EFCC uncovers another N600m scam

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62642

N150

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015

NCC slashes MTN's N1.04trn fine to N674bn

CEO Ikpoki, Director, Akinwale Goodluck quit

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Kogi poll: Court decides Wada, Bello, Faleke's fates 9 today

ALLEGED $2BN ARMS DEAL FRAUD:

EFCC uncovers another N600m scam •Air Vice-Marshal Salihu Atawodi, others arrested •I didn't implicate anyone, says Dasuki •FG gets another lawyer to prosecute him •Court rules on application to revoke his bail Dec 8

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri & Omeiza Ajayi

A

BUJA—THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, yesterday, continued its arrest of high profile politicians and top military officers over the $2bn arms contract allegedly disbursed by the Office of National Security Adviser, ONSA. Suspects arrested, yesterday, included the former Chairman of the

P r e s i d e n t i a l Implementation Continues on Page 5

Biafra: Markets, schools, banks remain shut in Onitsha 15 Mr & Mrs EX-NIMASA DG ARRAIGNED—Former Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety

SOUTH WEST VOICE

OONI OF IFE: The audacious life of Oba Enitan Ogunwusi See inside C M Y K

P. 17

P. 19

OWEI LAKEMFA

The EU fox and Turkish tortoise agreement

SWEET & SOUR DONU KOGBARA

Lousy Naija LGAs

COLUMNISTS:

Agency, NIMASA, Patrick Ziadeke Akpobolokemi (centre) being led out of court after his arraignment by the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in Lagos, yesterday. See story on Page 10.

FG, states, labour must agree on minimum wage 8

2—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015—3

C M Y K

4—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015

Glo stages premium shows in Aba, Owerri, Nsukka

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HE university town of Nsukka in Enugu State, Eastern heartland, Owerri, Imo State and commercial town of Aba in Abia State will come alive again this weekend as Globacom is set to stage two shows, the Slide n Bounce Concert and Laffta Fest comedy show in the towns.

Globacom said in a statement, yesterday that the three cities “ will be experiencing the best of entertainment for the second time in less than three weeks as we alternate the shows across the cities to delight our numerous subscribers in them.”

While the Glo Laffta Fest, a comedy show, will hold today, at the Millipat Hotel, Nsukka, Owerri will play host to the Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce, a musical concert, at the Imo International Conference Centre, tomorrow. Aba will host the Laffta Fest show at Binez Hotel on Sunday, December 6, the statement added.

Globacom also said in the statement that “ we have lined up the best of the nation’s comedians such as Basket Mouth, I Go Dye, Okey Bakassi, Funny Bone, I Go Save, Buchi, Headmaster, Acapella, Senator, AB Simple, Arinze Baba, Gordons, Bash and Gandoki for the Laffta Fest shows in Nsukka and Aba, while music stars such as Wizkid, D’banj, PSquare, Bez, Omawumi, Ego, Sammie Okposo, Burna Boy, Korede Bello, MI and Di’Ja will perform at the Slide ‘n’ Bounce concert in Owerri.”

NCC slashes N1.04trn MTN fine to N674bn •Gives Dec 31 deadline to pay •As top mgt staff, Ikpoki, Goodluck, resign

By Prince Osuagwu

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AGOS— FINALLY, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has reduced the N1.04 trillion fine it imposed on MTN Nigeria to N674 billion.

However, the commission has also mandated the telecom operator to pay the fine on or before December 31, 2015.

The fine imposed on the telecom operator was due to what NCC described as MTN’s inability to disconnect about 5.1 million Nigerian subscribers improperly registered on its network, after several warnings in August and September 2015.

In reaction, MTN has said it would carefully study the new development and would mandate its Executive Chairman, Phuthuma Nhleko, to immediately and urgently re-engage with the Nigerian authorities before responding formally.

The reduction, which represents a 25 per cent slash, provides MTN with a reprieve, after series of meetings which have seen several officials from South Africa thronging the country to negotiate the fine.

Ikpoki, Goodluck resign

However, the reprieve did not come without costs as about three

of the company’s top and finest management officials, including two Nigerians, Messrs Michael Ikpoki and Akinwale Goodluck, have been relieved of their duties following a management shake up as a result of the controversial fine.

While Ikpoki was MTN Nigeria’s CEO, Goodluck was Head of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, until yesterday when MTN Group suddenly announced their resignation.

In their stead, Ferdi Moolman and Amina Oyagbola take positions as

MOU: From left: Kevin Gilmarth, Editorial Manager, Oxford Business Group; Mr Laoye Jaiyeola, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG and Izabela Kruk, Country Manager, Oxford Business Group during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, between NESG and Oxford Business Group in Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

FG, states, Labour must agree on realistic minimum wage —Govs

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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BUJA — THE Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, has stressed the need for the Federal Government, the 36 governors, and the organized labour to agree on a realistic minimum wage for workers.

Chairman of the forum, Gov. Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, who spoke with State House correspondents after a private meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari said the dwindling revenue from oil has drastically affected the ability of most states to pay the statutory N18,000 minimum wage.

According to him, it will be difficult for many states to fulfill the wage obligation to their

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workers if the shortfall in oil revenue continues.

Said he: “Let me make it very clear to Nigerians. Governor’s Forum is not the enemy of labour in any way, rather, we have been working together. Although in the decision we never said that we are going to stop the payment of N18,000 minimum wage, but we are looking at the situation in the country and in the global economy.

“What we said is that when the National Assembly enacted the law of paying N18,000 minimum wage, then oil was about $118 per barrel and today where we are, oil is $41 per barrel. So, if it continues like that definitely we will find it difficult to continue.

“We have to sit down with the labour and see how we can review, either continue

downsizing or decide what we are going to do.

“We want to find a solution because we have to be realistic that we have so many things to touch on. There is infrastructure deficit, there is need for security, there are other things like social security of our people and the nation as a state.”

According to the chairman of the forum, some states received between N400 million and N500 million from the Federation Account in the last allocation that was made, while another state received as low as N55 million with its pension commitment at N1 billion.

“So, how can we continue borrowing and servicing our expenditure, or over head?,” he asked Yari further informed that

members of the forum are planning to sit with President Buhari, members of his team, and experts to come up “with the way forward and how we are going to handle the poor state of the economy in the country.”

He said that what was on ground now was unrealistic if it continued without having other sources from the economy and still relying on oil “being sold for $118 per barrel and now down to $41 per barrel.

Therefore, we are saying that we should tighten our belts.”

Yari acknowledged that the Rivers and Edo governors had criticized the decision of the Forum to lower wages but added that other states were not as rich as Rivers, Edo or Lagos even in terms of internally generated revenue (IGR).

CEO and Head of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, respectively.

Earlier, the Group CEO of MTN, Mr Sifiso Dabengwa, had resigned in likewise manner, when the pressure of the fine began to build hard on the company.

Acting Group CEO, Phuthuma Nhleko, said the shake up at MTN will strengthen leadership and improve operational oversight, as well as engender robust risk mitigation.

According to him, “this revised structure and strengthened leadership will improve operational oversight and increase management capacity.

This will enable MTN to continue to realise its strategy and vision, while also ensuring we achieve high governance standards and robust risk mitigation.”

Informing its shareholders of the development, yesterday, MTN said after further engagements with the Nigerian authorities, it has received a formal letter dated December 2, 2015 from the NCC informing the company that, after considering the company’s request, it has taken the decision to reduce the fine on the MTN Nigerian business from the original N1,040,000,000,000 to N674 billion which has to be paid by December 31, 2015.

However, “the company is carefully considering the NCC’s reply, and the Executive Chairman, Phuthuma Nhleko, will immediately and urgently reengage with the Nigerian authorities before responding formally, as it is essential for the company to follow due process to ensure the best outcome for the company, its stakeholders and the Nigerian authorities and accordingly all factors having a bearing on the situation will be thoroughly and carefully considered before the company arrives at a final decision.”

Shake up/new operating structure

Meanwhile, the company also used the opportunity to announce a shake up in its management level and introduced new operating structure.

The new structure will see three regions, South and East Africa, SEA, West and Central Africa, WECA and Middle East and North Africa, MENA. The group said the review was with a view to strengthening operational oversight, leadership, governance and regulatory compliance across its 22 country operations in Africa and the Middle East.

It announced that “effective December 1, 2015, Ms Jyoti Desai assumed the new position of Group Chief Operating Officer (COO), reporting to the Executive Chairman, Phuthuma Nhleko.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015—5

POCKET CARTOON

BUHARI DEPARTS TO SOUTH AFRICA—President Buhari bids goodbye to some senior government officials as he departs Abuja for South Africa ahead of the China-Africa Corporation Forum in Johannesburg, yesterday.

$2bn arms deal: EFCC uncovers another N600m scam Continues from Page 1 Committee on Marine Safety, Air Vice Marshal Salihu Atawodi.

Atawodi was accused of alleged diversion of N600 million meant for acquisition of military boats for the use of the Nigerian armed forces.

Others who are already being detained in connection with the arms deal include former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki; Chairman Emeritus of Daar Communications, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa and former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda.

Chief Dokpesi reportedly told EFCC interrogators that the N2.1bn he collected from the NSA was meant for election publicity in media houses across the country, a disclosure strongly

discountenanced by media operatives yesterday.

Atawodi was said to have awarded the contract for the boats and fully paid for them while none was supplied at the end of the day, thereby making Nigeria lose the funds.

According to a competent source in the EFCC, Atawodi, who recently retired from the Air Force, was arrested Wednesday and taken into EFCC custody for questioning.

The former fighter pilot, the source claimed, is likely to be charged with conspiracy, abuse of public office and misappropriation of public funds.

He awarded the contract to one Alhaji Rabiu’s Hypertech Nigeria Limited. The contractor was fully paid but the boats were never supplied.

The source further

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO

M

AKE Today count, do all you said you would do because in the real sense of it, all you would ever have is Today. It's up to you.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Do your little bit of good where you are; those little bits of good put together overwhelm the world— Desmond Tutu

“

THE Perfects Surprise” Practice random acts of kindness. You can start by holding the door for a stranger. Send a random hello email or text to a family member or friend you hardly ever see. Give a compliment to someone at work or school. Bring donuts or bagels to work and share with others. Smile to everyone. Help a child or an elderly person in need. Say “I love you” to everyone you love. Do a chore for someone who needs help. Donate, volunteer, and listen whenever you can. Keep in mind that kindness has an additive effect and it’s really the little things that add up. So no matter how big or how small, each act of kindness makes an impact for us all.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE My son has grown. Is it because he is tall?

disclosed that the contract award process violated the Procurement Act. AVM Atawodi who has been on the radar of the anti-graft agency since 2013, was quizzed for several hours on Wednesday, December 2, 2015, after he responded to the invitation extended to him. He arrived EFCC headquarters at about 11am.

EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren confirmed Atawodi’s presence at the Commission, adding that he is assisting the investigation.

At press time, the retired Air Force officer was still with operatives of the commission.

His arrest added to the increasing number of high profile Nigerian politicians and top military officers implicated in the diversion of defence budget, which the Buhari administration has sworn to unearth and punish.

Arrests onesided, says PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party, which was in power when the alleged diversion of huge funds occurred, has, however, kicked against the attempt to bring these men to justice, describing the move as politically motivated and one-sided.

I implicated nobody — Dasuki

Meanwhile, embattled former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, rtd, yesterday, refuted reports that he implicated many persons, including stalwarts of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the statement he volunteered before the panel probing his alleged complicity in the $2billion arms purchase deal.

Speaking through his lawyer, Mr. Ahmed Raji, SAN, yesterday, Dasuki,

said he never made any statement or implicated anyone or group at the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, even as he wondered where the reports emanated from.

Raji said: “I was with Dasuki yesterday (Wednesday) and wish to make categorical statement that my client never made any statement of such nature or naming anybody or group in any statement.

“Quote me anywhere, Dasuki has not done anything like that. It is absolutely untrue. It is the figment of the imagination of the authors aimed at creating falsehood for reasons best known to them and Nigerians should disregard them.

“They are just out to scandalise the man, bring his image and character into disrepute so that his friends and well wishers can run away from him.

They want him deserted and that will fail”, he added.

Court rules on Dasuki's bail Dec 8

Meantime, Justice Ademola Adeniyi of the Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, fixed December 8 to deliver ruling on an application by the federal government, seeking to revoke Dasuki’s bail.

FG had in the application it filed pursuant to Section 169 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, also sought an order committing the former NSA to prison pending his trial.

Already, the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, has contracted a private prosecutor, Mr. Oladipupo Opeseyitan, SAN, to handle the case for government.

Opeseyitan who announced his appearance at the resumed hearing on the matter yesterday, told trial Justice Adeniyi that he has gone before the court of appeal to challenge the ruling that permitted Dasuki to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.

He said that he has also filed a motion for stay of execution of the ruling, even as he urged the high court to put the ruling on hold pending determination of the appeal.

Responding, Dasuki’s lawyer, Raji, told the court that he was only served a copy of the motion yesterday morning, saying he would need time to reply accordingly.

It will be recalled that though Dasuki was on September 1, granted bail by the high court on self recognition, however, trial Justice Ademola Adeniyi, on November 3, while

granting the defendant leave to travel abroad for medical treatment, varied his bail condition.

Justice Adeniyi ordered the erstwhile NSA to produce a surety that must be ready to face prosecution should he (Dasuki), go into hiding after his medical treatment in the United Kingdom.

The court further directed the release of his hitherto seized traveling documents, saying Dasuki should return same to the Deputy Chief Registrar, Litigation of the high court within 72 hours of his return from the three-week medical trip.

It was this order that government asked the court to vacate by revoking the bail granted to the defendant.

On why the bail should be revoked, FG, told the court that Dasuki is undergoing investigation by the committee auditing procurement of arms/ equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence Sector from 2007 to date.

It said that an interim report of the committee showed that over $2 billion was allegedly embezzled and that Dasuki’s presence is required to assist in further investigations.

“That there is a Federal Government directive for the arrest of all those indicted by the report, including the defendant (Dasuki) and that the ongoing investigation which borders on money laundering against the defendant has not been concluded and there is fear that investigation might be tampered with on account of foreign visit by the respondent before the completion of investigation.

It maintained that the ailment for which permission was given to Dasuki to travel to the United Kingdom for treatment can be properly treated in the National Hospital, Abuja and other teaching hospitals in Nigeria.

Besides, FG, told the court that there is an intelligence report that Dasuki has concluded plans to take advantage of the court order releasing his international passport to escape justice and tamper with ongoing investigations.

Despite the permission of the court, FG, using operatives of the Department of State Service, DSS, prevented Dasuki from travelling outside the country.

He was subsequently arrested and handed over to the EFCC for interrogation over the alleged $2bn arms deal

fraud.

I didn’t receive a dime from Dasuki — Bafarawa

In a d evelopment,

related

former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa who is also being being held by the anti-graft commission in connection with the arms deal money has denied receiving any money from Dasuki. He was said to have collected about N4.6 billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser, for “spiritual purposes”.

An aide of the former governor who served under him as a Special Adviser on Youth and Students Matters, Alhaji Akibu Dalhatu said yesterday that his boss had no such financial dealing with the former NSA nor did he collect any money from him for any purpose.

“The former governor of Sokoto state, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa did not receive any money from Col. Sambo Dasuki for any arms deal or for any purpose” Dalhatu said.

Dalhatu who said he had visited the former governor at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters, added that his boss was never arrested at home or anywhere else as alleged in some quarters saying Bafarawa merely honoured an invitation extended to him by the anti-graft agency.

“The truth is that Governor Bafarawa went to the EFCC to honour an invitation made to him by the agency while he was abroad. He had informed them through a letter by his lawyers that he was abroad and would honour their invitation on return.

Governor Bafarawa went to the office of EFCC with his lawyer and an aide” he said.

6 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 , 2015

Gunmen kill APC deputy ward chairman in Bayelsa Y

By Samuel Oyadongha

ENAGOA—TENSION heightened, yesterday, between members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, following the killing of Diseye Dickson, the deputy ward chairman of APC, Ward 1 in Odi, Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area of the state by gunmen.

The deceased, Diseye Dickson was reportedly shot in Odi community at 11p.m., Wednesday by the gunmen, who were allegedly clad in military uniform.

Though reports claimed the

deceased was shot during a shootout between policemen and the gunmen, about eight in number, in a failed kidnap attempt of Chief Watson Ogoriba, a businessman and elder brother of the former member of House of Representatives and chieftain of the APC, Warman Ogoriba.

A community source said: “It was the case of failed kidnap attempt. It is not about PDP or the APC. When the kidnappers arrived the community, the vigilante people alerted the Police in Kaiama Divisional Command and they engaged the suspected kidnappers in a shoot-out. The victim may have been caught in

a cross fire.”

The source further revealed that aside from the deceased Dieseye Dickson, a woman was also injured on the buttocks by stray bullet.

A member of the House of Representatives representing Yenagoa-Kolokuma/Opokuma federal constituency, Douye Diri, who confirmed the incident, said it was a case of foiled kidnap attempt and not a party conflict.

But the leadership of the APC in the state through the Sylva/ Igiri Campaign Organisation alleged that the killing was carried out by suspected thugs hired by the PDP.

Director of Media and Publicity of the Sylva/Igiri campaign Organisation, Chief Nathan Egba, in a statement said, “As at this morning (yesterday), the corpse of Mr. Dickson, was still lying in a pool of his own blood where he was killed. Do note that this is the second killing being carried out by the PDP since the campaigns started.

“Recall that Mr. Andrew June, a ward chairman of our party in Ekeremor Local Government Area was macheted to death. We condemn this act of desperation by the PDP to continually attack and intimidate our supporters.”

FAKE BANK ALERT: Police arrest suspected kingpin

in Lagos L

By Ufuoma Tiveruahor

AGOS—A middle-aged man, Pius Asomba, suspected to be the leader of a notorious syndicate that specialized in dispossessing businessmen of large sums of money through fake bank alerts, has been arrested by the police in Lagos.

The Anambra State-born suspect was arrested after he jumped bail and disappeared for over two years.

Police sources said the criminal exploits of the suspect was blown open on August 31, 2012, after he went to one Engr. Moses Adebayo at Alaba International market a major distributor with Nigerchin Development Company in Ikeja, and placed an order for cables worth N9.5 million. According to the source, when he was told to pay for the goods, he claimed to be in a hurry and promised to pay through his bank.

“After they finished loading the goods around 4p.m., that day, the owner received alert of N9.5million from his bank, confirming prompt payment and the suspect also called to confirm payment. The owner of the goods also corresponded with his bank and it was confirmed, he thereafter released the goods and gave the suspect extra N50,000 for transport expenses.”

The story, however, took a different dimension when the owner of the goods went to the bank few days later only to be told that it was a magic alert as nothing was paid into his account. Based on this, the police was alerted and they commenced search for the suspect for over a month without success.

Vanguard learned that while

detectives were looking for him, November 30, 2015, the principal the suspect went to the suspect was arrested at Gowon warehouse of another trader at Estate where he has been hiding Okokomaiko to buy iron worth and handed over to officials of about N4 million. court, where he is being tried.

He succeeded also in Meanwhile, it was learned that deceiving them with fake bank the complainant was forced to close alert prompting the involvement his account with the bank after the of both the police at Okokomaiko suspect confessed that he and a private investigator, who connived with some officials of the ended up arresting him bank to dupe him. Police said through his girlfriend living detectives are also investigating in Egbeda area of Lagos State.

It was gathered that after his arrest, he confessed to the crime and promised to pay the money.

He was, however, taken to Magistrate court at Agbo-Malu Road, Apapa, where he presented three sureties. He later jumped bail and efforts to get the sureties failed.

Fortunately, after about two years of searching for him, one of the sureties was traced early this year and arrested.

The surety was granted bail with a promise to produce the principal suspect The suspect, Pius Asomba. but he failed. On

some officials of the bank with a view to fishing out all those involved in the fraud.

When contacted, Lagos State police spokesman, Joe Offor, said the police did their job by arresting the suspect and charging him to court. He assured that the matter would be prosecuted to its logical conclusion.

L

By Onozure Dania

preferred against them by the police.

The prosecutor, Inspector Eshiet Eshiet, told the court that the defendants committed the alleged offences between April 2014 and April 2015, at Idumota market, in Lagos Island.

He said that Idowu, the sales representative conspired with the others who were oil dealers to steal the sum of N13.3 million property of one Therapeutic labouratories Nigeria Ltd located on 372,

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS—THE police, yesterday, charged two truck conductors, Ikechukwu Ukoha and Charles Onyekaziri, who allegedly stole eight 40-foot empty containers worth N6.1 million, before an Igbosere Magisrates’ Court, Lagos.

Ukoha, 42, and Onyekaziri, 36, who are of no fixed address, are standing trial on a twocount charge of conspiracy and stealing levelled against them by the police.

The prosecutor, Inspector Ibrahim Haruna, told the court that the defendants committed the alleged offences on September 22, 2015, at 2:30 p.m, at TinCan Island Apapa, area of Lagos.

He alleged that the defendants’ stole five 40foot empty containers and three 20-feet containers valued at N6.1 million; property of SAPID Agency Ltd and Bollore African Logistic.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the offences.

DRUNKENNESS:

Court dissolves 29-year-old marriage

By Onozure Dania

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3 docked over alleged N15.1 fraud AGOS—A sales representative and two oil dealers, who were alleged to have defrauded a company of the sum of N15. 1 million were, yesterday, arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

The trio, Omorinkoba Idowu, 50, Olusola Julius, 37, and Adeloye Johnson, 36, whose addresses were not given are facing a five-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and fraud

2 in court over theft of 8 containers worth N6.1m

Ikorodu Road, Maryland, Lagos.

The prosecutor said that the defendants also stole the sum of N1.8 million property of one Grace Omorinkoba.

Eshiet, further alleged that the defendants obtained the money under the guise of investing it in an oil and gas business, a representation which they knew be false.

The trio pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

AGOS—A Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada, Nasarawa State, yesterday, dissolved the 29year-old marriage between a nurse, Laraba Thomas, and her husband, Ali Thomas, over his drunkenness.

Granting Laraba’s wishes, the presiding judge, Mr Albert Maga, said all efforts by the court and family members to reconcile both parties had failed as she had insisted on the divorce.

Maga said: “From today, you cease to be husband and wife; this court will rest further deliberations and declare free divorce to both parties.”

The petitioner, a resident of Calvary Road, Aso Mararaba, said she wanted a divorcebecauseherhusbandwas looking older than his age due to high intake of alcohol.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 , 2015—7

8 LAGBUS staff arrested for allegedly issuing fake tickets

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AGOS— LAGBUS Asset Management Company, operators of Lagos Metropolitan Red Buses, yesterday said it had arrested eight of the company’s staff for allegedly issuing fake tickets to commuters.

Mr Tosin Alamu, Head of Enforcement Franchise Unit, LAGBUS, Ikorodu Wing, made the disclosure in an interview in Lagos.

Alamu said that over N17, 000 fake tickets were recovered from them during a recent monitoring exercise.

“We have given all our staffs training and warning since we realised that our sales were getting low. The investors who are private establishment and participated in the organisation do not get their money back on time. We realised that this money is being siphoned through the back door; through the ticket vendors and the drivers,” Alamu said.

He said that to guard against the trend, the management decided to increase the welfare, salaries and incentives of the officers of the fleet, including ticket vendors.

“We held meetings with the drivers and the bus officers and warned them based on our findings. The management told them that an enforcement unit will be going round and anybody found with duplicate tickets will be arrested and prosecuted. These ones have been taken to court on Wednesday to serve as deterrent to others,” he said.

Alamu explained that some of the offenders were caught for allegedly carrying passengers without issuing tickets to them, while some sold recycled tickets.

Meanwhile, an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, has slammed bail of N20, 000 each on the eight alleged offenders after they pleaded innocence to the offence of conspiring to steal from the company.

The magistrate, Mrs O Sule Amzat, ordered that the bail for the accused be accompanied with two sureties each and whose addresses must be verified by the court.

She then, adjourned the case to January 26, 2016.

Traffic gridlock on Carter and Eko Bridges, Ijora Olopa, Iddo and Orile-Iganmu due to illegal parking of container trailers and fuel tankers, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

4 killed as gunmen attack Zamfara village G

USAU — THE Police in Zamfara State have confirmed the death of four persons following attack by gunmen on Tangaran village in Anka local government area of the state, Tuesday night.

The command Public Relations Officer, Sanusi Amiru, confirmed the incident, yesterday, in

Gusau while briefing newsmen.

It was gathered that the gunmen arrived the village in the night while the residents were getting ready to go to bed.

They opened fire on those still outside during which the four persons were killed.

An eye-witness, Kabiru Umar, said an 11-year-old girl who was selling bean cake (kosai) was among those killed.

"When her mother came to pick her remains, she was shot on her buttocks, " he said.

Umar said other residents quickly locked their doors while those outside scampered for safety while the indiscriminate shootings lasted.

The command spokesman said six other persons sustained various degrees of

Tension over proposed demolition of Lagos market

By Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS— THE Lagos State government has been urged to call the leadership of Agbado-Oke Odo Local Council

Development Area, LCDA, to order over plans to demolish their shops at Ile-Epo market.

Speaking with journalists on behalf of the over 20,000 traders, President of the traders union, Alhaji Lawali

Dangaladima, in company of their lawyer, Mr. Mahmood Atanda, said the proposed demolition could lead to a major crisis in the market.

While urging Governor

An accident scene involving trailer truck, two cars and a cormercial bus on Ojuelegba bridge. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

Man to die by hanging over N14,570 robbery

A

DO-EKITI — AN Ado-Ekiti High Court, yesterday, sentenced one David Olugboyega to death by hanging for armed robbery involving N14,570.

Justice John Adeyeye passed the judgment following the

injuries and were taken to Anka General Hospital with the assistance of the police.

While disclosing that the police recovered three bullet shells, Amiru said that normalcy had returned to the area and the police had commenced tracking of the attackers.

He expressed confidence that the attackers would be arrested by the police.

confessional statement of the convict and the conclusion of trial by the prosecution.

“An accused may be convicted on his own confession alone as long as the court was satisfied.

Based on the confessional statement of the accused, the court found him guilty as charged.

Besides, the prosecution has also proved his case beyond reasonable doubt by providing seven

witnesses.

“The accused is hereby sentenced to death by hanging. This will serve as deterrent to others in the society. May God have mercy on your soul,” he said.

Akinwunmi Ambode to use his good office to prevail on the executive secretary of the LCDA to stop the demolition, the traders added that the proposed demolition would be a subjudice since the matter is already in court.

Their lawyer disclosed that when the market was to be redeveloped in 2005, the traders, mostly Hausas made payment through the then President of the association, Alhaji Haruna Ismaila, to secure spaces in the market.

He said upon the completion and allocation of shops to subscribers, the traders approached their former president for the allocation. The shops were allocated to the traders by the local council.

They alleged that the former president diverted the shops for his personal use and gave some to his family and friends.

“Since then the former President has been creating misunderstanding between the Hausa traders and other tribes in the market each time the traders demanded for the shops allocated to them," he said.

Contacted, Alhaji Haruna Ismaila denied the allegations, saying: “I have shops and stalls in the market, how can I connive with the council to demolish the market where I am getting my daily bread from?”

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015—9

Nigeria earned $293bn royalty from oil and gas companies in 7 yrs—NEITI

False declaration of assets: S-Court decides Saraki’s fate Feb 5

By Ediri Ejoh

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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AGOS — ACTING Executive Secretary of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, has disclosed that 42 oil and gas companies operating in the country paid a total of $293 billion to the Federal Government between 2006 and 2012.

The money was said to have been paid by oil companies as taxes, royalty, dividends etc to government during the period. Orji stated this while speaking at the inauguration of NEITICompanies’ Forum in Lagos.

According to him, the NEITI independent report for the period released recently, put the breakdown of the payment as $44.7 billion was paid in 2006, $43.7 billion in 2007, $60.4 billion in 2008 and $30 billion in 2009. In 2010, the companies paid $44.9 billion, $68.4 billion in 2011 and $62.9 billion in 2012.

Orji informed the forum that the payments were made by a combination of 42 oil companies covered by the NEITI audit process during this period.

Speaking on effort of NEITI to bring about sanity to the nation’s extraction industry, Orji stated that the era when tax and royalty payments made by companies were a secret at the disposal of the exclusive few was over.

He said: “Nigeria’s membership of the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative has enthroned a regime of openness and voluntary public disclosure in the industry,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the chairperson of the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), Clare Short, has expressed the support of the world body to the ongoing reforms of the oil, gas and mining sector in Nigeria as recommended by NEITI.

A AGM: From left, Chairman, South-East Zone, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, Alhaji Ahmed Gobir; Vice President, North-West Zone, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman and Guest Speaker, General-Secretary, National Union of Textile, Garment & Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, Comrade Issa Aremu at the 2015 Annual General Meeting of the North-West and South-East branches of MAN in Kaduna, yesterday. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

Kogi poll: Court decides Wada, Bello, Faleke’s fate today •As APC, INEC query jurisdiction of court to stop rerun

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA—The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, will, today, determine whether in view of section 181 of the 1999 constitution, as amended, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, should go ahead with its plan to conduct supplementary governorship election in Kogi State tomorrow.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole adjourned for judgement after all the parties, yesterday, adopted their final written addresses on contentious legal issues that arose from the sudden death of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Prince Abubakar Audu, before the election was concluded.

INEC had declared the governorship election held November 21, inconclusive, even as it fixed Saturday to conduct a run-off poll.

Meanwhile, the court had, Tuesday, consolidated four separate suits challenging the legality of the scheduled supplementary election.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole, who merged the four suits, said there was need for the court to expeditiously determine the issues “so that INEC will not conduct the election under a grave shadow of doubt as to the legal or constitutional validity.”

Whereas one of the suits was lodged before the court by Kogi State governor, Captain Idris Wada (retd), the second suit was filed by the governorship candidate of the People for Democratic Change, PDC, in the state, Emmanuel Daikwo.

Likewise, a legal practitioner, Mr. Johnson Usman, a House of Representatives member for Ahiazu Ezinaehitte Mbaise Federal Constituency of Imo State, Rafael Igbokwe and an

electorate from Omala Local Government Area in Abelijukolo Ife of Eche ward in Kogi State, Mr. Stephen Wada Omaye, filed the two remaining suits.

Upon consolidation of the suits, the plaintiffs, led by Wada’s lawyer, Mr. Goddy Uche, SAN, distilled out three principal legal issues for the court to determine today.

They want the court to go ahead and determine: “Whether having regard to the provisions of sections 31(1)(2)(4)(5)(6)(7) and (8), 33, 34, 36, 85 and 87 of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended, as well as sections 178-181 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, INEC can lawfully conduct a second/supplementary election into the office of Governor of Kogi State on December 5, 2015, or any other date at all let alone accepting the nomination/ substitution by the APC of any candidate on the basis of votes computed and credited to the deceased candidate of the APC when the new or substitute candidate was not part of the original election."

Wada specifically prayed the court to determine, “whether in view of the provisions of section 179 (2) (3)(4)(5) of the constitution, and other enabling provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended, and having regard to the doctrine of necessity, the plaintiff being the only surviving candidate with the major lawful votes cast at the Kogi State governorship election held on November 21, 2015, ought not to be declared and returned by the INEC as the winner of the election having secured not less than onequarter of the votes case in twothirds of all the Local Government Areas in Kogi State.”

Justice Kolawole had given all the parties 48 hours to file and exchange their briefs of argument and return to the court yesterday

for adoption.

Jurisdiction of the high court

Meantime, at the resumed sitting, yesterday, the APC, challenged the jurisdiction of the high court to entertain the suits.

APC’s position was also adopted by both INEC and its replacement for Audu, Mr. Yahaya Bello, who both contended that the court has no jurisdiction to adjudicate on issues that were raised by the plaintiffs, issues they said could be best handled by an election petition tribunal.

APC was not represented in court the day the four suits were consolidated.

The plaintiffs had informed the court that they could not effect service on the party owing to a free-for-all they said took place at the APC national secretariat in Abuja by three different factions of the party in Kogi State, the day they went there with the court processes.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/977/2015, Faleke insisted that contrary to claim by INEC, the Kogi State governorship election was conclusive.

He is seeking 16 principal reliefs from the court, among which include: “A declaration that by the express provisions of sections 179 (2) (a) and (b) and 187(1) of the constitution, a person who is nominated as an associate of a candidate for the office of governor of a state is duly elected deputy governor of a state when the candidate for the office of the governor scores the highest number of votes at the election and also scored not less than one quarter of all the votes cast in each of at least two-third of all the local government areas in the state."

BUJA — THE Supreme Court, yesterday, slated February 5, 2016 to determine the appeal seeking to quash the 13-count criminal charge the Federal Government entered against the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, before the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCT. A seven-man panel of Justices of the apex court led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, adjourned the case for judgment after it entertained arguments from both Saraki and the Federal Government yesterday.

The Federal Government had in the charge it filed before the CCT, alleged that Saraki falsely declared his assets, contrary to the constitutionally requirement.

The Federal Government alleged that Saraki deliberately manipulated the assets declaration form he filed prior to his assumption of office as the Senate President, by making anticipatory declaration of assets.

Aside allegation that he operated foreign bank account while in office as a public servant, Saraki, was also accused of acquiring wealth beyond his legitimate earnings.

Meantime, Saraki, through his team of lawyers led by Chief J. B. Daudu, SAN, yesterday, begged the Supreme Court to quash the entire charge for want of competence.

Placing reliance on the provision of Paragraph 15(1) to the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, Saraki’s lawyer argued that the Justice Danladi Umar-led panel of the CCT was not legally and properly composed to try his client.

Daudu insisted that a twomember panel of the CCT fell short of the constitutional requirement.

“If two persons sit on a panel and in the event of a tie or disagreement over an issue, what happens? Does a chairman become a superior member, whose one vote would amount to two,” Daudu queried.

10—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 , 2015

LFTZ TRIBUNAL:

Chairman promises fair report

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By Onozure Dania

AGOS—JUSTICE Adesuyi OlateruOlagbegi on Wednesday visited the communities of the Lekki Free Trade Zone where the Managing Director of the Zone, Mr Tunde Disu was killed on October 12, 2015.

The Judge who is the Chairman, Tribunal of Inquiry, while on a factfinding visit to the 14 affected Free Trade Zone host communities, said that the tribunal is ready to present a fair and balanced report.

He said that those affected by the mayhem, will get justice, stating that the tribunal’s findings will form the basis of its recommendations to the Lagos State Government.

The tribunal, which has the mandate of unravelling the cause of the October 12 disturbance during which Lekki Worldwide Investment Ltd Managing Director, Mr. Tunde Disu was killed, has 45 days to complete its assignment.

The communities visited include Tiye, Imobido, Idasho, Elekuru,Imagbon,Itoke,Idotun, Olomowewe,Imopa,Okuniraye and Abejoye villages.

YULETIDE:

Lagos task force warns against violent carnivals

By Charles Kumolu

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AGOS—THE Chairman of Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit, Mr. Olubukola Abe has cautioned residents of the state against organising street carnivals that could lead to break down of law and order, noting that anyone found wanting would be arrested.

Briefing newsmen in Lagos, Abe a Superintendent of Police, SP, disclosed that about 1, 110 motorcyclists plying restricted routes across the state were arrested in the month of November.

He further noted that 929 suspects were arrested last month, adding that 852 were charged to courts for prosecution.

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Fayose suspends SSG, orders Hos to oversee office A

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

DO EKITI—THE Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose has suspended the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Modupe Alade, over alleged incompetence.

In a statement in Ado Ekiti, the

Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Idowu Adelusi, said the suspension would last for three months.

Fayose subsequently directed the State Head of Service, Dr Olugbenga Faseluka to oversee her office pending her resumption.

Alade was the Treasurer of Ayo Fayose Campaign Organization prior to the last governorship poll in Ekiti State before her appointment as the Secretary to the government.

She retired from the State Civil service as a Permanent

Secretary, during which she traversed many Ministries like Education, Local Government Affairs, among others.

She hails from Ifaki Ekiti in Ido/ Osi Local Government Area of the state.

Nike Akande replaces Bello as LCCI president

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By Naomi Uzor

AGOS—THE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, yesterday, disclosed that it has elected Mrs. Nike Akande, as President, to steer the ship of the foremost Chamber for the next two years.

The Director General, LCCI, Mr. Muda Yusuf, in a statement said this followed the expiration of Alhaji Remi Bello’s tenure of office, after two years service.

“Akande emerged as President after a duly conducted election at the Chamber’s 127th Annual General Meeting held on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at the Commerce House, Lagos."

Mrs. Nike Akande, a two-time Minister of Industry in Nigeria, is an astute boardroom executive who has served the Chamber previously in various capacities such as Deputy President, Vice President, Chairperson, Public Affairs Committee, Chairperson, Financial & General Purposes Committee among others,” he said Muda Yusuf also added that, “Indeed, we are very pleased as Chief Nike Akande, assumes the role of President of the LCCI. As a Council Member and a key

Officer of the Chamber, she has brought her extensive knowledge and experience to bear and has provided inspirational leadership and direction to the success of the Chamber. Her election will ensure and enhance the Chamber’s role

as leading advocate of best business policy and practice, with the view to promoting and protecting the interest of its members and the business community at large.”

Akande is set to be formally

inaugurated as President of the Chamber on Saturday 5th December, 2015 at an Investiture Ceremony billed to hold at the Grand Ball Room of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The Igbe Ife Traditional worshippers at the traditonal worshippers day as part of activities to mark the installation of the new Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi at Enuwa Palace Ife, yesterday. Photo: Shola Oyelese

Foundation tackles Ambode over alleged relegation of Lagosians

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AGOS—SOME prominent indigenes of Lagos State under the aegis of Eko Foundation have expressed dismay about some political appointments and recent sack of some Permanent Secretaries in the state which they alleged was done against the interest of the indigenes of the state.

They, however, advised Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to desist from taking decisions that will continue to maginalise Lagos indigenes, saying that the group will no longer fold their hands and watch its people turn to “second fiddle” in their own state.

Eko Foundation is a Press release signed by its President, Prof Imram Oluwole Smith SAN and the secretary Kunle Uthman said: “The reasons for this palpable fear, apprehension, trepidation and ill-feelings are founded on the most recent sack and dismissal of indigenes in the Lagos State civil and public services; appointment of non indigenes as Chief-of-Staff and Commissioners; retirement of Permanent Secretaries who are

Indigenes without any reasons given for truncating their careers; dissolution of duly constituted Commissions and Boards, which tenures were still subsisting; appointment of a non indigene as acting Vice Chancellor of the La-

gos State University, LASU, etc.

“That the present Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor is an indigene of Ekiti State, thereby making it impossible for prominent Lagosians to have access to their government and

NIMASA ex-boss, others granted strigent bail conditions

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By InnocentAnaba

AGOS—THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, arraigned former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, alongside nine others before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos over allegation of theft of N3.4billion.

Akpobolokemi was arraigned alongside Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Felix BobNabena, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, Governor Juan, Ugo Fredrick, Timi Alari and two companies, Al-Kenzo Limited and Peniel Engineering Services Limited.

They were accused of conspiring among themselves to convert N3.4billion belonging to NIMASA. Trial judge in the matter is Justice Saliu Saidu.

After their pleas, Akpobolokemi’s lawyer, Dr Joseph Nwobike, SAN and other defence counsel said they had bail applications.

Justice Saidu granted Akpobolokemi bail for N100 million with two sureties in like sum.

One of the sureties must be his relative and must own a landed property in the highbrow Lekki, Ikoyi or Victoria Island, the judge ruled.

acting as a clog in interface with the Governor. There is no State in Nigeria that will tolerate this anomaly and indulgence, which the indigenes consider very frustrating. Is it to be assumed that no indigene of Lagos State can occupy this extremely sensitive position?”

“The fact of the cosmopolitan nature of our State and large heartedness as a race are no justifications whatsoever to relegate us to “second fiddle” in our State. When push comes to shove, the non indigenes have a back up, while we, the indigenes have no other place to navigate to but remain in that geographical enclave, which is our state of origin."

“Politically, more than ever before, we have several non indigenes representing our state in the House of Representatives and indeed in the State House of Assembly. Prominent positions in the Lagos State Civil Service are occupied by our brothers and sisters in neighbouring states, based on well orchestrated illmotivated foresights of their predecessors.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015—11

Fayose’s claim to budget transparency fraudulent —Ekiti APC

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

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HE All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State has reacted to the press statement by Governor Ayodele Fayose’s media aide, Idowu Adelusi, claiming credit for Governor Fayose for the budget transparency award by the Civil Resource Development Documentation Centre, CIRDDOC, a civil society organisation that tracks budget planning and implementation among state governments across the nation last year.

Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said in a statement that it was regrettable that Governor Fayose was fraudulently laying claim to the feat achieved by his predecessor, former Governor Kayode Fayemi.

He said Fayose was abusing the tenet of what CIRDDOC sought to achieve in its transparency test, noting that what the governor did was nothing but a fraud on the organisation and Nigerians in general.

He said: “We are shocked that Fayose has taken his fraudulent practice beyond the corners of his government to defraud other organisations carrying out what would have helped to check fraud in the country.

“Let us thank God that CIRDDOC stated clearly in its report that it obtained its data between July and December 2014. The result was the outcome of budget planning and implementation for 2014. Fayose did not prepare that budget.

“The budget for the period between July and December 2014 was prepared by Fayemi who ran the budget from January till October 2014 before Fayose took over as governor.

“Fayemi visited all the 177 towns and villages in 2013 to seek people’s inputs into the 2014 budget. It was the people who chose the projects they wanted in the budget and Fayemi did it faithfully. The result is what CIRDDOC

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DO EKITI— GOVERNOR Ayo Fayose yesterday settled the protracted crisis over the new tax regime with members of the tipper owners in the state, this was just as he set new prices for sand and gravel.

The new price of a load of sand, now stands at N14,500 from N12,000, while the new approved price for gravel is N28,000 from the initial N25,000.

At a truce meeting convened by security chiefs in the state and Chief Afe Babalola(SAN), Governor Fayose also accepted that tipper owners should pay N500 per trip as against the initial fee of N1,000 with effect from January 2, 2016.

Tipper owners had rejected the initial fee of N1,000 per trip, a position that pit them against the government, which culminated in a ban on C M Y K

Wants AGF, to prosecute Ekiti poll fraud Also, the APC in Ekiti State has called on the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to prosecute suspects in the June 21, 2014 governorship election fraud in Ekiti State as captured in an audio tape secretly recorded by Captain Sagir Koli.

The party stated that its latest

action was informed by failure of the office of the Minister of Justice to act on its earlier petition of February 13, 2015 demanding probe into the audio tape detailing acts of treason by some PDP leaders in collaboration with some military officers to cause a change of government in Ekit State through means other than as prescribed by the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

Osun monarchs may boycott Ooni Ogunwusi’s coronation if... We've invited all Osun monarchs —Odunlade

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO—THE newly elected chairman of Osun State Council of Obas, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, has said that traditional rulers in the state may boycott Monday ’s coronation and presentation of staff of office ceremony of the new Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwus, unless they receive formal invitation letter from the central planning committee of the event.

Briefing newsmen after its meeting in Osogbo yesterday, where he was adopted as the substantive chairman of the council, Oba Aromolaran stated that members of the

Ekiti tipper owners settle with Fayose

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

released to the public praising Ekiti State for budget transparency and we wonder why a man noted for direct opposite of what Fayemi is noted for is now the one claiming credit for Fayemi’s achievement.”

He expressed surprise at the eulogy of Fayose by Chief Afe Babalola, saying he expected the respected elder statesman to give honour to whom it is due instead of endorsing a behaviour that was clearly a fraud.

excavation of sand in any part of the state, with effect from December 2, 2015.

The meeting was at the instance of Chief Afe Babalola(SAN), Director of State Services, Mr Duke Fubara and the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Etop James.

Fayose, at the meeting, said that all tipper owners in the state must register their vehicles and get a new state number, threatening that whoever flouts the law would pay a sum of N50,000.

His words: “For the fact that I love you and that power belongs to the masses and with the intervention of our revered leader, Chief Babalola and security chiefs, I will accept this proposal. But my position has been that you must pay a sum of N1,000 per trip.

“I want us to come to reality that Ekiti is in dire need of money."

council would only shift their position if they are accorded their due recognition.

He said: “If we are invited with invitation cards or letters, we will go there after consulting with the governor.

As at the time we concluded the meeting of Osun Council of Obas today (Thursday), we have not received any invitation from Ile-Ife about Monday ’s coronation. We don’t go to where we have not been invited.”

According to him, “Today, we held a meeting of Council of Obas in Osun. During our discussion, we deliberated on the chairmanship of the council. Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun moved the motion that since I have been acting as the chairman, I should continue in that capacity as the substantive

chairman and other monarchs supported the motion.

“I have been acting as chairman of the council even when late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, was alive. I usually presided over the meetings in his palace because of his old age.”

While promising not to disappoint all the traditional rulers who stood by him, the monarch said: “Now that Osun Obas have unanimously adopted me as their substantive chairman, I would work for the growth of Osun State and also collaborate with Governor Rauf Aregbesola in moving the state forward socially and economically.”

However, when asked what would be the status of the new Ooni of Ife now that he (Aromolaran) had been adopted as the substantive

chairman of the Osun Council of Obas, he said: “Only the Obas can answer that question because they made me their chairman.”

But, reacting to the claims that Osun traditional rulers have not been invited to the Ooni’s coronation, the chairman, media and publicity of Ooni coronation planning committee, Hon Biyi Odunlade, said the central planning committee had already sent out invitations to all the traditional rulers in Osun State.

He said: “I can tell you authoritatively that we have sent out invitation letters individually to all the monarchs in Osun State. We believe that they are one in unity, but we have to treat them individually with respect and that is why we sent the invitation card individually.”

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015

Rivers gov poll: A-Court reserves judgement in Wike’s suit

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA—THE Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, yesterday, reserved judgment in the appeal by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.

Wike, the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is praying the appellate court to set-aside the verdict of the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which nullified the outcome of the April 11 governorship poll that brought him to power.

Respondents in the appeal are the All Progressives Congress, APC, its governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the PDP. The matter was reserved for judgement after all parties adopted their final written addresses, yesterday.

Wike is praying the appellate court to upturn the judgement that was delivered against him by the Justice Ambrosa Suleiman-led tribunal on October 24, saying it was “perverse and legally defective.”

In the appeal by his counsel, Mr. Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, Wike formulated 26 grounds he said the appellate court should consider in determining whether or not the verdict of the tribunal was anchored on the weight of evidence laid before it, as well as on sound interpretation of the

Constitution and the Electoral Act. Wike told the appellate court that he was dissatisfied with the entire judgement of the lower tribunal.

He also wants the appellate court to “strike out or dismiss the election petition filed on May 3, 2015, by Mr. Peterside and the APC as petitioners at the tribunal.“ Among other grounds, Wike argued that the tribunal erred in law when it relied on hear-

say and inadmissible evidence to nullify his election.

He insisted that the finding and conclusion of the tribunal was not supported by evidence before the court.

According to him, “The Governorship Election Tribunal for Rivers State erred in law when it refused to follow the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Kakih vs PDP (2014) 5-NWLR which was duly cited to it to the effect that a

party who makes non-voting or misconduct of an election the pivot of his case must call at least one disenfranchised voter from each of the polling booths or units or stations in the constituency.”

Governor Wike also appealed on the ground that the tribunal nullified his election on the basis of Card Reader accreditation, even though the Electoral Act recognised manual accreditation.

RETREAT: From left, Deputy Director, Banking and Payment System Dept, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Jimoh Musa; Commissioner for Finance, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Akan Okon; Chairman, Committee of E-Banking Industry Heads (CeBIH), Mr. Tunde Kuponiyi, and Executive Director, North Bank and Retail Directorate, Wema Bank Plc, Mr. Moruf Oseni, at the annual retreat of CeBIH with theme, Mobile Payments for Financial Inclusion, held yesterday at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Ayade leads African govs to Climate Change summit in Paris

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ROSS River State governor, Mr Ben Ayade, is to lead a delegation of governors from Africa to the ongoing Climate Change Summit holding in Paris, France.

The African governors will meet with their counterparts from around the world and mayors under the auspices of the governors’ Climate and Forest, GCF, Task Force as subnational leaders to share information on how to reduce Green House Gas emissions while creating economic opportunities at the same time.

Ayade is also the only African governor listed to speak at the summit by the United Nations Secretariat for Climate Change.

Other governors listed to speak at the event are: Jerry Brown-California; Tiao Viana – Acre, Premier Christy Clark – British Columbia, Aristoteles Sandoval – Jalisco and Governor of Washington, Mr. Jay Inslee.

Mayor Gregor Robertson of Vancouver, Mayor Libby Schaaf of Oakland and Governor Manuel Gambini of Ucayali, Peru are also expected to deliver papers at the summit.

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The three-day event, starting from December 7, “brings together governors and mayors, who are adopting ambitions GCF reduction targets and creating economic opportunities by doing so,” a statement by the Climate Change secretariat stated.

Ayade is a professor of

Environmental Science, whose doctoral research work on Climate Change won him about 6.5million Japanese Yen from the Japanese Government.

The governor also invented the sewage treatment system, which is being used off-shore by oil producing companies in

Nigeria.

The climate change secretariat describes Cross River as “The GCF pioneer member in Africa, with a rich history of working to preserve Nigeria’s tropical forest and an important platform for further engagement of GCF in Africa.”

Urhobo to honour Okagbare, Keffy, others

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By Godwin Oghre

APELE—THE Urhobo nation will on Saturday honour ace sprinter, Blessing Okagbare, with the Member of Council of Representatives of Urhoboland, MCRU, at its 2015 annual Urhobo National Day/ Carnival, holding at the ultramodern Urhobo Cultural Centre, Uvwiamuge, Agbarho, in Delta State.

In a statement, President General of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, the umbrella body of the Urhobo people at home and in Diaspora, Chief Joe Omene, said that the sprinter will be honoured for making her home proud in the area of sports, where she has greatly excelled in recent times, adding, “She

could, from the moment of the honour, add the acronym of “UP,,” which means, Urhobo Patriot, to her name.”

The statement said other Urhobos to be so honoured include (posthumously) the late singer, Keffy, also known as “Branama,” for her exceptional performance in making Urobo

proud, while alive, in the field of music, immediate past deputy governor of the state, Prof Amos Utuama, SAN, as well as Prof.

D. G. Dara, for respecting the wish of the Urhobo at the 2015 governorship and for representing the Urhobos at the past national conference respectively.

Okowa makes case for internal democracy in PDP

By Festus Ahon

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SABA—GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, yesterday, expressed confidence that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will take its pride of place in the nation’s polity with the strengthening of its internal democracy.

Okowa, in Asaba at the Delta State PDP stakeholders meeting with the theme, Strengthening of the PDP For Improved Performance in Delta State, said the era where party leadership revolved round individuals was over in PDP. The governor, who got a vote of confidence from members of the party, said: “I will continue to counsel and push for internal democracy to stay because it was that process that threw me up and made it possible for me to emerge and gave me the acceptability level that made it possible for us to win convincingly in Delta State. This will start with the process that will take us to the election of those who will run our various wards and local government party committees.

“We must find ways of helping fund the party even in the face of very challenging times and without actually becoming the leader of the party. When people call me the leader of the party, I do not believe it because, I am just Mr. Governor. The party belongs to a collective leadership, there is no one person that can claim leadership of any party. At the ward level, the local government, the state level and even at the national level, there must be collective leadership if the party is to grow.

“The fact that commissioners, House of Assembly members, council chairmen and others fund the party at the ward and local government levels, which you expect them to do, does not accord them the role of the leader of the party where they must continue to dictate to others."

Delta sets up c'ttee to identify undeveloped plots in Asaba

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ELTA State Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Development, Sir Dan Okenyi, has set up a committee to identify undeveloped plots of land allocated to individuals and organisations in the core area of Asaba, Delta State.

The committee which is

headed by Mr. Alex Eboka, will identify plots that are yet to be developed by their owners two years or more after they were allocated.

According to a statement, yesterday, the exercise was necessitated by the prevalence of undeveloped plots of land some of which were allocated

for upwards of five years and duly issued with Certificates of Occupancy.

While setting up the committee which will be inaugurated next week, Okenyi noted that some of the beneficiaries were engaging in land speculation without any intention to develop the property.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015 — 13

Peace must reign in Bayelsa —Etete

By Onozure Dania

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ORMER Minister of Petroleum, Chief Dan Etete, has urged all parties in the forth coming governorship election in Bayelsa State to allow peace to reign during and after the poll, saying that only through peace can development be brought to the oil-rich state.

In a statement, yesterday, Etete urged the people to accept whatever result that comes from the election and urged all Bayelsans to join hands with whoever wins to develop the state.

He said: “Since July 2015, when the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, announced the time table for the governorship election in Bayelsa State and fixed it for December 5, a lot of water has passed under the bridge. Politicians across the divide, in order to drum up support for themselves, have done everything under the sun, including intimidation and threat, to make their position clear to the people.

“In recent times, some organisations have even gone to the extent of threatening President Muhammadu Buhari over the elections. A militant organisation even went as far as admonishing President Buhari not to engage election riggers in the governorship election as such vicious and surreptitious antics shall not only be vehemently

resisted, but may also lead to waking the sleeping dog from sleep. They also called on the United Nations and, indeed, the international community, to bear them witness as they are not unaware of the planned use of federal might to intimidate the people of Bayelsa State in favour of their chosen candidate.

“May I say, with every sense of responsibility, that such threats have no place in a democracy.

There is enough room for

everyone if only we can agree that all of us cannot rule at the same time. The founding fathers of this state, of which I am privileged to be one, have lofty dreams for the people and the state since its creation in 1997.

“Almost 20 years after, I am happy with the achievements of this great state. I am particularly happy that within its short existence, Bayelsa can, with pride, compare to other federating units in Nigeria in

terms of human and material development. I am grateful to the Almighty that the first President from the South-South zone hails from Bayelsa State.

“Gradually, the Ijaw nation is beginning to enjoy a pride of place in Nigeria. We can only go higher at the rate at which we are developing provided we do not use our hands to destroy what the founding fathers have toiled very hard to build."

INSPECTION: From left: HRH Greg Akenzua, Enogie of Evbuobanosa, Pro-Chancellor, Ambrose Alli University; Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and Mr Daniel Inneh, at the inspection of the reclamation of Queen Ede gully erosion site in Benin City, by the Benin Forum, yesterday.

Bayelsa poll: Security beef up in Yenagoa

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA —SECURITY has been beefed up in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, and

its environs as tension mounts ahead of tomorrow’s governorship election in the state.

Part of the 14,000 policemen

deployed in the state, drawn from 10 commands across the country, have started arriving.

They are to be backed by

Family of Edo robbery victim demands speedy investigation

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—FAMILY of late Pere Leonard Ogei, a nephew of Dr. Ehiogie WestIdahosa, a senatorial aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State, who was allegedly killed by armed robbers on the eve of the 2014 senatorial primaries of the party, has appealed to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, to order the speedy conclusion of investigations into the case.

It will be recalled that the late Ogei was killed on Aikhionbare Street, Benin, on December 3, 2014 about 120 metres from his residence on his way from the bank where he had gone to withdraw money for the senatorial primaries.

The family, in a petition to the IG through the legal firm of West Idahosa and Co, accused the police of deliberately stalling investigations by the Homicide

Department of the Force Criminal Investigations Department, FICD, because of the alleged involvement of a serving police officer in the case.

The petition, by Dr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa, a former member of the House of Representatives, made available to newsmen in Benin, yesterday, appealed to the IG to direct the arraignment of the three suspected robbers for the offence of murder and armed robbery before a competent court of law.

The family also called for the removal of one Supol Richard from the investigating team as it doubts his impartiality and had lost confidence in his headship of the team.

They accused the police officer of leaving them in the dark under the pretext that he was working for the police and as such was not obliged to brief them periodically on the state of investigation just as they said that they have been told that an

interim report has been submitted to the Commissioner of Police in charge of Homicide, Mike Ogbodu, by the Supol Richard team.

“The said report has been lying idle on his table for over six weeks,” he said, adding that the family has been worried that since the arrest of a serving police officer, investigations had been stalled despite the huge resources put by them to support the process since December 3, 2014.

three aerial surveillance helicopters for operational efficiency.

This is beside the nine gunboats to be deployed in the waterways by the Joint Task Force code named Operation Pulo Shield to police the rivers and creeks during the election.

Also, security operatives have been drafted to protect the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, at the Swali suburb of the state capital.

Security operatives were also sighted along the road leading to the commission’s office conducting stop and search on vehicles heading and coming out of the area.

TMG deploys 325 observers for Bayelsa poll

By Emem Idio

Y

ENAGOA—THE Transition Monitoring Group, TMG, is to deploy a total of 325 observers for tomorrow’s governorship poll in Bayelsa State.

Out of this number, 300 will serve as stationary observers while 25 will move as observers across the eight local government areas of the state.

Chairman of TMG, Ibraim Zikirullahi, who disclosed this in Yenagoa, yesterday, also noted that as part of its observation efforts, it would conduct what it called a Quick Count, described as the gold standard for citizen election.

According to Zikirullahi, Quick Count is an advanced observation methodology that employs a well-established statistical principle and utilizes sophisticated information technologies, stating that the observers have been well trained and accredited for the process.

Shutdown of Warri hotel: Staff lock out bank, NSCDC officials

By Egufe Yafugborhi

W

ARRI—ROLES were reversed, yesterday, as men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, were locked out by management and staff at Wellington Hotels, Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State, which had been shut since September over a contentious loan deal.

The staff and management were at the hotel to resume operations after a counter order by a Federal High Court in Lagos vacated the earlier order by same court upon which the NSCDC evicted guests and sealed the hotel at the prompting of a bank which granted the contentious N2.5 billion loan to Joma Frozen Foods owned by Chief Godspower Agbonifo, a stakeholder in the hotel.

14—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 , 2015

FUNERAL SERVICE FOR LATE CHIEF SAMUEL OLUFEMI ASEKUN IN LAGOS PHOTOS: BUNMI AZEEZ

From left: Mrs. Aderonke Adebajo, daughter of the deceased, Barr. Femi Asekun, son, Mrs. Adebimpe Badejo, daughter, Mrs. Stella Ajom, and Mr. Solomon Dupe Asekun, brother.

From left: Mrs. Yetunde Animashawun, Mrs. Joy Oluremi Asekun (widow), and Mr. Oladapo Adeniran, during the funeral service for late Chief Samuel Olufemi Edobo Asekun, at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, yesterday.

From left: Dr. Christopher Kolade, former Nigerian Am- Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju bassador to the United Kingdom, his wife, Beatrice and Mrs. (retd), former Minister of Communication and Mrs. Yemisi Olanrewaju.

Adejumoke Bako at the event.

Chief Ernest Shonekan, former Head of the Interim National Government and his wife, Margaret on the occasion.

11 years after, Senate urges Buhari to reintroduce toll gates •Decries state of federal roads •Urges FG to make provision for road construction, maintenance in 2016 budget •Summons ICRC

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

A

BUJA— THE Senate, yesterday, asked President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency reintroduce toll gates on the nation’s highways to create a financial pool through which bad roads could be maintained and rehabilitated.

The Senate also called for the introduction of weigh bridges to help protect the roads as well as discourage the over usage of the highways that were constructed for ferrying heavy vehicles and trucks.

Also yesterday, the Senate mandated the Federal Government to make provisions for repair of major highways in the 2016 budget against the backdrop that the state of existing roads were deplorable and would need urgent Federal Government’s intervention. The resolutions were sequel to the adoption of recommendations of Senator Barnabas Gemade led adhoc committee on works which investigated the total collapse of federal roads in Nigeria and prevalent gully erosion sites.

The senate also summoned the Management of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to brief the lawmakers on the Federal Government concession programme and the PublicPrivate Partnership’s (PPP) arrangement on roads. The call for toll gates to resurface on the

S-South forum meets

S

OUTH South F o r u m , Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGA, Lagos State holds its end of year party at Abukuru primary school, Ajegunle, December 5.

A statement by Comrade C. Sedie said the keynote address would be delivered

by Hon Paul Ovie while Chief E.A. Azaka is chairman/ chief host.

nation’s highways was coming eleven years after former President Olusegun Obasanjo disbanded toll gates along major federal highways in the country.

It would be recalled that Obasanjo had in 2004 ordered the dismantling of toll gates across the country, citing loss of revenue to government and poor maintenance of the roads. The

Senate also called for investment in Rail, Air and Water ways to act as alternatives to road transport and to decrease traffic on the roads for longer lifespan as well as the construction of concrete roads instead of laterite roads in some parts of the country especially in areas not suitable for Bituminous pavement.

Senators in their contributions, supported the position of the ad-hoc

committee report and called on Nigerians to contribute their quota to national development by supporting the reintroduction of toll gate and concessioning of some major federal roads.

In his contribution, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, PDP, Imo East said, “When they came to Imo State, the team will agree that a state of emergency would have been declared on the roads. In Lagos State, some roads have been tolled and monies realized from them are used to maintain the roads. The Federal Government should begin to think in that direction.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015—15

By Anayo Okoli, Vincent Ujumadu, Festus Ahon, Nwabueze Okonkwo, Ugochukwu Alaribe, Chimaobi Nwaiwu & Omeiza Ajayi

O

BIAFRA: Markets, schools, banks remain shut in Onitsha •Soldiers, mobile policemen take over streets, conduct

N I T S H A — FOLLOWING the three-week long protests embarked upon by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, over continued incarceration of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu which led to the alleged killing of its members by members of Joint Military Task Force, markets, banks and schools in Onitsha and its environs remained closed, yesterday, in apparent solidarity with the protesters.

The Building Materials International Market at Ogidi, near Onitsha, New Auto Spare Parts market at Nkpor and other major markets remained closed, just as banks and schools remained under lock and key.

A detachment of stern-looking soldiers and mobile policemen were seen in their numbers standing on the roads and stopping all vehicles, a situation which led to a traffic gridlock from the former toll gate at Ogbunike BURIAL: From left, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, former Governor Chimaraoke to Bridge-head end of the Enugu/ Nnamani, and Dr. Charles Amanze, Clinical Director, Pamo Hospitals, Port-Harcourt, at the burial of Awka/Onitsha express way.

Nnamani's wife.

Meanwhile, a coalition of civil society groups had called for IPOB blames APC

by Nigerian Customs Service faction in MASSOB as allegedly immediate resignation of the Still wallowing in the confusion Onitsha. being speculated by one Uchenna Inspector General of Police, IGP, that followed the killing of nine of He said Nkiruka is from Adazi Madu, he said Mr. Raph Mr. Solomon Arase for his alleged its members, Wednesday, in Nnukwu in Anaocha Local Uwazuruike remained the shoot-at-sight order and roles in Onitsha, the IPOB, also yesterday Government Area of Anambra founder and leader of the group the Onitsha killings of protesting alleged that the All Progressives State, a 200 level student of worldwide, alleging that the said IPOB members.

Congress, APC, was behind the Federal College of Education Uchenna Madu was sacked from crisis that led to shooting to death Technical, Umunze and the only MASSOB since last year for Extra judicial killings of nine people and injuring of daughter of the family. misconduct and his group was the In a press statement released, over 18 people that sustained “Nkiruka was coming from one terrorizing Onitsha. yesterday, and signed by Emeka various degrees of injuries at the Nigerian Customs Service by Amaifeobu expressed Umeagbalasi, the coordinating Niger Bridge Head Onitsha and Asaba Onitsha Enugu confidence that they would principal of the coalition said it other parts of Onitsha and its expressway towards Obodoukwu actualize Biafra without violence was equally important to inform environs.

Road and on hearing gun-shots, and urged the media to reach out that the Nigeria Police Force Spokesman of IPOB in she ran into a restaurant and one to them in any of their offices for under Arase was already under Anambra State, Mr. Emma of the JTF members shot her dead verification of information the jurisdictional watch of the Powerful disclosed this while and was about taking her corpse concerning MASSOB before International Criminal Court as addressing newsmen in Onitsha, away when her family came with going to press. compilation and computation of saying that it was a calculated plan an ambulance and spoke with Insisting the group had offices cases of all police and military by the APC government in the the JTF men who later released in all parts of the Biafra zone, he related extra judicial killings in country which became unsettled the corpse to them.” held that MASSOB under the the country were steadily in with their peaceful and nonHowever, the police from leadership of Uwazuruike was progress, adding, “for failing to violent protests in South East, and Anambra State had denied any committed to the Biafra struggle. heed our warning of 13th had been looking for a way to killing by the JTF through the November 2015, we will be glad provoke violence in their protests Police Public Relations Officer in Meeting of North, S/E to ensure that IGP Arase and his to justify the continued detention the state, Mr. Ali Okechukwu. monarchs named sub-commanders are and incarceration of their leader, However, at the IPOB’s media handcuffed and flown to The Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

MASSOB disassociates self briefing, Mr. Powerful dismissed Hague for the purpose of making Meanwhile, the Movement for the meeting said to have been them face international trial for The victims the Actualization of Sovereign held on the directive of the Sultan crimes against humanity.”

The IPOB spokesman gave the State of Biafra, MASSOB, of Sokoto with Governor Rochas According to the coalition: “We names of some of the IPOB yesterday, dissociated itself from Okorocha as host and some South call on the IPOB and its teeming members that were shot dead, the violence being perpetrated by East traditional rulers in followers to remain peaceful, non- Wednesday, morning as Chima IPOB, which had resulted in the attendance as meeting of APC violent and law-abiding at all Onoh, from Enugu state, Kenneth killings and destruction of members, adding that some South times, not minding the violence Ogadinma from Abia State, Angus property.

East traditional rulers must have recently visited and unleashed on Chikwado and Felicia Egwuatu Speaking to newsmen in Asaba, been disappointed with the them. from Anambra State, including zonal leader of MASSOB in outcome of the meeting.

"They must also watch their another, he said they got Delta North, Mr. Chinedu “How can anybody be holding back and be extremely vigilant so information was killed in Idemili Amaifeobu, said MASSOB was a meeting concerning IPOB, as to ward off sustained efforts of side of Anambra State late not a violent group and MASSOB and issue of Biafra in some commissioned elements Wednesday evening. condemned the acts of violence Imo State instead of Enugu State within the Federal Government, He also said that the JTF killed being perpetrated by the IPOB. or Anambra State, the home of our particularly its security a young lady that was later Amaifeobu said: “MASSOB is spiritual leader Dim establishments and stooges within identified as Nkiruka and tried to not in support of the killings and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu the South East Governors Forum take her corpse away. destruction of property. We are Ojukwu without any IPOB and to implant elements of violence An eye witness, who took some not against any group in Igbo MASSOB member, even one into their fold so as to destroy their photographs told Vanguard that land but would not support killing person from the groups being globally -approved method of non- he was in his office watching as of innocent people and present. violence and peaceful means of JTF men were shooting destruction of property. “ "We therefore maintain that it agitation. sporadically at Obodoukwu Road Disclosing that there was no was an APC meeting and its C M Y K

stop-and-search on motorists •IPOB blames APC for death of 9, names victims •MASSOB dissociates self, factions trade blames

outcome does not have any binding on IPOB or MASSOB,” he said.

Call for dialogue Speaking further, the IPOB spokesman berated the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, for reading a riot act to armless, defenseless and nonviolent IPOB and MASSOB members when he should be apologizing and sympathizing with the families of the people his men and their JTF counterpart killed during their indiscriminate shooting of protesting people.

“We are demanding that IGP Arase should resign voluntarily or be removed by Buhari if he is not using him to do a hatchet job.

He is not a competent and intelligent police officer, let alone being IGP, or he should have consoled the bereaved families whether it was his men that did it or not.

"Every killing that happened, Wednesday, constitutionally falls on the Police, because they invited the Army and the Navy to help them because of their incompetence.“ The APC government through their youths had been looking for a way to destroy our peaceful protests, but they could not see.

They bribed market leaders to accuse us of shutting the markets and breaking into stores and shops and that did not work. They now decided to send their youths to start making bonfire on the roads in Onitsha and other parts of the state to disrupt economic, social and commercial activities in the state and give an impression that we are violent.

“This was after they had ordered the Joint Military Task Force to shoot five of our members, who were observing our three days ‘Sit at the Niger Head Bridge’ protest as directed by our leaders to press home our demand for the release of Mr. Kanu. Yet, we did not react.

“We are demanding for the release of our leader and the actualization of the sovereign state of Biafra. We are determined to have Biafra and detention of Mr. Kanu and other members of IPOB and MASSOB will not deter us. Since the end of the civil war, we have not been treated as part of Nigeria and now, we want to go and nobody will stop us because we have exhausted our patience in Nigeria,” he said.

Appeal for peace Calling for calm, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, the Ogirishi Igbo has appealed to IPOB and MASSOB to maintain the peace that they had been known for even in the face of the killing of their members and the attack by the APC-sponsored youths in the state.

Ezeonwuka urged the youths to keep calm as their anger had been established. “ I want them to know that IPOB, known for peaceful protest is being infiltrated by criminals sponsored by politicians from inside and outside the state to involve in violent activities to destroy their name."

16—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015

Group emerges for 2017 Anambra gov poll

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—AHEAD of the 2017 Anambra State governorship election, a group made up of politicians and nonpoliticians have formed the Anambra Solidarity Movement, ASM, to identify the right candidate and campaign for his or her election during the polls.

The association, which has a notable politician in the state, Chief Austin Ndigwe as its national coordinator, is to be launched in all the 21 local government areas and all the 326 wards at a later date.

Ndigwe said during the inauguration of the state executive committee of the

movement at Oba in Idemili North Local Government Area, yesterday, that the movement would target about 120,000 members across the state whose duty would be to canvass for votes for the approved candidate, insisting that ASM did not have the interest of any political party or candidate in mind for now.

He said that the founders of the movement were worried that those elected as governor often forgot their campaign promises once they moved into the Government House, only to remember the electorate during another election.

Ndigwe said: “Our promise is that whoever that will be the next governor of Anambra State must visit all the wards to see what the

people are going through.

"The reason we want to start early is to give all those interested in vying for governorship the opportunity to realize that they should not under-rate the grassroots people as the era of

dumping voters after election was over.

“We will no longer tolerate a situation whereby people will work for somebody to emerge as governor only for that person to forget those who put him into

office.

"It is the grassroots people that make any political party and a candidate popular. We will no longer accept a situation where the governor only comes back to give people sachet water and pittance."

Okorocha replies Ihedioha Stories By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—IMO State Government has expressed reservations at the way the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, rushed to the media to attack Governor Rochas Okorocha over what he claimed to have read about the governor

earmarking N600 million for decorations.

The government’s stand was made public through a press statement signed the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo.

“On our part, we feel for Chief Ihedioha, that, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and a member of

that House for 12 years, could rush to the media to attack the governor over what he claimed to have read about the governor earmarking N600million for decorations, and not that the governor has spent the amount on the issue. And he could not also disclose the source of the report for it to be believed”, Onwuemeodo stated.

While saying that the only time Chief Ihedioha can be read on the pages of newspapers is whenever he attacks the governor, Onwuemeodo also challenged Chief Ihedioha and his PDP people to catalogue and publish their achievements for the 12 years they governed the state and let Governor Okorocha publish his own achievements for the period he has held sway.

“We also challenge Chief Ihedioha to tell Imo people why the Owerri-Port Harcourt road, Aba-Owerri road, Umuahia-Owerri road could not be finished when he was number seven citizen in the country as the Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives.

Let him also publish the list of NDDC projects for the state and the contractors,” Onwuemeodo said.

...effigy destroyed

T

HE GROWING antiRochas Okorocha sentiments in Imo State, has taken a new twist, as his effigy that was installed in his Ideato South country home was destroyed by unknown persons.

The statue, which depicted Governor Rochas Okorocha on a horse back was mounted at the Ogboko Junction, along the Orlu-Urualla federal highway, as the frenzy over his gubernatorial success was at its peak.

Vanguard, who rushed to the scene of the destruction, on getting wind of the news, noticed that the effigy had been brought down and damaged beyond redemption.

Although the state government and its functionaries have remained silent over the destroyed governor’s effigy, no individual or group has however claimed responsibility for the destruction.

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015 —17

Lousy Naija LGAs

I

DIVIDE my time between Nigeria and the UK and I am based in a small rented house in South London when I am abroad. And I never cease to marvel at the ENORMOUS difference between local government authorities here and there.

In the UK, vulnerable people or those with very limited incomes (students and the hospitalised, for example) are completely exempted from council tax or given discounts. And the majority who DO have to pay the tax in full don’t pay much.

In return for a modest monthly payment, my local council provides me and ALL of its other residents (including those who don’t pay a dime or pay less than the full amount of tax) with a staggering range of free or heavily subsidised (and very cheap) services beyond basics like public housing and rubbish collection:

Language classes Libraries and parks galore, unlimited access to online publications all over the world, language classes for immigrants or refugees who can’t speak English, literacy and maths classes for Britishborn adults who somehow missed out on good educations in their youths; adventure playgrounds for children, substantial back-up for frail and lonely pensioners, concrete help for the disabled, counselling for the distressed, lots of vocational and leisurerelated evening courses – such as dance, jewellery design, information technology and so on - for anyone who is interested… …and numerous other golden opportunities, civilized facilities and philanthropic support systems that are too numerous to mention in a one-page newspaper column.

And as if all of the above C M Y K

wasn’t enough of an effort, my local council regularly sends every household an excellent little magazine that it compiles every few weeks...in which we are told how the tax the council receives is being spent and how we can reach our local councilors if we want to address any concerns to them.

The magazine also encourages us to express our opinions about anything and everything…by writing to the council or participating in surveys.

Waste management

plus a document full of tips about how she could minimise the risk of further vermin incursions in future.

My sister, Lela, is the Deputy Chief Executive of another local council on the other side of London; and I know how hard and sincerely she works to ensure that the inhabitants of her area get the best possible deal, despite budgetary constraints.

And the LGA she helps to run is even more of a pleasure to live in than mine is.

The question I keep asking myself is this: When will the average Nigerian LGA official

be able to look his or her constituents in the eye, confidently justify the funds that have been collected in their name and begin to come anywhere near providing the above levels of care, competence, sophistication and transparency?

There are 774 local government areas in Nigeria; and most of them are shamefully impoverished disaster zones in which there is no discernible development activity.

There are, of course, always exceptions to every rule.

For example, Victor Giadom, a onetime Chairman of my home LGA (Gokana in Ogoniland, Rivers State) made genuine attempts to do useful things for our people when he was in charge.

Gaggle of ailing villages And nobody can transform a gaggle of ailing villages into thriving oases of rural affluence in only four years.

But Giadom often excitedly discussed his plans with me.

And his heart was definitely in the right place.

Other exceptions exist – voluntarily or by force. I’m told that there are a handful of well-intentioned and fairly efficient LGA chairmen in

other places…as well as a few locations that are full of retired professionals who make it their business to bully their local councillors, make sure they do their jobs (things like sinking boreholes) and compel them to account for every single naira that comes their way.

But Nigeria still has a LONG way to go in this regard. And the norm is blatant theft and chronic negligence. And I wonder what we can do to turn the tide.

I guess that we will finally start to make serious progress on this front when Governors stop handing key local government slots to idiotic and corrupt cronies Donald Duke, a former Governor of Cross River State, once told me that he reckoned the best way forward would be for high-calibre individuals who have plenty of cosmopolitan exposure and advanced ideas - and normally aspire to prestigious state and Federal Government positions - to shift their focus to the local government arena and take pride in becoming effective within that context.

I think that Duke was right.

What do YOU think? The opinions of Vanguard readers will be warmly welcomed.

In the latest edition of the magazine, readers were asked whether there are any new courses they feel the council should start up and whether we think the council should increase its commitment to the recycling aspect of waste management.

The other day, a friend of mine spotted a fox in her garden and called the pest control division of the local council in a panic and received a very sympathetic response on the phone and prompt practical assistance,

*Mark Zuckerberg(r) and his wife, Priscilla Chan

The Facebook heiress There are 774 local government areas in Nigeria; and most of them are shamefully impoverished disaster zones in which there is no discernible development activity

F

ACEBOOK founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan have announced that they will give away 99% of their shares in the company to good causes.

Zuckerberg revealed this information in a letter to his newborn daughter, Max, on his Facebook page. He explained that he and Max’s mother were donating their fortune to a charitable foundation - the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative - to make the world a better place for Max to grow up in…and

promote equality for ALL children.

The donation amounts to $45 bn at Facebook’s current value. And even if Max only winds up with 1% of the shares, she will still have hundreds of millions of dollars at her disposal. So it’s not like she’s going to have a life of toil and suffering!

Still, given how stingy and don’t-give-a-damn-aboutanyone-else-ish so many billionaires are, you have to admire Max’s parents for being so generously

concerned about Have-Nots.

They are a breath of fresh air and will change many lives.

May God bless them.

Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 OR 0811 675 9752 (texts only).

PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED, WITH YOUR NAMES AND CONTACT DETAILS ATTACHED.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015 AT the inception of this administration,stocks soared as foreign investors looked to President Muhammadu Buhari to reverse decades of economic mismanagement and policy inertia.

At that time, institutional investors brought in billions of dollars that shored up the nation’s foreign reserves and gave the stock market a new lease of life.

But it was a temporary relief for the economy, as every economic agent knows that such funds are treated by monetary authorities as hot money that can flow out at any sign of economic distress unlike direct investment flows. The money that flowed into stocks and bonds is now retreating as growth prospects diminish along with the fall in global crude oil and commodity prices.

It should be a matter for concern to this administration that soon after the initial euphoria, investors are becoming disillusioned. Nigeria’s stock exchange benchmark stock index has plunged 30 per cent since

How to save the stock market reaching a year-high on April 2nd 2015. The performance of the Nigerian Stock Exchange has been described as the third worst globally in the period, after those of Ukraine and Egypt. The stock index had advanced 12.5 per cent in the two days after ex-President Jonathan conceded, before going into steady decline.

The drop could be even higher if the naira is further devalued.

Currently, two major factors are affecting the equities market: the falling price of crude oil, which has about 80 per cent effect on the capital market, and the increasing political

risks of not knowing the direction of public policy. Investors are not so sure that this administration will continue with privatisation. The lack of clear policy direction has made foreign investors develop negative sentiments towards the market.

Many are at a loss with the current monetary policy which has placed restrictions on access to foreign exchange. Nigeria cannot continue to depend on foreign portfolio investors to grow the stock market.

The federal government and capital market regulators must come out with a clear policy on how to develop the local stock market.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) working with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) must encourage retail investors to return to the market. Many Nigerian retail investors who lost huge amounts of money during the global financial meltdown have not returned to the market. To get such retail investors back to the market, the regulators as well as market operators must embark on massive investor education to enable them understand their role, when to buy and when to sell shares.

They must be made aware of the speculative nature of the capital market. It is not dump life savings and expect windfalls like the socalled “miracle banks”. Above all the federal government must focus more on Direct Foreign Investment if it hopes to grow the economy and create jobs for the teeming unemployed Nigerian youth.

OPINION

Will an agency defy Buhari on judicial corruption?

By Akeem Ogunlade

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PPARENTLY miffed by the delay in the dispensation of justice and the corruption that it breeds, President Muhammadu Buhari recently made a case for far-reaching reforms in the country’s judicial system. Such reforms must include the reviews of laws, institutions, processes and procedures that hamper the speedy delivery of justice.

Speaking during the opening session of the All Nigeria Judges Conference in Abuja, the President lamented that Nigeria was fast losing trust and esteem in the eyes of the citizens due to unnecessary delay tactics employed by lawyers, in collusion with some judges, to stall trials, especially high profile corruption cases.

In addition, the President frowned at the unwholesome practice of appealing interlocutory decisions, a practice, he said, encourages unending litigations and miscarriage of justice.

Without making the appropriate reforms, it would be difficult for government to effectively tackle corruption and attract the desired level of investments the country needs for socio-economic development, President Buhari stated.

The President’s admonition readily brings to mind the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, FRCN, an agency under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. The body, which C M Y K

has recently come under heavy scrutiny for unsavoury reasons, is currently challenging, via an interlocutory appeal, the orders of the Federal High Court in Lagos which barred it from interfering in the business or operations of Stanbic IBTC Bank pending the outcome of the suit filed at the Federal High Court by the bank. It is strongly believed that FRCN’s action would potentially prolong the process; keeping stakeholders on edge for as long as the litigation lasts.

FRCN had on October 26 announced the outcome of its investigation of Stanbic IBTC for alleged infractions claimed by minority shareholders of the company, fronting as the Trusted Shareholders Association of Nigeria, TSAN. According to FRCN, there were discrepancies in Stanbic IBTC’s financial statements and general financial reporting for 2013 and 2014. Among sanctions an-

Without making the appropriate reforms, it would be difficult for government to effectively tackle corruption and attract the desired level of investments

nounced by FRCN was a fine of N1 billion on Stanbic IBTC and restatement of the financial reports for 2013 and 2014. As it turned out, FRCN acted without fair hearing from Stanbic IBTC or even consulted the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN even when the rules and regulations stipulated that FRCN can only sue Stanbic IBTC if the latter disagrees with its interpretations.

FRCN clearly lacks the legal powers to impose a penalty on Stanbic IBTC. Nonetheless, Stanbic IBTC denounced what it described as inaccurate allegations against it and the manner FRCN chose to make them was procedurally defective.

Subsequently, Stanbic IBTC challenged FRCN’s action in court, resulting in Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos asking FRCN to stay action pending the final determination of a suit against the agency by Stanbic IBTC Holdings.

Also, the Central Bank of Nigeria, in a report personally signed by its Governor, Godwin Emefiele, punctuated practically every argument advanced by FRCN. In rejecting a request by FRCN to sanction Stanbic IBTC, CBN said it does not see enough grounds to advise or compel Stanbic IBTC to re-issue the statements or comply with the sanctions meted by FRCN. The apex bank said FRCN failed to consult it throughout the process of its investigation, noting that the pronouncements by the FRCN on Stanbic IBTC was not only capable of eroding investor confidence, but also very inimical to financial system sta-

bility. Not satisfied, FRCN fired a response to CBN in which its Executive Secretary, Jim Obazee, revealed details of meetings with the Chief of Staff to the President. The primary objectives of the FRCN, just in case its Executive Secretary has chosen to ignore them, are well spelt-out. These include protecting the investor and stakeholder interest, giving guidance on issues relating to financial reporting and corporate governance, ensure good corporate governance practices, ensuring accuracy and reliability of financial reports and harmonizing activities of relevant professional and regulatory bodies.

Imposing fines and arbitrary sanctions are outside the remit of FRCN; only the law courts are empowered to do so. What makes its current moves very unacceptable is the FRCN’s seeming disregard of the President’s counsel by choosing to pursue interlocutory appeals rather than to wait for the speedy determination of the real issues that are the subject matter of the suit, as promised by Justice Buba. And whose interest does FRCN seek to serve by attempting to destroy an institution that employs thousands of Nigeria and is often cited as a symbol of corporate governance?

As the current administration continues in its efforts to steer the country to safer ground, the least it expects are distractions, moreso from an agency of government, after well-intentioned interventions to calm frayed nerves and restore an ideal environment for businesses to thrive as well as attract the much needed inflow of FDI into the country.

Mr Ogunlade, an economic analyst, wrote from Abuja

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

The EU fox and Turkish tortoise agreement HE European Union, EU, even if it involves genocide like T fox decided that unwanted its 1915-17 attempt to wipe the guests from its watering holes in Armenian species off the earth’s the Middle East were swarming on it. The deer, donkeys, camels and sheep were fleeing from the hunting fires the fox had lit. The fears of the fox include the possibility of the refugees changing its demography forever, polluting its beliefs and introducing their camel-eating culture. Worse still, it fears that some of the hyenas it had cultured to keep the Middle East population in check, might be concealed in the fleeing pack.

Just the other day, some hyenas went loose in Paris, the beautiful city of love.

The fox problem is that it had said it welcomed all, especially the endangered and the persecuted, so it does not want to be seen violating its acclaimed love and defence of animal rights.

It does not want its finger prints in the forceful prevention or caging of those fleeing war, hunger, death and devastation.

This is where the Turkish tortoise comes in. The tortoise has a history of getting the job done

surface. The tortoise has been trying the same method on the Kurdish varieties in its region. It also does not tolerate animal talks like freedom of movement, free speech, moderate beliefs or animal rights. Ordinarily, these are rights that the fox says it holds dear; that all animals are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But when it comes to its faithful allies like the tortoise, the fox does not see these violations; in such cases, it is as blind as a mole.

So when the fox and tortoise met on Sunday November 29, 2015 in Brussels, it was a divine meeting; the former looking for an enforcer to hire, and the latter, ready to do the job provided the price is right.

Rather than reinvent the wheel, the partners adopted the model of the Australian crocodile and the Papau New Guinea lizard. The

crocodile which had swarm through the British Thames to seize a whole continent, did not want other new comers. At first, it was very hard dealing with the refugees, but when criticism became too much, it adopted a new, cheaper and effective system. It turned to the poor lizard, offered it a mouthwatering $450 million to take care of the toxic human waste threatening its shores.

The croc and the lizard on July 19, 2013, signed a Regional Resettlement Arrangement, RRA, under which the croc would round up and divert the asylum seekers to the lizard Manus Island where they will be accorded “dignity and respect” in accordance with international animal rights provisions. With that, 937 new shelter seekers were mercifully taken off the seas and off loaded in the Lombrum Naval Base on the island. Most have been in the concentration camp

The fox agreed to pay tortoise $3.19 billion; what the sly partners could not agree on is whether this money will be annual, biennial or one lump sum

The real change Ndigbo and Biafra need (1)

By Clement Udegbe

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IAFRA is real, and those who wave it away do so to the exposure of their wrong assessment of the situation, and to some extent their ignorance, self-deceit, and or self-denial. Every Igbo man is essentially a Biafran; they fought the 19661970 war and lost, and their region has been suffering under the post-war policies of the Federal Government, the victors in that war. They said that it was “no victor, no vanquished” after the war, Igbos took it and moved on, seeking their survival first, while the victors continued with all they thought was necessary to arrest the development and empowerment of the Igbo Land.They dismantled the information data base of Igbo land, superintended the destruction or deliberate decay of the roads and infrastructure in Igbo land, dismantled the industries and agricultural development programmes of Igbo land, reduced the financial capabilities of the war survivors, redesigned the states boundaries to ensure that Igbo land became land locked, and sowed terrible seeds of discord between Igbos and their neighbors, now known as the South-South states.

Little wonder then that the Second Niger Bridge is a big issue to the victors.

Those who want to have more details should Google the works of Ajie, Ukpabi Asika, the first Governor of East Central State.

Forty-five years after that war, the long effect of the post-war policies are quite manifest in our everyday life. A few examples will help. First, the killing of mainly Igbos and others in the North at the least of provocations from the 1980s continued unabated, till terror entered the North in 2008 and became Boko Haram.

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Igbos were displaced in their thousands, but the Federal Government did nothing to help the internally displaced Igbo people. The late Chief MKO Abiola promised Igbos reparation for the war destructions during his political campaigns in 1993, but unfortunately, all that died with him later that year.

Second, many of Igbo natural neighbours, with cultural links, found it politically and economically expedient to deny their Igbo origin, especially in Rivers State. The Ikwerres have common cultural links with Ndigbo, while Opobo Kingdom has age-long relationship with Igbo land. Names like Amaechi, Nwike, Amadi, Nnochiri, Odili and many more are all Igbo names. The war victors know who they really are and may never take them serious, except as political instruments and pawns.

Third, the Federal Government started the Federal Character policy in order

The shape of Nigeria in the next decade will largely depend on the way this administration handles the issue of Biafra, given the existing challenges of terrorism, Fulani herdsmen and kidnapping

for two years with no option to leave. Also, the refugees cannot be caught outside their pen after dark. The penalty is serious beating. Prisoners are better treated; at lest they have visiting rights, access to lawyers, immunity from beatings and a definite confinement period. One of the inmates, Bentham Satah, a Kurd from Iraq protested: “We are human not animals”. I pity him, because animals have more rights. For instance, cows are free to roam while the average dog in Europe has a home and is well fed; sometimes better fed than the worker.

In adopting the Croc-Lizard format, the fox and tortoise at first thought of titling their agreement, the Cow All Treaty, CAT. But two issues arose: first, they did not want to give the cow unnecessary publicity or make it feel important. Secondly, with the fox being a trickster and the tortoise, cunning, they did not want an additional mix of another sly animal, the cat. So they settled for the title Fox – Tortoise Joint Action Plan, JAP. Like the lie in the Croc-Lizard agreement, the JAP pronounced “Animal dignity is at the core of our common endeavor” and that what they are engaged in is “a spirit of burden sharing”.

The tortoise is to “ensure that migrants are registered and provided with appropriate documents on a compulsory basis” while the fox will swiftly return “migrants who are not in need of international protection to their countries of origin.”

The fox agreed to pay tortoise $3.19 billion. What the sly partners could not agree on is whether

to spread things among the geo-political zones of the country, to promote unity, but the WAEC cut-off mark for admission into universities differ in favor of the victors in the war. An Igbo student must score 75 marks, while his counterpart from Borno, Adamawa, or Sokoto is expected to score 7 marks to enter the same university.

These policies applied also in recruitment into the Federal Civil Service where people are moved from state civil service in the North to a level higher than where they were into the Federal Service to occupy selective posts. Records also show that Igbos constituted 51 percent of the army before that war, but the situation today is different as a result of post-war policies.

These inequalities aimed at holding others back, while the victors in the war continued to move, which were swept under the carpet by Igbos because they simply wanted to survive and overcome the effects and devastations of that war seem to have come to a stage where the youths of Igbo land can no longer take it.

Expectedly, there are among Igbos the cheerleaders, sycophants and praise singers of the Federal Government, and they are the ones who refuse to think and point Ndigbo to the right direction. They put their pockets and ambition first before Igbo land, and are the ones who by their avarice fuelled the wrong notion that everything with the Igbo man is about money. I have stayed long enough in this country to come to the realisation that the Igbo man does not need money more than any other ethnic tribe in Nigeria. Those who killed their colleagues in military coups, wiped out villages and communities for oil money and political power, love money more than the Igbo man, and they abound in most tribes of Nigeria.

While no one is begrudging the victor for enjoying the spoils of war, these deliberate lopsided policies culminated in

this money will be annual, biennial or one lump sum. Not to break up the agreement on such final details, they agreed tentatively that the amount will be “initial”.

The tortoise then made a demand; if it succeeds in warehousing would-be immigrants, especially from Syria and Iraq, and deals with them so severely that they would prefer death in the ISIS hyena kingdom than venturing to cross to fox territory, then the tortoise family should have unfettered access to the 28 fox kingdoms. The fox agreed in principle. Then the former pointed out that it is going to be quite brutal , and would receive severe condemnation for its fascist methods; should the latter not compensate it with the fox membership club it has applied for over the years? The fox promised to accelerate the membership process. These of course, are foxy promises, but who knows what the tortoise carries in its bag of tricks?

The tortoise is ecstatic, the agreement it says is a historic new beginning between it and its fox partner. I am wondering if the fox is not smart enough to know that lots of suffering will be visited on the hapless by the tortoise and that it would not escape condemnation for criminal conspiracy and crimes against animals. Meanwhile, the well fed hyenas are widening their territory in Libya with the reality that more of the hapless will be forced to migrate to fox kingdoms. I think it would be wiser and cheaper to tackle the root causes than offer hefty bribes like the one to the tortoise.

the agitation for Biafra, and heightened under this administration because of the methods of the APC government and the attitude of President Muhammadu Buhari towards Igbos.

The shape of Nigeria in the next decade will largely depend on the way this administration handles the issue of Biafra, given the existing challenges of terrorism, Fulani herdsmen and kidnapping.

Some notable Nigerians have opined that Biafra is dead and buried, but that cannot be correct because the pro-Biafra protests in Nigeria have been taken to foreign lands; some are detained by the Nigerian government over Biafra. If the Igbo youths are given the impression that their cause is dead and buried, it will surely affect their attitude to any reconciliation plans and moves by government.

Some elites are of the opinion that the agitators should be ignored for whatever reasons, but that approach is exactly what led to the spread of the agitations because agitators will continue to speak till they are heard. If MASSOB was engaged by past governments with the intention to address their grievances, IPOB would likely not have emerged.

IPOB in the main, comprises youth who may not have fought the war and are not interested in how the war was executed, but are asking for a better Nigeria where the Igbo nation will not be emasculated through deliberate political arrangements by other ruling ethnicities as a result of that war.

If the civil war has ended, then let it end, and let us carry on as people of one nation with one destiny and equal opportunities.

Time is ripe now for a rethink from all sides. *Mr Udegbe, a lawyer, wrote from Lagos.

20—Vanguard, Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015

Requests galore as law makers engage Lagosians

By Mike Ebonugwo

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T was a sharp but pleasant departure from the norm, especially based on common experience. Indeed, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly certainly took their constituents by surprise with an unprecedented constituency stakeholders meeting on Tuesday November 10, 2015. And more remarkable is the fact that the reason for the meeting obviously appealed to the constituents, who turned up for the programme to witness the fulfilment of a promise made to them.

It would be recalled that the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, had last June during his inaugural speech assured Lagosians that the Assembly would involve them in its activities, especially in having their inputs form part of the 2016 budget. So, the constituency stakeholders meeting was an ideal platform for the law makers to rub minds with the people and to listen with rapt attention as stakeholders across the 40 constituencies requested for schools, roads, hospitals, etc.

Massive publicity Maybe the massive publicity had something to do with it, the designated venues across the 40 states constituencies in the State, including halls, open spaces and car parks, were already jampacked before the 10am take-off of the programme, in spite of the fact that it was a work day.

Indeed, Lagosians from Ikorodu, Epe, Lagos Island, Kosofe, Surulere, etc, trooped out to be counted, a development which inadvertently created traffic control challenges for officials.

This was particularly the case when Speaker Obasa met his people in Agege. Every available space was occupied, while security agents had a hectic time controlling the surging crowd.

The story was the same all over the state as people enthusiastically took their chances to ventilate their feelings. Of course, Obas, chiefs, various unions, traders, community development associations, CDAs, youths, market men and women were not left out; everyone had one thing or the other to say.

In his welcome address, Obasa told stakeholders the meeting was unique as it was first of its C M Y K

kind in the nation’s history, adding that the Lagos Assembly was the first to hold such a meeting simultaneously across all the constituencies under its jurisdiction. He said: “We are collaborating with our constituencies to ensure that the impact of government is felt at all levels and to reinvestigate rapid socio-economic projects, control of traffic, implementation of traffic laws, security and maintenance of Law and order”.

He added that the intention was to oil the wheel of the social contract which the Assembly has with the people, while arguing that the state House of Assembly was constitutionally empowered to make laws for the peace, order and the government of the state “by virtue of 1999 constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria” (as amended).

He also stressed that this could be better appreciated against the backdrop of the fact that the House of Assembly performs other functions, including representation oversight, checks and balances on the Executive and Judiciary and more.

A pleasant fallout of the event is Obasa’s disclosure that Agege would soon be the beneficiary of a flyover bridge at the Pen Cinema area of the constituency. This was immediately received with a resounding ovation as those in attendance applauded the happy news. This was obviously against the backdrop that a flyover at Pen Cinema would certainly alleviate the prevailing traffic confusion caused by riotous commercial activities in the place.

A pleasant fallout of the event is Obasa’s disclosure that Agege would soon be the beneficiary of a flyover bridge at the Pen Cinema area of the constituency; this was immediately received with a resounding ovation

Monarch of Oworoshoki, Oba Bashir Oloruntoyin Saliu, in a handshake with Bayo Oshinowo at Kosofe I constituency meeting.

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa addressing stakeholders in Agege.

The scenario was similar on the Island as the Deputy Speaker, Wasiu Eshinlokun, told stakeholders that the House of Assembly was eager to know the desire of the people for onward transmission to the Executive for implementation.

The lawmaker was joined by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu and All Progressives Congress, APC, leader, Prince Tajuden Olusi. Akiolu could not hide his joy as he commended the Lagos State House of Assembly for giving the people a voice through the initiative.

It was a sentiment shared by Olusi, a veteran politician and leader of the APC in the Lagos Central Senatorial District, who called for more of such rapport between the Assembly and the people.

At Lagos Mainland, the hall was almost filled to bursting point as Oladele Adekanye, aka Lado, engaged his constituents on their expectations. He also used the opportunity to commend

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for embarking on construction of over 100 roads across the State.

For former Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, chief, Mr. Monday Ubani, the Lagos State House Assembly deserves kudos in view of the timeliness, concept and style of the stakeholders meeting. According to him: “ I want to commend the Lagos Assembly for holding this exercise. All we are asking for at UNILAG estate, Isheri Magodo is road construction and provision of street lights”.

Speaking on the exercise, a rights activist, Mr. Michael Okezie, said the Assembly has blazed the trail in participatory democracy. ‘’I want to commend the lawmakers for the initiative because most of the time, we don’t get to have this kind of opportunity to talk to our representatives. That the lawmakers therefore decided to do this on their own shows a clear departure from our past experience. I therefore commend them and hope that other state

legislatures will toe the same line for the benefit of the people.’’

As part of the event, spokesman of the Assembly, Tunde Braimoh who spoke at the Local Government Health Centre hall Mascara, Ketu was to give everybody present a form to fill in their expectations from government, with two senior staff members of the House of Assembly documenting the peoples’ requests.

It was also praise galore for Braimoh as the event was coming to an end with Oba of Ketu, Oba Isiaka Balogun; APC leader in Kosofe, Chief Stephen Oyedele; former chairman, Ikeja branch of the NBA, Mr Monday Ubani and market leaders leading the way.

Market leaders The Lagos State House of Assembly was also commended for bringing about participatory democracy by networking with those who voted them into office.

It was more or less the same experience in all the other constituencies across the state with eulogies flowing freely from those present in appreciation of this novel decision making process.

One of the participants had reason to specially commend Speaker Obasa for the initiative.

“I want to commend the speaker and other members for this initiative. This is a very important exercise in view of its strategic importance to us all as a people,’’ he said.

In his response Obasa said: “As legislators of the State of Excellence, I want to assure Lagosians that we shall continue to do our best in the overall interest of this state at all times, and I am happy we have started”.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015

— 21

LCCI elects Akande as president

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PRODUCT LAUNCH: From left: Joe Mbulu, Transformation Director, Union Bank Plc; Sen. Lekan Balogun, Osi Olubadan of Ibadan; Lola Cardoso, Head Strategy, Union Bank Plc, and Prof. Babatunde Salako, Provost, College of Medicine, UCH Ibadan, at the Unionkorrect product launch and unveiling of Union Bank, UCH and Rank Road branches in Ibadan, Oyo State

Nigeria targets 80% local manufacturing in auto industry N IGERIA plans to raise the por tion of local manufacturing in the automotive industry to 80 percent as the country seeks to cut imports and diversify the economy away from oil, the industry regulator said.

Nigeria currently imports “almost 100 per cent” of vehicles, Luqman Mamudu, Director of policy and planning National Automotive Council, said. Developing manufacturing and assembly plants would create jobs and reduce the $9 billion annual cost of bringing in vehicles and components, he said.

Nigeria plans to assemble 500,000 vehicles per year over the next five years, compared with 10,000 units in 2014, after awarding 36 companies a pro-

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CENTRAL

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195.97 196.47 196.97 POUNDS 292.7456 293.4924 294.2392 FRANC 191.1636 191.6512 192. 1389 EURO 206.7408 207.2682 207.7956 YEN 1.5892 1.5912 1.5953 CFA 0.2979 0.3079 0.3179 WAUA 268.4933 269. 1784 269.8633 RENMINBI 30.6351 30.7137 30.7923 RIYAL 52.2291 52.3623 52.4955 SDR 268.5004 269.1854 270.4989 KRONA 27.7114 27.7821 27.9759

CBN Exchange Rate as at 03/12 /15 C M Y K

thinking,” he said. “If you have to transport your inputs by trucks instead of rail, you won’t be competitive. We have to render the business environment competitive.”

“The Nigeria government is committed to addressing the issue of rail and power,” Mamudu said. The regulator will partner with operators to “develop specialist automotive supply parks to ease set up challenges” for manufacturers, he said.

Nigeria will allow car producers to import two fully-built units at a discount duty of 35 percent for cars and 20 percent for commercial vehicles for every one built locally, according to Mamudu. That compares with the standard 70 percent tariff on imported cars, he said. Equipment used to assemble cars can be imported duty free, he said. Other incentives include a crackdown on vehicle smuggling and tax holidays for producers.

Naira falls on unofficial market on limited dollar sales

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duction license, Mamudu said. Global automakers now building capacity include Japanese companies Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co., Ford Motor Co. of the U.S. and Hyundai Motor Co. of South Korea, as well as local carmakers.

President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged to diversify Nigeria’s oil-dependent economy, which has suffered as crude prices plunged by more than 50 percent since June last year. Economic growth is forecast to drop to 3.2 percent this year from 6.3 percent in 2014, the slowest pace since 1999, according to a Bloomberg survey of economists.

Obstacles to the new auto making targets include a lack of power and rail infrastructure, Ayo Teriba, chief executive officer of Economic Associates Ltd., an advisory firm, said. “It is wishful

AIRA fell 1.22 per cent against the dollar on the unofficial market yesterday after nearly half of bureaux de change operators failed to secure dollars at a central bank sale due to incomplete documentation, traders said.

The currency was quoted at N246 against the dollar on the unofficial market, weaker than N243 the previous day. On the official interbank market the naira, which has been exchanging against the dollar since Febr uar y, traded at 198.97.

About 1,599 bureaux de change agents out of 2,818 operators were denied access to the foreign ex-

change sale yesterday, limiting dollar supply, Aminu Gwadabe, president of Nigeria’s bureau de change association said.

“The bureaux de change operators were denied access to the forex window because of their failure to file documentation backing previous purchases,” said Gwadabe.

The central bank last week asked all bureaux de change operators to submit accounts showing their dollar usage at the start of each week before they can access future sales, a move traders say was aimed at curbing speculation. The unofficial market accounts for less than 5 percent of total dollar trades in Nigeria. The bank sells around $30,000 to each operator every week.

HE Lagos Chamber of Com merce and Industry (LCCI), has elected Chief Dr. Mrs. Nike Akande, CON as President, to steer the ship of the foremost Chamber and take charge of its affairs for the next two years. This followed the expiration of Alhaji Remi Bello’s tenure of office, after he has meritoriously served the Chamber in the same capacity for two years.

Muda Yusuf, Director General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) said: “Akande emerged as President after a duly conducted election at the Chamber’s 127th Annual General Meeting held on Thursday 3rd December, 2015 at the Commerce House, 1 Idowu Taylor Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Chief Dr. Mrs. Nike Akande, CON, a two-time Minister of Industry in Nigeria, is an astute boardroom executive who has served the Chamber previously in various capacities such as Deputy President, Vice President, Chairperson, Public Affairs Committee, Chairperson, Financial &General Purposes Committee among others.”

Muda Yusuf also added that, “Indeed, we are very pleased as Chief Dr. Mrs.

As a council member and a key officer of the chamber, she has brought her extensive knowledge and experience to bear and has provided inspirational leadership and direction to the success of the chamber.

Nike Akande, CON assumes the role of President of the LCCI. As a Council Member and a key Officer of the Chamber, she has brought her extensive knowledge and experience to bear and has provided inspirational leadership and direction to the success of the Chamber. Her election will ensure and enhance the Chamber’s role as leading advocate of best business policy and practice, with the view to promoting and protecting the interest of its members and the business community at large.”

Chief Dr. Mrs. Nike Akande, CON is an Investment Expert and a Harvard trained professional, who sits on the board of many blue chip companies in Nigeria. She is also the first female President of the Harvard Business School Association of Nigeria, the position she held between 2010 and 2012. Akande is an honorary Life Vice President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Chief Dr. Mrs. Nike Akande is set to be formally inaugurated as President of the Chamber on Saturday 5th December, 2015 at an Investiture Ceremony billed to hold at the Grand Ball Room of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015

May & Baker seeks appropriate share pricing

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BRIEFING:From left: Executive Commissioner, Legal and Enforcement, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Sa’Adatu Bello; Director General, SEC, Mounir Gwazor and Director SIS (SEC), Abdul Zubairu at the post Capital Market Committee (CMC) press briefing in Lagos.

SEC achieves 75% compliance on e-dividend registration

By Nkiruka Nnorom

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HE Securities and Ex change Commission (SEC) said that about 75 per cent of shareholders in the Nigerian capital market have enlisted for e-dividend payment through the e-dividend portal recently introduced by the Commission in conjunction with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The Director General of SEC, Mr. Mounir Gwazor, told Vanguard that the Commission has also achieved 90 per cent compliance in the level of share certificates dematerialised in the market to-date, while full dematerialisation is being targeted by the end of the year.

In a bid to curtailed the rising level of unclaimed dividend, which is put at over N60

billion, and facilitate e-dividend (electronic dividend) payment for shareholders, the SEC in conjunction with the CBN, the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) and the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBBS) launched an e-dividend portal, e-Dividend Mandate Management System (eDMMS) to make it easier for shareholders to register for electronic dividend payment.

The portal allows shareholders to upload the e-dividend mandate form as well as register and submit the forms online themselves. The portal enables gathering of shareholders’ data submitted online and once the data are filled in the form, through the NIBSS system, the information will be generated for the purpose of know your customer (KYC). The form is then

Winners emerge in the 2015 NSE essay competition

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ISS Chiamaka Loretta Nwajiaku from the Sacred Heart College, Apapa, Lagos, has won 1st prize in the 2015 NSE Essay Competition for Senior Secondary School Students. She emerged winner ahead of over 4,000 students across the country, winning N500,000 in scholarship fund for university education, N250,000 worth of equity investment and a laptop. She was also honoured with a Closing Gong ceremony. Miss Vivian Aneke of Government Day Secondary School, Gwagwalada, Abuja and Miss Kindness Jehu of All Saints College, Gombe emerged first and second runner up respectively.

Speaking at the awards ceremony in Lagos, the CEO of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar N. Onyema, noted that the Exchange is taking the lead in championing financial literacy and inclusion in Nigeria. “Since

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it began in year 2000, the annu al NSE Essay Competition has inspired over 20,000 young people in over 7,000 secondary schools across Nigeria to showcase what they have learned about financial and capital markets”.

Onyema expressed satisfaction with the number of participants of the 2015 NSE Essay Competition stating that “This year, we have been truly impressed by the quality of entries, pedigree of schools and the diversity in the submissions. We believe that the impact of this initiative is commendable as we continue to record high levels of participation, increased interest and awareness of the dynamics of the stock market”.

Delivering her keynote address, Mrs. Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, Founder, LEAP Africa, said “young people should learn to take responsibility and have a life of service.”

submitted through the shareholder’s bank branch or registrar.

Gwarzo stressed that investors would be able to upload, fill and submit the e-dividend mandate form free of charge during the first three months of the exercise, while service fee of N100 will be applicable thereafter.

“The deadline for people to pay N100 is the next three months. What we did was to engage the CBN that since this is a new initiative; people should be given a breathing space. At the expiration of the three months, whosoever that wants to upload the form will pay a maximum of N100.

“This is aimed at ensuring that people take the exercise serious because if we don’t do that, we will not be taken serious and we will not achieve our e-dividend objective,” he observed.

Allaying fears associated with ease of securing the mandate forms via shareholders’ bank branches, Gwarzo said: “I don’t think there will be any problem because the undertaking we have with the CBN and NIBBS was also endorsed by the Bankers Committee. We have an undertaking that anybody that approaches any bank or registrar should be given the form.

“The CBN has also come up with a circular mandating all banks to key into the initiative. So, there should not be any problem at all,” he said.

He explained that one of the challenges facing the capital market is high cost of transaction, saying that the Commission is looking at ways of reducing cost and hopefully, that would be effected by January, 2016.

AY & Baker Nigeria Plc has called for appropriate pricing of its shares on the secondary market of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) given the company's performance over the years and its potentials in the healthcare sector.

The Managing Director, May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okafor, who made this call said "Our share price is under-valued considering the investment we have made and the financial performance over the last five years."

While briefing the stockbrokers and management of the NSE during a facility tour at its ultra modern factory in Ota, Ogun State, Okafor said: " Our shareholders approved N3.2 billion equity raise in 2013 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and we are considering raising fresh capital to boost our working capital and facilities.

However, we can only raise fund at an appropriate time when our share price would have appreciated reasonably. We don't know why our share price is still low; it may be as a result of our inability to communicate to investors and the stockbrokers what we have been doing. As you can see from this factory, we have spent over N4 billion on pharmacentre. The money was partly borrowed from banks and internally generated and this has affected our working capital."

Continuing, he said "May & Baker has potentials as a strong sub Saharan African brand. A country with huge population of over 188.6 million people; biggest economy in Africa; strong Gross Domestic Product, GDP growth

rate of 6.5 per cent (2014) to four per cent (2016) and vibrant workforce with emerging middle class has a lot to benefit from the success of this our great company."

According to him" Pharma business contributes 70 per cent of our revenue. So, to recapitalise the company would improve our ability to compete in current and planned businesses. The operating environment keep affecting the return on our investment as we spend N400 million annually to provide electricity to power our plants which runs 24 hours on daily basis. Notwithstanding, we hope to fully leverage pharmacentre investment as sub Saharan market is very big. Our future is bright, strong with fundamentals, equity and foundation."

In his remark during the tour, the Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, expressed satisfaction with the level of investment made by the company.

In his words: "I must commend the management and Board of May & Baker for the world class plants and for sustaining the business for over 70 years. We commend you for the diversification of your business and for the long term investment strategy. The low price of your share is affected by the general condition of the Nigerian economy. Be assured that your share price will go up once the economy picks up. This is because the company has good fundamentals, like your Price Earning ratio is a good indicator to show that the company has bright future.

Fidelity Bank donates to school, urges youths to embrace financial literacy

A

S part of its long-standing commitment to support communities where it does business, Fidelity Bank Plc has equipped the Information Communications Technology (ICT) Centre of Government Secondary School, Mabushi, Abuja.

Working under the aegis of the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), one of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) vehicles, staff of Abuja 1 Bank financed the purchase of 10 brand new computers and provided 10 years unlimited internet access to the school. According to the lender, the provision of reliable broadband internet access is the foundation required to convey personalized, digital learning to every child in the country.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Managing Director/ CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc. Nnamdi Okonkwo, said the gesture is strategically aimed at building the capacity of students, particularly on the use of modern ICT tools.

According to the bank hief, the renovation of the ICT Centre is

in fulfillment of the objectives of the Fidelity CSR practice which rests on a tripod: the Environment, Education and Health/Social Welfare.

He noted that Fidelity Bank strives to reinforce robust, healthy community relations by identifying with host communities in activities that are most relevant to them.

“We play a leading role by identifying and seeking viable solutions to the problems of the society like youth empowerment, especially those in our immediate operational environment.”

Okonkwo who was represented by the Regional Bank Head, Abuja 1 Regional Bank, Hassan Imam, explained that the country and humanity will be a better when every citizen, be it corporate or individual plays his role effectively, “We strongly believe in social advocacy; We also believe that we should not sit and wait for government to do it all alone. We have as a result, extended similar projects and initiatives to other states of the federation.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015—23

BRIEFS Guinness harps on reputation, quality Stories by Naomi Uzor

T

*Mrs. Dupe Atoki, Director General, Consumer Protection Council (CPC) middle), CPC Director, Alhaji Aliyu Muhammad (right) and Mr. Obilo Edmund of Independent Service Delivery Monitoring Group (ISDMG) during the presentation of Certificate of Performance to CPC as one of the 2014-2015 Fiscal Year Most Outstanding Public Institutions in Nigeria

by ISDMG, in Abuja.

SON council approves NIS code for motor vehicles Stories by Franklin Alli

T

he governing council of Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, has approved Nigeria Industrial Standards(NIS)codeformaximumroad speed limit for motor vehicles in the country.

The approved NIS 775-Part 1 & Part2(MaximumRoadSpeedLimiters for Motor Vehicles – Part 1: Installed Requirements and Part 2: Specification for System and Component Requirements) were developed by the National Electro technical committee head by Professor Ephraim Aneibona of Novena University, Ogume, Delta State.

It will be was implemented by the Federal Road Safety Commission, effective from the first of April, 2016.

The Director General of SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, who disclosed this in Lagos during a meeting of the Technical Committee for the consideration of NCP 056: 2015

Code of Practice for Installation of Road Vehicle Speed Limiting Device, said: “President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to April 1, 2016 as the approved date for enforcement of the speed limiting policy for commercial vehicles.”

“In as much as the trend is not peculiar to Nigeria, it is noteworthy that a couple of Africa countries have pioneered the implementation of speed limiting policies on the continent and have recorded appreciable reduction in over speeding related road crashes.

“SON, as you know is in the business of improving lives through standards. This has informed SON’s keen interest in the success of the motor Vehicle Speed Limiter Policy in Nigeria as initiated by the Federal Road Safety Corps.

The Chairman of the Technical Committee meeting, Professor

Ephraim Aneibona, said the Committee was giving the draft document its final attention before it is implemented early next year He stated that they have been working on the draft policy for almost two years.

“The policy is for the good of the country. It is something that we believe should be installed because it will cut down the rate of accidents on the roads.”

Engr. Osawe Efosa Peter, Corps Commander Corps Safety Engineering Officer, FRSC, Abuja, added that the Commission is looking at a maximum speed limit of 100km/h for private vehicles on expressway and 90km/h for commercial vehicles on the highway.

According to him, the introduction of speed limits is in line with UN decades of Action which requires that we should halve our crash by 2020 and also the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, which also stipulates we should reduce speed on our roads.

Breweries woo consumers with products benefits

F

ORtwoconsecutiveyearsnow , Nigerian Breweries Plc and its parent’s company Heineken, have been educating people globally and locally for them to know the good things in beer that they are unaware of, and need to know so that they can make an informed decision whether to drink it or not .Globally, there are more than 450 brands of beer; of this 250 are from Heineken brewing plants worldwide and over 20 from Nigerian Breweries.

In Nigeria, Nigerian Breweries alone has raised 105 beer ambassadors or advocates to clear the bad images beer has and to tell its positive sides. At the global level, beer festivals are being held in countries like America, Barcelona, etc.

An investigation by Vanguard reveals that the 105 ambassadors

C M Y K

have been trained and re trained by the brewer at its Beer Academy in Ibadan Brewery Plants between 2014 and 2015.

These ambassadors are media professionals drawn from Health, Industry, Religion,Society,etc.They are using the power of their pen to construct the defense for beer in the mind of existing and prospective consumers.

Global, local scientists, nutritionists and other related experts feed the ambassador with facts about beer which they in turns, weaved into stories for public consumption.

The Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries, Mr. Nicholaas Vervelde, noted that even though beer has been with us for thousands of years, the appreciations of its unique benefits are only beginning to grow.

“The knowledge about the ben-

efits of moderate consumption of beer is multiplying every day with so many empirical research findings from all over the world.

“As I noted last year, beer when consumed in moderation, can be a source of immense pleasure. The company is resolved to telling the rich and positive story of beer is tied with our strong commitment to the promotion of responsible consumption. I call on all consumers to enjoy beer responsibly. As the Heineken Chairman and CEO said recently, it is important to make the point that misuse of alcohol is not cool, Vervelde said.

Mr. Tony Agenmomen, Senior Strategy Manager, Nigerian Breweries, explained that the campaign isnotjustaboutaproductorabrand, rather NB is pioneering the course as the industry leader in Nigeria.

he reputation of our busi ness is more important to us than the financial benefits of our investments,” Those were the words of Guinness Nigeria Plc’s Managing Director, Mr. Peter Ndegwa .

Ndegwa, while reacting to the recent involvement of his company on corporate fines by the Nigerian government, said: “I wanted to reinforce that in this business, Guinness Nigeria had been in this country for as long as this country had been in independent.

“For more than 65 years, we are all about quality, our brands have stood the test of time for those number of 65 years and also we have invested recently about N52 billion to really upgrade our factories both in the brewery side and in the packaging side which you can con-

firm here at Ogba Brewery, and whether you go to the Benin Brewery, Aba Brewery, it is similar.

“If you have minutes you have the opportunity to see one of our warehouses within our brewery where we store our raw materials. You will be able to see our production standards and processes; you will see an example of global standards around quality.

“We take quality seriously because for us, what is important is, the reputation of our business is more important than the financial benefits of our investments. Even though I’m new, two months old in Guinness, I have worked in a number of markets across Diageo and I can say for sure our business here runs at par with any manufacturing concerns around the world- whether it is in South Africa, Kenya which is one of our largest plants.”

NBCC to build N450m plaza Chamber of Nigerian-British Commerce (NBCC) has

officially signed a contract for the construction of its N450 million plaza.

The foundation stone for the Plaza was laid by Governor AkinwumiAmbode of LagosState at the chamber’s secretariat, Lekki Phase 1.

President NBCC, Prince Dapo Adelegan , said when completed, the four-storey edifice will serve

as offices and conference centre for the chamber and ease the daily operations of the chamber and further strengthen its networking capacity within and outside the country.

Adelegan said: “NBCC is committed to providing platforms to simplify business dealings between Nigeria and United Kingdom and we are convinced the plaza will enhance trade relations when completed.”

Kibo products make entry into Nigeria

G

. GLENTOS, a company based in Thessaloniki in Greece has introduced Kibo bullet guarding facilities into the Nigeria market.

In a statement, George Olufemi Ati-John, the company representative in Nigeria, said that Kibo antiballistic cabins is designed for the protection of guards, police and other security personnel who guard buildings, critical infrastructure, military sites, banks oil companies and private individuals, etc.

According to him, the sole aim of the product is to provide its customers ultimate safety and peace of mind and protection to

carry out their duties effectively through delivering impregnable and indestructible state of the heart bullet proof cabins.

“KIBO cabins are tested in both laboratory conditions and live firing demonstrations. The steel and glass used in the manufacturing of our product are tested in NATO registered and approved laboratories to ensure that the materials comply with or exceed the requirements of US National institute of Justice (NIJ).

All KIBO cabins comply with the national institute of justice ballistic standard level is higher,” said in a statement.

Nobel Carpet bags Best Industrial Premises Awards

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ucky Fibres Plc, manufactur ers of Nobel carpets & rugs, has been declared winner of the Best Industrial Premises for 2015

by Manufactures Association of Nigeria (MAN) following the environmental assessment of the factory premises conducted by the association’s environmental committee.

The award was presented to the company during the 48th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of MAN

Ikeja branch.

According to the Chairman, MAN, Ikeja Branch, Prince Oba Okojie, Lucky Fibres was able to meet the requirements and criteria of the association committee and has been awarded the gold medal in recognition of its achievement.

He explained that, adhering to environmental standards set by regulatory bodies was key to the success of manufacturing companies.

24—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015

BAYELSA DECIDES

•Dickson: PDP candidate

•Sylva: APC candidate

BAYELSA: 24 hours to D-Day TWENTY candidates are vying to occupy the Creek Haven, Bayelsa State Government House as contained on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) list.

However, the events of the last one month has shown that the governorship election holding this Saturday is a two horse race between the incumbent Governor Seriake Dickson of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP and Chief Timipre Sylva, a former governor of the state and candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

By Samuel Oyadongha

J

onathan’s political future TOMORROW’s poll is going to be keenly contested as it will also decide the political future and relevance of former President Goodluck Jonathan not only in his homestead Bayelsa but also in the political equation of the country. It is an election many analysts are convinced that the power of incumbency may not count, due to the overwhelming power of the central government.

Jonathan’s political survival, according to observers of unfolding event in the state, will be dependent on the success of his political god son.

Many have argued that in spite of his eight years in the Presidency, the state and his Ogbia kingdom did not benefit from him except for some of his close associates.

Jonathan’s Ogbia kinsmen C M Y K

The rest of the candidates are mere contenders for the big pie on the pages of newspapers, if they ever get mentioned in the newspapers or in the electronic or social media.

Only one candidate would triumph at the end of the poll which has a total of 663,639 registered voters, about 52,000 higher than those who registered to vote in the last general election following the continuous voter registration exercise recently conducted by INEC

known for their bloc vote in every election are presently divided due to what some of them described as the neglect of his home front. “Many now see the election as a payback time not because of Dickson as an individual but because they are angry that the President neglected the state and the Ogbia kingdom.”

anonymity.

Since the tail end of 2005 when he became the governor of Bayelsa by a twist of fate, Jonathan has since then held sway as a major power broker in the state.

Political affairs

Tomorrow’s poll is going to be keenly contested as it will also decide the political future and relevance of former President Goodluck Jonathan not only in his homestead Bayelsa but also in the political equation of the country

To an average PDP supporter in the state, it is unthinkable the thought of defeat of PDP in the governorship poll.

Anything contrary, may spell doom for the status and personality of former President Jonathan.

“Another defeat at the home front will literally signal the end of his domination in the political affairs of the state,” said a concerned Bayelsan who spoke on condition of

•Siasia: PDM candidate Considering his disposition to things of life, Jonathan may not attach much importance to the outcome of the poll and continue with his life but the political precedent it will create is definitely going to cause chain reaction.

Seriake Dickson Some political analysts think the incumbent governor of Bayelsa State is the favourite to clinch the poll in spite of the

strong showings of the APC candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva. The Toru-Orua born Dickson, a former policeman/ lawyer turned politician could best be described as a grassroots man having served as one-time Legal Adviser of the apex Ijaw socio-cultural organisation, the Ijaw National Congress, INC, a position that has helped shaped his thinking and placed him in plum position to champion Ijaw consciousness. Today, the state can boast of its own emblem and insignia like Lagos and Osun among others.

His recent community to community meet the people campaign which took him to all the nooks and crannies of the state has further endeared him to the rural people who constitute the bulk of the voting population. Dickson, during the campaign tour, sometimes passed the night in these

Continues on page 25

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015—25

Continues from page 24 communities. The rural folks saw in him a man they could trust for simply identifying with them during his nearly one month tour as well as having a project to show in most communities visited. But his detractors believe that for almost four years, he has never visited these communities, only to visit the down trodden because he now needs their votes.

Immediately Dickson was sworn in as Governor in 2012 he swung into action with construction work everywhere and by his initial development strides he became a folk hero among the populace and one of his aides nicknamed him the “countryman Governor” .

He claimed to have changed the face of development in the state with infrastructure development in education and roads. But critics of his administration have decried his stringent fiscal policy which according to them has engendered poverty in the land. The argument of his traducers not withstanding, Dickson has repeatedly said his projects will speak for him.

Sylva: Sylva, a former governor and candidate of the All Progressive Congress APC is banking on his popularity among the youths and what he described as his achievements when he held sway from 20072012. The APC candidate has never failed to cite his triple E policy of engagement, empowerment and enforcement which according to him helped restore peace in the state during the hey days of militancy in the Niger Delta.

He also continued with some of the projects inherited like the Tower Hotel which he took from the first floor to the 18th floor where it has remained till date.

Internal roads He also completed the Isaac Boro Park, which he inherited, he started and completed the Koki Diette Memorial Hospital at Opolo and constructed several internal roads most of which are impassable today due to structural defects and lack of maintenance.

But the sore point of administration was the excesses of the state owned security outfit, Operation Famou Tangbe accused of abuse of human rights and alleged extra judicial killings.

Yenagoa: Yenagoa LGA, which host the state capital has the highest number of registered voters for the poll.

Here the PDP and APC can boast of quality and dependable strategists. The victorious party in the council area will most likely be that whose foot soldiers are able to

C M Y K

BAYELSA:

y a D D o t s r u o 24 h

•Jonathan and Buhari: Their influence will be put to test march out more registered voters. The council area has a large mix of non-indigenes who operate private businesses. The non-indigenes may not be moved by the sentiments of patronage that is counting for Sylva.

Interestingly, Yenagoa is made up of several communities where the chiefs and political leaders to a large extent determine the voting pattern in the area in every election.

The senator representing the Central Senatorial District,

Emmanuel Paulker of the PDP is from the council area.

Though Paulker was known to be at loggerhead with the incumbent governor, a development that led to most of his supporters to defect to the APC, it was however gathered that the former President, who is a cousin to the senator had secretly brokered peace between them (Paulker and Dickson) to ward off the looming threat from the APC. The PDP also boasts of young

grassroots’ elements such as the state commissioner for information and orientation, Barrister Esueme Dan-Kikile, who incidentally has remained a committed party member since 1999. He was a one time Youth Leader and the state Publicity Secretary of the party.

He is widely loved by his Atissai kinsmen especially the youths due his generosity and unassuming lifestyle. There is also Sobre Appah, from the Atisaai stock, fondly called the ‘godfather or Adedibu of Yenagoa’ due to his vast

Personalities that may swing the votes

I

T would be an epic battle for votes in the eight local government areas of the state where the foot soldiers and leaders of the rival parties will have to bring to bear their popularity and adroitness in securing votes for their principals.

Interestingly, the Bayelsa Central Senatorial District has the highest number of registered voters totalling 300,352. A breakdown of the figure in the zone shows that South Ijaw local government has 120,827 and Yenagoa LGA 139,777 while KolokumaOpokuma has 39, 748.

Southern Ijaw council area is a known flash point during elections. The area was also known for hosting the highest number of militant camps at the height of militancy in the Niger Delta.

Whichever party can dominant the vote cast in the central district is likely to win in terms of votes. Both the PDP and APC have array of personalities in the zone.

The PDP assault team include among others, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Benson Kombowei from Korokrosei community, the chairman of the council area, Elder Remember Ogbe from the Amassoma flank another big community and home town of the first civilian governor of the state, late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, a staunched supporter of Governor Dickson.

There is also Chief Patrick Osunu fondly called “Patos” by his admirers, a former chairman of the council area and very influential figure from Otuan clan. There are also pockets of

ex militant leaders from the area who command respect among their community folks.

The APC on the other hand has Elder Wilberforce Igiri, running mate to Timipre Sylva.

Though a reserved and an unassuming retired school principal from Forupa on the Atlantic of the council area, his choice as running mate to Sylva will no doubt swing the votes in favour of his party in the area. The biggest asset of the APC in the area is its chairman, Chief Tiwe Orunimighe, a former chairman of the council, whom many had thought would be picked as running mate to Sylva. The party also boasts of large number of ex militants who command the respects of the youths in their various communities as loyal members.

experience as a grassroots mobiliser. Barrister Osom Makbere, the PDP Publicity Secretary from the Epie axis of Yenagoa is another influential voice in his area who many of the youths love and look up to as their role model. The PDP also has Hon Bob Mcmannuel of the State House of Assembly and several other political aides of the state governor who have been mandated to deliver their respective units.

The APC on the other hand has former Speaker and Acting Governor, Werinipre Seibarugu to swing the votes in the Ekpetiama axis of Yenagoa in favour of the APC. There is also, Chief Diekive Ikiogha, a former Chief of Staff, Government House who played a major role in the emergence of Dickson as governor of the state before they fell apart. Ikiogha has the resources to swing the votes in his Kpansia area in favour of the APC. There also Chief Godsknow Powell who can help divide the Agudama-Epie votes in the direction of the APC. Kolokuma-Opokuma LGA 39, 748 votes: KolokumaOpokuma LGA is the smallest council area in the central senatorial district and the state.

In spite of its small size and population, the area boasts of some political bigwigs such as former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Mr. Timi Alaibe of the APC.

Mega rally His appearance at the APC mega rally last Tuesday and the underground politicking of many other APC faithful in the area may swing the vote in the direction of the party. There is also Indutimi Komonibo, a former commissioner for science and technology and manpower development who resigned his appointment to pitch tent with the APC. But the PDP on its part is confident that the projects executed by the governor like the new Boro town, burial of the remains of late Major Isaac Adaka Boro at the Heroes Park in Yenagoa after it was exhumed from the Ikoyi cemetery in Lagos, 34years after his death, the Youth Development Centre and the Sports Academy at Asoama and the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp among others would swing the votes in its favour in the area regarded as the cradle of Ijaw and Niger Delta struggle.

The party also has dependable politicians like the member representing YenagoaKolokuma-Opokuma Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Douye Diri, the council chairman, Gbaranbiri Iselema and Hon Continues on page 26

26— VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015

BAYELSA: Continues from page 25 Tonye Isenah of the State House of Assembly to count on.

Bayelsa West – 171,016 registered voters: The west senatorial district of the state which is made up Ekeremor and Sagbama council areas is the senatorial district of the incumbent governor, Dickson and the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.

Ekeremor LGA - 83,774 Registered Voters: Ekeremor LGA which has 83,774 registered voters is another area that is prone to election violence. It is not surprising given that the area has an array of political juggernauts with Senator Lokpobiri among the most prominent.

Lokpobiri, a dogged fighter was the pioneer Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly who is expected to lead other APC chieftains to outwit the likes of PDP stalwarts including the Director-General of the Restoration Campaign Organisation of Governor Dickson, Hon. Fred Agbedi who is the current member representing SagbamaEkeremor federal constituency in the House of Representatives.

Agbedi will also be assisted by the likes of Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi, a Prince of Aleibiri kingdom and former Deputy Governor of the State and former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Boyelayefa Debekeme.

Influence in the council Dr. Rachael Dickson, the wife of the governor, is also from the council area. They are expected to act as check on Lokpobiri’s influence in the council area and split the votes.

Sagbama LGA – 87,242 votes: This is the home council of the state Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson and it has 87,242 votes for grabs making it the third highest populated local government area in the state. It was the council area where the rival APC flagged off its governorship campaign, an event that attracted a huge crowd of supporters.

Political observers have argued that the struggle to secure appreciable votes is dependent on the hard work of the APC stalwarts in the council.

Dickson will be assisted by most of his retinue of aides from the council area including the three members of the State House of Assembly and the Deputy Chief of Staff. Also in the governor ’s camp is the Senator representing Bayelsa

24 hours to D-Day Past governorship contests

•Alamieyeseigha

•Jonathan

•Sylva

•Dickson

S

•Yakubu, INEC Chairman: Faces another litmust test West Senatorial district, Senator Foster Ogola and Chief Ayakeme Whisky another formidable grassroots politician.

On the other hand, the APC has in its fold the former Speaker and Acting Governor, Nestor Binabo, the former Chairman of the council and member of the APC Board of Trustee, Perez Peretu, former Secretary to the State Government, Ambassador Felix Oboro, an experienced grassroots politician, former member representing Sagbama-Ekeremor federal constituency Dr. Stella Dorgu and others.

BAYELSA EAST Nembe/ Brass/Ogbia: The three councils in the Bayelsa East

Political observers have argued that the struggle to secure appreciable votes is dependent on the hard work of the APC stalwarts in the council

Senatorial district with a voting population of 192,271 have formidable gladiators including the state’s Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd) and the APC flag bearer, Chief Timipre Sylva. Former President Goodluck Jonathan is also from the senatorial district.

John Jonah will be assisted by the likes of former Senator Barigha Nimi-Amange, a master strategist and grassroots politician from Nembe, James Jephthah (Nembe), Senator. Ben Murray Bruce (Brass), the Acting Chairman of the PDP Serena Dokubo- Spiff, the Director of Media and Publicity of Dickson’s campaign team, Hon. Jonathan Obuebite and Sylva’s former campaign field marshal, Chief George Fente.

There is also Senator Inatimi Rufus-Spiff and Bemo Spiff.

The APC candidate, Timipre Sylva also has a formidable team including the only APC member in the State Assembly, Hon. Sunny Igoli and the Deputy Director General of his campaign team, Lionel Jonathan-Omo. The party is however banking on the fact that since its candidate Sylva is from Okpoama on the Brass island the people would rally together to vote for him as a son of the area.

INCE the return to civil rule in 1999 the PDP has been the dominant party in the predominantly riverine state. It was the contention of analysts that if the 1999 election had held simultaneously in the state like the rest of the country, the APP candidate, Chief Francis Doukpola would have won the poll given the latter’s popularity.

But the Kaiama declaration and its attendant youth restiveness led to the postponement of election, a development that worked in favour of the PDP. When the election was eventually conducted the PDP had captured the centre and the other South South states, and for a young state starting from the scratch, it was reliably gathered that the elders and elite resolved that it was in the best interest of the state to align with the centre, a development said to have swung the pendulum in favour of the PDP candidate, late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha who had picked the then unknown Dr. Jonathan as his running mate.

Since then the state had been a PDP fortress as winning the party primary is as good as clinching the poll.

In 2003, Alamieyeseigha of the PDP again triumphed at the governorship after surviving the Timi Alaibe scare at the party primary. He however did not complete his tenure as he was impeached in a controversial circumstance by the state house of assembly over alleged gross misconduct.

It was yet another bandwagon effect in the 2007 when Sylva accidentally got the party ticket having emerged a distant second at the party primary with a paltry 34 votes and went on to win the governorship poll following the elevation of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan who had earlier won the ticket as Vice Presidential candidate of the party.

However Sylva’s ambition of seeking re-election in 2012 despite winning the party primary earlier conducted was truncated following a complex

power play allegedly orchestrated by former President Jonathan.

Dickson, with the backing of the former President won the party ticket and coasted home to victory at the poll.

The scenario is however different this time as the PDP is for first time is facing a formidable challenge from the opposition party at home which incidentally controls the centre, a twist of fate that has bolster Sylva’s confidence and that of his supporters that there is a silver lining in the sky for their party.

Alamieyeseigha (1999 to 2005) as the first civilian governor of the state though had his own short comings, he laid the foundation of modern Bayelsa which his predecessors have built upon. Most of the projects in Yenagoa, the state capital like the dualisation of the MbiamaYenagoa road, the 500 bed hospital, reclamation of the vast stretch of land now hosting the Peace Park, the Judiciary complex among others were done by his administration.

Goodluck Jonathan (2005 to 2007) held sway for eighteen months as governor following the impeachment of Alamieyeseigha. He built on most of the projects started by his erstwhile boss and also initiated his own projects before he was elevated as Vice Presidential candidate thereby paving the way for Timipre Sylva.

Timipre Sylva (2007 to 2012)

Sylva continued with some of the projects inherited like the Tower Hotel which he took from the first floor to the 18th floor, he also completed the Isaac Boro Park, which inherited, the Koki Diette Memorial Hospital and several internal roads among others. But the sore point of administration was the excess of the state owned security outfit Operation Famou Tangbe accused of alleged extra judicial killings.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015—27

candidates Audu and Wada are from the area and hence the strong battle and intrigues that led to the disproportionate cancellation of the votes in the area.

Of the 49,989 votes at stake, Kogi East still boasts of 37,980 votes, representing approximately 76 percent of the votes. With Wada remaining the only hope of the East retaining power, it would not be surprising if he clears almost all the votes in the area.

However, with just about 25,000 of the 37,980 registered voters having Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, Wada’s ability to narrow the 41,000 gap between him and the late Audu is much limited.

Even more, voter turnout among the 25,000 PVC holders may not be more than 60% giving him a maximum of about 15,000 votes.

It is this projection that may have compelled Wada and the PDP to favour the court action of having INEC declare him winner on the basis of the fact he is the candidate with the highest number of votes among the living candidates.

Going by the acrimony which greeted the choice of Bello, pundits are not giving him much chance to pull strings in the zone.

•Bello: APC candidate

•Idris: PDP candidate

KOGI: How Bello, Wada 'll share 49,989 votes ALL eyes are on today’s pronouncement of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on the outcome of penultimate Saturday’s governorship election in Kogi State. How the court rules would determine whether or not tomorrow’s scheduled supplementary election to conclude the November 21 governorship election go ahead.

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By Kingsley Fanwo

HE Kogi governorship election has not been short of drama, intrigues and constitutional logjam. The drama of the impending loss by an incumbent governor, Capt. Idris Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP was overshadowed by the controversial death of the leading candidate in the governorship election, Prince Abubakar Audu of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Audu was believed to have died before the election results were announced but news of the death was not made public until shortly after the election was declared inconclusive.

However, the timing of Audu’s death was believed to have been politicized as family sources claimed the late politician died in the early hours of Sunday, November 22, 2015. Analysts believed his death was hidden to ensure the election became “inconclusive” and give a section of the country some political mileage for substitution.

The Independent National Electoral Commission wouldn’t accept such insinuations, as it claimed elections in the affected areas were legitimately cancelled.

With the dust surrounding the replacement of the late Prince

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Abubakar Audu settling, attention is gradually shifting to the supplementary poll which will be held across 91 polling units in

19 Local Government Areas of the state. Only Mopamuro and Yagba East Local Government Areas would not be having a rerun. The supplementary election will feature the 22 political parties and their candidates which participated in the main election of November 21, with the only exception being Alh. Yahaya Bello, who is the new candidate of the APC. As expected, the contest will be

a direct battle between Bello of the APC and Wada of the PDP. How they Stand KOGI EAST – 37,980 Though Kogi East senatorial zone has just about half of the total number of registered voters in the state, the zone, however, more than two-thirds of the cancelled votes came from the area. The reason is mainly because the two major

KOGI SENATE SEATS:

Uncommon appeal judgments THE election petition case against the three senators from Kogi State came to the last bus-stop last Wednesday. In a common case of failure of the APC Senators to subject themselves to party primaries before election, two of the senators had their elections nullified and their party barred from the rerun, while Senator Dino Melaye smiled away with the dismissal of the case against him.

While the case against Senator

By Kingsley Fanwo Dino Melaye, Kogi West was disHE Court of Appeal, Abuja missed at the lower tribunal, the Division was the cynosure duo of Mohammed Ohiare and of many political stakeholders Abdulrahman Abubakar had suffrom Kogi State last Wednesday, fered defeats at the lower tribuDecember 2, 2015. It was the day nal.

With the prevailing breeze of the court gave judgment on all the three appeals on the Senate unease, the December 2 judgments were expected to decide contests in Kogi State.

All three APC senators who the fate of all three embattled were declared winners of the elec- Senators. The election that protion by the Independent National duced Sen. Abdulrahman (RailElectoral Commission, INEC way) of Kogi East was finally nulhad been dragged to the tribu- lified and another election was nal on the common ground that ordered by the Appeal Court the party did not conduct prima- within 90 days. Remarkably, APC ries prior to the 2015 general was disqualified from contesting elections as against the grains of the bye election as its candidate ab initio was improperly nomithe law.

T

nated. The same judgment was delivered between Sen. Ohiare and Hon. Ogembe of the PDP. Coming to Kogi West, the tides changed. The breeze around the ocean suddenly turned hot as Melaye was declared to have been the winner of the Kogi West contest, a situation that has puzzled political pundits and judicial record keepers.

The decision of the Court of Appeal to nullify the election of the two other senators elected on the same basis has now raised focus on the judgments.

The Dino escape is, however, not the only one. It is on record that a number of House of Assembly members who won elections on the platform of the APC had their elections nullified by the Election Tribunals in Lokoja.

Some of the APC legislators who scaled the Lokoja hurdles are currently facing the heat at the Appellate Tribunal in Abuja over the same issue.

Kogi Central Kogi Central with 4,619 votes outstanding is expected to be mopped up by Bello being his stronghold. He hails from Agassa in Okene Township. Kogi Central is expected to do what is known as “solidarity ballot” in political circles to ensure power shifts to the central. The APC is highly favoured to win convincingly here. Kogi West will be as unpredictable as it has always been, politically, since the Second Republic. The 7,390 votes expected here, representing 15 percent of the total number of supplementary votes, may split.

While many will vote in favour of power shift, others are bitter that Faleke, an Okun man was denied of clinching the ticket of the APC. Faleke was the running mate of the late Prince Abubakar Audu.

His decision to drag the party to court as well as his refusal to be running mate to Yahaya Bello may have political implications for the APC in Kogi West. But if a threat by the PDP to boycott the poll is anything to go by, INEC may have no choice than to go ahead with the election.

However, it is unlikely that the APC will lose the election. The party needs only 5000 votes from the available 49,989 to triumph.

Except the unusual happens, Bello may be sworn in as the next governor of the state on January 27, 2016.

There is no doubt that the PDP will pursue the case in the courts and tribunal to ensure that its candidate, Idris Wada is declared winner of the election. The Kogi poll will dominate the political space for a long hug.

28—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015

I am excited returning on TFAA stage — Darey

Ikubese opens up on what inspired his pet project

By Anozie Egole

R

••as D’banj, Diamond Platnumz headline Sunday’s show

*Bonang Matheba

By Benjamin Njoku

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WARD-winning RnB superstar,Dare ArtAlade alongside South Africa’s media personality, Bonang Matheba are bound to be the cynosure of attraction as Africa’s biggest youth event, The Future Awards Africa,TFAA, holds this Sunday, in Lagos.

The organizers during the week, named the two celebrities as hosts for this year ’s edition of the awards ceremony. The event holds at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. It will be headlined by two of the

*Dare Art-Alade continent’s Dare superstars, ArtDiamond Aa lde Platnumz a n d D’banj.

B o t h artistes are alumni of the awards D’banj was Young Person of the Year 2007, while Diamond won the Prize in Entertainment 2014.

The hosts, according to the

organizers, represent the best of young Africans from across the continent, and will be presenting the th 10 year celebrations of TFAA in grand style. Darey returns as a host after first hosting in 2009.

Darey just released his 4th studio album ‘#Naked’, highlighting a career at the

Banky W closes Facebook account E

ME record boss, Banky W during the week issued a fraud alert to his fans, informing them that he’s no longer active on Facebook.

The RnB singer revealed that he’s only active on Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat. In recent times, many Nigerian stars including Yemi Alade, Psquare, Reekado Banks, Flavour among others have all issued similar warnings and scam alerts.

According to Banky W, ‘I am only on Instagram (@BankyWellington), twitter (@BankyW) and snap chat (@BankyWellington). I’m no longer on Facebook. Any FB account asking you for money for anything is completely fake and a fraud,” he warned.

Not long ago, actress Stella Damasus closed all her Facebook accounts following the activities of impersonators who were busy swindling suspecting fans of their hard earned money through the accounts.

According to her, she preferred to shut down the accounts, than for her fans to be cheated.

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top of song w r i t i n g , performing, running a music label and hosting West Africa’s most prestigious events.

“The Future Awards Africa is Africa’s biggest youth event because consistently for 10 years they have celebrated efforts of youths across the continent,” Darey said, adding “It’s an honour to be part of this landmark celebrations, and I am excited to be back on the TFAA stage!”

“I am excited to be coming to Nigeria for The Future Awards Africa,” said Matheba, who is also the first international brand ambassador for Revlon. “This is an exceptional platform telling Africa’s story in a unique, impactful way. Young Africans see these nominees and winners and have been inspired over the past 10 years to to act right, to get involved and to live their dreams to the fullest.”

eigning Mr. Nigeria 2014 and Shuga act, Emmanuel Ikubese has explained the idea behind the setting up of pet project, Respect A Woman, (RAW), saying it was due to his desire to promote a violence-free society.

Ikubese recently launched the pet project under his foundation,Emmanuel Ikubese Foundation.

According to him, the project is a domestic violence awareness against women in the society.

He said, “My vision is to see men make this pledge to Respect A Woman and apply them in their relationships.

For Women in such violent Relationships its high time they Run Away from this deadly act. Project R.A.W’s goal is to inform victims that they are not alone and that it’s never too late for them to take a stand against this injustice”.

On how he conceived the idea, Ikubese said, “It started while I was in the university. I had a lot of female friends and I saw their pains. Every time, they would complain to me how they were beaten up by their boy friends and I do visit them often to counsel them. I just taught about that and I told myself that if there is any societal ill I would like to tackle, it would be domestic violence.”

Speaking further, Mr. Nigeria said, the passion to embark on this campaign was also fuelled after he worked with MTV on SHUGA which created awareness o n domestic violence.

*Emmanuel Ikubese

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015—29

A night of soulful music as Bez storms Kazbah

Hilarious ‘LAPD African Cops’ hits cinema A

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MOOTH 98.1FM has set itself apart as the best curators of contemporary African sounds as it organizes a concert t a g g e d #AnightAtTheKazbah’ featuring multiinstrumentalist, singersongwriter and composer, Bez, Ruby Gyang, Kunle Ayo and Brymo.

Sponsored by Guaranty Trust Bank, the concert is billed to hold on Saturday, December 12.

According to the organizer, “Kasbah” is originally a word used to describe a part of a city, a fortress of sorts where you can find all types of things, and from this concept “The Kazbah” of Smooth98.1 was born. This is a cultural experience of Music from across Nigeria, Africa and the world, which makes ANightAtTheKazbah the next

step in t h e evolutionary chain of how you experience the music and Culture of Africa and the world.

“The experience you get on the Kazbah is global, but it is also very personal, bringing you closer to special people and their stories. Every month, the Kazbah is at the vanguard of the station’s amazing array of programs in shining the spotlight on a

special artiste, whose music is championed across all shows, building up to the highlight of an in-depth interview on the Kazbah at the end of the month. And the artistes performing at this special fusion of authentic Nigerian sounds concert are no exception.”

I want to make career in music — Honey K

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IS real name is Anthony Ekpo; but friends and fans call him Honey K in recognition of his nightingale like voice. And in appreciation of that singular honour, he has adopted it (Honey K) as his stage name.

This, in a nutshell, is the opening stanza of the story of this young musician who is striving to climb his way up the very competitive global music industry. And as a mark of hard work and perseverance, Honey K has, all in his own, been able to churn out some songs with

which he is bound to exhale given the depth of creativity he has deployed into them.

“Yes, my name is Anthony Ekpo but I decided to use the name, Honey K as my stage name. Some of the people who have listened to my music say that I have a sweet voice, some say that I have a honey voice, so I decided to go for the name Honey. And I just added the K to it. I think the name has been catching on,” he said when asked to tell the story behind the name.

The young man whose music has some African flavour and deep lyrics was quick to disclose that he is a total musician because he can also sing Hiphop and reggae dancehall.

According to him, he ventured into the world of music in 2012; although, he knew all his life that he could sing. It never occurred to him that he can make a living as a musician until 2012 when he put some money together and stepped into the studio to record some of his songs, one of which is in his native Annang dialect of the people of Akwa Ibom State where Senate Minority Leader and

Former Governor of the state, Obong Godswill Akpabio, hails from and which he boasted will blow the mind of any Annang man or woman when it is finally released.

Now in the studio perfecting the songs that will appear in his single and also editing his video, Honey K said that paucity of funds have been his greatest challenge.

HOLLYWOODNollywood film, LAPD African Cops, has extended the frontiers of comedy in both climes. A production of The Atuma Brothers International Company (TABIC), LAPD is a hilarious comedy based on a stereotypical behavioural reality.

It is a story of two Africans who came to the United States of America and joined the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).

They were commissioned and deployed to the streets of Los Angeles, but rather than employ the LAPD rules and regulations to judge the American streets; they decided to rule the streets using African culture, norms and values.

Shot in the United States and distributed in West Africa

by Silverbird F i l m Distribution, LAPD African Cops will premiere at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria I s l a n d , Lagos, today, while it would hit the cinemas across the country the same day.

Produced by Dr. Oscar Atuma and Pascal Atuma, co-

produced by Ime Etuk and written and directed by Pascal Atuma, the film reflects the cultural differences between the Americans and AfricanAmericans. It tends to close the gap between AfricanAmericans and Africans, giving hope that the chains of the past will someday be broken, and humanity will see each other as one.

LAPD African Cops parades Hollywood and Nollywood stars including Vanessa Bell Calloway (Eddie Murphy ’s Coming To America), Luenell (Borat), Dorien Wilson (The Parkers), Brian Hooks (Eve’s Show), Mari Morrow (One Life To Live), Jaszmin Lewis (Barbershop), a n d Tr i n a Mcgee (Friday After N e x t with Ice Cube).

Others are Bless Brown V e r a ( S e x y Boy In America), Tonya Lee Williams (Young & Restless), C a r y n Wa r d - R o s s ( T h e Game), and Pascal and Oscar Atuma (My American Nurse and Okoto the Messenger).

Sean Tizzle excites students at Etisalat career counselling day

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T was a wonderful time for the hundreds of students who attended the recently held 14th session Career Counselling Day hosted by Etisalat Nigeria, as they were treated to live thrilling performances by Nigerian-born afro-pop act, Sean Tizzle.

The ‘Sho lee’ crooner, clad

in white top and black jean pant, was an instant hit with the students who could not hide their excitement at coming face-to-face with him and sought to touch him. They demonstrated this by singing along as he performed several songs from his works including his debut single “Sho Lee” which has enjoyed

*Sean Tizzle entertaining the students at the event

massive play time on radio and TV since it was released in 2013.

Sean Tizzle’s soaring popularity appears to have broken the age barrier and now resonates with the elderly as some of those in attendance at the event also joined the students in the excitement.

It was not however, all fun for the students as Sean Tizzle real name Morihanfen Oluwaseun Oluwabamidele, took out time to task the students on reaching the utmost height of their potentials. He enjoined them to strive to recognise their strengths and work hard at maximizing such.

In a related development, Etisalat has reiterated its commitment to national development using sustainable CSR platforms such as health, environment and education which he described as very key.

30—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015

Yudala achieves first drone delivery in Nigeria

By Prince Osuagwu

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OR composite online and offline retail chain, Yudala, there is no better way to launch into the season of wonders than with a wonder of their own. The company achieved another first with the drone delivery of the first order placed for its Black Friday sales which ran from Thursday November 26th till Monday November 30th, 2015.

S

Lumia smart phone The order for the item, a Nokia Lumia smart phone was placed

by Yetunde Lawal, a staff of Access Bank Plc. who was shopping on the Yudala website for the first time.

The drone took off from the headquarters of Yudala at Redemption Crescent, Gbagada loaded with the product to the amazement and delight of onlookers and camera crew from various media organizations who gathered to monitor the progress

of the drone all the way to the Access Bank branch along the Gbagada-Oshodi Expressway where it was alighted in front of the bank.

A staff of Yudala was on hand to process the invoice for the order and hand over the phone to an obviously elated Yetunde who chose the payment on delivery option.

“I am extremely delighted and indeed short of words to explain

how I feel to be the first person to receive an item via drone delivery in Nigeria, all thanks to Yudala. This is an innovative concept in the evolution of e-commerce in the country which I am sure other competitors will want to copy.

“Yudala has met and exceeded my expectations and I can only encourage all my colleagues, friends and family to shop and shop Yudala,” she enthused.

Since its entry into the market a little over four months ago, Yudala has expanded the retail space with several innovative campaigns including the Neighbour to Neighbour Mega Deals, Gyming with the Stars and October MidDay Madness, among others through which it has delivered on its mandate of providing genuine products and services to its consumers.

Double convenience with LG’s dual door-in-door fridge

By Laju Iren And Richard Udofia

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LECTRONICS’ lovers all over the world are still in awe of LG’s novel Door-inDoor refrigerators but the company does not seem to be resting on its oars as it launched the first Dual Door-in-Door refrigerator.

The Dual Door-in-Door makes use of LG’s award-winning door-inside-refrigerator-door concept, doubling convenience over its single Door-in-Door counterparts. Powered by LG’s Inverter Linear Compressor, the refrigerator is energy efficient, runs quietly, and will be a durable, long-lasting addition to any kitchen.

Long lasting addition The refrigerator’s Door-in-Door design reduces the amount of cold air that escapes by up to 47 percent. With the addition of a second independent Door-inDoor compartment, cold air loss is further reduced. This means that foods stored in the refrigerator ’s door compartments remains fresh for longer periods of time.

“Understanding consumer needs is at the forefront of our minds when we create new LG products,” said Hyunwoo Jung, General Manager, Home Appliances division, LG Electronics

Satnam strikes exclusive deal with Toshiba

West Africa operations. “With so much positive feedback for our Door-in-Door feature, we felt it necessary to explore the full potential of the Door-in- Door concept. Now, with the Dual Doorin-Door, users have even greater control over their refrigerator’s interior organization.”

LG’s innovative Door-in-Door technology already makes it easier for users to reach frequently sought after food and beverage items. By implementing two Door-in-Door compartments, LG’s new refrigerator doubles convenience and allows for greater food organization. The right Door-in-Door compartment is accessible from the outside with the simple push of a button allowing it to be used as a ‘family space’.

This ingenious feature makes frequently-used items like snacks, drinks and lunches easily accessible for the whole family. The left Door-in-Door com-

LG’s innovative Door-in-Door technology already makes it easier for users to reach frequently sought after food and beverage items

ATNAM Investment Nigeria Limited has partnered with Toshiba, as its authorized exclusive partner across Nigeria to offer its latest products such as the spacesaving low to high-speed Monochrome e-STUDIO MFPs, Award-winning colour Multi-function Printer series and world’s 1st revolutionary eco-friendly Paper Reusing System.

The company posits that, as output demand is fast moving from Black & White to Colour, it is imperative for Toshiba’s business customers to experience the “Colors” of eSTUDIO. With this alliance in place, Satnam is now able to bring Toshiba’s vast array of products and services across the Nigerian terrain through its strategically located branches and dealer network.

Corporate businesses in Nigeria can now look forward to having their printing solutions needs comprehensively addressed, experiencing the reality of a high-tech future IT office that is efficient, user-friendly, secure and cost effective.

Secure and cost effective

partment can be opened by a handle at the bottom of the door and serves as a designated ‘cooking space’, ideal for storing essential cooking ingredients such as previously prepared vegetables, condiments and sauces. Accessible through both the Doorin-Door as well as the main door, the incredibly convenient Tilting Basket is also located within the ‘cooking space’ on the left side of the refrigerator. Both Door-inDoor™ compartments are also equipped with Moving Baskets, enabling users to easily adjust the height of the internal compartments as they see fit.

The Smart Storage System is a collection of features inside LG’s refrigerator that help users easily organize the items stored inside.

Made up of the Door-in-Door’s Moving Baskets and Tilting Basket, this system allows users to

store items into easily navigable customizable sections, improving organization and maximizing convenience.

The area at the bottom of the main compartment is inefficient dead space in most refrigerators. However, LG makes use of this dead space through its groundbreaking Extra Space compartment which opens up a new area in the refrigerator ideal for storing eggs as well as small food items such as cheese and sliced deli meats.

Moreover, with the Folding and Sliding Shelves, storing food items of any shape or size has never been more convenient. LG’s comprehensive organization system also extends to the freezer section’s Easy Pull Drawer that is easy to open and can safely support heavy items.

President of Satnam’s parent company, the Satguru Group, Mr. Anil Chandirani said at an event to mark the partnership recently that “with notable new developments happening, Nigeria is racing toward growth and strongly establishing itself in Africa as the vanguard.

Nigeria is forecast to have an increase in demand for quality and affordable solutions in the days to come.

Satnam is prepared and geared to take up this challenge to bridge the gap for the supply and the growing demand for Business Solution, IT and ICT solution.”

Assistant General Manager, for Toshiba Middle East & Africa Mr. Pradeep Kumar said “Toshiba is pleased to partner with Satnam to deliver businesses in Nigeria more affordably and environment friendly printing solutions, “We now look forward to closely collaborating with the Satnam by providing them with the latest products, services and technical support necessary to strengthen Toshiba MFP presence in Nigeria.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015—31

32 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015—33

DTHA to contractors: Go back to site or return mobilization fee

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—DELTA State House of Assembly has directed those in possession of government funds paid as mobilization fee for contract awarded, to move to sit and execute the jobs awarded to them or return the money to government coffers.

Chairman, House Committee on Works, Efe Ofobruku, who gave the directive at a meeting with the state Commissioner for Works and top officials of the ministry, said gone were the days when contractors collected mobilization fees and went home to sleep.

Ofobruku, who was accompanied by five other members of the committee, charged the state Ministry of Works to take advantage of the dry season to push for speedy completion of ongoing road projects across the state.

The lawmaker, who represents Uvwie constituency in the House, said the state government was determined to ensure the construction of many motorable roads cross the state in driving its prosperity

agenda for all Deltans to fruition.

Earlier, the state Commissioner for Works, Chief James Augoye, while welcoming the legislators to the ministry’s headquarters in Asaba, listed some ongoing projects by the Ifanyi Okowa administration across the state, disclosing that some of

them were near completion.

Augoye, among others disclosed the governor ’s approval for the dualization of Sapele township roads from the Warri-Benin Road junction to AT&P Sapele, as well as dismantling of the Warri BRT project to make way for massive rehabilitation of the ever busy Effurun-Warri Road.

He said that good road network across the state was the key mandate of his ministry, promising to continue to interface with all relevant bodies at ensuring quick intervention on roads construction and rehabilitation as well as technical advice to sister ministries.

PREMIERE: From left, Executive Producer, Road to Yesterday, Chinny Onwugbenu; Senator Ben Murray-Bruce; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Co-Producer and actress, Genevive Nnaji, and co-writer and Director, Ishaya Bako, during the premiere of the movie at Silverbird Cinema, in Abuja.

Army expresses worry over kidnap cases in Rivers

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— THE Nigerian Army has described the spate of kidnapping in Rivers State as alarming.

Brigade Commander 2 Brigade and Commander, Sector II of the Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield, Brigadier General Stephenson Olabanji, who spoke yesterday at a luncheon for media men at 2 Brigade Headquarters, Port Harcourt, said that National Youth Service Corps members have become the most vulnerable group in the state.

He said that the state governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, was driving the process to redress the issue, adding that all hands should be on deck in the renewed effort to rid the state of the challenge.

“Kidnapping is the biggest challenge we are facing in Port Harcourt. We have observed that those behind it are mostly cultists. We are doing our best to tackle this problem. The governor is also spearheading the antikidnap crusade. Efforts are on to tackle the problem,” he said.

The Brigade Commander, Brigadier-General Olabanji, solicited the support of the media and communities in

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the state.

“Communities should do more to help security operatives achieve results. I understand that kidnappers have coerced the people not to talk. Victims of kidnap do not talk after their release.

When you want to debrief a released hostage, you see that he or she does not come up with much information,” he said.

He said his men had burst several kidnap groups in the state even as he appealed for

useful information from the public.

He assured that security operatives will conceal identifies of those who disclose information to aid the anti-kidnap crusade in the state.

States must raise their IGR to survive —CITN boss

By Simon Ebegbulem

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E N I N — C H A I R M A N, Joint District Society of Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, CITN, Mr Joshua Asuquo, has urged states of the federation to emulate the tax policy of Edo State Government so as to survive the current economic hardship.

Commending the Chairman of the state Board of Internal

Revenue, Chief Useni Elamah, on the transformation in that sector, he warned that unless states block all leakages in their budgetary system and strengthen their taxation, it may be difficult for them to meet their financial obligations.

He gave the commendation when he led other executives of CITN on a courtesy visit to the office of the Chairman of the

Board, Chief Elamah.

Asuquo, who is also the Chairman, technical committee on the South-South Zonal Conference of CITN, stated that their visit was to acquaint the chairman with their forth coming maiden South-South Zonal Conference of the CITN slated for Port Harcourt, Rivers State in January 2016.

Nigerian Army to invest in Obudu Ranch Resort

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HE Nigerian Army has indicated interest in investing in Obudu Ranch Resort to reposition it to a worldclass profit yielding facility.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Army Properties Limited, General Umaru Mohammed (retd), made this known during a meeting with Governor Ben Ayade of Cross

River State at Government House in Calabar.

He said that the investment, which will entail creation of access both by air and land, as well as communication facilities, would open up the facility and attract the desired traffic from within and outside the country to enhance its economic status.

According to General Mohammed, who led other

management staff of the firm to the meeting, “The Nigerian Army, just like its counterparts in civilized societies globally, is repositioning and now has a company that is exploring and fully harnessing business opportunities that abound in the country with the support of experts to participate in them.”

NECA, ACCA sign MoU on manpower devt

By Oboh Agbonkhese

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HE Nigeria E m p l o y e r s ’ Consultative Association, NECA, and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, ACCA, have signed a memorandum of understanding, MoU, on human manpower development, capacity building and talent management in the financial sector.

At the signing ceremony in Lagos, NECA’s Director General, Segun Oshinowo, and ACCA Global CEO, Helen Brand, agreed that there was a commonality of purpose and meeting of mandate between both bodies, which will help the partnership put a structure in place to help Nigeria’s economic development.

According to Brand, “partnership such as this is vital to the professionalism and efficiency that we stand for.

ACCA is market driven in terms of the qualifications it produces and the members and students it supports. This is how we meet the needs of employees, which this collaboration with NECA will help us achieve."

Urhobo moves to secure interests in Okowa's govt

By Emma Amaize

A

SABA—SIX months into Governor Ifeanyi Okowa's government in Delta State, leaders and groups of Urhobo ethnic nationality in the state are re-positioning to actualize Urhobo interests in the government.

Urhobo Political Leadership and Economic Empowerment Network Foundation, UPLEENF, which has Dr. O. Igden as chairman is spearheading the move.

“Integration of all forces in Urhobo nation for the transformation of the land and empowerment of its people will form the crux of the discourse at the political cum economic development conference we are planning,” he said.

Tradomedical clinic holds thanksgiving

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SCAR Tradomedical Clinic in Ijaniki, Lagos, will on December 5, hold a special thanksgiving to appreciate God for all He did for them during the year.

The event, according to proprietor, Dr. Oscar Itimi, will hold at the clinic premises at 9p.m.

34—Vanguard,FRIDAY,DECEMBER 4, 2015

ENUGU COUNCIL POLLS: APGA endorses Enugu

Hour of Code workshop for Dec 5

Caretaker C’ttee for 17 LGAs

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By Francis Igata

HE WIFI Combat Academy, a digital media school, is set to organize an Hour of Code workshop, December 5, 2015, at e-Learning Centre, opposite CMS Bookshop, Lagos.

A variety of digital enrichment programmes where kids and teens can gain a sense of empowerment, independence and selfconfidence, using technology, will be offered.

The programme is designed for complete beginners -elementary and secondary school students.

Last year, Wifi Combat Academy in collaboration with Microsoft Nigeria hosted the “Hour of Code.”

About 15 schools attended a one day programming workshop held at CHAMS, and children were exposed to coding, learning Python and Scratch programming languages.

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NUGU—THE All Progressives Grand Alliance,APGA,Enugu State Chapter,yesterday,threw its weight behind the setting up of Caretaker Committees to administer the running of 17 council areas in the state as approved by political stakeholders for Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Ugwuanyi had last Saturday, at the expanded meeting of stakeholders held at the Old Government Lodge,cited the ongoing local government staff audit and the inadequate provision of funds in the 2015 budget for thev council poll as the problem even as he noted that the little appropriated for it is grossly and manifestly inadequate which he pledgeded to address in the 2016 budget to enable elections hold.

But while being in government with the approval given to the governor by the stakeholders, the immediate past State Chairman of APGA,Enugu State Chapter, Mr. Okechukwu Nkolagu explained that,”APGA adopted Governor Ugwuanyi as its candidate in the last general

Xmas concert to hold at Muson Centre

election. We are in full support of the caretaker committee.

“The governor has briefed and consulted with us on why the Local Government election will not be able to hold for now as a result of poor funds earmarked for it in the current budget. We see

...Disowns Okwu’s membership

reasons with him and appeal to the public to be calm having gotten assurance from the governor that the issue of funds will be dealt with in 2016 budget to enable elections hold.

On the publication by Maxi Okwu who reportedly threatened

Anambra govt stops town union, Igweship elections

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

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N I T S H A — DETERMINED to avoid loss of lives and properties in Adazi Nnukwu community in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, the state government has stopped the Chief Ben Enemuo-led executive members of Adzi-Nnukwu Town Development Union, ATDU from conducting an election for new executives of the union that will take over the helm of affairs of the town union from himself.

In a letter to Enemuo as the

President-General of ATDU, from the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy and Town Union Matters, government said it had come to the attention of the office that the PresidentGeneral of ATDU had fixed the ATDU election to hold on November 28, 2015 without formal notice to the office and requisite official payment as provided by law.

In the letter with Reference No. OSPA/LG/CM/010/100/ 247, dated November 27 and signed by Ginikanwa A. C., Head of Department of Town Union Matters, for the Special Adviser, government said it

Umuahia Catholic Diocese disowns group

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HE ICONIC Musical Society of Nigeria, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, presents its Annual Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 6, 2015 at Shell Nigeria Hall, by 6 p.m.

Performing works by J.S. Bach, Marshal Bartholomew, Adolphe Adams, Vivaldi, G.F. Handel, David Willcocks and Sing Along Carols, performed by the MUSON School Choir & Orchestra conducted by Sir Emeka Nwokedi and Tunde Jegede.

By Anayo Okoli

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MUAHIA—THE Catholic Diocese of Umuahia, Abia State, has disowned the group, Catholic Network of Nigeria [CNN], which last week, held a protest at Bende and demanded that the Justices of Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri be changed, saying that such group does not exist in the Diocese.

Disassociating itself from the action of the group, Umuahia Catholic Diocese also said that it did not know the coordinator of the disowned group, Catechist

Ambrose Udensi and that the protest did not take place at the Corpus Christi Parish, Bende.

It also said that it is not partisan and does not involve itself in any partisan political activity.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue, the Special Adviser to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on Media, has called on the main opposition party in the state, the All Progressive Grand Alliance {APGA} to stop distracting the Justices of the Appeal Court and allow them to do their job.

Emezue alleged that the party has “raised many ficticious

groups to distract the Judges”, warning that “they should not ambush the Appeal Court Judges”.

He also called on the groups being used to think twice as they are not helping democracy to grow by not allowing justice to flow.

The Catholic Diocese of Umuahia in a statement issued

by Wednesday, Church and Society department of the Diocese categorically disowned the Catholic Network of Nigeria [CNN], saying that it does not exist in the Diocese.

wonder how they want to govern the state when they cannot stand as on.

However, whichever way it may be people will still talk against it. Nigeria is too big for all this. If it comes good people talk, the other way round people will still talk. Miss Jennifer Edimeh, Self Employed

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On Kogi gov election

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ahaya Bello does not deserve it because all his supporters worked against the late Audu during campaign; even he played a game of ‘sit don look’. So why would some people or somebody just bring him out to the governor? Mr Gbenga Adeoti, Worker

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he law should be followed. I do not think it is proper to say that because late prince Audu bought the ticket then the son should take his place.

Kogi State is not for business. God alone knows who that leader is going to be. Mr Okechukwu Nene, Student

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here is no crisis in APC; it is only Igala people that are disturbing because of their stinginess. Over 19 years they have been ruling the state no any other tribes disturbed them, now that other tribe have the chance they are disturbing.

Mr Salihu Muhammed, Businessman

noted that the PresidentGeneral of ATDU had insisted on going ahead with the exercise, despite protests from a substantial section of the community.

The statement therefore advised that the election be suspended until the needful is done and the usual lawful steps in conducting town union elections in the state are observed.

When contacted on phone, Chief Enemuo, the ATDU boss declined comments.

But in his reaction to the situation, an Igweship aspirant in the area, Ichie Emmanuel Chukwuma, told newsmen in an interview that Enemuo and his followers are not telling the community the truth about the situation of things, rather, they kept threatening any one who dares say the truth, adding that they would not like to continue with such an ugly development because according to him, “we want to progress not retrogress.”

Chukwuma noted that "Enemuo and his group are not only thwarting the rules of Igweship and town union elections by failing to pay the mandatory N100,000 election fee to the state government as required by law, but also do not have the powers to conduct Igweship election because the case is already in court."

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

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to drag Enugu State to court if council polls were not conducted on the platfoem of APGA,Nkolagu who is now the Deputy National Financial Secretary of APGA,said,”as far as APGA is concerned,Maxi Okwu was expelled from APGA in 2005.

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nce INEC failed to reverse the illegal conclusion of the election being inconclusive, APC has no legal way out than to revert to the last or new primary to get a replacement for Audu. That is my view about it. Miss Ogochukwu Onwuatuegwu, Student

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here is no provision for substitution of candidates in the Constitution and there is no room for another candidate as long as the deadline for nomination of candidate to INEC is gone. Other candidates are still there. Mr Nelson Nwamara, Entrepreneur

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015—35

Labour condemns rising cases of unfair labour practices

KOGI: Group faults INEC, says Wada should be returned

By Victor AhiumaYoung

By Emmanuel Aziken

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HE Nigerian Restoration Group (NRG) has lamented what it, yesterday, described as the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to grow along with the country’s democracy, saying the development in Kogi State speaks badly of the election body.

In a statement by its National President, Alhaji Ibrahim Kazaure and National Secretary, Senas Ukaiwe, the group tasked INEC to immediately declare the first runner up, Alhaji Idris Wada, as winner of the election on the basis of the fact that he is the living candidate with the highest number of votes.

The group said: “It should be noted that after over 16 years of democratic governance, INEC should have grown beyond a baby-duck agency that could be pushed around by politicians with inordinate ambition.

"The commission’s actions, given the number of times it has conducted elections and the series of experiences garnered in elections management, should have made it grow in stature and pedigree to be able to always take decisions that would be obviously unbiased and survive the test of time.

“However, by pandering to the sentiments of the All Progressives Congress (APC), it is obvious that Nigeria is far from reaching the democratic destination which is what every Nigerian and indeed the international community, are clamouring for."

Burial

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ATE Mrs Return Tortorbor Oboko, 84, is daed. Mr Oboko, who was the mother of President of Federated Niger Delta Ijaw Communities, FNDIC, Dr. Bello Oboko, will be buried today at Odimodi Town, Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State.

According to the burial arrangement by the family, lying-in-state and Christian wake keep hold by 11am before interment at Odimodi town.

Late Mrs Return Oboko C M Y K

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LUNCHEON: From left Ms. Jennifer Anoyika, Director-General, Nigerian German Business Association (NGBA); Mr. Detlev Woermann, Partner, C.Woermann; German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Michael Zenner; Mr. Folabi Esan, MD/CEO, Adlevo Capital and President, NGBA during the business luncheon for Nigerian-German business men at the German Embassy, in Lagos.

Kogi: Women lay siege to INEC offices, want APC declared winner

By Boluwaji Obahopo & Kingsley Fanwo

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OKOJA — HUNDREDS of women, yesterday, took over the office of the Independent National Election Commission, INEC, in Lokoja demanding that All Progressives Congress (APC) be declared winner of the Kogi governorship election.

This came as supporters of the party besieged the INEC office in Abuja demanding the commission shelve its proposed supplementary poll in the state and declare Faleke as governorelect.

The women protesters, dressed in black, carrying different placards, vowed not to vacate the place until INEC rescinded its decision and put things aright.

A detachment of policemen from the nearby state police headquarters kept close watch to forestall a breakdown of law and order because of the already tense situation in the state occasioned by the ‘inconclusive’ poll.

Spokesperson of the women, Mrs. Folashade Joseph, accused INEC of plunging the state into political turmoil and uncertainty, by declaring the victory of the duo of Prince Abubakar Audu and James Faleke of the All Progressives Congress (APC), inconclusive.

She said: “INEC created the problem and must hasten to solve it. We are here to register our grievances about INEC’s declaration that the election was inconclusive, and to let them know that they are the ones that have created this problem now.

“INEC wants to deliberately set Kogi on fire, for reasons best known to it. We have over 2,400 polling units in Kogi State. We do not understand why INEC will say the election is inconclusive because of just 91 polling units that had issues.

“We are going to sit out here till INEC reversed itself and do the

right thing. They must announce Audu/Faleke. They won for APC, they have a joint ticket. We are calling on well-meaning Nigerians and the President who is our father, to wade in, so that the right thing can be done.”

Speaking at the Abuja INEC office, one of the protesters who is

a lawyer, Hajia Halima Alfa said Audu had won the election before his death, noting that the margin between the two leading parties was more than the number of voters with PVCs in the affected polling units and that INEC erred by not declaring the late Audu as the winner of the election."

Germany pledges support for Nigeria’s change agenda

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AGOS — GERMAN Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Michael Zenner, has commended the change agenda of the Nigerian government led by President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that co-operation between the governments of Germany and Nigeria will contribute immensely to the success of the agenda.

Ambassador Zenner expressed Germany’s interest in supporting the government’s change agenda at a high-powered business luncheon for members of the Nigerian-German business community organized by Nigerian German Business Association (NGBA), Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria (DGIC), in association with the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, in Lagos.

The event, sponsored by C.Woermann, a renowned trading company based in Hamburg, Germany with a longstanding business relationship with Africa, also presented an opportunity for guests to mingle and network in an informal setting.

While presenting a paper entitled “Nigeria in Change: New Perspectives?” Ambassador Zenner highlighted the key role being played by Nigeria in promoting stability and democracy on the African continent. He spoke about the long standing relation between Germany and Nigeria and how this collaboration had led to great gains for both countries.

Zenner noted: “Nigeria’s investment potential remains strong even in the wake of various challenges in security, foreign exchange rates and other quandaries. German trade volume with Nigeria stands at 5.5 billion Euros with projections for increase in the near future."

Also speaking at the event, Jennifer Anoyika, Director General of the NGBA, said she was confident that the Nigerian economy will soon experience improved economic activities with the renewed interest of foreign investors in the Nigerian economy.

EDERAL Ministry of Labour and Employment, and organised labour, yesterday in Lagos, said government and labour were very concerned over rising cases of unwholesome and unfair labour practices in the nation’s financial sector in a bid to cut costs and maximize profit.

FMLE and Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, spoke at an interactive session on “Issues and Challenges Relating to Labour Outsourcing in Nigeria”, organised by the South-West Zone of the South-West zone of FMLE in collaboration with the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions, NUBIFIE, for stakeholders in the financial sector operating in SouthWest zone.

Speaking, factional President of NLC, Mr. Joe Ajaero, insisted that outsourcing, contract staffing, casualization and other forms of unconventional employment were evil and disagreed with the argument that since the practices were global trends, they had come to stay.

According to him, in other climes where the practices were coming from, they had safety nets in form of social security for the unemployed, the aged and other vulnerable citizens, declaring that approving outsourcing and others by government without safety nets was like legalizing illegality.

He, however, urged unions to ensure that outsourced workers and their likes were unionized for them to get the union’s protection and rights among others.

Airtel lauded over support to IDPs

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IRTEL Nigeria has been commended for its key role in touching the lives of thousands of internally displaced persons, IDPs, in Nigeria.

This commendation was given at the press briefing of “Climb with Remi,” an initiative that aims to raise funds for IDPs in Nigeria.

Speaking on the initiative, Ogun State’s first lady, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun, explained the sufferings thousands of IDPs go through.

According to her, a lot of people are unaware of the hardship faced by our fellow brothers and sisters who as a

result of one crisis or another have become homeless. “They lack proper shelter, feeding and other basic necessities. I wish to thank Airtel Nigeria for supporting the Climb with Remi initiative as they put a smile on the faces of IDPs in Nigeria,” she said.

Also speaking at the event, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa highlighted the need for Nigerians to be empathetic and embark on laudable projects to uplift the underprivileged.

“As citizens of this great country, we must inculcate a spirit of oneness and be our brothers and sisters keepers. We must emulate organisations like Airtel Nigeria who are lending a helping hand in taking care of IDPs,” she said.

36—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015

MONITORING: From left— Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Babatunde Adejare, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment, Toyin Onisarotu and the Executive Secretary, Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Council Development Area, Hon. Wahab Adebayo, at Ajeromi Ifelodun LCDA, during the last environmental sanitation exercise in Lagos.

CONFERENCE: From left—HRH, Ambassador Adegboyega Ariyo,chairman of the occasion; Dr Ona Ekhomu,President, Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operations of Nigeria, AISSON; Maj. Gen. Isidore Henry Edet,GOC 81 Division, Nigeria Army, representing Chief of Army Staff and Commodore Omasheye Nesiama, represnting Chief of Naval Staff, at the AISSON's 2015 Conference in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

UNVEILING: From left—Chief Executive Officer, Verve International, Charles Ifedi, Divisional CEO, Industry Vertical Market, Chinyere DonOkhuofu, Chief Financial Officer, Peter O'toole and Chief Marketing Officer, Cherry Eromosele, all of Interswitch, at the unveiling of Verve Paycode in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

HARVEST: From left—Host and General Overseer, Divine Ewulomi Evangelical Church of Christ (C&S) Arowojobe Estate, Lagos, Prophet Oluwademilade Akpata, his wife, Mother-In-Israel, Omotolani Akpata, the Guest Preacher, Vice Chancellor, Ajayi Crowther University, Bishop Dapo Asaju, and Obirin Ologo Programme Coordinator, Rev. Apostle Ronke Fashina, at the 2015 harvest thanksgiving service of the church, at Arowojobe Estate, Mende, Lagos.

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COCKTAIL: Mr. Victor Gotevbe, Administration Manager, Vanguard Media Ltd (middle), Mr. Mohammed Hosseiny, Country Managing Director, ABB Nigeria (left) and Chief Ogunmekan, President, Nigerian Swedish Chamber of Commerce at the VIP Networking Cocktail on the occasion of the visit to Nigeria of H.E., Ambassador Inger Ultvedt and the Swedish Energy delegation to Nigeria.

FACILITY VISIT: From left— Mr. Ajai Musaddi, Group Managing Director, Sona Group of Companies, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, MD, Bank of Industry, Mr. Joseph Babatunde, General Manager, Large Enterprise, BoI and Ashok Manghnani, Chief Operating Officer, Sona Group of Companies, during the facility visit of the BoI's team to Sona Biscuits Factory at Ota, Ogun State.

PRESENTATION: From left— Head, Treasury, FCT/North, Mr. Akinloye Aiyegbusi; Business Executive, Public Sector, Alhaji Shehu Jafiya, and Group Head, Corporate Banking, North, Mr. Isa Salifu, both of Ecobank Plc; Principal, Government Secondary School, Lugbe, Abuja, Mr. Gilla John (right) and students, at the presentation of scholarship and writing materials to the students, during the bank's Financial Literacy Day in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the Junior Achievement of Nigeria, JAN in Abuja.

CONVOCATION: Family and friends with Dr. Jide Peter Jimoh (middle), at the convocation of the University of Ibadan where he was awarded a Ph.D.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015—37

Graca Machel sets roadmap for women

By Bose Adelaja

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•Graca Machel

RS. Graca Machel, widow of former South Africa President, Nelson Mandela has set a roadmap for Nigerian women in their quest to be relevant in the economic, political and social development of the country.

Machel spoke in Lagos over the weekend on the topic ‘Breaking Barriers’ at a Women’s Power Lunch, a programme organized b y Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF), a non-profit organization founded in honour of the memory and in furtherance of the ideals of the late General Murtala Muhammed, the former Nigerian Head of State.

She said that women are too strong to be ignored in any society and they must therefore rise up and take their rightful

positions as they won’t get it on a platter of gold.

“This precisely is the transformative ways in which African women have to act. They do not need to underestimate the powers they have but to always use the powers positively knowing it is our right. We are not asking anything that we are not entitled to. But we need to be organized and we need to know how to do it”.

She pointed out that women need to organize themselves if this objective must be achieved saying “Ten years from now, we need to begin to take the African woman to another stage. We have to define the target of what we need to change.

What we are and what we are doing is not good enough because it is leaving millions behind. And because of that, we have to restrategise knowing exactly what we want to change”.

She promised to be at the fore front of the change agenda in line with the ideals of her Foundation, the Graca Machel Trust, which is dedicated to improving lives, inspiring hope and a more just and equitable world.

“I promise that I will be there with you to effect the changes. We really don’t have a place that we don’t have a door. The doors are with me to open. When I go to them and say that I want to see them, they allow me in and because I know that you are all behind me, you go with me and take the front seats while I sit behind. That is what I do globally”.

Machel is one of the world’s leading advocates for women, children and communities affected by conflict and injustice. She is a founding member of The Elders, that played a key role in establishing Girls Not Brides.

US intensifies efforts to end gender-based violence

By Prisca Sam-Duru AST year, November 25th, during the commemoration of 16 Day Activism Against Gender Based Violence, the Acting U.S. Consul-General, Dehab Ghebreab pledged that the Public Affairs Section, PAS of the US Consulate Lagos will collaborate with Nollywood to produce a film that speaks to issues of violence against women.

That pledge was fulfilled on Wednesday 25th November 2015 at PAS, when a documentary featuring horrifying scenes of victims of violence, was screened to an audience. It came as a result of collaboration between the US Consulate, Women Arise Initiative and Golden Movies Ambassadors, to mark this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

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of the irreparable harm caused by gender-based violence.

We must all do more to end violence against women in all its forms, wherever and whenever it occurs. The crucial first step is for all of us to be clear in acknowledging it. There can be no conspiracy of silence. It happens daily, in peacetime, and in war. In the home, and in public.

Last year, Secretary of State John Kerry reminded us all that, worldwide, one in three women will experience gender-based violence in her lifetime. This violence knows no class, religious, or racial boundaries.

When it happens, it comes at a terrible cost. Not only for the woman or girl who, if she

survives, will likely end up shortening her education as a result of the violence, and is more likely to abandon her career plans. Not only because her longterm health is in danger. Not only because she is at much greater risk for suicide. Not only because gender-based violence flattens and shortens the trajectory of a promising human life that could achieve so much more.

The human cost also devastates families, communities, and entire countries that depend on the success of all women. Preventing gender-based violence is the only way to achieve a future of peace, stability, and prosperity.

Every one of us has a

fundamental duty not to turn away in the face of evil and brutality. We have a duty to stop it, and to stand with the survivors.”

Creating awareness President of the Women Arise For Change Initiative, Dr Joe Odumakin said every case documented in the film was real adding that because two of the victims were dead, the scenes involving their case were blended with acting. “We must create awareness. People must speak out or die in silence. She advised Nigerians to be

Elimination of violence The Deputy Public Affairs Officer of the U.S. Consulate, Frank Sellin in his opening remarks, said that “Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It is the start of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, a campaign we undertake annually with all U.S. embassies and missions in the world. Over the next two weeks, U.S. embassies and missions will all be working to raise awareness C M Y K

Every one of us has a fundamental duty not to turn away in the face of evil and brutality. We have a duty to stop it, and to stand with the survivors

Joe Odumakin (middle) and others at an event.

conscious of their environment.

Don’t destroy evidence. Take action and encourage those hurting in whatever way you can.

The President of the Golden Movies Ambassadors, Saidi Balogun said Africans must not keep quiet in the face of evil.

Come out and say things the way it is. Activists should wake up .

He noted that his organisation believes in rebranding the nation. He advised corporate bodies and individuals not to sponsor movies that show nudity but rather, invest in movies that will help address the issue of gender-based violence.

38—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015

X-media unlocks secret of superwomen to Nigerians girls

By Gabriel Olawale

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APE is a b o u t power, not indecent dressing!

Two sisters aged 3 and 5 were raped by 4 men. A young lady was dragged off the street by a man into room where she was raped by over 10 men.

Another teenager was raped when she •Anaba went for a job interview. 5 boys were raped by a man in their neighborhood. These cases were part of 1000 survivors of rape and sexual violence that have received treatment from the Mirabel Centre in 2 years. None of them was raped as a result of indecent dressing. Yet every day we are told that indecent dressing is a major cause of rape.

In a poll carried out by NOI in January 2013, 34 percent of the participants believed that indecent dressing was the main cause of rape in the society; 18 percent believed unemployment was the cause; nine percent believed it was caused by lack of moral values and another nine percent believed it was caused by the inability to control sexual urges; seven percent said it was caused by faulty upbringing.

Faulty upbringing Five percent of the participants believed rape was caused by illiteracy about women’s rights, ungodliness and bad company.

A major flaw with this reasoning is the assumption that a rapist is that stranger that pounces on a woman because she has exposed a part of her body.

It suggests that the society must place a limit on what a woman wears and when she does not conform, and she is raped, then she must be responsible. In other words, a woman’s visible body is either available for sex or punished for this visibility.

This reasoning portrays men as animals who have no control over their emotions. It takes away responsibility from men for their actions and places a burden on women and girls to prevent men from raping them. It gives the rapists the excuse to go on raping women and girls; after all he is not in control of his senses. Not surprisingly, many rapists blame “the devil” for the crime they have committed.

If indecent dressing causes rape, what about the 10 months old baby raped by her father?

What was the attraction? Was it the soaked diaper? What of the 70 year old grandma raped by her son’s tenant?

Was the 4 year old raped by her school bus driver also indecently dressed? Rape is a serious societal problem. It affects both men and women. It has nothing to do with your mode of dressing. Rape is about power.

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S part of its commitment towards the actualisation of healthy and vibrant female communities, X-media communications Limited has revealed the secret of what it entails to be a successful woman to over 4,000 secondary school girls in Lagos.

The Managing Director, X-media communications, Mr. Tunde Lawrence said that the role of women in building a nation is replaceable and the earlier the society embrace it, the better for all.

Speaking at the 2015 All-Women Conference tagged; ‘21st Century Super woman, Lawrence pointed out that the dynamics of today’s economy and that of family required that wife must work to ease the burden in the face of economic downtown experiencing globally, “imagine that women continue to relegated to the kitchen that means we are depriving our selves of the extra energy that the economic

needs.”

“Women are very important vessel in building a nation, her office is not suppose to just be a kitchen and the earlier we started tapping into those quality and ability that woman has the better for us all.

Having two source of income in the family is better than one.

Even if the man can conveniently provide for his family shouldn’t be an excuse for his wife not to find something to be doing.”

On her part, the Regional Consumer Services Manager, Nestle Central & West Africa, Mrs. Imabong Martins said that for a woman to be relevant in this 21 century such women must understand the investment that had been made in her and understand the expectation of her environment.

Martins pointed out five principle of superwomen to be vision driven, time conscious, hardworking, value oriented and

preparedness, “Principle of hardworking has to do with determination, persistence, focus, push yourself for more and don’t give up.

Principle of preparation contains the earring called home training, necklace called good cooking, sweeping and tidy, washing among others.”

She however called for balancing in responsibilities at home and in the working place, “ what makes a superwoman is ability to balance responsibility without allowing one to affect others.”

In attendance at the conference are students Mountain Top Secondary school, Kemeether College, Vicsum Private School, Gwat Private College, Soleit High School, Divine Gift High School, Luyol College Noble Vine College among others.

Lagos First Lady endorses Facebook as enterprise leverage tool

By Esther Onyegbula

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HE wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Abolanle Ambode, has urged more Nigerians to emulate the founder of Joan Agha Foundation and be more enterprising.

According to Abolanle Ambode who made the call at the GEW Enterprise Women’s Day series, a capacity building seminar and initiative of the Joan Agha Foundation (JAF), “all over the world women are home builders women are driving the world and changing economies of most countries.

Changing economies If you are a woman doing so, I doff my hat up to you. Women are now driving world economy, doing great things on the horizon. Statistics from UNESCO indicates that women constitute a significant proportion of the world’s population and Nigeria has the largest population of any African country with over 178,000 people, of which approximately half are women, of which 71 percent live below poverty level.

It has been projected that women will create over 5,000 jobs in the US economy by 2018. “So, what is our excuse? One thing I know about entrepreneurs is that they find a need and they solve it. They turn problems into opportunities. We have various problems in our society that need

solving. “More than ever, women are getting on board and running things.

Businesses like beauty, event management, food, agriculture and fashion are multi-million industries handled by majorly women and are creating job opportunities.

International donor agencies are finding that the amount of business development assistance given to women correlates directly to healthier families and communities. We need more women to get on board. We need to contribute our quota. With the advent of technology and social media, it is now easier to grow your enterprise phenomenally. Use your

Statistics from UNESCO indicates that women constitute a significant proportion of the world’s population and Nigeria has the largest population of any African country with over 178,000 people, of which approximately half are women, of which 71 percent live below poverty level

phone wisely, it as a marketing tool Facebook is home to over 1,000,000,000 users, social media channels has great potential for leveraging your enterprise”.

Stating the objectives of the foundation in her open address, Agha noted that ‘we empower women by providing soft loans to enterprising women. Till date, we have granted 30 scholarships, financially empowered 50 women, partnered with International Women Society (IWS) to train 29 youths and women in various vocational skills.

We have provided grants to several youths to start their own businesses. JAF has partnered with US (United State) Consular General on Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative to uplift some youths through training in photography and shoe making.

Today, we have fed 4,000 people through the JAF Kitchen on the street. We cater for brilliant indigent students who for no fault of theirs, come from poor homes. We are also committed to hunger reduction through JAF Kitchen. Every January 1, we feed people on the streets while many of us have turkeys on our table – sometimes we even throw some into the dustbin, there are some Nigerians who don’t have any food to eat.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015 — 39

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N the current expansion trend of the hospitality industry in Nigeria and Africa Hotels are an essential part of a country’s, a city’s basic infrastructure. Where potential investors, potential job creators going to stay if there are not enough hotels to accommodate them?

The answer is – they won’t stay, they won’t visit in the first place, and the city loses out.

With exceptions such as South Africa, and some of the North African countries, Africa is severely under-hoteled, with some countries, such as Niger and Mauritania, having no branded hotel supply at all.

In some cities, there is quite a lot of real development activity – Nairobi, Kigali, Addis Ababa, Kampala – meaning that hotels are actively under construction.

Here in Lagos, there is a lot of “paperwork” (designs, management agreements, but the actual activity on-site is at a low level; there are lots of proposed new hotels, no fewer than 19 hotels with over 3,600 rooms ‘on the books’, but of those rooms only 20 per cent are actually under construction.

Nigeria pays lip-service to hospitality business —Ward

• Inagbe Grand Resorts & Leisure set on the tranquil banks of the magnificent Lagos Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, this show-piece resort captures the essence of nature, culture and tradition. Inset is Trevor Ward, who says government is paying lip service to hospitality sector.

Lack of finance There is therefore a great need for more hotels in Lagos, Abuja and many of the State capitals, but it is not happening fast enough. Often times, this is because of a lack of finance, a factor which bedevils many industries in Nigeria.

On regulation and standardization of the industry I don’t know that the hospitality sector needs to be “standardised”! one of its strengths is the diversity it

offers. In terms of regulation, the Federal government has done little of any practical use to the industry over the years.

On a State level, there is regulation on all sorts of aspects, mostly to raise Internally Generated Revenue

Trevor Ward is a specialist consultant in the hospitality and leisure industries. He is the Principal of the W Hospitality Group with offices in the UK, Kenya, Nigeria and Angola.Ward has international experience advising clients on hotel and tourism development in more than 80 countries in Europe, North and South America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia. In this interview with JIMOH BABATUNDE, he talks on the industry development in the continent, regulation and why government should do more for the industry.

(IGR) for the state itself, resulting in multiple taxation, from federal, state and local governments. With notable exceptions such as Cross River

State, the hospitality sector is paid only lip-service, despite its ability to create jobs.

On the notion that there is

Skye Bank travel finance excite travel trade operators

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C M Y K

HE recently unveiled travel financing facility of the Skye Bank Plc is currently eliciting comments from travel trade operators in the country saying that the bank providing financing for their customers to be able to buy tickets and travel packages in good time is innovative.

within a period of one year.

Recently, Skye Bank's Head of Retail Banking Group, Mrs. Nkolika Okoli unveiled the package which allows the bank provide provide 80 per cent of the travel cost while the intending traveller will provide just 20 per cent of the total travel cost at a minimal interest rate with the customers expected to pay back their loan

“I cannot but say Skye Bank understands the aviation business. I want to thank Skye Bank for this innovation. Skye Bank is the first to start this. We have started and we will continue to work with them for things to get better and for people to really understand what it means to do things early-to book holidays early, to

Speaking with travel journalists recently, the Managing Director, Dees Tours and Travel Limited, Daisi Olotu commended Skye Bank for the innovative arrangement which has taken away from the agencies the risk of customer indebtedness over ticket.

buy tickets early. You gain a lot of money by so doing “In fact, people are advised to book their summer vacations now. If you book your travel for next year now, you will most definitely save a lot of money and since you have the credit, you don’t have to bring out a bulk amount for payment. The money you will save compared to the money you will pay back, it is still beneficial to book ahead.”

For Odion Chigbufue, GM, Tour Brokers International, the arrangement with Skye Bank enables her company to pay the airlines and their ground handlers without running the risk of clients default in paying

for ticket.

“I think Skye Bank took the bulk of the burden off our chest because we had a lot of people requesting for credit.

Now, with this initiative, we are happy to receive all credit and cash customers.”

Adeniyi Jumoke, Managing Director, Pasture Travels & Tours noted that with credit facility being provided by the bank that their clients can now book tickets for religious travel, honeymoon and leisure at ease. “This is important to us because we do not only book tickets, we do travel packages for business and family holidays, honeymoon and reunions.

dearth of manpower in the hospitality industry This is not a notion, this is a harsh reality! The industry is growing, and is very labour intensive, but the number of formal training institutions is extremely limited, and many of those that are operating are of questionable quality.

Questionable quality The branded hotel operators have clearly raised the bar, with their own training programmes, but their focus is on the needs of their hotels, not of the industry as a whole.

Government needs to do far more to provide quality training institutions for the hospitality industry.

On the notion that Nigeria’s hotels are over priced No, they are not. Hotels are expensive to build, due to the cost of government approvals, import duties and the burden of buying and running generators, water boreholes and treatment plants, and other basic services that should be provided by the public sector.

But also note that the prices publicly quoted for a room in a hotel are almost always higher than those actually charged to the customer, with discounting the norm, not the exception.

40—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015

FESTIVAL: From left, General Manager, Chevron/NNPC, Deji Haastrup; Manager, High Value Sponsorship & Events, Etisalat Nigeria, Opeyemi Lawal; Chief Financial Officer, Marine Platforms, Baji Nyam, and Director, Ake Art and Book Festival, Lola Shoneye, at the Etisalat-sponsored Ake Art and Book Festival 2015, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

420,000 die annually from contaminated foods —WHO ...under 5 accounts for one third of deaths world, fall ill annually.

Reacting to the report, Director-General of WHO, Dr Margaret Chan said: “ it is HE FIRST ever global estimates of regrettable that 30 percent of all deaths from food-borne diseases carried out by foodborne diseases are in children under the World Health Organisation, WHO, has the age of five years, despite the fact that revealed that not less than 420,000 people they make up only 9 percent of the global die yearly from eating contaminated food. population.

The report also showed that as many “Children under 5 years of age are at as 600 million, (one in 10 people) in the particularly high risk, with 125 000 children dying from foodborne diseases every year.

Diarrhoeal diseases are responsible for more than half of the global burden of foodborne diseases,

By Jonah things beyond the natural causing 550 million people Nwokpoku resources, but see what we to fall ill and 230 000 deaths every year. are doing with it.

“Children are at particular "If we can coach and raise NTERNATIONAL the level of awareness, of risk of foodborne diarrhoeal C O A C H I N G just one person at a time, diseases, with 220 million Federation, ICF has called unleash the potential, you falling ill and 96 000 dying imagine how every year. for full utilisation of life and can Diarrhoea is often caused corporate coaching to instil productive this entire values in leadership and nation or the entire by eating raw or drive national continent of Africa can be. undercooked meat, eggs, "A lot of what we do with fresh produce and dairy development.

President, ICF Nigeria, coaching is identifying who products contaminated by Ajibola Ponnle made the people really are and norovirus, Campylobacter, call while speaking to helping them let go of non-typhoidal Salmonella journalists at the sideline of limiting beliefs. If we can and pathogenic E. coli. a seminar to mark the 20th help just one person Other major contributors to anniversary of ICF in discover himself, you can the global burden of imagine the impact that is foodborne diseases are Lagos.

Ponnle said coaching is going to have on typhoid fever, hepatitis A, about human potential and leadership, economic tapeworm, and aflatoxin.”

“While the burden of how it could be developed development. For me, I am about foodborne diseases is a to advance social and passionate leadership in the public public health concern economic development.

She said: “One of the sector, getting them to lead globally, the WHO African main reasons I spear- with values, getting to lead and South-East Asia increased Regions have the highest headed the establishment with and incidence and highest of coaching in Nigeria is consciousness because it is about human increased awareness of the death rates, including potential. I see a country impact of what they are among children under the age of five years. that is rich in so many doing.

By Chioma Obinna & Gabriel Olawale

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ICF seeks utilisation of coaching to drive national devt

I

Don Moen, Adefarasin, others to minister at Experience 2015

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HE 2015 edition of the annual gospel concert, The Experience, would hold today with top gospel artiste, Don Moen and other renowned gospel ministers leading over 700,000 people and millions C M Y K

all around the world in praise and worship.

A statement by the convener, Senior Pastor Paul Adefarasin of the House On The Rock Church, said the event would be an avenue for

people to put aside denomination, tribe, colour and gender in order to praise God. Adefarasin is expected to minister with anointed preachers from various denominations worldwide.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015—41

C M Y K

42— VANGUARD,

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015

Safar 22, 1437 A.H.

The Ideal Muslim Family (2)

By Imam Ridwan Jamiu

A

LLAH says, “Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband’s] absence what Allah would have them guard.

But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance –advice them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [if they persist yet], strike them [lightly]. But if they obey you, seek no means [of annoyance] against them.

Allah is ever Exalted and Grand,” Q4:34. See also Q4:19.

Once a marriage is consummated these rights and duties are binding. Violation of them is disobedience to Allah and betrayal of trust.

Polygamy The ideal marriage is not necessarily to one wife or more, the watchword is justice and commitment. The Quran says, “...Marry women of your choice: two or three or four. If you fear that you may not be just then, marry only one...,” Q4:3. Islam neither introduced polygyny nor commanded it; it has only regulated it and allowed it. But justice is a condition. Treat the wife as you would want your daughter in marriage treated.

Solemn Covenant Allah has referred to marriage as a Solemn Covenant [Meethaaqan Galeezha], (Q4:21), which reiterates that marriage is a commitment and responsibility which must be taken seriously. The Prophet said, “I warn you against the evil consequence of being unjust to two persons: women and orphans.” Sahih Ibn Majah, 2982 He also said, “By Allah, a woman cannot fulfil her duty to Allah unless she fulfils her duty to her husband.” Sahih Sunan Ibn Majah Fire never quenches fire; it is water that does. The best among the couples are those who are keen and committed to observe their duties before demanding their rights. Two wrongs never make a right. Always perform your duty and then demand your rights. Even though a deliberate and perpetual denial of duty is a good ground at law to deprive the other some of his/her rights.

The ideal Muslim family is one where couple see each other as cooperative partners, not as competitive rivals.

Marriage is supposed to be friendship. Successful husbands and wives are always cooperative

and complimentary.

Cooperation often necessitates sacrifice and compromise.

Family is always given priority.

We can always have our say but not always our way.

Cooperation requires that couple help each other to succeed, raise each other ’s spirits when chips are down.

Pray for each other. It is in the Hadith that the best person a woman can support with her wealth is her needy husband.

The most rewarding of a man’s spending is also on his family.

Material competition and rivalry can breed resentment.

Cooperation demands mutual loyalty and complete fidelity.

Individualism and independence in marriage will only make the couple live like roommates, not as husband and wife.

Feminism is promoting disloyalty and defiance. It wrongly stigmatizes obedience to husband as servitude and being a house-wife as being prisoners. It thus worked for the so-called women liberation till Western women were finally liberated from happiness. What are other results of feminism and women liberation?

1. Family disintegration 2. Single parenthood with its psychological and financial burden and guilty conscience.

3.Promiscuity and licentiousness.

4. Drug addiction intended to suppress trauma 5. Prostitution 6. Juvenile delinquency for children lack parental care.

7. High rate of divorce.

8. Increase in unwanted pregnancy 9. Legalization of abortion 10. Increase in Sexually Transmissible Diseases (STDs).

Cooperation demands mutual consultation in determining

Abandoning Salat on wedding day because of make-up or party activitiesisingratitudeto Allah. Intermingling of both sexes in wedding party is inappropriate.

Wearing see-through wedding gowns as well as ceremonial exchange of wedding ring is against the Islamic guidance

family affairs. Describing the believers in the Qur’an, Allah says, “What you have been given is only the fleeting enjoyment of this world. Far better and lasting is what Allah will give to those who believe and trust in their Lord; those who shun great sins and gross indecencies; those who forgive when they are angry; those who respond to their Lord, keep up the prayer; who conduct their affairs by mutual consultation; give to others out of what We have provided for them; and defend themselves when they are oppressed,” Q42:36-39.

Allah says, “If, by mutual consent and consultation, the couple wish to wean [the child], they will not be blamed...,”Q2:233. Door of communication should always be open. The closest person to one is the closest friend that one should be able to confide in and share worries with. If this door is closed little problem boomerangs and escalates into a big one.

Cooperative sisters in Islam In situation where a man has more than one wife, co-wives can fair good and comfortable if they see each other as cooperative sisters in Islam and not as competitive rivals.

Competition should only be in righteousness and dutifulness to win Allah’s pleasure. The Prophet said, “This world is a [temporary] enjoyment, but the best enjoyment of life is a righteous woman” Sahih Muslim, 1467.

When the Prophet was asked ‘who is the best woman?’ He said, “The one who obeys her husband’s command, whose appearance pleases him and protects her chastity and his wealth in his absence,” Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 7373.

Cooperation requires keeping secrets and weaknesses.

Cooperation requires contentment, support and appreciation.

The Prophet said, “Women!

Make much charity for I saw most of you in Hell...because you curse and are ungrateful to your husbands.”

An ideal family is one built on mutual love, care and trust.

The Quran has given us the above three as the benchmarks to determine a healthy and successful family. Allah says, “Another of His signs is that He created spouses from among yourselves for you to live with in tranquillity: He ordained love and kindness between you.

There truly are signs in this for those who reflect,”Q30:21.

The five love languages are: gifts, quality time, acts of service, words of affirmation, and physical touch.

Care requires kindness and understanding particularly at challenging times. Life is but hills and valleys, day and night. No condition is permanent. Caring itself may be challenging and demanding at times but it is a sign of commitment and sincere love which greatly pleases Allah.

Couple that operates on the basis of understanding will not only thrive but will survive.

Women go through frequent

changes: menses, pregnancy and lactation all affect their mood and temperament.

Tolerance and patience in this circumstance is a proof of care.

Allah himself has waived His right of Salat and fasting during menses, and gives them concession in pregnancy and breastfeeding about fasting, why shouldn’t we be considerate? Allah says, “Do not hold unto them with the intent to harm them and commit aggression: anyone who does this wrongs himself...,”Q2:231.

Caring for each other should be extended to caring for each other’s family.

Continues next week

I’ll establish Islamic schools to fight terrorism—Aare Musulumi

By Daud Olatunji

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HE new Aare, Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Makanjuola has said he would establish Isamic schools to fight terrorism in Nigeria.

He said this while paying a visit to the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo at his palace to inform him of the forthcoming turbaning ceremony of the new Aare of Musulumi holding on the 19th December at Lakan Salami stadium.

Aare Makanjuola in his speech said “as the new Aare of Musulumi of Yourbaland, we have a goal to achieve our plans to establish primary and secondary schools in order to educate our children so as to

prevent them from being used as hoodlums .

He said: “I will be going to all the states in Yourbaland to visit the elders. We will need their support to achieve our goals, we can’t do this alone”.

While speaking on the relationship between Muslims and Christians, the new Muslim leader in Yorubaland said “Muslims and Christians are not enemies, they are both worshiping the same God, My sibling has a church, I built and painted it, yet I have my own mosque. I don’t discriminate”.

The Alake of Egbaland who spoke at the event said he looked forward to a peaceful reign of the new Aare.

Oba Adedotun Gbadebo Alake of Egbaland, (right) gives Royal blessing to Aare Musulumi of Yourbaland, Alhaji Dawud Makanjuola Akinola (left) during the visit on Wednesday. photos: Wunmi Akinola

From left: Members of Aare in Council, Alhaji Kola Ahmed; Alhaji Dawud Makanjuola Akinola new Aare; Alhaji Basiru Akinola and Alhaji Musa Najemudeen during the visit on Wednesday.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015—43

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44 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015

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Confirmation of Name These names Egbonodje Handerson Philip and Egbonodje Philip, belong to the same person but now wish to be known and addressed as Egbonodje Handerson Phillip. All former documents remain valid,First bank Plc, any authority it may concern and the general public to take note.

ETHE—I, formerly known and addressed as Ethe Gordon Anthony, now wish to be known and addressed as Ososo G o r d o n Anthony Solomon. All former documents remain valid any authority it may concern and the general public to take note.

Confirmation of name This is to certify that Imonikosaye Great and Imonikosaye Oghenemaro is the same and one person but now wish to be known and addressed as Imonikosaye Great Oghenemaro.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGOLO —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Rachel Ejuvbedia Ogolo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Rachel Ejuvbedia Abiola – Olaleye. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

BRAIMAH—I, formerly known and addressed as Braimah Kerimu Ogbamoisa, now wish to be known and addressed as Kheoa Mishael Ogbamoisa .

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AKOMOLAFE—I, formerly known and addressed as Rufus Deji Akomolafe, now wish to be known and addressed as Rufus Oladeji Komolafe. All former documents remain valid. Cee Ess Ltd, WEBIC and general public please take note.

UMUNNA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Monica Onyeka Umunna, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Monica Onyeka Uzoelue. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ANTHONY—I, formerly known and addressed as Addeh Odion Anthony, now wish to be known and addressed as Addeh Odion Henr y . All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ISAIAH —I, formerly known and addressed as Victoria Monday Isaiah, now wish to be known and addressed as Victoria IngramIsaiah. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AJAERO —I, formerly known and addressed as Kelechi Peace Ajaero, now wish to be known and addressed as Kelechi Peace Kanikwu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ABDULKAREEM —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Abdulkareem Mutiat Omotayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ibrahim Mutiat Omotayo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UDEAJA—We, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Ugochukwu Udeaja, Mr. Nnamdi Udeaja, Mr. Okwudili Udeaja, Mr. Chinweuba Udeaja, Mrs. Obianuju Udeaja and Mrs. Ifeoma Udeaja, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Ugochukwu Udeh-Joel, Mr. Nnamdi Udeh-Joel, Mr. Okwudili Udeh-Joel, Mr. Chinweuba UdehJoel, Mrs. Obianuju Udeh-Joel and Mrs. Ifeoma Udeh-Joel. All former documents remain valid.

All authorities concerned and general public please take note.

OKOGU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Anita Oghenerioborue Okogu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Anita Oghenerioborue Wanogho. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note.

O M O K O R — I , formerly known and addressed as Omokor Friday Efeh, now wish to be known and addressed as Lazarus Friday Onoriode. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION / CHANGE OF NAME: That in some of my documents carried Nwosu Ugo Judith, others carried Emekwe Ugo Judith. Both names as they appear above belong to one and the same person, now wish to be known and address as Emekwe Ugo Judith. All former documents remain valid. Keystone Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank and general public should please take note.

AKPOKONA—I, formerly known and addressed as Akpokona Ese Elizabath, now wish to be known and addressed as A k p o m e d a y e Eseoghene Elizabeth.

All former documents remain valid. First Bank and general public should please take note.

L AU R E T TA — I , formerly known and addressed as Ebiuwe Alero Lauretta, now wish to be known and addressed as Ebiuwe Alero Tonwe. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

known and addressed as Agber Paul , now wish to be known and addressed as Baba

Paul .

All

former

documents remain valid. General public

Confirmation of name This is to certify that Okoro Henrietta and Bebeteidoh Christiana is the same and one person. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IRURU —I, formerly known and addressed as Iruru Omiang, now wish to be known and addressed as Eshue Omiang Lucy . All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OYEM—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Joy Oyem, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Joy Godwin Akaeze.

All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015 — 45

Vanguard CLASSIFIED Confirmation of name This is to inform First Bank Plc, Eco Bank Plc and general public that Oghenemuroko Francis and Lucky Francis is one and the same person. Hence forth now wish to be known and address as Oghenemuroko Ekulis Francis. All former documents remain valid.

EJEYE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ejeye Omawumi Sandra, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oghumu Omawumi Sandra. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

EGERUOH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Egeruoh Chioma Adanna, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ekeh Chioma Adanna. All former documents remain valid. Imo State University Owerri, National Youth Service Corp, [NYSC] and general public take note.

UGWUALA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezinne Amarachi Ugwuala now wish to be known and addressed as Mary Marbel Azuonwu. All former documents remain valid. Abia State Univerity, Uturu and general public please take note.

B E N J A M I N NJOKU—I, formerly known and addressed as Ngozi Lilian Benjamin- Njoku, now wish to be known and addressed as Ngozi Lilian Chigbo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of name This is to confirm that the name Nnekeh Maureen Ngozi, refers to one and the same person as Okonkwo Maureen Ngozi, now wish to be known and addressed as Nnekeh Maureen Ngozi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of name This is to confirm that the name Akhetuamen Omoye Blessing, refers to one and the same person as Anyachi Blessing, now wish to be known and addressed as Anyachi Blessing. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IKPORO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss. Peretei Ikporo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Peretei Osaisai. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AVI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss. Tarila Esther Avi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Tarila Esther Bukumor. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MOG-APPIA—I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Mabel Mog-Appia, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss. Mabel Agih.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

E K A N E M — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss.

Ekanem Ita Henshaw, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ekanem Henshaw Solomon DoveEdwin. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

S AT U R DAY — I , formerly known and addressed as Olobiriowei Saturday, now wish to be known and addressed as Olobiriowei Kiensai.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

STATION—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss. Station Ibuomo Grace, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Theophilus Ibuomo Grace. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

HAROLD—I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Felicia Enanyam Harold, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss. Puanoni Felicia Enanyam. All former documents remain valid.

Bayelsa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Ogbia Local Government Education Authority and general public please take note.

Confirmation of name I, Sonkey Ariwadininiaro Grace do hereby state that my name was wrongly written in my Acceptance form for provisional admission as Sunkey Ariwadininiaro Grace and in my voter ’s card as Ariwadinimaro instead of Sonkey Ariwadininiaro Grace. All former documents remain valid.

NDU and general public please take note.

Confirmation of name I, Newman Onumeya Blessing do hereby confirm that the name Newman Onumeya Blessing, Newman Onumeya Blessing Abome, and Newman Blessing refers to one and same me. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of name I, Johnson Samuel Erepawei do hereby confirm that the name Johnson Erepawei Samuel and Johnson Samuel refers to one and same me. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of name I, Awi Prosper Lazarus Godmercy do hereby confirm that the name Awi Prosper Lazarus refers to one and same me.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of name

public please take note.

Confirmation of name I, Gold Tamaralayefa Sophia do hereby confirm that the name Frank Tamaralayefa and Frank Gold Tamaralayefa S. refer to one and same me.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O N A S A N YA — I , formerly known and addressed as O n a s a n y a Omobolanle Idowu, now wish to be known and addressed as A n i m a s h a u n Omobolanle Idowu.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

GBADEBO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adejoke Oluwakemi Gbadebo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adejoke Oluwakemi Akomolafe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ONYEMAUCHECHI— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nkechinyere Onyemauchechi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nkechinyere Ijok Ataebirien. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AV B U L I M E N — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Avbulimen Omoibolo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ochi Ekene Omoibolo Favour. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ONYEANWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Frances Yomachi Onyeanwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Yomachi Frances Nwosu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ONOMOBE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ejiro Onomobe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Emonina Ejiro Rita.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ANYADIEGWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Anyadiegwu Nnenna Rita, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okonkwo Nnenna Rita. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWAGU—I, formerly known and addressed as Nwagu Vivian Chizoba, now wish to be known and addressed as Ezeonu Vivian Chizoba. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

N WA F O R — I , formerly known and addressed as Nwafor Daniel Chinedu, now wish to be known and addressed as Clement Chinedu Daniel. All former documents remain valid. United Bank for Africa Plc and general public please take note.

EMMANUEL—I, formerly known and addressed as Joan Eno Emmanuel, now wish to be known and addressed as Joan Edet Emmanuel. All former documents remain valid.

Guaranty Trust Bank and general public please take note.

OLARINDE—I, formerly known and addressed as Olarinde Moses Motunrayo Alayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Olarinde Moses. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SAKA—I, formerly known and addressed as Wisdom Ngale Saka, now wish to be known and addressed as Wisdom Oji. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of name This is to certify that Imonikosaye Great and Imonikosaye Oghenemaro is the same and one person but now wish to be known and addressed as Imonikosaye Great Oghenemaro. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ULOKO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Joyce Omokhuwe Rebecca Uloko, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Joyce Omokhuwe Rebecca Osuya. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UDEH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nkechinyere Vivienne Udeh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nkechinyere Vivienne Oke. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWOSU—I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Chioma Mirian Nwosu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chioma Miriam Edmund. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EBEBULUE—I, formerly known and addressed as Ebebulue Chukwueku, now wish to be known and addressed as Iyare Chuks. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OBASI—I, formerly known and addressed as Obasi Simon Eze, now wish to be known and addressed as Onu Simon Eze. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AGBABI—I, formerly known and addressed as Agbabi Michael, now wish to be known and addressed as Doghor-Agbabi Michael. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Reconciliation of names The names Christiana Oghenerukevwe Obayagbon and Obayagbon Christie Rukky refer to one and the same person. I now wish to be known and addressed as Christiana Oghenerukevwe Obayagbon. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

E Z E N WA O B I — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss O g e c h i Onyinyechukwu Ezenwaobi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. O g e c h i Onyinyechukwu Offor. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of name The names Chukwuma Jonathan Abuanekwu and Obi Jonathan Chukwuma refer to one and the same person. I now wish to be known and addressed as Obi Jonathan Chukwuma.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, Obaguo Walter, Obenola do hereby confirm that the name Obaguo Walter refers to one and same me. All former

documents

remain valid. General

46 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015

CAF U-23 AFCON:

Dalung drums support for Dream Team

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Golden Eaglets players savouring their finest moments at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Amuneke to coach U-17, U-20 teams

By Tony Ubani

U

NDER-17 World Cup coach, Emmanuel Amuneke has been given more responsibilities by the Nigeria Football Federation adding the U-20 national team to his portfolio.

Amuneke led the Golden Eaglets to conquer the World in Chile and the NFF confirmed yesterday that the former Super Eagles player would assist coach Manu Garuba at the U-

20(Flying Eagles) while still retaining his position as the chief coach of the Golden Eaglets.

President of the NFF, Pinnick Amaju said that

EADING financial institution, ZENITH Bank PLC, has promised to provide even greater support to the Nigeria Football Federation to fund capacity –enhancing programs among administrators of the game in the country.

A General Manager of the bank, Mr. Francis Ekonye, who represented the Group Managing Director, Mr. Peter

•Pinnick C M Y K

still retain his position as the gaffer of the U-17.

We want to pay more attention to these teams because they are the future of our senior national team,’ he said.

Iheanacho makes me happy — Bony

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ANCHESTER City striker Wilfred Bony has disclosed that Nigerian youngster, Kelechi Iheanacho makes him happy each time he scores.

The Ivorian born Bony, spoke of his brotherly love for Iheanacho, adding that

ZENITH pledges support for NFF leadership training

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Manu Garuba and Amuneke have a relationship that would be beneficial to Nigerian football. ‘’Amuneke will assist Garuba in the U-20 and

Amangbo, said this much while seeing off Chairmen of Football Associations of States in Nigeria who flew to the United Kingdom on Thursday, on a 4-day leadership training program.

“All I want to say is that ZENITH Bank is happy to be part of this and we would not hesitate to give support to any leadership training program. I know that as principal stakeholders of the game in the country, you would be great ambassadors of this country at the training program.”

Also at the Murtala M u h a m m e d International Airport, Lagos to see off the leading lights of the NFF Congress were NFF President Amaju Pinnick and 1st Vice President, Seyi Akinwunmi.

he is keen to help the former Golden Eaglets star achieve greatness in the game.

The duo were both on target as Manuel Pellegrini’s side beat Hull 4-1 in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night and Bony is pleased to see his fellow African impressing in England.

‘It is good for me to push him to do it the right way,’ said Bony. ‘He is a striker, so it is always good when he scores. It makes me happy as well.’

“I see him as my brother, because he has come from Africa like me,’ Bony told the Manchester Evening News.

‘So I give him lots of

•Bony advice on how to handle pressure. We have things in common, so I talk to him a lot – he sits close so I see him every day.’

City travel to the Britannia Stadium to face Stoke in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime.

INISTER of Youth and Sports Development Barr Solomon Dalung on Thursday congratulated the nation’s representatives in the ongoing CAF U-23 Football Championships in Senegal which serves as qualification for the football event of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Nigeria drew 2-2 with the pharaoh’s of Egypt on Wednesday.

In a telephone conversation with the Chief Coach Samson Siasia, Dalung urged the players to strive to qualify for the Olympics. “We are very proud of our boys, they played very well.

They could have won the

match but we are happy with the one point. I commend your efforts, and I want every Nigerian to support the team. Nobody wants the victory more than you do but sometimes in sports there are upsets and surprises” said Dalung.

Dalung urged Nigerians to get behind the boys and pray for their success.”Sports, especially football is the nation’s unifying force. I am appealing to Nigerians to get behind the team and pray for their success because victories in football further unite and give Nigerians joy ” said Dalung.

Egypt coach targets first win against Mali

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GYPTIAN coach Hossam Al Badri is optimistic that his team will beat Mali in their last group B game of the CAF Under-23 African Cup of Nations and hopefully reach the semi-finals.

Egypt have pulled two draws 1-1 against Algeria, and 2-2 against Nigeria on Wednesday. A generous win will assure them of advancing notwithstanding the result between Nigeria and Algeria. They are currently third with two points on the log, while Algeria and Nigeria are tied at four points each.

“We have to win against Mali to boost our chances. We still have a chance,” Al Badri stated.

Speaking on the high wire game against Nigeria on Wednesday night, the coach said: “It was a difficult game for us. We were down to two goals from penalties, and we had to come back stronger. “It was very

complicated for the players but they responded in the second half. We dominated in the second half and we deservingly equalized.”

Meanwhile Mali assistant coach Kolon Issa Coulibaly, said that his team will not lay down and be rolled over by Egypt .

The Malians have nothing at stake having lost two games 2-3 against Nigeria and 0-2 against Algeria. They will be meeting an Egyptian side desperate for a win.

“We will raise our heads up and play for honour in the third match against Egypt,” said Coulibaly.

He disclosed that it was disappointing that they lost two matches in which they did not play badly.

“Our disappointment is huge all, because these are the first two defeats since we assumed leadership of the team.

And it was at the crucial moment as the team sunk.

Rio 2016: Pele opposes ban on ‘clean’ athletes

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• K l i s h i n a . . . Ru s s i a n long jumper

RAZILIAN foot ball legend Pele has revealed his opposition to the ban on “clean” Russian athletes from the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro over the latest doping scandal.

“I don’t believe it is fair to punish those who were not involved in us-

ing doping,” Pele said.

Pele also acknowledged it was not easy to ensure full control over the use of banned substances. “It is necessary that all the federations from all over the world unite efforts to implement such a control.”

An independent World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) commission de-

livered on November 9 a report on its investigation into doping abuse allegations involving Russian athletes. This recommended that the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) suspends all athletes of the AllRussia Athletics Federation from international competitions.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015 — 47

CAF U-23 AFCON: It’s win or burst against Algeria — Siasia N IGERIA Under-23 team coach, Samson Siasia has reiterated the need to post a good result against Algeria in their last group B match of the CAF Under-23 African Cup of Nations, otherwise Nigeria’s chances of going to the Rio 2016 Olympics will evaporate.

Speaking Wednesday night after Nigeria survived an Egyptian scare in a 2-2 pulsating draw, Siasia lamented that his team was lethargic and the problem must be fixed, if they are to avoid defeat to Algeria.

Nigeria scored two penalty goals in the first half, but squandered the opportunity to cement a place in the semi-finals, when they conceded two preventable goals.

“It will be a tough battle against Algeria, and we have to be careful about the North African sides.

Speaking on the lost opportunity against Egypt Siasia maintained that: “We tend to lose concentration in the second half and I have to fix it. It was the same case in the first game against Mali and the same thing happened against Egypt.”

Team captain, Azubuike Okechukwu assured that the Algerian hurdle will be surmounted when they play on Saturday.

“We know the Algerians. We are not afraid of them.

“We respect them but we are not afraid of them."

Continues from BP ‘’I’ve received calls by many people wanting to know if we are hiring a coach to take over the job of Sunday Oliseh. That is absolutely out of it.

Perhaps, I was misquoted or misunderstood. But, what I meant was to solve the problem of not scoring goals by the team. This could be in a way of internship with big teams like Bayern Munich. And remember that Sunday Oliseh is the Pep Guardiola of Nigeria and it will be interesting for him to interface with Guardiola’’.

Pinnick said that the NFF were 100% satisfied with the job of Oliseh since he took over the

Dalung commiserates with late Sam Ibiam’s family, NFF

T

•IT'S A MUST WIN...Nigeria U-23 team coach, Samson Siasia strategising with his players ahead of Algeria clash tomorrow.

NFF takes over Golden Eaglets transfer P RESIDENT of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Melvin Amaju Pinnick has warned Parents of U-17 World Champions and suitor clubs to stay away from the players insisting that the football house would not issue any International Transfer Certificate(ITC) to

Pinnick reins of Super Eagles from Stephen Keshi. ‘’We have no regrets employing Oliseh and he has delivered 100%.

We at the NFF will give him everything he needs to succeed. And remember that Nigerians want results. It is in this line that we want to see that Oliseh has everything at his disposal to bring joy to millions of Nigerians.

We’re not hiring a foreign or new coach or heavyweight coach.

We’re happy and satisfied with Oliseh’’, Amaju said.

The Super Eagles have scored four goals in five competitive matches under Oliseh and the coach has remained unbeaten.

Clubs who lure the players to sign without their authority, reports Tony Ubani. ‘’We(NFF) will determine the clubs the players will play in and not their parents or the socalled Agents’’, Amaju warned yesterday at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport before the departure of Chairmen of Football Associations of States in Nigeria who flew to the United Kingdom on

a 4-day leadership training program. ‘’There are many tempting offers from many Clubs. We’re monitoring things and want only the best for these players. We have a role to play in their careers and not their parents or those so-called Agents who are only interested in the money they will make. These players are national assets to be kept together. All intending Clubs will come

FIFA ranking Continues from BP top stop with Argentina, Spain, Germany, Chile, Brazil, Portugal, Colombia, England and Austria in the world top ten.

The slip in the rankings is worrisome to Nigeria football enthusiasts as they fear, it could affect Nigeria’s chances in the world cup 2018 qualifying draw to be held in June.

Meanwhile FIFA executive committee has differed the expansion of the world to 40 teams.

The proposal was one of many offered by the

2016 FIFA Reform Committee during in Zurich, the latest effort to restructure the scandal-plagued soccer governing body.

Expansion — which would not occur until the 2026 tournament, at the earliest — would “enhance the universality of FIFA and to enlarge the basis for participation at major competitions” the FIFA Reform Committee wrote in its proposal.

FIFA last expanded the World Cup field (from 24 to 32) at the 1998 World Cup.

to the NFF for us to strike a better deal that will be beneficial to them and not those slave contracts that will extinguish their glowing careers. We’re doing this not because of any financial gain. We’re trying to build a future Nigerian team. These players if properly managed will be the ones to bring more honour and glory to our country’’, he said.

HE Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development Barrister Solomon Dalung has commiserated with the family of the first Nigerian goalkeeper, Sam Ibiam who died on Wednesday at the age of 91.

The Honourable Minister also sympathized with the football governing body in Nigeria, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the football family in Nigeria on the death of the legend.

“Though, Pa Ibiam died at the ripe age of 91, it is always painful when we lose people that we love irrespective of their age.

I sympathize with his immediate family, the NFF and members of the football family. He has left a huge vacuum that cannot be filled” said Dalung.

Ibiam, the first Nigerian national team goalkeeper was born in 1925 in Ebonyi State. He was the goalkeeper the Nigerian team that was selected for a tour of the United Kingdom, popularly called the UKTourists in 1949.

Barr Dalung urged the new generation of footballers and athletes generally to emulate the sterling qualities of Ibiam and other players of his generation and always give their best for Nigeria.

No FIFA decision on World Cup expansion

F

IFA’S Executive Committee has announced it has discussed the possible expansion of the World Cup to 40 teams and also agreed to limit FIFA presidents to three terms of four years.

The ExCo agreed a number of proposals put forward by the governing body’s reform committee during another tumultuous day for the organisation.

The reform announcement came just hours after two senior FIFA officials, Alfredo Hawit, president of CONCACAF, and Juan

Angel Napout, president of CONMEBOL, were taken into custody by Swiss police following raids at the Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich.

Both Hawit and Napout are suspected of accepting millions of dollars in bribes and have opposed immediate extradition to the United States.

A statement released by FIFA confirmed reports of an expansion of the World Cup from 32 to 40 teams, reportedly in time for the 2026 World Cup, had been discussed but no decision had been made on the proposal.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015

CAF U-23 AFCON: Page 47

FIFA have announced a string of reforms, but their acting president Issa Hayatou appeared to fall asleep as the announcements were made after a long day in Zurich yesterday

It’s win or burst against FIFA rankings: Nigeria Algeria — Siasia

slip out of sight

NFF takes over Golden Eaglets transfer

N

IGERIA’s ratings on the FIFA world rankings continue to tumble as the Super Eagles slipped seven th places down from 56 to th 66 in the world rankings.

Amuneke to coach U-17, U-20 teams — Page 46

On the Africa continent Mali and Uganda previously down in the November rankings, over took Nigeria perched at the 14th position. Cote ‘d Ivoire still remain number one in Africa.

Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde Islands, Tunisia, Senegal, Congo, Guinea, Egypt and Cameroon make up the Africa top ten.

Belgium maintained Continues on Page 47

Heavyweight Coach: Guardiola can help Oliseh out — Pinnick

BY TONY UBANI

•Garuba

•Amuneke

Pistorius GUILTY of murdering Reeva

P

RESIDENT of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Melvin Amaju Pinnick yesterday threw more light on the offer of a ‘’Heavyweight’’ coach to the Super Eagles to solve the lack of goals by the Sunday Olisehtutored team.

Continues on Page 47

•Pinnick

•Oliseh

•Guardiola

QUICK CROSSWORD

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

FRI DAY'S ANS WERS FRID ANSWERS

ACROSS 4 Throw (5) 7 Immature (6) 9 Also (3) 10 Rodent (3) 12 Proprietor (5) 13 Cook (4) 15 Angry (5) 17 Instrument (6) 19 Part (4) 20 Representative (5) 22 Plunge (3) 24 Scorned (7) 27 Encountered (3) 28 Perch (5) 31 Dread (4) 33 Locating (6) 35 Performer (5) 37 Gaelic (4) 38 Carp (5) 39 Horse (3) 41 Spotted (3) 42 Chase (6) 43 Cut (5)

DOWN 1 Tree (6) 2 Maintain (6) 3 Because (3) 4 Bottom (4) 5 Drop (5) 6 Unnecessary (8) 8 Tarry (4) 11 Custom (9) 14 Store (4) 16 Parched (4) 18 Detail (4) 21 Create (8) 23 Fairy (4) 25 Repose (4) 26 Finished (4) 29 Monster (6) 30 Poured (6) 32 Elevate (5) 34 Snare (4) 36 Clothed (4) 40 Firearm (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Chef 4, Cab 6, Stab 9, Aid 10, Revolver 11, Beat 14, Orb 16, Berth 19, Reported 21, Eerie 23, Demanded 24, Press 27, Tit 31, Rite 33, Original 34, Sin 35, Bent 36, Ash 37, East.

DOWN: 2, Heel 3, Flog 4, Cavorted 5, Bore 6, Sabre 7, Tie 8, Adapt 12, Creep 13, Spine 14, Ore 15 Beret 17, Ready 18, Hardy 20, Diminish 22, Eat 25, Raise 26, Spent 28, Rota 29, Pile 30, Pass 32, Tin.

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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