Jonathan squandered $55bn oil money-OBJ

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62313

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

My govt was above board —IBB8

Jonathan squandered $55bn oil money—OBJ •Says, "I'm still in PDP, Nigeria can't disintegrate" •I have no apprehension over general elections •Claims he is not against Jonathan; laments bad economy

SCHOOLS RESUME

By Daud Olatunji

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B E O K U TA — IRKED by what he perceived as the frivolous expenditure of the Jonathan administration, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, once again took a swipe at President Goodluck Jonathan, accusing him among other things of squandering $25billion crude oil savings left behind by his administration.

Obasanjo made the allegation while hosting

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COLUMNISTS: How to lose the presidential election four times (3) •P.17

2015: A year of politics in US P.25 •

Mr & Mrs

RESUMPTION—Above: Pupils of Oluyole Private School, Ibadan. Below left: Pupils of Phase 3 Primary School Kubwa, Abuja and those of Ibukunola Memorial Nursery/Primary School, Mafoluku, Lagos (below right), resume after the New Year and Eid-El-Maulud holidays, yesterday. Photos: NAN/Akeem Salau.

SCARCITY OF PVCs: How we'll cushion effects Sagay, Ngige, Bayelsa oil palm of austerity 7&58 Adebanjo, Tsav, measures — Govs others fault INEC 9 estate of waste C M Y K

See Inside

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POCKET CARTOON

VISIT—Iyaloja General of Lagos, Chief Afolashade Tinubu-Ojo, presenting a gift to former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Iyalode of Egbaland, Chief Alaba Lawson, during the courtesy visit of the SouthWest women leaders to the former president at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Yesterday. Photo: Wunmi Akinola.

Jonathan squandered $55bn oil money—OBJ Continues from page 1 the South-West women leaders at his residence in Abeokuta, describing the administration of President Jonathan as full of impunity.

Obasanjo also said the failure of Jonathan’s administration to save for the rainy day led Nigeria into the current economic mess where a dollar exchanges N195.

Obasanjo claimed that the more than $25billion inherited by his successor, Musa Yar ’Adua, was raised to $35 billion but the Jonathan administration squandered all, including also the $40billion in Nigeria’s foreign reserve account after paying the outstanding debt at the time.

According to him, former President Yar ’adua also raised the reserves to $60billion, but under President Jonathan, the reserves plummeted.

These new claims followed series of public denunciation of Jonathan’s government by the former president.

I’m not against Jonathan Last year, Obasanjo repeatedly lambasted the current government, accusing the president of promoting and tolerating corruption, and failing to provide security for Nigerians.

But Obasanjo, yesterday, said he was not fighting the President, nor was Jonathan fighting him.

He said he was more concerned about the interest of the country, and, therefore, cared less about criticisms.

“I have no grudges against Jonathan and I think Jonathan equally has no grudges against me. I’m not quarrelling with Jonathan. All I know is that whatever is good for Nigeria, that I’m ready to die for.

“I emphasize that

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader —John Quincy Adams

H

AVE you ever given much thought to how easily we label people in our daily conversations? Labeling people is something most people do without even giving it a conscious thought. Often, we label even ourselves. But does this labeling encourage others, does it build them up?

How about making a conscious effort to label others according to their gifts or their talents, labeling them by a virtue that they manifest in their life? Words are powerful, they can build up, and words can tear down; they can embolden a timid spirit, or snuff out a flickering flame.

Intentionally, use your words to label the positive, affirming gifts and talents in others. Doing so just might be all the encouragement, empowerment and validation that a man or a woman will need to embrace the fullness of their gifts and talents.

whatever is good for Nigeria is what I’m ready to defend with my life.

Whoever I emphasize, whoever says he would not do anything good to Nigeria, even if he says he’s ready to go ‘konko below ’, I’m ready to square it up with such a person. I say again, whoever that person may be, I want you to get that correctly. If this country is going to change for the better, it would start from the top and if it’s going to be otherwise, it would start from the top, too,” the former president stressed.

Economy in bad condition The former president also lamented the poor condition of Nigeria’s economy, saying it shouldn’t have been this bad.

“Our economy should not have been this bad.

When I was leaving office about eight years ago, I left a very huge reserve after we had paid all our debts. Almost $25billion was kept in what they called excess crude, including the excess from the budget we were saving as reserve for the rainy days. When we left in May, 2007, the reserve was said to have been raised to $35billion.

“But today, that reserve has been depleted! The reserve we left when we finished paying all our debts, our debts that was about $40billion, that is including debt forgiveness, the remaining debt was not more than $3billion. Our reserve after we had paid off this debt was about $45billion. As at the end of 2007, I heard that the reserve increased to

almost $67billion before the end of that year. But our reserve now, I learnt is left with around only $30billion.

“That is why the Naira has been falling against the dollar. What would now happen? I learnt if you want to buy a dollar now, it’s about N192 or N195. What it means is this, what you have been buying at N150 to a dollar, now you need N192 or N195 to buy it.

That is the real situation.

Is there any remedy?

There is, but it does not come overnight because it means we have to give up all the bad things we have been doing,” Obasanjo said.

He continued: “I know that God did not create Nigeria not to be rich or great. Is it that the people he created in Nigeria are not knowledgeable enough or not intelligent enough? Or is it that they don’t know their rights?

Our problems in Nigeria lie with the leadership.

Let’s look at the foundation of our leadership. In the profession I know very well, the military, what we normally say is that there are no bad soldiers but bad officers. If you see a situation where the soldiers are not doing well, we need to examine the officers in charge. So it is in the family, the community, the town and the country.

“Truly, the price of crude has fallen, but anyone who is wise enough should know that since we depend on just one resource and since we have no control over its pricing, we should be planning for this type of situation and the way out of it. Our inability to have a reserve has brought us into this economic quagmire.

“If we are going to solve unemployment problem, it is through agriculture and not through oil and gas.

Now, we have no alternative. Agriculture is renewable because the land can be used over and over again, but, once a barrel of oil is gone, it’s gone forever, “he said.

I’m not apprehensive about forthcoming elections On the forthcoming election, Obasanjo said he’s not apprehensive as being speculated. He also advised the electorate to vote for candidates with integrity and good records.

“I have had some little experience about this country. I was a military head of state and I was also a civilian president, so what is left? So, if I talk, I know what I’m

saying. Whoever wants should listen to me and whoever feels otherwise, may turn a deaf ear. But when I’m talking, I’m talking with my understanding and intellect. I’m drawing from my experience and from what I’ve learnt with others and from other countries and fellow eminent citizens of the world that I relate with. I have no apprehension over this coming elections. I have no fears over the forthcoming elections.

“Good governance comes from voting, from selection of leaders. It is now left to you to decide who you cast your vote for because if you throw away your votes and tomorrow you are saying good governance, once you throw away your votes you have lost out.

That is one. Find out the track records of achievements of those you want to vote for. What have they achieved in the past and not what they have said.”

I’m still in PDP Concerning his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Obasanjo said: “I am still in the Peoples Democratic Party, though not active.

With the kind of people and behaviours I see in the party, I don’t think I can stand before God and defend them.

“Nigeria does not deserve the position it finds itself today. Our nation is plagued with insecurity, corruption, economic downturn, and impunity in doing things. If man cannot arrest you, God will arrest you. The position you are now, God puts you there.

If you think lies can keep you there, continue.

If you think bad people can keep you there, continue. If you think it’s money, continue. But remember God does not sleep nor slumber. A leader must be forward looking and plan ahead.

“At the beginning of last year, the budget was based on $78 per barrel.

That year, the government spent more

on recurrent expenditure and a little on capital expenditure”.

Nigeria cannot disintegrate The former President, however, ruled out the possibility of Nigeria disintegrating after the election, saying, he had been told that he would be the last President when he was contesting the election in 2003.

He recalled that, “1964 election led to ‘Wetie’. I saw people being slaughtered; there was 1966 coup, the 1966 pogrom and the civil war.

We survived it. Then, Abacha came, we survived it. When I was about to contest in 1999, I was told that it was a deceit like IBB and Abacha did. They said that Abubakar Abdulsalami was also out to deceive us. Some people said after me, there would be no Nigeria again, but, after me, there had been two presidents. This God is God of Nigeria”.

You are the repository of nationhood —Lawson The women who were led to the former president's house by the Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief Alaba Lawson included the IyalojaGeneral, Mrs, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo and Iyalode Ibadan, Alhaja Aminat Abiodun represented by Eketa Iyalode, Mrs. Adedeji among others.

Earlier in her speech, Chief Lawson noted that President Obasanjo has become a good repository of everything that makes nationhood.

“You are the hand and eye in all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria. You are the voice everybody is waiting to hear on any topical issue in the public domain. We believe we are in the right place to discuss with you some knotty issues bleeding our hearts as we have seen you as a beacon of hope and light for the nation”, Lawson told Obasanjo.

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

7 killed in crash on Lokoja Road

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HE Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, has confirmed the death of seven persons in a motor accident on the Lokoja-Ajaokuta Road in Kogi State.

Mr. Godwin Omiko, FRSC Sector Commander in the state, disclosed this to newsmen in Lokoja, yesterday.

He said that 13 persons sustained injuries in the accident, which occurred late Sunday night at Gidan Bassa community.

Omiko said the deceased include two children, a man and four women.

Omiko said the accident was caused by a head-on collision between a Toyota Hiace, bus belonging to a popular transport company, and a Toyota Corolla car.

He attributed the cause of the accident to drunk driving and overtaking on the wrong side.

He said investigation into the cause of the crash was already underway.

The Sector Commander said the injured victims were taken to Ajaokuta Steel Company Hospital, Zenith Hospital and the State Specialist Hospital for treatment.

He added that the remains of those who lost their lives had been deposited at Ankuri Hospital morgue in Lokoja.

Omiko said items recovered from the accident scene had been handed over to the police station in Ajaokuta for safe keeping.

Bauchi auto crash kills 13, injures 4

By Suzan Edeh

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AUCHI—NO fewer than 13 persons were killed, while four others sustained injuries in an auto crash on the Bauchi-Jos Road, Narbodo village in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

It was further learned that the accident, which occurred

around 5p.m., yesterday, involved an Opel Vectra and Toyota Sharon bus.

Eyewitnesses account revealed that the accident may have been caused by the carelessness of a motorcycle rider, who suddenly crossed the road, leading to a head-on collision of the vehicles.

Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer

of the Bauchi State Command, Haruna Mohammed, said: “There was a fatal motor vehicles/motorcycle accident on Sabon Garin Nabordo in Toro council of Bauchi State, involving a Black Toyota Sharon bus with number plate KTG 282-XG, conveying nine passengers from Jos heading to Bauchi, and a white Opel Vectra with number plate TRR- 355XA, conveying seven passengers from Bauchi and heading to Jos.” According to him, the accident occurred when the motorcyclist, who without due care and attention, suddenly crossed the highway and the vehicles had a head-on collision while trying to avoid

the motorcyclist.

He said: “As a result, 12 passengers and the motorcyclist died on the spot, while four others sustained various degrees of injuries.”

Mohammed said Police patrol team attached to Toro Division had visited the scene and evacuated the victims to Nabordo Clinic for medical attention and post-mortem examination.

He said: “Presently, the identities of the victims are yet to be ascertained. As such, members of the public, whose relatives embarked on the journey on same route, are advised to visit the clinic for possible identification of their relatives. Investigation is on.”

Fulani herdsmen kill woman in Enugu robbery attack

By Francis Igata

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Doing business at Lagos Bar Beach, yesterday. PHOTO: Biodun Ogunleye.

NUGU—THE sleepy town of Nkpologu community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, has been thrown into mourning following news of the death of a young woman on New Year eve, during a Fulani herdsmen robbery attack on a commuter bus.

The deceased, Veronica Ezugwu, 20, from Agum village, Nkpologu community was pronounced dead at Annunciation Hospital, Emene, Enugu.

She had sustained several gunshots injuries during a robbery attack on a commuter bus conveying the victim and three other occupants of the bus home for Christmas on December 24, 2014.

The incident occurred at Camp Bus Stop, Nkpologu community at 12.54p.m.

According to an eyewitness, three Fulani herdsmen, armed with short pump action doublebarrelled guns, sprang from the

bush and started shooting at the bus.

The bus driver escaped into the bush with gunshot wounds, while two other occupants sustained minor injuries.

According to the eyewitness, “Veronica was hit on the head and eyes and her brain tissues immediately came out.”

Contacted, the cousin to the deceased, Chinedu Ezugwu, said: “She was rushed to University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, ItukuOzalla, Enugu, immediately.

But we could not get medical attention following the industrial action embarked upon by health workers.

“We took her to Annunciation Hospital on December 25, she was operated on and the bullets were removed.

Eventually she died on New Year eve.

“We are yet to come to terms with the sad development. She was coming home for Christmas and had got to the bus stop to her village. I do not think we will ever recover from this.”

2 bankers in prison custody over alleged theft of N2.5m

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—AN Akure Chief Magistrate Court in Ondo State has remanded two bankers, Kasali Fajana and Ajayi Dauda in Olokuta Prison for allegedly stealing N2.5 million meant for salaries of some local government workers in Akoko area of the state.

Police prosecutor, Sunday Adejuwon, told the court that the two accused persons, and others now at large, broke the windscreen of a car and stole the money.

Adejuwon said the money was meant for payment of the salary

of local government workers.

He stated that the accused persons committed the offence at 11a.m., Arigidi Oke Agbe Road in the Ondo State Magisterial District.

The offence, according to the prosecution, contravenes Sections 6(6) and 1 of the Robbery and Firearm (Special Provision Act) Cap R 11 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Adejuwon prayed the court to remand the accused persons in prison custody to enable him send the duplicate case file to the Ministry of Justice for legal advice.

Counsel to the accused, Mr.

O. Daramola, had earlier urged the court to grant his clients bail in liberal terms. He assured the court that the accused persons would not jump bail.

In his ruling, the magistrate, Mr. Sunday Adeduro, ordered that the two accused persons be remanded in the prison custody.

Chief Magistrate Adeduro subsequently adjourned the matter till tomorrow, for hearing.

Man beaten to death

Meanwhile, in another development, five mechanic apprentice have been arrested for allegedly beating to death

a middle age bricklayer, Akinyemi Ojo, over an argument on fetching water from a well in Akure.

Akinyemi reportedly died a day after he was beaten up by the mechanics.

Vanguard gathered that Samuel, an apprentice to the deceased, had an argument with an elderly man over fetching water from their well.

The argument degenerated into a fight between some youths and the apprentice.

Some residents, angered by the attitude of the apprentice to the elderly man, mobilized the mechanics to beat him.

But before the “hired beaters” arrived, Samuel had left, so they descended on his boss, the deceased.

He was rushed to the hospital but died the next day.

Contacted, the Police spokesman, Wole Ogodo, said one of the residents of Orisunmibare quarters invited the suspects.

Ogodo said the state Department of Criminal Investigation, DCI, was still investigating the incident.

Meanwhile, the body had been deposited at the mortuary of the state Specialist Hospital, Akure, for autopsy.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015—7

AUSTERITY MEASURE: How we'll cushion effects —Govs

By Clifford Ndujihe, Deputy Political Editor

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AGOS — MINDFUL of the impact that falling crude oil prices will have on the fortunes of Nigeria this year due to declining foreign revenue, a host of the state governors have mapped out measures to cushion the effects of the dwindling economic fortunes on the citizenry.

With meagre statutory allocation from the centre, there are fears that many states would not be able to pay salaries regularly and provision of basic amenities and maintenance of infrastructures may also suffer and politicians get ‘very ’ busy with the 2015 elections.

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in its New Year message, called on Nigerian workers to brace up for a tougher 2015. In a statement by its President Mr. Abdulwaheed Omar, titled “Tough times don’t last forever,” it said: “Collated reports from our state councils indicate that a number of state governments and some federal MDAs have not paid their workers for December as the year comes to an end.

"Of the 30 states reporting as of 30th of December, 11 subjected their workers to a Christmas/New Year celebration without the December salary. Three of these owed their workers arrears of salaries ranging from three to eight months! Some federal government employees in the Ministries of Education, Labour and Productivity, among others, are owed arrears of salaries ranging from 1-3 months.’’

However, the governors said they are on top the situation and will do the needful to save the citizenry and minimise the effect of expected austerity measures.

A peep into the budgets proposed by 31 of the 36 states of the country shows that some of the governors are prioritizing projects to meet basic needs.

Apart from proposing ‘frugal’ or ‘austere’ budgets for 2015, a host of them said they would pursue aggressive internally generated revenue (IGR) to augment whatever they will get from the centre as allocation.

They also allayed fears that boosting their IGR would entail a heavy tax-burden on their citizenry and businesses.

So far, states that are yet to present their 2015 budget proposals are Ondo, Abia, Rivers, Yobe, Jigawa and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

people, notwithstanding the poor financial situation of the state occasioned by sharp drop in oil revenue. The state spent about N190 billion last year.

He said rather than impose new taxes on the people of the state a strategy had been put in place to enhance the level of cost effectiveness of revenue collection, especially with respect to existing fees and levies.

However, the governor said priority would be given to expanding the state’s taxable base through accelerated gainful employment generation by private investors in the state. Of the N141.8 billion budget the sum of N86.72 billion (61.17 per cent) is allocated to recurrent expenditure while a miserly N55.05 billion (38.83 per cent) will be for capital expenditure.

Imo: Okorocha goes for total rescue, allocates 57% to capital projects The Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha proposed a budget of N141,219,133,849, termed “budget of total rescue and sustainability,” for the 2015 fiscal year.

Presenting the budget to members of the state legislature, Okorocha said the budget represented an improvement from the last fiscal year ’s N137,684,678,119. He stressed that recurrent expenditure for the 2015 fiscal year would be 43 per cent, while outstanding 57 per cent would be channelled to capital projects.

The governor explained that the higher allocation for capital expenditure, which he said, was “the thrust of the budget since 2012, is a policy meant to sustain the basic structure upon which other structures will stand to guarantee balanced development, industrialisation, private investments with high multiplier effects for wealth creation, employment generation, conducive business environment and improved welfare of the citizens.”

Ekiti goes for realistic budget In Ekiti state’s N80.78 billion “budget of reality ”, which represents 77.7 per cent of the 2014 budget of N103.8billion, Governor Ayodele Fayose allocated N48,717 billion to recurrent expenditure and N31.

956 billion to capital expenditure.

He said the size of the budget was informed by his government’s desire to live within its means and go with an achievable estimate rather than “decorate the budget Oyo budget of repositioning While presenting his N141.778 with unrealistic figures.” billion 2015 budget proposal It’s unlimited opportunities in tagged ‘Budget of Repositioning’ in Oyo State, Governor Abiola Niger In Niger State, Governor Ajimobi, who is seeking for a reelection, pledged that no new Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu taxes would be imposed on the forwarded to the House of

From left: Former Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Sam Odeh; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, and Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam after a private visit to President Goodluck Jonathan, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Assembly a “Budget of Shared Vision and Unlimited Opportunities,” estimated at N80.815 billion.

In a statement, his Chief Press Secretary, Israel A. Ebije, said the capital expenditure is N38.5 billion (47.83 percent) while recurrent expenditure is N42.6 (52.17 per cent). The governor said the budget is more realistic and in response to the dwindling crude oil prices.

Ebije disclosed that the budget is N18 billion less than the 2014 appropriation bill as the state drives for a realistic budget, adding that a 50 percent increase is projected from IGR as the state moves to diversify its revenue sources.

Delta: Economic sector gets lion’s share In Delta State, Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan proposed N327.68 billion for the 2015 comprising of N161.6 billion recurrent and N166.07 billion capital estimates, representing 49.32 and 50.68 percent respectively.

Uduaghan disclosed that the 2015 estimates was lower than the 2014 fiscal estimates by N123.05 billion due to the fall in the price of crude oil at the international market.

Sectoral breakdown of the capital estimates revealed that a lion share of N50.32 billion, representing 30.3 per cent went to the economic sector, followed by the social, general administration and environmental sectors while the sum of N34 billion was voted for the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).

His words: “The 2015 budget is driven by the successes recorded in various sectors of the state’s economy in the past seven years up to the 2014 budget of Consolidation, Sustainable Economic Growth and

Development as the 2015 budget is aimed at consolidating the achievements of 2014 budget as well as completing all ongoing projects and programmes that will facilitate the fulfilment of the administration’s goal of making Delta State one of the most industrialised and developed states in the country by 2020.

Katsina: Budget of accomplishment Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema, while proposing a N110 billion ‘Budget of Accomplishment’ made up of N34 billion for recurrent expenditureand N75 billion for capital expenditure for 2015, said the budget proposal was consciously prepared to sustain the development recorded so far, adding that government intends to consolidate and leave behind a platform for growth and development.

Taraba: Making communities accessible In Taraba, the Acting Governor, Alhaji Sanni Abubakar Danladi allocated over N22 billion of the N97.3 billion proposed budget to the Ministry of Works to ensure there are more access roads in the rural areas. “There is need to provide more communities with access roads. That is why the Ministry of Works has the highest allocation of N22,063,221,363.00,” he said.

He also allocated N53.3 billion of the budget to capital projects while recurrent expenditure got N42.7 billion.

Bauchi: We will pay salaries promptly –Yuguda While presenting the Bauchi State.s 2015 N127.89 billion budget, Governor Isa Yuguda said that a huge percentage of the budget would be for the payment of salaries, wages, pension and gratuity.

He said that the budget would

give priority to health, agriculture, water resources, poverty eradication, women and youth empowerments as well as ongoing projects.

Adamawa: Ngilari opts for consolidation In Adamawa State, Governor Bala James Ngilari proposed a N100.89 billion “Budget of Consolidation and Hope” of which capital projects got N42 billion and recurrent expenditure was allocated N57billion.

To achieved the desired impact, he assured that stringent fiscal control mechanisms will be employed to ensure all loopholes and leakages are blocked for a high performance and maximisation of the budget.

Jang proposes inclusive growth on the Plateau Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang said his 2015 N215.5 billion “Budget of Transition and Inclusive Growth (V)” would focus on the completion of ongoing projects.

The governor said the budget would ensure smooth transition from the present administration to the next one in 2015.

He added that the budget was a 4.26 per cent drop from 2014 estimate of N225.1billion, and attributed the drop to the state’s dwindling economic fortunes, particularly in oil receipts.

Jang said N92.5 billion had been proposed for recurrent expenditure, representing 42.93 per cent of the budget, while N122.9 billion was proposed as capital expenditure, representing 57.07 per cent of the total budget.

Edo: Oshiomhole seeks consolidation

Continues on page 58

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

My govt was above board —IBB zClaims he used $12.4bn oil windfall to build Abuja, 3rd Mainland Bridge, others zSays he remains most investigated Nigerian President zChides June 12 supporters who worked with military junta

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

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BUJA— Former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd), has said that he should be regarded as a saint given the level of corruption that pervades the Nigerian society today.

Babangida also scored himself high in the management of the economy during the eight-year period of his administration, claiming that he actually worked hard to end the menace of corruption rather than promote it.

According to Babangida, those who held contrary opinion about the activities of his regime did so out of ignorance of what he did while in office.

Babangida’s claims are contained in the latest edition of the Economic and Financial Crimes quarterly magazine, Zero Tolerance, a copy of which was obtained by Vanguard in Abuja yesterday.

The former president said he was able to manage the economy and still left surplus in the treasury with a paltry $7 billion oil revenue compared to what is being earned by the government today.

He stated: “Maybe I have to accept that but anybody with a sense of fairness has no option but to call us saints. I give you an example, in a year; I was making less than $7 billion in oil revenue but in the same period there were governments that were making between $200 billion and $300 billion.

“With $7 billion, I did the best I could but with $200 billion there is still a lot to be achieved.

I don’t have all the facts but if what I read in the papers is what is currently happening, then I think we were saints.”

Babangida further claimed that he did his best to stabilise the Naira, leaving the exchange rate at N22 to the dollar, saying that the current exchange rate in the country was not his making.

The Naira is exchanging for between N193 and N200 depending on where and when, following the slight devaluation of the Naira in the wake of plummeting oil prices.

$12.4 Gulf War oil windfall

Asked what he did with the $12.4 Gulf War oil windfall, Babangida further said that he used the money wisely on what he described as "regenerative investment," giving examples with the building of Abuja City and the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge as some of such

investments.

He also stated that contrary to insinuations in many quarters, the oil windfall revenue was not stolen as, his administration channelled the money into the provision of critical infrastructure that Nigerians were using today.

He said: “I am not an economist but I have an understanding of what this is.

Our argument then was if you have the money then why keep it and be looking at it when you have a lot of things to do that will benefit the ordinary man? So that money was not stolen.

“Let us take Abuja for example. I built it. Today, we have a brand new capital; we used that money. I gave you a Third Mainland bridge, Lagos, which you cannot build today with all the money that Nigeria is making."

Most investigated expresident in Nigeria

The former leader, who recently hosted President Goodluck Jonathan in his expansive mansion in Minna, the Niger State capital, said he was not worried over the corruption toga being bandied about him and his administration, claiming that it was a mere perception thing.

He said he remained the most investigated former president in Nigeria but was happy that nothing incriminating had been found against him to justify the claim that his government was corrupt.

Ibrahim Babangida: "If what I read in the papers is what is currently happening, then I think we were saints."

According to him, “now, even our fiercest critics give us credit for certain things we did. I have been the most investigated president Nigeria has ever had.

By now somebody should have come forward to say here it is.

Every government that came after me investigated me because of that perception

because they wanted to retrieve the billions that I stole."

On June 12 election

On why he annulled the June 12 election won by his late friend, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, IBB said he had given the reasons in the past but pointed out that the very

people who claimed to support the election were the same who turned round to work with the military junta and made it to perpetuate itself for many years.

He said: “All those who fought for June 12 ended up serving the military government they didn’t like and that perpetuated a longer stay of the military in government.”

STRIKE: Judicial workers shut down courts nationwide zCJN, other Justices locked out of Supreme Court

By Innocent Anaba, Ikechukwu Nnochiri, Bartholomew Madukwe & Onozure Dania

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AGOS — Judicial workers, under the aegis of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, yesterday, shut down courts across the country as they commenced an industrial action.

In Abuja, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, and other Justices of the Supreme Court were locked out of their respective offices by protesting judiciary workers, while all the courts were barricaded by the strikers who used heavy chains and padlocks to block entrance and exit gates to all courts.

In Lagos, the Federal High Court and National Industrial Court as well as Lagos State

High Court in all its divisions in Ikeja, Igbosere, Ikorodu and Badagry were also shut.

At the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, the entrances were padlocked. Also, the Appeal Court in Lagos had its gates padlocked. The magistrate's court in Igbosere, Lagos, was also under lock and key.

The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, was also under lock and key, including the National Industrial Court in Ikoyi.

Courts in Lagos were initially scheduled to resume yesterday after the Christmas vacation, but JUSUN had directed all its members to embark on the strike from January 2.

The strike is based on the failure of state governments to implement the orders of an

Abuja Federal High Court, which granted financial autonomy for state judiciaries.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola had on January 14, 2014, following a suit by JUSUN, restrained the Federal Government and the 36 state governors from holding on to funds meant for the judiciary.

Ademola held that funds meant for the judiciary should instead be disbursed directly to the heads of court and not to the executive arm of government.

In Abuja, yesterday, all the Justices of the Supreme Court, who intended to access their offices, including the CJN, were forced to turn back as the workers, through their National President, Mr. Adamu Marwa, maintained that they

would not bow down until the Federal Government complied and implemented the Federal High Court judgment that declared financial autonomy for the judiciary.

Addressing journalists yesterday, JUSUN President, Marwa, said the office of the Accountant General of the Federation was to be blamed for the failure of the Federal Government to implement the court judgment.

He lamented that the union had held meetings with representatives of the various governments 20 times since the verdict was delivered as well as signed seven Memoranda of Understanding, MoU. He said: “There is no going back until they respect the court judgment. This strike is indefinite."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015—9

Sagay, Ngige, Tsav, others express fears over scarcity of PVCs

By Dapo Akinrefon, Charles Kumolu, Gbenga Oke & Peter Duru

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AGOS — EMINENT Nigerians, yesterday, expressed outrage over the revelation that millions of eligible voters are yet to collect their Pe r manent Voters’ Card, PVC, in the southern part of Nigeria, describing the development as an indication that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, lacks the capacity to conduct a credible election.

They also suggest that legal measures be employed at making the commission correct the irregularities that have so far characterised the PVC registration and distribution in the South.

There were also suggestions that the commission should make use of the temporary voters cards in places where the PVCs are yet to be distributed.

Vanguard had exclusively reported that barely 41 days to the presidential election, the 2015 electoral map, indicated that there are more PVCs in the hands of prospective voters in the North than those in the South.

Those who were irked by this development are Second Republic lawmake r, Dr. Junaid Mohammed; Constitutional lawyer, Prof Itse Sagay; Human rights lawyer, Chief Emeka Ngige; a retired Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav and Afenifere chieftain, Cheif Ayo Adebanjo.

INEC should be restrained from conducting the election—Sagay In his remarks, Sagay said: “Not only will it lead to mass rigging, it is illegal and contrary to what the selfrighteous INEC has been announcing, practising one system here in the south and another in the north.

"This has always been the problem of this countr y.

Every time, the north somehow always wants to have an advantage in everything. It will not follow the normal law and procedure and culture, it prefers to do things its way.

"It is obviously illegal and it is as a result of indulgence that we have been experiencing since the British were ruling us. It

zSay INEC can't conduct Feb polls zMake case for temporary voters' cards zFault calls for postponement of exercise zCatholic Bishops express fears simply confirms my view that Professor Jega is not fit to run such a huge organisation as INEC in which not only diligence is required but principle.

"I looked at the statistics and it was very disturbing.

Lagos State was recording 43 per cent and in the north, they were recording 87 per cent to almost 90 per cent, in the same country. It does not make sense.

"In my view, the Lagos people should come together and get a restraining order to prevent that election from holding until they all get their Pe r manent Voters Cards, PVCs, otherwise, it will be a breakdown of our democracy.”

Those with temporary cards should be allowed to vote— Ngige Similarly, Ngige, said: "From what is happening, INEC is likely not to enforce the use of PVC. It is likely that if you have a temporary voters card, you may be allowed to vote alongside those with permanent PVC. "My advice to INEC is allow every voter with temporary voters’ card to vote. What the commission should focus on is the issue of multiple voting and registration. That is the only way that will prevent most eligible voters from being disenfranchised."

INEC should be compelled to do the right thing—Tsav Tsav on his part said: "Before now, there were rumours that some parties were buying the PVC. INEC dismissed that, insisting that it was in control of the whole process. What we have seen now, shows that the commission has a lot to do regarding its readiness for the elections.

"Those who have called for the postponement of the exercise may not be totally wrong in view of what is happening. But if that that should be done, who will be in charge of the country? Is it still going to be President

INAUGURATION: From left: Special Duties Minister, Mr. Saminu Turaki; the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stalwart, Mr. Musa Ujah and former Education Minister, Prof. Tunde Adeniran at the venue of the inauguration of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation before the announcement of its postponement at the Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja, yesterday.

Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Jonathan? All peace-loving Nigerians should do everything legally possible to ensure that INEC does not disenfranchise Nigerians.’’

INEC is acting out a script — Mohammed In his remarks, Junaid said: “This is not the first time INEC will be messing up a national assignment and it is very unfortunate.

The first PVC registration was a mess, they failed woefully when they made the second attempt and the third attempt ended in a fiasco. I " feel they should be ashamed of themselves.

INEC blamed power for their system failure. I feel strongly it is a very foolish excuse as we all know that power outage is not new in this country. The same set of people that has been leading INEC are still the same set of people there right now. How do you expect anything to change?

"They cannot conduct a free and fair elections because they will continue to fail woefully with this set of people at the helm of affairs in INEC. “INEC had four years to

organise and prepare themselves for this elections, so they have no excuse to give Nigerians for their failure to conduct a free and fair elections. Calling for another six months extension for this election is not right.

I think INEC should be disbanded for its failure to fully prepare for this elections.”

INEC has refused to do its job — Adebanjo Opadokun also said: “The elections are here and it will be unfortunate if INEC refused to do its job. If they refused to do it, who will do it for them? So we have to further engage the INEC and ensure the right thing is done ahead of the February general elections. The failure by INEC to ensure people get their PVCs will lead to another failure."

Catholic Bishops express fears Meanwhile, Catholic Bishops in Benue State, yesterday, expressed fears over the capacity of the INEC to conduct free, fair and credible polls in the country.

This was contained in a

pastoral letter on the 2015 elections jointly signed by the Bishops of Gboko, Katsina-Ala, Makurdi and Otukpo respectively, at the end of the Catholic Prayer Pilgrimage for Peace held at the Saint John's Catholic Church, Gboko.

They, however, urged INEC to strive to satisfy the yearnings of all Nigerians in 2015.

Entitled, “Let there be peace,’’ the letter read: “In view of the unfortunate challenges encountered in recent elections conducted in some states of the country, there is considerable pessimism regarding the capacity of the commission to organise free, fair and credible elections in 2015.

“But we believe a change can always be effected by those determined to do what is right and noble. Hence, we are all yearning for trustworthy elections in 2015, and it is the responsibility of INEC to satisfy our yearning.

“Since free and fair elections start with good preparations, we earnestly request the commission to ensure that all processes from the registration to the actual voting and beyond are properly and diligently managed in an open, honest and transparent manner.”

10— Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

Fashola swears in new administrators for 20 LGs, 37 LCDAs zPDP condemns action

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By Dapo Akinrefon with agency reports

AGOS—GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State yesterday administered the oath of office on 57 Executive Secretaries that would run the affairs of the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas in the state.

Fashola said that the executive secretaries would run the affairs of their respective councils for the next three months.

The former elected chairmen of the various councils vacated their offices on October18, 2014, following the expiration of their statutory three-year tenure.

Since then, the council managers had been overseeing the day-today activities of the councils.

Fashola said the appointment of the executive secretaries was to ensure there was no vacuum in service delivery at the grassroots.

He said each of them would oversee the council assigned to him or her with four other officials for a transitional period of three months, after which the state government may renew their tenure or do otherwise.

Fashola said the state had tentatively fixed March for the council elections and that tenure extension would be subject to whether the State Independent Electoral Commission would sort out all the necessary issues ahead of the election.

The governor urged the new appointees to justify the confidence reposed in them by serving conscientiously and working with other people to uplift the people at the grassroots.

He charged them to strengthen education at the grassroots and work assiduously to improve primary health care delivery system in their areas.

Fashola siad: “We expect the new appointees to focus on the primary responsibilities at the councils. The first duty of any government is to secure lives and properties.

“Also, my mandate to you is to go and intimate all members of your committees that they are part of us, they are Lagosians, and that we must integrate everybody and we must live in peaceful coexistence.“ Fashola urged people who might have been aggrieved by the selection of the appointees to work with them, pointing out that it could not have been possible to give responsibilities to every deserving person.

The governor restated the commitment of his administration to service delivery at the grassroots, saying the government had done a lot to demonstrate this.

Speaking on behalf of the appointees, Mr Omofunmilewa

Adejombo thanked the state government for the appointment, and described it as a golden opportunity to serve.

He assured the state government that he and other appointees would do their best to impact positively on the lives of the people at the grassroots.

Some of the newly sworn in Executive Secretaries include: Segun Jubril (Isolo), Fausat Hassan (Ojokoro); Moshood Abiola (Onigbongbo); Wasiu Adeshina (Ikorodu); Bayo Adebisi (Ikorodu North); Princess Aduni Oyefusi (Ikorodu West); Muyiwa Adesoya (Imota); Taiwo Orenuga (Igbogbo-Baiyeku); Toyosi Olusi (Lagos Island); Omotosho Lukman (Lagos Island East); Jide Bello (Mushin); and Rasak Ajala (Odi-Olowo).

Others were Sikiru Lawal (Ojo); Abiodun Oresanya (Somolu); Oyoke Yahaya (Iba); Alabi David (Bariga); Olajobi Dauda (Oshodi); Tajudeen

Alabi (Ejigbo); Dele Hussain (Surulere); David Famuyiwa (Agbado Oke Odo); Ahmed Seriki (Epe); and Ajibola Ojodu (Amuwo Odofin).

The inauguration also also in attendance the Chairman of the Lagos All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Henry Ajomale, the governorship candidate of the party, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and others.

PDP condemns action

Meantime, the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has described the the swearing in of executive secretaries to head the 57 councils as illegal and an alleged attempt to rig the 2015 general elections in Lagos State.

In a statement by its publicity secretary, Mr Taofik Gani, the party faulted the swearing in of the secretaries, saying it is a desperate attempt by the All Progressives Congress, APC, to win next month’s polls.

The statement read: “The Lagos State chapter of the PDP has described the swearing in

of Executive Secretaries to head the 57 Lagos state councils as unconstitutional, self serving and APC’s ploy to rig the Lagos governorship elections in 2015.

“The party further stated that the inglorious action by Governor Fashola at this time confirms Fashola and his APC as always acting for their selfish convenience.

“They are not progressives.

They are not democrats. They are aiding and abetting destruction of democracy at grassroots. It further exposes them as not democrats and who run a system down to favour their inordinate ambitions. This ambition is the desperation to win Lagos State in 2015.”

The party added that “the executive secretaries have been sworn in at this time to manipulate the elections at their domains for APC. They will fail and this time Lagosians will vote against APC for depriving them democratic local councils” The PDP, which said the swearing in was in violation of Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution said there was “a pending subject of litigation in the Lagos High Court.”

41 foods, petroleum products laden ships for Lagos

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AGOS—FORTY one ships laden with containers, foods, petroleum products and other goods would arrive Lagos ports from January 5 and January 20.

The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, said in its daily publication‘Shipping Position’ made available in Lagos yesterday, that 22 of the expected ships would arrive with containers of different goods.

It stated that five other ships were expected to arrive with petroleum products like petrol and diesel, while four different ships would bring in fresh fish.

The document stated that the remaining 10 ships would arrive with vehicles, buckwheat, bulk charcoal, bulk salt, bulk ethanol, bulk rice and general cargo.

It further indicated that 10 other ships had already arrived the ports, waiting to berth with food items such as; bulk rice, fresh fish and bulk fertiliser.

It explained that nine other ships containing various petroleum products were also waiting to berth at the various oil terminals in the ports.

It also noted that 22 other ships were discharging buckwheat, general cargo, fresh fish, bulk fertiliser, containers, bulk sugar, bulk gypsum and petroleum products.

Group roots for Jonathan SWEARING IN: Cross section of new Executive Secretaries of Local Government and Local Council Development Areas of Lagos, taking Oath of Office during their swearing in by Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

Lagos CP tasks politicians on peaceful campaigns candidates, who alleged removal

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By Evelyn Usman & Esther Onyegbula

A G O S — T H E Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Kayode Aderanti, yesterday called on politicians to conduct electioneering campaigns peacefully.

Aderanti made the call at the command’s headquarters in Ikeja.

He also called on the Lagos State Signage and Advertising Agency, LASAA, to desist from any act that could put its integrity in doubt.

“I wish to draw the attention of all to the lifting of ban on political campaigns by the

Independent National Electoral Commission, which has kickstarted the campaign toward the general elections.

“The command wishes to assure all validly nominated candidates of the various political parties of a level playing field that will guarantee credibility of the electoral process.

“Various agencies of government are also encouraged to be fair to all concerned in all their oversight functions to ensure that no party is shut out of the electoral space,” Aderanti said.

He said that there had been complaints against LASAA by

of their campaign billboards.

He urged LASAA to give equal opportunities to candidates of all political parties to disseminate their campaign messages.

Aderanti said that the command would decisively deal with any individual or agency of government that would disrupt political campaigns or general elections.

“I have directed all the area commanders to be on the lookout and arrest anybody that attempts to remove any billboard or poster of any candidate under whatever guise,” he said.

The police chief thanked Lagos residents for their cooperation during the festive period.

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AGOS—A nongovernmental, sociocultural interest group, the Yoruba Youth Initiative, YYI, has re-affirmed its support for the re-election of President Good luck Jonathan later this year.

The group with network throughout South-west has vowed to work tirelessly for the actualisation of the President’s second term.

The group in a statement , said; “It is so pathetic that some people felt they were born to govern Nigeria forever and they are ready to sabotage any government in power except one of their own.

It is quite unfortunate that some Yoruba leaders are aiding and abetting them.

We shall stand for excellence at all times and encourage the effort of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to actualize his agenda which we believe will transform Nigeria for the betterment of all.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015 —11

Osun Tribunal adjourns for final addresses

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO—OSUN State Election Petition Tribunal has adjourned till January 28 for the adoption of final addresses, as the All Progressives Congress APC and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, closed their defences yesterday.

The Peoples Democratic Party PDP and its candidate in the August 9, 2014 governorship election, Iyiola Omisore are challenging the re-election of Governor Rauf Aregbesola before the Justice Elizabeth Ikpejime-led tribunal.

The APC counsel, Ajibola Basiru at the resumed hearing of the petition told the threeman panel of the decision of his client to close the case, having reviewed the evidences and found out that no case has been made by the petitioners.

Subsequently, counsel to INEC, Ayotunde Ogunleye opened his defence and tendered the Certified True Copies CTC of Form EC8E (overal result declaration form), summary of the Permanent Voters Cards Distribution list and the certificate of the list .

While counsel to other respondents raised no objection to the admissibility of the documents, the petitioner counsel, Nathaniel Oke, SAN, raised objection to only the Certificate of the PVCs Distribution List on the ground that it was not front loaded.

Replying, the INEC counsel said the PVCs Distribution List was frontloaded, but because it was printed from computer, its

certificate was produced as provided by law, arguing that the objection could not be sustainable.

Subsequently, the tribunal admitted the document as exhibits 395, 396 and 397 respectively.

After the document had been admitted, the INEC counsel applied to close the case of the commission without calling any witness, saying, “we apply to close our case upon the evaluation of the case made out by the petitioner, coupled with evidence we have extracted from the witnesses called so far by other respondents and the petitioner”.

“Also, the documents tendered so far are the documents coming from us and as such, we will need no further oral evidence”, he said.

Each of the respondents are to file their written addresses within 10 days, while the petitioners have seven days to file their addresses, just as respondents have another five days to reply on point of law.

Addressing journalists after the court sitting, Ajibola and Aregbesola's counsel, Wale Afolabi said it is not necessary for the respondents to go further to call any other witness, saying the evidence on ground is enough to have the petition thrown away.

Afolabi said: “There is nothing in the petition at all, because if you look at the quality of the witnesses they called and our cross-examination which are all in evidence, you will know that we have no reason to fear at all.

“As I speak to you now, I can tell you that our written addresses are even ready, because we prepare it on daily basis and we review it from time to time. Infact, we will file before the due date”, he said.

Ajibola also said the witnesses called by the petitioners did not even state the case they brought to court.

“The expert that they brought even admitted that false entries were there in his report and the testimonies he has given. That is to tell you that they have not made any case”, he noted.

Also, the petitioners’ counsel, Oke said it is for the tribunal to evaluate the evidence before it and determine which of the parties was right.

VISIT: From left: All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Mr. Adebayo Salami, Nollywood actor and another Nollywood actor, Mr. Yinka Qudril, during a courtesy visit to Mr. Ambode's Campaign Office at Gbagada, Lagos.

Ondo workers resume, pray for peaceful polls

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By Dayo Johnson

KURE—ONDO State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and workers in the state yesterday offered prayers for the peaceful conduct of the coming general elections Dr Mimiko urged the workers to “shine their eyes and brains” as the nation’s political scenario unfold.

The occasion was a special prayer session following the resumption of work yesterday after the Christmas and New year holidays.

The workers had converged on the Governor’s office with the deputy governor, Alhaji Alli Olanusi and top government officials, including clergymen to offer prayers to God for good governance and peaceful conduct of the forthcoming general elections in the country.

They also prayed for the progress and development of the state.

Governor Mimiko, while addressing the gathering described the State public workers as efficient even more than the private sector.

He backed up his claim with empirical evidences in the health, education sectors and public utility services.

Aregbesola names SSG, Chief of Staff

By Gbenga Olarinoye

We've employed 50,000 youths in 43 months —Amosun

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA—OGUN State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has disclosed that his administration has in 43 months of its emergence employed no fewer than 50,000 youths in the state through direct and indirect employment.

Amosun, speaking during a live radio programme tagged “Meet the Governor ” on Paramount FM, Abeokuta, said the feat was made possible by the holistic approach of his administration to unemployment, including creating an enabling environment for business and industries to thrive.

Responding to questions on

the spate of unemployment in the state, the governor expressed with concern that though close to one million youths are unemployed in the state, the trend is gradually reducing on a daily basis as about 46 industries with at

least 100 million dollar investment have sprang up under his administration.

He added that some of them engage about 4,500 staff in a day through job-shifts.

The governor explained the rationale behind his

administration’s interest in infrastructural development, arguing that he believes that it is a probable catalyst for other sectors for the state to achieve any meaningful s o c i o - e c o n o m i c development.

Ekiti Federal Poly staff begin indefinite strike

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By Gbenga Ariyibi

DO EKITI—WORKERS of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti yesterday embarked on indefinite strike action over non payment of their allowances.

Operating under the umbrella of three unions; Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnic and Non Academic

Staff Union equally called on the Federal Government to suspend the rector of the institution, Dr Theresa Akande to allow the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and Independent Corrupt Practice Commission, ICPC, probe the finances of the institution.

The aggrieved workers who started the protest as early at

about 7am, blocked the main entrance of the institution and prevented staff and students from gaining entry into the institution The leaders of the unions: ASUP, SSANIP and NASU, Com Tunji Owoye, Dr Oluwole Ayeni and Prince Adekunle Adeniyi spoke one after the other about the reasons for their protest.

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SOGBO—OSUN State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola has approved the appointment of Alhaji Moshood Olalekan Adeoti as the Secretary to the State Government.

In the same vein, the Governor has also announced Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola as the Chief of Staff.

The appointments were contained in a release in Osogbo yesterday by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy to governor, Aregbesola, Mr Semiu Okanlawon.

Both appointees served in the same capacities in the first term of the Aregbesola administration.

These are the first set of appointments to be announced by governor Aregbesola since his reelection for a second term in office in August last year.

12 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015—13

EDO PDP TO OSHIOMHOLE: Respond to Orbih's allegations on N142m

By Gabriel Enogholase

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ENIN—EDO State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, has challenged the state government and the All Progressives Congress, APC, to respond to his claim that the Adams Oshiomhole administration spent the sum of N142 million on the duo of the presidential candidate of the APC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to commission projects in the state instead of calling for his arrest over alleged forgery.

He also asked the state government to explain to Edo people how the sum of N10.8 million was spent to fix one of the toilets in the Governor ’s Lodge.

Chief Orbih, who was reacting to the call by APC State Chairman, Mr. Anslem Ojezua, that he should be arrested by the Police for forging government documents, said that he was too big to be arrested for exposing the fraudulent practices of the state government.

Addressing a rally of the PDP in Afuze and Sabongida- Ora, in Owan West and Owan East Local Government Areas of the state, yesterday, Orbih said:

Amaechi’s NGF condoles with Jonathan over sister’s death

By Jimitota Onoyume

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HE Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, led by Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, has condoled with President Goodluck Jonathan and his family over the death of his younger sister, Nancy Jonathan-Olei.

Chairman of the Forum, Amaechi, sympathised with President Jonathan in a condolence statement by his Press Secretary, Mr. David Iyofor, yesterday.

He said: “We understand the pain and grief of losing a loved one. The pain of an untimely death is immeasurable, and we pray that God grants Mr. President and the entire family of the bereaved the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss."

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“We want to put an end to fraudulent practices being perpetrated by the Edo State Government. Instead of reacting to the allegations we made against them, they are calling for my arrest. If they want to arrest me, they know my house.

“We challenge the Edo State Government to tell the people whether the allegation that he

spent N142 million to host Gen Buhari and Tinubu to simply commission projects is true or not. He should explain to the people the justification for repairing a toilet in Governor’s Lodge at the sum of N10.4 million.

“I will continue to expose the fraud by the Edo State Government and we have a moral obligation to the people

of the state as he cannot be allowed to continue to defraud the people. We have the opportunity to change this government by voting the PDP into office because the APC does not mean well for our people.

“We don’t forge documents in PDP, it is only in the APC that they forge documents and certificates.”

MEETING: Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State flanked by the PDP Deputy National Chairman, Chief Uche Sekondus (right) and former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, after closed door consultations with the President at the State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida.

Dickson explains sack of two female appointees, redeployment of others

By Samuel Oyadongha

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E N A G O A — GOVERNOR Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, yesterday, explained the reason for the sack of two female political appointee and the redeployment of two others in his cabinet, saying it was part of efforts to ensure service delivery and fulfillment of his restoration agenda.

Dickson,in a statement by his Chief Press Secetary, Mr. Daniel Markson-Iworiso, noted that the minor cabinet reshuffle was in furtherance of his commitment to deliver more robustly on his administration’s restoration agenda.

The minor cabinet reshuffle witnessed the sack of the Commissioner for Local Government Administration, Mrs. Marie Ebikake and the Special Adviser on Federal Projects, Chief Remi Kuku.

Those redeployed include the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Deacon Markson Fefegha, who was redeployed to the Government House as the Principal Executive Secretary to the Governor with

immediate effect.

He takes over from Douye Diri, who resigned and has since emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidate for Yenagoa-Kolokuma-Opokuma federal constituency in next month’s House of Representatives election.

Also affected was the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dame Didi Walson-Jack, who was on final de-secondment and has gone back to the Federal Civil Service, after three years of outstanding and meritorious service to the state and the restoration government.

Why we're backing Buhari’s presidential ambition —BMC

By Daniel Gumm

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ARRI—A POLITICAL pressure group poised to ensure the victory of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd) in the February 14, presidential poll, Buhari Movement For Change, BMC, was yesterday, inaugurated in Warri, Delta State with a mandate to “intensify door-to-door campaign for the desired change from tribal governance to national government.”

In a communiqué by its South-South Coordinator, Prince David Iwere, BMC noted that it decided to back the

presidential ambition of Buhari because “The sacrifice for change has become imperative in the face of failed power sector reform, where Nigerians now pay more for almost zero electricity supply despite the purported privatisation of the sector and the comatose state of the nation’s economy coupled with the constant devaluation of the naira.”

Spokesman of BMC, Dr. Emiko Ofuyaekpone, who read the communiqué, promised that they will mobilise resources, and people from all ethnic nationalities to ensure Buhari's victory.

Crack in MOSOP deepens ...as Ogoni Day is celebrated in two venues

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT—THE crack in the Movement for Survival of Ogoni People, MOSOP, was very visible yesterday, as Ogoni gathered at separate venues in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area, Rivers State, for this year’s Ogoni Day. Sole Administrator, Ogoni Environment Protection Agency, OGEPA, Mr John Lawisa, said MOSOP, under the leadership of Mr Goodluck Diigbo, had taken the body to a greater height, adding that the conditions for cleaning of Ogoni environment would be acceptable to all.

According to him, the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP, report on Ogoni would only be implemented after some processes had been exhausted.

He enjoined all Ogoni to accept the Ogoni Central Indigenous Authority as a vehicle for their freedom and emancipation.

Meantime, MOSOP, led

by Legborsi Pyagbara, lauded the Federal Government for the extent it had gone in the implementation of the UNEP report on Ogoni, urging the government to do more for the area.

He lamented the denial of sons of Ogoni to emerge governorship candidate of major political parties in the state.

He said: “Despite the right standing of our cause for political justice, the political parties still went ahead and abandoned the Ogoni people. We want to say that this deliberate exclusion of the Ogoni people is an invitation to imbalance and should not be supported."

14 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015 — 15

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16 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

Oko Poly rector tasks new principal officers

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HE Rector, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Professor Godwin Onu has asked newlyappointed principal officers of the institution to shun any behaviour capable of bringing their their integrity to disrepute.

Onu spoke yesterday in Oko, while presenting the three officers formally to the polytechnic community, including the deans and directors.

The officers appointed by the Governing Council include, Mr Ejike Nwabuona as Deputy Rector Administration, Mrs Gladys Anene Deputy Rector Academics; and the Bursar, Mr Betrand Ndife. However, the outgoing Deputy Rector, Dr Don Mmuo, who had served out two tenures of four years each was commended for his high level discipline and hard work.

Onu asked them to leave no stone unturned in service delivery in accordance with the mandate given to the institution by the supervising authorities.

“I am a team man. I believe a lot can be achieved through this process. I hereby officially present you to the community. None of you lobbied for this position. In fact all of you got to know about your appointments the day you received your letters. You were nominated based on hard work and I charge you to remain stead fast because the journey is still far away.

“Avoid any questionable behaviour that may tarnish your image because we will not hesitate to raise the hammer. We have no option than to deliver. You must justify your appointments by being productive,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the newly appointed officers, the Deputy Rector, Nwabuona commended the Rector for the opportunity given them and pledged to be diligent in their duties.

“Three of us were embarrassed when the Rector announced our names. In fact I didn’t know it was my name he was calling. I was the Director, Academic planning and I was not expecting this. The Rector has just challenged us and we must deliver,” he said.

This year'll be better, Okorocha assures Imo people

By Sam Eyoboka

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G B I D I — GOVERNOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, has assured the people of the state that by the special grace of God, 2015 will be better than 2014.

The governor spoke at the justconcluded The Lords Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement’s 2015 Mgbidi miracle crusade.

The governor arrived the Chosen International School, Mgbidi venue of the crusade at about 2.15pm with a five-man entourage, including the chaplain to the governor, Rev. Bunmi Babs; Commissioner for Lands and Deputy Chief of Staff to the governor, Uche Nwosu; Commissioner for Housing, Urban Development and City Beautification and Director General of Rochas campaign team, Mr. Alaibe; Special Adviser on Special Duties, Rev. Jessy Ayozie and Deputy Chaplain, Pastor Ralph Afoaku.

The governor was ushered to the pulpit where he addressed the over one million people attending the crusade.

He said: “Something will happen here today. Let me announce to all now that we are serving a living God. Let me tell all of you that 2015 shall be greater than 2014. As the governor of Imo, I have declared this year as a year of victory. And for this reason, God will be glorified in this land” He described the General

CRUSADE: General Overseer of the Lords Chosen Charastimatic Revival Ministry, Pastor Lazarus Muoka (right) exchanging pleasantries with Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State at the ongoing three-day crusade, titled: God will make you to rejoice, organised by the church at Mgbidi in Imo State yesterday.

Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen Church as his brother, saying that he was an instrument that God had been using to cause great miracles and tremendous transformation in the society.

“We have heard what the Lord is using the pastor to do. You need our prayer, you need our support. There are over one million people here, but let me say to you, you have come to the blessed land of Mgbidi. You can never go back the same in Jesus name. For us in Imo State, we pride ourselves with the word of God”, he added.

In his response, Muoka asked the congregation to pray for the governor for divine protection, sound health, salvation and that God grant him his heart’s desire.

While speaking to journalists, Okorocha said he was happy to hear the testimonies from the congregation.

He said “All of us are here today because of the good work of the Chosen and it is something which should glorify God . Many criminals and armed robbers have given their lives to God which I am sure government alone couldn’t have preached the

gospel to change them.”

Speaking on the people’s happiness over his leadership, he said it was God that put the righteous in power, because when the wicked were in authority the people would suffer.

On his second term bid, he expressed confidence that he would be re-elected. “So far, so good, I like the will of God to be done. I came into government by God’s will and He who believes I can do the job, will bring it to accomplishment in my life. I believe it is all about God”, he added.

South East APC condemns alleged threat to Fr. Mbaka's life

By Chris Ochayi

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BUJA—THE South East chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday condemned alleged threat to the life of Fr. Ejike Mbaka, over his profound New Year Sermon, where he criticised some policies of the present administration, advising critics to attack the message instead of the messenger.

The spokesperson of South East APC, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, said in a statement in Abuja that the position expressed by Fr. Mbaka was the true reflection of the situation in the country.

According to him, “we have carefully perused the speech and we are at a loss where the liberation theologian said anything that many Nigerians do not know, or where he incurred the wrath of those who are threatening his life. We have also perused the criticisms and

abuses and have not found anybody who denied the fact as Fr. Mbaka postulated that, ‘President Jonathan surrounded himself with very corrupt officers who advise him. Nigerians are sick and tired of wasting of innocent lives without government doing enough to stop the destruction.’

“Or his submission that, ‘What is the fate of our children? Tears

fill my eyes when I see our young graduates hoping and walking our streets. What is the meaning of kidnapping? Kidnapping is the grandson of unemployment.

Boko Haram is a great grandchild of the same unemployment, mass looting and poor governance’ To prove his innocence he said, ‘I love President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and I need to be his ardent fan, but I want good

for my people and that’s why I want Nigerians to vote out Jonathan and vote Buhari.

“Our consolation is that no person or group of persons has accused Fr. Mbaka of bribery and corruption, a very rare escape in our clime. Consequently, we once more call for caution from those who instead of attacking the message are threatening to kill the man of God.”

Get more involved in voting process, ex-LG boss tasks Abians

By Anayo Okoli

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MUAHIA—PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP chieftain and former chairman of Aba North Local Government Council, Chief Alex Ifeanyi Ikwuechegh, has advised citizens of Abia State to be more involved in the politics of the state to be able to elect a credible person to govern the state this year.

Ikwuechegh also urged the people to properly scrutinize the candidates contesting the various elective positions in the state to help them make wise choices.

According to him, the PDP governorship candidtate, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu remained the “best of all the gubernatorial candidates that emerged from all the political parties in the state”, and called on all Abia to vote for

him in the February election.

Ikwuechegh said that “no man can tackle the problems of Aba as a city better than from the man from Aba”, as according to him, “Okezie Ikpeazu has a firm grip of the problems bedeviling Aba.” He commended Governor Theodore Orji for his effort aimed at bringing equity in the political state vy zoning the governorship seat to the South zone of the state.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2014 — 17

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OTHING better encapsulates the pathetic nature of the current re-branding of Muhammadu Buhari than his sudden appearance in a black western suit; something that has not happened before. This window-dressing just won’t cut it.

Given his sectarian antecedents, Buhari will be hardpressed to convince anyone that he is western in any way, shape or form. Indeed, in this era of rampant Islamic fundamentalism and insurgency, a Buhari presidency would close the doors of many Western interests to Nigeria in our hour of need.

Here are further precepts from the Buhari School of how to be a serial loser of presidential elections.

Renege on your promises: Make a solemn pledge to Nigerians, after losing the presidential election by over 10 million votes, saying: “This campaign is the third and last one for me. I will not offer myself again for election into the office of president.” Break this pledge without batting an eyelid.

Be a ‘Northern' champion When some Fulani herdsmen who slaughtered Yoruba farmers were killed in return, lead a northern delegation all the way from Daura in Katsina State to Ibadan in Oyo State to complain.

Confront the governor of Oyo State, Lam Adesina, as an advocate for the rights of murderous Fulani herdsmen whose cattle graze on Yoruba farmland and destroy their crops.

Show the people of Nigeria that, in spite of the fact that you were a former Head of State of the entire country, as far as you are concerned, your people are the Fulanis. Ask the governor: “Why are your people killing my people?” Also show that you firmly believe Fulanis have an inalienable right to encroach on the land of others, thousands of miles away from home. Be openly rebuked by Governor Adesina for pandering to narrow ethnic interests.

Be the darling of a small coterie of “born to rule” hawks who believe the presidency is the birthright of the North; such as Ango Abdullahi, Lawal Kaita and Junaid Mohammed. Refuse to dissociate yourself from those who believe the national patrimony is the personal booty of select Northern politicians bent on feeding fat on the nation. Allow them to make you “the candidate of the North” even though you are seeking to be elected president of Nigeria. Allow them to fool you into believing a Northerner can become president on a platform that sees the South as a colony of the North.

Be unacceptable to people outside your region. Run for election as president of Nigeria but hardly campaign in the South.

Hold the foolish belief that victory in the North is all you need. As a result, out of 38 million votes cast in the 2011 presidential election,

afterwards, is a warning that many Nigerians have wisely heeded. His insensitivity to Nigeria's diversity and his parochial focus are already wellknown.”

Be perennially anti-democracy

How to lose the presidential election four times (3) win a measly 391,922 votes (1.031%) from all the states in the entire South put together.

Believe you can make up for this in 2015 by making a political neophyte and Christian pastor, Yemi Osinbajo, as your vicepresidential running-mate; even though this gambit failed woefully in 2011 when you chose an even better-known pastor, Tunde Bakare, as your running-mate.

Attend the Lagos Thanksgiving Service in 2015 and say: “Religion must never be used to divide or oppress others or gain unfair advantage. All my life, I have always held the belief that all Nigerians must be free to worship God according to their beliefs.” Fool yourself into believing that Christians have forgotten that you are the same man who said in 2003: “Muslims should only vote those who will promote Islam. We are more than the Christians if you add our Muslim brothers in the West.”

Be against the national projects Take brazenly sectional stances on policies clearly designed to advance national economic development. For example, call on Northern politicians to oppose the national identity card scheme on the grounds that it would be disadvantageous to the North.

Attempt to blackmail them by warning that, if they don’t oppose the scheme, they would be guilty of betraying the confidence the people of the North reposed in them.

Declare unabashedly to Nigerians that you know the real population of the North off-head.

Say: “I warned Northern politicians then, who were supposed to protect the interest and integrity of Northerners, not to accept the national identity card project because our tradition in the North showed that we know the death and the birth record of our people. In every ward, we know those who have reached the age of paying taxes.”

Reveal that you decided to sabotage the national identity card scheme when you were military head of state because you saw it as a means of marginalizing the North by showing it does not have a larger

population than the South. Show that you are more concerned about perpetuating the myth of Northern population supremacy than in promoting national economic growth by determining the true population of Nigeria.

Discriminate in favour of the North As military head of state, prosecute an anti-corruption campaign that allowed core North politicians to go scot-free, while jailing many innocent ones from the South.

Let Nigerians know that as president, you would discriminate unabashedly in favour of your homestead by allocating a disproportionate amount of the resources of the country, which largely emanate from the Southern part of the country, to the North. As chairman of the PTF under the corrupt Abacha government, spend over 70% of the funds in your native North, even though the overwhelming proportion of PTF funds came from the South, which consumes over 70% of the refined petroleum products in the country.

Prompt the Yoruba cultural organization, Afenifere, to make a submission to the Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission (HRVIC) led by Justice Chukwudifu Oputa that nothing else typifies the marginalisation of the Yoruba in

Fool yourself into believing Christians have forgotten that you are the same man who said in 2003: “Muslims should only vote those who will promote Islam

particular and Southern Nigeria in general in the affairs of Nigeria than the lopsidedness of the projects carried out by the PTF under your chairmanship.

Ensure, for example, that 13,870 kilometres of the road building and rehabilitation projects of the PTF, representing 76%, are carried out in the North.

On the other hand, carry out 4,440 kilometres of road projects, representing only 24%, in the entire South. Out of this figure, allocate 10.5% to the South-West and only 13.5% to the South-East and the South-South combined; in spite of the fact that the latter geopolitical zones are bedeviled by gully erosion and swamps.

Allocate 74.7% of all PTF educational rehabilitation projects to the North, with your native North-West obtaining the lion share of 34.8%. Allocate 80% of all health sector projects to the North, with your native NorthWest obtaining the lion share of 55.3%. Allocate 85.3% of all food supply projects to the North, with your native North-West receiving the lion share of 60.54%.

Impede southern economic development Derail the Lagos Metroline project, designed to address the perennial problem of traffic jams and gridlock in Nigeria’s then capital city and financial centre out of lack of vision and foresight, as well as contempt for Southern economic growth and development.

Refuse to guarantee a loan of $100 million that the Lagos State government needed for the project. Waste thereby close to $80 million of the money of Lagos taxpayers and investors already expended on the project.

Fail to apologise to Lagosians for this faux pas, even though those currently bankrolling your presidential campaign are relying largely on the resources of Lagos State. Still expect Lagosians to vote for you on the assumption that they have forgotten, or do not know, what you did.

Have the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Nasir El’Rufai, give this verdict about your chances: “General Buhari has remained perpetually unelectable because his record as military head of state, and

Fail to see the contradiction of a coup-plotter becoming an elected president. Would you have a moral right to object to being overthrown by a military coup? Be unable to be part of a political party that does not implode and end up with a short shelf-life. See parties strictly as instruments for actualizing your personal political ambitions.

Sacrifice and humiliate five South-Eastern presidential aspirants on the altar of your presidential ambitions in 2003.

Manipulate them out of the race for the ANPP presidential candidate. Fool yourself into believing that making an Igbo man, Chuba Okadigbo, as your running-mate would atone for this. In spite of this antecedence of blatant manipulation of the democratic process to suit your purposes, believe you can still climb a moral high horse to pontificate about the need for free and fair elections to Nigerians.

Get revisionist journalists to tell the lie that you were not part of the military coup that overthrew the democratic government in 1983, but were only invited afterwards. However, in 1982, you called ominously on Nigerian soldiers to start reading the Nigerian Constitution because of a future role they might be called upon to perform.

While you were the G.O.C. 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army in Jos, a soldier told the then Governor of Plateau State, Solomon Lar, that you were planning a military coup.

Governor Lar, in turn, reported you to President Shehu Shagari, who invited you to Lagos for questioning. Although you denied the allegations, you did, indeed, soon participate in a coup and overthrew the government.

Later on, justify your act of treason by saying hypocritically: “Nigerian politicians have no one to blame but themselves when they find themselves out in the cold. They are their own worst enemies. They have little commitment to democracy beyond Election Day. As I said elsewhere, many Nigerian politicians are not true democrats; they are democrats of convenienceextolling the virtues of democracy when they campaign, that’s the rule of the jungle with the added burden of having to vote for it.

Conversely, when they lose, politicians refuse to accept the verdicts and invite the military to return.” This statement has become a self-indictment because, since you became a turncoat democrat, you have refused to accept the verdicts of every election you have lost.

(TO BE CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK).

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

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WENTY-THREE states — Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Ondo, Osun, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara — voted against local government financial autonomy.

Their votes meant the required two-third majority required to change the law was not met.

Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Oyo, Plateau states, cast their 13 votes for the financial autonomy of local government administrations.

They lost the fight for the development of the third tier of government, which the Constitution so recognised.

The National Assembly in October 2014, transmitted to the State Houses of Assembly, 23 items it had amended in the Constitution. There is a constitutional requirement of two-third concurrence of the 36 States Houses of Assembly for the amendments to sail through.

Proposals, including financial autonomy for State Houses of Assembly, separation of the office of Attorneys-General from Minister or Commissioner of Justice, passed, but not autonomy for local governments that would have deepened de-

Killing local governments, finally mocracy at that level.

“I am happy to inform you all that with these resolutions of ours we are transmitting to the National Assembly, we have stood on the side of the people and acted to further deepen democracy in our country,” Samuel Ikon, Chairman, Conference of Speakers, on the items that the State Assemblies approved. Was he mocking Nigerians?

The excuses for not approving local government autonomy ranged from complaints from the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, and Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, who feared that their salaries would not be paid timely.

General Secretary of NULGE, Joshua Irapakop,

elsewhere advised his NULGE members to vote out governments that did not support local government autonomy. According to him, the absence of autonomy was killing democracy at the local government level.

The action of the legislators dismissed the work that was done on the amendments, particularly from the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Constitution Review, which sought the view of the public, on the amendments, in town hall meetings held in the 774 local government areas. It was the most profound effort at involving the people in legislation. The State Houses of Assembly received a distillation of those views.

Local government autonomy was one of the issues people supported. Their reasons included that it could attract more qualified individuals to local government administrations and help growth of governance at points closest to the people. The people’s representatives in State Assemblies rejected them.

The decision keeps local governments as appendages of state governments to be illegally dissolved or denied their allocations from the federation account; the very reason people want the autonomy.

OPINION

By Adewale Kupoluyi Continued from yesterday pg 18

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HE high prevalence of corruption is antithetical to the development of any nation. This does not only render public institutions ineffective, it breeds impunity and lawlessness. How the alarming rate of corruption can be drastically reduced will surely be of interest to Nigerian voters this time around. It is not new to many that the image of the country outside is a source of utmost concern. Whenever the name, Nigeria, is mentioned on the international scene, the reaction that one gets in often negative and embarrassing. This is more prevalent at embassies, airports and other global gatherings. Hence, the people are keen in knowing how their next president will revamp their country’s battered image abroad.

Many senior citizens and pensioners die daily because of neglect by the government. Their entitlements are rarely paid as at when due. Is this what they deserve after toiling for the nation for several years? And when would they get the succour? Nigerians need answers. Getting justice has become a mirage in this country. Our entire legal

Who's afraid of a presidential debate? (2) system appears to offer no hope for the ordinary man. We are regularly confronted with the miscarriage of justice.

The presidential aspirants will have to work hard to convince the electorate that they are capable of cleaning the Augean Stable. This fire gutting the judiciary and temple of justice may soon consume all if not urgently put out. Nigerians would seriously be interested in knowing this ‘firefighting’ techniques. There are certainly more burning issues requiring urgent attention but cannot be fully exhausted in this piece. In the past, the lukewarm attitude of some Nigerian politicians has not been encouraging. Such people should be voted out if they refuse to turn a new leaf.

Therefore, the need for this debate can never be wished away. We recall too that during presidential elections in the United States of America - a country we have chosen to adopt its political system - it is customary for the main candidates to engage in a debate, which is usually held late in the election cycle when the political parties

would have nominated their candidates. The candidates are allowed to interact before an audience by answering serious questions and unfolding their agenda for elections.

Such debates are broadcast live on television, radio and the Internet. For instance, the US 1960 election drew over 66 million viewers out of a population of 179 million while that of 1980 debates drew 80 million viewers out of a 226 million people. The year 1992 featured the first debate involving both major-party candidates and a third-party candidate, Ross Perot, running against President George W. Bush and the Democrat nominee, Governor Bill Clinton. Recent debates have equally shown the impact of such during presidential polls in the US and other countries. The performance of the candidates at the debates eventually led to who won and lost out based on the objective discussion of national issues. That is why the position of the National Assembly on the presidential debate may not be in the best interest of the nation.

While gearing up for this exercise, to be held preferably by mid-January,

its organisation and sponsorship should be purely by non-state actors while the people should be allowed to freely contribute to the debate. The panelists, participants and moderators should comprise the civil societies, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), international community, professional bodies, political parties, youths, women group, among others. There should be room for phone-in to truly allow for a robust discourse. When this happens, the voters would certainly be better equipped to make a well informed choice on their preferred candidate for the presidential election - after an issue-based interaction premised on sound argument - not on sentimental reasons as obtainable in the time past.

Concluded *Mr. Kupoluyi, wrote from Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015— —19

Ijaws and the rest of Niger Delta

By Sunny Ikhioya

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ATCHING the transformation of the Ijaw group from a passive, friendly and harmless people in the sixties and seventies, to the ferocious, war mongering and hubris displaying people of today, is a handful assignment for researchers of societal inter relationships.

Even with the trade mark Warri jibes, the Ijaw will laugh with you; "My name is Zon, my father's name is Zonson, altogether Zon Zonson". The Warri joke did not start today, it has always been there and the Ijaws were part of it, together with their Urhobo, Itsekiri, Isoko,Kwale, Edo, Ibo and many other ethnic tribes resident in Warri and other parts of the Niger Delta.

What could have caused an Ijaw group, a naturally friendly people to become so hot headed and angling for battle at any slightest provocation?

Land ownership has always been a source of conflicts all over the world and the case is the same in the Niger Delta. Going down memory lane, there has always been land disputes between the

Urhobos and Itsekiris, UrhobosIjaws, Ijaws-Itsekiris and so forth.

There were usually light skirmishes but majorly, the disputes are settled in the law courts. So, despite this land dispute tension, the average Warri boy has always lived as brother to his fellow Warri boy, no matter the ethnic origin.

With the influx of oil and allied firms, the battle to be strategically positioned to enjoy benefits from these companies became prominent, in the same manner that the battle of the coastal people against people of the hinterland, for business deals with the early white traders.

Claims and counter claims became rampant amongst the Niger Delta tribes and this reached its peak in the eighties and nineties when the Ijaws pitched battle with their Itsekiri neighbours. The Ijaws claimed ancestral lands that belong to them have been taken over by the Itsekiris through the instrumentality of the courts, while the Itsekiris claimed the lands belong to them through their ancestry and by virtue of competent court judgements. Both sides were threatening and it was only a matter of time before things boiled over, this came in the

By Egheomhanre Eyieyien

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HOSE who are familiar with my political discourses know that I am an unapologetic supporter of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Ph.D., GCFR. I have been a "GEJite" or, if you like, a "Jonathanian" (a term coined by Nasir El Rufai thinking it is derisive) since October, 2009, when it became clear that late President Umaru Yar'adua was unlikely to continue as Nigeria's President due to illhealth.

But I am not a "hear-no-evil; see-no-evil; speak-no-evil GEJite". I have been critical of the President when occasion warranted it. He is human and it is inevitable that he would make mistakes. It is a disservice to him when his supporters applaud him even when he errs. That is a recipe for failure.

Those who love a leader must never shy from speaking truth to him. Indeed, a wise leader cherishes those whom he knows are loyal to him yet are not afraid to tell him the truth. Yet, in our African context, the Kabiyesi complex makes it ever so hard for a leader to draw courageous counsellors to himself.

Our monarchical heritage makes it all too easy to be surrounded mostly by Yes-men.

I have written several articles arguing for the return of President Goodluck Jonathan to Aso Rock Villa on 29th May, 2015. I have made the President's superiority over Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, his only real rival in the upcoming Presidential Election, in terms of academic and democratic credentials. I have written about the President's humaneness, humility, patience, tolerance, kindness, empathy, calmness and sincerity.

I have highlighted the remarkable progress we have made as a nation in the areas of agriculture, railways, power sector reforms, development and maintenance of our roads infrastructure, foreign direct investments and foreign portfolio investments, improvements in our airports, women and youth empowerment, and access to credit of our micro, small and medium enterprises.

Many Nigerians have a tendency to generalise negatively and dismiss any talk about what good government has done. You hear people say things like "Nothing is working"; "It is only in Nigeria that.....", then they go on to list the bad occurrences which they proclaim to be peculiar to Nigeria: kidnappings, rape, stampede leading to C M Y K

manner of location of local government headquarter in Warri south; the Itsekiris wanted it at Ogidigben, while the Ijaws insisted on Ogbe-Ijoh. That was the genesis of the Warri crisis as we know it today. A battle of extreme brutality and massive destructions took place between the two neighbours,the number of lives lost and properties destroyed can never be quantified. Suffice to mention here that, after mutually assured destructions, both parties made peace but Warri and other NigerDelta communities will never be the same again.

The fighters transformed to militants and started the resource control battle, which brought the Niger-Delta plight to the consciousness of the whole nation

If you claim that you have been marginalised and given the opportunity to be in position, you should correct the supposed marginalisation including relationship with neighbours

and the world. One thing led to another and before the whole world Jonathan became president of the Federal republic of Nigeria.

Jonathan's presidency was welcomed by all the ethnic groups of the Niger Delta. When it comes to the Niger Delta struggle, the nations of the Delta are one; the same exploitation, despoilation of the land and lack of development plan for the people, Jonathan's ascension was seen as an opportunity to redress all of these.

The Ijaws have always seen themselves as the most marginalised tribe in the Niger Delta region, in the mould of the Ogonis in Rivers state and have used every opportunity to express this sentiment since the days of Isaac Boro. With their man at the top and amnesty programme in place as brokered by late President Umaru Yar adua, it was hoped that the challenges of the 'Niger Delta ethnic groups will be tackled effectively.

We are six years into the government headed by Goodluck Jonathan, it appears the other ethnic groups of the Niger Delta have been forgotten. It is not only the Ijaws that have oil produced in their land; the Itsekiris, Urhobos, Isokos, Ibos, Ogonis, Ikwerre, in fact almost all Niger Delta tribes have oil in their lands but it appears, now in Jonathan's government, that the Ijaws are the only ethnic group in the Niger Delta. They are the ones getting all the top appointments and projects.

Imperative of a Jonathan 2nd term deaths, floods, power outages, corruption etc. Our kith and kin who are based abroad are often more guilty of this negativity. If you engage on social media like I do, you would be familiar with how much bile is spewed by these our countrymen in rants against the government. Their anger is understandable: they would like their fatherland to be like the countries they live in Europe and America. They want a quantum leap for Nigeria. I do too. But I know that it is from little acorns that oaks grow. And I know that it was little by little that the LORD gave the Israelites the land of Canaan which He had promised them.

True progress comes in degrees. We have made remarkable progress as a country under the leadership of President Jonathan despite the many challenges and great obstacles in his way. Had Dr. Jonathan been Nigeria's President in a pre-Boko Haram era, I have no doubt that there would be no debate about his deserving a second term.

One area in which the President himself has acknowledged failure is in the fight against corruption. His decision to give it priority during his second term is proof that he knows he has done poorly in that regard.

Unlike the Nuhu Ribadu Days, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) no longer strikes fear in anyone's heart, least those public officials feeding fat on our patrimony. Its Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, whose outstanding performance as the Head of Operations of the Commission under Ribadu recommended him to the high office has since gone to sleep. He has even put on weight.....obviously from idleness! If President Jonathan's renewed commitment to the Anti-Corruption War is to be taken seriously, a change of guard at the EFCC is urgent.

To deny the reality of tribal, geo-political regional and religious balancing in our politics is sheer playing the ostrich

Despite the empirical factors which make the case for a Jonathan Second Term strong as I have argued, I believe the most compelling reason (and which will definitely prove the most controversial) is the mere fact of his being a President from the Niger Delta region. Yes, I am Esan from Edo State which is in the South South geopolitical zone. But this has nothing to do with where I am from. One if the great things I took away from my alma mater, King's College, Lagos, is the following truth which is part of our School Song: ".....Though of many nations, we all are brothers with a common debt; let us pay by giving, as we forge ahead, service to the living, honour to our dead".

As Nigerians, we all are really brothers even though our tongues and tribes differ.

We are of One Blood. God made all humanity of One Blood. There is no Ijaw Blood, Fulani Blood, Igbo Blood, Yoruba Blood, Kanuri Blood, Jukun Blood, Igbirra Blood, Esan Blood.....etc. If you are in an emergency and need a Blood Transfusion, all the doctors need to know is your Blood Group not your tribe or even race. You could be Idoma with Type "O" Blood; your body will not reject similar Blood Type donated by a Tiv person despite your ethno-political differences.

If that be the case, then why is President Jonathan's geo-political zone of any relevance as we contemplate the 2015 Presidential Election? Have I not unwittingly just made a case for its insignificance?

Some day, I believe where a Nigerian comes from in Nigeria will not count in our choice of leaders. Some day, I believe all that would matter would be a person's qualifications, experience, competence and vision.

But that day has not yet come.

Unfortunately, by reason of our chequered history, tribe and religion still play a significant role in our national politics. This is our reality. All our political parties have a zoning policy for this reason. As can be seen from the press release of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the Presidential Candidates for the Election of 14th February, 2015, all political parties which are fielding candidates have one person from either the North or the South and the running-mate

As far as they are concerned, all other ethnic groups do not matter and this is where they are getting it all wrong.

If you claim that you have been marginalised and given the opportunity to be in position, you should correct the supposed marginalisation including relationship with neighbours. You do not continue with the oppressions of the past, as any foundation based on marginalisation will not last.

There is no way that you can deprive the other tribes of the benefits accruing to them. The Ijaw youths are undergoing trainings, in diverse fields, all over the world, what plans do they have for other Niger Delta people? Equity demands that they are also factored in.

The present impasse surrounding the Ogidigben EPZ ground breaking is uncalled for if the President and his Ijaw brothers had handled it with the overall interest of everybody in mind. They also want the position of deputy governor of Delta state, after appropriating the senatorial seat.

The President must not delay in performing the ground breaking ceremony for the EPZ project to take off and find a way to pacify his Ijaw folks.

It is in the interest of the whole nation. *Mr. Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

from the opposite end of the compass. And no party is fielding either a ChristianChristian or Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket. To deny the reality of tribal, geopolitical regional and religious balancing in our politics is sheer playing the ostrich.

In our 54 year history as a sovereign state, the following were Nigeria's Executive Presidents/Prime Minister and Heads of State: * Alhaji Sir Tafawa Balewa, KBE.....Bageri Muslim; North East Zone: 1st October, 1960 - 15th January, 1966 (5 years, 3 months+); * Gen. Johnson Aguiyi Ironsi......Igbo Christian; South East: 16th January, 1966 19th July, 1966 (6 months); * Gen. Yakubu Gowon....Ngas Christian; North Central: 1st August, 1966 - 29th July, 1975 (9 years); *Gen. Murtala Mohammed.....Controversy about his true tribe (Berom or Hausa?), Muslim; North Central or North West?: 30th July, 1975 13th February, 1976 (6 months+); * Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo....Yoruba Christian; South West: 13th February, 1976 - 1st October, 1979 (3 years, 7 months+); * Alhaji Shehu Shagari.....Fulani Muslim; North West: 1st October, 1979 - 31st December, 1983(4 years 3 months); * Major Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.....Fulani Muslim; North West: 31st December, 1983 - 27th August, 1985 (1 year, 8 months); * Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.....Gwari Muslim; North Central: 27th August, 1985 - 27th August, 1993 (8 years); * Chief Ernest Shonekan......Yoruba Christian; South West: 27th August, 1993 17th November, 1993 (2 months+); * Gen. Sani Abacha......Kanuri Muslim; North East: 17th November, 1993 - 8th June, 1998 (4 years, 6 months+); * Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar......Gwari Muslim; North Central: 9th June, 1998 29th May, 1999(11 months+); * Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.....Yoruba Christian; South West: 29th May, 1999 - 29th May, 2007(8 years); *Alhaji Umaru Yar'adua....Fulani Muslim; North West: 29th May, 2007 - 5th May, 2010 (2 years, 11 months+); * Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.....Ijaw Christian; South South: 5th May, 2010 - Date (4 years, 7 months+).

•Mr. Eyienyien, political analyst, wrote from Abuja.

20 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

For widows in Edo, a New Year of hope, celebration

By Gabriel Enogholase, Benin

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OR widows in Edo State, penultimate Saturday was a day to remember and cherish. Reason? It was a day they were hosted to a highly rewarding New Year celebration under the auspices of a Widow Empowerment Programme.

It would be recalled that the Widow Empowerment Programme was inaugurated in December 2013 by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to cater for widows in the state following the widely publicised saga of a widow, Mrs. Joyce Ifijeh, who was reprimanded by Governor Adams Oshiomhole for street trading.

The PDP had tried to take advantage of the controversy generated by the incident by offering the widow the sum of N250,000 which she initially accepted but later shunned following a rapprochement by the governor. Her refusal of the offer had prompted the party to extend the gesture to all widows in the state.

With the inauguration of the programme in December 2013, widows from the 18 local governments areas of the state thronged the Edo PDP secretariat located at Sapele Road in Benin where the PDP “spoiled” them with bags of rice and money.

Reason to rejoice Indeed the women had every reason to rejoice at the end of the day as the event turned out to be a Christmas/Newyearpartyforthem.

And from every indication, the programme has come to stay as many widows continue to benefit from it. One of such widows was 34-year-old disabled Mrs. Juliet Oni, who got the sum of N100,000 and two wheelchairs to aid her movement. Another was Mrs. Juliet Imobhio, a woman whose husband allegedly lost his life in the hands of officials of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency, EDSTMA. Succour came her way and that of her three children when the PDP raised the sum of N2 million for her to take care of her family.

The2014WidowsEmpowerment Programme was no exception as no fewer than 1000 women were at the party’s secretariat where they were hosted to Christmas and the New Year party by the PDP. After entertaining the women with food and drinks, they were each handed 20-kilograms of rice.

Speaking at the occasion, Edo State PDP chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, noted that many have doubted the sincerity of the programme when they started it in 2013, saying some people thought C M Y K

the initiative was all about politics.

“When we started this thing, some people said Dan Orbih gathered women for politics. Today, these same people have seen that this is not about politics; this is about supporting widows in our society. The truth is that Edo people have seen that the government of the day is full of tricks. The people have seen that all the promises made to them have not been fulfilled. I want to advise those who are in government, whatever position we found ourselves, it is not because we are the strongest or the best, it is because of God’s grace.

“That is why I will advise those in position of authority to always remember God in everything they do. Don’t say because you are now in a position, you can now equate yourself to God.

Effecting a change “We have been faced with a whole lot of things that hitherto were unknown to the politics of Edo State. One thing that has come out of it is that Edo people are waiting patiently to effect a change in the government. We don’t have silver or gold but we have joy in our heart that Edo State will soon come out of the present inept leadership. This is the joy we have invited you to share with us.

Orbih also charged the women to vote massively for President Goodluck Jonathan, noting that it was expected of all sons and daughters of the South-South geopolitical zone, irrespective of their

political affiliations, to rally round President GoodluckJonathan so that he would bring more development to the zone and the country at large.

He said: “This is the first time God will be making one of our o w n President of this country.

Our son, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, is today the president of Nigeria. As our elders say it, ‘whether a daughter is beautiful or not, her mother likes her’.

There is nothing anyone will say that will make us abandon Jonathan because he is our son.

God has chosen him for us and there is nothing anyone can do about it.

“If it is by man, he would not be president because he is from a small place called Otuoke. God went to that small village and picked him. So, anyone fighting Jonathan is only fighting God because he is the anointed president of Nigeria. He did not even show interest in the office but God picked him out of the crowd and said ‘I have chosen you’. This is not politics but fact. Either you like it or not, Jonathan is from the SouthSouth and we are from the SouthSouth as well.

Some of the widows interviewed

by Vanguard Metro were full of praises for organisers of the programme for remembering them when others in the society had forgotten them. According to Mrs.

One of the beneficiaries Roseline Osagiede: “The rice was the first food item I would be getting for the Christmas and New Year celebration. I thank the Edo PDP for locating and assisting widows like me.

“I’m a widow and my husband died about seven years ago. I can’t express my joy for the rice given to me. Before this, nobody had given me anything. God will bless PDP and give them the desires of their heart”.

Vehicles registration becomes easier as Courtevill upgrades ‘Autoreg’

The 2014 Widows Empowerment Programme was no exception as no fewer than 1000 women were at the party’s secretariat where they were hosted to Christmas and the New Year party by the PDP

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By Bose Adelaja

OR proper identification and regulation of vehicles in Nigeria, Courteville Business Solution Plc., patent owners of the AutoReg business solution has announced the third upgrade of her AutoReg Motor Vehicle Administration Documentation MVAD, software to the latest AutoReg Version 3 (V3).

Speaking during the launching which took place at its Ebute-meta office in Lagos, General Managing Director of the company, Mr Adebola Akindele, said AutoReg V3 not only brings new collaboration tools and streamlined work flows to processing centers, it also comes

with new features that address the state of the art non-linear vehicle registration processes, including an online customer portal which could be accessed from Ipads, smartphones, desktops etc., giving vehicle owners the convenience of requesting for vehicle documentation renewals in the comfort of their homes and offices, thereby increasing selfhelp efforts for busy vehicle owners.

According to him, the user/ customer will find the version faster and easier to use, especially with a 24/7l customer service call centers to respond to inquiries and complaints from customers. He said the platform

also serves as an e-payment platform for invoicing, subscriptions payment and airtime vending. Speaking about the new product, Adebola said: “Technology is a tool that should make life easier for people. Through the AutoReg, Courteville has now made it easier for vehicle owners to gain total access to their automobiles registration as this product is simple and accessible to all customers on several platforms.”

The V3 also provides a platform for vehicle owners to search, book and pay for available license registration plates using the “AutoReg License Plate Availability Search and Book” feature.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015 — 21

IMF under pressure to cancel debts of Ebola stricken countries

By Babajide Komolafe, with agency report

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he International Monetary Fund is under mounting pressure to cancel the debts of the three poor West African countries hit hardest

by Ebola, as their economies stall under the fallout from the disease.

The calls for a debt alleviation for Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are coming not only from antipoverty organizations.

In mid-December, a UN commission also urged serious consideration for eliminating at least some of the debts of the three countries.

And the United States, the IMF’s largest shareholder, has taken a stand on the issue as well, exhorting the crisis lender to wipe out around a fifth of the $480 million in debt owed it by the trio.Such a move would free resources to restart economic activities in the countries where the disease has taken more than 7,800 lives, US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew said.

“Staff are looking at further options to provide support to the Ebola-hit countries, through reform of an existing facility,” a Fund spokesman told AFP. According to advocates of the move, even if the loans come with zero interest rates, they constitute a constant burden that can financially strangle the governments of Ebola-hit countries.

“A broad criticism of using

loans to help very poor countries is that, formally, no matter how bad their situation gets, they must repay every penny,” said David Roodman, an independent expert on economic development.

Sierra Leone and Guinea both have had to make loan repayments this year to the IMF despite the Ebola crisis, according to Fund data.

The World Bank has understood the problem. It has mobilized $500 million for the three countries in the form of grants “ which never need to

be repaid,” according to Bank spokesman Phil Hay. Doing the same is proving more difficult for the IMF. “It’s like asking a banker to embrace not getting repaid — it goes against their nature,” said Roodman.

The benefits of a debt writeoff would not be small.

“The important thing about financing coming through debt relief is that it allows long-term investment on social infrastructure” like strengthening health care systems, said Eric LeCompte

Jubilee USA. Indeed, the IMF has been accused of contributing to the weakening of the health care and disease prevention operations in Western Africa through tough austerity policies it required along with loans in the 1980s and 1990s.

That is the assessment of a recent study by three British institutions.

“Policies advocated by the IMF have contributed to underfunded, insufficiently staffed and poorly prepared health systems in the countries with Ebola outbreaks,” said Cambridge sociologist and lead study author A l e x a n d e r Kentikelenis.

FROM LEFT: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Nana Fatima Mede and UNIDO Representative in Nigeria, Patrick Kormawa, during a courtesy call to the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Regional Office in Abuja.

Nigeria-India trade volume hits $17bn – Envoy

By Godwin Oritse with agency reports

I

ndia and Nigeria has recorded bilateral trade of $17 billion from April 2013 to March 2014.Disclosing this in Abuja, India’s Acting High Commissioner in Nigeria Kaisar Alam said that India imported $14 billion worth of goods from Nigeria during the year while Nigeria imported $3 billion worth of goods from India in the same

period.Alam explained that India was currently the largest importer of Nigeria’s crude oil, importing $12 billion worth of the product in the year under review.“India imported $14 billion worth of goods from Nigeria from April 2013 to March 2014, including $12 billion worth of crude oil,” he said.He also explained that with the reduction of U.S. import of Nigeria’s crude oil,

India was currently Nigeria’s largest trading partner.

According to him, a large number of Indian companies and businesses have footprints in Nigeria and they have made substantial investments in the country.The envoy explained that the increasing trade relations between the two countries would boost trade volume in 2014-2015 fiscal

Oil hits five year low under $55 on supply glut

O

il prices slumped to new five and half year lows on Monday on worries about a surplus of global supplies and lackluster demand.

Russia’s oil output hit a post-Soviet high last year, averaging 10.58 million barrels per day (bpd), up 0.7 percent thanks to small nonstate producers, Energy Ministry data showed.

Iraq’s oil exports were at their highest since 1980 in December, an oil ministry spokesman said, with record sales from the country ’s southern terminals.

But oil producer group OPEC has decided not to cut output, opting to let the market find its own level.

The two crude oil benchmarks Brent and U.S. light crude, also known as West Texas Intermediate - have now lost more than half of their value since mid-2014.

Brent crude LCOc1 for February dropped as low as $54.02 a barrel, down $2.40 from Friday’s close and its weakest since May 2009, before edging back to around $54.50 by 1420 GMT (0920 ET).

U.S. crude CLc1 slid to $50.55 a barrel on Monday, down $2.14 and also its lowest since May 2009.

“The easiest path for oil is down,” said Carsten Fritsch, senior oil and commodities analyst at Commerzbank in Frankfurt.

“Almost all market news and the fundamental backdrop are negative and it is difficult to see much upside at the moment.”

Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Longson agreed, saying it was “hard to see much improvement in oil fundamentals near term”.

$164. 85

$3.80

$2,948.00

$21.00

$14. 26

-$0.09

$54.09

-$2.33

$50. 88

-$1.81

CENTRAL year.He said that the CURRENCY BUYING relations between the 167.5 168 two countries had always DOLLAR 167 STERLING 260.687 261.4675 262.248 been friendly, noting EURO 202.9384 203.54 204.1536 that “Nigeria is a very FRANC 168.738 169.2432 169.7484 important country to YEN 1.3995 1.4037 1.4079 India.”He expressed the CFA 0.2935 0.3035 0.3135 optimism that the WAUA 242.0204 242.745 243.4696 bilateral relations RENMINBI 26.9016 26.9826 27.0636 between Nigeria and RIYAL 44.5001 44.6333 44.7666 27.2533 27.3349 27.4165 India would improve KRONA 241.8828 242.607 243.3312 significantly in the SDR current year.

CBN Exchange Rate as 5/1/2015

22 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

However, if the aim is to create a pool of fund that would serve as shock absorber in the event of unemployment or family emergencies, it is advisable to invest in a tenure bank deposit.

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INVESTORS

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TOP 10 PERFORMING STOCKS

By Nkiruka Nnorom

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n the top 10 performing stocks were the shares of Vono Products Plc, Champion Breweries Plc, Continental Reinsurance Plc, R.T Briscoe Nig. Plc, Caverton Offshore Support Services Plc and Seplat Petroleum Dev Co. Plc. Others were Omoluabi Savings and Loans Plc, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Aiico Insurance Plc and Guinness Nigeria Plc.

V

ono Products Plc led the pack with 24.44 percent or N0.22 gains, closing at N1.12 from N0.90 per share. Following years of low-key performance, the company recently launched a new brand identity, a move that was aimed at helping the company reclaim its market share in the mattress and furniture business. The Vono brand was before two decades ago, a household name for beds and mattresses in Nigeria, but lost its bearing in the market due to some factors ranging from poor management to government neglect of institutions and economic downturn in the country which took its turn in reduction of purchasing power of con- sumers.

Today, the brand is back in the market with new packaged beds, headboards, unique relaxing and conference chairs to cater for the needs of hospitality, offices and homes and institutions (HOI) businesses. Despite this, the company relapsed back to loss position after returning to profitability in 2013. It had in 2013 returned to profitability after recording losses a year earlier. Breakdown of its nine months financial statement to September 2014 showed that Vono posted 5.7 percent growth in revenue to N889.67 million from N841.41 million in 2012. It reported loss after tax of N5.16 million from another N4.88 million losses in 2013. 2014 Vono Product is involved in the manufacturing of mattresses and bedsprings. The company provides metal furniture, beds, interior spring mattresses, foam and foam products, vehicle seats, and rests chairs.

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hampion Breweries Plc followed with 18.31 percent or N1.08 increase,

closing at N6.98 from N5.90 per share. The Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, last week admitted 6.3 billion ordinary shares of the company for trading, following the conclusion of N11.65 billion rights issue on September 2014. The company had offered seven new ordinary shares for every ordinary share held as of the close of business on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at N1.85 per share to its existing shareholders. According to the distiller, the net proceeds of the issue will be used to repay the existing debt and reduce the interest burden which will potentially enhance the company’s operations and reposition it for profitability and growth.

Two years ago, Heineken, the parent company of Nigerian Breweries Plc, bought controlling interest in Champion Breweries. Before the acquisition, Champion was struggling with problem of inadequate working capital, low productivity, poor market share and low employee morale.

You can invest (2)

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

T

he challenge for some people is not savings but what to invest their saving on. While there are a host of investment options available, the reason for investing should guide your decision. For example, if your aim is to invest for children school fees, it is

advisable you choose an insurance linked investment. Yes! An insurance linked investment. This is because such investment, in addition to offering some returns on the money invested also offer guarantee for the children’s education in case of death or permanent disability of

the parent doing the investment. This is better and offer more confidence than investing such money in stocks, treasury bills or bonds. Remember, your aim is to make sure that your children can still continue their education irrespective of what happens. Insurance linked investment is also good for

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ontinental Reinsurance trailed closely behind with 17.24 percent or N0.15 appreciation to close at N1.02 from N0.87 it started the week at. The NSE last year fined the underwriter N900, 000 (Nine Hundred Thousand Naira) as a result of its failure to file its 2013 financial statement on time though it was one of the 39 insurance companies that scaled the International Financial Reporting Standard, IFRS, as listed by NAICOM. R.T Briscoe garnered 16.67 percent or N0.11 increase to close at N0.77 from N0.66 per share; Caverton advanced by 16.33 per cent or N0.49 to close at N3.49 from N3.00 per share; Seplat, which was last week included in the NSE 30 Index, appreciated by 15.18 percent or N48.90, closing at N371.01 from N322.11 per share.

Omoluabi Saving, an ASeM listed security that has been enjoying investors’ patronage for some time now, recorded 15 percent or N0.15 price appreciation to close at N0.92 from N0.80 per share; Fidson followed with 14.71 percent or N0.50 gains to close at N3.90 from N3.40; Aiico went up by 12.50 percent or N0.09 kobo to close at N0.81 from N0.72 per share, while Guinness Nig advanced by 10.72 percent or N16.28 to close at N168.15 from N151.87 per share.

MARKET NEWS

7Up, Seplat included in NSE 30 Index

By Nkiruka Nnorom

T

he shares of 7up Bottling Company Plc, Seplat Petroleum Development Co. Plc and Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc have been included in the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE 30 Index.

This followed the year-end

From left: Mr. Haruna Jalo- Waziri, Executive Director, Business Development, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Sidney Onoriode Esiri (Dr Sid), Recording Artist, Mavin Records; Ms Tinuade Awe, Head, Legal and Regulation Division, NSE at the Year End closing Gong ceremony.

review of the NSE 30 Index and the five sectoral indices – the NSE Banking, the NSE Consumer Goods, the NSE Oil & Gas, the NSE Industrial and the NSE Insurance Index.

On the other hand, Glaxosmithkline Consumer Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc and Ashaka Cement Plc were exited.

While Unity Bank Plc and Wema Bank Plc were added to the NSE Banking Index, Skye Bank Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc were removed.

Linkage Assurance Plc was added to the Insurance Index, while Unity Kapital Assurance Plc was removed; on the NSE Industrial Index, Avon Crown Cap & Containers Nig. Plc was included

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015 — 23

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FORUM money invested for retirement purposes or to ensure your family does not suffer when the unexpected happens.

However, if the aim is to create a pool of fund that would serve as shock absorber in the event of unemployment or family emergencies, it is advisable to invest in a tenure bank deposit. This is because when such emergency occurs, you need money you can easily access within 24 hours.

This can be very difficult if you invest in stocks, treasury bills or insurance linked investment. An example is the case of a young man, whose car was involved in a fatal accident, and he tried to access money invested in shares to resuscitate his car.

It took more than two weeks before the shares were sold and the cheque issued to him by the stockbroker.

But if your aim is just to save in order to earn good returns over a period of five years and above, you can invest the money in stocks, treasury bills, or bonds. Irrespective of what happens in the economy, or even in the stock market, your money and the expected returns are guaranteed.

Now some people make the

mistake of putting money in banks’ Savings Account, and call it investment. This is not investment; you are just providing your bank with cheap money to trade with. At best, the bank will pay four percent (4%), but it will lend the same money at 25 percent.

Meanwhile, if you withdraw from the savings account more than twice in a month, you lose the interest for that month.

Finally, if your aim is an investment option for regular small savings (e.g. N2000 and above per month) so that overtime you can invest the accumulated fund in something big, a Savings Account is good, but a reliable open ended mutual fund is better. There are many of such reliable mutual funds in the capital market, with different investment focus i.e. money market, stock, bonds, etc. The good thing about such funds is that they are structured in a way that allows the investor make monthly contributions or investment as capable, while he can also access his money whenever he chooses.

(Please send comment or inquiries to vanguarinvestorsforum @gmail.com)

while Paints & Coatings Manufacturers Plc was exited.

Again, Seplat Petroleum Dev Co. Plc joined the NSE Oil & Gas Index, while the review saw Eterna Plc exiting the sector. However, the NSE Consumer Goods Index remained unchanged.

The NSE-30, NSE-50 and NSE Industrial Indices are modified market capitalization index with the numbers of included stocks fixed at 30, 50 and 10, respectively. The numbers of included stocks in the NSE-Consumer Goods, Banking, Insurance and Oil/ Gas Indices are 15, 10, 15 and seven, in that order.

The stocks to be included are picked based on their market capitalization from the most liquid sectors. The liquidity is based on the number of times the stock is traded during the preceding two quarters.

To be included, the stock must be traded for at least 70 percent of the number of times the market opened for business.

The Index Review Committee explained that though the exchange was not oblivious of the fact that the number of the stocks that will

be included in some of the indices may be inappropriate for optimal portfolio diversification; however, the numbers would be reviewed as sector conditions change.

The Exchange began publishing the NSE 30 Index in February 2009 with index values available from January 1, 2007. On July 1, 2008, the NSE developed four sectoral indices and one index in 2013, with a base value of 1,000 points, designed to provide investable benchmarks to capture the performance of specific sectors. The sectoral indices comprise the top fifteen most capitalized and liquid companies in the Insurance and Consumer Goods sectors, top ten most capitalized and liquid companies in the Banking and Industrial Goods sector and the top seven most capitalized and liquid companies in the Oil & Gas sector.

The indices, which were developed using the market capitalization methodology, are rebalanced on a biannual basis -on the first business day in January and in July.

Now some people make the mistake of putting money in banks’ Savings Account, and call it investment. This is not investment; you are just providing your bank with cheap money to trade with. At best, the bank will pay four percent (4%), but it will lend the same money at 25 percent.

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INVESTORS SPEAK

2015: Bulls'll come back and act again

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hareholders are optimistic that bulls will return to the Nigerian capital market in 2015.

Also, expectations are high given that for about seven years now, the insurance sector has not given dividend and bonuses but in this interview with investors’ forum, shareholders reveal that the insurance sector will give out dividend and more dividends will come from other companies.

Excerpts:

By Providence Obuh

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hairman, Nigeria Professional Shareholders Association, Mr. Godwin Anono: At the first three months of 2014, the market was behaving well, we had the feeling that the shock of 2013 was now getting stabilized and everybody was looking at the market.

Between March, people started having different dimension entirely, when you look at the whole scenario, the retail investors started having a mix feeling, insurgency, government not bringing out money and the oil fall also compounded it again. Then people started panicking, which brought the prices of shares to where they are today. I call it the yoyo period, if you have money buy.

People think there is going to be war in the political terrain in the country and a lot of people started panicking but when that occasion didn’t arise, at the end, people that have money to buy can now buy because from January to March when the terrain changes its phase and the election is over, there is no war, oil glut start stabilizing in price, the market will bounce back again. This is why I call it yoyo period if you have money now go and buy. Imagine that First Bank shares sells for N8.20.

The number of companies that paid dividend in 2013 and 2014 increased compared to 2012. What is happening in the market today, like the drop in price, does not affect the performance of the companies. They are doing

well.

Companies that will pay dividend in 2015 are going to be more, like the insurance sector that borrowed money from Dawoo, that is the Dawoo loan. Those companies are trying to settle with Dawoo and Dawoo has extended the facilities given to them and the directors have been telling us that the era of not paying dividend will be overr. So Dawoo has streamlined the loan facility to enable them pay dividend, may be one in three or two years.

The bull will come back and act again in the capital market; capital market is about the ability to have the foresight and taking position. The capital market is going to boomerang after elections, this is the time that is good for our retail investors to buy so that when the foreign investors that went away come back, we will be paying more for the shares. You cannot use short term loan to buy long term, but if you do , your chances of losing is very small hence you are buying at a give away price.

Anytime from now, the market will pick up. We pray there is

Things are going to change in the capital market especially as it affects price

•Anono stability in the country and there should be no war and the oil glut should be over. Once all these happen, the market will bounce back. At the same time, it is a lesson for the federal government, relying solely on oil is very bad. I have been in the market since 1975, we bought Total for 50 kobo, First Bank N1, Guinness N1.50. I have no other job am doing than buying and selling of shares. With my experience, am able to tell you which company will declare dividend .

Things are going to change in the capital market especially as it affects price. Another thing that will grow the market again is when the companies start declaring good dividend in terms of where their prices have slumped, then that will entice retail investors to come back to the market. Regulators need to sit up and do their job because people are no longer interested in the market, there has to be confidence in the market. Example is the issue of regulating the capital base of the Stockbroking houses to bring sanity and drive away dubious stock broking firms.

The stock exchange is doing a very good job, because some of these houses sell shareholders shares and disappear, some even walk the street of Lagos and nothing is happening, these are people that should be arrested and thrown into jail to bring sanity.

Some retirees put all their earnings into stocks and some body will tell you, you don’t have anything again after investing almost all your life earnings. A lot of people have died in the process, when the regulators become hard on the operators everybody will sit up.

24 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015—25

2015 - A year for politics in US

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HERE is no denying the fact that 2014 was a year few Americans will be in a hurry to forget. It was a year in which the infamous Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) raised brutality to higher pedestals with the decapitation of innocent Americans and people of other nationalities in the name of religion and other banalities the group claims to represent.

Less inhuman but equally bizarre was the action of North Korea in freeing two Americans, Matthew Miller and Kenneth Bae, who were held in very confounding circumstances. It was also a year in which the world got to know the extent to which U.S. interrogators used torture as a preferred instrument to extract what was questionably called “actionable intelligence” from captured members of various international terrorism groups. As the year wound up, President Obama displayed unusual boldness in extending a diplomatic hand of friendship to Cuba, a long-standing enemy nation.

Perhaps, three major incidents had the most profound impact on U.S. internal affairs in 2014. One incident was the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, by a somewhat trigger-happy policeman. The passions inflamed by that incident were further exacerbated when jurors found no probable cause to send the policeman to trial.

Powerful catalysts for nation wide protests The same verdict was reached in the case of Eric Garner who died when arresting policemen used the chokehold method banned by their department to subdue him. Reports of such police killings are nothing new in police-public relations in the U.S. but these two incidents were powerful catalysts for nation-wide protests against excessive use of force by policemen in the course of duty. The fact that minorities are often the targets of such police action did not help matters.

The second impactful incident was the mid-term election in November, 2004.

Results from the polls reduced the Democrats to playing second fiddle in both Senate and House of Representatives. The new political power equation in the U.S. leaves President Obama vulnerable to all sorts of political maneuvers by the majority Republican lawmakers. For the past two years, Republicans have been licking the wounds inflicted upon them when Democrats passed the healthcare bill into law. With their new majority in Congress, Republicans are poised to chip away as many sections of the law as they can. On the other hand, the White House has already made it clear that the president will not sign any legislation that will decimate his signature achievement.

The third area is the U.S. economy.

According to the New York Times, the nation’s economic growth rate for the third quarter of 2014 was 3.9 percent. When the Bureau of Labour Statistics released the unemployment figure for November, 2014 and it held at 5.8 percent, very few people were surprised, given the rate at which the economy was growing. Today, the price of gas remains around $2 per gallon, about

half of what it cost barely a year ago. My point is that these economic giant steps are not celebrated either in the media or by the Obama White House. The impression still being created by the opposition and conservative media is that the president is not doing enough to resuscitate the U.S. economy. But the contrary is the case.

The U.S. economy is enjoying what has eluded it in the past six or more years.

The Gallup polls between December 29, 2014 and January 2, 2015, shows that Obama has a job approval rating of 48 percent, far more than what he had a few months ago. Yet, there is hardly any nation-wide visible ovation about how the president is doing his job. Unlike 2014, this year promises to be a year of politics.

Aside from the looming battle between President Obama and Democrats on one side and Republican Congressmen and women on the other, the race for the 2016 presidential election will commence sooner than later. No candidate worthy of the race can afford to remain in the closet much longer. Hillary Clinton will have to publicly announce her rather well-known intention to run for the high office which no female has ever occupied since the U.S. became independent.

The Republicans are still undecided as to who will be their front-runners. But, it is a group that will include Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida and younger brother of former President George Bush.

Others in the line-up are Bobby Jindal, governor of Louisiana, Senators Marco Rubio (Florida) and Rand Paul (Kentucky), Rick Perry, governor of Texas and Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas and presidential primaries contender in 2008. There is even talk that two-time presidential contender, Mitt Romney, might join the fray for the third time.

It would appear that the most exciting and tough presidential fight will be between Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush.

Should both win their respective primary elections, the epic presidential battle will be a re-match of the 1992 election between Jeb’s father, George H.W. Bush and Hillary’s husband, Bill Clinton. Both Hillary and Jeb will come into the race with solid credentials and are likely to run issues-oriented campaigns as opposed to the ideological baggage and mudslinging candidates will I will like other bring to the table. I to see will like to see Hillary Jeb contest the Hillary and and 2016 U.S. presidential Jeb contest election; happier still if at the end of the day, the 2016 Hillary becomes the U.S. first woman to sit in presidential the Oval Office at White House as election Madam President.

26—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

BUHARI: Certificate nuisance!

THE controversy over the failure of Muhammadu Buhari to make public his educational qualification has been turned into an issue but the general and his party affirm that they would not dignify what they claim is a non issue.

I

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor & Dapo Akinrefon

T all started just over a week ago when the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the course of its statutory obligations published the details of the presidential candidates and in the place of the educational qualification of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari listed an affidavit.

Buhari, the All Progressives Congress, APC presidential candidate had in the affidavit deposed thus: “I am the above-named person and deponent to this affidavit therein. All my academic qualifications documents as filled in my presidential form, President APC/001/2015, are currently with the Secretary, Military Board as of the time of presenting this affidavit. The affidavit is made in good faith and for record purpose.”

The use of an affidavit in the place of a certificate had immediately roused suspicion from the general’s political rivals who sought to use the issue to rake mud against a candidate that is making his boldest challenge for the country’s presidency.

Educational qualifications Given the sterling educational qualifications of his chief rival, President Goodluck Jonathan who holds a doctorate degree in zoology, it was tempting for some to make a big issue of the alleged failure of the APC candidate to produce a certificate. Or was there a doubt as to the claim that Buhari, acclaimed to have been head boy at the famous Katsina College and who subsequently attended some of the world’s best military institutions did not have any certificate to show for his endeavours?

The issue was not helped by the seemingly lacklustre response of the Buhari campaign to the issue.

Questions put to campaign officials were deflected as one spokesman told Vanguard to make enquiries to the military board to which Buhari claimed to be in possession of the certificate.

Military officials who initially denied possession of the

certificate were to later admit having copies of the former head of state’s credentials as they did for every other retired and serving military official. Sources close to the candidate say that the originals of his certificates were vandalised after the time he was removed as head of state and that the only copies available at the moment are those with the military board.

Remarkably, investigations revealed that Buhari had in the last three presidential contests he partook in, 2003, 2007 and 2011, had consistently used affidavits in the place of the certificates.

How the issue became topical this time around in the opinion of some stakeholders is essentially because of the good prospects Buhari has in next month’s presidential election.

Remarkably, the PDP has officially not entered the fray but it is not as if sympathisers of the party and its chieftains are not trying to make a kill on the issue they believe could jeopardise the chances of the greatest threat to the party’s domination of the federal government.

Remarkably, a close aide of Buhari laughed away the matter saying that the campaign would not waste time or energy to go down to the mud with its traducers. A member of the APC presidential screening committee, Dr. Tunji Abayomi,

Military officials who initially denied possession of the certificate were to later admit having copies of the former head of state’s credentials as they did for every other retired and serving military official

•Buhari: Certificates destroyed after he was toppled

QUALIFICATION FOR THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA

Section 131 of the Constitution 131. A person shall be qualified for election to the office of the President if (a) he is a citizen of Nigeria by birth; (b) he has attained the age of forty years; (c) he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party; and (d) he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent. brought another twist to the development in his own response to the issue. Abayomi, a lawyer affirmed that Buhari was screened and found qualified for the office of the president.

He nevertheless brought a twist when he affirmed that the issue of the submission of a certificate was not an issue. His assertion was in line with that of INEC which said that it did not have the powers to screen or disqualify a candidate on the basis of qualification.

In affirming that Buhari was screened and met the qualifications for president, Abayomi had put the poser as to whether presenting “his school certificate or its equivalent met the education precondition set for Presidential Candidates in the Constitution?”

He answered thus: “To begin with, the Constitution does not prescribe the presentation or show of any Certificate to qualify for election to the office of President. Under section 131(d) of our Military Constitution, a person shall be qualified for election to the office of President if “he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or

its equivalent.” While a Certificate may unequivocally show that a contestant has been educated up to at least School Certificate level, his education without a Certificate may show, again unequivocally that he has been educated up to the equivalent of School Certificate level. For example, assuming A is the best all A student in Ajuwa Grammar School, Okeagbe, Akoko. Now on the very day before the commencement of the West African School Certificate, he sexually harassed the daughter of the English teacher as a result of which he was dismissed, will A be said not to have met the education qualification of section 131(d) of the Constitution?”

“In my view A has not only been educated up to at least School Certificate level he would also be deemed to have been educated to its equivalent. This position finds support in section 131 (d) which neither prescribed a pass which is required for certification nor a fail which denies it. The interest of the Constitution is with the level of the education of the candidate howsoever acquired, not the certificate he acquires

ipso facto.

“The APC screening Committee was made up of several eminent highly educated and enlightened men and one woman. They came to the conclusion after putting APC presidential aspirants through a most rigorous test that all the APC aspirants met the constitutional qualifications including education qualification to contest for election to the office of President. They confirmed this by awarding them a certificate. The qualification set by the Constitution for contest is the level of education not its certificate. While a certificate may irrevocably prove that the education qualification has been met, it could in the same manner prove rebut ably only that it has been met.

Possession of a certificate “Where for example a Certificate has been purchased for example in “oluwole” as it has happened in several instances, a candidate though in possession of a certificate cannot be said to have met the education qualification of the Constitution because he has not been educated not to talk of up to school certificate level.”

“With reference to General Buhari having regard to his unimpeachable military training, an irrefutable presumption was properly made by the APC screening Committee that he met the education qualification set by the Constitution. Those who contest this or who intend to contest that he met the education qualification of section 131(d) have the burden to disprove the irrefutable presumption not General Buhari.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015 —27

•Ihenacho: I will develop industries

Okorocha's free education is only a slogan— Capt Ihenacho CAPTAIN Emmanuel Ihenacho, the immediate past minister of Interior and a successful business man, who hails from Emekuku in Owerri North Local Council of Imo State is the state’s governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the February polls. In this interview he, among others unfolds his plans for Imo, if voted into power.

By Fintan Ibegwam

W

HY are you vying for this position?

Our people for a long time have been denied the benefit of good governance. If we had good governance in place Imo would have developed more than it is now.

Some of the social problems like unemployment, endemic poverty and infrastructural decay would not have been as bad as it is today. So it is better that we take our destiny into our hands and not be on the sidelines all the time. We have to intervene by participating fully in the political process and by doing so I will be able to turn around the fortunes of our people through good governance.

How do you plan to handle unemployment and poverty?

Unemployment is simple to handle. There are no jobs. The economy is situated on false premises. The real economy is situated on the premise where you have manufacturing capacity, that manufacturing capacity will be responsible for

producing the bulk of the consumer goods and items that are consumed within the economy. Their processing also creates job opportunities; people can work and earn good wages.

This will afford them all the good things of life. Unfortunately we have had administrations which have concentrated on sharing money from the sale of crude oil from the federal government.

Dubious projects The state government through dubious projects and contracts waste the money without regard for establishing companies with capacity for producing goods that will improve the living standards of the masses. Our people are suffering the consequences of that short sightedness.

How will you do things different from the past government?

I am in the position to do unbiased evaluation of the past governments because I was not part of it. When I review the

achievements of previous administration in Imo state and compare those achievement with what I would have achieved had I been the person in charge of the state, I realise that I have more experience, I am more travelled and by implication more exposed. I also noticed that in a lot of cases I am more educated so the chances are that I would have performed better.

So my entrance into politics and the contest for governorship positions is based on my firm belief that we should descend from our comfort zone and enter the creeks to wrestle with the alligators that are holding our people hostage. Our people should not be left to endure this inhumanity any more.

Somebody has to be out there speaking out for the common man and the destitute. It is not sufficient to buy keke (tricycles) and give Imolites and think they are being improved.

They are not being improved at all instead poverty is being legitimised and institutionalised.

What should be done is to empower Imo citizens through employment in various manufacturing industries that will produce goods and services that can be consumed as well as exported.

It is only when this is done that we can secure our future because

at this point in time, our future is essentially dependent on the availability of crude oil that is sold and the money is shared.

You can infer from the news reports that crude oil price has been falling drastically that there is no money to share any more. It appears that the fall in oil price might even worsen.

This is at variance with the past when Nigerians could beat their chest boldly and say they were very lucky because they had crude oil which they sold to countries like America and earn hard currency. With the advent of technology America is now self sufficient in the crude oil they need to power their economy, so Nigeria has lost that market.

Also, most of the countries in Africa are now self sufficient in crude oil production. They can even export, so oil has become a resource that is shrinking all the time. It is envisaged that in the near future, there will be no money accruing from crude oil to be shared by the state governments in Nigeria.

So this is the time to bring on board Imolites who have experience and expertise that can be harnessed in establishing the manufacturing sector that will employ Imolites. Some of this products will be exported and by so doing improve the living standard of the people of Imo state.

What is your view on comments that Ada palms, Concord hotel and some other establishments have been run aground by the present government?

I am not in the race to discuss

My entrance into politics and the contest for governorship positions is based on my firm belief that we should descend from our comfort zone and enter the creeks to wrestle with the alligators that are holding our people hostage

such matters but I know there are other goldmine industries we can establish in the state to add real value to the lives of the people residing in the state. We can manufacture other goods for export, we can sharpen toothpick, we can bake biscuits, we can produce meat from piggery.

There are so many things we can do, part of which can be geared to the satisfaction of the local market and the extras for export, the slogan should be export or die” When Chief Sam Mbakwe was the governor of the state, being a visionary leader, he established about 35 industries in four years. He even established the first independent power plant in the state in Amaraku. Unfortunately, immediately he left his successor who had no clue as to what Mbakwe’s vision was, sold the industry as scrap. This was very sad and today many years after, we have to revert to this issue.

Creation of linkages We have to stand on the platform of the industrialisation effort of late Sam Mbakwe and perform better by diversifying the different products we can produce, creating linkages between industrialisation, the skill requirements and the curricula that students study in the different higher institutions.

There must be an integrated economic blue print that must be developed and religiously followed not simply running an economy of opening roads and commissioning boreholes.

Do you have any plan for rural areas?

I have plans for the rural areas; we cannot make strategic plans that concentrate on the urban areas and leave the rural areas.

The other day I went to a church function in Ezi Obodo, we nearly had to swim to get to Ezi Obodo and the place is not a river rine area. Their needs are so bad and there are gullies everywhere. I have to deal with roads in the rural areas because you cannot sustain economy without having cottage industries in the rural areas, and there must be a means of evaluating what they produce and bringing them to the urban areas.

Some people are saying that the free education in Imo state is in shambles what will you do about that?

The free education in Imo state is only a slogan, it is a shame. We do not want that.

People complain that it is not really free. People point out that there are some payments made under the table. The central thing is not what you pay but the quality of the education. Those that are graduating from the so called free education schools are they able to find jobs?

28—VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

AS the clock chimes towards next month’s general elections, the recent redeployment of Resident Electoral Commissioners, REC, has sent chills down the spines of opposition parties in Enugu State.

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU State has been a political flashpoint in the build up to next month’s general elections. Although the litigation dust raised from primaries of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is yet to settle, the least the electorates need at the twilight of the polls is a tainted electoral umpire.

The role of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, holds the Midas touch to a credible, free and fair elections nationwide. Premised on the foregoing, the INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, in bid to dislodge entrenched interests in the states, redeployed 37-RECs nationwide.

They were directed to, on or before December 31,2014,”conclude all handing and taking over formalities”. The statement redeploying the commissioners was signed by the Secretary of the commission, Mrs. Augusta C. Ogakwu.

The REC’s redeployment, sources said “is due to the level of hospitality and afro-centric packaging in volumes that sometimes surpasses the usual INEC’s remuneration to some of the RECs by their host governments.”

Indiscipline or sabotage With the redeployment, Jega is sending a fresh signal to INEC officials that he would not condone any form of indiscipline or sabotage within the system as the electoral umpire prepares for next month’s potentially volatile general elections.

Most of the RECs were alleged to have very cozy relationship with their host governments thereby creating the impression that next month’s general election may be a mere formality in some states as the incumbents were to be retained via a convoluted electoral process.

Following the redeployment, Professor Chukwuemeka Onukaogu who hails from Abia State was posted to Enugu State as the new REC. He was posted from Anambra State.

Resentment: This move by Jega has been greeted with vehement resentment from opposition parties in Enugu State. The first salvo, repelling the redeployment came from the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, APC. The state chapter Chairman, Mr. Ben Nwoye, said bile surged to his mouth when the news broke that Prof. Onukaogu was

•Odigie-Oyegun: APC chairman

•Okorie: UPP chairman

ENUGU: APC, UPP bicker over new REC now the new REC in Enugu.

According to Nwoye: “it is bad for INEC to routinely switch the RECs few weeks before the general elections. It shows that INEC does not have trust and confidence in them.

Recipe for disaster “These RECs must have built

confidence between them and political stakeholders where they were serving. They must have known the geographical terrains, garnered knowledge of their states which will be wiped off because of the redeployment. It is a recipe for disaster.

“Enugu state do not have

confidence that the new REC,Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukaogu will be able to conduct or supervise a free and fair election because of his antecedents in Anambra State.

He supervised the conduct of the most unfair election in Anambra state which is subject of litigation.

INEC Charman, Prof. Attahiru Jega admitted that the election he(Onukaogu) conduct in Anambra last year was floored.

Similarly, the National Chairman of United Progressives Party, UPP, Chief Chekwas Okorie, said the redeployment has nothing to do with the acceptability of election results.

INEC should go beyond individuals and build a strong institution that is tamper proof and free from individual manipulations.

The UPP presidential candidate went on, “the redeployment has not helped in the past and will not help now. It will only create an avenue for the RECs to make new friends in the new areas where they are posted.”

PDP not moved by redeployment However, the Publicity Secretary of PDP, Enugu state chapter,Mr. Okey Ezeh said,”PDP is not moved by any changes from INEC. “We believe that INEC has the capacity to deliver a credible, free and fair elections in the state. We believe that INEC will deliver the desire of the people in the next month’s general elections.”

The political parties in Enugu state will do well to mount an aggressive campaign to sensitize voters on the imperatives to collect their Permanent Voters Cards, PVC. Empirical statistics depict that Enugu state is the least nationwide with 45 percent collection rate.

DELTA: O’tega most qualified candidate to fly Urhobo flag — Oghenesivbe DR. Fred Oghenesivbe, is the Director of Media and Political Communication for Otega4governor Campaign Organisation. In this interview, Oghenesivbe says that the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Olorogun O’tega Emerhor remains the most suitable, trusted, qualified candidate to be adopted by the Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) for the 2015 elections. Excerpts:

By Dapo Akinrefon

Y

OU are referring to Olorogun Emerhor as Urhobo consensus candidate when UPU is yet to make a pronouncement. How did you arrive at this position?

You will recall that the original Uvwiamughe Declaration by UPU is to the effect that if PDP fails to give the ticket to an Urhobo candidate, the political pendulum will of a necessity swing to the alternative national party, APC. The way things are, Labour Party (LP) is not a national party. They don’t have the national spread in terms of membership. They have a near zero presence at both state and federal assemblies. Coupled with that is the fact that LP does not have a presidential candidate.

So, I am of the opinion that the

UPU will not have a stake in a political party where the leadership are in crisis and I hear that some of the aggrieved members are going to seek redress in court very soon. So, the Urhobo governorship agenda is broad and highly sophisticated now. The Urhobo nation will not settle for any less than what will give us sweet victory.

APC has the platform, the national spread and performance record. If the UPU settle with LP, which is not possible under the Uvwiamughe original concept, it means that somewhere along the line LP will hand over their victory and structure back to PDP which hitherto denied them the Urhobo governorship candidate.

Most significantly is the event that took place at the Royal Palace of the Ovie of Ughelli, on December 31, 2014 where 24

traditional rulers in Urhobo nation declared Olorogun Emerhor, as their consensus governorship candidate.

But the perception about Emerhor is that he is not a grassroots politician and therefore not qualified to be adopted as Urhobo consensus candidate. What is your position?

Tony Obuh was not a grassroot politician but he was already a threat to the co-called grassroots politicians in the state before he was prevailed upon to step down for Olorogun Edevwie. Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos was never a grassroots politician.

He was a legal practitioner and senior advocate before he came into government and subsequently emerged as governor of Lagos State. He performed creditably as governor even though he was not a grassroots politician. Grassroots politicians have disappointed our people because from 1999 till date, our people have been groaning under the heavy yoke of poverty, unemployment and infrastructural decay. We have been disappointed by grassroots

•Oghenesivbe: politicians.

That is why the ideal thing now is to field a candidate that has the pedigree, good track records in corporate governance. He is a personality with the right swag to deliver the Urhobo agenda.

Deltans want jobs, empowerment, good roads and every other thing that makes life worth living. The APC candidate, Olorogun Emerhor has a gold finger as a first class brain. He had first class degree in Accounting from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015—29

NAFDAC searches for safe healthcare practices

By Martins Ikhilae

Buhari, Amaechi and politics of ‘parallel govt'

By Adamu Gwazuwang

T

HE Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, obviously regards himself as the head of a mob of urban protesters, given his recent action at the Police Headquarters, Abuja the other day, where he faced a rowdy APC barricade in the premises in his bid to deliver a protest letter to the IGP. Earlier at a rally, the governor had promised “civil disobedience” and “parallel government” as premeditated APC response to an unfavourable outcome of the 2015 elections. He appeared to care less about the ominous consequences of such anarchy.

Amaechi has endorsed "the right to mutiny” for aggrieved members of the military forces, a direct contempt of the trial of a batch of soldiers for mutiny in the war against Boko Haram.

Ironically, the governor is now speaking as campaign manager of General Muhammadu Buhari who was a victim of a mutiny of sorts in 1985 when the Babangida palace coup ousted him from power. The continuing promotion of mayhem and anarchy as the preferred alternative option for APC should it fail to win the 2015 presidential election by the governor and the tacit endorsement by the APC leadership caucus which handed over the Buhari Campaign to him does not augur well for the “progressive” posturing of the APC and indeed the future of democracy in Nigeria.

Future of democracy Though General Buhari is making a fourth attempt to rule Nigeria as a civilian president, he is still counting his military career as an asset rather than a liability, seeing how he often boasts of a strategy to end the BH insurgency as soon as he gets elected which leaves many wondering why a retired army general of his calibre needs also to be a civilian president before he can don his hanging khaki and head for the north-east to save the lives of hundreds of fellow citizens. But the real teaser is whether Amaechi’s promotion of mutiny in the military can really help Buhari’s political cause.

Amaechi obviously has more at stake in the outcome of the 2015 presidential elections than the General can ever imagine. At least Buhari has recognized that there can be only one Nigeria, warts and all, and that remaining together as Nigerians to “salvage it together” is the way forward.

The governor ’s doomsday forecasts certainly reflect his desperation about the uncertain, if not bleak future should the APC contraption collapse on impact with the 2015 polls. At best he would remain the fire-spitting C M Y K

Gen Buhari

Map of Nigeria Gov Amaechi mouthpiece of a muted campaign organization as the focus moves from losers to winners.

Today he does not even have the assurance of a comfortably sitting governor with Wike literally whacking him out of office at the end of term and tenure.

Four years out of power and, therefore, out of reckoning must be an unbearable prospect for him to contemplate and he would rather instigate a chaotic implosion of the democratic dispensation where everyone else would join him in the losers’ lurch than face the looming reality of backing the wrong horse.

He is not alone in this paradoxical predicament of despondency in high office.

General Buhari as a fourth time presidential aspirant has long ago fallen prey to this peculiar dementia as he keeps disbelieving the stark reality of his in-electability as far as panNigerian, cross-cultural and multi-religious acceptability goes in today ’s and tomorrow’s Nigeria. Even when in 2011 he wept profusely and swore never to aspire again, it was not a deeprooted conviction but a momentary rendezvous with

The real teaser is whether Amaechi’s promotion of mutiny in the military can really help Buhari’s political cause

remorse that soon retreated with a little hypocritical help from his so-called supporters who are as clueless as their hero about anything outside core-northern interest. With Buhari barking threats of dog-and-baboon showdown to fire up the riotous ranks of his fellow travellers, the impression that Buhari is also idolised all over the country is only reinforced in gullible minds.

So they are misled to believe the only way Buhari and his APC mishmash of mangled failed politicians can be losers is when the elections are rigged, oblivious to the bigger picture of Buhari as a regional and sectarian political icon! And the politics of hypocrisy and deceit continue to wreak havoc on the overriding national interest of Nigerians to the point where even Nigeria becomes a sacrificial lamb on the altar of Buharism.

Amaechi is in good company of the bad examples of Nigerian politics that throng the APC with a fixed and frenzied focus on ruling Nigeria at all costs so they can populate the corridors of power with their parasitic predatory prejudices that push the sense of purpose and patriotic zeal of nationalistic developmentoriented leadership to the background.

Now it is the last bastion of Nigeria’s sovereignty and cohesion in the armed forces that are being dragged into the mud of ambitious self-serving politics of power without responsibility.

The military is a unique national institution all over the world that is established and sustained by special laws and regulations aimed at protecting and preserving the spirit of national consciousness by undertakings of unconditional loyalty and unwavering commitment among its gallant rank and file. Mutiny is anathema in the military just as “civil disobedience” is taboo in civilized countries. Nigeria is greater than the bandwagon of anarchists riding APC’s train to oblivion. Nigeria will be here long after their despicable advocacy and blind quest for power become history!

•Adamu Gwazuwang wrote from Abuja

N

IGERIANS must acknowledge that positive transformation in every facet of human endeavour is a necessity that must be embraced by any nation that is committed to the improvement of the welfare of its citizens. This explains why the Federal Government alligns with resource driven and globally comparable achievements in virtually all segments of the nation’s endeavour.

And this apparently has been the operational consideration of the Director General of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii who has, through sustained and broadened digitalisation of scientific operations, effectively advanced the mandate of the agency.

Technological innovations Orhi has not only adopted the globally applauded technological innovations tagged cutting-edge anticounterfeiting technologies but has ensured that Nigeria continues to remain a mystery to the global community.

To avail the nation of high quality processed consumable food, the agency ensured that decent and standardized production and hygienic practices were adopted and fully embraced

by Fast Food Service Centres (eateries) operators while bakers/bakeries were successfully compelled to desist from anti-human health sustaining practices such as avoiding usage of deadly/cancer disease causing Potassium Bromate as dough enhancer.

NAFDAC also ensured maintenance of acceptable global standard for infants/ new born intensive breast feeding, introduction of small business support desks/units to develop mini businesses, electronic products registration, the electronic clearance portal to fast track goods clearance at the ports.

Other tasks the agency dealt with include Automated Products Administration and Monitoring Solution, NAPAMS, upgrading of its surveillance systems and manpower development via modernized global standard trainings for its workforce, acquisition of electronic database for libraries as well as adoption of mobile applications.

Alternative medicine has not been ignored as internationally acceptable standard of sanity was entrenched into herbal medicine practice nationwide while standardized operating

procedures for chemical regulation and control were evolved. Equally risk assessment and field trials for fertilizers were efficiently embraced for adequate control and management of agro-chemicals.

Aside emergence of a marine division via deployment of patrol boats to curtail illicit smuggling of NAFDAC regulated products through waterways, the agency also co-opted operators of shipping firms and airline operators into its anti-counterfeiting patriotic exploits. Its sustenance of desk offices in the local government councils nationwide, setting up of regional mega drug distribution centres, MDDCs, and States Drug Distribution Centres, SDDCs, coupled with the introduction of Mobile Digital Water Testing Service System which is the first of its kind in the nation’s history of water packaging regulation and certification for on-the-spot assessment of sachet and bottled water thereby complementing its physical factory to factory inspection.

NAFDAC earned numerous international awards and responsibilities such as vice chairman International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce, IMPACT, chairman West African Drug Regulatory Authorities Network, WADRAN, as well as Chairman WHO mechanism for fight against spurious, falsely labeled, falsified, counterfeited medical products during the year.

Supreme sacrifices These achievements were not without supreme sacrifices which necessitated a comprehensive life insurance policy package and ideal remuneration as befitting motivation for the workforce.

While assassination attempt was made on its chief executive Dr Orhii recently, a senior staff of the agency, late Mr Emeka Obi Nwolie. was murdered in Port-Harcourt, a team of the agency ’s seasoned inspectors in Oshogbo, Osun State led by another senior staff, Mrs Yeduni Adenuga, were assaulted and almost lynched in that state while two NAFDAC staff in Delta State narrowly escaped death along the Onitsha-Asaba highway on official assignment when their multi-purpose Hilux vehicle got involved in an accident.

Ikhilae is a Lagos based Public Affairs Analyst

30—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

By Theodore Opara

Coscharis targets increased market share with all-new BMW X4 D

ETERMINED to take the lead in the Nigeria luxury car market , Coscharis Motors has unveiled the all-new BMW X4 Sport Activity Vehicle, SUV, into the market.

The new BMW X4 was unveiled at Coscharis showroom in Victoria Island, Lagos, and was commended by members of the press who thumbed up BMW for creativity in the new X4. The main features of the new X4 include adaptive light control, driving control with ECO PRO mode, twin power turbo inline four cylinder, among others.

Speaking at the unveiling, the President/Chief Executive Officer of Coscharis Group, Dr. Cosmas Maduka, noted that the all-new X4 will certainly increase their market share of the luxury car market because it offers value for money.

“Our expectation is that with the BMW X4, Coscharis and BMW AG will, within the shortest time, be able to widen the BMW market share within Nigeria and globally,” he said.

According to Dr. Maduka, his company’s commitment is to remain relevant and foremost in the automobile sector in Nigeria. He said relevant innovation and re-invention were the two key drivers in their business orientation with their customers being the focus.

According to him, given their customers orientation, they have adequately prepared to meet and surmount demands, adding that this also applies to their after-sales services.

Describing the X4 as not

just the best selling car in the compact executive class, he said it was also the first car made in its segment to offer no less than four different body variants including saloon, touring, coupe and convertible.

The range, he said, increased with the advent and launch of the BMW X3 series Gran Turismo

late last year.

Though the BMW X4 looks more like a compact BMW X6, the Coscharis boss explained that the X4 stands in the gap for both X5 and X6 and that it provides a unique combination of sporty and elegant coupe design, excellent versatility, space and the hallmark of BMW sheer driving experience.

In his words: “The BMW X4 is designed to be spacious, with an excellent functionality. However, this does not ad-

versely affect the car’s dynamic appearance. It is simply a car with intelligent innovations.

“The BMW spots

unique qualities both inside and outside. It’s elevated seat position offers a perfect view of the exclusive, clearly designed interior.

“It has a standard feature sport leather steering wheel and sporty shaped gear selector lever that conveys dynamic impression. Depending on your personal taste, you can add extra touches with top quality wood trim or a cool metallic look,” he added.

The BMW X4 is born to deliver, hence, the 3.0 litre twin-power turbo sixcylinder petrol engine with 225 KW (305 horsepower). This produces a maximum torque of 400 Nm. The intelligent innovation package comprising Twin Scroll turbocharger with volvetronic, double vanos and high precision injection, not only enable the X4 xDrive 35i to unleash its power, but is also responsible for its efficiency. Its array off features are class leading.

For instance, its comfort Access System makes it possible to open the vehicle doors and start the engine without having to use the car key.

The key, which may be in the driver’s pocket or briefcase is automatically recognised upon approaching the car. Once the door has been automatically unlocked, the driver can get in and start the engine by pressing the start/stop button.

Odiboh wins Auto Journalists’ Awards 2014

T

HE Guild of Motoring Correspondents, the umbrella body of all Motoring Journalists in Nigeria, has named Dr. Oscar Odion Odiboh as the winner of the 2014 Nigeria Auto Journalists’ Awards, held in Lagos, recently.

Dr. Odiboh, a Marketing Communication Expert was selected for the award for his consistent professional, intellectual and philanthropic contributions towards the growth of motoring journalism in Nigeria.

Receiving the award, Dr. Odiboh, expressed gratitude to the Guild for deeming him worthy to receive the award in a highly competitive Nigerian auto in-

dustry.

He said: “I am highly honoured to receive this award, which is the first of it kind by the Nigerian motoring press.

“This award, no doubt, will spur me to further work harder towards contributing to the growth of Motoring journalism in Nigeria.”

He described the award by the Nigerian motoring journalists as very credible and something players in the auto industry should strive to win because it gives credence.

He was honoured with the award at this year’s Nigeria Auto Journalists Award, NAJA, night held in Lagos recently.

Other auto awards to his

credit are: Best Auto Marketing Communicator Award, by Onwheels Magazine; Best Auto Fair Manager Award, by BKG Exhibitions Limited.

Dr. Odiboh is a renowned marketing communication consultant; a philanthropist and a seasoned lecturer.

He holds a first degree in Philosophy, Post graduate and Masters degrees in Mass Communication and a Doctorate degree in the new area of Philosophy of Marketing Communication, all from the prestigious University of Lagos.

He had worked in a number of advertising companies.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015—31

By Theodore Opara

Sensational new film shows Range Rover sport SVR prowess L

AND Rover has released sensational footage of the Range Rover Sport SVR being put through its paces. In the dramatic film, Mike Cross, Chief Engineer Vehicle Integrity, Jaguar Land Rover, demonstrated the adjustability, poise and outstanding body control of the fastest and most powerful Land Rover ever produced.

Mike explains how the Range Rover Sport SVR’s sophisticated drivetrain and advanced four-wheel drive chassis technology deliver supreme high speed handling characteristics as he laps the Rockingham circuit in the UK. The blisteringly fast SVR has been created by Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations team and can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds.

Power comes from a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 petrol engine developed to produce 405 kw and 680Nm of torque.

The Range Rover Sport was recently voted the luxury SUV of the Year 2014 by the respected Nigeria Auto Journalists Awards.

Ford Ranger is top selling pick-up in S.A. F

ORD Motor Company of Southern Africa, FMCSA, consolidated its strong sales month with another resilient performance in November.

Ford sales totaled 6,332 vehicles for November 2014, repre-

senting a substantial year-on-year growth of 20.5%.

FMCSA has recorded a market share of 13.9%, the second highest share since reporting. FMCSA also reported a YOY increase of 21.4% with a

Courteville upgrades ‘Autoreg’

By Bose Adelaja

F

OR proper identification and regulation of vehicles in Nigeria, Courteville Business Solution Plc, patent owners of the AutoReg business solution, has announced the third upgrade of her AutoReg Motor Vehicle Administration Documentation, MVAD, software to the latest AutoReg Version 3 (V3).

Speaking during the launching, which took place at its Ebute-Meta, General Managing Director of the company, Mr. Adebola Akindele, said AutoReg V3 not only

brings new collaboration tools and streamlined workflow to processing centres, it also comes with new features that address the state-of-the-art non-linear registration processes.

They include an online customer portal, which could be accessed from Ipads, smartphones, desktops among others, giving vehicle owners the convenience of requesting for vehicle documentation renewals in the comfort of their homes and offices, thereby increasing selfhelp efforts for busy vehicle owners.

According to him, the version makes the total

user/customer experience faster and easier than ever, with a 24/7 customer service call centre to respond to inquiries and complaints from customers.

He said the platform also serves as an e-payment platform for invoicing, subscriptions payment and airtime vending.

Speaking about the new product, Adebola said: “Technology is a tool that should make life easier for people. Through the AutoReg, Courteville has now made it easier for vehicle owners to gain total access to their automobiles registration as this product is simple and accessi-

ble to all customers on several platforms.”

total of 64,234 vehicles sold year-to-date.

According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa, Naamsa, industry new vehicle sales are up 0.9% on November last year, from 50,630 to 51,098 units.

Passenger car sales are down by 2.5% and Light Commercial Vehicles, LCVs, sales are up 10.8% year-overyear.

Ford models continued to perform well, with a strong showing across the line-up.

Most notably, EcoSport and Ranger were in demand at showrooms.

“We are thrilled that South Africans continue to show such confidence in Ford’s products, especially our locally-produced Ranger,” said Mark Kaufman, Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Service, FMCSA. “We are exceptionally proud of our Ranger ’s achievement as it was South Africa’s bestselling pick-up for the

first time and topped 3,000 unit sales for the second consecutive month,” he added.

Sales of 798 units for EcoSport shows that the small crossover is still in demand more than a year after its introduction.

“EcoSport’s stellar sales performance this month further underlines consumer appetite for quality products that are safe, green and fun to drive,” said Kaufman.

“This year ’s growth is incredibly affirming, particularly as we prepare to launch more models boasting EcoBoost and smart technologies, including the Fusion and Transit Connect,” he added.

FMCSA’s solid sales performance in 2014 is expected to continue well into the new year, with a raft of new model launches.

Planned introductions include the new Focus and Focus ST; a revised engine lineup for Kuga; Transit Connect and Tourneo Connect; Fusion; Mustang and Everest.

Mr. Abiona Babarinde, General Manager , Marketing, Coscharis Motors (left), receiving the NAJA Luxury SUV awards won by Range Rovers Sport from Mr. Ifeanyi Agwu, Managing Director, BKG Exhibitions, organisers of the Abuja/Lagos Motor shows in Lagos.

32 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

C M Y K

Guys take over beauty industry in Calabar PAGE 5

AGENDA

Jesse still stigmatized, 16 yrs after pipeline explosion

PAGE 8

VOL. 1: NO. 331 1

TUESD AY, JANU ARY 06, 20 15 TUESDA JANUARY 201

•Bayelsa Palm Estate. PHOTO: Sam Oyadongha.

Bayelsa oil palm estate of waste

By Samuel Oyadongha

E

LEBELE—THE Bayelsa State Government-owned Elebele Lowland Palm Estate, located at the borders of Yenagoa, the state capital, is lying idle despite the colossal amount of money pumped into it by successive state governments.

Investigation by Niger Delta Voice C M Y K

showed that the expansive project, described as the key to the future economy of the state given the unpredictability of crude oil price in the world market, has remained undeveloped over the years.

Though successive administrations in the state had spent huge sums of money on the plantation with a view to making it a profitable enterprise, it is still lying

•Herdsmen, poachers invade estate •Workers advocate privatization comatose.

Sylva’s attempt As part of the government's efforts to

diversify its revenue, the administration of Chief Timipre Sylva had secured the

Continues on Page 7

2—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

NPDC spill pollutes Otughievwen community river DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

Crisis looms, as Rivers chiefs battle over Evo stool

By Egufe Yafugborhi

W

ARRI—A rupture in a pipeline belonging to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, at Otughievwen, Ughelli South Local Government Area, has contaminated the community's Gbogidi River.

Chairman of the community, Chief Eric Sajini, said villagers saw bubbles discharging crude into the water at the cracked point, which cuts through the river.

When Niger Delta Voice visited the scene, some staff of the company, aided by engaged community hands, were seen casting a boom to curtail further spread of the spillage, which had already smeared the stretch of the Gbogidi Ferry Point.

Reacting to the incident, External Relations Manager, NPDC, Mr. Ugo Atugboko, said: “We heard of the development and quickly got in touch with the community chairman, which made the engagement to curtail the spread possible.

“Usually, it is best not to preempt the report of a formal joint investigation visit in determining cause, volume and extent of impact.

“But we are on top of the situation and we appreciate the community's cooperation.”

RIVERS… THE TREASURE BASE OF THE NATION

By Davies Iheamnachor

E

•Villagers weaving a boom to curtail further spread on Gbogidi River. PHOTO: Egufe Yafugborhi.

Lawmaker donates hall to Asutan Ekpe clan

VO—THERE is palpable tension at Evo Kingdom, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, following the alleged coronation at different occasions of two parallel monarchs, Chief Leslie Nyebuchi Eke and Chief Ogbonda Clinton Ogbonda as Eze Oha Evo by rival factions in the kingdom.

The latest infraction was the coronation of Chief Eke as the Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom.

Report from the area said the Woji Town Executive Committee, WTC, has rejected the installation of purported monarch, alleging that the process was hijacked by a cartel in the area.

Regent and Chairman of WTC, Chief Tony Chuku, told Niger Delta Voice that the installation and coronation of Mr. Leslie Nyebuchi Eke through the instrumentality of a factional Oro-Evo Council of Chiefs was illegal, wondering why some chiefs in the area took to lawlessness.

Chuku said the reason for his reaction was to put the records straight, as the alleged installation was a mockery of the people.

He said he was disclaiming it in the interest of peace in the kingdom and called on the law enforcement agents to call Eke to order.

His words: “The throne of

Continues on Page 7

THE TEAM Traditional leaders of Asutan Ekpe clan at the ceremony.

Asutan Ekpe Unity Hall.

AKWA IBOM...

LAND OF PROMISE

By Chioma Onuegbu

I

KOT OBIO NKO—THE new year started on a good note for the people of Asutan Ekpe clan, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom, as the lawmaker representing Ibesikpo Asutan constituency in

C M Y K

the state House of Assembly, Mr. Eyakeno Etukudo, bequeathed a 1,500-sitting capacity hall to the clan.

It was jubilation in abundance as Etukudo, who is the chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, handed over the key of the building, named Unity Hall, to the clan head, His Highness Etebom Bassey Udo Ekanem, Etukudo, expressing happiness that his dream of building a befitting unity hall for the clan finally became a

reality.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by lawmakers in the state, including the Speaker, Mr. Sam Ikon; Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Monitoring, Etubom David Jackson; Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, standard-bearer in the constituency for the 2015 elections, Mr. Aniekan Uko; royal fathers, community leaders and villagers.

A youth leader, Mr. Mbosowo Asuquo, told Niger Delta Voice that the people, especially the

youths, appreciate the lawmaker for demonstrating that government can work through the various peopleoriented constituency projects he had provided to better the living style of the people.

He said: “This Unity Hall is about the sixth major project he has brought to our people. He had sunk bore-holes in villages like Mbikpong Ikot Edim, a modern health facility in Afaha Atai and lots more.

Continues on Page 7

Emma Amaize, Editor Jimitota Onoyume Samuel Oyadongha Simon Ebegbulem Gabriel Enogholase Festus Ahon Egufe Yafugborhi Emmanuel Una Akpokona Omafuaire Godwin Oghre Tom Moses Chioma Onuegbu Ike Uche Davies Iheamnachor Emem Idio Brisibe Perez Barnabas Uzosike Nath Onajoke Chijioke Nwankpa

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015—3

DELSU dons to Christians: Stop demonizing Urhobo culture DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

By Egufe Yafugborhi

W

ARRI—TWO lecturers at Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka, Professor Christopher Orubu and Dr. Emmanuel Biri, have condemned the demonization of Urhobo culture under the facade of Christianity.

Both lecturers, speaking at the first Ughievwen Cultural Carnival, staged at Otughievwen, headquarters of Ughelli South Local Government Area, said the trend was robbing Urhobo nation and Ughievwen Urhobo in particular, economic opportunities to sell its culture and heritage to the outside world.

Professor Orubu stated that as a people, Ughievwen of Urhobo evolved with peculiar cultural practices and heritage giving its sons and daughters a self- identity that cannot be sustained by any borrowed culture.

He said: ”Our four pivots of chieftaincy, Adeh, Eboh, Igbun-Otor and IgbunEshovwin, which have been handed down from generations have exclusive entertainment carriages in various festivals, which were the envy of non-natives, who throng the community from far and near to share in the fun.

Demonization of culture “Today, in the name of Christianity, these attractions are fast fading away. We demonize our culture on the notion that they are fetish, but even the Pope has entered shrines, not of Christians, and acknowledged the sense of faith in God by adherents of the deities worshipped in such shrines.”

In a separate lecture on The Past, Present and Future of the Ughievwen People, Dr. Biri of the Department of Mass Communication, DELSU, said that some of the core cultural values of Ughievwen Urhobo, being so demeaned in the land, were being celebrated with growing global recognition in other climes.

Biri asserted: “The Epha (celebration of bare breast maidens), which is Urhobo’s appreciation of the purity in women, is gradually going into extinction on the notion that it is fetish and obscene.

“But in Swaziland, the same heritage has become an annual tourist attraction visited by several people from around the world.

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Chief Enyote Gbogbo (in traditional attire) and Dr. Emmanuel Biri (DELSU) flanked by Epha Ughievwen, during the maiden Ughievwen Cultural Carnival led by Chief Gbogbo in Otughievwen, headquarters of Ughelli South Local Government.

“In Ughievwen, ancestral worship has also been condemned as demonic and fetish whereas in Japan, the second largest economy in the world, ancestral veneration remains a valued culture.

“Japanese, including the

most highly placed, go to venerate the graves of their dead parents, decorating them with flowers.”

Why we organized carnival Chief Enyote Gbogbo, who headed the team of organizers

of the event, told Niger Delta Voice: “The pains expressed by the DELSU scholars underpin the motivation for originating the Ughievwen Cultural Carnival.

Gbogbo said: “We noticed Ughievwen will have no sense

of identity as a people if our cultural values are being rubbished and discarded, no matter the excuses.

“To revive the dying culture, we have decided to bring the various cultural celebrations into one big annual carnival.”

At NOUN, students defecate in bush EDO...

HEARTBEAT OF THE NATION

B

By Austin Ozobo

ENIN—THE National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, Benin Study Centre in Edo State, is supposed to be a higher institution with up-to-date facilities and adequate lecturers. But its case is the exact opposite, as it lacked even the simple essentials.

BM Niger Delta Voice learned that the students employ Bush Method, BM (excreting in the bush), whenever they want to empty their bowels because the institution has no functional lavatories.

Those who could not go the bush way beg landlords and residents of nearby homes to

allow them use their toilets.

The institution also lacked potable water, is inadequately staffed and deficient in infrastructures.

The students, who complained of exorbitant school fees, wondered why the authorities of the institution were yet to fix befitting latrines and water supply system.

Protest A male student, who does not want his name in print, said there was serious outrage, mid last year, when students locked up the school gate and attempted to manhandle staff of the school because of lack of toilet facilities, water and increments of schools fees.

He said: “If not for the intervention of police, something drastic would have happened that day.”

Stumbling block A female student, who

pleaded anonymity, said the problem of toilet and water was a big setback.

She said: “We are devastated with the system. I will leave the school this academic year if the school failed to fix the toilet and water.”

She confirmed that students, both male and female, eliminate waste in nearby bushes, adding, “ we sometimes plead with owners of homes around to allow us do it.”

Students lambast authorities A worried student told Niger Delta Voice, “In NOUN, students’ welfare is not a priority; the nonchalant attitude of the school authority in providing social amenities for students is barbaric and unwise despite the huge financial vote in the education sector.

“In the first semester, students at 100 level paid exorbitant fees of N58,000; 200 level paid about N65,000; 300

and 400 levels paid about N65,000 and N70,000, respectively.

“Besides, second semester of last academic year, increment of fees were made; students protested to no avail.

“We were asked to pay another school fees, amounting to N40,000 for 100 level; N50,000 for 200 level; N60,000 for 300 level and 400 level students.

“They call it course registration and returning fees; they put returning fees at N13,000 to N17,000, depending on the academic level.

“Course registration is N2,000 per course and examination course registration at N1,000 naira per course.

“When we paid our first semester school fees, they told us the money also comprises course materials, but only few

Continues on Page 7

4—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

Coscharis brings world-class auto centre to Calabar CROSS RIVER… THE PEOPLE’S PARADISE

FINGER OF GOD

By Ikechukwu Uche

By Theresa Ugbobu

C

ALABAR—COSCHARIS Motors Limited has launched a Quick Lane Tire and Auto Centre at Calabar, Cross River State, to decrease road accidents associated with substandard spare parts and enhance maintenance culture among automobile users in Calabar and environs.

New dawn Industry watchers say the siting of the facility in Calabar would give automobile users access to certified spare parts and boost after sales services to all Ford owners as well as other brands of vehicles in partnership with Coscharis.

Speaking with Niger Delta Voice shortly after the launch, DGM/ Head, Dealer Network Development, Mr. Adenuga Olalekan, said that Quicklane Tire and Auto Centre is franchise obtained from the United States and functions in about 120 countries of the world.

He said: “It is an all make, all model auto centre that takes care of any brand of automobile, without necessarily booking an appointment, at affordable prices.

“It was really an expression of the organization’s vision to add value and satisfy their teeming customers.”

Accident not an act of God He stated: “Accident is not an act of God. It is a product of human error and road accident generates the highest number in terms of occurrence and it has become imperative, as a proactive organization, to close that lacuna.”

Adenuga argued that substandard spare parts, poor maintenance and driving unworthy vehicles had led to the loss of many lives on Nigerian roads.

Branches in all states of N-Delta General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Services, Mr. Babatunde Abiona, who also spoke to Niger Delta Voice, said: “We are not about buying and selling of cars only.

“Walking into any of our centres is as good as walking into the manufacturer’s factory and we bring the brands closer to the people.”

Regional Manager, South South, Mr. Owumi Odongharo, stressed the need for vehicle owners in the Niger Delta region not to be afraid of maintenance and after sales services as “we have opened outlets, including auto centres in all the states in the zone.

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Free treatment for aged in Umunede aged people treated in DELTA...

Umunede were suffering from

U

MUNEDE—THE Frontliner Club of Umunede, Ika North East Local Government Area, Delta State, has provided free medical care to elderly people in the community and environs to round off the year.

Speaking to Niger Delta Voice at the end of the programme held at the Umunede Health Centre, national president of the club, Sir Ignatius Nwaokolo, said the group was prepared to help communities in the area realize their health, education and socio-cultural needs.

Ninety-five percent of the

”Affordability is part of our strategy, coupled with well trained professionals and fully equipped world class facility to handle all brands and makes.”

Welcome devt— CUSTOMERS One of the customers of the Centre, Mr. Bassey Eyong, who drives a BMW, described the opening as a welcome development that would ease the burden of going far for minor maintenance.

He said: “You can be rest assured that they will fix your car without cutting corners and you will get value for money

because you are certain that the parts you are buy are original.”

Another customer, Mr. Frank Ede, said the era of trial and error was over because everything at the centre was automated and highly qualified professionals were in place to handle any fault on a vehicle.

He said: “I must commend the Coscharis Group for thinking it wise to bring a centre closer to us.

“The people living in Calabar metropolis and beyond can now heave a sigh of relief because they are one of the best in after sales services.“

high blood pressure, HBP. Head of the medical team, Dr. Stephen Nwaedochie, expressed concern over the high number of HBP cases, which he attributed to poverty and pleaded with government and politicians to provide amenities for the people at the grassroots to make life worth living for them.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Susan Okoh, said, “We are grateful to the Frontliner Club for their kind gesture.”

Treasurer of the club, Mr. Cyril Oyiboka, emphasized the need for notable Umunede sons and daughters to use their education to foster peace and progress in Umunede community.

Members of Frontliners Club of Umunede.

Medical officers attending to residents of the community.

Port Harcourt residents celebrate Christmas in style

RIVERS… THE TREASURE BASE OF THE NATION

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— RESIDENTS of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, pushed out the boat during the yuletide jump-started by the state government with an actionpacked cultural exhibition that showcased the administration of

Governor Chibuike Amaechi from his first term.

As usual with the event, cultural troops were drawn from the 23 local government areas in the state. Decked in their colourful costumes, they assembled at the state’s civic centre to display the cultural heritage of their areas.

Street parties From Ogbunabali down to Dioube town, Rumuokwuta,

Woji areas of the state, it was fun. The youths organized themselves to decorate the various streets and wore what many dubbed X-mas look.

Streets had different days for their parties from December 22 to 31. Some of the streets ended the year with a rededication service to God. In a part of Ogbunabali Road, the youths and elders came together to hold a thanksgiving service to God as part of the Christmas groove.

Disk jockeys, DJs, were hired for the parties and in some cases they had live bands to thrill them.

“This is one part of the Christmas I always look forward to in Port Harcourt,” Nonso told Niger Delta Voice.

Miss Chidima said the Christmas party was a time to make new friends, adding “we pool resources together to organize this party yearly.

“The boys are usually the organizers on this our part of Ikwerre Road.”

Niger Delta Voice observed that there was no ugly incident during the celebration, as the party went on smoothly on various streets.

Policemen mingled with some of the boys during the parties to also be part of the fun.

Carniriv, an initiative of the Amaechi government has given Christmas a fresh meaning in the state, particularly for the youths.

Governor Chibuike Amaechi, accompanied by All Progressives Party, APC, governorship candidate in the state, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, actually kick-started the Christmas parties, December 20, with a procession when they marched through the various streets of the state capital, clutching broom, the party’s symbol.

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015—5

By Emmanuel Unah

C

ALABAR—MEN have taken over the beauty business, previously an exclusive terrain of ladies in Calabar, capital of Cross River State.

Ironically, many ladies prefer the macho touches to the feminine strokes of their fellow lassies, who from all indications, have lost out to the boys in the new craze.

Men’s invasion Investigations by Niger Delta Voice showed that virtually all the major beauty spots in Calabar, especially those at the Watt Market, Marian Market, Hall 8 and 9 (female hostel) in the University of Calabar and the Cross River State University of Technology, have young men doing brisk business on daily basis.

The beauty salons, including Neliz, Fantacious, Sparkles, Eve and Quintessence similarly parade young men, who help daily to beautify the ladies.

They fix nails and eyelashes, earrings, put powder on faces and even suggest the dress code for the ladies during special outings or special events like traditional marriage, white wedding, birthday parties and any other social function that requires special touch for the ladies.

At the Shopping Complex section in the Calabar Watt Market, the men also dominate the beauty trade there. From hair fixing to nail and eyelashes, they are the ones in charge, while many of their female colleagues watch.

A young man, Benson Ekpeyong, has become a brand in Calabar because of his finesse in attending to the beauty needs of ladies in the city.

It is not everybody that knows him by his real name, but mention his sobriquet, Bobby Salon, and the ladies know who you are talking about.

Bobby is just one out of the numerous young men that populate the women’s business and what set him apart is his skill in fixing artificial nail, eyelash and hair on ladies.

Nearly all the girls in town flock to his salon for his perfect touch.

Why ladies prefer men A young man, who gave his name as Kingsley Emmanuel from Eket in Akwa Ibom State, said he had been in the business for three years and hinted that men were preferred by women because “the women do not do it well.

That is why ladies always want us to do it for them.”

Kingsley, who ekes out a living with it, said he attends to 10 customers a day and at peak periods like Christmas and Easter and sometimes on C M Y K

Guys take over beauty industry in Calabar

Kingsley Emmanuel on to eyelashes.

Another male fixing nails.

Friday and Saturday “because where weddings, church services and occasions do take place, a lot of ladies do come here to do one thing or the other on their bodies.”

The average cost for fixing of nails, Kingsley disclosed, was N3,000, while the fixing of artificial eyelashes is N1, 000.

Yes, men do it better—MISS TESSY A third year student of the Department of English and Literary Studies in the University of Calabar, Miss Tessy, said she preferred the men doing her hair or nails because “the boys do it better than the women who often are

distracted by one thing or the other and do not often deliver a clean job.”

The notion that ladies prefer the guys doing their hair and make-up because they do it better is not shared by Miss Imeh of Sparkles Beauty Salon, who told Niger Delta Voice that it was a mentality problem.

She said: “The moment most ladies step into a salon, they do not want a lady to touch their hair unless a male, even if the man is doing rubbish on the hair.

“It is for this reason that most beauty salons now employ men to work on the hair of such ladies.

“There is this feeling by some

ladies, particularly students that whatever a man does is right compared to what their female colleagues do and most times that is wrong.”

She said young men plying the trade have what she described as “concepts” by adorning special hairdo and dressing with their trousers hanging down, which is a point of attraction to the ladies, and not necessarily because the boys do it better.

I dumped crime for beauty business Another young man in the business, Christian Jonah, countered her: “The guys know how to take care of ladies better than fellow women. That is why many of them come to us.”

Jonah, an SSCE holder, said he dumped his delinquent life to acquire beauty skill to make a legitimate living since his certificate could not provide him a good job.

He said: “I started as an apprentice under other senior colleagues, who were in the trade before me and there are so many youths without gainful employment here in Calabar who go into crime like stealing, snatching of phones and armed robbery.

“I got tired of that and since I started this business I make over N15,000 a day. I save some through daily contribution.”

Brazilian hair in hot demand At the Sparkles Beauty Salon, Nelly said salons specialize in different hair styles.

His words: “Some are into weave-on fixing, attachment fixing, braiding and dreadlock and each style attracts a different cost.

“We find a way of making sure that the ends of the expensive hair we are fixing is not trimmed but preserved for the owner to fix again some other time or give it out and as such we spend much time on it. It cost N3,000 to fix the hair only.”

Human hair seller at Watt Market, Calabar, Mr. Chris Okoro, said: “We have Brazilian, Peruvian, Chinese, and Italian hairs, which are all refined human hair and their costs range from N3,000 to N120,000.”

He said the hair in hot demand by ladies is the Brazilian hair, which costs from N30,000 to N120,000, depending on the quality.

Ladies can do anything to look good He said the trade brings rapid returns because many ladies are fashion conscious and prepared to pay just anything to look good and attractive.

“Many of them prefer the men fixing their hair because they see them as more skillful and careful,” he added.

6—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

PODIUM… Urhiephron community sets devt benchmark for Delta HOS

By Egufe Yafugborhi

U

RHIEPHRON— URHIEPHRON, home community of the new Delta State Head of Service, HOS, Mr. Patrick Origho, has asked him to ensure reconstruction of the deplorable Uhurie Road in Ughelli South Local Government Area before his exit from the office.

The community, joined by neighbouring Egbo, Origho’s maternal community, also listed the development of educational infrastructures and employment of indigenes in the Delta Civil Service, among other goals the HOS must meet if he wants to retire home with honour.

The charge was given at Urhiephron to Origho, immediate past Permanent Secretary, Governor’s Office Annex, Warri, when the community, friends and associates hosted him to a Christmas day gathering to celebrate his elevation to HOS. High hopes Chairman on the occasion and former External Relations Manager, SPDC-West, Engr.

Frank Efeduma, who spelt out the charge to Origho on behalf of the communities, said expectations were high against the short term the HOS has to spend in office.

He said: “As the first HOS of Urhiephron extraction, you do not have much time to spend in this office considering your age now. So, you must make hail when the sun shines.

“You find that when one get to positions in Urhobo, most times, he or she just mind themselves and immediate family, and when they retire, they are easily forgotten.

“As permanent secretary, Governor ’s Office Annex, Warri, you played a prominent role in bringing about construction of the OtokutuEgbo-Ekrokpe-Urhiephron Road. It is shocking that not long after, the road is almost impassable even in the heart of dry season.

“If you can get that road reconstructed, people would remember you. You also have to take Urhobo young boys and girls into the civil service so that in future we will have another Head of Service replacing you.”

Why the road is uncompleted Responding, Mr. Origho,

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TOP: Urhiephron-Iwhrekeka section of the Uhurie Road.

ABOVE: Engr. Frank Efeduma, Chairman of occasion, Mr. Patrick Origho, HOS, Delta State, his wife, Mary and Bishop Solomon Gbakara, Spiritual Father of the Day. LEFT: Urhobo stilt performers on display at the Urhiephron gathering in honour of the HOS. PHOTOS: Egufe Yafugborhi who felt overwhelmed with the honour from home, assured that he would not disappoint in the discharge of his duty as HOS to Delta State at large and his immediate communities.

He said: “There is budget provision for the Otokutu/ Urhiephron Road in the 2015

Delta budget, and people, particularly Urhobo sons and daughters, I employed in the civil service in the past are entering junior management now. I am paying my dues.”

In his own charge to the community, Origho noted that his efforts, no matter the level

of commitment, would not yield maximum impact in absence of peace in the communities.

He said: “We need peace for development. The road would have been completed, but for some limitations caused by the communities.

“I equally attracted a

DESOPADEC empowerment programme to Urhiephron, but folks were not receptive so the agency took it to Uvwie.”

He also counted on prayers and support from his people, adding that even out of service, he would still strive to be of assistance to his community.

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015—7

Crisis looms, as Rivers chiefs battle over Evo stool

Bayelsa oil palm estate of waste

Continues from Page 2 Eze Oha Evo, Nyerisi Mbam Oro-Evo and Nyerisi Eli Woji (Eze Woji-Eze Gbakagbaka) is still vacant after the demise of the former King, Eze (Dr) Frank Adele Eke. “In total contravention of the tradition of the Evo people, Chief Leslie Nyebuchi Eke and Chief Ogbonda Clinton Ogbonda had sometime declared themselves Eze Oha Evo. “Because the installations were filled with irregularities, the entire people of Evo kingdom will not recognize them. This position is also affirmed by the CTC Chairman of Obio/Akpor, Dr Lawrence Chukwu and the former Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Tunde Ogunsaki, now AIG. “The people of Evo reject Eke and Nyerisi Eli Woji as the

Nyerisi Mbam Oro-Evo and discountenance the said installation as it is baseless and may mislead the people.”

He also reassured the people of Woji community that WTC was fully committed and determined to carry out its duties diligently and would not allow enemies of the community to throw the kingdom into crisis.

However, the Secretary, Woji Council of Chiefs, Chief Adele Ejekwu, disagreed with the regent, claiming that the selection and installation of Eze Leslie Nyebuchi Eke as the new Oha Evo III followed due process.

He said Eke went through the three preliminary stages for the Eze Oha Evo stool, adding that Chief Chuku was among the 10 of 16 chiefs that endorsed him as the new Eze Oha Evo.

At NOUN, students defecate in bush Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (retd) holding walking stick, during an unscheduled visit to the estate. PHOTO: Sam Oyadongha.

Continues from Page 1 approval of the state House of Assembly for virement of N850 million for the state Ministry of Agriculture.

Of the amount, N300 million was for the expansion of the dying oil palm estate, while the balance N550 million was for the ministry to complete the initial down payment and execution of the Green House Project.

Several months after a committee instituted by the present administration of Governor Seriake Dickson to assess the state of the affairs at the Bayelsa Oil Palm Company submitted its report, nothing also seems to be happening.

Poachers, weeds take over When Niger Delta Voice visited the sprawling estate, it was discovered that it had been taken over by weeds, while poachers from the adjoining communities were tampering with its products because of its porous boundaries.

Also, some herdsmen have turned the expansive land to grazing field for their cattle.

Sadly, the palm estate, which is equipped with a modern processing mill and has the potential of taking off the streets hundreds of jobless youths, is still struggling to find its bearing several years after.

Workers blast govt However, some workers, who spoke to Niger Delta Voice, blamed the sorry state of affairs at the oil palm estate on the government, saying such outfits were best managed by the private sector.

One of the workers, who spoke on condition of C M Y K

anonymity, said: “Aside Dr. Edwin Dandeson-Spiff, the former Commissioner for Agriculture during the A l a m i e y e s e i g h a administration, who made conscious effort to revitalize the estate before his exit from office, others who came after could not sustain the programme.”

He said though the then commissioner had planned to expand the plantation from 1,083 hectares to 29,000 in phases, “the local population from whom the land was acquired were still laying claim to the land and this stalled the plan to make Bayelsa the largest palm oil producing state in the country.”

According to him, “the place is not functioning the way it ought to be. Instead of sustaining itself, we are still relying on government for subvention. The best bet is to privatize the place.

“Government has no business in such enterprise. Most of those appointed to oversee the affairs of the outfit are more interested in what they stand to gain and not the growth of the place.”

we have got to get the fundamentals right.

“You need a core investor to come in and inject some more funds so that the place can be made more profitable.

“I am in the process of talking to a number of them. Some have come to look at the palm plantation. The best model for an asset like that is not government total ownership and control.

“We will not get anything out of it because right now what they are producing is about 10 percent, while 90 per cent is pilfered.

“So it is about this culture of corruption that we have taken for granted as a norm in this state.

“If you put N3 billion to N5 billion into that place, the only thing is that one or two people will smile to the banks and then you will not see anything. That is not the dream we have for the plantation.

“The plan we have is for us to get the right investor, who will come in with funds and skills and undertake the management of the place so that our people can be carried along.

We need core investor—DICKSON However, Governor Dickson, in an in interview, reiterated his administration’s preparedness to diversify the state's economy through agriculture. He said plans were afoot to turn around the fortunes of the firm.

His words: “I am passionate about the diversification of the economy beyond oil and gas.

Clearly, investing in agriculture is priority to me, which naturally means that our government is interested in an asset that we already have. But

We can be like Malaysia “We have acquired land to give to a serious investor to develop the palm plantation and other ones.

“If Malaysia can make palm oil and its derivatives the cornerstone of their economy, then I do not see why we cannot do same. That is the real investment and life after oil.

“That is why we are working on the airport because when investment in agriculture matures, products will have to be evacuated. So we are looking at export.”

Continues from Page 3 course materials were made available. Few students got them. Up till now, we are still waiting to receive our course materials for last academic year.”

The students said paying school fees twice in one academic year was clearly extortion by NOUN authorities, as no university does that.

The students called on the

Minister of Education, Wike Nyesom, who is busy with Rivers State politics; Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, and Commissioner of Education Edo State, to expedite action to salvage the disgraceful predicament of NOUN students to avoid break down of law and order.

One of the students’ counsellors, who was contacted on phone by Niger Delta Voice declined to make comments.

Lawmaker donates hall to Asutan Ekpe clan Continues from Page 2 “We are happy with him. He is down to earth, and we see him as someone who understands that governance is about serving and giving to the people.

“As we speak, he has given about 75 indigenes of Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area permanent jobs, while over 30 are in his monthly payroll.

“He is a man that should be recommended for higher office.

It is on record that he is the best state lawmaker Ibesikpo Asutan has ever produced in this democratic dispensation. So we are proud of him.”

Responding on behalf of other traditional council members, the clan head of Asutan Ekpe, His Highness Etebom Bassey Udo Ekanem, commended the lawmaker, Etukudo, for the kind gesture and prayed for God’s blessing, open doors and protection upon his life.

He said: “The people are happy with your effective representation since you assumed office in 2011, particularly your laudable efforts in attracting

Mr. Eyakeno Etukudo. development projects to our communities will not be forgotten in a hurry.”

Vice President of the Asutan Ekpe Unity Forum, Dr. Sebastian Ibanga, said: “The Unity Hall from the lawmaker is a gift we and our generation yet unborn will always live to remember.

“This hall is important to us because it has wiped away the clan’s tears over getting a place that will ease the stress of meeting and other events in the area, where people have to converge.”

8—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

Jesse still stigmatized, AGENDA 16 yrs after pipeline explosion

By Brisibe Perez

J

ESSE—SIXTEEN years after the petroleum pipeline explosion that killed over 1,000 persons at Idjerhe (Jesse), Ethiope West Local Government Area, Delta State, the monarch, HRM Otadaverua Igho Edward, Erhriekevwe I, and his subjects are yet to recover from the pains inflicted on them by the calamity.

A community leader, Chief Amos Akpokighe, in a chat with Niger Delta Voice, recalled with sadness: “I told my son, Ejovi Akpokighe, a 19-year-old student of Orodje Grammar School, Sapele, Delta State, not to go anywhere near the leaking pipeline prior to the explosion.

“Unfortunately, he was brought home with first degree burns after he was cajoled by his friend to go and observe the scene of the incident. Four days later, he died.”

28-year-old Efemena Onojowo asserted: “I still remember that day very well. It was a Saturday and two of my siblings, mum and I had gone to the farm a few kilometres from the scene, where people were struggling to scoop fuel when suddenly we heard a boom.

“From nowhere, fire enveloped everywhere. Though I and my siblings survived with various degrees of burns, my mother died two days after at the Sapele Central Hospital.”

Controversy Worse is the stigmatization of the community over the unfortunate episode.

Though, the shattering explosion was ignited by a breach on the pipeline, the official position of the military government at the time was that it was caused by pipeline vandals and that signposted government’s unproven negative disposition to the community since.

Erhriekevwe I said: “Owing to the scarcity of petrol then and the lack of awareness on the hazards of scooping petrol, residents within and outside Jesse, trooped in their numbers to the scene to get fuel and due to the rush, one thing led to another and there was a sudden explosion, leading to the death of spectators, passers-by and even those attending to their crops in the farm.

“Since the incident occurred, we have tried to reach the Federal Government, explaining to them the actual cause of the incident from our findings.

“But while foreign countries and international organizations sympathized with Nigeria on the incident, the government failed to do same with the community or do anything to ameliorate our pains, rather, the then Head of State at the time, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), claimed that those who lost their lives as a result of the incident are vandals.”

NNPC abandons hospital project It was gathered that despite the community's loss, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, which pipelines crisscrosses the community with over 30 oil wells, abandoned the cottage hospital it initiated as compensation to the people.

C M Y K

ABOVE: Unmanned security post by the manifold where the leakage was said to have occured.

RIGHT: Jesse mass grave/ monument overgrown with weed.

BELOW: Executives of Idjerhe Kingdom on a tour of the NNPC Cottage Hospital, Jesse.

PHOTOS: Brisibe Perez

President-General and Prime Minister of the community, Chief Austin Omonode and Chief Gabriel Emeje, respectively, bewailed the situation in a chat with Niger Delta Voice.

Former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Halims Agoda, while lamenting the state of the hospital, said: “As a member of the House of Representatives representing the area, I made series of attempts to present motions and policies before the House, detailing how the incident occurred with the intention of addressing the cause of the incident and compensating the community in terms of infrastructural development.

“But typical of the government, they

Our prayer is that the spirits of those who died in that inferno should not rest in peace till the government wakes up to its responsibility by doing the needful for the community

made promises which are yet to be fulfilled till date.

“NNPC came to establish a minihospital of less than 10-bed spaces, which had since been abandoned and become safe havens for rodents, reptiles and criminals.

“This goes to show the disdain of the government and its agencies as it takes citizens for a ride, but we are still struggling on dragging their attention to the plight of the community to do the needful.”

I’m troubled—CONTRACTOR Contacted on the state of the project, the contractor, Amos Etadaferua, simply said: “The project has been abandoned for 12 years and this has led to the structure being vandalized by hoodlums. At a time, the building was gutted by fire.

“Though officials of NNPC came to inspect and take estimate with the hope of completing the project, nothing has been heard from them. I am equally worried by the state of things owing to the fact that as an indigene of the community, my image and reputation is at stake.”

All attempts to speak with the authorities of NNPC at Ughelli and Warri on the hospital project proved abortive as Niger Delta Voice was directed to its Abuja corporate headquarters.

Inventory However, a member of Delta State delegation to the recently concluded National Conference, Professor Godwin Darah, who bemoaned the non-

compensation of the community after the incident, said Urhobo had submitted a report to the national confab through their apex socio-cultural group, Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, with support from the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial district, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo.

He said: “We intend conducting an inventory of all the victims of that incident just like in the case of the Ogoni incident. This is because for you to talk of compensation, you have to know the number of children, women, youths and men that died as a result of that incident.

“The Senator representing the area has already set up a committee of experts to kick start the gathering of data to help in this inventory process which must be done in a scientific manner.”

At the site, where the victims were given mass burial, Niger Delta Voice discovered that the monument built in honour of the departed, supposed to be a tourist attraction, had been overtaken by plant and crawling creatures.

Apparitions of the dead Second Vice President-General and Secretary-General of Jesse, Chief Samuel Otojareri and Chief Simeon Okoro, respectively, stated that on numerous occasions, noises had been heard around the spot where the incident occurred, pointing out that the creepy sounds were from the “spirits” of those buried in the mass grave.

Their words: “Yes, it is true that noises from the spirits of the individuals are heard around the scene of the incident with rumoured apparitions and spiritual sounds.

“Our prayer is that the spirits of those who died in that inferno should not rest in peace till government wakes up to its responsibility by doing the needful for the community.

“As a community, we will not do anything to appease the spirits of those that died in the incident because the parents and relatives of those who lost loved ones are still gnashing their teeth.

“The Federal Government was quick to make a statement that the people of the community were the ones that vandalized the pipeline resulting to the explosion. We are appealing to President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure the reversal of that pronouncement.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015 — 33

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34— Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 AQUARIUS: Those of you with secret admirers within your working area will have the needed opportunities to make the needed moves. Resist the temptation to deceive others.

PISCES: Although matters-of-the-heart may give you cause to smile broadly, if care is not taken, you would cause friction that can’t help you r case at work. This is the wrong time for unnecessary scheming within your working arena.

ARIES: Those of your who are red-blooded for romance may have an exciting and satisfying day. Happenings within your social circles must be taken more seriously.

TAURUS: Confrontation may come your way in the circle but the heavens are working favourably for you. Some doses of romance is not too much for you on a day like this.

GEMINI: Provided you don’t allow your innate ability to be as diplomatic as necessary desert you, things work favourably for you to the betterment of your finances.

By Richard Eromosele

G

o ahead and manifest God’s glory in your life, it is not the wish of God that you should be a failure. The fact that you are alive when

Congratulation – you have made it — 2 millions of others have gone is a pointer to the fact that God still has some assignment

TERROR MUDA

for you. The holy writ says you are fiercefully and wonderfully made.

Now go ahead and

in “Never say goodbye”

talk to yourself.

Convince yourself that you will be a success henceforth.

The daughter of a lion is a lioness. You are a child of God. God is not a failure.

Therefore, you cannot be a failure.

By Lanre Kehinde

CANCER: Many of you will be in sentimental mood and exhibit strong romantic desire openly. But then, if care is not taken, you may be carried away to the detriment of your finances. Serious minded lovers are in for happy day.

LEO: Whatever anybody says or does, you will have both your say and way. Venus and Jupiter may tempt some of you to embrace illicit (or secret) romance within your base of operation.

VIRGO: Planets at positive angles may tempt you to join some of your friends who are already on-board of merry making train. Watch your health.

LIBRA: Minor financial success you record today can lead to something bigger and good in the near future; as good luck will smile at many and induce love of luxury, merry, making and romantic association. Genuine lovers will need to be on guard against deceit from new admirers.

SCORPIO: Both financial success and emotional satisfaction are closed to you than before. Those of you travelling because of maters-of-the-heart are in for an exciting romantic day Those of you who are ambitious (career-wise) will succeed after few struggles.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

SAGITTARIUS: Many members of your opposite sex will go out of their ways to attract your romantic interest. This is the wrong time to engage on unnecessary argument. Been your lucky day you are expected to take good advantage today.

CAPRICORN: If you priority is love, much of it would come your way as desired. But here is a better day for more ambitious in the business world. Don’t allow anybody to deceive you over money.

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,

What’s my Horoscope?

Dear Joshua, I want you to give me my comprehensive horoscope, especially what my special gift is.

Which day of the week was I born? Where were my natal planets and their meanings? Who am I? Kate Kano.

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Kate, There is no space for comprehensive horoscope but what you’ll have here -under is answer to your questions/ You were born on a Thursday and your special gift is LEADERSHIP quality.

YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA Day Of Birth: Thursday Sun Sign: Virgo: Sun in 20th Degree of Virgo Moon Sign: PISCES: Moon on 10th Degree of Pisces Mercury in 16th Degree of Libra Venues in 5th Degree of Scorpio Mars in 13th Degree of Cancer Jupiter in 6th Degree of Pisces Saturn in 5th Degree of Aquarius Uranus in 2nd Degree of Virgo Neptune in 11th Degree of Scorpio Pluto in 10th Degree of Virgo North Node in 6th Degree of Leo South Node in 6th Degree of Aquarius Quality and Element Cardinal and air star signs hosted two planets each fixed and earth three each, no planet in fire while mutable and water star signs hosted five planets each.

Push-full influence = 20% Non- push-full element = 80% Final dispositor = Lucky Jupiter General Analysis Just 20 per cent of push-full influence in your chart can deceptively present you to others as a soft (or even timid) person but practical Virgo that hosted nothing less than three heavenly bodies when you were born and Astrological aspects between Mercury (mental focus) and aggressive Mars in you r chart are pointers to the contrary.

Yes! You are highly intelligent and your mind works the same way detective’s minds do. It is true, there are little contradictions between your inner self and your emotional being as indicated quality, water element and Virgo characteristics.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015 — 35

C M Y K

36 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015—37

• Use of the hand sanitiser that was the hallmark during the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria has virtually stopped.

After defeating Ebola, Nigerians shun hand sanitisers

By Sola Ogundipe

W

HERE are the hand sanitisers? This is the poser currently making the rounds. Barely three months after the country was declared Ebola free by the World Health Organisation, WHO, alcoholbased hand sanitisers that held sway at the peak of the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, outbreak, have practically disappeared from the nation's health scene.

The use of sanitisers is no longer being embraced despite the fact that water is not running in many public rest rooms.

Microbial infection In addition to this development, a sharp reduction is being recorded in the practice of regular washing of hands with soap and water to reduce transmission of microbial infection.

In the heat of what has been described as the world's deadliest Ebola outbreak in history, the scramble for hand sanitisers hit an all-time high within the Nigerian populace late July 2014.

Right from the announcement of the death of the index case, AmericanLiberian Patrick Sawyer, the paranoa about Ebola led to a phenomenal demand for

hand sanitiser lotions, creams and gels.

As if their lives depended in it, men and women, young and old, the rich and the poor, scampered around Lagos and other cities of the Federation in search of the life-saving sanitisers.

Everywhere one looked there was a deluge of hand sanitisers and it is on record that hand sanitiser sales jumped through the roof.

Many shops particularly in Lagos and environs of the epicentres of the outbreak that stcked and sold different brands and sizes of alcoholbased sanitisers and antiseptic lotions were smiling to the banks.

For instance, in Lagos and environs, between August and October 2014, the price of a pocket-sized hand sanitisers, antiseptic and germicidal lotions went up astronomically and was being purchased at N2,500.00 at a point.

Before Nigeria’s declaration as Ebola-free, the display of fully stocked hand sanitisers dispensers was a common feature at most public offices, buildings and facilities.

Prior to this, the use of hand sanitisers in the country had been restricted to medical personnel as an alternative to proper hand washing, in the absence of soap and running water.

Findings by Good Health Weekly reveal that dozens of

hand sanitiser dispensers installed in many public and private buildings are now empty and have been dormant for weeks.

In Lagos, airline passengers arriving or departing the local and international airports, are no longer mandated to sanitise their hands.

At the international wing of the Muritala Mohammed Airport, use of hand sanitisers by in-bound or out-bound passengers is no longer in practice. The situation is the same at the MM1 and MM2 wings of the local airport.

Dispensers installed in the restrooms af the arrival and departure halls and at other strategic points of all the

Even in situations sanitisers are still provided, people often decline to use it on the excuse that it is no longer necessary

airports have either been dismantled or are defunct.

Good Health Weekly also discovered that use of the hand sanitiser is no longer mandatory requirement to gain entry into most public buildings and and offices in Lagos unlike during the EVD outbreak when a security official was detailed to ensure compliance.

Mandatory use of hand sanitisers Callers at banks, fast food joints, schools, restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, among others, are no longer subjected to the mandatory use of hand sanitisers provided at the entrances.

Even in situations sanitisers are still provided, people often decline to use it on the excuse that it was no longer necessary. Someone actually described it as “an unneccessary distraction because Ebola is gone from Nigeria.”

A security man at a new generation bank branch recounted that visitors to the premises have bluntly refuse to use the hand sanitisers installed at the entrance.

“They just don’t agree to use it again, unlike before.

Some people even abuse me and threaten to deal with me whenever I insist that they must use it. So the management has decided

that we should stop enforcing the use and make it optional.”

A random survey of shops and retail markets in Lagos Island revealed many have long stopped business, but at those still in business, several bottles of different brands of hand sanitisers seen on display, but nobody appeared to be buying.

In a shop on Lagos Island, a dealer explained that business had dropped sharply when compared to the situation a couple of months back. "People no longer buy hand sanitisers. In fact business is very bad. A pocket bottle can be bought now for N100-N200 depending on the size and alcohol content.

“Many of us had placed large orders for this hand sanitiser, only for Nigeria to defeat Ebola and the market suddenly dropped. We still sell, but not like before, now only the medical personnel who need it for their profession come to purchase,” he lamented.

But experts argue that even though Ebola is gone from Nigeria, it shouldn’t warrant the lack of regard for good personal hygiene.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, recommends washing hands with soap and water as the best way to reduce the number of microbes on the hands in most situations.

The CDC notes that if soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains 60-70 percent alcohol is a good substitute.

Hand sanitiser reputedly kills the Ebola virus as awell as other viruses and bacteria.

38—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

Childhood cancer threatens the future in Nigeria •Ignorance, lack of support, high cost of management fuelling the crisis

By Chioma Obinna HILE undergoing her residency at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Dr. Nneka Nwobbi, Founder/President, Children Living With Cancer Foundation, CLWCF, came face to face with children with cancer whose parents were unable to offset their hospital bills. As a result, they were detained in the hospital.

The experience challenged Nwobbi to rally around a few of her friends and they pooled resources to offset the bills to enable the patients to go home. Thus the Foundation was formed.

Since then, CLWCF has facilitated care and treatment for children with cancer.

In a chat with Good Health Weekly, Nwobbi spoke on the need for aggressive awareness on paediatric cancer and how society can help ameliorate the plight of affected children and their families. Excerpts:

W

Support system

Cancer Awareness Month

When cancer affects a child, it affects the whole family. Ordinarily, every year, September is a very, very active month for us because we go about the public trying to create awareness. But, last year because of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, we had to shelve everything till February this year. February 4, is World Cancer Day. February 15 is our own International Childhood Cancer Day. So, we want to use the whole month of February to continue to create the awareness.

We have not even scratched the surface of childhood cancer awareness in Nigeria. Many people still don't know that children have cancer. The theme for the February awareness programmes is “Caring for the Caregivers”. To a large extent, most of the caregivers are the parents, especially the mothers. You can imagine the psychological and emotional trauma that hits a parent when told that the child has cancer. At that moment, you're helpless.

You're seeing your child suffering; probably dying and there's nothing whatsoever you can do. And most of them have burnout. They work so hard, nobody to relieve them. Nobody to exchange ideas with them. Nobody to talk to about their pains, their challenges -what they feel.

A weekend away

So, we think that this time around, we would look at the caregivers themselves and give as much as we can to them.

We want to give something like a weekend away. And you have to be coming every three weeks or there about to take chemotherapy drugs. They take the child for investigations, look for blood, and chase result of the investigations and things like that.

We're looking for people to pay for a child's school fees - a term, two sessions.

We want to get fertility clinics like Nordica and The Bridge Clinics to give us free IVF treatment for a parent or two.

Why we're looking for IVF is that some of the parents have lost their only child to cancer. And most of them are advanced in age. We are looking for psychologists, Imams, Chaplains, priests, and pastors to give them oneon-one counseling sessions.

She had the eye taken out. After the chemotherapy, they went home. No follow up, no maintenance, nothing.

She's coming back now because the other eye is affected. This child is barely three years. Then, I said to her, didn't you know when you went home you were supposed to follow up? And she said if anybody had told her she was supposed to follow up, why wouldn't she follow up? Although of course, the strike that took place didn't help matters for her.

•Dr. Nneka Nwobbi.

We're looking for transportation, to and from the hospitals. If you cannot donate your car or driver for that day, you can donate money for taxi for the caregiver to get the child to the hospital or laboratory.

We're looking for a home. But, in the event of not getting a home, we want to rent maybe a flat very close to LUTH, so that such parent can actually come there.

So, we now have like three, four parents or families at a time, one to each room.

Because most of them spend so much money coming to LUTH. The man that comes from Badagry spends about N3,000.00 each time he comes. Some of them live at Sango. I had never been to Ikorodu until I had to visit one of our children there. I have a car; it took me practically the whole day.

There was traffic. So, I asked her, how do you cope? She leaves her house around 4.30 - 5.00am to make it to LUTH for 7.30, 8.00am.

Such things are what we want to put a stop to. At least, make the parents render care with fewer rigours. You can imagine after that frustration, you're looking at your child and you know your child has cancer; it's not a healthy situation to live with for months, years.

We're looking to work with as many corporate bodies as possible; as many individuals who are willing to relieve of their time, baking a cake for somebody who will know that this cake comes about as a result of the hard-work he or she has put in caring for a child that has cancer. We're asking entertainers to have a show, just for the caregivers -knowing that somebody is thinking of their plight.

Are there challenges in this all-noble task?

is not child friendly in this respect. I've talked about international cancer week.

We've gone for a few of them. And while we were there, all that was being talked about was breast cancer, prostate cancer; colon cancer etc. nobody is talking about childhood cancer. And I've had cause to ask, why are we not talking about childhood cancers?

It is something that is in our face, something that is there. And perhaps, I should say self-imposed stigma because some people will not come out to say their kids have cancer. They will hide it from family members and friends, so that nobody gets to know.

Ignorance

I don't know why there is that stigma attached to childhood cancers by affected families themselves. Another big challenge is ignorance. And I think the healthcare givers are not doing our work the way it should be done. I had a mother here last Friday whose child has cancer of the eye (Retno Blastoma).

I had a mother here last Friday whose child has cancer of the eye and the eye was taken out.

After chemotherapy, the mother took the child home.

No follow up, no maintenance, nothing. She's coming back now because the other eye is Political will There are plenty of challenges. There affected. This child is barely is very little political will to face childhood cancer. Unfortunately, Nigeria three years.

Then of course, the side effect of the drugs is not very nice. When most parents see the way their children are reacting to those drugs, when they go, they don't come back. So, we need to educate them and tell them it is something that will stop. Even the hair falling off grows back.

So, all those things are things that need to be explained to those parents, so they know the side effects even before they start taking the chemotherapy drugs. So, that they expect it and know that it may come. And when it does come, they're not overly frightened. And they move on with life.

Then, the support system. We don't have enough NGOs to help out. We don't have enough counselors. The idea of going to see a psychologist is alien in Nigeria. Its only people who are mad that will go. Meanwhile, all of us need to be counselled at one time or the other.

Maybe not by a psychologist or a psychiatrist but your priest, a pastor or a mentor that will tell you its ok. Things like that are challenging to us.

Some others things like having the drugs when they are needed, having blood when it's needed, having platelets when it's needed. All those things are challenges. Getting the correct diagnosis. Starting treatment on time.

Again, having people, your family members, your friends stay by you. But, because you don't say these things out, nobody comes to help.

Cost of treatment

The drugs are expensive. There are some of the drugs that we get for N25,000.00 for a vial. And sometimes, a child will need four or five of that. In the last one or two months, we have had to give roughly about 16 to different children. How many parents can afford that?

We need to take a critical look at the admission fee. I believe the Federal government should make admission for cancer children free of charge because they're there all the time. Some of them will incur debts of hundreds of thousands of naira because they're there for a long time. Even when they do go and come back, it is still the same thing because every three weeks, they're coming for chemotherapy.

So, every three weeks, they're paying for admission. Admission fee for a child 12 years and below is about N13, 000.00 a week. For a child above 12 years, it's about N25, 000.00 a week in any Federal government hospital. So, you can imagine, the admission fee is there, you then, buy your medicine, transport yourself there. I've had parents, after

Continues on Page 39

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015—39

FDA approves blood donation by gay men G

By Sola Ogundipe

AY men will be able to donate blood one year after their last sexual contact, if indications from the US Food and Drug Administration are anything to go by, under a proposal that will be introduced this year to end a ban that has been in place since 1983.

Reports say there is scientific evidence that the move will not create risks for national blood supply, and the policy change is expected to boost the supply of donated blood by hundreds of thousands of pints per year.

Blood donations from gay men have been barred since the discovery that HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, was being transmitted through transfusions.

The American Medical Association had earlier voted to oppose the ban. The FDA said the move aligns the policy for gay men with that for other men and women at increased risk for HIV infection.

In a statement, FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg noted: "The FDA has carefully examined and considered the available scientific evidence relevant to its blood donor deferral policy for men who have sex with men, including the results of several recently completed scientific studies and recent epidemiologic data."

A draft guidance on the policy, is expected to be issued early this year, following which the Agency would review the comments and issue final guidance "as quickly as possible," Peter Marks, Deputy Director of the FDA's Centre for Biologics Evaluation and Research, told the press at a briefing.

An FDA advisory committee met in December to discuss issues around

changing the policy, such as the effectiveness of new blood supply tests for HIV infections. The FDA stopped short of eliminating the ban for gay men altogether. Marks said during the briefing that scientific evidence for a ban shorter than a year was not "compelling."

Last September, the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law at the University of California, Los Angeles, hinted that eliminating the ban would bring in 615,300 pints of blood annually, while a one-year deferral would bring in 317,000 pints of blood.

Childhood cancer threatens children Continued from page 38 taking chemotherapy drugs, walk home with the child. This is a child that the body is depleted.

Unfortunately, we're not getting the kind of help that will make sense.

Although we have some peopled that do come to our aid.

We have GTB that every year, they do something for the kids. Linkage is another company that never fails to identify with the needs if these children.

We had their wristband to show everybody the children do have cancer.

There are schools that really, really go out of their way to help. One of them is

Avi-Cenna Schools where we had our Sing out Cancer in June this year. They gave us their place for use. And their students too have been quite helpful. In fact, they put oxygen point in every room in the children oncology ward in LUTH. Pinefilef is another school that is giving us quite an impact.

Most Nigerians want children to go abroad to school, but most of them don't even understand there's what they call community service that every child should have done before entering university abroad most times when schools who are enlightened know this, they get their students to work with us.

Cost of treatment

• A voluntary blood donor giving blood. The Federal Ministry of Health notes that only 10 percent of the 1.1 million units of blood donated in the country are from voluntary blood donors. About 60 percent is from commercial donors, while an estimated 1.4 million units are required annually nationwide.

In all of these, the pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria are not doing all they should do. In India they manufacture the drugs right there. And because it is manufactured in India, it is much, much less expensive than drugs that are imported into India. So, for us, it's something that pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria should look at.

We're appealing to Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria to try and get the license to start producing drugs in Nigeria. When India got the license to start producing drugs in India, there, it brought them much joy and reduced the cost.

I did not know there were children with cancer at the Nationa Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, until one doctor there said they needed our help. I was shocked. They deal with bones and muscles, so there are children who have cancer of the bone or muscle. We work with children at LASUTH, and LUTH.

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40 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

By Ikenna Asomba

D

ESPITE the order given by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Suleiman Abba, charging all commissioners of police across the country to ensure strict compliance with the ban on police roadblocks, Vanguard, gathered Sunday, that some policemen in the Lagos State Police Command were still flouting this order, as in recent times, illegal checkpoints have been resurfacing across major roads in the metropolis.

Abba had on Sunday, September 21, 2014, in a statement issued by Emmanuel Ojukwu, the Force spokesman said a situation where police officers and commands constantly violate the subsisting order forbidding mounting of checkpoints across the country is wrong and will be punishable, henceforth.

Similarly, the Lagos State police commissioner, Mr. Kayode Aderanti, had on Friday, October 21, 2014, during a working visit to the Area A Police command, Lion Building, Lagos Island, also warned officers and men of the command against harassment of members of the public and mounting of roadblocks.

Aderanti who gave this order while he was hosted by the Area Commander, Mr. Imohinmi Edgal, Assistant Commissioner of Police, urged his men to device all means to earn public trust, warning that anyone who fails to change his ways will be shown the way out of the Nigeria Police Force.

Fully loaded articulated truck Owing to the flouting of the IGP’s order, it was gathered that, save for mother luck, Mrs. Martina Nwizu, her son and four other occupants of a Nissan Quest Sports Utility Van, SUV, with number plate LAGOS KJA.746CX, as well as Mr. Anthony Ajeh, a Toyota Corolla driver with number plate LAGOS ME 436.AAA, would have been dead, when a fully-loaded articulated truck rammed into their vehicles, Sunday, at Otto Woff Bus-stop on the OshodiApapa Expressway, Lagos.

Vanguard gathered that the accident occurred at 3.30pm, as a result of the uncoordinated flagging-down of vehicles by some policemen from the Kirikiri Police Station, who mounted a road-block on that portion of the road.

While Nwizu and the occupants of her car were said to be heading to their house at Berger Suya, area of Ajegunle, from Christmas holiday spent in their village at Umuoji, Idemili North Local Government of Anambra State, Ajeh, was said

•The accident scene on Otto Woff Bus-stop, along Oshodi Apapa expressway, Lagos, on Sunday. Inset: The police vehicle at the checkpoint.

F I R S T S U N D AY C R A S H :

How Lagos police continually flout no check-point order •Our men were on lawful duty – Police to be coming from Ilupeju, and heading to the family house at Kirikiri area also in Ajegunle.

Vanguard learnt that the policemen had flagged-down Nwizu’s car driven by her son, and at the same time flaggeddown Ajeh’s Toyota Corolla, to request their vehicle particulars and other documents.

In the process, the fully loaded truck with number plate LAGOS KJA.92KG was also flaggeddown by the policemen.

The truck driver simply identified as Hassan, was said not to have seen the policemen early enough, which left him with no choice than to ram into the vehicles.

Narrating what happened to Vanguard, Nwizu, who was full of thanks to God that no life was lost, said “We were coming all the way from our ancestral home in Umuoji, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. If anyone of us had died, what would people say, that we travelled these long miles from the east, only to be killed just close to our home here in Lagos.”

Nwizu explained that “The policeman flagged-down my son who was driving and he obeyed them. The policeman asked for the particulars of the vehicle which my son gave to him. He perused the particulars for several minutes over and over

again. Then, he asked for drivers’ licence, which my son also gave to him.

“When he found no fault against us, he now said our vehicle is a tinted-glass and asked for the permit. My son gave him the paper and he said that it was only an application letter that my son showed him.

“We begged the policeman to allow us go home since we were coming from a very long trip from the village. We told him that our house is just at Berger Suya here, that he should allow us go.

But he never did, instead, he took the vehicle papers back and forth, all in a bid to delay us. He

We told the policeman that our house is just at Berger Suya here, that he should allow us go. But he never did, instead, he took the vehicle papers back and forth, all in a bid to delay us

said we know what to do. So, one of my sons in the car, gave him N500 but he refused to collect it, insisting that the money was too paltry.

“It was in that process that the truck driver who was coming towards us was also flaggeddown by the same policeman, and in a bid to stop this accident happened.”

Giving his own account, Mr. Tony Ajeh, whose Toyota Corolla was badly hit from behind said: “I was just driving down to Kirikiri when a policeman flagged-down my vehicle, which I obeyed. As I stopped, I appealed to him to allow me steer clear the road, because it was dangerous to just park on a verybusy expressway like this. Before I could say anything, a truck from no where just rammed into my car.”

Thanking God that his children whom he had earlier dropped at Mazamaza were not in the car with him, Ajeh said: “I am coming from Ilupeju to my family house in Kirikiri town to see my relations when this occurred. But I am thankful to God that I was lucky to have gone to drop my children at Mazamaza before proceeding to Kirikiri.

“Had they been with me in the back seat of the car, which is now a write-off, something unfortunate would have

happened to them. I am grateful to God.” he exclaimed.

At press time, the Divisional Crime Officer, DCO of the Police Station was said to have directed that the affected vehicles be towed to the Kirikiri Police Station, where the victims will be made to write statements.

Lawful routine checks Meanwhile, reacting, the spokesman for the State Police Command, Mr. Kenneth Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, who disclosed that the Command will investigate the matter, however, explained that the policemen were only out on a lawful routine check.

Nwosu, who stated that the State police commissioner, Mr. Kayode Aderanti’s directive that officers and men of the command must desist from the harassment of members of the public, as well as extortion during the routine and smart checks, said: “The Command has been notified about the accident that occurred this (Sunday)afternoon at Otto Woff Bus-stop, along the OshodiApapa Expressway. We will investigate the matter to ascertain what actually led to the accident.”

Speaking further, the command’s image-maker explained that in so far the duty of the police is to protect lives and properties of Lagosians, routine and smart checkpoints can never be wished away. From the information so far, our men were on that road for the usual routine check.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015—41

Lagosians bemoan rising robbery cases •We ‘ve inadequate personnel — Fashola

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

D

ESPITE the various security strategies adopted by the Lagos State Government, residents have continued to lament the rising number of robbery cases in the state. In 2007, when Governor Babatunde Fashola came on board, he had initiated the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, to fund the police and other security officials in the state to enhance policing across the state.

Following the manhunt on robbers and unscrupulous elements, by the security agencies, at the onset of Fashola’s administration, most of them were forced to leave the state to other states, even as night life gradually returned to the state. But recently, the activities of hoodlums in Ajao Estate, Mafoluku, the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Iyana Oworonshoki and other parts of the state, have continued to give residents deep worry.

Experience in the hands of hoodlums Narrating his experience in the hands of hoodlums, Mr. Kehinde Owolabi, said: “It all happened last week, when I was returning from Osun State to meet my brother who resides at Iyana-Iba area. It was around 10.00pm that I got to the bus-stop, I was courageous on seeing the presence of some policemen who manned an Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC on the bus-stop.

“My brother and I were standing few meters from where the policemen were, when three unknown gunmen brandishing weapons, accosted us, demanding that we handover all our valuables to them.

“Before the policemen manning the APC could respond, the robbers had dispossessed us of our valuables and disappeared into thin air,” he said.

Also at Iyana-Iba Bus Stop, Miss. Favour Sunday, said “I boarded a commercial Coaster Bus from Mile 2, at Iyana-Iba Bus Stop, my phone rang. While receiving the call, some hoodlums approached me and dispossessed me of my phone.

Before I could raise an alarm, they had disappeared.”

Also, residents of Ajao Estate and Mafoluku have last weekend raised alarm over the serial cases of robbery along the International Airport Road, under the bridge adjacent the DHL

office.

Reacting, to the security situation in the state, Fashola who spoke during an end of the year press briefing, said: “We get all the security reports and that was why we have appealed to residents to alert us whenever they discover any strange occurrence in their community.

We can’t be everywhere because we only have about 30, 000 officers to police the state. That is the reality.

“So we continue to be inventive and innovative with the resources that we have. And that was why we use more of the patrol motorbikes during the rush hours when we believe that people will be in the traffic across the state. This is to ensure that law enforcement officers are closer to the residents always,” he said.

The governor however

•Police Armoured Personnel Carrier stationed at Iyana-Iba bus-stop along the Lagos-Badagry expressway. cautioned residents against the open display of valuables such as jewellery, cash, phones and others. “This attracts petty thieves. So you must be the first line of defence in security,” he said.

Lamenting that the state of insecurity in the country was affecting the state, as displaced people were finding their way en masse into the state, Fashola

said: “All over the world, there is usually a ratcheting up of criminal behaviours in the end of the year because there are a lot of money moving around.

“I think last year (2013) in London, when I checked the number of bag snatching, shoplifting and other misdemeanour, it was on the increase.

“Those issues were some of the

things we anticipated and we are doing our best to ensure that we curtail them. Instead of monthly security meeting, we have been holding weekly security meetings to ensure that the city is save. All our security officers are on the high alert. And even now, we will be reviewing the security status of the state until all the tensions subside.”

Challenges of converting water hyacinth to fertiliser

By Dotun Ibiwoye

O

VER the years, the littering of water hyacinth along the water ways in Lagos State has continued to pose a major challenge to several administrations in the state. The menace caused by this water weed has forced several residents, especially fishermen and transporters to abandon several waterways, even as a lot of damages have been done on the propellers of boats.

Against this backdrop, the state government through its Public Advice Centre, PAC, disclosed that it would soon start the conversion of water hyacinth into fertiliser for farmers.

Mr Alex Omorodion, an official of PAC, stated that in Lagos, most

of the water hyacinth would be used for the benefit of the people.

According to Omorodion, Lagos State Government would employ some private contractors, alongside the Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, for the water hyacinth conversion project.

He also stated that hyacinth breeds mosquitoes which had been of great health challenge to the state.

“Lagos State is addressing this issue by engaging contractors, alongside LAWMA, who would clear the hyacinth from the waterways. Water hyacinth is a natural phenomenon that occurs anywhere you have a large or medium scale water body, he said Adding that “the natural

•Water hyacinth on Lagos waterways

phenomenon is that there is no way the breeding of these insects can be stopped but it can only be controlled or minimised. Instead of just throwing the hyacinths away, the Lagos State Government is looking into ways to convert them into fertiliser and papers.”

At the public presentation of the Lagos State Development Plan 2012-2025, held at the Banquet Hall of the Lagos House, Ikeja, Governor Babatunde Fasola had said that the water transportation networks are expanding constantly which include the Ferry terminals in Badore, Ikorodu and Osborne.

He said that in terms of connectivity, the ridership on water transportation today in Lagos is in excess of 1.5 million

passengers per month from barely 150,000 passengers per month in 2007, adding that there are over 250 licensed ferries and taxis running on Lagos Waterways already.

“So the water transportation networks are also expanding.

The Ferry Terminals in Badore and Ikorodu have been finished, the one in Osborne is almost completed but some people have taken us to court that they don’t want the Terminus near their residence, so those are issues we have to go and thrash out in court, he said.

Conversion of weed “The Ferry is there, the Bus Terminus is already laid there and hopefully the next government would make the final connection. At Mile-2, the jetty is reclaimed, the Mile-2 Train Terminus is already built, Orile Train Terminus is already built, Costain Train Terminus is already built, so there are four Terminus already in place and more are on their way.

Reacting, Adelabu Phillips who lives in Ijora said: “When the weed on our water-ways are converted to fertilisers or papers, I will be very happy. It does not matter to me if it is converted into fertiliser of Nigerian currency. All I want is the government to clear it out of the waterways. It is worst than anything you can imagine.

I am really glad that the government is looking towards it.”

42—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

Stakeholders give recipe for affordable housing

By Jude Njoku

F

OR affordable housing to become a reality in Nigeria, the Federal and State governments should embrace the public private partnership, PPP approach and make conscious efforts to eliminate all impediments to housing delivery in the country.

These impediments include high cost of land, transfer fees

and registration processes. These views were canvassed by commissioners in charge of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, chieftains of housing agencies and mortgage finance institutions and related professionals who brainstormed at the just concluded 4 th National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development in Uyo, the capital of Akwa-Ibom State.

The Council which was presided over by the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing & Urban Development, FMLHUD Mr George Ossi, on behalf of the Minister, Mrs Akon Eyakenyi, also called on the governments to adopt deliberate measures to promotes training of labour, provision of ancillary infrastructure and

recapitalization of mortgage institutions.

The meeting which was attended by 182 delegates made up of 23 commissioners and 159 senior officials of relevant Federal and State Ministries, Departments and Agencies MDAs, representatives of professional/regulatory bodies and other stakeholders, noted that despite the significant progress made by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN in its operations and management of the mortgage industry in Nigeria, the bank is still constrained by the failure of some states to embrace the National Housing Fund NHF

scheme.

Specifically, the Council called on the six non-participating states – Lagos, Kano, Edo, Oyo, Ekiti and Ondo to return to the NHF scheme.

Decrying the non-passage of critical mortgage related bills and delay in the recapitalization of FMBN, the Council called on the Federal Government to seriously consider recapitalizing the apex mortgage bank.

In a communiqué issued at the end meeting, the experts stressed the need to promote the unfolding paradigm shift in housing delivery by further creating the enabling environment for private sector participation in affordable housing with special emphasis on the use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency appliances as viable options for reducing the costs of buildings.

They also stressed the need to scale up the level of National Cadastral and township mapping in Nigeria by facilitating the provision of Continuously Operating Reference Station, CORS, adopting singular mapping control network and establishing an Enterprise Geographic Information System, GIS for the entire country.

Cadastral mapping

Permanent secretary, FMLHUD, Mr. George Ossi and the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Valerie Ebie at the National Council on Lands, Housing & Urban Development meeting in Uyo

Ikorodu-Mile 12 BRT extension for completion in 1st quarter of 2015

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

T

HE 13.5 kilometre Mile 12 to Ikorodu Bus Rapid Transit, BRT extension project which has reached 90 percent completion, will be delivered before the end of the first quarter of 2015. When completed, the project will have the capacity to move more than 300,000 passengers daily. This was disclosed to newsmen by the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority, LAMATA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola.

Mobereola who spoke during a recent inspection tour of the project, explained that to achieve this target, the operator would deploy more than 400 buses. The LAMATA boss who acknowledged that the completion of the project is a little behind schedule, attributed the delay to adverse weather which impacted negatively on the completion date.

He however assured that the project would

be completed before the end of the first quarter of 2015.

Mobereola described the BRT project as unique because it compares with other BRT systems in Africa and Asia which are also based on median operation.

Mile 12 to Ikorodu lane is a 13.5 kilometre long corridor with 15 bus shelters and a modern bus depot garage built on five hectares of land.

Besides, there are three terminals at Mile 12, Agric and Ikorodu, six pedestrian bridges at Owode, Irawo, Awori, Majidun-Ogolonto, Agric and Haruna, 12 u-turning points (six on each side), provision of at-grade crossings, street lightings and signalized junctions at Ikorodu, Agric and Ogolonto.

The LAMATA boss said the BRT median operation has a lot of advantages over the current BRT system from Mile 12 to CMS as it would be faster, safe and efficient.

In order to ensure the participation of women in the operation, he directed that modality for employing and training women as drivers, bus assistants and mechanics should be worked out.

As the project construction moves towards completion, the LAMATA boss appealed for patience, understanding and cooperation from motorists and residents along the corridor. He enjoined them to bear with the state government as the contractor working on the project has intensified effort to complete it.

When completed, according to plans, the travel time along the corridor will be drastically reduced from 1 hour 30 minutes to 30 minutes, emission cut down by 15 per cent and congestion significantly reduced.

“Also, over 1, 500 employments would be generated while accessibility to the Lagos Central Business District, CBD, would also improve.” Mobereola assured.

Besides, they advocated that the office of the Surveyor- General of the Federation should be supported to provide at least one CORS Station in every state with a view to fast- tracking the process of cadastral mapping and creating an Enterprise Geographic/Land Information System (GIS/LIS).

The Council also enjoined state governments and other key stakeholders to support and collaborate with FMLHUD in its efforts to prepare and produce the first National Physical Development Plan, NPDP as well as its efforts at eradicating slums in Nigeria.

While lauding the Federal government for its modest achievements in the implementation of the Power Sector Roadmap, the Council charged the Federal M& Urban Development to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Power in solving the problem of right- ofway which constitutes an obstacle to electricity cables installation and power transmission in various States. They also charged the FMLHUD to facilitate the allocation of lands for the construction of sub- stations, Solar Energy Plants and Thermal Plants.

The fifth edition of the Council’s meeting will be hosted by Kwara State in the last quarter of this year.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015—43

Government has no business in business — Nubi Professor Timothy Olugbenga Nubi teaches Estate Management at the University of Lagos, Akoka. A former Head, of Estate Management Department in the university, Prof Nubi is also the founder Ideal Habitat, an NGO. Prof Nubi was the lead speaker at a the second National Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Seminar, NMCPD organised by the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, NIESV. In Lagos last month. He spoke to JUDE NJOKU on why PPP is the best approach to projects delivery in present day Nigeria

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HY concessions?

A nation is like any family. You can never have all the resources to meet your needs.

So, all over the world, modernization brought so much needs and pressure on government. Modernization in terms of the need for roads, housing, railway systems and other infrastructures. Look at the railway system for example, what we had in the 90s is still what we have today. How are nations all over the world able to provide infrastructure? How are they able to deliver housing? The government has money in the purse?

No! Government’s business is to create the enabling environment. Government has no business in business; they create the environment for business to thrive. In most parts of the world, government has access to land, they have access to law; they can make laws. They have access to develop capacity but they don’t have access to the funding.

The private sector makes money; the private sector is in charge of money making and business. So, PPP is the marriage of the two. The government creates the enabling environment, has access to land and the one that has access to resources brings them together, that is public private partnership, PPP to deliver what people need.

Paternalistic manner It is done on a commercial basis. That is to say, it is not run in a paternalistic manner like Father Christmas. It is business, so there is efficiency. This way, projects are delivered. There is no way the government can say, I want to go into railways, housing or health; the private sector has to come in to participate. That is the concept of PPP. People have used it all over the world. That is what concession is all about. I remember when I was younger. Every January 1, we used to stay around the television sets to listen to budget, to know which roads the government wants to tar in Ogun State (my state). And immediately after the budget, the bulldozers will move to site.

But right now, the government does not have the resources to meet these needs. So, the private sector that has access to funding

Professor Timothy Olugbenga Nubi and technology comes in and these things are provided. That is the spirit and concept of concession.

Best approach to package PPP so that no party feels cheated There is skill, there is sincerity, there are laws. The government has to come up with laws. There is a PPP Desk in the Ministries of Works and Housing in Lagos State, so that you are not cheated.

If PPP is done in a nature where people take advantage, it will not work. That is where the real estate

surveyors come in. There must be sound project appraisal to evaluate the viability and feasibility of the project. The returns on investment is placed on the table so that the government knows what this business will bring in. The government will say, if we give you land, that’s what we are going to realise over a period of time and this is how we are going to share it. That is what comes to me and that is what goes to you.

The laws are there. It is an

investment and nobody goes into an investment without doing proper feasibility and viability studies. That is where the Estate Surveyor and Valuer comes in, to know where you are going. At the University of Lagos, we did a PPP for the students hostel some years back. But because these things were not properly done when it started, there were issues.

UNILAG will say I am cheated and the partner will say I am cheated. So, we have learnt our lessons. The terms must be well spelt out, expectations must be well spelt out, everybody’s return must be clearly spelt out so that if it is okay with you, you will go for it.

This project will bring N100 million at the end of the year and we will take N10 million out of it, if it is not okay with you, you walk out of the deal but the details must be well spelt out and that is the role of the Estate Surveyor.

They play a very critical role in preparing that appraisal.

All over the world, the train moving in London, the well constructed roads, is not government money. The London transport is not government, it is private people working with the government to provide these infrastructure and we have a success story with Murtala Mohammed Airport Terminal Two, MM2.

We need it for slums developments. Oluwole in Lagos is a good example of how PPP has worked. Oluwole is 177 families. We have so many slums in Lagos. The government working with the people and the private sector, Oluwole has been turned into a beautiful place. The notorious Oluwole was demolished and people were resettled far away and they were happy and they know that they

still have a stake in whatever happens there.

Doing business in Lagos, especially in the area of property registration Those are the things we want to address because every investment is on land and as long as we have not sorted out the land tenure system, the titling, we still have a long way to go.

Why is concession not succeeding?

You have to go back to our land tenure and land administration system. How do we administer land? How fast do you get titles?

How relevant is your title? To get a certificate of occupancy today after paying millions and the state government that gave it to revoke it the following month and you have already used that title to secure funds to do PPP, you are in trouble.

Mystery of capital So, it is the basis of wealth. That is actually the crux of my presentation today. The mystery of capital, the issues, the land connection and need for us, not all these land reforms that are in place. The need for us to look straight to every state to sort out their land titling system.

Contract breaches and PPP projects That’s why the laws are there.

Look at the Lekki-Epe express way, it succeeded because of the way the contract was packaged.

The PPP is sound legal framework. The man entered into a sound legal frame work because he has international experience. With your MoU, you set all your terms. The contract said that at so so time, they would be collecting tolls. When the government could not sort out with the public, for many months government was counting. The terms must be properly spelt out at the beginning before you sign it. There would be no room for manouvering. That man was collecting his money until Lagos was able to sort itself out.

LAWMA boss seeks stakeholders' collaboration in waste management

By Kingsley Adegboye

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HE Managing Director of Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, Mr Ola Oresanya has called for collaboration between stakeholders, private investors and the academia to sustain the tempo of waste management in the country.

Oresanya who spoke at a forum jointly organised by LAWMA and the United Nations Centre for Regional Development & International Partnership for Expanding the Waste Management Services of Local Authorities, UNCRD-IPLA, posited that there should be sustainable policy decisions where waste management would have its own guide for national policy formulation and articulation.

The forum was a one-day “MultiStakeholders Cooperation for Knowledge and Capacity Development in Waste

Management” workshop.

The LAWMA boss who canvassed an intervention that would achieve a participatory approach to waste management, said “LAWMA as the IPLA secretariat for West Africa, is saddled with the responsibility of coordinating and encouraging activities that will promote and share the IPLA objectives across the African cities.

“The main aim of the international partnership is to bridge capacity technology and institutional gaps in waste management through viable technical exchange platforms as well as support local authorities and municipalities to move towards a zero waste society,” he said.

According to him, the initiative has achieved coordination of waste management activities and technical exchange amongst states and cities within

and outside the country such as Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Anambra and Kogi in Nigeria.

Oresanya “ was optimistic that the collaboration would promote resource efficiency and zero waste system with the adoption of the three Rs – Reduce, Re-use and Re-cycle.

On his part, a Research Fellow in the Department of Environment Management and Toxicology, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Mr. Olusegun Oguntoke stressed the need to address the issue of waste management in a holistic manner. He added that all the key players in the sector must contribute positively for a complete success in waste management.

According to Oguntoke, “Collaboration between the governments, the academia, the private sector, community and the donor agencies is very crucial to achieve success in sustainable waste management.”

44—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

•The contravening building

Lagos Permanent Secretary fingered in illegal construction at LSDPC Estate

By Bashir Adefaka

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ESIDENTS of 14, Bodunrin Caulcrick Road, a compound located within the LSDPC Phase I Estate, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos State, have cried out over what they described as usurpation and encroachment on supportive space meant to ease lives in their portion of the estate.

They described the illegal conversion, allegedly perpetrated by a Permanent Secretary, PS (names withheld) in the Lagos State Civil Service, as a way by which the powerful trample on the weak.

The PS, who, according to findings, is still in service, was alleged to have connived with two other residents in the neighbourhood to carry out the act. Vanguard Homes & Property gathered that the PS being the arrow-head in the unfortunate development, claimed that nobody can question him, apparently because of his connection to the corridors of power in the state.

Corridors of power But wife of the affected neighbour, whose space was encroached upon, Mrs Adedeji narrated her concerns to Vanguard Homes & Property.

The structures on the disputed space present an eyesore. There

are three buildings: a two-storey building, a single storey building and another one which is still under construction. The irony is that there is hardly any space in between the houses. A side of the fence around the structures was marked with a red sign, which shows that work on the construction should stop. This order was discountenanced as work on the construction has continued.

Speaking to Vanguard Homes & Property during a visit to the estate, Mrs Adedeji said the residents were not comfortable with the illegal construction because it has made living in the

estate hellish for them.

She allegedly lost her mother a couple of years ago due a nailwound which resulted into tetanus complications. She alleged that the PS and two other neighbours converted the open space meant for her use, into structures, apparently because they were well connected.

Her words: “We were told that they went to LSDPC and that the LSDPC sold the space to them for N100,000. A space that LSDPC planned with our blocks of flats for our own convenience? As close as we are, this man, the PS, did not tell us what was going on. All we

knew was that one day, we saw workers working on the space.

We challenged them to know who gave them the job. It was then that one of them appealed to us to allow him erect a make-shift shop for his wife. Although we were not comfortable with that, we later saw that makeshift shops had started developing into big buildings”.

“The danger in this is that artisans who did the foundation, did it for shops and not for residential blocks of flats that have sprung up there. are now there today because the LSDPC did not plan this estate this way.

We saw later that they started to

deck what they built as makeshift shorts and then added another floor and then another floor and so they have two-storey building on foundation that was not only unfit but also on a ground meant for the use of the neighbourhhood and for illegal structure not approved. If they say that LSDPC sold the space to them and that they got approval for the kind of buildings they have erected, we want to know who in LSDPC did that? She queried.

Efforts to get the permanent secretary to react to the allegation proved fruitless. The Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Physical Planning Development Authority, LAPPDA, who was contacted, promised to get back to Vanguard Homes & Property but failed to do so by press time.

UK house prices to increase by 3% in 2015

H

ouse prices in the UK will see an average increase of three percent over the course of next year, bolstered by recent changes to Stamp Duty, continuing demand and lack of supply of property, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, RICS housing forecast for 2015. The forecast looks ahead to the next 12 months, across all parts of the housing market, from house prices, sales, rents and housing starts and repossession levels.

House prices Across the UK, RICS expect all parts of the country to see modest price rises during 2015, at an average of three percent. Meanwhile, the South West, Wales and London will experience the lowest rises with prices increasing by two percent and zero percent respectively.

Having outperformed in the early stages of the recovery, chartered surveyors reported London’s housing market was ‘pausing for breath’ both in terms of pricing and activity towards the end of 2014. This

does however mask significantly different behaviour across different parts of the capital and is reflected in the RICS forecast with the eastern boroughs and some other non-prime areas still likely to see more buoyant market conditions persist through 2015.

Rents The growth in rental demand softened in the early part of 2014 as the sales market began to recover across the UK, and potential purchasers took advantage of

the ‘Help to Buy ’ scheme.

However, enquiries to rent property have begun to pickup once again and comfortably outstrip new supply of rental property from landlords. As a result, we expect rents to continue pushing upwards over the next twelve months, to a two per cent increase in rents. Chartered surveyors suggesting that the strongest rises are likely to be recorded in the South West and the North East of England. Rents in the capital are likely to rise broadly in line with the national average.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015—45

Tompolo, Otuaro woo Ijaw royal fathers for PDP

By Emma Amaize

W

ARRI—FORMER militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo and Mr Kingsley Otuaro, running mate to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, have met with Ijaw royal fathers in the state to drum support for the PDP. It was learned that the royal fathers at a meeting hosted by the paramount ruler of Seimbiri Kingdom, Pere Charles Ayemi-Botu, resolved to mobilise their subjects to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan and Senator Okowa.

They were reportedly happy with Tompolo and other Ijaw leaders for the emergence of Otuaro as Okowa’s running mate.

Tompolo had, last week, met separately with the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II and traditional rulers of Urhobo extraction on a similar mission.

The Urhobo Progress Union,

UPU, which was opposed to Jonathan’s re-election, met with him, last week, and had simmered down on the president, but refused that

Urhobo would vote for the party at the state level. UPU leader, Chief Joe Omene, insisted that the Urhobo were still at pains over the

nomination of a non-Urhobo as the party ’s governorship candidate in the state and were not prepared to swallow their words on the matter.

Y

QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION: Mr. From left: Akin Osinbajo, former Anthony General, Ogun State; Pastor Ituah Ighodalo; Prof Yemi Osinbajo, APC Vice Presidential candidate and Mr Lolu Adubifa, Chairman First Friday Group, during a question and answer session with Prof Osinbajo in Lagos, week-end. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

Vote wisely, Peterside tasks Rivers electorate

By Gbenga Oke

G

OVERNORSHIP candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has called on citizens of the state of voting age to ensure they vote wisely come February this year because their vote is their power.

Peterside, at the Port Harcourt Township during his consultation with political leaders, chiefs and the aborigines, said: “Even at the risk of sounding repetitive, let me again restate the fact that everything about our survival and wellbeing rests squarely on who becomes governor of our dear state this year. This choice, I must say, will determine whether we will grow, live in peace, send our children to school, earn the

respect of other Nigerians, maintain our infrastructure and earn a living.

“I urge you to vote for a man of peace that will rule this state because there is need to further enshrine peace in our

state. We must watch out for those who are power drunk and those who will not be accountable to anybody. When power enters their hand, it could be dangerous and that is why we must elect a

governor that will maintain the peaceful atmosphere of today.

We know those who are against all the good things we are doing and we must ensure we use our voting power to reject them.”

DELTA GOV RACE: Isoko'll support Okowa —OMU

By Perez Brisibe

U

GHELLI—PRESIDENT General of Isoko Development Union, IDU, Gen. Paul Omu (retd), has said that though the Isoko nation lost to the Ijaw in producing the running mate to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for the Delta State 2015 governorship election, Isoko will still support Okowa in the election.

Omu, at his Igbide country

home in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, while describing the loss of the deputy governorship slot as a shocker, said the reasons the Isoko lost the position to the Ijaw have become clearer, adding that despite being marginalised, the issue was still subject to dialogue.

“Isoko have been marginalised for a very long time, especially as regards the deputy governor position. We

are hoping that a new era emerges and all our aspirations are looked into.

For Okowa, we know his antecedents and don’t need any form of conviction to support him as they did during the primaries. He has been a friend to everyone in the past and we all know his interest. I urge all Isoko indigenes to read the handwriting on the wall and vote wisely for a candidate who can win election.”

Delta Assembly workers call for Clerk's sack

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—WORRIED by the alleged seeming insensitivity of the leadership of Delta State House of Assembly to the plight of its members, the state chapter of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, yesterday, called for the immediate removal of the Clerk of the House, Mrs Lyna Ocholor and Secretary of the House of Assembly Service Commission, HASC, Mrs

Group urges Dickson to revamp state owned trawlers

Isioma Nwabuoku.

The union, in a communiqué after its congress, also passed a vote of no confidence on the duo over what it described as failure of the management of the House to meet the workers' demands and resolved that “staff should embark on an indefinite strike.”

The communiqué, by its Chairman, Mr McCartney Obrotu, demanded that “Car loan and housing loan should be made accessible to staff.

Claims of over 10 years be paid to their respective beneficiaries. The lack of training and retraining of staff should be addressed. There should be an immediate amendment to the HASC law passed in 2013.

“Committees allowance and secretaries of various committees should be made accounting officers of their respective committees.

Position of Chief of Staff of the state House of Assembly,

should henceforth be occupied by staff of the Assembly as prescribed by the Fiscal Responsibility Law. “Departmental vehicles, committees vehicles and inconvenience allowance be provided for protocol officers."

When contacted, the Clerk of the House, Mrs Ochulor, said it was a labour matter as the union was fighting for the staff, “of which I am one.”

On the call for her sack, she said: “It does not matter.”

By Samuel Oyadongha

ENAGOA—THE Association for NonViolence in Niger Delta has urged Bayelsa State governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, to resuscitate the state owned moribund fishing trawlers.

The fishing trawlers, MV Margaret named after the wife of DSP Alamieyeseigha, former governor of the state and MV Dame Patience, wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, were purchased during the administration of the former to enable the state harness its vast marine resources.

The vessels, according to the group, are currently lying waste at the Ogbia jetty in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.

President of the group, Mr Kennedy West, in an interview in Yenagoa, said that the multi-million naira vessels, if resuscitated and put into use would provide employment for the youths, and generate revenue for the state.

PDP chieftain sues for peaceful polls

A

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain and former chairman, Warri North Local Government Area, Delta State, Mr. Godwin Ebosa, has called on Nigerians to ensure peaceful conduct in the February general elections.

He made the call while receiving an award of Grand Patron Par Excellence, presented to him by Ebosa Political Front, EFP, in Obitugbo community, near Koko town.

He said that there was no alternative to peaceful election and urged all Deltans to vote overwhelmingly for President Goodluck Jonathan for a second tenure as well as for Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as Delta State governor.

The award of Grand Patron Par Excellence was presented to him by the Coordinator of EPF, Mr. Jolomi Esiategiwa.

46—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

Osanebi mobilizes constituents for PDP

By Oboh Agbonkhese

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HE member representing Ndokwa East constituency in Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Friday Osanebi, has enjoined his constituents to put their trust in God and pray for victory for Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the forthcoming elections.

He spoke at a party he organized for youths and elders in Ndokwaland at Ashaka, to usher in the New Year.

The lawmaker reiterated the need for all party faithful to put their differences behind and work together for the overall victory of the party.

He also assured his people that he would never stop listening and finding solutions to their problems as it was one of the benefits of true democracy.

Responding on behalf of the youths, the PresidentGeneral of Ndokwa National Youth Movement, Mr. Benjamin Onwubolu, described Mr. Osanebi as God-sent and assured that youths would mobilize the local government to ensure victory for PDP.

PAC advocates peace

T

HE Police Assistance Committee, PAC, has admonished Nigerians, especially politicians to embrace peace.

In PAC’s New Year message, its DirectorGeneral, Dr. Martins Oni asked Nigerians to emulate big countries such as USA, Japan and China, who have been living together for many years and thriving in social and economic development.

He enjoined politicians to ensure that genuine peace reigns in the country before, during and after the general elections, “ which will usher into office new set of rulers under our present democratic dispensation.”

He urged well-meaning Nigerians to join PAC via www.acta-pac.org

Imo lied on FG's presence—MINISTER

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI—MINISTER of Education, State, Professor Viola Onwuliri, yesterday, said the Federal Government would soon begin to identify its projects in Imo State, allegedly being claimed by the state government.

At a briefing in Owerri, Professor Onwuliri said this became necessary to keep indigenes of the state abreast with Federal Government’s presence, which had been dismissed as a ruse by the All Progressives Congress, APC, government in the state.

He said: “It is surprising that despite enormous amount of funds already invested in the state through the execution of a number of projects, the state

government has bluntly refused to acknowledge this.

It has gone along to mislead the people that the Federal Government has neglected the state.”

The minister claimed the Federal Government spent N40.4 million for each of the classroom blocks currently being executed in the state schools.

According to Onwuliri, “the Federal Government spends this money through the State Universal Basic Education Board. We have supplied over two million textbooks to this state. This is also true of chairs and tables.

“We gave the state government the free hand to appoint its own contractors in the execution of these school

projects.”

Professor Onwuliri alleged that some of these Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, school structures were substandard, claiming that Imo State University, IMSU, got N1.5 billion iconic projects from the Federal Government, while Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO, got N1 billion, noting that government did not discriminate in funding schools.

“Imo State has got different erosion intervention projects, courtesy of the FG. So, it is sad to hear Governor Rochas Okorocha say that the FG has done nothing for the state,” he added.

RECEPTION: From left— Oba Olufemi Ogunleye, Towulade of Akinale; Chief Niyi Adegbenro; Chief Jare Dada, Chairman, OGTV Board of Directors; and Mr. Toye Akinode, former Editor, Vanguard Newspaper, during the monarchs's yearly get-together at Akinale town. PHOTO: Wumi Akinola.

My plans for Abia, by APGA governorship candidate

By Anayo Okoli

U

MUAHIA—THE governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has said it will be difficult to rig next month’s elections in the country because of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s introduction of biometric cards.

Otti, who spoke at his Ehi Na Uguru country home in Isialangwa North Local Government Area, said the introduction of the biometric card reader by INEC would make it difficult for anybody to rig the elections.

The APGA candidate attributed the voter apathy that usually characterized past elections in the country

“to the fact that votes do not count during elections because of rigging.

“A lot of people are disillusioned about elections in the country because votes did not count. But this time, votes will count, because they must be counted and results announced at the polling booths.”

According to him, he had been mobilizing the electorate to collect their permanent voter cards to be able to exercise their franchise and vote during the governorship poll.

Otti also expressed hope that the party had the capacity to win, insisting that the party had the structure and also enjoyed great acceptance at the grassroots.

He expressed the confidence that APGA would

repeat in Abia the feat it recorded in the elections of Governors Willy Obiano and Rochas Okorocha of Anambra and Imo states, respectively.

Otti decried what he described as the high level of infrastructural decay in the state, citing the poor state of roads, hospitals and the lack of social amenities to buttress his point.

He said: “Anybody who loves Abia and detests the level of decay and underdevelopment will vote for me. A lot of people are not happy with the situation in the state.

“I entered the governorship race not as a politician, but because my interest is to bring the people out of the scourge of poverty, lack and want.”

She challenged Governor Okorocha to tell the people what he had done in schools outside the projects executed by UBEC, TETFUND, NDDC and the World Bank and some other interventionist agencies.

... as Ihedioha vows to introduce due process

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HE Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives and governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Imo State, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, has pledged to institute due process in the conduct of government business, if elected into office.

This is contained in his official political blueprint, which was obtained from his media campaign organization in Owerri.

The PDP flag-bearer alleged that the maladministration being experienced in Imo State was basically due to lack of due process and rule of law in the conduct of public policy.

He noted that the absence of due process in the running of the affairs of Imo State had resulted in a situation where government business had become the private estate of one man and members of his immediate family.

According to Ihedioha, “the absence of due process in the conduct of government business under the incumbent administration in the state has resulted in a situation where the economy of Imo State has become prostrate and crestfallen.

“Capital flight has become the order of the day due to outsourcing of means of production with consequent massive poverty and unemployment ravaging the state.”

He claimed that in spite of the huge funds that had accrued to Imo State since 2011, there was nothing tangible in terms of infrastructural development to show for it.

Ihedioha vowed to institutionalize due process mechanism in the conduct of government business with a view to reversing the current trends and checking corruption.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015— 47

Plateau youths trace blood droppings of lifeless head to Alhaji's house

By Marie-Therese

J

Nanlong

OS—SOME youths in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State have reportedly traced the blood droppings from the lifeless head of one Longji Mikyes who was beheaded by suspected Fulani herdsmen to the house of one Alhaji in the area.

Mikyes was beheaded during the one week of crises in the area.

The series of attacks in Maitumbi, Jwak-Maitumbi, Kyampus, Mai-Rana, Sarbot, Kantoma villages and their environs started last December 26, 2014 when one Yoila Micah of Jwak-Maitumbi was shot by suspected herdsmen.

Explaining the situation at the NUJ Press Centre in, Jos, weekend, the Chairman of the local government, Mr. Caleb Mutfwang lamented the situation, saying it had left a lot of internally displaced persons as many houses had been burnt.

His words: “Just at the point we were almost rejoicing for a peaceful celebration of the Yuletide, the enemies struck in the night. As the community was recovering from that shock, another sad incident happened on Tuesday, December 30, 2014.

“This precipitated the violence witnessed in the villages.

Credible witnesses confirmed that

two young men riding on motorcycle were ambushed and shot. While one escaped with bullet wounds, the other, Longji Mikyes was murdered and beheaded.

“The attention of the Sector 8 of the Special Task Force and Police was drawn to the development which they responded, pleaded for calm with a promise to commence investigation.

“At dawn of Wednesday, December 31 , 2014, some

unarmed youths frustrated with delay in the arrival of the security personnel as promised, decided to trace the blood droppings from the scene where the victim was beheaded which terminated at the house of one Alhaji (names withheld), a Fulani man in the community. ‘’Upon request to search the house, someone came out with a gun and shot randomly at the youths. So far, no arrest has been made with regard to this particular incident.

“Angered by this, the youths went on rampage and burnt some Fulani houses; the Fulani mobilized at night and attacked the aforementioned communities with sporadic gunshots from all directions resulting in the death of four people and burning of several house and displacing of people.”

Meanwhile, in an effort to restore sanity, the local authority has organized an enlarged security meeting with major stakeholders including security chiefs, CAN, JNI, MACBAN, youth groups among others.

BRIEFING: From left: Toni Kan, co-author, Toyin Sanni, MD/CEO, UBA Capital, Chief Taiwo Taiwo, CEO, Shonny Investment & Properties Company, SIPC, Ambassador Adekunle Adeyemi, and Peju Akande, co-author, at a briefing to announce the launch of the biography, S.O. Shonibare: Legend of all Time in Lagos.

Suswam, Akume assure on peaceful election

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By Peter Duru

AKURDI—AS anxiety mounts across Benue State, ahead of the forthcoming 2015 elections, Governor Gabriel Suswam and Senate Minority Leader and leader of the opposition in the state, Senator George Akume, yesterday, agreed to collaborate to ensure peaceful polls in the state.

They both vowed to resist any attempt to plunge the state into crisis and bloodshed, before, during and after the polls.

The leaders spoke yesterday, at the Catholic Prayer Pilgrimage for Peace, held at the Saint John’s Catholic Cathedral, Gboko.

Suswam in his speech said: “I have been contesting elections since 1999, and nobody can associate me with violence because I have continuously eschewed campaign of calumny and name calling.

“As we go about our campaigns and move closer to the elections, I plead with all politicians to desist from using inflammatory languages that could incite the people into violence. It is a duty we owe the state and the people we hope to lead.

“On my part as the Chief Security Officer of Benue State, I assure and guarantee the Benue people that the coming general elections will be conducted in an

atmosphere that is devoid of violence and crisis.

“Since Senator George Akume has also agreed that the opposition would work towards a peaceful process, we will collaborate to ensure that the coming elections would be the most peaceful in the history of our state.”

Earlier, Senator Akume had cautioned that “no gun should be used against a Benue person because of the 2015 elections.

“We are demanding that the elections should be free and fair; lets all test our popularity before the people and not engage in anything that would be a recipe for crisis.”

Speaking on behalf of the Catholic Church and other convening priests, the Bishop of the Gboko Diocese, Rt Rev. William Avenya observed with dismay that elections in the country were usually tainted with malpractices and violence and called for a change of heart among the political class.

Sokoto Zakat C'ttee spends N927m on 7,000 physically challenged persons

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OKOTO—THE Sokoto State Zakat Committee on Monday said it had spent about N927.6 million on 7,000 physically challenged persons and other indigent persons across the state.

The Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Lawal

Maidoki told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Sokoto that the money was released to the committee by the Sokoto State Government in 2014.

According to him, N549.6 million out of the amount was spent on the payment of monthly allowances to physically

challenged persons in the 23 local governments of the state.

He said: “There are nearly 7,000 physically challenged persons benefiting from the state government’s gesture, and they are each being given N6,500 monthly."

‘Ozoro people 're proud of Ogor's legacies'

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ZORO—THE Deputy Majority Leader, Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Leonard Ogor, who represents the Isoko Federal Constituency of Delta State, was yesterday, described as a passionate politician with a transformation mindset, whose exemplary representation in the National Assembly has made his Ozoro people proud of him and thus requesting for his re-election for

another term.

The Press Secretary of Ogor, Akpodhoma Mikoko, who eulogized Ogor as he clocks 56, said the lawmaker had within the time he has spent in the House, facilitated several extraordinary projects that has put smiles on the faces of his people.

Mikoko, who described Ogor as a core lawmaker who understands the workings of the constitution and the House,

said: “As a present serving member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Leo Ogor has been able to put smiles on the faces of his people that voted him into power within the time he has spent without altercation. He is a political leader that listens to the voice of his people. As a result, Isoko people believe that Ogor is a God-sent son to deliver the dividends of democracy to them."

Minister expresses satisfaction with level of work at erosion control sites

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ADUNA—THE Minister of Environment, Mrs Lawrencia Mallam has expressed satisfaction with the level of work at erosion control sites in Zango Kataf and Kaura Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.

The minister stated this on Monday during a tour of the project sites at Kajim and Fadan daji in Kaura, and Ungwa Tabo and Jankasa in Zangon Kataf.

Mallam said the project was part of the Federal Government intervention measures to check the threats posed by erosion and flood, especially in rural areas.

She said the measure would also make rural areas accessible and enhance the transportation of farm produce, which would in turn boost economic activities.

“The Federal Government is committed to taking proactive measures that would safeguard lives, property and the environment of rural dwellers, “ she said.

Sokoto PDP gov candidate pledges to work closely with Sultanate Council

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OKOTO—THE governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Sokoto State, Sen. Abdallah Wali, yesterday, pledged to work closely with the Sokoto Sultanate Council, if elected in the forthcoming general election.

Wali gave the pledge at a news conference in Sokoto, during which he denied any plan to sideline the council, headed by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.

This was even as a former governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the recent party primaries in Sokoto State, Alhaji Yusha’u Kebbe, has defected to the PDP. Kebbe said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Sokoto, yesterday.

He said he joined politics to protect the interest of his people and for the development of the state.

48—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

LUNCHEON: From left, member, Ibadan Foundation, Chief Abayomi Sanu; President of the Foundation, Chief Bayo Alugbin; representative of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Professor Femi Lana, and Chairman, University Press, Dr. Lekan Are, at the annual Ibadan Foundation luncheon and awards, in Ibadan, weekend.

From left, Dr.Tobi Agbonlahor, mother of the new baby Osarieman Agbonlahor, Dr. George Agbonlahor, grand father; Mrs. Josephline Agbonlahor, grand mother, and Mr. George Agbonlahor, father, during the thanksgiving Service and dedication ceremony of the baby, at Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lekki Jakande Estate, Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe

COMMISSIONING: From left, Engr. Chidi Ojinere, NDDC Commissioner; Mr. Kyrian Uchegbu; Nnanna Igbokwe, Deputy Speaker, House of Reps, and PDP Governorship Candidate in Imo State, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; Mr. Law Biaduo, and Mr. Austin Papa, during the commissioning of 5km road project facilitated by Deputy Speaker, from Umuchieze to Umuediabala, Ahiazu Mbaise LGA, Imo State

CAROL: Professor Adebiyi Daramola, Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA (middle), surrounded by principal officers, and members of the university's mass choir, after a Christmas carol service.

PRESENTATION: From left, Administrator, Sacred Heart Hospital, Abeokuta, Rev. Father Simon Akinyemi; Chairman, ACTS Professional Limited, Mr. Ignatius Adegunle; Chairman, Ebi Initiative, Mrs. Bolatito Adegunle; the Initiator, Ebi Christmas Smile Initiative, Miss Jumoke Adegunle, presenting gift box to orphans and less privileged children, while Chief Matron, Sacred Heart Hospital, Abeokuta, Rev. Sister, Rose Da-Silva, and Assistant Chief Matron, Rev. Sister Patricia Anyanwu, watch, at Sacred Heart Hospital, Lantoro, Abeokuta, Ogun State, weekend.

MARRIAGE: From left, Chief Funsho Ako, groom's father; Mrs. Maria Oboh Peters, bride's mother; Squadron Leader Abraham Funsho-Ako, groom; fomerly Miss Patience Oboh Peters, bride's father, during the wedding ceremony of Squadron Leader Funsho-Ako, Deputy Adjutant, Nigerian Defence Academy and his new wife, Patience, in Our Leadies of Apostle Church, Kaduna, Kaduna State.

SERVICE: Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, exchanging pleasantries with Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. Elisah Ogundiya, during the Inter-religious Service for the New Year 2015, at Office of the Governor, State Secretariat, Osogbo, yesterday.

ENGAGEMENT: From left, Chief John Odeyemi, groom's father; Dr. Olabo Osude, bride's mother; Akinloye Odeyemi, groom; Adeola Osude, bride; Chief Kofoworola Odeyemi, goom's mother, and Adekunle Osude, bride's father, during the engagement ceremony between Akinloye Odeyemi and Adeola Osude, at Oregun, Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015—49

Focus on real campaign, PDP tells APC

By Henry Umoru

A

BUJA — AHEAD of next month’s Presidential election, national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the All Progressives Congress, APC of planning fake poll rating for its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd).

PDP in a statement, yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said that the APC and its Presidential candidate must focus on real campaign and try to win followers genuinely instead of what it termed, applying cheap diversionary tactics.

According to Metuh, “The APC so called ‘change agenda’ should be based on issues and not on change of dressing and religious gathering. This election is not about political window-dressing and dramatizing. What will count is record of performance and antecedents, which President Jonathan stands taller than General Buhari.

“It is therefore, not surprising that the APC and its Presidential candidate will resort to organising a Kangaroo opinion rating in a failed attempt to cover up their inadequacies and manipulate public perception in their favour.

“This APC phantom poll has been designed in such a way to make the Nigerian public believe that 75 percent of the voting population is in support of General Buhari ahead the February 14 presidential election.

“Our findings reveal that the APC leaders are already intensifying effort to compromise some section of the media so as to ensure that the poll packaged by its foreign consultants is widely publicized. Part of the

strategy is a disguised mobile phone balloting application being circulated by the APC, whereby a curious click elicits a thank-you message from them and automatically register the unsuspecting phone user as having voted in support of General Buhari.

“We are indeed shocked at the level the APC and its presidential

candidate have sunk in their desperation for power. We hereby urge Nigerians, particularly the media to be wary of this plot to deceive the public and truncate our democratic process.

“Our final advice to the APC is that they should focus on real campaign and stop playing to the gallery. Lies, no matter how much embellished can never take the

place of truth and nothing built on falsehood stands. This election is not about fake figures and falsehood. It is about the choice of the citizens. Nigerians have since made up their minds to continue identifying with their performing President and no amount of propaganda and misrepresentation by the APC can change this.”

SWEARING-IN: Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State (R), congratulating the newly sworn-in Head of Service of Bayelsa State, Dr. Josephine Igodo, shortly after the swearingin ceremony, at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Yenagoa.

2015 ELECTIONS: IGP vows safety of all Nigerians

By Kingsley Omonobi

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BUJA — WITH six weeks to the 2015 general elections, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, has promised that the Police will take all lawful measures to ensure the safety and security of Nigerians at all times. He

also pledged the determination and readiness of the Nigeria Police Force to tackle all issues of security pertaining to the 2015 elections.

Abba also assured the traveling public of their safety and security as they commute Nigerian roads, following the conclusion of New Year and

Eid-el Maulud celebrations.

The IG in a statement by Force Public Relations officer, Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu, added that the Police and other security agencies have been deployed strategically nationwide to ensure lawabiding Nigerians go about their lawful businesses without fear and molestation.

APC commiserates with Jonathan over sister’s death ... Mark too

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HE ALL Progressives Congress, APC, has commiserated with President

Goodluck Jonathan on the untimely death of his sister, urging him to take solace in

Calabar emerges first Nigerian digital city

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ALABAR, THE capital of Cross River State has become Nigeria’s first digital city following the completion of installation of its metropolitan dark fibre optic network infrastructure.

This feat was accomplished via a partnership between the Cross River Government and telecommunications company, MTN. The infrastructure which consists of 120km of 96 core fibre cable and open access ducts

spans the entire city of Calabar.

Calabar thus becomes the most wired city for voice, data and video telecommunications and various technology driven services in the country.

Mr. Odo Effiong, Special Adviser to Governor Liyel Imoke on Communications Technology Development, said that the infrastructure would overtime, offer a variety of technology driven services and improvements.

God for the unquantifiable loss.

In a statement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said that the loss of a loved one was always an unfathomable tragedy, which is compounded when such death occurs at an unripe age. ‘’We pray that God will grant repose to the soul of the departed, comfort the President and his entire family and give them the strength to bear their loss. We also wish the immediate family of the deceased God’s succour in their moment of darkness,’’ it said.

Meanwhile, Senate President, David Mark, yesterday, condoled with

President Jonathan and his family over the death of his sister, Mrs Nancy JonathanOlei.

The condolence in a message by Mark’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Paul Mumeh, in Abuja, expressed sadness over the untimely death of Nancy, saying “Her death has robbed the nation of her worthy enterprise.

“I wish to therefore, console the first family and the entire people of Bayelsa State over this sad loss.”

He, however, urged the President to view Nancy ’s passing onto glory as an act of God Almighty.

Workers in FCT resume after yuletide

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overnment and private offices in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, yesterday, recorded large turnout of workers, following the resumption of work after the Christmas and New Year break.

The Federal Secretariat and Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCDA, headquarters workers were at their duty posts.

At the FCDA, Mr Cosmos Uzodinma, Head, Information and Customer Service, Abuja Geographic Information System, AGIS, said that the holiday was enough for any civil servant to get back to work on the first working day of the year.

Uzodinma said he travelled and came back to resume duty as a responsible citizen.

“The break was long enough for many activity, so people have no excuse not to resume duty; if you look round, you will see all the staff working,” he said.

Mrs Edith Okafor, a civil servant, said she came back from the village on Saturday and rested on Sunday to resume work on Monday.

It will be recalled that the Federal Government declared December 25 and 26 as public holiday to celebrate Christmas, while January 1 and 2 were declared as public holidays to mark New Year day and Eid-elMaulud.

Okafor, noted that the non-payment of the December 2014 salary to some workers did not affect the turnout of workers on the first official working day of the year.

“The holiday was long although we started without money but thank God we were paid before New Year; so we are back to carry out our civic duty,” she said.

At the Federal Secretariat, people were seen going about their normal duties.

Mr Emeka Nwachukwu, a civil servant in FCT, said the traffic witnessed along Nyanya axis in the morning showed that people were back from the break.

Nwachukwu said: "When I got to the office this morning, yesterday, I noticed that all the staff have resumed.”

50—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

No distribution of PVCs in 15 Borno LGs

By NDAHI MARAMA

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AIDUGURI—THE Permanent Voter ’s Cards, PVCs, will not be distributed in 15 local government areas of Borno State due to the activities of Boko Haram insurgents, state Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Professor Tukur Sa’ad, has said.

The affected councils are Bama, Askira/Uba, Gwoza, Konduga, Chibok, Damboa, Dikwa, Ngala, Abadam, Marte, Mafa, Kukawa and Kala/Balge, which was 195 kiometres north of Maiduguri, the state capital.

The REC, however, said the modalities for the distribution of PVCs and the Continuous Voters Registration, CVR, for Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in the state were still being worked out by INEC, as the task force set up over the matter submitted its report to the commission weekend, for implementation.

Sa’ad spoke, yesterday, in Maiduguri on the nondistribution of PVCs and the CVR exercise by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the state, 40 days to the 2015 general elections.

He said: “We have received a number of PVCs, but the balance is yet to arrive Maiduguri. Hopefully, we will receive our balance in due course, before the commission commences distributing them.”

He, however, attributed the non-distribution of PVCs in the state the closure of roads by the military for four days in December last year.

“The closure of entry to Borno State has affected deliveries of PVCs and CVR for internally displaced persons,” Sa’ad added, pointing out that the distribution of cards and voters’ registers, would however be restricted to only 12 council areas, because of Boko Haram insurgency in the remaining 15 local government areas of the state.

He said: “Since we cannot guarantee the security of INEC and other ad-hoc staff during CVR and distribution of PVCs, the commission will distribute them in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Jere, Biu, Monguno, Gubio, Magumeri, Mobbar, Kwaya/ Kusar, Bayo, Nganzai, Guzamala and Shani councils.”

BRIEFING: Change of guard: From left— Rear Admiral Peter Agba, former Flag Officer Commanding, FOC, Central Naval Command; Lieutenant Commander Ahmed Hamman, Command's Information Officer; and Rear Admiral Stainley Ogoigbe, new FOC, during the handing over ceremony.

BRIEFING: Prince Lekan Fadina, Chairman, Board of Trustee, Commodity Brokers Association of Nigeria, CBAN; Shehu Kajiji, President, and Mallam Nasir Abbas, Publicity Secretary, both of CBAN, at the induction of new members in Abuja. PHOTO: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Gana defends N21bn raised for PDP campaigns z

Party owes N10bn on secretariat project— CONTRACTOR

By Henry Umoru

A

BUJA—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, defended the over N21 billion it realized during last year’s fund raising for President Goodluck Jonathan campaigns ahead of next month’s presidential election, saying that N10 billion would be channelled towards the completion of the abandoned permanent secretariat of the party.

According to the party, part of the money would also be used to fund other projects of the party across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.

Addressing newsmen yesterday at the uncompleted secretariat located at the Central District, Abuja, Chairman, Fund Raising Committee of the party, Professor Jerry Gana, said it would be tantamount to going contrary to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s law, which stipulates a specific amount of fund for presidential campaigns, for PDP to spend N21 billion on the presidential election, adding “there is a specific focus on the

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incomplete PDP permanent headquarters.”

Gana further said that part of the money would be used for campaigns in the 774 local governments councils and the various wards and units, while the rest would be used to run the campaigns for the President, the governorship candidates and other aspirants as the fund was not raised specifically for a particular candidate of the party.

Gana explained that insinuations making the rounds that money collected was for the presidential campaign was false as the central aim of the fund raising was to complete PDP National headquarters. ‘’The President, in his capacity, has the right to quietly raise fund for his campaigns from his friends across the globe,” he added.

Organisation, stressed that All Progressives Congress, APC, would meet the PDP on the field, adding that the ruling party would take its campaign to Maiduguri, Bama, Yobe, Michika and other Boko Haram zones in the NorthEast, as the administration had been addressing security challenges in the country and would continue to do so.

Gana urged political leaders and stakeholders in PDP and APC to embrace, preach and teach peace and not threaten violence.

Professor Gana said: “This administration of the party under our able chairman resolved that we must complete this project so that we can move here and so part of the preparations for this year’s campaign is for us to raise funds and I had the honour of leading a very distinguished team of Nigerians to prepare for the fund raising.

Our campaign plan

Raising N21bn

Funds distribution

The former Minister who is the Director, Contact and Mobilization Sub-Committee of President Jonathan National Campaign

“We raised about N21 billion on that day. Right from the start, we were raising money for PDP and its projects. The documents and letters said so;

the speeches confirmed it and during the day of the fund raising, in my own speech and the speech of the Vice President, who happens to be an architect, there was a specific focus on this building that we want to complete.

“The Vice President gave graphic details of where we were on this project and how we desired to go ahead and therefore, the central aim of the fund-raising is to empower the party to complete this building and other projects.

“The second is, of course, to empower the party to campaign for its candidates.

Not for the President alone, but for others and the Presidential candidate has the right and he is going to use that his right to raise fund for his campaign quietly.

“I am not the chairman of that fund raising team. But I am sure the President will appoint somebody and I am sure they are already working hard and being a humble Nigerian, he wants to do it quietly and people will donate to him.

“So, we want to make it clear that the money raised was for PDP and a substantial part of it will be for the completion of this building.

“As already noted, we need over N10 billion to conclude it and so, we hope that we are going to raise more. Half of the money is already going to be for the building and other projects.

“We want to lay to rest all the permutations and the discussions going on in the media about us raising more than the law allows for our candidate. That is not the correct position. We set out to raise funds for PDP project and the committee worked so hard and we succeeded. The committee did much more than we expected.”

Meanwhile, the Commercial Manager, BNL Bouygues Group, Mr. Benet Osuala, has explained that the contract for PDP permanent secretariat was given in April 2010 to the tune of N16.5 billion, with only N6 billion paid.

He said work stopped on the project in September 2012 due to lack of funds.

Osuala, however, said the project would be delivered before the end of this year, if PDP paid the balance of N10 billion.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015—51

Uduaghan bags Silverbird Man of the Year 2014 award

By Festus Ahon

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SABA—THE Silverbird Group has named Delta State governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, as Man of the Year 2014, in appreciation of his achievements.

The state commissioner for Information, Mr Chike Ogeah, in a statement by his Special Assistant, Mr Paul Mordi, said: “Just as he ended 2014 on a winning note, Dr Uduaghan began the new year with another award as the Silverbird Group named him its Man of the Year for 2014.

“His sterling performance in health signposted by the free medical care for children and the elderly as well as the free maternal care for pregnant women, and the micro-credit scheme where over 111,000 Deltans have been empowered to set up their own businesses, were highlighted as part of the programmes Nigerians who traditionally vote for the winner elected Uduaghan the winner.”

According to Ogeah, Silverbird Group, owners of Silverbird Television network and Rhythm FM, said: “The governor ’s massive investment in infrastructure and his success at restoring and sustaining peace and security in the state won the

admiration of Nigerians who voted for him.

“The award was decided through popular vote open to all Nigerians and is the latest in the critical appraisal of Uduaghan’s administration by the media.”

The award, according to Ogeah came on the heels of the three he

won in the last weeks of 2014, which include The BusinessDay Governor of the Year award in health category in its Good Governance and State Competitiveness Award.

“The Pilot newspaper Governor of the Year award; the BEN Television award in micro-credit

and job creation and Africa Independent Television, AIT, award as Governor of the Year.

“The award is a just reward for a man that had devoted his energy to creating a new national mentality on development through his Delta Beyond Oil initiative."

DEPARTURE: From right: President Goodluck Jonathan; Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State and the state deputy governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (retd.), during the president's departure after a private visit to Bayelsa State.

UPU denies allegation of Okowa’s adoption by Urhobo monarchs

By Godwin Oghre

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OSOGAR—THE Urhobo nation, through its umbrella body, Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, has denied reports that Urhobo Traditional Rulers Forum Ukokori Ivie Urhobo, has endorsed Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as the next governor of Delta State, through the influence of ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemukpolo, alias Tompolo.

This came on the heels of assurance from President Goodluck Jonathan to the Urhobo nation, that he will wade into the issue of federal appointments meant for Delta State, which allegedly favoured Delta North more than Delta Central.

President General of UPU, Chief Joseph Omene, yesterday in Mosogar, also said that the President had promised to revamp ailing Federal Government companies in Urhoboland in his second tenure.

Denying the allegation of Okowa’s endorsement by a section of Urhobo royal fathers, Chief Omene, said: “It C M Y K

is not true that the few Urhobo kings Tompolo met endorsed Senator Okowa. If they did, they would have been able to come and say they had endorsed Senator Okowa, just

as Urhobo have done through UPU for President Jonathan.

To the best of my knowledge, the kings told him that he should go and meet with UPU after which UPU will brief

them. That was what they told him.”

Omene expressed optimism that the Urhobo will produce the next governor of the state, adding that there was no going back on it.

Dickson swears in new Head of Service

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

E N A G O A — GOVERNOR Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, yesterday, charged the newly sworn in Head of Service, Dr. Josephine Igodo, to instill the virtues of discipline, hard work and ensure that public servants stay clear of partisan politics, particularly as the general elections draw near.

Dickson gave the charge at the swearing-in ceremony of Dr. Igodo following the retirement of the out-gone Head of Service, Sir Fraser Okuoru, at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Yenagoa.

The governor, who noted that Igodo's appointment as Head of Service was coming at a time when political activities were being heightened in the state and

country, admonished public servants not to constitute themselves into what he described as an arm of the opposition in the polity.

He said: “The public service must sit up. As the head of the

government, I take decisions without political considerations in order to insulate the public service from the pressures and travails of those of us who are in political life."

Okowa vows to make drastic changes if elected

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—DELTA State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate for the February 16, election, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has promised to make drastic changes in some areas of governance if elected.

Okowa, while inaugurating the Canaan Movement, a political pressure group, insisted that it would not be

business as usual.

He promised to give the people what they truly need “as against the practice of giving to the people what the leader or their representative wants for them.”

Enjoining the people of the state to eschew ethnicity and any acts that could breed violence, he said; “We should first consider ourselves as Deltans before the tribe we individually belong to.”

APC'll unseat PDP in Delta —DTHA CANDIDATE

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HIEF Vincent Okudolor, All Progressives Congress, APC, House of Assembly candidate for Warri South constituency II, has said that the APC was ready to unseat the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the general elections in February.

Okudolor, yesterday in Warri, denied media report that he was a member of the PDP campaign organisation, noting that as an APC candidate, he will never be part of PDP's campaign activities.

He called on the people of Warri South constituency II, to take advantage of the imminent change in Nigeria and cast their votes for APC candidates in the general elections.

Okudolor, who is optimistic of victory also promised to enhance the fortunes of the people and attract meaningful development to the area.

Group urged to mobilise voters for Okowa

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HEAD of the 2015 governorship election in Delta State, Okowability Prosperity Network, with over 2,000 members across the 25 local government areas of the state, has directed its executive and members to mobilise at least, 20 voters each to vote in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, saying that he remains an unbeatable candidate who will bring prosperity to the state.

Okowa, also the current senator representing Delta North senatorial district, was said to have got the group’s nod for the governorship election, following what the group described as, “His track record of successful prosperity programmes that have touched the peoples socio-economic welfare and infrastructure, while serving in various government positions where he has the opportunity to occupy, since 2009 till date.”

52—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

Teenager killed herself to avoid Isis sex slavery

By Anthony Loyd in Iraq

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HE sexual enslavement of hundreds, possibly thousands, of Yazidi women held captive by Islamic State (Isis) in Iraq and Syria is detailed in a report to be released by Amnesty International, which accuses the jihadists of committing war crimes.

Drawn from interviews with 42 Yazidi women who had escaped captivity since they were captured in August last year, the Amnesty report — Escape from Tell: Torture and Sexual Slavery in Islamic State Captivity in Iraq — describes the fate of women and girls, some as young as 12 years old, being sold into slavery, given away as gifts or forced to marry Isis fighters.

Torture, rape and sexual violence were common threats in the women’s experience of captivity, and the report documented one case of suicide when a 19-year-old women killed herself rather than be sold as a slave.

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"They took my three sisters away by force, one by one," another young escaper told the human rights organisation. "They were all younger than me. One was only 13 and the others were 15 and 18. I wanted to kill myself, because I could not bear to think what would become of them and because I was afraid they would do the same to me."

Between 3,500 and 5,500 Yazidi men, women and children were taken prisoner by Isis after the jihadists overran Sinjar mountain and surrounding villages on August 3. Especially vulnerable to Isis prejudice because of their non-Abrahamic faith, the Yazidis’ enslavement was publicly justified by Isis as early as October in the organisation’s online magazine Dabiq.

Islamic slavery An article in the magazine cited the early historical practices of Islamic slavery as befitting those

not of Abrahamic faith, and suggested that sex slaves, referred to as “concubines”, helped to preserve the spiritual purity of fighters.

Mass execution site where Isis massacred at least 160 men in Iraq recently “They (Isis) believe it is spiritually advantageous to revive the described a methodological plan that Baba Sheikh, the Yazidis’ institution of slavery.. (because it) by Isis under which young Yazidi spiritual leader, had attempted to will allow them to maintain sexual females were segregated from minimise the stigma for women purity, whereas if they didn’t have other prisoners within hours of returning to their community by the concubine slave available, capture. instructing Yazidis to support they would be tempted to sleep The Yazidi women were them, among those interviewed with their hired maids or other removed from the area around some said they had never women that they are forbidden to Sinjar in trucks to holding admitted the scale of their abuse have intercourse with,” explained centres, where they were sorted to family members for fear of Matthew Barber, a scholar and according to age, education and being ostracised. The fate of the advocate of Yazidi affairs from the marital status, before being overwhelming majority of the University of Chicago. allocated in batches to Isis thousands of missing Yazidis By early December Isis had commanders, who then sold or remains unknown, while codified its slavery practices with gave them among fighters. Some Amnesty noted that the testimony a set of rules for its fighters, women were raped on multiple of the escapees described Isis including definitions of legitimate occasions by different Isis behaviour that clearly constituted sexual practice and punishment. fighters, who traded them among both war crimes and the crimes Among 300 women and children each other for sums as little as against humanity. known to have escaped from £15.

•Culled from the Times of captivity, survivors have While the Amnesty report noted London

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015—53

Enugu APC gov candidate wants Chime to account for N600bn received in 6 yrs

By Chinenyeh Ozor

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SUKKA — ALL Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Enugu State, Mr. Okey Ezea, has asked the state government to account for over N600 billion which accrued to the state in the nearly eight years of Governor Sullivan Chime’s administration.

Ezea claimed the state received about N544 billion from the Federation Account during the period apart from the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, receipts from the Ecological Fund the Excess Crude Oil Account or foreign donations.

He also, asked Governor Chime to explain why his government borrowed N24.5 billion at the tail end of his administration.

Speaking in an interview with Vanguard, Ezea noted that Chime was desperate to impose his candidate on the people of the state to cover the alleged atrocities of his regime and asked the people to vote for the APC, which he said would ensure free education in the state among others, if elected.

According to him, ‘’The problem is that they believe they are not accountable to anybody.

We are asking for the mandate of the people to bring accountability to the door steps of every Enugu man and woman. ‘They do not even allow people to determine who becomes the councillor or chairman of local government not

to talk about members of the state and National Assemblies. That is why they impeached a deputy governor for raising poultry. We, the people of Enugu State deserve the right to know what the PDP government used the huge resources that accrued to the state in the last eight years. We would like to know what they used the money for and why in spite of such huge amount, government would still borrow N24.5 billion few months to the end of its

tenure. ‘’There is no accountability in Enugu State and this is what the people are yearning for. There is need for the government to be open and transparent. This is what is lacking in this state and that is why we want to change things for the better. We want to adequately exploit our sources of IGR to finance free education in the state. In addition, I intend to effect 50 per cent reduction on the tuition fees

charged by tertiary institutions in the state as well as institute a bursary scheme for students of Enugu State origin in other tertiary institutions. ‘In the last 10 to 15 years, no unemployed youth has been given any employment; yet we have thousands of university graduates roaming the streets. That is why we want to be given the chance to bring about change. These are some of the tasks we have set for ourselves,” he said.

VISIT: From left, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, his wife, Edith, and Delta State WCDI chapter coordinator, Chief Betty Efekodha during a courtesy visit by Women for Change and Development Initiative, WCDI, Delta State to PDP governorship candidate,Delta State, Senator Okowa, in Asaba. Photo: Nath Onojake

ECONOMIC DEVT: Okorocha seeks partnership with

Western nations

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OVERNOR ROCHAS Okorocha of Imo State, has called for partnership with the Western nations to improve security and economic growth in the country.

He spokel when he received the French Ambassador to Nigeria Francois Sastourne, who paid him courtesy call at the Government House, Owerri.

Okorocha who noted the cordial relationship existing between French and Nigeria, observed that Nigeria’s partnership with the Western nations in the past had been too theoretical and called for more practical collaboration to yield more positive result.

The governor stressed that lack of common language for the African countries had been the bane in the unity of the continent.

He called for a joint effort to institute a common language to promote peace, unity and the economy of the African Nations.

According to him, the success story of his administration in terms of security and rapid infrastructure development depended so much on the creation of the Community Government

Council, CGC, in the state.

The governor assured that Nigeria would never break up as he maintained “Nigeria is a different nation altogether, we do not take things too serious to the extent we want to divide.

Nigeria is still one nation indivisible, we know how to

handle our challenges without breaking up. We will overcome our challenges”.

Earlier, the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Francois Sastourne, who said he was visiting Imo State for the second time, observed that tremendous improvement had

taken place in the state under the present administration.

He stated that the whole world was watching Nigeria as he hoped that the 2015 general election would be free and fair, with the country remaining integrated as well as the economy.

Police in Enugu commence training ahead of next month’s polls

By Francis Igata

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NUGU — ENUGU State Police command has commenced an intensive training of officers and men of the command ahead of next month’s general elections.

Commissioner of Police, Enugu command, Abubakar Adamu Mohammed, disclosed this yesterday, during his first briefing of the year with his divisional police officers and heads of department at the command’s conference room .

According to Adamu, “the

command will run two sets of programme training and workshop with all the key players in the elections as well as some members of the public. The physical training of officers and men is in progress now. The training will prepare their alertness towards the challenges expected during the general elections. As we all know, the polity is already volatile, that is why this training is of utmost importance to guard our democratic strides.

“There is going to be a workshop and training for officers and men of the command on January 8 at

the superior police officers mess at Agbani road Enugu with the theme, ‘the role of security agencies in the conduct of free, fair and credible 2015 general election’. Also on January 15, there is going to be another workshop and training at the mess involving all the sister security agencies, officials of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, officers of the command, representatives of political parties, members of the press and other relevant stakeholders dwelling on the successful conduct of election as it affects all the stake holders.”

BREASTFEEDING:

Nutritionist advocates consistency in awareness programmes

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NUTRITIONIST with the United Nations, Dr. John Egbuta, yesterday, advocated consistency in adhering to breastfeeding awareness programmes with proper documentation in the Ministry of Health in the country.

Egbuta said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN. According to him, breastfeeding awareness programme in the country was not being sustained, practised and documented as part of the series of programmes in the appropriate ministry at federal, state and local government levels.

He said: “Government should sustain every effort they has been put in place. It is not something that should be periodic. It is something that should, in fact, be in place and be practised from the federal to the state, to the local governments, and to the communities."

Opeifa’s wife empowers widows, others

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HE WIFE of Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mrs Abiodun Opeifa, has given out rice and food items to widows to mark Christmas and New Year.

Mrs Opeifa, an initiator of Hydra Edge Foundation has equally empowered nine women with refrigerators and generators to improve their businesses.

The ceremony was held at Oyewole Primary School, Agege. She said that the programme which normally gulped N5 million every year, with 500 women benefitted from the distribution of food items like rice, garri and while others were empowered.

According to her, a woman was given N50,000 to start a trade and scholarship worth N1.9 million had been given to a student at Methodist Boys High School, Lagos. Adding that the programme was meant for people of Lagos State not only Agege residents.

54 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

We'll deliver Kano's five million votes to Buhari — GANDUJE

By AbdulSalam Muhammad

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ANO—KANO State’s Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for the forthcoming general elections, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has given assurance that Kano will deliver its more than five million votes to General Muhammadu Buhari during the presidential election.

Dr. Ganduje, who made the promise while unveiling his blueprint for Greater Kano, stated that registered voters would be mobilized to achieve the set goals.

He disclosed that “The die is cast, we are ready for the race and we are working hard to give Kano maximum votes to Gen. Buhari during the forthcoming general election”.

The Kano APC Governorship candidate revealed that ''We are confident that it is only General Buhari that has the capacity to confront and resolve the current man made crisis bedevilling us as a nation”.

Dr. Ganduje stressed that “Nigeria for now requires the services of somebody who is upright, strong, and who can fight injustice no matter whose ox is gored”, pointing out that “It is in the spirit of these sterling qualities that Kano, as the most populous state is taking a leading role”.

The Deputy Governor said that he would consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor if elected governor, adding that innovative ideas would also be introduced to reinvigorate the existing projects.

He added that his administration would give emphasis to quality education to halt the dwindling fortunes of the sector, stressing that “Quantity without quality is like tea without sugar”.

Dr. Ganduje, who lamented the outrage generated by the nomination of his running mate appealed to aggrieved members to work for the success of the party in the forthcoming general elections.

2015: Why Ndigbo're angry with Jonathan — UKO

By Clifford Ndujihe

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AJORITY of SouthEast and Igbo votes may not go to President Goodluck Jonathan in the February14 presidential polls contrary to expectations unless the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) takes the complaints of the zone seriously, Founder of the Igbo Youth Movement (IYM) and Deputy Secretary of the Igbo Leaders of Thought (ILT), Evangelist Elliot Uko, has said.

To make amends and continue to enjoy the support of the Igbo, Uko urged President Jonathan to unveil his plans and blueprint and what he had done for the zone in the last six years.

In an interview with Vanguard, Uko said the polls would be fierce but assured that ‘’This time around, Ndigbo will vote right, we have learned painfully over the years that if we vote right, it will be well for everybody. Ndigbo do not want to make mistakes any more.’’

Asked if Ndigbo might abandon Jonathan this time, he said: ''I can’t say that, but I know that Ndigbo are angry with Jonathan. They think he is held hostage by a cabal. They wonder if it makes sense to put Nigeria in the hands of a man who is held prisoner and is easily manipulated by his aides. '' They say his presidency costs Ndigbo a lot as most Nigerians see him as using Ndigbo's turn, they are also angry with his aides who lie a lot both to Ndigbo and to the man himself. Most of these very respectable individuals and credible groups from the South-

east, tell me they think Jonathan is taking Ndigbo for a ride. The characters who have convinced him that they will deliver Igbo land to him 100 per cent are the ones who might bring him down. While the APC is working hard on the Southeast, the PDP is busy boasting of easy victory. ''This might end up a very tough contest. These Igbo groups who tell me they will not support Jonathan again are not agents of APC, they are traditional Jonathan supporters who feel aggrieved at the way the PDP is behaving.

They know Jonathan means well, they know he is a Godly man but they believe he trusts his aides too much and they have blocked him away from reality.

''Whether these accusations are true or not I don’t really know.

People are also angry at the stupendous empowerment of exmilitants’ leaders who have all become emergency billionaires, they are all said to be acquiring estates overseas in order to become political god fathers. ''If these allegations are true, then, it is very wrong. Our people are asking, what are the score cards? They are wondering about whatever happened to the promised coal-powered power plants, 2nd Niger bridge, Onitsha sea port, Oguta seaport, Aba inland container terminal, etc. ''E'verybody knows that the 45 million Ndigbo can save him with

their bloc votes or bring him down when Igbo votes are split. The clowns who are Jonathan’s arrowhead in Igboland are busy offending everybody by their arrogance which clearly stems from overconfidence while politicians are busy trading off Ndigbo for their personal deals as everybody is positioning for a slice of the cake. All these mean that the PDP must not take Igboland for granted. The election is just six weeks away and there is so much anger. ''Ndigbo want some respect and dignity. The people deceiving Jonathan in Abuja cannot deliver Igboland to him as they claim, they don’t have the credibility to be followed sheepishly, moreover Ndigbo want to see Jonathan’s blue print to move Nigeria forward.

People want to know his agenda for the next dispensation.’’

PROTEST: Some former local government councillors and supervisors in Lagos State during a protest over non-payment of their salaries from 2004-2007, at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo by Bunmi Azeez.

PDP to Buhari: Change your agenda, not your dressing

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has charged the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) to frontally confront the issues facing the nation instead of changing his dressing as a way of deceiving Nigerians.

The party in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh also flayed the APC over what the ruling party claimed to be plans to propagate an imaginary opinion poll showing Buhari in better position to win the presidential election.

The PDP in the statement said “the APC’s so called ‘change agenda’ should be based on issues and not on

zAccuses APC of planning fake opinion poll change of dressing and religious gathering”.

“This election is not about political window-dressing and dramatizing. ''What will count is record of performance and antecedents, which President Jonathan stands taller than General Buhari.

“It is therefore not surprising that the APC and its Presidential candidate will resort to organizing a kangaroo opinion rating in a failed attempt to cover up their inadequacies and manipulate public perception in their favour.

This APC phantom poll has been designed in such a way to make the Nigerian public believe that 75 percent of the voting population is in

support of General Buhari ahead the February 14 Presidential election. ''Our findings reveal that the APC leaders are already intensifying effort to compromise some section of the media so as to ensure that the poll packaged by its foreign consultants is widely publicized. ''Part of the strategy is a disguised mobile phone balloting application being circulated by the APC, whereby a curious click elicits a thank-you message from them and automatically register the unsuspecting phone user as having voted in support of General Buhari.

We are indeed shocked at the level the APC and its presidential candidate have sunk in their desperation for

power. We hereby urge Nigerians, particularly the media to be wary of this plot to deceive the public and truncate our democratic process. ''Our final advice to the APC is that they should focus on real campaign and stop playing to the gallery. Lies, no matter how much embellished can never take the place of truth and nothing built on falsehood stands. ''This election is not about fake figures and falsehood. It is about the choice of the citizens. Nigerians have since made up their minds to continue identifying with their performing President and no amount of propaganda and misrepresentation by the APC can change this.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2014 — 55

335 IDPs reside in Niger — NSEMA

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INNA—THE Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, yesterday said more than 335 Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, were residing in the state.

NSEMA’s General Manager, Alhaji Mohammed Shaba, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Minna.

He said majority of the displaced persons were victims of terrorism from the North-East.

“There are 107 displaced persons from Kalaah, Hong and Madagli in Adamawa State living in Gurara Local Government area, while 288 from Gwoza in Borno are in Shiroro Local Government.

“Those living in Gurara local government, said they are with their Christian relatives under the leadership of Rev. Enoch Mark, camping in Dikko central Primary School.

“Those in Shiroro local government who are predominantly fishermen, women and children from Doron Baga, chose the area to enable them continue their fishing trade.”

Minister lauds work at erosion control sites in Zango Kataf, Kaura LGs

2015: Suswam, Akume vow to ensure peaceful polls in Benue

By Peter Duru

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AKURDI—AS anxiety mounts across Benue State, ahead of the forthcoming 2015 elections, Governor Gabriel Suswam and Senate Minority Leader and leader of the opposition in the state, Senator George Akume, yesterday, agreed to collaborate to ensure peaceful polls in the state.

They both vowed to resist any attempt to plunge the state into crisis and bloodshed, before, during and after polls.

The leaders spoke yesterday, at the Catholic Prayer Pilgrimage for Peace, held at the Saint John’s Catholic Cathedral, Gboko.

Suswam in his speech said, “I have been contesting elections since 1999, and nobody can associate me with violence because I have continuously eschewed campaign of calumny and name calling.

“As we go about our campaigns and move closer to the elections, I plead with all politicians to desist from using inflammatory languages that could incite the people into violence. It is a duty we owe the state and the people we hope to lead.

“On my part as the Chief Security Officer of Benue State, I assure and guarantee the Benue people that the coming gener-

ADUNA—THE Minister of Environment, Mrs Lawrencia Mallam has expressed satisfaction with the level of work at erosion control sites in Zango Kataf and Kaura Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.

The minister stated this yesterday during a tour of the project sites at Kajim and Fadan daji in Kaura, and Ungwa Tabo and Jankasa in Zangon Kataf.

Mallam said the project was part of the Federal Government intervention measures to check the threats posed by erosion and flood, especially in rural areas.

She said the measure would also make rural areas accessible and enhance the transportation of farm produce, which would in turn boost economic activities.

al elections will be conducted in an atmosphere devoid of violence and crisis.

“Since Senator George Akume has also agreed that the opposition would work towards a peaceful process, we will collaborate to ensure that the coming elections would be the most peaceful in the history of our state.”

Earlier, Senator Akume had cautioned that “No gun should

be used against a Benue person because of the 2015 elections.

“On our part, we will not instigate any form of crisis or violence, we also insist that there should be a level-playing field and conducive environment that would allow for a peaceful process.

“We are demanding that the elections should be free and fair; lets all test our populari-

ty before the people and not engage in anything that would be a recipe for crisis.”

Speaking on behalf of the Catholic Church and other convening priests, the Bishop of the Gboko Diocese, Rt Rev. William Avenya observed with dismay that elections in the country were usually tainted with malpractices and violence and called for a change of heart among the political class.

Primaries: Bauchi APC assures aggrieved members of justice, fairness The Chairman lamented that continue unchecked.

By Susan Edeh

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UNVEILING: South South Co-ordinator, Buhari Movement For Change, BMC, Prince David Iwere unveiling the Campaign Poster of General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) at BMC National Secretariat in Okere, Warri, Delta State yesterday. He is flanked by Jolomi Metseagharun (left) and Dr. Emiko Ofuyaekpone.

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AUCHI—THE Bauchi State chapter of the All Progressive Congress, APC, has assured that justice and fairness would be done to all aggrieved party members and aspirants who were dissatisfied with the out come of the last party primary election of the party.

State Chairman of the party, Alhaji Uba Ahmed Nana who spoke to newsmen yesterday in Bauchi, said that every complaint and observed flaws from the last primary election had been documented and would be resolved by both the state and national headquarters of the party.

“APC as a party prides itself in upholding and promoting justice and equity and it will leave no action of injustice unattended to.

“Therefore, all aggrieved aspirants should desist from setting supporters against each other through the media

as some of the aspirants that contested for political seats during the primaries are still throwing accusations and blames at each other”

their actions were disturbing and appalling and pose as a threat to the chances of the party in achieving Positive results in the 2015 general election, which he noted will not be allowed to

He said the party has resolved to strictly apply the provision of party laws accordingly and advised aggrieved aspirants to show understanding in the best interest of the party.

Sokoto PDP gov candidate pledges to work with Sultanate Council, if elected

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OKOTO—THE gover norship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Sokoto State, Sen. Abdallah Wali, yesterday, pledged to work closely with the Sokoto Sultanate Council, if elected in the forthcoming general election.

Wali gave the pledge at a news conference in Sokoto, during which he denied any plan to sideline the council, headed by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.

This was even as a former governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress,

APC, in the recent party primaries Sokoto State, Alhaji Yusha’u Kebbe, has defected to the PDP. Kebbe said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Sokoto yesterday.

He said he joined politics to protect the interest of his people and for the development of the state.

He also said that he defected to the PDP to achieve the objective and to ensure the success of the party during the forthcoming elections at all levels.

NAN reports that Wali was reacting to wide-spread insinu-

ations in the state that he would not work with the sultanate if he becomes governor. ‘’ We will forge a very cordial and formidable relationship with the council and the entire traditional institutions in the state when we form our government.

56 — VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6 , 2015

BRIEFS 3,000 unexploded WW2 bombs may to be buried in Berlin

AirAsia victim family learnt of fate through onboard ‘selfie’ H AUNTING image taken aboard flight QZ8501 as it prepared for takeoff emerges as Indonesia’s navy says it has found an object that is “probably” the tail of the missing plane The family of a victim of the AirAsia crash learnt of their loved one’s fate after being sent a “selfie” he had taken on board the doomed flight.

The haunting image, taken aboard flight QZ8501 as it prepared for takeoff, emerged as Indonesia’s navy said it has found an object that is “probably” the tail of the missing plane, raising hopes that the remaining bodies and the plane’s black box will soon be recovered.

A cheerful-looking Hendra Gunawan Syawal, 23, had taken the photograph with three friends aboard the Airbus A320 just an hour before it plunged into the Java Sea, killing all 162 people on board.

Yunita Syawal, who had already heard news of the flight’s disappearance when she was sent the image of her brother, had not known he was due to fly that day. But a call to her parents confirmed her worst fears.

“I immediately flew to

URY selection has begun in the US trial of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who is accused of killing three people and injuring more than 260 in April 2013.

Mr Tsarnaev faces the possibility of the death penalty if he is convicted of detonating a pair of homemade bombs.

The attack near the marathon’s finish line was the largest on American soil

ERLIN senate estimates up to 3,000 unexplod ed bombs could be in the German capital’s earth, according to local reports There are still some 3,000 unexploded bombs left over from the Second World War buried underground in Berlin, according to city authorities.

No one is really sure how much unexploded ordnance is buried under the German city, but a new estimate by the Berlin senate put the figure at 3,000, BZ, a local newspaper, reported.

Since 1945, an estimated 1.8m explosive devices have been found in Berlin, but so much ordnance was dropped on the city by the Allies in the closing stages of the war that unexploded bombs are still being found today.

Last year alone, 54 tons of explosives were found in the city.

Some 3,000 people had to be evacuated from their homes in the suburb of Steglitz until a 1,100lbs (500kg) American bomb found there could be defused in June.

Son kills multimillionaire dad in US

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The victims selfie Surabaya,” she said. Six days later, she helped to identify his body.

“Even after days, we still kept thinking he’s alive, but now that we have seen his body, we know he’s gone for sure,” said Yuni-

ta. “There is a void left in my heart, but I hope in time I will heal.”

So far, only 37 bodies have been found, including three located by searchers on Monday.

Colonel Yayan Sofyan, a patrol boat captain, said the navy had found a section of the aircraft that resembled the tail.

“We found what has a high probability of being the tail of the plane,” he said.

‘Sex slave’abused by Duke of York introduced to the Queen

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S Prince Andrew flew home from a skiing holiday in Switzerland to prepare to face fresh allegations,

US bombing: Jury selection begins

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since 9/11.

Mr Tsarnaev has pleaded not guilty to all 30 charges against him.

His trial is expected to last at least three months.

Jury selection alone is expected to take several weeks as Judge George O’Toole selects 12 jurors and six alternates from about 1,200 prospective jurors who have been summoned to the court in Boston.

Graphic image of Tsarnaev

Virginia Roberts’s father, Sky, made further claims about his daughter ’s connection to the Royal family.

He said that she had met the Queen and been “so excited” by the introduction.

Buckingham Palace has denied the claims.

A spokesperson said: “There is nothing to suggest that this claim is tr ue. We have no record of such a meeting.”

Miss Roberts claims that she was made to have sex with the Duke on three occasions.

The accusations which also include claims that he took part in an orgy with other underage girls - are contained in a motion filed in a Florida court which allege that Jeffrey Epstein, an American investment banker, loaned her to rich and powerful friends.

Mr Roberts told the Sun: “Virginia told me a few years back that she met Prince Andrew when she went to London.

HE son of a $200m hedge fund founder was be ing questioned by police in New York on Monday night over the murder of his father who was found fatally shot in his Manhattan apartment on Sunday, it was reported.

Thomas Gilbert, 70, founder of the multimilliondollar Wainscott Capital Partners Fund, was shot once in the head by a 30-year-old man believed to be his son, according to several US media reports, quoting citing local law enforcement officials.

The alleged shooter ’s mother called emergency services soon after she found Mr Gilbert in the bedroom of the eighth-floor apartment on New York’s upscale East Side with a handgun nearby, the Wall Street Journal quoted an official as saying.

The New York Post, citing law enforcement sources, added that Mr Gilbert was killed during an argument between the two men that took place on Sunday afternoon in Mr Gilbert’s bedroom. The son fled soon afterwards on foot, allegedly dropping the .40-calibre Glock pistol as he departed.

Belgian rapist to be killed by lethal injection

A •Prince Andrew “She also said while they were there she met the Queen.

“She was so excited about meeting the Queen.

“She had been flown to London by Jeffrey.

He would fly her all over the world and she would give him massages on his private jet.”

Fresh allegations against the Duke surfaced over the weekend, including a claim that Miss Roberts was paid £10,000 by Epstein, a convicted sex offender, as a “reward” for sleeping with the Duke in 2001, and that he had sex with her after she gave him an “erotic massage” in New York.

rapist and murderer is to be put to death in Belgium this week, despite Europe’s ban on the death penalty, after a court granted him the right to euthanasia.

Frank Van Den Bleeken, 52, is not physically ill but claims his “psychological suffering” is unbearable and that he would prefer to die than spend more of his life behind bars.

He says he has no prospect of ever being released from prison as he cannot overcome his uncontrollable sexual impulses, and that he does not wish another two or three decades in jail.

His application to die was accepted by Belgium’s Federal Euthanasia Commission in September, and over the weekend, official gave approval for him to be taken to a specialist clinic on Sunday, where he will be killed by lethal injection.

Abducted Christians ‘freed’ in Libya

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ELATIVES of those kidnapped in Libya staged a protest outside Egypt’s foreign ministry in Cairo on Monday Thirteen Coptic Christian workers from Egypt have been freed after being seized in Libya, an official said.

On Saturday, eyewitnesses in the northern city of Sirte said gunmen took the Christian men in the middle of the night from a residential compound.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6 ,2015 — 57

AFRICAN NEWS

Two US citizens charged over Gambia coup attempt T

WO U.S. citizens are facing charges for their alleged role in last week’s coup attempt in the West African nation of Gambia.

The U.S. Justice Department says Cherno Njie, 57, and Papa Faal, 46, are both in custody and will make their initial court appearances Monday - Njie in Baltimore, Maryland, and

Faal in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Both men are charged with conspiracy to violate the U.S. Neutrality Act as well as a firearm charge.

According to the Justice Department, Njie and Faal traveled to Gambia in December with the purpose of overthrowing the govern-

ment.

The criminal complaint says ahead of their trip, Faal and other co-conspirators purchased weapons including M4 semi-automatic rifles, and shipped them to Gambia for use in the coup attempt.

It says the conspirators expected Njie would have served as Gambia’s interim leader had the

plot to overthrow President Yahya Jammeh succeeded.

The Justice Department says when the coup attempt was foiled, both men returned to the U.S. Njie is a U.S. citizen of Gambian descent and a resident of Austin, Texas. Faal is a dual U.S.Gambian citizen and a resident of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.

British ebola nurse: ‘condition has stablised’ H

EATH Secretary Jer emy Hunt has said the condition of the British nurse diagnosed with Ebola has stabilised - although she remains critically ill.

Mr Hunt paid tribute to Pauline Cafferkey, 39, who was diagnosed with the disease more than a week ago, the day after screening checks at Heathrow failed to detect any signs of the virus.

The nurse is being treated in isolation at the Royal Free Hospital in north London, and on Saturday the hospital announced that the nurse’s condition had been steadily deteriorating for two days, leaving her critically ill.

Speaking in the House

of Commons on Monday afternoon, Mr Hunt said that Miss Cafferkey’s doctors had now updated him with the news that her condition had stabilised on Sunday.

He told MPs: “As has been reported, Pauline’s condition has deteriorated to a critical state - although she stabilised yesterday and continues to receive the best possible care.”

The Scottish public health nurse, who works at Blantyre Health Centre in South Lanarkshire, was part of a 30-strong team of medical volunteers deployed to Sierra Leone by the UK Government in November and had been working with Save the Children at the

REECE has con demned an “unprovoked and cowardly” attack by ibyan war planes that killed a Greek and a

Romanian national aboard an oil tanker outside the Islamist-controlled port of Derna on Sunday.

The Greek oil Annie tanker on fire

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BOUT 100 soldiers deployed to West Africa to help build treatment facilities to house Ebola patients and caretakers are back in the United States.

The returning soldiers are being kept in a controlled monitoring area at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington for 21 days.

During the monitoring period, the soldiers will not have physical contact with family members or other non-medical personnel, but they will have phone and email access to their friends and families.

The soldiers were part of a military program that includes units from the Active Army, Army Reserve and Army National Guard. Those who returned this week were part of a group of 150 soldiers from the 615th Engineer Company, 52nd Engineer Battalion who departed in November from Fort Carson, Colorado.

Cameroon to provide security along border

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•Miss Cafferkey - reportedly stable Ebola Treatment Centre in Kerry Town.

During a series of tributes, the Health Secretary saluted the nurse’s courage, saying: “She said in Sierra Leone that she hoped her loved ones would be proud of her.

“She should know today the whole country is proud of her for her brav-

ery and dedication to the service of others. She stands, quite simply, for the very best of NHS values.”

During a debate on Britain’s response to Ebola, MPs criticised the failure of screening systems to respond to concerns from Miss Cafferkey that she was becoming feverish.

Greek oil tanker bombed by Libyan warplanes

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BRIEFS US soldiers return from Ebola deployment

A 29-year old Greek engine cadet and an unidentified Romanian seamen were killed when a rocket exploded on the

deck of the ARAEVO, owned by Athens-based Aegean Shipping Management. Two Filipino nationals were also injured aboard the vessel, which was carrying 12,600 tones of crude oil when it was hit.

Military officials allied with Libya’s internationally recognised government told Reuters the vessel had been warned not to enter port and claimed it had been transporting Islamist militants to the city of Derna.

But Libya’s National Oil Company said the tanker had only been delivering fuel, and claimed that the relevant authorities had been informed of its arrival.

Libya is split between an internationally-recognised government in the far east and Islamists who control Tripoli in the west.

NREST on the bor der with Nigeria has disrupted the education of thousands of young people in Cameroon. Many Cameroonian schools on the border with Nigeria’s Borno state have remained closed as other schools in the country reopen Monday after the Christmas vacation. Some of the schools were either destroyed

by Boko Haram fighters or the Cameroon Air Force when they bombarded villages and towns that had been seized by suspected Boko Haram fighters last week.

Mbane Wilson, an official of Cameroon’s Ministry of Basic Education in northern Cameroon, says thousands of teachers, students and pupils have fled schools located along the border due to bloody confrontations between the Cameroon military and suspected Boko Haram militants.

“Its a very difficult situation for learners and teachers as many of the schools, especially of the basic education sector, have been closed down,” explained Wilson. “We face the attack of Boko Haram and the constant fear of surprises.”

UN: Ebola Kills 8,153 in W.Africa, infects 20,650

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HE World Health Organization says at least 8,153 people have died in the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

The Geneva-based body said Monday that the total number of confirmed, probable and suspected deaths from the disease comes from 20,656 cases in the three most affected countries ? a mortality rate of 39 percent.

The U.N. health agency says 2,915 deaths have been reported from Sierra Leone, 3,471 in Liberia and 1,767 in Guinea. The current outbreak, which began about a year ago, has also claimed more than dozen lives elsewhere.

The Ebola virus causes a form of hemorrhagic fever and is transmitted through bodily fluids such as blood, vomit or feces.

Islamists kill seven Malian soldiers

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SLAMIST gunmen killed at least seven Malian soldiers near the Mauritanian border, a local mayor said in Monday, in a dawn raid that illustrated continuing volatility two years after France helped take back territory seized by al Qaeda-linked militants.

A spokesman for the Malian army confirmed the attack in the town of Nampala, about 520 km (320 miles) northeast of the capital Bamako, but declined to give details about casualties.

Oumar Diakite, the mayor of neighboring Diabaly district, said the attack started at 4 a.m. (0400 GMT).

“The Islamists were on motorbikes and some were on foot. They killed seven soldiers before they were chased out of the town around 11 by a reinforcement of the army,” Diakite told Reuters by telephone.

58—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

AUSTERITY MEASURE: How we'll cushion effects –Govs Continues from page 7 In Edo State, Governor Adams Oshiomhole said his N159.3 billion “Budget of Developmental Consolidation” was aimed at taking the state to the next level.

It is made up of N87.5 billion as capital expenditure (55.77 per cent) and N68.99 billion (44.23 per cent) recurrent expenditure.

The budget is N4 billion lower than the 2014 budget which stood at N160.1 billion.

He also said the budget is designed towards the completion of all ongoing projects, injection of new investments in key priority sectors of the administration which are roads construction and rehabilitation, education, health, water, rural electrification and environmental protection including drainage, erosion control and beautification.

The governor said the budget will also address projects for job creation particularly through economic empowerment with emphasis on micro-credit to small and medium scale enterprises; Project for mass housing, expanding the revenue base, creation of the enabling environment for domestic and direct foreign investment and deepening of governance reforms.

Anambra: Expanding frontiers of excellence For Anambra State, Governor Willie Obiano proposed a budget of N164,496 billion which represents a marginal increase of 3.17 per cent over the 2014 N159,469 billion estimate.

Obiano said he wants to expand the frontiers of excellence in Anambra State by embarking on extensive infrastructural development that will enable the state shrug off its current inhibitions and challenge for a position among Nigeria’s front line states.

“This is consistent with the broad policy thrust of providing adequately to support investments in the Economic Pillars and Enablers, while ensuring that the cost of governance is adequately provided for, and that we are efficient and robust in the use of our available resources,” he said.

He promised to ensure that workers welfare is given adequate attention in the 2015.

Akwa Ibom: Capital projects gets 80% In Akwa Ibom, Governor Godswill Akpabio proposed to spend N492 billion for the 2015 as against the N498.5 billion he spent in 2014. He allocated N268 billion to capital expenditure while recurrent expenditure has N94.7 billion.

Essentially, the state government said it was committed to the completion of such flagship projects as Tropicana Entertainment Centre, roads, specialist hospital and

four-point Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene among others.

Fashola seeks zero deficits for successor Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State while presenting the 2015 budget proposal of N489.69 billion, which is the exact amount he spent last year, said the budget size was retained to keep zero deficits for the incoming government.

A breakdown shows that education got N82.11 billion or 16.6 per cent as against N77.42 billion or 15. 81 per cent recorded in 2014.

His words: “We have retained essentially the same budget size as 2014. This is for many reasons. One reason is that we have kept a zero deficit in order to ensure that the next government does not inherit a deficit. This will give them room to start off very quickly when their programmes begin to crystallize and they may need to raise funds in order to start off.”

Renewed Hope’, Governor Rauf Aregbesola proposed to spend N197.8 billion as against the N234 billion he spent in 2014.

The total recurrent expenditure is N87 billion while capital expenditure is N110 billion.

In the proposed budget, the economic sector, covering agriculture and rural development, rural/urban electrification, commerce, industry, finance and transportation accounted for the largest chunk with N41.6 billion.

Aregbesola said the budget would ensure the completion of on-going projects and commencement of new ones for the comfort of the people. He noted that extra efforts would be made to generate more revenue internally, especially through collection of existing

taxes and rates without necessarily imposing new tax regime on the people.

We will block wastages in Borno –Shettima To ensure that his N175.9billion budget makes impact in his insurgency ravaged state, Governor Kashim Shettima said his ‘Budget of fulfilment’ comprises N62.9 billion as recurrent expenditure and N113 billion as capital expenditure.

Shettima said the budget was geared towards completing all ongoing projects and embarking on new ones that are necessary for the achievement of set goals and objectives of improving the living conditions of the people of the state and boosting the economy.

His words: “We shall mobilize all available resources and human capital to ensure that the targeted objectives are achieved, especially peace and stability, conducive environment for small and medium scale business to thrive, improving agriculture to generate employment opportunities to the youths and introduction of mechanized farming.

“Considering the fact that our projections are ambitious, while our resources are limited, we shall explore all avenues of revenue generation to compliment the statutory allocations from the federation account which has dwindled in view of the general downward trend for oil prices in the international market.”

He stressed that all wastages will be blocked and prudence, accountability and transparency will be maintained in the management of public funds.

Dickson proposes budget of completion Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State said his 2015 N320.6 billion “Budget of Completion,” which comprises N175. 78 billion (54 per cent) recurrent expenditure and N144. 84 billion (45.2 per cent) capital expenditure would be judiciously implemented.

He assured that most of the ongoing projects in the health sector would be completed, particularly the five new referral hospitals under construction, Melford Okilo Memorial Hospital and rehabilitation work on over 30 health centres across the state.

Imoke promises to stimulate economy In Cross River State, Governor Liyel Imoke said his N149.443 billion “Budget of transition” would commit 60 per cent to capital development while 40 per cent would be used to service recurrent expenditure, stressing that economic sector would gulp 47 per cent of the budget.

“The economic sector has the highest allocation in the 2015 budget proposal. This is understandable as the sector is expected to stimulate the entire economy of the state and create jobs for our unemployed youths.

"The budget focus for the agricultural sector for 2015 would be on youth employment through value chain development, and using the sector to provide a source of livelihood to our women as well as wealth creation."

Osun: We'll boost IGR without increasing taxes –Aregbesola In his 2015 ‘Budget of

TOUR: Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State (2nd left), his running mate in the forthcoming governorship election, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga (2nd right); Speaker, Ogun State Assembly, Hon. Suraj Adekunbi (right), and Senator Iyabo Anisulowo at Ilaro, during the governor's tour of Ogun West Senatorial District of the state.

Ajimobi okays appointment of 17 Perm Secs, A-G, others

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BADAN— Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, yesterday, approved the appointment of 17 permanent secretaries, state Accountant-General, AuditorGeneral and that of the Auditor General of Local Government.

Ajimobi revealed the new appointment during the annual Inter- religious Service held at the Oyo State, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.

He said some retired senior directors were also considered in the new appointments.

He added that “The

appointment is in line with the restoration agenda of the present administration to give adequate reward to dedicated civil servants in the state.”

He said the aim of the present administration was to reposition the state civil service with a view to making it one of the best in the south west region in terms of renumeration and welfare package.

Ajimobi also enumerated some achievements of the present administration which, he said, included the employment of over 5,000 teachers from the 33 local

government areas of the state.

In his remark, the Head of Service, Mr Soji Eniade, commended the administration for providing an enabling environment for peace which, he said, brought about development across the state.

He commended the administration for being inspirational since its inception, stressing that the government had embarked on salary increase to civil servants without any strike from workers.

He, therefore, called on the civil servants in the state to reciprocate the gesture by being loyal and dedicated to service.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015 — 59

Eduok opens up on Sarpsborg ‘contract’ N I G E R I A international Emem Eduok has finally opened up regarding the c o n t r o v e r s i e s surrounding the contracts he signed with Sarpsborg 08 and Esperance.

While it is done and dusted that Emem Eduok has agreed personal terms with Esperance of Tunisia, the attacker has claimed that the contract is not

•Eduok

Alampasu heads to Real Oviedo F LYING Eagles goalkeeper Dele Alampasu will be heading to Spain sometime this week, for what appears to be a continuation of trials with Real Oviedo.

Following his outstanding performance at the 2013 Fifa Under 17 World Cup, a number of teams led by Racing Genk had explored the possibility of signing the 18 - year - old.

However, talks between his representatives and the Belgian club broke down four months ago.

Instead of returning to Nigeria empty handed, French - Cameroonian agent Oliver Noah approached Real Oviedo, informing the third - tier side of the availability of Dele Alampasu.

•Alampasu

Akpoborie Continues from BP seen in the last two years that Stephen Keshi is not good enough for our national team,” Akpoborie said.

“Though we won the Africa Cup of Nations, it is clear we have not improved and I keep wondering why he was brought back after the NFF let him go.

“It took Victor Moses’ individual brilliance to see us qualify for the knockout stage of the 2013 Afcon, most times we bank on Ahmed Musa to rescue us and that has been our problem. You don’t need to depend on a particular player every time.”

The former Stuttgart striker feels that hiring a sound foreign technical adviser for the country would be the solution, while disagreeing with the fact

that some foreign tacticians brought to the country failed before.

“When I say a coach is not good enough, it’s not just picking eleven players. It’s virtually about an indepth knowledge of the game,” he continued.

“We are not yet ready to have an indigenous coach lead the Super Eagles.

“How many good foreign coaches have been brought into the country? Berti Vogts was already finished when he was hired.

“You want to talk about Lagerback? No, he wasn’t good enough. In Europe, he wasn’t good enough, how then could he have been good enough for our boys who play topflight football in Europe?

“Bring a very good coach and you will see the difference,” he concluded.

yet in the bag because the Tunisia powerhouse are thrashing out financial terms with Dolphins, who claim to own his sporting and economic rights.

“I went to Norway in December, an agent took me there. I can not deny, I signed a contract with Sarpsborg, but they did not meet Dolphins to ask for my clearance. How can they tell me I am not a player of Dolphins?

“They tried to get my ITC from the Nigeria Football Federation.

NFF contacted Dolphins since I am their player and they said they did not know anything about the transfer.

“I later called the agent, Bright Ogude, I can’t involve myself in this. How can I play for Sarpsborg without an ITC?” Emem Eduok said..

The Super Eagles invitee further revealed that he was instructed

by Dolphins to embark on the trip to Tunisia to discuss personal terms with Esperance.

“Dolphins told me to go to Tunisia. That’s the issue, I don’t know why my name is everywhere.

I shouldn’t be doing agency work and I am a player.

“What am I going to do in Norway on January

Mikel Continues from BP consideration before we selected Mikel”.

“Mikel has endured a difficult start to the season, falling down the pecking order in a starstudded Chelsea team that is riding high in the Premier League. After all, we all know that no one likes changing a winning team. However, the spirit of professionalism which he displayed in waiting for his chance, and taking it well with some solid performances in a difficult month, tipped the award his way this month” Adelakun said.

Commending the performances of Alex Song and Sadio Mane, the statement said “Mane has settled into his role in the Premier League as if he has always been here. The way he took his goals against Crystal Palace and the might of Chelsea proves that the

Senegalese will be a force in this League for some time to come. And as for Song, he is just solid as ever; and if he was not rested in some of the games over the festive period, he would have made the decision even harder for us”.

Adelakun commended the level of the African performance in the English Premier League this season so far, stating that “the Africans have been a real credit to the continent, and when we watch them in the League, it is with pride’.

The presentation of MIkel’s award will be done in the coming days.

The statement also added that the New African Soccer Awards has been merged with the Africans Abroad Recognised (AAR) Charter, which seeks to recognise the exploits of Africans in Diaspora in all walks of life.

18? Am I a fool that will sign for two clubs? No, I won’t go.

“I never filled any form that I am a player of A&B Academy. Everything

was done by my agent, I only signed the contract which was written in English,” Emen Eduok concluded.

Rangers set target for Emeteole

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NUGU Rangers ex pect to qualify for CAF competition next season, following the appointment of Kelechi Emeteole as the team’s new technical advisor.

Emeteole is held in high regard at the Rangers and the leadership of the club are confident that he will be able to fulfill his new mandate next term.

“Emeteole got Rangers job purely on merit ahead of his colleagues who also applied for the position,” said spokesman Foster Chime on Monday.

“What this means is that he has to meet the target which management has set for him - get Rangers a continental ticket in the 2014/2015 football season that’s all,” added Chime.

Chime created further clarity on the matter by explaining that this did not mean he necessarily had to qualify for the Champions League but that qualification for the CAF Confederations Cup would be more than satisfactory.

•Emeteole “Nobody is saying it must be the CAF Champions League ticket, but a ticket for Rangers to participate at the continental campaigns next year,” added Chime.

“Rangers teeming followers and the management are pained that for years the club has existed without a trophy at local and continental levels, it is not good enough and there has to be an end to it.”

Rangers finished their last campaign in eighth position on the league standings, where they accumulated 58 points in the allotted 38 matches.

P-Square

Continues from BP at Glo-CAF Awards for the first time, adding that “Africa should expect to see the best performance of all time at Glo CAF Awards, if am not mistaken; because I have put all my life in Music.

Besides, our singing and dance steps that we will bring on stage will be the talk of the whole continent.”

He described playing at the Awards night as “one of the best opportunities to start with in 2015. “It is a good platform for my career too, even though I am on tour now but my all focus is on Glo CAF Awards.”

On the part of Soweto Gospel Choir, “Africa will see pure energy during our performance at the Glo-CAF awards. They will hear beautiful harmonies and see exciting dancing. Soweto

gospel choir are not just singers, we are performers, and our audience will feel totally uplifted as they experience the joy of music and our love for life.

We feel honoured and excited to be performing on this platform. The choirs are great football enthusiasts so an opportunity to be part of this prestigious awards evening, and to be guests in Nigeria, is something very special.”

Hakim, the folk singer from Egypt promised to present to Africa the Egyptian shaabi music which according to him, is a small branch of all the rich music of Africa. He stated that he is extremely honored to be invited to perform at Glo- Caf Awards adding that “ it’s really important that we build bridges within our African continent and know each other’s culture.

60 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

Football Fives World Championship comes to Nigeria an incredible success,

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PORTS Event In ternational, a sports events company in Dubai and NewAge Sports Africa, have signed a deal to organize the F5WC across the country, and the winners will go on to represent Nigeria in the World Championships in Dubai. The CEO of NewAge Sports Africa Mr Shamsudeen Tijjani Yusuf said the F5WC Franchise is an opportunity for successful Amateur teams to represent their country and play at the annual F5WC World finals in Dubai to find the next F5WC world champions. He also went to say F5WC in 2014 was

over half a million players entered from 32 countries across 6 continents. Months of individual country qualifying rounds resulted in all of the top 32 teams winning an all-expenses paid trip to Dubai to perform live on TV over 2 days at the F5WCTM world finals. Professional scouts such as John Starrs (first team scout Manchester City), and David Johnson (first team scout - Chelsea FC) attended the F5WCTM world finals and identified 2 players as potential future football stars. Both have been invited to the respected clubs for further trials.

Nigeria ‘ll be a spoiler in Cairo, says Egypt’s Saleh

A

SAFE-HANDS... Super Eagles captain, Vincent Enyeama saves the ball.

2014 Glo-CAF Awards: Shorunmu plays down on Enyeama’s chances I

KE Shorunmu, the Super Eagles’ goalkeeper trainer, said yesterday that the chances of team’s captain, Vincent Enyeama, winning the 2014 Glo-CAF African Player of the Year award are slim.

Enyeama, the firstchoice goalkeeper at Lille of France, is on the final shortlist of three nominees for the 2014 edition of the awards.

He, however, has to contend with the 2013 winner, Yaya Toure of Cote d’Ivoire, and Gabon’s Pierre EmerrickAubameyang.

Shorunmu, who was also Enyeama’s former Super Eagles teammate, said in Abuja that while he wants Enyeama to win the award, it would be difficult with Toure in the picture. “Of course I want Vincent (Enyeama) to win it but it’s going to be difficult, especially with Toure in there

too,” Shorunmu said. “(Toure) is the current holder of the award and it will be difficult to beat him to it because he has done well for his club and country. However, that is not to say Enyea-

ma hasn’t done well, because he has and it will be great if he wins it.”

Toure is strongly tipped to win the award again, having won it in 2013. However, Enyeama has had a better year

with both club and country in 2014, with the 32year-old recently named the best goalkeeper in France for 2014.

The awards have been scheduled to hold on January 8 in Lagos.

HEAD ITTF Africa Senior Championships: Nigeria will be a spoiler in Cairo, says Egypt’s Saleh Even when it is not certain that Nigeria will make it to Cairo for the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Senior Championships come January 23 to 29, one of the top players in Egypt, Ahmed Saleh believes they would not have an easy task against the West Africa giant.

The former African champion however, admitted that Nigeria remains a strong adversary at the Cairo tournament.

Saleh, who plays in the elite Turkish League said that Nigeria is the

only team in the continent that may halt their dominance at the sevenday competition.

The stylish Egyptian believes with the form of the Nigerian players especially Aruna Quadri coupled with the experience of Segun Toriola, any team that will overcome the West Africa giant must be on top of its game.

*Quadri

Super Falcons set for All-Africa Games, Olympics qualifiers

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HE Nigeria Foot ball Federation, NFF, says the senior national female football team will begin camping in February for the 2015 All-Africa Games, and 2016 Olympic Games Football Tournament qualifiers.

The NF F’s Director of Competitions, Mohammed Sanusi, however said on Monday in Abuja that the commencement date had not yet been decided.

“The team will be in camp for at least a month before the qualifiers, but we have not decided on

the date the camping will start,” he said.

The Super Falcons have been drawn to play the winners of the fixture involving Mali and Gabon in the second round of the AAG qualifiers.

The first leg will be an away match during the weekend of March 20 to March 22 while the return leg will be played in Nigeria during the weekend of April 10 to April 12.

For the 2016 Olympics Games Football Tournament qualifier, Nigeria has been drawn to play against Mali.

GETTING READY... Super Falcons players taking instructions from their coach.

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015 — 61

Barca sack Zubizarreta over signings

Confusion clouds Lampard’s MLS move M

AJOR League Soccer expected the alliance between Manchester City and the New York Yankees to “elevate the league to new heights.”

MLS Commissioner Don Garber’s forecast at the 2013 launch now seems extremely optimistic and premature.

Any lift to MLS’ domestic standing or global credibility is being eroded by the uncertainty and lack of clarity over the status of New York City FC midfielder Frank Lampard and his prolonged stay in England.

More than five months after Lampard was paraded in Manhattan, the 36-year-old midfielder is integral to the City squad — the one in England. And when the MLS expansion franchise plays its first competitive game in March, the former Chelsea star will be on the other side of the Atlantic helping City defend its Premier League title.

How did it come to this? It depends on who you listen to.

NYCFC’S website seemed clear on July 24: “New York City FC signs Frank Lampard to a Designated Player contract ... a two-year contract which starts August 1st.”

Fans of a team without 11 players were urged to buy Lampard jerseys and tickets for the 2015 season.

Lampard then went on the YES Network, to stress he joined MLS because he couldn’t play against Chelsea after 13

years in west London.

“I didn’t want to play anywhere else in England because I had been so affiliated with one club,” Lampard said on July 27. “So it made sense for me to move.”

Later in England, Lampard explained the move: “I got the call to come back here.”

MLS now says that Lampard was in fact signed last July by City Football Group, the umbrella company for the portfolio of clubs owned

by Sheikh Mansour in Manchester, Melbourne and New York, to play in MLS in 2015 and 2016.

B

•Lampard

Moyes: Beating Barça my happiest night D

AVID Moyes laud ed the heroic efforts of his Real Sociedad players after they beat Barcelona 1-0 on Sunday in a day of shocks in La Liga.

Earlier, Real Madrid’s 22-game winning streak was ended by a 2-1 defeat to Valencia, meaning both giants of the Spanish game were beaten on the same day for the first time since 30 April 2011. However, despite their lowly league position of 13th, Sociedad have shown themselves well capable of upsetting the odds having now defeated Barça, Real and champions Atletico Madrid at

•Moyes

home under three different coaches.

And Moyes believes his challenge now is to draw that level of performance out of his players on a more consistent basis. “It is the happiest night since I arrived in San Sebastian. We worked very hard. The players showed courage and defended incredibly,” said the Scot.

“This team has shown it is capable in the big games against the best teams in the league and now we must show the same capability to win the other games. At home, for example, we have let a lot of points slip away.

ARCELONA have sacked sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta as the club’s 2014 transfer dealings continue to come in for criticism.

Barca signed Luis Suarez, Jeremy Mathieu, Claudio Bravo, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Thomas Vermaelen, Ivan Rakitic and Douglas last summer, but most have struggled to make an impact.

The former Spain and Barca goalkeeper has been in the post since the summer of 2010, when he replaced fellow Basque Txiki Begiristain.

A Barcelona statement read: ‘The Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has decided to terminate as of today the contract of the club’s director of football, Andoni Zubizarreta.

‘The president, in the name of the club, thanks Andoni Zubizarreta for his contribution, dedication and professionalism over the last four years in his role at the head of the club’s football area.’

Barcelona lost 1-0 at Real Sociedad in La Liga on Sunday night to miss the chance to go top.

Barcelona are currently under a transfer embargo.

Wenger happy with attacking options

A •Wenger C M Y K

RSENAL manager Arsene Wenger is confident he has the “many solutions” in attack needed to secure a successful end to the season,

but warned against expecting too much too soon from Theo Walcott.

The Gunners secured a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win over Hull on Sunday,

the team they defeated in the 2014 final at Wembley.

The Gunners boss, who has allowed Lukas Podolski to join Inter Milan, said on Arsenal Player:"

•Zubizarreta C M Y K

62 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015 — 63

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015

Mikel wins African Player of December award C

HELSEA’s John Obi Mikel has been named the English Premier League’s

African Player of the Month of December.

In a statement by the organisers New African

Keshi: A wrong choice for Eagles, says Akpoborie F

•HUMBLED: Keshi

ORMER Nigeria striker Jonathan Akpoborie has revealed that Stephen Keshi should not have been appointed as the Super Eagles coach because he lacks the rudiments of a good tactician.

The former Mali and Togo handler remains in charge of the African champions despite his inability to qualify the country for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

According to Akpoborie, nothing has changed in the senior national team since Keshi took over two years back, while blasting his overreliance on a particular player.

“For those who know about the technicality of the game, it is obvious that from what we have Continues on Page 59

Rangers set target for Emeteole — PG. 59

Soccer, Mikel was voted and selected ahead of West Ham’s Cameroonian Alex Song and Southampton striker, Senegalese Sadio Mane in a tight vote process.

Awards Director ‘Tunde Adelakun said “as always, it was a difficult choice, but a lot of factors came into

Continues on Page 59

•Mikel

Glo-CAF Awards: P-Square, Omawumi promise a night of endless entertainment

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cross –section of Artistes lined up to perform during the forth-coming Glo-CAF Awards gala have promised to make it a night of fun, glamour and endless entertainment.

Speaking on the gala night, Diamond from Tanzania said that he‘s most excited to perform

Continues on Page 59

•Peter and Paul Okoye of P-Square

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 2 Elementary (5) 7 Otherwise (4) 8 Rebellious (6) 9 Sketch (5) 11 Cushion (3) 13 Fate (3) 15 So be it (4) 16 Sorrowful (3) 18 Assistant (4) 19 Try (7) 20 Follow (4) 22 Marquee (4) 23 Unaffected (7) 25 Regretted (4) 27 Plaything (3) 28 Daybreak (4) 30 Finish (3) 31 Record (3) 33Coin (5) 36 Part (6) 37 Pitcher (4) 38 Heathen (5)

DOWN 1 Glimmer (5) 2 Couch (3) 3 Spring (3) 4 Sever (3) 5 Sphere (3) 6 Spate (5) 10 Stunt (4) 11 Grassland (7) 12 Delineated (7) 13 Word-for-word (7) 14 Trying (7) 16 Brace (5) 17 Rot (5) 18 Fitting (3) 21 Youth (3) 24 Part (4) 26 Unfastened (5) 29 Females (5) 32 Gain (3) 33 Vitality (3) 34 Horse (3) 35 Longing (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Sweat 5, Thrust 8, Sorry 10, Centre 11, Prod 14, Eating 15, Debated 18, Per 19, Dam 21, Deft 23, Deter 24, Mesh 27, Den 29, Top 31, Dangled 32, Loomed 34, Gone 35, Erotic 38, Alder 39, Torrid 40, Penny.

DOWN: 2, Woe 3, Astray 4, Tor 5, Type 6, Rioted 7, Target 9, Receded 12, Rap 13, Dire 16, Ease 17, Dated 20, Menaced 22, Fame 24, Molest 25, Stag 26, Honour 28, Ignore 30, Pen 33, Dead 36, Rep 37, Inn.

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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