Boko Haram renames occupied Mubi town

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62268

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

TAMBUWAL: PDP Fuel tanker explosion House leaders buckle kills 20 in Kwara >>6 >>8

Boko Haram renames occupied Mubi town

By Umar Yusuf

•Says Mubi now to be called Madinatul Islam •Warns against holding elections, vows to capture entire state •Insurgents on rampage in Gombe, attack police station

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OLA— FEW hours after the Federal Government gave the military marching orders to flush out Boko Haram insurgents from Mubi, the commercial nerve Continues on Page 5

COLUMNISTS:

On the edge

•P.17

Performing poverty, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari styles •P.19

Transportation in Lagos State 2015-2019 •P.24

Mr & Mrs NDA-ISAIAH DECLARES FOR PRESIDENCY—FROM LEFT: APC Presidential aspirant, Sam Nda-Isaiah; Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar during the formal declaration of NdaIsaiah in Minna, Niger State, yesterday.

SYNAGOGUE: Court declines to stop coroner's >>10 inquest C M Y K

2015 budget in danger as crude drops to >>9 $82

Anxiety mounts in See Enugu over non pull-out prosecution of inside 12 pro-Biafra members

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

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POCKET CARTOON

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF STATE—From left: Former President Shehu Shagari, former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon; Senate President, David Mark; Justice Minister, Mohammed Bello and President Goodluck Jonathan during the opening of the National Council of State meeting at Aso Chambers, State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Boko Haram renames occupied Mubi town Continues from Page 1 centre and second largest town in Adamawa State, the terrorists, yesterday, defiantly renamed the town ‘Madinatul Islam’, which means the city of Islam.

Four local governments of Michika, Madagali, Mubi North and Mubi South of Adamawa State are now in the firm grip of the insurgents, throwing up thousands of internally displaced persons.

Trapped residents of the town who spoke on telephone confirmed that the insurgents firmly in control have renamed the town and have also set up check-points in strategic locations. The terrorists were also said

to have urged all the residents who fled to return as they would be more secure in the areas controlled by Boko Haram than in Nigerian territories.

A trapped resident, Aliyu Bala, who spoke on telephone said: “They (insurgents) mounted check-points in strategic locations, brandishing rifles but asking us not to panic or run away. But despite assurances of safety and security, thousands of the trapped residents have been sneaking out as they said they would not risk staying in the town for fear of the unknown.”

A resident of Uba town, Mallam Salisu Baba, however, said normal ac-

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

“Learn to love yourself first, instead of loving the idea of other people loving you.”

H

APPINESS is not determined by what’s hap pening around you, but rather what’s happening inside you. Most people depend on others to gain happiness, but the truth is, it always comes from within. Imagine all the people in your world are completely enlightened and aware of what they’re doing to you, and they’re doing it only to teach you something valuable.

Your task is to figure out what. Life is a teacher and in reality a true teacher won’t simply tell you what he thinks you should know. He’s too wise to say, “Always be patient,” and expect that it will make you a patient person. Instead, he’ll create a lesson that challenges you. He will push a button of yours, and see if you know what to do.

If you knew you were being tested on purpose, what would you do? When your friend was supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago and is nowhere to be seen, what is he trying to teach you? To be patient? To avoid assumptions? Unconditional love.

tivities have started picking up in the captured territories as Boko Haram enjoined residents to go about their normal activities while asking them to open their shops for business.

He said: “The insurgents have also warned politicians not to try to hold any election in the state as they vowed to frustrate any of such actions and restated their resolve to capture the whole state in no distant time.”

Baba said the insurgents have assured them of security and freedom.

He added that unlike other parts of the state where curfew was im-

posed and people were prevented from riding motorcycles, the insurgents have assured residents of free movement any time of the day and asked them to ride their motorcycles and go about their normal activities.

According to him: “The insurgents have assured people of freedom and have been telling shop owners to open their shops, threatening that anyone who fails to open his shop will have the shop broken. Whenever the insurgents want any commodity, they pay for it. This encouraged meat sellers, tea sellers and others to open for business.

“They provided security during the market day of Uba town last Thursday while promising to continue to give market owners and residents who come to the area utmost security as long as they comply with Islamic rules. They have opened one of the filling stations belonging to A.A Garba in Uba town as motorists trooped to buy the commodity due to high demand,” Baba said.

Yola-based legal practitioner, Sunday Joshua Wugirawho, who went to Maiha town to pick up his aged parents who fled to the town when Mubi was captured, said despite the assurance by the insurgents, several trapped residents were still fleeing, including soldiers.

“I was in Maiha few hours ago. The pathetic plight of the people I saw was simply beyond imagination. We were in a commercial bus when some fleeing soldiers said we must adjust for them to get space in the bus, and we had no choice than to oblige. It’s unfortunate that even soldiers joined civilians to run away,” he said.

Boko Haram on rampage in Gombe, attacks police station Meanwhile, gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents, yesterday, launched an attack on the police station in Nafada Local Government Area of Gombe State. The gunmen also took over the premises of a strategic cement manufacturing company in Gombe State, shortly after killing five people including a Sheikh in a neighbouring town.

According to workers at Ashaka Cement factory, the heavily armed militants came in convoys of

pick-up vans and started shooting indiscriminately at workers after the security guards at the company fled into the bush.

Police officers attached to the Nafada station were said to have been overpowered as some of the officers reportedly fled on sighting the insurgents who had superior fire power.

Arms and ammunition were believed to have been looted from the station.

Spokesperson of the Command, Fwaje Atajiri, confirmed there were reports of attacks in Nafada, and that reinforcement had been sent there. He however said details of the incident were still sketchy.

30 killed, 89 injured in Yobe bomb attack — hospital In a related development, Executive Secretary of Yobe Hospitals Management Board, Dr Mamman Mohammed, has confirmed that 30 persons died while 89 others were injured in last Monday bomb attack in Potiskum, Yobe State.

He told Governor Ibrahim Gaidam, who paid a visit to the victims at the Potiskum General Hospital that some of the victims with severe injuries have been referred to tertiary health institutions in Azare and Nguru.

Gaidam directed that free treatment be given to the victims, saying “the government will bear all the medical bills of the victims, including those referred to other hospitals outside the state.”

He also condoled with the Shi’ite group on the death of their members.

Members of the group were presumably attacked by a suicide bomber while on a procession.

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

I wasn't arrested

by ICPC, says Ifeoma Nwobodo F

ORMER Enugu Chief of Staff, Government House Enugu State Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo, yesterday, said that she was not arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission, ICPC, or any other security agency contrary to news reports.

“I was not arrested by ICPC or any other security agency. I was surprised with the publication of such news,” Nwobodo said on the telephone.

Agbakoba sues FG over religious discrimination

By Bartholomew Madukwe

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ORMER President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has dragged the Federal Government before a Federal High Court in Lagos, challenging the discriminatory position of the Marriage Act and Matrimonial Causes Act to his Christian beliefs.

In the suit, Agbakoba also joined the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and National Assembly as 1st and 2nd respondents.

He is contending alleged restriction and interference with his rights to religious freedom and freedom from religious discrimination by the state through the Marriage Act and Matrimonial Causes Act contrary to Sections 38 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution.

He said as a Christian, he was entitled to conduct his marriage in accordance with Cannon law, but that the state, through the Marriage Act and Matrimonial Causes Act, compelled him to conduct a secular marriage, contrary to his faith.

The matter is before Justice J. C. Aneke and had been fixed for November 10 for report of service on the respondents.

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Five burnt to death in Lagos road accident

By Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS—FIVE persons reportedly died in an inferno that engulfed three trucks and a Honda car at Alhaji Ede Bus Stop along IsheriIgando Road near General Hospital, in Lagos, Monday night, at about 10p.m.

The driver of the Honda car, with number plate BDG638BP, identified as Adebayo Ahmed, is among the five persons that lost their lives, while two others, identified as Eferhobo Lucky, aged 57, and Ogbodo Sunday, 29, were injured.

The two survivors, who were initially rushed to Igando General Hospital, have been transferred to Gbagada General Hospital.

Vanguard learned that the fire started when the truck, with number plate EPE 896 XK, reportedly carrying an inflammable substance, hit a stationary truck parked by the roadside.

An explosion resulted in the fire.

It was gathered that the other two trucks, owned by a beer distribution company, were parked along the roadside when the accident occurred.

One of the trucks. INSET: The Honda car whose owner died. PHOTOS: Bunmi Azeez.

Policemen from Igando Division, led by CSP Ben Osuji, were at the scene yesterday.

Eyewitness account

According to an eyewitness, Mr. Shola Kopoloye, a car dealer, “the entire thing happened at about 10 in the night. The smaller truck that caused this whole incident was coming from Igando.

“From what we heard, the

truck was involved in an earlier accident. It was in the process of escaping that it ran into one of the trucks parked by the roadside. Immediately he hit the truck from behind, there was explosion and he lost control.

“While trying to manoeuvre, he ended up here. Everywhere was in flames. The electric poles, shops and transformer at the other side of the road were all affected.”

Fuel tanker explosion kills 20 in Kwara

By Demola Akinyemi

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LORIN—NO fewer than 20 people were feared dead in an inferno, when a fuel-laden truck fell at Bode-Saadu, headquarters of Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State on Monday night.

Several other persons sustained various degrees of injuries in the fire that also killed cows and destroyed houses, shops among other valuables.

It was gathered that the accident occurred at about 9.30p.m., as the truck fell while attempting to negotiate a bad portion of the road. It burst into flame and its content spilled and spread to nearby houses and shops.

... only 4 died, says FRSC

Although the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Mary Wakawa, told journalists that only four people died in the accident and four others sustained serious injuries, residents of the area told Vanguard that the figure was much higher.

Spokesman of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, UITH, Oba Hassan Kadiri, said four of those brought to the hospital suffered about 85

degree burns and were already being transferred to different clinics after initial treatment at the Accident and Emergency

Unit of the hospital.

The remains of victims were being brought to UITH mortuary at press time.

Lovers found dead 2 weeks before wedding

By Perez Brisibe

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GHELLI—THE decomposing remains of two lovers, simply identified as Udogi Eguke and Ese, were found on Sunday, days after they died in mysterious circumstances in their Makolomi Street apartment of Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The house owner, Chief Alfred Onavwa, who shares the top floor of the one-storey building with one of the deceased, confirmed the incident.

He said having been contacted on the absence of one of the deceased by neighbours, he called his line only to realize that his mobile phone was ringing upstairs.

He explained further: “On getting close to the door of the private stairway leading to their apartment, I noticed that it was locked from inside, with a stench oozing out.

“On realizing this, I

personally invited the police who came and broke the door only to discover their decomposing bodies.

“Their remains were later deposited in the mortuary and I was made to understand that investigation into the matter was ongoing.

“Even the Ughelli Divisional Police Officer was here to see things for himself.”

Meanwhile, findings revealed that the couple, whose wedding was slated for November 22, had started preparation, with invitation cards already sent out to intending guests.

When contacted for comments, Ughelli Divisional Police Officer, Samuel Musa, neither debunked nor confirmed the incident.

He directed all comments on the matter to the state Police Public Relation Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Celestina Kalu.

However, at press time, calls and messages to her phone were yet to be replied.

Fulani herdsmen kill 1, kidnap 5 in Delta

By Emma Amaize

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SABA—SUSPECTED Fulani herdsmen have shot dead a villager and abducted five persons at Umuachi-Afor in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State.

A community leader gave the name of the dead as Ossai Oluem, aged 18.

Those kidnapped were Florence Onwuka, 42; Chukwudi Onwuka, 15; Ugochukwu Onwuka, 13; Innocent Ndego, 20; and Nwabuaku Beninchukwu, 24.

Vanguard was told that the invaders also stole money.

Police spokesman, ASP Roland Preston, in a statement, confirmed the incidents, but said they were later released.

It was gathered that the herdsmen invaded the community, November 2, over alleged seizure of arms from one of them by a member of the community, identified as Frank Odili.

Preston said: “On receipt of the report, police detectives visited the scene of crime and removed the corpse of the deceased to Saint Luke Mortuary, Kwale, for autopsy.

“Preliminary inquiry indicates that the attack was sparked off by alleged seizure of a firearm from a cattle herdsman by one Frank Odili from UmuachiAfor community, and his refusal to return it sparked off the revenge mission.”

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8— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

OBJ visits IBB, reconciles with Atiku

TAMBUWAL: PDP House leaders buckle zSpeaker won't preside when House reconvenes — OGOR zI fought against one-month adjournment — AKANDE-ADEOLA

By Emman Ovuakporie &

Levinus Nwabughiogu

By Wole Mosadomi

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I N N A — FORMER President, Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday paid a surprise visit on former Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, who just returned from a medical treatment in Germany after two months.

Obasanjo was in Minna to visit the recuperating Babangida, while Atiku, who had visited the former military President was in the town to attend the Presidential declaration of Sam Nda-Isaiah of All Progressives Congress, APC. Obasanjo, however, met with his estranged Vice, Atiku Abubakar, at Minna International Airport, where the two leaders buried their differences and hugged each other.

Obasanjo, who arrived in a plane with registration number G DOUR, along with Senator Andy Uba, Chief Ayo Fasawe and an unidentified lady at about 4:30pm, was about to be conveyed to IBB’s house when his attention was drawn to the presence of Atiku at the airport.

The former Vice President, who was already seated awaiting clearance for his flight, had to stop the pilot, alighted and headed straight for the waiting car to ferry Obasanjo out of the airport, where the two leaders hugged each other.

A black BMW car with registration number ABJ 01 RJ, then took Obasanjo to the uphill residence of Babangida in company of Mohammed Babangida, son of the former Military President.

At IBB's residence, journalists were barred from entering but a source within told our correspondent that Obasanjo only came on a solidarity visit to IBB. The two leaders met only for about 30 minutes before Obasanjo left for the airport.

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BUJA—PRESSURES on the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP leadership in the House of Representatives to move against Speaker Aminu Tambuwal began to manifest yesterday after a key PDP leader affirmed that the speaker would not preside whenever the House reconvenes.

The assertion made by one of Speaker Tambuwal’s closest allies, Mr. Leo Ogor, the deputy leader of the House came as the House leader, Mrs. Mulikat Akande-Adeola narrated to journalists how she vainly fought to stop the one month adjournment of the House.

According to the House leader, her efforts to stop the long adjournment were overwhelmed by other members of the House leadership who met a day before Speaker Tambuwal’s defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC. Mr. Ogor, one of the most influential members in the House leadership, well known for his closeness to the speaker seemed to buckle to pressures yesterday when he told journalists that Tambuwal would not preside whenever the House resumes on the claim that he, Tambuwal could not be judge in his own case.

Ogor also rebuffed insinuations by the APC caucus that only the speaker can reconvene the House.

Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, the APC House leader had told journalists on Monday, that based on the rules that only Tambuwal could reconvene the House from break.

Puncturing that claim yesterday, Ogor said the House could reconvene at any time “If there is serious need to do so provided leaders of political parties in the House agree on the matter,” adding Tambuwal, cannot preside over his case as contained in Section 32 of the 1999 Constitution.

He said should the House decide to reconvene at the moment based on Tambuwal’s decampment, that the deputy speaker, Chief Emeka Ihedioha would be the one to preside over proceedings, so that the Speaker would not influence the outcome.

Ogor stressed further “This is purely a reaction to APC leadership press conference yesterday (Monday). One of our rules refers to political parties, but not necessarily all parties.

So, we have other political parties in the House. We need

a quorum to meet. But if the leaders of the political parties wish, they can reconvene the House.”

He, however, rebuffed insinuations of any plan to reconvene the House affirming that his claim was only meant to clarify the assertions by the APC leader.

Meanwhile, Mrs. AkandeAdeola on her part yesterday gave insights into how the decision was made to adjourn House proceedings for more than one month after last Tuesday ’s session. She said the decision was taken at principal officers’ weekly meeting held in the guest house of the deputy speaker.

According to her, her suggestions that a one month adjournment was too long was rebuffed by the other eight

principal officers that were present at the meeting. She affirmed that contrary to suggestions that she was in the know of the speaker’s plot to defect, she said she was totally unaware of it.

She said the “long break” was to allow members settle issues in the constituencies and also carry out oversight before budget presentation, adding that Tambuwal’s defection took them unawares.

“The leadership met the day before at a meeting in the Deputy Speaker ’s guest house. The meeting was set for 5pm. I was there at ten past five and I met only two members of the leadership. I waited till 6pm. No other person showed up. And I left and went back to my house.

“At about 6:30.pm, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker were

calling me simultaneously to please come back and attend the meeting. That was after several calls. I picked the Speaker’s call,” she said, adding that Tambuwal had sent a ‘Jeep’ to pick her, but she later used her ‘Honda’ car back to the meeting venue.

She said the leadership had asked her to liaise with the Senate Leader to find out when the Senate would adjourn and reconvene, but that based on her interaction, the Senate would adjourn for only a week, to return November 4.

“Everybody raised different issues why we cannot go for only one week especially members who have problems in their constituency, because of their tickets, and cannot be at two places at the same time.

BRIEFING: Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (4th left) joined by Senators from the North East from the left, Aisha Alhassan (Taraba), Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe); Danjuma Goje (Gombe); Bindar Jibrilla (Adamawa) and Ahmed Zannah (Borno) during a World Press Conference on the humanitarian situation following Boko Haram activities in the region at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida.

Banks’ total assets hit N30trn in September, says NDIC

By Yinka Kolawole

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AGOS—TOTAL assets of Nigerian banks topped up N30 trillion as at September 2014,from N28.76 trillion recorded at the same time in 2013. Non-performing loans also rose to N398 billion from N321.66 billion in the preceding year.

Managing Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, disclosed this in Lagos, Tuesday, when the House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency visited the Corporation as part of its oversight functions.

He also noted that total

deposits rose to N17.16 trillion from N16.75 trillion, and total loans and advance to N11.52 trillion from N10.04 trillion within the same period.

Ibrahim asserted that the banks were generally sound, noting however that the potential for infractions still exists, and that NDIC is closely monitoring them.

He said in 2014, NDIC provided deposit insurance coverage to 24 deposit money banks (DMBs), 832 microfinance banks (MFBs) and 82 primary mortgage banks (PMBs).

According to him, NDIC undertook routine supervision of 16 DMBs in the risk bracket of high or above average, noting that, in some of the

banks there were clear cases of build-up of nonperforming loans.

He also disclosed that the Corporation examined 196 MFBs, noting that most of them had inadequate capital adding that only 20 had portfolio-at-risk (PAR) ratio of 5 percent.

The NDIC boss also highlighted monies paid to depositors of closed banks and liquidation dividend paid to creditors of closed banks. “A cumulative payment of N2.75 billion had been made to depositors of closed 103 MFBs as at September 30th, 2014 while N170.95 million was paid to depositors of 83 MFBs closed in November 2013.''

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014—9

2015 budget in danger as crude price drops to $82 T

HE price of crude declined further to $82.96 yesterday increasing apprehension over the 2015 budget proposal put forward by the federal government.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Stock Exchange, NSE All Share Index dropped to 13-month low and government bonds fell yesterday as foreign investors pulled out of Nigerian assets, prompting the central bank to sell intervene in the foreign exchange market with special foreign exchange sales, to save the naira from depreciation.

Yesterday, the price of global benchmark crude oil, Brent crude fell by $1.82 to N82.96 per barrel, its lowest since October.

This was triggered by the decision of Saudi Arabia to cut sales price of crude oil to the United States. U.S light crude dropped by $2.00 at $76.78 a barrel, after going to as low as $75.84 per barrel in the day’s trading, it’s weakest since October 2011. Light crude discount to Brent hovered around $6.

The Federal Government had a couple of days ago, proposed $78 as the benchmark for the 2015 appropriation against the $77.5 per barrel in 2014.

The Federal Government in the 2015-2017 medium term expenditure framework, MTEF, and FSP also has the oil production projection at 2.2782 million per barrel daily, mpbd, which is lower than the 2014 oil production projection of 2.388mbpd.

Saudi Arabia increased its December official selling prices (osps), relative to benchmarks, to Asia and Europe on Monday,

...As FG releases N500bn for settlement of arreas, allowances

By Dayo Adesulu & Kelechukwu Iruoma

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VISIT: From left, Acting Registrar, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN Mr. Seye Awojobi; Executive Director, Ivory Banking, Heritage Bank Ltd, Mrs. Mary Akpobome; President, CIBN and Chairman in Council, Mrs. Debola Osibogun exchanging pleasantries with MD, Heritage Bank Ltd, Ifie Sekibo and 2nd Vice-President, CIBN, Mr. Uche Olowu, during CIBN Stakeholder Engagement visit to Heritage Bank Head Office in Lagos, on Monday. but lowered prices to the United States, a smaller export market.

“This is mixed news, and the fact that the positive angle has not made an impact shows that market sentiment is very negative at the moment,” Eugen Weinberg, head of commodities research at Commerzbank in Frankfurt, said.

Reuters reported that a growing supply glut in the United States has led more than a dozen oil producers to create a new lobby group, Producers for American Crude oil Exports (PACE), which seeks to end the country’s 40-year ban on crude exports.

U.S. commercial crude stocks are likely to have risen last week, according to a survey by Reuters,

which if confirmed will be the fifth consecutive weekly stock build.

Reuters further stated that the absence of clear signs that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) could curb output at its November 27 meeting also weighed on prices.

Less than one month before the meeting, there is no consensus among trading houses as to whether OPEC members will agree on a cut, it stated.

“I can see OPEC and Saudi Arabia playing the long game. a low price for a period of time may actually play into the hands of people with a lot of reserves in the ground at cheap cost,” Pierre Lorinet, chief financial officer of Trafigura,

said at the Reuters global commodities summit.

Ian Taylor, chief executive of Vitol, said at the Reuters summit that OPEC members would have “serious discussions” about an output cut.

“My feeling is we’re underestimating now the possibility of OPEC cutting,” he said. ''Members Venezuela and Ecuador are working on a joint proposal to defend oil prices, but the united arab emirates oil minister said the country is “not panicking”.

Ali Al-Naimi, the oil minister of OPEC‘s largest producer Saudi Arabia, has made no public comment on the oil market since September.

Foreign reserve now $38bn, says Okonjo-Iweala

By Emma Ujah, Abuja

Bureau Chief

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BUJA—THE nation’s foreign reserve currently stands at $38 billion, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, disclosed yesterday.

Speaking at the Public Affairs Forum, in Abuja, the minister said the economy was stable and the Gross Domestic product, GDP, was growing at over 6 per cent in spite of the challenges facing the nation.

Her words, “One of the key things I want to tell you is that we have tried to keep this economy stable under this administration. All these things you are seeing- the investments in roads, the investments in industries cannot happen if C M Y K

Strike is over in education sector —SHEKARAU

your economy lacks stability.

“If you wake up worrying about inflation; if you wake up worrying about exchange rate, you know Nigerians watch the exchange rate every single day. If you wake up worrying about no growth then you cannot even talk about investing in the sector.

“So the number one task that every government delivers in every country- America, UK, Nigeria- is stability. One thing you have to say for the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is that it has been able to deliver on macro-economic stability for the past three years.

“The exchange rate, yes, it has gone up and down, it fluctuates, but it has been relatively stable.

The inflation rate has come down from about 12 per cent last year to about 8.5 per cent. The reserves are at $38 billion today and enough

to cushion us for 5 months. We have been able to put a little more into the Excess Crude Account”.

The minister described Nigeria’s fiscal deficit as “one of the lowest in the world- just over 1 per cent of GDP”, adding that many countries, even in Europe, run fiscal deficits of between 5 to 10 per cent.

On borrowing , she noted that Nigerians voiced their objections to large borrowing and that as such the President Goodluck Jonathan administration decided to maintain a low debt profile.

“By 2010, we borrowed N1.3 trillion to help finance our spending. We determined under the president who said Nigerians don’t want borrowing, let’s bring it down. Today do you know what our borrowing is, N571 billion. We will continue to take it down, even if it is by N1, we will continue

trending down. The debt stock is very high because of past borrowing but will continue to bring it down. That means we must be prudent in the way we spend and we must also be very fast to try to organize additional revenues”.

Non-oil revenue

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala said that the nation was too dependent on oil revenue and that with the falling oil price in the international market, coupled with declining crude oil production, expanding the non-oil revenue base had become inevitable.

Her words, “We are too depending on oil. The price of oil is now coming down. The quantities are also not as large as they used to be. So we have to plan differently. That is why we have to rely more on non-oil.''

AGOS—THE Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau yesterday said that the Federal Government had released N500 billion to the education sector for the settlement of pending arreas and allowances saying that the issue of strike as means of settling disputes in the educational sector would soon be over.

Shekarau spoke during his official visit to Federal Government-owned institutions in Lagos State yesterday.

“By the grace of God, we have seen the end of strikes in our various institutions. The Federal Government started addressing all pending issues in the sector. Over N500 billion has been released to the education sector for this purpose, ‘’ he said.

The Minister visited the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Yaba and Yaba College of Technology, Yaba and the Federal College of Education, Lagos respectively.

On NEEDS assessment reports, he said that the government would ‘’forward them to the various governing councils of tertiary institutions for implementation.”

He further said that measures had been taken to ensure suspension of the ongoing strike embarked on by Unity Schools’ teachers in the country.

Speaking while commissioning some projects at UNILAG, he said that there was need for the improvement of education sector in the country, adding; “Education is an ever growing institution which will keep expanding. The number of students has increased and the facilities have not increased with it.”

10— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

EKITI DEBT PROFILE:

Fayemi offers self for probe

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DO EKITI—THE immediate past administration of Dr Kayode Fayemi has urged the government of Mr Ayodele Fayose to go ahead and institute a probe of government transactions between October 2010 and October 2014 and stop its cheap blackmail and comical acts.

The immediate past administration, in a reaction to another round of allegations levelled against it by Governor Fayose, said: "It was high time the new government got its acts together, have a clear understanding of the state’s finances as well as financial regulatory matters and stop juggling figures in a clear exhibition of unpardonable ignorance.

"Ekiti citizens deserve to know what the administration did with state fund during the tenure of the immediate past administration and we are prepared to appear at a probe panel (if and when it is set up) within 24 hours of notice.

"Instituting a probe into the financial transactions of the administration, we believe, is a better option for the current administration of Mr Fayose, instead of its recourse to falsehood, cheap blackmail and propaganda as an excuse for its ineptitude and lack of direction.

We make bold to say that the administration of Dr Fayemi took all its decisions in the best interest of the people of the state and followed the due process of law as well as financial regulations in all its dealings.

"It is sad to note that three weeks on the saddle, the Fayose –led administration is yet to chart a direction for the state or come up with a blueprint for its programmes."

Court declines to stop coroner's inquest into Synagogue bulding collapse L

By Innocent Anaba

AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, declined to stop the ongoing coroner's inquest into the Synagogue building collapse, until it hears the case on its merit.

Trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba, in a ruling on an oral application by an applicant, Mr Olukoya Ogungbeje, seeking to stop further sittings of the Coroner ’s court, pending the outcome of the suit said, “Although, the applicant wants an order of interim injunction restraining T.B Joshua from appearing before the coroner, I must say that he is not a party to the suit, neither is he held in detention.

“The respondents were served with the court processes on Friday, and by the rules, they have five days to respond, but time was abridged and they accepted, and so, let us not loose sight of the issue here.

“If applicant was the party summoned before the coroner, then the issue of a restraining order will arise, but in this situation, how can I restrain the whole world.

“The applicant has not shown that he will suffer any danger if the restraining order is not granted, and so, I will hear this case on its merit on Thursday, Nov. 6, and I will not grant any restraining orders; this is the ruling of this court,” he said It will be recalled that on September 12, a six-storey building within the premises of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, collapsed in Lagos.

The incident led to the death of 116 people most of whom were foreigners.

The Lagos State Government on September 26, constituted a Coroner’s Court to unravel the circumstances leading to the incidence.

Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe was appointed

Coroner.

Ogungbeje, a Lagos based lawyer in the suit is seeking an order, restraining further proceedings in the suit, pending the determination of a substantive suit at the Federal High Court.

Defendants in the suit are the Lagos State Government, the Attorney General of the State, Mr Ade Ipaye, and Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe.

At the hearing in the matter, yesterday, counsel to the respondents, informed the court that he had been served with the processes filed by the applicant.

He, however, prayed the court for a short time to regularise his responses.

Reacting, counsel to the applicant, said although he

A G O S — T E L L Communications Limited, publishers of TELL, one of Nigeria’s leading news magazine, in partnership with Sojourn Global Services, an ideas, innovation and strategy organisation, will hold a Higher Education Forum in Abuja.

The National Higher Education Forum 2014, with theme: “Innovate and Lead.” will take place between the 10 and 11 November, at the Conference Hall, NICON Luxury

Hotel, Abuja.

The forum is designed to help in seeking long term and sustainable solutions to the numerous challenges facing Nigeria’s higher education.

With the understanding that education is a life-long journey, the first phase of the project will last for the next 25 years, that’s till 2039.

The four cardinal focus of the forum include: Funding, Intellectual/Talent Capital

After listening to the argument of counsel, Justice Buba held that an order of interim injunction was not necessary in the situation, since the applicant was not personally affected by the inquest.

The applicant in his suit, averred that the composition of the Coroner’s Court, was a negation of the principle of natural justice and Section 36 of the Constitution, and as such, was unconstitutional and void.

He averred that the inquest was constituted by the Lagos State Government after the agencies of the state government had indicted the Church of erecting additional structures on an already existing building without approval.

VISIT: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (middle), being decorated as a patron by the past President, Junior Chamber International, JCI, Mrs. Adetipe Omowunmi (left), while the President, Mr. Gamaliel Tanimomo watches, during the organisation’s courtesy visit to the governor in Lagos.

Fashola declares federal task force illegal

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Olasunkanmi Akoni AGOS—FOLLOWING the invasion of some

TELL holds higher education forum

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was not opposed to the adjournment, it was important for the court to issue an order, restraining the Coroner from further inquest.

He informed the court that the General Overseer of the Church, Prophet T.B Joshua, had already been summoned to appear before the Coroner on Novvember 5, adding that it was important to stop them.

According to counsel, “the draconian speed at which the coroner ’s court is sitting, simply means that after it summons Prophet T.B Joshua, it would make its findings and submit its report, then this entire suit will be a waste.

“It is therefore, important for my lord to restrain them from further inquest in the suit.”

Partnerships and Infrastructure.

The event will enable the coming togetherofacollectionofover20Africa’s global thought leaders to speak and share their rich insights at the two-day forum.

Top among them, in no particular order, are: Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, Minister of Education; Prof. Bart Nnaji, former Minister for Power; Leo-StanEkeh, Chairman, Zinox Group; Prof.

Rahamon Bello, Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, among others.

highways by persons in black uniforms, known as Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme and Federal Road Maintenance Agency, SUREP/FERMA taskforce officials, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, urged residents to resist any attempt by them to manage traffic on 117 federal roads in the state describing their operation as illegal.

The taskforce officials dislodged officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA from some major federal roads in the state on

Monday.

Fashola who spoke at the fifth year anniversary of the Uniformed Voluntary Clubs in Lagos State public schools held at the Police College, Ikeja, said that the agency was not established by law and do not have the legal right to manage traffic in the state.

The governor described the officials as ‘illegal’, alleging that their establishment was done by some politicians to create confusion during the 2015 general elections in the state.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014 —11

OSUN: Tribunal rejects plea to terminate

Omisore's petition zAs Omisore avoids Oyinlola in court

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SOGBO—THE Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal yesterday ruled that it would not terminate the trial of the petition filed by Senator Iyiola Omisore.

The proceedings which witnessed legal and political theatrics took place as Senator Iyiola Omisore avoided the former Osun Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola who entered appearance before the Tribunal in the legal team of Governor Aregbesola.

Senator Omisore entered the Tribunal venue at about 9.15 am and went to take his seat in the west wing of the court room without exchanging pleasantries with Prince Oyinlola who arrived earlier around 8.55 am and sat at the west wing.

Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, including Otunba Sunday Ojo-Williams who were in court earlier went to greet the former governor with warm embrace and throwing of banters.

The ruling was sequel to the application filed by Governor Rauf Aregbesola seeking the order of the tribunal to dismiss Omisore’s petition because the reply to respondent’s reply was filed out of time and the pre- trial session form TF007 was filed out of time set by the Electoral Act, 2010.

Chairman of the panel, Justice Elizabeth Nkpejomi who noted that the application had to do with the jurisdiction of the Tribunal to handle the petition ruled that the rule guiding it was to save the time of the court.

According to the tribunal, the issue of jurisdiction is fundamental but in cases where time was of the essence, the application seeking to terminate the petition and the main petition should be heard together in order to do substantial justice to all the parties.

The tribunal chairman noted further that the respondents would not suffer any miscarriage of justice if the application was heard alongside the petition citing the case of Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria versus Nzeribe as the authority that gave basis to the decision.

Nkpejomi ruled further that; “we cannot locate any injury that any of the parties would suffer if

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lead counsel to Omisore seeking the order of the tribunal to limit the time of cross-examination of witnesses to five minutes each.

The two silks had rather sought a minimum of twenty minutes for general witnesses and 30 minutes for expert and star witnesses as opposed to the five minutes requested by Uche.

The counsel agreed on the documents to be tendered with consent while those that would be disputed were also to be listed alongside the processes to be filed before the tribunal.

Justice Nkpejomi then adjourned the petition to tomorrow to give ruling on the various contentions raised during the pre-trial conference.

CONFERENCE: From left: Managing Director/CEO, Overland Airways, Captain Edward Boyo, Director, Centre for Competitiveness and Strategy, Lagos Business School, Tunji Adegbesan, Director, Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd, Clement Ugorji, and MD/CEO, Design Extra, Yemi Idowu, during a session at the Women in Management, Business & Public Services, WIMBIZ's 13th Annual Conference co-sponsored

by Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd, in Lagos.

CONGRESS FALLOUT:

By Henry Umoru BUJA—STRONG indications emerged yesterday that mass defection looms in Ondo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as top members were said to have concluded arrangements to dump the PDP for the All Progressives Congress, APC. The decision to leave the PDP by the members as gathered was as a result of last Saturday’s ward congress where allegations of irregularities have been raised.

As a fall out to the Ward congress in Ondo State, a member of the House of Representatives on the platform of the PDP from the state, Hon Albert Akintoye has indicated his readiness to join the APC if President Goodluck Jonathan and the National leadership of the PDP do not intervene in the

we hear the application alongside the petition. Election petitions are sui generis in nature where time is of the essence.”

The tribunal moved quickly to the pre-trial conference, PTC, immediately after the ruling where parties agreed to file issues distilled for determination while further proceedings in the petition was adjourned till today.

Chief Akin Olujinmi, SAN, lead counsel to Governor Aregbesola, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, and Ayotunde Ogunleye for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had opposed the application by Chief Chris Uche, SAN, the

Mass defection looms in Ondo PDP

crisis which he said, shut him out of the 2015 contest.

According to Akintoye, the president’s men in Ondo state were not ready to deliver for him in view of the rising disenchantment that has polarized the PDP in the state, adding that other leaders of the PDP who have been sidelined were also considering the same APC option.

The lawmaker who was the only person elected on the PDP ticket in 2011 said his decision to consider the APC option was borne out of the need to explore other political options to test his popularity at the poll in 2015, adding that some PDP leaders in connivance with the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, have cornered the party to their

advantage even as others were shut out in the affairs of the party.

Speaking with journalists yesterday, he said: “As I am talking to you, these are the worst times for our great party, the PDP; some leaders have cornered the party because of their positions in connivance with the governor who just joined the party.

Aregbesola seeks Assembly's approval for N2bn loan of the Assembly,Mr Najeem CBN stipulated

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SOGBO—GOVERNOR Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has sought for the approval of the State House of Assembly to access N2 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund.

The governor in a letter dated Oct. 23 and read by the Speaker

Salaam, at the plenary, yesterday in Osogbo, said the loan was meant to create employment, wealth and facilitate economic development of the state.

In the letter, Aregbesola said the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, that the state government signed with

that the resolution of the house on the said loan was required before it could be accessed.

The governor said that the loan was in line with the six-point integral action plan of his administration, and urged the Assembly to give the request quick deliberation.

Bring Back Our Girls tasks Jonathan to concentrate on security, welfare of Nigerians

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HE BringBackOur girls group, led by former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili has expressed grave concern over the failed ceasefire agreement between Boko Haram group and the Federal Government and the escalating carnage in the north eastern part of the country.

The group, in a statement signed by 14 of their members wondered that after the “ceasefire” announcement of October 17th, by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, the terrorists have been attacking many more communities, especially in Borno and Adamawa states.

According to the group, “we are extremely shocked and gravely perturbed that the insurgency seems to be engulfing more cities within the North-East zone even at a time the Federal Government confidently announced a ceasefire of its counter terrorism war. Let no one pretend that we are not facing the most substantial threat to the integrity and existence of our country. What more extreme manifestations are we waiting for than the evidence of a rampaging group of terrorists carrying out heinous carnage in Mubi in Adamawa, Borno, Yobe and Gombe barely two weeks after the Chief of Defence Staff publicly conveyed a stand down order to our troops who were in the front prosecuting the war? Even more heart wrenching are confirmed reports of Internally Displaced Persons camped in Mubi town who are yet again on the run now, unsure of destinations to find safety”.

The group then demanded “that the Federal Government moves immediately to protect and restore the territorial integrity of Nigeria”, as well as address immediately, the worsening humanitarian conditions of all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

12 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

UPU to Delta PDP: Field Urhobo gov candidate or lose our votes in presidential poll

By Egufe Yafugborhi

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ARRI—URHOBO nation yesterday, threatened to massively vote against President Goodluck Jonathan or whoever emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential flag-bearer in 2015 polls if PDP failed to field an Urhobo candidate for the governorship election in Delta State.

At a congress of the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, in Warri to consolidate on the Ovwiamuge Declaration, Delta State's most populous ethnic group, represented by elders, women, youths and council of bishops, also threatened to review its relations with Governor Emmanuel Uduagahn over his perceived anti-Urhobo political interest.

In a communiqué at the end of the gathering at the UPU House, Warri, read by UPU’s President-General, Chief Joe Omene (JP), the Urhobo nation said: “We will vote for any political party that gives its governorship ticket to an Urhobo person. This, we will do in the various elections,

including the presidential poll.

We appeal to Mr. President and the PDP to consider and accede to the humble demand to give the governorship to Urhobo, for there lies equity, justice and fairness. This is the only guarantee Urhobo can give to

repeat the overwhelming support we gave Mr. President in 2011.

“In 2011, Urhobo delivered over 820,000 votes. This figure is almost comparably double the votes realized from Delta North and South senatorial

SYMPOSIUM: From left: Mr. Nicolas Vervelde, Managing Director / Chief Executive, Nigerian Breweries Plc; Dr. Olu Malomo, Ag. Head, Department of Food Technology, Bells University of Technology, Ota Ogun State; Mr. Hendrik Wymenga, Technical Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc and Mr. Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, during the first Nigerian Beer & Health Symposium, in Lagos. Photo By Diran Oshe.

2015: Barlow assures on devt in Warri Fed Constituency

By Festus Ahon

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SABA—A HOUSE of Representatives aspirant in Warri Federal Constituency, Mrs. Alero Ogbemi Barlow, has vowed to turn around the political fortunes of the constituency, if elected to represent the area in 2015.

Speaking with newsmen after submitting her nomination form at the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, secretariat in Asaba, Barlow said: “This is what I was destined to be all my life. Everything I have done over the years; my education, my exposure, the projects I have executed, my dreams and aspirations have been tuned to this day. I thank the Delta State government for allowing a woman to emerge as an aspirant and I hope that the good people of Delta State will enable us push this agenda to its logical conclusion. I have been very active in my constituency and you can see my constituents around me. For the last three years, I have been active and I hope my activities will bear good fruits at the end of the day.”

On what informed her decision to join the race, she said: “I am a woman, a mother and a wife. It was difficult to take a decision until the children had grown up. I am a student of law and politics. I have been involved in African issues, African youth issues, African legal reforms and judiciary issues. I know that one day, I will put together all my learning and experience for the good of my people.”

On the change she

intends to effect in her constituency, Barlow said: “When I tell you what I have done, that will show you what I have perceived.

We have carried out a need assessment of schools; you know government alone cannot do everything.

There is need to create greater opportunities for education. So, we have been involved in scholarship locally and in facilitating young people to go on scholarship abroad."

Ejofodomi for burial

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districts which were hardly up to 500,000 put together.”

While seeking support of its immediate neighbors in Isoko, Ijaw and Itsekiris to reclaim the Delta governorship, the UPU however accused Governor Uduaghan of working against the interest of Urhobo.

HE patriarch of the Ejofodomi family of Udumuorugbo Quarters, in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, Olorogun Enoch Ejofodomi (JP), is dead, aged 73.

There will be a vigil mass for the Oraridono of Uvwie Kingdom on November 6, at St. Jude’s Catholic Church, Oneya Road, Effurun, Delta State.

A Requiem Mass will hold on November 7 at the same church, followed by interment at his residence, No 3, High Court Road, Effurun GRA, Effurun.

He is survived by a widow, children, grand children and many relations.

Late Olorogun Ejofodomi

2015: Delta women drum support for Olejeme

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HOUSANDS of women in Delta State have declared support for the governorship ambition of Dr. Ngozi Olejeme in next year ’s election.

Chairperson of Concerned Delta Women Forum, CDWF, Hon. Catherine Ilolo said: “2015 is a time for serious business and a woman like Dr. Olejeme fits the bill. She has what it takes to rule the state for the benefit of all Deltans."

Briefing newsmen at the National Secretariat of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Abuja on the mission of the group and Olejeme's chances in a male dominated politics, Ilolo said the women opted for Olejeme, due to her track record in public service and her philanthropic activities.

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014—13

Uduaghan seeks confirmation of 10 commissioner nominees

By Festus Ahon

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copies each of their credentials to the Clark of the House before 12 noon today.

The speaker, who gave the directive after the receipt of the governor's letter, also directed the nominees to appear for screening tomorrow.

On SUBEB, the nominees include Mr. Elijah Ologe, as Chairman, while Mr. Emmanuel Amgbadugba, Mrs. May Inijei, and Mr. Azikiwe

Ako as members.

The governor also, in the letter, appealed that the nominees be given speedy consideration and subsequent confirmation.

Also yesterday, Governor Uduaghan, acting on section 81 (2) of the Delta State Local Government Service Commission law, as amended, forwarded names of four nominees for appointment as chairman and members of the

Local Government Service Commission, LGSC. The nominees include Mr. Olumami Oyibo as chairman, while Mr. Paul Uwechue, Mrs. Catherine Ilolo, and Mr. Peter Abugewa as members.

The governor who in the letter, expressed appreciation to the House for its support, appealed for the nominees’ appointment be confirmed to enable the LGSC function properly.

SABA—GOVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, yesterday, forwarded names of 10 nominees for appointment as commissioners and members of the State Executive Council, SEC, to the state House of Assembly for confirmation.

Similarly, the governor forwarded to the House nominees for appointment as chairman and members of Delta State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB. The governor, in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Peter Onwusanya, read on the floor of the House during its plenary session, named the commissioner nominees as: Chief Solomon Ighrakpata, Mr. Joel Bisina, Pastor Powel Ojogho, Mr. David Anuku, Mr. David Ekerekosu and Dr. Chris Ekiyor.

Others include Mr. Omolobi Newumi, Mr. Austine Ayemidjor, Mr. Matthew Opuoru, and Mr. Benjamin Iwezu.

The governor, in the letter, appealed to the House for urgent consideration and PRESENTATION: Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State (right) and the Divisional confirmation of the nominees to Manager, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Mr. Guido Abel, during the presentation of the instrument enable him constitute the SEC. of transfer of N1.5 billion to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, for the completion of ongoing projects Meanwhile, the nominees have been directed to submit 35 in the state, at Government House, Yenagoa.

I’ll make A-Ibom dependent on IGR —Ekpotu

By Clifford Ndujihe

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ORMER Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Engineer Patrick Ekpotu, who is aspiring to govern the state on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2015, has promised to make the state less dependent on federal allocation, if elected.

Ekpotu, who served as deputy governor between 2007 and 2009 in the first tenure of out-going Governor Godswill Akpabio, said if given the opportunity to pilot the affairs of the state, he would put in place a robust agro-economy that would dwarf the current crude oil dependent system.

The chemical engineerturned politician, who hails from Eket Senatorial District endorsed by the National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP to produce the next governor of the state, said he would realise the goal through a specially designed agricultural programme that would generate huge revenue and remarkably improve the

state’s Internally Generated Revenue, IGR. He said: “We have to, among other things, invest in palm oil production which is as lucrative as crude oil, but neglected in the past. I can assure you that the state will be making an average of about N5 billion per month in the first three years after take-off,

and N20 billion a month at optimal operation.

“I will establish Ibom Agro and Allied Industries Ltd., IAAI, within three months of coming into office to drive the initiative on a competitive basis and not as a usual government outfit. Apart from the wealth creation potential of this initiative, it will also

boost job creation in the state.

“My government will work hard to erase the divisive lines of ethnic and political dichotomies in the state by engendering a robust inclusiveness that will bring every interest group into a unified front that will focus only on the development and progress of Akwa Ibom State."

Gov aspirant calls for power shift in Rivers

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNORSHIP aspirant of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State, Bar Abieatedoghu Bob-Abbey Hart, has reiterated the call for power shift in the state, saying it will ensure fairness, justice and equity.

Bar Bob-Hart who spoke in Port Harcourt after a meeting of Bonny Consultative Forum, in Bonny Local Government area of the state, said it would be improper to upset the power arrangement that had prevailed in the state for several years.

According to her, power had always rotated between the riverine and upland people of the state, stressing that this time around, Bonny, a riverine part of the state, should produce the next governor.

She said: “Power must rotate to give every part of Rivers State a sense of belonging. The integrity and dignity of people must be respected. In the understanding of power rotation, governorship, senatorial and House of Representatives slots are for Bonny this time around by divine intervention. It will be rude for anyone to disregard our

place as Nigerians to deny us of our rights. On equity, fairness and justice we stand. I believe we are protected by the constitutions. “

Bob-Abbey Hart

2015: Ughelli kingdom drums support for Jonathan

By Festus Ahon

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G H E L L I — PEOPLE of Ughelli kingdom have vowed to work relentlessly for the reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

They spoke when they hosted the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Steve Oru, on his appointment into the Federal Executive Council, FEC. Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, said the Urhobo had sought for the appointment of an indigene as a minister until Dr. Oru was appointed.

While thanking God for Oru's appointment, Uduaghan, who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama, stressed the need for gratitude and said God had blessed Ughelli kingdom, the Ughelli royal family and the Urhobo.

Dr. Oru, in his remark, thanked the people of Ughelli, the royal family and the Urhobo for the honour done him and his family.

2015: Delta Grassroots Movement endorses Ali for Senate

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ELTA Grassroots Mass Movement, a socio-political group in Delta State, with membership in the three senatorial zones of the state, has expressed solidarity with Dr. Marian Ali, in her bid to contest the Delta North senatorial seat in the 2015 election.

In a communiqué signed by its national chairman, Goodluck Collins and Secretary, Rev. Charles Erebe, the group said after a careful analysis of the credibility of the candidates vying for the senatorial seat in Delta North senatorial zone, it had decided to endorse Mrs. Ali for the Delta North Senatorial seat.

14 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

By Wole Mosadomi

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INNA—FOUNDER of Leadership Newspapers, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, yesterday formally declared his intention to contest the 2015 presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, with a promise to change the history of Nigeria for good, if elected.

The presidential hopeful who made the declaration in his Minna home town of Niger State said Nigeria under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, administration has been degraded to unimaginable levels.

He mentioned numerous issues like insecurity, epileptic power supply, water, corruption, robbery, kidnapping, lack of good education among others as part of the problems facing the nation which he is ready to solve if given the opportunity to lead the country next year.

According to him,”Nigerians from everywhere yearn for change because the country cannot continue on this path and that is why I want to be President. I have come to offer the change that will change Nigeria forever, I do not seek to be president simply because (President Goodluck) Jonathan is not a good president but want to be that president that will change the course of Nigeria’s history forever.”

He therefore called on all Nigerians to seize the opportunity of the 2015 general elections to vote for him as president and remove PDP leaderships across the country and witness rapid transformation in all spheres of life.

Why PDP, Jonathan must be voted out —Atiku, Akume

Former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who is also a presidential aspirant on the banner of the same party told the gathering that any aspirant in APC is better than president Jonathan and that any of the aspirants who eventually clinches the party’s ticket will be given full support by others.

“Any aspirant among us is better than Goodluck Jonathan and that is why we are united, no fighting or quarelling among us and we are going to give our support to who ever wins at the primaries,” he remarked.

Chairman of the occasion, Senator George Akume called on all Nigerians to unite to flush out the PDP from power at all levels next year.

“It is not that we don’t love the president but it is his ideas that are very bad which we must change. We are talking of the abandonment of the Chibok girls, problems of security, lack of power, fraud everywhere. This is why Nigerians should come together by rescuing the country from total collapse under PDP and vote in APC for a permanent change,” he declared.

Other speakers including Governor Rotimi Amaechi of

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DECLARATION: All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential aspirant, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah during his declaration to contest for the APC presidential ticket in next year's election in Minna, yesterday.

2015: I'll change Nigeria's history for

good, says Nda-Isaiah zAs he formally declares to run for presidency Rivers State; former Ekiti Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Senator Aisha Alhassan eulogised Nda-Isaiah and urged Nigerians to show their love for APC by voting in the party’s candidates in the 2015 general elections for a better Nigeria.

Prominent members of the party at colourful ceremony included, Audu Ogbe; Woman leader of the Party (SouthSouth), Rachel Akpabio; Mallam Nasir El-Rufai; Niger State governorship aspirant, Abubakar Sabi Bello; and Alhaji Oyinlomo Damola Mohammed who represented Governor Raji Fashola of Lagos State.

How and where Nigeria’s decline started—Nda-Isaiah

The presidential hopeful, who explained how he would tackle the Nigerian problems he itemised, began his speech by acknowledging the quality of presidential aspirants in the APC “I am today declaring my candidacy for the presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

I would like to begin by paying tribute to the star-studded slate of presidential aspirants of our great party: General Muhammadu Buhari, my role model and political boss with whom I have been in the trenches for over a decade since he joined politics; Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who has lived a life of service; Dr Rabiu Musa

Kwankwaso, who has changed the face of Kano; and my friend, Rochas Okorocha, a true and proud Nigerian. Anyone of us who becomes President next year would be infinitely better than the one we currently have,” he said.

He decried President Jonathan’s alleged misgoverning of the country, saying that he has the capacity to lead better.

His words: “President

Nigerians f r o m everywhere yearn for c h a n g e because the c o u n t r y c a n n o t continue on this path and that is why I want to be President

Jonathan has been totally unable to perform the most basic responsibility of any leader, which is provision of security to the people of his country. Nigeria has been degraded to unimaginable levels. We are now the laughing stock of those countries we used to laugh at.

“Nigerians who are old enough know that this is not how it used to be. As a country, we are much better than this. The Nigeria we knew, even though far from being the ideal, was good enough to provide security and the basic necessities of everyday living. And we even had enough to cater for other African nations.

That was when we were a regional superpower. But not any more. And all these happened when our revenues as a nation were far less than what we have today. That was when Nigeria fought a civil war without taking a loan; even the post-war reconstruction was carried out without a loan”, he noted.

On insecurity, the Pharmacistturned politician pooh-poohed the Federal Government’s alleged poor handling of the Boko Haram insurgency.

His words: “To prosecute the war against insurgents, the Nigerian President has just taken a loan of $1billion, even though oil sold for around $100 per barrel for as long as anyone could remember and the Customs and Excise Department rakes in an average of N1trillion annually. It is difficult to know the exact point this downward slide started but the misfortune of this country

obviously accelerated from the time the PDP came to power in 1999.

“Many of us have seen Nigeria from different eras. We have seen our country gradually decay into one in which people are now afraid to carry on their lives as ordinary citizens. They are afraid of sending their wards to boarding schools in parts of the country because their kids could be burnt alive in their dormitories; they are afraid to send their daughters to school because hundreds of them could be kidnapped at the same time and turned into sex slaves.

“And there are many more who are afraid to go to church or mosque because they could be bombed out of existence. Yes, terrorism is globally a contemporary phenomenon but in no other normal country on earth would terrorists strike in the same place every other day like Nigeria and no arrests are made. The North-East of the country may now be the base of insurgents but no part of this country is the safe place we would want to raise our children.

Kidnappers, armed robbers and ritual killers all through the 36 states of the federation operate freely without any fear of any consequences.”

Massive corruption

On graft, he noted: “Corruption under the PDP government has reached extreme levels, to the extent that the Federal Government is no longer able to pay state governments and other government units their due allocations."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014—15

Sam Nda-Isaiah, APC aspirant, declares for presidency One of All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential aspirants and Publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Sam Nda Isaiah, yesterday in Minna, formally declared his intention to contest the presidential election.

Here, Nda-Isaiah flanked by loyalists, at his declaration.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Director-General, SAM4NIGERIA, Maamoun Saleh.

Nda-Isaiah, addressing the crowd after the declaration.

From left, Sokoto State Commissioner for Science & Technology, Ibrahim Hassan; APC presidential aspirant, Sam Nda-Isaiah, and Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Mohammed Oyinlomo Danmole.

Former Ekiti State governor, Fayemi Kayode; Senator George Akume and Nda-Isaiah

From left, Mrs. Zainab Nda-Isaiah and D.P. National Organizing Secretary, Hajia Zuwaira Sani C M Y K

National Secretary, All Progressives Congress, APC, Mai Mala Buni and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar

16 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

ALLEGED RIGHTS VIOLATION: You can’t try us, NBC, Coca-Cola MD tell court

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

BUJA — THE M a n a g i n g Director of the Nigerian Bottling Company, NBC, Limited, Mr. Ben Langat and that of CocaCola Nigeria Limited, Mr. Adeola Adetunji, yesterday, challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Abuja to try them over separate criminal charges preferred against them by the Federal Government.

The duo, who are facing charges over alleged breach of the Consumer Protection Council, CPC Act , in separate preliminary objections they filed through two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, insisted that the high court was bereft of the requisite powers to put them in the dock, even as they described the charge as a gross abuse of judicial process.

Lagos CP, Aderanti urges fairness in 2015 polls

By Ifeanyi Okolie

T

HE LAGOS State Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, yesterday, urged political party leaders in the state, to ensure fairness and level playing grounds to all contestants vying for political offices in the forthcoming elections.

Aderanti, who spoke at a political parties stakeholders meeting, organized by State Police Command, also called on political party leaders to ensure that the 2015 general elections is free of thuggery, killings and other vices that could mar the success of the general elections in the state.

While, reading a riot-act against trouble makers and gun tottering political thugs, Aderanti, reinstated his zero tolerance for illegal possessions, of fire arms adding that the ultimatum given to people in possession of illegal fire arms has expired.

C M Y K

WARD CONGRESSES: Gemade petitions adhoc c'ttee ...accuses Gov Suswan of rigging

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A

BUJA — FORMER National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Barnabas Gemade, has petitioned the Ad-hoc Delegates Electoral Committee over alleged connivance between Governor Gabriel Suswan of Benue State and the state executive members of the party to manipulate the ward congress in Benue North East senatorial district in favour of the governor.

Senator Gemade, who represents Benue North East senatorial district, in the petition entitled, ‘Petition Against Undemocratic Practices at the PDP Ward Congressess in the Seven Local Government Areas of Benue North East senatorial district,' called on the committee to cancel the result of the exercise.

The erstwhile national chairman of PDP lamented that the instructions given by the electoral committee during a meeting with stakeholders and PDP local government returning officers before the distribution of electoral materials were flouted by the returning officers.

He claimed that the returning officers were acting a script allegedly prepared for them by Governor Suswam.

Senator Gemade alleged that some state executive committee members of the PDP, including Ibrahim Anor; State Vice Chairman, Hon. Bem Dzoho, State Secretary, Hon. Moses Audu, State Organising Secretary, Barr. Tera Mue, State Legal Adviser, Abraham Nyikwagh, State Auditor and Hon. Moses Anaana, State Youth Leader, allegedly connived with the returning officers posted to their respective local government areas and diverted the election materials to unknown destinations except in the case of Konshisha LGA, where he personally followed them to deliver the electoral materials.

According to him, the party and state government appointees from Konshisha Local Government Area frustrated the

taking off of the electoral materials to wards for the conduct of the delegates election, as all the wards' electoral officers were “abducted” and whisked away.

He also accused Governor Suswam, who is contesting the Benue North East senatorial seat

against him, of trying to rig the delegates election in the 84 council wards of the zone in order to position himself as winner ahead of the primaries.

The plan, according to him, is in line with their “pre-determined congress which they held at

Governor Suswam’s private residence in Katsina-Ala on July 30, 2014, in which the State Secretary of the party, Bem Dzoho, announced a mock result of 227 votes to Governor Suswam and three votes for Gemade.

INAUGURATION: From left, South East Chairman of Nigerian Young Professionals Forum, NYPF, Mr. Chima Anyaso; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, and National Chairman of NYPF, Mr. Moses Siloko Siasia, during the inaugural meeting of South East State Executives of NYPF, in Owerri, Imo State, weekend.

Man remanded for slitting wife's throat

By Onovure Dania & Ofobike Hope

L

AGOS — JUSTICE Raliatu Adebiyi of a Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere, yesterday, ordered that two murder suspects, Isaac Ajisegiri and his sister Esther Ajisegiri, be remanded in prison custody for an alleged murder.

The state counsel, Rotimi Odutola, said one of the defendants, Isaac Ajisegiri, allegedly murdered his wife, Endurance Ajisegiri, 31, by slitting her throat with a kitchen knife on April 14, 2013, at their Shasha, Egbeda, residence.

She said sister to the suspect, Esther Ajisegiri, who was also arraigned, was at the scene of crime and allegedly washed the blood stains, which caused distortion of evidence.

They were charged on two counts of conspiracy and murder, an offence punishable under Sections 221 and 229 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

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

Justice Adebiyi ordered that the defendants be remanded in custody and adjourned the matter to November 17, 2014, for variation of bail conditions for the second defendant.

The Investigating Police Officer IPO, Sergeant Moses Godgift, of the State Criminal Investigating Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, had earlier told the court that the Police received a report on April 14, 2013, that a woman was murdered at 2, Ajani Salau Close, Shasha, Akowonjo, Lagos.

He said in the course of investigations, the deceased was discovered to be one Endurance

Ajisegiri, wife of the suspect.

While narrating about the incident, the IPO said the deceased and the suspect got married in 2008 and had an educational outreach that thrived.

He said: “Trouble started between them when the deceased started accusing the suspect of infidelity, until it degenerated to the extent that the joint business broke up and the deceased deserted her matrimonial home.”

“The suspect and his sister on April 12, 2013, started making moves to trick the deceased back home, ostensibly to settle the disagreement and bring her back to her matrimonial home, unknown to her that she was being tricked, and on Saturday, April 13, 2013, the deceased fell for the trick and followed Esther to the house of the suspects.”

STRIKE THREAT OVER KIDNAPPING: Navy re-assures Nigerians ...activates quick response to checkmate menace

By Ifeanyi Okolie

A

BUJA — FOLLOWING the ultimatum given to the Federal Government by Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers, NUPENG, and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association, PENGASSAN, that the two bodies in the oil sector will embark on a nationwide strike in a fortnight if nothing was done to checkmate the kidnapping of oil workers in the Niger Delta, the

Nigerian Navy said yesterday that there was no cause for alarm.

According to the Navy, Quick Response machinery have been activated by the various commands in the Western, Eastern and Central Naval Commands to move in immediately.

Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Ameen Ikioda, who made the disclosure while briefing the media on the forthcoming Chief of Naval Staff Conference

(CONSAC 2014) in Kogi State, also disclosed that the Navy High Command had instituted new security regimes, specifically aimed at checkmating the menace of crude oil theft and other illegalities in the nation’s maritime domain.

He added that patrol teams from the forces operational commands were carrying out operations to complement one another.

He noted that the problem of communication gap which had constituted a major challenge in

the fight against piracy and kidnapping on the waters, had been bridged.

Describing the area of responsibility covered by the Central Naval Command, including Bayelsa, Delta and Edo states as the most challenging when it comes to fighting oil thievery, illegal bunkering and other illegalities, Admiral Ikioda said since the establishment of the Naval Central Command, the Navy had recorded t successes in curtailing the illegalities.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014 —17 “To no one will we sell, to no one will we refuse or delay right or justice.” Magna Carta, 1215

A

LL Nigerian elections are like wars.

Correction: they are wars, involving massive deployment of resources, losses of investments, political ambitions, lives and limbs. Victors emerge, but they rarely have time or space to savour victories because the war never really stops. State resources are used to buy some respite, but they merely remind the host of enemies that incumbency does buy many political privileges, and they fight even more tenaciously for it. The nation regresses because elections do not represent, as they should, opportunities for citizens to make choices over their future. They are made to decide the future of politicians, and in many cases, those decisions are made for them.

The 2015 elections could end the Nigerian democratic experiment, or give it a new lease of life. A lot more than a change of leadership is at stake, and those who are at the heart of the contest know exactly what this means.

None of them can pretend that they have not heard of an extra-judicial option in resolving some of the very difficult issues which Nigerians should resolve with votes, emotions and lives. Perhaps a few major players are actively involved in promoting this option because it serves their interests. Difficult as it is to imagine how a year or two (or more) of rule outside the provisions of our constitution will buy relief or advantages for some ambitious politicians or all Nigerians, this is a scenario that is being put forward aggressively as a solution of sorts.

Some Nigerians could be persuaded to show sympathy for this outrageous alternative on grounds that it is founded on fear over the build-up and outcome of the elections.

Others may outrightly reject the foundations of that insult to our integrity and sovereignty as a people, but you cannot dismiss the fact that there are genuine grounds for worry in the manner the nation is being

On the edge dragged around over the 2015 elections. Even hardened observers of the serial impunity of the PDP administration would have been jolted by its reactions to the defection of Rt. Honourable Aminu Tambuwal, the Speaker of the House of Representatives. They should brace themselves for more. The withdrawal of his security details and the audacious justification for it by the Inspector-General of Police is only the beginning. In the coming few weeks, the judiciary will be pot-marked with cases over his defection. The House will be shaken to its foundations as PDP attempts to reclaim lost ground, and APC digs in to protect its latest gains. PDP will justify every desperate measure, insisting that Tambuwal’s defection has rendered him fair game. For a party which has never achieved distinction in its respect for fairness, that means fighting him and his new party by foul and fouler means until it squeezes every ounce of advantage that the defection has given him.

It is reasonable to assume that Tambuwal has anticipated every angle and manner of the assault which will be launched at him. If, as should be the case, he is also thoroughly familiar with the tradition and antics in his old party, he must be preparing for all eventualities: promised loyalties can be bought over; judicia-

The party that will hold the greatest promise to win the elections will be one which is more successful in fixing its internal problems

ry can be compromised; state institutions can be made to inconvenience him beyond tolerable operational levels. In other words, Tambuwal should expect the PDP book to be thrown at him.

His new party will also feel the heat of his defection. By any standard, they have a right to brag, but they could find him a Trojan horse. Certainly, APC knows that its legislators in the House of Representatives will now be fully and almost entirely engaged in battles to resist the PDP resistance over Tambuwal. This will coincide with periods of party congresses and conventions, campaigns and preparations of next year’s budget and elections. It may draw comfort from the thought that PDP representatives will also be equally engaged in this, but it has to deal with other consequences of his defection. Is he going to join the scramble for the presidential flag? If he decides to contest for the governorship position of Sokoto State, how would that affect ambitions and plans of other interested parties? How does the party harness his assets across the nation, and use him to limit its weaknesses?

Tambuwal represents only one source of turbulence in a darkening firmament.

The ward congresses of the PDP have exposed very serious internal problems in the party, the type that are difficult to stop from causing deep and lasting damage between now and the elections. It is obvious that PDP’s successes in guaranteeing that its candidates are elected is coming back to haunt it.

Never in its history has the competition for its ticket been so fierce, and its capacity to resolve them so weak. The PDP will limp to the elections with massive deficits which even its fabled

resources cannot heal.

The opposition APC should not shout Halleluyah yet. Its management of the competition over its presidential and gubernatorial tickets could erode every advantage it presently enjoys over the PDP. If it ignores massive disputes over congresses from aspirates that will dig in because they smell success, the tragedy of 2011 could be re-enacted on a much bigger scale. The party that will hold the greatest promise to win the elections (if they are conducted in substantial compliance with the laws and the requirements of the electoral process) will be one which is more successful in fixing its internal problems long before the actual polls.

If you are taking a toll of other threats or challenges, you could include the legal challenges to Jonathan’s candidature and its implications; the determined campaign to replace Vice President Namadi Sambo, the possible emergence of General Buhari as APC’s candidate and the rising spectre of violence all through the political and electoral process. You could also add the damaging controversy over the distribution of 30,000 additional polling units, and the real possibility that Jega may be prevented from rolling them out at all. Finally, chalk up an escalating war taking up chunks of Nigeria, and the prospects that terrorists will have the final say in whether millions of Nigerians vote in 2015 or not.

Nigerians followed recent events in Burkina Faso with fascination and admiration. People who had been at the mercy of a vicious dictator for 27 years rose and said, enough. Once upon a time, Nigerians had the type of fire that moved the people of Burkina Faso to get rid of Campaore. Our nation needs to rediscover that fire and utilize it to salvage the nation. The elections of 2015 will mark the beginning of the reversal of our decay, or it will make that reversal impossible. Our politicians and other leaders will be registered by history as heroes in salvaging the nation, or villains who pushed the nation off into deeper danger.

A small note I plan to contest for the Senate seat in my zone in Kaduna State, in sha Allah. I will have to stop writing until I know the outcome of my efforts to contribute to improving the quality of leadership in our nation. Thank you for reading my contributions.

OPINION

BY JOY OKOYE

When, a few weeks ago, Chief Peter Obi, the immediate past governor of Anambra State and one of the stoutest supporters of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, called the bluff of his once beloved party and announced his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party, the frailty of man resonated and the slippery components in the making of legends became apparent.

If the ex-Governor had strayed into the range of an unsullied political sect to further propagate his persuasions, I would have been surprised at the abandonment of his professed love for APGA. Had he withdrawn from partisan politics and opted to review persons and organisations whose whims peg the limits of the deprivations that governments offer the rest of us, I would have been pained for losing a patron in the APGA fold to whom I felt beholden. Had Obi turned a recluse, lost to both fans and adversaries of his political practices, he would have served himself and them better; for while in his solitary and their bewilderment he would have gradually diminished and be gone. He would have saved those who patronised his warmth for the APGA vision, the pangs of a sudden betrayal and the distraught in their Rock’s (the ex-Governor ’s adopted C M Y K

Ex-Governor Obi’s Slip name) hurried weathering into quicksand.

But why the brazen display of infidelity, and why the passion for the PDP? Obi rarely saw any good in PDP. The echoes of Obi’s dog-eat-dog relationship with the PDP which he did bitter battles with for three unending years in the courts before reclaiming the APGA mandate in 2006 point at some weird PDP baits for which Obi lost composure. What becomes of Obi’s regular oaths of allegiance to APGA during his eight years reign as an APGA-governor and even beyond? Many times Obi vowed, swearing with everything dear to him, if anything really is, that he would either swim or sink with APGA. He told whoever cared to listen that he would rather die or at best quit politics than mingle with the PDP. He never ceased deriding PDP as a horde of vampires and never-do-wells whom he swore to retire from politics. Testimonies of such statements liberally abound.

Wiles, however, have limited span for serving their patrons, and Obi caved in with his public admission of an intimate relationship he nocturnally indulged in with PDP for selfish profits. The moody ambience among admirers of Obi’s con-

tributions towards the growth of Anambra State indicates that though by defecting to PDP Obi might have simply exercised his right to freely associate with whoever he wishes, to the extent that this particular expression exponentially diminishes his integrity, it is ineffective and condemnable. My reluctance to lend my voice to the crowd of reactions following the ill defection was richly borne out of my respect for the institutions, persons and the noble vision which furthering the imports of Obi’s slip will do no less than undermine.

No parochial gain is worth the deracination of a nation’s pride, as none is spared the embarrassment and danger of a hemorrhage that spots unchecked.

When, however, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the widow of Dim Chukwemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the abiding spirit of APGA, put the defection in its critical perspective in an interview published in The Sun newspaper of Monday, October 20, 2014, I felt that probably the only germane reaction to Obi’s bungle had been served and no more ought to be added. Nothing else, with the bold, frank, comprehensive and engaging dis* course of the diplomat. Indeed, the ex-

Governor had nothing to plead to justify sabotaging the collective will of the APGA faithful. Obi cannot fault the rejection he now suffers from the same people he successfully led in battle a few months back in the victory of Chief Willie Obiano as his APGA successor. Obi equally lacks the persuasive prowess to convince anybody that President Jonathan’s second term interest propelled his drift to the minefields where the fate of a braggart who freely succumbs to conquest surely awaits him.

I had wished that the puerile defence in The Sun of October 22 ascribed to Obi, which indeed was an acceptance of ‘guilty as charged sentence’ by Bianca, never made the publication. Everything Doris Obinna presented from Obi’s purported interview in Obi’s defence was hollow and resounded the validity of the people’s loss of faith in him. I advise that nothing more should come in Obi’s condemnation beyond Bianca’s compendious piece, neither should any more flow from the hands or mouths of Obi’s apologists who might still be sulking over Bianca’s defiant apocalypse.

•Ms Okoye, a social commentator, wrote from Awka.

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014 CONCERNS about the health of our economy are easily confused with governments being worried about funds to run their businesses.

They are different. A healthy economy means favourable price of crude oil.

If the price is high enough to fund contractdriven policies that dominate thinking in governments, the economy is rated healthy.

Inflation rates, low competitiveness of our businesses, high unemployment rates and increasing poverty are remote matters for our governments. They are concerned about monthly allocations from oil.

The budget season is here again. Federal, state and local governments are going through the annual figure rituals. It is time to reel out what governments will spend on themselves and worry if oil prices would support their extravagance.

Few budget arguments would be heard.

Interests are more on the elections in February, just three months away. We would at least be saved legislative pretence at holding government agencies accountable.

As campaigns for the 2015 elections rumble on, governments would find apt titles for their budgets. They need people they ignored for years to vote again, it is a civic responsibility, they say, for the sustenance of democracy.

Most budget talks make frequent references

* The budget did not adequately address gender and people with special needs. * Little industrialisation to complement government’s skill acquisition programmes, hence youth unemployment and poverty.

Indices Of Our Healthy Economy

* The budget lacked specific goals, benchmarks and indicators with which to evaluate and assess its performance.

to the people and their importance in democracy. The right words are important now, arrogance returns after the elections.

However, a 2010 civil society organisations session on budget performance made these observations: * There was no citizens’ participation in the budget preparation process.

* There was inadequate fiscal discipline in the implementation of the budget.

* There was no substantial input from the civil society organisations during budget processes and implementation. * Government largely depended on oil for financing the budget, resulting in poor budget performance and slow pace of development.

* Legislators made very little contact with their constituencies and their interests did not reflect in budgetary projections.

The list contains everything a budget should not be. The tragedy of this is that the situation captures our government budgets nationwide.

Where budgets do not reflect aspirations of the people, who do they serve? Whether at the federal or state level, budgets have become self-serving weapon for the authorities, as reflected in the minimal current expenditure of our budgets.

The time is ripe for governments to tell Nigerians how they spend budgets and why they spent them in the manner they do. Unless the people keep piling pressure on their governments, they will get no explanations.

OPINION

BY EDWIN UHARA

A

T a meeting with the leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Goodluck Jonathan officially informed them of his intention to seek re-election next year. He made good his promise by picking the party’s nomination form as well as the expression of interest form at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja on October 30 this year.

Earlier, the President had set up a committee that would work out the modalities for his declaration. The Committee is headed by the former Minister of Defense, Dr. Haliru Bello as Chairman and former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani as Deputy Chairman, while the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim is to serve as the Secretary to the Committee.

While throwing more lights on what prompted the meeting of the party leaders with Mr. President, a national daily quoted a source as saying: “We met with the President at the State House and explained to him the need for the party to strictly adhere to the Electoral Act and the guidelines issued by the party at the last National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting… At the meeting with him, the President’s attention was drawn to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, report on the 2012 National Convention of the party which was nullified because it did not follow due process. So, our meeting with the Presi-

Now that Jonathan has agreed to run, what next? dent underscored the need to ensure that due process is followed.”

It was, therefore, agreed that the Electoral Act and the guidelines for the PDP presidential primary should be followed.

And in following the guidelines, the President will buy the presidential nomination form as well as the expression of interest form and pay all the necessary fees which about 44 groups made donations to the President for him to purchase the form. It will, however, be recalled that a group had sought to purchase both the nomination and the expression of interest forms for the President.

However, before different donations to the President was made public by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, a Presidential Fund Raising Committee had already been set up by the President. The Committee headed by the former Minister of Information and National Orientation, Professor Jerry Gana has the Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Hope Uzodinma; BUA Group of Companies Chairman, Ishaku Rabiu; Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, among others, as members.

It will be recalled that over 8, 000 different socio-political groups had gathered at the Eagle Square Abuja in the month of September, calling on the President to seek re-election next year with an assurance that they would all vote for him.

Nonetheless, now that the President has

agreed to run and has added flesh to his bone promise by picking the party ’s nomination and expression of interest forms, what is going to be the next phase of the campaign? In my view, the next battleground should be on grassroots mobilisation, sensitisation and voters education. We have about 8,812 electoral wards in the country. So, if the more than 8,000 groups that called on the President to seek re-election should establish the kind of presence they have in Abuja in these wards, there is no way the President and the party cannot win in more than 30 states out of the current 36 states in the country. Why I say so is because, most times, some voters don’t know presidential candidates by their names. Instead, they only vote for the candidates through their parties and logos.

In fact, at this stage that the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, is fuming at the ruling party, the real challenge that should face any of the 8,000 groups that are truly working for President Jonathan’s re-election is to start printing the prototypes of the ballot papers and start teaching and showing the electorates how to cast their votes on election day.

In similar vein, since the PDP has adopted the President as its sole presidential candidate, the real thing expected from these groups is to start carrying both the President’s message and the party’s logos-cummanifestoes to the electorates.

It is not enough urging the President to run when we are going to leave him and

the party at the mercy of the opposition.

Hence, we should take the support of the President as well as the party to the 8,812 electoral wards, 774 local government areas, 360 Federal Constituencies, 109 Senatorial Districts and the 36 states of the Federation. For those NGOs who don’t have the capacity to do so, they should merge or go into alliance with stronger ones. They should build formidable structures in key states like Kano, Lagos and Rivers states. This is one of the secrets PDP Project Reloaded used in returning Ekiti State back to the PDP in the June 21 governorship election held in the state. And with PDP's formidable structures in these key states which is complementing the existing structures of the party in those states, President Jonathan would be returned unopposed come February 14, 2015.

But then, experience has also shown that some of the electorates who pledged their votes for the President did not even come out to vote in the 2011 presidential election, let alone voting for the candidates of their choice. So, another major challenge is how to inspire or motivate these voters to come out and exercise their franchise on election day. I leave this part for now until we get in to election mood proper.

*Comrade Uhara, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Abuja

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014 —19

,

Entry into a public office is typically seen as an opportunity to feather one’s nest

Performing poverty, Goodluck Jonathan and Mohammadu Buhari styles

N

OT unaware of the general perception that Nigerians have of them, Nigerian politicians often try to appear above board.

But they don’t stop at that, they also want to be seen to be above board.

It does not matter to them what actually is the reality of their political life, what counts for them is to be seen to be doing what is expected. One of the more enduring perception of Nigerians about public office, elective or appointive, is that it is an opportunity to take care of one’s interest. Entry into a public office is typically seen as an opportunity to feather one’s nest and do with public funds and at public expense those things people would not normally do with their own hard earned money. A Nigerian official only deems it fit to remember his or her long-dead great grand parents on becoming a public officer.

It is at this time that those who have children old enough to marry decide on a wedding date to which all the people of ‘timbre and caliber ’ are invited. State governors and even presidents

give out their daughters in marriage in very lavish ceremonies once they get into office. Local government chair persons celebrate their birthdays or those of their spouses and make their state governors the ‘father of the day’. When governors find an occasion to squander public funds, they make whoever is president or is the head of state at the time father of the day. Some of these officials organise these social events in series leaving nobody in doubt that they are determined to reap to optimal level the social and economic capital that comes with such events when organised while they are yet public officers.

But this is just one way that Nigerian politicians or highranking officials participate in unseemly display of power and wealth. Yet they all want to be seen as at once poor and modest.

Therefore, they become actors in dramas entirely of their own making. They are performers of or with contradictory impulses. The long and short of my point so far is that no Nigerian politician wants to be seen as corrupt. And if they

BY ADEWALE KUPOLUYI

I

N the last few weeks, the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has dissipated too much energy trading words with his predecessor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, over how Ekiti State, also known as the Fountain of Knowledge, has been badly run and why things are bound to go from bad to worse. Fayose seems to be preoccupied with petty matters making many people to wonder whether the Governor really have much to offer his people.

Almost on a daily basis, the media is awash with how state resources have been wasted on white elephant projects, mismanaged and channeled into wrong use, thus portraying the last administration as being wasteful, insensitive, ‘after self comfort’ and terribly corrupt. Ordinarily, one should not be too surprised by such actions as politicians are used to raising false alarms, discrediting their opponents and showcasing what they perceive as the dark side of their political rivals and hopefully, usually through propaganda, garner public sympathy. This time around, Fayose had among others, accused his predecessor of spending a whopping sum of N50 million on beds in the newly-built Government House and another N100m tax payers’ money on toilets and bathrooms. Not only that, the helmsman in Ekiti has branded the N3.3 billion lodge built by the ex-governor as ill-conceived, misplaced and too costly for the state to maintain.

Over the years, Fayose has remained a highly controversial person even before he became governor under the first dispensation, before his eventual impeachment from office in 2006. One of the main accusations against him as a controversial person is his alleged youthful exuberance and penchant for violence. Even though he disagrees with his critics in that what people call his ‘ youthful exuberance’ is nothing C M Y K

,

are so perceived, they don’t want to be called that. It is for this reason that they go into the elaborate charade of claiming to have come from a poor background and desire to be seen as perpetually poor even when the evidence of their present existence gives the lie to such perception.

When President Goodluck Jonathan, the so-called consensus presidential candidate of the PDP, decided to obtain necessary documents to signify his ambition to continue as president beyond 2015, it was an opportunity for him to act his part in the PDPscripted and produced drama of presidential politics. That the President went with a large entourage to his party secretariat to pick the ‘expression of interest’ form has been celebrated by some as a display of modesty. That, at least, is how Godswill Akpabio, governor of Akwa Ibom and staunch backer of President Jonathan, wants Nigerians to view the matter. As television images show Akpabio mouthing this claim in a rapid speech that portrayed him as totally without the need to take some breath, Ayodele Fayose, newly re-elected governor of Ekiti, nodded in assent.

Fittingly for the big man that he is but quite not in sync with

theatrical tradition, President Jonathan would appear content to look on while others speak for him on the political stage. In other words, he would rather play his role by proxy. Thus, while it was Akpabio with the active support of Fayose that harped on the much-hyped modesty of the President for picking the expression of interest form by himself, it was the lot of his spokesperson to tell the rest of us how the President raised the funds to pay for this form- some princely N25 million. This very steep sum, if nothing else, should tell the overtly ambitious that presidential politics is not a game of paupers. But President Jonathan, the poor boy without shoes from Otuoke, the modest president that picked his own form himself, depended on friends and well wishers to raise money for his own ‘common entrance’ form. At least that is what Reuben Abati wants poor civilians like us, ignorant watchers of Nigerian politics, to believe. How far, somebody may want to ask General Ibrahim Babangida, have we travelled away from ‘money bag’ politics?

But before President Jonathan put up his proxy performance of poverty, it was the ascetic-looking Muhammadu Buhari, the APC presidential aspirant and veteran presidential candidate, that first got on the stage in a performance of poverty. Very dramatically General Buhari informed a bemused country that he got a bank loan to obtain his nomination form for the position of president. And how much did our good General get from one of our typically reluctant banks in the seemingly non-regenerative venture of presidential politics? A cool N27 million! This, in a

Fayose, it’s time to work but a display of fraternity with the common man, which to him, many political elite often relegate to the background and as such, this is the best way for him to identify with the common man. While it is completely not out of place for a new government to appraise the situation on ground with a view to working towards effective service delivery and good governance, which not only promote accountability and transparency, it could also help give a clear picture of some sort of where-we-are-coming-from, where-we're-are-going and what-it-takes-to-get-there. But the way Fayose is going about his seems to be completely different.

Although, the statistics given by the Governor himself look scary in terms of the rot in Ekiti, the scenario may not necessarily mean that the situation is completely hopeless and irredeemable. All that is required is the zeal, focus and the team spirit to move forward.

Thus, based on the Governor ’s account, the state would have to seriously work hard to put smiles on people’s faces in view of the meager monthly dole that comes from the Federation Account, which stands at N2.3b, Value Added Tax, VAT, proceeds that hover around N650m and an internally-generated revenue ranging from between N350 billion and N3.4 billion.

To move the state forward, government should painstakingly actualise the key component of its five major restoration agenda that is hinged on: virile intergovernmental relations, regional integration, effective local government administration, sustainable developmental objectives and highly professionalised public service.

Certainly, while a lot could be achieved in terms of federal-state relations because of the existing party influence in which the state is bound to enjoy with the central government with the same party platform, there is need to maintain cordial relations between the executive and the state legislators dominated by the opposition party, All Progressives Congress, APC, which appears to be worsening by the day.

The Governor should avoid unnecessary distractions, jettison primordial sentiments and face the enormous task of governance

This should be the priority of Fayose. He should not waste precious time on intimidating the state legislators to decamp to his party. Rather, he should see the present arrangement, where both parties have a reasonable representation in the house, as good for democracy, though the APC controls more members. Already, this tension is evident in the impeachment threats and the confrontation between the state government and the state House of Assembly with the sealing off a filling station belonging to the Speaker, Dr. Adewale Omirin. Many observers are wondering why the sudden action of the state in shutting down the station on an unconvincing excuse of forestalling fire outbreak.

Secondly, regional integration is something he cannot do in a hurry.

He would need to take time to study events as they unfold. Apart

country where struggling entrepreneurs or ordinary public servants try but never succeed in getting even a mere N500, 000 facility for business from our banks. Such business persons are said not to have the required collateral that politicians obviously possess in excess even for non-regenerative ventures.

It’s indeed incredible how someone, even of Buhari’s status, could just walk into a bank to get such a huge sum to finance what is yet a mere show of interest that might yet turn out to be a puff of wind. Would Alhaji Buhari also run to the same bank to get more loans for campaign expenses when, if he succeeds in becoming his party candidate, the race actually gets under way? Of course, General Buhari, as a former head of state, is a person of weight in Nigeria, but he is often portrayed as a very modest man who, by self-confession, depended on loans to build his personal houses. How is he expected to pay back this huge sum? He has not told anybody of wealthy patrons (oh no, a man like him can only be his own patron), friends or relations that came together pay his N27 million. He simply walked into a bank and came out with those millions. What form of governance operates in a bank where this kind of money can be approved? Could this be a pointer to how many of our banks come to grief?

Isn’t this yet another opportunity for us to take a close look at the regulations that should guide how politicians finance their campaigns if we truly want a corruption-free politics? This is an age long issue that should be resolved if there is to be some sanity to our politics, now or later.

from Ekiti, the only state that is controlled

by PDP is Ondo, which recently joined the ruling party following the recent defection of its governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko from the Labour Party. Without sounding pessimistic, this integration would remain elusive until the South-West governors truly align themselves politically. I don’t foresee this happening for now. On local government administration, Fayose should prove his mettle as a truly grassroots politician by courting the local councils, which are supposed to be very close to the people. He should ensure that funds meant for the LGAs are released promptly.

Also, the developmental objectives mapped out for the implementation of the above should be well designed and executed. This should wholistically cover security, empowerment, agricultural development, infrastructural transformation, health, education, science and technology while the fraying nerves of civil servants that have embarked on industrial action in the past few weeks, should be calmed.

Meanwhile, I take exception to the Governor ’s tokenism when he announced to his people that: “I am already grooming your Christmas chicken and your bags of rice”, through the office of his Personal Assistance/Special Assistant on Stomach Infrastructure and Special Duties. This is rather childish. It would have been better to, as the Chinese would say; to teach the people how to fish rather than giving them fish.

The Governor should turn a new leaf in the interest of his people to avoid unnecessary distractions, jettison primordial sentiments and face the enormous task of governance. This is not what Ekiti needs now. That is why he should reconsider his approach, leave rhetoric and settle down for work. *Mr Kupoluyi wrote from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

20 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

Incredible! Woman puts to bed after 5 years pregnancy in,” she said.

Confirming Adenike’s story, the pastor’s wife, Mrs. Dorcas Olawale said the delivery took everybody by surprise. ‘’ Since she came to this place, we have been conducting special prayers for her and her unborn baby. We were all surprised when she called the attention of my husband, that her baby just came out. I shouted on seeing the baby because God has done it for us. I ran outside and called one midwife nearby who came and cut the placenta and bathed the mother and child. God is really wonderful,” she asserted.

BY AUGUSTINA ANYAEGBU

I

T sounds like a fairy tale without any scientific or empirical proof. But eyewitnesses confirmed the story of an Abuja-based woman, Mrs Adenike Kolawole who allegedly put to bed after being pregnant for five years. Adenike who was allegedly delivered of her baby on October 26, 2014, at the Evangelical Church of Cherubim and Seraphim located at Pipeline Road, in the Mafon area of Ejigbo Lagos, claimed to have suffered from bareness for 27 years.

The visibly elated woman narrated her story to Vanguard Metro, VM. ‘’I suffered series of miscarriages in the early years of my marriage. After these experiences, I found it difficult to conceive again. I sought for both spiritual and medical help but none could solve my problems.

Rejected by relations “Surprisingly, I took in five years ago. But even in my pregnant state, I was still having my menstrual cycle. I was rejected by my relations and husband’s family who did not give me a chance of conceiving a baby. My only consolation was the faith I reposed in God,” she said.

Continuing, she said: “I was in the church for our Sunday service when I noticed that water was gushing out from my body and within a few minutes, my baby came out. I called the attention of the pastor and his wife who rushed immediately to assist me. The pastor’s wife called a midwife who came and cut off the placenta”.

Asked how she met her husband, Adenike replied: ‘’I met my husband when I was in school. We started dating and along the line, he deflowered me and I got pregnant. I terminated the pregnancy because I

*Proud mother...Mrs Adenike Kolawole with her newly delivered baby boy didn’t want anything to jeopardise my studies.

“We later got married when I graduated from school but since then, no child came forth. Because of the insults and humiliation that I was getting from my husband’s relations, I decided to quit the marriage to enable my husband marry another woman who can give him a child since that is the bone of contention.

“Things t u r n e d a r o u n d when five years ago, my pastor told me to go and meet m y husband.

He said the directive came from G o d .

Initially, I w a s reluctant to go but I later gave it a thought. I met my husband and after two months, I went to the

hospital for tests which showed that I was pregnant. With joy, I called my husband and told him about the new development. Of course he was highly elated because God had answered our prayers.

Beginning of a long wait “But that was the beginning of a long wait. After nine months and without any sign of being in labour, I became perplexed. I called my husband and told him about it but he consoled me by assuring me that God is alive.

“I later came to Lagos and stayed in the church as my pastor directed.

He started praying for me and we did m i d n i g h t prayers often until God answered our prayers. I have not slept with any man since the last five years that I took

I noticed that water was gushing out from my body and within a few minutes, my baby came out

Passed through hell A member of the church who identified herself as Mrs. Goodness Achibong also gave her own account of the mysterious delivery to VM. ‘’ From the first day that she came to this church, I noticed that she was passing through hell. I started praying for her when she narrated her ordeals to me. She has conquered the devil by delivering the baby. I was meditating when I heard the cry of a baby. I looked up and saw that it was Adenike’s baby.” she said.

The excited husband, Mr Kayode Kolawole, told VM that initially, he did not believe that his wife was pregnant. “I did not believe that my wife was pregnant all these years after nine months of pregnancy had elapsed. Words alone cannot express how grateful I am to God for what he had done for my family. I thank my wife’s pastor and his wife for accepting and praying for my wife when she came,” he said.

INSURGENCY: GEJ should do something now or step aside (1)

BY EBELE ORAKPO

“Oh my God! What is really going on in the NorthEast with Boko Haram, the ceasefire and our military?” asked John in the CMS-bound commuter bus as the radio newscaster said that thousands of Mubi residents in Adamawa State were fleeing as Boko Haram insurgents took over the second largest city in the state.

“My brother, I don’t know anymore and if I may ask, where were the soldiers and other law enforcement agents?” asked Ade. “I heard they all fled, that they did not fire a single shot in resistance. They simply fled and allowed the insurgents to take over the town and even hoisted their dirty flag,” said Rita adding: “And that is why I am saying that this war will never end as long as there are Boko Haram sympathisers in the military.”

Replied John: “A begi, let’s forget this saboteur story, it’s beginning to sound like a broken record.

The buck stops on the President’s desk. He is the Commander-in-Chief, for God’s sake. Fine, if your strategy is not working, why don’t you re-strategise? I am beginning to believe what some people are saying, that all the man is interested in is to be re-elected so whatever those who are enjoying the killings want, he is willing to bend over backwards to please them. Otherwise, why not declare full war on Boko Haram the way Nigeria declared war on Biafra? In that case, make people understand that since these people have declared war on Nigeria, they are enemies of Nigeria and Nigerians should treat them as such. Let those who are not in support leave the hot zones and then move in military from the South and fight the insurgents until the last man surrenders or dies. If not, we will continue to go round and round in circles.”

“And to think that the politicians are busy buying forms and campaigning, including the President! I weep for Nigeria. Nobody cares about the poor masses of this nation. The only time the greedy politicians remember them is when election is by the corner. They use and dump them. So many towns, villages and their inhabitants have been destroyed in the North-East and Abuja. What makes these tin gods think that the destruction

Since Boko Haram has declared war on Nigeria, they are enemies of Nigeria and should be treated as such will not get to their fortified cities?

With what I am seeing, if nothing urgent is done to stem the tide, then it’s only a matter of time,” said Ade. “I read on Facebook how an entire village in Borno State was burnt down and the males killed, leaving the old women, such wickedness, such barbarism!” said Rita.

“My take is that GEJ should not contest the Presidency in 2015 in the interest of peace because from what is going on now, as long as a Christian is at the helm of affairs at the centre, there will not be peace,” advised Chris.

Asked John: “So what you are saying is that Christians should give up leadership at the centre?”

“Exactly! For the sake of peace,” replied Chris.

“You are incredible! Peace of the graveyard! So they are not part of Nigeria? Then let’s go our separate ways. Divide Nigeria into Moslem North and South, and Christian North and South,” suggested John.

Said Chris: “That will still not solve the problem.

You see, a Moslem friend of mine told me that there are two houses on earth – the house of peace which is Islam and the house of war (other faiths).”

Continues next week

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2014 — 21

Stakeholders brainstorm on tax dispute resolution

S

From left: Mr Mr Kayode Falowo, Vice President, Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce; Arc. Emeka Awagu, Immediate Past President; Prince Adeyemi Adefulu, President and Mrs Magaret Essiet, Deputy Director, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON representing her Director General, Dr Joseph Odumodu at the Breakfast meeting hosted by NBCC in Lagos.

Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

FG advocates appropriate framework for PPP arrangement T

he Minister of Finance, Dr.Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has advocated appropriate legal framework for PublicPrivate-Partnerships (PPP) that would accommodate risk sharing. Okonjo-Iweala made the call in Abuja at the PPP Foundational Training organised for stakeholders by the African Development Bank (AfDB).

She said that some of the existing PPP framework and agreements in the country put all the risks involved in transactions on governments alone. She said that situation where the private sector always walked away with no risk, while the government bore all the risks involved in

the projects was not the best of arrangements.

Okonjo-Iweala said that the right framework would be in terms of financial and economic analysis that allowed participating parties to make a decent rate of returns. She said that there was the need for the consumers to get a fair deal at the end of every project to save consumers from bearing unnecessary costs. The minister said that there were many interesting existing PPP projects in the country that were based on well-structured framework.

“We’ve got the second Niger Bridge which I think is going along very well. We’ve got the Lagos –Ibadan road, the Lekki Deep Seaport, the Onne Port

USD2,885.00 USD -14.00 USC 15.93 USC -0.11

USD 86.13 USD 0.27 USD 80.44 USD -0.10

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR 154.76 STERLING 247.7398 EURO 194.7345 FRANC 161.3428 YEN 1.3861 CFA 0.2782 WAUA 228.4299 RENMINBI 25.3161 RIYAL 41.2484 KRONA 26.1516 SDR 229.1686

155.26 248.5402 195.3637 161.8441 1.3906 0.2882 229.1679 25.3983 41.3817 26.2361 229.909

155.76 249.3406 195.9928 162.3853 1.3951 0.2982 229.9059 25.4805 41.515 26.3206 230.6494

CBN Exchange Rate as 04 /10/ 2014

and many more.

“There should be the right framework in terms of financial and economic analysis that permits participating parties to make a decent rate of returns to ensure that the consumers get a fair deal. I do not want a situation whereby after we finish the project we will be trying to come back and undo it because it was not properly structured,” she said.

Okonjo-Iweala said that one of the major problems confronting the success of PPP arrangement in Africa is its length of time.

She said that statistics had shown that it took an average of seven years to complete a PPP project on the continent.

The minister said that no

ministry would hurry into any PPP agreement when the time horizon for delivery was longer, while the time horizon for the policy maker was short.

“If they are going to be in office for four years and the PPP is not going to be realised, it means that they are leaving office without delivering. We cannot afford to take that length of time because we have so many projects and this means that we need the financial capacity to understand the types of arrangements needed.

“We need the legal and the regulatory framework within which we are doing this in order to hasten the projects,” Okonjo-Iweala said.

FG backs PZ backward integration for oil palm

T

he Federal Government is committed to supporting private sector investment in backward integration to make Nigeria self sufficient in oil palm production.

This remark was made by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina when management of PZ Wilmar paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

The purpose of the visit, according to the Chief Executive Officer of PZ Cussons the joint-venture

partner, Mr Christos Giannopoulos was to update him on oil palm plantation project being executed by the company in Cross River State.

The 26,000-hectares project is part of an integrated end-toend value chain in oil palm production and processing.

According to Giannopoulos, so far over 1.9 million high yield tenera variety seedlings has gone through various stages and have been re planted. It will in the not too distant future close the supply gap of crude palm oil in the Nigerian economy. Furthermore, it will supply raw materials to its 1,000

ton per day refinery.

Responding to the briefing by Giannopoulos, Dr. Adesina assured PZ Wilmar management its appreciation of the role private sector can play in putting Nigeria back to its rightful place by ‘building the foundation for Nigeria to be what it should be’. He urged the management to develop a robust small-holder scheme so that technical know how could be passed on to small scale holders.

Contributing, Managing Director, PZ Wilmar Nigeria PLC, Mr. Santosh Pillai told the minister that the company is working with Cross River State.

takeholders in tax matters converged on Abuja to seek for new ways to enhance tax dispute resolutions in the country.

The two-day conference, organised by the National Institute for Advanced Legal Studies for the Tax Appeal Tribunal and the Nigerian judiciary has the theme: “Deepening Stakeholder Buy-in and Fast- Tracking Tax Dispute Resolution in Nigeria’’.

Declaring the conference open, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, advised its participants to evolve ways to sensitise and encourage taxpayers and revenue agencies to take advantage of the tax tribunal.

Mukhtar also called on the participants to consider the stakeholder appreciation of the role of the tribubal as a critical component of the Nigerian tax system. She noted that tax was very crucial in government’s revenue generation, adding that the situation should not be different in Nigeria.

“In other climes, revenues generated from taxation usually constitute the bulk of the state’s revenue. I have no doubt that the same must also be the position in our country. It can only be so if every adult/orgnisation is made to pay tax, as properly assessed and as and when due,’’ she said.

The chief justice, who was represented by Justice John Fabiyi, further appealed to the participants to reappraise double taxation in the country to evolve means of addressing it.

“The conference participants should not only consider factors by which revenue for states can be garnered in bulk. The other side of the coin should also be noted accordingly. This has to do with incidences of double taxation of individual tax payers and organisations. To my mind, this should be avoided,’’ she noted.

The Minister of Finance, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who delivered the key note address, said the tribunal was an integral part of the reforms of the tax system.

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

Where you live plays a big role in how much you pay for food, taxes and a variety of other services.

,

Ways to reduce the cost of retirement

T

O enjoy your retirement these life style changes will make a big impact on your retirement budget

Downsize your home.

Once your children are independent, you will likely no longer need a several-bedroom house in a good school district with a large yard that can be expensive to maintain. Consider downsizing to a smaller home in a less-expensive neighborhood, and add the proceeds of the sale to your nest egg.

Move to an area with a lower cost of living.

Where you live plays a big role in how much you pay for food, taxes and a variety of other services. Moving to an area where the cost of living is significantly less could allow you to spend down your retirement savings more slowly.

Sell a vehicle or go carless.

If you and your spouse commuted to separate places each day, it is likely that you each needed a car. In retirement, you might be able to get by with one car, thus eliminating the insurance, petrol and maintenance costs of the second vehicle. In walkable communities with good public transportation, you may even be able to get by without a car in retirement.

Reduce your tax bill.

In retirement, income tax will be due on withdrawals from traditional and individual retirement accounts, but you can space out your withdrawals to avoid a hefty tax bill in a single year. Prepaying income tax on some of your retirement savings allows you to avoid a big tax bill in retirement Reduce investment fees.

Investing in high-cost funds reduces your return.

Minimizing investment costs is especially important for retirees who are living off income from their portfolio. In this case, selecting the lowest-cost funds that meet your investment needs translates to more money in your pocket.

Avoid retirement penalties.

There are significant penalties if you withdraw money from your retirement account too soon or too late.

Pay attention to important retirement deadlines to avoid paying more than you need to.

, INSURAN High costs of the retirement dream M

ANY workers are always afraid of the future when they are getting to the age of retirement. Some prepare early enough and live comfortably on retirement why many are ill prepared and suffer greatly after several years of active service. Many blame their misfortune on the employer whom they say have neglected them while those who are well prepared are seen as being lucky especially in Nigeria where one pension scam after the other have come to light. Here we offer tips on how you can prepare for a meaniful life after you retire from active service.

Prohibitive expenses Retirement typically involves saving enough money to pay all your bills without working. Retired households spend an average of $40,938 per year in America and about N3.5 million on average in Nigeria, according to the most recent Consumer Expenditure Survey. What do retirees spend on: Housing Housing is typically the largest cost retirees face, averaging N2.175 million ($14,034) in US and about N750, 000 in Nigeria among people age 65 and older. This amount includes maintenance of owned property, rented

apartments. Utilities cost retirees N180, 000 annually, with electricity being the largest charge. Mortgage interest and charges, property taxes maintenance and insurance and household furnishings add to the housing costs of retirees.

Food Retirees age 65 and older spend an average of N250, 000 annually on food. Most of this money is spent on meals at home, with meat, poultry, fish and eggs and fruits and vegetables being the most expensive categories of food older people eat.

Transportation Driving costs tend to decline in retirement because retirees no longer need to commute to work. But retirees still need to get around. They spend an average of N150,000 annually on transportation, including the costs for petrol, insurance, maintenance and repairs. Retirees also spend an average of N25,000 per year on public transportation.

Health care Health care costs can increase in retirement, especially if your health care needs change due to illness. Retirees spend an average of N520,000 on health care, medical services, drugs and medical devices.

Entertainment

Some retirees have a lot of newfound free time to fill, and often that ends up costing money. Those age 65 and older spend an average of N50,000 on entertainment, such as fees and admissions, audio and visual equipment and hobbies. They also spend an average of $N20,000 on their pets especially dogs.

Clothing Although seniors no longer need work clothes in retirement, they still need to purchase new articles of clothing as they wear out. Retirees spend about N150,000 per year on apparel, including footwear.

Personal care People age 65 and older purchase an average of N30,000 worth of personal care products and services, including shampoo and other hair care products, toothpaste and similar oral care tools, cosmetics, shaving and bath products.

Education Some retirees spend an average of N15,000 annually on education costs and reading materials, including books, newspapers and magazines.

Retirees in the township spend the most on continuing education.

Smoking Seniors age 65 and older buy tobacco products, includ-

Minimize health care costs.

Health care is likely to be one of the biggest and least predictable costs you will face in retirement. But there are some things you can do to control your health costs.

Consider purchasing a supplemental policy to Medicare to fill in some of the gaps and cost-sharing requirements traditional Medicare doesn’t cover. Also, shop for a new Medicare Part D plan every year to make sure you are getting coverage for your medications at the best price.

Travel at off-peak times.

Retirees have the luxury of being able to travel whenever they want. Traveling is often less expensive if you avoid major holidays and school breaks, and most tourist destinations will also be less crowded.

Get senior discounts.

One of the major perks of growing older is getting discounts at movies, museums and restaurants. While some senior discounts are well-publicized and open to everyone old enough to have an AARP card, others are available only to those who ask. A little research can add up to big savings if you’re willing to admit your age.

C M Y K

From left: Dr Anand Mittal, MD, Prestige Assurance Plc; Mr. Jethro Olukayode Adewole; Mr Abayomi Odulana, Company Secretary during the 44th Annual General Meeting of the Company in Lagos recently.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014,

,

CE & YOU

— 23

Beginning to save for retirement in your 20s and 30s allows you to start generating valuable compound interest that will accumulate over decades.

,

'Pension industry can safeguard N4.4tr asset' A

From left: Former Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Remi Babalola; Ebi of Idena Remo, Oba Omosanya Akinyemi; President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mr. Ayodapo Shoderu; and Director General, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) Mr. Sunday Thomas at the 2014 NCRIB National Insurance Conference in Abuja ing cigarettes, cigars, loose smoking tobacco and smoking accessories that cost an average of N5,000 each year.

Charity Retirees give away an average of N300,000 per year as cash contributions, perhaps as gifts

to family members or donations to charitable, religious, educational or political organizations.

Secrets of successful retirement savers P EOPLE who save enough money for a secure retirement often start saving at an early age and save consistently throughout their career. It also helps to avoid taxes and fees whenever possible. Here are 10 strategies successful savers use:

Start saving at your first job.

Beginning to save for retirement in your 20s and 30s allows you to start generating valuable compound interest that will accumulate over decades. Tucking away even a small amount will get you into the habit of saving for the future.

Save with every paycheck.

Set up a direct deposit from your paycheck to a 401(k), IRA, or taxable investment account, and learn to live on your remaining paycheck. If you make saving automatic, you won’t be tempted to spend it or forget to make a contribution.

Boost your contributions.

As your income grows, increase the amount you divert to your savings accounts. Also save a portion of windfalls such as bonuses or tax refunds. Some 401(k) plans offer automatic escalation, which will gradually increase your contribution amount over time.

Get your employer to contribute.

A match or other retirement account contribution from your employer is likely to be the best possible return you can get on an investment. If your employer chips in 50 cents for each dollar you contribute, that’s a 50 percent return.

Get your employer to contribute.

A contributory match or other retirement account contribution from your employer is likely to be the best possible return you can get on an investment. If your employer chips in 7 per cent for each naira you earn, that’s a 7 percent return.

GAINST the backdrop of the recently enacted Pension Reform Act of 2014, Nigeria’s Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, has stressed that Nigeria’s pension industry now stands on a stronger foundation, providing safety for the N4.4 trillion pension assets under management.

The company boasts of over one million Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders and assets under management in excess of N1 trillion, paying approximately N1.8 billion to almost 30,000 retirees monthly.

Over N178 billion has been paid to retirees seamlessly since the PFA commenced operations in 2006.

Speaking at a conference on pension and corporate governance organized by the company in Lagos, Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, Mr. Demola Sogunle, said the new law had expanded the scope of participation in the pension scheme by Nigerians as well as strengthened compliance with its provisions, especially relating to enrolment and remittance of pension contributions.

“The Pension Reform Act of 2014, among its very many laudable provisions, will be instrumental in expanding coverage of the Nigerian pension system and strengthening compliance, while building a vibrant pension industry capable of supporting economic growth and development,” Sogunle stated.

Sogunle explained that private sector organizations with 3 employees or more are expected to register under the scheme.

The law also compels an employer to open a Temporary Retirement Savings Account (TRSA) on behalf of an employee that fails to open a Retirement Savings Account (RSA) within three months of being employed.

Sogunle added that whatever gaps existed in the old pension regime had been effectively plugged in the new law, making the incidence of ghost pensioners and widespread mismanagement of pension funds almost impossible. Very stiff penalties for pension funds fraudsters and employers who persistently fail to deduct and/ or remit pension contributions of their employees within the stipulated time are expected to checkmate abuse.

Guest speaker and former Nigerian High Commissioner to Britain, Dr Christopher Kolade highlighted passion for high quality, productivity and integrity as key drivers for success in business, while urging every business to strive to achieve effectiveness through best practice.

Sogunle described as erroneous the impression often bandied in the public space that pension funds are left to PFAs, employers, individuals or operators to handle as they wish.

Instead, he emphasized that pension fund assets are held by Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs) who execute benefit payments and investment instructions from the PFAs and are duly licensed by the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

“The PFAs manage and administer the funds, while the PFCs have custody of the pension fund.

Prestige to strengthen operations, improve service delivery

By AMARACHI OBIORA

P

RESTIGE Assurance Plc said it has put in place measures to strengthen its operations and improve service delivery and boost business generation, with special emphasis on claims settlement, operational transparency to customers and issuance of policies.

Chairman of the company, Mr. Charles Sankey, while addressing shareholders at its annual general meeting in Lagos, said, “We have also revamped our channel strategy to improve market penetration and coverage.

“Among the steps we have taken in this regard is the initiation of over 200 agents to further improve our operational footprint as well as the deployment of technology to help provide services and products on a more timely and efficient basis.”

He further expressed confidence that the company is in good shape to withstand the current challenges faced by the insurance industry in Nigeria and deliver value to its stakeholders on a scale matched by few other firms in the industry.

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

Transportation in Lagos State 2015 - 2019

T From left : Taiwo Ayoku, winner of the Standard Chartered Bank 2014 Mega Rewards Promotion star prize, his wife and Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank, Bola Adesola, during the presentation of the grand prize of Porsche Cayenne SUV car to its winner at the bank’s headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos.

NSE, CBI launch corporate governance rating system T

he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) with the Convention on Business Integrity (CBI) have launched the foremost Corporate Governance Rating System (CGRS) in Nigeria The Corporate Governance Rating System (CGRS) is designed to rate companies listed on the NSE based on their corporate governance and anticorruption culture, thereby improving the overall perception of and trust in Nigeria’s capital markets and business practices.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Oscar Onyema, CEO, NSE, stated that with the CGRS, it is anticipated that there would be an improvement in the overall perception of capital

markets and business practices. “It is expected that companies will enjoy tangible business advantages from riskoriented and/or ethically sensitive business partners and investors. In addition, competitors would be challenged to establish the same level of good governance by setting standards of excellence. Companies would not only set themselves apart from their peers, but also contribute to improving the climate for doing business in Nigeria” In his presentation, the Executive Director of CBI, Mr. Soji Apampa, shared the design & pilot phase of the CGRS which was done between May 2013 and

September 2014. “The rating system is based on a holistic multi-stakeholder approach that uses a diverse information collection and verification approach, which relies not only on self-assessments of companies but also on experiences of stakeholders and experts”, Apampa said.

The HUMBOLDT-VIADRINA School of Governance (Berlin/ Germany) was appointed as the International Observer to review and support the process of establishing Nigeria’s Corporate Governance.

The CGRS launch event attracted over 500 corporate sector participants joined by government and civil society delegates from Nigeria and across the globe.

Stanbic IBTC Bank unveils SME business-support initiative

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

S

tanbic IBTC Bank has unveiled a nationwide campaign in which operators in the small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) sector will receive robust support to grow their businesses.

The support, which range from business term loans, vehicle and asset finance, to distributor finance, import and export finance, trader loans and agriculture finance, among others, have been carefully developed to ensure that they help drive the growth and profitability of SMEs. Speaking at the launch of a television commercial (TVC), in Lagos, the Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Obinnia Abajue, said that Stanbic IBTC Bank is always prepared to give loans to businesses, small, medium, or big, as long as there are prospects in the business and they are well structured.

Abajue noted that the core business of banks is to mobilize capital for investment in the economy, a key factor in Stanbic IBTC Bank’s C M Y K

unwavering commitment to providing financial solutions to help clients meet their business objectives.

In the TVC, which is part of an integrated marketing campaign on radio, television, advertising, press, and outdoor, Stanbic IBTC Bank catalogues a world of opportunities through which it can help people and businesses across the SME value chain to accomplish their goals, be they renovations, expansion, rapid growth, emergencies or working capital.

“To have access to finance for whatever needs, small and medium scale businesses only need to have a track record of proper bookkeeping and adequate data to support their claims. Sound financial management is the bedrock of any successful business.

Accessing facilities isn’t as difficult as it is portrayed,” Abajue stated.

He tasked SMEs to adopt a professional approach to managing their businesses, ensuring standard and proper record keeping if they hope to get the support of banks to grow their businesses.

his is the fourth part of a City. The second land mass is series stating what Lagos between the Lagos to Ibadan State residents expect from expressway and the Ikorodu to their next governor. The Lagos Sagamu Road and it stretches Metropolitan Area Transport southwards from the Authority, L AMATA, has Redemption Camp to the River produced a master plan Ogun at Isheri North, Lagos covering land and water State. This second land mass transport for the period up to has experienced an upsurge in 2020. We shall first consider residential development, projects that are not included especially since the authorities in this master plan. of the Redeemed Christian What would be best for Church of God built a bridge movement into and out of across the River Owuru at Lagos would be for the Lagos Ebute Bonwu and thereby to Ibadan expressway to be created a road link between reconstructed into a 12-lane the Lagos to Ibadan highway with 6 lanes in either Expressway at the Redemption direction between Ojota, Camp and Simawa on the Lagos and the Sagamu Ikorodu to Sagamu Road. interchange. We now know The Lagos State that the current 4-year Government, LASG, should reconstruction project would construct a 4-lane toll bridge not exceed 4 lanes in either across the River Ogun between direction. This is because a 6- the bridge at Isheri on the lane carriageway would Lagos to Ibadan expressway require additional bridges to and the bridge at Ajegunle on be built besides existing the Ikorodu Road. An ideal bridges to provide the location for the toll bridge required carriageway width. would be approximately at If a six-lane carriageway latitude 732,600m North which were built, it would ease fits very well with the road outbound traffic flow layout within the Isheri North considerably as the three traffic Residential Scheme. The toll lanes from the Oworonshoki bridge would be linked to the end of the Apapa to Oshodi to Lagos to Ibadan expressway Oworonshoki expressway and through the Olowoira/Magodo the Third Mainland Bridge axis. There would be a road would readily merge with the eastwards from the toll bridge two lanes from the Ikorodu through the Isheri North Road joining the Lagos to Residential Scheme. Beyond Ibadan expressway at Ojota. the scheme, the road should Also there would be improved follow an east to northeast outbound traffic flow at places route leading to Isawo west of along the Lagos to Ibadan Ikorodu, and beyond Isawo the expressway such as Ojodu- road should be taken to the Berger, Redemption Camp, etc Ikorodu to Sagamu Road. where the traffic waiting to exit There would also be a bridge the expressway reduces road across the River Owuru, west width available of Isawo. to traffic This bridge/road proceeding project should be further. carried out now as We must there is very limited recognize that development in the there are two areas through which land masses the road would pass. which would The bridge/road have significant project would provide impact on traffic a much-needed out of the Lagos alternative access out area and which of the Lagos area.

We shall land masses may Traffic gridlock on the first not have featured Lagos to Ibadan consider in Lamata’s expressway usually plans. The first projects occurs whenever an land mass is the articulated vehicle that are 9000 hectares fails, overturns and not which is being dumps its load on the included added by sand expressway. Next fill to Victoria week, we shall start in this Island and with transport master otherwise called operations on Lamata’s plan the Eko Atlantic projects.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014—25

DIARY zCisco Connect Sun City, South Africa Nov. 2 - 4, 2014 zAfricacom 2014.

Cape Town Convention Centre, Cape Town, South Africa Nov 11-13, 2014

zCyberForensics 2014 Holds in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Nov 17-19, 2014.

Preview Electronic handheld sewing machine makes life easy

A

re you tired of using a needle for small clothing repairs? Do you often need quick alterations and you simply can’t haul your sewing machine with you? This handheld sewing machine is going to be the perfect solution to your needs.

Portable, cordless, battery operated handy stitch. Makes sewing fun, fast and easy.

Repairs even delicate fabrics like silk. And powerful enough, even to sew through denim jeans. Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, for great control and easy operation.

Invaluable tool when you need a quick solution for simple on the spot jobs like repairs and alterations.

This unassuming device has a lot to offer: it precisely controls stitching with the rotary wheel adjustment and it has tension control to adjust the tightness of stitches, the fastening plate holds the fabric while stitching; making your work more efficient.

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NCS 2014 NITMA award: From left: . Iyiola Ayoola, Director Corporate Affairs, Nigeria Computer Society, Mrs Soremi of NITDA, Prof.

David O. Adewumi, President, Nigeria Computer Society, Jide Awe, Chairman Publicity, Trade and Event Committee of Nigeria Computer Society at the weekend in Lagos during a press conference to unfold plans for the 2014 Nigerian Information Technology Merit Award organized by the NCS. Photo by EMEKA AGINAM

At last, Senate passes Cyber Crime bill into law games online. E-commerce gained ground, HEN Nigeria's telecoms revolution took and online retailers are smiling to the banks. off after the licensing of GSM operators But like every good thing, the ugly came in 2001, it heralded positive developments for with it. Scammers started operating in Nigerians as a people, and the economy in cyberspace, ripping off the unwary. While general. Communications among Nigerians the Police and other law-enforcement agents and between Nigeria and the rest of the world, tried their best, a major flaw existed: there which was very difficult, became simplified was simply no law that captures cybercrime almost overnight. As the GSM operators and prescribes punishment for cyber penetrated the virgin market, information criminals.

It was this that prompted many interest technology devices became prime gadgets for groups in the ICT arena to acquisition by Nigerians. clamour for a cyber crime law In no time, computers with to regulate activities in the internet connections became sector as well as to take care of The passage ubiquitous, and with the coming the criminally-minded. of data services, devices with portends a positive Only recently, the Senate mobile internet capability outlook for the passed the long-awaited Cyber became choice attraction. When Crime Bill into law. the tablet computer took the growth of It would be recalled that in world by storm, Nigeria and eCommerce in the the past 10 years, several bills Nigerians were not left out as on cybercrime had been tablets of various brands found country as pushed to the National their way to Nigeria, and were confidence in the Assembly by the Nigerian promptly gobbled up by a Information Technology Internet as a safe population whose desire to experts, but none scaled communicate became almost medium of through the final reading on insatiable. the floor of the Senate. conducting Thus, Nigerians joined the Many of the bills did not rest of the world in being active transactions will even get a mention, but recently, in cyberspace. Thousands, even one of the bills eventually millions, opened email grow passed through the final accounts, and started playing

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I N S I D E

BY EMEKA AGINAM

Thinking globally, acting locally: The TECNO Mobile example

reading and was approved by Senate, a development that has drawn commendations from ICT professionals in the country.

In 2011, Senator Gbenga Kaka (APC, Ogun East) had presented a bill to stop cybercrime. But the bill came under controversy due to a section related to social media.

In January, President Goodluck Jonathan in the bill titled, “Cybercrime Bill, 2013”, which was routed through the Senate President, David Mark, had urged members of the upper legislative chamber to consider its enactment into law. The bill introduced July 28, 2011, was targeted at curbing the activities of internet scammers, who always give the country bad name, both locally and internationally.

Cybercrime Cybercrime is a term for any illegal activity that uses a computer as its primary means.

It also includes any illegal activity that uses a computer for the storage of evidence.

Cybercrimes include crimes that have been made possible by computers, such as network intrusions and the dissemination of computer viruses, as well as computerbased variations of existing crimes, such as identity theft, stalking, bullying and terrorism.

The passage of the bill is also part of the continuationofmeasurestowardssafeguarding the nation’s presence in cyberspace while ensuring protection of critical national information infrastructure. Accordingly, the bill provides for the prohibition, prevention, detection, response, investigation and prosecution of Cyber Crimes and for other related matters, 2014.

Boosts Nigeria’s image One thing is clear with the passage of the bill.

Cybercrimes,especiallytheadvancedfeefraud Continues on page 26

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At last, Senate passes Cyber Crime bill into law Continues from page 25 popularlyknownas419 areexpected tobereducedtothebarestminimum.

Similarly, with the passage of the bill, notable official government websites including that of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the country’sclearinghouseforITprojects will now be adequately protected..

Meanwhile, chairman of the Senate Committee, Sen. Umaru Dahiru, while presenting the report before the Senate for consideration and passage said that the bill seeks to provide a legal framework for the implementation and evaluation of response and preventive measures in the fight against cyber crime in line with international best practices.

Provisions of the law It provides a legal framework for the prohibition and punishment of electronicfraudandcybercrimewhilst promoting e-government services, electronic communications and transactions between public and private bodies as well as institutions and individuals. The law has criminalized certain acts and omissions in line with regional and international best practices and provideproceduralguidelinesforthe investigation of such offences.

It also defines the liability of service providers and ensures that national interest is not compromised by the use of electronic communications.

Meanwhile, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary session of the Senate on Thursday, 23 October, putthequestiononthebillthat sailed through third reading and was thus passed. Ekweremadunotedthat the Bill would go a long way in fighting corruption as well as reduce to the barest minimum the rate of cybercrime in Nigeria.

Stakeholders react Commending the passage of the Cybercrime Bill into law, CEO of Mobile Software Solutions, Chris Uwaje however noted that the law is fundamentally flawed by the fact that the foundation for the ICT Legislation Architecture for Nigeria which is the “National Information Technology(IT)Bill”anditsenabling Acts- has not been laid. For Lanre Ajayi, ATCON President, the passage of the bill is welcome , adding that it would boost ecommerce. Similarly, Jimson Olufuye, chairman of the Africa ICT Alliance, also commended passage of the bill, noting that what is critical is smooth, full implementation of its provisions.

Speakingonthenewdevelopment, Jide Awe, Chairman Publicity, Trade and Event Committee of Nigeria Computer Society believes that the bill requires the President’s assent to become law. “Cybersecurity legislationishowever long overdue" he said. The political class has actually been quite slow and it is about having an appreciation of the damage absence of cyber legislation does to a nation and its people.

Provides for a safe digital environment “Effective enforcement will deter and penalize cyber mischief, and stem the negative misconceptions about the Nigerian nation in the foreign media and community.

While the battle for dominance in the mobile phone ecosystem heightens in the Nigerian market and in Africa as a whole, every Original Equipment Manufacturer, OEM, operating in the region knows quite well that brand development through innovative technologies is important for success story.

In this interview with EMEKA AGINAM, Mr. Arif Chowdhury, the Vice President of Transsion Holdings, a group that owns different brands, such as TECNO Mobile while telling the success story of the OEMs as the fasted growing mobile device in the country said that TECNO Mobile is not left out in the universal trend of unique brand development, high quality product offerings, affordability and improvement.

Attributing TECNO Mobile ‘s success story to innovative technologies with friendly price, the VP said that TECNO Mobile thinks globally, and act locally. He said that Africa is their sole market and will be treated right.

Excerpt:

M

ARKET share: TECNO Mobile is now among the TOP 3 mobile phone brand in Nigeria. We received several awards for quality of our products and services.

TECNO Mobile offerings in mobile voice and data technologies which include: smart phones, tablets and feature phones ranges enjoy huge popularity and adoption in Africa owing to its unique offering of Dual-SIM enabled mobile devices at a time it barely controlled less than 1% of the total market share in mobile devices original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with shops in African.

Why dual SIM technology We brought Dual SIM in this market, because it was an important need, instead of asking our customers to buy two phones, we give them the Dual SIM solution. And this is what is important to understand, TECNO Mobile is always answering the Nigerians needs and they choose dual SIM. Manufacturing plant TCNO Mobile actually doesn’t have one factory, but several factories. We are building one in Nigeria currently which is expected to create employment in the country.

TECNO Mobile thinking globally, acting locally Think globally, act locally. Our headquarter is in Hong-Kong. Our mobile are designed by a French team.

Our mobile phones are made in China just like all known mobile phone manufacturers, and when it comes to products and the decision for future products it is a local strategy. The product is imagined by Nigerians. TECNO mobile care about the customers and our strategy is always in line with customer needs. If we decide to produce a new high technology smartphone with a front flash camera 8mp, it is not actually our decision but the customers decision.

Furthermore, Nigeria is a special market for us. We particularly appreciate this market, and we have a special relation with Nigerians.

Between TECNO Mobile and other top brands in Nigeria TECNO Mobile has always been creating innovative products in the market. The latest one is called Phantom Z. If you compare it to other brands in the market, you will see that it is the first Octa-core in the market, the first high ends smartphone with front flash camera.

We are not following others, we are creating, and we are innovating.

Mobile phone success in Africa, Nigeria As I said, the success of TECNO has been built by Nigerians. We give an

Arif Chowdhury, Vice President, TECNO Group

: y ll a c lo g in t c a , y Thinking globall

O N C E T e h T e l p m a x e e l i Mob

answer to a particular need, we bring the best technology in this market and give affordable price, and we give Nigerians a choice between large families of products. When you choose TECNO Mobile, you are sure to find the right product for the right price.

We choose to be fair with customers; we choose to do the best we can, to allow anybody in Nigeria to communicate with their family, friends, without having to save money several months before being able to buy smart phone. Now every Nigeria, even in the rural area can communicate.

CSR activities in Nigeria: App Challenge In 2013, Tecno collaborated with CoCreation Hub, CCHub, in Lagos, to motivate, develop and reward Mobile Phone application developers in Nigeria.

This was done by organizing mobile phone app development context where many app developers participated.

Three of the contestants won cash prizes of N1m, We will N500, 000 and N250, 000 continue to naira respectively.

There were also 10 improve consolatory prizes for lives of our other participants and each of them received customers Tecno smartphones.

Computer Village through Cleaning: innovative On the other hand, technologies Tecno organized and carried out a cleaning

exercise in their immediate business environment tagged ‘’Tecno Talk and Clean Campaign’’. During this exercise, members of Tecno staff and some other professional cleaners were engaged in the cleaning of Computer Village in Ikeja. They swept Computer Village streets, cleared the drainages, and also collaborated with Lagos State Waste Management Agency to remove all refuse collected during the cleaning exercise Visit to orphanages in Lagos In December 2013, Tecno visited two orphanages in Lagos; SOS Children’s Home at Isolo and Little Saints Orphanage at Akowonjo. During the visit, various items such as food, towels, school bags, writing pens, diaries, etc were donated to these orphanages.

Community Support Tecno has also supported the various associations in Computer Village in various events at various times.

Sponsorship of school and campus events We have been very active in the support and sponsorship of Campus events in the past 2 years. Recently, we were one of the sponsors of Miss UNILAG and Miss LASU in Lagos State and we also promoted other events at YABATECH in Lagos. On other hand, we have also supported some secondary inter-house sports where different students won different Tecno prizes.

Support to Lagos State Trafic Police During the construction of Lagos State Traffic Police Training Center, Tecno contributed towards the completion of the project located in Ikeja.

Support to Nigeria Hockey Federation: In the recent past, Tecno also supported Nigeria Hockey Federation in Hockey National League Finals in Abuja. At the end of the championship different hockey players were rewarded with different Tecno products.

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Mikel

City go for b against CS

returns for Blues M

ikel Obi is set to return for Chelsea in today’s UEFA Champions League clash at Maribor after a knee injury kept him out of his club’s last league game against QPR. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has said he expects the Nigeria midfield star to recover in time for the Maribor clash.

Chelsea thumped the Slovenian club 6-0 in London two weeks ago.

The 27-year-old Mikel, who has played nine matches for Chelsea this season, suffered what Chelsea described as “a minor knee injury” during a League Cup game against Shrewsbury.

Chelsea are top of Group G of the Champions League with seven points from three matches.

Schalke are second on five points, while Maribor have two points and Sporting Lisbon are bottom of the standings with a point.

S

ergio Aguero concedes it is a case of win-or-bust for Manchester City when they host CSKA Moscow in the UEFA Champions League today.

The Premier League champions head into the encounter in high spirits after claiming city bragging rights by beating neighbours Manchester United on Sunday, with Aguero scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win at the Etihad Stadium.

However, while that victory kept them in the early title race behind leaders Chelsea domestically, in Europe their position is far more precarious.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side are third in Group E with only two points to

their name after a disappointing opening.

Defeat at Bayern Munich on matchday one was followed by a 1-1 draw with Roma and a 2-2 scoreline in Moscow last time out with City conceding twice late on at the Arena Khimki having forged a two-goal lead.

That leaves them staring at a group-stage exit for the third time in four seasons, and while defea in the return fixture against CSKA would not mathematically end thei hopes, it would leave them needing a near miracle to qualify Speaking after his match-winning contribution against United Aguero was quick to stress the

•Mourinho

Chelsea keen to continue winning run

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tarting with the 2006-07 competition, there was a stretch of three successive Champions League campaigns where it could be argued that English clubs dominated the European tournament. Although a C M Y K

Premier League club only took the title once during that three-year span (Manchester United – 2008), English sides made up three of the four Champions League semifinalists in successive seasons ending with the 2008-09 campaign.

Since that time, the Premier

League only had one representative in Europe’s ‘Final Four ’ during three of the five tournaments. Twice, in 2010 and 2013, English clubs were knocked out of the competition before the semifinals – leaving the Premier League with no representatives.

Spain have consistently had two teams in the semi-finals during the past four Champions League campaigns with Germany fielding at least one team each year as well; Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund made it to the final four in 2012-13.

PSG eye qualific

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aris Saint-Germain have th eyes set on sealing a place the last 16 of the Champions Leag when they entertain Apoel at Parc des Princes in Group F tod The French capital club unbeaten at home in Europe

Obosi Community cries out over erosion menace

VOL. 1 NO 11

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

Bewildered supporters of the group, discusing at the court premises in Abuja.

Page 2

4 MONTHS IN DETENTION

Members of the BZF shortly after they were arrested.

Anxiety mounts in Enugu over non prosecution of 12 pro-Biafra members …as group slams N10m suit against IGP

By Austin Ogwuda

E

NUGU—GLOOM, anger and anxiety were visibly expressed on the faces of relatives and associates of the 12 detained members of the Biafra Zionists Federation, BZF, following the inability of the prosecution to bring the suspects to court.

The supporters of the Zionists had come to witness the arraignment of the accused persons at the Federal High Court sitting in

Enugu last Thursday.

The police prosecuting officers from Abuja failed to bring along with them to Enugu for the arrangement for that day.

Members of the BZFwere reported to have sometime in June this year allegedly invaded the ESBS in an attempt to seize the radio and television station for a broadcast.

The same group, according to the police purportedly attacked the Government House, Enugu on March 8, 2014 claiming that it had re-

established the Republic of Biafra by hoisting its flag at the Government House.

When the case was called, it became clear to the relatives of the suspects that the arraignment was not going to hold that day and in a twinkle of an eye, the court room which was jam packed with people waiting to witness the arraignment became virtually empty as they filed out in utter disappointment.

The drama started when the presiding judge, Justice D.V. Agashi, after attending to a couple of cases asked the

ALSO IN THIS EDITION Abia communities lament incessant power outage — Page 3 C M Y K

Anambra moves against malaria, distributes millions of insecticidetreated nets

— Page 4

In the circumstance, therefore, in the next short adjourned date we shall ask that the case be struck out because this is a ploy to frustrate this fundamental human rights case

court clerk to call up the case “so that we can de-congest all these people standing around.”

Counsel to the detainees, Mr. Olu Omotayo had told the court that, “they were supposed to arraign them in court today but surprisingly, they have refused to bring them to court and have not written to this honourable court to show reasons why they have not brought the accused persons to court.

“In the circumstance, therefore, in the next short adjourned date we shall ask that the case be struck out because this is a ploy to frustrate this fundamental human rights case”.

The matter consequently adjourned to November 19.

During the court sitting on Monday, October 27, Mr. C.U. Odo, who appeared for both the Inspector General of Police, IGP, and the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State assured the court that a formal charge sheet had been prepared to enable their prosecution, hence the court fixed last Thursday as date for

Continues on page 3

2— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

ANAMBRA

An abandoned building due to erosion.

•Anyaoku's house fence being threatened by erosion

Obosi community cries out over erosion menace ...as erosion threatens Emeka Anyaoku’s home

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

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NITSHA—THE former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, is at the verge of losing his country home in Obosi to erosion menace.

This was even as the people of the area in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State have continued to lament over the increase in the number and scope of erosion gullies in Obosi.

According to the people, there were presently about 10 identified gullies in the various villages but the most negative impact was mostly felt at Anyaoku’s Ire village in the community. Those identified include the Ama-Ejiofor erosion site at Ire village, Udedike Ogbenso erosion site also at Ire village; the Ama-Udo erosion site equally at Ire village, Odaraba Ire/Umuota erosion site, Alex Iwenofu erosion site at Umuota village, Eze-Ugwu Odaraba erosion site, among others.

The presence of the gullies had already been felt as far back as 10 years ago, which prompted Mr Frank Nweke Jnr. of the then ecological department of the presidency during ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration to visit Obosi and Ogbunike, the country home of the late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, and one-time Senate President.

After the visit, Nweke Jnr. reportedly recommended some

palliative measures for the control of the sites, even though the gullies had already done unimaginable havoc to the community and psyche of the people.

South East Voice discovered during a visit to the community that the gullies have eaten deep into the fabrics of Anyaoku’s home which, if not checked could lead to its caving in, with the attendant loss of lives and property.

Commenting on the

Obosi monarch, Igwe Chidubem Iweka III.

development, the traditional ruler of Obosi, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Chidubem Iweka III, appealed to the Federal Government to take drastic measures against erosion menace in the area.

Iweka lamented that the community was surrounded by vast erosion sites, adding that the menace had devastated the ancient kingdom.He then called for urgent measures by appropriate authorities to ameliorate the situation.

Iweka disclosed that he went round the town last year to locate the erosion sites in the area, adding that the magnitude of the menace was such that the state government can only assist by way of palliative measure, since only the Federal Government or international institutions or agencies like the World Bank that had the capacity to tackle the problems head on.

He specifically mentioned both the Ire and Ugamuma erosion sites as the most deadly, adding

that if allowed to continue, more roads would be cut off to make families inaccessible to each other, just as more residential homes would sink.

The monarch who had just celebrated his third Iwa-ji and Obiora Obosi Annual Cultural festival since he ascended the royal throne in 2011, also harped on the importance of peace and tranquillity among his subjects, adding,”Obiora is a celebration of new yam.

Campaign posters deface Enugu metropolis ENUGU

By FRANCIS IGATA

E

NUGU—As the clock chimes to wards the general election which is barely five months away, campaign posters of different aspirants into various elective offices, have defaced the aesthetic and serene beauty of Enugu State.

South East Voice visited some major streets and points of convergence, and discovered that electricity poles, fences and pavements had been taken over by campaign posters of different sizes, shape and colour.

Residents lament A welder, Mr. Edwin Eze whose workshop is situated on the popular Ogui Road bemoaned the situation saying,”the authorities of Enugu State Waste Management Agency, ESWAMA, will not act on the indiscriminate posting of posters in the metropolis because the people doing it are gov-

ernment officials.

“If it is the ordinary people like us, ESWAMA will charge you to court and in a few minutes, convict the person. Look at the whole city, its like a garbage city now. Campaign posters everywhere. We used to enjoy the beauty of the road networks in the metropolis. But now, you can’t look around or sight far objects without the visual obstructions of campaign posters.

“Look at the gates I have displayed for sale, they have used it as cam-

paign poster stands. I know that the former Commissioner for Environment, Mr. John Egbo announced then, that the government had banned indiscriminate pasting of posters in the state. He said that such action will attract punitive measures from the government.

“But look at what is happening now! The lawmakers are flouting their own laws. This is happening because the ordinary man is not involved in the indiscriminate pasting of posters. Poor people do not contest elections.”

Another resident, Mrs. Uche Ali who sells bean balls (Akara) at the Polly Clinic Junction, on Obiagu Road said,” Ah! We are relishing the situation. The people pasting posters have helped us a lot. We do not need to buy polymer bags or old newspapers to wrap our bean balls any more as we tear the posters and wrap akara with them. .

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014—3

ABIA

Abia communities lament incessant power outage ...say we now live in darkness

BY INNOCENT ANABA

U

MUAHIA—THE peo ple of Nsulu and other communities in Isialangwa North Local Government Area of Abia State, have called on Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, to save them from darkness, lamenting that they are forced to pay for electricity not consumed.

Some residents of Umuosu, Umuakwu and Umuode in Nsulu, who spoke to Vanguard in Umuosu, lamented that while other communities in the state have relative electricity supply, they cannot boast of an hour power supply in a week.

They lamented that most of the artisans in Nsulu area have been forced out of business, while those who are forced to use generating sets, incur additional costs, which makes the cost of their services exorbitant for the local people, most of who are struggling to survive.

•EEDC High tension line An indigene of Umuode, Sunday Eze, said: “It is sad that we are being punished for no just cause. In the days of NEPA and PHCN, life was not this unbearable for us. But with the so-called private ownership of the electricity company in the South East, it has brought no good to us but hardship.

“At the end of the month, the town crier goes round to ask that people pay up for electricity, most times we confront him on why in good conscience any reasonable person would expect us pay for what we did not see or use. His response would always be that they, EEDC, have threatened to disconnect the whole village if we fail to pay. It is sad that most times in a whole week, we don’t see EEDC light for up

Unless there is a collusion between government and the electricity company, because we are in darkness

to an hour. We had thought that with the so-called private power companies, things would change for our people as government claimed. But visit our village, you will realise that the electricity poles and cables are nothing but decoration, because you can’t suggest that their giving a people an hour light a week is by any means providing them electricity.

“We also call on the Abia State government to look into our plight. The Federal Government, which we heard control the power company should come to our rescue, unless there is a collusion between government and the electricity company, because we are in darkness.”

Eze’s story is the same in all

the communities in Nsulu. In Umuakwu, EEDC workers were chased away from the community, when they embarked on disconnection, despite the fact that according to the villagers, they have not had electricity in a long while.

A native of Umuosu, who lamented the maltreatment of Isialangwa North council people by EEDC, noted that on driving from Umuahia through the old federal road; “You will see light at Isi Court, Amakama, but on entering Ngwa area, from Ikputu, you will see darkness until you leave Isialangwa North. We are suspecting that we have been singled out for punishment for no just reason. We are really missing the NEPA and PHCN era.

“Most days, you see the EEDC workers with Hilux van driving round the village and they claim to be tracing faults, it makes me actually wonder if we have a change in poles and cables, were they not the same poles and cables we had under NEPA and PHCN. We are really being punished by this new company, EEDC. If I had my way, I will ask them to return us to PHCN because we have nothing to show for this new people.”

A native of Ikputu, who simply gave his name as Emeka, lamented that they have been in darkness for over 10 months, as their transformer had gone bad.

He explained that like all the communities in Nsulu and most other communities in Isialangwa North, their electricity project was through self help, adding that the community was battling with raising N1.2 million for a new transformer.

He was not too enthusiastic about the community replacing the transformer, citing other communities with functional transformers but no electricity supply. He said that he was happy with the bad state of the transformer, as it had meant that no town crier goes round to ask people to pay for electricity, which he expressed sadness that other Nsulu communities have not been enjoying.

Anxiety mounts in Enugu over non prosecution of 12...

Continued from page 1 the arraignment.

Odo further said then that the Office of the Federal Director of Public Prosecution had filed a charge against the detainees (applicants) in the civil suit instituted against the police.

In the suit, the detainees are seeking the following reliefs: *an order of the honourable court releasing the applicants forthwith from unlawful detention *Alternatively, an order of the honourable court directing the IGP and the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State to charge the applicants to court forthwith for whatever offence C M Y K

they might have committed. ‘’Payment of N10 million being exemplary, punitive, aggravated, special and general damages against the respondents.

The detainees include a lawyer, Mr. Benjamin Onwuka, said to be the leader of the group; Kelvin Eke, Samson Ijaga, Uduma Uduma, Bethrain Obiekwe, Abraham Ugwu, Paulinus Uzoegbu and Fidelis Nwaonu.

Others include Nnamchi Ndubuisi, Michael Olenya, Jeophet Nwaodo and Alloysius Chukwuma.

A 14-page affidavit deposed to, by one Chief Ambrose Ugwu, in support of motion for an order for the

enforcement of their fundamental rights filed before the same court stated that “they have been subjected to humiliation and torture at their present place of detention at the police headquarters, Abuja.

“Access to them was refused by the police as their families and human rights workers including officials of Amnesty International.”

Ugwu further stated that, “the applicants and other members of the “BZF” were not armed or did not carry any offensive weapon on that fateful date they marched to the Enugu State Broadcasting Service, ESBS, owned

by Enugu state and that they

demanded to see the programme producer so that they could, through him intimate the whole world on the plight of the Biafran people.”

Meanwhile, even as the muchawaited charge against them had remained like a mirage, their family and associates continued pestering South East Voice with these ‘funny ’ questions at the premises of the court during the last court sitting thus: “are you sure they are still alive?” Why did they not bring them to court among several others that this reporter was not in a position to provide except the police authorities in Abuja.

4—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 , 2014

ANAMBRA

Anambra moves against malaria, distributes millions of insecticidetreated nets

•Gov. Obiano performing the symbolic presentation of LLINs to beneficiaries •Fighting the malaria scrouge in Awka

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—TO reduce the scourge of malaria in the state, Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano last week flagged off the distribution of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets, LLIN, replacement campaign to various households in the state. The last exercise was carried out in the state in 2009 and experts say it helped to reduce the number of people suffering from malaria.

While flagging off the distribution exercise at the rural community of Ebenebe

BY FRANCIS IGATA

E

NUGU—IN a bid to reduce criminal activities to the barest minimum, especially in the rural communities of Enugu State, through the Ministry of Human Capital and Poverty Reduction has commenced moves to pay monthly stipends to members of the local vigilante groups in the 472 communities across the state.

The vigilante groups are headed by traditional rulers, some of who are not recognized by the communities in in the state.

Commissioner in charge of the ministry, Mr. Godwin Ogenyi told South East Voice that; “We have launched the payment of allowance to all properly constituted Neighbourhood Watch Groups in the state.

The ceremony was held at Udi Local Government Area and Governor Sullivan Chime has approved the payment forthwith.

“Each community will be paid N100,000 monthly. The money will be jointly signed from my ministry by 10 members of every community Neighbourhood Watch Group. This programme will outlive this present adminisC M Y K

in Awka North Local Government Area, Obiano said his administration took the battle against the malaria scourge serious in view of its adverse effect on the population.

At the flag off, wife of the governor, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano was named the Net Ambassador for Anambra State LLINs replacement campaign by the National cocoordinator of malaria elimination programme, Abuja.

Obiano said the nets were

made available for distribution free of charge by the Anambra State government in collaboration with the Roll Back Malaria partners in this second round of mass distribution to replace the old ones supplied in 2009.

The nets, according the governor, have been proved to be a cost effective means of controlling malaria by reducing the physical contact between mosquito and man, noting that the distribution exercise would commence in all the Local Government

distribution centres in the state.

He stated the commitment of his administration to support the Roll Back Malaria partners in ensuring that malaria scourge is eliminated in the State and urged citizens to ensure that they sleep under the net rather than hanging it on the doors and windows.

“We want everybody to be healthy and the net is for everybody irrespective of party affiliation, religion or background” he said.

The field representative of

Enugu communities laud govt over pay for vigilante groups tration and is in collaboration with Federal Government, under the SURE-P. “The criteria that qualifies any group is that they must be up-to-date in performance, budgeting and accounting. All those, whose group’s tenure had expired should come to my ministry to re-validate their membership and properly reconstitute their executives.

“All the traditional rulers and town union leaders should approach my ministry where their own groups had not been constituted and follow laid down guidelines for its establishment in the area.

We have over 400 groups presently in the state complementing the efforts of the Police in providing security for our people.

“Also, all the groups should submit monthly report of their budget, containing cost of their operations, human rights observations and fair treatment to my office before they qualify for the next month’s allowance.

•Gov. Sullivan Chime “My ministry will equally ensure that the groups work in accordance with stipulated rules and guidelines establishing Neighbourhood Watch in the state to avert incidents of abuse and human rights violations.”

Community leaders react A community leader in Imufu, Enugu Ezike, Igboeze North Local Government, Mr Kevin Eze said the person who the government recognized as the traditional ruler

the Roll Back Malaria partners, Dr. Folanke Olayinka regretted that many beneficiaries do not sleep under the net, arguing that malaria accounts for an estimated 25 per cent deaths in the under five and 30 per cent childhood deaths in Nigeria.

Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike observed that over 95 per cent of Anambrarians are at high risk of the infection of malaria, explaining that two people would be entitled to one net which he said, has life span of four years.

The commissioner pointed out that the most vulnerable in the malaria epidemics were the pregnant women and children under five years who he said, had fragile immune system.

of the community was not chosen by the people, adding that, as such, his own members of the Neighbourhood Watch were not recognised by the people.

According to Eze, the membership of the group were being disputed in court as the list was not approved by the community including Oha Imufu and members of the town union.

However, a septuagenarian, Mr. Gregory Amah of Oshagu village, in Nkpologu, UzoUwani Local Government Area of the state said; “The payment will boost the morale of the group. Since the advent of the watch group in our community, incessant cases of robbery, raping and other vices have been brought to the barest minimum because the members are known to all of us. They have been doing their best for us.

“It is a security system that is all inclusive and self participatory. The group members are natives of the communities and so are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of lives and property of their own siblings and relations among others.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014—5

IMO

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

W E R R I — T O D A Y, nothing can best describe what residents and those passing through Owerri, Imo State capital, experience each time the International Conference Centre, ICC, is put into use.

Whoever thought of an enshrined Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA, policy must be congratulated for having such foresight.

Again, it is not clear if Imo State government conducted EIA before commencing the erection of ICC in the heart of Owerri. If it did, what was the outcome of the assessment?

For those who do not know, ICC is located on the ever busy stretch of Assumpta Avenue and Bank Road. The heavy traffic from Orlu Road axis, equally terminates at this point.

Similarly, the infamous road project awarded to J-Pros that led to the impeachment of the former Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso, also terminates at this point. What this means is that without any event taking place in ICC, the area ordinarily records heavy traffic on a daily basis.

Government cannot deny this fact It must be acknowledged that this is one project that the Okorocha administration counts as one of its greatest achievements in office. The administration has a right to hold its thought, but it should not be forgotten so soon that the land on which the ICC

•Vehicles passing near the ICC

Imo int’l confab centre of discomfort, pain ...residents want govt to relocate the ICC outside the city stands was formerly accommodating Imo Hotels Limited.

This establishment was leased (or sold?) to a hotelier of repute (names withheld), who had equally started investing some money in the place before the change of guard in Government House in 2011. With the sacking of this investor and demolition of Imo Hotels, several workers were unceremoniously thrown into the job market. Today, nobody is talking or thinking about the people, whose means of livelihood was truncated with a wave of the hand, or their

dependants that have since been sentenced to untold hardship.

Two big events have taken place in this edifice in recent times and in quick succession, too. One was the week-long national conference of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA. The second was the marriage of Governor Rochas Okorocha’s daughter, Obianuju and her heartthrob, Dr. Anwuka.

During the events, Owerri literally came to a halt.

Residents, commuters and car owners had different tales to tell about what they went through, while the events

lasted. The centre had insufficient space for cars that came in for the events.

Similarly, government did not make alternative parking space, as cars littered the road.

Residents speak Residents of Owerri had thought that “if the NBA conference was government’s way of testing the waters, it evidently showed how rough and tough it was for the commuters. So government should not have allowed a repeat.”

All the people, who spoke to

Abia communities' natural resources of death, poverty

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA—ALL over the world, natural resources are usually sources of wealth, development and joy to the owners of the land where they are found. But for the five rural communities of Lokpaukwu, Umuchieze in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, the opposite is the case.

These five rural communities, Amaubiri, Uru, Eluama, Eziama and Umutu, have granite in large quantity. But it has become a source of death, abject poverty, deprivation, neglect and agony to the people.

No less than 10 companies, foreign and local, are operating in these communities, extracting natural granites and smiling to the banks on daily basis, while the owners of the land are left to suffer all manner of misfortunes.

Sources from the communities indicate that about 800 heavy duty trucks lift granites from the five villages daily and that each truck load costs no

C M Y K

less than N250,000.

The communities are languishing and crying out that rather than benefit from their God-given natural resources, what they get is death and damages to their buildings, roads, farm lands and deaths resulting from the various illnesses from mining/quarry activities in their area.

They also claim that pollution of their natural streams and rivers has affected their economic life as fishes and other sea foods, some of which the rural dwellers use as a means of livelihood, are no longer there due to the polluted waters.

They equally cited cases of cracks on some buildings in their communities, caused by the impacts of explosives the companies use to extract granites, as part of the adverse effect they suffer.

According to residents of these communities, the dusty environment they live in on account of the massive quarrying/ mining activities of these companies has constituted a serious health hazard as many of

their people have been inflicted with chronic cough, asthma, even as they claim that some of them have died from the diseases.

Covered in dust When South East Voice visited the communities, it was actually a pathetic site to behold.

Most of the houses, both the mud and block ones, were vir-

tually covered with dust and some of the residents were covered in dust and looked haggard, a sign of dying in the midst of plenty.

The entire vegetation of the communities was devastated and covered with cement-coloured dust, and one of the streams which serves as a source of drinking water to one of the villages was confirmed polluted.

South East Voice , were unanimous in their appeal to government: “If this is a listening government, let them do something about the ICC because it is causing more harm than good. In fact, the ICC should be relocated outside the city.”

REACH US DO you have any news of neglect or abandoned projects or your representative at the local, state or federal governments are not representing you well?

Do you have unique cultural activities coming up or any community news to tell us?

Emeka Mamah (Co-ordinator): 08033218645 Austin Ogwuda(Enugu): 08037136440 Francis Igata 08033387069 Vincent Ujumadu(Awka): 08035804090 Anayo Okoli(Umuahia): 08034046839 Chidi Nkwopara(Imo): 08033391108 Peter Okutu (Abakaliki): 08032680756 Chinenyeh Ozor (Nsukka): 08185664011 Nwabueze Okonkwo (Nnewi): 08037794782 Enyim Enyim (Onitsha): 08169297179 Or: e-mail us: easternvoice@yahoo.com

6 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

ABIA

s ’ r o t a Sen t n e m r e w o p m e s t n e u t i t s n o c of ces, n a l u b m s6a ...donatehospitals dr ugs to

BY ANAYO OKOLI.

U

MUAHIA—THE Senator representing Aba South Senatorial District, Enyinnaya Abaribe, says that good representation means nothing without the rural people, the less privileged having assess to the basic amenities that make life worth living.

For him, it is also meaningless if youths have no employment to fend for themselves hence he has in his near eight years at the senate made concerted efforts to do his best by bringing

•Locally made electric transformers displayed at the fair

succour to the rural communities.

As a result of this belief, Abaribe has provided six ambulances to different health institutions in Abia State as

well as other medical equipment and drugs.

Apart from this Abaribe built several boreholes across his constituency to give the rural masses good drinking water.

On the education sector, he built and renovated some classroom blocks in the zone and distributed computers, tables and chairs to some schools to enhance their

Poor leadership killing UNN — Ken Nnamani

BY CHIBUNDU ABUGU

E

NUGU—A former senate president, Senator Ken Nnamani yesterday blamed the dwindling propensity of the viability of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka on the lack of favourable interest, selfish desires and poor visionary leadership.

The former lawmaker who made this statement while delivering a goodwill message in a session organized by the office of the Vice-Chancellor of the institution under the title, “Visioning/ Strategic Planning of All Stakeholders of UNN” stated that, “UNN is blessed in several ways but we have under-utilized the blessings untouched”.

Sen. Nnamani who was duly represented by the Chairman Nigeria

C M Y K

Educational Council, Prof. Steve Dike stated it clearly thus, “Over the past years, UNN has been stressed by contradictions, challenges, conflicts and temptations. UNN has seen trust betrayed, opportunities held captive and hopes dashed”.

He however observed that all hope is not lost inspite of all the challenges pointing out that the institution could still go back to the glorious days of fighting spirit, selfless service and collective responsibility of the founding fathers.

He continued, “UNN is a place where all things are possible. If individualim has failed us, optimism is our only viable option. I am hopeful and optimistic that this vision and strategic planning will lead us to put our hands together to restore the heritage of excellence and the restoration of the dignity of man”.

However, he reiterated his commitment to continue to offer and garner support for the

school administration to help take the institution back to its lofty heights of old.

“I promise you that I am almost certain that with the leadership of Prof.

Chukwuma Ozumba (the Vice Chancellor of the institution) that we will get there” he added.

Meanwhile, the Alumni association of the institution who were present at the gathering also offered profound support to always stand by the institution stressing through its speaker, Dr. Florence Ohabueze that even at time of crisis that they could not afford to remain mute.

“We (the Alumni) could not keep silent when there was crisis in the University. So, I can assure you that the alumni are ready to offer the necessary support to move this institution forward” Dr. Ohabueze added.

learning environment even as he procured and distributed several transformers to various communities to ensure that the people enjoyed improved electricity in the area.

He also organized a week entrepreneurial/vocational training for 650 persons drawn from across the zone and the sum of N33 million was provided to the participants to engage in their acquired skills.

On entrepreneurial development, he said that he had been promoting made-inNigeria goods, in view of all the Aba-made goods like shoes among others, prompting him to mount a Made-in-Aba Fair in Abuja, where products made by artisans in the commercial city were showcased to the nation and international community.

Furthermore, the senator mobilized and sponsored over 200 machinists, manufacturers and producers to the fair to exhibit their wares.

Products exhibited by the artisans include leather shoes, bags, belts, booths and foundries of all shapes. The exhibited products compared favourably with products imported from overseas.

Meanwhile, the senator, as part of his empowerment programme, told South East Voice that he had secured jobs for 36 people from the area in Federal Government agencies like the NTA, NAFCB, NAN, Immigration, Civil Defence as well as, Etisalat, among others.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014—7

End of road for 2 fake products’ producers in Onitsha O

NITSHA—SOME producers of fake products in Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre of Anambra State have now gone into hiding following the arrest of two of their members by officials of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, last week.

SON officials like their counterparts in NAFDAC during the reign of late Professor Dora Akunyili as its Director General, swooped on two factories, Bendusco International Agency and D & K Golden City Investment Ltd, as well as a shop suspected to be a sanctuary for producers of substandard goods in the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State, arresting some of the operators.

One of the factories, located at KM 15 Onitsha, Owerri Road, Obosi in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state, just as the shop with number R2/667, was located inside the Onitsha Main Market.

The SON team, accompanied by policemen from the Lagos State Command also arrested 25 workers found working in the factories including nine males and 17 women, two of them pregnant.

The pregnant women who reportedly fainted on sighting the policemen in company of the SON officials, were however, later released after being properly scrutinised even as the SON operatives took time to evacuate about five truckloads of the fake products from the factories including machines valued at N200 million.

Anambra State Head of SON, Albert Wilberforce, who

•Suleiman Abba, Inspector General of Police

,

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

In their first encounter with the suspects, over 200 trucks of BIC brand of shaving stick and other machineries were evacuated

,

spoke to newsmen at the factory site at Obosi said that ‘’the factories belonging to one Benjamin Ugochukwu Nwizu, a self acclaimed pastor of a Pentecostal Church, is now at large’’ adding that his company was allegedly producing fake Dorco Shaving sticks and nine other unbranded substandard products.

Wilberforce further explained that SON obtained a court order to search, inspect, take samples, seize, and seal the companies to compel the respondent to

comply with standards of shaving stick and allied products.

According to Wilberforce, that was the second time SON was sealing off the suspects’ factory, adding that in their first encounter with the suspects, over 200 trucks of BIC brand of shaving stick and other machineries were evacuated.

The SON boss, however, advised Nigerians to patronise made in Nigeria products instead of fake products that could lead to their untimely death.

I'm not tired, says retiring perm sec, Lady Okeke

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

O

NITSHA—SOCIAL and economic activities in Awka, the Anambra State capital literally came to a standstill last weekend, when people from all walks of life left whatever they were doing to honour a veteran of the Government House, Lady Gloria Nkiruka Okeke, who bowed out from civil service after working for 35years in the system.

For the former Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor in the state, and her friends and well wishers, it was encomium and jubilation galore.

The celebration which started with a thanksgiving service at Winner’s Chapel, was graced by top government functionaries and hundreds of well wishers who gathered to rejoice with her.

Among those who graced the occasion included distinguished personalities representing themselves and the state government like the C M Y K

•Mrs Okeke rejoicing at the occasion

Mrs Ngozi Melifeonwu.

Commissioner for Special Duties, Norbert Obi, Sir Vincent Ezechukwu, the state chairman of the Civil Service Commission, Mrs Ngozi Melifeonwu, the traditional ruler of Achina, Igwe J.N Obiora as well as the President-General of Achina Town Union, Chief O.C Ezechukwu among others.

In his sermon, Pastor Adeyemi Amos of the Winners

Mrs Okeke.

Chapel called on the people to always remember that whatever they were or are had come from God and to Him alone should all the glory return, not to idols.

He commended Mrs. Okeke for realizing that and opting to first of all thank God for the gift of a successful 35years in service to humanity, rather than organising lavish parties.

Adeyemi said, “God has giv-

en us individual talents and His grace has always been with us. It is important that we remember to be responsible and hard working and to do right things at the right time.

This celebration today reminds us on the need to be honest, and that having known Christ, we should maintain our relationship with God...”

Speaking at a reception organised in her honour, Mrs Okeke expressed gratitude to God for seeing her through her civil service career.

She said, “I feel happy and fulfilled because what God sent me to do in the civil service, I consider myself as having achieved. I thank God for

granting me the opportunity and given me good health and I am very delighted for that privilege. ‘’The next thing is cruising level. Now, my service has started for the entire nation. I have retired but I'm not tired.

So, I still offer myself for service, provided such service will be the one that will be of immense benefit to God and humanity”.

Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Okey Okpala charged those who were still in the service to emulate Mrs Okeke’s enduring legacies by always being humble, even as he stressed that nobody could succeed in office without the spirit of endurance.

8 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

ENUGU

Enugu East LG residents allege political domination by late Igwe Edward Nnaji's family

BY FRANCIS IGATA

E

NUGU—THE people of Enugu East Local Government have cried out over alleged political domination of the area by the family of the late traditional ruler of Enugu-Nike, Igwe Edward Nnaji saying that a situation whereby the family alone has produced both the member of the House of Representatives and the Senator representing the people was ungodly.

Senator Gil Nnaji was a member of the House of Representatives before moving to the Senate.

However, his younger brother, Cornelius who is the current chairman of the local government has also bought the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ticket to represent the people in the House of Representatives.

The Spokesman for all the communities which make up the area who is also the state Commissioner for Inter-Ministerial Affairs, Pastor Beloved-Dan Anike has con-

demned the development saying it was against the zoning arrangement between the people of Isi-Uzo and Enugu East.

He spoke in an interview with South East Voice at Nike.

His words: ‘’Elective offices are not about the occupier of the seat alone. Giving the fact that he (Cornelius) is also from the same family that has produced the last House of Representatives member, in the person of Gil Nnaji who is currently serving as a senator and also is his elder brother while he, Cornelius is a seating local government chairman, he should shelve the idea. ‘’Senator Gil Nnaji is contesting the election to go back to the Senate; his brother, Cornelius also wants to contest for House of Reps.

So, assuming all our men and women become blind at the same time, we will now have two brothers as senator and House of Representatives member. That is why the gods are wise. The leadership of the party has declared that Isi-Uzo should be given a fair chance to go for a second term

and that is where I stand. ‘’The two brothers have had it all. Starting with the local government chairman, House of Representatives and now senate at the same time.’’

You people have never complained before, why now? ‘’The issue is that in the past, Cornelius had not been in the same political group with his elder brother. Going by his pedigree, we never campaigned for him to become a council chairman on the basis of family politics. It was based on what we thought he could deliver. But this representation now, is what is putting us back. His action is pushing us into another circle of servitude and domination by the same family. His elder brother has been a local government chairman, House of Reps member and now a Senator. He (Cornelius) also wants to pass the same circle as his elder brother as things are now playing out.

He is now a council chairman and wants to proceed to the House of Representatives

Pastor Beloved-Dan Anike, Enugu Commissioner for InterMinisterial Affairs.

Senator Gil Nnaji, a scion of the Nnaji political dynasty and will also probably want to become a senator. My intention has never been to oppose him but to run for the House of Representatives seat. But I cannot run on my own because our party caucus has taken a stand.

I have to abide by the party’s

decision to allow for fairness.

But Cornelius feels that with his resources, he will find a way or method to make sure that Kingsley Ebenyi is edged out so that he becomes the candidate of PDP. In this state we respect zoning.’’

ENUGU CAPITAL TERRITORY DEVT AUTHORITY, MONDAY EMBARKED ON DEMOLITION OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES

Bulldozers demolishing St Joseph’s Institute at the Independence Layout, Enugu.

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014 — 33

broke KA SKA

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n a 2 t, n d

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importance of today’s clash.

“I think Moscow is the most important game because we have to win,” he told the club’s official website.

“I think it is very important and I think we have the squad to win it. We have to get the three points and then do the same in the last two remaining games.”

Pellegrini’s men will at least have a vocal sell-out support at the Etihad, after the reverse fixture was played behind closed doors as a result of a UEFA sanction on CSKA for racism and crowd trouble.

Musa:

We’ll beat City S

uper Eagles winger, Ahmed Musa, insists Russian club, CSKA Moscow have made massive improvement which should culminate in a victory over English champions, Manchester City at the Etihad stadium in the Uefa Champions League today.

CSKA have managed a solitary point from their opening three fixtures in a tough Group E that also comprises AS Roma and Bayern Munich.

The only point CSKA claimed thus far came against City at the Arena Khimki on match day three and Musa, who provided the assist for CSKA’s first goal against the English champions in the reverse fixture, is confident the Army club can stun the Citizens by claiming an unlikely victory today.

“I think we have to go all out. We have to defend very well too and we need to score goals.

L

eft-back David Alaba says ambitious Bayern Munich will take nothing for granted when they host AS Roma in today ’s Champions League clash despite their record rout in Rome.

Bayern thrashed the Italians 7-1 a fortnight ago at the Olympic Stadium which kept the Bavarians top of their group with a perfect three wins as they set a club record for an away win in Europe.

Netherlands winger Arjen Robben scored twice in the Italian capital to keep Bayern in firm control of Group E and five points ahead of nearest rivals Roma.

Now a fourth group-phase victory at the Allianz Arena will put Bayern in the last 16 with two matches to spare to qualify for the Champions League’s knock-out phase for the seventh year in a row.

“Roma is a strong team and they will come here to take points and have players who can decide a game single-handedly,” said Austria international Alaba.

“But we are still very hungry and ambitious.”

The 2013 Champions League winners are amongst the favourites to win this season’s title, but Spain midfielder Juan Bernat warned fans not to expect a repeat of the huge scoreline.

“It will be a completely different game to the away fixture,” said Bernat.

Suarez: No mercy for Ajax L

cation against Apoel

heir e in gue the day. are e in

Bayern zoom in on last 16

eight years and a win against the Cypriot champions will be enough to take them through to the knockout phase in the competition for the third season running providing Ajax fail to beat Barcelona in Amsterdam in the

night’s other game.

Laurent Blanc’s side, who have not lost at all this season, dream of winning the Champions League but their display against Apoel in Nicosia two weeks ago, when they required a late Edinson Cavani strike to secure a 1-0 victory, means they will not be taking the group’s supposed outsiders lightly.

uis Suarez is poised to make his first Champions League appearance for Barcelona against his former club Ajax today.

Suarez’s return from a fourmonth suspension for biting Giorgio Chiellini in the World Cup has not gone as expected, with Barca beaten by Real Madrid and Celta Vigo in his first two competitive appearances for the club.

The Uruguay striker, who made five appearances for Ajax in this competition, will be eager to end that run when he makes his Champions League debut for the Catalan giants against the club with whom he shot to prominence.

Suarez scored 111 goals in 159 games in a threeyear spell with Eredivisie champions Ajax before moving to Liverpool, and Barca will be eager to see him rise to the occasion in Amsterdam.

•Suarez C M Y K

34 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

Patience Jonathan

A

nd basking in the glory of the winning streak is someone who is not unfamiliar with winning herself, having been First Lady four times.

Just weeks after the controversy around her retirement from Rivers State’s civil service, First Lady Dame Patience is once more trending on cyberspace and as is usual when she trends, she has gone viral.

This time, it’s on account of Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) appeal to her to accept the board’s request of her presence at the FIFA Women World Cup in Canada.

The NFF board, which described Dame Jonathan as the Super Falcons’ number one fan, said the invitation was as a mark of honour for the First Lady, who has been a strong pillar for the emancipation of women in the country.

Super Falcons

T

he Super Falcons of Nigeria who defeated Cameroon 2-0 to win the ninth edition of the African Women Championship are the hottest item on blogosphere still, with everyone seeking to identify with their winning streak.

By reaching the finals, Nigeria and Cameroon had already qualified for next

Brittany Maynard

T

alking about criticism, the Nigerian blogosphere has severely disparaged Brittany Maynard, the 29-yearold who said she had terminal brain cancer and would take medication to end her life under her state’s “Death with Dignity Act”

HID Awolowo

W

ho would turn up on blogosphere but the highly regarded matriarch of the Awolowo family, Madam Hannah Dideolu, who is set to celebrate her 100th birthday November 25.

Grandson, Segun Awolowo, now boss of the Nigeria Exports Promotion Council (NEPC) shared photos of himself and his legendary grandmother on social media last week, causing a lot of thrill.

C M Y K

Adaeze Yobo

year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Canada.

As usual, the sense of exultation has been salve to the wounds of football fans who are perennially disappointed with the Super Eagles and its management.

Only twice since the inaugural AWC in 1998 had Nigeria failed to win the trophy.

Brittany chose to make a well thought out and informed choice to Die With Dignity in the face of such a terrible, painful, and incurable illness, a post on her website said.

In its Facebook post, Compassion & Choices, an endof-life choice advocacy group that has been working closely with Maynard, said she passed peacefully in her bed surrounded by close family and loved ones.

The post contained a final message from Maynard: It is people who pause to appreciate life and give thanks who are happiest. If we change our thoughts, we change our world!

Maynard’s story spread rapidly on social media as a video explaining her choice garnered more than 9 million views on YouTube.

The Nigerian blogosphere is strictly unimpressed.

The team would need the patience and good luck of the first lady to succeed at the world stage and make history as being the first African side, male or female, to win the World Cup. The National U-17 women team, the Flamingoes, reached the quarterfinals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Costa Rica earlier in the year with players from the local league.

T

hough it had nothing to do with us, Nigeria seems to have been bitten by the Halloween bug, and nowhere more so than on blogosphere, where Nigerians home and abroad posted pictures of themselves in their scary costumes last week.

By far the most loved is that of WAG Adaeze Yobo, who proudly posted photos of herself in costumes that looked anything but scary.

Sexy, was more like it.

Comments certainly beats those on Cossy Orjiakor ’s Halloween outfit, which was outrageous to say the least; and Stella Damasus Aboderin, who was severely criticized as “looking devilish” in her cat Halloween costume.

Kim Kardasian

S

peaking of which, last week, it was the birthday of the most famous Kardasian of all, and was blogosphere aware!

On Kim Kardashian’s birthday, there wasn’t going to be anyone looking at the guests.

And one sure-fire way to secure all eyes was with one of her now-famous plunging necklines which left nothing to the imagination as usual.

Kim barely managed to keep her assets contained in a white wrap dress as she joined her husband Kanye West and an elite group of friends and family for her 34th birthday in Las Vegas.

Blogosphere has been on fire as photos have been shared out of control.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2014 — 35

The Nigerian youths have been socialized in a particular process that has been authoritarian.

,

, .

We match graduates with SMEs

What is Oye Dynamics about?

Oye is a Yoruba word for insight or knowledge. We focus on research, strategy and project management. We decided to narrow our work in such a way that we are able to offer bespoke solutions to companies. If you go to a large consulting firm, they might not have the time and focus to work with you and give you the bespoke solution that you require for your own needs, they might give you a generic solution which might not really capture the little issues that are specific to your organization.

Our strategy consulting solution is streamlined to organizational development, talent management and CSR. How does learning and development come into play in the Nigerian market?

Learning and development can be divided into three main areas: formal education, skills and character education. All of these three things come together to determine performance in the work place and apart from the three areas, primary education is what you get in schools, skills can be on the job learning, it could be social learning and character education. What you find out is that some people have lost out at the early stage of education, so by the time they are coming into the work place they lack the basic employability skills. Even though people over look soft skills, the real challenges lie there. Some people might have the best qualifications but they do not have the basic communication skills, they do C M Y K

not have learner agility and then they are unable to grow in the work place.

Things like self motivation, perseverance, and tenacity are lacked. We also have the other issue; the culture, which is as a result of the way the country, has evolved. There is a very poor social contract between the employer and employee and most employees are used to fending for themselves.

Retention becomes a problem.

There are some things that matter. Am I proud to work in a place like yours?

Is the salary enough for me? What is the growth path for me in your o r g a n i z a t i o n ?

Organizations need to design learning and development products that will be suitable for their own staff. Instead of buying off the shelf training or looking at what company A is doing. People are most motivated if what they are doing is something they believe in.

Can you tell us more about policy and advocacy? How can you link it to your business?

In other countries, we have the rights to housing, shelter and some level of welfare. You also have excluded groups.

These are people who are not within the mainstream of society and are the most at risk.

We work with companies that are losing their staff and we advise them on the labour laws especially companies that are

.

V

ivien Ochee Bamgboye is C.E.O, Oye dynamics. Called to bar in 1989, she worked in public law in the U.K. She then took up work with a non-profit organization as their pioneer C.O.O. Having an over sight of all their programs and HR; she later moved to another leading indigenous Human Resources consulting firm in Nigeria where she had complete over sight of their learning and development.

She tells more.

,

BY ANINO AGANBI

•Vivien Ochee Bamgboye coming into Nigeria to start up.

How many hours a week should somebody work? What kind of insurance policies are available for them? What is the workman’s compensation benefit?

My experience as an advocate helps me negotiate good contracts for people. We also develop products which are our corporate social responsibility to the country

In other countries, we have the rights to housing, shelter and some level of welfare. You also have excluded groups. These are people who are not within the mainstream of society and are the most at risk.

,

and one of those products is called Job Red. A lot of young people graduate from the university and are caught in a bottle neck of graduate employment. Job Red is a platform we use in pushing people who have potential because the recruitment pattern in Nigeria is that nobody hires for potentials. Most people hire for aptitude or experience.

There are several SMEs that have HR problems. At the same time, there are thousands of fresh graduates looking for a place to work. We want to match these people with SME’s.

Does the economic situation in Nigeria give room for business to grow?

The biggest problem we have is for government to create an enabling environment for small business to grow. The main reason why we supposedly have economic issues is because government policies have not been well

placed to grow our businesses.

When you see the relationship between government and small businesses, small businesses are almost like victims. There is multiple taxation , huge tax regimes. There are hardly any rebates available for small businesses. There is the threat of direct foreign investment which throttles small business.

Banks tend not to give loans to small business, meanwhile the large business gets the overdraft. The whole economic situation in Nigeria is self inflicted.

Growth over the years?

We are deliberately small. We operate a lean environment.

Initially, people did not understand the value of HR, most just assumed that HR in an organization is one of the most unimportant aspects. A lot of people are ready to pay to improve their HR. What steps are being put in place to create awareness for the job red initiative?

We try to capture graduates that are just coming out of the institutions, those about to start NYSC and those just finishing NYSC. We do not want people to think it is job creation initiative- it is actually a Bridging initiative. The government is doing so much on the liability side such as the graduate internship scheme.

Even if the government produces the job, a youth who comes looking for employment should be able to speak well and convince the employer of their worth, the government cannot force the organization to hire them. There are certain universities that employers do not want to hire from because from the history of the recruitment process, they have realized they are just wasting their time. We are working with those types of universities. If we put the information out there we might not be able to cope with the interest we will get. We are trying to make sure we use a methodical process because it is something that will get very huge. We already have some SME’s that have shown interest to say if you have a pool of people that are well trained and waiting to be placed, we will take them from you. The graduates cannot afford to pay for any training, so we work out a scheme that works for every body.

Advise to youths?

The Nigerian youths have been socialized in a particular process that has been authoritarian. The youths should not be discouraged by what they see before them, they should be courageous enough to take up the challenge, be self motivated and look at life in such a way that they can do something about their situation. Nigeria is no longer about whom your parents know, it’s now about what you can deliver. Instead of having twenty certificates they should pick one and be very good at it.

36 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014—37

Delta: My mission and my message, by Tony Obuh ON the sidelines of a visit to the management of Vanguard Media Limited last Monday, Sir Tony Obuh, a frontline aspirant for the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, took time to interact with the editorial board of the newspaper.

By Emmanuel Aziken, Clifford Ndujihe, Dapo Akinrefon & Charles Kumolu

H

Gone was the mask of a reticent bureaucrat that he wore for 32 years in the civil service during which he proved himself to be a master of details of governance as Obuh unveiled himself to be an eloquent communicator of the ingredients of public policy.

implement a sound policy. I also know what leads to failure of policies. Therefore, I believe that I have the experience more than any of the aspirants. There are so many things that we can do to grow Delta State. The windows are just being opened from what we have today as 'Delta Beyond Oil', it is obvious to us that the lives of the people can be advanced. I want to grow a state that will depend on things outside oil.

For instance, tourism is an aspect of the peoples' lives that can help us generate the revenue that will sustain our economy. I want to build a state that will be financially independent without dependence on what it will get from the federation account on a monthly basis.

Are you not rattled by the presence of other aspirants?

We have so many prominent aspirants seeking for that position. And I am not rattled by the presence of any of them.

OW far have you gone with your aspiration?

Since my retirement, I have been moving round the state and consulting the stakeholders in the PDP. I have also consulted the various civil society groups, members of the political class among others. I solicited their counsel as to whether I have what is needed to occupy that position.

From my tour, we were encouraged to go further. That is why I am here to let you know that I will formally declare my intention to run for the governor of Delta State on Friday. I am also here to let you know that the business ahead of us is a serious business and that I am in the field for that purpose.

Is your aspiration based on the fact that your section of the state appears favoured to produce the next governor?

I am not hinging my aspiration Social on the fact that I am from Delta inadequacies North. I told someone that I want Every society cries about to be seen as Nwobodo. It means that I want to be seen as a son of unemployment, insecurity and the larger Delta community. I am other social inadequacies. We in running because I see myself as Delta see our children always a candidate who will wanting to work in the represent the whole oil sector, we also see ethnic nationalities people believing that it in the state. I am is only government that someone who can employ in the state. represents the three For me, I want senatorial districts. employment to come Where do you from the government want to take the and the private sector state beyond its because the private present state? sector is the major driver I want to take the in the society. state to a point I believe that the where it can be seen presence of a gap in the as one of the leading training that our people states in the country. have, is responsible for I want the state to be the inability of some of a point of reference our people to get jobs. beyond Nigeria. I So, I want to work to have been exposed ensure that our people to government and get the required skills governance. I have for employment. been in government I am If we have a for 32 years. curriculum that I started from the running guarantees good skills lower cadre learning because I see for our people, I am how policies are sure that getting myself as a formulated and employment will not be executed. I also candidate difficult. We want to watched policies who will ensure that we will being implemented build a secured between the public represent the environment that will servants by the whole ethnic encourage people to political class. My come and invest. exposure is such nationalities If they invest, that I know what it in the state employment will be can take to created while wealth

there are many formidable aspirants there. Have you people met and how do you intend to close ranks to speak with a common voice?

For now, I believe everybody wants to sell himself to the market and the market is the political class and the Delta community.

If we run the race and it becomes obvious that it is only one person that will go, we will close ranks and submit what we have as our agenda for the people of Delta State to whoever becomes victorious. That is to say I intend to run this race from the beginning to the end.

If per chance it is not me, which is very unlikely, I will submit whatever I have to whoever wins.

How will you assess the ward congresses held last Saturday?

The elections that we held last Saturday was held under convenient atmosphere, where every leader had the opportunity to present and articulate his interest and at the end of the day, everybody that was there, was satisfied by the process that was adopted. I think that the result was satisfying to everybody.

Were you by any chance invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)?

In the last one week, I have continued to hear stories that I was invited by the EFCC and that I was detained by the EFCC even up till yesterday (Sunday).

Political contests

•Obuh: I represent the three senatorial districts will also manifest in our society.

We want to touch agriculture because it is an area that will help us to grow without oil. We will establish primary and secondary industries that can help us

convert our raw materials into finished products. There are so many things that we need to do to grow Delta and we are going to pursue them with sincerity.

You are from Delta North and

I am sure that if you go to some social media, they will still tell you that I am yet to be released from the EFCC net. Those are stories coming from the pit of hell and those who have decided to abandon the issues, in terms of political contests, to blackmail or run others down. As you can see, I am working freely on the streets of Nigeria and particularly Delta State.

I came from Delta State on Sunday and I participated in the ward congress held last Saturday.

I had no invitation, not even a phone call from any organisation or EFCC, to respond to anything.

So, I was never arrested, detained or queried by any organisation. I have tried to get people to record me wherever I went to show to the world that I am still walking and that what you see on the streets is not a spirit but Anthony Obuh.

Continues on page 38

38—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

Enugu: Zoning is not a barrier — Onwuegbu CHIEF Anayo Onwuegbu, an engineer, administrator and politician is in the contest for the governorship primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The aspirant in this interview articulates reasons for his aspiration. Excerpts:

BY Henry Umoru

S

INCE 1999 you have been playing behind the scene, do you have the requisite political structure to see your ambition come to fruition?

In 1999 I played behind the scene, in 2003, I did not play behind the scene; I contested for the ticket of the party and I set up the structure, but for the policy of the then Obasanjo’s administration that insisted on granting automatic ticket to all PDP governors that were going for second term, the then Governor Chimaroke wouldn’t have had a second term.

I had the singular privilege and my ambition was responsible for the sharp division of the Enugu State House of Assembly in 2002, which produced a group of 16 that were loyal to me. It is on record.

What are your thoughts on zoning?

Well, we have not had zoning in Enugu State. I wouldn’t say zoning is a wrong principle; you can only talk of zoning as a good principle. Imagine a democracy like Nigeria where ethnicity plays a major role; that is the only

principle you can use to justify zoning. Therefore, people see zoning as a way of reassuring other parts that they can also have a shot at power. Back home in Enugu State, there had never been any zoning.

It is on record that in 1979, in the old Anambra State, the key elements that were contesting for governorship Chief Jim Nwobodo, late C.C. Onoh, Dr. Alex Ekwueme and Chief Austin Ezenwa; these were the principal characters that contested the election.

Principal characters It was not on the basis of any zoning arrangement. In 1999, the contest was between Chief Gbazueagu Nweke Gbazueagu, Chimaroke Nnamani and Nduka Agu. Three of them contested vigorously for the ticket of PDP and finally Chimaroke won. In 2003, it was keenly contested by over 12 people, including my humble self. From Nkanu then was Chimaroke; from the greater Awgu was myself, Chief Alex Obiechina and two others. There was no zoning.

Then 2007 again, the scenar-

•Onwuegbu io repeated itself. In 2010/11, it was the same issue.

So what do you make of the agitation that Enugu North should produce the next governor?

The concept is hinged on the

fact that some time ago, it was strongly rumoured that the deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu was interested in becoming the governor of the state and his no love-lost relationship with the sitting

governor is a well known fact.

To put a stop to that ambition, the governor started announcing that he had zoned the ticket of the party to Nsukka zone.

It is a deliberate effort to steer up a sectional consciousness to be used against an envisaged enemy.

I stand to be corrected. Let him tell us in any gathering in Enugu State that says we are going to start zoning. He was not a beneficiary of any zoning arrangement; he was handpicked by former Governor Chimaroke.

What are you are bringing to the table for the voters?

I am not approaching the delegates just as I am talking to you. No! We are saying today here is the programme I have for Enugu and we are saying who has a better programme than me.

So I am not contesting the governorship because I have been paying school fees for people, those are humanitarian gestures between me and my God. But what we are talking here is that I have a programme, go through and see if it will not be better for the people of Enugu.

My mission and my message by Tony Obuh Continues from page 37 Consultations The consultation was wide because I covered the 25 local government areas of Delta State.

I met with every executive committee of the PDP in Delta State, in the local government areas and the state PDP to discuss my political intention and ambition to seek election on the platform of the PDP. I have met with my spiritual fathers, my family members, different sectors and groups.

The consultation was with every sincerity and modesty, greatly encouraging.

All sectors of the Delta society, whether the employed or unemployed, market persons, civil servants, the political class, have shown tremendous support. What I have today, as my campaign materials and have been coming freely from different persons.

For those who do not have printed materials to give to us, they have offered physical support, in terms of labour to paste posters across the state. So,

consultation, I visited all the local government areas in Delta State including those in Delta Central.

Beyond that I also met with the umbrella body of the Urhobo ethnic nationality, the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU. I have discussed and met with them. They have expressed their anxiety and feelings about government, both within Delta and outside of Delta State.

I didn’t hear anything from them to suggest that it has to be Delta Central or no Delta North.

I think what it takes is negotiation and how to ensure that you represent the interest of all the ethnic nationalities within the state.

Ethnic nationalities •Obuh: I was never arrested, detained or queried by organisation

support has been massive and very encouraging.

Delta Central complained that they are been marginalised.

How do you intend to convince Delta Central to buy into your ambition?

In the course of my

I believe that the people of Delta State can grow side by side without harm, aggression, malice or ill feeling from any group.

Once your programme addresses the sensibilities of the people, you take them into

account in what you are doing, you will get their support. What they want is sincerity in what you promise and what you do.

Corruption I have been in the civil service for 32 years. I have not had any invitation from anybody both within or from the EFCC to answer or respond to any enquiry as to corrupt practices in all the ministries I have worked.

If I have been able to keep a clean bill, rising to the position of Permanent Secretary, a position that I will continue to cherish all the days of my life, I do not think that I will now go out, in the terminal days of my life, to do something that will give me sad memories as I go to my final resting place.

At 57, I am closer to where I am going to, what I want now is how I can leave my name as a legacy, both for my family and to the people of the state.

I am not going to do anything to soil that image, I am looking for something that can give me joy as I go finally.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014—39

How I'll build on Ochendo’s foundation — Ikpeazu

know that their pain is my pain and their joy my joy, my mission is to restore the middle class in Abia State and give them a pride of place.

Abia:

Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, biochemist, teacher-turned politician is one of the frontline governorship aspirants in the race to succeed the outgoing administration of Governor Theodore Orji in Abia State.

Ikpeazu, from Obingwa resigned from his position as Deputy General Manager of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, to pursue his governorship ambition.

He shares his thoughs below. Excerpts:

By Charles Kumolu

W

HAT is your assessment of the present administration and how can you lift the state from its present position?

In the first place, by the time Ochendu took over, the socio economic framework of Abia State was in shambles, without discipline from politicians coming from other parts of the country.

It took the transparency of Ochendu, to bring everybody together under the big umbrella of the PDP, and even those that were not within the PDP family are also going to him, that he was the person that came to unify Abia, that is an intangible achievement but very critical to development, because if you don’t have unity, you cannot attract the best brains and you cannot move forward.

Aba than I do, I have worked as the Deputy General Manager Environment and Protection Agency, and I know what we met on ground before we came and I also know what we did to make the modest impact that we have made so far. But the gap – the missing link is that as I speak, government is not in charge of waste management at a primary level.

Organic fertilisers I’ve also studied the constituents of the waste that come from Aba 65 per cent of them is bio-degradable, vegetables and left over food which means that we can think about organic fertilizers because it is biodegradable

Infrastructural development The best he did was in terms of security since if somebody is not secure he can’t think of investment and others in infrastructural development agriculture and so on and he touched all those areas.

Talking about Aba, the city is almost being taken over by filth, what’s your agenda for Aba? Incidentally I don’t think anybody has a b e t t e r knowledge of the garbage challenge of

•Ikpeazu: I’ve about nineteen years of experience in politics

I’ve about nineteen years of experience in politics and one other thing that counts in my favor is that I’m a home baked politician

and we can convert it for manure.

The other 35 per cent is from metals, plastics and so on. Some sorting will be done. As I speak, we have started to create and inaugurate sanitation clubs in various secondary schools. The idea is to teach our young ones the tenets of sorting from the beginning so that they can go back to the home and teach their parents in turn what it means to sort waste because you cannot do a waste recycling plant if you have not sorted out your waste from the primary source.

Associates of Gover nor T.A Orji like you say

he has done much. Is his shoe not too big for you?

I’ve about nineteen years of experience in politics and one other thing that counts in my favor is that I’m a home baked politician.

In the sense that I understand the sentiments of the average Abian and I also represent the middle class.

Not only that, have I spent all these nineteen years in the trenches with my people, fighting and battling with this present governor for the elevation of Abia State. I also know some of the things which he has done, to make sure that the Ochendo magic is a reality.

I’ve been at home with all the political gladiators of Abia State and I have served and served diligently.

Greatest challenge Secondly I represent the middle class, I don’t make noise that I come from anywhere and the people know that the best person to trust is one of their own, because the g r e a t e s t challenge to our economy not only in Abia State is that the economy has shut down the

middle class, so we now have two classes of people, its either you are rich or poor, so the so called middle class is what I represent and they

What is your panacea for crime and corruption in the state?

The greatest attitude towards corruption is to build institutions, because those are the things that would outlive you and to also lead by example. I’m not a trader, my background is teaching and if I’m not doing politics I’m teaching, so if you lead by example the only way you know that you are going to do well or not, is how serious you are in terms of building institutions, because if you appoint somebody not necessarily on political sentiment because that person is capable, competent and can deliver, it doesn’t matter where he comes from, it means also that you are surrounding yourself with people with little or no inclination towards enriching themselves at the expense of the public good.

I intend to run a very transparent government, I intend to bring all shades of Abia people into governance, the traditional rulers the youths (which is my primary constituency) and the women and in-fact anybody that has anything to offer that would help build Abia.

40—V ANGU ARD, WEDNESD A Y, NO VEMBER 5, 2014 40—VANGU ANGUARD, WEDNESDA NOVEMBER

He’s not supportive of my career

My hubby got the house-help pregnant Dear Bunmi, ’M IN my early 60's, a few years ago, I took in a girl as a maid. Her family wouldn’t help her because they thought she was wayward. In the beginning, she was unstable and kept vanishing, at first for days, then for weeks. She would come back, weeping and begging us to take her back and I always accepted because I thought I could do something good with her potentials. My husband called me a fool and threatened to throw her out if she didn’t behave.

With time she became more settled and trained as a hair-dresser. I got her a shop and used my money to buy necessary equipment for her salon. A y e a r l a t e r, s h e b e c a m e pregnant for my husband,

I

a 65-year-old man. He claimed he was drunk when she seduced him, but she told me they ’d had made love often, not just once. She’d been to his factory too as confirmed by some of the workers.

This girl has flatly refused to have an abortion and has moved out of the house. I suspect my husband has helped her to set up a home. This man has children older than this ungrateful girl and is a grand-father. How could he rubbish the family name with this scum?

Kemi, by e-mail.

Dear Kemi, It’s never wrong to show love and affection to someone who needs it as feeling love enriches us a lot. Yet, sometimes, giving that love demands a price

that is simply too high. This girl you helped was denied the kindness she needed as a child and to protect h e r s e l f, she became cynical. She learnt to take when she could and not give back.

As things are, there’s precious little you can do now a baby is on the way.

You’ve been betrayed by your husband too, but you must learn to absorb the shock.

What they both intend to do with the baby is no longer your business. You need to move on with your life. Experiences like yours are very common and though painful, life goes on.

One hard lesson you’ve learnt though is that the fact that you love, trust and give doesn’t mean that you shall be loved, trusted and given in return.

He kicked me out for being unfaithful Dear Bunmi, HEN MY partner and I split up four years ago, I was devastated and jumped at a temporary transfer from my office to one of the branches in another state to get away from it all. It was there I met another colleague and we started a relationship, but it ended when I was transferred back to head office. In time my ex- and I got back together and he proposed. We got married early last year and now have a lovely daughter.

When I resumed from my maternity leave, I was shocked to find my lover working in head office on t e m p o r a r y t r a n s f e r. H e knew of my marriage and was happy with it.

I was foolish to visit him in the guest house where he was lodged and we ended up making love. I visited a couple of times more but stopped. He must have blabbed to some of his mates because my husband got an anonymous text and·he was furious as he knew of my earlier relationship with this colleague. He was visibly angry and asked me to move out with our baby. I went to stay with my parents and in spite of my

W

pleas, he’s refused to have any contact with me. I can’t imagine not spending the rest of my life with him.

Will he ever take me back?

Emma, by e-mail.

Dear Ernma, You have to respect your husband's decision for now and give him time to think things through so he could decide what he wants to do. In the meantime, why don’t you write him a letter, telling him you love him and that you are really deeply sorry for what you did. Explain why you did it and ask him to forgive you.

Then leave him alone and allow him the space he

needs to consider his options.

If he refuses to allow you back into his life, you should respect his wishes.

You have done wrong and have to suffer the consequences. If he's willing to give you another chance - and he might you need to rebuild your relationship from the scratch.

Yo u have completely obliterated his trust and confidence in you. You have to regain it slowly, one piece at a time.

You need to show him every d a y, through your behaviour and your attitude, that you love him and that he can trust you.

In the meantime, why don’t you write him a letter, telling him you love him and that you are really deeply sorry for what you did. Explain why you did it and ask him to forgive you. Then leave him alone and allow him the space he needs to consider his options. If he refuses to allow you back into his life, you should respect his wishes.

You have done wrong and have to suffer the consequences. If he's willing to give you another chance - and he might - you need to rebuild your relationship from the scratch

Dear Bunmi, I love the job I had since I graduated five years ago and feel that I am successful at it. But whenever I discuss my work and my future and what I’m hoping for, my partner tries to discourage me.

I don’t understand it, as I always allow time for us to have quality time together outside work. He says that all career women are lonely and hard-bitten, and tells me he loves me as I am. He also says that our relationship should be enough for me and that I must not destroy it. How can I make him be more supportive?

Toke, by e-mail.

Dear Toke, To hold down any job, let alone build a future, your partner must actively support you, think you are wonderful and be proud of all your achievements. When he isn’t behind you, it’s much harder to do what you have to do. Try to get the reasons under-lying your partner’s negative attitude. Does he fear he’ll lose you if you find success? Deal with this one together. Then you’ll need to make him see that any partnership worth its salt is a two-way street.

I’m sure you support him - does he expect to get all he wants and still have you beside him? If he does, then surely he must do the same for you. No one can tell another person not to strive or grow or reach out for all the things that make our working lives great.

No one has the right to stifle another’s potential, or hold her back from what she can achieve. And no relationship can thrive on an unequal basis of shared love and support. We all change - some of us grow. If he can’t grow with you, then he’s the person who is threatening the relationship, not you.

Is his request normal?

Dear Bunmi, My current boyfriend is a hunk - sophisticated and loving. He is also quite adventurous in his love-making. A few weeks ago, he said he’d like spice up our love life by bringing his camcorder into the bedroom and taping as we make love! We currently live together but until he made his weird suggestion, I had no idea he was a pervert! Half joking, I told him he needed his head examined, but he laughed at me, saying a lot of his friends did it and that it wasn't such a big deal. Is he normal?

Mandy, by e-mail.

Dear Mandy, There is no evidence your boyfriend is a pervert. His request is, in fact, within the range of normal erotic play among consenting adults. Quite a number of couples actually enjoy making love in front of a video camera and nobody is hurt as long as both partners agree the tapes will go no further than their own VCRs. You sound as if your boyfriend’s request surprised, rather than offended you!

Why don’t you indulge his fantasy at least once? Perhaps you might just fmd the experience pleasurable - or you might feel awkward and uncomfortable. If you do, tell him you don’t relish the idea of being a porn star!

He turned me into a monster

Dear Bunmi, I left the village to come and live with my uncle in Abuja.

Unfortunately, he lost his job and since I was already employed by a private nursery school, I decided to move in with my boyfriend who is a personal assistant to the proprietress.

At first, he was really nice and I slowly started getting my life back together, buying things for the house and for myself. Almost overnight, he changed. He locks me in all the time as soon as I return from work. He wou1dn't let me go out with him and always times me when I go to the market. Whenever he thinks I’ve taken too much time, he'll beat me up. He doesn't drink, and he's not on drugs, but his eyes are always wild and scary when he's angry.

Why is he this way?

Blessing, by e-mail.

Dear Blessing, I have no idea why your boyfriend is suddenly behaving in this way. It might be that he's mentally ill, or that he has a violent personality.

He’ll probably try to assure you that his behaviour is caused by the way you provoke him. He may tell you that if only you were loving, he wouldn't need to be like this. You may even end up thinking that if only you could change, then he would change.

Well, you are wrong. The reason your boyfriend is like this doesn't matter.

What’s important is that you get out of this situation right now! It may feel impossible, but you must escape. Violent men seldom change.

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, NOVEMBER 5, 2014 — 41

WHO issues new guidelines on treatment of MDR-TB

Ward off cancer with exercise — EXPERTS

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NEW TB drug with a novel mechanism of action – delamanid - is now available for treatment of adults with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), a form of tuberculosis resistant to isoniazid and rifampicin, the main first-line TB drugs.

Although the drug was granted conditional approval by the European Medicine Agency in April 2014, the World Health Organisation, WHO, has issued “interim policy guidance” that lists five conditions that must be in place if delamanid is used to treat adults with MDR-TB: Among the conditions is proper patient inclusion: Special caution is required when delamanid is used in people aged 65 and over, in adults living with HIV, patients with diabetes, hepatic or severe renal impairment, or those who use alcohol or substances. Use in pregnant and breastfeeding women and children is not advised.

Adherence: Also to be met is adherence to WHO recommendations when designing MDR-TB treatment regimens. WHO says when delamanid is included in treatment, all principles on which WHO-recommended MDR-TB treatment regimens are based must be followed,

particularly the inclusion of four effective second-line drugs as well as pyrazinamide.

Delamanid should not be introduced alone into a regimen in which the companion drugs are failing to show effectiveness.

Others are effective treatment and monitoring. Treatment must be closely monitored for effectiveness and safety, using sound treatment and management protocols that have been approved by the relevant national authorities.

Pharmacovigilance and management of adverse events: active pharmacovigilance

measures must be in place to ensure early detection and proper management of adverse drug reactions and potential interactions with other drugs.

Informed consent: Patients must be fully aware of the potential benefits and harms of the new drug, and give informed consent before embarking on treatment WHO strongly recommends the acceleration of Phase III trials to generate a more comprehensive evidence base to inform future policy on delamanid.

• Cross section of participants at a 10 kilometre powerwalk organised by International Energy Services Limited, IESL, to mark this year's World Breast Cancer Month in Lagos weekend.

S the prevalence of cancers, particularly breast cancers continued to rise, experts have stressed the need for Nigerians to engage more in exercise saying that regular exercise helps to ward off diseases including cancer.

The experts who spoke in Lagos weekend at a 10- kilometre PowerWalk for Breast Cancer Awareness from Awolowo enroute Boudillon, Kingsway road, Ikoyi back to Awolowo lamented that most Nigerians are living sedimentary lifestyle today which may predispose them to non communicable diseases such as cancer and heart diseases.

Addressing over 500 Nigerians from all walks of life who participated in the PowerWalk, the Chief Executive Officer of International Energy Services Limited, IESL, the organisers of the Walk, Dr. Diran Fawibe who lost four people to cancer this year, said by just walking individuals can keep fit.

“Walking does not put a lot of pressure on your joints or muscles like jogging and running. If only you can walk three times a week you will be fit and it can help you to put off all kinds of diseases that can afflict the body system.

“One of the things people can do for themselves is to engage in exercise. For cancers, if only you exercise you can term it.”

Fawibe explained that the walk was to raise alarm on breast cancer as well as promote early screening among the people.

“We are screening not less than 200 people for breast cancer and anyone identified to have the symptoms will be supported in terms of treatment.”

Executive Director, COPE, an NGO alleviating the mortality rate of breast cancer in Nigeria, Dr. Ebunola Anozie, said sedentary lifestyle is becoming a norm in the society and there is need for people to fight this because it plays a very huge role in warding off cancer.

She blamed the continued increase in breast cancers on ignorance and a lot of taboos people believed in. Anozie who commended International Energy Services Limited, IESL, for organising the walk said COPE organises free ultrasound screening every third Saturday of the month to ensure many Nigerian women get screened for breast cancer.

Noting that one in every 11 will suffer breast cancer in their life time, she regretted that Nigeria has no functional cancer registry, adding that early detection will not only save a life but save the breast. To prevent breast cancer, she urged Nigerians to always cook their foods fresh and do not store in the refrigerators.

Nigerian doctors meet in Wales (2) • Continued from last Tuesday O mention was made of a fully comprehensive document "Nigeria MDGs Report 2013 " available on the NPHCDA website. It includes the Government's Millennium Acceleration Framework (MAF) for MDG 5.

Dr. Obembe gave a very eloquent explanation of the NMAs primary objective of delivering Universal Health coverage for all Nigerians; universal as in 100%, rather than, according to the NMA, the 30% aspired by the Government. Many questions were skillfully addressed by the NMA President, but the one asking why the association was seen as a bunch of strike loving doctors rather than true healthcare advocates as projected in Dr Obembes lecture......was a tough question to answer.

There was a lot of applause, backslapping and chest beating over our success with Ebola. Much deserved praise was directed at the Federal Government but the primary response of First Consultants Hospital and the Lagos State Government as the pivotal key in containment, needed to be highlighted. In addition, having being probably the very first to publicly commend our Ebola response in my article days after the index case, I wanted to remind the audience that Ebola remains a dangerous threat to Nigeria.

The explanation of the Sure-P programme was clear and instructive. Other speakers on Diabetes, The Sub Saharan Advisory Panel, Global Partnerships and Wales for Africa acquitted their obligations well. Retired neonatal nurse, Mrs Angela Gorman gave a passionate account of her charitable role in reducing maternal mortality in West Africa by the simple provision of cheap medicines like magnesium sulphate and misoprotol. She deserves generous support for her NGO "Life for African Mothers".

A major fault of this meeting was the limited audience participation. "Questions only...no comments" was perhaps a bit strict for a quorum of medical professionals and specialists.

N

C M Y K

doctor@lagospainclinic.com

• Dr. Femi Ogunyemi with Mr Jacob Akoh, President, Medical Association of Nigerian Doctors Across Great Britain at the Annual Gala/Dinner in Cardiff, Wales. October 25th 2014.

In a gathering that included a former CMD of a State teaching hospital, a current Group CMD of a prominent Lagos Private Hospital chain, and many highly experienced doctors in various fields from Nigeria, UK and USA... Audience-Panel, Audience-Audience commentary and interaction should've been more liberal.

A standing microphone mid-room and strong marshaling from the moderators would have livened and enlightened all attendees.

These constraints aside, the duo of Drs Gana (First MANSAG President) and Nwabinelli moderated both sessions quite capably. The Conference title did not indicate whether Africa or Nigeria was the theme focus, and, perhaps because of time constraints, the Meeting did not address all 8 MDGs effectively as stated in the theme.

However, Prof Dilly Anumba delivered a vibrant summary with an overview of all 8 MDGs and a detailed

insight into the goals, objectives and work of MANSAG, having been a former President.

The Gala dinner was delicious, distinguished and delectable. Mrs Agoh, to my surprise, would pass anywhere for a professional stand-up comedian. She had us all in stitches and tears of laughter.

Even our typically reserved NMA President, in regal flowing Agbada rocked the dance floor to Fela's afrobeat, with Madam in step.

So its goodbye Cardiff.........

MANSAG may wish to consider opening its membership to Nigerian doctors outside Great Britain.

Such affiliated members would generate (discounted) revenue and widen participation.

The Association should ensure a more aggressive targeted solicitation for attendance by its members. With over 3500 licensed in the UK alone, this meeting could and should have been better attended.

MANSAG, to more effectively meet its objectives in the Nigerian Health sector, should consider the appointment of representatives in Nigeria, and perhaps also the publication of a medical journal.

Finally, many health sector demands need legislation.

A member of the Federal House could've been invited; perhaps the Honorable Mrs Dabiri for Diaspora, the Speaker, Honorable Tambuwal or the Minority Leader, Honorable Gbajabiamilla. Such high profile attendance from the Legislature will pay dividends later.

All in all "Well done MANSAG......and hello Birmingham 2015!"

42 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

By EMMA NNADOZIE and EVELYN USMAN LAGOS State Police boss, Kayode Aderanti visited Vanguard Newspapers, last week. This is the concluding excerpts of his parley with our Editors. Read on.

Bail is free y number is in the public domain and believe this, since I came on board, I have had cause to take decisive actions against any belligerent Divisional Police Officer. When I see them collecting bail money, I move them. Some people ask: “Why can’t you investigate?” I say if it is alleged and it is proved that you took bail money, you are gone and I have done that in a couple of divisions. So, mine is to show that whatsoever I say is backed up decisively. The people don’t want it, the Inspector-General of Police doesn’t want it, so why do you like it?

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On corruption in the Force The Inspector-General of Police is of the view that corruption is not just cancerous but believes that by the time it enters your system, you cannot get away with it, you get sunk in it. This is what I have been trying to tell these officers — that they should shun corruption. Whosoever is arrested or caught in the act will just have to carry his cross alone. We are doing everything possible and I assure you that when you go all out and you have any information, call me, notify my area commanders or DPOs, and we will take action.

Police response time I believe in Lagos state, we have a very good crime response time. Once the crime is reported and it gets to us, we respond between 10 to 15 minutes. The patrol team arrives the scene and I am being truthful. The only thing that militates against such time response are the bad roads, which you know about.

In New York for example, the roads are okay and allow for easy navigation from one point to another but here, the streets are not properly made or numbered and at night we hardly do have electricity sociologist and the psychologist supply. So, we have a lot of will have to look into it, it things working against us requires a lot of work, and this unlike in other climes where we means it is something beyond have good road networks and the police. From our side, we everything is properly will ensure that we enforce the structured. But here, how do law and that whosoever violates you get to Vanguard when there the law is made to face the full is an incident? It is difficult weight of the law. We can assure because of the traffic situation; you that what you have pointed that is the problem and we are out, we will critically look into managing and trying our best it and I will encourage my in that regard. officers to actually go all out to ensure that all these impunities Impunity on our roads are stopped.

Impunity is something that In Lagos, you find touts traverses the entire state. People extorting money and harassing just want to break the law and people. It must be stopped and the only thing we can do from we will do everything possible. our own side is to ensure that And luckily, we have a task we enforce this law and force set up by the state whosoever is apprehended or government that is actually runs foul of these regulations giving support in that area, so and laws, will face the full we are going to work closely weight of the law. If this is done, with the task force because they I believe that this will send a have the capacity to do certain very clear message. But you things. We have the vehicles know the criminal justice and they have being doing it, system, ours is to apprehend most times we arrest a lot of these individuals and charge people, things are really going them to court. When they are on, the population in Lagos and charged to court and they are the people out of jobs, it is crazy released on bail, there is but we are managing it and we nothing we can do about it. will do our best.

Sometimes, they can be remanded in prison for one Welfare of Policemen month after which they come I have been going around in back to their old trade. There the past few weeks and that is is nothing we can do about it. It based on the directive of the is a societal problem that needs Inspector-General of Police that to be addressed holistically. we should go out and talk to our What actually brought about officers, especially those at the these deviances?

The lower ranks. They are receiving

•CP Kayode Aderanti

Poor infrastructure makes our work harder —CP ADERANTI the message on what he is doing at the Force Headquarters level to actually ameliorate welfare issues and the IG has assured everybody that he intends to address these in a comprehensive manner. He wants a package that will address all segments of the force and something is being done and very soon, they are going to see changes.

He also asked us to inform them of the need to take care of their health. This is something that has been lacking and they were even surprised for a CP to be talking about their health.

There is need for them to actually know their health status because of the extreme

conditions under which we operate, and the environment.

We hardly have two to three hours sleep every night and I have told my colleagues that they should take a day off and go and have a comprehensive health check.

Their DPOs and Area Commanders should allow them go. It is important that they know their health status. If they don’t, how do they deliver to the people, how do they work efficiently? So, we need to help the Police to be able to police the country because without a healthy force, there won’t be anybody to work with. We have encouraged them in this regard.

In the area of accommodation, we have set up a Police Mortgage Bank. We have a

We have a lot of things working against us unlike in other climes where we have good road networks and everything is properly structured. But here, how do you get to Vanguard when there is an incident? It is difficult because of the traffic situation

fully capitalized mortgage institution that is dedicated solely for the first time to men of the rank and file of the police.

This means that they can access funds at a single digit instead of going to the banks with all their constitutionalities because they are serving members.

This is an innovation that has been put in place. If the officers continue to stay in the barracks without a roof over their heads, they will leave the force and become miscreants.

So, what the IG did is to make sure that we have this kind of bank in place, fully capitalized and licensed by the Central Bank and officers can access it.

A lot of PPP housing projects are ongoing and officers can launch into all of these banks.

We are addressing the welfare of officers in a more strategic manner, not as a matter of naira and kobo, but some thing that will endure. We also have the Health Insurance Scheme which they are contributing every month. It is their right to access it. We have the cooperative which they can approach because every month, they deduct certain percentage.

Most of them are not aware when we are talking about welfare that the IGP has put in place a very comprehensive welfare package that cuts across everything, their health, their pay, their housing and their future, everything is captured.

We have the police primary and secondary schools that assist our children, managed by the force. We have our university too in Kano. But we need to talk more to the officers, for them to know that these are what is available to them.

Monitoring unit That is where leadership comes in — your ability to see to whatsoever vision that you have. If you have lofty ideas, lot of visions but how do we navigate to ensure that these things are actually having the required effect. It boils down to implementation and I assure you that I am empowering the monitoring units.

Right now, I am making efforts to get more logistics for them because I have discovered that I need to divide them into sectors. I can even use the senatorial districts. If I have them placed in different areas in Lagos, they will be more effective. I am waiting for response to the requests I have made. Because I need to give them tools to work with, that is the truth of the matter. I cannot just send them out, I need to empower them and make sure that they are mobile and motivated and that they are committed officers, and that they are officers that share my vision of what the police should look like and together we are going to do it, and I intend to do whatsoever is possible to ensure that we sensitize them.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2014 — 43

44—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

The burden of grandstanding as Oby Ezekwesili's albatross

By Adamu Gwazuwang

Falling crude oil prices and Nigeria's response

By Bernard Okumagba

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HERE is understandable concern in the country about the drop in crude oil prices over the last several weeks. From a figure of $104 per barrel on August 1, 2014, the OPEC basket of prices collapsed to about $82 per barrel on October 28, 2014.

The basket of prices used by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is the average price of all the varieties of crude sold in the international market.

The drop of over $20 per barrel in the three months between August and October has raised justifiable fear given our overwhelming dependence on oil and gas exports for over 90 per cent of our country’s foreign exchange earnings.

At a Senate committee session on Monday, October 27 on the Medium Term Economic Framework (MTEF), which serves as a basis for the preparation of the estimates of revenue and expenditure for the annual budget, Dr. (Mrs) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, told the committee that the Nigerian economy was facing some challenge on account of the oil price drop.

She stated that The Excess Crude Account was created to cushion the economy at difficult times like this. The Minister stated however that the Excess Crude Account had been depleted to the tune of $4.1 billion, down from $9 billion. Speaking further on the Excess Crude Account as reported in the Vanguard newspaper of Tuesday, October 28, 2014 the Minister said: “… and you know we went down to $2 billion last year and

BERNARD OKUMAGBA then we built it up to $9 billion, and there was insistence we must share, and it came down to $2 billion, and then we built it back to $5 billion. Right now we are at $4.1 billion.” Nigeria had much more funds in the Excess Crude Account the last time the world oil price tumbled dropping from a hight of $140 per barrel in July 2008 to as low as $37 in December 2008. The funds in the Excess Crude Account in 2008 helped the country weather the storm during that difficult period.

In an earlier interview

published in the Financial Times of Sunday, October 26, the Finance minister said other measures would have to be put in place if prices fall further, adding that, “We will have to look very hard at r e c u r r e n t expenditure, and identify overlapping agencies…”

Oil prices have Map of Nigeria been falling due to slowing global demand, the rise processed petroleum products. in US shale oil production and Also, our reserves are not other factors. Further price drops growing. OPEC’s 2014 Annual may result in further difficulties, Statistical Bulletin reports that considering that our 2014 between 2009 and 2011 Nigeria’s national budget is predicated on proven crude oil reserves stood a benchmark of $77.50 a barrel at 37.20 billion. It dropped to and daily production of 2.39 37.14 billion in 2012 and further million barrels. The MTEF dropped to 37.07 billion in 2013.

The drop in global oil prices document submitted to the National Assembly in October makes it imperative for Nigeria 2014 reports that our actual oil to urgently diversify its revenue production averaged 2.25 million base. The country is spending barrels per day (below the budget heavily on the importation of oil figure of 2.39 million barrels) due products. Our state-owned to a number of factors including refineries are not in a position to “the activities of crude oil thieves meet our local demand for petroleum products. and oil pipeline vandals” Licences for private refineries were first issued by President Principal Olusegun Obasanjo’s buyer government in 2002 but they The United States of America have not translated to projects on (US) was Nigeria’s principal ground partly because the buyer until some months back. ground rules have not been Nigeria’s sweet crude, Bonny properly defined for the sector.

Light, is sought in the US for its The Petroleum Industry Bill ease of processing, but with the (PIB), which provides for the massive exploitation of Shale Oil, establishment of the legal and a lighter crude, in the US, the regulatory framework and demand for Nigeria’s crude has comprehensive guidelines for the bottomed out. Data from the operation of the upstream and Energy Information downstream sectors of the Administration division of the US Nigerian Petroleum Industry, is Department of Energy shows that stuck in the national assembly. as against a peak demand of 41.76 million barrels of Necessary Nigerian crude by the US in incentives March 2007, only 1.48 million The national assembly barrels was bought by the US from Nigeria in August this committees looking into the year. More importantly, the legislation have assured that they drop has been drastic in the will attend to the bill; they need last year since the US applied to do so quickly, especially as the the fracking drilling technique current National Assembly to exploit shale oil. Today, the lapses in a few months’ time.

US is producing almost nine Clearly, the necessary incentives million barrels per day and need to be activated to facilitate there is talk that it may export the much needed private sector by next year. investments in the oil and gas There is still demand for sector and there is precious little Nigeria’s crude from Asian time to delay action in these economies like China but the matters. We need to unlock the outlook is worrisome. What if the potential of agriculture. With over economies of Asia, with their 84 million hectares of arable land, heavy investment in R&D, Nigeria ought to be a net exporter discover cheaper sources of of food which should enable us energy in their backyards? earn substantial revenue outside Nigeria is in a typical Catch-22 our oil revenue. Clearly, Nigeria situation: the demand for our has no business being a net food crude is shifting at a fast pace to importing country. Although our new buyers who may not have the food import bill is currently down capacity for large volumes; and to an annual average of about we do not have significant N700 billion from about N1.4 refining capacity in our country. trillion previously, we must So, whatever is earned from continue to drive this down until crude oil sale, a significant we become a net food exporting proportion goes out to import country.

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HE former Minister of Education and self acclaimed national heroine, Oby Ezekwesili, made some outlandish claims last week in Abuja to the effect that the rescue of a serving minister's sister from her kidnappers was an injustice to Chibok girls. For someone who makes so much pretence to intellectual depth and acquisition, Oby Ezekwesili made a complete fool of herself, not in the least, by the sheer senselessness of the statement.

Who is the former Minister of Education trying to please and what Chibok jokes does she now try to make of any and every development around the country? To be sure, Ezekwisili could only be referring to the announcement by the police in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, last week that a combined team of security operatives had success fully rescued the younger sister of the Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani AlisonMadueke from her kidnappers.

To say the least, Ezekwesili was insulting the collective intelligence of Nigerians and pretending to educate on a matter over which she was clearly ignorant and ill informed. She must think of herself as some national super star who is riding on the unfortunate abduction of some female secondary school girls in

Oby Ezekwesili

Chibok by Boko Haram insurgents to some new level of fame. What did Obi Ezekwesili have to say when the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Okey Wali was kidnapped and freed two weeks later in Port Harcourt. For her that was not suggestive of social inequality and a good way to demonstrate good governance.

Where was Oby Ezekwesili when two Germans working for Julius Berger were kidnapped somewhere in Ogun State resulting in the shooting to death of one of them.

Is Oby Ezekwesli the new inspector general of which country? Exactly what has kidnapping for ransom and other hidden criminal or political motives got in common with the murderous savagery of Boko Haram, who for no just or known cause have rebelled against the Nigerian state, There are certain persons like

Ezekwesili who for sometime now have been abusing and denigrating the sensibilities of Nigerians, daily seeking newspaper headlines and posing as national heroes and heroines in what is clearly a Military and Security operation, that of freeing the chibok girls and routing Boko Haram insurgents from Nigeria. Ezekwesili and her fellow travellers have become national court jesters issuing ultimatums and deadlines to elected government officials.

This is a failed Minister of Education riding suddenly on a non existent tide to infamy.

How can Ezekwesili forget so soon her own score card as Minister of Solid Minerals and later Education? What qualification made her a right, fit and proper person to head the due diligence department during former President Obasanjo’s tenure.

Academic schedules of Unity Schools Does she realize that many Nigerian parents will never forgive her for disrupting the academic schedules of Unity schools in Nigeria under the false pretences of introducing quality education to all Nigerians, which never came.

If Oby Ezekwesili has any axe to grind with the Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Allison Madueke, it must be that the serving Minister has performed so much better than herself while a minister.

Even then, what has that got to do with the current minister’s sister who has nothing to do with the government.

Ezekwesili must be suffering from some kind of ego tripping delusions to the extent that she even thinks that Nigerians believe everything she says.

Pundits have guessed right and are waiting to see at what point Ezekwesili is going to try to cash in on her ‘struggles’ and smuggle herself into a Government, as that was exactly how she smuggled herself into Obasanjo’s cabinet.

At the appropriate time, Ezekwesili's claims to high academic laurels and profiles will be addressed as this writer would not like to create distractions from the main point of this piece at the moment. Boko Haram, under whose illegal custody the Chibok girls are domiciled at the moment is a direct threat to the territorial sovereignty and security of Nigeria as an independent nation. Anyone hoping to make political capital out of the Chibok girl’s saga would sooner or later find himself or herself a victim of some self induced misery.

•Adamu Gwazuwang writes from Abuja

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014—45

N'Delta youths back Manager

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S the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, senatorial primaries draw closer, ex-militants, youth organisations, women groups from Ijaw, Isoko, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic nationalities converged on Ogbe-Ijoh, headquarters of Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, to express their support for Senator James Manager’s re-election.

One of the co-ordinators of the group, who is also the chairman of OgboinAma political forum, ‘General’ Preye Ekpebide, described Senator Manager as a man of integrity, a grassroots developer and a peace bridge builder.

Ekpebide called on the delegates to shun money politics and base their choice on the antecedents of the aspirant that had mostly affected the lives of its constituents since 1999.

He urged the PDP hierarchy at the national and state levels to provide a level playing field for all aspirants.

GKS preaches peace, security

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NLY a leadership driven by the fear of God and devoid of atrocities and evil deeds can bring genuine peace and security to the country.

This was the position of Brother A. A. Erha, member God’s Kingdom Society, GKS’ Executive Board. He stated this during the society ’s Freedom Day celebration in Lagos.

According to Erha, any attempt by man will only be relative and temporal.

Earlier, while presenting a message entitled How Can the World Attain True Peace and Safety by Brother Godwin Ifeacho, Chairman of the board, Erha said: “Spiritual mindedness will purge one of all evil thoughts, which defile peace.”

PDP courting crisis with decisions on 2015 elections—OSIFO

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—FORMER National Publicity Secretary of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, and associate of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Eddy Osifo, yesterday, said recent decisions by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, could cause crisis similar to that of

1965.

He mentioned such decisions to include the alleged refusal by the leadership PDP to sell forms to other Presidential aspirants and the alleged powers given to PDP governors to anoint their successors, saying they were indications that the 2015 general elections would be rigged by the party.

He recalled that it was the same scenario that led to the Western Nigeria crisis in 1964, which eventually consumed notable Nigerians, such as the Premier of the Western region and other leaders.

Osifo accused President Goodluck Jonathan and PDP of encouraging undemocratic principles, warning that it might snowball into a national

FORUM: From left— Mr. Adam Nuru, Executive Director, North; Mr. Bayo Sanni, Senior

Vice President, Risk and Compliance; Mr. Ladi Balogun, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive; and Mr. Gerald Ikem, Group Head, Treasury and Financial Market, all of First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Limited, at the Investors Forum on Nairabond issuance organised by the bank in Abuja.

Uduaghan'll reposition Delta South, if voted Senator C

HAIRMAN, Delta State Muslim Pilgrim Board, Alhaji Yusuf Eregbene, has said the people of Delta South senatorial district will experience greater and more people-oriented representation if Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan represents the district at the Senate.

Eregbene, who spoke when he played host to some youth bodies from Bomadi, noted that Uduaghan would replicate his giant development strides in the state in the district.

Describing Uduaghan’s leadership qualities as exceptional and incomparable, as exemplified

in the appointment of four Ijaw sons into the state executive council, he noted that he was a detribalized Deltan.

According to him, “Uduaghan made the dreams of our Ijaw fathers come true by establishing the School of Marine Technology at Burutu, and a polytechnic approved for Bomadi.

“In the near future, the manpower which we the Ijaw have been lacking in many fields, will be a thing of the past.”

Eregbene noted that it was the time for Ijaw to say thank you by voting for Uduaghan at the primaries and the 2015 general elections, stressing that they would not regret their

choice, if Uduaghan was voted into the Senate in 2015.

Maku-Eyituoyor assures on Warri North's devt

By Godwin Oritse

N

EWLY elected Chairman of Warri North Local Government Area, Mr. Francis Maku-Eyituoyor, has pledged to raise the bar of achievement in the council.

Maku-Eyituiyor spoke in Koko Town, headquarters of Warri North after swearing-in his Vice-Chairman, Mr. Sunny Abilo and 12 newly-elected

Omene picks nomination form for Delta governorship

By Ikenna Asomba

A

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship hopeful, in Delta State, Chief John Ogheneovo Omene, has purchased his nomination and expression of interest forms at PDP’s national secretariat, Abuja, and promised the people of the

state better days ahead, if elected.

Chief Omene, who stormed the PDP secretariat with his supporters, said his intention to govern Delta State was not to amass wealth, but address the sufferings of his people.

The governorship aspirant said he entered the race to further consolidate on the

crisis in 2015.

Osifo, who also was a former national leader of Labour Party, LP, said: “PDP is perpetuating undemocratic principles and practices. Why will you ask PDP governors to pick their successors? Are they the voters?

“When there is a change of governor, there ought to be a change of style. If the predecessor is responsible for picking a successor, he will pick a man that is like him and that will not change the way things are being done.

“The consequences will be that there is no democracy in Nigeria, but dictatorship or autocracy; it will mean no change in leadership. It will spell doom for PDP because only the unthinking people will vote for PDP. “I was Publicity Secretary of the then Action Group in University of Ife, between 1962 and 1965, when late Bola Ige gave a warning similar to Buhari’s. That if the regional election of 1964 and the Federal election of 1965 was rigged, there would be crisis.

“They did not listen to Bola Ige, but went on to rig the election. That was the cause of e we tie; meaning spray them with fuel and burn them.

“That was the crisis that consumed many in the coup of January 16, 1966. At the rate PDP is going, they are going to cause crisis at the federal level during the election. I am afraid we are going back to where we started.”

enviable achievements of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and put smiles on the faces of Deltans through people-oriented projects that would bring succour to the downtrodden.

The aspirant said as part of his developmental agenda, his administration would ensure an open door policy.

councillors in the council.

He said he would run the affairs of the council with the greatest sense of responsibility and enjoined the newly sworn in legislators to do their best to partner with him to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

Maku-Eyituoyor, who outlined “capital investment, building human capacity, boosting economic activities and fostering peace and security in the council” as his priorities, remarked that the electoral mandate given to him represented the will of the people to develop the council.

He said: “I call on everyone in the Local Government, including our brothers and sisters who are not in PDP, to join us in this noble task.

“I do not claim to know everything. I shall, therefore, welcome good ideas that will help me to perform well.”

46 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

Eze joins Imo gov race

By Chris Ochayi

A

BUJA—A former banker, Chief Okechukwu Ezeh, has joined Imo State governorship race on the platform of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, boasting that he will defeat Governor Rochas Okorocha, if given the party’s ticket Chief Ezeh, who has already obtained the nomination and expression of interest forms, told newsmen that a clear cut policy of youth employment and rapid improvement in infrastructure of the state, among others, were his jokers.

Noting that he would not be among those that would condemn Governor Rochas Okorocha because he was seeking to contest with him, Ezeh said: “There must have been some things he has done and done well but we also know that there is a huge gap between what the people expect and what he has achieved.

"We are looking at a scene that when we come in we give leadership the impetus to deliver more and more dividend of democracy.A core area would be youth employment.

“Imo State according to a National Employment Survey has about 800, 000 unemployed youths which I think is a rather scandalous figure giving the endowment of the state in human and natural resources.

The governorship seat of Imo appears to be a magnet, honey-pot or a treasure trove for highly indebted business men to pay their debts and is now masquerading as messiahs.

“Some of us who are private sectors and p r o f e s s i o n a l technocrats have looked at it and say the time to bridge that leadership gap is now, for professional with good track record, proven ability and competent, conversant with the best practices of managing men and resources and aspire to leadership positions.”

ABIA PDP CONGRESS: Ex-WIC chief, Diogu alleges threat to life U

By EmmanuelAziken

MUAHIA—ERSTWHILE president of the World Igbo Congress, WIC, Dr. Kalu Diogu, has accused a senior official of the Abia State administration of threatening his life, following the protest lodged by Diogu against the conduct of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP ward congresses last weekend.

Diogu in a statement yesterday said the senior administration official in a telephone conversation with him threatened him, Diogu, for aligning with Senator Enyinninya Abaribe and others who alleged that there was no valid ward congress in the state last weekend.

He said: “I just received a threatening phone call from an Ihechiowa son (names withheld) because of my widely circulated report that there was no ward congress in Arochukwu LGA. I stand by my report.”

“I have also been receiving threatening calls from unknown number. I have notified my

uncles and other relatives. I also asked them to go to Ndi Okpo Ihechiowa to inform them that if anything happens to me, they must hold (names withheld) responsible.”

“I am supporting Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe for Governor

and he is working with T. A Orji to install his stooge. I was expecting that we campaign for our candidates so that whoever wins, wins. The idea of intimidating phone calls will not work for me. I believe that Ihechiowa has been neglected

BRIEFING: From left: Alhaji Moshood Dosumu, former chairman, Lagos State Community Development Advisory Council, Mr Babatunde Hunpe, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Rural Development; Mr. Cornelius Ojelabi, Commissioner for Rural Development, Lagos State, and Mrs. Elizabeth Ashiru, Director, Finance and Administration, at a briefing on 2014 Community Day celebration by the ministry in Lagos.

Traders sue Anambra govt over revenue

O

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

N I T S H A — TRADERS at IgboUkwu in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, on the platform of Oganiru Plank and Joint Association, have dragged the state government to court, seeking to stop it from enforcing payment of park revenues, park development levy and park sanitation tolls.

In a six-paragraph preaction notice No. A/PR/98/14, filed at Awka High Court Registry, the plaintiffs, Martin Eze, chairman and Joseph Nduaguba, Secretary, for themselves and other members of the association, are asking the court to stop the defendants from enforcing the payment of the above-mentioned revenues.

The plasintiffs contended that it was illegal and unconstitutional for defendants, government of Anambra State, governor of Anambra State, deputy governor of Anambra State, Attorney-General of the state, Commissioner for Transport, Anambra State Waste management Agency and Special Assistant to the Governor on Parks and Markets, through those who claimed to be working for them, to demand and collect the levies from members of the association, their customers and visitors.

In the pre-action notice dated October 30, 2014, and filed on

by the T. A Orji government and that we need a clean break from T A Orji’s bad governance.

“I intend to make this argument to Ihechiowa and get their support.

He should do the same for his boss.

This is for your information. I have also informed the World Igbo Congress of this threat to my life.”

their behalf by their legal counsel, Ejike Dfobi, the plaintiffs are seeking a declaration of the court that the government of Anambra State did not establish any park being used by or under the operation, management or control of the plaintiffs to entitle the government or its functionaries

to demand for the revenues from them, their customers and visitors.

They are also seeking a declaration that the defendants’ demand from them, their customers and visitors for payment of park revenue, development levy and park sanitation toll is

unconstitutional, illegal, null, void and of no effect, adding that the use of thugs by the defendants on the plaintiffs for the purposes of collecting revenues from them was quite illegal.

They therefore urged the court to make an order of injunction restraining the proposed defendants by themselves or through their agents and privies from any further demand for the revenues from them.

....As aspirants threaten court action over alleged manipulation of Edo PDP congress

B

ENIN CITY—THERE is tension in Edo State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, following the last weekend's ward congresses of the party in the state, as aggrieved members have concluded plans to head to court to contest the outcome of the exercise which they described as fraudulent.

There are protest across the state over alleged manipulation

and withholding of the congress materials by some leaders of the party to impose their preferred aspirants. There are indications that Senator Odion Ugbesia’s supporters in Edo Central are aggrieved that the exercise was skewed in favour of a senatorial aspirant and as a result, there are fears that they may defect to the All Progressives Congress, APC. The protesters, who craved

anonymity, lamented that the "leaders said delegates should emerged from the wards by consensus but more disturbing, is that even the delegates' names that were submitted by the ward chairman as consensus list, were further changed by vested interest to the detriment of the other aspirants, while they favoured the candidates that have been endorsed by few leaders."

New Aniocha North LG chairman takes over

I

SELE-UKU—THE newly sworn-in Chairman of Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, Hon. Chuks Oseme, has formally taken over the leadership of the council from the former Transition Committee Chairman, Hon. Young Chukwuedo.

The event, which took place at the council headquarters in Issele-Uku, was witnessed by some former members of the Transition Committee, the

Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the area, Chief Nnamdi Moghanye, other PDP stalwarts and Head of Personnel Management of the council, Mr. Augustine Onokpasa, among others.

The new Chairman of the local government, Chuks Oseme commended the former Transition Committee chairman, saying the people of the area will continue to be grateful to them for managing the affairs

of the local government in the absence of a democratically elected government.

He said his administration would be a people-oriented government, stressing that every segment of the area will be carried along, with a view to creation more job opportunities for the teeming youths of the area.

Oseme also used the opportunity to perform his first official assignment when he swore in the Vice-Chairman of the council, Udoka Elue.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014 — 47

Stakeholders move to end land, water use cases in Plateau

Wada gets reports on alleged marginalisation of Okun

By Boluwaji Obahopo

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

L

OKOJA—KOGI State Deputy Governor, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi yesterday submitted to the state governor the report of the committee on the marginalisation as alleged by the Okun people of the state.

The people made the allegation through the Okun Development Association, ODA. Submitting the report of the nine-member committee, Awoniyi, who was the chairman said they made their recommendations after painstaking analysis of the memoranda submitted by the Ebira and Igala development associations, with that of ODA. According to Awoniyi, “Data were equally received from various ministries, agencies and tertiary institutions across the state on the composition of staff and spread of infrastructure. I thank the governor for allowing the committee the opportunity to find a lasting solution to the issues of marginalization in the state.

“The recommendations will be found suitable in moving the state forward and meeting the yearnings of the people.”

Receiving the report, Governor Idris Wada promised to ensure ‘’A virile, strong and re-branded Kogi State; a development which has made him take actions that placed the state’’ above himself.

J

VISIT: From left; Popular musician, Muma Gee; River State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governorship aspirant, Barr. Dumo Lulu Briggs; Delta State PDP Chairman, Felix Obuah and Briggs Campaign Manager, Dr. Maxwell Eremie, during Dumo's visit to the state chairman in Port Harcourt.

Boko Haram had seized eight LGs in Borno, Shettima laments M

AIDUGURI— GOVERNOR Kashim Shettima of Borno yesterday expressed worry on how Boko Haram had taken over eight out of the 27 local government areas of the state.

Shettima disclosed this while receiving members of the Federal Government sub-committee of the Victims Supports Fund in Maiduguri.

He said the continued attacks on communities in the state had

I was duly elected chair of NBA section on Legal Practice —ESSIEN

By Innocent Anaba

M

RS Mia Essien, SAN, whose election as Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA Section on Legal Practice, was annuled by the NBA President, Mr Austine Alegeh, SAN, has insisted that she was properly elected.

Essien, while reacting to comments credited to Alegeh, said “The NBA SLP is made up of lawyers who hold tenaciously to all due and democratic processes. All I can say is that all processes and procedure relating to the elections were strictly followed and adhered to. As a senior member of the Bar it will be inappropriate for me to say more as I am aware that the issues have been placed before the High Court in Owerri.

“I know that there were efforts to resolve the issues with the president. Let us not forget that disputes are a fact of life without which lawyers would not have work. As lawyers if issues arise and efforts by senior members of the Bar to resolve them don’t C M Y K

succeed, any aggrieved person has a right guaranteed by the Constitution to seek redress in a court of law instead of justifying one’s actions with different (and changing) reasons on the pages of the newspapers. “To the best of my knowledge there is no laid out internal mechanism the NBA has for resolving such disputes maybe with this the Bar may wish to consider setting up such a mechanism.

“I heard that an interim injunction was granted directing parties to maintain status quo. It is obvious that as at August some people were elected and were in office in SLP before the purported appointment of a so-called “Interim Chairman,” a position unknown and alien to the NBA Constitution and the SLP Byelaws. It is said, you cannot resort to an abnormality to create a status quo. Therefore, the status quo in my view and based on law is that those who occupied those positions in August are properly there pending the resolution of the motion on notice and the dispute in court.''

created hardships for the people.

“The insurgents have taken over eight councils in the state.

“They have taken over Gamboru-Ngala, Kala-Balge, Marte, Dikwa, Gwoza, Bama, Askira-Uba and part of Konduga local government areas.

“The insurgents have also carried out recent attacks in Abadam, Kukawa,” he said.

Shettima, however, expressed optimism that the insurgency would end in a short while, saying “I strongly believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“We are going to bounce back very soon by the grace of God.” Speaking earlier, retired Air Marshal Jonah Wuyep, the subcommittee chairman on data collection, had commended the governor for his supports to insurgency victims.

“We commend the responsible leadership of Shettima for what he has been doing in helping victims of insurgency in the state,” Wuyep said.

He said that the state alone could not be able to effectively provide help to victims of insurgency, especially with the renewed attacks on villages.

“Borno alone cannot be able to handle the problems of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) because lots of things needed to be done.

“The Federal Government will step in to provide supports to the IDPs,” Wuyep said.

He said that the sub-committee was set up to gather data on the number of IDPs and infrastructure that were destroyed for government to intervene.

“The president is worried about the plight of the IDPs that is why the victim support fund was inaugurated.

“Our sub-committee was set up to get the details on the ground so that government can intervene,” Wuyep said.

He said that the sub-committee decided to visit Borno as its first place of visit because of the enormity of damage done by the insurgents in the state.

‘APC'll rescue Plateau from PDP's shackles'

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

J

OS—FORMER Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly and All Progressive Congress, APC, gubernatorial aspirant, Hon. Simon Lalong has said his party would redeem the state from the shackles of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the people no longer trust the party (PDP).

Lalong, who defected from the PDP spoke after picking his expression of intent and nomination forms at the APC secretariat in Jos.

He noted the wind of change was blowing in the state and urged those in need of positive change to be bold enough to come out either for the contest or as supporters.

“We were the original PDP but the party has deviated from its values and that is why we need positive change. The wind of change is blowing everywhere. In Plateau. APC will defeat even Jang’s candidate because the people no longer trust the PDP. “The change may not be easy and will not come easy; people will resist it but we are in the struggle to effect the change. ''

OS—EFFORT aimed at curbing the rising cases of land and water use in Plateau State received a boost yesterday in Jos, following a workshop organised by the Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme, NSRP for stakeholders working for the resolution of the issues in the state.

During the workshop, participants were exposed to the techniques of using dialogue mechanisms in reducing grievances especially between herdsmen and farmers among other residents of the state.

In his opening remarks, the Programme Manager of NSRP, Dr. Ukoha Ukiwo said the workshop was aimed at supporting stakeholders in managing conflicts peacefully to reduce the negative impacts of violent conflicts.

Akinlabi is dead

R

ENOWNED Christ Apostolic Church, CAC cleric, Prophet Michael Olatunde Akinlabi is dead, aged 64.

Born at Akeeke village in Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State on June 10th, 1950, Akinlabi died on November 2nd, 2014.

He began as a catechist, later an evangelist and ended as a prophet.

He established his own mission known as Christ Power Prayer Ministry, Oke Isinmi Koseunti, Headquarters at Atele, Abayomi Layout, Iwo Road, Ibadan, in 1990.

Popularly called Baba Koseunti, he is survived by his widow, children and grandchildren.

.Late Prophet Akinlabi

48—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

INSPECTION: Flag Officer Commanding, FOC, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral O. C. Medani, inspecting a guard on honour, to mark the end of FOCs 2nd bi-ennial inspection. With him is the Guard Commander Lieutenant Manji Gulmut (left).

PRESENTATION: From left, Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Maurice Newa; Airtel Insurance beneficiary, Mr. Adeniji Owolabi; Account Manager, MicroEnsure W/Africa Ltd, Ms. Tanya Tandon, and MD, Life & Retail, Cornerstone Insurance Plc, Mr. Tokunbo Bello, during the presentation of hospital claims to Airtel Insurance customers, at Airtel head office, Banana Island, Lagos.

PRESENTATION: From left, Dr. Leye Afonja, Seye Kehinde, City People magzine publisher; Prophet Israel Ogundipe, author; Otunba Gani Adams, and Dr. Ambrose Somide, Director, Faaji FM, during a public presentation of a book by Prophet Ogundipe, entitled, Be Unstoppable, at Sheraton Hotel, in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau

PRESENTATION: From left, Corporate Services Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr. Oladimeji Oduyebo; representative of Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Alaba Fadairo, and Executive Director/Founder, Children Emergency Relief Foundation, CERF, Mrs. Abosede Oyeleye, during the presentation of CERF award for Best Child Health Care Supporting Organisation to Fidson Healthcare Plc.

INDUCTION: Dr. Kayode Adeniji (right), his parents: Engr. & Mrs. Kayode Adeniji (middle), and his brother, during Dr. Adeniji's induction by Nigerian Medical and Dental Council.

SESSION: Okofu Ubaka (left), and Fred Agbetegbe, after the interactive session on the play, 'The king Must Dance Naked,' on Victoria Island, Lagos.

OMMISSIONING: Mr. Ayodele Adewale, Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government (2nd right); Osun State governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola (3rd right); Deputy Woman Leader, South-West Niger Delta Congress (1st left); wife of the local government Chairman, Mrs. Adewale (4th left), during the commissioning of the first ever legislative building with hallowed chamber at Amuwo Odofin LG, Festac Town, Lagos.

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PROJECT: From left, Corporate affairs Manager, Total Nig. Plc; Mr. Albert Mabuyaku; DGM, Corporate Social Responsibilities, Deepwater Total Upstream Dr. Nkoyo Attah, handing an award certificate to one of the 28 trained customer attendants, at the Total upstream companies and Total Nigeria Plc Expanded HIV/AIDS Preventive Awareness and Care project, in Port Harcourt.

CHAMPIONSHIP: From left, Martin Mabutho, General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria; Elizabeth Amkpa, General Manager, GOtv, presenting trophy to the captain of Satech Football Club, Tayo Saheed, and Seyi Akinwunmi, Vice President, Nigeria Football Federation, during the Final of 2nd GOtv Hood2Hood Football Championship, at Legacy Pitch of National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014 —49

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50 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

Aganga lauds Imoke for creating conducive business environment

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INISTER of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, has commended the administration of Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, for creating a conducive environment which has turned the state into investors’ haven.

The minister spoke in Calabar while commissioning the ultramodern integrated feed mills, Eastern Premier Feed Mills Company Limited, a subsidiary of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc. Aganga who described Governor Imoke’s leadership as visionary, business friendly and proactive, said, “I

commend Governor Liyel Imoke for operating a business friendly environment for investors. In the last three years, they have always had something fantastic to say about the state and its people. I cannot thank you enough for creating such environment in the country.

Alleged FG/Boko Haram ceasefire a scam— IYC

By Emma Amaize

A

SABA- IJAW Youth Council, IYC, yesterday, said the supposed ceasefire agreement between the Federal Government and Boko Haram was a rip-off and called on the government officials, led by Hassan Tukur, who executed the shady deal to explain their role IYC in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Eric Omare, claimed top government and security officials were working for the insurgent group and urged the federal government to fish out the moles.

The statement said,“We also call on the government officials, led by Hassan Tukur, who claimed to have entered the truce with Boko Haram to explain the circumstances under which the ceasefire agreement was entered into as we believe that the

purported agreement was a scam to swindle government. The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), worldwide has watched with dismay the coincidence in the Federal Government announcement of ceasefire with the Boko Haram sect and the renewed attacks being carried out by Boko Haram, which has resulted in killing of hundreds of Nigerians and displacement of several communities.

“The IYC strongly believes that the purported ceasefire agreement is a calculated attempt by Boko Haram agents in the Jonathan administration to divert the attention of government and allow the insurgents

Okolugbo empowers Ndokwa PDP loyalists

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OMMISSIONER, representing Ndokwa nation in the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Sir Kenny Okolugbo, has empowered six Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, loyalists with different brands of vehicles ranging from Toyota Sienna, Toyota Corolla, Camry to Mazda 626.

Presenting the vehicles to the elated beneficiaries at his country home, Obiaruku, Delta State, Okolugbo who described the gesture as the beginning of his administration's reward to PDP loyalists in his constituency said he was appreciating them for the services they have rendered to the party and himself.

He said,“If you noticed we won the council election overwhelmingly in the whole of Ukwuani local government area and this did not happen by chance, but by the effort of some of these people who are being empowered today. They have made quality contributions, remained loyal and focus to the party. The idea is for them to know that it pays to be loyal, focused and remain in our party, the Peoples C M Y K

Democratic Party (PDP).”

Okolugbo who revealed that he intends to empower no fewer than fifty party loyalists before he leaves office assured that ten cars would be given out to another batch of party loyalists in January, adding that the idea was part of Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan’s human capital development and three point agenda programme.

He said, ”Our amiable Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has taught us to reward loyalty as the dividend of democracy.

Those who have received these cars today will have a landmark to show that this was what they got from Sir Kenny Okolugbo when he was in office as D E S O P A D E C Commissioner. You see, you cannot do without stomach infrastructure. You cannot get loyalty when the people are not happy. If you like build all the houses and roads in Delta State, we commissioned a three bedroom flat for a 77 years old man in December last year, we are commissioning another in December this year because as we are developing we are also developing the people."

to prepare to carry out more deadly attacks. This position is strengthened by the fact that the purported ceasefire agreement was announced when the Nigerian troops had chased out the insurgents from nearly all parts of the troubled north east region of Nigeria.”

“General Electric went round the country in search of where to establish its business but finally chose to invest in Calabar and I am happy they are investing more money in a technical school to train the young ones in line with it capacity needs to support its multi billion dollars investment in the state.”

He said that the country was witnessing tremendous growth under the present administration through its various policies and reforms to stimulate the industrial sector, noting that the Industrial Revolution Plan, IRP, was aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s industrialization, diversify its economy as well as increase revenue. According to him, “we cannot only depend on oil

because the nation has a large expanse where everything can grow and we cannot become rich if we must remain the eighth oil producing nation in the world, and we should not only produce raw materials but also be involved in production and processing.”

Speaking, Imoke said the commissioning was a celebration of confidence which investors had in the local economy, adding, “Nigeria is not only safe and good to do business but has opportunities to do business. I am excited that Flour Mills will increase its investments in the state, and in few years, Cross River will become Chicken Republic. I appreciate the President because what we are seeing today is a realization of his transformation agenda to turn Nigeria into the largest economy in Africa.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014 —51

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52 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014 — 53 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 PISCES: Mixed trends are indicated. If you take good advice from your cool headed friends, you will benefit more than you imagine, but if you take to unpredictable attitude, you will today start fire that will burn with great intensity tomorrow.

ARIES: If you take the veterans within your base for granted, they will fail you painfully. Yet here is a lucky day for you when your being secretive and self reliant will earn you success. Be more ambitious.

TAURUS: Some of the people around you may get on your nerve via careless remarks, you must not allow them to disorganise your plans. The closer you are to the influential people the better for you.

GEMINI: “Money is the root of all evils” says an adage. And if care is not taken, money may set you and some other people fiercely against each other to the detriment of your cause. Be cautious.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

Dressing For The Occasion

T

O dress for the occasion is simply to dress in a way that people don’t need to be told who you are anymore except by your dressing. For example, you can iden-

tify an intending couple through their dressing.

Let your dressing reveal who you are. Every occasion, every

TERROR MUDA

profession has a way of dressing that is generally acceptable. For instance, it is not good dressing to put on an agbada (a local gar-

in “Never say goodbye”

ment) as a motor mechanic and go under the car to carry out some repairs.

Dress to suit the occasion. Dress in accordance with your profession and or your office.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

CANCER: Opposition between the Moon and Venus may induce personality clashes you don’t need at lest for now. What can help you now is love and your being persuasive. Think of the future.

LEO: Positive events that started yesterday will continue today. Rely more on your ability to be as bold as necessary so that you can get things done your own way at work.

VIRGO: Good luck will smile at you. Romantic interlude that started last yesterday may become excitingly louder and melodious to the satisfaction of your soul.

LIBRA: If you allow domestic pressure to affect your working pattern, your senior colleagues may not understand and make things a bit more difficult. IF you’re stable, you will have more to gain financially.

SCORPIO: After snappy aggressive approach exhibited by you yesterday ,you are back at your being pleasant self to the admiration of others. This is the wrong time to take law and it’s agents for granted. Young-atheart are favoured so also commercial activities.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

SAGITTARIUS: Some of you will wake up from slumber and realise mistakes about your finances early enough and make amendment but those who are reckless will commit more blunder. Beware of joint venture.

CAPRICORN: Although erratic people from unexpected quarters may oppose you openly, your being self assertive will earn you both victory and financial success. Then tomorrow will prove more successful.

AQUARIUS: Yes! It’s your day again. The more ambitious you are the better for you. Then you will need to ignore those with queer characteristics within your working arena..

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

Why constant frustration?

Dear Joshua, Right now I am a healthy person yet I want your Astrological ex-ray about my star and tell me what to expect health-wise and/or how to manage myself, career and financially.

Dominic Lagos.

Dear Dominic, It is true that you have gone through a few moments of test but today you are a chief. Meaning that what you tagged as frustration are lessons.

Your parents must have gone through a few numbers of troubled moment while trying to raise you as you have what looked like a dirty childhood from both health and other areas as your life as indicated by opposition between conjoined planets across Pisces and Virgo when you were born Luckily for you however, as your natal Moon strongly got positive aspect from Venus, Your survival is assured.

And there are indications of better health for you as you out-grow the childhood problems.

Nonetheless what you will need to take seriously include constant worries, toothache, skin infection, headache (fever)lungs, stomach ache, feet and sometimes the bones (dislocation). Nothing fatalistic about everything started here but mere warnings.

Yours is a rugged personality suitable for military career of any type. And whenever you opt out of the military, it will be wise of you to give consideration to involvement with liquid related business especially the oil industry.

The computer world and essential needs of women. Actually dealing with women along your business line will prove most fortunate for you.

Fish farming and other agro-allied can be favourable but because of your love of changes, you may not be able to see such through.

As your natal Moon got good aspects from comfortable placed Venus (another money related planet), financial success is within your reach.

T-square aspects formed by your natal Sun/Saturn, Uranus/Pluto and Jupiter will bring delay related frustrations.

Miscalculation and gambling line tedencies are other things capable of militating against your finance.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

54 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

•People clinging to a lorry bound for Yola to escape the horrors of Boko Haram invasion of Mubi

MUBI: The confusion,

traum

APART from the traffic jam stretching from Airport road and the presence of heavily armed soldiers primed for any eventuality, a first time visitor cannot but feel the sombre mood in the town presently threatened by Boko Haram insurgents.

Yola and indeed other parts of Adamawa State are facing some perilous times. The roads, busy with people leaving the stricken town, tell the story.

The scene was either one of some people trekking with their luggage on their heads or others occupying every available space at the back of vans, as many others hitched a ride to safety by clinging to lorries. Their destination was Yola, the capital city.

By Levinus Nwabughiogu, Yola

L

IKE a coincidence, she arrived the scene almost simultaneously with Vanguard Features VF. She looked haggard, unkempt and spent.

She had been in the bush for four days, sustained only by drinking “dirty” water, apparently from the stream. Of course, food was one luxury that was not in sight at the time just as help was no where close. All she could do was to resign to fate.

But one by one, she calculated her steps, following the sound of vehicles from somewhere within.

She saw them, the terrorists. She had escaped death by the whiskers and testified that the town had fallen to them. She also warned that anyone who ventured into the town wanted

his/her dirge sung. Luckily, on the fourth day, help came to her as she eventually got a taxi that brought her to Damare Junction in Yola, Adamawa State from where she continued her journey.

This was how Abia State-born Miss Gift Ugo, a 200 Level Mass Communication Student of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi got away from the deadly Boko Haram insurgents who invaded Mubi on Wednesday, October 29, 2014.

Mubi is unarguably the largest town in Adamawa State. It is also an academic town hosting the State University and a Federal Polytechnic, hence the number of persons living there is high. But when news filtered into town about its invasion and occupation by the insurgents who sacked the villagers on Wednesday, Yola

became the nearest town of refuge for many residents.

Victims recount ordeal In a very pitiable, emotionallyladen voice, Ugo shared her ordeal to Vanguard Features.

“I am based in Kaduna but we are schooling in the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, Adamawa. I am studying Mass Communication. Actually, the incident happened on Wednesday morning although we have been hearing the blast since Tuesday night. We never knew it would be that serious.

The thing escalated Wednesday morning with the jets throwing down bombs. It was not easy. We thought it was the usual incident that will just pass by like the other ones.

“But before we realised it, there were gun shots everywhere.

•Gift Ugo Many students ran to the Cameroon border.

The Cameroonian soldiers were able to keep them. More than 150 students went to that side. So, we stayed back in the hostel to see how safe it was but they called us that they have killed a Higher National Diploma, HND 1 Accounting student.

We also heard that the university there had been burnt down and the next target is the Polytechnic. We had to therefore run for our lives. We were in the bush for four days. We were just trying to see how we can get a

•Samuel Kasinda vehicle because the roads had been taken over by the insurgents. We saw them with our eyes. We narrowly escaped being caught. We later came to Cobbler Abishau where we were able to get this taxi. We were 10 in that taxi. We just arrived now.

“I don’t think there is military presence and they may not be able to avert this. Assuming there was,” she managed to explain.

Continuing, Gift said: “ No where is safe inside Mubi right now. I just told you that they killed a student who was also Continues on page 55

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014 — 55

year are 175. Orphans are 78. We have recorded three deaths. They died of diarrhea. One woman died after child birth. We had four still- births, while eight women were successfully delivered of their babies. In all, we have 7662 persons in the camp.

“A total of 2633 persons came yesterday from Mubi and Uwa but we are yet to know today’s (Saturday) statistics. More people are still coming in. We still have some that came from the Cameroon side. Some of them are here also.

“We have enough food and medications. We have shelter also but we need more. For instance, the pit toilets are not enough for us. They ( inmates) bag their faeces and throw them all over the place which is not good for their health. The security here is good. The Civil Defence, Police and the other organisations are taking care of the security aspect,” he said.

We cook over 12 bags of rice daily: Yusuf Baya who said he is in charge of the kitchen, told VF that they cook at least 12 bags of rice daily. “We cook more than 12 bags of rice in the afternoon then in the night we cook 10 bags of maize. Yesterday we cooked 10 bags of rice, two bags of beans and 15 cartoons of spaghetti.

Today in the night, we will cook 15 bags of rice.

*A woman and her children arriving Yola after trekking for days from war-torn Mubi

ma of an invasion

•Queen Samuel

Continues from page 54 running for his life. We believe that he is not the only person they have so far killed. We left some people behind in the hostel who couldn’t run and they called a while ago to say that a part of the polytechnic has been burnt. We have not eaten anything since then. We were just taking water, no matter how dirty it is. Thorns pierced through our legs; if you look at me, you can see that I am very dirty. For four days, it hasn’t been easy for us”.

Gift was not the only student who escaped from the insurgents. Another student of

the Polytechnic who identified herself as Queen Samuel, also shared her experience with VF. Queen, an indigene of Benue State, said she is a 200 level student in the Department of Purchasing and Supply. “ We trekked all the way from Mubi to Hong and got a cab that took us here. We have lost almost everything. The situation in Mubi is very terrible. We heard that they burnt down our hostel immediately we managed to escape. There were gun shots and bomb blasts everywhere. We saw the Boko Haram people from the bush where we were hiding.

Two of them were on a bike while some others were using Keke Napep (Tricycle). They had their guns, so we hid. They didn’t see us by God’s grace. Today was our third day in the bush. There is no security there at all because for the past two days, we have not seen any body,” she said.

Hardly had Queen concluded narrating her ordeal than another woman identified as Rebecca Teri, a native of Michika in Adamawa, came crying. On sighting the insurgents in Mubi, she took to her heels. That ill development has now separated her from her husband and sevenyear old daughter. Up till the time

of her encounter with VF, she was still searching for them.

With the help of an interpreter, she narrated her ordeal in Hausa language: “My name is Rebecca Teri. I came from Michika to Mubi where we met the insurgents. We started running and in the process, I lost contact with my husband and seven year old daughter”. Her case was not different from that of Debora Fandum and Samuel Kasinda.

Both were victims of the invasion.

Though they escaped alive, they were confused, not knowing what to do next.

Damare Camp Vanguard Features later visited the camp for Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, which is the permanent orientation camp of the National Youth Service Crops, NYSC in Adamawa State. The visit revealed a more pathetic picture of a people whose fate is hanging in the balance. Indeed, insurgency in the States of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa has dealt the people a dirty blow.

Opened on July 29, 2014, the camp was filled with orphans, widows, widowers and indeed,

the wretched of the earth. But you would never find the rich. As at Saturday, more displaced persons were still finding refuge there.

7662 IDPs in camp Vanguard Features spoke to the Commandant of the Camp, Mr. Ibrahim Hamidu who incidentally, is an official of the Nigerian Red Cross. He reeled out the statistics of persons residing in the camp.

“The camp is fully occupied. We don’t have more space to keep people. Now we have 3472 males and 4190 females. Persons under the age of five years are 782. Of this, 239 are males, while 543are females. Pregnant women are 76, while children under one

We have no feeding or accommodation challenges; but due to the overcrowd nature of the camp, we don’t have enough mattresses and mats to sleep on

We need more mattress —Boni Chairman of the IDPs, Alhaji Modu Boni, an indigene of Gwoza in Borno state, also lent his voice.

His words: “In reality, we thank God Almighty. We also thank NEMA and SEMA, Adamawa State. They have been taking proper care of our people. We have food, accommodation and drinking water. We have a health clinic. We eat three meals everyday and the security is okay.

We have no feeding challenges.

But due to the overcrowded nature of the camp, we don’t have enough mattresses and mats to sleep on. That is the first challenge. Secondly, the security should be beefed up because we can’t identify everybody here. We came from different states and local governments”.

Despite care being lavished on them, Alhaji Boni said it can never be compared to being at home. “We are not enjoying being here. I have a wife and seven children. I don’t know where they are up till now. I have been here for the past 62 days. I found myself here on August 24.

This camp was opened on July 29. I travelled on foot from Gwoza to Madagali, a border town which is about 26 kilometers from Gwoza.

From every indication, Yola has become a kind of “Mecca” as it continues to witness an unusual influx of men, women and children from the hinterlands, especially Mubi and Michika.

56 —

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

BRIEFS Ebola: Thousands break quarantine to find food in S/Leone

Tight call on US mid term polls A

BOUT 18.5 million Americans in 32 states already have cast ballots in the nation’s midterm elections, a significant increase over the 2010 early voting, according to data from state elections officials.

At least 11 states have exceeded their advance voting totals from the last midterms in 2010, with several more poised to do the same as voters return more absentee ballots and officials tally the final days of in-person advance voting.

In 2010, when Republicans regained control of the House and swept into power in state houses across the country, 26.9 million or about 30 percent of the total 89 million ballots were cast before traditional precincts opened.

Here’s a look at where some states with key races stand this year: COLORADO With the count updated through Friday, Republicans maintained an 8.1 percentage point lead over Democrats in the first Colorado election in which every registered voter got their ballots by mail.

GOP registrants accounted for 41.4 percent of the returned ballots, compared to 32.3 percent from Democrats.

Independent voters sent back 25.3 percent of the total, with 1.1 percent coming from minor party voters.

That could be a good sign for Republican Rep. Cory Gardner ’s bid to unseat Democratic Sen. Mark Udall, who was once viewed as a relatively safe incumbent and now could become a key pickup in the GOP’s quest for six more seats

President Obama voting yesterday and a majority.

Republican analysts say that they continue to lead Democrats among irregular midterm voters — a target for both parties.

The GOP advantage is wider than its 5.6-point margin in 2010. That year, Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet overcame the early

Catalans vow to defy Spanish court ruling on independence

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ARELY one month after Scottish Nationalist Party failed in its bid to secede from United Kingdom, another European country Spain is faced with the exit of its wealthiest region, Catalonia, which has decided to press ahead with its independence vote this weekend.

The separatist region is set to defy a court order which blocked the proposed symbolic independence vote The government of Spain’s wealthy Catalan region put itself on a collision course with Madrid Tuesday by vowing to press ahead with a this

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rebels, whose five-year revolt has killed thousands and caused mayhem in the northeast of Africa’s biggest economy Nigeria, have been threatening Chad’s own frontiers and disrupting cross-border trade.

With jihadist fighters prowling Libya’s deserts to the north, al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb

HOUSANDS of people in Sierra Leone are being forced to violate Ebola quarantines to find food because deliveries are not reaching them, aid agencies said.

Large swaths of the West African country have been sealed off to prevent the spread of Ebola, and within those areas many people have been ordered to stay in their homes. The government, with help from the U.N.’s World Food Program, is tasked with delivering food and other services to those people. But there are many “ nooks and crannies” in the country that are being missed, Jeanne Kamara,

Christian Aid’s Sierra Leone representative, said Tuesday.

The Ebola outbreak in West Africa has killed nearly 5,000 people and authorities have gone to extreme lengths to bring it under control, like the quarantines in Sierra Leone. The country said Tuesday that it would keep a state of emergency, which includes restrictions on large gatherings, in place for a full year.

Restrictions on movement and gatherings have also been used in Liberia and Guinea, the two other countries hardest hit by the epidemic.

Kerry urges US-China cooperation on climate change

S

ECRETARY of State John Kerry said Tuesday the U.S. and China must work together to stave off a global catastrophe from climate change. He appealed for greater cooperation between the two world powers despite strains between them over cyber theft and maritime security.

Kerry heads to Beijing this week, to set the stage for a visit by President Barack Obama for a regional summit and talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

That will be the first leg of a three-nation swing

through Asia, intended to underscore the president’s commitment to the region despite the necessity of American attention on security crises in the Mideast and eastern Europe.

But there have been growing signs of friction in the U.S.-China relationship in the past year, despite efforts to expand areas in which they work together and forge closer personal ties between their leaders, after Obama and Xi held an unusually informal summit meeting in California in June 2013.

Fresh battle flares up in S. Sudan

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Catalonia’s regional president Artur Mas weekend despite a court-ordered block.

Catalan government spokesman Francesc Homs said “everything is ready” for Sunday’s referendum, which will

Boko Haram: Deby assures on peace talks HAD’s President Idriss Deby, a wily survivor of rebellions, is looking to bolster his powerbroker role in the Sahel and his nation’s own security by backing peace talks between neighbour Nigeria’s government and Islamist Boko Haram insurgents.

The Boko Haram

deficit to win his seat by 1.7 percentage points or about 30,000 votes.

FLORIDA Democrats continue to chip away at the Republicans’ usual preElection Day lead, as Charlie Crist tries to unseat GOP Gov. Rick Scott.

Registered Republicans still have out-voted Democrats, but the margin has dwindled over the last several days to settle at 3.2 percentage points heading into Tuesday.

Scott benefited from a 13-point early advantage four years ago, when he won a narrow victory even without a majority.

IOWA Republicans continue their improved push in 2014, narrowing Democrats’ traditional advantage after watching Democrats use early voting to help President Barack Obama win the state in both of his national victories.

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active in the west, and rebels and janjaweed militia battling in Sudan’s Darfur region to its east, Chad already finds itself in the eye of the storm.

Deby, a former fighter pilot who took power in a 1990 coup, survived offensives by Sudanbacked rebels in 2006 and 2008.

be run by volunteer pollwatchers and involve same-day registration.

“The government maintains the participation process which we understand is a way to guarantee freedom of expression,” he told a news conference.

Homs was speaking just after Spain’s Constitutional Court announced it had agreed to hear a suit brought against the symbolic referendum by Spain’s central government, which automatically blocked the vote from going ahead while it considers arguments.

OUTH Sudan’s President Salva Kiir was in Khartoum for talks with his Sudanese counterpart yesterday after a new flare-up of fighting in his country’s 11-month civil war.

Last week, rebels attacked the oil town of Bentiu, capital of Unity state on the Sudanese border, ending a lull in fighting during the rainy season, which renders roads impassable to military vehicles.

Clashes between the rebels and troops loyal to Kiir have also raged in neighbouring Upper Nile state, another key oilproducing area, further threatening the south’s exports though Sudan, a key revenue earner for Khartoum.

Kiir was greeted at the airport by President Omar al-Bashir and other top officials on his first visit to Sudan since April, an AFP correspondent reported.

Southern oil exports through Port Sudan were

high on the agenda for their talks, along with security issues and demarcation of the two countries’ contested border, Sudan’s ambassador to Juba said on Monday.

South Sudan split from the north in 2011 under a peace deal that ended a 22-year civil war. Its secession saw the South take most of the formerly united country’s 470,000 barrels per day of oil production.

But the civil war, which erupted in the South last December, has seriously hit its oil output and Khartoum’s earnings from transit fees on exports, which all pass through Sudan.

What began as a political dispute between Kiir and his former vice president Riek Machar has degenerated into a brutal ethnic conflict between their Dinka and Nuer peoples, driving 1.8 million people from their homes.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014 — 57

Ideye under pressure to prove worth H

EAD coach of West Bromwich Albion Alan Irvine says he is eager for club record signing Brown Ideye to justify his 10 million pounds price tag and go on a scoring spree for the baggies.

The out of favour Super Eagles forward scored 34 times from 74 games in the three seasons he spent in Ukraine.

In England, the 26year-old Nigeria international has scored just once since his big money summer move from Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine and his manager admits the situation is frustrating for both the player and the team “It’s been frustrating for him and the same for us,” said Irvine.

“Having scored his first goal he got injured scoring it and that was a real shame as everyone has seen plenty of times in the past a striker scores a goal and suddenly he can’t stop scoring.

“I hate to think how I would have managed going to Ukraine. It can’t be easy.

“And for a Nigerian to come from Ukraine to England it is a big life change.”

Ghana •Continued from BP Attinga, Kwasi Quansah, Richard Yamoah, Kojo Poku, Kennedy Ashia, David Osei Opoku, Isaac Oppong Osae, Abedel Latif Amadu, Enoch Kumi Frimpong, Samuel Afful, Noah Martey, Abdul Ganiyu Ismael and Elvis Opoku.

The Head Coach is Alhaji Malik Jabir, with Abdul Karim Zito as Assistant Coach and Andrew Ayim as Doctor.

The physiotherapist is Albert Kwadwo Evedzi, Adjei Adjettey is Masseur and Kwabena Agyemang Agyin is Equipment Manager.

Officials have suggested Nigeria’s FIFA and CAF Match Commissioner, Etubom Paul Bassey as Match Commissioner for Friday ’s game.

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Pinnick hails Ekeji’s Odyssey Of A Green Eagle

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UNDER PRESSURE... Ideye

Senforce boss reinforces support for NFF

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HE Chairman of Senforce Insurance Limited, Mr. Ani Ojuya on Monday reiterated his company ’s full support for the new Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation led by Amaju Melvin Pinnick, even as the schedule for the forthcoming capacity – building programme of Nigeria’s elite referees in the United Kingdom has been unveiled.

Ojuya, whose company has built a credible profile for supporting Nigeria football in several areas, stated on Monday that they are determined to

do more for the new NFF team.

“We are just starting.

Senforce Insurance is ready and willing to partner NFF under Pinnick, someone we have known for so long, and we are in fact, looking at other areas for possible support.

“Nigeria football is big, and if the support is there, it will certainly get bigger and fulfill its potential in the long run.” Senforce Insurance had, a few years ago, actually bankrolled a capacity –building programme in England for two Nigerian referees at the instance of

Eagles

sizeable number of football fans in Uyo also joining to watch their team train.

Etokebe, who is now the coach of Akwa United, said he was excited that the Nigerian national team will be playing two important games in his home state and thanked Governor Godswill Akpabio for the vision to build an edifice that is now attracting not only international football but attention across the world. Udoh spoke in a similar vein and assured that fans in Uyo and environs will turn out in their numbers to support the national team in the two games they have in the city in the coming days.

•Continued from BP talked about Uyo Stadium later on Tuesday evening.

Head Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi was still away in Abuja on some personal issues and he’s scheduled to join the team soonest.

The training proper, which featured all 24 players lasted for over two hours with some of the players having a first feel of the rigorous regime of training in the Super Eagles camp.

Ex-internationals James Etokebe and Patrick Udoh, came to give the team moral support during the morning session, with a

Pinnick, while he was Chairman of Delta State Football Association.

On Monday, the Nigeria Football Federation released the itinerary for the eleven Nigerian elite referees who will travel to London at the end of this month for a two –week capacity –building exercise, which is being sponsored

by Senforce Insurance.

The arbiters, to be led by the President of Nigeria Referees Association, Alhaji Ahmed Maude and the Chairman of NFF

•Continued from BP made by NFF have been overturned as Keshi has brought back almost all his backroom staff, including media officer, Ben Alaiya.

“It clearly shows that Keshi is now more powerful than the NFF, his supposed employers,” a concerned NFF official, who pleaded anonymity said, yesterday.

Continuing, the official said, “although, a coach has the right to appoint his technical assistants, in Nigeria, appointment of other backroom staff like team coordinator, media officer is the duty of the NFF.” Sports Vanguard gathered that apart from Toyin Ibitoye who was eased out of his new office without notice by Keshi, the former Hawks of Togo coach is also

RESIDENT of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Pinnick on Tuesday heaped encomiums on the immediate past Director General of the National Sports Commission, Chief (Dr) Patrick Ekeji for the extensive research and general painstaking efforts that he invested in his book, Odyssey Of A Green Eagle – From The Pitch To The Summit.

The former Nigeria international defender, former Head Coach of the Senior National Team, former lecturer and former high –flying administrator launched the book in Abuja on Tuesday last week.

Speaking after going through a copy of the book at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja, Pinnick pointed out that Ekeji was a rare breed, to have successfully traversed the platforms of player, coach, teacher and administrator with astounding success.

“I am genuinely impressed by the remarkable work that Chief (Dr) Ekeji has come out with. You need to read the book to appreciate the depth of research and the efforts that went into putting words and pictures together.

“Odyssey Of A Green Eagle is written in very

Keshi bent on seeing Garba Lawal out of Eagles camp. It was yet to be confirmed whether Lawal travelled with the team to Uyo. Lawal was Keshi’s biggest critic after the coach led the Eagles to a poor start to the 2015 Afcon qualifiers.

“Keshi is not the type to hold a grudge but I can tell you he wants Garba Lawal out,” a source said.

“He is not asking for Emmanuel Attah to be re-appointed just anybody, not Garba Lawal who devoted all of his time working against Keshi.”

The source accepted that Lawal is entitled to his opinion, but went too far with his criticism of

•Dr. Ekeji simple language and in story form, for all to enjoy.

The accounts of how our own Chief (Dr) Ekeji rose from a secondary school player to the Senior National Team, and then became Coach, to lecturer and then through the ranks at the NSC to Director General, makes interesting reading and is recommended to all budding football players, aspiring coaches, dedicated teachers and a m b i t i o u s administrators.”

The 185 –page book details Ekeji’s playing career from Holy Ghost College, Owerri, to St. George’s Catholic School, Falomo, to St. Gregory’s College, Obalende, to recruitment attempt into the Biafran Air Force, to stint with P&T Vasco da Gama Football Club and onto the Senior National Team.

Keshi the head of the team he is expected to coordinate.

“It’s accepted he has a right to his opinion but his latest statement on a team he is to coordinate prove he is going to be an unwanted influence,” added the source.

“The team coordinator job is for someone who believes in the team not one of a divisive opinion.”

Lawal was credited as saying he doesn’t care about Keshi returning as coach and said he has no regret leading calls for his sack earlier.

However, there are moves to reconcile both men by a top official in the Nigeria Football circle who was instrumental to the appointment of Garba Lawal as Super Eagles coordinator.

58 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014 —59

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60 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

Heung-min’s brace lifts Leverkusen S

ON Heung-min scored twice to give Bayer Leverkusen a 2-1 win at Zenit St. Petersburg in the Champions League on Tuesday, putting the German team on the brink of qualifying for the knockout stages.

The South Korean striker opened the scoring in the 68th minute with a fierce shot from outside the box and struck again five minutes later, finishing calmly after a through ball from Stefan Kiessling.

Zenit earned a late consolation when substitute Jose Salomon Rondon scored in the 89th.

Leverkusen is top of Group C with nine points. If second-place Monaco avoids defeat against Benfica later Tuesday, Leverkusen will need just one point from its last two group games to secure qualification.

Zenit is third in the group and has not won any of its last three Champions League matches.

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WO-TIME defend ing champion Novak Djokovic has been handed a favorable draw at the ATP Finals.

The top-seeded Djokovic, who won his 20th Masters title in Paris on Sunday, was placed in the same group with Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka, U.S. Open winner Marin Cilic and Tomas Berdych for the season-ending, eight-man tournament, which starts Sunday in London.

“Two successive titles in London in the last two years gave me reason to believe that I can do well,” Djokovic said. after winning in Paris, where he did not drop a set during the whole week.

FLOORED . . . Giulio Donati of Bayer Leverkusen (L) fights for the ball with Domenico Criscito of Zenit St.Petersburg during their UEFA Champions League group C soccer match in St. Petersburg. Photo: AFP.

Dike turns down $7,000 match bonus *We’ll honour her —NFF

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HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), says that at an auspicious time, it will honour Nigerian female junior international, Courtney Dike for her selfless and exemplary service to the nation.

Dike a member of the

Djokovic has favorable draw

National U-20 female team, the Falconets who played at the final of the Canada 2014 FIFA world cup stunned Nigerian officials when she refused to accept the over $7,000 dollars being her match bonuses, allowances and other entitle-

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

ments.

The player who is based in the United States of America with her parents was reported to have told officials of the NFF that her father had told her not to accept any financial reward because wearing the national colours was enough honour.

Speaking on this rear gesture, the Chairman of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), Chief (Mrs) Dilichukwu

Onyedinma told journalists in Abuja that people and families like that of Courtney Dike were very rear hence the need to specially reward her because she has become a role model.

“In Namibia when I met with the minister I mentioned it to him because it is a very huge sacrifice, let me say it was an exemplary behaviour coming from a footballer but why I am even more interested is because it is coming from a female footballer."

Djokovic

Federer, Wawrinka head Swiss Cup team

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ORLD No.2 Roger Federer and No.4 Stan Wawrinka will head up the Swiss team in the final of the Davis Cup against France this month.

The duo will be joined for the November 21-23 final in Lille, northern France, by Marco Chiudinelli and Michael Lammer, team captain Severin Luthi announced yesterday.

The singles rubbers will feature the in-form Federer, eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Paris Masters by Canadian Milos Raonic, and Wawrinka, who opened the season with victory in the Australian Open.

The doubles pairing of Chiudinelli and Lammer played in the first round but ceded their places to Federer and Wawrinka in the quarter-finals.

NSA closes voting phase TRUE PATRIOT...

Courtesy Dike

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HE voting phase for the third edition of the Nigerians Sports Award is closed. The public voting which began on September 18, 2014 for the Sportsman of the year and the Sportswoman of the year award closed on Sunday November 2, 2014.

Nominated for the sportsman of the year award are Super Eagles Goalkeeper, Vincent Enyama, Ogenyi Onazi and Osaze Odewingie while Blessing Okagbare is nominated

alongside Asisat Oshoala and Courtney Dike for the sportswoman of the year award.

Federer (r) and Wawrinka

Imoke to flag off Obudu Race Association ROSS RIVER Obudu,Cross River ning (WMRA) president, BruC State Governor, state.

Governor Imoke, ac- no Gozellino.

Senator Liyel Imoke (CON) will flag off the 10th edition of the Obudu international mountain race and the sixth African Nations Mountain Running Championships on Saturday at the Obudu Ranch resort in

cording to William Archibong, chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the race will once again flag off this year’s race tagged the ‘Mountain Race of the Stars’ alongside World Mountain Run-

‘His Excellency Senator Liyel Imoke (CON) will flag off Saturday’s race at the mountain resort in Obudu.He will be assisted by Bruno Gozzelino, the president of the WMRA’,said Archibong.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014 — 61

2015 AFCON: Ghana on CAF shortlist Toure racially abused on Twitter if Morocco pulls G

HANA has been pencilled down as potential hosts of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations if Morocco refuses to host the tournament

by Saturday’s deadline.

The African Football Confederation (CAF) on Monday rejected Morocco’s request to postpone the Africa Cup of Nations due to the Ebola virus.

A CAF statement read: “Of the three countries where the epidemic is prevalent, only Guinea retains a chance of qualifying for the final tournament of the Orange AFCON 2015.

“In addition, Guinea hosts its home games in Casablanca and has adhered to a strict health protocol implemented by Morocco that has so far showed no flaws.

“Almost all of the fans attending the Orange AFCON are residents in Morocco, and considering the average purchasing power in most

African countries, it is unrealistic to expect more than 1,000 supporters from the rest of continent to attend the AFCON 2015, except for those who benefit from a geographic proximity within the Maghreb region.

“Therefore, CAF considers that the current health system in place in Morocco, and whose effectiveness has been proven, is more than able to cope with the very limited flow of people for the Orange AFCON 2015.”

•Toure

A •Hayatou

Udoh, record goalscorer in Nigeria boasts:

Local strikers are creative N

IGERIA’s new goal king, Mfon Udoh, believes goalscorers in the Glo Premier League have enhanced their rating this term.

Udoh, who erased Jude Aneke’s record on Sunday when he scored his 21st goal this term to become the highest goalscorer in a single season, is in the Super Eagles’ camp for the second time.

Dolphins’ Emem Eduok was the first player to equal Aneke’s 20goal record, Bayelsa United’s Peter Ebimobowei is on 18 goals, Warri Wolves’ Gbolahan Sal-

Konadu to lead Ghana against Uganda, Togo

T

HE Ghana FA (GFA) has confirmed that coach Maxwell Konadu will be in charge of the Black Stars for next month’s two matches even though coaches have been interviewed to take permanent charge of the team.

Konadu will name the Black Stars squad for the remaining two AFCON qualifiers against Uganda and Togo this month following the delay in appointing a substantive coach.

“Maxwell will be in charge of the two games unless something dramatic happens or something new happens,” Ghana FA spokesman Ibrahim Sannie Daara told Joy FM. “He is in charge and will name the squad for the two matches.”

Ghana will play Uganda in Kampala on November 15 and face Togo at home on November 19.

C M Y K

NTI-racism group Kick It Out says it has informed police that Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure was racially abused within hours of reactivating his Twitter account on Mon-

ami and Enugu Rangers striker Osaguona Ighodaro are on 16 apiece, Kano Pillars’ Adamu Hassan on 14 goals and Sharks’ Christian Pyagbara on 14 goals.

“Compared to the last two seasons, you will notice there’s an improvement in the goal scoring ability of strikers in the league. I’m excited with this knowing that the goal race continues till the last day of the season.

“It’s good to know that the highest goal scorer award won’t be won with ease,” Udoh told supersport.com.

day.

Toure tweeted “Great to be back on twitter after a good win yesterday.

Now my focus is on the next game... Happy Monday everyone!!”

Within hours of posting the tweet, Toure was abused by other users, prompting Kick It Out to say via twitter “We are informing the Police of racist tweets directed @yayatoure earlier this evening and offer him our full support #kickitout.”

Toure left the social networking site five months ago to focus on preparations for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with the Ivory Coast.

Toure has described the racial abuse he has been subjected to on social media as “a disgrace”.

The 31-year-old told BBC Sport: “For me it’s a disgrace to be honest.

We need to do something to try to tell people those kinds of behaviour have to stop.

I want those people to understand what they’re doing is wrong.”

FIFA vows to punish racist Russian fans at 2018 World Cup

F

•Udoh

5 media launches mobile pitch

5

MEDIACOM have brought to Nigeria a transportable synthetic pitch aimed at discovering talents through a free-style football accessible to major communities nationwide.

Alex Okonkwo assured football lovers across Nigeria of visiting each community with the mobile football pitch to discover raw talent that are capable of representing Nigeria in international tournaments.

IFA disciplinary chairman Claudio Sulser says 2018 World Cup hosts Russia will be punished if their supporters show any form of racist behaviour at the tournament.

“It’s a situation we have to deal with. It’s very critical and not easy to decide over but we have to see what is the responsibility of the association.

“We cannot sanction the association if they are doing something which is fair or ethical from their point of view, but you cannot forget about the situation."

•Blatter

62 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014,

C M Y K

— 63

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014

Champions League Matches today Ajax A/ Bilbao B/ Munich Man City Maribor PSG Shakhtar Sporting. L

v v v v v v v v

Barcelona FC Porto Roma CSKA Chelsea APOEL . N BATE. B Schalke

8:45pm 8:45pm 8:45pm 8:45pm 8:45pm 8:45pm 8:45pm 8:45pm

Keshi overrules NFF T

HE intervention of the Presidency in the reinstatement of Coach Stephen Keshi appears to be brewing disharmony in the Eagles camp. And the NFF is not better for it.

The new federation made some changes including the appointment of ex-international Garba Lawal as the team co-ordinator. Toyin Ibitoye of Channels was also appointed Media Officer of the Eagles.

But that has been annuled with the return of Stephen Keshi, the BIG BOSS. Now, Keshi has also asked that Garba Lawal be replaced. The two appointments were made by the federation which is now being overruled.

With the return of Keshi, all appointments

•Continues on Page 57

Suarez: No mercy for Ajax— Pg 33

•Suarez

Eagles get first feel of Uyo turf •Etokebe, Udoh back team

T

•Keshi

•Pinnick

Ghana sends Olympic team to play Eagles

T

HE Ghana Football Association has dispatched a list of 18 players and nine officials of that country’s Olympic team, Black Meteors, to the NFF for Friday ’s international friendly to commission

the brand –new Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo. The Leader of Delegation is Kweku Abaka Eyiah, a member of the GFA. Wahab Rahaman and Charles Kojo Ntim, members of the Man-

agement team, are also in the delegation.

The 18 –man playing squad includes Richard Ofori, Eric Ofori Antwi, Emmanuel Nti Mensah, Benjamin Agyari, Lawrence Lartey, Vincent •Continues on Page 57

HE Super Eagles team for next Friday international friendly game for the inauguration of the ultra-modern Uyo Stadium, began training in the Akwa Ibom State capital, Tuesday morning but they could not have a feel of the new arena that has received accolades from all and sundry because the turf was still being marked.

The team made up of entirely stars from the Nigerian league trained at the Uyo Township stadium under the watchful eyes of

Assistant Coach, Dan The Bull Amokachi. He was assisted by Coach Valere Hyandonou and Goalies’ Trainer, Ike Shorunmu. The team had a feel of the much •Continues on Page 57

•Egwuekwe

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 3 Perfect (5) 9 Sausage (6) 10 Material (6) 11 Snooped (5) 12 Relax (4) 15 Intend (4) 17 Dismember (7) 20 Defective (3) 21 Animal (5) 23 Stop up (4) 25 Harbour (4) 26 Cede (5) 28 Gratuity (3) 30 Oriental (7) 33 Frank (4) 35 Sword (4) 36 Emblem (5) 38 Fleshly (6) 39 Pierced (6) 40 Fresher (5)

DOWN 1 Enquired (5) 2 Sheen (5) 3 Devil (3) 4 Straight (6) 5 Tree (4) 6 Youth (3) 7 Chartered (5) 8 Located (5) 13 Dirigible (7) 14 Composition (5) 16 Harsh (7) 18 List (5) 19 Seed (3) 22 Course (5) 24 Untruth (3) 27 Swing (6) 28 Flashlight (5) 29 Gem (5) 31 Era (5) 32 Penniless (5) 34 Auction (4) 36 Prohibit (3) 37 Spike (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Detach 5, Report 9, Raced 10, Turgid 11, Letter 12, Began 14, Even 17, Sex 18, Pore 20, Rated 22, Mined 23, Wistful 24, Aisle 26, Genus 29, Idly 30, Wed 32, Date 33, Valid 35, Madman 36, Varied 37, Never 38, Needed 39, Defend.

DOWN: 1, Dither 2, Target 3, Crib 4, Hades 5, Relax 6, Eden 7, Option 8, Turned 13, Genteel 15, Vapid 16, Newly 18, Piled 19, Rebut 21, Die 22, Mug 24, Airmen 25, Sledge 27, Native 28, Seeded 30, Waned, Dived 33, Vane 34, Dare.

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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