Let Jega be, Reps warn Jonathan

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62354

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

2015 PRESIDENCY:

Appeal court clears >>8 Jonathan for re-election

Real causes of fuel crisis, by Okonjo-Iweala >>9

Let Jega be, Reps warn Jonathan •Say INEC chairman not a civil servant •Warn against further postponement of polls

By Emman Ovuakporie, Levinus Nwabughiogu & Jude Opara

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BUJA—THE House of Representatives, yesterday, warned President Goodluck Jonathan against removing the chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, saying his removal could derail the nation's democracy.

The House has, therefore, resolved to subject anyone involved in moves to remove Jega to judicial prosecution in Nigeria or at the International Criminal

Continues on page 5

Enugu community threatens to boycott elections over poor state of schools See Pull-out inside

Shoprite advert: See pages 31-34

Mr & Mrs STRUGGLES OF JAMB EXAM APPLICANTS—UTME applicants queueing to print slips of their examination centres at the JAMB office in Dutse, Jigawa State, yesterday. BELOW: Some of the applicants struggling to get their slips printed in Abuja, as an applicant displays his slip after hours of struggle. Photos: Gbemiga Olamikan/NAN.

The Stephen Keshi Debate... see Back Page •P.17 C M Y K

Nigeria, a tale of two cities

COLUMNISTS: Is my love for him dying?

•P.41

Petroleum scarcity again?

•P.19

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015—5

POCKET CARTOON and present danger associated with any interference with the existing schedules of the general elections and also hold personally accountable, at domestic judicial forum or at the International Criminal Court, any person or organization that foists on INEC any decision or action whatever, including unconstitutional attempt to remove the current chairman, that has the effect of making it impracticable for the elections to hold on March 28,and April 11, 2015.”

PDP kicks SYMPATHY VISIT—From left: Former Chairman, Ibadan North East Local Government, Gbenga Adewusi; Accord Party governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja and former President Olusegun Obasanjo during a sympathy visit to victims of last Sunday's Accord Party campaign rally in Ibadan. Photo: Dare Fasube.

Let Jega be, Reps warn Jonathan Continues from Page 1 Court, ICC. President Jonathan has, however, insisted that there was no such plan to remove the INEC chairman ahead of the general elections scheduled for March 28 and April 11.

Speaking in an interview on Al-Jazeera English on Monday, President Jonathan had said: “INEC is a very sensitive body. For me to change INEC chairman, Nigerians will ask questions. So, you cannot wake up and change INEC chairman.”

He said that he had never raised the prospect of a change in the leadership of the commission with “any human being on earth.”

The House resolution that was pushed through by the All Progressives Congress, APC, majority was despite strong objections by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, caucus in the chamber.

Meanwhile, alleged plots to recruit Resident

Electoral Commissioners, RECs, to instigate a no-confidence motion against Jega today came unstuck after a meeting of the RECs scheduled for today was shifted.

The meeting, Vanguard gathered, would now hold next week.

The House resolution came as Speaker Aminu Tambuwal told a civil rights group that any premature removal of Jega could derail the country’s democracy.

The motion to sanction anyone involved in the alleged plot to prematurely nudge Jega out from the country’s election management body was brought to the House floor by Rep. Ali Ahmed (APC,Kwara).

Moving the motion titled: “Threat to further tamper with the status quo arrangement for the 2015 general elections”, Ahmed noted that “the initial postponement of the general elections for the six weeks due to the security concerns related to the Boko Haram insurgency has further heightened the tempo for pre-election violence.”

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Place all of your feelings outside of yourself and you will be renewed —Lao Tzu So many of us are afraid of ourselves, of our own truth, and our feelings most of all. We talk about how great the concepts of life and love are, but then we hide from both every day. We hide from our truest feelings. Because the truth is life and love hurt sometimes, and the feelings this brings disturbs us.

Pain is meant to wake us up. Yet we try to hide our pain. Pain is a feeling. Your feelings are a part of you – your own reality. If you feel ashamed of them, and hide them, you’re letting the lies of insecurity destroy your reality. You should stand up for your right to feel pain – to endure it – to own your scars – to deal with the realities of life and love, as you grow into the strongest, wisest, truest version of yourself.

He stated that there were already threats and insinuations about further alterations to the status quo arrangements and regulations for the elections, arguing that “any alteration in the status quo arrangements in whatever form at this crucial stage would invariably lead to further postponement of the dates of the elections”.

According to him, the “threat to tamper with the status quo may take several forms including but not limited to illegal removal of the current INEC chairman”.

He further submitted that “there is already documented evidence from several sources that any change in status quo arrangements, especially removal of the INEC chairman, “presents a possibility of violence” and would occasion the sowing of seeds of major crises”.

Ahmed reminded the House that civil society organizations and some notable Nigerians have already sounded “a note of warning”, and threatened a “showdown” should the Federal Government go ahead to remove Jega.

Quoting Section 157(1) of the 1999 Constitution, he said that Jega could only be removed from office on only two grounds based on “his inability to discharge the functions of the office or for misconduct as determined by two-thirds majority of the Senate”.

His prayers

He thus “prayed the House to urge the political class, government of the Federation, states and security agencies to heed the warning of imminent

Hardly had Ahmed finished than the deputy leader of the PDP caucus, Rep. Leo Ogor raised a point of order based on House Order 62 which states: “No dilatory motion shall be entertained by the Speaker”.

Ogor said that the motion thrived on speculations, saying that he failed to establish or properly situate the principle of the motion.

“Nobody is interested in rumour”, Ogor said as he urged the speaker to dismiss the motion.

His submission received spontaneous jeers from many members of the House, prompting Tambuwal, who presided, to hit the gavel repeatedly in his effort to regain the attention of members.

Turning to Ogor, Tambuwal said: “Thank you, but unfortunately, I have to overrule you.”

With the ruling, Tambuwal proceeded to put the question with the ayes drowning the nays.

APC caucus leader reacts

Following the debate, leader of the APC House caucus, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila told Vanguard that the appointment of the INEC chairman could only be terminated by a two-third vote of the Senate, stressing that Section 171 was clear on who a civil servant was.

“Personally, I do not consider the chairman of INEC as a civil servant subject to our civil service rules, same way I am not a civil servant”.

Speaking while receiving a delegation of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, NCSSR, after yesterday ’s House session, Tambuwal said any attempt to remove Jega would be unlawful and could derail the nation’s democracy.

He explained that those plotting Jega’s removal are only playing a script that Nigerians are familiar with. “When the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II,”

whose removal he explained precipitated the current economic woes being experienced in the nation, “I had cause to condemn the act. Those contemplating Jega’s removal are acting along the same line.

“But Jega is not a civil servant. We should be careful. We shouldn’t send the wrong signal to the people of Nigeria,” the speaker appealed.

Kicking against the veiled declaration of war and the indications from unknown quarters that an interim government is in the offing, Tambuwal observed that “signs are ominous that if we are not careful, the dark days will return to Nigeria.

“There is no interim government in the constitution. Those talking about interim government, are they planning a coup? It is outside the Constitution, and I don’t know why our security agencies are condoning it? It is a treasonable offence. We should respect the wishes of the people and the will of God. “It is very clear that certain individuals are not interested in a free and fair electoral process,” he added.

“We should always remember that power belongs to God, and He gives it as He wills. We should appreciate that not up to 10 per cent of us (Nigerians) are politicians. What then happens to the remaining 90 per cent? If you do what pleases you and at the end of the day crises break out, what happens,” he asked.

Tambuwal also had a word of caution for the electronic media which beam sponsored advertisements attacking some members of the opposition political parties. “Some of the adverts are well over and above board,” he pointed out, wondering whether leaders of such organisations ever think about the future.

Earlier, Clement Nwankwo of the NCSSR said the group was worried about the economic crisis in the

country, the fate of the constitution and the forthcoming general elections.

“We are making the point that the dates of the elections are so close to the handover dates, so it will be intolerable to postpone the elections again.”

He also criticised the idea of foisting an interim government on the nation and the suggestions that Jega should proceed on terminal leave. He cited sections 156-7 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to back his argument.

Meanwhile, today ’s scheduled meeting of the country ’s RECs with Jega in Abuja has been shifted to next week. The shift, Vanguard learned, was to enable the RECs prepare for and monitor Saturday’s test run of the card readers to be used for the election.

Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Kayode Idowu told Vanguard that since the commission had already planned to carry out a mock election, where the card readers would be used, it was decided that the RECs meeting be put off till after that exercise.

“As you already know, this weekend we are going to 12 states to demonstrate how the Card Reader works. We have chosen two states from each of the geopolitical zones; we will be at any ward the REC of the state will select for the exercise. It is on that strength that the RECs meeting was shifted”.

Today’s meeting was to evaluate the preparation of the commission ahead of the March 28 and April 11 polls with a special focus on the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) across the country.

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

4 cultists rape 18-yr-old girl

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA—FOUR persons, suspected to be cultists, yesterday at gunpoint, allegedly raped an 18-year-old girl along Gwegwe area of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

The victim (names withheld) was attacked at about 11pm, while returning from a visit in the area.

The suspected rapists were said to have gagged their victim and dragged her into a lonely structure in the area, where she was raped and then abandoned.

Police Public Relations Officer, Asinim Butswat, said the victim identified one of the suspects and reported to the Area Division of Police, adding that he had been arrested, while search for the other suspects continues.

DELSU sacks dead lecturer

By Perez Brisibe

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B R A K A — D E LTA State University, DELSU, Abraka, has dismissed a deceased lecturer of the Department of Theatre Arts, Mr. Ifeanyi Ogu-Raphael, for alleged professional misconduct.

The late Ogu-Raphael, who died in September 2014, was a complainant in a case of alleged felony, stealing and assault against three former students of the university and was dismissed along with two lecturers for offences the institution described as ‘gross misconduct.’

Vanguard gathered that the sack of the late lecturer and two others was considered and recommended at the 90th regular meeting of the school’s Governing Council.

However, regarding his sack as unjustified, a former counsel to the deceased lecturer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described his sack as a ploy by the university to avoid paying his family his entitlements.

Pregnant woman assaults neighbour for peeping on her during bath

By Francis Igata

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NUGU—A pregnant woman, Mrs Mercy Chintua, has been arrested by operatives of Enugu State Police Command over allegation of assault on her neighbour, whom she said spied on her while she was

taking her bath.

The suspect, who resides at Akwuke, Awkunanaw axis of Enugu State, had allegedly poured hot water on the victim, Emmanuel Anyebe, for allegedly peeping on her while she was having her bath on February 23.

Confirming the incident,

Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu said: “Mercy poured hot water on the victim as he was going to have his bath. She alleged that the victim was peeping into the bathroom, while she was having her bath.

“The hot water inflicted serious body burns on the

victim. As a result of the injuries sustained from the act, he was unconscious and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

“The victim has denied ever peeping on the woman during her bath.

“The suspect has pleaded for leniency, ascribing her actions to demonic spirits in her.”

Stranded commuters struggling to board a taxi at Aleita Bus Stop on Airport Road, as petrol scarcity persists in Abuja, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

4-yr-old boy burnt to death, as indigenes, settlers clash in Benue

By Peter Duru

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AKURDI—A four-yearold boy was, last Sunday night, was burnt to death in a bloody communal crisis that erupted between indigenes and settlers at Abinsi in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

The crisis left many with life threatening matchet cuts, while several houses, huts and farmland were also razed by the feuding parties.

Vanguard gathered from a reliable source that there had been bottled up anger and tension in the community, which is a few kilometres from Makurdi town, in the last few weeks, following several years of unending disputes over land ownership.

Father of the deceased, Mr. Akpera Jime, told reporters that some youths, numbering over 10, on Sunday night, stormed his community burning houses and farmland.

“Some of us were lucky to have escaped, while my fouryear-old boy was burnt inside one of our houses beyond recognition,” he said.

He added that his 31-year-old son, Terna, who was attacked with a machete, was receiving treatment at a private hospital.

When contacted, the clan head of Abinsi, Chief Christopher Abaki, who confirmed the incident, said the crisis had been brought under control, following the deployment of security personnel in the area.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Assistant Superintendent, Austin Ezeani, said men of the Mobile Police Force had been deployed in the area on the orders of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hyacinth Dagala, to

ensure that peace returned to the affected communities.

Ezeani said the Police were investigating the crisis, but cautioned youths in the state against taking up arms against each other no matter the level of provocation.

Police kill two church robbers in Edo

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—TWO suspected armed robbers, who were said to have allegedly invaded the Bishop’s Court at St James Cathedral in Igarra, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State were shot dead by the Police, Monday.

The suspects were shot in an attempt to escape while being interrogated by the police, even as a third suspect, who was said to have been the informant that led to the robbery, is said to be in police custody for further interrogation.

The main suspect (names withheld) is a close confidant of the Bishop and had been an adopted son of the Bishop, Rt Rev Jolly Oyekpen, and his family.

He was said to have informed his other two accomplices about N954,000 at the Bishop's Court,

which Vanguard was informed was meant to be deposited in the bank.

One of the suspects is said to be from Delta State, but a farmer in neighbouring Owan community, while the other hails from Jattu in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

They were said to have stormed the premises in the early hours of Monday and carted away the money and some other valuables, such as mobile phones.

Vanguard learned that the main suspect had confessed to the police that he actually gave information about the money to his late friends.

The two dead suspects were said to have met their waterloo in nearby Ikpeshi, where the police, through the principal suspect, called on the two to come for another deal of N2 million.

On arrival, they were said to have sensed danger and wanted to escape when police opened fire on them.

One of the suspects reportedly died on the spot, while the other died later.

It was gathered that the principal suspect’s share of the loot was N300,000 and had reportedly spent N20,000 of the amount before he was arrested.

He was said to have also been planning his marriage, which date had already been fixed for later in the year.

A senior police officer at Igarra Police Station said the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, in Benin.

Police spokesman in Edo State, Joseph Edoighiawerie, said: “I am not in the office right now, but once I get back to the office, I will get details and get back to you.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015—7

Fire grounds activities at Lagos court

By Onozure Dania

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Queueing for fuel in Maryland, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

LEFT: In search of petrol in Abuja, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

5 killed as hoodlums clash in Lagos

By Ifeanyi Okolie

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ALPABLE fear has gripped residents of Alaba, Mosafejo, Apasa and Ojo Road in Amukoko-Ajegunle areas of Lagos, as hoodlums battling for supremacy engaged themselves in a free-for-all, leaving five persons dead, while many others sustained injuries.

Vanguard gathered that a renewed clash among Apasa, Alaba and Amukoko boys, who had been in a protracted battle over the control of motor and tricycle parks in the area, started last Saturday on Apasa Street.

Eyewitness told Vanguard that the hoodlums, who were armed with sophisticated rifles, pistols and machetes, also destroyed property worth millions of naira.

An eyewitness, who identified himself simply as Ojo, said some Alaba boys first attacked Apasa on Saturday evening.

He said: “They sent people running in different directions and looted some shops and robbed some innocent passersby. They also destroyed some vehicles moving to Mosafejo area where they perpetrated similar acts.

“The next day, some Asapa boys teamed up with Mosafejo boys to attack Alaba and killed

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AGOS—POLICE yesterday charged a 27year-old sales representative, Biola David, before a Tinubu Magistrate’s Court sitting in Lagos Island for allegedly stealing money and goods worth N286,500 from his employer.

The defendant is facing a twocount charge of conspiracy and stealing preferred against him by the police.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Daniel Ighodalo, told the court

by the hoodlums on politicians in the area, who engaged their services for political ends.

Fire guts POWA shops in Aba, 2-storey buiding in Delta

By Anayo Okoli & Brisibe Perez

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MUAHIA—GOODS and property worth millions of naira were completely razed during an early morning inferno, yesterday, which gutted the shopping complex of Police Officers’ Wives Association, POWA, on Bende Road, Umuahia, Abia State.

This came on a day a power generating set belonging to Ughelli market branch of ECOBANK, Delta State, exploded and the ensuing fire engulfed the entire top floor of a two-story building housing a shopping mall and some residential apartments.

No life was lost in the POWA fire, which started in one of the shops upstairs in the one-storey complex, located close Umuahia Police Area Command and Central Police Station.

A shop owner in the complex

Sales rep accused of theft

By Onozure Dania

five of its boys.”

Resident of these areas have blamed the continued hostilities

that the defendant, who was a sales representative, stole N244,500 cash and three Michael Kors wrist watches valued at N42,000, property of his employer, one Oluwatoyin Kowobari.

However, the defendant denied the charge brought against him.

Magistrate O. M. Ajayi admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N50,000, with two responsible sureties in like sum and adjourned to March 2, for mention.

said he was alerted at about 3am by another shop owner, when the fire began.

He, however, regretted that the fire fighters that came had not stayed up to two minutes before complaining about a fault in their vehicle and left with a promise to return, but never did.

All the 22 shops located upstairs were completely destroyed, while two shops were affected down stairs.

In the Ughelli incident, the power generating set of the bank exploded in flames at

about 1:30pm and engulfed the entire top floor of a two-story building housing a shopping mall and some residential apartments.

It took the intervention of youths and the combined efforts of TRANSCORP-Ughelli Power Plc and Ughelli Command of the fire service to prevent the fire from enveloping the bank and spreading to other adjourning buildings.

Property worth millions of naira were also destroyed in the inferno.

Police nab 3 suspected robbers in Lagos

By Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a five-man armed robbery gang terrorizing residents and commuters along LagosBadagry Expressway.

The suspect, identified as Aliu Abubakar, Anas Mohammed and Ali Adamu, were arrested at Okokomaiko area of Lagos after successfully carrying out a robbery operation at Cassidy Bus Stop.

It was gathered that at about 5am on February 21, a five-man armed robbery gang attacked a truck driver, Monday Ogbe, and his conductor, while they were off-loading goods they transported from Benue State to Lagos.

It was learned that the victims,

who were robbed at gunpoint, later reported the case at Okoko Divisional Police Station at about 7:30 am.

When the victim went back to the crime scene afterwards, he recognized one of the robbers, alerted the police and the suspect was arrested.

The suspect, identified as Aliu Abubarkar, took the police to their hide out, where the others were arrested.

A locally-made pistol, live cartridges and three machetes where recovered from their hide-out.

One of the suspects, 22-yearold Abubakar, who has deformities on both hands, said: “I spent 15 months in Kirikiri Prison for robbery and was released in 2013. Despite these deformities, I have participated in over 10 robberies.”

AGOS—ACTIVITIES at Igbosere Magistrate’s Court were, yesterday afternoon, paralyzed as Court 13 in the building was gutted by fire after an air conditioner in the courtroom sparked a fire, which extended to a cabinet in the courtroom.

The incident was said to have occurred 20 minutes after the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, and her entourage paid a courtesy visit to the court.

Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, who paid a courtesy visit to the court said other courts in the building were not affected and that nothing got burnt, adding that other courts will resume tomorrow.

“What we need to do is just to clean up the court and fire fighter’s powder that was used to put out the fire,” Ipaye said.

Bus driver accused of killing pedestrian

By Bartholomew Madukwe & Victor Ogunsola

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HE police in Lagos have charged a mass transit bus driver, Adewale Hassan, before an Oshodi magistrate’s court for allegedly crushing an employee of OK Foods, Titus Lorungwen, to death.

Hassan, 30, with an unknown address, was said to have committed the offence at International Airport Road, Afariogun Junction, Oshodi.

According to the charge, the accused crushed Lorungwen, 33, to death while driving the mass transit bus with number plate KJA 724 XN on the public highway.

However, when the offence was read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge preferred against him by the police.

Magistrate Akeem Fashola granted the accused N50,000 bail with two sureties, who would have paid tax for a period of three years, and adjourned the matter to March 31.

8—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

2015 PRESIDENCY: Appeal Court clears Jonathan for re-election

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA — THE Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, yesterday, cleared the legal coast for President Goodluck Jonathan to seek a re-election on March 28.

In a unanimous judgment, yesterday, a five-man panel of justices of the appellate court held that Jonathan was legally qualified to run for a second term in office.

The appellate court panel said the raging contention that under section 135(2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, President Jonathan is not eligible to partake in the forthcoming presidential election having already taken the oath of office and oath of allegiance for the office of the presidency twice, was not founded in law.

It maintained that the first oath Jonathan took on May 6, 2010 was only to enable him to complete the unexpired tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar ’adua as stipulated in Section 146(1) of the constitution, saying his first tenure as substantive President of Nigeria commenced on May 29, 2011, when he was administered the second oath of office.

Justice Abubakar Yahaya, who delivered the lead judgment, stressed that Jonathan had only been elected President once, adding that for him to be disqualified from the impending poll, it must be proved that the initial oath he took in 2010 was a fallout of an election.

Consequently, the appellate court, while dismissing the appeal lodged against President Jonathan by a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Cyriacus Njoku, affirmed a previous verdict delivered by Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi of the FCT High Court on March 1, 2013 .

The panel held that Njoku’s appeal lacks merit, even as it directed him to pay a cost of N50,000 toPresident Jonathan and the PDP, who he had cited as 1st and 2nd defendants in the suit.

According to Justice Yahaya, “our constitution is the grundnorm and it is sacrosanct. The 1999 constitution is the foundation upon which the democracy we practice is anchored. It is, therefore, a document that must be respected, appreciated and obeyed by all of us.

“The words of the constitution best convey the mind of the framers. A court of law is bound to consider in its entirety, the relevant portions of the constitution in order to arrive at a logical conclusion.

“When relevant provisions are read together, the words used, if plain and unambiguous, must be given their clear meaning.

“In the instant appeal, it is not controverted that the oath the 1st Respondent took in 2007 as a result of the joint election he had with late President Yar ’Adua, was the oath for an elected Vice President as it was Yar ’Adua that took oath of presidency.

“On May 6, 2010 the 1st Respondent who was then the Vice President, took oath of presidency by virtue of section 146(1) of the constitution to complete the un-expired tenure of Yar’adua.

“Section 137(1)(b) disqualifies a person from standing for election for office of president if he had been elected into the office for two previous elections. So the operative word is election. The disqualification is to stop the person from participating in election again if he has been so elected twice.

“So the word ‘election’ used in section 137(1) (b) of the 1999 constitution when given its ordinary grammatical meaning, connotes a process where voting is employed to choose a person for the post of presidency.

“Primary election, nomination, voting, collating and announcement of result must of necessity take place.

That is the mode prescribed in the constitution for the election of a president into office. This did not take place when the 1st Respondent took oath in 2010.

“Stepping in of the Vice President after the death of the President cannot be deemed an election, especially for the purpose of taking away a right that has been constitutionally vested.

“All the aforementioned processes, starting with party primaries, can be challenged in the court of law and if it succeed, the outcome of an election annulled. However, if the Vice President succeeds a President that has died, such cannot be challenged in court as it is a constitutional requirement.

“The process that produced the 1st Respondent as President in 2010, was not an election as no single vote was cast. This was dramatically different from what happened in 2011 when he was nominated, elected and

MEETING: From left: Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State; Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Chairman, Adamu Muazu; Akwa Ibom PDP governorship candidate, Emmanuel Udom; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Anyim Pius Anyim and the Bauchi State PDP governorship candidate, Muhammad Jatau after a meeting between the leadership and governorship candidates of the ruling PDP at the State House, Aso Villa, Abuja. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida. declared winner. That was the first election he took and his first election as a President.”

The court said the case of Jonathan’s tenure was different from that of Marwa vs Nyako and the five governors that were sacked by the Supreme Court, as the governors emerged through elections.

It observed that though former President Olusegun Obasanjo previously served

as a Head of State in 1976, only the oath he took in 1999 and 2003 is recognised in the eyes of the law.

“As far as previous elections are an issue, the 1st defendant is not disqualified and consequently, he is qualified to stand election for the office of presidency,” the appellate court held.

Njoku who is a registered member of the PDP in Zuba ward, Abuja, had earlier gone before the lower court, urging

it to, among other things, determine “ whether section 135(2) of the Constitution, which specifies a period of four years in office for the President, is only available or applicable to a person elected on the basis of an actual election or includes one in which a person assumes the position of President by operation of law, as in the case of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.”

WAR AGAINST TERROR: Military'll avoid human rights abuses in its operations —Jonathan

By Ben Agande

A

BUJA — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has assured that the Nigerian military would take every precaution to avoid collateral damage to lives and properties of civilians as it intensifies its ongoing offensive against Boko Haram.

Jonathan gave the commitment, yesterday when he received in audience the new South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Noh Kyu-Duk. According to Jonathan, everything possible was being done by the military to avoid human rights violations in the theatre of operations in the North Eastern states.

He said: “We are sticking to international best practices in prosecuting the war against terrorism and doing our best to ensure that we don’t have

cases of human rights abuses in the North-East.

“We are consistently monitoring the situation and have investigated previous reports of such abuse which were mostly blown out of proportion for political reasons.

“Our militar y has a reputation for discipline and we have insisted on that discipline and control for the safety of civilians in the NorthEast.

“The purpose of the entire operation is to save our people from the brutal tyranny of Boko Haram, so we cannot tolerate human rights abuses or willfully impose further suffering on them.”

The President also told Mr. Kyu-Duk that Nigeria’s entire security architecture was being reviewed, restructured and strengthened to ensure greater safety for Nigerians and foreign workers in all parts of the

country.

He said: “We are inviting all our friends in the international community, particularly those that are more technologically advanced, to complement our efforts to build a more secure and prosperous country in which our people and foreigners can live in peace and safety.”

The President urged Mr. Kyu-Duk and his Indonesian counterpart, Mr. Harry Purwanto, who was also at the Presidential Villa to present his letters of credence, to work for the strengthening of existing trade and economic relations between Nigeria and their countries.

The new ambassadors thanked Jonathan for receiving them and assured him that they will do their best to promote stronger economic and cultural relations between their countries and Nigeria during their tenure in Abuja.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015—9

Real causes of fuel scarcity, by Okonjo-Iweala

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief & Michael Eboh

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BUJA— PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, directed the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to pay with immediate effect all outstanding monies owed to oil marketers so as to end the current gruelling fuel scarcity that has crippled the nation and caused untold hardship to millions of people.

This came as the fuel scarcity in Abuja and other cities worsened further, yesterday, despite assurances from the Federal Government of improved supply, as motorists experienced increased difficulties in their quest to purchase Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, from petrol stations.

The President who restated his commitment to Nigerians in Abuja, yesterday, said the public need not bear the burden of needless bureaucracy as is presently the case, and that they don’t need excuses but solutions which must be provided.

Consequently, petroleum marketers are, therefore, meeting Federal Government officials today with a view to resolving all outstanding issues leading to the current fuel crisis.

FG, marketers meet today Okonjo-Iweala who spoke to journalists in Abuja, said the queues were due more to pipeline vandalism and logistics and not payment of claims to marketers.

Her words: “Government is very concerned about the fuel queues which have appeared in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the country. As Nigerians can attest, the Petroleum Ministry and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, have worked very hard to give out the message that there is no need for panic buying and that it is trying to reduce the queues to the barest minimum.

“We are working with them and in fact, the marketers are coming to meet with us tomorrow (today). We have also agreed to pay the interest rate and foreign exchange differentials.

“Tomorrow (today) we will be making part of that payment when the marketers are here and on the outstanding balance, we will be issuing SDN (Sovereign Debt Notes) to them so that the banks will know that the government has undertaken the obligations.”

According to the minister, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has also spoken with the banks so that all marketers who want to open Letters of

Credit could do so, adding: “We have cleared with the marketers that this is how we will go about it.”

Scarcity not about payment issues—Okonjo-Iweala Okonjo-Iweala said last December, the government paid N320.8 billion debt owed marketers.

The money, she revealed, came from Excess Crude Account, which she said “shows the seriousness with which the government takes issues about payments to marketers.”

She insisted that the current fuel crisis was not over payments to marketers, adding: “I want to emphasize that contrary to some unfounded speculations, the queues are not caused by payment issues. As you know, we paid the marketers a total of N320.8 billion from the Excess Crude account in two instalments in December last year.

“This underscores the fact that we are taking payment of marketers very seriously indeed. We’ve been in constant touch and talking with the marketers and a week ago we reached an agreement with them on their core concerns which we have addressed.”

The minister commended members of the Major Oil Marketers Assoaiciation of Nigerian, MOMAN, who she described as very cooperative and urged Nigerians to question the motive of others who even refused to open Letters of Credit, LCs. She said: “It is clear that while the union and most members have been cooperative, some of their members are not. Some of these people have even refused to open LCs to facilitate their payments.

"We salute the union and the members who are working hard to end this unfortunate situation. As for those who are working in the other direction, Nigerians should ask them what their motives are.”

Transporters hike fares by 100% Meanwhile, transporters have hiked their fares by over 100 per cent, as the fares within a short distance of Abuja city centre which used to cost N50 were increased to N100, while some charge N150.

Also, large numbers of commuters were stranded at bus stops and parks across the FCT, as only a few vehicles were seen on the roads.

Major roads in the FCT, especially traffic-prone areas, were virtually free, as the roads were almost deserted due to the fact that a large number of vehicles were parked at petrol stations hoping to get fuel while others left their vehicles at home after having run out of the commodity.

Sharp practices at petrol stations The situation also gave rise to

FG meets marketers today, to pay interest, forex differentials Scarcity worsens as transporters hike fares by 100% Things are getting back to normal—NNPC DPR warns fuel station owners

LETTER OF CREDENCE: President Goodluck Jonathan (middle) introducing the Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Aminu Wali (left) to Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, Harry Purwanto after presenting his Letter of Credence to the President at the State House, Abuja, yesterday. sharp practices at petrol stations, despite warning by the DPR, as some stations used the opportunity to hike the price of the product, while some others resorted to manipulating their pump volume and extorting extra cash from motorists before allowing them gain entrance into the stations.

A chaotic scene was recorded in almost all the petrol stations across the FCT, with soldiers and other law enforcement agents deployed to some stations to maintain law and order, When Vanguard visited Total petrol station opposite the Nigeria Police Headquarters, Abuja, which was dispensing the commodity slowly, a huge crowd of motorists were struggling to buy the product.

Other petrol stations that were selling amidst long queues of motorists include: Oando Mabushi;Forte Oil opposite Transcorp Hilton; MRS, Kubwa Expressway;NNPC Mega Stations, Gwarinpa and Kubwa Expressway among others.

Things are getting back to normal —NNPC This was in spite of assurances by the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency, PPPRA and the Pipeline Products and Marketing Company, PPMC, of a reduction of fuel queues following increase in products supply.

Group Managing Director of

the NNPC, Mr. Joseph Dawha, had on Monday assured Nigerians that the fuel scarcity situation will ease by yesterday, stating that the corporation is working hard to ensure that the crisis is nipped in the bud.

He maintained that things are gradually returning to normal and it is hoped that within the next two days, the situation will normalise.

He further stated that it is working with the PPMC, the PPPRA and the DPR, to ensure the increased supply of the product across the country.

He said: “Things are getting back to normal. The stations we just visited have confirmed the availability of products. The queues are disappearing and supply is improving, by tomorrow and day after tomorrow, everything will go back to normal.”

Speaking in the same vein, Haruna Momoh, Managing Director of the PPMC, lamented the absence of effective pipeline network, due to the continuous vandalisation of pipeline across the country, saying it is a major challenge to fuel distribution across the country.

He, however, assured that the fuel situation will normalise in the next few days as, according to him, supply is improving with the arrival of a number of fuel vessels over the weekend, while more vessels are expected to arrive in the next couple of days.

He further stated that the PPMC is expanding its depot across the country, adding that it is commissioning two of the depots in a few days time.

He saisd: “Despite the increase in our depots, we have to make sure that our pipelines work. When they work, fuel distribution across the country will be much easier.”

He advised Nigerians not to engage in panic buying, saying that the situation has been brought under control.

DPR warns fuel station owners Also speaking, Mr. George Osahon, Director of the DPR, threatened to deploy law enforcement agents to petrol stations found to be hoarding fuel across the country and compel them to sell to motorists at the regulated price.

He also disclosed that the DPR will not hesitate to sanction any marketer found engaging in sharp practices, especially in the hoarding of the product and in manipulation of prices.

He said: “We are going to make sure that those people who are possibly hoarding fuel, don’t hoard fuel. We will try as much as possible to minimise the number of petrol stations to shut down.

"For anybody who hoards, we will get law enforcement agency to go in there and make sure that they are forced to sell and sell at regulated prices. And we are doing that in filling stations across the country to ensure this crisis eases off as soon as possible.”

10— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

SYNAGOGUE:

Can coroner be sued or not?

Judge tasks parties ahead of ruling

By Abdulwahab Abdulah, Bartholomew Madukwe & Victor Ogunsola

L

AGOS—A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, yesterday, asked parties before Coroner's Inquest investigating the September 12, 2014 building collapse at the Synagogue Church Of All Nations, to canvass arguments on whether the coroner was a “juristic person” that can be sued or can sue.

The judge, Justice Lateefa Okunnu, made the request after noting that the issue of “juristic person” needed to be addressed in the court, before her ruling on an application by the church against the coroner’s inquest investigating its collapsed building.

The suit was instituted against the Lagos State Coroner's Court sitting in Ikeja, and the Coroner judge, Chief Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe.

The judge directed parties to canvass arguments on the issue at the next adjournment date to assist the court in its ruling.

The coroner's inquest was set up by the Lagos State Government to investigate the September 12, 2014 building collapse at SCOAN that killed 116 people.

In the suit before Justice Okunnu, the church wants the court to stay further proceedings of the inquest and suspend further actions on the invitation of the church’s General Overseer, Prophet Temitope Joshua, to appear to give evidence before it, pending the determination of its suit against Magistrate Komolafe.

The church, alongside its founder, had also prayed Justice

Okunnu for an order of prohibition, against the Coroner’s Court of Lagos State and the presiding Magistrate Komolafe from exceeding their jurisdiction in the conduct of coroner’s inquest into the death of unknown persons in the collapsed building within the premises of the church on September 12, 2014.

The church also want the Lagos High Court to issue, “An

order of Certiorari to bring the court for the purpose of quashing the 1st and 2nd respondents in the conduct of the coroner’s inquest into the death of unknown persons in the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Ikotun Egbe, Lagos on September 12, 2014 in suit number CR/AL/01/2014 concerning matters, issues and circumstances other than what directly caused the death of the

victims and the manner of their death for having been conducted without or in excess of the statutory jurisdiction of the 1st and 2nd respondents.

“A declaration that the decision of the coroner to summon the applicants to give evidence at a time when no materials were placed before the coroner against the applicants is a breach of the applicants right to fair hearing.”

HANDOVER: From left: Chief Sulaiman Adeyemi, Babaloja-General, Ketu Market, Mr. Afolabi Kazeem, Executive Secretary, Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Chief Kelvin Nwaoha, Leader, Igbo community in Agiliti and Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, during the official handing over of Maidan, Aina, Agiliti roads in Kosofe Local Government Area, Lagos State, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

NAFDAC declares drug counterfeit kingpin wanted

By Chioma Obinna

L

AGOS—NATIONAL Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, yesterday, declared a suspected drug counterfeit kingpin wanted over various offences, including attempted murder of a police officer and importation of 15 container loads of fake and counterfeit pharmaceutical products into the country.

The alleged counterfeit kingpin identified as Mr. Kenneth Okereke, is said to be on the wanted list of NAFDAC for some time.

It was gathered that efforts by the agency’s task force to arrest him recently proved abortive as the suspect allegedly attempted to run over one of the police officers with his vehicle, leaving the officer wounded.

Briefing newsmen on the failed arrest during the parade of three others arrested by the agency over forgery of NAFDAC, Customs, Banks and Immigration documents, the Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Paul Orhii, said presently, three warehouses

of the counterfeiter on –the- run housing over 15 container loads of fake drugs, valued at N1 billion have been visited by the agency.

Orhii, who described the feat

attained by the officials of the agency as the final push towards achieving the presidential declaration of zero tolerance for fake drugs, listed some of the medicines discovered amongst sev-

eral others to include; Tarivid 200mg tablet, Augmetin tablet, Proviron, Novasc, glucophage, GSK hologram, halfan, ciprotab amongst others.

Many corruption allegations against my government are politically motivated — Jonathan

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has berated internal and external criticisms of his administrationascorruptasserting that a significant proportion of the allegations has been politically motivated.

In an interview broadcast on Monday on the English language channel of Al Jazeera, President Jonathancitedtheclaimofmissing oil funds raised by the erstwhile governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and now Emir of Kano,AlhajiLamidoSanusiasone of the politically motivated allegations of corruption directed

at his government.

President Jonathan had at the height of the allegations directed a forensic audit of the transactions by the international accounting firm, Pricewaterhouse Copper.

Few months before he left office Sanusi had alleged that $49 billion was missing from the nation’s oil receipts an amount that he subsequentlyputdownto$20billion but which finance minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala initially alleged to be between $10 billion and $12 billion. Speaking on the issue of corruption in the country, President Jonathan told Al Jazeera: “Yes, people talk about corruption now, because it has become a political issue and when you promote something to the level of

politics, normally it is blown out of proportion,” President Jonathan said.

“Yes, we have corruption cases, no doubt about that. Yes, we have cases of people stealing, no doubt about that. I always said call a thief a thief. I am not saying that in Nigeria we do not have these elements of corruption or stealing."

While giving the example of the issues raised by the former CBN governor, he said: “If you start from my former CBN governor, who said initially that $49.8billionwasmissing.$49.8billion is a lot of money. What is the budget of this country for God’s sake? Our federal budget has been three point something trillion, and that’s roughly on the average $18 to $20 billion a year."

Agbaje, Ambode, Akele, others for Lagos gov gender dialogue

By Morenike Taire

L

A G O S — GOVERNORSHIP candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Jimi Agbaje, and his All Progressive Congress, APC counterpart, Akinwunmi Ambode will today field questions from the women of Lagos State at the first Lagos governorship Gender Dialogue holding at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.

They will be joined by gubernatorial flag bearers of the National Conscience Party, NCP, Ayodele Akele; KOWA Party, Victor Adeniji; and Alliance for Democracy, AD, Bolaji Ogunseye.

The first Lagos gubernatorial gender dialogue is an initiative of Vanguard Newspapers, the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, WARDC, in collaboration with Silverbird.

The dialogue, which will have in attendance the Nigerian Civil Society, members of the Diplomatic Corp and media, will tackle the candidates on their policies regarding gender related issues, such as health, education, poverty alleviation, decision making, environment, disability, among others.

UN, AU to deploy 8,700 troops to fight Boko Haram

M

R Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa, has announced plans by the UN and the African Union, AU, to deploy 8,700 troops to fight Boko Haram insurgency.

Chambas said on Tuesday in Lagos that the troops would be properly equipped to combat all forms of Boko Haram insurgency in West and Central Africa.

The special representative said the UN, AU and international partners met last month at two separate meetings to deliberate on the modalities for creating a multi-national joint taskforce.

Chambas added that the taskforce would be constituted with the contribution of troops from four countries.

“One of the top priorities of the UN today is the fight against Boko Haram. Boko Haram is not just a problem in Nigeria but has become an international concern. As we all know today, Boko Haram has also taken its atrocities to Cameroon, Niger and Chad."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 —11

S-West APC faults Yoruba leaders on endorsement

JONATHAN: I

By Ola Ajayi

BADAN—ALL Progressives Congress, APC, in the South West zone has described the recent post-national conference summit where some Yoruba leaders endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term ambition as an assemblage of strange bedfellows who lacked the political aura to sell the candidacy of the President to reasonable people in the zone.

South-West APC Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Ayo Afolabi, said the self-acclaimed Yoruba leaders were in the minority and that was why, despite purporting to be acting in Yoruba interest, they held a conference that was not opened to the public.

It said the fact that it was those caliber of people that were promoting the Jonathan candidacy in South-West had shown “how unpopular the President is in the region.”

According to the party, “It is insulting and delusional for those championing Jonathan’s cause in the South-West to think they can decide for Yoruba people behind closed doors. The party

said that Tony Uranta and Peter Obi attending a “Yoruba summit” in supervisory role from the presidency is another addition on the list of insults to the pedigree of Yoruba nation from Jonathan’s administration and why he will be rejected at the polls on March 28."

The party maintained that

VISIT: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal (right), Mr. Festus Okoye (left) and Mr. Clem Nwankwo, during a visit by members of the Civil Society Situation Room, at the National Assembly, yesterdaday.

ALLEGED DEFAMATORY COMMENTS:

damages from Fani-Kayode L A G O S — V I C E PRESIDENTIAL candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has demanded N2 billion as damages from the presidential spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode for alleged publication and dissemination of defamatory statements against him.

Professor Osinbajo is also asking for immediate retraction within seven days of the offensive and derogatory publication as well as apology on four TV channels and four national newspapers circulating in all parts of Nigeria.

In a letter addressed to Mr Fani-Kayode by Lagos lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, on behalf

“Yoruba people cannot be fooled knowing that some of those who dubbed President Jonathan a bribe giver when an allegation of $50,000 ‘bribe’ was made by the Save Nigeria Group are the ones now championing Jonathan's candidacy.

“Jonathan candidacy is

unsellable because when our members joined all Nigerians to protest and forced the pronouncement of Dr. Jonathan as the Acting President in 2010, we were not just fighting against the ‘cabal,’ we were sending a strong message that we are tired of the imperial and high-handed governance culture of the PDPled federal government.”

of Osinbajo, he is complaining of a statement made by the PDP presidential spokesman which was broadcast on Channels TV and published in several newspapers alleging that “Osinbajo made a secret oath with Senator Bola Tinubu to be his surrogate as Vice President for a period of six months to be followed by his resignation.”

According to the statement, “the direct meaning of the false defamatory statements is that Professor Osinbajo is deceitful and that his characterisation of Osinbajo as a “stooge”suggests that he is complicit in a fraud against the Nigerian people.

“Professor Osinbajo is participating in a device that constitutes subterfuge and lacks integrity, in concert with others who

Osinbajo demands N2bn you also characterise as evil, insensitive, wicked, selfish and desperate.

“Professor Osinbajo, who is a pastor, professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria has engaged in conduct that is incompatible with his faith, role/ethics as a senior and respected lawyer

“We therefore demand immediate retraction of the offensive and derogatorypublicationandapologyon four TV channels and four national newspapers circulating in all parts of NigeriaanddamagesinthesumofN2 billion.

CBN lauded on credit facilities to micro-finance firms

B

ENIN CITY—THE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has been commended for its efforts to foster a friendly atmosphere for small and medium scale enterprises with the introduction of the N220 billion Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises scheme for micro finance banks operating in the country.

The Managing Director of the Lift Above Poverty Organisation, LAPO, a None Governmental Organization, Mr Godwin Ehigiamusoe, who gave the commendation at a lecture/send off party in honour of staff, Agharese Aikephiomwan Osifo, said LAPO Microfinance Bank has repositioned the micro, small and medium enterprises by ensuring that, "microfinance as a term no longer sound esoteric in the ears of the public."

He said the growth and awareness of the Microfinance banks in the country have been improved upon by the CBN, product and schemes, which provide the lowest lending interest rate for microbusinessesatninepercentper month, noting that the interest rate by the CBN is to ensure, "empowerment for household to community level and eventually to the political space."

....As Fani-Kayode demands N5bn from Lai Mohammed

A

By Henry Umoru

BUJA—DIRECTOR, Media and Publicity of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential Campaign Organisation, PDPPCO, Chief Femi Fani- Kayode has indicated his intention to sue the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC,

Alhaji Lai Mohammed over alleged defamatory publication.

In a three-page letter by his lawyers, Ahmed Raji and Company, dated March 3, 2015, Fani-Kayode who described the alleged statements by Lai Mohammed as libellous against him, published in the newspapers, h o w e v e r , demanded a retraction of the said statement as well as an apology to him within seven

days of the receipt of his letter.

The letter also demanded N5 billion as cost for damages done to FaniKayode’s reputation.

Fani-Kayode, who complained against the content of the report, titled: “We’re concerned about FaniKayode’s mental status” and the innuendoes contained in it, said every allegation against him in the said publication was false and defamatory of his person and character.

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

Why I concentrated devt in Asaba, by Uduaghan

By Emma Amaize

A

were impressed and said it is one of the best in the country.”

The governor said that contracts were awarded for over156 roads in Asaba, out of which 64 had been completed and 75 were at various stages of completion.

He assured that more would

be completed and commissioned before he leaves office.

Uduaghan assured that the two flyover projects in Warri and Asaba will be completed.

He said one of the challenges facing Asaba was flooding, caused by

indiscriminate building of houses which block water channels, especially on AsabaOkpanam Road.

According to him, “We have started addressing the problem and wherever we stop, the incoming government will start from there.”

SABA—GOVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, yesterday, explained why his administration built the International Airport, ultramodern Government House and other development projects in Asaba, the state capital.

Speaking at the flag-off of 64 township roads in Asaba, he said: “Asaba is the capital of Delta State and it is the mirror with which many people look at us and they can go away with a wrong impression if they see the town as undeveloped.”

He said some top persons in the state questioned him on why he was paying more attention to the growth of Asaba, but he told them he had no regrets for his action because God has made Asaba the capital of the state and it must be developed to the glory of all Deltans.

His words: “God has given us a capital that is blessed.

Asaba is blessed, we have to live in unity. Last weekend, the President, Dr Goodluck MEETING THE PRESIDENT: President Goodluck Jonathan (right) with youths of Move On Jonathan, came and when Nigeria, an NGO, who signed a giant card expressing solidarity for Nigeria's military in their people saw the presidential lodge where he stayed, they operation against insurgency, on Sunday.

I won't betray Urhobo nation, Agoda assures

By Godwin Oghre

O

KPARA—THE All Progressives Congress, APC, senatorial candidate for Delta Central senatorial district in the forth coming general elections in Delta State, Halims Agoda, has promised the Urhobo nation of quality and effective representation at the Senate, if elected on March 28.

He also promised that he will neither disappoint nor betray the Urhobo nation at the National Assembly as he has never betrayed them before now while he was in the state House of Assembly and the House of Representatives, between 1991 to 2011.

Agoda, who made the pledge during his consultation visit to the President General, Dr Peter Obakponovwe and people of Okpara Inland in Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state, said he was the only candidate among the three currently jostling for the position, who has served the people, both at the state House of Assembly and the House of Representatives.

Wike vows to end Rivers, Bayelsa conflict over Soku oil wells

R

IVERS State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Mr Nyesom Wike, has said that he has obtained a firm promise from President Goodluck Jonathan that a political solution will be reached on the lingering Soku oil well conflict between Rivers and Bayelsa States.

Wike assured the people of Soku that he has the political will and capacity to resolve the Soku oil wells conflict to the benefit of the people of Rivers State.

He spoke, yesterday, when he led Minister of Sports, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, his running mate, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo and top members of the Rivers State PDP Campaign Council to Soku to meet with traditional rulers and also address the Oceania communities at a grand governorship campaign rally.

Wike told the Oceania traditional rulers that he informed President Jonathan on Monday evening during the meeting the President held with PDP governorship candidates that he would be visiting Soku and the President gave him a message for the people of the area.

He said: “President Jonathan asked me to say directly to you that he is an Ijaw son, he is your brother and therefore, you should not allow people to carry false propaganda to divide two brothers. He has asked me to tell you that it is not correct to say that he took Soku oil wells and gave them to Bayelsa State. President Jonathan asked me to tell you that the Soku Oil well conflict started earlier between Bayelsa and Rivers State, but

that it will be resolved politically.”

Speaking further, Wike said: “We have the political will and capacity to resolve this conflict.

I will not be a party to ceding any part of Rivers State to another state.”

He berated the outgoing All Progressives Congress, APC, administration for abandoning the oil bearing Oceania communities, leaving them with no projects while top Rivers government officials corruptly enriched themselves at the expense of the people.

Emerhor faults call for Jega’s removal

T

HE O’tega Emerhor Campaign Organisation has faulted the call by some Nigerians and some members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the removal or resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega.

In a statement by its Director of Publicity, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, the Emerhor Organisation wondered why any sensible person will call for the removal of Jega at this critical time. Such a call, the

statement said, was an invitation to anarchy.

“Surprisingly, none of these people has come up with any concrete reason to warrant such an action,” it said.

On the permanent voters cards, PVCs, distribution, Oghenesivbe said available statistics showed that the South-West, an All Progressives Congress, APC, stronghold, has the lowest percentage of 63.20 per cent distribution, with Ogun State having the least with 40.86 per cent distribution among the 36 states.

Nigerians need problem solving president —PETERSIDE

By Gbenga Oke

G

OVERNORSHIP candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has said that Nigeria desperately needs a president with a strong character and bearing to lead the country.

He also said that the presidential candidate of APC, General Muhammadu Buhari, remains the only option viable for Nigeria to move forward.

Speaking during an interactive session in Port Harcourt, Peterside described Buhari as a transparent and experienced leader, just as he called on the people of the South-South region to discountenance attempts to portray Buhari as a religious bigot.

He said: “Only very few persons in Nigeria today can deny the fact that the country is faced with multifaceted challenges in the areas of security, power, education, employment, corruption and many others, and it is only a focused government headed by an enigmatic leader like Buhari that can address the nation’s many challenges."

LP candidate assures Delta Ethiope East of quality representation

T

HE candidate of Labour Party to represent Ethiope East constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Evans Ivwurie, has assured the people of the local government area of quality representation if given the mandate to represent them.

Ivwurie, while addressing the people of Ethiope East at OtorhoAgbon, said he indicated interest to contest for the position after seeing the suffering being meted on the electorate by the representatives they thought would transform their lives.

He said that he came to make a difference among the people of Ethiope East.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015—13

Buhari'll turn Nigeria's misfortunes around —AMAECHI W

ITH few weeks to the presidential election, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has again assured that the All Progressives Congress, APC, under Gen. Muhammadu Buhari will turn the country’s misfortunes around if elected.

He noted that the current challenges plaguing the country would adequately be addressed with the needed political will to positively turn around the country’s wheel of development.

Amaechi spoke in Degema, Obonoma and Abonnema communities in Degema and Akuku-Toru Local Government Areas of the state during APC's ward to ward campaign.

He criticised President Goodluck Jonathan for not taking decisive action on the recent tragic shooting that disrupted the APC rally in Okirika, Rivers State.

He said: “This election is not about brother, it is about your stomach. If dollar likes, it can get to N300 or N400 to a dollar, the President can afford it but you can’t afford it. Now they tried everything possible to stop the dollar from losing control. They

couldn’t because the economy will determine whether the dollar will lose control or not and the economy has done that already.

“Another one is fuel. They have done everything possible to pay for fuel. They can’t pay. The money is not there. Now, there is fuel crisis. If they win, they will abandon you completely because they have no solution to the problems.

Odibo, best Udu material for DTHA — MONARCH

BOOK PRESENTATION: From Left Engr. Adeleke Olarewaju, chief launcher; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and Prof. Sam Oyovbaire during the book presentation/ launch on Obstetric Ultrasonography: Basic Principles and Techniques, by Dr. Festus Ossai, in honour of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa,PDP Delta State governorship candidate, in Asaba yesterday. Photo: Nath Onojake.

By Egufe Yafugborhi

W

ARRI—THE Ovie of Udu Kingdom, HRM Owhorhu I, has described Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, flag bearer for Udu constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Elegbete Moses Odibo, as the best material to occupy the seat in the coming elections.

The Udu monarch, while receiving Odibo and his campaign team, who visited his palace at Aladja, as part of his ongoing campaign, called on all Udu people to give their support to the PDP candidate to ensure that he wins the election.

Owhoru I, who noted that the primary business of the House was lawmaking, noted that Odibo, being the only lawyer among the candidates, stood a better chance to represent Udu. He said: “The only thing we ask of Elegbete Odibo is that he must not forget the people when he gets to Asaba. In and outside government, Odibo has worked for Udu. I know how much he has helped to facilitate the process of getting DSC on its feet in the past with good results.

He will do well if voted.”

C M Y K

“The first solution to the problems is a new government.

Are we going to win? The answer is yes. We have not started campaign. We will start campaign by the end of this week. We will see the crowd again that will frighten the president. Nigerians want change. Things have got to change.”

He decried the poor state of the federal road in Kalabari area,

assuring that Buhari, when elected president, will fix the road and bring other democratic dividends to the state.

“See your road. Two years ago, I sat with the president and Kalabari chiefs and I said, ‘Allow me take this road. The president said no’. You can see the road.

Next rainy season, you cannot drive into this place unless you change the President and if you change the President, then the new President can fix the road."

Benin Forum to meet on endorsement of presidential candidate

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN —FOLLOWING what it described as unauthorised statement released by the Secretary of the Benin Forum, Mr. Henry Ogbodu, SAN, there are indications that the leadership of the forum may hold an emergency meeting this week to discuss the brewing crisis in the group which is the umbrella body of all Binis.

Vanguard gathered that the meeting became inevitable after majority of the members, including the Chairman of the Forum, Chief David Edebiri, said a statement by the Secretary of the Forum was not authorised.

The Secretary of the forum, Mr Ogbodu, in a statement, had said that the comments made by the Esogban of Benin Kingdom and Chairman of the Forum, Chief Edebiri that Binis will not vote for President Goodluck Jonathan, were their personal opinion and not that of the forum.

Noting that the forum was not a political platform for endorsing any presidential

candidate, Ogbodu said that if at all the Forum was to endorse any presidential candidate, it should be President Jonathan, whom the Oba of Benin had earlier endorsed through the Crown Prince of Benin, when he visited the President in Abuja, last year.

However, a top member of

the Forum told Vanguard: “Many of us were shocked by Ogbodu’s statement and more so when we found out that the Chairman of the Forum, whom the Oba appointed, Chief Edebiri, was not also aware of the statement. That means, some people want to use him to destroy the forum, and that will not work."

No project was abandoned by Amaechi, says Peterside

By Jimitota Onoyume & Davies Iheamnachor

P

ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNORSHIP candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, Dr Dakuku Peterside, has dismissed as untrue allegations in some quarters that there were several abandoned projects of Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s administration in the state.

Peterside, who spoke in Bodo City, Gokhana Local Government Area, said work was still ongoing in all uncompleted projects initiated

by Governor Amaechi.

According to him, the state

government had not abandoned any project it started, adding that if elected, he will sustain the success of the governor.

He appealed to the people to vote for General Muhamadu Buhari (rtd), assuring that he will complete the Trans-BodoBonny Road.

In a related development, Peterside enjoined the people of the state to ensure they elect God fearing leaders.

Speaking at a dinner organised by International Ministers Network, a nondenominational Christian group in Port Harcourt, he urged church leaders to guide their members to vote wisely.

Ijaws in Edo drum up support for Jonathan

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—AHEAD of the March 28 presidential election, the Ijaws of Edo State are drumming up support for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan, saying that the President has performed well despite the challenges facing the country.

The Ijaws, who visited over 40 Ijaw communities in Ovia South-West and Ovia North-East Local Government Areas of the state to sensitise their kinsmen on why they should vote for President Jonathan, said that they were not supporting him because he is an Ijaw, “but for his developmental strides with a lot of projects across the country.”

NSCDC nabs two trailer loads of condensate, diesel in Delta

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—MEN of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, have arrested eight persons with two trailers loaded with substance suspected to be condensate and diesel in Delta State.

Parading the suspects in Asaba, state Commandant of NSCDC, Clement Adesuyi named the suspects to include Salisu Mohammed, Adamu Seidu, Sylvester Irabor and five others, who were in their custody, adding that Mohammed, 26, who hails from Yobe State, was the driver of one of the trailers with registration number Kano XA 611 KUR loaded with 125 drums of the condensate, while Irabor, 28, from Edo State drove the other trailer load of 33,000 litres of diesel.

14 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 — 15

C M Y K

16 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

FG commissions N31bn Enugu-Abakaliki-Ogoja-Ikom-Mfum road

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—THE Federal Government yesterday, commissioned the 240km Enugu-Abakakiliki-Ogoja-IkomMfum Trans-Africa Highwaywhich cost N31 billion.

Performing the commissioning at Kilometre 6, EnuguAbakiliki expressway, President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of Work, Mr. Mike Onolememen, revealed that the road project was consistent with the efforts of his transformation agenda towards free flow of persons and goods in the country.

His words: “This all important project that links Nigeria to Cameroon starting from Enugu-Abakiliki-Ojoja-IkomMfum is part of the Trans-Africa Highway project. ‘’As part of the confidence building mechanism between Nigeria and Cameroon, after the Bakassi Peninsula saga, the World Bank and Africa Development Bank collaborated with the Government of Nigeria, Cameroon to ensure that part of the Trans-Africa Highway between Nigeria and Cameroon was rehabilitated.

“The road had been in a very bad shape, so we got a soft IDA facility for its funding from the banks I mentioned.

The road was executed at a total cost of N31 billion. It was

flag-off in 2012.

“Social infrastructures were built as part of the main road work contract. Under this arrangement, 36 boreholes/ hand pumps,3 agricultural produce drying platforms,four Cassava processing mills, one rice processing mill,5 palm oil processing mills were built for communities along the main road corridors.

“Other are eight new classroom blocks and renovation of existing primary schools, two town halls, eight access road and culverts linking communities and one dispensary.”

VISIT: From left: Deputy Comptroller-General (DCG) of Customs, Trade and Tariff, Mr Akinade Adewuyi; DCG, Human Resources, Mr Ibrahim Mera; Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Ima Niboro; Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi; DCG, Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection, Mr Tahir Musa and Special Assistant to NAN Managing Director, Mr Obiora Chukwumba, during a courtesy visit to CGC's office in Abuja yesterday.

Why we rejected Elechi's gov candidate,

by PDP Council of Elders

By Peter Okutu

A

BAKALIKI—THE Ebonyi State Council of Elders of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday emphasized that the reason it decided to reject Governor Martin Elechi’s governorship candidate was because of his autocratic disposition towards issues affecting the state.

According to the Elders, the governor unilaterally nominated Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu as his preferred candidate for the PDP governorship ticket without consulting the elders as was

done in 2007 before he emerged governor on the platform of the PDP. Briefing newsmen at the end of its meeting in Abakaliki, the chairman, Council of Elders of Ebonyi State PDP, Ambassador Franklin Ogbuewu, stated that efforts made by the Council to make the governor democratize the transition process was rebuffed by him as the Council had no other choice than to back a candidate different from his.

Ogbuewu stressed that between August and November last year, each member of the council participated in various fora where Governor Elechi canvassed support for power shift from Ebonyi Central to South senatorial zone of the state.

According to him, it is not the right of the governor to further back a candidate ( Sir Edward Nkwegu) from the old Abakaliki bloc which had already produced a governor

for 16 years.

“If the governor was properly and wisely advised, he ought to have a clean break and join the Labour party. ‘’His manipulative claim to remain in the PDP while the entire structures of his government and all the expenditure of that government go to the Labour party are totally unacceptable to this council and to the generality of Ebonyi people.

“The attacks by Governor

TUC decries return of fuel scarcity

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

T

RADE Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, yesterday expressed shock over the reemergence of fuel scarcity and queues nationwide, saying all stakeholders must ensure that normalcy returned immediately.

In a statement signed by the

Go into politics now, Methodist Archbishop charges Christians

By Austin Ogwuda

E

N U G U — T H E M e t h o d i s t Archbishop of Enugu, His Grace Christopher Nweke Edeh, has said it was no longer fashionable for the church to sit on the fence while some bad politicians mess up the destiny of their members and the nation at large.

He has, therefore, advised that church leaders should encourage their flock to break the jinx and let their members participate in active politics.

He stated this while responding to remarks made by the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Enugu State, Mr. Okechukwu

Elechi on prominent sons of the state, such as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, the former Minister and Ambassador of Nigeria, Chief Franklin Ogbuewu, and former INEC Commissioner, Chief Fidelis Nwankwo, stand condemned by this council and we caution our governor to desist from statements capable of maligning, tarnishing or defaming lawabiding citizens whose interests he was elected to serve,” Ambassador Ogbuewu said.

Ezea, who visited him in Enugu to acquaint him on his vision to govern the state.

He said: “Today’s church is politically aware. We go out of our way to encourage Christians to go into politics. We have to be part of how our people are governed. If we pray and we don’t get involved, we will be destroying our prayers.”

Earlier, the APC governorship candidate lamented that the people of Enugu State were not having the best of democracy dividends.

He particularly expressed concern about the fate of students in Enugu, saying they were yet to embrace e-learning and wondered how students in Enugu could compete with their peers in other states.

President and Secretary, Bobboi Kaigama and Musa Lawal, respectively, TUC said it was shocked at the return of fuel scarcity and unbearable queues nationwide.

The statement read: “It is one unpleasant development that has cut short the joy we had when the price of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as fuel, was reduced by the Federal Government in January, 2015. ‘’It is bad enough that the masses are meant to go through these needless pains again but worst that instead of the leadership and stakeholders rising up and facing the challenge frontally they are busy casting aspersions and playing the blame game again. ‘’The Congress finds it very difficult to describe things happening on the eve of the 2015 general elections. It has indeed become an onerous task to explain because instead of politicians addressing issues and how they intend to help the economy to do better they are busy dwelling on personalities.

“Sometimes we wonder if our politicians are bothered by the current price of crude in the international market as against what it was sold for few months ago!

Could it be that politicians have forgotten that oil is the mainstay of the economy for now?

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 — 17

T

HE tide is beginning to turn: the whole world could not be going one way while Nigeria persists in going the other. Corruption has become the byword for this election as Nigerians begin to realise its very real cost and implication on their everyday lives.

Indeed, Nigerians cannot continue to accept a system of wastefulness and reckless spending in lean times. So it seems that even the embattled PDP is forced to agree as the party spokesman, Olisa Metuh, recently called on party officials and public office holders to “be ready to make sacrifices” as the party vows to work harder at ensuring prudent management of resources and “less leakages”.

This statement in itself is an indictment of the sorry state of affairs in Nigeria today. By and large, PDP currently suffers from a serious image problem which the APC as the opposition, has been smart to capitalise on, doubled by its choice of a presidential candidate who appears to the electorate as one of the few morally upright and incorruptible politicians left standing.

tprincewill@yahoo.co.uk

Nigeria, a tale of two cities perhaps in Nigeria) are accountable to their electorate who can vote them in or out (which has been done over the years without politicians threatening war, thunder and brimstone should any one person loose). Smear tactics in a two party democracy often appear in times of desperation.

But even at that, in modern societies, there are government agencies that supervise communications and advertorials, who can

Comments on social media Proof of this is that the campaigns which attempted to negatively paint General Buhari’s time in office as dubious or corrupt did not trend or hold any real traction with the electorate, if comments on social media are anything to go by.

Which would perhaps explain the efforts to draw negative attention to the General’s person, which in many ways, reminds one of Republican fielded attacks against Obama, a democrat, who was criticised for being born in Hawaii (which, mind you, is still an American state), then for being a Muslim (which as it turns out he isn’t but the idea is still irrelevant as it doesn’t make him any more or less capable), controversies many found either senseless or laughable.

So, what is it with Conservatives and “smear tactics”?

Conservatives and image problems: Conservatives around the world generally suffer from image problems; they are seen as being prorich, pro-big business rather than pro-people.

This was a huge issue after the Thatcher era in Britain where economic crisis bolstered support for Labour which cruised to power on a “proletariat loving” wave.

Even today, David Cameron’s government is seen as “selling out to the super-rich” and aiding corporate criminals and tax-dodgers (it would be interesting to find out how many party donors in Nigeria actually pay taxes).

Despite it all, they, like any other political party (except C M Y K

It is ironic that the President’s humble background has not helped the perception of him, due in part to the people around him and Nigerians feel cheated, taken for granted, especially when so many supported him when the “cabal” as he called it, refused to let him take over from Yar’Adua

sanction brands or individuals who make offensive statements (such as wishing death on a person or candidate). So what makes the Nigerian situation so different you might ask?

Difference between the Conservatives & Progressives: Let us begin with the fact that despite all protests to the contrary, our party system is still not built on much ideology.

What are the fundamental ideological differences between PDP and APC? The PDP identifies itself as a conservative party while the APC calls itself progressive. I would like to briefly discuss what these words mean in the international context before coming to what they mean closer to home.

Economic liberalism, a free market approach to public services,are some of the words used to describe conservatives while social democrats favour the welfare state, government intervention and poverty reduction programmes.

You can guess which model historically works best for a fledgling economy and a budding democracy. However, due to our indebtedness to the IMF and obsession with mindlessly copying Westerners (whose economies and societies mind you, all started out with interventionist and protectionist policies to help them grow to where they are today) we refuse to tailor our initiatives and actions to the realities on ground.

The APC in its manifesto mentions a lot of human capital development

Go ayose Govvernor FFa

T

HE name makes some cringe in anticipation, others wonder aloud: when will PDP stop waging a war against itself and rectify the mess it has made in the court of public opinion?

First, Buhari was the enemy.

When Nigerians didn’t bite— listen to your staff, e.g. cook, driver etc. talk about him and you will understand my point about perception and first impressions, “the man too honest” is a common phrase one hears—the enemy became Bola Tinubu.

So, Fayose asks Nigerians to save Buhari from Tinubu. As I

initiatives while the “Goodluck Nigeria” campaign focuses mostly on public infrastructure achievements (trains, schools etc.), agricultural reforms and the like. However, even our policy and communications strategists might just be missing the point entirely. You see, investing in human beings does not make one a progressive: ALL governments (even autocracies) invest in their citizens to survive and building infrastructure is commonplace, that it is touted as an achievement by anyone points to the mediocrity of our system rather than its progress.

Humanist tendencies Despite all this, APC’s public persona, whether true or false, is one of humanist tendencies and social succour, the missing link today between the PDP and electoral victory.

Indeed, the measure of good governance is in the quality of life: how do students fare in public education? As I often say, it is not about the hospitals, stadiums or classrooms one builds, it is about the individuals who are meant to use them. How

Uncle Jimi, ‘omoluabi eko’

I

ADMIRE him a lot. He’s not a core politician yet he’s slugging it out with the best and worst of them. But the JK I know and trust is somewhat at odds with the comments making the rounds about his asking who is more

heard someone say, but who needs saving from who?

*Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose

difficult is it for them to get a good job?

What are a child’s prospects for social mobility? Can citizens easily transport themselves from one region to another? How accessible and affordable is public healthcare to the average man or woman?

These are the questions that can either save or indict the PDP or any incoming administration. In truth, this election is not about policy, which the average voter, unfortunately, has little knowledge of as both parties have failed over the years to prepare them for such lofty but crucial conversations. It is a referendum on candidates’ public personas and perceptions, which most Nigerians take as a symbol of the battle for this country’s soul and values.

Nigeria today truly is a tale of two cities, of two competing narratives. The Spartan, disciplined soldier vs. what some would call a “shoeless prodigy ” who became president against all odds.

“The best government houses and presidential lodges are in PDP states”, said the President at a youth event in Lagos on Sunday.

The war is indeed one of perception and many wish the President’s aides would inform him of this. Former French President Sarkozy was nicknamed the “bling bling president” and lost his reelection bid due to public perception, not just the economic downturn.

It is ironic that the President’s humble background has not helped the perception of him, due in part to the people around him and Nigerians feel cheated, taken for granted, especially when so many supported him when the “cabal” as he called it, refused to let him take over from Yar’Adua.

In life, it seems, nothing is certain except death and corruption.

*PDP Lagos State governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje.

handsome between Buhari and Jonathan.

Being a conservative is tricky enough: one must remain current, something the PDP has struggled to do, and so, without embracing social media and best practices in political communications, the PDP is losing the public perception war to the ironically “youth friendly” APC and its 72 year old candidate. Food for thought.

Tabia Princewill is a strategic communications consultant and public policy analyst. She is also the co-host and executive producer of a talk show, WALK THE TALK which airs on Channels TV.

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 IF Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, Mr. Ekpo Nta, intended to shock Nigerians with his disclosure to the Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics, Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption, that some contractors presented forged tax certificates, he at best produced partial shocks.

During his defence of ICPC’s 2015 budget before the committee, Mr. Nta said 50 out of 156 contractors with the Federal Ministry of Works, operated with forged tax certificates. Their activities denied government revenue and its agencies like the Tertiary Education Tax Fund, TETFUND, of huge amounts of money that could have gone into the upgrading of our tertiary institutions. TETFUND derives its funding from taxes companies pay.

Other ICPC activities, according to Mr. Nta, included detecting 45,000 ghost workers on the federal payroll, thus saving N100 billion that would have been stolen.

ICPC also shut down 26 illegal degreeawarding institutions. According to Nta, suspects are being prosecuted, and more than 600 convictions have been recorded by the Commission and its sister agency,

ICPC’s Partial Shocks the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The picture that Nta paints is partial, and barely representative of the depth of systemic corruption in Nigeria. If one ministry out of more than 500 government ministries, departments and agencies records 32 per cent forgery in tax papers contractors present, it would be interesting to know what goes on in other places. Why did ICPC not make the list of suspects public? How could cases of this magnitude be in court unknown to the public?

Recurrent votes already consume more than 70 per cent of the annual federal

budgets. The multitude of criminals warehousing public resources for themselves, make it impossible for the nation to develop its infrastructure. More searchlights need to be beamed on the antigraft efforts by the media and social advocacy groups. It will help us not only to authenticate fantastic claims like these but also yield the benefit of deterring those who intend to commit crimes in future.

Fighting corruption without letting the public know about it is like lighting a lamp and putting it under a table. The anti-graft agencies must regularly let the public know what they are doing without waiting for annual budget defence rituals before going public with their supposed exploits.

The war against corruption cannot be fought in the closet. If the public cannot assess the effort of public institutions, they lose confidence in them.

ICPC has just begun its works – it has thousands of contractors to investigate in the federal system, states and local governments. When it goes to those ends, it would discover that its work is still in its infancy and therefore the celebrations would have to wait.

OPINION

By Eddie Mbadiwe

T

HE drumbeats reminiscent of those heard before the civil war are again threatening, discordant and sometimes frightening. One sometimes cannot decipher whether we are preparing for an election or a war.

On the day Professor Jega announced this postponement the countdown started. It is now a matter of a few short weeks and the ‘bring back chibok campaign’ is counting in days.

At amalgamation in 1914, the British colonial government in their wisdom but more importantly for administrative convenience merged the Northern and Southern Protectorate with the name Nigeria.

Unfortunately, this merger did not lead to fusion nor even cohesion among the over 200 ethnic nationalities speaking more than 260 languages that occupy this God-given land space.

Be that as it may, Nigeria is not the only amalgam nation state in existence. There are many and examples include Great Britain where the English, Scots, Welsh and Irish have worked out a modus vivendi to sustain a rocky four prolonged marriage.

Canada and Sudan are other examples where internal cold war exists among the nationalities, but the ceasefire continues to endure. Their understanding seems to be that as long as the centre holds, LET THEIR COUNTRIES BE. All nations, including those that are more than 240 years old like the United States are

Let Nigeria be work in progress. We had our centenary only last year. Admittedly, we could have done much better than we have in 100 years but it will be utopian for anyone to expect perfection within that time frame. Being work in progress is the reason we have from time to time constitutional amendments to take off the bumps and pimples and smoothen other rough edges. As long as the centre holds, LET NIGERIA BE.

INEC invariably must have an intelligence unit and are no doubt aware that the political parties are not only buying PVCs but have gone a step further to collect the pin numbers on PVCs, return them, leaving the owners N500 richer

All the infractions, attrition, bruises and pains we experience in the run up to the 2015 elections can be considered growing up pains. It is therefore important that we nurse and manage them appropriately.

Against this background, it is incumbent on all Nigerians to rein in that motley crowd of selfish, self-opinionated rascals from across the political divides who threaten, spit fire and brimstone if their candidate does not win. May they be consumed by their own fire. Interestingly, what some people fail to realise is that in any contest and more especially elections, there is no second position. Come March 28 and April 11, there will be one winner per seat. That is a given.

To those advocates of violence and death, all Christians shout HOLY GHOST FIRE. Nigeria is much more important than any one of us and to all those pocket apostles of Armageddon, our collective plea is LET NIGERIA BE. We are so large, diverse and so richly endowed that with proper management, there is enough for all.Everyone must be encouraged to contribute in baking the pie.

In this season of election, there is one malaise we must address after the election, for national stability. The virus is the WINNER TAKE ALL SYNDROME. Elections have become a war of survival or extinction because the winner takes all. In the United States a country we strive to copy and sometimes ape, there is provision FOR ALL TALENTS THAT WILL GROW AMERICA. Even foreigners with special

skills have preferential treatment in scholarships and residence permits.

Many American Presidents and most recently George W. Bush and Barack Obama went across the aisle to pick smart opposition candidates for national assignment. This is the way to go.

To all those who are architects and who promote, defend and perpetuate the “winner take all syndrome’’, Christians shout HOLY GHOST FIRE. Our plea once again as patriots is LET NIGERIA BE. INEC invariably must have an intelligence unit and are no doubt aware that the political parties are not only buying PVCs but have gone a step further to collect the pin numbers on PVCs, return them, leaving the owners N500 richer. These evil geniuses plan to be one step ahead of INEC. A majority of Nigerians demand that card readers be properly used. One hopes INEC does not buckle or waver in its resolve to use card readers.

To all those political jobbers who masquerade as politicians, Christians once more shout HOLY GHOST FIRE. Our plea as always is LET NIGERIA BE. As all Nigerians both Christians and Moslems shine their eyes and move into this season of elections let us implant in our subconscious the immortal words of John Wesley by ‘Doing all the good we can by all the means we can, in all the places we can, to all the people we can as long as we can’’, in the overall best interest of Nigeria.

•Hon. Mbadiwe, wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015—19 —19

Petroleum scarcity again?

I

T’S just been a few weeks since the Nigerian government decided that the pump price of fuel should go down following dwindling oil prices in the international market. The fall in fuel price did not happen immediately after the fall in the price of oil became obvious in the international market. It took months and hints of possible showdown with labour before government decided on any downward review of the price of oil. Even at that the review did not reflect the actual percentage of fall in the international market. From N97 per litre the pump price came down to N87 in Nigeria, even when many thought the new price could still do with more downward review.

But used to not enjoying what they have in abundance, Nigerians were nonetheless grateful that there was a reduction in the domestic price of fuel at all. This was the case even when that reduction did not translate to any reduction in the amount paid for services or commodities often subject to the vagaries of changes in fuel prices. Cost of transportation

remained the same, just as tariff on electricity seemed on the cusp of another increase. Food prices did not change in the least.

Perhaps the only thing people could point to is that they paid N10 less in the amount needed to fuel their generators per litre.

But few weeks down the line, signs started showing that even the little gain that came to Nigerians by way of fall in the international price of fuel couldn’t be taken for granted.

Long queues of vehicles for fuel emerged in different parts of the country just over a week ago.

This was reported in sections of the media. Speculations were rife that prices of fuel were about to fall. Some said the prices would rise. The outcome of it was that fuel stations started shutting their gates to buyers in anticipation of what might happen. But last week, matters came to a head as long vehicular queues returned to fuel stations in Nigeria after a long while. The reason so far given is that marketers are paying more to procure the product at the depots. Put differently, what Nigerians are being told is that the

By Prince Abugo

U

RHOBO is the largest ethnic group in Delta State which homogenically occupies a senatorial district, parts of Delta south and Bayelsa State. Urhobo are industrious, accommodative, culturally sensitive and proud of their heritage. In the First Republic, the Urhobo supported NCNC in alliance with NPC, against Chief Alfred Rewane, a disciple of Awolowo’s Action Group, AG. Urhobo with others fought for the creation of the Midwest region, though the AG wanted states created simultaneously across regions instead of only the Western Region which it considers punitive. At creation, Urhobo in Midwest got the Governor in Jereton Marierie. After the 1966 coup, Gen. David Ejoor, another Urhobo, was appointed Governor of the State. When the state was renamed Bendel, from Benin and Delta provinces, Edo parts and Urhobo were dominant but they played no second fiddle. In 1979 Chief Daniel Okumagba launched his political strength to become the governorship candidate of the NPN but lost due to agelong differences between Warri-Urhobo and Itsekiri that dates back to the pre-colonial era, the NPN and UPN rivalry was a continuation of this in the State. In the Second Republic Urhobo retained the deputy governor post under Ambrose Ali and Samuel Ogbemudia and were courted at the federal level.

Urhobo demise politically started in 1999. This was after it was a triumph of Urhobo sons as James Ibori and Moses Kragha are Urhobo. But from here Urhobo domination gave way to conspiracy and manipulation. Urhobo population and voting strength became castrated; Urhobo soon began to accommodate moles, bats, jesters and clowns, paid to pollute Urhobo politically. Urhobo were impoverished to sustain emerging moles that acted scripts of their paid masters; they lost respect of C M Y K

gains that they expected from the fall in oil prices in the international market has been wiped off by the even more precipitous fall in the value of the Naira.

Thus, what the people were given with the right hand has been taken from them with the left. In the voodoo economics of the experts in government, Nigeria is paying more on oil subsidy now than even when the price of oil in the international market was sky high.

Our national economy is crippled by voodoo logic for the simple reason that it manages to defy any kind of transparently meaningful explanation. Up until the prices of oil started falling in the international market, Nigerians paid high to fuel their vehicles and power other domestic products that use petrol. The reason for this, we were told in simple language, was that oil prices are controlled

In the voodoo economics of the experts in government, Nigeria is paying more on oil subsidy now than even when the price of oil in the international market was sky high

internationally. We could not expect to buy our fuel cheaper in Nigeria because the prices are determined by market forces internationally. What seemed to us to be high prices were being subsidised by government, the experts in government say.

Even when we could not feel convinced by these explanations, we had no option but to accept them and only fight back when matters boil over as they did during the January 2012 protests. But after a sustained fall in oil prices over many months in the past year, it became obvious that the argument could no longer hold that Nigerians should continue to pay as high for petroleum as they did until the recent past.

Even the revenue going into the Nigerian treasury from oil was at an all time low. The spendthrifts who rigged their way into power as governors blamed their inability to pay workers for several months at a time on shortfall in their monthly allocation occasioned by belt-tightening measures imposed by Abuja following dwindling oil revenue.

Thus, all in all, the people in government were agreed that little was coming in from oil sales.

Nigerians therefore asked for some reduction in what they pay to consume fuel if, indeed, everybody else around the world is paying less for it. How come there was no change in what they had to pay? they asked.

Grudgingly our leaders agreed to reduce the price of fuel. They took N10 off what we paid for fuel.

This was not the best they could do as far as Nigerians were concerned. But Abuja felt it had done more than enough. And now,

only weeks after the reduction, we are back to where we were as we are once more paying more per litre of fuel than we did even before government agreed to the recent reduction.

All through last week Nigerians paid in the region of N100 to N110 per litre for fuel. This was only possible where fuel could be got.

Otherwise, the black market is again thriving in the illegal sale of fuel. What is government doing about this? Nobody knows.

Perhaps what we should be asking is what government has done to contribute to this agonising state of affairs. So far, the problem is being put at the doorstep of the government under whose watch the Naira has been devalued to the extent it is beginning to look like we are headed in the direction of those African economies whose currencies are worth less than the paper on which they are printed. Value of foreign currencies like the US dollar, and especially the pound, has increased relative to the Naira than at any other time in our history.

As at last week, a dollar was being exchanged for about N220 in the black market. Our importdependent economy is set to suffer more for this. The astonishing thing is that when things like this happen in other places, people and the economy have something to show for it.

There are gains to point at. But this is never the case when it comes to Nigeria. What is always clear is that we suffer the pains of currency devaluation and other economic disjunctions without ever enjoying the benefits.

How Urhobo can realise governorship quest neighbours. Today Urhobo are stagnated, suffocated and driven by termites. However, the Urhobo Progressive Union, UPU, can reverse the situation. And this it can do by adopting Ifeanyi Okowa as their candidate so as to achieve Urhobo ideals. The UPU should not make decisions without looking at the implications; they must begin a genuine process to sustain unity within its ranks and move with a united body to bring peace, justice and equity to Urhobo land; they must educate others, reach out to neighbours and protect their votes because most of those agitating for an Urhobo governor are those who will trade Urhobo for pittance when it matters most.

This is because the current leadership of Urhobo must embrace history to overcome its present challenges. Certain pronouncements of some UPU leaders have become a mockery because they lack both social and traditional sanctions of its founding fathers. Urhobo problems need to be addressed through collective efforts, unity and holistic sacrifices. The cure lies in Urhobo people adopting the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Urhobo must embrace its neighbours as inseparable because of historic ties over the years.

Though Delta was created without a capital

Now is the time for the Urhobo to use their majority to support credible candidates without ethnic bias

and a capital created for Anioma without a state, it has become a moral burden, the UPU must face. They must work in tears, discomfort, sweat like Mukoro Mowoe, T.E.A Salubi and S.T. Marierie in seeing the necessity of the present.

Urhobo consists of three characters: (1) those synonymous with conspiracy, (2) those who are patriotic despite the extraordinary circumstance in the land, and (3) those who are passive and indecisive. These are the characters that shape Urhobo today; Urhobo unity is today sacrificed for self greed. The UPU must reverse the trend in making sacrifices to inflict pain on itself to revive Urhobo nationalism. There are several things the UPU can do. They must stick to the PDP, considering its Federal might and entrenchment in the State; they must align with President Goodluck Jonathan, an Ijaw; Okowa, an indigene of Owa as their own so as to sustain good relationship with their neighbours. Urhobo need to use their majority to build alliance and support for Senator Okowa, the PDP candidate, because Owa before it was made part of Delta North, was part of Delta Central; this then will enable Urhobo in future to claim a candidate of their choice after Okowa’s eight years in office.

Urhobo need Okowa to strengthen ties and pass a message that any governorship candidate must court them to rule the state. The fact that Delta South and Central had ruled the State is necessary to support Okowa to end cries of marginalisation.

Okowa is a pan-Delta and his acceptability cuts across the state. In essence, he is a man who cannot be controverted. As an Owa person he is eminently qualified in partnership with the Urhobo nation and the aspiration of Delta South. The UPU leadership must embrace him to reinvent the unity of Warri province. The Urhobo should be seen as accommodative rather

than combative. That is the only way the quest for Urhobo to have a say on who becomes governor after Okowa can be achieved.

The UPU leadership must call traditional rulers to order because some of them have become notorious for promoting selfish interest rather being custodians of tradition. Since the formation of UPU in 1931, it has brought unity to the Urhobo nation. Before then, the Urhobo were balkanised; some were with Itsekiri and Ijaw in Jekri-sobo division while parts of Urhobo central were attached to Kwale (Abraka and Orogun), and Idherhe was in Benin province, while other Urhobo clans were in the newly created Urhobo division. It took the UPU and Chiefs led by Mukoro Mowoe to address Urhobo balkanization. S.L Knight (District Officer) on January 15, 1937 made the unification. Idherhe chiefs also reached agreement with the Oba of Benin for it to be transferred to Urhobo division. Similarly Abraka and Orogun were transferred from Aboh division on January 30, 1951.

Politically Urhobo ascendancy was great in this era.

Those who feel can foist their whim or selfish interest on other tribes are dreamers Now is the time for the Urhobo to use their majority to support credible candidates without ethnic bias. The present leadership of UPU must discard termites, moles and sycophants who are threatening to demystify Urhobo political myth and chart a way of inclusiveness that claims Okowa as their own. Not doing so will be to commit political suicide.

•Mr. Abugo, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Uzere, Delta State.

20—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

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“Most importantly and critical in the development of the maritime sub-sector is to identify which of the aspect in the value chain should be set aside for Nigerians.

“But I can tell you that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council identified that factor and we are saying that no body should do freight forwarding except he is a Nigerian.”Shall Holma stated.

The council’s commercial director also said that the only way Nigerians can partake in total logistics chain is to bar foreigners from certain activities in freight forwarding practice.

She chided the authorities responsible for the issuance of practising license to foreigners, adding that the jobs are not even enough for Nigerian freight forwarding practitioners.

Logistics in the industry From left : Mr. Osi Imomoh, Vice President, Finance, Abuja Chambers of Commerce & Industry; Mr. Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Mr. Tony Chidi Ejinkeonye, President, Abuja Chambers of Commerce & Industry Limited and Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Executive Director, Business Development, NSE, at the closing Gong Ceremony at the NSE.

NSC moves against participation of foreigners in freight forwarding

By Godwin Oritse

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HE Nigeria Shippers Council , NSC has commenced moves towards indigenisation of freight forwarding business in the country.

This is to checkmate the domination of foreigners in the critical maritime business.

Director, Commercial Shipping Services of the council; Mrs. Dabney Shall Holma made this known during a meeting with members of the Customs Consultative Committee (CCC) led by its vice chairman Chief Eugene Nweke recently in Lagos.

Shall Holma said that a decision was

$138.55

1.80

$3,100.00

49.00

$13.72

-0.05

Our teeming youths do not have jobs in the logistics industry, but you have a shipping company that has a terminal, that has trucks, that has a logistics company and also a de-consolidation centre

taken to address the issue of foreign participation in Nigeria adding that the council will implement the policy as soon as it is given approval to do so.

She explained that the council is coming up with a template that will outlaw the participation of foreigners in freight forwarding in the country.

She urged the various freight forwarding groups and practitioners to build capacities for their members with a view to making them more professional in the discharge of their duties.

“We cannot rely on the multi-nationals to continue to build capacity because they will not do it, they will continue to hire and fire.

“Our teeming youths do not have jobs in the logistics industry, but you have a shipping company that has a terminal, that has trucks, that has a logistics company and also a de-consolidation centre and it’s a total logistics from end to end and that throws the Nigerian populace out of that business.

“And that is why it is so difficult for all of us to articulate how much of the trade is coming into the economic system of Nigeria.” she lamented Speaking earlier, the Vice Chairman of the Customs Consultative Committee , Mr. Eugene Nweke identified poor port access and common user roads as factors impeding trade facilitation at the port.

Nweke who also doubles as the President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF, said that cost of doing buisiness at the port will remain high except some of the factors impeding trade are resolved.

Other factors impeding trade facilitation according to Nweke includes poor crowd control, corruption and unsystematic port and trade policies.

NIDO, Heineken partner Nigeria to promote inclusive growth

By Favour Nnabugwu

$61.07

-1.51

$50.13

0.37

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

197 304.1483 207.5651 221. 2113 1.6505 0.3216 278.5934 31. 4201 52. 5263 29. 6227 278.5974

CENTRAL 197.5 304.9203 208.0919 221.7728 1.6547 0.3316 279.3005 31.5003 52.6596 29.6979 278.3045

CBN Exchange Rate as at 2/3/15

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198 305.6922 208.6187 222.3342 1.6588 0.3416 280.0076 31. 5805 52.793 29. 7731 280.0116

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HE United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Heineken, the international brewer, have signed pact to promote inclusive growth and boost sustainable development in Nigeria and six other countries.

Some of the sustainability activities the duo intend to concentrate on includes water, renewable energy and expand supply of Heineken brand in the country alongside Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Mexico and Tunisia.

UNIDO’s Director-General, LI Yong while commenting on the partnership in the agency’s newsletter, clearly explained the term inclusive to mean that all countries, all peoples, the private sector, civil society organizations, and

multinational development institution.

He said, “There should be equal opportunity for all peoples to create industries, to create manufacturing activities. All countries should have this kind of opportunity, and the benefits produced or generated by this process of industrial development should create shared prosperity”.

“As a key driver of this growth, industry must play its part by becoming significantly cleaner and vastly more energy- and resource-efficient, to guarantee the health, prosperity and security of our peoples”.

LI affirmed that the partnership with Heineken will help to transform the ambitious goals that both have jointly set

into concrete actions.

“Ultimately, we want to improve the lives of people in developing countries and make a meaningful contribution to inclusive and sustainable development while, at the same time, creating flourishing markets that foster business opportunities”.

Commenting on the partnership, the Chief Corporate Relations Officer of Heineken, Sean O’Neill said the partnership with UNIDO will help company deliver it commitments that lie at the heart of our Brewing a Better World philosophy while it will support its desire to create an approach to inclusive growth across all of our stakeholders.”

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

NAICOM is, therefore, out to ensure that genuine claims are not delayed unnecessarily

,

NCRIB'll continue to place premium on professionalism —Shoderu

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resident of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, NCRIB, Mr. Ayodapo Shoderu has said that the NCRIB will continue to place premium on professionalism in insurance broking practice and as such do all within the law to ensure that the thrust is sustained.

Shoderu, who spoke at the 2015 Fellows’ day cum award of fellows held in Lagos, said that the enforcement of standards has always been known to come with its pains, but the good news is that the result will ultimately be to the benefit of all.

Shoderu said, “My take is that there can never be an alternative way to maintain respect or be dignified in the comity of other professionals if we jettison professionalism and ethical standard which are pivots of our operation. What distinguishes a professional body from a mere trade group is the fact that members in a professional setting meet certain prescribed professional standards and have the resolve to continually update their skills to meet contemporary challenges.”

According to Shoderu, the Council’s Board of Fellows had put in place stringent conditions and was meticulous in the course of assessing and recommending the successful candidates, adding that it was the first time that prospective Fellows would be required to present thesis as a prerequisite for Fellowship admission.

“Aside from aligning with contemporary standards in other notable professional bodies’ policies, the exercise greatly exposes the professional and academic potentials of the applicants, projecting them as rounded professionals. I like to affirm that this new initiative has now been approved as an extant condition for admission of Fellows henceforth,” Shoderu said.

Chosen career The NCRIB President said that the aspiration of any professional to the pinnacle of his chosen field or profession stands as the greatest sense of fulfillment that one could have in a chosen career or professional calling, adding, “It is in realisation of this fact that the NCRIB has continued to provide opportunity for insurance broking professionals in its fold to transit to the Fellowship cadre, which is the highest echelon of the Council’s professional status.”

Shoderu said that aside from being a source of motivation, admission to the prestigious Society of Fellows of the Council is also consistent with section 5 of the NCRIB Act which makes provision for who could become a Fellow and spelt out conditions precedent to admission as a Fellow.

He charged the new Fellows to see their admission as the provision of higher pedestal of service and contribution to the growth of insurance broking, adding, “Gone are the days when professionals could go to sleep whenever they have attained the pinnacle of their professional height. The truth is that the world has become more dynamic and operators who are to succeed must adapt and continually attune themselves to new knowledge and the breaking of new frontiers of personal development.

Most importantly you must see to it that you become relentless in giving back to this noble profession through your accelerated contributions to Council.

Shoderu charged the Fellows to uphold the ideals of the Council anywhere they go, adding, “In order to ensure the continuous growth and vibrancy of insurance broking, you must provide effective mentorship to the upcoming professionals.”

,

INSURAN Insurers are imbibing spirit of prompt claims payment Stories by ROSEMARY ONUOHA

T

he Nigerian insurance industry is entering a new phase in the form of transformation. Accordingly, insurers are imbibing the spirit of paying claims, even as the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, is becoming more visible in its regulatory roles to ensure that claims are paid promptly.

So as an insurance consumer, if you suffer a loss and you send your claims demand to your insurance company, the company has a minimum of 90 days to settle your claims. However, many insurers have capitalized on this regulation to unnecessarily delay genuine claims. NACOM is therefore out to ensure that genuine claims are not delayed unnecessarily.

With NAICOM’s dispute resolution unit which oversees the customer contact centre, an insurance consumer can access the regulatory body if his insurer is unnecessarily delaying his claims. Also, underwriters are daily persuaded to settle claims within hours because some claims do not require

complex investigation.

The insurance sector is regulated by NAICOM and although the regulator admits that issues of non-settlement of claims continue to rear its ugly head now and again, NAICOM has reduced the trend significantly.

Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, said that the figure for non settlement of claims went down significantly in 2014 due to efforts of NAICOM’s contact centre in resolving

The contact centre has endeared NAICOM to the insuring public because NAICOM succeeded in resolving a lot of controversial claims

disputes arising from non settlement of claims.

Daniel said that the contact centre is readily available to the public and through it insurance consumers directly phone in when they had issues with their insurers.

“The timely intervention of NAICOM led to the drastic reduction in the reoccurring event of non settlement of claims” Daniel stated.

Accordingly, the contact centre has endeared NAICOM to the insuring public because NAICOM succeeded in resolving a lot of controversial claims which were an avenue for argument between the insured and insurer.

Because the federal government wants to focus on insurance as the next growth area for the economy, NAICOM said it is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that the insurance sector is rid of all negative perception.

Daniel said, “We cannot make a strong economy unless we have a virile insurance sector.”

NAICOM said it is set in building consumer trust and increase public awareness on insurance and it aims to achieve zero tolerance for

Global insured catastrophe losses lowest for five years —Report D

ESPITE intense snowstorms in Japan, severe hail and windstorms in Europe, major flooding in parts of the UK and several aviation tragedies, global

insured losses for 2014 were the lowest for five years, at roughly $33 billion, according to Guy Carpenter & Company, LLC. The international risk and

reinsurance broking specialist’s annual ‘Global Catastrophe Review’ report highlights a significant drop in insured losses throughout 2014 from natural and man-

From left: Chairman, Board of Fellows, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mr. Babajide Olatunde-Agbeja; Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel; NCRIB President, Ayodapo Shoderu and Past President of NCRIB, Mr. Siyan Oyebadejo at the 2015 Fellows day and induction ceremony, in Lagos.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015,

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Figure for non settlement of claims went down significantly in 2014 due to efforts of NAICOM

,

Lawal is Inspen 2014 insurance man of the year

F

From left: Finance Manager, Mr. Owen Aihevba; Marketing Manager, Mr. Eniola Ositelu; Customer Relations Officer, Ms. Tobi Ajayi and Promotions Supervisor, Mr. Festus Adinoyi, all from Ikeja City Mall, during its Valentine promo raffle draw, in Lagos. non settlement of genuine claims because Nigerians truly desire to buy insurance but the persistent negative perception of the sector continues to scare them away.

The Commission therefore said that it intends to consolidate on the gains of the past years and is strategizing on moving the Nigerian insurance sector from third position to number one in Africa.

Daniel further added that the ‘no premium, no cover’ policy is very successful as it is impacting positively on cash position of insurers, adding

that insurers therefore have no excuse not to pay claims promptly.

“The ‘no premium, no cover’ is reverberating all over the West African coast as year 2014 was a time to test its efficacy.

Francophone countries are copying it as a policy and it is working. So Nigerians should capitalize on the success of the policy to ensure that claims are settled promptly,” Daniel stated.

Recall that NAICOM said low public trust and awareness are still the biggest challenges confronting the insurance industry.

According to him, “The biggest challenge of insurance industry still remains low public trust. If the public do not trust insurance companies, people will not buy insurance. The other challenge is awareness.

People are still not aware of insurance”.

Daniel said that the transformation of the sector is helping to build consumers trust and awareness while it has increased access to insurance, urging insurance companies to collectively create the needed awareness and build public trust.

made disasters.

The Americas, which includes the U.S. and Canada, contributed around 57% of the global insured loss figure, while Europe, the Middle East and Africa comprised roughly 21%, and Asia, Australasia regions fronted approximately 23% of the losses, according to the report.

“Although insured losses for 2014 were among the lowest recorded in years, we still observed powerful impacts and significant losses from both natural and man-made catastrophes,” advised James Waller, Research Meteorologist at GC Analytics.

Interestingly, Artemis reported at the end of last year that Swiss Re’s sigma research unit had estimated 2014 global insured losses would reach $34 billion, while reinsurer Munich Re provided a global catastrophe insured loss figure for 2014 of just $31 billion.

Similarly, and again differing from Guy Carpenters review, Aon Benfield’s Impact Forecasting division recently reported that catastrophe insured losses for

2014 were 38% below the ten-year average, at $39 billion, also discussed by Artemis.

Regardless of varied totals from several of the world’s leading

brokers and reinsurers it’s clear to see that whether at the high or low-end of estimates, 2014 was someway below previous years and long-term averages.

The low-level of catastrophe losses has of course been exacerbating the softening of catastrophe reinsurance pricing.

With traditional reinsurers and insurers finding the levels of loss manageable, excess has built up which alongside growing alternative capital results in ongoing pressure on rates.

Of course, this is not a bad thing for anyone, except perhaps for traditional reinsurers who are more accustomed to higher margins on this catastrophe exposed business. Lower reinsurance costs ultimately benefit insurance consumers and force capital to be more efficient, something that ILS excels at.

Guy Carpenter’s report notes that in Europe, the most notable loss event was windstorm Ela, which impacted large parts of Germany, as well as areas of France, Belgium and Austria, Guy Carpenter notes that this event caused insured losses of

The Americas, which includes the U.S. and Canada, contributed around 57 per cent of the global insured loss figure, while Europe, the Middle East and Africa comprised roughly 21 per cent, and Asia, Australasia regions fronted approximately 23% of the losses

ormer President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) Mr. Fatai Lawal has emerged the 2014 Inspenonline Insurance Man of the year.

Fatai who is the Managing Director of Sterling Assurance Nigeria Limited was named at the Nigerian Insurance and Pension Award organised by Inspenonline.

Chief Executive Officer Inspenonline Media, Chuks Okonta, said Lawal was picked from the votes cast by the public and other considerations made by the award’s panel of assessors.

He noted that the winner raised the bar at the Institute and the industry by opting to serve a tenure which was eventful and impactful.

He added that amongst the legacies left by the winner was the printing and donation of insurance books to secondary and tertiary institutions aimed at deepening insurance awareness.

Okonta noted that the award, which started two years ago with the recognition of two distinguished individuals and an underwriting company, has now come to

roughly $2.8 billion.

For the Asia, Australasia regions of the world several aviation tragedies throughout the year caused devastation, although the report does not provide any insured loss estimates.

China, the Philippines and Vietnam felt the brunt of the most impactful storm to hit the region in more than 30 years, Typhoon Rammasun, which totalled insured losses of $250 million, and economic losses of $4.6 billion.

stay.

“This year, we decided to raise the bar by setting high standards to judge the operations of companies and impacts made by individuals in moving insurance and pension business forward. “To achieve this, we gave the public the opportunity to select those to be celebrated by calling for votes.

Having harmonised the votes which came from different parts of the country, we benchmarked the scores with the set standard to arrive at the winners we are celebrating today,” he said.

Other winners are AIICO Insurance Plc, Insurance company of the year; FUG Pensions Limited, Pension Fund Administrator of the Year; YOA Insurance Brokers Limited and Glanvill Enthoven Insurance Brokers Limited, Insurance brokers of the year.

Professional Excellence Award went to Professor Joe Irukwu; Best Professional Group went to the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria and Association of Registered Insurance Agents of Nigeria; Corporate Brand went to Mansard Insurance Plc and Leadway Assurance Limited while Corporate Social Responsibility Award was won by Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc. The organisers also recognised organisations that distinguished themselves, with Excellence Award. Organisations in this category include the National Pension Commission, Lagos State Pension Commission, Goldlink Insurance Plc and Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate.

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

Economy to double in-between elections 2015, 2019 Stories by Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

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IGERIA's Gross Domes tic Product (GDP) has been projected to hit N156.3 trillion by 2019 when the next general election would be in the front burner once again. This indicates that the GDP would have almost doubled from this year's size, all things being equal. The rebased real GDP at N82 trillion for 2013 was estimated at N84.9 trillion for 2014.

This analytical projection by the researchers at FSDH Securities, one of Nigeria's leading investment houses, was however predicated on certain developments both in the short and medium terms.

But it appears the projection is highly optimistic given its forecast growth rate of 5.68 per cent as many negative developments in the economy had forced many analysts to a downward review of growth forecasts.

Growth forecasts The investment house has however reviewed its nominal GDP projection downward from N95.09 trillion to N84.9 trillion for 2015.

FSDH research outlined the factors that would impact the growth in the next four years in the short term range to include declining crude oil prices, the general election in the current national front burner and the resolution of security challenges. The medium to long term factors would include Power sector reform, Market and fiscal policy environment, infrastructure development.

Anaysts agree that a continued decline in oil price would eclipse investment in the sector, a development which is al-

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•Okonjo-Iweala, Cordinating Minister of the Economy. ready happening with regards to bank lendings to the upstream subsector of the oil and gas industry. But the sector's contribution to the real GDP has been on the decline and it is expected to further decline in the medium-to- long term. In the power sector the analysts see growth to be driven primarily by the level of investments in the privatised entities to ensure stable power supply to fuel the expected growths. They also hinged the growth in the sector on adequate supply of gas to the power plants to enable function at investment capacities.

The on-going electioneering activities is seen by the analysts as a pointer to what the economy would turn out at post-election. Basically stability and

Basically stability and growth would follow a peaceful election outcome, and stable economic policy roll out subsequently

growth would follow a peaceful election outcome, and stable economic policy will roll out subsequently.

The acceptance of the election results, according to FSDH analysts, would help to calm the currently frayed nerves of both domestic and foreign investors, leading to a possible massive return on investment (both portfolio and direct) and a corresponding massive inflows into the economy with a positive impact on the GDP. It is also believed that while the long-stretched security cri-

ses in the North-Eastern part of the country had impacted negatively on the GDP, its quick resolution would, on the other hand impact positively on the economy. Analysts believe that the agriculture and mineral sectors' contribution to the GDP was significant enough to have a profound impact on the overall result when the region in crises is a major contributor in this sector.

In the area of monetary and fiscal policy it is believed that a contractionary monetary and fiscal policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the federal government could slow economic activities and reduce GDP in the short term, but with possible positive impact in the economy in the medium-tolong term due to the stabilization and growth impact of the tight policies.

In the area of infrastructure investment and development the analysts are of the view that poor infrastructure which had hitherto depressed growth would be given more serious attention especially with private sector involvement. This would release dormant assets and ease business developments across all sectors of the economy with massive impact on the GDP.

FG boosts public sector contribution to GDP with 400 infrastructure investments

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n line with its plan to boost pub lic sector contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) the federal government is pursuing an integrated approach to public sector investment in infrastructure development through the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

FG established ICRC as an effective framework for Public Private Partnership (PPP) in Nigeria. The ICRC was subsequently inaugurated in 2008.

About 400 projects are now in the pipeline. The projects range from power sector developments to water and road infrastructure.

The entire projects under the power sector are mainly electricity projects of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). Some of the key projects in this area include the refurbishment/ replacement of transmission assets measuring about 12,000 km of 330kv/ 132kv and 132kv/ 33kv primary/ secondary substations.

The projects which are located na-

tionwide would be executed as Build Transfer (BT) PPP model.

Another BT model being executed

by TCN is the completion of 60 ongoing 33okv and 132kv transmission lines and 330kv/ 132kv and 132kv/ 33kv substation projects across the country.

A combination of PPP model is being employed in some of its new electricity projects for 10GW Grid System Capacity consisting of 61 new 330kv & 132kv lines and 330kv/ 132kv & 132kv/ 33kv primary/ secondary substations together with multiple reactive compensation projects. The projects are located in Kebbi, Zamfara, Lagos, Plateau, Gombe, Yobe, Anambra, Niger and Kaduna states.

The model being employed is a combination of BT, Build Own Transfer (BOT), Build Own Operate (BOOT) and Build Own Operate (BOO).

Another set of projects being executed under a similar PPP model in the sector are the new projects for 13

GW Grid System Capacity consisting of 40 new 330kv & 132kv primary/ secondary substations together with multiple reactive compensation projects located in Benue, Lagos Niger and Kaduna states.

In the water and agric sectors about nine projects are being executed across the country. They are the concession of the multi-purpose components of the Gurara1 Dam in Kaduna state, Bakalori Irrigation Project in Zamfara, Jibiya Irrigation Project, Middle Rima Valley Irrigation Project, Dasin Hausa Dam in Adamawa state, Elele Prison Farm in Rivers state, Tede Dam, Peremabiri Irrigation and Land Reclamation Project and Owena Multi-purpose Dam/ Water supply project.

In the road construction sector about 13 projects are underway across the country. They include the reconstruction, rehabilitation and expansion of Lagos-Ibadan Dual Carriageway as well as construction of a bridge over River Niger at Nupeko, Niger state.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 — 25

DIARY  ARTEMIS &ITEA Co-summit Berlin Mar 10-11, 2015 TelecoDays

Prague Marriott HotelPrague Czech Republic Mar 23-24 2015

Preview The award winning GravityLight •Rural women... Many don't own mobile phones

‘Over 1.7b women in emerging markets don’t have mobile phones’

By Emeka Aginam, in Barcelona, Spain

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o-inventors Jim Reeves and Martin Riddiford spent four years developing their award winning GravityLight™, which is a light that requires no electricity, no batteries or solar dependency to operate.

Instead it uses the force of gravity to create light. A weight is connected to the end of a rope that loops through the light casing. The light is hung from any structure or tree.

You pull on the rope to lift the weight to the casing.

When you let go of the rope the weight gradually falls and pulls the rope through gears that turn a small generator to power LEDS on the light. The light shines for about 25 minutes and it only takes 3 seconds to pull the rope to restart the cycle again.

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CCORDING to a recent report released by the Groupe Speciale Mobile Association, GSMA over 1.7 billion females in emerging markets do not own mobile phones. The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with more than 250 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem.

The research further indicated that women are 14 per cent less likely to own a mobile phone than men,

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creating a gender gap of 200 million fewer women than men owning mobile phones. In particular, women in South Asia are 38 per cent less likely to own a phone than men, highlighting that the gender gap in mobile phone ownership is wider in certain parts of the world.

Interestingly, even when women own mobile phones, the report indicated that there is a significant disparity in mobile phone usage, with women using phones less frequently than men, especially for more sophisticated services such as mobile internet. In most

Samsung unveils Galaxy S6 smartphones

countries surveyed, fewer women than men who own phones report using

Interestingly, even when women own mobile phones, the report indicated that there is a significant disparity in mobile phone usage

Digitization will place Nigeria on global map — Johnson

messaging and data services beyond voice.

The report titled, ‘Bridging the Gender Gap: Mobile Access and Usage in Low- and Middleincome Countries’, examined mobile phone ownership by women, as well as the barriers to mobile phone adoption and usage and identifies actionable opportunities for stakeholders across the mobile ecosystem to accelerate the uptake of mobile technology by women.

Mobile ecosystem The report is built on the findings from the ‘Women and Mobile: A Global Opportunity’ report launched in 2010, which first highlighted the disparity in mobile phone ownership between men and women in lowand middle-income countries.

This new large-scale study looks at how, in the five years since the benchmark study was launched, access to mobile phones has increased substantially and Continues on page 28

Nigeria Satellite Project:

A new beginning?

26 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

SOCIETY & SOCIAL MEDIA

By Agbolade Omowole @iamagbolade

Tech developments that’ll bring ‘Heaven on Earth' in 2015

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WAS intrigued when Bishop David Oyedepo, during ministration at the completion of Shiloh 2014, said “Heaven On Earth” is the vision for 2015. Immediately I tried to envision the realization of “Heaven on Earth” from a scientific perceptive.

From biblical records at the Garden of Eden, the animals spoke with Adam and Eve. Humans lived much longer.

For instance, Methuselah lived for 937 years. Humans speak the same language before the tower of Babel.

Experiencing heaven on earth in year 2015 will be heralded by scientific innovations that will break the glass ceiling. For instance: Language differences will disappear According to the seer Nostradamus ‘following the invention of a new engine, the world will be as in the days before Babel.’

When one travels to a new country, the language barrier m a k e s communication the biggest problem That will c h a n g e f o r e v e r starting this year, 2015. A s i m p l e •Smart earpiece will earpiece be smart enough to interpret all languages for you.

People will live to be over 200 Advances in medicine will extend the average human life span to 200 years.

An 80-year-old will look just like a 50year-old, Nostradamus says. Already the Chinesse are living up to 120 years and above.

In May, scientists at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York concluded that by suppressing the release of a single protein produced in the hypothalamus region of the brain, they were able to extend the lives of mice and reduce the onset of age-related illnesses. Plus, the mice performed better on learning tests.

A little earlier last year, researchers at the Harvard Medical School found more evidence that resveratrol, a chemical compound found in berries, grapes and particularly red wine, can help cells in the body live longer.

Humans will learn to talk to animals Advances in the science of telepathy will make it possible for people to talk with their pets and farm animals. This will lead to an upsurge in vegetarianism. In the words of Nostradamus, ‘The hog will become a brother to man’ afterall, Chimpanzees have 90 percent of human gene.

Samsung unveils Galaxy S6 smartphones M

OBILE devices and consumer electronics maker, Samsung has finally unveiled its latest flagship Galaxy S6 and Samsung Pay respectively.

This follows September’s unveiling of the vendor’s Note 4 and Note Edge phablets, the latter of which features a curved screen on one side.

“By listening to our customers, and learning from both our success and missteps, we continuously push forward new technologies and ideas,”

•Samsung galaxy S6 JK Shin, CEO and head of the IT & Mobile Communications division of Samsung told international visitors during the launch of the products.

He said that S6 line features “the

world’s first 14nm mobile processor with 64-bit platform, new LPDDR4 memory system and UFS 2.0 flash memory,” providing higher performance and enhanced memory speed with lower power consumption.

The smartphones are also built on an upgraded version of Samsung’s KNOX secure mobile platform, “offering defence-grade features for real-time protection from potential malicious attacks”.

Both devices feature a 5.1-inch quad-HD (2560×1440) screen, 16MP main and 5MP front-facing cameras, and come with 32GB, 64GB and 128GB storage options. Also supported are both WPC- and PMA-certified wireless charging technology.

The company also announced the anticipated Samsung Pay service, rivalling Apple Pay, which was unveiled by the iPhone-maker late last year. Set for launch in the US during the second half of 2015, the company disclosed that it will be “compatible with more locations than any competing offering in a single application”.

MTN proves voice still king with TruTalk relaunch

By Prince Osuagwu

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ESPITE all the noise about voice revenue nose-diving due to massive data push in the telecommunications sector, major operators still believe that voice will continue to be king for a long time.

This follows different innovations towards the voice segment and massive promotions and products churned out on daily basis to improve the voice market.

For instance, major Nigerian telecom operator, MTN Nigeria, last week relaunched its uninterrupted talk time promo, tagged TruTalk, saying it was to boost voice communications and give customers freedom of communication.

The new package is a prepaid tariff plan that gives customers the privilege of making calls at a tariff rate of 11 kobo per second to 11 selected numbers from any network of choice.

This invariably reduces the call rate to almost half the cost of normal call rate of 20kobo per second.

General Manager, Corporate Affairs, MTN Nigeria, Funmi Onajide, at the re-launch, said the re-launch is part of

the company’s ways of trying to meet and possibly exceed subscribers’ expectations.

“For us at MTN, the launch of these extensions to the MTN TruTalk plan is an attempt to demonstrate our understanding of the desires of the vast majority of customers. This is the desire to talk and to talk cheaper. Whilst it is true that this industry is gradually moving to Telco 2.0, which is the focus on data and digital services, we also

The new package is a prepaid tariff plan that gives customers the privilege of making calls at a tariff rate of 11 kobo per second to 11 selected numbers from any network of choice

From left: General Manager, Corporate Affairs, MTN Nigeria, Funmi Onajide; General Manager, Consumer Marketing, Richard Iweanoge; Chief Marketing Officer, Bayo Adekanmbi and General Manager, Mobile Money Usoro Usoro, at the re-launch of the MTN TruTalk tariff plan, in Lagos.

realise that there is a need to make it easier for people to talk. Although at the moment, data is the crown-prince, voice remains king,” Onajide added.

MTN said it pledges to continue to enrich the customer experience by offering a robust bouquet of innovative products and services, citing the launch of two additional features to The TruTalk service as a testament of that pledge.

Meanwhile, Onajide promised that the company would continue to explore new initiatives, innovative enough to avail subscribers more value for their money.

The TruTalk relaunch comes at the heels of a recently launched Betterme offer, which also gives subscribers more benefits including access to the internet at lower rates.

Access to internet The MTN TruTalk service is also an upgrade of the Family and Friends feature, which avails customers more talk time and an opportunity to make calls for half the rate. Analysing the prepaid tariff plan with the game of football, which has 11 best players in a particular team, the Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Bayo Adekanmbi, said halving of the tariff was to enable people get things done, while adding that Nigerians now have the liberty to pick their best eleven across all networks to add more value to their lives.

“For us, customer satisfaction is key, which is why we are offering even more value for money by upgrading the Family and Friends feature so our customers can talk endlessly with the best 11 members of their team,” Adekanmbi said.

MTN TruTalk is a prepaid tariff plan that offers a flat rate of 20 kobo/sec across all networks from the first second a call is initiated. The tariff plan does not attract a daily or monthly subscription or access fee.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 —27

Digitization'll place Nigeria on global map — Johnson

By Emmanuel Elebeke

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INISTER of Communications Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson, has said that Nigeria’s ongoing digitization process will soon position the nation’s economy on the global map.

The Minister stated this during a press briefing in Abuja recently where she outlined the activities of the industry to enhance the economy.

She said the decision of President Jonathan to create the ministry in 2011, has started yielding the desired results as the ministry had consistently made significant impact on the Nigerian economy.

Johnson explained that the ministry is on a clear path to creating an inclusive digital economy that supports the positioning of Nigeria as a top ranked economy globally, not just from GDP perspective but from productive, efficiency, transparency and good governance. According to her, the new ministry has energized the Information and Communication Technology, ICT, sector, which is now helping to build a new and better Nigeria, adding that the ICT industry remains the foundation for Nigeria’s transformation in the st 21 century.

“The industry in Nigeria has come a long way, as stakeholders, we have and with

•Digital equipment the carving out of the Ministry of Communication Technology in 2011, this has brought a new dimension to the sector and the way it is perceived both within and outside the country.

“Through the various initiatives by the ministry and in collaboration with its stakeholders, the industry has in the last four years recorded a remarkable feat.

“The domestic value added in key areas was sub-optional and it was characterized by consumer preference for global brands and the level of importation of inputs and finished products. But with the establishment of the ministry, and the laid down ICT documents; the National Broadband Strategy and Local Content

Guidelines, all came through the efforts of the President and the stakeholders. With that, we have been able to make remarkable progress,” she said.

The Minister, who acknowledged a preponderance of challenges in the sector, said the ministry is looking forward to delivering on the promises of the transformation agenda by addressing the challenges in the ICT sector. She underscored the need for the country to leverage on the opportunities that ICT brings to the fore for socioeconomic development of the nation.

One of the promises according to her is the provision of adequate and ubiquitous rollout of broadband to all Nigerians by 2018.

To her, the connectivity plan is so dear to her heart with the sole aim of providing a ubiquitous, robust and cost-effective ICT infrastructure to support the creation and development of a digital economy, by ensuring that Nigerians have affordable and reliable access to devices and have the capacity to use them; in a manner that all Nigerians can all benefits from the ICT resource.

African online video consumption to increase by 55% by 2019 — Ericsson CEO

By Emeka Aginam, (in Barcelona, Spain)

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HILE more people across the globe using mobile broadband to view content, the Chief Executive Officer of Ericsson, Hans Vestberg, according to the company ’s Consumer Lab Report has predicted that African online video consumption would increase by 55% per year until the end of 2019.

Speaking on Monday during the opening-day of media and analyst briefing at the ongoing 2015 Mobile World Congress holding in Barcelona, Spain, Vestberg told international Technology Reporters that more people would use broadband to view stream video content as a result of growing demand for video. This year’s MWC with the Edge of innovation as the

overriding theme brings together not only leading lights from the mobile ecosystem but top level executives from a wide range of the industry.

He said that there are already 2.9 billion mobile broadband subscribers in the

world with the last billion added in less than two years.

Reflecting on the pace of change in the industry during the briefing, he highlighted on the latest solutions that the company is bringing to market, while making predictions for 2015.

He assured that the company’s solution on showcase would support operator needs across network evolution, IT transformation and opportunities for innovation and revenue growth.

Rack Centre, IXPN team up on Internet exchange point

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ACK Centre and the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) have announced partnership in the establishment of an Internet Exchange Point at Rack Centre’s Tier III, carrier neutral data centre in Lagos.

An Internet Exchange Point (IXP) is designed to keep local internet traffic local, providing a platform for Nigerian Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) to exchange traffic at a lower cost. The platform is designed to support the new information

technology age V in Nigeria, help to build local technical expertise, encourage local content hosting, local business creation and help speed up connections.

The aim is to encourage local solutions that bring global impact, to provide a platform that enables Nigerian businesses currently hosting their content overseas to bring it back in the country and encourage the large international internet content providers to establish a presence in Nigeria.

NCC rates Airtel fastest in new customer growth

By Laju Iren

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eading telecoms operator, Airtel Nigeria, has emerged the fastest growing mobile operator in the country, according to the latest report published by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC. According to the NCC report published last month, Airtel recorded the highest growth in new customers in the last quarter of 2014, garnering 32% of the overall new customers between October and December, 2014.

The Nigerian telecoms industry recorded a total of 4, 766,511 new customers in the last quarter; 1,502,293 on the Airtel network, while MTN, Etisalat and Globacom recorded 1,434,119, 1,222,363 and 607,736 new customers respectively.

In percentage terms, while Airtel finished the last quarter as the fastest growing mobile operator in Nigeria with 32% of new customers market share, MTN, Etisalat and Globacom closed the quarter with 30%, 26% and 13% respectively, in terms of new customers recorded in the period.

Reacting to the report, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, thanked Nigerians for choosing the Airtel Network, noting that Airtel has been consistent in its effort to create real value for its customers in line with its vision of becoming the most loved brand in the daily lives of Nigerians.

“We are happy to be the network of first choice for many Nigerians. We will continue to invest in the quality and capacity of our network just as we will continue to create value through our innovative and exciting value propositions.

••certifies IT solutions firm, Concept Nova

I

T solutions company, Concept Nova, has received the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, approval to provide services in the market. This approval gives strength to the launch of the company ’s new innovative product called the Ti-kon Vehicle Tracker.

According to Head of Strategy and Marketing, Ms. Chidimma Onyeokoro, “this comes at a great time when one of our most innovative products is due to launch with one of the Largest Online Marketplace.”

Onyeokoro disclosed the immense joy this certification brings at a time when the Ti-kon vehicle monitoring device launches on the online platform of Konga and subsequently offline as well with some selected franchise partners.

This comes at a time when security is one of the banes of the economy.

The Ti-kon vehicle monitoring solution provides effective monitoring of your vehicles’ daily performance, as well as shows your employees’ driving habits, all at the touch of a button via any GSM/ GPS enabled mobile phone.

28 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

NIGERIA SATELLITE PROJECT:

‘Over 1.7b women in emerging markets don’t have mobile phones’

A new beginning?

Continued from page 25

By Chris Uwaje

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ET'S for a moment, imagine the globallywired Internet Ecosystem without the Satellite. The world of tomorrow belongs to those nations that can properly harness, organize, manage and control their Intellectual Property Resources. The relevance, strategic importance and role of Nigeria Communications Satellite limited, NIGCOMSAT as a significant accelerator for national development may have just begun. This is informed by the cloud-modeled advent of the knowledge economy and global population surge.

The World is going to Pluto!

New Horizon flies faster than a speeding bullet. Indeed it is much faster. In 2006, NASA launched the New Horizon, a Plutonium-powered probe speeding up to 47,000 miles per hour on its 10-year journey to capture the first close-up images of Pluto and a region of the outer solar system called the Kuiper Belt. The probe has the capability to orbit so fast to reach the moon in just nine hours, a journey that took Apollo 11 three days to make in 1969!

Lesson learnt is that speed has become the common currency and centre of gravity for the survivability of 21st century nations. And, this centre of gravity is dictated and measured by the capacity and capability of Information and Communication Technologies, ICTs, domiciled and applied to nation building.

This makes Satellites strategic imperatives.

.

S a t e l l i t e 2013, slightly outpacing both worldwide economic growth (2.4%) and U.S. growth (2.8%). Therefore, while visioning for the desired public-private-partnership model to transform Nigcomsat, existing platform

Past learning curves, progressions and experiences garnered over the years, should be recognized as a great national asset

Chris Uwaje is the Chairman of Mobile Software Solutions & Immediate Past-President of ISPON.

Etisalat/IHS receive African Telecoms Deal of the Year 2014 award

Strategic imperatives This new strategy has now echoed at Nigcomsat and translates to acknowledging that a new ray of light and indeed a new beginning has been registered into the space segment of Nigeria Satellite initiative.

Moving forward therefore, we must fashion out a new business model and dynamic structures to challenge and empower the new Management Team endowed with immeasurable capabilities and an experienced pilot at the helms of affairs to innovative.

They will therefore require a constructive political will, as the core accelerator to retool, innovate and break new grounds.

The Satellite market is currently at a high boom. Google, Facebook, Corporate Big-Multis and indeed many nations with vision are investing in Satellite and Drones business. Global Satellite industry with revenue of about $200billion grew 3% in

must be vigorously and adequately reengineered and empowered to make it very attractive for robust investment from the private sector. Past learning curves, progressions and experiences garnered over the years, should be recognized as a great national asset – especially at a time like this, when the world is currently yearning for content manage with obsolete tools.

(To be continued next week)

By Prince Osuagwu

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UST a few months after two Nigerian telecommunications outfits, Etisalat Nigeria and IHS consummated a partnership deal to strengthen market offerings, the deal has attracted a coveted award from Euromoney/Project Finance Magazine’s organized IJGlobal Europe & Africa Award.

The partnership which happened in August 2014 was designed to promote network sharing, ensure higher quality, sustain reliable mobile services, lower overall costs and also promote a cleaner environment through reduced diesel usage and increased investments in alternative energy solutions.

In the ‘African Telecoms Deal of the Year 2014’ category, Etisalat and its partner emerged the winners flaunting the privilege of being the first deal by a major GSM operator in Nigeria.

Etisalat said that the award handed to it at the event held in London recently, is reassuring the company that its broader strategy to drive improvements in the quality of its network and to accelerate the roll out of 2G and 3G coverage and new services to its customers, are on point.

Responding after receiving the award at the presentation dinner, Head of Strategy and Business Development, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Seun Oshitade expressed appreciation to the organizers of the IJ Global Awards as well as the partners to the deal. He said, “This award recognizes our continuous strategy to increase the coverage and capacity of our network which is already rated number one for quality of service by the Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC. Other key stakeholders who contributed to the success of the deal include financial advisers, Stanbic Bank and legal advisers, Norton Rose. Representatives from these organisations were at the event to join Etisalat in receiving the award at the ceremony held at the Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London.

IJGlobal Editor Sarah Tame, and Deputy Editor Jon Whiteaker while presenting the awards commended all the winners for the market-leading transactions in their different sectors.

The IJGlobal Awards is organized by the Infrastructure Journal and Project Finance Magazine, a publication of Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC.

mobile phone penetration rates are accelerating rapidly in the developing world.

Left behind: However, the study also found that despite the progress that has been made, women continue to be left behind and challenges remain in ensuring that women are included in an increasingly connected and internetenabled world.

“The ubiquity and affordability of mobile presents us with the unprecedented opportunity to improve and enhance social and economic development; however, as our study shows, women in particular tend to be left behind as owners of mobile phones and as consumers of mobile services,” Anne Bouverot, Director General, GSMA, said, adding that, “By addressing the gender gap in mobile phone ownership and use, we will deliver substantial benefits for women, the mobile industry and the broader economy.”

According to him, “taken together, our research indicates that the gender gap in mobile ownership and use is driven by a complex set of socio-economic and cultural barriers that negatively affect women. Without targeted intervention from the mobile industry, policy makers, and other stakeholders, the gender gap in ownership and use is unlikely to close naturally on its own.”

Barriers: The top five barriers to women owning and using mobile phones from a customer perspective, according to the report were, cost, network quality and coverage; security and harassment via mobile; operator or agent trust; and technical literacy and confidence issues.

Social norms and disparities between men and women in terms of education and income influence women’s access to and use of mobile technology, and often contribute to women experiencing barriers to mobile phone ownership and use more acutely than men.

The report also revealed that mobile phones are important tools for enhancing the lives of women in low- and middleincome countries.

Of thousands of women interviewed in this report across 11 countries, including both mobile phone owners and nonowners, at least 89 per cent said mobile phones help or would help them stay in touch with friends and family, while around 74 per cent said mobile phones do or would save time. Approximately 68 per cent of women, according to the study reported they would feel safer with a mobile phone.

Social and economic benefits The report found that achieving parity in ownership and use between men and women in low- and middle-income countries could bring socio-economic benefits, such as the availability of new education and employment opportunities, to an additional 200 million women; unlock an estimated US $170 billion market opportunity for the mobile industry by 202020; and deliver a positive economic contribution to society.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 — 29

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30 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

The Nigerian securities industry and the 2015 national elections (3) From left: (sitting): Speakers at the one-day conference on “Private Equity Exits” organised by NASD Plc are Mr. Ladell Robbins, African Capital Alliance; Mr. Bola Ajomale, MD/CEO NASD Pl and Mr. Adeniyi Falade, MD/CEO Crusader SterlingPensions Ltd.

Nestle Nigeria cuts expenditure as consumers feel devaluation of naira Stories by Peter Egwuatu, with agency reports

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estle Nigeria’s Chief Executive expects the firm’s capital expenditure to slow to its lowest level in five years after a currency devaluation dampened customer spending in Africa’s biggest economy.

Dharnesh Gordhon told Reuters Africa Investment Summit that consumers in Nigeria were suffering from the devaluation triggered by a sharp drop in the price of oil. A raging Islamist insurgency in the north had also limited the company’s product distribution plans.

“Consumer sentiment is definitely much lower... it’s about the oil price, it’s about the currency, it’s about the uncertainty in the economic climate,” Gordhon said in Lagos. “We realize that consumers are finding things tough... but at the same time we cannot pass on cost.”

Gordhon said the Nigerian unit of the world’s biggest food group Nestle SA had invested $400 million over the past six years into its food and cereal business to lift capacity.

He said the firm would spend $200 million over the next 18 months to maintain growth, such as investing in packaging which currently has to be imported, but would shift its focus to managing costs given the challenges facing the economy.

“It’s lower (spending) than what we had over the last five years. Our capital expenditure has definitely dropped ... because we ramped up capacity,” Gordhon said.

Nestle Nigeria’s annual turnover hit 143.3 billion naira ($716.50 million) in 2014, up from 133.06 billion naira in 2013. Pretax profit last year fell

Honeywell group to list subsidiaries on NSE

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here are indications that Honeywell group may to invest 150 billion naira ($750 m) over the next three years to fund growth across its businesses and also list one or two subsidiaries on Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE. The Chairman, Honeywell Group, Oba Otudeko told the Reuters Africa Investment

UBA takes banking to Facebook with U-Social

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nited Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has introduced an innovative online banking solution called USocial, which offers flexibility and convenience to customers who desire to do banking transactions on social media using their Facebook account.

U-Social is designed to promote financial inclusion and to make the bank’s services available to customers regardless of the time and their locations. U-Social comes as online-based application on C M Y K

6 percent to 24.44 billion naira.

It said two years ago it aimed to triple sales to 350 billion over a 10-year period and would invest 100 billion naira over the same period to boost its growth.

Gordhon said that he expects the market to grow modestly and not in double-digits this year.

He also expected a weaker naira, ranging between 220 to 250 this year to the dollar after the currency devaluation.

The naira crashed through a psychologically important level of 200 to the dollar last month in a rout triggered by weak oil prices and escalating tension over the postponement of a presidential election in Nigeria.

Facebook, it is easy to download and immediately syncs with the user’s Facebook account. USocial is also an easy-to-use and secure banking solution, which is accessible to all UBA customers who are on Facebook.

Users can access U-Social on h t t p s : / / ubasocials.ubagroup.com on mobile or desktop device.

Users accessing U-Social are immediately presented with four options including; open account, enrolment, locate services and settings.

Summit on that Honeywell, with interests in agriculture, real estate and energy, is expanding capacity to tap into the consumer base in Nigeria’s economy.

Accordiing to him “We have a plan to invest up to 150 billion naira in the next 2-3 years and we have started.”

He said 50 billion naira of that investment would be in Honeywell Flour Mills, its flour milling business which it listed six years ago.

The company has a market capitalization of 23.5 billion naira and is the country ’s second-biggest maker of pasta.

But it faces growing competition at home, not least from Flour Mills of Nigeria and Dangote Flour Mills (a unit of South Africa’s Tiger Brands).

Otudeko said the parent firm, set up 40 years ago, was recapitalizing the flour milling business in a bid to remain competitive. The parent has invested 20 billion naira in the past two years across its businesses.

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he Investments and Securities Act, ISA, 2007 is the primary law for the securities industry which law provides the framework for the regulation of the Nigerian capital market by the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC. The Act sets out to ensure the protection of investors and the maintenance of fair, efficient and transparent market.

The Investments and Securities Tribunal, IST, is the specialized tribunal created by the Act for specified capital market matters. However, SEC is an agency of the Federal Government and the Constitution has granted exclusive jurisdiction to the Federal High Court when the Federal Government or any of its agency is being challenged over any executive or administrative action it took.

The IST has the distinct character that judgement should be given within 90 days of the commencement of the hearing of a matter before it. The Court of Appeal has recommended that there should be a constitutional amendment to qualify the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court such that matters vested in a specialized tribunal or court can be determined before the specialized tribunal or court notwithstanding the parties before the specialized tribunal or court. We should put this constitution

A new committee should be put in place to review ISA 2007 and in particular the section on corporate responsibility of public companies to include provisions for the protection of investors/ shareholders in companies

amendment in place such that we can take full advantage of the capacity of the IST. A committee was set up by the Federal Ministry of Finance in 2010 to carry out a review of ISA 2007. The Committee invited contributions from the public but it was not allowed to complete its work. One of the major concerns of investors is the procedure for the resolution of disputes between capital market operators and their clients.

The 1999 version of the ISA allowed the IST to adjudicate on matters relating to disputes between capital market operators and their clients.

However, the 2007 version of the ISA requires clients of capital market operators to take their complaints first to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, and SEC and the matter could then be referred to the IST as an appeal of a decision of SEC. Regrettably, there is insufficient understanding that regulation by SEC is a legitimate quasi-judicial procedure for prompt dispute resolution at minimal cost. Some parties seek to invalidate the dispute resolution process before SEC by claiming on appeal that SEC has acted as investigator, prosecutor and judge.

I believe that ISA 2007 should be amended to allow for capital market operators/clients disputes to be taken directly to the IST. A new committee should be put in place to review ISA 2007 and in particular the section on corporate responsibility of public companies to include provisions for the protection of investors/ shareholders in companies.

When a company listed on the NSE fails, SEC and NSE have a primary responsibility and not the Corporate Affairs Commission.

The performance of any company is entirely in the hands of the company’s directors.

Directors have a duty of care and skill under Section 282(1) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) and action can be taken against directors for negligence and breach of duty under Section 282(2) of CAMA. Shareholders cannot readily obtain information on the directors’ acts of negligence and breach of duty. A revised ISA 2007 should make it possible for SEC to order an inquiry into a company quoted on the NSE over and above the provisions of CAMA.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 — 31

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Anambra govt, AMATAS mediate in Sokoto Road traders rift VOL. 1 NO 24

PAGE 2

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

Community sends SOS to Enugu govt over poor state of schools ...threatens to boycott elections A classroom block at Community Primary School, Agudene Umabor, Enugu.

E

NUGU—THE people of Agu Umabor in Nsukka Local Government Area have called on the Enugu State Government to save the primary schools they built in the 1950s from imminent collapse.

Members of the community, who spoke with the South East Voice in separate interviews, said the three primary schools in the area were no longer better than piggeries houses due to neglect by the government.

They said the schools, located at Agudene, Edem and Iyiogwe, were built by members of the community during the colonial days but had since been taken over by the government.

Sandy floors “Our children are no longer finding it funny to study in those buildings. They are now infested with jiggers because the floors are sandy,” Mr. Sabinus Nwodo, a member of the community, said.

Nwodo said the Community Primary School, Agudene Umabor had particularly become dangerous because the walls were cracked and could collapse anytime nown.

He said that many of the pupils in the school had left for private schools because of the poor state of facilities in the school.

Another member of the community who pleaded anonymity said the area was generally neglected by the government, saying that the state of the schools was just a reflection of the general state of affairs in the area.

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•Another classroom block at Community Primary School, Agudene Umabor, Enugu State.

“Our roads are not passable; the only health centre in the

Our children are no longer finding it funny to study in those buildings. They are now infested with jiggers because the floors are sandy and dirty

area is now a forest and electricity and potable water remain mere dreams in this area. The state of the schools is just one of our numerous problems,” the community member said.

The Agu Umabor Elite Group, a political pressure group in the area, had recently threatened

to boycott the forthcoming general elections if the neglect of the area was not addressed.

The Convener of the group, Mr. Gil Abonyi, said the decision was reached at a New Year retreat organised by the group.

Earlier, two teams from the Enugu State government

under the platforms of Visit Every Community programme, had visited the area to ascertain the people’s needs.

Addressing the teams, the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Kevin Mamah, had said that the Continues on page 3

ALSO IN THIS EDITION ‘Lucrative’ fake drugs business at Onitsha Head Bridge market

Police parade man for selling his 14month-old baby for N300,000 — PAGE 4

— PAGE 6

2— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

Anambra govt, AMATAS mediate in Sokoto Road traders rift

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

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NITSHA—ANAMBRA State government and the leadership of Anambra Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, AMATAs, may have waded into the lingering leadership crisis at the Sokoto Road Traders Association, Onitsha, in the state.

This followed the fixing of an election timetable to be conducted by the traders themselves in the market next week.

President of AMATAS, Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo who spoke to South East Voice on the telephone, said that the election would put to rest, all the grievances relating to the leadership crisis in the market.

Ezenwankwo who dissocia-

ted himself from the January 22, election that brought Chief Ignatius Oforzoba-led nineman committee into office, said he was not aware of such an election, as the leader of all the markets in the state.

The association, a unit of Onitsha South Shop Owners Association of Nigeria, OSSOTAN and an appendage of Onitsha Main Market Traders Association, has been enmeshed in a leadership crisis since 2013 when the tenure of the former elected executive expired.

The leadership crisis sparked off as soon as state Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, in conjunction with AMATAS appointed a caretaker committee led by Amechi Okafor to head the traders.

The government had, after series of protests by some

aggrieved traders and the Board of Trustees, BoT, of the association, directed OSSOTAN to conduct a fresh election. In response to the directive,

The leadership crisis sparked off as soon as state Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, in conjunction with AMATAs appointed a caretaker committee led by Amechi Okafor to head the traders

•Governor Willie Obiano OSSOTAN Chairman, Chief Eric Uwaoma fixed the poll for January 22, 2015.

However, on the eve of the new poll, Uwaoma announced his withdrawal from the conduct of the poll thus, bringing about, the confusion that trailed the election.

While Oforzoba and his supporters claimed that an election which they won was conducted, the embattled caretaker committee of the market led by Okafor and his own supporters insisted that no election was held that day or any other day, as according to them, “elections are not conducted in secrecy.”

Okafor and his Secretary, Callistus Igboka told South East Voice in the market

yesterday that the purported election of January 22, by a splinter group in the market, headed by Oforzoba never held since the state Ministry of Commerce and Industry cancelled the election and had just released a new timetable for a proper election.

They accused some members of the BoT of the market who they said operated outside the market with the association’s documents of fanning the embers of discord and advised all the traders who were interested in running for any elective office in the market to pick their nomination forms and contest for any elective position of their choice instead of formenting trouble.

EXTORTION: Mo Mottorists, okada rider riderss accuse AST A of turning tto o ‘old w ays’ ASTA offficials of re returning wa

By VINCENT UJUMADU

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WKA—MOST people in Anambra State, especially motorists and commercial motorcycle

operators, heaved a sigh of relief when the state government announced that the erstwhile Anambra State Traffic Agency, ASTA, was to be rebranded, in view of allegations of its official’s

•Some officials of ATMA on duty C M Y K

extortion habit. After their training that took some months, the name was changed to Anambra Traffic Management Agency, ATMA, and the new set of workers had since been deployed to strategic areas of the state to ensure free flow of traffic.

However, although the rebranding was meant to curb corrupt tendencies of the former staff members, some of the new ones have returned to the corrupt habit of extorting money from motorists and commercial motorcycle operators. And they are doing it with impunity.

As with the sacked ASTA staff, the new ATMA members look for the slightest opportunity to demand gratifications. It is therefore common to see commercial motorcycle operators and bus drivers challenging them openly and sometimes engaging them in physical combat when they demand money from them.

Places they usually threaten people with impounding their vehicles and motorcycles if they refuse to play ball include Onitsha, Awka, Ekwulobia and

Nnewi, among others.

In one recent incident in Awka, two ATMA officials insisted on seizing a motorcycle from its rider on the allegation that he meandered through an unapproved route. While one of the ATMA staff collected

The surprising thing is that some of the old ASTA members have found their way into the new ATMA, which may be why there has not been any noticeable difference between the defunct ASTA and the new ATMA

the key of the motorcycle, his colleague was busy negotiating with the owner, the amount he should pat with.

It took the intervention of a senior police officer around to persuade them to allow the man to go, but not without informing him that he was not yet free from their net.

Similar situations take place at various traffic lights where they usually pounce on those who bit the amber and often seize their keys until they pat with some money.

The surprising thing is that some of the old ASTA members have found their way into the new ATMA, which may be why there has not been any noticeable difference between the defunct ASTA and the new ATMA. Some ATMA officials who spoke to South East Voice, however, claimed that the state government was yet to fulfill the promises made to them during their training, including payment of salaries and allowances, adding that they therefore look for ways to make ends meet.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 —3

Govt builds residential quarters for doctors in Enugu

By FRANCIS IGATA

E

NUGU—THE Enugu State government has completed the construction of three blocks of 120 twobedroom flats to provide accommodation for doctors at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, ESUTH, at Park-Lane, Enugu.

A visit by the South East Voice to the hospital showed that following government’s policy of Free Maternal and Child Health Care in the state, there had been an upsurge in the number of patients to the hospital from most of the rural communities.

The expansive building containing 120 two-bedroom flats within the confines of the

hospital has been fully occupied by the doctors.

PDI The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Project Development Implementation, PDI, Mr. Uchenna Nwobodo said: “The idea behind the construction of the residential quarters is to halt issues related to doctors absence or unavailability at the hospital.

“Following government’s policy of free maternal child health care in the state, a lot of patients troop to the hospital from the rural communities to seek medical attention.

“So, we built the residential quarters as a corresponding need to walk the talk associated with the policy. The doctors will, with the facility, be

•The Enugu State doctor’s quarters

The idea behind the construction of the residential quarters is to halt issues related to doctors absence or unavailability at the hospital

at the service of the people round the clock. The 120, twobedroom flats for the doctors were built with state-of-the arts equipment and materials.

“It will reduce accommodation problems the doctors are bedeviled with. We are prepared to continuously improve the facilities in the hospital to meet the needs of our people.

Doctors speak Dr. Thaddeaus Offor, of the Accident and Emergency Unit expressed happiness over the construction of the residential quarters.

He said: “No doubt, the new

flats will reduce drastically, the accommodation for doctors whenever they are on emergency calls. With this development, the doctors will be available 24 hours of the day.

“Before now, you can imagine a doctor living at Emene axis, and who is on call coming to the hospital during an emergency. If it is a critical situation, it might go from bad to worse because of the distance from where the doctor will come. But with these residential quarters, that is now a thing of the past.”

Onitsha UI’s alumni annual dinner of thanksgiving, others

•University of Ibadan alumni

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

O

NITSHA—ON an annual basis, members of University of Ibadan Alumni Association, UIAA, Onitsha branch, Anambra State usually roll out a number of activities to boost education at the grass roots level and at the same time assist inmates of the less privileged homes in the state.

Some of the activities which are usually embedded in their Annual Dinner ceremonies, include thanksgiving/ rededication in a church, charity visits to the less C M Y K

privileged with gift items and free medical treatments, as well as giving merit awards to highly deserving individuals.

The association has made it a point of duty to organize science quiz competitions for senior secondary schools in Anambra State and also, to visit the homes of the less privileged with large quantities of food items and drugs among others.

The annual quiz competition has lasted since 2006 till date, the association is proposing to expand the scope of the competition and visits to the less privileged homes to the extent that they might go

beyond secondary schools and the Motherless Babies’ Home in Onitsha.

This year’s award ceremony was given to the incumbent Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi and Chairman of the association, Dr. Eddy Agbasimelo.

During the annual science quiz competition, the association usually reward the first prize winner with N10,000, followed by second and third runners-up with N7,500 and N5,000 each, while the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth positions get consolation prizes of N1,000 each.

The association said the

essence of introducing the annual quiz competition among the students was to sharpen their brains and encourage the youths to take to education.

Vice-Chairman of the association, Prof. Law Onyekwe, an Ophthalmology consultant at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, NAUTH, and Guinness Eye Hospital, Onitsha, in his opening remarks, said that their members would strive to not only sustain the programme but to expand its horizon for the benefit of more people.

In their speeches during the award ceremony, the Chairman

of Education Committee of UIAA, Onitsha chapter, Ignatius Nduka; Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Dr. Eddy Emegoakor who is also the medical director of Crown Hospital, Nkpor; a founding member of the Alumni, Dr. Joe Uyamadu and a member of the organizing committee, Dr. Azubuike Nweje, praised Justice Umeadi and Dr. Agbasimelo for deserving their merit award.

Raleke Ifepe, chairman of charity visits of the association, said during their visit to Umuoji Motherless Babies Home that UIAA always have a fat budget for the less privileged.

Community sends SOS to Enugu govt over poor state of schools continues from page 1 community was in dire need of an access road to link it to the Nsukka Local Government headquarters through Umabor Ulo community.

Mamah said that with the road, other social amenities would follow, pointing out that nothing could be done in the area if it lacked access. The road to the community, which also serves Mbu in Isi Uzo Local Government as well as Breme and Opi Agu communities in Nsukka Local Government Area, is threatened by erosion and sand dunes.

4 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

‘Lucrative’ fake drugs business at Onitsha Head Bridge market ...as NAFDAC destroys N500 million worth of fake and expired drugs in Awka

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—DESPITE the efforts of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, to rid Nigeria of fake, adulterated, unwholesome and expired drugs, there are indications that some of the drug traders at the famous Head Bridge market in the commercial city of Onitsha have returned to their old business.

Though the market was notorious for the manufacture and sale of fake drugs many years ago with almost 80 per cent of drugs sold in that market described as unwholesome, the habit reduced considerably during the era of the late Professor Dora Akunyili who, as the director general of NAFDAC, battled the fake drug dealers to a standstill.

It is on record that during that period, many people who were involved in the manufacture and sale of fake and adulterated drugs had to abandon the business as they had no hiding place.

When the incumbent director general of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii took over, the battle against the manufacture and sale of fake drugs continued and even more scientific measures were introduced to ensure easy detection of such unwholesome drugs and other products at the point of purchase.

Regrettably, fresh facts have emerged that some of the drug traders are going back to the old bad habit of producing fake and adulterated drugs in Onitsha. In fact, one of the drug traders in Onitsha told South East Voice that the reemergence of fake products in the market has become worrisome, estimating that about 10 per cent of drugs in circulation in the market were either fake, adulterated or substandard.

Among drugs commonly faked are those for cure of gastric ulcer, anti inflammatory, analgesics, anti diabetics, anti malarial, fungal infection drugs, family planning pills, baby foods such as NAN and cereals, blood tonic, cosmetics, eye and ear drops, veterinary drugs and even herbal preparations.

The leadership of the market is, however, not giving the manufacturers of the fake C M Y K

products any breathing space as it is said to be confiscating the fake products anywhere they found them.

Chairman of Bridge Head Drug Dealers Association, Mr. Uche Eze, at the destruction of N500 million worth of fake and expired drugs in Awka, said despite the internal challenges, his members were determined to rid Onitsha Head Bridge of fake and adulterated drugs and commended NAFDAC for fighting the battle with the traders.

He said: “Since the introduction of technology into the system, NAFDAC has been achieving a lot. With the mobile authentication device, it has become easy to detect fake, adulterated and expired drugs and we are happy for that.

“As drug dealers, we have been liaising with NAFDAC to fish out the bad eggs in the market, which is why the menace has reduced considerably.”

•Heaps of fake drugs destroyed by NAFDAC in Awka According to him, it was due to the understanding between NAFDAC and the traders that informed the voluntary surrendering of large quantity

Regrettably, fresh facts have emerged that some of the drug traders are going back to the old bad habit of producing fake and adulterated drugs in Onitsha

of expired drugs in the market to officials of the agency for public destruction.

In fact, during the recent destruction of the large quantity of the unwholesome products at the refuse dump site at Agu Awka, many drug traders accompanied several truck loads of the expired products from Onitsha to Awka to ensure that none got missing on the way as was the case in the past.

Director General of NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii, who led security operatives at the destruction exercise in Awka, commended the traders for voluntarily surrendering the expired products and their unrelenting battle to fish out manufacturers of fake drugs in the area.

He said that NAFDAC would not relent in the battle to

sanitize the drug market, stating that the agency recently intercepted six 40feet containers of various fake products imported into the country and announced that their importers were helping security operatives in their investigation.

He urged Nigerians to be extra vigilant while purchasing drugs and food products because life was involved.

He said: “The fight against counterfeit drugs is a continuous one and we do not need to drop our guards. It is therefore in this spirit that I am soliciting the unrelenting support of the state governments, stakeholders, traditional rulers, religious leaders and security operatives to sustain the tempo.”

Enugu go vt’s $1 00m loan tto o boost electricity supply govt’s $100m ...to connect 38 communities to the national grid to be connected to the national grid will be electrified before the expiration of the tenure of the

BY FRANCIS IGATA

E

NUGU—THE Enugu State government has obtained $100 million loan from the Bank of India to fund the electrification of the remaining out 38 of 472 communities in the state.

The General Manager, Enugu State Rural Electrification Board, ENREB, Mr. Simon Atigwe spoke to the South East Voice in Enugu.

“As it is, based on the determination of this administration, we have obtained a line of credit from the Bank of India to the tune of $100 million to fund the electrification of this project.

We had to do so because we know that if all the communities are electrified, it will trigger socio-economic activities and reduce drastically, rural to urban migration.

“The line of credit will fund the electrification of the remaining communities.

•Sullivan Chime Although about three states in the country will benefit from the $100 million credit, the process of obtaining the funds had passed through necessary processes for such facility.

“The remaining 38 communities like Otogbolo, Ehazuebo in Nsukka Local Government Area, Mkpunato in Uzo-Uwani, which are yet

The remaining 38 communities which are yet to be connected to the national grid will be electrified before the expiration of the tenure of the Governor Sullivan Chime-led administration

Governor Sullivan Chime-led administration.

“We have not moved with the pace we wanted because of the drop in allocation to the state from the Federation Account. The drop in allocation is not peculiar to Enugu State as other states in the country are experiencing same.

“That is why most local government areas in the state have not been able to contribute their own 40 per cent of the counterpart fund.

The electrification of these communities is carried out on the basis of the state and local governments’ joint projects. The state contributes 60 per cent while the local governments contribute 40 per cent.

Some of the communities already electrified include; Adani in Uzo-Uwani, Nkerefi in Nkanu-East, Obimo in Nsukka local government among others.

“ENREB will leave no community in darkness at the end of this administration by May, this year,” Atigwe said.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 — 5

PCRC honours security agencies for fighting crime in Anambra

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

O

NITSHA—NO fewer than 11 personnel from various security agencies, including Mrs. Asabe Gwary, wife of Usman Gwary, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG in-charge of Zone 9, Umuahia were at the weekend given a Community Policing Ambassadors Award, CPAA by members of the Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, Onitsha Police Area Command/Central Police Station, CPS, Onitsha for their sacrifices in transforming the commercial city of Onitsha in particular and Anambra state in general into a crime-free zone.

Among those honoured also included the immediate past Onitsha Police Area Commander, Benjamin Wordu, now the Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP in charge of Rivers State Criminal Investigations Department, CID, Port Harcourt and immediate past Commander of 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, Col. Awwal Fagge.

Others were the Commander of Onitsha Naval Base, Navy Commander Mike Oamen; the incumbent Police Area Commander for Onitsha, Mr. Philip Ezekiel; the Onitsha Zonal Director of National Agency for Foods and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Ogochukwu; Umaru Shehu Nadada, former DPO at “33” Division; Enyinnaya

•Wordu (right) receiving an award from Agubisi (left) during the CPAA ceremony Adiogu, former DPO at Oyi Division; Yusuf Abdul and Tope Fasugba; former DPOs at the CPS, Onitsha.

Speaking shortly after presenting the awards to the recipients, the Chairman of PCRC, Mr.` Vic Agubisi (Action Chairman), declared: “when you thank the crime fighters, they will do more and when they do more, it is in the interest of all of us. Some people volunteered themselves

Leadership crisis rocks Imo SURE-P •Imo State SURE-P Coordinator, Chief Longers Anyanwu ,By CHINONSO ALOZIE

O

WERRI—THE Imo State Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, Okigwe Zone is currently faced with leadership tussle between Mrs. Princess Miriam Onuoha and Mr. Isaac Anumudu. The duo are quarreling over who is the coordinator of SURE-P in the zone.

The situation was said to have negatively impacted on the vision of the programme towards grassroots developC M Y K

ment.

The Imo State coordinator of SURE-P, Hon. Chief Longers Anyanwu told the South East Voice that Princess Miriam Onuoha had been removed as the Okigwe Zone SURE-P coordinator.

He said “This is to inform the general public especially SURE-P beneficiaries and those directly or indirectly working, benefiting, or applying for any SURE-P Programme or contracts that Princess Miriam Onuoha has

been removed as the SURE-P Coordinator for Okigwe zone.”

Anyanwu went further to explain to the South East Voice that Onuoha was removed “sequel to her defection to the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, under which platform she was currently running an election without minding the fact that SURE-P is a laudable transformation programme of the People Democratic Party, PDP, led Federal Govern-ment.”

He also revealed that the

and sacrificed to make Anambra State peaceful and there is no other way to appreciate them other than like this”.

Agubisi specifically praised Mrs. Asabe Gwary for being the only police officer’s wife who distributed relief materials to members of Police Officers Wives Association, POWA who are widows when her husband, Usman Gwary was the Commissioner of Police in replacement of Onuoha was Mr. Isaac Chinaka Anumudu adding that Anumudu’s appointment took immediate effect.

Also, South East Voice gathered that the order of the state Cordinator could not be obeyed as they told the South East Voice that Onuoha had continued to parade herself as the Okigwe zone SURE-P Coordinator and ignored the termination of her appointment by the State Coordinator.

They also alleged that Onuoha has been using the SURE-P structure as part of her campaign out fit to run for the Okigwe North Federal House of Representatives.

“The state coordinator of SURE-P in Imo State has replaced her with a politician but she is still parading herself and misleading our supporters as if she is still the SURE-P coordinator for the zone, thereby using SURE-P structure for APGA claiming that she has not been officially written for her replacement” they said.

Also, another group under the aegis of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Okigwe Zone spoke through their Chairman Chief Dom Uzowuru, saying that Onuoha had continued to parade herself as the Okigwe zone SURE-P coordinator and ignored the termination of her appointment by the state coordinator.

The group further alleged that Onuoha had been using the SURE-P structure as part of her campaign out fit to run for the Okigwe North Federal House of Representatives.

Anambra State, before being elevated to the rank of AIG and redeployed to Zone 9, Umuahia.

Responding on their behalf, Wordu, the Rivers State DCID, commended the PCRC for appreciating their little contributions to God and humanity, adding, “this is the only place I have served and witnessed this kind of gesture in return.”

REACH US DO you have any news of neglect or abandoned projects or your representative at the local, state or federal governments are not representing you well?

Do you have unique cultural activities coming up or any community news to tell us?

Emeka Mamah (Editor) 08033218645 Francis Igata 08033387069 Vincent Ujumadu(Awka): 08035804090 Anayo Okoli(Umuahia): 08034046839 Chidi Nkwopara(Imo): 08033391108 Peter Okutu (Abakaliki): 08032680756 Chinenyeh Ozor (Nsukka): 08185664011 Nwabueze Okonkwo (Nnewi): 08037794782 Or: e-mail us at: easternvoice@yahoo.com

6 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

Police parade man for selling his 14-month-old baby for N300,000 ... another for murder, others for kidnapping, robbery

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA—THE police in Abia State have paraded one George Okey Maduabuchi for allegedly selling his 14 month- old child for N300,000.

State Police Commissioner, Joshak Habila who paraded the suspect said that his arrest followed ‘’an alarm raised by his pregnant wife, Eberechi,’’ adding that the baby ‘’was traced and recovered in the house of one Obinna Erondu at Mbutu Umuogwo village by detectives from Owerrinta while Obinna fled.”

Habila also said that the state police command had intensified its patrol measures just as it had been raiding possible criminal hideouts.

He paraded 14 other suspects for alleged offences including kidnapping, armed robbery, stealing and murder.

Commissioner threatens criminals The Commissioner then asked criminals, especially kidnappers and armed robbers in the state to relocate to other places as there would be no breathing space for them as the new measures introduced were already yielding results.

Habila explained that the suspects were arrested from different parts of the state due to increased surveillance by

his men.

According to him, two of the suspects were arrested for attempted kidnapping, four for child trafficking, six for bank robbery and kidnapping while one person each was arrested for stealing and murder.

Those arrested for kidnapping, according Habila were Light Nwalozie, Anthony Ukaegbu and Gideon Ezenwoko. He described Ezenwoko as a “ notorious armed robber/ kidnapper who has been terrorizing Obingwa and its environs.”

According to him, “information available revealed that the said Gideon Ezenwoko is a kidnap kingpin who has been on the wanted list of the police and most members of his syndicate have been cooling off in the prisons. Ezenwoko fled the area but later resurfaced and has been linked with the recent kidnap incidents within Obingwa.”

Habila named the suspects arrested for bank robbery/ kidnapping to include Chika Azubuine, of Akpunekpu village and one Victor Young of Obiekwensu village, both in Isiala Ngwa South council area. Others include Enyeribe Chidi, 20; Obinna Francis 23; Iwejuo Chilaka 22 and Izuochi Iwejuo, 26. Habila said that the suspects were arrested at their various

Some of the suspected criminals with items recovered from them

•Abia State Police Commissioner, Mr. Joshak Habila

Information available revealed that the said Gideon Ezenwoko is a kidnap king-pin who has been on the wanted list of the police and most members of his syndicate have been cooling off in the prisons

George Maduabuchi with his wife, and their son he wanted to sell for N300,000 hideouts at Obiekwensu, Umuojima and Umuakpara villages in Osisioma.

Also, in the police net is one Chizaram Amandu, 40, of

Umuagu Eziala Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North council who allegedly stabbed one Sampson Uchenna Sunday to death.

Security tops agenda as Army, landlords meet in Onitsha

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

O

NITSHA—SECURITY of lives and property was on a priority list last week, in Onitsha, Anambra State, during a maiden security meeting between top military brass at the Military Cantonment, Onitsha and executive members of Landlords’ Association of Communities surrounding the Military Cantonment.

Specifically, the meeting was held at the instance of the Commander of 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support), Onitsha, Col. Mohammad Bello and the Commanding Officer of 14 Field Engineers C M Y K

Regiment, Onitsha, Lt. Col. Sheriff Aremu.

Addressing the landlords at the meeting, Col. Bello who cautioned those he identified as trespassers to steer-clear of the Onitsha Military Cantonment as part of efforts to checkmate intruders gaining unauthorized access into the cantonment, noted that henceforth anybody scaling the perimeter fence of the cantonment at anytime of the day would be arrested and handed over to the police.

He said: “We have called this meeting for us to work closely, understand each other and foster good harmonious relationship because of late, none of you people have reported to the authorities about people scaling the

cantonment perimeter fence but henceforth anybody caught scaling the fence would be shot and handed over to the police for trespassing.”

Bello also urged them to caution their children, neighbours and tenants to stop throwing refuse into the cantonment as anyone caught would be dealt with together with his or her parents or guardians.

The commander disclosed that the authorities had started surveillance on people smoking hard drugs within the communities close to the cantonment.

“We do not want to witchhunt anybody and that is why we have taken it upon ourselves to monitor hard drug use around us. Any civilian

caught would be handed over to the NDLEA, while any soldier caught would be summarily dismissed, since the Nigerian Army does not condone such an act of indiscipline”.

He stated that commercial motorcyclists who have their cantonment tags should desist from operating outside the cantonment with their official tags, adding that all motorcyclists operating beyond 7 p.m. outside the Cantonment should be arrested and handed over to the police for violating the state government ban on Okada from operating in the streets beyond 7 p.m.

Bello reminded them of the need to be vigilant and security conscious at all times and promptly report any suspicious

movement or object to the army authorities, adding, “in today’s world, security is everybody’s business and no longer an exclusive business of security agencies alone”.

Responding, the Chairman of Omagba Landlords Association, Chief Akunwata Okeke, who spoke on behalf of other landlords, thanked the military authorities for its concern for the security and safety of all living around the cantonment area and the state.

Okeke urged the commander to make the meeting a quarterly one, while also appealing for the chance for some selected members of the landlords to speak confidentially and off-camera with the military authorities, whenever the need arises.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 —7

Motorists lament indiscriminate parking of trailers, others on Enugu-Port Harcourt Highway

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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M U A H I A — MOTORISTS plying the Enugu-Port Harcourt High way have cried out against the menace of indiscriminate parking of trailers and other vehicles at the Cattle Market (Gariki) in Umuchieze, Umunneochi Council Area of Abia State.

The trailer drivers who mainly bring down cattle from the northern part of the country park recklessly along the busy highway which endangers the lives of other motorists and commuters.

Worst scenarios are witnessed when the cattle are even allowed to take over the entire stretch of the road without the owners or shepherds’ caring about other road users.

Occasionally, the cattle owners and the trailer drivers choose to off-load their cattle on the main road instead of the parks built by FERMA at the place which have since become bushes where the drivers, cattle owners and the residents of Gariki go to toilet.

“This act of lawlessness is what we see every time. How can a reasonable human being block a federal road like

•Trailers parking on Garki 2 road indiscriminately

There are two big parks built by FERMA just there but they are lying waste and taken over by bush

this just to off-load animals?

This, definitely, should not be encouraged. Besides, I had witnessed here when a cow strayed into the road and smashed the wind screen of a motorist.

“There are two big parks built by FERMA just there but they are lying waste and taken over by bush. The parks now serve as abode for wild animals and these were projects built with millions of tax payers’ money. I guess that FERMA is not serious in asking these people to move

into the parks. Look at how trailers and even tankers loaded with inflammables are indiscriminately and recklessly parked on the two lanes. If any mishaps occur here the damage would be unimaginable.

“We expect FERMA and the Abia State government through Umunneochi Council authorities to do something urgent about this problem before it is too late,” a frustrated motorist, who simply gave his name as Enyinnaya lamented.

Abia govt, residents bicker over rehabilitation of Milverton Road •Milverton Avenue, Aba

BY FELIX OGBONNA

A

BA—CONTROVERSY has continued to trail assurances of the Abia State Government that it has effected the rehabilitation of Milverton Avenue, Aba, a commercial hub for luxury bus operators and home video marketers in the state.

Penultimate Wednesday, the state government, through a published photogragh, claimed to have rehabilitated the road. It provided two photograghs of the new Milverton and Port Harcourt Roads respectively. However, South East Voice inadvertently used the one for Port Harcourt Road in place of Milverton, thus triggering complaints C M Y K

from the people. In a swift reaction, some luxury bus operators and shop owners who operate along the road, have lamented the condition of the road and how it has adversely affected their businesses, calling on the state governor, Theodore Orji to come to their aid.

An eatery operator in the area, Nneka Okoli, who spoke to South East Voice said: “I felt bad when my attention was drawn to the picture which they claimed to be Milverton Avenue. The picture of the road as published is a dual carriageway while Milverton Avenue is a single lane road.

Why would anybody try to deceive the public that the Milverton Avenue has been rehabilitated when the road is still impassable?”

Similarly, an official of one

of the major luxury bus companies which plies the Aba-Abuja-Kano who pleaded anonymity told South East Voice that they

I felt bad when my attention was drawn to the picture which they claimed to be Milverton Avenue.

The picture of the road as published is a dual carriageway while Milverton Avenue is a single lane road

were disappointed with the picture claiming that Milverton road had been rehabilitated.

He said: “The condition of this road has affected our operations. I wonder why a road in the heart of the city like Milverton Avenue would be allowed to degenerate to this extent. You can see that motorists can’t access Milverton road from the Asa road or Eziukwu road because the middle of the road is impassable due to the deep gullies which are flooded.

The condition worsens when rains fall. Sometimes, even heavy trucks find it difficult to meander through the gullies.

We, the business operators in this area bear the brunt.

“If you access this road from the Asa road end in the evening periods, you will appreciate the difficulties the luxury bus operators and their customers go through because of the bad spots on the middle of the road. The Milverton Avenue is usually characterized with traffic

gridlocks as vehicles can’t pass through to Eziukwu road to join Okigwe or Aba –Owerri roads,” he said.

A cross section of transport workers who spoke to South East Voice said that the rehabilitation of the road will boost their businesses as customers and motorists have continued to shun the area as a result of its dilapidated state.

When South East Voice visited the area, it was observed that the flooded middle of the road had been converted to a parking lot for heavy trucks and luxury buses. It was also discovered that the lack of gutters on Milverton Avenue accounts for its poor state as rain water from adjoining areas settle at the middle which sits at a lower level than the two edges of the road.

South East Voice gathered that Milverton Avenue which was one of the 16 roads rehabilitated and commissioned in 2012 by the Abia State government, went back to its former dilapidated state.

8 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

Businessman donates N1m to Abia community electricity project

By FELIX OGBONNA

I

BEME—A businessman, Chief Chris Nkwonta has donated N1 million to the Ibeme Autonomous Community in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, to enable the community complete its electricity project.

Speaking on the occasion at the Umuoha Ibeme community square, Nkwonta who is a shipping magnate said he was shocked to discover that the community had never had electricity despite the transformer and three drums of cables donated two years ago by the government for the purpose.

Nkwonta who was represented by the Coordinator of Chris Nkwonta Foundation, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwankwo promised to ensure that the electricity project was completed before the end of April, this year.

“When I visited the

community on January 8, I asked the people why they don’t have electricity. They said the government has given them a transformer and three drums of cables, but there is no money to start work. Due to the nature of the problem of electricity in the community, I promised to do everything within my means to ensure that the project is completed. It is painful that a big community like Ibeme has never had electricity. Work on the project has already started; I will continue to support them until the project is completed.

It must be done because I know electricity can bring development and change the face of the community. This is my little contribution to help the poor and needy with what God has blessed me with,” he said.

Receiving the cheque, the Chairman of the Ibeme Electricity Project, Mr. Onuoha Nwandiuko commended Nkwonta for coming to the aid of the community, stressing

•Transformer donated that the people of the community had been hoping over the years for the project to be realized without success.

According to him, “Ibeme community has never had electricity since it was created.

Our people have been making contributions, but the funds were not enough to complete the project. We thank Chief Nkwonta for his kind gesture.

It is not easy to dole out N1 million particularly in this era when people hardly care for others. Nobody has ever done this for our community; we will never forget this benevolence and show of love to Ibeme community.”

Both the Town Union President, Mr. Goddy Onuoha and rights activist, Chigozie Ubani who is an indigene of the community, lamented that the community which shared boundary with Ika Local

to the community

•Rollsofelectricitycablesdonatedtothe Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, had suffered much neglect from both the federal and state governments and called for the provision of water as well as access roads to the community.

South East Voice observed that work has already commenced on the electricity project as the high tension lines among other installations were now being fixed.

Enugu residents in running battle with ESWAMA officials

By Austin Ogwuda

E

NUGU—MOST residents in Enugu State especially those dwelling within the State capital have been having a running battle with officials of the State Waste Management Authority, ESWAMA, dreaded for their menacing drive for revenue.

The officials usually throw decorum to the winds when carrying out their duties as they ‘bundle’ human beings into their trucks like animals with a lot of indignation.

This is virtually becoming a daily experience. Some time in September last year there was free for all between agents of the state Waste Management Authority, ESWAMA, and officers of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, over alleged refusal of the later to pay sanitation levy.

It degenerated to point where the Miss Nma, victim of the Administration Officer of the Federal Inland Revenue, one Mr. Patrick ESWAMA highOkpala was bundled away from his handedness office to the office of the Waste Management Authority following a

brawl .

Many residents have suffered similar ill-treatment but did not bother to seek redress.

However, on the 29th August 2012, a young woman, Miss Nma Ukonu was similarly brutalized but she did not take it lying low. He headed to the court and succeeded in the litigation which she initiated against the officials.

She had filed a suit through her counsel, Mr. Ayo Omotayo, a human rights activist seeking a declaration that her arrest and detention for over 8 hours on that day was illegal on the ground that her office had not paid certain fee to the agency.

Citizen Miss Nma, then staff of a nongoveremental organization known as South Saharan Social Development Organisation located at No. 55, Chime Avenue, Enugu got the judgment few

The fact that ESWAMA officials are agents of the Enugu State government, did not justify their actions in slapping, kicking, dragging and further ordering the detention of the applicant

community

days ago.

She prayed the court to grant her N50 million against the agency and two of her staffers who led the operation, noting that by their action she suffered psychological torture which constitutes a flagrant violation of the her fundamental rights, guaranteed under section 34 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 5, of the African Charter on Human & Peoples Rights, (Ratification and Enforcement Act) Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and is therefore illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

The suit was brought against ESWAMA, and its director, Mrs. Chinyere Ogakwu and her assistant Mr. Nnamani.

Delivering judgment in the case, the presiding judge, Justice D. V. Agishi said that she agreed with Omotayo that “the fact that ESWAMA officials are agents and workers of the Enugu State government, did not justify their actions in slapping, kicking, dragging and further ordering the detention of the applicant on the ground that the organization she works with has not paid waste management fee”.

The Court further held that the argument of the counsel to ESWAMA, that the agency was acting under Section 28(1) of ESWAMA Law, Cap 75, of the Revised Law of Enugu State 2004, cannot justify the infringement, pointing out that the fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution are sacrosanct and cannot be curtailed except as contained in the constitution.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 —

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C M Y K

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C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 — 35

C M Y K

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 — 37

Public relations is beyond posting on social media —Nkechi Ali-Balogun, foremost PR professional

By Josephine Agbonkhese

Y

OU were last year ho noured with the Working Mom of the Year award; how have you managed to excel as a wife, mother and PR professional?

In spite of being a profes sional, I believe my pri mary function is to be a wife to my husband and a mother to my children. So, my family comes first always. I actually feel a woman’s crowning glory at the end of the day is her family. My husband Mahmood Ali-Balogun and I have been together for over 30 years while I’ve been a registered member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations since 1995.

From the onset, I’ve always put my home first.

But you seem to have done pretty well in your profession despite the fact that it is second place in your life…

Putting family first doesn’t mean career will suffer. It’s simply being able to identify priorities and ensuring they do not clash. This also involves the ability to make good choices when conflict arises. For me, any business dealing that will conflict strongly with my family must have to be compromised.

Family engagements There are for instance conferences I do not attend because of family engagements. I weigh my options, count my cost and make my choice. After all, what does it profit me if my business grows and my family suffers? I desire my business to grow but I also want it to grow alongside a stable family.

For how long has NECCI been in existence?

We’ve been on since 1995. What actually led me into private practice was because paid employment was no longer convenient.

That was when my office was moved to Abuja and I had to fly every weekend from Abuja to Lagos to join my family. 7.am every Monday I was always at the airport, rushing back to Abuja to resume work. Then I was head of

in elations lir c i l b u chi A cuss p le to dis tion of Mrs Nke ian Institute b i s s o p IT is im hout any men as e Niger on of th er, she h it t s r w p e a a p i h r r i C e a Nig ars r Ch State . Forme to 20 ye , Lagos Balogun elations, NIPR she stumbled in y cR of Publi h in an industr the g cluding i n h i d s e d r r a a so of aw d loads ns Female n i f u o ago. y for two Relatio ésumé In her r anding Public ch she clinched view, hi ter utst ‘Most O er of the Year,’ w NIPR. In this in foremost f n e Practitio e years from th nsultant/CEO o d, unveils v o i e t t C i consecu o is Principal CCI Lim nd declares E N m h r i w ustry a ining f Nkechi ions tra ccess in the ind t ublic a l e r c i r force p o r su publ n e h e u d l n a i eh dev secrets b ia can neither d e . m nction social nto exti i s n o i t a rel •Nkechi Ali-Balogun

Corporate Affairs at the Nigerian Export/Import Bank. I eventually decided to return to Lagos and channel my energy into setting up my own business and that gave birth to NECCI. What was it like leaving a flourishing paid-employment for a world of uncertainty?

I tell you, when you leave paid employment to start your own business, that first year, you’re like a fish popped out of water.

All the pecks of office will varnish and you also realise the friends you thought you made at work are actually not your friends. As soon as you leave, they disconnect. When you call them, they want to quickly do away with you because they think you need something from them.

They just believe you’re no longer relevant. People you thought will also help you will turn their back on you. I remember I almost gave up on private practice in the first three years. I however got used to those shocks with time and I must say God has been faithful; and my husband too.

Don’t you fear growing trends in social media might soon send your profession and business into obscurity?

Public relations is beyond posting on Facebook or any social media. We have what we call ‘Online Reputation Management’ and a PR practitioner still has to study that.

Online PR is a professional arm of public relations and there are strategies to it. It’s not just

pasting things on people’s timeline. I do not think anything can outshine public relations because the scope of PR can only get wider and wider. Our elders in PR never thought the profession could be the way it is today and in fact, many of them can’t even handle it anymore because it just keeps expanding each day. It went from press agentry to public relations to brand communications, corporate communications and so on. They are all offshoots of public relations.

So, have you considered

branching into online PR? No one can do everything. My area of strength is rendering trainings in public relations and I actually identified that area a long time ago when I saw there was a need gap. That gap is still there, though. The best I can do now to offer consultancy in online PR but to tell you I’m managing your blog, I do not have that energy even though I have the expertise. I believe older people must understand younger professionals are coming up and must also know when to bow out in certain areas. There are younger ones coming up with better ideas and also looking for ‘space’.

Social media

Putting family first doesn’t mean career will suffer. It’s simply being able to identify priorities and ensuring they do not clash

So, the only way I can encourage them is to allow them do what they will do better than myself and that’s in the area of social media. Of course, I know a lot about social media and I am active on its various platforms.

What pillars have kept NECCI in business these past 20 years?

Hardwork, strong faith in God and tenacity. I stress these because the business environment in Nigeria is very interesting but God has given me grace not to compromise. NECCI is a contented company with integrity.

We bring to bear the fact that everything we do brands us, so, we

are very careful when it comes to quality, image and rating. We’ve also started what we call ‘Edu Tours’ in which we take participants either out of the country or away from states where they work so as to avoid distractions, such as being called back to work by employers during training.

I learnt you ventured into PR by accident…

Yes. I actually wanted to be a Lawyer or a Journalist. I was however admitted into the university to do English Education. Eventually, I found myself in the Nigerian Television Authority where I was again refused as a broadcaster after a voice test but got employed in programmes. I tried one or two acting along the line while still hoping I would find my way into broadcasting but soon found out I wasn’t cut out for acting. Along the line, I got my first job in a bank as a pioneer staff to start its public relations unit and that was the beginning.

Any regrets since then?

Not at all. The only area I would have regretted settling for PR is the area of people believing that you’re jumping around with men simply because the job connects you with top people in the society. But I never had that problem because my husband believes in me and always gives me his blessings whenever I go out on business. On my part, I never messed up because I’ve made a decision in life not to abuse the liberty my spouse has given me.

38—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

usual. The Governor had in his opening remarks said that people and members of the Executive Council were aware that I have decamped from the PDP to APC and that we have gone on campaign around the state and that I have been calling him a thief.”

“I explained that I have never referred to him as a thief. The fact is that people wanted to know why I left PDP for APC and I have been telling them that I left PDP because of the injustice in the party and nothing more,” he declared adding the governor threatened to use security men on him if he refused.

The relationship seemed to be deteriorating daily and two weeks ago as the governor embarked on a vacation and sidestepped his deputy when he handed over the administration to the speaker of the House of Assembly, Barrister Adamu Usman.

Defending the action, the chief press secretary to the governor, Mr. Israel Ebije said his boss acted within the ambits of the constitution.

•Ibeto and Aliyu: They were once an item

Ambits of the constitution

NIGER: Two fighting in Govt House THE sudden divorce between Niger state Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu and his deputy, Ahmed Ibeto was unexpected given the amity that shadowed the relationship between the two top officers of the government up till about two years ago.

By Wole Mosadomi

G

OVERNOR Aliyu had at different fora referred to his deputy as his confidant and had delegated to him responsibilities that many other governors shied away from doing. In doing so, the governor had claimed that he did so in the knowledge that should he drop dead that his deputy would be sworn in immediately.

In their first term in office, the deputy governor was as a sign of the confidence from the governor assigned the portfolio of Water Resources and subsequently, Poverty Eradication.

Besides, he was made the first Amirul Hajj under the Babangida Aliyu administration and all along, represented his principal at different occasions, thus pointing to the fact that all was well between them.

How did he become deputy governor?

Ibeto was a member of the House of Representatives when he was in 2006 picked as running mate to Aliyu after the demise of the then speaker of the

House of Assembly Alhaji Alhassan Jikantoro who had been pencilled down for the position.

Aliyu himself was also a late entrant in the contest having been reportedly summoned from his duty post as permanent secretary in the Ministry of Federal Capital Territory, MFCT to enter the contest.

As the 2015 exit date for Aliyu approached, Ibeto commenced his moves for succession.

Aliyu’s preference for Nasko, Ibeto persevered in the contest.

His determination allegedly widened the gulf between them that began to be noticed about two years ago.

The support that the governor gave to Nasko rubbed off negatively on Ibeto and many other aspirants in the Peoples

Rancorous primary Governor Aliyu, however, at different fora made it clear that though the governorship position had been zoned to zone “C”, he said it would be preferable for the elders from the zone to jointly present a candidate for the purpose of avoiding a rancorous primary.

No consensus was reached and in the end, Ibeto and eight others entered the contest including Umar Nasko, the governor’s immediate past chief of staff who was regarded as the governor ’s own anointed candidate. Despite the signs of

The support that the governor gave to Nasko rubbed off negatively on Ibeto and many other aspirants in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP

Democratic Party, PDP. Ibeto and the other aggrieved PDP aspirants petitioned the National Working Committee, NWC of the party which did not heed their pleas.

Ibeto eventually defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC and made a show of his dissatisfaction with the PDP when he attended the APC presidential campaign last January.

That was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Initially, Governor Aliyu took it with philosophical calmness saying Ibeto remained his deputy and pledged he would continue to enjoy all the perquisites of his office.

However, not many days hence, the governor made a UTurn when he reportedly walked Ibeto out of the Executive Council meeting on February 11.

The government’s spin doctors had first disclosed that Ibeto had on his own decided to absent himself from the meetings on account of his political differences with the governor.

However, that account was subsequently rubbished by the deputy governor.

“It is not true that I excused myself out,” Ibeto said in his reaction. “When I received notification of the Council meeting of the day, I went as

He cited section 193 of the federal constitution which states: 193. (1) The Governor of a State may, in his discretion, assign to the Deputy Governor or any Commissioner of the Government of the State responsibility for any business of the Government of that State, including the administration of any department of Government.

(2) The Governor of a State shall hold regular meetings with the Deputy Governor and all Commissioners of the Government of the State for the purposes of (a) determining the general direction of the policies of the Government of the State; (b) co-ordinating the activities of the Governor, the Deputy Governor and the Commissioners of the Government of the State in the discharge of their executive responsibilities; and (c) advising the Governor generally in the discharge of his executive functions, other than those functions with respect to which he is required by this Constitution to seek the advice or act on the recommendation of any other person or body.

The governor’s action was flayed by one time chief whip of House of Representatives Bawa Bwari who said the action contravened section 190 of the Constitution which states: Whenever the Governor transmits to the Speaker of the House of Assembly a written declaration that he is proceeding on vacation or that he is otherwise unable to discharge

Continues on page 39

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 — 39

Judicial stroke settles Enugu PDP Gov race THE December 8 governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu State blew open, a can of legal fireworks following parallel primaries that dotted the exercise. Last Monday’s judgment by an Abuja court may settle issues.

BY Francis Igata

T

HE primary conducted at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium, supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and presided over by the chairman of the party ’s Electoral Panel, King Asara Asara had conferred victory of the governorship primary in the state to Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, having won over 900 votes out of 1,008 votes cast during the exercise.

One of the governorship aspirants, Senator Ayogu Eze representing Enugu-North senatorial zone had disagreed with the process leading to the primary citing irregularities in the delegates list to be used for the contest.

Eze, however, was at separate primary conducted at Filbon Hotel, New Haven where he was the only aspirant and emerged winner of the exercise. Eze had quickly filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division presided over by Justice Evoh Chukwu seeking through his counsel Mr. Yusuf Ali, SAN, to be declared the rightful candidate of the party.

Rightful candidate Eze had in his suit, number FHC/ABJ/CS/2014, prayed the court to restrain ‘’the PDP, the National Working Committee, NWC, and INEC, by themselves, agents, officers, officials, privies or representatives and other person whatsoever, deriving authority from them from submitting, forwarding or sending the names of any other person other than himself, as their duly elected governorship candidate for 2015 governorship election in Enugu state, pending the final determination of the substantive case.”

He also asked for an order restraining INEC, its agents, privies, or representatives from recognising, accepting or giving effect to the name of any other person other than himself as the governorship candidate of the PDP and the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party for Enugu state

•Ugwuanyi: Wins again governorship election in 2015.

He told the court that PDP had conducted ward congresses in Enugu state on November 1, 2014 ,as a result of which a list of delegates for the conduct of primary election for the governorship candidate of the party emerged consisting of names of the elected delegates.

According to him, the list was sanctioned and authenticated by the Federal High Court, Abuja, in suit number FHC/ ABJ/CS/816/2014, which judgement was delivered on November 24, 2014.

Eze contended that he emerged as the governorship candidate of the party based on the correct delegates list sanctioned by the same court, adding, however, that the defendants were bent on sending another person other than his name to INEC as their chosen governorship candidate

However, the delivery of judgement in the suit which was slated for February 24 but was deferred twice without any reason had set tongues wagging even as palpable anxiety gripped all stakeholders

•Eze: Loses out for the said 2015 election.

“If the defendants were not restrained from doing so, pending the determination of this case, the judgement of the court will be rendered nugatory,” he pleaded.

He further urged the court to, among other things, determine “whether having regard to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended, Sections 85 to 87 of the Electoral Act 2011 as amended, the electoral guidelines for primary elections 2014, the defendants could jettison, set aside, refuse to use or in any other manner ignore the result of the ward congresses held on November 1, 2014, where ad-

hoc delegates from the 260 wards of Enugu state were elected in the conduct of the primary elections to elect the governorship candidate of the PDP for the general elections in April 11.

Palpable anxiety However, the delivery of judgement in the suit which was slated for February 24 but was deferred twice without a any reason had set tongues wagging even as palpable anxiety hung gripped all stakeholders.

The judgement which was to determine between the duo laying claims to the

governorship ticket of the PDP in the state, having emerged from two parallel primary elections that held in the state was finally delivered on March 2.

Justice Chukwu in his judgement that lasted for over two hours validated the candidature of Ugwuanyi as the authentic candidate of the party for the April 11 election.

He affirmed that the court presided over by Justice A. Ademola never sanctioned or authenticated the delegates list that Ayogu claimed to be the authentic delegates list.

The news of the judgement filtered into the state around 3 pm and was greeted with jubilation from the camp of Ugwuanyi. It quickly dispelled the gloomy cloud of anxiety in the state paving way for the “Consolidation and Continuity” agenda of Ugwuanyi whose nomination has received a kind of an unusual endorsement from most political power brokers in the state.

The Publicity Secretary, of the party in the state, Mr. Okey Eze said, “We have never had any doubts that we religiously complied with extant laws, party guidelines, and all due process in the nomination of Hon. Ugwuanyi as our flag bearer.

“It is therefore gladdening that the Court has vindicated the party and affirmed the candidature of Hon. Ugwuanyi.”

He therefore invited Senator Eze to join the mass movement to enthrone Ugwuanyi as governor. As at press time there were unverified claims about Eze heeding the invitation given reports that he may appeal the judgment.

NIGER: Two fighting in Govt House Continues from page 38 the functions of his office, until he transmits to the Speaker of the House of Assembly a written declaration to the contrary such functions shall be discharged by the Deputy Governor as Acting Governor.

“The fact is, any blatant disobedience of the constitution by a public office holder can be grounds for impeachment. The constitution is not anybody’s plaything, and we cannot choose when to obey it and when not to do so,” Bwari said.

On the contrary, the deputy governor is the one under the threat of impeachment.

Ibeto indeed has gone to court to stop any planned action against him and a Minna High Court last Wednesday granted orders against any such move.

Justice Mayaki who gave the order also restrained the House from tempering, violating,

withdrawing the right and privileges of the Deputy Governor pending the hearing.

Also, the court ordered that the Deputy Governor should not be obstructed from discharging his function as the deputy governor and alternatively ordered that all parties in the suit brought before the court should maintain status quo ante bellum.

Reconciling two leaders Just as steps were being taken by some politicians to reconcile the two leaders, a directive came few days ago directing the Deputy Governor to move out of his office located besides the Governor’s Office within the Government House.

The secretary to the state government, Sa’idu Idris who signed the letter to that effect gave Ibeto up to last Monday to

vacate the office which he said was to enable repairs in the office of the deputy governor.

Despite recent developments, Ibeto remains unwavering in his assessment of Governor Aliyu saying he treated him well until recently. He praised the governor for exposing him to several responsibilities that other governors were unwilling to do to their subordinates.

“At a certain stage in our journey, I think something happened, I believe people must have told him (the governor) a lot of things against me. Though I tried to talk to him over it to disabuse his mind from some of these things that they must have polluted his mind about me.”

The relationship is apparently, irreversible given Ibeto’s final submission on Aliyu: “I will not want to work under the chief servant if given another chance.

He is no more the chief servant I started working with in 2007.”

40—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

AKWA IBOM: The hurdles before Emmanuel IF endorsements were the only yardstick to determine the next occupant of the Akwa Ibom State Government House, Mr. Udom Emmanuel of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may not need to contest the April 11 governorship election in the state.

By Clifford Ndujihe

E

MMANUEL has in his kitty a quantum of endorsements from most of the local councils of the state, various groups and stakeholders, who are saying that he is the most favoured to succeed Governor Godswill Akpabio.

The PDP screening committee gave Emmanuel the official nod to contest in the forthcoming primary elections of the party in Akwa Ibom State on November 22. And on December 8, he won the PDP primaries.

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC published his name as one of the candidates on January 2 and the PDP flagged off its campaigns for the general elections on January 16, 2015.

Since he emerged as the PDP standard bearer and commenced his governorship campaigns, it has been endorsements galore for the technocrat-turn politician.

Akwa Ibom transporters’ endorsement Transporters in Akwa Ibom State under the aegis of Akwa Ibom Transporters on Thursday endorsed Emmanuel.

The various transports stakeholders held a solidarity rally for the PDP candidate in Uyo, yesterday. In a joint statement by the Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Comrade George Udoh, the State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Roads Transport Workers (NURTW), Comrade Uwem James, and the State Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Road Levies Implementation Scheme, Dr. Victor Eddie, the transporters expressed their solidarity and support for, Mr Udom Emmanuel, and PDP senatorial candidates in Ikot Ekpene, Uyo and Eket.

It is the first time in the state that an amalgamation of transporters will come together to show support to a candidate or candidates before an election. They include NURTW, RTEAN, National

Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, Akwa Ibom State Tricycle Union (AKTU), Tricycle Union of Nigeria (TUN), Akwa Ibom State Commercial Tricycles/ Motorcycles Association (APCOTMA), Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC), Central Park Management Committee, Akwa Ibom State Tricycle Management Committee, Akwa Ibom Transport Company Lease Operators Forum, Tippers Contractors Development Association, Earth Moving Equipment Union, Tricycles Owners’ Welfare Forum (TOWF), Transport Operators Movement (TOM), Lorries and Heavy Trucks Union among others.

AKSA workers concur Before the transporters, Emmanuel had earlier been adopted by the state work force as their sole candidate. The adoption was done at the 5th Labour Summit jointly organised by the state labour umbrellas – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Akwa Ibom State councils on January 30.

A motion for the resolution to adopt Udom was moved by a prominent labour leader at the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, Ikot Ekpene, Comrade Iboro Ibara, and was overwhelmingly supported by the cheerful workers at the venue, through lifting of hands.

On February 16, the people of Onna local council also endorsed him during the grand finale of the Udom Emmanuel Governorship campaign tour of local governments in the state.

The event which took place at Abat witnessed the turnout of who-is-who in the politics of Akwa Ibom state, including past and current political office holders, captains of industry, the organized labour, student bodies, youth and women organizations, party faithful and the political class.

The PDP chapter chairman of Onna, Mr Okon William Umanah and the Council

•Emmanuel: Needs more than endorsements chairman, Hon. Ufot Sunday Akpan thanked Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio for not only putting his feet down to ensure power shift to Eket Senatorial District, but for backing an illustrious Onna son in the person of Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel as his imminent successor.

Messages of solidarity for the PDP Standard bearer came from Senator Effiong Bob, Chief Jerry Okpo, former Deputy Governor, Obong Engr.

Chris Ekpenyong, who spoke for the tripod of Uyo, Eket and Ikot Ekpene senatorial districts.

In his speech, Senator Bob maintained that Uyo Senatorial

However, to become the next governor of the state, christened the Land of Promise, Udom needs more than endorsements

District have already taken their turn in the governorship of Akwa Ibom and that any person from Uyo zone who is seeking to be governor is only a dreamer and being overly greedy. He charged all Akwa Ibom people and Onna in particular to take their chance and vote Udom Emmanuel into power for equity and justice, arguing that he is the best.

A former Deputy Governor of the state, Engr. Chris Ekpenyong, gave kudos to Governor Akpabio for carrying out a painstaking search to identify Udom Emmanuel, who he said, is eminently qualified and towers above his competitors for the plum job.

On February 17, the People of Eket Federal Constituency under the aegis of Ekid Peoples Union endorsed and declared Emmanuel as their sole candidate for the governorship polls.

The apex socio-cultural organization of Eket Federal Constituency said it has studied carefully and compared the manifesto of the PDP governorship candidate with those of other contenders, and concluded that his programmes are the best for Akwa Ibom State.

In a resolution read by the national president of Ekid Peoples Union, Professor Asindi A. Asindi, the people of Eket said their support for Mr Udom Emmanuel is based on his proven track record and capacity to improve upon the achievements of the present

administration.

Also speaking, the Atta of Ekid and Clan Head of Idua, Obong ECD Abia, said Mr Udom Emmanuel deserves their support not just because he is their son but largely because of his pedigree and competence as deduced from his blue print for the State.

Mr Udom Emmanuel, while appreciating the endorsement by his kinsmen, promised to live up to expectations when elected into office.

The hurdles before Emmanuel However, to become the next governor of the state, christened the Land of Promise, Udom needs more than endorsements. The former banker must face the likes of Obong Umana Okon Umana of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bishop Samuel Akpan of Accord Party (AP) and Obong Godwill Okon Richman (JP) of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) among others at the polls.

Umana, who has also been traversing the grass-roots like Emmanuel wooing the electorate, is asking Akwa Ibomites to vote for the best candidate irrespective of where the person hails from.

So those endorsing Emmanuel must do more than lip service and translate their endorsements into votes on April 11. They must show, in concrete terms, as they claim, that the cap really fits Udom.

V ANGU ARD, WEDNESD AY, MARCH 4, 2015 —41 VANGU ANGUARD, WEDNESDA

Face-to-face with ex’s new love

Is my love for him dying?

Dear Bunmi, I’ve been with my boyfriend for nearly two years and I love him a lot. My problem is that I keep getting this feeling of doubt about our relationship, but I don’t understand why because I love him and he makes me so happy. I don’t want anyone else. I think it’s something to do with the ‘honeymoon’ period of the

relationship being over. I know he loves me too, so it’s not doubt over his commitment. I’m just confused and don’t know what’s going on in my head.

Edna, by e-mail

Dear Edna, Sometimes, it could be a weird transition when that

Is my size the culprit?

Dear Bunmi, I am in my mid-twenties and have had my share of girlfriends. My problem is my manhood. It is really small and I orgasm quickly. Do you think the two go together?

Jaiye, by e-mail.

Dear Jaiye, Unfortunately, yes, it is often the case that a man with a small manhood ejaculates quicker than men with larger ones. Not only do you have to

laugh and bear all those bigis-better jokes, you’re likely to ejaculate faster than your larger friends. All manhoods have roughly the same number of nerve endings in the head.

If your manhood is small, they’re concentrated over a smaller area which makes you more sensitive and prone to premature ejaculation.

The opposite is true for men with big manhoods because the nerves are spread over a larger area.

‘honeymoon’ period is over and there are no butterflies every time he walks into the room. We all love that time and there is no better feeling.

But it doesn’t last, not in any relationship. I understand you panicking slightly and wondering if something is wrong because you get used to that adrenaline and the excitement of seeing each other. But it’s also a great feeling to see someone and think “I love that person” and feel a contentment and a deeper love.

Things are steadier and more secure as you get to know each other more. And don’t stop making the effort to become romantic and do exciting things with and for each other - that’s how you keep the passion alive. But while you’re having these doubts, don’t think about getting married or having a baby. Take a bit of time to see how it goes from here. And if you’re still doubting the relationship in a few months, then maybe you love him but aren’t in love with him.

My friend and my wife are having an affair!

Dear Bunmi, My childhood friend got appointed into a very juicy post and since then, my fortunes have changed. He’s thrown a lot of contracts my way and we’ve been able to complete our own house and change cars. He has also made my wife the official caterer of the establishment he works with and she too has become financially secured in her own rights. But not as secured as the way she’s spending money. She buys any aso-ebi going, no matter how expensive, and the array of her jewels is mindboggling.

Lately, her catering contract has been stretched to providing afternoon lunches for the directors and I’ve heard talks that my friend sleeps with my wife regularly and nobody in his office dares complain about her catering no matter how shoddy it is. I tried to stop her working but my own contracts not only stopped, I found it difficult to collect money for the ones I’d already completed. So I lifted my ban, and of course, contracts started coming in again.

I feel humiliated that things have to be this way. The kids are now used to fancy things and I never want to go back to the days where I had to scrimp and save.

I’ve been advised to look the other way as things like that happen all the time. But I don’t love my wife any more even though I have this feeling that if I sent her packing, I, along with our three children, would be the ones to suffer. We’ve been married 19 years.

Albert, by e-mail.

Dear Albert, It is sad that men use their wives as baits for contracts these days without batting an eyelid. It’s obvious you feel betrayed by your friend and your wife but is the affluence you now enjoy worth losing your self-respect? What about the children? Wouldn’t they realize that their mother is now the power broker in the family! Where would that leave you?.

Your fear is that if you ask your wife to leave she would laugh and happily dance out of your life. Sadly, you alone can choose between these two evils.

It’s obvious you feel betrayed by your friend and your wife but is the affluence you now enjoy worth losing your self-respect?

What about the children?

Dear Bunmi, A close friend of my ex, who’s also my good friend, is getting married and I’m obliged to attend the wedding. The problem is, my ex too will be there with his new partner. I’ll obviously make an attempt to look my best but I’m not really over the shock of the separation.

In spite of the fact that my ex has moved on, I haven’t and I’m dreading seeing him happy with someone else while I’m on my own. I strongly suspect the party will end with me feeling miserable and drinking too much. Any tips on how to avoid this happening?

Matilda, by e-mail.

Dear Matilda, My advice is for you not to walk into the wedding party alone no matter how many of the guests you know. Arrange for a good male friend to go with you. This will stop you feeling like you’re all alone in the world while he has someone. Whilst you should look good, your wits should also be around you. Focus on

your future. Walk into the party knowing your hurt would eventually go away when your heart heals completely.

You might still have feelings for your ex but it’s unlikely you’ll end up alone as good friends are bound to rally around you; you might even end up being as happy as your ex at the party. Afterall, it’s impossible to know if people are happy just by looking at them. He found someone first and this hurts but it doesn’t mean he never loved you. So try not to see it as a betrayal of the relationship you had, but simply that he has moved on.

Stand clear of too much booze at the party. Getting drunk isn’t going to help you get through this, it will only inflame an already difficult situation. Just have a few drinks to relax and if you eventually run into your ex, simply say “Hello, lovely wedding, isn’t it?” and excuse yourself to get a drink or say hello to a friend, and move on.

Once you’ve said hello, keep your distance and your back to them. Good luck.

My husband ogles other women Dear Bunrni, My husband’s problem is that he can’t stop himself staring at other women. That is how he was when we met and foolishly, I thought marriage would calm him down but it hasn’t after six years of marriage. His argument is that every man looks at other women, no matter how happily married he is, and that he is being open.

But I hate hearing that another woman has great legs or fantastic boobs.

My husband knows I am upset by his attitude and even when he tries to stop commenting, I still catch him turning around midconservation to size up another woman’s backside. At one point, I decided to play him at his own games by making comments about other men’s looks, but it didn’t bother him.

He says he can’t understand why his behaviour makes me feel insecure, that he’s always telling me how great I look and says he’d never have

married me if he wanted someone else. He believes he has the right to admire other women. When I make a fuss, he says I have a problem with my confidence and should get help.

Ijeoma, by e-mail.

Dear Ijeoma, We all look at other people occasionally. Whilst you should make him aware that his constant staring upsets you and he should modify it, you shouldn’t assume that your husband wants to make love with with these people.

It’s like looking at a menu but don’t want to eat all that’s on offer. Your husband has given you no reason to believe he couldn’t be trusted in the company of other women as, according to him, he not only married you, he pays you compliments all the time.

I’m afraid you’ll have to put up with his look-but-don’t touch attitude towards the female sex as it’s obvious he means no harm.

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos, or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

42 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

Flying Eagles off to Senegal for AYC T

he National U-20 team, the Flying Eagles will depart for the African Youth Championship in Senegal today, officials have announced.

The Flying Eagles secretary Aliyu Ibrahim Awal disclosed that the team will fly out of Abuja via Lagos and Banjul, Gambia, to Dakar.

“We will leave Abuja Wednesday ( today) afternoon on our way to Dakar,” said the top team official.

The team will begin their quest for the 2015 AYC on Sunday against hosts Senegal.

Kick-off time is 5.30 pm Nigerian time at the Stade Leopold Sedar Senghor in Dakar.

They will also take on Congo March 11 and Cote d’Ivoire

March 14.

The final group game against the Ivorians will be played at the Stade Caroline Faye in M’bour, which is a short bus ride from Dakar and

the base for Group B. The four semi-finalists at this tournament will represent Africa at the 2015 FIFA U20 World Cup to be staged in New Zealand from May.

Flying Eagles final AYC squad: GOALKEEPERS: Joshua Enaholo, Sunday Alampasu, Olorunleke Ojo Defenders: Musa Muhamed, Zaharadeen Bello, Izu Omego, Mustapha Abdullahi, Samuel Okon, Abdulganiyu Saheed MIDFIELDERS: Ifeanyi Matthew, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, Akinjide Idowu, Obinna Nwobodo, Bernard Bulbwa, Abdullahi Alfa STRIKERS: Taiwo Awoniyi, Christian Pyagbara, Abdullahi Ibrahim Alhassan ‘Muazam’, Usman Hassan, Chidera Ezeh, Wasiu Jimoh

•Flying Eagles... Ready to fly in Senagal

Siasia wants Liverpool’s Ibe to play for Dream Team N

•Ibe

igeria’s Olympic Na tional Team, U-23 coach, Samson Siasia, has revealed that he has set the wheels in motion with respect to highly-rated Liverpool starlet Jordon Ibe committing his international future to Nigeria instead of England.

The Dream Team VI coach it was gathered, was exploring the possibility of enlisting Jordon Ibe’s services to his squad ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games qualifiers.

And Siasia confirmed as much when contacted to

Mikel out till April

end, with the coaches failing to extend invitations to the foreign - based contingent. ‘’We couldn’t invite them because the date is not a Fifa window. Clubs will not release their players. ‘’That is why they were not invited, we will invite them against Zambia (if we qualify),’’ Samson Siasia revealed.

The retired Nigeria international was in the dugout in 2008 when the Dream Team won silver at the Beijing Olympics.

is set to re asper Schmeichel r’s relegaturn to aid Leiceste . th tion fight this mon xes go to ManThe rock-bottom Fo Schmeichel with chester City today s former club. hi to p tri e th g in miss who has been er, ep ke But the goal r with a broken out since Decembe training and to foot, has returned meback. co is on the brink of a n, who signed so ar Pe el ig N Boss m Chelsea as Mark Schwarzer fro : “Kasper will id cover in January, sa or so, maybe ek we a in e bl la ai be av doing well and is he t a bit longer bu ing. is back in full train have a fully-fit “We more or less . m squad to choose fro

K

Ahmed Musa targets cup glory as CSKA hit semis

S

uper Eagles and Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel will be out of action until April after undergoing minor knee surgery. The Nigeria international has been absent for Chelsea’s past four matches, including Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham in the League Cup final.

Manager Jose Mourinho has subsequently confirmed that Mikel has had an operation to correct the issue and expects him to be absent until April. “Mikel had a little surgery on his meniscus,” he told the press.

“We are expecting him to be out for about a month - one week is already gone. There is not too much optimism or pessimism.

“I would say [he will return] first week of April.”

Mikel is now likely to miss the Premier League matches against West Ham, Southampton and Hull City as well as the home leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain.

clarify his position on the winger, who has turned out for the youth teams of England. ‘’We want Jordon Ibe before England takes him; let us make the first move,’’ Samson Siasia said. ‘’We are trying to reach him, my friend in England has been trying to contact him to convince him to play for Nigeria. If you watch him play, you know he is a good player.’’

The Nigeria under 23s have started preparations for the All Africa Games qualifying fixture against Gabon this week-

Schmeichel set for relegation fight

S

uper Eagles forward, Ahmed Musa’s Rus sian club CSKA Moscow have qualified for the semifinal of the Russia Cup after they beat Krylya Sovetov 1-0.

Ahmed Musa featured for the entire duration of the game in which Bibras Natcho scored the winner in the 50th minute.

The former VVV Venlo forward said he is happy with the win as it will motivate them ahead of the weekend league game.

“I am happy with the victory. My dream is to win the trophy and we are a step closer to achieve that,” he said.

“This win in the cup game will further boost our morale ahead of the league game against Terek Grozny on Saturday.”

CSKA Moscow are second on the league table with 34 points from 17 games behind Zenit St.Petersburg.

The 22-year- old Nigeria star scored seven goals in the first round of the league.

•Mikel

•Musa

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 — 43

Wenger: Don’t write Arsenal off A

RSENE Wenger believes his Arsenal side are currently “nowhere near” being involved in the race for the Premier League title - but believes a consistent run could change all that.

The Gunners currently sit third in the table and are nine points adrift of league-leaders Chelsea, with Manchester City four points clear in second spot.

The chase for the top four has closed up in recent weeks with Arsenal likely to come under heavy pressure from the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham and Southampton in the hunt for Champions League qualification.

Wenger takes his side across London to face struggling QPR on Wednesday night looking for a seventh win in eight league games but, even with such a strong run of form, Wenger feels a push for the

Newcastle boss excited by Van Gaal test N ewcastle United boss John Carver is excited at the prospect of going headto-head with Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal in tonight’s Premier League clash.

The Dutchman has vast managerial experience with clubs including Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and the Netherlands national team.

Carver, who was placed in charge of Newcastle for the remainder of the season, is looking forward to facing Van Gaal in the St James’ Park dugout.

Speaking ahead of the match, he said: It’s great when you come up against these top coaches because your preparation work leading up to the game, you watch so many games and you see how he

title is not currently feasible.

“At the moment we are nowhere near to winning the Premier League, and nowhere near close to being in the race,” he said.

“But what we want is to do as well as we can without speculating on the weakness of any team. The only thing you can say is that it’s very tight.

Heartland sign 12 new players

H

eartland have signed 12 new players including Iniobong Joseph from Jeunesse Sportive d’Agonlio of Benin Republic ahead of the 2014/2015 NPFL season.

The club’s media officer Cajetan Nwokpara disclosed the 12 newly recruited players include two goalkeepers, David Obiazo (El Kanemi) and Uche Nwokeji (Supreme Court) and two defenders, Wale Doyeni and Akporido Solomon (Kaduna United).

Others are midfielders Uche Odiche (Warri Wolves) and Mathew Emmanuel, who was drafted into the main team from the Heartland feeders.

Completing the list are striker Mohammed Mohammed (ABS), Emeka Oparaugo (Campos FC) and Aoku Chidiebere.

Their opening match is this weekend at home against champions Kano Pillars.

Standard Chartered launches “Road to Anfield 2015” •Carver prepares his team in different ways, different styles, different shapes and as a coach that excites you because you want to take certain things from him.

S

TANDARD Chartered Bank Nigeria Lim ited has launched a football tournament dubbed ‘Standard Chartered Trophy: Road to Anfield 2015’.

The ‘Standard Chartered Trophy’ is an international 5-a-side football tournament organized by the Bank in partnership with Liverpool FC that offers football fans a once in a life time ‘Money Can’t Buy’ opportunity of playing at an English Premier League football pitch.

This will be the third year this tournament is being run in Nigeria and is also running in various Standard Chartered markets dating back to when the Bank took over the sponsorship of Liverpool Football Club in 2010. In 2014, the tournament won ‘Best International Marketing Campaign’ by BT Sports Industry Awards – considered to be a pinnacle award within the sports

marketing industry.

The tournament will consist of three phases.

The first is the national qualifiers which will take place over two days on the 7th and 8th of March in Lagos, Nigeria. The second phase is the regional finals which will take place in Ghana on the 13th and 14th of March where the winner of our national finals will battle the winners of the national finals of Ghana and Gambia.

The winner of the regional finals will proceed to represent West Africa at the all expense paid global finals taking place at Anfield, Liverpool FC Home ground where a total of 10 teams from across Standard Chartered’s global footprints will compete for the ultimate trophy on the 7 & 8th May 2015. The winners of the ‘Finals’ will be crowned Overall Champions of ‘Standard Chartered Trophy 2015’.

Niger Tornadoes set to name new coach

By Solomon Nwoke

T

(L-R) Former International, Victor Ikpeba; Public Relation Adviser Nigerian Breweries Plc, Kufre Ekanem; Senior Brand Manager Heineken, Ngozi Nkwoji and Corporate Media/Brand PR Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Edem Vindah, at the launch of ‘Champion The Match’ the new campaign in Lagos by Heineken in the ongoing UEFA Champions League.

HE management of Niger Tornadoes Football Club of Minna would name a new Head Coach for club ahead of the 2014/2015 season on Friday.

Usman Garba, the club’s Team Manager revealed that three coaches had already been screened for the job.

“The club’s Technical Committee has submitted its report

and that name of the successful coach will be announced soon,” he said.

Garba said the coaches interviewed included Tunde Abdulraman, Usman Diffo and Abubakar Hassan.

“This is a move that will help in bringing back the club’s glory and returning it to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) from the present Nigeria National League (NNL),” he said.

The Team Manager said the club had also concluded plans to engage the services of five new players for its 2014/2015 campaign.

“We are now waiting for the technical committee people to submit their list,” he said.

The former U-23 coach, Godwin Uwua was the club’s Chief Coach up to last season when his services were not renewed after he failed to help the club back to the NPFL.

44 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

TAURUS: Better opportunity to make money may come your way but those who want your affection and vice versa, may not allow you to concentrate fully.

Take advantage of the opportunity to establish friendship with influential people.

GEMINI: Most of the exciting happenings are within your base of operation. And healthy relationships may start between you and other members of your work force. Take the initiative.

CANCER: When it comes to passion/romance, you come first. And on a day like this when love is in the air, you can=t be left in the cold. Don=t be selfish please.

LEO: Financial success may be what you want to celebrate with members of your opposite sex who unexpectedly arouse your passion.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

Stop Accusing Yourself

C

HILDREN like denying or shifting blame. Some of us are like children.

Even when we are not asked nay question, we quickly answer - no be me do

am oh!But who ask you whether you are the one that did it?

The responsibility

TERROR MUDA

for your action andthat of your subordinates (if any). Own up to your fault, stop denying it is

in “Never say goodbye”

your fault. Stop reporting yourself for a crime you never committed. It is not an offence to be at fault. Every human being has his fault.

You are not different. So why accuse yourself?

By Lanre Kehinde

VIRGO: Many will desire you strongly today but you=ll equally attract the green-eyed monster called jealousy especially from your established relationship. Movement and communication will do the magic LIBRA: Romantic Venus and sexy Mars are bringing influences of money, friendship, real love and leadership to earth=s inhabitants. What do you want?

SCORPIO: Venus, Mars and Pluto at work today will influence many of you to give more time to matters-of-the-heart, especially physical side of it.

SAGITTARIUS: Love is in the air but if care is not taken, members of your opposite sex you see as your superiors (or boss) may become entangled. Watch it.

CAPRICORN; Influence of the Moon today actually wants you to work hard but if you ignore love, you=ll not be able to concentrate on what you are doing. Friends will drive your fun-seeking vehicle along social circles.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

AQUARIUS: Some of you will be falling in love for the first time. And those of you who are old in the act will have rare excitement and satisfaction. Money can come in.

PISCES: You will find it relatively difficult to ignore love as attractive members of your opposite sex may go out of their way to gain your attention.

ARIES: Powerful emotional feelings may overwhelm some of you and make you crave secret affair (with your subordinates?) It=s important you don=t allow scandal.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

What is wrong with me?

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Joshua, I have written you many letters without response, I hope I will be lucky this time around. What=s your e-mail address?

Although, I am interested in my financial affair and will like to know what awaits me in the future as the ups and downs are giving me concern, what I want you to tell me is: Who is working spiritually against my marriage? I have married four times. Why? Abisola, Ibadan.

Dear Abisola, If you have spiritual warfare, it is in your financial affairs.

You were endowed with special ability to make money for both yourself and other people.

However, three things can militate against your finances namely; inability to hold on to your gains for too long (miscalculation) jealousy and occultic manipulation by those who are green with envy.

Yet, whatever happens, dire financial misfortune is not meant for you, especially if you heed advice from your star; your being spiritual will assist you.

Fortunate placement of the Moon and Venus in Libra and Sagittarius endowed you with charming and magnetic personality which will make it easier for you to attract members of your opposite sex who will be willing to make you happy.

But after sometime, your hidden aggressive personality and tendencies to worry will come out to the resentment of members of your opposite sex.

Some other times, you promise more than you can deliver.

Then yours is a jealous soul (yes everybody was born with jealous traits) but yours is extraordinary and if you have reason to doubt the other person, you may not be able to forgive.

The summary here is that there=s not much spiritual aspect working against you here but your too strong or powerful personality is what you will need to work on: if at all you have problem with love. One sure bet is members of your opposite sex cannot do without your magnetic pose.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015—45

Shell facility’s oil leak pollutes Ogboinbiri River in Bayelsa

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—AN oil leak from Seibou Deep facility owned by Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, has reportedly polluted Ogboinbiri River in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Though the cause of the leakage could not be immediately ascertained, community sources described the leak as massive.

The worst hit communities include Keme-Ebiama, Apoi, Kokologbene, Gbaruan, Ukubie and Lobia.

It was also learned that several communities along the Ogboinbiri river bank have also been affected with the water current aiding the spread of the spilled crude oil.

Chairman of Community Development Committee, CDC, of Keme-Ebiama, Chief Columbus Johnbull, lamented that the spill had deprived them of their source of potable water.

He said: “This major spill started a long time ago like a small leak but became a serious issue by February 15, at the Seibou 2 facility of Shell in Ogboinbiri. The spill first affected rivers in the Ogboinbiri axis before spreading to other communities. The volume of crude oil was really heavy. It

covered the whole of our river.

“It was so devastating that our people could no longer take their bath in the river or fetch drinking water there. Due to the heavy pollution and resultant scarcity of drinking water, the cost of water sachet in the community rose from N10 to N30. Most of our people cannot afford the sachet water at that price.

“We are worried that the situation might have led to the

recent outbreak of cholera in some communities in the council.”

He urged the management of SPDC to take responsibility for the incident and dispatch relief materials and medical teams to forestall outbreak of epidemic in the area.

He urged the company to compensate communities and individuals impacted by the oil leak for the losses they incurred as a result of the incident.

Bayelsa State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Iniruo Wills, confirmed the development when contacted and said plans were underway to respond to the challenges faced by the coastal communities.

He said: “We have invited Shell for a meeting to deal with the spill. In the meantime, we urge all parties to do everything necessary to ensure quick containment and clean up."

AWARD: From left: Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, First Deputy President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, ABUCCIMA; Mr. Tony Ejinkeonye, new President, ABUCCIMA; Sir Emeka Offor, Chairman, Kazteck Engineering Limited, ABUCCIMA Businessman of The Year and Mr. Jude Igwe, Vice President, Public Relations, ABUCCIMA, during the presentation of the award to Offor.

NEPC, USAID strategise on alternative funding for export devt

T

By Daniel Gumm

HE enormous responsibility on the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, to diversify the production base of the economy from oil to non-oil and the need for alternative funding sources to develop exportable products and enhance market opportunities for existing ones have again been brought to the front burner by stakeholders in the non-oil export sector.

Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, while receiving the new Chief of Party, USAID/Nigeria Expanded Trade and Transport, NEXTT, Mr. Marc Shiman, in his office in Abuja, said that the council was making effort to access international funds for product development, market research, capacity building for exporters among other technical support that would help enhance the quality of exportable products from Nigeria from development partners such as USAID/NEXTT. He observed that efforts to diversify the economy would soon yield result as the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan, NIRP, had identified 13 National Strategic Export Products, NESPs, that will replace C M Y K

oil while it will be supported by two key NEPC initiatives — the One State One Product, OSOP and Nigerian Diaspora Export Programme, NDEX. The NSEPs are grouped under three categories: Agro Industrial: Palm Oil, Cocoa, Sugar, Rice and Cashew; Mining related: Cement, Iron ore/metals, Auto parts/cars, Aluminum and Oil and gas industrial products: Petroleum products, Fertilizer/Urea, Petrochemical and Menthol.

Awolowo pointed out that the aim of OSOP was to identify and develop in each state of the

federation, one non-oil product across its value chain for export, adding that the initiative takes cognisance of the country’s comparative advantage in terms of the vastness of its natural endowments.

On NDEX, he noted that the project has two components — the Nigerian Heritage City and the Nigerian Cuisine Beyond Borders. According to him “This programme is to leverage on the large population of Nigerians in Diaspora as a means of introducing the best of Nigeria to their host countries and

communities just like China Town in USA.” He said that for exporters to leverage on the huge potentials in the sector, there was need for value addition as no nation can survive by merely exporting raw commodities.

Responding, Mr. Shiman, said that about $3 million special fund tagged — “Product Development Fund, PDF, had been made available by USAID for operators along the LAKAJI Corridor Development Project to access under specific guidelines and through a transparent process.

Delta LG Assembly Leader, others impeached

By Onoja Innocent

B

OMADI—THE Leader of the Bomadi Legislative Assembly, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, Zidideke Bebebor, has been impeached.

Also impeached were Deputy Leader, Sylvia Mietoru-Omi, Majority Leader, Lawyer Akpodise and Innocent Akpoyibo.

Impeachment proceedings were carried out after Labo Clifford Fun-Akpo representing Ward 10,

nominated Mulade Yerindideke as Protem Leader, which was seconded

by Bekes Pretonbofa and supported by 12 members out of the 19-member Assembly, some of whom were absent.

Addressing the House, Protem Leader, Yerindideke thanked members for the gesture and said due to the crisis rocking the Assembly which had plunged the council into chaos as a result of incompetent and corrupt leadership, he therefore, declared the leadership unfit.

Pretonbofa however, moved a motion for the impeachment of the Leader of the House, Bebebor, for gross misconduct, incompetence and corruption, which motion was seconded

by Ebiowei Enisah and supported by 13 members and the Protem leader declared the seat vacant.

The House also declared vacant the seats of the Deputy Leader, the Majority Leader and Deputy Whip after their removal for same offences, with three months suspension without pay.

POLLS: Delta PDP chieftain calls for grassroots mobilisation

D

ELTA State P e o p l e s Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has advised members of PDP in the state to go to the grassroots, wards and different communities to campaign and mobilise voters for the party in the forthcoming general elections.

Onuesoke, who gave the advice when he paid an unscheduled visit to Dr Ifeanyi Okowa Campaign office, Asaba, Delta State, argued that it would be of no use for party faithfuls to cluster around the Okowa campaign headquarters doing nothing when the main work was at the wards and communities to sell the PDP candidate and his ideology of good governance.

He said the crowd at the campaign office was distracting the core staff from performing their duties, creating rowdy scene and was not assisting the party with the task ahead.

Jonathan Campaign Organisation inaugurates Ward co-ordinators in Sapele LG

S

APELE—AHEAD of the March 28 presidential election, Coordinator of the President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation in Sapele Local Government Area, Delra State, Mr Galloway Guy, yesterday, inaugurated the body in the 11 wards and 173 units of the council, with an advice to the newly inaugurated executive members to be loyal and faithful and deliver en bloc votes of the area to Mr President and other PDP candidates in the area in the general elections.

The Wards coordinators inaugurated include, Augustine Ayavwiri (Ward 1), Godfrey Omene (Ward 2), Joshua Akpovwiyor (Ward 3), Inomi Steve Ufuoma (Ward 4) and Peter Asiombe (Ward 5), among others.

46—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

UNICEF commended on infant, maternal health

NAFDAC threatens table water producers with sanctions

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

N

NEWI—THE National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has threatened to sanction water producers in Anambra State, who failed to participate in the ongoing water testing exercise.

The Zonal Co-ordinator of NAFDAC in Anambra State, Dr Christiana Esenwah, gave the warning during the commencement of the twoweek NAFDAC Quality Water Monitoring Exercise held at Tonimas Table Water, yesterday.

Esenwah noted that the exercise was meant to safeguard the public against unwholesome table and sachet water, currently used by most residents of the state.

She advised table and sachet water producers to come close to NAFDAC for advice, since they produce what Nigerians of all status consume.

The NAFDAC zonal coordinator told the pure water producers not to pretend that all was well, adding that for coming to participate in the exercise, they would have learned a lot from NAFDAC.

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—THE United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has been commended for sustaining all the programmes geared towards the health of women and children in Imo State.

Imo State Immunization Officer, Mr. Adolphus Okoro, who made the commendation while speaking on the successes of the National Programme on Immunization in the state, also gave a litany of facilities and programmes executed by UNICEF. He said: “Imo State was initially given one ‘walkin cold room’ and 15 solar freezers, courtesy of UNICEF. “The cold room was installed in the state cold store, while the 15 solar freezers were distributed to some local government areas, in addition to what they had before.”

According to him, the state also received another consignment of 30 solar freezers from UNICEF in 2014, which were distributed to static health facilities in Imo. Okoro said: “UNICEF also sent 69 solar direct drive refrigerators through the National Primary Health Care Agency, NPHCA, transported the equipment and brought in their engineers to install them.”

She said: “After this test, we discovered the stand of your products and some will know that there is nothing to write home about their product.

“For that reason, I would advice every other water producer not to run away, because this is an avenue where you really discover what your product is made of.”

According to Esenwah, NAFDAC is ready to assist

and collaborate with all water producers in the state to produce wholesome and quality water.

She said: “We are not here to throw people out of business or job, just as we are here to help your business if you comply with the stipulated standard.

“We aid you get it right and continue in your business; especially as we know that water producing business is one of the thriving cottage businesses in the country.”

Parties playing politics with Aba—IKPEAZU

By Anayo Okoli

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MUAHIA—PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has said his opponents were just playing politics with the development of Aba, the commercial nerve of the state.

He said he was the only person genuinely qualified and capable of providing lasting solution to the infrastructure problems of Aba. According to Okezie, none of his opponents had

demonstrated the capacity to provide solutions to the problems of Aba. He said his opponents’ overriding motive was to score cheap political gains with the infrastructure problems of the commercial city.

Okezie said: “I am very much abreast of the infrastructure problems of Aba as constituted by bad roads, overflowing and blocked drainage. We have developed an action plan towards addressing the problems as established by

Accept verdict on gov candidate, Enugu LG chairs urge aspirants s candidate of People party in Enugu State at the

By Austin Ogwuda

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NUGU State chapter of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, has called on Senator Ayogu Eze and other aggrieved aspirants to sheathe their swords and accept the court verdict, which validated Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as the authentic governorship

NAFDAC Water Testing Consultant, Mr. Emmanuel Osiegbu, said the agency was carrying out physic-chemical analysis and collecting samples for micro-biological analysis from water producers in Anambra.

“Our responsibility here is not only to analyze, but we try to work with the manufacturers to correct them, after which they would bring back the sample for re-testing to make sure that what we asked them to correct has been done to get quality and wholesome water.“

Democratic Party, PDP, in the state.

Chairman of the association, who is also the Chairman of Enugu East Local Government Area, Prince Cornelius Nnaji, yesterday, noted in a statement that “the landmark judgment has vindicated the party ’s position that Ugwuanyi was duly elected as the governorship candidate of the

party ’s governorship primaries held December 8.

“We urge Senator Ayogu Eze and other aggrieved aspirants, who are in court, to accept the verdict in good faith and join hands with all stakeholders to ensure victory for PDP in all the elections, in the spirit of sportsmanship and undiluted loyalty to the party.”

our study.

“As a matter of fact, my administration will start with Aba by ensuring that most of the worst areas are given urgent attention within six months of our swearing in.

“It is uncharitable and deceitful for some people to play unhealthy politics with Aba and its problems. They lost the fact that most cities in the country are suffering the same problem with Enyimba city.

“These people obviously do not know Aba and its peculiar problems and as such cannot proffer workable and potent solutions to the problems. They are only interested in discrediting the present administration led by Governor Theodore Orji and PDP. “I am committed to restore Aba as the economic hub in the South-East. We cannot play politics with Aba, rather we are showcasing genuine commitment and sincerity towards rebuilding this mega city.

“With what we have designed, my administration will definitely deliver on the promise of making Aba the China of Africa.”

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

On President Jonathan's visit to troops at Baga?

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HERE is nothing to be happy about. It took President Goodluck Jonathan years to do what he would have done a long time ago, after many souls had perished. It is too little, too late and this is more of an election propaganda move. — Miss Sandy Faith, Student.

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FTER thousands of lives had been wasted, millions displaced, businesses destroyed and churches destroyed: now the man, who said he does not believe he is the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, is now acting it.—Mr. Abednego Ighalo, Worker.

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ELL, GEJ is the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. By virtue of his office, therefore, he can wear Army, Navy, Air Force or even the Police uniform if the ceremony calls for it. So he should have been at Baga earlier. — Mr Martin Dickson, Self Employed.

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ONTINUATION is the paramount objective here. It would be tantamount to shooting our feet by electing another party with a different agenda, thus disrupting most of the programmes already in progress. That is what I have to say on it.—Mr. Eric Benson, Businessman.

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refuse to be clouded by partisan sentiments. Like the saying goes, a stitch in time saves nine. I still believe that what our security forces need is just some appreciation.

Just a 'well-done' visit from the President means a lot.— Mr. Stanley Olisa, Unemployed.

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HE military’s recent victories against Boko Haram have proved that they can curtail the insurgency in the North-East. We have some of the best military officers in the world's and other countries respect us for that. They are doing well. So, it is kudos to them.—Miss Sophia Osuji, Graduate.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015— 47

Physicallychallenged people in Plateau root for Buhari, Lalong

Ex-gov Nyako moves to challenge impeachment ...Asks court to compel CJ Auta to release case file

By Innocent Anaba

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AGOS—FORMER governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, has asked a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos for permission to apply for an order of mandamus against the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta.

The order of mandamus was to compel Auta to release the case file in the suit by Nyako to challenge his impeachment on July 15, 2014.

Nyako had in the suit, alleged breach of his fundamental right to fair hearing by the seven-man investigation panel which indicted him of 16 counts of gross misconduct which led to his impeachment.

Defendants in the suit were Adamawa State House of Assembly, the chairman of the investigation panel, Buba Kaigama and the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba.

The case is before Justice Bilikisu Aliyu of a Federal High Court in Yola.

Nyako, in his fresh application seeking the court’s permission to apply for an order of mandamus against Auta, argued that though Bilikisu had fixed judgment in the matter for February 12, 2015, the judge could, however, not deliver

the judgment as scheduled because Auta had “seized” the case file.

Nyako, who alleged foul play, said the seizure of the case file

by Justice Auta was intended to delay the judgment till after May 29, when his tenure would have elapsed thus rendering the case merely academic.

Nyako’s lawyer, while arguing the application, said “That all

efforts to make the respondent (Auta) return the case file for the judgment of the court to be delivered proved futile. The respondent (Auta) has connived and colluded with the respondents in the case (Kaigama and others) to deny the applicant justice.”

According to him, “The suit is time-bound as the tenure of the office of the applicant is due to

expire on May 29, 2015. The respondent hatchet plot is to obstruct the wheel of justice, forestall the delivery of the court judgment and postpone the evil day till after May 29, 2015 when the tenure of the applicant would have expired.''

The case has not been assigned to any judge and no date has yet to be fixed for hearing.

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

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OS—PHYSICALLYCHALLENGED people under the aegis of Lalong/ Tyoden Disability Support Group has declared their support for the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and the party ’s governorship candidate in Plateau State, Mr. Simon Lalong.

Speaking weekend in Jos at the end of its interactive session, the Director, Disability Mobilization of the party, Dr. Samuel Ankeli and his Plateau State counterpart, Mr. Bulus Shanding urged the physically challenged to vote for the APC as the party had a place for them.

They asked the leadership of the APC to ensure that the ‘’change’’ it clamoured was reflected in the lives of disabled people by carrying them along in its activities.

“We the physicallychallenged constitute a large portion of the country ’s population; 24 million of us but people want to keep us at the base of the ladder. We are given the least attention in the society and we want this to change.

“The APC has a place for us; this is an indication that they will have an inclusive government and we are here to mobilize our people for the interest of the APC. We call on our members to vote all candidates of APC because we are sure they will carry us along in their activities,” Ankeli said.

VISIT — From left; Engr. Isaac Adegun USAID/NEXTT LAKAJI Corridor Development Manager, Mr Olusegun Awolowo Executive Director/CEO of NEPC and Marc Shiman USAID/NEXTT Chief of Party during a facility visit to NEPC Head Office.

Govt trying to spread nation's wealth, says Minister

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USAU—THE Minister of State for Finance, Mr Bashir Yuguda, said the government was doing everything to ensure that the nation’s wealth got to all sections of the society.

Yuguda said this in Gusau on Monday during a one-day working visit to the newly established Federal University, Gusau.

He said there was a conscious effort by Mr President to make the growth in the economy inclusive through the diversification and development of other sectors.

“The economy is growing from all the indications and ratios from international agencies. But the important thing is how does it translate to financial inclusion, or more jobs.

“Firstly, the Federal Government alone cannot create all the jobs needed for the development of this country.

“So what we are doing is to create the ambiance for businesses to flourish. So that there will be more jobs coming out from the private sector,” he said.

Yuguda said that one of the key reasons the Federal University was situated in Zamfara was because the state was a mining area.

He said that the school was C M Y K

strategic in teaching specialised courses in geology and mining, to provide the needed manpower in the solid mineral sector.

“The University of Gusau is the next best thing that has happened to the state after its creation.

“Mr President has said that the best way to empower Nigerians and future generations is through

education.

“Because of that, he created 12 new universities in the country, and out of them, nine are situated in the north.

“Today I have seen the progress and I am very happy with the level of work and commitment that I am seeing,” he said.

Meanwhile Prof. Ben-Chucks

Okeke called on the Minister to appeal to Zamfara State government to redeem its N1 billion pledge to the university.

Okeke said if the school was to grow and fulfill the mandate of its establishment, all the stakeholders must show adequate commitment in completing the school.

Women donate to displaced persons in Borno

By Ndahi Marama

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AIDUGURI—THE Borno State chapter of Women in Da’awah, yesterday, presented relief materials to the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, taking refuge at the Bakassi Housing Estate camp along Biu Road in Maiduguri metropolis.

Coordinator of the group, Malama Aisha Aisami said they were at the camp to sympathise with the IDPs, especially women who lost their husbands during the insurgency at this trying moment, urging them to take solace in Allah.

She said the items they brought were donated by the One Ummah, a sister organisation based in Abuja, to alleviate their sufferings.

Former state Amirah of

FOMWN, Malama Fati Alhassan, who also spoke on the occasion, urged the displaced women to be God fearing in all their dealings and have faith in Allah in

whatever situation they found themselves, as what happened to them had already been decreed by Allah.

The items donated included

30 bags of rice, 19 cartons of spaghetti, two cartons of bournvita and sachets of peak milk and sugar.

Others included 50 pieces of plastic mats and four cartons of soap.

Group backs Agoda for Delta Central

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GHELLI—AN Urhobo socio-cultural group, Urhobo Ovuovo Unity Movement, has described Hon. Halims Agoda, OFR, All Progressives Congress, APC, Senatorial candidate for Delta Central as the best man for the job.

Addressing newsmen in OtuJeremi, Ughelli South LGA of Delta State yesterday, the representative of the group, Elder Ohwofasa Etaghene described Agoda as the man Urhobo has been waiting for in order to be

meaningfully represented at the Senate.

Etaghene claimed that most of those presently jostling for the plum job had completely failed Urhobo nation in the past and cannot be trusted with the destiny of Delta Central in the Senate of all places.

According to Etaghene, “Our erstwhile leader, Chief Ighoyota Amori is still working tirelessly for Okowa for the continuation of further misrule after sixteen harrowing years of untold

suffering for the average Deltan including the Urhobos. Even someone like Ovie Omo-Agege, whom we might have considered working for seems to be working something we cannot understand with Chief Ogboru while Ogboru himself is in a strange romance with Jonathan while the same Jonathan is supporting Okowa. ''In fact the whole thing is just too confusing. It is as if they think we are a bunch of foolish men and women in Urhobo land who can easily be taken for a ride.”

48—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

UNITY RALLY: From left: Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu'azu, Timi Dakolo, President Goodluck Jonathan, Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, and former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, at the Nigeria Youth Rally in honour of President Goodluck Jonathan, At Eko Hotel, Lagos.

PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu'azu, President Goodluck Jonathan, Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, and former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, at the event.

President Goodluck Jonathan with some artists on the occasion.

LAUNCHING: From left: Mr. Tam Tamunokombia, Head, Consumer Protection Council, CPC, Lagos Office, Mr. Kwame Dickson, Technical Director, Kasapreko Company Ltd, Ghana, Mr. Seye Oladejo, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Commerce and Industry, Dr. Shija Terhemb, and Mr. Kojo Nunoo, MD, Kasapreko Company Nigeria, at the launch of the new hologram seal of Alomo Bitters in Lagos.

VISIT: From left: Senator Akin Odunsi, Social Democratic Party, SDP, governorship candidate in Ogun State, Prince Segun Adesegun, his running mate, Mr Olu Agemo,Chairman, SDP, Sen. Olugbenga Obadara, and Sen. Adegbenga Kaka, during the SDP governorship candidate and his team's visit to Vanguard Media Ltd, Apapa, Lagos. Photos: Akeem Salau.

Mr Mideno Bayagbon, Editor, Vanguard Newspaper (right), Senator Akin Odunsi, SDP governorship candidate in Ogun State (left), and Sen. Adegbenga Kaka, during the visit.

Senator Olugbenga Obadara (left), and Sen. Adegbenga Kaka on the occasion.

OPENING: From left: Mr. Baba Musa, Director, Debt Department, West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management, WAIFEM, Head, Academy, CBN Learning Centre, Mr. Alex Ogunigbo, Head, Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, Learning Centre, Lagos, Dr. Job Olorunshola, and Director General, WAIFEM, Prof. Akpan Ekpo,; at the opening ceremony of the course on economic analysis, monetary policy and financial management, organised by WAIFEM, for CBN staff, in Lagos.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 — 49

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54 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4 , 2015

Paris drones: Al Jazeera journalist fined • 1,000

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Netanyahu warns US over Iran deal T

HE Israeli prime minister has warned that a deal under discussion on Iran’s nuclear programme could “pave its way to the bomb”, rather than block it.

In a speech to US Congress punctuated by standing ovations, Benjamin Netanyahu depicted Iran as a “threat to the entire world”.

Talks on Iran’s nuclear programme are nearing a critical late-March deadline for an outline agreement to be reached.

It also comes just two weeks before a closely fought election in Israel.

Mr Netanyahu insisted that he was not trying to meddle in internal US politics.

The White House had criticised his plan to address Congress on the matter.

It had complained that the speech at Republican invitation, without consulting the White House - was interfering in domestic politics by trying to swell domestic opposition to any Iran deal.

The US, UK, France,

Germany, Russia and China are seeking to reach agreement to curtail Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.

‘March of conquest’ Mr Netanyahu was greeted with whoops and cheers as he made his way to the podium, shaking hands as he went.

He insisted the IsraelUS relationship “must remain above politics” and that he was “grateful for the support of the American people”.

N Al Jazeera journalist has been fined €1,000 (£725;$1,120) for flying a drone in Paris last week in the midst of a security alert sparked by unexplained drone sightings across the city.

A court also confiscated the drone from Al Jazeera journalist Tristan Redman.

Mr Redman and two colleagues arrested with him are not believed to have been linked to the

Hillary Clinton criticised for use of personal email for govt business

H Netanyahu addressing US congress yesterday

ILLARY Clinton’s exclusive use of her personal email to conduct business as US secretary of state is being examined as a possible breach of federal

Former CIA director pleads guilty to mishandling classified materials ticket.

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AVID Petraeus, a former CIA director and four-star general, has reached a plea deal with the US Justice Department in which he will admit to mishandling classified materials.

It ends a long investigation into whether he provided secret information to his mistress.

other drone sightings.

The latest mysterious drone sighting in Paris was reported on Monday night near the Place de la Republique.

According to France TV, the drone was spotted by a policeman guarding the offices of Liberation newspaper.

Flying drones over Paris without a licence is banned by law and no night flights are allowed over the city.

He resigned from his post at the CIA in 2012, after it emerged he was having an affair with his biographer.

A Justice Department statement said a plea agreement had been filed.

The deal means that Mr Petraeus will plead guilty to one count of unauthorised removal and retention of

classified material, but could avoid an embarrassing trial.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison, the New York Times reported.

The retired four-star general was in charge of America’s recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and was once considered a contender for the Republican presidential

He had an affair with Paula Broadwell in 2011 during which time she was interviewing him for a biography she was writing.

Three days after the 2012 general election, Mr Petraeus resigned as the director of the CIA and admitted to the affair but at the time he denied any criminal wrongdoing.

requirements.

From 2009 to 2013, Mrs Clinton did not have a government email address, the US State Department told The New York Times.

The Federal Record Act requires official emails to be preserved.

Thousands of pages of emails handed over do not include all her messages.

The correspondence of federal officials is considered government records under federal law.

While there are exceptions for classified materials, most documents are kept for the use of journalists, congressional committees and historians.

Other US officials have been cited for the use of private correspondence, but in Mrs. Clinton’s case the use of email was more widespread.

Tanzania pledges to end killing of albinos T ANZANIA’s President Jakaya Kikwete has vowed to end the killings of albinos, which he said had brought shame on the East African nation.

“I’m shocked and saddened at the sudden upsurge in these macabre killings,” he is quoted as saying in a TV address.

Albino people, who lack pigment in their skin, have faced attacks for their body parts, which witchdoctors believe bring good luck and wealth.

The president said such beliefs were false and fuelled the “ongoing evil”.

The Tanzania Albinism Society (Tas) had planned to march to State House in Dar es Salaam on Monday to deliver a message to President Kikwete, but the police banned the demonstration, citing security reasons.

The president said he was ready to meet albino leaders

and campaigners at a later date to discuss possible solutions to the killings.

Last month, an albino toddler was found dead with all his limbs hacked off and a young girl with albinism has been missing since December.

The UN warned last year that attacks on albinos were on the rise ahead of elections later this year, with politicians turning to

witchdoctors to improve their luck.

“It is a false belief that if someone has the body part of a person with albinism, this will bring success in business, fishing and mining activities. This is Kenyan President supervising the burning of his country's ivory tusks what has been fuelling this ongoing evil,” Reuters news agency quoted President Kikwete as ENYAN President elephant ivory as part of for their horns for use in saying in his monthly Uhuru Kenyatta has the East African nation’s traditional medicine. national television address. set fire to 15 tonnes of Conservationists have efforts to curb poaching. warned that elephants The ivory, with a black could be wiped out in market value of $30m some parts of Africa in the (£19.4m), is the largest next few years. consignment to be “Twenty-five years after Nearly $5bn has been destroyed in Kenya. the historic banning of the pledged internationally Her comments came “Many of these tusks ivory trade, demand from to the Ebola effort, but after Sierra Leone was belonged to elephants the emerging markets immediately granted less than half of the help which were wantonly once again threatens more than $80m (£52m) has materialised. slaughtered by About 600 delegates criminals,” he said at the Africa’s elephants and to help end the Ebola President outbreak and recover from around the world ceremony in Nairobi rhinos,” Kenyatta said. met in Brussels on National Park. from its effects.

The burning of the ivory The IMF has pledged Tuesday to talk about Elephant ivory is often was to show that wildlife Ebola and long-term a $187m financial aid smuggled to Asia for use trophies must be put plans to fight the package for Sierra in ornaments. “beyond economic use”, disease.

Leone.

Rhinos are also poached he said.

Kenyan ivory burnt by President Kenyatta

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Ebola: Liberia’s President urges ‘Marshall Plan’

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IBERIAN President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has called for a “Marshall Plan” for the Ebolaaffected countries of West Africa.

She was referring to the massive US aid programme for Europe launched after World War Two.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015— 55

Five feared dead in Anambra auto crash

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

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NITSHA—NO fewer than five persons were killed yesterday in a ghastly accident involving a trailer loaded with metal scraps and a commuter bus.

The incident took place at Ugwunwasike Ogidi by-pass in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

According to an eyewitness, the incident occured when the two vehicles had a head-on collision during which five of the passengers died on the spot, while about four others sustained serious injuries.

It was gathered that the trailer driver and his conductor ran away to an unknown destination.

The auto crash occurred when the

Urhobo group endorses Emerhor

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N Urhobo-based electoral awareness group, The Urhobo Grassroots Mobilisation Network, has endorsed Olorogun Otega Emerhor of the All Progressive Congress, APC, as its choice as the next Governor of Delta State.

Interacting with newsmen yesterday in Orerokpe, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, the group through its coordinator, Mr. Tiomemena Ategor, described Emerhor as a Godsend, not merely to the Urhobos but indeed to Delta at in general.

According to him, “We now have a leader who does not mince words and unlike those we are used to, does not believe in just telling you what you want to hear. O’tega is by far the most intelligent candidate but what is most surprising is that he is so humble and down to earth.”

Reacting to a question on the fact that hitherto, Chief Great Ogboru of Labour Party held sway in Okpe, he said: “Ogboru has tried his best and nothing happened. We cannot remain in the same place forever and PDP is just trying to play on our intelligence with this nonsense that Jonathan will betray his own party to support Ogboru if and when he is already secured for a second term.

God has come to our rescue. In short the scales have fallen from our eyes and we can now see the light.

Let old things pass away for all things to become new. We are not going back to the past. We are now moving forward with O’tega leading the way.”

Ategor insisted that Deltans are tired of greedy men in politics who cannot earn their daily bread through genuine hard work.

He reiterating that Emerhor, having made his mark in the private sector and empowered countless Urhobos and other Deltans alike, qualifies as a round peg in a round hole.

trailer with registration number, XE 808 JJT was coming from Ogidi building material market to Ugwunwasike roundabout, while the bus was coming in the opposite direction .

An eyewitness told newsmen that he saw dead bodies trapped as rescue men were fighting to bring them out.

Confirming the incident, Ogidi Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Mr. Hassan Musa, said the dead were trapped when the police arrived.

He said: “My DTO one and two are with me and the injured ones have been rushed to the nearby Iyienu mission hospital, Ogidi, adding, when the corpses are removed from the accident scene they will be taken to the morgue at Iyienu Hospital Ogidi.”

He, however, confirmed that only three persons died, and urged motorists to always avoid overspeeding.

LAUNCH: From left, Chief Wale Olanipekun (SAN); Mr. Ernest Nwapa, Secretary, Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board; Chief Bisi Onasanya, MD, First Bank Plc and Dr. Vincent Ebuh, Chairman, Petrolog Group at the launch of the brand new Petrolog's DP2 Saturation Diving Vessel, DSV VINNICE at the Naval Dockyard Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday.

HATE CAMPAIGN: APC dares NIMASA, threatens to open can of worms

By Ifeyinwa Obi

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HE war of words between the All Progressives Congress, APC and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, over a disputed sponsorship of hate campaign against General Muhammed Buhari, the presidential flag-bearer of the party, has taken a dramatic twist as the party has threatened to open a Pandora box if NIMASA fulfills its threat of approaching the court on this matter.

Recall that the APC had accused NIMASA of funding hate campaigns against its presidential candidate in a popular Television station based in the Lagos, an allegation the agency ’s Director General, Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, swiftly debunked at a world press conference in Lagos, penultimate Sunday, giving the APC an ultimatum of 72 hours to withdraw their accusation.

Rebuffing NIMASA’s suit threat, the Director of Media and Publicity of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation, APCPCO, Garba Shehu, declared that the party has ample evidence not only to prove the sponsorship of hate campaign by NIMASA, but would also divulge other damming details that will shock Nigerians.

Shehu said: “There are several acts of the management that are at variance with the objectives

and scope of activities of the agency as spelled out under the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Act 2007. NIMASA Act does not envisage the involvement of the agency in political campaign. It certainly has no provision for hate campaigns against Buhari, nor does it allow for the funding of the activities of the

Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN).

“NIMASA is trying to reduce this to a campaign issue, but the truth is that the conversion of a statutory government agency into one actively promoting partisan political actions of the President is of national significance. It assumes a more serious dimension

Re-elect only politicians with good track records — FASHOLA

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AGOS—GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has urged the electorate to ensure that incumbent politicians seeking re-election were brought back based on their track records and not on promises.

Fashola made the call yesterday, while commissioning nine network of roads in Maidan-Aina-Agiliti area of Mile 12, Kosofe Local Government Area of the state.

He noted that the incumbent candidates in the forthcoming election had enough time to prove their mettle when they were in office, pointing out that coming around to be making fresh promises to the electorate is deceptive.

Why urging residents to reject dollars and other incentives being shared by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as inducement in its desperation to win elections in the state, Fashola said, “”If you collect dollars, know that you have collected your security, your roads and your infrastructure.

It is demeaning, degrading

and insulting that anyone who has made promises to come back and offer you money. Tell them your dignity cannot be bought by naira or dollars.”

He emphasized that all politicians should always keep to their promises otherwise they should not be eligible for second term re-election.

Fashola also commissioned 18 Classroom Blocks at Aiyedire Ajibola Senior High School, in Ketu area of the state, saying the road project was an evidence of his government’s slum regeneration and urban renewal plan.

He said whoever had visited the area before the construction would understand why the whole residents had turned up to witness the commissioning.

“I was here in 2007 and this place was taken over by flood after a downpour. The only source of movement from Kosofe to Maidan is by canoe. You were all very unhappy and asked for culvert and jetty. I said no, since you pay your taxes, I promised to give you a first-class bridge and

when staff are denied their dues and money shipped out to fund illegal activities,” said the APC campaign manager.

Shehu added that the APC would present credible witnesses in court to prove not only this, but the fact that the maritime agency has since transformed into a campaign outpost for the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

Pa Ezeala is dead

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HE Ezeala family of Aro-Amaeke, AmawomOboro in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State has announced the death of their father Chief Matthew Onyenankeya Ezeala (KSM), at the age of 80.

He died on Friday, February 13, 2015. Interment is slated for the Ezeala family compound at AroAmaeke, Amawom-Oboro by 2.00pm on Friday, March 6, 2015, after a requiem Mass at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Amawom.

He is survived by eight children and grandchildren, including Paddy Ezeala, Head, Corporate Communications, Premium Pension Limited.

.Late Chief Ezeala

56 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

Environmental pollution:

Fear, crisis threaten peace of Ogun community

By Bose Adelaja

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NTIL recently, Madam Aminat Egunjobi lived in Ogunrun-Ori, a community in Pakuro Town, Mowe along the ever-busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in the Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State. She was forced to relocate to another neighbourhood, no thanks to a company which is allegedly emitting hazardous wastes from its plant sited in the community. Apart from the emission of hazardous wastes, the vibrations from the company ’s production machines have allegedly led to cracks in most buildings located at Kehinde Adewunmi Street where the company is domiciled.

Hazardous smoke from the company my head. I would have relocated but I could not raise the funds to do so. The land grabbers asked us to vacate the community if we are not satisfied with Austin’s gesture.

My children are not buoyant enough to relocate and I cannot force them. I am ready to die but what about my children?’’ she queried.

Environmental agencies Vanguard Features, VF, learnt that the owner of the company, simply identified as Austin, in a bid to have the company domiciled in the area, allegedly compromised some land owners and environmental agencies saddled with the responsibility of monitoring and if possible, stopping the operations of the company.

Madam Aminat is not alone in the forcible relocation.

Another resident of the area, who identified herself as Tiwalola Aborisade told VF that some residents fear that they may be attacked by land grabbers for not cooperating with the industrialist who hails from the Eastern part of the country.

A resident who could not afford the money needed for relocation, wept profusely while narrating her plight to VF. ‘’Look at the grey hairs on

How trouble started: Austin was alleged to have smuggled his investment into the community with the connivance of some land grabbers. He was said to have deceived the residents into believing that the company was a warehouse. But in July 2013, when the company carried out the pre-test of its facilities, thick smoke was said to have enveloped the entire community. This development attracted the ire of some community leaders who reportedly called the industrialist to order. But the development led to the closure of a nursery school in the neighbourhood as the parents could not guarantee the health safety of the children.

Safety of the children

The company which has very high walls, emits hazardous and irritating black oil wastes; the wastes have destroyed all aquatic life within the vicinity

The company, which residents claim to be an aluminium melting facility, does not have a signpost to know its true identity. Situated at the main entrance into the street, the company which has very high walls, emits hazardous and irritating black oil wastes. The wastes have destroyed all aquatic life within the vicinity.

In a bid to perpetrate his dubious activities, Mr Austin allegedly became a philanthropist. Apart from assisting some landlords with funds to complete their houses, Austin allegedly assisted in

building a church in the community.

But some residents who could not be bought over by Austin’s antics petitioned the South West Zonal office of the National *Bone of contention... Black oil waste E n v i r o n m e n t a l from the company Standards Regulations Enforcement Agency, But he was quick to point out NESREA, to look into the that the facility is engaged in operations of the company. some corporate social

Aggrieved residents The agency returned a verdict of not guilt and this did not go down well with the aggrieved residents who alleged that officials of the agencies have been induced with pecuniary rewards.

NESREA reacts: In response to a petition by Mr Dayo Sanya who resides in the community, Mr O.O Sode, an engineer, insisted that the company was not polluting the environment.

The letter which was dated February 5, 2015, claimed that the property was acquired in year 2010 when few residential buildings were in the community.

The facility is said to be occupying only a plot of land from where it is operating its manufacturing facility.

NESREA acknowledged the fact that poor handling of spent oil was observed around the facility, while cracks were noticed on the adjacent building to the facility.

responsibilities.

NESREA, however, made the following recommendations which are yet to be adhered to by the company: *’Construction of a bund wall with a concrete base (floor) around the diesel storage tanks within 30 days. *Carry out an assessment of the vibration and forward report to the agency within one month. *Deploy a sound proof generator to the facility to be operational at night.

Attempts by VF to speak to the management of the company was rebuffed. VF was rather referred to the Ministry of Environment and NESREA. “Both the State and Federal Ministries of the Environment have visited and approved our operation. Is it a group or an individual that has sent you? Anyway, go and get the necessary information from the Ministries; I am sure you will be satisfied,’’ the man who claimed to be the General Manager told VF on phone.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 —57

Street cultism in Lagos: When Police action is limited by law

By Charles Kumolu

V

ANGUARD Features report, on Monday, underlines the alarming reality that cultism has become so widespread in Lagos that it is threatening to spin out of control.

But the question remains: What are law-enforcement agencies, especially the Police, doing to contain threat that it poses to the society?

Indeed, for the Lagos State Police Command, cult-related crimes are among the frequently reported. Police stations in most of the identified flashpoints have their hands full treating such cases, some of which are charged to court.

But given its pervasive spread, some members of the public are wont to think that the Police are incapable of arresting the rampaging monster.

Immediate past Lagos State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Umar Manko, acknowledged this alarming reality, while regretting that during his tenure the essence of charging the suspects to court was often deflated by the light punishment that cultists get at the court. Indeed VF found out that what the arraigned cultists get are not often punitive enough.

Facts and figures Also acknowledging this challenge to VF, Mr. Kenneth Nwosu, Public Relations Officer of Lagos State Command, noted that the police is bound to take whatever decision the court takes. ‘’When we take them to courts, ours is to present the facts and figures of the case to the court; whatsoever happens in the court, the judgement of the court is not influenced by the police; whatsoever decision they take, we abide by it, ‘’ he stated.

Reminded that such decision is also subject to appeal by the police, Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, conceded.

But he clarified thus: ‘’If we are not The issue of satisfied with arresting the judgement we can appeal cultists, but as a law- taking them a b i d i n g o r g a n i s a t i o n , to court and we have a they get responsibility to abide by the back to the rules and society has regulations.’’

Nwosu does to do with not think the the justice police should be system of the blamed for the trend, since the country

law specifically outlined its role in crime fighting.

Plans for identified hotspots: He also explained thus: ‘’The issue of arresting cultists, taking them to court and they get back to the society has to do with the justice system of the country, which involves the police, the judiciary and the prisons.’’

The responsibility of the police in this regard, Nwosu said, ‘’is to apprehend after investigation and prosecute. We prosecute not just with the intention of gaining conviction but also with the intent of finding out the remote and immediate cause of the problem to keep the society safe.’’

He, however, aligned his position with popularly held belief about cultism.

*Mr. Kenneth Nwosu, Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command

‘’Cultism, like other crimes, is dysfunctional aspect of the society in the sense that there is no society that is crime-free, but it can be reduced to the barest minimum which is what the Command has done and will continue to do,’’ the police image maker added.

On whether the command has a special plan for the identified hotspots, Nwosu responded thus: ‘’The society is dynamic, evolving and with the advent of technology and internet everything is changing fast.

The Nigeria Police has also upped its game to meet with the ever changing needs of the society and to be a step ahead of the criminals.’’

More potent deterrents However, a legal practitioner and head Oloru and Oluru Chambers, Mr. Seyi Oloruminbe disagreed that the judiciary accounts for the apparent failure at curbing the menace.

Oloruminbe frowned at what he called the ‘’insensitive attitude of letting go some apprehended suspects’’ by the police. ‘’Every one knows that virtually every crime has unfortunately become bailable in Nigeria. That is where the Police come in. It is wrong to accuse the judiciary. The courts only treat the cases that the police bring. A further investigation will expose how law enforcement agents assist in the growth of this problem. Much as I agree that more potent deterrents are initiated in form of enabling laws, law enforcement agencies also need to review their approach, else we will all be consumed.’’

58 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015

Mystery fire guts family apartment in Lagos •Father laments death of only son

By Esther Onyegbula and Anozie Egole

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HE fate that befell Desmond Odoegbule, 45, on December 23, 2015, will forever remain indelible in his memory. This is because his hope of spending the Christmas and New year celebrations with members of his family, within their capability, was dashed following a fire outbreak which burnt his wife and three children. Sadly, as you read this piece, the only son of the paint dealer who resides at Number 6, Oremeji Street, Ejigbo, in Alimosho Local Government area of Lagos state, Chimzuruoke, has died as a result of burns he sustained during the fire outbreak.

The 6-year-old boy yielded to the pangs of death owing to excruciating pains from the severe burns. Doctors at Angels hospital at Orile Coker, are still battling to save the lives of his wife and one of his children while his two other children had been discharged.

How it started The fire, as gathered, was caused by a mysterious explosion which occurred around 9pm while his wife, Chinyere and kids were taking

•Desmond

•Desmond’s wife Chinyere before the incident

their super. Their lantern reportedly went off and she stood up to refill it with kerosene when it exploded.

The explosion led to fire outbreak which burned his wife and five children.

Father laments In this heart- rendering interview with Crime Alert, Odoegbule who is looking a shadow of his old self said, “If only I had a slight premonition of what the day had for me, perhaps, I would have sourced for a way to avert the danger that befell my entire family. I was basking in the euphoria

•The children before the incident

that comes with yuletide preparations little did I envisage that all members of my family will end up in the hospital bed with varying degree of burns.”

My story Recounting the horrific incident in an emotion- laden voice, the father of five said: “As usual, on that fateful day, I left the house to my place of work. I had no premonition that any negative thing would happen to my family or that death was coming to my only son, Chimzuruoke. Like most Christian families, we finished

shopping for the season in preparation for Christmas; my four daughters and their mother had done their hair while my late son had a wonderful hair cut. I was on my way back from work when I received a call that my family was involved in a fire outbreak.

Explosion “My wife and children were eating in the sitting room when all of a sudden, the lantern went off. She stood up immediately to refill the lantern with kerosine and it exploded. The explosion led to fire outbreak which burned my wife and five children. Luckily, neighbors

rushed in and put out the fire, rescued the victims and rushed them to hospital. They were admitted in Angel Hospital, Coker Orile, that is where they have being receiving medical care.

LIFE HAS NOT BEEN THE SAME Although, I narrowly escaped the incident as I was on my way back from work, life has not been the same again. When the fire exploded, it caught my wife, my daughters whose ages range from two to nine and my 6- year-old son. While the others were struggling to put off the fire, my son who was already engulfed with the fire sustai ned serious injuries while trying to escape from the scene.Unfortunately, he died after three weeks in the hospital while my wife and the other kids are still in the hospital.

The mystery “The same kerosine that caused the explosion that almost consumed my family member was bought on Saturday. We used it to cook all through Saturday, Sunday, Monday and even on that Tuesday, when the incident happened. The mysterious thing about the explosion is that apart from the curtains that got burnt and the chairs that were affected, the rug was not touched and my electronics were in-tact. No other item in the apartment was consumed when you consider the severe burns my wife and children sustained.

My ordeal in the hands of security agents — Warri-based lawyer A WARRI based legal practitioner, Barrister Joseph Ogedengbe, got what he did not bargain for in January when, security agents claiming to be from the Department of Security Services, DSS, invaded his home, ransacked all the nooks and corners and ended up bundling him in chains, to their base.

The incident which has attracted the attention of the MidWest Bar Forum took place on January 29th, 2015 in the presence of members of his family and his octogenarian mother who could not withstand the assault on her child and ended up in the hospital later as a result of shock. The distraught former Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA in Ughelli who is still recuperating from the injuries he sustained during the encounter and the psychological trauma stated that he was dragged to their base in handcuff. He said his legs were also chained like a common criminal.

By Sam Eyoboka & Egufe Yafugborhi; Warri

T

HREATS of showdown by NBA: His unwarranted ordeal has incurred the ire of Mid-West Bar Forum, a body of lawyers spanning across Edo and Delta states. The forum has, therefore, resolved to drag the Department of State Security Service (DSS) to court for alleged unlawful arrest and harassment of its member. At a recent meeting of the Forum in Warri presided over by the chairman,

Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), the body while condemning the treatment meted to Ogedegbe said it was just waiting for the striking courts to reopen before instituting the court action against the DSS. Victim narrates experience: According to the victim who resides at Agbarho, Ughelli North Council area of Delta State, a team of six DSS and six military men invaded his residence on January 29, handcuffed and landed him at the DSS office in Warri after first taking him to a

•Barrister Joseph Ogedengbe military commander at a hotel in Ughelli.Narrating his ordeal in the hands of the DSS and military operatives, the victim said: “On Thursday, the 29th day of January, 2015, at about 11:00 p.m, six military men (Army) and six State Security Service (SSS) men invaded my house at No. 1, Oghenerhoro Ogedegbe Close, Agbarho.

They were all armed.”Before I knew what was happening, they had forced members of my family (my wife and children who were watching television in the sitting room) to open my front door and protectors for them.One of my

children ran to me and woke me up to say that there were military men in the house wanting to see me.

Initially, I thought they were kidnappers so I quickly got up and put on a pair of boxers and a pair of trousers.”As I was coming from my bedroom to the sitting room, I met two soldiers (men) and two SSS men in the passage that leads from my bedroom to the sitting room.

Immediately they saw me, they shouted at me to lie down and I quickly obeyed because they were in a very hostile mood and were ready to kill if given the slightest opportunity.

Possible mix up: “I managed to tell them that my name is Barrister Ogedengbe and that I believe that there is a mix-up somewhere. They insisted that there was no mix up anywhere and even asked whether I am not Barr Joseph Ogedengbe (adding my first name). I said yes.

While I was lying down, I heard one of them asking another amongst them to go to their vehicle and bring a handcuff. That one left and soon returned with a handcuff. I was

then ordered to stand up and face the wall. I obeyed and they handcuffed my two hands behind me. Thereafter, they searched my five rooms but nothing incriminating was found.

Search warrant I asked them what they were looking for but none of them answered me. They did not show me any search warrant but I was too afraid to ask.

Siege in my compound: “After they searched my house, they took me outside. It was at this time I discovered that there were four other soldiers and four SSS men outside who had surrounded my entire building.

After they took me out of my house, I was directed to take them to my in-law’s (my younger sister’s husband) apartment within my compound. I obeyed.

They said I should wake them up and I did. They rushed into their two bedroom apartment and searched everywhere but nothing incriminating was found.

oboka

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015—59

com m Ey

By Saboka@gmail. .eyo

sam

*Pastor Enoch Adeboye unveiling the marble commemorative plaque to declare the church auditorium open.

*Pastor-in-charge of Region 19, Pastor Femi Atoyebi (l) Pastor-in-charge of Province 44, Pastor Amos Emovon (r) welcoming the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye (c) to the venue of the dedication/commissioning of RCCG Province 44 in Surulere, Lagos last Sunday.

Surulere stands still as Adeboye inaugurates RCCG Province 44

By Sam Eyoboka

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*Ace-saxophonist, Pastor Kunle Ajayi ministering to prepare the ground for Pastor Adeboye's ministration.

Kukah blames Nigeria's woes on bad leadership

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ATHOLIC Bishop of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Kukah has blamed most of the problems facing the country since independence in 1960 on bad leadership, reports CALEB AYANSINA. Kukah stated this while speaking at a forun at the Catholic Secretariat in Abuja.

According to him; "A lot of our difficulties are tied to the calibre and quality of people who have governed this country.

"Actually, I don’t call most of the people we have on ground leaders; they are actually people who are just holding office, and you can be a leader without being in office and you can be in office without being a leader," he noted.

The cleric explained that most Nigerians lack patriotic zeal,

noting "this is the reason why we are having problems with our democracy.

"Else where, it is not as if those people love democracy because they are better than the rest of us, they love the democracy because of the services it offers them," he noted.

The Secretary General of the CSN, Rev. Fr. Ralph Madu said the country needs to reflect on its democratic journey so far, taking cognizance of the present electoral period.

He admonished youth to refuse be used by unscrupulous politicians to perpetrate violence before, during and after elections, but turn out en masse to perform their civil responsibility by voting for candidates of their choice.

UNDAY, February 15, 2015 will remain a day of indescribable joy for the leadership and members of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Praise Tabernacle, headquarter parish of Lagos Province 44, Surulere in Lagos, as the General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye inaugurated the new province and dedicated the ultramodern church building.

While congratulating the leadership and workers of the province for a job well done, Pastor Adeboye said the English people have a word for something that is beautiful even though small, "they call it cute.

This one is cute." He also went on to describe the combined choir that ministered as "fantastic."

Dedication service Pastor Amos Emovon, the Pastor-in-Charge of the new Lagos Province 44 welcomed the General Overseer, Pastor Adeboye and his entourage which included an Assistant General Overseer and his wife, Pastor & Pastor (Mrs.) Akindele; the Pastor-in-Charge of Region 19, Pastor Femi Atoyebi (SAN); the midwife of Lagos Province 44 and Pastor-in-charge of Lagos Province 23, Pastor Brown Oyitso and all other senior pastors to the dedication service.

In his welcome address, Pastor Emovon went down memory lane to 1996 when another parish of RCCG (Garden of Peace) brought Pastor Adeboye to the current location of RCCG Praise Tabernacle to pray over the two plots of land which they sought to purchase. Disagreement between the owners made it impossible to seal the deal.

However, God who is a master strategist, in 1999 ordered the steps of RCCG Chapel of Mercy to establish Praise Tabernacle in a site opposite the bungalow (9, Ebun Street).

The prayer offered by Pastor Adeboye over the two plots of land tied down the land for possession by RCCG. Eventually, Praise Tabernacle bought the two plots of land and erected the ultra-modern building.

Thereafter, they equally purchased the opposite bungalow where the parish started from.

The prayer offered

by Pastor Adeboye over the two plots of land tied down the land for possession

by RCCG

As of today, RCCG Praise Tabernacle has an average attendance of 1,550 members.

They have established several parishes in Nigeria and abroad including RCCG House of Praise, Praise Chapel, Sanctuary of Joy (Nigeria); RCCG Praise Tabernacle (Togo); Praise Tabernacle (Mali); Praise Tabernacle (Entebbe, Uganda); International House of Victory (Moldova, Eastern Europe); Grace Sanctuary (Watford, UK) and Praise Chapel (Fredericton, Canada).

During the RCCG national convention in August 2014, Lagos Province 44 was created with Praise Tabernacle as the provincial headquarters parish with Pastor Amos Emovon as the pioneer pastor-in-charge of the province.

Pastor Adeboye in his sermon titled "Except the Lord builds" with inspiration from Psalm 127:1, stated that no one can successfully build a house, be prosperous, stay healthy, be delivered/fruitful or be saved without the help of God.

Lord's Chosen storms Onitsha for crusade

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HE Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries, has concluded plans to storm the ancient city of Onitsha in Anambra State for an open interdenominational crusade themed, 'God's time to take over'.

The 2-day crusade scheduled for Saturday and Sunday by 8.00 a.m. at the famous Oba Airport, along Old Oba–Nnewi Road is expected to attract unprecedented crowd from all walks of life.

A statement by General Overseer of the church, Pastor Lazarus Muoka said the crusade is part of the ministry’s continuous evangelical campaign to meet the 10 billion souls mandate

before the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"It is also in pursuance of our threefold vision of grassroots revival all over the world, revival of the Apostolic Christian experiences among the Body of Christ and revival of heavenly consciousness among believers.

Thus it is targeted at winning souls for Christ and preparing the saints for rapture," it stated.

Addressing newsmen on the essence of the crusade through his spokesman, Pastor Chidi Louis, the man of God said that the theme of the crusade, 'Time for God to take over', points to the fact that God has decided to take over the affairs of mankind all over the world.

60 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 — 61

C M Y K

62 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

Super Wednesday

City seek redemption against Leicester M

ANCHESTER City host Leicester City tonight at the Etihad Stadium as speculations mount that the champions are interested in two of the most high-profile coaches in Europe, with current boss Manuel Pellegrini fighting to save his job.

The Chilean manager suffered a terrible week with a poor defeat to Barcelona in the first-leg of the Champions League last-16 on Tuesday followed by a crucial defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

There is also concern at the manner of the performances a g a i n s t Barcelona and Liverpool.

Against the Catalans, Pellegrini tactics left City far too exposed, while at Anfield, Brendan Rodgers’ team looked far m o r e motivated

Man U battle Newcastle without Van Persie

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is unlikely to return to action in Wednesday’s Premier League clash against Burnley at Anfield Gerrard is back in training after a hamstring injury but is unlikely to feature as Brendan Rodgers sticks w i t h his

S

Pellegrini and fresh, despite playing extra-time against Besiktas on Thursday night.

There are conflicting reports in the Daily Telegraph and Guardian with the former linking Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti with the job and the latter B a y e r n Munich’s Pep Guardiola. The two papers also say that Under21coachPatrick

Vieira and even Rafa Benitez are being considered.

In years gone by, teams battling for survival in the Premier League would not have relished a journey to the Etihad Stadium. In the last few campaigns, it would have been seen as an “anything we can get is a bonus” game, with Manchester City likely to winandoccasionallywithout really getting out of second gear.

That Leicester, a team performing below what many expected from them after a solid title win in the Championship in 2014, will fancy their chances of doing a job on Manuel Pellegrini’s men is a mark of how badly the plan for this season has gone for the Chilean. City’s home form is a problem to the point where opposition sides no longer see it as a fruitless task.

•Aguero

Wenger: Arsenal ‘nowhere near’ title

A

•Arsene

Liverpool swoop on Burnley

rsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted his side are well off the pace when it comes to challenging the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City for the Premier League title, according to BBC Sport.

“At the moment we are nowhere near to winning the Premier League, and nowhere near close to being in the race,” Wenger said. “At the moment we are too far from Chelsea to say we are in the title race, but you never know what can happen.

“I speak as well about Manchester City. Why should they give up for the title? They have done it three years ago from eight points behind,” he recalled.

winning formula.

Winger Jordon Ibe is expected to be sidelined until the end of the month with the knee injury suffered in the Europa League loss at Besiktas l a s t week.

Central defender Mamadou Sakho is close to a return after a h i p injury and fullb a c k G l e n Johnson should be back in contention a f t e r illness.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche is set to h a v e t h e same squad o f players for the trip to Merseyside as he did for the previous fixture.

•Ramsey

•Coutinho

TRIKER Robin van Persie has still not recovered from an ankle injury and will miss Manchester United’s game at Newcastle on Wednesday.

Midfielder Michael Carrick h a s overcome a calf problem b u t will not be risked.

Leftback Luke S h a w (hamstring), centre-half Phil Jones (illness) and goalkeeper Victor Valdes are back after they missed the 2-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday.

Ramsey: Arsenal m u s t fall C h r i s Ramsey believes five more victories will keep QPR in the Premier League.

The Rangers boss believes 37 points could be enough to keep the Loftus Road club in the top flight, but admitted QPR do not have “the luxury” of setting a specific survival target.

APR Rangers host Arsenal tonight, with Ramsey maintaining there is more pressure at the bottom of the table than the top.

“To be honest with you I very rarely look at the table,” said Ramsey. “Whatever the other teams do will be irrelevant.

“We know that if we can get four or five wins that we’re going to be there right until the end."

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 — 63

I’ll resign if NFF employs Keshi – Bassey Ibe sidelined for one •Chukwu blames NFF’s motion without movement

BY TONY UBANI

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S Nigerians await the verdict of the Nigeria Football Federation on whether to give a fresh contract to Stephen Keshi or not, a member of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Paul Bassey has vowed to resign if Keshi gets the nod to lead the Super Eagles again.

Keshi led the Eagles to win the African Cup of Nations in 2013 and also led the Eagles to miss out on defending the trophy in Equatorial Guinea. ‘’I feel pained that we are still talking about whether to hire or not to hire Keshi. As for me, I”ve decided that the day they announce Keshi as coach, I’ll relinquish my job as a member of the Technical Committee’’, Bassey, a veteran Sports Journalist and member of CAF and FIFA media committee said on our hotline.

Bassey said that Keshi remains a legend in Nigerian football but has nothing to offer the country as a coach. ‘’I worked with Keshi for four

years and know that he has nothing to offer the Eagles as a coach. We need to move our football forward and offer a contract to somebody who will breathe fresh air and bring back Nigeria to the front row of African football and the world.

Keshi cannot do this. He knows his limitations but has decided to hold up the same game that gave him fame and fortune in Nigeria. We cannot continue to be moving round in circles with one man on the centre as if without him nothing good can happen to our football.

If they appoint him today, I’ll throw in my towel. That is is my opinion and I wish them well’’, Bassey who speaks a cocktail of languages said.

Also, former captain and coach of the Eagles, Chairman Christian Chukwu blamed the Nigeria Football Federation for what he called ‘’motion without movement’’ in the hiring of Stephen Keshi. ‘’I blame the NFF for their slow actions. Time is running out against them

Kojo Continues from BP Keshi’s contract with the Super Eagles elapsed at the end of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which saw Nigeria crashing out in the second round stage, after losing 2-0 to France. Despite being told to handle Nigeria’s qualification matches for the 2015 African Nations Cup by the Sports Minister, Dr. Tamuno Danagogo on an interim basis, Keshi bungled the chance to warm his way back into the hearts of angry Nigerian fans, when he failed to qualify for the tournament held in Equatorial Guinea and won by Ivory Coast last month.

Eagles nonqualification for the AFCON was seen by observers as the final nail in the coffin of Keshi but like a cat with nine lives, the former Eagles captain has since remained in the hunt for a return to the plum job. As if bowing to unseen hands, the NFF board offered a contract to

Keshi, who was later quoted to have said it was a slave contract.

Reacting to this ninemonth circus in search for a coach for the Super Eagles, Kojo, while speaking on telephone with Sports Vanguard, berated Keshi for his diehard move to coach the Super Eagles.

Wondering why Keshi is yet to land a coaching deal with any of the countries that the former Mali and Togo coach said were begging for his signature, Kojo bluntly told the former Strasbourg of France centre half that he should go and coach anther country if truly he is a world-class manager as he claims.

“Was it not the same Keshi who said he was being sought by countries to come handle their national teams? So how come, he has not been able to secure any contract with any of these countries? It is rather curious that a world-class coach has been out of a job for nine months. I feel

as they have delayed the decision of hiring or not hiring him. They have further hurt Nigerian football as the next coach they ’ll hire have an already made excuse of not having enough time to prepare the Eagles’’. ‘’I’ve spoken to Keshi as a brother, colleague but I don’t know what he truly wants. The joy of coaching is to reap during the harvest period and endure during famine. I expected him to walk away and take one of his many offers. But the bigger blame goes to the NFF for not acting as an

employer. I’m saddened because Nigerian football is the one that is suffering’’, Chukwu, one of the best players to come out from Africa said.

He also blamed NFF for putting itself in a tight corner by making Keshi the sole candidate for the post of handling the Eagles. ‘’They ’re waiting for him to study his contract before getting back to them. He remains the only one for the job. They have no alternative because they made him the sole candidate’’, Chukwu said.

Amuneke Continues from BP hat Nigeria can still do well at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.

Amunike’s men finished fourth behindMali, South Africa and Guinea, after losing to the Guineans for the second time in the championship.

In a post match analysis, Amuneke said it was obvious the team would need improvement and serious retool ahead of the

World Cup “Overall, the standard of the competition was okay and it has given us the chance to see our players against their peers on the continent, “he said.” I played the game and like any coach, I want to win but the manner of loss today to Guinea was not good as they were better than us in all departments.”

that Keshi is highly overrated and that is why he is nowhere closer to getting any coach job from outside or at home.

“If Keshi is a man of his words, he should simply walk away and stop crying that he was offered a slave contract. If he is not comfortable with the contract, he should walk away. That is the path that honourable men toe. Not this unnecessary circus that is getting us nowhere.

I am simply tired of Keshi and his endless whining”, added a living Kojo.

Turning to the NFF, Kojo, perceived by many as a man of integrity, slammed the Amaju Pinnick-led NFF bboard of lacking the courage to stand its ground on purely technical matters, warning that he feared for the future of our football under the watch of this board.

Telling Pinnick and his journeymen on the NFF board to learn from the strides being made by fellow west African teams who shone like a million stars at the last AFCON,

Kojo said that the Pinnick’s board was undermining the growth of Nigerian football.

“Countries like Ghana, Ivory Coast, who were also at the World Cup in Brazil with Nigeria have since moved on after the tournament ended last July. The Ivorians got Herve Renard, who guided them to AFCON glory last month in Equatorial Guinea while Ghana got Avram Grant to take them to the same tournament and they got to the final “But here in Nigeria, they are saying that the President wants Keshi to stay and their hands are tied. Those guys don’t know their onions. If I’m in charge of something, I run the rules. Keshi should go and get a job elsewhere. If the NFF guys feel their independence is being infringed upon, they should resign like honourable men.

month

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IVERPOOL wing back Jordon Ibe will spend the next one month on the sidelines after damaging lateral ligaments in The Reds Europa League clash against Besiktas in Istanbul last Thursday.

Because of that ailment, the 19 - year old missed last weekend’s Premier League tie at home to Manchester City.

Injured Ibe is not in contention to make the Liverpool squad this month again, meaning he will sit out games against Burnley, Blackburn Rovers, Swansea City and Manchester United.

If the Anglo - Nigerian

•Ibe does not suffer a relapse, he will be available for selection when Liverpool visit the Emirates on April 4.

Jordon Ibe has made five appearances for the Anfield side in the EPL this term.

Olaitan misses training

E

X Flying Eagles star Michael Olaitan did not take part in the training session held by Ergotelis on Monday.

The official word from Ergotelis is that the attacking midfielder is

•Olaitan

suffering from a viral infection.

Ahead of the Super League clash against Veria this weekend, The Cretans will train again today, starting from 1200 hours.

Michael Olaitan has appeared three times in the league this season, scoring one goal following his move to the Pankritio Stadium on loan from Olympiakos in the January transfer window.

He is tied to the Greece champions until June 30, 2017.

Ejide demands pay rise

S

UPER Eagles goalkeeper Austin Ejide is demanding a pay - hike before extending his contract with Hapoel Beer Sheva.

The Camels brass has opened talks with the glovesman on prolonging his stay at the club for three more years, with the current agreement between the parties set to expire in just over three months time.

Ejide wants his salary to be upgraded to cushion the effect of his tax liability increasing as from next season.

It is thought that the goalie has an offer from Premier League

•Ejide champions Maccabi Tel Aviv, which has contributed to his decision not to extend his Beer Sheva contract.

The 30 - year - old has played in Israel for the past six years.

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

Mikel out for a month after surgery — Page 42 •Musa targets cup glory — Pg.42 Today’s Fixtures

•Chukwu blames NFF’s motion without movement

v v v v v v v

Leicester 8:45pm Man Utd 8:45pm Arsena 8:45pm Everton 8:45pm Swansea 8:45pm Chelsea 8:45pm Burnley 9pm

I've learnt my lessons — Amuneke

Pg. 63

I’ll resign if NFF employs Keshi – Bassey

Man City Newcastle QPR Stoke Tottenham West Ham Liverpool

G

OLDEN Eaglets’ Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has said that the just concluded 2015 U-17 African Youth Championship, hosted

by Niger has shown them their lapses, saying Continues on Page 63

•Keshi

•Chukwu

•Kojo

•Bassey

Kojo berates NFF, slams Keshi

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

F

ORMER boss of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)

Anthony Kojo-Williams has slammed the current board members of the NFF for not having the guts to do

away with Coach Stephen Keshi, who is holding out for a fresh contract to coach the Super Eagles.

Continues on Page 63

WHERE OWNERS OF PREMIER LEAGUE CLUBS RANK IN FORBE’S LIST Ranking Name Club Net Worth 71 Alisher Usmanoy Arsenal (15 per cent) £9.4 b 82 Lakshmi Mittal QPR (33 per cent) £8.8 b 137 Roman Abramovich Chelsea £5.9 b 225 Stan Kroenke Arsenal £4.1 b 227 Joe Lewis Tottenham £3.5 b 318 Mike Asley Newcastle United £3.2 b 714 Vichai Leicester Und £1.4 b 737 Denise Coates Stoke City £1.6 b 894 Farhad Moshiri Arsenal (15 per cent)‘ £1.4 b 1190 John Henry Liverpool £1 b

All owners are majority shareholders unless otherwise stated. Leicester City and Stoke City are owned by the families of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and Denise Coates respectively.

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1.Grant (6) 5.Cold (6) 9.Tree (5) 10.Thoroughfare (6) 11.Simpler (6) 12.fresher (5) 14.Consider (4) 17.Decay (3) 18.Repute (4) 20.Consumer (5) 22.Peeled (5) 23 Turned (7) 24.Colour (5) 26.Principle (5) 29.Border (4) 30.Bombard (3) 32.Challenge (4) 33.Stratum (5) 35.Reviser (6) 36.Aeroplane (6) 37.Begin (5) 38.Pact (6) 39.Required (6)

DOWN 1.Against (6) 2.Water-ice (6) 3.Sign (4) 4.Irrigate (5) 5.Swift (5) 6.Breed (4) 7.Instrument (6) 8.Dashed (6) 13.Feminine (7) 15.Relaxed (5) 16.Combine (5) 18.Paled (5) 19.Measure (5) 21.Fish-eggs (3) 22.Favourite (3) 24.Deprived (6) 25.Light (6) 27.Seized (6) 28.Tormented (6) 30.Celebration (5) 31.Long (5) 35.Mislaid (4) 34.Ceremony (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 4, Bleak 7, Repeat 9, Lei 10, Fun 12, Stout 13, Cool 15, Berth 17, Savage 19, Earn 20, Scene 22, Lap 24, Decided 27, Rug 28, Seamy 31, Data 33, Spent 37, Poll 38, Quota 39, Tap 41, Era 42, Breeze 43, Heart.

DOWN: 1, Fracas 2, Oppose 3, Oaf 4, Best 5, Lithe 6, Aquarium 8, Tuba 11, Negligent 14, Land 16, Read 18, Veer 21, Creature 23, Pest 25, Cute 26, Deep 29, Adored 30, Yelled 32, Aster 34, Stab 36, Part 40, Pry.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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