FG orders oil firm to pay unremitted N81.6bn

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62687

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

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NPAN reiterates commitment to fight corruption >7

220 firms owe AMCON N1.14trn

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FG orders oil firm to pay unremitted N81.6bn •Begs oil majors not to sack workers •Says the nation can't afford crisis in the oil sector •International firms pledge support, ask for understanding

By Victor AhiumaYoung & Johnbosco Agbakwuru, with agency reports

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BUJA—THE Presidency has directed an oil firm to remit to the account of Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, unremitted funds amounting to N81.6 billion ($408m).

This came on a day the Federal Government called on operators in the oil sector to shelve plans to lay off workers to avoid throwing the Continues on Page 5

Ibori neither released nor re-arrested THANKSGIVING —Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, his wife, Martha (middle); his deputy, Moses Ekpo (right); Speaker, state House of Assembly, Onofiok Luke (2ndleft) and the state Chief Judge, Justice Stephen Okon, singing during a Thanksgiving Service at Government House Banquet Hall, Uyo, on the governor's victory at the Supreme Court.

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OWEI LAKEMFA

DONU KOGBARA

decide or stand

Jonathan's silence

Eight months after, Ajimobi yet to form cabinet AU: Too feeble to See inside C M Y K

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COLUMNISTS:

Fitch to downgrade Nigeria over poor response to oil price fall

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Labour, allies protest hike in electricity tariff Monday >8

>5 Mr & Mrs

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POCKET CARTOON Garba Shehu, he directed Vanguard to call the NNPC for confirmation.

Contacted, Group General Manager, Public Affairs, NNPC, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, said he was not aware of the development.

FG begs oil majors not to sack workers

VISIT—Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (3rd right), looking through a map

of activities of the Foundation for the Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta, PIND, with the Executive Director, PIND, Sam Daibo (2nd left); Team Leader, Richard Oshowole (2nd right); Monitoring & Evaluation Manager PIND, Shola Afolayan (left) and the Economic and Natural Resources Manager, Olumide Olaniyan (right) during an audience at the VP's office, State House, Abuja. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

FG orders oil firm to pay unremitted N81.6bn Continues from Page 1 nation into a huge social upheaval.

Oil companies had concluded plans to reduce their workforce, due to falling oil prices in the international market which had impacted their operations.

On unremitted revenue, the Presidency’s instruction, it was learned, came against the backdrop of revelations by the chairman of the firm at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, that the company only remitted parts of what it derived from revenue

from four oil blocs.

A source said the company which signed a Strategic Alliance Agreement with NPDC on July 19, 2010, took charge under the agreement of OML 26 FHN; OML 30 Shoreline; OML 34 Niger Delta Oil; and OML 42 Neconde and was also to provide funds, technical services, drill and sell crude oil.

According to the source, the company was later accused of lifting crude oil, but remitted only a fraction of its worth to government.

It was gathered that in 2012, the company paid $168m into government’s account, but lifted about

three million barrels valued at over $350 million, leaving a balance of $182 million.

The source also said that in 2013, the company lifted about two million barrels of crude oil valued at $240 million but paid only $68 million, leaving a balance of $172 million.

Similarly, the company was also alleged to have in 2014, paid zero cash call, even though it lifted 500,000 barrels of crude oil valued at $68 million.

The source said, having been armed with these figures by the EFCC, the Presidency instructed the company’s chairman to reconcile his accounts with the NPDC, a subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and

BY AYO ADIO remit money amounting HE challenges of life could bring you down. to about $408 million or However, the choice to stay down is absolutely N81.6 billion.

The EFCC, it was yours. It’s up to you. learned, recently raided the business premises of the firm, making away with documents and

BY ELLA RANDLE computers.

As we express our gratitude, we must remember Sources said the oil that the highest appreciation is not to utter words blocs were awarded to but to live by them —John F Kennedy the company in 2010 in c o n t r o v e r s i a l RATEFUL people have a higher sense of self- circumstances by the worth. I think that’s because when you’re government of former grateful, you have the sense that someone else is President Goodluck looking out for you. Once you start to recognize the Jonathan. contributions that other people have made to your Although efforts to life, once you realize that other people have seen reach the company ’s the value in you, you can transform the way you see helmsman proved yourself. Just because gratitude is good doesn’t mean fruitless, a source close it’s always easy. Practicing gratitude can be at odds to the company said it with some deeply ingrained psychological had already submitted to tendencies but if we focus on gratitude, we’ll attract government plans to pay our heart desires. the several billions it was owing.

When Vanguard called Senior Assistant The gentle stride of a tiger is not a sign of to theSpecial President on cowardice.

Media & Publicity, Mr.

IT'S UP TO YOU

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TAKE HEART

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SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has called on operators in the oil sector to shelve plans to sack workers to avoid throwing the nation into a huge social upheaval.

Speaking through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, the government said a crucial joint labour-oil sector meeting had been scheduled for next week to resolve some emerging issues in the industry.

The minister, who spoke during a meeting with major oil companies in Nigeria, yesterday, noted that the nation was already facing a lot of social security problems and could not afford more to be created through job cuts.

A statement signed by Olowookere Samuel, Deputy Director (Press) in the ministry, quoted Ngige as saying: “The oil majors in Nigeria must, therefore, bend backwards and see what they can plough back from their profits to keep Nigerian workers on their duty posts.”

Ngige assured the oil majors that the present economic downturn would not last forever, stressing that they maintained existing jobs, saying nothing lasts

forever. "We have a downturn today but you can be sure it will not last forever. If you are not creating new jobs, let us keep the ones we have.

That is what this government is pleading and we must emphasize that it is what we want", the minister said.

He said because oil and gas sector remained the financial back bone of the nation’s economy for now, any threat of industrial unrest therein should be nipped in the bud.

Ngige added that he had received a plethora of petitions from unions in the sector on industrial and employment relations such as casualization, redundancy, threat of retrenchment and unfair labour practices, among others.

Speaking on behalf of the International Oil Companies present, including Agip, Mobil Producing, Chevron, Addax and Total, the Director of Human Resources and Medical, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Ihuoma O n y e a r u g h e , appreciated Federal Government’s efforts at

stabilising the economy and ensuring industrial harmony in the sector.

She appealed for understanding and collaboration on the part of the government, in view of the current challenges facing the industry. “The issue of laying people off is not a decision that comes lightly. I will not come here to tell you that people are being laid off or not.

"The situation in the oil companies is dire. We want to ask for more understanding in appreciation of the challenges we face.

Nevertheless, we have heard the minister and we will take your message back to our various companies,” she said.

She pleaded with the minister to protect oil majors from unnecessary harassment by labour unions who usually closed their eyes to unfair labour practices by “ e m p l o y m e n t contractors” who failed to remit workers pension and compensation funds, but harass and turn the heat on the oil companies.

Ibori neither released nor re-arrested — Aide

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AGOS—MEDIA aide to former Delta State governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, Mr Tony Eluemunor, has denied recent media reports on the release of the former governor. He also said Ibori was not rearrested.

Eluemunor in a statement, yesterday, said: “The news had set off a frenzy of activities in the entire South-South geo-political zone, as many people took off from their respective towns and villages to storm Ibori’s home town of Oghara.

Many kept vigil at his gate; but the vigil was in vain as Ibori has not finished serving his term.

“Perhaps, as the magnitude of the lie an on-line publication told to itself and the nation (in a

story it had termed an exclusive) dawned on it, another publication, kicked in with another lie, that Ibori had been rearrested. This caused sleepless nights to another set of Ibori’s supporters as they stayed up all night working the phones to find out the true situation.

“The truth is that the exclusive stories were exclusive lies. Over 24 hours after the publications, no British authority has confirmed either the news of the release or of the purported re-arrest.

“Many people have asked me how such a malicious story could have been cooked up. My only reply is that Ibori’s political and legal persecutors tried to

counter the favourable wind that arose from Ibori’s corner when the case turned against the London Metropolitan Police and the Crown Prosecutors by late January, 2016, when even they agreed that they did not act properly in the way they investigated Ibori and his associates.

"That forced them to withdraw the charges they had brought against one of Ibori’s lawyers, Mr. Bradesh Gohil.

“Most importantly, the judge ruled that all the documents that had been withheld from Ibori and all his associates should be turned over to them and that they were free to go on appeal to challenge even their earlier convictions."

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

3 bankers charged for forgery, stealing

By Innocent Anaba

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AGOS—THREE staff of Ecobank Plc have been arraigned before a Tinubu Magistrate's Court on Lagos Island, Lagos State, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, forgery and stealing The alleged offence was discovered by the Quality Assurance Unit of the bank during weekly reconciliation.

The prosecutor, Inspector Nurudeen Thomas, told the court that the accused persons— Oluwatoyin Adetunji , 41; Oluwatosin Obademi, 32; and Olushola Ogunshina, 39— were discovered during a routine inspection conducted by Ecobank Quality Assurance Department to have forged signatures of some customers and stolen N2.8 million from their accounts at the Iyana-Ipaja branch of the bank between July 10 and 14, 2015. The fraud was discovered a few days later.

Thomas said Adetunji and Obademi, who were cashiers and Ogunshina, an Information Technology personnel in the bank, were arrested by police called in by the bank, when the crime was discovered.

According to the prosecutor, Obademi and Ogunshina in their confession statements claimed that Adetunji came to them with the deal and promised to pay them N350,000 each.

Thomas said that the offences contravene Sections 285, 361 and 409 of the Criminal Code of Lagos State, 2011.

The Chief Magistrate, K. Ayeye, granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties each in like sum and adjourned the case to February 22 for hearing.

Lagos demolishes Baba Ijebu's 4-storey building

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—AS part of ongoing exercise to curb the spate of building collapse, Lagos State Government, yesterday, demolished a four-storey building owned by Sir Kessington Adebutu, founder of the popular Premier Lotto, popularly known as Baba Ijebu.

The building, located at 6, Campbell Street, Lagos Island, was formerly used as party secretariat by the Action Congress (now All Progressives Congress) and some law firms.

But the building was vacated 10 years ago when the walls started cracking.

It was learned that Adebutu bought the building few years ago and was deliberating on what use to put it to.

Vanguard gathered that the building was sealed by the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, twice to allow for Structural Stability Test, SST, before manual demolition which commenced on October 16, 2015.

Mr. Sheye Olofin, Manager of Omega Homes, adjacent to Adebutu’s building, lamented that they work with fear daily because “the slabs from the building often drop on them.”

He said: “When we noticed that parts of the building had started falling off, we called the

owner of the building but nothing was done. It kept destroying our property but that was not our major concern.

“Our concern was the lives that could be lost if it was allowed to collapse. That was why we decided to write the owner of the building.”

LASBCA General Manager, Olusola Adeigbe, said the agency's responsibility was to monitor and identify distressed buildings, saying “we demolish buildings that have over 90 percent likelihood of collapsing.”

Adeigbe, who was represented at the scene by Mr. Felix Olowojoba, Director of Enforcement, said: “When we detect buildings that are defective and could collapse any moment, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that such building does not cave in to avoid loss of life.”

Sir Kessington's house before the demolition, yesterday.

Medical doctor shot during protest in Imo

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI—THE planned peaceful demonstration by medical practitioners in Imo State turned awry, yesterday, as a Consultant Family Physician in the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Dr. Bende Azudialo,

was allegedly shot in the head by a policeman.

During a press conference in Owerri, State Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Dr. Hyacinth Emele, ordered a three-day warning strike with effect from today.

Emele said: “If the policeman

that fired the shot is not identified and prosecuted, doctors will commence indefinite industrial action.”

Emele, who displayed the blood-stained overall worn by the wounded doctor, said a team of medical personnel were working on Azudialo.

One dead as hoodlums, policemen clash over shanties demolition

By Evelyn Usman

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AGOS—HOODLUMS, in the early hours of yesterday, engaged Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Task Force in

a shootout in Iddo area of Lagos, during the demolition of their hideout.

It was learned that the operatives stormed the dreaded area at about 2a.m., to carry out the demolition exercise. The

The demolished structures and arrested miscreants (inset).

hoodlums were said to have used petrol bomb on one of the policemen identified as Corporal Friday Adama.

Two persons, a Police Corporal and a para-military staff of the agency, were reportedly shot in the process, while a man with an unknown identity was said to have been killed by a truck during the ensuing stampede.

A total of 155 miscreants were also arrested, while two locally-made pistols, one English pump action gun and seven rounds of ammunition were recovered.

Also impounded during the demolition exercise were 150 motorcycles.

Vanguard gathered that the invasion and subsequent demolition of make shift

buildings constructed under Iddo Bridge, inward Idumota waterside, followed series of complaints over crimes allegedly committed by miscreants inhabiting the buildings.

Vanguard gathered that an earlier attempt by the operative to demolish the shanties was resisted by the miscreants.

Public Affairs Officer, Lagos State Task Force, said: “Those miscreants not only rob under Iddo Bridge, but smoke Indian hemp and rape.”

The Lagos State Command Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmus, a Superintendent of Police, said the driver of the truck was arrested, adding that those injured were recuperating in the hospital.

Hearing on NUJ's N500m suit against Customs fixed for February 27

By Abdulwahab Abdulah

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AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed February 27 to hear the fundamental rights suit filed by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Lagos State

Council, against the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, and eight others over alleged assault of one of its members.

The chapter had filed the case against the defendants on behalf of a Badagry-based journalist, Otunba Yomi

Olomofe, for the enforcement of his fundamental rights to life, dignity of the human person and freedom of expression and the press, following the assault and beating he suffered in the hands of the Customs and some suspected hoodlums allegedly hired by the Custom officials.

When the matter came up before Justice A. Anka, none of the defendants was in court nor represented.

Counsel representing the plaintiff, Adelayo Banjo of Jiti Ogunye Chambers informed the court that the defendants are yet to be served on the processes of

the case.

The court fixed February 27 for the hearing of the case while directing that all processes be served the defendants.

NUJ is asking for N500 million as special and exemplary damages for the violation of the applicant’s rights.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016—7

NPAN reiterates commitment to fight corruption As FG seeks media's support L

AGOS— The Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), yesterday, reiterated its commitment to the fight against corruption in the country, insisting that it had always been in the vanguard of the fight and was not ready to stop now.

The assurance was given by the President of the association, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, while receiving the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed , on a courtesy call on the association at its secretariat in Maryland, Lagos.

“We will help you fight corruption because it is antithetical to development,”he stressed.

On hand to receive the minister, among others, were the Publisher of Vanguard newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka and Mallam Ismaila Isa, both Life Patrons of the association; former governor of Ogun State,Chief Segun Osoba and Mr. Ray Ekpu (both past presidents of the association) as well as Executive Council members and other members of the association.

Obaigbena, who is also the Publisher of Thisday newspapers, in welcoming the new vista with which the government is pursuing its anti-corruption drive, noted that more mileage would be garnered and the campaign will be more enduring, if government fought corruption by building strong institutions.

To achieve greater result, he said it was imperative to first find the root cause of corruption, avoid arbitrariness and follow the rule of law.

He also said there was a need to respect the doctrine of innocence under which an accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty He said: "It would be unjust and unfair to lump people together, and label everybody thieves without separating the wheat from the chaff."

Minister seeks media's support

In his address, the minister sought the support and cooperation of the media owners, adding that it was not the intention of the government to intimidate anyone or group of persons.

Government’s current drive, he argued, was motivated by the higher ideal of bringing happiness to the greater number of the citizenry.

This, he said, would remain an illusion without curing the corruption cancer that had eaten deep into the nation.

Mohammed drew a nexus between corruption and development, explaining that it would be difficult to develop infrastructure such as roads, railway, schools, etc if government revenues are stolen

Taking on the economy without first fighting corruption, he argued, would be an exercise in futility.

He recalled his earlier pronouncement on how the nation could be transformed into an eldorado, providing roads, schools, hospitals etc, if the funds stolen had been judiciously applied.

For instance, he said the total amount Nigeria was seeking to borrow from the World Bank or the African Development Bank or others was $3.5 billion, adding that if only a few who had stolen from the nation’s revenues had returned a fraction or that the issue of the $20 billion had been resolved, the nation would not need to borrow.

Change begins

with me

Mohammed said in the next few weeks, government would be launching a National Reorientation Campaign, tagged “ Change begins with me”.

The campaign is to compliment other campaigns already launched such as National Security Awareness Campaign and the National Sensitization Campaign Against Corruption. He pleaded for the support of the media for the new campaign.

Others who received the minister included Deputy President and Chairman, Media Trust, Mallam Kabiru Yusuf; General Secretary and Publisher of the Source magazine, Comfort Obi; President of Leadership Group and former Presidential

aspirant, Mr. Sam NdaIsaiah; Assistant Secretary and Publisher of Blueprint newspapers, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; Group Managing Director of Champion newspapers, Mrs Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, and President, Tell Communications, Mr. Nosa Igiebor Also present were Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Editor-in-Chief, The News; Gbenga Adefaye, Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard newspapers; Publisher of Daily Times, Mr. Fidelis Anosike; Mr. Ted Iwere, Managing Director of Daily Independent; Mannging Director of New Telegraph, Mrs Funke Egbemode, and Deputy Managing Director of The Sun, Mr. Steve Nwosu.

VISIT: From left, Temi Popoola, Chief Executive Officer (Nigeria), Renaissance Capital; Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, Chief Executive Officer, Susman & Associates and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during the Renaissance Capital courtesy visit to the Presidency.

Nigerians'll starve to death by 2050, if...

—Presidency Says population to rise to 500m by 2050

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

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BUJA— THE Presidency, yesterday, raised alarm that Nigerians would starve to death by 2050 if nothing was done to ensure an all year round farming.

It also said with the rate the country was going, the population would by 2050 rise to 509 million.

According to the Federal Government, the present mode of farming will not sustain the increasing population in the country.

It noted that there was the urgent need for all major stakeholders to work towards improving mechanized farming and irrigation, to ensure an all year farming to avert the problem.

Speaking, yesterday, during the budget defence of 2016, Minister of Agriculture, Chief

Audu Ogbeh, said the country had the capacity to grow the grass required by the cattle to consume.

He said: “We have written to state governments to encourage them to develop dams and canals so that agriculture becomes an all year round activity and it is not confined to the rainy season alone.

"Besides, by 2050, Nigeria population will be very close to 500 million at the current rate of growth. This is just 34 years from now. If we carry on at the current rate of one crop per year, with very low mechanization, Nigerians run the risk of starving to death.

He said: "We intend to intensity and consolidate on the local staples, the yams, the cassava, the beans, especially rice and wheat. Both of which consume $11 million per day in import. The figure is going down a bit. We can’t afford that

in the long run because we don’t even have the resources.

“The ministry has put necessary machinery in motion to stop the constant bloody clashes between herdsmen and farmers. We have decided we are going to develop massive paddocks across the country.

"What the cows are looking for is grass and water. We have the capacity to grow the grass we want not just any kind of grass but highly nutritive grass for the cows to eat. If it can be done in Kenya, Saudi Arabia, there is no reason why we can’t do it here. ‘’There is sizable provision for grassing at hinterland, by developing water, drilling of boreholes and small dams to irrigate those areas already mapped out. In the process we hope that the cattle herdsmen would have a more stable life."

AuGF queries FIRS over 4% cost of collection

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

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BUJA — THE AuditorGeneral of the Federation, AuGF, has queried the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, for failing to include the four per cent cost of collection it receives in its financial statements in the last six years.

The four per cent cost of collection is the FIRS’ source of revenue through which it funds its operations.

That the AuGF has consistently queried the tax organization was disclosed when the Senate Public Accounts Committee visited the FIRS, in Abuja, yesterday.

Senator Andy Uba, who is the Chairman of the Committee, had asked the Chairman of the FIRS, Mr. Tunde Fowler, why the organization had not responded to the queries.

His words: “We are just coming from the AuGF's (Accountant-General of the Federation) office and while we were there, there is a question I asked the Accountant-General and he said it is on record that four per cent cost of collection enjoyed by the FIRS had not been included in the financial statements of FIRS since 2010, despite Auditor-General’s persistent queries.

“There are queries that the Auditor-General has sent to you with regards to the four per cent. They said they have had a meeting with your organisation and you are saying you will look into it and get back to them.”

In his response, Fowler told the legislators that the AuGF must have acted due to inadequate information, as according to him, the four per cent cost of collection is backed by law.

The FIRS Chairman said: “I am sure there must be some form of breakdown in communication because by law, we are entitled to four per of our revenue generation which we receive as cost of collection.

"By law, the four per cent is part of the revenue we generated and that is given to us monthly at the same time that FAAC is held and so it’s automatic.”

Fowler said his team would undertake a high-level tax drive in the country that would double the tax payers base to, at least, one million at the end of March and raise at least 50 per cent of the Federal Government 2016 budgeted revenue.

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Boko Haram: Switzerland denies funding MNJTF War against insurgency assumes dangerous trend —-FG

By Ndahi Marama, with agency report

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AIDUGURI — THE government of Switzerland has denied granting financial support to the Multi-National Joint Task Force, MNJTF, in the fight against Boko Haram.

This came as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir David Lawal, said the war against Boko Haram had assumed a dangerous trend that required collective efforts and vigilance.

Switzerland was listed among the countries that pledged about $250 million to fund the 8,700strong regional task force.

A statement by Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, FDFA, said the country maintained neutrality in conflicts.

The Swiss government stated “as a neutral actor in conflict situations, Switzerland has never given financial support to military interventions and will abstain from doing so in the future.”

Empasising its commitment in brokering peace, the country said it had spent about $12 million in assisting those affected by Boko Haram crisis.

It said: “Switzerland’s historic commitment to humanitarian aid, the protection of individuals and the promotion of peace is known throughout the world.

“To date, Switzerland allocated close to $12 million to mitigate the affected population’s suffering from the Boko Haram crisis in the region. Most resources have been granted to protection and food security/nutrition-related programmes in neighbouring countries (Niger, Cameroon) to multilateral partners (WFP, UNHCR, ICRC) and NGOs (International Rescue Committee, COOPI, Croix-Rouge française).”

War against insurgency assumes dangerous trend—-FG

Meanwhile, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir David Lawal, said yesterday that the war against Boko Haram had taken a dangerous trend that required collective efforts and vigilance.

Lawal, who led a Federal Government delegation of three ministers to Maiduguri, Borno State capital, yesterday, to sympathize with the government and residents of Dalori over last weekend’s Boko Haram attacks, said the insurgents had graduated from capturing of communities and holding of territories to use of suicide bombers on the people, targeting higher casualties.

"When Boko Haram started, they were in the habit of capturing and holding on to territories because the past government allowed it.

Now they have moved to use of explosive devices on soft targets because of the heat on them by

our military troops.

"This is a dangerous trend. In this place of battle with the insurgents, we may need to change our tactics,” he said during a courtesy visit to Governor Kashim Shettima in Maiduguri.

The SGF said he was directed by the President to visit Borno with the Minister of State for Works, Power and Housing, Mustapha Shehuri, his Foreign Affairs (State) counterpart,

Khadija Abba Ibrahim and Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of State for Health to sympathize with the government and affected people.

He said the visit would also afford them the opportunity of assessing the extent of destruction and humanitarian challenges for the Federal Government to take appropriate action.

While sympathizing with residents of Dalori, a sprawling

community on the outskirts of Maiduguri that lost over 100 people in the weekend attack, the SGF said it was time to be more vigilant.

Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Usman Durkwa, who received the delegation on behalf of the governor, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his concern for Borno and northeast states affected by insurgency.

INSPECTION: From left, Minister of Transport, Mr Rotimi Ameachi; Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State; Deputy Governor, Titi Laoye-Tomori and Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, during an inspection of on-going project of MKO Abiola International Airport by the minister in Osogbo, during a tour of Federal Government projects in Osun State, yesterday.

Labour, allies protest hike in electricity tariff, Monday To picket DISCOs, GENCOs, NERC, others

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By Victor AhiumaYoung

AGOS—NIGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, and its Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, alongside civil society allies, yesterday declared a nationwide protest for Monday, February 8, against the hike in electricity tariff by government, in spite of a subsisting court order and nonimprovement in power supply.

During the planned protest, labour and its allies said all offices of the Distribution Companies, DISCOs; Generation Companies, GENCOs, nationwide and the office of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Agency, NERC, would be picketed.

Giving reasons for the protest, labour said: “The due process in the extant laws for such increment was not followed in consonance with section 76 of the Power Sector Reform Act, 2005.

"There has been no significant improvement in service delivery.

Moreover, the fact is that most consumers are not metered in

accordance with the signed privatization Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, of November 1, 2013, which stipulates that within 18 months gestation period, all consumers are to be metered.

“There is a subsisting Court Order dated May 28, 2015, by Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, in the case of Toluwani Yemi-Adebiyi versus NERC & Orders, that there shall be no further increment until the determination of the substantive suit. The increment at this time negates the present biting and prevailing economic recession vis-a-vis an attempt to further impoverish the poor masses.”

In a statement signed by Mr. Ayuba Wabba, factional President of NLC, labour decried what it described as the 45 per cent increase in the electricity tariff as announced by NERC. According to the statement, the protest “is a nation-wide protest, meaning that the 36 states of the federation, including Abuja, will

be involved in this action. Our members have been sufficiently mobilized and are ready to go. If you are an electricity consumer and you are not happy with the bills electricity companies serve you every month, you are invited to join this protest rally.

“The Abuja rally will start at Labour House, Central Business District at 8.00am before moving to the NERC head office at Adamawa Plaza, Plot 1099, First Avenue, Off Shehu Shagari Way, Central Business District. From the NERC office, the rally will roll to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company at Zone 4. The rally will mobilise from there to the National Assembly.

"This protest rally has become necessary after all effort to make NERC shelve the idea of increase failed. Indeed, rather than see reason with Nigerians, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing has been advancing spurious arguments in justification.”

No plan to sack NNPC staff — Kachikwu

By Michael Eboh

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BUJA — MINISTER of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has stated that staff of the corporation would not be sacked in the ongoing reforms of the corporation.

Kachikwu disclosed this to labour union leaders in the oil and gas sector in Abuja, explaining that the Federal Government will expand the operations of the NNPC to make it competitive, instead of reducing its workforce.

Speaking in the same vein, Deputy President, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Mr. Achese Igwe, said some concessions had been reached with the minister on the issue.

He said: “We are going to vehemently resist any attempt to sack workers. We have advised service companies and multinational firms that are in the act of outsourcing and contracting that this will portend the loss of jobs for Nigerians. We say no to them because that is not what this government is all about.

“The government today talks about job creation and not job losses. With the current economic challenge we are having in our country, we need not to lose jobs that are already created.”

Achese further stated that Kachikwu had assured labour union officials that there are no plans to cut jobs in the NNPC and its subsidiaries.

He said: “One of the concrete assurances he has given is that there will be no job loss. He has said there will be job security and he is thinking of expanding the business of the NNPC to be a profit organisation and to also be a world class oil and gas company like Petrobras, Petronas and the rest of them.

“If you ask me, what is the staff strength of the NNPC and what is the staff strength of Petrobras, Petronas and the rest of them? We are just an inch of the staff strength of these organisations. Most of them have a staff strength of 34,000 personnel and what is the staff strength of NNPC? The entire staff strength of NNPC today is not up 5,000 as the case maybe, and you are talking about these organisations that came after you or almost the same time with you."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

—9

10—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

INFORMATION MINISTER, LAI MOHAMMED MEETS NEWSPAPER PROPRIETORS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

From left: Vanguard Publisher, Mr Sam Amuka, Mallam Kabir Yusuf of Daily Trust, ThisDay Publisher/NPAN President, Nduka Obaigbena, Mr Ted Iwere, and Alhaji Ismaila Isa Funtua.

From left: Mr Fidelis Anosike of Daily Times, Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba

Members of NPAN in a group photograph with the minister after the meeting.

Mr Sam Nda Isaiah of Leadership Newspapers, Prince Obaigbena, and Mrs. Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, MD/CEO, Champion Newspapers.

Mr. Ray Ekpu and Mallam Kabir Yusuf.

Ms Comfort Obi, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and Prince Nduka Obaigbena

From left: GM/Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr Gbenga Adefaye, Ms Comfort Obi of The Source magazine, Mr Steve Nwosu of The Sun, and Mrs Funke Egbemode of The Telegraph.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 — 11

Ijesa monarch clashes with Ooni’s aides at council meeting ...As Oba Ogunwusi visits Owa in Ilesha

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO—THE monthly meeting of Osun State Council of Obas, yesterday ended abruptly following the leadership tussle between the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran.

But Oba Ogunwusi stated that he was not on the throne to contest with any traditional ruler on who becomes the chairman of the State Traditional Council of Obas adding that what was paramount to him is the unity of Yoruba race.

The issue of who chairs the meeting of the council has been in the front burner following the death of Oba Okunade Sijuwade who was the President of the Council.

Before the presentation of staff to Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on December 7, 2015, the Owa Obokun was acting chairman of the council.

At the October, 2015 meeting of the council, which was presided over by him in acting capacity, Oba Aromolaran, some prominent monarchs including Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Adedotun stayed away, in apparent protest of the decision of the council to allow the Owa lead it.

At the yesterday’s meeting of the council, some aides of Ooni of Ife, it was learnt brought a special seat for him and stood by it awaiting the arrival of Oba Ogunwusi.

Upon arrival at the venue, few minutes after 9: am, Owa Obokun, it was also gathered went to where Ooni’s seat was placed and

OONI VISITS OWA OBOKUN: From left: Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland and Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, The Ooni of Ile-Ife, during the Ooni's visit to the Owa Obokun in Ilesha, Osun State Yesterday. ordered the aide watching over it to leave, while the aide, reportedly, dismissed his order.

“There was a kind of struggle and we just saw that white cloth of the Emese (Ooni’s aide) was torn and the meeting ended before it commenced,” a source told our correspondent.

The Ooni on being briefed about the development drove straight to Government House, Osogbo, probably on the invitation of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

After a closed door meeting with Governor Aregbesola, Oba Ogunwusi accompanied by some

prominent traditional rulers in the state headed straight to the palace of the Owa of Ijeshaland for an unscheduled visit.

Oba Aromolaran who expressed his surprise at seeing the Ooni in his palace despite what happened earlier in Osogbo described Oba Ogunwusi as a true man of peace.

He assured Oba Ogunwusi of his support to join him in his efforts at unifying the Yoruba race.

In his response, Oba Ogunwusi said; “You are one of the prominent traditional rulers in Yorubaland and it is in my own interest and that of the larger Yoruba people to

Aluko’s planned arrest, invitation to anarchy – EKITI APC

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Adegboruwa lauds S’Court over recent judgments

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judge of the high o u r t of Osun State, Justice Yinka Afolabi has called on politicians in Ile-Ife irrespective of their political leanings to come together and raise Ife youths above the poverty level they are presently battling so that they can also be useful to the society.

Justice Afolabi said this at the 2016 Colloquium of the Ife Zenith Club titled,”Ife youth-Catalyst for change'', he delivered in Ile-Ife. His words:”If I may ask, which of our politicians since Chief M.A Omisade and Chief Remilekun FaniKayode’s demise has ever featured prominently in national politics? What about Yoruba politics? How many of them are in decision making level of Afenifere, Yoruba Council of Elders et al? None.''

“Ife politicians, this is the time for you to think. Are you building the youths to succeed you or destroying their future? How many of your own children have ever fallen victim of political molestation? ''Think! For the holy books say, what we sow, we will reap. It may not be now, it may be in the future. It may be in the time of our unborn generation. Think and fashion out ways to assist our youths to be useful to our society”.

He also tasked the youths in Ile-Ife to change their current disposition to politics ?which have kept them below poverty level over the years.’’ c

relate very well with the Owa. I just spent about three months on the throne now while you, Owa has spent about 34 years.”

“It is my responsibility to visit you first because you have been on the throne for long. It has been said by God Almighty that I should come and liberate Yorubaland and to ensure that peace and unity in the land. I am not engaging in any supremacy tussle with anybody.”

The spokesperson of the Ooni’s Palace, Mr. Moses Olafare, when contacted said it was incontrovertible that the Ooni remained the permanent chairman of the council.

He said, “ Although the Ooni ...Don’t encourage disrespect for judiciary, Fayose tells APC will not want to be drawn into what happened. But he ( Ooni)

By Rotimi Ojomoyela It also said the order given by a is sad over the warrant of arrest, remained the permanent Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti for it should advise Aluko to allow chairman of the council KITI State chapter of the the arrest of Aluko was at the the law take its course. according to the law.”

The APC in a statement by its All Progressives Congress, behest of the state governor, Mr Publicity Secretary in the state, APC, has warned that should the Ayodele Fayose. alleged plan to arrest a former This came as governor Fayose Mr Taiwo Olatunbosun said: Secretar y of the Peoples accused the APC of encouraging “The impression being created Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Tope disobedience of court order, noting by the court that Governor Aluko become a reality, the that the disrespect for the judiciary Fayose is a law unto himself or state may witness a breakdown is becoming a pattern in the party. that he has the court in his of law and order.

Fayose further said if the APC pocket, is worrisome against the backdrop of the prostrate attitude of the court when the same man that is slamming a perjury case against an official of his own petitions, across the country, spell party stormed the court with hope for our country. They constitute thugs to sack the court sitting

By Innocent Anaba a glorious reminder of the golden over his own perjury case.''

AGOS lawyer and rights years of our apex court, when Don’t encourage objectivity and activist, Mr Ebun-Olu courage, Adegboruwa, has commended the intellectualism, were the hallmarks disrespect for judiciary, Fayose tells APC Nigerian Supreme Court for its of jurisprudence.

On his part, Governor Fayose, “These erudite decisions, coming courage in the face of antagonism in uphold the law in judgment it in the face of threats, blackmail and through his Chief Press delivered in the Rivers, Abia, intimidation of judges across the Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, Akwa-Ibom, Delta state land, bear a loud testimony of the said; “The APC needs to be told valiant struggles of all our heroes in frank language that a governorship election appeals.

Adegboruwa in a statement in past. In another sense, they d e m o c r a t i c a l l y - e l e c t e d Lagos, yesterday, said “The recent constitute a bold declaration of government is on ground in Ekiti autonomy and State and the victory is not one judgments of the Supreme Court, judicial got through judicial coup. in respect of the various election jurisprudential authority.''

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Judge tasks Ife politicians over youth unemployment

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Alleged false declaration of assets: S-Court decides Saraki’s fate today

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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appeal for want of merit, insisting that it has established a prima-facie criminal case to warrant the prosecution of the Senate President before the CCT. Urging the apex court to direct the appellant to go and clear his name before the tribunal, FG relied on the provision of section 4(2)(b) of the interpretation Act, to contend that Saraki was properly charged before the CCT. It will be recalled that a previous panel of the apex court headed by Justice John Fabiyi, who is now retired, had in a ruling on November 12, 2015 suspended further hearing on the case pending against Saraki before the CCT. The Justice Fabiyi panel which was disbanded by the CJN, specifically directed the CCT panel to “tarry awhile”, to enable the apex court to hear Saraki’s appeal.

Saraki had in his six grounds of appeal, prayed the Supreme Court to set-

BUJA—THE Supreme Court will today, deliver judgment on the appeal seeking to quash the 13-count charge the Federal Government filed against the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, before the Code of Conduct Bureau.

The judgment will be delivered by a seven-man panel of Justices of the apex court, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed.

The government had, in the charge it filed before the CCT, alleged that Saraki tampered with the assets declaration form he filled prior to his emergence as the Senate President.

He was said to have deliberately manipulated the assets declaration form by making anticipatory declarations.

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

All the offences contained in the charge were said to have been committed while Saraki held sway as the governor of Kwara State.

By Emman Nevertheless, Saraki, Ovuakporie & through his team of Johnbosco lawyers led by Chief J. B. Agbakwuru Daudu, SAN, went before B U J A — the apex court to FOLLOWING a challenge the competence gas leak in some of the charge which he said ought to be quashed communities in Rivers State, the House of for want of merit.

Relying on the R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s provision of Paragraph Committee on Public yesterday, 15(1) to the Fifth Schedule Petitions, threatened to compel the of the 1999 Constitution, Managing Director of Total as amended, Saraki Nigeria, Alexis Vovk, to maintained that the Justice Danladi Umar-led appear before it, if he fails panel of the CCT was not to do so on Monday next legally and properly week.

The petitioners, through composed to try him. lawyer, are He argued that a two- their demanding N7 billion as member panel of the damages following the gas CCT that has been presiding over the case leak which they said against him fell short of affected their communities the constitutional of Obita / Egita in the state. requirement.

Moreover, Saraki contended that the CCT, not being a court that is

By Chris Njoku constitutionally equipped with criminal jurisdiction, E N E R A L lacked the powers to dock Manager, Delta him on the basis of the 13- Broadcasting Services count charge.

Limited, DBS, Warri, Delta Besides, it was his State, Mr. Tunde argument that the fact that Omonode, has said that his there was no substantive organisation would partner Attorney-General of the agro-based industries to Federation as at the time boost the state the charge was filed, government’s internally rendered it incompetent. generated revenue, IGR, in FG, through its lawyer line with the Delta State Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, governor, Dr. Ifeanyi however, urged the apex Okowa’s SMART agenda. court to dismiss Saraki’s Omonode made the

aside the majority verdict of the appellate court panel delivered by Justices Moore Adumein and Mohammed Mustapha on September 30, 2015.

Alternatively, he wants the

The company’s representatives, who initially did not want to comment on the matter on the ground that it was in court, however, alleged that the petitioners had threatened to sue Total abroad.

Chairman of the Committee, Uzoma Nkem Abonta, wondered why the petitioners would want to sue Total abroad when the jurisdiction of the leak was in Nigeria.

He directed that the Managing Director of the company should appear in person in the bid to resolve the matter, adding that he would be compelled to do so if he refuses to appear before his committee on Monday next week.

DBS boss partners agro firms to boost IGR promise when the

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He is praying the apex court to evaluate the split judgment of the appellate court with a view to determining whether or not the charge pending before the CCT ought not to be quashed.

PROMO: Cross section of winners at the prize presentation for the Western Union talk for free promotion in Lagos.

Gas leak: Reps threaten to arrest Total MD

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court to uphold the dissenting verdict of the third member of the appellate court panel, Justice Joseph Ekanem, who not only voided the 13-count criminal charge before the CCT, but also discharged him.

leadership of Ugboroke Fish Farmers Association visited him in his office in Warri.

In his address to the association’s executives, Omonode assured them of all necessary assistance to showcase their businesses to the world, and promised to use his office to assist the association and other agrobased industries to key into Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s SMART agenda and the mantra of prosperity for all Deltans.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016—13

Maritime workers urge Bayelsa govt to review ban on 200hp boats

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By Samuel Oyadongha

E N A G O A — MARITIME workers in Bayelsa State have called on the state government to review its ban on the use of 200 horsepower engine boats on the waterways in the state.

They said that the decision to ban the use of 200 horse power engine boats was wrong as it would impact negatively on their operations.

Bayelsa State Government had on Monday, after its security council meeting in Yenagoa, announced the ban on the use of 200 horse power engine boats and directed security agencies to commence stop and search operations on land and the waterways.

According to the government, the decision which excludes security operatives, was part of efforts to combat kidnapping, sea piracy and other criminal activities on the state waterways.

But the Bayelsa State chapter of the Maritime Workers Union, in a statement, yesterday in Yenagoa by its chairman, Lloyd Sese, said: "The issue of sea piracy and kidnapping that informed the decision is an age long issue that has been begging for quick action on the part of the government.”

The union noted that no conscious effort was made by the state government to meet with its members before taking the decision.

The ban, according to the union, would further impoverish speedboat operators, many of whom have been victims of sea pirates attacks and kidnappers in recent times.

“The union had in the past tried to reach out to government with a view to proffer workable solution to the problems of kidnapping and sea piracy but the government did not attach any importance to it. It thereby went ahead

to put the lives of waterway commuters in danger.

“In the light of the current security situation, it is not safe for us to use 75 horse power engines in the creeks because the transport boats would always be out runned by criminals that equip their boats with 200 horse power engines.

“We, therefore, call on the state government to upgrade the security infrastructure in the creeks to stem the challenges rather than ban the use of 200 horse power boats for transportation purposes.”

PDP chieftain flays proposed cancellation of Maritime Varsity

By Tare Youdeowei

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chieftain of P e o p l e s Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, Olorogun Okiemute Okwagbe, has condemned the proposal by the Minister of Transportation and Aviation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, to scrap the Nigerian Maritime University, NMU, Okerenkoko, Delta State.

He described the alleged move as an error and a show of insensitivity to the plight of the people of the Niger Delta in particular and Nigerians in general.

He said: "Amaechi has lost touch with the roots of his political career.’’

Speaking in Warri, Okwagbe argued that the idea was an agenda meant to serve selfish and clannish interests, emphasizing that Gbaramatu Kingdom contributes immensely to the national treasury through oil production.

According to him, the cancellation proposed by the Minister will be counter productive because the reasons are meant to settle cheap scores which are not in line with the general development agenda of the nation.

Accident: Oshiomhole doles out N15m to wounded journalists, drivers

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By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has splashed the sum of N15 million on some journalists and drivers who are still facing different health challenges following the accident involving his convoy on Auchi-Afuze Road, Warrake, in Edo State on April 28, 2012, which led to the death of three journalists.

In addition to the money given to them, the governor who expressed shock at the condition of the victims, directed the state Ministry of Heath to immediately evaluate the condition of C M Y K

the victims, saying, “If it is something doctors cannot handle here in Nigeria, we can fly them abroad for proper treatment because I believe you people can still walk properly.”

Four of the victims have challenges with their legs while three others are facing different challenges.

The governor spoke when the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in the state, led by its chairman, Rowland Osakwe, led the victims to the governor on the request of the governor.

It will be recalled that the victims were admitted at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH,

at the expense of the state government. But it was discovered that some of them have serious challenges with their legs apparently due to improper treatment.

Oshiomhole, who personally accessed the victims, said, “From what I have seen, UBTH did not do a good job. Why would they be discharge when they are not yet okay? I thought these my friends were okay and walking all these years but never knew that they are still suffering.

If the hospital doesn’t have good orthopaedic doctors, I think the best thing would have been to inform us so we can look for alternative.”

14 —Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

FUNERAL RECEPTION FOR PA VINCENT OLUDAYO OJUTIKU AT EVENT CENTRE, IKEJA, LAGOS, YESTERDAY. PHOTOS BY KEHINDE GBADAMOSI

From Left; Chief Dr Kayode Ojutiku, Chief Gori Sonola, and Chief From left; Mrs Folake Soyinka; Chief Kayode Ojutiku; Chief Mrs Doyin Ojutiku; Akin Ogunjulugbe.

Prof Wole Soyinka, and Oba Kole Ojutalayo, Faderera 1, Laroka of Wanikin-Ife, Osun State.

From left; Prof Kayode Odusote, and Mr. Biodun Sobanjo, CEO, Troyka Holdings.

From left; Gen Alani Akinrinade (retd), Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, Former Chairman, Punch Newspaper, and Oba Kole Ojutalayo.

From Left: Chief Dr Kayode Ojutiku, celebrant and Chief Yemi Ogunbiyi,.

$2.1BN ARMS PROBE: Why I returned N25m Metuh gave me — WITNESS •Dasuki knows fate on bail condition Monday

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA—AN aide to former Vice-President Namadi Sambo, Mr. Abba Dabo, yesterday, explained before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, why he returned N25million given to him by the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh.

This came as an Abuja High Court sitting at Maitama, yesterday, fixed Monday to rule on an application by the embattled former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, (retd), seeking to quash the N32 billion money laundering charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Dabo, who was a Special Adviser to the ex-VP, Sambo, told the court that he quickly returned the money to the Economic and Financial Crimes

Commission, EFCC, after his name appeared in the list of those that benefited from the $2.1billion arms fund largesse.

He testified before the trial court yesterday as the seventh prosecution witness, PW-7.

In his Evidence-in-Chief, Dabo, told the court that on December 16, 2015, the 1st defendant, gave him the N25m to assist him (Metuh) to intensify publicity for the re-election of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said that Metuh equally mandated him to publicise the campaign activities of the PDP with a view to ensuring that the party retained its hold on the presidential power.

He said: “When it became obvious that former President Goodluck Jonathan will run for a second term in office, government officials and party leaders started to meet to review the achievements of the government and prepare for the elections.

“In the course of those meetings, a lot of concern was shown in the opposition’s total control of the

media. The PDP was getting negative publicity, and ministers were told to speak more to the press to enhance the image of the government.

“On my part, we set up a media support group and registered it as ‘Media Support System’ to do media work for the party. We commissioned writers to write and be paid to promote the government.

“We called it rapid response team which was successful. It was its success that led to more meetings with Metuh.

“As at then, the social media was becoming more stringent in the criticism of the PDP. Also, Hausa radio stations were vicious in the attack of the government and the party. Chief Metuh thought I could assist in mitigating this, that was why he gave me the N25m five days after the presidential nomination convention.

“With that money, we set up a team of facilitators and young IT enthusiasts to run a website called, ‘What’s Up Naija’, but we could not register it because the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, wanted

it to be ‘What’s Up Nigeria”, the witness added.

The witness told the court that though he was not aware of the source of the N25m that was given to him by Metuh, he said that he voluntarily returned the money to the EFCC after his name appeared in newspaper publications.

“It was in the newspaper that I saw that the money was part of the arms purchase deal.

When the money was given to me, I did not know where it came from and I did not ask.

“I thought that Metuh got some funding from sources and I remember that he wrote a proposal to former President Jonathan on how to enhance the image of the PDP and by extension the federal government.

Meanwhile, an Abuja High Court sitting at Maitama, yesterday, fixed Monday to rule on an application by the embattled former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, (retd), seeking

to quash the N32billion money laundering charge that was preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Dasuki who is facing trial alongside the erstwhile Director of Finance in the Office of the NSA, Mr. Shuaibu Salisu and a former Executive Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Aminu Baba-Kusa , is praying the court to discharge him from the 19-count criminal charge.

Also charged over the alleged fraud were two firms- Acacia Holding Limited and Reliance Referal Hospital Limited, which the anti-graft agency identified as conduit pipes through which the N32bn was allegedly siphoned from accounts the office of the NSA operated with both the Central Bank of Nigeria and other financial institutions.

The funds were allegedly distributed to delegates that attended the Presidential Primary Election of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, held in Abuja.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5 , 2016—15

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BIAFRA: Conduct referendum for secession

now, MASSOB tells FG E

By Francis Igata

NUGU—THE Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra,MASSOB, yesterday, asked the Federal Government to quickly conduct a referendum in the south-east geopolitical zone as a precursor to secession or face the total shutdown of socio-economic activities in the region and beyond.

The pro-Biafra group vowed to unleash its potent force towards making Nigeria ungovernable if its stance was not heeded by the Federal Government.

MASSOB Director of Information, Samuel Edeson in a statement to newsmen in Enugu yesterday, said: ”We shall use everything at our disposal to fight Nigeria government especially through civil disobedience. We are going to call for sit at home in all Biafra land and Lagos. MASSOB will drag former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the

International Crime Court, ICC, for all the atrocities he committed against Biafra since 1970.

“We are asking for justice for the massacre of Odi people, the Tiv, Jukum and the massacre of

MASSOB members in Aba, Okigwe and Onitsha including the killing of six Igbo traders in Apo, Abuja. MASSOB will be taking her campaign to United States of America, United Kingdom, France and China

embassies in Abuja. MASSOB therefore calls on all people of old eastern region, Delta, parts of Kogi and parts of Benue State to support the referendum that would soon take place in Biafraland. Our freedom is non negotiable”

VISIT: Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and the new Custom Area Controller, Zone C, Controller Haruna Mahmud, during a visit to the Governor at Government House, Owerri, yesterday.

ECONOMIC MELTDOWN: We won't sack workers

—Ugwuanyi

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By Emeka Mamah

NUGU—GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has assured that his administration would not sack workers irrespective of lack of funds occasioned by the prevailing harsh economic condition in the country.

Ugwanyi spoke when he visited the state headquarters of the Water Corporation, adding that government would also continue to pay salaries “because that is the only way to motivate the civil servants and reactivate the economy of Enugu State.

“Irrespective of the harsh situation in the state and the country at large, the government of Enugu state will continue to identify with the pains and suffering of the workforce,” he said.

Governor Ugwuanyi then released N100 million to the Water Corporation to enable it reactivate its dilapidated equipment and ensure steady water supply in the state.

He said that his administration would continue to provide enabling environment for organizations and people to enable them contribute their quota towards the development of the state.

Earlier, the state Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr. Charles Egumgbe noted that the state government would soon restore the past glory of the corporation, noting that Governor Ugwuanyi

was in his office to interface with the management and staff of the organization to enable him strategize on how to reactivate the corporation.

In a brief remark, the

chairman of the corporation, Mr. Gabriel Attama asked the governor to come to the aid of the pensioners of the corporation whose pension had not been paid since February last year.

Attama aslo requested the governor to consider absorbing the staff of the corporation into the state civil service to alleviate their problems after retirement.

S-COURT JUDGMENT: ‘Ignore Chris Uba, others'

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By Vincent Ujumadu

WKA—FOLLOWING last week’s judgment by the Supreme Court over the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Anambra State, the National Assembly has been called upon not to listen to Chief Chris Uba and others claiming that they have been cleared to take over as elected federal lawmakers.

A legal practitioner in the chambers of Chief Arthur Obi Okafor, SAN, counsel to the affected Anambra lawmakers, Mr. Vincent Otaokpukpu, in a statement made available to reporters in Awka, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the general public to disregard and ignore what he described as the misleading media reports on the matter to the effect that the Supreme Court had sacked PDP senators and other members of the national assembly.

The statement read: “From the foregoing, it is clear that the Supreme Court did not order the withdrawal of the certificates of return issued to our clients.

The court also did not hold that

the state PDP (Oguebego led Executive) had the right to sponsor candidates for the party.

“The apex court did not order Senator Andy Uba, Senator Stella Uduah and seven other members of the House of Representatives representing Anambra State to vacate their seats whatsoever as rumored in the social media, as same was not asked for by the appellant (Ejike Oguebego) in the

Supreme Court, nor at the Federal High Court.

“The apex court did not equally authorize INEC, who was the 2nd respondent in the appeal, to substitute our clients with the individuals whose nameswereimproperlyallowedbyINEC in obvious disregard of the plethora of judgmentsoftheSupremeCourtofNigeria to the effect that it is only the National Executive Committee of the party that has the right and capacity to sponsor candidates."

Shell postpones FID on Bonga South West

By Michael Eboh with Agency Report

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BUJA—SHELL, yesterday, said it has postponed Final Investment Decision, FID, on Bonga South West in deep water Nigeria as part of its global cost-cutting programme.

In addition to Bonga, Shell also declared that it has exited the Bab sour gas project in Abu Dhabi, and is postponing final investment decisions on LNG Canada project in British Columbia.

Chief Executive Officer of Shell, Ben van Beurden, who stated this during the presentation of the company’s fourth quarter and full year 2015 results, said: “We are making substantial changes in the company, reorganising our Upstream, and reducing costs and capital investment, as we refocus Shell, and respond to lower oil prices.”

Shell-led LNG Canada joint venture had received in January an LNG facility permit

by British Columbia’s Oil and Gas Commission, for its proposed project located near Kitimat.

The Canadian National Energy Board also recently granted a 40-year export licence to LNG Canada.

Under the licence, which still has to be approved by the Governor in Council, LNG Canada is allowed to export 1,494 billion cubic metres.

The project, proposed by the joint venture of Shell, PetroChina, Kogas and Mitsubishi Corporation, would initially consist of two 6.5 metric tonne per annum (mtpa) LNG production trains with an option to expand the facility with additional two trains.

350 firms, 7 countries for Enugu Int'l Trade Fair

By Francis Igata

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NUGU—THE Enugu State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, ECCIMA, yesterday, disclosed that over 350 firms, including participation drawn from seven countries will be witnessed at the 27th Enugu International Trade Fair scheduled to commence March 25 and end April 4.

This year ’s 10-days fair titled,”Diversification of the Nation's Economy: from Rhetorics to Coordinated action” will focus on the agricultural sector towards boosting indulgence in agricultural production and commercial

farming in a bid to diversify the economy.

The event will hold at the International Trade Fair Complex Permanent site along Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

While briefing newsmen at ECCIMA Secretariat, the President, Mr. Ugochukwu Chime, revealed that specific areas have been designated for the exhibition of new products, prototypes, innovations and research findings for commercialization as a panacea for economic diversification.

According to Chime, ”over 350 firms will participate and we are expecting exhibitors from Ghana, Cameroon, Canada,South korea,

Singapore, South Africa among others to exchange ideas on ways to bring technological advancement to the individual countries.

“We are hopeful that we are going to receive the support of Enugu State government towards therehabilitationof internalroadswithin the fair complex for a more amenable atmosphere for vehicular and human traffic. As part of our efforts to boost the success of the fair, we shall embark on strategic sensitization tours and consolidating our marketing with visits to stakeholders both in public and private sector in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the country.”

16 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5 , 2016

Satellite Town residents want tank farms relocated

By Charles Kumolu

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AGOS—RESIDENTS of Satellite Town under the auspices of Concerned Satellite Resident Associations, CRA, have called on the Lagos State government to urgently relocate fuel tankers from the area, noting that their presence poses a threat to lives and property.

They also lamented that fuel tankers have taken over the once peaceful residential area following the citing of a tank farm among residential apartments.

Spokesperson of CRA, Mr. Theophilus Bamisaye told Vanguard that the area is no longer safe for the inhabitants, calling for the issue to be treated as a matter of urgency by Governor Akinwumi Ambode.

ZIKA VIRUS: Cleric calls for prayer

By Etop Ekanem

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HE General Overseer of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries, a.k.a Liberation City, Dr. Chris Okafor, has urged Nigerians to pray against an epidemic of biblical proportion.

Speaking yesterday at his office, Okafor said he had last year warned of a new sexually transmitted disease that would be greater than the dreaded HIV/AIDS. He said: “God is not happy with mankind. The sins today are so much that it is the devil that is now in the control seat. The world needs to pray harder to avert what is about to happened.

“When the Zika virus came, I told my people it is here. Today, medics have confirmed sexually transmitted Zika virus case in the United States.’

“This is the beginning of a global crisis and we need to pray to avert what is about to happen.

“This new sexually transmitted disease, deadlier than HIV has been released from the kingdom of darkness to destroy humans and it is only a matter of time before it gets to biblical proportion.

“We need God at this crucial point in our lives.

Just as we prayed against Ebola, we also need to pray against this virus.”

HELICOPTER CRASH: 3 survivors suffer hypothermia, aircraft type suspended

By Lawani Mikairu & Daniel Eteghe, with Agency reports

SikorskyS-76C++ from further operations in Nigeria due to the successive mishaps of the said aircraft type on the coastal waters of Lagos.

Usually reliable sources told Vanguard that three of the survivors suffered a medical condition known as hypothermia but they are currently said to be in a stable condition.

Hypothermia, a potentially dangerous drop in body

Meantime, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, yesterday suspended Bristow Helicopter ’s aircraft type ACTS about the state SikorskyS-76C++ from further of health of survivors of operations in Nigeria due to the Wednesday’s 5B BJQ Bristow successive mishaps of the said helicopter crash emerged aircraft type on the coastal waters yesterday. of Lagos.

This is as the Nigerian Civil Disclosing this at the NCAA Aviation Authority, NCAA, Annex, Murtala Muhammed yesterday suspended Bristow International Airport, MMIA, Helicopter ’s aircraft type NCAA suspends aircraft type Lagos, Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Captain Muhtar Usman said that the aircraft type had been suspended till further notice pending when the authority will carry out a full audit on it.

Bristow Helicopters have suffered successive air mishaps on Lagos coastal waters with its SikorskyS-76C++ aircraft type within the last six months.

Captain Usman said “On the heels of the Bristow Helicopter’s controlled ditching yesterday, 3rd February 2016. I consider it expedient to communicate to you certain decisions that the Authority has taken concerning the incident.

“These decisions are without SUMMIT: Deputy Director, News & Current Affairs, Radio Nigeria, Lagos Operations, prejudice to the investigations Alhaja Sherifat Ahmed; Acting Director, Lagos Operations, Radio Nigeria, Mr. Adeyinka being conducted by the Accident Amosu; Representative of the Director-General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria Investigation Bureau (AIB). As a (FRCN), Mallam Muhammed Bello; Director, Lagos Operations, Radio Nigeria, Mr. Emeka matter of fact, it will serve to assist Odikpo; Director, Marketing, FRCN, Mrs. Vera Oshokoya and Director, Nigeria the entire process. The Authority Broadcasting Academy, Mr. Pius Osemwegie, during the 2016 Content Provider Summit/ Retreat of Radio Nigeria, Lagos Operations, held at the Lagos State VIP Chalet, Badagry. will fully support AIB in the investigation.

“The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has therefore decided to suspend the operation of the Bristow Helicopters collapsed building will be SikorskyS-76C++ type till further deregistered from engineering notice,” Usman stressed.

The church also prayed the practice.

By Abdulwahab Abdulah, The Registrar, Council for the Johnbosco Agbakwuru, court for a judicial review of the Regulation of Engineering in Bartholomew Madukwe & Lagos State coroner system.

In a related development, the Nigeria, COREN, Engr. Kamila Jane Echewodo Nigeria Society of Engineers, Maliki disclosed to Vanguard at AGOS State NSE, has said that the two the inauguration of Engr. government yesterday engineers involved in the Francis Ikechukwu Azuka as urged an Ikeja High Court to collapsed building of the the Abuja chapter chairman of

By Bartholomew dismiss with substantial cost a Synagogue Church in Lagos who the Nigerian Institution of Madukwe suit filed by the Registered were found culpable in the Mechanical Engineers.

Trustees of Synagogue Church UMAN rights activist of All Nations, SCOAN, and lawyer, Mr. Femi challenging the verdict of Aborisade, has called on the coroner inquest into the Independent National Electoral collapse of a six-storey building Commission, INEC, to obey the within the church premises on judgment of the Federal High September 12, 2014 that in Ilupeju, Court and restore the status of AGOS—RESIDENTS Olutunda claimed 116 lives. and communities across Association Avenue, Kayode Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, The government prayed the Lagos State are complying with Adebanji in Ejigbo, Olutosin as a registered political party in court to discountenance the the policy of the Akinwunmi Ajayi in Ajao Estate, Ayanboye Nigeria. church argument stating that Ambode administration to keep Street,Kosofe and Fawole Street In Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/806/ the issue of wrong heading of their street gates open between in Shomolu.

14, the parties challenged the the nomenclature of the 5.30am and 12midnight daily.

Commending Lagosin for constitutionality of its decoroner mentioned by the their support for the policy, registration at the Federal High A statement by the Special church was a mere irregularity Adviser to the Governor on Bamigbetan urged community Court, Abuja Judicial Division. which cannot render the Communities The trial judge, Justice Adeniyi & leaders to mobilise more proceedings of the coroner Communications, Mr. Kehinde landlords behind the policy to Ademola, declared the deinvalid.

Bamigbetan disclosed that ensure that the objectives of the registration of PRP and the two Registered Trustees of the random feedbacks from the administration are achieved. other political parties Synagogue Church of All officials of the Community The administration revived the unconstitutional and ordered Nations (SCOAN) told the Development Associations with open gate in daytime policy to INEC to restore the status of the court that the Lagos State pictorial evidence demonstrate facilitate the patrol of parties as registered political coroner court under which the that the residents have embraced neighbourhoods by the police, parties. church was indicted over the the policy. provide speedier access of the Fire The court also ordered INEC to collapse of six storey building Streets which have town open Services to landlords in need and continue to recognize and deal within the premises of the their gates include Aisha save pregnant women in labour with PRP as a registered political church does not exist in law. party in Nigeria.

Animashaun, Awori, Johnson and from avoidable death.

F

temperature, is usually caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, in this case the Atlantic Ocean, which the chopper “ditched” into.

According to the sources, another survivor had a swollen arm while the fifth had a swollen shoulder.

The others, including two crew members, did not suffer any serious injuries from the crash.

SYNAGOGUE: Lagos counters SCOAN’s move to quash coroner’s verdict

Aborisade wants PRP restored as a party

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Lagos communities comply with open street gates policy

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 —17

Jonathan’s silence

unfolding is generating fevered debates and consuming many of Jonathan’s associates and cronies and onetime subordinates.

And though none of them have been found guilty by any court of law, we are told that the evidence against some of them is compelling.

If it turns out that The Accused have committed financial crimes that are extremely serious, not least because they have undermined our armed forces and increased the death toll in

I

’VE just chanced upon an article that was written in The Will, an online publication, on January 11.

It stated that the PDP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Abdulahi Jalo, “has tasked former President Goodluck Jonathan to speak out on the controversial $2.1bn meant for the purchase of arms to fight the Boko Haram insurgency during his tenure but which was allegedly shared by some influential politicians.”

According to this report, Jalo – who is from the North-East and has personal experience of the devastation caused by the terrible violence and insecurity that has scarred the region since Boko Haram emerged - said (at a press briefing in Abuja) that the sharing of money by party members was a disgrace and that the controversy surrounding the disbursement of funds by the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, “should have attracted the former President’s attention.”

And, furthermore, that Jonathan should tell Nigerians and the international community who authorised the sharing of the money.

Disbursement of funds “As all of you know,” Jalo continued, “no single kobo can be spent by the Federal Government without an act of the National Assembly. Money earmarked for arms purchase, some people diverted it to something else. So many people that you cannot even expect were involved. Now, darkness has come to light…. …[and since] “Jonathan is alive, he should clarify whether he asked the National Security Adviser to divert money meant to fight Boko Haram…”

Though I understand Jalo’s frustration, Jonathan is not legally obliged to say anything at the moment; and I can see why Jonathan’s only comment so far has been (in a French TV interview) that he laid a solid foundation for terrorism to be defeated and that his successor, President Buhari, is con-

Former President Goodluck Jonathan ducting the war against Boko Haram with weapons that were bought by the Jonathan administration.

Jonathan has yet to specifi-

cally respond to the allegations against Dasuki and others. He has, so far, chosen to maintain a studious silence on this front.

Meanwhile, the scandal that is

Jonathan has yet to specifically respond to the allegations against Dasuki and others. He has, so far, chosen to maintain a studious silence on this front

the North East, I will be SO disappointed that men of such seniority betrayed our trust and callously ignored the nation’s wellbeing.

If the VIPs in the dock did indeed misbehave so massively when they were in powerful positions, it is unlikely that Jonathan didn’t have a clue what any of them were up to and possible that Jonathan even gave them permission to misbehave.

Whatever the case may be, the arms probe wahala is not going to go away anytime soon. It will hog the headlines for the forseeable future; and Jonathan probably won’t be able to maintain a lofty Pontius Pilatesque stance forever because he was overtly close to many of the individuals who are being detained, queried and tried.

He also happened to be their Boss. And we all know that the buck stops on the Boss’s desk and that even when a Boss is unaware of his underlings’ misdeeds, he has to take part of the blame for anything that goes wrong under his watch.

This sad and sordid drama will not be complete without some explanations from the former Commander-In-Chief; and I can’t wait to hear Jonathan’s side of the story.

Anyaoku hits the nail on the head C

HIEF Emeka Anyaoku, the highly respected former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, recently talked about the failings of some Nigerian Christians.

His exact words (according to a quotation on the back page of yesterday’s ThisDay newspaper): “These days, we have people of questionable character giving money to the church, while some even use such money gotten from dubious means to build churches without anyone questioning such practices.

“Even as one of the most religious countries in the world, there is still a high rate of moral depravity, corruption and societal ills in Nigeria.”

I couldn’t agree more with Chief Anyaoku. Too many Nigerian Christians are chronic hypocrites. They carry on incessantly about their belief in God. They fast. They attend vigils and crusades.

They flock to churches in droves every Sunday.

Our Muslim brethren are also steeped in religiousity and doggedly fast during special periods like Ramadan and pack mosques all over the land every Friday.

But what do we have to show for this widespread “devotion” to Jesus and Allah?

A country that is riddled with completely avoidable political, economic and social dysfunctions…and is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy because so many public servants have no consciences and have shamelessly looted the Treasury.

And please note that government officials are not the only culprits. Too many

Nigerians from ALL walks of life, private sector folks, pastors, priests and imams included, are (despite their inyour-face religiousity) not sufficiently ethical.

A worthy effort

M

Y lawyer friend, John Synger, has just written a book on laws regulating land in Nigeria. It discusses the Land Use Act, other Federal Legislations and State Laws…and is a user guide for anyone who intends to purchase or develop land.

I’ve worked with John Synger in the past and know him to be a meticulous researcher who doesn’t cut corners. I also possess some legal knowledge, having studied law for a while in the UK; and I think it is fair to describe this book as a worthy effort that will be immensely useful to professionals and laymen alike.

The book, titled “The Nigerian Land Use Hand Book”, costs N5000 and will be on sale from Monday February 15th onwards in shops outside the following premises: The High Court of Rivers State, Port Harcourt The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja The High Court of Lagos State, Lagos Island The High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja The book can also be purchased via email or via phone. Contact details: Tel: +2347063400268, +2348091716795; johnsynger@hotmail.com

Chief Emeka Anyaoku

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

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

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 ON February 1, 2016, the World Health Organisation, WHO, declared the Zika virus infection a public health emergency of international concern, following widespread reports about its suspected role in causing birth defects among newborns when pregnant women are infected. The WHO says it expects 3-4 million Zika infections in the Americas over the next 12 months.

A mosquito-borne illness in the past, Zika virus was only known to cause mild illness, such as fever, rashes, muscle/joint pain, and conjunctivitis. Severe disease and fatalities were uncommon. The mosquito that carries the Zika virus, the Aedes aegypti mosquito, is the same mosquito that spreads the Yellow Fever. It occurs worldwide, posing a high risk of global transmission. The fears of significant international spread by travellers from the Latin American countries to the rest of the world are real.

In recent times, however, con-

Facing down the Zika virus challenge cerns have emerged about severe clinical manifestations, including auto-immune-like illnesses and congenital neurological malformations such as microcephaly, a rare birth defect that stunts the growth of a baby’s brain and head.

Evidence of the Zika virus has been found in the placenta and amniotic fluid of mothers and in the brains of foetuses or newborns.

Several infected individuals, pregnant and non-pregnant, have been documented after international travel. Over 4,000 cases of suspected microcephaly have been reported to date representing a 20-fold increase from 2010.

Since Brazil reported the Zika virus in May 2015, infections have

occurred in at least 24 countries in the Americas. The disease now has “explosive” pandemic potential, with outbreaks reported in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas. It is a worrisome development because there is no vaccine that can prevent the infection and very few tests available to detect it.

Given rapidly evolving epidemiological and virological data of the infection, the issuance of a travel alert by the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, urging pregnant women from Nigeria not to travel to affected parts of the world is proactive and commendable. In the absence of a safe and effective Zika virus vaccine, the

declaration of a public health emergency is helping to keep the focus on political attention, while encouraging stakeholder involvement in increasing allocated resources.

A key lesson learned from the 2014 ebola outbreak is the need for an intermediate-level response, avoiding overreaction while still galvanizing appreciable national response. It is expected that the national response would be backed through adoption of stronger health system capacities.

Indeed, Nigeria’s preparedness for Zika virus infection, should reflect intense health information campaigns, backed by accelerated research and development and other core strategies for tackling mosquito-borne diseases in line with international standards.

Strategies required for effective mosquito surveillance to ensure focused inter ventions must be employed without delay.

OPINION Oshiomhole, godfather and the godson

By Steven Ikelebe

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N 2007, without mincing words, Governor Adams Oshiomhole's governorship mandate was achieved on the ethos of eliminating "The Godfather" in our body politics; a feat vigorously executed with pump and fanfare.

The barbarous entrapment of "polipenureship" is the perpetual squabbles between the godfather/godson who are permanently at dagger's draw. Any time you hear the word godfather, what comes to mind is the Christian position of true mentorship on the one hand and what transpired between Senator Chris Ngige, a former governor of Anambra State and his estranged godfather on the other hand. In Nigeria today, no politician can come out and declare himself a good mentor.

The second most visible example of godfatherism gone awry is the current fight between Lucky Igbinedion, his father, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion and Governor Adams Oshiomhole himself whose 2007 election was allegedly bankrolled by the Igbinedion’s family. Even though the Igbinedion’s family didn’t pill pressure on nor Oshiomhole for patronage, their understanding, perhaps may be to protect former governor Lucky Igbinedion from prosecution. Oshiomhole honoured that pact until Pastor Ize-Iyamu strong showing in the build up to the 2016 election.

Across board, godfathers are expected to sponsor or support their godsons and give them advice on how to excel in their areas of assignment but the reverse seems to be

the case in Nigeria. I have always believed that Nigeria’s kind of godfather has only one aim, which is to recoup all monies expended in getting their godsons into power. And as we all know, godfatherism is now permanent resident in the nation’s political landscape since an average Nigerian politicain is incurably greedy. And this the godfathers exploit, as ruthless and mindless benefactors.

I have watched with dismay in Nigeria today, that hardly can a political green-horn win an election without the support of a godfather. Same applies at party primaries where candidates are ‘selected’ instead of elected. And this has not in anyway helped in the development of the country, rather it has in a every way led to bad governace.

This is a monster that must be that must be nipped in the bud. ‘Selected” governors, for example, after being sworn in open the state coffers to repay the godfathers with tax payers’ money. This is nothing but looting with impunity.

Besides, politics where godfathers and their godsons continue to steal from the State’s treasury, the ills of godfatherism had continued to stare us in the face with no remedy in sight. Civil servants, those in the private employ, and even teachers in remote villages know that having a godfather helps put food on the table, and movement up the social strata of life.

Oshiomhole's guber mandate was achieved on eliminating "The Godfather”

As great deal of the times, one wonders why godfather/godson relationship never end well as a result of incessant fallouts where the godfather engages the said godson(s) in bitter fights. Among the most prominent macabre dances of these political giants and their political sons was that of Senator Chris Ngige and Peoples Democratic Party financier, Chris Uba, of the Uba political family who engaged themselves in bitter political fight in the name of who should control the state’s treasury.

Godfatherism can be said to have its origin in Christianity when God-parents helped to raise Christian children to become God-fearing, law-abiding adults.

This cannot be said of Nigeria of today, where many politicians beg to have godfathers even when they know that what they are actually begging for will only come back to hurt them.

This, perhaps, informed the Benin Leaders of Thought, BLT, position last month when they took a swipe at Governor Oshiomhole for re-introducing politics of godfatherism in Edo state, which they said he fought hard against in the past.

The warning came on the heels of the alleged imposition of a governorship aspirant by Oshiomhole, for the 2016 gubernatorial election in the state. ?Some aspirants have kicked and expressed their displeasure over rumours that the governor has ordered his aides to ‘go and market’ the Chairman of the State Economic Team, Dr. Godwin? Obaseki, popularly referred to as Dangote man, to the people of the state.

Chairman of the group and Enogie of Obazuwa, Prince Edun Akenzua,

addressing journalists in Benin, said though the group disbelieved the rumour of Oshiomhole’s alleged imposition of an aspirant, the issue has excited the imagination of observers of Edo politics .

Quoting Oshiomhole in the Vanguard of Thursday, November 12, 2009, as saying that “what makes governance difficult is that some leaders are imposed on the people. That situation creates an absence of support. And people will become cynical about you,” the Benin Leaders of Thought said it was against this background that they were taken aback by the rumour that the governor has anointed his successor in this year’s gubernatorial race.

“The people of Edo State should be given free hands to determine their next governor.

Popular participation bestows responsibility for governing one’s own conduct, develops one’s character, selfreliance, intelligence and moral judgement. In a democracy, there is no substitute for popular participation. Even if a benevolent despot could govern in the public interest, he would be rejected by the classic democrat. Man can only know the truth by discovering it himself,” the Benin Leaders of Thought added.

For the great things Oshiomhole has achieved in the near eight years of his tenure, one is almostI knocked off balance with his audacity to enthrone himself as the newest godfather.

Until Oshiomhole and his likes lay-off from the back of cave men political horse and embrace democracy of one man, one vote, the light in our political tunnel will remain forever dimmed.

•Mr. Ikelebe, a political analyst, wrote from Auchi, Edo State.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, FEBUARY 5, 2016— —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

AU: Too feeble to decide or stand T

HE African Union (AU) 26th Session which closed in Addis Ababa on January 31, held a lot of promise for a continent brought to its knees by insecurity and violence; some of it self-inflicted.

The expectations were high and the organisation’s leaders were on point in their opening speeches. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the Chair of the African Union Commission which runs the Secretariat, told the world that Africa is committed to “silencing the guns”. Explaining why the theme of the Session was “African Year of Human Rights with particular focus on the Rights of Women", Zuma declared that the continent has refused to be indifferent to violent extremism, gender-based abuses and suffering due to conflicts.

New AU chair, 64-year old President Idriss Deby Itno of Chad summarised the feelings of the African people when he told his fellow African leaders: "Everything that we are doing now will be in vain and without purpose if we allow Africa to go through these perpetual crises: South Sudan, Libya, Somalia, Burundi, the Sahel, the Lake Chad

Basin…Through diplomacy or by force... we must put an end to these tragedies of our time. We cannot make progress and talk of development if part of our body is sick. We should be the main actors in the search for solution to Africa's crises."

The expectations were high that the burning issue of quenching the raging fires in Burundi would be addressed. The senseless violence in that country is primarily, the decision of President Pierre Nkurunziza to run for an unconstitutional third term. Deby, a retired war lord, and presumably, most of his colleagues, knew full well the implications of allowing the Burundian fires to rage unchecked.

Rwanda, Burundi’s neigbour to the north had witnessed horrendous violence which led to the 1994 genocide in which the Hutu population tried to wipe out its fellow Tustsi citizens. In less than a hundred days, over 850,000 human beings were slaughtered.

Burundi has the same ethnic mix with Rwanda and in the 1993-2005 civil war between both sides, over 300,000 perished.

The renewed Burundian crises began with mass protests in April 2015 against the decision of Nkurunziza who had been president for ten years, to violate the constitution by seeking a third term. His reaction was swift; he let loose the security forces, closed down the internet, media houses and universities, and blood flowed on the streets. A coup on May 13, led by General Godefroid Niyombare in a desperate attempt to end the bloodshed, failed.

Nkurunziza was re-elected on July 21, and the violence spiraled out of control with the government increasingly presenting the crises as an ethnic one in which the Tustsi and opposition were labelled “terrorists”. On November 12, the United Nations Security Council condemned the mass killings and human rights violations in the country. The bloodiest day in the renewed conflict was on December

That singular act of kowtowing to a power-drunken regime painting its cities and villages in the blood of its citizens, cast a dark pall on the entire Summit; it showed AU as too weak to defend African lives

Can a hungry people fight corruption?

By Clement Udegbe

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N those days in the Fajuyi Hall at the university of Ife,UNIFE, now Obafemi Awolowo University, students observed a reduction in the quality and taste of the Pronto beverage that ran freely from about 5pm at the cafeteria, with long queues before students bought their subsidised meals, some students decided to protest this development.One Saturday morning, they struck. The Chief Cook was a tall huge well fed man, and some 14 male students stormed into his office near the kitchen, and after announcing to him, that a hungry man is an angry man, they forced him into a waiting Wheel Barrow, and pushed him from the Cafeteria to Fajuyi hall a distance of about I kilometre through a deliberately chosen bumpy rough track for the message to sink. This was the beginning of a series of struggle that culminated in the “Ali Must Go” massive students strike in the South West at that time. General Obasanjo as he then was, was the Head of State, and he visited us at Fajuyi Hall, in the company of General Joe Garba and others. General Garba, started with his usual eloquent and fluent grammar, which we refered to “Lai iwo iwe” meaning, speaking without reading from any paper, he handed the microphone to Obasanjo, but as soon as Obasanjo started to talk, one of the students shouted: “ A hungry man is an angry man”, some started whistling to signal their discontentment. The Army Leaders were unhappy and they showed it, then one student shouted :“ bedanu joor ” meaning “please jump down and die” and this quickly spread like wild fire.

It was a failed visit, as the Khaki Men stormed into their cars and drove out in

C M Y K

their very long convoy at about 4pm, and by 9pm, we heard from NTA News that UNIFE had been closed! Those of us who were feeling the hunger plus the semester academic work load were very happy to leave the campus, while others stayed back and planned a nationwide students protest that followed. This was the genesis of the lack of trust between university students and the military who subsequently worked hard to kill student unionism, and they successfully transferred that hatred or aggression to our politicians, who steal so much after they get into power, display so much opulence, while our students wallow in abject poverty at the campuses.

They have quickly converted most of these young minds to thugs, and cultists for their political evil and selfish plans.

This is how a small protest over long queues for food and Pronto, in one

Hunger is biting deeper, and if nothing is done now, people will start feeding from dust bins or driven into begging to survive in the next few months

11, 2015 when according to government spokesman Gaspard Baratuza, the clashes produced " 79 enemies killed, 45 captured, and 97 weapons seized, and on our side eight soldiers and policemen were killed and 21 wounded."

The AU would condone this no longer; six days after this clash, it convened a meeting of its Peace and Security Council (PSC) which decided to send 5,000 Peacekeepers under an African Prevention and Protection Mission in Burundi (MAPROBU). The troops were to come from the East African Standard Force comprising ten countries from the region; Burundi, Uganda, Sudan, Seychelles, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Comoros, Rwanda and Somalia. Burundi might have been uncomfortable with troops from Rwanda which it considers an ally of the opposition forces, and from Uganda which is seen as a partner of Rwanda. But this would merely have been a question of details.

However, Nkurunziza would brook no intervention especially when his government is the primary source of violence and he perceived that he has the upper hand. He threatened to attack the AU Peacekeepers if they were sent.

He warned the AU: "Everyone has to respect Burundian borders; in case they violate those principles, they would have attacked the country and every Burundian will stand up and fight against them .

The country would have been attacked and it will respond."

Despite Nkurunziza’s rejection, the AU is empowered under its Constitutive Act to override such a national objection. Section 4(h) of the Act reiterates: “The right of the Union to intervene in a Member State pursuant to a decision of the Assembly in respect

university caused a national challenge that has not been overcome today, because the military leaders mismanaged the situation and have continued to fight students, while the students resistance continues to metamorphose into different stages and forms. Today, we have educated cultists in every campus of most institutions of higher learning. We have them in secondary schools, and I hear even in primary schools. We have educated Fulani herds men kidnapping and killing Monarchs all over the regions, with educated kidnappers on the prowl all over the South of Nigeria.

Military leaders have never been good at dealing with youth social upheavals in our country, so far. And my main concern is that with the level of poverty and suffering in our country today, youth restiveness can erupt and make a huge mess of this fight against corruption. The fight against corruption is surely a good thing, and an Igbo proverb says that a good thing does not need to be advertised, it speaks for itself because good salt does not return from the market, just as another proverb tells us that being sensible requires no special talent because the ear that heeds the word of advice is not as big as a basket.

Today typically of an anti-corruption agenda, we have the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired. Many Nigerians are being driven daily into the group of the tired, due to the hardship being foisted on the people, by the method of this government.

Whatever may be the reasons for the down turn in our economy, ranging from the tumbling down in the global oil price, global effects of terrorism, to lack of the diversification of our economy etc, this government must come up with policies and structures that will reduce the excruciating crunch on the lives of the common man.

The free fall in the Naira exchange rate to the US Dollar from N110 by May last

of grave circumstances, namely: war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity” The Burundian case was a test between the parochial interest of a sitting president and the will of the African people to prevent further bloodshed and likely genocide. The Burundian Government’s argument at the AU Summit was that it was still too early for the AU to intervene. In the stand-off, the AU blinked and backed down from its decision. In explaining off the AU’s feeble mindedness, its Special Representative to the region, Ibrahim Fall claimed that it was “never the intention of the African Union to deploy a mission to Burundi without the consent of Burundian authorities" That singular act of kowtowing to a power-drunken regime painting its cities and villages in the blood of its citizens, cast a dark pall on the entire Summit; it showed AU as too weak to defend African lives. Burundians would be left to drown themselves in rivers of blood unless powers outside Africa decide to intervene.

Although the Summit decided to set up a Task Force comprising five Heads of State to check bloodshed in the once promising and prosperous African state of Libya, but who really has faith in such a body? If the African leaders could not call their member, Nkurunziza to order, how do they hope to bring peace to a country with at least four centres of power; Tripoli, Tobruk, Sirte and Benghazi and fractious terrorist groups? The tragedy in Libya was the AU folding its arms while the West tied the hands of the Pan Africanist and patriotic Ghadaffi administration and allowed religious extremists, thugs and terrorists ride to power.

year to over N306 today is most unacceptable. The sommersaults in our monetary management that has driven the Naira down must be changed, before it is too late. If the idea behind the continued naira rate downward slide is to prepare grounds for the removal of petroleum subsidy as some have reasoned, it will tantamount to cutting the nose to spite the face.

The future is alarmingly grim with the high inflationary trend in the prices of key items of livelihood as the prices of key staple food items like Garri, Beans, Yams, Rice, Plantain, Fish, Meat and vegetables have since tripled.

Cost of vehicle spare parts have risen radically, and these have been transferred by transporters to the common man.

Manufacturing has become more challenged with huge costs of electricity power compounded by the confusion over fake and real tariffs, high corruption in the PHCN Billing systems, and the big rip offs by DISCOS. Hunger is biting deeper, and if nothing is done now, people will start feeding from dust bins or driven into begging to survive in the next few months.

This is why eyes must be wide open on our elected leaders, from the Presidency, Senate, NASS, Governors, State Houses of Aseembly and their appointees to check their excesses in open stealing with impunity, and lavish lifestyle. Governors who live large like emperors, while stealing from Local Government Authority funds, must be openly questioned and challenged.

With the alarmingly increasing rates of crime in our societies, the fight against corruption must have a human face, and Aso Rock should begin to lead by example too.

*Mr Udegbe, a lawyer, can be reached at ceeaai@yahoo.com.

20—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

— 21

BoI, NBTE unfold vocational skills across sectors

T

HE Bank of Industry and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) have unveiled a vocational skills acquisition scheme for youths in the country.

In a statement, the Bank said that the target participants are top graduating students of NBTE-accredited vocational enterprise institutions.

“They will showcase their finalyear projects and demonstrate the skills involved in their execution.

Winners will benefit from prizes aimed at further developing and enhancing their skills and career paths. The eligible vocational courses for the competition include automotive mechatronics/mechanic, carpentry and joinery, fashion design, electrical and electronics, painting and tiling, plumbing and fittings, as well as welding and fabrication.

“Regional competitions will take place in Kaduna and Lagos on February 13th, 2016 and February 19th, 2016 respectively, while the grand finale will be held in Abuja on 19th March, 2016.

“A panel of judges made up of seasoned professionals has been selected to evaluate the nominated candidates and select the winners in each vocational field. Prizes to be won include modern vocational work tools, access to small business loans and placement/internship with BoI customers”, the statement read in part.

The Bank explained that as Nigeria seeks to become a more diversified economy, vocational skills development must receive greater attention across various fields.

$122.30

0.75

$2,841.00 4.00 $13.06

CURRENCY US DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA

0.17

$34.41

-0.63

$31.90

-0.38

BUYING

SELLING

196 196.5 197 284.2 284. 925 285. 65 213.934 214.4798 215.0255 192. 5533 193. 0445 193. 5357 1.6391 1.6433 1.6474 0.3099 0.3199 0. 3299 269. 2443 269.9312 270. 618 52.2388 52. 3721 52.5053 52. 2388 52.3721 52. 5053 28.6638 28.7369 28.81 270. 9308 271.622 272. 3131

CBN Exchange rate as at 04/02/2016

PRESENTATION: From left, Head of Department, Radiology, General Hospital, Odan, Lagos, Dr. Akinlenisola Julius Kola; Head Corporate Communications, Keystone Bank Ltd, Mrs. Omobolanle Osotule; Medical Director, General Hospital, Odan, Lagos, Dr. Adebola Laketu and Mr. Gabriel Osu of Keystone Bank Ltd, during the presentation of some medical equipment to the hospital, yesterday.

Fitch threatens to downgrade Nigeria’s sovereign rating

By Babajide Komolafe

F

ITCH Rating agency yesterday warned that it might downgrade Nigeria’s sovereign rating, due to inadequate fiscal response to the decline in price of crude oil and foreign exchange policy which deters foreign and local investments.

In a statement issued yesterday, the global rating company said “An economic policy response that contained fiscal pressures, kept debt levels manageable and carried out planned reforms would be positive for the rating.

An inadequate response that failed to carry out growth-enhancing reforms and put debt levels on an unsustainable path would have a negative effect on the rating.

“It is yet to be seen whether the associated measures will promote growth while containing fiscal pressures, but we believe there are a number of downside risks.

improved tax collection and public finance management, and by increasing external financing.

“The fall in oil prices below the USD38/ b level assumed in the 2016 budget has increased the need for external financing, and the government recently announced it is looking to the World Bank and African Development Bank for additional lending and is exploring a Eurobond issuance sometime in 1H16. “ The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), took a large role in implementing economic policy during last year’s sixmonth wait for cabinet appointments. It introduced exchange controls and restrictions on foreign currency and resisted pressure for further naira devaluation. The CBN cut benchmark rates by 200bp in November and reduced the cash reserve ratio for commercial banks.

Economic policy The emerging economic policy under President Muhammadu Buhari includes an increase in public spending and state-directed investment, revenueside reforms, and accommodative monetary policy.

“December’s mildly expansionary 2016 budget envisages spending of NGN6trn (USD30bn), up from NGN4.6trn in the 2015 budget, including a 30% increase in capital spending. The government aims to finance additional spending through revenue-side reforms, including

An inadequate response that failed to carry out growthenhancing reforms and put debt levels on an unsustainable path would have a negative effect on the rating

“The CBN has continued to restrict access to FX in 2016, limiting dollar sales to Bureau de Change operators. It has maintained its support of the naira rather than risk the inflationary impact of devaluation. Overall, these policies present downside risks to Nigeria’s sovereign credit profile, although there are various mitigating factors: Increased borrowing and higher interest payments would add to pressure on the fiscal position.

“But public debt is low, and the government is unlikely to fully execute its spending plans. Capital expenditure, for example, has constituted only about 20% of total federal government spending in recent years and is estimated to have dropped to about 13% for 2015.

Underspending would reduce the negative impact on the public finances, but also the boost to growth.

The government has indicated that it will use low energy prices to begin phasing out fuel subsidies in 2016, which would partly contain the deterioration in the public finances.

“Unorthodox or unpredictable FX policy makes raising external financing more difficult, deterring both private investors and possibly multilaterals. The persistent spread between the retail and official interbank exchange rate indicates unmet demand for dollars in the Nigerian economy. We think the drag on growth from the Nigerian private sector’s inability to access sufficient hard currency will outweigh the benefits of planned fiscal stimulus, and that the CBN will struggle to defend the naira indefinitely.

“Erosion of fiscal and external buffers and policy uncertainty drove our revision of the Outlook on Nigeria’s ‘BB-’ sovereign rating to Negative in March 2015, which we affirmed in September.”

22—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

*Taoreed Sowewimo, rice farmer in Ofada.

From left: Premchand, Business Head, W/Africa, UPL Ric Co; Sunil Mohta, GM Sprinfield; Nishanti Pahuja, Head Africa, UPL; Pinky Ghosh, Director Rico Co; Martin Poveda, Director Rice Co; and Victor Eburajolo, Director Sprinfield during a press briefing on the partnership between RiceCo and Springfield, in Lagos.

Small-holder rice farmers lament •as Spring Field Agro plans to boost production

By Jimoh Babatunde

M

ANY people might not have been to the sleepy town of Ofada in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, but once Ofada is mentioned they link it to the Ofada rice enjoyed by many in Nigeria and beyond.

Ofada is a generic name used to describe all rice produced and processed in the rice producing clusters of South-West Nigeria.

But all that might be a thing of the past if care is not taken as the people of the town are gradually abandoning rice cultivation due to the challenges of urbanisation, quality planting materials, seed and markets.

For Taoreed Sowewimo, a rice farmer in Ofada , born into rice cultivating family and has been cultivating rice for the past 30 years, the rapid urbanisation that is catching up with the area is depriving many access to land as many families see no reason why they have to cultivate rice that will earn them little or nothing when they can make millions from the same size of land when sold to housing developers.

“The youths are not interested in cultivating farming as they see it as road to poverty, so you find them putting pressure on their parents to sell their lands to developers for housing purposes. Most of the buildings you see around now were farms of our fathers when we were growing up.”

Taoreed said for any farmer willing to cultivate rice in Ofada town today that such a farmer will need to go to neighbouring villages. Apart from access to land, Taoreed decried the lack of quality seeds, machineries, credit facilities and markets. “ I used to cultivate between 710 hectres of land for rice, but

because of lack of quality seeds and the stress of harvesting not to talk of poor marketing, I have have reduced my size of land.”

His friend, John Obadare, added that most of the farmers stopped cultivation of rice because birds eat some of the crops, leading to losses sometimes, adding that they also lack proper drying facilities, which force them to dry the rice on bare ground, which contaminate it with stones. This lowers the quality of the rice.

Taoreed said they have joined co-operative societies hoping to benefit from various governments facilities, but to no avail as they still need to bribe government officials at the local government to assist them with harvesters, though they carry out weed control manually. "The cost of pesticides they use to spray the rice for diseases control is expensive."

Diseases control Taoreed and his friend agreed that small-holder rice farmers will find it difficult to contribute to the nations quest for rice sufficiency from their experiences in Ofada and surrounding villages and the need for importation to meet the rice need of Nigerians will continue for years ahead.

But when told about the released of more than $1 billion by the Federal government to boost local rice production and to reduce imports of the commodity through the Presidential Rice Initiative, Sowemimo and his friend were quick to say that they have heard of several initiatives in the past without any success, adding that the portfolio farmers do have access to what they called government’s largess.

The Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said in Abuja

recently that large-scale rice farmers would be empowered to ensure the successful implementation of the Presidential Rice Initiative.

Nigeria, which is Africa’s largest rice producer, plans to raise production to 300,000 metric tonnes a year. This will reduce its imports by 15 per cent and cut costs by $342 million a year.

Estimates are that the demand will be 35 million tonnes by 2050.

Average rice yield But for the Deputy Managing Director, Kewalram Chanrai Group and Director, Spring Field Agro Limited, Mr Victor Eburajolo, the current average rice yield nationwide stands at about three tonnes per hectare, which is far lower than the international average of six tonnes per hectare, is not encouraging.

While attributing it to low hybrid seed uptake amongst the smallholder farmers, he said the new drive of the government to boost local rice production should be supported by private investors.

Eburajolo sees the local rice generating huge foreign exchange for the country if rice farmers exploit best agronomical

Quality improvements practices.

He said with access to improved seeds, pesticides and fungicides, rice farmers can increase production thereby help in making the country food sufficient, so Eburajolo wouldn’t want rice importation to continue under any guise.

Eburajolo said as parts of his organisation's efforts at bridging the gap in local rice production that they are partnering with RiceCo, a subsidiary of United Phosphorus Limited of the United States, to produce rice dedicated fertiliser and rice hybrid seed as a way of boosting food productivity in the country.

He said RiceCo was founded to meet the specific technology needs of rice farmers, stating that his company is encouraged to go into rice production by the government’s pledge to create an enabling environment for agriculture to be transformed into a viable business.

Pinky Ghosh,International Operations Director, RiceCo, expressed concern that farmers are not making enough money

She said improving on milling is the way forward for the industry.

More efficient mills, she noted, will trigger higher productivity and usher in quality improvements at the farm level.

Ghosh said her organisation has done a lot combining field experience, scientific research and innovative thinking to solve the most challenging crop protection problems domestically and around the world. From small rice mill with traditional rice production machine to state-ofthe-art rice production machines and modern rice reprocessing system, she reiterated that her organisation is determined to transform rice production to reduce importation. The Head Africa, United Phosphorus Limited, Mr Nishant Pahuja said his organisation is using seeds as conduit for moving new varieties, giving farmers access to more productive, yield-enhancing traits.Pahuja said his organisation uses rice seeds to boost nutrition, with bio-fortified varieties that elevate micro-nutrient levels.

Kebbi, Lagosto partner on rice, beef processing

G More efficient mills will trigger higher productivity and usher in quality improvements at the farm level

from rice cultivation. This is as a result of not using quality seeds and farm inputs.

As part of the benefits of the partnership, Ghosh said her organisation will work with Spring Field Agro Limited to enable smallholder farmers’ cultivate hybrid rice seeds and good management practices to boost yields per hectare.

According to her, an improved quality of rice is the key to bigger farm incomes and taking the crop to new and more profitable markets. For years now, she said her organisation has been producing hybrid rice seed and dedicated fertilisers for use by local communities.

Experience, she added, has shown that a little capacity building can change the situation within a very short period.

In addition, she said farmers need advice on modern farm technologies that will help to expand the production cycle and increase their rice production and profit.

OVERNOR Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi revealed during the week in BirninKebbi, that Kebbi would partner Lagos for the processing of paddy rice and beef.

Bagudu who was addressing the newly sworn-in members of the state executive council, said the partnership would boost food production.

He said that the agreement for the processing of paddy rice in Lagos was to expand the scope of commercial rice production, especially through

the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Rice and Wheat Borrower programme.

“This partnership will also involve the development of fishery department to ensure food sufficiency,” the governor said.

He explained that officials of the Nigeria based structural lending had commenced the registration of 70,000 rice farmers for the dry season farming, while wet season farming would also be strengthened.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016—23

VOL. 1: NO. 17

By Ola Ajayi

W

HEN Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State got a second term mandate to lead the Pacesetter State, the thinking of most people who served in his cabinet during the first four years was probably that it’s enjoyment galore for the next four years.

They might think that after about a month, the governor would form his cabinet. But, they are in for a big surprise.

Unlike the first term when the nomination was not delayed, eight months have rolled by and the governor is yet to make any announcement on those that will form his cabinet.

It was widely rumoured in August last year that the list would be made public but it never came.

The story did not change in September, October, November, December and January.

While the people of the state are at a loss, numerous party members who are waiting on the governor are saying the delay is too cold for comfort.

The governor ’s die-hard supporters and former aides are still in limbo.

Greener pastures They are not sure what the future holds for them . The waiting game that started since June still continues.

While some of them still hang on the governor for reconsideration, others who could read the mien of the governor have gone elsewhere for greener pastures knowing fully well that the ‘honey well’ has dried up.

The delay is a bitter pill to swallow for thousands of his party members and former aides.

Some of them who spoke with South West Voice on condition of anonymity lamented bitterly that silence of the governor on the announcement of nominees has caused great discomfort for most of the All Progressives Congress, APC, members.

One of them said,” We don’t know what is happening now.

Since we finished election, the governor has not uttered a statement on it. Things are extremely difficult for us. We can’t say precisely what is happening. “ “We hear that the governor is trying to toe the line of his counterpart in Osun State, Governor Rauf Aregbesola.”

Some of them link the delay to the current financial drought in the state which has made it C M Y K

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5 , 2016

difficult for the governor to pay salaries of workers regularly.

However, some greater percentage alleged that a woman permanent secretary is wielding too much influence on the governor.

They finger the permanent secretary in some decisions the governor took recently including the issue that arose over the promotion of some Ibadan chiefs.

According to the source, since the permanent secretary who is not an Ibadan indigene was appointed, she has been giving a whole load of bad advice to the governor.

Second term ticket Another person said that Governor Ajimobi they knew during the first tenure is not the same one now.

Justifying his stance, he said, in the first term, the governor was looking forward to securing a second term ticket and he was carefully treading with caution.

“But now, he doesn’t owe allegiance to anyone. There is no third term ticket. So, what do you think he loses now. Nothing,” he said.

Apparently trying to cut his coat according to his size, Governor Ajimobi who has been struggling to pay workers’ salaries since last year said at an annual interfaith

Eight months after, Ajimobi yet to form cabinet •Ajimobi

While the people of the state are at a loss, numerous party members who are waiting on the governor are saying the delay is too cold for comfort

thanksgiving service attended by several workers that he was yet to pay his media team he appointed about five months ago adding that his secretary to the state government was yet to be issued appointment letter.

On the effects of the delay on the people of the state, Mr. Solatide Adeoye, who refused to disclose his full identity, said, “if you look at the cascading effect of the delay, it is not good for the

economy of the state. The governor explained how he intended to increase his internally generated revenue, how will he actualise this without competent lieutenants to work with him. To, me, things are at a standstill until the governor forms his cabinet.”

As for Sumbo Ojulari, a trader, it doesn’t make any difference to her if the governor forms a cabinet or not.

“What we are saying is that we

IN THIS EDITION 14 YEARS AFTER: Ikeja bomb blast victims’ families await compensation •Page 24

EROSION IN ABEOKUTA

Families count their loses •Page 26

should make more sales. What is my business about that. Does that translate to food on my table or pay my children’s school fees?”

Speaking on the issue, the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka said people should be patient as consultations are on and very soon everything will be made public.

South West Voice gathered that the governor carried the leadership of the party along this time around unlike the first term when nomination was made without due consultation.

When called to speak on the issue of the level of involvement of the party, the state Chairman of the party, Chief Akin Oke said, “why don’t you wait till when the list is out to know whether the party was carried along or not.”

24 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

LAGOS STATE

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

F

OURTEEN years after the Ikeja Military Cantonment bomb blast that led to the death of over 1,000 Lagos residents, some families of the victims are still playing the waiting game for compensation promised by both the Federal and state governments.

The Lagos State Government under the administration of past Governor Babatunde Fashola paid compensation to 70 identified families of victims while about 84 families have been excluded uptil now.

The 84 families however, cried out to the present Federal Government and in particular state government under the leadership of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode asking them to look into their cases afresh with the aim of accommodating them .

They made the call at the site of the mass burial, where prayers were offered for the repose of the souls of the dead.

Devoid of the usual activities where relatives, government officials throng the place for the remembrance of the victims every January 27, the aggrieved families this year, made their way into the mass burial site, named, January 27, 2002 Memorial Arcade, and offered silent prayers.

The Ikeja Army Cantonment bomb blast, which took place on January 27, 2002, is said to be the most tragic event ever in the history of Lagos State. So many lives were lost in the dark, murky water hyacinth covered canal separating Ajao Estate and Ejigbo, Oke Afa.

Families of victims During the 10th anniversary, Lagos State government fulfilled its promise of compensating the various families of the deceased. Only 70 families were paid N250,000 with a promise to verify names of the second batch comprising 84 families for compensation.

There, however, seems to be an endless wait for the second batch to receive their compensation.

When contacted, Vicechairman of the group under the umbrella of “Families of victims of 2002 Ikeja Military Cantonment Bomb Blasts” Comrade Ise Christopher, lamented how they have been tossed around in vain despite several written letters and petitions as well as attended meetings with the state government and the Lagos State House of Assembly.

As at press time, the families were still waiting for the compensation without any positive response from governments.

Christopher on behalf of the group, however, appealed to C M Y K

14 YEARS AFTER:

Ikeja bomb blast victims’ families ion await compensat

•Victims of the Ikeja bomb blast protesting present administrations both at the federal and the state level, saying, “We are using this

We have all the valid papers to our claims. We implore the present administrations to redeem their pledge of paying compensation to all the victims

oportunity of the 14 year remembrance, though, no government official was present here for the event, to appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Ambode to revisit the case by bringing a deserved change to our own in accordance with their “change mantra.”

“We have all the valid papers to our claims. We implore the present administrations to redeem their pledge of paying compensation to all the victims.

“We have on good authority that billions of money was realized for compensations from both local and international donors in the

wake of the disasters that could adequately take care of those verified for compensation.

“A total compensation would amount to 154 families, that is, 70 already compensated families and 84 families yet to be compensated. And going by the fact that N17.5 million was given to 70 families, with each getting N250,000, payment if same is paid to 84 families yet to be compensated it will only amount to N38.5 million. This is definitely, not out of reach of government by all standards.

“We are appealing to governments to have compassion on us by cushioning our loss too,

though, no amount of money could exchange for dear life, at least it will go a long way in assuaging our plight.”

Indeed, January 27, 2002 was horrendous in the history of Lagos and the entire nation.

The Ikeja military cantonment was a large military cantonment and storage area in the city of Lagos, situated north of the city centre near the districts of Isolo and Onigbongo councils.

It will also be recalled that Lagos State Government about two years ago cancelled any further official commemoration of the event on the basis that all the enumerated families had been compensated.

When community Health Insurance berths in Ekiti

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

H

EALTH, goes a popular adage, is wealth. It is also said that cleanliness is next to Godliness. Little wonder, everybody in the agrarian community of Aiyedun in Ekiti State attaches so much concern to their health and would spare nothing to ensure healthy living.

This informed the gathering of prominent people of Aiyedun Ekiti, including the President of the Nigeria Medical Association, Dr Kayode Obembe and the Traditional rulers of the community and its environs at the unveiling of the Ayedun Community Based Health Insurance: A Pilot Scheme for Universal Health Coverage.

The scheme which was facilitated by Dr Obembe was

inaugurated with fanfair at a well attended ceremony which was held at the expansive hall of the Comprehensive Health Centre located in the middle of the twin towns, Oke-Ayedun and OdoAiyedun-Ekiti.

It was a unity gathering of sorts, because the traditional rulers of the twin Ayedun communities and the adjoining towns were all in attendance: Oba JF Ala, the Aaaye of Oke-Ayedun-Ekiti, Oba IS Ajibade, the Owa of OdoAyedun-Ekiti and Oba DB Ogunsakin, the Elesun of EsunEkiti.

Aiyedun, (Oke and Odo) a town situated halfway between Abuja and Lagos, became the first town in the South West geopolitical zone to have the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) since June

6,2005, when it was inaugurated by the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

According to Dr Obembe, “Universal Health Coverage seeks to ensure that all people have access to needed promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative health services of sufficient quality, while ensuring that people do not suffer financial hardship when paying for such services.”

Financial hardship Explaining the reasons for the launch of the scheme in the Community, Dr Obembe said the National Health Insurance Scheme which has been operational since 2005 has captured only 7% of the entire

population of about 167 million, a situation he described as very unfortunate.

He added that the socioeconomic development of a country depends on the health of her citizenry, ensuring that access to affordable, qualitative and equitable healthcare is critical to improved citizen’s health.

The Chairman, Board of Trustees, National Launching of Ayedun Community-Based Social Health Insurance Programme, Mr. Dapo Adelusi, said presently the number of enrollees for the scheme in the community stood at 4,977 and each enrollee is expected to pay a monthly premium of N100.

He called on other

Continues on page 25

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 —25

OGUN STATE

By Daud Olatunji

'I

F it rains, our lives may be ruined. We don’t pray for any rain this year because the supposed blessing will be a disaster in disguise.”

This was the lamentation of some of residents of Abule Oloni Community, Lantoro in Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Coincidentally, Ogun State is in celebratory mood marking its 40 years of existence, which is being commemorated with 40 projects embarked upon by the state government, ready for commissioning.

Abule Oloni, hitherto was densely populated by the people, but, the erosion disaster had prompted many residents and shop owners to flee the area to save their lives. The ever bubbling Abule Oloni Community which had played host to so many people who either rented houses or are trading is fast becoming a ghost of itself as a result of the erosion disaster which has begun wrecking serious havoc.

When South West Voice visited the area, it was observed that the place was impassable for vehicles while the situation had put some children into serious danger as they have abandoned the community road for Lantoro's busy road to get to their schools.

Despite the community being host to a federal government establishment; NeuroPsychiatric hospital annex and a private hospital, Sacred Heart Hospital, Lantoro, Abeokuta, it is being neglected by the government.

Repairing their houses It was gathered that a man popularly called ‘Baba Teacher’ died of hypertension as a result of the erosion that destroyed his house. It was gathered that the deceased who was a pensioner, used his gratuity to build the house which was destroyed by the erosion.

Further findings have shown that, many landlords had spent millions to repair their houses due to the erosion while those who could not afford the repair were resigned to fate as the erosion rendered them homeless.

Findings have shown that many residents of the area who were yet to leave the community were either having financial constraints to relocate or have property they are watching over there .

On his part, chairman of the Community Development Association, Chief Lasisi Shamudeen explained that the erosion problem had destroyed roads, property and at the same time, was threatening their lives. Shamudeen called on the state government to intervene, saying erosion disaster has rendered no fewer than 20 families homeless in the area.

Corroborating his chairman, C M Y K

EROSION IN ABEOKUTA:

Families count their loses

•Houses threatened by erosion the Secretary of the Community Development Association , Ayinde Lekan Lister, said the government was

It was gathered that the deceased who was a retiree , used his gratuity to build the house which was destroyed by the erosion

indifferent to the plight of the community.

Lister said they have spent a lot of money to get it done and many efforts had been made to draw government’s attention to it, but, there was no serious response.

He explained that, the erosion has demolished many houses, shops, which had rendered some members of the community jobless , adding that people coming from different areas flee from the community. He added that the some members of the

community had gone to the town hall meeting organized by the State Government during the 2016 budget stakeholders meeting, but, were barred from meeting the Governor.

He also claimed that due to their inability to meet with the governor, they wrote a letter of complaint and submitted it, which reportedly prompted the Commissioner of Works and Infrastructure , Lekan Adegbite, who, he said came to the community to observe the level of damages.

The commissioner was said to

have assured the community that something will be done by the government about it. Since then, nothing had been heard from the government .

He said: "Erosion has destroyed many houses and shops, which had rendered some members of the community jobless. “It has affected our businesses, because, apart from the fact that some people have left the community because of this erosion, people don’t want to come to leave in the community.”

A resident and a victim, Rev. Joseph Adeyanju, owner of King of Joy Church of Christ in Olomowewe Street, Abule Oloni, stated that the issue of erosion was caused by the action of the Neuro-Psychiatric and Sacred Heart Hospital in Lantoro which channelled their water to the community.

Adeyanju said they have been suffering from the erosion for the past four years which he said has been reported to the Ministry of Environment, Abeokuta South Local Government Chairman for them to come to their aid. This has not yielded any fruitful result.

He said, “in 2009, the issue of flood took away a student of Christ Apostolic Church Primary (C.A.C) at Olomowewe Street, which has caused pandemonium in the area and it was reported to the government and nothing was done about it."

Recently the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Lekan Adegbite visited the scene but nothing came out of his visit except for the completion of the on going projects in the state.

When community Health Insurance berths in Ekiti Continues from page 26 communities in the state to be part of the programme in order to ensure that people’s health becomes “sufficiently assured.”

Addressing the gathering, the acting Executive Secretary of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Mr. Femi Akingbade, said in order to achieve the presidential order that every Nigerian should be captured in the universal health insurance scheme, the NHIS had developed an “effective and efficient community based social health insurance programme to capture over 70 percent of Nigerian population which he said are in the informal sector but live in the rural areas but characterised by high poverty contributing largely to the country ’s very low human development indicators compared with the GDP per capita.”

He said part of the approaches adopted by the NHIS in the implementation of the Community Based Health Insurance programmes include among others, taking cognisance

•Gov Fayose of Ekiti State of the community’s ownership, social solidarity inherent in the Nigerian people, their culture and the various socio-economic groupings in the country.

While commending Ayedun community for the feat, Akingbade said the launch of NHIS in the community will create a platform for “reaching the un-reached.”

He assured that the NHIS is working assiduously to ensure that the vulnerable groups in the society have access to the health insurance scheme.

Obembe, a consultant obstetrician and Gynaecologist, who posited that Universal Health Coverage should embrace all, adding that for the

scheme to be practicable and achievable in Nigeria, the federal government must increase its expenditure in the Health sector from the present 5 percent to 15 percent in consonance with the pledge of African leaders at a meeting in the year 2000.

He suggested that funding should be sourced from taxation proceeds from value added tax, tax from tobacco as well as the health trust fund.

Other possible sources, according to him are; general revenue, social and private insurance, community financing, out of pocket payment and donor funding.

Community financing He called on the federal government to make the scheme compulsory for every Nigerian, saying, it is impossible to achieve universal coverage under the present arrangement, when enrolment is voluntary as it is under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

He asserted that since the

Federal Government has made primary health care central to its health delivery policy, there is the to position pilot platform in communities in Nigeria and make Health care delivery accessible, affordable and qualitative.

Obembe added, “The health facilities should be equally distributed, brain drain should be curtailed by making the facilities available in Nigeria, while private health facilities should be integrated in service delivery in Nigeria. States and local governments should embrace health insurance.”

While concluding, Obembe said, “in order to achieve the goal of Universal Health Coverage, resource mobilisation, risk pooling and strategic purchasing should all be basically operational at community level so as to capture all household enrollees.

Ayedun Community Based Health Insurance scheme is the solid foundation on which Universal Health coverage should be erected if replicated all over the country."

26— Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

ONDO STATE which he estimated will gulp N500m towards the election. The opposition party responded by saying the governor was playing politics and was not ready for the election because his popularity has nosedived and would not want to be beaten black and blue in an election.

Issuance of notice

•Mimiko: Ondo State governor

•Kekemeke: Ondo APC chairman

Furore over council polls in Ondo

By Dayo Johnson

F

OR seven consecutive years activities in all the 18 council areas of Ondo state were at it’s lowest ebb. No thanks to non conduct of council elections by the state government under the

leadership of governor Olusegun Mimiko.

All the council's caretaker Chairmen were able to do was to pay salaries, grade few numbers of roads and embark on few projects in their domain.

The inability of the state

government to conduct the election was sequel to a court injection instituted against the dissolution of the elected Chairmen by governor Olusegun Mimiko barely ten days after he assumed office in 2009 following the sack of the late former

Eulogies as Lagos ex-chief accountant is buried

By Monsuru olowoopejo

E

MINENT Nigerians, retired and serving civil servants thronged the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Surulere to pay their last respects to a former Principal Accountant in the state, Pa Vincent Ojutiku.

Vincent a former civil servant with the Lagos State Government, had been retired 32 years and died January 4, 2015 and was committed to mother earth yesterday in Lagos, amid eulogies.

The remains of the late accountant was moved fromThe Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Surulere to the Ikoyi Cemetery where he was buried. Though the burial was on Thursday, there wasn’t any sign that the day was a working in the state. The church was filled to the brim, as if it was a cross over night.

Relatives, friends and associates described the late accountant as a pious man who while in service worked passionately for the development of the state and after his retirement, dedicated his life to impacting others and service to GOD. I'll miss his support for education — Son Speaking to South West Voice, the first son of the late Accountant, Dr. Olukayode Ojutiku described the late Pa Vincent,as a pious man who would be missed for his dedication to religion and his belief in “education for all.”

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•Dr. Sola Ayandele; Dr. (Mrs.) Yinka Ayandele; Dr. Niyi Ojutiku; Mrs. Teniola Ojutiku; And Derin Soname, During The Celebration Of Life Of Pa. Vincent Adereti Oludayo Ojutiku At Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Ikate , Surulere, Lagos, recently.

He said “Papa’s commitment to education was without parallel and was quick to commend every laudable effort achieved in education. He will be remembered for his passion for education. His love would be missed by all.”

Olukayode noted that he was a knowledgeable, honest and a disciplinarian who doesn’t condone illicit acts, saying “My difficult moment with Papa was his constant admonition of me for carelessness. But as I grew up, I began to appreciate his decisions more. And that was why three days before his death, I spoke with him on phone to wish him more years on earth.”

He wanted Nigerian education sector to be the best— Daughter Before her death, Dr (Mrs)

Yinka Ayandele, the daughter of the Accountant and the TutorGeneral and Permanent Secretary of Education District 1, said that the late Pa Vincent all his life wanted the education sector in Nigeria to be the best in Africa, saying; “that was why he allowed me to be in the education sector."

And with my post, I am committed to improving education and ensure that the education sector in Lagos State remains the best in the country.” ..I wish he could sing my birth song to me again Ayandele said “the last moment I will hold tenacious on was when he sang my birth song. I recorded it, kept it where it could never be deleted, even as I shared it with my phone. And I have often listened to it. And it sounded like

governor Olusegun Agagu.

Elected council chairmen and counsellors who were elected in December 2007 were unceremoniously kicked out dragged the governor to court to challenge the illegality of their removal.

Since then the state government has been using that as an excuse to conduct council elections and has been appointing Caretaker Chairmen whose tenure are either renewed every six months or new sets of caretakers are appointed to run the affairs of the third tier of government.

While this lasted, the opposition party - All Progressive Congress, APC, has at the slightest opportunity accused the state governor of surreptitiously encouraging the court action to linger for selfish reasons.

South West Voice gathered that the “marriage” between the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party two years ago made the two warring parties to resolve their differences, hence, the hurdle to conduct the elections removed.

Governor Mimiko while presenting last year's budget hinted at the possibility of conducting the council polls.

Infact he said the state government was saving funds

However, the main opposition party which has been castigating government for shying away from conducting the election somersaulted last week after the timetable and the guidelines for the elections were rolled out by the State Independent Electoral Commission ( ODIEC).

The Chairman of the state electoral Commission, Prof.

Olugbenga Ige while meeting with leaders of the political parties said Section 30 (1) of the Electoral Act of 2010 stipulates that there must be issuance of notice of election by the commission not later than 90 days before the conduct of the election, hence the need to intimate all stakeholders over the development.

Prof Ige explained that the legal tussle had been responsible for the decision of the commission to put the election on hold.

“We were advised to wait for the final determination of the case and after the decision of the High court, the chairmen went to the Court of Appeal where the court rules that the state government was in order to have dissolved the chairmen. As I speak to you, the case is still before the Supreme Court but their prayers have changed.

They no longer ask the Court to reinstate them but that they should be compensated.

“As far as we are concerned at ODSIEC, the coast is clear for us to conduct local government election” Twenty seven political parties attended the stakeholders meeting where the timetable and guidelines for the election were made public.

Only the main opposition party APC boycotted the stakeholders meeting called by the state electoral umpire.

However, the APC leaders have cried foul and pointedly said the election was a bobby trap and a distraction by the state government.

However, many of the party leaders are not on the same page with the decision of the party’s Central Working Committee , the

THE TEAM EDITOR: Adeleke Adeseri 08054682557 (sms only) CORRESPONDENTS: Dapo Akinrefon Lagos Ola Ajayi Ibadan Gbenga Olarinoye Osogbo Dayo Johnson Akure Daud Olatunji Abeokuta Olasunkanmi Akoni Lagos Rotimi Ojomoyela Ekiti Monsuru Olowoepejo

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 — 27

In my time, entertainers were treated as beggars, dropouts — Oga Bello Adebayo Salami a.k.a Oga Bello is one of the pioneer actors in the Nigerian movie industry today, having started his acting career in 1964, with a group called Young Concert Party which was led by Ojo Ladipo a.k.a Baba Mero. In this interview, Adebayo who has evolved with three of his sons- Femi Adebayo, Sodiq Adebayo and Tope Adebayo- doing very well in the industry shares the story of his foray into the world of acting, and what it means to be an actor back in time.

By Ifechi Okoh

W

HY I went into acting From the outset, acting has been part of me. I had to embrace acting because of the passion I have for it. Moreover, I have the talent. Along the line, I acquired the needful skills and this helped me to break into the industry. The other side of me, which my fans are not aware of, is the fact that I write scripts, direct and produce movies. I have directed a couple of good which I also produced.

Who Discovered Me I discovered myself. While I was growing up, I used to watch one popular Yoruba actor, Ayinla Olumegbon on stage. I must confess that he really inspired me to go into acting. I was so

much in love with his acting prowess that I try to recreate his image each time I’m in my bathroom . But unfortunately, I was living in a public yard. So, there was usually a long queue mat our bath room. despite this challenge, I still managed to re-enact Ayinla’s roles in movies, while taking my bath.

And each time, I was in the bathroom, my neighbours would scream and knock ceaselessly on the door remember vividly that in the until I open it.

My first five years sojourn in beginning, the industry was not rewarding financially, but I was the movie industry That is talking of the period not disturbed. To me, I was just between 1964 and 969. I can acting for the fun of it. It was more

Funplex Park and Rides comes to town

H

APPY times are here again as owners of Funplex Park and Rides are set to unveil the newly constructed multi-billion naira entertainment centre and amusement park, for the delight of kids and young adults in Lagos.

The amusement park, a subsidiary of Allied Thrust and Systems Nigeria Limited,ATS,is housed inside Grand Suites, on CMD road, Magodo, and dotted with state-of-the-art equipment.

Chief Operating Officer of Funplex, Ms. Vivian Nwasike revealed that over N3 billion has been invested by the operators in t h e magnificent

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centre and other aligning businesses to create an integrated entertainment complex since “we won the bid as the concession of the Centre for Management Development.”

Ms. Nwasike, was speaking to newsmen in Lagos, ahead of February 29, opening of the the multi-billion Funplex. She said, their 10-year development plan is to be in every state capital in the country. “We have segmented our plan into short, medium and long term. Our immediate plan is to ensure that Funplex is grown to fulfill our vision of including other activities such as arcade

games, swimming pool, cinemas, gym, spa, lawn tennis court; ensuring that our children and adults alike benefit from what Funplex provides for the family,” Nwasike said.

Speaking further, she said, “This magnificent facility has taken several years of planning and huge investment outlay to bring to fruition in order to maintain our leadership in the industry. In the next five years, we intend to create the Funplex park in five major cities of Kano, Port-Harcourt, Enugu, Owerri and Abuja.”

The park, which is laid out on over 10,000 square meters, provides a breathtaking atmosphere, safety and a thrilling experience for the whole family.

Among the attractions in the amusement park are Pirate Ship, Frog Jumping and a carousel. In addition to the rides on a roller coaster and the Tilt-a-Whirl, the Funplex boats of creating exciting and exhilarating moments for kids, families, schools among others.

•Adebayo Salami

of a hobby than anything else.

During that period, I was spending my personal money to actualize my dream. I was passionate about the world of acting. And I didn’t consider spending my personal money to mean anything to me.

Battle to actualize my dream The most disheartening one was that of my parents refusal to encourage me to go into acting.

Back in time, those in show business were treated as beggars, drop-outs and never-do-well in the society. So my parents saw my going into acting as something that would drag the family’s name in the mud. They did all they could do to frustrate my efforts.

Fortunately, while my parents were against my decision to go into acting, my grandmother supported me. She did not stop there. The old woman did everything to convince my parents to allow me follow my dreams. However, at last , my parents gave me the go-ahead.

My uncle too, supported me. I thank God that before my father passed on, he realized his mistake because I made the family proud as an actor of great repute.

Movie that gave me the

breakthrough as an actor I remember in 1970, there was a competition organized by the Lagos State government. It was known as Lagos State festival of the Arts. I took part in the drama competition and came tops. From that moment, I became a star. The play which launched me into the industry was titled “Ogbogbenuga”meaning “Wisdom uplifted Me”. I was actually overwhelmed by this great feast. For the first time, Nigeria leading newspaper then, Daily Times did a story on me. It was incredible! I consolidated this with my appearance on the television show; “Bar Beach Show” produced by Oladele Bank Olemoh and presented by Art Alade, the father of Dare Art Alade.

This programme really helped to boost my profile as an up and coming actor. From the “Bar Beach show, I delved into stage performances. Then, we shot on celluloid under the leadership of Ojo Ladipo who was popularly known as Baba Mero. I took over from him after his in October, 1978. There are four factors; hard work, discipline, honesty, and tolerance . These factors combined to make the brand, Oga Bello.

The first payment I got as an actor To start with, I did not go into the show business with the aim of making money. So, I have never expected any form of payment. The first payment I got as an actor shocked and left me speechless.

28—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Compiled by Richard Okotie 1 1 6759 759 081 6759759 08

The airline feminism forgot!

S

UPERMODELS and flight attendants may seem like occupations that are a world apart but in China, they are remarkably similar. One school in Qingdao, north-east China, hosted its annual audition yesterday to find high school graduates who would become either models or air hostesses, according to People's Daily Online.

More than 1,000 graduates paraded in swimwear and airline uniforms in a bid to attract potentially lucrative contracts in aviation or fashion. that potential candidates had to be at least five foot The unusual event attracted potential applicants from six in height, although for people with exceptional Shandong, Hebei, Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangsu, Jilin and look, this could be dropped to five foot five. a number of other nearby provinces.

The women were required to be 'elegant, slim, have All of the candidates are thought to be recent sweet voice and have no scars in the exposed part of graduates while those in the audience are from their skin.'

In China, many airlines have height modelling schools and airline training colleges. The requirements for air hostesses and it's considered an event, hosted by modelling agency Oriental Beauty, extremely competitive role. Graduates who are is said to be a way for recruiters to find talent in one successful in attracting the attention of a school would place and for the candidates to establish their own go on to train to become an air hostess. platform. On its website, Oriental Beauty stipulated

Flurry of excitement!

T

HIS is the moment an African cycling team were stopped in their tracks because they saw snow for the very first time. The Rwandan national team had been on a training camp in Utah in the U.S. when the cyclists came across a snowy deposit on the roadside.

But rather than carry on their journey, the riders were unable to contain their excitement and immediately leapt off their

Russian beauty queen contestant strangled her ex lover’s 10-year-old daughter to death...

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A

bikes. They were then seen repeatedly plunging their hands into the snow, making snowballs and even trying to stuff it into their pockets so they could take it with them. The charming images have just been released but were taken during the training trip to the Utah mountains in 2007. Rwandan team spokeswoman Kimberley Coates explained: 'This was from 2007; they were at the La Salle Mountain Loop in Moab, Utah. 'The team was on its way to the

RUSSIAN beauty queen contest ant strangled the 10-year-old daughter of her ex lover with a pair of tights in revenge for being dumped.

Ekaterina Poberezhnaya, 23, was found guilty of murdering the girl, called Nastya, in the small village of Lazo, in

Tour of the Gila, their first ever US race.

'The guys were so mesmerised by the snow. They kept putting it in their pockets to take with them not realising it would melt. 'They also kept putting it on their heads and getting brain freeze.'

Snow is common in Moab due to their climate of having cool winters and on average see up to seven inches fall during the cold season. In comparison, Rwanda

the Primorsky Krai region of south east Russia. She was later sentenced to 12 years in prison for the shocking crime. A court heard how Poberezhnaya was heartbroken after her lover decided to end their relationship in

is only two degrees south of the equator meaning they enjoy warm weather all year round with an average daily temperature of 22 degrees, although snow is possible in the mountains. The Rwanda cycling team are often considered as one of the strongest in Africa and recently tasted success at La Tropicale, the African equivalent of the Tour de France.

order to patch things up with his family. Succumbed by rage the scorned woman, who was an entrant in the 2012 beauty pageant 'Miss Dalnerechensk', seized her moment when the girl came round to her apart-

ment. Once the little girl was in her home she strangled her with a pair of tights the youngster had brought with her.

Poberezhnaya plead not guilty to charges and even appealed for her lengthy sentence to be reduced. However, the court dismissed her appeal and she now faces 12 hard years in a Russian jail. Children are revered in Russian culture and anyone who abuses them automatically becomes marked by other convicts inside as the lowest of the low.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016—29 with

PRINCE OSUAGWU

08050498513 princeosuagwu@gmail.com

How Airtel is going beyond business to touch lives

•Wana Udobang, Host of Airtel Touching Lives

By Laju Iren

M

ILLIONS of viewers were glued to their television sets last Sunday as 47year old Gbenga Adesida who was born blind, had his life changed forever. On the same programme just the week before, a lifeline was given to another man who battled an unknown, debilitating disease for several years.

And three weeks ago, Mr. Essien Obong, a mathematician/ software writer who became blind after an armed robbery attack was provided with a customized laptop, bespoke braille machine

and other computer software.

Airtel’s Corporate Social Responsibiity, CSR, television programme, Touching Lives has been doing just as its name suggests.

As the programme enters its second season, the telco has reaffirmed commitment to help the less privileged members of the society.

The show is scheduled to air on Africa Magic Channel 151 every Sunday by 7.30-8.00pm.

The repeat broadcast of the compelling stories in episode 3 can be viewed on Africa Magic Family 154 on Saturdays 8pm to 8.30pm; Africa Magic Urban on Thursdays 7.30pm to 8.00pm;

AIT on Sundays by 6.30pm to 7pm; NTA on Wednesdays by 8.30pm to 9.00pm and Arewa 24 TV on Sundays by 7.00pm to 7.30pm.

Although the new series is barely on its fourth episode, the testimonies of changed lives are tremendous.

Apart from stories earlier mentioned, Airtel employed innovative means to help several women and children in a community in Osun State.

The Telco also made a donation to the ‘Centre for Citizens with Disabilities,’ founded by Mr. David Anyaele, a social support activist, whose hands were amputated by Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels in 1999 while on a business trip to Sierra Leone during the Civil War. The company donated laptops, printers, desks, photocopiers and other office equipment to enable Anyaele do his work of mercy and faith.

Through the Touching Lives platform, Airtel says it has been promoting the spirit of giving, self-sacrifice and love among Nigerians.

•Yudala store

Yudala kicks off Mobile Monday

By Laju Iren

C

OMPOSITE online and offline retail chain, Yudala recently kicked off Mobile Monday, a weekly mega sales promotion for customers with a soft spot for mobile devices.

The promotion will feature top brands such as Innjoo, Infinix, Alcatel, HP, Apple and Samsung, among others.

The company said that it recorded massive hits from as early as 6am while heavy foot traffic was noticed at most of the Yudala Experience Stores in various cities with a record sale of 500,000 mobile devices.

Interestingly, the smartphone segment saw a straight battle between Innjoo, Infinix and Alcatel, with significant spike in demand recorded for the X-Touch, a sleek, trendy and attractively designed smartphone; Infinix Hot Note and Hot 2 as well as the Alcatel One Touch. For tablets, Innjoo clearly led the way as the F3 Tab witnessed the highest demand from shoppers both online and in the various Yudala Experience Stores. Laptops were also a major action centre for shoppers on Mobile Monday, with HP leading the way closely followed

by Lenovo.

Speaking on the overwhelming success of the debut edition of Mobile Monday, Head, Corporate Communications, Yudala, Mr. Gideon Ayogu, expressed delight with the massive response recorded, while noting that subsequent editions will further position the promotion on the front-burner as the biggest single day sales of mobile devices in the country. “This is the first edition of the Yudala Mobile Monday and I must confess that we were almost overwhelmed with the massive response witnessed. As early as 6am, orders had started pouring in online while queues were also noticed in some of our Experience Stores. However, we were able to meet the demand by ensuring delivery to all those who placed orders today.

LG launches 10.10.10 warranty package

By Elizabeth Uwandu

L

LG REFRIGERATOR

G electronics recently launched the much anticipated 10.10.10 package which offers customers a tenyear warranty on a variety of products ranging from Refrigerators, Chest Freezers and Air Conditioners with Inverter Lunear Compressor/ Inverter Compressor.

Other products with this warranty are Washing Machines with Inverter/ Direct Drive Motor, Charcoal Lighting Heater in micro wave and Cordless Vacuum Cleaner with Smart Inverter Motor.

Spokesperson for LG Electronics, Mrs. Blessing Obiesie told journalists at the event held in Lagos that the initiative was formed by the need to make more customers enjoy value durability on major LG products; a feat that was once the exclusive preserve of premium customers.”

She said: “ Prior to now, we had warranty of two years on our products.

But for some of our premium ones such as the big sized freezer, and the big Air Conditioners, the warranty was 10 years.

Right now, we have extended the 10-year warranty to smaller products like the refrigerator, small freezers, microwave, vacuum cleaners and washing machines.”

Her words ,” This campaign is to tell our customers that apart from premium customers enjoying this warranty, average customers will now enjoy a whole lot of products.”

Continuing she said: “The prices remain the same. LG as a brand is set to give its customers value for product bought via durability and through cost effectiveness by making the products affordable to all customers.”

Mobile devices “Although mobile devices are on sale every day of the week at Yudala, it is clear that our consumers have realized the essence of the Yudala Mobile Monday - which is that, every Monday in 2016 is the day to get the best prices and surprise deals on mobile devices from the biggest and most renowned brands.

“We are eagerly looking forward to next Monday’s sales as many of the international OEMs we are partnering with on this promotion will certainly be looking to position their devices to capture a large share of the sales.

“The Yudala Mobile Monday is our own way of offering Nigerians a pocket-friendly means of upgrading from analogue to digital devices and platforms, at a cost that makes sense in line with the current circumstances of reduced earnings.”

30—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Ibidun Ighodalo lights up major cities

By Kehinde Ajose

E

X-beauty queen and entrepreneur, Ibidun has continued in her quest to add value through her initiatives. She kicked off by giving out various gifts and cash prizes through her creative selfie challenge. During Christmas, she teamed up with her Elizabeth R Company to decorate places and cities like Millerton roundabout Ikoyi, Dominos Pizza Roundabout Apapa, Lagos, CBN Abuja, Itam Junction roundabout Akwa Ibom, Oba Odeleye Park (Green Park) Abeokuta, Ogun State, Awujale roundabout Ijebu Ode and lot’s more Odi Onyinyechi Chikodiri emerged winner of her creative selfie challenge and walked away with a ticket to Dubai, while others walked away with cash prizes. The streets across Nigeria were given a glittery makeover by Ibidun Ighodalo, the boss of Elizabeth R, a leading Events Planning and Management company.

Married to Pastor Ituah Ighodalo of Trinity House, the exbeauty queen and maiden Face of Lux owns the Dorchester by Elizabeth R, a four thousand seater event arcade on the Island.

Delectable Ibidun also handles most of society’s top notch events in a career spanning over a decade (She founded Elizabeth R in 2003 as a public relations and events company).

Ibidun Ighodalo

Night time is the right time to lose weight!

Samuel Osei-Tutu- a pharmacist and weight-loss enthusiast as well as country manager, McKinnon Nigeria Limited- claims his company has the African rights to distribute the most effective weight loss supplement ever made. Lipstick tackles him on this claim.

Why is it important for women to lose weight?

A young lady wants to be any size she wants but when you grow up there are a lot of conditions which are associated with gaining weight.

There are people who have issues with their joints and bones because of their heavy weight. Your bones are going to be constant for the rest of your life so if you have too much weight it will really affect it. There are other conditions.

Are you saying these conditions will just disappear if they lose weight?

Yes. Again people begin to lose more of their muscle from 30 years and above and begin to gain fat so if you want to wait till after you have all the kids, by the time you get there it will be very difficult for you.

But why not exercise?

Exercise is one of the natural ways. I have been working on this weight loss thing for about four years. If you exercise you do good but the reality is that you have a lot of people who because of their lifestyle one way or the other are not able to do plenty of it. Case in point; I have this lady who decided she wanted to lose weight by exercising then a week or two into the whole thing she has a knee injury. How does such a person run on a mill? There are a lot of people whose schedules are C M Y K

just brutal. You really want to exercise but you can’t. “Mind you there is an adequate amount of exercise to lose weight. There are exercises that will work with your heart but will not necessarily cause you to lose weight. The exercise to lose weight is not the kind that you do for 30 minutes. You need to spend like 2 hours and it has to be a continuous process.

What about genetics. Don’t you think some people are just naturally big?

There are lots of schools of thoughts when it comes to this.

There is another one, that weight gain is actually not genetic and if it runs in the family it’s because they eat similar things.

Similar lifestyle…

Yes. There is a recent research finding that says weight loss is actually not genetic but even with that it doesn’t mean that if you do something about it, you won’t get there. There is an ideal weight for everybody.

If you have a particular height you are expected by nature to have a certain ideal weight.

So, how does your product change anything?

There are three ways by which people lose weight.

Either you sleep well, you eat healthy or exercise; or a combination. People want to eat healthy but they do not have the opportunity, exercise but they do not have the time. The ideal hours to sleep is 7-9 hours. You can experiment yourself. Check your weight before you go to bed and in the morning before you go to the washroom, check your weight again. It’s the best time your body loses weight. Your body repairs itself. It works with a certain hormone called the human growth hormone (HGH). It is that hormone that causes you to grow tall. Repair worn-out tissues, feel strong when you wake up. It helps the HGH to get to the appropriate part of the body to use your body fat as energy to repair your tissues. When people grow old you see that they become very bony because almost all their muscles are gone because gaining muscle when you are ageing is very tough. Because of the lean muscle you get as a result of this you burn more fat.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016—31

Indonesian President wants action to expand access to contraception W

When the father is the rapist!

W

HY would a father rape his own child? Why would an uncle rape his niece? Is it true that when a man marries a woman who already has a teenage girl, he is actually targeting the teenage girl? According to rape survivors, the worst form of abuse that any woman can deal with is rape. If not properly and professionally handled, the survivor becomes psychologically traumatized, at times suicidal. Where the perpetrator is a family member, someone trusted, with an obligation to protect and care for the survivor, it becomes even more traumatic.

Today, we are telling the stories of children-minors, who were raped by their family members-fathers, step fathers and uncle in the month of January 2016. Please read on.

Mary is a 16 year old girl who had been sexually assaulted by her step father at the age of 11. She reported to her mother and relations severally but instead of supporting her and taking steps to stop the abuse, the mother and the perpetrator would beat her up.

Funmi is an 11 year who had been sexually assaulted by her step father. Funmi’s elder sister, Tosin had also accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 11 years old.

Victoria, an 11 year old child lives with her aunt . On several occasions, her aunt’s husband will take her into the room and forcefully penetrate her vaginally and annally. He would beat her during the act.

Her cry of anguish were misunderstood by neighbours who usually thought she was being punished for misbehaving.

Chika lives with her father and uncle in a one room apartment. On several

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occasions, her uncle would drug her and rape her. On waking up she would not remember anything. It was not until one of her siblings caught him red handed that she decided to tell her mum. Chika is pregnant with her uncle’s child. She is only 16 years old.

At the age of 12, Martha is pregnant for her father.

Sometime last year, while sleeping she felt someone trying to remove her skirt.

On waking up she realized it was her father who immediately covered her mouth with his hand and raped her.

Another agonizing story is that of Ayo ,a 9 year old child who lives with her mother and step father. According to Ayo, her step father has been raping her vaginally and anally. Her step father would touch her ears with a ring and put it on her chest which makes her not to remember anything including the assault itself. It was not until Ayo’s elder sister caught him in the act that the assault became public.

The list is not exhaustive as over 50 cases, majority of whom are children, have been reported this month.

Why are men raping our children? What should we do to these men?

Do you have answers or comments? Please send a mail at lipsticmc@yahoo.com.

INNERS of First-Ever Global Humanitarian Awards for Women’s and Children’s Health Honored Nusa Dua, Indonesia (25 January 2016) – His Excellency Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, and thousands of government, health and development leaders from around the world gathered today in Indonesia for the opening of the fourth International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP).

Co-hosted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the National Population and Family Planning Board of Indonesia (BKKBN), the conference is centered on the theme of “Global Commitments, Local Actions.”

At the opening ceremony, Jokowi; Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, UnderSecretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UNFPA; Dr. Christopher Elias, President of the Global Development Program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; and numerous global leaders came together to discuss the global status of family planning and call for urgent action to increase access to family planning services worldwide. During the ceremony, Jokowi and Elias also presented the first-ever Global Humanitarian Awards for Women’s and Children’s Health. The awards recognize individuals for their tremendous contributions and commitment to advancing maternal and child health and well-being, especially family planning, in communities around the world.

As part of the presentation of the Global Humanitarian Awards, Alvaro Bermejo, Executive Director for Health at the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), also announced a new $30 million initiative called Adolescents 360, co-funded with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

User-centered design The four-year project will include approaches such as user-centered design to understand adolescent health needs and boost girls’ access to contraceptives in Ethiopia, Tanzania and Nigeria. The initiative aims to find a model to increase voluntary, modern contraceptive use and reduce unintended pregnancy among girls between the ages of 15 and 19.

“I wish that at this ICFP, we can discuss the main foundations necessary to build the planet that we want [by 2030],” said His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia. “A [future] that ensures all women and girls are empowered to choose whether and when they want to have children and space their births, so that mothers and their babies have better opportunities for better lives.”

“The Government of Indonesia is

working hard to revitalize our family planning program [because] we know that the challenges facing Indonesian families in the future will [only] be greater, especially when it comes to population issues… we also encourage local governments to raise awareness and make family planning a priority in every municipality and village across Indonesia,” Jokowi continued.

“I believe that to achieve the (Sustainable Development Goals), we have to take local action… In order to sustain economic growth, investments in family planning are absolutely necessary… I want to invite all global leaders to take real action to bring about healthy mothers, healthy children and healthy and prosperous families – because only by doing this can we make Planet Earth a better place to live,” Jokowi said in his closing statement.

According to the most recent global progress report released

by Family Planning 2020 (FP2020), a global partnership focused on enabling an additional 120 million women to access voluntary contraception by 2020, in the last three years, 24.4 million more women and girls who want to avoid or delay a pregnancy have begun using modern contraceptives in the world’s poorest countries.

Contraception method This brings the total of women using a modern method of contraception in FP2020’s 69 target countries to 290.6 million.

However, FP2020 has set annual benchmarks to measure family planning progress, and the most recent numbers revealed that modern contraceptive use is behind 2015 projections by 10 million. Despite recent progress, millions of women still cannot access the family planning information and tools they need.

“The family planning data and evidence point to concrete steps we can take as a community to get back on track to meet our FP2020 goal,” said Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in his speech at the opening ceremony. “Now we must ask ourselves what more we can do to align our efforts to ensure all women have the information and tools they need to time and space their pregnancies.”

Family planning will play a critical role in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – the new development agenda for the next 15 years, adopted in September at the United Nations General Assembly – and reducing the

global unmet need for family planning services could save an estimated 1 in 4 women from deaths related to pregnancy or childbirth and prevent 1.1 million infant deaths each year. The 2016 ICFP will serve as a platform for global partners to revisit global commitments to family planning and accelerate progress towards the FP2020 goal.

“Family planning is about women’s rights and their capacity to make decisions about their health and well-being, contributing to the objectives of FP2020,” said Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Under-SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations and Executive Director of UNFPA. “It is a most significant investment to promote human capital development, combat poverty and harness a demographic dividend, thus contributing to equitable and sustainable economic development within the context of the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Policymakers and advocates In the following days of the conference, scientists, researchers, policymakers and advocates attending the ICFP will discuss the latest trends, challenges, innovations and research in the effort to increase access to family planning around the world.

Held biennially since 2009, the ICFP serves as a strategic inflection point for the family planning community worldwide.

It provides an opportunity for scientists, researchers, policymakers and advocates to disseminate knowledge, celebrate successes and identify next steps toward reaching the goal of enabling an additional 120 million women to access voluntary, quality contraception by 2020.

The 2016 ICFP is co-hosted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the National Population and Family Planning Board of Indonesia (BKKBN).

The conference is made possible through the ICFP Core Group— the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, UNFPA, USAID, FP2020, the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Marie Stopes International (MSI) and the UN Foundation—as well as the International Steering Committee and National Steering Committee of the ICFP.

32—Vanguard, FRIDAY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Ports Monopoly: Amaechi’s litmus test (2)

By Ademola Adedoyin

Aviation infrastructure – back from the future

T

By Wutem Obuami

HE story of aviation infrastructure in Nigeria was a disgustingly familiar tale - until the Princess Stella Oduah revolution in 2011, that is! Terminals that looked more like abandoned goat sheds than departure or arrival lounges, toilets whose putrefying smells could send even the most courageous of scavengers scampering to safety, dysfunctional air conditioning systems that literally turned terminals to baking ovens, public address systems that produced creaking noises than audible announcements, old, outdated, dilapidated and dysfunctional carousels, thread-bare furniture, etc were the current fare.

The list of the maladies at the terminals can fill a whole volume. A similar tale of woes was also obvious and noticeable regarding safety infrastructure, leading to intermittent air disasters.

As a widely traveled person within and outside the shores of Nigeria, the differences between aviation infrastructure (and by implication, airport experience) in the Western world, and even in some African countries including South Africa, Ethiopia and even nearby Ghana were disconcertingly nauseating! It was always a nightmare just thinking about the prospects of passing through our airports – actually experiencing it was quite some hell. I have a strong feeling that Oduah, herself a widely travelled person, like most Nigerians felt worse about Nigeria’s airport experience even before she was appointed Aviation minister.

Rehabilitation works I suggest that past aviation ministers must have felt the same way too. But the difference between Oduah and her predecessors in office was that she decided to do something both drastic and dramatic about the ugly situation. Being so used to empty platitudes by government functionaries, I never paid any serious attention to declarations by her that she was going to transform the sector. Even when in the course of my local travels I saw what looked like a semblance of rehabilitation works going on across the airports in the country, I still did not relinquish my skepticism in what was then termed, in my modest opinion as an ‘overambitious’ Airport Remodelling Programme, which took in the first Phase 11 airport terminals!

Alas, I was soon to be proved terribly wrong. Not only was the First Phase fully completed and put to use, but also the Second phase comprising another 11 airports took off with the same gusto as the first.

Like the first phase, the second phase was finished and put to use, except for one or two that did not reach 100 per cent completion before she was relieved of her position in 2014.

Now, I must confess that as widely C M Y K

•Port Harcourt international airport

travelled as I am, I have not been privileged to visit or pass through all the 22 airports Oduah rehabilitated during her tenure.

However, I have been privileged to pass through at least 12 of them - from Calabar to Kano, Port Harcourt to Lagos, Benin to Owerri, Ibadan to Illorin, among others. I have also read glowing tributes to the work she did in the other airports I am yet to pass through, but my airport experience at the ones I have used, while still not comparable to the feeling of complete satisfaction you get in Heathrow, JFK, Newark, Gatwick, Beijing, Sa Paulo, Johannesburg airports, among others, the feeling is refreshingly pleasant.

I still have very vivid memories of my wide-eyed, open-mouthed feelings and expression when I passed through the Margaret Ekpo airport in Calabar for the first time after it had been remodeled. From one of the smallest, and perhaps dysfunctional airports in the country, it had been transformed to a sprawling and imposing edifice, with some elegant works of art depicting some cultural aspects of the Efik nation hanging from the high walls. I witnessed a new (the first at the airport) and fully functional carousel, cooling system and bright, shining marble floors.

As I and my fellow passengers were awaiting our luggage, the talk on everyone’s lips was how wonderful the airport was looking, and how nice it finally felt to have such an exciting airport experience in a Nigerian airport! Not surprisingly, the plaudits went to Oduah, and then President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

The experience and feeling was the same at the other airports. But nothing was like the exhilarating comfort and ambience of the former local wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja now used for private and charter jet

The main terminal of the Lagos International airport also witnessed huge transformation

operations. From a decrepit and neglected terminal, the local wing was now transformed to an Executive Lounge, fully equipped with luxurious furnishings. I remember fondly once when I had the privilege to travel in the company of a former Deputy governor from one of the South South states in late 2013 through the terminal and he was all in awe of the work and transformation of the place which he derisively described as a “former goat shed”.

The new GAT at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, begun by Oduah and completed after she left also posts similar excellent facilities and ambience.

Main terminal The main terminal of the Lagos International airport also witnessed huge transformation. Not only was the terminal expanded and fitted with new carousels, cooling systems, etc, but also the waiting period for processing passengers has been greatly reduced following the quadrupling of the check-in counters. Passenger facilitation is a lot more seamless now than it was pre-2011.

Now, I can see some readers winking at what appears to be a pure PR stunt or narrative for the former minister. But truth be told, that Lady did tremendous work for a very short period of a little over 3 years. My gut feeling is that if her predecessors bothered to do even 20 per cent of what she did, we wont certainly be having this conversation about the state of our airport facilities and infrastructure.

And this brings me to a particular refrain I often hear about the work she did.

Yes, I have also heard that the quality of work she did was substandard, and that just less than two years after she left office, some of the terminals she rehabilitated are suffering from lack of maintenance, and hence fast deteriorating. To the first charge, I would say let those who came after her build on her successes, and correct whatever real or perceived inadequacies that might have been noticed. And come to think of it, if her predecessors did as much as she did, perhaps her job would have been to paper through the cracks/faults they are mentioning now and we wont be having this discussion in the first place.

To be concluded

Continues from yesterday

T

HE projected revenue earnings of these concessionaires are negatively impacted and are unable to discharge their responsibilities, including payment of rents to the government. Second, now enjoying clear monopoly, Intels has gone for the kill by imposing arbitrary charges thereby making the nation’s ports unattractive and driving importers and their cargoes to the neighbouring countries.

It is in this context that the NPA memo dated November 16, 2015 titled “Handling of oil and gas Cargo at Julius Berger Terminal, Warri, can be situated. The memo, from the office of the Executive Directorate of Marines and Operations, Nigerian Ports Authority and signed by A.A Goje, General Manager, claimed that “The Federal government was losing revenue on Oil and Gas Cargo handling in some terminals.” The reason for these losses, according to the memo is that “Whereas, a Multi Purpose Terminal may handle Oil and Gas related cargo and charge the lower rate of $1.12 per tonne for General Cargo, the same cargo meant for the IOCs and handled in designated Oil and Gas Terminal will attract $5.82 per tonne.”

“As an interim measure, NPA noted, “the expected vessels to call at Julius Berger should pay $5.82 per tonne to prevent diversion to neighnouring countries.”

Maritime experts contend that the Memo clearly but unpatriotically lumped so many things together in favour of Intels that only the discerning eyes could see.

First, the NPA is clearly helping Intels to reinforce the terms Oil and Gas Cargo and Oil and Gas designated ports, which are clearly unknown to the 2006 Ports Concession Agreement.

Second, the $5.82 per tonne on the face of it, appears like helping government to generate more revenue since it is higher than $1.21 per tonne which all terminal operators pay to government except Intels. It must be noted that Intels charges as high as $65 per tone and remits only

Maritime watchers’ submission is that NPA is too close to Intels for comfort and to the determinant of the nation’s economic well being

$5.82 to the federal government, whereas others charge $7.40 per line as direct charges, devoid of rents or transfer charges from the ship to the stocking area, unlike Intels that compels all cargoes to pay for Indirect charge with the imposition of $65 per tonne.

It is from the $7.40 per tonne that other terminal operators pay the statutory $1.21 per tonne to the government.

What that memo sought to do was to legitimize the Intels imposed charge by compelling others to pay same amount to the government. Martime experts say that such high charge can only drive ship owners to neighbouring countries whose levies are far lower and with better service delivery. The letter written by the Seventh Senate Committee on Privatization dated September 18, 2014 to the then Minister of Transport in respect of this issue should be of interest to the current Honourable Minister of Transport.

Practice of diversion The letter read in part: “the committee further observed that if this practice of diversion (of oil and gas related cargoes to the designated ports) is allowed to continue, it will not only remain gross violation of the respective Lease Agreements executed between the NPA, BPE and Terminal Operators but a distortion of the entire commercial consideration on which the Concession Agreements were anchored.”

Maritime watchers’ submission is that NPA is too close to Intels for comfort and to the determinant of the nation’s economic well being. They cite the issue of $5.2 billion which NPA is paying to Intels as “ reimbursement” for construction of facilities which Intels is using in Onme, Warri, Calabar and Lagos and collection of certain vessels taxes by Intels on behalf of NPA, are some of the areas Honourable Minister Amaechi may need to beam his search light on if he must exploit all the opportunities at the Ports to generate more revenue for the Federal government.

With a government agency that appears to be working hands in glove with a private sector player that is unbending in its resolve to continue to milk the country and entrench monopoly in the ports, the Minister’s task is certainly a yeoman’s one.

Concluded

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016—33

Pipeline bombing: Groups call for FG's probe panel to unravel culprits

By Emma Amaize

W

ARRI—FOUNDATION for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade, FHRACC, Centre for the Vulnerable and Underprivileged, CENTREP and Ijaw People Development Initiative, IPDI, Delta State, have called on the Federal Government to set up a panel of inquiry to uncover the perpetrators of last month’s pipeline bombing in parts of the state instead of harassing innocent citizens with soldiers.

They cautioned against military attack on communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state in the name of searching for the wrongdoers, saying it would make the faceless hoodlums to spread their tentacles to other parts of the region, as witnessed in the recent attack on pipelines by suspected militants in Bayelsa State.

CENTREP, Warri, in a statement by its Executive Director, Oghenejabor Ikimi, condemned the continued military siege to Gbaramatu Kingdom by the Joint Task Force, JTF, in the Niger Delta.

However, the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Delta, Commodore R.O. Mohammed, has denied the allegation that naval personnel in Warri were intimidating residents of communities at Warri Over-side with indiscriminate shootings.

not the other way round as alleged.”

Also, Ijaw leaders in Gbaramatu Kingdom, have called on teachers and health workers, who fled the area in the wake of the military operation to return to avoid avoidable health crisis and students losing an academic session for no fault of theirs.

Call for inquiry

FHRACC in a statement by its National President, Mr. Alaowei Cleric, said, “It is expedient that the government, instead of sending the military to maim or harass innocent civilians should set up a body of inquiry to unearth the real culprits.

“The move by the military garrison in the region in intimidating the riverine communities will only give these miscreants the leeway to attack oil facilities across the length and breadth of the region. This

is what is happening in Bayelsa State. Military action will only aggravate the situation because it will only reduce the region to a hot spot for oil companies to operate effectively,” he said.

On his part, National President of IPDI, Austin Ozobo, said, “We are saying that JTF should stop harassing innocent citizens. The Federal Government should take a cue from Warri South-West Local Government Area and set up a body to find out the cause of the bombing and determine the way out, not to intimidate and terrorize villagers.”

Condemning the blockade of some riverine communities, Ikimi said information reaching CENTREP indicats that soldiers were engaged in random shooting in Gbaramatu communities.

He said that the people took flight leading to the forceful closure of schools, churches,

health centres and economic activities and desertion of the said area by medical personnel, teachers, clergymen, traders and other non-natives.

Vanguard learned that the leaders extensively deliberated on the sufferings of the people since the manhunt by security agencies for the pipeline bombers.

The Bebenemowei (Chief Mobilizer) of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekame, who spoke on the outcome of the meeting, said the leaders resolved that nothing should be spared to bring peace to the area and that those who took flight should return for normal life to resume.

He said: “The people are suffering because of this development. We are urging the health workers to return because the situation is bad for those who are sick and there is nobody or means of transportation to rush them to Warri."

Routine exercise

He said: “It is a routine exercise carried out by the base as security measures two weeks ago and we informed some leaders of the community before we started the exercise. The Nigerian Navy is protecting the lives of citizens and

MEETING: Form left: APC Deputy National Secretary, Oji Ngofa; National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, at a meeting with a Rivers APC delegation at the party's National Secretariat, Abuja. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Rivers gov candidates pledge to work with Wike

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State governorship candidates of political parties that contested last year’s general election with Governor Nyesom Wike, have assured that they will work with him to achieve enduring peace in the state.

Speaking under the aegis of Coalition of Rivers State, 2015 Governorship Candidates, CORGCA, Chairman of the coalition and governorship candidate of United Progressive Party, UPP, Mr Parker Akuro, who was flanked by four other governorship candidates in the last election, said that the peace of the state should be of utmost interest to everybody.

He said that with the judgment of the apex court, it was time for all candidates in the last governorship election to work for the peace, unity and development of the state.

Congratulating Wike on the

Supreme Court verdict, they also thanked him for extending a hand of fellowship to all governorship candidates

in the last election.

In a related development, the state’s chapter of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, has

also congratulated Governor Wike for his victory at the Supreme Court.

Ndokwa youths demand release of arrested leader

By Ochuko Akuopha

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L E H — N D O K WA youths, under the aegis of Ndokwa Youths Alive Progressive Forum, NYAPF, yesterday, demanded the immediate release of their National President, Mr. Ozegbe Adoh, describing his arrest on allegations of involvement in the November 14, 2015 vandalism of the Independent Power Plant, Okpai, as embarrassing and humiliating.

Adoh, it will be recalled, was apprehended Tuesday night, by men of the Special AntiKidnapping squad of Delta State police command at Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Delta State while with some friends at a parlour joint on Isumpe Road.

Police Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Celestina Kalu, had said that the Nigeria Agip Oil Company had, in a petition on November 19, 2015, reported the vandalism of the power plant situated at Okpai in Ndokwa East Local Government Area,

saying that Adoh was a fleeing prime suspect.

But NYAPF, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Azuka Odanike, said: “The Police did not invite him officially but started with shooting at him.

Why should a defenseless Nigerian be treated that way?”

Warri Progressive Society holds NEC meeting

By Elizabeth Uwandu

F

OREMOST Itsekiri socio- cultural society, Warri Progressive Society, aka Otonloye, will hold its National Executive Council, NEC, meeting in Abigborodo, Warri North Local Government Area,

Delta State on February13, 2016.

A statement by the National President, Mr. Godwin Etete, advised all members to endeavour to attend as matters of importance concerning the society and the Iwere nation will be discussed.

Delta signs MoU with Chinese firm to boost electricity

A

By Festus Ahon

SABA—AS part of its efforts to boost power supply in the state, Delta State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with a Chinese Company, Yutal Li Nigeria Limited, for the provision of 100 megawatts solar powered electricity generating plant.

At the signing ceremony in Asaba, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said that the partnership was necessary due to the importance of electricity to the growth of micro, small and medium scale enterprises which would not “only give a boost to employment but, to the socioeconomic development of the state.”

The MoU was signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Festus Agas on behalf of the state government and the Managing Director of Yutai Li Nigeria Limited, Mr Liping Ding signed for his firm.

Okowa said that his administration was ready to partner reputable investors to fast-track the development of the state.

PDP S-South professionals endorse Gulak as National Chairman

By Onuzure Dania

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HE South South Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Professionals have thrown their weight behind Alhaji Ahmed Gulak as the National Chairman of the, PDP, saying that he is the only one that can bring the party out of the woods.

The group flayed the communique by the PDP Governors Forum through its chairman and Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, which portrayed Gulak in bad light and called for an apology to him.

A statement by its National Coordinator, Mr Ebipade Agbor, the group said that after due consultation with leaders, elders and PDP faithful, they had no other option than to endorse Ahmed Gulak.

“Gulak is the best hand to drive and bring back the lost glory of our great party. We regret that some of our National Working Committee, NWC, members led our party to defeat in the presidential election,” the group said.

34—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

ANAMBRA CENTRAL RERUN:

race —APC A

WKA—THE All Progressives Congress, APC, has debunked reports in some sections of the print and social media that the APC candidate in Anambra Central Senatorial race, Sharon Ikeazor has been excluded from the fresh elections scheduled for March 5, 2016, pointing out that the report was false in material particulars.

In a statement released yesterday, the party said that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, did not at

any time issue a statement excluding Ikeazor or APC from the race.

“We take exception to the over –interpretation of INEC’s generic statement about exclusion of fresh parties and candidates and note that APC having participated in the March 28, 2015 annulled elections is not fresh to the race.

"The 2010 Electoral Act as amended is clear on the condition precedent (Section 33) and the procedure to be followed (Section 35) for the substitution of a

Ikeazor firmly in the candidate in an election when a properly nominated candidate exercises his/her constitutional right to withdraw from the race.

“To these provisions which INEC is bound and have so far proven to be bound by, we have no addition or subtraction.

“We, however, will not fail to observe the wonderful coincidence in verbiage between the reports in some media outlets and the same words bandied about by an aspirant in a rival political party who is so scared of competition that he has since

assumed the role of INEC and the courts including and excluding candidates at will.

“To this candidate with an ambition as tall as hats can be aimed at constituting a one-man caucus in the Senate, we offer assurances that long before Nigeria formalized democracy, the constituency he seeks to represent had functioned and still wants to function like a republican setting where the eagle perch on equal and flat terms, with firm punishments for anyone that tries to exclude the other.”

Igbo not marginalised in Buhari's govt—APC stalwart

NAUTH moves to tackle Lassa fever, says no outbreak yet in Anambra

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

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NEWI—THE management of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, NAUTH, Nnewi, Anambra State, has introduced measures aimed at combating the spread of Lassa fever, if noticed in any part of the state.

The Chief Medical Director, CMD of NAUTH, Prof. Anthony Igwegbe made this known during a Sensitization Seminar organized by the hospital to educate workers in the institution on the disease and how to tackle it, if noticed.

Igwegbe, however, assured the

people and Nnewi community in particular that there was no need to panic as, the hospital had set the machinery in motion in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure that the disease was combated, if eventually noticed in the state, even as there was no reported, known or confirmed case of Lassa fever in Anambra State.

“Once the case is reported in the state, it is the Federal Minister of Health that will do the announcement. This was the instruction given to us in our National Council of Health meeting held in Abuja.

Oshiomhole's Political Adviser loses brother

M

R Kennedy Ozede Idahosa, aged 50 is dead.

He died last week at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, after a brief illness.

He is survived by the widow, two children and a siblings among whom is the Special Adviser to Governor Adams Oshiomhole on Political Matters, Chief Charles Idahosa (Charle T). He will be buried today in Benin City.

Late Kennedy Idahosa

“In as much as the disease is not anywhere in the state, people should ensure that they keep their environments clean and avoid

any form of contact with rodents especially, rats, even though it is only a particular rat that carries

Okorocha inaugurates Government Liaison Officers

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W E R R I — GOVERNOR Rochas Okorocha,yesterday inaugurated three hundred and five (305) Government Liaison Officers, GLOs, representing each of the 305 INEC Wards in the state.

He stated that their primary assignment is to drive the government’s policies and programmes in their respective wards for progress, development and growth. He also announced that N5 billion has been set aside for rural transformation which the GLOs would anchor.

Inaugurating the GLOs, the governor said that strong leadership must be established at the community (ward) level to drive the development of the area remarking that, “today, there is the challenge of downturn in our economy as a result of dwindling oil prices. There is unemployment and insecurity

and to address all these, the governor cannot stay in the Government House and know what is happening in every ward and community. Therefore, the need to share some of my powers with you is inevitable. We will not share the chorus of underdevelopment because of dwindling economy but we shall all rise to build the Imo of our collective dreams and aspirations.

“The GLOs are the pivots on which the wheel of job, job, job policy will rotate. The GLOs simply mean job, job, job.

Government has set aside the sum of N5b for the purpose of the projects in the wards to be driven by the GLOs. Go back to your ward and work out how to create jobs. Take charge of the ecosystem. The GLOs are all challenged to create all the enabling environment for transformation."

U

By Anayo Okoli

MUAHIA—A CHIEFTAIN of the ruling All Progrssives Congresss, APC, in Abia State, Dr. Ephraim Iroakazi has come in defence of President Muhammadu Buhari over the allegation that he has marginalized Igbo people, saying that the President has so far given Ndigbo what was due to them.

Speaking to reporters in Umuahia, Iroakazi said that President Buhari has not in any way sidelined the Igbo so far.

He said it was defeatist of the South East people to always cry of marginalization when they always have the opportunity to get the best in governments.

Iroakazi noted that the cry of marginalization by Ndigbo did not start today, saying that even in Shagari era when an Igbo man was the Vice President, they still cried of marginalization.

According to him, instead of cry of marginalization all the time, Ndigbo should always study the political terrain very well and properly align themselves to be able to be in the mainstream.

“President Buhari has not marginalized the South East zone in any way. He is not in office to find job for the boys but to put things in order. He came in at a time things are very bad and he is taking his time to rebuild."

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

On Supreme cour irming Ikpeazu as A bia go courtt conf confirming Abia govvernor

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bia people should open their eyes, we need development and Ikpeazu is going to help.

Please, we should let him carry on with the good work he has started. Infact, he will remain the Abia State governor for the next eight years. Mr Martin Onuigbo, Worker

O

kezie remains Abia Gov until 2023 when Aba must have been reconstructed for a new Abia State Capital. My only reason in liking the judgement in favour of Otti is because he must probe T.A Orji alleged stolen fund. Mr Onyebuenyi Uche, Businessman

T

hank God Ikeazu has won. I am so happy.

With this present governor of Abia State, I am sure that my mum will get her salary and my school stuff too is settled because he will encourage most Abians to go to school. Miss Atuegbu Cassy, Self Employed

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y own take on the Supreme court judgment that brought in Ikpeazu as governor of Abia State is that the court cases for the governors should last up to one year. This will enable the governors to be on their toes to satisfy the masses. Mr Okie Darlington, Graduate

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think this change we vot ed for should have started with the judiciary system; cause they are making a mess of everything. I see reasons why my president said the judiciary is his major challenge toward the fight against corruption. Mr Emenonye Chukwunyere, Self Employed

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ell, since it is the apex court that saw Ikpeazu as the winner of the 2015 gubernatorial election in Abia State, let every other person wait till the next election to be able to vote him out, if he fails to perform. That is just how it ought be.

Miss Ify Kelvin, Student

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 — 35

We're not leaving destroyed communities, Dalori residents tell Buhari

By Ndahi Marama

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AIDUGURI— DISTRICT Head of Dalori, Alhaji Usman Lawan Dalorima and residents have informed President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State that no amount of threat or threats from Boko Haram insurgents will compel them to desert their community and become refugees in any of the settlement camps in Maiduguri.

They insisted that despite the calamity that befell them last Saturday where over 150 persons were reported killed and their houses destroyed by insurgents, they would rather stay back in their ancestral land and face whatever consequences that might arise.

Dalori is about 10 kilometres drive from Maiduguri metropolis, which already has about 30 designated Camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of not less than 1.3 million people.

The residents including the Borno State Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Alhaji Ali Bukar Dalori made their position known at the destroyed palace of the District Head when President Buhari, who was represented by the Secretary to the Federal Government, Mr. Babachir David Lawal, alongside

three ministers on a condolence visit to Dalori village of Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

The residents who also kicked against the ongoing digging of trenches to surround the community by military to safeguard them from another infiltration by Boko Haram sect from the Sambisa forest, called on the government particularly National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to provide them with food items and rebuild their destroyed houses instead of digging trenches by escavators in the name of security measures.

Speaking on behalf of the

residents, the APC chairman said “We are grateful for the visit to sympathize and condole with us over the unfortunate attack last Saturday, but we are appealing to government to stop the ongoing digging of trenches surrounding our community, because these trenches will prevent our people whenever there is an attack to flee as an escape route in the community. We are not going anywhere, this is our land and we have no other place than Dalori, we are not against deployment of security personnel to this community, but my people are

strongly against surrounding them with trenches”.

Responding, the SGF said, they were in Dalori on behalf of President Buhari who was on official foreign trip at the time of the attack, and prayed God to grant eternal rest to those who lost their lives in the attacks and wished the injured quick recovery.

He assured that the Federal Government under President Buhari was committed to ending the activities of insurgency in the north east, and directed NEMA to immediately deploy relief materials to the people of the community to

VISIT: From left; Mr Tony Ojobo, Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr Mortimer Hope, Director GSMA Africa, Prof. Umar Danbatta Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Gala Penteriani, Senior Manager, GSMA UK and Mr. Usman Malah, Chief of Staff to EVC, during GSMA courtesy visit to NCC in Abuja yesterday.

BOKO HARAM: Don’t return IDPs to unsafe territories, Anglican Church tells FG

By Caleb Ayansina

A

BUJA—THE Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Revd Nicholas Okoh, has called on the Federal Government to exercise caution in its efforts to return the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, home as promised by the first quarter of this year.

The cleric, who commended the last year December deadline declared on Boko Haram by the government, however, urged the government and the military not to relent as the terrorist groups might spring surprise to instill fear in the populace.

Okoh, who spoke at the opening

of the standing committee of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), in Kubwa, Abuja, implored government to ensure adequate security in those recaptured territories before sending IDPs back to their places to avoid causalities.

A

chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, Mr. Ochuko Odugba has urged Deltans to see the victory of the state governor, Sen Ifeanyi Okowa at the Supreme Court as a call for commitment towards the development of the state.

Odugba, who commended the governor for refusing to be distracted during the period of litigation, urged Deltans to C M Y K

home in the first quarters of 2016. To ensure that they are not returning to their death, adequate security should be provided before they are taken back home to avoid greater embarrassment for the government.”

Kogi gov, workers heading for fresh showdown ...Over planned screening of workers before payment of Oct salary

By Boluwaji Obahopo

L

OKOJA—BARELY 24 hours after the organised labour in Kogi State called off its six weeks old strike, a battleline has again been

‘Okowa’s victory, a call for commitment’

By Elizabeth Nwandu

According to him, “We want to reiterate that fighting terrorism is not a 100m dash but a long cross country race. The government should continue to bear in mind that Boko Haram has the capacity to spring surprises. Government has said that the IDPs will return

shun future acts capable of causing disharmony in the state.

His words: ‘’What we saw at the Supreme Court was an overwhelming triumph of truth over falsehood. It was an attestation to the fact that Deltans actually voted for the PDP. ''While we revel in the euphoria of the court judgment, it is important we don’t lose sight of the underlying import of the victory. Truly, there are subtexts that cannot be ignored to avoid a repetition in future.''

drawn between labour and Governor Yahaya Bello, over the governor's decision to screen workers before payment of last year October salary.

The governor had on Wednesday met with Permanent Secretaries and heads of government agencies and parastatals, where he directed them to screen the workers before payment of one out of the four months’ salary arrears.

The governor asked the workers to present; first appointment/ employment letter, confirmation of appointment /employment letter, all promotion letters, statement of salaries account or payslips for the last 24 months, copy of staff identity card, credentials such as State of Origin Certificate, Birth Certificate and Academic Credentials, among others for the screening.

The Governor said the move was

to help in weeding out ghost workers from the state, lamenting that the wage bill had been over-bloated by 300 percent, as ghost workers were partly responsible for the astronomical rise in wages in the state.

But organised labour described the state government decision as backstabbing after calling off a six week strike on ‘compassionate’ ground for the new governor.

Speaking to newsmen after an emergency State Executive Council meeting, State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Onuh Edoka, issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government to rescind its decision on the screening exercise or the workers would embark on another indefinite strike.

Agbakoba raises alarm over increasing outflow of domestic cases

By Bartholomew Madukwe

F

ORMER President, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba SAN, has raised alarm over the increasing outflow of Nigerian cases outside the country, saying it is a threat to the nation’s economy.

He called on stakeholders in the judiciary to immediately address the matter.

Agbakoba, in a statement by Mrs. Priscilla Ogwemoh, Director, Arbitration and Mediation Centre, Olisa Agbakoba Legal, lamented that the outflow of domestic arbitration cases to outside Nigeria was unhelpful to Nigeria’s plan for economic empowerment, wealth creation and development.

According to him, Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution were crucial factors to investment development and economic growth and had become international best practices in resolving corporate disputes of various magnitudes.

Ambode swears in new KAI Marshal

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

L

AGOS State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, yesterday swore in Mr. Amusat Bola Jimoh, as the new Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI, Marshal General of the state.

He succeeds Captain Danjuma Maigari (retd).

Jimoh, a retired Chief Superintendent of Police, resumed duty after the swearing-in ceremony by the Commissioner for the Environment Dr. Babatunde Adejare, on behalf of the governor.

Before this appointment Jimoh, worked in various capacities in Nigeria Police before his retirement.

He has served as the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Alausa and Anthony police stations.

Jimoh would be the fourth KAI Marshal General.

36—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

VISIT: From left— Mr. Charles Gerard of Corporate Affairs Department, Vanguard Media Ltd. (right), addressing the students of Kiddies Kingdom Private School during their visit to Vanguard in Lagos. PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

MUSWEN: From left— The Nation columnist, Alhaji Femi Abbas; Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria, MUSWEN, Executive Secretary, Professor Daud Noibi; Rector, Arabic and Islamic Training Centre (Markaz), Sheikh Habeebullah Adam Al-Ilory; President-General, MUSWEN, Alhaji Sakariyahu Babalola; Secretary-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, and Dr. Jubril Oyekan, during MUSWEN's visit to Sheikh Adam at Markaz, Agege, Lagos. PHOTO: Bunmi Azeez.

DANGOTE: From left— A Director, Hajiya Fatima WaliAbdulrahaman; Chairperson, Mrs Yemisi Ayeni; another Director, Dr. Chris Ogbeche; Executive Director, Commercial, Halima Dangote, and Managing Director, Mr. Paul Farrer, all of NASCON Industries Plc, manufacturers of Dangote Salt, DanQ seasoning, Dangote Tomato Paste and Dangote Oil, during a visit to the company's plants in Lagos and Ogun State.

CHINA-NIGERIA RELATIONS: Charge d'affaires, Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Nigeria, Mr. Qin Jian (standing 1st left); Mrs Ayotunde Adesugba, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Culture (standing 3rd left); other officials and Chinese dancers at the 45th anniversary of China-Nigeria Diplomatic Relations in Abuja.

LADY @ 60: Lady Kate Imuetiyan Obaseki (2nd left) and her children, cutting her 6 0 t h birthday cake in Benin, Edo State.

LEARN AFRICA: From left— Deputy Chairman, Ogun State Association of Primary Schools Head of Nigeria, AOPSHON, Mr. Nola Balogun; Managing Director/CEO, Learn Africa Plc, Mr. Jacob Oladipo; Ogun State Secretary, AOPSHON, Mr. Oyewole Ayo, and Director, Department of Curriculum Services, Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Johnson Odeyemi, during the inauguration of Learn Africa Plc, Abeokuta Office, Ogun State.

ACCESS BANK: From left—Head, Group Internal Audit, Access Bank Plc, Yinka Tiamiyu; Lagos State Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, and Chief Conduct and Compliance Officer, Access Bank Plc, Pattison Boleigha, presenting copies of a security information booklet, A Guide to Personal Safety, and bullet proof vests to the police during a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Command by the bank.

HONOUR: Brigadier-General (Mrs) Philo Eromosele (4th right), friends and family members during a reception in honour of Brid.-Gen Eromosele on her elevation in the Nigerian Army, in Edo State.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016—37

VICE PRESIDENT OSINBAJO COMMISSIONS PROJECTS IN OGUN STATE Photos: Wunmi Akinola

From left: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and Mrs Olufunso Amosun during the commissioning of L-r: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo Akarigbo of Remoland discussing during the VP's courtesy visit HID Awolowo Model School at Ikenne Remo

From left: Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Onanuga, Ogun State Deputy Governor; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo Akarigbo of Remoland; Governor Ibikunle Amosun and his wife Mrs Funso Amosun at Akarigbo palace.

Cross section of traditional rulers at the event.

220 firms owe AMCON N1.14 trillion

By Babajide Komolafe

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SSET Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) yesterday said that Seawolf Nigeria Limited, and 219 other companies are indebted to it to the tune of N1.14 trillion.

This was contained in a list of debtors released yesterday by the Corporation for publication in major newspapers. The list reveals that the top debtors owe the Corporation N479.33 billion, representing 42 percent of the total indebtedness.

The top ten debtors’ list is led

by Seaworlf Nigeria Limited with N160 billion. Others in the top ten debtor ’s category

include: Tanzila Petroleum Limited-N49.23 billion; Resort International Limited-

N36.3 billion; Home Trust Savings-N25.75 billion; Suru Worldwide Ventures-N24.41

billion. Others are Roygate Properties-N23.26 billion; Ziglagsis Network Limited-

N20.33 billion; Lexcap Partners-N18 billion; and Anyiam Osigwe LimitedN17.25 billion.

Oil crisis: Shell to cut 10,000 jobs in Nigeria, other countries

By Prince Okafor

R

OYAL Dutch Shell, the parent company of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, has unfolded plans to cut its global workforce in Nigeria and a few other countries, by about 10,000 in 2016, as it battles increasing pressures from declining

global oil prices on its operations.

The plans according to the group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ben Van Beurden, who said in a webcast on its 2015 fourth quarter and full year results early in the week that it was part of holistic changes the company was undertaking to restructure and refocus its operations in 2016.

He said: “We are making substantial changes in the company, reorganising our upstream and reducing costs and capital investment as we refocus Shell, and respond to lower oil prices,” He also disclosed that the planned merger between Shell Group and BG Group was expected to be completed in a few weeks, while explaining that no fewer than

10,000 staff and direct contractors for both companies would be sacked.

Also reviewing the group’s performance in 2015, Mr. Beurden said the poor situation compelled the company to significantly curtail spending by reducing the number of new investment decisions and designing lower-cost development solutions in its operation.

38—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

ANAMBRA PDP:

Trouble again!

THE Supreme Court judgment of last Friday that recognised the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, executive in Anambra State putatively led by Chief Chris Uba has again exposed the fault lines in the opposition party in the state.

•Chris and Andy Uba: When the going was good

By Vincent Ujumadu

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NAMBRA State was jolted Friday last week when the people received information concerning the judgment of the Supreme Court reinstating the faction led by Chief Ejike Oguebego as the authentic state executive of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. For years, Oguebego, who has Chief Chris Uba as the leader of his group and Prince Kenneth Emeakayi, who led another faction of the party and supported by the national leadership of PDP, had been in and out of court, fighting for the control of the party machinery in Anambra.

Political battle The political battle usually heightens during elections when the issue of nomination of candidates takes the center stage.

It was therefore common in Anambra to see the factions conducting their primaries and rushing to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, with their lists for approval.

During the 2015 general election, INEC initially accepted the list submitted by Oguebego only to drop it and used the one brought by Emeakayi, with the support of the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party in conducting the election.

When this happened, all those whose names were contained in the list compiled by Chris Uba and Oguebego, went home and relaxed because of the ruling of the Court of Appeal on the matter, upturning an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court which ruled that Oguebego is the authentic state chairman of the party.

However, not satisfied with the ruling, Oguebego went to the C M Y K

Supreme Court and the outcome was the setting aside of the ruling of the Court of Appeal.

During the election, PDP won the three senatorial seats and nine out of the House of Representatives seats, while APGA won two. Indeed, it was thought that everything about the leadership was settled as the Emeakayi –led group has been very active in the state. Before the Supreme Court bomb shell, Emeakayi had set machinery in motion to conduct primaries to select the candidate for the Anambra Central rerun and what delayed it was the detention of the party’s national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. In fact, after the submission of the list of candidates for the election last year, all those candidates in the Oguebego faction went about their normal businesses and most of them did not even work for their colleagues during the campaigns.

At the weekend, it was discovered that most of them had gone back to their businesses and were not in Anambra State when the Supreme Court delivered the judgment. Some of their friends said they were trying to reach them to inform them of the latest development.

Justice John Inyang Okoro, who read the Supreme Court lead judgment, faulted the Court of Appeal in setting aside the judgment of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt which recognized the Oguebego-led executive as constituting the authentic leadership.

“The issue before the trial court was whether the 1st respondent (PDP) can rubbish the judgment/ order of the court for whatever reason and set up a caretaker committee, other claims notwithstanding.

”For me, I strongly hold the view that there is no dispute on the relevant/essential facts grating the claims of the appellants which relate to the determination of the action of the 1st respondent in setting up a caretaker committee of the PDP, Anambra State chapter during the pendency of the judgment/ order of the Federal High Court, recognizing the appellants as the persons duly elected to that position.

“The 1st and 3rd respondents (PDP and Chukwudi Okasa) have tried to raise issues which tend to show that there are conflicts as to facts. I do not see any. Those facts which seem to cause disputes are not relevant to the determination of the main issue before the court. As it stands, it is clear that the court below premised its decision on this issue on a wrong appreciation of the claim of the appellants before the trial Federal High Court.

“Having resolved all this five issues in favour of the appellants, I hold that there is merit in this

appeal which is hereby allowed.

The judgment of the Court of Appeal is hereby set aside. The order of the Federal High Court in suit No FHC/PH/213/2013 recognizing the Ejike Oguebego-led Executive committee of the PDP, Anambra chapter is still subsisting until it is set aside by an order of the court.”

However, confusion reigned from the time the people received the news of the Supreme Court judgment as arguments for and against took the center stage.

Mr. Emanuel Ezeka, a retired civil servant said it would appear that the judiciary is encouraging PDP to factionalize in the state, which encouraged the party to field multiple candidates during elections because members of the party knew that either way, the party would be declared winner.

Indeed, Chief Chris Uba, younger brother of Andy Uba who is himself the main man backing the Oguebego faction was quick to ask his brother and all the other legislators backed by the Emekayi faction to quit

Supreme Court judgment The import of the judgment has, however, sent confusion among stakeholders. Initial news reports that the judgment meant the sack of the two remaining senators from the state, Senators Andy Uba and Stella Oduah and the nine House of Representatives members elected on the party, the legislators were quick to rebuff that point.

Indeed, Chief Chris Uba, younger brother of Andy Uba who is himself the main man backing the Oguebego faction was quick to ask his brother and all the other legislators backed by the Emekayi faction to quit.

Those at the centre of the storm in the House of Representatives include Anayo Nnebe (Awka North and South), Obinna Chidoka (Idemili North and South) Lynda Ikpeazu (Onitsha North and South) Emeka Anohu (Ihiala), Eucharia Azodo (Aguata) Chris Azubogu (Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo), Chukwuka Onyema (Ogbaru), Tony Nwoye (Anambra East and West) and the member for Orumba North and South.

It was gathered that Senators Uba and Oduah, as well as some of those affected in the House of Representatives, had written INEC asking it not to heed the pleas of the Chris Uba led faction to issue those in rival group certificates of return. As far as they were concerned, the judgment of the Supreme Court did not sack them.

We didn’t benefit from $2.1bn arms funds — Obanikoro jnr MR Gbolahan Obanikoro, is son of the former Minister of State for Defense and Foreign Affairs, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro. In this interview, he clears the air on allegations against him in respect of the N4.75billion received from the embattled former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col Sambo Dasuki (retd).

By Dapo Akinrefon

I

S it true that you are a director of Sylvan McNamara Ltd and signatory to the Diamond account which allegedly received the sum of N4.75B from the office of the NSA? I am not and was never a director of this company and neither am I a signatory to its account or any other account related to the entity. My

involvement with this company ended as far back as 2013 before all these incidents and before my father was even appointed as a Minister, so any dealings that transpired after that is of absolutely no concern or business of mine.

The bank is available to confirm who the signatories to the account are and the Corporate Affairs Comission, CAC, is also available to confirm who the

directors of the company are. I am positive the authorities if at all they are investigating this matter will discover this.

It was reported that you allegedly bought a house in 2014 from the funds transferred to Sylvan McNamara?

I built my home in Nigeria in 2010, and I opted to buy a town home in the United States in 2014 during which period my wife had our 3rd child. My focus for almost a decade has always been on business and the private sector and not politics. I have been working hard and fortunate to run a successful business. So

Continues on page 39

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016—39

I'm bringing the best bargain to Urhobo land — OMO AGEGE •Buhari’s body language is a terror to corrupt persons AFTER a protracted legal battle, Barr. Obaisi Ovie Omo-Agege was last December declared the winner of the Delta Central Senatorial election. Hours after he was sworn in, Senator Omo-Agege who vied on the platform of Labour Party sat down with Vanguard to unveil his vision for the Delta Central Senatorial District.

He also spoke on the fight against corruption being embarked upon by President Muhammadu Buhari as well as the recent bombing of pipelines by Niger Delta militants. Excerpts:

BY BEN AGANDE

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HAT should the Delta Centra people expect from your representation?

What the people of Delta Central have been craving for is effective representation. We contribute so much to the economy of this country. In Delta central, we have over 100 gas fields and over 400 oil wells.

We are the highest onshore producers of oil and gas in Nigeria. Their anger is that we contribute so much but we are not getting commensurate returns.

What they expect from me as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is that every bill, every motion and every debate on the floor of the house must be looked at within the prism of what is in the best interest of the Urhobo and Delta Central people. They have the confidence in me that I will always fight for the best bargain for our people.

Won’t your membership of a minority party affect your performance?

In the Senate, we don’t have a minority or majority party. We are all senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We are here to move our constituencies and the country forward. Most importantly, elections have consequences.

Whatever is due to the Urhobo people, they will get it. They know me. Under my watch, the Urhobo nation will not be short changed

•Omo-Agege: Urhobos don’t want to be in opposition We made promises to the voters. I expect that we are going to put aside the toga of political parties and work as senators of the federal republic to deliver on the promises that we made.

Do you agree with some of the programmes of the All Progress Congress government?

Elections have consequences. I am in the Senate to do the bidding of the Urhobo people and the Urhobo people want to work with Mr President.

When he ran for office, there were several promises that he made. The Urhobo people want him to succeed. The most important thing for me is this anticorruption agenda of the administration.

I want to give Mr. President my support one hundred percent.

Beyond the anti corruption fight,

he made promises to fix the economy, tackle the infrastructural decay, tackle youth unemployment. These are very big issues that have tremendous importance to my people.

Tackling youth unemployment These are issues that are not specific to political parties.

How do you reconcile your support for the anti corruption fight of the present administration with the accusation that the fight is one sided?

I don’t believe that the anti corruption fight is one sided in any way. There has been so much decay in the country. There has been so much impunity and arrogance on the part of the

We didn’t benefit from $2.1bn arms funds — Obanikoro jnr Continues from page 38 it is definitely not out of place for me, and it is most certainly not a crime to buy a house.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has begun its investigations linking you as a signatory to the account?

Like I said earlier, my involvement with this company ceased way back in 2013, and I challenge anyone to come forth with any evidence contrary to that. But let me say this: Justice is not served if authorities are taunting any information discovered during the course of their investigation to achieve a predetermined outcome. I think government must thread within the confides of the law.

with an adorable wife and three beautiful children, so there is a lot at stake for me. Furthermore, as a young business man these types of unguarded allegations and press have undesirable implications on one’s business.

But then again, it is not surprising especially for a family like ours.

The Obanikoro name is the envy of many from political opponents of my father and

brother to personal adversaries. But that’s ok.

We are a God fearing Muslim family and a family deeply united with profound love and admiration for one another.

We have individually and collectively accomplished a lot and as far as I am concerned the best is yet to come for theObanikoro’s.

CORRECTION •Obanikoro Implications of the allegations on the Obanikoro family Of course! I am a young man

IN the interview captioned “Why Igbo want to colonise S-South — Sagir Muhammad” published on Thursday, January 28, 2016, the picture of the interviewee who is also Waziri Ringim, was replaced with that of Sagir Mohammed, an IT Consultant from Kano. The mix-up is regretted.

people.

When you see civil servants owning one third of the properties in Asokoro, somebody has to speak up and it requires political will and the president has that political will. I will give him my support one hundred percent in anything he wants to do that will advance this fight.

People should have fear for the consequences of their action. I can tell you that with President Buhari on the saddle, even his body language is enough to terrorize corrupt people.

Everybody knows he has the political will to fight this war knowing fully well that the National Assembly should be behind him. I have one vote and that vote is for Mr President on this agenda.

How will you react to the renewed bombing of pipelines in the Niger Delta region?

Every politics is local. We have been marginalized for so long. Yes we had a president of Niger Delta extraction but the people are not happy. We did not gain as much as we ought to in the last six years that we had that presidency.

As the secretary to the Delta state government, I had the opportunity to go into the creeks where the bulk of this country is being generated and I know how deprived those people have been.

Though there were individuals in the South-South that benefitted from the government, I am not sure the communities of the South-South benefitted as they ought to. If you go to Gbaramatu today, I am not sure the lives of the people is any better than it was nine years ago. I can understand why the agitation is still ongoing.

The fear remains that they are contributing so much but getting little in return.

Mainstream of Nigerian politics Look at the East-West road for instance. It is one project that people think ought to have been completed but it is still not completed yet. We need to key into the agenda of Mr President for us to benefit what we are entitled to. We the Urhobos for instance don’t want to be in opposition. We want to be in the mainstream of Nigerian politics.

We are going to be working with Mr President to advance his agenda.

Having said that, the renewed bombing of pipelines can never be justified in any circumstance. I condemn it in every way.

We just call it what it is: this is outright criminality and we must encourage the government to investigate this and whoever is involved, no matter whose ox is gored, must be brought to justice.

We do not support it in any way.

What should the Urhobo nation expect from your representation?

Very robust representation.

Whatever is due to the Urhobo people, they will get it. They know me. Under my watch, the Urhobo nation will not be short changed.

C M Y K

40 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016—41

Muslim SoulMates

Do you seek a Muslim life Partner?

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Rabiul-Thani 26, 1437 A.H.

Hijab liberates Muslim women from vain desires “And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which (necessarily) appears thereof and to wrap their head-covers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment.

And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.” [Q, 24:31)

By Hajia Aminat Omoti

T

RUE is the word of Almighty Allah, the uncreated creator, the most benevolent and the most merciful God who commanded the best of mankind and the custodian of good-tidings, Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The above quoted commandment which was revealed in an unedited, unadulterated and unblemished Glorious Qur’an had been in existence for more than fourteen centuries,Muslimsofthisgeneration have nothing to add or remove but to abide by the instruction of the Super-natural God in whose hand lays the most sophisticated remote control with which affairs of men are manned. He has the key to life and death,Hecangiveandtakewithout permission or approval from anybody,anytimeanydayanywhere.

Morale behind the commandment Hijab is an obedient way of worshipping Allah without questioning the morale behind the commandment, or subjecting the commandment to the opinion and view of people. Since our Creator is the Most Wise, He knows that His commandment is for good of individuals and the society at large.

While on-lookers see Hijab as a symbolofaMuslimWomanIdentity, Muslim Woman sees Hijab as a religious obligation which is a test of her faith in Allah. Hijab represents awoman’ssubmissiontoherCreator and her connection with the faith.

WhenaMuslimwomanwearsHijab she is obeying and submitting to Allah.

When a woman wears Hijab; she liberates herself from the vain and selfish desire to show off her beauty in competition with other women around her. The innate desire of wantondisplayofopulenceistamed by modesty of Hijab covering. The tendency of being enslaved by the corporatecapitalisticindustryknown for publishing naked women to sell anythingisremoved.Whenwewear Hijab, we deprive privy eyes from scrutinizing our physical appearance and foreclose the possibilityofpassingcommentabout

our beauty. It is however painful that the society, which shows tolerance towards those who flex around in nudity; finds it difficult to tolerate obedient servants of Allah who on their own volition adhere strictly to the injunction of the Supreme Being who has the final say on the day of reckoning. We are living in an era where woman dignity is relegated to the background.Theycountitasnorm, any form of indecent dressing of womanandungodlyacts.Contrary to the reason why we wear Hijab, they ascribe inferiority, backwardness and enslavement to the usage of veil.

While advocates of nudity are attacking our mode of dressing, the enemies of states are disguising in our attire to execute their dastard acts. Suicide bombers and insurgents are carrying out their deadly mission with Hijab. This act furtherprovesthatenemiesofAllah are stopping at nothing to discourage us from obeying His commandment and lead us astray having discovered the right path to everlasting salvation. They want to instigate the society against the wearing of Hijab, and by extension compel the government to ban us from adorning the veil.

Historical documentation has it that the evil planners had been in existence for long. From generations to generation, they constitutethemselvesashindrance

Hijab represents a woman’s submission to her Creator and her connection with the faith. When a Muslim woman wears Hijab she is obeying and submitting to Allah

to the full devotion of believers. They did more than that during the time of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), they conspired against his disciples with theaimofderidingthegoodmessage they were to pass to generations.

Evidence abounds that the consistenceandpersistenceofpeople offaithinthepaststandthemouttoday as our mentors, teachers, heroes and our pride.

Ourjoyliesinthefactthatthechoice of Hijab is not our decision but Allah’s commandment. As evil doers are planning to dissuade the society from wearingHijab;Allahisplanninghow to make the Hijab symbol of glory.

The battle is not our own, we leave the aspersions, vituperations, defamation,andconspiracyofenemy of Hijab to the Almighty Allah who command us to wear the veil. He will reward each and everyone of us accordingly.

Religious affiliation Every 1st of February is dedicated for the commemoration of the World Hijab Day, women of all religious affiliationareencouragedtodresslike usandtellushowtheyfeelwithHijab.

The exercise which commenced in theyear2013byNazmaKhan,aNew York resident is purposely designed tocounteractthenotionthattheHijab is a symbol of oppression and segregation. The maiden edition of World Hijab Day in Nigeria was commemorated in 2014, since then, activitiestomarkthedayhavealways been lined up across the states of the Federation.

As various states including the Federal Capital Territory are jostling to commemorate the day on 6th February, three Hijabites Sister had already set agenda for the day. The first is Maryam Abbass Lawal, an Hijabite student of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, ABTU who is the overall best student of the school in thejustconcludedacademicyear.The second is Dr. Faidah Lawal, an Hijabite medical graduate of UniversityofIlorinwhowastheoverall best medical student. The third but not the least is Barr. Fatima Bombom Sani, an Hijabite Law student who was the overall best student during the recent call to bar ceremony.

My candid message to us all as we commemorate the World Hijab Day is that we should excel. We should excel in our fear of Allah, we should excel in our Ibadah, we should excel our services to humanity, we should excel in peaceful co-existence, we should excel in seeking knowledge because we only cover our head we do not cover our brains. Happy World Hijab Day to you all!

HajiaAminatOmotiistheNationalAmira ofFederationOfMuslimWomenAssociations inNigeria,FOMWAN.

ELCOME to Muslim SoulMates in Vanguard. A unique platform for single Muslims who wish to find their potential marriage partners on this page. We have designed it to help you find perfect soul mates every Friday.

We will also give counsel where necessary in order to keep with the halal standard. Our aim is to further develop couples that could be blessed, compatible, enduring following Islamic injunctions. It promises to be a rewarding service just as we will treat all inquiries and submissions in confidence.

Send your profile, contact and details of who you want, not more than 75 words to isholaism@yahoo.co.uk. Names and contacts will not be published.

For those whose profile are published, they are advised to check their emails as we will revert to them for further information.

PROFILE 01: A single Muslim male, 30, Yoruba, and gainfully employed wants an educated Muslim lady for marriage. Preferably between 21-25 years.

PROFILE 02: A married Muslim male, 43, Yoruba, businessman desires to have an educated and God fearing Muslim lady or divorcee as second wife.

PROFILE 03: A Muslim divorcee, (female) 38, Hausa, Yobe State, 5ft.2inches tall with OND wants a Muslim and God fearing man, single for marriage. He must be Hausa, gainfully employed and based in any part of the country.

Obama visits Ahmadiyya mosque

A

MERICAN President Barack Obama has visited the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Mosque in Maryland, US on Wednesday as part of the Inter faith understanding and reinforcement of cultural diversity of the American people.

Obama visited the Islamic Society in Baltimore, MD last Wednesday. Obama's visit during these tensed times came as a re-assurance to all Muslim

Americans that they are undivided by the recent development in the world. That was the first visit to the Mosque since he assumed power as President of the United States.

In a press statement from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Community in the USA President Obama was applauded for this unique visit to strengthen interfaith understanding in the United States of America.

Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Dr Moshhud Adenrele Fashola and Emir of Kano, Mai Martaba Sarkin Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, during a courtesy visit of members of Ahmadiyya Jama’at Nigeria to the Emir's palace in Kano recently.

L-R: Member of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Alhaji Jimoh Faremi; Naib Amir, Northern Zone, Dr Habebb Yeqeen; Amir, Dr Moshhud Adenrele Fashola; Missionary-in-Charge, Maulana AbduKhalique Nayyar; Principal Ahmadiyya Secondary School, Kano, Mauliv M. Quyyam and others, during a courtesy visit of members of the Jama’at Nigeria to the Emir's palace in Kano recently.

42—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

By Clifford Ndujihe, Henry Umoru, Anayo Okoli, Charles Kumolu, Ugochukwu Alaribe & Chioma Onuegbu

G

OVERNOR Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and his Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, have described the Supreme Court’s Wednesday night rulings affirming their elections as victory for the people of their states and declared their readiness to accelerate the pace of development in the states.

Meanwhile, there are wild jubilations in Uyo, Umuahia and Aba over the rulings.

Udom Emmanuel assured Akwa Ibom people, during a thanksgiving service, yesterday, that he would now be 100 percent committed to delivering his campaign promises to them and appreciated all who stood by him throughout the trying times.

Gladdened by the ruling, Governor Emmanuel saluted the Nigerian judiciary for keeping watch over the evolution and deepening of democracy. Describing the judiciary as the last hope of the common man, Governor Emmanuel promised to live up to his promises to take Akwa Ibom to heights unknown in the history of administration in Nigeria.

He said: “Fellow Akwa Ibomites, yesterday (Wednesday), the Supreme Court affirmed the choice you had massively and wholeheartedly expressed in me last April 11, 2015 as your governor, thereby showing once again that the institution of the judiciary is alive and well and is keeping watch over the evolution and the deepening the culture and traditions of our nascent democracy.

“We salute the Nigerian judiciary for living up to its billing as the last hope of the common man.”

Emmanuel extended an olive branch to all his political adversaries to close ranks and join him to make the state record developmental strides.

“The battle has been won and lost and in any political contest, there must be a winner and a loser. In this case, the people of Akwa Ibom State won because in their considered opinion and reasoning, their fortunes would be better with a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, government continuing its solid dispensation of democratic dividends that had in the past eight and a half years, transformed our state to a destination of choice, which had informed the investment of their trust in me last April 11.

‘Lets close ranks’

“I hereby call on our brothers and sisters from the other side of the political divide to close ranks and join me in moving Akwa Ibom State forward and

BUDGET DEFENCE: From left— Permanent Secretary, Mr. Musa Istifanus; Minister, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and Minister of State, Mr. Abubakar Bwari, all of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, defending the ministry's budget at the National Assembly in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Supreme Court's verdicts: Victory for Abia,

Akwa Ibom people—Ikpeazu, Udom Time for soul searching—Umana

Conspiracy against Abia people— APGA

ensure development that is sustainable, impactful and expansive because we do not have any other state to call ours.”

recipe for crisis and confusion in Abia State.”

The verdicts also elicited mixed views from PDP, APGA and APC stakeholders, including Deputy Senate President, Dr Ike Ekweremadu, Senator Aniete Okon and National Chairman of the United Progressives Party, UPP, Chief Chekwas Okorie among others.

I forgive Otti— Ikpeazu

Ikpeazu, who said he had forgiven his All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, opponent, Dr. Alex Otti, described his victory as “an impetus for more work and more service to the people of Abia State and Nigeria.”

Addressing Abia people at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, shortly after a brief prayer session, Ikpeazu, who described his election as one held in rainy season and got final victory in dry season, commended the people for their steadfastness and support.

According to him, he needed to get out of the distractions of legal tussles so he will focus his attention and channel all his energies on service delivery.

He thanked the Supreme Court for giving him the impetus to continue with his revolution of rebuilding the state.

Ikpeazu said: “To those who battled us, because we are Christians, we have forgiven them. We want them to consider Abia first. This is God’s project that is why no matter how wealthy you are, you cannot battle God.”

APGA factions disagree

This came as the main opposition party in Abia State, APGA, described the judgement as a conspiracy against Abia people by the judiciary and PDP. Abia State APGA Chairman,

Rev. Augustine Ehiemere, in a telephone interview, condemned the Supreme Court's decision, saying no genuine Abian would accept the judgement because “it is a team work between the cabal that has held the country hostage for many years.”

Also National Chairman APGA, Chief Victor Oye, said they were surprised at the verdict.

He said: “After working hard for the victory at the polls we had expected to win, but the court failed to consider what it should have considered during the hearing before giving their judgement.”

However, factional Chairman of APGA, in Abia State, Prince Nnanna Ukaegbu, described the verdict of the Supreme Court, which affirmed the election of Ikpeazu, as an enthronement of equity, fairness and unity among the component units of the state.

Ukaegbu and his faction had, few weeks to the April 11, 2015 governorship election, thrown their support behind the PDP candidate.

Ukaegbu, who stated this in an interview with Vanguard in Aba, said it would have been an injustice to the people of the state if the Supreme Court had declared the APGA candidate, Dr. Otti, as the governor of the state.

He said: “Ikpeazu’s victory was never in doubt. The Supreme Court just concluded what Abia State people started.

“The court has affirmed the rejection by Abia people of the narrow-minded and divisive agenda of Alex Otti’s ticket and gave a nod to the enthronement of equity, fairness and unity in our dear state.

“Alex Otti’s ticket was a

Umana

Governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Okon Umana, said that the Supreme Court ruling, which invalidated the Appeal Court judgement that upheld the election of Udom Emmanuel, called for soul searching.

Umana, in a statement, noted that while it was not in his place to question the integrity of the judiciary as an institution, his supporters were surprised at the ruling.

His words: “We fought a good fight, but since the Supreme Court has taken its decision on the 2015 governorship election in Akwa Ibom State, we have no choice but to move on.

“As law-abiding citizens, we went to court to seek justice after the disputed elections, as advised by many people and election monitors, including the United States Embassy and the European Union, which had reached independent conclusions that the elections were marred by widespread irregularities.”

PDP, Ekweremadu celebrate

The national leadership of PDP, in a statement by its

Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, said the rulings had further reinvigorated the hope and trust of the citizenry in the judiciary as the bastion of democracy.

Secondus said: “While congratulating our governors and indeed, all well-meaning Nigerians for this triumph of democracy, we restate our charge to all PDP elected and appointed office holders at all levels across the country to continue to patriotically exert themselves, while maintaining the lead in providing purposeful leadership in line with the ideology and visions of PDP founding fathers.”

On his part, Deputy Senate President Ekweremadu, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media, Uche Anichukwu, congratulated Ikpeazu and Emmanuel on their victories.

He hailed the Supreme Court as “the bastion of the nation’s democracy,” saying the apex court’s verdicts on the election petitions “ were not only resounding victories for the masses of Abia and Akwa Ibom states, but also for the nation’s democracy in general.”

Aniete, CAN

Pioneer National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Senator Aniete Okon, while congratulating Emmanuel on his victory, said the apex court’s verdict was not only resounding victory for the masses of Akwa Ibom state but also for the nation’s democracy in general.

Also reacting Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Akwa Ibom State chapter, Archbishop Cletus Bassey, described the Supreme Court verdict as divine, saying: “God will never start what He cannot finish. You cannot undermine what God himself can do.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 —43

Vanguard CLASSIFIED EZEOGU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezeogu Chiamaka Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Afogu Chiamaka Esther. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

O Z M O YA — I , formerly known and addressed as Ozmoya Sunday Ujiamau, now wish to be known and addressed as Micheal Ozemoya Ujiamah.

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EMIRI—I, formerly known and addressed as Oghenefejiro Marigold Emiri, now wish to be known and addressed as Marigold .O. Mogbai.

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ORU—I,

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BAMIDELE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Bamidele Esther O l u w a k e m i Adeagbo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. A g u n p o p o Adetokumbo Esther.

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Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that Linus Imoh and Linus Udah is one and same person, now wish to be known and addressed as Linus Udah. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

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Confirmation of Name This is to notify the general public that my name is Idoghor Ben Oghenero as Ben was omitted in my NECO Examination with no 80677837FA. But now wish to be known as Idoghor Ben Oghenero. All former documents remain valid.

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Confirmation of Name These names, Jonathan James and Jonathan Emuobo belong to the same person but now wish to be known and addressed Jonathan Emuobo Ighodaye. All former documents remain valid, First bank, UBA and the general public to take note.

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formerly

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44— Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 —45

Vanguard CLASSIFIED ECHEFU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Elizabeth Uchechukwu Echefu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs E l i z a b e t h U c h e c h u k w u Enwerem. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKWUDILI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nkechi Bernedette Okwudili, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nkechi Bernedette Akinlemibola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ULASI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ulasi Ifeyinwa Julia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Inweregbu Ifeyinwa Julia. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Names This is to confirm that the names Adjah Jonathan and Adjah Stanley refer to one and the same person. But now wish to be known and addressed as Adjah Jonathan Stanley. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

Confirmation of Names This is to confirm that the names Ibraheem Rasheed Ajibaye and Ajibaye Rasheed refer to one and the same person, now prefer to be known and addressed as Ibraheem Rasheed Ajibaye. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OZOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Maureen Ozor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Maureen Mbamalu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EFERE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Efere Modupe Patricia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omerhi Modupe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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UBA Plc, Oyingbo branch and general public please take note.

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ADVERT HOTLINE 01- 4544821

FIFA ranking Continues on Page 46 released yesterday to finish 63rd in the world and 12th in Africa.

The Sunday Oliseh’s men crashed out of the ongoing African Nations Championship in Rwanda in the group stage but still managed to improve their standing on the global raking.

Meanwhile, Côte

d’Ivoire, Cape Verde Islands and Algeria are first, second and third respectively while Nigeria’s next opponent in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers, Egypt are 8th in Africa.

Belgium still maintain the number one position in the world, followed by Argentina and Spain, as Germany and Chile are fourth and fifth. The next FIFA rankings will be published on 3 March.

Dalung Continues on Page 46 years.

The two expatriates were employed as National Director and Director of athletics of Nigeria’s High Performance Centre respectively by former Minister, Malam Bolaji Abdulahi.

For more than four years after their arrival, Nigeria is yet to establish a High Performance Centre in Abuja, where they are based. The only HPC is in Port Harcourt and the duo hardly visits.

Indeed, they are yet to discover any grassroots athlete since their arrival.

On assuming office, just before the end of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, the Director General of the defunct National Sports Commission, Mallam Alhassan Yakmut decided not to renew their contract after it expired last year.

Yakmut who took the action before the appointment of the sports minister had informed journalists that it did not make sense paying Taylor and Campbell a whopping N2 million and N1.5 million naira monthly without them rendering the services for which they were employed.

Apart from the jumbo wages they receive, Taylor is also entitled to three staff including a driver, a cook and a security guard who are paid by the ministry. In addition she is entitled to travel to America twice in a year on the bill of the ministry.

However, a source at the ministry told Sports Vanguard that the Minister, Solomon Dalung may be working towards setting up the centre hence his recent tour to South Africa where he was said to have gone to see their own High Performance Centre.

Cash crunch Continues on Page 46 funds.

“We have been here since morning waiting for race t-shirts and other things we need, but we have been asked to wait till Saturday morning,” said one of the athletics officials at the Teslim Balogun Stadium yesterday.

The LOC chairman, Deji Tinubu was not available for comment. However Athletics Federation of Nigeria president, Solomon Ogba assured that the event is on course and will hold as scheduled on Saturday.

“Already we have the elite athletes on ground.

They are being kept at the Eko Hotels, even at that we have more than the number of international athletes we expected, and we have put them in hotels around Surulere.

“It is an Olympic year and most of the athletes here are aiming to run

and get qualification times. So we are looking forward to a good start and finish on Saturday,” Ogba said.

Three bus load of international athletes were seen at the Teslim Balogun stadium. One of the athletes, Peter Kiplagat who won the 2015 Geneva Marathon said he hopes to finish the 42km race inside 2hrs 17 minutes adding that the time should see him among the top finishers.

“I am very excited to be in Lagos for their first City marathon, I have been training hard for this, this is my first time in Lagos and this is also my first big race of the year, I am here to win, I hope that happens on Saturday ” Kiplagat declared.

The race with a total prize money of N92 million will start at the National Stadium Lagos and finish at the Eko Atlantic City.

46 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Neymar’s dad confirms € 190m bid from Man Utd N EYMAR’s dad has confirmed that Manchester United have made a €190m bid for his son.

We told you earlier that Neymar Snr had revealed in court while giving evidence in his

tax fraud trial that a bigmoney bid had been made for the Barcelona star and that all the evidence pointed towards that being from United.

He has now spoken to Spanish radio to confirm that is the case.

Neymar Snr told Cadena Cope that Unit-

ed were indeed the club who had tabled the bid, which would activate a release clause in the Brazil international’s contract.

United seemingly made the offer last month, but had also bid the same amount for Neymar last summer.

His dad says other clubs are interested, but only the Red Devils have made a formal offer.

But he also urged Barca fans not to worry because his son is happy at Camp Nou. He said: “He is very happy here.”

McClaren: Newcastle new boys will take time to gel Jonjo Shelvey and Newcastle - including a

S

Neymar

Watford boss praises Costa Q UIQUE Sanchez Flores was not worried by the coming together between Juan Carlos Paredes and Diego Costa in Watford’s 0-0 draw with Chelsea and even praised the opposition forward’s “fighting” attitude.

The Chelsea striker went to ground under slight contact from the Watford defender at the end of the first half and he then pushed his rival to the ground a few moments later.

The incidents saw players from the two sides crowd together, with referee Mike Dean showing both Costa and Paredes yellow cards.

Flores, however, praised the Spain international’s approach and was unmoved by the run-in.

“I like this kind of player, who is fighting all the time,” Flores said

TEVE McClaren warned it will take time for Newcastle United’s new signings to gel after seeing his side soundly beaten 3-0 at Everton.

Relegation-threatened Newcastle were among the more active teams in the transfer market by bringing in Andros Townsend, Henri Saivet,

debut for Townsend while Doumbia was an unused substitute, and McClaren acknowledges the new boys new time to settle.

“In the first half we were never really in it.

The crowd and the players here were nervous but we did not capitalise on that,” he told BBC Sport.

McClaren

Governor Udom to declare LMC AGM open

A

CONTEST . . . Chelsea’s midfielder Cesc Fabregas (R) vies with Watford’s Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo (L) during their English Premier League match at Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford. Photo: AFP

of Costa to BT Sport.

“He is a very competitive player, very tough. He had a little problem with Paredes but these sort of things happen sometimes in football.”

The Watford head coach felt his team were deserving of a point

Seydou Doumbia during the window to boost their chances of Premier League survival.

But Newcastle, who are 18th, struggled on Merseyside with Aaron Lennon’s first-half strike and two late penalties from Ross Barkley completing a comfortable evening for the hosts.

Three of the four signings started for

against the defending Premier League champions.

Flores added: “I’m very happy. After 10 minutes we played really well in the first half, we controlled the ball and had good chances.

Salami Continued from B/Page

Shooting Stars forward has signed a year ’s deal with an option of another year.

The 24-year-old was the top scorer in Nigeria league in the 2014/2015 season with 17 goals.

He opted to stay out of CHAN 2016 so as to finalise his move to Europe.

Last year January, Salami moved to Serbian club Red Star Belgrade, but returned to Nigeria to join Warri Wolves after the club could not pay his wages.

KWA Ibom State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Udom is scheduled to declare open the 2016 Annual General Meeting of the League Management Company (LMC) organisers of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The leadership of the LMC as part of their preAGM activities were scheduled to pay a courtesy visit to Governor Udom.

Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital is hosting the second and final leg of the NPFL Super4 which ends Friday night.

Akwa United, Enyimba International, Nasarawa United and Warri Wolves are the four teams

participating in the tournament.

“The AGM will consider and approve our budget for the season, review and where necessary, update

All set for Sapele Unity Cup

P

RE-SEASON actions for the Nigeria professional football league will move to Sapele, Delta State, between February 8 and 12 as top clubs in the league are billed to storm the commercial city for the 3rd edition of the Sapele Unity Cup. Already confirmed to feature in the 5 day event are defending champions, Enyimba International, Rangers International and Warri

Enyimba to play ACL games in P/Harcourt

S

EVEN-time Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions Enyimba will play their home fixtures in the 2016 CAF Champions League at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

Renovation work continues at pace at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba but it seems increasingly unlikely that the refurbishment will be completed in time for the club’s opening game in

the Rules and Framework of the league and also consider our strategic development plans”, LMC Chairman, Shehu Dikko said ahead of the meeting.

the competition on February 28.

Enyimba will face Ugandan club Vipers SC in the preliminary round of this year ’s edition of Africa’s premier club competition with the first leg set to be held on the weekend of February 1214 at the 5 000-seat Bunamwaya Stadium.

“The ongoing rehabilitation work at the Enyimba Stadium is not moving at a very quick pace.

Wolves. They will be joined

by Delta Force FC of Asaba, Atete Football Club of Warri, Ejele Football Academy of Sapele and Coliphen Sports Academy of Benin.

Coordinator of the tournament, Comrade Stephen Cole, the Special Assistant to the Governor Of Delta State on Sport Development, also Secretary General of National Association of Nigeria Players Union and former captain of Dolphin football club of Port Harcourt, revealed that this edition of the tournament is being sponsored by Hon Michael Diden, honourable member representing Warri North constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly and proprietor of Ejele sports academy.

According to Cole, the event scheduled holding at the Sapele Township stadium is organized to prepare the premier league teams for the new football season, to expose the grassroots football clubs and to foster community cohesion while also complementing the efforts of the Delta State Government in sports development.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

— 47

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

FIFA rankings: Eagles move three steps up UPER Eagles of Nigeria have S gained three spots on the latest FIFA ranking Continues on Page 45

Cash crunch hits Lagos marathon

Super Eagles fan

•The show must go on, AFN boss Dalung renews

Taylor’s contract T

L

OCAL organising committee of the Access Bank/Lagos City Marathon has been hit by cash crunch and Lagos State governor, Akinwummi Ambode is being expected to sign some cheques today to keep the race on track.

The marathon is billed to start tomorrow at 7.00 am, but as at yesterday officials were scratching their heads on how to put the items on the checklist on ground. It was gathered that the sponsors, demanded an account of the monies so far spent, before they could release more Continues on Page 45

ONGUES are wag ging at the Ministry of Youth and Sports following the controversial decision by the Minister, Solomon Dalung to renew the contracts of two Americans, Eric Campbell and Angie Taylor for another two Continues on Page 45

•Campbell

Salami completes move to Finnish Club

N

I G E R I A international Gbolahan Salami has joined Finnish club Kuopio Palloseura (KuPS) to team up with

ON COURSE••• Marathoners in a contest

his Warri Wolves teammate, Azubuike Egwuekwe.

The club announced on their website that the ex-

Continues on Page 46

QUICK CR OSS WORD CROSS OSSWORD

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

FRI DAY'S ANS WERS FRID ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Impel (4) 4 Intelligence (3) 6 Tight (4) 8 Coming (6) 9 No-one (6) 10 Owned (3) 12 Fashion (5) 14 Memorise (5) 15 Attempted (5) 18 Beg (6) 20 Harmony (6) 24 Loaded (5) 26 Enlist (5) 28 Broader (5) 30 Layer (6) 32 Larger (6) 33 Beast (6) 34 Intend (4) 36 Dregs (4) 35 Noise (3)

DOWN 2 Wireless (5) 3 Perform (70) 4 Having (4) 5 Nurse (4) 6 List (5) 7 Experience (7) 11 Expert (3) 13 Epoch (3) 16 Sick (3) 17 Defective (3) 19 Thoughtful (7) 21 Novel (3) 22 First (7) 23 And not (3) 25 Tool (3) 27 Harmonium (5) 29 Escape (5) 30 Poke (4) 31 Story (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Tease 7, Devil 8, Melon 10, Magic 12, Fat 13, Remit 15, Logical 17,Eroded 19, Won 20, Deleted 23, Died 25, Down 26, Devoted 30, Pad 31, Denote 34, Shelter 37, Moral 38, Awe 39, Debit 40, Piety 41, Sewed 42, Speed.

DOWN: 1, Defer 2, Timid 3, Elated 4, Soil 5, Refined 6, Total 9, Lac 11, Covered 13, Ready 14, Moved 16, Got 18, Decoded 21, Donor 22, Angel 24, Deplete 27, Vat 28, Demise 29, Chair 32, Noted 33, Tamed 35, Ewe 36, Reap.

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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