of steel, com-

biofuels and reducing the use of fossil fuels in its operations, in addition to tree planting at its old quarry sites.

The Ake Festival Director, Lola Shonehin said things have gotten so bad that Nigerians are now sitting on environmental disaster.

The official opening ceremony held on Wednesday, 18th, which followed the tour round schools in Abeokuta was an amazing grand opening, featuring speeches from the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Michel Arrion as well as Director of Marine platforms, Baji Nyam.

plete with locking mechanism, a metaphor for the home as a sanctuary; and the hollow skeletal frameworks made up of strips of flattened metal, cleverly interwoven to delineate the head and shoulders, and sometimes torsos of his subjects.

These forms often adorn coiffures composed of disused bicycle wheels, which are metaphors for the circles of unity within the communities.

Some of the works on display include,Aso ebi (Gele) 1 and 2,Agent 1, Another Place, Law Book(Pages series) Street Code(Pages Series)Omo Onile series,Special Number and others.

For example, the series Street Code, where for the first time in his career, Ovbiebo has integrated text. Rendered as letters cut from Perspex, they included words, highlighted phrases found around Lagos and those that are frequently used when discussing Lagos.

Speaking about the exhibition, the sponsor and curator, Hakeem Adedeji of Hydrocarbon Advisors Limited said, “this is the first in a series of shows that Hydrocarbon Advisors has committed to support.

In lending a voice to fresh talent, the company will actively encourage emerging names on the Nigeria art space, while strongly cultivating their professional careers.”

It also featured a spoken word performance by Efe Paul Azino, dance by Qudus Onikeku and entertainment by Aduke.

Other features include the unveiling of the longlist of 2015 Etisalat Prize For Literature by Etisalat Manager, High Value Sponsorship, Opeyemi Lawal.

The 9 books longlisted were later sold at a discounted price that attracted an overwhelming number of interested buyers who rushed to get copies of the books.

Marine platforms also rewarded writers who have contributed positively to the promotion of literature through their works, in northern Nigeria, with cash awards of 200,000 naira each. The company further donated 100 books to libraries across Northern Nigeria, to improve on the reading culture and also, unveiled a platform to support writers across the North.

Reading culture Winners of Ake/AirFrance Photography and Prose Prize were rewarded by Jean Tauzin.

The Festival continued immediately with exhibitions of ‘Margins and Marginalisation’

by Andrew Esiebo and ‘Shadows and Dreams’ by Tyna Adebowale. There were more than enough doses of discourses on African, Nigerian, literature and many other topical issues affecting the globe. Aside ‘No Where To Run’, Ramata, a spell-binding film on rape and romance, and, ‘The Man Who Mended Women’ many others were screened.For the duration of the festival, June 12 Cultural Centre was a beehive of activities featuring mindblowing book chats, panel discussions, interviews, music, films, dance, theatre performances, art exhibitions and many more, which explored issues about Africa .

Ifeoma Fafunwa’s ‘Hear Word’ was staged on Friday 20, at Hubert Ogunde Hall. Veteran actresses Joke Sylva, Bimbo Akintola et all, were a pleasant spectacle to watch as they conveyed the message of women empowerment with humour.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015

—43

Mbadugha’s response to commercial arbitration challenges

By Prisca Sam Duru

T

HE relevance of quality books in an evolving society cannot be overemphasised.

It becomes even more essential when one considers a profession such as law, where practitioners never stop reading as long as they wish to remain relevant in their field.

With the view to increasing the number of quality materials that address issues regarding commercial arbitration in the law profession, a new book titled, ‘Principles & Practice of Commercial Arbitration’ by an expert in Maritime and admiralty law, international trade, oil and gas, commercial law and arbitration, Professor Joseph McCarthy Mbadugha, was presented to the public last week at the Four Point

By Sheraton, Lagos.

Published by University of Lagos Press, ‘Principles & Practice of Commercial Arbitration’, a timely masterpiece, comes as Mbadugha’s response to growing challenges in the area of arbitration.

Graced by an overwhelming turn out of the author’s learned friends and colleagues including; Chief G.N. Uwechue, SAN, who was Chairman of the occasion; Justice Tijani Abubakar, Justice of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division; Justice Sidi Baje, Justice of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division; Turner Ogboru Esq., representative of Chief Great Ogboru; Bedari Hari Esq, representative of Prof Offornze Amucheazi; Donatus Okeke Esq, representative of Dr Innocent Chukwuma OFR, Innoson Vehi-

Why a ministry for Arts

A

• Left;Donatus Okeke, Chief George Uwechue(SAN), Justice Sidi

Baje, McCarthy Mbadugha, (Author) and wife Dr Chigozie Mbadugha during the book launch in Lagos.

cle Manufacturing Ltd who was Chief launcher. The justices of the Court of Appeal came in their own stead and also represented the Honourable Justice Tanko Mohammed, Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, who was unavoidably absent.

Described as an avid researcher who has published extensively in several areas of arbitration in both local and international journals, Mbadugha’s book was highly commended by speakers who unanimously expressed its relevance in the con-

The book represents and demonstrates high standard of legal research and erudition

temporary society.

Chairman of the occasion, the Owelle of Ogwashi Ukwu, Chief George Uwechue recalled that Mbadugha did his National Youth Service Corps in his Chambers and was subsequently retained due to his excellent performance. “I saw in him a dogged and determined spirit and a passion for the legal profession. Even from those early years, I knew he would excel greatly in his chosen career. He is very responsible and dependable and handled all the cases assigned to him with a sense of ownership and commitment to duty.” Chief Uwechue said.

Continuing he said, “Having read his arbitration textbook, I whole heartedly recommend it to every lawyer that is keen on practising arbitration and avoiding the pitfalls. It is a practitioners text that provides clear guidelines for drafting unambiguous watertight arbitration agreements and awards, commencing and conducting arbitral processes and enforcing awards.

Peugeot partners AFRIFF 2015

By Japhet Alakam

T

HE African International Film Festival – AFRIFF 2015 might have come and gone, but one memory of the week long event that caught the attention of many was the participation of foremost Nigerian automobile brand Peugeot in the festival. The company came not as real participant in the workshops or other events, but as a big supporter to the organizers of the Film Festival – AFRIFF 2015 with the provision of executive shuttle services for the 2015 edition. The annual film festival which was held in different locations in Lagos has in attendance both domestic and international audiences from the Film industry.

Maintaining its inaugural theme “Africa Unites”, the vision is to raise awareness in Africa about the vast potential the entertainment industry holds and the impact it can generate in the economy. To establish bridges for partnership with international counterparts to ensure quality, expertise and global standards

access the local industry, accelerating its sustainable development. AFRIFF also aims to re-establish Africa’s significance as the original birth home of civilization and indeed the last frontier for unique film stories and content development.

The weeklong event is set to become Africa’s new exciting annual destination for fantastic film experience and celebration every November, comprising a top class film programme; talent development and technical train-

With the theme, 'Africa Unites' the vision is to raise awareness in Africa about the vast potentials the entertainment industry holds and impact it can generate in the economy

ing series aimed at raising local industry standards; business sessions and networking opportunities, as well as a unique Film and Equipment market that will encourage and grow content trade out of Africa and global partnerships.

Since its inaugural edition, hosted in Port Harcourt, Nigeria in 2010, the Festival has brought together over 2000 industry guests, 500 workshop participants and over 500 international entries from professional and amateur filmmakers around the world.

Speaking about its participation at this year’s edition of the event, Head, Marketing (PAN), Shepuya Icha, noted that, “AFRIFF is a world class festival that presents a complete immersion into the world of film making with participation from local and international filmmakers and professionals, celebrities, actors, directors, film critics, buyers, distributors, visual artists, film students, amateurs, equipment manufacturers, and the international press.

MINISTRY for arts is needed to rebrand Nigeria. Government should invest in Arts. Arts can rebrand, enrich and beautify Nigeria into an unbelievable haven. However, it requires the restructuring and building of an organized industry that can match the tempo and sophistication of today’s Art Market. This can only happen when the government recognizes the fact that it will require a separate “Arts Ministry” to cope with the enormity of Art in its various forms, starting with the enabling environment for creativity in Sculpture, Painting, Ceramic, Photography, etc.

One big CHANGE that Nigeria needs is to establish a separate Ministry for Arts and make an artist like the “miracle worker,” former governor and musician, unforgettable Donald Duke, the Minister. Until this is done, the dream, the predictions, wild revelry and hope of a giant and vibrant entertainment industry will remain a pipe dream.

The rustling on the surface of deep waters should not deceive Nigerians that all is well and the fishes are all waiting to be caught in the first spread of a net. We need the magic wand of a Donald Duke to the rescue.

Nigeria’s entertainment is dancing on the mire. There is no solid foundation to sustain the uncultured steps.

It takes “initiated eyes” to see the rot, and the former Governor of Cross Rivers State, Donald Duke, like the “pied piper” is the one artist, innovator, and miracle working nation builder that can step in and restructure the nation’s art world and make a viable industry out of the debris.

ART is the spiritual bloodstream of a nation. There is no health in a nation that does not have well-structured and properly nurtured “Art Farm.” It is from the farm that wealth will spring to enrich the nation. Art

Art is the spiritual bloodstream of a nation. There is no health in a nation that does not have well structured and properly nurtured Art Farm

keeps the world alive like dark nights are kept alive with sounds, winds whistling tunes and sleepless ocean roaring in constant rhythm, orchestrating the music of Mother Nature.

Indeed a world without art and music is unthinkable. So we continually replicate the creator’s work by our artistic activities. Now that humanity recognises and appreciates the works, the value is increased.

The commercial value of Arts has made nations rich. Nigeria should not be an exception.

Then to the performing arts like Acting, Dancing, Modelling, Film Making, Music, Fashion Designing, Television Movies, Play Writing, Novels, Poetry, Children’s Literature.

After the storm of creativity comes the current of sales through Exhibitions, Exportation, Packaging, Showcasing, and Staging.

Generous donation The only wall standing so far is the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC) and it has no roof over the top. Perhaps that was the reason Jonathan’s bonanza was not sent there.

The generous donation has been kept in the bank with twenty five (25) conditions to be met by any artist who wishes to access the loan.

Among these conditions is that any stage or television producer, musician, who wants to put up a show needs a building, a company with directors and adequate collaterals in order to seek funds to fulfil his or her plans. Of course, these conditions can be met by big establishments of importers and exporters while the real artists struggle in vain to hire the National Arts Theatre for five hundred thousand naira (N500, 000) a night.

This has almost killed theatre productions dead. Thanks to a few private venues like Muson Centre and Teraculture who are accepting shows. The much talked about Nollywood is floating on the scantily clad “take-ten-shots and get one good one” to make a star. I wonder how long film makers and Directors of Photography can exercise patience with untrained actors who want to learn acting on set, in front of cameras.

It is about time we realized that STAGE is the cradle of acting. The country needs Stage Schools to train actors, not theatre Arts Departments in Universities.

44 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015

CAF U-23 AFCON:

Iheanacho attributes City success to Aguero, Bony

F

ORMER Golden Eaglets star Kelechi Iheanacho has revealed that he is getting valuable lessons from key Manchester City players like Sergio Aguero and Wilfred Bony, hence his excellent runs at the club.

“They talk to me ever day in training, giving me advice and encouraging me to keep going and doing well,” he said.

“They tell me I will be a great player one day, so I will keep listening and working hard.

“The manager also gives me great advice, telling me to play simple and score goals.

“It’s always a pleasure to score a goal, and it was a good goal, a good reaction to run to the

Algeria brush aside Mali

front post.

Manchester City cruised to the semi - finals of the League Cup on Tuesday night, thrashing Hull City 4 1, Iheanacho among the scorers for the Citizens.

The 2014 League Cup winners were only a goal ahead before the former Golden Eaglets sensation joined the fray in the 71st minute as replacement for Wilfried Bony.

Hull City ’s Harry Maguire was booked in the 76th minute after his pocket was picked by the Nigerian and was on his way to launch an attack before he was fouled.

On 80 minutes, Iheanacho extended City’s lead, converting Raheem Sterling’s inviting ball from close range.

M

ALI are as good as gone out the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations by losing 2-0 to Algeria in their second group B match yesterday. Mali were the better side for long periods, but the loss means they cannot advance to the semi-finals. But Algeria did all the scoring to kept alive their hopes of qualifying for next year ’s Olympics.

The deadlock was broken in the 73rd minute when Algerian substitutes Oussama Darfalou and Bentahar Meziane set up a tap-in for Zinedine Ferhat. A deflected shot from Zakaria Draoui sealed the win 10 minutes later.

Algeria move onto four points, ahead of their final group match against Nigeria on Saturday, while Mali are still to register a point.

El-Kanemi Warriors protest over unpaid wages El-Kanemi Warriors players have met with the Brono State governor Kashim Shettima over their unpaid wages and allowance.

This was after a protest at the government house on Tuesday, where they were more aggrieved by response of a state government official. The meet with the governor was held yesterday with ten players and the team manager in attendance. But it was not clear how the government will settle 10 months’ salaries, 20 match bonuses as well as 65 percent of signing-on fees from the 2013/14 season, which the players claimed they are been owed.

One of the players blamed the League Management Company (LMC) which oversees

the top flight in Nigeria, claiming that the failure to deduct points from ElKanemi for failing to pay their players within stipulated time let the club off the hook.

The LMC explained in a statement in November that it put on hold the deduction of points from Dolphins, El-Kanemi, FC Taraba and Warri Wolves, who had cases to answer bordering on indebtedness to their players.

Da Gama studiesTunisia tactics

S

*BLUES BROTHERS... Kelechi Iheanacho and Kevin de Bruyne after Machester City drowned Hull City 4-1 in the Capital One Cup.

2020 Olympics: RCCG to ‘redeem’ Nigerian sports *Partners with NOC T

HE Nigeria Olympic Committee has entered a partnership with the Directorate of Sports of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG on ways of making Team Nigeria Olympic champions

again at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the NOC and the RCCG was signed on Monday afternoon in a brief ceremony at the boardroom of the Olympic Committee in Lagos. The Secretary General of the NOC, Honourable Tunde Popoola and the NOC Administrator Mr. Emman Nweri signed the MoU on behalf of the Olympic Committee, while Pastor Paul Bankole Head of the Directorate of Sports in the RCCG signed on behalf of the church. The partnership between the RCCG and the NOC,

according to Pastor Paul Bankole, was a prompt attempt to actualize the word of knowledge given by the General Overseer of the RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on April 4, 2014 that “there are Olympic stars in the RCCG.” The General Overseer went further to say that Nigeria would again win Olympic gold medals at the 2020 Olympics.

“To actualize this awesome dream, we have gone into partnership with the Nigeria Olympic Committee and formulated a five-year development programme

starting with the forthcoming Sports Summit which has been scheduled to hold at the Youth Centre of the RCCG at the Redemption Camp on December 7, 2015.

The theme of the Summit is ‘Maximising the Potential of Nigerian Youth, Teenagers and Children, Towards the 2020 Olympic Games: Roles of the Church, Corporate Organisations, Media and Government.’

Pastor Bankole noted that, the RCCG has picked a number of sports as areas where the Team Nigeria has the biggest potential to excel at the Tokyo Games.

NCC Tennis: Team Kalotari take commanding lead

T

Thomas Otu, Nigeria No.1 player

EAMKalotari of Port Harcourt took a commanding 3-0 at the end of proceedings on the first day of the third place match.

Making the most of his new found form and status, current national champion Thomas Otu, shook off a shaky start that saw him lose the first set to Team Ogun’s

Michael Igbinovia before powering home 4-6, 6-2, 4-1(scratch).

Sylvester Emmanuel, winner of the Dala Hard Court a week ago, doubled the points by beating Joseph Imeh 6-3, 64. in the second singles match. Team Kalotari were always favourites to win the doubles and they did pretty convincingly. The pair of nation-

al doubles champion Sunday Maku and Thomas Otu beat Team Ogun’s pair of Ayobami Odeye-mi and Joseph Imeh 6-1, 6-4.

Team Kalotari will need to win one out of four matches Thursday to bag the third place prize of N2 million and secure a bronze medal finish on the podium.

OUTH Africa Under-23 coach Owen da Gama reveals that they will dissect Tunisia’s tactics before their final group stage encounter.

Amaglug-glug defeated Zambia 3-2 while Senegal beat Tunisia 20 in the other Group A match - both were played on Tuesday, December 1 at the Léopold Senghor Stadium in Dakar.

The result leaves the hosts top of the group on six points, three more than second placed South Africa and thirdplaced Tunisia. Zambia is bottom of the table with no points after two losses in the tournament and have no chance of making it to the last four.

Senegal has qualified for the next round while the battle for the other spot is between South Africa and Tunisia who clash on Friday, 4 December at the Caroline Faye Stadium in Mbour.

Senegal will play Zambia.

“We will sit down as the technical team and will review their matches in the tournament – against Zambia and Senegal – and dissect them to get a clear understanding of how they play.

“But at the end of the day, we have to get our team right, and play to our strengths. We are very fortunate that we have played both our games in the tournament at 15:00.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015— —45

C M Y K

46 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015

Ighalo, Ayew in EPL award shortlist

N

IGERIA interna tional Odion Ighalo, Andre Ayew of Ghana, Yannick Bolasie from DR Congo and Arouna Kone from Cote d’Ivoire are on a shortlist for the November African Players awards in the English Premier League.

Ighalo won the award by an overwhelming majority in October, and, according to a release by New African Soccer, he seemed to “continue where he left off in October, playing well enough to earn him a place in the shortlist for November”.

The Nigerian international played every minute of Watford’s November fixtures, which was a difficult month for them given the home loss to Manchester United and the away loss to Leicester City.

But according to awards director Tunde Adelakun, “Ighalo shone through these games and deserves his place on the shortlist”.

Another old face in the

shortlist was August winner, Ghana’s Swansea City star Andre Ayew.

Again, Ayew’s Swansea team are going through a rough patch in the League and it showed in November but the Ghanaian’s quality still showed through it all, and again, the award organisers felt it worthy of a place in the shortlist.

In the release, the two obvious stars of the show were Crystal Palace’s Congolese winger Yannick Bolasie with a stunning performance in his team’s 2-1 away win at Liverpool and his double strike against Newcastle.

NAIRABET doles out N10m to sports quiz winners

TV game show debuts January 2016

L

GOAL GETTER ... Watford striker, Nigeria''s Odion Ighalo controls his ball.

Valencia appoint Neville as head coach

V

ALENCIA have ap pointed former Manchester United defender Gary Neville as head coach until the end of the season.

The England assistant coach will officially take charge of the first team

on Sunday December 6 ahead of the Champions League clash with Lyon at the Mestalla three days later.

Valencia president Layhoon Chan said: “We are delighted to have se-

cured Gary so quickly. He combines top level coaching experience through his role as a senior coach with the England national team and a world-class playing career with England and Manchester United.

EADING sports betting c o m p a n y , NAIRABET.com, recently hosted Nigerian sports journalists to a media conference where it unveiled details of a forthcoming television game show titled, the ‘NAIRABET SPORTS CHALLENGE’ (NSC).

The event also doubled as a prize presentation ceremonyforallthewinnerswhohad emergedfromthevariousepisodes of the game show.

Each episode of the ‘NairaBetSportsChallenge’features twocontestantswhocompete to demonstrate superior knowledge across five major sports - football, basketball, tennis, athletics and boxing – withtheopportunitytowinup to one million naira in cash!

The program also features someofthecompany’sbrand ambassadors, including the talented musical duo known as ‘Skuki’ and top sports personality, George Essien, as

Essien ‘TechnicalAdvisers’tothecontestants.

According to the founder of NairaBet.com, Mr. Akin Alabi,thecompanyembarkedon thislandmarkventureprimarily to reward its teeming customerswhohavelargelycontributed to the betting outfit’s success, though it is hoped that another positive fall-out of the game show will be its abilitytoinform,entertainand educate viewers about past and present historic events and illustrious personalities that abound in the world of sports.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015— —47

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 , 2015

Barcelona to pay Santos £1.4M for Neymar’s Ballon d’Or nomination

M

AKING the final three Ballon d’Or nominations should be one of Neymar’s best career moments so far but it is

Fiery Egyptians delay Nigeria’s qualification S

Algeria beat Mali 2-0

A

LGERIA kept alive their hopes of qualifying for next year’s Olympics with a 2-0 win over Mali in Group B of the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations.

Mali were the better side for long periods, but the loss means they cannot now advance to the semi-finals.

The deadlock was broken in the 73rd minute when Algerian substitutes Oussama Darfalou and Bentahar Meziane set up a tap-in for Zinedine Ferhat.

A deflected shot from Zakaria Draoui sealed the win 10 minutes later.

•Etebo

LOPPY defending came back to hurt Nigeria at the CAF Under23 African Cup of Nations yesterday when they surrendered a 2-0 lead and barley survived an Egyptian onslaught in their second group B at the Caroline Faye Stadium M’bour Senegal.

Nigeria dominated from the start and had the chances of scoring many goals as the fiery Egyptians did not play well. But at the end, it became a game of two halves with Nigeria scoring two goals in the first half and surrendered their lead for the Egyptians to score two in the second half. They dominated and Nigeria merely survived st being beaten. In the 21 minute Egyptian captain Ramy Abdel Aziz Moustafa handled the ball in the box and Oghenekaro Etebo stepped up to tuck the ball in. Egpyt keeper Mossad AwadMossadcursedhimself as he was unable to stop the

ball that brushed past his fingers.

It was like comedy of errors as the Egyptians once again handled the ball in the box th in the 30 minute. Despite protests by the Egyptians, Cameroon referee Antoine Essouma, stood his ground and pointed to the stop. Etebo this time around sent Mossad the wrong way.

After the break the Egyptians fought back aggressively kicking and pushing. They were th rewarded in the 47 minute, when Karim Hassan outpaced the Nigerian defenders and sent a cross, which was headed in by Ahmed Ramadan Sobhy.

That goal spurred on the Egyptians who punished the Nigerian defenders with penetrating passes. In the nd 52 minute, Amaefule Chizoba deflected the ball into his own net to give Egyptians the much needed respite.

coming at the cost of £1.4 million for Barcelona.

Neymar alongside his Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo are the final three in the running for this year’s Ballon d’Or. Barcelona are to pay Neymar’s former club the huge sum as a result of a clause inserted in the Brazilian’s contract when he made the switch to the Camp Nou in the summer of 2013.

•Neymar

Ighalo, Ayew in EPL award shortlist — Pg.46

NPFL, 22 Other Leagues form World Leagues Association in France

T

HE Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) was among the world’s leading football leagues that reached a decision in Paris, France on Tuesday,December1,2015to formanewglobalorganisation that has been set up to work with FIFA on issues affecting professional football.

Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC),ShehuDikkowasone of the 23 heads of national ProfessionalLeaguebodiesat the meeting where the formation of the ‘World Association of Leagues’ was announced following the second World Leagues Forum.

QUICK CROSSWORD

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

FRI DAY'S ANS WERS FRID ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Cook (4) 4 Taxi (3) 6 Knife (4) 9 Help (3) 10 Firearm (8) 11 Defeat (4) 14 Sphere (3) 16 Cabin (5) 19 Described (8) 21 Weird (5) 23 Claimed (8) 24 Iron (5) 27 Bird (3) 31 Ceremony (4) 33 First (8) 34 Transgress (3) 35 Crooked (4) 36 Tree (3) 37 Orient (4)

DOWN 2 List (4) 3 Beat (4) 4 Capered (8) 5 Calibre (4) 6 Sword (5) 7 Fasten (3) 8 Fit (5) 12 Crawl (5) 13 Backbone (5) 14 Mineral (3) 15 Cap (5) 17 Prompt (5) 18 Robust (5) 20 Decrease (8) 22 Consume (3) 25 Elevate (5) 26 Passed (5) 28 Roster (4) 29 Heap (4) 30 Go by (4) 32 Can (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: Duress 5, Pastor 8, Division 9, Mate 10, Wet 12, Elect 15, Lot 17, End 18, Ewe 19, Pea 20, Given 21, Act 22, See 23, Sip 24, Due 26, Dirge 28, Ton 33, Stun 34, Prestige 35, Propel 36, Depend.

DOWN: 2, Unite 3, Emite 4, Skill 5, Panic 6, Same 7, Outdo 10, Wiped 11, Tease 12, Edged 13, Elver 14, Tense 15, Leapt 16, Titan 25, Utter 27, Impel 28, Greed 30, Organ 31, Snap 32, Step.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. Advert Dept Hotline: 014544821. Abuja Advert Hotline: 09-2921024. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

C M Y K