Buhari, APC govs to oppose polls shift

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62330

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N150

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Over N30trn stolen from Federation Account, AKPABIO: 35 9 Soludo insists Uncommon Legacy AS NATIONAL COUNCIL OF STATE MEETS TODAY:

Buhari, APC govs to oppose polls shift

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor, Clifford Ndujihe, Henry Umoru, Joseph Erunke & Levinus Nwabughiogu

•Buhari, Obasanjo expected to attend after long absence •INEC, Clark, others speak as protesters storm INEC office

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BUJA—AHEAD of today ’s National Council of State meeting, All Progressives Congress, APC, governors were, yesterday, mobilizing to fend off pressures to use

Continues on Page 5

COLUMNISTS:

Boko Haram: Between Chadians and South African mercinaries

•P.17

Wanted: A president for new Nigeria (1) •P.19

Mr & Mrs

CHADIAN TROOPS RETAKE GAMBORU—Motorcycles left by Boko Haram Islamist militants in Gamboru, after Chadian soldiers took control of the Nigerian border town. Around 2,000 Chadian troops backed by armoured vehicles poured across the border into Gamboru on February 3 after the African Union last week backed a regional force to take on the extremists. BELOW LEFT: Chadian and Cameroonian soldiers trying to cross the El Beid bridge, which separates Fotokol from Gamboru.

RIGHT: Chadian soldiers on patrol in Gamboru yesterday, after taking control of the town. Photos: AFP.

OIL: FG slashes Chadian troops kill 200 2015 Budget Boko Haram terrorists 8 9

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POCKET CARTOON

ADEBOYE @ 73—From left: Pastor Tunji Onileaja, the Convener of Pastor Adeboye Annual Lecture planning committee; Pastor Yemi Osinbajo, Vice Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC; Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG and celebrator; and Pastor F.O. Lemoshe, Chairman, during the Annual Lecture series in commemoration of the 73rd Birthday of Pastor Adeboye in Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

Buhari, APC govs to oppose polls shift Continues from Page 1 the platform to push forward agitations for the postponement of this month’s scheduled elections.

A number of APC governors, who had in the past stayed away from the meeting, were last night headed for Abuja to add verve to the opposition to the postponement. APC presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, who had in the past three years also ignored the meeting according to feelers, could show up today. There were also speculations that former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who had also been absent in recent meetings, could attend the meeting.

Conflicting views on holding the election were, yesterday, projected by different political platforms even as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, put forth a strong rebuttal to a Reuters dispatch of the possibility of a postponement.

A group of activists, yesterday, laid siege to the gates of INEC, demanding the postponement of the

election based on sundry reasons, including unavailability of the Permanent Voters' Cards, PVCs in the south and alleged failure to cater for Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs in the North-East.

Presidential candidate of the United Progressive Party, UPP, Chief Chekwas Okorie, however, condemned the calls as he warned that a postponement could lead to anarchy.

Give INEC free hand — Buhari Buhari in a statement ahead of today’s meeting said that there was no basis for a postponement given what he said was the assurance by the election management body that it was set for the polls.

Buhari’s reaction, articulated by Garba Shehu, media director of the Buhari Campaign Organisation read thus: “The Independent National Electoral Commission is the custodian of the electoral process and should, therefore, be given a free hand to conduct the 2015

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others —Marcus Tullius Cicero

I

F you look at the bright side of life, your whole life becomes filled with light. This light affects not only you and the way you look at the world, but it also affects your whole environment and the people around you. If this attitude is strong enough, it becomes contagious.

It’s like radiating light around you. Seneca, the ancient Greek Philosopher must have this mind when he wrote a long ago that true happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing.

The greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach.

A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not. Here is the beauty of truth; you can always strive to archive whatever you desire.

general elections in line with the laws of the land.”

He thus reminded members of the National Council of State that their honour and integrity are at stake, and, therefore, they must weigh the implications of election postponement.

He said the incredible enthusiasm with which Nigerians are ready to vote during the February general election should not be dampened and ruined by any idea of election postponement to serve expedient political objectives.

“As at the last count all stakeholders have committed to the conduct of the general election as scheduled. INEC had expressed its preparedness, the military and police have committed to providing adequate security and even the PDP says it is prepared for the election.

From all indications the only person who is not prepared for the election appears to be President Jonathan who has seen defeat staring him in the face and is pulling all the strings to re-enact the June 12, 1993 scenario.”

The National Council of State consists of the following persons: President, who is the Chairman; VicePresident, who is the Deputy Chairman; all former presidents of the Federation and all former Heads of the Government of the Federation; all former Chief Justices of Nigeria; President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, all the governors and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The duties of the council include to “advise the President whenever requested to do so on the maintenance of public order within the Federation or any part thereof and on such other matters as the President may direct.”

Buhari who has not attended the council’s meetings for three years, it was learnt, could show up at today’s meeting to give energy to those opposed to a shift. A number of APC governors were also last night headed for Abuja.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, who is normally a strange face at meetings in the Presidential Villa, a source revealed, was last night on the road to Abuja and is expected to be a strong advocate for the retention of the scheduled dates for the election.

There were also indications that Obasanjo could also attend.

Suggestions to that effect gained ground after Leadership Newspaper which was to honour the former president and two governors cancelled today’s ceremony.

Group seeks postponement

The group which laid siege to the gates of INEC, known as Hope Alive Initiative, demanded the extension of the election date by 60 days, saying such would allow for the proper collections of PVCs by Nigerians.

The aggrieved protesters, who stormed the commission’s headquarters, as early as 11:30 am, blocked the INEC gate preventing either entry or exit of workers and visitors.

The protesters, who alleged marginalization of certain parts of the country, particularly southerners in the distribution of the PVCs, called on the commission to extend the elections by two months, to give room for what they called equitable distribution of the cards.

The group’s coordinator, Comrade Termunus Brods, called on INEC to also cater for the plight of the Internally Displaced

Persons (IDPs) whom he said are also Nigerians.

INEC Assistant Director of Security, B. O. Edoh, who addressed the group, said INEC had made adequate arrangements for the collection of the cards by their owners, saying that there was no reason why the election should be postponed.

“It is not correct that INEC is still keeping about 30 million cards, it is not correct. Attempts and reasonable steps have been taken by the honourable chairman of the commission to distribute these voter cards at the ward levels, it is not even at the local government offices. Men have been in the field and are still in the field now distributing them.

“On the issue of extension, against the background of the two reasons I have given you now, it would not be justifiable to postpone the election. It is not as if the heaven will fall if the election is postponed or extended, heaven will not fall. It is not sacrosanct, but we have not been persuaded enough to take that action,” he said.

That point against postponement was reiterated by Mr. Kayode Idowu, Chief Press Secretary to Professor Attahiru Jega, the chairman of INEC. In a strong rebuttal to a dispatch by Reuters quoting a national commissioner as saying that INEC could postpone the election, Idowu said: “I write to refute your story in Reuters attributing National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Amina Zakari, as saying that the 2015 general elections may be delayed if the number of Permanent Voter Cards collected by voters is too low.

“I was at the Situation Room Dialogue with INEC in Abuja this morning (yesterday) and I know that the Commissioner spoke in regard to the February 8 deadline for the collection of PVCs, nothing about the schedule of the general elections.

INEC refutes claim “The inference you’ve made for the schedule of elections is entirely yours, and misrepresents the conversation that took place at the event this morning. You will do well to correct the report urgently, please.”

Also yesterday, Chief Edwin Clark, a former federal commissioner for information had urged Jega to speak on the readiness or otherwise of the commission for the election.

Against the backdrop of calls for the postponement of the February 14 and 28 general elections by some persons in the country, Chief Clark said the onus was on Jega to tell Nigerians the position of INEC in this regard.

“I don’t want to comment on whether the election should be postponed or not. But what is more important is whether INEC is ready.

That is the most important statement.

“You remember in 2011 when INEC messed us up in the election for National Assembly and had to postpone it. If they are ready, let them tell us.

But if they are not ready, let Jega come out and tell Nigerians that they are not.”

Presidential candidate of the UPP, Chief Okorie at a press conference in Abuja denounced the calls for poll shift, saying: "I condemn in the strongest terms the recent mischievously contrived clamour for the postponement of the 2015 General Elections to another date outside the dates and timetable announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in February 2014, over 12 months ago. The reasons given by the proponents of the postponement that a great number of Nigerians will be disenfranchised having not been given their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) which will enable them to participate in the election is a contrived reason and to a large extent pedestrian."

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Security agents kill community leader in cult-related shootout

By Perez Brisibe

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GHELLI— A combined team of Ughelli Vigilante outfit, nicknamed Bakassi, and policemen, yesterday, killed the Vice Chairman of Oteri Community Executive in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State on the allegation that he was the brain behind series of cultrelated killings in Ughelli and its environs.

The suspect, identified as Dennis, alias Erhio, had been on the wanted list of security agents in the area and was said to have been operating under the guise of the community executive.

According to an executive of vigilante outfit, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Dennis, whose remains were taken to the community town hall, was killed during a gun duel with police officers and members of the vigilance group.

Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Celestina Kalu, said she was yet to be briefed on the incident.

5 arrested for raping 14-yr-old in Nasarawa

By Abel Daniel

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AFIA—OFFICERS of Nasarawa State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, yesterday, paraded five suspects for allegedly raping a 14-yearold girl.

The state Commandant of NSCDC, Mr. Andekin Musa, said the suspects, including a father of three, were labourers working at a construction site in Doma Local Government market.

Musa disclosed that the girl they raped hawks sachet water,

otherwise called Pure water, in the same area.

He said four of the suspects had, on January 30, lured the girl into an uncompleted building beside Doma market and took turns to rape her.

Musa said: “The suspects raped her in an uncompleted building near the market. They lured her into the building, saying they would buy her water, but instead raped her.”

The commandant explained that the four suspects, after their arrest, implicated the fifth on who also confessed to raping the girl.

Musa said that officers of the command in Doma, acting on a tip-off on February 1, arrested two of the suspects near Tudun Laraba community in Doma.

He said the other three suspects were later arrested on the same day from the Doma market.

Musa said: “The rape took place on January 30 and they were arrested on February 1.

They have all confessed to committing the offence.”

Musa said the suspects, Wada Mohammed, 37; Tanko Adamu, 36; Abubakar Ogachi, 40; Yusuf Ogar, 35; and Samaila Ali, 35, would be prosecuted after investigation had been concluded.

Our charms failed us, says robbery suspect

By Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS—ONE of the members of a three-man robbery gang busted by the Police in Lagos State at Magbon, Oko-Afo, Ile-Epo area of the state, has said that they were caught because their charms failed.

Dosumu Sadiq, 21, the second-in-command, said he

produces charms used during operations, to protect and prevent police from arresting them.

The other two members are Ibikunle Samson, 23, and Adebayo Moses, 20. They were arrested during a recent robbery operation along Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

According to Sadiq, “unfortunately, our charms

failed. That is why we were caught.”

Vanguard gathered that the case was transferred from Morogbo Divisional Police Headquarters to Special AntiRobbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja.

Suspect's account

Sadiq, recounted his exploits: “I live at 27 Itaki Street, Araromi, I am an indigene of

Woman, 20, docked over wedding rings theft

By Bartholomew Madukwe

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20-year-old woman, Joy Anthony, was yesterday, arraigned before an lkeja Magistrate's Court in Lagos, for allegedly stealing wedding rings belonging to one Mrs Abiola Dare.

The accused was said to have also stolen jewellery, diamond rings, bracelets, rings and gold earrings valued at N2.5 million.

Joy was arraigned on a two-count charge of stealing, but she pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe granted her bail in the sum of N500,000, with two responsible sureties in like sum and adjourned the matter till June 26 for mention.

“From our investigation, the suspects have been in the habit of raping underage girls and we have been receiving reports of similar cases in that area,” he added.

One of the suspects, Samaila, said the devil pushed him to commit the crime as it was not in his habit to rape women.

He said: “I have a wife and three children and I have never done this kind of thing before. It is the devil that pushed me to do it.”

The father of the girl, Mallam Umar Mohammed, thanked NSCDC for arresting the suspects and expressed optimism that justice would be done.

NABBED: From left— Adebayo Moses, Dosumu Sadiq and Ibikunle Samson, the robbery suspects. PHOTO: Esther Onyegbula.

Awori in Lagos state, I was introduced into robbery by my friend, Abbey.

“Abbey and I attended Araromi Ilogbo Secondary School, in Oko-afo.

Immediately I completed my secondary education in 2009, I became an apprentice to an aluminium fabricator.

“I have completed my apprenticeship. I went into robbery to raise money for my freedom. My parents are divorced and I live with my mother. I am the second child of the family. My parents do not know I am into robbery.

“I started robbery August 2014, and I have participated in about four operations. My grandfather is a native doctor; I learnt how to make charms through him. I made charms for members of the gang.

“The charms were for protection during operations and to prevent security operatives from arresting us.

Abbey is the gang leader.

“We had access to the gun anytime there is an operation.

We use commercial bike operators for operations because it is easy to escape with.

“I brought Samson and Moses to the gang. Their responsibility is to take us to the robbery location because they are Okada men and are familiar with the terrain.”

Ihebereme, Imo Perm Sec, abducted

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI—FEAR has gripped top civil servants in Imo State, following the kidnap of a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Johnny Ihebereme, by a gang of hoodlums.

According to his colleagues, Dr. Ihebereme, a renowned Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, was last seen

sometime last week.

Some of his colleagues, who spoke on strict grounds of anonymity, told Vanguard that Ihebereme, a native of Ahiazu Mbaise, had a flourishing private hospital located along Ajoku Street, Owerri.

One said: “We were told that our very friendly Permanent Secretary was abducted in front of his private hospital. We have neither heard from him nor seen

him since.”

The staff affirmed that palpable fear had now gripped most workers in the state, over the rising cases of serious crimes targeted at hapless workers.

The staff of the ministry added: “The kidnap of Dr. Ihebereme has again brought to the fore, the unresolved abduction of the Permanent Secretary in the Deputy

Governor’s Office, Mr. Emenike Ihekwoaba, three years ago.”

He lamented that the periodic kidnap and assassination of civil servants in the state was getting out of hand and gave a litany of names of victims.

Contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said: “No such matter has been incidented in any Police station.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015—7

3,366 PVCs stolen in Ebonyi

By Peter Okutu

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BAKALIKI—EBONYI State Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, disclosed that

3,366 Permanent Voter's Cards, PVCs, were stolen from a staff of the commission in different parts of the state.

In a statement issued at the commission’s headquarters in

Abakaliki, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in the state, Dr. Lawrence Azubuike, noted that the PVCs were snatched from INEC staff traversing the state to

ENFORCEMENT: An Okada man and policeman slug it out in Ibadan. PHOTO: Dare

Fasube.

3 dead, 20 injured as PDP, APC supporters clash in Lagos

By Ifeanyi Okolie

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HERE was pandemonium, yesterday, at Ajegunle area of Lagos State, as supporters of All Progressives Congress, APC, clashed with those of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, leaving three people dead, with 20 injured.

Vanguard gathered that the crisis started around 3pm when the party supporters accosted themselves at Ayetoro area of Ajegunle during campaign rallies, leading to a fight.

An eyewitness, who spoke with Vanguard, blamed the fights, which quickly spread to Boundary Bus Stop, on some APC supporters who were quarrelling over money given to them by one of the party candidates.

The eyewitness said: “The fight started when party supporters were sharing money given them by an aspirant.

“Ununfortunately some PDP supporters met them at Ayetoro and APC supporters attacked them.”

distribute the cards, so that no one was disenfranchised in next month’s election.

Azubuike advised those behind the act to desist from it, stressing that the efforts spent in snatching PVCs that belong to others was wasted.

He said: “INEC Ebonyi State, however, notes with concern and disappointment recent criminal development and desperation, which sees some hooligans waylaying and snatching PVCs from hapless staff traversing the state to distribute PVCs. “ Within the last three days, no less than 3,366 PVCs have been snatched from INEC staff in the field.

“In Eka Awoke Registration Area of Ikwo council, hoodlums snatched 302 PVCs from INEC staff distributing the cards; at Igbeagu III in Izzi council, Tuesday, 3,064 PVCs were similarly snatched from staff on distribution day.

“In Ohaukwu council, INEC staff were attacked in the course of distributing PVCs. However, no cards were snatched.”

EFCC declares Nyako, son wanted

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

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IX months after removal from office, former Adamawa State Governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako, was yesterday, declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The commission, in a statement released to Vanguard in Abuja, also declared the son of the former governor, Abdulaziz, wanted.

The statement, which was

signed by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said Nyako and his son were wanted in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering.

The commission did not, however, say in which case the two men were implicated, raising suspicion that it might be connected with the alleged looting of the state, which led to the impeachment of the former governor in July last

year.

EFCC also said it would prosecute six men said to have swindled a businessman of N115 million under the guise of securing a crude oil supply deal with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

Footballer jailed 2 years for drug trafficking

By Innocent Anaba

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Federal High Court in Lagos, yesterday, sentenced a Brazilbased Nigerian footballer, Umeh Henry, to two years imprisonment, for drug trafficking.

The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris sentenced the accused after he pleaded guilty to a one-count charge preferred against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA. Before sentencing the accused, Justice Idris expressed satisfaction that he told the court the truth, and had admitted committing the offence.

The judge, however, educated the accused on the negative effects of drugs, irrespective of its usage.

He ruled: “Having pleaded guilty to the charge before this court, the

accused is hereby convicted as charged. He is accordingly sentenced to two years imprisonment, beginning from the date of his arrest.

“It is good that you have said the truth and God will forgive you; but do not take drugs anymore because any relief it gives you is only temporary. So, when you get out of jail, do not engage in drug use again,” the judge admonished.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Mr. Vembe Emmanuel, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on October 6, 2014, at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos.

He said the accused was arrested during the inward clearance of an Emirate Airline flight from Brazil, with about 15 grammes of cocaine recovered from him.

Robbers snatch placenta, cash from 60-yr-old woman

By Evelyn Usman

A

two-man robbery gang, Monday night, attacked a 60-year-old woman at Agboju area of Lagos, dispossessing her of a bag containing placenta, cash and other valuables.

The woman, identified simply as Mrs Onwumere, was returning from a private hospital where her daughter was delivered of a baby boy.

She was said to have been given the placenta to dispose of, and had stopped at Agboju Market to buy ingredients to prepare Pepper Soup for the nursing mother.

However, on reaching Agboju Market, the robbers, said to be operating on a motorcycle, snatched the bag from her and disappeared into the dark.

Time was 9pm.

She was said to have been too stunned to raise alarm.

Some of the onlookers gave her an undisclosed amount with which to buy the ingredients.

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Why we need military presence at polling centres —Jega zSays INEC has distributed over 44m PVCs

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA — CHAIRMAN of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, yesterday, adduced reasons armed military men should be allowed to mount sentry around polling centres during the forthcoming general elections.

Speaking at a dialogue session the commission held with Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, accredited observers and political parties in Abuja, yesterday, Jega, who was represented by a National Commissioner at INEC, Mrs. Amina Zakari, said there was high need for the military to be on standby to forstall possible outbreak of violence within the polling centres.

He, however, stressed that the commission will not allow the use of masked security men during the poll, adding that INEC has already held meetings with all the security agencies in the country.

Nevertheless, the INEC boss noted that constitutionally, the burden of providing security on election day rests with the Nigeria Police Force who he said could request the service of other paramilitary agencies like the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC. Besides, Jega yesterday disclosed that the electoral body has already distributed over 44 million Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, saying over 90 per cent of the PVCs are in the various states of the federation awaiting collection.

According to him, “we have distributed over 70 per cent of the PVCs, we had no problems with the smaller states, only in the larger states of Lagos, Kano and Borno State which we are still working hard to overcome."

Chadian soldiers kill 200 Boko Haram terrorists zHelp Nigeria recapture Gamboru A

BUJA — CHADIAN soldiers have killed more than 200 Boko Haram terrorists as the soldiers recaptured Nigerian town of Gamboru after the Islamist terrorist group attacked a military base in Cameroon and were chased into north-eastern Nigeria.

In the encounter, according to Chad’s military chief in a statement, nine Chadian soldiers were killed and 21 injured when the insurgents attacked the base of the Multinational Joint Taskforce, a coalition Chad, Niger and Nigeria formed to fight Boko Haram.

Chad’s military chief said: “We regret nine dead and 21 wounded. On the enemy side, more than 200 deaths...,” adding that the toll could rise since clean-up operations in the Nigerian town of Gamboru were continuing.

The Chadian soldiers reportedly pursued the Boko Haram fighters into Nigeria and followed them to their bases in the towns of Gamboru and Ngala in Borno State, the general said in a statement published on the Chadian news website, Al Wihda.

Soldiers destroyed a dozen Boko Haram vehicles loaded with heavy weapons and about a hundred motorbikes and seized a canon, according to the statement.

insisted, claiming national forces had “planned and are driving the present onslaught against terrorists from all fronts in Nigeria, not the Chadian forces.”

Regional forces have gone into action on several fronts.

Nigerian and Chadian war planes have been bombing Boko Haram hideouts since Monday.

Defence spokesman, Chris Olukolade, said Tuesday that Nigeria’s sovereignty was not compromised by the presence of Chadian troops because all units were working in

cooperation.

The insurgents are in control of about 130 villages and towns in northern Nigeria A security source said, “when the Chadians entered Gamboru, the Boko Haram members who were in the town and some villages fled and clashed with Cameroon soldiers at Fotokol as the Islamists fled an offensive by Chad’s army. Fighting between them and our soldiers is really intense.”

Chadian jet fighters had also bombed Gamboru before

its troops entered.

Boko Haram fighters were said to have gone on the rampage in the Cameroonian border town of Fotokol, yesterday, killing civilians and torching a mosque before being repelled by regional forces.

Some of the insurgents escaped and slipped back across the border into Fotokol at dawn to make a fresh attack “Boko Haram inflicted so much damage here this morning. They have killed dozens of people,” Umar Babakalli, a resident of Fotokol, told AFP by telephone.

Gamboru liberated

According to a source with Nigeria’s Defence Ministry on the condition of anonymity, “Gamboru has been liberated, and that came with a serious cost to Boko Haram.” The multinational troops are working in tandem to rout out these elements.

About 2,000 Chadian soldiers were stationed along the border this week after the African Union agreed on January 31 to send 7,500 troops to fight Boko Haram.

In Gamboru, the offensive, which was preceded by days of Chadian air strikes, had left scenes of desolation, with bodies lying on the ground, houses destroyed, shops gutted and trucks charred.

“We have routed this band of terrorists,” the commander of the Chadian contingent Ahmat Dari told AFP Tuesday, vowing to “hunt them down everywhere.”

Nigeria's sovereignty not compromised —DHQ

Nigeria has reacted defensively to the presence of foreign troops on its soil.

“Nigeria’s territorial integrity remains intact,” defence spokesman Chris Olukolade

VISIT: From left: Oba Babatunde Osuntogun, Oniwasinmi of Wasinmi; Oba Olufemi Ogunleye, Towulade of Akinade Kingdom; Oba Rasaki Jimoh Famuyiwa, Onipapa of Papalanto and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo during a visit of the Oba from Egbaland to Obasanjo Presidential library, yesterday. PHOTO: WUNMI AKINOLA.

EFCC declares Nyako, son wanted zTo arraign 6 over N115m oil fraud

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

A

BUJA — SIX months after he was removed from office, former Adamawa State governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako (ret), was yesterday, declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The commission in a statement released to Vanguard in Abuja, also declared the son of the former governor, Abdulaziz, wanted.

The statement, which was signed by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said Nyako and his son were wanted in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering.

The commission did not, however, say in which case the two men were implicated,

raising suspicion that it might not be unconnected with the alleged looting of the state, which led to the impeachment of the former governor last July.

The declaration of the duo as wanted men came just as the commission dusted up its papers to prosecute six men said to have swindled a businessman of N115 million under the guise of securing a crude oil supply deal with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. The six men said to be operating as a syndicate tricked one Bascom Energy Company and obtained the amount with a promise to sell their consignment of Bonny Light crude oil from the NNPC to the company.

Convinced that the syndicate operating under different oil company names

had the said consignment for sale, the unsuspecting firm began to part with money to the prospective oil suppliers, without knowing that it was a trap.

EFCC said, yesterday, that it had concluded investigations into the scam and was set to try the six men, whose names were given as Emmanuel Owoicho, who presented himself as the owner of Owoema Resources Limited; Michael Morowei Oghenemi, Managing Director of Standard Allied Universal Concept Limited and Emeka Achielefu Nwangwa, Managing Director of Ann Petroleum Investment Company.

Others are: Parbor Wariowei, Managing Director, Alien Logic Ways Unique Services; Ogboyomi Bartholomew Taiye, Managing Director, Unique Energy Systems Limited and Joseph Sunday Odega, Managing Director, Calibrate Inspection Services Limited.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 —9

OIL: FG slashes 2015 budget A

BUJA — THE Federal Government has more than halved capital expenditure to less than 10 per cent of the 2015 budget spending, axing badly needed infrastructure investment due to the collapse in the price of oil, the country ’s main source of revenue, according to the full budget submitted to the national Assembly.

Even though government’s capital spending seldom materialises as planned, shelving projects such as port upgrades and roads will only perpetuate the inefficiencies that have plagued Africa’s most populous nation and biggest economy for decades.

The document, seen by Reuters, puts capital expenditure at N387 billion ($2 billion), or 8.9 per cent of total spending of N4.357 trillion.

This is a significant drop

from the 2014 spending plans when capex, or capital expenditure, accounted for 23.7 per cent of projected government outlays.

It is also only just over half the N634 billion that Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala, in her December budget presentation, said would go on capital expenditure and related items.

Director General, Budget Office, Bright Okogwu, said the reductions were the direct result of the halving in the last six months of the price of crude, which normally accounts for 80 per cent of the cash flowing in to state coffers.

“The capex was severely affected by the huge reduction in revenue,” Okogu told Reuters, adding that it was easier to wield the axe on infrastructure projects than Nigeria’s notoriously bloated bureaucracy.

He said wages were difficult

to cut and “ you cannot reduce staff numbers overnight.”

Despite the overall capital expenditure reduction, spending on military equipment was set to rise slightly, reflecting the need for weapons to counter Boko Haram Islamist militants in the northeast.

The National Assembly is expected to start discussing the budget later this month and it is likely to be passed some time in March, regardless of who wins the presidential election on February 14, though supplements could be added. One such could be for military equipment if Nigeria secures a loan of up to $1 billion, which President Goodluck Jonathan requested last year.

The oil-price slump

The oil-price slump has

hammered Nigeria, whose currency has hit a series of record lows against the dollar in the last three months despite the central bank burning through 20 percent of its reserves to prop it up.

The government’s benchmark oil price for this year’s budget is $65 a barrel, a figure the finance ministry says will not be changed despite crude falling as low as $45 a barrel in January.

As well as knocking this year’s overall growth forecast, the impact is being felt in the construction sector, where sources say infrastructure projects that were already moving at a snail’s pace have been put on ice for this year.

Construction firms have halted work on roads, railways and bridges, firing up to a third of workers and maintaining only skeleton crews.

Soludo insists over N30trn stolen from federation zWithholds Parts 2 & 3 of promised three-part response account

By Omoh Gabriel

L

AGOS— FORMER Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, yesterday insisted that N30 trillion has either been stolen or unaccounted for from the federation account, saying he stands by every statement he made in his two articles.

He also said that since the Minister of Finance and Cocoordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, was not ready to engage in a debate, he is holding back the other two part response he promised to release to the public.

He said: “Let me also state, for the avoidance of doubt, that I stand by every statement I made in the two articles namely: ‘Buhari vs Jonathan: Beyond the Elections”; and “Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the missing trillions.’

“In particular, I insist that over N30 trillion has either been stolen or unaccounted for, or grossly mismanaged over the last few years. This figure does not include the estimated $40.9 billion (N8.6 trillion at parallel market exchange rate or nearly two years’ Federal Government budget) which the African Union’s (AU) recent report claims to be ‘stolen’ from Nigeria each year.

“My attention has been drawn to statements credited to the Hon. Minister of

MOU: From left: Director-General, National AIDS Control Agency, NACA, Prof. John

Idoko; Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Dikko; and Country Director, The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS, UNAIDS, Dr. Bilali Camara at the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding between Etisalat and UNAIDS to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Nigeria, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Akeem Salau

Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in response to my latest article and call for a structured debate on the issues.

"According to the report, she no longer wants to join issues with me. In the circumstance of the moment, I therefore withhold parts two and three of my promised three-part response.

“I wish to thank Nigerians all over the world who have been contributing to this timely

debate. This is election time and it is expected that some vested interests will either choose to live in denial or attempt to politicise the issues."

“But from the debate so far, I am convinced that our economic management won’t be the same again. Once our managers know that the citizens will rigorously and vigorously challenge them to account, the welfare of the citizens will be better for it.

"Whoever wins has his job cut out for him, and to the extent that this debate has challenged the respective teams to seriously re-examine their blueprints to guarantee the security and prosperity of every Nigerian, my objective is accomplished.

"I love my country Nigeria, and as I said before, I won’t keep quiet again. Once more, Nigeria must survive and prosper beyond Buhari or Jonathan."

N2.04bn lost as vandals attack EscravosLagos pipeline zPower situation to drop by 1,505MW —NNPC

By Michael Eboh

A

BUJA — GOVERNMENT lost about N2.04 billion ($12 million) over the last four days, while the power situation in the country is expected to drop by about 1,505 megawatts over the next couple of days, as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, yesterday, said that the Escravos-Lagos pipeline has been vandalised by saboteurs.

Group Executive Director, Gas and Power of the NNPC, Mr. David Ige, in a statement signed by Mr. Ohi Alegbe, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, lamented the recent increase in the attack on crude oil and gas pipelines across the country, stating that the country is losing about 60,000 barrels of crude oil and condensates daily whenever there is a pipeline break.

According to Ige, the Escravos-Lagos gas pipeline was vandalised over the weekend, with four breaks.

With a crude price of about $50 per barrel, the loss of 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day translates to a loss of about $3 million or N510 million per day. For the four days that the pipeline had been damaged, it is expected that the country would have lost about N2.04 billion following the shut down of the pipeline for repairs.

Power situation to worsen

Apart from the loss of revenue from crude sales, Ige further stated that power situation is expected to worsen in the coming days as a number of power plants relying on gas supply from the pipeline will be starved of gas to generate electricity.

He said: “Each time a gas pipeline was brought down by the vandals, power supply across the country drops which adversely affects economic activities across the length and breadth of the nation.”

The Escravos-Lagos pipeline is capable of transporting about 200 million metric cubic feet of gas per day, translating to about 1,505 megawatts of electricity.

10— Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Drama as APC, PDP campaign trains ‘collide' in LagoszPDP denies alleged attack on APC supporters L

By Dapo Akinrefon & Olasunkanmi Akoni

AGOS—THERE was a mild drama yesterday when several supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ran into a campaign train of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, alongside Mr Babatunde Fashola, the governor of Lagos at Alaka Bus Stop, Surulere.

The PDP supporters allegedly abandoned their train, folded their umbrella and threw away all other party souvenirs in exchange for those of the APC and joined the APC train shouting “Change, Change, Change.”

A statement from the Ambode Campaign office summed up the experience, saying; ‘’It appears that Lagosians believe that Ambode represents the continuity they want and not to exchange the progress and prosperity of Lagos for what the PDP epitomizes at the national level. ‘’The people of Lagos have heard the voice of God and now they are echoing the change that they truly want. ‘’The crowd escorted Ambode and Fashola to the venue of the campaign rally at Shitta, Surulere where he thanked them for the show of love and acceptance and promised not to let them down if elected governor on February 28; pointing out that they can trust him having criss-crossed the state for 27 years serving on one local government or the other. ‘’He said he knows where the shoe pinches and would surely give attention to the welfare of the people of Lagos. Ambode is ready to take Lagos to the next level.’’

Allegation against us is blackmail – Lagos PDP

Meantime, All Progressives Congress, APC, Lagos chapter, yesterday, lamented the unfair and the unfavourable dispositions of the Nigeria Police Force and other federal agencies against their party

in favour of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. The APC state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, during a briefing alleged that PDP members and their supporters “have been committing atrocities with impunity, with the aid of policemen."

According to Igbokwe: “Like a thief in the night, they have waylaid our supporters, humiliate, intimidate, maim

and even kill with reckless abandon. We are appealing to the law enforcement agencies to rise to the occasion before it is too late.

“On Thursday January 22, 2015 in Agege, an APC supporter, Mr. Eyitayo Peter was shot dead while Lanre Ogunjimi sustained serious injury after a brazen attack by the supporters of a House of Representatives candidate of PDP. But in a statement by its

Publicity Secretary, Mr Taofik Gani, the party described the APC as a drowning party in Lagos State, adding that it is only interested in “overheating the polity to attract voters sympathy.”

According to the party; “the over used ploy of always whipping up sentiments has become unfashionable to Lagosians and it advised the APC to face the real issues of campaigns and stop peddling lies.”

CONDOLENCE VISIT: From left: Mrs Yinka Taiwo, daughter, Justice Adeshola Oguntade (retd), Mrs Modupeola Oguntade, Mr Wale Babalakin, Admiral Jubril Ayinla (retd), Mrs Tosin Alobo- Bakare, daugther, and Chief Rasaq Okoya, during the condolence visit to the late Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas' residence, Victoria Island, Lagos. Photo: Shola Oyelese.

POLLS: Mbu reads riot act as

Obanikoro, Erelu task politicians

By Evelyn Usman, Dapo Akinrefon & Charles Kumolu

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AG O S — R E C E N T LY redeployed Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG, in-charge of Zone 2 Command comprising Lagos and Ogun Police commands, Mr. Joseph Mbu, yesterday, warned politicians not to bring their thugs close to polling booths on election days, threatening to arrest any armed thugs and prosecute them along side

their sponsors.

He also advised policemen to be apolitical in the discharge of their duties on election day saying that the election was a great assignment and an opportunity for them to write history.

Addressing officers and men of the Lagos State Police Command yesterday, Mbu warned that they should not allow themselves to be used or intimidated by any politician or political party, before or during the elections, assuring to defend any policeman who tread on the right path.

He further threatened to hold Divisional Police Officers and Area Commanders responsible for the misbehavior of their subordinates, warning that “if a DPO is good, his subordinates will emulate his good virtues but if he is bad,his men will equally do same. Any DPO found wanting would be made to face my wrath”.

Shun propaganda – Obanikoro Also former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro has urged Nigerians to shun propaganda and vote for the right candidate during the general elections.

Obanikoro led the Goodluck/ Sambo Campaign Support Team in some parts of Lagos State in an unprecedented kind of road show.

According to him; “I was shocked by those who dropped what they were doing to join the show which became a kind of movement to pass a message. The people have shown their support for continuity and for a change in governance in Lagos that will give human face to policies.”

Dosunmu tasks politicians

On her part, Lagos socialite, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu has called on governorship candidates in the state to shun divisive attitudes in order to avoid endangering peaceful coexistence in the state.

Dosunmu said this at a debate convened for governorship candidates in the state, by the Coalition of Concerned Women For Good Governance in conjunction with Erelu Abiola Foundation, ERAF in Lagos.

Cemetery attendant wants Funsho Williams murder case reopened

By Abdulwahab Abdulah

L

AGOS—A cemetery attendant, Bashir Junaid, has prayed a Federal High Court, Lagos, to grant an order of Mandamus ordering the Inspector General of Police to reopen investigations into who murdered Mr. Funsho Williams, a one time governorship aspirant in Lagos State.

Junaid, who was arrested and detained for years over the case was praying the court to compel the Attorney General of the Federation, to direct the appropriate organ in the criminal justice administration in Nigeria, to commence prosecution of the alleged suspects in the murder of Mr. Funsho Williams.

The plaintiff who claimed to be a loyalist of former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, claimed he suffered unjustly after he was arrested and detained by security agencies, hence his determination to fight for justice.

How to end failed projects —IDORO

By Laju Iren & Maxmillian Anosike

L

AGOS—THE Head, Department of Building, at the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Prof. Godwin Idoro, has said that proper training in the area of project management will bring an end to failed projects in the construction industry.

Idoro, who is a Professor of Project Management said this at a media chat to intimate members of the public on the 10th Annual Management lecture holding at the UNILAG on Thursday, February 5, 2015.

The lecture, which is the tenth in the series, is titled: “National Vision on Housing and Infrastructure: The role of project management.” The Managing Director, Aso Savings and Loans Plc, Mr. Hassan Usman is expected to present the lecture.

Speaking on the upcoming lecture, Idoro said: “We are trying to incorporate the need for project management in the industry. It is a town-industry synergy which we believe is good for industry."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 —11

5 crushed to death in Oyo auto crashes

I'll keep mum until after elections —OBASANJO A

By Daud Olatunji

BEOKUTA—FORMER president Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday vowed that he would remain silent on the state of the nation until the forthcoming general elections are over.

Obasanjo lamented that despite all he had said verbally and through his body language on the situation in the country, Nigerians seemed not to understand him properly.

The former president said this while addressing traditional rulers from Egbaland who were attending a seminar organized by a non-governmental organization, The Village Network Empowerment Initiative at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Obasanjo who was the Chairman of the occasion expressed regret that his recent utterances had been misconstrued and misunderstood by Nigerians.

The former president has lately been at loggerheads with President Goodluck Jonathan over his persistent criticisms of certain policies of the Federal Government.

He stressed that he had therefore decided to keep mum on the happenings in the country until after the polls.

While speaking on the failure of some states to pay their teachers salaries, Obasanjo condemned the development, assuring that Nigerians would definitely hear from him once all the elections had been concluded.

He added that it was now left for Nigerians to take their destiny in their own hands by doing the right thing during the forthcoming polls.

Obasanjo said: “Where we are now, I’ve spoken, I’ve used body language and whoever still

zSays Nigerians should take their destinies in their hands

does not understand all I’ve been saying, it would take such a person a long time to understand.

It’s something that is very clear for us all to see. Some people came to visit me from Benue three days ago, and told me teachers in that state have not been paid for six months. There are states where teachers have not been paid for four months, three months and two months. That’s not good at all. It’s only God that can help us to overcome all these problems.

“All I know is that God has done

His own part and it’s now left for us as human beings to do our own bit. Do we as Nigerians say that God has not been magnanimous enough to us? Is it human or natural resources that we do not have? We are blessed with a lot of fertile land.

Shakespeare says the fault is not in our stars but in ourselves that we are underlings. God has done his own part and it’s now left for us as human beings to play our own part. That our own part starts from the 14th and it’s

now left to you and me. I won’t say more than that. I’ve said I won’t say anything anymore until after the elections.

“You’ll hear from me after the elections. But I’ve said it verbally and through body language and how you understand it all is now left to you. But whatever you still don’t understand about all of these, I will put in prayers, that God should enable you to clearly understand it all better. But I won’t say more than this until after the election.”

PVC COLLECTION: Oyo State Labour Party governorship candidate, Otunba Adebayo AlaoAkala (right), collecting his permanent voters card from Administration Secretary, Independent National Electorial Commission, INEC, Mr Moses Olude, while others watch at Ward 10 Sabo/ Taara,Ogbomoso North Local Government,Ogbomoso,Oyo State, yesterday.

I

Aregbesola takes campaigns to Ife zone

Tribunal delivers judgement on Omisore's with our correspondent petition tomorrow confirmed that the tribunal will

O

By Gbenga Olarinoye

SOGBO—THE Justice Elizabeth Ikpejime-led Osun governorship election petition tribunal will tomorrow deliver judgment on the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic

Party, PDP, and its governorship candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

Omisore and PDP are challenging the victory of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the August 9, 2014 governorship election in 17 local government areas of the state.

He alleged that the August 9 governorship election was characterised by irregularities, and urged the tribunal to nullify the election in the affected local governments and declare him the winner.

The Secretary of the tribunal, Mr. Adamu Aliyu, on telephone

By Ola Ajayi

BADAN—FIVE people were yesterday crushed beyond recognition at OdoOna area on Apata/Abeokuta road when a tanker loaded with diesel ran into many vehicles.

Also, several people were said to have sustained injuries in the accident.

Vanguard gathered that the tanker driver believed to be coming from Apata depot of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation lost control and rammed into the vehicles.

An eyewitness said: “We would have been telling another story if it had been loaded with Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, popularly known as petrol.”

When contacted, the Oyo State Police Command, spokesman, Adekunle Ajisebutu confirmed that he got a distress call from somebody and made the necessary contact thereafter.

He said he was yet to get official briefing from the Divisional Police Station in the area.

deliver judgment on the petition tomorrow.

Members of the PDP had after the submission of the final address by both the petitioners and defendants penultimate week had gone to town singing victory songs along the major streets in Osogbo that the tribunal had declared their candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore winner.

The news which spread like wild fire around the state as residents of state were making inquiries from government officials and journalists to find out the true position concerning the sitting at the tribunal.

By Gbenga Olarinoye

O

SOGBO—THE Governor of Osun State, Mr Rauf Aregbesola has described the forthcoming February elections as one that will liberate the Nigerian masses from current economic recession and underdevelopment that have plagued the Nation in the last 16 years.

The governor stated this at the All Progressives Congress, APC, campaign rally held across the Ife federal constituency.

Aregbesola called all eligible voters to see the elections of this month as a date with destiny which must be accorded full concentration and diligence.

Amosun, INEC disagree over PVCs' distribution

By Daud Olatunji

A

B E O K U TA — OGUN State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday disagreed over the statistics of the residents that had collected their

permanent voter cards.

Amosun while speaking at the stakeholders forum organised by the state INEC for politicians at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, had argued that the state had the least percentage of those who had collected their PVCs in the country till date, putting the figure at 36 per cent.

But, the the state Administrative Secretary, Independent National Electoral Commission, Dickson Atiba, said 60 per cent of the residents had collected their PVCs. Amosun said: “In Nigeria, Ogun State has the least of the distribution of PVCs, only about 36 per

cent have been distributed in the state, the least in all of the 36 states.

“The REC had earlier said that people were not coming out to collect their PVCs, I want to disagree with that because the people of Ogun have been going out daily to get their PVCs.”

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

APC insincere about positive change for Nigeria —JONATHAN

By Simon Ebegbulem & Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, in Benin City, Edo State, yesterday, declared that the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, boycotted the National Conference due to their alleged un-seriousness to bring positive change to Nigerians. He consequently urged Nigerians not to be deceived by APC's call for change which he described as a deceit.

This came as the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, insisted that the people of the South- South will not vote for a tyrant, but will reelect President Jonathan who, according to him, has done well for Nigerians and is a blessing to the South-South.

Meanwhile, Governor Adams Oshiomhole failed to welcome the President at the Airport.

When the President arrived the Benin Airport, Oshiomhole was campaigning at Edo North senatorial district of the state.

Unlike in 2011, majority of the APC members also boycotted the rally. However, PDP members from neighbouring

Delta, Ondo and Anambra states stormed the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium with their supporters.

President Jonathan, who promised to build a Construction Technology Institute in Edo State for the youths to learn different trades, recalled that “In 2011, we came here and you voted for us and within these past four years, we did not disappoint you. We are building our Construction

Technology Institute in Edo State to take care of young people who want to develop their talents and skills in the construction industry.

“We are talking about transformation not change.

Change takes place every day.

“APC boycotted the constitutional conference, so how do they intend to change Nigeria. They are deceiving Nigerians but don’t allow any body to deceive you. The only party that will make Nigerians happy is the PDP.”

MEETING: Leader of delegation of Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, Chief Isaac Jemide (SAN) with the National Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie at a joint meeting in Kaduna State, yesterday. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

Delta stands still for Jonathan …as President says Nigerians don't need the broom

By Festusa Ahon

A

SABA—THE campaign train of President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, brought socio-economic activities to a standstill in Asaba, Delta State capital. The campaign train, which arrived the Cenotaph, venue of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential rally at 3:45 p.m., caused severe traffic gridlock for several hours.

President Jonathan arrived the venue amidst cheers from Deltans who had waited patiently to catch a glimpse of his campaign team. Addressing the people, Dr Jonathan said that the Delta Gas City project was the biggest in Africa and would create jobs for Nigerian youths.

He said that the first Maritime University in the country, where Nigerians would be trained on Marine Engineering to equip them for the repairs of ships, was being established in the state.

Noting that the PDP was the only party that has good plans for the youths, Jonathan said Nigerians do not need the broom as a clean state, urging Deltans to vote the PDP from the presidency to the state House C M Y K

On his part, Chief Anenih, said: “One thing is certain, the people of the South-South will not vote for a tyrant. They will not vote for autocracy, they will not vote for somebody who has no respect for human dignity.

Mr President, I want to tell you that the entire South-South will give you full vote that there will be nothing left for the opposition.”

Vice President Namadi Sambo urged Edo people to vote for an educated president, adding that Jonathan will site more projects in the South-South if re-elected.

of Assembly level.

According to him, the PDP government knows where the world is heading to and expressed his readiness to move Nigeria forward through the transformation agenda of his administration.

Dame Patience Jonathan, who addressed the women, said the APC was a condemned drug, while President Jonathan and Namadi Sambo were the answer.

Vice President Sambo, who also addressed the people, said the Sapele power station was 100 percent completed and would soon be commissioned.

He said that the coastal railway line had been approved to connect the South-South and the South-East, adding that it would connect Lagos-BeninAsaba-Onitsha to Yenagoa.

Noting that Nigeria does not need a president who cannot stand to address them for five minutes, Sambo said all leaders in the world were in their 40s and 50s.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, in his address of welcome, said President Jonathan has done a lot for Nigerians in the areas of power, peace, security and infrastructures.

Thanking Deltans for coming out enmasse to welcome President Jonathan, Uduaghan assured that Deltans would vote massively for the PDP. National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mua’azu, said President Jonathan was a democrat and gender friendly.

Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign team, Dr Ahmadu Ali, said the APC was dead on arrival and urged aggrieved members of the party to put the past behind them and work for PDP's victory at the polls.

The state PDP governorship candidate, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, who also spoke, said every single vote in the state would count for Jonathan, adding that there was no quarrel among PDP members in the state.

PDP faction warned not to embarrass Jonathan at Bayelsa rally

By Kelechi Azubike

G

ROUPS planning to cause chaos at tomorrow’s presidential rally of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Yenogoa, Bayelsa State, have been called upon to desist from such a move in order not to portray the president negatively in his home state.

The National Rebirth

Initiative, NRI in a statement, yesterday, described the alleged plot as shameful and a distraction to all those in the quest for President Jonathan's re-election.

National Coordinator of NRI, Joe Ambakaderimo, in the statement, on allegations that a number of party chieftains peeved with the outcome of the party primaries were planning to boo Governor Seriake

Dickson, said: “Information reaching a cross section of Bayelsans from the grapevine has it that some unscrupulous elements in the state masquerading under some groups, have perfected plans to boo and pelt very senior government officials of the state thereby portraying these persons as unpopular during the PDP presidential campaign rally on February 6."

RESTORATION OF CONSTITUENCIES: Court dismisses INEC's application for stay of execution

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—A FEDERAL High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has dismissed an application for stay of execution by the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, against the judgment of the court which ordered the restoration of Ughelli South 1 and Isoko North 1 constituencies.

The court, in its judgment on October 31, 2014, ordered INEC to restore forthwith, the two state constituencies which were suppressed by the commission in 1998.

Dismissing the application without cost, trial judge, Justice Shitu Abubakar, said that the commission had no reason to delay the implementation of the court’s judgment.

The matter was adjoined till February 10, for hearing in the contempt proceedings initiated against the commission’s chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega.

Edo SDP candidate canvasses votes in Auchi

T

HE Social Democratic Party, SDP, candidate for Edo North senatorial seat, Abubakar Momoh, has stormed Auchi, the administrative headquarters of Edo North, to seek support for his senatorial bid.

Addressing party faithful, Momoh said some of his actions were misrepresented by the overriding imperative to protect and promote Edo North's interest.

He said that as a chief of Auchi Kingdom, his interest to serve Edo North people was predicated on the need for strong Edo North voice at the National Assembly and his achievements in office.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 — 13

C M Y K

14—Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Presidency worries over incessant attacks on Jonathan’s convoy

By Caleb Ayansina

A

BUJA — THE Presidency has expressed concern over the incessant attacks on President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign convoy, warning that such acts portended danger if not nibbed in the bud.

Special Adviser to the President on Intra-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi, told journalists, yesterday, in Abuja that the attacks on the President’s campaign train were condemnable.

“It is only an unpatriotic citizen that will not condemn such acts. It calls for outright condemnation, it calls for serious caution, because it is really a dangerous trend,” he said.

The presidential aide, who is also coordinating the adherence of political parties to the peace accord recently signed in Abuja by political parties, said under no circumstances should the President be harmed in any part of the country.

Obi said: “The President’s convoy should not be attacked anywhere in the country, be it village or city.

It is condemnable for the president to be attacked."

Denounce provocative utterances, Onaiyekan tells political leaders

By Caleb Ayansina

A

BUJA — THE Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has called on political leaders to publicly denounce provocative utterances made by their supporters.

According to him, it will give an impression that those making the terrible statements are acting on the instruction of their leaders.

Onaiyekan stated this while speaking at the National Peace Committee for the 2015 elections meeting with representatives of different political parties in Abuja.

He said: “To leaders of political parties, we still want to hear more from the leaders denouncing utterances that are contrary to the spirit and letter of the accord, by your supporters."

C M Y K

CANCER DAY: From left, Mrs. Shareefah Andy, Professor Pat Utomi, Chairman of the occasion, delivering his address; Mrs. Toyin Sanni, and Mr. Fank Aigbogun, Publisher of BusinessDay, during World Cancer Day, organised by Commitee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, CECP, in Lagos. Photo: Shola Oyelese

Nigeria needs N63.4bn to combat cancer

By Jonah Nwokpoku

N

IGERIA NEEDS at least N63, 420, 000, 000 to effectively control the scourge of cancer in the country.

The money will be invested in acquisition of at least 36 Mobile Cancer Centre units at N95 million per unit and in the building of six Comprehensive Cancer Centres in each of the

geopolitical zones in the country.

The Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, CECP, disclosed this at an event to mark the 2015 World Cancer Day in Lagos.

The group said Nigeria has fared badly in the fight against the deadly scourge because it has not made any significant investment that will help it to effectively combat the disease.

As a result of this, Nigerians suffering from the disease spend at least $200 million annually treating themselves overseas, a reasonable sum which can make significant impact in the fight.

Addressing journalists in Lagos, the Executive Secretary of CECP, Dr. Abia Nzelu said that as a result of the little attention paid in the fight against the scourge by the government,

Nigeria had lost hundreds of people to the disease and would continue to lose many more as statistics had shown that the rate of Nigerians dying daily from the disease had increased.

According to her: “Nigeria has the worst survival rate in the world at 20 per cent. At the moment, breast cancer kills 40 women daily while prostate cancer kills between 26 and 28 men daily.”

FG plans 3-hour Abuja - Lagos speed rail project .Train services from Abuja to Kaduna to commence in March

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru to Kaduna will commence next Network For Peace and

A

BUJA — IN a bid to boost speedy transport system in railway, the Federal Government, yesterday, announced that plans have reached advanced stages for a three-hour speed train project from Lagos to Abuja.

This is coming at a time train transportation services from Abuja

month to make movement in the two cities not only faster but also cheaper and less stressful.

Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, who disclosed this at the public presentation of a book, 'Showcasing Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s Monumental Strides: A Third Party Perspective,' written by the Director-General of Citizens

Development in Nigeria, Mr. Dressmann Preye, in Abuja, appealed to Nigerians to give President Goodluck Jonathan the chance to consolidate on his achievements.

The book highlighted areas of reforms by the Jonathan’s administration which include, macro-economic management

N6BN BRIBERY: PDP accuses Amaechi of lying, asks him to name pastors involved

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BUJA — THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, described as ungodly allegations by the Director General of All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State that it offered N6 billion bribe to some pastors to help President Goodluck Jonathan win the presidential election.

PDP also raised an alarm that as part of moves to disenfranchise non-indigenes in Lagos, the APC was conniving with some staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to burn their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs. According to the party, the allegations amount to bringing religion into politics.

PDP, which spoke through its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in Abuja, yesterday, urged the governor to go for confession

as a Catholic for ridiculing respected and revered men of God. The party said: “Pastors are revered people and to bring their character into disrepute is a sin before God. We do not think anybody, not to talk of somebody who is a Christian, can make such statement.

“We challenge the Director General of APC to name such pastors and where the money is coming from.

"This attack is capable of bringing Christians and Muslims into a major disagreement and major dispute. If truly the person who issued this statement is a Catholic as he said, we are asking him to go for confession.”

Speaking further on alleged burning of PVCs of nonindigenes in Lagos State by the APC, in collaboration with INEC, PDP said the anomaly had been reported to INEC, adding that in

some states, the PVCs of nonindigenes were burnt.

It said: “This has never happened before, but we don’t know why the APC is doing such; may be because we have credible presidential candidate and may be because we have governorship candidate in Lagos State.

“We have the records and we are asking the non-indigenes involved that if by Friday, INEC still does not give them their PVCs, we shall take decisive action.

“We know that 90 per cent of these non-indigenes are supporters of PDP. This is part of the APC janjaweed ideology to truncate democracy.

“The APC has been saying they were on top of the election, but now that it is obvious that PDP is on top, that President Jonathan will win the election, they have resorted to causing mayhem.”

strategies; trade and investment policies; infrastructure development; agricultural transformation; oil and gas industry reforms; power and renewable energy; education and health reforms.

Senator Umar said the Federal Government had started receiving expression of interests from private firms within and outside the country.

The Minister said the federal government had carried out a number of feasibility studies with the aim of constructing more standard gauge lines across the country and had successfully completed studies in seven new corridors, including Abuja-Lagos high speed train.

He said: “The consultants, who carried out the feasibility studies have submitted their reports. Part of the report contains the involvement of the private sector to drive the project. This is because we want to develop these lines under public, private partnership arrangements.

“We have already, received a lot of expression of interests even ahead of advertisement for the purpose from various companies in the country and indeed, in other countries of the world.

“The idea is that, if we have this in place, the trains can move from Abuja to Lagos, and from Lagos to Abuja in a maximum of three hours.

“We are intending to compete favourably with the other transportation system in carrying passengers from Abuja to Lagos.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015—15

S-Court reinstates Ilomuanya as Imo traditional rulers council chairman

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI — THE four-year battle for the chairmanship stool of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, has finally been settled, following the sacking of the Governor Rochas Okorocha appointed Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri, by the Supreme Court, The apex court of the land reinstated Cletus Ilomuanya, Monday.

Governor Okorocha had, on assumption of office in 2011, not only sacked the substantive Chairman of the Traditional Rulers’ Council, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, but also named Ohiri as his replacement.

Irked by the governor ’s action, Eze Ilomuanya dragged Okorocha, the State Attorney General and Imo State Government to court, challenging his sack.

Vanguard recalls that not satisfied with the judgment of the State High Court, presided over by Hon. Benjamin Njemanze, Eze Ilomuanya approached the Court of Appeal, Owerri.

On July 13, 2013, the Appeal Court ruled Okorocha’s sacking of Ilomuanya as ultra vires and of no effect, and reinstated

him.

While Okorocha approached the Supreme Court on appeal, Ohiri went back to the lower court, challenging the nomenclature of his office.

Ohiri told the court that he was the Chairman of Imo State Council of Ndieze and not Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, adding that on the

strength of this, he had no tussle with Ilomuanya.

Before dismissing the suit on grounds of abuse of court process, Hon. Justice Ngozi Ukoha took a critical analysis of the originating summons, written and oral arguments and ruled that some of the documents signed by Ohiri proved his involvement in

activating Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers.

While ruling that the judgment of the Court of Appeal on the same subject matter was binding on the High Court, Justice Ukoha also declared the suit as “frivolous, distasteful and an abuse of court process.”

ROUNDTABLE: From left, Group Country Director, Jeff & O’ Brien, Pascal Odibo; Executive Director, Heritage Bank, Mary Akpobome, representing (guest speaker) -Managing Director, Heritage Banking Company Limited, Ifie Sekibo, and keynote speaker, John Berry, at the 2015 quarter 1 roundtable of Jeff & O’Brien, entitled, ‘The Future of Retail Banking in Africa,’ at Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, in Lagos.

Enugu retired teachers threaten to boycott elections

Charis Royale declares support for Buhari

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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HARIS ROYALE Initiative, CRI, has expressed support for the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential candidate, General Muhamudu Buhari (retd) Speaking, the Interim National Secretary, CRI, Pastor Dele Adeogun, explained that CRI was a faith based organisation with a vision to raise, attract, and nourish ambassadors of Christ who would become agents of change in Nigeria.

According to him: “God reserves the prerogative of deciding who He wants to use for his own purpose and that he can use anybody to achieve his purpose.

"In Judges 11, Israel was under attack from the Ammonites the same way, we are under attack from the Boko Haram, God used a ‘bastard’ and ‘a reject’ called Jephthah to bring deliverance.

Pastor Adeogun noted that the organisation’s primary objective was to create awareness and mobilise Christian agenda for positive leadership at all levels for rapid national growth and development.

....AGG too

By Starrys Obazei

By Chinenyeh Ozor

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SUKKA — RETIRED teachers in Enugu State have threatened not to participate in the forthcoming general elections due to neglect by the state government, lamenting that they have not been paid their gratuities since 2004.

Some of the senior citizens who spoke with Vanguard at Nsukka, said many of them had been finding it difficult to meet their needs, especially medication and that many of them had died One of the teachers, who simply gave his name as Mr. Eze, described Sullivan Chime’s administration as ‘’most uncaring. Some teachers retired before me, but I left in 2004, after 35 years of meritorious service to the state. When I retired, I was neither paid my gratuity or pension until 2006, when they started paying me the monthly pension, which has not been even regular in any case.

‘Although, they started paying my pension in 2006, we were C M Y K

not paid the arrears of 2004 and 2005. They just cut that part off as if they were doing us some favour. ‘’Many of us have died as a result of frustration and hunger. Governor Chime’s predecessor was even better because he managed to pay pension although not

regularly in his own days. " We had several meetings at the highest levels of government but things have not changed. The question we have continued to ask is whether these people who frustrate retired workers

think that they would remain in the service forever. We are really living in bondage.’’

Efforts by Vanguard to get comments from relevant government officials on the issue proved abortive as most of them pleaded not to be associated with the sensitive story.

Knights of St. Mulumba task Nigerians on less-privileged

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HE KNIGHTS of St Mulumba, have tasked Nigerians to support the less privileged, promote positive values that will engender a better society and common good.

Speaking in Lagos, Jonny Ngonadi, Grand Knight, Lekki Sub council, said KSM, a group of dedicated Catholics whose main concern is to live life of holiness and use their resources to further the missionary mandate in their homes and in the larger society, sought to make the society a better place by being sensitive to the needs of the

poor and giving succour to the destitute, the disadvantaged and the oppressed in the society.

According to Ngonadi: “As a group, we work towards a high sense of order and discipline within society, work for justice always and everywhere for the benefit of mankind, live an exemplary catholic life and defend the faith as well as support other intentions and actions that are good, noble, sacred, holy and beautiful. These virtues, members are encouraged to live out in their lives to make the society radiate love and

peace.”

Chief Tony Idigbe, Deputy Grand Knight, Lekki Subcouncil, explained that KSM whose membership spans all cadres of professionals such as government administrative officers, teachers, lawyers, businessmen, professors, engineers, bankers, doctors and other professionals in all strata of the economy and are practising Catholics, were called to a greater call of service by mirroring the faith, hope and charity of the Christian tradition in intention and actions.

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CTIVISTS FOR Good Governance, AGG, has expressed support for the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, General Muhamudu Buhari (retd) At a briefing in Lagos, the co-ordinator of the group, Declan Ihekaire, gave reasons for the group’s decision to pitch tent with General Buhari.

Ihekaire highlighted Buhari’s aversion for corruption, his integrity and ability to effectively deal with insurgency.

He said: “Records have shown that Buhari detests corruption, he has integrity, and is ready to deal with current insecurity in the land.

“On the contrary, President Goodluck Jonathan disappointed us when he said that stealing is not corruption.

"On insecurity, President Jonathan has done his best, but certainly his best is not getting result.”

16 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 — 17

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AST week, the story broke that Chadian forces were operating inside Nigeria against the Boko Haram insurgency. And they seemed to be making a lightning success of their operation, because by last Thursday, they had taken Malam Fatori, after two days of fighting.

Last Sunday, these forces were in control of Gamboru Ngala as well as Abadam; and were fighting a major battle to take Damasak. Cameroonian forces also joined the fight and were reported to have taken the border town of Banki and pushing towards Kala-Balge. By Tuesday this week, reports emerged that the French Airforce, which has bases in Chad, was overflying Nigerian territory and providing intelligence to their Chadian and Cameroonian allies.

Agency pictures also appeared showing rows of armoured vehicles and assault helicopters of the Chadian Army being used in operations in Cameroun and in Nigeria. It took a while for officialdom to own up that these forces were operating within Nigeria, with Mike Omeri finally saying they were here within the context of the Multinational security project; and there were no reports that the Chadian forces were fleeing from Boko Haram or abandoning weapons.

The second leg of these developments originated from South Africa, when it emerged there, that mercenaries numbering about 100 (but described as private military experts) were on their way to Nigeria to help in the fight against Boko Haram. South Africa’s Defense Minister warned these alleged mercenaries of consequences, if they travelled to fight in Nigeria without government imprimatur or as part

Boko Haram: Between Chadians and South African mercenaries of a government deployment: “There are consequences when somebody leaves the country and provides any form of military assistance that is not part of the government’s deployment.”

The story emanating from South Africa said these men were former members of the old, apartheid-era South African Defense Force.

These were ex-military men used to fight ANC guerillas by the racist regime, in the days of the struggle against apartheid. Even the African Union last week also decide to raise a 7, 500 man force to help tackle the Boko Haram menace, which has rightly become seen as a danger to the entire region and Africa.

The resort to these foreign forces of course flies in the face of territorial integrity and national pride. But it merely underlines the weakness of Nigeria’s forces today and the deterioration of the Nigerian armed forces. This is a great pity, given the proud tradition of our forces, and their heroic efforts around the world dating back to the preindependence period.

At 1400HRS GMT on Tuesday this week, the BBC broadcast a special programme on the state of Nigeria’s Armed forces, and

A security sector reform is an imperative; not as designed by imperialist countries and institutions, but home grown, and with the strategic focus of rebuilding armed forces that can effectively defend our country and enhance our position as Africa’s largest economy

some of the participants in the programme included the National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana. The NSA agreed that the Army’s capacity had deteriorated over the years, as a result of a combination of factors, some of which were directly related to the years of military dictatorship.

The programme also had an expert who reminded how our army used to be one of the bestequipped and trained in Africa.

In the final analysis, according to the programme, the army today suffers from low morale; the high level of corruption with an annual defense budget of about $6.5b, but which doesn’t deliver on the needs of the troops. There is also a problem of training of the forces and armament. It was a very instructive programme in every sense.

And my takeaway (apologies to Lagos Governor BRF) is that there is the need for the political will to confront the enumerated weaknesses in order to re-build Nigeria’s Armed Forces. I think

Gen. TY Danjuma and the Niger Delta mob

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AST Wednesday, General TY Danjuma, former Defence Minister and one of the most respected leaders in Nigeria today, called for the immediate arrest of Niger Delta ex-militants who threatened to plunge the country into war, if President Goodluck Jonathan is not reelected in this month’s presidential election.

The trio of Boy Loaf, Tompolo and Asari Dokubo had issued the threat of war, at the Government House, Yenagoa, with Bayelsa Governor, Seriake Dickson and Presidential Adviser on the Amnesty Program, Kingsley Kuku, in attendance. General Danjuma reacted to their threat by calling for their arrest and punishment, for ‘unguarded utterances’, that ‘ were provocative and inflammatory’.

Gen.TY Danjuma, who is never known for ambiguity on any issue, added that: “the statements were very reckless coming from irresponsible individuals and they should be condemned, in fact they should be arrested”.

Gen. Danjuma spoke the mind of a lot of Nigerians, who wondered why there was no disclaimer from the presidency or any proactive action from the security forces that would have

sprung to action, if the statements had come from individuals not located in the president’s corner of the political space.

But expectedly, the Niger Delta mob responded the following day led as usual by Chief EK Clark.

Clark was “disappointed” by Gen. TY Danjuma, asking why the General didn’t “condemn the attacks on Jonathan in several states of the North instead of calling for the arrest of the exmilitants”, according to a Vanguard report. Tompolo actually “accused Danjuma of sponsoring terrorism in the Northern part of the country”. For that allegation, he said TY Danjuma should also be arrested and prosecuted.

Sponsoring of terrorism Not only that though, he said “the devilish treaty that brought the Southern and Northern Protectorates together in 1914, expired last year…If not for President Jonathan there would not be a Nigeria anymore”. Asari Dokubo, in his own reaction, said he “felt sorry for Danjuma for calling for his (Asari’s) arrest and other Niger Delta activists”. Even Kingsley Kuku, a presidential

adviser, said: “Danjuma misfired by calling for the arrest of the Niger Delta activists”. Boy Loaf asked Gen. TY Danjuma to “apologise and hide his face in shame or face humiliation”.

Others who stuck out their necks for the Niger Delta ex-militants and against Gen. Danjuma’s call, included retired Brig. General Idada Ikponmwen, a certain Captain Beck Hitler, even Urhobo Ovo and Ijaw Kene Patriots, amongst others.

While no rebuttal came from the presidency, apropos of the threat to wage a war on Nigeria, by the ex-militants, by the beginning of this week, the PDP, through spokesperson, Olisa Metuh, finally warned Chief EK Clark and his ensemble of ex-militants, to ‘be mindful of what they say at this period of the nation’s political history ’. Olisa Metuh was “disturbed over provocative statements of some people which could provoke other parts of the country” adding that “Jonathan was not an Ijaw President or the South South zone of the country alone but the president of all Nigerians”.

Olisa Metuh spoke the truth, but it might just be too little too late! In truth, if President Jonathan loses the coming election, the

provocative utterances as well as the bellicosity and threats of Chief EK Clark and the ex-militants, would be a major contributory factor. There is nowhere in the world where democracy can be achieved by the sort of threats these characters regularly issue against other Nigerians. They have never won empathy for President Jonathan with their threats and insults; and because President Jonathan has never denounced these threats, Nigerians in other parts of the country believe they operate with presidential support.

The attitude of the ex-militants is one of the many factors responsible for the noticeable alienation of the Jonathan platform and campaign from other parts of Nigeria. Nigerians will go to the polls on February 14th, and it is not looking like they will be afraid of the threats of war issued by these exmilitants. We will never have democracy by threats, insults and abuses! When the mob surfaced last week against Gen. TY Danjuma, they missed the point.

Danjuma’s statement reflected the feeling of people around the country, with the exception of those who share the sentiments of the Niger Delta warlords.

one of the problems of the past few years, was the refusal of the government to accept that Boko Haram was not a conspiratorial design by its Northern enemies.

It is therefore a tragic irony that Nigeria, that used to dominate its neighbourhood, is now having to depend on Chadian and Cameroonian forces and even South African mercenaries.

A security sector reform is an imperative; not as designed by imperialist countries and institutions, but home grown, and with the strategic focus of rebuilding armed forces that can effectively defend our country and enhance our position as Africa’s largest economy. Military power must be commensurate with our economic and geopolitical aspirations. The deployment of foreign troops to fight Boko Haram is an indication of how weak we are at the moment. We must rebuild our armed forces fast to face whatever challenge appears in future!

Let us collectively save the Emir of Ilorin's palace

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WAS back in Ilorin last week, and I gathered that Bukola Saraki’s government in Kwara has finally sold the houses in the Kwara State House of Assembly residential complex, in Ilorin. I have an emotional connection to that complex.

It was an estate built by the construction company, Dumez, when constructing township roads in Ilorin in the 1970s. We used to attend parties there. But it was abandoned thereafter to the African bush. When I was appointed GM of KWTV in 1997, I got our reporters to do a comprehensive report on the complex, thus bringing it to the notice of officialdom.

Then Military Administrator, Col. PAM Ogar, visited the complex and decision was made to reclaim and renovate it. The governor commended KWTV for our report. In 1999, it eventually became residence for Members of the House of Assembly. With its sale, Bukola Saraki has finally sold ALL government houses in Ilorin. First to go were all the government residences in the GRA as well as the land in the Ministry of Agriculture, which spread over a huge swathe of the city.

They had allegedly perfected plan to sell the Ilorin Eid praying ground and had also parceled out plots within the old Ilorin Teachers’ College. It was the collective resistance of the Ilorin community, under the aegis of the IEDPU that stopped them in their track.

The Emir of Ilorin’s Palace and Central Mosque are all that remains to sell. Allah protects His place of worship; but no one can take sale of the palace beyond Bukola Saraki and his henchmen in government, if we are not alert.

This is an appeal to Ilorin’s people to “shine our eyes”! If we lose focus, even the Emir’s Palace can end up being sold!

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 THE figures are dazzling, often concealing implications of billions of Dollars illegally acquired, and how the money could be used for more illegal purposes. Report of the Thabo Mbeki High Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa said Nigeria accounted for about 68.1 per cent ($40.9 billion) of the total revenue ($60 billion) that Africa loses annually through illegal transfer of revenues abroad.

African Union Heads of State and Governments at their summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia adopted the report.

According to the report, corruption, tax evasion and illegal transfer of profits by multinationals, were some of the methods used in taking resources that would have been used in developing the continent overseas.

The report covered illegal transfers between 1970 and 2008. In those years, Nigeria and Egypt led the list of 10 African countries involved in illicit financial transfers with $217.7 billion (about N36.57 trillion), or 30.5 per cent, and $105.2 billion (about N17.67 trillion), or 14.7 per cent respectively, while South Africa had $81.8billion (about N13.74trillion), or 11.4

Nigeria’s Missing Billions

per cent. The losses are high for a continent that is almost in penury.

AU’s choice of the former South African president for the assignment underlined the importance of the report that has again highlighted the fact that resources to develop Africa are within the continent, but its leaders, conniving government officials, domestic businesses and foreign companies prefer to steal them.

Four years ago, AU’s 4th Joint African Union Commission/United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, AUC/ ECA, Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development constituted the Mbeki Panel to review issues hampering Africa’s accelerated and sustained development.

Illicit financial flows from Africa was then identified as a threat to the continent meeting its millennium development goals, MDGs. Abusive transfer pricing, trade misinvoicing, tax evasion, aggressive tax avoidance, double taxation, tax incentives, unfair contracts, financial secrecy, money laundering, smuggling, trafficking and abuse of entrusted power are some practices that sustain illegal transfers.

Nigeria, with its huge population, infrastructure deficit, poverty, hunger, could have done a lot over the years if the funds were not stolen. Resources to cater for the population have always been short; it is no surprise as illegally transferred funds enjoyed priority status in the economy.

The amount stolen annually, in Nigeria, is higher than the annual budget which for more than five years has hovered round N4 trillion. The report calls for retrospection about Nigeria’s future and measures that would stop the illegality. After many decades of illegal transfers abroad, the systems that have sustained the transactions would be challenging to dislodge, but it would be worse if nothing was done to stop these haemorrhaging of our resources.

OPINION Between

vandalism

By Yusuf Olaofe

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OR long time now, Nigerians have been yearning for improved power supply. While efforts are being made by government to meet this all important demand, one of the major snags to power supply has been the uncomplimentary activities of vandals across the country.

For instance, the Minister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo recently said that the country has lost about 2,100 megawatts of electricity in past few months as a result of vandalisation of gas pipelines.

Some of the pipelines vandalised are: the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline ELPS A, from Warri which supplies gas to Egbin Power Plant near Lagos was out for over seven months.

A loss of 200 million standard cubic feet of gas and generation capacity of about 800MW was recorded. Second, the TransForcados gas line also in Warri was out with a loss of 200 million standard cubic feet of gas and generation capacity of about 800MW. Then the Alakiri – Onne, Gas pipeline was blasted and it has adversely impacted on gas supply to generation stations.

Fourth, there have been similar attacks on the Trans Niger Pipeline TNP, GbaranUbie power plant in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, which is part of the gas liquid evacuation infrastructure, critical for continued domestic power generation for Afam VI Independent power plant. Also

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and

uninterrupted

the temporary shutdown of the Chevron gas plant west of the Sombreiro River, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State on March 12, 2014 contributed to the low peak generation of 2,672MW. The lists of damages caused by the unscrupulous elements in the society are endless.

Recently, Minister of Power Prof . Nebo said that President Goodluck Jonathan’s policies on power reform and the need to get rid of the menace of vandalism are issues critical to Nigeria’s quest for stable power supply.

Dwelling on the twin issues , Nebo stated that Nigerians would have enjoyed much more stable power supply, if the activities of vandals blowing up pipelines had not increased in recent times. In the first week of January, shortly after most parts of the country celebrated the yuletide with stable power which drew a lot of praises for the Government, vandals struck again, twice, by bursting at many points the main pipelines supplying gas to power stations; this resulted in a steep drop in generation and by extension, the quantity of power available on the national grid.

Shortly after repairs were effected,

We are now on a trajectory and we hope to consolidate that trajectory

power

supply

another major incident was recorded on the Trans Forcados pipeline on January 17, resulting in a shutdown of all oil and gas production into this pipeline.

Decrying the situation, which he said had become a trend for a long time now, Nebo said the Federal Government was taking measures which including installing electronic gadgets to track down the unwholesome elements at the point of perpetrating their illicit acts.

The Minister who also spoke of the President’s passion to give Nigeria uninterrupted power said that the sector would suffer seriously if the well-laid out policies were disrupted at this time adding that Nigerians must therefore make the choice of staying on course by giving the President maximum support in this regard, or rubbish the gains already recorded.

Nebo observed that lack of adequate planning expected to evolve sound working policies by previous administrations brought about setbacks which culminated in the slow progress in the nation’s generating capacity.

While recalling how President Jonathan-led government increased the country’s generating capacity to over 4500mw in few years, he stressed that introduction of renewable energy especially Solar Power system has lightened up some rural communities with a calculated plan to connect the rest within the shortest possible time.

According to him, “Continuity is very essential and critical because it won’t encourage policy summersault. We are now on a trajectory and we hope to consolidate that trajectory. We need the media to spread the information on why our people should make use of energy saving bulbs to conserve voltage.”

Setting the Agenda for the future he said, “I see a Nigeria where Hospitals, Schools, households in far villages that never thought of having electricity because the national grid cannot get to them, are connected to electricity via renewable energy and lighted up.

“Most of Nigerians who live in rural areas don’t have access to electricity because they were marginalized. And so, instead of them making use of electricity to cook and do other things electricity could do for them. The fumes from various cooking materials cause damages to their respiratory systems and even their eyes are damaged just because they have no access to electricity.

“The cost of taking electricity to them is huge. But with government's new renewable energy mix which is sustainable and durable with incredible potential for rural communities, the health and living standard of the people will greatly improve, coupled with provision of substantial power for industries.” *Mr. Olaofe, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 — 19

Wanted: A president for new Nigeria (1)

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T is strange that a section of the Nigerian political class cannot find in their ranks a suitably qualified, intelligent and competent Nigerian to give their presidential ticket to confront President Goodluck Jonathan at the polls in the next nine days. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has a galaxy of stars in all fields of endeavour in their party from all parts of the country. The APC is no longer just a gang-up of Arewa North and Bola Tinubu’s followers from the South West.

The presence of Governors Rochas Okorocha of Imo, Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers, former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chris Ngige, as well as the hordes of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) decampees helped to give APC a national appeal. Even though the Arewa and Yoruba Muslims are still the major stakeholders in the Party, the regional, ethnic and religious coloration that disconcerted many watchers at the outset has been largely doused. The APC had an ample opportunity to present a candidate with impeccable record and quality to give Jonathan a run for his money. Even if they wanted a northern presidential

candidate, they had Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, the ebullient, performing Governor of Kano; Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who comes with great exposure, experience and national appeal, or even the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Waziri Tambuwal a proven leader.

The Party decided, at the prompting of Bola Tinubu, to settle for General Muhammadu Buhari, a man who ruled this country thirty years ago and had nothing to show for it except sorrows, tears and blood. As soon as they settled on Buhari, they commenced a sophisticated process of dry-cleaning his image to the point where some of us who lived through his twenty-month regime could no longer recognise him. Suddenly, posters of Buhari in dinner suit (black coat, white shirt and black bow-tie) started springing up all over the skyline of Lagos and beyond. I have never seen Buhari in suit before. He has always worn two attires: his military uniform or his native Arewa babanriga. It was all an effort to make Buhari look like what he never was and never will be. It is a total hoodwink of the

young people and voters born after 1985.

Today, the challenges before this nation are three-fold: the first is national unity, the second is diversification of the economy, and the third is national security.

National unity is paramount because a divided house cannot achieve anything.

The politicians, in their desperate struggle for power, have thrown Nigerians at each other’s throats.

We need a president who can unite the nation. I do not think General Muhammadu Buhari has what it takes to do so. He rose to political prominence through

I am not looking forward to that. As an Igbo man, I am not looking forward to anybody who fought the civil war leading this country again. He will always remember the bullet in his leg or buttocks or his friend that was killed in the war front and deny my people their rightful due as they did from 1970 to 2007

Threats don’t win elections; good campaigns do

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S we begin the countdown to the February 2015 elections, it is necessary to remind ourselves that these elections are merely the process of choosing the people who will lead us for the next four years.

Elections are, therefore, not ends in themselves but means to ends.

Electioneering must be a process where people should be more concerned with the quality of their goals than with the quantity of their goods. The process must constantly seek to protect the life of the nation and not to destroy it, remembering that it is only when the nation is at peace that we can be at peace.

Our campaigns must be issues-based: Our educational system has become virtually comatose; the energy sector is moribund; the industries we once had have either gone under or moved to neighbouring countries; the unemployment rate is soaring towards the ceiling, with our youths roaming our streets endlessly in search of non-existent jobs; our highways have become death-traps where people perish daily; and we have virtually abandoned the idea of housing our people. Inflation has overtaken us to the extent that, except something is done urgently, our Naira may not be worth the paper on which it is printed. These are some of the issues our campaigns should be addressing.

Apparently, these defects have been with us over the years. They may have been aggravated in recent times and they will still grow worse, except they are arrested now. Let the office seekers tell us what they will do in this direction rather than being fixated at the causation level. That is the real essence of electioneering campaigns.

We are all psychologists – even those to whom the subject, psychology, is anathema.

Since we have turned every election to a

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war situation, a time like this calls for restraint and the sharpening of our psychological instincts.

From the lessons of psychology, we know that not every commendation is desirable.

For example, if before a man you are praising his wife to the high heavens, “Madam, I like your dance steps. That dance we had at the club last night was fantastic. Let’s do it again sometime soon”. You may be right but what you have just done is nothing short of killing the woman. It would have been better if you drove a sword through her heart. This psychology also applies in politics.

This is where we warn that in times like these, not only must we avoid sensationalism, headlines must also not be blown out of proportion. People are too busy to read the details of your story.

Since the past one week, our polity has been inundated with the screaming headlines of how Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, and other exmilitants have threatened that “Nigeria will break if Jonathan loses the election”. Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, and others soon joined the fray, particularly when General Theophilus Danjuma (retired)

Whoever wants to help any of the candidates must now go out there and convince the electorate to vote for him

his open endorsement of militant sharia in 2000 and pledged to take it to all parts of the country. He has neither denied it nor apologised. He has no apologies for it.

Buhari is first and foremost a Fulani and Muslim before any other thing. In his brief stay in power and as Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), he demonstrated these traits. As Federal Commissioner for Petroleum, he awarded 80 out of 90 oil blocks to northerners. He created the first Muslim/Muslim, Northern/Northern, Fulani/ Fulani ticket. Tunde Idiagbon was a Fulani Muslim from Ilorin. Out of the nineteen members of the Supreme Military Council only two – Navy Captain Ebitu Ukiwe and Chike Ofodile, the attorney General, were Igbos! Buhari is one of those civil war fighters who see any federal presence in Igboland as “rewarding Igbos for the rebellion”. At the PTF, Buhari’s formula for sharing of contracts and amenities was: North – 65 per cent and South – 35 per cent.

This was derived from the landmass proportion of North to South, forgetting that Nigeria was founded on a tripod of East, West and North, which has now been amended to six geopolitical zones.

We remember the frequent skirmishes between Fulanis and the people of Oyo state (as indeed, we see in all parts of Nigeria) as a result of Fulanis leading their livestock into people’s farms. After one of such skirmishes in Oyo in 2001 in which the Fulanis lost heavily to the locals, Buhari, a former head of state, led a delegation of Fulani Minyeti Allah (the umbrella body of cattlerearers) to confront Governor Lam Adesina in Ibadan. He was quoted

called for the arrest of the exmilitants on sedition charges.

A clear reading of the statements of all these people shows that they were reacting, a n d understandably so, to the incessant attacks on the Jonathan campaign team in various parts of the North, particularly against the backdrop that Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari and his team have been having free passage in their peaceful campaigns in the South.

The ex-militants may think that they are helping their son, President Goodluck Jonathan, but this is not the stuff of which successful election campaigns are made. If anything, any word that proceeds from their mouth now can only make things more difficult for the President. They are portraying the President as a man who is incapable of speaking for himself and must apparently be spoon-fed by the grownups.

Again, why has President Jonathan remained stoically silent in the face of the misdemeanor and provocative utterances by his people?

History has shown that threats do not win elections but good electioneering campaigns do. We have, perhaps unwittingly, allowed ourselves to be consumed in the voice of the mob thereby abandoning the issues of our time. In the final analysis, what will matter is what we hear from the candidates and their campaign organizations, not the fatal distractions.

This is where Tompolo has given us half a sense of history: “Where was General Danjuma when Dr. Junaid Mohammed, Buhari and Atiku Abubakar all said in separate interviews that the nation will boil if Jonathan won the election in 2011?” It should have dawned on Tompolo that since the threats of the North did not prevent

as asking the governor: “why are your people killing my people?”

Anybody who has been the leader of Nigeria has no moral authority to discriminate between Nigerians, at least so openly.

The presidency in the hands of Buhari will restore Fulani/Muslim hegemony which Obasanjo strained hard to dissipate through the reformation of the Army. I am not looking forward to that. As an Igbo man, I am not looking forward to anybody who fought the civil war leading this country again. He will always remember the bullet in his leg or buttocks or his friend that was killed in the war front and deny my people their rightful due as they did from 1970 to 2007.

President Jonathan has his many faults. Some have grumbled, correctly, that he has allowed his Ijaw kinsmen to ride rough-shod over other ethnic minorities. He has kept mute while Ijaw militants and leaders like Chief EK Clark, Mujahid Asari Dokubo keep threatening and insulting those who oppose him.

That is true, and it is unfortunate.

People are not happy also that Jonathan has allowed Professor Ango Abdullahi, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, Lawal Kaita, Nasir el Rufai, Shehu Sani and other hotheaded northerners to abuse even the president to his face at will.

Perhaps, our president is tolerant “to a fault”. This gives you the room to choose between him and a Buhari who will hunt down real and perceived enemies, using outdated laws.

At least, for all his faults, Jonathan is a democrat who allows the rule of law and permits us to enjoy our constitutional liberties.

He carries all parts of the country along and spreads the dividends of governance evenly.

MORE ON MONDAY.

President Jonathan from coasting home to victory in 2011, the present threats of the militants simply come to naught!

Whoever wants to help any of the candidates must now go out there and convince the electorate to vote for him.

Evidently, there is a bountiful harvest of fish awaiting everyone in the river but the harvesters must get to the river before casting their nets. And it is always better to go straight to the river to fetch water than to remain on the fringe, listening to cheap gossips of passersby.

In all, leaders must keep their followers in check. Our forebears – Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe and others – did not leave their supporters on the prowl to talk and behave anyhow. They dictated the tones and their supporters followed. Theirs was leadership by example.

The moment we abandoned our policyenunciations to the voice of the mob, we lost it.

Nobody expects a utopian society, a society in which everything is perfect. We must make mistakes occasionally. When leaders and their followers make mistakes, they must quickly own up and make amends.

This is where those attacks on President Jonathan and his campaign team should have been promptly and more seriously condemned by the Northern elders.

As a matter of deliberate policy, leaders must make the preachment of peace mandatory at every opportunity. After all, elections come and go but the country and the people remain!

20 — Vanguard, THURSDAY THURSDAY,, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 —21

Ecobank rejects Togolese labour court jurisdiction •Afffirms dismissal of former CEO

By Omoh Gabriel

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COBANK Transnational Incorporated (ETI), parent company of the Ecobank Group, said yesterday that it is appealing a Togolese labour court decision awarding its dismissed former Chief Executive Officer Thierry Tanoh $11.6 million in alleged damages for supposed ‘wrongful dismissal.’

In a statement signed by Richard Uku Group Head, Corporate Communications, the bank said that “The decision is disappointing but not surprising.

“ETI does not accept the legitimacy of the Togolese court’s ruling because the court does not have legal jurisdiction over Mr Tanoh’s employment contract. Mr Tanoh signed this contract before assumption of his post as Ecobank Group CEO in July 2012 in the full knowledge that it was governed

by English law.

According to him “The contract expressly provides that all disputes shall be settled by international arbitration in London by an arbitrator appointed by the President of the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris.

Relevant matters The contract grants exclusive jurisdiction to the English courts in relevant matters. Mr Tanoh, an Ivorian national with permanent residence in the United States during his tenure as ETI Group CEO, rejected these express provisions of his contract, preferring instead to pursue litigation in a Togolese court for reasons best known to him.

Continuing the statement said “This is the second time in as many months that Mr Tanoh has sought to extract substantial sums of money from Ecobank on claims which he knows would not stand up in most courts of law.

Last month, an Ivorian commercial court, before which he filed a civil suit against ETI, Public Investment Corporation (PIC) and Dr Daniel Matjila for ‘defamation,’ ruled in his favour in the amount of $15 million.

This decision is equally being appealed.

According to the statement “Jurisdiction technicalities C M Y K

aside, and on substantive matters alone, Ecobank stands firm on the decision to relieve Mr Tanoh of his responsibilities and rejects the excessive sums of money that he is demanding

in local courts in Togo and Cote d’Ivoire.

His removal from office was fully justifiable. Many of ETI’s founders, shareholders, directors and a number of

Ecobank’s regulatory authorities were resolute in their calls for Mr Tanoh to step down. This was after due consideration of an overwhelming amount of

CONFERENCE: From left: Mr. Charles Kie, Group Executive, Corporate and Investment Banking, Ecobank Capital; Mr Jibril Aku, MD/CEO and Uju Ifejika, Chairman/CEO, BrittaniaU Nigeria Ltd and Mr James Vincent, AGN International Corporate Group and Institution Banking, QNB during the Ecobank Capital 2015 Investment Banking Conference, in Lagos.

compelling material, which showed that his dismissal was clearly warranted.

“ETI has lodged a criminal complaint against Mr Tanoh for taking away all official files that he handled as Group CEO of Ecobank, and for deleting all electronic files from the official computers that he used. These unbelievable decisions by the local courts in Cote d’Ivoire and Togo amount to self-inflicting damage, for they send unambiguously negative signals to the business community.

They are a deterrent to local and potential foreign direct investment in both countries.

They raise serious questions for any business entity about how independent or objective a ruling they could obtain in potential litigation. The ETI Board will hold a special meeting next week to consider its options in the wake of these decisions.

“ETI is confident that it will win its appeal of this judgment, and it continues to keep its focus on its most fundamental priorities, which include the business of banking, doing well by its staff, its customers and its shareholders.

Ecobank continues to enjoy strong performance and high shareholder confidence.

Ultimately, it is a unique panAfrican institution that remains committed to contributing to economic development and financial integration in Africa.”

Take advantage of $850bn market share, NEPC urges textile industry

By Rosemary Onuoha

T

HE Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has urged the Textile and Garment Sector to brace up to take part in the global market share of $850 billion estimated for it, promising to aid product export.

Executive Director/CEO, NEPC, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, said this at a Oneday Stakeholders’ Forum of Garments, Textile and Apparel producers in collaboration with Sytlehouse Files Ltd. Awolowo who was represented by the Zonal Head, NEPC, Mrs Ngozi Obidike, said that the council is ready to provide the comparative advantage to increase the export of Nigerian Textiles and Apparels.

He said, “According to statistics, the global textiles and apparel market is expected to reach $850 billion by 2015, which means the market is

huge. Presently, China, Vietnam and Bangladesh are the leading suppliers in the world. It is therefore imperative for the sector in Nigeria to brace up to take their market share in the global market.“The Federal government recently launched the Nigeria, Cotton, Textiles and Garment policy to boost the sector. While the future global market for textiles and apparel is expected to expand drastically, it is going to be a challenging market full of risks

The global textiles and apparel market is expected to reach $850 billion by 2015

and unbelievable opportunities,” he said.

Meanwhile, the forum is tailored towards har$159.85 -2.60 nessing the export potentials of the gar$2,705.00 33.00 ments, textile and apparel industries for ex$14.52 -0.30 port and the council’s realisation that the Nigerian garments and textile industry, if given $56.03 1.28 the necessary attention will be one of the game $50.64 1.07 changers for the country’s export drive.

CENTRAL In her key note ad- CURRENCY BUYING dress entitled: “HarDOLLAR 167 167.5 168 nessing The Export POUNDS 251.9529 252.7073 253.4616 Potentials Of The Gar- EURO 189.4448 190.012 190.5792 ments and Textile Sec- FRANC 180.4448 181.1202 181.6609 tor,” Founder/Chief YEN 1.4192 1.4235 1.4277 0.2689 0.2789 0.2889 Creative Officer, Lagos CFA 233.3106 235.2951 235.9975 Fashion and Design WAUA 26.7974 26.8778 Week, Mrs Omoyemi RENMINBI 26.6999 44.4338 44.5668 44.663 Akerele, said that there RIYAL 25.4569 25.5331 25.6094 is a need to revive the KRONA SDR 235.2863 235.9908 236.6952 textile and garment value chain in order to CBN Exchange Rate as at 03/2/15 be a major export sector.

22—Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

,

Serious entrepreneurs think about saving some money before they start, or think of using their own savings to start a business

,

Creative ways to finance startups

E

VERY startup needs access to capital, whether for funding product development, for initial rollout efforts, acquiring inventory, or paying that first employee.

Most entrepreneurs think first of bank loans as the primary source of money, only to find out that banks are really the least likely benefactors for startups.

Thus “creative” really means maximizing non-bank financing.

The alternatives are many, but they are not easy. The most successful entrepreneurs are the ones who think creatively, not only about their offering, but also about how to acquire cash, and never say never. They have to sell themselves, more than their product, to close on every alternative source of funding.

Here are some top sources of funding startups: Personal financing - You may not think this is very creative.

Serious entrepreneurs think about saving some money before they start, or think of using their own savings to start a business. No investor will put money into a deal if they see that you have no financial commitment.

Personal credit lines - You qualify for a secured personal credit line based on your personal credit efforts. Credit cards can usually be acquired with even less history. We all know startups that have been built on one or both of these. The advantage is that you retain total ownership and control, as long as you make minimum payments.

Family and friends These are people who should believe in you, without waiting to see if your idea works, or waiting until you have real customers, revenue, and hard assets. These commitments should always be positioned in writing as promissory notes, or so-called bridge-loans, which convert to equity at a rate determined by later investors.

Peer-to-peer lending - This is a process whereby a group of people come together to lend money to each other. It’s been around many years, such as small business groups or ethnic groups supporting similar efforts. In the startup context, look for a successful entrepreneur peer willing to fund similar new ideas.

Crowd funding - Here you use the power of the Internet to find

a crowd of like-minded people, with small amounts each, to back your efforts.

Microloans - There are many private companies and nonprofits that offer small loans, to promote entrepreneurship, to individuals who would not normally qualify for bank financing. Examples include Microfinance Banks Vendor financing - If you need tangible products for inventory, many manufacturers and distributors can be convinced to defer your payment until the goods are sold by you. This really means an extension of the normal 30day payment terms to a period of months or longer, depending on your credit worthiness and extra fees.

Purchase order financing The most common scaling

Look for a successful entrepreneur peer willing to fund similar new ideas problem faced by startups is the inability to accept a large new order, since they don’t have the cash to build and deliver the product. PO financing companies will often advance the required funds directly to the supplier, allowing the transaction to complete and profit to flow to the startup.

Factoring accounts receivables - This is similar in concept to PO financing, but applies the advance to unpaid amounts not yet due or collected from customers. In high volume startups starting to scale up, this will provide cash on your sales immediately, rather than waiting for 30 to 60 days or longer for payment.

These aforementioned are different from the more conventional and less creative finance approaches of Angel and venture capital investors.

For new entrepreneurs, these sources usually have very little interest in early-stage or seed financing, preferring the lesser risk of a proven business model, with real revenue and customers, ready to scale.

BUSINESS NAIRA EXCHANGE RATES (3/02/15) Currency DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

Buying(N)

Central(N)

Selling(N)

167

167.5

168

251.7525 189.5617 180.1122 1.4231 0.2689 234.5928 26.6837 44.4918 25.4608 235.2863

252.5063 190.1293 180.6514 1.4274 0.2789

253.26 190.6968 181.1907 1.4316 0.2889

235.2951

235.9975

26.764 44.625 25.537 235.9908

26.8444 44.7582 25.6133 236.6952

Commod Light Crud

Natural G Sugar Coffee Cocoa

How to generate business ideas

By Yinka Kolawole, with agency report THERE are so many different ways to come up with ideas. For some people, coming up with ideas is as easy as spotting chewing gum on the sidewalk. For others, it’s nearly impossible.

The following are some ways on how one can actually come up with business ideas.

Solve problems The easiest way to come up with business ideas is to solve problems you have. The second easiest is to solve problems others have. These don’t have to be big solutions like Google search or Amazon, they could be much smaller.

Many of the products you have become used to using were actually invented to solve a problem, including Thermoflasks to keep coffee/ food warm, sunglasses to protect from the glare, security alarms to alert you that someone has broken in, fire hydrants to put out a fire before the whole place goes up, toothbrushes to keep your teeth clean, and dental floss

to fish out unwanted food. The list is literally endless.

All you have to do is to identify problems. As you go about your daily tasks, be they at home or work, try to get in the mindset of noticing the things that frustrate you. Once you get into the habit of finding problems, you’ll probably start to enjoy it.

Remember, every problem is an opportunity for a new product, service, or company, especially if it’s a problem many others have too.

Solve things that may become problems Solving problems that you currently have is not the only way to come up with new ideas.

Why not think of solving problems that will exist, but not yet?

If you think there’s not yet a market for your idea, you may just be able to create one by appealing to those that, like you, believe it will be a problem in the future.

Adapt to evolving needs Physiological needs stay the same - the need for food, shelter, and water. Emotional needs tend to stand the same - envy, greed, pride, etc. What doesn’t stay the

same are the products and services it takes to fulfill these needs.

The easiest products to market are also products that fulfill a real or contemporary need. An example of a service that has quickly become popular is “cloud storage.” It’s a result of our very contemporary need to have access to our data, information, photos, music, and so on, no matter what device we’re on. Google sells cloud storage, as does Dropbox, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and

Coming up with business ideas doesn't mean you have to focus on inventing new products or services

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 — 23

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& YOU

dity de

Gas

COMMODITIES (4/02/15) Last 50.76

Change ($) -2.29

% Change -4.32

2.69

-0.07

-2.43

14.36

-0.11

-0.76

163.80

+3.05

+1.90

2737.00

+46.00

+1.71

a host of private companies that do as well.

Save people money Yet another great way to come up with ideas is to think about saving people money. People buy 23 watt energy-saving light bulbs because they’re affordable, not because they last for years and are actually the equivalent of a 100 watt light bulb, though that’s an obvious bonus too.

If you can figure out how to save people money, you’ll have a good business idea, new or not.

Make people’s lives easier A coffee machine with a timer that ensures there’s hot coffee when you wake; a central vacuum cleaning system that means only carrying a hose and brush around the house rather than the full unit; shopping baskets placed at convenient intervals in the store in case you decide you want to purchase more than what your arms can hold, etc.

Remember, coming up with business ideas doesn’t mean you have to focus on inventing new products or services. In fact, you could just as easily adapt an existing service or introduce a new benefit that makes peoples’ lives easier.

Make chores less unpleasant How would you like the possibility of making real chores - like going to the toilet - fun. Ever heard about Japan’s high-tech toilets? Well, they play music, have heated seats, blast warm air, and clean with jets of water.

That’s a great example of how to make an unpleasant task pleasant. What do you hate doing? How could you make it more enjoyable? Like someone to make hanging your clothes less of a pain, and to take all my bills and pay them for you.

Turn a hobby into a business For those already actively

making or doing something, this may be an obvious next step. Or, if you’ve been doing something on a regular basis and find yourself good at it but don’t think of it as a hobby, perhaps you should think about how it could be a business.

If you find the idea of starting a business intimidating, start with something you know. This way, it might not feel like a business and you’ll enjoy the process as you go. Be sure to think carefully about how you’ll feel if things do work out. You may find things suddenly become less enjoyable as you’ve got to start making them to meet customer demands or to pay the bills.

Fulfill a need Take any of the human needs on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and think of the products and services created to meet these needs. Then, build on those.

As humans, we have a constant need to hydrate ourselves. If we did not drink water, we’d die. As such, we’ve had plumbing built into our houses and into all of the buildings we work in and visit.

But, despite being able to pop in almost anywhere to drink water for free, companies have come up with additional ways to meet this need.

They’ve provided solutions for water on the go. They’ve provided solutions for clean water on the go. Move up to the love/ belonging level on Maslow’s pyramid, and you get companies like Facebook that allow a user to feel a sense of connection to friends and family.

It might feel a little manipulative looking at things this way, but many of the products you use already bear reference to these needs, including the toilet paper you buy (physiological), the locks you have on your door and the pepper spray you carry (safety), the birthday card you buy for your friend (love/belonging), and the feedback you seek via recommendations on LinkedIn (esteem).

The notion of either staying small or big should not be the focus.

Whether you are big or small, the key thing is GROWTH

,

How big your organisation is doesn't really matter By ‘Uju Onwuzulike

because businesses and customer needs are ever dynamic and will continue to be. The truth is that “no organisation is too big to fail”.

Organisations have two choices to make, either to stay in the “Maintenance Mode” and stop growing or to step into the “Growth Mode.”

In the end, the customer doesn’t know, or care, if you are small or large as an organisation.. she or he only focuses on the garment hanging on the rail in the store — Giorgio Armani

W

ITH the rate of change in the business world today, having the mindset or perception that one’s organisation is big or small may not be strategic and in the best interest of any organisation. Forward looking organisations and also those that are strategic in all facets of their operations focus only on GROWTH. They keep asking the pertinent question: how do we grow the more regardless of people’s perception of our size?

We have heard and seen over the years, stories of global companies who taught they were so big, have arrived, and were invincible abound.

Much to our chagrin, some of them went under due to one insidious act or the other.

When we take wrong actions in organisations, they tend to create “unintended consequences”. Sadly, one or two of such can sink the organisation. We do not intend to write names of such failed global companies.

BY ‘UJU ONWUZULIKE

to be small today can equally outgrow big companies in the future. So let us re-shift our thinking to Growth mentality.

Any organisation that ‘sleeps’ when others are running may not have the growth mentality (“when the rate of change on the outside exceeds the inside, the end is near”).

The only way to retain control over your business is by growing, and this is

Global players On the other hand, companies that always think they are small (and cannot make major business impact) will only succeed in limiting their business growth potentials.

They may not be able to move to the next level of growth.

Today, we have lists of businesses that started small and have grown to become global players.

You might ask, if we are not to focus on being big or small, what should be our focus? The answer is simple; your focus MUST be on GROWTH. Companies that are perceived to be “big (by which ever standard) can grow more and more. On the other hand, companies that are perceived

There is no better time to grow your organisation than now.

Long term growth will not be achieved by doing things the old way

Organisations in the “Maintenance Mode” will experience the following: Your competitors catch up with you or take up your position. Your revenue drops.

Your products or services might become old fashioned.

Your employee’s sense of creativity and innovation stifles.

Points to ponder: The notion of either staying small or big should not be the focus. Whether you are big or small, the key thing is GROWTH. The only way to retain control over your business is by GROWING. Have you seen any organisation that has “ we have arrived” status? The answer is No. Final Note: There is no better time to grow your organisation than now. Long term growth will not be achieved by doing things the old way. It will never be achieved by “piecemeal” or analytical way of doing things, because it creates unintended consequences for the company.

Most times, they are difficult to handle. Growing an organisation requires using “Systems Thinking Approach” – where everybody’s focus is entirely on the organisation, and not on self or some parts of the organisation.

Achieving this focus or goal is sometimes hard for some people, but it MUST be achieved.

Call or email us for your views or perspectives: Email:uju@hainescentre.com Mobile: 09091142093

C M Y K

24 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Managing the naira and the issue of growth

By Victor Ogiemwonyi

T

HE recent decision of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to retain rates as they are, is seen as making a safe bet so close to the elections, and to avoid being dragged into partisan politics of the current election period.

It was however not a decision reflecting current economic conditions in the country.

The Monetary Policy Interest Rate (MPR) retention at 13 percent , ignored the widening gap between the Naira /Dollar exchange rate. This was far from what some analysts expected, especially seeing the rapid and negative reaction to the movement in the exchange rates, after expanding the corridors of the exchange rate management band from N155 to N168 per dollar. This was effectively 8 percent devaluation.

The reaction of the markets and the stretch of the Naira/ Dollar exchange rate to N190 at the interbank, speaks to the fundamental issues around the Naira, which we must address if we want to strengthen the Naira.

Youth unemployment Currency value comes from the productive capacity of the underlying economy. The Nigerian Economy is neither productive nor efficient and the underlying economy of the Naira is weak right now.

The massive unemployment, particularly youth unemployment, weak infrastructure, especially our inability to generate sufficient electric power to support the economy, poor educational support, weak capital markets and the overall non competitive economic environment is what is translating to low productivity and hence low currency value.

The value of the Naira in the last few years was artificially propped up by the high oil prices. Low oil prices have now also adjusted Naira quickly downwards to find its value. The fixation of the CBN in defending the Naira is for me like fighting gravity.

We cannot afford to continue to defend the Naira with the little Foreign Reserves currently about $34 billion which is hardly enough to cover six months of our import bill.

Those who insist that we cannot afford to allow the Naira to find its value because we are import dependent, should be told that unless we wean ourselves of frivolous imports we will never have the chance to diversify the economy.

My take is for the CBN to quickly draw up a list of importable items the official foreign exchange can be used for,

•Emefiele, CBN Governor like Machinery for local production for instance. Items that should not be on this list include all luxury goods and anything that can be manufactured here or have alternatives.

Those who must buy luxury goods must be allowed to do so, but they should get their foreign exchange outside of the official market and pay our tariffs when they bring them in. India had a rigorous import regime for several decades, they did not allow foreign car imports for instance, look at what has happened to their motor manufacturing industry.

Even Coca cola was out of India for many years. If we are serious about diversifying from oil and growing our economy, we must let the Naira find its true value, first by widening the management band to N185-N200 and intervene only when it breaches the upper limit of this band.

The question is; who is afraid of high exchange rates? And

who are we defending the Naira value for?

A higher exchange rate for the Naira will provide a more level playing ground for local industries and make it uncompetitive for those who import toothpicks from China. Yes, higher value for the Naira is desirable but not at all cost, especially when on the long run, it will damage the economy.

There is no need to fret about the temporary devaluation. The Naira will improve gradually as current fundamental challenges are gradually addressed.

The Japanese currency, the ‘ YEN ‘ started the year 1980 with a value of 237.8 to 1 US Dollar. By the end of the 80s decade, the currency was valued at 209.4. It opened the year 1990 at 144.9 to the Dollar and ended the 90s valued at 133.8 to the Dollar. Today as I write this, the Japanese Yen is trading at 118 to the Dollar.

Anybody watching the Japanese Economy can easily see the relationship with the growth of the Japanese Economy and its currency.

Many forget that the massive Japanese export drive started in this period. The Toyotas and many Japanese Companies we all know today, all became important in the last 20 to 25 years.

We should focus on growth.

If we are able to grow the economy rapidly, it will address the value of the currency.

The Naira devaluation must be seen as an opportunity to make quick progress in accelerating our growth, by encouraging local production for domestic consumption and exports.

Domestic consumption

Those who insist that we cannot afford to allow the Naira to find its value because we are import dependent, should be told that unless we wean ourselves of frivolous imports we will never have the chance to diversify the economy

Current MPR rate at 13 percent is hurting the economy.

We cannot see sufficient growth at this interest rate level, particularly when inflation is trending down with the current rate, at 8.5 percent.

Investors are interested in real returns.

Inflation at 8.5 percent allows real returns at 9 to10 percent. The lower inflation is an opportunity to lower interest rates. But for lower interest rates to work, foreign exchange rates must be sufficiently high to discourage speculators who might see the lower interest rates as an opportunity to round trip.

We have also seen growth rates revised downwards to

about 5.5 percent in Nigeria while the World Bank and the IMF also see slower growth around the world except the US. This is even more reason to pursue a growth strategy that will eventually see us growing at double digits. Anything less, will not be good enough. We have a huge population that is an advantage if we can grow fast enough, but a burden if we continue on the slow growth path that has seen poverty double in just 20 years.

A key ingredient for growth is lower interest rates. Lower interest rate environment tends to support growth. We have seen this recently during the last financial crisis. Many countries cut interest rates to stimulate growth.

Our concern should be how to accelerate our economic growth in the double digits so we can continue to outgrow inflation and reduce unemployment speedily.

This can only happen with low interest rates.

We have seen this in other climes. The low interest rate environment in the U.S and UK is the reason why their economies are growing.

Interest rate environment A Country like Singapore has had low interest rate environment for over a decade allowing all other rates to settle within a range. The slower inflation rate at 8.5 percent should be the impetus we needed to crash the MPR rate, and let its forward guidance be based on the inflation rate for now.

The days of using tight Monetary and Fiscal policies to slow growth to fight inflation and enhance the value of the national currency is long gone. The opportunity of slowing inflation should be used as a tool for efficient management of the Naira.

The insistence on supporting the Naira at all cost with the dwindling external reserves is not in the long term interest of the economy.

•Mr. Ogiemwonyi is the Managing Director/ CEO of Partnership Investment Company Plc.

......BRIEFS.....

Skye Bank’s balance sheet rises to N1.5trn

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KYE Bank Plc has begun to n j o y the benefits of its recent acquisition of Mainstreet Bank Limited as its balance sheet has risen to N1.5 trillion from the per-acquisition value of N1.2 trillion.

Similarly, the bank’s branch network is now 450 compared to 260 branches before the business combination with Mainstreet Bank.

Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, disclosed these at the weekend during a ‘Corporate Partners’ forum held i Lagos. He said the enhanced balance sheet has put the bank in a better position to take on bigger transaction tickets, promising that its customers would be the better for it.

Oguntayo also expalined that the increased branch network would make access to the bank’s services easier as branches are now easily accessed. He added that the bank’s combined automatic teller machines network is now 815 from 600 prior to the acquisition.

He re assured the bank customers of excellent and customised services at all time, expalining that the desire to serve the customers better informed the launch of a customer service charter in the past. e

FCMB introduces free insurance cover for traders

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RADERS and other busi ness owners across the country have continued to endorse and commend First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited over the introduction of a Personal Business Account product, which comes with a free insurance cover of up to one million naira (N1million) in case of loss of goods/stock due to fire or flood disaster. The product guarantees traders, merchants, self-employed professionals and artisans, who operate businesses in their personal names, security in the conduct of such businesses in the event of unexpected disasters.

Speaking at the launch of the Personal Business Account at the Onitsha main market in Anambra state on Friday, January 30, 2015, the Chairman of the Traders Association, Chief Innocent Agudiegwu, described the product as, ‘’fantastic.”

According to him, “by coming up with a product like this, FCMB has demonstrated that it is responsive to the needs of not just businessmen and women, but to the people and society.”

He saidt it will solve the financial difficulties usually faced by businesses in the event of hazards.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 — 25

•Jonathan

•Shekarau

Education under Jonathan: The good, the criticisms

By Dayo Adesulu

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S the achievement of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan in the education sector continues to attract mixed reactions from stakeholders in Nigerian and in diaspora, Vanguard Learning in this report, takes a critical examination of the kudos and knocks over the last four years.

While it is widely believed in some quarters that President Jonathan did performed in some sectors, it is held that he had neglected the education sector.

However, some social critics argued that while the president gave maximum attention to revamping the

Olukoga urges private sector to invest in informal sector

educationsector, it was targeted to woo the votes of certain geo-political zones during the forthcoming general elections. Again, another school of thought is of the opinion that what the Jonathan administration referred to as achievement in the sector are cosmetic projects that could not stand the test of time.

Cosmetic projects However, Vanguard Learning in this report examines the list of some of the development that took place under Jonathan's administration over the last four years.

President Jonathan over these years

had accelerated the development of education at all levels. He has not only repositioned the public school system but had also provided the enabling environment for greater participation of private individuals and agencies in the delivery of education services under government regulation.

Apparently, the Jonathan administration should be applauded for rehabilitation and upgrade of federal government-owned schools which were eye-sore before now.

So far, he had refurbished and equipped 51 Federal and State Polytechnics with modern laboratories to encourage participation in technical and vocational education and training.

MOCPED: We’re not indebted to EKSU — Management Pg. 28 C M Y K

Continues on page 26

Parents react to students’ compulsory stay in school during elections

By Dayo Adesulu

Pg. 27

Over 352 science and technical laboratories in the 104 Federal Unity Colleges, had been refurbished, in addition to providing 62 ICT centres and 40 sets of mathematical kits.

The administration has distributed a total of 19.67 million instructional materials in the four core subjects of English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science and Technology, and Cocial Studies to primary 1 and primary 2 pupils.

Borthered by the deprivation suffered by young boys and girls to education, in the north, the Jonathan administration introduced a three-pronged programme of the Almajiri Education System, the GirlChild Education and Back-to-School initiatives which have drastically reduced the out-of-school children profile in the country, particularly in the north.

Larger bulk of the education fund in the past three years was channeled to the 150 Almajiri schools across the Northern states and the Out-of-School-Children Programme. The Specialised Boys and Girls Schools across the country have

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ARENTS have reacted to the Federal Ministry

of Education's decision, compelling both public and private schools to remain open during February 14 and 28 elections. While few parents agreed with the decision of Federal Government, many parents exercised doubt over government's decision to protect their children in school.

They argued that if after nine months, Nigerians are still expecting Chibok girls back, they cannot entrust the lives of their children to such government.

Would recall Monday that the Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, stated at the end of an emergency meeting held with States Commissioners of Education and other stakeholders in education sector in Abuja that all schools should remain open.

Meanwhile, taking position with the Federal Government decision, Professor Oyesoji Aremu, an expert in security opined that whether during or non-election period, true security is absence of violence where wellness of the citizenry are guaranteed.

He said: ‘’The recent clamour in some quarters for

Continues on page 26

26 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Parents react to students’ compulsory stay in school during elections

The women's wing of the Muslim aid group, Jama'atu Nasril Islam (JNI), has presented the President of American University of Nigeria, Dr. Margee Ensign, with a plaque and a certificate of merit, in recognition of her contributions to the education of women and service to humanity.

Continues from page 25 school closure during the coming national elections is uncalled for, given the fact that the school system (most especially at the primary and secondary levels) has suffered elongated break at the beginning of the current academic session as a result of security against ebola virus.’’

According to him, if the school is still grappling with the shortfall in the number of weeks to spend in a session, asking for another school closure because of threat of electoral violence shows the nation is not mindful of educational quality.

He explained that if schools are closed because of perceived

Education under Jonathan: The good, the criticisms Continues from page 25 imparted positively in the lives of these despaired children.

The administration constructed 64 Almajiri Model Schools, which had since begun operation. These are part of a list of 89 schools being constructed by the administration through the Universal Basic Education, UBEC. Before the Jonathan administration came on board in 2011, enrollment in basic schools was 23 million.

However, between 2011 to 2014, the enrollment had increased to over 29 million and still growing yearly. In the same vein, enrollment in colleges of education has increased from 620, 000 in 2011 to 750,000 in 2013.

To guarantee enhanced access to university education, President Jonathan established 14 new universities, 9 in the northern states of Kogi, Taraba, Jigawa, Gombe, Nasarawa, Katsina, Yobe, Kebbi and Zamfara States, three in the southern states of Ebonyi, Bayelsa and Ekiti, including two specialized Police and Maritime universities. With such development, all states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory have at least a federal university.

Enabling environment Under Jonathan's administration, the number of private primary, secondary and tertiary institutions have also doubled as a result of the enabling environment provided for private investors to operate.

This is in addition to the establishment of new NCE awarding institutions and the upgrading of strategic polytechnics for enhanced service delivery in the country.

In line with its commitment to the proper funding of the sector, the administration has almost tripled education allocation from

N224 billion in 2007 to N634 billion in 2013. In the budget released by the Federal Government budget from 2011 to 2014, education funding steadily increased. Recall that in 2011, the education ministry received N365.8 billion; in 2012, it was N400.15 billion, in the 2013 budget, it was N426.53 billion and in 2014, education gulped N493 billion.

Also, recall that in 2013, the administration for the first time released N200 billion Intervention Fund to universities managements and governing councils This has been complemented with the creation of special intervention agencies such as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Special NEEDS Assessment Fund through which over N500 billion has been spent on various projects to increase access and improve the quality of infrastructure at the nation's tertiary level of education.

To guarantee quality education, the Jonathan administration had sponsored over 5, 867 lecturers of federal and state tertiary institutions for post-graduate studies, out of

which 1,375 were sponsored overseas.

Another landmark achievement the Jonathan administration has made in the education sector, is on the review of school curriculum. The curriculum was reviewed in line with national development objectives, while public-private partnership was strengthened with major publishers for the development of basic and senior secondary school textbooks.

Also, under the current administration, the nation's education sector has gradually witnessed computerization, with the introduction of the Computer-Based Test (CBT) which is now mandatory for all candidates as from 2015 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME. This computerised system was introduced by the administration three years ago. The administration also launched the Safe Schools Initiative to ensure that young people are not only safe in going to school, but that schools environment are safe for learning, growth and development.

The Jonathan administration did Construct special girls schools in 13 states of the

Federation in order to improve the Girls’ Education Programme, including girls boarding schools in Adamawa, Yobe, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Delta and Akwa Ibom. It launched the National Campaign on Access to Basic Education across the geo-political zones to reduce the number of out-of-school children.

Meanwhile, in one of reactions to the Jonathan’s achievement in education, the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari deflated the claim as empty and inconsequential.

Buhari alleged that the Jonathan administration should be held responsible for serious shortcomings in the sector, stressing that he presided over the greatest decline ever witnessed in the history of the nation's education.

Similarly, the Director of Media and Publicity for APC, Mallam Garba Shehu said: “President Jonathan should be blamed for the present confusion in the sector riddened with long strikes occasioned by the poor management of the sector by his appointees.”

electoral violence, wrong signals would be sent to the learners and the world at large that the country is not capable of free and fair elections that will not be marred by violence adding, ‘’this is not good for the emotional development of young school children.’’

He, however frowned at the Minister of Education’s threat to sanction schools that flout his directive noting that such statement is a misdirected one. ‘’The fact remains that safe schooling is not guaranteed in some parts of the country due to insurgency. In such a place and its adjoining areas, schools should be closed to guide against electoral backlash that may occur because of the current security challenge.

In his contribution, Mr James Eni-Ibukun who has three children in the university said he will prefer his children stay with him during February elections because he cannot trust the security of the government.

His words: “From all indications, the security in the nation and the level of violence from every geopolitical zone call for a rethink. Before government can say that students should remain in their schools, they should have made provision for their security. Presently, there is no security in the nation and coupled with the drum of violence that some people are beating, suggesting either they make it or they mar it. That is why students should be home under their parents.

Manipulation of students ‘’On Wednesday, there was a political campaign in Surulere, and the way many of them are shouting, “Great Nigerian students”, that suggest that the students can be manipulated to do what they want to do.

It is common sense that they should release them and let them go to their homes during the elections.

We’re not indebted to EKSU— MOCPED In line with its commitment to the proper funding of the sector, the Federal Government has almost tripled education allocation from N224 billion in 2007 to N634 billion in 2013'

By Amaka Abayomi HE management of Michael Otedola College of Primary Education(MOCPED), Noforija, Epe, Lagos State, has denied being indebted to the Ekiti State University, EKSU, saying it has remitted its dues to EKSU up to the 2012/13 academic session.

This is following accusations from the management of Ekiti State University of MOCPED’s indebtedness and failure to release the results and certificates of its degree students.

MOCPED is an affiliate college of Ekiti State University and students can seek

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admission into MOCPED for degree programs that would bear EKSU’s certificate.

According to the interim report of the students’ protest of January 26, 2015, and signed by the Acting Registrar, Mrs’ L. A. Jegede, the earlier published article of MOCPED’s indebtedness was the handiwork of some overzealous staff of EKSU which was full of lies and was intended to incite the College EKSU students against the College management and the College at large.

She said “the College has remitted its dues to EKSU up to 2012/13 academic session and the remaining dues for

2013/14 session were to be remitted after the students might have paid their tuition fees for the current session.

“Evidences to prove that MOCPED isn’t defaulting are presented copy of update on sandwich and full-time degree students’ results; decision extract of the last meeting of the degree students’ representatives with the College management; EKSU Senate approved graduating result list for MOCPED parttime student; list of students who had collected notification of result; and photocopy of a degree student’s notification of result.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 — 27

SUCCESS RECIPE *From left: Otunba Fatai Olukoga, SA on Education to Governor Fashola; and Hon. Wahab King, Chairman, House Committee on Education, Science and Technology, presenting certificate/award and gas cooker to Ihale Ngozi, a catering graduand at the 9th graduation ceremony of vocational trainees

by Lagos Agency for Mass Education , in Alausa, Ikeja.

Olukoga urges private sector to invest in informal sector

By Tare Youdeowei

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PECIAL Adviser on Education to Governor Fashola of Lagos State, Otunba Fatai Olukoga, has affirmed that adequate and efficient investment through Public Private Partnership, PPP, in informal education and capacity building for the youths and women is capable of catapulting the nation’s economy to an enviable height.

Olukoga disclosed this during the 9th graduation of Lagos Agency for Mass Education, in Alausa, Ikeja, which saw the churning-out of 490 vocational trainees.

In the ceremony, he urged the private sector and the multinationals to collaborate with government on safeguarding the nation’s economy through relevant and proactive participation in capacity building and empowerment for the informal sector.

The vocational training which is free of charge has

over 466 centres spread across the state and has graduated over 1,500 beneficiaries with skill acquisition in diverse areas of vocation such as hairdressing, fashion designing, catering, beads making, computer, decoration, cosmetology among others since the Fashola administration came on board in 2007.

Speaking at the event, Olukoga said: “Although the informal sector makes up a significant portion of the economies in developing countries, it is often stigmatized as troublesome and unmanageable.

"However, the informal sector provides critical economy opportunities for the poor and has been expanding rapidly since the 1960s. As such, integrating the informal economy into the formal sector is an important policy challenge but achievable, thus the call for private sector participation."

Fashola’s aide who affirmed the state government's

commitment and passion for economic boom through selfemployment and education for the infor mal sector, explained that recognizing that the informal economy can produce significant goods and services, create necessary jobs, and contribute to imports and exports is critical for governments at all levels.

Noting that the informal sector plays important roles in the growth and development of the Nigerian economy, he highlighted some to be “Providing productive outlets for a large number of people who prefer or have to be self employed. This sector therefore contributes to the national economy in terms of output and employment. It Provides competition in the economy; provides outlets for experienced specialist manpower from the medium and large scale enterprises who wish to be self-employed, using minimal capital; reduces the level of unemployment; stimulates and enhances innovation."

OSCOTECH graduates 5,000 students

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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O fewer than 5,000 students from the faculties of Management Sciences, Environmental Studies and Engineering of Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke have received various certificates during the combined convocation ceremony for graduates of 2008/2009 academic session to 2012/2013 sessions.

The Rector of the institution, Dr. Augustus Oke, who disclosed this said the categories of awards for graduands include: Advanced Certificates, National and Higher National Diplomas for both full-time and part-time students of the institution.

Briefing newsmen ahead of the 4th combined convocation of the institution, the Rector also blamed stakeholders in the education sector for the falling standard of education in Nigeria.

According to him, lack of commitment on the part of stakeholders was one of the major

factors responsible for the appalling state of education in the country.

He noted that the combined lukewarm attitude to education by government, teachers, students and even parents accounted for the dwindling fortune of education in the country.

Parts of the activities lined-up for the event include, convocation lecture entitled Unlocking the potentials of Polytechnic and Colleges of Technology for National Development, Issues, Challenges and Prospect, delivered by Professor Matthew Idowu Ajibero, former Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic and current Special Adviser to the Kogi State Governor on Higher Education.

At the convocation ceremony, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, the first Executive governor of Osun State and Engr. Samuel Olatunde Fadahunsi, the first Chairman of Governing Council of the institution received fellowship award of the institution.

WITH UDEME ARCHIBONG successrecipe2009@gmail.com www.worldlightbearesint.com 08035095243

Change your emotions! change your life!

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famous boxer was known for his aggressiveness in the ring. He was the middleweight champion of the world for many years. Whenever he engaged in a fight, he would fight like a man possessed. One day after one of his victories, a reporter asked him, “James, what makes you so good? Why do you fight with such tremendous aggression and passion in the ring?" The reporter expected the answer to be something like, “Well, you know, I’m just competitive. That’s who I am. I love to box.” However, to the reporter’s amazement, James Toney gave an unusual response, “Do you really want to know why I fight with such anger and aggression?” asked the boxer. “It’s because my Dad abandoned me when I was a child. He left me and my brothers and sisters alone, fatherless, to be raised by my mother all by herself. And now when I step into the ring, I picture my Dad's face on my opponent’s.

And I have so much hatred, so much anger toward him, I just explode.”

James Toney probably had his bank account full with money and gained popularity in the sports world but he was running empty on the inside. He gained the applause of the crowd but he never gained the peace within himself. He gained the acclaim of the sports world but claimed misery on his inside. He was driven by anger and rooted in bitterness; hence, he was stripped of the joy of living. We can’t bottle-up anger, resentment and bitterness within us and expect to experience freedom to lead a happy life at the same time. Eventually those emotional poisons will contaminate our relationships and our entire life if we do not get rid of it. Your thoughts and feelings determine your conduct and the condition of your life. You can’t have negative thoughts and feelings and experience a happy and positive life at the same time. Whatever you harbor in your mind you will All negative labour to retain and will emotions are eventually become habitual; and for positive thoughts and learned beginning emotions to become habitual, you from childhood, must labour to train and retrain however, to lead a your mind in the positive.

All negative emotions are great life these learned beginning from negative emotions childhood. However, to lead a must be unlearned great life, these negative and positive emotions must be unlearned and positive emotions must be emotions must be learned and relearned. learned and Therefore, we must learn to relearned starve our negative emotions and feed our positive emotions by dwelling our thought on positive emotions and quit thinking and talking about situations and people that make us angry or sad. The law of emotion states: “A stronger emotion will dominate and override a weaker emotion, and whichever emotion you concentrate on grows and become stronger.”

To get rid of negative emotions, there is need to get rid of the “entitlement mentality”; feeling entitled to your anger; rationalising the reason for anger and unhappiness. Justifying our anger and unhappiness and meditating on the negative situation keeps us in bondage and do not affect the other person or change the situation.

In the story above, it did no good for James Toney to have justified his anger towards his father, rather, he could have used his intelligence and imagination to excuse his father’s behavior; probably his father may have experienced abandonment and rejection in his own life and knew no better. Remember, hurting people hurt other people. Yes! His father was wrong in abandoning his family but at the same time, remaining perpetually angry at his father kept him perpetually imprisoned to his past. Therefore, excusing the other person makes you gain mental control and starve anger and resentment to death while at the same time, feeding positive emotions to become strong in your life. Reinterpret the unhappy events of your life in a positive way and learn the lesson it teaches. For instance, James Toney could have said to himself, “Because my father abandoned his wife and children, I will be a loving father and husband who will always be there for my family.”

There is an old saying, “No man is your enemy, no man is your friend, and every man is your teacher.” Practice withdrawing your emotional energy from any person or situation that makes you feel angry or upset. Mentally separate yourself from the situation in order to view the situation objectively and make wise choices.

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Bruce Onobrakpeya mentors Lagoon School Students

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INSPIRED by the need to nurture the next generation of Nigerian female artists, world renowned Nigerian printmaker, painter and sculptor, Bruce Onobrakpeya, recently made a presentation to students of The Lagoon School – an all-female primary and secondary institution of learning – based in Lekki.

The event which also featured talks by a Professor of Music from the University of Lagos, Anthony Mereni and the Curator, National Gallery of Art, Ekene Okoroma, was put together as part of activities to mark the school’s vocational day for 2015.

With the theme: Relevance of Art and Culture, Prospects in Schools and Society, the occasion paraded artworks by the students and was spiced with musical and cultural performances.

Addressing the students on the theme: (Relevance of Art and Culture, Prospects in Schools and Society), Onobrakpeya said each child is born with a talent and has something to express. He further pointed out that art usually serves as the primary medium through which such gifts are expressed.

In his words: “The beauty of children’s art is that their simplicity, directness and innocence will make even great and experienced masters want to be able to repeat those attributes in their art.”

Art and culture, he said, can be described as two sides of a coin. He explained further: “One is incomplete without the other. Art and culture are innate to man. In other words, man did not have to go to school to acquire the knowledge of art and culture even though education in those subjects is very important.”

Underscoring the importance of the study of arts, he said: “Over the years, man has developed what he probably acquired by instinct, and this is where education is very important, for it is through education that C M Y K

he can scientifically develop what was a natural talent. The school environment helps the child to recognize particular innate talents and teaches him or her skills to develop them.”

Onobrakpeya added that visual art studies lead to graduate and post graduate degrees in the educational system. This, he pointed out opens up a vast array of professions from which students can choose career paths.

The renowned artist also enlightened the students on the relevance of arts to various aspects of human endeavor such as: civilization, the environment, diplomacy, politics, the economy, tourism, investment and religion.

In his presentation, Professor Mereni sought to educate the students about the origin of music which he traced to ancient Egyptians.

Onobrakpeya (middle) with some staff and students of The Lagoon School during one of the mentoring programmes.

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NBC DG, extols MTN, Kannywood partnership

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AGOS — THE Director General, National B r o a d c a s t i n g Commission, NBC, Chief Emeka Mba, has commended the partnership between Kannywood, the Hausa genre of the flourishing Nigerian movie industry and MTN Nigeria.

He gave the commendation during the second edition of the annual Kannywood awards in Abuja.

He said: "I sincerely give kudos to MTN for this

initiative to partner with Kannywood on this award. This is a boost to the industry and the practitioners, whose efforts are acknowledged in this amazing manner.

By this gesture, we know the stakeholders will be encouraged to do more. It will be a great thing, if other companies can emulate this initiative.”

In the same vein, Founder and President of Kannywood Awards, Ahmad Mohammed Sarari, was full of

gratitude to MTN for the sponsorship, saying: ”We thank MTN for its huge support since the inception of this award in 2013. It has really boosted the morale of the artists and also encouraged them to be more creative and passionate in their act.”

Also speaking during the event, MTN’s Chief Marketing Officer, Bayo Adekanmbi, said the company will not relent in its effort to encourage its subscribers to get better at whatever they do.

MEETING: From left: Mr. Emeka Akwuaka, Company Secretary, PAC Asset Management Limited; Mr. Chris Oshiafi, Chairman and Mr. David Okwuadigbo, Managing Director, during Completion Board Meeting on PACAM Balanced Fund’s 1billion unit offer, in Lagos.

Ufot appointed APCON Chairman

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AGOS — THE Federal Government has appointed Mr. Udeme Ufot

as the new Chairman for the Governing Council of the Advertising

Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON. Ufot, is Group Managing Director of SO&U Group and a former President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, AAAN. has served several tenures as council member of APCON and chaired a number of subcommittees.

Reacting to his appointment, Ufot said he felt honoured with the opportunity to serve as the new APCON chairman.

He noted that challenges and opportunities lie ahead and both must be harnessed for the growth of the industry.

PDP Reps candidate sues for peaceful polls

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TOP notcher of People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Alimosho constituency in Lagos Stat,e Otunba Basiru Ayinde (alias JAWE) has called for peaceful elections during the forthcoming general elections.

Ayinde, who is to contest for House of Representives in Alimosho constituency on the platform of PDP has appealed to electorate to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and vote wisely.

The candidate who was optimistic that he would win said his mandate was allegedly stolen in 2011 when he contested for Agbado/Oke Local Council Development Area chairmanship on the banner of PDP. Speaking also, Personal Assistant to the candidate, Mr Wale Adebosipo, described him as a philanthropist who was ready to assist the less-privileged in the society and solve their needs always.

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By Emmanuel Aziken

N the consideration of many, the hallmark of Governor Godswill Akpabio’s success in government is the physical transformation of Uyo, the once rustic capital city of Akwa Ibom State and neighbouring towns.

However, the governor ’s perspective of transformation is surprisingly beyond the physical as he told a team of Vanguard editors and management. In the view of the governor, the intangible bit of transformation is of more value than the glittering material side that have been generally applauded as the uncommon transformation.

Indeed, not too long ago, Akwa Ibom had been generally known to provide the country’s largest pool of houseboys, maids and cooks.

Nigerians from all sections of the country regularly flocked to the state to scout for houseboys, maids and cooks. But not anymore as the governor in a personal testimonial told the Vanguard delegation of the psychological bent of his transformation agenda.

“If somebody is telling you about u n c o m m o n transformation in Akwa Ibom State, you probably will think it is because of the 2,000 kilometres of dualised roads we have done which you drive without pot holes or the beauty of Uyo which we have turned into a small metropolis or the security network we have put in place or the hotels we are doing.

Gov. Godswill Akpabio

Akpabio’s uncommon Legacy

Psychological change Anybody who knows the history of my people, my people were being used as sweepers and cleaners all over the country for years but this government brought an uncommon psychological change. To enable him redirect the mindset of the average Akwa Ibom citizen from menial jobs to skilful proficiency, the governor on assumption of office focused on education believing that “education makes a people easy to govern and difficult to colonise.”

Though his administration like some neighbouring administrations proclaimed education as free, the genre of free education in the state is one that frowns at indirect levies that inevitably impact against the real objectives of a free education policy. Primary and secondary education is completely free and compulsory for both indigenes and non indigenes in the state. Indeed, in Akwa Ibom State, it is an offence for a child of school age not to be in school and the governor has established mechanisms to enforce this policy with the appointment of five special assistants who monitor school attendance and the adherence of the school administrators to the government’s policies on education.

Noting the impact of education in redirecting the psychological reorientation of the citizenry during his time, the governor said: “You cannot get an Ekaette or Okon as your house girl or driver now, because they are all in school. We

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have more than tripled school enrolment (1.4 million are enjoying free education here) and we do something uncommon that other states are not aware of - We pay subvention of N100 per child per term to the school headmaster for logistics and N300 per child per term to the principal for logistics it is not done anywhere else.

The lady clapping there (Mrs. Christy Edward Akpan) is one of the special assistants to the governor on education monitoring, they go round the state to ensure that no child is left behind. We have made free education compulsory for the Nigerian child and it is a criminal offence not to allow a child of school age not to be in school.”

Weekly, school heads hold seminars to keep them in line with best practises and such seminars are replicated at the different schools with the head teachers passing on what they had learned at the state/ local government level training.

Multiplication of school enrolment As Akpabio leaves office in few months, the three fold multiplication of school enrolment arising from the incentives he introduced and the open door to non indigenes that has lured many from outside the state, could be a challenge for the next administration.

Towards boosting capacity, the Akpabio administration moved with passion to give shape to the state owned university in Mkpatenin earlier proclaimed into existence by the preceding administration.

However, the shining light in the crystallisation of the new Akwa Ibom is the more than 130 roads spanning 1,300 kilometres asphalted roads - put in place by the outgoing administration. That has been complemented with at least three

new overhead bridges, the first of its kind in the state which are to many, the signature projects of the administration.

Akpabio’s vision on road infrastructure was pegged on a four point policy of •Opening of new roads, •Dualisation of roads, •Rehabilitation of roads,•Building of drainages. Reflective of that direction of giving Uyo, the capital city a cosmopolitan outlook, the governor ensured that all roads leading into the state capital are dualised. A year after he came into office, the governor launched a zero pothole policy in Uyo to the purpose that no pothole should exist in the capital city. It is a policy that the government has maintained since then even in the less fancied inter-city roads in Uyo. As part of the efforts to maintain the roads, all the new roads constructed during the Akpabio era are matched with covered drains linked to a N13.8 billion flood erosion control scheme. State officials boast that within minutes of any heavy rain in the state capital, the roads are emptied of rain water.

In reorienting the psychological frame of the citizenry, the governor had the mindset of making available to his people the many social and infrastructure provisions available in the western world.

That is one ambition that has brought the governor criticisms from foes who accuse him of

His impact has touched on the heart of the people and redesigned the landscape in a way that would showcase him for many years to come

wanting to force western culture on the citizenry. Such criticisms are fanned by the large scale effort in building from near scratch a leisure and hospitality industry as in the western world. Signature projects in the leisure industry include the Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre, a leisure and business resort conceived in the image of Disneyland in Orlando, Florida, USA. Arguably, the most remarkable of the legacy projects in the leisure industry unveiled in the last eight years is the sports stadium built in Uyo which combines the splendour of the South African National Stadium in Johannesburg with the frame and firmness of the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, the home of Bayern Munich FC. The commissioning of the stadium last November was with an uncommon touch as Governor Akpabio ferried in three presidents for the opening.

Present were Presidents Goodluck Jonathan, John Mahama of Ghana and Alassane Quattara of Ivory Coast. The stadium was last December, the venue for the assemblage of the largest choir ever in Nigeria which was also reckoned by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest choir ever assembled in the world. Governor Akpabio has also put spiritual meanings into his achievements asserting that his greatest attainment in office is in the sphere of the ecclesiastical.

Largest choir on planet earth As he told Vanguard, “Our people believe that the greatest achievement of my administration is being able to take my people back to God. On daily basis we call on God in everything we do. We end the year by assembling the largest choir on planet earth to sing to the glory of God for preserving our lives. Every time we have a security infraction, we always ask, 'what if we were not praying? Today, if you g o g g l e www.guinnessbookofworldrecords you will see it there that Godswill Akpabio choir has broken the Guinness Book of World Records for 2013. We have now been noted for assembling the largest choir on planet earth. Never done before in the history of the world, 25,272 choristers singing. We are now in the Guinness Book of World Records for positive things.”

Governor Akpabio has equally improved the operational environment for government operations with the construction of a brand new Government House and a state of the art Governor’s Office. In his eight years of stewardship, Governor Akpabio has also increasingly projected himself to play a leading role in the affairs of the country.

As chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Governors Forum, PDP-GF, he has become a major sounding board for his party and other power and policy framers in the evolution of political policies and programmes. Governor Akpabio’s almost eight year stewardship of Akwa Ibom has been a monumental experience. His impact has touched on the heart of the people and redesigned the landscape in a way that would showcase him for many years to come.

36—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

From left: Williams Owodo, Christopher Okolie and Sopuchi Obed, all death row inmates, whose freedom was secured by LEDAP, which got the appellate courts to quash their sentences.

Confessional statements obtained by torture common in Nigeria — LEDAP

By Innocent Anaba

T

HE prevalence of confessional statements obtained from torture, which are mostly relied upon during trial in cases involving capital punishment, underscores the need to reform the country’s criminal justice system, particularly, the way confessional statements are extracted from suspects.

Though Lagos State law makes it mandatory for suspect’s lawyers to be present and do a video recording of such confessional statements, this has been more on paper than in practice.

While the complain from police is hinged on power outages and lack of recording equipments, this has been used to sideline the very important provision to save the citizens, like that of Sopuchi Obed who narrated his experience.

According to him: “I was on my way to a cybercafé, after attending a church programme.

On getting to Igando, (Lagos) not far from the church, some policemen accosted me and forced me into their van. I didn’t understand what was happening, as I had thought there was a problem and that they wanted to save me. This happened barely four months after I arrived Lagos. I met another young boy in the van, who eventually from the police turned out to be my case mate.

“At the station, the policemen forced me into a cell and said I was part of a robbery gang, which carried out an attack recently.

Torture room I was still confused when they took me to their torture room and told me to confess. It was at that point that I began to suspect that I might be in real trouble, because coming from the village, I never in my wildest of dreams thought something of this could happen

to me.

“I told the policemen that I knew nothing of the said robbery they were talking about. One of them slapped me on the face and I fell on the ground. They dragged and pulled me to a chair and asked me to confess, saying that they

While I was hesitating, he shot at my two legs and I slumped. While this was going on, they had placed a written statement on the table, which they read to me to sign

FG lawyers suspends 3-day warning —PG.38

had dealt with more hardened criminals like me. I was weeping and shouting as they were hitting and beating me all over my body. At a point, one of the policemen, whom I assumed to be of my father’s age, hit me with the butt of his riffle and threatened to kill me if I didn’t tell them what they wanted to hear.

“While I was hesitating, he shot at my two legs and I slumped. While this was going on, they had placed a written statement on the table, which they read to me to sign. But because of the threats, after they had shot me, I just decided to sign the statement, at least if that will keep me alive because I had considered that if die, my father, who did not know where I was at that point, would not know what happened to me.

That was how I ended up wasting over 10 years of my life for what I knew nothing about,” Obed narrated this experience at Legal Defence and Assistance Project, LEDAP, at

the opening of its national office in Lekki, Lagos.

But the excuses by the police, as LEDAP’s National Coordinator, Mr Chino Obiagwu, noted were not cogent, as the police from its budgetary provision have more than enough to ensure that the right thing was done so as to stop the practice of framing suspects once and for all.

Sunday Edet, like Obed, was barely 17 years old when he was arrested on September 30, 2004 on allegations by police at Igando police station that they were part of a group of young men seen by a police informant spending lavishly at a beer parlour, and overheard boasting of their unlawful escapades.

Unlawful escapades They were however arrested, charged and eventually convicted.

Following the appeal against their conviction and sentence filed in 2011 by LEDAP, the Court of Appeal, Lagos, allowed their separate appeals and set aside their conviction and sentence. The court resolved 2 out of the 3 issues raised for determination in the appeal in

Continues on page 37

The issues we have with Jega’s INEC

—PG.39

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015—37

Confessional statements obtained by torture common in Nigeria — LEDAP Continues from page 36 their favour.

In particular, the court found that the evidence of the prosecution witnesses was mere hearsay and that the vital evidence required to prove the charge was not provided by the prosecution. Moreover, at the time of the incident, Obed and Edet were underaged persons who ought to have been taken to Juvenile Court rather than a High court.

The Court of Appeal decried the high court for not making detailed inquiry into the ages of the appellants.

In the case of Owodo, who was a juvenile at the time of his alleged offence, the court discharged and acquitted him of the charges against him after 17 years on death row, following an appeal by LEDAP on his behalf.

Allegation of murder Owodo was arrested on February 1, 1995 with four other persons on allegation of murder, and was subsequently convicted and sentenced to death on December 5, 2003 by the Lagos High Court.

Owodo, now 33, was 16 years old at the time the alleged offence was committed in 1995.

The case against him was that he was part of a group of young boys who fought and stabbed the deceased, who later died.

The prosecution contended that Williams was among the eight other boys who were playing cards in the neighbourhood but spread dried cassava flour on the nearby street as bait to rob people.

They had common intention that anyone who stepped on the cassava would be challenged, providing them the opportunity to rob such a person of his or her property which included the deceased person. The defence of Owodo that he was playing football with his friends when they saw a crowd watching some people fighting.

He later left for his home and was on his way when a police van stopped beside him and he was pushed into the van and taken to Ajeromi Police Station.

EDITORIAL TEAM Innocent Anaba ( Head) Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri Dayo Benson (Supervising Editor) 08056180119 dayobenson@yahoo.com

Many other persons were also raided and arrested that evening and brought to the police station. Some of those arrested paid money to bail themselves. But he had no money with him to pay for his bail, and could not reach his parents.

In a well considered judgment that resolved all the issues in favour of Owodo, the Appeal Court unanimously allowed the appeal; discharged and acquitted him of his conviction and sentence to death after 17 years of the arrest and remand.

The court particularly held, amongst others, that there was no eye witness that testified and linked the death of the deceased person to the act of the accused (Owodo). Moreso, at the time of the incident, the accused person was under aged and ought to have been taken to Juvenile Court for trial, the appellate court held that the High Court erred in law to have relied on the age of the accused person, Owodo, as at the time of the trial instead of his age as at the time the incident occurred.

For Idowu Shobowale and Kabiru Omolade, they were arrested on December 19, 1996 on allegation of murder. The two were subsequently convicted and sentenced to death on November 13, 2003 by the Lagos High Court.

The case against Shobowale and Omolade at the high court was that they participated in a fight between members of the apostolic church, Bayeku and the followers of Igunnuko of the same village on the December 21, 1996 which led to the death of one Pastor Oluwatosin Olaide.

Prosecution case was that the fight started when the Igunnuko worshippers invaded the apostolic church compound during a revival service and a fight ensued between the church members and the Igunnuko followers. Shobowale and Omolade, with one Olabisisi (3rd accused person at the trial court) were members of Igunnuko worshippers who took part in the fight. The case of

Shobowale was that he came to the scene of the fight when he heard of the fight just to take away his child who was attending the church service and denied participating or instigating the masquerade to enter the church.

Omolade also confirmed that Idowu did not attack the deceased or took part in the fight and was not a member of the Igunnuko worshipper.

Kabiru further stated in his evidence that even though he was Igunnuko worshipper and participated in the fight, that he did not stab the deceased.

At the end of the trial in 2003, the trial court found them guilty and sentenced them to death.

Following the appeal against their conviction and sentence, filed by LEDAP, the Court of Appeal, Lagos allowed the

With tears of joy in his eyes, Okolie attributed his being alive to the grace of God. His constant phrase was ‘Death row is a hard place; it’s the grace of God one needs to survive there’

appeal of the two appellants and set aside their conviction and sentence to death in a landmark judgment. In the judgment, the court resolved 5 out of the 7 issues raised at the appeal in favour of Shobowale and Omolade, the appellants in the appeal.

In the end, the court particularly found that: the prosecution failed to prove that it was the act or omission of the appellants that resulted in the death of the deceased; that the contradictions in the three key prosecution witnesses cast heavy doubt on guilt of the appellants and finally that the case of the prosecution was not proved by the prosecution and therefore, that the decision of the trial court which found the appellants guilty of murder of the deceased was against the weight of evidence adduced at the trial.

Christopher Okolie, a former student of the Federal Technical College, Ilesha was arrested in 2000 when he was accused of committing murder while he was involved in an altercation with a few of his neighbours pertaining to a Discman player. He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to death in March, 2006.

Following the appeal against his conviction and sentence by LEDAP, a panel of Justices of the Court of Appeal, Lagos on February 7, 2011, quashed his conviction and ordered a retrial, but this was not enforced and LEDAP filed an application for a discharge before Justice O. Taiwo, thus enabling the young man to regain his freedom after 14 years in prison. With tears of joy in his eyes, Okolie, who has a good command of English

Language, attributed his being alive to the grace of God. His constant phrase was “Death row is a hard place; it’s the grace of God one needs to survive there.”

Olatunji Olaide, a 56-year-old man who went to prison in the early 30’s. He was arrested for armed robbery in 1988 and sentenced to death but the Court of Appeal; Lagos exonerated him in 2012, saying there was no basis for his arrest at all.

Gullible return At the time of his release, his life was already wasted after 24years in prison. He was deeply ill and partially lost his sight. He died after few months of his release.

Monday Prosper, was arrested in 2005 for stealing his salary. He was aged 18 years and was a driver. His master refused to pay him for three months and one day he stopped the car, poured sand on his master ’s face and absconded with his bag of money from which he counted out his salary and returned the balance to his master.

His gullible return turned into his arrest and the beginning of his ordeal. He was charged with armed robbery of his salary, convicted and sentenced to death in 2008. On our appeal, the court of appeal in Benin only last year exonerated him.

He is still in prison as a result of corruption in the systemofficials demanding for money to process his release paper.

That is the bane of the poor in conflict with justice system.

HRAN condemns calls to postpone elections

T

HE Human Rights Agenda Network, HRAN, condemned recent calls for postponement of the February 14 and 28 general elections and urges the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to go ahead with its preparation for the elections.

In a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, HRAN, said it considers those asking that the election be

postponed as unpatriotic and mischievous.

“The election calendar has been fixed for over a year now and INEC has demonstrated its preparedness to conduct credible election by making efforts to see that every registered voter gets his or her Permanent Voters Card before the election date.

“INEC has extended the collection date to February 8. All

the citizens need to do is to go their designated collection centers and collect their cards” said Chino Obiagwu, chair of the steering committee of the network.

“We are concerned that any shift in the election timetable will adversely affect Nigeria’s democratic process and may result in deep legal and political crises.''

38—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Dr Azinge, others bag honorary Doctorate Degree

FG lawyers suspends warning strike

By Dayo Benson

F

EDERAL Ministry of Justice law officers have suspended their warning strike embarked upon to press home their demands for improved staff welfare.

The suspended strike action witnessed picketing and shutting down the Ministry of Justice and the Chambers of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke SAN. National President, Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN) Mr. Solomon Ibhadon had on Monday led other members of the association to the Ministry for the peaceful protest marking the flag-off of the 3-days warning strike for the implementation of the circular on harmonization and payment of peculiar allowances to law officers in the federal ministry of Justice.

LOAN President, Comrade Solomon Ibhadon, expressed solidarity with the striking workers, vowing that lawyers will continue to press for a uniform salary structure for law officers in the public service.

He stated that the President of the Nigerian Bar association (NBA) Augustine Alegeh SAN has

intervened in the dispute, adding that credit should be given to the NBA boss for calling off the strike.

Apart from the chambers of the AGF, other business entities affected included the Access bank and the UBA Bank branches located within the justice ministry.

The protesting lawyers were carrying placards with various inscriptions.

Some of them read, “law officers are full of duties but dry in recompense”, “FGN implement the 1994 circular on harmonization”, “ we handle volatile , high profile and complex cases at the risk of our lives give us hazard allowance”, “ Do unto us what you have

They turned out to be promises and did not translate into concrete agreements or approval of all or any of our demands

done to University lecturers, doctors, Judicial Officers, Magistrates, etc,” and “ we demand harmonization and peculiar allowances FGN implement the 1994 circular on harmonization” Chairman of the LOAN, Abuja, Comrade Yusuf Abdulkadir, said the strike was in furtherance of the association’s 21-day industrial action notice.

Abdulkadir, who is also the national vice president of the association, stated that his members held a series of meetings with the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, Head of Service, Danladi Kifasi and others but nothing came out of it.

He noted that though the discussions were a welcome development, “they turned out to be promises and did not translate into concrete agreements or approval of all or any of our demands.”

LOAN is asking the Federal Government to address grievances dating back more than 20 years which include the implementation of a circular issued by the Body of AttorneysGeneral in 1994 calling for enhanced salaries for law officers. The circular has already been implemented by some state governments across the country.

Dr. Valerie Azinge (Nee Nwodo), has been conferred with an honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) by the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN. She was conferred with the the honour alongside the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and the chairman of Tetufund, D. Musa Babayo.

P r o f .

Epiphany Azinge, SAN and wife, Dr. Va l e r i e Azinge.

Dr. Ike Ekweremadu and wife, Nwanneka.

Feb polls: Anambra and Electoral Act compliance(2)

By Emenike Nwagwu

I

T is instructive that the INEC has not treated the rest of the 35 state chapters of the PDP as it treated the Oguebego and Chris Uba led state chapter in Anambra, if the Commission had done that, it would have ended up dealing with 37 political parties in PDP alone. What if it had applied the same yard stick to every political party, the result would have been unimaginable.

As for the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, the matter is still subjudice and would have been decided if not for the industrial action embarked upon by Judiciary workers.

However, interested Nigerians have found it difficult to believe that a court of law that ruled last October that one Kenneth Emeakayi was the state Chairman of PDP, Anambra and that his tenure elapsed in that month could turn in another breadth and rule that Oguebego is the Chairman of the same PDP, in the state, that his tenure

is subsisting. Unless there is a provision in the relevant laws of the party under which the two purported chairmen held office concurrently or that Oguebego was elected after the tenure of Emeakayi elapsed in Octoqer,2014, then the said judgments of the same court are irreconcilable and ought to be re-examined thoroughly.

Guidelines for primaries Assuming without conceding that the tenure of Oguebego is still subsisting, an examination of the PDP Constitution and Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), as well as the guidelines for PDP primaries reveals that it is not the state chapter of a political party, rather it is the NEC that conducts primary election to nominate the candidates of that party.

Time is ticking away on the Anambra saga. On December 15, last year,

the National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Mu’azu wrote a letter to the chairman of INEC restating to him the obvious fact that it was the candidates on the list of candidates submitted to INEC, signed by the National Chairman and Secretary of the party as approved by the PDP NEC through its National Working Committee (NWC) that are authorised to stand for elections on the platform of the party.

What would happen if this empasse is not resolved before the next month’s elections is yet to be imagined. Head or tail, the relevant institutions, including the PDP, INEC and the Judiciary have all contributed in one way or the other to encourage Chris Uba in his democratic activities. It is these same institutions that would put him in permanent check otherwise the said activities are heating up the polity and are challenging the foundations of our democratic experiment seriously.

From left: Justice Ifeoma Ofoh, her husband, Mr Jombo Ofoh and Mr Nwodo (jnr).

From left: The Oshimili 1, of Asaba, Chief Onyeogali Chizea; Adolo of Asaba, Dr Victor Ijeh, Jerry Azinge and his wife, Pamela.

From left: Dr. Ndiwe Ekweremadu and Enugu S t a t e Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Mr Ifani Ugwuanyi.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015—39

The issues we have with Jega’s INEC

By Emeka Umeagbalasi

O

UR main grouses with Independent National Electoral Commission, followed our recent findings of (a) Disenfranchisement of over five million Igbo-Nigerians resident in the North particularly in Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Borno and Adamawa States, who fled and are fleeing the troubled areas owing to Boko Haram and Islamist Fulani insurgencies and failure

by INEC to recapture them either in the voters’ cards transfer or continuous voters’ registration. (b) Abandonment of millions of PVCs belonging to fled and fleeing Igbo-Nigerian residents in the North in INEC’s hands and their possible use to rig the presidential poll in the North.

Ethno-religious advantage (c) Desperation by INEC headship to get the Northeast IDPs comprising the infants, children, women and the aged said to be 918, 416 in number to vote in the presidential poll at all costs owing to their strategic ethno-religious advantage to the Northern votes. (d) Paying little or no attention to over 26m disenfranchised registered voters majorly located in the Southwest and the Southeast geopolitical zones and paying more attention to the so called “Northeast IDPs”

*Nigerians cast vote during an election dominated by Muslim populations. (e) High rate and incidence of under-age voting population in the North condoned by INEC. (f) Prevalence of discriminatory policies in INEC whereby stringent and strict policies like adhering to biometrics processes and ward level collection of PVCs are enforced to the letter in the South, whereas in the North, they are lowered in the guise of “high illiteracy level” considerations. (g) Use of violence including mob action and other life

threatening conducts to break electoral and voting guidelines such as evasion of voting accreditation in the North and their tolerance by INEC. (h) Possible distribution of PVCs by proxies (i.e. district heads and Emirs) in the North leading to high percentage distribution and recipients of the PVCs in the areas particularly in the troubled Northeast States of Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Adamawa and Taraba and insistence by INEC on stringent collection of PVCs and voting procedures in the South.

(i) Random and arbitrary deletion of over 1, 543, 961 so called “double registrants” between December 2014 and early January 2015, leading to their disenfranchisement and disqualification from voting in the crucial February 2015 Presidential Poll and non registration of millions of eligible adults during voters registration exercises particularly in the South. (j) Incessancy of “missing names” and “data loss” in the INEC’s National Register of

Chieftaincy tussle: Appeal court upturns high court judgment

By Onozure Dania

T

he Court of Appeal, sitting in Lagos has upturned the judgment of a Lagos High Court which recognised Alhaji Jimoh Ajose as the Baale of Kuje Amuwo in Amuwo Odofin local government area of Lagos State.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by the panel of justices of the appellate court presided over by Justice Joseph Shagbaor Ikyegh, it held that the high court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the case abi nitio.

The High Court had nullified the appointment of the first appellant, Mr. Isaac Owolabi Olayemi as the Baale/ Oba of Kuje Amuwo, while quashing his letter of appointment with an order of perpetual injunction restraining him from parading himself as the Baale as well as restraining the authorities from recognizing him.

However, in its judgment, the appellate court held that the first appellant Owolabi Olayemi was bonafide candidate nominated as Baale/Oba of Kuje Amuwo.

Ajose, who is the first respondent in the appeal had filled a suit at a Lagos High court alongside six others against Owolabi-Olayemi and Alhaji Mustapha Akinlolu, over disputed Kuje Amuwo chieftaincy stool.

Other applicants in the suit at the

lower court were Alhaji Deji Oloko, Alhaji Kazeem Ayinde-Sanusi, Alhaji Jamiu Apanishile (For themselves and on behalf of Adeyi-Orofin of Kuje Amuwo Chieftaincy Family of Amuwo Odofin), Sidikatu Afinowi (The Sole Administrator, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Council, Lagos state), Oba Babatunde Lawal (The Onigbanko of Irede Town, The Chairman, Obas Council, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Council), and the Commissioner, Chieftaincy Affairs, Lagos state. The trial court had held “I grant an order of perpetual injunction restraining the first defendant from holding himself out and or parading himself as the Oba of

I grant an order of perpetual injunction restraining the first defendant from holding himself out and or parading himself as the Oba of Kuje Amuwo

Kuje Amuwo and the third to fifth defendants are hereby ordered not to accord any recognition to the first defendant as Oba of Kuje Amuwo.”

It further ordered that the third to fifth defendants shall take necessary step to notify the organs of government in order to actualise the intendment of the judgment.

However, Justice Shagbaor- Ikyegh, stated that the fact of the dispute from the evidence before the court established that both the appellants and the first respondent belong to Adeyi-Orofin ruling house, adding that there is the traditional stool of Baale or Alamuwo of Kuje Amuwo which comprises of chieftaincy stool.

He said: “They, the appellant and the first respondent, are of AdeyiOrofin Ruling House and Omose Ruling House, the traditional stool alternates between the two ruing houses the turn of Adeyi-Orofin ruling house fell due by passage of time and both the appellants and the first respondent vied for the chieftaincy stool, where the first respondent was allegedly nominated and selected by the members of the Adeyi-Orofin ruling house at a meeting of the ruling house as their Alamuwo or Baale of Kuje Amuwo.”

Not satisfied with the decision of the high court, the appellants filed an appeal challenging the judgment at

Voters leading to disenfranchisement of tens, if not hundreds of thousands of registered Nigerian voters. (k) Failure of INEC to issue PVCs to recently registered voters leading to their disenfranchisement from the referenced crucial polls. (l) Failure of INEC to dutifully carry out Voters’ Cards Transfer including deletion of successful applicants’ previous data in accordance with Section 13 (4) of the Electoral Act of 2010; leading to disenfranchisement of millions of Nigerian registered voters tagged “double registrants”. (m) Inconsistencies in INEC’s data figures with regard to total and actual number of registered voters in Nigeria including those captured in the Commission’s continuous voters registration and re-validation exercises leading to consistent issuance of conflicting figures to Nigerians and other electoral stakeholders. (n) Serious suspicion of high wired scheming by INEC headship to use demographic data manipulations to manipulate the February 2015 Presidential Poll for the Northern Muslims as can be seen in its recent PVCs distribution in the North particularly in the troubled Northeast where the number of PVCs distributed in six States of Bauchi, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe and Yobe is 6, 678, 148 as against only 4, 378, 329 distributed in the entire five peaceful States of the Southeast (Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia and Ebonyi); whereby the PVCs distributed in Bauchi State alone (1, 745, 441) is slightly lower than those of Anambra and Imo States put together ( 1, 904, 048) as at January 27, 2015.

Geopolitical lopsidedness In INEC’s latest update as per distribution of PVCs of 42, 779, 339, publicly given on January 27, 2015, the geopolitical gross lopsidedness continued to bulge to the Northern advantage. In block, there are a whopping 25, 792, 305 PVCs for the North as against 16, 996, 840 for the entire South. The number of available PVCs in five States in the Northwest (10, 527, 308) equal the total in eleven States in the entire South-south and Southeast (10, 593, 306).

While there are 6, 678, 148 PVCs in the troubled Northeast, there are only 4, 378, 329 in peaceful five States of the Southeast. So, you can now see why we are furiously angry.

Support for President Goodluck Jonathan I am always a man of facts and figures. That is also what Intersociety, which I founded believes in. That is why I am a Criminologist & Graduate of Security Studies too. We do not beat about the bush.

Disenfranchisement, whether potential or substantive, is a serious issue and a fundamental infraction in our body of laws and electoral process.

To be continued

40—Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 — 41

C M Y K

42—Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

while salaries are not being paid.

No good road, no water, the health facilities are in comatose.

The people of the state are frustrated, all are plans but nothing is happening and this is making the people to be restive.

They are also restive based on the coming judgement by the tribunal. I urge them to be law abiding citizens of the state.

Do you see the South West backing Jonathan in the coming election?

Those who are clamouring for change are only doing that because of their pocket. Since Boko Haram has endorsed the APC, I believe it is sad for a party to be associated with terrorism and terrorist tendencies.

We have seen that terrorism is being fought in every part of the world. I have also read that their activities are on the rise because of the electioneering campaigns.

Using terrorism to campaign is not an issue because when you use it to campaign, it shows that you are not patriotic.

Campaign baits

•Omisore

Buhari shouldn't have been in Nigeria Army — Omisore •Says he's unfit to rule Nigeria SENATOR Iyiola Omisore contested the governorship election in Osun State on August 9, 2014 and lost according to the results declared by INEC. He has since approached the Osun State Election Petition Tribunal with the aim of upturning the election result. In this interview, Omisore expresses optimism that the outcome of the tribunal will be in his favour just as he boasts President Goodluck Jonathan’will win the February 14 presidential elections among other issues. Excerpts:

By Dapo Akinrefon

W

HAT are your expectations from the Osun State Election Petition Tribunal, which judgement is being awaited?

I believe that with the proceedings at the tribunal, with what we saw, the witnesses, the evidence laid before the tribunal, the conduct of counsels and witnesses, the elections were not free and fair.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, also admitted that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, gave them more votes.

Free and fair election There were some malpractices admitted by the APC, it shows that the election was not free and fair but was skewed in favour of APC.

I am not a lawyer, but I believe that if two parties, particularly the respondents agreed to irregularities and infractions, supposedly blaming it on the electoral process, then that process was not free.

That shows that the malpractices were huge and warrant that the tribunal declare the PDP and myself the winner of the elections.

You raised the issue of irregularities, what were those irregularities?

I do not want to pre-empt the tribunal.

What is your message to your supporters in the state ahead of the ruling?

My message is for them to be patient, hopeful and to keep perserving especially to Osun state indigenes because for the first time in 25 years, the people of the state have not been paid salaries since December.

Workders salaries are being owed for six months to workers,

teachers and judiciary workers; Pensioners are being owed. In the last four years, there has been no single development in the state.

Aregbesola came with phantom contract awards particularly road constructions like the Sekona to Moro junction, Osogbo to Erin Ile (Kwara boundary) and the Osogbo inner roads which are worth about N49 billion, which the state cannot afford. All these projects have been abandoned, it is unfortunate that nothing is going on in the state.

He came to Lagos State for an airport show but the airport project is yet to commence. The recent scandal now is about the Osun schools, funds meant for the schools are being diverted.

The allocation of the state goes to private purses.

I am sure everybody is aware that Aregbesola maintains a helicopter to run around. In the last budget, he spent N2 billion on hotels and entertainment

You cannot use the lives of people as campaign baits. The APC is just desperate and you do not entrust a government to people who are desperadoes. I believe that Jonathan will come out tops at the polls.

Is Chief Obasanjo’s opposition to a second term for the president, not trouble for your party?

There is no how the APC can win elections for Buhari, it is not possible, if you look at the election results, you will see that we had more votes than the APC in all the local governments

Buhari has been benefiting from this country without a certificate. He had no business in the Nigeria Army in the first instance.

Buhari is unfit to rule Nigeria

based on the genuine votes of the elections.

After the elections, the APC has become worse in Osun State and with that, I do not see Buhari scoring 25 per cent of the votes in Osun State. In Oyo State, it is the same thing, people are tired of the APC. There are different parties contesting in the election and we are hopeful that these parties that do not have presidential candidates will adopt President Jonathan as their presidential candidate.

Comment on Obasanjo It is the same thing in Ogun and Lagos State as well. The APC is just making noise. They are full of propaganda which does not turn to votes.

But some members of your party are saying that without reconciling with Chief Obasanjo, it might affect the chances of your party in the zone.

I do not want to comment on Baba Obasanjo because he has only one vote to cast on the day of the elections. He has his reasons, he is a statesman and he is a leader in his own right.

But all the same, I believe that Obasanjo will vote for the PDP. Pastor Tunde Bakare recently raised fears that either way the presidential election goes, violence will erupt, and has therefore advised for a postponement of next month’s general elections...

The timetable of the elections is with INEC. You know Tunde Bakare is a pastor. I do not pray for crisis in this country because you do not benefit anything from crisis. So I pray that nothing happens after.

But do you think INEC is ready?

My position is that people should be allowed to collect their Permanent Voter Cards. The Sultan and other Nigerians who are eligible to vote have said that they are yet to collect their PVCs, it shows that the commission is not ready and it is so unfortunate.

What is your take on the alleged issues concerning Buhari’s certificate?

Two things are clear now. First is that Buhari perjured and that should attract seven years imprisonment by law. He also said that he forgot but there is nothing like negligence in law.

He meant to deceive the people. He got a score in Hausa in 1961 from Cambridge but Hausa language exams did not start until 1964.

So, Buhari has been benefiting from this country without a certificate. He had no business in the Nigeria Army in the first instance.

Buhari is unfit to rule Nigeria.

In an ideal situation, Buhari ought to have withdrawn from the race.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015—43

AKWA IBOM: Fresh hopes from INEC THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Akwa Ibom State has undertaken a number of confidence building measures to enable all stakeholders buy into the process. The commission’s efforts are yielding fruits with old perceptions giving way to prospects of free and fair polls.

By Tom Moses

T

HERE is an unusual optimism in Akwa Ibom State that this month’s general election will be largely reflective of the wish of the people. The confidence stems from ongoing meetings, seminars, talk-shops and sensitization programmes carried out by INEC in the State.

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state Mr. Austin Okojie has been the driving force for the process.

At the various fora, Okojie, a veteran journalist opined that if there was anything that could impinge on the forth-coming electioneering exercises, it would be the political class and not INEC. According to him, INEC would ensure that every vote cast by the electorate counts and as such, candidates of the various political parties like in a football tournament should be ready to play by the rules and accept the outcome of the election in good faith.

To make bold INEC’S determination to be fair, just and unbiased to all the political parties and their candidates, the REC in all the

seminars and sensitisation fora explained why rigging or any other form of manipulation would be impossible. According to him, all votes cast in every polling unit would be counted in the presence and satisfaction of all the political parties’ agents and equally announced for the electorate to know and see the exercise as being transparent.

Beyond meeting with the

•Jega

To make bold INEC’s determination to be fair, just and unbiased to all the political parties and their candidates, the REC in all the seminars and sensitization fora explained why rigging or any other form of manipulation would be impossible

political class, royal fathers, and different umbrella organizations, the REC last week extended its interaction to the leadership of IPAC-Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), a body comprising the leadership of the existing 25 political parties in Akwa Ibom State and charged them to go back home and admonish their supporters against provocative conducts that could lead to violence during elections.

“As we prepare for the 2015 elections, we must do

everything possible to promote peaceful conduct, mitigate conflicts and prevent violence because unless we do these, the yearnings of Nigerians for free, fair and credible elections would be subverted.

“It is important to note that free, fair and credible elections do not begin and end with only the procedures that INEC put in place for the conduct of such elections. No matter how well elections are conducted, if the outcome is conflicts-ridden and characterized by

DELTA: Why it's impossible to beat Okowa — Magege CHIEF OLORI MAGEGE is the chairman of the Delta State Waste Management Board and member of the state PDP Campaign Organisation. He spoke on issues relating to the February elections in the state.

Y

OU are one of the p a s s i o n a t e supporters of Senator Okowa for the governorship of Delta State. What really do you think are his chances?

The huge and unprecedented crowd that has been turning out to welcome Senator Okowa and the PDP train at the rallies is indicative of victory at the coming polls.

Marketing depends largely on the quality of the product. Senator Okowa is

simply impossible to beat.

Look at his track record as a public servant and his mega-tonnage of experience; is it not awesome?

A local government chairman, two time commissioner, an SSG, and a Senator. You don’t buy experience, you earn it. If you want to rule us go earn the experience bottom up.

PDP has been at the centre stage for 16 years and it has performed. About 17 years ago PTI road was a footpath, so also Jakpa Road, Refinery Road, Elders

Running a government is a different ball game from running a business otherwise we should just make Dangote the president of Nigeria and Pat Utomi or Gamaliel Onosode the governor of Delta State. So when the party is an achiever and its candidate awesome, victory is assured.

•Magege Town Roads in Warri, Isoko Road in Ughelli, I can count on. How are they today?

Some may claim that you are just pursuing a personal agenda. Is there any?

Is it possible to pursue a goal so ardently, so passionately and with your own money without a personal interest?

Continues on page 44

violence, it will loose its essence of deepening democracy and it will undermine the credibility of electoral process.

Let me therefore state that in the past four years, INEC has done everything possible to prepare for successful conduct of the 2015 general elections.

“So, be assured that INEC in this state will conduct elections that would be adjudged the best in Nigeria and globally, “Okojie Stated”.

Convinced by the promise by the REC that INEC would indeed be fair and transparent, members of IPAC through its chairman and incidentally, the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Obong Paul Ekpo registered their commitment to cooperate with the electoral umpire to conduct free, fair, credible, transparent and violent free elections.

Electoral fraud They expressed gratitude to INEC for the various innovations introduced to discourage electoral fraud.

In effect, the promise, sensitization and assurances by INEC and the people trust the electoral commission would not renege in the discharge of its obligations, would not be biased or intimidated, could be the reason behind the robust participation and involvement of many political parties and their supporters in the

44—Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

JONATHAN: The search for

continuity in Confluence state THE scorching sun was not a barrier to the thousands of supporters of the president who thronged the venue to hear and express solidarity with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP presidential candidate.

Pioneering works

By Boluwaji Obahopo

E

ARLIER insinuations that Kogi State would be an easy ride for the All Progressives Congress, APC candidate, Muhammadu Buhari given the hitherto universal chorus of Sai Buhari was almost deafened by the show of love for the president last Tuesday.

As earlier as 8am, the atmosphere in the city had changed. Artisans, students and others from different walks of life poured out to the Confluence Stadium where the presidential rally was scheduled to take place.

From the Ganaja junctions, down to Phase 1 and Phase 11 leading to Zone 8, the streets were packed full and vehicular movement was turned into a snarl. Many had to trek and some as long as four kilometres to the venue.

By 12 noon when President Jonathan arrived with his entourage the stadium was near full.

Once the rally got underway a number of party stakeholders took turns to advance reasons why Dr. Jonathan should be returned to power.

Ethnic bigotry Among those who spoke that day were the director-general of the Jonathan campaign, Col. Ahmadu Ali (rtd.) who incidentally is from the state, the president of the Senate, Senator David Mark, Senator Smart Adeyemi, PDP women leader, Halima Alfa, the national chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu`azu, Governor Idris Wada among others.

Ali said that both Jonathan and Buhari had been both presidents before but that Buhari was so bad as a leader that his colleagues removed him from office.

“Only those that are blind with ethnic bigotry and political compatriots who have placed

is freedom of expression. Such freedom has never been experienced before,” Mu`azu said.

In his response, President Jonathan said he has fulfilled his electioneering promises to Nigeria and ready to do more if elected for a second term.

“I have fulfilled my electioneering promises to the country. One of such promises is the Ajaokuta Steel Company, which we first started with by putting in a vibrant management team.

“It is my joy that through the help of the attorney general, Mohammed Adoke; who also is a son of the state; all the legal problems associated with the company are now over.

•Jonathan their personal interest above the interest of the country are backing Buhari to become president of this country that is why you see them moving from one party to another,” Ali said.

Mark on his part was to assert that the president would win all the North Central States on account of his good works in the region.

One remarkable backer of the president who moved the crowd was Senator Adeyemi.

Adeyemi, who has been praised for his deliverables by constituents some of who helped to purchase his return ticket was himself effusive of the achievements of the president even as he noted the constraints posed by the insurgents.

Senator Adeyemi also take a

swipe at the opposition saying they have overcharged the political atmosphere with falsehood, “It is unfortunate that those who at the beginning fought for the entrenchment of democracy are those now spreading falsehood just in the interest of taking power by false.

“But let me say it here that Jonathan is coming back. His visit to the State is just formality.

The people of the State have decided that with the unprecedented performance of the President, he cannot be change for the uncertainty.”

Mu`azu in his remarks praised the president for allowing the reign of liberty in the country observing that “there is no politician on exile in the country. No politician or

any other person has been imprisoned or is in detention for speaking his mind. There

The president also used the opportunity to praise the pioneering works of one of the founding fathers of the PDP, the late Chief Sunday Awoniyi, who he noted was a man of character and convictions

In a short while, we will be inviting investors to come and partner with us to commence full operation in the company.

I also have it on good authority that three countries have signified interest in it.“ The president also used the opportunity to praise the pioneering works of one of the founding fathers of the PDP, the late Chief Sunday Awoniyi, who he noted was a man of character and convictions.

The president noted how he has been able to increase the length of motorable road in the country saying he inherited only 5,000 kilometres of motorable road and increased same to 30,000 kilometres.

“Our government is a government of the youth. We have kept our word. Politicians always say so much and do little, but ours (Jonathan/ Sambo) has been different. We have kept our word and fulfilled our promises. We only seek to do more if elected”.

The rally was brought to an end with prayers offered by the deputy governor of the state, Arc. Yomi Awoniyi.

DELTA: Why it's impossible to beat Okowa — Magege Continues from page 43 My interest is altruistic and perhaps selfish too. I want a state peaceful enough not to worry about my wife when she goes to the market or my children when they go to school. I want prosperity for my people. I am selfish enough not to prescribe Iraq, Syria or Libya for my people. That is my interest.

What is the present relationship between you and the UPU? If Urhobo is to grow in all ramifications it must re discover and reinvent UPU. What we have today is not

what its founders envisioned for it. UPU of old founded Urhobo College and managed it successfully for decades. When government handed the school back to UPU recently, UPU could not manage it, so much so the school land was being sold under the nose of UPU. It was the old students that saved the school. You all were witnesses to Sanusi persecution of Cecilia Ibru’s Oceanic Bank. UPU did not raise an eyebrow as this illustrious daughter of Urhobo was thoroughly humiliated for no offence other than running her

bank.

A few years ago I was a member of Urhobo Eminent Group and we organized a workshop to amend UPU constitution.

Education sector We invited Urhobo professors to discuss the education sector as it affects the Urhobo nation. Do you know what they told us; that when their set of Urhobo professors retire it would take thirty years for another set of Urhobo professors to emerge. Why?

Urhobo children, according to these illustrious professors, are not enrolling in PhD programmes.

Shouldn’t that be what UPU should be concerned about?

Incidentally some members of current UPU exco were organizers of the workshop and they cannot deny the above. What has their UPU done about it?

UPU paints a picture of Urhobo being marginalized in government.

How well has it harnessed the awesome powers of its 10 House of Assembly members, four House of reps members and its Senator?

Has UPU used them to bring development to Urhobo land? Has UPU asked them what they do with their

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 — 45

DELTA GOV: Urhobo nation ratifies Ogboru’s endorsement

By Godwin Oghre

M

OSOGAR—THE Urhobo nation, yesterday, ratified the endorsement of Chief Great Ogboru of Labour Party, which its umbrella body, Urhoobo Progress Union, UPU, on Sunday, made on its behalf, as its sole candidate in the February 28 governorship election in the state.

The ratification of Chief Ogboru’s sole candidacy at the country home of UPU PresidentGeneral, Chief Joseph Omene, had in attendance, the 24 Presidents- General of all the 24 kingdoms of Urhoboland, the elders of the Urhobo nation, representatives of Urhobo women, and the representatives of the youths (Ighele) wing.

Chief Omene, who addressed newsmen after the ratification, said: “The Uvwiamuge Declaration, a common agreement of the Urhobo which states that an Urhobo man must be the next governor of the state, is sacrosanct and a task that must be fulfilled. We call on all previous and present governorship contenders of Urhobo extraction in the state to sheathe their swords and bury their differences and work in tandem with Great Ogboru, for the benefit of the Urhobo nation in the election.”

The choice of Ogboru was earlier arrived at after UPU consulted with stakeholders in the 24 kingdoms of Urhoboland.

Omene said: “The kings, the

elders, the women, the youths and the Presidents Generals had, a month ago, endorsed Ogboru in their various meetings and they forwarded his name to UPU executive, as their consensus candidate. The choice awaited UPU’s ratification. UPU can only do that at a general executive meeting which is statutorily slated for every first Sunday of the month. So, we had our meeting on Sunday. Fourteen out of the 15 members of the executive were physically present. The fifteenth person who was absent

communicated with us on phone each time he was called to say his view on the subjects under debate and vote.

“There were only two issues for debate at the meeting, which were: One, should the Urhobo endorse their governorship candidate before or after the presidential election? Two, who, between Ogboru and O’tega Emerhor should step down for the other since the Urhobo will not present two candidates for the election? We did not arrive at a common agreement on the two issues, so we put them to vote. In the first voting, 10 voted in

CAMPAIGN: From left: Chief Stella Odife, former Deputy Governor, Anambra State; Princess Stella Oduah, PDP senatorial candidate for Anambra North senatorial district and Mrs. Chineze Onukwuba, during Oduah’s campaign at Oyi, Anambra State.

PDP dead in Rivers —AKE

A

By Gbenga Oke

N All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain in Rivers State, Chief Godspower Ake, has urged the people of the state to reject Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the forthcoming elections because the party represents broken promises and hopelessness.

The former Rivers State chairman of the PDP also described the PDP as dead and forgotten in the state.

Speaking to journalists, Ake said the irony of the PDP’s tragedy was that its leaders and promoters were still unaware of the calamity that had befallen the party.

He said: “Today, I can affirm that PDP is dead. We all once loved PDP until the party chose the path of self-destruction. PDP decided to destroy itself and today I can say with every sense of responsibility that PDP is dead and buried.

“For six years, I was the chairman of PDP and I have been in politics for over 30 years. From the day they removed me forcefully, there has been no peace but I know C M Y K

support of endorsing a candidate before the presidential election, while five voted against. The majority votes then won.

“The second voting on who between Ogboru and Emerhor should step down for the other and who will be the Urhobo consensus candidate then followed. Eight voted in favour of Ogboru, to be Urhobo candidte. One voted in favour of Emerhor, one abstained but remained on his seat while five abstained as well as left their seats, walking out on the meeting.

Again, the majority votes won. The exco then ratified Ogboru's candidacy as the consensus candidate of Urhobo nation."

that APC will return peace to Rivers State.”

He warned Rivers people to reject the PDP on February 14 and 28, adding that a vote for PDP was a vote for violence and

bad managers of power.

“Power comes from God and if God gives you power, you must use it responsibly. PDP has neither shown respect nor responsibility. I can assure you

that Dr Dakuku Peterside will win this election because he is different. We all know him and can attest to his competence and good nature. I can also affirm that Dakuku has integrity, he is God fearing and has a clear cut vision of where he and his team want to take Rivers State to.”

Imoke, C-River’s best governor ever —MONARCH

T

RADITIONAL rulers in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State have extolled the achievements of the state governor, Senator Liyel Imoke. Speaking at an interactive session with the PDP campaign train after its campaign rally in Okundi, the Paramount Ruler, His Royal Highness, Chief Fredaline Akando, warned that it would amount to ingratitude if his subjects failed to queue behind the Peoples Democracy Party, PDP, in the forthcoming general elections.

He said: “It will be disastrous and amounting to ingratitude if we should vote for any other party in the state in the February elections except PDP because it has drastically transformed this area under the leadership of Governor Imoke.

“Imoke is the best thing that

has happened to Cross River and particularly Boki in recent past. The infrastructures spread across the area are as a result of Imoke's kind heart, as he decided to focus on rural transformation since his assumption of office which today has improved the area in

terms of development.”

Responding, Governor Imoke said the team was in Boki because “We don’t want to take our people for granted as we believe very strongly that each time we need your people’s votes or support, we must come and ask for them."

S-South group drums support for Jonathan, Okowa Delta State Coordinator, respec-

S

OUTH-SOUTH Democratic Vanguard for Goodluck Sambo has enjoined all Deltans to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan for his functional transformation agenda, adding that the Okowa/Otuaro Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ticket holds the best for the people od Delta State.

Mr Friday Martins and Frank Sologidi, National President and

tively, in a statement, also extolled the development disposition of Senator James Manager as reflected in the Bomadi bridge, the Bomadi Gbaregolor Ogriagbene Torugbene roads.

Other projects, it said include the bridge linking Gbaregolor Esanma to Ezebiri Communities, NEPA project in Bomadi and several Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC projects .

Oarhe urges Edo North to vote SDP

D

IRECTOR of Campaigns, (Planning) Dickson Oarhe Campaign Network, DOCAN, Mr Gideon Oboye, has called on the people of Edo North to vote enmass across board for candidates of Social Democratic Party, SDP in this month’s elections.

Oboye, in a statement, yesterday in Auchi, said given the credibility of SDP candidates contesting the elections, there is “no doubt, these are persons known for human passion and godly commitment to truly serve the people of Edo North.”

He warned against what he termed the Oshiomhole factor, where it was only during electioneering period that the governor and his party would go about in a false display of love for the masses, “ when it is on record that the All Progressives Congress, APC, has failed the people and has nothing new to offer going by those it is parading as its candidates.”

Ex-militant leader blames N-Delta's woes on lawmakers

E

X - M I L I TA N T leader, Francis Muturu, has said that the lawmakers representing various constituencies in the Niger Delta at the National Assembly should be blamed for the underdevelopment of the region and not President Goodluck Jonathan.

Muturu, in a statement at Bomadi, Bomadi Local Government Area, Delta State, yesterday, said: “Almost all the lawmakers in the Niger Delta region have abandoned their constitutional duties and resorted to hustling for Federal Government and Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, project contracts which I think is against the development of the region.

“When the colleagues of our lawmakers are busy proposing bills that will affect the life of their constituents positively, ours are jostling for contracts."

46—Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Isoko North has accountable, transpaprent govt— EGBABOR

WINNER : Mr. Somoye Habeeb, StarTimes Marketing Manager (right) and Mr. Adedoyin Adeeso, one of the winners in the Star Times promo, during prize presentation in Lagos.

By Oboh Agbonkhese

T

HE Chairman of Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr. Emmanuel Egbabor, has said an accountable and transparent government will always put the people’s welfare first.

He added that it was the formula for the development momentum the local government is sustaining under him.

He spoke to newsmen at the reception organized for him by Ozoro Progress Union, OPU, in Lagos.

Egbabor said: “If a government is accountable, transparent and able to block loopholes, there will be resources to pursue sustained development.

“That is what we are doing in Isoko North. We also have team work and synergy.

“I am young and so I want to be remembered as a leader that touched people’s lives, because I have the fear of God. “However, the people should see tax as a duty.

We have to look inward for internally-generated revenue, IGR, to bring the dividends of democracy to Isokoland.”

Earlier, Engr. S. Okpithe, President of OPU, described Egbabor as humble, diligent and focussed.

Okorocha cautions politicians on religion G

OVERNOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has urged politicians not to use religion to destabilize the country, even as he dismissed allegation that he converted some Christians to Muslims.

The governor, who spoke during a political debate organized by the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Imo State Chapter at Lifeline Assembly, Owerri, condemned the recent attack on him by a Catholic leader, alleging that he converted some Christians to Islamic religion.

Okorocha, who described himself as a devoted Christian, pointed out that he assisted in the building of the National Worship Centre in Abuja, and wondered why opposition parties should level such allegation against him.

Governor Okorocha described the allegation as falsehood concocted to cause problem between him and the Catholic Church and challenged the opposition to

provide the video clip where such event took place in Abuja.

He made it clear that he had no hand in such act and urged Imo indigenes to disregard the rumour, stressing that his administration was anchored on God who had been his source of strength.

HE Urhobo of Warri, on the aegis of the Urhobo Political Forum, UPF, have vowed to vote en mass for all Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidates in the general elections.

This came as the group played host to Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the party’s Delta State governorship candidate.

The group, during a meeting at Okere-Urhobo Kingdom Hall, Warri, also unanimously endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for Delta State governorship, Senator James Manager for Delta South Senatorial seat, Mr. Daniel Reyenieju, for Warri Federal Constituency, and Chief Dennis Omovie for Warri South C M Y K

Constituency 11 in the state House of Assembly.

Speaking, Senator Manager appealed to the people

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

BUJA—GOVERNOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has advised Igbo resident in the northern part of the country to stay in their locations during the elections, saying movement is only necessary if they are coming home vote.

Okorocha also enjoined the Igbo not to panic, assuring that the elections would be peaceful, free and fair.

Speaking in Abuja after a

to collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards, PVCs, so they can ensure continuity of the PDP-led government.

meeting between leaders of All Progressives Congress, APC, and its National Assembly candidates nationwide, the governor also dismissed insinuations that the party’s presidential candidate, General Mohammdu Buhari (retd), would pursue an Islamic agenda if elected.

According to him, the idea of Islamizing the country was propagated by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which he accused of dividing Nigerians along ethnic and religious lines.

According to him, “it is uncalled for to return home.

There is no need for it. The elections, as far as we are concerned, will be peaceful.

Nigeria and Nigerians are only passing through a challenging period in their

Online taxi service firm unveiled

By Onozure Dania

L

AGOS—A new taxi company, Transit Connect, has unveiled an online booking service. The firm, an initiative of Charis Adedayo, said it could also respond to phone calls when customers need emergency service.

At the launch in Lagos, which had 50 smartly-dressed taxi drivers already signed on by the company in attendance, Adedayo, an undergraduate of

administration to eradicate poverty in the state through massive industrialization despite the criticism by the opposition parties.

In his speech, Chairman of PFN, Bishop Maxwell Korie, said the purpose of the debate was to enable members of PFN to know the programmes and projects of all the governorship candidates in the state and to pray for them.

... advises Igbo in North to stay put

UPF vows to mobilize Urhobo for PDP

T

Governor Okorocha said he contested for the governorship position in 2011 to liberate Imo indigenes from poverty and bondage; noting that his administration had transformed the state with massive infrastructural development.

He assured of the determination of his

Griffith University, Gold Coast, in Old Australia, said the innovation would help to reduce traffic in Lagos.

He said: “Transit Connect is working towards allocating a passenger to a driver at any particular point in time to limit the roaming of passengers and drivers, thereby mitigating traffic on the streets of Lagos.

“This why we are seeking the support of Lagos State Government.”

The Chairman of CAB ABC

Unit of Lagos State, Mr. Kalu Duka, who was also at the unveiling, described the initiative as a welcome development.

He said: “Let me say kudos to the initiator of this idea.

Some years back, Lagos State government launched this mega transit where they gave out brand new vehicles to taxi associations.

“This project is the beginning of good things in Nigeria, especially in Lagos.”

political history.

“That does not mean it will bring about crisis. I do not think so. Unless for Igbo who have registered at home. They should come home to vote. But those who registered in the north should stay there.

“Again, this is one of the things we have been complaining about. Since the advent of PDP, this nation has been polarized between Muslims and Christians.

“That is the most dangerous point PDP has introduced in the Nigerian politics. Before now, you do not even know where you come from or who is who. We were all one.

“But when PDP decided to go to churches and other religious houses, they polarized the polity.

That is why the only thing they have to say about Buhari is that he will make the whole Christians become Muslims overnight.

“The General was once the Head of State with Idiagbon; very powerful then. With decree in their hands, they could not Islamize anybody. Is it now we have National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly they will do that? It is not possible.

“This is cheap politics by PDP and that is what is creating the tension. Nigerians love themselves and this campaign of hate introduced by PDP is also very worrisome.

“But what is before us now is more than the sentiments of tribe and religion.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 — 47

Missing N30trn story difficult to believe —RIBADU A

By Emmanuel Elebeke

BUJA—FORMER Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has pooh-poohed allegations by the former Central Bank governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo that N30 trillion was stolen under the watch of the coordinating Minister of the economy Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala.

Ribadu spoke yesterday, in an interview in Abuja, pointing out that he was not only baffled but amused over the allegation, as he knew that Okonjo-Iweala was ‘’honest, reliable and of impeccable character.’’

His words: “I was baffled and got deluded for anyone to say that N30 trillion got lost, I think we just have to look at what we earn as a country and what our budget had been in these few years.

“And see how possible is it and if everything we earned is not up to that within the period she has ben the minister which is about three to four years.

“And for somebody to say that N30 trillion is missing is baffling, especially if you know what our budget has been these years.

“We need to be careful to avoid more damage to our nation because there are certain things that when it comes out, it will never

go back again.

“I challenge anybody to say that she stole N1 at that time, we were all there, I was in charge of EFCC and I want to hear anybody say that she did this and that.

“And I followed her up till now, I think it is somehow uncharitable for someone to come out to say that such an amount of money was missing under her watch.”

He said that while working under President Olusegun Obasanjo; Okonjo-Iweala was

the economic team leader and she coordinated the economic policy of the then administration effectively.

He warned Nigerians to be careful with their utterances and shun the habit of pulling down their people who have climbed to such a high level of international repute in the name of politics.

Ribadu who is also, the governorship candidate of the PDP in Adamawa State said that it was described as unfortunate, the avoidable controversies but noted that Okonjo-Iweala was one of the most respected public officers with

high integrity.

According to him, the minister exhibited a nationalistic attitude when they worked together in the economic team under Obasanjo, and believed in any policy that could take Nigeria and its people to higher levels.

“Am a little bit disturbed with what I have been hearing in the last couple of days where, many things are being said and some are totally out of place with some of the result we have achieved in the economy.

BRIEFING: From lef: Calabar Coordinator, Maritime Watchdog of Nigeria, Johnson Nkono, General Secretary, Mac-Johnson Odey II, and the Port Harcourt Coordinator, Francis Bunu during a press conference by the group in Lagos.

Gemade, Ortom's defection, show of ingratitude —SUSWAM

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By Peter Duru

AKURDI—GOVERNOR Gabriel Suswan of Benue State, said yesterday, that the defection of the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Gemade and another former Minister, Dr. Samuel Ortom, from PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC, smacked of ingratitude to the ruling party.

He said the duo who were high profile members of the party, defected for their selfish and personal reasons which were at variance with the collective interest of the party.

Suswam who spoke in the course of his senatorial campaign at Tse-Agbaregba in Konshisha Local Government Area of the state, said: “You cannot trust these people because they are on a self serving mission.

“They both left because of greed, Chief Gemade had completed the second term of their slot in Jachira after Senator Akaagerger did the first term, therefore the Kwande people whose turn it was to produce the next senatorial aspirant, loaned it to Sankera where I come from, on my request.

“Senator Gemade did not like

Uwaka drums support for Jonathan, Okowa

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SABA—A former governorship aspirant in Delta State, Chief Michael Uwaka, has called for support for the reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa in the general elections.

He also urged total support for the PDP candidates in the state and in Ndokwa nation.

Speaking during a rally in Otagba Ogbe, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of the state, Uwaka explained that, after C M Y K

the PDP primaries, he congratulated the eventual winner, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, stressing that the emergence of Okowa was the best thing for the party as it will benefit the Ndokwa people in particular and Delta State in general.

Also speaking, the Director General of Uwaka Campaign Organization, Chief Ifeanyi Edeme, said that the PDP has performed well in the areas of infrastructural developmentinallsectorsandassured that the party will come out victorious in the coming elections.

it because he felt the position was his exclusive right, but politics is all about give and take which should be in tandem with the wishes and aspirations of the people.

“Ortom on his part left out of greed because he failed to win the governorship ticket of the PDP, a true party man should not contemplate such a move because

the interest of the party supersedes our individual interests.

“For Chief Gemade and Ortom to have left the PDP where Gemade was a former national chairman and member of the Board of Trustees, and Ortom a Minister, was a complete show of ingratitude to a party that gave them so mush leverage and opportunities.”

Itsekiri Rescue Group backs Emerhor

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ARRI—ITSEKIRI Rescue Group has thrown its weight behind Delta State governorship candidate, O’tega Emerhor of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as it stated that O’tega Emerhor’s committment to a pan-Deltan vision of Delta where all are equal under God, as part of its reasons.

In a statement signed by Temisan Yalaju and Adonis Egbe, the group said: “We do not owe PDP any obligations; they are the ones owning us the deluge of votes we have consistently given the party since 1999 including the deluge of votes we gave to President Goodluck Jonathan the last time.

“This time we shall be giving our votes and more to the APC and its candidate, a man who has never offended the Itsekiris in any way and has always displayed a

heartfelt disposition of love and respect for the entire Itsekiri kingdom.

“We trust him to be a true gentleman committed to a panDeltan vision of Delta where we are all equal under God. O’tega is truly detribalized and quintessentially cosmopolitan in his world view, as he represents a paradigm shift from the politics that has made us the laughing stock of Nigeria despite the enormous resources of our very rich state.

“We say no to the manner in which the Delta PDP has configured its political vision for the next dispensation and condemn it as a visionless vision. It is a template for ethnic domination, inter-tribal disharmony and political disunity.”

Borno to subsidise WAEC, NECO fees

By Ndahi Marama

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AIDUGURI—THE Borno State government is to subsidise WAEC and NECO examination fees for Seniour Secondary School students by 75 per cent.

State Commissioner for Education, Mr Isa Buratai made this known when he received officials of Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, who paid him a courtesy visit in Maiduguri, the state capital, yesterday.

“In as much government has accorded education top most priority, parents may, however, be asked by the Ministry of Education to pay 25 per cent of such examination fees,’’ Buratai said.

Earlier, the NUT officials led by their Chairman, Comrade Bulama Abiso has pleaded with the state government to “reopen” all public schools in Maiduguri metropolis that were closed by the Governor last May, because of Boko Haram insurgency in the state.

However, the affected schools; the Teachers’ and Arabic Training Colleges’ were currently occupied by over 115, 000 Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs.

Bird Flu under control —MINISTER

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BUJA—THE Supervising Minister of Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, yesterday, advised Nigerians not to panic over the outbreak of Avian Influenza, saying the situation was under control.

Alhassan told a news conference in Abuja that poultry meat and other poultry products were safe for consumption if thoroughly cooked.

He also enjoined the public to maintain good hygiene and ensure regular hand wash to prevent infectious diseases.

“The public should avoid eating sick or dead birds as well as avoid unnecessary exposure to poultry facilities.

“The public should also report severe symptoms of respiratory illness to the nearest health facility, especially where there is a history of contact with sick poultry,” he said.

Alhassan said pandemic response plan had been concluded and activated over the influenza, adding that copies of the plan would be made available to all strategic partners, soon.

48—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

PDP presidential rally in Edo

From left, Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egfba; wife of Vice President, Hajiya Aminat Sambo; Vice President Namadi Sambo, President Goodluck Jonathan, First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, Chief Tony Anenih, PDP BOT Chairman, and the PDP Vice Chairman, Prince Uche Sekondus, during the presidential rally at the Ogbe Stadium, Benin City, Edo State, yesterday.

Photos: Abayomi Adeshida & Barnabas Uzosike.

Crosss section of supporters at Ogbe Stadium, Benin City.

President Jonathan, receiving a souvenir from the traditional Prime Minister/ Iyese of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, during the visit of the PDP presidential campaign organisation to the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

From left., Chief Tom Ikimi,, Dan Orbih, Edo State, PDP Chairman, and Chief Igbinedion.

... in Asaba, Minna

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President Goodluck Johnathan, being cheered by supporters at Asaba, Delta State, during PDP presidential campaign in Asasa, yesterday. Photos: Nath Onojake

National Chairman, PDP, Adamu Mu'azu (second right), presenting the party's flag to the Delta flag-bearer, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (second left); while Director General presidencial campaign organisation, Peter Obi (left), and the running mate to Senator Okowa, Kingsley Otuaro, look on.

Former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd), welcoming President Jonathan to Minna presidential campaign, Tuesday.

Emir of Minna, Alhaji Mmar Bahago, presenting souvenir to President Jonathan during the President's visit to the Emir in Minna.

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VANGUARD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5 , 2015 — 53

3 African nations battle Boko Haram

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HREE African nations using ground troops and warplanes, yesterday fought Boko Haram on at least two fronts with hundreds of the Islamic fighters reported dead as the conflict took on a growing international perspective.

Chad’s army said its troops were attacked Tuesday in Cameroon by Boko Haram, the Nigerian extremist group that has slaughtered and kidnapped civilians and has had the upper hand against Nigeria’s military.

The Chadian troops’ response underscores other African nation’s new found resoluteness to combat what they perceive as a re-

Emergency personnel try to extract passengers from a commercial plane after it crashed in Taipei, Taiwan, yesterday.

26 killed as plane hits bridge, crashes in Taipei river A

passenger plane clipped a bridge and plunged into a river in Taiwan on Wednesday, killing at least 26 people, according to the island’s Civil Aeronautics Administration.

Rescuers scrambled to pull survivors from the submerged wreck of the ATR 72 twin-engine turboprop aircraft, which

went down shortly after take off from Taipei, the Taiwanese capital.

Fifty-eight people were aboard TransAsia Airways Flight GE235 when it veered out of control as it flew to Kinmen, off the coast of the Chinese province of Xiamen.

Already, about 26 passengers were confirmed

dead, 15 injured, including two on the ground, and 17 missing, officials said.

Meanwhile, the search and rescue effort continued as at press time Crews later recovered the aircraft’s “black boxes,” said CNA, the island’s official news agency. The flight data recorder and voice data

recorder were found in the tail of the plane, Ang Xingzhong, the executive director of Taiwan’s Aviation Safety Council, told the news agency.

A dash-cam video captured the moment the plane hurtled out of control above the city ’s Nanhu Bridge before crashing into the Keelung River, just after 11 a.m. local time (10 p.m.

ET).

IS: Jordan’s King vows to fight back J ORDAN’s King Ab dullah II has promised to fight back hard against Islamic State, saying that the death of a Jordanian pilot at the militants’ hands will not

be in vain.

The remarks were made as the king held a crisis meeting with security chiefs.

He cut short a US trip after IS posted a video

appearing to show pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh being burnt alive.

Jordan executed two convicts, including failed female suicide bomber Sajida alRishawi, in response.

King Abdullah met President Obama at the White House before returning home from the US

Lt Kasasbeh was seized after crashing during a bombing mission by the US-led coalition over Syria in December.

Jordan had sought to secure Lt Kasasbeh’s release in a swap involving Rishawi, but IS is believed to have killed him a month ago.

The BBC’s Paul Adams in Amman says talk of an exchange appears to have been a IS tactic to string Jordan along and foster doubt among Jordanians over its role in the US-led coalition.

The king was greeted by a crowd of several thousand people at Jordan’s main airport on his return from the US, with many holding up pictures of the monarch and the country’s flag in a show of support.

gional threat.

“Our valiant forces responded vigorously, a chase was immediately instituted all the way to their base at Gamboru and Ngala (in Nigeria), where they were completely wiped out,” spokesman Col. Azem Bermendoa said on national television Tuesday night.

More than 200 extremists and nine Chadian troops were killed, he said.

Yesterday, hundreds of Boko Haram fighters driven out of Gamboru crossed the border and attacked Chadian military posts in Fotokol, in far northern Cameroon, residents and military officers said.

Ebola drug study cancelled amidst declining cases

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OCTORS Without Borders says that human testing on a potential Ebola drug is being stopped because there aren’t enough patients because of a decline in Ebola cases.

The drop-off in Ebola infections is good news for Liberia, but it means there are not enough sick people to take part in the study.

The announcement yesterday by Doctors Without

Borders comes days after the drug’s manufacturer said it would no longer take part.

The drug brincidofovir has been used to treat other viruses and doctors wanted to study whether it could also cure Ebola.

There is no licensed treatment for the disease that has killed about 9,000 people in West Africa over the past year.

Zimbabwe: Mugabe falls from stairs

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IMBABWE’s 90year-old President Robert Mugabe yesterday fell down from staircase as he walked off a podium after addressing supporters at Harare international airport, an AFP correspondent said.

He had just returned from Ethiopia where he took over the rotating chairmanship of the African Union.

Africa’s oldest leader, who turns 91 later this month, had concluded his homecoming speech when he tumbled to his knees on a short flight of stairs in an incident witnessed by journalists and hundreds of supporters.

He was quickly helped up by aides and walked to a waiting car.

Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe (C) arrived for the 24th Ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) at the African Union headquarters in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, January 31, 2015.

54 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA—THE Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, yesterday, lamented that the judiciary has been greatly overburdened by political matters.

Speaking at a Public Dialogue on the Future of Justice Administration in

Nigerian Judiciary overburdened, CJN cries out quality justice that is administered quickly.

He said: “The current reality paints a sobering picture. The number of cases pending before the courts has reached critical proportions and we must use all appropriate means to stop it from spiralling out of control.

“If one considers the number of cases pending in high courts and other courts of record, you will agree with me that the situation is indeed disturbing and sobering.”

Currently, there are over six separate suits before the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging the eligibility of the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari, with most of the cases seeking similar reliefs.

The third in the series of such suits was lodged before the high court yesterday by Dr Ayakeme Whiskey who is seeking an order declaring Buhari ineligible to contest the February 14 election.

Whiskey anchored his suit on the same grounds of alleged failure of Buhari to accompany his Form CF001 submitted to INEC with his certificates of academic PRESENTATION: From left; Mrs. Funmi Onajide, GM, Corporate Affairs, qualifications.

He contended that MTN; Mrs. Blessing Nnanna, winner of MTN Cash Quest Promo Kia Sportage SUV, and Richard Iweanoge, GM, Consumer Marketing, MTN, during the failure of Buhari to do so had rendered him presentation of Cash Quest star prize, in Falomo, Lagos. ineligible to participate in the poll as he failed to comply with provisions of sections 131 and 318 of the 1999 Constitution and Nigeria organised at the National Judicial Institute, NJI, yesterday by the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, the CJN, said the country was struggling “to provide an efficient, fair and effective justice system that would be able to ensure that everyone, regardless of station or status, can access

section 31(3) of the Electoral Act, 2010.

Meanwhile, welcoming participants at the event yesterday, the National President of the NBA, Mr. Augustine Alegeh, SAN, said that the dialogue was borne out of the neglect which the justice system had suffered over time.

“I strongly believe that the best way to promote rule of law, check impunity and abuse of human right is to overhaul the justice system by reforming archaic substantive and procedural criminal laws”, he added.

He said the NBA appreciated the fact that if there was going to be economic development in Nigeria, then, the justice system must be restructured and strengthened.

He stressed that an inefficient criminal justice system is a major disincentive to commerce and free flow of investment.

He said : “The absence, effective and timely remedies discourages investors from taking risk of investing their resources in an economy where such investments are urgently required, the justice system must be such that is primed to guarantee a secured and

NECO releases Nov/Dec 2014 SSCE result

By Wole Mosadomi

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INNA—NATIONAL Examinations Council (NECO) has released the Nov/Dec 2014 SSCE results with remarkable departure from the past results recorded in the past years.

Registrar/ Chief Executive of the Council, Professor Promise Okpala who announced the result in Minna yesterday said 52.94% of the candidates had Credit in English and 55.37% in Mathematics which is a tremendous improvement from the past years.

The Registrar said, out of 63,445 that registered for the examinations, 61,386 eventually sat for the examinations with 30.57% recording Credits and above.

A breakdown of results recorded in the core subjects shows that out of 53, 848 who sat for Biology 26,947 obtained pass with Credit which represents 50.04%.

Also, out of 28,250 Candidates who sat for Chemistry,14,858 passed with Credit representing 51.62%, while 28,222 sat for Physics with 57 pass at Credit level which represents 0.20%.

Similarly, 1,753 sat for Further Mathematics while 395 passed at Credit level representing22.53%, Agricultural Science had 41,080 Candidates and had 12,006 pass at Credit level representing 29,22%.

Professor Okpala however decried the continuous involvement of Candidates in Examination malpractices despite the stringent measures taken to stop the ugly trend pointing out that 620 cases of malpractices were recorded which is still an increase in the ugly incidence.

“It is important to note that there have been improvements in NECO SSCE results over the past four years. A comparative analysis of the results in English language and Mathematics examinations and those who had five Credits and above including English language and Mathematics from 2011 to 2014 depicts this trend.''

safe society where its citizens can exercise their fundamental rights, where investor do their business, where law enforcement agencies can carry out their lawful duties, and where post trial institutions (prison) can be said to be operating within the expectations of the society.”

Philips partners Diamond Bank on health care financing

By Olufemi Ajasa

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OYAL Phillips, Medical Credit Fund has launched a partnership deal with Diamond Bank to improve access to quality healthcare in Nigeria. through this, small and medium-sized private clinics that want to acquire innovative medical technologies and services from Philips can finance this purchase through the Diamond Mediloan QualityCare.

Speaking on the project, General Manager, Philips Health Systems, West Africa, Rob Armstrong said “Phillips aims to contribute substantially to improving healthcare in Africa through innovative solutions that are tailored to local needs.

According to him, “Many clinics across Nigeria will like to invest in new technology, but find it difficult to obtain the necessary finance. This partnership will enable them make quality Philips healthcare solutions available to a large group of people who need them the most. This also represents the next step in the expansion of our activities in Nigeria, “ Similarly, Head, Direct Banking, Diamond Bank Plc, Jude Anele, said the partnership was a demonstration of the boundless possibilities the Diamond Mediloan Quality Care Program provides.

He added: “Now, clinics that sign up to the programme stand to enjoy flexible financing options for the purchase of much needed medical equipments from Philips. We are delighted in this partnership as it will catalyze the development of the nation’s health sector.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014 — 55

Drama as PDP supporters join Ambode’s rally

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HERE was mild drama yesterday as supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ran into a campaign train of All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship candidate in Lagos, Akinwunmi Ambode accompanied by Governor Babatunde Fashola at Alaka Bus stop in Surulere Some of the PDP supporters abandoned their train and threw away some of their party souvenirs in exchange for that of the APC. They joined the APC train shouting “Change, Change, Change”, saying that the wind of change had blown “to restore the dignity of our people and rescue the masses.”

The massive crowd followed Ambode to the venue of the campaign rally at Surulere where he thanked them for the show of love and promised not to let them down if elected governor on February 28. He said Lagosians can trust him having criss-crossed the state for 27 years serving one local government after the other.

He said he knows where the shoe pinches and would surely give attention to the welfare of the people of Lagos adding that he was ready to take Lagos to the next level.

POLLS: Embrace peace, Jang tells Plateau residents

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

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OS—PLATEAU State governor, Jonah Jang has called on residents of the state irrespective of tribe and religion to embrace peace during and after the elections stressing the future of Nigeria depended largely on peace between Muslims and Christians in the country.

Jang spoke in Jos on the occasion of the Inter-faith dialogue organized by the Institute of Governance and Social Research, IGSR where

religious, community and political leaders as well as other stakeholders were sensitized on the need to keep the peace in the state.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Labour Matters, Mr. Samuel Kwamkur, he further urged residents not to give room for any electoral violence in the state again.

His words, “Christians and Muslims make up 90 percent of Nigeria’s population hence violent conflicts between groups of every description are usually termed as religious. The future of

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HE new Customs Area Controller of the Command of the Seme Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Ndalati Mohammed has urged traditional rulers, chiefs and members of the border community within and around Seme to join hands with the customs in the fight against smuggling and other related vices.

This is even as the Command destroyed seized and unwholesome 1,805 cartons of poultry products with a duty paid value of N13.5 million, as well as bags of expired flour and used textile materials intercepted while being smuggled into the country from Benin Republic on January 24, 2015.

The destruction which was done

respect among the different religious groups.”

Earlier, the President of IGSR, Prof. Isawa Elaigwu represented by Mr. Celestine Ukatu noted that the signals emanating from politicians indicate a violent build-up which if not contained may have a serious socio-economic consequences for the state.

Ukatu urged the people to establish framework for constant dialogue and understanding and address issues amicably so that democracy would not be seen as producing more violent conflicts than generating peace.

ELECTION TRIBUNAL:

Osun APC denies PDP's claims

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BRIEFING: From left; Rot Richard Giwa-Osagie, Chairman, Rotary Foundation/Past District Governor Rotary Club; Rot Dele Balogun, District Governor, Rotary Club and Bola Onabadejo, District Governor-Elect at the Rotary Foundation District 9110,Nigeria Dinner Dancer Ball Press Conference in Lagos. Photo by Akeem Salau.

High Court to decide authentic Enugu PDP candidate April 2

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

BUJA—THE Abuja Division of the Federal High Court,

yesterday, fixed April 2 to decide on who is the authentic governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu State.

Seme Customs boss tasks monarchs on anti-smuggling war

By Ifeyinwa Obi

Nigeria depends largely on peace between Muslims and Christians.

“We should pause and ask ourselves why have elections been the triggers of violent conflicts in the country. Why have religions that preach peace become the weapons for war? Why are places of worship and innocent people always the victims?

“There is no doubt that religion has suffered abuse in Jos; peace in Plateau is about different religions working together. In order to bring peace, there must be mutual

through burial after pouring caustic soda on the products to hasten decomposition and deter scavengers from digging them up for sale or consumption was witnessed by officials of Port Health Service, Agricultural Quarantine Service, DSS and National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Comptroller Mohammed, who however made the call during a recent familiarization visit to the palaces of the Alapa of Apa Kingdom, Oba Oyekan Ilufemiloye Poosi and Aholu of Kweme Kingdom, Oba Sejiro Olalekan James, described the task of policing the border as one that concerns every citizen, adding that security, safety and general peace is everybody's business.

During the visits, the CAC got the nudge of the monarchs who promised to fully identify with the customs in its duties of suppression of smuggling, collection of revenue for government and facilitating legitimate trade, adding that their palaces are always open to him and his officers.

Meanwhile, the Seme Command boss said: “The Command collected a total of N9.6 billion as revenue in 2014, which represents 9.12 per cent increase over the N8.4 billion revenue collected in 2013. ''The significant improvement can mainly be attributed to the revenue accruing from the Vehicle Import Transit regime introduced by the Comptroller General of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko Inde last year.''

Justice Evoh Chukwu adjourned for judgement on the matter a day two PDP gubernatorial aspirants in the state, Senator Ayogu Eze and Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi , insisted before the court that they were duly elected to fly the governorship party’s flag.

Both of them told the court that they emerged from parallel primary elections they said were monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Eze argued through his lawyer Mr. Yusuf Ali, SAN,while Ugwuanyi, addressed the court through his own Counsel, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN. Eze had filed the substantive suit, just as Ugwuanyi who is currently enjoying the support of the PDP, was joined as an interested party in the matter on application.

Other defendants in the suit

by Ayogu Eze include the PDP, its National Chairman, Mr. Adamu Mu’azu and INEC.

HE All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State has urged citizens to disregard the news the People’s Democratic Party is spreading that it has won the election tribunal case.

Judgment on the case between the PDP, its gubernatorial candidate, Sen. Iyiola Omisore and APC, Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the state INEC has been fixed for Friday (tomorrow), but for some time now, the PDP supporters have been spreading false rumours that Omisore has won the case.

The APC in a statement by its Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Barr. Kunle Oyatomi, said last night, ‘the PDP’s action is both criminal and an attempt to slander the integrity of the honourable tribunal’. He said ''what the PDP is telling the people of Osun is that it is already privy to the Tribunal’s judgment which cannot be the case, because the honourable judges of the Tribunal cannot be part of such travesty of justice. ''Most importantly nothing, absolutely nothing in the case of the PDP proves any infraction of the electoral process, or miscalculation of votes that could upturn the last August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election which Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola won convincingly. For PDP to run onto the streets of Osun, few days ahead of delivery of judgment, claiming victory is a sad commentary on the mental health of these people and the level of their desperation for power.''

The APC, therefore, assured the people of the state that justice will be served by the judiciary, and that there is no way the people will be betrayed by our justice system, simply to massage the desperation of PDP power mongers.

It said, ''we have every reason to believe that justice will be done tomorrow when the Tribunal finally makes a pronouncement on this case.''

56 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

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Labour leaders seek stricter enforcement of pension act L

Stories by Victor Ahiuma-Young

ABOUR leaders in Lagos State have called for stricter enforcement of the provisions of the pension act to achieve its objectives.

The labour leaders who participated at a two day workshop on “New Pension Act 2014, Its implications and obligations to both employers and employees in Nigeria”, organized by Lagos Council of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in collaboration with the National Pension Commission, PenCom, in communiqué, stressed the need to strengthen and enforce provisions of the PRA 2014 by constituting functional compliance department that must be given visibility and prominence.

In the communiqué at the workshop signed by Idowu Adelakun and John Odigie, Chairman and Secretary, Lagos council of NLC, enjoined

workers to treat Retirement Savings Accounts, RSAs, with utmost responsibility and ensure proper and periodic audits and follow up.

The communiqué called on the Pension Fund Administrator, PFAs, to as a matter of urgency fine tune the documentation requirements for easy accessibility to workers.

While calling for prompt payment of benefits to

There is need to address the issue of equitable pay at retirement to ensure that the postemployment well being of retirees and quality of livelihood is maintained

Comrade Adetunji Ademisoye, State Secretary, Non-Acdameic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, Lagos, and other officials of Lagos NASU at the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Lagos Counci and National Pension Commission, PenCom, workshop on the new Pension Act 2014, in Lagos. pensioners within the stipulation of the Act, the participants called for adequate and more stringent punitive measures for defaulters of the provisions of the Pension Act 2014.

The participants also called on PFAs to immediately put in place machinery to forestall incidences of E-Fraud with regards to the safety of workers RSAs and for assurance from PFAs to ensure compliance to Retirement Saving Models to make the Act more proworkers.

They called on both state and federal governments to upgrade

on Pension coverage for workers and noted that “the current PRA2014 which is placed on the concurrent list is an abnormality and ought to be on the exclusive list. There is need to address the issue of equitable pay at retirement to ensure that the postemployment well being of retirees and quality of livelihood is maintained. We call on the Lagos State Government to enforce the inclusion of NLC Lagos Council into the membership of Lagos State Pension Board.

We call on the Lagos State Government to emulate the Federal government and review the Lagos State Pension Commission Act to conform to the 2014 Pension Act.” The participants advocated for the review of pensioners’ benefits “to reflect equalizing Minimum Pension to Minimum Pay/Wage, to the effect that retirees should benefit from the scheme of Minimum wage. We demand that government put in place checks on its excessive spending while depending less on oil to ensure stability of the Naira value.”

Verification of ex-PHCN workers ends tomorrow O

NGOING verification of former workers of the defunct National Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, will end tomorrow, February 6, 2015.

According to a release by the Federal Government ahead of the verification which began January 26, would affect 1,037 former staff defunct PHCN would be verified for the payment of their benefits.

This came as the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, faulted incessant verification of the ex-staff by government, saying it is used to perpetuate fraud.

General Secretary of the union, Comrade Joe Ajaero, lamented that disengaged workers of the defunct PHCN, yet to be paid their terminal benefits had been verified and done biometric capturing countless times, yet officials of government kept subjecting the hapless workers to verifications and biometric capturing.

According to him, money meant for payment of ther benefits had been released for a very long time, but deposited in a fixed account to yield interest.

According to him, “people are being called every now and then for biometric capturing and each time they organize biometric in the power sector, millions of naira is spent in the name of engaging consultants to carry out biometric capturing for the people that had been verified before. Some of them are going for the fourth biometric capturing.

This process started before privatization, it is still on and the money meant for the payment of their benefits fixed in a commercial bank, yielding interest for government officials.

Verification exercise Meanwhile, Implementation Committee on Terminal Benefits of the ex-workers explained in a statement that the verification exercise would be carried out at nine designated centres across the country.

The committee headed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali, also drew out verification

check lists for PHCN Pensioners and next-of-Kin and severance.

The check-list for the three categories of persons to be verified, listed out documents to be presented by all beneficiaries at the nine designated payment centres.

Speaking on the restiveness of the disengaged workers, Chief of Staff to the Minister of Power, Professor Chidi Onyia, said Nigerians deserved to have

adequate information to have informed position of the issues involved. He claimed President Goodluck Jonathan had demonstrated a clear understanding of the nation’s labour law which informed his directives to the handlers of Severance Package to be diligent in the validation processes, noting that government did not want to pay ghost workers.

Onyia claimed N372 billion had already been paid to disengaged ex-PHCN workers, stressing that government had always treated its workers with utmost dignity and respect.

He debunked insinuations that government had remained insensitive to the plight of the disengaged workers, saying the Minister had directed that all issues pertaining to this must be resolved on time.

Retired teachers carpet IBTC Pensions

By Daud Olatunji

O

GUN State retired teachers, have decried their plight in the hands of pension administrators especially, IBTC Pensions, calling on federal government and National Pension Commission, PenCom, to intervene on the matter before it is too late.

The pensioners, mainly three batches of teachers from the Obafemi Owode Local Government who left service between July year 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively, claimed

they had dully completed necessary documentations to no avail.

They alleged that since their retirement from service in 2012, IBTC Pensions had refused to pay them their entitlement whereas their colleagues under other PFAs in the same state had been paid their benefits in full.

The spokesperson of the teachers, Reverend Olawale Sanyaolu, said government had promised during the introduction of their PFA in year 2008 that their

contributory pension would be paid at the point of disengagement.

The teachers however, lamented that they had been subjected to series of maltreatment and harrowing experience since their first, second and third batches of teachers retired since 2012.

Sanyaolu, who lamented that some of their colleagues had died in the process of pursuing their payment, called on the PenCom to prevail on IBTC Pensions to release their money.

58—Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Jonathan signs HIV Anti-Discrimination Act 2014

Experts worry over poor oral hygiene in Nigeria

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has signed the HIV and AIDS Anti-Discrimination Act 2014 as a reflection of Nigeria's commitment to stopping all forms of stigmatisation and discrimination targeted at people living with HIV. A statement from the office of the Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, Prof. John Idoko, noted that the landmark legislation makes provisions for the prevention of HIV-related discrimination and provides for access to healthcare and other services.

The new law is a source of renewed hope that all acts of discrimination against people living with HIV such as recruitment and termination of employment, denial of access to services including healthcare, education, association and other social services will be quickly reduced and ultimately ended. It also provides for protection of the human rights and dignity of people living with HIV and those affected by AIDS in Nigeria.

The law is the latest addition to Nigeria's commitment to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. In the past four years, close to four million pregnant women were tested for HIV, while 8.2 million adults in the general population were tested.

By 2013, HIV infections had declined by 35 percent and Nigeria is pursuing efforts to stop new infections while the number of sites providing services to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV increased from 675 in 2010 to 5,622 in 2013.

E

By Chioma Obinna

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• Dr Oyinkan Sofola.

XPERTS have raised alarm over poor oral hygiene among Nigerians expressing fears that if urgent measures are not taken it may lead to increase in mortality as dental diseases such as periodontal; caries have been linked to systematic diseases.

The experts who gathered at first Pepsodent Scientific Conference on Oral health organised by Unilever Nigeria disclosed that Nigeria has untreated caries of 90 percent much worse than the global average of untreated caries.

In her lecture entitled: "The link between Oral and General Health and the

Mothers endorse Three Crowns powder

By Gabriel Olawale

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N its bid to enable their children and families remain happy from obtaining the maximum nutritive benefits and health boost from their diet, mothers have endorsed the new Three Crowns powder milk with low cholesterol and 28 vitamins and minerals.

At the product launch, Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Rahul Colaco, said the milk has repositioned as the brand that cares for mums so they can continue to take extra care of the family.

“The brands new payoff healthy mums, happy families defines its role as mum’s best friend in caring for the family.

The Marketing Director, Tarang Gupta

noted that aside from the low cholesterol in the new product, it also goes well with all kinds of dishes such as tea, coffee, custard, cereals, and fruits among others.

“Three crowns has a great taste and contains 28 vitamins and minerals needed to support daily growth and body maintenance. Most importantly, it is made with mum’s love because three crowns understands the very important role of mothers as ‘anchors of the family’ and is committed to helping mums stay fit and healthy so she can take extra care of her family.

The new 380g powder is available pan Nigeria in open markets, neighbourhood stores and modern retail outlets at an affordable price of N600,” he added.

prevalence of oral diseases in Nigeria" a Consultant Community Dentist, from Preventive Dentistry Department, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Dr. Oyinkan Sofola noted that the mouth can serve as a means of early diagnosis of systematic diseases before they even manifest in other organs.

"We have a prevalence of about 90 percent untreated caries. More importantly is the early childhood caries. We tend to see caries in children. We have a prevalence of 6.5 to 22.5 percent. Over 95.6 per cent of early childhood caries is untreated. On the global average, we have a global prevalence of 35 percent of untreated caries. Nigeria is doing much worse than the global average of untreated caries.

"On the other hand, periodontal disease (gum diseases) has been found to be between 79 to 90 per cent of the Nigerian population. If we have a lot of periodontal disease in Nigeria and this is being linked to systemic disease, then we have a lot of work to do because this might lead to increasing morbidity in the nation", she added..

National President, Nigeria Dental Association, NDA, Dr. Olabode Ijarogbe who called for increased awareness on the importance of good oral health care among Nigerians blamed the high burden of dental caries on factors such as diets, time factor and tooth related factors amongst others.

Brand Manager, Pepsodent, Unilever Nigeria, George Umoh, said the scientific conference was organised in an attempt to address specific needs and solve everyday problem of consumers as well as address the needs within the oral care sector.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

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If you are not ill or depressed, taking some time out to work on your sex life can help. Simply subjecting yourself to erotic images and fantasies can help distract the mind from all the things preventing you from wanting to be sexual. Adult magazines, novels, films and sensual massage can be very helpful.

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you desire intercourse again. So analyze your situation to figure out your own probable cause and seek the corresponding treatment. You can also call us on the numbers below for guidance – Uche I am writing to say thank you. I called your office a few days before Christmas to complain about my lack of erection and your people suggested the supplement X Again. At 64 years of age, I never thought I was going to have a sex life again but this drug has helped me. Infact, I have never seen anything like it – James You are welcome. The quality of the supplements these days are getting better and X Again in particular is something else. It gives erections, stops premature ejaculation, boosts stamina levels and even enlarges the penis. So I am not surprised that it worked for you. Most users have reported very positive feedback – Uche I need a pheromone that will make me irresistible to women. The other day, I was kissing and smooching a girl who seduced me. Half way she said I should stop but I couldn’t stop because I already had an erection and was very excited. And then she accused me of trying to rape her. That is a joke, right? Justin Justin, a girl or boy has the right to change his or her mind before or during intercourse. I know it is annoying and painful but adults have absolute rights over their own bodies. So when someone says stop, you have to stop. That is the law. Secondly, a good pheromone for attraction is Beaux Geste Pheromone. It is effective in attracting the opposite sex but it does not work like a charm. A woman can want you and still decide not to sleep with you for whatever reason – Uche That is all for today. Adults in need of the above novelties and treatments can call us on 08027901621 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com.

We deliver to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 — 59

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60 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 — 61

Siasia happy with Obiozor, Sokari D

REAM Team VI coach, Samson Siasia has invited the duo of Christian Obiozor of Kano Pillars and Kingsley Sokari of Enyimba to fortify the team as preparation for the team’s first game of the All Africa Games qualifiers against Gabon hots up in Abuja.

According to Siasia, he was impressed by what these players showed dur-

•Siasia

ing the just concluded Super 6 tournament in Abuja, and feels they can add quality to the team.

“I have always said this team is work in progress, and as such any player who has shown that he can add value to the team will sure be invited to the team, the intention of the technical crew is to build a team Nigerians will be proud of,” Siasia said.

“For now one of our greatest challenge is from players whose clubs are involved in continental engagements, we have barely 18 days to our first game, and our club sides in the continent also have crucial first round games almost the same time, so it will cause distractions for us, but we have to balance things, for just as we need these players, so also their clubs need their services.”

Otti’ll bring about sports revolution in Abia, says Uche

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GETTING READY .... Flying Eagles players gearing up for African Youth Championship (AYC)

ITTF-Africa mourns Okoya-Thomas

West Ham get £71,000 fine for playing Sakho in FA Cup tie

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OR his enormous contribution to the growth of table tennis in Nigeria and in the continent, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)/Africa Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) have described the demise of Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas as a setback to the sport.

In a statement signed by the ATTF Executive Vice-President and ITTF Board Member, Olabanji Oladapo, the passing of the business mogul was shocking to the table tennis community in Africa.

EST Ham have been fined 100,000 Swiss francs (£71,000) and reprimanded for playing striker Diafra Sakho in the FA Cup after the club had said he was unavailable for Senegal’s African Nations Cup campaign due to injury.

Fears that the Hammers would be kicked out of the FA Cup have proved unfounded as the world governing body imposed only a fine – though the player has also been reprimanded.

Sakho scored the

winner against Bristol City on January 25, two days before Senegal were eliminated from the tournament in Equatorial Guinea.

FIFA’s rules say a player cannot appear for his club if he is supposed to be on international duty.

A FIFA statement said: “The Senegalese FA was informed by West Ham United that Sakho was prevented from playing and travelling by plane due to injury and thus he did not join the Senegal team.

From Left: Senior Manager, Communications and External Affairs, GTB Plc, Mrs Oyinade Adegite; member, Technical Committee, Lagos State Sports Council, Mr Bisi Osunneye; Director, Co-Curricular Services, Ministry of Education, Lagos State, Mrs Marion Babs-Akinyeye and Deputy Manager, Communications and External Affairs, GTBank, Mrs Abimbola Meshinoye during the GTBank-Lagos State Principals Cup 2015 draws in Lagos C M Y K

HE State draws of the GTBank – Principals Cup Season 6 competition held on Thursday 29th January, 2015 at the Bank’s corporate Head office. The state draws is a selection process to group all participating teams in the preliminary round of matches.

The prestigious secondary school football tournament which is currently in its 6th season is an annual football competition geared towards the development of grassroots football, the discovery of young football talents and fostering camarade-

Promasidor donates 1000 hockey sticks to LSHA

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•Sakho

42 Schools for GTBank Principals Cup

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ANY retired sportsmen and women in Abia State believe Dr. Alex Otti can kick start real grassroots development if he becomes governor of the state. A member of the old Imo State Academicals team of the 1980s, Onwusogh Amadi Uche, retired believe that Dr Alex Otti, who retired as the managing Director of Diamond Bank, has the pedigree to engineer a new era of sports development in Abia State.

Uche, who manages his younger brothers, Kalu and Ikechukwu, who play professional football in Spain, says for a long time Abia State has been clamouring for a governor that knows the genuine needs of its youths.

rie amongst secondary school students. It also provides a platform for identifying, nurturing and grooming young and talented players as well as helping students work towards their dream of being world class footballers.

In the male category, 24 schools were drawn into 8 groups of three teams while 18 teams were placed into 6 groups of 3 teams in the female category. The defending champions, Dairy Farms, Agege will slug it out with, St. Gregory College, Obalende and Me-

rian Community High School in Group G of the male category while the female reigning champions; will defend their title against Estate Senior Grammar School, Mushin and Ifako Comprehensive Secondary School in Group F. The opening matches kick off from Monday, 2nd February 2015. Cash prizes of N1,000,000, N750,000, N500,000 and N250,000 will be presented to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place winners in the male and female categories at the end of the season by GTBank. The bank will also provide sports

ROMASIDOR Ni geria Plc has donated one thousand hockey sticks to the Lagos State Hockey Association, with the aim of helping to develop the sport in Nigeria.

The donation was made to the association at the Union Bank Sports Club, Suru-Lere, Lagos, the venue of the hockey event at the ongoing IBILE Games for All Secondary Schools in Lagos state.

The 24 schools competing for honours at the competition collected the sticks in a ceremony supervised by the Chairman, Lagos State Hockey Association, Honourable Tunde Popoola, who was ably supported by the Director of Sports, Lagos State Sports Council, Dr. Kweku Tandoh.

While presenting the hockey equipment to the 24 schools, the Head Legal and Legal Communications of Promasidor, Mr. Andrew Enahoro , said, the company decided to support hockey because it is like football when you have teams playing and showing some skills.

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62 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

NFF plans international friendlies for Eagles P

LANS are underway for the Super Eagles of Nigeria to play two friendly games next month.

The Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) confirmed that they are lining up the two games to keep the Super Eagles engaged.

Earlier, the NFF claimed that a game was lined up against the Brazilian national team, but it has been confirmed that the Selecaos will be playing Chile on March 29th rather Nigeria.

NFF General Secretary Musa Amadu assured that the Super Eagles will not be idle during the international window.

“I can authoritatively inform you that we have made plans for the Super Eagles to play two quality friendly matches in March,” Amadu told journalists in Abuja.

“When the matches are tied down, we will let you know whether they are all going to be home or away,” he stated.

Ikuforiji U-20 soccer tourney gets date

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NEW date has been released for the Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji U-20 Soccer Competition for football clubs in Lagos State.

According to the CEO of Afo Football Organisation, Afolabi Onanaike, “the Ikuforiji U-20 Cup would nowkick-OffonApril3,2015, at the Campos MiniStadium, Lagos Island.

Already, registration forms are on sale at various football centres across the State.”

Speaking further, Onanaike, went on to admonish the State government to involve

grassroots sports promoters in the running of sports in the State because of the experiences they posses in sports administration.

•Ikuforiji

Tunisia Continues from BP Guinean party to estimate the cost of repairing the damage caused by the Tunisian contingent at the stadium in Bata.

However, CAF will

Continues from BP

provide this amount to the Tunisian Federation to cover it.

But CAF strongly condemned the conduct of Mr. Wadie Jary, president of the Tunisian Football Federation and member of

CAF

accusations of bias.

And Tunisia have been ordered to pay for damages to a door and a refrigerator in the team’s dressing room at Bata Stadium.

Mauritian referee Seechurn awarded the penalty in stoppage time

after Ali Maaloul was harshly ruled to have fouled Ivan Bolado when Tunisia were leading 1-0 and, after equalising from the spot through Javier Balboa, hosts Equatorial Guinea went on to win in extra-time.

Seechurn has also been removed from Caf’s list of elite referees.

the Organising Committee of the AFCON. CAF also Imposed on the Tunisian Federation a fine of US$ 50,000 (Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) for the insolent, aggressive and unacceptable behavior of the players and officials of the Tunisian team during the aforementioned game.

They further instructed the Tunisian Federation to send to CAF before February 5th(today) at midnight, a letter of apology for the insinuations of bias and lack of ethics against CAF and its officials, or to present irrefutable evidence to substantiate the accusations of the FTF.

Ghana Continues from BP months for what the Confederation of Africa Football described as a “poor performance”.

After the game, riot police had to protect the match officials from furious Tunisian players.

Otogo, 38, who has officiated two matches at this tournament, will be expected to redeem the organisers’ credibility with his performance in Malabo.

Ghana coach Avram Grant said he feels there C M Y K

have been a couple of bad refereeing calls at the tournament, but preferred to focus on preparing his team.

“If the referee will do two, three (mistakes), I cannot control (it). I can control only our performance,” said the former Chelsea manager.

“I think the referees until now - except (for) one or two games - have been good.

“And I am sure everyone will be watching this and everybody who needs to

take care of this will do their job.”

This will be Ghana’s fifth consecutive semifinal, while the Nations Lightning are in the last four for the first time.

If the host nation’s passage to the semi-final was controversial, the Black Stars’ qualification was most convincing as they dumped Guinea 3-0.

Four-time winners Ghana have improved since an opening-match 21 loss to Senegal by beating Algeria, South Africa and Guinea.

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 — 63

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

CAF bans referee A

Afcon 2015:

N Africa Cup of Nations referee has been banned for six months for “poor performance”.

R e f e r e e Rajindraparsad Seechurn gave Equatorial Guinea a controversial penalty in stoppage time as they beat Tunisia 2-1 in the quarter-finals.

Tunisia staff confronted the official after the match and their federation has been fined $50,000 (£33,000).

•Seechum

Ghana pounce on E. Guinea G Kick-off: 8pm

Result: I. Coast 3 Congo DR 1 ABON referee Eric Otogo will be in the spotlight after controversial scenes marred Equatorial Guinea’s last-eight tie with Tunisia.

A controversial penalty decision in the dying minutes by Mauritian referee Rajindraparsad Seechurn turned the tide in favour of Equatorial Guinea against Tunisia.

Javier Balboa converted the harshly awarded spot-kick and he scored again in extratime to give the host nation a shock 2-1 victory.

Seechurn has since been suspended for six

•Balboa

•Ayew

Continues on Page 62

“The referees committee noted the poor performance of the referee,” the Confederation of African Football said.

Caf added that the referee’s failings included an “unacceptable failure to maintain calm and ensure proper control of the players during the match”.

Caf also wants an apology from Tunisia for

Continues on Page 62

Tunisia risk expulsion from Afcon 2017

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HE Tunisian F o o t b a l l Federation have been told by the Confederation of African Football that they face expulsion from the 2017 AFCON tournament, following the behaviour

of their players after the 2-1 loss to hosts, Equatorial Guinea at the quarter finals.

CAF held an extra ordinary meeting at Bata, Equatorial Guinea and asked the Equatorial Continues on Page 62

Security officials protect the referee from angry Tunisian players

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Duo (4) 4 Tap (3) 6 Containers (4) 8 Fixed (6) 9 Squeal (6) 10 Expect (3) 12 Exhaust (5) 14 Corpulent (5) 15 Antitoxin (5) 18 Strong (6) 20 Incapable (6) 24 Sidled (5) 26 Perceive (5) 28 Planet (5) 30 Water (3) 32 Expedition (6) 33 Real (6) 34 Payments (4) 35 Offspring (3) 36 Run (4)

DOWN 2 Behind (5) 3 Nonsense (7) 4 Request (4) 5 Tooth (4) 6 Outspoken (5) 7 Gentle (7) 11 Coin (3) 12 Dull (3) 13 Mesh (3) 16 Whisky (3) 17 Cup (3) 19 Repeat (7) 21 Modern (3) 22 Assumed (7) 23 Finish (3) 25 Rabbit (3) 27 Breaks (5) 29 Guides (5) 30 Expires (4) 31 Caution (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Sandy 7, Topaz 8, Peals 10, Waded 12, Lit 13, Hotel 15, Retired 17, Erodes 19, Lie 20, Achieve 23, East 25, Eddy 26, Thought 30, Ear 31, Thresh 34, Piloted 37, Rests 38, Dor 39, Devil 40, Jewel 41, Layer 42, Apply.

DOWN: 1, Donor 2, Sawed 3, Azalea 4, Deer 5, Believe 6, Alter 9, Air 11, Delight 13, Hewed 14, Toast 16, Tie 18, Scoured 21, Edges 22, Myths 24, Theorem 22, Oat 28, Thrill 29, Bides 32, Relay 33, Steel 35, Low 36, Deep.

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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