10 dead, as Yola suffers first Boko Haram attack

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62421

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N150

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

Reps pass Petroleum Industry Bill

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10 dead, as Yola suffers first Boko Haram attack •Suicide bomber kills 4 at Maiduguri military checkpoint •Yola attack carried out by a bomber at Jimeta main market

7TH SENATE ENDS

N300BN FRAUD: Sheriff spends 2nd day with EFCC

Pull-out inside

OLA — FOR the first time, Yola, capital of Adamawa State suffered an attack from insurgents of the Boko Haram sect, which launched attacks on Adamawa and Borno states, killing 14 persons and injuring several others.

COLUMNISTS:

Africa's incomplete independence

Senate Presidency: Senatorselect write APC on Lawan, Akume ticket 49

—House Members-Elect

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Continues on Page 5

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EKITI: We're fine with Fayose

By Umar Yusuf & Ndahi Marama

•P.19

What next for the Niger Delta? •P.17

Mr & Mrs

SENATE—Senate President David Mark being led out at the end of the 7th Senate in Abuja, yesterday.

Photo: NAN

123 bills passed in 4 yrs as 7th Senate ends 8

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POCKET CARTOON

HANDOVER—Former Rivers State Governor and former chairman, Governors Forum, Rotimi Amaechi(right)presenting hand over notes to the new chairman of the Governors forum and Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari in Abuja, yesterday.

10 dead, as Yola suffers first Boko Haram attack Continues from Page 1

10 persons were killed in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, while four were killed in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.

In Maiduguri, a suicide bomber detonated his Improvised Explosive Device (IED) near a military checkpoint at Shagari Low-cost Housing Estate, along MaiduguriMonguno Eoad, killing four people with several others seriously injured.

Shagari low cost estate is on the outskirt of Maiduguri metropolis and about 200 metres away from the 7 Division,

of the Nigerian Army.

Shagari low cost estate is about five kilometres from the city of Maiduguri. This came barely 24 hours after a twin blast exploded Wednesday at the timber shed market along Baga Road, near the 7 Division Headquarters, that left scores dead.

The fresh explosion, yesterday, according to sources, occurred at a military checkpoint around Shagari low cost estate when the suicide bomber who had planned to wreak havoc in the city of Maiduguri decided to detonate his wares at the

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Happiness is not the absence of problems …it is the ability to deal with them— M.Kartik

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E should begin by removing the greatest hindrances to compassion and happiness: Anger and hatred. As we all know, these are extremely powerful emotions and they can overwhelm our entire mind. Nevertheless, they can be controlled. When not controlled, these negative emotions will plague us and impede our quest for the happiness of a loving mind.

Here, though, we must examine our mental state carefully. While it is true that anger brings extra energy, if we explore the nature of this energy, we discover that it is blind. We cannot be sure whether its result will be positive or negative. This is because anger eclipses the best part of our brain - its rationality. So the energy of anger is almost always unreliable. It can cause an immense amount of destructive, unfortunate behavior.

It is possible, however, to develop an equally forceful but far more controlled energy with which to handle difficult situations. Being calm from the core is necessary for a happy a life.

checkpoint when he realized that it would be difficult for him to beat the security mounted by the operatives.

The source said “four people including the suicide bomber died at the checkpoint, but I cannot tell you whether security operatives were part of the victims.

“It was at about 6pm when motorists and residents were rushing home to beat the 7pm curfew when a suicide bomber that was in one of the vehicles waiting to be checked detonated his explosives, killing four people with scores injured.

“Both the dead and the injured were evacuated to an undisclosed hospital in Maiduguri, while security operatives quickly cordoned off the area to prevent further attacks and killings”, the source stated.

Confirming the incident, the Police Commissioner, Mr. Aderemi Opadokun said: “It is true. It happened near a military checkpoint.

“Two persons dead and three injured”, Opadokun stated.

10 killed in Yola Also yesterday, a bomb blast suspected to be

from a suicide bomber occurred in Yola, the capital city of Adamawa State, for the first time since the Boko Haram menace started in the North-East.

One witness said at least 10 people were killed and about 30 injured.

A resident of the town, Salihu Aliyu, said that the blast happened in front of the Jimeta main market at about 7:45pm.

“We just finished observing the Maghrib prayer when we heard a loud blast near the market. He added that the casualty figure was likely to be high because the explosion occurred when many traders had closed their shops, and were rushing home.

“You know many traders also come out of the market and display their wares outside the main market to also observe the night market. There was even traffic gridlock in the area with many Keke Napep operators (tricycle operators) jostling for passengers when the bomb exploded”, he said.

Adamawa Police image maker, ASP Abubakar Othman confirmed the blast but could not give the casualty figure.

The entire area has been cordoned off by the military as the capital city remained quiet and

deserted.

Attacks in Adamawa Adamawa State has been enmeshed in a series of attacks these past few days, the most recent being the attack on traders in a popular building material market in Jimeta Monday. The attack left two dead and two others in a critical state.

Barely 24 hours before that, gunmen killed three people at the entrance of the Jimeta ultra-modern market.

In addition, some armed gangs attacked and killed a First Bank manager in Damilu, opposite the Yola International Airport, and made away with his car in the wee hours of Sunday.

The attackers of the

bank manager did not go unpunished as they were chased and caught by security officials as they tried to escape towards Maiduguri, Borno State.

They were stopped by a detachment of military personnel stationed along Gombi-Biu Road.

The Army Public Relations Officer, Victor Olukoya, and Police Public Relations Officer, Yoila Nemuel, who jointly addressed the press on Tuesday in Yola, said the information gathered from the arrested armed gangs led them to a hideout of the criminal gangs in Jambutu “ where a significant breakthrough was recorded in the fight against the Boko Haram sect”. Prior to this, the security officers said, a joint effort had led to the uncovering of a bomb factory in the state.

Subsidy payments: Oil marketers yet to resume fuel importation

By Michael Eboh & Grace Udofia with Agency Report

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BUJA—DESPITE the seeming resolution of the conflict between the Federal Government and oil marketers over the petroleum subsidy claims payment, data, yesterday, showed that Nigeria’s fuel import has remained low due to oil marketers’ apathy.

This came as Nigeria’s crude oil export received a boost, as a Canadian crude oil refining company, Come By Chance Refinery has purchased one million barrels of Nigeria’s Qua Iboe crude grade.

Oil trading sources, according to a report obtained from a global provider of energy and

metals information and a source of benchmark price assessments in the physical energy markets, disclosed that imports into Nigeria, about one million metric tonnes (mt)/month making it the region’s largest importer of gasoline, continued at a trickle, due to little guidance from the government.

The sources stated that importers and distribution companies were seeking more solid assurances over the payment of the outstanding subsidy, adding that the refusal of the oil marketers to resume import is a signal that the deal between them and the Federal Government had failed to restore confidence.

The report stated that arbitrage from Northwest

Europe to West Africa has acquired increasing importance in recent months, as structurally shrinking arbitrage opportunities to the US Atlantic Coast and the Persian Gulf have limited outlets for Europe’s net-long gasoline market.

A European trading source disclosed that trading of Northwest European gasoline cargoes to West Africa had been quiet, adding that nothing has been done recently.

Meanwhile, data obtained from Reuters showed that Come By Chance’s crude oil purchase, the first in at least a decade, arrived the refinery aboard a Bahamas-flagged ship named M.V. Jiaolong Spirit.

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

Police rescue abducted Kogi commissioner

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OLICE in Kogi State, yesterday, announced the rescue of the state Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Stephen Maiyaki, who was abducted on May 30.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Shola Adebayo, said in a statement in Lokoja that Maiyaki was rescued at 2a.m. from the kidnappers’ hideout at Abobo village in Adavi Local Government Area of the state.

The commissioner and six other persons were abducted at Osara village also in Adavi council, while there to resolve a land dispute.

The statement said Maiyaki had reunited with his family, but was silent on the fate of the other six abducted along with him.

It was also silent on the fate of Justice Samuel Obayomi of the state high court, who was abducted in the same local government area on May 25.

Already, judiciary workers and lawyers in the state have embarked on strike to protest his abduction.

HANDS-UP: Two drivers serving punishment at a check-point at Sauka, Airport Road, Abuja. NAN PHOTO.

NAN reporter kidnapped in Imo zIt's blackmail— OKOROCHA

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI—MEDIA correspondents serving in Imo State are now living in palpable fear, following the reported kidnap of the head of News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, team, Miss Chidi Opara, in

Owerri.

“Miss Opara was abducted at about 8.30p.m. Wednesday night, as she made to enter her house located at MCC/Uratta Road, Owerri,” one of her colleagues told Vanguard.

Governor Rochas Okorocha, in a swift reaction, appealed to

the kidnappers to immediately set the journalist free, promising to work with the police to secure her release.

It was also gathered that Miss Opara was taken away in her Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV, which had not been seen at press time.

Her colleagues recalled that on the day of the incident, Miss Opara fully participated in the

11 die as truck rams into Ondo market zDriver, assistant disappear; tanker crushes FRSC Special Marshal

By Dayo Johnson & Gbenga Olarinoye

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O fewer than 10 persons were killed and several others injured yesterday as a trailer reportedly lost control and rammed into a market at Owena, a boundary town between Osun and Ondo states.

Also, Osun State coordinator of Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Special Marshal programme, Chief S. O. Adewale, was crushed to death in the same area.

Findings revealed that the trailer was heading for Akure, Ondo State, from Ilesha in Osun State when its brake system developed fault, and the driver manoeuvred the vehicle into a road side market along IleshaAkure Expressway.

Vanguard learned that many of the victims of the road accident were traders, artisans and drivers, all from neighbouring communities who usually come to transact businesses once a week on both sides of the expressway.

Mangled

The trailer was said to have crushed many of the victims

beyond recognition, while others were left with charred bodies.

Those who were reportedly rescued from the accident scene were rushed to the General Hospital in Ilesha, while those whose condition could not be redeemed were left at the scene.

The dead bodies were later removed from the scene by officials of FRSC from Ipetumodu division and the police.

The accident resulted in a gridlock on the expressway, forcing motorists to use bush paths as alternatives.

Members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, mobilised themselves to clear the wreckage of the accident.

An eyewitness account said the driver of the trailer and his assistant disappeared into the crowd for fear of being lynched.

It could not be confirmed if they too sustained injuries in the crash, but some youths attempted to set the trailer on fire after the crash. They were stopped by some elders in the community.

FRSC’s comment Contacted, Head of Operations of FRSC, Mr. Jones

Malomo, said the crash was caused by brake failure.

Malomo, who confirmed that some people were killed, was, however, not categorical on the number of deaths recorded.

He said it was the officials of the commission from Ipetumodu that carried out the rescue operation.

It will be recalled that a similar accident happened in Ikare area of the state a few years ago when a trailer lost control and killed over 15 market women transacting businesses in front of the palace of the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadri momoh.

The state government had since relocated the traders to a modern market within the town to avoid the repeat of the incident, which was becoming a yearly ritual.

FRSC Special Marshal crushed

In another accident in the same area yesterday, Osun State Coordinator of FRSC, Special Marshal programme, Chief S. O. Adewale, was crushed to death at Owena, a boundary town between Osun and Ondo states.

An eyewitness told Vanguard that the deceased was coming from Owo, Ondo State, with his wife when the incident happened.

According to the witness, the deceased was said to have parked his vehicle by the road side to buy some items from Owena market, when a fuel truck lost control and rammed into his car.

Devoted officer

It was further learned that the Special Marshall chief died instantly, while his wife was rushed to the emergency unit of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital OAUTH, IleIfe. The deceased anchors a popular weekly road safety programme on Osun State Broadcasting Corporation, OSBC. He was also said to have championed many road safety awareness programmes in the state before his death.

The Sector Commander of FRSC in Osun State, Mr. Mohammed Husaini, who confirmed the story, said the accident involved three vehicles, adding that Adewale was the only person that died.

activities of the state branch of the National Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, and dropped some journalists at their destinations before heading home.

Already, the leadership of the Correspondents Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Imo State Council, has appealed to her captors to unconditionally release her.

“We have brought Miss Opara’s sordid plight to the attention of the state government, through the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, and we will head to the state police command headquarters soon after leaving the Deputy Governor’s Lodge,” the Chapel Chairman, Mr. Athan Agbakwuru, said.

It was not clear if the hoodlums had made contact with any of her relations or friends, but there are growing fears that kidnappers are on prowl again in the state.

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Enwerem, for comments failed as his line could not be accessed at press time.

Meanwhile, Governor Okorocha, in a statement, blamed the development on people who wanted to use the kidnap to blackmail his government, to give the impression that the state was not safe.

The statement read in part: “The governor suspects that those not happy with the feat his administration has achieved in the past four years, by stopping kidnapping, must have been behind the abduction of the female journalist.

“Their reason is to use it to blackmail the government and perhaps puncture the credit and commendations the government has continued to receive from well-meaning Nigerians for stopping kidnapping in the state.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015—7

We break into boutiques, goldsmith shops—SUSPECTS

By Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS—POLICE in Lagos have arrested a three-man robbery gang, which specialise in breaking into boutiques at Mushin and Ejigbo areas of the metropolis.

The suspects, all traders at Ladipo International Auto Spare Parts Market, Mushin, include Nnakue, 26; Ike, 20 and Anierobi.

Vanguard learned that one of the gang members, Anierobi, was arrested at Mushin by the Area AntiCrime Patrol team on May 18, with a nylon bag containing stolen phones.

In his confessional statement, the suspect told the police that his gang used sledge hammers and iron cutters to break into shops or boutiques to carry out their activities and denied ever using guns during their operations.

Following his confessions, the suspects were immediately transferred to the Special AntiRobbery Squad, SARS, Lagos State Police Command, for investigation.

Thereafter, Anierobi reportedly led SARS operatives to effect the arrest of Nnakue and Ike. This was after their purported godfather (names withheld) had denied having anything to do with the gang.

Leader of the gang, Nnakue, said his gang often broke into boutiques and goldsmith shops to steal shoes, gold and necklaces to show off as big boys in the spare parts market Nnakue said: “I sent Anierobi to follow Gaza and Obi to break into a shop at Mushin and one boutique at Nkenu Street in Ajao Estate.

“They went with iron cutter.

I sent them two times and shared the loot with my roommate.

“I picked my size of jeans and shoes and started wearing them. I received four phones while my roommate got about five. We break shops to get expensive shoes and clothes, which ordinarily we could not afford, just to show off as big boy in Ladipo market and environs.”

The second suspect, Ike, explained his involvement in the operation: “I lived with my elder brother and I was learning trade in the market before he died. My role during operation is to watch for intruders and alert the others.

“We share our loot in our sponsor’s house. In the first operation, I got 15 jeans trousers and 10 shirts. While in the second operation, I got 21 jeans trousers and 13 tops.

I used my bag to pack some of the loot.

“In our second operation, I got 12 jeans trousers, two wrist watches, 13 assorted shirts,

which I kept for personal use because I did not loot to sell it.

“In the third operation, we succeeded but one of us, Anierobi, was arrested by police because he was caught with a bag containing his share of the stolen phones, while we were coming back from operation.

“When police arrested him, we ran away. But he later brought SARS operatives to arrest us, despite the oath we took not to betray any gang member in a situation like that.

“For three years, I learned work and my master, who is even my brother, refused to settle me.

“He even found it difficult to give me pocket money to be like my peers, and that is why I joined the gang so I can wear good clothes like my mates.

“We used to go for operations around 12 midnight, but we do not carry gun.”

Kidnappers of Ondo regent demand N20m ransom

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—BARELY 48 hours after the regent of Akungba Akoko in Ondo State, Princess Toyin Omosowon, was kidnapped with her aides, their abductors have demanded for a N20 million ransom.

The regent was abducted with three of her aides, Tuesday, by six persons along Akure/Akungba-Akoko Expressroad, while returning to the palace after attending an inaugural lecture delivered by the Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Professor Igbekele Ajibefun.

Vanguard gathered that her abductors have opened a line of communication with the family and the community.

A dependable source, who spoke in confidence, said: “That is their asking price, but we have informed them that the amount is on the high side.

“We are still talking and we hope they will see reason and ask for a reasonable amount.

They did not even allow us to speak with the traditional ruler.”

Meanwhile, security operatives are investigating to get a clue to those within the community who might have acted as informants to the abductors, as some workers in the university may have acted as informants on the movement of the traditional ruler.

Youths restive, varsity shut Authorities of the university

have shut down the institution, following allegation that youths in the community were planning to attack.

The youths are accusing the Vice Chancellor of being responsible for the plight of

their regent.

Meanwhile, the community remained in pensive mood, yesterday. A community leader and Seriki of Akungba-Akoko, Chief Awesu, urged youths to conduct themselves peacefully.

He enjoined residents of the town to pray fervently for the release of the regent.

Prayers were held in churches and mosques within the community for the safety and release of the regent.

DEMOLITION: Lagos State Government demolished part of veteran journalist, Uncle Bisi Lawrence's property along Gaskiya Road in Ijora area of Lagos State, yesterday. PHOTO: Bunmi Azeez.

Choirmaster accused of raping choir member

By Onozure Dania, Opeyemi Lepe & Precious Akubueze

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AGOS— A 36 year old bricklayer, Adewale Babalola, was yesterday arraigned before a Yaba Magistrate’s Court for allegedly having carnal knowledge of a 16-year-old girl.

The defendant, who resides at Maxwell Ijeh Street in Aguda, Surulere, Lagos, is facing a charge of unlawful sexual intercourse, preferred against him by the police.

The prosecutor, ASP Godwin Anyanwu, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on December 2, 2014, at the above mentioned address.

He said the defendant was the choirmaster in a church (names withheld), while the victim is a chorister in same church.

Anyanwu said: “The victim told her father, who is also an evangelist of the church, that the defendant lured her in to his room, and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her.

“The father reported the matter to the General Overseer of the church, but there was no reaction, so the victim’s father reported the matter at the police station.”

The prosecutor said the offence was punishable under Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

Babalola, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge levelled against him.

Magistrate A. O. Soladoye ordered that the file be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

Soladoye granted the defendant N200,000 bail with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case to June 29.

15-year-old dies aborting 5-month pregnancy; lover docked

By Bartholomew Madukwe

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AGOS—A 20-year-old man, Sodiq Sulaimon, yesterday appeared before an Ikeja High Court for allegedly procuring abortion for his 15-year-old lover (names withheld), who died in the process.

The defendant is facing a onecount charge of manslaughter brought against him by Lagos State Government, for which he pleaded not guilty.

“Sodiq Sulaimon, on or before December 11, 2012, about 4p.m., at 7 Oriokuta Street, Imota, Ikorodu Lagos, in the Ikeja Judicial Division, did

unlawfully killed girl (names withheld) by procuring abortion for her,” the charge stated.

At the resumed hearing, a witness, Sergeant Elizabeth Osikanlu, told the presiding judge, Justice K. A. Jose, that the matter was referred to her after one Femi Adegboyega came to the station to report that

the defendant impregnated his niece and gave her drugs to abort a five-month-old pregnancy.

According to her, the defendant admitted having sexual intercourse with the deceased sometime in October 2012 and giving her two tablets to prevent pregnancy.

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

123 bills passed in 4 years as 7th Senate ends zPolitical intrigues slowed down important legislative business —Mark zRegrets Jonathan sent confab report late

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Joseph Erunke

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BUJA — THE life span of the 7th Senate formally came to an end, yesterday, after a valedictory session that saw Senate President, David Mark, reeling out the various achievements recorded by the Red Chamber since June 6, 2011, when it was inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan.

But in the four years of its existence, the Senate passed 77 bills besides the 46 bills it jointly passed on Wednesday within 10 minutes, bringing the total number of bills passed within its four year term to 123.

The formality leading to the closure of the 7th Senate began around 11 am, with a procession led by the Senate President to the Senate Chamber before the commencement of consideration of the report of its Committee on Rules and Business, which captured all the status of bills, motions, confirmations and sundry legislative measures of the Senate from the June 6, 2011 to yesterday, June 4, 2015.

Deferment of debate on constitution amendment Before the commencement of the valedictory session, the Senate announced the deferment of debate on the 1999 Constitution amendment, which it had earlier slated for treatment on its Order Paper, to “another legislative day,” even as it was preparing to end its session ahead of the inauguration of the 8th Senate, Tuesday.

Mark scores 7th Senate high Delivering what he called “End of Assembly Speech” during the session that saw many past National Assembly leaders, like former Senate Presidents Joseph Wayas, Ahmed Ebute, Ken Nnamani, former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin among others, in attendance, Mark scored the 7th Senate high, saying it made remarkable achievements in its four-year life span.

Among the landmark achievements, as explained by the Senate President in his speech, were the Pension Reform Act 2014, National Health Act, Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act and the Terrorism (Prevention) Act. He added that within the period the upper legislative chamber received parliamentary delegations from Gambia, Benin

of this, the legislature sought to improve our electoral system in several Acts of the National Assembly. Gladly, our efforts have helped to make our elections free, fair and credible. The year 2015 general elections is a testimony to this.

He expressed happiness that the Senate gave its support to the National Institute for Legislative Studies, NILS, saying the development made the institute make remarkable progress in such a short time with its influence extending to other African countries.

On PIB, National Conference

END OF 7TH SENATE: Senate President David Mark (6th left); Deputy Senate Prresident Ike Ikweremadu (5th left) and other principal officers at the end of 7th Senate in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN Republic and China while over 27 delegations from the Senate attended international conferences and seminars besides honouring invitations from the Parliaments of Czech Republic and China.

Some landmark bills passed “Let me in all modesty say that the 7th Senate achieved some measure of success in the areas of the number of bills that were passed, motions moved, in our oversight functions and in our legislative duties. Some landmark bills passed by this Senate include but not limited to Pension Reform Act 2014, National Health Act, Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act and the Terrorism (Prevention) Act. The 7th Senate confirmed a total number of 429 persons between 2011 and 2015.

“In spite of the difficult political and economic climate within which we worked and despite our own internal challenges, we can end this Senate convinced that we represented our constituents and Nigerians with the most noble of intentions and to the best of our abilities.”

Political intrigues slowed down legislative activities The Senate president regretted that political intrigues within the period, which saw defection of some lawmakers from one political party to the other, slowed down legislative activities.

He said: “I must confess that within the last four years, we

matured politically. That was why when some Senators defected from one political party to the other, we still maintained one united Senate. Even though the political intrigues of the last four years sometimes slowed down important legislative business, they nevertheless enriched our democratic understanding and I consider them equally important to the democratic process.

The Senate President regretted that the “last four years have been defining for our country in many respects. The country was battered on all sides by security challenges that threatened the very existence of our society.

On Boko Haram “The rise in insurgency and the ruthless mayhem unleashed on Nigerians by the Boko Haram sect resulted in the highest number of lives and property which our nation has lost in our recent history. What was most horrifying was not only their wanton destructions but their disregard for human lives particularly those of women and children.

“The abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls still remains a scar on our national psyche.

“There is no doubt that the Boko Haram crisis exposed serious cracks in our security system, challenged our unity, threatened our future and seriously dented our international image.

He recalled that the Senate considered and approved emergency rule “ when we thought it was needed and declined request for extension when we thought that such an extension could not stem the tide of terrorism and insurgency in

the affected states.”

Mark expressed happiness for the success recorded by the military in the fight against insurgency in the North-East, saying: “Happily, the Nigerian Armed Forces have made significant gains in the fight against insurgency.

“The security challenges we faced in the last four years were not restricted to terrorism but included political violence, extremism, communal conflicts, militancy in the Niger Delta, maritime insecurity and transnational crimes.

“In all these we gave maximum support to the government. We passed the Bill for an Act to amend the Terrorism (prevention) Act, 2012, and we approved a loan of $1 billion for the government to procure arms and equipment needed to tackle security challenges in the country.

On Ebola On the outbreak of Ebola virus in the country, Mark commended Nigerians for the success recorded in the fight against the scourge, saying: "In July 2014, we faced a serious public health challenge with the outbreak of Ebola virus disease. In a swift reaction, a determined public in conjunction with the Ministry of Health nipped this potential epidemic in the bud."

2015 polls Mark said the success recorded in the 2015 general elections was due to the support of the National Assembly.

He said:“We have had a chequered history in our democratic journey. In the course

Mark, who listed the National Conference report and the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, among pending legislative items in the Senate, however, regretted that in spite of support given the National Conference by the National Assembly, former President Goodluck Jonathan sent the report of the conference late to the legislature.

He said: “We gave a nod to the clarion call for a national conference but the report unfortunately came very late.

However, as much as we tried, we did not meet all the targets we set for ourselves. For instance we were not able to pass the PIB and our constitution amendment is stalled."

Mark, however, said “whatever our achievements are, we are all well aware that we are yet to attain our goal,” insisting that the 7th Assembly has laid a solid foundation which the 8th Assembly can build upon.

“To those of my colleagues who are returning to the Senate, you have an excellent legislative knowledge to build upon. It is my hope that you carry to the new Assembly the same vigour and dedication and bring your rich experience to bear on the legislative process.

“To those of you my colleagues who are departing the Senate, I wish you success in your future endeavours. I urge you to remain our ambassadors.

“I desired and worked for a National Assembly that would have its own radio and television stations, a specialist hospital and relocation of the National Institute of Legislative Studies to its permanent site. These projects are ongoing.”

Earlier, in his valedictory speech, Senator Ndoma-Egba, PDP, Cross River Central, had said that within the same period, a total of 115 motions were considered with concomitant resolutions approved.

He said: “Despite the penchant of the executive not to comply with National Assembly resolutions, they nevertheless served as a moral compass of putting the executive in check.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015—9

ICPC quizzes Okiro, others over alleged N275.5m fraud A

By Caleb Ayansina

BUJA —The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), yesterday, quizzed formeer Inspector-General of Police and Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Chief Mike Okiro, over an alleged N275 million fraud at the commission.

Okiro arrived the anti-graft agency at 9:51am with three other officers of the PSC and went straight into the investigation department.

Clad in an ash coloured Niger Delta attire with cap, Okiro was brought in a convoy of black Toyota Land Cruiser SUV with number plate T98 01 FG (PSC) and black Toyota Camry, with number plate T98 12 FG (PSC) to the ICPC headquarters in Abuja alongside Chief Accountant, Bisala A. A, one Mr. Ibe E.C. and his orderly, George Todonu.

A staff of the PSC, Aaron Kaase, had petitioned the ICPC, claiming that Okiro siphoned the said money out of the N350 million obtained by the commission from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to train PSC staff in the monitoring of the

conduct of men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force during the concluded general elections that saw President Muhammadu Buhari coming back to power for a second time.

Kaase had claimed in his petition that Okiro had made

bogus claims to train highly inflated number of his commission’s staff in Lagos, Abuja and Kano, trainings which he said were roughly carried out to a few staff in Mararaba near Abuja.

Kaase revealed that Okiro siphoned the said amount claiming he would train 500 staff in Abuja, 200 in Lagos and another 200 in Kano when

the combined staff strength of the commission nationwide is not more than 400.

He disclosed that in Kano where 200 staff are said to be trained, the staff strength is merely 10, accusing Okiro and his orderly, Todonu, of claiming some millions of naira for separate overseas trainings which they never attended.

PRESIDENT RETURNS: President Muhammadu Buhari (right) being received by, from left, Governors Kashim Shettima of Borno State; Aminu Masari of Katsina State; Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe on his return from Niger Republic and Chad at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja yesterday.

Mark, Ekweremadu leave NASS premises without convoy, aides Mark and Ekweremadu the opposition All

By Joseph Erunke

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BUJA — FOLLOWING the valedictory session marking end of the 7th Senate, outgoing Senate President, David Mark and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday evening left the premises of the National Assembly without the usual convoy of vehicles.

Also, the two principal officers of the Red Chamber were seen leaving the premises without their usual retinue of aides.

Instead, among the several vehicles in their convoys, only a handful of three cars, believed to be their personal cars, followed them outside.

The siren blaring vehicles and motorbikes, usually in their convoys, which were missing as they drove out separately, caught the attention of not just some legislative staff but some of the National Assembly workers who watched as they were moving out, after the formal closing of the legislature.

Both senators who have been in the Senate for over 10 years, were re-elected in the 2015 general elections to represent Benue South and Enugu West senatorial districts respectively

in the 8th Senate, expected to begin session Tuesday, after formal inauguration.

But their chances of retaining their previous positions, which they have held in previous 6th and 7th Senate, became untenable, following the colossal loss of their party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to

Progressives Congress, APC, at the general election.

As the inauguration is being awaited, the PDP senators who will be at the Red Chamber are 49 while their APC counterparts are 59 even as they lost one senator, Ahmad Zannah, who was elected on their party ’s platform.

have used their leadership qualities to stabilize not only the Senate but also the National Assembly in general, which was reputed for having leadership crises resulting in serial impeachment of principal officers.

Nigerian varsities get $100m tech fund

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By Emeka Aginam

AGOS— Efforts to get tech nology intervention fund to improve learning experiences and academic outcome for students in the Nigeria universities have started yielding the expected results.

Diamond Bank, Samsung Electronics and Softcom Limited recently secured a partnership to provide a special $100 million technology intervention fund for the Nigerian education system The intervention comes ahead of the future ready university conference to be hosted by Covenant University next month.

Already, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed to seal the strategic partnership with Samsung Elec-

tronics, Diamond Bank Plc and Softcom.

This development would enable other Nigerian universities replicate the mobile learning programme already in operational in Covenant University.

Managing Director/CEO, Diamond Bank Plc, Mr. Uzoma Dozie, who disclosed this to Technology journalists at a press conference in Lagos said the mobile learning programme was the future of education which had successfully been kick-started at Covenant University.

He said: “Diamond Bank is investing in this programme as we realise and appreciate this initiative as the future of classroom learning which fits into our strategic roadmap as a leading financial institution."

Also speaking, Brovo Kim,

Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa said: “Samsung is committed to consistent innovation and technological development especially in the area of education.

Classroom learning has taken a new shape over the past years and right now, we are convinced that this remarkable project will help students to have a better grasp of what is being taught in the classroom, help teachers to ensure every student is carried along in the learning process and help parents and guardians to regularly monitor and evaluate their wards’ course work.

For Yomi Adedeji, Managing Partner, Softcom, the objective was to extend the classroom in a social manner without altering the behaviour of the Student.

Buhari charges corps members on fight against corruption

By Ikenna Asomba

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AGOS — P R E S I D E N T Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, charged National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, members to join hands with his administration in the fight against corruption in the country.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of 2015 Batch ‘A’ (Stream II) corps members deployed to Lagos State, at the NYSC Orientation Camp, in Iyana-Ipaja, Buhari who spoke through Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, who was also represented by Dr. Aderemi Desalu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties, affirmed that the true desired change that Nigerians yearned for must begin with the youths.

Earlier, Mr. Cyril Akhanemhe, Lagos State Coordinator of NYSC, said 2,500 corps members, comprising 825 males and 1,675 females, were participating in the programme in Lagos, even as he appealed to Governor Ambode to assist the NYSC in renovating the temporary camp in Iyana Ipaja as well as providing a state-of-the-art permanent orientation camp in Lagos.

Stating, however, that the occasion was special to him, as the corps members are the first set to be sworn in for the one-year mandatory national service under his administration, Buhari said: “My dear compatriots, the time has come for us as responsible citizens to come to terms with the prevailing realities in our national life. Without doubt, the current situation in our country calls for unity, commitment and hardwork to help its development.

“As we have promised Nigerians, my administration will soon unveil a comprehensive National Youths E m p o w e r m e n t Programme, anchored on the model provided by the NYSC scheme, Our goal is to comprehensively address youth unemployment, insecurity and other social vices prevalent among our youths."

10—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

BOKO HARAM: Buhari demands more

action from multi-national task force A

BUJA—PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in N’djamena, Chad, urged member-countries of the Lake Chad Commission to intensify the operations of the Multi-National Joint Task Force, MNJTF established to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency.

Speaking at bilateral talks between Nigeria and Chad, Buhari noted that the security of Nigeria and her neighbours’ were intrinsically linked.

He added that it made it very essential that they cooperated on security issues in a robust and sustained manner.

The President said that he was quite certain that when fully deployed and functional, the MNJTF, which comprises Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon, would be able to secure and stabilise all the areas affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.

His remarks came on the heels of Wednesday’s appointment of Maj.-Gen. Tukur Buratai of Nigeria as the Force Commander of the reorganised MNJTF, which also has Benin Republic as honorary member.

The President thanked Chad for its invaluable support in the fight against terrorism.

“Your troops have stood shoulder –to-shoulder and fought gallantly with ours in the fight against the forces of evil.

“This is a remarkable show of good neighbourliness, which we

must reinforce in the years ahead,” he told President Idriss Deby.

President Buhari, who is on his first visit to Chad, after assuming office as President of Nigeria, expressed concern that insurgency had taken a huge toll on citizens of both countries, many of whom were forced to flee their homes.

The President said that the harrowing images of displaced citizens of both countries, in search of safety and succour, must spur their governments and others in the sub-region to

do more “to restore their dignity and give them the relief they need”.

On the bilateral relations between Nigeria and Chad, Buhari noted that both countries were bound by “nature”.

Buhari thanked President Deby for attending his inauguration on May 29 in Abuja, noting that he would return to Nigeria with the assurance that Nigeria and Chad were poised to intensify their cooperation.

In his remarks, President Deby commended Buhari for his “wise decision” to relocate the Nigerian

Military Command Centre from Abuja to Maiduguri.

The Chadian President said that the decision, which was announced in President Buhari’s inaugural address, was a right step toward restoring peace and security to states affected by terrorism and the subregion.

He assured Buhari that Chad would continue to work with Nigeria to achieve lasting peace and security in the sub-region, given their historic, cultural and economic ties.

LAUNCHING: From left: Mr Clement Nwankwo, Manager, Devices and Terminals, Etisalat Nigeria; Yang-fufu, Country Manager, Huawei, Olaonipekun Okunowo, Management & Communication Director, Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Ltd, and Sim Shagaya, Chief Executive Officer, Konga.com, at the launch of Huawei Y3 Phone in Lagos yesterday.

Photo: Akeem Salau.

N300BN FRAUD: Sheriff spends 2nd day with EFCC

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

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BUJA—FORMER Borno Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff spent his second day with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, trying to explain all that he knew about the alleged siphoning of over N300 billion under his watch.

The operatives, who started questioning Sheriff at 6pm on Wednesday merely allowed him some breathing space on Wednesday night and ordered him to report on Thursday for more grilling, a directive, he obliged.

An EFCC source confirmed to Vanguard last night that he would not know when the former governor would be freed by his interrogators, who really wanted to establish the veracity of the story relating to the N300 billion.

“The former governor was asked to go home on Wednesday night and he returned to us at 10 am on

Thursday and he is still with us as I speak to you,” a senior official of the antigraft agency said.

The former governor walked into the hands of his interrogators at the commission’s head office in Abuja at 6pm on Wednesday and was immediately taken by his interrogators.

A top source at the commission confirmed to Van-

guard that Sheriff was quizzed over the sum of N300 billion taken from the coffers of the state without any work done with it as claimed by his administration.

“We want the former governor to also explain to us how the sum of N13 which was taken from local government joint account in the state was used and what it

The life and times of Madam Beatrice Menye –Family

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HE Nwanze family of Umuisagba in Ibusa community of Delta state has described one of its daughters, late Madam Beatrice Menye as an embodiment of peace, humility and harmonious coexistence. In a tribute titled “the life and times of Madam Beatrice Menye: 1921-2015”by Emeka Menye, the family said late Madam Beatrice ‘’practiced and exhibited transparency, accountability, industry and trust in her dealings

with other people and these traits earned her the respect and admiration of people across gender lines. ‘’She was a devout Christian and an ardent believer in the efficacy of prayers in solving life’s myriad problems. She inculcated this belief and attachment to God into her children and relations.

She devoted a lot of her time to Church activities and programs and was a role model to many women in the Church and her immediate community.

was used for,” the source said.

Meanwhile in his reaction yesterday, the former Borno state governor said he was neither detained by the anti-graft body nor harassed, while insisting he had nothing to fear or hide. Expressing surprise why he was being quizzed four years after leaving office, Modu Sheriff said “I left office May 29, 2011.

Four years after, nobody has ever invited me for anything, nobody has questioned me. I just saw a newspaper publication, which said that EFCC was set to declare Gov Sheriff wanted. I decided to go to them to know what the issue was all about. They

presented me a document that there was a budget provision and contract awarded between 2006 and 2010 and 2011. ‘’They said they were looking for my asset declaration form and I told them I will provide it if that is what they want to see. I do not know if they are probing my assets or the contracts I awarded’’.

The former governor, who left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the wee hours of the last general elections, said he performed above board as governor of the state.

KASHAMU: NDLEA moves to set aside court ruling

By Innocent Anaba & Evelyn Usman

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AGOS—THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, yesterday made moves to set aside the ruling of a Federal High court restraining it from arresting the Ogun East Senator-elect, Prince Buruji Kashamu describing the facts presented to the court in its absence as erroneous.

The agency, in a statement by its head of Public Affairs, Mitchell Ofoyeju disclosed that it had filed a motion on notice pursuant to order 26 rules 2(1), order 32 rule 1 and 4 (1) of the Fderal High Court civil procedure rules 2009, section 36 of the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

The statement read in part: “The agency is seeking an order setting aside the Ruling and or Order(s) of this court delivered by Honourable Justice I. N. Buba on the 26th day of May 2015 having been made on erroneous facts in the absence of the Applicant/2nd Respondent.

NDLEA is also seeking an order striking out the originating processes being incompetent as it relates to the 2nd Respondent.

“The grounds of the application are that there is a valid request for Extradition of the Respondent/Applicant to the United States of America to face trial over conspiracy and unlawful importation of heroin into the United States of America. There is a valid and subsisting Provisional Warrant of Arrest for the arrest of the Respondent/Applicant. The suit in which the Court was moved to make an Order directing the Applicant/2nd Respondent to withdraw from theresidenceoftheRespondent/ Applicant was heard in contravention of the right of the Applicant/2ndRespondenttobeheard in in the matter as it was never given the opportunity to defend himself."

Nigerians in diaspora want Diaspora Commission Bill

By Christopher Njoku

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AGOS—NIGERIANS in Diaspora have called on President Muhammudu Buhari to sign into law, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Bill.

Briefing newsmen in Lagos yesterday, coordinator

of the forum, Mr. Alistair Soyode, said that the bill was among the 46 bills recently passed by the Senate. Soyode, who appealed to the president to sign the bill into law, said the bill would “provide for the engagement of Nigerians in

diaspora in the policies, projects and participation in the development of Nigeria and for the purpose of utilising the human and material resources of Nigerians in diaspora towards the overall socio-economic, cultural and political development of Nigeria.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 — 11

Ogun Assembly dissolved after passing 44 bills

By Daud Olatunji

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CONVOCATION: From left; Dr. Oyeleke Owolabi, Pro-Chancellor, Babcock University, BU, President, North-Western Nigeria Union of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Prof. J.A. Kayode Makinde, President /Vice-Chancellor, BU, Mr Tony Elumelu, guest speaker, Mr Babatunde Fashola, former Lagos State governor, and awardee, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, awardee and former Governor of Kano State, and Dr. Kayode Fayemi, former Governor of Ekiti State, during the 13th convocation of Babacock University, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State. Photo: Diran Oshe.

IMPEACHMENT SCARE: Fayose, supporters

jubilate as APC lawmakers' tenure expires zAs Reps -elect ask ex-APC lawmakers to seek God

By Gbenga Oke

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AGOS—GOVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has called out his supporters to rejoice with him on the streets today over the expiration of the term of the 19 All Progressives Congress, APC, who had been at loggerheads with him.

Expressing relief at the end of the tenure of the lawmakers yesterday, the governor said the end of the term of the APC controlled legislative House was now an opportunity for him to get into the act of governance.

New Assembly dominated by PDP lawmakers

The next House of Assembly is entirely dominated by Fayose’s Peoples Democratic Party, PDP members, who in an interview with Vanguard pledged total cordiality with the governor.

The APC lawmakers had on April 4, 2015 issued a notice of impeachment to Fayose, citing cases of abuse of office and gross misconduct.

The impeachment plot against Fayose also took a new dimension on Monday when the Speaker, Adewale Omirin and his colleagues made moves to return to the Assembly Complex and continue with the impeachment move but efforts of the lawmakers were, however, met with resistance as PDP members blocked all entry points into the state in order to avoid human and vehicular movement into the state.

Calling out his supporters to come out today in a state broadcast yesterday, Governor Fayose said: “I want to thank the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, members, commercial drivers and motorcyclists, market men and women and citizens of this state for their continued support for me while the face-off lasted.

“With the expiration of their tenure, there is relief for me and my administration, and it is now time to perform my duties as governor of the state.

“In view of my travail in the hands of the outgone lawmakers, reprieve has now come to my government and I can now feel like a governor.

Plans procession

“By tomorrow, Friday, June 5, (today) I shall be embarking on a town procession in Ado Ekiti to thank my people for their support.

I want you to meet me at Fajuyi Park where I am going to commence the procession and move around to give glory to God and humanity”, Fayose stated.

Reps-elect counsel APC lawmakers

Meanwhile, House of Representatives members-elect from Ekiti State have counselled the 19 All Progressives Congress, APC, members of the State House of Assembly to seek God’s forgiveness for their failed moves against Governor Ayodele Fayose.

The members-elect, who are all

members of the PDP in a joint statement issued from Ado-Ekiti yesterday also urged the incoming members of the State House of Assembly to shy away from the allegedly combative stance of the 19 lawmakers whose term expires today.

In the statement signed by the six members-elect, Ayo Oladimeji, Segun Adekola, Akin Awodumila, Olamide Oni, Thaddeus Aina and Kehinde Agboola, the APC lawmakers were flayed for purportedly conspiring to throw the state into a state of confusion in their bid for power.

“If former President Goodluck Jonathan had behaved the way the APC people in Ekiti State are behaving, Nigeria would be in crisis by now,” the signatories deposited.

B E O K U TA — SPEAKER of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Suraju Adekumbi , yesterday, announced the dissolution of 7th state House of Assembly, saying, the House had passed 44 bills into laws within the last four legislative years.

The House which was inaugurated by the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun on June 6, 2011 had both members of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, now All Progressives Congress, APC, which was in majority and the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. Adekumbi, who represents Yewa North constituency on the platform of the APC, presided over the valedictory plenary which had 19 lawmakers in attendance.

He said, despite the challenges and politicking, the assembly was able to pass 60 motions into resolutions.

The speaker, who lauded the executive arm of the government led by Governor Ibikunle Amosun for its support, disclosed that members of the assembly of the 7th legislature had executed 161 projects across the state.

He, however, announced that the 8th legislative house would be inaugurated next Monday by Governor Amosun.

NSCDC nabs 3 suspected criminals in Osun

O

Gbenga Olatinoye

SOGBO—THE Osun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC, yesterday arrested three members of a notorious fraud syndicate in the state.

The suspects, Akinlotan Kolawole Olushola, Olayiwola Oladayo and Bolarinwa Adebayo a.k.a Dodo were said to have duped unsuspecting citizens through fake visa travelling deals.

According to a statement from the state NSCDC, the syndicate allegedly duped an Enugu based businessman, Hon.

Nnamchi Nichodemus of a sum of N700,000 through a dubious travelling transaction in November last year.

Nichodemus was said to have been tricked into paying the said money into an account belonging to Olushola, an undergraduate student at the National Open University.

The statement added that after receiving a credit alert, Olushola who was promised a sum of N105, 000, was said to have immediately gone to the bank to collect the money through the Automatic Teller Machine, ATM, and the counter, while he handed over the balance to Oladayo for onward

transmission to Adebayo a.k.a Dodo.

Olushola was said to have gone into hiding after they were declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes

Commission, EFCC, as he abandoned his study at the Open University while the other two suspects also went incommunicado.

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, June 5, 2015

Don't frustrate election petitions, Edo REC warns INEC lawyers

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—EDO State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr Mike Igini, has admonished lawyers representing the commission at the election petitions tribunal in the state not to be partisan or unnecessarily join issues over frivolous motions designed to frustrate the course of justice at the tribunal.

Igini in a statement yesterday, reminded external solicitors engaged by the

commission that their appointments were based on their professional merit and competence, therefore the commission expects qualitative and upright representation of the commission at the election tribunal.

He said: “You were appointed to act as counsel to the commission and not to hold brief for the winner of an election per se, or other corespondents. In this regard, you are expected to present and explain the steps taken by the commission’s election

officials in making a return in line with extant electoral laws and regulations.

“Therefore, you should not unnecessarily join issues over

frivolous and vexatious applications or motions designed to unduly delay and frustrate the course of justice at the tribunal. Emphasis

should be placed on upholding and maintaining the transparency and integrity of the electoral process.”

Don’t scrap amnesty programme, ex-militants beg Buhari

By Godwin Oghre

started hearing of the issue of scrapping the amnesty. If President Muhammadu Buhari goes ahead to scrap the amnesty programme, it means majority of us will die from starvation.

“We beg the president not to scrap it because it will adversely affect us and our families."

S

APELE—NIGER Delta ex-militants, under the aegis of Justice Group, have said that their survival may be in grave danger, should President Muhammadu Buhari scrap the amnesty programme.

Leader of the ex-militants, David Owhegbe, who spoke yesterday in Jesse, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, said: “Since the government of the Peoples Democratic

By Jimitota Party, PDP, has completely Onoyume failed us and the nation in general in its 16 years rule, ORT HARwe were already thanking C O U R T — God when the All GOVERNOR Nyesom Progressives Congress, APC, administration came Wike of Rivers State has appointed the state with the change slogan.

Peoples “We felt that relief had chairman, Democratic Party, PDP, come to the masses of Mr Felix Obuah, as sole Nigeria and we have now administrator, Rivers been liberated from the Waste bondage of ill State Management Board. administration, until we A statement announcing the

DELTA SSG ASSUMES OFFICE: From left: Mr. Jerome Morka, Permanent Secretary, SSG's office; Mr. Festus Agas, SSG Delta State; his wife Kevwe and Sir Eddy Ogidi-Gbegbaje, Permanent Secretary, Government House and Protocol, during the SSG's assumption of office, in Asaba. Photo Nath Onojake.

Wike appoints Obuah sole administrator, Waste Mgt Board

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Retired Justice Jaho for burial

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Rivers Assembly screens 4 commissioner-designates HE late retired

Justice Samuel Jaho, who died last month aged 75, will be buried at his home town Oghwrode, Udu Local Government Area, Delta State next Friday.

Justice Jaho was a retired chairman of Delta State Independent Electoral Commission.

Late Justice Jaho C M Y K

appointment, said Mr Obuah is to ensure the city was cleared of waste within 72 hours.

The statement said: “The governor who paid an unscheduled visit to the office of the authority, expressed disgust with the abysmal performance of the management. The new sole administrator has 72 hours to clear all refuse in the state. The appointment takes immediate effect.”

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State House of Assembly, yesterday, screened four persons to be appointed as commissioners.

They are Mr Emmanuel Agumah, Dr Fred Kpakol, Mrs Onimim Briggs and Mr Emma Okah.

The House also granted the governor's request to appoint seven special advisers.

Thirty one lawmakers who were present also

elected four principal officers. They are Amaewhule, Leader; Lolo Denabari, Deputy Leader; Evans Bipi, Chief Whip and Major Jack, Deputy Whip.

Speaker of the House, Ikuinyi Ibani, who presided over the session congratulated the newly elected officers, urging them to discharge their duties effectively.

“In all our dealings, we must try to show a difference between then and now. I must try as much as possible to be just and fair,” he said.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015—13

Buhari pledges commitment to amnesty programme P

R E S I D E N T Muhammadu Buhari has pledged commitment to prosecuting the amnesty programme in the Niger Delta with vigour in order to bring lasting peace and stability to the region.

Mr Ohi Alegbe, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Department, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, made the disclosure in a statement in Abuja yesterday.

The statement explained that Dr Jamila Shu’ara, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources,disclosed this while delivering Buhari’s message at the ongoing 167th Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, International Seminar in Vienna, Austria.

She said the president was also committed to ensuring stability in other parts of Nigeria, thus making the operational environment safe and attractive once again.

“Nigeria is committed to tackling corruption, especially in the extractive industry. The country will strive to bring

back transparency and accountability in public life, especially in the petroleum industry which is the mainstay of the nation's economy,” she said.

She said Nigeria, under the

administration of President Buhari, was committed to playing more effective roles in the affairs of OPEC. She said Buhari would continue to work for the realisation of the aims and

objectives of the organisation.

She was there to convey Buhari's message and that of Nigeria to all Heads of Delegation of OPEC member countries and representatives of other countries.

OATH OF OFFICE: Speaker, Bayelsa House of Assembly, Mr Konbowei Benson (left), taking his oath of office before the Clerk of the House, Mr Aaron Timiye, in Amarata.

Vanguard, our pride, say Delta newspaper vendors

By Egufe Yafugborhi

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ARRI—NEWSPAPER vendors in Delta State have pledged their commitment to place Vanguard newspapers as number one in the competition among newspapers sold in the state, describing the newspaper as a pride to them and readers.

President, Newspapers Distributors Association of Nigeria, Warri chapter, Lucky Baron, gave the assurance, yesterday at the Warri newspapers depot, Effurun, where they hosted a delegation of Vanguard’s management.

The interactive session was on improving mutual benefits between both parties in the distribution and sale of Vanguard newspapers in Warri and environs.

Vanguard’s Assitant General Manager, Mr Fred Odueme,

C M Y K

at the meeting, urged the vendors to take appropriate measures, including employing bank payments, to reduce delay in remittance of sales for supplies made to them.

Odueme, who acknowledged the contribution of vendors to the pride of place Vanguard occupies in the psyche of Delta readers, said: “We must both assume ownership of this business.

“We produce and you sell. If the bulk of sales are hanging in the air, it is a threat to remaining in business. If we don’t get the returns to buy newsprint, we can’t produce.

If we can’t produce, you won’t have newspapers to sell. So, we must collectively take proactive measures to guard against this challenge.”

In reaction, the association’s president, Baron, said:

“Vanguard is our pride in content and it is distributor friendly. It is number one and we have in no small measure contributed to placing it there.

“We pledge continued commitment to this business relationship. On our part, we will continue to try our best in ensuring payments for

supplies. Only recently, we imposed sanctions against defaulting members in this regard.”

Also on the Vanguard delegation at the meeting were Mr Emeka Nkwocha, Advert Manager and Temisan Pemu, Circulation Manager.

Ex-militants barricade E-West Road

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By Samuel Oyadongha

E N A G OA — PROTESTING ex-militants, yesterday, barricaded the Mbiama axis of the East-West Road over alleged nonpayment of their allowances by the amnesty office.

The protesters, led by the Bayelsa State Third Phase Amnesty chairman, Ebi John, trooped to the road as early as 7a.m., and blocked the road, obstructing free flow of traffic.

Motorists and travellers plying the route were stranded as the protesters chanted war songs demanding the payment of their allowances without further delay.

But military patrol vans and two Armoured Personnel Carriers, APCs, driven by soldiers were said to have swooped on the youths.

The soldiers were said to have shot into the air many times to dislodge the youths from the road.

John accused the amnesty office of insensitivity, adding that the office and the Accountant-General were deliberately delaying their allowances.

He said they earlier went to Abuja to lodge the same complaint but the Amnesty office unleashed terror on them using soldiers.

Deloitte’s new CEO, Renjen, outlines firm’s priorities

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EW chief executive officer of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (Deloitte Global), Punit Renjen, has taken over the helms of the firm, defining the global organization’s priorities, which he said are led by driving a shared sense of purpose across a network operating in more than 150 countries with more than 220,000 people.

“All of Deloitte’s stakeholders, clients, colleagues and the communities in which we work,

expect us to make an impact that matters to them.

“That means we must commit to achieving clear leadership in critical areas through very focused priorities,” Renjen said.

He framed a set of strategic priorities, including increasing investment to apply leading technology to serve clients across core businesses of audit, tax, consulting, enterprise risk and financial advisory services. Other top priorities include setting the standard for quality around the

world, employing “hyper collaboration” among the network’s member firms to deliver global capabilities tailored to local needs, and creating a distinct development experience to attract and inspire talent.

In addition to driving delivery of exceptional core services to clients across a range of industry sectors, Renjen plans to grow Deloitte network’s capabilities in areas such as cognitive technologies, cloud computing, digital and social applications.

14—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

House of Reps passes PIB

By Emma Amazie, Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbarakwu

A

BUJA—THE House of Representatives, yesterday, passed the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, on the last legislative day of the Seventh National Assembly.

However, the failure of the Senate to give its concurrence made the epochal decision of the House of Representatives of no effect.

Senate Leader, Senator Victor NdomaEgba, SAN told Vanguard last night that the failure of the Senate made the development in the House of Representatives of no effect.

The House had, Tuesday, suspended the consideration of clause 209 of the PIB, due to contentious issues. But on resumption of the consideration of the ad-hoc committee’s report, the outgoing members chorused ‘aye’ when the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, put the questions on each of the clauses.

He said that the House took painstaking steps in constituting the ad-hoc committee on PIB to reflect the diverse interests of the country.

“I want to believe that the House has done its best and represented our constituencies very well. Barring last minute unforeseen circumstances, today may be our last sitting day.”

Ihedioha had, Tuesday, expressed displeasure over the politicking during debate on the bill during the consideration of some of the clauses.

Vanguard recalls that the PIB was killed on the last legislative day of the 6th Assembly in 2011.

The ad hoc committee led by the House Chief Whip, Rep Ishaku Mohammed Bawa, PDP, Taraba had presented the report, in March 2015 after almost three years.

The committee had scrutinised the 363 sections and annexure of the original bill and made some amendments and recommendations.

The 23-member ad hoc committee had held public hearings in the six geopolitical zones, including the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, which afforded stakeholders and general public the opportunity to make contributions to the proposed law.

The original bill covered salient areas such as establishment of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund, incorporation of National Gas Company, establishment of petroleum directorate and National Asset Management Company as well as imposition of new tax regime such as Nigeria Carbon Tax. In the report, the committee recommended the “complete removal” of section 191 of the bill that gives the president discretional powers to grant petroleum licences and lease and instead

proposed biddings for the award of licences.

The bill in its original objectives had sought to create a conducive environment for the industry, to optimise domestic gas supplies and promote community-industry relations, among others.

Reacting to the development, yesterday, Rep. Friday Itulah, PDP, Edo State, described PIB as good as dead since both legislative houses did not harmonise it.

“Though we recommended that the 8th Assembly should continue from where we stopped, it is not binding on them.

“We can’t impose it on the 8th House, but if they choose to continue that will be just okay.”

Speaking on why the Senate could not pass the bill, Senator Ndoma-Egba, the Senate Leader said that the Senate commenced deliberation on the bill quite later than the House of Representatives.

He said the passage by the House was of no effect.

Senator Babafemi Ojudu, All Progressive Congress, APC, Ekiti said that the Senate did not pass the PIB because it was not brought up and the Senate did not have it.

Reactions Mixed reactions last night trailed the passage of the PIB by the House of Representatives.

National coordinator of the Host Communities Producing Oil and Gas, HOSTCOM, Prince Maikpobi Okareme, said, “On behalf of the host communities, I commend the House of Representatives for passing the PIB.” He, however, said the 7.5 per cent Host Community Fund, HCF, approved for host communities fell short of the 10 per cent recommended by a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on the PIB. “My position is that the next Senate should adopt the 10 per cent proposed by the joint committee of the two lawmaking chambers because the outgoing Senate amended its rules for it to inherit all bills.

"The next Senate should continue from where the former stopped with the third reading,” he added.

The Ijaw Youth Congress, IYC, speaking through its spokesperson, Mr. Eric Omare, said the PIB passed by the House of Representatives was of no consequence to the people of Niger-Delta.

He urged the Senate to reject the PIB as passed by the House of Representatives because it does not represent the wishes of the people.

Omare said the House of Representatives also redefined host communities to mean any community that oil pipeline traverses in the country, saying, “this is contrary to the definition of host communities in the NDDC Act.”

Nwokolo, Mrakpor lauded on electoral victory

A

SABA—A media consultant, Mr. Emma Fejokwu, in a congratulatory message, yesterday, in Asaba, attributed the re-election of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, House of Representatives candidate for Ika Federal constituency, Hon. Victor Nwokolo to his monumental achievements and down-to-earth disposition to all and sundry in the constituency.

Fejokwu said the dividends of democracy brought to the people of Ika Federal constituency as well as the overall empowerment of the people, especially women, youths and the less privileged, the legislator-elect is worthy of emulation and prayed for God’s protection to enable C M Y K

him perform and bring effective representation to the people.

Fejukwu also sent a congratulatory message to the House of Representatives member-elect for Aniocha/Oshimili Federal constituency, Hon. Onyemaechi Mrakpor, describing her victory as well deserved.

He added that there was no doubt she would bring effective representation to the area as she did during her days as member that represented Anicoha South in the Delta State House of Assembly.

He equally congratulated the Delta State Governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa and his deputy, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, noting that the pair will no doubt take the state to the next level.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUN E 5, 2015 —15

Lagos retirees paid N33.5bn under CPS

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

L

AGOS STATE government has paid its 6,441 retirees N33.5 billion through the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS. Director-General, Lagos State Pension Commission, LASPEC, Mr. Rotimi Hussain, who disclosed this during the 17th Retirement Bond Certificate presentation ceremony where another set of 296 retirees were presented with bond certificates worth N1.36 billion, said the commission was confident that the new government in the state would not relent at ensuring employeremployee contributions were remitted regularly.

The N1.36 billion bond certificates were the retirees’ past service benefits, prior to the commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme in April 2007.

He said: “We are confident that the administration of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and Dr. Idiat Adebule would not relent on efforts at ensuring that employer/ employee joint contributions are remitted regularly and every worker who serves the state government continues to enjoy the best of pension services in our tradition of excellence.”

He said 17th bond certificate presentation ceremony was marked without the usual fanfare, adding that the process started on May 19 and ended two days later.

Hussain said the retirees with Stanbic IBTC Pension Fund Administrator had been presented with their bond certificates, while those with Trustfund, ARM, NLPC and Leadway Pensure got theirs earlier.

No records for many prison inmates —Anambra CJ

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—THE ongoing prison visitation by the Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi, has led to a startling revelation that many prison inmates have no records.

Justice Umeadi began the

annual goal-oriented visits to Onitsha Prisons on June 1, 2015, and Aguata Prisons, Wednesday.

He will round off the exercise with a visit to Awka Prisons today.

At the Onitsha Prisons, the Chief Judge released 13 inmates- 10 males and three females -while six persons were released at

Aguata Prisons.

One major discovery by the chief judge so far is that many inmates, especially the Awaiting Trial Men, ATM, have no records that would enable lawyers and prison officials prosecute their cases in courts.

Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of special duties and protocol at the state high court,

Mr. Eugene Agbasionwe, said in a statement in Awka, yesterday that one of the major reasons for the yearly exercise was to ensure that people were not unduly incarcerated in prison custody.

According to him, efforts will be made to ensure that all inmates had proper records, so that they do not suffer unduly.

Ohanaeze Youth Council faults Amnesty International on Ihejirika

By Anayo Okoli

U

MUAHIA—OHANAEZE Youth Council, the youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has condemned the listing by Amnesty International, of former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, among those who allegedly committed extra-judicial killings in the fight against Boko Haram.

The group warned that it would resist any attempt to unjustly antagonize and prosecute Ihejirika for doing a good work in his service to the nation.

Amnesty International had urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, to investigate some former and serving service chiefs, including Ihejirika, for war crimes.

But in a statement issued in Umuahia by National President of Ohanaeze Youth Council, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group described Amnesty ’s position on Ihejirika as “utter rubbish.”

Isiguzoro alleged that some Northern leaders were behind the action, and described such people as ingrates who wanted to rubbish some military leaders who put their lives on the line to defend them and the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

“The last insult Ndigbo can take from those who think they

are the owners of Nigeria is to allow them touch General Ihejirika, who served his father land meritoriously.

“What Ihejirika and other military personnel who staked their lives fighting Boko Haram deserve is commendation and not politicallymotivated prosecution.

“Where was Amnesty International when Boko Haram fighters were annihilating Christians and

Moslems in Northern Nigeria?

Where was Amnesty International when Boko Haram was throwing bombs inside churches, mosques, markets, motor parks and killing innocent Nigerians?

“What efforts has Amnesty International made to bring sponsors of Boko Haram to book? Or will they claim they did not hear when some people threatened to make Nigeria ungovernable should ex- President Goodluck

Jonathan win the 2011 presidential election,” the statement read.

The group accused Amnesty International of being “biased, hypocritical and playing double standards.” It urged President Muhammadu Buhari to disregard the report if he must lead a united Nigeria.

“Buhari should choose between leading a united Nigeria and supervising the fragmentation of Nigeria,” the group said.

INSPECTION: Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (right), on an inspection tour of Ndioji-Ndiokereke-Abam-Arochukwu Road. With him is Engr. Ugo Ohuabunwa, M/D Masta Services Ltd.

SALARY ARREARS: Gov Ikpeazu asks permsecs for staff nominal rolls

By Anayo Okoli

U

MUAHIA—IN his efforts to clear arrears of workers' salaries and keep his promise of paying them on the 24th of every month, Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has directed all permanent secretaries in ministries to bring to him for sighting the authentic nominal roll of their staff.

This, Vanguard learned, was to enable him ascertain the C M Y K

real work force of the state to avoid ghost workers which his predecessor, Chief Theodore Orji, made concerted efforts to eliminate in the state’s workforce.

Governor Ikpeazu had on assumption of office, promised to gradually clear the salary arrears to workers and pensioners and ensure that civil servants in the state got their salary on the 24th of very months.

Meanwhile, Special Assistant

on Media to the Governor, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue, has said Governor Ikpeazu had the political will to tackle the infrastructure problem of Aba, the commercial capital of the state.

According to Emezue, the governor has the political will to demolish all illegal structures built on drainage for the over all interest of the state.

He said all the illegal structures blocking free flow of floodwater might need to be

demolished for roads embarked upon by the governor to last.

He said Governor Ikpeazu had promised to give Abia people something to cheer and celebrate in his 100 days in office, especially in Aba and Umuahia.

Already, the governor has flagged off the rehabilitation of seven roads in Aba, which he hoped would be ready in the 100 days and some in Umuahia for rehabilitation and construction.

“Within 100 days in office, Abians would be happy. He has set Abia on a part everybody would be happy with. The roads being built in Aba will have drainage and street lights.

“Governor Ikpeazu will also stop multiple taxation. The government will soon come up with unified tax system so that people coming here to do business will not face any problem of multiple taxation,” he explained.

16—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUN E 5, 2015

IPC condemns renewed attacks on journalists

T

HE INTERNATIONAL Press Centre, IPC, LagosNigeria, has expressed concern over the renewed wave of attacks on journalists in different parts of the country.

Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, said in a statement, yesterday, that not less than three journalists had been assaulted in the course of their legitimate duties within the past one week.

Cataloguing the attacks, Arogundade recalled that on May 29, Mr. Hir Joseph of Daily Trust was beaten by armed political thugs during the swearing-in ceremony of Governor Tanko Almakura in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

He also recalled that Mr. Kamarudeen Ogundele of The Punch was beaten by political thugs near Ekiti State Assembly complex on June 3.

According to him, Victor Akinkuolie of Hope Newspaper was also beaten up by policemen in Ondo, Ondo State on June 2.

“The assault on the three journalists was so violent that they had to be hospitalized following the injuries they suffered,” Arogundade said.

He said the incidents should be condemned by all lovers of freedom of expression and democracy.

According to him, all the persons or group of persons alleged to be responsible for the bloody assaults should be immediately arrested and prosecuted by the Police, while the federal and state governments and law enforcement agencies should take immediate steps to halt the repeated harassments of journalists.

School prefect, commercial cyclist killed in Anambra auto crash

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

O

NITSHA—BARELY five days after last Sunday’s illfated petrol tanker disaster that left about 70 persons dead at Asaba Motor Park, Upper Iweka, Onitsha, another auto crash, yesterday, claimed two lives at Ogidi, near Onitsha.

The accident, according to an eyewitness, occurred when an official of Anambra State Traffic Management Agency, ATMA, (names withheld), hit a commercial motorcyclist at Ugwu Nwasike Round-about, Ogidi.

According to the source, as soon as the ATMA Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV hit the cyclist, the cyclist in turn, knocked down a passerby, who was later identified

BRIEFING: From left, Metropolitan Grand Knight, KSM, Lagos Metropolitan Council, Charles Mbelede; Catholic Bishop of Ilorin Diocese, Rt. Rev. Ayo-Maria; Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins; National President, Papal Knights and Medalists, Sir Patrick Ikemefuna, and Chancellor, KSM, Lagos Metropolitan Council, James Famure, at an annual press briefing to mark Archbishop Adewale Martins' birthday, at Holy Cross Cathedral, in Lagos, Monday.

I

JAW MONITORING Group, IMG, has described the death of Chief Matthew Dina Ganagana, a.k.a MADIGA of Enekoregha Town, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State as the end of an era in Niger Delta in general and Ijaw land in particular.

In a message by Joseph Evah, Coordinator of IMG, the group stated that Chief Ganagana’s entrepreneurial spirit led to the C M Y K

that a government official and vehicle were involved in such an ugly development.

Mbodu said he was yet to get the true picture of the accident, adding that investigations were still in progress by the ministry to get to the root of the matter.

The premises of the deceased’s school was deserted when visited Vanguard, but a boy who claimed to be one of the students, said the deceased hailed from Enugu State.

“He joined our school just this third term but because of his brilliance, the school management appointed him senior prefect,’’ he said.

He added that the deceased was the only son of the family and was just returning home from school when he was killed close to his house.

He alleged that the ATMA official was chasing the commercial motorcyclist apparently to arrest him for a traffic offence before the cyclist in turn, hit the boy which resulted in his death.

Confirming the accident, Ogidi Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Mr. Hassan Musa, said investigation was on-going.

“That boy was a senior prefect of a secondary school at Ogidi and we commiserate with the family,” the DPO stated

Andy Uba mourns Onitsha fire victims

F

OLLOWING LAST weekend’s tragic tanker accident in Onitsha which led to the death of 70 people, the

senator representing Anambra tanker accidents on the South senatorial zone, Senator nation’s roads.

Andy Uba has called for a Speaking in Abuja, lasting solution to perennial yesterday, Senator Uba said: “I

How to stop Anambra - Kogi clashes, by Omambala youths

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

O

NITSHA—YOUTHS, under the aegis of Omambala Indigenes Youth Foundation said, yesterday, that only a covenant by warring parties to the communal dispute between Anambra and Kogi states and effective boundary demarcation would

guarantee restoration of peace in the war-torn area.

The youths’ declaration came against the backdrop of this week’s killing of three workers of Orient Petroleum refinery by some persons allegedly from Kogi State.

Border communities of Anambra and Kogi states have been warring over ownership of the land the refinery is located at Aguleri,

Ijaws mourn Niger Delta pioneer fast food provider

By Ikenna Asomba

as Emeka Ogbu, Senior Prefect of Day Star Secondary School, Ogidi.

Both the cyclist and the schoolboy died minutes after they were rushed to New Mayor’s Hospital, Iyi-Enu, Ogidi, a nearby private hospital.

When the news of the incident filtered in, the state Commissioner for Transport, Chuma Mbodu, expressed regret

establishment of the first fast food bakery in the creek of Niger Delta, called 'MADIGA' in the 1980's.

“A champion of the business world in the Niger Delta Creek, a worthy pace-setter in poverty alleviation in the creek is gone.

There is no family root in the creeks that did not taste food baked by Madiga.

“Niger Delta salutes a giant of our time for his decades of valued and selfless service to the region.

Like one in a million golden bubbles. Chief ‘Madiga’ stands

out in his generation with economic drive that saved his people from starvation,”the group sated The IMG urged Delta and Bayelsa state governments to honour the great patriot, adding that the first bakery the deceased established in Enekorogha town should be redesigned by the federal and state governments as a monument for the study of local economic empowerment programme for higher institutions and scholars in Nigeria.

Anambra State.

Addressing newsmen in Onitsha, chairman of the Foundation, Simeon Okafor, recalled that the Foundation had severally visited the leaders and traditional rulers of the warring communities of Odeke and Echeno in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State and Enugu Otu Agulueri in Anambra State and tried to mediate.

He said: “They agreed with us and blessed us for the peace talk we initiated and pledged to contribute towards that to stop the killings and destruction of property by both sides, but we are yet to see the stoppage they promised.

“The traditional ruler of Igala, HRM Attah Agabaidu Oboni, HRH J. J. Agbata, the Doga of Echeno community and the traditional ruler of Odeke, HRH Dominic Urana, the Doga of Odeke, were among the traditional rulers who endorsed our call for covenant and boundary demarcation.”

wish to commiserate with the families of those who lost their lives, over the weekend in Onitsha. ‘’It is most tragic, unfortunate and avoidable. My deep condolences go to the families of those that lost their dear ones. ‘’I pray that the good Lord would console them and give them the fortitude to bear their great losses. These incessant cases of tanker accidents on our roads are one too many and something urgent must be done to stop it.

“Like millions of Nigerians, I am pained by these regular losses of lives on our roads, most of which are avoidable. ‘’I urge the Federal Road Safety Commission to put in place control mechanisms to check the carnage on our roads due to over-speeding and carelessness on the part of the drivers. ‘’I intend to take the battle to make our roads safer for motorists to the Senate when the National Assembly resumes plenary. We cannot sit by and watch while the lives of innocent citizens are wasted due to avoidable errors.”

Senator Uba urged the Federal Road Safety Commission to put in place measures to check the excesses of drivers who failed to adhere to simple safety rules.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 —17

What next for the Niger Delta?

B

UHARI is now the Head Honcho and his party, APC, is ruling the roost federally. But all of the key Niger Delta states remain firmly under PDP control.

Even though the election results in the above states are highly suspect because of widespread malpractices and violence (especially in Rivers), I think it is fair to say that exPresident Jonathan is genuinely popular on his home turf…and that lots of Niger Deltans are currently determined to stay with his party.

My driver in Port Harcourt politely refused to buy into my passionate pro-Buhari arguments and continues to be a staunch Jonathanist. Ditto some of my other employees, many of my relatives and most of the chiefs in my Ogoni village.

Frankly, even though I voted APC and am convinced that Buhari can deliver several positive changes, I’m impressed by Niger Deltans who are determined to stick with the ailing PDP and suffer the disadvantages of being in Opposition.

Why? Because Nigerians are, as a general rule, obsessively opportunistic and totally unapologetic worshippers of success; and they tend to shamelessly switch sides pronto if they backed a loser, so I initially assumed that there would be a tidal wave of defections to APC in the weeks following the March/April polls.

But this has not happened.

And I (perversely perhaps) like the fact that so many folks from my region, including humble workers who struggle to survive, have decided to forget about self-interest and doggedly stand by a principle.

The principle they are standing by is not remotely noble, cerebral or logical – they are motivated by a sentimental, ethnocentric belief that Jonathan is a beloved Big Brother and “deserved” two terms, regardless of his performance.

C M Y K

*President Muhammadu Buhari

A friend who works for a government agency in Rivers State and shares my faith in Buhari told me that he felt like a lone voice in the wilderness in his workplace…and that when, on the eve of the elections, he reminded his colleagues of Jonathan’s myriad failures, including his failure to enhance the Niger Delta, his colleagues angrily turned on him and defiantly assured him that they would “vote for anyone from our area, even if he is a useless goat”.

They also told my friend that they would never support Buhari because they bitterly resented the North’s “born to rule” sense of entitlement…and that Northerners had ruled Nigeria for most of the years that had elapsed since Independence and therefore

I strongly urge Buhari to take alienated Niger Deltans VERY seriously indeed and do his utmost to persuade them to regard him as a credible and caring leader

had no right to agitate for the Presidency “ yet again” at the expense of the only President the Niger Delta has ever had… …and that Jonathan’s Northern predecessors had been no better than Jonathan and had also neglected their geopolitical zones…and that they were sure that Boko Haram had been funded by Northern grandees to undermine Jonathan.

I personally think that my friend’s colleagues are bigoted, knee-jerk diehard regionalists and essentially misguided. But I must admit that I understand their mindsets; and it HAS to be said that Niger Deltan fans of Jonathan are not the only essentially misguided, bigoted, knee-jerk diehard regionalists in Nigeria.

Many Northerners wanted Buhari to win, simply because he was a fellow Northerner.

Meanwhile, many Yorubas only voted for the APC because Buhari’s running mate, Prof.

Osinbajo, happened to be their fellow South-Westerner.

So what next?

Within a democracy, it is not the end of the world if a particular part of a country is largely opposed to the central government.

Observers of the international stage have watched Scottish nationalists thumb their noses at the London-based British Establishment in the UK. Meanwhile, for years and until very recently, Yorubaland was largely controlled by a vibrant opposition party that was led by the inimitable

*Former President , Goodluck Jonathan

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who was rarely on the same page as the PDP mandarins in Abuja. So, in theory, it’s no big deal that Buhari has not been warmly embraced by Niger Deltans.

HOWEVER, Nigeria is not the UK and the Niger Delta is not Yorubaland; and the status quo is mega-awkward because the Niger Delta is oilproducing, the main source of this nation’s wealth and full of disgruntled citizens and militants.

And I strongly urge Buhari

to take alienated Niger Deltans VERY seriously indeed and do his utmost to persuade them to regard him as a credible and caring leader and dispel negative myths about the so-called Northern Agenda.

It’s about making a special effort to win hearts and minds…and making a special effort to display respect towards the people whose ancestral waters and lands have produced a valuable commodity that has kept Nigeria afloat for decades.

Never Again?

S

O MANY Nigerians from other zones have sneeringly informed me that Jonathan and Diezani AllisonMaduekwe were so disastrous that they will never again “allow” my zone to hold the Presidency or run the Petroleum Ministry.

Some of my foreign chums and contacts have also hinted that they don’t think that Niger Deltans are “ready” to cope with the substantial responsibilities.

I find such comments enormously offensive and stupid!

Yes, Jonathan and Diezani disappointed. But there are plenty of immensely accomplished and honest Niger Deltans who would not have disappointed Nigerians or the global community if they’d been given a chance to serve!

I’ve met LOADS of frighteningly incompetent and disgustingly greedy Yorubas, Northerners, Igbos and foreigners throughout my life.

But I don’t automatically assume that all Yorubas, Northerners, Igbos and foreigners are worthless!

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

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18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 THE Lagos State University, LASU, has acquired notoriety for crises. In the past two decades, the institution the administration of Alhaji Lateef Jakande built has been shut more often than it was in session. The crises are mostly internal. LASU was once labelled one of the most restive universities in Africa.

Students are either protesting high fees or lecturers are drawing attention to their welfare. Either situation results in shutting down the school. Students had to picket the office of former Governor Babatunde Fashola, after violent public protests, before their school fees were reviewed downwards. The latest face-off, which has kept the school locked for eight weeks, is between LASU’s management and the unions.

The unions shut down the university last March 20, the convocation day.

They wanted an immediate action on

For peace in LASU certain demands. The unions chased the university management away.

Their issues ranged from arrears of welfare packages to salary increments. Series of meetings have failed to resolve the crisis.

However, the union was said to have insisted on not resuming, though management on the directive of Governing Council tried re-opening the university as agreed with the leadership of the students union and the staff unions. They were also said to have ignored the plea of the Lagos State Government, the university’s Governing Council and other stakeholders to allow the Vice-

Chancellor complete his term. They are insisting on Vice-Chancellor ’s removal. At their congresses on May 18, the unions maintained that they were not on strike, but that it is the school management that shut down the institution.

The cumulative effects of all these on academic pursuits are telling. Students and staff reserve the right to aggregate their opposing views sometimes through protests on management policies and positions, but these should be done with overall interests of all. Closure of the university at the slightest provocation

has become a culture. Do the parties involved consider the consequences of these closures on academic activities?

What quality of graduates would issue from a school that is ever so often in crisis?

LASU’s unique challenges are worsened by the fact that once the institution re-opens, if there is a national strike on some union matters, LASU unions would join again, ensuring that whether the troubles are internal or external, LASU ceases academic activities. Students hardly graduate on schedule.

The Lagos State Government has to change its attitude towards the university. The askance with which it treats a school that is supposed to cater for hundreds of thousands of students in the State, and beyond, has no bearing to the excellent ways Lagos preaches.

It is time Lagos said enough was enough by changing the situation in LASU.

OPINION

By Adetoro Olorunsoga

D

R Goodluck Jonathan and his fellow Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, travellers at the helm of affairs have joined the ranks of ‘yesterday’s men’, to quote his Senior Special Adviser, Media, Dr. Reuben Abati, who famously coined the controversial phrase.

Today’s men are now in the All Progressives Congress, APC, Federal Government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The new APC kids on the block must now sheathe their swords and embrace Rev. Chris Okotie’s new paradigm of peace engagement as they embark on the reconstruction and development of the nation. Nigerians are indeed tired of media wars and inter-party squabbles. What we need now are concerted action on all fronts to jump start the dormant economic activities.

The APC leadership must make peace with the rival PDP which must adjust to life as the opposition after 16 years as the ruling party. It is not an easy adjustment to make, not with the picture being painted that they were unjustly voted out by an ungrateful electorate, after ‘all they had done for the nation’. It will not also be an easy adjustment for APC as well, which must now learn to behave like the father of all, rather than one which gloats over the predicament of the ousted party.

They must retain patience under pressure and provocation, and be able to weather the storms of leadership with sufficient equanimity, if they must remain non-partisan in their new role as leaders of the pan-Nigerian federation. In short, they must wield peace as

C M Y K

Let peace end this turmoil a weapon against the projectiles of sociopolitical turmoil.

As the new Charge d’Affairs of the nation, they must display a large heart and an open mind towards even their most vitriolic critics; a position they also took against the erstwhile ruling party. They must expect that every action would be subject to scrutiny, dissection and critique by friends and foes alike. They must then sift wheat from chaff with a wide dragnet to avail themselves of constructive thoughts in every word, inference and even smear campaign.

To profit from Rev. Okotie’s peace engagement, the ruling APC must balance power by looking into the benefits of forming an all inclusive and representative government, which cuts across the party spectrum, not a government populated by

The ruling APC must balance power by looking into the benefits of forming an all inclusive and representative government, which cuts across the party spectrum

party loyalists, apologists and political hangers-on, who always sing the praise of any and every crop of leaders, but never offer the best counsel to government, especially where the realities are at odds or contrary to the popular line of reasoning.

But when fifth columnists and mercenary politicians, who have a long history of precipitating trouble to gain advantage, go out of their way to make stability and the delivery of governance services a difficult task, then their act of sabotage is not against a sitting government, but against the people of the state.

Government must then know when to step up to check acts which will undermine the reign of peace across the nation, because the wheels of government must be oiled with peace and stability for progress and national development to fructify.

This is an all important ingredient in bringing the primal beast of political insurrection under control. Nigerians already bear too many psychological and emotional scars as a result of polarized leadership and politicking. The new APC government needs to soft pedal on the urge to fight every seeming affront and get on with the demands and challenges of governance. They already have a full plate as it has become obvious, and there is no time to be lost on frivolous battles.

To conceive the world that Nigerians have structured for them, they need to interact with

people at the grassroots to get a feel of their needs and effect of their programmes, rather than via rehearsed and guided feedback from politicians and cronies, otherwise they may spend valuable time on white elephant projects which do little in alleviating the plight and meeting the needs of the people. They need to distinguish between what they want to do for the people and what are the wishes and needs of the larger society.

Now, it is a new dawn, after 16 years of an endless journey in retrogression. Maybe we can experience a new lease of life under the present leadership, who must stop being politicians and become nationalists. But this will not happen automatically or overnight. It will take several big and small steps, to first undo decades of economic and political misadventure, and then begin to rebuild the different breaches that have been made. Yet, it must begin somewhat.

It will require that the present government first allay fears that have lingered in the conscious and subconscious of Nigerians who have come to distrust politics and politicians generally. These often neglected and seemingly inconsequentials are what add up to destroying the foundations of trust and peace in the society.

As we enter another chapter of Nigeria’s democratic story, clandestine negotiations, which fail to factor in the effects for or against the polity, will not endure. The ‘change’ that has begun cannot accommodate it.

Mr Olorunsoga, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Lagos

—19 Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015— Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Africa’s incomplete independence A frican people who have no rights are beaten, kicked and killed; men, women and children.

They are citizens who can, and are deported. Their natural resources are exploited without their consent, and from these, they derive no benefits. Their human rights are violated right under the noses of United Nations troops without the latter lifting a finger. As a people, they are forced to live in two countries under three different arrangements. The bulk live in occupied territories, some in a self rule zone and the rest have been living in Algerian refugee camps for 40 years now.

There are three infamous walls in contemporary human history: the Berlin Wall in Germany which has been pulled down, the Israeli Wall on Palestinian territory, and this one in Africa which is mined. Like a god that demands human sacrifice, this wall takes lives and claims limbs.

Welcome to Western Sahara!

The decade from the mid-1950s was one of independence for most of Africa. Independence for many African countries was accelerated with the December 14, 1960 United

Nations General Assembly Resolution 1514 which declared that: “All peoples have the right to self-determination ; by virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development”. The UN made no exception, not even of Apartheid South Africa.

When Kwame Nkrumah stood at the Polo Ground, Accra on March 6, 1957 and declared that “the independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked with the total liberation of the African Continent”, he could not have imagined that 58 years later, a part of Africa will remain colonised.

Worse still, that the colonialists would not be the traditional Europeans, but a fellow African country!

This is tragically the case today with the continued occupation and colonisation of Western Sahara by its neighbour, Morocco. To be sure, Morocco was not the original colonialist; it was itself, a colony of France for 44 years before independence in 1956. On the other hand, Western Sahara was

By Clement Udegbe

M

UHAMMADU Buhari, MB, is now the President; APC the ruling party. Change is here, and we remain grateful to God for the peace in our country, Nigeria. It is time to help, to contribute so that this change translates to good governance which what we all expect from our political leaders, irrespective of their parties. We expect peace and those good things of life which citizens of other nations take for granted, but are luxuries in Nigeria. This is in spite of the huge wealth the nation has, because our leaders are generally wicked and self-serving. Since after the Nigerian civil war, 48 years ago, leaders have progressively turned the blessings of our national oil wealth to themselves.

While the number of Nigerians who own private jets, luxury yachts, jetties, and huge mansions and estates has increased, citizens have no roads, poor health care delivery, and no water. We live in darkness and heat for most hours of the day due to poor electric power distribution; increasingly we kill ourselves as terrorists, ethnic and religious fighters, kidnappers, cultists.

Businesses and entrepreneurs are dying increasingly, many relocating, banks don’t seem to care- all they focus on is drive for deposits; they get cheap money from overseas and offer same at excruciating interest rates to the people. Everybody is for himself, and no one for the poor and common man.

MB and his party have come with a change slogan in their mouths; we have moved from hope to transformation, and now to change; and as good followers, we are committed to seeing that this change works.

Every politician in Nigeria begins to plan how to win the next elections from the day he is sworn into office. That also C M Y K

made a Protectorate (colonised) by Spain in 1884, that is 131 years ago!

When colonised peoples made a bid for freedom, the Saharawis were in the race. But like the Portuguese colonies of Angola, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde, a brutal colonial master denied it independence. However, in the mid-1970s, independence was at hand for all, except that in the case of Western Sahara, it was stopped in its tracks. Colonial Spain sought a way to continue exploitation of the natural resources; it found an ingenious one by inviting two materialistic neighbours of Western Sahara: Morocco and Mauritania, to partake in the feast.

The arrangement was simple: the two African countries were to hold and own the Western Sahara cow while Spain, and now, other European countries, will milk it.

The threesome met in Madrib on November 4, 1975 and signed the

The UN’s role in the continued colonisation of Western Sahara is one of its low points; as decent human beings, we must all unite and fight for freedom in Western Sahara as we did in Apartheid South Africa

so-called Madrib Accord under which Spain sliced Western Sahara into three portions, gave two to Morocco and the third to Mauritania. Following a war of liberation waged by the Saharawis under POLISARIO, Mauritania dropped its share in 1979 only for the Moroccan monarchy to gallop and add this share to its own.

The connivance between a departing colonialist and its African collaborators has today made Western Sahara the last known colony in Africa. The Monarchists in Rabat had claimed that the former was part of ‘Greater Morocco’. But the International Court Of Justice, ICJ, had put paid to that with its 1975 findings that there was no evidence of “any tie of territorial sovereignty” between Western Sahara and Morocco.

The voracious appetite of the Moroccan Monarchy for territory almost tore Africa into two, but in 1984, the Organisation of African Unity, OAU/AU, decided to recognise and admit Western Sahara as an independent member.

Morocco would have none of it, and walked out. Until today, it remains outside the brotherly union of African states. It has held on so far because it is heavily backed by Europe and America, and pampered by some African states.

The UN’s role in the continued colonisation of Western Sahara is one of its low points. After the cease fire in the Moroccan – Saharawi war, the UN Security Council in Resolution 690 of April 29, 1991, established a peace keeping force, MINURSO, in the territory with the mandate to “ensure a free and fair referendum and proclaim the results”.

But after 24 years, and four UN Secretaries General: Javier Perez de Cuellar, Boutros Boutros-Ghali,

Ndigbo, it’s time to wake up offers others, including those in the opposition, to plan to either improve their position in the struggle to gain power and empowerment, come the next polls, which will be 2019 in our case, or take power.

This informs the need for Ndigbo to wake up, sit down and plot their destiny in this arrangement called Nigeria.

Ndigbo have since after the civil war majorly and understandably played the politics of survival which drove them to all nooks and crannies of this country, making contributions, rendering services, and adding value. This carries many advantages, as it can be correctly said that any LGA in Nigeria without a thriving Igbo business is a dead end. But the detractors of the Igbo people have turned this against them, portraying them as materialistic, and a people that cannot follow one course of action towards political leadership and rulership in Nigeria. This is a huge and wicked fallacy.

Ethnicity and religion are not bad in principle, the problem is with how man has turned things in our country. Some will want us to believe that ethnicity did not guide their political actions, but that is self-deception.

An interview a former IGP, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomasie, who is the President of the Arewa Consultative Forum,ACF, granted to Sunday Vanguard, published on May 31, 2015, confirms what some already knew: that the North plotted to send GEJ out of Aso Rock, and that it had always been a game of power to the North since 1998. He said: ” I told you then of the agreement in 1998 that brought( General Olusegun Obasanjo) to power.

"The agreement was that it would be eight years each between the South and the North. After eight years, Obasanjo

wanted to stop the presidency from returning to the North. These two reasons(for insecurity and the agitation that power should return to the North) compelled us and we met, all Northern NGOs, and resolved that this time around, we had to struggle to get leadership back to the North”. This should open the eyes of Ndigbo to the fact that people who consider themselves stake holders, meet and agree on power rotation; they approve who becomes president and mobilise support to promote their decisions. While others are planning and plotting, Ndigbo are busy making requests and demands without any discernable plan.

Ethnicity and religions play, and will continue to play, key roles in shaping political power dynamics in Nigeria for a very long time to come. The sooner Ndigbo realised and accepted this, and review

Ndigbo will continue to miss the mark until they begin to think as a people, develop a plan as a people, and then mobilise support for that plan

Kofi Anan and now, Ban Ki-moon, the UN has been incapable of carrying out this simple task. When the matter came up again at the Security Council on May 28, 2015, all it did was to extend the MINURSO mandate by one year.

On the referendum and the need for the MINURSO at least to monitor the serious human rights violations in the territory, including the murder of women, it made no decision. It appeared satisfied with the bland statement of Ki-Moon that the way forward is for “renewed meetings and strengthening of contracts”.

The UN is unwilling to implement its simple resolution primarily because ‘the international community’ which is the European Union and the US, have vested interests in Morocco’s continued colonisation of the territory. Some European countries, in the name of ‘trade’ agreements with Morocco, are actively looting Western Sahara natural resources, including its fishes and phosphate.

What the free world can do “Towards The Liberation Of Africa’s Last Colony” was the theme of the Nigerian Academic Staff Union Of Universities, ASUU, international conference held in Abuja from June 2 to 4, 2015.

Attended by people from various parts of the world, including the ambassadors of South Africa, Algeria, Mozambique, Namibia, South Sudan, Botswana, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Malaysia, Tanzania and Vietnam, and representatives of the African Union and the Nigerian Government, the Conference drew up a frame work for the decolonisation of Western Sahara. As decent human beings, we must all unite and fight for freedom in Western Sahara as we did in Apartheid South Africa.

their collective strategies in national politics and economy, the better for them.

Ndigbo are so afraid of opposition politics, hence they have to run from pillar to post to beg for considerations now and then.

Chief Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State, decamped, just before the April elections, to the PDP, creating problems for his party, APGA, which he helped to nurture.

His successor, Governor Willy Obiano’s visit to MB, to plead for merciful considerations, even before he(Buhari) was sworn in as President, sent conflicting signals of bad politics for APGA. Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State dumped the same APGA for a game of possibilities in the APC, a gamble which should not have been, had there been a plan to capture power by Ndigbo.

How many times have the five Igbo Governors met to consider and develop a plan, be it political, economic or developmental for the South East? Since failure to plan, is planning to fail, Ndigbo will continue to miss the mark until they begin to think as a people, develop a plan or plot as a people, and then mobilise support for that plan. They need to work now with their neighbours in the South-South to overcome the pains of the civil war, betrayals, and post-war abandoned property matters in Rivers and Cross River states.

Those of them who bear Igbo names, yet deny being Igbo, are victims of psychopolitical manipulations. Ndigbo should understand their plight, reach out to them and together begin to play politics of establishment for power.

*Mr Udegbe, a legal practitioner, wrote from Lagos

20—Vanguard, FRIDAY 5 FRIDAY,, JUNE 5, 201 2015

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 — 21

OPS woos FG over N150bn unpaid export grants

From left: Freddy Messanvi, Legal & External Affairs Director, British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN); Dr. Frank Udemba Jacobs (MON) President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN); Chris McAllister, MD, BATN; and Charles Kyalo, Operations Director, BATN, during the courtesy visit by the officials of MAN to BAT Ibadan factory.

By Franklin Alli ORGANISED Private Sector Exporters Association has called on the Federal Government to reconvene the meeting of the Inter-ministerial Export Expansion Grant (EEG) Committee under the Federal Ministry of Finance in conjunction with the Organised Private Sector( OPS) for them to process and clear the backlog of over N150 billion EEG and Negotiate Duty Credit Certificates (NDCC’s) owed to exporters.

The National President of the body, Dr. Victor Iyama, who made the call in Lagos, said the meeting has become very necessary not only to clear the backlog of EEG-NDCC’s but to also restore investor confidence and

In reaction to exporters’ petitions, in December 2014, the Ministry released an allocation of only 5 percent of the backlog of NDCC’s whereas the remaining 95 percent remains outstanding till date

Nigeria’s credibility as an international trading partner.

In a position paper on Nigeria’s nonoil export sector addressed to the Federal Government, he lamented “The huge backlog of unutilized NDCC’s has paralyzed the non-oil export sector and is affecting Nigeria’s image as a reliable trading partner.

The liquidity problem faced by exporters is having a negative impact on agricultural and manufacturing sector “Since 2013 the meetings of the Inter-ministerial committee on EEG and the EEG Implementation Committee have not been convened to process and approve the EEG on

exports already made up to last year and foreign proceeds repatriated.”

According to him, the sector has potential to generate employment and revenue for the economy, stating that from 2006 -13, the sector employed over 11 million Nigerians in the agroallied value chain directly and indirectly and also boosted agricultural incomes from $ 1.0 billion (2006) to $3 billion.

“Nevertheless, non-oil sector has been facing a crisis since 2010 due to an arbitrary embargo imposed by customs to accept NDCC for duty payment. Notably NDCC’s are redeemed by way of payment of customs and excise duty. In January 2014, Federal Ministry of Finance suspended the acceptance of NDCC’s for duty payment by customs, although no official notification was issued to that effect.

“In reaction to exporters’ petitions, in December 2014, the Ministry released an allocation of only 5 percent of the backlog of NDCC’s whereas the remaining 95 percent remains outstanding till date. Based on the extant policy exporters have continued to export and repatriate foreign exchange proceeds which has led to a further accumulation of the backlog of EEG.” According to him, incentives are need to cushion the cost of infrastructure disadvantages faced by Nigerian exporters and to make Nigeria products competitive in the world market “Most developing countries support their exports with attractive incentives.

According to WTO, China which is the world’s largest exporter, gave $ 55 billion as export tax rebates in 2009.

India which aims to double its exports from $400 to $900 by 2020 gives a package of incentives to its exporters,” he said.

CBN adjusts forex rate to N196.95 per dollar from a year ago as the central bank

N

igeria’s central bank adjusted its exchange rate peg to N196.95 to the dollar from the 197 it set in February after the currency’s value was eroded by the fall in oil prices, data on its website showed yesterday.

The bank adjusted the rate at which it sold hard currency this week, dealers said, noting that the change was too small to be considered a revaluation for the naira, particularly in the face of dwindling foreign reserves.

Dealers said the central bank had been selling dollars to the inter-bank market at its adjusted rate.

The naira was trading at 198.95 to the dollar on the inter-bank market and between 215 to 218 in the parallel market. “By lowering the central bank rate offered to banks albeit very moderately, the central bank is adding to pressures on FX reserves ... equivalent to around 4.9 months of imports,” Angus Downie, head of research at Ecobank said.

Nigeria’s foreign reserves fell to $29.4 billion by June 2, down 20.1 percent

burns cash to defend the local currency.

The bank merged its bi-weekly currency auctions market with the interbank market in February and fixed the exchange rate, a move that amounted to a de facto devaluation of the currency of Africa’s biggest economy.

The regulator had also banned commercial lenders from re-selling central bank dollars among themselves, which was an attempt to curb speculation on the naira.

The naira Non-Deliverable Forwards - currency derivatives traded offshore - pointed to the local currency being priced at 221-225 to the greenback in six month’s time.

“Small changes in the rate could possibly allow the central bank to gauge the changes in demand and supply dynamics which would inform decisions on when and how best to start lifting forex restrictions,” Cobus de Hart of South Africa’s NKC Independent Economists aid.

CURRENCY

$136.75

2.45

$3,134.00

9.00

$12.18

0.13

BUYING

$62.78

-1.02

$58.62

-1.02

CENTRAL

DOLLAR 195.95 196.45 POUNDS 299.588 300.3524 EURO 217. 9356 218.4917 FRANC 208.9688 209.502 YEN 1.5749 1.5789 CFA 0.3104 0.3204 WAUA 272.1803 272.8748 RENMINBI 31.6141 31.6953 RIYAL 52.2505 52.3839 KRONA 29.2027 29.2772 SDR 273.8009 274.4996

196.95 301.1169 219. 0478 210.0352 1.5829 0.3304 273.5693 31.7764 52.5172 29.3517 275.1982

CBN Exchange Rate as at 4/ 06 /15

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

PRESENTATION: From left: General Manager/Head, Listings Sales and Retention, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mrs Taba Peterside; Executive Director, Business Development, NSE, Mr Haruna Jalo-Waziri; Acting Group Managing Director, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Mr Taiwo Adeniyi; Group Head, Sales Vitafoam, Mr Sola Owoade and Company Secretary & Legal Adviser, Vitafoam at the Facts Behind the Figures presentation at the NSE.

Shareholders seek diversification of economy Stories by Peter Egwuatu

S

hareholders, under the aegis of Western Icon Shareholders Association of Nigeria, WISAN, have called on the Federal Government to diversify the nation’s economic base, advocating a departure from dependence on oil earnings to agriculture.

They further called on the government to set up a steering committee that would address some of the policies that have hindered the growth of the capital market and the economy in general.

President of WISAN, Mr. Olusegun Ade Owolabi, who disclosed the decisions taken by the shareholders’ group said: “Since the advent of Nigerian capital market the most vocal and ferocious stakeholder is the shareholders. We should not shy away from fundamental fact that without investors/ shareholders, there would be no regulators like Securities

and Exchange Commission, SEC, a Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, national Insurance Commission, NAICOM etc.”

To this extent, he said “Some issues are germane and should be revisited if the Federal Government is serious about bringing back the lost glory of the Nigerian capital market.

There is no gainsaying in the fact that the engine house for growth of any economy is the capital market. Our market has been toiling since all these years, with market capitalization dropping dismally on a daily basis. For

In a situation of uncertainty and policy instability, no reasonable investor will come near the market

the market to regain sound health like “a sick patient” is for the incoming government to address some key and critical issues.”

Continuing, he said: “To achieve the objectives of applying capital market to turn around the economy is very simple like Panadol that cures headache. There are some

Seplat not planning to diversify •Moves to boost gas revenue

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eplat Petroleum Development Company Plc said it has no plans to diversify its business as it intensifies effort to boost revenue from gas production.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc , Mr. Austin O Avuru, disclosed this shortly after the company’s Annual General Meeting, AGM held in Lagos, stressing that the company has made efforts in

United Capital CEO gets international recognition

U

nited Capital Plc, a financial and investment services firm has been awarded the 2015 Banking & Finance Firm of the Year (Nigeria) by the UK based Corporate LiveWire. The Corporate LiveWire Global Award focuses on recognizing global excellence in the financial services sector.

While presenting the awards, Jake Powers, Publisher of Corporate Live Wire, said, “This is our biggest and most in-depth awards winner to date and we have honoured some of the most well-known advisory firms in the world including PwC, Clifford Chance and Morgan Stanley.”

He noted that the firm was recognized as a result of its sustained leadership in capital market issues in both corporate and public sector as well as its efforts towards securing significant new mandate in Asset

decisions that have been taken by the regulators that have caused harm in the time past. We therefore suggest that the incoming administration should appoint a steering committee to revisit some policies taken

by CBN, SEC, and Financial Regulatory Council, FRC with a view to reversing some and

strengthen the market with formidable recommendations by experts drawn from stakeholders.”

Owolabi , who revealed the decisions of his group said “ One of the areas the steering committee should address is “Due Process”. Shareholders or investors have been punished with unpopular policies and decisions by the regulators. A case study that is very fresh in public domain is CBN’s decision to sell some banks as a fall-out to undercapitalization. How could CBN wake up in a day and decide to sell some banks undercapitalized without recourse to the owners of these banks. That was the beginning of injustice which has adversely affected the growth of the capital market. In a situation of uncertainty and policy instability, no reasonable investor will come near the market.”

Continuing, he said “Sincerely under this condition of policy instability, the market cannot grow. Check the list of robust and active capital market in the world, and you would be amazed to know what their outstanding peculiarities which are as follows: Utmost respect for shareholders’ rights, Shareholders collaborative participation in decisions making, Shared responsibilities, Collective interests of the stakeholders in a capsule of policy making.”

Management and Trusteeship.

United Capital, which has received growing regional and international recognition, reported a first quarter PBT growth of 44 per cent compared to its performance in the first quarter of the previous year.

The Group CEO, United Capital, Oluwatoyin Sanni, noted that the company’s selection as the 2015 Banking & Finance Firm of the Year (Nigeria) reflects the consistent pursuit of its mission to be the leading financial and investment services group in Africa.

“At United Capital, we are committed to excellence and to helping our clients achieve superior results. Our dedicated staff embodies the vision and mission of the organisation.

gas development strategy by the expansion of its gas processing facility in Oben.

According to him “We will continue in our oil and natural gas production and will not diversify into other areas but will focus on maximizing hydrocarbon production and recovery from our existing assets, acquiring and farming into new opportunities in the onshore and shallow water offshore areas in Nigeria.”

The company in the 2014 financial year recorded decline in revenues as a result of the impact of the global oil price in the second half of 2014. The global oil price has negatively impacted on the group as it realised oil price with an achieved average price of US$97.2 billion .Revenue for 2014 was US$775 million, a decrease of 12 per cent from 2013. The company’s Chief Executive Officer, however , reassured shareholders that it is committed to enhancing shareholders value with strategic investment in natural gas and crude oil processing and development.

According to him “The company had invested 300 million dollars in gas business, noting that the investment would boost its revenue and

increase shareholders value in 2015 financial year.”

Continuing he said “In order to reduce the impact of volatility of oil prices in the future, the board is considering various possible hedging strategies that could be employed in the coming years. Gross profit for the years was US$459 million, a decrease of 16$ on the prior year 2013 which was US$549 million. This principally reflects the decline in revenue, primarily attributed to the oil price and also increased field activity together with the increase in the rate of DD&A. 2014 was not without its challenges. We saw headwinds to growth in the form of an abrupt decline in oil price e during the second half of the year. ” In his briefing to newsmen, he said “Management is aware of the need to operate as efficiently as possible in the current low oil price environment whilst maximising the production and cash flows from existing assets.”

Avuru, assured shareholders that following the abrupt decline in oil prices during the second half of 2014 and continued weakness in 2015, Seplat will prioritise the allocation of capital to production and development opportunities that offer the most robust economic returns.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 — 23

•Adesina Akinwumi shaking hand with Albert Toikeusse Mabri, Minister of Planning and Development for Côte d’Ivoire while AfDB's outgoing President, Donald Kaberuka, watches

How Adesina won AfDB presidency

By Jimoh Babatunde

O

ne question on the lips of many followers of the African Development Bank (AfDB) before its just concluded 50th Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire last week was who will come top in the development bank's Presidential elections.

The question became imperative because of the gripping nature of the race and the lobbying that followed the high level power play against the credentials of the eight candidates that vied for the position.

Apart from Nigeria's candidate, Dr. Adesina Akinwumi, other candidates in the election were: Sufian Ahmed (Ethiopia); Jaloul Ayed (Tunisia); Kordjé Bedoumra (Chad);Cristina Duarte (Cabe Verde); Samura M W Kamara (Sierra Leone);Thomas Z Sakala (Zimbabwe) and Birama Boubacar Sidibé (Mali).

They all paraded credentials that can make them take over the leadership of the development bank from the outgoing President Donald Kaberuka, who led the AfDB for ten years.

A well placed source disclosed that there were behind the scene moves by the various governments of the candidates for their nationals to win the elections. So, it was not surprising that there were alleged gang up by some regional blocks against the candidacy of Nigeria, just as they said there was an unwritten agreement that Nigeria and South Africa should not lead the bank as the continent's economic power.

So, it was not surprising that the Southern African Development Community ( SADC) had a sort of Primaries before the AfDB election to choose a candidate the regional bloc will support and they

ended up backing the candidacy of the Zimbabwean, Thomas Sakala, a former AfDB Vice President of country and regional programmes.

SADC said they believed Sakala was the best candidate for the position, but that was not to be, as the result of the election showed as only three candidates were left to fight it out till the end in the nerve-wracking race to head the 50-year-old bank.

Nigeria's Akinwumi Adesina; Cape Verde’s Cristina Duarte and Kordje Bedoumra of Chad were the only contestants still standing by early evening on Thursday, as AfDB governors sought a successor to Donald Kaberuka.

To win the election, a candidate needed at least 50.01% of both the regional and non-regional votes. The statement of the Voting Powers used in the computation of the votes during the election of the President of the Bank was 3,844,574 for the Africa regional members and when shared out

Today, I have been given a great responsibility. I am humbled by this remarkable vote of confidence in me

gave a total of 59.722 per cent voting power.

The total non-regional votes was 2,592,862 and that amounted to 40.278 per cent voting power.

So, in essence the grand total votes were 6,437,435 which gave all members, both African and non-Africans, 100 percent voting power.

Nigeria has the highest voting power of the bank’s members with 9.3%, with the SADC 14 % votes already lost. Nigeria was said to have looked up to the votes of the non-regional members that were brought in in 1982 to help boost the capital base of the bank and have about 40% of the voting power.

Nigeria delegation led by the country''s representative in the board of AfDB, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala worked on the United States of America which has the second -highest number of votes after Nigeria.

An insider revealed that during the election, Sierra Leone’s Foreign Affairs minister Samura Kamara, who as finance minister led his country’s reconstruction effort, was the first to fall in the opening round, though few eyebrows would have been raised at his early exit, given West Africa had propped up three other stronger candidates.

The elimination of Ethiopia’s candidate, Sufian Ahmed, after that of Sierra Leone’s was surprising to many as they thought about what he did as his country's finance and economic development minister, thinking he would last till the last rounds of the voting.

Mali’s Birama Side lasted longer than forecast by analysts, becoming the third candidate to be knocked out.

Tunisia’s Jaloul Ayed was next, as North Africa lost a chance to head the bank for a third time.

The bank’s sixth president,

Omar Kabbaj, is credited with instituting reforms that set the bank on its current path, while Kaberuka cemented its place as the continent’s premier development financier.

The Zimbabwe’s candidate, Thomas Sakala, a former AfDB insider, who was the candidate of SADC was the next to fall by the way side as it was revealed that he had been a beneficiary of “primaries” which is perceived to be against the AfDB rules.

With the elimination of some strong contenders from the race, Nigeria's governor in the bank, Finance minister Ngozi OkonjoIweala immediately tweeted’ “Great news! Nigeria’s Akin Adesina has won the AfDB presidency after our strong campaign! Great campaign! Great candidate!”

Immediately, Adesina's name was announced by Albert Toikeusse Mabri, Minister of Planning and Development for Côte d’Ivoire, and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the African Development Bank as the winner of the election and the next President of African Development Bank Group.

Mabri noted that the result “ was an expression of the willingness of all the member countries,” and he applauded the “good spirit that prevailed during the election process that was not marked by any tension.”

Just like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala tweeted, it was indeed a great campaign and a great candidate as Adesina Akinwumi would demonstrate when he paid glowing tributes to Nigeria's immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan for nominating him for the job.

“I will want to appreciate Nigeria's immediate past President Jonathan for nominating me and my President Muhammdu Buhari for the support and my sister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for their supports.”

Adesina said without his nomination by Goodluck Jonathan that he would not have been the President of the AfDB today.

In his acceptance speech, Adesina, who almost betrayed his emotion, said “Today, I have been given a great responsibility. I am humbled by this remarkable vote of confidence in me” on the part of the Bank’s Board of Governors, who met during the Bank Group’s 50th Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

With the election over, attention will be on Adesina Akinwumi to deliver on his vision for the Africa Development Bank Group, which he calls 'Building on the Successes of the African Development Bank and Positioning to Effectively Address Emerging Challenges” when he finally assumes power on September 1, 2015 at the bank's head office in Abidjan.

Adesina said in his vision statement that Africa’s growth has been uneven as incidence of poverty remains a challenge across Africa with about 40% of the population living in extreme

poverty.

“With such a large share of the population disconnected from the growth process, African economies face the challenge of growing discontent from disenfranchised youths, which could lead to economic, social and political fragilities.

Adesina who said he will focus on women issues as he is a big proponent of women's empowerment added that the private sector growth faces challenges to fully unlock its potential. “Industrialization of the continent remains low, limiting the space to generate quality jobs. Africa’s challenge is to generate high - quality economic growth that is inclusive, sustainable and more effective in reducing poverty and addressing social inequities.”

Adesina disclosed that his vision is to help build a new Africa with prosperous, sustainable and inclusive growth; one that is peaceful, secure and united, regionally integrated and globally competitive.

“A continent filled with hope, opportunities, liberties and freedom, with shared prosperity for all. An Africa that is open to the world, one that Africans are proud to call home.”

Adesina said the African Development Bank under his presidency would focus on the remarkable gains already made by previous Presidents of the Bank and work closely with the Bank's shareholders to implement its strategic plan to position the Bank for even greater performance, efficiency and effectiveness in delivering transformational impact for Africa.

“My focus will be on growing the African private sector to help drive industrializationandwealthcreation for Africa. I will prioritize the growth of small and medium sized companies, grow middle-sized capitalized companies and support the emergence of African global multinationalcompanies.”

Adesina noted that the Bank will design advisory support services dedicated towards supporting the industrialization of Africa. “The infrastructureoperationsoftheBank will be closely aligned with the industrialization agenda to address the critical infrastructure gaps limitingindustrialgrowth,especially power, water, gas, logistics and transport.

“The advisory service for industrialization will also target reforms in the fiscal, regulatory and business environment to further reduce the cost of doing business in Africa.”

While commending the outgoing PresidentDonaldKaberuka,Adesina Akinwumi described him as one of Africa’s outstanding leaders, promising to sustain his legacy by leveraging on his vision to achieve an economically integrated and prosperous continent.

For his part, President Kaberuka saidhewas“fullyconfidentthatunder Adesina’s leadership, the Bank would move to the next level. And I know that you will extend the same support you gave me to the new President and his team.”

24 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

Develop Warri port to create employment for Deltans — Oribhabor

By Godffery Bivbere

G

OVERNOR of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, has been advised to give priority attention to the port in Warri as it is capable of providing thousands of jobs to unemployed youths roaming the streets of the state.

Giving the advise in Warri, the

immediate past National Financial Secretary of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Val Johnbull Oribhabor, said making the port viable once more would not take rock science.

Oribhabor said the potentials of the port are so huge and wondered why previous governments in the

state have continued to neglect it. He explained that what is needed to make the port thrive again is dredging of the shallow draft of the channel leading to the port to allow bigger vessels sail there.

He charged the new Delta State government to work closely with relevant stakeholders in the sector as well as traditional rulers to

Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers Council, Hassan Bello, (m) flanked on the right by Darbney Shallholma, Director Commercial Shipping Services of the NSC and on the left by the Secretary of the Cargo Defence Fund, Azuka Ogo at a function in Lagos.

ensure that the contract for the dredging of the channel is awarded before the end of the year.

He noted that the state government should show political will to ensure that the present situation of the port does not continue. Oribhabor said that another hindrance to vessels calling at the port is the fact that ships that call there presently do not get cargoes to load on their return trip. He pointed out that there is need for the state government to properly market the port to make it attractive.

The ANLCA chieftain said that the new governor must work closely with his counterpart in Anambra state to market the port to traders there. He noted that the distance between Lagos to Onitsha and Port Harcourt to Onitsha is much longer than that of Warri to Onitsha and therefore makes more economic sense to the traders to ship their goods through the port in Warri.

He further noted that the road from Warri to Onitsha is better and more motorable. He pointed out that from Warri port, an importer can load his/her consignment and drive through the express-

Shippers charged to make Lilypond terminal port of destination

By Godfrey Bivbere & Chizoba Nwaizu

N

IGERIAN importers have been urged to route their imports through Lilypond Terminal in Lagos for faster and cheaper clearing process.

Also, the Comptroller General of Customs, CGC, Inde Dikko Abdullahi, has intervened and halted the planned strike aimed at paralysing port activities at Tin-can Island Container Terminal, TICT. Chairman of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Lilypond chapter, Olufemi Olabanji, who made the call, bemoaned the low activities at the Lilypond ternimal which he attributed to importers not routing theircargoesthroughit. TheANLCA Chairman called on importers to utilizetheprovisionsofInternational Conventions on Foreign Trade Chain, which empower them to route their cargoes to any terminal of their choice that will add value to their business and facilitate trade.

Olabanji stressed that “It is the right of the importers under the international trade to direct the shipping companies to deliver their goods at a port of destination, which may not be the same with the port of landing, provided that such importersindicatesameontheirbills of lading and manifested same.”

According to him, under the law, it is bounding on the shipping companies to deliver such goods to their manifested destinations without delay or added charges but C M Y K

“Many Nigerian importers do not make use of this international trade provision and other provisions, made to facilitate trade.

“Lilypound terminal is a Federal Government property that has been concessioned with a view to

provide efficient service to port users as well as reduce costs for importers and exporters, and it is regrettable that our shippers are neglecting this well situated terminal to witness such magnitude of inactivity.”

He further stressed that the terminal has got all the required and necessary port facilities to process the clearance of cargoes within 48 hours as there is no stacking of containers, and associated delay in positioning same for examination.

Youths kill four suspected pirates in Bakassi

By Ifeyinwa Obi

G

ROUP of young men from Esighi village in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State on Saturday trailed and killed four ex-militants allegedly terrorising the waterways. The youths said they carried out the action after confirming that the exmilitants were in possession of some boats seized by a gang of pirates that robbed 19 Cameroonbound passengers on April 25 along the Bakassi waterways.

The youth group also rescued three speed boats, suspected to have been stolen and used for operations by the former warlords.

The youths, numbering 10, on Sunday reportedly took the step to fish out the pirates after they had been accused of being part of the April 25 attack.

One of the youths said the incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday (May 23) after they had successfully trailed the ex-militants to their base and killed four of them with their (the former militant’s) own weapon.

He said, “We have been looking for these militants but today

we finally caught them and the boat. When we saw them, we jumped into the river. We swam to their location without them noticing us. We struggled with them and unfortunately one of us died but we eventually killed four of them with their guns”.

A community leader in Esighi, Livinus Oke, said the community had earlier accused the youths of

When we saw them, we jumped into the river. We swam to their location without them noticing us.

We struggled with them and unfortunately one of us died

being responsible for the April 25 incident, adding that the accusation made the youths to go in search of the perpetuators in order to prove their innocence.

He said the youths laid siege to the pirates and carried out the action, adding that the matter had been reported to the security agency.

But the Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, Hogan Bassey, said no such incident had been reported.

“The information is not authentic,” he said.

No fewer than 19 passengers were recently attacked by pirates along the waterways. Some of the female passengers were allegedly raped by the robbers.

The driver of the boat, Effiom Bassey, said their experience was horrifying.

He also said his boat and goods worth N40m was taken away by the thieves.

Also, a 24-year-old fish trader, Enoh Ubon, who was among the victims, said passengers lost valuables to sea pirates in the last few months.

MAN commends Customs’ effort on anti-smuggling activities

By Ifeyinwa Obi

T

HE Manufacturers As sociation of Nigeria (MAN) has commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its effort in curbing smuggling and other trade malpractices in the country.

Speaking against the backdrop of the recent clampdown on some foreign nationals around Kano and Kastina borders who were caught smuggling textile materials into the country, President of the Association, Frank Udemba Jacobs said in a statement, that the ‘unholy acts’ are part of the nefarious activities that have been hindering the efforts of government to raise productivity and generate employment in the textile industry and other areas of the manufacturing sector.

“It may interest the Comptroller General of Customs to note that the textile and garment sector which hitherto employed a lot of Nigerians; particularly in the northern parts of the country such as the Kano and Kaduna industrial zones are today in a comatose state, with capacity utilization of less than 20 percent.

This has led to loss of huge investments.

“MAN therefore wishes to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Comptroller General and the officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service for their good and patriotic efforts aimed at reviving not just the textile industry but also the entire manufacturing sector and the Nigerian economy in general.

“Our resolve is that the Comptroller General of Customs should continue with these good works and remain undeterred, even in the face of pressure that may come from any quarter. We believe that the current leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service is equal to the task and is capable of rescuing Nigeria from the conspiracies of the economic saboteurs who are out to move against the genuine intentions of government, patriotic Nigerians and genuine foreign investors,” the statement said.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 — 25

26—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

By Lindsay Barrett

T

HE perception in some quarters is that former President Goodluck Jonathan was Bayelsa State’s first serious participant in national politics and that his defeat has placed the state at a disadvantage in the future of national policymaking.

This is a totally wrongheaded view that must be resisted by the political leadership of the state. Apart from key figures from the past in elective politics such as the late Melford Okilo, and in military politics like Alfred Diete-Spiff, or effective operatives like former Petroleum Minister and a key architect of the founding of the state Chief Dan Etete, one of the key figures in the defunct National Party of Nigeria, NPN, was the late technocrat Ranami Abah who was that party ’s National ViceChairman when its government was overthrown by General Muhammadu Buhari’s coup in 1983. Abah’s legacy is one that every Bayelsan should seek to be aware of when considering the role of the state in the political and socio-economic existence of the Nigerian nation.

He was an Estate Surveyor and Valuer who hailed from the small village of Otuasega in Ogbia Local Government Area near to Yenagoa, and rose to become the Chief Lands Officer of the Federation in the sixties.

After his retirement he established one of the most successful property and estate management firms in the country and then became a powerful political advocate and organiser in the Second Republic. It was Abah who devised, articulated, and developed many of the principles behind the regulations governing compensation for environmental damage in oilbearing areas and ensured that these principles were written into Federal laws governing the exploitation of mineral resources.

In an ironic twist of fate just after the recent elections Ranami Abah’s son Enaiye Abah, the Chairman of Ogbia Local Government Council, was kidnapped and held for ransom by thugs claiming to be representatives of the Ijaw struggle for self-determination.

Awareness of the historical relevance of the State and the wider Niger Delta region to the national polity will play an increasingly important part in the new order that will emerge from the outcome of the recent polls.

For this reason, if for no other, the APC will certainly target the political space there for

•Goodluck Jonathan

•Timipre Slyva

BAYELSA AS OPPOSITION STRONGHOLD:

New challenges THE future of the PDP as an effective opposition party at the centre will be enhanced enormously if the party can remain a credible ruling force in states where it has held on to power including Bayelsa State.

seizure at any opportunity, and the forthcoming gubernatorial contest in Bayelsa State will certainly be regarded as a

Inevitably, Bayelsa’s future is either to be a solid PDP state over the next four years or to succumb to overtures from a triumphant APC seeking to consolidate its federal victory

prime opportunity. Already, former Governor Timipire Sylva has raised the apprehensions of the PDP in Bayelsa State by stating openly that he regards it as imperative that he should complete the second of two terms of his truncated tenure.

The victory of his supporter Israel Sonny “Adi” Goli in the State Assembly elections in Brass Constituency 1 is therefore being touted as a harbinger of the future revival of his own political credibility in the state as well as of the beginning of the abdication of the electorate from their traditional loyalties. Any such abdication signals not a truly serious re-orientation of the state polity but the opportunism of some political actors.

The announcement that the sitting Senator of the Eastern Senatorial District, Dr. Jonathan’s own home constituency Senator Clever Ikisikpo and the House of Representatives member for the President’s constituency

Hon. Nado Karibo have declared their loyalty to the APC might shock outsiders but within the state these announcements have come as no surprise.

Both of these gentlemen lost their tickets at the last polls and even though they had been regarded for some time as being close partners with the President. However, when it was convenient they were also known to be closet Sylva sympathisers.

This situation has been compounded by the widespread perception that Ben Murray-Bruce the new Senator for the Eastern District, while being a well-respected and internationally known celebrity, does not have the local knowledge and gravitas to overcome the kind of challenge that will be mounted by the Sylva machinery.

Already, the grandson of Ernest Ikoli, the major historical hero from the Brass locality, the former Attorney General of the state Anthony George-Ikoli

(SAN), angry over having lost the PDP ticket to MurrayBruce, has filed a case in an Abuja court challenging the Senator ’s legitimacy on grounds related to the allegation that he holds dual Nigerian and US citizenship.

Although George-Ikoli was Sylva’s AG he was brought to prominence as a Bayelsan citizen when Dr. Jonathan as Governor officially recognised the professional achievements of some of the state’s sons and daughters living elsewhere.

The battle over the selection of the Senatorial ticket was particularly bitter and the fallout from this is now also being regarded as signalling the revival of the Sylva machinery, especially since Sylva stood as the APC Senatorial candidate in the election and lost.

Inevitably, Bayelsa’s future is either to be a solid PDP state over the next four years or to succumb to overtures from a

Continues on page 29

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015—27

Elections in Akwa Ibom turned into state terrorism — UMANA, APC GOV CANDIDATE OBONG Umana Umana, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the recent governorship election in Akwa Ibom State in this interview reviews the conduct of the election and the options before him. Excerpts:

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

E

LECTIONS have come and gone. Is it a forgotten matter?

The elections cannot be forgotten for me and the good people of Akwa Ibom State. We are challenging the outcome of the purported governorship, State House of Assembly and the National Assembly elections at the tribunals.

But some are asking why don’t you do like the PDP presidential candidate and congratulate the declared winner of the election?

I would have been happy to do so if we had had valid elections and the election had been properly conducted under the terms and conditions stipulated by law. But that was far from being the case in Akwa Ibom because what we witnessed were elections that were characterised by widespread violence. Over 30 persons were killed and there were gross irregularities.

I was the governorship candidate of the APC and even as a candidate I was not allowed to vote. On the 11th of April, 2015 I went to my polling unit as was expected for the accreditation exercise. When I got there, I met other voters who had been stranded because the electoral materials were not brought by the INEC ad-hoc staff who were expected to bring the electoral materials.

After two, three hours of waiting in vain the presiding officer finally arrived and announced to all of us that on his way to the polling unit that he was attacked by thugs and the materials taken away. So, we couldn’t vote.

I also received text messages showing that what happened to me was not an isolated case. It was the same experience in over 90% of the polling units around the state. In some cases where materials were delivered, after accreditation, thugs who were heavily armed and who wore police uniform went round to take away the materials, including

ballot papers and result sheets.

Those who tried to resist them were shot and that is why over 30 persons were killed in Akwa Ibom. We have photographs and names of those who were killed. Thanks to technology in some cases, some of the voters were able to record these acts of violence on video.

So, what was the response of INEC to this?

Surprisingly, those who should have acted came out looking helpless, no action was taken.

After my experience in my polling unit, I went to see the electoral officer of my local government and informed him of what happened.

His response to me was to say that he had released electoral materials as was expected of him and that if there was a failure of security that the materials couldn’t get to the prescribed polling unit that he could not be held responsible.

I then said to him, that you have a responsibility that these elections are conducted according to law asking him why should he sit in his office expecting that results will come in?

So, I was frustrated and had to leave and the reports that came to me throughout the state through text messages were forwarded to AIG Bolanta, the man we were told had come to ensure that adequate security be provided for the election.

Based on our experience during the presidential election, we had asked that adequate security be provided and that the commissioner of police and the REC should be redeployed. But nothing was done.

He went to Ibeno where two persons were killed and confirmed it and I could see that he too was overwhelmed because this was something that was well planned, well coordinated and I think it was state terrorism. It wasn’t election. And we had warned the appropriate authority because we received intelligence weeks before the election that they had procured over 400 new buses, we knew where these buses were parked in the

Government House. We told them that these buses would be branded and used to convey thugs during the election, we raised the alarm, wrote to the IG, DG SSS and nothing was done.

When we heard that police uniform were being sewn we also raised the alarm, nothing was done.

So, it was not that these things were not expected, but it was a total failure on the part of those who should have acted. So, we were totally helpless. We were really, really pained. Because if the authorities had acted based on the intelligence we had provided, maybe the story would have been different.

The REC in Akwa Ibom has alleged that his life is under threat. Do you see any connection between what he said and what happened?

I am not aware that his life is under threat.

Did you tell the REC these things you said happened?

The elections cannot be forgotten for me and the good people of Akwa Ibom State. We are challenging the outcome

•Umana: The elections cannot be forgotten

Yes and somebody like him should be made to account. On the night of the governorship election by 6.00 p.m. we went round the entire state with other leaders of the state and no coalition was taking place in any of the ward collation centres, no collation was taking place in any of the local government collation centres except one local government, Urueooffong.

When we confirmed that collation wasn’t taking place we now ended up at the INEC headquarters in Uyo and asked to see the REC. We were told he was in the office before arrival but when we arrived he refused to see us and somebody came out and told us he was the head of ICT and that the REC was not in.

But from what we could see outside, a good portion of the entire office was in darkness, meaning no activity was taking place and this was the night of the election when people should have been very, very busy.

Why? Because collation was not taking place anywhere as result sheets were being filled up and ballot papers were being thumb printed in the houses of PDP leaders, while nothing was happening in the designated collation centres.

But there was the report of APC leader who was also implicated?

That was actually false and is not a member of our party and was a member of the PDP and

it was all stage managed and the court has thrown out the case.

If the incumbent governor were to meet you now and ask you to join him in building the state, what would your reaction be?

It is not about how I feel as a person and it is not about personal interest, view or inclination. It is about what is right for the people of Akwa Ibom State and what is right for posterity and what would strengthen democracy in Nigeria. If the elections had been properly conducted I would have been the first person to congratulate him.

But the situation where we had no election and over 30 persons were killed, I would be doing a disservice to my people, I would be doing a disservice to my country Nigeria if I don’t challenge what happened in Akwa Ibom.

I also believe that those who committed electoral crimes, those who were involved in killings should be made to face justice so that what happened in Akwa Ibom and maybe, Rivers will never happen again in Nigeria.

How do you compensate the people of Akwa Ibom State who were not allowed to freely vote for who should be their governor?

You cannot compensate them, it is a crime against humanity especially if the perpetrators of that crime are allowed to benefit from the crime.

28—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

EL-RUFAI IN KADUNA: Anxiety and high expectations

By Luka Binniyat

It is said that the original APC members are locked in battle with recent defectors over the sharing

An eerie air of anxiety laced with high expectations hang over Kaduna State as Governor Nasir El Rufai, yesterday reaffirmed the sacking of all political appointees of the last government.

E

L-RUFAI had sternly warned in a statement signed on his behalf by the Secretary to Kaduna State Government (one of the only four political appointees so far) Balarabe Abbass Lawal, that the police should apprehend any of the affected persons who ventured into his former office and treated as “an authorised” person.

Therefore the huge number of vacant political jobs in the state, has stirred a flurry of lobbying, intrigues and infighting within and without periphery of the new ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, APC. This has caused a lull in activities in all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, in the state. The development has also caused anxiety in the state over the character and quality of the new persons that will help El Rufai run the state in the next four years.

•El-Rufai Most residents of Kaduna State, have expressed their faith in El Rufai to raise the state above the present situation. And El Rufai, has already captured the expectation in his slogan – “Lets Make Kaduna Great

Again”.

Meanwhile, APC members from all the wards, Local Governments Areas, LGAs, including their officials from the three political zones of the state, have converged on Kaduna.

According to Vanguard sources, the tussle for political appointments under the new government is unprecedented.

It is said that the original APC members are locked in battle with recent defectors over the sharing.

There are also non-APC members, who have stormed Kaduna with job proposals and consultancy services initiatives, all claiming close acquaintance with El Rufai, some dating to their childhood days. This group claims to have been part of the political process that saw El Rufai becoming governor even though they are not APC cards carrying members.

An APC youth, from Soba LGA, who claimed to have been a pioneer of the movement that brought up El Rufai, complained to Vanguard on condition of anonymity: “The problems with our party is that some of the decampees from PDP,

Perplexity in Ebonyi

By Peter Okutu

T

HE emergence of a new government in Ebonyi State has opened the door for a new era considering the leadership style and personalities of both Governor Dave Umahi and his deputy, Dr. Kelechi Igwe who are determined to transform the state.

Many loyalists of the immediate past governor, Chief Martins Elechi who had convinced him not to allow his then deputy to take over from him have been perplexed at the policies and mode of administration of the new government in the state.

Governor Umahi has been applauded for the maturity so far exhibited by him as many who had expected him to dissolved all the Coordinators, Caretaker

Committee Chairmen, permanent secretaries and witch-hunt contractors have been disappointed as he has allowed them to continue to play their roles in the administration of the state.

Many critics of Governor Umahi are still stunned over his appointment of members of the opposition political parties into his government; the appointment of the senatorial candidate for Ebonyi Central zone of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, during the last election, Prof Ben Odo as his Secretary to the State Government, SSG have so far baffled many in the state.

At different quarters, Governor Umahi who has been having series of meetings with stakeholders in the state including traditional rulers and Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN

•Umahi: Ebonyi governor has been hailed for his considerations and application of the human face he has brought into the

administration of the state.

Many were apparently disappointed with the contents of his inaugural

secretly came with money and ploughed it into the El Rufai campaign when they saw his high chances of winning, while still working for the PDP”, he said.

Meanwhile, the MDAs visited by our correspondent in the state showed that work was dull, and many civil servants had not been reporting to work. The Permanent Secretaries are now running the Ministries while the LGAs are under the charge of their Directors of Personnel Management, DPMs. A source close to El Rufai, however confided in Vanguard that El Rufai is already in quandary over the huge wage burden and the justified quest for appointments by hundreds of supporters who sacrificed very much to campaign for him.

Said the source: “El Rufai surely said in his speech after his swearing-in that he will be prudent in his spending. That is why he cut 50% of his salary and allowance with his Deputy (Arc. Barnabas Bala Bantex).

“He is inheriting a workforce of about 30,000 workers and a wage bill of N2.8 billion.

Kaduna State now gets just about N3 billion from the Federation account. Now, he has no choice than to give more jobs by ways of a new cabinet, aides, new Heads of agencies, new LGAs chairmen and their aides and so on, all from those who work for him.

And they are in their hundreds and most of them educated. That is the dilemma the man is facing now”, said the source.

speech as they had expected him to make declarations of war against all those who did not vote for him during the last election.

"We will govern for those who voted for us. We will govern for those who voted against us and we will govern for those who did not vote at all.

"Democracy is an excellent method through which the people have an opportunity to choose their preferred representatives.

"But it is definitely not a means to exclude anybody from the affairs of the society or from the dividends of democracy. We are alert to these great instructions of democracy and we will obey".

At different levels of governance, the people of the state see him as the people’s Governor as he has stated that the people will come first in his government, followed by infrastructure and then the economy.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015—29

By Emmanuel Aziken

GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State kicked off with prayers and thanksgiving on his first day at work on Tuesday with prayers and dedication of his office to God.

U

NLIKE many of his colleagues who were also sworn in last Friday, the governor travelled to PortHarcourt on Monday for a retreat of his party with members-elect of the National Assembly as such postponing his formal assumption at the office.

But once he entered, he made it a point of duty to put God first and subsequently, paid unscheduled visits to the ESUTH Teaching hospital, Ogbete Main Market entrance road, Abakpa-Nike Enugu Main Market and other locations in Enugu to inspect ongoing works with a view to identifying areas of priority for urgent attention, as part of the activities marking his first official duty in the state.

It was while at the ESUTH hospital that his attraction was drawn to the plight of 21 indigent persons who had been

•Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State acknowledging cheers from staff and students of Nike Grammar School, Enugu, during his inspection visit to the school, yesterday, by the right is the Principal, Sir Godfrey Azike.

ir st ffor or Ugwuan yi ENUGU: God is ffir irst Ugwuanyi treated but held back because of their inability to pay their bills. The governor promptly made arrangements for the settlement of the bills, an action that drew praise from many

other patients and those who knew of his action.

His action was praised as an indication that a governor sensitive to the plight of the ordinary man had finally

arrived Enugu.

Ichie Obi Ozo Nwankpa, a resident of Abakpa-Nike, Enugu speaking on the development said: “we cannot but continue to thank God for

giving Enugu State a governor like Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Just look at how he surprised us here with his presence, no Governor in the history of this state has taken this giant stride to first call on the masses on his assumption of office, to see for himself what they really need before going back to his office to start work. It is amazing and we pray God to continue to bless, protect and strengthen him for the state”.

Mrs. Victoria Eneh who was present at the hospital when the governor visited showed appreciation to God saying that “God has sent a messiah to wipe away our tears” Earlier, Governor Ugwuanyi was at the Ogbete Main Market to inspect the ongoing road project at the market entrance and expressed dismay over the deplorable condition of the access road and the difficulties the traders and consumers were facing due to the road.

He revealed that the contractor handling the road project has promised to complete the road in the next one month, appealing to the road users to exercise little patience with the State Government and also give it the necessary cooperation required to deliver on its promise by “ removing all illegal structures on the road”

BAYELSA AS OPPOSITION STRONGHOLD:

New challenges Continues from page 26 triumphant APC seeking to consolidate its federal victory.

The outcome will depend to a large extent on ways in which the incumbent leadership collaborates with the party’s elders and founding fathers to maintain its formidable machinery.

There are certain leaders of the PDP in the state whose credibility remains intact. If popular figures like former Niger Delta Affairs Adviser to Dr. Jonathan, Timi Alaibe, one time FCDA Executive Secretary and pioneer State Party Chairman Charles Dorgu, one time Deputy National Organising Secretary of the PDP Blesson Akpuluma and others of that ilk remain active in the party, especially in the rebuilding of its national image and relevance, Bayelsa could become the base for its national renewal in the same way that Lagos served as the foundation for the APC’s eventual success in spite of being an opposition stronghold for over a decade and a half. Bayelsa is however

at a disadvantage economically when compared to Lagos and its relevance and virility as the PDP’s national support base will depend largely on whether it can operate in alliance with resurgent PDP regimes in neighbouring Niger Delta states to sustain links with the party’s national support base in the other geo-political zones. Party elders led by former President Jonathan have set up a reconciliation committee headed by former Governor D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha to examine the grievances that have surfaced as a result of the polls. This seems to indicate a growing willingness by some key leaders in the state to take the challenges raised by the new circumstances seriously. The choice of Alamieyeseigha to undertake this task, on behalf of a party hierarchy nominally headed by King Serena Dokubo, suggests that acrimonious differences from the past have been jettisoned in the search for ways to renew the party’s relevance. There have been signs that the issue of productive governance

•Gov Dickson:

versus the privileges of power has already begun to rear its head in the discourse over the direction that politics will take in Bayelsa State now that it has lost the advantage of the presidential imperative. In public conversations throughout the state the nature of the Dickson Administration’s conduct of its affairs is the most prominent subject of discussion. In the run-up to May Day, for example, discussions on local electronic media focussed on the mood of the workers in the state and some highly critical and distressing comments were

•Alamieyeseigha:

made about their conditions of service. Hardly anyone, however, mentioned the most potent reasons for the downturn in the economic circumstances of the state. While all previous state governments, from Alamieyeseigha through Jonathan to Sylva, recorded a constant increase in their monthly allocation, the Dickson Administration has suffered a steady decline. In spite of this Governor Dickson initiated the most extensive programme of infrastructural expansion of any governor of Bayelsa State so far at the start of his tenure. At the same time he is saddled with

the burden of repaying a major schedule of loans taken from major banks by his predecessors. This has culminated in the most recent allotment being a mere 25% of the amount that it received in its first month in office.

Governor Dickson’s detractors are likely to use problems arising from the downturn in the state’s fortunes, caused by reasons beyond his control, to undermine his image in the atmosphere of recrimination and disenchantment that is prevalent in the fallout from the PDP’s electoral loss at the centre.

30—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

Why I’m angry with my country

— Jonathan Butler, Jazz maestro •Says S/Africans are yet to overcome the stigma of apartheid

South African singer-songwriter-guitarist, Jonathan Butler was one of the jazz musicians that stormed Lagos, for the maiden edition of the Jazz festival, tagged Satchmo Jazzfest 2015, which held recently at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. WG caught up with him at the three-day event, where he talks about his music, his foundation as he also condemned the recent xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa, describing it as wicked. also been richly blessed moving round the world. I thank God for it.

By Chris Onuoha

H

ow did you begin your journey into music?

I started singing at the age of 7, in downtown Athlon, Cape Town, South Africa. I started out as a guitarist and listening to good music. I took off from there and hit the music scene with my first album which I released in 1973, at the age of 12. The album gave me the platform to be the first black artiste to play on white South African radio then. That milestone earned me a Sarie Award, South Africa’s equivalent of Grammy Awards. Since then, it has been smooth sail for me.

To be on radio at the age of 12 was an exciting experience for me. It was like a dream come true, though with lots of challenges and unfolding events afterward. Everybody in the country loves you and nothing could make you happier than that. But winning a gold record award was more fulfilling for me.

The Sarie Award is one of my most C M Y K

prized possessions among the four things I treasure with the three gold records. It’s part of history and they remind me of the time I was young.

But I probably only learnt to celebrate it later in my life. It’s a big accomplishment and the interesting thing was that a white lady in South Africa eventually presented the award to me. Unfortunately, the newspapers and television stations in South Africa refused to publicize it. The lady was Miss World by then, married to the owner of Sun City. That’s the beginning of my anger against my

Banky W, D’Banj storm Mauritius for global event

country then. It was injustice even in the music industry in South Africa by then, seeing a black artiste subjected to recording eight-track album while white artistes were recording 24 tracks. So, there was lot of injustice, but I have learned to fly. That’s the story of South Africa for me while growing up there. Since then, music has been a part of me. It’s what I live for, what I do, and who I am. But I have also learnt to turn it off when I am at home. I play golf. I cook because I like cooking. But through music, I have lived, experienced, and

How do you feel playing alongside Nigerian jazz artistes in this year’s Satchmo Jazz festival?

You know, UNESCO jazz festival is probably the first ever event to be organized in Nigeria. It’s a new chapter in jazz and also one propagating what UNESCO world jazz day is all about. I did play in the 2nd edition of UNESCO jazz festival with Herbie Hancock in Osaka, Japan last year. I know jazz is being celebrated in Lagos. I love the fact that Lagos is recognizing jazz and for what the music stands, which is culture, the tradition. A lot of music comes from jazz, R/B, gospel, hip-hop blues, and of course, jazz also comes from Africa.

Jazz evolves and develops like any other music genre, and as it does, you hope to reach out to the younger people. It is a new demography. You have the new generation of jazz musicians such as D’Angelo, Lola Hathaway, Joe Fat among others who are playing contemporary jazz. Also Herbie Hancock is still one of the pioneers of them all because he plays all the jazz from pop to jazz rock.

Miles Davies is still in pop rock jazz.

Continues on page 31

Is ASUS transformer book world’s slimmest Windows tablet?

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015—31

Synopsis Superstar

Xenophobic attacks: ‘Black against black violence is a shame’ Continues from page 30 This is the only way you can actually get the new emerging audience involved, not only to play the traditional jazz but also, the technocentric upbeats.The root, the foundation is jazz and at the same time, when you get the young people playing the upright bass guitar, trumpet like D’ Angelo, you may be having the next Dizzie Gillespie here in Lagos without knowing it. Thank God for the jazz community that is growing in Lagos. Playing alongside Nigerian artists like Yemi Sax is an awesome experience. I hope that happens more often. There is a lot of talents here. If there would be a combination of American and Nigerian artistes working together and also doing jazz, rhythm and blues, and hip-hop workshop, then we can discover new talents in Nigeria. As the Satchmo Jazz Festival is unveiling that platform now, hopefully, government or sponsors will come in to invest in the industry.

he upcoming film revolves around a 22year-old Dele Ojo and his hustle to survive.

As he works towards actualizing his dream of becoming a superstar, he also faces his mother who will not hear of him venturing into music. A great opportunity emerges as a hot music label from America seeks new talent. Dele must produce a mix-tape quickly and catch the

TOP MOVIES OF THE WEEK · OOOPS NOAH IS GONE · LAST KNIGHT · PITCH PERFECT

· FAST & FURIOUS · IYORE

SCHEDULE FROM FRIDAY 5TH TO JUNE, 2015

B u t l e r

that’s what it’s all about for me. We are doing a lot but not on a big scale. We are also teaming up with other NGOs in Cape Town, Victoria, and Johannesburg, to fast-track things.

Did you feel disappointed with the recent xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa ?

I believe I have a voice to speak about it like everyone else. For me, the whole xenophobia thing is wicked. I say no to You recently delved into gospel that completely. Black against black music? violence — it’s a shame. If we don’t stop Before I knew Jesus Christ, music the fight now, it will leave a bad stain. was like salvation to me. Music was It’s important I talk about how it hurts everything to me and still more than I because I love my country South Africa. needed. When people treat me bad or Let’s not forget the fact disappoint me, I fall that many African back to my guitar. countries supported South My journey into My advice is that Africa in time of gospel music is a Apartheid. Secondly, the calling. It’s not a they should leadership of South Africa change or trying to do should speak out and stop something different. It’s forget about the crisis. The leadership a calling. I have violence. cannot be divided or split. released two albums They should stand Forgiveness is and right now, I am together, both white and working on my third more powerful black should declare a war solo album. The records against the crisis because are on I-tunes, a gospel and I think the it’s people’s lives we classical with Wanita talking about here. I Banum, live with Israel black man in consider myself a citizen Haughton in South South Africa is of the world. When I am Africa. The Lord has still in the process in Los Angeles I eat their been good to me as In Ethiopia or doors are opening for of healing himelf food.

Ghana, it’s the same me. thing. There is no My collaboration with from the there. I feel Wanita Banum was an apartheid stigma xenophobia it’s a bad spirit. The Bible interesting experience. says, “Violence begets In the first place, I didn’t know her from Adams and when violence.” My advice is that they should forget about violence. Forgiveness is we started rehearsing, there was a mutual respect for each other because I more powerful and I think the black man in South Africa is still in the process of come from jazz, R/B background, a healing himself from the stigma of completely different world from hers. apartheid. For me, it is completely As an open-minded and very spiritual person, and also having a relationship wrong. Let’s live together as one people. with Jesus Christ, it worked perfect. I Tell us more about your family and do whatever He allows me to do as lifestyle? long as it edifices, justifies and I have two daughters, one adopted glorifies Him. son, and one grand daughter. Both girls are into music but the eldest decided to How has the Jonathan Butler be a teacher. She is a teacher and my Foundation fared? second daughter who is my assistant That’s a baby of mine. The foundation is still growing but we have sings. She writes songs and sings along with me. She is all over the map. done a lot in two years since its For me as person, I am so involved in inception, working with different everything: I play golf, I cook, I am still communities to bring art, culture, and a home kid anyway, I like good foods, I music education as empowerment can eat chicken in Soweto, eat fish in machinery to the restive youths of Los Angeles. For me, I am more of a South Africa. Our mission statement, world artiste. I don’t see myself “purpose kills addiction,” is geared towards reaching out to poor kids from connected to only a particular thing or entity. In life, you learn to catch up with difficult and challenging background things fast and know what you are good who engage in drugs and crimes. We at. That’s how it works. Minimize your are trying to teach them how to fish weakness and maximize your strength. instead of giving them fish.

Empowerment is a legacy building and Find out what you are best at and stick with it.

C M Y K

T

attention of the super Producer.

It is an opportunity of a lifetime, and his only hope of raising studio time cash is to rumble with a dreaded Ghetto loan shark hell bent on claiming the star for his nefarious activities.

The movie starre the likes of Iyanya, AY, Tekno Miles, Angel Ufuoma, Ushbebe, Bryan Okwara, Toyin Aimaku, Jide Kosoko among other stars.

SILVERBIRDCINEMAS, VICTORIA ISLAND SUPERSTAR : 1:50pm,8:45pm, OOOPS NOAH IS GONE : 11:20pm,1:00pm LAST KNIGHT : 4:20pm PITCH PERFECT : 2:40pm,4:20pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, IKEJA SUPERSTAR: 10:35am,3:50pm OOOPS NOAH IS GONE : 10:40am,12:20pm,2:00pm LAST KNIGHTS: 4:40pm PITCH PERFECT 2 : 2:00pm,6:35pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, SEC SUPERSTAR : 11:50am,4:30pm,9:05pm OOPS NAOH IS GONE : 12:00pm,1:40pm5:10pm LAST KNIGHTS : 12:40pm,2:50pm,5:00pm,7:10pm9:20pm PITCH PERFECT : 12:30pm,2:40pm,4:50pm,7:00pm,9:10pm IYORE : 2:30pm,7:05pm FAST& FURIOUS 7 : 8:30pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS CEDDI PLAZA , ABUJA SUPERSTAR : 11:30am,8:50pm LAST KNIGHTS : 4:20pm,8:50pm PITCH PERFECT 2 : 2 : 12:10pm4:30pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT SUPERSTAR : 12:10pm,2:50pm,5:30pm,8:10pm OOOPS NOAH IS GONE : 11:05am,12:45pm,2:25pm LAST KNIGHTS : 2:50pm,6:55pm Pitch Perfect 2 : 11:45am,4:15pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, WARRI Oops Noah is Gone : 12:35pm,4:35pm Iyore : 10:00am,8:30pm GENESIS DELUXE CITY MALL, LAGOS OOOPS NOAH IS GONE: 11:00AM, 12:00PM, 1:00PM PITCH PERFECT: 10AM, 2:00PM, 3:00PM, 4:40PM, 6:50PM, 9:25PM GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, ENUGU SUPERSTAR: 3:10PM, 6:55PM, 8:55PM PITCH PERFECT: 1:00PM, 5:15PM, 9:30PM LAST KNIGHT: 10:00AM, 12:20PM,9:30PM GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, LEKKI LAGOS OOOPS NOAH IS GONE: 10:40AM, 11:45AM, 12:35PM, 2:30PM LAST KNIGHT: 10:00AM, 1:20PM, 4:10PM, SUPERSTAR: 9:50AM, 12:45PM, 7:40PM, 9:45PM PITCH PERFECT: 2:50PM, 5:15PM, 6:00PM FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, LAGOS OOPS NOAH IS GONE : 10:00am,11:40am,5:40pm FILM HOUSE APAPA OOPS NOAH IS GONE: PITCH PERFECT: SUPERSTAR:

10:00AM, 11:40AM, 1:30PM 5:35PM, 1:00PM, 7:45PM, 8:15PM

FILM HOUSE PORT HARCOURT OOOPS NOAH IS GONE: 10:00AM, 11:40AM, 1:30PM, 4:00PM SUPERSTAR: 11:50AM, 4:25PM PITCH PERFECT: 2:15PM, 7:45PM FILM HOUSE SAMONDA OOOPS NOAH IS GONE: 10:00AM, 11:40AM, 3:35PM PITCH PERFECT: 11:45AM, 6:35PM, FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, CALABAR SUPERSTAR : 10:00pm,2:15pm,6:45pm OOPS NOAH IS GONE : 10:00am,2:20pm PAUL BLART MALL COP 2 : 12:00pm FILM HOUSE KANO OOOPS NOAH IS GONE: 10:00AM, 11:40AM, 5:40PM PITCH PERFECT: 10:00AM, 6:35PM, OZONE CINEMAS LAST KNIGHT: PITCH PERFECT: 11:40AM, 3:05PM, 7:00PM OOOPS NOAH IS GONE: 10:00AM, 3:30PM, 5:45PM, 8:00PM, 10:15PM THE BOY NEXT DOOR: 2:25PM, 2:50PM, 4:15PM, 5:15PM, 8:45PM, 11:25PM SUPERSTAR: 1:55PM, 12:30PM, 5:00PM, 8:55PM, 9:05PM LAST KNIGHTS: 10:00AM, 3:45PM

32—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

Day stars stormed “The Marcy Project” launch party

By Juliet Ebirim

A

ce TV personality, Marcy Dolapo Oni recently held a launch party to celebrate the release of her TV show, “The Marcy Project” at The Arena, Victoria Island, Lagos.

“The Marcy Project” is a 30 minute TV show that features interviews with celebrities and upcoming acts. On the show, Dolapo will also carry out tasks suggested by viewers, social media followers and guests on the show.

The launch party kicked off

Dolapo and friends at the party with a video of congratulatory messages

Dolapo Oni

from Dolapo’s family, friends and colleagues after which

guests were shown clips of the first episode of the show

Nollyfund: Viva Cinema berths in Ilorin V

iva Cinema Company Limited has again, opened a new film house in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Sponsored by Bank of Industry (BoI), the company’s latest cinema house was opened to movie goers amidst a huge ceremony, last Friday.

The gesture by BoI is part of its ‘Nollyfund’ initiative, whereby an initial of N1.0billion has been earmarked, with a limit of N50million for individual loans.

The Bank, which has been at the forefront of providing facilities for film production and distribution chain, is

By Anozie Egole

T

HOUGH the show which was billed to start at exactly 3pm started an hour late keeping fun seekers who gathered to grace the event waiting for a long time, the show at the same time would also be said to have lived up to its billing as it had a breathtaking performance from award winning gospel duo, Frank Edward and Sinach who took their numerous fans all through their tracks. The event was the grand finale of God’s Children Great talent season 5 which held last Saturday at Eko Hotel, Lagos.

The talented gospel singer, Frank Edward, lifted the souls of fun seekers who gathered for the event as he performed his popular track, “Idi Ebube”. He also reeled out another hit track, “Oyoyo”, this time around, it was a different atmosphere all together as people kept dancing and singing along with him.

It was indeed an evening that cannot be forgotten in a hurry as another gospel singer, Sinach was not left out in the scene.

The event which is a talent hunt show to celebrate talented children/teens, was

also helping filmmakers to produce international quality films which are screened through various platforms of movie distribution available both in Nigeria and abroad.

The opening of Viva Cinema which is located within the popular Shoprite Mall, Ilorin, attracted a huge crowd that thronged the Cinema Hall l, to relish the opening films and the physical presence of their adorned stars. Some of the Nollywood stars at the event are Olumide Bakare, Bukunmi Oluwasina and Muyiwa Oladapo.

which got everyone captivated and excited.

“I’m so excited that I can finally see my dream of having my own show come to reality. I’ve always wanted to have my own talk show and I know I wanted something that would be true to myself as well as show a different side of me that people rarely get to see. The idea came about in December, 2013 and I told myself my show would be on air by 2015.

“The title ‘The Marcy Project’ came before the idea of the actual show.

Marcy being my first name and the idea of me participating in a weekly project to add that to the show. It feels great to see it all coming together”. Dolapo said as she was spotted on the red carpet with her fiance, Adegbite Sijuade.

The couple got engaged recently. The fun-filled event was attended by celebrities and media personalities including Sound Sultan, Olisa Adibua, OC Ukeje, Kemi ‘lala’ Akindoju, Toke Makinwa, Titi Oyinsan, Kaylah Oniwo, Mercy Ajisafe, Zainab Balogun, Lamide Akintobi, Bolanle Olukanni, Veronica Odeka, Vimba Mutinhiri, Zina Anumudu and many more.

Frank Edward, Sinach headline Banky W, D’Banj storm GCGT season 5 grand finale Mauritius for global event

M

*Sinach performing on stage established in 2011, by the City of David parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. It is an initiative focused on identifying and celebrating talents in young Christians. Anchored by prominent BBA host IK Osakioduwa and Nkeiru, the event kick started with a brief stage performance by the season 4 edition winner of the contest who ushered the audience into the days activities. With judges like, Dan Foster, Bolaji Ogunwo, Joke Silva, Racheal Keer, Wale Oni, Sarah Boulos, among others, the winners were carefully selected among the age categories ranging from

ages, 5-6, 7-9, 10-12, 13-15 and finally, 16-19. The show had Olorunsuyi Praise of the age category, 16-10 emerging the winner of the show.

She went home with the sum of N5 million naira. Other winners included, Kola Olawuyi, ( 1st runner up), to go home with the sum of N2million, the duo of Emmanuel Naphatali and Destiny Atasi, (2nd runner up) to go home with the sum of, N1.5million, Temitayo Victor, ( 3rd runner up) to go home with the sum of N1.2million and the last not the least, Ikeriugwo Chibuzor, (4th runner up), to go home with the sum of, N1million.

usic heavyweights, Banky W, D’banj and Timaya left the shores of the country Wednesday night for Mauritius, where they joined other African acts to celebrate the international launch of CÎROC Pineapple.

Other international acts who are already in Mauritius include, South African musicians Da L.E.S, DJ Dimplez and media personality, Bonang

Matheba.

Speaking on the event, D’banj said, “It’s an honour to be invited to attend the global launch of CÎROC Pineapple. As always, it’s going to be a whirlwind of everything that makes up a signature CÎROC celebration – glamour, luxury, stunning locations and high-energy fun. I’m proud to salute Africa as the definition of tropical luxury lifestyle.”

*Banky W, D’banj and Timaya arriving Mauritius for the event.

VOL. 1: NO. 13

FRIDAY, JUNE 5 , 2015

•Pix From Left; Hon Fajemilehin Ayodele, Gboyin, Hon Adeniran Alagbada, Ise/Orun, Hon Dr STB Omotoso, Oye 1, Hon Akinleye Ekundayo, Ijero, Hon Akinyele Olatunji, Oye 2, Hon Olusegun Adewumi, Ekiti West, Hon Pastor Kola Olwawole, Moba 1, Leader of Delegate, Hon Chief Gboyega Aribisogan, Ikole1, Hon Sina Animasaun, Ekiti West 2, Hon Princess Tiltilayo Owolabi, Ikole2, Mr Tola Esan, Clark of the House, and Mr Tolu Afolabi, Director of Information, All are Honurable Members Elect from Ekiti , during a Courtesy Visit to Vanguard Newspaper, , PHOTO; Kehinde Gbadamosi

EKITI: We're fine with Fayose — Ekiti House Members-Elect THE declaration of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as winner of all 26 state constituencies in the Ekiti State House of Assembly has inevitably led to allusions of the political supremacy of Governor Ayodele Fayose in the politics of the state. That victory was upon the victory of the party in all 14 local government areas of the state in last year’s governorship election.

Ahead of their inauguration as members of the state legislative body, the members-elect on a courtesy call to Vanguard sought to give another image of the state and its governor. The legislators who were led by Pastor Kola Oluwawole presented the image of passion and purity around the governor noting a conspiracy of sorts by elites against Fayose.

Taken up on some extreme actions of the governor such as the hate campaign against Muhammadu Buhari in the days leading to the presidential election, the legislators found a safe angle in presenting the governor’s actions as simple politics even as they acknowledged that he was the first to congratulate the new president on his election.

While praising Governor Fayose’s policies and principles in favour of the common man, they were nevertheless quick to assert that the House of Assembly under their charge would not be a rubber stamp of the governor.

By Dapo Akinrefon & Gbenga Oke

O

n whether their inauguration will end the crisis in the

state By the grace of God, there will be no more troubles. We are all stakeholders and we have a stake in the Ekiti peace. Our agenda is peace

in Ekiti state because we have had enough storm and it is time for peace. We are looking forward to having peace in Ekiti State for the next four years. There is

IN THIS EDITION

Ambode rolls up his sleeves to work •Pages 2

How Owambe, girls lured robbery kingpin into police trap •Page 6

going to be a kind of mutual understanding and relationship between the executive and the legislature, a synergy that will promote peace, a synergy that will bring about hope and aspirations of the masses in Ekiti. We will also ensure that checks and balances are properly done in a way and manner that will promote peace in the state.”

On what led to the crisis in the state,

The genesis of the crises in Ekiti State was just a disagreement between the legislature and the executive arms of government over what should have been ordinarily legislative duty.

But because they seem not to agree that Ekiti project belongs to Ekiti people and not based on party affiliation, the lack of understanding culture and nuances of government contributed a lot to that disagreement. And unfortunately, the media took part in the orchestration of that crisis because some of the people involved took advantage of their presence in the media to escalate the crises beyond what is really happening.

“But I can tell you that the situation is not as bad as people proclaim and unfortunately, we are worried about the way the media are talking about Ekiti State. To me, it is just a mere disagreement between the legislature and executive over whether there should be a loan or not and the issue of appointment of commissioners was part of it.

The event should have passed without anybody

Continues on Page 2 C M Y K

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

LAGOS STATE

Ambode rolls up his sleeves to work

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

L

C M Y K

AGOS State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode last Friday took oath of office as the 14th Governor of Lagos State, promising to run an open government of inclusion that will not leave anyone behind.

Ambode along with his deputy, Dr Oluranti Adebule, made the remarks in his inaugural speech at the Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, Lagos, after being administered with the Oaths of Office and Allegiance by the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade at a well attended event.

The dignitaries at the ceremony included: former governors of the state; Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Rear Admiral Nduisi Kanu while former deputy governors in attendance were Mr. Femi Pedro and Adebisi Sosan.

Other notable personalities present were Senators Remi Tinubu, Solomon Adeola and Gbenga Ashafa, Oba of Lagos Rilwanu Akiolu, members of the Diplomatic Corps, industrialists, state lawmakers, All Progressives Congress, APC stalwarts, students among others.

Ambode rolled up sleeves for work in earnest on Saturday In an apparent show of seriousness to work, the governor set to work in earnest when he held an inaugural meeting in his Alausa office, Ikeja with Body of Permanent Secretaries in the State Public Service, just a day after inauguration ceremony.

Ambode tasked the permanent secretaries, reiterating that the state civil service would drive the change and the continuity which he intended to put in place in the next four years.

In his first official assignment, the governor at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, said he intended to strengthen the civil service and continue with the reforms through which he would carry out his policies.

He urged the Permanent

Secretaries who are the administrative heads of the ministries to see themselves as front runners of the present administration adding that he would take advantage of the experience he had gathered as a retired public servant to drive the vision.

He also informed that in order to ensure effectiveness in his operations, he would be residing at the Lagos House, Alausa, saying that what it means is that he would be available from his desk at 8am daily.

He also informed that in order to ensure effectiveness in his operations, he would be residing at the Lagos House, Alausa, saying that what it means is that he would be available from his desk at 8am daily.

Ambode, who is known for timeliness, advised workers to align with his administration’s mission and vision, saying that he expected all public servants to also be at their desks by 8am so that if he has cause to get in touch with anyone, they would be readily available.

The governor who also spoke on the shape and style of his administration would take, said for him, he expected the protocol to be as simple as possible which would also convey the essence of seriousness and professionalism that would be the hallmark of the administration.

Later that day, the governor received the President of Namibia, Dr Hage Geingob and wife, Madame Monica Geingob, who were in the country for the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari. He told them that Lagos would remain the first

•Gov Ambode port of call for investors.

The following Monday, the governor formally assumed office as the eight elected governor of the state. He arrived his office as early as 8 a.m. and was welcomed with a rousing ovation by staff and spent most of the day receiving several guests who paid him courtesy visits at his Alausa, Ikeja office.

After attending to his guests , the governor, later in the afternoon travelled along with few of his aides to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, for his first official federal engagement where he met with President and Commander in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammed Buhari.

EKITI: We're fine with Fayose — Ekiti House Members-Elect •Continues from page 1 noticing it but because the other party is being controlled by its leaders, they went ahead to tell their leaders that the governor wants to take a loan and because they refused to accede to his request, that he has been witchhunting them that he is going to declare their seats vacant if they refuse to approve that loan.”

“So the story changed from that moment and they made everybody to believe that the governor does not want to see them and he has been very unfriendly. The governor sent list of commissioners to the house, they returned the list claiming it was not properly documented. He responded and

told them he has been a governor before, he knows all the procedures and how commissioners should be nominated. “Unfortunately, we saw the media playing a

Unfortunately, we saw the media playing a different role in the crises claiming because they are APC, that is why Governor Fayose refused to allow them perform their legislative duties.

different role in the crises claiming because they are APC, that is why Governor Fayose refused to allow them perform their legislative duties.

“They went on recess indefinitely, they tried to ground the activities of government in the state and some of them said, no Ekiti State should not be grounded, they decided to move in and say they cannot go on recess indefinitely knowing fully well the governor has just assumed office.

“So it became another issue among themselves which now culminated into the seven legislators suspending 16 and appointing within themselves a speaker.”

That point, however, became a choking point for the members-elect •Continues on page 3

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 — 3

EKITI STATE

•PIX FR LEFT; HON AKINYELE OLATUNJI, OYE 2, MR TOLA ESAN, CLARK OF THE HOUSE, HON SINA ANIMASAUN, EKITI WEST 2, HON PELEMO DARE, EKITI EAST2, HON FAJEMILEHIN AYODELE, GBOYIN,WEST, HON PASTOR KOLA OLWAWOLE, MOBA 1, LEADER OF DELEGATE, HON ALADEYELU OLUSANYA, IFELODUN/IREPODUN2, HON PRINCESS TILTILAYO OWOLABI, IKOLE2, HON CHIEF GBOYEGA ARIBISOGAN, IKOLE1, 1, HON AKINLEYE EKUNDAYO, HON ADENIRAN ALAGBADA, ISE/ORUN, HON DR STB OMOTOSO, OYE HON OLUSEGUN ADEWUMI, EKITI , ALL ARE HONURABLE MEMBERS ELECT FROM EKITI , DURING THEIR COURTESY VISIT TO VANGUARD NEWSPAPER, PHOTO; KEHINDE GBADAMOSI

•Continues from page 2 as they were put to the wall to defend the correctness of seven members suspending 19 members of the legislature. Responding, the legislators affirmed that the 19 should have stayed to fight it out brawn and brain with the seven on the side of the governor!

“It is not right but they have the right also to remain there rather than bolting away to Lagos. Why did they have to run away from the state? When seven says we are removing 19, the 19 which is the majority should have been there and let the seven impeach them and let us see whether it will stand.

But that was not the case, they left the state and claimed the governor is after them.

“The house itself is being governed by rules and before seven can take authority and maintain that authority, it is being governed by rules. They even challenged it in the court and the court affirmed that they abdicated in their duty. In the legislative calendar, there are number of days that you have to sit, C M Y K

EKITI: We're fine with Fayose — Ekiti House Members-Elect if you don’t meet up with the number of days in the legislative calendar, sanctions can be meted against you.”

The legislators to be also sought to evoke the commonality of culture of the state saying the action of the 19 fleeing legislators was anathema to the Ekiti culture “Ekiti is an homogeneous community in Nigeria. If you go to places like Delta State, there are Kwale and Isokos. But we speak one language in Ekiti State.

Even in settling the crisis, Aare Afe Babalola even extended hand of fellowship to them that let us come together because we do not have any other state, lets not give Ekiti a bad name, they refused. What we were

trying to avoid is that once you give Ekiti a bad name in the country through the

I think the larger perspective of people that our Governor is a violent man is wrong. He cannot be a violent man and still have that kind of popularity.

media, it will take time to remove that perception. If Ekiti indigenes cannot accord Aare Afe Babalola due respect, who else are they going to respect in Ekiti land.

“But if their headmaster here in Lagos tells them not to even sleep on their bed, if he says they should not meet with their wives, they won’t do it. What else and why are they doing that?”

Debunking insinuations of the governor being a violent man, the memberselect some of whom had been with Fayose through thick and thin said: “I think the larger perspective of people that our Governor is a violent man is wrong. He cannot be a violent man and still have that kind of popularity. He is

a man of honour and that is why the people voted for him en-masse. You can see that during the governorship election, people voted for him 100 percent. During the State House of Assembly election as well, they voted PDP 100 percent. That is a rare privilege you can get in Ekiti State and in our state, he is being regarded as a friend of the poor.

Painting the picture of a man much tormented by the manipulations of the elites, but appreciated by the ordinary man on the streets of Ado Ekiti, the state capital, they said: “Again, the media needs to hear from an average person on the streets in Ekiti State before they arrive at some •Continues on page 4

4 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

OGUN STATE

Amosun’s simple restart

By Daud Olatunji

C

ONTRARY to the expectations that Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State would resume work with fun fare after his inauguration for a second term, the governor did not only drive himself to work, he was also not accompanied by his new deputy, Yetunde Onanuga.

The governor on Monday, the first working day after his inauguration last Friday, arrived the Governor’s Office complex exactly 7:50 am in his Mazda G-wagon without a convoy. He was escorted only by his Aide-de-camp, who sat beside him in the car.

Even the ADC’s attempt to open the car for the governor failed as Amosun jumped down from the vehicle even before the policeman could come round to the governor’s side of the car.

Immediately he alighted, Governor Amosun inspected a guard of honour mounted by men of the Nigerian Police in the Governor ’s Office before embarking on inspection of offices within the State Secretariat.

The Head of Service, Modupe Adekunle was on hand to conduct him around

the premises.

It was observed that apart from the absence of the deputy governor who did not join the governor until one hour after the governor requested for her presence, the Head of Service and many other Permanent Secretaries and Directors were caught unawares with the action of •Gov Amosun

The first point of call was the Head of Service office followed by offices of the confidential secretary of the governor, Secretary to the state government, ministries of budget and planning, justice, education and office of the new deputy governor.

the governor.

The first point of call was the Head of Service office followed by offices of the confidential secretary of the governor, Secretary to the state government, ministries of budget and planning, justice, education and office of the new deputy governor.

While inspecting the deputy governor’s office which had just been used by his estranged deputy Prince Segun Adesegun, Amosun expressed satisfaction over the state of the office.

In the cause of the tour, Amosun met a young mother with her three month-oldbaby, identified as Daniel Adesanya, cuddled the baby and helped the mother financially.

Unexpectedly, some civil servants were met in their

offices taking their breakfast while some were in such circumstances that they could not receive the governor.

Many of the areas looked so unkempt that the governor complained of the situation while some received pat on their backs for their diligence.

The tour afforded the governor an ample opportunity to know the real situation of some ministries.

For instance, the governor said he did not know that most of the ministries including those that are close to his office were not electricity from the power plant as he expressed dismay over the power situation in most of the ministries.

Three hours after, the governor took a break to attend to visitors including

Ekiti: Why we're fine with Fayose •Continues from page 3 conclusions. For example, if an average personality from Ekiti state comes into a Newspapers organization now, they might not want to listen to him. But if somebody like Senator Femi Ojudu walks in here, the media will give him listening ears because he is a colleague and he is considered a prominent son of the state, so anything he says, the media will believe it.

These are issues we are now addressing and we are appealing to the media to at least give us a voice.”

On the issue of the hate campaigns against President C M Y K

Buhari ahead of the presidential election, the answer of the legislators was simple.

That is politics. In fact immediately the results were released, Fayose was one of the first persons to congratulate Buhari, he commended Buhari as a dogged fighter. That is politics. And that is why I said in the media, they misunderstand Fayose. In the campaign organization of Fayose, we have our own ways of doing things. Fayose is a phenomenon and that advert he placed opened the eyes of Nigerians and they now started asking about the health status of our President.

Whether we like it or not, that advert has the current and future issues in it.

“Then again, we have to understand that Fayose never wished Mr President dead, it is the media that is misrepresenting it to say that it’s like a death wish. The media announcing it is a death wish, thank God that both of them are still alive and I can tell you today that it is the same Governor that will work with President Buhari.

In politics, a lot of things do happen and we should not forget that during the electioneering campaigns, people called Jonathan names like thief, clueless and a weakling. What has the media done about that?”

leaders of Methodist Church, Nigeria, members of state correspondents chapel and the new President of Africa Development Bank, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina and his team which included his wife.

The governor who promised to resume the tour after attending to the visitors, however, could not do so until the following day.

He visited all the ministries and charged them to be patriotic and diligent.

Fielding questions from newsmen, after the tour of the offices, Amosun noted that the long awaited Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) would be taken to the 8th Legislature and disclosed other plans. ‘’Our plan this second term is to deepen our IGR to further ensure the completion of on-going and proposed projects. But I believe we would work towards achieving a system –driven environment in service delivery and project execution.

Governor Amosun said he would shift focus to the development of the Deep Sea Port, Olokola Free Trade Zone, the Airport Project, completion of the proposed Inter-city and Intra-city rail lines as well as massive development of rural roads across the 236 wards in the state.

While appreciating public servants for their commitment and dedication in the last dispensation, the governor assured that the new dispensation which has an APC-led Government at the centre would evoke a synergy between the Federal Government and the state.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 — 5

OSUN STATE

Aftermath of 2015 polls:

Ndigbo find common ground in Lagos

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

A

GAINST the background of the divisions caused by the alleged inclination of the majority of the Igbo population for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the last general election, a group of Igbos who worked against that bent last weekend expressed themselves and made their demands on the new All Progressives Congress, APC administration in Lagos.

The Igbo community in Lagos State, under the aegis of Igbo Progressive Leaders Council, IPLC, were gathered for what was termed a lecture and thanksgiving at the White House, Toyin Street, in the heart of Ikeja, Lagos.

It was a day after Akinwunmi Ambode, the man who many Igbos in the state reportedly voted against took office as governor of Lagos State. The lecture was as such an opportunity for Ndigbo in the state to review their strategies for political elucidation.

IPLC Publicity Secretary and the Irene Ndigbo of Lagos, Dr. Harris Chuma, while speaking during the special thanksgiving and lecture nevertheless articulated the cause and concerns of Ndigbo for the new Ambode administration.

The roll call of attendees included Eze Uche Dimbga, Okpotemba Igbere, Eze Ndigbo of Ikeja Land, also included: Pastor Ben Akabueze, immediate past Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Lagos State, APC, Publicity Secretary in the state, Joe Igbokwe, Prof Chris Nwaokobia, Jnr. President, Change Ambassadors of Nigeria, CAN, Grand Patron, Igbo Progressive Leaders Council.

IPLC, Barrister Ubani Onyeakachi, former Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Ikeja branch.

Others were Eze Prof.

Okunamiri, Chuef Chika Ubannah, Chief Osai Onyemerekwe, Eze Dialakwe, Chief Ugo Onugu, Chief Vitalis Onwuelezi among others were chief conveners.

The group, which supported all APC candidates in the run-up to C M Y K

•Ambode meeting with Igbo leaders in Logos

the elections called for continuous cordial working relationship between the people and the state government.

Igbokwe expressed disappointment in the manner some Igbos in Lagos allowed themselves to be used to divide the relationship between them and their Yoruba hosts through alleged money spread by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He stressed that it would be difficult for Igbo indigenes to ascend the highest post of Presidency without the support of the Yoruba of the South-West.

“There is the need for the reawakening of the Igbos, if we must continue to be relevant in the affairs of this country. ” Onyeakachi, in his terse speech, admonished the Igbo to always learn how to be appreciative of their host wherever they go outside the shores of their land, saying the Igbos are highly industrious and need not be involved in pettiness as

witnessed in the last general elections, especially, in Lagos.

He, however, stated that Igbos should not be

There is the need for the reawakening of the Igbos, if we must continue to be relevant in the affairs of this country

victimised by the action of a few saying most of the Igbos in the state who are progressives worked so hard for the “Change cause” both at the federal and state levels.

Harris in his address made a seven-point demand including that, “That the newly inaugurated Lagos State government will continue to ensure the safety of all lives and property of all Lagosians, including Ndigbo.

“That the government will continue to partner with Ndigbo in moving the state forward such that Ndigbo in the state will continue to have a place in the government and civil service.

“That the Lagos State Government will continue to support and maintain profound relationship with the Igbo traditional institution in the state. We propose the establishment of a board that will recognise the Lagos Igbo honorary chieftaincy affairs.”

“The body also demanded for sustained improvement of the road network in the

state, ensuring that Igbo people get equal treatment as their Yoruba counterparts, compensation for victims of fire disaster in the various markets and an end to the harassment, intimidation and extortion of Igbo by unscrupulous government officials. “ We wish that the newly inaugurated government will not take our people for granted and they will not treat us with impunity or claim that they know what is best for Ndigbo when we do not feel the same way and that the Governor Ambodeled government will listen to the sincere voices of their passionate Igbo followers,” he urged.

While expressing the readiness of Ndigbo in the state to support the new administration all the way, Chuma added that the victory of the APC in Lagos State would be at its best when Ambode’s administration is able to fulfill its electoral promises to Lagosians irrespective of tribe, class, sex, or religion.

6 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

ONDO STATE

How Owambe, girls lured robbery kingpin into police trap Dayo Johnson Akure

F

OUR Months after killing 13 persons including seven policemen and robbing five commercial banks in quick successions in the ancient town of Owo, Ondo State with others gangsters carting away millions of naira, one of the suspects Oluwafemi Olowoporoku 38 was traced to an Owambe party in Lagos State where he was apprehended.

Oluwafemi according to sources was surrounded by some young girls while choice and assorted drinks littered a table reserved for him by the celebrant.

He was said to be on a spending spree for the celebrant and the musician when suddenly Police detectives in mufti stormed the venue and whisked him away.

Unknown to him that detectives had trailed him to the venue, Oluwafemi was said to be enjoying himself in the midst of girlfriends when the day of reckoning came knocking.

The musicians who fled when the police struck reportedly came back one after the other to evacuate their musical instrument hours after the suspect has been whisked away while the nearby houses were reportedly deserted by their owners.

A police source said he initially resisted arrest and later offered to settle the detectives to let him escape, but this was turned down by the policemen deployed from the Ondo Police Command to effect his arrest.

The ceremony reportedly came to an abrupt end instantly as the celebrant and his other invites took to their heels for fear of arrest by the detectives who South West Voice gathered, had kept vigil inside an uncompleted building a day before the party.

South West Voice gathered that Oluwafemi was one of the fifty armed robbers who on arrival in Owo town in March this year invaded two police stations (A and B divisions), where seven policemen met at the stations, were killed instantly before proceeding to rob the five banks.

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One of the deceased was a policewoman.

Police Source said that one of the deceased Policemen was shot dead by Oluwafemi because he recognized him and later went away with his telephone. The suspect, according to the police is a distant relation of the deceased Policeman.

The deceased Sergeant, Olayemi Yinka with police number F/No 366199 was shot dead at the A Division Police station in Owo on the ill-fated day.

South West Voice was informed that the suspect after the incident has been making use of the deceased policeman’s telephone with which he used to threaten and extort money from the deceased girlfriend who resides abroad.

South West Voice was hinted that the suspect had extorted so much money from the unsuspecting girlfriend of the deceased until the lady could not cope again with the demands.

The suspect was said to have told the lady that the boyfriend was in trouble and has been detained and that some money would be needed to settle his bosses before he could be let off the hook.

He was said to be on a spending spree for the celebrant and the musician when suddenly Police detectives in mufti stormed the venue and whisked him away.

•Olowoporoku

He reportedly arranged somebody to pose as a junior brother of the deceased policeman and another as one of his bosses in the office so as to convince the lady to send money.

The girlfriend was said to have fallen for the story when his boyfriend telephone was used to convey the sad message to her and to have known the suspect as a distant relation of his boyfriend.

When the demands became unbearable, the suspect started threatening the lady that a report would be made that she offered to bribe Police Chiefs to set free her boyfriend who is in detention.

The lady was later informed by a Police friend of her deceased boyfriend that he died four months ago during a bank robbery operation and that his telephone had been missing since then.

South West voice was informed that the lady did not betray any emotion but played along with his boyfriend’s relation.

She reportedly told a cousin who is a policeman in Akure who offered to make a report to the Police.

Following the report, the detectives swung into action and tracked down the suspect at a party in Lagos while on a spending spree.

During the five bank robberies, 13 persons were shot dead including three bank workers, a 71-year-old Pa Gabriel

Ogundipe, who reportedly relocated home after spending 25 years in America.

Pa Ogundipe was hit by a stray bullet shot by the robbers while they were fleeing after the operation.

South West Voice gathered that the old man met his untimely death at Rainbow junction near the Federal Medical Center FMC in the town.

He was attempting to take cover during the commotion that followed the sporadic shooting by the robbers while they were trying to get away.

Other victims whose identities could be confirmed were three bankers Abiodun Olasemojo, Ademola Oyedokun, and a security officer Femi Ayo. A cash of N9.3million was recovered from four of the robbers who fell to police bullets during the robbery while an unspecified amount was carted away by others gangsters who escaped to Edo State after the operation.

It was gathered that the robbers who were the same that robbed four banks in Ikare area of the state last year December paid a return visit to the state via Owo and robbed the five banks in a Commando like manner.

Police Commissioner in the state Isaac Eke said items recovered from armed robbers that raided the banks include twelve thousand round of ammunitions, six assault rifles, 17 AK rifles, three riot gunners, one revolver pistol, one chief revolver pistol, eleven dynamites

and 142 magazines were recovered from them.

Other arms recovered, included two submachine guns, six Beretta rifles, two scorpion guns, three large rifles, three Dane guns, Tarakov rifle and three pump action guns were recovered from the suspected armed robbers during the gun duel.

According to him, the arms recovered were part of the arms carted away from Ikare-Akoko and Owo police stations when the hoodlums attacked the station in December last year.

Meanwhile, the Police Commissioner said over 30 criminals were arrested across the state in the month of May. He told South West Voice added that the command has been working tirelessly and ceaselessly in ensuring that the people of the state are well secured.

Eke appreciated other sister security agencies, members of the public and the state government for their synergy, support and confidence reposed in the Police Command.

However, the suspect denied being part of the robbery operation in Owo but could not explain how the phone was found in his possession saying he was set up by the deceased’s girlfriend Oluwafemi said, “ I have known the deceased police officer for a long time, we lived together in Ike Ife. He was a

Continues on page 8

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 — 7

LAGOS STATE

•Lagos State University under lock and key

Reacting to the development, the Registrar of LASU, Mr Akinwumi Lewis expressed worry over the continued closure of the institution.

Lewis told Vanguard that “the truth of the matter is that there is no development, the status quo has remained like that two weeks down the line after we have agreed to a draft communiqué, which we made available to the four unions.”

Continuing, he said “as I speak with you, ASUU has refused to reply to the communiqué and that was even after a reminder had been sent to the leadership of the union. As we speak, NASU is still very much on ground resisting the principal officers of the university to come into their respective offices.”

He continued that “the block of the university, which houses the office of the Vice Chancellor, the two deputy Vice Chancellors, the Director of Planning, Director of Internal Audit, the Deputy

LASU: A crisis too many The state owned Lagos State University is shut down on account of multiple labour crises.

Students are worried, offices of management staff have been physically sealed off by junior workers and spiritually laced with charms.

How did a tower of learning come to this state?

By Dapo Akinrefon

T

HE continued face-off between the university management of the Lagos State University, LASU and the respective staff unions, including Academic Staff Union of University, ASUU, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, Non Academic Staff Union, NASU and National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT has reached a crescendo which has left the institution closed for over two months.

The unfortunate closure is already having an adverse effect on the students of the tertiary institution, who are bearing the brunt of the crisis between the management and unions.

It is not as if the management has been silent on the issue and in what appears to be the role of saboteurs, described as vested interests in the crisis, the university management argues that these vested interests are bent on achieving some personal gains and ultimately, “would not allow peace to reign.”

The genesis of the crisis could be traced to the 20th Convocation programme of the institution.

The university management was astonished that on Monday 16, 2015, in what appeared to be C M Y K

planned and coordinated action, the staff unions allegedly shut down the university against academic and administrative activities.

It further alleged that members of the university management were physically assaulted in the process.

Their grouse was the need for an immediate action on certain demands, failing which there will be no more work.

However, concerted efforts, by LASU’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Oladapo Obafunwa to resolve the issues were unfruitful.

Efforts at reaching a truce included “series of meetings between the university management and the various staff unions including ASUU, SSANU, NASU, NAAT and the students union were held with a view to finding an amicable solution to the crisis and reopening of the school for academic activities.

According to Obafunwa, on May 11 and 16, 2015 respectively, the staff unions and the management were called to a meeting at the instance of the Governing Council.

It was also gathered that a meeting was held with the representatives of the students union on Tuesday, May 12, 2015.

In addition to resolving the

crisis, the staff unions were on Sunday May 17, 2015 invited by traditional rulers of communities surrounding the school.

The monarchs appealed to the unions to “allow peace to reign, go back to work and prevent nobody, including the Vice Chancellor and his team from entering the university premises with a view to restoring normalcy to the campus.”

It was further gathered that inspite of plea by the traditional rulers, the unions insisted on the non-resumption stance.

This was despite the directive by the governing council that the university be re-opened as agreed with the leadership of the Students’ Union and the staff unions on May 12 and 16, 2015 respectively.

Also, the respective unions have set in motion a call for the removal of the Vice Chancellor despite the appeal by the Lagos State Government, Governing Council and other stakeholders to allow the VC complete his term.

The continued closure of the institution has the tendency of affecting the accreditation exercise for 15 programmes, spread across faculties of Law, Arts, Engineering and Education.

Aside this, students of LASU would be at the receiving end of the showdown as nonaccreditation of programmes would “ultimately have dire consequences on the academic fortunes of the university.”

Incident unfortunate — Registrar

Registrar are under lock and key.

Also, the building has been laced with charms. Then, they have also used two university vehicles to block the entrance and exit of block one and two respectively.”

As I speak with you, I cannot operate from my office, also non of the principal officers can operate from their offices. What we do is that we also go to Ikeja, which houses our college of medicine, where we hold management meetings and do what we can possibly do.”

Consider us — Students beg feuding parties The students have, however, launched an appeal to the warring parties to bring the dispute to an end.

Speaking with Vanguard, the Public Relations Officer of the

Aside this, students of LASU would be at the receiving end of the showdown as non-accreditation of programmes would “ultimately have dire consequences on the academic fortunes of the university

Student Union Government, Mr Fatai Adebanjo opined that the dispute between the school management and the respective unions is taking its toll on the students.

Adebanjo said “as it stands, normal academic work has not begun, we do not know when we will be having our exams or ending the semester. Academic administration is being jeopardised because the management staff have not been allowed to come into the campus.”

Tracing the origin of the crisis, the SUG PRO said “the staff union are agitating for their demands and in that light, they said if the management staff do not dance to their tune, they would not be allowed into the institution.”

Continuing, he said the student union held a meeting called by the school management, the Governing Council and the representative of the Lagos State government with the unions.

He said “we had a meeting recently where they gave us update on the crisis on campus.

We were told that 20 issues that were raised by staff unions have been thrashed by the school authority. But to our surprise, since last week and it was only NASU that replied the communiqué. The other unions are yet to reply the communiqué.

The management has promised to pay 50 per cent of their benefits by the end of June. The school management said it has shifted grounds on some of the issues raised by the staff union but the unions are yet to shift grounds.”

Worried by the continued face off between the school management and the striking unions, spokesperson for the student body said it was imperative for both parties to shift ground in the interest of the students.

Adebanjo said “As a student union, we are more concerned about the academic activities. We want the two parties to consider the students because we are the ones bearing the brunt. For the sake of the students, the staff unions should also shift ground so that the issue can be resolved amicably.”

“It is not as if we are weak, we know what to do, we know the quarters we can channel our agitations to but in line with our belief to be non violent, we are keeping calm.”

He, however, warned that if urgent steps are not taken to nip the crisis in the bud and academic activities resume, the students might be tempted to take drastic measures.

The spokesperson said “if the matter gets to the brim when students would not be able to contain it, we cannot foretell what will happen; we may unleash out terror. For now, we are calming our students to allow more time.

But if nothing is done, the student union might be tempted to give ultimatum to the staff union and the school management.”

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

OYO STATE BITS BRIEFLY Non-payment of salaries: I’m helpless, says Aregbesola Governor Rauf Aregbesola of State of Osun stated that he was helpless concerning the the non-payment of seven months salaries to the workers in the state, saying the situation was worrisome.

The governor, who was optimistic that the situation would soon be a thing of the past, admitted that the unpaid salaries was a painful situation as the workers were not able to take their wages after hectic work done.

Public servants want Ambode to reject Fashola’s policies Over 100,000 public servants in the service of the Lagos State Government rejected the policies of the immediate past governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, on the housing scheme and the civil service, describing the policies as inhuman and uninspiring.

The public servants asked Fashola’s successor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, to desist from patronising consultants who they said, took away the jobs they were supposed to do under the immediate past administration.

AJIMOBI IN OYO: From jinx

breaking to what?

By OLAAJAYI, IBADAN

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overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State resumed office on Monday as the first governor to break the second term jinx in the state.

Vanguard reliably gathered that the governor is not feeling too comfortable with the petition filed against his victory by rivals in the election. Perhaps as a result of this, his first day in office seemed like any other day.

Though, scores of people came to congratulate him, activities in the beautifullytransformed office were at low ebb. However, this did not take away the happylook and intermittent smiles of the amiable governor.

When speaking with newsmen, Governor Ajimobi said the people of the state would witness more developmental and lifetransforming projects across the state. He also restated his resolve to maintain the peaceful atmosphere that characterized the first four years.

Before his assumption of office in 2011, the state was engulfed in serious tension with members of the dreaded National Union of Road Transport Workers having a field day. They were a real terror to the people of the state then. Lives were lost almost on daily basis. But, immediately Governor Ajimobi assumed office, the tide of things changed. Since then, people in the state have been sleeping with their eyes closed.

He promised to consolidate on the security measures his administration put in place.

Though, his urban renewal

The governor is expected to swing into action after appointing his cabinet in the next few days

and beautification programme was criticized especially by his political foes, many people did not see anything wrong in the policy because they argued that it had made the oncedirty state one of the cleanest states in the country.

On the on-going workers strike, he stated that his workers knew everything about its administration and could not have gone on strike if not for the directive of the national secretariat of the union. Nevertheless, he assured the striking workers of more improvement and conducive atmosphere that would make them give their optimum productivity for the progress of the state.

The governor is expected to swing into action after appointing his cabinet in the next few days. Having dissolved the former cabinet, uncertainty reigns among all the former aides who worked with him. Most of them are unsure of what the future holds for them and are making frantic efforts to get the attention of the governor for re-appointment.

How Owambe, girls lured robbery kingpin into police trap Continues from page 6 brother to me, and I got to know about his death through my mum. I was at his burial in Ike Ife, and I couldn’t have had a hand in his death.

“I never partook in any robbery, but I got in contact with his girlfriend on Facebook and I never planned to dupe her. We chatted, but I don’t know anything about Yinka’s death or the extortion they are talking about.”

The suspect explained further that he attended the burial service of the slain C M Y K

policeman in Ile Ife where he took some photographs of the final burial with the deceased phone. One of the police officers noted that the accused went to witness the final burial to confirm if the police officer was actually killed during the robbery.

He called on members of the civil society to bail him out of the predicament insisting that he was never a member of the group that invaded Owo while one of the detectives said he was a party to the death of the stained police office while the police commissioner in the state said investigation is still ongoing.

Man, 60, arrested for raping own daughters, Nieces The police in Oyo State, arrested and paraded a 60-yearold herbalist, Tajudeen Awoniyi, believed to have raped his two daughters and two other minors who are his nieces.

Awoniyi’s daughters confirmed their father ’s ceaseless incestuous relationship with them, saying they were victims of his uncontrollable knack for raping minors.

One of the suspects daughters, Barakat, 15, alleged that her father, actually slept with the two other girls (his nieces).

Fayose’s Impeachment: Drivers, okada riders lay siege to Assembly Tension mounted in Ado Ekiti metropolis as police surrounded the entire House of Assembly complex following a rumour that the 19 All Progressives Congress lawmakers would besiege the place to commence the impeachment process against Governor Ayodele Fayose.

Heavily armed policemen had cordoned off all the roads leading to the Assembly and prevented those not on official duties at the State Secretariat that is located close to the Assembly from gaining entrance.

Kashamu apologises to neighbours, commends media Senator-elect, Ogun East Senatorial District, Prince Buruji Kashamu, apologised to neighbours who were affected by the siege by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The apology came three days after the NDLEA withdrew from his Lekki residence, after keeping him hostage for six days.

Amosun promises more developmental projects Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun on Thursday promised the people of the state better and improved people-oriented programmes in the next four years to come.

The governor said the improved developmental projects would consolidate the five-cardinal programme of the administration in the first term.

I'll be governor of all – Ajimobi Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, swore to oath for a second term in office with a pledge to be governor for all citizens and residents irrespective of their interests and affiliations. The governor gave the assurance while delivering his inauguration address after he was sworn in with his deputy, Chief Moses Alake-Adeyemo, at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, the state capital for the second term in office.

THE TEAM Editor: Adeleke Adeseri

Correspondents: Ola Ajayi Gbenga Olarinoye Dayo Johnson Gbenga Ariyibi Dapo Akinrefon Daud Olatunji Olasunkanmi Akoni Monsuru Olowoepejo

Ibadan Osogbo Akure Ado Ekiti Abeokuta Lagos

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 — 33

34 — Vanguard, FRIDAY,JUNE 5, 2015

Re-OLX Nanny: Matters pending

W

eeks have passed since the tragicomedy of the OLX nanny, wherein a Lagos couple with four children obtained the services of a caregiver for their toddlers via an internet retail platform. The Orekoyas, as they are known, are the typical Lagos based couple who have to work all day to make ends meet in the tough Nigerian economy. “According to Mr. Leke Orekoya, father of the children (Demola; Adedamola and Aderomola), getting a nanny off a foreign owned online retail platform is not as big a deal as people are making it out to be.

The family had hired at least two nannies by this means prior to the incidence in which 3 of their children were abducted.“It was a horror story, one that millions of couples and single parents can imagine themselves featured in.

The average family knows little or nothing about people with whom they leave their children and even babies. The whole of Lagos and indeed the world mourned together with bated breaths as law enforcement struggled to retrieve the children, heaving a huge, united sigh when they were recovered and the culprits rounded up and hopefully brought to book. “The rest would

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normally be history in an abduction case, except that mothers in all cosmopolitan cities countrywide have been sleeping with one eye open ever since the OLX incidence, wondering where the next OLX nanny would turn up. A fortnight ago, a family discovered their housegirl was actually a houseboy before he did much actual damage than they know of.“As pressure mounts on women everywhere to get educated and contribute their quotas to the global economy, the eternal subject of getting child care is turning up in the most unexpected places, such as at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier in the year where uberwoman and yahoo CEO Sheryl Sandberg was undermined for her widely acclaimed Lean In philosophy. Lean In, which encourages 'made' women to pull younger women up the corporate ladder with a view to having more women shattering the corporate glass ceiling. “The reality is, more women will smash the glass ceiling and even render it nonexistent, just because there are more women on the corporate ladder than ever before, who have better education and better opportunity for training.

Unfortunately, the majority will

As pressure mounts on women everywhere to get educated and contribute their quotas to the global economy, the eternal subject of getting child care is turning up in the most unexpected places

not, and the only thing holding them back seems to be their gender role of mothering. Baby Boomer women are also having children at older ages, meaning they are too old to look after their grandchildren as their own mothers did. “While we wait for governments and corporates to enforce more humane maternity policies, buying childcare will be the order of the day, and it is increasingly a risky venture.““Tips for Nannying best Practices:““1) Get a Reference“Okay, so a million and one people will tell you they got a domestic employee through a reference who still did them in.

This happens everywhere- even

with plumbers, electricians, automechanics and even in the corporate setting. Still, not having a reference is totally out of the question.

References must be checked out diligently and refused if need be. Remember, you are still the employer here.“2)Do health checks“Once in a long while, incidents of kidnapping occur by nannies, but a more dreadful threat is that of disease. Children have been known to catch deadly diseases from their caregivers- including HIV, sometimes passed on deliberately or carelessly. Do a thorough medical test on your intended nanny before they even start work, at least the three major ones: TB, HIV and Hepatitis B. “ 3) Have a break-in period“If you wanted to buy a car you would test-drive it, right? So it makes sense to watch your nanny for a few days before leaving them alone with your kids, if only to break them in and tell them how you want your kids handled. If you can afford close circuit security, get it by all means and for goodness sake, use it. What you don't see CAN hurt you!“ 4) Train them“So the nanny says they had previous experience raising kids? Why take their word for it? Invest in untraining and retraining with a professional institute.

You will reap the benefits.“ 5) Be Nice“This one is a nobrainer, which makes you wonder why so many women default on this. If you think your nanny is a lazy slob or a glutton, or that she stole that beautiful gold bangle you left lying around, by every means keep your opinion to yourself unless you are ready to fire her. O t h e rwise, buy her gifts when you travel, show concern about her future and treat her like the best thing that happened to you since sliced bread. She probably is. `

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 — 35

•From Left-Dr Fajimi, Dr Soji Jemitola and Mrs Newton

Health Intel solutions preaches health awareness through KYNC

By Kehinde Ajose

T

he prevailing fuel crisis has led to an increase in the cost of getting proper health care.Health Intel Solutions, an innovative health information and intelligence company embarked on a

health awareness campaign penultimate Saturday tagged Know your numbers campaign(KYNC).The KYNC is a health promotion program aimed at educating Nigerians about the state of their health and going for medical checkups from time to time. The primary focus is to create knowledge of one’s

health status and the appropriate reaction using numerical health indicators.

The health outreach was held at Rowe Park Yaba, Lagos.

Speaking at the event, the Project coordinator, Dr.(Mrs) Soji Jemitola urged Nigerians to always be aware of their health

status.According to her: “One in four of us is working around with an undiagnosed medical condition.With early detection 98percent of life threatening medical conditions can be cured or completely controlled.One in ten of us will die an unexpected death. That will not be your portion.That is faith speaking and faith

must be backed with action.You need to get tested regularly from your twenties and more frequently as you age.”

At the mainland edition of KYNC, people defied the rain to know the numbers as regards their health.It was also an atmosphere for fun and networking

Maina tasks Buhari on completion of 8-year project

By Funmi Olasupo

Maina who explained that this could only be achieved if funds are made available for this cause, noted;" I cannot say that we received up to 40 to 50 percent of the

T

he outgoing Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina has tasked the incoming administration to be led by President-elect Muhammed Buhari on the completion of the 8 years construction project on the site that would now serve as the Ministry's headquarters.

The project was initially conceived and planned to serve as the National Children's Library and Resource Center in 2005 to improve their knowledge on ICT and provide data base on children's matters in the country.

While leading stakeholders? on an inspection tour of the uncompleted building in Abuja, the Minister stated that the project, which was

•Buhari

•Maina

re-awarded to Saidi Nigeria Limited in 2007, was suspended in 2008 due to paucity of funds.

According to her, this went on for 5 years until the outgoing President, Goodluck Jonathan upon appeals made by the Ministry, not only approved resumption of work on the

site but also approved a change in use of the project for the Ministry's headquarters.

She said the six storey structure was about 70 to 75 percent completed expressing hope that this would be completed within the next 6 months.

The project was initially conceived and planned to serve as the National Children's Library and Resource Center in 2005

entire budget for the building."

The project, upon completion, she said, will serve as a centre for promoting Women, Children, persons with disabilities and elderly related issues.

It is also expected to serve as the coordinating centre for the activities of all the Ministry's Poverty alleviation and skill acquisition facilities in the country.

"The completion of the project, apart from providing a conducive working environment, will greatly impact positively on the Ministry's output and position it to properly articulate its mandate of promoting the cause of women, children and persons living with disabilities in the country." she said C M Y K

36— Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

Why I still celebrate virgins, despite death threats

go free, although some of them will contract virgins and won’t be able to impregnate their wife. Men too should remain virgins till they marry.

In pre-marital sex, men will waste important children including presidents in their body before getting married.

B

What do you teach these girls?

How to keep away from the prying eyes of their uncles, teachers, lecturers and friends. We will teach them how to minimise going to places where they will put something in their drink and rape them.

… sets August date for new celebration in Lagos

orn to the p r o m i n e n t Adediran family in Lagos, Princess Adunni Adediran has always had a soft spot for the less privileged in society.

The s uccessful businesswoman, mother and philanthropist just a few months shy of her 70th birthday met a lot of brick walls over the years after she launched a nongovernmental organization (ngo) celebrating chastity before marriage which she called Nigerian Virgin Girls; and has had to rest the program for some years.

This year, by “popular demand”, she is revisiting the annual celebration which would culminate in the Miss Virginity Pageant. Speaking to Vanguard, she shares her journey. Excerpt How did celebrating virgins come about?

At a point, I started thinking of our old people in this countr y, so I published ‘Fragile Fit’, a magazine that was dealing with weak limbs of the elderly. Alhaji Lateef Jakande loved it and said the publication was even over due. As I was doing that, I dreamt 11 times where I organised ‘Recognising and encouraging the virgins in Nigeria’. That is how I started the project in 2007.

Why has there not been consistency in organising the annual event?

I spoke to the who-is-who in this country for sponsorship such Princess Erelu Dosunmu, Late Ambassador Segun Olusola and many others. A lot of them indicated their interest to help but we did not get sponsors except for the owner of Emily Millionaire cosmetics, Joe Brown, who was giving us cosmetics. Rado was giving us wrist watches to distribute to the virgins. The one that really touched me was the help we got from the former Arch Bishop of Lagos, Diocese, Olubumni Okogie (rtrd). I am glad he appreciated that we are doing something good.

We wrote a letter to the Lagos State Government but didn’t receive a reply but they gave us the Banquet Hall where the event took place.

Financially, an important personality in the Lagos State C M Y K

Government gave us N250,000 in 2009. We would also like to collaborate with NACA. This project is supposed to be a collective responsibility of every Nigerian.

In spite of the challenges we are facing in organising the annual celebration, a lot of virgins came from Enugu, Aba, Delta, Onitsha, Port Harcourt, Lagos, Kaduna, Kano and Abuja.

I even sold my house in Ikorodu, Lagos to host and encourage virgins. We also got threatening phone calls from some highly placed men in society threatening to kill me if I did not stop celebrating virgins. They said I am disturbing their fun.

But how long can one remain a virgin?

It is not good to remain a virgin till above 30 years. When you are in your 20s, pray and ask God to give you a husband. Don’t go in the late hours. I have a 21-yearold virgin living with me. I always advise her to keep her virginity.

So what changed your mind?

For years, I was walking like a living corpse because I could not continue to host the annual event for virgins.

It is unfortunate.

To see a virgin in the modern day Nigeria is not common.

How do you ascertain their virginity?

A gynaecologist, Dr. Naheem-Deen Ekemode, who has practised for more than 40 years, was doing that for us. Within a second, he will know whether someone is a virgin or not but some parents started frowning about it.

But are there still virgins amongst ladies of marriageable age?

I have virgins even in my home. My own daughter got married as a virgin at 29.

There are many virgins in this country but they are shy to come out because their wayward friends mock at them. They call them fools because they want to spoil their lives before marriage and there is nothing more interesting and good one would be proud of than keeping one’s virginity. In fact, God loves it because I heard the voice several times, urging me to go and encourage virgins and I will not stop it till my demise.

Most men complain that

•Princess Adediran

marrying a virgin gives them concern. To them, it is like relating with somebody who cannot satisfy them sexually.

They are saying it because they are in doubt of the

They are saying it because they are in doubt of the authenticity of our claim that there are still virgins

authenticity of our claim that there are still virgins. They know that if they marry a virgin, they have assurance that they are marrying somebody who has not tampered with her womb or who has not contracted sexually transmitted diseases.

You cannot compare used engine with a brand new one.

Men are not realistic. All these they are talking that it is difficult to get virgins is not true. Some men will use these girls, de-flower some of them and at the end of the day, they will jilt them and run after another girl.

We are in year of 21st Century with internet associated sexual activities.

How do we check that?

Our business is to encourage virginity, to wake up parents and tell them to make a change in life of a girl in their hands.

It is like Sodom and Gomorrah. Men will do it and

Have you ever been challenged because of this project?

I have got a lot of embarrassing questions and comments but I am not perturbed.

Some people sent me text messages and some of them called me and said that I am crazy. One of them said, “Why are you blocking us from enjoying the virgins God made available for us?”

What are the criteria for winning the first prize at the Miss Virginity Contest?

The intellectual prowess, legs, faces and carriage are parts of the criteria. We are more interested in the beauty from inside so we want to know how intelligent they are.

What advice do you have for ladies in Nigeria?

If you are a virgin, remain so until you are married. If you are not, put a stop to having sex till you get married. If you have been cheated by an opposite sex, take heart.

We want to catch them young and make sure that some sexually transmitted diseases are reduced to the barest minimum in Nigeria.

They are doing it in Ghana, South Africa, Japan and so on.

I want Nigerians to come together and help curb sex before marriage to save our future.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 —37

Blessed amongst women creating a TV/radio station that can focus solely on women development and women issues Why women?

I saw the untapped potentials among them and the need to create a structure for mentorship. The more experienced ones should pass across their experience to the younger generation and also exchange ideas among themselves. There was no other cross-continent platform that brought women leaders from across all sectors together.

The objective is to enhance leadership qualities among our women across the board by bringing people that have knowledge, that are advanced in what they do; bringing everybody together and exchanging views and seeing how we can educate and empower one another.

As a man you are organizing such platform, some people will ask why?

I see women as better managers and given the influence of my own mother, I know that if we leverage their potentials, we can do better across the board.

Women have great influence and can change lives beginning from the home.

Take for example, the issues of corruption and insecurity – don’t you know that if they are better equipped and empowered, they can address these issues beginning at home?

•Elisha Attai

E

lisha Attai founded the African Women in Leadership Organization (AWLO) about six years ago to create a collaborative platform for women leaders across Africa. Having worked with a lot of African women across the continent, he developed the philosophy that if women could come together to enhance, support, and exchange

ideas among themselves, they would do better as leaders. For this, he has been honoured with many awards, including by the United Nations as well as the state of Georgia, United States. As AWLO prepares for this year’s global conference in August themed: African women transcending the globe and breaking barriers, Elisha shares his short term aspirations, which includes

What have you accomplished since you set up this platform?

Our conference highlights their issues and helps them to structure and function well as leaders whether in politics, business, and other spheres of influence.

Other organizations have also emerged as a result of our initiatives. For example, the Women for Change Initiative which is currently headed by the first lady was given birth to after our 2010 conference in Abuja. The influence of this organization contributed to the achievement of the 35% leadership stake given to women by the present administration. In addition, we have encouraged many to stand for elective positions.

A lot of women think that men always intimidate them when it comes to leadership.

I think that kind of intimidation always comes from men that are insecure.

We are also brining more men

on board as active partners not only to support the women but to make necessary adjustments in the way we view and appreciate our women. Women need to support each other much more than they are doing now.

So you are saying that women are a problem to themselves.

A woman presidential candidate in 2011 appeared to have only one vote meaning that she voted for herself. In a society like Nigeria, women are more in number, why can’t we have women supporting their fellow women to attain such level as president, governor.

What is the problem with women attaining that height in leadership?

This is not just a Nigerian problem but a challenge that has persisted across the world.

In over 200 years of existence, the greatest democracy in the world is yet to produce a female head of state. I am not suggesting that we wait for them, but just to let you know that all hands must be engaged to make this work.

Women have a lot challenges in government and before you know it, they are kicked out. ..

We have had more men booted out of the lower and upper chambers. It is what happens in politics. It is one thing to get into a leadership position, and it will be even much a greater disaster to repeat the mistakes of men.

But we also have women who recorded great progress in their positions. Look at the late Dora Akunyili.

What did you think is the

The objective is to enhance leadership qualities among our women across the board by bringing people that have knowledge, that are advanced in what they do

weakness of such women who fall from grace?

Such issues are not gender based because anybody in leadership can fall from grace.

This is why what we do is important.

Did your growing up prepare you for such things as you are doing now?

I love my mum and she kind of prepared me for this. I grew up being nurtured in a very morally sound environment, and to see the values that my mum placed in the family. I think that has influenced me to respect women. I may be founder but everything here is being run by women.

Some men still believe their wives are made for the kitchen.

There are many cultural and religious strongholds that must be broken, and these are not the easiest of things to change. I understand that there are men like that but I want you to know that it has more to do with culture and environment than it has to do with any particular man.

When such men move to more advanced societies like the USA, everything changes. You see some of them play active roles in the kitchen. The fact that an African man like myself founded this organization is a testament that change is on the horizon.

How do you identify such men?

These are men who understand the value of women in their lives and are playing very active roles in promoting our cause. They have set specific examples and have made significant contributions towards women’s empowerment.

Do you think that women have been given fair opportunity in this present administration in terms of politics?

Women are usually the most vulnerable when there is poverty and insecurity. The Chibok girls and all the women who have been kidnapped in this madness is a constant reminder. We must do more to protect our women and punish those who threaten their freedom or liberty under any guise.

Your wife must be a lucky woman. How did you meet your wife?

She is a lucky woman; but I’m even a luckier man to have her and her support. She has been a strong pillar to all of this.

38—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com 08050498513

How dangerous can familiar tech hazard carbon monoxide be?

By Maxmilian Anosike

T

HE emission of carbon monoxide into the atmosphere has no doubt created a negative impact on the environment. But the issue is beyond the environment, the health of humans is also

gravely affected.

Kerosene stoves, generators, gas flaring among others, are major components of the average Nigerian. This is sad because according to a recent research, about one thousand Nigerians die as every year as a result of inhaling of toxic smoke.

The inefficacy of power supply in Nigeria is to be the driving force of these hazards.

However the use of clean cook stoves which makes use of biofuels, solar systems which makes use of the panel are all renewable source of energy which are environmental and health friendly .

A solar engineer, Mr. John Kelechi, told Glamtech that solar energy which is in itself is a renewable energy which stores and supplies power, will be a healthy source of alternative energy. His words: “Solar energy is an important part of every life process, plants and animal use energy

to produce important nutrient in their cells, plants use the energy to produce green chlorophyll that they need to survive so as it is also attributed to human beings making use of the sun in producing renewable energy for human consumption since power is indispensable.”

The issue of noise pollution from generators is also something to consider. A solar system owner who did not want his name I print told Glamtech that said that since he installed the solar system in his house he has been able to sleep comfortably without noise from his generator. His words: “With my 2 KVA solar system at least I can enjoy most of my appliances at home. So many people has died as a result locking them self up with their generators so as to avoid getting it into the hands of hoodlums who are desperately in need of them. I do not want to be among them.”

In today’s Nigeria, petrol and diesel are king, and with grave consequences.

Alternative sources of power are still taking baby steps as far as the country is concerned, but more attention is now being paid to them day by day.

Is ASUS transformer book world’s slimmest Windows tablet?

By Laju Iren F there is anything ASUS is known for, I it

must be its quality range of 2-in-1 laptops that can be used both as a laptop or tablet. The company however has more to its name as one of the world’s leading laptop brands maker and the number one brand in Taiwan.

But during the company ’s newest unveiling at the 2015 International CES, it was the 2-in-1 brands that stole the show once again.

ASUS Chairman, Jonney Shih introduced the full lineup of the groundbreaking ASUS Transformer Book Chi Series — powerful, razor-thin 2in-1 laptops that transform instantly into the world’s slimmest

Windows tablets.

ASUS Chairman also stated that “the ASUS Transformer Book Chi is the ultimate dream machine that wraps mobility, entertainment and productivity all into one beautiful device.”

Also speaking at the launch was Intel Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Client Computing Group, Mr. Kirk Skaugen.

Skaugen, whose company has been in partnership with ASUS for years said: “We appreciate the support of our longtime

friend and strategic partner Intel on this journey in search of incredible.”

Skaugen also mentioned that “Intel and ASUS share a common passion for technology and we have jointly delivered

some incredible products, including desktops, 2-in1s, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. The ASUS ZenFone 2, powered by the latest 22-nanometer Intel Atom processor, and the ASUS Transfomer Book T300 Chi, powered by the 14nanometer Intel Core M processor, are significant achievements in our now multidecade history of joint collaboration.

We look forward to continuing our partnership with ASUS to develop the next generation of inspiring mobile devices.”

Also unveiled was the much-anticipated ZenFone 2, which features a refined ergonomic body, advanced PixelMaster camera technology, the latest Intel® Atom™ Z3580

processor, and the brand new version of ASUS ZenUI that is designed for ultimate personalization.

In a related development, ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) recently announced a successful “Play It Cool Streaming Marathon” in Cologne, Germany 2015.

The campaign successfully proved that ROG gaming laptops and small form factor desktops can handle over-clocked levels of gaming performance for hours on end. Pro-gamer Grubby, along with four well-known Twitch streamers and four progaming teams, participated in the 3-days Event, with an audience of millions following their every move online via the live streams on Twitch and the event website The Event featured a 24-hour Heroes of the Storm stream, a 24-hour Heart-Stone stream, as well as a one-day DOTA 2 tournament.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015—39

Fuel scarcity: The patriotism and nationalism of Dr Ifeanyi Ubah

By Prince Oliver Okpala

A

S many Nigerians were still savouring the historic victory of General Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential polls, oil marketers in the country began to grumble over alleged unpaid subsidy claims. Like a joke, it began but within few weeks their threats began to materialize.

On Saturday, May 16, 2015, the association of oil marketers issued a directive to its members, ordering the suspension of loading activities in all depots from Monday, May 18, 2015.

According to the association, the directive was as a result of unpaid funds owed to transporters by oil marketers who in turn are being owed by the Federal Government.

As usual in such circumstances, there was immediate fuel scarcity.

Initially, it only affected few states such as Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory but as the May 29 handover date drew closer the situation began to bite harder.

Many Nigerians were made to pass through harrowing experiences as many had to spend nights and long hours at petrol stations in attempts to buy fuel. Those who could not go through that abandoned their cars at home and some even took to trekking. Others even avoided going out, preferring to suffer quietly at home.

The effects

The suffering and hardship that citizens have been subjected to as a result of the scarcity of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and kerosene had been much. Hospitals had been unable to function properly, laboratories had been unable to carry out the much needed tests especially for emergency patients leaving such patients at the risk of dying.

Radio stations had been shut down, communication was also affected as telecommunications companies had announced an impending shut down while homes, offices and key facilities nationwide were experiencing blackouts. In some parts of the country, petrol was selling at an all-time high of N1,000 per litre.

As many left their homes to be sleeping in fuel stations, they faced the possibility of robbery attacks and other attendant risks.

Ubah to the rescue

Amidst this crisis, the then Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, was locked in a bitter war of words with the oil marketers.

But seeing the continuous and untold hardship which Nigerians were going through, Managing Director and CEO of Capital Oil

and Gas Limited, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, was moved with compassion and pulled out of the strike by the fuel tankers and marketers, saying it was not going to be part of the ploy to inflict pain on Nigerian masses.

In a statement issued by Dr. Ubah, the c o m p a n y announced that its tank farm facility with a combined storage capacity of 190 million litres with the capacity to load over 13 million litres of product per day be immediately opened to start loading before the dawn of the next day.

The company affirmed that it had storage of over 79 million litres of petrol as at the day of the strike. The company called on other petroleum marketers to follow suit and save the nation from an impending economic and social crisis. Dr. Ubah stressed the importance of sacrifice, especially as the nation was preparing to have a new government.

Ubah was rightly quoted to have said in the announcement: "This is a period that requires patriotism and service to fatherland. Let’s join hands to help our fellow citizens and save Nigeria. We also call on striking bodies to call off the strike action.

Let us work together for the betterment of our people.”

This singular act doused the tension in the land and compelled the oil marketers association to immediately call off the strike.

By Etop Ekanem

T

Queue at Capital Oil and Gas Limited menace was well managed due to the patriotic intervention of a man who began with nothing but has been blessed by God through a dint of hard work and ingenuity to become one of the nation’s biggest oil and gas merchant.

In dissociating himself from the strike, he rescued millions of Nigerians from the untold hardship occasioned by the fuel crisis. The strike was understandably perceived by many as a plan to sabotage the outgoing administration of President Goodluck Jonathan and to stampede the incoming administration of President Buhari into a turbulent start.

Besides, as an association and not a labour union, the oil marketers body’s move to cripple the nation’s economy at that crucial time should be seen as a very unpatriotic act. It is, therefore, pertinent to investigate and ascertain those behind the strike as both Petroleum Tankers Drivers PTD and NUPENG have all denied being responsible for the action.

Deregulation of oil sector

Ubah’s patriotic action

Although the scarcity has not fully been abated, Ubah’s patriotic action created a better atmosphere for the new government headed

by President Muhammadu Buhari to be sworn in. True to his promise, his company commenced distribution of over 13 million litres per day of petroleum products from its tank farm in Apapa, Lagos. This came to approximately 400 trucks of products per day.

In some places, Capital Oil reduced the pump price of petrol from N200 to N100 per litre in order to compel other marketers to follow suit. Nnewi and Onitsha in Anambra State as well as some other parts of the country were test cases for this patriotic intervention.

The national embarrassment that would have resulted from the visiting heads of state and delegation from across Africa and beyond noticing the fuel scarcity

SponsoredPilgrims to Jerusalem arrive, laud MTN

In dissociating himself from the strike, he rescued millions of Nigerians from the untold hardship occasioned by the fuel crisis

One clear message which the situation has brought to the nation is the urgent need to totally deregulate the sector as this will curb corruption, increase investment create jobs, and force down the price of petrol to approximately below the current official N87 per litre. However, this critical and timely intervention of Dr. Ubah has shown what love for country and working for the greater good can achieve in a nation.

And the turn of events, which made the oil marketers to quickly call off the strike has also shown that Capital Oil and Gas Limited is a core investor in the nation’s oil and gas sector which should not only be cherished but encouraged to do more especially with the patriotic sprit of its CEO, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah.

The new administration should not take this gesture lightly. In progressive nations across the world, individuals and organisations that show such uncommon feat of placing public interest above other ones are identified and rewarded with national honours and motivational gestures. It will not be out of place in this regard.

Honouring such a feat would serve as an example to others that making personal sacrifice for national good is a worthwhile investment. Other oil marketers in the country should be encouraged to see Dr Ubah’s action as a blessing and not a curse and, therefore, find ways of partnering with him and other likeminded investors to move the sector forward.

Indeed as Martin Luther King Jnr. said; the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moment of comfort and convenience but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy. Dr Ifeayin Ubahs has stood rightly on the side of the people and for the good of country at this critical time of national rebirth.

Prince Okpala is a political analyst.

HE 20 pilgrims sponsored

by Nigeria’s ICT and telecommunications company, MTN, returned to the country on the week, even as they continued to shower praises on MTN for the opportunity given them to have a life enriching experience in the holy land of Jerusalem.

The pilgrims, who arrived through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, had the opportunity of visiting places they only read in the Holy Bible prior to this awesome experience. Some of the places visited include the Manger where Jesus was born, Mount of Olives, River Jordan,where Jesus was baptised; Nazareth, St. Peter’s Church, Mount Tabor, Mount Nebo, Jericho Mount of Calvary, the Tomb of Jesus, the Wailing Wall, Garden of Gethsemane and the Sea of Galilee.

Aliyu Maureen, one of the pilgrims explained how spiritually fulfilling and uplifting the journey to the holy land was, noting: “I feel spiritually blessed, fulfilled and my soul has been uplifted since I stepped into the holy land. MTN through its sponsorship has given a rare privilege I have always dreamt of. This would not have been possible if not for MTN” Complimenting Aliyu’s view, another customer, Felix Akemu while commending MTN said: “The journey to Jerusalem has really enhanced my faith and I’m now a better Christian.

Being in Bethlehem made me feel I’m with Jesus Christ especially when we visited the Manger (where Jesus was born).”

The Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Bayo Adekanmbi, while welcoming the sponsored customers back to Nigeria explained that the strategic focus for this initiative is to show support to MTN Christian subscribers.

“We are committed to the total well-being of our customers as we drive to make their lives brighter through our propositions, products and value-added services. This is one of such initiatives aimed at uplifting and encouraging our subscribers to get closer to God. Through our bold new digital value added services like the daily devotionals, Bible quotes, sermons, songs, prayers, hymns, callertunez, and other spiritually uplifting and faith enriching contents, we keep them connected to their maker on a daily basis.”

40 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

L

agos State Pilgrims Board has over the years at the forefront of protecting and safeguarding the interests of pilgrims to the Holy land. The Board, among other responsibilities provides conveniences, healthcare services and enlightenment campaigns to pilgrims. As 2015 Hajj preparation starts in earnest as a new government takes over the mantle of leadership in Nigeria, Vanguard spoke to the Secretary, Lagos State pilgrims Board Mr. Sanusi Kamal Adewale and the Chairman of the Board Dr. Abdul Kabir Olawale Paramole, an associate professor who doubles as a lecturer of Lagos State University, Department of Religious & Basic Studies, Islamic Studies Unit on a number of topical issues.

Excerpt from the interview.

In what way do you think the incoming Government would affect the 2015 Hajj programme?

Let me start answering this question by going back to the tenure of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Regime, he really affected the performance and involvement of many people in Hajj positively. During his tenure he sponsored nothing less than 750 people from the state to perform the holy pilgrimage. When the outgoing Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola came in, he saw that as some sort of jamboree which he didn’t want to be part of, so from 750 people he reduced it to 300 people less than 50 percent of what the Tinubu regime used to sponsor. After a while he reduced it from 300 people to the present 100 people we have today and these 100 slots are solely distributed by him according to the Commissioner For Home Affairs and Culture. As the present Chairman I have never been part of the distribution of government slots to people. I was at a programme which was organized by the Lagos State Muslims Community where Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, the Governor Elect of Lagos State was invited, one of our members who also attended that interactive section put a question to him and that was “How was he going to support Hajj in Lagos State?” Aside the fact that he is a Christian he promised “to make Hajj more robust than it is presently” I’m quoting him in verbatim. I see him as a gentleman and a man that would keep his words,.

Aside that, his Deputy Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule who has been my colleague right from our university days is a Muslim sister and with her presence she would be able to support and advice the newly elected governor on a way to support the pilgrims going on Hajj at all times because we have been enjoying such support from previous administrations.

How has the Board affected the Lagos pilgrims?

Alhamdulilahi robiliallamin.

The vision of Lagos Pilgrims Board is to actualize blissful Hajj and Umrah operations and articulate the propagation of Islamic tenets.

More importantly, our mission is to ensure courteous and efficient service delivery as far as Umrah and Hajj operations are concerned through well motivated and professional

up to that because of the reduction in personnel going to Hajj by the government. Last year, in total we were given 112 personnel this year we have been given 100.

Sha'baan 18, 1436 A.H.

Ambode'll keep his words on making hajj programme more robust —- Paramole, Board Chairman •Pilgrims’ welfare will be better now, says Kamal

•Dr. Abdul Kabir Olawale Paramole work force. So, the Board has always affected the lives of our pilgrims positively even before the baton as the Chairman was passed onto me. Some Muslims think Hajj is the last pillar of Islam which must be observed last or at least once in their lifetime. Some see it as a means of redemption and a way of seeking forgiveness from Allah.

While some others see it as a place where prayers are answered expressly and on this point I can attest to the fact that several people who have followed us to Hajj with the hope of seeking certain things from Allah have had their prayers answered. I will give you an example of a close sister of mine who had been married for 17years and could not bear a child the following year after she performed Hajj she had a child and presently she has two children. For so many people Hajj has also effectively instilled constant prayer culture in them, that is, observing the five daily prayers as at when due, because during Hajj nothing else takes priority over the spiritual aspect for that is what you have come there for. Even the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) has said that whoever performs Hajj and does not engage in anything obscene will come out of his sins like a new born baby. Surely, Hajj is where a person can go and when you’re back He/She can be called a born again.

How prepared is the board to handle various issues germane to the well being of pilgrims on accommodation,

•Mr. Sanusi Kamal Adewale

health, foreign exchange rates, transportation, and other welfare packages?

Thank you for this question because as we speak, the board is yet to conclude on how much the Hajj fare would be because of the fluctuating foreign exchange rates. That of last year was about N168-169 per dollar but now from the Central Bank of Nigeria it is N200 and even at that, it is not stable. On the parallel market, it is going for about N220-N222 per dollar.

So, you see this is going to significantly affect this year’s Hajj. On the issue of accommodation, I thank God for the kind of Commissioner the Ministry of Home Affairs and Culture is having Hon. Oyinlomo Danmole, he has been performing wonderfully well on the aspect of

The vision of Lagos Pilgrims Board is to actualize blissful Hajj and Umrah operations and articulate the propagation of Islamic tenets

accommodation.

He spearheaded the search for suitable accommodation for Hajj pilgrims. We have gone for an inspection on the one he got for us presently and I must say it is quite marvelous, even better than those we have been using in the past. It is going to house over 2900 pilgrims at a go and we have 3054 pilgrims going with us for this year ’s Hajj, everything needed in a 4 star hotel is available in that accommodation and it is very close to the Masjid Al-Haram closer than the ones we’ve been using. On the Health (Medical Screening) aspect we are going to start very soon, as I speak with you a meeting is to be held very soon with the commissioner on who would be leading the medical team on this year’s Hajj, last year we used Dr. Akerele Tajudeen but for this year there are other candidates under our scope and this would be decided after this meeting inshallah. Having concluded on our medical team being in place, we can start off with our medical screening which would effectively point out people who cannot go with us, like over aged person (well above 65 years) may not be allowed to go with us, pregnant women and some other criteria our medical team and screening would later point out. We are going to make use of our various state hospitals for the medical screening where tests will be carried out on blood and urine samples among other tests. Last year, we made use of 26 medical personnel but this year, we may not be able to take

Why were your personnel reduced, giving the fact that every year you have more people performing Hajj than the previous year?

This is largely because of funding. The government apparently does not have money to sponsor 112 personnel as it did last year. You see for clarity you should know that the 7 board members, schedule officers, medical officials, air lifting and luggage committee are all part of the personnel we are talking about and these different members would work for the success of the Hajj operations and are to be sponsored by the government.

It should also be known that the commissioner is also part of the personnel to be sponsored so from 112 that we used last year it it’s been reduced to 100 due to funding. On the issue of welfare packages, I have said it earlier that the incoming governor promised to make Hajj more robust than it was which means that the welfare package for this year’s pilgrims will be much better than what we have been giving them. The board itself has some of it’s own welfare packages when going for Hajj. We make sure we give them food like rice, beans, garri, yam flour and so on there would be no decline in this year ’s package but instead an increase shall hopefully occur, except if the Saudi Government places a ban on certain food items being brought into the country because during the last Hajj, I was made to understand that some people who came in with things like fried meat and fish were not allowed to take these kind of items into the country because according to them, there were certain food items that the Saudi Government won’t allow to be brought into their country. For the aspect of our Transportation system, transporting our pilgrims from here (Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board Premises) to Hajj camp has always been the same way from Hajj camp to Saudi Arabia will be done by Max Air Airlines, a very reliable airline as they have shown in the past, although the Saudi Government had said that they would transport 50 percent of our pilgrims from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia using Saudi Air which they have already started doing in other countries but seeing as it’s our turn now, it means that Saudi Air would be air lifting about 1527 pilgrims from Lagos.

That’s the implication. The other half of our pilgrims will be airlifted by Max Air and this would be done without any issue inshallah because for the past 3 years now Lagos state has been having the best Hajj operations in the entire country.

We thank God for that.

What are the challenges the Board is facing?

One of our major challenges is the number of days our pilgrims spend on Hajj, if it can be reduced from the present 3335 days to about 22-25 days.

Although presently even at 35 days it could still be recorded as an achievement when it’s compared to a few years back when our pilgrims would spend as long as 60-70 days over there.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 — 41

Ahmadiyya holds Peace symposium ...as Abubakar bags award

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Sha'baan18, 1436 A.H.

Nigeria to host inter-religious and cultural initiative conference

By Aderonke Adeyeri

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FRICAN Heads of states and religious leaders have resolved that Nigeria would host the 2017 edition of the African Initiative on Education for Peace and Development through Interreligious and Inter-cultural Dialogue.

This resolution was adopted following the proposal from the former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in his remarks on the second day of the international conference of the African initiative on education for peace and development in Cotonou, the Republic of Benin.

He said due to the importance of the conference, the hosting should be rotated among African states every two years.

The former president had interactions with the leader of the Nigerian delegation and CoChairman Nigerian inter religious council, NIREC, Cardinal John Onaiyekan on the need for Nigeria to host the next conference. Chief Obasanjo suggested the introduction of education for peace in the school curriculum as a step towards resolving the conflicts ravaging Africa and the world at large.

He said the current spate of

conflicts across Africa are great concerns to African leaders.

According to him, “people are committing crimes against humanity in the name of religion through ignorance”. Similarly, the president of the Republic of Benin, Nosephor Soglo congratulated African leaders for launching the African Initiative on Education for Peace and Development through Interreligious and Inter-cultural Dialogue.

In his own remark, the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon called for mutual respect and harmony among various religious and cultural groups

he National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations (NACOMYO) has commended Nigerians over the perseverance and understanding showed during the hardship caused by the fuel scarcity in the country.

The group through its National President, Kamal’ddin Akintunde said that such perseverance symbolizes patriotism, asking them to sustain such endurance and remain committed towards national goal.

It noted that more of the sacrifice will still be required by them if the incoming government must succeed.

The release commended PENGASON, and the Independent Oil Marketers for reaching agreement with government, and especially the Capital Oil for its praise-worthy initiative, placing national interest above company ’s consideration.

While renewing call for the new political-office holders to deliver on their campaign promises, the Muslim Youth group enjoined the President-elect and the VicePresident elect to be guided by

The Conference segment will hold at the Abuja Central Mosque of the Jama’at, at Plot 579, Independence Avenue (behind Honda Place), Central Business District, Abuja on 5TH and 7TH June 2015.

According to the Deputy Leader,( Naib Amir North), Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, the Head of the Islamic organisation in Nigeria, (Amir), Dr. Mashood A. Fashola and other distinguished scholars across different religions and faiths will constitute a panel of discussants on the theme of the conference.

Guests are expected within and outside the country. Members of the Ahmadiyya community throughout Nigeria, especially those in the Northern Region are mandated to attend the event.

What to do before Ramadan

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By Haruna Razaq

NE of the ways a Muslim can carry out the commandments of Shari‘ah properly in the blessed month of Ramadan in a country like Nigeria where vices are common is by fully preparing for the month before its arrival. It is the habit of the righteous Muslims from the period of the first Muslims to prepare for the month about six months to the month.

Many of us do not usually prepare properly for the blessed month of Ramadan, as a result,

NACOMYO urges Nigerians to be patient with Buhari’s govt

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for peaceful coexistence.

Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church expressed dis satisfaction on the rate of fanaticism and extremism among religious and cultural groups in African. He applauded the African leaders initiative to launch education for peace development through inter religious and cultural dialogue. The Nigerian delegation is led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar and Arch Bishop of Abuja Cardinal John Onaiyekan, two co –chairmen of the Nigerian Inter-religious Council, NIREC.

HE Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Northern Region will hold the first National Peace symposium in Abuja, the Nation’s capital as part of its fourth conference on Islamic Education and Moral Training.

The Peace symposium which comes up tomorrow, at the International Conference Center, ICC, is central to the theme of the the conference “Religion ,Peace and National Unity”.

To underscore the significance of the event , a former Nigerian Head of State General Abdul Salami Abubakar is to receive a National Peace Award, going by his contributions and others, to the successful outcome of the recent general election in the country.

the teachings of their faith and rule with piety and justice, required of public-office holders.

NACOMYO also charged the Governors-elect and the NASS and SASS members to be above boards, both in their private and official undertakings, stating that they should be exemplary as leaders. It called on incoming governments to avoid draconian policies and laws that are counter-productive and antidevelopment.

NACOMYO also praised the outgoing government of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for its peopleinclined policies, programmes and projects including the revived ailing railway and other public transportation.

The release canvassed for “job security” for Nigerian youths by the incoming government, stating that the youths deserve such compensation and a twentyfive to thirty-five percent “affirmative action” for shunning temptations and refused to be used in the hands of some selfseeking Nigerians, just as it enjoined them to remain steadfast in the task of nation building.

we become unable to perform the religious duties properly during the blessed month.

Therefore, in order to be able to prepare fully here are some acts we can put into practice a few weeks before Ramadan.

These include: Niyyah (intention) by determining to carry out the dictates of Shari‘ah properly in the blessed month of Ramadan and starts to put them into practice before the arrival of the month.

Iman (faith, belief): affirms your iman in Allah and His Prophet (SAW) Salat: Perform your obligatory Salats such as five daily Salats and non-obligatory prayers; Tahjud; Duha (Nafilah before noon); Istikharah (Nafilah for seeking divine guidance), etc. in accordance with their rules and at their proper time. (iv) Tilawah (recitation) of Qur ’an: Start your tilawa of Qur ’an by reading a certain portion (e.g. Jizu or Hizbu) of the Qur’an daily. (v) Du‘a (supplication): Start to supplicate before the arrival of the month. (vi) Da‘wah:Guide people to the correct practice of Islam through physical approach, giving them Islamic books, cassettes, CD and programmes (vii) Fasting: You may fast from the beginning of Sha’ban to the middle of the month and to use the second half to rest. (viii) Taqwallah: In order to display fear of Allah which is the essence of Ramadan fasting as stated in Qur’an 2 verses 183, one needs to involve in acts that increases in the fear of Allah.

Others include: beautification/ purification of mosque and house; welcoming visitors of mosque; avoid fixing ceremony in the month of Ramadan; show kindness to all classes of people; set aside some properties such as money, cloth, books as charity and prepare the body, medically by ensuring medical checks and applying preventive and curative measures where necessary.

From left, Chairman Jalsa Planning Committee, Engr. Sariki Bala Ibrahim; Amir Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Equatorial Guinea, Dr. Mashood Adenrele Fashola; First Senior Assistant Div Army Officer, Manfe Cameroon, Abolao Timothe; Naib Amir and Missionary-in-charge, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chard and Equatorial Guinea, Maulvi Abdul Khalique Nayyar; Representative, Paramount King of Manfe Cameroon, High Chief, Emoh Takor Daniel and Ayuk Takunnchong John ,the Chief Mayor of Manfe Cameroon, during the 4th Annual National Conference of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at held in Cameroon.

Participants at the conference .

MUSLIM YOUTHS FORUM

From left: Members of Bodija Muslim Youth Forum, Alhaja Hafusetu Akerele; Chairman, Bodija Muslim Youth Forum, Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun; Chairman, Bodija Muslim Community, Alhaji Tiamiyu Giwa; Secatary, Bodija Muslim Youth Forum, Mr Lukman Ogunrinde: Alhaja Saratu Suarau; during the inauguration of Bodija Muslim Youth Forum held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

42—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

Alleged negligence: Edo family demands N1bn compensation from Police, HMB

By Gabriel Enogholase

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ENIN—THE family of late Chibuike Edeh, a former staff of Protea Hotel, Benin, Edo State, who died on March 14, 2015 while in the custody of the Nigeria Police Force, Area Command Benin, is demanding a compensation of N500 million each from the Police and Edo State Hospitals Management Board for alleged negligence and unlawful killing of the deceased.

The family warned that failure to comply with their demand, it will have no alternative than to head to court against the Police Service Commission, the Nigeria Police Force and officers involved as well as against the Hospital Management Board, doctors and senior staff who caused or contributed to the death of Chibuike Edeh It will be recalled that late Chibuike Ede was a cleaner at Protea Hotel, Benin City and

was arrested by the Hotel CSO following a complaint from a guest that the sum of N40,000 was missing from his room, and he had accused the deceased of being the last person to enter his room.

He was later handed over to the Police at the Area Police Command Office, Sapele Road, where he was detained.

However, in a letter to the Chairman, Police Service Commission and the Permanent Secretary, Edo State Hospitals Management Board, respectively, by the family through their counsel, Dele Igbinedion, the family accused police officers attached to the Area Command where the late Chibuike Ede was detained and the Chief Security Officer of Protea Hotel of negligence which resulted

in his death, insisting that if they had acted swiftly after the accident and conveyed him to the nearest medical facility for treatment, doctors would have been able to save his life.

“Our clients informed us that the late Chibuike Edeh died on March 14, 2015 in connection with Police investigation into an alleged crime. When the Edeh family demanded for explanations, the Edo State Police Command claimed that on March 14, 2015, while Police Officers were accompanying late Chibuike Edeh on investigation activities, Chibuike Edeh was knocked down by a vehicle which dragged him along an estimated distance of about 500 feet “Fortuitously, the driver

stopped the vehicle opposite the premises of the Area Command and then abandoned it. Significantly, the Area Command (Police Station) is separated from Protea Hotel by about three buildings,” the family said.

The family added that neither the Investigating Police Officer nor the CSO of Protea Hotel took immediate or urgent action to convey the deceased to the Police Medical Centre which is about two streets away from the scene of the accident, but they abandoned him to his fate until passersby conveyed the victim to the Central Hospital, Ring Road, Benin from where they were referred to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital Benin, a distance of about six kilometres.

My dream for Isoko, by DESOPADEC commissioner

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HE commissioner representing Isoko ethnic nationality on the board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas D e v e l o p m e n t C o m m i s s i o n , DESOPADEC, Mr Joseph Ogeh, has said that his dream for the Isoko is to ensure the overall development of his people.

He spoke when the people of Ofagbe Kingdom, led by the traditional ruler, HRM Ikpoku Orie II, paid him a thank-you visit recently.

He said, on assumption of office as the c o m m i s s i o n e r representing Isoko nation, based on his experience as an infrastructure consultant with Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, he decided to tour all the 19 clans in Isoko land to get a firsthand information on the needs of each clan, because “if you sit in the office to choose projects for various communities, you might end up giving a community what it does not need and that will amount to waste of public funds. This informed our bottom top approach and a data bank was built in the commission,” he said.

Macaulay bags chieftaincy title, urges Isoko people to be united

By Festus Ahon

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S A B A — IMMEDIATE past Secretary to Delta State Government, SSG, Mr Ovuozorie Macaulay, has been conferred with the chieftaincy title of the Okiroro of Isoko nation.

Speaking at the palace of the Odion’Ologbo of Owhe Kingdom, HRM Okpuzo, in Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta State, where the kings and other prominent Isoko sons and daughters converged to receive him after 12 years sojourn in government, Macaulay thanked them and Isoko people for the honour done him, saying that he had been avoiding chieftaincy titles over the years.

Noting that whatever he did for his people while in government was his modest contribution to the socioeconomic development of the Isoko nation, he said that the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the area in the last elections was as a result of prayers from the monarchs and clerics.

Ogboru didn’t fight APC, says Delta LP chieftain

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COMMISSIONING: Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State (2nd left); Chief Moses Ekpo, Deputy Governor (left), Elder Sam Ikon, Speaker, AKHA and the state Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo, during the commissioning of the state House of Assembly Chapel, built by Assembly members.

Oshiomhole inaugurates panel to probe suspended LG boss

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has inaugurated an administrative panel of enquiry on the suspended Etsako West Local Government Chairman Area, Alasa Mohammed, to look into the immediate and remote causes of the protest which occurred recently at the premises of the Etsako West council.

Speaking at the ceremony, Oshiomhole said: “On May

22, there were reports both in the print and electronic media as well as security reports, about protests around Auchi but thanks to the intervention of the Nigeria Police and Operation Thunder storm, it was brought under control.

“There were all sorts of allegations about the protest though some of those involved in it include the leadership of the Student Union Government in Auchi Polytechnic and some other persons. The issue as to who is responsible, who organised

the protest, financed it, instigated it, is the matter for your investigation.

“We have acted on the basis of these allegations but it remains an allegation until they are proved. Though yours is not a judicial enquiry, it is an administrative panel which will help us establish the facts, not necessarily the law about what happened. Was there a protest? Who was involved, who was behind the protest?

If anyone was behind it, who financed it? ”

chieftain of Labour Party, LP, in Delta State and the President of Ughelli South Grassroots Mobilisation Agenda, UGMA, Mr Kingsley Oradejire, has said that Chief Great Ogboru, the governorship candidate of the party in Delta State, was not an enemy of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, as alleged.

Oradejire, reacting to insinuations that Chief Ogboru fought the APC and its mantra of change, said that on the contrary, Ogboru worked tirelessly for change in the state.

Speaking in Warri, he said that Ogboru has been a constant challenger of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, government in the state since 2003 when he joined the governorship race, remarking that it was wrong and wicked to cast aspersion on the person of the Labour Party candidate.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015— 43

Abiangwu women decry gruesome murder of Imo Assembly LP candidate

'Edo Central deserves position of speaker'

By Chidi Nkwopara & Chinonso Alozie

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RESIDENT OF Ikolo Esan, a sociocultural group of the Esan speaking people of Edo State, Prof. Gabriel Oteze, has appealed to the new Edo State House of Assembly to look the way of Edo Central when electing its speaker.

Prof. Oteze said for too long, Edo Central had been left out of the mainstream of the present administration.

He said: "The present governor, Adams Oshiomhole, is from Edo North, Deputy Governor, Pius Odubu, Edo South, while the Speaker, Uyi Egbe, is also from Edo South."

Flowing from the above, Prof. Oteze urged the new House to elect Victor Edoror, representing Esan Central constituency, who is a two time member, to the position of speaker.

“From all events and circumstances in the state, the position of the Speaker should go to Edo Central, which is the Esan speaking area.

“This is because we have a governor who is from Edo North, and Deputy Governor, the Chief Judge, and the present Speaker are from from Edo South.

"Edo Central has been left out totally. It is when the position of speaker is given to us that we will now feel we belong to this state.

“For too long we have been totally neglected. So there can be no excuse this time to keep us out. So we appeal to the new House of Assembly members to ensure that a legislator from the zone is made the speaker," he said.

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WERRI—WOMEN of Obiangwu autonomous community in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State have pleaded with the Police High Command and Imo State government to unearth and prosecute those behind the gruesome murder of the House of Assembly candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Andrew Uqwuezumber.

President of Obiangwu Development Union, Women’s Wing, Mrs Rose Anyawu, made the appeal yesterday after leading other women in a peaceful demonstration through some villages in the community.

“The untimely death of Andrew Ugwuezumba has brought severe hardship to members of the immediate family and unimaginable pain to the entire community,” Anyanwu said.

The woman leader said women were not satisfied with police investigations so far, stressing that they would not relent until the perpetrators were arrested and made to face

the full weight of the law.

She said: “Honestly, Obiangwu women are not satisfied with the way the investigation is going on. We will not relent in our legitimate demand until the perpetrators of the crime are arrested and made to face the law. ‘’We will not stop protesting

until the government and the police do the right thing for the community.”

Speaking also, brother of the deceased, Mr. Stanislaus Uqwuezumber, lamented that not much had happened since one person (names withheld) was arrested in connection with the murder.

“The security agencies ought to show more commitment in the case to prevent the people from taking laws into their hands,” he said.

Vanguard recalls that Ugwuezumba was murdered along Imo Airport road on his way home after a political meeting in March 2015.

Igbo youths want Buhari to ensure Geometric Power begins operation in Aba

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

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BA—OHANAEZE Youth Council, OYC, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that Geometric Power Limited commenced generation and distribution of power in Aba, Abia State.

The group in a statement signed by the National President and National Secretary, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Mazi Okwu Nnabuike Emmanuel, respectively, called on the President to investigate why the Geometric power plant in Aba was still being frustrated from

generating and distributing power to Aba and its environs.

OYC reminded Buhari that Geometric power had the capacity to end the problem of epileptic power supply in Aba and environs, stressing that the importance of power in the economy of the city could not be overlooked.

The group accused Enugu Electricity Distribution company, EEDC, of sabotaging the effort of the company to commence operations in the city.

On the constitution of his cabinet, the youth group urged Buhari to shun partisan considerations and see the entire nation as his constituency and

appoint patriotic Nigeria who would help him fulfill his dreams for the country.

The youth group urged the President not to restrict his choice of aides and ministers to the nomination of state governors, accusing the latter of always recommending people who would serve their interests.

The group congratulated Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi(Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Okowa(Delta), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) for emerging victorious at the polls and charged them to work with the President to address the problems of their states.

How robbers struck at First Bank, Wema at Ikorodu

By Ifeanyi Okolie

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HE HEAVILY armed gang of robbers which attacked two commercial banks at Ikorodu, last Tuesday also overran the Area N Police Command Headquarters and its Police Division, Ijede-Ikorodu area of Lagos State, Vanguard has gathered.

Sources disclosed that robbers who were armed with Ak-47 rifles and were clad in military camouflage, were said to have attacked the police formations at the same time they struck at the banks.

This is coming as the officer in charge of the Special-Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja, Sp Abba Kyari, has been redeployed by the Inspector General of Police to Abuja, following petitions sponsored by an NGO allegedly funded by relatives of kidnap and armed robbery suspects currently being held at SARS custody across the country.

Meanwhile, members of the Ikorodu bank robbers numbering about 30, had split themselves into two groups during the operation.

One of the groups were said to have attacked Omitoro branch of

First Bank, where they carted away an unspecified amount of money, before proceeding to the Ijede branch of Wema Bank where they also unleashed terror on bank customers and passerby.

An unidentified man was also said to have been shot in the process.

The other gang which struck at the Area N Command, was said to have thrown the entire command into disarray.

A police source attached to Area N Command, who spoke with Vanguard on the condition of anonymity, also said the gunmen took the policemen at the area command unawares as they shot indiscriminately.

“ They came in a large number and were shooting randomly.

People were running for safety.

Even the armed guards at the gate of the area command could not repel the attack. ‘’The gunmen were armed with Ak- 47 rifles but they took the policemen unaware. They wore military camouflage uniforms. ‘’ It was after they left that we learnt that there was a bank robbery in town. I am sure that they attacked the area command and division because they wanted to prevent any form of police reinforcement during the bank robberies.,” he stated.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

Should petroleum products subsidy stay or be removed?

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f we encourage investors to set up refineries, the price can crash. Then refiners may not sell as high as we have today because competition will come. I do not really see what people are afraid of in removal of subsidy except it is being politicized. -Mr. Joseph Ubiagba, Administrator

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am of the opinion that subsidy has to go. I see that our oil marketers want to hold on to the monopoly and therefore, they misinform the populace through gullible trade unions. Since we have been on the subsidy, don't we still buy fuel at high rate? -Miss Anasithesia Ezeka, Worker

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s it proper for us to have this natural resource and not being able to afford it? I wonder why some greedy political or public office holders will just sit back at home and think of measures to jeopardize our economy. Subsidy should go. -Mr. Cletus Chinedu, Computer Engineer

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f we go on strike, at the end nothing changes because the few that hold power are holding it to stop us from wresting it out of them.

I strongly agree with the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, what should be curbed is corruption and not fuel subsidy. -Mr. Peterside Onwuta, Businessman

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ubsidy of one form or the other is operated by virtually every country. I know my point may not go well with some on this forum, but there is nothing wrong with any country subsidizing some products for the sake of low income earners. -Mrs. Morayo Simeon, Worker

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o one seems to be concerned on why subsidy increased from N260 billion to N1.3 trillion over night, even amidst occasional fuel scarcity. Did the vehicles and population of Nigeria quadruple in one year? No! That defies logic. -Mrs. Ayomide Odekanyin, Journalist

44—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

Ortom cancels ‘last minute' recruitments by ex-gov Suswam zSacks 6 first class chiefs, others M

By Peter Duru

AKURDI—GOVERNOR Samuel Ortom of Benue State, has cancelled all the last minute recruitments into the state civil service as well as the appointment of six first class chiefs by his predecessor, Gabriel Suswam.

He also approved the dissolution of the 23 local government Caretaker Committees in the state with immediate effect.

Ortom who spoke in Makurdi, after a closed door meeting with heads of government agencies and parastatals, attributed the action to the poor financial situation in the state.

He said the reversals became necessary in view of the back log of unpaid salaries and allowances as well as retirement benefits coupled with the empty treasury he met on assumption of office.

He directed the chairman of the state Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Comfort Agogo, to furnish him with the details of the employment status of former staff

redeployed from the Benue State Internal Revenue Service, BIRS to the various ministries.

On the sacking of chiefs, Ortom stated that “any person or group of persons parading themselves as first Class Chiefs in the Tiv Area Traditional

Council are by this announcement urged to comply,” adding that further action would not be taken on the matter until the determination of the substantive motion before the High Court on the issue.

Ortom, therefore, directed the

Tiv Area Traditional Council headed by the Tor Tiv, Dr. Alfred Torkura to suspend forthwith the process of the conferment of the first class chiefs, maintaining that the order granted by Justice Iorhemen Hwande should be obeyed.

AGM: From left: Mr Taiwo Adeniyi, Group Managing Director, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc,Mr. Lekan Sanni, Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, and Dr. Dele Makanjuola, Chairman, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, during the Annual General Meeting of the company in Lagos, yesterday.

Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

APC lawmakers boycott election of principal officers of 6th Kogi Assembly L

By Boluwaji Obahopo

OKOJA—THE inauguration of the Kogi State 6th House of Assembly yesterday ended in confusion as the All Progressives Congress, APC, members walked out of the chambers as the nomination of principal officers commenced.

The problem began soon after the state governor, Capt. Idris Wada had concluded the inauguration of the new members,when the member representing Igalamela/Odolu constituency, Friday Sani, PDP, read out nominees for the position of Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Majority Leader and other principle officers.

All efforts by the APC member representing Ankpa 1, Ibrahim Abdumumuni to nominate his own candidates were ignored by the Clerk of the House which forced all the 11 APC members to stage a walk-out and boycott the election of principals officers.

Addressing journalists later at the NUJ secretariat, the APC members said they staged the walk-out from the chamber as the list read by Friday Makama was prepared from the Government House and handed to the PDP to choose as stooges.

Spokesperson of the APC, Ibrahim Abdulmumuni, who said the APC legislators would not recognise the pronounced list said it was too early for the

executive to dictate the precedings of the Legislature.

“We admonish the state government to steer clear of the running of the house regarding

the picking of principal officers.

We are not party to the names nominated.

“We have boycotted the process.

As it stands, the state Assembly

does not have principal officers yet. The nomination did not follow due process as there was no secondment nor room for counter nominations," he said.

Traders petition IGP over planned relocation of market in Lagos

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By Ikenna Asomba

AGOS—MOTORCYCLES spare parts dealers in the ASPAMDA section of International Trade Fare Market, Lagos, have petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase over attempts by their leaders to relocate their market to a new site within the Trade Fair on June 5, until their internal feud was resolved.

In a petition signed by Messrs.

Fredrick Mmegwa, David Eze, Peter Elo and Michael Ogbodo

on behalf of the traders, they insisted that the police authorities must stop the relocation to avert imminent crises, as it is without the general acceptance of all members of the association.

The statement reads in part: ‘’We started building the shops on our new site since 2009 and when the buildings were completed, our executive members did not call us to discuss the modalities of allotting the shops. Rather, they engaged in shady deals in the allotment of

the shops. They allotted the shops on the ground floor to themselves and their relations, as well as investors who induced them with bribes. ‘’Sadly, in this shady deal, we discovered that the chairman, his executives and their relations got between 5 and 10 shops in the new site, whereas 90 per cent of our members who have made payments were allotted shops upstairs, aware that the shops upstairs are originally built as packing stores (warehouses)."

Abuda slams Orbih over comments on suspension of Etsako LG boss

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ENIN CITY—FOUNDER of Afemai Heritage and Cultural Studies in Edo State and veteran journalist, Alhaji Usman Abuda, yesterday, expressed disappointment with the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, over the latter’s criticism on the suspension of chairman of Etsako West Local

Government Area, Alhaji Alhassan Mohammed by Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

He recalled that after the suspension of the council boss who was accused of alleged mismanagement of council funds among other allegations, Governor Oshiomhole pointed out that a committee would be set up to investigate the allegations

against the council boss while he remains on suspension.

Therefore, Alhaji Abuda wondered why the PDP chairman would accuse the governor of acting outside his powers, adding that Chief Orbih was “only playing to the gallery, leaving the substance of the matter in order to score cheap political points.”

FG TO MDAs:

Ministers have no powers to approve payment for contracts

By Favour Nnabugwu

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BUJA—THE Federal Government has said that ministers have no power under the Public Service Rules to approve payment for contracts during their tenures in office.

This came on the heels of squabble in some ministries over refusal by Permanent Secretaries and Directors to pay contractors on the directives of outgone Ministers.

The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Danladi Kifasi who cleared the air on what he described as a misconception of political appointees to encroach in approval of payment, stated that approval of payments for contract are strictly the jurisdiction of accounting officers or directors of the various ministries, emphasising that ministers have no powers to approve payment for contracts or whatsoever.

CONTEMPT:

Court threatens NDA Commandant

By Luka Binniyat

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ADUNA—A Kaduna State High Court yesterday threatened to jail the Commandant of Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, Kaduna, Major General Muhammed Inuwa Idris over alleged contempt of court.

The court’s warning was contained in ‘Form 48’, dated 25 May 25, 2015 and signed by the court Registrar, Abubakar Habib. It was said to have been served on the Commandant through courier Thursday last week.

The court document, entitled; ‘Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Court Order,” read: “To Major General Muhammed Inuwa Idris (Commandant of NDA, Kaduna.

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By Usman Abudah

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ARIED traditional troupes have formational guidelines that depict their specifies generally: in Etsako land, troupes like the Aimi masquerade, Eluemosi female troupe and the Isiko (hunters) troupe all do have guiding levels which constitute their membership, ranging from age to other definitions.

These troupes also promote their locations to prominence.

In Apana village, Etsako West Local Government Council, Edo State, the Abisua War Dancers Troupe has for over fifty years placed it on a recollective format because of its guidelines solely on age limit wherein membership can’t be less than sixty years of age bracket.

Its costume of woven calico, wooden carved cutlasses and harmless spears coupled with frightening lyrics of songs, define its main role as an army of protectors of Apana.

The leader (commander) exhibit a formation of harmless warriors as he dishes out commanding instructions coupled with a perfect foot matching effect which corresponds like a battalion of trained army soldiers falling out to set out on an invasion mission.

The Abisua War Dancers demonstrated this feat on March 12, 2010 during the inauguration of Afenmai Heritage & Cultural studies before our very own Noble Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka at the open pavilion of Auchi

Tribute: Leader of Abisua war dancers passes on Polytechnic under this writer’s directorship.

The passage of Pa Johnson Aigbona, at 83, who was the leader of the Troupe in addition to being the most elderly man of Ivbifa quarters in Apana, has certainly created a painful vacuum in the community: but this wouldn’t fade out the existence of the elderly troupe as a leader would emerge after the mourning period.

In most Nigerian communities wherein the pursuit of materialism is becoming the order of the day, this writer is on the watch out to see if Abisua Troupe’s current membership would be

allowed to fade out.

Apart from the production of various elites like Prof. Eddie Eraigbe of the University of Benin, Chief Lucky James, Hon. Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs amongst others, the Apana community owes itself the responsibility to ensure the continuity of this versatile

troupe by encouraging various age groups to standby and make this creative aspect of Apana’s existence on the map of artistic themes as late Pa Aigbona has done his absolute contribution in his calling while on mother earth.

Businessmen and other professionals never bring fame to their communities more than

R

ATHER than being an u t ing in the familiar mode of commemorative publications, complete with its eulogies, accolades and nostalgic effusions, “David Mark: Mastering The Senate Presidency”, a 500 page book, beautifully written and expertly packaged by Dr. Onjefu Okidu, a lecturer in Mass Communication, is a profound and ramifying intervention in the remarkable and inimitable strides of Distinguished Senator David Mark as President of the Sixth and Seventh Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Segmented into twenty-eight (28) chapters, this is the first major extensive outing on any of the politicians who have led the Nigerian Senate since the evolution of the Fourth Republic in 1999. The book provides an intriguing balance to the dark and murky depths of the National Assembly leadership of the 1999-2005 period before the emergence of Senator Ken Nnamani as Senate President.

With a sharp-shooting narrative, the author keeps to the surface with a sure sense of comic timing, weaving intricate o

•Abudah, a Journalist and documentalist, wrote in from Benin City, Edo State.

Its costume of woven calico, wooden carved cutlasses and harmless spears coupled with frightening lyrics of songs, define its main role as an army of protectors of Apana.

Unraveling David Mark’s miracle in the Senate

By Dan Amor

the creative disciples as their achievements have always been evaluated on personal scores, unlike the creative disciple whose performance unveils the unknown location of their various communities.

and amusing plots that provide opportunity for witty commentary on a marvelous variety of human foibles and conceits.

Published in 2015 by TIGRAPH Prints and Publishing, Kaduna, Nigeria, “David Mark: Mastering The Senate Presidency “, is a bittersweet story, set in an amorphous context, related in a prose that is strikingly unpretentious. Bitter in its lamentation of tottering leadership of the Upper Chamber leading to its endemic instability during the Obasanjo Presidency and sweet in the overwhelming stability the Red Chamber is manifesting since the Yar’Adua/Jonathan Presidency. It is one of the best Nigerian political narratives of this generation. Technical and aesthetic accomplishments coincide exactly with its thematic content: what is said and how it is said are inseparable. As a professional communicator, everything the author has said has helped to consolidate his achievements. Indeed, the separate pieces of the twentyeight chapter book are stitched together with recurring motifs and with the tantalizingly gradual revelation of details that coalesce in the reader’s

mind.

“Mastering The Senate Presidency “, portrays Senator David Mark, the President of Nigeria’s 6th and 7th Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly as a statesman and the repository of the workings of the legislature in which he has been a leading player since 1999 when he was first elected to represent the people of Benue-South Senatorial District on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). A charismatic leader of men variously described as a brilliant mind and an astute politician, Mark was trained in various

academic institutions at home and abroad including the National Defense University, Washington DC, and Harvard University, Harvard, Boston USA. What many may not know about this accomplished political denizen is that he is a consummate team player. This may have been responsible for his unfettered rise in Nigeria’s political firmament.

He had also played several roles in the current political dispensation which have prepared him for the unprecedented achievements he has recorded as the doyen of the Nigerian legislative leadership. As President of the Nigerian Senate, he is also Chairman, Senate Committee on Selection and Chairman of the National Assembly.

Before his dramatic emergence as Senate President the Senate in particular and the National Assembly at large, had been hobbled by a plethora of bickering and confrontation between an overbearing Executive and an inexperienced Legislature. No doubt, this unhealthy development adversely affected the performance of the National Assembly. Eight years down the road, the astute and pragmatic leadership of Senator Mark has infused the Legislature with some sweet-

smelling flavour and has thus insulated the hallowed Chambers from needless controversies between the Legislature and the Executive and also helped in dousing tension and internal wrangling amongst members.

Without going into a tree-bybranch account or chapter-bychapter analysis of Mark’s startling achievements as Senate President as captured in the book, it is important to stress that the book lays bare his leadership qualities beginning from his mature handling of the crisis that arose as a result of the health challenges of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua leading up to his untimely death. In fact, the negative perception of nonperformance of the National Assembly has changed markedly due to the enviable leadership provided by Senator Mark.

Indeed, the new and exciting leadership direction, enduring stability and impressive performance level of the present Senate stems in part from the maturity, high sense of responsibility and gravitas demonstrated by Senator Mark, the absence of executive meddlesomeness and a better understanding and appreciation of the demands of the Legislature in a Presidential democracy by members. ¶Amor is an Abuja-based critic and journalist.

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POLIO: We'll remove Nigeria from endemic list —ROTARY

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A R R I — PRESIDENT, Rotary International, Gary Huang, has promised to ensure Nigeria is removed from the list of polio endemic countries at the World Health Organisation, WHO. Huang, who was represented by Rtn Manjit Sawhney, spoke at the Joint District Conference at Effurun, Uvwie council, Delta State.

He hailed the Governor of District 9140, HRM Uku-Ogharaname Eshemitan, Ovie of Oghara Kingdom and members of the Rotary International for their fight against polio.

He said: “I congratulate the district governor and members of Rotary International, District 9140, for their successful fight in eradicating polio in Nigeria.”

Huang expressed belief that the developmental projects accorded the people, especially at eradication of polio at the rural areas, will touch many who ordinarily lacked opportunities of accessing such facilities.

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom (4th left) dancing with the people at the end of a three-day fast in Uyo.

FG to review PIB, ensure speedy passage zPromises more proactive role in OPEC

By Michael Eboh

T

HE Federal Government, yesterday, promised to tackle corruption in Nigeria’s extractive industry and also ensure the speedy passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, after a careful review.

Speaking at the ongoing international seminar of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, in Vienna, Austria, Head of Nigeria’s delegation to the 167th OPEC meeting, Dr. Jamila Shu’ara, also stated that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari will ensure that Nigeria continued to play a more proactive and effective roles in the affairs of OPEC. Shu’ara, in a statement by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, stated that the Federal Government will strive to enthrone transparency and accountability in public life, especially in the petroleum industry, which is the mainstay of the national economy.

Shu’ara noted that the Buhari administration intends to take a critical look at the PIB with a view to effecting necessary changes that will facilitate its early passage.

She said government will pursue the diversification of the economy and put in place essential infrastructure that will aid its growth.

She said: “I would like to assure industry players that government will work assiduously to ensure the speedy passage of the PIB and even speedier implementation of the related programmes.”

Furthermore, she maintained that Nigeria will continue to C M Y K

work for the realisation of the aims and objectives of OPEC. She said: “I am to assure OPEC Heads of Delegation, of a new dawn in Nigeria and the capacities of a new President who understands and appreciates the prospects and challenges of our organisation like no other former Nigerian Head of State, having being a Minister of Petroleum

Resources before.”

NNPC GMD on crude

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Joseph Dawha, Group Managing Director of NNPC, disclosed that despite the odds, crude oil will continue to play an important role in the future world energy balance for decades to come.

According to him, the

improved use of technology in the oil and gas sector will continue to resolve difficult challenges regarding oil supply in the world energy market and thus achieve a more efficient use of existing oil resources, discover new oil reservoirs, with greater accuracy and also lead to more efficient oil extraction from existing fields.

Senate Presidency: Senators-elect write APC on Lawan/Akume ticket Abubakar Saraki, who has represented by the Vice-

S

ENATORS-elect, under the aegis of Unity Forum, have presented a five-point resolution to All Progressives Congress, APC, declaring their support for the Lawan/ Akume Senate Presidency ticket just as the party assured them that the extant Standing Order of the chamber will be adhered to in its final decision.

The resolution, which was presented to the National Chairman of the party in Abuja in the presence of some national leaders, was signed by 35 senators-elect out of the 40 members of the forum.

The group, in the letter signed by Senators Barnabas Gemade, Abu Ibrahim, Olusola Adeyeye, Abdullahi Adamu and Bukar Abba Ibrahim, with the signatures of their members attached, premised their resolution on five grounds.

They declared that “Senator Ahmed Lawan shall be the highest ranking APC Senator and George Akume the

second highest ranking APC Senator in the 8th Assembly.

“This is so, as Ahmad Lawan has spent 16 years in the National Assembly, while Akume has so far spent eight years in the Senate.

“The next behind the duo in terms of ranking, who is also in the contest for the Senate Presidency, is Senator

spent only four years in the Senate.”

The Forum argued that “since the North-West zone, which gave APC the highest votes in the last elections, is represented by the President in this government and the SouthWest, which gave APC the second highest votes in the same election, is

President in this same government, then the NorthEast zone, which gave APC the third highest vote, should for the sake of equity be allowed to produce the Senate President and the North Central Zone, which gave APC the fourth highest vote in that general election, should be allowed to produce the Deputy Senate President.”

POWER: DESOPADEC commissioner blames poor distribution on DISCOs

By Oboh Agbonkhese

T

HE Commissioner representing Ndokwa nation on the board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Sir Kenny Okolugbo, has lamented the poor state of electric power in the country and the poor distribution network, which he said was compounded by the poor co-operation among distribution companies.

Speaking during the

commissioning of 33Kva transformer given by DESOPADEC to Osemele community in Ndokwa West, Okolugbo commended Delta State government for the provision of transformers to rural communities.

He further lamented that despite the largest gas reserve located in Ndokwa, and the location of 480 Mw station in Okpai, electric power generation and transmission was still a

sorry situation in Ndokwa.

Meanwhile, Okolugbo has charged Ndokwa youths to imbibe the culture of sports as a way of expanding growth in human capacity development.

He made the call at the finals of Okolugbo Democracy Day Cup, in Delta State.

Okolugbo promised to explore his close relationship with the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to help further the careers of the talents he observed during competition finals.

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Petrol station blast kills 200 in Ghana A

N explosion at a petrol station in Ghana’s capital killed around 200 people sheltering from a storm early yesterday emergency services said, in the worst disaster to strike the West African state in more than a decade.

The force of the blast gave few a chance to escape. People were burned beyond recognition where they stood under the station’s awning, or trapped in the charred wreckage of cars and minivans parked on its forecourt.

The accident was caused by a fire at a nearby lorry terminal.

Flames spread to the state-run GOIL petrol station via spilt fuel floating on flood water, fire brigade spokesman Prince Billy Anaglate said.

“It was an explosive fire and so the people sheltering at the filling station did not have an opportunity to escape,” Anaglate said.

It was Ghana’s worst disaster since more than 120 people died in May 2001 in a stampede at the national stadium during a football match, a police spokesman said.

The incident exposed Accra’s vulnerability to storms, given poor drainage and weak infrastructure that has

failed to keep pace with population growth after years of rapid economic expansion.

Low-wage workers struggling to get home through the storm, with roads closed and minivan buses not

running, formed the bulk of those caught in the explosion, witnesses said.

Several other people were swept away by the seasonal storm in the coastal city and thousands more were

made homeless as flood waters rose, officials said.

Ghana is one of Africa’s most stable democracies and for years its exports of gold, cocoa and oil made it one of the continent’s fastestgrowing economies.

•The charred wreckage of a minivan is seen at a gas station that exploded overnight killing around 200 people in Accra, Ghana, yesterday.

Israeli planes strike Gaza after rocket attacks

I

SRAELI warplanes struck multiple militant targets in the Gaza Strip early yesterday in response to Palestinian rocket fire, but nobody was injured according to Palestinian security sources.

They said that the raids hit three training bases of the Ezzedine al-Qassam brigades, the military wing of Hamas, in Gaza City and a fourth in the southern city of Khan Yunis.

The rocket fire was claimed by a group calling itself Supporters of the

Islamic State in Jerusalem which recently emerged in the Gaza Strip. It said the attack was to avenge the death of a radical Islamist in Gaza this week. An Israeli military statement confirmed the air strikes but did not identify the targets.

“Yesterday, June 3, 2015, two rockets were launched

at southern Israel from the Gaza Strip,” it said, adding that they fell on open ground near the southern city of Ashkelon and the town of Netivot. “No injuries were reported. In response to this attack, the Israel Defence Forces struck three terror infrast- ructures in the Gaza Strip,” it said.

Yemen’s Houthis agree to talks as Arab bombing reportedly kills 40

Y

EMEN’S dominant Houthis agreed yesterday to join United Nations-backed peace talks in Geneva planned for June 14, 2015, a day after their opponents in the exiled government confirmed their attendance.

A Saudi-led coalition of Arab states has been bombing Houthi forces, the strongest faction in Yemen’s civil war, for over two months in an attempt to restore President Abd-

Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who has fled to Saudi Arabia.

Around 2,000 people have been killed and half a million displaced by the fighting.

Coalition Arab bombings killed around 40 people across Yemen on Wednesday, the state news agency Saba, controlled by the Houthis, said yesterday 30 of them in the Houthi heartland in the far north, adjoining Saudi Arabia.

60—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 — 61 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

LIBRA; Similar to yesterday but, today more emphasis’ll be on money. Thus those of you who are more financially ambitious’ll have better and rewarding day than others. However that is not to say you should neglect your health.

SCORPIO; Positive things are happening from (and around) you. The more enterprising you are the better for you today. And some of you will be mixing business & pleasure without harm. Lovers can have their way moderately.

SAGITTARIUS; This is your day when things’ll go according to your plans. And you’re advised to hit very hard not minding minor pressure from your base.

CAPRICORN; Once again success would come if you experiment with good ideas rightly at the right time.

Those of you travelling are in for an exciting day.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

T

HE inner cup and the outside, which is more important? I mean the contest of the cup and the cup itself, which is more important?

This question becomes pertinent be-

The Beauty Without cause of the way we are going about our re-branding project.

Can you reform evil?

Can you start the process of reformation without? Can the body be well when

the head is sick? Look at the motor vehicle truck/trailer, when on the reverse, the other body stands still. This is so because the head give direction to

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”

the body. Nigeria is like a trailer.

We don’t need to waste billions on rebranding. All we need is the right leadership. When the leader does the right thing, Nigerians will do the right thing too.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

AQUARIUS; Early part of the day may bring you good opportunity along your business/business lines. Work and your health must be taken very seriously PISCES; Like yesterday the Moon will operate from your Star sign again to the betterment of your cause.

Think of both your immediate and far future now.

ARIES You can still count on the supports of your tried and trusted friends. But it’s imperative you keep secrets as much as you can positively do.

TAURUS; The more receptive and willing you are to give and take co-operation the better for you today.

It’s wrong of you to neglect your friends in need now.

GEMINI; You’ll have the needed opportunity to consolidate on progress you have recorded yesterday along your career/business lines. Try to work harder.

CANCER; Element of luck will work favourably for you. Therefore you’re advised to expand the scope of your tentacle for better results. It’s another fairly favourable day for lovers who are more enterprising today.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

LEO; Joining forces with other people is not a sin but it’s important everybody knows the clear term of the venture , be it of short or longer duration. Be very practical.

VIRGO; Many of you’ll travel either physically or within your mind; whichever one you’re involved with the out come will be favourable. Be more receptive, especially if your priority is commercial success. Take your new ideas more seriously today.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

Basic Characteristics of Capricorn Because they rarely day dream, Capricorn natives are set of practical people. This is because Capricorn is ruled by Saturn - the planet of career, sceptical and material things Although, the spirit of pessimism often times tempt the Capricorn born people, to succeed they will need to develop strong will that is indispensable to achievements of higher order because, series of challenges will come his/her way before he/she finally makes it to the top. Most natives of Capricorn are forced to shoulder many responsibilities early in life. Career building comes first in their priority lists which often leads to enviable career achievements that guarantee recognition. And another name for Capricorn is PATIENCE. Yet, he/she can appear mean in the business circle. And tell you that seriousness and business are synonymous. Above all, they are endowed with leadership capacity.

Capricorn ‘s quality is cardinal, element is the earth. The cardinal aspect makes a natural leader with strong ability for hard work. Natives of cardinal signs crave for action and strongly desire prominence and often times make success of their love of action and desire for importance through relentless efforts.

The earthly connection with Capricorn further confirms innate ability for hard work and practicality . Saturn is the planet of hard task, delay, depression, frustration, frustration but reward after so much struggles. Being a difficult teacher, Saturn usually takes its natives through many different tasks, challenges and delay. All these are meant to teach them virtues of patience and hard work. However, Saturn usually brings its natives recognition and reward.

The cautious side of Saturn always manifest in all Capricorn born people thus, but it is necessary for them to watch that side of their characteristics as they often push their cautious side too far and most of the time it results to black mood.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

62 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

Confederation Cup: Warri Wolves in survival battle against AC Leopards

N

IGERIA’S only surviving club in continental contest, Warri Wolves are set to fight a survival battle against visiting AC Leopards of Congo in the second leg tie of the CAF Confederation Cup to be decided at the Warri Township Stadium tomorrow. Warri Wolves are swimming against the tide having lost 3-0 in the

first leg in Dolisie. However coach Paul Aigbogun stated that he was confident his wards will progress to the group stages of the competition.

The Congolese club arrived via Port Harcout on Thursday and headed straight to Warri with a contingent of 18 players and 80 supporters. “We know what to do come Saturday

and we are confident we will win the clash to move to the group stage.

“Though I won’t play God to say 100% assuredly that we will win but we are doing everything in our power to ensure we win.

“The mistakes that cheated us of decent result in Dolisie was not out of control but largely aided," Aigbogun said

Ajom loses dad

A

COMMUNITY leader of Arangha village, Isobendeghe in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, Pa Jerome Ajom is dead.

He died after a protracted illness. He was 95.

Pa Ajom was a renowned community leader in Boki and was a high Ekpe chief.

He is survived by children, including Jacob Ajom of the Sports Desk of Vanguard Newspapers, grand

FIFA Continues from BP He is one of the 14 people charged by the US over alleged corruption at Fifa.

Another top Fifa official and key witness, American Chuck Blazer, has admitted accepting bribes.

The admissions came in a newly released transcript of Mr Blazer’s guilty plea from 2013, as part of a wideranging US criminal case that has engulfed Fifa and led president Sepp Blatter to resign.

The US justice

department alleges the 14 people charged worldwide accepted bribes and kickbacks estimated at more than $150m (£97m) over a 24-year period. Four others have already been charged, including Mr Blazer.

Mr Warner, 72, resigned from all football activity in 2011 amid bribery allegations and later stepped down as Trinidad and Tobago’s security minister amid a fraud inquiry.

A key figure in the deepening scandal, he

Hungary with a 2-1 triumph to see the giants coast in the knockout stages.

Indeed, Brazil were forced to come from behind after going into the break 1-0 down, but eventually got the better of a ten-man Hungary side that fought bravely until the end. Andreas Pereira scored the decisive penalty with just four minutes left on

Continues from BP qualification from Group E. Manu Garba’s team almost put their disappointing secondhalf against Brazil behind them inside the opening two minutes.

Captain Musa Muhammed looked to lead by example as he struck a thunderbolt of a shot off the inside of the post from 25 yards, for which keeper Cha Jong Hun was only an airborne spectator.

From there, though, Korea DPR improved for a spell. They contained the threat of Nigeria and had occasional forays forward, but were ultimately blunt in attack. The Flying Eagles looked more menacing as the half

the clock to seal the win in New Plymouth.

Germany initially struggled to get to grips with Uzbekistan but eventually imposed themselves on the game and recorded a comfortable 3-0 triumph.

Marc Stendera grabbed a superb brace to emerge as the leading light for the victors.

However, it was Fiji who provided the most surprising news of the day thanks to their 3-0

an “avalanche” of revelations to come.

Meanwhile, Fifa paid the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to stop legal action over Thierry ’s Henry ’s handball in Ireland’s World Cup playoff defeat by France in 2009, it has been claimed.

FAI chief executive John Delaney said the association believed it had a legal case against Fifa.

A fee was then agreed to drop the claim, Delaney said, after Ireland missed the 2010 finals in South Africa.

The fee was believed to be 5 million euros (£3.6m).

win over Honduras, which marked a maiden FIFA World Cup win for the tournament newcomers from Oceania. The players celebrated wildly and now have a chance of reaching the next stage in the final round of group matches.

In Group E Nigeria posted a comfortable 40 win over Korea DPR, who themselves are yet to taste victory at a FIFA U-20 World Cup.

French Open: Serena, Safarova in ‘final fight’

Nigeria wore on.

Taiwo Awoniyi and Bernand Bulbwa threatened, before a Muhammed free-kick and Awoniyi follow-up brought out a superb double save from Jong Hun in a half in which he was busy, but rarely tested to his limits.

The second half saw all that change, as the Korea DPR goalkeeper spoiled what had been an impressive display.

His misjudgement to come and challenge Saviour Godwin for a Bulbwa cross saw the Asian side lose their foothold, as Godwin scored.

It only took the same player just three minutes to double his tally, after a lucky

•Pa Jerome Ajom

said he had given lawyers documents outlining the links between Fifa, its funding, himself and the 2010 election in Trinidad and Tobago. He said the transactions also included Mr Blatter.

“I will no longer keep secrets for them who actively seek to destroy the country,” he said in an address on Trinidadian TV on Wednesday evening entitled “The gloves are off”.

Speaking to his supporters at a rally later the same day, he promised

Germany Continues from BP

children and great grand children.

A statement by brother of late Pa Jerome Ajom, Chief Ferdinand Obon reads: “With heavy hearts, we regret to announce the death of our father, grand father and Great Grand father, Pa Jerome Ajom who slept in the Lord Tuesday, June 2, 2015.

“Burial arrangements will be announced in due course, after consultation with various interest groups.”

ricochet allowed Awoniyi to skilfully progress up the field before playing in the FC Sports forward, who coolly slotted through legs of defender and goalkeeper.

The third was a peach.

A corner found its way out to Kingsley Sokari and his laser-guided shot from the edge of the area screamed into the top left corner. The final one wasn’t bad either, following a slick team move. Awoniyi and substitute Success Isaac’s exchanged passes sliced through the Korea DPR defence before the latter slammed home from a tight angle to revive the African champions’ last 16 hopes.

L

UCIE Safarova became the first Czech woman in 34 years to reach the French Open final after she fought back to topple 2008 champion Ana Ivanovic 7-5 7-5 on Thursday. She will play Serena Williams in Saturday’s final.

Just when it looked as if her title aspirations were floundering, the 13th seed shook off her jitters and unleashed her A Game to pummel Ivanovic into submission.

“It’s a dream come true, I still cannot believe it,”

Eagles Continues from BP spot, while Guinea, Congo and Cameroon completed the top ten team in Africa.

Germany are still world number one. Belgium replaced Argentina in number two. Colombia, Brazil, Netherlands, Portugal, Uruguay, France and Spain make up the world top ten in respective order.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles players are

said a jubilant Safarova, who will be aiming to become the first Czech to lift the Suzanne Lenglen trophy since Hana Mandlikova in 1981.

For the fourth time in five matches at this French Open, world No. 1 Serena Williams came back from the brink.

The two-time champion here returns to the final at Roland Garros for the first time since 2013, a 4-6, 63, 6-0 winner over No. 23 seed Timea Bacsinszky.

The American appeared out of sorts for much of

presently camped in Abuja preparing for the AFCON qualifying tie against North Eastern neighbors Chad. Ukraine based striker Babatunde Michael, charged his team mates not to toy with the match as football was no long played on name basis.

“There are no minnows anymore in football, so the question of underrating any side does not come in,” he said.

Thursday ’s second semifinal, strolling gingerly through the court between points and requesting ice towels during change overs on what was the warmest day of the tournament so far, temperatures topping 80 degrees.

Williams came back from a set deficit in the second, third and fourth rounds, as well. It marks the first time in her career that she has recovered from being a set down four times in a major.

Djokovic, Murray in ‘bare-knuckle’ clash

B

ORN just one week apart in May of 1987, it seems fitting that the professional tennis careers of Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have taken such parallel paths.

Separated by just two spots in the Emirates ATP Rankings, the friends and fierce competitors will meet for a 26th time in the semifinals at Roland Garros today.

While Djokovic is riding a wave of 27 straight match wins, including Wednesday’s milestone defeat of Rafael Nadal, the two-time French Open finalist will need to mentally move on to his next challenge against a confident Murray. The Scot has notched 15

•Djokovic •Murray consecutive victories, “He’s moving better, including clay titles in serving very well, and he Munich and Madrid since always had touch, one of marrying longtime the best groundstrokes in girlfriend Kim Sears in the game…

He’s April. extremely talented. He’s “He has improved on also a great fighter and clay, no doubt about it,” said somebody that has a lot of Djokovic, who owns an 18- experience playing in big 8 FedEx ATP Head2Head matches.” record against Murray.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 — 63

Champions League Final 2 4hr o Go 24hr 4hrss TTo

Underrate Juventus at your peril

Big blow for Juve as Chiellini bows out of final J

UVENTUS defender Giorgio Chiellini’s hotly anticipated first meeting with Luis Suarez since the Uruguay forward bit him at the World Cup has been scuppered through injury and he will miss tomorrow’s Champions League final.

Barcelona striker Suarez was banned for four months for sinking his teeth into Chiellini’s shoulder in the Group D match between Uruguay and Italy in Brazil last year and the two were due to lock horns again in Berlin.

However, Chiellini suffered a calf injury in training on Wednesday and a scan on Thursday ruled him out of the clash.

Chiellini has said the incident is all in the past and he would have no problem shaking Suarez’s hand before the final.

“The tests showed a first degree injury in the calf muscle of the left leg and he will not be available for the match against Barcelona,” Juve said in a statement on their website (www.juven tus.com).

Chiellini’s absence is a blow to Juve’s chances of thwarting Barca’s formidable attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Suarez.

Andrea Barzagli could come in to play alongside Leonardo Bonucci in the centre of defence, with Angelo Ogbonna another option for coach Massimiliano Allegri.

•Juve Coach –Allegiri

S

DOWN AND OUT...Juventus defender, Giorgio Chiellini down and out of Champions League final.

Neymar: C/League final the match of my life EYMARisrelishingturning discussed not only tomorrow’s N out for Barcelona in the game in Berlin against Juventus Champions League after but the unlikely bond shared watching La Blaugrana win in 2009.

Neymar has spoken to Brazilian outlet Globoesporte and

•BARCA'S HITMEN...Messi (r) Neymar (m) and Suarez

with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, the Brazilian, Argentine and Uruguayan more normally rivals.

“It will be the match of my life, no doubt,” Neymar said, Mundo Deportivo reports.

“It’s a final that every player dreams of, and I get to play it with Barca. We’ll do our best to win.

“I’ve dreamed of this since I was small and now I’m about to live it. It’s a like a World Cup for clubs and everyone who has already played in the final says there’s nothing like it. I hope we can win the trophy.

Messi praises Barca’s trio L

EO Messi praised Barcelona teammates Neymar and Luis Suarez ahead of the Champions League Final with Juventus.

The Blaugrana are undoubtedly favourites for the clash in Berlin tomorrow evening, mainly thanks to their trio of strikers.

“I’m lucky. I’ve played with so many wonderful forwards over the years,”

Messi told Squawka.com.

“I had a great connection with Ronaldinho. I played with Samuel Eto’o, with Thierry Henry, with Pedro, David Villa, Alexis Sanchez.

“But I have to say that it is hard to top lining up alongside Neymar and Suarez. They are two players at the top of their games.

“We have only been together as a three for one

•Neymar

season, so there is still work to do on the partnership, and we can all improve together – but we all see it as teamwork.

• B a r c a Boss —Enrique

Allegri’s Juve impact delights Del Piero

A

HEAD of the UEFA Champions League final, Alessandro Del Piero has praised Massimiliano Allegri’s work with the

ATURDAY’S UEFA Champions League final will undoubtedly use up a lot of the same old soccer clichés. It will likely be billed as “The battle between two polar opposites,” comparing the free scoring and adventurous Barcelona against the stubborn but defensive Juventus. To fall into this easy trap may be folly especially if history has anything to say about it.

Just as the four-time Italian champions were celebrating their 3-2 aggregate semi-final victory over the title holders Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, pundits and other members of the media were already preparing their eulogy.

Barcelona, like in many of their European encounters, are undeniably the favorites heading into the final in Berlin on Saturday. The Blaugrana have hit their stride at the right time and with 113 goals between them this season, the Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar triumvirate are clicking and have the world wondering if they are the best forward line in the history of the sport. Lionel Messi, the world’s number one player, is continuing to defy all logic and is at his best. Surely it would take an equally massive squad to stop them.

Italian champions.

Juventus great Alessandro Del Piero has paid tribute to the job done by coach Massimiliano Alle-

gri ahead of tomorrow’s UEFA Champions League final against Barcelona.

Allegri took over from Antonio Conte at the start

of the season and guided the club to a fourth consecutive Scudetto and a first Coppa Italia in 20 years, with the Italian champions able to complete the treble in Berlin this weekend.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015

FIFA crisis gets messier '

•Warner: The gloves are off •Fifa ‘paid FAI over Henry’s World Cup handball’

F

ORMER Fifa vicepresident Jack Warner has said in a TV address that he will

FIFA U-20 W/Cup

Nigeria sink N/Korea A

GOLDEN BOY: Two-goal hero Saviour Godwin celebrates one of his goals against N/Korea yesterday.

spirited secondhalf display saw the Flying Eagles get their FIFA U-20 World Cup back on track as they romped to a 4-0 win over Korea DPR. After weathering a tight first-half, An Ye Gun’s side went to pieces after the break as a quick-fire brace from Saviour Godwin undid all that good work. A fine final two goals secured all three points for Nigeria and put them back in the mix for Continues on Page 62

reveal all he knows about corruption at world football’s governing body.

Mr Warner, who said he feared for his life, also said he could link Fifa officials to general elections in his native Trinidad and Tobago in 2010.

Continues on Page 62

Eagles make progress in FIFA rankings

T

HE Super Eagles made progress on the world FIFA rankings for the month

Germany, Brazil advance B

OTH Germany and Brazil rubberstamped their places in the Round of 16 at the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 yesterday. The former beat Uzbekistan 3-0 in Christchurch, while the South Americans narrowly edged past

Continues on Page 62

•Blatter

•Wormuth

of May ahead of their African Nations Cup qualifier against Chad on June 13.

Nigeria, jumped two th rd places from 45 to 43 in the log released yesterday. The Eagles also moved one step on the continent. Algeria maintained its number one position. Cote’d Ivoire remains at second spot, while Tunisia took up the third spot previously occupied by Ghana. Cape Verde stayed put on the 6th

Continues on Page 62

Leopards storm Nigeria for Wolves — Page 62 QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S ANSWERS YESTERDAY'S

ACROSS 3 Unhealthy (5) 9 Whole (6) 10 Give (6) 11 Fresher (5) 12 Press (4) 15 Centre (4) 17 Postponed (7) 20 Colour (3) 21 Vision (5) 23 Detail (4) 25 Grain-store (4) 26 Condescend (5) 28 Damp (3) 30 Spotted (7) 33 Revise (4) 35 Ripped (4)2 36 Rule (5) 38 Store (6) 39 Position (6) 40 Prodded (5)

DOWN 1 Foul (5) 2 Seat (5) 3 Vase (3) 4 Required (6) 5 Thought (4) 6 Hill (3) 7 Chief (5) 8 Stitched (5) 13 Lived (7) 14 Nude (5) 16 Regain (7) 18 Lees (5) 19 Owns (3) 22 Power (5) 24 Encountered (3) 27 Fuss (6) 28 Jam (5) 29 Headdress (5) 31 Sum (5) 32 Dissuade (5) 34 Nought (4) 36 Material (3) 37 Bow (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Duress 5, Chapel 9, Lithe 11, Avisan 12, Tepid 14, Crab 17, Nor 18, Rate 20, Titan 22, Ailed 23, Sunning 24, Sleet 26, Tired 29, Lead 30, Bed 32, Date 33, Elder 35, Delude 36, Facade 32, Eager 38, Extent 39, Recent.

DOWN: 1, Deduce 2, Repeat 3, Slot 4, Siren 5, Chair 8, Herd 7, Postal 13, Pointed 15, Rifle 16, Based 19, Tenet 21, Nut 22, Ant 24, Sledge 25, Eaglet 27, Ravage 28, Decent 30, Bleat 31, Defer 33, Eden 34, Rare.

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.

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. Advert Dept Hotline: 014544821. Abuja Advert Hotline: 09-2921024. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

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