Buhari, Osinbajo make assets public

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62486

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

Army reinstates 3,032 soldiers

>>7

Buhari, Osinbajo make assets public

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

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BUJA — PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo have made known their assets, with the President declaring less than N30 million and his deputy a cash Continues on Page 5

CPJ, NUPENG demand release of Donu Kogbara >>12 President Buhari

Vee-Pee Osinbajo

WHAT THEY ARE WORTH CASH ASSETS Naira Dollars Pounds Landed Property Vehicles

N30 million None None 7, including 2 mud houses Several (including official cars)

Shares

Berger Paints, Union Bank and Skye Bank

Agric. holdings

270 heads of cattle, 25 sheep, five horses, birds and economic trees.

COLUMNIST:

ILE-IFE: Ifa oracle set to choose next Ooni On visiting the See inside C M Y K

House Lenin lived

•P.19

N94 million $900,000 £19,000 3 Houses 3 No. (Infinity SUVs, M-Benz and Prado) Law firm, SimmonsCooper and in six Lagos based companies including MTN Nigeria None

DSS retires Ogar, two directors, >>8 12 others

Mr & Mrs

2—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

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POCKET CARTOON

UPDATE—From left, Chief of Staff, Department of Army Public Relations, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu; Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, and the Staff Officer in the department, Major Michael Etete, at a news conference on update of the counter-insurgency operation, in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Buhari, Osinbajo make assets public Continues from Page 1

balance of N94 million and US$900,000 in his bank accounts.

The assets, which were still being verified by the Code of Conduct Bureau, it was learned, also showed the President to have shareholdings in Berger Paints, Union Bank and Skye Bank with a total of seven houses including two mud houses.

The President has two houses in Kaduna and one each in Kano, Daura and in Abuja. The two mud houses are in his native Daura. One was

inherited from his late elder sister, another from his late father. H e reportedly borrowed money from the old Barclays Bank to build two of his homes.

President Buhari, according to the documents, has two undeveloped plots of land, one in Kano and the other in Port Harcourt. He is believed to be still trying to trace the location of the land in Port-Harcourt.

The President also has farms, an orchard and a ranch. The total number of his holdings in the

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO

D

EVELOP an affinity for building healthy relationships as they are the bedrock of successful living. Treat the people you meet on the journey of your life very well because they just might be the hinge on the door you need to open tomorrow.

It’s up to you.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Happiness is not a goal…it’s a by-product of a life well lived —Eleanor Roosevelt

W

HAT can cause unhappiness? Some passions of the mind which are adverse to a person’s well-being; Anger, hatred, jealousy, arrogance, can contribute to unhappiness. They are like a chain reaction which invades our minds, the more you indulge the more miserable you feel. How do we become more grateful and peaceful?

Try to do something for another without recognition or thoughts of rewards. For love’s sake only. The act of selfless generosity can be given even from the distance, this is love in demonstration, and will bring inner satisfaction and peace.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE

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F you bring forth what is within you, it will heal you. And if you do not bring forth what is within you. It will destroy you.

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farm, according to sources privy to the declaration, include 270 heads of cattle, 25 sheep, five horses, a variety of birds and a number of economic trees.

The President is also reported to have a number of cars, two of which he bought from his savings and the others supplied to him by the Federal Government in his capacity as a former Head of State. The rest were donated to him by well-wishers after his SUV was damaged in a Boko Haram bomb attack on his convoy in July 2014.

Osinbajo's assets Vice-President Osinbajo, according to the assets declaration has a 4-bedroom residence at Victoria Garden City, Lagos; a 3bedroom flat at 2 Mosley Road, Ikoyi and a 2-bedroom flat in the Redemption Camp of the Redeemed Christian Church of God along the L a g o s - I b a d a n Expressway. The Vicepresident also has a 2bedroom mortgaged property in Bedford, England.

The Vice-President also has shareholdings in his law firm, SimmonsCooper and in six private companies based in Lagos, including Octogenerium Ltd., Windsor Grant Ltd., Tarapolsa, Vistorion Ltd., Aviva Ltd. and MTN Nigeria.

The Vice-President’s

bank balance, at inauguration showed him to have about N94 million, US$900,000 and £19,000 in Nigerian banks. The foreign

currencies are in domiciliary accounts in Nigerian banks.

His vehicles, according to the declared assets include one Infinity 4Wheel Drive SUV, one Mercedes Benz and a Prado SUV. Sources close to the President said yesterday that the declaration of the President’s assets showed the austere life of General Buhari who before now was a Head of State, Minister of Petroleum, former military governor and member of the Supreme

Military Council.

“This is entirely unlike what one might expect from a former head of state of a country like Nigeria,” a source who was given the document to handle said. The President, according to the declaration, does not have any oil well or foreign assets.

“As soon as the CCB is through with the process, the documents will be released to the Nigerian public and people can see for themselves,” the source said.

Why Appeal Court replaced Rivers election panel chairman

By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor

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BUJA—THE F e d e r a l Government might have been beaming its searchlight on the leadership of the election petition tribunals operating in the country with a view to ensuring their absolute integrity, security sources confirmed to Vanguard last night.

The revelation came following the sudden removal of the Chairman of the Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal, Justice Muazu Pindiga.

Pindiga was, yesterday, replaced on the orders of the President of the Court of Appeal, PCA, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, with another jurist, Suleiman Ambursa who was previously on the Rivers State National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal panel.

Although no reason was advanced for the sudden change, Vanguard learned that the security agencies

working in concert with the leadership of the National Judicial Council had been discreetly monitoring activities of the heads of the tribunals using secret agents to ensure that they do not compromise their positions.

A top official of one of the judicial agencies told Vanguard last night that the sudden removal of the chairman of the Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal, which sparked protests in Abuja yesterday, might not be unconnected with adverse security reports.

Although the source did not say what the removed jurist might have done to warrant his sudden replacement with another, he maintained that the action received the full support of the leadership of the judiciary.

“The truth of the matter is that the tribunals are being monitored by both security agencies and the NJC to ensure that the outcome of the panels reflected nothing but the truth,” the top judicial officer said.

“Indeed, the chairmen

and members of the tribunals are being closely monitored by the security agents working in concert with the NJC to ensure the integrity of their verdicts.

“What is happening is in line with the vision and resolve of the new leadership of the Judiciary in Nigeria and there is no hiding place for anyone who deviates from that vision,” the official, who requested for anonymity, said.

Findings showed that the appeal court was uncomfortable with the situation in which the orders of the tribunal were blatantly rebuffed with the chairman not being able to firmly enforce its decisions, thereby making a mockery of the judiciary.

It was gathered that more tribunals who were depending on technicalities to knock out good cases might also kiss the dust while those who use delay tactics to frustrate cases were also being identified for appropriate sanctions, but no names were given.

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

Drunk inspector loses AK-47 rifle, 30 rounds of ammunition

By Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS—AN Inspector attached to Area ‘F’ Command in Ikeja, Lagos State (names withheld), last weekend, got himself drunk and lost his AK-47 rifle with 30 rounds of ammunition, while on duty.

Vanguard learned that the inspector and his team were on special duty on the day of the incident.

On getting back to the office, he allegedly told his colleagues that he was going to eat and also use the opportunity to repair the vehicle, only to come back drunk without the gun and ammunition.

It was gathered that when he was asked the whereabouts of his gun, he explained that someone took it while he was sleeping inside the vehicle in the station.

Vanguard gathered that investigation by his team mates revealed that he was seen at Ipodo area of Ikeja, known as a criminal hideout, heavily drunk when the

2 killed, 7 injured in Onitsha auto crash

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

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NITSHA—TWO persons died, Wednesday night, while seven sustained injuries as the driver of an articulated vehicle lost control at Upper Iweka, Onitsha, Anambra State, and rammed into a car coming from Asaba, Delta State.

The accident, which occurred at a spot close to the scene of the tanker fire accident, which claimed over 70 lives on May 31, took place at exactly 8p.m.

An eyewitness told Vanguard that the vehicle suffered brake failure.

Divisional Police Officer in charge of Central Police Station in Onitsha, Mr. Isa Abubakar, who confirmed the accident, said the injured persons were taken to hospitals, while the dead were taken to a mortuary in the city.

Isah said the number of casualties would have been higher were it not for the pavement at Asaba Park, which stopped the vehicle from ramming into the horde of commuters waiting to board vehicles to their destinations.

incident happened.

Another source alleged that he must have gone to sleep with one of the commercial sex workers in the area, leaving the gun inside the vehicle from where it was removed.

The inspector, who was once attached to Special AntiRobbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja, was said to have been transferred out of Lagos State due to unbecoming activities.

He was accused then of giving guns and ammunition as well as information to armed robbers and hoodlums, who paid him in return.

It was learned that he had since been arrested and detained at the state command, while efforts had been intensified by police authorities to recover the gun.

ACCIDENT: A fuel tanker and a luxury bus (inset) were involved in an accident at Ajebo Village, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, leading to loss of 14 lives, yesterday. PHOTOS: Dare Fasube.

OJUELEGBA CRASH: Lagos residents call for regulation of truck movement

By Evelyn Usman, Bose Adelaja & Yinka Adetona

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OLLOWING the death of three persons, when a trailer fell off Ojuelegba bridge last Wednesday, Lagos residents have called on the relevant authorities to regulate the movement of heavy duty trucks in Lagos State, saying the incident was one too many.

Meanwhile, Divisional Police Officer of Surulere Police Division, Chief Superintendent of Police Monday Agbonika, said yesterday that the driver of the truck had been arrested.

The affected vehicles were also promptly removed from the road, which eventually eased the traffic gridlock created by the crash.

The trailer driver, identified as Wasiu Adeleke, was arrested for killing three occupants of a Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV, a black Toyota Corolla with number plates LSD 532 CN, and a white Nissan Sunny saloon with number plates DG 750 LND, when his cementladen trailer fell off the Ojuelegba bridge.

The driver of the white Nissan Sunny car, one Lasisi Akeem, whose car was partially crushed by the heavy duty truck, escaped.

The truck, with number plates EPE 46 XK, driven by Wasiu a native of Ibadan, was carrying a 40-foot container loaded with cement and armoured doors.

LASEMA

The General Manager of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Michael Akindele told Vanguard yesterday that

Scene of the accident, Wednesday. the state government was in contact with the victims’ relations to perfect the process of their corpses’ release from Lagos Mainland Hospital, where they were deposited.

Akindele said the articulated vehicle and the 40-foot container were taken to the office of the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental Offences for further investigations.

Also, the three victims, he said, were male adults within the age bracket of 30 and 35 years.

The SUV and the Nissan car were said to be trapped in the gridlock when the accident happened killing both occupants in the SUV and the lone occupant of the Nissan car.

An eyewitness, Joseph Babatunde, said the 40-foot container was coming from the Costain end of the road, when it skidded off.

After hours of sawing out the container parts, it was evacuated from atop the SUV and the bodies of the three male

occupants, including the driver recovered.

As at press time, the identities of the deceased persons were yet unknown given their mangled state.

Residents send SOS to govt

Residents of Ojuelegba area, where the crash occurred, have appealed to the state government to save them from incessant cases of falling trucks in their area, which they say have claimed several lives.

Majority of the people said Lagos State government should enforce a law, which will regulate movement of container-laden trucks on Lagos roads.

One of the residents, Mrs. Kehinde Omodara, said: “I saw the accident and it was very pathetic and painful. We have been losing too many lives on this road because of careless drivers.

“Majority of the drivers are youths, who I think are extremely too young for the driving job. Only matured

people should be allowed to drive trucks.

Matthew Bernard, a shop owner around Ojuelegba busstop, said: “We are calling on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to make special roads for trucks or enact laws that will regulate the movement of trailers, which will be different from the ones used by other vehicles.

“That particular trailer was not in good shape at all and it developed fault right from Barracks Bus Stop, but refused to stop.

“Government should not allow trailers that carry containers to ply the road during the day and they should not climb the bridge. The issue of falling trucks is becoming too much in Ojuelegba and whenever they fall, they kill innocent people.

“This year alone, we have recorded four trailer incidents in Ojuelegba. Government should please do something fast to prevent loss of lives on our roads.”

They should move at night

Daniel Chukwukeze said: “Wednesday’s tragedy would have been averted if the container was properly latched to the trailer. But as is the usual practice, they did not bother to do that.

“Governor Ambode should save us from these trailers and tankers. They are hired killers because they do not care about other people’s lives.

“Enough of wasting of lives on our roads due to trailer or tanker accidents. Government should restrict their movement to night time. That is the practise in other countries.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015—7

By Kingsley Omonobi

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BUJA — FOLLOWING the recommendation of the committee instituted by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, to review recent disciplinary cases in the army, especially of soldiers in the defunct Operation Zaman Lafiya, the Nigerian Army has pardoned and reinstated a total of 3,032 soldiers out of the 5,000 that appeared before the committee.

The recall of the soldiers came just as the army authorities vowed that the battle against insurgency will be concluded in three months as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Addressing the media in Abuja, yesterday, Acting Director, Ar my Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said: “The reinstated soldiers are those whose offences bothered on cases of discipline, regimentation and justice.

“The soldiers have shown their total readiness to be relaunched into the theatre of combat insurgency and have now commenced a re-training exercise at the Nigerian Army Training Centre, Kontagora, Niger State.

“It must, however, be made clear that not all dismissed soldiers were granted pardon and recalled. Those with criminal cases, for instance, have their sentences upheld.”

He said the re-training of the recalled soldiers was to reorient and prepare them for the closing stage of the operational aspect of the counter-insurgency operations with more weapons and new leadership.

Condemned soldiers On the fate of scores of soldiers condemned to death by the various military court martial during trials, the Army spokesman said: “You will recall that many of those condemned to death went on appeal with their lawyers.

Those cases are still in the judicial domain, so we cannot comment on that.”

Vanguard gathered that the review committee which sat in Kaduna for a period of 10 days was headed by the GOC 1 Division, Kaduna, MajorGeneral Adeniyi Oyebade while the Directorate of Army Legal Services headed by Brig-Gen. Shalangwa provided military experts and materials that assisted the committee meet the time scheduled for it to carry out the assignment.

It will be recalled that sometime last year, the military authorities ordered the arrest, interrogation and court-

martial of over a hundred soldiers for exhibiting cowardice and disobeying deployment directives.

The erring soldiers, some of whom were said to have gone into hiding were among several hundred troops deployed from the ar my ’s 7th Division in Maiduguri to locations in Damboa and Gwoza for major operations planned to flush out the dreaded Boko Haram sect from the areas.

War on terror'll end in 3 months Expatiating on the possibility of bringing the counter insurgency battle to an end in three months and whether there are still Nigerian communities under the control of Boko Haram terrorists, Col. Usman said: “Yes, we still have Boko Haram terrorists in some places in Sambisa forest and other places. But we are very confident that before the end of three months, we will eclipse the terrorists.

“We are working in concert with the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies.

A new operational command for Operation Zaman Dole with a Force Commander and headquarters in the epicentre of the battle is in place, the first of its kind since the counter insurgency started. The Multinational Joint Task Forces with seven brigades that are divided into six sectors with a Nigerian Force Commander are doing very well, blocking those escaping the barrage of military onslaught to neighbouring countries and decimating them.

“The MNJTF is interfacing with the Nigerian military.

We have more equipment.

We have more troops. The new mantra is that we are the ones going after the terrorists and they are the ones on the run unlike in the past. That is why we are beating our chest and saying in three months, we will defeat and clear Boko Haram off our shores.”

Earlier, Colonel Usman reading a text said: “You are aware that our troops have recaptured Gamboru-Ngala last Tuesday and are now consolidating, mopping up and preparing for the next offensive against the terrorists.

Commends NAF "At this point, I will like to acknowledge the commendable role the Nigerian Air Force plays in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in our great nation. We have a very close cooperation and

BISHOP OKONKWO @ 70: From left; Prof George Obiozor, Chairman of the occasion; Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Presiding Bishop, The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, TREM; his wife, Peace and Mr Babatunde Fashola, former governor of Lagos State at the 16th edition of the Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture to mark his 70th birthday in Lagos, yesterday. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele.

COURT MARTIAL REVIEW:

Army reinstates 3,032 soldiers •Vows to end war on terror in three months coordination of military offensive against the terrorists between the NAF and the Nigerian Army.

“Officers and airmen of the Nigerian Air Force in the North-East have conducted themselves creditably and professionally to the admiration of the Nigerian Army. The bombardment of identified Boko Haram terrorists' location, close air support, air surveillance and interdiction by the NAF have equally enhanced our operational efficiency and success.

“The Nigerian Air Force was equally involved in the supply of essential items, casualty evacuation, equipment and weaponry delivery in Operation Lafiya Dole. One will recall with gratitude how the Nigerian Air Force helped in the extrication and lifting of our T72 Tank when it was bogged down by Improvised Explosive Devices at Logomari, Borno State.

"They have provided water and airlift of other logistics to the war front in addition to their primary role of air reconnaissance and air support. The collaboration with the NAF is also a Force multiplier as troops are confident that they would receive quick medical attention in case any soldier needed such evacuation.”

Thanks Nigerians Appreciating Nigerians for their overwhelming moral support, prayers and understanding as troops "wither through the storm of the fight against these criminal elements that goes by the appellation of Boko Haram terrorists in our country," Usman said: “In particular, we would like to most sincerely thank all those patriotic and peace loving people that helped with information about the

movement of the terrorists, their improvised explosive device making factories and supply routes. The invaluable information provided has made us to act responsively and professionally that made the terrorists to be on the run.

“It is equally gratifying to say that most of the terrorists' group leadership has been decimated, while the foot soldiers are abandoning their masters, burying their weapons in forests and seeking solace.

Such interventions have cut the terrorists supply routes, making them dejected, hungry with no capacity to launch any deadly attack.

“We would like to commend the tremendous sacrifice and gallantry of our troops in the various theatres of operations and assure them that the leadership of the Nigerian Army is solidly behind them and doing all it could to enhance their welfare, performance and general wellbeing."

IGP bans use of commercial vehicles for patrol, operational duties

By Kingsley Omonobi

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BUJA — THE Inspector General of Police, IGP, Solomon Arase, has directed that all police commands and formations should immediately stop the use of commercial vehicles or vehicles painted in known

states’ commercial colours for police operations and patrol duties.

This directive was contained in a circular issued to all police formations and commands nationwide According to a statement signed by Acting ACP

Adebisi Kolawole, Force Public Relations Officer, “the circular states the directives are due to enormous negative consequences associated with such practices as complained by members of the public.

"The IGP further warned that abuse of this order by any police unit will attract severe sanctions.”

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

Buhari okays appointment of Ipaye, Akande as Osinbajo’s DCoS, SSA

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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BUJA — PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, approved the appointment of Mr. Rahman Adeola Ipaye as Deputy Chief of Staff and Mr. Laolu Akande as Senior Special Assistant (Media & Publicity) to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Both men, however, resumed work with the Vice President upon his swearing in on May 29.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, stated that Ipaye is the immediate past Attorney General of Lagos State.

He studied at the University of Lagos where he graduated with B. A. (Hons) degree (History) in 1984; LL.B. Hons (1988) and LL.M. (1991). He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators respectively.

Before his appointment as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ipaye had worked as a lecturer in the Department of Commercial and Industrial Law, University of Lagos (1992 to 2001); Special Assistant (Legal Matters) to the Governor of Lagos State (2001 to 2007); and Special Adviser (Taxation and Revenue) to the Governor of Lagos State and member of the State Executive Council (2007 to 2011).

Similarly, Mr. Laolu Akande graduated from the University of Ibadan in 1990 with an honours degree in History and a Masters degree in Communication & Language Arts in 1992.

He was a Staff Reporter of the Guardian newspaper in 1990 while still serving under the National Youth Service Corps.

He left The Guardian newspaper to join the foundation team of The News magazine in 1993, where he became Senior Writer. In 1997, he was appointed by Nigerian Tribune as Editor of The Tribune on Saturday, a position he held until he moved to the United States of America in 1998.

In the United States, he worked as a journalist with the Philadelphia Inquirer and New York Newsday.

He also served at the United Nations as a Press Officer and later as an Advocacy and Communication Consultant.

He was also the Bureau Chief of The Guardian newspaper in North America and the Executive Director of the Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans, CANAN.

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DSS retires Ogar, two directors, 12 others

By Chris Ochayi

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BUJA — THE Department of State Services, DSS, has sent 15 senior officials, including two directors, on compulsory retirement.

The former spokesperson of DSS and a Deputy Director, Marilyn Ogar, was one of those affected by the gale of retirements that swept through the services.

The signal announcing the development was released by

the leadership of the service, Wednesday night.

Ogar was in charge of public relations at the agency prior to the conduct of the 2015 general elections, but was removed two months ago while she equally lost her recent promotion following President Muhammadu Buhari’s nullification of the exercise.

Ogar and 44 others were promoted last March contrary to the policy in DSS that promotions were to be done at

the end of each year. Also, their promotion was not made public until May. The demotion of the former DSS spokesperson and many other officers was the first decision taken by the Director-General, DSS, Lawal Daura, who succeeded Ita Ekpeyong.

Although media reports said Ogar was redeployed to Maiduguri, Borno State after her demotion, but this was not confirmed by the service until her retirement.

The service had come under criticisms for not appointing a replacement for Ogar months after her removal from the public relations department of the service.

Ogar was promoted to Deputy Director following a presidential commendation by former President Goodluck Jonathan, who was impressed by her public enlightenment campaigns against terrorism, but her last promotion to the position of a director was nullified.

Anti-corruption war: Purge your party of corrupt persons, PDP tells APC It's rabble rousing at its worst, APC replies

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BUJA — THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, dismissed the perceived anti-corruption posture of the present administration as deceptive, saying the government is deliberating sweeping under the carpet grave allegations of corruption committed by those who helped it to power.

Alleging that the administration’s “holier than thou” stance was a deceptive frame to hoodwink ordinary citizens, the opposition party said the government would not be taken serious until it had first purged itself by addressing the corrupt deeds of close associates of the administration.

The PDP was immediately countered by the All Progressives Congress, APC, which described the allegations by the opposition party as rabble rousing and a rehash of previously unsubstantiated allegations.

Affirming that the PDP is not averse to the fight against corruption, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement, said: “The onus lies on the APC-led Federal Government to wage a credible holistic anti-corruption war by first purging itself of unclean association and coming out clear on sleazes already going on in government quarters since it took office in May. “Whereas, the PDP restates its respect for the person and office of the President as well as our support for the war against corruption, it is incumbent on us to alert Nigerians of the prevailing circumstances around this government that are capable of fundamentally undermining good governance if left unchecked.

Not executing credible holistic war against corruption

“Charity, they say begins at

UNVEILING: From left: Chairman, Board of Directors, Fidelity Bank Plc, Chief Christopher Ezeh; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank, Nnamdi Okonkwo; Executive Director, Shared Services, Fidelity Bank, and longest serving female staff, Chijioke Ugochukwu, and longest serving male staff, Fidelity Bank, Peter Maison at the unveiling of the new logo of the bank, in Lagos. home. For the APC-led government, it has now become a question of 'physician, heal thyself.' Every discerning mind knows that this administration is not executing a credible holistic war against corruption because it is a product of corruption, surrounded by corrupt persons; a factor apparently responsible for its obvious blind eyes to huge sleazes now being perpetrated in government agencies by persons claiming closeness to the President.

“How else can one explain the deliberate constitutional violations in the appointment of heads of financial handling federal agencies, such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Asset Management Cooperation of Nigeria (AMCON), without due process of ministerial consultations and legislative clearance, as the case may be?

Is this a scheme to open up these key finance institutions for malpractices and turn them into cash cows for APC interests?

“This is in addition to ongoing maneuverings in the oil sector,

where clandestine moves are on to award oil refining licences to cronies without the due process of open bidding as well as statutory guidelines and checks by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

“Similarly, we invite Nigerians to note that the APC-led administration has not been forthcoming on how it has been depleting the funds it inherited in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) and other government savings.

Are they the source of the funds now being circulated to pay back huge contributions for APC Presidential campaign expenses?

Corrupt acts of most APC leaders

“Furthermore, we wish to draw the attention of all Nigerians to the fact that this administration, for obvious reasons, has deliberately turned a blind eye to the corrupt acts of most APC leaders, who as governors, ministers and labour leaders have been the worst corrupt set of people ever to bestride the

political landscape of the country.

"Otherwise, how else can one explain the deafening silence by the government to the public outrage over the massive looting of public funds by some past APC governors?

“Apart from financial corruption, we draw the attention of Nigerians to the corrupting of security and democratic institutions in Nigeria, including the facts of nepotism in the appointment of an acting Chairman of INEC, a position unknown to the constitution, and a card-carrying member of the APC as the Director General of the Directorate of State Services (DSS), all in the bid to compromise the system to favour the Presidency and APC interests."

It's rabble rousing at its worst, APC replies

Responding, yesterday, APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a text message said: “Our response to the PDP’s statement is as follows: These are wild and unsubstantiated allegations. Uncoordinated and a rehash of what PDP has been saying in the last three months.

Rabble rousing at its worst.”

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015 — 9

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10 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

GOV POLL: Lagos PDP to seek redress at Supreme Court

By Dapo Akinrefon

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AGOS—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos State yesterday said it will seek redress at the Supreme Court following the dismissal of its suit by the Court of Appeal in Lagos, in its bid to upturn the victory of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at the April 11 governorship election in the state.

Addressing newsmen yesterday, PDP’s state chairman, Mr Tunji Shelle maintained that the party was already preparing for the local government election in the state.

Shelle, who said this after the State Executive Committee passed a vote of confidence in him, argued that; “In the last elections, we gave the All Progressives Congress, APC, a fight for their money. We fought a good battle. We won some while we lost some. But at the end of the day, we are fully convinced that we won the governorship election.

“That was why we went to the tribunal, then the Appeal Court and we are now heading for the Supreme Court. We are more than convinced that we won the governorship election.”

While he called the Kamaldeen Olorunoje faction of the party, which had earlier suspended him to cooperate with him for the sake of peace and prosperity, the party chairman urged all aggrieved parties to obey the PDP constitution.

Lagos adopts fresh strategy to handle traffic offenders LASTMA officials to book, not apprehend

By Leke Adeseri, South West Regional Editor & Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—IN its bid to ensure free flow of traffic across the metropolis, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, have been directed to adopt the system of booking traffic offenders, rather than apprehending their vehicles.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr.

Oluseyi Whenu gave the directive to officials while briefing top echelon of LASTMA on government’s new policy thrust in the transportation sector.

He said that while government appreciates the invaluable contribution of the traffic managers to the current traffic situation in the state, more emphasis should be placed on flawless traffic.

“That is the minimum we owe the people of the state”, he said,

VISIT: Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State (2nd right); his Deputy, Chief Yetunde Onanuga (left); General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Isidore Edet (2nd left) and Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade, Abeokuta, Brigadier General Danwalis; during a courtesy visit by the GOC to the governor's office in Abeokuta...yesterday.

Fashola keeps mum over accountability as gov

By Olayinka Latona

L

AGOS—FORMER governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola yesterday refused to make further comments about probity of his administration and various allegations levelled against him while he was in office.

While reacting to a question during the 16th annual lecture of Bishop Mike Okonkwo tagged:

“The Nigerian Political Class and The Citizens Quest for Good Governance”, Fashola, who was the guest speaker of the occasion said: “About accountability, I did not know how you expect me to announce on the pages of newspapers that it is not the real issue.”

Describing participation as one of the critical components of democracy, the former governor urged Nigerians to contribute their

Lagos CJ inaugurates 107 new customary court judges

By Abdulwahab Abdulah & Bartholomew Madukwe

L

AGOS—HISTORY was recorded yesterday as the Lagos Chief Judge, Justice

Funmilayo Atilade swore in 107 new judges for the customary courts across the state to replace the old ones.

Those inaugurated included 19 Presidents and 88 members who

100 DAYS: Ambode has done well — CLERIC governor has shown that he is

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AGOS—AS Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State prepares to mark his first 100 days in office, President of the Zumratul Islamiyyah Society of Nigeria, Tajudeen Olusi has commended the performance of the governor, saying he has performed well within the short time.

In a statement, Olusi said the C M Y K

adding that LASTMA should synergize with other security agencies to ensure that the Lagos Road Traffic Law 2012 is enforced.

He therefore directed LASTMA officials to consider alternative traffic management methods rather than physical apprehension and arrest.

Whenu, in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer in the Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Sina Thorpe, assured Lagos

determined to serve Lagosians meritoriously irrespective of their ethnic, religious or political affiliations.

He said “Ambode has performed well in his last 100 days in office. He is cool headed and focused. He has been dedicated to his programmes and has been ministering to the needs of Lagosians.

are mainly lawyers, will be presiding over the courts spreading in the 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, of the state.

The new appointments were in line with the provisions of sections 3 and 13 of the Customary Court Law, 2011.

In her address, Justice Atilade said the appointees are to replace the ageing customary court Presidents in the state, and urged them to be ‘responsible and live above board.’

“I congratulate you on your appointments. The present customary judges, having served well, it is important to replace the ageing ones or those who have died.”

quota towards good governance in the country, while he called on political leaders to constantly keep in touch with the changing needs of their citizens through polls, surveys and other scientific models of empiric information gathering before formulating or concluding on policies.

In his words: “The constitution makes it clear that we all have roles to play if we must have a good life. It is not enough to elect brilliant or honest President and Governor and think that is the guarantee of good governance. But if you hear statements like, “government cannot do it alone”, citizens have a role to play, citizens must be interested in their own safety.

Participation takes many forms, voting, payment of tax, helping out, asking questions and speaking up.”

Calling on the federal government to urgently reinstate the teaching of history into the school curriculum, the Chief Examiner of Bishop Okonkwo’s Essay Competition, Professor Akachi Ezeigbo lamented the extinction of History from Nigeria’s school curriculum.

She added that if students are left to their own devices in coming to terms with the country’s history, it will be extremely dangerous.

residents that a more perfect traffic management and documentation procedure is being put in place where traffic offenders are booked and given a grace period for payment and defaulters apprehended at home through the information in the motor vehicle database.

“Since LASTMA officials are a reflection of the state government, they should ensure that their activities add value to the government’s covenant with Lagos residents to make life easier for them,” he said.

He however implored Lagos residents to reciprocate government’s humanness by obeying all traffic laws and regulations.

Whenu also called on all motorists, whose vehicles have been apprehended by LASTMA in the past, to visit the appropriate LASTMA depot for claim their vehicles after proper documentation, assuring them of a more flexible process for prompt service delivery.

Meantime, there were strong indications yesterday that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode may soon effect a major restructuring of LASTMA. This was made evident when Ambode on his return from an official trip to Abuja on Wednesday, paid an unscheduled visit to LASTMA Secretariat, Oshodi Yard to have an on-the-spot assessment of the yard.

He was said to have been surprised at the number of impounded vehicles littering the place, especially when most of the vehicles had been seized for many months, a development, which a reliable source, said irked the governor.

It was learned that Ambode, at a meeting with LASTMA authorities sometime in July, directed that all seized vehicles for various traffic offences be released and that the agency should adopt fresh method, through application of available information data with the Transport Ministry to carry out punitive measures against traffic offenders.

Apparently, to confirm the level of compliance or otherwise, the governor decided to personally check on LASTMA. It was gathered that during the visit, LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Babatunde Edu was not on seat but later went to brief the governor on why those vehicles were still in the yard.

According to the source; ‘’Edu’s replacement, who is said to be presently in Saudi Arabia on holy pilgrimage, had already been contacted over his new appointment.

“As soon as he comes back from pilgrimage his appointment will be announced,” the source said.

It was also gathered that Edu is already aware of the development and he is just buying time, the source stated.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015 — 11

Policemen accused of causing woman’s death suspended

PETITION: Court adjourns Judge Oloyede's case against Osun Assembly

By Gbenga Olarinoye

By Dayo Johnson

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S O G B O — A N Osun State High Court Judge, Justice A.A. Aderibigbe yesterday adjourned till November 15, this year hearing on application filled by Justice Folahanmi Oloyede seeking to quash the decision of the State House of Assembly which dismissed her petition seeking the removal of Governor Rauf Aregbesola from office.

Justice Oloyede had petitioned the state house of Assembly to investigate governor Aregbesola and his deputy, Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori for alleged mismanagement of the state resources since coming into office in 2010.

But the house after its investigation dismissed the petition for not being properly filed and lacking merit among others and also recommended her to the State Judicial Commission SJC for further sanction.

Justice Oloyede subsequently headed to the state high court to stop the Assembly from implementing the content of the report of the investigation panel, but the matter again suffered a temporary setback as the issue of non proper service hindered hearing of the application.

Counsel to Justice Oloyede, Mr Lukman Ogunsetan had informed the court of his readiness to argue the application for order of Certiorari having served all the necessary parties in the case.

A

FOR PENKELEMEESI @ 100: From left, former Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo AlaoAkala; Governor Abiola Ajimobi Oyo State; Managing Director, First Bank Plc, Mr. Steven Onasanya and Aare Alasa of Ibadanland, Oloye Lekan Alabi at the post humous centenary birthday celebration of Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu (a.k.a Penkelemesi) at Ibadan Civic Center, Idi-Ape Ibadan, yesterday.

Applause as Alao-Akala, Ajimobi embrace As Penkelemeesi's post-humous centenary birthday holds

By Ola Ajayi & Deji Oke

I

BADAN—GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and his predecessor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala yesterday surprised many dignitaries who attended Adegoke Adelabu post-humous centenary birthday celebration, as they embraced each other openly, signalling an end to their political bitterness.

The action of the two politicians attracted loud applause from the large crowd that attended the ceremony at the Civic Centre, Ibadan.

There relationship between the two became strained in 2007 and this continued till the

Ekiti PDP, APC bicker over national issues

By Rotimi Olaleye

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DO-EKITI—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State has expressed concern over the non-inclusion of the former Governor of the State, Dr Kayode Fayemi in the probe list of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

A statement by the State Publicity Secretary, Jackson Adebayo, in Ado-Ekiti yesterday said, it was aware of the series of petitions against Fayemi lying with the anti-graft bodies.

The party asked anti-graft agencies to explain to Nigerians why the former Governor was not among the former public officers being probed by the commission.

This was as the All Progressives Congress, APC, took a swipe at Governor Ayodele Fayose’s criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari over charge of northern ethnic

domination in his appointments.

The party accused the governor of being guilty of worse insensitivity to his fellow Ekiti people in the state appointments made so far.

Reacting to Fayose’s wellpublicised criticism in the media, Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, in a statement, described the governor as lacking in moral authority to accuse another man of ethnic bias in consideration for appointments.

Fayose’s treatment of muslims in terms of appointment in the state is the worst since the state was created, Ekiti muslims were not given up to one percent of the appointments made by the Fayose’s administration.

The party said that it could still furnish the commission and others more information and facts if necessary.

The party was reacting to the announcement by the ICPC that it was investigating some former state governors over alleged misconduct while in office.

April 11, 2015 governorship election.

It was however reported that they buried the hatchet shortly after the general polls with Alao-Akala showing no interest in contesting Ajimobi’s victory at the election tribunal.

Alao-Akala, who dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for Labour Party came third in the governorship election.

After the warm embrace, Ajimobi spoke glowingly of Alao-Akala, describing him as his boss as he was governor before him.

Speaking about the late Adelabu, Ajimobi described the politician, who died at the age of 43 as one of the most brilliant Ibadan men he ever knew.

While challenging Ibadan indigenes to celebrate their heroes, he named Felele-Agodi Gate Road after the dead politician.

According to him, “Alhaji, the Hon. Adegoke Adelabu was a man of great ideas who lived before his time. His book, African in Ebullition, published in 1952 was more of a manifesto of social welfare programmes for improved living condition of the people. He utilized his position as the leader of opposition to Action Group under the sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo to offer such robust political direction that kept the government in power constantly on its toes to provide better services for the people.

“Chief Anthony Enahoro as the House Leader once acknowledged it in the Western Region House of Assembly in 1953, when he stated that; ‘This is not the time for partisanship, but I wish to say, Mr. Speaker, that nobody realized better than we on the government bench that Alhaji Adelabu provided that useful check, without which democratic government could not survive”.

He was more than a match.’

“The stormy political life of Adelabu a.k.a. Penkelemeesi was based on a tripod that was easily identified by the master of the game himself. He possessed what is required to dislodge the condominium – sound education, discerning power, political articulation, courage of conviction, iron will and uncompromising stance in the face of threat and intimidation”.

In his lecture entitled: ‘Adegoke Penkelemeesi Adelabu: A thousand stars of honour ’, Professor Mark Nwagwu said; “Penkelemeesi, you wave your hand, you beckon on us all to your side, and you fly us to Nigeria of glory, Nigeria of your passion, of your dedication, Nigeria of your dreams, a Nigeria that will command your admiration and reverence; and not one, such as we have today, which you would painfully survey and snarl: what a mess.''

Adelabu's book, “Africa in Ebullition” first published in 1952 was launched at the ceremony with several donors including Ajimobi making handsome donations.

KURE—TWO out of the 10 policemen tried over the death of the 50-year-old female politician, Mrs Ronke Adelugba in Akure, the Ondo State capital have been suspended.

The 10 policemen, who reportedly invaded the residence of the deceased in two police patrol vehicles went through orderly room trial for two days.

The suspended policemen are Inspector, Fabunmi Oladipupo and Inspector Haruna Idris The deceased, a single mother was said to have been hit with the butt of the gun by one of the policemen who invaded her home at Alarapon lane in Akure metropolis while pursuing a criminal.

According to reports, the policemen, during an heated argument over the whereabout of the criminal that reportedly ran into her house beat her up and allegedly hit her with the butt of the gun.

She was said to have slumped and died before she could be rushed to the hospital.

Briefing newsmen on the development, the commissioner of police, Isaacs Eke, said the command took the disciplinary action in order to ensure that the case is not swept under the carpet.

Eke added that the command is waiting for the autopsy report to ascertain the cause of the death of the 50-year-old politician.

Fawehinmi’s memorial holds with petition against Aregbesola

By Gbenga Olarinoye

O

SOGBO—AS part of the activities to commemorate the six years anniversary of the death of the late legal luminary and human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN, the Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State CSCEO will today visit the Lagos office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, with a petition against Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Adesoji

Aregbesola over alleged misappropriation of the state's resources.

Besides, the group planned to observe a special Jumat service and prayer for the repose of the late lawyer at the Ansar Ud Deen Mosque, Berger, Lagos State.

According to a statement signed by the group’s Chairman, Comrade Adeniyi, Alimi Sulaiman, Fawehinmi was an icon of all times who lived an exemplary life, noting that the late lawyer would forever be remembered, especially by the downtrodden masses.

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

CPJ, NUPENG demand unconditional release of Donu Kogbara

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

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ORT HARCOURT—A media rights group, Committee to Protect Journalists, CPJ, and Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, have called for the immediate release of Vanguard newspaper columnist, Donu Kogbara, who was kidnapped by gunmen from her home in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

CPJ, a New York-based rights group in a statement, yesterday by its West African representative, Peter Nkanga, said, “We condemn the kidnapping of Donu Kogbara and call on Nigerian authorities to launch an immediate and efficient investigation.”

It urged Nigerian authorities to do their utmost to find Kogbara, establish a motive for the abduction and apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators, adding that she had worked for Vanguard newspaper for some 30 years, as well as for the BBC, Channel 4, the Sunday Times and The Mail.

Similarly, NUPENG, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, condemned the kidnap of Kogbara, and called on the kidnappers to release her

immediately and unconditionally.

The union in a statement by its President, Mr. Igwe Achese, expressed disappointment at the security agencies for their inability to rescue the columnist after a week in captivity.

The statement, said “NUPENG wants the kidnappers to release Donu Kogbara unhurt as she is neither a politician nor a rich lady

but just a Journalist writing to make the society a better place to live in.

The union advises the kidnappers to release Donu Kogbara without ransom and give respect to womanhood.

“NUPENG blames the security apparatus in Rivers State for not being pro-active in responding fast to track the kidnappers and their victim. The union calls on the

Police, the DSS, Navy and the Intelligence Agency to spread their dragnet and get her released from the abductors.

“NUPENG is also worried and concerned about the security challenges in Okrika, Rivers State and calls on the Nyesom Wike led administration in Rivers State, the JTF, Police, and DSS to arrest the current security challenge in Okrikaland"

VISIT: From left: Managing Director, Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, Mrs. Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue, MD, Port Harcourt Refining Company Ltd, Dr. Bafred Enjugu and GMD, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, during a visit to Okrika Jetty in Port Harcourt.

Govt unprepared for looming flood —ACTIVISTS

A

By Emma Amaize

SABA—A group of activists, who just concluded a sensitization tour of riverside communities in the Niger Delta region have lamented that the local, state and Federal Governments have not put in place adequate measures to contain the looming disaster in the country.

The activists, Alhaji Yusuf Eregbene and Austin Ozobo, in a statement, said they were surprised that despite the warning on the impending flood by federal authorities, the various governments had done little to avert the danger, other than warning communities to relocate from low-plane areas.

They said: “The relocation warning is exploitative, as the country’s government did not learn any lesson from the 2012 flooding, which ravaged almost every communities in the Lower Niger. The menace of flooding has turned to a money- making venture by successive governments in the country, and that is why they refused to find a lasting solution to the issue of flooding in the various states in the country.”

The activists contended that evacuation was not the best method to decisively tackle the re-occurring flood menace in the country, adding, “A lot of money was brought to rehabilitate the riverine and other affected communities by the Federal Government, foreign and individual donors but the money

was diverted.

“There was no probe of the committees as the various state governments divided the money among themselves. We are not surprised that Governor Ifeanyi

Okowa's government is taking same exploitative way in addressing flooding in Delta State.

“The most annoying thing is that they are calling for relocation but refused to tell communities where

they are relocating to, whether to the Government House or Aso-villa, up till now, they are not told the level of state government preparationsintermsoftransportation, welfareandrehabilitationmeasures.”

IYC lauds Buhari for payment of tuition fees for students abroad

AMNESTY:

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By Samuel Oyadongha

ENAGOA—THE Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, worldwide yesterday hailed President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to heed the calls from the leaders of the Niger Delta on the prompt payment of tuition fees and monthly stipend to ex-militant youths studying in foreign institutions.

IYC’s President, Udengs Eradiri, described as commendable the quick response of the current administration to various issues of concern raised by the people of the region on the

suffering of foreign students under the Amnesty programme, the delay in the appointment of a Coordinator for the Amnesty Office and the selective nature of the ongoing restructuring in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. Eradiri said that the people of the Niger Delta region were beginning to build confidence in the administration of Buhari.

He, however, noted with concern that certain actions by those recently appointed including the acting Director General of the National Maritime Administration and

Safety Agency, NIMASA, Haruna Juoro may destroy the emerging robust relationship between the region and the current administration.

Eradiri, who spoke to newsmen in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on the emerging relationship and confidence in the Buhari administration, said that the acting DG of NIMASA, on assumption of office, embarked on alleged act of vendetta against the achievement of the former Director General, Patrick Akpobolokemi and the staff of the agency of South-South extraction.

Why fuel can't sell for N87 everywhere,

by Rivers IPMAN said.

P

By Jimitota Onoyume

ORT HARCOURT— CHAIRMAN, Rivers State chapter of Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria, IPMAN, Prince Sunny Nkpe, has said that all filling stations in the state cannot sell petrol at the official pump price because some get the product from private jetties.

Nkpe, who spoke on why some filling stations sell above the pump price, explained that some filling stations get their product from private tank owners that pay certain charges to operate.

“The problem is due to simple demand and supply mechanism.

Luckily, the Port Harcourt Refining Company, PHRC, will soon start getting crude. The issue will be resolved in a few days’ time,” he

He expressed hope that all filling stations will sell at the official pump price when the refinery commences production at full capacity.

He thanked Governor Nyesom Wike of the state for his efforts at fixing the bad portion of the East West Road connecting Akpajo and Onne an area that is host to several companies.

A-Ibom warns drug vendors, hawkers, others

By Chioma Onuegbu

U

YO—AKWA Ibom State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong has warned against the indiscriminate sales, hawking, advertisement and unregulated display of foods and drugs in the state.

Ukpong in a statement, yesterday, in Uyo by the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Mrs. Mary Ukponguso ordered all vendors of the purported cleansers, bitters, food supplements and various forms of herbal preparations to desist forthwith.

He said that a committee had been empowered to arrest and prosecute anyone who fails to comply with the order.

He said, “The vendors claim that these products provide solutions to the different types of ailments and disease conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, malaria, typhoid fever, infertility and even cancer.

Councillors seek transfer of Udu council treasurer

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DU—THE councillors in the Udu Legislative Arm of Udu Local Government Area, Delta State, yesterday, called for the immediate transfer of the Treasurer of the council, Mr. Bernard Emavworia for alleged gross misconduct and failure to appear before the House for three consecutive times.

After the motion of transfer was moved by Voke Bukata from Ward 12 and seconded by Johnson Didiba Ward 5, the leader of Udu legislative arm, Friday Okotogbo ordered the Clerk of the House to effect the transfer as moved by the House and send to the appropriate quarter for implementation.

According to the councillors, the Treasurer of Udu council failed to appear before the House after three consecutive invitations to give account on financial statement of income and expenditure of the council, thereby denying the councillors the right to carry out their legislative business of providing checks and balances.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015—13

RIVERS POLL: PDP protests change of tribunal

chairman

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA—GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, queried the rationale behind the sudden removal of Chairman of the Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, Justice Muazu Pindiga.

Justice Pindiga hitherto led a three-man panel of judges that have been hearing the petition against Governor Wike by the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside.

At the resumed hearing on the case, yesterday, parties in the matter were informed that the President of the Court of Appeal, PCA, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa had ordered Justice Pindiga to hands-off the matter.

Justice Suleiman Ambrosa, who was previously on the tribunal panel, was asked to takeover and preside over the petition seeking to annul the April 11 governorship election that brought Wike to power.

No reason was adduced on why the PCA decided to change the composition of the panel.

Meantime, before the witnesses took turns and gave their testimonies yesterday, both Wike and the PDP, through their respective lawyers, opposed the

re-constitution of the panel, describing it as a deliberate attempt to breach their rights.

Wike’s lawyer, Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, said they were at the tribunal in protest to the change in the headship of the three-man panel.

He said: “Before we proceed, we must register our protest. The re-constitution of this panel by the appointment of new chairman is a breach of rights to us. Whoever

or however, this move was made was at best surreptitious and exparte.

“Therefore, we cannot but seek further instructions from our client before we proceed, bearing in mind that there are other options open to us including making protests to the appropriate authorities and or exploring other options."

Similarly, counsel to the PDP, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, who

aligned with Wike, said: “The pillar in the administration of justice is that confidence must be rooted in the process.”

The defendants contended that in view of the development, the case should be commenced de-novo (afresh).

Responding, counsel to the petitioners, Chief Akin Olujunmi, SAN, expressed surprise at the removal of Justice Pindiga.

MEETING: Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State (left), first Military Governor of old Rivers State and Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, HRM, King Alfred Diete Spiff (right), and former Military Administrator of Delta and Ebonyi states, Chief Walter Feghabo, during a meeting between the governor and political appointees in Yenagoa. Photo: Michael Owi.

BAYELSA POLL: Dickson charges council chiefs, aides

on victory

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By Samuel Oyadongha

ENAGOA—GOVERNOR Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, yesterday, gave a marching orders to all local government area chairmen and other appointees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to reside in their various localities and work for victory of the party at the forthcoming governorship poll.

Ayade lifts embargo on employment

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ALABAR—GOVERNOR Ben Ayade of Cross River State, yesterday, lifted the 23year-old embargo placed on employment into the state’s civil service.

The governor had on Sunday during his thanksgiving mass in his honour at Saint Theresa’s Little Flower Catholic Church, Kakum, Obudu Local Government Area of the state, promised to lift the over two decadeold embargo on employment to strengthen the service and alleviate poverty.

A statement by the Special Assistant Media/ Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, yesterday, announced the lift on the embargo that has been in place since 1992.

C M Y K

Dickson, who gave the order at a meeting with all political appointees of the PDP at the Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, called for loyalty and sacrifice in their

efforts and to collectively work as a team to canvass support for his re-election bid.

He said that the time has come for all ambassadors of the restoration government to give

back to the party that they have benefited from for over three years and embark on what he called, “Operation Deliver Your Wards and Local Governments.”

APC petitions IG over death of Bayelsa gov Inokoba who defected alongside the APC two weeks ago made aspirant several other top shots of the open statements that Col.

Y

By Emem Idio

ENAGOA—THE Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday, called on the Inspector General of Police, IG, Mr Mr. Solomon Arase to order for an independent investigation into the circumstances that led to the sudden death of one of the party’s governorship aspirant, Col. Sam Inokoba (retd).

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to APC reportedly slumped and died in the early hours of Wednesday while on a private visit to his family in Lagos.

In a petition by its Publicity Secretary, Panebi Fortune, APC, noted that the sudden death of Col. Inokoba needed further probe.

The petition said: “The PDP had since the defection of Inokoba to

Inokoba would not last. Looking at the weighty statement side by side with his sudden death in Lagos, Inokoba’s death needs explanation from the PDP. “Even before the world could swallow the bitter and painful news of his death, a fictitious ‘news stream’ suspected to be sponsored by the officials of the Bayelsa government had circulated the news that he died in the home of another APC leader."

Delta PDP chair tackles Emerhor over rising manifesto to the people during unemployment comment the electioneering campaign,

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SABA—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led government in Delta State has said that the All Progressives Congress, APC, did not win the governorship election in the state because Deltans did not believe in the party and its empty promises.

State chairman of PDP, Chief Edwin Uzor, was reacting to a recent media report credited to the

Delta State APC governorship candidate in the April 11 election, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor purporting that the state has been faced with high debt profile, poor state of infrastructure, acute poverty, increasing unemployment and under development in the past 16 years PDP has ruled the state.

Chief Uzor said that the APC had all the opportunities to sell its

and actually did, but that did not earn the party any confidence.

Saying that the said report lacked merit, the Delta State PDP chairman maintained that poverty and unemployment were global economic problems affecting even developed nations and should not be held against the PDP-led government in Delta State.

Okiemute urges Deltans to embrace health insurance scheme

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SABA—THE Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Political Matters, Chief Akigho Okiemute, has advised Deltans to embrace the Health Insurance Scheme being introduced by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

He said that the scheme should be accessed from the higher percentage benefits it has to offer than the very low percentage responsibility it carries.

Okiemute said that Okowa started the scheme to bring the dream of increased economic growth and prosperity as promised by his government during his campaigning visitations to all parts of the state.

He added that there was need for such scheme to be adopted at the moment, because it stands to attain the goal of universal health care in Nigeria.

Bayelsa lawmaker tasks constituents on voter registration

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By Emem Idio

ENAGOA—AHEAD the December 5, governorship poll in Bayelsa State, the lawmaker representing Ogbia Constituency 11, in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Dr. Anapurere Awilo, has urged the people of the constituency and the entire Ogbia Local Government Area people especially those who do not have the Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, to avail themselves of the opportunity of the on-going continuous voter registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Awoli, who commended INEC for providing opportunity for eligible voters who could not register duringthelastexercise,described the continuous voter registration as a welcome development that will ensure that no eligible voter was disenfranchised ig the cominggovernorshippoll.

14 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

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group, Empowerment for Unemployed Youths Initiative, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to review Federal Government’s commitments to the Abuja Centenary City project describing it as a fraud conceived to undermine the national economy.

Among the abuses was the relocation of a military base at the cost of N2 billion to the government for the purpose of accommodating the privately owned project.

The group in a petition to the president listed erstwhile Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim as a

Youth group urges Buhari to cancel Centenary City project facilitator of the project who used his powers to the benefit of the privately owned scheme to the detriment of the nation.

The petition was signed by Solomon Adodo, the national coordinator and Sulieman Musa, the national secretary.

The group also affirmed that a senior official of the Nigerian Export Processing Zone, NEPZA undermined the board of the agency by approving a free trade zone status for the scheme without getting the approval of the board as stipulated.

The petition by the group follows a public spat between Senator Anyim and Dr. Cairo Ojugboh, the national vice chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who accused the erstwhile SGF of, among others things, using his position to project the interest of the project to the detriment of the nation.

Empowerment for Unemployed Youths Initiative in its petition said it was stirred by the recent visit of a delegation from the Centenary

City project to the president where according to the group, false impressions were laid before the president.

Affirming that a very prominent official of the erstwhile administration misused his privileged office, the group said: “Mr. President, we also refer you to the Corporate Affairs Commission report on the Centenary City where it was stated that the shareholders and subscribers of the Centenary City, Company First Ltd and Basic Stat Ltd own 125,000,000 shares

each of the Centenary City. Mr. President we can courageously tell you that the process of the incorporation of the Centenary City leaves much to be desired.”

“Mr. President, are you aware that a military base was relocated out of the Centenary City zone at the cost of 2 billion naira at the expense of the Nigerian Government. This 2 billion naira belongs to the commonwealth of Nigeria. Mr. President, are you going to allow these monies remain in the hands of Anyim and his cohorts – the soldiers of fortune?

“Mr. President, we refer you to the NEPZA Act 1st schedule Section 3(5) sub 4.1 and it states ‘’the fixing of the Seal of the Authority shall be authenticated by the signature of the Chairman and of any other Member authorized generally or specifically by the Board to act for that purpose”. Mr. President, ask the Centenary City to produce the approval of the NEPZA Board for the licensing of the Centenary City as a free trade zone. Mr. President, this is a criminal breach of trust. This must be scrupulously investigated.

“Mr. President, we refer you to the NEPZA Act Section 5 (8) and it states ‘’approved enterprises operating within a free trade zone shall be exempted from all Federal, State and Government taxes, levies and rates”. ''Mr. President, by illegally licensing the Centenary City a free trade zone, the promoters are desirous of taking advantage of the Section 5 (8) as quoted above. Mr. President, the implication of this is that for every one job created, we the Youth of Nigeria will lose 0ne thousand jobs. Secondly, the industrial development we crave will never materialize.

“Thirdly, the contractors in the free trade zone are taking advantage of the above to import into the country equipment, cement and labour. Mr. President, are you telling Nigerians that you are going to allow this? ''How will the City operate when you need ingress and exit visas to visit the zone. Mr. President, in UAE where you have the free trade zones, the land is owned 100 percent by the government, Nigeria cannot be exempted and there is nowhere in the world where a residential city is a free trade zone.

If this is allowed it will damage our economy.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015—15

Okorocha floors Ihedioha at Appeal Court •As gov appeals to Ihedioha to join hands with him

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI—THE Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, yesterday threw out the appeal filed by the Imo State gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Emeka Ihedioha.

The PDP gubernatorial candidate, who was displeased at the way the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal dismissed his petition on

technical grounds, prayed the Court of Appeal to reverse it.

Meanwhile, Governor Rochas Okorocha has extolled the decision of the Court of Appeal for upholding the ruling of the Election Petition Tribunal and striking out the appeal also for lack of merit.

“By doing that, the Appeal Court had equally justified my stiff confidence in the ability and readiness of the Judiciary to uphold justice and also respect the popular and lawful actions of the people over who would

Pastor donates N200,000 to Kirikiri ex-inmate

By Benjamin Njoku

govern them at any given time”, Okorocha said.

Continuing, the Governor said he had always exercised reasonable regard for Chief Ihedioha and would stop at nothing to commend his effort and apparent desire to govern the state, which he is entitled to, as a bonafide son of the state.

While saying that Ihedioha’s legal actions, with regard to the 2015 governorship election, were all designed to strengthen the nation’s democracy, the Governor however added that “having lost at the Election Petition Tribunal and having also lost at the Appeal Court, I have no option than to sincerely appeal to Hon. Ihedioha to allow the litigations over the governorship election of 2015 to stop at this level in the interest of the state and her people.”

However, Chief Ihedioha has

appealed to his supporters to remain calm, adding that he has firmly instructed his counsel to approach the Supreme Court over the issue.

It was his considered opinion that justice would be served on merit of his matter as he is convinced that he scored the highest lawful votes cast during the governorship elections and should have rather been declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Chief Ihedioha said he was not unaware of the shock and disappointment that have engulfed the entire state, following this unfortunate ruling, stressing that he has noted the hardship, hunger and hopelessness Imolites have been subjected to just to satisfy the yearnings of Governor Okorocha.

Kirikiri Maximum Prison.”

Overwhelmed, Miss Mberekpe, while receiving the HE FOUNDER and cheque, thanked the man of God, General Overseer of Word stating that the gesture came to and Spirit Assembly Church, her as a surprise.

Satellite Town, Pastor Chris Ekeh, has put a smile on the face of a female ex-inmate, Miss Jennifer Ngozi Mberekpe, by giving her a cheque of N200,000 to start a new life outside the prison walls.

Miss Mberekpe was recently freed from the Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Apapa, where she had been behind bars since last year, following a case of fraud preferred against her.

She was freed 12 days after Pastor Ekeh visited the Kirirkiri Maximum Prison on the July 17, to celebrate his 40th birthday with the inmates. The pastor had promised to render financial assistance to any inmate that would be released after his visit.

Her case was struck out by the trial judge.

At the Church service last Sunday, Pastor Ekeh presented a cheque of N200,000 to Miss Mberekpe in fulfilment of his promise to the inmates.

Presenting the cheque to Miss.

Mberekpe, the celebrity pastor SIGNING: From left, Speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Francis Nwifuru; Clerk of said: “This is my own little way of the House of Assembly, Rose Nwokporo; Commissioner for Justice, Augustine Nwankwegu; sowing seed in your life and also, Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi; Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe, and Commissioner for of fulfilling the promise I made Finance, Dennis Ekumankama, during the signing of three bills sent to the governor by the during my recent visit to the Assembly, in Abakaliki, yesterday.

T

BOKO HARAM: Ohanaeze youths urge Ndigbo to be vigilant

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

movements at churches, schools, motor parks, shopping malls, mosques and other public places.

BA—THE Ohanaeze Youth We also wish to reiterate that Council, OYC, has urged Ohanaeze Youth Security Ndigbo to be vigilant over the network is alert and will prevent activities of the Boko Haram sect.

In a statement jointly signed by its National President, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Public

By Anayo Okoli Relations Officer, Hon. Obinna Adibe, the group said it has uncovered plans by the sect to MUAHIA—FRENCH unleash terrorist activities in the government has restated South East zone. its readiness to assist Nigeria in “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth wing the fight against terrorism, wishes to alert Ndigbo to be describing Nigeria as a great vigilant and report any suspicious nation which needs to be persons or movement to the victorious in the fight. security agents. We advise Ndigbo However, French government to watch out for any suspicious urged greater cooperation

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any attempt to attack Ndigbo,” the statement read in part.

OYC urged the Boko Haram sect to sheathe her sword and embrace peace as all Nigerians are now united to end

insurgency in the country.

The group called on the governors of the South East states to collaborate in the area of securing the zone and on other issues of common interest.

... as French govt pledges to support Nigeria

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between Nigeria and its French speaking neighbours like Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Niger, saying that such cooperation would boost the fight against the insurgents.

The French Defence Attaché, French Embassy, Abuja, Nigeria, Colonel Marc Humbert, who said this, Wednesday, at Ovim, Abia State, explained that Nigeria

and France have forged closer ties, which he hoped would help in the fight against Boko Haram.

Humbert, who spoke when he paid a courtesy visit to the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika (retd), expressed the hope that the support from French government and gallantry of Nigerian soldiers would soon end terrorism.

Navy, Police killed 2 of our members, injured 9 others — BIAFRA GROUP No, they injured our officers —Navy

.

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

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NITSHA—COORDINATORS of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, yesterday stormed Onitsha, Anambra State to assess what they termed as the extent of last Sunday ’s killings and injuries perpetrated on their members, insisting that the shootings that led to the killings and wounds were allegedly done by both the Naval and Police officers in Onitsha.

The National Coordinator, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, accompanied by the Secretary to the Homeland Directorate (Biafra Land), Gift Ahamefula and Anambra State coordinator, Ikechukwu Okoye had on arrival to Onitsha, visited St. Charles Borromeo Hospital, Onitsha where they saw the bodies of two of their members who were deposited at the hospital mortuary.

After the mortuary visit where they identified the two deceased members as Ebuka Nnorom from Ufuma in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra state and Obasi Maduka from Ebonyi state, the coordinators moved to Paragon and Multi-care hospitals in Onitsha where they visited their injured members.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after their visits, the coordinators insisted that their members were killed and injured when the Naval officers allegedly opened fire on the crowd as they were holding their peaceful rally, adding that while the navy shot and killed one of them and injured about five others, the Police shot and killed the second person and injured four others.

However, the commander of Navy in Onitsha, Navy Captain Ali Kwabe denied ever attacking the group, let alone killing or injuring any one of them, adding that the little fracas between them and the group had arisen when the group blocked and caused vehicular log-jam and as they tried to control them, they went into rampage and started hauling peddles at the naval personnel which injured some of their members.

16—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

Publish the state financial account, Archbishop Obinna tells Okorocha

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—SEQUEL to Imo State g o v e r n m e n t ’ s acknowledgment of the receipt of Federal Government’s bailout fund, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Most Rev. Anthony J. V. Obinna, has again challenged Governor Rochas Okorocha to publish the state’s financial statement.

Archbishop Obinna, who repeated the demand while fielding questions from journalists in Owerri, wondered why it was taking the governor such a long time to publish the state account for public consumption.

The fiery Catholic cleric challenged journalists to invoke the Freedom of Information Act, and force the governor to release the document.

SECOND NIGER BRIDGE: Only N14bn

spent so far —NSIA

By Jonah Nwokpoku

T

HE NIGERIAN Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA has said that it has only spent about N14 billion on the second Niger bridge project.

The money include N10 billion, a part of N18.3 billion so far released by the Federal Government for the project, which has been disbursed for early construction work and $2.21 million, about N4.4 billion which has been expended as consultancy costs on the project.

In a statement made available to Vanguard, NSIA said $247,586, about N49 million has been spent on the due diligence phase of the project while $1.96 million, about N3.9 billion has been spent on the project development phase as HAND-OVER: From left, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State; his wife, Rachael, and USAID consultancy services fees. These Mission Director in Nigeria, Mr. Michael Harvey, during official hand-over of long lasting services, it noted, have included Insecticidal Nets to the state government, in Abakaliki, Wednesday. work in “legal, financial, technical and engineering and environmental included: “FBN Capital as financial Anambra State. He had It said, the federal social impact advisory, provided by advisor; Murty International Limited as equally maintained that the government has so far various credible and well-recognised technical advisor; White & Case (UK) sum of $700 million was released N18 billion of Nigerian and international professional as legal advisor; WSP Group Africa, surreptitiously moved from which N10 billion has been services firms.”

(South Africa) as technical advisor and the Sovereign Wealth disbursed for early Firms engaged in the consultancy Zephyrgold International (Nigeria) as Fund, SWF, for the same construction works. services during the due diligence phase technical advisor.” bridge, which has not risen The statement reads: On the project above the foundation stage. “NSIA assembled a team of NSIA said under the Nigerian and international development phase, “Africa Finance Corporation Public Private Partnership, advisers with proven (Nigeria) was engaged as PPP arrangement for the capabilities and global financial advisor; Clifford project, the Federal experience in Public Private PPP Chance, UK and Templars Government made a N30 Partnership, (Nigeria) as legal advisors; billion commitment to the infrastructure projects to while the ensure the Project gets firstAllot Nigeria Ltd and project Takedo International, UK consortium is expected to class advisory services. as traffic advisors; WSP raise the remaining funds These consultants were Group Africa, (South for the project from engaged through a Africa) as technical advisor Nigerian and international rigorous and competitive and Aurecon (South Africa) lenders and equity procurement process. as Environmental providers. consultant.”

According to NSIA, the amount expended on consultancy services so far is less than one per cent of the estimated total cost of the project which was initially estimated to cost

By Ugochukwu correspondent visited N108 billion excluding Alaribe the scene, a combined duties and Value Added team of men of the Abia Tax. State Fire Service, This is contrary to recent BA—FIVE persons soldiers and Federal outcry by Edo State including a Road Safety Corps, Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole that about tricycle rider are feared FRSC, were still battling N140 billion had been dead in Aba, Abia State, to see if there were more expended on the project after a truck conveying bodies trapped inside and that $700 million was beer bottles rammed into the ditch.

The whereabouts of the surreptitiously moved from them on Aba-Owerri road. truck driver, was yet the Sovereign Wealth Eyewitnesses told unknown as he was Fund, SWF, for the same Vanguard that the truck suspected to have fled bridge.

Oshiomhole had in a was trying to avoid a the scene to avoid public statement on Monday ditch on the road when anger.

A source, Mr. alleged that N140 billion its contents dropped had been spent on the and crushed the car and Chukwuemeka Okafor with the who said he arrived the second Niger bridge tricycle passengers. scene shortly after the project. He had insisted According to sources, incident told Vanguard that he will not back down on his claim that the more persons were that he saw three trapped injured persons being Jonathan administration suspected inside the ditch where brought out from the expended N140 billion on the yet to be completed the incident happened. scene of the incident.

When our second Niger Bridge in

5 persons feared dead as truck crushes tricycle, car, in Aba

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te

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015 — 17 and a leader to follow at the barricades.Moses unlike most of his contemporaries and successors was an intellectual giant for he gave himself to reading.

He was generous to a fault and honest to himself and his friends.I recall a number of times he had slept in the open fields of campuses even though he could get a cosy hotel room if he wanted one.He practically covered the length and breadth of this country negotiating and agitating for JUSTICE on behalf of politically victimised students(including yours truly).

THE END OF AN ERA:

Moses Ohiolebo Oisakede: A genuine comrade, fighter and leader TRIBUTE

By Izeze R.Y.Reuben

S

INCE my retirement from the affairs of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, in 2003,I guess this is about the first time I shall be commenting on what became of the movement that shaped our ideological inclination and to which we were willing to give up so much for.

I am not surprised that it would take a Moses to lead me out of my self-imposed hibernation.That is the strength and magnetism of the man Comrade Moses Oisakede whom to me remains the last ideological leader of the NANS that was bequeathed to us by our heroes past. It is heartwarming that a public lecture has been held with a quite refreshing topic for discussion which centers around the effects of the collapse of Eastern Europe on ideological thoughts.I believe what the organisers seek to achieve is to blame the current criminality being perpetrated by the reigning set of “washievists and ComRAIDS” on the collapse of communism.

I remember clearly that morning of September 2, 1999 when I had gone to the vendors stand to catch a glimpse of the headlines(as a member of the Free Readers Association) only to be confronted by the screaming headline of the Guardian Newspaper of that day: ” O i s a k e d e , N A N S

President,Feared Dead”.

This was 16 years ago,the analogue age with no GSM phones or the social media platforms we now have.The “fastest means” of communication as students then was to use the NITEL phone booths and that depended on whether the other party had a reachable phone.This left me with only one option if I was to confirm that the man I had left in Ekpoma only one week before was the same as the one being reported as “feared dead”.

On my way to Ekpoma from the PTI Campus I decided to stop over at UNIBEN since there were Comrades there who could confirm if the publication was true or not. On arrival in UNIBEN I had met two of our Comrades,Ezeoha Christopher and Ukeje Festus(June 12) who confirmed to me that it was indeed true that Comrade Moses Ohi Oisakede was dead.He had been on his way to Makurdi in the company of other Comrades when they had an accident which

He practically covered the length and breadth of this country negotiating and agitating for JUSTICE on behalf of politically victimised students

*Moses Ohiolebo Oisakede claimed Moses and another Comrade,Kwanga Livingstone.

The world practically stopped for me at that moment and the selfishness of man came to fore as the first thought that came to my mind was not who was going to care for the family Moses loved so much and had just left behind so suddenly? Rather, it was who was going to negotiate my recall to school (yours truly had been sent on Academic Exile by the Management of his own campus at that time) having been convinced by Moses to withdraw the matter from court in preference for a “political solution”?

Here was a man who had died on his way to Makurdi to mediate on behalf of over 100 students of the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi that had been rusticated/expelled for their alleged roles in the students demonstration that had rocked the campus a couple of months before and yet I was thinking of my own personal matter!

That was the unique aspect of the Moses Oisakede era in NANS.He became President of a

factionalised NANS that was divided along two ideological factions with each calling the other “ reactionaries, Stalinists, gbemists”, etc.

Rather than dwell on attacking the Ken Henshaw faction of NANS,Moses was focused on his agenda and that was to earn legitimacy by providing leadership in all parts of our campuses where injustice in any form was being meted on students either by the draconian managements that existed at that time(dictators in academic robes) or by fellow students(cultists) against weaker students.For Moses,there was no Northern, Southern,Eastern or Western Nigerian student.It didn’t matter where you came from or how remote the campus was,it was AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL!!!

He was a true agitator moulded in the character of Dr.Martin Luther King Jnr.He believed in the 3Cs of Consultation,Consolidation and Confrontation.He was a beauty to behold on the negotiation table

OPINION fostering regional Non-Oil exports and Nexim Bank alliances thereby integration, economic

By Uche Nwoko

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HE Nigerian ExportImport Bank has over the years championed the development of non-oil sectors of the nation’s economy. These efforts have resulted in the diversification of Nigeria’s economy. Nexim Bank’s initiatives under Mr Roberts Orya as the MD|CEO have led to the development of non-oil sectors such as agriculture, entertainment, solid minerals and export promotion to mention a few.

It is against this backdrop that recent alliances which the bank plans to enter into with some countries and trade bodies aimed at promoting non-oil sectors of the nation’s economy is quite commendable and need to be vigorously pursued because of the multiplier effects therein.

One of such is the recent partnership plan between the bank and Greece. It would be recalled that the Greek Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr AlekosIkonomopoulos,

recently during a visit to the headquarters of the bank in Abuja indicated interests to partner with Nexim Bank in his country’s quest to develop non-oil exports with Nigeria. Such collaborations should be encouraged because they will provide export opportunities for Nigerian goods, which will in turn positively improve upon the gross domestic products of the country.

During the discussion with the management of the bank, the ambassador had affirmed that his country would seek ways to collaborate with Nigeria in ensuring the success of the partnership. In his words: “We shall create the enabling environment for Greek investors to collaborate with Nigeria in the areas of technology, maritime and agriculture.”

Mr Orya had thanked Mr AlekosIkonomopoulos for the initiative, and added that the prospect of the synergy was bright because of the Sealink Project which

would provide a good platform for the non-oil sector exportation. According to him, the Sealink is a private sector-driven project, and that NEXIM Bank is only facilitating its establishment in line with its mandate, as the Trade Policy Bank of Nigeria, to promote and deepen non-oil export trade. He said the Sealink Project would promote intra and inter-African trade,

The only way for Nigeria to holistically develop is by collaborating with relevant bodies that will promote her export opportunities

growth and development in the West and Central African sub-regions.

In a similar vein, Nexim Bank has also concluded plans to collaborate with the World Trade Organisation, WTO. Mr Orya stated this when the deputy director general of the WTO, Mr Yonov Fred Agah, paid him a visit in Abuja. He said such collaboration would remove bottlenecks usually associated with international trade.

Just like the Greek deal, that of the WTO would be enhanced by various platforms already initiated by the bank. Some of them are the ECOWAS Trade Support Facility, ETSF, Interstate Road Transport Scheme, ISRT, and the Nigerian Creative and Entertainment facility.

The determination of the bank to collaborate with the WTO will no doubt deepen Nigeria’s relationship with relevant government agencies which will in turn determine the mechanism to drive Nigeria’s export market. Mr Agah had

Victimised students For me,Moses was the last NANS President of that generation and all after that generation have been nothing but pretenders who simply used the Association as a platform for pecuniary gains.The NANS I met died with Moses.What became thereafter is only known to those of us he left behind.It is my hope that a public lecture will provide a platform for us all to critically review the NANS Moses left and the one we have today with a view to rebuilding our most vibrant and credible NANS. Today, as we remember Moses Ohiolebo Oisakede,it is my hope that those of us who benefitted from the struggles of his lifetime will remember the family he loved and yet left behind prematurely while struggling for us.

On the way to MAKURDI, He died to set us free...

Adieu my Comrade!!!

•Comrade Izeze is Majority Whip, Delta State House of Assembly, Asaba,

during their discussion revealed that trade finance was the core area of encouraging regional integration and a key factor in eradicating poverty.

He said: “The WTO provides the framework for negotiating trade agreements and dispute resolution processes to enforce participants’ adherence to WTO terms.

Trade finance is the core area of encouraging regional integration and a key factor in eradicating poverty."

He believes that although empirical trade policy analysis was lacking, the WTO was working on developing a global value chain for better trade regimes, and promised to work with the Nexim Bank to achieve its goals.

Following the fall in the oil prices globally, and the quest by Nigeria to diversify her economy by developing other sectors, such alliances are coming at the right time.

The world, it is said, is a global village and the only way for Nigeria to holistically develop is by collaborating with relevant

bodies that will promote her export opportunities.

The Nigerian ExportImport Bank was established by Act 38 of 1991 as an Export Credit Agency with the broad mandate to promoting the diversification of the Nigerian economy and deepening the external sector, particularly the nonoil through the provision of credit facilities in both local and foreign currencies; riskbearing facilities through export credit guarantee and export credit insurance; business development and financial advisory services.

In pursuit of its mandate of promoting export diversification and deepening the non-oil sectors, the bank’s current strategic initiatives are targeted towards boosting employment creation and foreign exchange earnings in the manufacturing, agroprocessing, solid minerals and services (tourism, transportation and entertainment) industries. *Mr Nwoko, a banker, wrote from Abuja

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015 FOR over five weeks now the Nigerian foreign exchange system has been on drama sketch. It is unbelievable that at a time of harsh economic circumstances manifesting in the form of sharp decline in foreign exchange earnings from oil revenue, soaring inflation and interest rates, a slump in gross domestic products (GDP), rising unemployment, mounting salary arrears amongst many economic woes, the banking industry is complaining of excess dollar cash up to US$5 billion (approximately N1 trillion) either stuck in some people’s hands or lying idle in bank vaults as a result of a foreign exchange directive.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had directed that the banks should stop accepting dollar cash deposits as the apex bank itself also stopped accepting same from banks. Vanguard investigations revealed that the policy was informed by CBN’s findings that

Idle dollars outside the economy the economy has been awash with alleged illicit dollars which were probably being laundered through the banking system.

The apex bank, in a statement, had noted with concern a recent report by the Global Financial Integrity Group, which ranked Nigeria as one of the top ten countries for illicit financial flows in the world. The report, though unconfirmed, estimated that about US$15.7 billion of illicit funds go through Nigeria’s financial system annually.

Whilst we understand the concern of the apex bank especially in the light

of the negative image, we wish to draw the economy managers’ attention to the other picture of the policy and call attention to the need for a more productive policy option.

This idle foreign currency asset is more than the annual incomes of six African countries put together and more than the recurrent expenditures of about 14 states of Nigeria put together. It is enough to provide employment for over four million graduates if invested into the economy. Most pathetic is that going

by United Nations’ assessment of the poverty level in Nigeria, this amount

is enough to feed over 20 million households in the low income bracket for one year.

We challenge the economy managers to come up with better, more creative options to bring the funds into economic activities in the face of the cash crunch being suffered by the larger economy and the citizens.

We advocate that the monetary authorities apply the several protocols on illicit fund flows, money laundering and terrorism financing while ensuring that legitimate foreign exchange deposits are allowed with proper documentations.

Also the illegitimate foreign currency assets should be pursued and recovered while offenders should be prosecuted.

The valuable forex should not be abandoned in the hands of a few individuals who might eventually compromise the system while the assets end up in their private accounts outside the country.

OPINION Okowa: A governor walking his talk

By Augustine Avwode

S

ATURDAY, September 5, 2015, marks 100 days of Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa in office as Executive Governor of Delta State. From all indications, Okowa hit the ground running. And this is hardly surprising. Okowa came into office with a clear vision and an action plan encapsulated in his well thought-out S.M.A.R.T agenda that is designed to usher in “Prosperity for all Deltans”.

From day one, he left nobody in doubt about his preparedness and determination to walk his talk. Standing on the podium on his inauguration day, Okowa, trusting that God will enable him, solemnly re-assured Deltans of his determination to tackle the glaringly daunting challenges facing the state. He challenged them to be ready for tough decisions and hard choices.

In his words: “The challenges are not only real, they are diverse and complex. And there are no quick or easy solutions. But they can be tackled. What we will not do is to succumb to despair or allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by the current difficulties.

Indeed, times like these are often a good test of character and determination to succeed, for in the words of the Scriptures, if you faint in the day of adversity then your strength is small.

“In the days, months, and years ahead, we should be ready to make hard choices and take tough decisions that are imperative for the prosperity and welfare of our

C M Y K

people…..We must keep faith in ourselves, trusting God for a greater tomorrow”.

For all diligent and discerning observers, Governor Okowa in his first 100 days has demonstrated quality leadership that is defined by vision, focus, determination and political will to take big, tough, decisions. He has served notice to all that his S.M.A.R.T agenda is not just a political catch-phrase or mere campaign rhetoric.

S.M.A.R.T, for the benefit of those not yet familiar with the acronym, stands for: * Strategic Wealth Creation Initiatives and Provision of Jobs for all Deltans. * Meaningful Peace Building Platforms aimed at Political/Social Stability. *Agricultural Reforms and Industrialisation. * Relevant Health and Education Policies. * Transformed Environment through Massive Urban Renewal.

As we speak, Governor Okowa has touched on all the five different components of the S.M.A.R.T agenda. His job creation programme took off with a bang. Whereas 6,000 places were advertised for the take off of the programme, not less than 70,000 applied. The enthusiasm that greeted the take off of the programme was simply

We look forward with hope to a DESOPADEC that will positively impact on the lives of the people

infectious. It was a measure of the popularity of the programme and the high level of expectation on the part of the good people of Delta State from the Okowa administration.

While flagging off the training programme for 1,645 youths at the Songhai-Delta, Amukpe in Sapele Local Government Area on August 26, an elated Governor Okowa declared, “Today’s event is undeniable proof that our administration’s S.M.A.R.T agenda is well and truly on course; it goes without saying that job and wealth creation are the bedrock of the S.M.A.R.T agenda with YAGEP and STEP as the flagship programmes...”

The ultimate target, according to Okowa, is to create a minimum of 50,000 direct jobs in four years. So far, the job and wealth creation programme of the Okowa administration has been a roaring success attracting commendations and plaudits even beyond the state.

Given his avowed pan-Deltan belief and in a bid to strengthen the unity of, and enhance the peaceful atmosphere currently pervading the state, Okowa has established and inaugurated a 31 man Advisory and Peace Building Council for the state. This is a direct fulfillment of his promise to create Meaningful Peace Building Platforms aimed at Political/Social Stability. No doubt, this decisive step will go along way in fostering and encouraging peaceful coexistence in our dear state. The Council headed by elder statesman and former minister, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire is peopled by highly respected community leaders, opinion moulders and eminent Deltans.

Just last week, Delta marked the 24th anniversary of its creation. While we thank God for keeping the state thus far, the state of our capital, Asaba, remains a thing of concern to well meaning Deltans. In keeping with his promise, the Governor has set in motion a process that will in the next few years, through the Asaba Capital Development Agency, transform the state capital into a city that all can be proud of.

The same urgency with which he forwarded the Asaba Capital Development Agency to the State House of Assembly also applies to the Delta State Contributory Health Commission. It only goes to emphasis the concern and the preparedness of the governor, being a medical doctor of repute, to make healthcare both affordable and accessible to Deltans.

In the same period under review, a key government agency, the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) has been re-invented, restructured and repositioned to be able to deliver on its statutory roles and functions.

Governor Okowa deserves a truck load of commendations for his insight and determination to effect changes to the deficiencies inherent in the previous enabling Law of DESOPADEC. Albert Einstein it was who counseled that, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. Today, we look forward with hope to a DESOPADEC that will positively impact on the lives of the people of the oil bearing communities and raise the bar of development in the state. *Mr. Avwode, is SA Media to Governor Okowa of the Delta State .

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015— —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

On visiting the House Lenin lived

I

WAS at the Baden International Business School (BIBS) Switzerland from August 23 - 29 as a Resource Person. My presentation was on Labour Unions and their Future in the Energy Industry.

In the paper, I had written: “So fundamental had electricity become at the turn of the 20th Century, that it was one of the three reasons for the October 1917 Russian Revolution; the electrification of the country, under what became known as the National Economic Programme (NEP) The other two aims were to pull the country out of the First World War and provide food for the starving populace."

In Zurich, the professor at BIBS reminded me that I had mentioned the Russian revolution in my presentation, and that he knew the house Lenin lived. I was excited because it was from that house ninety eight years ago, the leader of that revolution, Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, better known as Lenin, had travelled back to Russia to carry out one of the most famous revolutions in human history. He had adopted the

alias, Lenin, the name of the small river in his home town, to escape detection by the Czarist secret police, just as many of his comrades did. The name had stuck, just as the name Stalin, which was the alias of his predecessor in office, Joseph Vissarionovich Djugashvili.

The one story building with shops on the ground floor, is in the old section of Zurich. In one of the rooms, in this nondescript house, Lenin lived with his wife, Nadia Krupskaya.

I was disappointed. Not because I expected a bigger or better house. No, it would have been a good one for them because the couple were unemployed refugees who could hardly make ends meet.

My displeasure is based on the fact that such a famous house, is not preserved for tourism.

This is shocking since Switzerland is a country that finds ingenious ways of making money.

Just some metres away is the Cathedral of Felix and Regular, also known as the Grossmuster (big) Cathedral associated with the memory of protestant pastor, Zwingli. So dominant

was he that, Zurich was at a time referred to as the City of Zwingli. The church has a pent house from which much of Zurich can be seen. It is used for tourism and you pay, just to climb the long narrow stairs and view the city from its balconies. If such a place is preserved for tourism, why not the house a famous man lived?

I wondered whether it was an attempt to dampen the enthusiasm of socialists and discourage them from visiting a place that should otherwise be famous. Is it an attempt to ensure that the ideas of Lenin, which are considered dangerous to the capitalist system, are not spread any further? It could also be the attitude of Switzerland to a man who about a century ago,

The only indication on the building that one of the most famous men in history lived in that house, was small signboard nailed to the wall between an upper and lower window

Weep not, Ndigbo

By Clement Udegbe You are not so blind with patriotism, that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it----- Malcom X AM one of those , who never wished that APC, with President Muhammadu Buhari, PMB, would lead this country. It was not because we supported the ways of the ruling PDP at that time, but because we had our fears, about that change slogan, some of which are now manifesting in PMB’s government.

Our fears included first, that as Christians, the killings and burning of churches will continue under PMB, but will be seriously suppressed from the public. Today, we hear less of the wickedness against Christians in the north. We do not understand why this is so, while Boko Haram has continued to kill in the North East. Over three months of APC government, Chibok Girls are yet to be recovered, for example, confirming our fear that the whole noise about Chibok Girls was to push GEJ, out of power. Politics apart, we are all parents, and those parents, who chose to use the Chibok Girls as propaganda instruments should be hiding their heads in shame, because politics should be fair, and honest, with some integrity.

Our second fear was that PMB has been portrayed as a hater of the Igbos, and that he would not only push the South East to the back bench in his policies as President, but would also initiate actions to Islamise that zone that voted massively for the PDP. In Imo State, which is presently APC, their Governor

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was generally regarded as having betrayed the Igbo man. Today, that fear has proved genuine, as Governor Okorocha, is the one calling for calm among Ndigbo, in the wake of the appointment by PMB of his Kitchen Cabinet members, to the complete exclusion of the the South East.

Governor Okorocha, and his colleagues in politics without identity, would have seen by now that they backed the wrong horse as Ndigbo.

If out of 42 appointments of persons who would have close contact with PMB almost on daily basis, not one Igbo man qualified, in terms of merit and confidence by PMB, what else do they want the man to say? Is the message not clear ?

The best known method for Nigerian Leaders to kill any project is to subject it to what they call ‘a review’. The review of the second Niger bridge is to tell those who are honest to themselves that the project is dead under PMB, and no thanks to the Governor of Edo State, who may

Even when their hirelings try to create social tension in your zone, just read between the lines and ignore them, because in this Nigeria, this phase shall pass away also, and Ndigbo shall prevail

felt that country was so wedded to material things, that it would be quite difficult to arouse its social conscience. Krupskaya in agreeing with her husband had written that “Switzerland never had a strong working class; it is mainly a country of health resorts, a small country living off the crumbs of the powerful capitalist countries”.

So is this a snub to this famous couple who should have been grateful that Switzerland gave them political refuge?

The only indication on the building that one of the most famous men in history lived in that house, was small signboard nailed to the wall between an upper and lower window, which reads in German: “Here was the residence of Lenin from 21st February 1916 – 2nd April, 1917. Lenin was the leader of the Russian Revolution” The signboard was like a reluctant acknowledgement of history.

I stood in front of the house, a silent witness to what should be an historical monument. I walked the stone-paved street, Lenin would have walked, and in the doorway he had passed many times as he wrote one of his most famous books, Imperialism: the highest stage of Capitalism. In it, he espoused his thoughts on one of the most infamous European wars, which became known as the First World War. He had advocated that socialists, rather than back their individual countries, should transform that war, to one against the capitalist system.

When Lenin fled Russia, he did not have Zurich in mind.

He lived in the capital, Bern.

Krupskaya explained why they moved. “In the middle of February, Ilyich had work to do in the libraries of Zurich,

claim to be fighting corruption, but his attacks against that project has made him a manifest instrument in the hands of the enemies of Ndigbo. He may have his reasons for teaming up with Igbo haters, my only concern is for Ndigbo who have failed to read this hand writing on the wall.

Our third fear was that PMB would islamise the South East.The first shot from him was the transfer of Boko Haram suspects from Maiduguri to Ekwulobia in Anambra State.In spite of the furore that followed that decision, we are yet to confirm what government has done to relocate those men. The matter seems to have died down, with the usual ignominy with which they treat issues that concern Ndigbo generally. The recent alert issued by the DSS and the Army about presence of Boko Haram agents in Lagos and the South East, leaves it up to the people to decide what to do to keep terror out of their regions, no matter what politicians say.

Thirdly, we feared that PMB would kill the implementation of the Confab Report, simply because the South East among others has something to gain from it.

It ought to be obvious that the whole efforts to swing power back to the north were to prevent power from getting to Ndigbo, who rather than weep, should brace up boldly, work harder to put their houses in order, and ensure that come 2019, their earnest expectations shall not be cut off, not even by the common sense revolutionists in the South West.

Just like we say in Igbo land, the masquerade that blocks the road upon sighting me, will not shift grounds when he sees others too. Igbo haters will not change till their judgment by God comes upon them suddenly.

and we went there for a week or two, and then kept putting off our return day by day until, in the end, we stayed there for good; Zurich being a livelier place than Berne. There were a large number of revolutionary-minded young foreigners in Zurich, besides working-class elements; the Social-Democratic Party there was of a more Leftist tendency, and the petty-bourgeois spirit seemed to be less in evidence there”.

Lenin was convinced that a revolution by workers was inevitable, but saw himself and his comrades as some sort of Moses who may see the promised land, but never get there. On January 22, 1917 while addressing youths in Zurich, he told them: "We of the older generation may not live to see the decisive battles of this coming revolution". The next month in a social upheaval, the Emperor of Russia, Nicholas II (Romanov) was overthrown, and Lenin decided to return home. In March, 1917, he wrote his “Letters from Afar” in Zurich putting forward a programme of Peace, Bread and Freedom.

The Germans hoping to use Lenin to cause more confusion in Russia, and force it out of the war, in April, gave him passage through its territory. It was an act, Germany was to regret.

Six months after he left Zurich, Lenin in an audacious move, rejected even by his close allies like Leon Trotsky, led armed workers and soldiers in a successful uprising which heralded the Soviet Revolution. On seeing the house Lenin lived in Zurich, I began recalling the history of the Russian Revolution, I read as a youth.

Today, all we get are denials of electoral promises, ranging from the election campaign promise that the Price of Petrol would be reduced to N40/Litre if elected, the second Niger bridge for the South East, the provision of thousands of jobs for our teeming un employed youth within the first 100 days, to the promise of being the President for all Nigerians if elected.

We are faced with the grim reality of petroleum subsidy removal, Naira exchange rates slides to all time low, while we wait for our mechanic to assemble his tools and men from the north, to come and repair the sick vehicle we call Nigerian economy.

They will need 100 days to assemble tools, 100 days to remove the tyres, 200 days to remove and repair the engine, 200 days to sort out the gear box, 100 days for the electrical and fuel supply system, 100 days to panel beat the vehicle, 100 days to spray it with a new paint, then 100 days to find a suitable northerner to test drive the refurbished vehicle. Ndigbo, this brings us to a total of 1000 days, and that is two years and seven months, thus, the game will continue till 2019, with nothing in it for you, except noise, propaganda, fear, intimidation, denials and hardship.

This type of change cannot favour Ndigbo, who must ignore it, no matter what is done or said, to provoke them.

Let the changers face the terrorists, and don’t give them the pleasure to spill Igbo blood in the name of Biafra again.

Even when their hirelings try to create social tension in your zone, just read between the lines and ignore them, because in this Nigeria, this phase shall pass away also, and Ndigbo shall prevail.

*Mr Udegbe, a legal practitioner, wrote from Lagos.

20—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

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UBA profit rises 40%, declares 20 kkobo obo int erim dividend interim

By PETER EGWUATU

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President Muhammadu Buhari (right) with the Director General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu when the Commission briefed the President on its activities in Abuja . Behind Anohu-Amazu is PenCom’s Commissioner, Technical,Mr. Reuben Omotowa.

nited Bank for Africa, UBA Plc yesterday declared Profit Before Tax (PBT) of N39.0 billion and after tax profit of N32 billion for the audited half year results ended June 30, 2015, just as it rewarded its shareholders.

The bank has announced the payment of an interim dividend of 20 kobo per share for its shareholders .The results showed strong growth in earnings and profits, as the bank continued to benefit from its determination to provide value to its large customer base in Nigeria. Its increasingly important pan African network, now contributing over

Corruption, poor policy, hindrance to economic integration — Ecobank boss

By Peter Egwuatu

ification of protocols and reluctant implementation of agreed plans are some of the impediment to regional integration.

According to him, “in spite of the existence of the African blocs, that have secretariats and regular technical and ministerial level meetings and summits of heads of state and government, African integration efforts have had limited impact so far.

“Perhaps because reality on the ground does not match ideals in treaties, protocols and MOUs, the degree of integration remains highly superficial. Thus results have been below expectations” Speaking at the Hallmark public policy forum Aku said “If Africa and its people are going to rise above

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ORRUPTION and poor policy formulation and implementation among others have been identified as the challenges to economic integration and sustainable development in Africa Speaking at Hallmark Public Policy Forum in Lagos, Tilled “Regional Integration and Challenges of Sustainable Development, the Managing Director/ CEO, Ecobank Nigeria Limited, Mr. Jubril Aku , stated that socio political divergence, limited national and regional capacities, lack of private sector involvement in planning and implementation, membership issues, and slow rat-

$3,080.00

84.00

$10.51 0.08

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B & E DATA: $46.88

41.00 CURRENCY DOLLAR

BUYING

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0.20

CENTRAL

196 196.5 POUNDS 307.0732 307.8566 EURO 216.4232 216.9753 FRANC 201.2114 201.7247 YEN 1.5761 1.5801 CFA 0.3113 0.3213 WAUA 273.6312 274.3293 RENMINBI 30.6433 30.7219 RIYAL 52.2402 52.3735 SDR 274.0472 274.7463 KRONA 28.9902 29.0642

197 308.6399 217.5274 202.238 1.5841 0.3313 275.0273 30.8005 52.5067 275.4454 29.1381

CBN Exchange Rate as at 20/ 08 /15

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the challenges of a fastpaced and amorphous global economic-eco-system, then African leaders need to strengthen or acquire the will to do things differently.

To rise to its full potential, he said Africa must change its poor trade relations with the rest of the world. He believes that one of the ways forward for Africa integration is development, harmonisation and integrating of national and regional financial markets, including elimination of barriers and reducing risks affecting the free movement of labour and capital, cross-border adding that foreign direct investment could be another step.

According to him, “regional integration treaties, protocols, leadership and priorities should be unambiguous in providing bind-

In spite of the existence of the African blocs that have secretariats and regular technical and ministerial level meetings and summits of heads of state and government, African integration efforts have had limited impact so far

ing rules-based frameworks and results-oriented milestones to guide national, subregional and regional actions required for envisaged eventual continental integration.

Effective monitoring, followup and corrective mechanisms should be put in place and enforced. The regional and continental bodies should be adequately staffed and resourced, with authority to act as necessary.

In his remarks, Tunde Lemo, former deputy governor, operations, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said African trade is slow and worrisome “We cannot develop without trading ourselves”, he said.

23 per cent of profit after tax and its prudent management of costs and risk.

In line with best practice in corporate governance, UBA has elected to have its half year results audited, before its release to the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday.

U B A’s earnings grew strongly by 21 per cent to N166.9 billion during the period, compared to N138.2 billion in the same period of June 2014. The bank’s PBT also rose by 35.1 per cent to N39.0 billion, while Profit After Tax (PAT) was up a significant 40 per cent to N32 billion within the same period.

Speaking on the results, Phillips Oduoza, Group Managing Director/CEO said “In spite of a challenging operating environment, our business strategy has proved to be resilient, balancing prudence, with an ability to significantly grow bottom line and continue to focus on operating effectiveness. We look forward to continuing to support our customers and working with them to achieve financial success for them and the wider Nigerian and African economies”.

Further analysis of the UBA 2015 half year results showed significant improvement in operational efficiencies. The Bank’s net operating income rose 21 per cent to N108.7 billion in June 2015, compared to N90 billion in the comparable period of 2014. The bank has continued to focus on operational efficiency, with a cost to income ratio of 64 per cent; as against 68 per cent in the same period in 2014.

Customs seizes N14.6m worth of poultry products

By Godfrey Bivbere

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HE Nigeria Customs Ser vice, NCS, has impounded 3,247 cartons of frozen poultry products worth N14,611,500.00 (Fourteen Million, Six Hundred and Eleven Thousand, Five Hundred Naira) in the last two weeks of its war against smuggling of poultry products.

The seizures which consist of 3,247 (Three Thousand, Two Hundred and Fourty Seven) cartons of the banned products were impounded at different locations along the south western borders of Nigeria. This includes Badagry, Agbara Creeks and Villages. Others locations include

Seme, Gbaji and Owode Creeks in Lagos and Idiroko axis.

A statement signed by Deputy Public Relations Officer, Joseph Attah, made available to Vanguard gave the breakdown of the seizure as 1,120 cartons worth N5,040,000.00 during the period in Ogun State Command.

Similarly, Seme Command and Federal Operations Unit, zone “A”, the Service seized 146 cartons worth N657,000.00 and 1,981cartons worth N8,914,500 respectively.

Attah commended the steadfastness of the opera-

tives in this operation even as he noted that the management of the Service assures the general public of its determination to continue the onslaught against the smugglers of the banned products.

The deputy Customs spokesman pointed out that traders and consumers of the banned frozen poultry products are advised to patronize local farmers as this will create job opportunities for our youths, boost our economy and save Nigerians from diseases associated with consumption of dangerous chemicals used in preserving the banned poultry products.

22—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015—23

Transcorp’s agribusiness arm partners Coca-Cola on new juice

By Peter Egwuatu

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RANSNATIONAL o r poration of Nigeria, Transcorp Plc has entered into partnership with Coca Cola company to be the sole local concentrate sourcing partner. Transcorp agribusiness subsidiary, Teragro Commodities Limited, processes orange, mango and pineapple concentrates for industrial markets at a processing plant in Benue State. The 26,500mt capacity benfruit plant is the first and only Nigerian-owned and operated juice concentrate processor of its kind in the country and first began producing concentrate for coca-cola in 2014.

Transcorp, in a statement said “The partnership reflects Teragro’s ability to deliver a product that meets international quality standards.

The company has its ISO 9001 and FSSC22000 and has proven it can compete with concentrates imported from countries such as the United States, Spain and South Africa, among others.”

Meanwhile, Transcorp Hotels Plc plans to begin renovation of Abuja property in 2016 as it is embarking on a full renovation of its 670 rooms and onsite facilities.

This is the first renovation of its kind for the property since 2003 and will feature a total overhaul of existing facilities.

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UPDC reiterates commitment to long term value creation

By Nkiruka Nnorom

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ACN Property Development Company (UPDC) Plc has reiterated its commitment to long term value creation for the benefit of its stakeholders.

The Chairman of the Company, Mr Larry Ettah, who stated this while addressing shareholders at the Company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, said the company has put strategies in place to enable it take advantage of C M Y K

emerging opportunities in the market place.

He noted that the Nigerian market remained attractive as there were significant untapped potentials in the residential segment, and numerous opportunities in the hospitality, retail, commercial and industrial segments of the market in the near term.

He, however, pointed out that the challenges being faced by the operators in the real estate in terms of title uncertainties, high cost of funding, inadequate

mortgage financing and poor infrastructure were expected to persist in the medium term and would continue to prevent effective demand in the low/medium residential market segments.

Speaking on the financial performance, he noted that despite the challenging business environment, the company posted N10.08 billion in revenue (Group N11.70bilion) as against N9.33 billion posted in the year ended December 31, 2013 (Group N11.29billion).

Profit before taxation (PBT), according to him, was N2.04 billion (Group N3.54 billion) against N4.38 billion (Group N3.71billion) recorded in 2013.

Following the performance, the Board of Directors recommended a dividend of N859.38 million, representing 50 kobo per ordinary share held by members as at August 14, 2015, which was overwhelmingly approved by shareholders during the meeting.

Providing details on the

company’s plan for the future, he said, “Our strategy for 2015 and beyond include deleveraging the business through equity capital injection, disposal of the surplus stake currently held in UPDC REIT (21.5 per cent) to generate liquidity and recreating our products portfolio to include more commercial and retail offerings which have proven to be more resilient revenue sources in periods of depression.”

Commenting on the operational environment, he

noted that in recent years, foreign private equity firms have invested millions of dollars in the Nigerian real estate market, attributing the interest in the country’s market to huge demand, which is driven by increasing urban population and changing shopping culture among the expanding middle class.

He said: “The real estate market is gradually rebounding and has experienced reasonable growth and performance in the last few years.”

24—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

Having more than 20 partners cuts prostate cancer risk M

EN with numerous lovers have a lower risk of developing prostate cancerbecause they have more sex, scientists say.

Lotharios who have had more than 20 partners have a 28 per cent reduced risk compared with men who have had only one sexual partner in their lifetime, they claim.

But it is the amount of sex they have rather than the number of partners that cuts the cancer risk.

Lead researcher Prof. MarieElise Parent, from the University of Montreal, said: 'It is possible that having many female sexual partners results in a higher frequency of ejaculations, whose protective

...As mushroom kills cervical cancer

A

DIETARY supplement made from fashionable shiitake mushrooms kills the virus that causes cervical cancer, according to new research.

A US study of 10 women with the human papillomavirus- which can lead to cancer-found eight were successfully treated by taking the compound AHCC once a day for six months, while the other two are continuing the therapy.

Shiitake mushrooms, used medically in East Asia for centuries, contain Active Hexose Correlated Compound-a mixture of amino acids, polysaccharides and minerals.

• More sex, less prostate cancer risk.

Electronic mosquito repellent debuts As Mortein LED variant boosts consumer shopping

By Etop Ekanem

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ONSUMERS in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and other states in the South-South geo-political zone can now benefit from the re-launch of Mortein

Xkinash Plus, new antifungal cream launched

By Jeffrey Ogunyinde

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NEW antifungal drug product, Xkinash Plus Cream, is in the Nigerian market. It was recently introduced from the stable of Kuka Consumer Healthcare Limited, KCH, in partnership with Zheijiang Jingwei Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd China.

At the media launch in Lagos, the Group Managing Director/CEO, Chris Ukah, of the company said it is a 4-way action drug cream designed for treatment of common skin disorders.

The cream comes in a 20g tube white to off-white cream adding that it has little or no side effects when used properly.

He said special precautions must be observed during use by pregnant mothers and children.

On the partnership with Zheijiang Jingwei Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Ukah said the Chinese company is a top rated pharmaceutical group that produced Xkinash plus cream after extensive research spanning three years and subjected the drug to international best practices in pharmaceutical quality control analysis.

Ukah who spoke on the pharmacological composition of the cream, explained that its potent activity is against common skin microbes.

The product is available in all pharmacy stores across the country and registered by th National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, and guaranteed by the Mobile Authentication System, MAS, security label each packet carries.

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effect against prostate cancer has been previously observed in cohort studies.'

Men who are virgins are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer as those who are sexually experienced, it was claimed.

One theory is that large numbers of ejaculation may reduce the concentration of cancer-causing substances in prostatic fluid, a constituent of semen.

But the same is not true for gay men-Where having more than 20 male partners doubles the risk of prostate cancer.

The danger of a less aggressive cancer type also rises five-fold, possibly to do with greater exposure to sexually transmitted infections or the forum of gay sex.

More than 3,200 men aged between 40 and 79 answered questions about their lifestyle and sex lives in the prostate cancer and environment study.

Prof. Parent added: 'We were fortunate to have participants who were comfortable talking about their sexuality.'

Culled from Metro Herald.

Liquid Electric Device ,Mortein LED, in the area.

Mortein LED, a revolutionary electronic mosquito repellent produced by RB Nigeria Limited, that lasts up to 30 nights, has capacity to kill mosquitoes electronically.

Marketing Director, RB West Africa, Mr. Silivrili Oguzhan, who was represented by the Brand Manager, Mortein, Iku Ejiroghene, said the development of Mortein LED, which was first launched in 2009, was informed by the need to stem the high malaria prevalence in Nigeria and Africa generally.

Oguzhan decried the high malaria prevalence in Nigeria as “unacceptable,” saying “malaria is responsible for 60 percent of outpatient visits to health facilities, 30 percent of childhood deaths, 25 percent of deaths in

Mortein LED, which was first launched in 2009, was informed by the need to stem the high malaria prevalence in Nigeria and Africa generally

children under one year and 11 percent of maternal deaths.”

Expressing optimism that malaria could be eliminated in Nigeria, he said this is the reason RB Nigeria has entered into strategic partnership with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) and other relevant government bodies.

He said the partnerships have enabled its Mortein Anti-Malaria Campaign to reach over one million moms during engagement, sensitisation and education outreaches at primary health centres, churches, mosques and community centres.

“This is the philosophy behind the re-launch of Mortein LED which provides 30 nights of all round continuous protection for a peaceful night sleep,’’ he added.

Area Sales Manager, Mortein, Chris Nwanah said RB Nigeria is concerned about the consumers and was the reason for innovative products to meet their needs.

There are some customers who do not have the luxury of time to spray Aerosols; this Mortein LEDs would however keep them continuously protected. The retailers are excited about the relaunch of Mortein LEDs and have started requesting for the products so they can sell.”

Orphans obtain $20,000 grant for surgery

By Gabriel Olawale ADY Atinuke Memorial Home, a non-profitable organization that caters for a number of orphans and physically as well as mentally challenged children in Lagos, has received a US$20,000 grant from the United Parcels Services, UPS, Foundation.

The donation which is part of the Foundation's global corporate citizenship and philanthropic programmes, is geared towards helping to alleviate the plight of mentally challenged children at the Home.

Receiving the grant, President of the Home, Mrs. Elsie Akerele, said the money would be utilized to carry out a number of corrective surgeries of the children of the Home.

“Aside the fact that all the children in our Home are confronted with one health challenge or the other, with this US$20,000 grant from UPS, children with critical and emergency cases will undergo corrective surgery.

"It is a mixed bag. Some of the children are hole-in-the-heart patients; a few are partially sighted or hard of hearing.

There are those with clubbed feet and other congenital abnormalities, some have difficulty standing up."

Akerele said the rare gesture had brought light into hopelessness of the past.

“I am very happy with this grant and sincerely I feel fulfilled. It gives me courage to carry on with the task at hand because it had appeared quite hopeless in the past, but I am glad now that I am not alone in this journey. The children are also very happy and thankful.

“Our home was set up to bridge the gap between mentally challenged children and the general public. We sensitize the public not to throw away these children anymore because they are not useless and they can be reintegrated back into the society.

Presenting the cheque, President of The UPS Foundation, Eduardo Martinez, said the Foundation identifies specific areas where its backing clearly impacts social issues, and in support of this strategic approach, it had identified specific focal areas of giving including volunteerism, diversity, community safety and the environment.

In 2014, UPS and its employees, active and retired, invested more than US$104.2 million in charitable giving around the world.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015—25

Lagos Radisson Blu hotel spends billion on renovation

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HEN the five-star water-front Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel located on Victoria Island, Lagos shut down operations about six months ago for extensive renovation of its facilities, little did customers and guests knew what was in the offering. The hotel reopened for operations last week with increased focus on delivery of superior quality service as the hotel owners, Anchorage Leisures Limited, had met three targets that necessitated the shut down.

Speaking with select journalists, the General Manager of the hotel, Mr. Kevin Kamau, while disclosing that over a billion Naira has gone into the upgrade , disclosed that the owners focused on three core areas of upgrading infrastructure; training and aesthetics of the facilities.

“For the past six months we have invested over six billion naira into the property , this was spent on upgrading in three critical areas; one was the infrastructure in the area of power system, the airconditioning and more importantly on renovating the public service areas of the hotel.

“In terms of aesthetics, in the public areas, a lot has gone into revamping the areas. We have partners with various designers to provide quality products. In the rooms as well we have invested a lot in what is important to the guests .

Everything update the entire rooms and system.”

Kevin Kamau added “renovation did not stop there as there are two additional areas I think we spent a lot in. one key area was getting the right talent and team back into the hotel to set us apart from others.”

While promising ultimate experience for customers and guests as they re-open, the GM said. “We’re mindful of our position as a premium hospitality brand and we will continue to do everything required to maintain our premium standard and ensure our guests are treated to the best-in-class hospitality services available anywhere in the world” He added “we are a world class brand and wants to be world class recognised product in the local market.

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Tourism Devt. Fund:

Private sector should take lead — Adejuwon

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By Jimoh Babatunde

LANS by the Federal Government of Nigeria to float a Tourism Development Fund, as one of the steps aimed at tackling paucity of funds in the sector has been described as the best option to funding tourism projects much as the industry is basically private sector’s inclined and entirely business oriented.

Dr. Franklin Adejuwon, a Sustainable Tourism Expert, made this assertion while reacting to the statements credited to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Mrs. Nkechi Ejele, that President Muhammadu Buhari has advised that they should establish Tourism Development Fund to

help in the growth of the sector.

Adejuwon noted that the establishment of the TDF should be initiated by government as part of the stimulant for the development of the Tourism Industry but government should have no reason whatsoever to controlling,managing and expending the fund.

“Though to those of us in the industry the TDF initiative still remains the best option to funding tourism projects much as the industry is basically private sector,s inclined and entirely business oriented .

“Government is merely to stimulate and facilitate by providing excellent enabling environment for investment such as very attractive and soft business policies which

we initiated in the eighties in Lagos State through the establishment of the first ever Tourism Policy.”

The Former Minister said the policy was replicated at the Federal level when the Presidential Council on Tourism under President Obasanjo initiated the Tourism Development Fund in 2003.

Adejuwon argued that since the tourism industry is an amalgam of several private business sectors such as hotels,resorts,restaurants,holiday facilities,various transportation system and entertainment sector among others, then they should be the main contributors of the tourism fund and indeed the spender on long run also.

He said based on that fact, the private sector remains the most relevant factor to constitute or form the main body that will administer control on their contributions.

26—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, AUGUST 4 2015

Emeka Ike cries out: Chris Okotie is not helping my marriage

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By Iyabo Aina

ollywood actor Emeka Ike, who has been facing challenges in his marriage in recent times, has come out to accuse Pastor Chris Okotie of Household of God Church, Lagos, of not helping to resolve the lingering misunderstanding he's currently having with his wife.

The actor who has been trying to settle with his wife out of court said, Okotie has been frustrating his effort.

In a statement he released during the week, Emeka Ike said, “I want people to look into this issue critically. I’ve never beaten this woman in my life.

When she ran out of home, I called my pastor and he took us for counseling. For one week, I was begging her every day; I would go home alone and she would go home alone as well.

“At a point, the pastor asked us to write five things we like and dislike about each other. The pastor said that maybe we could work it out. I wrote mine, she wrote hers and she never said there that I used to beat her. I still have that document with me. She gave me what she wrote and I gave her what I wrote.

If I used to beat her, she could not have left it out from that then. Any man that beats a woman is a coward. I know that someone somewhere must have done something to her. How can I beat a woman I adore so much? I love my family and this is very unfortunate. Her children have been begging her to come home, and she has refused.

“I am pretty sure my wife is acting confused; she is acting as if she is under a spell, which is psychological and then she is acting under blackmail.

“There was a time I accused her of bringing men to my house. I mean, which woman will wake her husband up in the middle of the night and say to him, share your property I want to get my share now from what you have? Tell me, which woman will do that if not acting under a spell?

“There was a time I travelled and she closed down my school and sent all the students away. So, there is a lot to it, other than the allegation of battery against me and I want the whole world to know. My name is precious to me and I don’t want anything to drag it in the mud.

“Pastor Chris Okotie just absorbed my

wife into his church without making any effort to get in touch with me. If as a pastor, your church member is having issue with her husband, and you failed to do anything to resolve it, what kind of pastor are you? When I called him, he refused to pick my call. He also failed to react to a text message I sent to him.

Even, if you have a police case, they will make effort to hear from you before taking a position, not to talk of the church.

“When we went to court, I told my wife that I’m interested in amicable settlement of the matter, and that I still want her back. But she refused. Even, if you don’t want me, what of your children, I asked her and she still would not listen to me. I want the whole world to know because there is a lot of

misinformation out there. The lawyer which Okotie hired for my wife is also frustrating every attempt I make to resolve the matter peacefully.”

•Emeka Ike

Emma Nyra to perform at NAFCA I wouldn't mind going down with

N

IGERIAN internation al recording artist, Emma Nyra is set to entertain guests at this year ’s edition of the Nollywood and African Film Critics Award, NAFCA, holding on the 12th of September, at the legendary Orpheum Theatre of Los Angeles.

The annual award that rewards film practitioners from the African continent, will draw an affluent audience of over 2,000 VIP guests from over 30 countries. It has been held in the United States since its maiden edition on September 17, 2011.

Nyra who used to be a gymnast and a volleyball player before she veered into singing, also will be anchoring the African Entertainment Awards alongside Ghanaian actor, John Dumelo tomorrow, in Toronto. She’s excited about shows as she took to her Instagram account to express her feelings, “Countdown to the African Entertainment Awards hosted by me and @johndumelo1 this Saturday September. 5 live in Toronto!”

C M Y K

Niyola — CDQ

By Iyabo Aina

G

eneral Records artiste, Sodiq Yusuf popularly known as CDQ, who featured Olamide in his dance track “Indomie” has opened up on why he turned down an offer of a record deal with Davido's record label,HKN Gang.

According to him, his decision was based on the binding terms of his contract with his manager, Masterkraft.

The rising rapper, offered this explanation against the backdrop of reports, indicting some of Davido's label mates who refuted his claims that the multiple award-winner approached him.

Reaffirming his claims, in a recent chat with WG, CDQ who was signed to General Records in 2013, after he emerged the winner of a rap battle at the popular weekly concert, Industry Nite in December 2012, said, “It’s true, I got a text from Davido one morning. He was like we should have a meeting. I didn’t reply him initially.”

Continuing, he said, Davido wanted to work with me. “I thought he wanted to do a collaboration with me. So, when I went to his office with my manager, he told me that he would like me to join HKN Gang. But unfortunately, I'm already signed to General Records owned

by Masterkraft, so we couldn’t make it happen. My contract with my present label has not expired so, there is no way I can join his label.” The indigenous rapper, however, frowned at the comments credited to Davido's label mates,noting that “He didn't expect them to know about the deal because they were not the ones that approached me. It was between Davido and his manager Kamal.” CDQ who once confirmed that he has a crush on Niyola insists that he doesn't mind going down with the female singer. “I don’t have a crush on anybody again. This is because I'm getting busier by per day.

But I used to have a crush on Niyola. I can’t do without listening to her songs everyday. I love her voice and her physique too. I don't mind going down •CDQ with her.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015—27

9janimi Channel to pay artistes royalties A

S 9janimi music streaming channel r e l a u n c h e s its service, the management of the platform has promised that it would begin paying royalties to artistes.

Founder of the network, Soltesh Iyere, said that the new platform is designed as an alternative to popular streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.

9janimi Channel, he says, lets independent artistes keep 75% of the proceeds through its “Fair Trade Streaming” agreement.

“The Media 360 Company, owners of 9janimi Channel, originally projected the streaming service as an alternative to the music industry through which they could directly distribute their music to music fans and lovers.

9janimi Channel offers two tiers for customers, and streaming on the Web and on iOS and Android (Which they plan to launch before the end of the year for mobile users). The free version comes with ads, lets users into thousands of songs from its catalog, and they have to purchase songs they wish to download or keep, the internet entrepreneur said.

He also adds that the streaming service was originally announced about a year ago, after a couple of years of being operated a music channel, but for some reasons it was delayed and now a streaming service has risen to pay artists royalties.

“It’s not clear yet how large 9janimi Channels music catalog is, or how well it will do, though its sure to resonate with artists who are finding the models used by Spotify and others as unfairly stripping them of much of their earnings, Iyere added.

UK-based Nigerian act, Ray steps out with Bala B

udding UKbased Nigerian artiste, Rahman Bisiriyu, who simply goes by the stage name, Ray has released a new single titled “Bala.”

Produced by Young Jon, the Krystal City artiste describes the new track as a rhythmical drum pattern that has the ability to fans on their feet. Combined with an infectious melody complimented by Ray’s lyrical ability, the artiste sings about his ability to woo his woman with all the right

words. A party track with a banging beat, Bala defines the artiste as parading his own brand of Afro hip hop.

According to the artiste, Bala is a track he intends to use to make his presence known in not just the Nigerian music scene but on the world map. “This is my style. I am not here to compete with anybody but to make a difference.

That is what Bala is all about. It is a song I dedicate to all the beautiful ladies out there. They should expect a lot more

from in weeks to come,”he said.

The management of Krystal City, UK, the label on which he is signed, states that the decision to back Ray’s career stems from the young artiste’s lyrical prowess, abundance of talent and a wholesome thirst for success.

To his credit, Ray has had previous musical experience while working with the likes of Reekado Banks (MAVIN), Bayoz Muzik, Moelogo, 2face Idibia,

Iyanya and lots More.

The label also describes him as an artiste with an effortless persona that reflects within his pers o n a l sound.

•Ray

28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015 — 29

, C M Y K

C M Y K

30 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

Toni Tones drops new single ...excites fans with sexy photos Sexy singer, Toni Tones, who recently signed to ‘Now Muzik’ has released these promo pictures in anticipation of her new single, titled ‘Hey Boy!’.

Hey Boy is completely different form the norm and industry insiders have called it ‘sensational’ and ‘a guaranteed hit’. The single dropped since 20th of August.

In her new photos, Toni Tones turns on sex appeal wearing a black long sleeve leotard while showing off her incredibly toned and banging body.

Her glowing skin keeps us glued while she rocks a flowing straight hair!She sends shivers down our spine as she gives pouts with those incredibly sexy pink lips.

The pop diva is fierce and sensual while keeping things chic we love it, what about you?

A

Guinness celebrates Olamide, Eva and Phyno

By ANOZIE EGOLE

Toni Tones

It was indeed an evening to remember as Guinness celebrated their Made of Black ambassadors last weekend at Rhapsody hall, Ikeja City Mall, Lagos. It was also an opportunity for the brand to showcase a cross-section of real people that embody the spirit of being truly madeofblack. This is in its continued commitment to celebrate young Nigerians for who they are, represent what they want and give them a voice as Guinness moves to the next step of the MADE OF BLACK campaign.

Hosted by ace comedian, Seyi Law, the event was fun filled as guests were thrilled with great vibes from Nigeria’s finest music including popular hits of the #madeofblack brand ambassadors.

DJ Exclusive, one of the top Disc Jockeys in the country, was also in attendance to dish out top music to the audience. Nigeria’s top dance group, who goes by the stage nme, Dance Na the Main Thing, ( DNMT), gave the audience a scintillating, bold and artistic free style dance performance and there were creative displays on the skateboards.

Speaking at the media event, the Portfolio

Project Fame update: Anderson evicted, recalled

t the last nomination show, the Judges felt that most of the performances were below average and this resulted in general probation, leaving the power to save the very best via votes in the hands of West Africa.

So without much ado, the hosts revealed the names of the five contestants with the least number of votes; which means that all the contestants, except Biko, Joy, Anderson, Jeff, and Kumi were saved by the viewers’ votes.

But just before these five performed

again for a chance to get back into the thrilled the audience with one of his Academy, Isaac Geralds (Season 4) hit songs- ‘Fall in love’.

Biko, Anderson, Kumi, Jeff, and Joy then mounted the stage one after the other to perform again for a chance to remain in the race. In the end, the Judges decided to keep Kumi, the Faculty saved Jeff, while the contestants saved Joy. And that marked the end of the road for Anderson and Biko.

As always, the moment of goodbye is the hardest. This evening was no exception as Biko’s parting words were heavy with emotions,

while Anderson could not hold back tears as he gave a brief appreciation speech.

The show ended with the two’s last performances. Biko performed ‘Ordinary people’ by John Legend while Anderson took a bow with ‘Story of my life’ by One Republic.

The tempo of the show has heightened with the exit of the two contestants the previous night and although it came as a rude shock to many, the show must go on and so it did.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015—31

C M Y K

32—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

with Prince Osuagwu 08050498513 princeosuagwu@gmail.com

Social MEDIAketing: Don’t get beaten by competitors S

ment, trust and loyalty are essential to every business. Your social media strategy should ensure that all these are within your reach in a manner that is fast, affordable and convenient.

Linkedln is the best platform for building new professional connections and friendship. It is therefore recommended that you have an expressive profile with good pictures on Linkedln. *Use Multiple Channels: each social media network has it’s own strength. The dominant social media channel you use should be the one that works for you and produce results. However, you shouldn’t ignore the other channels. The trick is to master one major channel, and make all other channels play a support role. *Trend on Twitter: trending on twitter alone gets your message to millions of Nigerians in a particular day and how much you achieve with it depends on you.

For maximum return on investment, it is better to include your website address in your tweets

when your hashtag trends to tell them more about your products/ services *Optimize your Facebook Page: There are a few rules here: make sure your page’s name isn’t generic and does not look very similar with an existing page name.

Use your own name in order to be found more easily in search engines. Use great cover and profile pictures. Don’t use the same picture for both. *Dimension your cover photos - 851px wide by 315px tall. Add your company logo, byline and telephone number on your cover photo. It is recommended that the profile should be a professional photograph of you, the owner of the company. *Advertise using social media: It is believed that doing business without advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark. No one knows what you are doing. It’s a good idea to invest on promoting your post on Facebbok and Twitter

Funny side of social media ..as #World Jollof Rice Day trend on Twitter

By Favour Anthony

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OU just couldn’t have imagined it! Nigerians worldwide celebrated the World Jollof Rice day last week. The celebration which was much on twitter via the Hash tag #WorldJollofRiceDay, has been trending since August 22 till now. Tweets were buzzing from citizens to corporations about Nigeria’s popular traditional dishes.

Nigerians shared different funny experiences and also where to find the best type of Jollof Rice via twitter.

Jollof rice origin is traced to the Wolof people of the modern day Senegal and the Gambia. It is a meal that is easy to cook and very affordable. The common ingredient for jollof rice includes rice, tomatoes, tomatoes paste, and onions, salt and hot red pepper. Apart from that, any kind C M Y K

By Favour Anthony

T

By Agbolade Omowole

OCIAL media now offers the highest return on in vestment as an advertisement media. Don’t let your competitors capitalize on this vast and growing landscape before you do.

Smart business people understand that the modus operandi for attracting new clients has changed. They go to the second most visited place on the face of the earth - Facebook. Research has revealed that one out of every six minutes spent online, is spent on Facebook.

Companies are now building their brands on social media, and I suggest you do that too. The first step towards attracting and winning new customers on social media is by opening a Facebook page. A facebook business page gets your message to your intended users. Here’s how to attract new clients on social media. *Incentivitize your clients: The most appealing word for your prospects is ‘free.’ Some people like to get free things. Freebies are a great way of attracting new prospects. Facebook fans tend to be super consumers; they spend 43% more than non-fans on average. *Build Revenue Streams: the goal of brands should be customer satisfaction and the bottom line is increasing the profit margin. You can build revenue streams via premium subscriptions, hiring solutions, and marketing solutions. * Improve Social Capital: Networking, awareness, engage-

How social media makes the world ‘global village’

of meat, vegetable or spice can be added.

According to some Nigerians, jollof rice is a meal that is always available at any occasion especially at weddings. It is known as the life of the party, and a wedding isn’t complete without

jollof rice.

Different corporations like Airtel and Etisalat, also created time to join the celebration of the #WorldJollofRice Day because of the importance of the meal to Nigerians.

HE world indeed is changing at a speed no one could ever imagine before. The social media and mobile technologies have gone a long way in transforming the way individuals interact and also how information is shared among individuals in the society. In today’s society, from a global perspective, the social media has changed how individuals function with each other as well as how business is now conducted. From the simply daily communication to how we seek employment, social media is available.

Wikipedia says “Social media is a term used to describe the type of media that is based on conversation and interaction between people online. Social media are media designed to be disseminated through social interaction, using highly accessible and scalable publishing techniques.”

Before the advent of social media, people communicated personally either by regular mail, telephone or by personal visits. Back then, information was reached at a slower pace.

When in need of information, or when carrying out a research, it would require making a trip to equipped libraries or request that information through the regular mail. With access to the internet and technology, individuals are able to download important information without stress. The social media has become an integral part of modern society.

The social media has made it possible for individuals to choose what they read, and also to contribute to content and opinions.

The social media revolution has given birth to a democratic movement that emphasizes some of journalism’s key factors such as: transparency, honesty, and also giving a voice to the

person who doesn’t have one.

The social media has impacted different sectors in our economy.

In the area of journalism, they are adding another layer of information to existing new sources. One major way is how the social media has changed the way journalist source for news. It has helped them to gather more materials on news stories, and it has also provided access to a wider range of voices that are able to tell their own stories and opinion on the matter.

Important benefit The social media has also made it easier for journalists to source eyewitnesses quickly, as people are eager to post about interesting things they have witnessed to their friends, telling them about what they saw. This is therefore an important benefit, making it easier for journalists to track down those who might have a firsthand account of an event.

The social media has made it possible for journalists to engage with greater audiences, moving information quickly among a large group of people. It has provided a valuable two-way engagement with the audience, changing significantly how journalists talk to their audiences and also listen to their response. This means that local news can be transformed into international news very quickly as social media has the power to transfer information across the world instantaneously.

The social media has made the statement ‘the world is a global village’ made by Marshall McLuhan a certain one in the sense that business transactions can now be carried out with ease both locally and internationally. The major revolution of the social media is all about the transformation of how different activities were carried out in the past.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015—33

Adesina, Wada, Kwankwaso, others honoured in Lagos

By Josephine Agbonkhese

P

RESIDENT of the African Development Bank (AFDB) and former Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina; Governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada; Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, ex-Governor of Kano State, and Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former Governor of Ogun State, have been conferred with the prestigious Hall of Grace (HOG) Award for their contributions to national development.

While Adesina and Kwankwaso both clinched the HOG Man of the Year Award, Wada received the Governor of the Year Award, the highest political award in the HOG award categories, while Otunba Gbenga was bestowed with the Political Achiever Award.

The undertone of the 2015 edition which was fifth in the HOG award series was agriculture, and personalities were chosen for encouraging growth in agriculture.

“It is no longer news that our almighty crude oil is no longer almighty owing to its dwindling price in the global market. Crude oil has made Nigeria lazy and policy makers have failed in foreseeing the future.

Uncommon height “This is where Dr.Adesina earns our utmost respect; he practically took agriculture to such an uncommon height with his innovative policies and activities while serving as Minister of Agriculture in the last administration.

He attracted local investment and saved foreign exchange by a monumental drop in our importation of rice and other produce.

“Kwankwaso, on the other hand, also massively supported agriculture while also promoting education in Kano State, as a panacea to the unrest bedeviling the area.

As well as supporting agriculture, Governor Wada, on his part, is massively empowering youths in Kogi State via his collaboration with Koreans which has produced an ultra-modern vocational training institute amongst C M Y K

L-R: Kogi State Governor, Idris Wada; Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina and Mr. Rupert Ojenuwa at the award ceremony in Lagos. others. Otunba Gbenga established free trade zones

that even the current administration cannot deny,”

Mr.Rupert Ojenuwa, a young Nigerian who is Managing

Custodian of the HOG award, explained, at the event which held in Lagos recently.

Others honoured were Sam Nda-Isaiah, Chairman, Leadership Group and former Presidential aspirant of the All Progressive Congress (APC) who got the Icon of Excellence Award; Her Excellency Omolewa Ahmed who was bestowed with the First Lady of the Year Award; Managing Partner, SIAO cum Senior Pastor, Trinity House, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, who received the Icon of Hope Award; Mrs.Folorunsho Alakija, richest black woman, who was conferred with the Pride of Africa Award, and the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, Iheoma Nnadi, who received the Entertainment Personality of the Year Award.

Speaking on the inspiration behind the HOG Award, initiator and Grand Custodian of the award, Chief Alex Akinyele, two-time Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, reaffirmed his belief in uprightness when called to public service.

Continues on page 34

Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum holds Pan-African conference

By Yemisi Suleiman

I

N a bid to give women a voice economically, improve their lives and be celebrated, the Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) is set to hold a two day Pan-African conference for women across the globe who share a common interest.

The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) a premier, panAfrican conference and exhibition event, will bring together an exclusive group of thought leaders, women entrepreneurs and women in business, investors, MSMEs, international development organizations, NGOs, CSOs, trade missions, foundations, governments and policy makers, the private sector and media.

Organised by Mrs Irene Ochem, the event is aimed at empowering the African woman because she represents

the potential for Africa’s socioeconomic development.

According to Ochem, Women contribute 60% of the worlds work but earn only 10% of the world’s income, while reinvesting 90% of their income into families and community.

Economic transformation “Therefore empowering African women and reorganising their contributions and role in the continents future economic transformation and social development has become imperative.” says Ochem.

The conference which holds from September 8-9 2015, beginning with a preconference workshop on the 7th at the Oriental Hotel Victoria Island Lagos, will bring together established, successful businesswomen, young emerging and aspiring female businesswomen. Other participants include Continues on page 35

•Maureen Ochem

34—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

Queen Nigeria fulfils pledge to destitute, visits camps

*Queen Nigeria with children at destitute home Ebute-Metta

T

he winner of the latest edition of Queen Nigeria pageant, Diamond Okoh, has begun a tour of destitute camps in Lagos and Ogun states, in fulfilment of promise made following her emergence as queen.

Some of the camps visited recently include the Okobaba Destitute Camp at Ebute-Metta area of Lagos State and Agbado Railway Station Camp in Ogun

State. The former is home to approximately 500 children, youths and adults. On the other hand, the latter serves as a ‘stop place’ for many residents once living in North-East Nigeria, as displaced by the insecurity scourge.

The aim of the tour is to positively touch lives and show care to the less privileged who have been limited by the harsh economic situations and

Adesina, Wada, Kwankwaso Continues from page 33 “HOG is a huge platform upon which deserving Nigerians are celebrated. I sincerely believe that if everyone in our nation will man his position with the right heart and a willingness to sacrifice and become the best he can be, it is only a matter of time before we become that nation we have always dreamed of,” Akinyele said.

Upon receiving the award, Wada described it as a call to greater service, saying, “This is an impetus for me to work harder and better the lot of my people.

Worthy legacy I will be working harder so as to make sure that we leave behind a worthy legacy for our people”.

Declaring that it was time every Nigerian got committed to the project Nigeria, Kwakwanso, upon receiving his award, said that would greatly move Nigeria forward.

Adesina, on his part, expressed gratitude towards the organizers, team mates at the Ministry of Agriculture and also Nigerians who made his tenure a success, as well as his election as President of the AfDB. Guest Lecturer at the event was Ms.Wilmer Aguele, MD/ C M Y K

CEO, Wilbahi Investment Limited, an agricultural and energy company based in Benin, Edo State, who delivered a paper titled ‘Maximazing Potential in Agricultural Sector’ .

security challenges in the country.

Diamond was accompanied to the Agbado Railway Station Camp by Onyeka Venath at the behest of Betty Abah, the CEO of CEE-HOPE, who had

pledged support for Queen Nigeria and will be working in collaboration with Queen Nigeria in some Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, camps.

She had taken it upon herself to find out about the living conditions of families at the Agbado Railway Camp.

Her visit to the Okobaba Camp gave her the opportunity to see first-hand the state of the school for the children in the Okobaba Camp.

“I saw the resilience of people determined to survive against all odds. But more needs to be done. I know I cannot change their status in a day but I believe everyone has a role to play. The place is water locked and desperately in need of basic amenities that will enhance learning.

"The Okobaba Camp runs like a village and has people in charge of designated hubs.

I visited three hubs and was introduced to their leaders, including a camera man who had just one hand. His face lit up when he spoke about his profession. At the same time, I realised that behind the smiles on the different faces, food, education, water sanitation and the eradication of poverty were constant topics for discussion amongst many,” she said sympathetically.

In view of the visible challenges inherent in the Camp, Tokunbo Ifaturoti of TAAI PR Consultancy and management of Queen Nigeria on behalf the stakeholder, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), stressed the importance of Diamond's work in the community.

She explained that Diamond’s pet project “Go the Extra Mile with Diamond - Queen Nigeria” is a force to be reckoned with in seeking compassionate streaks in the society who will lend a helping hand to this cause.

UWTF to launch agric talkshow

I

n continuation of its agricultural revolution, Founder and President, Uplifting Women through Farming, UWTF, Afoma Adigwe, is set to embark on a agriculture-based talk show on televsion and other platforms.

Disclosing this to journalists in Lagos recently, Adigwe said the

talk show was born out of her passion to showcase prospects and opportunities in farming to people through a wider outreach.

“This talk show is in furtherance of UWTF’s vision which came into existence a decade ago. We want to showcase the many opportunities and prospects in agriculture because it has

gone beyond cutlass and hoe. We want to showcase to the world that agriculture is the next goldmine,” Adigwe said.

The programme which will commence in the last quarter of 2015 will feature prominent agriculturists, farmers and other agric stakeholders within Nigeria and across Africa.

Come join Inner Wheel, chieftain urges Nigerian women

By Josephine Agbonkhese

A

N open invitation has been thrown to charitable women all-over the country to join the International Inner Wheel, IIW, a worldwide service organisation with branches in over 103 countries.

Chairman, Inner Wheel District 911, Mrs Olayinka Ayanwale, who made this clarion call, weekend in Lagos, said growing the organisation’s membership in Nigeria had become a matter of urgency and necessity.

This call for admission into the non-profit organisation can be described as a deviation from the norm as the organisation had since inception 92 years ago strictly limited its membership to wives and female relatives of Rotarians.

“The task ahead of us, both as women and as a charity organsiation, is huge. There is so much charity work to be done and we cannot leave

everything to the government of this country.

“Inner Wheel has less than a thousand members in Nigeria and such should not be the case in a country as populated as ours when other nations have thousands and millions of members.

“In D911 which covers Lagos and Ogun states, we have 30 clubs with about 300 members, which is quite small compared to the population of these two states,” Mrs Ayanwale said while speaking at a colourful ceremony held at the Lagos residence of

Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon for the installation of the 33rd president of the Inner Wheel Club of Isolo.

She however emphasised that only women of integrity will be accepted. In same spirit,

Continues on page 35

From left: Mrs Olayinka Ayanwale, Chairman, Inner Wheel District 911 Nigeria; Mrs Ronke Solomon, immediate past President, IW Club of Isolo; Mrs Titilayo Rachael Olajide, newlyinstalled President with her executives at the event in Lagos.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015 —35

We're breeding new generation of women with morals —Virginspride Nkechi Odebiyi, is the co-ordinator, Virginspride Foundation, a network established through God’s inspiration to promote morals among the youth in our society.

The foundation which began with 17 girls in 2009 presently has maiden clubs in different schools and uncountable number of girls who have pledged to remain virgins till they get married.

Odebiyi who holds a Masters Degree in Public Relation and Advertising, started her career in the banking sector, works in the oil and gas sector.

In this chat with Esther Onyegbula & Anino Aganbi, she tells more. Excerpts.

W

HAT inspired you to establish Virginspride?

My Inspiration came from God, coupled with my desire to see a society where the virtue of maidenhood, sexual and moral purity will replace the sexual perversions which has become accepted norms in the society.

It is so painful that we have many religious houses, yet the society lacks moral sacredness which is part of worship.

Our youths whose parents occupy exalted positions in worship houses and who by default, will be taking over the mantle of spiritual leadership when we are gone, seem to be the worse hit by these immoral activities.

Immoral activities The desire to see a morally sound society is part of my inspiration and what we are doing now is part of the foundation for the desired change because I know that many other people are also working towards this same desire to see a morally changed society.

Why celebrate Virgins in a society that is morally bankrupt?

That word moral bankruptcy is enough challenge to motivate any right-thinking person to want war against that

tide. Moral bankruptcy, as we noticed, came in as a result of our inability to keep to the moral standard God expects from us.

Moral laxity created the loophole upon which moral bankruptcy, an imposter, leaned on to creep into our society. But I assure you that with our program, moral normalcy is on the way; it is almost here. Ask our young men.

Moral bankruptcy crept in because we were hiding behind the finger of secrecy, pretending that all is well. Now that we are declaring open war against immoral activities among the teens, moral decency will return.

You need to have seen how parents prayed and danced with their girls on the celebration day. The hall we used could not accommodate people. Many parents brought their daughters from outside Lagos.

Apart from encouraging these girls to embrace purity, don’t you think celebrating these young girls would expose them to harm in a society where rape is on the increase?

You see, when purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable.

Thank God you said, “in a society where rape is on the increase."

To start with, most girls are raped by their friends or by

Africa Women Innovation Continues from page 33 policymakers, the government, non-governmental organisations, and also the academia. Ochem explains “Being a pan-Africa event, we are trying to create a platform for networking and learning across borders, and also for potential business partnerships and mentorship. There will be a small fee to pay. But we have two very high-level training workshops for delegates. One will be on leadership and ethics, and will be presented C M Y K

by Leap Africa, and the facilitators are top-notch. Then the second one will be presented by the Business School Netherlands, and this is a school people go to get their MBA.” She says, “This is one of the reasons why we are looking for sponsorships, because if we are able to raise enough sponsorship, then we will be able to make the participation free for all young and emerging entrepreneurs. So, we are working very hard to ensure that happens.”

insiders.

These girls are like sacred children unto God, no evil shall befall them. Any attempt on them will be an opportunity for God to prove Himself. He says, touch not my anointed. They are equipped to face sexual harassment.

These ladies belong to what we call “Maidens Club”. We have them in different locations and in schools. We teach them many things including body language and other tips to help them remain protected.

What are the challenges you have been facing in grooming these young girls as well as

Moral bankruptcy crept in because we were hiding behind the finger of secrecy, pretending that all is well

organizing the conference?

Some of the challenges we have are shortage of volunteered counselors, venues for m o n t h l y meetings in some locations, buses for movement, m o r e laptops for training, and fund to pay some bills like school fees and make other provisions for the less privileged among the girls.

During this year ’s conference, you gave an instance of a young girl who is being sexually abused by her father . How can we address incest?

Incest is one of the critical issues the young girls are facing in the society. It is not a tribal thing, it is global. The best approach we are using is that of proper enlightenment.

The fathers, brothers and uncles who engages in incest, use lies and other intimidation mechanisms to manipulate their victims into subjection, so, once the girls understands their tricks, they will be ready to defend themselves.

But another challenge we face is that, fathers, brothers and uncles who sleep with their relations, do not allow theirs girl to attend our programs.

They monitor their movements, calls and messages and keep on assuring the girls of their

*Nkechi Odebiyi

love and willingness to protect them from external negative influence but once we notice such, we devise others means of educating the girl until she gains enough confidence and fights back to gain her freedom.

They almost cage girls because they are afraid that if these girls mix up with other girls, they will reveal their secrets.

Most times, we want to take it up, but either the girl or her mum will be begging that they do not want to expose the girl.

So our weapon for now is training and personal counselling, because such girls do suffer depression, so we work hard to get them stable and healthy enough to mix with other girls. We have other plans I will not like to reveal here. With God and government on our side, incest will soon be a thing of the past.

Come join Inner Wheel, chieftain urges Nigerian women Continues from page 34 outgoing President of the Inner Wheel Club of Isolo and wife of Senator Ganiyu, Mrs Ronke Solomon, recollected how challenging it was presiding over her club with only two active members.

She went on: “Being the foremost Inner Wheel Club in Nigeria, majority of our members had aged already and I was among the youngest and most experienced. This posed a major challenge in terms of handing over the mantle of leadership. So, I was saddled with the responsibility of training the newly inducted members we had for another one year so I could have someone to handover to.

Hence, I served for two instead of one year.”

This, according to Mrs Solomon, did not however take the shine off the acts of charity executed throughout her twoterm tenure.

“We carried our a lot of empowerment activities, boosted businesses with wares, sewing machines, deep freezers, hair salon equipment; carried out health talks, distributed foodstuffs; visited the Ijamido Orphanage Home at Ota in Ogun State, as well as old people’s home amongst many other activities,” she reeled out, adding that the club could have done better with more active members,” she said.

Senator Ganiyu, in his address, however hailed members of the Inner Wheel for their steadfastness and

undiluted passion towards affecting lives positively.

“I commend you for sustaining the ideals of Inner Wheel despite the membership challenge faced in recent times,” Ganiyu said while pledging to support the newlyinstalled president succeeding his wife at the Isolo Club, Mrs Titilayo Rachael Olajide.

Meanwhile, Mrs Olajide unofficially assumed office in July 2015, vowed to further advance the cause of Inner Wheel by touching more lives.

“Already, since July, we have donated foodstuffs, baby items and Frisomum milk to over 50 nursing mother ’s and pregnant women in our community."

36 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4,

2015

YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 LIBRA: BETTER than yesterday as you will be at a more comfortable place today and suddenly discover that your hope is alive. Venus bring you money SCORPIO: ROMANTIC Venus at positive angle may bring matters-of-the heart related temptation through friends. But your best bet now is moderate ambition.

SAGITTARIUS: The best bet for you is to consolidate on progress you made yesterday and look for best way to pacify your new friends.

CAPRICORN: EVERYBODY needs other people’s cooperation just like you today but you will not be compelled by situation to dance to others’ tune; meaning that you can do things your own way and rightly expect success AQUARIUS: THOSE of you willing to give others the needed co-operation will be in better position to consolidate on progress you have made recently. Don’t allow sex to distract you.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

I

am sure you know what it means to be kind. But if you do not know, let me simply say, it is being generous being caring about other people.

For everything we do, there is a reward for us. Being kind is no exception. If you

Be Kind are one of those that believe that being kind no longer pays, you need to read this: We all know how difficult it is to obtain American visa these days, so it was on this fateful day a young

TERROR MUDA

man went to the United States Embassy to obtain a visa.

He got there early and sat down on a chair. It happened that an elderly man came and the young man rose from his chair for the elder

in “Scavenger Elite”

to sit down, unknown to him an embassy official was watching him. That was how he was called inside and giving visa. No interview, no checking of documents.

Be kind, kindness has its own reward.

By Lanre Kehinde

PISCES: WATCHOUT for minor and avoidable but costly mistake within your working arena, especially if you are in charge of other people’s money. If you develop new romantic liaison today, it may not last.

ARIES: AS the saying goes “time waits for nobody” it’s important you guard against unnecessary procrastination capable of putting you at tight corner tomorrow. Be loving.

TAURUS: IT’S better you conclude what you’ve been doing for a while rather than starting something new you don’t know when to finish it. Be more family minded.

GEMINI: IF careless remarks are made by you today, it would back-fire at resumption of work tomorrow morning. Those who are eager for romantic attention will have their dream coming true. Be more loving

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in “HEY’

By Andy Akman

CANCER: IF you wait too long before an important (financial) decision is taken, you may find yourself keeping date with what you don’t bargain for.

LEO: Placement of the Moon influences your associates to become more self-assertive. If you take good advice you’ll fare better. However, it’s important you don’t forget your tomorrow with others.

VIRGO: BETTER than yesterday and luckily for you, opportunity to rectify mistakes made yesterday may come today to the betterment of your finances. Don’t try to buy love with money.

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 about me?

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Joshua, You have done many people’s horoscope; what about me? I want you to kindly analyse my star and tell me everything about my self. Please take note that I value my health and career than any other thing.

Samson, Lagos.

Dear Samson, What space can take will be given to you here-under.

Scorpio and Libra that hosted both your natal sun and moon are members of very strong star signs-health wise.

Scorpio, in particular, has unusual survival ability. That is to say, even when health related challenges come, your survival endowment will always see you through.

Your major challenge is from your constant worries about too many things, especially on career related issues.

Business miscalculation can be another source of health related challenge. You will agree with the fact that both constant worries and business miscalculation can affect one’s circulatory system.

Other things to watch-out for include: Urino-genital organs, minor accident (fire), bones dislocations, a few other times, skin infections and, of-course, fever. Always take care of the stomach. Please take note that all these are mere warnings as there is nothing fatalistic about them; a good guard, though.

Oil related Neptune was the closet heavenly body to the sun when you were born at positive angle to Pluto in Leo. Thus, having things to do with oil along your career/ business lines is not by accident.

Then preponderance of water element and fixed quality in the distribution of the planets when you were born are favourable to commercial involvement with anything liquid.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015—37

Why we want Dickson to continue in office, by ex-Bayelsa commissioner Y

By Samuel Oyadongha

ENAGOA—FORMER Special Duties Commissioner in Bayelsa State in the administration of Timipre Sylva and relation of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Mike Ogiasa, has explained why political leaders in the state were behind the reelection bid of Governor Seriake Dickson.

Ogiasa, son of the paramount ruler of Otuoke community, Dr Jonathan’s hometown said Dickson remains the preferred candidate for the political leaders of the state based on alleged move by the All Progressives Congress, APC to change the political identity of the state.

In a chat in Yenagoa with newsmen, he said though the people of the state may have complained of limited stomarch infrastructure policy under the Dickson administration, “It is very difficult to satisfy everybody especially in the face of limited resources.

“I as a person, everybody knew I never supported Dickson’s candidature. But I am saying that my politics and the politics of every Bayelsans should go beyond their personal interest. Right now, the APC should not win Bayelsa State. We have every reason why APC should not win Bayelsa. So, if Dickson emerges as the flag bearer, he is going to win Bayelsa State poll.

“In fact, he is even the person that can make the Peoples

Democratic Party, PDP win better than any other candidate.

He is more prepared. He must make sure Bayelsa remains a PDP state.

“We cannot betray the Easterners, we cannot betray our fellow South-South people.

Look at how Godswil Akpabio worked for our identity. Look at how Nyesom Wike, Emmanuel Uduaghan and the whole former Eastern governors worked for our identity, the minority.

“Now we are no longer minority because we are together with the Eastern region. Why do we want to break that cohesion? Do we think it is going to be better for

us? No. “The people should also know taht those who are defecting to the APC are not going there for the interest of Bayelsa State.

They are now counting on what Dickson could not do to back their positions. Of course, nobody can do all things.

Dickson is going to win Bayelsa State very well because the collective resolve of the people will come to play.

“Let me tell you, a lot of us that are coming to support Dickson today were not his supporters before. So, we will never be afraid to call him to order if he is going wrong.

“I believe in Dickson and in his second tenure that he is going

to pilot the affairs of the state very well. Dickson is one of those governors that will finish his second tenure and remain in Bayelsa State. He is not a governor who loves Abuja or outside. The other governors don’t love to stay here except Goodluck Jonathan. How many of them have been staying here?

Alamieyeseigha is also good because his house is here.

“If Dickson performs less, let them ask me questions. He will perform better because he loves staying in Bayelsa and he will not want to leave a bad name.

We that were not supporting him beforebecauseofourpoliticallineages, are now solidly behind him."

U

GHELLI—THE Legislative arm of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, has suspended indefinitely five members of the House over an alleged plot to impeach the chairman of the council, Kenneth Ibru.

A member of the House, who made the disclosure to Vanguard, yesterday, explained that the suspension of the councilors was taken by the leadership of the House but was kept secret from the public.

Acknowledging the suspension of the councilors, leader of the House, Chief Teddy Okperin, who declined comments on the matter, said: “The suspension is not for public consumption. It is an in-house issue and we are handling it within the House.”

On the reason for their suspension, the source hinted that “The councilors had

By Gabrie Enogholase

B

E N I N — FOLLOWING the rampant cases of rape and defilement of infants by some adults, a sociocultural group of the Bini people, Benin National Congress, BNC, has appealed to the National Assembly to enact a law that would make offenders face death penalty.

BNC in a statement in Benin, yesterday by its President, Mr. Aiyamenkhue Edokpolo, said that the National Assembly should take proactive measures against social vices such as rape and infant defilement to protect young girls from being abused by male adults.

Reacting to media reports of a 40 years old man, who allegedly raped a four year girl to death, he said:“Followingrampantcasesof rape and defilement of infants by some unscrupulous old people, it has become necessary to appeal to the National Assembly to take constitutional measures against the social vice as a stern punitive measure."

PUBLIC FUNDS: INAUGURATION: From left: Dr. Joshua Atah, Head, ICT Project, National Universities Commission, NUC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, President, Digital Bridge Institute, DBI, Mr. Haru Alhassan, Director, New Media and Information System, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Mr. Ubale Maska, Executive Commissioner, Technical Standard, NCC, and Mr. Anthony Nwosu, 2nd Vice President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, ATCON, at the inauguration of 2015 Committee of Evaluators on IT-based research proposals from Nigerian tertiary institutions in Abuja.

5 Delta Councillors suspended over plot to impeach council boss

By Perez Brisibe

BNC wants death penalty for child rapists

demanded that the chairman of the council should come before the floor of the House to give account of his stewardship, a failure of which he should be

impeached from office."

Contacted, one of the suspended councilors who spoke on condition of anonymity said he was not aware of his suspension or the suspension of any member of the House

saying, “The last time I was in the House was two weeks back and as I speak with you, am not aware of my suspension or the suspension of any member of the House.”

Delta govt assures residents on distribution Ministry would undertake of potable water quality tests of all boreholes in

A

By Festus Ahon

SABA—DELTA State Commissioner for Water Resources Development, Mr Fidelis Tilije, has expressed the state government’s commitment to provide potable water to all parts of the state.

Tilije in a chat with newsmen at Obiaruku, Ukwani Local Government Area of the state, during a luncheon organised in his honour by Prof. Steve Okecha, said that the state government would soon enact a new law that will guarantee quality and stable

supply of water to all parts of the state.

He said that the new water policy and the draft bill were being supervised by the European Union and United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF, adding “Deltans will be very happy when the new law comes into force.”

According to him, the draft bill was being put together by the Ministries of Water Resources, Justice, Environment and all contributory ministries, adding that when the law comes into force, the Quality Control Department of the

the state to ensure safe drinking water.

Noting that contaminated water from boreholes was on the increase in the Niger Delta region, he said that the Quality Control Department would at the end of the test issue certificates which would be subject to yearly review to owners of boreholes in the state.

“Under the SMART agenda of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, we want to create a very strong health base for Deltans by ensuring safe drinking water,” he said.

Group backs Oshiomhole

By Simon Adewale

B

ENIN—EDO League for Good Governance, ELGG, has condemned the attack on Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, by some former ministers in the last administration over his call on them to explain to Nigerians how public funds running into several billions of Naira allegedly expended under their watch as public servants was spent without corresponding visible projects to show for the said amount.

In a statement by the Coordinator, Henry Okpamen in Benin, ELGG described the attack on Oshiomole as a ploy to dodge the issues raised by the governor and divert the attention of Nigerians despite the sorry state of infrastructure in the country.

It said that anyone found to haveparticipatedintheopenrape of “our common treasury should be immediately arrested and brought to justice. We are also of the opinion that any former public office holder whose activities as public officer are broughtbeforethecourtofpublic opinion should defend himself rather than resort to name calling.”

38—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2015

Enugu govt to establish advert regulatory agency

ENUGU-EAST NASS TRIBUNAL: PDP opens

defence today

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the senatorial candidate of the party for Enugu-East senatorial district, Senator Gil Nnaji will today open defence of their victory in last March 28 National Assembly election.

Former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani of the Peoples Democratic Change, PDC, is challenging the declaration by Independent National Electrol Commission, INEC, of Senator Nnaji, as winner at the poll, which had elicited widespread protest in

Enugu metropolis.

Over 400 witnesses had testified for Nnamani over alleged widespread irregularities in the election.

It would be recalled that INEC lawyer, Mr. Benson Ibezim, had stunned the tribunal when he rejected a certified true copy of a document issued by the commission, saying it could not be admitted in evidence for doubtful authenticity and competence of the INEC Legal Services Department to endorse the said document.

Ibezim, counsel to the third respondent in the petition, who was in the habit of agreeing to

every submission by counsel to the first and second respondents, Senator Nnaji and the PDP, respectively, while stressing as usual that he had nothing more to add, apparently did not know where to draw the line when he told the tribunal that he was “in the same boat” with the two respondents in objecting to the admission in evidence of a certified true copy of the card reader polling unit accreditation report, though it was signed by the Director of Legal Services of the electoral commission, which he was representing.

Counsel to the petitioner, Mr. O. Jolaawo, who had earlier

Council poll may not hold in Anambra in government law to meet the 2016 —Obiano’s aides governor’s demand.

By Enyim Enyim

O

N I T S H A — I N D I C AT I O N S emerged, yesterday, that the local government election expected to hold in Anambra State in January, next year, may not hold as government is said to have concluded plans to revert to the old order of caretaker transition committee arrangement used by previous government.

Sources close to Governor Willie Obiano’s office revealed to Vanguard that Obiano had concluded plans to revert to the old order of appointing transition caretaker committee chairmen and councillors at the third tier of government as was obtained in the Chris Ngige and Peter Obi administrations to enable him garner enough funds to carry out capital projects in the state.

The Anambra State independent Electoral Commission, ANSIEC, Acting chairman, Mr. Sylvester Okonkwo and other commissioners' tenure

had expired and nothing was being done to constitute new members that would conduct the council poll.

In spite of protests from stakeholders that the council poll should not be conducted last year

by Okonkwo, who was not a substantive chairman, the former governor, Mr. Peter Obi quickly conducted the election few days before the expiration of his eightyear tenure.

The sources also hinted that the state House of Assembly had been approached on the matter and were thinking on how to bend the existing local

Speaking with Vanguard on the issue, the state chairman of the Hope Democratic Party, Ozo Sam Oraegbulam said that from signals and the body language of Obiano, it was obvious that the local government poll would not be conducted as expected.

“The tenure of the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission has expired and the governor has not and is not doing anything to appoint a chairman and commissioners for the commission since Mr. Sylvester Okonkwo merely completed the tenure of Prof. Titus Eze, who was sacked by the Obi government."

tendered four documents for admission in evidence without objection by the respondents, had further sought to tender in evidence the card reader polling unit accreditation report generated by the Information and Communication Technology, ICT, Department of INEC for the presidential/National Assembly elections and signed by the Director of Legal Services of INEC. This was, however, met with the stiff objections of the lead counsel to Senator Nnaji, Mr. P.I.N. Ikwueto (SAN), and that of the PDP, Mr. P.M.B. Onyia, saying it did not meet the requirements of the evidence act as the INEC Director of Legal Services, who signed the document was not competent to do so, not being an ICT expert.

“The law is such that such a document is only admissible in court upon there being an evidence before the tribunal authenticating the document,” Mr. Ikwueto averred, stressing that “evidence must be called on the computer generation.”

Counsel to the petitioner, Ojolaawo, who immediately pointed out the anomaly of the INEC lawyer joining the other respondents in denying and objecting to a document duly signed and issued by the very commission he represented, urged the tribunal to disregard his objection; an objection the tribunal ruled him out of order.

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—ENUGU State Executive Council has approved in principle the establishment of an agency under the State Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources to be known as Enugu State Signage and Advertisement Regulatory Agency, ENSARA, for the enforcement, sanitization, authentication and production of out-door practices in the state.

Consequently, the council directed the Attorney General to sponsor an executive bill to the State House of Assembly for the establishment of the said agency.

In a press briefing by the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Godwin Udeuhele at the end of the state executive council meeting presided over by the Governor at the Government House, Enugu, the council also approved that the ministry be allowed in the interim to engage the services of consultants to generate revenue in the state under this arrangement.

Umahi raises alarm over poor IGR in Ebonyi

By Peter Okutu

A

B A K A L I K I — GOVERNOR Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, yesterday, raised alarm over the poor ratio of the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, of the state with a plea that all hands must be on

deck to ensure its increase in no distant time.

The governor stated this while receiving the report of the Special Salary Committee headed by former Governor Sam Egwu at the Government House, Abakaliki.

Umahi, who accepted the report of the committee, directed that the salaries of workers for the month

of July and August be paid latest today.

He further expressed the readiness of his administration to work closely with the leadership of labour unions in the state, noting that the state government would not fail to discharge its responsibilities to the people of the state.

Reading out the report of the Special Salary Committee, the Chairman, Senator Sam Egwu stated that the recommendations of the committee took cognizance of the state’s low federal allocation, poor IGR, statutory responsibilities of government, inflation and discrepancy in the salary table structure of the state.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

Should Buhari probe GEJ administration or not?

E

very person should be probed, whether in government or private.

Jonathan, Yar'Adua, OBJ, Abdusalami, Abacha, Shonekan, IBB, Buhari-1, Shagari, OBJ, Murtala, Gowon, Ironsi or Balewa should be probed. -Mr. Etebele Julius, Worker

Y

es; but he must start from 1999, if not; such a probe will not only be a witch-hunt, a biased one. Let the looters bring their loot and go free, then a new era of accountability will start. Mr. Pius Onyeka Ezugwu, Engineer

W

hat I have to say is that they should let the probe begin now without further delay.

President Buhari should probe all those who have stolen from Nigeria irrespective of period or time.

Mr. Adekunle Jegede, Teacher

T

he sanctimonious posture of this administration is getting people pissed off. GEJ administration ought to be probed and judgment served, but does PMB have the moral uprightness to tackle this?

-Miss Hope Macaluay, Worker

C

orruption will kill Nige-ria if we fail to kill it. There should come a time when we have to say no to impunity, and now is the time. PMB, go ahead and recover all the loots from all, not some of the looters, prosecute and jail them. -Mr. Eze Nwaoha, Barber

Y

es o! He should be probed. Let this administration get all the money the past and others looted.

Nigerian people should continue praying for President Buhari; may God help him. God bless Nigeria. Mr. Samson Akinpelu, Businessman

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015 — 39

Task Force commander charges Plateau communities on peace

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

New internal revenue service'll lift Kwara's economy — AHMED

By Demola Akinyemi

I

LORIN—KWARA State governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, has said the newly established State Internal Revenue Service will not lead

to imposition of new taxes but boost revenue through the diversification of the economy.

Governor Ahmed gave the assurance at Ilesha Baruba in Baruten local government area of the state, during the

presentation of the staff of office to the new Emir of the town, Prof. Halidu Abubakar.

According to him, the mandate of Kwara State Internal Revenue Service is to change the process of

J

O S — T H E Commander of Operation Safe Haven, formerly known as the Special Task Force, STF, in Plateau State, Major General Tagbo Ude, has appealed to communities in Riyom and Barkin Ladi local government areas of the state to sheathe their swords and give peace a chance in the areas.

Major General Ude also urged the people to have a sense of forgiveness and embrace peace so that the constant conflicts in the areas, which had affected women and children as well as disrupted the education of the children, could come to an end.

The Commander made the appeal in Jos during the launching of a project, titled “Strengthening Children and Young People’s Protection System through the implementation of Child Rights Law in North Central Nigeria” organized by the Centre for Advocacy of Justice and Rights, CAJR. Represented by the Operation’s Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Magaji, he added that the rate at which tender and helpless persons were abused without recourse to human dignity, called for concern.

COMMISSIONING: From left; Trade Partner, MTN Nigeria, Katsina, Alhaji Salisu M a m m a n ; Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State and Senior M a n a g e r, Government Affairs, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Austin Iyashere at t h e commissioning of the MTN Foundation Y’ello Doctor Project in Katsina.

Bauchi saves N1bn from pilgrims sponsorship for Hajj operation

By Suzan Edeh

B

AU C H I — B AU C H I State government has saved N1 billion from sponsorship of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for holy pilgrimage.

Governor Mohammed Abubakar, who disclosed this at a farewell address delivered to the pilgrims in Bauchi yesterday, said his administration was determined to support the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board to succeed in the Hajj operations.

Abubakar said: “In view of the present economic position of the state, the number of sponsored

pilgrims by the government were drastically reduced while cost of pilgrims accommodation and feeding were re-negotiated.

“A new Permanent Hajj camp and befitting office accommodation for the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board will be constructed as part of efforts to improve the conduct of pilgrimage from the state.

“The state government has also approved the donation of Pilgrims' Ihram, blankets and free meals for the pilgrims while in the holy land.

Executive Secretary of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Aliyu Suleman, said 2,842 people from the state

Shettima congratulates FAAN boss on award

M

AIDUGURI— GOVERNOR Kashim Shettima of Borno State,has congratulated the Managing Director of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Saleh Dunoma, following the National Productivity Merit Award conferred on him by President Muhammadu Buhari and 11 others in Abuja.

The governor described Dunoma as a worthy ambassador of the state who had distinguished himself.

Shetima, who said this in Maiduguri while receiving the Managing Director who was on a working visit to the Maiduguri airport, urged Dunoma to see the award as a charge to further excel in his tour of duty.

From 2011 to date, airports remodelled under the supervision of Dunoma include General Aviation Terminal (Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMIA),

collecting existing taxes by deploying technology to block loopholes and increase efficiency.

Ahmed noted that with increased revenue, his administration would complete existing projects, establish new ones in all sectors as well as inject an additional N2b into entrepreneurship development scheme.

He urged the new Emir to serve as a builder of bridges of harmony and peace among the people of his domain and beyond.

The Emir of Ilesha Baruba, Prof.

Halidu Abubakar, in his acceptance speech, pledged not to betray the confidence the people of the Emirate and the state government reposed in him.

Prof. Abubakar, who is the 28thEmir of Ilesha Baruba, assured the state government that the people of his Emirate would support the realization of the government’s programmes and policies, especially the shared prosperity programme.

International Terminal (MMIA), Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja (international terminal), Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja(domestic terminal), Kaduna Airport terminal, Margaret Ekpo International Airport Terminal, Calabar and Benin Airport terminal.

Also, the Shehu of Bornu, Alhaji Ibn Umar Garbai ElKanemi, while receiving him in his palace, described Dunoma as a worthy son who had made the emirate proud.

He extolled the leadership traits of Eng. Dunoma which, according to him, is anchored on hard work, simplicity and humility.

He thanked President Mohammadu Buhari for finding him worthy of the award.

During the tour of the airport,

which was recently reopened, Dunoma charged the staff to adhere to safety and security which had remained his priority.

He said the on-going renovation at the airport would soon be completed, expressing the hope that with time, more people would travel through the airport as peace returns to Borno State.

would perform this years’ Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

He said the pilgrims were scheduled to be flown into the

Customs agents kick against Alli’s appointment as Customs C-G

By Dave Oso

L

A G O S— L I C E N S E D Customs Agents under the aegis of International Freight Forwarders Association of Nigeria (IFFAN) have condemned the appointment of Col. Hameed Alli (retd) as Comptroller-General (C-G) of the Nigeria Customs Service.

Speaking in Lagos yesterday, Director of Publicity of the association, Mr. Ossy Ezeweiyinya lamented that the appointment portends great danger for the revenue collection drive of the customs service.

The association stressed that Col. Hameed is not a professional, and will not fit in the big shoes of his predecessor, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi Inde.

NDE empowers 500 youths in Ogun

By Ediri Ehoh & Bartholomew Madukwe

T

HE National Directorate of Employment, NDE, in Ogun State, has commenced another round of skills acquisition training programmes for 500 youths in the state.

This was disclosed by the Director-General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Mohammed, during the orientation ceremony to

Holy land in nine flights by Top Brass and Max Air Airlines which are the state carriers for this year’s Hajj operation

kick-start the programme.

According to Mohammed, the training exercise is aimed at exposing the participants to the benefits of self-employment through skills acquisition.

He explained that training of youths and the unemployed was the cardinal focus of the NDE and a major revolving effort of the Federal Government towards reduction of unemployment in the country.

The appointment, according to them, is taking the service five steps backwards.

Already, Vanguard learned that the World Customs Organization (WCO) has kicked against the appointment, saying that installing a non-professional as C-G would set the organization back. The WCO have also said that it could suspend Nigeria.

Speaking, Ezeweiyinya said; “The position of my association is that we have been taken five steps backwards now. We need a professional as C-G.” “If you want to fight corruption, you cannot use an outsider, who knows nothing about revenue collection, I don’t know what a retired army officer can do here, if it is discipline I can say it’s okay, but we are talking about revenue collection.”

The major achievement of the former Comptroller-General of Customs, Dikko Inde Abdullahi was the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) an electronic platform that enabled the Customs to double its revenue collection under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Stakeholders have however expressed fears that the appointment of a retired army officer would bring down these achievement because he would not be able to maintain the revenue collection tempo.

40—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

(right), and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State (left) during the presentation of 2nd Class Staff of Office to the Emir at Ilesha Baruba in Baruten Local Government Area.

MEETING: Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State; former Military Administrator of Delta and Ebonyi states, Chief Walter Feghabo Amain, and Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, HRM King Alfred Diete Spiff, first Military Governor of old Rivers State, during a meeting between the governor and political appointees in Yenagoa.

BRIEFING: From left—Member representing Aniocha/ Oshimili Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives Mrs. Joan Mrakpor; Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chairman, Chief Edwin Uzor, and Chairman, Oshimili-South PDP, Chief Chiejina Okafor, at the first constituency briefing by Mrs Mrakpor. PHOTO: Nath Onojake.

FORUM: From left—Bisi Olayinka, Oludare Kafar, Marketing Manager, and Efe Obiomah, Public Relations Manager, all of GOtv, during a customer forum at Ogba, Lagos.

PRESENTATION: Emir of Ilesha Baruba, Professor Halidu Abubakar

From left—Marketing Manager, BEKO, Mr. Anil Diwakar; Mr. Inyang Ekere; winner, 2015 BEKO Home2CampNou Instagram competition, Mr. Patrick Obiora, and General Manager, BEKO, Mr. Inderjit Singh Kular, during prize presentation at their office in Lagos.

NCC TENNIS: From left— Cordinator, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Tennis Cup, Mr. Godwin Kienka; Manager, Public Relations, Ajaguna Dede; and Head, Public Affairs, Mr. Reuben Muoka, both of NCC, at the commission's Tennis Cup Championship for all Nigerian players in Kaduna. PHOTO: Olu Ajayi.

SERVICE: From left— Bishop (Dr.) E. J. Oterai; Bishop (Dr.) E. U. Emiaso; Rev. (Dr.) John Agbor; a guest; Rev. Steve Ovorakpor, and others at a Church service.

FIDSON'S REWARD: From left— Divisional Manager, West & North, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr. Rotimi Afolaogun; Accountant, Tanimola Pharmacy Limited, Mr. Saheed Ibrahim; General Manager, Sales, Mr. Abayomi Alli-Balogun, and Mr. Oladimeji Oduyebo, Corporate Services Manager, both of Fidson Healthcare Plc, during Phase 2 of Fidson Retail Reward programme in Ibadan.

BEKO PRIZE:

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015—41

Benue, Taraba govs to meet over trans-border clashes

By Peter Duru

M

A K U R D I — BOTHERED by the increasing wave of transborder clashes and criminal activities between Benue and Taraba states, Governors Samuel Ortom and Darius Ishaku are expected to meet next Sunday to fashion out modalities to tackle the menace.

Special Adviser to Benue State governor on Media and ICT, Mr. Tahav Agerzua, who disclosed this yesterday in Makurdi, said the meeting had been scheduled to hold in Makurdi.

Agerzua stated that the two governors would, aside from discussing the unending clashes between the border communities of the two states, also discuss issues of mutual benefit to the government and people of both states.

He said: “It’s all geared towards ensuring that we have peace within and with our neighbouring states. It is also part of the reconciliatory moves promised by the governor when he assumed office.’’

Agerzua, who further stated that the governor had taken steps to reconcile the people of the state, irrespective of

tribal and political inclination, said the effort was yielding the desired results.

“The amnesty programme is also part of that effort, and it is a known fact that many possessors of illegal weapons in the state, including the renowned Terwase Agwaza, also known as Gana, are

willingly surrendering them to the government.”

He said the government had adopted the carrot and stick approach to mop up illegal arms and weapons in the state, warning that, at the end of the amnesty programme, government would take necessary steps to

HAJJ 2015: No

retrieve such weapons from their owners.

He said further,that “the government has also reconciled with traditional rulers who had issues with Governor Ortom before now. Government will sustain the spirit until the people are completely reconciled with one another.”

ASSEMBLY: From left, Mr. Kabir Mohammed, Chief of Staff to Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN; Mr. Fredrick Piccolo, Chairman, Airports Council International, ACI, World; Mrs. Angela Gittens, President, ACI World; Engr. Saleh Dunoma, Managing Director, FAAN; Mr. Pascal Komla, President, ACI, Africa-Region, and Mrs. Nse Ikiddeh, General Manager, Planning, FAAN, during the opening of 2015 ACI World, Latin America-Caribbean/World Annual General Assembly, in Panama, yesterday.

No lopsidedness in Buhari's appointments —Ali

By Demola Akinyemi

I

LORIN—AN Ilorin-based legal luminary, Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali (SAN), has dismissed claims of lopsidedness and marginalisation in President Muhammadu Buhari’s latest appointments of his key officers.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari recently appointed,Abba Kyari as his Chief of Staff; Babachir Lawal, Secretary to Government of the Federation, SGF; ,Kure Abeshi C-G Immigration and Hameed Ali C-G customs among others, which drew the ire of Arewa youths, Abubakar Tsav, former police boss in

Lagos and other eminent Nigerians.

But Yusuf Ali in an exclusive interview with Vanguard, dismissed their claims and urged the generality of Nigerians to rise beyond primordial sentiments.

He called on the generality of Nigerians to rather consider delivery of quality

Accidents claim 108 lives in Niger State in 5 months —FRSC

By Wole Mosadomi

M

INNA—THE Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, in Niger State has lamented that despite its sensitization of motorists on maintaining basic traffic regulations, no fewer than 108 people have lost their lives in road accidents within the last five

months in the state.

According to FRSC, about 178 of the ghastly accidents were recorded mostly on Minna- Suleja road, due to over speeding.

Niger State Sector Commander, Mrs Susan Ajenge, made this disclosure when she paid a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in Minna yesterday.

She said: “As a result of over

speeding and careless driving, the command has recorded 178 crashes with 108 deaths due to over speeding and careless driving, with Suleja-Minna road having the highest, followed by Bida, Tegina and Mokwa.”

She also disclosed that the FRSC in the state had started a clampdown on fake driver's licences, adding that there were syndicates all over the country.

services, irrespective of where the appointees came from in the issue of national assignment.

His words: “These appointments are long overdue and most importantly,where the appointees come from should not matter. People should rise beyond primordial sentiments and let me say this, It’s because of this kind of thinking that we are where we are today in this country.”

Ali, who noted that President Muhammadu Buhari must have known the appointees intimately to have trusted them with such responsibilities, applauded the appointments and urged the appointees to key into the agenda of the present administration.

“To me,the new appointees should be selfless,patriotic and diligent in the discharge of their duties,that is all. Wherever they come from is inconsequential,’’ he stressed.

Tribunal grants Adeyemi’s prayers for accelerated hearing

By Boluwaji Obahopo

L

OKOJA—THE Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, has agreed to follow the order of the Appeal Court compelling it to give accelerated hearing to the petition filed by Senator Smart Adeyemi, challenging the election of Dino Melaiye C M Y K

as the senator representing Kogi West senatorial district.

Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Akon Ikpeme, also agreed that the merit of the petition filed by Adeyemi would be expeditiously looked into, rather than dwell on motions and technicalities that might impair the time limit allocated to the tribunal.

The Appeal Court, while ruling for re-trial, stated: “The appellants’ petition No. EPT/ KG/NASS/SEN/O4/2015 between senator Smart Adeyemi and. Anor. V. Hon. Dino Melaye & 2 Ors is hereby restored and remitted to the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, holden at Lokoja, Kogi State

under the chairmanship of Hon. Justice Akon B. Ikpeme, to be heard on accelerated basis, so that it is determined on its merits within the remaining time stipulated by section 285 (6) of the Constitution of the Federal Government of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)’’

pregnant women'll perform hajj —ZAMFARA GOV

By Salisu Maradun

G

USAU—BARELY a few days after the commencement of the airlift of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, the Task Force Committee for this year’s Hajj in Zamfara State has vowed to deal with any pregnant pilgrim woman who sneaks into the holy land, despite the ban placed on such women Chairman of the committee, Mallam Ibrahim Wakkala gave the warning in an interview in Gusau, the state capital.

He said despite the warning and measures taken against the participation of pregnant women in the hajj exercise, many women were still getting involved.

Lalong inaugurates council as Jega assumes duty

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

J

OS—IN his bid to reposition the education sector in Plateau State, Governor Simon Lalong has inaugurated the newly appointed Governing Council of Plateau State University, PL ASU, Bokkos, with a charge to the members to key into his vision and ensure effective formulation and implementation of policies which will add value to the institution.

Governor Lalong, who inaugurated the Governing Council, yesterday, at the new Government House, Little Rayfield, said he was confident that Prof.

Attahiru Jega, who is the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council and other members, would not disappoint in carrying out the tasks ahead of them.

Responding on behalf of other members, Prof.

Attahiru Jega said they would do their best to discharge their responsibility, ensure improvement of conditions of service of staff, among others.

42—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015—43

Passage

NNPC sets ultimatum for Warri refinery rehab

By Michael Eboh

T

D

R. Folasade Ifamose, aged 51, is dead. She died August 10, at the University of North Carolina Cancer Centre, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. She is survived by her widower and children.

Born at Akunnu-Akoko, Ondo State, late Ifamose was a professor in the Department of History and Diplomatic Studies, University of Abuja and a former Head of the same department.

She was also the Dean, Faculty of Art, at the newlyestablished Federal University of Technology, Lafia, Nassarawa State. She was until her death the Deputy Director, Centre for Distance learning, University of Abuja.

She specialized in social and economic history with focus on policy issues and inter-group relations in Nigeria.

A fellow of Charles Warren Centre for Studies in American history, Harvard University Cambridge, she was a resident Post-Doctoral Fellow of African Humanities Programme of the American Council of Learned Societies at the Centre for Humanities Research at the University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.

Iyatesere of Warri passes on

HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has given a 90 days ultimatum to the Management of the Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company, WRPC, to commence full production at the facility.

Speaking at the end of facility tour of the refinery and the adjoining Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, jetty and depot in Warri, Delta State, Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, charged the management and staff of the corporation to ensure that the 125,000 barrels of crude oil per day plant is streamed back to full active service within the projected period.

He noted that he was ready to provide the management of the facility necessary support to enable them meet the target.

He said: “Whatever you need to do to get your refinery back on track, please do it now because this is the time. It is a 90-day fast-track programme and whatever you need me to do to make that happen, let me know.”

He also enjoined the management of the plant to resuscitate the petrochemicals plant, which was commissioned in March 1988.

On the state of PPMC storage facility, Kachikwu promised to end the era where the company rely heavily on private depots to store a bulk of its petroleum products.

He said: “Some of the biggest storage facilities in this industry belong to PPMC. When I was growing up in this industry, we all got our products from PPMC. In fact, the fear of PPMC then was the beginning of wisdom.”

WARRI URHOBO TO OKOWA

Don't forget your campaign promises

P

EOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, faithful in Okere-Urhobo Kingdom, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, have petitioned Governor Ifeanyi Okowa over alleged marginalization of Urhobo of Warri South by successive administrations.

In a letter to Governor Okowa entitled Urhobos of Warri South Being Continuously Marginalized by Successive Delta State Government Outside James Onanefe Ibori, dated August 28, they noted, among other things, that all the appointments so far made in the area were not in their favour.

They urged the governor to keep his promise of addressing the marginalization of Urhobo during his electioneering campaign to the area.

FAAN staff laud Dunoma's leadership

T

HE Iyatsere Descendants Union, IDU, has announced the demise of Chief Gabriel Mabiaku. He died August 21, aged 89 years.

Chief Mabiaku was installed the Iyatsere of Warri kingdom by His Majesty, Atuwatse 11, Olu of Warri on March 5, 1999.

A statement by Chief Johnson Amatserunleghe, Ikaye of Warri Kingdom and Pa. G. A. Buwa said the burial ceremony of late Mabiaku will be made public by the family.

M

ANAGING Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mr. Saleh Dunoma, has been commended on his leadership style.

According to members of staff of the agency, Dunoma exemplary leadership and ability to carry the workers along has helped in moving the agency forward.

The workers said the evidence of his stewardship was the National Productivity Merit Award conferred on him recently by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Director of Human Resources, Hajia Salamatu Umar-Eluma, described him as a humble and God-fearing professional, while the Director of Administration, Ikechi Uko and Director of Maintenance and Engineering, Engr. Femi Oguonedo, who spoke separately, extolled his leadership abilities.

44—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

Dickson’s Patience with Dame pays off REALITY dawns on the camps of Governor Serikae Dickson and Mrs. Patience Jonathan as they bury the hatchet to avoid the ultimate disgrace of having the once impregnable foothold of the former ruling party being swept off.

•Dickson: Wins support from Dame Jonathan

By Samuel Oyadongha

I

T was a big relief for the camp of the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson following the reported settlement of the rift between the governor, former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and other stakeholders.

Before now there had been a cold war between the camps of Dickson and the former First Lady, a development which sources claimed was partly responsible for her resigning her position as a permanent secretary in the state civil service even though she was not assigned any portfolio.

her weight behind the governor and support his return.

A close source to the former First Family who was privy to the peace deal said, “she (Dame Patience) was told that her continued animosity towards the governor could cost the PDP the governorship on December 5, a move that

Assigning of portfolio A number of factors sources told Vanguard had worked in favour of the Dickson in spite of the stiff opposition from Dame Patience camp.

The former First Lady, reports had alleged, was vehemently opposed to Dickson’s second term bid and was reportedly propping up her aide to dislodge the incumbent from Creek Haven.

It was, however, gathered that several Peoples Democratic Party chieftains in the state intervened on behalf of Dickson and impressed it on Patience why she should throw

C M Y K

Dame Jonathan’s influence as apolitical juggernaut cannot be overstated.

She is a political actor that has over the years garnered large followership from the womenfolk upon whom she has impacted so much

BAYELSA DECIDES

•Patience: Better off with Dickson than APC

could open the doors for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to disgrace former President Goodluck Jonathan by taking over the state.”

“She agreed and consequently directed her political associates, being coordinated by the former Senior Special Assistant to Jonathan on Domestic Affairs, Dr Waripamowei Dudafa, to work for Dickson and the PDP. “In politics, there is unity in diversity. People disagree to agree. It was not a hidden fact that Governor Dickson was at loggerheads with Dame Jonathan. But it is also true that, by human nature, she may not have supported Dickson.

The pioneer civilian governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeigha was said to have played a major role in thawing the ice between Dame Patience and Dickson.

Alamieyeseigha who is fondly referred to as the ‘Governor General’ by his Ijaw kinsmen and respected by the former first family was said to have done much of the troubleshooting on behalf of Dickson alongside some other prominent Ijaw elders and succeeded in wooing Dame to support the governor in the interest of the PDP, a party that launched her to limelight and fame.

Alamieyeseigha preceded her

husband as governor of the state and was instrumental to launching her husband’s political career.

Aside the elders led by Alamieyeseigha, some concerned young politicians from the PDP also met in Yenagoa to further unite the contending forces within the party with a view to presenting a formidable front against antiPDP forces ahead of the governorship election in the state.

Peace meeting The meeting, which led to the formation of a group known as the PDP Integrity group, according to a source, was set up to unite the leaders of the party and put an end to cases of defection as recently noticed within the ranks of the party in the state.

Prominent among members of the new group it was learnt, are former State PDP Chairman and former Commissioner for Local Government, Deacon James Dugo, Hon. Ferdison Agada, a former State Assembly aspirant and Kingdom Blessing.

Others include Mrs. Julie Okenarhe, Embiowe Tonworitimi and Comrade Timi Gbendo.

Meantime, political observers

in the predominant riverine state are of the view that the sudden u-turn by the former First lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, may prove to be the masterstroke and the needed boost for Dickson to bolster his camp and support base.

Jonathan’s influence Dame Jonathan’s influence as apolitical juggernaut cannot be overstated. She is a political actor that has over the years garnered large followership from the women folk upon whom she has impacted so much, especially through skills acquisition, and other empowerment initiatives.

Even as the First Lady in Abuja, she was constantly in touch with the women folk back home who loved and cherished her irrespective of the nuances alleged by her political rivals in Abuja and at home.

However, her support for Dickson may not be pleasant news to some people particularly her loyalists who had fallen out with Dickson.

If the reconciliation is anything to go by, it means the likes of Mrs. Marie Ebikake, a dogged fighter and former commissioner for transport under the Dickson administration and one of the

Continues on page 45

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015—45

How APC infiltrates, works against Anambra PDP — EMEAKAYI THE Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has been in crisis since 1999. In a deliberate effort to end the crisis, the national leadership of the party recently conducted congresses at the ward, local government and state levels after which Prince Kenneth Emeakayi emerged the state chairman of PDP. But soon after his emergence, a faction led by the party’s candidate in the 2013 governorship election in Anambra State, Comrade Tony Nwoye emerged and produced a parallel executive at the three levels of the party in the state. In this interview, Prince Emeakayi gives his view on the crisis and the way forward.

Excerpts:

By Vincent Ujumadu

Y

OU have played a central role in the politics of Anambra State and some now think you should leave. What is your reaction?

Well, first of all, I wonder who can bring that peace if not somebody who has passion for the party; somebody who is ready to sacrifice everything for the interest and success of the party in the state.

Again, it will amount to one saying that experience has become a crime because at this moment, the situation the party has found itself requires someone with in-depth knowledge of the political terrain of the state. That is why I am here.

Did you expect the kind of protest that greeted your election?

First is that there is no opposition. I am sorry to say that there is no opposition against our congress.

Defeated candidate Do not forget that during the congress, the defeated candidate of PDP in the Anambra East Federal constituency in the last election, Comrade Tony Nwoye in a press conference told you that they were boycotting the congress, that they were not part of it and they went ahead to issue a threat that should PDP continue with the congress that they have alternative; that they are going to leave the party.

So, in that case what happened was that Tony Nwoye and those with him did not participate in the congress by choice and so they did not participate.

Look at the people in that Tony Nwoye executive. Who are they?

They are members of his campaign organization, Ossy Ezenwa was the DG of Tony Nwoye Campaign Organisation, C M Y K

First, there is no faction in PDP. Our constitution is against faction. We have no faction in the party, we have PDP, we have one body, and we have one voice Kenneth Arinze was his director.

Ejidike, Jessie Balonwu all of them are members of his campaign organization.

Some of you worked against PDP interest in that election?

Which of the election now?

The governorship.

Fine.

And even the House of Reps.

Good, you have come to the issue now. Who are those some of you? We will start here now and we will know those who worked against PDP. In the governorship election where Tony Nwoye was the candidate, he never believed in the party even though he emerged as the candidate of the party. It is on record, go and check it.

He never for one day as governorship candidate stepped into the PDP party office; he never for once met with the state exco; he didn’t meet with us; we had no input in his campaign organization and everything.

Even in my own ward he selected his agent himself, I left them and went home to organize my place. I did not touch a dime of his campaign fund.

•Emeakayi: Anambra PDP chairman Now, who worked against the party, he gave his friends in APGA, because before that governorship election do not forget that Tony Nwoye has been working for APGA, you remember that initially we had 30 members of State Assembly being PDP members, Tony Nwoye and Chuma Nzeribe then split them and gave Peter Obi group 10 in the first place.

Those people in APGA he relied on them and in Ihiala local government I Kenneth Emeakayi with my own money and the people I worked with, I delivered Okija’s five wards to PDP in Tony Nwoye’s governorship election.

There are some people who claim to be our members but they are not our members and that is what we are trying to do now; that is what we are trying to achieve, to separate the weed from the chaff.

When you have three different chairmen of the party in the state?

No, we do not have three different chairmen of the party.

Political party is not run by somebody waking up in the morning to declare himself

chairman. That is why in this country we have a constitution.

Come to think of it, I have asked before, is Tony Nwoye an aspirant to any party office? He has not told us.

Do you agitate over position you are not contesting? Did he buy form? Is he contesting for any party position? Because should there be any conflict or disagreement over a process of an election it should be among contestants.

Process of an election So who are the contestants here? Is he one? I am using this opportunity to call on Tony Nwoye, if he wants to run for state chairman, I will volunteer to resign and meet him in the field and still beat him again.

There is this allegation by Nwoye’s faction that the NWC was not aware of the congress held in Anambra, that it was Chief Olisa Metuh’s arrangement?

First, there is no faction in PDP. Our

constitution is against faction. We have no faction in the party, we have PDP, we have one body, and we have one voice. If you are talking of dissident members of PDP or now former members of PDP because Tony Nwoye we are talking about is a suspended member of PDP. So if you are talking of those ones, I will tell you.

I will answer that question with question and that is, why are they crying more than the bereaved? Chief Olisa Metuh is the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, a serving member of the National Working Committee and the image maker, the spokesman of the party in whose office it is a constitutional duty to make public the decisions of the National Working Committee which he has been doing. Now from the allegation that it was Olisa Metuh that organized the congress in Anambra, that was what they said. Assuming, but without conceding that it was Olisa Metuh that was organizing congress in Anambra using the name of the National

Continues on page 46

Dickson’s Patience with Dame pays off Continues from page 44 leading voices in the Unity Forum a group within the PDP opposed to Dickson would now have to lay down the gauntlet.

Mrs. Ebikake was removed from office because of her alleged closeness to the former First Lady and had been at war with the governor ever since.

The PDP Unity Forum had blamed the crisis in the party on the alleged highhandedness and manipulation of the governor warning that the party would lose should the incumbent be

given the ticket to fly the party flag in the forthcoming governorship poll.

Some other loyalists of the former First Lady including, the state leaders of the defunct Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, (TAN) led by former acting Governor Seibarugu Werenipre, and other former lawmakers and political appointees had penultimate week formally declared for the APC. It is said in some circles that should they now recant and go back to the PDP that they could be ensnared in the near future.

From all indications, the latest development has further aggravated the political uncertainty in the state, with the parties’ primary elections just around the corner. It is expected that the political actors may have to re-align with the new interest and there could be some compromise on the part of some politicians who had hitherto ditched Dickson.

Dame Patience Jonathan is a great mobiliser and is respected by the womenfolk many of whom she has empowered through her women for change initiative.

46—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

My interim report — Mrakpor tells constituents

By Emmanuel Aziken & Festus Ahon

underrating government programmes.

The people who spoke through their representatives itemized their needs to include roads, water, electricity, proper channeling of water to solve erosion problem, upgrading of Zappa Mixed Secondary School, Asaba to a Federal College with modern facilities and laboratory.

Taking the stage one after the other, representatives of the four local government areas that make up the constituency listed their needs. Speaking on behalf of Oshimili North, Dr. Andy Ilabor called for the rehabilitation of the Asaba/Illa/Ebu/ Ubiaja road and construction of a link road to the Local Government Headquarters in Awkukuigbo.

S

HE strode into the grounds of the briefing last Wednesday resplendent with a kind of glory that reminded many of the Roman Catholic saint, Joan of Arc. Mrs. Joan Mrakpor’s feat was well capsulated by the elated chairman of the Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Edwin Uzor.

According to the party chairman, it was the first time in the history of the constituency that an elected representative was giving a report within the first 100 days in office.

Mrs. Mrakpor, the member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, is of course no political rookie having bestridden her political environment for some considerable time. Mrs. Mrakpor had before now, represented the Aniocha South State constituency between 2007 and 2015.

Her elevation to the House of Representatives was a new height and hence the elation that greeted her quick adaptation to her new environment.

Besides Chief Uzor, the briefing was graced by several leading political chieftains from the constituency who came to hear the report of their daughter and delegate to the House.

Political chieftains Also present were Chief Chiejina Okafor Chairman Oshimili North PDP, Elder Ben Nwadiashi Chairman AniochaSouth PDP, Hon. Isaac Anwuzia Executive Chairman AniochaSouth LGA, Chief Sunday Onoriode Assistant Secretary PDP, Delta State, Mr. Louis Ndukwe Executive Chairman, Oshimili North Local Government Area.

Hon. Angela Nwaka member representing Aniocha-South, Delta State House of Assembly was also around to give more than a sisterly support for her fellow female federal legislator.

Given the array of local and state dignitaries she had attracted to the ceremony, no one was as such shocked with the kind of positive report she subsequently gave.

Mrs. Mrakpor was to note that she had initiated three bills and two motions waiting to be taken on the floor of the House.

She named the bills as a Bill to Amend the National Youth Service Corp, NYSC that will enhance the security of corps members posted to different parts of the country. A second bill is to enhance the welfare of police officers in the country.

The third bill conceived by Rep. Mrakpor remarkably reflecting her maternal instinct is one to

Modern infrastructure

•Mrakpor: I will do you well

It was also an opportunity for her to thank the people for giving her the mandate even as she promised that she would soon go round to thank the people

Federal Government projects, adding that she would ensure that projects listed in the 2015 budget of the Federal Government in the area which have not been executed are done to the benefit of the people.

The Federal lawmaker, who gave the people the opportunity to list two projects of their choice to be cited in each of the four Local Government Areas, told the people that the projects will be fixed in the 2016 budget of the Federal Government.

Speaking further, she said the leadership crisis which engulfed

the House in the wake of its inauguration was as a result of the inability of the All Progressive Congress APC to put its house in order, adding that it has resulted in the delay in constituting the House Committees.

While challenging the women to be industrious, she frowned at a situation where the women sold starter packs they were given to set up their own businesses.

She admonished the youths to key into government projects both at the State and Federal level and warned them against

Mr. John Efianya who spoke on behalf of Oshimili South appealed for the building of Oko road to link the Asaba/Onitsha/ Benin expressway and the upgrading of Zappa Mixed Secondary School, Asaba to a Federal College with modern infrastructures and laboratory, the speaker of Aniocha North, Chief Isaac Anwuzia stressed the need for the construction of the ObuluUnor/Ogwash-Uku road and other roads to link Ogwash-Uku. On his part, Mr. Chux Nwaebuni who spoke on behalf of Aniocha North decried the ecological problem being faced by the people and made an urgent call lasting solution. He also said the people are in dare need of potable water, lamenting that the people over years have no access to potable drinking water.

How APC is infiltrating Anambra PDP — EMEAKAYI

regulate what is uploaded on to the internet. The bill aims to check the upload of pornography unto the internet.

The two motions prepared by her have to do with the outage of power supply to her constituency and another one seeking to urge the Federal Government to fortify bridges on Abuja roads and for the speedy completion of the Benin-Abuja highway.

It was also an opportunity for her to thank the people for giving her the mandate even as she promised that she would soon go round to thank the people.

She assured that the people the they would get their share of

Continues from page 45 Working Committee without the knowing and consent of the NWC and the publication read that the NWC has approved, meaning he is now quoting them, is it Tony Nwoye or Basil Ejidike or Kenneth Arinze that will seat in a beer parlour in Mgbakwu and be speaking for the NWC? Do you think your party has the capacity to battle APGA and APC in the 2017 governorship election with the defections?

Who is defecting? Defecting from where? All we are doing in PDP is overhauling. We are trying, like I said earlier, to separate the chaff from the wheat. Rather than allow some people who are moles amongst us to remain with us, distracting our members, deceiving our members, letting other political parties into us, and using PDP to defeat PDP in elections, we are saying, though we need members quite alright, but if you are not ready to be a committed member of PDP, if you want to be APGA, go and join APGA. We will go there and meet you in the field.

What is the way forward as two other

persons, Chief Ejike Oguebego and Prince Ossy Ezenwa are each claiming to be chairman of PDP and contesting your position?

Election for chairmanship of PDP Anambra State has been conducted and won.

Any other person now calling himself chairman is impersonating the chairman and I already made a criminal complaint against them to the law enforcement agents because they are impersonating the chairman. And very soon they will face the full wrath of the law.

We are removing dirt in the house. A house that has not been cleaned for the past years, industrial cleaning, is not a manual thing, so we are doing that but we are doing that very quickly and very fast.

In no distant time the good people of Anambra state will once again enjoy their party which is PDP. That is why we have called on APGA government to give us the account of our local government funds, but instead of responding to that, they are calling us jobless people.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015—47

KOGI DECIDES

APC moves to reconcile aggrieved aspirants

By Kingsley Fanwo

•Audu: APC governorship candidate

•Wada: Seeking reelection

Group plans debate for candidates, kicks against hate campaign

By Kingsley Fanwo

A

POLITICAL advocacy group, Issues, Not Insults has called on political players in the state to shun hate campaigns ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Kogi State.

Spokesman of the group, Mr. Idris Jimoh said politics must be redefined in Nigeria to encourage the participation of people with great intellectual capabilities to turn around the fortunes of the state.

“As a nation, we need to switch to campaigns of issues and ideas instead of using campaigns to attack and smear people’s integrity. We are trying to change the lines of electioneering in such a way that people with intellectual

capacity are encouraged to participate in politics.

“We have concluded plans to test run our approach here in Kogi by changing political discourse to reflect what, when

The electorate must know that a politician who insults others has no idea of how he wants to perform in office

and how instead of who every time.

“The electorate must know that a politician who insults others has no idea of how he wants to perform in office. An intellectual politician will love to engage the electorate on his programs and plans as well as how and when he wants to achieve his plans”.

Mr Jimoh said the group is gearing up for a world class debate among candidates of the leading political parties in the state to give the voters first hand knowledge of the competence of the candidates.

He said modalities for the debate will soon be released, pledging to change campaign contents by working closely with political parties in the state.

Coalition plots to lure Yahaya as third force

By Boluwaji Obahopo

P

RESSURE is being mounted on the runner up of the All Progressive Congress, APC, primary election, Yahaya Bello, to dump the party and pick up the ticket of another party for the guber poll slated for later in the year.

Indications towards this emerged after a member of the West/Central Equity Coalition said the group wants to present him as the third force at the poll in the spirit of power shift.

The member who spoke exclusively with Vanguard on ground of anonymity said with the strength of the aspirant polling 703 votes at the APC congress; majority of the votes coming from the Okun area of the Western senatorial axis, shows that his candidature is widely accepted across the two zones.

He therefore said the coalition has concluded arrangement to lure him to another party and shop for a deputy from the west; in pursuit

C M Y K

of the power shift struggle that the people of the west and central are clamouring for.

He said, “It is understandable that primaries election has a lot of intrigues and political elites control; but the general election will be the reflection of the electorate who are tired of the dominance of the Igalas in the governance of the state”.

Governorship ambition But Yahaya Bello may feel indifferent to the decision to decamp to another party to pursue his governorship ambition.

Aside from congratulating the winner of the APC congress, and the meeting with the President yesterday at the Villa, Bello has through text messages sent across to delegates, party supporters and associates said he will stick with the APC. The message which was circulated yesterday appreciating them for their

•Bello: APC aspirant

support reads “APC is the first party I will join; and I want it to be the last one I will join.”

Inspite of this, the coalition are said to have assembled stakeholders from across the two zones to convince him on the need to make himself available for the power rotation struggle.

I

N a bid to win the election, the n a t i o n a l leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC may have moved to douse the acrimonious t e n s i o n generated by the governorship primary.

A reliable source informed our reporters that the NWC was worried about the torrent of reports streaming from the state to the effect that many of the defeated aspirants were not prepared to work with the •Oyegun: APC chairman candidate of the party, Prince Abubakar Audu.

A chieftain of the party told Vanguard that the national leaders of the party are working on the aspirants to work together in order to give the party a good chance of winning the election.

“I can confirm that some national leaders of our party have been speaking directly to the aspirants to make them see the larger interest of the party. They are aware that Prince Audu is not a popular candidate among the pack that contested the primary, but I can assure you that we are close to reaching a compromise that will suit everyone”, a source who craved anonymity said.

Indications to the effect of gradual reconciliation emerged recently as two leading aspirants in the primary, Alh. Yahaya Bello and Engr. Olusola Olumoroti issued separate statements, pledging their loyalty to the party.

However, sources close to both aspirants said both of them are planning to dump the party to pursue their governorship ambitions elsewhere.

The source said nocturnal meetings have been going on to look into the possibility of defecting to other parties. He said Prince Audu may need to bury his pride to win the confidence of majority of the aspirants.

APC Chairman in Kogi State, Alh. Haddi Ametuo, is however, confident that the party will put its house in order before the election.

48 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

Dangers of not having go vt tteam eam ffor or 20 15 hajj govt 2015

I

Shawwal 29, 1436 A.H.

Islamic clerics, others hail Al-hayat for giving out over N500M non-interest loan in one year

By Daud Olatunji

T

WO Islamic Scholars and prominent people in the country have lauded Al-Hayat relief foundation, a nongovernmental Islamic interestfree cooperative society for giving out a huge sum of N500 million as loans to Muslims in one year.

Some of the Islamic Scholars who include the Grand Chief Imam of Ijebu-land , Sheikh Abdul-Razaq Ishola Salaudeen and Chief Imam, University of Lagos, Prof . Bidmus Murtala Adeyemi gave the accolade at the grand finale of 4th annual national general meeting held in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state.

Sheikh Salaudeen who led the special prayers for the foundation, said the gesture by the body has relieved the Muslim Ummah of financial burden which he said has forced many to obtain loan with interest.

In his remarks, Prof. Bidmus who was a guest speaker at the occasion urged the Muslims to assist one another.

He commended the foundation for the gesture, saying, the huge amount given out by Al-hayat as loans was unbelievable.

practising Muslims, working class introduced by any registered member of the foundation. Dr. Adepoju said the foundation was able to give out interest-free loans and Self Development Scheme of N591,248,000 in 2015 as against N517,099,000 in 2014.

The new exco are; DR. Abdul Razaq Adepoju; President , A.Y.O Oladunjoye, Vice President, Mr Abdul Lateef Adeeko- Secretary-General, S

A Shuaib; Assistant-SecretaryGeneral,Alhaji Fatai Balogun Treasurer ,Mr. AbdurRasheed Dawodu, Financial- Secretary.

Others are; Salisu Jamiu; Internal Auditor,Mr A G Nurudeen -Chief whip,Mr.Ademola Shafi-Social/ Welfare Secretary, Mr. Waheed Akindele-Publicity Secretary, Mr. Abdul Semiu Abdul Lateef Missioner ,Alhaji Bakare Fasasi -Business manager and Dr, Taofeeq Salako-Ex-Officio

Members of the new executives led by the President, Dr .

Abdul Razaq Adepoju being sworn in by the association's legal adviser during the 4th Annual National General meeting held in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state.

Strict regime At the federal level for instance, the Amirul Hajj has always played a key role in guiding the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in resolving problems associated with the entire Hajj operation especially with regards to the airlift operation under a strict regime of rules and regulations and spelt out sanctions and fines for any recalcitrant airline that fails in any of the spelt out obligations to the pilgrims and the nation. As a result, Nigeria in recent years has been able to airlift pilgrims days ahead of the closure of Jeddah Airport.

The erroneous belief being propagated that government is using its resources in the sponsorship of Nigerian pilgrims is not correct. Some have even

argued that in order to distance government from involvement in religious matters, henceforth, no government, at any level, should use public funds in sponsorship of any religious programme, especially pilgrimages for any category of citizens, including government functionaries. For a start, it must be made clear that the federal government does not sponsor pilgrims to perform Hajj in Saudi Arabia. The performance of government’s oversight responsibility to provide normal consular services for the pilgrims through the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the established Nigerian foreign missions in the relevant destinations is the extent to which government is involved in Hajj operations.

But how can the government effectively provide these services and carry out its oversight functions without bearing the burden of its officials that will discharge these duties? The answer to this question lies in the various personnel that are engaged to handle medical services, consular services, field ground and other support services handled by committees established by government.

Other personnel who provide these services are those of NAHCON, the body that regulates hajj operations in Nigeria; they secure office spaces for use as clinics and office accommodation for the operation of NAHCON as a regulatory body and also carry out other supervisory functions for the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.

The Amirul Hajj team stands above to provide oversight and guidance.

Lagos to provide Ihram cloths, rams, Zam-zam water for pilgrims

Leadership of the foundation Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Abajo Musa Olabode appealed to the leadership of the foundation to sustain the tempo, saying, many Muslims have benefited from the foundation.

According to him, the sum of N500 million given out as loans in one year beat human imagination as no bank in the country can do that without attaching interest.

However, the new executive of the foundation led by its President, Dr. Abdul Razaq Adepoju which would run it for another three years was inaugurated. The association has a national spread but, has prominence in Yoruba speaking states which include Ogun, Oyo, Lagos, Osun, Ondo, Kwara states of Nigeria.

The association which was founded in 1997 has the membership strength running into 11,000 while it has increased from 38 branches in 2012 to 60 branches this year.

According to the president, membership is opened to

N the build up to the forthcoming 2015 Hajj exercise and in line with long standing tradition embedded since the days of Sir Ahamadu Bello the Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of Northern Nigeria, various state governments have taken steps to announce the names of the states’ Amirul Hajj and leader of the governments’ delegation to annual Hajj exercise.

Apart from keeping to tradition, it is a well known fact that aside from being the spiritual leader of the delegation, the Amirul Hajj usually plays a very important role of ensuring that government officials involved in the conduct of the Hajj operations do their job diligently and cater adequately for the welfare of Pilgrims from various states.

By Jimoh Babatunde

The grand Chief Imam of Ijebuland, Sheikh Salaudeen (middle) while praying for Al-Hayat foundation with other clerics , a founding member, Dr, Salako and President Adepoju during the event.

R-L: Alhaji Fabajo Musa Olabode, Chairman of the occasion while giving his remarks as BOT Treasurer and new Missioner of the association look on.

Members of the Board of Trustees of Al-Hayat Foundation at the occasion.

L

AGOS state government has promised to give away the cost of Ihram cloths, Ram and ZamZam water for the 3,407 pilgrims from the state.

This is coming on the heels of Medview Airline promising to take all pilgrims flying with it straight to Medina from Nigeria.

These promises were disclosed to the intending pilgrims from the state at a one day seminar organised for them in Ikeja during the week.

Speaking during a seminar organised for the pilgrims, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, said the state government will provide necessary welfare package – medical, spiritual and other support, as well as ensure the safety of pilgrims.

The Governor explained that the involvement of the state government in pilgrimage is to safeguard the well-being of all intending pilgrims with a view to providing the necessary medical and spiritual needs to make the journey stress free.

He disclosed that the state has

3, 047 intending pilgrims out of the 66, 000 from the federation for this year’s Hajj, adding that Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, he said the exercise should be handled with all the seriousness that it required.

“I urge you to take advantage of the spiritual benefits of Hajj to imbibe the exalted qualities of the Holy Prophet Mohammed.

“Our state is in dire need of men and women who have the fear of God, demonstrate religious tolerance, selflessness, who are peaceful and charitable, for the growth and development of our state and nation in general.

“I hope that this Hajj will equip you with the capacity to coexist peacefully with people of other faith, religion and ideology.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director, Medview Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, has promised to operate all its scheduled flights for this year’s hajj as pilgrims will be airlifted to Medina straight from Nigeria.

He said Medview is the only airline that has consistently taken pilgrims to Medina from Nigeria in the last five years.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015—49

Learning from Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) (2)

T

HE Qur ’an explains: No kind of calamity can occur except by the leave of Allah ; if anyone believes in Allah, Allah guides his heart , for Allah knows all things “ At-Taghabun 64 : 11 .

We also learn from Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH ) to place our priorities correctly.

The most important thing is to live our lives upright and straight , obeying Allah and seeking His pleasure , and to do the best job possible , each in his area or specialization . It is not how much money or power or fame that we have , but it is how sincere and devoted we are to Allah and how much effort we spend in order to help others and improve their life and guide them to Allah . The Qur’an is clear that we should live our lives as true and upright individuals and not wrong ourselves , nor wrong others : “Therefore stand firm (in the straight path) as you are commanded ,you and those with you who turn to Allah , and transgress not , for He sees all that you do . “ Hud 11 : 112 . It is very easy to get distracted by the pleasures of this life and to be fooled and set our priorities wrongly.

Selfish pleasures We may loose sight of what is really important : doing good , helping others and serving Allah , and replace that with the pursuit of selfish pleasures , power , money or fame . The Qur’an reminds us that all these material things are transient and their value is not as great as Allah’s pleasure or His reward : “The material things which you are given are but the conveniences of this life and the glitter thereof . But that which is with Allah is better and more enduring . Will you not then be wise ? “Al-Qasas 28 : 60 .

We learn from the prophet of Allah the importance of hard work and doing our work to the best of our ability . Amana (being trustworthy ) implies that we watch our behavior and that we do our work as best as we can . We do not need someone to watch over us , because we understand that Allah is watching and that whatever we do is recorded . Also we feel responsible and we are honest and do not cheat anyone .

We try to improve and do not lie or cheat or cut corners , for our goal is to please Allah and do an honest day work . This is what will count in our favor on the Day of Judgment , not how much money we got for our work . The Prophet (s.a.w) said : (Allah loves for each one of you , when he works to do the best possible job possible and to perfect his work ).

We also learn from Allah’s prophet not to harm others in word or deed , but to help them . If we have nothing The material good to say , we should keep quiet things which and control our you are given tongue . Words can cause a great are but the deal of harm . The conveniences Prophet (s.a.w) said : (Whoever of this life and believes in Allah the glitter and the Last Day , let him say thereof . But something that is that which is good or he should with Allah is keep quiet) . He also said : (The better and Muslim is he who more enduring other Muslims feel no harm from his . Will you not tongue or hand ) . then be wise It is easy to talk about other people especially behind

their backs . Most of the time , what is said is not complimentary or is harmful . Many talk without thinking or realizing that their words can cause a great deal of harm to the feelings or reputation of other people .

They take it lightly and as a joke.

Following the example of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) :The Prophet of Allah was a father and a husband . He was a friend to his companions . He was a teacher and educator He was a leader of a nation and a statesman He was a judge: How he faced and solved the problems that he encountered ? What can we learn from him in all these roles that he played.

This aspect of the Prophet’s life is less well understood or commented upon . It is important to study and learn from his example since he was guided by Allah and had the strength of character and morals to behave admirably under different circumstances . This is the meaning of the Qur’anic order : “ You have indeed in the messenger of Allah a beautiful example of conduct for he who rests his hope in meeting Allah , and in the Last Day , and engages often in the remembrance of Allah “ Al-Ahzab 33 : 21 .

We learn from the prophet as a husband the importance of treating our wives well and that we should be patient and tolerant . He emphasized that the best is he who is best in treating his wife . He advised the Muslims to take good care of their wives and to provide for them and support them .

He himself was not above working at his home and helping in dusting the floor or mending the clothes or milking the goat .

As Aisha said : ( He used to help his wife and family at home ).

Milking the goat He was kind and tender and tolerated the arguments and jealousy exhibited by his wives . He never raised his voice nor hit any woman or a servant, nor said anything indecent. He accepted whatever food was offered to him and thanked Allah for His blessing . He was content in living as a poor Muslim and did not long for money or other material things in life .

As a father he was kind and loving . He wept when his son died but accepted Allah’s decree and sought patience . He was kind with the orphans , as he was an orphan himself . He taught us to be just and equitable and not differentiate in our treatment nor favor one child over another . He emphasized the importance of raising our children well aware of their duty in serving Allah.

He also told us that each person is a guardian and is responsible for and accountable for those under him . The husband is a guardian in his home , and the wife is a guardian also . They work together and cooperate so that their family may succeed and prosper .

As a friend to his companions he was close to them and never separated nor elevated himself . He was always available and visited them during happy and sad occasions . They celebrated together and fought together . He listened to their opinions and took their advice . He emphasized that Muslims must care for each other and help one another . He said : (Allah will continue to help the servant who is helping his brother).

He said : (A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim : he does not wrong him , nor leave him alone to his enemy .

Whoever shields another Muslim , Allah will shield him on the Day of Judgment ; whoever helps another Muslim , Allah will help him ) .

To be continued

50—Vanguard,

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

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formerly

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OKE—I,

known and addressed as Miss Oke Bukola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Awoyemi Bukola. All former

documents

remain valid. General

known and addressed as Emeni Gold, now wish to be known and addressed as Evro Gold.

All

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documents remain valid. General public

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PAC flays Buhari's critics

T

HE Police Assistance Committee, PAC, has condemned criticisms trailing President Muhammad Buhari’s recent appointments into key positions which is being given ethnic and religious colouration.

In a statement issued in Abuja after its National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting the organization asked Nigerians to allow the President use his intuition to appoint those he can trust and understand to work with him, adding that the President has good intentions to lead the country on the right path..

The statement which was signed by PAC director general, Dr. Martins John Oni, expressed support for the fight against corruption, money laundering and embezzlement of public funds, urging Nigerians to rally round the government in its determination to sanitize the system in order to achieve what great countries like China, Singapore and others had achieved in the area of economic development.

The PAC however urged the president not to get too carried away while probing into past administration but should concentrate more efforts in providing good governance for Nigerians by focusing more on developmental programmes.

Domino’s Pizza rewards customers FAST food giant, Domino’s Pizza is giving Nigerians the opportunity to win gift vouchers worth N10, 000 and other consolations in its promo tagged: ‘National Pizza Month” to mark its third anniversary in the country. With outlets in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan, Domino’s Pizza is set to engage customers in a fun and appreciative month of activities from pizza joke competitions, pizza shot contests, celebrity choice games and free drinks for every pizza order.

A sttaement by its Marketing Coordinator, Ufuoma Ogeleka, said: “This is the company's way of saying thank you for the support accorded the brand so far while assuring the market that the journey with the brand can only get better, as they are poised to continually improve on their products and services to please everyone.”

52 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

FIFA presidency: Continues from BP holding positions in CAF and FIFA. The positions of Chief Amanze Uchegbulam, Paul Bassey and Sani Toro left a sour taste to their ambitions after they, in separate interviews warned the duo to ‘’stop embarrassing Nigeria’’.

Former Abia State Governor, Dr Kalu was the first to hint of joining the fray to succeed outgoing Joseph Sepp Blatter before Odegbami, former captain of the Eagles, businessman joined the queue.

Former Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation and member of CAF’s Judicial and Board of Appeals Committee, Amanze Uchegbulam said that he had nothing against Kalu and Odegbami’s entrance into the FIFA presidency race but frowned that it was being done the wrong way. ‘’There is nothing wrong with their ambitions but they are doing it the wrong way and embarrassing Nigeria’’, he said as a matter of fact. ‘’Nigeria has very knowledgeable people in CAF and FIFA and one expects that such people should have been consulted for a high profile position in a place they are holding positions. They did not and what we get is outsiders asking us if we knew about their

ambitions. There are procedures for doing things and there are statutes to be followed.

FIFA is an organised body. It is not a political party where people jump into at any time.

President of CAF, Issa Hayatou is the number two man in FIFA and he is in charge of Africa.

Consultation for things like these are first done underground with the knowledge of all relevant people and organisations. It is not something you jump to the Press first and the people are getting to know about your ambitions through the Press. We(Nigerians) holding positions in CAF or FIFA have been inundated with calls and the whole thing is an embarrassment. They know that we know and expect us to guide our people. But you can only help one who seeks help”, Uchegbulam said.

The former first Vice President of the NFF also lashed out at their ambitions saying that it might be beyond Presidency of FIFA. ‘’It’s possible that they are in the race for ulterior motives. I say this because it is a bridge too far for them’’.

He was not alone.

Veteran Sports Journalist and CAF and FIFA Media Committee member, Paul Bassey was miffed when he talked about the entrance

of the Nigerians into the FIFA number one position.

“It is sad indeed that our people overlook us on a subject that we can be of help to guide and to direct them appropriately. ‘’Even if they don’t like our persons, they should have asked us because of our positions and knowledge. I totally agree with Uchegbulam that they are embarrassing Nigeria.

Not only that, they are also trivializing the whole thing’’, Bassey, a sports columnist of high repute noted.

Former House of Representatives member and former Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Association and former Sports Commissioner of Bauchi State, Alhaji Sani Ahmed Toro laughed off the ambitions of the Nigerians urging them not to ‘’ridicule this country’’. ‘’They want to test their popularity and it goes beyond that. The rules are simple. I bet you that they won’t even cross the hurdle in Nigeria. It is not even possible for Pinnick to endorse them not to talk of CAF’’, Toro said.

“They will not because there are rules and guidelines they do not meet.”

In addition to his submissions, Toro cited Article 24 of FIFA Statutes, Articles 12 to 14 of the Electoral Regulations for the FIFA Presidency which was

Oliseh

Continues from BP

Africans despite their basement position in the Group.

Nevertheless he will be the first to admit that he and his scouts may have just had access to game tapes from the Taifa Stars before new coach Mkwasa took over, and that they are very much in the dark as to what the East Africans will do on game day .

Oliseh said in Abuja yesterday, that “Tanzania are a very aggressive team, and on that basis we might see a few surprises from the game because we don’t know the philosophy of the new coach, and they are playing at home” One thing for sure is that regardless of who Mkwasa fields as his troops or in what C M Y K

formation, that his strategy will be heavily influenced by the Head coach of the Young Africans (where Mkwasa moonlights as an Assistant coach) Hans van Der Plujm.

The Dutchman who worked extensively in Ghana with both Kotoko and Chelsea Berkum knows a thing or two about the West African approach to football and will definitely have his brains picked by Mkwasa..

Tanzania trained in Turkey preparatory to this AFCON qualifier and they will be made up predominately of players from the country’s league with a sprinkling of foreignbased strikers led by the TP Mazembe pair of Thomas Ulimwengu and Mbwana Samata.

This will also be Oliseh’s first match in charge of the three-time African champions and despite the huge expectations on his shoulders, the former Nigeria skipper said there would be only three outcomes on Saturday in Dar es Salaam.

“There are three things that can happen in a game - we win, we draw or we lose,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Eagles arrived the Julius Nyerere International Airport yesterday, where they were met by members of the Nigerian community in Tanzania led by the Nigerian High Commissioner to Tanzania the Honorable Ishaya Samaila Majanbu.

specific; ‘’The eligibility of candidates for the office of FIFA Presidency shall have been proposed by a member association(Nigeria Football Federation) and present declarations of support from at least five(5) member associations ie 5 other Countries. Each member association may only present a declaration of support for one person. If a member association presents support for more than one person, all its declarations shall be become invalid When contacted, Chief Segun Odegbami whose entrance brought joy to many Nigerians in football circles wondered why Nigerians love to bring down their fellow Nigerians instead of looking positively. “Yes, I did not consult them but I have intentions of meeting up with almost all relevant persons. It is not something you can do in one day. People should not see this project as a Segun Odegbami thing.

No, it is not. It is not a do or die affair but one of participating well. I am in this because I have what it takes to offer to the World and to the beautiful game of football’’, he said.

Other contenders include Michel Platini, the French president of European federation UEFA, South Korean Chung Mong-joon, a former Asian vicepresident of FIFA as well as the old Brazilian World Cup star Zico and former Trinidad and Tobago international David Nakhid. The South African businessman Tokyo Sexwale is also considering a bid.

Tanzania FA rallies support against Eagles

T

HE Nigerian contin gent to this weekend’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between the Taifa Stars of Tanzania and the Super Eagles should expect a very ‘hostile’ atmosphere as the Tanzania Football Federation is not leaving anything to chance in its determination to ensure their team secure the maximum three points.

Speaking with the local press, Secretary General of the TFF Mwesiga Celestine called on all Tanzanians to rally

UBTH Captain’s Inaugural Golf Tourney tees off

H

ISTORY will be set tomorrow at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Golf Club when the long awaited Club Captain’s Inaugural Golf Tournament tees-off at the club golf course, Benin City.

The tournament, initially billed to tee-off August 22nd, was postponed due to logistics reasons will be keenly competitive as a brand new Kia Picanto car has been slated for the winner of the hole-in-one at the tournament.

The tournament is being organized by the club under the captainship of Brigadier General Adamu Jida with support from the 4th Brigade Command of the Nigerian Army, Precious Palm Royal hotel, Bosh Construction, Dr. Mojered Momoh and

Musa Continues from BP would return with victory,” said Ahmed Musa, who has been on splendid form for his Russian army club this season having scored seven goals in all competitions thus far.

He further said that the team have an idea of what they will come up against this weekend after they watched a tape of the Taifa Stars.

“We watched the Tanzania game and we know how they play,” he said.

“We don’t have to under rate any country in Africa and we would just go there and do our best.

round the national team as only through that way could they be motivated to beat the Eagles.

The TFF scribe stressed the significance of the match to the country as the Taifa Stars are yet to qualify for the continental fiesta in the last 35 years. “We have to break this jinx; 35 years of failure must end now and we can only achieve that by giving our team the support,” he said, adding, “let us therefore, cheer the team to the 2017 Afcon finals.”

“Like always I normally say I will score but in this game I will say I will give my best, it does not matter who scores, what is important is for us to win” Tanzania is on a high altitude and Nigeria will fly in and out so as not to be adversely affected by the weather conditions caused by such a geographical location.

“For me, I think Africa is Africa, we don’t have to worry about the weather. I don’t think there would be any difference, it’s just for us to go there and get victory,” he maintained.

Hon. Daniel Mayuku.

Competition secretary of the club, Benedict Oghumah, revealed that all was set for the historic tournament where over one hundred and fifty golfers in both professional and amateur ranks, from fifteen golf clubs across the federation will take part at the one day event.

He noted that the club is fully prepared to host a befitting tournament as trophies and various prizes would be given to all those who distinguished themselves during the event.

FIFA ranking Continues from BP Congo, Cameroon and Egypt.

Algeria remain at the summit of African football with 955 points which put them in the 19th position in the world while African champions Cote d’Ivoire are second in Africa and ranked 21st in the world.

Ghana stay third on the continent after amassing 827 points which places them in the 27th spot in the world.

Nigeria’s group opponents in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series also saw mixed fortunes as Egypt moved up three places to 49, Chad moved a place up to 171 in the world, while Tanzania remain unmoved to remain 140th in the world.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015 — 53

Ujah vows to make a show against Tanzania

S

UPER Eagles returnee, Anthony Ujah has vowed to use the African Nations Cup qualifying match against Tanzania to stake a claim to a permanent spot in the team coached by Sunday Oliseh.

Ujah, last played for the Super Eagles in 2013. He made four appearances and no goals to show for it.

However, he enjoyed excellent form with his German club Cologne last season, and in the new season he has also started well with his new club, Weder Bremen scoring a goal from two games. Ujah was called up by coach Oliseh for the game against Tanzania this weekend in Dar es Salam.

“It is very, very important for me to get another chance to play for my country. This is because up to now I have not had so much

M

Jacking it up ... Anthony Ujah wants another chance with Super Eagles. success, but with the new coach and the new set-up I hope this will be my chance,” he told FIFA.com Ujah said he was relieved and elated to see his plan come to fruition when he

Pressure is on Super Eagles, says Taifa stars coach

T

AIFA Stars coach, Boniface Charles Nkwasa stated that the Super Eagles will be the team feeling the heat, when Tanzania and Nigeria clash on Saturday in the first leg Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Dar es Salam.

Mkwasa who as player faced the Eagles in the 1980 submitted that he has his work cut out, but he remains optimistic that his charges might spring a surprise against the former African champions.

“Nigeria have always been a strong team with highly talented players and I remember the last

time I faced then I was still a player but on Saturday it will be different as every eye will be on me and the players” “Alot of pundits have already written us off which takes off the pressure from our players a bit but I want to warn the Nigerians that it will not be business as usual in Dar Es Salaam as we want nothing short of a win” Mkwasa told supersport.com “We respect Nigeria immensely but we will be playing at home in front of our fans who will need to be gifted nothing else short of a win” Mkwasa added.

was named in Oliseh’s team for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania and a friendly against Niger a few days later.

His bigger goal is making the team for November’s 2018 World Cup qualifiers, which will be against the winner of the two-legged tie between Djibouti and Swaziland. He believes he can keep himself in the new coach’s plans.

“Sunday Oliseh played in the German Bundesliga, so

T

C M Y K

HE heat has been tak ing a record toll during the opening week of the US Open, with 10 men and two women failing to finish their matches over the first two days of competition at the last grand slam of the season.

Among those failing to complete were teenager Thanasi Kokkinakis, who even as an Aussie could not handle the 32 Celsius temperatures and raging humidity in a venue best known for its match-disrupting rain. His game deteriorated so much that he occasionally threw in an under-arm serve.

Heat was not actually blamed as a factor in the stoppages, with players citing injuries, cramps and other reasons for being

I hope that will speak for me” Ujah said. “He is well informed because the German league is not a small league. It is the league where the world champions came from.”

“I think the move [to Werder Bremen] played a role because I had a very good pre-season. With our style of play, with the offensive football in Bremen, it’s a dream for every striker to be a part of. I think it will make me a better player.”

AAG: Africa set for gold rush in Congo Brazzaville

BY BEN EFE

T

HE 2015 All Africa Games begin today in Congo Brazzaville with Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt traditional sports powers in the continent waiting to slug it out on who wins the most gold in the event, which marks it’s 50th anniversary.

US Open: Players feel the heat

•Azarenka

Mobil commends athletics programme

unable to play on.

Others going out included Gael Monfils, Radek Stepanek Marcos Baghdatis, Ernests Gulbis and on the women’s side Vitalia Diatchenko and Marina Erakovic.

Victoria Azarenka overcame a slow start to defeat Yanina Wickmayer and book her place in the third round of the US Open for the fifth year in a row.

With many of her title rivals already out, two-time finalist Azarenka has been presented with a golden opportunity to make another deep run in New York.

However, against Wickmayer, she briefly looked in danger of becoming the latest big name casualty before eventually edging through, 7-5, 6-4.

Kenya, savouring their triumphant run at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China will also aim to rub it in at the Games, to show the rest of the continent that their win was not a fluke.

There has been a mass movement to Brazzaville from all over the continent and from all indications, the hosts are prepared to make a good show of the events. Nigerian athletes like Funke Oshoanike have expressed delight with arrangements on the ground in the peaceful nation. And what remains to be seen is a keenly contested AAG in the next 19 days.

National Sports Commission director-General, Al Hassan Yakmut said Nigeria will strive hard to top the games after he made a presentation to President Mohammadu Buhari.

“Team Nigeria has a record of first position in 2003 and it has a record of 2nd and third positions in about five editions.

“Now that we are going to the 11th edition, we are going to make sure that we don’t go below the first three positions. But our target is to be between first and second positions,”

OBIL Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Operator of the NNPC/ MPN Joint Venture as a good Corporate Citizen of the Nigerian State relates excellently with the Government at all levels through its developmental support programmes and projects, one of which is the just concluded Athletics Holiday Camping and training programme for schools and colleges in Akwa Ibom State.

This declaration was made in Uyo by Mr Paul Arinze, General Manager Public and Government Affairs at the closing ceremony of the two-week old event. “…This has been our signature programme in the development of youths and grasss roots sports in Akwa Ibom State, put together to hone the styles, develop the skills and improve the capabilities of the 200 stu-

Okon George, Nigerian athlete dents who won medals at the last championships in March this year…” Mr Arinze said.

Represented by Mrs Regina Udobong, Manager Joint Venture Operations, the MPN top gun expressed happiness with an initiative whose “…….developmental objectives have continued to be met through outstanding performances by the athletes in National and international competitions….”

Telcoms Games: MTN eyes top spot

M

TN Nigeria contin gent to the 2015 Telecoms Games has one aim and that is to make a clean sweep of the medals at stake in the event, which enters its fifth season.

MTN football team will on Sunday September 6 face IHS, and it is a game Team MTN is hoping to win to continue their dominance of the Telecoms Games.

“Our mission is to remain on top of the medals table for the fifth year running,” said Funsho Aina the firm’s PR and Protocol manager “The finals of the Football event is scheduled to take place at the Onikan Stadium on Sunday and

the MTN Football Team is set to win its 3rd trophy in the Telecoms Game as far as football is concerned,” he added.

MTN Football Team won the first 2 football events of the tournament back-toback. Team MTN has emerged overall champions, topping the medals table for all four editions of the Telecoms Games- A rare feat in competitive sports.

“Our exploits over the years traverse all the sporting events in the tournament; namely, Football, Scrabble, the Sprints, Lawn Tennis, Table Tennis and Chess”

Arik Air to sponsor Ekundayo’s fight in Nigeria

A

RIK Air, has offered to sponsor Larry ‘The Natural’ Ekundayo’s fights in Nigeria.c The offer was made yesterday by the Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide when the welterweight boxer - who is on the sponsorship bill of Arik Air - paid a Thank-You visit to the airline’s head office in Ikeja, Lagos.

Sir Arumemi-Ikhide who stated that Arik Air would be willing to pick up the bill for the fight in Nigeria, is happy with

Larry’s progress in professional boxing and promised to be present at the ring side when he fights for the African Boxing Union (ABU) crown in London this October.

The Arik Air Chairman disclosed that his interest in boxing and sports generally was influenced by his late father who was a boxing enthusiast.

Larry was accompanied on the visit by another London-based Nigerian boxer, Olusegun Ajose and his coach, Daniel Adekunle.

54—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

C M Y K

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015 — 55

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

Oliseh ready for surprises from ‘aggressive’ Tanzania

NFIFA Presidency:

S

UNDAY Oliseh has been busy watching Tanzanian

game tapes and is quite impressed with the East Continues on Page 52

Stop embarrassing •Nigerians in CAF/FIFA tell Nigeria Kalu, Odegbami •No retreat, no surrender — Odegbami

•Bassey

•Uchegbulam

BY TONY UBANI

FIFA ranking: Eagles remain 53rd N I G E R I A remained unmoved at number 53 in the latest Fifa rankings for the month of September released on Thursday.

The former African champions were adjudged the same rank

•Kalu

in the world according to the ranking released in August 2015.

The Eagles are now the ninth-ranked African side behind Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Tunisia, Senegal,

Continues on Page 52

Musa vows to lead Eagles to victory

T

HE ambitions of former national team captain, Patrick Olusegun Odegbami and Dr Orji Uzor Kalu to occupy the exalted position of President of the world soccergoverning body, FIFA, came under scrutiny yesterday by Nigerians Continues on Page 52

•Odegbami

•Oliseh

C

SKA Moscow star Ahmed Musa has promised to captain Nigeria to victory in an AFCON qualifier in Tanzania on Saturday.

Earlier this year, the

•Toro

jet-heeled winger first wore the captain’s armband in a friendly against South Africa, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

He will again captain

AAG: Africa set for gold rush in Congo — Pg.53

the country on Saturday in Dar es Salaam in the absence of Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama “For me, I think am not under pressure to lead the team. I did it before in South Africa and by the grace of God we Continues on Page 52

Continues on Page 52

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 2 Belief (5) 7 Strand (5) 8 Stadium (5) 10 Insect (5) 12 Mineral (3) 13 Condition (5) 15 Middle (7) 17 Menace (6) 19 Shelter (3) 20 Smallest (7) 23 Call (4) 25 Lean (4) 26 Came (7) 30 Shrub (3) 31 Remorse (6) 34 Stretch (7) 37 Scorch (5) 38 Mine (3) 39 Animal (5) 40 Start (5) 41 Guide (5) 42 Material (5)

DOWN 1 Nativity (5) 2 Box (5) 3 Reiterate (6) 4 Heroic (4) 5 Demur (7) 6 Skulk (5) 9 Stray (3) 11 Liberate (7) 13 Endure (5) 14 Fragrance (5) 16 Born (3) 18 Neatest (7) 21 Prickle (5) 22 Combine (5) 24 Inconsistent (7) 27 Manage (3) 28 Stop (6) 29 Eject (5) 32 Circumference (5) 33 Heron (5) 35 Hog (3) 36 Nobleman (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Solid 7, Snip 8, United 9, Adage 11, Her 13, Dig 15, Iris 16, Hem 18, Jeer 19, General 20, Huge 22, Mean 23, Lasting 25, Seer 27, Hot 28, Mere 30, Tit 31, Did 33, Badge 36, Revoke 37, Foil 38, Great.

DOWN: 1, Enter 2, Spa 3, Lea 4, Due 5, Wig 6, Belie 10, Glen 11, Highest 12, Ringlet 13, Deleted 14, Granted 16, Heath 17, Meant 18, Jam 21, Ear 24, Iota 26, Eider 29, Rigid 32, Cow 33, Beg 34, Die 35, Eft.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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