Confab okays rotational presidency

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62180

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FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

Court sacks NFF

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DOCTORS' STRIKE:

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We are dying slowly — Patients

Confab okays rotational presidency •Approves 18 new states, keeps old National Anthem

BY HENRY UMORU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

•Presidency to rotate between North, South •Governorship to rotate among Senatorial Districts •Throws out six-year single tenure for President, govs

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THE ROAD JONATHAN, FASHOLA FORGOT

BUJA — DEL EGATES at the National Conference, yesterday, voted for rotation of Presidency between the North and South and among the six geo-political zones. The delegates, however, shot down a proposal for a single term of six years for the President.

The principle of rotation, which was also adopted among the

Continues on page 5

COLUMNIST: Donu

Anti-Northern Muslim sentiments •P.17

Mr & Mrs

TRAFFIC HORROR—The traffic horror on Oshodi-Apapa Expressroad continued, yesterday with motorists and commuters going through hell due to activities of tanker drivers and repairs by Julius Berger. Photo: Akeem Salau.

Edo recalls 936 teachers; cancels competency test 44 C M Y K

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POCKET CARTOON

NASS

VISIT—From left, Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State; National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu and Bauchi State PDP Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Yaro-Yaro, during the National Chairman's visit to Bauchi on Thursday. Photo: NAN.

Confab okays rotational presidency Continues from page 1 senatorial zones in the states, the delegates resolved, should also spread to the local government level.

Delegates also, yesterday, voted unanimously for the creation of 19 new states on the basis of three per zone, including an additional state for the South East geopolitical zone. They also voted for a return to the old National Anthem.

The proposed states are

Orashi from the present Rivers State; New Oyo from the present Oyo State; Etiti State from the South East Geo- political zone; Savannah State from Borno; Adada from the present Enugu State; Njaba/Anim from Anambra and Imo States; Apa from Benue State; Gurara from Kaduna State; Ijebu from Ogun State; Ogoja from Cross River; Kainji; Katagum from Bauchi; Amana, Ghari from Kano, and Anioma from Delta State,

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

When you encounter rejection, shake it off and move on. Sooner or later you will succeed if you don’t quit. Don’t personalise it; because someone rejects what you have to offer doesn’t mean you are being rejected.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Happiness and the state of joy is ever lasting when it comes from within— Take Heart Quotes

U

NHAPPINESS lies in that gap between what we have now and what we think we need. But the truth is, we don’t need to acquire anything more to be content with what we already have. We don’t need anyone else’s permission to be happy. Your life is magnificent not because someone says it is, or because you have acquired something new, but because you choose to see it as such. Don’t let your happiness be held hostage. It is always yours to choose, to live and experience.

And from the experts of wisdom notes, Mack and Angel Hack comes this beautiful saying. “As soon as you stop making everyone and everything else responsible for your happiness, the happier you’ll be. If you’re unhappy now, it’s not someone else’s fault. Take full responsibility for your own unhappiness, and you will instantly gain the ability to be happier. Stop seeking in vain to arrange conditions that will make you happy.” Simply choose to appreciate the greatness that is yours in this moment, and the right conditions will start to line up around the contentment you seek.

among others. They were read out on the floor by the Deputy Chairman, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi. 15 states were listed, the remaining three would be announced subsequently, it was disclosed.

These resolutions were sequel to debate and consideration of the report of the Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government with General Ike Nwachukwu and Mohammed Umara Kumalia as co-chairmen.

Delegates also agreed that the President and his deputy should run on a joint ticket, thereby rejecting the Committee’s recommendation that the President should pick his deputy from among members of the National Assembly after he must have won an election.

The conference also supported that the status quo should remain at the National Assembly against the committee’s recommendation of a unicameral legislature.

If a president dies in office...

The conference approved that where the president dies in office, or he is incapacitated, impeached or where he resigns, the vice president shall operate in acting capacity for a period of 90 days, during which an election to the same office would be conducted.

According to the delegates, the decision be-

came imperative against the backdrop that each zone was expected to run the full course of the constitutionally allowed tenure without undue disruption; and it was also agreed that based on the adopted zoning formula, when a president leaves under any of the circumstances stated above, another president would be elected from the same zone where the previous one came from.

The conference also voted in favour of a Modified Presidential form of Government as recommended by the Committee which was described as home-made model of government that combines the attributes of parliamentary and presidential systems. The concept, according to the delegates, was believed to have the potentials of entrenching the principle of separation of powers as practiced in presidential system and promotion of co-operation and harmony between executive and the legislature as operated under the parliamentary system.

The President elected under the new system shall exercise full responsibility for his government and shall select ministers, not more than 18 of them, from the six geo-political zones of the country.

Minister of Finance to present FG's Budget to

It was also resolved that the Minister of Finance should replace the President in presenting the annual budget of the Federal Government to the National Assembly while the President and his ministers would appear before the National Assembly to render account of their stewardship on quarterly basis.

On local government administration, the conference also voted that states should own their own constitutions, while the functions of local governments as contained in Schedule 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) be transferred to the states, subject to the power of the State Houses of Assembly to add or reduce the said functions of the local governments.

The delegates also rejected the proposal for the tenure of elected local government officials to be increased to more than three years but agreed that the constitution shall fix tenure for local government councils.

Approves scrapping of joint states/LGs account Delegates also approved the scrapping of the Joint State and Local Government Accounts; to be replaced with a State Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission. The body would be expected to have as members, representatives of local government areas and a chairman nominated by the state governor for confirmation by the state House of Assembly.

In addition to the functions conferred on the local government councils as specified in the Fourth Schedule of the

1999 Constitution as amended, a state House of Assembly may by law, confer other functions on the local government.

Henceforth, and except otherwise overturned, Conference adopted a recommendation to confer financial autonomy on State Houses of Assembly as a way of freeing them from direct control by the executive. It was also voted that for functionality, local governments should be politically and economically independent.

Earlier in his contribution, a delegate on the platform of Elder Statesmen Category and former Secretary of the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, who supported the proposal for the creation of an additional state for the South-East, however, informed delegates that those who have the view that the South-East was dashed a state should have a rethink, saying that all the states in Nigeria were dashes by the military.

According to him, it was unfortunate that the South-East was not dashed the same way others got and urged the delegates to always be their brother ’s keeper.

He added: “We should be our brother’s keeper, you and I know that the military dashed states to all of us and forgot to dash the South-East. So, what is wrong in the conference dashing one to Southeast.”

Also in his contribution, former Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Ghali Umar Na’ Abba, who supported the proposal for the creation of additional state for the South-East, stressed that it was done to address the imbalances in the zones, adding that the National Assembly should expedite action towards its creation to enhance the much needed reconciliation.

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

Dancer jailed 6 months for impersonation

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BUJA —A Grade 1 Area Court, Lugbe, Abuja yesterday sentenced a 26-year-old dancer, Abdullahi Jubril, to 6 months in prison on each of the three-count charge brought against him plus 12 strokes of the cane.

The sentence will, however, run concurrently.

Jubril, who resides at Zone 4, Lugbe, Abuja, was arraigned on a three-count charge of impersonating a public officer by wearing a military uniform, when he is not a soldier, resisting arrest and assault.

The presiding judge, Mr Gambo Garba, however, gave him an option of fine of N5,000 each on each of the counts.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpl Paul Anigbo, told the court that on June 22, at about 1 a.m, a team of policemen said Jubril in army uniform around Zone 1, Lugbe and that his move was suspicious.

Anigbo said that when he was accosted and questioned, he claimed to be an officer but he could not present his identity card to establish his claim.

The prosecutor told the court that it was later found that the accused was a dancer with Indomie Company in Abuja.

He told the court that when the police officers wanted to arrest him, he inflicted injury on one of them while resisting arrest.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 132, 133 and 267 of the Penal Code

Another bags 6 months for possession of live ammunition

Also, a magistrate's court in Minna, yesterday, sentenced a middle aged man, Yahaya Abubakar, to six months in prison for being in possession of AK-47 life ammunition.

The presiding magistrate, Sa’adatu Gambo, who passed the sentence after the convict pleaded guilty to the offence, however, gave him an option of N10,000 fine.

The convict was arraigned on a one-count charge of unlawful possession of life ammunition.

Earlier, the police prosecutor, Insp. Ahmed Ali, had told the court that the accused was arrested by the police at Tegina on June 12. Ali said when searched by the police, the accused was found to be in possession of AK-47 life ammunition.

He said the offence was punishable under the Fire Arms Act. The convict had pleaded guilty to the charge and begged the court for leniency.

Members Ogoni Solidarity Forum protesting in Port Harcourt over non implementation of United Nations environment programme report, Wednesday. Photo: NAN.

Ogun traders lose wares to flood A

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

BEOKUTA — NO fewer than 211 traders at the ancient Itoku market in Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State, yesterday, lost their wares to a flood that ravaged the market.

The flooding which followed a two-day rainfall that started on Wednesday affected a section with a high concentration of traders in local herbs, roots, assorted traditional relics, locally made artefacts, plants, animals, including live and dead reptiles as well as domestic creatures and other items worth millions of naira.

Narrating their ordeals, some traders, Simiatu Okunade, Ganiyat Oseni and Sadiat Ayobiojo said the daytime flooding had destroyed their means of livelihood.

A trader in beads and ornaments, Shakira Arisekola lamented that the nature of items on sale as well as the structural layout of the market were not showing the true value of the huge money invested by the traders.

Also, a traditional birth attendant, Anike Kumapayi, maintained that apart from the items washed away by the flood, the incident could also

reduce the efficacy of the remaining herbs.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun, who visited the market to assess the extent of damage, said more structures would be demolished in the area to prevent a recurrence.

Amosun, who assured that

government would reach out to affected persons to cushion the effect of their losses, expressed his readiness to sustain infrastructure development across the state.

The affected traders got donations of undisclosed amounts of money presented by the Com-

missioner for Works, Lekan Adegbite.

Presenting the envelopes to affected traders at the Governor’s Office, Adegbite said the governor was not happy with the situation and had ordered that compensation be paid to the affected traders.

A physically challenged person in his wheelchair struggling through a flooded road at Omuma Road in Aba, Abia State.

Ozoro farmers protest abuses, crop destruction by cattle rearers

BY GODWIN OGHRE

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APELE —VEHICU LAR and human movement were halted, yesterday, at Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State as over 10,000 farmers, mostly women, protested

sexual abuses and destruction of crops by Fulani herdsmen.

The protesting farmers, meanwhile, gave the state government a seven-day ultimatum to remove the Fulani herdsmen or they would resort to self-help.

At 10 a.m., the farmers, chanting war songs, marched to the

palace of the traditional ruler of Ozoro, HRM Anthony Ogbogbo, Divisional Police headquarters, Ozoro and the Isoko North council secretariat to register their grievances, which include sexual harassment, robbery and theft of their crops by the herdsmen.

Leader of the protesters, Mrs.

Obuke Ojaigho, said the herdsmen's cattle had in recent times destroyed their crops, mostly maize, pepper, yams, potatoes, cassava and melon, adding: "We do not need cows and their rearers in our bush again. We are asking the government to send them away."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 — 7

Protest in Ibadan as vehicle kills two

BY OLA AJAYI

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BADAN — COMMERCIAL motorcyclists at Ajibode area of Ibadan, yesterday, blocked the only motorable road to the area in protest of the death of two persons, including an okada rider.

Ajibode is on the outskirts of Apete in Ido Local Government area where flood wreaked havoc last Saturday.

The two persons were reported dead when a Sport Utility Vehicle, SUV, ran into them while on okada.

The road is the only one left for the residents of the area to use since the collapse of the make-shift bridge during the heavy downpour which reportedly killed many people.

Vanguard gathered that the SUV sped off and escaped after crushing the okada rider and his passenger. The incident angered other okada riders, who blocked the road.

As a result of the gridlock, several civil servants, lecturers and workers of the University of Ibadan were stranded at bus stops. Many resorted to trekking after waiting endlessly at bus stops for vehicles.

Owing to the commotion, there was hike in fares as okada riders plying Eleyele Road charged N250 instead of N70.

Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Olabisi Okuwobi Ilobanafor said she would get through to Ojoo Police station to get details.

Meanwhile, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has told the opposition parties in the state to stop politicizing the collapsed pedestrian bridge at Apete area of Ibadan.

The governor, who gave the warning while briefing newsmen shortly after inspecting the collapsed pedestrian bridge as well as the main bridge still under construction, told politicians, particularly those from

opposition parties, to desist from playing politics with human lives which, he said, were sacred.

He said:“The politics we are playing in Oyo State today is politics of development. If you want to contest for any political office, come out and tell people what you have done before which qualifies you for the office you are running for.

Show the people your creden-

tials.

“It is unfortunate that some politicians, who have nothing to offer the people other than character assassination and name calling, have been visiting this bridge, politicizing human lives which are sacred. Let me tell them that the good people of Oyo State are now more politically sophisticated and they can understand their antics."

DANGER: A family of six on Okada in Iju-Ishaga, Lagos. PHOTO: AKEEM SALAU.

5 injured as Onitsha drug market EXCO meeting turns bloody

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

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NITSHA — NO fewer than five people sustained injuries, yesterday, at the Onitsha Bridge Head medicine dealers market when violence erupted during a meeting of line chairmen and secretaries of the Onitsha Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers Union, OPPMDU. This came as a result of the arrival of some suspected thugs that disrupted the meeting.

Trouble was said to have started when the chairmen and secretaries of the various lines in the market gathered at the market evangelism office of the union to discuss the way forward over the botched election of officers in the market last year amidst threat of closure of the market by the Federal Government over the policy of non sale of drugs in the open market.

Sources said no sooner was the meeting declared open than some thugs numbering about 40, suspected to be working for the incumbent caretaker committee chairman of the market invaded the venue with canes and other dangerous weapons and allegedly unleashed mayhem on the line chairmen and their secretaries.

The thugs allegedly ordered the

meeting closed with immediate effect, saying the group did not get permission to convene the meeting.

They descended on the elected chairmen and secretaries, beating and brutalizing everybody and smashed phones and chairs.

The coordinating chairman of the forum and chairman of Tablet line in the market, Uchenna Ubah, who was bruised during the fracas also had his eye glasses broken by the thugs as many ran for safety.

Secretary of Unity Line and a member of the Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, in Anambra State, Comrade Ugochukwu Oforma, while condemning the act described it as barbaric. The victims also accused the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the market, Ugochukwu Nwosu, of trying to perpetuate himself in office despite the fact that his three-month tenure expired since October 2013.

They also called on Governor Willie Obiano through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to wade into the crisis.

Contacted, the caretaker committee chairman, Ugochukwu Nwosu claimed ignorance of the

incident and later said he would talk at the appropriate time.

The matter has been reported at Fegge Police Station while the DPO, Rabiu Garba, who con-

firmed the incident, told newsmen that he had just invited both parties for interrogations and dialogue.

3 Imo ministry workers docked for theft

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI — THE Imo State Police Command has sued three members of staff of the state Ministry of Lands, Survey and Urban Development before an Owerri chief magistrate's court for alleged criminal acts.

The accused persons, who are facing a seven-count charge in suit number OW/43C/2014 included Ogwunga Basil Emeka, Emezuruike Jude and Echefu Adaku.

The trio were accused of conspiring among themselves on December 10 and 13, 2012, “to commit felony, to wit, concealing deeds and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 30 Volume 11 Laws of Eastern Nigeria, 1963, as applicable in Imo State.”

They were accused of stealing assorted building materials value at N257,000, from Plot C6/ 98 situated at Onitsha Road Industrial Layout, Owerri, property of Carlin Concept International Nigeria Limited, “and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap 30 Volume 11 Laws of Eastern Nigeria, 1963, as applicable in Imo State.”

Ogwunga Basil Emeka and his colleagues were similarly accused of damaging property belonging to Carlin Concept International Nigeria Limited, valued at N2.2 million and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 451 of the Criminal Code Cap 30 Volume 11 Laws of Eastern Nigeria, 1963, as applicable to Imo State.

Bayelsa women block Shell facility over prolonged power outage

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA — PROTEST ING Obunagha community women in Yenagoa Local Government area of Bayelsa State against the alleged insensitivity of Shell Petroleum Development Company to their plight have vowed not to dismantle the barricade on the road leading to the the company’s multi billion naira Gbarain-Ubie Gas Plant until the burnt transformer supplying electricity to their community is replaced and power restored.

The aggrieved community women had in the early hours of Wednesday stormed and occupied the road leading to facility.

Though armed soldiers were deployed in the area, the women were not deterred as they rebuffed the pleas of officials of the state government to vacate the scene pending the resolution of the issue of power outage.

The protesters erected canopies in the middle of the road to shelter them from rain, an indication that they are not ready to budge until their demands were met by the oil major.

The community, which is host to the gas plant, was plunged into darkness sometime late May when the transformer serving it got burnt due to alleged high voltage.

While the protesting women laid siege to the road leading to the gas plant preventing workers and visitors from going in and out, the youths also barricaded the community road linking the access route to the facility.

The women led by the community's woman leader, Madam Pereware Dadiowei, said:“We have been without electricity supply in the last one month and we have made several entreaties to the company to come to our aid to no avail. We are compelled to lay siege to the entrance to expressed our grievances and for the company to have a change of heart towards our plight.”

According to her, the operations of the oil company have not been beneficial to them, adding that the health centre and water project executed by the company are not functioning while the gas plant enjoys uninterrupted electricity and water supply.

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

Fear delaying PIB passage, says Rep

BY CLARA NWACHUKWU

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BUJA—LACK of understanding of some grey areas and fear of the unknown are part of the reasons the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, has not been passed into law by the National Assembly.

This is even as a member of the House of Representatives accused Nigerians of being “too docile” and urged them to task the legislators on being proactive in taking decisions on national issues such as the PIB. These were among the observations made during a one-day roundtable on Maximising Value from Nigeria’s Marginal Oil Fields: A Survey of Past Awards, organised by Tandice B Solutions Limited, in Abuja yesterday.

The Chairman, House Committee on Local Content, Asita Honourable, told journalists at the end of the conference: “The major issue delaying the passage of the PIB is fear of the unknown.

“That is why I said earlier that the Nigerian populace is too docile. Let the people challenge us and see if we will not pass the bill.”

He noted that the bill is now in its third reading and will be given required attention, adding, “everything that needs to be done has been done. We have held public hearings on the bill, we have gone on tour of all the geo-political regions to collate opinions on the bill, and we have had retreats on the bill.

“This is why I said that all that is delaying the PIB is fear of the unknown because even most of the grey areas have been sorted.

“Most of the excesses in the minister ’s powers have been curtailed. For instance, four directors of DPR in four years is part of the excesses.

“We believe that some sections of the bill were meant just to create jobs for the boys. So let Nigerians challenge us because there is no alternative to the bill.”

Why we endorsed 42.5 grade of cement— REPS

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

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BUJA—SPOKESMAN of the House of Representatives, Zakari Mohammed, said yesterday that the House endorsed the high grade 42.5mpa quality cement to save lives because of incessant building collapse in the country.

Mohammed told newsmen: “We endorsed the high grade cement to save the lives of Nigerians that we represent here.”

Asked why the Rep Yakub Dogara-led ad hoc committee adopted the recommenda-tions of a particular cement manufacturer, while most builders wanted 32.5mpa, he said: “All stakeholders involved in the industry have been given ample time to upgrade.”

It will be recalled that the lawmakers had, in their ad

hoc committee report, recommended, among others, that the passage of the National Building Code Bill be expedited and strictly enforced after it had been passed into law to check quackery, use of substandard building materials and to serve as a tool for the regulation of the informal downstream sector of the industry.

While urging the government to take immediate steps to establish a cement and concrete institute, as is the case in many jurisdictions, the House said government should also revive all technical schools across the country and establish new ones to improve on the pool of qualified artisans and generate skilled as well semi skilled labour.

It said government should also set up a National Quality Assurance Programme, using designated agencies and some professional bodies to regularly test samples of

cement produced before they are sold.

Stakeholders hail Reps

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the building and construction industry, yesterday, commended members of the House of Representatives for the bold step in support of the higher quality grade as the minimum cement standard for general purpose, describing it as a decision in support of the common man.

Secretary General of the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, CMAN, Mr. James Salako, said he hoped the move will bring an end to the claims and counter-claims of various group on the right quality, to enable the sector make the much needed advancement.

He said being the representatives of the Nigerian people, the voice of the National Assembly should

be able to calm frayed nerves on the issues that have distracted the fledging sector since the beginning of the year.

Also commenting on the issue, Vice President of the National Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, Mr. Dele Oye, said it was delightful that the National Assembly took it upon itself to investigate the problem of building collapse in the country and have come up with a decision.

The management of Dangote Cement in its reaction yesterday, said the decision of the House of Representatives was the best.

Managing Director of Dangote Cement, Mr. D. V. G. Edwin, said the House acted in the interest of the larger populace they represent and that the decision is in the best interest of the country.

PRESENTATION: From left— Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku; Supervising Minister for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike and Permanent Secretary, Dr. MacJohn Nwaobiala, at the public presentation of Education Sector Transformation Under President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

New FG's vehicle credit scheme ready in 4 months

BY OMOH GABRIEL

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INISTER of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, said yesterday that a new Vehicle Credit Finance Scheme to make new cars affordable to the ordinary Nigerian would be in place in the next four months as the details of the scheme is being worked out.

The Minister said that the financing scheme is a combination of palliative measures, including partnering with banks towards having a common

pool of funds for lending at concessionary interest rate of not more than 10 percent to potential car owners.

He said it is only in Nigeria that cars are purchased on cash-and-carry basis.

With the new financing scheme, Nigerians will be able to buy new cars assembled in Nigeria at an interest rate of not more that 10 percent, repayable over a period of four years.

Clearing the air on the effects of the ongoing implementation of the Nigeria Automotive Industrial Plan, NAIDP, Aganga said there will

be no increase in the prices of cars.

The Minister said: “The rumour that the Federal Government has increased the tariff on imported cars by 70 percent is incorrect and misleading. The Nigerian automotive manufacturers have already assured the government and all Nigerians that there is adequate stock of imported vehicles and that its members have not and will not increase the price of imported vehicles.”

He said that last year about 50,000 vehicles were imported at an estimated

cost of $3 billion, while between January and June this year 37,000 vehicles were imported before the take off of the auto policy.

He said: “Nigeria is the only country in the world where used vehicle were not banned following the introduction of the new automobile policy.

“This is because President Goodluck Jonathan had taken into consideration current socio-economic conditions and would not want to come up with any policy that will inflict more hardship on Nigerians.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014—9

DOCTORS' STRIKE: We're dying, patients cry out

BY CHIOMA OBINNA, OLASUNKANMI AKONI, EMMAN OVUAKPORIE, MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO & GABRIEL OLAWALE

T

HREE days into the ongoing strike by public sector doctors, patients abandoned in hospitals nationwide, yesterday, cried out that they were dying slowly, and prayed for God’s intervention to settle the rift between the government and the striking doctors.

While Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State appealed to the doctors to stop using strike as a means of fighting for their demands in

the interest of innocent Nigerians, the doctors on their part accussed government of playing hide-and-seek with them.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Health to urgently engage the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, and Ministry of Health with a view to bringing the ongoing industrial action to an end.

Vanguard visited public hospitals in Lagos. From Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH; General Hospital, Gbagada; Federal Medical Centre, Ebute

Metta, to Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, were lamentations as patients, who refused to relocate, have been abandoned to their fate.

New patients were denied admission, while elderly ones who refused to leave were offered skeletal services by nurses and other health workers not affected by the strike.

Seeking divine intervention

Some of the patients were seen praying for God’s intervention.

At the National Orthopaedic Hospital,

Igbobi, Lagos, patients stood in front of Accident and Emergency Unit, praying to God to touch the heart of both government and the striking doctors.

One said: “Our God in heaven, listen to our cry and come to our aid. Arrest the heart of doctors and government to end the strike. We are dying slowly on daily basis.”

At other wards, some patients that spoke to Vanguard insisted that whether the strike continued or not, they had nowhere else to seek medical attention.

They claimed their medical needs were peculiar and could not easily be handled at private hospitals.

One of them, who identified himself as Clement Odia, and had been on admission since January, said he was not in a hurry to relocate to any private hospital for financial reason.

‘Am going nowhere'

VISIT: Managing Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim (left) and the new Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, who paid a courtesy visit to NDIC in Abuja. NAN PHOTO.

He said: “I came here since January because of my broken hand. You do not expect me to leave now because I am almost healed.

If I have to go to private clinic, where is the money?

Also, they may not be able to take care of my situation, so I am staying here.”

Another patient, who spoke on condition of anonymity, accused doctors of aggravating his pain.

He said: “I know if government answers them, in another six months same doctors will ask for more allowances. No doctor has attended to me since yesterday.”

Engage Boko Haram, Gowon, Oritsejafor charge Muslim leaders

BY SAM EYOBOKA & OLAYINKA LATONA

F

ORMER military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd.) and the National President, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, yesterday, charged Muslim religious, political and traditional leaders to take advantage of the current Ramadan season to engage the dreaded Islamist sect, Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal Jihad, also known as Boko Haram, in superior ideological dialogue to end rising terrorist attacks in the country.

The two men and the

Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Bishop Hassan Kukah, spoke at the 10th annual luncheon and awards of the Bible Society of Nigeria, BSN, held in Lagos.

Gowon acknowledged that the country is going through a critical period due to incessant killings and bombings by Boko Haram, saying there was the need for Muslim leaders to engage the sect in a bid to end the unwarranted carnage.

He was optimistic that the current trying period in the nation’s history, like the Nigerian Civil War, will soon pass away.

He urged Nigerians to

refrain from attacking President Goodluck Jonathan for delay in arresting the insurgency, pointing out that they have had several meetings with the President on ways of arresting the situation.

Gowon said: “We discuss the problems of the country.

We are concerned about the security problem in the country. It is not an easy thing to resolve overnight.

“People were expecting the Civil War to end in a fortnight, but it did not. No matter how weak the opposition is, it will take sometimes to resolve the problem.

“I can assure you that I know the President is doing everything possible to end this crisis.”

Responding to an award

presented to him by BSN, the CAN President said if not for God and the gallant efforts of our soldiers fighting the insurgents in the North, Boko Haram would have declared Borno State an Islamic state by now and “use that place to launch out to other parts of the country.

“But somehow, they have not been able to do that. That is the annoyance they have because that is what they wanted to do.

“I am begging our Muslim traditional rulers, Muslim politicians in the northern part of Nigeria to use the occasion of the current Ramadan, the annual observance regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam, to dialogue with the sect known as Boko Haram.”

Lagos NMA speaks

State chairman of NMA Lagos, Dr. Francis Faduyile, blamed government for the ongoing strike, accusing government of destabilising already established health system.

He queried why government should agree to make other professionals, who are not doctors, as consultants?

“Everyone knows what consultant stands for in medicine. What will a nurse or pharmacist be consulting?

Do they own patients in the hospitals?”

Also speaking, Public Relation Officer, NMA Lagos, Dr. Peters Ogunjobi, accused government of playing hide-and-seek with doctors, saying the strike would continue since the government had decided not to listen to the doctors.

Fashola begs

Meanwhile, Governor Fashola has appealed to the doctors in the country to stop using strike to fight for their demands in the interest of innocent Nigerians.

Fashola spoke at the second convocation ceremony of the Lagos State College of Health Technology, Yaba, saying fatalities from such industrial actions negated their professional calling.

Fashola argued that those that invented strike in the Nigeria health sector did it for the sake of their patients not themselves.

He said: “Medical workers from the lowest level to the highest in the chain of command and team are like gods on earth. Only sick people know your importance.”

Fashola noted that workers in other sub-sectors of the nation’s economy were not satisfied with their remuneration, but did not hold government to ransom.

Reps intervene

Also, the House of Representatives yesterday waded into the strike as it mandated its committee on health to urgently engage NMA and the Ministry of Health with a view to bringing the industrial action to an end.

The House, in plenary, gave the committee two weeks to report back.

The House, while appealing to NMA and its members to call off the strike, also urged the Federal Government to do everything possible, as a matter of utmost urgency, to have the crisis resolved in the interest of Nigerians.

10—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

NERC looks on as DISCOs rip off electricity consumers — NUPENG

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

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AGOS—NIGERIA Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, has berated the National Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, for looking the other way while new operators in the nation’s power sector, are ripping off electricity consumers with outrageous bills without providing power.

The union in a statement yesterday in Lagos, expressed worries over the high electricity bills passed to consumers by the distribution companies known as DISCOs, questioning the rationale behind the exorbitant electricity bills passed to consumers without enjoying the services.

NUPENG in a statement by its President, Mr. Igwe Achese, lamented that the epileptic power supply nationwide amid crazy bills by the DISCOs called for urgent overhaul of the entire system.

According to him, “The Nigerian electricity consumers are being shortchanged, cheated and embarrassed with fraudulent bills when there is no electricity.

These fraudulent bills are inflicting more hardship, especially on the downtrodden masses, who cannot even afford three square meals a day and now have to cough out monies for electricity they don’t get. ''We note that the exploitative attitude of the new DISCOs is unjust, oppressive, uncalled for and not in tune with the energy reforms of the transformation agenda of Mr. President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.''

“We are disturbed that with the huge monies xpended on power generation and distribution, there is still nothing to write home about, except perpetual darkness in many communities in the nooks and crannies of the country, only to be faced with huge bills. ''NUPENG therefore calls on the National Electricity Regulatory Commission to be alive to its responsibilities by ensuring that the new electricity distribution companies give our citizens light 24 hours of the day and also ensure that prepaid meters are installed to check arbitrary estimated bills.''

Ekiti election was rigged, S-West APC insists

BY OLA AJAYI

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BADAN—THE All Pro gressives Congress, APC, in the South-West, says it has identified ways through which the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State was allegedly rigged.

This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a caucus meeting held in Ibadan on Tuesday.

The meeting presided over

by National Vice Chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure, and the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Party, Engr.

Segun Oni, reviewed the Ekiti State election and said it was far from being free and fair.

It claimed the events preceding, during and after the

election indicated that it was not free and fair, alleging the election was rigged in a manner the country had never witnessed before.

Some of the arguments the APC put forward included perceived militarization of the electoral process, noting that was aptly demonstrated by the restriction of movements of people and the barring of APC governors from entering the state for the final rally of the party on Thursday June 19, 2014.

According to APC, “As a matter of fact, Ekiti State was factually sealed up to all non-PDP personnel while the squad of Musiliu Obanikoro, the Minister of State for Defence, Jelili Adesiyan,

Minister of Police Affairs, Kasamu Buruji and Iyiola Omisore allegedly had free days going in and out of Ekiti unmolested and ferrying goods suspected to be ballot papers, cash, arms and ammunitions from Akure airport into Ekiti.

Many APC leaders from different local governments and communities were also allegedly arrested in the dead of the night before the election and were released without any charges brought against them.

“A lot of people who had earlier been accredited by the polling clerks were disfranchised for no justifiable reason. Not known to the electoral law or the procedure of previous elections was the folding of ballot papers. APC later learnt that the procedure activated the votes that had been programmed on the

ballot papers. Also the ink pad used neither stuck on the thumbs nor did it print on the ballot papers. The findings were that the thumb prints ink faded within minutes of its impressions both on the ballot papers and the thumbs.”

On Osun State elections due for August 9, 2014, APC noted that the candidate of the party, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and the party in the state were putting in all efforts to promote the party’s programme to the people of the state.

It claimed its main opponent, the PDP candidate, Otunba Iyiola Omisore, was not visible on the campaign radar except for newspaper interviews and commentaries.

Other members present at the meeting include: Otunba Henry Ajomale, Lagos State Chairman, Alhaji Roqeeb Adeniji, the Ogun State Chairman, High Chief Jide Awe, Ekiti State Chairman, Chief Akin Oke, Oyo State Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Bello, National Financial Secretary, Rev. Tunji Adebiyi and Ayo Afolabi.

Encomiums for late Mrs Eguabor

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LECTURE: From left—President, Ibadan Foundation Project, Chief Bayo Alugbin; Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and chairman of the occasion, Chief Theopillus Akinyele, at Adegoke Adelabu memorial lecture in Ibadan yesterday.

Fashola, others want end to delays in court proceedings

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH, BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS—GOVER NOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday joined hundreds of lawyers and judges to proffer solution to delay in justice administration in Lagos State and Nigeria at large.

The governor in his keynote address, lamented the damage electricity failure in courts as well as consequences of actions of stakeholders had caused justice delivery system in Lagos State as well as the entire federation.

The state ministry of justice

in collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA put together the conference titled: “Delay in Justice Administration: Beyond the Rules and the Law,” together to find lasting solutions to perennial delay in justice delivery.

Fashola said: “The problems are not because that the systems are so bad. First, I ask if it is just that we like going to court. And when we submit cases to courts, are we gracious to be losers or winners? We have expanded the number of magistrates in Lagos to give relieve to the delay in justice administration.

“However, PHCN also adds to the delay in justice administration because sometimes when a judge is about to seat, the light goes off and the court adjourns. Our architectural design of Courts has not helped as well. Once the light goes off, the courtroom becomes dark. But I recall that in those days at magistrate court even when you do not get electricity, proceedings are not affected because there is natural light coming into the court due to the way it was built.”

The governor called on court registrars and government officials to work together in ensuring that they are responsive to the administration of justice, noting that if lawyers advise their clients adequately, not all issues get to the court.

YMPATHISERS show ered encomiums on late Mrs. Helen Eke Eguabor at the service of songs held Wednesday, at her Apapa residence.

In his sermon titled; “Jesus the resurrection and the life” the parish priest of Sacred Heart, Catholic Church, Apapa, Reverend Father Patrick Efe Agbodi, said despite death being inevitable for all men, beyond it is the glorious door to eternal life to the faithful.

The cleric, who read from the Gospel of John 11:11-27, admonished people at the event to live a life that would make them acceptable to God even at death.

According to him, “death is inevitable, whether we like it or not it will surely come, but when and how may be different”.

Speaking, Helen’s husband, Mr. Alex Eguabor, described the passing into glory of his wife as an eye opener to the reality of life.

Also speaking, the president of Catholic women organisation, Mrs. Margret Ogwogwo, described the deceased as “a humble and meek person” adding that they could only be comforted by the assurance that they would see her again on the resurrection morning.

The service was graced by dignitaries including Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, General Manager, Publication/Editorin-Chief, Vanguard Newspapers, among others.

Vanguard , FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 —11

Ekiti PDP sues Fayemi over proposed LCDAs

LG FUNDS: CDHR asks EFCC, ICPC to probe Ogun councils

BY GBENGAARIYIBI

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DO EKITI—PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State has dragged the All Progressives Congress APC state government to court over planned creation of additional 18 Local Government Development Areas LCDAs, in the state, alleging violation of the provisions of the 1999 constitution.

The party is asking the court to compel the state House of Assembly to stop any further action on the issue.

In the suit number HAD/75/2014 filed at the High Court of Justice, Ado Ekiti Judicial Division on July 1, 2014, deposed to by the PDP Chairman in the state, Mr Makanjuola Ogundipe on behalf of the party , PDP described the government's action as illegal and unconstitutional.

Joined in the suit are: Governor Fayemi (1st defendant), Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Wale Fapohunda (2nd defendant) and the Ekiti State House of Assembly (3rd defendant).

The party is seeking for “a declaration that it is an exercise in futility for the 1st defendant to embark on the creation of Local Governments or LCDAs at the twilight of his tenure, being a process that cannot be completed before the expiration of his tenure but meant to cause confusion for the incoming government.

A declaration that any Local Government or LCDAs created by Dr Fayemi in contravention of the 1999 constitution as amended is null, void and of no effect.

PDP as party therefore seek-

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

INSPECTION TOUR: Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State (middle), Mr Sylvanus Zadock, the representative of Nairda, the construction company handling the Apete bridge project (right) and Mr Bimbo Kolade, the state Commissioner of Works (second left), when the governor visited the Apete community on Wednesday. ing for a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from embarking on further process towards the creation of additional Council.

PDP is equally seeking for a perpetual injunction restraining the 3rd defendant, Ekiti State House of Assembly from receiving and or considering any process forward to it by the Governor.

Aside the foregoing, the PDP asked court to determine “ whether Governor Fayemi can validly create Local Governments or LCDAs in contravention of Section (3) of the 1999 constitution .

Whether the Governor has the power under the 1999 constitution to abolish Local Government Areas created under the 1999 constitution by altering their names, adjusting their boundaries and dividing them

into smaller units. Whether Governor Fayemi has the power to exhibit such power without recourse to the National Assembly.”

No date has been communicated to the parties for the hearing of the case.

Meanwhile, PDP has warned civil servants in the state against colluding with the outgoing All Progressives Congress, APC-led government in looting the state’s treasury or illegal employment A statement issued in Ado Ekiti by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Pastor Kola Oluwawole, claimed it had discovered that Fayemi’s government had been taken a lot of steps that would backfire since he lost election few days ago.

Oluwawole revealed that Dr Fayemi has held a meeting with some top civil servants on Thursday where he allegedly directed

OSRC suspends workers over protest

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE—THE crisis rock ing the Ondo State government owned Radio Vision Corporation, OSRC, has snowballed into the indefinite suspension of eight journalists in the corporation by its Management Affected journalists from the News department included the current chairman of NUJ OSRC Chapel, Wahab Bankole, his predecessor, Taiwo Ibitoye, Sola Obagbemisoye, Akinwumi Abodunde, Obafemi Sogbe and Lanrewaju Bankole Kole.

Others are Bayo Olanusi of the programmes department and Tunji Ogidan of Engineering department, who is the incumbent RATTAWU’s Chairman in the Corporation.

Workers in the Corporation

recently protested the alleged poor working environment in the corporation.

They also alleged mismanagement of the corporation finances by management and demanded for its sack.

Consequently, the governing board set up a probe panel headed by former Head of Service, HoS, Mr Ajose Kudehinbu, to look into the grievances of the workers and various problems facing the organisation.

The probe panel has since two months submitted its report to the chairman of the board, Mr. Kayode Ajulo.

The implementation of its recommendation is being awaited after over two months, However, In a letter by the Director, Finance and Administration, DFA, Mr. S.O

Fatukasi, on behalf of the Governing Board, dated July 2, said the affected workers were placed on an indefinite suspension without pay.

Also, they are not to be seen within the premises of the Corporation during the suspension order, while they should also hand over the corporation’s property including staff identity cards to the office of the DFA..

Three of the affected workers, Obagbemisoye, Abodunde and Olanusi were given one month suspension apart from losing their next promotion.

There are insinuations however that decision of the Board was against the recommendation of the panel that the issue of the alleged “financial indiscipline” in the corporation should be checked.

the civil servants to come up with a supplementary budget to organize local government election scheduled for end of this month The party, however, warned that any civil servants found to have assisted Fayemi to loot the state treasury or illegal employment which he said were backdated would face a disciplinary action when the new government is inaugurated.

According to him N184, 863,211.19, N406, 293,791.08 and another N604 million were collected within a day for the purchase of furniture that would be used at the new government It was equally alleged that the governor made an approval of 1.9 Billion Naira for the procurement of medical equipment for Oba Rufus Adejugbe General Hospital Ado Ekiti, all within one week.

“We equally gathered that the government is planning to plunge Ekiti State into another round of bond chasing because of the intention of the outgoing Governor and his men to milk Ekiti dry before leaving the government in October.”

Reacting to the development, Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr Tayo Ekundayo, expressed dismay that PDP could be issuing directives when the present administration still had more than three months tenure “As a party and government, we have tenure which is going to lapse till 16 October 2014. Whatever we do within the period has legitimacy.

Therefore, for anybody to issue directives to civil servants is arrant nonsense. I can assure you, there is nothing illegal that Fayemi will do before his tenure lapses. He is a lover of democracy and rule of law,” Ekundayo said.

BEOKUTA—THE Committee for Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, in Ogun State, yesterday, invited operatives of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, to probe alleged diversion of funds allocated to some local governments in the state.

The group also demanded a statement of appropriated Federal allocation, Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, statement of expenditure and a document of projects activities embarked upon by the local governments including Abeokuta South between July 2012 and April 2014.

Chairman of the CDHR in the state, Folarin Olayinka, at a briefing in Abeokuta, named some of the affected local government areas to include Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Sagamu, Ifo , Ado/OdoOta, Ijebu-Ode and Odogbolu.

EKITI GUBER POLL:

Police performed very well — IGP

BY CALEB AYANSINA

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BUJA—THE In spector General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Abubakar has described as misleading a report that the force conspired with the People Democratic Party, to ensure Mr Ayodele Fayose’s victory in the just concluded governorship poll in the state.

The spokesman of All Progressive Congress, APC, Lai Muhammed had in an interview on television alleged that the force acted out the script prepared for it by PDP during and after the election.

The IGP, in a statement, refuted the allegation, and commended the police officers deployed for the election for “their unparalleled professionalism displayed during the exercise.''

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

Edo Deputy Speaker's impeachment: My signature was forged, says PDP lawmaker

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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ENIN—A PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, lawmaker in the Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Momoh Abdul-Rasak, has denied being a signatory to the petition that was purportedly used

by All Progressives Congress, APC, legislators to impeach Mr. Festus Ebea as Deputy Speaker, insisting that his signature was forged.

It will be recalled that Momoh’s name was contained in a list of 16 lawmakers in the 24-member Assembly, who allegedly signed the impeachment notice served on the Deputy Speaker, so as to fulfill the constitutional requirement of two-third needed to impeach him.

Meanwhile, Prince Osama Erediauwa, son to Oba of Benin, yesterday, resigned his appointment as an Executive Director, Government Office, in the Governor Adams Oshiomhole administration and defected to the PDP. In another development, PDP Chairman in the state, Chief Dan Orbih, has said that PDP members in the House were now nine and not eight, adding that the party has the responsibility to defend its lawmakers in the House.

In a letter he addressed to the Secretary to the Edo State Government announcing his resignation, Prince Erediauwa thanked the state government for the opportunity given to him to serve the state.

Meanwhile, addressing newsmen in Benin, yesterday at a briefing attended by all the PDP lawmakers in the Assembly and leaders of the party in the state, Momoh, while denying being a signatory to

the impeachment notice on the Deputy Speaker, said: “I want the whole world and the Inspector-General of Police to find out how my signature was forged.”

He said he was with his PDP colleagues and the state Chairman of the party, Chief Orbih, throughout the period the APC lawmakers met at the Government House on Monday, pointing out that the alleged forgery was not the first time an attempt would be made by APC leaders in the state to drag his name in the mud.

However, reacting to the impeachment of the Deputy Speaker, Orbih described the decision of the APC lawmakers to hold plenary at Government House as an abnormal act targeted at eroding the principle of separation of powers.

He said: “For some time now, we have noticed Governor Oshiomhole's lust for power. Before now, we raised the alarm of how he wanted to bring the judiciary under his control. We

want to say that he has achieved that goal and now wants to extend his total conquest to the legislative arm of government.”

He added that while twothird majority was needed to impeach an Assembly Speaker or Deputy Speaker, only 15 lawmakers, including the Assembly Speaker was present at the plenary where the Deputy Speaker was purportedly impeached.

Meanwhile, efforts to get the reaction of the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Louis Odion, on Prince Erediauwa's resignation were unsuccessful at press time as repeated calls to his cellphones were unanswered.

However, a source close to the Office of the Governor, who craved anonymity, described the development as a “non-issue as the Prince was really never a factor within the government."

On what could possibly be the Prince’s grouse, the senior official said: “He is not the only one the governor gave political appointment as a mark of goodwill to the Palace. You have Princess Theresa Eradiauwa, who is Executive Director of MDGs Bureau. You have Princess Ekiuwa Inneh, who the governor made the Head of Service in 2012 and on retirement last year, he made her the Head of the Civil Service Commission. Princess Uze is a senior executive in the Economic Team Office. Prince Ekpen is the immediate past Chairman of Oredo Local Government Area.

“I can tell you that his siblings, who are still occupying high positions in the current administration, are concerned by his action. I am sure our highly referred Oba would also be unhappy with this,” source added.

DEDICATION: From right: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State; Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Ovuozorie Macaulay; his wife, Stella and Chief Judge of the state, Justice S. Smith, during the dedication of St. Philips Anglican Church, Owhelogbo, in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State. Photo: Henry Unini.

Delta LG polls: PDP chieftain makes case for power rotation in Warri S-West

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ARRI—A CHIEFTAIN of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Co-ordinator of Delta Peoples Forum, DPF, Warri South-West Local Government, Delta State, Ambassador Peter Odin, has stressed the need for stakeholders to stick to the gentleman's agreement of power rotation between Ijaw and Itsekiri in Warri South-West council so as to sustain the prevailing peace in the area.

Odin, also Secretary of Bateren Community Trust in the council, in a chat with Vanguard in Warri, said: “It has become imperative to remind all stakeholders, particularly PDP leaders in the state, of the gentleman's agreement of one tenure chairmanship power rotation between Ijaws and Itsekiri of Warri SouthWest council following reports that the immediate past elected Chairman of Warri South-West council, Mr George Ekpemupolo, bought a chairmanship

nomination form for the forthcoming October 25 council elections in the state.

Amb. Odin noted that after Ekpemupolo served his three-year tenure as chairman of Warri South-West and another Ijaw man, Rev. Sam Ken was appointed Transition Committee Chairman of the council. “It is only logical that an Itsekiri of Warri South-West gets a shot at the council’s chairmanship position in the forthcoming poll based on the power rotation principle which made Mr. David Tonwe served a single tenure.”

He noted that the wisdom of PDP founding fathers in the state to maintain a power sharing agreement in Warri North and Warri South councils after the Warri crisis which “makes Itsekiri produce chairmen, Ijaw and Urhobo get the vice chairmanship slots, respectively in the two councils should be sustained in the spirit of mutual respect."

HOSTCOM demands placement on DESOPADEC Board

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

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ARRI—OIL and gas stakeholders group, Host Communities of Nigeria, HOSTCOM, has called on Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, to permit a statutory provision that guarantees appointment of its members into the Board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC. State chairman of the group, Dr. Peter Egedegbe, made the appeal during the inauguration of the Isoko ethnic nationality chapter, led by Mr. Morrister Idibra, lamenting that the state governor was not identifying well enough as their Grand Patron.

He said: “DESOPADEC was established because of the agitations of HOSTCOM, just like Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and as such we should be allowed a statutory provision in appointment and projects placement by the commission.”

Egedegbe also called on Governor Uduaghan to ensure that projects allotted to communities in DESOPADEC budgets get to the communities they were budgeted for.

Gloria Osegi passes on

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RS. Gloria Osegi (nee Ikoku), of Osegi family, Ogbeisogban, Agbor Kingdom, Delta State and the Ikoku family of Amanagwu, in Arochukwu Kingdom, Abia State, is dead.

Service of songs holds at her Port Harcourt residence in Rivers State today. Sermon and interment will take place tomorrow.

Late Mrs. Gloria Osegi

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 —13

C M Y K

14 — Vanguard , FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

Senate slams Okorocha over planned ID project

BY JOHNBOSCO

AGBAKWURU

A

BUJA—THE Senate yesterday slammed Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State over his proposed Identification Card issuance for the people of Northern extraction living in the state, following alleged infiltration of the state by the Boko Haram sect.

The Police in Imo State had recently discovered bombs allegedly planted in a Pentecostal Church in the state, which was said to have been planted by the Boko Haram sect.

Governor Okorocha was said to have come up with the issuance of identity card for northerners residing in the state for easy identification in order to fish out strange faces, but this policy attracted the wrath of the Deputy Senate Leader, Abdul Ningi (PDP Bauchi Central), who condemned it, quoting relevant sections of the nation’s constitution to back up his condemnation of the proposed policy.

Ningi in the motion, titled: " The Issuance of Identification Card to Northerners residing in Imo State - Urgent call for policy reversal,” noted with serious concern recent government policy statement issued by Imo State government, directing all Northerners residing or staying in the state to be issued with an identification card.

He argued that the policy contravened the provisions of section 41(1) and 42(1) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended which guarantee among others, free movement of Nigerians from any part of the country to the other and right of residence without any inhibition or condition whatsoever.

He added that the policy, if not reversed, was tantamount to

gross abuse of the citizens’ rights and if not checked, could throw the entire country into chaos and threaten the survival of the nation’s democracy.

Rising in support of the motion, the Senate Leader, Victor NdomaEgba, described the policy as wrongheaded, unconstitutional and discriminatory and lampooned the governor for ever

contemplating such a policy at this level of nationhood.

He said: “Yes, right away, Nigeria is passing through the most difficult period of our history even worse than the civil war going by the kind of anxiety enveloping the country presently as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency but that should not be used as a license

by any governor or anybody to go out of our constitutional provisions in coming up with a policy to tackle the problem.

“This policy is discriminatory and unconstitutional and must be rejected from the onset by all concerned Nigerians. I condemn it in its entirety and urge all stakeholders coming up with any policy to address the security challenges facing the nation , to tackle them within the confines of our constitution.”

PRESENTATION: From left: Deputy Rector, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Dr. Don Mmuo, National Coordinator, Nigerian Students and Youth Mandate, Mr. Ebele Davidson, presenting an award of Excellent Administrator to the Registrar, Mr Olih Nwaokolobia, at Oko, Anambra State, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

N2.4BN FERTILISER SCAM: EFCC questions Agric Ministry Perm Sec, officials

BY SONI DANIEL,

NORTHERN REGION EDITOR

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AGOS—ALARMED by the furore over a N2.4 billion fertiliser scam currently rocking the Federal Ministry

of Agriculture, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, invited top officials of the ministry for questioning over their role in the controversial deal.

Those invited to the headquarters of the EFCC in Abuja for questioning were: The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Ibikun Odusote and other top officials of the ministry.

A top source in the commission told Vanguard that the permanent secretary and her officials were quizzed for some hours in a bid by their interrogators to unravel their roles in the

fertilizer racketeering now rocking the ministry.

Though the source did not disclose the details of the interrogation, he, however, said that the ministry bigwigs “made statements before they were allowed to go.”

The source explained that the affected officials could be recalled for regular interrogation since the investigation had just begun in a bid to track down all those who aided and abetted the multi-million naira sting.

“The investigation is ongoing and if they are needed, they will definitely be invited,” an EFCC source said yesterday.

The fertiliser fraud was blown open by a petition fired by the lawyer to the Enterprise Bank Limited, Ade Okeaya-Inneh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, against one Abubakar Musa, who is the bank’s Agric Desk Officer and three other companies: Messrs Madalla Enterprises, Ani B. Barak Nigeria Limited and Al Iman Agro Ventures Limited.

Enugu govt denies involvement in Diaspora election

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NUGU—THE Enugu State government has described as false and mischievous, media reports claiming that the government was involved in the recent elections of the Enugu-USA, an organisation formed by Enugu State indigenes in the United States.

A statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke, said the report was the handiwork of opponents of the government who having failed in previous attempts, have continued to search for avenues to embarrass the government.

He explained that contrary to the claims in the report, the government had merely sent a delegation to represent it at the annual convention of the organisation in line with a policy and tradition it had maintained from inception, of identifying with the Enugu-USA and similar diaspora groups involving Enugu people across the globe.

Ugwoke stated that the delegation participated in the opening ceremonies of the convention including the customary interactive session where the members fielded questions on the policies, activities and plans of the state government after which they left the venue.

He stressed that no government official attended nor participated in the election and none was even anywhere near the venue of the exercise adding that this fact clearly showed that the claim that the government backed a candidate in the election, was a “wicked, unfounded and apparently sponsored fabrication.”

He further stated that the government had no reason whatsoever to be interested in the election of officers of the Enugu-USA as it had always worked with and supported successive leaders of the organisation in the effort to ensure the rapid development of the State and the improvement of the lot of her people.

While urging the public to discountenance the report in its entirety, the Commissioner assured that the government will not allow itself to be distracted by such antics but would rather remain focused on its drive to improve the state.

Vanguard , FRIDAY,JULY 4, 2014 — 15

BOMB BLASTS: FCT Minister orders registration of aliens in Abuja LGs A

BY HENRY UMORU

BUJA—MOVED by renewed bombings in the nation’s capital, with massive killings and wanton destruction of property by members of the Islamic Boko Haram sect, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Abuja, Senator Bala Mohammed, yesterday ordered that all the six area council chairmen in the territory should immediately begin the registration of all aliens in their respective area councils.

The Minister, who gave the directive during an enlarged security meeting of the FCT, held at his Life Camp, Gwarinpa official residence in Abuja, said the Area Council chairmen would carry out the assignment in conjunction with officials of the Nigerian Immigration Services.

Meanwhile, the FCT Secretary of Health and Human Services, Dr. Demola Onakomaiya, disclosed that the casualty figure from the EMAB plaza bomb blast had risen to 24, following the death of three more victims on admission in hospitals, just as two victims died in the National Hospital while one died in Maitama District hospital.

The meeting was designed to, among others, help review the security situation in the nation’s

capital as the minister also instructed the council chairmen to continue with their regular security meetings in their respective areas with the traditional rulers, community leaders, Divisional Police Officers, DPOs, and other stakeholders.

Senator Mohammed, who restated his earlier directive for the strengthening of security at all shopping malls and markets

in the FCT, particularly in the metropolis, however, assured that the FCTA would liaise with appropriate security agencies towards the re-opening of the EMAB shopping Plaza, scene of last week’s bombing, to normal business activities.

Already, the owners and management of the ever busy shopping plaza have been given standard security requirements

to be put in place before the plaza can be re-opened for business activities.

Mohammed equally directed that shopping centres and plazas along the crowded Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2 and along all other busy corridors in the city and the satellite towns be similarly made to comply with the new security templates.

VISIT: From left: Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina, President, Quintessential Business Women Association, Mrs S. Katung, and Executive Secretary, Association of Non Bank Micro Finance Institutions of Nigeria, Mr Godbless Satugha, during the visit of Quintessential Business Women's team to the Minister in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

FG spends N1.47trn on 184 road projects

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

A

BUJA—IN its efforts to improve the road sector for better economic activities and social integration in the country, the Federal Government yesterday disclosed that it has spent N1.47trillion on 184 roads across the six geo-political zones in the country.

The Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, said in Abuja that some of the roads, which he described as death traps, inherited by President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, were now in

good conditions.

A breakdown of the 184 projects across the sixgeopolitical zones showed 30 road projects in the North Central, valued at N275.6 billion; 27 in the North East estimated at N319.1billion; 20 projects in the North West; valued at N157.1bn; 45 projects in the South East, at N243.2 billion; 32 projects in the South South, valued at N107.5bn; and 30 projects in the South West, valued at N367.1billion.

He said: “Travel times have been reduced between origins and destinations, cost of vehicle

maintenance have been drastically reduced, accidents and carnage on Nigerian roads have been reduced due to better pavement design and construction, and economic goods are now better through the nation’s arterial roads, with better turn-around times that lead to more profits for entrepreneurs in all the six geopolitical zones” Some of the roads the Minister mentioned include: the dualisation of AbujaLokoja-Benin Road in FCT, Kogi and Edo states, dualisation of Kano-

Maiduguri Road in Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Yobe & Borno states; dualisation of SulejaMinna Road in Niger State; reconstruction of OnitshaEnugu-Port Harcourt Highway in Anambra, Enugu, Abia & Rivers states and the reconstruction of Benin-OreShagamu Expressway in Edo, Ondo & Ogun states.

Police fault APC on Ekiti guber polls

BY CALEB AYANSINA

A

BUJA—THE Nigeria Police Force has described as misleading a report credited to All Progressives Congress, APC, to the effect that the force colluded with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to ensure its victory at the just concluded governorship election.

The spokesman of APC, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, had in a television interview, alleged that the police acted the script prepared for it by PDP during the poll.

But the InspectorGeneral of Police, Muhammed Abubakar, who refuted the claim by the opposition in a statement issued in Abuja, said police displayed high level of professionalism during and after the poll.

The statement read: “The Nigeria Police High Command has once again commended its personnel that participated in the policing of the just concluded Ekiti gubernatorial elections for their unparalleled professionalism displayed during the exercise.

“The Police Authorities believe that these virtues of selflessness and dedication to duty contributed in no small measure to the overall success of the widely acclaimed free and fair election.”

Osun REC on leave, not removed, says INEC

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

A

BUJA—THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, cleared the fog on the circumstance surrounding the whereabouts of Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC,

Ambassador Rufus Akeju, saying he had been requested to proceed on leave of absence not outright removal as had been widely speculated.

The commission also added that the move was for the safety of the REC and also part of his own contribution towards ensuring the credibility of the state governorship election scheduled for August 9, 2014.

The development was contained in a release by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu.

16— Vanguard , FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

ALLEGED MISUSE OF FUNDS: EFCC probes ex-UNN VC, others N

SUKKA—THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has begun investigating the former University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, Vice Chancellor, Professor Bartho Okolo and some of the top officials who worked with him over alleged financial matters.

Vanguard gathered from the Nsukka campus of the UNN yesterday, that it was not clear which of the allegations brought operatives of the EFCC to the university but they arrived some

days earlier.

The EFCC confirmed in Abuja yesterday that its operatives were at UNN to investigate the former Vice Chancellor over alleged misapplication of huge sums of money but did not give further details. However, apart from Okolo, highly placed administrative officers with something to do with award of contracts and disbursement of money were reportedly being investigated too.

UNN Alumni Accociation, workers’ unions in the university

and the South Eastern Zone of the Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, were among those who had accused Professor Okolo of official wrongdoing in the handling of institution’s funds and award of contracts without following due process.

The alumni association alleged that more than N3 billion of the University fund was misused in Professor Okolo’s tenure.

They also accused the former Vice Chancellor of awarding road contracts worth nearly N100 million, paid more than 90 per cent of the contract sums and yet

Saraki distributes food items to constituents BYDEMOLAAKINYEMI

I

LORIN—THE Senator representing the Kwara Central Senatorial District, Dr. Bukola Saraki yesterday distributed raw food items worth about N37 million to members of his constituency.

The distribution of the items took place at Saraki’s Constituency Office (Mandate House), at the Adewole

area of Ilorin, the state capital.

The Ramadan gifts were spread to the people of Kwara central in all the 832 polling units that made up the Ilorin emirate.

Director General of Saraki’s Constituency Office, Mr Musa Yeketi, who supervised the distribution said the gesture was to assist the Muslims during this year ’s fasting period.

Presenting the items to six executive members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, that represented each of the polling units on behalf of the Saraki, Yeketi urged them to ensure that the items get to all the Muslims fasting in their respective zones.

He also, said that Saraki would soon distribute other items worth N39 million to the people.

the contracts remained unexecuted until the end of his tenure.

The CLO on its part alleged in a petition to the EFCC that five of the companies that Professor Okolo awarded contracts were fake. In a statement issued by its South East Zone office, the CLO said, “It is unheard of anywhere in the world that a vice chancellor will award contracts running into billions of naira to nonexisting companies. We demand an urgent and thorough investigation.”

Our source said in Nsukka today Vanguard was told that among the buildings whose contracts were awarded during Professor Okolo’s tenure but which remain uncompleted were the Pharmaceutical Faculty complex, School of Postgraduate Studies, Social Scciences complex, and several others. Less than three weeks to the end of his tenure, Okolo reportedly pulled down the largest building housing the Department of Microbiology and up until today not even the foundation of the building has been laid.

Sources said that the buildings which the former Vice Chancellor were showing off were

really mere cases of refurbishing. They included the School of General Studies, Department of Economics, and Faculty of Education.

One special case was the Department of Sociology building which Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State built and donated to the university free but

which Prof. Okolo's administration allegedly claimed that he put N55 million of the university’s money into.

An EFCC official who spoke on the condition of anonymity yesterday said, ‘’We are investigating the former UNN Vice Chancellor but have not arrested or detained him.’’

Group threatens protest over Edo Assembly crisis

B

ENIN CITY—THE Edo Unity League, a socio cultural organisation in Edo State yesterday threatened to protest to Abuja to make the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar to compel the four suspended members of the state House of Assembly to obey the court order restraining them from entering the Assembly premises.

The group in a statement by its Vice Chairman, Momodu Obadan, it regretted that “in the last one month of commotion-foisted Assembly complex, Edo State Governor has been monumentally distracted from giving effect to desirable public services that are germane to the socioeconomic and political wellbeing of our dear state.

"We are ready to mobilise en mass to the office of the IGP in Abuja to prevail on him to compel the lawmakers to respect the court’s order, if the four lawmakers refused to comply within two weeks after our publication” According to the statement, “We are convinced beyond reasonable doubts that the seeming lackadaisical attitude of the Inspector General of Police to act as swiftly as anticipated by our legal system in restoring order to the House of Assembly complex for good legislative businesses is a grave design to undermine the peace and hospitality pedigree of Edo people."

Why I joined PDP,

by Rep

A

MEMBER of the House of Representatives, Mr. Abiodun Akinlade has said that he left the All P r o g r e s s i v e s Congress,APC, for the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, because he was not comfortable with the party’s merger with other parties.

Akinlabi, who submitted his letter of resignation as a member of APC to the Speaker of the House Aminu Tambuwal, is a third term member representing Yewa South/Ipokia Federal constituency.

The lawmaker, who has been persistent in his aspiration to govern Ogun State, contested with the incumbent Ibikunle Amosun in 2011 before the APC adopted the governor as the party’s flag-bearer.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 —17

Anti-Northern Muslim sentiments

N the past few months, no day has gone by without grim news of yet another traumatic, enraging, despair-generating Boko Haram atrocity being announced by media houses and hogging the Nigerian and international headlines.

Bombings, kidnappings and brutal assaults on innocent people are now daily occurrences in the North East. Sometimes, these evil psychopaths extend their murder and mayhem to other zones, including Abuja, Kaduna and Lagos.

They describe themselves as brave Islamic warriors who abhor Western education and decadence. They would like the world to regard them as spiritual freedom fighters who have an unambiguous and “honourable” ideological agenda.

When Boko Haram first emerged, various well-meaning “liberals” (including me) concluded that it was largely populated by justifiably frustrated victims of socio-economic injustice…as in Northern youngsters who had been woefully neglected by the Federal Government and the Northern ruling elite.

But almost everyone has now seen through Boko Haramists and realised that they are nothing more than heartless hypocrites, barbaric nihilists and cheap criminals who use Islam as an excuse for inflicting destruction on ALL Nigerians.

were in charge, I am sure that almost all of them abhor violence and would NOT deliberately destabilise their country.

Whether I am right or wrong to have so much faith in the Northern Muslim VIPs with whom I have socialised and worked, my opinions don’t really matter.

All that really matters at the end of the day is the Bottom Line…which is that the Northern Muslims (whether they were VIPs or non-VIPs) who created Boko Haram or promoted it when it was up-

,

I

They rely heavily on modern tools – guns, video cameras and mobile phones, for example - that are products of the Western education they say they despise.

They respect nobody and nothing and cold-bloodedly massacre devout fellow Muslims – including women and children - as well as “infidel” Christians.

They even kill leaders of the religion they claim to hold dear. A friend from Yobe State tells me that Boko Haram has assassinated many Imams in his area.

The biggest irony of all is that Boko Haram’s toxic terror campaign is making Northern Muslims extremely unpopular within an electoral context.

I have encountered SO MANY people who think that Dr Goodluck Jonathan is an inadequate President but say that they would still rather vote for him next year if the only alternative the Opposition can offer Nigeria is a Northern Muslim.

And, by the way, Southern Christians are not the only Nigerians who are saying this. Southern Muslims and Northern Christians are also echoing this view.

There is a widespread belief that “most” or “all” Northern Muslim grandees sponsored Boko Haram’s killer louts to sabotage Jonathan (to punish him for not allowing one of them to take over when his predecessor, President Yar’Adua, died prematurely)…and then lost control over the monster they had created.

I totally reject this wholesale suspicion of an entire class and ethnic/religious group. Yes, it is possible that some Northern Muslim VIPs are guilty as charged.

But I’ll be absolutely amazed if any guilty parties constitute a majority.

I know several influential Northern Muslims; and while I think that they should have done more to boost their region’s fortunes – and economically empower their people – especially when they

I know several influential Northern Muslims; and while I think that they should have done more to boost their region’s fortunes, I am sure that almost all of them abhor violence and would NOT deliberately destabilise their country

and-running have shot themselves in both feet by severely undermining the moral credibility and political clout of Northern Muslim presidential candidates.

Meanwhile, ISIS, the homicidally efficient Islamic terrorist outfit that is rampaging through Syria and has nearly reached Iraq’s capital city, is loudly boasting about its alleged ability to expand beyond the Middle East and is naming Nigeria as one

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of the countries it feels it can eventually conquer.

Comments I’ve heard from reluctant Jonathan supporters include: “I am not impressed by Jonathan, but Northern Muslims are shaming my religion and must be taught a lesson” (uttered very bitterly by a Yoruba Muslim).

“Jonathan seems like a nice guy but is not leadership material. However, you simply cannot trust Muslim Northerners because they are dangerous; and if we enable one of THEM to replace Jonathan as Head of State, it will be as if we are rewarding them for inflicting brutality on innocent Nigerians; and they will definitely link up with Islamic extremists from other countries like those evil ISIS fellows” (uttered vehemently by an Igbo Christian).

“If Fashola, the Lagos State Governor, was running, I would vote for him rather than my own brother because Fashola is more effective and not a mainstream Muslim from the North” (uttered wearily by a guy from Jonathan’s village).

“Northern Muslims lust after power because they are not very productive and are therefore too dependent on government.

They believe that they have a right to rule; and it is time for them to be told that they do not” (uttered by a Christian from Taraba State).

To cut a long story short, Islamic terrorists in Nigeria and Beyond have vastly increased Jonathan’s chances of being reelected in 2015, despite his flaws.

Goodluck is certainly living up to the name his mother gave him at birth!

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OPINION Much ado about roads in Abia

BY ROMANUS UWA

W

HILE it is clear that the present government in Abia State will not and cannot tackle all the infrastructural decay it inherited in 2007 following several years of neglect by successive governments in the state, it is unfair for any one to allege or insinuate that most infrastructural developments, especially road construction and rehabilitation, have been concentrated in Umuahia the state capital. Indeed roads within Umuahia metropolis and its environs have been given a facelift and adorned with streetlights, just as the state government has also replicated the same feat in other places, including the rural areas in the state.

Before Governor Theodore Orji came into office in 2007 most roads in the state, including the state capital Umuahia were death traps. They were not only dilapidated and impassable, they were so narrow and always congested. For most residents in the rural communities in the state, accessing the state capital or other places was the most challenging task. This was due to lack of access roads. Some of the villagers have not seen caterpillar in their areas before the present government came into office in 2007 and started to construct roads in the area. The situation then was so appalling and pathetic. But Governor Orji was not deterred as he took the issue of massive road construction and rehabilitation as his

C M Y K

government’s top priority, especially in rural and council areas across the state.

Today, roads across the state are wearing new looks. One hardly sees any road in the state capital and its environs with potholes. The rural roads have also been opened up for easy movement of goods and services to urban areas. A development that has reduced drastically the rural- urban migration in the state as residents can now easily access the urban areas without much stress. But instead of appreciating the present government’s effort in massive road construction and rehabilitation across the state which is obvious and verifiable, some few individuals, who are experts at complaining or criticising, are busy insinuating that Governor Orji’s administration has concentrated roads rehabilitation and construction in the state capital, Umuahia.

But they have forgotten that what the present government has spent in constructing and reconstructing roads in the commercial city of Aba and its environs, with its attendant difficult terrain and poor drainage channels, can construct thousands of road in other parts of the state. For example, apart from road construction in Aba, the government has constructed several water drainage and opened up the existing ones that were hitherto blocked by indiscriminate disposal of waste in the city.

Most of these roads, especially in rural areas, are more of clayey soil, thereby making construction work a bit difficult.

That is why, in most cases, the state government has always insisted that contractors must remove the clayey soil and replace it with sand before construction to ensure durability.

Some of the roads constructed by the present government in Abia South senatorial zone since 2007 include Timber Market Internal Road, Uratta, AbaOwerri, Aba/Port Harcourt, Faulks Road, Brass Road, Okwu Avenue, Ikonne Street, Nwala Street, Ngwo Ukonu Street, Umule Road, Mountain Zion Road, Ezeogo Street, A and F line roads inside Ariaria Market, Aba-Obikabia Road, Unity Garden EstateOsisioma Ring Road, Mkporobe-Ohanku Road, East Road, Obikabia-epomiri Road, Mbarautba-Epomriri Road, Umuocham Road, Owaza Road, Ngwa Road, George Road, Danfodio by Ube Road, Azikiwe Road, East Ndoki Road, School Road, Ofomo Road, Onuma Road, Ozumba – Ohazu roads; Jubilee, Cemetery, Milverton Avenue, Eziukwu/Okigwe roundabout and several others under construction now.

Also completed in Ukwa East council area are Umuibe-Ohandu Road, OhansoObunku Road, Obohia Oil Mill Road, Ohambele-Obeaku Road, Eti-Onanku Road, Uhuru-Ohanku- Mkpukpuoha Road, Umuogo-Obuzo-Mkpukpoha-Abaki Road, Mkpuaga-Ogbuagu Road, College Road, Azumiri Road, DFRI Road, Akanu-Azumiri Road, Akanu-Umugboeze Road, Umuato bridge/culvert, and others.

Roads that have been constructed and

rehabilitated in Abia Central zone include Ntigha-Mbawsi Road, Nkata-AlikeUmukabia Road, AmaogwugwuUmuakabia-Umuekwule Road, IsiekeOkwuta-Ahiaeke Road, Isiadu-Ameke Road, Umueze-Agbo-Ubani Ibeku Road, Nkata Mbom Road, Okpara-Ofeme Road, Enyiukwu-Afara Road, Umuafai-LoduAhieke Road, Umuafia-World Bank Road, Okigwe Park/Byepass Road, UmuovomNkata Road (Ochendo Byepass), UwalakaAhia Orie Ugba Road, Ahii-Isiama-Afara Road, Ibeku Road extension, Iyienyi-OkwoOzuitem Road, Umuafai-Ndume Road, Ossah Road and Osoro-Obowo Street.

Also not left out were roads in the rural areas of Abia North zone.

At the last count, the present government has constructed and rehabilitated not less than 370 kilometres of roads in the 17 council areas in the state and will do more before the tenure expires in May next year.

Residents in the state are already reaping the gains of good roads in the state as vehicles and commuters now move easily without undue traffic gridlock.

To ensure regular maintenance of the roads, the state government established a road maintenance agency known as Abia State Road Maintenance Agency, ASRMA, which was provided with state- of-art road maintenance equipment to enable it carry out its job effectively.

*Dr. Uwa, a commentator on national affairs, wrote from Aba, Abia state.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 MOST Nigerians would agree with the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly Emmanuel Terhile Ayua that money was the challenge State Assemblies faced. However, they would not see the matter the way legislators view it.

Where is money not a challenge? In adequate amounts, it is a problem. Where it is plentiful – the windfall from oil and gas is example – it is a bigger challenge to manage. Where people make it the foundation for all things, it becomes the root of all evils.

Ayua said, “The issue of funding remains the sole issue,” hampering the work of State Assemblies.

He delivered his points with candour. “Unfortunately, due to funding issues and certain constitutional lapses State Assemblies have found themselves in a situation that we have to approach the Executives for funding,” he said.

Financial autonomy is on the front burner for the Assemblies. They want to manage their own funds, and in the case of Benue, Ayua raised a more fundamental point – there is no Benue State Assembly Service Commission. Where staff of the State

BY NATHAN UZORMA

T

HE Bishop of Hereford was once being patronised by a great lord who talked very proudly. "I never go to church," boasted the lord. "Perhaps you have noticed that, Bishop?" "Yes, I have noticed it," answered the Bishop gravely. "Well, the reason I don't go is that there are so many hypocrites there." "Oh, don't let that keep you away," said the Bishop smiling. "There is always room for one more, you know." This is the true position of life. Many people have stopped going to church because of many abominable things going on in various churches. This is core religiosity and not spirituality.

The spirituality of the ancient is today seen as a taboo and is replaced by "me I no go suffer, I no go beg for bread, God of miracle na my papa". What an error!

The ancient voiced the spirit of unity and agreement; that is why we may accuse them of (plagiarism) copying from one another. They have been the founders of divine reality. If man can forsake imitations and investigate the reality underlying the revealed word of God, they will be reconciled, for reality is one in diversity. This, however, is not to be doubted because there is unity even in golden rule among all religions of the world. The teaching according to which we should treat others as we ourselves would wish to be treated, is an ethic variously repeated in all great religions: In Buddhism: "Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful" Udanavarqa, 5:18. In Ziriastruabusn: "That nature only is good for when it shall not do unto another whatever is not good for its own self"C M Y K

Money - Yes, Mr. Speaker Assembly err, the Executive, which the staff do not work for, handles issues of their discipline.

Why has the Assembly not passed a law for its Service Commission in 15 years of civilian administration – or civil rule - as some pejoratively call our democracy? Is it not about pleasing the Governor who could use the Assembly staff to watch its activities?

Ayua presented honest answers, for which he deserves our commendations. His answers were not political, not even apolitical.

“We are supposed to ordinarily oversight the Executive, but sometimes it is a little bit awkward asking the person you are supposed to oversight to provide the money which you can use to carry out the oversight function. You know that oversight function no

matter the good reason behind it is perceived as witch hunting,” he said.

We can glean answers to the state of our democracy from Ayua. Legislators, apply their best instincts, in self-preservation, in their dealings with the Executive. Fears that demands that the Executive observes the Constitution could ruffle well-preened executive feathers, result in acquiescence from legislators.

Oversight functions, a constitutional requirement to check executive excessiveness, are observed in breaches throughout the country. If legislators consider their interests, possible threats of recall by the Executive, and withdrawal of privileges the Executive dispenses to those who are “well behaved”, they keep mum as our country runs aground.

A money issue Ayua forgot is the collusion of legislators and the Executive to milk the country dry through illegal payments, under all guises, to themselves.

Money, for themselves alone, is the language of politicians. Surprisingly, Ayua complains about this.

OPINION Are all religions the same?

Dadis-tan-I dinik, 94:4. In Judaism: "What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man. That is the entire law, all the rest is commentary."The Talmud, Shahbat 310. In Hinduism: "This is the sum of all righteousness: deal with others as thou wouldst thy self be dealt by. Do nothing to thy neighbor which thou wouldst not him do to thee after."- The Mahabharata.

In Christianity, the same voice is heard thus: "As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." -Jesus Christ, Luke 6:31. In Islam: "No one is believer until he desires for his brother that which he desire for himself."-Sunnah. In Taoism: "The good ought to pity the malignant tendencies of others, to rejoice over their excellence to help them in their straits to regard their gains as if they were his own, and their losses in the same way."The Thai-Shang, 3.

According to Confucianism: "Surely it is the maxim of lovingkindness: do not unto others that you would not have them do unto you."-Analects, xv, 23.

In the tablet of Baha-u-llah, 71 (bahai) it says: "Blessed is he who preferreth his brother before himself."

Every religion is one. Religion is the outer expression of divine reality. Therefore, it must be living, vitalized, moving and progressive. If it be without motion and non-progressive it is without the divine life; it is dead. The divine institutes are continuously active and evolutionary; therefore, the revelation of them must be progressive and continuous. All things are subject to reformation. Old ideas and modes of thought are fast becoming

obsolete. Ancient laws and archaic ethical systems will not meet the age of the revelation of reality and therefore the greatest of all centuries.

All the world over, mankind has honoured the spokesmen of God and has adopted their teachings. It reveres Christ, Muhammad, Buddha, Zoroaster, Krishna, and other high prophets as its greatest leaders. But it has not looked at them as related to one another. It has thought of them as rivals, competing for the homage of the world. Man has imagined that to accept the revelation of one is to deny the revelation of every other and that the followers of any one high-prophet are not loyal to their lord unless they esteem Him the sole authentic revealer come from God. This imagination of man has sought to balance the high- prophetagainst one another as it were in scales, so that when one goes up, the other must go down. Thus, the influence of religion which ought to unify the earthmen, has, through a deep misunderstanding, engendered hostility and strife.

The prophets never spoke evil or ill of one another; the antagonism originated from their followers. None of the prophets affirmed that his revelation was final or exhaustive. In former ages the manifestations of prophets and masters did not explain clearly their station.

Sometimes they spoke as though they were God himself, at other times they would admit that they themselves were human. Their immediate companions, perhaps, understood the hidden references to their true state, but later followers were confused. These either

worshipped them as God or regarded them only as inspired men. Doctrines such as the Trinity were evolved to try to explain the seeming contradiction of their station.

We, in this glorious age, are more fortunate because Christ is here in the person of the Holy Spirit to teach us all things. A casual look at the great religions of the world is enough, if unprejudiced, to reveal that they have much in common. All teach love, justice, detachment from personal desire, honesty, selflessness, mercy, truthfulness, moderation, and trustworthiness. These truths are not just words. When society forgets them, the resulting pain is sharp and deep.

Baha' is believe that religion should unite all hearts and cause wars and disputes to vanish from the face of the earth, give birth to spirituality, and bring life and light to each heart. Mankind will have achieved the great peace, for which from age the sacred scriptures have constantly held the promise, as we shall soon see. The Bible says: "Depart from evil, and do good, seek peace and pursue it"- Ps. 34:14. According to Lao Tse: "Weapons, however ornamental, are not a source of happiness, but are dreaded by all. Therefore, the man of Tao will not abide where such things are." For Buddha: "Among such humans, brethren, at Ketumati the royal city, there will arise Sankha, a wheel-turning king, righteous and ruling in righteousness.

"He will live in supremacy over this earth to ocean bounds, having conquered it not by the scourge, not by the sword, but by righteousness." *Mr. Uzorma, a social critic, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014— —19

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IGERIA has been ruled by soldiers for most of our years of independence, and so we had become conditioned to doing things in fear of our rulers. Due to this fear, we accept and submit to the whims and caprices of the ruler.

As a result, we do not appreciate any level headed leader who hates violence and use of fear. Fifteen years of democratic governance, our political leaders take us for granted because fear remains their arsenal to subdue the people into accepting and voting for them, be they in the ruling PDP or opposition APC. They have in the past rigged elections using violence to snatch ballot boxes, to kill and or kidnap opponents, without being held accountable. We have a long list of high profile, unresolved political killings since 1999. Politicians create an atmosphere of fear and use it to intimidate Nigerians whose correct attitude should be to despise them and never trust them. Fear is only a weapon which can be used by any, whether from the North or South of Nigeria, depending on who is so motivated to use it successfully.

Some persons in the North have decided to stretch the use of fear

without deep thought on whether it will pay off as an instrument for power negotiation in a democracy in a country like Nigeria. Muslims and Christians believe in one God, and the unquestionable ultimate discretion of that God in the affairs of man on earth and in Nigeria, but in politics and the game of power our leaders exclude God. They should have asked why God allowed GEJ to be our President at a time like this. What is God's purpose for bringing him in and the lessons Nigeria should learn from his Presidency. GEJ may have been sent

by God to teach this nation how to conduct free and fair elections, and how to play politics without bitterness, acrimony, blood shed and to learn to accept defeat during elections, knowing that it is God that elevates one and brings down the other.

GEJ has consistently kept a good record of free and fair gubernatorial elections so far, with Prof.Attahiru Jega as the head of INEC. First was that of Edo State where his party was defeated, then Ondo State where the people again rejected political high handedness and fiefdom of the ACN at that time. Next was Anambra State early this year, where the people again rejected the

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APC, although Prof. Jega accepted some anomalies. True to type INEC corrected all that in the recently concluded Ekiti governorship election which has been roundly adjudged to be the freest and fairest election since 1999.

G EJ provided the enabling conditions for these awesome milestones. We prayerfully expect that the people of Osun State will speak come August this year, irrespective of the recent call by their APC Governor that charms should be used against political opponents, who in any case are his own Osun people. This message of peaceful elections seems lost on APC completely. Until our politicians learn that no Nigerian blood is worth their ambition to hold or get power, they

Jonathan in the eye of the storm

BY CHUKWUDI ENEKWECHI

I

T was Shakespeare in one of his philosophical treatises who asserted that 'ambition is made of sterner stuff".

In this brief quote lies the philosophical underpinning of any aspiration or ambition for power that is worthwhile. Coming back home, we are today witnessing history as the centripetal forces struggle, even though in a heinous and ruthless manner, to wrest power from the centrifugal forces, as represented by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

To many students of power struggle, the desperate and dangerous war being waged

by Boko Haram against the Nigerian state gives credence to the Machiavellian prescription that "war is the trade of princes and it is only in war that fortune smiles or frowns". This assertion is aptly illustrated in the Machiavellian book The Prince .

To better understand the 'strange' method being applied by the Boko Haram sect in their quest for power, it is recommended that one should first read The Prince, a book in which ascension to power is justified by all means. Yet, as devilish as Boko Haram's methods appear, it is not surprising to many history-conscious Nigerians. After all, since after 1966, change of batons and ascendency to power in Nigeria has been violently organised with the exception of Shagari's administration which itself was later overthrown by force of arms. In other words, to enable us contextualise the mission of Boko Haram, we must realise that Nigeria has been on a roller coaster ride politically.

Now, having successfully navigated into another democratic interregnum in 1999, the feudal forces expected power retention through the ballot box, but the sudden death of Umaru Musa Yar'Adua changed the permutations and ultimately upset the applecart. Sensing therefore, that ascendency to the coveted throne was gradually slipping from its base and that military coup was unforeseeable at least in C M Y K

the nearest future, Nigeria's unseen power brokers unleashed a monster, Boko Haram, on the nation.

Not given to attaining power in a Godly and indeed orderly manner, these adherents of China's Mao Tse Tung's maxim that "power flows from the barrel of the gun" are using insurgency as weapon of terror to unseat a lawfully elected government under the leadership of a God-fearing gentleman and academician, Goodluck Jonathan.

In the face of these daunting challenges, the question is: should Jonathan capitulate? In answering the question (even as rhetorical as it seems) we must understand that Boko Haram's ideological bent is so deep rooted and fundamental that it goes beyond Jonathan and his administration.

First, let us cast our mind back to the reign of Osama Bin Laden. He had issued a statement proclaiming Nigeria as a country to be "liberated'' by his terrorist network, Al Queda.

Secondly, soon after his proclamation, Boko Haram was born, and their mission has been made very clear to all. And that is their abhorrence of democracy and all it stands for; Western education is forbidden, and thirdly that nonMuslims are 'infidels' that must in their estimation remain under the rulership of Muslims as slaves. These cardinal objectives of Boko Haram are not ambiguous and they have not minced words in reasserting them as reasons for their atrocious crimes.

Therefore, since the Jonathan government and indeed any other government owe it a duty to the citizens to secure and protect them, it is imperative that the President does not chuckle or capitulate to the evil machinations of Boko Haram and its sponsors. To do so will tantamount to submitting our freedom and sovereignty to a bunch of lunatics whose lust for power knows no bound. If we are to surrender to terror, then we shall simply return to the dark ages, and civilization will simply be on auto reverse.

,

BY CLEMENT UDEGBE

,

Will politics of fear help Nigeria?

Muslims and Christians believe in one God, and the unquestionable ultimate discretion of that God in the affairs of man on earth, but in politics and the game of power our leaders exclude God

will continue to rely on the use of fear to their own peril We are beginning to expect free and fair elections once again, and there is therefore no reasons not to expect same come 2015.

No development of any type can be sustained without the security of life and property and this is where the use of fear by the North and opposition APC must be reassessed by the North and the APC. While it may be easier to blame GEJ, after all the buck stops at his desk, but we need to look deeper.

First, the first National Security Adviser to GEJ told us that the Boko Haram was in the government, and that man died with the Christian Governor of Kaduna State.While we mourned their death, some Northern Muslim clerics were quoted in the print media and the social media as acknowledging that the enemies of their religion had died well deserved deaths, just to instill fear in the people.

Secondly, the Northern elders in ACF are clearly in support of the Boko Haram, and they are not hiding it.They have repeatedly threatened that Nigeria will be ungovernable if they don't get power. It is therefore not really against GEJ, it is the North versus the rest.

Thirdly, the APC governors of North East Nigeria want terrorism exported to the South, and yet some one blames GEJ who has made a Northerner his new National Security Adviser.

It is imperative that the President does not capitulate to the evil machinations of Boko Haram and its sponsors; if we are to surrender to terror, then we shall simply return to the dark ages

,

Indeed, the entire creativity and innovation of man over the centuries will be rendered a nullity. Life will then become brutish, short and uninteresting. As it stands now, the civilised world possesses all it takes to rein in these hooligans and restore the dignity of man. Boko Haram and all it stands for is evil and has no place in modern world. Their campaign of terror will not succeed and in reality they will remain slaves to their warped ideologies and beliefs unless they purge themselves of their devilish ideologies.

The truth is that evil will never triumph over good. The 'fatwa' of Osama Bin Laden, Boko Haram and their hidden sponsors on Nigeria will never succeed . As a nation we cannot allow Boko Haram to define the bounds of our existence and freedom. They are morally depraved and insane to define our lives .By all means, President Jonathan ought to realise that he has the support of all men and women of goodwill in and outside the country, and they are in the majority. If the intention of Boko Haram as it is clearly manifest is to stop Jonathan in 2015, I want to assert that they have failed woefully, but rather have reinforced the desire of most Nigerians for Jonathan to return in 2015.

B y all estimation Jonathan has discharged his duties creditably and as the popular saying goes, the reward for hard work is more work. Therefore, Nigerian are

The comments and conduct of the opposition politicians show that such questions mean nothing to them, and that is their folly.

The leadership of the APC use raw threats to address issues that mean so much to Nigerians, and one wonders what kind of opposition they represent. They have fought the budget, tried to pull down government, yet some Southern governors refuse to see! Who will APC govern if Nigeria collapses?

Christians know that fear is an instrument in the hands of the devil; we are used to resisting the devil and getting him to flee. No Christian worth his while will vote for any one who promotes fear and terrorism. Left alone, Christians would have contained terrorism years ago.Think about that.

Nigeria will likely not break up because one of the zones so desires.

Such a zone will only be tactically excluded from Nigeria by the rest, which is the window the National Confab has offered us all.

If the North is really convinced that they do not want to be in Nigeria, there should be a discussion on how to let them go peacefully.

We expect that the 2015 elections will be free and fair, the North must therefore change their style because we shall need each other even when we part ways. God Forbid! *Mr. Udegbe, a legal practitioner, wrote from Lagos.

full of expectations that Jonathan will not capitulate to the evil machinations of Boko Haram and their clandestine sponsors who see Jonathan as a stumbling block to their vaulting ambition to ascend the Presidential throne by hook or crook.

It is common knowledge that these selfish and devilish power seekers who consider Nigeria their personal fiefdom had in the aftermath of the of 2011 elections threatened hell and brimstone should Jonathan contest the election. Specifically, they had threatened to make the country ungovernable were Jonathan to win the election. With the support of Nigerians Jonathan contested and won the election, and today we are all witnesses to the manifestation of their threat against all of us.

Yet, as a people we refuse to surrender our collective destiny and freedom to a cavernous clique who have appropriated Nigeria as their own enclave of power, influence and material acquisitions.

While some schools of thought have postulated that the Boko Haram sect is on a mission to ensure the ouster of Jonathan and to a large extent the entire Southern Nigeria from power, other political pundits hold that the ideological bent of the terrorists is not such that can be assuaged even with a regime change, as their beliefs are rooted in lunatic and idiotic idiosyncrasies never to be imagined in both the ancient and modern worlds. The terrorist sect is on their last struggle to reclaim a 'state of impunity' long truncated with the emergence of a civil democratic order since 1999. Power has since eluded them and their sponsors and every passing day in our democratic journey guarantees the erosion of the circumstances that made the ascendency of their ilk to federal power and its substitution with core democratic norms and values.

Therefore, Boko Haram can best be described as a struggle in shameful retreat that seeks to cling at any straw for survival.

Their demand for swap of their partners in crime in detention for the abducted Chibok girls is equally the ideas emanating from a demented mind. The demand can best be described as abhorrent and sickening. *Mr. Enekwechi, a journalist, wrote from Abuja.

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

By BOSE ADELAJA

F

ROM available information, life has be come a tale of hopelessness, indeed one big hell, for many Nigerians who left their country to seek for greener pastures abroad.

A case in point is an illegal immigrant who hails from Ondo State (name withheld), who was persuaded by a friend into going abroad to seek for fortune and to make it big. He sold his family’s cocoa plantation to pursue his dream of striking it rich in a foreign land.

He eventually arrived in one of the suburbs of Italy where a rude shock awaited him. He discovered to his dismay that all the promises made by his friend were false. Thus, he was left in the dilemma of adjusting to the unfortunate situation or returning home. He eventually settled for the decision of lying about the situation by faking his death. This he did by printing his own obituary which he sent back home to give the impression he was dead.

But years later, one of his kinsmen came across him in the suburb and immediately identified him. The kinsman promptly made calls to Nigeria to confirm earlier claims that the migrant was dead.

When confronted with this, the illegal sojourner had prostrated and begged his kinsman not to expose him.

Two Nigerians, Messrs Jide Ogidan and Tony Iwobi, who had lived in Italy for decades legally into Europe, thereby affirm that many illegal Nige- adding to the already bloated rian migrants in Italy employ illegal immigrants. Out of the this deceitful ploy to hide their figure, about 5,000 deaths were unenviable status. The former, also recorded.

The illegal immigrants, he a film director with Nollywood TV Italia and the latter, a said, were mostly Nigerians Councilor with Lombardia Re- and Arabians. Most of them, he gional government-cum-Man- said, have no business being aging Director Data Communication Labs were in Nigeria recently to launch a campaign against illegal migration to foreign lands, especially to Europe.

Iwobi, who hails from Ogwashikwu in Delta State, narrated his experience as a councilor, saying between January and May 2014, about 40,000 people have migrated il-

From Europe with tales of woe ...Experts raise alarm as illegal immigrants to Europe hit 40,000 in 2014 there, surviving mostly as beggars. As a result of this ugly and pathetic situation, Mr Iwobi has decided to float an organisation to alleviate the sufferings of these illegal immigrants.

Meanwhile, he is appealing to Nigerians without valid travel documents not to embark

Many are suffering over there but they are ashamed to come back home

,

*Tony Iwobi

on fruitless sojourns, particularly to unknown countries. He said Nigeria is richly endowed, adding that the country has enough resources to sustain and better the lots of Nigerians. e said what Nigeria lacks is leadership, that the country has what it takes to cater for the masses. “Many of those who travel to European countries are languishing in poverty. As a result, we created a charity outfit to help them out through acquisition of document, job creation, accommodation and health services,” he said.

He advocated that Nigeria should collaborate with other sovereign nations and make

H

embassies open to those who have genuine intentions to travel abroad. “The embassies should be open for those who want to travel abroad for business, education and other cogent reasons. There is no basis for Nigerians to illegally migrate to other countries where job is lacking. Many are suffering over there but they are ashamed to come back home.

We see them start from the scratch,” he said.

He canvassed that there should be awareness about this.

“I am coming back home after 38 years of sojourning in another country; I want to come back home and make Nigeria a place worth living,” he added.

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For Abuja pupils, it’s one child, one book

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

T

HE belief in some quarters is that the failure of government at all levels at providing the basic needs of Nigerians has engendered a wide gap between leadership and followership in Nigeria.

According to this viewpoint, so disconnected are Nigerians with the leadership class that they have become used to performing the primary functions of government as contained the 1999 Constitution. Readily cited as examples are issues that border on security, electricity, healthcare, education, among others, which have sadly become a burden to the governed in the face of ineptitude on the part of constituted authorities.

Against this backdrop, a non-governmental organisation,NGO, Project 774, has embarked on far-reaching programmes to address the failure and also to strengthen the rapport between the government and the masses.

Specifically, the organisation which C M Y K

has the 774 local government areas,LGAs, in the country as its target, primarily focuses on security, education, empowerment and health.

At the recent flag off its campaign in Bwari Area Council in Abuja, the group launched its “One Child One Book” programme amid fun and fanfare.

Speaking at the event, Public Relations Executive of the NGO, Gloria Oroke noted that the programme is evidently changing the learning process of rural kids, adding it would soon become the desired wind of change blowing across the country.

“Our One Child One Book programme for children is equipping pupils in rural communities with basic learning tools. In all the communities we have visited, we discovered that owning adequate exercise books for each subject is considered a luxury. We see a student using one exercise book for at least three subjects. So, when a student returns home to his parents with a back pack containing exercise books, text books and writing materials, their par-

ents are encouraged and the students are also encouraged because their lives have been impacted,”she noted.

Oroke said the goal of the outreach is to “encourage and equip children to become adults that can contribute to the good of their society. The joy in the eyes of these children as they received the materials we gave to them and the testimonials from the students, parents and teachers, is proof that we have achieved our goal.”

Oroke further said: ‘’ The programmes are designed not only to improve lives but also to re-ignite, uphold and encourage true patriotism amongst Nigerians.Evidently, if patriotism is fostered, Nigerians will consider it a personal responsibility to protect Nigeria, thereby putting aside political, cultural or religious differences to fight any hitch that threatens the peace and development of the nation.’’

In addition, she said: ‘’Because the average Nigerian is skeptical and questions genuine intentions,Project 774 vision is to enhance the capacity of gov-

ernment to reach out and impact as well as foster true and lasting tolerance and integration amongst Nigerians as it carries out its mandate. Project 774 believes that leadership plus followership brews true development. And so, to experience the change one desires, one has to be part of that change because lasting change comes with strong partnerships.

Nigerians should make a conscious effort to work with the government to effect the change they desire and support organisations like Project 774 which have chosen to work with their government to build a better Nigeria.’’

Also speaking, Bwari Local Government Chairman, Mr. Peter Yohanna, commended Project 774 for embarking on such a cause, saying that if well handled that it would go a long way to alleviate poverty, illiteracy and insecurity in the country. According to Yohanna: ‘’Leadership is a service and a thriving society is one where the government and the citizens work together. I thank Project 774 for choosing to work with government to ensure a better society.’’

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 — 21

By EDIRI EJOH & TOCHUKWU CHIMA

T

HE former Minister of Power, Prof. Bartholomew Nnaji has emphasized the need for government to speedily implement the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, saying its passage would help improve the power sector.

Speaking at the General Electric, GE, Conference on the challenges facing the power sector and how GE, innovative machinery has helped improved the epileptic power in the country; he said the incentives that should attract investors to boost gas supply and help power reform are imbedded in the PIB. Nnaji noted that, “Oil majors in the country should give room for small companies to manage and develop oil wells that are lying fallow”.

According to him, “Investors are fast patronizing the oil and gas sector and in five to 10 years if the bill is passed, the country will be exporting gas product to other countries”.

Also speaking, Senior

Delay in PIB passage stalls devt in power sector — Nnaji urgent attention.

“The solution to inefficiency in the power and gas sector is rooted in the aged and unupgraded use of equipment facilities that would meet up with international standards.

“There is also the urgent need to revitalize the educational

infrastructure in the country and also the deployment of advance technologies that will improve power supply in the nation” he said.

Meanwhile, in the midst of shortage of power supply currently witnessed in the country, two senior secondary

students, Samuel-Alli Eveshorhema and Akaeze Kpakpando of Doregos Private Academy at Agbara, have invented a device that could ease the pressure on oil.

The device called “Urine Power Generator” makes use of urine and other waste products

such as ionized water, waste oil and little drop of petrol to power a generator.

According to Akaeze, “A lot can be done if we stop complaining instead, we should try to improve on what is often a challenge and proffer a solution. The invention can reduce the consumption of fuel or diesel in the Nigeria”.

Performance Monitor, Nigeria Intergrated Power Project, NIPP, Engr. Chike Madueke, said there

is great quest for human capital development in the country.

“We lack human capital to boost the sector, but a good make-up in human resources and manpower that can help transform the oil and gas sector in the country.

“The Ministry of power and environment should come together to form a policy that would guide their operations.

There is a bit of over-regulation in the gas sector and all of this is addressed in the PIB.” He argued that the state of education especially in the tertiary institutions in the country is in chaos and needs

From left: Head, Retail Financial Services, Diamond Bank, Mrs. Aisha Ahmad; Deputy Managing Director, Mr Uzoma Dozie and Head, Corporate Communication, Mrs. Ayona Trimnel, during the DiamondXtra Season 6 midyear draw, in Lagos.

Banks should devote greater attention to consumer protection — NDIC

172.75

2.3

3,153.00

+98.00

16.63

-0.22

112.48

-0.82

105.41

-0.33

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

154.73 263.7063 211.2374 173.7173 1.5261 0.3023 238.1545 24.9395 41.2547 28.3295 239.1971

155.23 264.5585 211.92 174.2787 1.531 0.3123 238.9241 25.0205 41.388 28.421 239.9701

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

CBN Exchange rate as at 01/07/2014

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

N

igeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has advised Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to give priority attention to the issue of consumer protection to promote better service delivery and increase confidence in the financial system.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDIC, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim gave the advice in his remarks during a

courtesy visit by the new Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo to the NDIC. Ibrahim maintained that as a deposit insurer and bank supervisor, the NDIC placed great premium on consumer protection, adding that the NDIC had taken many steps to promote consumer protection through the establishment of a dedicated 24hour toll-free Help Desk in the Corporation to enable depositors and other bank

Nigeria’s under-development attributed to disregard for planning — IPN

By PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

T

HE Institute of Planning of Nigeria, IPN, has attributed Nigeria’s under development to disregard for planning.

Speaking at the induction ceremony of new IPN members, Director General of Centre for Management Development, CMD, Dr. Kabir Usman, said that from inception Nigeria had adopted development plan as a major strategy to achieving socioeconomic transformation and rapid development, but in recent times had abandoned the laid down plans to run a baseless schedule that has done the country

no good. Usman who was speaking at the induction of 103 certified members of IPN stated that without proper planning, very little can be achieved in terms effective service delivery for sustainable development.

He went on to say that a country that moves into the future without proper plans is like a blind person walking along the road, that such a country would not be able to achieve much and its economy may eventually collapse. “Proper planning is therefore a very vital tool for improving service delivery for the achievement of sustainable development,” the Director General said.

customers lodge their enquiries and or complaints for prompt investigation. He also informed the meeting that a Complaints Unit had been established in the Bank Examination and Special Insured Institutions Departments of the Corporation to cater for the customers of Deposit Money Banks and Microfinance/Primary Mortgage Banks (MFBs/ PMBs).

While advocating for conscious and concerted efforts to improve consumer protection, Ibrahim advised all the insured banks to establish consumer complaints desks at their Head Office and branches to facilitate and promote prompt response to consumer protection issues. He also tasked the insured banks, as members of the Bankers Committee, to show more commitment towards the adoption and promotion of initiatives such as Financial Literacy, Financial Inclusion and Sustainable Banking to engender confidence in the entire financial sector.

22—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

Stanbic IBTC Bank secures $100m facility for SME, energy financing BYPETER EGWUATU

I

development of the Nigerian economy. “We will continue to explore various channels of credit to empower small and medium-sized businesses. We recognise that the SME and energy sectors form an integral part of the Nigerian economy as a whole. As a result, we will remain at the forefront to empower our clients and help them achieve their business

goals” he added.

‘We appreciate the trust bestowed upon us by the African Development Bank in granting us this facility which is devoted to the funding of SMEs, energy and energy efficiency projects in Nigeria,’ Sanni noted.

The USD100 million LOC to Stanbic IBTC Bank was approved by AfDB’s board of di-

rectors on Wednesday, 26 March 2014 and April 13th 2014 in Tunis. In approving the LOC, the board of directors emphasised that the SME sector represents a strategic pillar for Nigeria’s quest to modernise and improve its economy. The AfDB highlighted financial inclusion as part of CBN’s drive to diversify the Nigerian economy.

N its bid to support the economic growth and de velopment of the country, Stanbic IBTC Bank has received a USD100 million Line of Credit (LOC) from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for on-lending to small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) operating in various sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Vanguard gathered that part of the fund will also be applied to the financing of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in Nigeria, in line with the requirements of the Clean Technology Fund (CTF).

According to information made available to Vanguard “Of the total amount, Stanbic IBTC Bank will fund SME projects in Nigeria with USD75 million, while USD25 million will be used for the funding of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

Stanbic IBTC Bank is the first Nigerian bank to receive CTF’s approval.”

Speaking, the Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Yinka Sanni, said that the bank will continue to partner From left: Head, Regional Corporates, Ecobank, Benson Ogundeji, Managing Director, with reputable institutions to Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Jibril Aku (with the Best Corporate Bank award) and Publisher/ create avenues for growth and CEO, BusinessDay, Mr. Frank Aigbogun, at the Businessday Annual Banking Awards, in Lagos.

Forte Oil joins high priced stocks on NSE

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

T

HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has announced the inclusion of Forte Oil Plc in the list of its ‘high priced stocks’.

The inclusion followed a review of the prices of stocks by the exchange, undertaken as part of measures to improve liquidity and deepen the market.

With the development, Forte Oil Plc has become the 12th stock on the NSE’s list of High Priced Stock.

Commenting, Head, Market Operations, NSE, Mr. Ade Ewuosho, confirmed that “Way back, to move the price of any stock upwards or downwards, the brokers needed to have a volume of 50,000 shares and above. However, in September 2012, the NSE introduced a pilot programme for its new market structure with the rollout of market making where stockbrokers could move prices of some high priced stocks with 10,000 shares.

These High Priced Stocks C M Y K

are securities that have traded an average of N100 or more per share in four out of the last six months period”.

Consequently, stockbrokers will be able to move the prices of Forte Oil Plc, in addition to the existing High Priced Stocks, with 10,000 units.

Only these 12 Securities are

currently set with a market trade quantity of 10,000, while all the other Securities are set to 50,000.

Justifying the inclusion of Forte Oil in the High Priced Stocks, Mr. Abimbola Babalola, Head, Market Surveillance, NSE, said a review of trading activities of

the company in the last six months shows that the company met the criteria set by the Exchange.

“We have observed that the prices of these High Priced Stocks have been rather stable with none falling below the n100 mark which is currently the benchmark,” he stated.

Unity Bank emerges best bank in agric financing U

NITY Bank Plc has been named the “Best Bank in Agriculture Financing” in Nigeria.

The award was given at the 2014 BusinessDay Annual Banking Awards.

Speaking while receiving the award, the Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Henry James Semenitari, said the award was not a surprise as the bank has consistently been supporting agric financing.

This is evidenced in the bank’s wide range of agricultural products for both small scale and large scale farmers - collectively known as Unity Greens - which cover general agro-allied financing, industrial as well as cooperative leasing, support schemes and products.

The bank is also widely acclaimed as one of the most active implementers of the federal government’s multi- billion naira Agriculture

Intervention Schemes such as the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme, Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GES), NIRSAL, Agriculture Credit Guarantee Scheme and the Agriculture Trust Fund Model.

With over 150 branches along the Nigerian Agrarian Belt, the bank has long recognised this positioning as an area in which it can make its impact felt.

This year ’s Awards had the theme “Deepening Nigeria’s Economy through industrialisation: The Role of Banks, Challenges and Opportunities”. It would be recalled that the Unity Bank had in 2013 received recognition for its support of the Northern economy from BusinessDay.

Union Bank ranked best in website aesthetics U

NION Bank of Nigeria Plc’s website has been ranked best for aesthetics and 2nd in customer experience by Web Jurist in its recently concluded ratings of banking industry websites.

Union Bank’s website was rated 3rd overall in the industry.

The websites of all Nigerian banks were rated according to aesthetics, technical aspects, website content, e-Financial services, customer experience and performance.

Commenting on the ratings, Mrs. Ogochukwu Ekezie-Ekaidem, Head, Corporate Affairs & Corporate Communication, Union Bank stated “Union Bank’s impressive showing in this year ’s ratings is another signal that the Bank’s transformation is on the right course. One of our critical focus areas as a Bank is to significantly improve our customer experience at all touch points, and the first phase of improvements to our website have clearly yielded the desired results.

As we have done with the website, Union Bank will continue to work to provide quality banking services and improved customer experience to all our customers across all our touch points,” she concluded.

In 2013, Union Bank’s website was ranked 16th in aesthetics and 12th in both customer experience and overall assessment. The Web-Jurist ratings conducted by e-Business experts at Phillips Consulting was establishedin 2001 to critically and objectively evaluate the effectiveness of websites in Nigeria, focusing initially on the financial services industry and taking into account what the customer wants.

Over the years, the ratings have become a barometer for assessing e-business activities and identifying best practices.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014—23

Boat mishap: NIWA introduces painting of boats, ferries STORIES BY GODFREY BIVBERE

T

HE National In land Waterways Authority, NIWA, has directed all operators in the inland water transport business to ensure that all their water craft are painted white with green inscription of their names and that of the craft.

The new directive is to take effect in July next year to give operators adequate time to prepare before the implementation commences.

Disclosing this in Lagos at a meeting with the operators, Lagos Area Manager of NIWA, Muazu Sambo, said painting of the water craft is necessary for easy identification in cases of emergency.

Sambo and his management team at the meeting allowed the operators to vote on when the new directive is to take effect. He noted that the current position where all operators are free to paint their craft in whatever colour they preferred, was not in the best interest of the industry as most of the chosen colours are not visible even during the day.

In addition, each craft is also expected to carry a flag it which it would be known.

According to Sambo, “All commercial boats are to have the same colour as from the July next year as agreed upon at this meeting because of visibility. The colour should be white and the name of the company and the boat should be boldly written in green for easy identification.”

He also noted that the Authority has printed manifest which were shared to the operators for them to use before every firm would start printing for themselves.

The Area Manager pointed out that NIWA decision to print the manifest is to ensure that there is uniformity in the document used by all operators.

He also said that the advantage of operators insisting on passengers writing their names on the manifest is that it comes handy for insur-

ance claims in case of accident, as well as serving as a source of information on all the passengers on a particular trip.

On the drivers permit that are to be gotten from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Sambo said that all boat operators are expected to get theirs before the end of the year.

The NIWA boss also disclosed that they have established a safety compliance team that will be paying unscheduled visits to all the jetties to ensure that they are observing all the laws governing water transportation.

According to him, “We are worried about boat mishap on our waterways and our responsibility is to find out the human causes and ensure that it does not happen again. When this is done and it still happens, then it is an act of God. “We are worried and we know that you are worried too.”

He stressed the need for partnership to ensure that the incessant boat mishap is curbed or reduced to the barest minimum, he concluded.

BY IFEYINWA OBI

E

FFORT to fight smuggling activities to the barest minimum has continued to yield result as the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja-Lagos has recorded massive seizures of prohibited goods valued at about N483. 3 million with a payable duty of N263 million between January to May,2014. This is even as the Unit apprehended 88 suspects in connection with the Seizures.

Bags of 50kg illegally imported parboiled rice, cartons of foreign frozen poultry products, used tyres and other general goods.

Making the disclosure in his office recently, the Controller Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’,

Port Police boss commends officers

T

From left: Mr Abdul Akhor Bello, ex-Director/CFO; Mr Larry Ettah, Group MD; Sen Udoma Udo Udoma, Chairman and Mr Godwin Samuel all of UAC Nigeria at the 2013 Annual General Meeting of UAC of Nigerial Plc in Lagos.

Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

NIMASA commences recruitment of Volunteers Search, Rescue Team

T

HE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has commenced recruitment of a “Volunteers Search and Rescue Team” which will be made up of local divers, swimmers, boat-riders’ etc.

A team from NIMASA search and rescue department led by Isaac Obe, was at the Liverpool

Waterside yesterday to solicits for volunteers to join the team. Obe told the crowd that the Federal Government is very concerned about the incessant boat mishap in the country.

The Chief Radio Surveyor noted that “The Federal Government is very concern about the loss of lives in the nation’s waterways. All

Smuggling: FOU Ikeja records N483.3m seizures

BRIEFS

Comptroller Nuhu Isa Mahmoud, who disclosed this to news men recently. as part of their report said that the impressive performance was as a result of the Unit resolve to strengthen its operational apparatus through a well tailored strategic approach, which includes the use of ICT and intelligence/information gathering.

According to him, there is a paradigm shift in the operational tactics of the Unit – a change from analogue approach to digital, in line with the global best practices and WCO (World Customs Organization) standards.

The Controller also attributed the success recorded by the Unit to the ever supportive gesture of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji (Dr.) Abdullahi Dikko Inde CFR and his management team.

He pointed out that the

NCS management under the leadership of the CGC has provided the Unit with the wherewithal in terms of motivation/ remuneration, capacity building and provision of operational tools like vehicles, arms/ammunition to support our effort.

In the same vein, the Controller applauded the synergy and collaboration between the officers/men of the Unit, which he noted has led to monumental achievements.

He stated that the Unit will continue to live up to its rating as a flagship Unit and hub in antismuggling activities.

Speaking further on the Seizure, the Controller assured that the Unit will always remain several steps ahead of the antics of smugglers to ensure that their nefarious activities were decimated.

those who are interested should to put their names down and should be contacted for training later.

“After the training, we will contact you when there is any boat mishap around your area,” he told the listening crowd.

Obe also disclosing that the agency is doing similar thing in Ondo, Kogi and the other riverine states.

“For every life lost, it is a big problem for Nigeria. For evey life lost, Nigeria has to make a report to the International Maritime Organisation, IMO office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s accident reporting office, which is for the world.

Such reports give us negative image and this negative image we have been having in the past we want to clean it.

“We want to show the international community that Nigeria waters are waters to invest in, there are waters to do business in. For your information, waterways anywhere in the world are the richest deposit for money making. Here is Nigeria; we are not ultilising up to five percent of our nature yielding potentials.

“When you go oversees, the waterways are source of business and livelihood for a lot of people.

In Holland, Germany and United Kingdom, the traffic route is far more than what we have back here.

HE Port Police Commissioner in charge of the Western ports, Mr. Kayode Aderanti has commended men and officers of the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal division for the effective security policing currently being experienced in the Nigerian seaports.

Speaking during a familiarization tour of Kirikiri port Police Command in Lagos, Aderanti noted that level of performance of officers in the ports has been encouraging and urged them to keep up them temple.

He said that the current security situation in the calls for full alertness of the members of the Police force adding that most of the weapons used in committing crimes and other evils come in through the ports and land borders.

Aderanti did not mince words when he pointed out some important issues which he sad were paramount to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar which includes that fact that officers must be proactive at all times.

Customs agents frown at attack on member

A

group under the aegis of Concerned Customs Brokers, CCB, has frowned at attack on one of its members, Raymond Onyimba by a faceless body for daring to partake in the local government elections in Enugu State.

The group stressed that the alleged claim that Onyimba collected bank loan and defaulted in repay is untrue.

The group in a statement signed by Osita Mbonu and made available to Vanguard, explained that the bank had falsified the interest on the loan taken by Onyimba to purchase plots of land in Egunu and therefore headed to the law court to seek redress .

The court then got an auditor to look at the account and the actual interest on the loan was agreed on which Onyimba promptly paid, Mbonu pointed out.

24 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 — 25

By JIMOH BABATUNDE

African leaders urged to recommit to the principles of CAADP

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hile many critics still doubt Nigeria’s ability to meet up with her rice sufficiency needs by 2015, through local production, Sokoto State Commissioner for Agriculture has called for supports for the farmers and see what will happen.

Sokoto State Commissioner for Agriculture, Muh’d Arzika Tureta, said the quantum of rice production in the state and other neighbouring states had risen in just few years due to the collaborative efforts of the state government with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

The Commissioner who disclosed this in Sokoto while conducting journalists round recently said “I am 100 percent in support of the planned ban on importation of rice into Nigeria by 2015 because as you can see, our farmers have produced twice as much paddy this year as compared to last year ’s rice harvest and they deserve to get the best out of their efforts”.

Tureta added that Sokoto is fully behind the proposed policy and lauded the efforts of the federal government through the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA).

“Sokoto State farmers”, said he, “are very grateful to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture because of the kind of unprecedented support they are getting in terms of inputs supply”.

According to Tureta, “the dry season farming introduced by the Federal Government and supported by the State had made it possible for farmers to have three rice production cycles instead of just one”.

A

Muh’d Arzika Tureta

Proposed import ban on rice achievable — Muh’d Arzika Tureta He explained that the three production cycles makes it possible for rice farmers in the state to produce three times as much rice as they used to in the past, “ the variety of rice made available to the farmers as input, namely: Faro 44 and Faro 52 are long grain and

high yielding which have helped to improve farmers productivity.”

Tureta said with the support the rice farmers’ are getting from the federal ministry of Agriculture that the country will surprise the world if the current rice policy under the

Nigeria releases first generation of herbicide-resistant hybrids T

he Nigerian National Variety Release Committee (NVRC) has released the first generation of maize hybrids, resistant to metsulfuron methyl herbicide, that are also endowed with resistance to the noxious parasitic weed Striga hermonthica.

The hybrids were developed by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in partnership with DuPont Pioneer Seeds using conventional breeding with funding from IITA and the Integrated Striga Management in Africa (ISMA) project as part of strategies to control S. hermonthica in maize.

The hybrids were released as P48W01 and P48W02 and are recognized as IITA IR-Maize Hybrid 2 and IR-Maize Hybrid 4. The hybrids have a yield potential of up to 5 t/ha under Striga infestation in comparison with local varieties that produce less than 1 t/ha in such conditions.

“These hybrids are the product of introducing a single nuclear gene that confers resistance to imidazolinone herbicides, including metsulfuron methyl (MSM),

into inbred lines with known field resistance to S. hermonthica,” Dr Abebe Menkir, IITA Maize Breeder, said.

Recent baseline studies conducted under the ISMA project showed that farmers ranked Striga as the number one constraint to maize production in northern Nigeria, with 50 to 100% of the households reporting Striga incidence in their farms.

The parasitic weed infests more than 9 million ha planted to millet, maize, and sorghum in Nigeria and severely lowers the production capacity of these crops.

Dr Menkir said yield losses in maize from damage by S. hermonthica varied from 20 to 80% among subsistence farmers, but 100% loss could occur in susceptible cultivars under severe infestation in marginal production conditions.

The released herbicide-resistant hybrids allow seeds to be planted that have been treated with low doses of metsulfuron methyl herbicide. This targets S. hermonthica before or at the time of its attachment to the maize root,

killing the parasite underground before it inflicts damage on the crop. These hybrids can thus be used to deplete the Striga seed bank in the soil and minimize yield losses in subsequent cereal crops. MSM-reated seeds of these hybrids can be integrated into the diverse farming systems in Nigeria because the herbicide effectively controls the parasite at a low rate of application.

The ISMA project works with the private sector to catalyze the process of producing and marketing treated seeds of herbicide-resistant maize hybrids to smallholder farmers in Nigeria to control S. hermonthica.

Other collaborating partners engaged in extensive testing of these hybrids include the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) and Agricultural Development Programs in Bauchi and Kano States.

The ISMA project is being implemented by IITA in partnership with CIMMYT, icipe, BASF Crop Chemical, AATF and national partners in Kenya and Nigeria.

Agriculture Transformation Agenda is sustained “In Sokoto State, we are happy with the way agriculture is being managed particularly because it is impacting on our farmers who, as you go round, you will find to be doing very well in agriculture”.

In a further attempt to justify his view that things had changed for Sokoto state farmers, Tureta alluded to the pilgrimage experience in the state. “When it comes to the season of Hajj, rice farmers are among the first people set of people to pay for seats. Go and see the kind of flashy cars some of them are now driving, and when you realize that they have no other business apart from farming, you have to acknowledge that they are doing very well”.

While acknowledging the supports of the state governor, Dr. Aliyu Wamakko, Tureta disclosed that the state had registered a total of three hundred and thirty thousand, five hundred and twenty three (330,523) farmers in the 2013-14 season and that this number has increased exponentially from what it was one year period.

Tureta, a former APC Chairman for Sokoto state cautioned against the “politicization of food security issues”, while assuring of the state government’s resolve to continue to support the federal government’s agricultural transformation agenda (ATA).

frican Unions’ Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, Mrs. Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, has the theme of the Year of Agriculture and Food Security in Africa to the body’s Heads of State and Government with a call to recommit to the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).

The theme is “Transforming Africa’s Agriculture for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods through Harnessing Opportunities for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development.”

Rhoda Peace presented the theme last week at the recently held 23rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government.

Commissioner Tumusiime, stated that the theme echoed the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the OAU/AU, centered on “Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance,” as well as the vision of the pan-African transformative Agenda 2063.

“Ensuring an inclusive and transformative agricultural growth that builds the self-reliance of the African citizenry, including food and nutrition security is central to re-asserting African dignity.

“The debate between member states, public and private organisations culminated in the provision of strategic direction, guidance for renewed and heightened commitments on concrete goals and targets in advancing Africa’s agricultural growth and transformation agenda for the next decade,” she said.

AU Member States were also urged to recommit to the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) as it had helped elevate agriculture to the center of Africa’s development agenda.

Mrs. Tumusiime disclosed that Africa has witnessed progress on the allocation of public expenditures to agriculture, which have been increasing at an average rate of 7.4% per year since the adoption of CAADP. “Member States have been making efforts to meet the CAADP target of allocating at least 10% of public expenditure to agriculture; and most importantly they are seeing the benefits of according primacy to this strategic sector.”

26 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

Why I will not cook at home — Hilton Executive chef

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ODOLPHE Medard, the Executive Chef at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, tells you with pride that he enjoys working in the country having worked previously in two different hotels in Asaba and Port Harcourt.

“I have worked in three different hotels, in three different locations and with three different experiences because my private lives have also being affected by these three different experiences.”

In this interview with JIMOH BABATUNDE, the French national disclosed why he chose to be a chef at age 15 when he told his parents he was withdrawing from school to pursue his dream in the hospitality world.

Excerpts: On the experience My father said fine and working in different hoasked what I wanted to do; tels either new or old hoI told him I want to be a tels chef. He said it is a very I started working in demanding job, very hard France as an apprentice and that I need to be with a master chef after that passionate to do it.

I continued in an I told him I don’t mind, individual managed castle so

by July I was sent to a with rooms and restaurant. restaurant to get a feel of Later I left France for what it was like being a Switzerland, Germany chef, they tried to see if I and America where I will be able to do it as the worked for the Meridian, period between July and from there to Africa and August is a very busy time Asia. I have worked in in restaurants in my place different countries around as that is usually the the world. tourism period.

I have worked in I did it and when it was different hotels, some for time to go back to school openings, some for they asked me to go back rebranding, some joining but I refused and told them to add values like this.

I had chosen my path and Opening hotels, it is since then I have not different experience . In looked back. most cases the hotels are At times it is difficult like under construction which any other job in the world. is sometimes good as you I love it and from there I can change some few went to a culinary school. things around, you need There are different types of to really train the people culinary schools in France, you work with and so you we have apprentiship mould them as you wish. which gives you Rebranding hotel is opportunity to go to school sometimes difficult and work in the restaurant. because if it is a five star I chose this and I passed hotel and you need to my exams. keep the old hands, it is On any regret taking difficult to infuse new ideas into the profession just as existing ones like If I have a choice to Hilton here you still can’t change the profession, I change the standards but will not change it, I will try to improve the system. leave it. Though it has not So it is different situation been all easy as I do asked to work and different ways if I had made the wrong to show your knowledge choice, because my friends as you don’t really do the were in schools enjoying same job on the three. themselves but at the end On how he came into of the day looking at what the hotel industry I had experienced travelHow I came in is very ling worldwide in the simple. In my family we course of this profession, I love good meal , my will not change it. parents were good cooks, If travelling has but not chefs. When I was influenced his cooking around 15 years old and Yes, because as you was home for a break after travel, you discover new the school calendar in flavour, you discover the June, I told my parents I use of one item you thought was not going back to has only one use but you school.

•Rodolphe Medard discover different use for it.

You know avocado for example, we use it as a dressing in salad in France and most of the countries do that but if you go to South America they use it as a desert , so it is another way to use it.

You also discover some spices; you discover different cooking methods like traditional ways and from all these you tried to do something like fusion.

On his food philosophy It depends on people, there are people who like food for eating sake, some eat to just be alive. But to me the food is something you should enjoy.

Many guests come here saying I am on diet and so should not eat this and that, what can you do for me,

but at the end of the day you need to enjoy the food you eat.

You need to appreciate what you eat and if you like eating it does not mean you should over eat what you like. I love chocolate, the best chocolate you will present to me I will not take ten of it. I will take one or two, because after that you will not appreciate it anymore.

Just like beer, when I want to drink with friends I will take good one and relax to enjoy it, food is the same as you need the atmosphere to appreciate the food. If you want to eat the best food, you don’t need a noisy environment; you need a cosy environment to do so.

On his favourite menu

I don’t have favourite menu, I like to try everything. I am very curious, not just by my job but as a person, I like to know what is happening.

I tried lots of funny dishes.

Favourite to do, I love to work fish and pastries.

These two, I love.

Why pastries I don’t know. I just found myself loving it. In the kitchen I was always avoiding the meat side. It is not question of doing dirty job; I don’t just like working the meat. But with time and age I got to do it.

But fish is my preferred part in the kitchen. So fish and pastries are my preferred parts to do On cooking tips for a novice

First, you have to make sure that it is not just an idea you have but a deep passion, because being a chef is like an army especially when you want to work in an hotel environment like this, you must be very flexible because this is your first home and your family is the second home.

The tip I will say is try what you cook, taste what you cook, don’t be scared to experiment but not in front of the guests. First try it in the kitchen as the outcome of experimentation can be very funny.

If he eats at home Yes, I eat at home but don’t cook. I only do omelette for my kids and sometimes when I am on leave, I make some pastries to enjoy with my friends.

But for food, I don’t cook.

Though cooking is my passion and work, but passion has limits. I really enjoy my wife’s food or my friends’ food.

Sometimes people are scared to invite you home for food because you are a chef, but to me this is wrong as we are not competitors, if you invite me I will enjoy whatever you give me.

A friend of mine once invited me and he had a big grill fish and he said help yourselves, so I took the head but he was surprised. That is the problem that people don’t like inviting the chef.

People should know that they are inviting me not because I am a chef but because we have a relationship.

So when I am home I don’t cook.

Intercontinental hotel thrills football fans F

OR many corporate personalities, football enthusiasts and guests, the Ariya Terrace of the Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos will remain etched in their memories for the fun it has been providing since the World cup commenced.

The Ariya Terrace, formally Zen Garden, which opened coincidentally at the flagoff of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil at the hotel, is offering lovers of sports, exclusivity and quality relaxation, opportunity to watch live matches of the World Cup amidst refreshment, best of food/

drink and music.

Besides, the drink and food menu, music and performances, guests at Ariya Terrace enjoy refreshing sea breeze from the nearby Atlantic Ocean while the open space offers guests panoramic view of Victoria Island, the proposed Eko Atlantic City and far into the ocean.

Krishna Kumar, Sales and Marketing Director, Intercontinental Lagos disclosed that Ariya Terrace was launched to provide a very fine atmosphere for respectable Nigerians, who could not be in Brazil to watch matches at the centre, where they would

enjoy the luxury at the bar.

Although he admitted that the viewing centre was opened to the public, he insists that it is more targeted at the corporate world, especially those in the financial sector, oil industry and business magnates.

One of those who have been enjoying activities at the Terrace is Julius Aghahowa, ex international footballer. “I am happy that Intercontinental Hotel is giving football viewing an important space in its products offering. I truly did not miss going to Brazil with the clarity of the live

matches on the large screen, the refreshment, drinks and even smiles from the attendants”, Aghahowa said.

Other notable entertainment personalities like Lynxxx, Zainab Balogun, Ill Rhymz, Nedu, Blink, Praiz and more have been watching the World Cup matches at the terrace.

As the World Cup gradually gets to the finals, the management of the hotel has promised that the Ariya Terrace opened for the Brazil 14 will continue after the tournament due to the patronage.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 — 27

I N S I D E

Condition of the country: Politics of confusion and instability

PDP is Nigeria’s Confab: Delegates who caused history, future our problems're solving them — Gov Lamido

— Ozekhome

Governor Lamido: Nobody has said how much I have stolen

PDP is Nigeria’s history, future — Gov. Lamido

G

OVERNOR Sule Lamido of Jigawa State fielded questions from a group of journalists after they inspected the Dutse International Airport, which is nearing completion, and other projects in the state capital. Here is an excerpt of the interview.

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E were at the Dutse International Airport where the contractors are finishing work on the world- class airport. Would you to tell Nigerians what led you to build that kind of airport in your state?

Air transportation today is a necessity.

When Bill Gates came to Nigeria, he was to come to Jigawa over the issues of polio and all that, but because there was no airport he couldn’t come.

There are other investors who would want to come here but then the access is not there because of the feeling of insecurity travelling on our roads, even from Kano State. And so the airport is a thing of necessity. Minus this, the president said he was going to build six

zonal airports for some economic purposes and he said he was going to build an airport in Dutse, which is going to transport our perishable goods; vegetable,

,

BY OCHEREOME NNANNA

now working on where they are going to put the foundation for the warehouses.

So this state has the potential to be the hub of the North in terms of economy, tourism and a number of things. So building an airport has been able to capture that kind of role which is unique and therefore the standard there is supposed to be world class.

You were in the frontline in the battle by the G7 to reposition the PDP. With the exit of Bamanga Tukur as chairman, are you now satisfied with the state of the

Nigeria is not made for you or anybody and therefore Nigeria cannot be pulled down to encourage personal or anybody’s aspiration.

It is the country first

water melons, mangoes; they are things that can be exported, even flowers. It is a huge potential. We are also into livestock production and therefore we can export the products.

And so, it is going to be a cargo cum commercial airport. People from the Federal Civil Aviation Authority are there

,

party?

All human institutions have their challenges and problems; it is up to us to stay and face these challenges and conquer them.

Most institutions where we talk of power and contests there will be interests, some of them altruistic, some very ephemeral

and because of these contests between the altruistic and ephemeral, we need to be focused as a country to know what we want for ourselves, apart from our selfish interests.

It is true we have interest, all of us, but then you should look at the larger picture and get your subordinates to see the picture but when we ask the nation to be the subordinate of our ephemeral interests that is the problem.

So when we talk of the power contest in our political formation, there is a problem with that but then when Tukur came in and destroyed some of our operations he did some damages to the party, so many damages to be honest. So, by the time he left it was almost too late. But then again, it is left to us – in the party, to use our political sagacity, our political experience and skills to ensure that we do the right thing by effecting proper reconciliation and make sure that the party is now sticking to its own rules and regulations.

The interests are there but the country first, simple! So when we talk of power control, there will be some problems but it is up to us to be first of all patriotic to grow beyond our personal and ephemeral needs, sentiments and interests and see the picture called Nigeria because you can only become councilor, chairman, governor or president if the country is there for you.

And Nigeria is not made for you or anybody and therefore Nigeria cannot be pulled down to encourage personal or anybody’s aspiration. It is the country first!

We must have a country that we can call ours and that is sacrosanct and then from there we can go into our parties; PDP, APC, CPC etc and go and contest. But then personal interest should not tear the country. So there are problems in the PDP. We are not there yet. There are many problems. But it is our ability and our sense of patriotism which must be that strong to make sure that we do the right thing.

You named some streets after the ‘rebel’ PDP governors in the most exclusive part of the state capital, what was the idea behind this?

Rebel governors? That is rude!

(Laughing). Seriously, nations are built on history, sacrifices and vision and you need to know what was there yesterday before you begin to prepare for tomorrow. The Mallam Aminu Triangle – Mallam Aminu Kano was the founder of our philosophy, our leader who had vision, who had ideals.

We should not forget those ideals symbolised in him.

So we should celebrate him, and it would help us know what he stood for.

Now, G9, when we were fighting Abacha – some people were celebrating him but we felt no matter how good he was, democracy is better than him. He might have been excellent but democracy was better than him. I’d rather be a poor man

Continues on page 28

28 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

PDP is Nigeria’s history, future — Gov. Lamido in freedom than rich in slavery.

Because the human being no matter what you give him in terms of material fulfillment, if psychologically he feels owned by somebody – he is reduced into an article, into a material and then he loses his human essence.

This is very important! And so those who stuck their necks under Abacha; nine of us who met in the house of Senator Francis Ellah in Port Harcourt – we thought of what do we do to bring democracy to Nigeria because the way Abacha was going it was going to bury democracy and we could see him writing the epitaph.

So we said “no” and stood up.

Now, that should be part of Nigeria’s history. Those who are coming today, whatever they may be today they should know there were people who stood up and made it possible for them to be.

Likewise, Mallam Aminu Kano, he also founded NEPU. Now, when we were trying to (disagree with trends in the PDP) - we deepened the democracy in Nigeria. For us, we should be able to agree with our rules and regulations. If we used democracy to get to where we are we should not let someone stifle it and lock it up.

There will be some problems. So when we said Tukur must go – for one and half years, during the time he was chairman of the party he never called a meeting of NEC of the party. And under the constitution of our party we said there must be one NEC at least every three months - quarterly meeting.

He never called a meeting. He was taking actions on behalf of the NEC. So we called him to order.

Even though the working committee is not part of NEC, he would say it was done by the working committee and not by NEC. Tukur was trying to collapse PDP, an institution which has huge history, which has huge vision for Nigeria.

And he was acting as if it was a company where he was chief executive. If you are in ACN, of course you know the managing director/CEO is Tinubu and the followers are just operators or managers of a commercial centre.

The operator of CPC is Buhari, but in PDP – PDP is Nigeria’s history and Nigeria’s future where participation by all key players, by religions, by all tribes, by all people is part of the

foundation.

Some in Lagos, somebody from Rivers, Enugu and somebody from Jigawa will converge because this is our party; this is how it was formed. There were so many regulations under the constitution of the party which Bamanga was breaching – there was so much impunity and we said “no”, you can’t do that because this is the party that produced us, after getting there you can’t lock democracy up.

So those governors that stood up against that impunity must also be celebrated. It is later on that they left the party but they have all made their contributions.

That they left the PDP that is something else but the initial formation, the philosophy, the history and purpose should not be lost.

SowhensomeonesaysI’mseeing Amaechi Street, Baraje Street Kwankwaso,WamakkoStreet,Isay these are the people who saved democracy when it was being locked up in a store by Bamanga Tukur. Later on they might have gone to the APC, which is their own business but the essence cannot be lost. I think it is very important!

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Continues from page 27

•Governor Lamido

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ighting corruption Again, he said we are fighting corruption, if we put Sule Lamido then I would be undermining my fight against corruption because he is still under investigation.

And these are issues that have not been determined in any law court and they are drawing conclusions that I’m guilty. Up till now nobody has said this is how much I have stolen.

Tukur was trying to collapse PDP, an institution which has huge history, which has huge vision for Nigeria

T

here were reports that you were set to emerge as the next vice-president of the country. Did you contemplate that?

That story was planted and I know who did it. And the story was aimed at destroying my reputation and in his folly; he thought he was promoting the vice president because he said Obasanjo went there to meet President Jonathan.

If you know OBJ you will know he is an extremely proud person.

There are some things he would not do. So they said he went to President Jonathan and begged him to put down Namadi and use me to replace him as a condition for support.

Then the writer brought in the killer line – said Jonathan is a good person saying “sorry sir, I can’t do it because Namadi has been a very loyal vice president.”

It presents President Jonathan as a fair person who has a lot of integrity, fair enough who also understands absolute loyalty.

,

The Director-General of SSS literarily shut down the Jigawa State Government for two weeks, picked up some bank managers that they must produce evidence against me because some journalists were showing their skills with some figures; from this account to that account, amidst some figures – tissues of lies which he was showing to the pressmen, so that I could be undermined and be smeared – my children have been caught with money in their accounts and all that.

So what that guy did was literally to destroy me. One, to promote his boss as a very loyal person; to me he is a wonderful vice president; he is very loyal. I have nothing against Namadi.

Nothing against him in my life!

But you could see how they are using me - to promote his boss by destroying me. That explains what they planted in the papers. And in any case, four days before the story was published I got the story.

Obasanjo did not meet Jonathan over anything. He has never met

Jonathan over any arrangement about me. Nothing like that happened.

W

hat was the truth about some 486 northerners recently arrested in Abia State and how could the issue have been handled to avoid the bad blood that shadowed the episode?

Remember three months earlier, there was an incident in Rivers State where three people were arrested.

On my part, I was speaking with the NSA and he was briefing me and I was briefing him about what was happening. So it was followed through the normal channel which is devoid of any particular emotion or sentiment so that we do not aggravate the problem of these people by introducing politics.

So it was resolved and they were released. People were saying they are Jigawa State indigenes, but there were people from Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano and Kaduna who were picked. So when some people were saying Jigawa, immediately I called the NSA. And from here, I called our National Assembly members, I said go to Abuja, you are members of the National Assembly, call your colleagues to look at the issue and from there go to see the Chief of Army Staff, because Hon. Shehu Adamu is the chairman, House Committee on Defence - go there and find out what is the problem because formerly we would have handled it politically but we wanted to take politics out of it.

Peoples’ lives were involved and the issue of security too, Boko Haram, so if you handle such issue with emotion – if you

introduce politics you may compound their problems. So they went there, they met the Chief of Army Staff, they discussed and he said ‘please give me some time.

We are sorry.’ He said there was a report and that after screening them, they would be released and they were released. But people said I should go and speak and I said how do I as a governor of my people exploit their predicament for political gains?

Who do I speak to, the Army or to the newspapers? I got some text messages from some people saying ‘sir, if you do so you would have some political advantage.’

People were saying so but I said ‘no’, it is utterly forbidden.

How do I exploit this issue to gain political advantage out of something which is very serious?

I can’t do that! The NSA and myself we have been talking, the rest of them that are still being held they would be screened further.

There is a procedure that must be followed. And I said, today in this country the Minister of Defense is a Northerner, the NSA is a Northerner, the IG is a Northerner, the vice president is a Northerner; can we be more Northern than these people? And therefore, when the issue is about security, we are talking of processes, isn’t it?

We must respect their offices and believe in their personal emotion and sentiments and that there is no way they will be there and see that Northerners are persecuted.

They wouldn’t do it. So we said no, we should not make anything out of this issue, it is not political. I think as leaders we must be very careful, we shouldn’t try to exploit everysituationforpoliticalgainsand that is why we refused to get into political exploitation of the matter.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 — 29

Old people who caused our problems 're solving them — Ozekhome Confab:

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HIEF Mike Ozekhome, an accomplished lawyer and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is one of the country’s foremost advocates of civil rights. In this exclusive interview, Ozekhome who is currently a delegate to the ongoing National Conference bares his mind on his experience in the hands of kidnappers, the issues at the conference among others. Excerpts:

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

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OW may you assess the conference so far?

My assessment of the conference is that so far, it has been a very laudable, huge success, more successful than many cynical and pessimistic Nigerians ever thought it could be.

Some people called it a mere talk shop that will not achieve anything. Some thought it was a presidential talk shop set to achieve certain ends by president Goodluck Jonathan.

There are great Nigerians at this conference; some of the very best you can expect from Nigeria, indeed the first eleven that you can ever get in any congress, in any parliament, in any National Assembly because most of them will never lend themselves to any election for any reason.

Some of them are septuagenarians.

Some octogenarians. Some are near nonagenarians. Some of them are youths, the youngest

contradiction. You say a person caused a problem then you want to solve the problem.

Why don’t you call the person who you have accused of causing that problem to come and help solve it and many of our elder statesmen here have actually confessed even the military generals have confessed to say yes, we are part and parcel of the problems we are having today.

But we are here to help find a solution.

You had an awful experience last year in the hands of kidnappers. Do you think that having state police would help to reduce criminality in the country?

Yes, it is going to help in no small measure. For example, the kidnappers who kidnapped me, I didn’t hear them speak my language. I didn’t even hear them speak Edo language. They were speaking other languages.

Perhaps, if we had state police that were manning that road and the kidnappers were aware that the people within that periphery

My assessment of the conference is that so far, it has been a very laudable, huge success, more successful than many cynical and pessimistic Nigerians ever thought it could be

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amongst us, barely 24 years old.

Some of them are living with disabilities, physically challenged. Some blind. Some lame.

Many of them are market women. Many of them are retired civil servants, elder states men, retired military, police personnel, business gurus that drive the society.

There is no way you would have gotten this first 11 Nigerians to conglomerate in one place if you were talking about having a National Assembly. It was not going to be possible at all.

But many are saying that this first 11 you say caused most of the problems of this country?

Very well. It takes a monkey to catch a monkey. In fact, it would have been a horrendous tragedy if those Nigerians believed to have caused the present problems were also not called upon to come and help us fix the problems.

It would have been a

going to have these problems?

In your own estimation, has the government been effective in the fight against terrorism?

My assessment of the government of the day is that it is doing its best within its present knowledge of terror and insurgency. Nigeria has never had serious terror, insurgency experience before. We have always had people who just demonstrate. So, when a bomb detonated at the parade ground in Abuja, everybody was shocked. Nigerians never prepared for terror. So, I think that Nigeria should support the government. Terror is not a picnic. All of us need to put our hands on deck. We should all put our hands together to fight terror, insurgency, kidnapping in Nigeria.

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will understand these languages, they probably would think otherwise.

When a crime is about to be committed, the locals who for now are derogatorily called vigilante groups are those who will understand the nuances, the predilection, idiosyncrasies, cultures and languages, dialects, religion, the behavioral tendencies even the body language of the people and they will be best to nib that crime in the bud before it forms.

They will blow the whistle immediately and the security agencies will swoop on them.

Take for example, if you post an indigene of Iviuekwe, near Agenegbode in Esako East local government of Edo state, where I was born, you post a man like that to Chibok to go and confront Boko Haram in Sambisa forest, he will need up to three months to even get used to the terrain, to even know how to go from Gwoza to Chibok, from there to Sambisa forest because he is not from that area.

•Ozekhome: There are great Nigerians at this conference He does not understand the local language and if even a crime is being planned, he will only hear them speaking either Hausa or Fulani or the local language.

Therefore, it is the local people that can best handle their own affairs because they know the father, grand and great grand father of the policeman who is on patrol on the road and if he wants to collect bribe from the person, he will tell, look I am going to report you to your father or uncle.

We are not saying that state or community police will totally wipe out crime, there is no where in the world that crime does not exist. Nobody is looking at a society where there is no crime at all but we are looking at a society where crime will be so

minimized that everyone can sleep with his two eyes closed.

Ethnic revolution

We need ethnic revolution in Nigeria to move away from where we are now, where wealth no matter how it comes is celebrated by 419ers, Kidnappers, murderers, Otokotos, high way robbers, armed robbers, by government thieves. And some people are decorated with national honors.

They are made to sit in the front pews in churches and front row of mosques and they are decorated with chieftaincy titles, with honorary doctorate degrees.

For as long as we continue to celebrate wealth without minding the source of that wealth; but for how long are we

Aren’t you exonerating the government as many Nigerians say has failed in that direction?

I am not exonerating the government. It is a very delicate situation when you have to balance human rights, civil rights of the people and tackling insurgency.

When Obasnjo went Odi and Zaki Ibiam, we blamed him. He was trying to fight what we regarded as terror. But people petitioned that this was genocide.

So, we must balance it in a way that attacking terror in these three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, you do not end up killing innocent citizens. It is a delicate balance. I am not in anyway exonerating the government.

Government itself should sit up, provide the most modern gadgets for espionage, for fighting terror. They should know now that terror is real.

They should not rob their hands and throw it in helplessness.

They should now get up and fight terror the way it should be fought, ruthlessly.

Nweke and the issues in Enugu East Senatorial seat

BY IKECHUKWU OGBODO

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INCE 1999 proper representation of the people at all levels of government especially National Assembly has been lacking.

As the 2015 general elections draw nearer, many are now jostling for various elective positions without stating who they are, where they are coming from and what they can do for the

people and the country at large.

It is of utmost importance that the track record of aspirants should be properly scrutinised before supporting such people in the elections.

The political parties should see themselves as channels for good governance that owe the nation a duty of producing the best materials for the good of the people.

This is major task before political parties and the people of Enugu East

senatorial district as the countdown to 2015 elections begin in earnest. Already, several political gladiators are posturing in the state to be granted legislative mandate to represent Enugu East zone in the senate, even when they are convinced that the shoe does not fit their sizes.

The cacophony of aspirants in Enugu East senatorial district is becoming more prominent. Among them is the outgoing Director General,

Continues on page 30

30 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

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HERE is no doubt that many patriotic Nigerians would prefer to engage themselves in argument on how Nigeria could attain greatness and maintain such to merit the appellation of the •gGiant of Africa•h bestowed on it by the benevolent foreign friends of the country. However, with the rebasing of the country‘s gross domestic products (GDP), it has become Africa‘s largest economy.

Nigerians, as expected are patriotic, selfassertive and hardworking under any circumstance, howbeit, precarious. They are always ready to unite, possibly, to overcome any challenge at anytime, in the name of patriotism and to the glory of the fatherland.

The good people of Nigeria, especially the sports loving ones stood solidly behind the Super Eagles in the on-going World Club Football tournament. The patriotic spirit was more evident in the mighty war against Argentina – a country defeated in 1994 to win an Olympic gold medal.

Since that loss, Argentina was believed to have vowed never to be beaten again at any level of football competition by Nigeria. This promise has been religiously kept at all cost and at every occasion. The country‘s Olympic Team lost the race for Gold to Argentina in the China Olympic games.

The case of Nigeria and Argentina is that instructive to the extent that it is possible to achieve success where there is determination. The present achievement of the Super Eagles has not surpassed that of 1998 when it reached the round of 16. Even when the problem with Argentina is well-known, there is little evidence of preparation and the will to conquer. The Super Eagles lost to Argentina by 2 goals to 1 in the present competition.

It is clear that Nigeria is not the only plural society in the world and also, not the only country practising a federal system under the concept of democracy.

Many other countries with similar problems (multi-ethnic and religious

Condition of the country:

Politics of confusion and instability groups) have recognized their peculiarities and managed to live together peacefully under suitable constitutions.

Australia and United States (USA) are examples of federal states with advantage of one language (English) and a common culture while Switzerland and Belgium are examples of different nations within a state, managing to live in peace and in prosperity.

It is realized that the ability of plural societies to live together in peace and prosperity could be traced to the maturity of the political class and the leadership to spot the danger, to examine it in depth, and fashion out the modality for its resolution. The old politicians and the ‘Five Majors‘ believed that tribalism was the country‘s main problem. The military coup of 1966 and the subsequent civil war proved to be wrong medicine for the ailment which was more fundamental.

Another doubtful pills of state creation which became the glorious exercise of the military dictators, proved ineffective.

States were created without traits of economic viability or ethnic compatibility.

It looks as if more economic problems have

been created, leading to political instability in many states of the federation.

The military dictators of the 1990s tried according to the level of their political sagacity and experience to give the country a federal Constitution in 1999 – though federal in name, but unitary in operation (based on military chain of comman). The states are made financially subservient to the federal authority through the monthly distribution of funds (emphatically called federally collected revenue). The funds represent about 70 per cent of the annual expenditure of several states. Infact, not many states could survive without this monthly subvention. Therefore, the constant talk about ‘True Federalism‘ under the present dispensation (Constitution) is sweet nonsense. That is also one of the problems the National Conference might not be able to solve unless there is a big change of attitude by the government and the people on the need for a new constitution.

It is necessary for the truth to be told, to be heard, properly chewed and totally digested. The ruling party and the Opposition are aware that true federalism

or the phrase, fiscal federalism, could not be feasible at the moment unless the present Constitution is amended or a new Constitution is fabricated. It is correct to say that the leaders of the ruling party and the Opposition are either presumably confused or outright deceivers or cheats.

The ruling party is engaged in trying to cling to power (in spite of non-performance in specific sectors), while the Opposition is trying to snatch power without significant differences in political and economic orientation The notable and perhaps lamentable lack of difference in the economic and political philosophy of both PDP and APC seem responsible for the easy cross-over of politicians from one party to the other – APC in the morning, Labour in the afternoon and PDP in the evening. The search for ideology and the frequent movement of our politicians from one party to the other seem to be based on one common factor – greed for power, prestige and money.

The main difference between the politically stable and prosperous countries and our own dear country is our inability to prevent danger and when it appears, the lack of initiative as a united body to exterminate it. In spite of the current problems of insecurity with innocent blood flowing ceaselessly, the current leaders are busy plotting for the rich rewards of 2015, apparently forgetting the doomsday forecast of the pessimist.

As for me, a country in the painful grip of insurgents, armed robbers and kidnappers should re-assess its strategy.

A country that produces abundant oil and gas and yet relies on imported refined petroleum products and pay subsidy on such products should subject its political leadership to psychiatric surveillance.

Why shouldn‘t our politicians forget the prospects of 2015 and make the present atmosphere peaceful and prosperous by presenting a common front?

The answer lies in the formation of a genuine national government.

Nweke and the issues in Enugu East Senatorial seat Continues from page 29 Nigeria Economic Summit Group, (NESG) and former minister for information, Mr. Frank Nweke (Jnr).

Ever since Nweke declared interest to run for the position, councillors from the area who saw him as the right man for the job and paid him solidarity visit have been suspended by those that see him as a threat to their ambitions. Even men of yesterday who did not do well are also intolerant of a new order as exemplified by Nweke.

Interestingly, Enugu East senatorial district is comprised of six local government councils made up of three Enugu metropolitan councils, and three rural council areas.

Winning elections in the senatorial district could be as challenging as interesting because the urban population is mainly non-natives. It is also remarkable that since 1999, no Senator has represented the zone twice in quick succession.

Mundane issues including clannish sentiments are being expressed.

They desperately chase political leadership of the zone, knowing that the zone will not produce governorship of Enugu state in the next eight years.

So who would rightly become the rallying point of the zone in post 2015?

Many believe Nweke undoubtedly fits into the shoe.

Nweke Jnr stands out distinctly as a

technocrat. He is said to be the new kid on the block, without blemish and with greater confidence.

As one with a wealth of experience drawn from the public and private sectors, he is expected to do well in legislation that will drive growth in

•Nweke: Wants to go to the Senate

government.

It is even said in some quarters that stakeholders in and outside the zone wanted him for governorship in 2007, but that he declined to pursue further studies that has now equipped him better for a national assignment. In 2011 also, he was tipped for Senatorial seat, but for some arguments then that he did not want to engulf himself in the fray, he stayed away.

Within and outside the zone, Nweke jnr is dear to the hearts of progressives and the grassroots. Many see his foray in the contest for the senatorial seat as a paradigm shift from the old order of godfatherism. His youthful exposition, exposure and intellectual prowess speak for him.

At the moment, he seems to be the man that will effectively represent Nkanu land. Today, an average Nkanu man sees Nweke jnr as one capable of attracting constituency projects, and drives grassroots development to the zone, if elected.

This is because he is not among those who see the senatorial seat as a retirement benefit or consolidation of a captured territory.

Nweke has always made it clear that his entry into the race is out of the burning desire to provide quality representation for his people at the Senate. Already so many groups, including Nkanu Peoples Forum have welcomed and endorsed Nweke’s

ambition. These groups made up of prominent people and the downtrodden in the zone have always argued that Nweke meets their criteria for the calibre of a senator required to represent them.

The groups were of the opinion that after thorough examination of Nkanu sons and daughters that have declared interest in the seat, they zeroed in on Nweke Jnr for his experience in national and international affairs, economic sagacity and cultural values of Nkanu clan.

A demographic and geographical statistics survey within the zone revealed that Nweke would not be a push over as the odds are likely to favour him. He is viewed as a detribalised Nigerian who has always got it right with whatever he sets out to do.

At this point, it is therefore instructive that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegates in Enugu east senatorial zone who will be electing candidate for the Senatorial position should live above boards to decipher that they will not be electing just a Senator for the zone, but a national player who has criss-crossed among the divides of the country. One of such men is no other person than Mr. Frank Nweke Jnr.

•Mr. Ogbodo, a public affairs manager lives in Enugu.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 — 31

TALE OF A PORT HARCOURT MAYOR TURNED MUSICIAN

Loss of my wife led me to music — Chimbuiko Akarolo

By JULIET EBIRIM

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ow do you combine two dissimilar worlds of music and politics? Perhaps, this is a question only Chimbuiko Akarolo, The Mayor of Portharcourt city could answer. Known as C-Strokes in the music industry, the Mayor has one album to his credit and he is rearing to conquer more in music and politics.

As a widower, with seven children to take care of, a city to run, politics to play and music to make, it seems the world of the Mayor is one big chaos but the man from a royal home in Portharcourt local government sees it as a life. In this interview with Weekend Groove, the Mayor shares his personal story, music, politics among other issues. Excerpts: What projects are you currently working on?

I just finished a production with the Morgan Heritage. We did a remix of one of my songs titled ‘It’s all about you’. It’s a gospel song. This is in view of my upcoming programme in December, African Music Festival (AMF). We want to start sensitizing people about the aim of this festival which is to donate and support children suffering from Malaria and pregnant women.

When and how did your singing career start?

The event of losing my wife led to my

coming out to do music. As a result of the loss, I needed to fill a vacuum and music became my first love. That was in 2011.

We also discovered that you are a political person, talk about your interest in politics?

I’m presently the Mayor of Portharcourt, I oversee the city called Portharcourt. But the Monica-CStrokes is associated with an NGO called Caroline Akarolo (CAF) and it’s basically to raise fund and support children and pregnant mothers, especially those of them who cannot take care of themselves.. Since, I’ve passed through that road , I should help out. When my wife died, I had the choice of taking her overseas, but I believed in our health system and it failed me. I began to imagine how many people were going through the same thing, If you are not comfortable financially and your wife gives birth to twins and then she dies, it is not an easy ordeal to experience. If you’re not working, how then do you sustain the children? There should be NGOs, the government can’t do everything. Since I have been blessed, I can extend my benevolence to others. My situation led me into using all that I have to assist others.

How are the kids managing without their mother?

They are doing very fine. A mother’s love is very wonderful, if you don’t have it, you don’t have it. It pains me so

Tiwa Savage BET Awards dress causes stir C M Y K

The music we listen to today is for physical exercise and is shallow in content, a lot of dancing and jumping. And after that, what next? I don’t belong to that era of music much that this is what I have to live with for the rest of my life. I also know they won’t understand what it is because they never had it. Fortunately I had both parents, I enjoyed the love of both my mother and father and they helped shapen me into who I am today.

But the kids just have only me doing that, to me, it’s a challenge. Though I’m enjoying it.

What are some of those challenges you face bringing up the kids alone?

I have seven children. I have two sets of twins and three boys. As a father, I remember waking up late at night and rushing off to the hospital at 1.00a.m.. I remember changing diapers. You come

My video is sexy, but tastefully done — Saeon

into the room and you perceive that childlike smell, it’s fun and wonderful.

Sometimes, this one has malaria and that one has sore throat, it gives me great joy nurturing them.

What genre of music do you do and why?

I do reggae. Reggae is for the body, soul and mind. Personally, anything that enables me meditate and contemplate, anything that strikes my inner being and challenges my thought is good music. But anything that only makes my body shake and sweat is not good enough for me. The music we listen to today is for physical exercise and is shallow in content, a lot of dancing and jumping. And after that, what next? I don’t belong to that era of music.

It is believed that reggae artistes are inspired by Bob Marley, hence the dreads and all...?

I’m inspired by Bob Marley’s songs, but I don’t do dreads. Reggae is a thing of the mind, it’s about the message and the instruments. You can decide to copy the person completely or you pick what’s important and discard the rest.

For me, the instruments and message is what’s important.

How many albums do you have?

I have one album. I had a single in 2012 and I released an album last year.

The single was dedicated to my late wife and the title is Asking for love. I had to ask God for love, I needed something to fill the void. The twelve

A case for goalline technology

track album is titled Reality, Love and Life.

Do you have plans to collaborate with other Nigerian artistes?

I’ve done some collaborations with Duncan Mighty and Sinclair. I have

Continues on page 34

32— Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

Oliseh defends sides over bonu

•Sunday Oliseh

•Onazi

Onazi: Lazio will not seek compensation from FIFA

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AZIO will not ask for damages from Fifa following the unfortunate injury to Nigeria international Eddy Onazi during the second half of the clash against France in Brasilia two days back.

The Legal Chief of the capital outfit, Gian Michele Gentile, has told the press in Italy that he has no mandate from the club to seek compensation from the governing body of football. “ I do not know anything, I had no appointment with the President. And one thing we never talked about it,”Gian Michele Gentile told Lalaziosiamonoi.it.

Assuming the leadership of the Biancocelesti had pressed for damages from Fifa, the club would have claimed a maximum amount of 15,000 Euros, which is a percentage of the salary the midfielder earns at the Italian side.

FIFA: No evidence of Cameroon fixing

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IFA says they are yet to receive any evidence of alleged match-fixing involving Cameroon during the World Cup in Brazil.

The Indomitable Lions were dumped out of the group stages of this year’s tournament after three successive defeats in Group A, yet the country’s football federation is set to look into possible fraudulent activity in their World Cup campaign, particularly their 4-0 loss to Croatia.

Fecafoot, the Cameroonian football association, released a statement saying the C M Y K

player’s actions on the field do not reflect the principles of their federation, who will investigate any irregular activity which took place in Brazil.

The claims come after convicted fraudster Wilson Raj Perumal correctly predicted the result in Cameroon’s 4-0 loss to Croatia, as well as accurately forecasting the fact that a player would be sent off in the first half.

He has since denied making those claims, and FIFA has now requested that German magazine Der Spiegel come forward with evidence.

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X-NIGERIA International Sunday Oliseh has defended Africa Players conduct over bonuses at the 2014 World cup in Brazil.

Cameroon,Ghana and Nigeria all had issues with their players over appearance fees and bonuses during the tournament.

However, Oliseh believes the row is not enough to judge them as non committal to their national team course due to their unique cultural background,and their financial responsibilities stretch far beyond their own ends.

“I would refute the suggestion that African players are not as committed, in fact I’d say they are more committed, When you look at the responsibilities African players have to carry, the culture is a familiar one.

It’s built around families.

“If you are earning 100 Euros, it’s not just for your wife and kids, it’s for your wife, kids, brother, cousin, aunt, sister and sister ’s brother.

School fees for this and that. In one kind of way, we are drained. But it’s a drainage we accept and do not complain about.

“So when African players come to the World Cup, it’s not all about money, it’s because of the fact that most of them have (been made) certain promises and these promises have not been fulfilled. It’s very easy to apportion blame but it’s a general thing because the situation is different. My mailbox is full with questions about this issue.”

The former Super Eagles captain who had 63 caps for Nigeria and is now a member of the FIFA technical group at the ongoing World cup feels an African team can win the World cup if on field issues are addressed properly.

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HE United States’ “unprecedented” and “staggering” appetite for football could see them bid to host the 2026 World Cup, according to Fifa bosses.

The Americans were knocked out of the 2014 World Cup by Belgium on Tuesday.

However, the level of support for Jurgen Klinsmann’s team has been remarkable, with US president Barack Obama among those tweeting support.

USA to bid f The USA has only hosted the World Cup on one occasion, in 1994 It was the highest attended in World Cup history with average attendances of nearly 69,000 Singer Diana Ross was the highlight of the opening ceremony, for failing to kick a football into an open goal from 12 yards Brazil beat Italy on penalties in the final, with

the pon Baggio spot kic “There work wi Fifa s Jerome Speak newspa added: United S The unprece the NBA

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 — 33

s African us row

World Cup: Shakira to sing at closing ceremony C OLOMBIAN pop star Shakira will perform at this year ’s World Cup closing ceremony, which takes place before the final in Rio de Janeiro on 13 July.

The singer will perform La La La (Brazil 2014) at the Maracana stadium.

It is her third consecutive appearance at a World Cup closing ceremony, after performing in South Africa in 2010 and in Germany in 2006.

Shakira, whose home team Colombia will face Brazil in the quarterfinals, said she was “thrilled” to be performing.

“I have an intricate relationship with football for obvious reasons, and I truly understand what the World Cup means to so many people, myself included,” the singer said in a statement.

“The fans have shown the most incredible support for this song and I can’t wait to perform it for them.”

•Jennifer Lopez Pitbull and Claudia Leitte team up during the opening ceremony of World Cup Brazil 2014 (Insert) Shakira

Ghana to have pre-World Cup contracts SPORTSMANSHIP . . . France’s coach Didier Deschamps (R) shakeshands with Super Eagles’ goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama at the end of their round of 16 match of the Brazil 2914 World Cup at the Mane Garrincha National Stadium in Brasilia.

Photo: AFP

for 2026 tournament

ny-tailed Roberto blasting the crucial k over the bar e is a commitment to ith US Soccer,” said ecretary general Valcke. king to Brazil aper Globo, Valcke “What we see in the States is staggering. audience is edented, more than A.

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HANA will have contracts with players at future international tournaments to avoid the problems encountered at the 2014 World Cup over bonus payments.

The players took strike action because they had not been paid prior to Brazil 2014, resulting in $3m (£1.74m) in cash flown out to appease the squad.

The country ’s football association said it would revert to “signed agreements” and bank transfers for bonuses.

Ghana failed to qualify from the group stage in Brazil.

Meanwhile, coach Kwesi Appiah has revealed he is to introduce a tougher code of conduct for the national team’s players

following events at this year ’s tournament.

Appiah sent Sulley Muntari and KevinPrince Boateng home early from the tournament in Brazil for physical and verbal assaults respectively.

Star’s trip to Brazil winners relish Samba experience

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INNERS of the Star-Trip-To-Brazil national consumer promotion, organised by Star lager beer, are currently relishing their experiences in the South American country. The ‘Star ’ team comprises: Udoh Emmanuel,

Timothy Victor, Nora Mba, Samson Emegbhara, Segun Apata, Chidiebere Ningwe, Agaku Kelvin Terkaa, Zakky Onyebuchi, James Maxwell, Sunday Dike and Oboh Tobechukwu Chukwuma.

Obama praises US football team

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RESIDENT Obama has praised the efforts of the US football team in the World Cup in a phone call to two of its star players.

Despite the US being

eliminated from the tournament by Belgium, Mr Obama told goalkeeper Tim Howard and team captain Clint Dempsey they had made the nation proud.

“To see the way you guys captured the hearts and the imaginations of the whole country is unbelievable. What you guys accomplished is really, really significant” C M Y K

34 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

Loss of my wife led me to music Continues from Page 31 also done a collabo with an international act, Mojo Morgan of the Morgan Heritage, which will be released soon.

It’s a remix of one of my songs. We did the collaboration because of the performance coming up in December.

When he read my story online, he contacted me and came to Nigeria, saying he has never seen a politician doing what I do. When he discovered I write my songs after going through all my tracks, he said I sounded like a professional in the music industry.

You alluded to a performance coming up in December, can you throw more light on that?

It’s the African Music Festival, a lot of artistes both local and international will be coming to perform. We hope to hold it in Lagos and Portharcourt. All donations will go to children, pregnant women and treatment of malaria. We are doing this in conjunction with the United Nations and we’re still talking with the Lagos State Government.

Being a politician and an artiste exposes one to lots of women, coupled with the fact that you’re a widower, when do you hope to remarry?

I’ve been like this for three years and it’s been challenging. I used to go home to my lovely wife after the day’s work, but now you go home and the children are running up and down, shouting and they all want to talk to you at the same time, because they have things to tell you. Those things your wife would have attended to. They want to share their experiences with you, the girls just want to be all over you. It relaxes me, but I think they need a mother. I’ve realised that it’s important, they must have an idol. The boys and the girls, there are things that I can’t tell my daughters.

I’ve been on my knees asking God to give me a friend. I need a friend that’ll be my wife. I don’t need a wife that will not be my friend.

What are your plans beyond being the Mayor of Portharcourt?

By God’s grace, if the people want me back, I’ll go back as Mayor. Then after that, I’ll ask God, what next?.

Are you nursing the ambition for a second

term in office?

Second term is something the people will let me know about. If you nurse an ambition and the people do not want you, you end up resorting to rigging.

Sincerely, the people will have to tell me if they want me to go back for another tenure. Only bad leaders don’t know when their time is up.

What’s the job of a mayor?

It’s just like the local government chairman. The mayor status was given to the city a long time ago when it obtained the city status after Lagos in 1949. Not all cities in Nigeria have that status, it functions as the local government chairman,. The only advantage it has is that, it’s the capital and it comes with a lot of powers.

Now that you do music, do you also have plans to do other kinds of entertainment?

I don’t think I have the strength or time to do that. But if I’m out of office, and my heart says I should go full time into production or entertainment, why not?.

Do you have any plans for the youths musically?

Under C-Strokes, the foundation is looking at ways of assisting upcoming artistes in order for them to achieve stardom using the platform. I realised that there are lots of artistes out there, who need a platform to thrive, but don’t have the opportunity.

Have you always known you’ll go into music?

It was something my late wife knew, but I stayed away from it because of my background. My father made sure I left it, but it was in me. Before I married my wife, she knew I could play the keyboard and sing. The pressure from my parents stopped me from hanging around musicians. My wife’s transition and the fact that few weeks before she died, she encouraged me to go back to music for the kids alone, so that I can impart it on them,led me to do music.

She wanted me to teach the children how to play musical instruments.

Why were your parents against you doing music?

They weren’t against it. They felt I needed to be properly guided and that I had to acquire education first, before anything. My father being a teacher, didn’t see music giving me the foundation to sustain my life.

Briefly talk about your family and educational background?

I come from a royal home in Portharcourt local government. I’m the second son and we are nine children. My parents are late. My parents were teachers. I had my primary education at Portharcourt Primary School, secondary education at Government Comprehensive High School in Portharcourt. I had my university education at the University of Calabar, where I had my first degree in Regional Planning and a Masters in Environmental Management from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology.

Make-up in movies can be better – Vanessa Odofin

•Vanessa Odofin

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ROFESSIONAL makeup ar tiste and beauty expert, Vanessa Odofin has said that make up in most Nollywood movies do not portray the characters suitably enough for the roles they play. According to her, makeup artistes in the movie industry need to be professionally trained in order to deliver world class services that will better portray characters in ways they should be.

Vanessa Odofin, who has trained over one thousand makeup artists in Nigeria and abroad, believes that a touch of professionalism

would go a long way in upgrading the standard of our makeup artists and in turn impact the movie industry positively. Speaking: “It is the job of a makeup artist to convey believability for instance in the transition of a teenager to an adult in a movie without changing the character and this I believe our Nollywood practitioners are not doing enough, though there are some exceptions to the rule.”

Vanessa runs Vanadale Beauty Company, a makeup and training outfit in Lagos that has done make up for top celebrities like Tuface, Monalisa Chinda and Mercy Johnson.

Coke Studio Africa returns with eight Nigerian music stars F

•Chidinma

OLLOWING the successful launch of Season 1 of Coke Studio Africa last year, non-alcoholic beverage giant, Coca-Cola Nigeria has released the names of the performing artistes that will feature in Coke Studio Africa Season 2 which will air in September. Eight Nigerian music stars – Olamide, Omawumi, Burna Boy, Flavour, Phyno, Iyanya, Chidinma and Sheyi Shay will feature on the show for the first time, together with Waje from the last season, they will be joining an equally exciting line up of stars from across Africa.

According to Olufemi Ashipa, Brand Manager, Colas for Coca-Cola Nigeria, the selection of these artistes for the 2014 edition was spurred by consumers’ request. “We decided to feature these artistes because they are currently the rave of the moment in the Nigerian entertainment industry.”

Coke Studio Season 2 will showcase collaborations by over 13 leading music artistes from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania as well as Mozambique which has just joined the bandwagon to create a modern and authentic African sound through intercultural musical fusion.

Season 1 of Coke Studio featured a lineup of African artistes including legendary King Sunny Ade, MI, Waje, Jimmy Jatt and Bez from Nigeria; Salif Keita from Mali; Octopizzo, Miss Karun and Just a Band from Kenya; Hip Hop Pantsula and Tumi from South Africa; Boddhi Satva from the Central African Republic; Diamond Platinumz, Lady Jaydee and the Culture Music Club from Tanzania; Joel Sebunjo, Qwela and Lillian Mbabazi from Uganda.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 — 35

Tope Osoba gives Alex Ekubo first Yoruba movie role

Omoni Oboli’s Being Mrs Elliot gets 11 NAFCA nominations A

Actress in a Lead Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, and Best Director categories making it the movie with the highest nominations.

According to the producer of the movie, who was also nominated in two categories, Omoni Oboli said “getting 11 nominations at the NAFCA is a big boost to the movie considering the fact that it is my first movie, perhaps my New York Film Academy education is paying off. It goes to show that people are aware of what we do and appreciate us. The 11 nomination is a big deal for me; let’s hope we come home with the 11 awards.”

fter an impressive opening at the Nollywood Week in Paris, France a few weeks ago Being Mrs Elliot (BME), the highly anticipated first movie from Omoni Oboli, gets 11 nominations at the Nollywood and African Film Critics’ Awards (NAFCA) in California, USA. The organiser of the award made the list of the nomination public this week. BME tops the nomination list with 11 mentions. The nomination list contains several movies from across Africa and a sizeable representation from Hollywood in its Foreign Film category.

Other movies with sizable nominations are Half of a yellow Sun, Last Flight to Abuja, Stripped.

The movie got nominations In the Best Film, Best Drama, Best Comedy, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Costume, Best Actor in a Lead Role, Best

Tiwa Savage BET Awards dress causes

stir

BY KEHINDE AJOSE

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hat Tiwa Savage is talented and sexy is no longer a matter to be debated, the fact is always staring us in the eyes, that is, if she is not throwing it at us herself. It has become like an open gift, all in the public glare to see.

These days she uses every opportunity to flaunt her sexiness.

At the recently held 2014 BET Awards where Tiwa was nominated in the ‘Best International Act’ category, she was clad in a navy blue dress with a completely sheer upper body. The Eminado crooner who has been criticized for her ‘Wanted’ video finished off her look with gold ear-rings.

She has also been condemned by showbiz buffs and fashion enthusiasts for wearing the revealing outfit.

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eductively beautiful Yoruba actress, Tope Osoba who made a big hit in Igboro Ti Daru and Gucci Girls has given Englishspeaking Nollywood star, Alex Ekubo his first Yoruba movie role.

Tope Starred Alex in Ifedapo, her second self produced film.

According to Tope, the movie is all about love and when love is not all that matters. Ifedolapo is a story

of a young beautiful couple, Richard, a medical doctor and Ife, his jealous wife, whose obsession and insecurity knows no bounds.

Other stars Tope cast in the movie include Jaiye Kuti, Allwell Ademola, Regina Chukwu, Mistura Asuramu, and Tope Osoba herself among many others. The movie, which has been wrapped up for post-production process is directed by Wale Ilebiyi and writen by Allwell Ademola.

Wizkid keeps Draya Michelle’s backside picture as souvenir

BY KEHINDE AJOSE

T

he self proclaimed Star Boy Ayo Balogun popularly known as Wizkid who also graced the BET awards has something to keep for the memories.

While his biggest rival Davido had to keep the coveted award of ‘Best International Act’, it would seem what Wizkid could come away with is the irresitble picture of Draya Michelle, who came strutting the red carpet, flaunting a sexy

backside.

The ‘Holla at Your Boy’ sensation posted the picture of the actress on his Instagram page with him and his friends gloating

over her sexy backside. ”I just had to do it.”

Wizkid captioned the photo. Draya Michelle is famous for her role in Basketball Wives L.A

36

— Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

5 years of building young traffic safety ambassadors in Lagos on course As pupils, parents hail initiative

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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C M Y K

Building safety ambassadors... but the entire participants in the programme to be strong advocates and good ambassadors of safe driving, and proper road conduct, even among the adults.

Traffic Safety Clubs are conceived as extra-curricular clubs where games such as the Road-User-Friendly (RUF), are learned and played. RUF is structured in a monopoly-like format to help children learn, appreciate and get better understanding of traffic rules and regulations. There is also the ‘Traffic Safety Children on Patrol,’ which is an aspect of the first component where school children embark on enlightenment campaigns on specific school days and carry out road safety advocacy at motor parks and bus stops.

Another critical component is the Safe Traffic Area Round Schools (STARS) Project. This resource centre, also known as the Safety Lab is located within school premises where children can learn basic principles of traffic safety in relaxed, yet educationally conducive environment.

These traffic safety labs are fitted with simulated traffic lights, signs and symbols, Zebra Crossings and a RUF game board. The third component is the School Bus Driver Safety Training programme. It involves

essentially, retraining for school bus drivers, especially on evolving traffic safety measures on the roads.

The statewide annual BRF Competition for primary and secondary schools is the last of the critical elements of L ASTSAP. It is a contest designed to further engage the younger members of the society as change agents of traffic safety advocacy in Lagos State. Activities are designed to involve all key

increase in the number of participants - from less than Three-Hundred Children at the inaugural edition to over eight thousand participants in the 2013 competition.

Adoption of LASTSAP by the Lagos State Government, two years ahead of the Launch of United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety has also made Lagos, a leading vanguard in safety and traffic advocacy campaign. The Global body had canvassed

,

opular saying states: “You test the morality of a society by what it does to its children.” About five years ago, precisely, February 24th, 2009, Governor Babatunde Fashola launched the Lagos State School Traffic Safety Advocacy Programme, LASTSAP, at the indoor sports hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere Local Government Area.

Be-Road-Friendly, BRF, competition, which represents one of the four components of LASTSAP, a “Catch Them Young’ initiative, was designed with the primary aim of imbuing in the children traffic safety values that they may be informed, safe and responsible road users; with a resultant effect of the children being agents of change and the voice of communication within their families and communities.

18 year-old, Master Victor Oyedeji, a 300 Level undergraduate student of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, in 2009, emerged as the first place winner of the inaugural edition of BRF, competition. Then, he was a Senior Secondary 2 student of Keke Senior High School, Ifako-Ijaiye.

As winner of the competition in 2009, Victor had travelled to London with five others who excelled in the competition. It was a dream comes true for him and his colleagues in London to as they visited several places, one of which includes the UK Department of Transport Studies where he and his colleagues leant useful lessons on traffic safety and how to move the transportation industry in Lagos forward.

Busari Adams, another winner of the competition commended the government for giving him the opportunity to travel abroad.

LASTSAP’s an advocacy programme which aimed at nurturing and deepening knowledge of road safety regulations among school children remains a model which has in no small ways, helped not just the winners,

Looking back over the last five years, it will be appropriate to say that LASTSAP is on a steady leap as the final destination of enhanced and developed traffic safety culture is nearer now, than it was five years ago

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players in child’s development- the family, school, peers as well as local communities.

Five years of LASTSAP has witnessed the exceptional growth of functional Traffic Safety clubs in schools from about 100 clubs in 2009 to over 1,000 as at 2013. Traffic Safety Labs have been established in over 70 schools across the six educational districts and Local Education Authorities in Lagos State. The programme has also witnessed great

the introduction of advocacy of traffic and road safety education to the future generation, which are the children, as a critical integral of the Action Plan and Lagos State initiated this crusade two years before the UN Resolution.

According to Fashola, the LASTSAP represented a potent tool in building the infrastructure of the mind.

“Getting the mind of the people ready is the hardest

job any government can have. It is the toughest to build. It is persuasion and consensus building that it is possible, let us do it,” he said, adding that the children were sending a message about the responsibility on the roads which was the aim of the government in bringing about the programme.

“For the past five years, the participants at the various yearly editions have told the old ones to act more responsibly by putting on their seat belts, using pedestrian footbridges and control speeding,” he said.

“This message has already been internalized by the children and it is for you and I to listen more to them and learn from what they already know. This is the face of the Lagos educational policy where children of all beliefs are bound by one common cause by building strength from their diversity and that the state is committed to improving education by starting with the children,” he added.

According to Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Kayode Opeifa, LASTSAP, was all about the future generation of the state and the nation and how they could be change agents, adding that in another year, when the governor looked back, he should be able to say thank God, he initiated the programme five years ago, because of the gains that had been made from the yearly competition.

“Looking back over the last five years, it will be appropriate to say that LASTSAP is on a steady leap as the final destination of enhanced and developed traffic safety culture is nearer now, than it was five years ago.”Opeifa stated.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

Women boost child learning with freebies

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LAGOS POWER KIDS 2014 AWARD CEREMONY IN PICTURES

BY JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA

T

O frustrate ploy by insurgents against child education in the country, the National Governing Body of International Inner Wheel-IIW, a worldwide women's group, has engaged in mass distribution of school bags and exciting learning aids to children.

The project which has so far taken the group to Ibadan and Ebonyi was recently duplicated at the St.Francis Nursery/ Primary School at Maryland, Lagos, where the group spent hours encouraging the children on the need to embrace literacy and not be disenchanted about education due to the recent spate of kidnapping of school children such as the infamous abduction of Chibok school girls.

Speaking with Vanguard at the event which featured a peaceful protest over the prolonged abduction of the Chibok school girls, Ifeyinwa Ndefo, outgoing National Representative/ President, National Governing Body, International InnerWheel, said the project was also in line with one of the group's on-going three-year social project tagged 'Happier Future'.

"As a women organisation, it is our duty to look after our future,

Members of the International Inner Wheel with the pupils while showing-off their new school bags

which is the younger generation. If we support them with getting education, we know Nigeria will be a better place tomorrow", Ifeyinwa explained.

The group was received by the Head Teacher, St.Francis Nursery/ Primary School, Mr.Makinde Micheal Idowu, who commended them for the gesture which he described as unique, owing to the time spent with the children despite heavy rainfall.

Mrs.Doyin AbiodunOredein, IIW Board Director, and Mrs.Lanre Olomofe-Kufeji, Chairman, IIW District 911, reinstated the group's commitment towards making sure every child of school age went to school.

"We are working hard and praying to make sure children are educated in Nigeria because we stand the risk of having illiterates as leaders in the future if they are not educated. We want our

children to be able to hold and defend this country when we are gone. This gesture is designed to be a source of inspiration to the children because having new bags and adequate writing materials will make them eager to learn", the duo said.

Speaking further on the motive behind the gesture, Mrs.Ajadi Osenike, newly-installed National Representative, IIW, said the International Inner Wheel is one of the largest women voluntary service organisations in the world whose focus is doggedly on women, children, vulnerable groups and widows.

The event which also featured the distribution of empowerment items such as sewing machines, hair dryers, refrigerators and cash to widows, and also to a Lagos State-owned rehabilitation centre, was well attended by members of IIW District 911, 913 and 914.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State (3rd right); Mrs. Ajoke Orelope-Adefulire, Dep. Governor (middle); Engr. Taofiq Tijani, Commissioner for Energy & Mineral Resources (2nd right), Mrs Damilola Ogunbiyi, GM (LSEB), and Artist, Ice Prince at the Power Kids 2014, award ceremony.

Miss.

Bamidele Titilope newly crowned winner of the Lagos Power Kids Programme 2014.

PIN partners Microsoft: Provides free training and support to NGOs

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

O

ver 70 nongovernmental organizations have benefited from the free ICT training, networking and information sharing event tagged ‘MICROSOFT NGO CONNECTION DAY. According to Tope Ogundipe, COO Paradigm Initiative Nigeria; “The NGO space is changing as everything else. NGOs need to be equipped with the applicable technologies required to make their work relevant and effective in the 21st century. Microsoft NGO C M Y K

Connection Day provides free training and support to NGOs based on the Microsoft Digital Literacy Standard Curriculum.

The training curriculum also covers Internet Safety and Security, Social Media Tools and We b s i t e / B l o g Development and Management.” She said.

The event also featured presentations by David Barnard, Vice President Africa; TechSoup Gobal, Korede Asuni from TechLooms South Africa, Ugo Nwosu, Rockefeller S t a k e h o l d e r Development Officer, Nigeria and Ghana;

and Antony Cook, General Counsel Microsoft, Middle East and Africa.

“The sessions were very engaging and from feedback, the participants f o u n d the event quite beneficial.

I found all the sessions very help especially the training on the use of Social Media Tools.” says Stephen Adebisi of Leap Africa. The training was held to enlighten and inspire n o n - p r o f i t organizations as they continue in their work to solve problems in the community through various innovative ideas.

From left: Mrs. Yewande Olagbende (Programme Coordinator), Lagos Power Kids Programme; Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi, GM), Lagos State Electricity Board(LSEB),the 2014 Power Kid, Miss.

Bamidele Titilope of Ijaiye Ojokoro Junior High School, Ifako Ijaiye and Gov. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) at the ceremony.

Students of Imoye Junior High School, Amuwo-Odofin, celebrating their award.

38—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

Dangote blesses D’Banj’s Koko Garri

BY KEHINDE AJOSE

I

t is no news that Dbanj has been frolicking with the high and mighty pushing his ‘Koko Garri’ and establishing himself as an entrepreneur.

He has taken his Midas touch beyond the music terrain to the agriculture sector .He recently posted a picture of himself with Aliko Dangote where the serial entrepreneur and Africa’s richest man endorses his ‘Koko Garri’.

Dbanj puts it this way:’ From the godfather of Agriculture, it’s an honour to have you as a mentor. Thanks for blessing my ‘Koko Garri”

Biodun Okeowo features in star-studded Yoruba film

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exy Yoruba actress, Biodun Okeowo is known as Her Sexcellency or Hips Don’t Lie. These are two aliases she got on account of her luscious figure and captivating beauty. She is also known as Tolani Oshirin, a name she had from the movie Tolani Oshirin, that brought her fame.

She is one of the most popular Yoruba actresses out there now and she has more than her top-draw talent to drive movie watchers to her films.

The sexy actress has just featured in a movie titled Adeda alongside other Yoruba top actors like Jide Kosoko, Saidi Balogun, Funsho Adeolu, Allwell Ademola, Jibola Pasuma and many others.

Adeda, is a story of love, friendship, betrayal and pains of losing a beloved.

It is writen and produced by Allwell Ademola and directed by Saidi Balogun.

Egere Great, Ekeh Samuel win big at GCGT

By ANOZIE EGOLE

My video is sexy, but tastefully done —Saeon

BY KEHINDE AJOSE

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eun Oni popularly known as Saeon, signed on to Baseline Records has said people need not worry over her video which many have seen as sexy.

The video of her dance track: ’Boogie Down’ featuring Wizkid has become one of the most played videos gracing the airways .In a chat with Weekend Groove she opens up on the video concept and why she featured Wizkid.

“My video is sexy but tastefully done, there hasn’t been any undue exposure of any sort. I would like to commend the NBC for their effort in trying to bring stability into the industry, however the video is a burlesque video; a 1920/ 1930’s mixed with modern day realities.

T h e video was tastefully done, I don’t considered it as too sexy.

However it is a burlesque video so you would definitely expect that there would be burlesque outfits, concepts and yes, I expect everyone to have fun while watching the video because it is an amazing video” she said She also commends Wizlid :’ In the short time that I have known Wizkid I have seen that he is an amazing and talented artiste but what really makes me appreciate him more is the fact that he has amazing work ethics despite his busy schedule he is able to deliver time and time again. And the reason for collaboration with him is to tap into the positives of each other ”.

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ancing duo, Egere Great and Ekeh Samuel recently emerged as one of the winners of up to N22m at the grand finale of RCGG Apapa family’s sponsored, God’s Children Got Talent. Great and Samuel won in the ages 16-19 category of the competition.

GCGT, has over the past six months conducted several auditions, in over1000 parishes in Nigeria, UK and, US in order to get to the grand finale. The scope of talents included musical

instruments, drawing, singing and dancing. Presenting the final prize to the dancing duo, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade; Head of Apapa family said, “The contest was born out of a desire to identify and nurture the diverse talents available in children across the Province”. “We are delighted that multinational brands such as Cadbury, first bank, first Trustees and others have

identified with this project”.

The event which had ministrations from popular Gospel act Frank Edwards and singing sensation Nneka also had foremost music and media personalities as judges.

Judges at the grand finale included Joke Silva, Sir Emeka Nwokedi, Wole Oni, Nikki Laoye and Femi.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014—39 With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com 08050498513

Hipe gives users 99 seconds to respond

BY LAJU ARENYEKA ‘GOAL!!!’ This word, or its equivalent in French must have been on the lips of Nigeria’s opponents just before that save from Victor Moses at the Eagles’ last world cup game in Brazil. Even Nigerian fans were worried that the ball had crossed the goal line just before the Eagles’ number 11 mid-fielder kicked the ball away from the net.

Goal line technology allayed these fears.

Although Nigeria did not make it to the top eight in the world cup, we at least lost 2:0, instead of what might have been a three goal difference thanks to this glamourous-tech!

So, what exactly does goalline technology entail? Goalline technology is a method used to determine when the ball has completely crossed the goal line with the assistance of electronic devices. When it comes to the grey areas as in the Nigeria vs. France match, it assists the referee in his decision making. The GLT must provide a clear indication as to whether the ball has fully crossed the line, and this information will serve to assist the referee in taking his final decision.

On 5 July 2012, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) officially approved the use of goal line technology. The two systems approved in principle were involved in test phase 2: Goal-

I

No goal...GLT validates Moses’ save

A case for goal-line technology

Ref and Hawk-Eye. Hawk-Eye is the system already employed by other sports such as tennis and cricket, and is currently being used for the 2014 World Cup. It uses a network of high-speed video cameras to track a ball’s position at a given time via triangulation. The trial set to take place in the Premier League will use seven cameras placed around the stadium. Knowing the ball’s position, Hawk-Eye can tell when it has crossed the goalmouth, and the software alerts the match officials via a radio transmission to the referee’s watch.

The Goalref system, has been tested in the Danish Superliga and at the 2012 Club World Cup, makes use of electromagnetic induction.A passive electronic circuit is embedded into the ball between the leather outer layer and the inflatable centre. An electromagnetic field is created in the goalmouth and its strength monitored by computer. When the circuit in the ball crosses the goal line, the electromagnetic field changes, and the computer automatically notifies the referee, again by a radio signal transmitted to his or her watch.

Technology like this sure makes you want to go back to the 2010 African Cup of Nations and claim our rightful goal from Cameroon.

Fresh troubles for facebook

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t seems that Facebook used its over 700,000 users for an experiment without ‘our ’ permission, and subscribers around the world are not happy about this! What is now raising eyebrows is a recent publication of a study for which the company manipulated the News Feeds of nearly 700,000 subscribers.

The study concluded that negative messages on social networks make people sad, and positive ones make them happy. Facebook also discovered that those feelings can spread through a social network to third parties.

But how exactly does one measure ‘feelings?’ International media gathered that‘Nearly 690,000 subscribers to the English-language version of the social network were selected randomly as guinea pigs without their knowledge, and divided into two groups. One group had some negative posts omitted from their News Feeds, while the other had some positive posts cut out.’

The experiments were con-

ducted between January 11 and 18 in 2012.

Led by Adam Kramer of Facebook's Core Data Science team, which was heavily involved in the research, the study was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, or PNAS. The researchers, in response to the outcry, which in turn have been criticized as being dismissive of the issues raised.The experiment “ma-

nipulated the extent to which people were exposed to emotional expressions in their News Feed,” the published paper statescontended that no text was seen by the researchers and that the project therefore was compliant with Facebook’s Data Use Policy, to which all users must agree as a prerequisite to creating a Facebook account. Agreement to the policy constitutes informed consent for the research, they argued.

T could sometimes be frustrating when you send someone a message and it takes them forever to reply. In times like that, you wished they could just give you a quick answer or let you know when they’d be free to give you a lengthy one.

A new mobile messaging app called Hipe, which lets users share images, videos, or image overlays and a short amount of text, has introduced a solution to this sometimes frustrating problem. In Hipe, friends only have 99 seconds to respond to a message after reading it, or otherwise the content disappears and the conversation is gone.

The app designers say the feature is meant to help reduce the “awkward silences” that occur when you’re having these sorts of digital conversations. As one tech writer put it, “Of course, that’s not entirely true, as Hipe is only shifting the awkward silence from the middle of the conversation to the beginning – that is, users who don’t have time to respond will likely just leave the message sitting there unread until they’re able to chat.

Still, it’s an interesting trick in a crowded mobile messaging and social networking market where even companies like Facebook are now leveraging psychological “hacks” to keep users engaged.”

Company representative, Ekaterina Gogoladze told international media: “Hipe can not only help you to increase the number of openings, but it makes it easier to start the conversation and answer your friends,” The new Hipe app soft-launched in February, and grew its user base to 30,000 in the months since, despite having not yet made a formal announcement about its debut. Today, the messaging app sees weekly retention rates over 50% and the team says it’s currently focused on growing that audience further.

Hipe is free for download on iTunes and Google Play.

40— VANGUARD,

FRIDAY, JULY 4,, 2014

Etiquette of Ramadan fasting

BY HARUN RAZAQ

A

Relishing the blessings of Ramadan

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HERE has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month which Allah has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is a night which is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.

There is no other time to purify your soul than now. Almighty Allah has offered us another opportunity to be alive to witness another glorious month, Ramadan.

Alhamdullilah. Not all those who prayed for it got it. Within the last twelve months, innumerable souls have gone to the great beyound, so many who had wished and prepared for the month could not have the grace to witness it.

Some witnessed the begining of the month but are no more today. Some though not dead but in critical conditions without the consciousness of observing the first Ramadan. Of course, we are not any better, we are rather specially blessed by Allah (SWT). Alhamdullilah.

At this point, the purity of one’s soul is

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...let us all focus on the lasting transformation of our hearts and souls

very essential in achieving the best of this month. It is better we plan and work in such a way that our personality and whole lives will be better for it at the end of the month.

The beauty is that if we are able to achieve it, it will ultimately help to regulate what we do for the rest of the year.

Yes! We want to abstain from food and drink for 29 or 30 days as Allah commanded, but the inner dimension of the fast is necessary so as to reap fully the benefits of the blessed month.

Some of the ways to keep it away from contamination is to forgive those who have wronged you, be good to others. Seek forgiveness from Allah, show kindness and compassion to others, shun bad acts and free your soul from the grip of Shaytan, cleanse the soul of iniquities, evil thoughts, malice, backbiting, hatred and other bad acts.

Naturally, the two forces that usually inhibit us from doing good, are Shaytan and our nafs. (our inner self)

Purifying our souls The Prophet (s.a.w) said that Shaytan is chained during the month of Ramadan; that leaves us with our own souls. Therefore, we need to work on purifying our souls so that it will be in concert with the activities of the month. Evaluate your nafs, or inner self, discover those things you have done wrong and repent never to do them again.

This is important because, fasting without the purification of the inner soul will not produce the fully reward.

Let us for once reminds ourselves that there is more to life than physical and material joy; there is a deeper fulfillment than eating, sleeping, and drinking. There is the need to take away focus from the worldly things we have been doing since the last 11 months, let us turn a new leaf, let us see

S the blessed month of Ramadan commences, it is incumbent upon all Muslims to identify the meritorious acts in the blessed month and how to do those acts. No doubt, one of the factors that places Islam ahead of other religions is that there are laid down rules on how to perform every acts.

One of them is fasting in the month of Ramadan.

MAKING NIYYAH (INTENTION): Intention is a condition of the obligatory fasting of Ramadan and all other compulsory fasting according to the Hadith which says: “ whosoever did not intend his fast during the night, there is no fasting for him. (Bukhari,…) The Niyyah can be made at any time during the night and even if it is a minute before the break of dawn.

Intention has always been the determination of the heart on an action, hence pronouncing it verbally is a later innovation.

Anyone who knows that fasting starts tomorrow and is determined to fast has really made his intention (Majmuul 25/ 210) EATING SAHUUR: It is blessed and prosperous meal, which is quite opposed to the action of the people of the Book (the Jews and the Christians).

HASTENING THE IFTAR (BREAKING OF THE FAST): because of what the Prophet (SAW) says: break fast before praying (the maghrib) with ripe dates, if there were none, he would use dried ones and if there was none, he would have a few sips of water ”. (Tirmidhi 3/79) The fasting person would then say after the Iftar, as related

by Ibn Umar (May Allah be pleased with both of them), that whenever the Prophet (SAW) breaks his fast, he would say: “Thirst is gone, vein are moistened and the reward is certain, insha Allah” (Abu Dawud2/760, Darul Qutni 21/185) AVOIDING INDECENT BEHAVIOURS: says the Prophet (SAW) “When any of you keeps a fast, he should not utter a filthy or indecent word…” (al Bukhari).

GIVING IN CHARITY AND DONATIONS: Another good deed of this blessed month of Ramadan is charity and benevolence, narrated 1bn ‘Abbas (R/A) “The messenger of Allah is the most generous of people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Jibril (Gabriel) visited him.

Jibril used to meet him on every year in the night of Ramadan until the end of the month. The messenger of Allah used to recite the Noble Qur’an to Jibril, and when Jibril met him, he was more generous than the fair wind [sent by Allah with glad tidings (rain), referring to doing charitable needs)”. (Muslim) Providing for one to break the Fast:an example of charity in the blessed month is providing food or drink to fasting Muslim. Allah’s Messenger said: “He who provides a fasting person something with which to break his fasting, will earn the same rewards as the one who was observing the fast, without diminishing the reward of the latter at all”. (At-Tirmidhi).

INCREASING THE RECITATION OF THE QUR’AN: The blessed month of Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed. Thus, this blessed month of Ramadan is even more special in relation to the Qur ’an; because Allah distinguished it by revealing the Qur’an during it. Another reason is that on every night of Ramadan, the angel Jibril (Gabriel) used to meet the messenger of Allah who would recite the whole Qur’an to Jibril etc.

one another as brothers, let us share from what we have and build better spirituality.

You must have a pure life, pure personality and a pure you. You must not only purify your ways of thinking and feeling, but must also purify your living.

We know it is not an easy task combating one’s soul on what is bad, but the opportunity is here now.

Begin the month on a good note. It cannot be as usual, you’ve got to be a changed person this Ramadan. The Qur ’an says “Indeed who succeeds, who purifies his own self, and indeed he fails who corrupts his own self ” (91:9-10).

It might be difficult to do extra ibadah especcially for those who have not been doing it before now. If we don’t usually spend too much time reciting the Qur ’an, it might be difficult to achieve recitaion of the complete Quran during Ramadan. All you need to do is to reshuffle your schedules and make them fit appropriately into the month with all the required ibadaah.

One sure way we can all benefit from Ramadan is to give more. We can give more of our time to Allah and to others; in so doing, we will understand and take to heart what Ramadan and Islam is all about. Fasting from dawn to dusk not only teaches us to control our unruly bodies, making them aware that we control them rather than the other way around, but it also helps us to think of others who are less fortunate than ourselves. There are many whose fast will not end after sunset.

With the level of poverty in this country, many will obserse sahur without food with no hope of what to eat to break their fast. So, we need to give thanks to Allah for His blessings on us by remembering people like in such predicament.

So, it is a time we not only give our time to Allah, but also give our talents and material things especially food to others is a way of celebrating Ramadan. It may cost us big to give out of our plenty to those who have nothing, but the reward is far greater and cannot be imagined. By doing so in Ramadan, we a r e appreciative of A l l a h ’ s blessings over us. As we hope and pray for Allah’s mercy during this month of Ramadan, let us all focus on the lasting transformation of our hearts and souls. Let us shed what is impure so that the changes that follow can carry us f o r w a r d through our From left: Prof. Muhibudeen Opeloye; Sheikh Mustapha Zuglool Sanusi, Proprietor/Chairman, remaining days Govering Board , Daarud Dawat Wal-Irshaad Arabic Centre, Isolo, Sheikh Shamy Nushy, Director and years, both Wamy Nigeria and Sheikh Idris AbdulAzeez Chairman, Old Student Association of Daarud on this earth Dawat Wal-Irshaad Arabic Centre Isolo, Lagos durin the 40th Annual Graduation Ceremony of and hereafter. the school.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014—41

Ikuforiji urges Muslims to pray for Nigeria

BY EBUN SESSOU

Muslims groan over hike in prices of fruits, foodstuff BYADERONKEADEYERI

P

RICES of basic food items have increased in most markets in Lagos since the commencement of Ramadan fast. A visit to most of the food and fruit markets in Lagos reveals an increase in prices of fruits which are major needs of Muslims during the holy month. Prices of other basic food items like beans, yam, pepper, tomatoes, oranges and water melons have also gone up.

At Oke odo market, along Lagos-Abeokuta expressway where food items are mostly sold, prices of staple foods and fruits recorded about 50 percent increase with Ramadan barely in its first week..

One of the leaders of pepper seller in the market , Mallam Abdullahi said it was not a new phenomenon even to the retailers and consumers during Ramadan.

“A big basket of tomatoes, which before now sold for N7,500 is now N11,500, while a bag of chilli pepper

Ramadan. The northerners who are the suppliers usually hike the prices during the month,” Abiodun said.

A customer, Mrs.Adijat Akudo, expressed displeasure at the hike in the price of foods as a result of the Ramadan.

“Every time the Ramadan is approaching, prices of food items will begin to increase, making some of items unaffordable.

"The price of a 25litre of groundnut oil has also increased from N6,000 to N6,100, while the 10-litre has increased from N2,400 to N2,500.

Contrary to all these, Alhaja Ajibade who owns a groundnut oil and rice depot said the hike in the price of groundnut oil has nothing to do with Ramadan, saying, "it was only coincidental." A bag of rice of various brands now sells between N7,700 and N8,800 compared with the cost price of N7,400 to N7500 before now.

A carton of imported evaporated milk costs N6,400 up from N5, 300 as it was sold before Ramadan.

,

,

Every time the Ramadan is approaching, prices of food items will begin to increase, making some of items unaffordable

popularly known as tatashe that was sold for N10,000 now goes for N12,000. We are used to this increase in the price of food commodities in this part of the world because the case has always been like this even before I joined the business”.

When asked the reason for this hike especially around this perio, he said: "We get pepper from the northern part of the country who are mainly Muslims and when we fast as northerners, we concentrate more on spiritual matters and work less during Ramadan.

That is the major cause for the hike. Also, the insurgency in the northern part of the country also contributed to the problem. “Although I don’t blame them for this hike and I know prices will still skyrocket . Nigerians should just adapt to it."

A fasting Muslim sister and a foodstuffs seller, Mrs. Rukayat Abiodun, said that she could only buy half bag of rice and beans to resell instead of the two bags she had been buying weekly. “It is because of there are more demand of fruits and foodstuff during

N100 is now N200,” Akudo also stated.

The medium basket of orange now sells for N8,000 against the normal price of N1500 to N2, 000.

According to Afusat, three medium-sized orange now sell for N150 against N90 a month ago. Mrs. Ayorinde Bakare, another fruit seller in the same market, said the prices of all fruits will still sky rocket.

As Muslims worldwide observe their one-month long Ramadan, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji has described it as a “sacred month in which prayers are easily accepted and speedily answered by the Almighty Allah.”

Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Adebayo, the Speaker called on all Muslim faithful to diligently observe the Ramadan with the reading of Holy Qur ’an, prayers and giving of alms, adding that, they should also use the period to pray fervently for the unity, peace and development of Nigeria.

According to him, “All Muslims should use the Holy month of Ramadan to diligently seek the face of Allah, give alms and assist the less privileged in the society, and pray for the restoration of lasting peace to our country, Nigeria. All Muslims must also use the period to offer special prayers for the over 200 Chibok school girls that were kidnapped and ferried away into the unknown over two months ago, “he stated,” he said.

Ikuforiji, who expressed concern over the incessant blood letting that the Boko Haram elements have been visiting on the nation for some time now however strongly believed that “ Nigeria will overcome at the end of the day.

Rewards for reciting Qur'an in Ramadan

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HE month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong) [Quran al-Baqarah 2:185] The Prophet (s.a.w) said in one of his hadiths: “Whoever recites 10 ayaat (verses) in qiyaam-laili will not be recorded as one of the forgetful. Whoever recites a hundred ayaat (verses) in qiyaam will be recorded as one of the devout, and whoever prays a thousand ayaat (verses) in qiyaam will be recorded as one of the muqantareen (those who pile up good deeds).” (Reported

by Abu Dawood and Ibn Hibbaan. It is a hasan report.

Saheeh al-Targheeb, 635).

Again, check out this hadith:

Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah, he will have a reward. And that reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that “Alif, Laam, Meem” is a letter, rather I am saying that “Alif ” is a letter, “laam” is a letter and “meem” is a letter.” So increase your recitation of the Qur ’an to gain these merits, and to gain the following merit as well.

Arabic language Even people who are not well versed in the Arabic language or have other difficulties in reciting the Quran, get even a higher reward for reciting the Quran in Arabic for their extra efforts. ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, relates that

the Prophet (s.a.w) said: “Verily the one who recites the Qur ’an beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, he will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. And as for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have TWICE that reward.”

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Again, the Prophet said: “The Qur’an is an intercessor, something given permission to intercede, and it is rightfully believed in. Whoever puts it in front of him, it will lead him to Paradise; whoever puts it behind him, it will steer him to the Hellfire.” (An authentic hadith found in AtTabaraanee, on the authority of ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood)

On fruits, Mrs. Adenike Abiodun, a fruit seller in Oke Odo market, said the price of dozen of big sized water melon had increased from N6,000 to N7,000. She said “we get a trailer of water melon from Arewa village in Sokoto b e t w e e n

BY DAUD OLATUNJI, N250,000 and Abeokuta N350,0000 and most times, these Mallams will fill the trailer with small sized water melon with only few big sized ones especially around this time. We have to sell what we buy in order not to run at a loss”.

“A small size L-R: Member, Ogun State Muslims Pilgrims Board, Iskeel Lawal; Amirul Hajj & Speaker, Ogun State House of of pineapple Assembly, Rt. Hon. Suraj Ishola Adekumbi; Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Chairman, Ogun State that went for Muslim Pilgrims Board, Dr. Isiaq Adebayo Yusuf; and Imam Noah Sodeinde; during the presentation of report, at the Governor’s Office, Abeoukta.

42 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014—43

ABIA 2015: There're pretenders everywhere —ASPIRANT

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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FLAG OFF: From left— Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State; his deputy, Sir Emeka Ananaba, and Chief Charles Ekwueme, Chairman, Umuahia South, at the official flag off of land reclamation/erosion control project along Holy Hill Inter Academy, Old Umuahia.

Ebonyi commissioners, council bosses’ vehicles subjected to stop-and-search

BY PETER OKUTU

A

BAKALIKI— OFFICIAL vehicles of commissioners, local government chairmen, development centre coordinators and other top government functionaries in Ebonyi State were, yesterday, restricted from gaining entrance into the venue of a one-day sensitisation workshop on relevance of democratic governance

organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Vanguard learnt that police officers and the antibomb squad, numbering over 20, stationed at the entrance of the venue of the event, the Women Development Centre, WDC, Abakaliki, ordered drivers of government functionaries to park their cars outside the venue, while their principals were asked to walk into the

venue.

Also at Government House gate, Abakaliki, security operatives attached to the gate searched vehicles going in and out, including those belonging to staff of the government.

It was also gathered that the number of security operatives at the Government House gate have been beefed up, while the anti-bomb squad is now stationed at the gate permanently.

Police drag 3 Ministry of Lands staff to court in Imo

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

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WERRI— IMO State Police Command has dragged three members of staff of the State Ministry of Lands, Survey and Urban Development to an Owerri Chief Magistrate Court for alleged criminal acts.

The accused persons, who are facing a seven-count charge in suit number OW/ 43C/2014 included Ogwunga Basil Emeka, Emezuruike Jude and Echefu Adaku.

The trio were accused of conspiring amongst themselves on December 10 and 13, 2012, “to commit felony, to wit, concealing deeds and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 30 Volume 11 Laws of Eastern Nigeria, 1963, as applicable in Imo State.”

They were accused of stealing Assorted building materials

with a total value of N257,000, from Plot C6/98 situated at Onitsha Road Industrial Layout, Owerri, property of Carlin Concept International Nigeria Limited, “and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap 30 Volume 11 Laws of Eastern Nigeria, 1963, as applicable in Imo State”.

Ogwunga Basil Emeka and his colleagues were similarly accused of damaging properties belonging to Carlin Concept International Nigeria Limited, valued at N2.2 million and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 451 of the Criminal Code Cap 30 Volume 11 Laws of Eastern Nigeria, 1963, as applicable to Imo State.

Hearing has been fixed for July 6.

The stop-and-search conducted at the entrance of the venue caused vehicular and human traffic along the busy Ezza Road, thereby forcing some motorists to divert to other adjoining roads.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army, Wednesday, arrested seventeen suspected members of the Boko Haram sect at AmasiriAfikpo junction in Afikpo North local government area of the state.

Vanguard gathered that after their arrest, the suspects were handed over to the Area Command of the Nigerian Police, Afikpo, for further interrogation and investigation.

The suspects, who were arrested in a chartered white bus, were said to have been intercepted in the afternoon before they could reroute to their original destination.

With the detention of the suspects at the Police Area Command in Afikpo, over 100 youths had besieged the Command, appealing that appropriate measures be taken against them.

Anambra Labour Party crisis deepens

BY ENYIM ENYIM

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NITSHA—THE crisis in the Labour Party in Anambra State yesterday took a new dimension as the faction led by the acting state chairman, Mr Luke Ezeanokwasa, accused the suspended chairman, Mr Sam Oraegbunam, of

mismanagement of funds realised from sale of chairmanship and councillorship forms in the last council poll in the state.

Oraegbunam was suspended last month over allegation of mismanagement of funds said to have been given to the party by its governorship

candidate, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, during the last governorship election.

Speaking exclusively to Vanguard, Ezeanokwasa said Ubah had given the money to enable the party mobilise support and deliver him as governor which, according to him, was mismanaged.

MUAHIA— A l e a d i n g governorship aspirant in Abia State for 2015, Chief Friday Nwosu, has described his colleagues in the race as pretenders sent to cause confusion among those he called genuine aspirants.

Nwosu, who also dismissed the rumour that he had renounced his governorship aspiration, said he was still very much in the race and getting more support.

He described the rumour as “ wicked”, saying that it was the handiwork of his political enemies.

“This is a wicked rumour being spread by those who are afraid of the rising support base I am getting across the state. Nobody anointed me; I seek the support of God and people of Abia state to be the next governor.”

Nnewi North to build truck park

BY ENYIM ENYIM

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NITSHA—NNEWI North Local Government Sole Administrator, Chief Chukwuemeka Ojukwu Jnr, yesterday said the council has concluded plans to build truck parks and ultra modern markets at a central place to decongest the area.

He said the move was in line with the four cardinal agenda of the state governor, Dr Willie Obiano, in the development of Anambra State.

“We have concluded plans to build a truck park. We have gotten some investments from our brothers abroad who are coming to donate bus stops and environmental equipment. We are going to partner with a foreign country to assist us in the development of the place.”

44—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

Education wearing new look in Rivers —ABE

AWARDS : From left— Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, guest speaker; Dr. Aaron Nuhu, National President/Board Chairman, Bible Society of Nigeria; Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, President, Christian Association of Nigeria; and General Yakubu Gowon (rtd.) at the 10th annual luncheon and awards of the Bible Society in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Lamidi Bamidele.

S

ENATOR Magnus Abe has commended Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State for the transformation in the state’s education sector, describing same as enormous.

Senator Abe, who fielded questions from Ogoni Young Professionals during a dinner in Port Harcourt, the state capital, said that under Amaechi, “education now wear a new look with modern structures and state-ofthe-arts facilities, which has become fundamental parts of the Rivers State Government education policy.

“In Rivers State, we are lucky to have a governor who understands the importance of communication technology for future development, that is why we have new primary and secondary schools fitted with computers and modern facilities.”

The Senate Committee Chairman on Petroleum (Downstream) and represents Rivers South-East senatorial district in the National Assembly, described by speakers at the event as b r o a d m i n d e d , accommodating and a selfless politician with an eye on the future, said “the nomination of education and computer based items as my constituency projects in parts of the state were in support of the governor’s commitment to development in the sector.

“I believe that education is the bedrock for development and those of us who understand how critical it is will continue to work with the authorities towards achieving that. As a legislator driven by passion for capacity building through education and training, I nominated computer centres and schools to be built in Rivers State,” he added.

Edo recalls 936 teachers; cancels competency test

Group tasks Nigerians on voting

BY FESTUS AHON

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—EDO State Government has softpedaled on the planned competency test for teachers in the state, even as it has recalled the 936 teachers, whose names were deleted from the payroll over certificate discrepancies and age falsification.

Also, the state government announced the extension of the relativity to teachers in the state public schools.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole made the announcements, yesterday, at a meeting with the teachers' unions and the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC. He said: “It was clear to me, coming from my background, that I had obligation to restore dignity to the educational sector in the state. Basic education is like the foundation of a house.

“If the foundation is weak, the building will collapse, but if the foundation is strong, it will withstand the test of time.

It is easier to re-roof than to re build a complete house.

“The need to ensure that the future of the state was not compromised by compromising the future of the Edo child necessitated the action to redefine the educational system in the state.

“State government’s commitment to carry out competency test was informed by these broad facts having discovered that some of our teachers were not qualified or up to date with recent teaching

methods.

Our earlier insistence on competency test must be seen in this light.

“However, having listened to all suggestions and consultations with various groups, government has agreed to set aside the competency or assessment test

in order to re assure Edo workers that government has no intention to sack anyone.”

The governor said in place of the competency test, government will introduce training and re-training for teachers and all others civil servants in the state.

Repair work begins on Illah-Ebu bridge

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A

SABA—RECONSTRUCTION work has commenced on the collapsed bridge linking Illah and Ebu communities in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.

Similarly, the Illah community has also commended Vanguard Newspapers for its reportage in Niger Delta Voice a fortnight ago, highlighting the imminent danger and the plight of the affected communities due to the

collapsed bridge.

The Illah Community Youth President, Mr. Henry Adimabua told our reporter, yesterday that “ we must say a big thank you to Vanguard for their unflinching support and for projecting my community to the world through incisive journalism.

We are happy that work has commenced in earnest.”

Officials of FERMA at the site declined speaking to the newsmen.

Youths of Illah community had temporarily sand filled a portion of the bridge.

U

GHELLI—LEADER of Irri National Youth Movement, INYM, and Irri Source Forum, ISF, Mr Odhowho, Atanoma have urged Nigerians to elect people with good integrity that will give them quality representation in the 2015 general elections.

Atanoma, during a sensitisation rally organised by INYM, appealed to those seeking elective positions in the forthcoming elections, to be driven by genuine passion for selfless service.

He said “We are nonpartisan but are saddled with the task of making the voice of the common man heard. The aims of the groups are to project and support the aspiration of those who have good reputation and have the pains of the masses at heart.”

JOHESU threatens doctors with court action

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

J

OINT Health Sector Union, JOHESU, Federal Medical Center, FMC, Asaba chapter, Delta State, has threatened to drag the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria and Nigeria Medical Association, MDCAN/NMA, to court over the on-going strike in government hospitals.

The chairman of JOHESU, FMC, Asaba, Mr. Tony Asiodu, in a statement also

called on Nigerians to condemn the strike, which he described as ego-bloating and prejudice, adding that a National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja, had already restrained them in suit no.

NIC/ABJ/177/2014, from embarking on strike.

The statement also signed by the Secretary Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, AMLSN, FMC chapter, Mr Benjamin Ajufo, said: “Nigerians must say no to MDCAN/NMA that has become anti people. The Nigerian Government should

not allow herself to be blackmailed by MDCAN/ NMA. “It should first and foremost charge MDCAN/NMA for acts of impunity against the state.”

They insisted that restoring consultancy status to other healthcare professional was the right thing to do and the President through the agents of government acted in line with section 18(1) of the University Teaching Hospital (Reconstruction of Boards etc) Act Cap U 15 ,vol 15.

LFN 2004, for the approval.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014—45

Centrep slams N2m suit against Navy for alleged illegal detention

Group endorses Ebikeme Clark for Burutu LG Chair

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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URUTU—THE Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, IPDI, has thrown its weight behind the chairmanship aspiration of Chief Ebikeme Clark in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

Addressing newsmen in Burutu, IPDI president, Mr. Austin Ozobo, said the people of Burutu will support Ebikeme to win the chairmanship race.

He said: “The people are supporting him because among the various aspirants for the chairmanship position, Chief Clark is exceptional in terms of exposure, credibility, morality and education. I have no doubt that he will bring the needed transformation and development to the council if elected.”

Ozobo stressed the need for the people of Burutu to stop electing mediocres, adding: “Now that the opportunity has come to enthrone a credible and generally acceptable person to transform Burutu council, they should not let this opportunity pass them by.”

Decampees assured of equal opportunities in Delta PDP

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GHELLI—THE commissioner representing Bayelsa, Edo and Delta States in the National Assembly Service Commission, Dr. Paul Oweh, has assured those who decamped from opposition parties to People’s Democratic Party, PDP, of equal opportunities with old members.

Oweh gave the assurance in Emevor, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, while receiving hundreds of decampees from Democratic People’s Party, DPP, into the PDP fold.

He commended the decampees for “harkening to the voice of reason,” describing their decision to join forces with the PDP as a right step in the right direction.

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A PROTON ENERGY CONSORTIUM MEETS GOVERNOR UDUAGHAN: From left: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State; Executive Vice-Chairman, Proton Energy, Mr. Oti Ikomi; General Manager, Siemens, Mr. Nasir Giwa and Partner, Paul Usoro & Co, Ms Tola Ibironke, during a meeting by the Proton Energy Consortium with the governor on the development of a 500MW power plant in Delta State.

NHRC denies Reps' allegation of missing N724m

BY INNOCENT ANABA

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HE National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has denied the allegation by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, that the sum of N724 million was missing from the Service Wide Vote for 2004 to 2012.

The Commission insisted that it had only received the sum of N286,939,185 out of which the sum of N123,150,259 was returned to the treasury, leaving the commission with the sum of N123,788,926 as the actual amount received and expended by the commission for 2004-2012.

In a protest to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tamuwal, Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, noted that the summons by the House Committee on Public Accounts, which he said was laced with threats, cast the integrity of the Commission in bad light, making it look as an irresponsible and corrupt agency.

Angwe said: “I wish, on behalf of the management and staff of the NHRC, to draw the attention of the Speaker to the letter of invitation dated June 17, 2014 requesting that the Commission appear before the House Committee on Public Accounts on the following: the expenditure made through the Service Wide Vote during the years 2004-2012, Auditor-General’s report for the year ended December 31, 2011.

“The date fixed for the appearance of the Commission before the Committee coincided with the meeting of representatives of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa and ECOW-

AS officials which the NHRC of Nigeria hosted in Abuja, which I presided over as the Chairman. In view of this development, the Commission sought the permission of the Committee to have senior officials of the Commission to appear before it in place of the Executive Secretary.

“Incidentally, the team was not given audience because of my absence despite all the verbal representations made by the team and explanations made in the letter to the Committee which even contained an attachment of all the documents relating to the nature of the international assignment I was conducting on behalf of the country. In fact, the Chairman of the Committee further directed the team to inform me to appear in person on June 30.

“The directives were duly relayed to me, but as I was preparing to appear before the Committee on Monday, my attention was drawn to

the damning headlines in various national dailies with a caption “Reps Summons NHRC Scribe Over Missing N724m.” The newspapers attributed the story to Mr Solomon Olamilekan the Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts. I did appear on Monday, June 30, but the Committee did not sit, thus I had no opportunity of requesting that the misleading story be corrected.

“With all sense of modesty in the area of demonstrating high level of accountability, the NHRC is one of the institutions that deserves commendation by the National Assembly because in year, 2008, for instance when the sum of N123,150,259.00 was sent to the Commission from the Service Wide Vote for payment of severance package for permanent Commissioners, the Commission promptly returned the funds to the national treasury as no such permanent Commissioners existed in the Commission."

SABA—THE Centre for the Vulnerable and the Underprivileged, Centrep, has instituted a N2 million suit against the Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy, NNS, Warri and the Chief of Naval Staff, over an alleged illegal arrest and detention a Marine operator one, Mr. Ovakpor Osagada.

Executive Director of the Centre, Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, in the suit before a Delta State High Court sitting in Otor-Udu, is also asking the court to compel the Navy to publicly apologise to marine operator in two national dailies “as a result of the above wrongful and unconstitutional acts.”

Ikimi told the court that Mr. Ovakpor Osagada and other crew members of MV Gare, including its Captain and Engineer have been held for over 90 days without being charged to court or being handed over to the Police, hence Centrep filed the suit against the Nigerian Navy.

The suit seeks for an order directing the respondents to release forthwith, Mr. Ovakpor Osagada, and a declaration that the aforesaid arrest is unconstitutional and payment of the sum of N2 million jointly and severally as damages against the respondents.

Seventy-Two-year old father of the mariner, Mr. Tom Osagada, in an affidavit averred that his son was arrested by Naval personnel since April 1, 2014.”

DPP alleges plot by PDP to rig Delta LG polls

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—AS the October 2014 date for the local government elections in Delta State draws closer, a chieftain of Democratic Peoples’ Party, DPP, in the state, Prince Edafe Onokpite, yesterday raised alarm over alleged plot by the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, to rig the election.

Onokpite, in a chat with newsmen, accused PDP of handpicking candidates for the election rather than allowing for free and fair primary election, decrying the action as part of PDP's plans to rig the election.

He said: “I have information that the ruling party may not let go of any of the local governments to any opposition political party in the state. They are planning

to rig the election for those they hand pick for the election.

That is undemocratic and injurious to democracy. No political party will fold its hands during the local government elections; even the electorates will not sit down and look. The ongoing sensitization in parts of the state by Delta State Independent Electoral Commission, DESIEC will not change anything,” he added

46—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

APC in UK hails Oyegun, others

Benue releases N7.3bn for payment of primary school teachers' salary

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HE United King dom, UK, chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has congratulated Chief John OdigieOyegun and members of the newly-elected National Executive Committee, NEC, who emerged from the recently concluded National Convention of the party in Abuja.

The chapter has particusatisfaction with the manner in which a successful and peaceful maiden national convention was achieved by its leadership.

Equally so, the emergence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun as pioneer substantive National Chairman,who was favoured for his ideological purity, is a moralebooster within the entire membership of the chapter.

The Chairman of the chapter, Alhaji Garba Sani, who pledged his loyalty and support as well as that of the entire UKchapter, stated that Chief Oyegun represents the ideals of the party and the aspiration of its members. His credentials as a democrat, the role he played in the days of SDP and NADECO respectively speak volumes.

Chief Oyegun’s ideals was aptly captured in his speech after his emergence when the Chief asserted that; “…for us to succeed, dear brothers and sisters, we must pledge this night to work together as a team.

We must embrace the ideals of unity, oneness and harmony, and the spirit of give and take. We must learn to let go of past grudges and previous grievances and move forward together as members of the same family.

“If we fail in our task due to disunity and acrimony, it is not only ourselves we would have let down. We would have betrayed the hopes and aspirations of long-suffering Nigerians.

And we must never lose sight of the fact that the collective destiny of the Nigerian people is far more important than our individual or group interests, ambitions or grievances.”

Alhaji Garba Sani further added that, “although it will be a formidable and challenging task for our great party given the craving and determination of PDP to cling to power andthe immensity of resources at their disposal, we are confident that by the will of God and the people, under the leadership of the NEC led by Chief Oyegun.''

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INDUCTION: From left—Registrar Phamaceutical Council of Nigeria;Mr Elijah Mohammed; Deputy Registrar, University of Ibadan; Mr Victor Adegoroye; Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration; Prof Enilolorun Ayelari and Dean Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan; Prof Chinedum Babalola during the induction ceremony into the pharmacy profession for the 2012/2013 Bachelor of Pharmacy graduating class University of Ibadan yesterday. Photo by Dare Fasube.

Wada orders full payment of LG workers salary

BY BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

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OKOJA—GOVERNOR Idris Wada of Kogi State has ordered the 21 Local government chairmen in the state to stop the instalmental payment of monthly salaries of workers and instead begin the full payment of such salaries henceforth.

Council workers across the local government areas of the state have been on what they described as percentage pay-

ment for more than 12 months now, with some local goverments receiving as low as 30 percent of their salary.

However, Wada gave the directive yesterday at OgoriMagongo Local Government, during a thank you visit to the people of the area.

Responding to reports of widespread complains over the payment of half salaries to workers, the governor said federal allocations to the state for the month of July was more

than the one for the previous months and therefore ordered council chairmen to pay full salary for the month of July.

His words: “Let me tell you that the federal allocation to the state has been increased and what will come in July will be okay to meet workers’ salaries.”

Wada said government had provided portable water to 320 communities through motorized borehole, to address the problem of perennial water shortage in the affected areas.

AKURDI—THE Benue State government has released N7.3 billion for the immediate payment of the backlog of salaries of primary school teachers in the state.

The release of the money followed the decision of the teachers to call off their eight months-old strike which paralysed the education sector in the state throughout the period.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Solomon Wombo made this known yesterday while addressing newsmen in Makurdi, the state capital.

Wombo said the amount had already been released to all the 23 local government education authorities for the commencement of the payment.

He stated that the new salary structure for primary school teachers in the state would take effect from January in line with the agreements between the teachers and the state government.

He said, “in compliance with the agreements reached with the teachers, they will be paid the new minimum wage starting from January to June salaries. ”The teachers had received their last November and December salaries based on previous salary scales. The government will pay the balance in line with the agreements reached with the teachers.’’

The Adviser who regretted the prolonged strike assured that the government would not renege on its promises and urged the teachers to step up teaching and learning in schools to enable them cover lost grounds.

INEC declares Kumzhi winner of Langtang North election BYMARIE-THERESENANLONG

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OS—THE controversy surrounding the real winner of the chairmanship election of Lantang North Local Government of Plateau State has been resolved as the state Independent Electoral Commission, Wednesday declared the People’s Democratic Party, PDP candidate, Mr. Nanmwa Kumzhi winner.

The result of the February 25, 2014, local governmnt election was not resolved follwing diagreements over the Jat electoral ward in the council until but it was announced Wednesday, PLASIEC announced the PDP candidate as the winner since the issue had been rectified.

Following the announcement, Governor Jonah Jang yesterday swore in Kumzhi, despite the popular belief that the Democratic Peoples’ Party, DPP candidate, Dan Dul won the election.

Speaking on the ocassion, at Government House, Jishe, Jang commended the people of Langtang North over their peaceful conduct while the litigation over the disputed result lasted, say-

ing that the new Chairman would strive to meet the yearning of the people.

His words, “I commend the people of the local government for the peaceful exercise which led to the emergence of the new chairman. Today’s swearing in is coming at this time because of the litigation that came up after the election which the court has since been cleared, result-

ing in PLASIEC declaring a winner. ”I urge the new chairman to embrace all irrespective of party affiliation for reconciliation, peace and development of the local government. As a leader, you are to conduct your assignments without bias and sentiments.”

He further urged Kumzhi to make the unity of the people his

priority, by not betraying the trust of the people through improved governance and service delivery at the grassroots. ”I envisage a local government administration where service and development will be the motivation. Where corruption will be tackled, where primary health care centres will be manned by qualified personnel with the required medicament.

Blue Gate unveils smart LED TV

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LUE GATE, a leading brand in the provision of alternative power solution has veered into consumer electronic and home appliance segment of the market with the unveiling of smart LED TV series integrated with power surge protective device and advanced technology.

Speaking with newsmen in Lagos, Dr. Tope Obayemi, the Business/Product Development Manager of Blue Gate Smart LED TV, on the launch of the new product, he explained that

the Blue Gate Smart LED TV displays its content in Full-High Definition and crisper picture quality. The LED TV comes with 12 months warranty and is built to withstand fluctuating power supply. According to him, the LED TV is a gateway to music, games, movies, shows, pictures, network connected storage device and virtually any online content as desired by its users.

Assuring that Blue Gate is committed to bringing today’s technology to meet the needs of its consumers, he explained that

the new product is equipped with easy-to-use, personalized and intuitive functions, including quick start-viewing functionality and excellent LED TV quality image.

With Blue Gate strong brand reputation and history, he further explained that, “Our user friendly Smart LED TVs consume about 70% less energy and come with an attractive design of a narrow bezel that is slim and sleek. It also comes with 3 HDMI ports, USB port, 1 headphone jack, AV Input and output connectivity with a dynamic ratio and resolution”.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 — 47

APC Rep decamps to PDP

PAN showcases made-in-Nigeria brands at Abuja auto-fair

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

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BUJA — PAN Ni geria Limited made a bold statement at the on-going Abuja International Automobile exhibition by thrilling its customers with its latest made in Nigeria cars.

The exhibition, which is built on the pedigree of global auto exhibitions, was organised by MfvNigeria to showcase Nigeria’s exotic, premium and rarefied cars from across the nation.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the six days event currently going on at the Silver Bird Entertainment Centre, Abuja, the MD/CEO Mfv-Nigeria, Mr. Imasuen Osazuwa Efosa, commended the PAN Nigeria and other exhibitors for participating and showcasing their finest cars to satisfy the demanding needs of automobile lovers.

Mr. Efosa noted that both PAN and other manufacturers partaking in the exhibition are laudable auto manufacturers; given their relevance and contributions to the Nigerian auto sector with reference to PAN Nigeria, for keying into the current Automotive policy of the Federal Government.

Mr. Efosa further stated that the exhibition had positioned itself to become a major platform for automobile sales and display.

In his presentation, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga called on Nigerian automobile manufacturers to come up with workable solutions that will promote the industry.

The minister, who was represented by a Deputy Director in the ministry, Mr. Ibikunle Adams, said the revolution in the Nigerian auto sector portends the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Also speaking, Director General, National Automotive Council, Engr.

Aminu Jalal represented

by Mr. Chika Nwokoye, said the Nigerian auto sector offers significant industrial opportunities for Nigeria and further commended PAN Nigeria for its leadership role in the auto sector.

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From left: Tayo Oduwole, Head Innovations, Computer Warehouse Group, CWG; James Agada, Group CTO, CWG; Bature Umar Masari, Director-General/CEO, SMEDAN; Austin Okere, GMD/CEO, CWG and Nasiru Izegwire, Regional Manager, North, CWG) during a meeting in Abuja.

CBN extends complaints resolution period to 30 days

BY EMMA UJAH, ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

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BUJA — THE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has extended the timeframe for the resolution of banks’ customers’ complaints over excess charges and loans by banks from 14 to 30 days.

A circular, number: FPR/DIR/ CIR/GEN/04/009 dated June 30, 2014, and signed by the Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Mr. Kevin Amugo, explained that the extension became necessary in view of the apex bank’s discovery that the earlier twoweek period was inadequate.

The new policy, according to the CBN, applies to all Dis-

count Houses and other financial institutions operating in the country.

It was learnt that the decision to extend the period within which banks and other financial institutions should resolve customers’ complaints had to be extended in anticipation of the large volume of complaints that could arise following the implementation of the cashlite policy.

The implementation of the cashlite policy of the CBN commenced across the country on Tuesday after a successful implementation of the policy in the six pilot states of Abia, Anambra, Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, Ogun, Kano and Rivers.

Under the policy intended to

reduce cash transaction, banks honour third party cheques valued at a maximum of N150,000 across the counter.

Cash withdrawal is now limited to N500,000 for personal and N3 million for corporate accounts. Cash withdrawals above the limits attract “excess withdrawal charges.”

However, the new management of the apex bank has decided to suspend the charges by a year, ostensibly to allow the effective deployment of the cashless infrastructure. Customers in the six pilot states where the cashless policy has been adjudged successful are excluded.

Ikazabo emerges Ecobank Transnational chair as de Rego is reinstated

BY OMOH GABRIEL

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COBANK has reconstituted its Board of Directors with Emmanuel Ikazabo (Nigerian), emerging as the new Chairman of the board.

Also, a new Group Managing Director, Mr. Albert Essien, a Ghanaian, was introduced to shareholders while other directors were named and confirmed by the shareholders after an extra ordinary meeting that preceded the Annual General Meeting, Monday.

Laurence do Rego, who was suspended as Executive Director Finance and Risk Management over allegation she levelled against the former board members and some principal officers of the bank was reinstated.

Former Group Managing Director of the bank, one of the focuses of the allegation, was pushed out of the service of the bank making de Rego the only

survivor from the board crisis.

Giving his address to shareholders, Interim chairman of the board of the bank, Mr. Siaka Andre, said: “In addition to the departure of Mr Thierry Tanoh as Chief Executive Officer, three of the group’s non-executive directors (Dr Babatunde Ajibade, Mr Paulo Gomes and Mr Isyaku Umar) resigned their board positions during the first quarter of 2014.

“In line with a directive from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Nigeria, Mrs. Laurence do Rego, has been reinstated to the position of Group Executive Director of Finance and Risk. We also recently announced the co-option of Hewitt Benson as a non-executive director. He will be the Board representative for Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), which currently holds a 10.4 per cent equity interest in ETI.

“As a result of these changes, Ecobank’s board currently comprises five executive officers and eight nonexecutive directors."

In his report, Company Secretary, Mr. Samuel Ayim said: “As at December 31, 2013, the Board was composed of 17 directors. On October 29, 2013, Mr Kolapo Lawson stepped down as Chairman, with the Vice-Chairman, Mr Andre Siaka, taking over as interim Chairman of the Board of Directors on the same date.

"Mr Lawson retired from the Board on December 31, 2013.

On 6 August 2013, Laurence do Rego, Group Executive Director for Finance and Risk, was suspended by the Board and did not play a further part in Board activities for the remainder of 2013. She was subsequently reinstated on 11 March 2014. "

BUJA — A LAW MAKER representing Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency, Ogun State in the House of Representatives, Mr. Abiodun Akinlade, has dumped the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, noting that he was not comfortable with the party’s merger with other parties.

Akinlade, who submitted his letter to Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who in turn read same amid cheers from members, is a third term member and a governorship aspirant in Ogun State..

The lawmaker, who has been persistent in his aspiration to govern the state, contested with the incumbent, Ibikunle Amosun, in 2011 before the APC adopted the governor as the party’s flag-bearer.

In a letter addressed to Tambuwal, he explained that he resolved to dump the APC relying on the provisions of Section 68(g) of the 1999 constitution.

His words: "This decision is premised on the fact that the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), on which platform I won election into the House in 2011, has merged with other parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Certificate of Registration of the ACN has since been returned to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)."

Swipharm certificaion places Nigeria on global map —Minister

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HE Minister of Health, Dr. Onyebuchi Chukwu, said Nigeria has been placed on global map of countries that can provide finished pharmaceutical products, courtesy GMP certification of Swiss pharmaceutical Nigeria Limited.

The certification makes the company the first in Nigeria to be GMP certified in West Africa by the World Health Organisation, WHO. He said further that the company’s journey to the WHO pre-qualification started in 2006, when the Board of Directors of the company approved that the company pursue the WHO prequalification after being the first pharmaceutical company in Nigeria to attain NIS ISO6001:2008 certification.

48— Vanguard , FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

OUTREACH: From left: Bishop of Lagos Dioceses, Archbishop Ephraim Ademowo, former Prelate, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr. Sunday Ola-Makinde, Sinor Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on Transportation, Education and Coordinator, Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute, Dr. Mariam Masha, Chief Missioner, NASFAT, Alhaji Abdullahi Akinbode, and His Eminence, Dr. Samuel Uche, during a community outreach on Security between LASTMA, KAI, Market women and Men Association, and National road workers, at Oyingbo Park, Lagos.

WORKSHOP: From left: Deputy Director, Monetary Policy Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Ngozi Egbuna, Director, Human Resources Department, Bank of Sierra Leone, Janneh Jabati, Director, Macro-economic Management, West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management, WAIFEM, Mr. Chris Kedze and Senior Programme Manager, WAIFEM, Dr. Umoh Okon, at the regional workshop on economic and financial analysis, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

From left: Chief Commercial Officer, Dana Air, Mr. Obialor Mbanuzuo being received in Uyo by Head Commercial, Akwa Ibom International Airport, Mr. Uwem Ekanem and Head, Operations, Dana Air, Mr. Ememobong Ettete as Dana Air recommenced direct flights from Lagos to Uyo.

VISIT: From left: Chairman, Texas State Criminal Just ice Commission, Dr. Stephanie Bush-Baskette, Chief Executive Officer, Institute For Government Research & Leadership Technology, Ambassador Moses Essien and Legal Adviser/Administrator, The City of Houston, Dr Linda Caprio, during the institute delegate official working visit to Texas, USA, yesterday.

From left: Regional Service Head, Lagos, of First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Ltd, Mr. Moshood Adelotan, Vice President, Hope Waddell Training Institute, Calabar, Old Students Association, Mr. Edet Akpaso and Patron of the association, Chief Joel Nwagba, at the quarterly luncheon of the association in Lagos.

VISIT: From left: Mr Charles Gerald, Corporate Communication, Vanguard Newspapers, Mrs Alero King, Teacher, Liham Primary and Secondary School, Iwaya, Yaba and students of the school, during a visit to Vanguard Newspapers' Head Office in Lagos. Photo Lamidi Bamidele.

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PRESENTATION: From left: Beneficiary, Mr. Kunnuji Joseph Adeoye, Perm. Sec. Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Omotayo Bamgbose-Martins, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and Special Adviser to the governor on Works, Mr. Ganiyu Johnson, during the compensation cheque, presentation to Mr. Adeoye over as result the ongoing road constructions in Badagry area of Lagos, at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

Chief Staff Officer, Central Naval Command,CNC, Bayelsa State, Commodore Abimbola Ayuba (left) presenting a souvenir to the Commanding Officer, 343 Artillery Regiment, Elele, Lieutenant Colonel BabaAchankpa, during the CNC small arms firing exercise, at the Elele shooting range, Rivers State.

CONFERENCE: From left: Executive Producer, All African Music Awards, AFRIMA, Mr. Mike Dada, President, Musicians Union of Ghana, MUSIGA, Mr. Bice Kuffour; Director, Brand Communications and Sponsorship, AFRIMA, Miss Matlou Tsotetsi, and Regional Director, West Africa, Mr. Don Obilor, at the AFRIMA Ghana stakeholders’ conference, in Accra, Ghana.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014—49

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CCUSED of “offending” the Head of State of Benin, the editor of the newspaper “ L’indépendant has been handed down a 36 months imprisonment in addition to three months suspension of his newspaper title.

A journalist with the paper got three months sentence, all of which sparked off denunciation by the international NGO “Reporters without borders”.

The Cotonou based trial court sentenced John Akintola, editor of “L’Indépendant” to three years of imprisonment and a fine of 200,000 CFA francs (300 Euros) for an article that would “offended “the head of State Boni Yayi. In the same judgment, the newspaper is

Jailing of journalists sparks off protest abroad of the President Boni Yayi of Benin with the funds of the local energy company (Sbee).

The director of the Sbee Marius Hounkpatin, was sacked following this case and has now left the country. He had also filed a complaint against the newspaper which

,

The Cotonou based trial court sentenced John Akintola, editor of “L’Indépendant” to three years of imprisonment and a fine of 200,000 CFA francs (300 Euros) for an article that would “offended “the head of State Boni Yayi

suspended for three months from July 16, 2014 and the author of the article, Prudence Tessi, sentenced to two months in prison. The controversial article reported possible illicit financing of trips

,

was given a three months’ suspension in April. The three months will end on July 15, 2014.

Interviewed by RSF, the editor John Akintola, was indignant. “They are suffocating

•Boni Yayi the journalists, the press is gagged and we do not have the right any more to work or to denounce. To survive, you have to be the propaganda

National Assembly frustrates Constitution review

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he revision of draft of Benin Republic Constitution seems doomed to failure as the law commission studying the issue seems not to be on the same page with President Boni Yayi and once again wants to dismiss the case for lack of consensus.

As indicated by several sources close to the National Assembly, this commission engages the National Assem-

Benin unviels potentials at Paris talks T HE economic Round

Table on Benin held from June 17 to 19 June 2014, in Paris, presented an occasion for Benin’s President Boni Yayi to table his 8 projects to international investors.

Among the projects presented by the government were the construction of energy infrastructures, restructuring and extension of energy distribution network, fishery roads for tourism d e v e l o p m e n t , hydroagricultural developments, hospital constructions among others.

Conceived as answers to challenges of economic development in Benin and to strengthen the integration in the West African sub-regio, the meeting was a platform for exchange of ideas for Benin authorities on the country’s business climate and for the disovery of business investments in the country.

Benin is in search of 2 900 billions frances for five largescale projects, said a

government source. The president of the republic is expected to mobilize these funds.

In its communiqué dated June 10th, 2014, the National Council of the Employers of Benin (CNP-Bénin), after analysing the legal environment of the affairs in Benin, noted that: - Benin’s government does not respect its contractual commitments towards local companies .

- The current government destroys its own projects; does not recognise the independence of the judicary

apparatus of power. 400 trials are ongoing today against the press in Benin. “ Heavy sentences

“These heavy sentences are intended to discourage journalists’ investigators from doing their work in Benin. They confirm the urgent need to abolish prison sentences for press offenses which are threats against the right to information of the Benin population”, said Clea Kahn-Sriber, head of the Africa desk of Reporters without Borders. In this case, the Head of State declares himself “offended” but he bases himself on the revelations made by the journalists to act. Is the crime denounced really defamation or rather revealing an inconvenient truth? “ Along with Akintola, François Yovo, editor of the newspaper “Libération” was arrested on May 17 th and transferred to the civil prison of Cotonou for three months.

He was sentenced in November 2013 for “defamation”. His newspaper had reported alleged corruption of the director of a state company’s director.

He was released on June 27, 2014 after spending over a month in the civil prison of Cotonou.

and refuses deliberately to execute the judicial decisions which are unfavorable to it, in violation of the Constitution of December 11th, 1990.

“The CNP-Bénin uses as proof the arbitration judgment recently made by Common Court of Justice of Arbitration of OHADA, the treaty of which was regularly ratified by the Republic of Benin. It is inconceivable that a State questions a treaty which has a value superior to the internal legal rules, including the constitution.”

bly in the process of consensus building.

Forwarded to the National Assembly by decree n°209-548 on November 3rd, 2009 and replaced by the decree n°2013-255 of June 6th, 2013, the bill amending the constitution has not found valid negotiators who can make it succeed.

This project of President Boni Yayi is apparently suffering in the National Assembly. The Law commission seized on the substance of the project by the president of the National Assembly met on Thursday, 19, Monday, 23, Tuesday, 24, Thursday, 26 and Friday 27 of June , 2014 to look for a consensual revision of the constitution.

And relying on the decision of July 8th 2006, which stated that:’’ Although the constitution provides for the terms of its own review, the determination of the people of Benin to establish the rule of law and pluralist democracy, safeguarding legal security and national cohesion requires that any revision reflects the ideals that led to

the adoption of the Constitution of 11 December 1990, including the national consensus principle constitutional value’’, members of the Law Committee went in the direction of a national comprehensive consultation prior to the study of the bill amending the constitution in order to have the consensus of all the forces of Benin.

What suddenly blocks the consideration of this case on its substance in committee?

Well-informed sources close to the National Assembly, indicates that members of the Law Committee could not agree on the procedure for obtaining national consensus and hoped that further reflection would continue. They also suggested that all members should be concerned about the issue of obtaining national consensus. It must be noted that the government is regularly invited to take part in committee work, but was never represented making many people suggest that the head of government, President Boni Yayi and his team believe no more in the draft of the revision of the constitution.

Magistrates protest abolition of right to strike

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he National Union of the Magistrates of Benin ( UNAMAB) has protested against a private bill in the Parliament to remove the right to strike by the magistrates.

According to a communiqué of the UNAMAB, published in Cotonou, a vote of such a law would violate the measures of

the Benin Constitution which stipulates in its article 31 that “ the State recognizes and guarantees the right to strike “.

After three months of strike without negotiations, the UNAMAB, together with the labor union of the workers of the judicial administration, took

up a strike action of 72 hours a week since last May 20th, further to a moratorium of two and a half months without real discussions. “From May 20, 2014 to date, the government, respectful of its tradition, did not invite the Executive board of the UNAMAB to a negotiating table. Instead of a

frank and sincere dialogue on the correction of the irregularities contained in the various appointments and the security of the magistrates, it is a private bill to remove fromjudges their right to strike which is in gestation, “the statement said.

50—Vanguard , FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

Insecurity: IGP, police top brass restrategise on 2015 elections

BY CALEB AYANSINA

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BUJA—THE In spector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar and other top ranking Police chiefs, yesterday, met to strategise on how to curb the rising wave of insecurity in parts of the country.

The meeting, held at Police Headquarters in Abuja, with Zonal Commanders and Commissioners of Police was to address the menace of farmers/ herdsmen clashes.

They also examined the rising wave of kidnapping, trans-border banditry, illegal possession of arms and ammunition as well as other forms of crimes and criminality.

Speaking at the meeting, Abubakar tasked the commanders and senior police officers, to start putting in place strategies to ensure security ahead of the 2015 elections.

A statement issued after the meeting by the spokesperson of the force, ACP Frank Mba quoted the IGP to have directed them to strengthen the existing threat analysis in the Force, and to intensify capacity building for best practices in election policing.

The statement said, “The IGP reminded the police top brass of the immense trust and confidence reposed in them by the public, and charged them to bring their professionalism, skills and experience to bear in the discharge of this onerous but statutory mandate of solving crimes, maintaining law and order, protecting lives and property and ridding the country of terror, amongst others.

“The IGP reiterated that the country is passing through one of its most trying moments as a nation, and therefore demands of its officers, utmost loyalty and commitment to duty.

“He assured the citizenry of the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to their well being, noting that the police will continually do their best possible towards eliminating all threats to internal security of the nation.”

Lagos not vulnerable to politics of poverty, stomach — APC L

AGOS—THE All Progres sives Congress, APC, in Lagos has assured Lagosians that the strange negative factors that decided the recent Ekiti elections will not be imported to the state.

The party, in a statement by its state Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe said that “what happened in Ekiti is an anomie, a reversal of democracy and an affront on development, which is the bedrock of PDP’s politics of mass impoverishment through relentless stealing of state resources and using such money to buy the votes of the people.

It warned PDP not to think it would get away with both the deployment of soldiers and other security agencies to manipulate the electoral process as such would be resisted by the masses and using stolen money to buy the people’s

votes.

“We note that the PDP and in particular the Lagos PDP has been over the moon since the disastrous elevation of its politics of mass hunger and mass deployment of the stolen money to buy votes, gave the party a pyrrhic victory in Ekiti.

“It should be noted that PDP is now flaunting what is now known as ‘politics of stomach infrastructure’ which targets the borderless hunger it has provoked for fifteen years of exploitation.

“What PDP is celebrating is the seeming triumph of public stealing and corrupt inducement during election time over performance and we assure them that they will fail in this criminal reversal of what should undergird the people’s expecta-

tion from democracy.

“It is a tragedy that a party that should be advertising on its stellar performance for the fifteen years it has inflicted this country is today leveraging its bid for continuity on how it shares out morsels to the hungry it has made during election time.

“It is tragic that the PDP is now elevating a politics of public stealing for the purpose of building stomach infrastructure during election time.

“It is a grave pity that PDP is today celebrating the mass poverty, total infrastructure breakdown and total hunger and privation it has inflicted on the country and leverages on exploiting it during elections, as happened in Ekiti.

They will fail and we assure them of this,” the party said.

FORUM: From left: Representative of the Minister of Communication Technology , Engr. John Ayodele; Chairman of the Occasion, Group MD/CEO Computer Warehouse Group, Mr. Austin Okere and Chairperson of Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA) Mrs. Mary Uduma, during the 2014 Nigeria Internet Governance Forum on Harnessing Multi-Stakeholders Framework for Internet Governance and Economic Growth, at Muson Centre Lagos recentely.

“We want to assure the PDP that it is building castles in the air by hallucinating that it will ever capture Lagos by its politics of hunger and mass poverty.

“We want to let them know that such negative alterations of the values of politics will be short-lived, starting from the upcoming election in Osun State.

“We want to assure PDP that it will never drag Nigeria back to the days of politics of hunger and stomach infrastructure, despite what happened in Ekiti.

“What Nigerians are faced with at present is the rustication of the failed PDP, which had been a curse to a well endowed country for the fifteen years its politics of poverty started. Nigerians, despite the anomie of Ekiti, are still faced with throwing away the PDP government that continues attracting ridicule and scorn for its incompetent, corrupt and inept governance of the country.

“We want to let Lagos PDP and the entire PDP know that Lagos is still the base of Nigeria’s intelligentsia, and that Lagosians know the difference between performance and organized stealing and will never infect the state with the blight that the PDP has become.

“We want to let the PDP, both in Lagos and elsewhere know that they cannot succeed in fooling Nigerians by targeting the mass poverty it had created for exploitation.

“We put them on notice that what happened in Ekiti, rather than mitigate the urgent need for throwing out the huge liability of a non-existent PDP government in Nigeria, will rather open the eyes of Nigerians to the dangers of the negative politics of the PDP."

Fashola gives automatic employment to 265 health tech graduates

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI & MONSUR OLOOOPEJO

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AGOS—GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, gave automatic employment to 265 graduating studentsof the Lagos State College of Health Technology,Yaba.

Speaking at the event, Fashola explained the importance of the new graduands in the state’s healthcare system, saying “what delights me most is that we are producing graduates in areas where the Lagos economy has a compelling need, the primary healthcare,

the primary healthcare development. ”We are producing graduates who will help us achieve our objectives. So therefore in order to show that we are ready to walk our talk I have indicated and now say publicly that all of the graduating students today will be immediately employed by our government. We will work the process. We will go to the House of Assembly if it is necessary to raise supplementary budget to fund this. But I make this commitment to you as a matter of honour .”

The governor said the state government was ready to grant autonomy to the governing councils of state institutions, saying “believe me, no governor, no president wants to be involved in day-to-day running of institutions. ''That is why there are vice chancellors, provosts, lecturers and governing councils. Let us ask ourselves almost too often when there are problems in the schools where do the students and lecturers run to, they run to the government. This is a shared responsibility and I

say here that when the request to grant this institution autonomy that it requires get to me I will approve it immediately I receive it. ”Let me make it clear that granting autonomy does not mean it is no longer our school. It does not mean we will not support it. It does not mean we will not invest in it.

But the truth is that we do not want to be involved in dayto-day running of our schools. It requires a lot of work; it is time consuming and distracting. I hope this message will be well received by all our institutions."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014—51

Itsekiri amnesty saga: Beneficiaries warn againt anti-Tonwe resentments

Group tasks FG on security challenges

BY OLAYINKA LATONA

T

HE president of Eket Local Government Association, ELGA, Lagos, Dr. Patrick Essien, has advised the Federal Government to step up efforts in addressing the lingering security challenges facing the country.

He gave the advice in Lagos as part of activities to flag off his association's forthcoming conference and inauguration ceremony billed for tomorrow, in Surulere, Lagos.

He said security was paramount to the social, economic and political development of the nation, hence the need for the government to give it serious attention.

Essien who is also the Director of Industrial Relations of Steel and Engineering Workers’ Union of Nigeria, observed that Boko Haram was not the only major security challenge facing the nation, adding that other areas of serious concern were unemployment and violent crimes that could cause a breach of the peace.

“We advice that the government should look beyond the threat posed by the Boko Haram sect and pay more attention on education, empowerment of the youths, women and other vital sectors of the economy," he said.

Madam Wekpe passes on at 60

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RS. Uliyemi Wekpe, nee Eyoyibosan-Dudu, is dead, aged 60.

She was, until her retirement last October, a staff of the Post - Primary Education Board, Sapele, Delta State.

She is survived by five children and grand children.

Funeral arrangement will be announced by the lamily later.

Late Mrs. Wekpe C M Y K

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

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VISIT: Deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State, Lady Valerie Ebe (5th right) and the SouthSouth Zone Co-ordinator of National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Dr. Onimode Bandele (4th left), flanked by members of the NEMA/SEMA during a courtesy call on the deputy governor at Government House, Uyo, yesterday.

Ebea’s impeachment followed due process —Edo APC

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—THE All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State, yesterday, said that the impeachment of the suspended Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Festus Ebea, was an internal affair of the House, which followed due process.

The party was reacting to the position by the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, Chief Dan Orbih, that the APC lawmakers did not have the required 2/3 majority to impeach Ebea. Orbih had also alleged that the impeachment was done in Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s bedroom.

State chairman of APC, Mr. Anslem Ojezua, said: “What is going on now in the House of Assembly is the result of the mischief that he (Ebea ) masterminded with his associates.

They succeeded in misleading their members to plan a botched coup and the consequence of that mischievous plan is the removal of the Deputy Speaker.

“The opposition ignorantly makes noise about the number of Assembly members that can remove the Deputy Speaker from office by claiming that the House did not meet the 2/3 requirement to so remove Ebea as Deputy Speaker.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the notice of impeachment of Ebea was signed by 16 members of the House. This clearly was more than the 13 signatures required to impeach him.

"It must be borne in mind that with the suspension of four members, only 20 members are, for now, legitimately entitled to attend and

participate in any legislative business of the House of Assembly.

“Two-third of 20 members cannot by any stretch of the imagination be anything above 13. We state for the records that impeachment of an officer is an internal affair of the state House of Assembly following its rules. In the instant case, the House has complied with its extant rules.

“We also find it laughable that the impeached Deputy Speaker, Ebea, said the sitting of the lawmakers was held in the Governor’s Office. We are embarrassed that the Deputy Speaker has no sense of history and is so ignorant as to know that the sittings of the House of Assembly used to hold in the Government House before the new complex on Airport Road was erected."

Stop politicians indicted for electoral fraud from contesting elections —NHRC

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT—NATIONAL Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has advocated for a system where politicians indicted by competent courts over electoral fraud are disallowed from contesting elections in the country.

Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, at a twoday public hearing on electoral accountability in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said such move will rid the country of corrupt and fraudulent politicians.

Meanwhile, civil society groups in Rivers State have protested against fraudulent elections in the country.

The protesters, who stormed the venue of the public hearing organised by the NHRC, said it was high time votes counted in general polls in the country.

Some of the placards they carried read: “INEC, we want to vote, but we are not allowed”; “Police harassment during polls must stop,” among others.

Mr. Celestine Akpobari of Social Action, a non-governmental organisation in the state, who spoke for the protesters, pleaded with Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure it gave Nigerians free and fair elections.

According to him, names of voters should not be missing in the electoral body’s register for elections, adding that measures should be taken to deliver credible elections in the country.

ARRI—ITESKIRI beneficiaries of the amnesty programme of the Federal Government have warned against perceived opposition to the David Tonwe distribution of their monthly stipends, saying that those against the status quo were enemies of the Itsekiri nation.

In a statement in Warri, Delta State, by 109 persons under the aegis of Association of Itsekiri Beneficiaries of the Post Amnesty Programme, the group said it was satisfied with the commitment with which the Tonwe-led faction of the Itsekiri National Youth Council, INYC, has been dispensing their stipends.

Delta LG polls: MakuEyituoyor endorsed for Council Chair

K

OKO—IJAWS in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, under the aegis of Egbema Collective Political Front, ECPF, have endorsed Mr. Francis Maku-Eyituoyor for chairman of the council in the local government elections slated for October this year.

The group, in a statement by Chief Ukulor Bigha Ebenezer and Austine Aboh, described Maku-Eyituoyor as a God fearing and detribalized politician, who will foster peace and intra-ethnic brotherhood amongst Itsekiri and Ijaws in the council.

Anioma Congress lauds Confab on restructuring

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HE traditional and political leaders of Anioma nation, under the aegis of Anioma Congress, have commended the national conference for granting approval to their age-long demand for the creation of Anioma State in line with the political restructuring of the country.

In a statement by the Secretary General of Anioma Congress, Mr Dan Okenyi, the royal fathers praised the efforts of the delegates to the confab “to recommend for the restructuring of Nigeria on the basis of equity, justice and fairness.”

52 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014— 53

Aggressive cancers may respond to anti-inflammatory drugs— Study

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

H

OPE for a better life is on the way of cancer patients, particularly, those from Nigeria and other West African countries as a new study has raised the prospect that some cancer patients with aggressive tumours may benefit from a class of anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Past studies have shown that some cancers such as breast cancer are more aggressive in Africans, unfortunately, experts are yet to understand why they happen.

Studying triple-negative breast cancer, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found

that some aggressive tumours rely on an antiviral pathway that appears to drive inflammation, widely recognised for roles in cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

The findings published in a recent issue of the journal Cell Reports showed that the tumours that activate this particular antiviral pathway always have dysfunctional forms of the proteins p53 and ARF, both encoded by genes known for being highly mutated in various cancers.

The investigators found that the two genes compensate for each other. If both are mutated, the tumours that form are more aggressive than if only one of these genes is lost.

• Experts say some cancers like breast cancer are more aggressive in Africans.

When both genes are lost and the antiviral pathway is activated, patients may benefit from a class of antiinflammatory drugs called JAK inhibitors, currently prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis.

Until now, even though ARF was known to be expressed in some tumours with mutated p53, ARF largely was thought to be nonfunctional in this scenario. But the study showed that in the absence of p53, ARF actually protects against even more aggressive tumour formation.

Reacting to the report, Senior Author, Jason D. Weber, said: “It’s probably inaccurate to say that ARF completely replaces p53, which is a robust tumour suppressor with multiple ways of working.

“But it appears the cell has set up a sort of backup system with ARF. It’s not surprising that these are the two most highly mutated tumor suppressors in cancer.

Because they’re backing one another up, the most aggressive tumors form when you lose both.”

Weber and his colleagues studied triple-negative breast cancer because these tumours often show mutations in both p53 and ARF. Triple-negative breast tumours are treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation since targeted therapies commonly used against hormone-driven breast cancers are not effective.

Lagos introduces passenger insurance policy

BY GABRIEL OLAWALE

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O improve the healthcare system and service delivery in the state, the Lagos State government is introducing a new patient friendly insurance policy tagged, “Lagos State Passenger Insurance Policy.”

The scheme is designed to give enrollees opportunity to call for ambulance services in an emergency situation.

At a Health Facility .

Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, HEFAMAA, stakeholders meeting in Ikeja, Special Adviser on Public Health to the Lagos State government, Dr. Yewande Adeshina hinted that sensitisation and awareness on use of ambulance and emergency lights in the state was paying off and people are now relying on the Lagos State Ambulance Services, LASAMBUS for transporting patients in case of emergencies.

Under this scheme, private facilities will be provide supportive service to complement the LASMBUS at a reasonable terms.

“The scheme will enable us to centralise private ambulance system in a way that when there is an emergency in a particular area, we can look at our dashboard and check for the private facilities in that area that can quickly evacute the patient to a nearby General Hospital or whereever they need to go.

“The Lagos State government has about 330 health facilities with over 3,000 private facilities, so there is disproportionate representation of health care provision and is only imperative that we embrace private sector collaborate so that they can enhance what government is doing in provide better healthcare for citizens in the State.”

She said registration and supervision will be carried out

by HEFAMMA and any ambulance without necessary requirement and personnel will not be authorized to utilise the ambulance logo. Under the scheme, the ambulance system operating according to the recommendations will get a refund.

•Right: The Convener, Arise Women, Barrister Shiju Iluyomade, distributing drugs to beneficiaries of the Medical Outreach at Surulere Local Government, Lagos

Preventive care takes centerstage at medical outreach in Lagos

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

T

HE need for Nigerians to embrace preventive health was at the front burner of the Medical Outreach organised for residents of Surulere Local Government Area of Lagos by Arise Women congress of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, City of David, Province 4, Victoria Island.

The mission, with over 1000 residents were on ground to receive the various free medical services, including free consultation, blood pressure monitoring, screening for malaria and treatment, diabetes, body weight, malnutrition, eye screening and treatment among others brought out the need for people to take responsibility of their health.

In a chat with Vanguard, a Public Health Physician, Dr. Mojisola Odeku, who is also the Project Director of Nigeria Urban Reproductive Health Initiative, blamed the nation’s poor health indices on ignorance among Nigerians.

“The problem we are having in the country today is that most people believe that healthcare can only be done in health facilities but for us to prevent common conditions or even chronic conditions like hypertension or

diabetes, good health starts from our various homes. This is because what we put into the body is what it produces.

Odeku who emphasised the need for people to observe personal hygiene in order to limit infections added that simple things like hand washing can prevent a lot of infections.

Speaking, the Convener of Arise Women, Barrister Shiju Iluyomade who is also wife of the Area Pastor, said the Arise Mobile Clinics were purchased to ensure that healthcare is brought to the doorsteps of the indigents who live in the rural areas of the state.

Illuade who said the outreach has been to many communities in Lagos disclosed that their target is to reach not less than 10,000 Lagosians each year.

“We decided to focus on free health because you cannot be productive if you are not in good health and most of the illnesses we see can actually be prevented.

So the more we create awareness about preventive measure, there will be reduction in incidences of non communicable diseases and amount spent on health will be reduced.

‘Only pharmacists can save pharmacy’

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

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RESIDENT of the newly inaugurated Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi has urged pharmacists across the Federation to rise up and save the profession. Speaking during the official inauguration of the Academy last week in Lagos, he said over the last 30 years, leaders of the pharmacy profession in Nigeria had brainstormed on strategies to achieve a turnaround towards making the profession a more fulfilling and meaningful enterprise not only

for pharmacists but also the communities in which they serve.

“The conclusion has become obvious. Only pharmacists can save pharmacy especially in a situation where pharmacy, like every other profession is severely challenged.

“We are in a knowledge driven economy. In order for pharmacy to participate meaningfully in the current national economic arrangement, there is an urgent need to provide a platform for creating a new paradigm to elevate the relevance of the practice of the profession at all levels, particu-

larly in the areas of improved patient care and international best practice.

“That platform is the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy. This idea was also encouraged by the existence and role of similar academies in the developing and developed world,” AdelusiAdeluyi noted.

Noting that the Academy which brings together successful senior pharmacy professionals, is founded by Fellows from the widest possible spread professionally, occupationally and geographically, he said things can only get better.

54—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

BY HENRY UMORU

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HERE was a shouting session yesterday at the on - going National Conference following the use of foul language by a delegate from the North West geopolitical zone on the South East zone.

A delegate representing the North West, Alhaji Magaji Dambatta while contributing to the report of Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government, had described the South East as “so called South East.”

This did not go down well with other delegates especially those from the Southeast as his comments were immediately trailed by shouts of point of Order from the hall.

Not comfortable with the statement made by an Elderstatesman from the North and to give him a soft landing, a delegate representing Borno State, Dr. Haruna Yerima asked Dambatta to apologise against the backdrop that if the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sarduana of Sokoto were to be alive, he would not use such statements against another part of the country.

Following his refusal to apologise despite the intervention of Yerima, an infuriated Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, a delegate on the platform of Elder Statesmen drew the chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi’s attention to the action of Dambatta.

Nwachukwu who reminded the delegates of his sacrifices during the civil war demanded an apology from Dambatta for referring to the Southeast in a derogatory manner, adding that Alhaji Dambata had during his contribution to the debate referred to the South East as the ‘so called’.

Derogatory remarks According to Ike Nwachukwu, it was wrong to address a group of people with such derogatory remarks and that he should be asked to apologize.

Soon after Nwachukwu finished, Dambatta stood up and rather than apologise, said, “The comment where I said the ‘so called South East’ it is the same way I will refer to North West zone. In the context of my argument, I was talking about the creation of states and that no where in our constitution were geo-political zones mentioned.

“Also, there is nowhere in the recommendation of the Committee where zones are referred to as a tier of government, they are not recognized by the constitution therefore they are not constitutionally valid, that was my point.” “Secondly, when I

•Delegates at the ongoing national conference

Stormy session as Dambatta insults South East •He must apologise, he can’t denigrate a Zone- Nwachukwu •I am sorry for using derogatory language on South East- Dambatta was making my argument, it was not against the creation of additional state in the Southeast, I was referring to selectivity of the Committee. In one breadth, they said one State should be created by a fiat. And in another they said others should be on merit.

“All I am saying is that all states to be created should be on merit, including the one being recommended.

“To Dr Haruna, who regretted that I made that statement, I want to state that I am a nationalist, I was in the

vanguard of nationalism since 1951. I am sure there is no one in this hall, except perhaps Richard Akinjide that was a nationalist then, not even Edwin Clark.

“I was in the field for the fight for our independence. I am not a parochial person, I am a nationalist, I respect every person in Nigeria. I stand by word that all the provisions in the constitution there was no reference to the zones as a tier of government, it is not valid, that was my point.” Delegates who did not wait for him to

round of resumed the shout of no! no!!

To this end the chairman of the conference, Justice Idris Kutigi then asked the delegate to withdraw his offending statement so that proceeding would continue.

Magagi stood and instead of apologising tried to defend his position but was shouted down by other delegates who insisted the he should formally withdraw his statement. On reaslising that he was alone, the embattled Dambatta stood up again and

apologised to Southeast delegates, saying that he was sorry for using the derogatory language. He said, “Because of my disposition and my standing in this country and the service I rendered for the development of this country, I did not mean any offense with my remarks. “If anybody is offended I did not mean it and I apologise to them or him. I did not mean to offend anyone. In that regards, I apologise to those who feel offended.”

Cars to Govt. officials should be cut by 80% — Shown

BY HENRY UMORU

A

delegate representing Plateau State at the ongoing National Conference, Prof.

Dakum Shown yesterday lampooned elected government officials over what he described as excessive use and abuse of official vehicles to the detriment of the people they were elected to serve.

According to him, all official vehicles for elected officers in the country must be cut by 80%

and those entitled to be made to use assembled cars in Nigeria.

Contributing yesterday at plenary during debate on report of the Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government with Gen. Ike Nwachukwu and Mohammed Umara Kumalia as co- Chairmen, Prof. Shown who went memory lane to tell other delegates that when he was a Speaker, his official vehicle was a 406 and his back up car, a Volkswagen,

adding that what obtains now was a situation where the convoy of a local government and that of a governor could be compared to that of the president.

Also yesterday while debate was on going, a delegate representing the Civil Society Organisations, Mallam Naseer Kura shouted for help from the Conference Chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi when a federal Government delegate, Col. Tony Nyiam left his seat and

sat close to him, Kura.

Kura cited Order 10 (4) which states that Delegates shall not cross the floor of the Conference.

He said, “ I have Tony Nyiam near me, I don’t want Tony here, I am not comfortable with him. “ Deputy Chairman of the Conference, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi who asked Nyiam to go to his seat, simply said, “we used to be very friendly, all of a sudden, it is becoming tensed.”

Vanguard, FRID AY, JUL Y 4, 2014— 55 FRIDA JULY

Akeju’s removal: Osun PDP, APC differ

BY DAPO AKINREFON

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IXED reactions y e s t e r d a y greeted the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to send the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr. Rufus Akeju on leave ahead of the election.

Mr. Akeju has been at the centre of contention between the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the All Progressives Congress, APC. Mr. Akeju who the PDP had in the past accused of being partisan towards APC was asked

by INEC to proceed on leave in the course of the election. His counterpart in Kogi State, Segun Agbaje was asked to sit in for him while on leave.

When contacted by Vanguard to comment on the development, Omisore who had in the past

Fracas averted in Obokun LG

BY GBENGA OLARINLOYE

•Gov. Rauf Aregbesola canvassed for the redeployment of Akeju immediately welcomed it saying it was a victory for the people of Osun. He spoke through the director, Media and Strategy of his campaign, Prince Diran Odeyemi.

“This is victory for the people of Osun State,” he said yesterday.

On its part, the All

•Senator Iyiola Omisore Progressives Congress, APC, said it was not disturbed by the issue even as it expressed concerns over the timing of the redeployment.

The APC state director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Mr Kunle Oyatomi said “the INEC as a body had been compelled to remove Akeju because the PDP with the patent

New Osun REC resumes, promises credible poll

BY GBENGA OLARINLOYE

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HE newly deployed Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Osun State, Mr. Olusegun Agbaje, said INEC was prepared to conduct a credible poll just as he solicited for the cooperation of stakeholders in order to achieve the target.

Agbaje said “so far, a lot had been put in place on the part of the commission towards the success in the August 9, 2014 governorship election in the state.”

He stated that the forthcoming election in Osun state remains a litmus test for the electoral body adding that “we appreciate this is another integrity test for INEC and everything desirable is

•Prof Jega being done by the chairman and the commission to ensure that we meet the aspirations of Osun

state people in particular and Nigerians as well as the International community in general.”

While he advised party leaders to caution their followers to eschew politics with bitterness, he said this will go a long way in creating a peaceful environment needed for the conduct of a free, fair, credible and acceptable governorship election in the state.

Agbaje also urged the media, political parties and their candidates, traditional and religious institutions, the civil society groups, National Orientation Agency NOA to partner with the commission to ensure conduct of free and fair poll.

support of the presidency is desperate to rig the election. They know it will be impossible when Akeju was there because the man was not buy-able. So they had to remove him.”

The party, however, maintained that “Jega now has a responsibility to tell Nigerians what convinced him now few weeks before the election that Akeju was compromised. What we can make out of that is that he has not been removed as a REC, Akeju has only been asked to step aside to make what is impossible with him, possible with his replacement.”

“The whole idea of credibility is bunkum. Rather, it tells a lot about INEC’s unreliability because Jega could not stand his grounds under pressure from presidency. If Jega wants us to take him seriously, he should now use the card reader for the election as we have demanded because it is available and usable. Their refusal to use it is suspect. However, the APC has an answer for every of their antics.

Aregbesola’s phenomenon in Osun is unprecedented and the people of the State have demonstrated their unalloyed support in the last three and half years. We are sure of victory come August 9", the party said.

Aregbesola’ll win by wide margin — Adeyeye

BY GBENGA OLARINLOYE

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IRECTOR-GENERAL of the Aregbesola Campaign Organization, Senator Olusola Adeyeye has expressed optimism that Governor Rauf Aregbesola would win the August 9 governorship election by a wide margin despite the loss of APC candidate in Ekiti State.

He insisted that the defeat of the sitting governor as it happened in Ekiti State cannot repeat itself in Osun State “because the people of the state have already demonstrated their love for Governor Rauf Aregbesola”.

Speaking at a personality programme tagged ‘News point’, organised by the Osun Correspondent Chapel of NUJ, in Osogbo, Senator Adeyeye said the massive turnout of people at the mega rallies held at Iwo, Ikire, Ikirun and Ibokun were clear demonstration of the support of the

people to Aregbesola’s second term bid. He described the INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega as a man with moral integrity who will not compromise the coming

election in Osun State.

He said “I am confident that what happened in Ekiti State cannot play out in Osun State because just as people demonstrated their

support for Aregbesola in 2007, they are even now more committed to him following his outstanding performance in his first term tenure of office”.

Your difficulties will go, Omisore promises Ifetedo, Garage Olode

BY GBENGA OLARINLOYE

S

ENATOR Iyiola Omisore, the PDP candidate has pledged to ensure speedy construction of roads in the rural communities of Ife South local government for easy transportation of the people and their farm produce if elected.

He also assured the rural dwellers in the communities of Ifetedo, Garage Olode, Aba Oyinbo and Mefoworade that standard Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) would be built to address the medical challenges of the people in the areas.

Omisore, who made these pledges during the continuation

his house-to-house campaign to communities in Ife South local government area of the state identified with the series of problems confronting the natives.

He also assured that with his expected victory on August 9, “all forms of difficulties facing all of you would effectively tackled by my government, which would dwell more on the welfare of the rural inhabitants”.

Describing provision of quality roads as necessary in ensuring stress free transportation of farm products from the rural to urban centres, he said “I want to assure you that your sufferings and other kind of challenges would over on August 9”.

While calling on those who have not obtained their Permanent Voters’ Cards PVCs to collect them from INEC office in Osogbo, Omisore contended that “this is the only weapon that you can use to bring about the long overdue needed change in Osun so that poverty , frustration and slavery can be finally stopped” Earlier in his remark, the traditional ruler of Garage Olode, Oba David Omisore, who spoke on behalf of other monarchs appealed to the PDP standard bearer on the need to build motorable roads, which would assist the farmers to move their harvested crops to the cities.

THE Osun State Police Command, yesterday averted what could have resulted into a political violence in Obokun Local Government of Osun State when suspected thugs destroyed bill boards of one of the two major political parties.

The destruction of posters and bill boards of the candidate was said to have drawn the attention of youths in the community who challenged those alleged to have done the destruction.

Sources said that the development led to hot exchange of words between the two parties but the timely intervention of the monarch of the community, Alademure of Ibokun, Oba Festus Awogboro saved the situation from degenerating into full blown political crisis in the state.

At the time of filling this report, relative calm has returned to the community as no arrest has been made by the police.

When contacted, the State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Ibrahim Maishanu said that the command will not hesitate to deal with anybody who goes contrary to the law.

Also, when contacted, the Director of Media and Strategy of PDP, Prince Diran Odeyemi denied the allegation saying that the allegation that PDP boys were after posters of Governor Aregbesola were not true and has political undertone.

Akere charges electorate on PVCs VOTERS in Ila Local Government Council Area of Osun State have been urged to go and collect their Permanent Voters Card, PVCs, from the INEC offices across the state in order to participate in the August 9 governorship election.

Chairman of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s re-election Campaign Committee for Ila Federal Constituency, Mr. Sunday Akere, made the call.

According to Akere, who was accompanied by members of the team, said Aregbesola was dedicated to improving the lots of the people of the state.

He added that the only way to return him to office was through their votes.

56 — V anguard Vanguard anguard,, FRIDAY, JULY 4 , 2014

Fears of extremism rise in Muslim nations

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Ukraine’s new defence minister promises Crimea victory N

EW Ukrainian D e f e n c e Minister Valeriy Heletey has promised that the army would retake Crimea, restoring the country ’s territorial integrity.

Addressing parliament in Kiev, he said: “There will be a victory parade... in Ukraine’s Sevastopol.”

Russia annexed the peninsula - which has a Ru s s i a n - s p e a k i n g majority - in March after a controversial referendum.

In eastern Ukraine, a government offensive against pro -Russian separatists is continuing.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande have urged Russian President Vladimir Putin in a conference call to use his influence to put pressure on the rebels in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Mr Putin said he was “deeply concerned about the rise in deaths

Police in Kiev stopped a woman who was demanding a halt to military operations in eastern Ukraine among the civilian population and sharp increase in refugees” entering Russia from south-eastern Ukraine, according to the Kremlin.

All three leaders agreed that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

(OSCE) should play a more active part in monitoring the situation in the conflict zone.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko later said he was ready to return to a ceasefire provided it was observed by both sides, all hostages were freed and borde rs

secured by government forces.

His statement came after he spoke on the phone with US VicePresident Joe Biden. Mr Poroshenko called off a unilateral truce on 30 June, accusing the rebels of staging deadly attacks on Ukrainian government troops.

Israel sends troops to border with Gaza

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SRAELI military says troop reinforcements are being sent to the border with the Gaza Strip, raising the possibility of an expanded operation in the Palestinian territory in response to intensifying rocket fire.

Ye s t e r d a y ’ s movement of tanks and artillery forces came after 11 Palestinians were wounded in Israeli air raids on Gaza, as Palestinians prepared for the funeral of a teenager who was killed in occupied East Jerusalem.

The Gaza raids began as residents were preparing their predawn Ramadan meal, known as suhoor yesterday..

“Eleven people were wounded during the night, including one who is in serious condition,” a spokesman for the Gaza Health Authority said, adding seven were hurt in Beit Lahiya in the north and four in Gaza

City.

The Israeli military said the air force struck 15 “terror sites” in Gaza. “The targets included weapons manufacturing sites as well as training facilities,” a military spokesman said.

The raids came after at least 15 rockets struck southern Israel, two of which were intercepted

by Israel’s anti-missile system, the army said.

The rockets struck two houses in the southern border town of Sderot.

Police said that one of

the rockets caused a power cut. The Israeli army reported no injuries.

Israel’s last major operation in Gaza, a territory controlled by the Palestinian group Hamas, took place in late 2012.

Oscar Pistorius trial hears of amputee ‘stress and anxiety SOUTH African double amputee Oscar Pistorius has been greatly affected by his disability, a sports doctor has told his murder trial in Pretoria.

Defence witness Wayne Derman told the court that the Paralympian suffered “significant stress and anxiety”.

Mr Pistorius says he shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp after mistaking her for an intruder in their house last year.

The prosecution argues that he killed her deliberately after a row.

At issue is the athlete’s state of mind at the time of the shooting.

Mr Pistorius says he mistook his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp for an intruder

On Monday, the court heard he was not suffering from a mental disorder when he shot Ms Steenkamp.

According to a psychiatrists’ report, Mr

Pistorius, 27, is capable of distinguishing between right and wrong and so should bear criminal responsibility for his actions.

EARS about Islamic extremism are rising in nations with large Muslim populations from the Middle East to South Asia and support for radical groups is on the slide, according to a poll released Tuesday.

Concern about extremism has increased in the past 12 months amid the dragging war in Syria and attacks by Nigeria’s Boko Haram militants, the Pew Research Center found after interviewing more than 14,200 people in 14 countries.

Extremist groups such as Al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, Boko Haram and even Hamas, which won elections to take control of running the Gaza Strip, are also losing support.

And backing for the use of suicide bombings against civilian targets has dropped significantly in the past decade following a slew of brutal attacks.

The review was carried out from April 10 to May 25, before the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant — now renamed the Islamic State — took over the northern Iraqi town of Mosul in a lightning offensive which has seen it seize a large swathe of territory.

In Lebanon, which shares a border with Syria, as many as 92 percent of those interviewed said they were worried about Islamic extremism.

That figure was up 11 points from 2013, and was spread evenly among Lebanon’s Sunni, Shiite and Christian communities.

Concern has also risen in Jordan and Turkey, both of which border Syria and have taken in significant numbers of refugees fleeing the three-year war to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in which extremists have increasingly moved into the chaos.

Some 62 percent of Jordanians voiced fears about extremism, up 13 points since 2012, while in Turkey half of those polled shared the same concerns, up 18 points from two years ago.

“In Asia, strong majorities in Bangladesh (69 percent), Pakistan (66 percent) and Malaysia (63 percent) are concerned about Islamic extremism,” the Pew report said.

However, in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, such fears were not shared, with only four in ten people voicing any anxiety about extremism.

An overwhelming majority of Nigerians (79 percent) were against Boko Haram, behind the kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls earlier this year, while 59 percent of Pakistanis said they have no love for Taliban militants.

Islamic State ‘seizes key Syria oil field’

F

IGHTERS from the Islamic State group have seized control of Syria’s largest oil field on the Iraqi border, forcing the withdrawal of rival fighters, Syrian activists have said.

The Nusra Front, which has controlled al-Omar oil field since late last year, abandoned the facility on Thursday without firing a bullet, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Al Jazeera cannot independently verify the Syrian Observatory’s statement due to reporting restrictions inside Syria.

By seizing the al-Omar oil field, Islamic State, previously called the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), now controls most oil and gas fields in the eastern province of Deir Az Zor and the surrounding countryside.

“Islamic State took control of the al-Omar oil field” located north of Mayadeen, the Syrian Observatory said, adding that the strategic town also was under the Islamic State’s control since dawn on Thursday.

A video uploaded to YouTube shows a man identified as Commander Hammam saying: “ We took it [the oil field] over without any fighting. They fled like rats.”

Al Jazeera cannot independently verify the authenticity of the video.

Al Jazeera’s Rula Amin, reporting from Beirut in neighbouring Lebanon, said the Islamic State now controlled “a huge expanse of land about five times the size of Lebanon” and oil assets that could produce 35,000 barrels a day.

Al-Omar field has changed hands several times in the course of Syria’s three-year conflict.

Nusra Front and several other allied factions captured it from forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad in November.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 — 57 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 LIBRA: Whatever anybody says or does, you will have both your say and way. Venus and Jupiter may tempt some of you to embrace illicit (or secret) romance within your base of operation.

SCORPIO: Venus and Jupiter at positive angles may tempt you to join some of your friends who are already onboard of merry making train. Watch your health.

SAGITTARIUS: Minor financial success you record today can lead to something bigger and good in the near future; as good luck will smile at many and induce love of luxury, merry, making and romantic association. Genuine lovers will need to be on guard against deceit from new admirers.

CAPRICORN: Both financial success and emotional satisfaction are closed to you than before. Those of you travelling because of maters-of-the-heart are in for an exciting romantic day Those ambitious career-wise will succeed after few struggles.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

I

F there is anything people don’t like to share, it is money.

Money is the most renowned symbol of riches. Some people kill in other to have it. Any wonder, it is difficult to part with?

Share Your Money There are people who hold on to money as if it will never be exhausted.

The truth is that money shared is money gained. That is the way the world

TERROR MUDA

goes round. No one comes to the world with money. And no one goes away with it at the point of death. Money therefore should be like

in “Never say goodbye”

sport.

Honestly, if you have money and you refuse to touch people’s lives, you are the poorest man on earth. Do you want to be poor with all your money?

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

AQUARIUS: Many members of your opposite sex will go out of their ways to attract your romantic interest. This is the wrong time to engage on unnecessary argument. Been your lucky day you are expected to take good advantage today.

PISCES: If you priority is love, much of it would come your way as desired. But here is a better day for more ambitious in the business world. Don’t allow anybody to deceive you over money.

ARIES: Those of you with secret admirers within your working area will have the needed opportunities to make the needed moves. Resist the temptation to deceive others.

TAURUS: Although matters-of-the-heart may give you cause to smile broadly, if care is not taken, you would cause friction that can’t help you r case at work. This is the wrong time for unnecessary scheming within your working arena.

GEMINI: Those of your who are red-blooded for romance may have an exciting and satisfying day. Happenings within your social circles must be taken more seriously.

CANCER: Confrontation may come your way in the circle but the heavens are working favourably for you. Some doses of romance is not too much for you on a day like this.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

LEO: Provided you don’t allow your innate ability to be as diplomatic as necessary desert you, things work favourably for you to the betterment of your finances.

VIRGO: Many of you will be in sentimental mood and exhibit strong romantic desire openly. But then, if care is not taken, you may be carried away to the detriment of your finances. Serious minded lovers are in for happy day.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

What’s my Horoscope ?

Dear Joshua, I want you to give me my comprehensive horoscope, especially what my special gift is.

Which day of the week was I born? Where were my natal planets and their meanings? Who am I? Abiodun, Ogun.

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Abiodun, There is no space for comprehensive horoscope but what you’ll have here -under is answer to your questions/ You were born on a Thursday and your special gift is LEADERSHIP quality.

YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA Day Of Birth: Thursday Sun Sign: Virgo: Sun in 20th Degree of Virgo Moon Sign: PISCES: Moon on 10th Degree of Pisces Mercury in 16th Degree of Libra Venues in 5th Degree of Scorpio Mars in 13th Degree of Cancer Jupiter in 6th Degree of Pisces Saturn in 5th Degree of Aquarius Uranus in 2nd Degree of Virgo Neptune in 11th Degree of Scorpio Pluto in 10th Degree of Virgo North Node in 6th Degree of Leo South Node in 6th Degree of Aquarius Quality and Element Cardinal and air star signs hosted two planets each fixed and earth three each, no planet in fire while mutable and water star signs hosted five planets each.

Push-full influence = 20% Non- push-full element = 80% Final dispositor = Lucky Jupiter General Analysis Just 20 per cent of push-full influence in your chart can deceptively present you to others as a soft (or even timid) person but practical Virgo that hosted nothing less than three heavenly bodies when you were born and Astrological aspects between Mercury (mental focus) and aggressive Mars in you r chart are pointers to the contrary.

Yes! You are highly intelligent and your mind works the same way detective’s minds do. It is true, there are little contradictions between your inner self and your emotional being as indicated quality, water element and Virgo characteristics.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

58—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

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ADESUYI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adesuyi Adetola Camella, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oladeji Adetola Camella. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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Correction of name My correct names is B e n e d i c t a Otitodilichukwu Nwonye that the name was wrongly written in my West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) NO. 4111416 as Benedicta Otito Nwonye. I now wish to be known and addressed as Benedicta Otitodilichukwu Nwonye.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 — 59

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EFCC docks Sylva over alleged N19.2bn fraud •applies for bench warrant against his co-accused persons

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA—THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, docked the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, before Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja over his alleged involvement in a N19.2billion fraud.

EFCC in the charge, alleged that the erstwhile governor and his co-accused persons, used three separate companies and siphoned funds from the Bayelsa State treasury. It insisted that the fraud was perpetuated between 2009 and 2012 when Sylva held sway as governor.

The three companies, Marlin Maritime Ltd, Eat Catering Services Ltd, and Haloween-Blue Construction & Logistics Ltd, were also joined as defendants in the suit. Meanwhile, the embattled ex-governor who mounted the dock alongside one of his alleged accomplices in the fraud, Mr. Gbenga S. Balogun, however, could not enter his plea owing to the absence of two other accused persons in the matter, Mr. Francis Okokuro and Mr. Samuel Ogbuku in court yesterday.

Consequently, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Adegbite Adeniyi, urged the court to issue a bench warrant against them. “My lord the two accused persons are not in court today, and no satisfactory explanation has been offered as to why they are not in court. I will, therefore, be urging your lordship to issue a bench warrant against them”, Adeniyi pleaded.

chamber would have the locus to appear for the complainant or make any application at all before the court.

Meantime, counsel to the 2nd accused person, Mr James Odiba, apologised for the absence of his client in court yesterday, saying he took ill during the weekend and was rushed to a hospital in Senegal. “My lord we were reliably informed by his son, Mr. Rectitude Okokuro, that his father who had planned to be here today, took ill over the weekend and was taken to Senegal. Due to the fact that the treatment is taking place outside the country, we could not produce the medical report”.

Odiba further argued that it was Mr. Jacobs that was personally issued the Fiat to prosecute the matter, contending that he could not transfer such fiat to any other counsel in his chambers. He, therefore, argued that Adeniyi was incompetent to apply for a bench warrant against his client.

Similarly, counsel to the 4th accused, Mr Ajayi Olowo, while informing the court that his client

was unable to attend the proceeding considering that he was facing another criminal trial before a court in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State, also challenged the application for a bench warrant.

Besides, Olowo said he had on November 29, 2013, filed a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the charge before it.

In his own reaction, counsel to the 5th accused, Mr. Benson Ibezim, relied on the provision of section 35(5) of the 1999 constitution and argued that the court had already violated the fundamental rights of the accused persons by compelling them to enter the dock yesterday despite that they have not been duly arraigned over the charge against them.

He maintained that technically, the accused persons were not yet before the court since they have not pleaded to any charge.

Ruling on the matter yesterday, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, ordered that a criminal summon

L-R: Partners, Babalakin & Co. Mr. Olawale Akoni (SAN); Mr. Oluwaseun Awonuga; Chairman, BiCourtney Service Limited, Chief Olawale Babalakin (SAN); Mr. Kehinde Daodu and Mr. Mobolaji Kuti at a dinner to mark the 26th anniversary of Babalakin and Co in Lagos

Opposition by Sylva's lawyer His application was, however, vehemently opposed by Sylva’s lawyer, Mr. Israel Olorundare, SAN, who insisted that the court must first determine his motion challenging the competence of the 42-count criminal charge that was preferred against his client by the anti-graft agency.

Olorundare, SAN, told the court that there was also a motion challenging the legal standing of the chief prosecutor in the matter, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, who he said should not be allowed to handle the matter for the EFCC. “The motion my lord is to the effect that he should be disqualified from prosecuting before this court over professional misconduct. Until that application is determined, no valid application can be made for a bench warrant against any of the accused persons. Except the application seeking to oust Mr. Rotimi Jacobs is determined, this trial cannot proceed”, Sylva’s lawyer argued.

He placed reliance on the decided case law in the AGF vs ICAN, 2002, 10 NWLR, part 776, to insist that neither Mr. Jacobs, SAN, nor any lawyer from his

should be issued against the two accused persons who were absent in court yesterday.

“As far as this court is concerned, there is a charge brought against the accused person and they are expected to be in court at all times.

There is no such position of the law known to this court that an accused person who is challenging the process before the court or jurisdiction should not appear in court.

“Until the court takes decision disqualifying the prosecuting counsel, he cannot be prevented from making applications. It is my view that all the accused persons must always be in court, notwithstanding the pending applications.

“However, in view of the explanation by counsel to the absent accused persons, I will refrain from issuing a bench warrant against them. I however order that criminal summons be issued on the 2nd and 4th accused persons to appear on the next adjourned date. This case is hereby adjourned to October 8 for hearing of all the pending applications”, the judge ruled.

Bishop Akinola berates Senator McCain statement

BY OLAYINKA LATONA

P

RESIDENT and PastorGeneral of Rhema Christian Church & Towers, Bishop Taiwo Akinola has taken a swipe at a statement credited to an American Senator, John McCain, who referred to President Goodluck Jonathan as “a guy called Goodluck.” Bishop Akinola said such a statement is condemnable and unacceptable.

The bishop said this at a state of the nation address and the church’s preparation for its annual “Rhema Friends’ and Family Day scheduled for Sunday at the church cathedral, Rhema Christian Church & Towers Otta, Ogun State.

Akinola said the current security challenges and other issues confronting the country should not give United States licence to insult President Jonathan; noting

“why would the American under-secretary need to insult us because the US government offered to assist us in the unfortunate scenario of the abduction of our girls?

"What has critical corruption talk got to do with tracking of the abducted girls? Why should Nigeria’s problem become a subject of public discussion in the American Senate? Why should Senator John McCain refer to our President as “a guy called Goodluck”? Are all these part of lending hands to find the abducted girls? It is my belief that seeking the US assistance should not make us candidates for insults and demeaning comments.”

Urging Nigerians to uphold national integrity and embrace patriotism, the bishop said it is disheartening to see some of the comments about Nigeria by Ni-

gerians on social media, stressing the need for Nigerians to desist from making a caricature of the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria hence no one should be allowed to speak of it so disparagingly.

Akinola is, however, optimistic that Nigeria would overcome its woes, saying that there is light at the end of the tunnel; “Nigeria would emerge stronger and play leading roles in the comity of nations.”

On the forthcoming 2015 general election, Akinola advised Nigerians to prayerfully choose leaders who will be bold enough to do the needful for the masses and actualize the God-given potentials of the country. He also urged Nigerians to join hands together to tackle indecurity in every part of the country, stressing that the issue of national security should go beyond government alone.

60 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 — 61

Winning in ugly style no issue for anxious Brazil

B

RAZIL striker Neymar has ad mitted he is happy to win ugly as he looks to take another step towards delivering his country’s sixth World Cup on home soil against Colombia in Fortaleza today.

La Selecao have been criticised for some of their less convincing performances on route to the quarter-finals, most notably in squeezing past Chile on penalties in the last 16.

“You can’t always enjoy yourself and win 4-0 or 5-0. Football nowadays is so difficult, so even, that the team who is most committed on the pitch ends up winning,” said the Barcelona man on Wednesday.

“I don’t want a show.

That’s the last thing we are trying to do. We are not necessarily here to produce a spectacle. We are here to run to the end, until we are tired, and come out as winners.”

Neymar fell to the ground in tears as Chile’s Gonzalo Jara missed the decisive spot-kick in the shootout in Belo Horizonte with teammates Julio Cesar and captain Thia-

go Silva also seen to cry in relief as much as joy.

Worried that carrying the expectations of 200 million Brazilians is be-

coming too much for his squad, coach Luiz Felipe Scolari called the team’s sports psychologist Regina Brandao in for an ex-

tra session with the players on Tuesday.

And Neymar said the sessions were having the desired effect.

RANCE coach Didier Deschamps insisted that his team have no reason to fear Germany as the sides prepare to clash in the World Cup quarter-finals today.

“There is no apprehension or fear. There is no reason for us to feel any. Germany are a solid, experienced side but this game will be a pleasure

•ANCHOR MAN . . . . Brazil’s forward Neymar (L) and Chile’s midfielder Francisco Silva tangles as they vie for the ball during their Round of 16 match of Brazil 2014 World Cup at The Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte.

Photo: AFP

for us,” Deschamps told a press conference in Rio de Janeiro yesterday.

The match will be the first competitive meeting of the nations since West Germany beat France 2-0 in the 1986 World Cup semi-finals, four years after they also triumphed on penalties.

RUGUAY yesterday lodged an appeal against the four month football ban imposed on star striker Luis Suarez for his World Cup bite, a top FIFA

•Suarez C M Y K

official said.

The Uruguay Football Association had until this coming Sunday to make an appeal against the sanctions ordered after Suarez bit Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini.

Claudio Sulser, head of FIFA’s disciplinary commission, confirmed to reporters that the appeal had been made but insisted he could make no other comment.

ROSTITUTION is commonly defined as the con scious exchange of sexual favours by non sen timental, affective interests or pleasure. It usually happens when someone pays money in order to get sexual intercourse with another person, but the deal is not only this one. The prostitution act can also be paid with material goods, information, personal advantages and others. Even though prostitution is more commonly practiced by women, we cannot ignore that there is a large number of men that also does it.

In addition to understand that a prostitute somehow benefits from sex, we must realize that when talking about a prostitute, we usually refer to an adult person.(In Brazil, from the age of 18 years old) that is capable to decide what to do to her own body and consciously decides to prostitute herself. It is because of that main idea that, in Brazil, we shouldn’t talk about children or teenagers prostitution. As they are not yet considered adults, they don’t have the ability to fully and consciously decide about their actions. That is the reason why Brazilian Law protects them.

According to Brazilian Law, prostitution is not itself a crime. It isn’t an illegal activity: in 2002, the sex professional has been recognized as a regular occupation by Brazilian authorities(It was included in the Brazilian Labour and in other words: every adult person in Brazil is free to do whatever he or she wants to his or her body. So, if someone decides to become a prostitute, this person is not committing any crime, neither the clients. Actually, there is a crime when someone tries to take advantage of someone else’s prostitution. So, regardless the way it happens, sexual exploitation is always a crime in Brazil. Notice: to promote prostitution, to induce someone to become a prostitute, to hire people to work as prostitutes, to maintain places where prostitutes offer themselves to their clients or to live at the expense of prostitutes are examples of conducts considered crime and they will be punished from 01 to 08 years in prison.

Nigerians rise against Nigerians

F

Uruguay appeals Suarez ban

U

Exploitation, not prostitution is a crime in Brazil

P

France not afraid of Germany showdown

F

FLICKS

•CELEBRATION . . . Germany’s players celebrate scoring the second goal during a Round of 16 football match against Algeria at Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre.

Photo: AFP

AILURE they say is not the only punishment.

There is also the success of others. Perhaps, the success of other teams in the World Cup have pitched Journalists against aggrieved Nigerians who reside in downtown Brazil in Republican in Sao Paulo. These irate Nigerians have threatened to vent their anger on Nigerian Journalists who have made Nigerian food vendors to increase their prices. One was so bitter that he asked what we were still doing in Brazil after the Eagles crashed out. ‘’Please, carry this your rope(referring to our accreditation tags) and go home. Since you people came, these women have increased their food prices. Before you came, we eat once a day because the quantity was much. Since you came, we now eat three times because nwanyi Enugu(Enugu woman) has slashed the food to make gains from you.

62 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 — 58

Scolari calls in psychologist B

RAZIL boss Luiz Fe lipe Scolari summoned the squad’s psychologist to his side’s training base after the emotional last-16 win over Chile.

The hosts won 3-2 on penalties and a number of Selecao players were seen shedding tears during celebrations at the Estadio Mineirao.

Brazil playmaker Neymar was one of them. He said: “The game against Chile was exciting for everyone.

Brazil break Chile hearts by winning the first penalty shoot-out of

the 2014 World Cup World Cup 2014: Brazil 1-1 Chile (3-2 pens) highlights “But the team does not have any emotional problem in the group.”

Brazil are under pressure to win the tournament on home soil and play Colombia in the quarter-finals today.

Neymar is his side’s star player and has scored four goals in the tournament so far.

“I do not feel burdened with the obligation to be the highlight,” added the Barcelona forward, who said he would be fit

for the game after overcoming knee and thigh injuries.

“I have colleagues who help me. Some win the ball, others give

passes, others score goals. We are a team.

“It’s not about one player. Here the important thing is that Brazil is champion.”

Galatasaray hold talks with Prandelli F ORMER Italy man ager Cesare Prandelli is in talks with Turkish side Galatasaray to become their new coach.

The Istanbul side parted company with former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini last month.

“Galatasaray has an-

•SNeymar

nounced that they have begun negotiating with the Italian football manager Cesare Prandelli,” the club said in a statement.

Prandelli, 56, resigned after a poor World Cup campaign in which the Azzurri bowed out at the group stage.

Galatasaray last week revealed they had had an “exchange of ideas” with former Manchester United manager David Moyes, but a spokesman for the club said Germany coach Joachim Low and USA manager Jurgen Klinsmann were the top targets.

Prandelli, who had two years left on his Italy contract, had guided the national side to the final of Euro 2012. Prior to that, he had successful spells in charge of Parma and Fiorentina.

Belgium ready for Messi test

T

HE stirring perfor mance against the United States provided a shot in the arm for Belgium, and some more.

Now, with its reputation restored in the wake of a 2-1 victory over the Americans in the second round of the World Cup, Belgium is looking full of confidence ahead of the match against Argentina in Saturday ’s quarterfinals. ‘’Argentina must have some doubts now,’’ Belgium coach Marc Wilmots said.

Belgium produced a relentless series of attacks against the Americans, while their defense only started showing cracks in the final minutes of extra time.

In group play, Belgium had made it abundantly clear it was excellent in defense, but three low-scoring, onegoal victories had cast doubt that its forward line could create chancC M Y K

es. Then came 27 shots on goal against the Americans.

It took the best goalkeeping performance of this World Cup from Tim Howard to keep the U.S. team in the match until extra time, but the attacks just never stopped.

And again, Wilmots made savvy substitutions to finally force a way through.

Teenage striker Divock Origi first tired the opposing defense for 90 minutes and peppered Howard with several shots and headers. He then made way for Romelu Lukaku in extra time.

•Prandelli

Lawal thumps up Airtel Rising Stars

F

ORMER Super Eagles international Garba Lawal has poured encomiums on the Airtel Rising Star football programme.

Lawal defined the academy as the nursery that will produce future players for

R-L: Chelsea Football Club Business Development Manager, Mr. David Timms; Global Business Development Manager, Peacock Group, Mr. Andrea Fearon; and Executive Chairman, Peacock Group, Aare Segun Phillips, during a guided tour of Chelsea Football Stadium (Stamford Bridge) ahead of the summer holiday package of the company in London.

Abia Warriors player set for Hart of Oak

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, Abuja

B

LESSING Sundau Ojoga, a striker of the Abia Warriors FC, will be on his way to

Ghana in the next few weeks for a two-month trial with Accra Hart of Oak. The former UNICEM Rovers striker told Sports Vanguard that the

deal for him to join the Ghanaian team was brokered by his agent, Ted Hargaurd from Demark.

Blessing who had attended a similar trial before said that he is

hopeful to make it this time around.

The Otukpo born left winger was sidelined by a serious injury but has since bounced back after one year before he was signed by the Abia War-

the national team.

The screening of players from the Abuja-Ilorin zones for this year’s Airtel Rising Star will begin today at the Old Parade Ground, Zone 10, Abuja, after its planned take off yesterday was postponed because of heavy downpour. The exercise will end on Saturday.

Lawal, who doubles as a member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical Committee as well as a zonal coordinator handling the programme, said the Airtel Rising Star will continue to be relevant in the scheme of Nigeria football as a window which coaches will use in the discovery of raw talents.

“We are looking for the best players and our searchlight is not limited to the male players alone, but the programme is also designed with our female players in mind. The programme which started in 2011 has proved to be a remarkable success given that the current captain of the national U-20 team, Musa Mohammed and Zaharadeen Bello, both members of the national U17 team that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Dubai last year, were discovered during their spell at the Airtel Rising Stars,” Lawal said.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 — 63

Messi is favourite for top awards

A

R G E N T I N A’ S Lionel Messi is the bookmaker’s favourite to win the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball at the World Cup while France, Brazil, Argentina and the Netherlands are favourites to win their matches in the quarterfinals which start today.

Colombia’s James Rodriguez, currently the World Cup’s top scorer with five goals, is second favourite to win the Golden Boot for leading scorer while Messi’s closest challenger for the Golden Ball for player of the tournament is Brazil’s Neymar.

Babatunde sidelined for one month

S

UPER Eagles winger Michael Babatunde will be out of action for one month after he broke his arm in World Cup game against Argentina.

21-year-old Babatunde suffered a broken arm in the match against Argentina when Ogenyi Onazi’s thunderous shot struck him in the right arm.

In chat with with his club’s - Volyn Lutsk official website, Babatunde revealed that he was told by doctors that he will not

be able to train for one month. Last season he made 23 appearances for Volyn and scored two goals, helping his side finish the season on 13th place.

•Babatunde

MAGICAL: Messi curls in a free-kick against Nigeria. Argentina won 3-2.

Efe Ambrose to see off Celtic contract

N

IGERIA defender Efe Ambrose has told AfricanFootball.com he will see through the remaining two years of his contract at Scottish champions Celtic.

The big defender, who enjoyed a decent outing as an ever-present for Nigeria at the World Cup in Brazil, has been linked with a move across the

Continues from BP This development could be interpreted as g o v e r n m e n t ' s interference in the administration of the football in the country.

In granting the Order, Justice P.L. Lot said, “that interim injunction is granted restraining the 2nd Defendant, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, and all other purported members of the Executive Committee and Congress of the 1st Defendant (NFF) from further controlling, commanding or managing the affairs of the 1st defendant and all football matters in Nigeria pending the hearing, and determination of the motion on notice.

“An order of mandatory injunction is granted compelling the 4th defendant (Minister of Sports) to appoint a senior members of the civil service in the 1st Defendant (NFF) to command , control and manage the affairs of the said 1st defendant and the football matters in C M Y K

border to the English Premier League.

But he told AfricanFootball.com he is happy in Glasgow and has no immediate plans to quit Celtic Park.

“I have two years left on my contract with Celtic. I am presently very happy at the club and enjoying my football.

And so I will see through

Court Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice in this matter”.

Following the order which compelled the Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission, NSC, Dr. Tammy Danagogo to appoint a senior member of the civil service in the NFF to “command, control and manage the affairs of the NFF and football matters in Nigeria”, he has accordingly Lawrence Longyir Katken as Acting Secretary General of the NFF. In a letter personally signed by the minister to Katken, he said, “Further to Suit No. PLD/J 342/ 2014 and an order of mandatory injunction, issuing from Hon. Justice PL Lot,....you (Lawrence Katken) are hereby directed to act as Secretary General of the NFF, and to take over the full management of the NFF.

my contract,” he disclosed.

The 25-year-old Ambrose, who could also play at defensive midfield and right back, joined Celtic from Israeli club Ashdod in 2012.

He has since played 65 games and scored five goals for the perennial Scottish champions.

“You are to hold this position pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice in the referenced suit”.

The Owner of Nember FC, Mrs Ebiakpo Rumson Baribote (Plaintiff) had through her counsel, S D Ekara, holding brief of T D Quidon Esq, filed a Suit No PLD/J 342/2014, asking the court to grant an Order of Interim Injunction restraining the 2nd Defendant, (Alhaji Aminu Miagari) and all the committees and congress of the 1st defendant (the Nigeria Football Federation) from further controlling, commanding or managing the Affairs of the 1st defendant and all football matters in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction filed in this case.

Justice Lot therefore fixed July 11, 2014 for hearing on the Motion on Notice.

Donovan attacks Klinsmann

L

•Ambrose Continues from BP performance of players and is officially published after each round.

The defender, who will play for PSG next season, has a score of 9.79, compared to 9.74 for James Rodríguez.

Despite criticism of their back line, two Brazilian defenders are amongst the top 10 players in the ranking, with Thiago Silva in seventh place.

Even though he put in a cracking performance against Uruguay, James Rodríguez drops down one spot into second place. The Colombian is the first man to score in each of the first four games since the 2002 South Korea and Japan World Cup, when the Brazilians Ronaldo and

ANDON Donovan, the United States’ record scorer who was left out of the World Cup squad, has criticised coach Juergen Klinsmann’s tactics during their campaign which ended with a 2-1 second round extra-time defeat by Belgium.

Klinsmann’s decision not to include 32-year-old Donovan in his 23-man squad surprised many fans and pundits and increased speculation that the pair did not see eye-to-eye.

Luiz Rivaldo achieved the feat.

Benzema failed to score against Nigeria, but his four shots on goal maintained his position as the player with the most shots on target (19), putting him third in the index.

Robben, in fourth place, was a key part of Holland’s hard-fought victory over Mexico and is the man who has made the most solo runs into the area (10).

Despite his four man-ofthe-match trophies, Argentina’s Lionel Messi is eleventh in the table.

Chile’s Claudio Bravo is highest rated goalkeeper, in 20th place, ahead of Belgium’s Thibaut

Germany players Continues from BP over Algeria.

Low believes that the travel across Brazil, and different climate zones for their four matches so far - as well as matches in tropical heat, a heavy downpour and then in chilly Porto Alegre - had taken their toll.

But he added: “It’s not all that bad at the moment. I don’t want to dramatise it.”

Courtois and Costa Rica’s Keylor Navas.

Ranking after the round of 16: 1. David Luiz (BRA) 9.79 2. James Rodríguez (COL) 9.74 3. Karim Benzema (FRA) 9.70 4. Arjen Robben (NED) 9.66 5. Jan Vertonghen (BEL) 9.62 6. Neymar (BRA) 9.59 7. Thiago Silva (BRA) 9.56 8. Ivan Perisic (CRO) 9.53 9. Johan Djorou (SWI) 9.50 10. Thomas Mueller (GER) 9.48 11. Lionel Messi (ARG) 9.45 ...

20. Claudio Bravo (CHI) 9.26

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

7 Germany players suffer flu S

EVEN Germany players are suffering from flu symptoms, just hours before their World Cup quarter-final against France.

Coach Joachim Low said that most had “throat aches” but did not reveal the names of the players affected.

Court sacks NFF A

Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, the Executive Committee members as well as the NFF Congress from running affairs of Nigerian football forthwith pending the determination of of the

Motion on Notice before the court.

There were fears yesterday that FIFA could sanction Nigeria following the court injunction which sacked the Alhaji Aminu Maigari-led board of the

Continues on Page 63

Today’s matches France Brazil

•Danagogo appoints Katken Acting Secretary General •FIFA sanctions loom PLATEAU High Court sitting in Jos on Wednesday July 2, 2014 granted an Order of Interlocutory Injunction restraining the president of the Nigeria Football

“It’s too early to make any final decisions about the line-up,” said Low. Mats Hummels and Christoph Kramer had suffered with illness earlier in the week, with the former missing Monday’s last-16 win

vs vs

Germany Colombia

5 p. m.

9 p. m.

NFF and the s u b s e q u e n t appointment of an acting Secretary General by the Sports Minister.

Continues on Page 63

Luiz, World Cup’s best player, says FIFA

D

AVID Luiz, the Brazilian defender, has knocked Colombia’s James Rodríguez off the top of the Castrol Index for the best players in the World Cup, which measures the

•Luiz

Continues on Page 63 •Danagogo

•Maigari

More stories on pages 32 & 33

•Baribote

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 2 Bury (5) 7 Particle (4) 8 Bureau (6) 9 Money-bag (5) 11 Free (3) 13 Odd (3) 15 Paradise (4) 16 Equality (3) 18 Lake (4) 19 Smallest (7) 20 Voucher (4) 22 Cab (4) 23 Unaffected (7) 25 Flat (4) 27 Fish (3) 28 Gala (4) 30 Performed (3) 31 Defective (3) 33 Fold (5) 36 Easy (6) 37 Greedy (4) 38 Hobo (5)

DOWN 1 Sober (5) 2 Demon (3) 3 Hill (3) 4 Fish-eggs (3) 5 Astern (3) 6 Scrub (5) 10 Bridge (4) 11 Saved (7) 12 Delineated (7) 13 Eased (7) 14 Deserved (7) 16 Annoyance (5) 17 Emulate (5) 18 Rug (3) 21 Brown (3) 24 Stagger (4) 26 Call (5) 29 Flower (5) 32 Fitting (3) 33 Favourite (3) 34 Epoch (3) 35 Pat (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 4, Happy 7, Rugged 9, Col 10, Mad 12, Naked 13, Cant 15, Tiger 17, Carafe 19, Male 20, Styli 22, Fad 24, Lowered 27, Tor 28, Fresh 31, Team 33, Rested 35, Arena 37, Wind 38, Adage 39, Tie 41, Ink 42, Devote 43, Erect.

DOWN: 1, Fracas 2, Agency 3, Hem 4, Hone 5, Alarm 6, peerless 8, Data 11, Difference 14, Tall 16, Gear 18, Riot 21, Toreador 23, Deft 25, Wore 26, Drew 29, Editor 30, Hidden 32, Magic 34, Said 36, Rent 40, Eel.

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.

C M Y K

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