Boko Haram begs for dialogue

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62464

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

Lagos shuts 40 religious Buhari appoints Kachikwu new NNPC houses, firms, clubs Says Kanu Nwankwo's hotel won't be 10 re-opened until...

Group Managing Director 46

WAR AGAINST INSURGENCY:

Boko Haram begs for dialogue •Contacts Centre for Crisis Communication •US congressmen pledge more military support •Senate screens, confirms Service Chiefs —Page 8

By Kingsley Omonobi & Victoria Ojeme

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B U J A — FOLLOWING President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration of his administration’s readiness to dialogue with genuine members of the Boko Haram, some members of the terrorist group have contacted the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) to initiate a dialogue process with the Federal Government on their behalf.

Continues on Page 5

Naira depreciates further by N9 at parallel market 14

How erosion is ravaging South Eastern Nigeria See Inside

Mr & Mrs BRING BACK OUR GIRLS—From left: Founder, Bring Back Our Girls, Saudatu Mahdi; member, U.S. House of Representatives, Frederica Wilson; girls rescued from Boko Haram captivity, Miss Hauwa John and Rebecca Ishaku, during Bring Back Our Girls campaign in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

COLUMNISTS: Robber barons: Nigeria's economic and political scourge •P.17 C M Y K

He's too young to be making love at 14! •P.38

Buhari's appointments, Lawal Daura, Amina Zakari •P.19 and PDP

Arms and the Nigerian Army •P.19

PDP crisis deepens, as Police stop staff from 8 entering secretariat

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POCKET CARTOON

COMMISSIONING—From left: Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; President/CE, Dangote Group, Mr. Aliko Dangote; President of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu during the commissioning of Dangote Cement’s plant in Zambia.

Boko Haram begs for dialogue Continues from Page 1 Currently, the government has increased its offensive against the sect with ample support from a host of African countries in pursuit of the president's vow to bring the insurgency to an end

by December this year.

While pursuing the

military option frontally, President Buhari, during his recent trip to the United States of America, said he is open to dialogue with genuine members of the group.

Towards this end, the terrorists have made several calls to the CCC claiming that hundreds of their members who were tired and now have

IT'S UP TO YOU

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BY AYO ADIO

F it has to be, then it is up to you. No statue has ever been built in honour of anyone good at making excuses, go out there and conquer. Crazy as this might sound I find it instructive, in brave attempts it is glorious to fail. If you do fail, pick yourself up and try again. It is cardinal to note that National decline accelerates when citizens outsource responsibilities of their civic lapses to their leaders or government. Hence, you are the very architect of your destiny and in you lies the capabilities to shape your tomorrow. It is up to you.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Winners never quit, and quitters never win!

— Ted Turner

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PROFOUND truth about life that spurs me on in challenging times is the saying that, “if you live long enough, you’ll make mistakes. But if you learn from them, you’ll be a better person. It’s how you handle adversity, not how it affects you.” The main things do to do, in the words of William Clinton is to “never quit, never quit, never quit”. Be passionate about everything you choose to do, it will make a lot of positive difference in your life.

Passion is contagious. You can’t hang around a passionate person without some of that positive energy rubbing off on you. Being in a group of passionate people who are solving their own problems, living their dreams, and pursuing their mission in life can help tide you over any temporary setback. On the other hand, surrounding yourself with nay-sayers and pessimists who always see the worst possibilities can quickly dull your enthusiasm – and make it easier to simply give up.

So choose your friends and network wisely. There is only one person who can make a decision that impacts meaningfully in moving you forward to newer enhancing experiences in your life. And that person is You. The courage and persistence to keep going on, past hurdles and obstacles, is powered by knowing and living your purpose. Discover it.

Tap into it. Achieve it.

contrary opinions to the destructive and murderous activities of the terrorist organization are willing to lay down their arms.

Making the disclosure in Abuja, yesterday, the CCC Executive Secretary, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (rtd), said: “The efforts by some members of the group to get across to the Centre and the discussions we have had, have been encouraging.

We have taken measures also to ascertain the genuineness or otherwise of these persons. We believe they are ready for genuine dialogue.

However, discussions are still ongoing and nothing concrete has been arrived at, but it is an opportunity to interact with what I call insiders in the Boko Haram group.”

This came as the US pledged improved military cooperation with Nigeria against the insurgency, saying that Boko Haram activities may have been funded with proceeds of illegal crude oil sales.

Boko Haram dialogue moves Commodore Anas, who also spoke on sundry national issues including cattle rustling, National Assembly crisis, pipeline vandalism, kidnapping, armed robbery and Radio Biafra among others, said he and his team were already in the process of facilitating a meeting with relevant government agencies for the much awaited dialogue.

His words: “The Boko Haram challenges have continued to become an intractable crisis situation to our nation. Recently, Governor Kashim Shetima of Borno stated that ‘more

than three million innocent Nigerians from Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and other parts of Nigeria live in deep agony, having lost their sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, other relations and neighbours after being brutally attacked by members of Boko Haram.

“Some prominent Nigerians have in recent times canvassed the idea of dialogue with Boko Haram. The option of dialogue, according to them, at the moment, provides a leeway for not only safely rescuing the abducted Chibok school girls alive but also possibly bringing to an end, the orgy of violence unleashed on innocent Nigerians by the group.

“Considering the unspeakable atrocities which the group has visited on Nigeria and Nigerians, this option is no doubt a hard sell.

However, the recent statement of President Muhammadu Buhari on government’s readiness to negotiate with credible members of the sect has rekindled hope for dialogue.

"The Centre views this gesture as good because it has opened a window of opportunity for dialogue for these insurgents that are willing and ready to lay down their arms. This position is predicated on calls made to the Centre by some members of the Boko Haram requesting for genuine and comprehensive dialogue that could lead to hundreds of them coming out to renounce their membership”.

Towards this end, Commodore Anas said: “From discussions held so far, the members seem to be speaking on behalf of a cross section of the group. They expressed willingness to come forward to make certain proposals on behalf of other members of the group. If we pursue this line, I believe something positive will come out.

“The Centre, however, suggests that such dialogue should be done with every sense of caution and responsibility bearing in mind the previous disappointments that attended attempts at negotiations."

It is unclear whether the latest moves will yield dividends on account of the past botched attempts and sect’s alliance with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Last March 7, following deadly bombardment from Nigerian and multinational forces, Boko Haram pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS).

Will the section of the sect willing to dialogue do

so with the backing of IS? Will the sect go against the terms of its allegiance to IS? It is to be seen how the issues will pan out.

B’ Haram may have been funded from illicit oil sale —US Congressman Meanwhile, United States Congressman, Darrel Edward Issa, has disclosed that the terrorists could be getting their funding from illicit trade of oil and called on the Nigerian government to end corruption in the sector to address the insurgency.

Mr Issa, made this disclosure when he led a United States Congressional delegation to a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, at the US Embassy.

“As long as billions of dollars in oil is being sold, you have a black market that funds many things.

Boko Haram can be a clandestine beneficiary of that money too. Some of these areas are within the power of the Nigerian government. So, when they end corruption they may also reduce the flow of that kind of money that goes into sponsoring terrorism,” he said, adding that the US government is ready to assist Nigeria in any capacity.

Issa, who spoke alongside other congress delegates, said nothing in the current U.S. law prevented it from giving Nigeria the necessary support in the fight against Boko Haram.

“Nothing on the current U.S. law prevents full cooperation and technical support or training for the Nigerian military and for all the departments of government. Nothing in the law prevents the U.S. Agency for International Development from its full engagement throughout Nigeria. Nothing in the law will stop the U.S. from providing any and all assistance to the Nigerian military,” he said.

Issa said that the level of willingness of the U.S. to support Nigeria had always been the same.

“The commitment from

President Obama to President Buhari was: ‘We will give you all you need, just tell us what you want’. That bold statement

by President Obama tells a great deal. The U.S. has been involved in training the Nigerian military and it stands ready to do a great deal of more,” he said.

He stressed that the Leahy Law does not limit the kind of training and assistance that the US is willing to give to Nigeria, adding that if the Nigerian authorities show great commitment to preservation of human rights then it will become incumbent on the US to lift the Leahy amendment.

He explained that the Nigerian military did not need equipment more than training adding: “The number one thing that we can bring to this government is professionalising the military. Your military does not lack basic firearms; it does not lack basic ability to buy ammunition on the international market. It didn’t even lack drums which it purchased from China. In the meantime, there is a greater level of military training that is needed; that we would provide,” he said.

He said the U.S. would continue to provide some of the most high-level surveillance and tactical assistance flown by U.S. to support the hunting down of the insurgents.

Issa said the U.S. would continue to provide humanitarian relief to the North East and other areas in need.

“U.S. has contributed half a billion dollars a year of USAID support. We have contributed countless billions of dollars of military and large ships to the Navy.

We continue to bring in as many soldiers including a most elite special forces to train the military in fighting techniques. We would continue to do that.

U.S. has been a partner in Nigeria, around Africa and around the globe in providing the intelligence and the capability at all levels and we will continue to,” he said.

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

24-yr-old man docked for attempting to rob judge

New Pantarker Market demolished at Nyanya, Abuja, yesterday . NAN PHOTO.

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BADAN—A 24-year-old vigilante, John James, was arraigned before an Iyaganku Senior Magistrate‘s Court sitting at Ibadan, Oyo State, yesterday, for an alleged attempt to steal at a judge’s residence.

James is facing a twocount charge of attempt to commit felony to wit stealing and going around with cutlass in public.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Olufemi Omilana, said James jumped the perimeter fence into a building belonging to a sitting judge (name withheld) in Oyo State in an attempt to steal.

James was said to have committed the offence on August 2, at about 4a.m., at Aerodrome Estate, Samonda in Ibadan.

The accused, alleged to be a vigilante in the area, was accosted by one Mr. Sunday Ojedele, the security man of the house on the said day.

Omilani told the court that the accused jumped out of the judge’s compound and failed to disclose what happened to him and his colleagues.

The prosecutor also said that the accused, while armed with a cutlass, was going around in public in a manner as to cause terror to Ojedele.

Omilana said the offence contravened Sections 80 and 509 of the Criminal Code Cap. 38, Vol. 11, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

Senior Magistrate Munirat Giwa-Babalola, granted the accused N100,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

She said one of the sureties must be a level-six cadre in the Civil Service, while the second must be a blood relation of the accusedn. She adjourned the case to September 9.

Landlord, wife arrested for tenant's death over quit notice

By Egufe Yafugborhi & Perez Brisibe

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FFURUN—DELTA State Police Command is currently investigating circumstances surrounding the alleged killing of one Iriguvwedo Joshua by his landlord, Mr. Blessing Omasehe.

The victim, who until his death, was a driver and machine operator at a private

water factory located by Aziza Junction, along Warri-Sapele Road, was alleged to have died from wounds sustained from the attack at his Chinkelly Street residence, Ekpan, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.

Recounting the incident that led to the death of the victim, his elder brother, Abraham Iriguvwedo, yesterday told newsmen that his brother was killed with a cutlass on Friday by his landlord over a

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GHELLI—POLICE in Delta State have arrested three of the armed robbers who barricaded the road to Ekakpamre, an Urhobo community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, last Friday.

Vanguard learned that the police at Ekamkpamre Police Station, under Otu-Jeremi Division, stormed the scene with the community’s vigilance

his one-bedroom apartment, which was resolved when the late Joshua fled the house, only to be attacked in the evening when he returned home to pick some of his clothings.

Confirming the arrest of the landlord and his wife, a source in Ekpan Police Station stated that the suspect and his wife were in police custody and would soon be transferred to the state police headquarters for further investigation.

Cultists kill night club staff over bill

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI—A gang of hoodlums, Monday night, stormed a popular night club (names withheld) in World Bank Housing Estate, New Owerri, killing a staff for daring to challenge them over an unpaid bill.

While some of the customers described the gang as cultists, others believed they were armed robbers or assassins, who were out to even scores with their alleged enemies.

Vanguard gathered that the four-man armed gang stormed the night club, ate and drank to their fill but wanted to leave without paying their bill.

One of the customers of the night club, who spoke on grounds of anonymity, told Vanguard that the deceased stepped in as soon as it was clear that the gang had overpowered the bar man and wanted to leave without clearing their bill.

The customer said: “The boys were enraged when they realised that the deceased, Mr. Incredible, was not deterred when they fired several shots at the walls of the night club.

They then shot him.”

Vanguard also gathered that police patrol teams arrived the scene as soon as they got the information, gave the fleeing hoodlums a chase and arrested

Police arrest 3 robbery suspects in Delta, kill 1

By Emma Amaize

fracas relating to a quit notice served on him by the landlord, although Joshua's rent was yet to expire.

Abraham explained that he was called at about 11:30pm on Friday by the victim’s girlfriend, informing him that his brother bled to death at the scene of the incident.

According to Abraham, his brother had, earlier in the day, had a fight with his landlord over an extension attached to

group when they got information that armed robbers blocked the road.

State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Celestina Kalu, who confirmed the arrest of the suspects, said the fourth suspect escaped into the bush.

She gave the name of the suspects as Joseph, 30, Prince, 21 and Onigbo, 20.

She said: “However, on August 1, the dead body of the fleeing suspect was found in the bush with bullet wounds.

“Items recovered from the suspects include one cut-to-size locally-made single-barrelled gun, one live cartridge and a tricycle with number plates AKA311QT. “The suspects have made useful statements, while the corpse of the deceased has been deposited in the morgue.”

Meanwhile, police have arrested a student of a university in the state, who stole a Galaxy S4 phone and gave it to his girlfriend.

two suspects.

The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the suspects were cooling their heels in police custody.

He said: “The command is still investigating, to know why the shooting took place as well as

unmask those behind crime.”

He assured the public that as soon as police investigations were over, prosecuting the suspects would follow.

Meanwhile, the remains of the deceased had been deposited in the morgue, awaiting post-mortem examination and burial.

7 dead in Zaki Biam as armed bikers go on rampage

By Peter Duru

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AKURDI—NO fewer than seven persons were gunned down by unidentified men in Benue North-East senatorial district last weekend, despite the outcry that had trailed the wanton killings in the area.

Vanguard learned that the victims were killed in Ukum Local Government Area by the arms-wielding men who stormed the area on a motorbikes.

An eyewitness said: “The victims were murdered in a similar fashion as those earlier killed, including a septuagenarian and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stalwart, Chief Atoza Ihindan, who was also gunned down by

men on a motorbike.”

The Divisional Police Officer in charge of the local government, Superintendent Michael Okoriko, who confirmed the development at Zaki Biam, said the armed men stormed the area on a motorbike and opened fire on innocent people.

Okoriko, who pleaded with the people of the area to assist police get to the root of the matter to arrest the masterminds of the killings, said police were already investigating.

Former Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, had in a statement, urged the state government to take decisive action to end the cold-blooded murder of innocent persons in the area.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015—7

Sex workers hold candlelight procession for slain Suspected ritualists were said killed by suspected ritualists. colleagues in Abeokuta They said the mutilated to have abandoned the corpse

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA—THERE was mild drama in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Monday night, as scores of commercial sex workers staged a candlelight procession in honour of their colleagues, who were allegedly killed by suspected ritualists, weekend.

Dressed in black apparels, the sex workers, who stormed the state secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, OkeIlewo, Abeokuta, wailed as they mourned their colleagues.

One of the dead, who was simply identified as Sitira, was found dead at a refuse dump site at Olomoore junction in Abeokuta on Sunday morning.

of the 23-year-old prostitute after severing some flesh from her body.

The late Sitira was said to have been thrown off a moving Sport Utility Vehicle, SUV, along Abeokuta-Lagos Expressway.

Speaking with reporters, the protesters claimed that beside Sitira, another colleague was

A container-laden truck, with number plates KTU 766XM, crushed six motorcycles at Berger Yard Bus Stop, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

remains of the second sex worker was discovered in a ditch at Olomoore, Abeokuta.

During the procession, about 50 commercial sex workers, plying their trade in Abeokuta, converged on the NUJ secretariat and also at the nearby residence of former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.

They identified Sitira with different names: Titi and Folake.

Bearing candle sticks, they chanted solidarity slogans and rained curses on the killers of their colleagues.

The sex workers momentarily barricaded the NUJ secretariat and later departed for the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, where they continued their mourning.

They chanted: Oro nla leda, oro nla leda, eyin tepa Titi, t’eje odagba, oro nla leda. Omo yin maku, eeeheee omo yin maku, eyin tepa Titi t’eje odagba, omo yin maku.

It means: You have done something grievous, you have done something grievous. The killers of Titi (Sitira) have done something grievous.

Their children will die, their children will die, those that killed Titi will lose their children.

Family of nine killed in Lagos gas explosion buried in Anambra

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA—THE sleepy community of Azia in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State was in mournful mood yesterday as the nine bodies of the family of Charles Obidigwe, who died of burns sustained from cooking gas explosion in Lagos last month, were buried.

Mrs. Obidigwe, wife of Charles, was said to be preparing lunch for the family when the gas cylinder exploded and caught fire that engulfed the entire flat.

When men of Lagos State Fire Service arrived, the harm had been done.

The head of the family, Charles Obidigwe, 51, died instantly. But the other eight members of his family, including his sister-in-law and her son, who were staying with them, died later in a Lagos hospital.

Until his death, late Obidigwe operated a medicine store in Lagos.

When news of their death reached Azia, their home town, the community was thrown into mournful mood and it remained

so until their bodies were brought a forthnight ago and buried, while funeral rites were accorded them yesterday.

Their graves littered the premises of Charles Obidigwe's uncompleted building like a mini cemetery.

His sister-in-law and her son, who also lost their lives in the incident, were buried in another village in the town where she was married.

Markets shut

As a mark of respect for the deceased family, all the markets in Azia were closed and all other burial ceremonies in the community were cancelled to enable the community give the Obidigwe family a befitting burial.

Though attendance was not made compulsory for the people of the community, the Obidigwe country home at Nkwankwa village in Azia was packed full with sympathisers from all the villages in the town.

Tears flowed freely as women, men and children sobbed for hours.

In a homily delivered at the church service held in Obidigwe compound, the

officiating priest, Rev. Fr. Jude Unigwe of St. Anthony ’s Catholic Parish, Azia, urged the people not to question why the entire family had to perish at once, adding that it was only God that had the answer.

He told the people to be ready for their own death at all times by living a good life as nobody knew when death would come knocking and how it would come.

The deceased elder brother, Mr. Livinus Obidigwe, said: “We cannot question God. My brother was very hard working and he was loved by many in this community.

“The only thing I can say is that their souls should rest in peace.”

Late Charles’ youngest brother, Chimezie Odidiegwu, said he lacked words to express his feelings.

Police arrest kidnappers using hotel as den in Oyo

By Ola Ajayi

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BADAN—Oyo State Police Command said yesterday that it had discovered a kidnappers’ hideout at Oyagbe area in Oyo town.

A herdsman, Hussein Sani, who had been held for about two weeks was reportedly rescued from the claws of the kidnappers.

According to Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Muhammadu Katsina, five suspected kidnappers were arrested for alleged involvement in the offence.

The suspects were said to have come from Benin Republic and settled at Oyo in Atiba Local Government Area of the state.

He said: “A ground breaking discovery was made yet again and this time in Oyo town, where some wicked individuals kidnapped a fellow human for ransom.

“We have so far arrested five people connected with the crime, including the hotelier, and the victim Saki Fulani is now in our custody.”

The victim, Sani, said he was abducted at Ogbomoso, adding that he ate rice for the period he was in captivity.

The police commissioner added that Sani's abductors demanded a ransom of N1 million and that if he failed to produce it, he would be killed.

The hotelier, Olatunji Kabiru, who owns the hotel where the kidnappers used, denied knowledge of the crime.

He said the kidnappers had deposited N5,000.

Sales rep bags 3 years in jail over N2.3m theft

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS—MAGISTRATE K. O. Ogundare of a Lagos Chief Magistrate’s Court, sitting at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, yesterday, sentenced a salesman, Azeez Williams, to three years imprisonment without an option of fine.

The convict, who is 30 year old, was found guilty of stealing the sum of N2.3 million.

The convict was arraigned before the court sometimes in July 2013, on charges bordering on conspiracy and stealing.

The offences are punishable

under Sections 409 and 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

During the trial of the convict, the prosecutor informed the court that the convict had conspired with others still at large to steal different head ties valued N2,381,000 from the shop of one Mrs. Adenike Balogun, situated at 33, Kosoko Street, Lagos Island, where he was a sales representative.

The prosecutor had called two witnesses, the convict’s boss, Balogun and Corporal Adeyemo Olubunmi the Investigation Police officer

from CIID, who investigated the crime.

Delivering judgment in the suit, Magistrate Ogundare discharged the convict of the conspiracy allegation, saying that the prosecution failed to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt.

However, he was found guilty of the stealing charge, and consequently sentenced to three years imprisonment without an option of fine.

The magistrate also ordered that the convict’s landed property be confiscated and disposed as restitution for the crime against the complainant.

8—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

PDP crisis deepens as Police block staff from entering secretariat zBoT chair intervenes as NWC may bow to pressure

By Henry Umoru

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BUJA — THE lingering crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, following a sharp disagreement between the national leadership and staff over plans to reduce the staff strength, their salaries and allowances by 50 per cent, yesterday took a new turn as men of the Nigeria Police blocked the gate of the National Secretariat.

In the early hours of yesterday, following directives from the leadership of the party, a truck load of Policemen blocked the gate and deprived the staff from entering the secretariat.

Police action, however, met a stiff resistance from the angry PDP staff.

The policemen, who were deployed at strategic ends of the PDP secretariat, refused to utter a word to the aggrieved staff that came to work as early as 7.30 am only to be shut-out.

It will be recalled that as part of moves to end the crisis, management of PDP who are the directors, deputy directors and assistant directors, had on Monday held a closed door marathon meeting with the warring staff where the National Director of Administration, Alhaji Gurama Bawa, presided.

At the meeting, Bawa was said to have pleaded with the aggrieved staff to have a temporary ceasefire against the backdrop that the management would then hold a meeting with members of the NWC on how to arrive at a possible compromise to avoid heating the polity which at the moment was not the best for a party that last a Presidential election.

With the agreement to a ceasefire, the staff came to work, but they were stopped, just as Vanguard gathered that it took the intervention of PDP Acting Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, who made a call to the leadership of the party that the staff be allowed into the premises.

BoT chair intervenes

Vanguard gathered that following the intervention of Mohammed, a call was then made to the Police and they immediately left the gate.

It was until around 10am that the security operatives, after a purported phone call from ‘somebody’ agreed to allow them entry after screening the workers.

With this development, strong indications have emerged that there seems to be no end in sight in the crisis as both the leadership of the party and the staff have resorted to what could be described as a hide and seek game.

It was also gathered, yesterday, that the NWC, which had earlier refused to brief the staff from its Monday meeting, also shifted the venue of its yesterday meeting to an undisclosed venue and directed Police operatives to seal off the PDP secretariat from all, including its staff.

The angry PDP staff revealed that they have reached an agreement within themselves to sheathe their swords until the end of the week and if there was nothing good coming from the NWC, they should be ready for a brutal showdown.

A source told Vanguard that the problem would end as there

were assurances that all their entitlements have been considered for payment, just as the source disclosed that two cheques of N5 million each meant for upsetting their allowances, including their July salary and the last Sallah bonus which have not been paid, have been raised.

SCREENING: From left, Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadiq Baba Abubakar; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Burutai and Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General Abayomi Gabriel during Service Chiefs confirmation meeting with Ad-Hoc Committee on Screening of the Service Chiefs of the Senate, at the National Assembly, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Vandalism, bunkering, major challenges during my tenure —Obasanjo

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B E O K U TA — O R M E R president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, identified bunkering and vandalism as the “most challenging problems” that confronted his eight-year tenure as Nigeria’s president.

Obasanjo made the remark at his Hill Top residence in Abeokuta when he received Mr Ade Abolurin (rtd), the former Corp Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC).

He said in his bid to effectively tackle vandalism, he ensured that his government institutionalised the NSCDC through an Act of Parliament.

Obasanjo said he had no regret for doing that because the corps had turned out to be one of the government agencies that “I am very, very proud of.”

“Some of the things that I had to confront during my tenure as President of Nigeria were pipeline vandalism, holdup, and stealing of crude oil."

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Senate screens, confirms Service Chiefs zHarps on effective procurement procedures zEkweremadu, other Senators visit IDPs camps today

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

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BUJA—THE Senate, yesterday, screened and confirmed Service Chiefs, just as they were charged to work assiduously on the procurement procedures in the Armed Forces as part of moves to check corruption.

The newly confirmed Service Chiefs were also charged by the Senate to provide a new direction and leadership to the armed forces required at the time of the country’s history to nip in the bud, the security challenge where members of Boko Haram has continually engaged in massive killing and wanton destruction of property in the North-East.

The confirmation came after the Senators went into a closed door session for four hours.

Those screened by the Senators, yesterday, for four hours from 11.20 am to 4.05 pm were Major-General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin as Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General T.Y. Buratai as Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete

Ekwe Ibas as Chief of Naval Staff and Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar as Chief of Air Staff.

Closed door session

Earlier, the Senate had at 11.20am broke into a closed door session soon after Senate leader, Senator Ali Ndume had said: “That the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President, C-in-C, for the confirmation of the following nominees for appointment as Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs respectively for the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in accordance with Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act, CAP. A.20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

Soon after the closed door session and the senators returned to their seats for the proper confirmation, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, asked at 4.14 pm if what happened was a true reflection of what transpired in the committee of the whole, the Senators all agreed that it was a true picture of what took place.

Speaking after the lawmakers all agreed for the confirmation, Senator Saraki, who hailed the newly appointed Service Chiefs, stressed that their appointment came in due time when insurgency had reached its peak.

Saraki said: “It is clear that their appointment is based on merit and their presence before us today. The appointment as we all see, is coming at a very crucial time with a lot of challenges particularly insurgency in the North-East and some other security issues, for example, the issue of oil theft when they came before us.

Effective procurement procedures

“We hope that during the period of time, their performance will take off the responsibility required. We are all keen to restore the image and reputation of the armed forces. I believe that their confirmation is the beginning of their journey to restore the glory of the armed force in our great nation.”

The Senate President, who noted that the armed forces also needed to work on the procurement proceedures aimed at rooting out corruption, however, promised that the committees when set up to perform the role of oversight would have a serious role to play.

Ekweremadu, other Senators to visit IDPs

Meanwhile, Senate President Saraki has disclosed that Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, would today lead other Senators to Adamawa on a visit to Internally Displaced Persons’ Camps.

Other Senators on the trip are Senators Ahmed Lawan, Yobe North; Murtala Nyako, Adamawa Central; Binta Garba, Adamawa North; Ahmadu Abubakar, Adamawa South; George Sekibo, Rivers East, among others.

It would recalled that Senate President Saraki had on Monday led other Senators on the spot assessment of the security situation in Borno State where he made a cash donation of N10 million in support of the upkeep of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015—9

NNPC failed to remit N2.5trn crude oil sales proceeds — NRGI zSays the corporation diverted 100m barrels proceeds over 10 years

By Michael Eboh

A

BUJA — AN international governance watchdog, the Natural Resource Governance Institute, NRGI, yesterday, accused the NNPC of failing to remit $12.3 billion (about N2.46 trillion) into the Federation Account, being proceeds of sales of one of Nigeria’s crude oil grade over the last 10 years.

The NRGI, in a report entitled: “Inside NNPC Oil Sales: A Case for Reform in Nigeria," said its research found no evidence that NNPC forwarded to the treasury any revenues from sales of Okono crude between 2005 and 2014, volumes which totaled over 100 million barrels with an estimated value of $12.3 billion.

“In other words, the corporation has provided no public accounting of how it used a decade’s worth of revenues from an entire stream of the country’s oil production,” the report stated.

The report further disclosed that the NNPC’s approach to oil sales suffers from high corruption risks, adding that company had failed to maximize returns for the nation.

According to the report, over the last 38 years, the NNPC has neither developed its own commercial or operational capacities nor facilitated the growth of the sector through external investment, noting that instead, it has spun a legacy of inefficiency and mismanagement.

The report lamented that in spite of the failings of the NNPC, especially in its debilitating consumption of public revenues, successive governments have made no effort to undertake a reform of the corporation.

It said: “We find that management of NNPC’s oil sales has worsened in recent years — and particularly since 2010. The largest problems stem from the rising number of ad-hoc, makeshift practices the corporation has introduced to work around its deeper structural problems.

“For instance, NNPC entered into poorly designed oil-forproduct swap deals when it could no longer meet the country’s fuel needs. Similarly, it began unilaterally spending billions of dollars in crude oil revenues each year, rather than transferring them to the treasury, because NNPC’s actual budget process fails to cover operating expenses.

“Some of these makeshift practices began with credible goals. But over time, their operation became overly discretionary and complex, as political and patronage agendas surpassed the importance of maximizing returns.

“These poor practices come with high costs. Average prices for the country’s light sweet crude topped $110 per barrel during the boom of 2011 to 2014.

Yet during that same period, treasury receipts from oil sales fell significantly.

“While volumes lost to oil theft explain some of the decline, NNPC’s massive revenue

withholdings and an increase in suboptimal sales arrangements are also to blame.

“Mismanagement of NNPC oil sales also raises commercial, reputational and legal risk for actors worldwide: the sales involve some of the world’s largest commodity trading houses, are financed by top banks, and result in the delivery

of crude to countries across the globe.”

To this end, the report called for an urgent deeper structural reform of the NNPC, especially in its management of oil sales, warning that if a reform is not undertaken, the country risks a new round of coping mechanism.

FACT BEHIND THE FIGURES: From left, Mr Oscar Onyema, CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE; Mr Akin Akinfenwa, Group Chief Excecutives Officer, Forte Oil; Mr Julius Omodayo Owotuga and Mr Dare Arinde, Group Head Corporate Services, Forte Oil, during Forte Oil's fact behind the figures meeting at NSE, Lagos. Photo: Shola Oyelese

Senate Standing Order: Court threatens to quash police report zAs FG seeks dismissal of suit

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By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

BUJA — JUSTICE Gabriel Kolawole of Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, threatened to quash any police report on the alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Order.

The judge maintained that the police ought to refrain from taking further action on the matter pending the determination of a suit lodged before the court by Senator Gilbert Nnaji.

Nnaji, who is representing Enugu-East Senatorial District, had gone before the court with a view to stopping the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, from taking further steps towards investigating and prosecuting those behind the alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Order 2015.

The plaintiff in the suit he filed on July 23 joined the IGP and the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, as the 1st and 2nd respondents in the matter.

He specifically urged the court to restrain the two respondents from taking further action on the matter pending the hearing and determination of the substantive

suit before it.

Meanwhile, Justice Kolawole who had on July 27 summoned the two respondents to appear before him to show cause why the reliefs sought by the plaintiff should not be granted by the court, yesterday, warned all the parties against taking any step capable of jeopardising the ‘res’ of the suit.

He stressed that whenever a competent court is seized with the facts of any case, no action ought to be taken by any of the parties until the court determines the subject matter of litigation before it.

While adjourning the matter till September 8, the court said it would not hesitate to summon the IG to appear before it to account for whatever action the Police had taken on the investigation since the suit was filed.

Meantime, the Federal Government, through the Office of the AGF, yesterday, urged the high court to strike out the suit for want of competence.

The government also challenged the locus standi of Senator Nnaji to institute the action .

In a preliminary objection it

filed through a senior lawyer in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Taiwo Abidogun, the Federal Government told the court that the allegation concerning the forgery of the said Senate Standing Order 2015 predated the emergence of both Saraki and Ekweremadu as Senate President and Deputy Senate President, respectively.

“We submit that it will be in the interest of justice for this matter to be struck out in its entirety as the plaintiff’s suit has not disclosed or shown that he has any personal remedy arising from the disclosed cause of action, that exceeds that of Senator Ike Ekweremadu or the Senate as an entity,” it said.

Besides, it argued that the plaintiff, failed to show how his personal rights were or would be abused should the police succeed in unravelling those that masterminded the alleged forgery.

The matter will be handled on the next adjourned date by a different judge.

Justice Kolawole, yesterday, said he would transfer the casefile to Justice Ademola Adeniyi who is billed to resume work as the second vacation judge next week.

Nigeria ready for Ebola resurgence — CDC boss

A

BUJA — THE National Coordinator, Centre for Disease Control, Prof.

Abdusalam Nasidi, yesterday, said Nigeria had taken adequate measures to contain the resurgence of Ebola virus disease in the country.

Nasidi said this in an interview in Abuja.

He said the measures are in response to the recent resurgence of the disease in neighbouring Liberia which had earlier been certified Ebola-free by the World Health Organisation, WHO. Nasidi said that screening had been intensified at strategic entries in the country, with the establishment of a rapid respond team and an emergency response centre, at the federal level.

He said: “There are automatic temperature scanning cameras mounted at strategic places which take one’s temperature and other parameters.

“If it indicates a high temperature, such an individual would be apprehended and taken into isolation immediately. With this level of preparedness, I don’t think that the diseases can take us by surprise anymore.”

Nasidi further said that CDC had been working with various scientists from Germany, Guinea and other counties to discover other possible causes and the prevention of Ebola.

He said the CDC had organised trainings for medical personnel and volunteers, adding that some of the programmes were still ongoing in various states in the country.

He said that during the outbreak of Ebola in Liberia in 2014, 211 Nigerian experts were sent to the country and Sierra-Leone, as part of African support to Ebola in West Africa.

“We were able to assist the countries to reactivate health care services which led to a drastic reduction of the epidemic before its resurgence,” he said.

Nasidi said that in order to fully contain the disease, the National Orientation Agency had been involved in educating people in various languages, mostly on the danger of consuming bush meat.

He warned that the consumption of bat meat remained the main source of picking up the virus.

10 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

Health workers dissociate union from NAFDAC crisis

Kanu’s hotel won’t be reopened until...

— LASG zOver 40 religious houses, firms, club houses also shut

By Monsur Olowoopejo

By Gabriel Olawale

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AGOS—HEALTH workers at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, yesterday warned against any attempt to involve the union in the crisis rocking the agency saying, “we are not supporting any party but protecting the welfare of our members”.

The health workers under the auspices of Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, also threatened to resume its strike if their demands are not met by management of the agency.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos, the spokesperson of the Union and Chairman, Federal Area Council, Comrade Stephen Ibe warned that workers at NAFDAC should not be dragged into the ongoing feud.

His words, “I want to inform the public that whatever that is happening in NAFDAC does not concern the union and the we should be seen as a neutral body.

Union is not in any way supporting any of the parties. Union is there only to fight for the welfare of members and that is what we are doing.”

Ibe threatened that the Union would not hesitate to resume its suspended strike by next week should management of the agency fail to implement or give a time line for the implementation of their agreement on skipping of CONHESS 10 as well as job specific allowances.

L

AGOS—THE Lagos State government yesterday said that it would not re-open Hardley Apartments, Victoria Island, owned by former Super Eagles player, Kanu Nwankwo, which was shut on Monday for air pollution, until the management complies with necessary provisions.

L

AGOS—A lawyer and rights activist, Kabir Akingbolu has dragged President Muhammadu Buhari before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos over his failure to make adequate provision for the production and supply of petroleum products to all citizens at regulated prices.

Akingbolu, in the suit, has the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, as the second defendant.

The lawyer is contending that considering the nature and extent of inconveniences which the citizens of the country were being subjected to by the lack of petroleum

contravening the state guidelines on noise, air and environmental pollutions.

He added that 10 industries, night clubs and other business outfits were sealed by the agency to return sanity to the state’s environment, saying “If we do this for another six months, the level of non-compliance in the state will reduce.”

With this, the state government has surpassed the number of outfits

shut last year, which were 24 religious outfits and 13 industries that violated the state's laws on pollution.

Shabi lamented that the agency has received thousands of complaints from residents over increase in noise pollution.

Vanguard learned that some of the religious outfits shut by the agency were, Aguda Central Mosque, a branch of Christ Embassy, sealed for using 13 speakers outside its premises.

While one of the industries shut during the enforcement exercise was New York cable wires in Baruwa axis of the state.

…Arrests 595 suspects, prosecutes 400, convicts 300

AGM: From left; Chief Charles Chijide; Mr Babu Akinbobola; Chief B. Omisore watch as Alhaji Garuba Bello Kankarufi, Registrar, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON cut the tape for the opening of OAAN House at Festac town during the Outdoor Advertizing Association of Nigeria's 30th AGM at Tulip Hotel, Festac, Lagos. Photo by Shola Oyelese.

Youths protest plan to prosecute Synagogue church, contractors

By Olasunkanmi Akoni & Monsuru Olowoopejo

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AGOS—YOUTHS numbering hundreds yesterday, stormed Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja to protest planned prosecution of Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN over the collapse of their six-storey

Lagos lawyer sues Buhari over inadequate fuel supply

By Innocent Anaba

General Manager of the Lagos State Environment Protection, LASEPA, Mr Ademola Shabi who disclosed this during a fresh enforcement trip to Amuwo Odofin axis, explained that 30 religious outfits were shut in the last two days also over pollution.

According to him, the State Government has shut over 40 religious houses, industries, club houses and others for

products, especially the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), the failure of Buhari, as the Chief Executive Officer of the country, to act by making the products sufficiently available, was capable of causing breach of peace and serious discomfiture for the citizenry.

He is praying the court to determine whether the failure of the president to address the scarcity by the President was a breach of the oath of office he took on May 29, 2015 and a violation of the clear and unambiguous provisions of Section 130 (1) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

building on September 12, 2014, by the Lagos state government.

Also, traders of Sand-grouse Market, Lagos Island, stormed the State House to protest the planned redevelopment of the market.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode disclosed plans to reopen the Synagogue’s collapsed building case by prosecuting the church and the builder following the recommendation of the Coroner Inquest, led by Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, which indicted the church for failing to secure necessary approval before erecting the structure that led to the death of 116 worshippers.

The youths, under the aegis of Ijaw Progressive Congress and Eko Youth Front, stormed the office of the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to express their dissatisfaction over the planned action and appealed to the government to dump the move.

The youths who stormed the seat of power, displayed placards with various inscription, some of which read, “No man will build his

house and allow it to collapse for any reason; stop the prosecution of our helper,” among others.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Mr. Innocent Agbo stated that before the building caved in on September 12, last year, an helicopter hovered round the building which he said could have orchestrated the collapse of the structure.

Meantime, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday, presided over the State Security Council meeting with a resolve to check the menace of robbery in traffic gridlock in some trouble spots in the state, as well as street trading.

Briefing newsmen on the outcome of the meeting, Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni said the Council looked at the security and crime situation in the past one month with a focus on the menace of street trading, land-grabbers, and other security issues in the state.

According to him 595 suspects were picked during several raids across the state. About 400 were prosecuted, while 332 were convicted for various crimes.

Those at the meeting include the Commander, 9th Mechanised Brigade, Major Gen Mohammed Sabo, Commander, Airforce Base, Air Commodore Lere Osanyintolu, Commander, NNS Beecroft, Olokun, Apapa, Navy Commodore Daniel Ikoli and Director, State Security Service (SSS), Mr. Okojie Little John.

UNPAID SALARIES: Labour threatens to shut nation’s ports

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

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AGOS—MARITIME Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, yesterday in Lagos, threatened to shut the nation’s ports by tomorrow over months of unpaid wages to Dockworkers especially Tally clerks and On Board Security Gangway men despite several agreements.

President-General of MWUN, Tony Emmanuel Nted said that the latest agreement reached with stakeholders including Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, and Association of Stevedoring Companies, ASC, on July 9, 2015, at a meeting called by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, expired since July 30, without

payment to the affected workers.

Nted claimed the management of NPA was responsible for the delay and refusal to pay the affected workers and asked the government, shipping companies, terminal operators and others to hold NPA responsible for the planned shut of the Ports.

He lamented that the union had no other explanation to give the aggrieved workers, saying the leadership of the union had placed all its leaders across the ports formations on the alert for a declaration of an indefinite industrial unrest since it appeared that the only language NPA management understood, was industrial action.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015 — 11

N26BN DEBT: DISCOs disconnect police, military barracks, others

By Daud Olatunji

A

B E O K U TA — T H E Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, ANED, comprising of the 11 Distribution Companies, DISCOs, has threatened to commence the disconnection of power supply to military and police barracks as well as ministries, departments and agencies across the country, over accumulated N26billion.

The group however, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari for a bail-out to cushion the effects of the debt on their operations, saying it could no longer bear the huge debt.

The ANED Director, Research and Advocacy, Sunday Oduntan, disclosed that more than N10 billion out of the total debt of N26 billion is owed by Military formations in Kaduna, Lagos, Oyo, Kwara and Ogun states.

Oduntan hinted that the Nigerian military, para-military and MDAs all over the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory,

INSPECTION: Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko inspecting a bad portion of Odokoyi road in Akure, on Monday, before the commencement of its reconstruction.

Abuja are currently indebted to the 11 DISCOs nationwide.

He said the huge debt owed the DISCOs was now hampering their operations.

Giving a breakdown of the debt,

Oduntan claimed that the Military and MDAs at both the Federal and state levels are owing N6.7 billion to the Kaduna DISCO; N7 billion to the Abuja DISCO; N5.2 billion to Ibadan

DISCO; N2.3 billion to the Eko DISCO; N3.8 billion to the Benin DISCO and; N860m to the Kano DISCO, just as the debts owed other DISCOs run to several billions of Naira.

Obasanjo, Amosun commend ex-NSCDC boss, Abolurin

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA—FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that lack of continuity is one of the banes of Nigeria’s development.

Obasanjo stated this while

receiving the immediate-past Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr. Ade Abolurin, yesterday, at his private residence in Abeokuta.

The former President said some essential things would be

maintained and preserved through continuity in governance.

Abolurin, who was accompanied by his wife, Aderonke and states commandants of the Corps in the South West to Obasanjo’s

OSUN: APC warns against causing chaos over Judge’s safety

T

HE Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, has said that it will be futile for any group or persons to attempt to use the safety of Justice Folahanmi Oloyede as a strategy to throw the state into chaos.

It said that from the first day the government became aware of her petition against the governor, special security arrangements were provided to prevent anything bad happening to her.

The party said continual media

campaigns alleging danger or insecurity to the lives of Justice Oloyede is a mere campaign only sustained to blackmail the state and the government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

A statement by the party’s Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, said; ‘’Unknown to the sponsors of the campaigns of calumny, right from the first day that Justice Folahanmi Oloyede submitted her petition, the government had

taken a pro-active measure by alerting the head of the Courts in Osun, Chief Justice Adepele Ojo and security agencies including the Nigeria Police Force, The Department of State Service to provide adequate and enhanced security around the person and residence of Justice Folahanmi Oloyede. Justice Oloyede herself cannot deny the fact of this enhanced security around her person and residence up till now.’’

residence during his ‘homecoming’ visit , described his 10 years journey as rough, tough and challenging.

In his remarks, Obasanjo explained that he institutionalised the NSCDC while he was the President because of the good work the organisation was doing as a voluntary body for many years.

"You, Ade Abolurin, you did your best, no human being is perfect and if there is any imperfection that I noted, is probably your enthusiasm to want to get things right.

You’ve gone, you’ve seen, and I think you have conquered and you’re welcome home," he said.

In his remarks, Abolurin, who was hosted separately in Abeokuta by both Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Obasanjo said he survived several assassination attempts while he held sway at CommandantGeneral of the NSCDC. Meantime, the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has also hailed the achievements of Dr. Olu Abolurin while in office, saying he transformed the once unknown outfit into a security agency to be reckoned with.

Mimiko sacks aides

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—GOVERNOR Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State yesterday announced the disengagement of his Special Assistants and Senior Special Assistants.

This is coming as speculation are rife that members of boards and parastatals in the state will soon be dissolved.

Presently, there are six vacancies in the State Executive Council, SEC. Some commissioners may be dropped to bring in new ones while the vacant seats will be filled.

Vanguard gathered that the governor's action was to integrate members of the old Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state who have been asking for their inclusion in government after the defection of the governor.

APC, PDP bicker over salaries to ruling party chieftains

By Dayo Johnson

A

KURE—THE ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State have disagreed over allegation that some National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP are on the payroll of the state government.

While the APC called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to probe the allegation, the PDP asked the APC to produce evidence or risk court action.

The opposition party, through its publicity secretary, Abayomi Adesanya in a statement alleged that the NWC members, especially the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh was on the payroll of the Ondo State government.

He alleged in Akure that; “We reliably gathered that Chief Olisa Metuh and some PDP national officers are on the payroll of Ondo State government.

“The money, which ran into several millions of Naira monthly was part of the agreement reached with Governor Mimiko before controversially installing him (Mimiko) as the Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum”.

But the PDP publicity secretary, Banji Okunomo in a swift reaction said; “The allegation, in spite of its ill logic,pettiness and pedestrian quality is also absolutely criminal.''

12 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

DELTA POLL: Tribunal strikes out Emerhor's application for elongation of time zTo rule on application for additional witnesses

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—DELTA State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Asaba, has, struck out a set of five motions brought by the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Olorungun O’Tega Emerhor and the party seeking for extension of time to enable them come up with more facts to support their petition.

Ruling on the motions after arguments by counsel, Chairman of the three-man tribunal, Justice Nasiru Gunmi said that the applications lacked merit, stating that it violated section 17(1)(2) of the Electoral Act. Gunmi said: “If a party in an election petition, wishes to have further particulars or other direction about the tribunal, such party may do so at any time but not more than 10 days after the filing of the reply by the respondents. If the party does not apply as provided for in the Electoral Act , it is taken that they do not require any further particulars or direction.

“The applicants’ application is in breach of section 17(1) of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act, which requires the applicant

to file their application within 10 days and the time allowed has expired. And the question now is whether this tribunal can extend time. In a situation like this, the tribunal is bound to exercise it powers as contained in section 17 (1) of the Electoral Act. Equally section 17(2) prohibits this tribunal from extending time, it restricts the tribunal from exercising such power for time extension.

“If the tribunal lacks powers to grant a particular relief, it is duty bound to refuse such application, in the end, we agree with the submission of the respondents counsel (PDP, INEC), we refuse this application and it is accordingly dismissed.”

Meanwhile, the tribunal has adjourned till today, to rule on an application brought before it

by Emerhor seeking additional witnesses in the petition

challenging the declaration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as winner of the April 11, gubernatorial election.

Emerhor ’s counsel Chief Thompson Okpoko, SAN, had argued the application seeking leave of the tribunal to call additional seven witnesses during pre-hearing session, but Okowa’s counsel, Dr Alex Izinyon, SAN, opposed the application.

COMMISERATION: Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State (middle), commiserating with a PDP chieftain, Chief James Jephthah (right), over the demise of his mother, late Nancy Jephthah, at his residence in Bassambiri, Nembe LGA. With them is the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd).

LG CRISIS: Delta Assembly suspends Uvwie council chairman E

By Emma Amaize & Festus Ahon

FFURUN—THE Delta State House of Assembly has suspended the chairman of Uvwie Local Government Area, Mr Henry Baro, from office.

Baro’s suspension appeared hazy, yesterday, but sources said it had to do with the recent happenings in the council, which was invaded by thugs suspected to be working for warring National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, factions, last Wednesday.

Special Assistant to the chairman on Media and Publicity, Jere Hilary, in a statement, however, called on the peace-loving people of Uvwie to continue to be law-abiding and go about their daily routines.

He said, “As an advocate of peace, Henry got the news of his suspension by the Delta State House of Assembly with rude shock contrary to the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Though, we are yet to be formally briefed on the matter, we would adhere to the moves by the state House of Assembly. We would like to commend the Inspector General of Police, Mr.

Solomon Arase, for the role and manner he handled the July 29 attempted takeover of leadership at the Uvwie Motor Park.

“It is on record that he displayed a high sense of professionalism

as a fine and gallant police officer that should be emulated by the entire police force.

“Finally, it is in realizing the volatile and strategic position of Uvwie as an economic and

political power bloc in Delta State and Nigeria as an entity that we are appealing for calm as the council is on top of the matter.”

Oil spill hits Bayelsa community

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—AN oil spill has been reported along Jalingo settlement near Nembe Creek in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

According to sources, the spill, which was noticed Monday night by some of the locals returning from fishing expedition is from a Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC,

facility in the area.

Though the cause of the spill could not be immediately ascertained, community sources said it was fast spreading and contaminating the marine environment.

Speaking on the development, the Chairman of the Oil and Gas Committee of Nembe Kingdom, Chief Nengi James called on the company to swing into action to contain and clean up the spill.

“The well head is spewing crude oil and the entire waterways and creeks are being covered with crude oil.

“We are calling on the authorities concerned, especially Shell and other regulators to immediately go for Joint Investigation Visit and clean up the spill because it has tampered with the marine and mangrove forest, the mainstay of the peoples' existence,” he said.

Urhobo ex-agitators laud Buhari, congratulate Boroh

By Christopher Njoku

B

OMADI—NIGER Delta ex-militants under the aegis of Coalition of Urhobo Exagitators in the amnesty programme, have congratulated the new chairman of the Niger Delta Amnesty programme, Brigadier-General Paul Boroh

(rtd), saying that President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice was acceptable by Niger Deltans.

Speaking in Ughelli, Delta State, president of the group, Mr. H. Ebirie, expressed the hope that Boroh’s would see to the successful conclusion of the programme, adding that exmilitants of Urhobo extraction

have passed a vote of confidence in him considering his antecedents as an ex-soldier of high rank, who served successfully in the Nigerian army.

The group also commended Niger Delta ex-militants for their patience when President Buhari was consulting to fix the right person to occupy the office.

IG moves against illegal arms, robbers in Rivers

P

By Jimitota Onoyume

ORT HARCOURT— INSPECTOR General of Police, IG, Mr Solomon Arase, has ordered his men in the South South to mop up illegal arms in circulation in the region, saying that the Police will not allow cultists and armed robbers overwhelm Rivers State.

Speaking, yesterday, at the headquarters of the Rivers State Police command in Port Harcourt, the IG flayed the proliferation of arms in the region, saying that his men should do everything possible within the ambit of the law to tackle the problem.

He also condemned the increasing cases of cult related attacks in the state, stressing that the Police will take steps to stem the tide.

“Rivers State is peculiar in so many respect. It is an economic hub, there is no way we can allow a state of anomie. The proliferation of fire arms in the state and the South South is enormous. We can’t allow these hoodlums take over the state. We can’t allow Rivers State to slide into a state of lawlessness.

A situation were group of criminals kidnap people is unacceptable,” he said.

He called on the Rivers State Police Command to decongest Police cells in the state with the resumption of work at the state judiciary.

Arase who charged his men to obey the laws at all times, said he was worried with the number of land cases emanating from Rivers State, adding that efforts should be made to resolve the cases at the state level.

“There have been avalanche of land cases in Rivers State. You see some of them have taken some time. They begin from the office of the Divisional Police Officer to the Area Command, Commissioner of Police, Zone 6 and then to Abuja. You people should help the Police in these land cases. We will give Rivers people and Nigerians a police force that is responsive and listening.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5 , 2015—13

Rivers PDP, APC biker over corruption allegation against Amaechi P

By Gbenga Oke

ORT HARCOURT— THE Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, accused former governor of the state, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi of corruption, saying he was boasting of becoming a minister so as to glorify his corruption.

But the All Progressives Congress, APC in the state through its Publicity Secretary, Mr Chris Finebone countered the PDP, saying that Governor Nyesom Wike should desist from the fruitless and obsessive project to bring down Amaechi based on his fears, adding that the guilty is constantly afraid of his shadow.

APC said that the PDP’s outburst has finally confirmed to all that the alarm raised by the APC was credible as confirmed by the present actions of Governor Wike as it was obvious that the scheme to frame Amaechi for no reason was multidimensional in nature and to be executed by proxies of the governor to avoid direct confrontation with President Muhammadu Buhari-led

Federal Government.

The PDP in a statement by the media aide to the state chairman, had accused Amaechi of begging Buhari to appoint him a minister or Secretary to the Federal Government to further glorify his

corruption.

According to PDP, “Claims by Amaechi at a function in Abuja that President Buhari was begging him to accept appointment as minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria or

Secretary to the Government of the Federation is tantamount to glorifying corruption which also exposes President Buhari’s fight against corruption as antipeople and targeted at only members of the PDP."

VISIT: From right: Cross River State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade, Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Sean Hoy, and Mr Chuks Owo, during the Governor's visit to the Irish Embassy in Abuja, yesterday.

Akwa Ibom Gov to provide vessels for indigenes in Cameroon

By Chioma Onuegbu

U

YO—GOVERNOR Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, yesterday, said that his administration had concluded arrangement to establish a direct ferry between the Republic of Cameroun and Nigeria through the Oron waterways.

According to a statement by the Press Unit, Government House, yesterday in Uyo, Governor Emmanuel made this known in Yaoundé capital of Cameroun during his familiarization visit to Akwa Ibom indigenes resident in Cameroun.

Emmanuel explained that the procurement of bigger vessels for water transportation will put to an end incessant cases of mishaps with its attendant casualties on the high sea.

Ayade visits Irish Ambassador, seeks stronger partnership

A

BUJA—GOVERNOR Ben Ayade of Cross River State, yesterday in Abuja, paid a courtesy call on the Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Sean Hoy with a request for a stronger partnership that will engender growth and prosperity for his state and the Republic of Ireland.

The courtesy call by the governor came ahead of his scheduled visit to Dublin, where he is expected to meet with key Irish investors as he continues his drive to industralise the state.

Acknowledging the strong Irish heritage of the people of the state in view of their association with

Irish missionaries, Ayade said the time has come for a more economically productive partnership between Cross River and Ireland.

He wants Ireland to take advantage of the vast arable land in the state and invest in agriculture, especially in diary, feed milling, cultivation of tomatoes and potatoes for export.

“In Cross River, we have a strong Irish heritage, especially in Calabar. I will really like to see a stronger Irish presence in agriculture. I want Irish companies to take advantage of the potentials our state offers,” the

governor stated, even as he made a strong case for the establishment of a brewery in the state.

In his remarks, the Irish Ambassador, Mr Hoy said that Calabar has been home to most Irish missionaries and expressed his desire to visit Calabar.

Hoy informed the governor of plans by the embassy to bring Irish musicians to perform in Calabar.

Disclosing that one of the most celebrated rights activists in his country once served in Calabar as a young officer, he said that even the uncle to his country’s current Foreign Minister was a missionary in Calabar.

NLNG asked to clear air on proposed shipyard location

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— BONNY Youth Federation, has called on Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas company, NLNG, to clear the air on where it intends to site its shipyard.

A statement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State by Mr Simeon Wilcox of Bonny Youth Federation, said the firm should make

a public statement on the true situation of things.

“Our observation is that NLNG has been vague over this very serious regional economic matter considering our suspicion bothering on the outcome of the feasibility study and the unambiguous claims by its spokesman Tony Okonedo that the company is just facilitator and not sponsors of the

project,” he said.

It will be recalled that youths of Bonny had protested against the proposed plan to locate the shipyard in Lagos, saying that it was wrong since the operations of the NLNG were in the state.

They threatened to embark on mass protest if the proposed project was not relocated to the state.

14 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

Naira depreciates further by N9 at parallel market

By Peter Egwuatu

L

AGOS—THE naira yesterday further depreciated by N9 at the Bureaux De Change, BDC, for the second day running exchanging at N231 to the dollar in Lagos and Kano while exchanging at N230 to the dollar in Abuja.

Speaking to Vanguard, some Bureaux De Change operators said that in Lagos, the Naira exchanged for N231 from N222 it exchanged on Monday.

Meanwhile, the official rate of the naira according to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN website stood at N197 to a dollar.

Vanguard gathered that the

depreciation was as a result of panic buying of the dollar in the hope that it will further depreciate.

They said that there is hoarding of foreign currency going on at the unofficial market. They said that the appreciation of the naira last week was temporary and that the exchange rate is most likely to return to its last week level.

The naira had appreciated by N35 fromN245 per dollar to N210,

VISIT: From left, Vice Chairman, Ilobu Development Union, IDU, Abuja chapter, Alhaji Olaitan Hammed; Chairman, IDU, Alhaji Isola Mustapha and the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Lasun Yusuf during a courtesy visit to the deputy speaker at the National Assembly, Abuja, yesterday. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.

Doctors urge FG to institute forensic personnel audit in hospitals

By Chioma Obinna

L

A G O S — DETERMINED to end strikes in the health sector, National Association of Residents Doctors, NARD, yesterday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately institute a forensic personnel audit of the federal tertiary hospitals across the country.

Making the call in Lagos, the National President of the association, Dr. DanJumbo Prince said the audit would help in establishing the true personnel spending, thereby plugging all leakages and reinvesting for the manpower and infrastructural development of the hospitals.

His words, “We are in an era where the mantra is change, the culture of impunity can no longer be tolerated. I am making this clear because on assumption of office, I took

about four days to compare the 2014 and 2015 appropriation budget for federal hospitals.

“It was clear that the personnel cost of these institutions was so bogus and highly inflated which was coming from an era of impunity to the era of change. That is why NARD had made it clear to our members at various institutions to engage constructively with the management to ensure that the issues affecting them are resolved amicably. “ Prince explained that the call was part of the association’s resolutions at the end of its National Executive Council, NEC, meeting held at the weekend, at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, IleIfe, Osun State, with the theme: ‘A Vibrant Residency Training Programme: An Imperative for National Development.

Dan-Jumbo accused some Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) of the

federal health institutions of refusing to obey government directive to commence implementation of the adjustment of grade levels of doctors (skipping).

Prince lamented that only 20 out of 54 federal hospitals across Nigeria have presently heeded to the government directive.

He stated that the current pockets of strike in federal and state hospitals were infuriated by the CMDs of the affected hospitals who flouted the federal government order.

According to him, their actions have caused untoward hardships for Nigerians while trying to access affordable health care.

“Our parent body Nigerian Medical Association had directed that these institutions which claim they don’t have the financial backing to commence payment to open their records for forensic personnel audit.''

due to excess dollars in the market, occasioned by refusal of banks to allow foreign currency deposits into domiciliary accounts.

Vanguard investigations had revealed that from the opening rate of N213, the parallel market exchange rate rose rapidly to close at N222 per dollar on Monday, implying N9 depreciation.

Parallel market sources had confirmed to Vanguard that the depreciation was triggered by increased demand by speculators and foreigners cashing in on the sudden appreciation of the dollar last week. In addition, there was general unwillingness to sell among foreign exchange dealers due to belief that the sudden and sharp appreciation of the naira last week, was a flash in the pan.

Confirming this development on Monday to Vanguard, Mr. Harrison Owoh, Chief Executive Officer, H.J Trust BDC said, “Dealers are not willing to sell. They are holding their dollars because they believe the situation (appreciation) will not last. In fact somebody told me he would rather lend me his dollars, and not sell it. So that is why the rate is going up again.”

According to Mr. Aminu Gwadabe, President, Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of

Nigeria (ABCON), the depreciation today (yesterday) is driven by activities of speculators and foreigners. “The belief is that the appreciation of the naira and the policy that triggered it is not sustainable. It is believed that the gains made by naira would soon be reversed. So while speculators are buying up, foreigners are in the market to buy dollars at cheap rate, while those who have dollars have also decided to keep it, to forestall exchange rate lose.”

Excess dollars triggered by CBN

not

Meanwhile, investigations further revealed that the excess dollar in the banking system, was not caused triggered by the CBN. Contrary to the reports that the excess was caused by CBN’s refusal to accept dollar deposit from banks, in return for credit into their foreign accounts, Head of Foreign Exchange unit of a Tier 2 bank told Vanguard that the decision of the CBN was in response to the increasing volume of dollar deposit from banks for credit into their foreign accounts.

He said hitherto banks don’t take the dollars to the CBN but swap it among themselves. “Banks with surplus dollars exchange it for naira with banks with deficit.''

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015—15

SARS arrests 5-man trans-border robbery gang in Enugu

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—A five-man armed robbery gang which specializes in hijacking lorries plying major highways connected to Enugu State and its environs, has been arrested by the Special Anti Robbery Squad,SARS,of Enugu Police Command.

The suspects were arrested at 9th-Mile, some meters away from the former toll gate, as they were about to hijack a lorry loaded with goods following intelligence reports gathered on their nefarious activities.

Suspects gave their names as Nwabueze Ogbonna from Izza, in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State,resident at Aba, Abia State;Solomon Okafor fromUmulokpa,Uzo-Uwani in Enugu State, resident at Okpanam, Delta State; Igwenagu Ezenwa, Okpuno from Nsude,Enugu State living at Nsude; Obiora Nebe from Inyi,Oji River,Enugu State, residing at 9th-Mile and Fidelis Ozofor of Owa-Imezi in Ezeagu, Enugu State.

According to a police

source, the suspects had been involved in trans-border robberies in Delta,Abia and Enugu states.

Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu

confirmed the incident in a statement, adding that the suspects revealed that they cash in on lorries while climbing hilly terrain, swoop on them and make them surrender at gun

point.

“We tie them in the trucks, drive the truck to Kano State and sell off the goods. We will thereafter, sell the truck in bits,” the suspects confessed.

VISIT: Enugu State governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, with the State Commandant of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Stephen Lar and his entourage, during a courtesy visit to his office. On his right is the Deputy Governor, Hon. Cecilia Ezeilo, and Mr. Stephen Lar (left), yesterday.

APGA, PDP fight at venue of inspection of election materials to the Governor,

By Anayo Okoli

U

MUAHIA—APGA and PDP members in Abia State nearly exchanged blows yesterday at the Umuahia High Court Complex, venue of the State Governorship election Tribunal where the two parties inspected materials used for the April elections in the State.

APGA which is challenging the

election of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu of PDP was granted its application to inspect the materials used for the governorship election and it commenced the forensic inspection yesterday.

Trouble however started when APGA members accused PDP of tactically frustrating the exercise by applying delay tactics, an accusation that pitched the two parties against each other resulting in shouting, booing and harassment of each other like

motor park touts.

Channels Television camera man, who was legally covering the exercise, was forcefully whisked away by security agents, alleged to be working with the Chief Security Officer to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu who was allegedly alerted by members of PDP at the tribunal ground.

However, the camera man was immediately released on the advice of the Personal Assistant

CRIME FIGHTING: Ugwuanyi seeks cooperation

of tricycle riders

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has urged tricycle riders and other road transport unions to assist the government in its efforts to fight crime by using their businesses to reveal any useful information that would enable it to track down criminals.

The governor made the request while receiving delegations of the Enugu State Association of Tricycle Riders Transport Union, popularly known as Keke Napep and the State Executives of the National Union of Road Transport Workers at the Government House, Enugu.

C M Y K

The two unions were on separate visits to the governor to pledge their support and congratulate him on his emergence as governor and inform him of the challenges they are facing in the state which border on administration and the untoward acts by “a group of restive youths under the aegis of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria.”

Ugwuanyi, who thanked the unions for their continuous support and the peaceful manner they had conducted themselves in their dispute with the transport group, assured them of his administration’s resolve not to tolerate any form of undue harassment or imposition of

illegal levies on the people of the state by anyone or group.

He advised those perpetrating such acts to desist from from doing so as the government will not hesitate to enforce the wrath of the law against them.

On their request for appointment into his administration, the governor equally told the unions to meet with the Taxi Drivers’ Association to agree and nominate one of them for appointment as his Special Assistant on Transport in order to give them a sense of belonging and ensure a smooth and effective relationship between them and the government as part of his agenda for participatory democracy.

Appolos Enyinnaya, who incidentally is a journalist and who told the CSO that the man was doing his duty because the tribunal and the inspection of the materials were issues of public interest and open for coverage by newsmen.

One of the APGA representatives, Mr. Michael Akpara alleged the controversy started when PDP said they should be inspecting one bag at a time which he said they obliged them so that "we would give them part of the materials that we had looked into for them to carry out their own examination.

“But despite the fact that we were working at a very slow pace, we still finished before them as we noticed that they were only fiddling with the documents.

“We told them that we are actually the people that need this exercise as the timing is very important to us. We have seven Local Governments to cover and we had only finished one bag. We told them that if we worked at the speed they wanted us to work, we would not achieve anything and I want to say that this is a deliberate attempt to slow us down, knowing that if we work at the rate they wanted us to, we would not achieve anything and that is what they wanted us to do.

Council leader impeached over alleged embezzlement

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

T

HE IDEMILI North Local Government Legislative Council has impeached the Leader of the House, Hon. Leo Atanmo,representing Ogidi Ward over alleged embezzlement of the monthly allocation to the legislative council in the tune N3.3 million from the inception of the council.

According to the new leader, Hon William Nzekwesi, the impeached leader was accused of embezzlement of fund amounting to N3,325,000. on the pretext that it was being used to maintain his office and the office of the councillors.

“All efforts made for you to render account of this monthly sum was resisted by you, and the total amount involved is N3, 325,000.00.” a statement read.

Alvan Ikoku varsity worries over syndicate fleecing students, job seekers

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—THE management of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, Owerri, AIUEO, has advised members of the public to beware of a syndicate that has reportedly been fleecing prospective students and job seekers in the name of the institution.

The institution’s Registrar, Mrs. Ada Aguta, who gave the advice yesterday, however warned that the University would not look kindly on anybody or group of people that want to rubbish the name of the institution for whatever reason.

“We have been looking for our current status as a Federal University in the past 26 years. We cannot afford the luxury of allowing senseless hoodlums to destroy this hard-won achievement”, the Registrar said.

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

FMC Owerri reopens as FG sends MD on forced leave

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—WORK has resumed at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, FMCO, following the compulsory leave slammed on the hospital’s Medical Director, Dr. (Mrs.) Angela Uwakwem, by the Federal Government.

This development not only sent wild jubilation among the workers but has also assuaged the feelings of the protesting staff that downed tools in the past three months and insisted that the MD must be relieved of her position and probed.

The hospital board had earlier recommended to the Federal Ministry of Health that Dr. Uwakwem, should proceed on compulsory leave, to enable a panel to critically investigate the chain of allegations, including fraud and highhandedness, leveled against her by the aggrieved workers.

Some staff of the hospital

that spoke to Vanguard yesterday, commended the Federal Government for listening to the voice of reason and shoving the MD aside, stressing that workers will be ultimately vindicated.

“This hospital remained closed for a long while because she was insistent on staying in office despite our genuine protest. We are happy that another officer has been drafted to step into the office and this explains why workers have resumed duties”, the female worker said.

Reacting also, a female staff in one of the wards told Vanguard that “this is the first time I am seeing where the chief executive of an establishment was not backed by a single worker”.

Meanwhile, the jubilation may not be total as the Resident Doctors in the hospital, were yet to call off their industrial action.

Vanguard was present when nurses on duty in the Emergency Unit of the hospital, told a man that brought a patient that had a stroke that “no doctor was on duty.”

MEETING: From left, Senior Manager, Business Development, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Henry Okoede; General Manager, National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, Mr. Sadiq Adams; former Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Leke Pitan; National President, Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria, Dr. Umar Sanda, and Acting General Manager, Informal Sector Department, NHIS, Dr. Eke Jonathan, at the MTN Y’ello Health Stakeholders' Meeting, in Lagos, yesterday.

FRSC launches Operation Scorpion to avert trailer, tanker, truck crashes on Nigerian roads

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

N

NEWI—THE Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has kicked off a safety campaign patrol codenamed operation ‘Scorpion II’ to stem the tide of trailers, tankers, trucks and other

heavy duty vehicle crashes on the Nigerian roads.

This was disclosed yesterday by the Zonal Commanding Officer, in charge of FRSC, RS. SQH. Benin, which comprises Anambra, Delta and Edo States, Assistant Corp Marshal, Shehu Zaki, in an interview with Vanguard after launching the operation.

“FRSC RS. SHQ. Benin embarked on a special patrol codenamed ‘Scorpion II’ with special focus on trailers, tankers and trucks and this is meant to address, and focus on the offences such as latched trailers, trailers that carry containers and trailers without good support which easily fall off when they are involved in an accident or have slight

impact with another vehicle.

“We are focusing on the patrol to address such offences on the trailers that

are latched, those that are overloaded, trailer tankers and trucks that do not have what we call retro

reflective tests. This is the reflection in which the reflective rays are parallel to the incident rays".

Fight corruption through project cost, surveyors tell Buhari

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—NIGERIA Institute of Quantity Surveyors has charged President Muhammad Buhari to retool his fight against corruption through effective costing of projects and infrastructure.

Speaking at a two-day national workshop on measurement and cost management of engineering infrastructure projects, the institute lamented that corruption had flourished following poor attention paid to quantity surveyors when projects are conceived even as it added that they "are masters in costing construction projects."

President of the Institute, Mr. Murtala Aliyu revealed that as cost experts, the members were trained with the requisite discipline to cost projects effectively, in a manner that traces of corrupt practices will not be found in its dealings.

According to Aliyu: ”About 98 per cent of all capital projects by the ministries were executed without cost experts, proper costing and cost control measures resulting to huge losses to government.

“Cost experts have the opportunity to participate in about two percent of the project works undertaken by the ministries under the prevailing scenario. This low patronage is certainly not acceptable for a balanced and sustainable economy."

Reviving informal sector will reposition the economy —NPC Secretary sector, as well as insisting Commission’s Secretary

By Emmanuel Elebeke

S

ECRETARY TO the National Planning Commission, Bassey Akpanyung said the Federal Government is committed to rejuvenating and improving the operations of the informal sector at the national and subnational levels, including the Niger- Delta region to speed up economic growth.

Akpanyung stated this in an address at a national stakeholders’ validation workshop on the report of the informal sector study conducted in the four SEEFOR participating states of the Niger Delta. ‘’ Let me assure you that the current administration

is fully committed to rejuvenating and improving the operations of the informal sector at the national and sub- national levels, including the Niger Delta region”.

Akpanyung also said that President Muhammad Buhari has indicated the new administration’s favourable disposition to invigorating the informal sector for job creation and sustained growth and development of the country.

He disclosed that the federal government is also introducing measures aimed at curbing leakages in the economy and strengthening the non- oil revenue receipts, taking cognisance of the potentials of the very vibrant informal

that the federal government is equally fine-tuning incentives and strategies for effective credit delivery and other financial services to the sector.

Accordingly, the

said the informal sector remained very critical to the success of any nation’s economy, especially in terms of its contribution to employment, growth and development.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015 — 17

T

HE term “robber barons” was first used in the United States to describe 19th and early 20th century moguls who bought out their competition, created monopolies, rigged markets and aided government corruption in pursuit of money and power.

These “spoilers”, as they were called, stopped the growth of legitimate businesses and stifled opportunity for others, much like in Nigeria today. There are very few new entrants in cement production in Nigeria who can survive without the input of certain conglomerates who have established a virtual monopoly in our market.

In the telecommunications industry, it is rumoured certain corporations were established with funds belonging to former heads of state and vice-presidents. In oil and gas, one could count on the fingers of one hand the number of companies that could exist without the connivance of highranking government officials who allow and empower companies to brazenly defy our laws, thus negatively shaping our business culture and society.

In Nigeria we call such people “captains of industry”, even though in the US, for example, they would be facing legal action or sanctions from financial regulators. In the Halliburton case, it was interesting to see that the US and France were ready to punish their nationals who were involved in the scandal, whereas successive Nigerian governments swept the whole affair under the carpet, until now.

Financial crimes Historically, those guilty of financial crimes in breach of antitrust laws and who regularly put investors’ money at risk, would be termed “robber barons” after the European medieval nobility who had no desire to allow other social classes rise, much like today’s barons who refuse competition. In Nigeria, we are yet to have any real conversations on opportunity, competition and level playing fields, equality or the role of private enterprise and government regulation in our society.

Nigerian public life mirrors what obtained in the West in the 18th century where belief in a divinely ordained social order meant that even in America, which was experimenting with the concept of liberty, citizenship was still determined by an individual’s ability to own property.

The old “culture of deference” in the US still exists in Nigeria today whereby it is believed that only “leading families” should be allowed to direct the economy and individuals are selected to form partnerships with government not based on merit but on their connections.

Where Nigeria differs is in our definition of pedigree or who qualifies as a “leading family”.

In the past, patrician families in the West were defined by history and significant contributions to their country as some families could trace their ascendants’ C M Y K

tprincewill@yahoo.co.uk

Robber barons: Nigeria’s economic and political scourge contribution to founding events in their nation.

In Nigeria, only money (no matter how it is acquired) qualifies one as elite, rather than “breeding” or good manners, values and a shared culture based on refined skills or abilities.

Nigeria catalogs brash and uncouth money sharing arrangements with no place for the arts and culture which defined “leading families” in the US: it’s an all comers game in our society, which wouldn’t be a problem if entrants could manifest any sort of ability beyond lining their pockets with other people’s money.

Government involvement in the Nigerian economy has only served to grant privileges to certain interests unlike in the US where regulators quickly rose to the challenge of preventing the birth of an artificial aristocracy born from government contacts.

Their “captains of industry” are also radically different from ours.

Because there is little to no real competition in most of our industries, many businesses connive and align their prices to the Nigerian consumer ’s detriment. Our businessmen control their costs to the point of providing us with substandard services yet we still end up paying more for vastly inefficient amenities.

Inefficient amenities Real captains of industries make steel, oil, manufacturing (from cars to food and other products) inexpensive and easily available by striving to provide the best possible prices, therefore building up the economy and the middle class it should rely upon.

Our regulators, foremost of which is the central bank, have failed in their task of enabling the

“Baba-go-slow”, please do take your time so that you can leave no stone unturned; Nigerians deserve much more than what the system has offered them since independence

•President Muhammadu Buhari average Nigerian afford even basic goods which in other countries are not seen as luxuries.

So, when the World Bank rewards Arunma Oteh or Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and others, with promotions and opportunities, one wonders if they are aware of

not only the scandals, questions and raised eyebrows which typically surround Nigerian financial authorities, but also the pervasive lack of real development for the average Nigerian, or the lack of safety for their investments, under these ladies’ watch. In Ms. Oteh’s

case, one remembers how accusations of personal abuses (misspent funds, etc.) between herself and the House Committee chairman on capital markets, Herman Hembe, overshadowed the market abuses they were meant to uncover and resolve. In truth, global institutions such as the World Bank must have a very low opinion of countries such as Nigeria and their ego-driven would-be professionals, who have done nothing but enshrine the “robber baron” system. International opinion of us, these institutions’ desire to see us succeed is doubly low as they comfort the same people responsible for the imbalance in our public life, in the belief that what they do is right. I was never a believer in conspiracy theories, but a developed, prosperous Africa which is in the hands of wellmeaning, competent Africans and not controlled by the IMF (and other such institutions) and its corruption-tainted proxies, is not in our politicians’ or their appointees interest, nor is it in the interest of the institutions previously mentioned. There was a rumour circulating that certain “captains of industry” (or shall we say “ robber barons”?) were not welcome among President Muhammadu Buhari’s entourage. If true, it is a step in the right direction. Why should we continue to celebrate “spoilers”, people who amass wealth they haven’t honestly worked for, the same vampiric associates of government officials who, in private, Nigerians blame for many of their misfortunes in business? “Baba-go-slow”, please do take your time so that you can leave no stone unturned.

Nigerians deserve much more than what the system has offered them since independence.

Fighting corruption without sentiment

T

HE rumour mill is awash with claims of a strange illness, which keeps the former petroleum minister abroad, seeking treatment. When one thinks of the many lives government officials have failed, resulting in their deaths in poorly equipped hospitals, bad roads, etc. or their inability to rise out of poverty, despite our country’s oil wealth, one

can understand people’s anger and perceived insensitivity to her ailment. Illness does not stop anyone from indefinitely answering for his or her crimes.

Corruption is the Western equivalent of a war crime and should be treated just as severely. Corruption kills Nigerians: those defending the guilty based on ethnic

legislators that accompanied her to the EFCC offices. Those meant to defend Nigerians from corruption, leave their lofty duties to act as private security for the powerful, forgetting they can no longer act as private citizens supporting a friend, accused of corruption in the first place! Only in Nigeria.

Toyin Saraki

I

once watched Mrs. Saraki, wife of the Senate president give a talk where she extolled the difficulties of being from a notable family and the high expectations that come from being rich in Nigeria.

I remember thinking “only the rich in Nigeria could make being rich seem like a burden”. Nigerians always get the short end of the stick in a system favourable to robber barons: our dreams, rights and aspirations don’t matter. Her equivalent in other climes has

sentiments must realise their own personal problems and poverty (which invariably they always have as the officials they loudly defend do little or nothing for them) are as a result of public wealth serving only a few. Hitler too had a fan base: evil thrives when the rest of us do nothing. Finally, we’re about to see something different in Nigeria.

•Toyin Saraki never seen the inside of an interrogation room, let alone be investigated in the first place.

What I found most disturbing, from someone of Mrs. Saraki’s calibre was the entourage of

Tabia Princewill is a strategic communications consultant and public policy analyst. She is also the co-host and executive producer of a talk show, WALK THE TALK which airs on Channels TV.

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015 HAJIYA Amina Zakari, the Acting National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is still in the news. Her historic appointment made her the first woman to take the helms of the Commission. The appointment is, however, steeped in much controversy.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on June 30 2015, sidestepped Ambassador Ahmed Wali, the National Commissioner nominated by the immediate past substantive National Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to appoint Zakari, another National Commissioner, as the “acting” National Chairman.

The appointment was denounced by many political stakeholders, especially the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which alleged cronyism and nepotism on the part of the president. The party argued that Zakari is a close relation of the president.

It is public knowledge that Zakari was a staff of the Petroleum (Special) Task Force, PTF when Buhari was its Executive Chairman. It is also true that when Governor Nasir El Rufai (who was also at the PTF) was the Minister of Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Abuja, Mrs. Zakari was

The Cloud Around Amina Zakari made the Secretary of the Health and Social Welfare Department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

The PDP, which fears she could be biased as an electoral umpire, has gone as far as to assert that it would not accept elections superintended by her.

Zakari’s appointment as a National Commissioner lapsed on July 21, but she has continued to hold sway at the Commission.

The developments at the election management body are indeed disturbing especially after the recent successful strides of the Commission in steering the country through an unprecedented presidential transition from one ruling party to another.

We do not see the rationale behind Amina Zakari’s continued stay as the “acting” Na-

tional Chairman of the INEC after the expiration of her tenure as a National Commissioner.

President Buhari’s capacity to nominate the National Chairman of INEC for confirmation by the Senate as provided for in sections 153 and 154 of the constitution is not in doubt. We do not, therefore understand or accept appointing an “acting” National Chairman outside the realm of the constitution.

We call on the president to remedy the situation by promptly proposing a substantive National Chairman of the Commission for public scrutiny, advice by the Council of State and approval by the Senate.

The National Assembly has a duty to step into this matter without further delay. We insist that the precedent of appointing an unbiased, credible and acceptable chief umpire to conduct elections set by the Goodluck Jonathan administration must be built upon. That was why Nigeria enjoyed a spate of credible elections in the past four years, and topped it with a peaceful transfer of power at the centre in the recent general elections.

Nothing less will suffice.

OPINION government officials and its board DESOP ADEC La w: The real issues (2) DESOPADEC Law: members. He opined that the Continued from yesterday's pg 18

By Steven Agwudagwu

P

UT in another way, has DESOPADEC as currently constituted, lifted the economic wellbeing of oil bearing communities?

The oil bearing communities are in a better position to find answers to these questions.

In finding the answers to these questions, it is important to note the huge resources that have passed through the hands of the commission to the host communities so far.

For example, the Commission’s budget for 2013 and 2014 were N37 billion and N39 billion respectively.

Imagine then the resources that might have been channelled through the Commission since 2007. Assuming conservatively that based on the above budgets for two years that N30 billion went to DESOPADEC annually for the development of oil bearing communities; it means that in eight years, at least N240 billion has passed through the Commission since inception. Are there concrete achievements on ground to point at to

justify the investment of such huge resources in the area?

Not many people can readily give DESOPADEC a pass mark. People like Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, Executive Director, Centre for the Vulnerable and Under Privileged, for example, believe that the Commission has failed woefully and should be probed. Though he saw nothing wrong with the enabling law, he said that the level of corruption in the institution was too high, and its projects did not often meet the needs of oil bearing communities because their needs were not assessed beforehand and the projects were hurriedly sited and executed at prohibitive costs. He believes DESOPADEC was a drain pipe through which public funds were siphoned away into private pockets by

When it submits its findings on August 7, 2015, it will be left to the House to fashion a DESOPADEC law that guarantees that Deltans don’t bend their elbows

commission’s workforce was bloated and the board members were entitled to unspecified number of aides and bogus salaries ( Vanguard 16/06/ 2015).

Altogether, DESOPADEC requires a surgical operation and Governor Okowa’s bill might just provide the surgical knife to bring this about. His proposed management structure is lean enough and would be less expensive to maintain. The chairman and other board members, as part time officers, may be entitled to sitting allowances only. Thus, more cost effective if well monitored. The commissioners are like watch dogs on the entire Commission to ensure that projects approved for their respective constituencies are carried out. With the pluralistic nature of the state, the Governor most likely would make the appointments cut across the ethnic divides in the state and everybody’s interest would be better served and protected. The governor has also indicated that the rotation of offices in the Commission will continue and indications are that all will come out of all this new arrangement smiling.

To buttress this point, the governor has assured his critics that he did not dissolve or intend to dissolve

DESOPADEC. He dissolved only the existing board which had overstayed its tenure. He also assured that contractors are not being owed because on assumption of office, he released two billion naira to the Commission. This is in addition to the three and half billion naira which had gone to the Commission between January and May this year.

Furthermore, in section 2 of the principal law of DESOPADEC, oil producing areas was defined as oil and gas producing communities in the state.

Fortunately, a public hearing has been conducted by the DSHA and useful suggestions have been taken from all parties by the nine-man Ad Hoc committee, set up by the House with Mr. Dennis Omovie as its chairman. When it submits its findings on August 7, 2015, it will be left to the House to fashion a DESOPADEC law that guarantees that Deltans don’t bend their elbows. Thus, bringing to an end the ill feeling generated among ethic nationalities by this agency of government. Deltans have always been at peace with themselves. Therefore, DESOPADEC must not and should not put them asunder.

Concluded *Mr. Agwudagwu, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Asaba, Delta State.

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

Buhari’s appointments, Lawal Daura, Amina Zakari and PDP

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has been criticised for the generally slow pace of developments in his administration, particularly his failure to appoint ministers several weeks after his inauguration. The president’s cabinet will not be in place until September, it’s been confirmed. Buhari’s explanation for not appointing ministers, his minders claim, rests on a pressing need to be cautious, given the high level of rot he met with the country’s affairs on assumption of duty. The president needed to take full measure of things rather than plunging headlong into a minefield left behind by the last administration. Opponents of this administration do not find this explanation convincing enough.

For them the president and his party are simply not ready for the demands of office.

The president himself is not unaware of the growing perception that he has been too slow to take control of governance. He has shown his lighter side by joking about the ‘Baba Go-slow’ tag that has been placed on him. But this has not stopped his critics who have since gone on to criticise his

‘non-statutory’ appointments that have been overwhelmingly skewed in favour of people from the north. An even more grievous charge is that of favouritism and/ or nepotism that has been made against the president following his recent appointment of Lawal Daura as the Director General of the Department of State Security, the country’s internal chief spy organisation, and Amina Zakari as the chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission, albeit in an acting capacity.

The former governing Peoples Democratic Party, fast getting used to the opposition role that its loss of the presidency last March has thrust on it, is in the vanguard of critics of the president’s appointment. At a widely publicised press briefing last week, Uche Secondus, Acting Chairman of the PDP accused Buhari of appointing a member of the All Progressives Congress as DG of the DSS. Olisa Metuh, Publicity Secretary of the PDP who has now reversed roles with Lai Mohammed of the APC to become the chief critic of the APC has since provided newspaper reports/ adverts in which the APC named

Daura as a member of the APC intelligence team in the run-up to the last presidential election.

(Perhaps, it is a reflection of how the Igbo have successfully cast themselves in the role of opposition in the new dispensation that the PDP, which hitherto had a sprinkling of Nigerians from different ethnic groups speaking for it, now suddenly appears dominated by its Igbo component).

Metuh like Secondus has also condemned and rejected on behalf of the PDP the appointment of Amina Zakari as INEC chairman.

Zakari, they claim, is a relation (sister/niece?) of Buhari. Both Zakari and Daura, are allegedly related to Buhari by either blood and/or marriage. While no concrete proof has been provided for this, Garba Shehu, Buhari’s Adviser on Media, had on a Channels television programme, identified Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, a known supporter of Goodluck Jonathan from the north, as one of the disappointing authorities of this genealogical claims.

Criticisms of President Buhari’s appointments are not entirely without merit. The general tendency or nature of the president’s appointments so far can do with some tinkering. It does not

Criticisms of President Buhari’s appointments are not entirely without merit

Arms and the Nigerian Army

A

S I watched Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh, the recently retired Chief of Defence Staff, elaborate on the confession in his valedictory speech of 31 July that he, as the nation’s number one soldier, presided over a military “that lacked the relevant equipment and motivation to fight,” I searched for signs of shame and penitence. I saw none.

That was four days ago when Badeh spoke on Channels Television’s News at 10.

“Good thing,” I said to myself, “that he is in mufti and won’t further disgrace his uniform.” But I wasn’t going to let that opinion reston the TV appearance, so I decided to go beyond the newspaper reports of Badeh’s “pulling out” ceremony to read his valedictory speech in full.

Surely, there had to be a hint there of remorse that he had knowingly sent hundreds of his men into battle with the Satanic Boko Haram literally barehanded and so to their assured death or, if “lucky,” grievous bodily harm.There had to be in it some pained acknowledgement of the criminal hypocrisy of deciding to court-martial over a hundred officers and men of the army for insubordination, cowardice, and desertion when they had only insisted on being properly armed for war.

I am sad to report that, again, I saw no evidence of a mortified CDS eager to assuage his conscience or salve the brutalised psyche of the living victims of Boko Haram’s unending spree of bombing, arson, kidnapping, rape, and even conquest and occupation for a while of a large portion of the North-east until March this year. Instead, Badeh, while officially corroborating what even

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children already knew, chose instead to indulge in self-congratulation and blaming previous governments and the press. “Over the years,” he said, “the military was neglected and underequipped to ensure the survival of certain regimes, while other regimes. . . deliberately reduced the size of the military and underfunded it.”

Considering that Badeh spent four decades in the Air Force, and that he was either near or at the very pinnacle of the military command in the last decade of his career, it is remarkable that he speaks as if the “regimes” he served are excluded from this charge.

Too grateful to ex-president Jonathan for appointing him Chief of Air Staffand CDS, he has only praise for him. Despite the damnable fact of the “challenges” he faced, he is “glad to note that a lot was achieved”under him “in the fight against terror.”

Actually, Badeh betrays his insincerity by being unsure of the true nature of his achievements other than the personal glory of elevation to the peak of the military command. So in one breath, Badeh says that “a lot was achieved,” and that he recorded “some notable successes,” and yet that it was all

The less charitable view would be that Badeh and his retired service chiefs are guilty of wilful endangerment and war crimes

matter whether these are statutory appointments or not, what should count is that the appointments, to a certain degree, are made in a manner that show national spread that Nigerians from states outside the north find both reassuring and satisfying. It is a minus for our sense of nationhood and national unity that our leaders only feel safe with persons from their own ethnic background. The fear that is behind such behaviour, while understandable given the historically ethnic and/or sectarian bent of our national crises, should not be promoted to the level of seeming obsession that some of these recent appointments suggest.

It is for this reason that I suggested above that appointments like these should give a sense of national balance to a certain degree. But this should not be confused with the unprecedented events in the National Assembly where on June 10, 2015 members of a minority party got smuggled into leadership roles traditionally reserved for majority members.

While I initially thought that development could help stem the overbearing influence of some politicians, the triumphant manner the emergent National Assembly leadership thereafter went about it, scheming to make a norm of an aberration, was manifestly repugnant to good judgment.

Following from this, the point needs to be made that neither Zakari nor Daura appears unqualified for their appointment.

Apart from possessing a solid academic pedigree, proven by her record of leading the pharmacy class of 1980 at Ahmadu Bello University, Amina Zakari seems eminently qualified for her appointment. Hers is a political

“ m o d e s t successes.”

Successes, nonetheless, even if more administrative than military.

Such as the feat of a controversial home-made Unmanned Aerial Vehicle that, curiously enough, must be manned (“the UAV pilots we trained are currently the ones flying the Nigerian Air Force UAV’s in the ongoing war against terror ”); a defence headquarters annexe complete with a penthouse for receiving dignitaries; the training of pilots to bridge a five generation gap of squadron leaders and wing commanders, though officers held those ranks in that time notwithstanding; the setting up of an Armed Forces DNA laboratory, and of a radio station to counter “the negative media coverage of the activities of the Armed Forces in the ongoing war against terror,” etc.

But still the questions: What justification did Badeh and his Service chiefs have for donning their uniforms adorned with shiny epaulettes and brass buttons when for years on end they ran an army without arms? How could he and the military command in good conscience court-martial any soldier for insisting on his right to be armed before being sent to battle? How could he sleep at night knowing this, or that his men had not even been trained for battle in peace time? Does Badeh not understand that he has confessed to sending his troops on suicide missions?

As I wrote, I learnt through the virtual grapevine of the internet that the new Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Buratai,has

position and she has the kind of experience that qualifies her to hold it. The president would appear to have bent over backwards to appoint her even when her tenure at INEC was just about to end. This is where I perceive a problem.

Otherwise, the president can appoint whoever he pleases to that position, especially one as apparently sound and with handson experience like Zakari. Her personal relationship to the president should not necessarily be a liability that should disqualify her to hold that position except where she can be shown to be unqualified.

As far as years of service and appointments go, Daura is at least as qualified as Ita Ekpeyong his predecessor in office. Indeed, records suggest he preceded Ekpeyong into the Service by two years. The problem the PDP has with his appointment is his alleged membership of the APC. The manner in which the PDP in its heydays co-opted persons in professional/career positions (civil servants and head of government agencies, etc) into political roles suggests it provided the template it has found unacceptable in the Buhari administration. It is no secret now (if it was then) that many of the people in high offices including military and other security agencies were members or sympathisers of the PDP. Which does not make it right for the APC to follow suit. But what should be of greatest concern to us all is that Nigeria is not turned into a Gestapo state. Which is to say that all claims of arbitrary arrests as is allegedly taking place in Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states among others should be investigated, exposed and condemned if found to be true.

Given what happened under Muhammadu Rafindadi between 1984-85, Buhari should be careful not to allow any repeat of history.

ordered a review of the three courtmartials in Abuja, Kaduna and Abuja.

He must do better than that. He must abolish them forthwith and reinstate the heroic soldiers who dared to expose our armed forces as all uniform and no guns before their general field commander who waited till the safety of retirement before ratifying their protest. Talk of cowardice!

If there is anything to take from Badeh’sself-exculpatory confession, it is that our military is mortally stricken by the cancer of serial coup plots that politicised it almost beyond cure. As with all cancers, the hope of a cure lies in radical treatment: excision of the tumour, searing through radiation or chemotherapy and more. That translates as a gradual but full-scale structural reorganisation of the armed forces and the re-training and re-orientation of its men and women if it is ever to be fit for its purpose: defence of the territorial integrity of the nation.

That is the more charitable view of Badeh’s call for a self-reliant military.

The less charitable view would be that Badeh and his retired service chiefs are guilty of wilful endangerment and war crimes.

20—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

Buhari: From America with what?

By Ebele Orakpo

WARRI: Oil or refuse city?

By Akpokona Omafuaire

W

ARRI is considered an important city in Delta State and in fact prides itself as a leading oil city.

The reason for this is not far to seek. Various multinational oil companies and several subsidiaries of the Nigerian National Petroleum Companies, NNPC, have offices and also operate from there.

But in spite of the importance which oil has conferred on it, Warri may not be your ideal tourist destination as it is fast becoming a city of refuse and filth.

A stroll round Warri urban will attest to the fact that there is a crucial problem of uncleanliness which requires an immediate and crucial response to avert an imminent outbreak of epidemic. Indeed many residents of Warri feel that they are presently sitting on a keg of health hazard which if not properly handled will unleash an untold health emergency on the city.

Dumping of refuse The indiscriminate dumping of refuse on the pavements of major roads by resident calls for concern, especially as such dumped refuse remained there for days and even serving as landmarks. The situation was made worse by the recent strike by local government staff as residents took advantage of the absence of regulatory officials to dump refuse indiscriminately without considering the attendant health implications.

Worried by the state of filthiness of Warri, the immediate past administration of Emmanuel Uduaghan constituted a highpowered committee led by his erstwhile deputy to commence a thorough cleaning of Warri and destruction of illegal structures. But the venture to clean up Warri was short-lived even after spending a fortune on it.

Now, Warri is back to its C M Y K

*Refuse dump by McCiver Market, Warri dirty ways, with repugnant and petrifying smell assaulting the noses of those living and doing business there.

Particularly culpable for this unenviable situation are restaurant operators and abattoir outfits as they routinely empty wastes into drainage channels. A typical example is a pig abattoir along Cemetery Road.

Also considered offenders are virtually all eateries in Warri and landlords who link their sewage into major drainage channels. Those in a position to know have even attributed the recent fall in health standard to this problem.

Irked by this, Mr. Sunny Nikoro, Promoter of the upcoming Warri Carnival said: “This is madness and we want it to stop.

This is one of the reasons we are calling for reorientation and re-

How can a sane person dump refuse on the pavement of a tarred road? It is witchcraft and perpetrators should be arrested and prosecuted

education of our people.

How can a sane person dump refuse on the pavement of a tarred road? It is witchcraft and perpetrators should be arrested and prosecuted.

“We call on the state government to step up action to arresting this situation before we wake up and find everyone is dead.”

Mr. Lucky Egboyi,a Warri based legal practitioner, while also condemning the situation said: “I see it from the angle of irresponsibility on the part of the citizens; they dump refuse everywhere. Again it is natural for human beings to want to behave in a lawless manner that is why we have law .

Lawless manner “We have commissions for all these things and we have a body that is saddled with the responsibility to take care of our environment, that is the Environmental Protection Agency.

“They have that duty but unfortunately as we have noticed as part of failure of government from all angle that body is not doing its work.

That body has failed completely to discharge its statutory duty.

“All the Delta State Environmental Protection Agency do is to collect money from people,harass people here and there and get away. It is evidence of failure on the part of

Photo: Akpokona Omafuaire

government. Citizens are not doing their bit and government is not playing its role.

Government should be more alive to its responsibilities, let them discharge their duties.”

Also, Mr. Collins Tuoyo, another Warribased legal practitioner said: “As a matter of fact, refuse dumps have over taken every part of Warri and I blame that on the government.

“The government knows that refuse is generated everyday and there is no adequate arrangement or provision that as to where people are to dump their refuse.

“In my area in Ubeji, time there was when DESOPADEC made provision for where people are to dump their refuse and in most parts of Warri. But that provision is no longer there; I wonder where the wastes are going to now.

“The wastes are dumped on vacant lands in Ubeji and all of that, to me, is really an eyesore if you really want to see what I’m talking about, go to areas like Cemetery Road, McCiver market and other places.

“Almost every part of Warri is full of refuse and I blame the government largely for it; government is not doing enough; it is the responsibility of the government to manage waste.”

“HA! Our president has goofed again,” said Simon in the CMSbound commuter vehicle.

“Please, leave him alone. His speech writer and media people should handle all that and let him face the business of governance squarely,” said Taju.

“You sure say im get speech writer? He wants to run a lean government so I will not be surprised if he has none. By the way, what was the goof apart from the All Nigeria Peoples Congress? asked Ken.” “Noo, that one don pass nah! No big deal.

After all, there was All and Congress. The goof was when he said US is aiding and abetting Boko Haram by refusing to sell arms to us in the war against the terror group,” said Simon.

“Oh, I like President Buhari’s boldness and bluntness. He was bold enough to say it the way it is, period! So how is that a goof?” asked Taju.

“The Presidency denied it and apologised to Obama and the Americans. They said PMB only told them that their application of the Leahy Law, which prohibits sales of certain weapons to countries whose military are accused of human rights violations, was hampering the war against terrorism ,” said Simon.

“Why do we always apologise for something we know to be the truth?” asked Taju.

Replied Simon: “Because from what I heard, heads are going to roll; whoever slotted in that Leahy law into the speech will have to pay for his sins.”

“It’s all about diplomacy. These are the days of walking on eggs.

Even President Obama is walking on eggs too.

An American journalist recently lashed out at him for describing the incident in which four US marines were shot dead in Chattanooga, US by a suspected terrorist as a ‘workplace violence’ just to sound politically correct, instead of calling it what it is: a terrorist attack on US soil and military centres. So PMB should try to be politically correct at times,” said Ken.

“As far as I am concerned, it is double standard on the part of the US. After all, we all hear of the human rights abuses perpetrated by its Armed Forces. Ask the Iraqis, those at the Guantanamo Bay and others. So they should stop that crap about human rights abuse. Some of the so-called human rights abuses by our soldiers were perpetrated by the terrorists in their usually incomplete military uniform.

They put on military camouflage and then put on slippers. They upload the videos and Amnesty International swallows it line, hook and sinker without verifying the authenticity.

They close their eyes to the atrocities committed by Boko Haram.

Please, tell us something else,” said Stella.

“Where do the terrorists get their weapons from?” asked Simon.

“I wonder oo. Must we go to the US for arms? They denied us under GEJ and the man went to South Africa.We can get from China and Russia and

Why do we always apologise for something we know to be the truth? we can make ours.

Whatever happened to DICON and our Army engineers and inventors?” asked Ken. “Seems the Boko guys have regrouped and restrategised and came out stronger. I wonder what happened to the tempo and the zeal of the soldiers just before the inauguration of the new government. At least, they were gaining so much ground and suddenly, we seem to have gone back to square one. The terrorists are maiming and killing people; burning and sacking villages daily. It’s time to wake up,” said Stella.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

— 21

NBC pays N33.5bn taxes in 7yrs

By Princewill Ekwujuru

N

VISIT: From left, Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, University of Lagos, Professor Obinna Chukwu; Executive Director, Heritage Bank, Ola Olabinjo; Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Rahamon Bello and Group Head, eBanking, Heritage Bank, Tobe Nnadozie during a courtesy visit of Heritage Bank management to Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos.

Dangote commissions $400m cement, coal plants in Zambia

By Franklin Alli, in Ndola, Zambia

was graced by Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo; Edo state Governor, ANGOTE Group, Adams Oshiomole; Tony yesterday, strengthened Elumelu, Chairman UBA Plc; the bilateral trade between Chief Kola Jamodu, Chairman Nigeria and Zambia with the Nestle Nigeria Plc; and Niyi official opening of the Group’s Adebayo, former Governor $400 million cement plant, Ekiti state, among other with installed capacity of 1.5 personalities from Nigeria and million metrics tonne per Zambia. annum, and a 30 megawatts Speaking at the event, Vice coal plant to power the President Osinbajo said that factory. the projects are very The greenfield project was significant to bilateral commissioned by Zambian relationship that has exists President, Edgar Chagwa between Nigeria and Zambia.

Lungu, at Masasiti district, He lauded the government Ndola, Zambia. The event of Zambia and the people for having approved the projects and saw it to completion.

0.05 $124.00 President Lungu also noted that Zambia $3,166.00 0.00 has continuing cordial bilateral relationships $10.81 -0.08 with Nigeria over the years, assuring that his government will $50.12 0.60 continue to encourage private sector 45.71 0.54 initiatives. “I invite other investors to CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL genuinely come and DOLLAR 196 196.5 197 invest in other sectors POUNDS 305.2896 306.0684 306.8472 in Zambia,” he said.

EURO 214.6984 215.2461 215.7938 In his speech at the FRANC 202.5212 203.0378 203.5545 occasion, President of YEN 1.5773 1.5814 1.5854 Dangote Group, Alhaji CFA 0.3085 0.3185 0.3285 WAUA 272.6674 273.363 274.0586 Aliko Dangote, said RENMINBI 31.5575 31.6385 31.7195 that the Zambian RIYAL 52.2625 52.3958 52.5291 cement plant was the SDR 273.2828 273.98 274.6771 sixth out of his14 KRONA 28.7706 28.844 28.9174 cement plants in Africa CBN Exchange Rate as at 04/ 08 /15 to have started

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productions, adding that four new plants will be commissioned before the end of the year. “We are spearheading the economic revolution in several African countries, we are a strong advocate of Africans investing in Africa,” he said.

Engr. Joseph Makoju, Special Adviser to President/ CEO, Dangote Group, said that with the investment, Nigeria can proudly claim to be the economic leader in Africa. He noted that the event is more about economic diplomacy rather than political diplomacy. “What Dangote is doing here is strengthening Nigeria’s position indisputably as a leader of Africa, economically and

politically, “ he said.

Tony Elumelu lauded Dangote for the feat, describing him as the only private sector investor driving cross-border investments in Africa. “This is economic diplomacy and Dangote is helping to foster bilateral relationship between the countries in Africa,” he said.

Governor Oshiomole, also hailed Dangote for playing pioneering role of Africans investing in Africa, and creating jobs across the continent. “Politicians make noise about creating jobs.

Dangote doesn’t make noise but goes about creating jobs.

He is providing economic bridges to promote peace and unity through his investments in Africa,” he added.

IGERIA Bottling Company, NBC, packagers of the Coca cola soft drink brand, said it paid N33.5 billion in taxes between 2008 and 2014 and plans to increase production capacity by 2020.

Mr. Uzo Odenigbo, Head, Public Affairs and Communication disclosed this to newsmen while giving overview, stating that the company has about 950 suppliers of which 90 percent are local contractors who are in the Small Medium Enterprises, SMEs category. He stated also that the company which commenced operation in 1953 today operates 12 bottling plants and has 50 plus distribution partners of which 70 percent are women entrepreneurs.

Odenigbo went on to say that NBC has a combined land area of 151 sq kilometres, with 893 manual distribution centres, 555 dealers, whilst providing livelihood for 15 million Nigerians.

Speaking further the communications head stated that the company connects with communities on its shared values plant form by providing portable water and reduction in process water usage between 2004 and 2015 by 54 percent.

The company, he noted empowered Niger Delta youths with skills acquisition scheme, while in 2011, 8,000 students benefitted from its public private schools back to school items and upgraded infrastructure in adopted schools in partnership with state governments.

The company said it has impacted business training skills on women entrepreneurs in its value chain, as it is also partnering with Lagos and Ogun state governments on the Coca cola 5by 20 initiative.

Egina receives first ‘made in Nigeria’ subsea wellhead

By Godwin Oritse

E

GINA project operated

by Total has received its first locally fabricated subsea wellhead for the exploration and exploitation of the Egina field.

The wellheads which were produced by oiltools in collaboration with FMC Technologies has given a boost to local capacity for indigenous participation in oil and gas industry. The wellheads feature a 36" diameter conductor housing and a 20"

diameter wellhead assembly.

The wellhead fabrication project was conducted from start to finish by a team of 44 OAL employees (all Nigerians) and was completed on time and without any safety incidents.

Fabrication activities conducted by the OAL team included cutting, bevelling, assembling, welding, grinding, heat treatment and painting. To achieve this milestone, FMC Technologies worked intensively with OAL to deliver technical training to the

Nigerian personnel which involved advanced welding techniques and post-welding heat treatment procedures required for the manufacturing process.

Speaking on the development, Area Manager of FMC Mr ShelaGH Daley Technologies said that the feat was firm’s contribution to support Federal content drive of the Federal government.

He said: “This local manufacturing of these wellheads marks a significant milestone for the company and for the country’s energy industry.”

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

There should be provision of financial and tax incentives to encourage SMEs to join the formal sector

INSURAN

,

,

NAICOM orders IGI, UnityKapital to appoint new auditing firms

T

he National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, has ordered Industrial & General Insurance Plc and Unitykapital Assurance Plc to appoint an auditing firm from amongst KPMG, PWC and Delloitte to conduct a comprehensive financial review of the company and submit the report to the Commission within two weeks of the date of the regulatory order.

The orders which were conveyed in separate letters dated July 30 and 31, 2015 were signed by the then Deputy Commissioner (Technical) Mohammed Kari, who is now Commissioner for Insurance.

The firm will undertake a comprehensive review of IGI’s accounting system; conduct capital verification and validate the financial position of the company as at July 31, 2015.

The management is ordered not to incur any expenditure in excess of N250,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and not carry out new investments or dispose any of its assets without the prior approval of NAICOM. IGI will submit monthly report on its activities to NAICOM effective August, 2015.

The Board of UnityKapital

is restricted from holding any meeting or taking any further decisions in respect of the affairs of the company during the subsistence of the regulatory order.

While the executive management is directed to run the affairs of the company, all issues which may require approval of the Board shall be referred to the Commission for consideration for approval.

The Management is restricted from incurring any expenditure on a single transaction in excess of (N250,000) without prior approval of the Commission It shall also not incur any capital expenditure within the subsistence of this regulatory order without the approval of the Commission.

The order forbids Unitykapital divesting any of its existing investment without written approval of the Commission. All proceeds of divestment that have commenced prior to the order shall be paid into a dedicated account as approved by the Commission.

Both Regulatory orders are with effect from August 3, 2015 and for initial periods of 6 months in the case of IGI and (90days) for UnityKapital.

The Regulatory orders may be extended to such a period when the Commission is satisfied that there is no potential risk to policyholders of each of the companies.

CONFERENCE: From left, Principal, Vocational Training Centre, Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind (FNSB), Mr. Sola Ogunsiji; Chairman Executive Council, Asiwaju Fola Osibo; past Chairman, Chief Olu Falomo and member Executive Council, Mrs Tomi Ladejo at a press conference on the upcoming 10th White Cane Day and public enlightenment programme of FNSB Vocational Training Centre, in Lagos.

Need to enhance businesses to lift citizens from poverty Stories by Rosemary Onuoha

T

he World Bank’s Economic Report (July 2014) states that Nigeria is one of the top five countries that has the largest number of poor people in the world. The top five countries, in terms of numbers of poor, are India (with 33 percent of the world’s poor), China (13 percent), Nigeria (7 percent), Bangladesh (6 percent) and

Chukwuma to become CIIN president T

HE Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, CIIN, is set to invest Lady Isioma Chukwuma as the 47 th President of the Institute.

Addressing journalists at the Institutes Secretariat in Lagos, Chairman of the investiture committee, Mr. Fatai Lawal said that the event is scheduled for Tuesday 11th August, 2015 in Lagos.

Lawal said that the investiture ceremony will be chaired by Chief Ade Ojo, Chairman of both Elizade Motors and Custodian & Allied Insurance Plc. Recall that Lady Chukwuma will be succeeding Mr. Bola Temowo who has made tremendous success of his tenure especially in his pursuance of a legacy of continuity for the

progress being made by the Institute.

Lawal said that the theme of Chukwuma’s presidency is “Consolidating the gains of the industry for national economic growth.”

He said, “The theme is borne out of the need to consolidate on the gains the Institute has made during the tenures of the past presidents of the Institute.”

Lawal stated that the means by which Chukwuma’s presidency aims to achieve the objectives of her theme are by situating the CIIN on the global stage by enhancing the Institutes certificate for global acceptability; upscaling collaboration with CII, UK; promoting insurance awareness by increasing the visibility of insurance through publications in the print medium; follow up on the recognition of CIIN Certificate by the Head of

Send comments & enquiries to insuranceandyou@yahoo.com C M Y K

Service, HOS, of the federation; renewed pursuit of training of insurance teachers on a national level; work on achieving wider coverage in the presentation/distribution of the institutes sponsored insurance textbook for senior secondary schools; completion of the Institutes exams syllabus review; commencement of work in the institutes Victoria island property, pursue extending the Institutes professionals to countries in West Africa and East and Central African sub-regions.

Chukwuma was born in Asaba in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State. She attended University of Ibadan for her Bachelors degree and graduated with honours in 1978. She qualified as Associate Chartered Insurance Institute, London in 1990.

the Democratic Republic of Congo (5 percent), which together are home to nearly 760 million of the world’s poor.

The number of poor Nigerians is put at 58 million or 33.1 per cent of the population. This represents an improvement from the previous study conducted in 2009/2010 which put the poverty level at 61% of Nigeria’s population.

According to the Bank of Industry, BOI, Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, MSMEs, constitute the essential ingredients to lubricate and develop the Nigerian economy to lift citizens out of poverty.

Divisional Head, Large Enterprises of BOI, Mr. Joseph Babatunde said that there is

need to enhance the business activities of MSMEs. According to Babatunde, there should be provision of financial and tax incentives to encourage SMEs to join the formal sector. Governments need to provide tax incentives for SMEs and subsidies similar to those available to large corporations as well as give more priority to intervention funds for start-ups/ or SMEs, he said.

Babatunde added that governments should promote public-private partnerships to attract venture capital funds and higher levels of investment, and put in place measures to create investorfriendly environments.

He said, “SMEs contribute a

Custodian Group appoints Oshin as GMD

M

r. Wole Oshin has been appointed Group Managing Director (GMD) of Custodian and Allied Plc, at a recent Board meeting of the company.

Until his appointment, Oshin was the Managing Director of CAIL, the general insurance business subsidiary and a non-Executive Director of Custodian and Allied Plc. The Custodian Group is an indigenous Investment holding company quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) comprising Custodian and Allied Insurance Limited (CAIL), Custodian Life Assurance Limited (CLA), CrusaderSterling Pensions Limited, Custodian Trustees Limited and Crusader

Properties Limited.

In a statement, the Custodian Group which celebrated its 20th anniversary in June, 2015 noted that the group has achieved great success over the years due to its commitment to ideals such as outstanding service and dedication to customers, innovation and comprehensive systems, processes and operations integration.

Consequently, it has become a force to be reckoned with, in the financial services sector of the Nigerian economy.

As Chief Executive of CAIL, Oshin who founded the Group was instrumental to the growth and development of the company, having led it through successful mergers and acquisition in the last couple of years. With his appointment as Group Managing

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

large share of manufactured exports in most industrialised East Asian economies like China and India, ranging from 31-56%, than less developed African economies of less than 1% in Tanzania and Malawi, and 4% in Nigeria for instance.

There is therefore the need to focus on policies that will promote the SMEs export potential to boost economic growth and development.

“Building supply chain capacity: Apart from government, large corporations can also support the development of a strong and reliable SME sector. A lot of large corporations source for their supplies from developing countries. Large corporations can help SMEs become more viable business partners for raw materials sourcing, by providing capacity building support in terms of training in business planning, logistics, marketing, distribution, and quality control. They can assist through technology transfers, direct investment in infrastructure, and the sharing

Apart from government, large corporations can also support the development of a strong and reliable SME sector

Director, it is expected that it will leverage on his vast and rich goodwill and experience to further propel the Custodian group to achieve greater heights.

Oshin is a graduate of Actuarial Science from the University of Lagos and a Chartered Insurer by profession.

He is a Fellow of both the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria and the Association of Investment Advisers and Portfolio Managers. He is current President of the Lagos Business School Alumni Association (LBSAA) and an alumnus of the Harvard Business School. Whilst he assumes the position of GMD of the Custodian Group, Mr Toye Odunsi , the erstwhile Deputy Managing Director of Custodian and Allied Insurance Limited will assume the position of Managing Director of CAIL.

of knowledge. These would make SMEs more competitive, as well as facilitate their access to credit. All of this can benefit the large corporations by creating more effective and inclusive supply chains.

“Strengthening local distribution networks: SMEs have local knowledge, understand domestic consumer demands, and have access to remote regions. By contracting local SMEs to sell and distribute their products in these markets, large corporations can help strengthen the sales capacity and income of local SMEs. At the same time, they can strengthen their own distribution networks and open up new markets for their products.

“Providing access to financial services: SMEs require greater access to financial services and investment capital. Large corporations have little difficulty securing sizeable bank loans and private investments.

SMEs often struggle to obtain credit and loans, so much so that personal savings forms the major source of funding for most of them throughout much of the developing world.

Many financial institutions in these developing societies are reluctant to fund SMEs because of perceived risks and high transaction costs. Thus loans to SMEs, when they are able to obtain them, tend to carry higher interest rates and shorter pay-back times.

However things are changing.

Albeit slowly. Many large banks are now partnering with development agencies and NGOs to serve the SME market.

“Setting up incubation centers and knowledge hubs: To provide transitional market places for SMEs and training platforms for the provision of technical know-how for SMEs respectively.

“Infrastructural development: SMEs are considered an important tool for poverty alleviation, human resource development and employment generation. In order to enhance the productivity and exports of the SME sector, there should be a strategic shift in the Framework for Economic Growth of the Government to infrastructural development and establishing common facility centres,” he said.

Babatunde noted that the contribution of SMEs to the economy of Nigeria cannot be over-emphasised. Therefore, tremendous support is required to ensure their growth and sustainability for the desired sovereign goals to be achieved in terms of developmental impact and poverty alleviation.

,

CE & YOU

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Governments should promote public-private partnerships to attract venture capital funds and higher levels of investment, and put in place measures to create investor-friendly environments

,

Lack of adequate awareness result of under subscription to CPS —Ideva M anaging Director of Premium Pension Limited, Mr. Wilson Ideva has said that the under subscription to the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) is as a result of lack of adequate public awareness.

Addressing journalists at the company ’s office in Abuja, Ideva said, “A vast majority of Nigerians including the supposedly enlightened community lack information on the workings and belief in the workability of the contributory Pension Scheme. How else can one explain the less than 10% penetration of the market more than ten years after the commencement of the scheme?”

He said that less than seven million workers in Nigeria have subscribed to the new pension scheme out of the estimated more than seventy million working population while a total of N4.9 trillion has been amassed as pension assets under management in the industry. “The lukewarm attitude of some Nigerians to the new pension scheme is inexplicable considering the ugly past of the defined benefit scheme which we have all been striving to break away from.

Workers looked up to retirement with so much fear and

trepidation because of the inherent uncertainties. The old scheme was fraught with corruption and bureaucratic bottlenecks that occasioned the ugly sight of long queues of aged citizens waiting to be paid pension that oftentimes never came.

“The scheme has already begun to improve the lives of retirees in the country. It is also inching towards becoming a critical contributor to national development” Ideva stated.

According to him, there was need to applaud the initiators of the scheme in the country.

“Initially, when the idea was presented, a lot of people did not believe in it. This is understandable considering where we were coming from,” he said.

Ideva noted that such skepticism has been dissipated with the successes recorded by the new pension scheme since its more than ten years of existence. He recalled the pathetic situation of pensioners before the scheme was introduced and juxtaposed it with the current situation where workers are partners in the management of their pension funds. He urged people to note the difference between the new Contributory Pension Scheme

and the old defined benefit system under which some pensioners are still being managed.

He noted that under the new scheme entitlements are being paid regularly. “All you need to do is notify your Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) six months before your retirement and submit all the necessary documents. Once this is done, within one or two months upon retirement you will be paid your lump sum which has replaced the gratuity and thereafter you begin to enjoy continuous programmed withdrawal,” he stated.

Ideva also pointed out that while the old scheme which operated before 2004 left a huge pension deficit within the economy said to be in the neighborhood of two trillion naira, the new scheme has accumulated pension asset of over N4.7 trillion and an enrolment of over 6.5 million people. “So when you put this together you will see that it has been a success story and this pool of funds is already playing a critical role in national development. The pension industry has been a huge success and we are playing our role effectively as stipulated in the Pension Reform Act,” Ideva noted.

AGM: From right: Dr. Sakiru Oyefeso, MD/CEO of STACO Insurance Plc; Chairman, Mr. Dere Otubu and Company Secretary, Mrs. Taiwo Ogunbajo at the Annual General Meeting of the company in Lagos

24—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

DIARY zGartner

Symposium/ ITxpo 2015 Cape Town, South Africa November 8-12, 2015

Preview

Could the PlasticRoad be the future?

Developed by construction firm VolkerWessels, the PlasticRoad consists of prefabricated plastic structures that are laid on top of sand, making installing a new road a considerably simpler process than laying asphalt or using other road materials. That means, a huge amount of time shaved on traditional road construction timetables, making it a more economical option for cities the world over.

Each unit of PlasticRoad consists of board-like panels that are hollow at the center, allowing it to be used as instant pathways for cables and pipes. An entire stretch of road can be installed as a single piece, as well as broken up in numerous pieces for easier transport, giving folks a flexibility not available in existing road solutions. Not only can it withstand the typical abuse roads experience from vehicles, it’s also weather-resistant and corrosion-proof, making it less-likely to require as much maintenance. While plastic does melt, its creators claim their roads will also perform better than asphalt at withstanding extreme temperatures, as it can handle anywhere from low as -40° C to as high as 80° C.

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‘No digital migration without relevant legislation’ •StarTimes @ 5 tips Nigeria to get back on track •Chairman, XinXing Pang says company leads innovation in Nigeria’s digital TV

By Prince Osuagwu

N

igeria’s inability to meet the International Telecommunications Union, ITU’s June deadline for countries to migrate to digital broadcasting has become a source of worry to many Nigerian television lovers considering the grave implications, particularly the signal interference it is capable of causing.

So when the Chairman of Star Times, Mr Xin Xing Pang - a man said to have played a major role in Tanzania’s historic migration to digital broadcasting before other African countries, visited Nigeria for the celebration of his company’s five years of existence in Nigeria, it became an opportunity for Hi-Tech to ask him a few questions.

The encounter was interesting, particularly when talking and hearing from Mr Pang was only through an interpreter.

Enjoy the encounter: Star Times @5: The journey so far?

Nigeria is a wonderful place to do business. Generally in the last five years the company has grown in leaps and bounds. We are today one of the largest in the pay digital TV market in the country. Currently our Digital Terrestrial Television, DTT, platform is in 46 locations at the moment. We have covered up to 80 percent of the states in Nigeria. We are only out of coverage in two states and those are the two most volatile states at the moment. Meanwhile, last year we launched our Digital Direct to Homes (DTH) which covers the entire country.

However, while we are growing, we are also helping the Nigerian society to grow as much as we can. The tax revenue we have generated to the government coffers is in the

region of N4 billion. We have introduced more Nigerian local channels with local contents.

Our staff is also increasing as we have about 1,000 staff members; We have also been training and retraining them for better efficiency and sound service delivery.

Our subscriber base is now up to 2.6 million in the country and that has been achieved within the past 5 years. We have also been awarded as the most popular operator in the country in three consecutive years.

Seems as if business is so smooth; are there any challenges?

There’s no business without challenges. For us, the time it takes to get approval to deploy our Digital Terrestrial TV, DTT network connection is the major challenge. The process of getting license and approval to deploy one DTT sometimes take up to six months and we feel that this is rather too slow.

For instance, we have the plan to set up to 16 DTT locations in the country and The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, NBC must grant us frequency per location. So if it takes six months, you can see that no much progress would be made.

Meanwhile, in order to operate in some areas we need to be granted licence to commence operations.

Suffice to say also, that we suffered the devaluation of the

I N S I D E

•Star Times Chairman Xin Xing Pang naira due to the falling exchange rate because most of our content providers are paid in dollars

Digital migration in the TV industry is not just a simple process as some of you might think, it is like a huge chain that needs adjustments

How to build a social media oriented PAGE 25 purchase funnel

and this has created some problem for us.

Even with Star Times alliance with NTA, Nigeria still fails in digital migration?

Digital migration in the TV industry is not just a simple process as some of you might think, it is like a huge chain that needs adjustments.

It involves quite a lot of open information and consultations with industry stakeholders, different market and entities. This means that all the stakeholders in the process must participate in the process because of their different demands, self-interests and what they should take away from the migration.

For StarTimes, we are just a company, what we can do at the

Continues on page 26

Dizengoff warns Nigerian financial sector against dangerous cyber threats PAGE 31

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015—25

How to build social media oriented purchase funnel

.Social media

By Agbolade Omowole

S

ocial media has gone beyond a medium for friendship. It is now used for business.

Understanding the purchase funnel helps is maximizing social media.

The purchase funnel, or purchasing funnel, is a consumer focused marketing model which illustrates the theoretical customer journey towards the purchase of a product or service It shows the process of persuading potential clients to becoming repeat customers.

The process are Awareness,

opinion, consideration, preference and purchase.

To achieve this, you need to plan your social media marketing campaign using the AIDA formular. *.Awareness– the customer is aware of the existence of a product or service*.

Interest– actively expressing an interest in a product group*.

Desire– aspiring to a particular brand or product*.

Action– taking the next step towards purchasing the chosen product Here are three things to do to get clients to make purchase channel:

Build credibility: when prospecting people on your products/services, your reputation alone can save you from a lot of story telling. To be credible, you have to build a positive reputation outside social media. With reputation alone, a country can win battles without going to work.

Appeal to their emotions: the posts that get the highest number of engagement on social media are those ones that trigger some emotions in others.

When you are building a social media marketing plan for your products and/or services, anchor it on their basic emotions - fears and anxiety. Research has revealed that fear is a greater motivation than faith.

There may be gender issues to consider. Emotional appeal works more on ladies, while men may be more inclined to the logic. Logic: Have you done extensive research on how your products/services work? What are the verifiable facts and figures related to your offering? Most men are interested in the figures.

There are interested in the profit margin and return on investment.

‘Tech-power, better source of power generation’

•Online skills,

How online skills create traffic, generate money

By Laju Iren

H

ow many people use the internet? According to a 2013 report, the figure is about 2,405,518,376. Amazing ! Even more amazing is the fact that about 70% of them visit the internet every day. If that is the case, then why does your blog have only a few visitors a day? It is definitely not because there is lack of traffic to the internet. The issue is with you.

One way to make sure that more people visit your site is to skilfully engage the use of social media. ‘Skill’ is the key word here as things could backfire if it is not applied. No one pays you to advertise on your facebook wall, and although traffic to your social media pages could help build your own brand, when your goal is to build a website, you might need to do things differently. Don’t give it all away on social media. Let your social

•Digital money

By Richard Udofia

while making power available others thereby discouraging more dependence on the igerians have been urged to national grid,” Seriki said. embrace tech-power, as an The MD admitted that the new 3 and alternative to power, as it has been proven 6.7 watts from the company replaces the to be a better source of energy generation conventional 40watts and 60watts in the developed world. respectively, thereby saving an Managing Director of Omatek company, appreciable power for other activities.

Mrs. Florence Seriki made this statement Seriki said this action was taken to meet in an chat with technology reporters, as the the yearnings and desire of firms calling company unveiled varieties of new solar for more alternative sources of energy power solutions in Lagos recently. different from the conventional diesel and The solutions included solar appliances, petrol. She said the company’s new 3, LED bulbs, inverters among others. Seriki 10, 40, 50 KVA’s can service homes, said, the products are low-cost alternative schools and companies, and save power solution the company introduced hundreds of thousands of watts. to the market to aid customers in Because we have the SME’s as part of overcoming energy challenges in the our target audience, she encouraged other country. household users, business organizations “We have solar hybrid alternative power and other energy users to embrace the solutions with the use of LED bulbs together product in the market as the product is with street lights and alternative power aimed at saving energy and guaranteeing solution using Solar and LED technology. maximum power Our solutions combine the benefits of the supply. solar system and those of the LED She warned technology to proffer solutions that a g a i n s t reduce energy consumption overloading •Solar power considerably while and use of saving costs by heating metals 80-85 per as they have cent whilst tendency to providing drain up the 24-hour backup source lighting of the tech solution, engine.

N

Don’t let ‘digital money’ make you broke

By Laju Iren

W

hen all your debit card could do was withdraw money from the Automated Teller Machine, ATM, you wished it could do more. But now that you can do hundreds of transactions without even knowing where your card is, you just might be rethinking the idea.

You’re buying more airtime than you normally would when all you have to do is dial a code and recharge your phone in seconds.

When you’re shopping, you may not notice just how above the budget you’ve gone if you’re using your card. And when you can do bank transfers on your phone without a token, what happens when your phone gets stolen during the weekend?

media platforms move traffic to your site instead.

Some other simple mistakes have to do with the aesthetics on your site. Don’t just restrict yourself to the backend of your site. Try viewing the front end on various devices. Does it zoom in and out easily? Can it be viewed horizontally and vertically? How long on the average, does it take for your page to load? There are millions of sites on the internet, if yours is proving too difficult, traffic will go elsewhere.

User-friendliness is key and goes beyond aesthetics. If users need to open an account on your site, let them know the sort of passwords that are applicable and the ones that aren’t. Don’t let visitors get extremely tired and frustrated because they need to fill forms on your site.

All in all, quality of content still matters. Even if you do everything else right, if you’ve got nothing quality to say, traffic might come, but it won’t stay.

Of course, the endless advantages of cashless, cardless transactions mean that there’s no going back. So what you must do is ensure that you get the best out of it. Here’s how: L i m i t expenditure accounts Banks are now quicker than ever to give you a debit card. It makes operations, not only easier for you, but for them as well. However, because you have many debit cards doesn’t mean you should use them all. Limit cardless and cashless expenditures to one or two accounts based on your capacity. Ensure that you save your money in an account you don’t use regularly for transactions.

Password your phone Your phone is now your mobile bank.

You must do your best to be careful with it, and ensure that it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. Sometimes, this could be beyond your control. That is why you must do your best to password your device, and keep your password as privately as you keep your debit card pin.

Think before you spend Whether it is cash or cashless, a spending problem is a spending problem. If you have the tendency to overspend, it is definitely not the fault of the cashless economy, so you must be sure to discipline yourself.

26—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

‘No digital migration without relevant legislation’ Continues from page 24

From left: Daniel Aleyin, Team Mentor; Obinaju Raymond, Adeyemo Oluwaseun, Sobola Timilehin, Ahwin Kevin and Adebayo Ogundipe, Team mentor of Team LifeWatch during their rehearsal ahead of their live presentation at the just concluded 2015 Microsoft Imagine Cup competition in Seattle, Washington. Photo: Emeka Aginam.

2015 Imagine Cup: Take your innovation to next level, Microsoft CEO tells tech students

By Emeka Aginam, (in Seattle, Washington)

T

he message was direct, inspiring and simple, as the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Microsoft, Satya Nadella told the almost one hundred and thirteen innovative students representing thirty three teams across the globe who competed in the 2015 Imagine Cup World Finals in Seattle, Washington, to always keep their dreams alive.

In a live broadcast, weekend, in front of an audience of over 5,000 students, judges, partners and Microsoft employees at the Washington State Convention Center in downtown, Seattle, Nadella told the Imagine Cup competitors “All of you represent that passion to make the impossible, possible. I want you to keep that dream alive.

“What you started at this competition is going to grow, because of your passion, your dreams, your ability to take it forward and your ability to learn on the way. It’s such a pleasure for me to see the passion and the innovation you have demonstrated today,” Talented young developers needed According to him, “We’re finding talented student developers at younger and younger ages, too – last week we shared the results of a new competition for students as young as 9 years old, and the work they did was impressive. We’ll have more opportunities for younger students coming in August and continuing all season long.

“When Bill and Paul started Microsoft in college, they were talented and fearless. We see that spirit every day in the students who learn to

code through Microsoft Imagine and go on to compete in the Imagine Cup. Working with students like these is an honor and a profound responsibility, one that Microsoft cherishes.

“Especially on days like today, when we see the incredible work students can do when they connect with technology and dream big” As a keen observer, major challenge of the participating students after global showcase is how best to put their work to reality. It is not a matter of showcasing but taking it to the next level to make a reality.

Microsoft believes in the power of young people connecting with technology to dream big, build creatively and boldly bring their ideas to life But Nadella who crowned a brilliant team of students, Team eFitFashion from Brazil as the winning team of the 2015 Imagine Cup World Championship strongly believes that every student who participated in the competition was a winner but noted that the tech students must take their innovative ideas into reality. eFitFashion had present Clothes For Me as a market place for custom tailored clothes based on a person’s unique body size and shape. In addition to getting a $50,000 prize for winning the Innovation category, the winning team will enter into an accelerator to further develop their project, and they’ll get a one-on-one meeting with Microsoft CEO who presented the trophy to the winners.

Through Microsoft Imagine program, he said that students of all ages and skill levels get the world’s best coding tools and online learning at no cost, so they can build their future now.

According to Microsoft CEO, the competition in no small measure has prepared the students for global competitiveness.

moment is the promotion of the digital migration which we have been doing. We cannot make any decision or fully participate in the decision making process.

However there are strange happenings in the digital TV market in the country: Some companies are presently operating illegally.

Can there still be any salvation?

Yes. That is if every hand comes on deck. For us, we started business in Africa in 2002 and in Nigeria since 2009.

We have not stopped promoting digital migration in the Nigerian market and for StarTimes we have already prepared ourselves for the digital migration. The only issue now is that we cannot decide for the government when they should complete the migration. We wish that the migration can start as soon as possible because we will all benefit immensely from it. The strategy is to gradually begin switching off the analogue system state by state starting from Jos. Which way forward?

We would advise the government to create some legislation to stop the importation of analogue TV sets into the country. It is only when this is done that the digitalization of the industry can be realised.

Also the Nigerian consumers need to be educated more on the benefits of digital migration.

There’s also the need for government to subsidise the setup boxes as it is done in other countries so that the common people can gain access to digital TV in the country. There must also be a dedicated fund created for the actualisation of digital transformation, in addition to a professional team which knows

the technology, management and operations of digital broadcasting. These conditions are really indispensable for digital TV to thrive.

Is in-house production of content in digital TV possible?

Actually our role in the Nigerian digital TV is as signal distributor and secondly role in the Nigerian market is the pay TV operator. As signal distributor we are supposed to provide high quality services to the content producers, that is free-to air TV stations, without discrimination.

We have always ensured that we provide high professional TV quality in Nigeria and to the local content producers. We also collaborate with local content providers as we are preparing the launch of movie channels that would centre on Nollywood.

Corporate Social Responsibility?

StarTimes as an enterprise in the country has been involved in doing genuine business in compliance with the laws of the land like paying our taxes regularly and secondly we have tried to provide high quality product and services to our customers; and thirdly we have been providing support to vulnerable communities which we often don’t want to mention in the media.

Before 2010, the price of the pay TV services was on the higher side with subscription also very high and unaffordable and with the entrance of StarTimes into the market a lot of Nigerians can now afford digital TV services. We go into the rural areas without business prospects, just to fulfil our responsibility to the environment we are doing business in. By all these, we forced our competitors to lower their prices. We are most innovative and really have contributed a lot to the Nigerian society.

‘Information management, imperative for economic recovery’ …as Institute of Management honours Osinbajo

By RICHARD UDOFIA

P

•Osinbajo

resident /Chairman, Governing Council of Institute of Information Management, IIM, Dr. Oyedokun Oyewole has described the inadequate data sourcing and storage as the bane of multiple economic, social, political and insecurity challenges facing Nigerian economy today.

Oyewole made the assertion at a press conference to announce plans for IIM-Africa’s annual lecture, Induction / Investiture ceremony 2015, to honour different stakeholders in Nigeria. He even revealed that parts of people to honour at the event, included the Vice

President, Yemi Osinbajo, (SAN), He said that the organisation is strategically located to assist the government, economic planners, policy makers and other relevant stakeholders at making informed decisions through the data available before them.

He admitted that, the availability of this data in the country goes a long way in assisting the state towards making functional policies that will be of great benefit to the masses, stating that the success of the new administration critically depends on good information networking and governance.

He played down insinuations as believed by many organisations and public that

having access to this data bank will lead to sabotage in the industry, thereby relinguishing sensitive information to unauthorised authorities both within and outside the country.

The chairman encouraged Government to pay good attention to information management in the country as Nigerians are anxiously waiting to feel the impact of good governance while delivering on the numerous campaign promises made by the government.

Oyewole stressed the need to develop the Information Management industry as one which cannot be overemphasized, as successful nations and organizations in the future will depend on how well they enable information to be

appropriately managed by professionals thereby ensuring confidentiality, integrity, completeness, and preservation of Information for better decision making and use.

He stressed the importance of proper data keeping as key to helping make a robust decision by firms.

He promised that the organisation will launch a health solution, “MedicPurse” which will afford patients quick access to immediate diagnostic / treatment within a flash of light.

The solution will be personalised with patients’ account built with Geographic Information System (GIS) device which allows for easy detection and connectivity to the network irrespective of patients’ location.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

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28 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

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Heroic man saves 13- yr-old boy, 22 others from flood after 3 hours in Obibia River VOL. 1 NO 39

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5 2015

-PAGE 4

•Nwabuisi

How erosion isravaging South Eastern Nigeria

By CHIOMA GABRIEL

I

F you are from the South East Nigeria and you travel home very often, you should be worried. Even if you are the type that hardly visits the village, you should be worried still because of the homestead, the property and the relations back home.

The rains are back, posing more threat to formation of gullies which is one of the greatest environmental disasters facing many towns and villages in South Eastern Nigeria. Many parts of this region are fast becoming hazardous for human habitation. Sometime in the past, South East governors demanded imposition of a state of emergency as a necessary step towards checking the erosion menace in the region.

Every year, especially during the rains, hundreds of people are directly affected within towns and villages and have to be re-located, but that has not C M Y K

reduced the rate of increase in gully erosion.

The situation is becoming more devastating, leading to great losses of land every year.

Large sections of land have been destroyed in towns such as Ekwulobia and Nanka.

activities that require low technology input be undertaken as a way to curb this menace. Control measures it suggested should be applied such as: Reduction of surface run-off from impervious surfaces; drainage of surface run-off and this will include the establishment of interception, division and primary (trunk) drains and the construction of interception ponds; planting of grasses on of the channelization projects by the Federal available favourable Government, which cut across major surfaces to reduce the locations in the state, had led to the safety, amount of bare soils security and survival of buildings, exposed to the erosive recreational centres, schools, residential force of the rains, and to areas and farm- lands which hitherto were control infiltration. adversely affected.

Also afforestation in the Recall that the negative impact of erosion areas more susceptible to had over the years led to the destruction of gully formation and property, food crops and farmland worth planting of local cover millions of naira even as the Federal crops such as indigenous Government paid compensation to the local leguminous plants should government areas which were affected by the be encouraged. natural disaster.

The rains are back again However, there is no gain-saying the fact and the threat is more that some communities, especially in Afikpo menacing as our South Local Government Area, are still correspondents report battling with erosion disasters. across the states.

Highways are equally ruined due to gullies, leading to numerous motor accidents and deaths.

This disaster is unnatural and can be averted. Bad management practices such as roads without proper drainage or

catchments pits; unguided cultivations have been identified to cause flooding as well as indiscriminate channeling of flood water.

A British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, report once suggested that small-scale

….Ebonyi needs FG’s attention

BY PETER OKUTU

A

BAKALIKI—THE issue of erosion as it concerns Ebonyi State is no longer a huge threat to the existence of the people of the state.

The threat posed by erosion within the state capital was tackled during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan to a very large extent through the channelization of key rivers in the state.

These rivers over the years had often times over-flowed their boundaries, thereby putting buildings and the people living within its confluence at risk.

South East Voice learned that the impact

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

...Anambra communities rendered desolate

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—RESIDENTS of many communities in Anambra State have been compelled to vacate their homes for fear of being submerged in the gully erosion raging flood. With the rains pouring heavily on daily basis, the erosion–prone communities have been having nightmares as they now sleep with their eyes open in case of any eventuality.

Decades ago, only very few communities in the state, such as Agulu, Nanka, Oko, Ekwulobia, among others, were associated with erosion

menace, but at the last count, there are about 1,000 erosion sites in the state and no fewer than 70 per cent of the state’s land mass are affected.

With this year’s rains already heavy, many residents in Anambra are having unpalatable stories to tell. The situation is such that with many houses being submerged, families are being displaced and some are relocating to safer neighbouring communities.

For instance, at Igboukwu in Aguata Local Government Area, erosion had chased families out of their homes, with the traditional ruler, Igwe Dr. Martin Eze, describing the situation as terrible.

A road severed by erosion at Enuagu Enugwu Ukwu with houses waiting to be submerged At Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Government Area, several houses have been submerged in the deep gullies and owners of the affected houses had since relocated to nearby villages. Areas mostly affected include Amakom, Ibolo, Awo and Ahia Uzor, which had been

cut off from their farmlands and plantations.

President General of Oraifite Town Union, Dr. Jude Okolo said unless something was done urgently, many villagers in the area would soon become refugees in their state.

According to him, there were

...Ancestral homes, farm land not spared in Imo

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

A

PART from the prevailing economic hardship ravaging Imo people, another nagging problem that is threatening to decimate most local government areas in the state, is erosion.

Obviously worried by persistent complaints from the citizenry about the ravaging erosion in their communities, the immediate past Governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim set up a high powered team to properly identify and document all the erosion sites in the state.

The truth is that there is hardly any local government area of the state that is free from the menace. At the end of the exercise, no fewer than 450 active erosion sites were identified.

That administration not only started some remedial measures in some communities, but also approached the Federal Government and the World Bank for assistance. The situation still persists in many communities today.

Farmlands, economic trees, ancestral homes and public institutions had either been swallowed by the ravaging gully erosion or are on the verge of bowing to the superior force of the disaster. A few references would suffice here.

The people of Nekede, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, are passionately pleading with the Federal Government to recommence work on the bridge linking them with the rest of the council area.

Speaking to South East V o i c e on the issue, an aggrieved son of the area, Mr. Onumara Opara, lamented that the collapsed bridge stemmed C M Y K

One of the gully erosion sites in Imo State, being salvaged by the World Bank from a devastating erosion which ravaged the area.

“The erosion started like a child’s play, but ultimately destroyed the Owerri-Old Nekede Road-Ihiagwa Road, particularly near the bridge.

Today, people from Umuejechi and Umumbazu can only visit their kith and kin at Umukoto and Umuofocha through Owerri and Naze, a distance of more than seven kilometres,” Opara lamented.

He recalled with grief that the most hopeless section of this road, which had been swallowed by the rampaging erosion is between Umumbazu and Umuezuruokam.

Speaking also, Chief Christopher Kemakolam recalled that the community did everything possible to draw government’s attention to the impending doom before the bridge collapsed, but “nobody listened to us.”

He recalled that Governor Rochas Okorocha had visited the site and promised to get in touch with the appropriate authorities, with a view to getting the project back on track.

For the royal father, Eze Stephen Agumanu, “nothing will please us more than seeing that we are reconnected with our kith and kin on the other side of the Otamiri River.”

In a similar development, several families in Umuanunu Nsu, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, have been sacked from their ancestral homes, courtesy of a ravaging erosion that have threatened to swallow their entire ancestral homes in the community.

South East Voice w h o visited Umuanunu on a factfinding tour, noticed that most buildings, especially on the Umunuhu-Umuanunu-

Ezeoke-Afor Agbaghara Road and Umuanunu-Nkwo Alike Road, particularly Umuanunu, are the worst hit.

One of the elders of Umuanunu, Mazi Ofoegbu, who narrated the community’s plight to South East Voice, lamented that they are feeling helpless and grossly abandoned by the state government.

“The road, which you are seeing today, was not as bad as it is today.

Our plight started when a contractor engaged by the state government came and graded the road. Soon after the firm tampered with the top soil, erosion set in,” Mazi Ofoegbu recalled with grief.

According to the old man: “We have been trying to check the yawning erosion without success,” stressing that the rainstorm that hit the community about two weeks earlier, made the situation worse.

51 documented erosion sites in the area, adding that the problem started shortly after the construction of the Onitsha – Owerri expressway because the contractors failed to create appropriate channels for "the flood that empties into the area from nearby Nnewi and Ichi communities."

Also at Umike village in Awka South Local Government Area, several houses had already been swallowed by erosion and the fear of the people is that if nothing is urgently done, the entire community might soon be washed away.

A community leader, Chief Nweke Okafor said the villagers have been doing their best to check the menace, but with increased rainfall, the once little holes have become too deep and threatening people’s houses.

He said: “With the recent collapse of the already constructed culverts, flood retaining chambers and drainage system, the situation in the area has worsened and has, therefore, gone beyond the people’s control.

“In fact, the situation has got to a crisis point and something concrete has to be done by the local and state governments to assist the people of the area.

The present situation has left the people of the area devastated and hapless in the face of colossal damage and losses. They are becoming refugees in their own homes.”

Only last week, the major road linking various villages in Enuagu, Enugwu Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area, was severed and neighbours no longer have access to their neighbours.

Occupants of many houses, located in front of the severed road, said they may soon abandon their homes to other villages.

A community leader, Evangelist Chidebe Okafor said the community had made representation to the local and state governments to come to their aid, regretting that no assistance had come from any quarter. He called on Governor Willie Obiano to do something urgently to save the houses from being submerged, with the attendant agony of the affected persons having to live as refugees in their country.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015 — 3

...So much damage in Abia

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA—ABIA State is one of the erosion-prone states in the South East geo-political zone of the country. On the scale of level of damage caused by erosion, Abia ranks second after Anambra State. There are no less that 800 identified erosion sites in the state, some of them massive and pose serious danger to the communities where they are located.

Several communities in five local government areas of Abia State are under severe threat of erosion menace. The councils include Isiukwuato, Bende, Umunneochi, Ikwuano, Umuahia North and Umuahia South. In fact, some families in these communities had been sacked from their homes by erosion.

Besides houses, federal and state roads, had been destroyed by the steadily menacing erosion in the affected local government areas of the state. The magnitudes of some of the gullies created by this monster are so massive and well beyond what the state government could handle.

The handling of ecological funds with which to tackle such natural problems as erosion menace is always shrouded in

secrecy by state governments across the country that it became difficult for the people to know what and what were made for the tackling of such problems.

Specifically, communities mostly in the state are Oguduasaa and Ahaba in Isiukwuato, Oboro in Ikwuano, Amuzukwu in Umuahia North, Ubakala in Umuahia South, Igbere in Bende, Umuobasi Mbala, Umuaku, and Umudim Ngodo villages of Isuochi town of Umunneochi, among others.

Some families in these communities live in perpetual fear of being sacked from their

homes by the massive erosion threatening their areas. In Umunneochi, for example, at least 10 houses were recently reported to have been submerged by gully erosion which also rendered some people homeless in three villages.

Some of the affected buildings include storey buildings in Umuaku and Umuobasi Mbala.

Beside houses, farms belonging to villagers in these communities were also destroyed by the gullies.

The devastation done by erosion in Umunneochi villages was so huge that estimated assessment from the Abia State Ministry of Environment put the cost of tackling it at no less than N8 billion, an amount sources from the Ministry, said

•Erosion site at Oboro Ikwuano

E

NUGU State holds strongly that it is the worst hit among the South Eastern states in country that is suffering from erosion devastation which had rendered several residents homeless and property worth billions of naira washed away.

Investigation by our correspondent showed that notwithstanding the presence of these fearful-looking, danger-prone erosion sites, some persons living close to them have remained adamant by not relocating. They, however, sleep with one eye open every day.

Worried by the safety of the people, the immediate past administration of Mr. Sullivan Chime, sometime in January this year, few months to its exit bulldozed several buildings at Ngenevu satelite town within Enugu municipality amidst wailing by the affected residents rendered homeless.

The then state Commissioner for Capital Territory, Mr. Emmanuel Omeje, said that over one thousand houses which sprang up on the hills within the area were illegal as they were not officially approved.

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He said that “ we demolished the illegal structures to save lives. There is a report from University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, geological survey which indicates that if Ngenevu is not checked, its residents will be

Chief Tobby Okechukwu led the team that visited some sites, including the Oguduasaa site which had since cut-off the Uturu-Akara-OhafiaArochukwu federal road.

At the state level, the law makers from the affected communities had been drawing the attention of the governments through motions on the floor of the state House of Assembly, but not much had come out of their efforts.

For stakeholders from these areas what is required to tackle the problem is for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the areas with the government deploying adequate resources and attention to tackle the menace and find permanent solution to it.

•Erosion site threatening houses at Igbere

...Enugu claims it is worst hit

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

was clearly beyond the scope of the state government.

The communal efforts of the communities to tackle the problem were like pouring sand inside an ocean. For example, one of the victims of the erosion menace in Umuobasi Mbala, Mr. Aaron Ezinwa, an octogenarian, had lamented that the community had been doing their best within their limit to check the menace.

“Our community raised N450, 000 to buy lump stones which we used to check the erosion but everything was washed away within a very short period,” Ezinwa had disclosed.

About three years ago, the House of Representatives sent a team to visit the erosion sites.

facing serious danger because of possible erosion encroachment.”

The traditional ruler of Nsude unity in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, Igwe Ken Onyia, Nsude had sometime ago cried out, lamenting that

•Erosion site in a community in Enugu State

erosion was a big problem in his community.

Nsude is not the only community affected, the Nkwo Ezeagu-Obinofia Ndiuno linking Obinofia Ndiagu road was sometime ago washed away by erosion which dug ditches resulting to cutting off the road from motorists. The

affected communities are too numerous to mention.

But in October last year, the state government came up with the cheering news that it had concluded plans to find lasting solution to the dreaded 9th Mile Corner gully and other erosion devastated sites with the launching of the World Bank-assisted Enugu State Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP. Former state Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Dr. Nnaemeka Chukwuone, raised the alarm that “we have more devastated sites in Enugu than any other in South East zone and our governor being proactive had keyed in.

“We have about 22 critical identified sites. Today, Enugu State has five priority erosion sites out which two sites engineering designs have been approved for site interventions as the dry season approaches. Efforts are geared towards approval of more sites.

These priority erosion sites were listed as Udi-Ozalla Road erosion site, Udi; 9th Mile Corner gully erosion, Ameke Ngwo; Ajalli Water Works gully erosion site, Nsude; Agbaja Ngwo gully erosion site, Okwojo Ngwo and EnugwuNgwo gully erosion site, Ngwo Asaa.

4 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,

AUGUST 5, 2015

Heroic man saves 13-yr old boy, 22 others from flood after 3 hours in Obibia River

BY OBIALUNAMMA NWADIOGBU

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KWULOBIA—IT was stranger than fiction but it happened. Nobody gave them a chance to survive the rushing flood along Awka-Nibo-NiseEnugwu Ukwu Ring Road when their truck was swept off the road by the flood into a deep ditch waterway of Obibia River.

The Obibia flood equally swept off an 18-seater bus from Enugu State into the ditch, even flushing away some of the occupants of the bus. But the bravery of one man saved the 18 passengers as well as the five occupants of the truck.

The occupants of the 18-seater bus though saved were not known, but those of the truck were resident in Anambra State.

The occupants that were saved are Uche, 16; Chinonso, 13; Uzoma, 26; Onyemachi, 20, and Michael, 20, who were in that ditch for three hours covered by flood before an Okada rider from Umueje, Obinna Nwabuisi saw them.Umueje is in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The truck, which was on top of a bamboo and other trees was still covered by flood with three occupants inside and two outside the truck.

But Emmanuel Nwabuisi saved them. It was a daring thing for anyone to jump into flood water that took away a truck loaded fully with bags of sachet water.

Nwabuisi is known as ‘’Ochiabutor,” meaning 'Laughter is not love' and attends a Roman Catholic Church.

The 23 flood victims came up alive through the bravado of this Umueje man - Obinna Nwabuisi, who admitted he is not ordinary human being, but a gift from the River to his mother, who was worried after six girls without a boy.

How it happened They were five men, including two minors inside a truck carrying over 730 bags of sachet water from Ekwulobia axis to supply to Awka, but they met flood across the road at Nibo.

The 26-year-old driver, Uzoma said the vehicle was heavy enough to cross the flood that demarcated the road into two, but immediately they entered the flood, an unknown source of heavy flood came from nowhere and covered the vehicle, thereby seizing the steering.

The effort of the driver to free the steering was fruitless as the flood took them away into a ditch as deep as four storey building.

Another 18-seater bus was also swept away by the flood with the passengers inside into the river.

Other smaller vehicles and light engine vehicles were parked waiting for the flood to subside.

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This happened on Monday, July 27, 2015 after about 12 hours of heavy rain that started about 4a.m. to 3:30p.m.

According to the rescuer, Nwabuisi, he was pressed where he was at Nibo after dropping off a passenger at Isiagu community.

He went into the bush, but could not ease himself and so, he headed down to Nibo and met many people standing and pointing at the river. He suddenly saw a bus with occupants being flown out of the windows into the flood. The spectators told him some were even flushed down the river.

He removed his clothes and jumped inside the flood down to Obibia River and fortunately, rescued five of them already swept away and returned to the bus and rescued the other occupants before heading to those in the trucks.

How did he do that of the trucks?

Nwabuisi said he went in and could not do much because the truck was on top of a cleft, so he appealed to the driver of Anambra State Waste Management Agency, ASWAMA, to assist with his rope, which he obliged.

Nwabuisi said: ‘’Because I am

•Nwabuisi from the water and the water knows me, I am a child of the water goddess and no water has any powers over me. We are the same. People warned me not to enter the flood as those inside the bus have been swept off, but I ignored them and jumped in.

"I saw them where the water held them on debris with flood circling in a whirlwind form around them.

I extended my hands to each and one by one I saved them before heading to the most difficult ones in the truck. I did not go to them first because I saw them as being in a safe domain then.

“But when I returned, they were already in difficulty as the flood has covered the truck very well. I had to use the rope. I threw it to them and asked them to hold it,

Cross section of stakeholders with some returnees (middle), the two monarchs, Eze Ike and Ndiokpaleke PG in white.

so as I was drawing it, I extended my hand for the person to clutch and from there, I took them to safety one by one. But one slipped and fell back to the flood. I had to rush back for him and fortunately he has not been badly hit before I got him. I took him to safety. I asked them to pull off their clothes because they would be saved without clothes on, but if there was any clothe on them, it will tack somewhere and hold the person back and that would be disastrous.

On how he did it, Nwabuisi said: ‘’God did the wonders and I gave Him all the glory though I drew my inspiration from the water. I was born as a gift from the water goddess. My mother gave birth to six girls and they were worried that no male child was

forthcoming and my mother went to the chief priest of the goddess and requested for a male child.

She was told to sleep in the shrine of the goddess near the river for seven days and she would conceive and bear a baby boy. ‘’She did that after sacrificing 12 wrappers which she could not afford then. But after she returned, she did not explain to my father what happened, but soonest according to her, she became pregnant and when I was born, I was a baby boy, an implication the goddess of the river has given her a son as she appealed.

"I have no charms or anything but God. Having entered the river, I would go for a sacrifice in the river with one white hen and one egg coated with oil. I will coat the egg myself. This is my routine and if I don’t do that, then I won’t enter any other river.

“I have done this before, when there was flood crisis that flowed into Tourist Garden Hotels, Asaba.

I was the first to be contacted and I did a good job there. Let me advise people who own water business to ensure that every year, if not quarterly, they should do a sacrifice for children because water is powerful.”

He also has an appeal: "Government should give me a job. I want to work for the government. I am foreseeing another three days of heavy downpour in the future and precaution should be taken as it would be disastrous too.”

One of the victims, Uche, who was full of praises to the Almighty God for saving him and others in the truck, said he had never seen something like that before.

Sixteen-year-old Uche confirmed the story of Nwabuisi on how they were rescued as they suddenly saw somebody at the truck and he gave them rope to hold to rescue them.

•Some of the elders of the community

300 ancestral family members of Ndiokpaleke return home

... as community lauds Prof Chukwuemeka Ike’s role

BY OBIALUNAMMA NWADIOGBU

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KWULOBIA—OVER 300 ancestral families of Mr. Felix Okeke and members of Okeke Nwaneche family alongside other families from Ndiokpaleke, Orumba North Local Government Area, who left to belong to Akpu town in Orumba South Local Government since the 1950's had returned to Ndiokpaleke.

They left after series of misunderstandings between Ndiokpalake and Akpu where they were threatened to forfeit their ancestral lands and they lived in that agony for several years.

Some attempts they made in the

past to return to their ancestral community were rebuffed, even leading to attacks on Ndiokpaleke by unknown gunmen suspected to be from a neigbouring community.

The crisis was at climax when two indigenes of Ndiokpalekecivil servants of Orumba North were murdered in cold blood in 2008 on their way to work.

But penultimate, weekend, the families said enough was enough and gave up their pretences and returned to Ndiokpaleke boldly and in a grand ceremony as initiated by the traditional ruler of Ndikelionwu, a neigbouring kingdom to Ndiokpaleke, HRM, Chukwuemeka Ike (Professor).

This was unbelievable as they had existed as two communities inside one community for over 50

years as alleged.

The internal communal crisis hindered progress and development in Ndiokpaleke, but the story had changed for better as the community would with one mind move the town forward, especially with an active President General, Igboanugo Ernest Elochukwu, who doubles as Orumba North Association of Town Unions Chairman.

In his homily at the reconciliatory mass to mark the occasion, the Parish Priest of St. Mathew’s Catholic Church, Ajalli, Rev. Fr. Mathew Agbai, pleaded with the community to use the reconciliatory mass to forgive one another and accept peace. He appealed to them to forget the past, since there would be no forgiveness without sin.

He also administered an oath of allegiance in a Christian way to the returnees while encouraging them not to constitute a clog in the wheel of progress of the community, but to champion growth and development which only peace could guarantee,warning that those existing in the community before the returnees should not discriminate.

In a speech by the traditional ruler of Ndiokpaleke, Eze KB Okpaleke, expressed happiness and gratitude to God for making such day possible and thanked HRM Eze Prof Chukwuemeka Ike for initiating the peace talk between his relations and Ndiokpaleke. He also thanked Mr. Felix Okeke and others for realizing their mistakes.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015 — 5

Oil in Anambra Basin:

A blessing or a curse?

By VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—THE joy of the people of Anambra State, especially those from Omambala area, knew no bounds when it was announced that crude oil was discovered in the Anambra River basin. For years, there were preparations concerning the possible drilling of the liquid gold in the area, with notable construction companies engaged in the work. The joy of the people stemmed from the fact that apart from the revenue which the state would generate from it, the refinery would also offer employment opportunities to the teeming youths of the area.

However, for the nearly two years that the refinery had been in existence, it has been incessant battles over who owns the land between Anambra and Kogi states, with hundreds of lives lost and many maimed.

Many prominent Nigerians invested in the project, with the former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku as the chairman of the board of directors of the company. In addition to the private shareholders, there were

other bodies that had shares in the company including the 21 local government areas of the Anambra State.

However, shortly after former President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated the oil refinery at Aguleri Otu in Anambra East Local Government Area on August 30, 2012, the joy that accompanied it turned to sorrow following the quick response by the neighbouring Kogi State people, who stepped forward the same day it was inaugurated, to lay claim to the oil wells that would serve the refinery.

Though the former president declared Anambra an oil producing state during the commissioning, the state had not enjoyed that status to date due to frequent battles and attacks on the oil facility, necessitating officials of the National Boundary Commission to move into the area to demarcate the proper boundary between the two states.

In fact, barely few hours after the commissioning exercise in Anambra State, Kogi State governor, dropped a bombshell by declaring that Kogi is a major stakeholder in the refinery.

According to him, this was because the oil wells that would

•Former President Goodluck Jonathan surrounded by former Gov Peter Obi, Rochas Okorocha and Emeka Anyoku at Orient Petroleum feed the refinery were in Odeke in Ibaji Local Government Area of his state.

But Orient Petroleum chairman, Chief Emeka Anyaoku countered, saying that the controversy over ownership of the oil deposits had been resolved and that the ‘bulk’ of the deposits were within Anambra territory. He, however, explained that any state where oil was found and drilled by Orient Petroleum would be accorded due recognition.

Lending credence to Anyaoku’s statement, the traditional ruler of Aguleri, Igwe Christopher Idigo 1v said owners of the oil deposits were not in contention, adding that the claims and counterclaims over oil deposit in Anambra River Basin were due to confusion caused by those he described as armchair geographers.

Part of Uzo Uwani in Enugu State was to later join in the claim, a development that particularly angered the people of Aguleri.

Igwe Idigo said: “Given the topography of the entire West Bank

Suspected killer of Enugu monarch arrested in a hide-out in Delta ...accuses the Igwe of alleged draconian acts

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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NUGU—AFTER three weeks of man-hunt, police detectives have arrested one of the suspected killers of Igwe Peter Onuoha of Nkerefi, who was murdered in cold blood in his palace in the early hours of Saturday, July 11.

Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu confirmed the suspect, a mason by profession, was trailed to a village in Delta State through a tip-off.

This was contained in a press statement from the PPRO. It read: “Operatives of the homicide section of the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department have nabbed one of the kingpins in the alleged murder of Igwe Peter Onuoha of Nkerefi and others on July 11, 2015.

“It was gathered that suspects numbering about six, after allegedly perpetrating the dastardly act took to their heels to unknown destination to avoid being caught. It was further gathered that following the report, the state command through its operatives of the homicide swung into action which took them out of the state in search of the suspects and on that note, through a well gathered intelligence nabbed one of the kingpins at Ebu village in Illah Oshimili Local Government Area of Delta State on July 30, 2015 that participated in the act and who also

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gave his name as Sunday Agbara Edwin, a mason by profession from Mgbaraocha Umuokpala Nkerefi Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.”

The statement further said that “the suspect, who is already regretting his action with his cohorts, confessed that “we (suspected killers) are not happy with what the monarch is doing in our community. The monarch is violating human rights by killing people and throwing them in the river and also collecting people's land by force in the community and

•The late monarch, killed in his palace on July 11, 2015, Igwe Peter Onuoha of Nkerefi

if you oppose him, he will deal with you. Hence, we organized ourselves and visited him on that day as well as those supporting him.

“Two shots were fired on that day but not by me. I only went there with cutlass, although I never knew that it would have resulted into this kind of situation. I am truly sorry about the whole thing and I also regret the act.” The suspect is helping the operatives in the full scale investigations that have commenced with a view to unmasking the remaining members of the gang,” it added.

Sunday Agbara Edwin, the prime suspect in the alleged killing of the Nkerefi Enugu monarch nabbed by the command’s operatives of the homicide section of the state intelligence and investigations department.

of Anambra River basin, which currently consists of Anambra West Local Government Area and Aguleri Otu in Anambra East Local Government Area, the lands were acquired by the government to establish the Anambra Forest Reserve in 1931.

“The boundary of the Forest Reserve is very clear and unambiguous. Whereas Enugu State communities of Igga, Ojor and Ogurugu are on the eastern bank of Anambra River, the Anambra Forest Reserve is on the western bank . So, Anambra River has always been and is still the natural boundary between Enugu State communities and the forest

reserve.

“The Igga community of Enugu State knows that it has no title to the Anambra Forest Reserve and so has no claim to the land. They came in 1967 and demanded compensation from SAFRAP Nigeria Limited, which ended in court and they lost out.

“Similarly in 1984, when Elf Nigeria Limited came for oil wells, the community quickly demanded compensation, but did not succeed.

Now, Orient Petroleum has taken a bold step to commence operation, Igga community has come again and they will not succeed, having been stopped by a court of competent jurisdiction.”

Tension in Anambra community as two monarchs emerge E

BY OBIALUNAMMA NWADIOGBU

KWULOBIA—CONFUSION and tension are the mood in Amanuke community in Awka North Local Government Area following the emergence of two traditional rulers, one endorsed by the community leaders, elders, youths and women and another allegedly endorsed by Governor Willie Obiano and his aides.

But for the grace of God, heads would have rolled last Tuesday in Amanuke, when youths, elders and women protested what they tagged government’s insensitivity to their plight.

The protests started by 11a.m. and ended by 5p.m. with protesters chanting solidarity songs for their elected traditional leader, Igwe Dennis Ezebuilo against the alleged government sponsored monarch, Alphonsus Ezebuilo, who was allegedly installed using the brute force of the vigilante squad of the state government led by the governor’s SA on Security, Chikodili Anara known as Igbakigba.

South East Voice learnt that Chikodili Anara contested the throne with HRH Igwe Dennis Ezebuilo in their kindred Enuagu, but Ezebuilo defeated him in a landslide and was enthroned as the choice of Enuagu village for the throne of Igwe Amanuke and the people accepted him.

But Anara relapsed and rejected the election that threw Ezebuilo up against all entreaties. But before he was rejected, Ezebuilo was allegedly recognized in the local government and was about receiving his certificate of office when Anara was appointed SA to Obiano on Security after working as secretary of his inauguration committee.

That stalled the recognition of Ezebuilo despite all entreaties by Ezebuilo and his friends, but it appeared there was a conspiracy by the elite as they kept quiet, allowing elders only to be voicing out and protesting from time to time against the injustice, especially when Amanuke had no traditional ruler in over 30 years.

Then to ensure HRH Igwe Dennis Ezebuilo never ascended that throne, Anara and others allegedly brought his cousin Alphonsus Ezebuilo and crowned him in the presence of Awka North Local Government chairman, Chief Cosmos Okonkwo and his counsellors and with the alleged approval of the Governor Willie Obiano since his SA was involved.

Igwe Dennis Ezebuilo was speechless at the disrespect of the wishes of the community by the group and prevailed on the protesters to avoid destroying anything in the community as he believed Governor Willie Obiano would intervene and save the community from being ridiculed even as he appealed for calm. Efforts to get comments from Ezebuilo Dennis or Ezebuilo Alphonsus proved abortive as at press time.

However, the Special Assistant to Governor Obiano on Security who was mentioned in the report, dismissed the allegation as a bunkum, saying it lacked substance. Anara told South East Voice that it is impossible for two people to emerge monarchs because his community has a procedure that must be followed.

“Anybody who parades himself as the traditional ruler must scale through security checks before his authentication, otherwise, he is an imposter. A traditional ruler must receive his certificate of office from the local government after he has been screened by the security agencies, who would now authorise his proper recognition.

"If anybody feels he should be the monarch of Amanuke and has passed through the constitutional process of the traditional institution, let him at least go to court to fight his case. We have an institution in place and we have a tradition that must be applied before any monarch emerges. We also have elders, who are custodians of the tradition, who know how these things are done. So, it’s really a shock that some journalists would sit down somewhere to write such a story."

6 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

Rotary club donates food, other items worth over N2m to needy homes

BY CHIMAOBI NWAIWU

N

NEWI—THE Rotary Club of Nnewi, Rotary International District 9140 has presented three less privileged homes in the state with goods worth over N2 million. The beneficiary homes are Red Cross Motherless Babies Home Nnewi, Jesus Abandon Foundation, Oraifite, and Rehabilitation Centre for the Old, Orphans and Tramps, RECDOT, Ozubulu.

Some of the items donated to the needy homes were, 25 bags of rice, 40 gallons of oil, several bags of detergents, cartons of premier soap, cartons of liquid milk, several cartons of noodles, bags of jumbo size tissue papers, cartons of tomatoes, including several other food items and sanitary items.

The presentation was made by the out-going 30th President of the club, Rtn Chukwuanugo Ogbuagu for the club during the installation ceremony of Rtn Lotranna Nnadi as the 31st President of the Rotary Club of Nnewi, at Kings Palace Hotel, Nnewi, Anambra State.

In his valedictory speech, Rtn Ogbuagu said the task of volunteers is burdensome and would require proper planning and vigor to be able to deliver within the stipulated 12 calendar months that the club allows as tenure for any president of the club.

“Today, I would be handing over to a man in whom I am well pleased. He has also found favour in the sight of other Rotarians following smooth selection criteria free of rancour and campaigning but fair to all concerned; Rotarian Lotanna Nnadi has proven himself to be a man with passion to serve humanity.”

He said the new president’s zeal to serve is with the Rotary International theme for the 2015/2016 Service year, 'Be a gift to the world' and there could be no better choice than him.

He said under his administration, Umudinkwa community Umudim, Nnewi, was a beneficiary of a water borehole cited within the premises of the Church of Pentecost Umudim, and the motorized borehole serves the Umudinkwa community school.

On October 24, 2014, the club under his administration, marked World Polio Day in the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital as part of maternal and Child Health care, just as he launched hand washing campaign to some schools in Nnewi as part of C M Y K

disease prevention and treatment.

In his inaugural address, Rtn Lotanna Nnadi said the theme of Rotary International, 'Be a gift to the world,' clearly challenges them to become agents of change and impact positively on the lives of people around them.

“In line with this vision, we have earmarked various projects for the new year aimed at promoting goodwill and better friendship. Some of them

are establishing language laboratories in select secondary schools, collaborating with various health centres for the provision of public health awareness programmes and free health service; erection and completion of the Rotary Peace Round-about at the Bank Road and provision of desktop computer, donation of educational materials to select schools, and free screening of exercise for cervical cancer and vaccination of women against it,” he said.

Dr. Emma Ude-Akpee, the District Governor of Rotrary Club of Nigeria said they will stop at nothing in ensuring that the lives of the less-privileged people in the society are touched positively, and their lives improved.

Four members of the club were bestowed with different awards, and they were Chief Oseloka Osuigwe, a hepatitis eradication ambassador, Ichie Kenneth Mmaduakor and Chief Christian Nwogu for distinguishing themselves in service to humanity.

Former President of Rotary Club Nnewi, Dr. Emeka Obi (left ), Deputy District Governor, Rotary Zone 5 (middle), and New President, Rotary Club, Nnewi, Mr. Lotanna Nnadi.

•One of the officials of the needy homes, receiving a bag of rice from officials of Rotary Club, Nnewi.

Beneficiary receiving free medical treatment at the event

1,500 natives benefit from N2.5m free medical care

By FRANCIS IGATA

E

NUGU—OVER 1,500 natives of Nara in Nkanu-East Local Government Area of Enugu State, have benefited from free medical care offered by a not-for-profit organization,Pleasant Gathering Club, at a two-day annual medical outreach scheme.

The event, which took place at Nara Central School, witnessed the disbursement of free drugs, eye-glasses, wheel chairs, among others, worth N2.5million to beneficiaries, who thronged the venue to receive medical attention from a team of 17 medical experts from the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, comprising of opthamologists, physiologists and dentists.

Coordinator, Pleasant Gathering Club, Mrs. Joy Ogbonnaya, revealed that the gesture was aimed at complementing government’s effort towards qualitative health care services, especially to the people in the rural areas.

She noted that although funds and logistical challenges were the bane hindering the expansion of the scheme, the philanthropic disposition of Mr. Uchenna Nwobodo, a native, had sustained the life of the annual exercise.

According Ogbonnaya: ”We are determined to complement government’s effort to ensure qualitative health care services, especially in the rural areas.

Our team of medical experts examine patients with eye, ear, teeth and general ailments free.

“Free eye-glasses, hearing aids, wheel chairs, among other equipments, were disbursed to patients. Some of the de-wormed cases that require surgery have been referred to UNTH or Parklane Teaching Hospital.

“We will continue to strive towards the expansion of this scheme to the education and agricultural sector where most of our youths will be meaningfully engaged.”

Mrs. Patience Chukwu, who was a beneficiary, wished that government and wealthy individuals in the community will emulate the kind gesture exhibited by Uche Nwobodo.

She said:”We receive this free medical treatment with other curative equipment yearly. We are deeply indebted to our benefactor for his resolve to touch our lives. Most of us here cannot afford to buy drugs for common ailments like malaria.

We are grateful and call other well-meaning individuals to emulate this benevolence for the greater good of the community.”

Obosi community leader Prince Ike-Orizu escapes assassination after emerging new Chairman — vows to fight drug dealers, cultists

BY OBIALUNAMMA NWADIOGBU

E

KWULOBIA—THE newly elected Chairman of Littlewoods Development Association, Mr. Emeka Orizu recently escaped assassination when about 18 youths attacked him in his office for vowing to fight drug dealers, cultism, 419 and armed robbery in Obosi community.

He escaped the attack, but sustained axe injury on the neck and leg and had reported the case to Obosi police station.

Commissioner of police, Hosea Karma confirmed the

incident, but said the police had done the needful, lamenting the situation in Obosi where everybody accuses the other of being a cult member and making it difficult for his men to know the truth in all the allegations.

He said the genesis of the entire crisis in Obosi is tied on chieftaincy matters as each is laying claims to the throne while others lined up behind their candidates. He, however, assured the police will not spare anyone found culpable.

On Orizu, he said he received calls from him about the attack and how he escaped and later was informed about the axe attack on his neck even as the DPO, Obosi and DCO, Obosi, personally got report of

his case and one went with him to the scene.

Orizu is accusing some powerful citizens of Obosi and mentioned names, but Karma said investigations are on to nail those he mentioned even though those he mentioned had alleged same offence against him.

This is coming after Obosi in Idemmili North Local Government Area elected executives of Littlewoods Development Association led

by Mr. Emeka Orizu. The association had vowed to stop drugs dealing, cultism, 419 and armed robbery in Obosi.

Emeka Orizu defeated Ifeanyi Oforkansi with 51 votes to 36 in a keenly contested election with Charles Edeh, a

media chief as returning officer and had other elected members as Mr. Chimezie Ikpeama as Vice Chairman, Mr. Jonathan Emedo as Secretary, Mr. A.I Okeke as Financial Secretary , Mr. Damatus Oranuba as Treasurer, Mr. Harrison Nwafor as Assistant Secretary, Mr. Bishop Agu as the Provost and Mr. Ngozi Egbunugha as PRO. And in line with his vows, Emeka Orizu inaugurated new committees including Works and Planning Committee headed by Mr. Obunike Obiokwu, Discipline and Reconciliation Committee headed by Mr. Clifford Molokwu and Finance Committee headed by Mr. Anene Azubuike.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015 — 7

Victor Umeh’s wedding silver jubilee, 53rd birthday, end of tenure thanksgiving service

BY CHIMAOBI NWAIWU

N

NEWI—FORMER National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh has declared that having completed his tenure as the National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and earning recognition through that process, he feels so fulfilled that the government of Nigeria honoured him with an award, Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic, OFR, for his contributions towards the development of democracy and rule of law in Nigeria.

He also said, “having been married for 25 years and God blessed us with seven children that are doing well, my wife being a very good wife and also I attaining 53 years, I have every cause to thank God for being faithful to me.”

He said these during his 25th wedding anniversary, 53rd birthday and end of tenure Thanksgiving Mass as APGA National Chairman at Aguluzigbo.

He said: “Many people will not thank God until all their problems are over, but I cannot do that because when you are waiting for your last problem to be solved, you may die and will not have opportunity of thanking God for all he has done for you.

“My life wish is that the APGA leadership that took over from me will achieve greater things than I had achieved for our party and I will keep supporting that leadership and the government of Anambra State,” he said.

The occasion attracted many dignitaries from across the country as roads in Aguluzigbo were filled with all types of exotic cars driven to the town by well-todo Nigerians who came to witness the occasion.

Most of the wealthy owners of those cars were not able to drive the cars into Ifite Aguluzigbo home of Chief Umeh because there was no space left to park as early callers had already occupied all the roads in the village, including compounds of families.

Wealthy Nigerians like Chief Chris Ubah, the APGA governorship candidate in Abia State in the last election, Dr. Alex Otti were seen trekking over three kilometres to Chief Umeh’s house for want of way to drive into his village.

In his speech both at the Church service and at the reception hall, Governor Willie Obiano commended Umeh for his quality style of leadership which helped APGA to excel. He said Umeh and former Governor Peter Obi brought him into politics and helped him become Governor of Anambra State.

He said that he would like to woo former Governor Peter Obi back to the party to strengthen it because the party still had a lot of things to achieve and that will not be done without bringing back the aggrieved members back to the fold.

National Chairman of APGA, Dr. Victor Oye on behalf of the National Working Committee and general staff of the national headquarters of APGA, congratulated Chief Umeh on his 53rd birhday and 25th wedding anniversary, and commended him for the level he had taken APGA. Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor of Catholic Diocese of Awka said that Chief Umeh and his wife had shown how husbands and wives should live and the secret of their successful marriage was because of their total belief in God and serving him with all their hearts.

“What God has accomplished in APGA through you is unimaginable. Your determination to hold tenaciously to your aspirations in moments of tumult and adversity is a proof of your selflessness,

•Umeh and family at Church kindred spirit and generous heart.

All the churches in Anambra State and indeed all Anambrarians can testify to the great achievements of APGA government under your chairmanship.

“We also say hearty congratulations to you as you mark your 25th anniversary of your wedding and 53rd birthday.

These milestones are worthy of celebration, the level of love, understanding and humility that characterized your married life with Lolo Prisca Umeh is a challenge to the world of today where many find it difficult in commitment and self-sacrifice for the other,” he said.

Other Bishops, both Catholic

and Anglican, namely Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, Bishop of Enugu, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, Anglican Bishop of Awka, Rt. Rev. Alexander Ibezim, Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Nwokolo, commended Chief Umeh for his wonderful achievements in his marriage and politics.

4 YRS BARRENNESS: Woman delivers

quadruplets in Ebonyi

By Peter Okutu

A

BAKALIKI—LAST Monday would remain an unforgettable episode in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Chidubem Igboji as God wiped away their tears of over four years of childlessness by giving them a set of quadruplets in Ebonyi State.

The mother of the children, Mrs. Chidinma Igboji, who was

weak and could not express herself when our correspondent visited her at Mile 4 Hospital, Abakaliki, was reported to have been delivered of quadruplets through Caesarian section.

The children are all boys as each of them filled the gap of the years of childlessness of their parents.

South East Voice learned that one of the children was not healthy as at the time of delivery

even as the nurse attending to him gave the assurances that he would soon recover fully and rejoin his brothers.

In a chat, the father of the quadruplets, who could not hide his boundless joy, described his condition as inexplicable. He gave God the glory for his wife’s safe delivery.

“There is no adjective that can be used to qualify how I feel.

There is nothing I will say that can express how I feel; all I can say is that I thank God Almighty for his blessings.”

Mr. Igboji, who is a chemist, stated that he would welcome any form of assistance from wellmeaning Nigerians and the state government to enable him add value to the welfare of his children.

According to him, taking care of a baby is not an easy task, let alone caring for many.

“Children are government’s property and you can imagine how it used to be for one to just nurse a baby, let alone four boys at the same time. If government comes in, I will be very, very grateful,” he noted.

•The babies.

Abia Shippers association inaugurates new EXCO, Board of Trustees

By UGOCHUKWU ALARIBE

A

BA—THE Abia Shippers Association, ASA, Abia State, has inaugurated its newly elected executives to pilot its affairs.

Speaking at the occasion, Zonal Coordinator, Nigerian Shippers Council, South East zone, Mr. Christian Chimezie, said Abia Shippers Association which was formed in April 2002, has continued to wax stronger and explained that with the inauguration of its second executive council, the association has been positioned to record greater achievements.

Chimezie disclosed that the shippers association is a platform created for people in the business of import and export to find solution to the problems affecting their businesses through government approved channels and described it as a tool for building strong collective bargaining power for

C M Y K

shippers on matters of government policies and international trade.

In his goodwill message, Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Shippers Council, Hassan Bello who was represented by Mrs. A.N. Ogor, said NSC would continue to play its roles in regulating shipping business in the country and charged shippers to operate within the ambit of the law. While inaugurating the new executives,

Legal Adviser of the association, Chief Ukpai Ukairo urged them to serve in accordance with the constitution of the body and shun acts capable of affecting the progress of the association.

In his acceptance speech, president of the association, Engr. Alex Adaelu, who thanked the association for finding him fit to lead the second executive council in its history, promised to take ASA to greater

heights. Other members of the executive are: Mr. Otaka Uche Kalu (Vice President), Mr. Boniface Ogwo(Gen. Secretary), Mr. Okoafor Eke (Treasurer), Lolo Mercy Uchendu (Fin. Secretary), Elder Ikoro Elekwachi(Asst.

Secretary),Elder Nma Onwuka Ude (PRO), among others.

THE TEAM

Supervising Editor: Chioma Gabriel (08052201257; email, anyagafu@yahoo.com) Anayo Okoli, Umuahia Vincent Ujumadu, Awka Austin Ogwuda, Enugu Chidi Nkwopara, Owerri Peter Okutu , Abakaliki Chimaobi Nwaiwu Francis Igata Nwabueze Okonkwo

•Abia Shippers Council

Ugochukwu Alaribe Enyim Enyim Chinoso Alozie Emeka Odogwu Eric Ugbor Obialunamma Nwadiogbu U

8 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

N

NEWI—AN environmental consultant and coordinator of Evergreen Habitat Organization, Mr. Chris Anaekwe, has raised alarm that the level of environmental degradation in Anambra State and Onitsha, Nnewi, and Awka, in particular, is becoming embarrassing to the state and residents of the state.

Speaking with South East Voice, Mr. Anaekwe called on Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State and other South East governors to come out with a law and behavioural pattern that will guide the residents of the states on how to conduct themselves as regards their relationship with the environment to avoid acts that will destroy the environment and put the lives of the people in danger.

Mr. Anaekwe expressed worry that the level of environmental degradation

BY CHIMAOBI NWAIWU going on in Anambra State and some parts of South East is becoming alarming that the He said his organization is lives of the people in the area is at risk of avoidable building capacity on environment and climate change epidemics.

He said that during former issues, particularly on mitigaGovernor Peter Obi’s tion aspect of it. administration, his “The weather conditions are organization embarked on not stable the way it should, it feasibility studies about the is not when you predict rainfall that it will come, the harsh environment in the state.

“Government should come out whether condition is one of the with a good sanitation law that things we are looking at and will help to guide the pattern educating people on what to do of behaviour towards our to ameliorate it. environment. Even during “Government of Anambra environmental sanitation, a lot State should encourage tree of people do not participate. planting, the average resident Some see it as an exercise that of Anambra State should know only the poor and low class that this environment belongs people in the society must do to us. We are happy with the alone.” recent cleaning of the gutters

•Dual carriage road with one of the sides blocked with refuse

Enviromentalist raises alarm over possible epidemics ...calls on govt to enact laws that will provide guide in Onitsha. That exercise should be replicated in Awka and Nnewi, and other towns in the state and it should not be left alone to the government.

People should come out and participate in cleaning the gutters around them.

“What people do on Onitsha Enugu Expressway and Onitsha Owerri Road is an eyesore. People do what they like on these roads. People urinate and defaecate wherever they like on these roads. The irritating aspect of it is that women urinate publicly on that expressway at the glare of everybody.

“Men do not see it as anything wrong bringing out their manhood to urinate publicly on those roads. The same way they urinate on the

Gov Umahi flags off ‘Family Succour and Upliftment Programme' in Ebonyi In her address, the Project Facilitator and Initiator of Family Succour and Upliftment Foundation, Mrs. Rachel Umahi, called on wellmeaning individuals, corporate organizations and other agencies to support the project with logistics to enable it realize its objectives of enhancing the socio-economic status of women, children and youths in the state.

“It is with great honour and privilege that I welcome you, my esteemed guests to this formal flag-off ceremony of Family Succour and Uplift Programme, which has its

thematic areas bordering on

From left, Ebonyi Deputy Governor, Dr. Kelechi Igwe and his wife, Nnenna, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and wife, Chief Rachael Umahi, wife of 1st Executive Governor, Mrs. Ukamaka Egwu, at the flag-off ceremony in ICC, Abakaliki.

Bags of fertilizers donated by Mrs. Rachael Umahi to cooperative societies in Ebonyi State.

BY PETER OKUTU

A

B A K A L I K I — GOVERNOR Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, last week, flagged off his wife’s pet project ‘Family Succour and Upliftment Programme’ for the benefit of women, youths and children in both urban and rural areas of the state.

The pet project, which is part of Mrs. Umahi’s effort to mainstream certain issues that would improve the productivity quotient of women and youths in the state, is also structured to reduce the burden of poverty among the people.

C M Y K

health, education, economic empowerment for women and youths as well as women liberation.

“It is a well known fact that the major challenges facing families, especially women and children revolve around poverty. Statistics have shown that most of the social malaise prevalent in our society today are results of poor or inadequate healthcare, school drop-out syndrome, delinquency among youths, waywardness among our girl children; such as prostitution and other anti-social behaviours, all of which stem from poverty.

road-sides is the same way they throw in garbages into the gutters, and once it rains, the gutters will overflow and the road gets covered by flood and the resultant effect is the coverage of the gutters and vehicles falling into them,” he said.

He called on government to make provision for people to have where they will urinate along the expressways, just as they should provide things for

garbage disposal.

“People are urinating and defaecating on the roads because they have no provision for doing so when they are pressed. There should be urinals and toilets along the roads to discourage this behaviour of doing such unsightly things along the expressways.

“There are serious health hazards with this type of antienvironmental behaviour. If you say it does not concern you, when it rains, the urine you pass and your faeces, all taken into the River Niger and the fishes you buy are caught from the rivers and you eat them, not knowing that you have eaten very hazardous fishes that were exposed to a number of diseases” he said.

POLLUTION: ASCON wants FG to reinforce law on noise

BY CHINENYEH OZOR

N

S U K K A — ACOUSTICAL society of Nigeria, ASCON, has called on the Federal Government and National Assembly to reinforce law on environmental noise pollution for a noise-free society in the country.

Dr. Joy Uguru, who made the call during a three-day international conference on environmental noise pollution, at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, noted that government at all levels and agencies responsible for environmental noise abatement should join hands in the crusade for a noise- free society to be achieved in the country She implored the Federal Government to adopt Lagos State research techniques on “free horn day” which was briefly dramatised in 2014 by Mr. Babatunde Fashola administration to address excessive noise in most parts of commercial areas.

Dr. Uguru stated that reduction of excessive noise remained the major way of rescuing the nation from killer sicknesses such as stroke, deafness, high-blood pressure, among others, that contribute to untimely deaths in the country.

He, therefore, called on the present administration to intensify campaign to reduce killer sicknesses, emphasising the need for government to invest on awareness of noise reduction in Nigeria, while adequate assistance from Federal Government would serve as a viable tool for minimising high rate of hypertension and physical

fitness at the old age.

She decried the lukewarm attitude of Nigerians to environmental sanitation as unacceptable for the development of the country, citing that most areas in the South East zone, Aba, Onitsha, among others, constituted major environmental noise pollution and needed urgent attention.

Dr. Uguru noted that lack of fund had been the bane of promoting the programme, but expressed optimism that the situation will change in no distant time, pointing out that the only source of fund to the association was from NGOs abroad, as adequate fund is needed by the association for full implementation of noise abatement in Nigeria.

She appealed to the three tiers of government to partner with the association in checking excessive noise pollution in the country.

In the same vein, Mr. Adigun Babatunde, coordinator noise pollution enforcement standards and regulations, NESREA, Enugu State field officer, noted in a paper he presented at the conference that noise had a detrimental effect on human beings, causes stress for animals with increasing risk of death by interfering with their use of sounds in communication, especially in relation to reproduction and navigation, which could lead to extinction of endangered species for every living thing.

To this end, penalties await the offenders of environmental pollution, not exceeding N50, 000 or jail term for one year, whereas offence if committed by corporate body attracts a fine of N500, 000.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

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30 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015—31

Bindir to FG: Stop exporting first class brains, task them on local tech growth

By Emmanuel Elebeke

A

ny country that continues to export her First Class brains to other countries is at the risk of not realizing its developmental goals.

This was the view of the former Director General of National Office for Technology Acquisition (NOTAP), Engr. Umar Bindir at the formal launching and presentation of NOTAP Industrial Technology Transfer Fellowship (NITTF) in Abuja last week.

Engr. Bindir, who delivered a keynote on the concept and content of NITTF, said for Nigeria to develop infrastructure for technology advancement and realise its developmental objectives it must retain its first class graduates and challenge them locally, rather than exporting them to foreign countries.

For him, the trend poses great danger to Nigeria’s aspiration to attain her Vision 2020 goals if government fails to halt the trend and change the mentality of the prospective aspirants.

He argued that there is no way the country can develop its potentials in research results on technology innovations and inventions without engaging its best brains in the local fabrication and development. He noted that the First class brains are

•Young developers usually exploited by their countries of residence for their technology prowess.

“If you don’t put your first class to be challenged in Nigerian soil, you will not develop infrastructure.

You will not develop the local taste in terms of research and development and the capacity of even the supervisors cannot be enhanced dynamically. These young people are the highest energy in terms of research. So, we need to keep them through. That is why we made them local.”

The NIITF is an attempt by NOTAP to link the academia to the local industries.

The idea is that the industry must learn to contribute in the generation of relevant knowledge for the development of the country.

According to NOTAP, Nigerian industry is very good on the platform of supplying products, goods and services to Nigerians. But to bridge the gap, there I need to have a local content in that bracket.

For the former DG, Nigerians too must stop intellectual property theft and protect it, so that it can actually become asset for them.

“Nigerians too must evolve products made in Nigeria of globally acceptable standard with quality and sold at the right price.

Is all about knowledge. Nigerians also must learn how to design, establish, operate and manage solid physical infrastructure systems, which is for now either supplied totally by both foreign competence and technology.”

Dizengoff warns Nigerian financial sector against dangerous cyber threats

By Prince Osuagwu

H

ead of Cybersecurity Solutions at Dizengoff Nigeria, Eran Korish, has warned operators in the Nigerian financial sector to beware of menacing dangerous cyber threats that can disrupt their activities.

Korish said that Nigerian Banks are facing highly sophisticated day to day attacks being driven by cyber criminals from all over the world.

“Although our banks and financial regulators are trying to enhance increased threat and risk procedures these much more dangerous threats will require much more than a set of rules or procedures to prevent the next wave of attacks.

“Over the last two years, sophisticated cyber criminals have penetrated more than 30 banks worldwide with completely new cybersecurity threats, reportedly stealing more than $1 Billion” he said.

He mentioned one of the threats to be Carbanak or Anunak and described it as “advanced Persistent Threat (APT) malware specifically targeting financial institutes in a new and much more dangerous way than traditional APTs, which earlier only targeted the bank’s customers by phishing emails”.

According to him, “this is much more dangerous to you and your bank than phishing. Carbanak is targeting the bank innocent employees, and, through them, all the internal bank systems, in order to gain information

on passwords used by both bank employees, and all their customers. It is also gathering up logon histories.”.

Explaining how the threat ravages its targets, Korish sid that the attackers send one or more

employees working at the target bank an innocent looking e-mail with hidden malware files attached.

Once opened the malware installs itself onto the employee’s computer and steals all his or her credentials.

Digital Africa: ‘It’s Africa’s turn to rule the world’

By Emmanuel Elebeke

S

takeholders at the just concluded Digital Africa Conference and Exhibition 2015, say it is Africa’s turn to take the centre stage and rule the world at the global technology scene. This position was unanimous in all the presentations made by various speakers and participants at the conference. They said, African countries need to make technology and innovation a strategic priority from the standpoint of a world-view since that Africa can invent and innovate, and must do so in order to liberate itself from the oppressive dominance of globalization.

Chairman of the conference, Mallam Mohammed Hayatudeen in his speech, said the annual conference has made Africa an active participant in the creation and use of technology.

He said no developed nation will willingly transfer all its

technological know-how to Africa because that knowledge is the basis of their competitive advantage and urged Africa nations to look inwards and maximize the potentials they are made of to leapfrog from their present state of underdevelopment.

“Industrial nations can at best give a developing country a cursory glimpse into their know-how, and even then only in the context of foreign investment deals and other personal interests.

“Despite low broadband penetration which is one of the biggest challenges we face today, Africa has always found a way to make the most of what we have. In Africa, as nowhere else in the world, technology is improving people’s lives in leaps and bounds, especially in industries.

“So, I see a glass half full. We have achieved a great deal of ICT penetration already. And we will achieve more in future.”

32 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

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ew Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh is determined to show he has the managerial ability to disprove the critics who say he lacks the experience needed for the job.

The 40-year-old former Borussia Dortmund and Juventus midfielder signed a three-year deal last month and succeeded Stephen Keshi, who was sacked at the start of July.

Oliseh coached the Belgian lower league side Vervietois between 2008 and 2009 and since then he's been working as a pundit, sport consultant and Fifa Technical committee member. He spoke with John Bennett of BBC World Service Sport "People are saying I've never coached at this level before," Oliseh said.

"The only answer I can give is, can they name to me one African former player that has been able to coach any first division team in Europe?

"It's not a question of lack of effort, I got my coaching badge from the English Football Association more than five years ago, I've been working with the Fifa technical study group so it's not through lack of trying.

"It's a question of the fact that at this moment there doesn't seem to be opening for African coaches in Europe.

"Eventually we will get there, I am very optimistic.

We will break the barriers someday."

How tough will the job be?

"The football in our nation has never been so low.

"Even in the early 1990s when players were just leaving the country we had players playing in major leagues and even playing in the European Cup games.

"Now we virtually have nobody so relying on individual players at the level that they are to win games for you is something we have to forget and something that isn't a reality.

"The only philosophy I think I can have now is to try to get the players to get results as a team and not individuals.

"The potential is there."

How worrying is it to see Victor Moses and Mikel Obi on the bench at Chelsea?

"Players not playing regularly at their clubs is a huge problem because they might struggle with the rhythm.

"I've spoken to the majority of the players that may come into the reckoning to play, to be in the first pool of players that we are building. But they have to do something about it "They are still young they need to think about playing now and it might not be bad for them to go out on loan and play and maybe get to a level where Chelsea will have them back to play and not just sit and watch.

"The player will decide his fate, it's not for the national team to impose but I would advise them to play as much as possible.

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•Oliseh on arrival to duty.

OLISEH: Super Eagles coach eager to prove critics wrong

•Eagles

"They will have to try and play as much as possible."

Trying to widen the pool of talent for the Nigerian national team "You can bet your money that I'm looking at players with Nigerian heritage who have been born or brought up in other countries, I have no choice.

"Most of these players, let's be honest, very few of them get to play in other nations for a long time, whereas with Nigeria, these players have the chance of regularly, if they are good, to play in the World Cup. "It's definitely something we are looking at and we've started making moves.

"They are welcome with open arms and we'll do all we can to put them in the best situation if they decide to play for Nigeria because Nigeria needs them and they also need Nigeria to become top, world class players."

•Culled from BBC World Service Sport

•Moses

•Mikel

•Jordan

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015 — 33

Balotelli was a 'prankster who urinated on people' when at Italian amateur club

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ARIO Balotelli was a notorious prankster during his younger years who would urinate on his team-mate's bags and even all over them, according to revelations in a new biography about the Liverpool striker's life.

Other antics from his time as a teenage trainee at Italian club Lumezzane include hiding jackets and hurling football boots as far as he could.

Writer Luca Caioli has spoken to Balotelli's former colleagues and coaches for his book 'Balotelli: The Remarkable Story Behind the Sensational Headlines,' to be released by Ikon Books tomorrow.

Marco Pedretti, who played

Armed robbers attack Giwa

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iwa FC players were attacked at 9th Mile around Enugu Monday on their way to Umuahia to honour a Nigeria league Week 21 game against Abia Warriors.“Giwa FC team official Sammy Adesoji said the players, who were in their bus were attacked and lost their mobile phones and cash to the hoodlums Our players were attacked by armed robbers at 9th mile. We thank God no life was lost,” Adesoji reported.“ “They were ahead of us, they continued the journey with escort given to them by soldiers on the road after they explained what happened to them."

“Earlier this season, champions Kano Pillars were also attacked by robbers and several of their players were injured in the process.

alongside the Italy striker during his formative years, recalls his 'child-like' pranks in the book, serialised by Bleacher Report. He said: 'He liked to mess about like he does now, but he was a child back then. He was constantly a real pain in the neck and would pull pranks all the time.

Bad ones, sometimes.

'It's true that he would pee on our bags containing our clean clothes and he would pee on people too.'

The book says these high jinx often resulted in blazing rows with his friends, who often shunned him for fear of falling victim to more pranks.

Iniesta elected

Barcelona's captain

Roma agree cut-price £14m fee for Dzeko R

OMA have agreed a £14million fee to sign Edin Dzeko, according to reports. Dzeko is said to have agreed a five-year contract in the Italian capital worth £3.1m a season.

The striker, 29, joined City from Wolfsburg in a £27m deal in 2011 and helped the side win two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the League Cup. However, the arrival of £49m acquisition Raheem Sterling at the Etihad Stadium plus Wilfried Bony's £30m signing from Swansea in January - appears to have pushed him out.

The player will follow Stevan Jovetic out of the club after the 25-yearold Montenegro international joined Inter this summer.

As for Roma's deal, it is believed the club want to pay three quarters of the fee now and the final chunk in bonuses.

However, City are keen to secure the full fee up front.

•Dzeko

bia Warriors attacking midfielder Ifeanyi Onyeali has said his side will not make any mistake against Giwa FC. Warriors will confront the Tin City side in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 21 clash today at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

Onyeali said his side have worked on the mistakes that cheated them of a well deserved away victory at newcomers, FC Ifeanyi Ubah in Nnewi at the weekend.

“Of course, we cannot afford further mistakes against Giwa FC on Wednesday as was the case in the 11 draw at FC Ifeanyi Ubah in Nnewi on Sunday.

“We have corrected the mistakes and ready to battle Giwa FC for the three points at stake.

“The encounter is not going to be easy given the existing rivalry between both sides right from the lower division era but we will claim •Onyeali the whole three points at the end of the day.

Enyimba target 7th league title

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nyimba head coach Kadiri Ikhana has said the ambition of the side is to win a record seventh title in the ongoing Nigeria top flight.

The six-time Nigerian champions will be the guests of Akwa United in a midweek Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 21 clash at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. Ikhana said his side do not prepare for a particular match but all the matches on the season’s calendar.

“We want to win the league title, not only Akwa United, but all the matches •Ikhana on the calendar. “We are working very hard almost on a daily basis towards achieving the laudable goal.

“Every game counts for us as any slip from now till the end of the season will land you where you least expected.

“The challenge and contest are becoming too keen with every game so we must put in our whole best to achieve the desired result.

PSG target Kroos as Motta's replacement

Martins set to return against La Galaxy

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F

ORMER Super Eagles striker Obafemi Martins is in line to return to action this weekend for Seattle Sounders when they travel to face LA Galaxy.

‘Oba’, who this week said he is open to resume his international career with Nigeria, has missed the last eight league matches for Seattle Sounders.

Team coach Sigi Schmid said he is optimistic the Nigeria star could make a return to the team this weekend following his progress.

"We'll see, I think he's getting closer,” said Schmid.

"I think this is the week we're hoping he can make it back, but we have to go day-by-day."

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•Balotelli

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ndres Iniesta will captain Barcelona next season after his team-mates voted for him to take over from club legend Xavi.

The Spain international, who was one of three vice captains last term, will take on the armband on a permanent basis following Xavi's move to Qatari side Al-Sadd.

Iniesta will be ably assisted by team-mates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Javier Mascherano, who were picked as the club's second, third and fourth skippers.

Unlike most clubs where the manager chooses his captain, Barca use a voting system •Iniesta among the players to decide which four men will help lead the team.

The same system was used last summer when defender Carles Puyol retired and his long-time team-mate Xavi was picked to replace him. Iniesta, who was No 2 captain last season, wore the armband for much of the previous campaign as Xavi's career at the Nou Camp came towards its end. The 31-year-old skippered his side in their 3-1 win in the Champions League final against Juventus, while also helping lead them to victory in La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

No mercy for Giwa FC – Onyeali

•Martins

igue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain are considering a move for Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos before the transfer window closes, according to French newspaper Le Parisien.

Kroos had an excellent season in terms of individual performance, playing a key role under former manager Carlo Ancelotti, and was the engine of the midfield in the absence of Luka Modric in the latter part of the 2014/15 season.

Sources have claimed PSG are destined to lose the services of Italian international Thiago Motta, who wants to return to La Liga. Atletico Madrid are a feasible option and manager Laurent Blanc has earmarked Kroos as his preferred choice to replace the outgoing midfielder.

Kroos C M Y K

34—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

Fresh fuel scarcity hits Edo B

By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN CITY— RESIDENTS of Edo State are suffering severe fuel scarcity following the decision by members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, in the state to stop buying petroleum products at a private depot in Oghara, Delta State.

Vanguard gathered that IPMAN's anger was that their filling stations were being shut down by agents of the state government in collaboration with the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, because the marketers were selling a litre of fuel at N110, which is above the N87 pump price for fuel.

However, Edo State chairman of IPMAN, Mr David Ikhuoria, who explained the prevailing scarcity lamented that his members had decided to discontinue buying fuel from private depots since they were accused of selling at exorbitant price of N110 per litre, adding that they had been buying from private depots since the Warri Refinery was unable to supply enough products required for the

area.

“We buy products from private depots in Oghara and they sale to us for N95. Othniel Energy sales at N99, Rain Oil at N95.

After that, we pay transport and by the time it gets to Benin, we

now sale N110 or N105. If we were buying from Warri depot, we would have been selling at that N87 per litre but the whole country goes there to load fuel.

“Warri depot is bringing out 1.5million litres per day. And the

number of trucks that goes from Edo State is not up to five. In last five days, no truck has loaded from Warri to Benin. So there will be serious scarcity in Edo State very soon because my members have stopped going to Oghara to buy fuel since the state government and DPR are closing down our filling stations.”

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SABA—CHAIRMAN of Nigeria Interest Group for Good Governance, Chief Atiyota Ejughemre, has said that the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Prof Chike Edozien is one of the apostles for the unification of Delta State since its creation in 1992.

Ejughemre when he led members of the group on a congratulatory visit to the Asagba at his palace, said that as the sitting monarch in the capital city of Asaba, HRM Edozien has impacted positively on the leadership and governance of the state.

He said that the monarch who marked his 90th birthday last week, has provided enabling environment for indigenes and non indigenes

LITERACY COMPETITION: From left: Chief Akpiri Teshie, Director, Social Mobilisation, Bayelsa State SUBEB, Ubong David Udoh, Assistant Director, SUBEB, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, Mrs Viola Graham-Douglas, Country Communication Director, Lafarge Africa Plc and Mr Ademola Ojolowo, Corporate Communications Manager, Lafarge Africa Plc, during the South-South leg of the Lafarge Literacy Competition and Spelling Bee in Port Harcourt, yesterday. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

of Asaba to cohabit peacefully, adding “To that extent, Asagba of Asaba is a symbol of unity in the state capital and source of inspiration to Deltans.”

Appreciating him for the fatherly role he played in the last gubernatorial election, which produced Senator

Ifeanyi Okowa as governor of the state, Ejughemre urged the traditional ruler to continue to use his position to influence the leadership of the state positively.

According to him, the monarch is a medical icon who is recognized wordwide, but

ARRI—THE Urhobo Progressive Youth Association, has declared support for the proposed DESSOPADEC amendment bill currently pending before the Delta State House of Assembly.

A statement in Warri by the group’s Public Relations Officer, Princess Joy Efekoha, said that the bill entails restructuring the board along professional lines and in accordance with the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to deliver more in terms of C M Y K

left his profession to ascend to the throne of his forefathers for the love of his people. In his remarks, HRM Edozien thanked the group for the visit and charged them not to hesitate to speak objectively on issues affecting the state.

Buhari shamed warmongers with Boroh's appointment —EX-MILITANTS

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By Onozure Dania

ORT HARCOURT— GROUPS of ex-militants numbering over 2000 from all ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta, have said that President Muhammadu Buhari has put to shame those fanning the embers of war by

the appointment of Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd) as coordinator amnesty programme.

The ex-militants, who yesterday, thronged Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, lauded President Buhari for the choice of Boroh as coordinator of the programme, stressed that

Urhobo youths okay DESOPADEC Bill

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Orhionmwon insists on producing next gov

By Gabriel Enogholase

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Ejughemre hails Asagba as apostle of unification

By Festus Ahon

EDO 2016:

physical and human capital development.

“By this restructuring, there will be a governing board comprising representatives from each of the oil producing areas, who may be politicians as well as an executive management made up of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director Project and Executive Director, Finance who are strictly technocrats.”

It maintained that the only way the oil producing areas of the state could get meaningful value for the oil in their land

as well as reduce the menace of corruption which has become a way of life in the commissionboard was to restructure it along professional lines and giving priority attention to reputable technocrats with sound pedigree and antecedence as heads of the three professional offices of the MD, EDP and EDF as against the practice in NDDC where these appointments are done on bases of favouritism and politics rather than merit.

it had put to shame those disgruntle elements who wanted to seized the little vacuum in headship of the Amnesty programme to lure youths of the region to another round militancy.

The chief convener of the exmilitants, who is also chairman Delta third phase amnesty programme, 'General' Preye Ekpebide commended Buhari for his timely intervention in the amnesty programme as he urged Boroh to quickly address some of the teething problem and the lapses in the disarmament programme.

Ekpebide expressed confidence that Boroh’s pedigree as an acclaimed peace keeping and conflict management expert, former commandant of the Nigeria Army Peace keeping Centre, NAPKC, Kaduna, one of the members involved the resolution of the Liberia conflict in 1994-1995 and the resolution of the SierraLeone conflict in 1999-2000.

ENIN—AHEAD of the Edo State governorship election scheduled to hold in 2016, the people of Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state have insisted that it was the turn of the area to produce the next governor of the state.

A group, Committee of Friends from the area in a statement in Benin, yesterday by Pa Francis Olaye and Pastor Pius Ohuimumwen, said that since the creation of Edo State in 1991, the area was yet to produce the governor despite the fact that it was the economic power house of the state.

The group threw its weight behind the candidature of former Secretary to the Edo State Government, SSG, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu it was gathered is contesting the governorship position on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

IYC sues for calm in Delta warring community

By Perez Brisbe

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G H E L L I — CHAIRMAAN of Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Oporomor Kingdom clan, Western zone, Edonyabo Konboye, has appealed to leaders in Ojobo community, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State to sheathe their swords and takeup the social responsibility of bringing back the lost glory of the community.

Konboye on the leadership crisis that recently rocked the community, described the incident as unfortunate, stressing that all hands in the community must be on deck in finding an amicable solution to the melee and avoid a reoccurrence of a similar incident.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015— 35

We lose 15 infants daily in Enugu due to poor nutrition —Group

Police arraign 6 for summoning local chiefs to Okija Shrine

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

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NEWI—THE Police in Anambra State, yesterday, at the Chief Magistrate's Court arraigned six men on a three count charge of conspiracy, invocation of Ogwugwu Akpu juju, popularly known as Okija shrine and breach of peace.

The suspects were Daniel Okafor, 54,;Augustine Okoli, 58; Jude Okafor, 31,;Ossy Okafor, 54; Felix Anaeto, 43; and Olisamala, Azubugwu, 32.

The men were all from Okija in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The charge No. MIH/70C/ 2015, read, “that you Daniel Okafor, Augustine Okoli, Jude

‘…Only 26% of women in the state breast-feed their babies'

By Austin Ogwuda

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NUGU—COORDINATOR of Baby Friendly Initiative, Enugu State Ministry of Health, Mrs. Pauline Enenwali has lamented that no fewer than 15 children die in Enugu daily due to poor nutrition.

She noted that it was not an excuse for nursing mothers not to feed their babies exclusively on breast milk.

Enenwali, who spoke in Enugu, yesterday, in connection with this year’s World Breast-feeding Week, said that “it is very important to breast-feed exclusively from zero to six months as it promotes bonding between the babies and their mothers.”

She stated that “the state Ministry of Health in collaboration with UNICEF had trained 291 counsellors to teach nursing mothers on the best breast-feeding methods. It is good for nursing mothers to feed very well, but that a woman doesn’t eat well will not prevent the breast from lactating.

“From the data we collected, in June 2015 ,only about 26 per cent of women in the state are breast-feeding their babies exclusively and this is very poor.”

Okafor, Ossy Okafor, all of Oseakwa village Ihiala; Felix Anaeto of Umuatuegwu Ihuobo village and Olisamala Azubugwu of Ubahu, from Okija and others now at large, on July 1, 2015, at Oseakwa village in Ihiala magisterial district, did conspire among yourselves to commit misdemeanour to wit; invocation of juju/forcible entry and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 496 (a) of the Criminal Code Cap36, Vol. II, Revised Law of Anambra State of Nigeria1991 as amended".

The second charge said the accused and others now at large on the same date and place in the same magisterial district, did direct or control the invocation

of Ogwugwu Akpu juju in a parcel of land known as Nnembuko Ezeanulu and Ikeomumu situated at Ose Akwa village Ihiala, thereby committing an offence punishable under section 192 (d)of the Criminal Code Cap 36 of the Revised Law of Anambra

APC chieftain condemns Okowa for aide's comments on Okrika

By Tare Youdeowei

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LAWYER and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta State, Jesutega Onokpasa, has expressed dismay at what he described as the shocking

45yr–old Onitsha building materials market forced to permanent site

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA—BUILDING materials traders in the commercial city of Onitsha, who had resisted relocation to the permanent site of the market at Ogbunike in Oyi local government area have been forcefully relocated by the men of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (aka Ocha Brigade), an agency set up by the state government.

Since the end of the Nigeria Civil War in 1970, the building materials traders have been doing their business at Williams street, Nwokedi street and Venn Road areas in the heart of the city and of recent, vehicular movement in the area had become chaotic, prompting the state government to map out a place along the Enugu –Onitsha expressway for them to

relocate.

Subsequently, the traders themselves contributed money and constructed the multi – billion market which was completed in 2009.

However, some of the traders refused to move with their colleagues and all efforts to make them see reason fell on deaf ears.

Over the years, the feuding traders used all manner of tactics to fight each other over the site and even involved the police headquarters in Abuja and the Zone 9 headquarters in Umuahia, which at various times intervened in the matter.

Determined to de-congest the commercial city of Onitsha, the present administration mandated the newly established Ocha Brigade to ensure that the traders relocate to their permanent site.

Managing Director of Ocha

State.

The suspects were granted bail by the Magistrate, His Worship A.O Nwankwo, after their lawyers Steve Unachukwu and Prince Ikenna Udorji pleaded that they be granted bail, and the matter was adjourned to October 13, 2015.

Brigade, Chief Kenneth Okonkwo led his men to the market and forced them to move to the Ogbunike International Market following the invitation of the chairman of the building materials traders, M r. Gabriel Muomegha.

Okonkwo said: “After getting the approval of the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, we went for the enforcement and the traders still resisted.

They later petitioned the Inspector General of Police, IGP, and Zone 9 in Umuahia, alleging victimization.

“But the security chiefs were properly briefed on the existing law against street trading in the state, coupled with the fact that notice had been given to them since 2009 to move. The security operatives gave us the go ahead to enforce the law."

language, with which one Amaechi Udemba, an aide to the Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, made reference in a newspaper article, to pioneer Chairman of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Chief Wellington Okrika.

Chatting with newsmen in Warri, Monday, Onokpasa wondered what qualified Udemba, a man from a non-oil producing part of the state to denigrate a man of Okrika’s age, status and pedigree over what he described as “the governor’s suspicious and divisive proposed amendment to the DESOPADEC law.”

According to Onokpasa: “This is the hallmark of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state. Its members lack respect for elders and will say or do absolutely anything to turn the truth in their shameful bid to defend the indefensible.

“Udemba could not have had the nerve on his own to impugn the integrity of Chief Okrika, whom we all celebrate for the struggle he championed on behalf of the oil producing areas of the state.”

Onokpasa called on the government to apologize, insisting that failure to do so would confirm “our suspicion that it is the governor who encouraged the young man to disparage the elders as represented by Chief Okrika.”

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

...on Keshi dragging NFF to court?

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oach Keshi has done the right thing by seeking redress in the court of law.

It will now depend on how the court of arbitration interprets the law and the documentary exhibits that form part of the defence presented in regards to the case. -Mr. Nkama Mba, Worker

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eshi should be blamed for not resigning, for the fact that Nigerians did not want him again. Keshi failed to qualify Nigeria for AFCON 2015; he used PDP to hang on to power and traumatized football-loving Nigerians. -Miss Constance Nduba, Model

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y my own logic, if Keshi was so upset and insulted by the NFF in 2013, then he should not be planning to disrespect and insult Nigeria by dumping Nigeria and the NFF in the middle of the AFCON 2017 qualifiers. -Miss Okereke Bukola, Student

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f really Keshi applied for the Ivorian job less than two months after signing a contract with Nigeria, it, therefore, showed that he was not 100 per cent focused on leading Nigeria to AFCON 2017. It showed a lack of respect to Nigeria. Mr. Imanuel Jannah, Communicator

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igeria does not have time for such avoidable drama. Keshi is free now to apply for any job he wants. Oliseh does not need to watch Keshi’s non-existent team for two years before becoming Eagles coach. -Mrs. Morayo Simeon, Businesswoman

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tephen Keshi should actually be facing trial today for bringing tribalism into the Super Eagles. I will live to hate him for this. He can go and apply as a Biafran coach for Enyimba or Enugu Rangers. -Mr. Martin Dickson, Worker

36 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

Presidency urged to intervene in Jalingo FMC doctors’ strike

By John Mkom

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ALINGO—THE Medical Director, Federal Medical Center, Jalingo, Taraba State, Dr. Wiza Inusa, has called on the Presidency to immediately intervene in two months old strike embarked upon by resident doctors in the hospital.

The Association of Residence Doctors, ARD, in the hospital, had embarked on indefinite strike since May 25 agitating over skipping for medical officers.

Addressing journalists in his office yesterday, Inusa pleaded with the presidency, stake holders in the state and Federal Ministry of Health to intervene, so the doctors could get back to work.

He said the hospital and its patients were passing through difficulties as a result of the strike, adding that the skipping was a national issues that required national approach to resolve.

He also presented documents from National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, which indicated that so far, the modalities had not been worked out neither had the relevant scheme of the service been amended accordingly.

Ayobo Muslim praying ground: Court vacates order barring development of land

By Bartholomew Madukwe

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USTICE Ganiyu Safari of Lagos High Court has vacated an order of interim injunction barring Alhaji Abu Kazeem Iginla and businessman, Mr. Lateef Oladele Aregbesola, from carrying out further development on Ayobo Muslim faithful Eid praying ground in the state.

The judge vacated the order, following a memorandum of appearance and counteraffidavit filed to the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

The suit was filed by counsel to Alhaji Iginla, Barrister Adeniyi Adekanla.

We’re recovering govt lands, not demolishing – EL RUFAI

“Those who founded this institutions deliberately obtained such lands with a El-Rufai, who spoke to through which some powerful people have developmental vision for them.

By Luka Binniyat his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, carved out and allocated to We will not allow such a vision to end as someone’s property.''

ADUNA—KADUNA said it had become important to themselves.

State governor, Mallam stress the difference between the “We are doing this because no one Nasir El Rufai, yesterday said two, since the issue had been has any right to infringe on such the ongoing pulling down of politicised. lands for his private use to the houses and business premises He said: “It has become detriment of the future plans of erected on lands belonging to important to let the public know such institutions. public institutions in Kaduna that what we are embarking on “Look at Ahmadu Bello and Zaria was not the same as tomorrow (today) is not the same University, Zaria, it has a very demolition. as demolition. expansive land. Now, the school HE Independent According to the governor, ‘’What we are doing is the has developed a 20-yearPetroleum Marketers what the state government is recovery of lands belonging to development plan. Had it no land Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in doing is recovering its lands. schools, hospitals, libraries etc space, how would that be possible? Edo State has threatened to stop the supply of fuel in the state following the closure of their filling stations by the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, in collaboration with the Edo State Oil and Gas Committee.

The Edo State chairman of IPMAN, Mr David Ikhuoria, who explained that his members are unable to sell petroleum products at the official price of N87 because they are buying products from private depots at Oghara, Delta State, said that rather than close their filling stations because they are selling at N105-110 per litre, DPR should regulate the prices from the private depots at Oghara to enable them sell at N87.

He warned that the people of the state may suffer severe hardship if HAND-OVER: From left; Principal, Lagos State Special Correctional Centre for Boys, Oregun, Mr Toyin Lukman- Kotun; CEO, X3M Ideas Communication, Mr Steve Babaeko; Head, Human Resources, they decide to stop buying products Mr Sunkanmi Atolagbe; Head, Correctional Centres, Lagos State, Mrs Bukayo Odukoya; and Director, from private depots, appealing to Social Welfare, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Lagos State, Mr Musbau Abdulai at the the state government committee on oil and gas to reasons with them. hand-over of renovated lavatories by X3M Ideas Communications to the boys home in Lagos.

According to him, “We buy products from Oghara at N95, Othniel Energy at N99, Rain Oil at N95 and we will pay transport and by the time it gets to Benin, up depleting the purchasing we now sell at N110 or N105. If we especially now that developed

By Aliyu Dangida power of Nigerians, occasioned countries as the US was were buying from Warri depot we UTSE—GOVERNOR by possible hike in the price of investing much on the would have been selling at N87 but Muhammad Badaru essential commodities. discoveries of renewable energy. the whole country refuels there.''

Abubakar of Jigawa State has Badaru, who dwelt warned against the restriction of extensively on the Nigerian importation of rice and other economy and the dangers of essential commodities, saying relying on oil as a source of the that would adversely affect the nation’s income, stressed the birthday, held at the Cinema

By Elizabeth Uwandu welfare of Nigerians, especially need for immediate review of the hall 1 of the National Theatre, workers. policies hindering the smooth HE Dean of Humanities Lagos.

The governor made the take off of diversification of Comparing theatre Osun State University, observation when he received Nigerian economy. performance in the 70s and 80s Prof Ameh D Akoh, has members of Jigawa State The governor, who identified to today ’s, Prof. Akoh said: chapter of Nigerian Labour agriculture as the solution to attributed the low patronage of ‘’One of the challenges of Congress, NLC, led by its many economic woes live theatre performance to the theatre is not patronage but the chairman, Usman Yau Dutse, in bedevilling the country, added security issue facing the security issue in Nigeria. his office. that unless attention was country. ‘’The question is how many He made this known during He said the import restrictions accorded agriculture, the future people are ready to go for live the colloquium organised required diligence and in-depth was bleak for the country. shows as they as done in the analysis of possible He added that over-reliance on recently in honour of Chief night. In the North nobody is Fred Agbeyegbe at his 80th repercussions so as not to end oil revenue was risky for Nigeria, ready to risk his life for live

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IPMAN threatens to stop fuel supply in Edo

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Badaru warns against restriction of rice importation

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‘Insecurity hampers live theatre productions'

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FG to sanction vehicle, generator’ owners over harmful emission

By Funmi Olasupo

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BUJA—WORRIED by the increasing number of deaths caused by carbon monoxide in Nigeria, the Federal Government yesterday, threatened to sanction owners of vehicles/generators that emitted hazardous fume into the environment.

Director General, National

Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, Dr. Lawrence Anukam, who dropprd the hint in Abuja, said individual or company caught, would henceforth be fined.

Fielding questions from journalists, Anukam explained: “Every vehicle operating on Nigeria road must have an engine that is not

emitting fume; engine that is very operational. The owner of the vehicle/generator must make sure his engine is sound and in a good working condition. ''Like I said, a lot of environmental health problems are associated with the air we breathe and a lot are coming from the type of fumes coming out of vehicles, bile and stationary machines.''

theatre. ‘’Today, productions are done in the afternoon and they are done for academic purposes.

Also the security in the north is spreading to the south and other parts of the country.

People are afraid of kidnapping and bomb scare,’’ said Prof Akoh.

He said low patronage didn’t mean the death of live theatre but noted that theatre was still alive, since the theory aspect was still being taught in tertiary institutions.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015—37

ORDAINED: From left— Tope Ologunwa; Kayode Matthew, News Editor, Vanguard Newspapers; Onyekwere Amake and Mike Orunlere, all newly-ordained Deacons of Lagos Province 49, at the 63rd convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, at the church's headquarters.

PHOTO: Lamidi Bamidele.

SHELL: From left— Austin Uzoka, Head, Nigerian Content Development, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company of Nigeria, SNEPCo; Chris Maskell, Director, United Kingdom Trade & Industry; Ray Kyles, British Deputy High Commissioner; Chiedu Oba, General Manager, Nigerian Content Development, Shell Nigeria; Sue Whitebread, UKTI Specialist, and Tunde Adelana, Director Monitoring and Evaluation, NCDMB, at the just-concluded Nigeria-UK Suppliers Engagement programme sponsored by SNEPCo and its co-venturers.

THANKSGIVING: From left— Baba Alakoso Solomon Alao, Sacred Church C & S, Ayo Ni o parish; Dr. Sunday Makinde, Prelate Emeritus, Methodist Church of Nigeria; Archbishop Magnus Atilade, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Chairman, South West; Rev. Abimbola Pinto, 1st African Church, and Rev. Sam Ajayi, Methodist Church, at a thanksgiving service for peaceful transition in Lagos State and Nigeria, organised by CAN, Lagos State.

HONOUR: From left— Mr. Timilehin Bello, PR Executive; Mrs Anita Aiyudu, Head Client Service, and Mr. Ayeni Adekunle, CEO, all of BlackHouse Media, presenting a gift to former Marketing Director NB Plc, Mr. Walter Drenth, at his sendforth party in Lagos.

From left— Mr. Oscar Onyema, CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE; Mr. Akin Akinfenwa, Group Chief Excecutive Officer; Mr. Julius Owotuga and Mr. Dare Arinde, Group Head, Corporate Services, at Forte Oil's facts behind the figures meeting at NSE. PHOTO: Shola Oyelese.

WESTMINSTER COLLEGE: From left— Mrs Emuobo GoodieIbru; Miss Favour Ndakara, best graduating student, Westminster College, Lagos; Dr. T. O. Akinola, representing Dr. Oluranti Adebule, Lagos State Deputy Givernor; and Chief Johnson Barovbe, Managing Director of the college, at the valecdictory service and graduation of Senior Secondary, SS, 3 students.

DEDICATION: From left— Revd. Dr. Victor Akerele, Senior Pastor, Champions Cathedral and host; Revd. Dr. Samson Ayokunle, Nigerian Baptist Convention, and Revd. Dr. Kehinde Babarinde, President, Lagos Centre Baptist Conference, during 15th year appreciation service for Revd. Akerele and dedication of Champion’s multipurpose building in Festac Town, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Akintola Joseph.

AWARD: From left— Mr. Joshua Suleiman, Director, Marketing and Communication, Babcock University, father; Ruth, sister; Miss Naomi Joshua, overall best student in Physical Health Education, Babcock University High School; David, brother, and Mrs Nwandi Suleiman, mother, during the school's 20th graduation ceremony at Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State.

MEETING:

38—V ANGU ARD, WEDNESD AY, AUGUST 5, 2015 38—VANGU ANGUARD, WEDNESDA

Your column seems to favour pre-marital affairs!

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He’s too young to be making love at 14!

Dear Bunmi, got married four years ago to a divorcee and we have two children together. His only son from his first marriage, who is only 14, lives with us in the guest room downstairs. I’ve just found out that he’s having sex with his girlfriend who is the same age. My husband is in the dark and I’m sure his mum knows nothing about her randy son.

I wondered if the girl is on the pill with her parents’ consent!

When I told my stepson I knew what he was up to, he said he uses condoms. I find this hard to believe and I’m deeply worried about unwanted pregnancy. Can I do anything when I’m not his mother?

Bisola, by e-mail.

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Dear Bisola, Believe it or not, your stepson has not behaved badly. Most adolescents enjoy some form of sex, if not intercourse, from an early age. Before the advent of the pill, and the spread of AIDS, kids most often risked pregnancy and disease.

Your stepson and his girlfriend are at least aware of how to have safe sex. Yet his behaviour leaves a lot to be desired and because he’s your stepson, you want to assert control over him.

But let me warn you, you might

meet with rebellion. Now that these teenagers, scarcely out of diapers, have discovered the joy of sex, they’ll never give it up without stiff opposition.

You need to let his father know of what is going on under his roof. Sex is a minefield of accidents waiting to happen for people of any age. The impact of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases on our lives can be devastating. Your

stepson and his girlfriend may believe they know all about contraception, but they’re not emotionally developed to handle the consequences of adolescent sex. You need to also let this girl’s parents know what she is up to and find a way to make the young couple behave responsibly. No matter how grown-up they feel having sex, they’re still under-age and under the control of their parents.

I didn’t know he got my colleague pregnant too!

Dear Bunmi, hen my boyfriend visited me in my office, he discovered that the girl I shared the office with was an old school mate so we all became friends, Whenever he visited, this girl would discreetly leave the room after a while so we could have a bit of privacy.

Other times, she would hang around just for a few minutes’ chat before leaving. I became pregnant a few months ago and he said he wasn’t ready. Since I am in my mid-20's, I decided to keep the baby. My roommate in the office resigned all of a sudden and the next thing I heard was that she was getting married to my boy friend! I couldn’t believe it and went to his flat only to find

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this girl there. There was a mighty row and both of them turned on me. I felt really humiliated.

Farida, by e-mail.

Dear Farida, You will get over any hurt if you put your mind to it. Remember you are not the cad here. You’re suffering for your ex’s indiscretion, but there is an innocent party to think about your unborn child. Since you have decided to keep the pregnancy, you owe it to the tot to make sure you are safely delivered of the baby.

What you need to do in future is to see if your child could have some sort of rapport with its father. Good luck.

He wants to make me his second wife Dear Bunmi, am in my early 20's and going out with a married man of 45.

He’s quite comfortable with a couple of houses in choice areas and we don’t have to hide from his wife as she knows about his wish to have a second wife.

When we are at his country home, I run everything and host parties for his friends. We’ve been together for a year now and he promised to do the wine-carrying ceremony as soon as my parents are ready.

But my parents are the conservative type, who would want me to have a university education. My lover says I’m educated enough for him. Do you think I should get pregnant so as to force my parents to agree to the marriage?

Maryam, by e-mail.

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Dear Maryam, At your age, you should know what is best for you. Being with someone else’s husband is tacky and the way you put it, his wealth is the major attraction. You not

only depend on him for money, you also ask his permission to do anything with your life. No matter how agreeable his wife is to this relationship, she’s bound to be resentful and bitter.

If you feel so strongly about

having a university degree, go for it. You’d be glad you did. Do what you want for a change, not what he wants! Life is too short to waste on a rich man, who might go for a third wife when he sees someone younger!

I am the violent one, not him!

Dear Bunmi, y boyfriend and I are in our late 20's and we live together. We earn good salaries, have a car each and I love him very much. However, since we’ve started living together, I’ve discovered that I’m usually bad tempered with him. When an argument hots up I lash out at him though I usually feel contrite afterwards.

We usually argue about when I should get married, but he always sees no need to rush into it, as he puts it. He’s now started reacting to my violence and has threatened to retaliate by hitting me back if I continue. How do I curb my violent streak?

Nana, by e-mail.

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Dear Nana, 1 guess the fact that your boyfriend sees no reason in getting married now that you’re both living together has made you a frustrated partner. But domestic violence is not the answer. If you want marriage and he doesn’t, then you have to decide whether or not to stay in the relationship. You should have spelt out the terms and conditions of co-habitating before you took the plunge.

Have a talk together and decide which would be the way forward for both of you. As things are, he obviously sees no reason in getting married when you’re already in his net!

am a faithful reader of your column because of the sound advice you often give. On a few occasions, however, it seems you believe a girl having three or more lovers before wedlock is taken as the norm. Don’t you think this is very wrong? With such easy pickings, men must be having the time of their lives, except when they catch a disease along the way.

If sex is worth anything, it is worth waiting for. Treating sex as a commodity or having sex on a whim devalues it and causes so much grief and guilt. Without love, sex becomes as meaningless as scratching your bum.

There is an alarming rise in AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases. There are also thousands of unwanted children languishing in orphanages all over the world. All this misery being caused by a few minutes of sweaty struggle borders on the obsence.

Asabi, by e-mail.

Dear Asabi, I have received similar letters lately and quite a few quoted

copiously from the Bible! Yet we must all admit that years of being free and single stretch much longer these days as youngsters delay entering committed relationships. Girls once became fertile as soon as they were married. Today, society encourages them to become physically and emotionally more mature before agreeing to marry and rear children.

Inevitably, if not quite all, experiment with sex while they wait for marriage. Most divorcees, and many whose partners have died, also seek sex without marriage. Sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted children spring from ignorance, recklessness and lack of choice. Condemning sex between young people encourages furtive behaviour that spreads guilt, accidental pregnancies and infection.

I agree with you that sex is beautiful and valuable, but it shouldn’t be cheapened or made shabby. A golden rule is never to do anything of which we feel ashamed, instead of making arbitrary judgments about which couples should or will enjoy sex.

Condemning sex between young people encourages furtive behaviour that spreads guilt, accidental pregnancies and infection. I agree with you that sex is beautiful and valuable, but it shouldn’t be cheapened or made shabby. A golden rule is never to do anything of which we feel ashamed, instead of making arbitrary judgments about which couples should or will enjoy sex.

The fact that I love sex doesn’t make me cheap!

Dear Bunmi, am in my mid-20's and have a healthy appetite for sex. I like to know if a man is really good in bed before committing to having a relationship with him. Most of the time, I sex-test my dates before deciding whether I like them or not. As a result, I’ve broken off with a couple of my dates after having unenjoyable sex with them.

Now my friends tell me that I’m getting a reputation for using and dumping men. That is the furtherest thing on my mind.

How do I change this opinion?

Jade, by e-mail.

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Dear Jade, Plenty of women have sex early in a relationship and there

is nothing wrong with that. But if some of these friends who are warning you are genuine friends you can trust, then perhaps you should tread more softly. A man (and a woman, come to that) doesn’t want to be tested, he wants to know you like him and that sex is an expression of affection as well as passion.

You can sleep with a guy after you’ve found out that you will get on with him. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you should instantly have a deep commitment to him. It simply means getting to know him and working out any problems the relationship might have instead of walking out.

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos, or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015 — 39

Social media: one of the easiest ways to create brand awareness —Moji Delano

By Kehinde Ajose

FOR Moji Delano, making a positive impact through the social media is topmost on her mind.She studied law at te University of Lagos and has used her law background to leverage on making guided business decisions.Today, she is the founder of Moji Delano blog, a social media influencer and an entrepreneur.Inthis interview,she reveals how Business Women can maximize the social media, make a mark and overcome societal stereotypes.

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HAT prompted the switch from Law to Business?

For the better part of my adult life, I have been involved in business .At the moment I am a blogger, online/digital media consultant and social media influencer .I''m also working on some productions which I can't disclose yet because it's still in the pipeline.

I won't really call it a switch because I still practice on the side. I do commercial law, entertainment law, properties etc. I run a law firm with a friend who practices full time. I however do not do litigation because of it's cumbersome nature and the fact that I have my hands in many pies. I pass that to my more experienced colleagues.

What was growing up like and how did it influence your career path?

Growing up for me was a beautiful experience. I was raised by my mum and she raised me to become the strong, independent woman I am today.

Independent woman

I wasn't born with a silver spoon but my mum strived to give me the best she could afford and she did her best at it. My dad wasn't completely out of the picture but he was never really there. It has always been my mum.

The strength and resolve my mother displayed as a single mum is one of the reasons why I am determined to succeed and leave my foot prints in the sand of time. She encouraged me to chase my dreams and supports my ideas.

She encourages me to be strong especially during turbulent times which is inevitable in any business.

What exactly do you do as a social media marketer and blogger?

I help publicize goods and services using social media mediums especially macbook, Twitter and Instagram. Over time, I have been able to get a decent amount of followers and form a network that has a wide reach. Through the network, I am able to help a customer publicize his goods or services to his target audience. I also strategize for brands coming online afresh and consult for them on how

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to create good online presence for their brand.

I blog on all sorts of topics from politics, to entertainment, fashion, lifestyle,sports etc. I however concentrate on technology, bizarre stories and informative stories that people can learn a thing or two for. .

How can entrepreneurs maximize the social media?

The importance of social media in today's world cannot be over emphasized. As an entrepreneur, social media is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to create awareness for your brand.Its free. Today, social media has turned designers, makeup artists, comedians, chefs and dancers into celebrities. As an entrepreneur, if you are good at what you do, social media is there to help you showcase your goods and services and reach out to people. To maximize its potential, an entrepreneur must see social media as serious business and not just fun, and be very con-

To maximize its potential, an entrepreneur must see social media as serious business and not just fun, and be very consistent in interacting with people as well as showcasing goods and services

sistent in interacting with people as well as showcasing goods and services. Consistency is very key in the use of social media.

What is your opinion about women who run businesses?

I am very supportive of women in business and I try as much as possible to support other women trying to make a name in a male dominated world. I am totally for it. Gone are the days when women waited for the men to get things done, and they follow. Today women lead in many business and men follow. Women are very good multitaskers and are very determined when they set out to do something, sometimes more than their male counterparts because of societal stereotypes. To make it as a woman today in the business world, you will probably have to do double the work of a male counterpart. Gradually, more and more women are venturing into business and occupying positions never before held by women and its really refreshing to see this. As an

zMoji Delano

ambitious woman I have a lot of dreams and aspirations and I will only mingle with people who support my dreams and aspirations. Positive energy is very key in succeeding in business.

What challenges do you face as a business woman?

As a young entrepreneur, I face similar challenges as my male counterparts. The only major difference is that sometimes, as a woman, you get harassed by men who instead of relating with you on basis of merit or what you can do, make passes at you and sometimes won't give you the job except you are ready to get on your back. I doubt if this practice will ever stop, but as a woman in business, one must learn to rise above these kind of situations. For every man who harasses you sexually, there are many others who are willing to give you a chance, so therein lies the balance. Other than that, the challenges in business cut across gender.

What will you regard as the highest point of your business venture?

I do not think I can pin point that yet, but there have been many beautiful things that has happened because of what I do daily I am recognised and appreciated by strangers who love my blog. I have been to places where I got freebies because my name rings a bell when I introduce myself.

Amazing people

Above all, I have made many friends in high places and met amazing people through my blog.The best is yet to come as I intend to be in business for a long time.

I've only been in the business for three years.

What was your seed capital?

I started my blog by accident and actually stumbled into blogging and social media, all needed was a laptop, smart phone and good internet access which I had readily available at that time.

How do you intend to expand the Moji Delano brand?

Blogging is just one part of the many businesses I do and plan to delve into. For my blog ,I plan to do a major over haul soon and run a proper website with writers, etc. I also plan to expand to documentaries and video blogging. On the other hand, I plan to have my own shoe line and also delve into entertainment. I am currently working on some productions which I can't say much about at the moment. There is also the legal side of my business too. The sky is the starting point for me, by God's grace.

Whose advice has been instrumental to what you do?

A journalist I met when I started blogging influenced me a lot and helped me a lot especially in developing a thick skin for people's malicious comments, veering off the subject matter of a story. When I first started my blog, I did a story that went viral and got a lot of backlash. I wasn't prepared for it at all, and I wept profusely at the insults and comments I was getting because my position was misinterpreted.

The veteran journalist who was a friend at that time laughed when I told him what had happened and explained to me that it comes with the terrain. So in the real sense, its a win-win situation from both the haters and supporters.

40—WEDNESDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 5, 2015

Shocker for housewife in Lagos

•One of the suspects, (Biodun Olayide)

•As cultists that slit husband’s throat call her to carry corpse

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

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hen a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Ekpenyong, left their abode in Ibafo, Ogun State, to visit their mother -in-law in Lagos, little did they know that it would lead to the tragic end of the bread winner of the family.

Police sources said the couple left their home on July 25, 2015, and went straight to Shomolu area of Lagos where their mother-in law resides.

While middle-aged Kubirat Ekpenyong, stayed with the mother in-law, her husband, Meshack, 41, stayed with a friend at Ago-Owu street in Bariga.

Wife narrates ordeal

Narrating the circumstances that led to the gruesome murder of her husband, the mother of one said, “At about 8pm on July 25, 2015, I received a call from a man who identified himself as Lekan Olusho, that my husband has been killed and that I should go and pick his corpse. That was simply how I received the news of the death of my husband. I don’t know anybody called Lekan Olusho.

I don’t even know the particular house in Ago-Owu area where he was staying with his friend. My husband works with a private security company in Ogun state. It was Lekan and his gang of cultists that murdered him. All I want is justice. Those involved in the murder of my husband should not go free,”

Throat slit open

Crime Alert gathered that the throat of the victim was slit open by cultists who invaded Ago-Owu street in Bariga area where he was staying with a C M Y K

friend. His wife was later called to pick up his corpse which was abandoned on the street. It was learned that in the course of investigation, detectives attached to the State Criminal and Investigations Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos, arrested nine suspected cultists in connection with the victim’s death. Among the suspects were ; Taye Ajayi, 20; Biodun Olaide, 25; Aliu Adisa, 26; Sunday Nwukuliye, 27; Micheal Odubamise, 22; Abu Mohammed, 14; Adetayo Adeboye, 24; Basiru Rewane, 20; and Ayomide Surulere.

The police also recovered a cutlass and two charms from the suspects.

Suspects deny involvement

However, one of the suspects who vehemently denied the allegation, Taye Ajayi, told Crime Alert that it was one

At about 8pm on July 25, 2015, I received a call from a man who identified himself as Lekan Olusho, that my husband has been killed and that I should go and pick his corpse

L e k a n Olusho, who is currently at large that slit the victim’s throat with a machete. “ It was Lekan that called the victim’s wife to pick up his corpse which was abandoned along the street in AgoO w u , ” h e stated.

Another suspect, B i o d u n Olayide, 25, told Crime Alert that although he s m o k e s Indian hemp because of cold and the kind of job he does as a commercial motorcycle operator, he was not involved in the fighting that caused the victim’s death. “ In fact, I don’t know anything about the victim’s death. I live at Oworonshoki area and the

incident occurred in Bariga. I was arrested on Saturday which was an environmental day while I was taking a passenger from Oshodi Park to Olajide bus stop. I was going to work when I saw some policemen. When they asked me to stop, I didn’t because I

ddidn't want them to arrest me. They chased me and eventually caught up with me.

I have been a commercial motorcyclist for over two years now. My two front teeth were removed during a motorcycle accident.”

VANGU ARD, WEDNESD A Y, A UGUST 5, 2015—41 VANGUARD, WEDNESDA AUGUST

RCCG ordains 2,007 assistant pastors I

Stories by Sam Eyoboka & Olayinka Latona

N order to meet the challenge of rapid growth, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, yesterday, at the ongoing 63rd annual convention of the church at the Redemption Camp, anointed 2,007 members of the church to serve as assistant pastors.

Day 2 of the convention began with a prayer walk round the

camp in obedience to the General Overseer’s instruction. Pastor Enoch Adeboye had enjoined all participants the previous day to take a prayer partner each and pray for one hour for the success of the convention and for the peace of the nation, Nigeria.

As early as 8:00 a.m, the praise and worship led by the Praise Team had started the first session and immediately after that, was the commencement of the ordination of 2,007 new assistant pastors for the mission. The ordina-

tion service was anchored by the General Overseer with the assistance of the senior pastors of the church who anointed the men and women of God with the bottles of oil given to them by Pastor Adeboye.

After the anointing, the General Overseer prayed that ‘the Holy Spirit will overshadow them’ while the church’s regional evangelist, Pastor J.T. Kalejaiye admonished them on the responsibilities to the church and the Body of Christ at large.

Other events that took place, yesterday, included what the church described as a meeting of the children of God. As at press time, six group seminars were holding under different topics, including two for the youths, one for elders, one for children/teens, good women and a men’s forum.

The group seminars were being handled by seasoned professionals within the church as part of its manpower development programme.

63rd convention records 16 births

Mrs Christianah Paul with her child

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UT of the 9,170 male and female who were, Monday, ordained deacons and deaconesses at the ongoing 63rd annual convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, the All Sufficient God has began a new journey for a female ordainee.

Mrs. Olotu Motunrayo from RCCG Edo Province 7 arrived the camp on Thursday as stipulated by the church authority to begin the discipline towards the ordination and she endured all the hardship and was ordained a deaconess in the church. Shortly after the spiritual upliftment, Mrs. Motunrayo went into the labour room to have a baby.

She was delivered of a baby girl at the Redeemers Maternity in the camp to make her joy double.

Speaking to Vanguard after the delivery, newly ordained Deaconess Motunrayo said through tears of joy: “I attended the convention for the ordination programme though I am almost due for delivery but I didn’t expect it so early.”

She told our reporters that labour actually started during the service but she had to suppress it determined to pull through the ordination programme.

“During the service I was

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Mrs Motunrayo Olotu with her child

experiencing some inconvenience but I was determined that I must finish the ordination programme if there is going to be anything and God helping me, immediately after the ordination, I went into serious labour and before 25 minutes I gave birth to my baby girl,” she said.

In order to carry out its maternity work effectively, the Redeemed Christian Church of God maternity building has undergone series of transformation as the building has been completely

Mrs Oluwatobi Oladipupo and her child born on the first day of the convention

transformed into a world class clinic.

Pregnant women have flocked the maternity while some have successfully delivered their babies during major programmes of the church.

As at time of this report, the number of new born babies at the ongoing convention (including ministers conference) is 16—seven boys and nine girls.

Mrs. Oladipupo Oluwatobi, member of Christ Apostolic Church who delivered the first male child on the first day

of the convention said she travelled from Ibadan to the convention ground just for her to deliver at the camp ground. She explained that she determined to use the RCCG maternity clinic because of series of testimonies she heard from her friends adding that she also planned to name her baby Enoch Adejare.

In her words: “I appreciate the Almighty God for using this ministry for we the pregnant women, God will continue to strengthen Daddy and Mummy Adeboye.”

12,961 to be ordained at RCCG Convention

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HERE were indications last night that the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, will ordain a total of 12,961 cadets in different categories during its ongoing 63rd annual convention.

The convention with a theme, “The All Sufficient God”, started, Monday, with the ordination of 9,170 deacons and deaconesses who were commissioned to assist the leadership of the church to propel the fastest growing Pentecostal church to greater heights.

The figure is 550 above the number of last year when the

church flagged off its 62nd annual convention with the

ordination of 8,622 cadets as deacons and deaconesses.

The newly renovated Health Centre building about to be commissioned

Adeboye tasks Nigerians on divine appreciation

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HE General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has called on Nigerians to continually praise and appreciate the grace of God upon the country, stressing that for people to receive total deliverance from a myriad of challenges they must imbibe the spirit of worship and appreciation.

Adeboye spoke through one of his Special Assistants in charge of United Kingdom, Pastor Agu Irukwu at the church monthly thanksgiving service held at the national headquarters, Throne of Grace Parish in Ebute-Meta, Lagos.

Drawing inspiration from the scripture on the importance of praise, the cleric said it was paramount to praise God for His mercy, provision, divine protection, for wonder of His greatness, healing, sustenance and for making the impossible possible.

He further urged the congregation to shun murmuring and complaining but instead, continue to praise God for what he has done before as well as what He will yet do.

His words: “Man’s knowledge cannot comprehend the wonderful work of God. He is the one that has the power to bring forth water out of the rock, He is the great provider.

God has done lots of things in our lives that require us to praise His name and while still praising Him, He will do more.”

On the church convention, Assistant Pastor in Charge of Province (Corporate Social Responsibility) for Lagos Province 1, Pastor Samuel Olaniyan urged participants to be expectant, put all their hope in God who is all sufficient and take all teachings at the convention with all seriousness, adding that the convention will be a lifetime experience for the worshippers.

According to him, the annual convention is where all sons and daughters of the church including the ministers all over the world gather to thank God for all He has done for the church during the cause of the year.

“It is also a time of revival for the church, teaching, learning the word of God, have fellowship with our maker. It is also a period where our father in the Lord will ordain deacons, deaconesses, assistant pastors and pastors,” he explained.

According to him, there will be shuttle buses from the current arena to the new arena.

42—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

Analysing Okowa’s pan Deltan makeup

By Michael Tidi

Revisiting our cradle, rebuilding our nation: The place of ethics and values in national rebirth

By Olukayode Ajulo

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HE ancient Greeks were firm believers in signs and omens, and a favourite saying of the philosophers of that era is: “When the student is ready, the Teacher will appear”.

I am not a believer in coincidence; I am more inclined to believe that our lives’ steps are ordered by the Infinite Intelligence that we all call God, and so in my own case, my date with Destiny took place one afternoon according to my father when a customer in the person of Pa Enoch O. Dare walked into my father’s shop in Akure to buy books, and his first encounter with my father changed the course of my life.

The student - my humble self was ready and so, the teacher appeared. Their discussions on that propitious afternoon resulted in my father resolving that I would be enrolled in the very school where Pa Dare worked as a principal. Soon after, my father personally supervised my preparations for the entrance exam to that highly esteemed institution and in the course of time, I passed and resumed in Aquinas College, in Akure, Ondo State as a student. For my father, the sacrifices were huge and my studentship in Aquinas did not come on a platter of gold as I can recall even now, several occasions when he came to the school to visit, monitoring my progress as a student there. Such was the love of my father.

Sound education Indeed, my father’s love for his children and his determination to bequeath the very best legacy to them, his insight into the unrivalled truth that a sound education is key to a good life, combined with his uncanny ability to discern nobility in all whom he encountered in his sojourns as a master salesman; all of these factors interplayed on that fateful afternoon resulting in his resolution that as his son, I had to come under the tutelage of Pa E. O. Dare, who, at the time, was the President of Ondo State Chapter of ANCOPSS. I resumed as a student in Aquinas College, Akure and the rest, as they say, is now history. Each time I look back at that era, my heart bursts with gratitude to the Providential Intelligence that guided my father into making that historic decision that fateful afternoon. As a firm believer in the Hand of Providence and how it directs the course of human lives, I now know without an iota of doubt that God was working behind the scene that afternoon.

Tonight, as I address this august

common saying that “Nigeria has gone to the dogs.” However, we have cause to be hopeful as amidst this thick darkness, we have shining lights of Integrity. It is also a thing of joy that many of these shining lights are alumni of our great Map of college who all passed Nigeria under the tutelage of our father, in whose honour gathering of young scholars we have gathered tonight and turned eminent men, here in this other dedicated teachers. great city of Atlanta, my joy knows Of a truth, many of these lights no bounds. To stand before the who hold aloft the burning torch very same man - the school of integrity and fight valiantly in principal who took me - a young, different sectors to banish the ruddy, and carefree kid, under his present darkness that threatens tutelage, to pay my tribute. As we to overrun our fatherland are take this time to reflect on the indeed our brothers with whom impact of this great man, this icon we raced the fields and burned of educational instruction, this the midnight oil on the grounds hero, the unerringly accurate of our alma mater- Aquinas words of that Lebanese-American College, Akure. painter, writer, poet and If I were to ask the audience philosopher Kahlil Gibran comes here cast our minds back to that to mind; he it was who said: “The golden era when we were true wealth of a nation lies neither students of that illustrious in its gold nor silver, but in its institution, we all would be hard learning, its wisdom, and in the pressed to pin-point a single uprightness of its youth”. period in which the school had to These words underscore the resort to soliciting for funds and poignant role played by our dear aid from alumni in order to keep father and a Rabbi and other afloat or to provide basic tools for unsung heroes in the building of smooth running of the school. our lives- by the grace of the Almighty, I am what I am today Path of by those we passed through their depression hands. I make bold to say that Aquinas College, Akure nurtured Today, the school is a shadow and fostered the seed of Integrity of its former self, and funds are in me, and in us all. I have often needed for her maintenance. It wondered what the missionary is no doubt true that recounting founders of Aquinas College had the woes and travails bedeviling in mind when they undertook, our alma-mater and indeed, our several decades ago, the fatherland would cast one down establishment of a citadel of a path of depression and anguish; learning and moral instruction it is not my intent to weigh our which would have Integrity as its minds down with nostalgia or to chief corner stone, in Nigeria. burden our hearts with despair.

Across the length and breadth So, instead, I would ask us all to of our land, the ancient cast our minds back to the tenet landmarks of morality, of conduct entrenched in us by forthrightness, virtue, honesty our father and mentor, and to which all rest as you all know on imagine with me, the healing it the cornerstone of integrity, have could bring to our land. been discarded and it is now a My dear brothers, as custodians of that most noble of values, the time has come for us to take on ourselves, the role of evangelists or missionaries like our unforgettable founders who left the shores of his home country to make a home amongst us in Nigeria, preaching the gospel.

This time, however, our gospel Our gospel will will not be a religious one per se; we are to give back to our alma not be a religious mater and our nation at large by one per se; we are spreading the message of Integrity. to give back to our

alma mater and our nation at large by spreading the message of Integrity

Olukayode Ajulo presented this keynote address at the Reunion Meeting of Alumni of Aquinas College, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria at Crown Plaza Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia, United States.

I

into a solid pan-Deltan juggernaut that became the widely sought after bride across the state.

While a few one-sided individuals have tried to insinuate ethnic colouration into some of the Governor’s actions so far, part from the Governor himself, the two most senior officials in the executive arm are his SSG from Delta Central and his Chief of Staff, Hon. Tam Brisibe from Delta South. Also crucial to Governor Okowa’s pan-Deltan status is the composition of the State Executive Council, as so far constituted, in which anything but an Ika or Anioma Agenda is visible. There is no indication whatsoever that the Governor has given preference with regard to number of Commissioners or allocation of portfolios to either the Ikas or other Anioma people.

Equally interesting is the statewide spread of the aides Governor Okowa has appointed so far. Not only are Ikas a minority amongst his aides, the total number of the Governor’s aides from Delta North as a whole is dwarfed by those of us from Delta Central and South with many of the more critical portfolios, duties and schedules

N a manner devoid of reason or factuality, a host of clueless commentators have been going to town trying to cast Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, in the mould of an ethnic champion. While Governor Okowa has refused to join issues with them, ironically, the Governor can actually boast of coming to power on the most allembracing pan-Deltan platform ever assembled in the state. In the first place he was an aspirant who though hailing from Delta North Senatorial District never keyed into the so-called Anioma Agenda many other aspirants relied on as their chief qualification for the governorship race.

Furthermore, he relied more on political heavyweights and stakeholders from the two other Senatorial Districts of Delta Central and Delta South as the main facilitators and drivers of his campaign. The director general of his campaign organization as an aspirant was Hon. Festus Agas, the present Secretary to the State Government, SSG, from Delta Central a leadership role handed over to Prof. Sam Oyovbaire when he became candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. Apart from other key players from Delta Central, there were unquestionably influential participants from Itsekiri, Ijaw, Isoko and even Urhobo areas of Delta Gov Okowa of Delta State South as well. While an being manned by persons who impressive contingent of are not in any way from Anioma. political heavyweights pitched Significantly, the Governor is in from Delta North, it is on record to have authorized noteworthy that throughout the release of funds for only one campaigns, the leaders of Team project thus far. Against the Okowa from Delta Central and backdrop of the onerous Delta South were never figure financial challenges currently heads in any way. facing the state, an ethnic jingoist would have been more inclined to concentrate on Structure and projects in his immediate operations locality. On the contrary, the Not only did they have real project the Governor made power and control over the provision for is Sapele Main structure and operations of the Market in far away Delta campaign organization, in one Central, a project over which he way or the other, every was people-oriented enough o participant from both the appeal to His Royal Majesty, governor ’s Ika ethnic Orhue I, the Orodje of Okpe to nationality and the wider ensure will benefit the original Anioma axis of Delta North traders in the market before it were all answerable to their was burnt many years ago. I bosses from Delta Central and doubt that there are many Ikas Delta South. As a member of or Aniomas who own shops in the team I can authoritatively Sapele Market. While the attest to that. Okowa’s naysayers and their cohorts may campaign philosophy and the choose to continue spinning makeup of his electioneering baseless tales of a nonexistent team thus made his aspiration ethnic agenda in the state, the easily attractive to stakeholders truth remains that they lack even from these two Senatorial an iota of evidence to Districts, a development that in substantiate their concocted conjunction with similarly accusations.

•Tidi, special assistant on massive support from Delta North only served to News Media to Governor consolidate his candidature Okowa, wrote in from Asaba.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015 — 43

RGU strengthens Nigeria-UK bi-lateral relations

By Vera Samuel Anyagafu & Prisca Sam-Duru

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S part of efforts to ensure that UK-Nigeria binational relationships grow from strength to strength, a UK Nigerian based oil institution, Robert Gordon University (RGU), has formally introduced a platform on which Nigerians who are involved in both oil and gas business can comfortably maintain a world class excellence in the oil and gas sector of the economy.

Having officially launched its Aberdeen-based Oil and Gas Institute in Nigeria, RGU, which has its roots established 260 years ago, is intending contributing its own quota to bettering both countries bi-literal relations, especially in the oil and gas business. The official launch which took place at the British Deputy High Commission’s residence in Lagos, demonstrated the institution’s interest to developing the next generation of oil and gas professionals in the county.

According to Director, RGU’s Oil and Gas Institute, Professor

Paul de Leeuw, who met other RGU representatives, a number of funding bodies and prospective students, the institution’s key priorities include providing a world class excellence, industry insights, teaching and research to Nigerians.

He stated that “RGU is committed to building on our strong links with Nigeria, which represents the university ’s largest international student

population, particularly as the country looks to develop the next generation of oil and gas professionals to explore its significant deep water potential.”

Leeuw added, “Oil and gas will continue to play a key role in meeting our primary energy needs and will do so for decades to come. Most of this demand will be met from oil and gas reservoirs currently not on stream yet, such as deep water Nigeria, and a whole spectrum of professionals,

from lawyers to engineers, computer specialists to industry leaders will be required to make the most of this potential.”

Pointing out that RGU has a great track record of delivering its mission for the North Sea and other similar basins around the world, Leeuw said, “We feel we have a key role to play in Nigeria as well, since the university’s Oil and Gas Institute aims to become a world-class centre of excellence in oil and gas, building on the thinking, creativity, experience and facilities which have been built up through more than four decades of engagement with North Sea oil and gas.”

However, the institution has

received about £3.6 million donation from The Wood Foundation, a philanthropic foundation set up by Sir Ian Wood and his immediate family, to support its aims, as well as a further £4.1 million of funding from RGU. “We want to ensure a strong dialogue with oil and gas stakeholders in Nigeria to ensure that we can respond to their particular needs, “Given its strong industry links, its location in Europe’s oil and gas capital and enviable graduate employment record, RGU is uniquely placed to do this and we look forward to continuing to develop our oil and gas offering as we move forward,” Prof. Paul de Leeuw submitted.

UK-Nigeria capital markets project launched

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K’s emerging capital markets taskforce champion, Sir Roger Gifford, and Nigeria’s emerging capital markets taskforce champion, Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede, have jointly launched a report on capital markets reform in Nigeria.

The report reviews and makes recommendations for reforms that will deepen Nigerian capital markets and attract domestic and international investments, to the benefit of Nigeria, as it focuses on four key areas, which are,

integrity of the market, regulatory infrastructure, market incentives and barriers, as well as market development.

This report was produced by the Law Society of England & Wales and the Nigeria Capital Market Solicitors Association.

Interestingly, the two countries delivery groups brought together government and industry experts from both countries that are established to identify areas of capital market development where the combination of UK and

Nigeria private and public sector expertise will increase capital flows between Nigeria and the UK, for mutual benefit.

According to Sir Roger, who appeared impressed with the collaboration, “I am impressed by the dynamism and energy of the people I have met in the capital markets sector, and I believe that their commitment to the reform of Nigeria’s capital markets can benefit both people and economy, allowing greater access to funding for companies, and

investment opportunities for institutions and individuals, both at home and abroad.”

Also, Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede, who spoke on the initiative said that he was particularly delighted that the ECMT Nigeria Capital Markets Project has reached its first milestone of producing a report which addresses regulation and transparency in the Nigerian capital market.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015—44

Buhari removes Juwah as EVC of NCC, appoints Prof Umar Danbatta A

By Prince Osuagwu

BUJA—THE Federal government yesterday announced the appointment of former Vice President, Digital Bridge Institute, DBI, Prof.

Umar Danbatta as the new Executive Vice Chairman, EVC of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC. Danbatta takes over from Dr. Eugene Juwah whose first tenure as EVC expired June this year.

Vanguard gathered that Juwah’s tenure was allegedly extended beyond first tenure by former President Goodluck Jonathan- an action which many adjudged as illegal considering that the first tenure had not expired as at the time Jonathan vacated office.

With the new appointment, it, however, seems President Buhari has up turned the re-appointment of Juwah.

Price Regulations in a Developing Economy.

He was also said to be versatile on issues concerning Authorization of Telecommunications Services in a Developing Economy; strategies for ensuring Universal Access and Service to Telecommunications Services; strategies towards Effective Spectrum Management in a Developing Economy; Institutional and Legal Framework for Effective Regulation of

Telecommunications Services, and new and Emerging Technologies and Impact on Regulation of the Telecommunications Sector of a Developing Economy.

Academic background

Danbatta who hails from Danbatta Local Government Area of Kano State, has a BEng., MSc and PhD degrees from the Technical University of Wroclaw in Poland and the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, UK respectively.

He had served as a lecturer in the

Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Technology of Bayero University, Kano for 28 years, where he taught courses in telecommunication engineering and electronics and held academic positions of Dean of the Faculty and Head of Department at different times.

His main administrative responsibilities, in the university, included Deputy and Acting Dean of Students’ Affairs, Administrator of the Works Department and later, Director

ICT experience

Meanwhile, Danbatta is neither new to life in the technology sector nor alien to the affairs of NCC. He was the Vice President of the Digital Bridge Institute, DBI, International Centre for Advanced Communications Studies, which was established in the year 2004 by the Nigerian Communications Commission to build capacity for the Nigerian/African telecom industry in the diverse areas of Information and Communication Technology, ICT. Danbatta while at DBI was said to have developed expertise in major areas of ICT implementation, policy and regulation, including Regulation of the Telecommunications Sector of the Nigerian Economy; Competition, Interconnection and

PASSING OUT: From left: Representative of Chief of Army Staff and Commander, Nigerian Army Medical Corps, Major General O.A. Ogunbiyi, Deputy Commandant, Nigerian Army College of Logistics, Brigadier-General Julius Oni, and Represenative of General Officer Commanding, GOC, 81 Division, Brigadier-General Y.B. Auta, during the Passing Out Parade for Logistics Staff Course 12/2015 graduands of the Nigerian Army College of Logistics in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bashir Adefaka.

President, NASS intensify efforts on release of Chibok girls A

BUJA—PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerian lawmakers have promised to intensify their efforts to ensure the safe return of the

Chibok Girls, U.S. Congress woman, Federica Wilson, has said.

Wilson, who represents the State of Florida in Congress,

New magazine The Interview debuts

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AGOS—A new magazine focused on leading professionals and politicians will be in circulation by Monday, August 10.

The magazine, called The Interview, will be a monthly, publication with the major stories rendered in Q&A format and published by Banc & All an Abuja-based content and publishing company.

The maiden edition headlines among other premium content, an interview with former Governor Donald Duke in which he shed new light on two former Nigerian presidents - Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan - and sounds a note of warning to the governing APC. It also features a no-holdsbarred interview with the CEO of Channels TV, Mr. John Momoh; the brave new C M Y K

world of virtual and augmented reality; and Nigeria Icon List.

A statement by the Managing Director/Editor-InChief, Mr. Azu Ishiekwene, said: “The Interview will provide answers and solutions to the questions that affect the lives, well being and aspirations of its readers and consumers in a style and language that fit their busy lifestyles.

“It will be a magazine that consumers, especially young professionals, can connect with and to look to for answers to burning questions.

Our aim is to be retailers of premium content and a strong catalyst for sharing.”

In a pre-roll out comment, journalism professor at Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois and Nigeria’s number one satirist, Olatunji Dare,

said the magazine, “deserves to be well- received.”

Journalist, former publisher of Citizen magazine and leading columnist, Mohammed Haruna, described the debut, as “simply great.”

He commended the quality of the interviews and the columns.

The Founder/CEO of Cable Newspaper Ltd, Mr. Simon Kolawole, said: “The Interview has arrived on the scene in time to douse the growing belief that there is no more room in the ‘Inn’.

“With its creative layout, fluid writing, quality interviews and exciting subject mix. The Interview, in my opinion, offers the best chance to revive the sagging interest in our magazine industry. It’s a combination of beauty and brains.”

made the statement, yesterday, in Abuja while addressing members of the Bring Back Our Girls, BBOG, group.

She said it was part of the responsibilities of Nigerian lawmakers to advocate for the release of the Chibok girls.

She urged lawmakers especially from the North-East region to challenge the Federal Government and state governors on efforts being made to rescue the girls.

The congress woman also urged Nigerians to stand up for their rights by asking their elected representatives relevant questions that would encourage them to identify with and act fast in the struggle for the return of the girls.

Wilson added that it was also the duty of elected officials to cater for those who elected them in office.

“We need to say to them; this is a new day in Nigeria.

“You have a new president; you have a new House of Representatives and a new Senate.

“Believe me you have the power to put pressure on the people you elected to deliver to the people of Nigeria,tostampoutBokoHaramand find the Chibok girls,” she said.

of the Centre for Information Technology, CIT. He was also chairman to, or member of, over 60 University committees and task forces.

In administrative and other responsibilities outside the university, he has served as chairman or member to over 20 committees, prominent among which was the Chairmanship of the Implementation Committee of Kano State University of Science & Technology and subsequently became its pioneer Deputy and Acting Vice-Chancellor when it took off in 2001.

Prof. Danbatta has supervised more than 60 PhD., MEng. and BEng. projects in the diverse areas of telecommunications and has also served as external examiner to seven universities and polytechnics and is an assessor, technical reviewer and editorial member to eight research journals.

He is a recipient of 18 distinguished awards and certificates of honour. Prof.

Danbatta, who had served two terms of five years as a Member of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN, is also a COREN registered engineer and member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE.

Intel Corp flags off Developer Zone at IDDN 2015

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A G O S — I N T E L Corporation has flagged off the Intel Developer Zone, IDZ, programme in Nigeria to local developers at its just concluded Intel Developer Day Nigeria, IDDN, 2015, which took place at Civic Centre, Victoria Island,Lagos.

The event provided a platform for software developers to interact with Intel software experts and enjoy live training on how to use various Intel software tools on the Intel Developer Zone, IDZ, platform which supports Independent Software Vendors, ISV, app developers and maker communities with information and tools.

Welcoming participants to the event, Country Manager for Nigeria, Intel Corporation, Mr. Olubunmi Ekundare, said that Intel was trying to help local developers achieve their best.

Ekundare said: “We want to create the right type of technology and also provide appropriate training to get the best out of this technology.”

Software and Services Lead, East Africa, Agatha Gikunda thereafter introduced Intel’s developer offerings to the participants, and offered them advice on how to monetize their software applications.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015—45

Council boss partners NDLEA against drug abuse

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

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HONOUR: From left— Mr. Onochie Anibeze, Saturday Editor, Vanguard Newspapers; Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, General Manager/Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard Media Ltd; Mr. Emeka Oparah, Director, Corporate Communication, and CSR Airtel Nigeria; and Mr. Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media to the President, at a dinner by media executives in honour of Mr. Adesina in Lagos. PHOTO: Biodun Ogunleye.

Benue Assembly summons security heads over killings

By Peter Duru

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AKURDI—BENUE State House of Assembly has summoned heads of security agencies to appear before it to explain the persistent insecurity situation in the state.

Among those summoned to appear before the House are the Commissioner of Police, State Director of the Department of State Services, DSS; State Commandant of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence

Glo customers get hotspots in 42 countries

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UBSCRIBERS on the Globacom network, who travel outside the country, are to enjoy wi-fi roaming in 42 countries where they can access over 300,000 internet hotspots.

According to a statement by Globacom’s Chief Commercial Director, Mr. Ajay Mathur, subscribers on its pre-paid and post-paid platforms will enjoy fast wi-fi speeds on their mobile device or tablet in popular locations such as airports, hotels, restaurants, stadiums and coffee shops in the countries where the offer is available.

He said to use the service, the customer is required to download the Glo Wi-Fi roaming app.

Corps, NSCDC, and Special Adviser to the Governor on Security.

The House took the decision yesterday, following a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Kwande East State Constituency, Mr. James Gbande, who lamented that the people of his constituency had been under intense,

perennial and unprecedented attacks.

Gbande said beside the killings, 17 primary schools, three UBE Secondary Schools, three local government clinics, one government science secondary school and a residential house had been destroyed by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

He stated that the crisis in

the affected villages had forced the inhabitants of the areas to flee their homes to seek refuge in nearby communities.

He, among other things, called on Benue State government to urgently deploy security personnel to the affected settlements of Anyiase, Imande-Dura, Ikyoawen and Beebeshiu.

Residents hail Ambode on Ikotun-Ejigbo Road rehabilitation

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—RESIDENTS have commended Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State over ongoing reconstruction work on

dilapidated Ikotun-EjigboOkota-Cele Road.

The bad road had been a source of nightmare to residents and motorists plying the routes.

Governor Ambode had ordered immediate rehabilita-

Candidates score FUTA's post-UTME high

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ANDIDATES writing the post-UTME of Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, have adjudged the exercise fair, orderly and highly functional.

Bright Adefoyegun, one of the candidates for the examination, which began yesterday and ends tomorrow, expressed appreciation to the university management for the state-of-the-art facilities which he said provided candidates a huge opportunity to be tested on merit.

Other prospective students, who spoke highly of the exercise, were Gbademosi Oluwatobi, Abiodun Elizabeth,

and Emmanuel Adeleke.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, and Chair, University Admissions Committee, Professor Tunde Arayela, said candidates were screened based on standard regulations provided by National Universities Commission, NUC. He added that although over 11,000 candidates were eligible for the examination, only the very best would be admitted subject to NUC’s standard as the institution has a current carrying capacity to admit 2,834 persons into its existing 39 departments.

tion of the road when he paid an unscheduled visit to the area a fortnight ago, describing the state of the road as unacceptable.

In line with his assurance, the governor last week mobilised the Lagos State Public Works Corporation, LSPWC, to commence work on the network of roads.

The Ekerin of Isolo, Chief Samina Lawal, commended the governor for the intervention, urging him not to relent but to ensure that the project was completed.

Chairman of Ndigbo in All Progressives Congress, APC, Kanayo Osondu, said: “Before this palliative work, we spend about one hour to move from Ago Roundabout to Cele Bus Stop. Now it takes just about five minutes.

“People going to Ikotun Egbe, Jakande Estate and Ijegun all come through Cele and the vehicular traffic is always heavy.

“However, if nothing concrete is done, by the time rain comes again, it would wash away the palliative.”

O S — T H E Management Committee Chairman of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Mr. Titus Bise, has said the council would liaise with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, to curb drug abuse amongst youths in the area.

Bise, who was recently appointed by Governor Simon Lalong to oversee the activities of the council, said this at Mangu while swearingin the Secretary and Supervisory Councillors for the council.

Similarly, in Kanke Local Government area, the Management Committee Chairman, Panshak Titus who also swore-in his team, assured on finding a lasting solution to insecurity threatening developmental efforts in the council.

Urhobo ex-militants allege diversion of stipend

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UNDREDS of exmilitants of Urhobo extraction from Udu and Ughelli South Local Government areas of Delta State, yesterday, protested what they termed as the diversion of their monthly stipends to personal accounts of some top ex-militants.

The ex-militants, who carried banners with various inscriptions such as “Gen. Boroh, come to our aid,” “Boroh redress the payment of exagitators” and “We commend the appointment of Boroh,” marched through major streets of Otu-Jeremi and Otor-Udu Udu and Ughelli South councils.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Otanureri Ediren and Pawpaw Julius said they are Phase II ex-militants drawn from Ekpeb, Ujoh, Uti, Rubber Plantation, United Freedom Fighter, Ekpen and Delta Base camps.

46—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

NEW BOSS FOR NNPC—The

Buhari appoints Kachukwu as new NNPC GMD

new Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu (right), and Dr. Joseph Thlama Dawha, during a brief hand-over ceremony at the NNPC Towers, yesterday.

•Challenges before him •Needs more outsiders to tackle internal rot

By Clara Nwachukwu; Mike Eboh & Levinus Nwabughiogu

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R E S I D E N T Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, replaced Dr. Joseph Thlama Dawha and appointed Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, as the Group Managing Director, GMD, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. This was made known in a statement credited to the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Mr. Femi Adesina, even as the news of his appointment had filtered out on Monday.

Until his appointment, Kachikwu, a First Class Graduate of Law from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, was the Executive Vice Chairman/ General Counsel, ExxonMobil (Africa).

Kachikwu had since assumed duty as the Chief Executive of the Corporation at a brief handover ceremony held at the NNPC Towers, Abuja, according to a statement by the NNPC spokesman, Mr. Ohi Alegbe.

According to NNPC, “Kachikwu expressed gratitude to his predecessor, Dr. Joseph Dawha for his hard work in holding the Corporation while pledging to work assiduously in achieving the president’s growth aspiration for the oil and gas industry.”

Challenges before him Kachikwu may have landed a big job, but he has also acquired an even bigger trouble in view of the enormous challenges he is now faced with.

He is not only expected to reform the Corporation riddled by corruption, but also to make it a viable commercial entity similar to other national oil companies by instituting transparency in the system and good governance in line with global best practices.

These tasks become even more daunting because the new helmsman is coming from the “outside” a private sector thoroughbred from an international oil company, IOC, to steer the ship of a public sector organisation that has in recent times been so much exposed to ridicule on

account of corruption.

Current scenario: With the recent drop in global oil prices, now compounded by the return of Iranian crude (four million barrels/day capacity) to the international oil market, Nigeria desperately needs more oil sales revenue to support government budgets, protect foreign reserves and help stop the ongoing devaluation of the Naira.

Furthermore, since President Muhammadu Buhari has not yet had much success in boosting average daily production or reducing oil theft, its best hope of increasing revenues right now is to reduce leakages from the NNPC oil sales system.

Incidentally, as a monoproduct economy, oil sales are Nigeria’s largest source of revenue, accounting for more than 90 percent of its foreign exchange earnings, and more than 80 per cent of its total revenues.

However, experience has shown that all is not well with the management of this oil system, as a long list of government reports -KPMG audit, PRSTF, NEITI, and a host of many others have identified major governance problems with how NNPC sells its oil.

Reconciliation system According to PricewaterHouseCoopers'latest report on NNPC said, “The accounting and reconciliation system for crude oil revenues used by Government agencies appear to be inaccurate and weak. We noted significant discrepancies in data from different sources.

“The lack of independent audit and reconciliation led to over reliance on data produced from NNPC. This matter is further compounded by the lack of independence within NNPC as the business has conflicting interests of being a stand-alone self-funding entity and also the main source of revenue to the Federation account."

These problems have been traced to poor management of the sales process, resulting in losses of billions of dollars annually, which could have been expended on capital projects that will enhance the wellbeing of all Nigerians.

Against this backdrop, industry analysts have suggested some corrective measures exclusively obtained

by Vanguard. These include NNPC should: •Stop selling oil to politicallyconnected, low-capacity “briefcase companies.”

•Put in place, publish and adhere to strong internal policies for vetting and choosing buyers of oil, and for apportioning cargoes of oil among buyers.

• Publicly account for earnings from sales of crude from NPDC and its oil trading subsidiaries, and cease unconstitutional withholdings. Indeed, Section 7, sub-sections 1 and 2, demands that “The Corporation shall keep proper accounts and proper records in relation thereto in a form which shall conform with the best commercial standards.

Commercial standards •“The Corporation shall as soon as may be after the end of the financial year to which the accounts relate cause its accounts to be audited by auditors appointed by the Corporation, with the approval of the National Council of Ministers, from the list of auditors and in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Auditor-General of the Federation.

•Publicly account for its use of oil sale proceeds to fund “special projects.”

•Either scrap the 445,000 bpd “domestic crude allocation” or else limit the allocation to its actual refining needs, since the refineries are still undergoing rehabilitation.

•The executive should commission a full, independent audit of PPMC’s oil-for product swap deals, currently enmeshed in controversies in terms of the terms of contract and quantity of refined products brought in.

•The executive should order an independent review of PPMC’s arrangements for delivering crude oil to the refineries.

Why Kachikwu is the man for the job: Outside of the petroleum industry where he has over 30 years experience, as well as an entrepreneur with vast business

interests and in the media as the publisher of former, Hints Magazine, very little is known of Kachikwu in the political arena.

President Buhari may have found the qualities he wanted following his pronouncement to appoint credible Nigerians to help him run the affairs of the country. This is because the Onicha-Ugbo, Delta State, indigene not only has a first class academic record, but also has an excellent career record.

•Distinction and best graduate (UNN) •BL (Law School) First Class best graduate. Won seven of available nine prizes in 1979.

•LLM Harvard Distinction and best graduate 1980, specialization on Energy and Petroleum Law and Investment.

•Ph.D/SJD Harvard Distinction and best graduate, specialization on Petroleum and Investment Law Strategies.

Set record time for completing Doctoral Thesis.

•FSCG (Fellow Society for Corporate Governance) •FCIArb (Fellow Chartered Institute of Arbitration) •FCIPP (Fellow Chartered Institute for Petroleum Policy) •Visiting professorship for various Universities in the world including Harvard Law In addition, he is said to have “Influenced over $10billion in investment from ExxonMobil Group into Africa including Nigeria.”

Needs more outsiders to succeed In view of the enormous challenges, analysts believe Kachikwu needs more people from outside the NNPC fold, if he is to succeed.

According to a former Director, Department of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Osten Olorunsola, who describes him as “the right person for the job, if his key mandate is to restructure and reorganise the system, he will need two, three, four or more outsiders to help him do the job.

“This is because it is very difficult to transform from within, not because there are no

good people in NNPC, but in view of the job that is required, none of them can do it because of conflicts of interest. He can’t do the job alone, so he must attract others from others, and they in turn will need consultancy groups to help him with the restructuring. Also, he is coming from credible IOC like Exxon, quite experienced both within and in country, and he is from the south south. Key is the fact that he is the right person for it.”

Another respondent who spoke in confidence noted that Buhari may have chosen him because of his excellent legal background, saying, “NNPC is rooted in the Act, and for you to achieve any restructuring and reorganization, you have to repeal the Act. “To do this, you need someone who is not only well grounded in law, but also in the industry, who will be able to answer all the question that may be thrown by the National Assembly to repeal the existing law. And Kachichukwu is very businesslike in his dealings.”

What colleagues say of him His former employers in a brief statement said: “ExxonMobil Upstream affiliates in Nigeria congratulate our ViceChairman and General Counsel, Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu, on this opportunity to serve Nigeria as Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). We thank Dr. Kachikwu for his many contributions to ExxonMobil Nigeria, and wish him well in his new role.”

But his peers feel a sense of loss, which is overshadowed by the joy of the fact that he has been called to national service, saying, “Now there is hope for NNPC because that place is a riot.”

They, however, agreed that it will not be easy, as his immediate challenge will be “to understand the rot in the system.

But he should not feel discouraged as those within will hide information from him, he needs to excavate the rot in order to push forward.”

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015—47

Nuke Deal: Obama, Netanyahau appeal to America Jewish community

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RESIDENT Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were making dueling appeals to the American Jewish community yesterday as they sought to rally support for their opposing positions on the Iranian nuclear deal.

Netanyahu made his case in a live webcast with more than 10,000 participants, according to the U.S. Jewish groups that organized the event.

The prime minister railed against the agreement to curb Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for billions of dollars in sanctions relief, calling it a “bad deal” that leaves Tehran on the brink of a bomb.

“The nuclear deal with Iran doesn’t block Iran’s

A

•Obama path to the bomb,” he said.

“It actually paves Iran’s path to the bomb.”

Netanyahu, one of the fiercest critics of the nuclear accord, also disputed Obama’s assertion that opponents of the diplomatic deal favor war.

He called that assertion “utterly false,” saying Israel

wants peace, not war.

Obama was to hold a private meeting at the White House later Tuesday with Jewish leaders — some who support the deal, some who oppose it, and others whose organizations are undecided.

Greece: Prospect of new election grows, market hit

G

R E E C E ’ s government conceded yesterday that dissent within the ruling party was likely to force an early election, while bank shares plummeted again on the stock market, which reopened this week after a long closure.

The left-wing government is relying on opposition party support for approval in parliament of new austerity measures demanded by bailout

Amnesty accuses Sudan of war crimes in South Kordofan

lenders, following a revolt by nearly one fourth of its own lawmakers.

G o v e r n m e n t spokeswoman Olga Gerovasili said the government would not form a national unity government and described early elections as “likely.”

“A solution will be found, since the country needs a strong government,” Gerovasili told private Skai television. “(Early) elections are likely but that

doesn’t mean we will be dealing today with when they will take place.”

Amid the uncertainty, the main stock index lost another 1.2 percent Tuesday, the second day the market has been open following a five-week shutdown. Most shares traded higher but banks tumbled, once again hitting the 30 percent lower trading limit. The overall index on Monday plummeted 16.2 percent, its worst drop in decades.

M N E S T Y International has accused Sudan’s army of committing war crimes by bombing and shelling civilians in its South Kordofan region.

More than 374 bombs, including cluster bombs, were dropped in 67 locations between January and April, killing at least 35 people, the human rights group said.

Sudan’s army has not yet commented on the allegations.

It has been battling rebels demanding more rights for the region since 2011.

South Sudanese military in action At least 1.4 million people, or a third of South Kordofan’s population, have fled their homes because of the conflict, Amnesty said in a report.

African Union chief

South Africa’s Tutu discharged from hospital after recurring infection

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ROMINENT antiapartheid cleric and veteran South African leader, Archbishop Desmond Tutu was released from hospital on Tuesday after being readmitted for a recurring infection related to treatment for his prostate cancer, his daughter said.

Tutu, 83, who was hospitalized over the weekend at a Cape Town hospital, would continue his recovery at home, his daughter, the Reverend Canon Mpho Tutu said in a statement.

“The infection was a consequence of treatment for prostate cancer that the

A

•Trump “so people will think he’s smart.”

And that was just in one campaign speech.

Despite or perhaps because of his outrageous promises and harsh invective since launching his campaign in June, the brash billionaire has snatched a wide lead in the polls.

Trump has trumped many who have spent years meticulously preparing for this moment

— writing memoirs or policy books, espousing causes, losing weight, polishing their image — and all who courted wealthy donors.

Should they now hit back at Trump, raising a stink to get noticed but at the risk of legitimizing a man the Republican National Committee has begged to tone it down?

Bush quipped last week that he was reassured that retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson will participate in the debate because “before that thing’s over we might just need a doctor.”

Graham, who recently branded Trump a “jackass,” insisted Trump might make more sense to debate viewers if they were drunk.

archbishop has received over the past 18 years. The cancer, itself, was well under control,” Mpho said.

The Nobel peace laureate, retired from public life in 2010, but has kept speaking out in a wide range of issues, including corruption among South Africa’s political elite.

Judge throws out fraud case against South African firebrand Malema

A

judge threw out cor ruption charges against South African opposition firebrand Julius Malema on Tuesday, a rul-

ing hailed as a major victory by the vocal critic of President Jacob Zuma.

Malema had been accused of money launder-

U.S. airlines end Trump emerges as unknown quantity of Major trophy hunter shipments first GOP debate after Cecil outcry S nine candidates take their place tomorrow alongside Donald Trump for the first Republican presidential debate, one question looms: how does one deal with a rival whose bombast is part of his DNA? The real-estate tycoon turned White House contender is also the nation’s most prolific political insult generator, imposing a sense of mustsee-TV on the opening duel of the 2016 cycle.

He blasted fellow Republican White House hopeful Jeb Bush as “weak,” Senator Lindsey Graham as an “idiot,” and Texas ex-governor Rick Perry as a buffoon who now wears glasses

mediator Thabo Mbeki is currently in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, where he is expected to discuss the conflict with government officials, the

T

HREE U.S. airlines have banned the transport of lion, leopard, elephant, rhino or buffalo killed by trophy hunters, in the latest fallout from the killing of Zimbabwe’s Cecil the lion last month.

American Airlines said on Tuesday it would join Delta Airlines and United Airlines in banning the transport of animals known in Africa as the “big five”, coined by hunters because they are the hardest to kill on foot.

There has been an international outcry against trophy hunting among animal lovers since it emerged that American dentist Walter Palmer killed Cecil, a rare black-maned lion that was a familiar sight at

Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park.

Delta Air Lines Inc, the only American airline to fly directly between the United States and Johannesburg, will also review policies on accepting other hunting trophies with government agencies and other organizations that support legal shipments, it said.

ing, racketeering and fraud relating to government contracts. But Judge George Mothle said he had waited too long for his trial after a string of postponements, and told him: “You are free to go.”

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)said the move did not constitute an acquittal and the action could be revived at a later date. But political analyst Nic Borain said the outcome was an embarrassment and showed the state’s “general incompetence to assemble a case”.

“If this was a conspiracy to besmirch Malema’s name, it looks like it was carried out very poorly,” Borain said.

Billion-year-old volcano marks revealed

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HE footprint of a billion-year-old collapsed volcano has been revealed in a stunning Nasa image of South Africa’s Pilanesberg National Park. Pilanesberg has the world’s largest alkaline

ring dike complexes - a rare circular feature that emerged from the subterranean plumbing of an ancient volcano.

Seen from space, the concentric rings of hills and valleys make a near perfect circle.

48 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY 5 WEDNESDAY,, AUGUST 5, 201 2015

•Elekwachi on hospital bed before she was operated upon at Safe-Hands hospital, Lagos

Alarming rise of police brutality

Maternal trauma and placenta abruption

•Shocking! 8-month pregnant lady beaten, losses baby

By Charles Kumolu

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TARING vacantly as if in a daze, she beckoned with a wave from her hospital bed. The gesture was directed at Vanguard Features, VF, reporter, who stood a few metres away in the middle of the hospital’s expansive ward.

Her fixed attention soon gave way to consternation when it became obvious that the writer was being denied access to her by the hospital staff because he is a journalist. ‘’Sir, we are sorry you can’t see her. You have to be taken to a senior person who may give you the needed clearance to see her,’’ a staff in the ward told VF. On that note, VF was led out by a female employee, while the patient he had come to see, looked downcast. After consultation with several officers of the hospital, VF was politely informed that he cannot see the

patient. ‘’We understand your interest, but we don’t allow media interview with our patients. You can talk to her when she is discharged. You are free to visit during visiting hours but not to interview her,’’ a senior official of the hospital said. The obviously disappointed patient later called VF on phone and it was then that an appointment was fixed for another day.

A few days later, VF paid a visit to her home in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State. It was not easy for the downcast mother of two, who gave her name as Chika Elekwachi to give an update of her ordeal as she muttered in Igbo language, ‘’ke kwanu ihem ga ako ozo,’’ meaning ‘’what do I say again?’’

At that point, some visitors entered the living room, apparently to sympathise with her. While they commiserated with her in Igbo, they spoke disappointed-

Road to my house in my Infinity QX35 Sports Utility Vehicle with registration number MUS157DG. Park or I fire you: “In the vehicle with me were two friends of mine. On getting to Pako Busstop, a mini-bus with four occupants double-crossed us in a gestapo manner. This made me to suddenly apply the brake. At that point, occupants of the minibus, who were dressed in civil attire, jumped out of the bus. One of the gun-wielding men had a black branded police T-shirt.

I was ordered out of the car by the police who yelled, ‘’Park or I fire you’’. Another one spoke in pidgin English, ‘’Oga na pregnant woman o.’’ In response, the first policeman said: ‘’If na pregnant woman nko, I will kill her if she is not careful.’’

Before I could move, my front doors were flung open and I was pulled out of the vehicle.

All my pleadings that I was eight months pregnant fell on deaf ears, as they continued to beat me. I was dragged on the floor and eventually stripped naked. The incident attracted a sympathetic crowd, whose pleadings were ignored because the men insisted that I would follow them to the station,” she recalled.

Continuing, Mrs Elekwachi said: “While I sat on the floor to cover my nakedness, having been stripped naked, the police men began to drag me; while struggling with them, I fell and hit my stomach on the floor.

ly about the Police. Some of them shared ugly encounters they had in the past with law enforcement agents.

VF later engaged her in a conversation in Igbo language. This is the traumatising and horrible narrative as told by Elekwachi.

“On July 19, 2015 at about 7 pm, I was driving along Old Ojo

All my pleadings that I was eight months pregnant fell on deaf ears, as they continued to beat me. I was dragged on the floor and eventually stripped naked

“The men were not deterred as they carried me to the station where I was dragged out of the vehicle. It was there that I got a phone from a passer-by and called my family to intimate them about my ordeal. It was at this stage that the Divisional Crime Officer, DCO, came out to know what caused the pandemonium outside, because I had lost consciousness.

I was then taken to Safe Hands Medical Centre, where I was diagnosed of maternal trauma and placenta abruption. As a result of that, a caesarean operation was carried out on me to bring out the baby, who died after four days in an incubator at Outreach Medical Centre, Satellite Town”.

Thereafter, the brutalised lady, who was not immediately informed about her baby’s demise, was taken to a government hospital in the area for further medical attention.

It was at this hospital, that VF visited her for the first time.

Police stopped picking my calls According to Elekwachi, her journey to the health facility was facilitated by the Police. She explained that the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of the station was sending police officers on daily basis to inquire about her welfare and also to offset some of

her medical bills. ‘’The Police brought me to the hospital. The DPO was sending people everyday but the visit stopped after a few days. I needed to buy drugs that were prescribed for me but I did not see them. I also needed to scan my stomach and chest but did not do so because the Police stopped coming to the hospital. My calls to them were also ignored. I didn’t see them until I was discharged,’’ she noted. ‘’The policemen who visited me at the hospital were concerned about my condition. One of them even informed me that those who brutalised me were sent to a place where a commercial motorcyclist died in a motor accident. They were sent there to ensure that the truck that killed the motorcyclist was not set ablaze. It was on their way to the scene that they assaulted me,’’ she said.

Orderly room trial Continuing, she said: ‘’Since I was discharged the DPO has not called me. However, my relatives went to the station to collect the death certificate of my baby but it was not given to them. Rather a letter was given to them requesting me to come to their office in Ikeja on August 3, 2015.’’

The letter titled “RE: Orderly Room Trial”, dated July 31, 2015 has 4161/LS/SAT/VOL 3/369, Chika Elekwachi ‘F’ as its reference number. The invitation which emanated from the DPO’s office read: “I refer to the incident of 19/ 7/2015 along Old Ojo Road involving you and three Policemen. You are requested to report on 3/8/2015 at 10:00 am to the Provost, Nigeria Police, State Headquarters Ikeja to give evidence on the matter. Accept my assurances of the Police Commissioner’s highest regards.” The invitation was signed by the DPO, Mr. Felix Ofili, a Superintendent of Police.

The orderly room trial seems to be sequel to the confirmation of the incident by the Lagos State Police Command and its promise to investigate the matter.

It also noted that the three policemen had been arrested, a development that was confirmed by the victim, who told VF that her friends who were with her at the time of the incident acknowledged seeing the offending men in detention.Not minding the concern displayed by the DPO, some of those who got wind of the incident are demanding a proper investigation and prosecution of the suspects according to the laws guiding the force.

One of such people is Elekwachi’s lawyer, Mrs. Franca Okafor of Akin Kajewa and Company.

She has already written a sevenpage petition to the Inspector General of Police and the State Continues on page 49

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY 5 — 49 WEDNESDAY,, AUGUST 5, 201 2015

Alarming rise of police brutality Continues from page 48 Police Commissioner.

Violation of fundamentalist rights: In the letter titled: “Protest Letter and Demand for Damages for Breach of Fundamental Rights

by Members of Nigeria Police Force, the lawyer corroborated Elekwachi’s narrative of what transpired.

The petition read in parts: ‘’It is not in doubt that the fundamental rights of our client had been flagrantly and violently breached by men of the Nigeria Police and our instruction is to demand from you the sum of N2, 500,000 (Two billion five hundred million) for general exemplary and aggravated damages coupled with a public apology”.

It also warned that ‘’unless our demand in paragraph 10 is met within seven days from the date of this letter, we shall have no alternative than to enforce the rights of our client by the due process of law without further reference to you.’’

Also copied were: The Human Rights Commission, Area Commander, Area E Police Command, Festac Town and the Divisional Police Officer, Agboju Police Station, Lagos.

Some non-governmental organisations,NGOs, have also indicated interest in assisting Mrs. Elekwachi to get justice, should the police fail to do the needful.

The Joint Action Against GenderBased Violence, JAGBV, being led

by Mrs. Jemima Abdulkarim is one of them.

Police brutality She told VF that: ‘’Every necessary thing within the ambit of the law would be done to ensure that the lady gets justice. Police brutality in every sense must stop. We are not in this because she is a woman, anyone can be brutalised.’’

VF gathered that Elekwachi’s car and other possessions at the time of the incident are still in the custody of the police at Agboju Police station.

Incident not in isolation: This latest incident in Lagos is one out of many such occurrences in different parts the country. If news reports are anything to go by, Nigerians are on daily basis subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment by gun- wielding policemen who in the process violate the rights of the people as enshrined in Section 34 (1) of the Constitution.

Legacy of repression: Indeed, many families are still telling tales of woe, anguish and sorrow caused by men and women of the Police. That is why many people think the force has now become synonymous with violence, brutality and repression.

Findings indicate that the outcome of such assaults are usually horrific for those who live to tell their stories, while some who die

•Policemen in action in the process add to the list of casualties.

Apart from that, the Amnesty International had for many years, consistently accused the Police of human right violations.

In a report released late last year, the organisation accused the police of routinely torturing women, men and children using a wide range of methods, including beatings, shootings and rape.

In the report titled: Welcome To Hell Fire: Torture And Other IllTreatment In Nigeria, it detailed how people are often detained in large dragnet operations and tortured as punishment, to extort money or to extract confessions as a short-cut to solve cases.

Although the Police have steadily dismissed these allegations, so many Nigerians are not swayed by their denials.

Series of police brutality VF recalls that in March this

If there must be an end to Police brutality, the force should always bring an offending officer to book; that will send a positive message that no police man would get away with any crime

year, a 22-year-old staff of the Protea Hotel in Benin City, Chibuike Edeh, was allegedly tortured by the Police till he gave up the ghost.

The incident resulted in protest by which shut down part of the capital of Edo State capital.

In November 2014, Mr Akhanolu Smart, was allegedly assaulted by a senior Police officer attached to the Ire-Akari Estate Police Station at Isolo, Lagos State, for daring to ‘scratch a policeman’s jeep’ while driving a tricycle commonly called Keke NAPEP.

Social media The victim was reported to have had his brain affected as a result of the attack by the officer.

Another incident that went viral on the social media in 2014, was that of a drunken police man, who was allegedly caught on camera brutalising two women near Union Bank at Lewis Street, Lafiaji, Obalende on the Lagos Island. The officer, identified Tafa Mohammed, got angry after the female food seller allegedly declined selling fish to him.

In May 2015, a trigger-happy Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, simply identified as Mohammed, allegedly shot dead one tricycle driver, Akeem Aranse, in Akowonjo area of Lagos, following a minor accident that led to an argument between the duo.

Mohammed was attached to the Disaster Management Unit of the Department of Operations, under the Lagos State Police Command headquarters, Ikeja. The

circumstances may differ, but the underlying currents are the same: the victims were assaulted by gunwielding men whose duty is to protect their lives.

Laws guiding human rights While the laws regulating the activities of the Force do not in any way encourage assault, VF findings revealed that overzealousness of the men in uniform and systemic root are chiefly responsible for the misconduct.

A retired Police Commissioner, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, told VF that: ‘’Presently there is no discipline in the Force. In our time we had discipline. And officers ensured that there was discipline among officers.’’

Conduct of policemen Explaining how such affected the conduct of policemen in the discharge of their statutory duties, he said: ‘’ Unfortunately the officers who are supposed to instil discipline have become too close to the junior officers at the expense of hierarchical discipline.

Now, you can easily find a senior officer shaking the hands of a junior officer. There is no Police law that encourages such. The Police exist to ensure there is law and order in the society. What we are seeing in form of assault on people is as a result of overzealousness of the policemen in the discharge of their duties. They have become so overzealous to the extent that impunity has become their habit.’’

Indeed, VF checks also found

some existing laws guiding human right violations, some of the laws as found in a report: “Police Brutality and Limitations of the Law”: include Section 46 of the CFRN 1999, the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2008 as well as the Rules of Law of the various High Courts and the Federal High Court and relevant case laws which are applicable and persuasive to the rules.

Absence of faith in orderly room trials Even the Police have laws that discourage human rights abuses, but regrettably, the laws have failed to discourage violations.

In that light, Tsav, who also served as Lagos State Police Commissioner, stated thus: ‘’In the Force there are specified laws on how to arrest a suspect. Such laws did not say that the person should be beaten to ensure that the person is arrested. The law also says that any police man found guilty of an offence like brutalisation of an innocent person should be tried and punished according to his rank.’’

When reminded that Nigerians don’t seem to have faith in orderly room trials, he dropped a bombshell, saying: ‘’When an offending officer is being tried, some senior officers interfere.

Even politicians also interfere with the process thereby frustrating the process of bringing the offending officer to book.

Therefore, if there must be an end to Police brutality, the force should always bring an offending officer to book.

50—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

By Dapo Akinrefon

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HE two groups who project the cultural and sociopolitical interests of the North and the Southwest are this time engaged over the propriety of implementing the report of the National Conference convened in 2014 at the behest of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Though, the conference was greeted with mixed feelings by critics and supporters, the confab eventually held and recommendations were made.

While handing over to President Muhammadu Buhari, the former president expressed confidence that his successor would implement the recommendations of the conference.

But the expectations from those who clamoured for the conference may be dashed following reports that President Buhari may jettison the contents of the report despite the fact that Jonathan handed over the recommendations to him.

However, Afenifere, that has over the years clamoured the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference, will not back down from getting the reports implemented.

The group has been particularly peeved by assertions by the ACF that the report should be consigned to the dustbin.

Confab report against North — ACF The ACF, has particularly fumed that the national conference, and its report were skewed to the disadvantage of the North.

National conference Rising in defence of the North’s position that the report be thrown away, the ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muhamma Ibrahim admitted that the North participated in the conference.

Ibrahim, however, picked holes in the constitution of its membership, which he described as “lopsided and skewed” to favour the South over the North.

He said: “The selection process of delegates by President Jonathan’s government to the confab made the North that has a population of 75,268,686 people (NPC 2006) with a land mass of 730,885 square km (80 %) as a minority with 189 delegates while the South with a population 65,151,458 people (NPC 2006) with a land mass of 193,438 square km (20%) as a majority with 303 delegates.

“Despite this glaring injustice and disadvantage, the North, as a region did not only participate in the overall national interest of Nigeria but also stabilised the conference

•President Muhammadu Buhari receiving the 2014 National Conference reports from former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa in Abuja

CONFAB:

ACF, Afenifere return to the trenches ANOTHER war of words has broken out between the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF and the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere. on crucial issues of national unity. The 2014 Confab was therefore not a platform for constitution making and did not unanimously recommend a new constitution for Nigeria as

That the natural boundaries of the North and the south are Rivers Niger and Benue but the British drew artificial boundaries to favour the North and punish the south for agitating for independence

claimed by Chief Ayo Adebanjo.

“The learned Chief knows better the process of constitution making and certainly the delegates to the 2014 Confab did not qualify for such process, as they were not elected as representatives of the people but selected or nominated by government and interest groups.”

Ibrahim noted that: “The delegates therefore did not have the legitimate mandate of the people to draft or recommend a new constitution for Nigeria and did not even do so.”

The ACF wondered whether it was the fault of the North that Jonathan, who had ample time to implement the recommendation of the confab, failed to do so.

Besides, he maintained that “the 2014 confab, in which ACF fully participated made about 600 far-reaching recommendations on policy issues, legal and constitutional amendments to the 1999

Constitution as amended and submitted the report to the former President on August 21, 2014 and not a new Constitution.”

He continued: “Was it the northern interest that stopped him, being a southerner or a southern interest? The confab report, being a public property, is subject to the usual due process of implementation through the three arms of government and not singularly

by President Buhari as Chief Adebanjo is canvassing.”

Afenifere's salvo The statement did not go down well with the leadership of Afenifere over the way ACF cast aspersion on it.

Firing its own salvo, Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yinka Odumakin, said the organisation would have ignored the statement but for perceived “usual feudal arrogance, outright misinformation, atavistic obfuscation and delusory

myopia were it not that falsehood repeated time and again may start to wear the garb of truth.”

Odumakin expressed amusement “that ACF is still peddling the funny claim of the North being 80 per cent of Nigeria in land mass and with a higher population. We thought these fallacies had been laid to rest in 2014 after the Arewa insensitivity ruffled feathers with offensive propaganda to that effect and some of their delegates taunting their co-conferees from the south with map of Nigeria drawn at the back of their babanriga showing the North as 80 per cent of Nigeria.”

Pooh-poohing the demographic superiority of the North over the South as claimed by the ACF, the Afenifere spokesman said: “The figures of all the censuses held in Nigeria till date have not been credible due to hegemonic interferences with what should have just been an exercise to provide scientific data to aid planning and development.

“That the natural boundaries of the North and the South are Rivers Niger and Benue but the British drew artificial boundaries to favour the North and punish the South for agitating for independence.

And having cornered that advantage of bigger landmass, why using it to harvest revenue from the central purse instead

Continues from page 51

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015—51

Why we broke Senate rule for Akpabio — SEN BWACHA Akpabio was helped by the rule which stipulates that you make do with any available senator where there is no ranking senator from an area an office is zoned to

•Bwacha: Senator

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By Joseph Erunke

HE news of the election of Senator Godswill Akpabio as Senate Minority Leader was one that shocked many. His election for the high profile position was largely unexpected given the Senate ranking rule which places ranking senators ahead of fresh senators.

In the case of the minority leader position zoned to the South-South, there was apparently an abundance of returning senators with Senator James Manager, a fourth term senator and Senator George Sekibo, a third term senator.

Given the reported wealth of the former Akwa Ibom governor, it was thus not surprising that insinuations were made that senators surrendered the sovereignty of their rule to money.

It was against this background that Senator Emmanuel Bwacha in an interview debunked such assertions and gave a different account of how Akpabio strolled over to take the position of the leader of the PDP caucus in the Senate.

Bwacha, himself was elected by the PDP Northern caucus or what is left of it, as the deputy minority leader.

Bwacha a two term senator and former two term member of the House of Representatives now representing Taraba South revealed that the emergence of Rep. Leo Ogor as the Minority Leader in the House of Representatives worked against the chances of Senator Manager, as the two of them are from the same senatorial zone.

Speaking to Vanguard, in

Abuja, Senator Bwacha said Akpabio was helped by the rule which stipulates that “you make do with any available senator where there is no ranking senator from an area an office is zoned to.”

Senator Bwacha particularly faulted Senator Kabiru Marafa, APC Zamfara South over his objection expressed on the floor against Akpabio’s emergence, saying he and his party had no business with what he called the “internal business of the PDP.” He said: “Marafa actually has no reason whatsoever to raise issue on the matters of the PDP, it is simply a PDP affair. So, Marafa first ought to have acquainted himself with the factors that led to the emergence of Akpabio, it is not as if it was deliberate in any way. There were certain dynamics which led to his emergence.

“Indeed, it is good to observe the ranking in the Senate and it is also understandably clear that where we don’t have somebody from an area where an office is zoned to and if there is an available senator, you make do with that.”

CONFAB: ACF, Afenifere return to the trenches Continues from page 50 of cultivating it. Is land no longer an asset to our Arewa compatriots?”

“Even if the higher population claim were true, why would a man say his neighbours should not send their children to the best schools because they have to cater for his own children who are more than theirs?”, he wondered.

Dismissing the claim of lopsidedness of representation at the conference, Odumakin maintained that contrary to

ACF’s stance, each zone of the federation was well represented.

He said: “we are bewildered how some people can continue to tell such untruth about a recent event. Each state of the federation was asked to nominate three delegates to the conference while the nationality organizations in each of the six geo-political zones were asked to nominate 15 delegates each.

The other categories of delegates were either professional groups, civil societies, who were also asked to reflect the geo-political zones.

“The view about the lack of capacity of the conference’s decisions to be the basis of a new constitution is laughable when it emanates from those who know that the 1999 constitution is a document written by one unelected professor for Abacha’s self-succession and yet they are defending it because of the non sustainable advantages they think it confers. Arewa is free to do as it pleases with the decisions of the confab but the immutable laws of social engineering do not bow to any hegemony in the long run”, he stated.

•Akpabio: Senate Minority Leader He added: “The South South was expected to produce the Minority Leader. Actually, some of our brothers from the North felt that the position ought to have come to us, given that there is still strong presence of the PDP in the zone but we sat as a caucus and agreed on the zoning by the party, because to us in the PDP,

the party is supreme, the party still stands tall.

“The party had to come in to say that Cross River and Akwa Ibom produce the Minority Leader.

“This was so, given that there was this school of thought that the Delta/ Edo axis is having the Minority Leader in the House of Representatives already, and so, cannot be given the position in the Senate.” That he explained scuttled the chances of Senator Manager.

Senators Bwacha further disclosed that the one month recess slammed by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, helped in no small measure to address the leadership crisis in the upper legislative chamber.

“What happened that led to a successful sitting on the day of resumed plenary, was all about politics. You have to reach out to A, you reach out to B, and if they are in tune with what is happening, then you have nothing to worry about. It is where there is exclusiveness that you begin to have crisis all over the place and probably the period of adjournment had settle a lot of issues. Without doubt, the adjournment helped a lot in settling the leadership crisis in the Senate.

Why Nigerians 'll beg Buhari for 2nd term — Adegbenro BUSINESSMAN cum social commentator, Adejare Adegbero in this interview reviews the first days and actions of President Muhammadu Buhari and affirms that his impact would make a lasting impact on the citizenry.

Excerpts: system in Nigeria is not

By Emmanuel Aziken working? What works in Nigeria? Why don’t you think OW can you assess of the filth, mismanagement and President Muhammadu corruption and those who steal?

Buhari’s two months in office?

It even goes beyond that. So, The government being led by we need to have a reorientation President Muhammadadu Buhari has done remarkably in everything.

But he was given a handover well, given the short time of its note before his assumption of existence in office. And the reason I am saying this is very office…

Yes, I know people will be quick simple but rather complex. to say Buhari was given a hand People need to understand what is called governance. When you over note before his inauguration by the previous government so have a government that means he should hit the ground to work for the electorate, the first thing you need to do is to be running. When was it given and what was he given? realistic and to be objective. By Now, another reason I said he so doing, you need to understand has done remarkably well is that the magnitude of the problem that we have countries that are not is on the ground, diagnose it and then you start to apply treatment faithful towards our government.

The government like the United to it. I will give you an example.

States of America is not friendly It is very easy for people to tag Buhari “Baba Go Slow”. It is very to us, if it were, there would have been so much assistance of strange and abusive. You are collaborations that could have talking about going into the treatment without knowing the solved a lot of our national

H

root causes of the ailment. Who do you need to tell you that the

Continues from page 52

52—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

EDO 2016:

Anenih, Orbih can't impose any candidate on PDP — UGBOME •Says those calling for Orbih’s removal are bad losers THE call by some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State for the dissolution of the Chief Dan Orbih-led state executive of the party has drawn the reaction of the party’s erstwhile State Vice-Chairman and Senatorial candidate, Mr Paschal Ugbome in the last elections in Edo North. Excerpts:

By Simon Ebegbulem

D

O you support the call for Chief Orbih’s sack for purportedly failing to turn the state over to the PDP? First and foremost, I want to say that what we see as a crack in PDP in Edo State is a storm in a tea cup. It shows that PDP as an organic institution is alive, well and kicking otherwise you will not hear anything about the party. The allegation that the leadership led by Dan Orbih is not winning elections is not correct.

I want to say that the leadership of the party under Orbih has been very wonderful in discharging its responsibility as an opposition party.

And progressively, Chief Orbih and members of his leadership have been able to market PDP to Edo people and that is why you will not be surprised that we have about four to five very distinguished Edo citizens making frantic efforts to pick the ticket of the party in the next governorship election.

Governorship election These are very serious human beings, tested and trusted. I am sure if the party was a joke they would not have been spending their money to aspire to lead Edo State on its platform.

If you look at the performance of the party in the last elections, we won the presidential election here, even we did better than states where serving governors had PDP governors.

But here, in a very hostile political climate, doing battle with a dogged governor who is a fighter we were able to clinch two senatorial seats and five House of Representatives seats under the leadership of Orbih and you say we are not winning elections?

These gentlemen that are making noise, calling for the removal of Orbih could not even deliver their units during the elections. Johnson Abulagba for instance who is leading the opposition could not deliver his unit, his ward

or his constituency. Are you going to blame Orbih for that?

This is Orbih who has always delivered his unit and ward even in an election conducted by the APC government in Edo State. In the chairmanship election, he was able to return a councillor.

My advice to people like Abulagba is that he should make peace with his party.

Yes we have congresses around the corner and naturally whenever such events come up people want to have opportunity to market themselves and clamour for change, but you don’t change a winning team when we have an epic battle ahead of us next year.

Allegation that Chief Anenih is always imposing leaders in Edo North?

Again it is very interesting because it is a comical allegation. The person making this allegation like Abulagba when did he stop being a member of the state exco? Not too long ago he was the state Deputy Vice Chairman Edo

North, that means he was handpicked by Chief Anenih.

Not too long ago he was the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP that means he was handpicked by Chief Anenih.

These allegations insult the integrity of the credible leadership we have in Edo North.

How optimistic are you that the PDP will win the 2016 governorship election following the developmental strides of the Oshiomhole administration in the state?

The PDP stands a very good

The PDP stands a very good chance in reclaiming the nation and Edo State come 2016.

Our people are clamouring for change in Edo State and we are positioning ourselves to give them the change that our people desire in Edo State

•Ugbome: PDP stands a chance of reclaiming Edo chance to reclaim the nation and Edo State come 2016. Our people are clamouring for change in Edo State and we are positioning ourselves to give them the change that our people desire in Edo State and by the grace of God we hope to be able to present a candidate that will be able to meet the yearnings and aspirations of our people.

But Orbih is being accused of being a stooge of Chief Anenih as a result the PDP guber primaries may be influenced in favour of Chief Anenih’s candidate?

Much more than any other person today in PDP, Chief Anenih is determined to see PDP back in Edo State Government House. To that extent, it means that every genuine PDP member today in

Edo State is fired up to ensure that we do all that is necessary to ensure that we win the governorship election and that includes having rancour free primaries.

We have enjoyed very transparent primaries since Orbih came in, but let me tell you that as a party, we are conscious of the challenges that face us, we are determined as a party to ensure that the primaries of the party will be rancour free.

To that extent last week, the party set up a committee to zone the governorship, that has been done and in the next few days the committee will make its report public. Chief Anenih was not a member of that committee and has no business with the committee.

Why Nigerians 'll beg Buhari for 2nd term — Adegbenro Continues from page 51

problems. But what happens?

Today, they are going to sell this to us, tomorrow they are no more selling to us.

Yet, with this cat and mouse posture, we still maintain diplomatic relationship with them. Then, what can we do?

Is that the reason he is slow in taking actions?

When they say this man is slow, they fail to appreciate the fact that he needs to understand the problem that is on the ground before acting. In the handover note, what they will tell you, and what he will find in the office after the swearing in at the Eagles Square will be a different ball game entirely.

The information he never had before the inauguration, now he has it. The reality is now dawn on him. He needs to articulate

it. And people complain that he has not constituted his cabinet without checking how much he has saved for the country in the process. Besides, if Mr. President, who we all agree is Mr. Clean and incorruptible, he will need equally clean lieutenants that will compliment his effort at moving the country forward on a clean slate. Do people know that those they are touting to be fit for some positions are not as clean as they think?

•Adegbenro: My concern is for Nigeria to work

Can we attribute his advent age to his slowness?

I do not care about his age. My concern is for Nigeria to work.

If the President of Nigeria is to work from the intensive care unit of a hospital, God forbids, and he would give direction on how the country would work, so

be it. I need political maturity, sincerity of purpose and dedication, which, I am convinced, this gentle man Buhari possesses. I am a Nigerian. I don’t want to be described as either a Yoruba, Ibo Hausa or Itsekiri. I am a Nigerian and I need somebody

who feels for Nigeria. And let me tell you one thing, when I see Buhari, I see somebody who feels for Nigeria and who is ready to make the system work in the country. I now understand that Buhari is a man of very few words but great actions.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5 2015 — 53

AAG: Igali promises to deliver 6 gold medals T

HE President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Daniel Igali on Tuesday boasted that wrestlers will win not less than six gold medals at the upcoming 11th All Africa Games (AAG).

The Games are scheduled to hold from Sept. 4 to Sept.

19 in Congo, Brazzaville.

Igali, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, that the Wrestlers would reproduce their performance at the Algiers 2007 Games.

“In Algeria we won six, gold and 4 bronze medals, we want to make it happen again, the team is working very hard to achieve this target.

“They have been in camp for the past four weeks in preparation for the event; we will come out victorious”.

The president said the federation had picked 21 wrestlers that would represent the country at the Games.

“The essence of the justconcluded 3-day trials was

to select wrestlers that will represent us convincingly at the AAG. “We did random selections fromthethreecategories:five Grecco-Roman, eight freestyle and eight female wrestlers. I implore them be a good ambassadors of the country and I am very sure that they will make us proud,” he stressed.

Igali also expressed optimism that the team would win at least a medal in 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Ayaya joins Abia Warriors T

Ebikweminomo Welson of Nigeria in the 57kg Freestyle Wrestling Gold medal match at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

HE first player to command a million Naira transfer fee in the Nigeria league Emeka Nwanna aka ‘Ayaya’ has joined Abia Warriors on loan till the end of the season.

The striker made history in 2001, when Enyimba splashed a then record fee of a

OAUTHC set to hosts NISONMC

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE, Osogbo.

A

BOUT 500 sports men and women are expected to fight for different laurels as the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex

OAUTHC, Ile-Ife host the 5th edition of Nigeria Schools Of Nursing and Midwifery Games [NISONMG] The four day events which is expected to kick off on 4th August will be declared closed on 7th August at the

Oliseh Continues from BP country are on-going.

Oliseh, officially presented on July 15, has assured that he is already working assiduously towards raising a solid squad to pick up three vital points from East Africa in fourand-half weeks’ time.

“The match in Dar es Salaam is very, very crucial, not only because it will be my first match as Head Coach, but also because we have no choice than to win. The three points are important for us to keep up the tempo in our group.

“We are on the same three points with Egypt, though they have scored a goal more. That is why we cannot afford any slip along the way. We will deal first with the C M Y K

match in Tanzania, and then we will start thinking about the CHAN qualifiers with Burkina Faso in October, and then the World Cup qualifying fixture in November.

There is a lot of work.

After these matches, we will now start working towards the two AFCON qualifying matches we have with the Pharaohs in March next year.”

Oliseh, in company with NFF President Amaju Pinnick, will also be involved in a number of sessions with some corporate groups interested in partnering with Nigeria football.

The Super Eagles play Tanzania at the National Stadium, Dar es Salaam on Saturday, 5 th September, with an international friendly to fulfil a few days later.

sports Complex of OAU. Briefing newsmen ahead of the competition, the Chief Medical Director CMD of the hosting college Professor Victor Adebayo said this was the second time the competition will be hosted in the SouthWest zone.

He disclosed that the various schools contingents will participate in seven sporting eventts such as athletics (track and field), football, table tennis, volleyball, and badminton among others.

He said the event would be an opportunity to bring to the lime-

light hidden talents from the grassroot levels that can be developed to national and international standards.

According to him, the competition which would be organized in collaboration with the South-West Zone of the National Sports Commission NSC will gulp between N45million.

million Naira to sign him from Rangers.

‘Ayaya’ told Abia Warriors’ website that he decided to pitch his tent with the Umuahia outfit to contribute his quota towards the realization of the club’s aspirations.

The former Calabar Rovers, Heartland of Owerri and Kwara Utd hitman, said Abia Warriors are professionally run and now hopes to help the club pick a continental ticket at the end of the season.

“I love Umuahia because I started my career here with then NEPA Football Club of Umuahia when I was still in the secondary school and I had hoped to return here one day and when the

opportunity came, I never hesitated to seize it with both hands”, said Nwanna, who has also played for clubs in Tunisia and Qatar.

Akiga launches football Academy in Makurdi Benue State courtesy of Samuel Ortom who was

A

new vista has been opened in the area of football academies in Nigeria with the formal launch of the Felix Akiga Football Academy in Makurdi,

former Nigerian basketball international, Chief Felix Akiga.

At an impressive ceremony held in Makurdi, the Benue State capital over the weekend, the Benue State governor

Hints on players Continues from BP “We will spread our dragnet far and wide, and any player who is in great form and we believe can add value to the Super Eagles will be invited to fight for shirt to represent Nigeria,” Oliseh said.

Werder Bremen new man Anthony Ujah notched 10 goals during

•Ayaya

pre - season, four more than Odion Ighalo.

On the other hand, Nosa Igiebor has netted three times in official games for the Israeli champions while Moses has been impressive for Chelsea so much so that all talk of him leaving Stamford Bridge this summer is now an illusion.

•Akiga

represented by his deputy, Engr. Benson Abounu commended the initiative of the Academy as pioneered by Akiga noting that what it means is that Benue State will remain the home of top football stars.

“This is a good initiative that is in line with our campaign promises of creating a conducive environment for our youths and getting them off the streets. Education and sports is the key to having an excellent and vibrant youth that can hold their own anywhere in the world. It is in line with our electoral promises that we’re identifying with this dream.''

54 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015 — 55

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015

We must beat Tanzania, Oliseh vows • As he hits camp next week S

UPER Eagles’ Head Coach, Sunday Oliseh, will return to the country next week, as preparations hit top gear for next month’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying

match against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam.

The former Super Eagles’ captain is presently in the United Kingdom with his assistant, Jean Francois Loscuito, having a number of meetings with

senior Nigerian internationals in that

Continues on Page 53

Iniesta voted Barcelona’s captain Pg.29 —

...Hints on players to be invited S

UPER Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh has dropped a strong hint that he plans to hand call - ups to Nigerian players based overseas who are doing well for their clubs for the Afcon qualifier against Tanzania.

Therefore, it is assumed

that the likes of Anthony Ujah (Werder Bremen), Leon Balogun (Mainz), Odion Ighalo (Watford) Nosa Igiebor (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Brown Ideye (West Brom) and Victor Moses (Chelsea) will be named to the roster when it is announced.

Continues on Page 53

AAG: Igali promises 6 gold medals — Pg.53

•Moses: Getting set for Tanzania

•Iniesta

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 2 Feeling (5) 7 Demon (5) 8 Of towns (5) 10 Jacket (5) 12 Consume (3) 13 Pointed (5) 15 Gave (7) 17 Led (6) 19 Married (3) 20 Erased (7) 23 Greedy (4) 25 Cupola (4) 26 Coaxed (7) 30 Intelligence (3) 31 Proper (6) 34 Spanned (7) 37 Cash (5) 38 Each (3) 39 Sag (5) 40 Enquired (5) 41 Principle (5) 42 Rate (5)

DOWN 1 Contradict (5) 2 Located (5) 3 Evaded (6) 4 Spoke (4) 5 Feared (7) 6 Subsequently (5) 9 Club (3) 11 Cringed (7) 13 Onwards (5) 14 Sorcery (5) 16 Entrap (3) 18 Dedicated (7) 21 Twelve (5) 22 God (5) 24 Loitered (7) 27 Dance (3) 28 Relegate (6) 29 Accident (5) 32 Managed (5) 33 Not ever (5) 35 Kind (3) 36 Ooze (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Close 5, Clever 8, Enrol 10, Parade 11, Arid 14, Nature 15, Haleyon 18, Pep 19, Van 21, Deft 23, Revel 24, Poor 27, Rag 29, Pet 31, Layette 32, Dealer 34, Lane 35, Eluded 38, Alder 39, Defend 40, Deity.

DOWN: 2, Lea 3, Search 4, End 5, Clan 6, Exited 7, Repeat 9, Recover 12, Rap 13, Dupe 16, Alto 17, Naval 20, Negated 22, Flat 24, Padded 25, Opal 26, Relate 28, Secure 30, Ten 33, Read 36, Led 37, Eft.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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