Chibok girls still alive - Jonathan

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62356

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

Boko Haram kills 94 for 6 How you can go prison refusing to join sect in Borno from polling post 27

Chibok girls still alive — JONATHAN •Says FG doing everything to return abducted girls alive •2015 re-election tougher than 2011, he says •Assures of PDP victory despite stiff opposition

By Ben Agande & Ndahi Marama

A

B U J A — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, assured parents of the abducted Chibok girls and all Nigerians that the girls were still alive and his government was doing everything possible to rescue them.

The President spoke during a live discussion programme, Kaakaki, on African Independent Television (AIT), monitored in Abuja. This came as a delegation of the Federal Government held a closed-door meeting with relations of the abducted girls in Continues on Page 5

COLUMNISTS: Donu Kogbara

Betrayal?

•P.17

2015 ELECTIONS: Some vital national issues revisited •P.28

Mr & Mrs

APAPA-OSHODI ROAD: THE AGONY CONTINUES—A tanker driver naps on the median of the blocked

Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, yesterday, as motorists and residents continue to suffer activities of tank farms and fuel tankers on the nation's main route to Lagos sea ports, just as hoodlums attack motorists trapped in the gridlock.

Mismanagement, Nigeria's main problem — Obasanjo 9 C M Y K

Reps adopt report on Electoral Act amendment

PRESIDENTIAL POLLS: PDP, APC

8

pull-out battle for the soul of Osun •See inside

!

2 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

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VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 — 3

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4 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 —5

POCKET CARTOON

VISIT—Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka (L), welcoming the Executive Secretary, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mr Obafemi Olawore; Chibeze Anyafulu and Alexis Vovx of Total Nigeria Plc, to his office during the visit of a delegation of major oil marketers in Abuja, yesterday.

Photo: NAN.

Chibok girls still alive — JONATHAN Continues from Page 1 Maiduguri and briefed them about how far the administration had gone in securing their release from captivity.

Speaking during the programme, President Jonathan hinged his optimism on the assumption that had the girls been killed, the terrorists would have publicly displayed their corpses in order to induce fear.

In the more than one hour programme, the President, who was appearing on a Nigerian television station for the first time apart from the government-owned Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, spoke on a wide range of issues including his chances of being re-elected in the March 28 election.

President Jonathan admitted during the programme that government under-rated the capacity of the Boko Haram sect and this explained why the terrorists were so entrenched.

According to the President, with the increased capacity of the military which has taken possession of more than 65 per cent of the platform needed to prosecute the war, the remaining territories still under the control of the terrorists would soon be recaptured.

Speaking on why the girls have not been recovered despite the gains recorded by the military, the president said this was because “ reasonable territories are still in the hands of Boko Haram”.

His words: “We promised that we must get the girls. The good story is that they have not killed them because the terrorists, when they kill, they display. They use it to intimidate the whole society. The girls are alive. We will get the girls. Luckily, we are narrowing down the area of their control. So, we will get them. At the beginning, probably we did not really estimate the capacity of Boko

TAKE HEART

Haram. It is obvious Boko Haram started as a non-violent group led by Yusuf, limited to around Maiduguri area and Yobe. They did not even get to Adamawa.

“Just like every group of youths or young people that is inclined to criminalit, they expanded their network and linked up with other terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda in North Africa and other similar brands in the world.

“So, they continued to build their capacity and it got to a point that for you to tackle them in the kind of environment they operate, you need some specialized equipment to use and we don’t manufacture these equipment now. That is why the movement has changed. So, it is not deliberate,” he said.

Speaking on the forthcoming election, President Jonathan admitted that he is facing a stiffer opposition than he faced in 2011 but expressed confidence that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be victorious.

BY ELLA RANDLE

Courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid; courage means you don’t let fear stop you from moving forward with your life—Take Heart Quotes

L

IFE is not lived in some distant, imagined land of someday where everything is perfect. It is lived here and now, with the reality of the way things are. Yes, by all means you can work toward an idealized tomorrow. Yet to do so, you must successfully deal with the world as it is today.

Sometimes we avoid experiencing exactly where we are because we have developed a belief, based on past experiences, that it is not where we should be or want to be. But the truth is, where you are now is exactly where you need to be to get to where you want to go tomorrow. So appreciate where you are.

2011 was easier — Jonathan He said: “I agree with you it was easier in 2011 but PDP is still the dominant party. There is no polling unit in Nigeria where you don’t have members of the PDP. “Yes, for one reason or the other, within the party people get angry and may even vote against PDP but in terms of membership of the

PDP, there is no party that has that spread.

“So, PDP still has the most formidable structure, PDP has better chances of winning a national election.

“Even the opposition will tell you if they are realistic. Who has strengthened the opposition? Are they not the PDP elements? If you remove the PDP elements from the opposition, they will just crumble like a pack of cards.

“Why are people aggressive towards the PDP to the extent that even the presidential convoy is stoned? Why do you show that aggression? If you are comfortable, you will not do that” he said.

He, however, added that what he was facing was not unusual because globally, second term election is more challenging.

“Globally, it is more challenging for a president to secure a second term than the first tenure,” because people get disappointed when their expectations were not quickly met by those they voted for. However, PDP still has an edge over the opposition.”

On the fuel scarcity being experienced in some parts of the countr y, President Jonathan said government has taken necessary steps to bring it to an end.

“For the fuel scarcity, we are doing everything humanly possible to ensure it is taken care of.

It is very temporary. Of course, there are issues of payment being addressed and we believe that within one or two days, this will completely go,” he said.

He blamed the lack of refining capacity in the country for the perennial fuel scarcity, noting that “until we start refining our crude oil to get our own products here within the country, we cannot get out of some of these problems. It is even really the policy of government. When you continue to export raw materials, you are actually exporting jobs.”

The President denied accusation by the opposition All Progressive Congress that the recent reduction in the pump price of petrol was politically motivated.

“It is not politically motivated. Pump prices are not constant but are based on changes in the international market.

“When I came as vice president in 2007, the price of crude oil at the international market dropped to about $40, there was a day it dropped to $38 per barrel

and we dropped the pump price to N65 per litre. And we had to keep it up to N97 when the price went up to about $111 per barrel at the international market.

“The cushioning gap was because the subsidy became unbearable to government. So, we had to push it up to N97 per litre. Now that the international crude oil price has dropped back to about $60 or so, it would not be fair for you to still ask Nigerians to pay N97 except you want to deregulate completely”, he said.

Chibok Girls’ Anniversary: FG meets families in Borno Meanwhile, the Federal Government held a closed door meeting with relations of the abducted Chibok girls, briefing them about how far the administration had gone in securing their release from captivity.

At a meeting, yesterday, in Maiduguri, Minister of State for Power, Mr Mohammed Wakil represented President Goodluck Jonathan while the families of the girls were led by Mrs. Pindar Dauda. The youth leader of the Chibok community was also in attendance with some elders of the community.

The President’s representative told parents that the Federal Government under president Jonathan has devised comprehensive counter-insurgency strategies which include reclaiming occupied territories, rescuing abducted persons, resettlement of IDPs, and the rehabilitation of insurgency-ravaged communities.

According to the minister,”the President is pursuing multifaceted strategies which address the pains, anger

and frustrations of victims. Our President directed me to tell you that his government is committed to doing everything possible for the safe return of your daughters.

“I am here to convey the sympathy of Mr President and the entire Federal cabinet to you the parents and families as well as all other victims. As you are all aware, our military is having the upper hand in this sacred war. We believe by the grace of God that your children will return safely“, the P r e s i d e n t ’ s representative said.

Speaking further, the minister commended the families for refusing to support the politicisation of the regrettable abduction, adding, “your presence here to listen to the message of Mr President confirms your belief in the ongoing counter insurgency operations as a solution to our collective challenge.

“I assure you that not only will rescue operations be successful, the other three goals of reclaiming occupied territories,resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons and rebuilding of communities will be pursued to a logical conclusion. This is a personal pledge of the President which the entire administration is committed to”, the minister said.

Responding, the spokesperson of the parents and families, Mrs Pindar Dauda thanked the President for his concern and sympathy while praying for the success of the ongoing military operations.

Speaking in local dialect, Mrs Dauda said: ”I appeal to President Jonathan not to relent.

He should continue with the war on Boko Haram.

He should get our children back for us safely. We are praying for him and the military.”

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

Osun expels 5 students over crises

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO—OSUN State government has expelled five students over the violent crises that rocked two secondary schools in Osogbo for several days.

Students of Osogbo High School and nearby Government Technical College, located along Osogbo-Iwo Road in Osogbo, had in February engaged each other in deadly clashes, forcing government to shut them indefinitely.

Government, according to a release by the Permanent Secretary, Osun State Ministry of Education, Mr. Lawrence Oyeniran, said it arrived at the decision after a careful consideration of the case.

The statement added that the students and their parents would sign undertakings and attend a meeting with the management of both schools on Monday, March 9 by 11am, and each parent would pay “a reparation fee” to be fixed by the Parents Teacher Association, P.T.A. It disclosed that the schools would re-open for full academic work from Monday, March 9.

Physically challenged protest in Bayelsa over SURE-P

By Samuel Oyadongha

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E N A G O A — MEMBERS of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, JNAPD, in Bayelsa State yesterday staged a peaceful protest over their noninclusion in the Subsidy Re-investment Programme (SURE-P) of the Federal Government.

The placard-carrying physically-challenged persons took their protest to some media houses in the state capital, including NTA, Yenagoa, demanding inclusion in SURE-P. Some of the placards read: “Stop discriminating against physicallychallenged in the state,” “5% inclusion is imperative,” “Community leaders stop hijacking our chances,” among others.

WRONG PARKING: One of the many fuel tankers that take over Oshodi-Apapa Expressway climbs the median, yesterday. RIGHT: Tanker drivers taking a nap. PHOTOS: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

74 men, 20 children killed for refusing to join Boko Haram

By Ndahi Marama

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AIDUGURI—THE Islamic sect, Boko Haram, yesterday, slaughtered 74 men and 20 children at Njaba Village in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State for refusing to join the insurgents.

There was, however, no official confirmation from either police or military authorities on the claims by residents of both Damboa and Chibok, where over 200 schoolgirls were abducted early last year.

Vanguard gathered from some security operatives that some of the insurgents, led by a commander, Sidi Babangida, also known as Abu Sid, who had been on the wanted list of security operatives, was said to have attempted taking Damboa town on two occasions, but failed and had been recruiting more fighters for the sect in and around Damboa and Gujba Local Government areas in Borno and Yobe states.

A security source, who spoke on grounds of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the issue, said they received the news of the attack and killing of 74 men and 20 children, but added that there was no official report on the incident as security operatives had been detailed to Damboa area to authenticate the claim by locals.

The source said: “At times, when reports like these come to us, it turns out to be true because the locals naturally tell security operatives of happenings around them.

“They have been very helpful.

There was report earlier by some local traders that they saw the sect members holding a meeting after they had been dislodged from Gujba and

Damboa is next to Gujba, along Yobe and Borno border.

“So it may be true. But try to speak with the commissioner.

He may oblige you more on

that.”

When Vanguard tried calling the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Gideon Jibril, his phone was busy and when this

reporter visited the police headquarters in Maiduguri for confirmation, the PPRO and Police Commissioner were said to be out on assignments.

Couple dies in Edo gas explosion

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—THE University of Benin, UNIBEN, community has been thrown into mourning, following the death of a senior staff of the university's Audit Department, Mr. Godwin Emualosi, and his wife after their cooking gas cylinder exploded.

It was learned that the couple

returned to their home after work last Friday and discovered leakage in their cooking gas; the smell was all over the kitchen.

They were said to have sent their four children to one of the rooms.

But tragedy struck when the couple attempted to stop the leakage, the gas cylinder exploded in their faces leaving

the man dead instantly.

The wife was rushed to the hospital but died a few hours later due to the serious burns she sustained in the explosion.

A staff of the university, Mr. Maxwell Oshodin, described the incident as shocking to the university, adding that the late Emualosi was a dedicated and hard working staff of the university.

‘My husband instructed me to hide his corpse’

By Esther Onyegbula

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RS Joy Olatunji Shittu, the widow who allegedly hid her husband’s corpse in a house since 2013 has revealed that her husband instructed her to do so, while he was alive.

According to Mrs Shittu, “the decision to hide the corpse was my husband's dying wish because our family has been under severe attack.

“I got married to my husband in 1973, and before he died in 2013, we had six children. But two of my sons died mysteriously after their university education; two others got missing, while my two daughters are the only ones alive.

“It has been a running battle that started after we acquired a landed property in Ifako-Ijaiye about 20 years ago. My husband and I erected a storey building but some people in the neighbourhood who masterminded the arrest of my

daughters are the ones responsible for all that have befallen my family.

“While my husband was alive, they tried to sell off our house because of the strategic location of the building but he refused.

“A particular neighbour (names withheld) who is very diabolical, threatened to deal with him (my husband) for refusing to sell our house.

“Later, two of my children died mysteriously and two others went missing too. My two sons that died mysteriously woke up shouting the names of these same people in their dream.

“They became very sick and before we could take them to the hospital, they died.

“At the peak of the crisis, Adebayo hit my husband with a charm and that was when he became sick. He was sick for eight years.

“We kept taking him from one place to another, one hospital

to another till he finally passed on.

“Because of all these attacks, my husband gave instruction that if he eventually dies, we should not tell anybody and that he would give us a sign for us to know it was the right time for him to be buried.

“We hid the corpse of my late husband for two years in one of the rooms in the house because we did not want people to know he was dead for fear of them attacking us and selling off our house.

“We did not tell my in-laws that he is dead; they only knew that he was sick.”

The emotional widow told Vanguard that she had been very sick, which was why she travelled to Edo State, only for her to be told that her children had been arrested by the police for hiding the corpse.

The case is currently being investigated at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015—7

21-yr-old student in EFCC custody over N20m internet love scam

By Ifeanyi Okolie

A

21-year-old student, Obiechina Chikeluba, has been arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for allegedly defrauding a Briton of N20 million in an internet romance scam.

Chikeluba, a student of

Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, Lagos, was said to have met his victim, Kieran Oakes, on Facebook.

Vanguard gathered that the suspect, assuming the profile of an American, Lisa Jackson, entered into a relationship with Oakes, with the pair agreeing to get married.

EFCC disclosed that in the

course of their relationship, ‘Jackson,’ at various times, collected money to the tune of £54,000, which current value is N20 million, from Oakes, to enable him travel to the UK to meet her.

Spokesman of EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said the victim, after endless wait for her supposed fiancé, discovered that he had

been duped and reportedly sent a petition to EFCC. Wilson added that operatives of the commission, in a sting operation on February 24, in Lagos, arrested the suspect while he was attempting to collect a parcel sent to him.

“He will appear in court as soon as investigation is concluded,” he stated.

CONTRABAND: Destruction of contraband by Customs Area Controller, in Charge of Adamawa and Taraba Command, Mr. David Ogalu and other officers from sister agencies on Yola-Fufore Road in Adamawa, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

We sell Indian hemp to sustain our families—DEALERS

By Evelyn Usman

T

WO suspected Indian hemp dealers, arrested during routine raids by operatives of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in Lagos, have attributed their activities to their inability to fend for their families.

The suspects, Raji Kabir (22) and Yusuf Bako (19), alleged to be importing dried weeds which tested positive for cannabis sativa, otherwise known as Indian hemp, from Ghana, were arrested at Agege area of Lagos, where 151.3 kilogrammes of the substance were recovered.

Also recovered during the raid, according to the NDLEA Lagos State commander, Mr. Aliyu Sule, was a consignment of the drug weighing 658.8 kilogrammes at Alaba Rago area of the state.

He said: “Acting on intelligence report, we raided the water front at Alaba Rago area where we found compressed dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis. The team also raided Kasamu Street in Agege where 151.3

kilogrammes of cannabis was found hidden in the ceiling.

“Both seizures weighed 810.1 kilogrammes. The two suspected cannabis dealers, Raji Kabir,22, and Yusuf Bako, 19, arrested during the

operation are cooperating with our team of investigators.”

Following the intelligence report that the compressed cannabis originated from Ghana, NDLEA Chairman/ Chief Executive, Ahmadu

Giade, has directed all commanders to intensify surveillance along the water ways.

He said: “I have directed commanders to intensify maritime surveillance.”

6 in police net for robbery

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By Esther Onyegbula

OLICE in Lagos have arrested six members of a notorious robbery gang that had been terrorizing motorists, pedestrians and residents around Amukoko canal in Ajegunle.

The suspects, who allegedly parade themselves as “Akamayi boys”, attack and rob residents and commuters in broad day light.

The suspects, identified as Adewuli Rilwan, Sadiq Adebayo, Yusulf Sulieman, Sadiq Garuba and two others (names unknown), were arrested after the police received a tip off that the gang was unleashing terror on residents in the community, dispossessing innocent motorists and residents of their valuables.

Vanguard gathered that the bandits, who were armed with machetes and broken bottles, caused commotion in the community as they engaged in street fighting, looting shops as well as laying ambush in different areas of the community to attack unsuspecting residents.

A community leader Alfa Rasheed, the suspect had been torns in the flesh of community.

He said they attacked and robbed residents and commuters, causing commotion in the area so they can loot shops and rob residents.

It was learned that the suspects, who were arrested by Amukoko Divisional Police Station, would soon be charged to court.

Plateau veterinary institute workers protest salary deductions

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

J

OS—STAFF of the National Veterinary Research Institute, NVRI, Vom in Jos, Plateau State, under the Joint Unions and Associations, have begun a three-day mass protest and industrial unrest over deductions from their January and February salaries.

The said deductions are for the refund of the double salaries which the staff received in December 2014.

The aggrieved staff are demanding that the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation refund their net monthly salary deductions for January and February.

It was established that staff of the institution had received

double salaries in December 2014, following President Goodluck Jonathan’s pronouncement that he had given staff in the employ of the federal government bonus.

However, some weeks after the payment, the Director of Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System, IPPIS, under the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation wrote a letter to the DG, NVRI, stating that the double payment was not a bonus as anticipated by staff but was made in error and that the money would be recovered between January and February.

After one third of their salaries were deducted in January, the union issued a two weeks ultimatum, asking IPPIS to stop further deductions in their

salaries.

But the IPPIS went ahead to deduct two thirds of their February salaries to balance the December payment.

State chairman of the union, Atiku Aliyu, who spoke through the chairman, Association of Veterinary Research Officers, Mr. Timothy Woman, said: “If the payment was done in error as stated by IPPIS, then the deductions contravenes Financial Regulations 1522, Subsection (e), under Chapter 15.

“The subsection states that: ‘overpayments not involving fraud made in a previous financial year charged against the consolidated revenue fund or the development fund, it is not necessary to adjust it but the abandonment of the

recovery must be registered by the Accountant-General as a loss’.

“How can two thirds of our salaries be deducted in a month for a facility we never solicited for?

“The process of recovery is very harsh, especially in the beginning of the year when most people are planning to pay house rent and school fees.”

Meanwhile, a letter from the office of the AccountantGeneral of the Federation, dated January 8, had directed NVRI DG to recover the double payments from staff who might have exited the service after the payment of December and deposit it into an IPPIS account with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

What govt expects of advert profession —DUKE

By Princewill Ekwujuru

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AGOS— THE Federal Government, yesterday, tasked advertising practitioners in Nigeria to be more involved in its social reengineering and economic development programmes.

Speaking during the inauguration of the 6th governing council of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation and Supervising Minister of Information, Mr. Edem Duke, said the government expected to see advertising make the same impact it reputed to have made on the perception and profitability of brands, on the perception and indeed development of the Nigerian brand.

He said as image management experts, “you must strive to rebrand Nigeria appropriately. This is a public service that should concern all of us because the consequences of Nigeria’s negative image arising from the actions of a few bad eggs at home and abroad affect all of us since we are all Nigerians.”

According to him, President Goodluck Jonathan administration regards the advertising industry as an important stakeholder in rebranding Nigeria properly.

He said: “The government will, therefore, always appreciate your professional advice in this regard. I, therefore, wish to assure you that government will continue to provide an enabling environment for improved performance of the economy and in so doing make the business of advertising thrive in Nigeria in tandem with the Transformational Agenda of the government.

“For the governing board of APCON, I wish to emphasize that today, you are accepting a major responsibility, a resolve to effect positive changes in the practice and bestow on the profession a new lease of life.

The newly inaugurated Chairman of APCON, Mr. Udeme Ufot, appreciated the support and understanding of other levels of government and the National Assembly towards effective resulotion of the 18-month crisis that bedevilled the council.

Reps adopt report on Electoral Act amendment zINEC now empowered to request deployment of armed forces

By Emman Ovuakporie & Levinus Nwabughiogu

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BUJA — MEMBERS of the House of Representatives, yesterday, finally adopted the conference committee report on a Bill for an Act to further amend the Electoral Act No.6 of 2010 to create room for a level playing ground for all parties in the electoral process in the country.

The report, presented by Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Rep. Jerry Manwe, has 28 amendments.

The amendments include a new sub-section (b) proposed to the extant Section 29(1) of the Principal Act which seeks to give more powers to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to be the authority to request for the deployment of security personnel for election monitoring.

This new provision seeks to ensure that the commission is responsible for requesting and deploying relevant security personnel necessary for elections or registration of voters; assigning them in the manner determined by the commission in collaboration with the relevant security agencies, with the condition that the deployment of the Nigerian Armed Forces shall only be for the purpose of securing the distribution and delivery of election materials.

Section 29 (1) (b) of the adopted amendment states that “not withstanding the provisions of any other law and for purposes of securing the vote, the commission shall be responsible for requesting for the deployment of relevant security personnel necessary for elections or registration of voters and shall assign them in the manner determined by the commission in consultation with the relevant security agencies.

“Provided that the commission shall only request for the deployment of the Nigerian Armed Forces only for the purpose of securing the distribution; delivery of election materials and protection of election officials.”

The amendment also empowers INEC to disqualify candidates by inserting Section 7(A), which provides that “any political party that presents to the commission the name of a candidate that does not meet the qualification stipulated in the constitution and this Act shall be disqulified from participating in that particular election for that office.”

The amendment is also effected in Section 63(3) by

empowering presiding officers to announce results at polling units. It states that “the presiding officer shall then announce the result at the polling unit and shall

thereafter give the candidates or their polling agents, the assigned police officer, the assigned representative of the State Security Service, assigned representive of

Security and Civil Defence Corps, accredited election observer groups and a representative of the media a copy each of the signed and announced result form.”

BUDGET DEFENCE: From left: Engr Gabriel Afu of State House; Director Admin, State House, Engr Musban Kayode and Permanent Secretary, State House, Engr Nebolisa Emodi during the defence of 2015 State House Budget before House of Representatives Committee on Special Duties at the National Assembly, Abuja, yesterday.

IMF endorses FG's belt-tightening measures

By Omoh Gabriel, Business Editor

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AGOS — I N T E R N AT I O N A L Monetary Fund, IMF, in its assessment of the Nigeria economy released, yesterday, endorsed the Federal Government and the Central Bank’s fiscal and monetary policy positions to cushion the effect of falling oil prices on the economy.

It, however, advised the CBN to manage the unified foreign exchange market in a transparent, efficient and fair manner.

The IMF in endorsing the government measures agreed that tightening fiscal policy and allowing the exchange rate to depreciate while using some of the reserve buffer were appropriate responses to the recent fall in oil prices.

Nonetheless, they stressed that achieving the authorities’ fiscal targets will require a careful prioritisation of public spending and a cautious implementation of capital projects.

They also highlighted the importance of improved budgeting at the level of state and local governments to help better manage their fiscal adjustment In its review of the 2014 Article IV with Nigeria, the IMF Directors “welcomed the recent unification of the foreign exchange rates, noting that

greater exchange rate flexibility could help cushion external shocks.

"As the largest single supplier of foreign exchange, it will be important for the CBN to intermediate this supply in a transparent, efficient, and fair manner.”

Lowering oil dependency

The IMF report said: “Directors emphasised that Nigeria’s longer term prospects rest on lowering oil dependency and strengthening private sector’s participation in economic activity.

Lasting and more inclusive growth calls for improving the business environment, promoting youth and female employment, and advancing human capital development.

"They noted that Nigeria’s economic data are broadly adequate for surveillance.

Nonetheless, they encouraged the authorities to further improve statistics, in particular as regards the balance of payments.”

The report of Executive Board Assessment further noted: “Executive Directors commended the authorities for progress in promoting Nigeria’s economic diversification and for their macroeconomic response to collapsing export prices.

"Directors noted, however, that vulnerabilities remain high in view of the uncertainties about oil price, security, and the political situation, and concurred that

additional policy adjustments and broader structural reforms will be necessary in the period ahead to reconstitute buffers, mitigate risks, and meet pressing development needs.

“Directors agreed that tightening fiscal policy and allowing the exchange rate to depreciate while using some of the reserve buffer were appropriate responses to the recent fall in oil prices.

Nonetheless, Directors stressed that achieving the authorities’ fiscal targets will require a careful prioritization of public spending and a cautious implementation of capital projects. They also highlighted the importance of improved budgeting at the level of state and local governments to help better manage their fiscal adjustment.

Mobilising additional non oil revenues

“Directors agreed that mobilising additional non oil revenues is critical to open up fiscal space and improve public service delivery over the medium term. They welcomed ongoing initiatives to strengthen tax administration, and encouraged the authorities to also rein in exemptions, keep tax rates under review, persevere with subsidy reform, and improve the management of oil revenue."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015—9

Mismanagement, Nigeria's main problem West African countries worry about Nigeria —Obasanjo zzSay Notes: ‘Boko Haram needs to be uprooted, not suppressed’

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA— Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, lamented yesterday that mismanagement of resources has been the main problem confronting Nigeria.

The former president, who spoke at the 2015 annual summit and his 78the birthday celebration held at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta also said that most of the West African countries were worried about the situation in Nigeria while the developed countries were afraid that should there be a civil war in the country, no country could accommodate some of the 180 million Nigerians.

Obasanjo, flanked by former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and former governors of Osun and Ekiti states, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Segun Oni respectively said the problem of the country arose from mismanagement of resources.

The former President’s birthday had featured two lectures delivered by former Chief of Defence Staff during late President Umar Yar ’Adua, General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd) and Director-General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, Dr. Umar Bindir.

Speaking shortly after the two speakers , Obasanjo described himself as an ‘incurable optimist’ about the country, noting that an individual could make a difference.

I am an incurable optimist

According to him, “I am an incurable optimist about this country, and may be because I have seen a little bit in my short span of life, a little bit of what is possible and a little bit of what can go wrong and what can be made to go wrong. May be, that is why I am an incurable optimist and I believe that all will be well in this country, we have no choice anyway, all has to be well.

“We are about 180 million now, our brothers and sisters in West Africa are worried, and when they talk to me and I ask why were they worried, they said, if half a million Nigerians go to Republic of Benin, we will overwhelm them.

“Even Britain is worried, they said their problem is that if one million Nigerians come to Britain, in 10 years, there will be 10 million Nigerians in Britain and they will rather keep us here.

“My concern is that we have too many think tanks, we need

more of do-tanks. The point is we can do and we have no reason why we can’t do and we have also seen that one individual can make a difference.

“There is no reason why any Nigerian child, at this point in time, should not have basic education, food and nutrition, and not only Nigeria child, any Nigerian should not go to bed without food. We have the resources to achieve all that. If we are not achieving it, does not mean we don’t have the resources, it is because we haven’t managed our resources well.”

On insecurity

Speaking on the problems of security, Obasanjo predicted that, if nothing is done to the problem of unemployment in the country, there may be a repeat of Boko Haram insurgency in the future.

He said “on employment, if all other things are right, there should be no reason for any Nigerian who wants to be employed not to have the opportunity for employment.

And if all those things that all these young ones are expecting are not there, in 15 years time, they will be good recruits for Boko Haram or its equivalent. Don’t let us deceive ourselves.

“You can suppress but if other things that are supposed to be there are not there, you will only suppress, sooner than later, it will rear its ugly head again, and what should be done, we should remove its root, stem and branches and I believe that too can be done.”

Obasanjo very committed to Nigeria —Tinubu

In his tribute, Tinubu described Obasanjo as a ‘nationalist , a teacher, a disciplinarian and a tutor in dignity and boldness’.

The former governor of Lagos State said the new found relationship between him and Obasanjo was to confirm the popular axiom that there are no permanent friends and enemies but permanent interest.

Tinubu also disclosed the role played by Obasanjo during the merger of some political parties to form All Progressives Congress, APC, saying the former President accepted the offer given to him to be their navigator.

He said: “When we started this present regime of merger and alliances, and we visited him and we told him we wanted him to be a navigator, he said, ‘navigator? I will, my party, I am still in there, partisanship, I will try to avoid it because of Nigeria, but, if you people put a good team for the sake of this country together, I will give you wisdom.

“And if you look at what has been happening since then, Obasanjo is an open book, you read a line,

CAMPAIGN: From left: Wife of Abia State Governor, Mercy Orji; First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan; Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State and Mrs. Nkechi Okezie Ikpeazu, wife of the state PDP governorship candidate during Mrs Jonathan's arrival in Umuahia for the PDP presidential campaign. you pick a paragraph, you learn, you comply, if you drink from that fountain of wisdom, you will see value in it, he is very committed to Nigeria.

“As we were talking few minutes ago, I said Nigeria is the giant of Africa and he said, ‘I hope you will remove the kLeg’ and I said, ‘the elephantiasis would be killed’, he said by what and I said by APC. “And the change that is necessary for now was the day I

saw him instructing that shredded umbrella card torn into pieces, and I said what is happening but to an interpreter, he said, ‘you’ll wait if General Obasanjo would say anything at all’, it wasn’t about anything else, it was about the love of our country, patriotism, putting the country first before self.

“There’s nothing Obasanjo would have wanted in terms of material, oil well, oil lifting, whatever from Jonathan that he wouldn’t have gotten or what from PDP that he wouldn’t have gotten

as a retention service, he put all of that aside, believe in the unity, cohesion, and progress of this country in order to free himself from that boundage of commitment to one partisan politics that is probably drifting in the middle of the storm of a political change, he rather be afloat and chat a new course”.

Other prominent people who spoke at the event include the national Chairman of APC, John Odigie-Oyegun and Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State.

New party holds Presidential primaries March 27

By Henry Umoru

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BUJA — A newly registered party, Young Democratic Party, YDP, yesterday disclosed that it would hold its Presidential primaries on March 27 where its presidential candidate would emerge, a day to the Presidential election.

Addressing journalists, yesterday, in Abuja shortly after its National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting, National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Ugo Nwofor, who described the judgment by the high court as victory for democracy, rule of law and triumph over impunity, said its governorship and Houses of Assembly primaries would take place on March 26.

According to the party, INEC should either accommodate the party in the forthcoming general elections or reschedule the polls, just as it said it was ready for

2015 elections, but however gave INEC two options, which include the re-printing of its ballot papers to include YDP, so as to accommodate its candidates.

The second option, Nwofor said: “If INEC does not have the appropriation of logistics for reprinting of its ballot papers then INEC ought to within the constitutional provision further reschedule the general elections to accommodate our party.”

He said “in view of the urgency, the party slated governorship/ House of Assembly for March 26, 2015 and presidential/Senate/ House of Representatives for March 27, 2015. In accordance with INEC’s timetable, we wish to restate that we are ready for the 2015 general elections.”

Barely three weeks to the commencement of the 2015 general elections, a Federal High Court in Abuja had on Wednesday ordered INEC to immediately register the Young Democratic

Party, YDP, as one of the political parties in the country.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed who made the order in his judgment on the suit filed by the party, challenging its denial of registration by INEC, held that YDP was deemed registered when INEC failed to inform the then political association of its decision not to register it as a political party within 30 days of receiving its application, as required under Section 78 (4) of the Electoral Act, 2010 .

INEC was said to have received the association’s application on April 1, 2014, but only notified the applicant of its decision not to register it on September 15, 2014.

Speaking further, YDP National Publicity Secretary said, “In either of the two options, our party is ready. It has been a long journey for YDP, we wish above all things that INEC would explore the first option."

10— Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

50% of construction workers laid-off over economic crunch —FASHOLA

By Olasunkanmi Akoni &

L

Monsur Olowoopejo

AGOS—GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, alleged that 50 per cent of the construction workers in the country have been laid-off due to the economic crunch in the country.

Fashola also alleged that President Goodluck Jonathan and members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, were divided over the importance of technology in the country’s development.

The governor spoke at the All Progressives Congress, APC, campaign rally in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of the state, organised to sensitise residents on the forthcoming elections.

He noted that the figure is contained in a survey he conducted to know the impact of the economic crunch on the citizens.

“If Nigerians failed to vote out this PDP-led Federal Government on March 28, more could follow soon.”

In the last 16 years, Fashola lamented that Nigerians have elected a bad party at the federal level.

He said that the country was “at

a very crucial stage,” adding that the days before the election would afford Nigerians the opportunity to understand the reasons to vote out the current administration.

“For me, I will not vote for Jonathan in the forthcoming election, and I don’t advice

anyone to do so,” Fashola maintained.

Explaining the reason for his, decision, the governor stated that the President, the PDP’s governorship candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje and the party were not in tandem on the use of technology.

“The President has consistently said that he is passionate about helping the youths and he would improve technology so that the youths can have technology at their disposal. But his party, PDP, said that they do not want card readers for the 2015 elections. Is that not technology?" he queried.

“Their candidate in Lagos (Jimi

TRIBUTE: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola(2nd left), his wife Abimbola, (3rd left), Hon. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas (left), Mrs. Laila Fowler (middle), Senator Oluremi Tinubu (3rd right), and Otunba Subomi Balogun, during the Night of Tributes and Service of Songs for late Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, at the Trinity House, Zion Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

NIMASA issues operational guidelines to oil majors CABOTAGE:

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By Godfrey Bivbere

AGOS—THE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has issued new set of operational guidelines to International Oil Companies, IOCs, as it concerns engagement of seafarers and dockworkers as provided for in the Cabotage Act. The new guidelines which were

Pa Patrick Ebole for burial

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R PATRICK Okojie Ebole, a community leader in Igueben LGA of Edo State is dead, aged 71.

He will be laid to rest today at his residence, Idumonka Street, Igueben.

He is survived by children, including Mr Elliot Ebole, the Personal Assistant to the former NDDC Commissioner in Edo State, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen.

Late Patrick Ebole

to ensure that only registered operators of ports, terminals, jetties, offshore platforms and vessels are qualified for service contracts on/in connection with their offshore facilities.

"This will be implemented as a “fatal flaw” during the tendering process. Facility owner will be held liable for contracting with unregistered operators of ports, terminals, jetties, offshore platforms and vessels.”

She told the stakeholders that the agency will soon commence enforcement of the provisions of the Cabotage Act as it concerns engagement of seafarers and dockworkers in the oil and gas sector.

disclosed to the IOCs and other stakeholders at a sensitisation seminar on the implementation of the agency ’s statutory mandate on offshore operations in respect of maritime labour and cabotage, the Director, Maritime Labour Service of NIMASA, Juliana Gunwa, noted that same are to be fully complied with.

Gunwa gave the guidelines which would attract penalties for defaulters as follows: All IOCs/ facility operators are to engage only maritime labour employers registered with NIMASA as agencies for outsourcing of seafarers/ dockworkers. *All IOCs/facility operators are

to engage only maritime labour that is registered with NIMASA as seafarers/dockworkers; All IOCs/ facility operators are to ensure that only maritime labour employer that have conditions of service validated by NIMASA are engaged on their facilities. *All IOCs/facility operators are to ensure that employers of maritime labour implement the agreed conditions of services for the maritime labour industry; All IOCs/facility operators are to engage the cabotage services department of NIMASA for advice and periodic assessment on status of compliance with the Cabotage Act 2003 and manning of cabotage vessels. * All IOCs/facility operators are

ALLEGED FORGERY:

Court threatens bizmen with

bench warrant

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By Innocent Anaba

AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, threatened to issue bench warrant for the arrest of three businessmen, standing trial over alleged forgery of trade mark belonging to Dorco Shaving Sticks.

The accused persons - Nduka Nwaizu (40), Benjamin Nwaizu (41) and Chukwudi Orji (52) were charged to court by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigerian Police on

a six-count charge of forgery and misinformation to the police on robbery case.

The accused persons have absented themselves from court in the last six adjournments, a development which forced the prosecutor, Charles Odii to apply for bench warrant for the arrest of the accused persons.

But trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba said he will give the accused one more chance, failing which the court will order their arrest for the purpose of being arraigned in court.

The accused persons, were

said to have committed the crime on or about March 27, 2014 at No. 72, Dosumu Street, Idumota, Lagos.

They were said to have conspired with others now at large to forge the trade mark of Dorco Shaving Sticks marketed by Vine Morris Limited by falsifying the products with the aim that same should be acted upon as genuine.

The accused were also said to have exposed the forged products for sale as original, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 2 of the MerchandiseMarksAct,CapM10,Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Group chides opponents of Obanikoro's ministerial appointment

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By Dapo Akinrefon

A G O S — DIRECTOR, Media and Publicity, Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Group, Chief Willy Akinlude, said that Senator Musiliu Obanikoro’s second coming as minister was an “act of God and well merited” noting that “nobody can block what God has put together for a particular objective.”

He noted that “It is regrettable that some elements in the party were still playing the same old game.

Otherwise why would anyone be against the successful completion of Senator Obanikoro’s screening? What purpose would that narrow interest serve? The truth is that we cannot all be minister at the same time.

“Indeed that power itself belongs to God and a look at Obanikoro’s political trajectory will vividly show that his current stage was already destined by God and so nobody can stop or block what God has put together for a definite purpose.”

He disagreed with the notion of disrespect to leaders being concocted in a recent publication aganst Obanikoro.

NNPP endorses Jonathan

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By Ikenna Asomba

AGOS—THE New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, yesterday, adopted the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate for the March 28 presidential election.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, said that his party adopted President Jonathan because they believe the president started a project which should not be truncated at this point in time.

Aniebonam said: “Jonathan is a man who talks less and does more. He is known for humility. If the President was not an act of God, a lot of things could have gone wrong in the country.

"We took critical looks at various presidential candidates and decided to present Jonathan. We urge Nigerians to vote for the current administration for continuity."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 — 11

PDP not against use of Card Reader

Managing Director, Nigeria LNG Limited and International President, Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, CIPS, Mr. Babs Omotowa (left), presenting the CIPS presidential badge to the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, during a courtesy visit to the minister in Abuja.

—SECONDUS

By Henry Umoru

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BUJA—PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP yesterday said it was not against the use of electronic card reader by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, saying it was only against using them without a trial run.

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja yesterday, the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus noted that it was imperative for the machines to be tested and not to be used as guinea pig as that would disenfranchise many eligible voters across the country.

He stressed that for the strength and structure of PDP in the 9572 wards and 774 local governments in the country, there was no way it would engage in buying of the Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, adding that President Goodluck Jonathan would not bribe voters or buy the PVCs to enable it win the March 28 Presidential elections.

Secondus said: “Since it is the first time we will adopt this technology, it should be in perfect condition so that people will not have cause to complain.

“This is the position of the party and I want to make it clear to Nigerians that the PDP is not against the card reader but we urge INEC to test run them so that they will be in perfect condition on the day of election.

“We believe that we don’t go into such crucial elections with trial and error arrangement, the Commission must test run them and put them in perfection.

“The main opposition, the All Progressive Congress, APC and its leaders are panicking, that is why they are making all series of false claims and peddling unfounded rumours around in order to cause confusion in the land ahead of the general elections. ” Nigerians and the

Buhari is truly brain dead, Fani-Kayode insists

By Henry Umoru

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BUJA—PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential Campaign Organisation, PDPPCO, said yesterday that wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience Jonathan has no apology on her assessment of the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) as being “brain dead,” saying she was right.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by the Director, Media and Publicity of PDP Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, who was responding to APC Presidential Campaign Organisation said: “The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, was absolutely right.

“To say that General Buhari is ‘’brain dead’’ is an understatement and to suggest that he is suffering from dementia is nothing new.

“The First Lady has spoken in a courageous and forthright manner and, most important of all, she has spoken the bitter truth.

“Instead of crying like spoilt little brats and complaining, the APC and the Buhari Campaign Organisation should live with that bitter truth and leave her alone.

“She has every right to express herself in any way that she deems fit and she is entitled to her opinion. This is especially so given the fact that her husband, President Goodluck Jonathan, is in the Presidential race.

“Buhari’s general disdain for women and their opinion

is well known. This is a man that said that he would scrap the office of the First Lady if he is elected President.

“If he is not ready to face public scrutiny and criticism

for his often irresponsible, retrogressive, nonsensical and asinine views, he should quit the Presidential race and consider retiring from politics.

“Our counsel to the APC is as follows: leave the First Lady alone or prepare yourselves for a relentless verbal blitzkrieg, the likes of which you have never seen before.”

CARD READER: PDP set to rig elections, says APC T HE All Progressives Congress, APC, has described the public avowal of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to oppose the use of Card Reader in this month’s rescheduled elections as a vindication of its claim that the ruling party was desperate to rig the election or prevent it from holding.

The party in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, described as very curious the fact that the PDP that rushed to the press to deny the APC’s claims had now turned around to confirm them.

It said: “At the press conference we addressed on Wednesday, which rattled the PDP and the Jonathan Administration so much, we listed the conditionalities of the PDP/Jonathan Administration for holding the election: No PVCs, No Card Readers, No Jega and the fact that they want the military deployed to harass and intimidate voters.

“We mentioned ‘Card Readers’ at least three times during the press conference, and said they (PDP/Jonathan

Administration) are doing everything possible to sabotage the machine and prevent its use.

“Both the spokesmen for the PDP and the Jonathan Campaign Organization rushed to the press to deny any such ‘ reprehensible’ plan. But a few hours later, the spokesperson for the campaign organization told an incredulous country that they would oppose the use of Card Reader, apparently after the spokesmen were overruled by their party.

“Obviously, these men are outsiders in their own party and it is now obvious that the opposition knows more about the inner workings of their party than they do.’’

The APC also described the 15 lesser known political parties calling for the abandonment of the Card Readers as agents of the PDP saying “these syndicated threats are the latest indications of the mortal fear in the corridors of power about the machine that has now become the nemesis of election riggers and manipulators worldwide.

“Nigerians have sacrificed all they can to obtain their

PVCs, which is now their mostprized possession. They have also hailed the plan by INEC to use the Card Reader to give Nigeria credible polls.

“Only dishonest politicians, those who plan to rig, those who have engaged in a massive purchase of PVCs and those who have something to hide are opposed to the use of the machine.

“For the avoidance of doubt, our party is ready for any tool, including the Card Reader, that will ensure that the votes of Nigerians will count in the forthcoming election.

“In this regard, we sincerely hope that the nationwide tests of the Card Reader to be carried out this week by INEC will not be sabotaged by those opposed to the machine.

“The Card Reader has been demonstrated to work, including at the Senate, and no one must come out to tell Nigerians anything to the contrary.

“The huge investments in providing PVCs for Nigerians will not be worthwhile if the cards would not be authenticated by Card Readers which, by the way, have been used in many other countries, all of them less endowed than Nigeria, in Africa.”

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

Itsekiri community faults Ijaw's reprisal threat

By Festus Ahon

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SABA—UGBORI, an Itsekiri community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, has responded to the seven- day ultimatum issued to it by its Ijaw neigbour, Lotiebiri, of imminent reprisal attack if Ugbori failed to pay N500 million as restitution for alleged damage done to Lotiebiri in the 2012 attack on the community.

Ugbori people, in a statement by the community's youth chairman, Mr Jonathan Orugbo, and Mr. Peter Otuedon, Secretary of the Elders, said the community was shocked to read such a weighty allegation that “in 2012, Ugbori community invaded Loteibiri and destroyed Lotiebiri farm land,” warning against any unprovoked attack on the peace loving Ugbori indigenes.

The Itsekiri community said the people have always maintained the peace deal entered into with its neighbours during the James Ibori administration, describing

Sacking Jega'll set Nigeria on fire —PRIMATE

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By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN—THE Primate of the Orthodox Anglican Communion, Archbishop Christopher Umane, has warned against any plot by the Presidency to remove the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, saying that such an action will plunge the nation into avoidable crisis.

The cleric, who spoke to journalists yesterday in Benin City, Edo State, expressed fears over the future of the nation’s democracy, lamenting that rather than pray for the best candidate to emerge, men of God abandoned prayers for money and power, which according to him, was creating more problems for Nigerians.

He said: “The quarrel over card readers is funny because when you use it, you cannot rig the election and that is why you see a section of our politicians kicking against it. And that is why they are asking Jega to even resign. We must use card readers. You can see people being sponsored to go to court to contest even the usage of PVCs and the card reader just because they want to rig the elections."

the threat to peaceful co-existence among the people as sad.

Orugbo and Otuedon in the statement, said Ugbori community was not taking the threat as non issue, advising the Delta State Government and

security agencies to act fast to forestall any unprovoked attack on the peaceful Ogbori indigenes.

The people said there was never an attack on the Ijaw community that should warrant a reprisal, warning against creating security

alarm to further delay the Export Processing Zone, EPZ ground breaking ceremony.

They advised those fanning embers of disunity among the Itsekiris and their Ijaw neighbours to desist from such act.

DELTA APC CONGRESS SUIT: Court fixes March 30 for judgment

By Festus Ahon

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MSMEDF FUND: Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State (middle) flanked by his wife, Obioma (right), and Deputy Governor Mr. Efiok Cobham, and representative of CBN Governor, Mr. Graham Kalio, in a group photograph during the disbursement of the N2 billion MSMEDF fund in Calabar, yesterday.

Emerhor insists on card readers

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By Onoja Innocent

HE governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress in Delta State, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, has insisted that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, must use card readers to accredit voters before voting in the upcoming elections.

In a statement by the Director of Media and Political Communication of the O’tega Emerhor Campaign Organisation, Dr. Fred Oghenesivwe, Emerhor faulted calls by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for discarding the use of card readers He said: “How can they say card readers should not be used because they are untested? We

AAU Ijaw graduates back Okowa for Delta gov

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JAW graduates of Ambrose Ali University, AAU, Edo State, have thrown their weight behind the candidature of Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the coming governorship election in Delta State.

Convener of the group, Engr.

Yeigagha Henry, in a statement in Warri also expressed confidence in Mr. Kingsley Otuaro to take responsibility as Okowa's running mate.

have to start from somewhere and the time to start using card readers is now. Moreover, INEC has been test running the device and even demonstrated it in the Senate chambers. Between now and the elections, they still have time to continue test running and perfecting the use of the card reader.

“Those clamouring for the dumping the card readers are looking for a window to rig the elections. Rigging has always made nonsense of the will of our people. Now that we have a device that will help make genuine votes count, some people are complaining. They want to abandon a very useful

device that has cost billions in tax payers’ money. APC will resist any such calls.”

He added that the Femi FaniKayode series of attacks on APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, was a pointer to the fact that the APC was miles ahead of the PDP in this year’s general elections, adding that the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians for “change” for good governance and socio-economic advancement as contained in the APC manifesto can never be watered down by the on-going political propaganda against the APC and its candidates across the country by Fani-Kayode's misleading media machinery.

A-Ibom indigenes in UK back Udom

By Gbenga Oke

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KWA Ibom indigenes in the United Kingdom, UK, have thrown their weight behind the candidacy of the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, Mr Udom Emmanuel.

The group, Akwa Ibom Consolidation Alliance, ACA, said that the qualities and experiences of Mr Emmanuel prove that he knows what it entails to ensure a re-engineering of key sectors of the state’s economy in order to move it away from absolute reliance on oil revenues.

Addressing newsmen, Coordinator of the group, Mr

Imoh Umoetuk, said that the emergence of Mr Emmanuel as the flag-bearer of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State has attracted a number of UK companies to partner the group to establish profitable ventures in the state.

He said: “Supporting Udom was an easy choice based on his credentials, achievements, and past antecedents in the private sector. His track records in the management of human and material resources make the group confident that Udom will not only maintain the continuity and sustainability of the present development of the state but will also add value to the well-being of Akwa Ibom people."

SABA—A Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba has adjourned till March 30, for judgment in the suit

by Chief Adolo OkotieEboh, seeking the nullification of the election of Prophet Jones Erue as the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress, arguing that the congress that produced Erue was flawed with irregularities.

Trial judge, Justice Nduka Obi, earlier struck out an application by the defendants seeking to convert the suit from originating summons to writ of summons and ordered that the substantive suit be heard. Chief OkotieEboh, who was Delta State Chairman of APC, prayed the court to nullify the State Congress of the APC, alleging that same was done in breach of the approved guidelines for its conduct.

Okotie-Eboh also prayed the court to restrain Erue and Mr Chidi Okonji from parading themselves as the duly elected chairman and Secretary of the state APC, respectively.

Pa OkelekeUdemba for burial

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NOWU Michael Okeleke – Udemba, a community leader in Ibusa, Delta State, is dead, aged 87.

A service of songs was held in his honour yesterday at St. Monica’s Catholic Church, Ogboli Ibusa. A Requiem Mass comes up today at 12 noon followed by interment at his residence.

He is survived by many children, grand children and other relations.

Late Okeleke-Udemba

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015—13

‘Jonathan should call Ijaw of Gbaramatu to order'

By Daniel Gumm

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ARRI — ITSEKIRI are not hiding their disaffection about the way President Goodluck Jonathan is allegedly reluctant in calling the Ijaw of Gbaramatu community to order in their inordinate ambition to claim what does not belong to them.

Speaking on behalf of Kpokpo community, host to the Deep Sea Port, Prince Nelson Kolo, said: “We are surprised that the President has not taken the courage to call the Ijaws of Gbaramatu to order over their illegal claim to Itsekiri land.

“We are surprised that, if we can give the Ijaw support during the ground-breaking ceremony of the National

I won't disappoint Ikwerre, Peterside assures

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C M Y K

can’t they reciprocate that gesture?

“We are still standing on our claim that Kpokpo is Itsekiri territory. The Ijaws came there as fishermen.”

Prince Kolo, an indigene of

Kpokpo community, said that they reject any attachment of Gbaramatu to the project, appealing to the President to allow justice and equity to prevail.

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PRESENTATION: New Private Universities: From right, Minister of Education Malam Ibrahim Shekarau presenting provisional licence of Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Owhrode, Delta State, to Mrs Cecilia Ibru, at a ceremony in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.

By Jimitota Onoyume ORT HARC O U R T — GOVERNORSHIP candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Dakuku Peterside, has assured the people of Ikwerre ethnic group that he will not disappoint them if elected as governor of the state.

Peterside gave the assurance, yesterday, during his campaign at Ogbakiri, Emohua Local Government Area.

He said: “On the issue of governorship, you know that I am running.

The Supreme Council of Ikwerre Traditional Rulers brought me out.

They came together at Isiokpo and said for the image of Ikwerre, they will not allow the selfishness of one Ikwerre man to destroy their image.

“They commissioned me to go and represent them. After eight years, will it be fair for Ikwerre to be governor again. I promise you, for this kind gesture from the Supreme Council of Ikwerre Traditional Rulers, and our leader, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, I cannot disappoint Ikwerre people.”

Peterside told the Supreme Council of Ikwerre Traditional Rulers that he will be fair to all.

Maritime University and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA Dock Yard at Okerenkoko, which the Itsekiri attended and celebrated with the Ijaws, why

Vandals burst ELPS gas pipeline in Delta

By Chris Ochayi

of the pipeline was blown off.

Olagunju said this latest act BUJA—THE Escravos- of sabotage has once again Lagos Pipeline System, affected gas supply to ELPS, Gas Pipeline at electricity generation and Inikorogha, Gbaramatu resulted in the reduction of Kingdom, Delta State, has generated power to the been ruptured by suspected national grid. vandals resulting in She said the suspected significant reduction of vandals also struck the Transgenerated power to the Forcados Pipeline a month ago national grid. and while restoration efforts General Manager, Public were being completed, they Affairs, Transmission Company struck again. of Nigeria, TCN, Seun The TCN, however, assured Olagunju, said in a statement, that the Federal Government yesterday, that about 24 inches was unrelenting in its efforts

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to check these acts of sabotage by the introduction of sophisticated technology, in order to provide more reliable and stable power supply to the people.

It regretted any inconvenience the gas pipe disruption might have caused Nigerians and assured that the NGC was working assiduously to ensure the quick restoration of gas supply through the blasted pipeline to generation companies.

SPDC denies Bayelsa community's claim of neglect

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA—THE Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, yesterday, described as untrue, the claim that it had neglected the host communities of its multibillion naira GbaranUbie Integrated Oil and Gas Plant in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

SPDC, through its spokesman, Mr. Joseph Obari, in reaction to Tuesday's protest by

some youths from Obunagha community, who blocked access to the processing unit of Gbaran-Ubie Integrated Oil and Gas Plant.

The youths, Vanguard learned, were protesting the alleged neglect of their community by the oil company. They also described the arrest of their paramount ruler and the desecration of the royal stool as a joke taken too far.

But Obari said: “It is not true that SPDC has neglected host communities of our

PDP will win the elections —WIKE

Gbaran-Ubie facility.

We have progressively fulfilled agreed sustainable community development projects under the Global Memorandum of Understanding, GMoU. “For example, in 2014 alone, projects worth over N100 million were completed in the GMoU cluster covering 10 communities.

The Bayelsa State Government is leading discussions with the youths to end the protest.”

ORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Mr Nyesom Wike, has expressed assurance that he will win the election in the state.

Wike who spoke in Port Harcourt, yesterday before traders also said President Goodluck Jonathan was going to win the presidential election.

He said, “As traders and artisans, you must join the rest of Rivers State people to make a statement. You must vote out all All Progressives Congress, APC, candidates during the next elections to pave way for the development of Rivers State. I have confidence in you people and I know you will vote PDP all the way.”

He promised to give slots in his government to leaders of the traders to ensure that all sectors are properly represented in his government.

Sam Jaja, who spoke for the traders said they were going to vote for the PDP at all levels in the elections.

14— Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

COURTESY CALL: Dame Patience Jonathan (left), paying homage to HRM Orhue I, the Orodje of Okpe, CFR, during a courtesy call on the Okpe monarch.

From left: Member of the First Lady's entourage, HRH Izu Okpe, Queen Doris Mujakperuo, Dame Patience Jonathan, and Mrs Roli Uduaghan, wife of Delta State governor, during the visit.

Construction of VP's residence to gulp N500m

By Emman Ovuakporie & Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

BUJA—THE construction of the residential quarters and guest houses of the presiding officers of the National Assembly, which has got to an advanced stage will require N2 billion this year to move it towards completion.

Also, the construction of the Vice President’s residence will

gulp N500 million as indicated in the 2015 fiscal year.

The contract for the residential quarters of the National Assembly officers was awarded for the sum of N27.192 billion.

The beneficiaries are the Senate President and his Deputy as well as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and his

Deputy.

The contract sum for the project, which has two components, was disclosed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Sen. Bala Mohammed, when his ministry appeared before the House Committee on FCT to defend its 2015 budget.

The minister said: “The project entails the provision o f residences for presiding officers of the National A s s e m b l y, w h i c h comprises m a i n

building, ADCs house, guest house, staff quarters, gate house, banquet hall, chapel, mosque and power house.

“The sum of N1.5 billion was appropriated for this project in the 2014 fiscal year, while the sum of N164,290,688.40 was actually released.

"The total sum of N11,815,127,972.42 has been paid to date with a balance of N15,377,649,658.44 required to complete the project.

"Also, the contract for the Vice President’s residence, which was awarded in 2009 at the sum of N7.065 billion last year, the sum of N1 billion was appropriated for it while the sum of N248, 760 million was accessed."

Why Lagos PDP is scared of card readers, by APC L

AGOS—THE Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has alleged that the desperation by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to use cloned fake voters cards to rig the 2015 general election is responsible for its present campaign against the use of card readers for the election.

The party in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Joe Igbokwe said: “The despicable and desperate manner the PDP is going about fighting the use of a credible device to stop the use of stolen, fake and cloned voters card has exposed PDP as a cabal of shameless electoral thieves who

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predicate their so called strength on f a r c i c a l l y manipulating every election in Nigeria”.

The party urged the PDP to stop its present show of shame on the effort to curb electoral fraud and face the Nigerian masses on the strength of its performance in sixteen years leadership of the country.

The party insisted that “the time is up for the PDP and its many fraudulent ways of short changing the country and subjecting it to the type of horrendous wreckage that has marked PDP’s unfortunate years in power."

Please clear Obanikoro, Sen Owie begs Senate

B

ENIN—FORMER Senate Chief Whip, Senator Rowland Owie has pleaded with members of the upper legislative arm of the National Assembly to approve the ministerial nomination of Senator Musilu Obanikoro.

Owie, who said this yesterday, noted that Obanikoro should be accorded the respect due to a former senator.

His words: ‘’I wish to appeal to my colleagues to see the issue of Senator Obanikoro as their own and allow the traditionally established precedent on such matter.’’

The Senate had on Wednesday refused to deliberate on the ministerial nomination of the former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro.

....As group backs Agoda for Senate

E

FFURUN—AN Urhobo socio-cultural group, Urhobo Mudiaga Social Club, has endorsed Hon. Halims Agoda, All Progressives Congress, APC, Senatorial flag bearer for Delta Central as its candidate for the post.

Addressing newsmen in Effurun, yesterday, the group through its President, Amos Itoro, insisted that Agoda is the kind of Senator Delta Central has been waiting for, asserting that the veteran legislator stood head and shoulders above his competitors in terms of being qualified for the post of Senator of the Federal Republic.

He said: “On account of his humility, public-spiritedness and intelligence alone, we are fully throwing our eight behind him and by the special grace of God he is the next Senator from Delta Central.”

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 — 15

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16 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

78TH BIRTHDAY OF EX-PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO IN ABEOKUTA

From left; Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, Former President and celebrator, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; wife of Ogun State governor, Mrs. Funso Amosun and Mrs. Bola Obasanjo, at the Annual Summit and 78th birthday celebration of Olusegun Obasanjo at the International Conference Centre, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, yesterday. PHOTOS BY WUNMI AKINOLA.

FACES @ THE INAUGURATION OF THE 6TH GOVERNING COUNCIL OF APCON IN LAGOS

From left; Chief Edem Duke, Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation; High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Chairman, AIT; Mr Udeme Ufot, incoming Chairman, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON and Alhaji Garba Bello Kankarofi, APCON Registrar/Chief Executive at the inauguration of the 6th Governing Council of APCON, held at the Press Centre, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Iganmu, Lagos. PHOTOS BY AKEEM SALAU.

Chief Obasanjo, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

Cross Section of the new Council members of APCON.

(RIGHT) From left; Oba Femi Omolade, Olubara of Ibara; Olori A. Omolade; Oba Dr. Dapo Tejuoso, Osile Oke-Ona Egba and Hon Justice A Adewolu.

Chief Obasanjo (foreground) with wellwishers.

From left; Mr Seni Adetu,Former Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc; Mr Kolawole Ayanwale; Mr Rufai Ladipo and Otunba Tunde Adelaja.

From left; Chief Edem Duke; Mr Udeme Ufot, APCON incoming Chairman and Mrs Uforo Inyang-Opara, Legal Advisor, APCON.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 —17

Betrayal?

S

OME fellow Niger Deltans have told me that they are very disappointed in me because I am supporting Buhari’s election bid, rather than Jonathan’s.

And it may surprise you to hear that I know how they feel and regret my position!

In 2011, I was one of Jonathan’s biggest fans and could not understand how anyone from our geopolitical zone could fail to enthusiastically back him.

He was the first-ever President from our backyard! He was also the first-ever Nigerian President to enter the Villa with a PhD! He had stoically triumphed over a tough, shoe-less childhood and seemed so caring and trustworthy! He was our One And Only, our Pride And Joy, our Heroic Son, our Beloved Brother!

Whenever I came across someone from Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Edo or Cross River who criticised Jonathan or expressed a preference for his opponents, I would conclude that he or she was misguided or treacherous…and thank God that most South-South natives were staunch Jonathan loyalists.

And I really enjoyed the esprit de corps...the feeling that one was part of a happy extended family. Some of us knew him personally. Some of us had nev-

I would have loved to stick with Dr and Mrs Jonathan to the bitter end…, lobbying voters for another four-year term; but my conscience won’t allow me to go down this regionally biased path

er met him. But we were all equally dedicated to Jonathan’s political survival and progress; and it was so heart-warming to watch him on TV, doing sophisticated global statesmanly things like hob-nobbing with Obama in the United States. It was exciting to sit with other home boys and girls and cheer him on from afar.

Certain types of certainty provide a certain amount of psychological comfort; and I felt pretty buoyant in those early halcyon days because I didn’t have any major doubts about Dr Goodluck Jonathan. Or his wife, for that matter.

Dame Patience was the firstever First Lady from my state; and most Riverians were determined to adore her; and I went through a long phase of feeling mightily miffed and flying to her defence whenever her malapropisms, mispronunciations and educational shortcomings in general were mocked.

“Don’t Diss The Dame!” I would say, reproachfully.

“She has never claimed to be a Professor of English!” I would add, defiantly.

“She’s good at mobilising women and much better-looking than her predecessors and

Jonathan is damned lucky to have her!” was another favourite utterance.

But I gradually became extremely disillusioned and left the Jonathan camp for various reasons, including Jonathan’s abject failure to control his increasingly overbearing wife…and his selfish refusal to implement the United Nations’ recommendations for pollutionravaged Ogoniland…and his cold insulting insistence on retaining and honouring Abba Moro – the Minister of Interior who presided over a botched recruitment exercise that led to many deaths.

And these sources of anger are just the tip of the iceberg.

There are SO MANY other areas in which the Jonathans have messed up, in my opinion.

I still can’t quite believe that I have totally lost confidence in a couple I once embraced so warmly and once held in such high esteem. And I sometimes shed a tear or two when I remember the good old days.

I really miss that feeling of passionately believing in Jonathan. I wish I could still regard him as a great guy who can fulfil my dreams for Nigeria as a

whole and adequately represent minority tribes from oil-producing areas.

I would have loved to stick with Dr and Mrs Jonathan to the bitter end…and to be there with them now, lobbying voters for another four-year term. But my conscience won’t allow me to go down this regionally biased path.

It’s about being rational rather than sentimental.

It’s about growing up to the point where you no longer regard it as a betrayal to make political choices that are not largely based on geography or ethnicity.

Anyway, dear Readers, Major-General Buhari and APC may not be perfect. But they give me a sense of hope and I am convinced that Nigeria needs a change.

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

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

OPINION

Illiberality in an age of conspiracy

F

By Dan Amor

OR those who have a profound appreciation of power and its most penetrating insight as well, the fact of the matter, as the Italians once succinctly put it, is that power cannot be wrested no matter the paradigm one uses without certain attributes by the group or individual that jockeys after it. Popularized as the Three Cs in political parlance, any group that earnestly seeks power must be cohesive.

It must be coherent. And it must be conspiratorial. In an attempt to wrest power from President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, even before the Senate’s Doctrine of Necessity following the untimely death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, some hawks had tried to employ certain machinations, including coercion and brigandage, to humiliate him from the pinnacle of power.

Few Nigerians have been so persistently, so perversely and so pertinaciously maligned in the folklore of our political evolution. Even before Yar’Adua was officially pronounced dead, there was cataclysm in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, arising from the sharp division between defenders of entrenched interests who insisted that the North must retain power and those who insisted that the sanctity of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria must supervene.

That is where Jonathan’s problem started. With the intervention of the Senate, he assumed the Presidency in acting capacity and later as substantive C M Y K

President. I n 2011, Northern politicians insisted that Jonathan should not run, which is grossly unconstitutional. Again, the Constitution gained upper hand, and Jonathan, in what was considered a freeand-fair election by local and international observers, won a pan-Nigerian mandate as the country’s fourth democratically elected President.

His declaration as winner of that election did not go down well with those who still think that Nigeria is their sole property which must be ruled and her resources freely looted by them in perpetuity. Soon after the announcement of his victory, routine killings of youth corps members who were employed as ad hoc staff by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, began in Kano, Bauchi and other parts of the North. No sooner had the people’s outcry against this wicked attack on the youth died down than the Boko Haram insurgency started in the North East as a political weapon of the Northern political elite. Since then, there has been this grand conspiracy amongst

What is expected of our young politicians is the courage to assertively tell those oldies that the country would make do with a new crop of leaders

some disgruntled elements from the core North to make the country ungovernable for Jonathan. Yet, the President has demonstrated resolute political savvy and resilience to transform all sectors of the national economy. One inimitable fact is that those who don’t want Jonathan to have his second term as Nigeria’s president are saying this not because he has not performed but because of other ulterior motives.

Although the conspiracy amongst a section of the political elite against Jonathan borders on desperation, the most troubling and disturbing is the temptation to jump into the bandwagon of the old order mentality in the name of a phantom slogan of ‘change’. It is unthinkable to see some Nigerians dancing like frenzied ogbanjes clamouring for the old to replace the new as in putting old wine in a new keg and pouring the fresh one away. It is the height of illiberality.

The question that keeps engaging the minds of sensible people around the world about leadership in Nigeria is: Must it always be the Obasanjos, the Buharis and the Babangidas? Doesn’t Nigeria have other competent leaders?

Why must military dictators who misruled Nigeria and squandered all her opportunities for growth continue to dominate the political space? Is the country a fiefdom? Many Nigerians are yet to ponder over these questions. Some Nigerians even believe that it is their Godgiven right to rule over others in perpetuity.

Then there is also a section of the

Nigerian intelligentsia that is yet to come to terms with the reality of the Nigerian condition. The political class has pauperized and manipulated them so much so that they have virtually lost every sense of proportion. Their dalliance with retired misfits whose executive incompetence left Nigeria a legendary, fractured fairy tale, until the emergence of Yar’Adua and Jonathan, is the highest form of conspiracy against the future of this country.

They have failed to inform our teeming youths, especially those born during or shortly after the Buhari military dictatorship, of the dangers of recycling such as leaders in the 21st century. Now, what is expected of our young politicians who have the interest of the country, not that of an aggrieved, parochial and selfish cabal, at heart is the courage to assertively tell those oldies that the country would make do with a new crop of leaders in tandem with what obtains in other countries of the world.

Even our intellectuals, some of whom have forgotten so soon where the rain started beating us, are expected to shun the gains of jumping into the bandwagon, together with its trappings, and try to evolve a new political ideology for the country. The media, which have unfortunately jumped into the frenzy, are expected to educate, conscientise and sensitise the electorate on the need to weigh the experience of the past and have the boldness to make intelligent and informed choices while discarding that slavish notion in Western media propaganda that an intemperate, old and crafty dictator is better than a well educated, meek and democratic president.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2014 OUR humour can be electric. It must be in drawing from its eclectics that someone came up with the line, “every problem has an expiry date”. Stephen Keshi, Eagles coach, whose cognomen, Big Boss, tells its own story, defies every logic about dates retiring problems. Keshi was a superb captain, who led the Eagles to a second CAF Nations Cup title in 1994, after the Eagles had finished runners-up thrice.

The same year the Eagles qualified for their first World Cup, a befitting cap to Keshi’s retirement as a player. It took another 19 years for Nigeria to win the CAF Nations Cup – Keshi was coach, becoming one of only three Africans to have won the trophy as a player, and as a coach.

An impressed nation and corporate organisations made Keshi a real Big Boss.

They showered him with gifts and honours. Some suddenly discovered Keshi, particularly the football authorities with whom he disagreed on all matters except that the Super Eagles were the men’s senior national team of Nigeria. His CAF victory after several attempts to sack

Keshi – Problems Are Solved him, the poor management of his welfare which was in the public space, pitted him as a national hero. He shunned supervision; the nation almost roared together, “Leave Keshi alone”.

The rapidity of his decline stunned many. Scrappy results through the World Cup qualifications, the quality of the team’s play at the FIFA Confederation Cup, all added to new agitations for Keshi’s removal. He was sacked as the 2015 CAF Nations Cup dream withered.

Nigeria, the defending champion, did not qualify. An ill-informed presidential interference returned him to the job. The Nigeria Football Association refused to

renew Keshi’s contract, believing the problem would expire on its due date.

Someone did to solve it. Keshi remained in the picture, he was owed salaries, and he wanted the job. We had warned last November that a presidential involvement in hiring Keshi meant nobody could sack him.

He is still around dictating the terms of his return. He has hardly uttered a word about his plans to return Eagles to winning ways. Perhaps, a big problem like Keshi would have “a big” expiry date.

Whenever the date is, Keshi’s presence around our football is long overdue for disentanglement from the title and role he once merited. It is not our business how much he cherishes being coach of the Eagles. Nigeria needs an Eagles coach who would take the team to unattained frontiers. Keshi proved he was no longer that coach with string of embarrassing losses that culminated in Nigeria’s absence from the 2015 CAF Nations Cup – for us that was the expiry date of “problem” Keshi.

OPINION

By Emmanuel Orji

A

S political hawks of Nigeria hover about and around in their bid to grab power to, perhaps, enable them as usual, to loot the nation’s wealth rather than serve the interest of the people, anyone who grew up during the struggle for independence, is bound to lament over what has been happening in the country for a long time now.

In particular such a person is bound to be deeply touched by the news of the death of Chief Chukwuma Anueyiagu, a unique nationalist, who contributed selflessly and immensely to the struggle for Nigeria’s independence.

I remember the late Anueyiagu as the editor of The Nigerian Spokesman, one of the Zik Group of Newspapers then published at Onitsha with the motto: That Man Shall Not Be A Wolf To Man. I still remember vividly his advertisement for news that reads: If A Dog Bites A Man, It Is No News, But If A Man Bites A Dog, Then It Is News. If Anything Newsworthy Happens In Your Community, Take Up Your Pen And Write To The Nigerian Spokesman.

I also remember that he preached the 5 planks of ZIKISM on the pages of the newspaper to wit – (1)SPIRITUAL BALANCE, by which is meant respect for the opinion of others; (2) SOCIAL REGENERATION, which meant the jettisoning of all forms of prejudice, be they racial, national, tribal, societal, religious, political, economic or ethical; the realisation that an African is an African no matter where he was born; (3) ECONOMIC

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Tribute to Chukwuma Anueyiagu DETERMINISM, which taught the realisation that economic self-sufficiency on a sane basis is the ultimate means to the salvation of the Renascent African; (4) MENTAL EMANCIPATION, which states that the African must develop mentally as he is not intellectually inferior to other races, for mental slavery is worse than physical slavery; (5) NATIONAL RISORGIMENTO which assured that if the Renascent African cultivated spiritual balance, experienced social regeneration, realized economic determinism, and created a condition whereby he is mentally emancipated to appreciate his manifest destiny in the world, then he would expect national risorgimento.

This political education, first mounted by Nnamdi Azikiwe in Accra, Gold Coast (now Ghana) as Editor of the African Morning Post newspaper in 1934, influenced and inspired such African nationalists as Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana; Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo of Zimbabwe; Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia; Hastings Kamuzu Banda of Malawi; Jomo Kenyatta and Tom Mboya of Kenya to fight for independence. In Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikiwe could not have preached

They build monuments to perpetuate the memory of those who have left no memory

this gospel alone successfully. Just as the Christian Churches employed the services of Catechists to propagate the gospel message, so did Zik establish newspapers and employed good and devoted editors to propagate the campaign against British imperialism in Nigeria. Chief Chukwuma Anueyiagu was one of the most erudite of such editors who carried out his own campaign with such zeal that beggared description. So efficient was he that served as editor of virtually all newspapers in the Zik Group. In this connection, he served as editor of THE COMET, EASTERN NIGERIA GUARDIAN etc. But most important of all, he served for six clear years as Editor-inChief of the West African Pilot, the premier and most important newspaper of the group.

The motto of West African Pilot was SHOW THE LIGHT AND THE PEOPLE WILL FIND THE WAY. Chief Chukwuma Anueyiagu’s editorials were so fiery that the British authorities in Nigeria saw them as seditious and sent him to prison for sedition several times. A man of principle, who always had the courage of his conviction, he could not be intimidated by the British imperialist.

Anueyiagu saw his many imprisonments as a welcome price to pay for the struggle for Nigeria’s independence because, like James Rossell Lowell (1819 -91), he strongly believed that: “They are slaves who fear to speak. For the fallen and the weak; they are slaves who will not choose hatred, scoffing and abuse, rather than in

silence shrink, from the truth they needs must think; they are slaves who dare not be in the right with two or three.”

One had expected that after independence the government of Nigeria would have recognized and honoured Chief Chukwuma Anueyiagu and others who performed as political foot soldiers during the struggle for independence (Mokwugo Okoye, Raji Abdalah, Osita Agwuna to mention only a few). But those in power after independence preferred to honour such persons as were described by nationalists during colonial times as Uncle Toms, political lackeys and fifth columnists.

However, God honoured him with longevity as Anueyiagu died at the age of 100 years in a country where life expectancy is below 50 years, thus beating life expectancy in Nigeria by plurality.

A devout Christian, Anueyiagu could not be bothered about the mundane things of this world. Indeed, he was “a full grown man unto the measure of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. Iv. 13). And his Christian principles must have influenced his nationalistic struggles for the liberation of Nigeria because Christianity is about the protection of the weakest, not the survival of the fittest.

Today, as Nigerians continue to develop the penchant for forgetting the people of yesterday, they spend so much time and expend so much energy singing the praise of the people of today, even when they areunworthy of such praises. In the process, they build monuments to perpetuate the memory of those who have left no memory. *Mr.Orji, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Awka , Anambra State.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015— —19

Boko Haram: Thumbs up for Nigerian military

By Clement Udegbe

N

IGERIAN military has accumulated years of successful war campaigns both within and outside the shores of our country.They prevailed in the Nigerian three years civil war against Biafra from 1966 to 1970, and kept Nigeria one.

They have carried out successful campaigns in peace keeping in Africa and West Africa, including the containment of internal skirmishes in Niger-Delta, Abia and Benue States ensuring that peace returned to these places, until terrorism entered Nigeria and by 2009 and a major issue called Boko Haram.

Our military was not exempted from the embarrassment of combating a group that operated with the combined tactics of guerilla warfare and that of terrorists operating within civilian human shields. Their woes became multiplied with the existence of moles, saboteurs within their fold, while our so called foreign allies did not help matters.

When Boko Haram started attacking the city of Maiduguri and areas around Borno State two years ago, America showed up with their mesmerizing bravado. Their displays on the streets of Maiduguri was encouraging to many of us, but they soon fizzled out for reasons best

known to them but not without inflicting damaging blows on the psyche of our military. They heaped all sorts of bad smear on our military, to such an extent that many Nigerians almost bought their lie that we had a disjointed, poorly equipped, uncoordinated, military with low morale.

A few in the army bought the garbage, and their confidence nose dived. Nigeria's political class and leaders, who were plotting to cash in on the failures and challenges of the military added salt to the injury.

Rather than support the government, they went about and shouted loudest, in a strange jubilation, carrying the woes of our situation to same America, who then took their time to deal the hardest blows to the war efforts.

America in response, treated our government with their utmost disrespect. Senator McCain who lost to Obama during their last presidential election made very derogatory comments about the President and Commander -in Chief of Nigerian Armed Forces, referring to our President as " some guy called Jonathan".

Why did our own sons go to a looser , who his people rejected as president, to get a comment? Why did our leaders choose to laugh at the ondoing of their own home government? The answers are not far

fetched.Greed and inordinate desire to get power at the centre, blinded them to forget an African proverb that says ‘it is an unwise man who laughs,when a joke is made about his mother's buttockx’.

Any insult to our President and Commander -in -Chief is an insult to all Nigerians, and it becomes more painfully vexatious when it comes from our so called allies.

America refused to sell the weapons and military hardware we needed, blocked Europe, South Africa, and Israel from selling arms to Nigeria, and turns back to suggest how we should run our elections time table! I do not blame America, I blame the Nigerians who run overseas to mess up their nation in the name of politics. They politicize every thing applicable to life in Nigeria.

Our badly frenzied opposition party have again, recently ran to London, to hold talks about our elections. They run overseas to buy houses, go there for their medicals,train their wards there, because they failed to make Nigeria a good place like the Europeans did

You refused to debate in Nigeria and want to debate in London, a good sign of the change indeed

for themselves. And shamelessly they now want our presidential candidates to go to Europe to hold debates! How many of those listeners in Europe have PVCs to vote, and of what value to Nigerian economy will such a debate in London confer? Why don’t they learn how their allies play opposition politics?

Senator McCain congratulated Obama when he was defeated in their last presidential election, but when Buhari lost in the last election, he called a press conference where he wept bitterly and thereafter vowed never to contest again. He has just met his rich friends from the South West, and they reminded him to try and go back to pick what he forgot from Dodan Barracks now Aso Rock, thirty tears ago! Now they are shouting Change. You refused to debate in Nigeria and want to debate in London, a good sign of the change indeed.

In any case, in spite of American and European double standards in the support of Nigeria against insurgency, Nigeria has managed to acquire the necessary arms, international cooperation with our neighbours, Chad, Niger and Cameroons, with French support, to change the tide of victory in favour of Nigeria, in the war.

Our gallant military, in wellcoordinated efforts regained over 70 percent of Nigerian territories from the insurgents, who still control parts of Borno State, along the mountainous Cameroonian border, areas of Sambisa Forest and parts of southern Yobe state.

In effect, it is a matter of days and

Lessons from frontlines of Africa's Green Revolution?

By Agnes Kalibata

T

HE end of 2014 brought the conclusion of the African Union’s Year of Agriculture and Food Security. But most Africans work in some aspect of agriculture, and for them, every year is dedicated to agriculture and food security.

As they head out into their fields today, they are likely giving little thought to meetings underway in South Africa focused on energizing the AU’s Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Program (CAADP). But in many respects, these consultations may be as important to African farmers as the timely arrival of the rainy season. They have the potential to be game changing.

AU leaders have vowed to move quickly in 2015 to fulfill the promises enshrined in last year’s Malabo Declaration. That document reaffirmed the commitment of AU member states to allot 10 percent of national budgets to agriculture, double productivity on African farms, and cut postharvest losses in half.

For the last eight years, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has been seeking out public and private sector partners committed to triggering a uniquely African Green Revolution, one that revolves around the smallholder farmers who produce the majority of what Africans eat.

As AU leaders sit down to determine how they and partners can achieve their goals, we wanted to share a few of the lessons we have learned in places like Ghana, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Malawi, where many are now embracing the potential of agriculture to anchor a new era of sustainable and equitable economic growth.

Double down on creating the conditions for smallholder farmers to adopt new inputs and practices through raising awareness and access to finance.

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The only way to sustainably and inclusively raise agricultural productivity is to ensure farmers are aware of the potential of new seeds, fertilizers, and basic agricultural practices that can more than double their yields. AGRA’s partners in national research systems have developed nearly 500 locally-adapted crop varieties that are just as competitive as anywhere in the world. Our partners and private equity firms, like INJARO and PEARL, have helped launch 90 seed companies that collectively constitute the largest producer of certified seeds in sub-Saharan Africa, and 80 fertilizer companies that can help blend, distribute, and sell fertilizers to smallholder farmers through market-led solutions such as local agro-dealerships.

Adoption of these new productivityenhancing solutions at scale could trigger an agricultural transformation in just two planting seasons; but without it, we will hardly get started, and we know adoption rates remains lower than anywhere in the world. The agriculture community must rally around organizations that are doing demonstrations with farmers to raise awareness, as well as group like Baba Ngona in Nigeria and MyAgro in Mali that have found models to reach smallholder farmers with a range of services, including inputs extension and financial services.

Think outside the bank to consider new ways to deliver financing to farmers.

There are multiple opportunities to go beyond brick-and-mortar banks to help deliver financing that is still in short supply

Recently, Bill & Melinda Gates said they were confident that by 2030, Africa will be food secure

for smallholder farmers. For example, MPesa is reaching out to farmers with its popular mobile phone banking services.

Microfinance institutions are partnering with commercial banks to provide new streams of affordable capital for agriculture ventures. And the MasterCard Foundation recently launched a campaign to expand financial services to rural areas of Africa through AGRA and other partners.

Develop structured and efficient grain markets that are accessible for smallholder farmers.

As farmers produce more, they increasingly need access to markets for their goods. There are efforts underway in several countries to establish innovative but simple services that deliver new commercial opportunities to smallholder farmers. For example, newly established warehouse receipt systems in Ghana and Kenya are providing safe and secure facilities to store grain while farmers negotiate with potential buyers. National and regional commodity exchanges are needed to attract more buyers for this produce. One potential model is being developed by African Exchange Holdings (AFEX). It’s a new partnership working to combine warehouse storage options with commodity exchanges to serve smallholder farmers in the East African Community.

Support efforts to match smallholder farmers with large-scale buyers.

Smallholder farmers working land holdings that typically average only a few hectares or less can seem like a poor match for large buyers. Yet, over the last few years, farmer organizations in Ghana, Mali, Tanzania, Mozambique, Kenya, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, and Malawi have established aggregation centres where growers can pool their harvests to meet the demands of large institutional buyers, like the World Food Program. The WFP in some countries has demonstrated that

the insurgents will be completely flushed out of our land without a "Caliphate" Boko Haram is likely to resort to terrorism, with suicide bombings, etc, in the months to come. Our Military has continued to protect and preserve the unity of this country and making it stable for prosperity, and defending the country’s territorial integrity from insurgency and external aggression, providing aid to civil authority.

Last week, thousands of people marched in Cameroon's capital Yaounde protest against Nigeria's Boko Haram insurgency and support their nation's army, which is fighting alongside its neighbours in the region to defeat Boko Haram.

Organizers said the march was aimed at informing the public, especially in the southern part of Cameroon, about the threat posed

by Boko Haram, which has carried out regular cross-border raids in the far north, to tell Cameroonians that they are at war and a part of the country is suffering, and also to discourage Cameroonian youths from joining Boko Haram. I hope Nigeria will learn, leave divisive politics in time of war, and plan protests to encourage peace and youth awareness against Boko Haram, than to protest against the government and our military.

We remain grateful and indebted to our tried, tested and trusted military. We stand by them in prayers any day any time.

•Mr. Udegbe, a legal practitioner, wrote from Lagos.

often a market is the missing incentives.

In West Africa, a major rice miller and a large brewery have both seamlessly integrated smallholders into their network of suppliers. GrowAfrica and the New Alliance initiative were set up to catalyze agriculture growth through private sector efforts and present a huge opportunity.

Support women in agriculture to reap a large dividend.

Most smallholder farmers and many new agribusiness leaders are women, and they have a significant role to play in Africa’s agriculture. In the Year of Women in Agriculture, this will be front of mind already for the AU and its partners, but we must put women first rather than include them as an afterthought. Priority actions include developing and promoting improved seeds that take into account women’s preferred characteristics such as taste and cooking time; giving women farmers small trial packs of improved seeds and recommended fertilizer blends; and targeting increased inclusion by women farmers in producer groups to enhance their access to production finance and profitable markets. We need more support for groups that are putting women first in their development of solutions, as well as for others like the African Enterprise Challenge Fund that are putting in place targeted finance for women in agribusiness.

Decades of neglect of African agriculture has left crop yields faltering, soils ailing, and markets poorly developed. We are still a long way from overcoming these challenges, but there is a sense that the tide is turning, and the current agriculture landscape has institutions like AGRA, AFAP, GrowAfrica, and others, whose sole mission is to build on the technology base of others in CGIAR, IFDC, and private sector to ensure sufficient capacity for an African agricultural transformation.

•Ms. Kalibata is former Rwandian Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources.

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY FRIDAY,, MARCH 6, 2015

Superintendent Chris Eza:

Sad end of a fine cop

By Suzan Edeh, Bauchi

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HEN he was leaving the shores of the Southern part of Nigeria to the Bauchi State Police Command on transfer, Chris Eza, a Superintendent of Police, obviously had no premonition that death, especially a tragic one, was lurking around the corner.

The reason for this was not far to seek. Here was a young man who had enjoyed a meteoric rise which had propelled him to the top of his career in spite of the fact that he had spent just 10 years working with the Nigeria Police Force.

Power of influence Indeed, SP Eza had everything going well for him when compared with his colleagues. Apart from that, he had a way with him, a certain charm that drew persons of class and distinction to him, thus availing him a power of influence that enabled him to have his way with ease.

Unfortunately for the Police

officer, his success in this regard was rudely cut short, no thanks to his untimely death on February 25, 2015.

Vanguard Metro gathered that on that fateful day of the incident, SP Eza had gone out to get food at an eatery along Ahmadu Bello Way around 9pm when he saw some police men on patrol.

On observation, he found out that one of them was not properly dressed and immediately reprimanded him. The cop, a corporal, did not take kindly to this and grumbled in protest.

An angry Chris felt the corporal’s action was unacceptable and warned the fellow that he was going to disarm him if he didn’t take care. Instead of apologising, the corporal cocked his gun and threatened to shoot the superintendent.

Calling his bluff, Eza moved towards the junior cop who immediately opened fire, killing the superintendent in the process.

A close colleague to the slain officer, Ayodele Agbebi, said that it was wrong for SP Chris to threaten to disarm the police corporal while on duty. According to Ayodele: “I

feel that SP Chris Eza overstepped his bounds and acted inappropriately towards the police corporal. What I expected from him was to lay whatever complaints he had against the corporal with the Police authorities instead of trying to disarm him.

“Chris Eza was highly connected to big personalities. He was once an ADC to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, so he had rapid promotions. Success in this way can be very intoxicating.

“So, it’s quite sad that he ended that way, but this

Calling his bluff, Eza moved towards the junior cop who immediately opened fire, killing the superintendent in the process

ROVING CAMERA

serves as a lesson to all to always be humble and respect people irrespective of who they are”.

In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Haruna Mohammed, disclosed that Eza was on routine visit to a checkpoint on Ahmadu Bello Way, Bauchi when the incident h a p p e n e d .

Mohammed said that Eza was rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, ATBUTH, Bauchi where he was certified dead by a medical doctor.

Eza had been described as a gallant and easy going officer. His corpse has since been deposited at the teaching hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination.

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Pic: Akeem Salau

Meanwhile, the suspect has been arrested and detained, while Mohammed has ordered full scale investigation into the matter.

INSECURITY: Securex expo to the rescue

By Providence Obuh

•Surviving the hard way

Superintendent Chris Eza

IGERIANS who are unduly disturbed by threats to their personal safety owing to the increasing security and other related challenges in the country can now heave a sigh of relief. And they have Montgomery West Africa to thank for this as it is organising the Securex West Africa commercial, homeland, cyber security, fire protection and safety exhibition which will hold on March 24 and 25, 2015 at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre, Lagos to offer solutions on security issues within the West African Region.

The event is for the security market in the West Africa region and it will also provide for security professionals to engage with leading commercial, homeland and cyber security, fire protection and safety product and service providers, creating the ideal platform for exhibitors to showcase their brands to a market that is ready to source the best from around the globe.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, Managing Director, Montgomery West Africa, Ms. Tori

Abiola, said that the event is dedicated to provide a unique platform for all in the security supply chain to engage, educate and showcase the latest trends and solutions.

According to Abiola: “ There are lots of emotion about security from the population; we want to offer practical solutions to the people.

A major challenge of security in Nigeria is capacity building.

Therefore, government has to put structures in place to address security issues.”

Executive Secretary, Nigeria Institute for Industrial Research, Mr. Wilson Esangbedo, added that the shifting security landscape and newly emerging threats require West Africa countries to formulate national security and frameworks that share common approaches and address security concerns.

On his part, a Security Consultant and CEO, Dartwood Global Solutions Ltd, Mr. Thomas Fakile, said: “The security needs in Nigeria are obvious in most cases. But putting into full use and maximising the benefits of today’s technologies continue to be a challenge for most outfits in Nigeria.’’

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 — 21

Fuel scarcity: Marketers receive 58 million litres

By SEBASTINE OBASI

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GM Human Capital, Mr. Ola Azeez; Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Thomas Ogungbangbe and GM Operations, Mr. Olasimbo Betiku, all from CITA Aviation Fueling Company, during the official commissioning of CITA ultra modern Aviation Fuel Storage and Handling Depot in Lagos.

Auto policy: 10 more auto plants to begin operations

By Franklin Alli

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EN more auto plants have finalised plans to begin operations in Nigeria before the end of this year.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, disclosed this during a meeting with vehicle manufacturers, dealers and licensed Customs agents in Abuja.

He said, “From the stakeholders meetings we have held so far, I must say that we are particularly encouraged by the level of interest and enthusiasm being shown towards the new automotive policy by Nigerians and

$133.40

-0.05

$3,082.00

-18.00

$13.53

-0.19

$61.00

0.45

$51.21

-0.05

B & E data CURRENCY BUYING

CENTRAL

DOLLAR 196 196.5 POUNDS 300.614 301.431 FRANC 203.8058 204.3257 EURO 218.0696 218.6259 YEN 1.638 1.643 CFA 0.3163 0.3263 WAUA 275.7861 276.4897 RENMINBI 31.2536 31.3338 RIYAL 52. 2625 52.3958 KRONA 29.2376 29.3122 SDR 275.086 275.7878

1 97 302.198 204.8456 219.1822 1.6472 0.3363 277.1932 31. 4139 52.5291 29.3868 276.4895

CBN Exchange Rate as at 5/3/15

C M Y K

203.8058 204.3257204.8456203.8058

also by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

“The bottom line is that everyone is saying that so far, we have exceeded our expectations. If anyone had told us that about 22 OEMS would sign into the new auto policy in less than one year of its implementation, we might not have believed it. Currently, we have about four of them that are assembling vehicles in Nigeria. We are expecting another 10 OEMs to start assembling cars in the country before the end of this year.”

“Since the commencement of the implementation of the policy in July 2014, we have been meeting with all the stakeholders in the auto industry.

This is to ensure that we carry everyone along so that we can fasttrack the implementation of the policy and achieve the overall objectives of the policy in terms of job creation, industrialisation, local content

development and reduction of pressure on our foreign exchange due to massive importation of vehicles into the country. “Together with the major players in the sector, we have discussed and agreed on ways of accelerating the local production of automotive component parts on a product by product basis. Also, we have focused on how to establish an affordable vehicle financing scheme as quickly as possible. ”In this regard, we have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with WestBank, (the bank that finances one out of every three cars produced in South Africa) to finance the purchase of new cars for Nigerians at a very low interest rate.

The bank will commence operation very soon. The whole idea is to make finance available for Nigerians who are buying new cars assembled in Nigeria, with an option to pay back within a period of four to five years,” he said.

HE lingering fuel scarcity which hit hard on the entire country in the last four days, may ease off this week.

Vanguard learnt that the 58 million litres of fuel promised by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, have been released to major marketers.

Confirming the development, Mr. Taofeek Lawal, Head Corporate Affairs of NIPCO Plc told Vanguard that they have started dispensing the product “We are part of the 58 million litres allocation. I don’t have the actual volume received by NIPCO, but we were given together with Aiteo. In fact, we have started dispensing. We are even doing a marathon night loading to make sure we reach all our customers. We are always ready to serve them,” he said.

Efforts made to reach Aiki Odianwe, Head Corporate Affairs of Aiteo were not successful as her phone was switched off.

However, most of the filling stations visited by Vanguard were closed to customers, while few that opened were besieged by motorists who formed long queues to get the product. Conoil, MRS, Total, Acorn and Oando stations at Alapere area of Lagos were closed, while Oando and Conoil stations at Marina, Lagos, were open with long queues of buyers, which resulted in the traffic snarl that engulfed the area.

At Mobil and Forte stations on Moloney Street, Lagos Island, there was also traffic jam, as motorists struggled to get fuel.

Motorists claimed that they bought a litre of petrol at N100, as against the approved pump price of N87.The situation has created an opportunity for “black market” to thrive as fuel hawkers make brisk business.

Vanguard learnt that in areas such as Ogba and Agege, two litres of fuel were sold for N250.

Nigeria, Indonesia, Mexico set to push UK, France out of top 10 by 2050

E

MERGING economies of Nigeria, Indonesia and Mexico could push the UK and France out of the top ten economies of the world by 2050 provided they are able to build their institutions to global standards, diversify their economies and sustain growth friendly policies.

This is one of the key findings from the latest report from PwC economists on The World in 2050: Will the shift in global economic power continue? This presents long-term projections of potential GDP growth up to 2050 for 32 of the largest economies in the world, covering 84% of total global GDP. According to the report, the current global economic power shift

away from the established advanced economies in North America, Western Europe and Japan will continue over the next 35 years – despite a projected

The world economy is projected to grow at an average of just over 3% per annum from 201450 – doubling in size by 2037 and nearly tripling by 2050

slowdown in Chinese growth after around 2020. The world economy is projected to grow at an average of just over 3% per annum from 2014-50 – doubling in size by 2037 and nearly tripling by 2050. But there’s likely to be a slowdown in global growth after 2020, as the rate of expansion in China and some other major, emerging economies moderates to a more sustainable long-term rate, and as working age population growth slows in many large economies.

Nigeria, Vietnam and the Philippines are notable risers in the global GDP rankings in the long term, reflecting relatively high projected average growth rates of around 4.5-5.5% per annum over the period to 2050.

22—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

Lafarge Africa increases stake in Unicem to 85%

By Nkiruka Nnorom

L

From left: Divisional Director, Large Enterprise, Bank of Industry, BoI, Mr. Joseph Babatunde; Chief Executive Officer, BoI, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa; and Group Executive Director, Wemco Group, Mr. Robert Tung, during a facility tour of Wemco Limited by BoI team in Ogun State.

AFARGE Africa Plc has completed the acquisition of the first 15 percent tranche equity stake in United Cement Company of Nigeria (Unicem), a Calabar-based cement company,with its strategic intent of acquiring the entire shareholding of the company and making it its wholly-owned subsidiary.

The acquisition, which is being made through Nigerian Cement Holding (NCH), a 50 percent affiliate of Lafarge Africa, has therefore increased Lafarge’s stake in Unicem to 85 percent.

NCH currently has 70 percent

Nigeria accounts for 31.4% of private equity investment in Africa

By Peter Egwuatu

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IGERIA has topped the Private Equity, PE deal value in Africa every year since 2012, attracting almost a third (31.4%) of the total private equity investment on the continent over the past five years to 2014.

In finance, Private Equity is an asset class consisting of ordinary shares and debt in operating companies that are not publicly traded on a stock exchange. A private equity investment will generally be made by a private equity firm, a venture capital firm or an angel investor.

A Senior Partner, Ernst & Young, EY, Mr. Bisi Sanda, who disclosed this at one day NASD Plc Private Equity Conference 2015 held in Lagos, said, PE firms invested US$925million in Nigeria between January and July 2014.

Biggest economy According to him “ On 12 April, 2014 Nigeria’s economy was rebased and declared Africa’s biggest economy with its GDP increasing by 89% to US$510bn for 2013($384 before rebasing 2013 $300b changed to $453b), 38% bigger than South Africa’s.

The new numbers confirm that Nigeria is really5 the colossus of the continent’. Economic growth has averaged around 7% for the immediate 10 years to 2014.”

In its presentation on “Simplifying Private Equity Exits”, Sanda said “Over the last several years say last two decades, emerging markets have evolved into a critical pillar of global investors’ strategies. As growth rates relatively declined across most of the developed world before and in the aftermath of the global economic melt down C M Y K

and credit crunch, private equity (PE) firms turned to emerging markets as an engine of growth.

As at 2009, emerging markets represented approximately 12 per cent of total PE fund-raising.

Now, they account for more than 20 per cent.

“While global investor interest has begun shifting back in favour of the growing developed economies in early 2014 and away from some of the emerging economies that have weaker economic or political environments, Africa’s strong long-term growth fundamentals should continue to drive the development of the PE industry on the continent.” On exit activities as an a-posteriori evidence of huge PE activities in Africa, he stated that South Africa is most dominant market in terms of volume, while the exit activity in Africa , by region shows that North Africa has 23 , West Africa 58 , Central Africa 3, Southern Africa(excluding South Africa 16, East Africa 22 and South Africa 85.

Meanwhile, Managing Director, Crusader Sterling Pension Limited, Mr. Adeniyi Falade a pension fund

Over the last several years say last two decades, emerging markets have evolved into a critical pillar of global investors’ strategies

administrator in his presentation at the conference stated that the previous public and private sector schemes had various challenges that the Pension Reform Act 2004 seeks to address.

Some of the challenges in both public and private sector, he mentioned include: Dependence on budgetary provisions from various tiers of governments for funding; Poor staffing and equipping of pension administration offices; Poor record keeping at pension offices resulting in delays in payment of pensioners entitlements; Tedious payment procedures; the reimbursement process for the split of pension and gratuity

payments between the Federal and State services and other agencies were cumbersome and fraught with corruption.

Others include: Diversion and mismanagement of existing pension funds by Board of Trustees and Fund Managers; Very low compliance ratio due to the lack of effective regulation and supervision of the system. Most private sector employees were not covered by any form of pension scheme and most of the private sector pension schemes were like Provident Fund Schemes which did not provide for periodic benefits.

stake in Unicem. Upon completion of the transaction, NCH will have a 100 percent stake in Unicem.

Lafarge Africa had in a regulatory filing last year said that NCH had entered into agreement with FMN Cement Industries Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc to acquire its 30 percent investment in Unicem.

Pursuant to the agreement, the first tranche of 15 percent will be acquired in 2015, while the second tranche of 15 percent will be acquired on or before February 2016, according to a statement by Lafarge Africa.

According to the statement, the transaction is priced within a range of N47 billion and N55 billion, depending primarily on the effective dates of payment and prevailing dollar-Naira exchange rate at the time of payment.

Lafarge noted that it planned to use Unicem to further deepen its geographical strength in the South-South axis.

According to the statement, the acquisition is in line with Lafarge Africa Plc’s continued investment in Nigeria to accelerate the growth and development of its business, with a focus on serving its customers and delivering value through provision of innovative products and services with a strong geographical spread.

It further stated that the management of Unicem will continue to be shared between Lafarge and Holcim. while Flour Mills will retain its representation on the board of directors until the second tranche of the transaction is consummated.

Fidelity Bank propels cashless policy with new reward programme “Just for using Fidelity Bank card, you

By Nkiruka Nnorom

F

IDELITY Bank has introduced a new loyalty reward propgarmme- ‘Green Screen Tuesday’ as part of efforts to support the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s cashless policy initiative.

The new promo is targeted at the youth segment, small businesses, students and other savings account holders of the bank, who posses and use the bank’s ATM cards to pay for movies at any Genesis Deluxe Cinema nationwide. The promo will henceforth allow such people to view any movie of their choice at a highly subsidized rate at any of the cinema centers.

Additionally, students with their ID cards can watch the movies, while a lot of other prizes will eventually be won.

Speaking at the unveiling of the promo at the Genesis Deluxe Cinema, the Palms, Lagos, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, Managing Director/CEO, Fidelity Bank, said the promo is the bank’s way of creating awareness of the importance of use of electronic channels in the society.

get this benefit and don’t forget that the use of cards is a way to reduce use of cash in the environment because rather than carrying cash around, the more people that use the cards, the easier it is for everybody.

So, we have less cash to handle.

Secondly, electronic channels, generally, are the future; and this is our way of creating awareness that it pays to use electronic channels. So, it is not so much as what Fidelity stands to gain. Of course, when other people see how our customers are enjoying some of these benefits, it will lead them to this bank that is positive and forward thinking,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr. Richard Maduebo, Head, Retail Banking, Fidelity Bank, said, “Fidelity has always been and will always be a customer friendly bank. What we have realized is that our customers work very hard and from time to time, they need to relax and unwind. So, Fidelity has come up with the Green Screen Tuesday.

“What this aims to achieve is that on Tuesdays, our customers can go to Genesis Deluxe Cinema houses in Lagos, PortHarcourt and Enugu and watch films using their cards to get a discount.” .

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 — 23

Food security: New report presents roadmap for U.S -Africa trade policies

By Jimoh Babatunde, with agency reports

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HE Chicago Council on Global Affairs during the week released recommendations on how U.S. trade policy could advance food security in Africa and position American businesses to tap a burgeoning African agriculture and food market, which is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2030.

The report, Grow Markets, Fight Hunger: A Food Security Framework for U.S.-Africa Trade Relations, presents evidence that an effort by the United States focused on bolstering regional trade and harmonizing food standards and regulations across countries would drive economic growth while improving the availability and affordability of nutritious foods throughout Africa.

barriers to agriculture and food trade; and implement trade facilitation measures.

The report also asks Congress to expand staff at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative focused on agriculture and food issues and to empower the newly created Under Secretary of Trade at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to lead interagency activities on agriculture and food trade with Africa. The report also includes specific recommendations on how to amend AGOA to better support African agriculture and direct U.S.-Africa regional trade talks toward investment agreements.

“The U.S. government has wisely invested approximately $1 billion annually since 2008 in generating growth in Africa’s agriculture and food sector to advance global food security,” said Doug Bereuter, president

emeritus of The Asia Foundation and co-chair of the Council’s project on global food security.

“More Africans can gain access to a reliable and affordable source of food if we can align U.S. trade policies with its food security investments.”

Eighty percent of Africans work in the agriculture and food sector, and one quarter of the continent’s total population is chronically undernourished. In spite of this, current U.S. trade approaches to Africa have limited food security benefits and also do not benefit American farmers and agrifood businesses as much as they could.

The United States focuses largely

on bilateral trade in the mining and manufacturing industries, neglecting the development of harmonized standards, cohesive regulatory frameworks and the agriculture and food sector writlarge. In 2012, only 0.6 percent of Africa’s agriculture and food exports, which totaled $52 billion, went to North America.

“African and American farmers and agrifood businesses stand to make big gains if we can increase regional trade in Africa through tackling some of the inconsistencies in standards and regulatory frameworks,” said Dan Glickman, former U.S. secretary of agriculture and cochair of the

Council’s project on global food security. “We need to make more headway in reducing the cost of moving agricultural products and food within and between countries.”

The Chicago Council study recommends that U.S. trade policy focus on five goals to advance food security and position U.S. businesses to benefit from Africa’s rapidly growing future food market: This report is the latest in a series of Chicago Council studies on global food security and the role of agriculture and food in lowand middle-income countries.

Landmark trade agreements “This year, the U.S. government is working to complete two landmark trade agreements and renew Trade Promotion Authority and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA),” said Ivo H. Daalder, president of The Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

“The United States would miss a significant opportunity if it did not leverage these efforts to position U.S. businesses to take advantage of Africa’s growing agriculture and food market, a region to which U.S. agricultural exports have increased by 200 percent in the last decade.”

The Council recommends that the U.S. government will build on the AGOA Forum by creating a U.S.-Africa Food Dialogue to advance regional economic integration; reduce technical regulations and standards

Dr. Frank Rijbersman, CEO CGIAR; Dr. Ann Tutwiler, DG Biodiversity International; Dr. Kwesi Atta-Krah, Director, CGIAR Research Programme on Integrated Systems for the Humid Tropics (Humidtropics); Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo, FARA boss and Dr. Richard Thomas at the International Conference on Integrated Systems for Sustainable Intensification in Smallholder Agriculture held at IITA, Ibadan.

Eighty percent of Africans work in the agriculture and food sector, and one quarter of the continent’s total population is chronically undernourished

Stakeholders commend NASS on passage of Biotech Bill

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ARMERS and other stakeholders in agriculture, science and technology and health sectors have commended the efforts of members of the National Assembly for passing the Bill for an Act to Establish the National

Biosafety Management Agency 2014.”

As a signatory, Nigeria made efforts at domesticating the Cartagena protocol with the National Biosafety Management Agency Bill 2011 which was initially passed by the 6th

Systems research offers solutions to tackle poverty, hunger — Agric Scientists

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GRICULTURAL scientists and researchers from over 30 nations gathered at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan during the week for the International Conference on Integrated Systems for Sustainable Intensification in Smallholder Agriculture.

Conference speakers and exhibitors presented strategies and results that respond directly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined by the United Nations, and have a marked impact on the lives and livelihoods of smallholder producers and consumers of developing countries.

Considerable progress has been made towards those goals, but much is yet to be done. Despite significant economic growth in many developing countries over the past decade, over 800 million people remain under-nourished, including 160

million children. According to recent Lancet reports, under-nutrition remains the underlying cause of death for at least 3.1 million children a year, accounting for fully 45% of all deaths of children under 5 and stunting the growth of another 165 million.

Dr. Kwesi Atta-Krah, Director, CGIAR Research Program on Integrated Systems for the Humid Tropics (Humidtropics), said , “The conference offers a platform for sharing of experiences and research results in systems research for development, from different countries and regions of the world. It provides a reminder of the challenges facing global agriculture and food systems, and the solutions that integrated systems research offers as part of a global effort to tackle poverty, hunger and environmental degradation.”

Dr. Frank Rijsberman, Chief Executive

Officer of the CGIAR Consortium, emphasized, “We cannot simply tread familiar paths in response to these statistics. Over the next few years we will join with our partners to redouble our focus on the needs of women and young people, extend our efforts to improve dietary quality among the poor and vulnerable, and intensify our work on climate-smart agriculture – all recent additions to our research agenda.”

Dr. Nteranya Sanginga, Director General of IITA, similarly emphasizes the importance of systems research. He called for continued efforts, declaring, “We must develop and promote improved and nutritious crop varieties of Africa’s major staples, as well as innovative practices on natural resources management, and innovations on integrated farming systems towards sustainable intensification of agriculture.”

National Assembly but was not assented to by the President because it was passed a day before the end of the life of that Assembly.

The bill was returned under this 7th National Assembly. The Senate last week passed the bill after taking the report by the Chairman Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, and this was replicated by the House of Representatives when the bill scaled through the second reading of the Bill and passed it. A stakeholder , Hassan Abdul said all that remains now is a final mention which should come up some time early next week before it goes to a joint committee of both Chambers to harmonise the areas of differences.

While commending the members of the National Assembly, Abdul said it is believed that the President will assent to the bill before the end of this 7th Assembly.

Arc. Kabiru Salman, a farmer, said “As farmers, we embrace biotechnology and the passage of the bill will make whatever we do legitimate.”

24 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

MSMEs now have acess to machinery, working capital loans Stories by Franklin Alli

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ECENTLY, the Bank of Industry took bold steps and solved an aged-long problem of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sectors of the economy.

The National Bureau of Statistics estimated that there are over 17 million MSMEs in Nigeria. They account for over 90 percent of all companies in the country, employing over 30 million people and accounting for an estimated half of Nigeria’s GDP. Despite the sectors potential to the country ’s economic development, financial supports to companies in the sectors by commercial banks and the development finance institutions like BoI itself and the Bank of Agriculture, International Finance Corporation, IFC, was one of the major challenges inhibiting the growth and development of the sectors.

According to the 2nd Deputy National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Iyalode Alaba Lawson,operators in the sectors are concerned about their inability to get both machinery and working capital loansfrom the bank.

and inculcation of best practices,” he said.

Vanguard learnt the BDSPs comprise IBFC Alliance Ltd; BoI- ITC; BCG Associate, Fortis Academy Ltd and Nigerian Youths Chamber of Commerce, among others.

Mr. Olaoluwa said that another strategy was to approach SME-Friendly Commercial Banks to partner with BOI in co-financing the SMEs. “We wrote on August 12, 2014 to ten (10) commercial banks that are renowned for their SME-centric activities to partner with us in the financing of our SME customers.

“The ten SMEs-Friendly banks are Access Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc, Limited, Fidelity Bank Plc, and First Bank Limited. Others are First City Monument Bank Limited, Skye Bank Plc, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Standard Chartered Bank Limited, and United Bank for Africa Plc,” he disclosed. He continued, “I am glad to announce that all the banks graciously obliged our invitation by assigning the

Heads of their SME Business Units to work with us in drawing up the framework for the collaboration. This has culminated in the MOU signing ceremony we performed today.

Areas of collaboration: He clarified that the activities in which BOI and the SMEFriendly Banks will collaborate include the following: “Provision of the long-term

It is the working capital that will make it possible for the machinery to work and that will enable the operators to refund the loan as at when due

loans to qualified SMEs by BOI based on its Risk Acceptance Criteria. Provision of working capital to the SMEs by the SME-Friendly Banks also based on their individual Risk Acceptance Criteria. Loans to beneficiaries shall be in accordance with the following terms: BOI Term Loan: Tenor: 3 - 5 years. Moratorium: 6 -12 months. Interest Rate: 9 -10 percent per annum. Working Capital Facilities by SMEFriendly Banks: : 6 - 12 months.

Moratorium: As may be applicable. Interest Rate: MPR + 6 percent per annum.

“The synergy that has evolved between BOI and the SME-Friendly Banks, which is unprecedented between a Development Finance

Nigerian, Turkish paint firms train 5,000 painters

C

HEMSTAR Paints Industry Nigeria Limited, makers of Finecoat, and

Working capital Lawson noted that before now, BoI only provided machinery loans for the MSMEs without any provision for the working capital.

“It is the working capital that will make it possible for the machinery to work and that will enable the operators to refund the loan as at when due. “I have an experience where one of our women got the machineries through the BoI intervention fund but as we speak, she has not got the working capital,” said Lawson. In answer to the operators yearning, the new management of the bank recently initiated a two –fold approach to solve the problem.

The BOI Managing Director, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, disclosed that the first approach was the recent accreditation by the bank of 122 Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) located all over the country.

“The BDSPs are to: Assist the SMEs in the development of bankable business plans and proposals, which will facilitate their access to finance; provide post-finance services to the SMEs such as mentorship, handholding, financial advice

From left: Joseph Babatunde, Divisional Director, Large Enterprise, Bank of Industry; Rasheed Olaoluwa, Managing Director/CEO, Bank of Industry, listen to Robert Tung, Director Wempco Group, when the Bank’s management team visited the company in Ogun State.

Dufil to sample 7m consumers nationwide

By Nkiruka Nnorom

D

UFIL Prima Foods Plc, makers of Indomie Instant noodles, has concluded plans to sample 7,000,000 consumers nationwide under its 2015 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects for the year.

Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, the Public Relations/ Events Manager of the company, said the sampling of 7,000,000 consumers this year will give potential customers a firsthand experience of the brand which could change their opinion and make them to become new loyalists of the brand, while at the same time sustaining existing consumers. The various activities lined up for the year will reproduce a store experience in consumers’

Institution and commercial banks, will undoubtedly foster greater access to finance for SMEs, financial inclusion for Nigerians and also engender wealth creation and accelerated job creation for Nigerians.

“It is also our expectation that the SMEs that will benefit from this partnership will be good corporate citizens that meet their financial obligations to the partnering banks. This will stand them in good stead for consideration for larger loan amounts with the hope that they will in the near future metamorphose into large enterprises. I commend and appreciate the enthusiasm exhibited by my colleagues the Chief Executives of the SMEFriendly Banks in forging this partnership. This goes to show that Nigerian banks all have a developmental orientation, which is what our economy requires at this point in time,” he said.

homes.

“The sampling exercise is a continuous and regular activity implemented at different touch points and locations across the nation. It runs across all the various festive seasons throughout the year such as Easter, Ramadan, Christmas etc and also during brand sponsored events/ activities such as the Indomie Fan Club birthday parties, Children’s Day party, donation exercises as well as other sponsorship programs,” he said.

Ashiwaju stressed that the sampling exercise will be strategically executed not only to serve as feedback mechanism, but to further strengthen the bond between the brand and consumers’, and also assist the brand in aligning its offerings more accurately in meeting consumers’ expectation.

San Deco paints Turkey, are training 5,000 local painters across the country on how best to handle special effects paints.

Fola Laguda, General Manager Sales & Marketing, Chemstar Paints, said “We have a new product, special effect paints, and we are trying to give the Nigerian painters an opportunity to learn how to apply this special effect paint.

“The special effect paints are new range of paints on the stable of the company under the license of San Deco. We are looking at well over 5, 000 people across the regions in which we sell our products,” Laguda said.

“Beneficiaries of the training are painters that are working with us. Of course, we have done quite a lot of training. This is a refresher course, we have invited them to come and learn more that we can also give to the market what we have on ground.” “We are training 100 minimum for the Lagos region because we have broken the training into region by region.

Of course, the train will be moving out from Lagos to other regions - Lagos region, West, North, Mid West and East comprising South –South states.

“If we are training in Ibadan, we are bringing people in Ilorin, Ogun, etc; so we are looking at well over 5,000 painters and we are also empowering painters because they will now charge at per square meter not the normal charges they do by charging per room or per building. This is going to be per square meter.

It is also going to give the painters more money in their pockets,” he said.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015—25

I N S I D E

PLATEAU NORTH: My struggle against Jang — Sambo, APC Sen candidate

Page 26

2015 ELECTIONS:

Page 28

Probable political and economical implications

How you can go to prison from polling post

Page 27

•Buhari: Decked out

Now Buhari’s brain is bracing up IN his fourth pursuit for the presidency, Muhammadu Buhari is in his old age adopting new patterns of political behaviour. How the rebranding will help him is another matter.

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

D

EMENTIA is an ailment of the old and it was not surprising when First Lady Patience Jonathan, at a campaign rally in Lokoja last Tuesday, warned Nigerians about the prospects for Nigeria if an old man like Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd) of the All Progressives Congress, APC, is elected president.

“Wetin him dey find again?

Him dey drag with him pikin mate. Old man wey no get brain, him brain don die pata pata,” Mrs. Jonathan was quoted as telling enthusiastic supporters of her husband before doling out rice, meat and brocades in thankful

appreciation of the women.

The assertion remarkably did not go down well with the Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation which in response urged President Goodluck Jonathan to warn his wife for taking the campaign away from the issues of concern to Nigerians.

Alleged degradation If President Jonathan cautioned his wife on the matter, no one can for now say.

Buhari has himself not personally responded, neither had his wife, Mrs. Aisha Buhari spoken out on the alleged degradation of her husband’s mental faculties.

Irrespective of Mrs. Jonathan’s delivery, the issue of Buhari’s age and mental alertness is a matter for any one wishing to lead a country of more than 170 million people.

It is thus not surprising that Buhari’s handlers and associates are prompt to assure the citizenry of the mental alertness of the candidate.

“If you watched or listened to the Chatham House lecture, you will not condone anything of that sort that the PDP people are saying of him. Especially the question and answer session where he interspersed his answers with humour,” an associate of the general told Vanguard.

“He is someone that listens a lot and would wait until the end

•Mrs Aisha Buhari of a discussion before giving a response. He is very diplomatic and tactful, and when he speaks, he is very deliberate in his choice of words as you saw with him at Chatham House,” the associate, a member of the APC’s Presidential Campaign Council said.

General Buhari has also sought to reach out to voters in other ways, moving out from

his closest as a taciturn, conservative that only associates with fellow Fulanis.

Remarkably, the general has been almost reticent on responding to insinuations of him being a religious fanatic, only saying that he had more Christian associates than Muslim in the army.

Gen. Sam Momah (retd.), a Christian who worked as Principal Staff Officer when Buhari was General Officer Commanding, GOC, of one of the army’s divisions said: “if anybody is trying to input that Buhari is a religious bigot, just know that the person is playing naked politics, far from the truth.”

The Chatham House lecture was only one opportunity for Buhari to show the world that he is not the kind of person that his political adversaries have sought to project.

In a number of other ways, the candidate has also rebranded including in his dressing and political strategies.

Several dimensions of the new look Buhari, it was gathered were worked out by Governor Chibuke Amaechi, the Director-General of his campaign organisation.

Indeed, the appointment of Amaechi was the first indication of Buhari’s determination to branch out from the stereotype he had been used to.

Northern eggheads In the past, his campaign had been managed by a few northern eggheads within The Buhari Organisation, TBO, who were seen at that time as being narrow minded and only preoccupied with projecting Buhari as a champion of the north.

Unlike in past campaigns, when he only donned the Hausa-Fulani attire in his campaign outreaches to some other parts of the country and when he did not even visit many areas, this time, Buhari has worn different attires to reflect the custom and attire of everywhere he went.

That, coupled with the challenges of the incumbent president, have helped to blossom support for Buhari in distant places.

From the South-East through

Continues on page 26

26—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

PLATEAU NORTH: My struggle against Jang — Sambo, APC Sen candidate

BY MARIE-THERESE NANLONG

W

OMEN in Plateau state hardly take the opportunity of challenging men in the political sphere but Mrs. Eunice Sambo, the All Progressives Congress, APC candidate for the Plateau North Senatorial zone has taken the bull by the horns as she is challenging the incumbent governor, Jonah Jang who is aspiring for the same seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Despite the odds, the trained Social Worker said she is not intimidated by the governor’s ambition as both of them are exercising their constitutional rights and as a matter of fact, she described governor Jang as her “biggest campaigner ” who “through the wrongs he has done many people” made the people clamour for change which they have seen in her.

Speaking recently in Jos during a Media Forum organized by the Correspondents” Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, she stressed she is the better candidate for the seat as she had worked with grassroots people as a trained Social Worker within and outside the country for decades.

Mrs. Sambo who hails from Jos East, the only local government

area in Plateau North Senatorial zone yet to produce a senator is also confident the people will give her the needed support as they are disenchanted with Governor Jang’s style of leadership.

She assured she will focus on peaceful and harmonious coexistence in the troubled zone, empowerment of communities through the empowerment of women and youths, ensure quality legislative representation at the National Assembly as well as intervene in areas of health, educational infrastructure and basis amenities in the constituency.

with Disabilities among other groups to enhance the creation of small and medium jobs for rural women and youths.

The APC senatorial candidate reiterated she has passion for service by her calling and will employ her experiences which she acquired nationally and internally to serve the people of Plateau North Senatorial Zone when elected into office in the forthcoming elections.

According to her, “Plateau State belongs to all of us; every qualified person has the right to

Intercultural constituency Giving a breakdown of how she will go about achieving her goals, she explained her office will facilitate the establishment of inter-cultural constituency consultation form with representation from identified ethnic groups, establishment of cross-cultural Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre and establishment of an intercommunal collaborative peace projects.

She added she will partner the National Orientation Agency, Industrial Training Fund, SMEDAN, and People Living

My ambition is for the good of our society, it will give women the platform to be more active in the society, and we will talk about and address issues of women because women issues are community issues

•Mrs Sambo stand for election. I am not intimidated by the governor’s ambition, he is exercising his right to stand for election and so am I. “In every election, there must be a winner and a loser but I will win because Jang has done so much wrong to people and the people need change. Jang is my biggest campaigner, people are tired, and they want to see peace return. “My ambition is for the good of our society, it will give women the platform to be more

Now Buhari’s brain is bracing up Continues from page 25 the South-South and to the South-West, support for Buhari has skyrocketed to the point that he has become a potent threat to the PDP’s Jonathan in a number of southern states.

In the Southeast, a number of dissidents within the PDP are believed to be covertly or openly working for Buhari including a son of a foremost crusader of Nigeria’s independence.

Buhari’s associates say he is also not that dry and humourless person. A member of his campaign team disclosed how one occasion as the campaign bus travelled through the night bushes in Delta State, some campaign officials decided to loosen up and framed a song: “we no go tire...we no go tire. Until we win, we no go tire..”

As they sang, Buhari who all the while kept mum, received a phone call and all of a sudden everyone kept quiet.

Once he was finished with his call, he now bellowed unto the

•Ndigbo for Buhari singers, “Now you can continue with your noise,” the official said and everyone burst out into laughter.

“He has a sense of humour which you will not get until you come close to him,” the campaign official told Vanguard.

Mr. Uche Ofearoh, who served as Anambra State Coordinator for the Buhari Campaign Organisation, BCO, prior to the presidential

•Buhari with Amaechi,at Chatham House. Temi Harriman, Lai Mohammed at the back.

primaries spoke in the same manner.

According to him, the general had been widely misconceived, but he expressed satisfaction that a number of the misconceptions have been widely seen to be ill-founded.

But even as he crusades for change of the Jonathan

administration, Buhari campaign insiders say he remains stuck in his old conservative ways of handling relations especially exposing his family to campaign. Though his daughters, Halima Sherrif and Safina Buhari, represented him at a Valentine Night outing themed for his political

active in the society, and we will talk about and address issues of women because women issues are community issues. The physically-challenged will not be left out because we will reach out to everyone.”

As it is, political pundits believe the APC candidate will give governor Jang a tight fight as the women previously unknown but through intense grassroots campaign has stolen the heart of many who believe in her manifestoes.

campaign, the candidate remains stuck in the culture of keeping one’s wife and family out of the limelight.

It is one argument that Mrs. Jonathan sees as a threat to her personal crusade to project Nigerian women as she had in the past warned that Buhari could cancel the office of first lady.

After Mrs. Jonathan’s dig on Buhari’s brain, there was pressure from his sympathisers for Aisha to respond. Those who suggested this were motivated by the fact that Aisha is regarded as a better speaker than Mrs. Jonathan and would as such rubbish her. But few dared to personally bring up the matter with the general.

“We know what it took for him to allow his wife come out at campaign rallies, and I am not prepared for that again,” a source within the Buhari circle confided. So even while he may have branched out in terms of political pattern, Buhari remains dogged-in in his cultural upbringing.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015—27

•Igwebuike: My party, the PDM is prepared for the 2015

PDM is ready for Delta —Igwebuike, state chairman CHIEF Frank Igwebuike is the Delta State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM and the State Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory. Igwebuike who was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is a founding chieftain of the PDM. In 2010, he was the Special Assistant to the PDP National Chairman on National Assembly Matters. He was also a youth leader in the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN in the Second Republic Between 2005 and 2006, he was PDP chairman in Ika North East Local Government Area, Delta State. In this interview, Igwebuike spoke on the forthcoming general elections.

Excerpts:

By Festus Ahon

H

OW prepared is your party for the March 28th and April 11th Election?

My party, the PDM is serious and prepared for the 2015 elections, as we were able to present marketable candidates for various positions in the State.

However no political party worth its salt will tell the public the strategy or level of preparedness for attaining practical power.

Does your party have the strength to unseat the PDP in the Delta Government House?

Yes PDM has a governorship candidate. The power to unseat anybody lies with the electorate in Delta State.

But not much is heard of your party here in Delta; so how do you intend to deliver your candidates?

PDM as a political party was legally registered in August, 2013. Here in Delta State, during the last Local Government Election conducted by the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission, DESIEC in No-

vember 2014, we were able to present candidates in the three senatorial districts.

For the 2015 Elections we have candidates for various positions in the three senatorial districts of the State. PDM in Delta State is not a political party wrapped up in a portfolio. After PDP, we have the most beautiful party office In Asaba central business district, for doing political business. As I mentioned earlier, we have marketable candidates.

What is your take on the postponement of the general election to March 28 and April 11?

Yes PDM has a governorship candidate. The power to unseat anybody lies with the electorate in Delta State

By and large if the major reason for the postponement of the general election is because of security reasons, I as a politician in the opposition is not competent to comment on that but if many Nigerians are yet to get their PVC’s it will be grossly unfair to disenfranchise them. We are prepared to abide by the postponement of the elections.

What is your assessment of INEC’s readiness to conduct the election?

I am of the opinion that going by what is on ground now INEC will be ready to conduct election on March 28 and April 11, 2015.

Do you have confidence that Prof Attahiru Jega will conduct a credible election?

Prof Attahiru Jega is just one man. In elections it takes all stakeholders to hold a free, fair and acceptable election. The security, INEC, political parties and especially the electorates determine the result of any election.

Don’t you think Prof Attahiru Jega is biased looking at how the PVC’s are being distributed?

Prof Attahiru Jega’s line of thought in this election is not important. It is the electorate that drives the will of this political process.

Political process When the people speak; I mean all stakeholders like security agencies, political parties and the electorates, what happens? The election was postponed to accommodate these inadequacies.

Only recently, Obasanjo tore his PDP membership card in the full glare of the cameras. What is your reaction to his actions, considering his status as a former president?

That action of Chief Obasanjo was not very neat; the PDP membership card not being his personal property, wound have been surrendered to his ward chairman. However, Baba Obasanjo at nearly 80, his actions and inactions should be forgiven.

As a Nigerian, will you say that President Goodluck Jonathan has done well in the last six years?

President Goodluck Jonathan has done his best as a person.

What is your advice to Nigerians as we approach the 2015 election?

We as Nigerians should go to the 2015 elections with a mindset that we are performing our civic responsibilities. Winning or losing election should not be at the altar of bloodbath.

I do not like this Hate - Hate and War - War approach to politics and power of today. I personally prefer to play politics as it is being practiced in Westminster Abbey.

How you can go to prison from polling post

•Polling booth

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

E

LECTORAL offences are arguably the most widespread infractions of the law in this season. However, few are ever punished in Nigeria. The most notable are offences leading to the election including violations of campaign expenses and the use of government facilities for campaign.

Indeed, it is even more remarkable that because of the system in Nigeria that a number of politicians after deliberately infringing upon the law to get into public offices use the privileges of the office and the public purse to sustain themselves in office.

Funds are obtained from govern-

ment office to pay lawyers for electoral cases.

Prof. Maurice Iwu as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission had in 2007 vowed to use a then deputy governor of one of the Southwest states who was caught redhanded pulling ballot boxes as an example, however, nothing came out of it. Indeed, in most cases, only the little ones in society, thugs and such who get apprehended by security agents, but in almost all cases, the cases are swept underneath.

Nevertheless, the Electoral Laws stipulate conditions that could make a voter go to prison from polling post on Election Day. Among them are:

OFFENCE 1 2

3

Giving someone money to vote for or not to vote for someone 1 A person shall be culpable if within the vicinity of a polling station or collation centre he/she—Convenes a meeting—Wears, carries a badge, poster, banner, flag or symbol relating to a political party — Makes unauthorised official announcements A person shall be guilty if he/she —Canvasses for votes on Election Day—Shouts political party slogans— Is in possession of offensive weapons or wears any dressing that could intimidate other voters—Wears clothes or symbols that could refer to a political party in the election—Brings to the vicinity of the polling area vehicles that could refer to as that of a political party in the election—Hangs around the polling area after voting or being refused to vote—Uses siren

PUNISHMENT N100,000 fine or 12 months in prison or both N100,000 or six months in prison for each offence

N100,000 or six months in prison for each offence

2 years in prison

4

Forging ballot paper or certificate of return

5

Being in possession of more than one valid PVC

N100,000 fine or 12 months in prison or both

6

Impersonation using another person’s PVC

N500,000 fine or 12 months in prison or both

7

Voting more than once

N500,000 fine or 12 months in prison or both

28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

I

T looks as if the principal gladiators in the March 28, 2015 Presidential election are using the opportunities provided by the postponement of February 14, 2015 to re-emphasise their earlier promises of making the country more secure and prosperous. There is no doubt that all Nigerians are very happy with the exploits of our patriotic and fearless security outfits (aided by their neighbours) in overcoming the armed and murderous insurgents. It has been pleasant news that the brutally displaced persons are now returning to their homes.

However, it appears that euphoria of the military successes against the Boko Haram sect in some parts of the North East seems to have redirected emphasis from some vital issues.

As the political campaigns are gradually winding up, the media have done great job in bringing out some prominent supporters of the contending parties to speak on various topics.

Many supporters see the election as a personal (or beauty) contest between President Jonathan and his challenger, General Buhari (rtd).

It is absolutely necessary to bring back the agitated minds of the gladiators to some vital National issues before the close of the long but dull debate.

These are issues on Security, Power, Employment and Political/Economic stability.

It is true that no nation could survive long if its subjects are subjected to constant attack by insurgents and the ‘life and property‘ is not safe. The worse scenario is offered by the Hobbesian ‘State of Nature‘ where everything is in total chaos (without any trace of civilization) and where ‘life is nasty, brutish and short‘. This looks like a philosophical fantasy until Boko Haram descended on some parts of the country with guns and bombs. And in the cool evening at Chibok, they carted away more than 200 School girls,

2015 ELECTIONS:

Some vital national issues revisited unchallenged. The Sambisa Forest, it was reported, had been cleared by our gallant forces, but where are the abducted girls?

Perhaps, their release would be a pleasant pre-election surprise, May it be so.

The pertinent question being asked by patriotic Nigerians is what happens when Boko Haram insurgency has been suppressed and the foreign troops are back in their neighbouring countries? There are other national problems of incessant daylight bank robberies, political thuggery and intolerance of opposition (Okirika incidence of shooting and

But addiction to crude oil production seems to have blocked the vision of the country‘s economic planners to exploit successfully other means

bombing); kidnapping of people (including medical personnel) and ritual killings. It is generally agreed that an insecure environment could not promote stability and prosperity.

Another vital national issue is the problem of electricity supply which has become a bogey of the present federal government. In fairness, the federal government under the PDP has laboured vigorously though in vain, to butcher the beast of darkness in the country in the past 15 years; it is understood that more than $32 billion had been invested to brighten the dark alleys and provide the engine of economic growth and healthy living. The latest attempt on privatization has thrown the country back into dark ages.

Perhaps, as some patriots argue, if willing State governments have been brought into the exercise, it would have been better. There is no doubt that Lagos, Oyo and Ogun State governments would have shown interest in EGBIN Power Station which requires enormous capital quite beyond what private investors (looking for quick profits) could afford in the short term.

But addiction to crude oil production seems to have blocked the vision of the country‘s economic planners to exploit successfully other means.

It is generally believed that

widespread unemployment has been responsible or has direct link with the rise of crime in this country. Both the government and the opposition have been promising extensive investment in job creating ventures without convincing facts. Unfortunately, unemployment is a serious matter which could not be wished away by moral suasion.

The Western economically advanced nations, since Keynes, have adopted the policy of mass injection of public funds into the dormant economy to stimulate effective demand and thereby, increase employment opportunities.

A typical case is that of President Roosevelt of the United States (USA) who in the 1930s used the tool of Budget Deficit (spending more than income) to tackle the problems of depression and unemployment, by directing massive investments into the clearing of drains, building of new ports, new houses and roads. Unfortunately, Nigeria’s budget deficits over the years had gone into sustaining bloated recurrent expenditure with small allocation for infrastructural development (capital expenditure). The 2015 Budget is another typical example of low emphasis on capital expenditure.

In a situation of high rate of unemployment as the case in Nigeria, such problem according to a noted British economist;

Professor R. G. Lipsey is best tackled by encouraging governments, firms and households to be spend thrift as much as possible because, other things being equal, the more prodigal and spend thrift the households, the higher will be the level of national income and employment. So it is possible to vary the volume of aggregate expenditure and thus, stimulate effective demand for goods and services.

However, in Nigeria, other things are far from being equal.

The federal government over the years, would not inject massive funds into the economy for fear of inflation. The conservative Central Bank – the monetary authority has always been in the habit of mopping up any sign of excess liquidity in the economy.

Often, what looks like the liberal fiscal policy of incentives for industrial expansion is contradicted by harsh monetary stance to create misery in the midst of plenty.

Many Nigerians see the challenging problems of the country after the elections. There is that reduction in income from oil exports, reduction in monthly allocations to all tiers of governments (with high recurrent expenditures). The Nigerian Senate has wisely suggested the reduction of the 2015 Budget by 25 per cent in the face of oil price cut by more than 50 per cent.

There is no doubt that any party that wins the election would face the post election social and economic problems of adding the figures and balancing the unpredictable and uneven equations. From empirical evidence, the social, political and economic problems of a plural society are too weighty for a single party with its jaded mentality of “winners-take-all” to carry.

Perhaps the gallant gladiators will assure all Nigerians that, the next government will be the government of best Nigerians for Nigeria – no winner no loser.

ENUGU: Our quarrel with Chime over Ugwuanyi — Ezegwu primaries for the governorship position.

I cannot remember attending any town hall meeting organized by any of our NASS members. No one has organized any such in the past years of PDP rule in the zone.

The overall assessment of our NASS members is zero, they cannot point at any project they executed in any part in of zone.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA Senate candidate for Enugu North Senatorial Constituency, Chief Willy Ezugwu, in this interview, speaks on the struggle between his party and Governor Sullivan Chime over the adoption of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as the next governor of the state among other issues. Excerpts:

By Chinyere Ozor

W

HAT inspired your bid for the Senate?

My people have been short changed by their representatives for the past 16 years of PDP rule in the zone.

Our representatives have proven that they were not elected but appointed by the powers that be. That is why they keep denying the zone the basic amenities entitled to it.

The House of Representatives member representing my own constituency was sitting on the mandate without the peoples consent and that is why he owes no one any apology for whatever he does with the

mandate.

Like my opponent in PDP who has been in government for years and has nothing to show for it. The comparison is clear, look at Enugu North senatorial zone in its entirety, all our representatives at the National Assembly have failed.

They cannot point at any projects as their achievements and this is why I asked for a change of credibility, integrity and accountability for positive representation.

Presently, there is confusion and change has come to us because of the failure on the party that has ruled us for 16 years to have a harmonious primary election. PDP in

•Ezugwu Enugu state in now in disarray, they conducted three different

What is your relationship with the senator representing your zone?

My relationship with Senator Ayogu Eze is cordial but would have been better if he had given the zone qualitative representation by way of bringing development to our area. Presently, he is contesting the governorship primary election in which he allegedely lost. He is not my opponent in the March28, 2015 general election but were he to be, I

would have easily coasted home with landslide victory.

What are your chances of winning?

Remember that I have never held any political office before now but as a grassroots politician my chances of winning the senatorial zone are high and with APGA as my party, and judging with performances of incumbent Governor Willy Obiano of Anambra State and former Peter Obi my people can’t wait to cast their votes for me.

My experience in politics and in charity work is what this senatorial zone needs to advance in terms of infrastructural development which the zone presently lacks.

I will sponsor bills which will help alleviate the sufferings of the entire citizens of this country and turn around our standard of living.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 — 29

C M Y K

30 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 — 31

C M Y K

32—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

Wizkid and his many

battles Starboy boss, Wizkid attracts controversies just like bees are attracted to honey. The youngster who formerly pitched his tent with E.M.E’s Banky W is fast gaining a reputation as a trouble shooter on the social media. In recent times, he has been involved in several Twitter battles with colleagues in the entertainment scene. He had taken on the likes of BankyW, Samklef, Tonto Dike, Saeon, Davido and most recently Skales.

By Kehinde Ajose

Wizkid and Banky W

When he left Banky W’s record label, his departure led to a spat with the RnB kingmaker, with Banky labeling him an ingrate. Wizkid had taken a swipe at his former master, saying:” I can never be replaced, you mistook my loyalty for stupidity”.

Wizkid and Samklef

The same scenario ensued between him and his former producer, Samklef who produced his major hit songs. Samklef was particularly bitter because Wizkid would n o t accord him the respect he deserved despite producing six songs free of charge for the Starboy. The duo took each other to the cleaners on Twitter, saying unprintable

Samklef

things about each other but many would remember that Wizkid was a bit more caustic in his choice of words.

Continues on page 38 C M Y K

Banky W

AMVCA 2015: High expectation as award holds tomorrow

•Wizkid

Finger smart ATMs coming your way

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

Ajimobi explains unpaid ex-teachers’ pension, gratuities

By OLA AJAYI, Ibadan

G

OVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has explained that the sharp cut in the monthly federal allocation to the state from N5billion to N2.6 was largely responsible for the inability of his administration to pay the pension of the retired primary school teachers in the state.

He said this through his Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Zachaeus Adedeji on a radio programme in Ibadan.

The ex-teachers had marched through major roads in the state protesting their unpaid N16 billion.

But, Ajimobi said the issue had been politicised by his political opponents to discredit his administration against the forthcoming general elections.

Adedeji, who featured on a programme on a private radio station in Ibadan, also dismissed media reports by the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territor y (FCT), Ms. Jumoke Akinjide that the state government had collected the $200 million allegedly facilitated by the Federal Government.

Other issues also addressed by the commissioner included rumoured tax increase by the administration, alleged capital flight, the N6.5 billion stolen by some officials of the Local Government Pension Board, budget performance as well as the financial engineering being applied by Governor Ajimobi among others.

He attributed the inability of the state government to yet

•Gov Ajimobi: Decries dwindling federal allocation pay the January salary to the 28 per cent reduction in federal allocation for the month which made the allocation to be a paltry N2.6 billion to the state, as against the N5 billion needed to pay salaries of workers.

Adedeji, who said that the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting, which was supposed to be held in January, was not held until February 25, adding that the N2.6 billion allocated to the state has not been received.

He, however, said that government had no intention to impose new taxes on the people of the state but that the financial ingenuity being introduced into the management of the finances of

the state by Governor Ajimobi would continue to see the government through.

On the outstanding pension of retired primary school teachers, the commissioner said that the N6.5 billion stolen by some Local Government Pension Board officials, the case of which is now in court, had made it impossible for government to pay the money.

Besides, he said that the payment of primary school teachers’ salaries and pensions were being undertaken by the federal, state and local governments, pointing out however, that the Federal Government had since stopped its own contribution.

He, however, said that

The money was expected to be paid in instalments by the World Bank over a period of five years and that the projects to be executed with the money would be supervised by the bank

Ekiti to dredge 32.4m water way

By Gbenga Ariyibi

E

KITI State Government has commenced work on the dredging of 32,350 metres of waterways in Ado Ekiti metropolis.

Speaking with newsmen during a visit to some of the sites, the state Commissioner for Environment, Mr Bisi Kolawole, said the Governor Ayodele Fayose administration is determined to address the various ecological problems confronting the state.

Kolawole added that about eight out of the 22 waterways and their tributaries identified as the sources of flooding in the state have been awarded to Mega Aggregate and Samchase Construction companies, assuring that the C M Y K

projects will be completed soon.

Some of the waterways to be dredged, according to him, include: Adere, Ureje, Esinla, Elemi and Omi Olori among others. He said that the silting of the waterways had caused colossal damage to the lives and property of residents through annual flooding.

The commissioner, however, said those that erected fish ponds or planted crops on the waterways won’t be compensated, saying the projects were being undertaken under the doctrine of overriding public interest.

“As much as Ayodele Fayose’s government is desirous of making Ekiti a disaster -free zone, we are warning those who are throwing wastes into these canals to desist or face the

consequences. The effort to curb flooding in Ekiti is a twoway thing. The Government would have to discharge its responsibility by ensuring that the projects are awarded and done properly, while the maintenance would be the responsibility of the government and the public.

“But when citizens are throwing waste into these canals and get them blocked, they will also be the victims when flooding occur. So, we need to appeal to our people to always drop their wastes in the trash bins provided by the state government”, he said.

Kolawole , who described the allegation that the Ecological Fund had been diverted by Fayose’s government, said: “This is not a government that

will divert funds meant for a particular purpose. We are not limiting our scope to Ado Ekiti alone, towns like Efon, Ifaki and many other towns will be attended to in the second phase of the programme.”

several meetings had been held by government with the state branch of the National Association of Retired Primary School Teachers where it was jointly agreed that the pension funds would be paid in instalments.

Adedeji said that the first tranche of N100 million had already been paid and that the second tranche would soon be released by government.

On the $200 million World Bank loan, the commissioner said that the involvement of the Federal Government was not more than its statutory role in the collection of loan by any state, adding that the money had yet to be received by the state government.

He said that the money was expected to be paid in instalments by the World Bank over a period of five years and that the projects to be executed with the money would be supervised by the bank.

The commissioner also explained that the monetary donations received by the state from various individuals and corporate bodies after the August 16, 2011 flood disaster had been used in the construction of the affected bridges, one of which was the Restoration Bridge on the Secretariat Road He described the allegation of the award of contracts in the state to foreign contractors by the opposition as mere fabrication, stressing that more than 60 per cent of the road contracts were being executed by local contractors.

Adedeji, who said that the names of all the contractors handling road projects in the state would soon be published, further explained that only big projects which the local contractors might not have the financial muzzle to handle were awarded to contractors outside the state.

He also said that the 2014 budget achieved 60 per cent performance in spite of the financial hiccups confronting the state like any other state, thus putting the state in the fourth position in term of budget performance among other states in the country.

THE TEAM Editor: Adeleke Adeseri

Correspondents: Ola Ajayi Gbenga Olarinoye Dayo Johnson Gbenga Ariyibi Dapo Akinrefon Daud Olatunji Olasunkanmi Akoni Monsuru Olowoepejo

Ibadan Osogbo Akure Ado Ekiti Abeokuta Lagos

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 — 7

ONDO STATE

By Dayo Johnson

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O doubt about it, they were still amateur in the illicit game of armed robbery.

Two brothers ,Olubunmi Ojo and Adekunle Ojo who were paraded alongside 27 other criminals by the Ondo Police Command were just learning the rope and according to them this was their first outing.

South West Voice learned that they set out to rob at about 9pm on the ill fated day and their first victim was a man driving an unregistered posh car.

Immediately they saw the car, according to police source, they trailed the driver to a lonely place at Iloti area, Ijoka in Akure metropolis on a bike before pouncing on him.

The owner of the unregistered BMW car valued at N4million, Sola Orisamoluwa, was not sensitive to know that he was been trailed by the two brothers who were armed with guns and other dangerous weapons.

The two brothers and Isaac, who allegedly snatched the N4m BMW car in Ondo

Dangerous weapons Before it dawned on Sola, the robbers had cornered him and the guns were pointed at his head to either surrender the key to the car or have his head blown off.

He told South West Voice at the Police Headquarters where the suspects were paraded that he was asked to alight from the car and was about to be locked up inside the booth of the car.

Sola said I discovered that they were young boys who are not really professionals so I refused to enter into the booth.

While they wanted to force him into the booth, he reportedly wrestled with them and succeeded in collecting one of the guns from one of them after which they drove off leaving him on the road.

He later took the gun to the police station located at Oda road in Akure.

Items stolen from the victim include his Tecno telephone and a cash of N60,000.

In the stolen car were his Wema Bank cheque books, driver's licence, National I.D card, clothes, sandals and shoes.

One of the brothers, Olubunmi, after the robbery incident started using GSM phone that was stolen from the victim.

Detectives at the Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS) where the case was transferred to from the Oda Police station swung into action and through

Armed robbery: How stolen GSM phone exposed two brothers intelligence gathering Olubunmi said to be a tiler was arrested barely a month after the robbery incident within the same Akure Metropolis with the victim's handset.

A police source hinted that Olubunmi started singing and led detectives to his brother who he claimed gave him the handset.

Upon interrogation, Adekunle confessed to the commission of the crime and mentioned other members of the gang.

Adekunle later led detectives to Ado Ekiti in Ekiti State where the stolen unregistered BMW car was taken to and one Isaac Fadairo, the receiver, was equally arrested.

South West Voice learned that Isaac was to help the two brothers to register the car and he billed them N35,000 but they had given him only N10,000 deposit before the cat was let out of the bag.

The suspects, it was learned, had negotiated with a dealer who had agreed to buy the N4million car for N700,000.

Police are still on the trail of the dealer who had fled on

hearing that the boys have been arrested.

In an interview, the owner of the stolen car, Sola, said

I had to explain to them how the robbery incident happened and how I wrestled the gun from one of the two robbers before they could believe me

that he just developed courage to wrestle the gun from one of the robbers when he discovered that they were not really professional armed robbers.

He said when he took the gun to the Police station, the policemen on duty were astonished. “I had to explain to them how the robbery incident happened and how I wrestled the gun from one of the two robbers before they could believe me.

South-West Voice spoke with one of the suspects Adekunle who said that the failed operation was their first.

Adekunle said they regretted their action and asked God to forgive them.

Adekunle confessed that the car had been sold for N700,000 to a buyer who will resell for the original price.

He confessed that they were told that snatching unregistered cars will fetch more money because it will be sold to a dealer who will pay good money and will in turn sell it as brand new vehicle to unsuspecting buyer.

Speaking on the 27 suspected criminals arrested in the month of February, the state Police Commissioner, Isaac Eke, said they include 10 suspected members of secret cults, a rapist and three suspected house breakers.

Eke said that the criminals were arrested in different parts of the state.

According to him, one vehicle and three arms were recovered from the suspects.

He said the suspects were arrested in Ifon, Ore, Iju, Ondo, Owo and Akure, the state capital.

The Police chief pointed out that the suspects will be arraigned in Court while efforts are in top gear to arrest other members of the gang.

On the rapists, Eke said that the suspected rapists will soon be charged to court after preliminary investigations are completed.

Eke vowed that the command is determined to rid the state of criminal elements The Police boss said that the intervention of “seasoned officers and men of the Ondo State Command curtailed criminal activities in the state last month.

C M Y K

6 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

OYO STATE

Accord Party rally:

How violence claimed three in Ibadan

By Ola Ajayi

T

HE bloody clash between two political parties believed to be the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Accord Party on Sunday in Ibadan which resulted in the death of three persons and left nine others seriously injured has clearly shown the level of intolerance among political parties in the state.

The violence started during a rally at Odinjo-Ode-Ige, Iyana Modina Area of Ibadan in Ibadan SouthEast Local Government, which was organized by Ademola Ige, a candidate of the House of Assembly and Gbenga Adewusi, candidate vying for a seat in the House of Representatives. Both are contesting on the platform of Accord Party.

Both candidates had been staunch supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and had served as chairmen of local governments in the administration of Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala before their defection to Accord.

According to an impeccable source, the rally started on a peaceful note until some rampaging hoodlums swooped on them and started shooting into the crowd.

The eye witness said the “thugs were carrying guns and other dangerous weapons when they stormed the campaign rally and opened fire on our supporters and killed two of them on the spot. 15 people sustained gunshot injuries, while unknown number of our supporters left with varying degrees of injuries.”

Two days after, the casualty figure rose to three as the Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Musa Katsina confirmed the death of another person who allegedly masterminded the attack. The police said the person was identified as ‘Ese Water’. So, as at now, three persons identified as Yusuf Ogeoju, Kehinde Akeem Bello and Sarafa Adedeji were killedfelled by bullets.

Accord accuses Governor Ajimobi The casualty figure may rise later as the former Speaker, Mr. Adeolu

Adeleke said several other people had life threatening gunshot injuries.

Adeleke, said were it not for the quick intervention of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad the number of casualties could have been more.

Giving further details on how the melee started, the former Speaker alleged that “three of the APC thugs were arrested with pump actions guns, while other members of the gang fled.

Even though, he did not provide any proof to back his claims, he was pointing accusing finger to Governor Abiola Ajimobi saying, “As a party, we are shocked that Ajimobi could unleash agents of death on our peace-loving supporters and snuff life out of them without any provocation”.

He claimed that APC had threatened their candidates and supporters to prevent them from coming out openly to campaign.

“We believe Accord and other opposition parties must not be wickedly shut out of the democratic space by the ruling Ajimobi’s government and his party, APC. We are waiting for justice which must not be slow in coming. It is now clear that Oyo State has become a state of nature where life is short and brutish and where people have to lock their doors and the doors of their chests before sleeping.”

Akala, Senator Agboola feud deepens

By Ola Ajayi

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HE cold war between the former Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo AlaoAkala and Senator Hosea Agboola, the senator representing Oyo North has deepened with the latter and his community taking the ex-governor up over a statement that the senator had no electoral value.

The two parted ways immediately after the tenure of Akala.

Agboola was the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters in Akala’s administration.

During the controversial primary that produced Senator Teslim Folarin, they engaged each other.

Otunba Akala said recently: “When you talk of people like Agboola, his electoral value is not something I will feel in my camp.

Political value, yes; maybe one or two but in terms of electoral value, how valuable is he? Do you know where Agboola is from? He is from a village that, with due respect to him, if you bring an exaggerated map of Oyo State, you will need a microscope to discover it.”

The senator and his community, Igbojaiye in Oke Ogun area of the state have taken exception to the comments.

Agboola, in a statement made allusion to President Goodluck Jonathan who, he said, became the President of the country despite his humble beginning.

The community, in its own reaction through Igbojaiye C M Y K

Descendants Union (IDU) described the comments as “unwarranted, ill-conceived and grossly unbecoming of a former governor of the state.”

According to the group’s spokesman, Babalola Zaccheus, the community wondered how the calibre of Otunba Akala, who had over his political journey benefitted from the untiring support of the people of the community could attempt to bring down the same people so cheaply by despising their community in spite of the fact that, he (Akala) passed nights in the same place when he was seeking their votes in 2003 and 2007 campaigns.

“We wouldn’t have joined issues with the former governor but because of the aspersions cast on the community blessed with the highest number of electorate in Itesiwaju local government area of the state. He needs to be reminded that he had also benefited from the same senator he is now trying to bring down at all cost. It is also worthy of note that Senator Agboola has for a very long time made ‘Alleluyah’ known to every household throughout Oyo state via his chain of businesses. It is

Police arrest eight suspects, declare war

T

HE Oyo State police command has arrested eight suspects in connection with the mayhem that occured in the state. According to the Commissioner of police in the state, Mohammed Katsina, the names of the suspects are Afeez Ishola, Olamide Ijaola, Sikiru Tunayese, Sunday Balogun, Lekan Ogeroju, Kazeem Ajibola, Kehinde Emiola and Musibau Akinola.

While parading the suspects, the CP said: “Since some of our politicians have continuously remained adamant to my entreaties to avoid violence and play the game according to the dictates of law, we are also going to show them that the law is greater than anybody. And since some of them have decided to dance naked in the political arena, I will like to warn or assure them that I have the capability, capacity and wherewithal to keep them away from the public view. What I mean in essence is that the full weight of the law will be applied on them.

“From today, any other political rally or meeting organised in any place, in any manner, without informing the police, any aftermath of that, the organiser will also have himself to blame no matter how highly placed. The Oyo State Police Command hereby declares a total war against criminals in the state, either political thugs or any other miscreants. To this, I mean whoever procures, sponsors any items of violence for the purpose or criminal motive of unleashing mayhem, causing instability or threat to life in any part of Oyo State will have himself to blame”, he said.

Mild drama at police headquarters

A

Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala very disheartening for Otunba Akala to say he made Agboola, rather Akala’s political fortunes were affected positively through the support of Agboola especially in 2007 election.”

The community said further that “Senator’s political sagacity and prowess has robbed-off positively on former governors of the state including Akala, because everyone he supports, always coast to victory.”

t the police headquarters, everybody was spell bound when one of the suspects was calling one of the organizers of the rally, who is a candidate of the Accord Party, saying ‘when will you use your influence to free me from the police.’

The politician answered him saying he would soon be released that he should keep calm.

As the police were parading the suspects, a notorious one among the suspects, who had many wounds kept shouting on top of his voice, “Sunday, show the police the gun you used to kill them you know I am innocent.”

Another one, Kazeem Ajibola who said he was arrested at the hospital where he visited his relative said his arrest was a set up, adding that he never participated in any shooting.

“I am a plank seller. I am not a political thug.

The arrest was a mistake on the part of the police,” he said. Talking to the police, he said, since you have been doing this policing job, you ought to tell, by mere looks, who criminals are. Do I look like a criminal?’’

The police need to be extra vigilant to check the excesses of most supporters of the politicians in the state to ensure peaceful polls.

APC defends Governor Ajimobi

R

ESPONDING to the allegation, the APC came in defence of its governorship candidate, Ajimobi noting that there is a gang-up among the opposition parties in the state, especially Accord, Labour and the PDP to instigate violence and use such isolated cases to puncture the three and half years of peace that it had brought to the state.

The broom party, through its State Director of Publicity, Mr. Olawale Sadare, said having

identified that the battle in the next governorship election would be between a government that has stood for peace and safety of lives and property, as against regimes in the past where there were political murders, arson, violence and brigandage, and whose major actors are seeking to come back to office, the opposition parties are struggling to paint the APC “as a violent party too.”

It described the recent violence as a gang war between an Accord’s chief

thug and some factions in that locality and has nothing to do with the APC. “If our people don’t know anything about Ajimobi, they know he can’t stand violence. He ordered a Pilgrims Board member sacked and charged to court for being violent. That violent man is with Akala now. He outlaws thugs and Indian hemp at Governor’s Office. He is one governor who does not go about with thugs. Let them tell us their own antecedents. Luckily, the world knows the truth,” said the APC.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 — 5

OSUN STATE

Families want exclusive right to Balogun chieftaincy in Osogbo

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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HE Balogun Kujenyo, Balogun Agoro and Balogun Fagbemi also known as Balogun Biro in Osogbo, have prayed the Commission of inquiry on Disturbance of Public Peace in Osun State to declare them as the three families having exclusive right to the Balogun of Osogbo chieftaincy title.

The Balogun families had filed a petition before the Commission, joining the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ataoja of Osogbo and three others as respondents.

They prayed the commission to declare them as the exclusive families that are entitled to the Balogun and Otun Balogun of Osogbo chieftaincy titles.

When the case came up before the commission, a representative of the Balogun

families, Alhaji Sulaimon Adetunji told the panel that the Balogun and Otun Balogun titles were exclusive to the three families and that no other family has ever produced a Balogun of Osogbo.

Adetunji stated that the situation, however, changed in 2012 when the procedure for the appointment of the Balogun of Osogbo was altered.

Contrary view The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, the third respondent, told the panel that the Balogun was never exclusive to the three families of Balogun Kujenyo, Agoro and Fagbemi.

Ataoja, who was legally represented

by Alhaji Ganiyu Adesina, stated that there had been Balogun Matanmi and Balogun Oyipi, among others, who later rose to become Ataoja Matanmi 1 and Ataoja Oyipi respectively.

Ataoja added that Balogun Matanmi and Balogun Oyipi were not from the three families that wanted the Balogun of Osogbo to be exclusive to them.

The monarch stressed that there are

other smaller chieftaincy titles under Balogun that are promotional like the Otun Balogun; Osi Balogun, Eketa Balogun, Ekerin Balogun, Seriki Balogun and Are Ago Balogun.

He stated further that an Osun State High Court, headed by Justice Adepele Ojo (now Chief Judge) in 2009, affirmed that the Balogun title was promotional and that all the smaller chieftaincy titles under Balogun can be promoted to become the Balogun.

However, Balogun Kujenyo, Balogun Agoro and Balogun Fagbemi families have appealed the judgement of the High Court.

Oba Oyetunji also informed the panel of the judgement of another High Court in Osogbo in 2014, which dismissed the application of the three families that wanted the Balogun and Otun Balogun of Osogbo titles to be exclusive and restricted to them.

The traditional ruler also told the panel that the three families did not appeal the earlier court’s judgement in which Governor Rauf Aregbesola was the first respondent and the Ataoja of Osogbo the fifth respondent.

Ataoja of Osogbo: Oba Oyetunji

Communal dispute: Osogbo, Ede counsels withdraw appearances at Falola commission

By Gbenga Olarinoye

O

SOGBO and Ede communities have appeared before the Justice Falola Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Ipetumodu and Asipa Towns communal dispute.

The governor of Osun State, Mr Rauf Aregbesola set up the commission following the recent communal war between Asipa and Ipetumodu communities over a disputed parcel of land.

Mr J A Adesina lead other counsels to represent Osogbo Community while Chief Adeniran Adetoye and other Counsels put in their appearances for Ede Community,with Mr. W.O Wemimo representing Olojudo of Ido-Osun.

Mr Adesina appealed to the Commission to make certified true copy of its terms of reference

available to the Counsel to enable them comply with the requirements also applied for adjournment to put his house in order because of the memorandum from Ido-Osun.

Chief Adeniran Adetoye also aligned with his application.

The chairman of the commission, Justice Jide Falola later ruled that adjournment will not be granted again since one was granted earlier, rather he gave thirty minutes stand down of the hearing of the memoranda of the two communities.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, the Counsels for Osogbo and Ede Communities sought for withdrawal of their appearances at the hearing.

The Counsel to Olojudo appealed to the two protesting Counsels and the Commission to reach a middle point.

Justice Falola ruled that the

A dilapidated fence between Osogbo High School and Government Technical College

memoranda submitted by the two Communities will be considered at the compilation stage if the Counsel refused to appear before the commission and adjourned that of Ido-Osun.

Similarly, the Memoranda from Ile-Ogbo and Kuta were mentioned for hearing.Mr Fatai Ajani represented the Olu of Ile-

Ogbo and Ile-Ogbo Community while there was no representation from Kuta Community.

Justice Falola at this stage adjourned the hearing of the memoranda saying there must be fair hearing and justice.

Meanwhile, Justice Jide Falola’s Commission of Inquiry on Ipetumodu and Asipa towns

communal dispute has visited the two communities to carry out on the spot assessment of the damaged properties .

He enjoined those people that lost their properties to remain calm, saying the damages will be evaluated to recommend appropriate compensation to the affected people.

Inter-school war: OHS, GTC students may miss WAEC exams

By Lateef Dada

F

INAL year students of Osogbo High School and Government Technical College, both in Osogbo may miss their West African Examination Council (WAEC) examinations or fare badly if the schools were not re-opened urgently.

The two schools have been together with a small fence used as demarcation between them.

Both schools were shut recently by the state government over disturbances by the students.

OHS and GTC are located in the same area separated by a small with their students always locked in supremacy battle.

Formerly Osogbo Grammar School, Osogbo High School was founded by late Oba Adenle and has been in

existence since 1950. It is also referred to as the first secondary school in Osun division.

The GTC was later sited near OHS leading to a rivalry between students of both schools.

Technical College students have always claimed and tried to prove they are seniors while Osogbo High School students have been resisting GTC’s alleged dominance insisting they that they are the oldest.

So, students of the two schools have always been at loggerheads over one issue or the other for a very long time.

On Thursday February, 12 2015, students of the two schools engaged in fresh attack on each other a situation that led to wanton destruction of valuable properties in Osogbo High School running into millions of naira.

It was gathered that some

students of Osogbo High school sustained various degree of injuries and are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Osogbo, the state capital.

This, however, led to the immediate closure of the two schools by the state government to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

The Deputy Governor of Osun State who also doubles as Commissioner for Education, Mrs Grace TitiLaoye Tomori, directed the immediate closure of the two schools until further notice., Security agencies have also been directed to take charge of the area to maintain peace as parents and guardians are advised to warn their children/ wards to desist from acts that are capable of causing public disorder in the two schools and beyond.

C M Y K

4 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

LAGOS STATE DR. Olurotimi Olulana is the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in Lagos State. In this interview, Olulana speaks on his chances and why Labour Party will win the governorship polls. Excerpts:

By Dapo Akinrefon

C

AN you assess your chances of winning this election?

It is only God who can determine who becomes a leader in an election. As a party we will try our best to campaign and penetrate the grassroots as we have been doing. We will try our best but God has already determined who becomes the next governor of the state.

In the botched Third Republic during the era of 13 political associations, during the time of late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and so on, the man almost won but he was not made the president.

During the June 12, 1993 elections, you know what happened. So everything is in the hand of God and He gives it to whoever he wishes.

Another example I will give you is the one that happened in Lagos State in 1990 and 1991.

The issue of Sir Michael Otedola in which I happened to be an active participant is still fresh in many people’s mind.

I can recall the day he was invited to the Police Headquarters. I was carrying a file behind him at the police headquarters. Professor •Dr Olurotimi Olulana: INEC must distribute the PVCs Femi Agbalajobi too was invited by the Police. Agbalajobi was the first to arrive the Police Headquarters and when he came the whole policemen and officers, including the commissioner of police came down to welcome him. And all of them were saluting him until he was ushered into the commissioner of police office.

That happened in my presence, they all came to welcome him believing that he was the next governor of the state unknown to them that Agbalajobi will not even contest that election as the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate.

When Otedola of the National Republican Convention (NRC) came, no police officer gave any salute to him, he was not recognized. I witnessed it, I was there with the former Commissioner for Agriculture, Kaoli Olusanya, ask him.

What is your reaction on the banners and some of our candidates postponement of the election? were removed by either APC and PDP Determining who The postponement of elections is a thugs or agents of LASAA. wears the crown welcome idea as far as we in Labour What efforts have you made to lay Party in Lagos State are concerned. It is your complaints at the right quarters?

Nobody recognized Otedola when he good that the INEC postponed the came on invitation to the Police elections. On the issue of the Permanent Headquarters. It was unknown to them Voters Card, PVCs, I just got my own that Otedola was the governor to be and not quite five days ago and if the eventually he became the governor of elections had not been postponed, that Lagos State and ruled. That is God for means I wouldn’t have voted during the you. So only God determines who wears February 14 presidential election. the crown.

Apart from that, if you look at what is To me, I believe I am God’s going on in Lagos State, concerning the intervention in Lagos election in 2015 two so called political parties, anywhere and by the grace of God, I will be sworn they go for rallies you see people in as governor of Lagos on May 29, 2015. displaying all sorts of thuggery and it If elected as the next governor of is affecting us.

Lagos State, what will be your How? programmes for the people?

It started from Lagos State The postponement My major programme will be first to Government through LASAA who went give Lagos State 24-hour electricity around to remove political opponents’ of elections is a because I want to reduce drastically the posters and banners under the disguise problem of unemployment. If it will take that they have a law that says you must welcome idea as far me to use almost the entire budget of not paste posters in so and so place. It as we in Labour the state to give Lagos State electricity I got to a stage where PDP also says will do it. through the Federal authorities that all Party in Lagos State My second priority is security of lives Federal roads belong to them. are concerned. It is and properties. Number three is They started putting their own banners agriculture. In Lagos State, we don’t and posters and bill boards on Federal good that the INEC have much land to plant crops but we roads in Lagos. So also is APC claiming postponed the are riverine for which we can go into all the state roads. So in fact, all my elections fishery and become an exporter of fishes.

Lagos 2015:

I will win the Otedola way

— Dr Olulana, LP gov candidate

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We have reported the matter to the police like when some of my supporters were pasting posters, they and one of my drivers were challenged by the APC thugs saying that the one belongs to APC. It happened around Alapere-Ogudu area to the extent that they used bottles to break my driver’s head.

Do you think the INEC is really prepared for this elections in your view?

If that election had not been postponed, INEC cannot meet up at all. Like I told, you I would not have had the opportunity to exercise my franchise in the elections, but I have been able to have my own PVC. According to the news this morning, INEC is still saying that they are still expecting more PVCs from the printers apart from the ones they have received and distributed and are still distributing. You can hear similar story in other states too. Even in Lagos, they transferred PVCs that belonged to some local governments to others and they are trying to make amend now.

So also in Ogun State, Governor Ibikunle Amosun was the one saying that the PVCs that were meant for Ogun State were taken to another state while they brought those of other state to Ogun. It could be Lagos PVCs that had been taken to Ogun State. So INEC is not prepared for this elections if they had been held earlier.

Free and fair elections Even now, they are not yet in position in hold the elections. Let them respond to our call to conduct free and fair elections, but I believe INEC can still meet up between now and the 28th of March.

INEC has said that they have many PVCs that have not been collected by the people.

By the grace of God we have been doing that even at the local level, we have been calling on our members and those who believe in us and those who do not even believe in us. We have mobilized people to move round at the ward level to talk to their people in the rural areas, streets and localities to go and collect their PVCs. Most of them come back to report that the PVCs are not yet ready and that they should come back for them. In fact, before I could collect mine a few days ago, I had to go and come back for about 12 times, so we are trying to see that people go out and obtain their PVCs. We are even using the net to talk to people to go and obtain their PVCs. Do you support the use of card readers by INEC? I don’t support that, INEC should be mindful of people’s interest. To me, I believe that what they are supposed to concentrate on is for us to have our PVCs, to ensure that they are well distributed to the electorate who registered for them. If that is done, they should take care of security of the polling booths during elections.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 — 3

OGUN STATE

Fakale: A community on the verge of extinction

By Olayinka Latona

T

HE Baale and residents of Fakale of community in the Fakale Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Ogun State have decried the poor state of roads and lack of government presence in the community.

Though the community has been in existence for over 150 years, it can only boast of a community primary school, St. Michael Community Primary School, which has only two good classrooms.

Under Sagamu Local Council, Fakale cannot boast of social amenities like health care centres, good roads, electricity, potable water and police post.

Predominantly farmers and artisans, the people of Fakale have been discharging their civic responsibilities to the government and voting during elections but they are yet to feel the impact of government in the area.

To have electricity, Fakale and two communities in the area agreed to contribute one million

naira to repair an old transformer in the area, buy poles and rewire the whole community.

Unfortunately all their efforts proved abortive as the transformer could not be fixed by the technicians they hired.

For sometime now, the Fakale community has been paying the salaries of some of the primary school teachers and providing facilities for the school to thrive.

Earliest settlers Speaking on behalf of the Baale of Fakale, Mr. Ganiu Ajibola, who also serves as the spokesperson of the community disclosed that the earliest settlers in Fakale land were primarily farmers.

Ajibola said: “The community is confronted with series of infrastructural challenges as the government seems to have neglected Fakale.

Our community has not in any way felt government’s presence.

There is problem of erosion which is caused by the absence of

drainage system in the community. Another is the bad state of our roads and absence of social and infrastructural amenities in the community” Ajibola said the community leaders have called on the state government to come to their aid, but no assistance seems to be on the way in spite of being part of Ogun State. “We have been abandoned but during elections, politicians come to the community to seek our votes. They would promise reconstruction of our roads, construction of new drainage system and hospitals, but at the end of the day they fail in their promises. The road is not motorable, the okada riders charged us nothing less than N200 per trip,” he lamented.

To access health care, he said Fakale people have to travel to Odogunyan, Ogijo or Ikorodu areas. In case of emergency, the community is on its own and has lost many lives especially pregnant women and children through easily curable diseases.

He continued: “The only primary school in the community has been in existence since1952

and it is more or less a shadow of itself with inadequate classrooms. We only have dilapidated classrooms where majority of our children receive lessons. The only intervention

Bedrock of every In case of society emergency, the Youths are said to be the bedrock community is on its of every society because they own and has lost constitute the active population of any community. Fakale many lives youths are of the view especially pregnant community that with the present state of women and children things in the area, the environment is not habitable for through easily living and discourages curable diseases businesses adding that majority

Nigerian well drillers raise alarm over influx of Asians

By Ola Ajayi

N

ATIONAL President of the Association of WaterWell Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners, AWDROP, Mr. Michael Ale, has raised an alarm over the influx of Asian drillers into the country.

The foreigners’ lack of indepth knowledge about the terrain of the country, he said, could pose another serious ecological problem.

Ale, who spoke at an emergency meeting of

AWDROP on theme: “Impending dangers in drilling activities in Nigeria”, in Ibadan said since 2013 there has been uncontrolled and unabated invasion of about 3000 Asian drillers in the disguise of foreign direct investment, which he lamented was taking a toll on their job.

While pointing accusing fingers at the government, the AWDROP boss said the government had not helped matters through formulation of weak policy and regulation.

The weak policy, he complained, was largely responsible for the encroachment of the foreigners on Nigerian territory thus allowing quacks and foreign Asian drillers in their hundreds into the country. “ We have been denied our right and this is unfair. We, as an association are bound by the Section 24 (d) of the 1999 constitution as amended which states that it shall be the duty of every citizen to make positive and useful contribution to the advancement, progress and

we would have been proud of was during the Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s regime but the building was not completed and we have been calling the attention of Governor Ibikunle Amosun to it but they refused to yield to our cry.

“There is no secondary school although in the1970’s Fakale and other communities around here contributed and built some buildings for a secondary school which the government gave us equipment and teaching staff but few years later, the school was closed down during late Chief Victor Olabisi Onabanjo administration due to the fact that the students population was not much. Since then, our children have to travel several kilometers to have access to secondary school education.

well-being of the community where he resides.

“Besides, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the next primary law regulating water is the “Water Resources Act 101 OF Decree 1993.”

This law, he added, vests on the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, the right to regulate, develop and licence all water operators in Nigeria.”

of the community youths prefer to live outside the community.

A resident, Mrs. Abowale called for government intervention to rescue them from bondage of under-development as she said that most pregnant women lose their babies during labour due to the fact that there is no health facility in the community.

“We are appealing to the government to come to our aid and rescue us from bondage of under-development. For our children, there is no conducive environment for learning, many of them rather than go to school are now engaging in one trade or the other. The consequence of government abandonment of the community is crushing and that is why we are appealing to them to save the future of our children,” she added.

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2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

PDP, APC battle for the soul of Osun

LAGOS: Ambode support group begins 20-day road show

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

I

•The APC billboard at Orita-Olaiya Junction, Osogbo Continues from Page 1 capital has been flooded with posters and billboards of APC and PDP candidates.

At the Orita-Olaiya junction, both parties erected billboards, placed side by side with various inscriptions which some political gladiators said are libellous.

While the PDP billboard reads: “Vote for Democrat, not Dictator”, that of APC reads: “Vote Good Governance, not Good luck.”

Allegation and counterallegations Also, the two political parties have not rested on their oars in trading words, accusations and allegations.

Recently, the APC alleged that a candidate of PDP in Osun East Senatorial District, Chief Francis Fadahunsi, has a detention camp in his house where he detains and tortures APC members.

In a swift reaction to the

allegation, Fadahunsi invited journalists and conducted them round his Ilase-Ijesa country home and debunked the allegation.

He counter-alleged that APC leaders are the ones training thugs in the name of ‘state boys.’

While featuring at an interactive programme organized by the Osun State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, recently, the senator representing Osun East on the platform of APC, Babajide Omoworare, was asked to name those detained

by Fadahunsi, but he could not name anyone as he said he did not remember their names. He insisted that Fadahunsi has a detention camp in his house, saying “he has detained and tortured three members of our party.”

Attacks on Jonathan, Buhari

The leading presidential candidates are not left out of the attacks. While the APC

•The PDP billboard beside that of the APC at Orita-Olaiya Junction described President Jonathan as a person that lacks competence and capacity to lead the country,

While the APC described President Jonathan as a person that lacks competence and capacity to lead the country, the PDP has continued to question the capability of MajorGeneral Muhammadu Buhari (retd) to lead Nigeria based on his age and health condition

the PDP has continued to question the capability of MajorGeneral Muhammadu Buhari (retd) to lead Nigeria based on his age and health condition.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola has kept saying that his party, APC, would win the March 28 election for Buhari, while PDP has insisted that Aregbesola has failed the people of Osun State and would find it difficult to repeat the 2011 victory in 2015.

Indeed, one question that is lingering on the lips of Osun people is whether or not the APC will have a repeat of what happened in 2011 considering the issue of salary and the way some candidates of the party emerged which generated reactions from party members.

Another question is whether or not the PDP can win the state considering the recent loss of its governorship candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore at the election petition tribunal. These questions will be answered in 22 days time.

Osun seeks end to female circumcision A

CALL has gone to the National Circumcision Association of Nigeria to put a stop to Female Genital Mutilation/Circumcision FGM/ C in Osun State and Nigeria as a whole, just as the act was described as babaric and violation of women and girlchild rights.

The Osun State Commissioner for Women and Children Affaiirs, Mrs. Mofolake Adetoun Adegboyega made the call in Osogbo in her speech at the inauguration of State Technical Working Committee on elimination of female genital mutilation/circumcision.

At the programme organised

by UNFPA/UNICEF in collaboration with the Ministries of Women and Children Affairs and Health, the Commissioner C M Y K

said the state government has enacted a law against female genital mutilation, stressing that the government will continue to carry out and support programmes to fight and eradicate the harmful practice in the state.

Apart from being a serious human rights violation of women and girls, she said the practice also has grave health consequences “and as such it is necessary that the practice be totally eliminated in the state”.

She described female genital mutilation or female circumcision as procedure involving partial or total removal of the female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural, religious or other nontherapeutic reasons.

Statistically, she stated that there was an existing policy for the elimination of FGM in 2002, noting that it has not appreciably achieved its aims and objectives, adding that by UNICEF survey in 2010, Osun with 82.8 per cent had the highest rate of FGM/C in South-West.

Mrs. Adegboyega revealed that the practice was common in Africa, Nigeria inclusive due to traditional/cultural belief that if a female child is not circumcised she will be promiscuous.

She said the belief is wrong and advised parents to note that there are inherent dangers in the unwholesome practice According to her, there are some cultural practices that are harmful and unhealthy in

which FGM is one of them hence the need for situation assessment, knowledge, attitude and practice, to lead to total elimination of the practice in the state.

In his response, the Patron of National Circumcision Association of Nigeria, High Chief Abiola Ogundokun, stated that eradication of the practice in the state must be treated with caution as it is an age long practice.

The Patron emphasised that the Association is aware that trends are changing, saying that it is ready to work with the government as it believed that issues relating to women and girl-child is important and paramount to the state government.

N an unprecedented show, in a convoy of about 40 vehicles, the Support Group for Ambode 2015 led by former Minister of State for Defence Mr. Demola Seriki opened a new flank in the struggle to make All Progressives Congress APC governorship candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode win the April 11 polls by flagging off a 20-day Road show in the state.

Jubilant members of the group criss-crossed 21 major streets in Ikja, Wednesday wooing residents for Ambode, Amid heavy rain, the road show took off from AdeniyiJones, Ikeja, passing through roads such as Surulere Industrial, Acme, Metal Box, Wempco, Jagun, Ogunnusi, Lateef Jakande to Obafemi Awolowo, The train stopped at the retail markets at Ogba, Ojodu, Alade and mechanic villages on Lateef Jakande and Oregun roads to pay homage to shop owners and fraternise with their leaders. In keeping with road traffic law, the road show organisers ensured that the convoy kept to one lane allowing other commuters to use the other lane.

Intermintently, members got off the vehicles to distribute fliers and gifts as the crowd scrambled for the gifts and joined in the dancing and singing.

Earlier at a media chat to announce the road show flag off, Chairman of the Support Group, Mr Seriki, praised the leadership of the APC in the state and the national level for the on-going rallies and townhall meetingss to persuade Lagosians to vote the APC. Represented by the vice chairman, Mr. Fola Tinubu, Seriki said the road show would enable the Support Group remind Lagosians of the legacies of the administration and wipe out the false propaganda of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He said: “All that Lagosians need to do is to ask themselves if they will like to be governed by a party that has failed to deliver on the most critical duty of the government- security.

If the APC administration of Lagos State had left the state to the security policies of the Presidency, life would have become difficult for residents.

“Through the Lagos State Security Fund and direct government assistance, the Lagos State administration of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola has committed billions of Naira to keep the lives and properties of Lagosians safe.

VOL. 1: NO. 12

B

FRIDAY, MARCH 6 , 2015

By Lateef Dada

ARELY three weeks to the March 28 presidential election political activities in Osun State have reached a feverish peak with the leading political parties locked in high-wire manoeuvre to outwit one another.

Although, election period in Nigeria has always been a time for attack, the current situation is giving observers a cause for concern. Apart from mudslinging, defamation of character and exchange of brick-bats, the political parties have introduced physical violence, which has heightened tension and fear in the polity.

The postponement of the presidential election from February 14 to March 28 has perhaps given the parties

Fakale: A community on the verge of extinction •Page 3 C M Y K

PRESIDENTIAL POLLS:

PDP, APC battle for the soul of Osun opportunity to intensify their campaigns and attack in which Osun state is not left out.

Being the only state in South-West that that fell to the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in the 2011 presidential

IN THIS EDITION

Families want exclusive right to Balogun chieftaincy in Osogbo •Page 5

Accord Party rally: How violence claimed three in Ibadan •Page 6

election, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is not leaving anything to chance.

It wants to ensure that the state is delivered to its Presidential Candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan this time.

Poster war

Apart from the abusive words being exchanged by the two major political parties, the PDP and APC are erecting big bill boards and pasting posters in all nooks and crannies of the state.

Specifically, Osogbo, the Osun State

Continues on Page 2

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015—33

Synopsis

CHAPPIE

Continued from page 37 Wizkid and Davido Then there was the Davido faceoff. Perhaps, this arose as a result of the perceived rivalry between the duo and fueled by people who actually wanted to see and hear what the two singers think of each other. But it was Wizkid who took the bait and fired the first salvo, to which Davido replied in kind.

When the beef was getting like Ponmo Davido came out to say how he got railroaded into it. “This is the first time I’m saying this but the only reason I was upset was because of the NY concert. I was even going to tweet like you know ‘make sure everybody turn up for my brother Wizkid’s concert’ and he threw shade like that” he says.

I

n the near future, crime is patrolled by an oppressive mechanized police force. When one police droid, Chappie, is stolen and given new programming, he becomes the first robot with the ability to think and feel for himself. The movie hits the box office today.

TOP MOVIES OF THE WEEK

· · · · ·

30 DAYS IN ATLANTA WEDDING RINGER SELMA 5O SHADES OF GREY ANTIQUE

Schedule commencing from Friday 6th – 12th March , 2015.

•Davido

Wizkid and Saeon FOR Baseline artiste, Saeon, her anger with Wizkid was born out of a different beef. It was the music diva that threw the first stone that definitely met Wizkid in his orbit. First, she complained and made public that the Caro crooner charged her for a collabo she did with him. Secondly, she whined that he did throw his weight behind the promotion of the song.

Trust Wizzy, he paid her back in an interview that he made the song a hit, that aside that he knows nothing about her. However, the news crept out later that Saeon paid Wizkid N1.5 million to get him to do a collabo with her.

SILVERBIRDCINEMAS, VICTORIA ISLAND Chappie : 11:50am,1:50pm,4:30pm,6:50pm9:10pm Still Standing :4:15pm Sponge Bob : 11:00am,12:50pm The Wedding Ringer : 2:35pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, IKEJA Chappie : 11:25am,1:45pm,6:25pm,8:45pm Still Standing : 11:25am,4:55pm Sponge Bob : 11:00am, 12:50pm, 2:40pm The Wedding Ringer : 2:45pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, SEC Chappie : 11:50am,2:10pm,4:30pm,6:50pm,9:10pm Still Standing : 2:10pm,6:40pm Sponge Bob : 1:00pm,2:50pm,4:40pm The Wedding Ringer : 12:50pm,2:50pm,4:50pm,6:50pm,8:50pm Seventh Son : 12:20pm,2:20pm,4:20pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS CEDDI PLAZA , ABUJA Chappie : 11:35am,1:50pm,4:10pm,6:30pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Chappie : 11:30am,1:50pm,4:10pm,6:30pm,8:50pm Still Standing :12:30pm,2:25pm,4:30pm,6:30pm,8:30pm Sponge Bob : 11:00am,12:50pm,2:20pm The Wedding Ringer : 2:20pm,8:50pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, WARRI Antique: 2:30pm,6:45pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, UYO Chappie : 11:40am,2:00pm,4:20pm,6:40pm,8:10pm Still Standing : 11:50am,2:00pm,4:05pm,6:15pm,8:25pm Antique: 1:45pm,6:15pm Annie : 11:30am,4:00pm,8:30pm Champagne : 12:20pm,2:20pm,4:20pm, 6:20pm, 8:20pm

Saeon

OZONE CINEMAS SABO YABA Chappie : 11:15am,2:05pm,4:20pm,6:10pm,8:25pm Still Standing : 11:55am Sponge Bob: 12:05pm Selma: 10:10am The Wedding Ringer : 1:50pm Annie : 10:00am

Wizkid and Skales

O

N Monday, February 23, 2015 Baseline star, Skales lashed out at his friend and former label mate, Wizkid, saying he is afraid of other people’s success, adding that he stole his Azonto beat which Legendary beatz, the producer of the song debunked. In his reply , Wizkid said Skales didn’t make any money for his former label while he was with them. “Even when the label wanted to drop you because you didn’t make one naira for three years! I was there! You are a foolish guy with zero brain.”

GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS LAGOS Chappie : 11:30pm,2:00pm,6:30pm Still Standing : 11:00am GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Chappie : 9:50am,2:15pm,7:05pm,9:25pm Still Standing : 6:10pm,10:25pm GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, ENUGU Chappie : 2:20pm,6:30pm,8:50pm Still Standing :11:00am, Annie : 12:00pm

The Banky connection W

Banky W and Wizkidwho discovered the du bickering behas kept mum on the o of Skales only took to tween his protégés. ongoing Th announce his social media acco e E.M.E boss th and will be at he will be headin unt to g fo back in a co uple of days r London .

C M Y K

•Skales

VIVA CINEMAS,ILORIN Chappie : 2:35pm,8:25pm Still Standing : 12:40pm,3:40pm Antique : 7:30pm The Wedding Ringer : 4:45pm Reclaim : 12:35pm,9:25pm Annie : 6:35pm,2:20pm John Wick : 4:30pm Champagne : 10:45am, The 7th Dwarf : 2:05pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 6:25pm

34 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 — 35

C M Y K

36— Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

LAGOS GOVERNORSHIP RACE:

Agbaje, Akele, others sign gender pact ...at Vanguard, WARDC’s maiden gender dialogue

By Josephine Agbonkhese & Anino Aganbi

reiterated his support for state policing, stressing that the federal police was already overwhelmed with diverse issues.

A

S significant as they could be to the overall development of any society, issues of gender and women in particular have received very limited attention from political actors during electoral processes over the years.

More disheartening is the fact that the status quo persists even though electoral debates have since 1993 been a recurring part of Nigeria’s electioneering process. Issues of gender, women and children are conspicuously relegated to the background in most of these debates and dialogues.

It was in view of this inimical trend that the first-ever Lagos Gender Dialogue was organised Wednesday in Lagos by the Vanguard Newspapers, Women Advocates Research & Documentation Centre-WARDC and Silverbird Television in partnership with Civil Society Organisations- CSOs in Lagos State.

35% without impact is meaningless -Akele

From left: Mrs Morenike Taire, Woman Editor, Vanguard Newspapers; Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, ED, WARDC; Mr Jimi Agbaje, PDP governorship candidate, Lagos State, displaying the gender pact, and Mrs Yemisi Ransome-Kuti, Chairperson at the event, yesterday in Lagos.

Photo: AKEEM SALAU.

Holistic development The event which drew a mammoth crowd of women and men from different walks of life afforded electorates the opportunity to engage governorship candidates in the state for positive, holistic development.

The event climaxed with four candidates in the governorship race consenting to the demands of women by signing a 12-point gender pact, indicating the likelihood of a new dawn for the vulnerable groups within the state in the coming administration.

The candidates were Jimi Agbaje of the Peoples Democratic Party; Ayodele Akele of the National Conscience Party, NCP; Oloye Adeniji of KOWA Party and Bolaji Ogunseye of Alliance for Democracy, AD. Candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Akinwunmi Ambode, was unofficially absent at the event despite having assured the organisers of his participation.

That, however, did not take the shine off the dialogue as all four contestants passionately reeled out their agenda for Lagos’ poor majority, particularly women and children, while fielding C M Y K

Mr Bolaji Ogunseye, AD governorship candidate (2nd right) displaying the pact too.

questions from participants at the event.

The 12-point gender pact endorsed covers primary health care, education, economic and poverty alleviation, decisionmaking, vulnerable groups, environment, agriculture, road network, water supply, child abuse, violence against women and security.

move from political activism to real politics; that is the only way 35% can be achieved”, he said.

He further challenged women entrepreneurs and professionals to step into politics so there can be more women to earn the much anticipated 35% slots in appointive offices.

Emphasising his commitment to the safety of children, Agbaje

Candidate of the NCP, Akele, on his part, stated that a 35% appointive position without impact in the lives of women and vulnerable citizens in the state was meaningless.

According to him, women in the current federal cabinet have done little or nothing to impact the lives of other women and children in the country.

“I have been a labour leader all my life, passed through an indigent background and I know where the shoe pinches.

“35% or not, I will ensure human rights of the highest order in labour. No longer will the so-called Special Task Force on Environmental Sanitation push and arresting poor market women, carrying them in blackmaria instead of going after criminals.

“I will abolish such taskforces because they are agents of terrorism in disguise. I will provide housing for men and women and kitchens in areas populated by the poor, to at least feed them once a day.

“Also, at least 50,000 mass transit buses will be made available. Portable water will

flow everywhere. With due respect, when the father of the present governor was sick, he was flown abroad. But for me, my family, commissioners and all, including myself, will patronise Lagos State hospitals. I believe if a thing is not good for me, then it is not good for Lagosians,” Akele said.

Hold me to 25% appointive slots -Agbaje

You’ll get 50% slots —KOWA, AD guber candidates

Flag bearer of the PDP, Agbaje, assured women in the state of a minimum of 25% appointive slots in his administration while frankly stating why a promise of 35% was impossible for him.

“35% is a tall order. I believe the problem of women is no different from the problem of the elites; the elites complain but do not participate. Same with women; qualified women hardly want to dare politics but sadly, that is where policies are formulated and implemented.

“I want to see more women

Meanwhile, flag bearers of KOWA Party and AD, Adeniji and Ogunseye respectively, vowed to reserve 50% appointive seats for women in the state.

Adeniji said: “KOWA Party was formed in 2009 to specially take care of women and all vulnerable persons in Nigeria. In fact, we will restore the middle-class which has been terribly thinned over the years. First on our agenda is shelter for every Lagosian through mortgage system.

I am an environmentalist. I will make

I believe the problem of women is no different from the problem of the elites; the elites complain but do not participate

sure there is enough green gas for women to cook with so our environment will safe.

“We will reduce the number of children on the streets to the barest minimum by making sure there is a school within one kilometre radius from homes so that children can be in school.

We will engage them also with enough extra-curricular activities and also make sure out-of-school children have a skill to fall back on. For the girl-child, special health education will be provided in schools.

“We will make sure you do not spend hours on the road going to your workplaces. More importantly, we will encourage the autonomy of local governments and ensure training of manpower for proper integration.

Above all, women can be sure of at least 50% appointive position in our government.”

Ogunseye on his part said: “I come from a UN background as a former Regional Director and I therefore cannot give 35% of appointive positions to women because that will be going against the actual demand of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, CEDAW, which states that 50% slots should be reserved for women to ensure gender equality.”

Gender equality Speaking earlier at the event, Mrs Morenike Taire, Woman Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, stated that the initiative was in line with Vanguard’s commitment towards ensuring a better life for the entire nation, particularly women and children.

Executive Director, WARDC, Dr(Mrs)Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, also noted in her welcome address that the initiative became more pertinent following the emergence of very few women candidates in the current electoral dispensation, gross under-representation for women and children in the coming administration.

“Historically, people in political offices do not prioritise gender and women empowerment issues for reasons best linked to ignorance, patriarchy, lack of political will and general apathy towards women’s issues. This has continued to retard world progress and development.

“A 2012 report on gender in Nigeria concludes that an estimated 80.2 million women and girls in Nigeria have significantly worse life chances than men in relation to employment and livelihoods, education and health, political representation, and violence.

According to the report, Nigeria ranks 118 of 134 countries in the Gender Equality Index,” Akiyode said.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 —37

Women minister tasks stakeholders on peace in northern states

By Funmi Olasupo

M

INISTER of Wom en Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina has enjoined stakeholders to come up with a sustainable solution for peace and conflict management of the northern region and the country at large. Hajiya Maina made the call recently in Abuja at a oneday stakeholder’s workshop on the European Union funded programme on ‘Promoting women’s engagement in peace and security in Northern Nigeria’.

She urged the participants to take advantage of the brainstorming workshop saying the primary purpose is to ensure women’s full participation in all activities on conflict prevention, peace building and post conflict recovery at all levels of governance.

Also, worried by the daily occurrence of violence against women and children in the country, the Minister said her ministry inaugurated both the Joint Taskforce for the prevention of Child Sexual Abuse

Peace building processes

and Plateau.

According to her, was intended to achieve two specific objectives. She said the first was, “to strengthen programme design and delivery modalities through innovative and results-focused approaches, using current strategies, local expertise, indigenous knowledge and international best practices.

“And the second is to strengthen partnership, promote ownership and

Also speaking, UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dr Grace Ongile said the involvement of women in peace building processes cannot be overemphasized.

She said the workshop is aimed at strengthening the programme strategy for the implementation of the ‘Promoting women’s engagement in peace and security in Northern Nigeria’ a three year programme which seeks to support the three tiers of government with focus in three states, Adamawa, Gombe

And the second is to strengthen partnership, promote ownership and relevance to evolving national context on Women, Peace and Security in Nigeria

and the National Steering Committee on the implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) to jointly respond to child sexual abuse and other forms of violence against women and children.

She said since the launching of the NAP, the ministry and its stakeholders have commenced the implementation through various activities.

relevance to evolving national context on Women, Peace and Security in Nigeria”.

She said the outcome of the workshop will enable review of the programme design, especially now that efforts were being made in finalizing necessary changes in the Inception

Phase planned to be completed by the end of March, 2015.

She said this will help contribute to the overall goal of strengthening women’s leadership, advancing gender equality and improving protection for women and children in conflict settings, adding

that her organization is fully committed to the programme and working with other stakeholders.

“By strengthening collaboration we can indeed make a huge difference in the lives of millions of vulnerable people, especially women and girls”, she emphasized.

Yegwa Ukpo wins International Fashion Showcase Award

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HE British Council and the British Fashion Council this week announced the winners of the International Fashion Showcase, in a prize-giving ceremony in London. Sarah Mower MBE presented Colombia with the International Fashion Showcase Country Award for its exhibition Framework; with a special mention for the South African and Romanian exhibitions.

The International Fashion Showcase Curation Award was presented to Yegwa Ukpo of Nigeria, with special mentions for Tory Turk (Korea) and Roxana Gibescu (Romania).

All of the winners received a trophy designed by emerging Brazilian jeweller Fernando Jorge, a BFC Rock Vault graduate who participated in IFS 2014.The International Fashion Showcase Designer Award was presented to Julia Manisto for her impressive collection showcased in the C M Y K

Colombian exhibition, with Maxhosa by Laduma (South Africa), Ken Samudio (the Philippines), Miguel Mesa (Colombia), Alexandru Nimurad and Vika Tonu (Romania) and Rok Hwang (Korea) also receiving special mentions.

Winning country Co-

lombia was selected from nearly thirty participating

*Yegwa Ukpo

The International Fashion Showcase Curation Award was presented to Yegwa Ukpo of Nigeria, with special mentions for Tory Turk (Korea) and Roxana Gibescu (Romania)

countries by a panel of industry experts to win

the competition.

The International Fash-

ion Showcase (IFS) is the only official exhibition at London Fashion Week that is free and open to the public with 110 emerging designers from nearly 30 countries.

The central exhibition covers 25 countries from four continents that will each showcase a curated static installation of emerging designers that represent their culture. Countries include Austria, Brazil, Colombia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Ireland, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Scandinavia (Denmark & Norway), South Africa, Spain, and Tanzania Ukpo runs a Boutique called Stranger, in Lagos.

38—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

AMVCA 2015:

High expectation as award holds, tomorrow

By Benjamin Njoku

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HE stage is set once again for another battle as the third edition of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards,(AMVCA) holds tomorrow evening at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

This year’s AMVCAs has been highly competitive not just in the number of entries for the awards but also, in the quality of entries.

At the moment, the air is thick with expectations, as keen followers of the glamorous event that rewards deserving African filmmakers and stars, are apprehensive on who emerges winners at this year’s edition.

Meanwhile, pundits are tipping Kehinde Bankole for Best Actress in a Drama category following her gripping role in Kunle Afolayan’s “October 1” movie. She has likes of Rita Dominic(Yore), Ivie Okunjaye(Make A Move), Amaka Mgbor(A Place in the Stars), Ghanaian actress cum TV host, Joselyn Dumas(Love or

Something Like That) and Aisha Kamara(reflections) to beat in order to clinch the prize. But there are indications that reverse might be the case.

The same goes for Best Actress in a Comedy category, where the battle will be between veteran actress Joke Silva for “Folly”, Weruche Opia for “When Love Happens”, Rita Dominic who won Best Actress award at last year’s Africa Movie Academy Award, AMAA following her role in her

This year’s AMVCAs has been highly competitive

By Kehinde Ajose

DVERSITY brings out the best and the worse in individuals. For Flo boss, his parents’ divorce made him fall in love with music.

Usiebru Efemena Patrick a.k.a. Florish believes in making the best of whatever life throws at you.

According to him, “ The fact that my mum and dad were not in good terms affected me as a kid and music was my only solace. I went from using C M Y K

movie “ The Meeting” and Nse Udegbe(Horn Free Day), Gerald Ikpe Etim(I Come Lagos) Langiri(Fundi-Mentals) and versus Ghanaian actress, Lydia Nonso Diobi(The last 3 Digits) Forson whose role in “A Letter who will be up against each other from Adam” earned her for the award of Best Actor in a nomination for the award.

Comedy. There are also Best On the Best Actor in a Drama Supporting Actor and Actress in category, pundits are a Drama and Comedy, as well predicting that the battle will as Best Movie in a Drama and likely be between Gideon Comedy which pundits are Okeke(A Place in the Stars), IK uncertain of the possible winners Ogbonna(Honeymoon Hotel), following the quality of the OC Ukeje (Secret Room) and entries.

Mike Ezuruonye As noted by the Regional (Unforgivable), aside other Director, M-Net (West), Mrs contenders. OC Ukeje, Wangi Mba Uzoukwu, at however, has two nominations here,(Confusion na Wa), but observers are uncertain whether he will emerge victorious at the end of the day.

Other nominees OLLYWOOD superstar, Genevieve are Kunle Nnaji is billed to host eleven I d o w u ( T h e outstanding Theatre Arts students Interview),Femi across the country at an exclusive preJacobs (The AMVCAs mentorship date holding this Meeting), Wale weekend, courtesy of Amstel Malta.

Ojo(Meet the According to Amstel Malta brand Adebanjos), Kelechi manager, Hannatu Ageni Yusuf, “The initiative came to life because the brand which has been the official sponsor of the AMVCA since its inception in 2013, felt a need to encourage these Theatre Arts students who have done well in their academics and give them a tip of what to expect in their career paths”.

The eleven students who will attend the AMVCAs with all expense paid trip and makeover sessions from Amstel Malta. They include, Bare Mitchel Uzuajeme, Jesse Bankole .O, Aribisala Ayobami, Kalu Nnamdi, Korie Priscaline, Ode Isaiah, Uniloh Fidelia, Isong Mfoniso Effiong, Okiriguo Princewill Ehis, Mark Jonathan Tukura and Okuku Precious, were selected across five prestigious institutions in the country: University of Lagos, University of Nigeria Nsukka, University of Port Harcourt, University of Benin and University of Abuja.

…Genevieve Nnaji ment or mentor orss 11 students ahead AMVCAs

My parents’ divorce made me go into music — Flo boss

A

AMVCA nominee brunch, which held last week, “This year’s edition of the AMVCAs promises to be bigger than the previous editions. We have seen a phenomenal improvement not just in the number of entries for the awards but also in the quality of entries. We are indeed excited and can hardly wait for the 7th of March when all of Africa and indeed the rest of the world will find out who the winners are.”

Since the maiden edition in 2013, the AMVCAs has celebrated the contributions of African filmmakers, actors and technicians to the success of the television industry.

music to console myself to using it as a medium for creative expression.”

The 21- year old student of Mass Communication of the National Open University of Nigeria, first attempt at singing resulted in a single which he released in 2011, titled Loke. He is currently working on his music video and believes he has what it takes to compete with the likes.

N

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 —39

With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com 08050498513

Finger smart ATMs coming your way Hyosung

By Prince Osuagwu

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EXT time you go to the Hyosung brand of ATM to withdraw cash or do other transactions, the machine would know you. This gives you more confidence and added security to your funds in the bank. The champion of this technology development in Nigeria is a foremost ICT infrastructure and solutions provider, Inlaks Computers.

The company in apparent support of the CBN’s financial

inclusion program is introducing Hyosung Finger Print Biometric Automatic Teller Machines, ATMs, into the Nigerian market. Director for Sales and Strategy for ebusiness, Mr. Tope Dare, said “The new security technology on Hyosung ATMs would be available to existing cardholders, who may wish to adopt biometric authentication as part of their transaction approval process on their bank’s Biometric enabled ATMs.” It will be in addition to PIN selection while new cardhold-

ATMs

ers, especially those who can neither read nor write, would be issued cards with fingerprint authentication functionality only. For him “This would also promote financial inclusion strategy, a central bank initiative to address the banking needs of the unbanked population.” It is expected that the ongoing Biometric Verification Number (BVN) project by the Banks and NIBSS which was meant to address the safety of customers’ funds and eliminate loss of funds through compromise of account Personal Identifica-

tion Number (PIN], would be seamlessly integrated into Hyosung’s fingerprint ATMs already being deployed to some commercial banks in Nigeria.

Managing Director/CEO, Africa Operations of Inlaks, Mr. Femi Adeoti, explained that the fingerprint biometric ATMs do not only provide convenience and security to the diverse customer segments in Nigeria but also align with the financial inclusion strategy of the Central Bank of Nigeria to address the unbanked population using ATM as a channel.

He said ‘’This is a great feat for Inlaks especially at this period when fraud prevention and building customer confidence on the use of electronic channels are key to customer acquisition and the retention strategies of the financial institutions.”

Inlaks was also the first ATM vendor in Nigeria to deliver Windows7 ATMs from Hyosung to the market early last year in compliance with the CBN and Microsoft global directive on exit of Windows XP on ATMs.

The ultimate experience in a DVD home theatre

By Laju Iren

L

G Electronics has said that its new DH 6535D DVD Home Theatre System with powerful bass sound will make fun moments with friends and family more memorable, and give users the ultimate home theatre experience.

According to the company, with the new LG DH 6535D, DVD HTS lovers would not only enjoy audio contents but would also be able to enjoy quality movies and pictures. Commenting on the product, General Manager, Convergence Audio/Video Division, LG Electronics, Mr. Hyunseung Shin said: “Life’s about more than having the latest technology. It’s about the experiences this technology creates. The LG DH 6535 DVD HTS system going by its avant-garde features enable users embrace life, preparing them for its greatest moments. With the LG DH 6535 users will be able to experience high audio-fidelity and immersive sound.

LG DH 6535 HTS comes with a portable DVD player and surround sound

for watching movies and listening to music, which makes it the complete home entertainment system. It boasts a 2.1 channel speaker system with two

Premium stand alone horn speakers and 1 sub woofer delivering a powerful P.M.P.O output of 8,000 watts with excellent sound quality. Also, its Vertical and Bass speakers produces crystal clear sound that makes consumers enjoy movies in the comfort of their living rooms.

Boasting rich audio and plenty of extra features, users will immediately interface with a DVD HTS system designed to take their music experience to the next

level. Its USB recording enables MP3 file creation from Audio CDs. LG DH6535D’s multipurpose speaker systems are uniquely designed to provide the clarity and tonal accuracy required to produce the perfect home theater experience. Reaping the benefits of LG’s legendary sound engineering, the sound bars bring extraordinary depth and dynamics to TV sound.

Instant electricity recharge with OneCard

By Laju Iren

I

F you live anywhere in Nige ria, then you know that going out of your house to pay bills is not always a most favourable option. The challenges abound: if it isn’t fuel scarcity, it could be traffic, bad roads or long lines. But when you need to pay your electricity bill, you must brave all this or risk being stuck in darkness.

This challenge inspired Eko Electricity Distribution Plc, EKEDP,to partner with OneCard Nigeria to give postpaid and prepaid electricity customers instant recharge for their meters using scratch cards, web and mobile technology. Postpaid and prepaid EKEDP customers will now be able to recharge their electricity meters instantly, us-

ing the OneCard multipurpose recharge cards, as well as OneCard’s Direct TopUp (DTU) vendors, who will be able to recharge electricity meters from anywhere in the country, using handheld devices.

The service, which went live on 2nd of March, is the first of its kind in the fastmoving consumer goods industry, and uses technology to enable individuals and businesses make instant top up to the power distribution company.

OneCard says it developed this service to empower Nigeria’s electricity customers and ensure they never have to spend a day in the dark due to lack of credit. Mr. Sam Nwaire, Chief Commercial Officer, EKEDP, said, “Our partnership with OneCard will greatly enhance

our service delivery to customers, while enabling us to collect revenue 24/7 and power EKEDP for decades to come.

We are pleased to offer our customers the added convenience of recharging their meters from the comfort of their own homes or from recharge card vendors close to them without having to travel to our service centres if they don’t need to.

OneCard Chairman, Mr. Tunde Odulaja, said, “OneCard has provided prepaid and postpaid recharge channels for mobile, TV and toll providers and we are very excited to be able to extend our innovative service to the power distribution sector in Nigeria.

40—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

Ahmadiyya inaugurates Editorial Board of The Truth Newspaper Jumada Al-Awwal 8, 1436 A.H.

Saudi launches anti-terror forces

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MIDST several upsurge of acts of terrorism in some parts of the world including Nigeria, the Saudi government has planned a major exercise to sharpen a battle ready internal security forces against any act of terrorism.

Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, second deputy premier and minister of interior, declared recently, adding that the exercise will

be a three-week event.

Naif will oversee the 21-day event, which will be held in the Northern Province starting Wednesday.

Over 1,500 soldiers and security personnel will take part, from the Border Guard, Special Security Forces, Public Security (special emergency forces and security patrols), Premises Security Forces, Aviation Security, Civil Defense, Command and

Some of the Saudi anti-terror forces launched recently undergoing a massive 21-day training to counter terrorism.

Control Center of the interior ministry, Supreme Commission for Industrial Security, and the Customs Department.

A ministry spokesman said the main aim of the exercise is to improve the readiness of the country’s security agencies to counter attacks by extremist and terrorist organizations.

The exercises would include a focus on the use of state-ofthe-art technology. Personnel would also be checked for fitness levels. The drills include raids on hideouts of terror groups, rescuing civilians during fights between security forces and terrorists, treating the injured and firefighting.

In January, armed men attacked a Border Guard patrol near Saudi Arabia’s frontier with Iraq, killing two guards and wounding a third. Four of the attackers, all Saudi members of the Islamic State group trying to cross back into the Kingdom, were killed.

Terror War: MURIC commends Military

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HE leadership of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Nigeria has inaugurated the new Editorial Board for the First Weekly Muslim Newspaper in Nigeria – The Truth Newspaper.

The Editorial Board consist of seasoned Journalists, scholars and writers drawn from different parts of Nigeria. They are Brother Matepo, Chairman, Dr, Abdul Ganiy Adiamo, Editor, Dr Saeed Timehin, Waseem Nadeem, Qasim Adams, Hafiz Bello, Uncle Taoheed Shoboyede, Ustaz Jamil, Mrs Aisha Maishanu, Mrs Taofikat Fagbolade and Mrs Dikko is the Deputy Editor.

The Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Dr Mashuud Fasola charged the board members to raise the bar and uplift the status of the Islamic newspapers as the true voice of

the Muslims. He promised to inject more funds into the production of the newspaper.

The newspaper established in 1951 by the Ahmadiyya Muslim group at inception till the late 1980s has remained the only Islamic newspaper with focus commentary on some verses the Holy Quran, Hadith, Friday Jumat service lectures and news on Islamic events across Nigeria and the world. The National Secretary Publications and Media Relations, Qasim Akinreti, the Secretary General, Brother Abass Iromini and The Missionary- in- Charge , Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Nigeria attended the inauguration.

Some of the over 7,000 Muslims and non-muslims girls wearing the Islamic headscarf to mark the World Hijab day on Sunday organised by Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, Lagos Unit recently.

•Warns against using Shekau to score cheap popularity

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particularly pleased with the liberation of Baga and other communities. We urge the Nigerian military not to relent until all communities occupied by the hoodlums are liberated.

Not even one inch of Nigerian territory should be left for them.

It further stressed: “Nonetheless, we are irked by both the speed and the ease with which the military is overrunning the insurgents. We are tempted to ask, “Are these the same Nigerian soldiers who reQuotes from Qur'an portedly took to their heels at the approach of inIndeed, those who surgents? How believed and those who did this were Jews or Christians or transformation come about?”

Sabeans [before Prophet The group said Muhammad] - those now that FG has [among them] who awoken from its deep slumber believed in Allah and the and it has given Last Day and did the soldiers the righteousness - will have green light to rout the their reward with their insurgents, it Lord, and no fear will there called for caution in the be concerning them, nor euphoria of vicwill they grieve. Q2:62 tory, adding that the urge to seize

HE Muslim Rights Con cern (MURIC) has commended the Nigeria Military for the feat recorded in the fight against terrorism in the North East.

In a statement signed by the group’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, made available to Facing the Kaaba stated: “We commend our gallant soldiers for beating the insurgents in their game. We are

Shekau alive may lead to another controversy.

“This is a man whom the Nigerian military claimed to have killed several times. Nigerian security agencies had also sworn that the Shekau appearing in video clips these days is a fake one.

We warn that the propaganda machinery of both Boko Haram and the Islamic State (ISIS) is highly sophisticated.

A captured fake Shekau is ca- Lajna Imaillah Awoyaya during the commissioning pable of planting seeds of dis- of Ahmadiyya mosque in the area recently. cord within the Nigerian polity via ‘confessional’ statements extracted from him.

He can easily be used for political ends. This may be too dangerous.Nigerians will be too glad to know Shekau has been killed or captured. But nobody should contemplate using the seizure of either a fake or original Shekau to implicate political opponents.

Both the ruling party and the opposition have played too much politics with the issue of Boko Haram. Let Shekau die.

Abubakar Rasheedat (Zonal Welfare Coordinator), Alhaja But don’t give us a fake ShekSomade-Idowu Faoziat Olusola(Zonal Women Secretary), au to score cheap political Oladoje Faoziat Adewunmi (Member, National Council of points,” Akintola said.

Elders and former National Women Affairs Secretary), Mrs Muinat Kareem(zonal secretary) during the quarterly conference held in Lagos recently.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 — 41

42—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

Sustaining a marriage more important than getting married – Olayinka Ogunmekan Marriage, we are told, is for better or for worse but in recent times, it has been redefined as ‘for better we stay, for worse we part.’ Today, marriages pack up for the flimsiest of excuses.

‘Oh, he presses the toothpaste in the middle instead of the end.’ He doesn’t arrange his shoes well.’ ‘Oh she thinks we are equals. I’ll show her who is the boss.’ These and more are what the author of Anatomy of Marriage set out to address. Anatomy is the study of the structure of organisms and their parts, So Chief Olayinka Ogunmekan in his book, looked at the structure of marriage and how the various parts should work together in harmony. He spoke to •Olayinka Ogunmekan Vanguard on what inspired the book due for launch on Sunday, March 8, pressing the toothpaste in 2015 at 2.00pm at the Lagos the middle. These are real Country Club, Ikeja. life stories. Imagine a Excerpts: lawyer telling his medical doctor wife that she can’t

By Ebele Orakpo deny him of sex, and the CHIEF Olayinka Ogunmekan, wife saying no, there are president of Nigerian-Swedish certain times you cannot Chamber of Commerce, exhave sex. The husband banker, ex-Lagos Country Club says no, it’s my legal right. president and marketer, has had All these things are vast experience in both addressed in this book. monogamy and polygamy and "The young people need has interacted with a lot of people. this book more than the The 69-year-old Ogunmekan elderly ones because their said,“My father was a polygamist reference book. My first book is life pattern is different now. In and I was determined to make a Steps to good marriage, but when those days, our mothers will lay success of my marriage. I thank you have steps, you have to sit the bed for a mistress but if a God that I have no regrets. But back and analyse. Steps to good young man should try it today, funny enough, I don’t encourage marriage may just be stage one, both he and the mistress will my friends to have second wives but keeping the marriage is a wake up in the hospital.

Again, most of our young men because I know they cannot different ball game and that was cope. I am coping due to God’s why I illustrated more in this consume a lot of alcohol these divine grace.” book. I entitled it Anatomy to go days which affects libido and the What inspired Anatomy of further and say ‘look, this thing wife would think he is cheating Marriage? goes further than just steps to on her because before they got The inspiration for this book good marriage. To keep the married, they were having fun came as a result of my marriage is more important than anytime, anywhere but after two interactions with a lot of people, the steps you take to get tmarried children, their sex life became both young and old and I have . Some people can get married almost non-existent. The seen many things happening in within six months of meeting but problem is that his libido has marriages. how do they sustain the gone down due to consumption marriage? That is where anatomy of excess alcohol. Even if you take too much water, it will have an comes in.

Attendance "The book is for both married effect on you so we need to at seminars and intending couples. You can educate our young ones” said I started by just interacting and imagine a couple that have been Ogunmekan.

Equality: “Today, there is so counselling young people and married for 20 years now my friends in those days. You can quarreling because the wife gets much talk about equality of the imagine our wives fighting each annoyed that the husband is sexes. This is one of the problems because today’s women see other over what I don’t know. themselves as equal with men.

That was how I started. I am Equality between a man and a talking of over 30 years ago. Bit woman ends in the bedroom by bit, it grew. There are many That is why a woman will leave homes I have brought back her father’s house and come to together and they are always your house, change her father’s happy. Apart from my marketing name and bear your own father’s job, I did banking and worked To keep the name and say you are still equal? in Union Bank, I am proud to say This is African setting. The marriage is I am a product of Union Bank. western countries where they My attendance at seminars both more practise Polyandry, polygny, etc., abroad and locally, helped me a you notice they have very high important than lot because I was able to gain a number of broken marriages. lot of knowledge. the steps you Here, before you can separate, Anatomy of Marriage is not a or divorce, the families would be take to get to novel, it is not a religious book, it involved, they will ask questions. is a book of knowledge, a the marriage So we must always have at the back of our minds that this is African.”

Why Nigerian visa applicants are denied Chinese entry—Liu Khan

By Vera Anyagafu & Prisca Sam-Duru

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it easier for our work and is also good for their credit”, he added.

Mr. Kan, who appeared satisfied with the display of oneness among Nigerians also applauded concerted efforts by both the Nigerian government and a good number of NonG o v e r n m e n t a l Organisations (NGOs) in Nigeria, especially in the area of youth empowerment.

He disclosed that China is ready to work with Nigeria to further enrich the ChinaNigeria strategic partnership, consolidate the traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and strengthen support for each other.

Similarly, the CG declared that the development of the friendship and partnership between China and Nigeria, the cooperation in various fields, and the deepening relationships

HE Chinese Consul General Liu Kan has advised Nigerian visa applicants to endeavour in efforts towards planning ahead of travel dates to avoid visa processing delays.

The consul general who spoke at the Chinese Consulate General in Lagos said that the Chinese government was committed to ensuring that Nigeria-China bi-national relations are cordial and that Nigerians who apply for various categories of Chinese Visas are permitted entry.

He said that the Consulate General in Lagos is responsible for issuing visas to about 20 states in Nigeria and would appreciate visa applicants to be truthful with the information in their visa application documentation.

Responding to the question on what the Consulate General’s Consular officials would want Nigerian visa applicants to do better or desist from to make their work a lot easier, the CG said, “With the development of Consul General Liu Kan the bilateral relationship between China have in many progressive and Nigeria, the people’s ways helped to promote exchanges between both both countries’ economies.

According to him, more sides have become more and more Chinese more frequent. I suggest that and and the applicants who want to enterprises businessmen come to apply for Chinese visa pay attention to our website, Nigeria, especially to Lagos, learning relative policies, and and many others are prepare documents committedly investing in according to the areas directly related to people’s livelihood such as requirements.”

He also said that as more water treatment, electricity and and more Nigerian people generation, communication, in addition want to travel to China, applicants should get to road and bridge building prepared in advance, and so on. “Chinese arranging schedule companies in Nigeria have reasonably to avoid delay. “I also provided plenty of job also hope applicants can opportunities and skill for local submit true and valid trainings documents, which will make communities. As far as I am aware, Chinese businessmen get along better with their Nigerian counterparts. They work more to complement each other than as competitors.

And the Consulate General requires all Chinese citizens in our consular area to obey Nigeria laws and regulations and to respect Chinese local customs and religions. businessmen Meanwhile, we hope Nigerian law-enforcement get along better bodies including with their immigration department act Nigerian in good faith and abide by their regulations”, Mr. Kan counterparts submitted.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 — 43

C M Y K

44—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

Community pharmacists raise alarm over proliferation of fake medicines

By Chioma Obinna

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OMMUNITY Pharmacists have raised the alarm that despite the multiple deployment of cutting edge technologies by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, proliferation of fake and counterfeit medicines have continued unabated.

Speaking under the auspices of Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, Lagos State Branch, they argued that unless relevant regulatory agencies lived up to expectation and summon the political courage to deal with the situation Nigerians will still be exposed to the dangers of fake and counterfeit medicines.

During its general meeting in Lagos, outgoing Lagos State Chairman of the Association, Pharm.

Aminu Abudulsalam-Yinka traced the reason why sale of fake medicines have continued in the country on the fact that there are already-made markets for them all over Nigeria.

Abudulsalam-Yinka implored the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, PCN and NAFDAC to close ranks and recognise all the illegal medicine out lets as potential stockist of fake and counterfeit medicines and deal with them according to the laws.

“This level of irrational medicines distribution is unhealthy for our healthcare delivery system. We are hoping that the National Drug Distribution Guidelines will address

•A heap of fake drugs earmarked for destruction by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, in Lagos recently. sales of medicines in unapproved places across the country when fully implemented.” Continuing, the chairman also lamented that the Mobile Authentication Service, MAS, has become a big problem to their members due to its negative messages even when the drugs are purchased from the producers.

The outgoing Chairman who declared that the association may take legal action against the producers of the failed MAS imprinted products to save the

businesses and face of their members said: “Despite the fact that we all know that MAS is far from being a panacea for faking and counterfeiting, dogmatism is the order of the day where insincerity self interest and promotion predominates. Reports are still being received on the failure of MAS and the associated embarrassment since MAS came out.”

Charging incoming government to critically look at what the law says about sales of medicines in Nigeria and audit

the various relevant regulatory agencies, he said: “New government should ensure that the agencies that are responsible to do this job are supervised to do the job.

“If those laws are enforced then the environment will be clean up and we will have serious reduction in the level of proliferation of fake and counterfeit medicines. Government should look at the laws and ensure that those regulatory bodies responsible to carry out the laws do carry it out. There should be audit of activity.”

He urged the incoming government to recognise that any outlet not approved by the is a potential stockist of fake and counterfeit medicines.

“I think if we do this, the environment will be good for it. Medicines are special. It is not easy for somebody to recognise which one is fake by mere observation and that, makes it more dangerous The effects of such premises linger on.

“Government should take healthcare delivery system serious and focus on attention on it for the good citizens of this country because health is wealth,” he stated.

Abdul salami –Yinka further noted that pharmacy practice should be transformed to level of better impact on the society and professional fulfilment.

He also vowed that the alleged influence of legislative change in favour of foreign direct investment in chain pharmacies in Nigeria is a distraction to the laudable National Drug Policy which has been consistent.

VAPP Bill: When women make up their mind (2) Continues from yesterday

By Emmanuel Ugorji

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HE Senate President in a speech read by Enang said “the Senate is at the threshold of making history by considering the VAPP bill. It (The Senate) will pass a legislation that will stand the test of time''.

With a positive tone set and hopes raised, proceedings continued with presentations from eleven groups and individuals that had forwarded memorandum to the committee. Presentations were made by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Legislative Advocacy Coalition on Violence Against Women (LACVAW), Women Aids Collective (WACOL), UNWOMEN, WRAPA, FIDA, Development Dynamics, Network of men leaders, FOMWAN, NISP, a Cleric Sheik NurudeenLemu, an actress Stephanie Okereke and a testifierwho had been raped twice.

In her presentation, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social D e v e l o p m e n t , HajiaZainabMaina said that the passage of the bill will ``stop impunity on the part of perpetrators of violence'' while the non-passage of the bill ``will negatively impact vulnerable groups and

increase cases of gender based violence''.

“I am convinced that the VAPP bill will be passed into law before the end of the 7th Assembly. This will make you leave a worthy legacy and leave indelible footprints on the sands of time. The 7th Assembly will also make history as the very first legislative session that made a lasting difference in the lives of the Nigerian populace,” she said.

Testifying, a victim narrated her experience in the hands of male relations who raped her on two different occasions. Her testimony was so moving that members of the committee commended her for her courage. It was so emotional that many people sobbed as she told her story.

It was more emotional when she linked her experience to what may be happening to the abducted Chibok girls. She said that the girls may be going through the same experience in the over 300 days they have been held by their abductors.

However, it was such a disappointing day for members of the opposition who struggled to be recognised during the public hearing. The groups had not submitted memoranda and therefore were not listed for presentation.

However when given opportu-

nity to speak, Dr Philip Njemanze of Association of Catholic Medical Practitioners of Owerri, Imo State made statements that offended the over 600 women who had trooped into the National Assembly for the public hearing. He said that while the bill did not define what it meant by “persons” it also had provisions that will promote same sex marriage. He also said that the bill was contrary to Ibo tradition and culture on grounds that it allows women to inherit property.

Another opposition group,

Testifying, a victim narrated her experience in the hands of male relations who raped her on two different occasions. Her testimony was so emotional that many people sobbed as she told her story

Foundation for African Cultural Heritage (FACH) said that the bill did not make provision for the protection of the unborn child.

The third opposition group, the “Good Samaritan Group” could not make presentation because time allocated had elapsed.

This is the first time opposition groups whose antics had kept the bill in the works for 13 years met a brick wall. It appears that their quest to stop the lawmakers from passing a gender-friendly bill has failed.

Meanwhile, as members of the opposition struggled to deliver their message, the multitude of women who felt offended disrupted their presentation by brandishing placards that read: “#Pass The VAPP Bill''. In the same vein, The Network of Men Leaders also displayed placards that read “Men Unite Against Violence, Men Unite For VAPP Bill.”

From what happened at the public hearing, the committee would have passed the law if it has powers to do so. It also shows that women can always have their way if they work in unison. They will be like moving trains that cannot be stopped by any obstacle.

Ugoji is member, Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria (NRHJN).

Free glaucoma screening at LUTH March 10-12

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HE Guinness Eye Centre, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, is providing free glaucoma screening to the public on March 10-12, 2015, from 9.00am to 4.00pm, in commemoration of the World Glaucoma Week.

The programme is part of the Hospital’s Corporate Social Responsibility geared towards helping to raise awareness about glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness worldwide.

The general public is hereby invited to take part in this free exercise as early detection is one of the preventive measures to prevent blindness from the disease.

Glaucoma is a serious problem with approximately 70 percent of the world's glaucoma patients being found in Africa. Primary Open Angle Glaucoma, POAG, is the most common form of glaucoma in Africa although it is estimated that the prevalence of this type of glaucoma is in the region of 0.5 percent of the population over the age of 40 due to limited whole population survey results causing underestimation of the true number.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015—45

Itsekiri won’t cede Kpokpo to Ijaw —AFEJUKU

By Emma Amaize

A

SABA—AN ITSEKIRI leader and University of Benin, UNIBEN, don, Prof.

Anthony Afejuku, yesterday, said the Itsekiri nationality in Delta State will not accept the naming of a project on its land, Kpokpo, after Gbaramatu, an Ijaw clan in Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state.

Afejuku, reacting to the agreement by Ijaw and Itsekiri leaders on the groundbreaking of the Delta Gas City, Ogidigben, said there was need to define the location of the Deep Sea Port and not to say Gbaramatu, as if Gbaramatu is the name of a town.

He maintained that Itsekiri would not surrender Kpokpo for a project that will be named after another ethnic group.

Meanwhile, activist, Mr Alex Eyengho, explained, yesterday that Chief Emami Ayiri was not on the Itsekiri

FERMA desilts Edo roads ahead of rainy season

By Gabriel Enogholase

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E N I N— S O U T H SOUTH zonal office of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA, has commenced the de-silting of BeninSapele-Warri dual carriage way and other roads within the zone to ensure that the roads are free of erosion menace during the coming rainy season.

Federal Road Maintenance Engineer in Edo State, Engr Adelowo Kolawole, who supervised the de-silting of the drainages and the packing of the debris, said that the Benin section of the road, especially between Ekae and the Benin by-pass bridge on the dual carriage way was erosion prone during the rains.

He said: “We have to desilt the culvets, gutters and clear away the debris on the section in which my men are working before the rain sets in. We are ensuring that motorists have an easy ride during the rainy season.”

Besides the de-silting of the road, Kolawole said that in continuation of the fixing of the potholes on major federal roads in the state, FERMA had embarked on the filling of potholes and will continue to do so until they were motorable.

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delegation to the meeting on the Export Processing Zone, EPZ. A source said: “Ayiri might have been at the Government

House for an entirely different purpose, he was not part of the meeting, just like Tompolo, who did not also show up.”

At the meeting on Wednesday, Itsekiri and Ijaw leaders agreed that the Gas City should be in Ogidigben and Deep Sea Port in Gbaramatu.

Amori not working against Urhobo governorship agenda, says UMG

By Simon Adewale

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VISIT: President Goodluck Jonathan (right) being received by Chairman, AIT, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, and Mr Mike Ozokhomeh, during the President's visit to the station in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: State House Photos.

Ex-militant commanders set up election monitoring groups

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— FORMER militant commanders in the Niger Delta have set up election monitoring groups ahead of the forth coming general polls.

In a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, under the aegis of Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative, president of the forum of exmilitant leaders, Pastor Reuben Wilson, said the various groups would monitor the elections round the country, adding that they will ensure that the electorate were free to vote for candidates of their choice.

The ex-militant leaders, who reaffirmed their support for President Goodluck Jonathan, warned politicians planning to rig the elections to refrain from such act.

He said: “We have a governor boasting that his party will lead civil disobedience if President Jonathan defeats his party in the March 28 presidential election. They are planning to rig. They are planning to use cloned PVCs with the assistance of some Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, officials.

Nigeria yet to maximise women's potentials —IJAW GROUP

By Chris Ochayi

A

BUJA—A socio-cultural group, the Ijaw Women Connect, IWC, has said that the inability of the country to attain her expectations was because it had failed to maximise the full potentials of women.

Edo SDP peace accord hits deadlock

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HERE seems to be no end to the lingering crisis rocking the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Edo State, following the impasse over who, lawfully, should fly the party’s flag as authentic candidate of SDP, for House of Representatives, Owan federal constituency, Edo State.

This has created confusion in the minds of the electorate, as the party is yet to put its house in order in Edo North as the general elections draw near.

At a peace meeting on Monday, SDP leaders in Auchi, tried to

“We have also heard some people saying that we, the Niger Delta freedom fighters, are no more supporting our brother, Jonathan, ahead of the March 28 election. Let them continue to dream. But we wish to inform them that we are aware of their rigging plots and that is why we have decided to form ourselves into monitoring groups to frustrate their agenda."

resolve the crisis as they advised the aggrieved parties to withdrew their different suits pending before the Federal High Court in Benin City.

It was gathered that Mr Dickson Oarhe, who emerged candidate of SDP for House of Representatives at the primary election held on November 29, 2014, has instructed his counsel, Ehi Ogierhiakhi, to withdraw the suit as demanded by party leaders. It appears, however, that the other party is yet to comply with the directive.

National President of IWC, Ms Rosemary Naingba, who made the remarks in Abuja shortly after the inauguration of the FCT chapter, however, urged women to discover themselves and live up to their responsibilities as nation and home builders.

She particularly called on Ijaw women to cultivate courage and display the great potentials endowed in them.

She noted that the essence of establishing the body was to create political awareness and make sure that women were actively involved in all sectors of the nation’s economy.

Naingba said that the organisation was conceived out of the burning desire of the Ijaw women to conquer their fears.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Ijaw Women Connect, IWC, Abuja Chapter, Embeleakpo Ogriki, has pledged to work in accordance with the rules and regulations of the organisation.

HE Urhobo Mandate Group, an association of academics of Urhobo extraction, led

by Dr. Wilson Omene, has absolved the Senior Special Adviser to Delta State governor, Chief Ighoyota Amori, of culpability in a widely publicised claim that he (Amori) facilitated the downfall of the consensus candidate of the Urhobo nation at the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship primaries last year in Asaba.

UMG, in a statement, yesterday in Sapele by, Dr Omene, said: “Our finding has exonerated Chief Amori of culpability and of witch hunting Urhobo nation at the PDP governorship primaries."

DTHA: Ivwurie assures Ethiope East of quality representation

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HE candidate of Labour Party to represent Ethiope East constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Evans Ivwurie, has assured the people of the local government area of quality representation if given the mandate to represent them.

Ivwurie, who gave the assurance while addressing the people of Ethiope East at OtorhoAgbon, said he indicated interest to contest for the position after seeing the suffering being meted on the electorate by the representatives they thought would transform their lives.

Saying he has come to make a difference among the people of Ethiope East and give them a new direction, Ivwurie explained that several lives will be touched since his office will be open to people who are ready to contribute to the growth of Ethiope East Local Government Area at all times.

46—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Orji wades into health workers' crisis

Igbo in Lagos deny endorsing APC, Buhari

By ANAYO OKOLI

U

M U A H I A — G O V E R N O R Theodore Orji of Abia State has waded into the crisis rocking the state chapter of Medical

By Jonah Nwokpoku

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HE Lagos State chapter of apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has denied endorsing All Progressives Congress, APC, or its presidential candidate, General Muhammad Buhari (retd).

The group's President, Chief Fabian Onwughalu said the reported endorsement of APC by Ohanaeze was never by the original body, but by a faction which broke away to pursue selfish interests, whose members shall be sanctioned in due course.

He said the Lagos chapter of Ohanaeze never endorsed either APC or its candidates, and that the national body had officially endorsed the candidacy of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said other state chapters had also endorsed Jonathan and that the Lagos chapter had aligned itself with the President’s endorsement.

and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, with a promise to resolve it and correct any anomaly in the running of the union.

On account of the governor's intervention, the union

directed its striking members to resume work.

Meanwhile, the national leadership of the union had written to Abia State Head of Service, Mr. Godson Adiele, on the crisis in the state

Stakeholders tackle NIMASA over the inability of the Shippers’ cabotage fund Nigerian Association, in collaboration management of NIMASA to

By Godwin Oritse & Ifeyinwa Obi

T

HERE are indications that stakeholders are galvanizing plans to move against the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, over alleged mismanagement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, CVFF. The Lagos branch of

with legal luminary, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), had resolved to write officially to the agency, with a view to stating the true position of the fund or face legal action.

Already, Mr. Agbakoba had threatened to take legal action against the agency, if the true position of the fund was not made known to the public as soon as possible.

Agbakoba, who condemned

Enugu North APGA senatorial candidate alleges threat to life

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HE All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, senatorial candidate for Enugu North, Chief Willy Ezugwu, has alleged threats to his life and those of members of his campaign organization, saying what he once regarded as attempt to intimidate him was fast taking on a new dimension.

Chief Ezugwu disclosed in a statement that he was earlier forced to apply to the Inspector General of Police for protection, but noted that those who felt challenged by the rising popularity of his candidacy have intensified attempts on his person to prove that they were not deterred by the security provided by the police.

He said: “In addition to targeting me, these desperate

Unveiling

T

HE unveiling of Stephen Olaoluwa Korede, a saxophonist, will hold on Sunday at Shalom Baptist Church, Isheri, at 1pm.

The occasion also marks the 10th birthday anniversary of Korede, a primary 5 student of K & T International School, Isheri.

people have now expanded their attacks to members of my campaign organization.

“My Director of Administration, Chief Charles Ezugwu, was waylaid by men in a Toyota Hilux pickup on Tuesday and was only saved by quick thinking, when he ran into a crowded place.

“He has been underground since and this incident was appropriately reported to the police authorities in the zone.

“I see this as the continuation of efforts to intimidate me out of the race, which started as series of phone calls and SMS messages asking me to abandon the race for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate or be killed.”

manage the fund, said NIMASA must account for the fund and tell Nigerians the true position of the fund.

The maritime lawyer is also galvanizing efforts at advocating a new move, tagged the Maritime Action Plan, to get the authorities to make deliberate action to realize the potential of and growing the maritime sector.

Speaking to journalists yesterday in Lagos, Agbakoba said stakeholders in the industry had a role to play by drawing attention of government to the anomalies in the maritime industry.

He said the fund was required to help the industry grow, adding that workable ideas were also needed to boost local content and cabotage administration.

He noted that of all the monies paid into the fund, nothing had been disbursed, an indication that there is a problem.

He said: “I judged the success of NIMASA by how many people they have supported to buy a ship, which is the bottom line because if you do not have funding, we will continue to have a weak sector.“ He said a letter will be written to the agency to explain the position of the fund, and that if that failed, legal proceedings would be instituted against it.

council of the union and urged him not to deal with another state leadership other than the Mr. Uchenna Obigwe-led executive committee.

The union is accusing the head of service of supporting the parallel leadership, headed

by Uche Ezekiel, said to be caretaker committee, which the national leadership had disowned.

The union is alleging that the head of service encouraged the said Ezekiel’s caretaker committee to collect “in excess of N30 million of union fund without accounting to the Trustees of the union.”

In the letter to the head of service, dated January 19, and signed by Marcus Omokhuale, the union’s Secretary-General, the union said: “A group of renegades masquerading as a purported caretaker committee, led by one Mr. Uche Ezekiel, is unknown to the union.

“It would interest you to know that the said Uche Ezekiel has been expelled from the union after due process by the National Executive Council of the union held on April 3, 2014.

“He is, therefore, no longer a member of the union and the issue of holding of any position in the union, therefore, becomes an aberration.”

Competition

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HALOM Schools will hold its annual interhouse sports meet today at the school’s sports complex in Baruwa, Ipaja, Lagos.

The school’s Proprietress, Mrs. Adedayo Odeka, said the event will be chaired by Rufus Obadare, adding that defending champions in the college and primary categories, Wine and Yellow houses, respectively, have vowed not to relinquish their titles.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

On threats to sack Jega?

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ET Jega be. Remov ing him at this dying minute, for me, is meaningless. Where will his would-be successor begin from? So, you find out that removing him might culminate in the further postponement of the most coveted general elections.—Mr. Stanley Agboje, Businessman.

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EMOVAL of Jega should not even be an issue as the process of removing him has been clearly stated by the Act establishing INEC. Every election comes with its challenges; the 2015 general election is no different. So let us allow Jega give us a credible elction.— Mr. Wisdom Malu, Worker.

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HE blood of innocent Nigerians will be on the head of all the past and present leaders of this country for not allowing power at the centre to be less attractive.

Having said that, there are certain arguments about the time funds were released to INEC.—Mr. Kenneth Anachiwo, Worker.

I

N my opinion, PVCs among several other issues preparatory to the elections, should have been settled several months before now. My take is that Jega should be allowed to do his job, with no threat or whatsoever. He is good for the job.—Mr. Chinedu Chinweoda, Communicator.

H

AS the President told anybody that he is sacking Professor Jega as INEC chairman at this very crucial time of the election? President Goodluck Jonathan has said that he never discussed the issue of sack with anybody. I think it is some elements spreading rumours.—Mr. Enyinna Okpani, Journalist.

M

R. President is a man of integrity and unfortunately people want to malign his person. He does not have any issue with Professor Jega and has no intention of removing him. INEC is doing their best to ensure a free and fair election. Let's give INEC space to work.— Miss Chinonye Chinny, Student.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015— 47

10 political parties, candidates sign peace accord in Bauchi

By Suzan Edeh

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AUCHI—BARELY three weeks to the 2015 general elections, 10 political parties and their candidates have signed a peace accord in Bauchi State, assuring a violent-free election in the state.

The forum, brought together political parties candidates vying for elective positions from the National Assembly to state House of Assembly and governorship candidates.

The political parties and candidates that signed the peace pack includes KOWA Party, All Allied Congress of Nigeria, AACN, African Democratic Congress ADC, Mega Progressive Peoples Party, MPPP, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, All Progressive Congress APC, All for Democracy, AD, All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA, Action Reliance, AR and People Democratic Congress, PDC. In his address on the occasion, the Area Commander, Bauchi Metro, ACP Olukayode Samuel, said the signing of the peace accord was to avoid politically motivated violence before, during and after the elections.

He said: “Political and electoral violence has cause a lot of damage

in the past, lives have also been lost in addition to properties that have been destroyed.

“One of our cardinal point of duty as security agents is ensure the security of lives and property and that is why we called upon the leaders of political parties as well as

candidates vying for political seat during the election to sign a peace accord that they will be held responsible for their actions as well as their supporters.

“On our part as security agents, we will be proactive during the conduct during the election to forestall any breakdown of law and

order in the state. We cannot afford to experience the crisis happened during the 2011 general election.”

In his remark, the Chief Superintendent of Police, Tusen-Tanshi Divisioner Police headquaters, Adullahi Wase, warned politicians against a do or die election, noting that in every contest, there must a winner and a loser.

SIGNING: From left; Mr. Deon Conradie, General Manager, PEP Stores Nigeria; Mr Kolawole Oyeyemi, General Manager, Sales and Distribution, MTN Nigeria and Mrs Kofo Awonuga, Finance Manager, PEP Stores Nigeria at the signing of the PEP/MTN Partnership in Lagos yesterday.

Angry youths bar Shettima from campaigning in southern Borno

By Ndahi Marama

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AIDUGURI—ANGRY youths in Biu, Bayo, Shani, Kwaya-Kusar and Hawul Local Government Areas of Southern Borno have practically refused Governor Kashim Shettima entry into the areas to campaign, accusing him of neglect and failure to fulfill promises made.

The youths in their hundreds, took to the streets of major towns in the five local government areas chanting anti-Shettima slogans, and voicing out their dissatisfaction with the Borno State government, which they accused of encouraging

the insecurity going on in their area.

Vanguard gathered that since yesterday, some aggrieved youths had protested on the streets of Biu town which led to the destruction of a mounted podium which was suppose to be used to address people by the governor.

The protest also led to vandalism of one of the government’s lodges suspected to be where the governor was to pass the night if he visited.

According to the youths, the governor is hatching plans to have their communities

Bird flu hits Bauchi, 9, 208 birds killed

By Suzan Edeh

B

AUCHI—NO fewer than 9,208 birds have been killed, following outbreak of Avian Influenza, popularly called Bird Flu, in three local government areas of Bauchi State.

The commissioner overseeing the Ministry of Animal Resources and Nomadic Resettlement in the state, Alhaji Umar Giade, confirmed the outbreak during a sensitization visit to Toro Local Government Area.

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He said ten poultry farms had been affected by the disease in the three local government areas of Katagum, Bauchi and Toro.

According to Umar Giade, “a total of 558 species of birds in seven poultry farms in Toro local government have been affected, out of which 9,208 were killed.”

He added that Toro local government area had the highest population of poultry farms in the state due to the conducive weather and

attacked, so that they can be relocated to camps in Maiduguri where they will be forced to vote for the APC. While accusing Governor Shettima of being selective in the treatment of victims of insurgency,

the youths vowed to resist attempts to take their people to camps in Maiduguri for the purpose of election, stressing that the governor refused to visit the areas, even when they were being attacked.

POLLS: Emerhor gets more support

A

N Isoko activist and grassroots mobiliser, Comrade Ogaga Mukoro has described All Progressives Congress, APC, gubernatorial hopeful for Delta, Chief O’tega Emerhor as the right leader all detribalized Deltans must rally round if the state is to be rescued from those that have bled it dry for the last sixteen years.

In a statement made available to newsmen yesterday in Oleh, Mukoro claimed that the PDP has been a complete failure for the past sixteen years by dashing the hopes and aspirations of the people of Delta State across all three Senatorial Districts.

According to him: “They only care about themselves and are prepared to keep accumulating money even their great grandchildren cannot even spend.”

Mukoro insisted that there was no longer any legitimate reason for

PDP to continue as according to him it will only amount to another eight years of bondage and untold hardship for the suffering masses of the entire state.

Waxing philosophical, he opined that it would amount to utter foolishness for a group of people as highly intelligent as Deltans to put their trust in a party that had disappointed them for the past sixteen years, claiming that O’tega was simply the only man available to give the PDP a good fight and rescue the state from maladministration.

While claiming that he would ordinarily had wanted to throw his weight behind Chief Great Ogboru of Labour Party, Mukoro said he changed his mind because of the recent romance of Ogboru with PDP, which according to him is the same party that had denied him his mandate for the past twelve years.

Why we can't pay N11bn pension, gratuities arrears —BAUCHI

By Suzan Edeh

B

AUCHI—BAUCHI State government has attributed its inability to offset the N11 billion backlog of pension and gratuities to dwindling financial resources.

The State Head of Service, Adon Dalla Gin, who made this known at a briefing at Government House in Bauchi, said the administration of Governor Isa Yuguda inherited a debt of N600 million pension, which it had off set and paid accordingly to pensioners.

He said the state government paid the sum of N239,010, 937.88 monthly to 7,192 pensioners, adding that the number of retirees kept increasing rapidly as a result of massive retirements in the civil service on the basis of 35 years of service, 60 years of age or deaths.

He said: “The state civil service has an average of about 50 retirements on a monthly basis. This therefore accounts for the monthly increase of gratuity monthly which has now reached 11billion naira for both state and local government.

“When this government came into inception, the Governor approved the sum of 300 million naira to upset the outstanding pension and gratituities, but could not because of the dwindling financial resources of the economy” “The government later reviewed it to N100 million but discovered that it could not afford it and brought it down to N25 million. ‘’The government also had problem of the payment of the N25 million and had to stop the entire process for some time. However, recently the sum of N25 million was paid to reduce the debt.’’

The Head of Service assured that the government would offset the remaining debt as soon as it got funds, adding that government was a continuous process.

He disclosed that the state had introduced a modified contribution Pension Scheme.

48—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

LAUNCHING: From left: Dr. Omobola Johnson, Minister of Communication Technology, Carla Belitardo, Head, Brand Management & Sustainability, Ericsson Latin America, Didier Nkurikiyimfura, Director General, ICT, Ministry of Youth and ICT, Rwanda, and Allan Ruiz, Deputy Minister of Telecommunications, Costa Rica, Gonzalo Ruiz DĂ­az, at the launch of the Alliance for Affordable Internet's Affordability Report, at the Ericsson stand at the just concluded Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Photo: Emeka Aginam.

LAUNCHING: From left: Tzachi Sadi, Regional Sales Director, Nigeria & Ghana, RAD Data Communications, Janna Koretekaya, GM, Sales, Africa & Middle East, RAD, presenting an award of certified solution partner to Davidi Elkayam, GM, Dizengoff Communication Division and Humphrey Otalor, Marketing Communications Manager, Dizengoff Nigeria, during the launch of RAD Distributed Network Functions Virtualization, DNFV, solution in Lagos.

WORKSHOP: From left: Mr. Lekan Shodeinde, Coordinator, Lagos State Waste Water Management Office, Mr. Toyin Onisarotu, Dr.Taofeek Folami, Speacial Adviser on Environment to Lagos State Governor, and Mr. Adebola Shabi, GM, LASEPA, at a two-day retreat/workshop for agencies by Lagos StateGovernment in Lagos.

PRESENTATION: CEO, Dangote Foundation, Mrs. Zouera Youssoufou (2nd right), School Principal, Abraham Swart (2nd left), Vice Principal (Academic Affairs), Clement Ikuyinminu (left) and Foundation Officer, Musa Bala, when Dangote Foundation presented a scholarship award to the tune of N20 million to some students of James Hope College, Agbor, Delta State.

BRIEFING: Dr. Paul Orhii, Director General, NAFDAC (middle), Mrs. Maureen Ebigbeyi, Director, Port Inspection Directorate (left) and Kingsley Ejiofor, Head, Investigation and Enforcement during a briefing by NAFDAC on the recent arrest of syndicates that specialises in forgery of NAFDAC documents in Lagos yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

SEMINAR: From left: Mr Ayo Salami, Partner, Energy, Tax Regulatory and People Services, KPMG, Mr. Rob Di Castri, Chief Financial Officer, Atlantic Aviation, Mr Victor Onyekpa, Partner and Head, TRPS, KPMG, Mr. Sushil Ramchandan, GMD, Jotna Nigeria Ltd, and Mr Temitope Samagbeyi, Associate Director, Consumer Market, TRPS, KPMG, during the tax breakfast seminar organised by KPMG in Lagos. Photo Lamidi Bamidele

PRESENTATION: Flag Officer Commanding, FOC, Eastern Naval Command, ENC, Rear Admiral Henry Babalola (right), presenting a souvenir to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Maritime Command, AIG, Kalafi Adeyemi.

PRESENTION: From left: Chief Marketing Officer, MTN, Bayo Adekanmbi, Yetunde Jack, Otoide Quincy, Funmi Fatona, all beneficiaries of the 2015 Resolution Promo, and General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN, Richard Iweanoge, at the presentation of winners in Lagos.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 — 49

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50 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

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VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 — 51

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52—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

Jonathan’s promise to implement confab report, a dummy — Yoruba leaders

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ROMINENT Yoruba leaders have dismissed a Yoruba summit convened by Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo state which was held in Ibadan on February 26. The Yoruba leaders, in a statement signed by Chiefs Felix Adenaike, Adetowo Aderemi, Tokunbo Ajasin, Ademola Ariyo and Professor Kayode Oyediran argued that the description of the Ibadan summit by Governor Mimiko as a pan-Yoruba forum is very presumptuous, misleading and delusional because several groups in Yoruba land have since issued disclaimers to the summit.

Faulting a promise allegedly made by President Goodluck Jonathan to some Yoruba leaders to implement the report of the 2014 National Conference on the restructuring of the country, they said it was

merely a dummy sold to the Yoruba.

According to the statement, “in his sixth year in office as president, Jonathan set up a national conference, but more than six months after receiving the report of the confab, the only action he has taken on its implementation is to establish an interministerial committee- to do exactly what? He gave Falae and others an assurance that he would implement the report in the first year of his second termeven though the elections are yet to be held, and he has not publicly made implementation of the confab report a campaign issue. Clearly this is selling the Yoruba a dummy.

“It is curious and disappointing that participants at the summit have eagerly bought the dummy. We are confident that the vast majority of the Yoruba will not agree to be taken for a ride”.

On the promise to

restructure the country, they said, “there can be no doubt that restructuring is very important and desirable for the stability and survival of the country as one entity.

However there are many other extant problems which are and have been militating against the welfare and development of Nigeria. Prominent among them are widespread endemic and pervasive corruption, a culture of impunity, and the debasement of the institutions that undergird the nation (including the police, judiciary, armed forces, etc.

“These problems have worsened steadily during this 4th Republic, particularly under the current administration. The best interests of the Yorubaindeed of all Nigeriansdictate that the rot should be arrested and reversed before it is too late and the country degenerates into a banana republic governed by war-lords”.

Senate queries N1.275b security vote for Defence Ministry

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Joseph Erunke

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BUJA—THE Senate Committee on Defence and Army, yesterday, demanded how the over N1.275 billion budgeted to the Ministry of Defence in the 2014 fiscal year was spent.

Transition

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A Michael Chukwukere Iwuamadi of Amauzari, Isiala Mbano, Imo State, 91, is dead.

He will be buried today at Iwuamadi’s compound.

He is survived by his children, among who is Mr. Uche Iwuamadi, Group Executive Director, African Steel Mills Nig. Ltd, Lagos.

Condolence visits continues on Saturday, while thanksgiving service comes up on Sunday.

Meantime, the Senate Committee on Defence has frowned at the attitude of the Minister of Defence, General Aliu Gusau for not attending budget defence in the senate and directed that he should get in touch with the committee whenever he was around.

The committee demanded to know how the defence 2014 budget was spent when the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Aliyu Ismaila who represented the minister appeared before it to defend the ministry’s 2015 budget.

Chairman, Senate committee on Defence, Senator George Sekibo in a bid to get the records of expenditure of the ministry for 2014 directed the Permanent Secretary to furnish the committee with details of the expenditure within one week.

The details demanded

by Senator Sekibo was the fund appropriated for the ministry under the subhead of security vote including operations/ration and allowances for Brigade of Guards.

The Senate Committee Chairman wondered whether the allocation was not duplication since

Service Wide Vote which was provided for in the year under review covered the issue of security vote for Brigade of Guards.

Senators Babafemi Ojudu and Sani Salle who are members of the committee also demanded to know the reasons why the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, handled the issue of buying arms and ammunitions instead of the ministry handling such purchases.

The Senators wanted to know whether the office of the NSA had hijacked the function of the ministry.

In his explanation, Senator Sekibo said it was agreed that the end user should be responsible for the purchase of arm and ammunitions.

On the question why the ministry always bring to the budget the same items that were budgeted and supplied in the previous year, the Permanent Secretary said that though he had tried to query such development when he joined the ministry, but added that he later discovered that because the ministry is large, some of the items bought were not enough.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 — 53

54—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

VIOLENCE: APC, PDP, SDP sign peace

accord in Ogun

zNo bail for political thugs, sponsors —Police

By Daud Olatunji

A

BEOKUTA—TO avoid violent clashes and peaceful elections, political parties in Ogun State, yesterday, signed a peace accord.

Known as the Abeokuta Accord, the move was initiated by the Ogun State Police Command.

Parties that signed the accord included the All Progressives Congress, APC, People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Social Democratic Party, SDP, Labour Party, LP, and All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, among others.

Administering the peace accord, the state Commissioner of Police, Valentine Ntomchukwu, warned the politicians to abide by the terms of the peace accord.

Ntomchukwu, who was flanked by heads of other security agencies in the state also threatened that he would deny bail to any political thug and sponsor arrested in connection with election violation and violence.

At the peace accord, the five political parties were represented while about 70 candidates signed the peace accord with the state police

command.

The politicians, who included members of the National Assembly, governorship candidates as well as party chairmen and secretaries of polical parties all assured the police of ensuring violence-free electioneering campaigns in the state.

“Criminals with arms, cutlass,

cudgel who are ready to snuff life out of citizens going about their lawful businesses or have come to witness their candidates’ victory would be ruthlessly dealt with.

“It is my warning and I know that my officers are aware of that too. All the Area Commanders, the DPOs, I have told them to arrest anybody; I repeat,

anybody who is seen with offensive weapons, clubs, cudgel or any other instruments of violence at the venue of campaign. Either before, during or immediately after. We are not going to tolerate that.

“We will not grant bail to anyone found to have contravened the election laws.

We will make sure that he is confined because what he is doing is tantamount to robbery or murder,” Ntomchukwu said.

ENDORSEMENT: From left: Alhaja Rasidat Adekunle from Oyo, Mrs. Fausat Ogunkunle from Oke Ogun, and Alhaja Idiat Abiola, President General, National Traders Association, Oyo State, handing over a letter of endorsement of President Jonathan to Mr. Femi Babalola who stood in for the coordinator, President Jonathan Campaing Organisation in Oyo State, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, during the adoption of President Goodluck Jonathan as their candidate for the 2015 presidential election. Photo: Dare Fasube.

Osun expels 5 students for violent conduct

By Gbenga Olarinoye

O

SOGBO—OSUN State government has expelled five public secondary schools’ students fingered as perpetrators of the violent crises that ravaged two secondary schools in Osogbo for several days.

Students of Osogbo High School and Government Technical College, both located a few meters away from each other, along Osogbo/Iwo road, in Osogbo, had in February, engaged one another in deadly clashes, forcing government to close the schools indefinitely.

The government, according to

a release signed by the Permanent Secretary, Osun state Ministry of Education, Mr. Lawrence Oyeniran, and made available to newsmen in Osogbo, yesterday, said it arrived at the decision after a careful consideration of the cases involving the two schools.

It claimed it has also considered the final year students of both schools, who are scheduled to sit for 2015 May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination ,WASSCE, and year

2015 NABTEB respectively.

It added that it took cognisance of the need to enforce discipline among the students and sustain peace in the schools before arriving at the decision to expel the students.

The statement further stated that parents of the returning students and students are to sign undertakings as stipulated by the government and should mandatorily attend a meeting with the management of both Schools at 11 a.m on Monday March 9, 2015.

Also, parents of each returning students in both schools would

pay “a reparation fee” to be fixed by the Parents Teacher Association, P.T.A, payable into Access Bank Plc Account Number 0000502126, without which their children/wards would not be allowed access into the schools.

Disclosing that the school would re-open for full academic work on Monday march 9, 2015, the release maintained that, security agencies would be deployed to assist the management of both schools in maintaining discipline and peace.

Group releases 200,000 copies of Ekitigate video

L

AGOS—THE AllNigeria Save Democracy Movement, ANSADEM, that petitioned the Senate against Senator Musiliu Obanikoro two weeks ago, gathered well meaning Nigerians and the media together at the Centre for Constitutional Governance, CCG,, Ilupeju, Lagos, on Tuesday, March 3,2015 to launch the release of 200,000

DVDs of the ‘Ekitigate’ Video, discuss the state of democracy in Nigeria, the danger signals ahead of the forthcoming elections and the need for urgent collective mass actions by Nigerians.

Convener of the meeting, Comrade Adebayo M. Adebayo described the abuse of the military at the Ekitigate scandal where the Nigerian Army was relegated to the role of an army of riggers and a

Brigadier-General reduced to an errand boy of dubious politicians. More disturbing on this case, Adebayo said, was the silence of the Nigerian Army concerning the audio drama in Ekiti State.

A N S A D E M expressed dismay that the gladiators in the midst of Ekitigate scandal are still in the corridors of power.

S-West youths endorse Jonathan

A

By Dayo Johnson

KURE—OVER 5000 youths from the South West, yesterday, converged on Akure, the Ondo State capital to endorse the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Their endorsement came at the Post National Confab Summit, facilitated by the Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko.

The summit was entitled Youths: Our Hope for the Future.

Two other summits had been held in Akure, the Ondo state capital and Ibadan, Oyo state.

Speakers who include student union leaders, Kayode Ogunkuade and Rufai Adeyemi hinged their support and endorsement on the achievement of the President in all sectors and sections of the country.

They specifically said they were impressed with the achievements in the education sector The youths said that the present administration increased the nine Federal Universities to 21 and also established 123 Almajiri schools in the North.

Group urges support for PDP candidates

A

SABA—NATIONAL leadership of Aniocha/ Oshimili Youth Assembly has expressed its total support for the electoral victory of all Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidates in the coming general elections.

Speaking to newsmen in Asaba at the end of an enlarged meeting of the group, its National Coordinator, Hon. Louis Ndukwe urged its members and all eligible voters in the state to obtain the Permanent Voters Cards to enable them deliver their choice candidates at the polls.

Ndukwe who gave a brief history of the political evolution of PDP in Delta State disclosed that Chief Nwaoboshi and a few of his political friends and associates including the former governor, Chief James Ibori formed the defunct Grassroots Democratic Movements, GDM, which later metamorphosed into what is today known as the PDP in Delta State.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015— 55

By Emman Ovuakporie

A

B U J A — T H E House of Representatives has endorsed a report that seeks to establish the National Bio-safety Management Agency, NBSA in Nigeria.

Their senate counterparts had last week adopted its own version of the report for the establishment of the agency, which would give it a legal backing.

The report was presented for consideration by Rep Uzoma Nkem-Abonta ,PDP, Abia. The

Reps endorse establishment of bio-safety agency lawmaker, who listed certain sections of the bill to be amended, said that would go a long way in making the agency effective and efficient in its activities.

If enacted into law, the bill will empower the agency to provide regulatory framework, institutional and administrative mechanism for safety measures in the application of modern biotechnology in Nigeria with a view to preventing any

adverse effect on human health, animals, plants and environment.

Based on provisions of the bill, the agency shall be responsible for the effective management of all components of the nation’s bio-safe; establish and strengthen the institutional arrangement on Biosafety matters in Nigeria as well as safeguard human health and the environment from any potential, adverse

effect of genetically modified organism including food safety.

Also, the agency is to ensure safety in the use of modern biotechnology and provide holistic approach to the regulation of modified organisms; provide measures for the case by case assessment of genetically modified organisms and management of risk in order to ensure safety in the use of genetically modified organisms to human

health and the environment.

The agency shall also provide measures for effective public participation, awareness and access to information in the use and application of modern biotechnology and geneticallymodified organisms and in addition to ensuring the use of the genetically-modified organisms does not have adverse impact on socio-economic and cultural interest either at the community or national level.

We lack weapons to secure seaports, Police Commissioner tells AIG

By Ifeyinwa Obi

T

DONATION: From left; Dr. Henry Nkemadu, Director, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, Vice Chancellor, Bayero University Kano; Alhaji Mohammed Bintube, Commissioner at NCC and Mr. Felix Adeoye, Commission Secretary, when members of the NCC donated ICT books to the university in Kano.

HE Commissioner of Police Eastern Port Command, James Caulcrick, has disclosed that his command lacks adequate arms and ammunitions to effectively police the port.

Caulcrick lodged this complaint to the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Maritime Command, Kalafite Adeyemi, when she visited the zone in Port Harcourt during an on an official visit.

The Commissioner told the AIG that the greater challenges facing the command are inadequate arms and ammunition for effective patrol and guard duties within the ports and its environs, lack of gunboats and patrol boats, as well as lack of personalized radio transmission network within

the barracks. He also mentioned shortage of operational vehicles, barracks accommodation for Port Police personnel and inadequate staffing of the Command.

However, the AIG had warned policemen on duty at various seaports in the country to ensure that no illegal weapons are shipped into the country as she declared her officers’ readiness to provide security along waterways during the forthcoming general elections scheduled for March 28th and April 11th 2015.

The police boss appealed to security operatives to ensure adequate security to avoid any loophole that could make importation of illegal firearms through the ports possible ahead of the general elections.

“The importance of this

‘Emerhor, not Ogboru, right choice for Delta' concentrating on liberating

A

youth activist in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, Comrade Elijah Idimi, has endorsed Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for the governorship of Delta State, as the right choice, claiming that certain actions Chief Great Ogboru of Labour Party had taken of recent had both confounded most progressives in the state.

Addressing newsmen in Ughelli, Idimi said: “We used to think of Ogboru as one of us. How do you explain a situation whereby Ogboru is shouting ‘Jonathan’, and Jonathan himself is shouting ‘Okowa.’

You hardly hear Ogboru attacking Okowa, the candidate of his arch enemy, PDP. All he seems preoccupied with, is running down O’tega. ''Meanwhile O’tega is the only one seriously

Delta State from PDP. How Ogboru’s Labour Party and Okowa’s PDP now seem to have an arrangement whereby they are both working together against O’tega, is something I cannot understand. ''Those of us who are not in powerful positions may be poor but we are not fools and we know when people are about to take us for a ride. What is happening between Ogboru and PDP is a million dollar question we are still cracking our heads to understand.”

Idimi declared that he was switching his support to O’tega because he has been consistently against PDP and therefore represented the hope of the common people of the state.

According to him: “As for Okowa, I cannot vote for a man who has been part and parcel of the PDP which has completely disappointed us for the past eight years.''

visit cannot be complete without giving notice that no election can take place in the absence of viable service.

“The success of the 2015 general election rests on our shoulders in being vigilant. Therefore, all efforts should be geared towards avoiding criminal elements from using our ports to bring in weapons and dangerous materials for use to cause violence during the elections.

“We have been lecturing our men to be of good behaviour. They are going to perform well .We are ready for the elections.

We are out to do our jobs and to be on steady patrol of the waterways.''

Passage

L

ATE Mama Izogbo Mary Kogoro, aged 105, is dead.

A devout christian and philanthropist, until her death, she was the oldest woman in Aragba Okpa community. She was a woman leader.

In a release by Mr Isaac Ifite, her body leaves Eterkhia mortuary on March 6 for her residence, 28, Oghene Road, for a brief stop-over, after which it will be conveyed to Bethel Baptist Church for a brief service, and thereafter to her home town, Aragba Okpe, where interment and entertainment will take place.

She is survived by children, grand children, sister and brothers and many other relatives.

.Late Mama Kogoro

56— VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 6 , 2015

EXECUTION: Indonesia rejects eleventh-hour attempt to save death row convicts

US ambassador attacked in South Korea T HE US ambassador to South Korea has been attacked by a knifewielding man shouting anti-war slogans during a public event at an arts centre in Seoul.

The ambassador, Mark Lippert, was assaulted during a breakfast conference on Thursday as he was preparing to give a lecture about prospects for peace on the divided Korean Peninsula.

The US embassy said Lippert was in stable condition after surgery at a Seoul hospital. Hours after the attack Lippert tweeted that he was “doing well and in great spirits”.

The suspect, identified by police as Kim Kijong, 55, was i m m e d i a t e l y apprehended at the scene. Police said he slashed Lippert on the face and wrist with a knife. Kim had a previous conviction for hurling a stone at the then Japanese ambassador to Seoul in

T

HE Indonesian government has indicated that a lastminute proposal to save the lives of two Australian drugsmugglers on death row will not succeed.

The Australian government said earlier Thursday it had suggested a prisoner swap with Indonesia to spare the lives of Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, convicted drug

smugglers expected to soon face the firing squad.

However, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Arrmanatha Nasir said there are no Indonesian laws that would allow or provide for an exchange.

“Indonesia does not have legislation or laws or any other legal instruments that will enable the issue of a prisoner exchange to be conducted,” he said.

Facebook rant lands US man in UAE jail US Ambassador to S/Korea, Lippert being escorted to a treatment centre after he was attacked in S/Korea yesterday 2010, police said.

“We have detained him and are investigating the cause of the attack and

other circumstances,” said district police chief Yoon Myung-soon.

Sources said Kim is the head of a relatively small

civic organisation that has been calling for peace and reconciliation with North Korea.

A

N American has been arrested in the United Arab Emirates for comments he posted on Facebook while in the US. Helicopter mechanic Ryan Pate wrote the Facebook post while in Florida after arguing

Singapore to cane Germans for graffiti on train

T

WO Germans have been sentenced to nine months in prison and three strokes of the cane in Singapore for breaking into a depot and spraypainting graffiti on a

commuter train.

Andreas Von Knorre, 22, and Elton Hinz, 21, who had pleaded guilty, expressed remorse while being sentenced on Thursday as rights groups criticised the country’s

judicial system.

“The Singapore judicial system’s shameful recourse to using torture - in the form of caning to punish crimes that should be misdemeanours is

indicative of a blatant disregard for international human rights standards,” said Phil Robertson, deputy director of the Asia division of Human Rights Watch.

with employer Global Aerospace Logistics (Gal) over sick leave.

On returning to Abu Dhabi from Florida, he was arrested for breaking the country’s strict cyberslander laws.

His trial is due to start on 17 March and he could face up to five years in jail and a large fine if found guilty.

Legal fee Mr Pate’s dispute with his employer began in December last year when he sought to extend his holiday to see a doctor about a long-standing back injury.

Liberia releases last Ebola patient

L

IBERIA has released its last Ebola patient after going a week without any new cases of the virus, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Beatrice Yardolo, 58, left a Chinese-run treatment centre in the capital Monrovia after two weeks of treatment.

Nearly 10,000 people have died from Ebola, the vast majority in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

WHO officials say there were 132 new cases in Guinea and Sierra Leone in the week to 1 March.

It is the first time since May 2014 that Liberia has had no new cases of

the virus, the officials added.

Ms Yardolo, an English teacher, said she was “one of the happiest persons on earth” as she headed home from the treatment centre in Monrovia’s Paynesville district.

She was the last patient undergoing treatment for the disease in Liberia.

‘Threat remains’ But WHO officials have warned that populations are so mobile in the region that there could easily be fresh outbreaks in Liberia.

Albino killers sentenced to death in Tanzania

F

OUR people have been sentenced to death in Tanzania after being found guilty of murdering an albino woman.

The four had killed the woman in 2008 because they

believed her body parts had special powers, according to the judge in northwestern town of Geita.

The 22-year-old victim, Zawadi Mangidu, left behind a nine-month-old

Some Tanzanian children suffering from albinism child. Her husband is one of those convicted.

Tanzania’s president this week vowed to tackle the killing of albinos, who are targeted for superstitious reasons.

The country is struggling to curb a wave of violence against people with albinism - a condition that affects the production of skin pigment.

Thomas Sankara: Burkina Faso orders exhumation

T

HE government of Burkina Faso has ordered the exhumation of the remains of Thomas Sankara, the former president who was killed in a 1987 coup.

The move means the

remains can be formally identified - a longstanding demand of Mr Sankara’s supporters, who wanted proof that the remains were his.

Sankara - seen as Africa’s Che Guevara - was

hastily buried in a coup led by his successor, Blaise Compaore.

Compaore quit the presidency amid massive street protests last October.

While he was in office, a Burkina Faso court blocked

a request by Sankara’s family for his remains to be exhumed.

Compaore has always denied being involved in the ex-leader’s killing, insisting that the “facts are known” and he has “nothing to hide”

Morocco hosts Libya peace talks

U

NITED Nationsbrokered peace talks aimed at resolving the political turmoil in Libya have started in Morocco, hours after the airport in the Libyan capital Tripoli was bombed.

Warplanes from Libya’s internationallyrecognised parliament in Tobruk carried out the air strikes on the airport in Tripolii, which is currently governed by a rival administration.

The jets hit an open area near the runway at Maitiga airport on Thursday morning but

caused no major damage and the airport was operating normally, a security source at the airport told the Reuters news agency.

Libya’s legislators are split between the UNrecognised government in the eastern city of Tobruk and the General National Congress, a rival legallyinstalled government in the capital, Tripoli.

The political turmoil fuelled rival militias and allowed fighters claiming association with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group to gain control of the cities of Sirte and Darna.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 — 57

58—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 —59

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ANAVBEROKHAI— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Zaynab O l u w a t o y i n Anavberokhai, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Z a y n a b Oghiagbevha. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MADUAKO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogechukwu Ann Maduako, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogechukwu Ann Esi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ABOH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Aboh Philomena Eyio, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Philomena Sado Innocent. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

GBENEME—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Gbeneme Roseline, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ochiga Gbeneme Roseline.

All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

ERUMEVBA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Benedicta Ediri Erumevba, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Benedicta Ediri Imoyin-Omene. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OPHIEMU—I, formerly known and addressed as Ophiemu Ochuko Alex, now wish to be known and addressed as Christopher Ochuko Alex. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UDOCHUKWU—I, formerly Miss Kelechukwu Promise Udochukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kelechukwu Promise Oyebode. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OWOLABI — I, formerly known and addressed as Owolabi Olubunmi Yemisi, now wish to be known and addressed as Ajibero O l u w a b u n m i Elizabeth Yemisi. All former documents remain valid.

NAHCO Aviance Plc and general public please take note.

Addition of name I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Okijiola Tunde Iversen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Okijiola Maku-Tunde Iversen. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

DURU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Duru Akudo Bernice, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Agbii Akudo Bernice.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EZEOKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezeoke Chinelo Vivian, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Umejiaku Chinelo Vivian. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MBOSI—I, formerly known and addressed as Mbosi Chinyere Comfort, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onyeagolu Chinyere Comfort. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKON—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okon Blessing Eno, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Blessing E. A. Akinnifesi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

A G E T U E — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Ngozi Uzuka Agetue, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ngozi Agetue Ndubuokwu. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

OMUENARHE—I, formerly known and addressed as Omuenarhe Kelvin Jackson, now wish to be known and addressed as Otegbiku Kelvin Jackson. All former documents remain valid. Delta State University Abraka and general public please take note.

A B O G O H — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Abogoh Nancy Isioma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abada Nancy Isioma.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EMEKA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Jane Uju Emeka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jane Uju Onuora. All former documents remain valid. National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and general public please take note.

MESEKO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Veronica Dupe Meseko, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Veronica Dupe Balogun. All former documents remain valid.

Ministry of Defence, AFCSC Scondary School Jaji – Kaduna and general public please take note.

ADENIYA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeniya Sakirat Mosunmola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Shuaibu Mosunmola Sakirat.

All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

IMAM—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Imam Omolola Sheffiat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Zubair Omolola Sheffiat. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MBADIWE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chimdi Mbadiwe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chimdi Onwuemenyi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IMADE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Imade Lilian, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Osunde Lilian.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADEFALU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adefalu Rachael Adewunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Imogu Rachael Adewunmi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NJONG OBI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Irene Njong Obi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Irene Mathew Obi. All former documents remain valid. National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and general public please take note.

AGBABUNE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Holiness Ofuanfo Agbabune, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Holiness Ofuanfo Ikpere. All former documents remain valid and general public to take note.

U K E C H A — I , formerly known and addressed as Funanya Okwuwa Ukecha, now wish to be known and addressed as Francis Okwuwa Newman.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Why Nigeria is yet to maximise full potentials —Ijaw group

By Chris Ochayi ABUJA— A SOCIAL cultural group, the Ijaw Women Connect, IWC, has said that the country has failed to attain her expectations because it has not been able to maximise the full potentials of women.

The National President of IWC, Comrade Rosemary Graham Naingba, who made the remarks while speaking in Abuja shortly after the inauguration of the FCT chapter, however, urged that women should discover themselves and live up their responsibilities as nation and home builders.

She particularly called on Ijaw women to cultivate courage and display great potentials endowed in them, noting that the essence of establishment of the body was to create political awareness and make sure women are actively involved in all sectors of the nation's economy.

Naingba said that the organisation was conceived out of the burning quest of the Ijaw women in conquering their fears.

She stated that their aim is to make women embrace gender equality and wake up to the realisation of women participation in all spheres of life.

Saying that been the fourth largest ethnic nationality in Nigeria, the group deem it necessary to come up with the body in order to foster unity, peace, bond together all Ijaw women under one platform to pursue common course with one voice.

Archbishop Samuel Fadeyi dies at 85

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HE death has been announced in Lagos of Archbishop Samuel Aderinsoye Fadeyi, the Primate of the United Church of Cherubim and Seraphim Organization Worldwide. He died on February 10, 2015 after a brief illness at the age of 85 years.

Archbishop Fadeyi who is survived by wife, children, grand children and great grand children, will be buried in Owo, Ondo State between May 8 and 9, 2015.

•Archbishop Fadeyi

60 —Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

Robbers attack Kano Pillars players T

HE bus carrying Kano Pillars FC to a Nigeria Professional Football League away fixture against Heartland FC came under fire on Thursday afternoon.

The 18-man squad was headed to Owerri for the week 1 fixture of the 2014/15 season when it was attacked at Abaji, according to technical adviser of the club Felix Okey Emordi.

The five players injured during the attack are Super Eagles striker Gambo Muhammed, former Dream Team star Eneji Otekpa, defensive trojan Adamu Murtala, ex Elkanemi Warriors defender Reuben Ogbonnaya and wing wizard Ubong Ekpai.

“We ran into them and immediately they opened fire. One of them forced the door open. They then shot the boys, of which five were injured”.

“We thank Almighty God that there was no life lost. It could have been worse.

Immediately after the men of the underworld pulled the trigger, we ran into the bush and we came out after they had

gone and headed to the hospital’’.

It was also gathered that the armed robbers collected ransoms from players of the CAF Champions League campaigners.

“As they were shooting, they were asking for money and valuables.

The boys co-operated with them and ran for their dear lives. I still thank God for sparing the lives of the players,” coach Emordi continued.

In the past, teams travelling on the road to prosecute league matches had been victims of the men of the underworld.

“It’s a common phenomenon in the country.

I’m not condemning the efforts of our law enforcement officers. They are trying their best. They need to do more to fish out the criminals.”

Gambo Mohammed was the most affected of the injured players as he was groaning in pains and might be out of action for a long time.

Eneji Otekpa, Adamu Murtala, Reuben Ogbonnaya and Ubong Ekpai should be back to action in a couple of weeks.

By Jude Opara, Abuja

B

Pillars coach, Emordi

LMC sympathises with Pillars, postpones game The League Management Company (LMC) has expressed shock at the news of the armed robbery attack on Kano Pillars football club contingent along the

Fire works as Nigerian league kicks off

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

A

MIDST the unfortunate robbery attack on Kano Pillars players that have resulted in the rescheduling of the season’s opener between Heartland of Owerri and champions Kano Pillars, the Nigeria Premier Football League will begin this weekend across the country with mouth-watering fixtures.

The Heartland/Pillars encounter was meant to kick-start the season on Saturday. The two double headers in Port Harcourt featuring Sharks vs Sunshine of Akure and Dolphins vs Kwara United will now be the star matches on Saturday.

In the other fixtures coming up Sunday, Bayelsa United will be at home to visiting Lobi Stars of Makurdi.

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who ended last season as runners-up will ambush next door neighbours, Akwa United of Uyo. Rangers International f Enugu will take a trip to Jalingo to keep a date with FC Taraba.

Gabbros FC of Nnewi now known as Ifeanyi Uba FC will test their might against CAF Confederations hopeful, Warri Wolves while Abia Warriors of Umuahia have a date to keep in Jos with Giwa FC. El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri who now play their home matches in Kano will host Nasarrawa United of Lafia while two returnees, Wikki Tourists and Shooting Stars will trade tackles in Bauchi.

Already all the teams have been talking tough on how they intend to prosecute the long season which will see each of the 20 teams on home and away basis with the attendant toll on the

Senate Committee shuns NFF

purse of the teams as well as health of the players.

To this effect, most of the teams have beefed up their camp with the recruitment of more players so as to have a reserve base that can enable them go the whole hog. Nasarrawa United for instance says it has signed 13 new players to join those already in their camp. Chairman of the club, Barr. Isaac Danladi told Sports Vanguard that the major reason for engaging the new players is to make the team stronger to contest for one of the continental tickets at the end of the season.

Enyimba international on the other hand is hopeful of winning the league shield after narrowly missing it last season. Club chairman, Felix Ayansi-Agwu has revealed that the Aba based side has a culture of running the team professionally.

Abuja-Lokoja Road and consequently ordered an indefinite postponement of their Match Day 1 fixture in Owerri against Heartland FC. Chief Operating Officer of LMC, Salihu

•Abubakar COO, LMC

Abubakar said the LMC had been in touch with officials of Kano Pillars, monitoring the progress of the injured players and doing everything possible to stabilise the team. He said all other fixtures of the Glo Premier League Match Day 1 will hold as scheduled but that the star match will now be a double-header in Port Harcourt between Dolphins FC and Kwara United and between Sharks and Sunshine Stars.

Whilst we sympathize with the Club and strongly condemn this crime, Clubs are advised that the Match Day 1 fixtures will hold as scheduled except the Matches in Port Harcourt which will now serve as a double-header and will be televised live on Saturday.”, Abubakar said.

ARELY 24 hours af ter the House Committee on Sports berated the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for allegedly ignoring its invitation to appear before it to defend their 2015 budget, the Senate Committee on Sports yesterday refused to entertain the leadership of the NFF who had gone to defend its budget before the upper legislative committee.

The Senate Committee got angry when it discovered that only the General Secretary, Barr.

Musa Amadu and some members of the management team came for the budget defence.

The committee members were emphatic that they will not listen to anybody form the NFF until the president Amaju Pinnick and the leadership of the NSC including the minister, Dr. Tammy Danagogo appear before them.

Following the development, the committee mandated the NFF team to leave and return on a later date warning that failure to do so, will force them to invoke the relevant laws to force them to do the right thing.

•Pinnick

Supersand Eagles to play Ghana today

N

IGERIA’s Supersand Eagles will play Ghana’s Beach Soccer National Team on Friday in their first outing at the Power Horse Invitational Tournament in Durban, South Africa.

The Nigeria delegation, led by NFF 1st Vice President, Seyi

Akinwunmi, arrived in Durban on Wednesday morning. The 2011 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup quarter-finalists will file out against the Ghanaians at 3.30pm South Africa time (2.30pm Nigeria time) on Friday.

In other matches, Morocco takes on Cote d’Ivoire from 1pm SA time;

Senegal will clash with Mozambique from 2pm and hosts South Africa take the beach against Seychelles at 4.45pm.

The three-day tournament continues on Saturday with the clash of the loser of South Africa/ Seychelles against the loser of Morocco/Cote d’Ivoire at 1pm.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 — 61

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62—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

GLO PREMIER LEAGUE LEAGUE 2014/15 SEASON Emeteole eyes opening day triumph at Taraba

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HEAD of the start of the 2015 Nigeria Professional Football League this weekend, Enugu Rangers coach, Kelechi Emeteole says he hopes they start on a positive note.

The Flying Antelopes are in Jalingo to keep a date with FC Taraba in their opening fixture, says if they are to meet the target of winning a place on the continent for next season, they must start getting results

Referees can improve the quality of our league —Pinnick

By Jude Opara, Abuja

P

RESIDENT of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick says he decided to invest in the training and retraining of Nigerian referees because of his conviction that they can help to improve the quality of the Nigerian league if they have a conducive environment to officiate matches.

Pinnick who spoke in Abuja at the second National Seminar for Referee Assessors organized by the NFF said he believes that Nigerian referees have the capacity to be among the very best in the world if given the needed security at match venues.

He decried the situation where the outcome of matches could be easily predicted because the referees are always put under intense pressure to favour the home clubs, a situation he regretted removes the vital part of a game which is suspense.

“Importantly we must improve the quality of the league because as we all know the referees are a major determining factor of whether people will want to come and watch a match or not; going to a match you already know that a particular team is going to lose will not make you want to go and watch a match. A match is supposed to be competitive and to put somebody in suspense but once the suspense element is not there, there may be no need to go to the stadium and it is only the referee that can determine that”.

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Action recorded in Nigerian Premier League

Stars to watch in the 2014/15 season S

EVERAL stars shone in the 2013/2014 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season to make a name for themselves.

Some of the players who hit headlines last season like Emem Eduok, Peter Ebimobowei and Osaguona Ighodalo have since sought greener pastures.

Osaguona Ighodalo is another player who the league has lost after a superb season with Enugu Rangers.

The big striker, who featured for the Super Eagles, is now a key figure with Raja Casablanca of Morocco.

Warri Wolves ace Stanley Dimgba deserved a mention as he dazzled for his new club in the last campaign.

Giwa FC goalkeeper Ojo Olorunleke was one of the major reasons why the league debutants did so well in the league. It was a form that earned him a place in the national U20 team.

Chisome Chikatara (Abia Warriors), Christian Pyagbara (Sharks), Ocheme Udoh (Giwa FC) all did well for their teams last season.

As the 2014/15 football season is about to kick off, AfricanFootball.com takes a look at the players who have the potentials to excel in the league and become big stars for people to adore.

Etebo Oghenekaro: Warri Wolves forward is a quality player who can take the league by storm once again, but only if he stayed fit.

Injury was his bane

Christian Obiozor: Kano Pillars new striker is one of the strikers to watch out for when the season commences. The lanky striker is skillful and good goal getter.

He has shown what he has in stock during the expanded Super 4, where he scored four goals and also in the CAF Champions League.

The striker who helped Nigeria win bronze at CHAN 2014 in South Africa scored 8 goals last season for Rangers and

last season when he managed three goals in few games.

Oghenekaro was an instant hit in his first season 2011/2012 for Warri Wolves where he scored 15 goals to attract interest from Serie A side Udinese, but injury messed the deal up.

He is fit again and has been dazzling for the national U23 team. He could well be the star of the new season.

he is a striker to watch out for in 2015 season.

Christian Pyagbara: The U20 star has crossed from Sharks to city rivals Dolphins and he is poised to be a replacement for departed Emem Eduok.

Pyagbara is a lethal forward just as Eduok and Dolphins coach has tagged him as the replacement for the Esperance of Tunisia forward.

His switch from the

wings to top striker has produced more goals from his boots.

Pyagbara did well for Sharks scoring 12 goals for them last season.

Mfon Udoh: The Alltime top scorer in Nigeria league will play for Enyimba this season and he is the man to beat as every striker will fight to break his record which he set last season.

Udoh is a consistent goal scorer as he has proved in his first two season in the top flight.

In 2012/2013, the striker scored 15 goals for Akwa United. For the 2013/2014 season, Mfon Udoh was the most talked about player in Nigeria league as he set a new goals’ record after he netted 23 goals for ‘The People’s Elephant’ as they finished runnersup.

Surprisingly to majority

of Nigeria football fans and lovers, Udoh did not seal a deal to play abroad as expected following his achievement in the Nigeria league.

from day one.

“We have a target of finishing in continental places in the league and the best

•Emeteole way to do that is to start winning from day one.

“It doesn’t matter whether we are playing away or home, we should start picking up the results as early as possible and it will be a delight if we get it started this weekend,” Emeteole said.

The veteran coach was in-charge of former Nigerian champions, Heartland last season, before replacing John Obuh in Enugu for this season.

Salami returns to Wolves

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BOLAHAN Salami will play for Warri Wolves in the 2014/15 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season after his move to Serbian club Red Star Belgrade fell through.

The striker has also been registered to play for Wolves in the 2015 Caf Confederation Cup. Moses Etu, media chief of the club, said Salami would be available for selection as the new season gets under way this weekend.

“I can confirm to you that Salami will resume this weekend after discussions with the management.

•Salami

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 — 63

ITTF Ranking: Quadri returns to 31, as Assar climbs to 37

Herrera: Let’s be ruthless M ANCHESTER United midfielder Ander Herrera admits the squad need to be more ruthless in order to fulfil their potential.

Louis van Gaal’s side have struggled for fluency in attack despite re-

cruiting the likes of Falcao and Angel di Maria to supplement the firepower of Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney and needed a late goal from Ashley Young to seal a 1-0 win at Newcastle on Wednesday.

Stoke too strong for Everton

S

TOKE City claimed their first league double over Everton since 1967 with a 2-0 win at the Britannia Stadium. Victor Moses’ stunning header on the half-hour mark edged the game in favour of the dominant Potters, before substitute Mame Biram Diouf settled things six minutes from time.

Stoke recorded three consecutive league wins for the first time this season but Everton’s miserable run in the Premier League continues, Roberto Martinez’s side thriving in the Europa League but with only one domestic

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win in 12.

After a frenetic start to proceedings, which saw both sides fashion early chances, Stoke took control of the game and were in front when Moses rose highest to head home Phil Bardsley’s driven cross.

Herrera, who arrived at Old Trafford in the summer from Athletic Bilbao in a deal worth a reported £28.85m, told MUTV: “I think we deserved to win.

We deserved to score before and we were a little bit disappointed at half-time because we should have been winning.

“We created chances, we kept the ball and we didn’t give a lot of chances away - I think only one in the first half, in the last minute. But now we are very happy.

“When you win in the last minute, you are very happy. But I think we have to improve, we have to score earlier because our fans are suffering too much."

D

•Herrera

Mobil Sports: Countdown to grand finale

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HE 1500 metres boys and girls final will herald the beginning of the end of the 14th AKS/ NNPC/MPN Schools athletics Championship holding at the Akwa Ibom International

Stadium, Uyo. At a pre opening ceremony meeting held yesterday at the Stadium Complex to review the order of events, it was decided that the energy sapping 1500 metres

event boys and girls should be run first.

A review was also made affecting the initial timing of the 800 metres since it was discovered that students who

entered for the 1500 are also involved in the 800 metres.

Today, there will also be finals in four other events including Javelin, Long Jump, Shot Putt and Discuss.

ESPITE losing his first round matches at the Kuwait and Qatar Opens, Aruna Quadri’s presence at these tournaments has earned him a step up in the latest ranking released late on Wednesday by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).

Also, winner of the ITTF AfricaSeniorchampionships, Egypt’s Omar Assar achieved the biggest feat of his career by climbing from 43 to 37 in the world.

Nigeria’s Quadri moved from 73 to 30 in the world following his exploits at the ITTF World Cup in Dusseldorf, Germany but his inactivity at global level contributed to his slide in December to 31. But his quarterfinal exit at the ITTF Africa Senior Championships in Cairo when he was beaten by Egypt’s Mohammed ElBeiali forced his rating to drop to 32.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

Fire works as Nigerian league kicks off More stories on pages 60, 62, 63. 8-page pullout on c/spread

Robbers attack Kano Pillars players

Saturday v Kano Pillars (PP) v Sunshine Stars v Kwara United Sun 08/03/15 Bayelsa v Lobi Stars El Kanemi v Nasarawa United Enyimba v Akwa United Taraba v Enugu Rangers Giwa v Abia Warriors Ifeanyi Uba v Warri Wolves Wikki v Shooting Stars Heartland Sharks Dolphins

•Gambo Muhammed, 4 others shot •Emordi grateful to God Details on •They stole our phones, money Page 60 •Injured players in hospital

The Kano Pillars bus after the attack

IN PAIN — Gambo Muhammed

LMC sympathises with Pillars, postpones game

HORROR CUT —— Nedum Onuoha suffers horror cut to cheek after clash of heads with Steven Caulker during QPR’s defeat by Arsenal.

The QPR defender was making his return from a hamstring injury. Onuoha was left with a deep cut on his left cheek and had to be substituted

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Help (6) 5 Notice (4) 8 Ski-slope (5) 9 Vehicle (3) 10 Dregs (4) 11 Nobleman (4) 12 Horrify (5) 13 Meal (6) 16 Caribou (4) 18 Cheese (4) 20 Aye (3) 22 Existed (3) 23 Material (3) 24 Manufactured (4) 25 Region (4) 28 Shopkeeper (6) 30 Class (5) 32 Inactive (4) 33 Flag (4) 34 Summit (3) 35 Expiate (5) 36 Team (4) 37 Crept (6)

DOWN 1 Charge (6) 2 Discarded (8) 3 Worked out (6) 4 Scattered (9) 5 Vessel (7) 6 Ring (4) 7 Inform (4) 8 Vegetable (3) 14 Gratifying (9) 15 Beret (3) 17 Spike (3) 19 Haste (8) 20 Yelp (3) 21 Hide (7) 26 Ascended (6) 27 Felt (6) 29 Overlook (4) 30 Pleased (4) 31 Before (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 3, Leash 9, Proven 10, Hectic 11, Ashen 12, Urge 15, Mice 17, Measure 20, New 21, Eager 23, Crab 25, Mist 26, Yield 28, Ant 30, Erratic 33, Idea 35, Lane 36, Halve 38, Lasted 39, Effect 40, Meant.

DOWN: 1, Opium 2, Conga 3, Lea 4, Ensure 5, Shed 6, Hen 7, Stain 8, Screw 13, Rescind 14, Essay 16, Certain 18, Eagle 19, Gem 22, Rival 24, Big 27, Driven 28, Aisle 29, Tense 31, Taken 32, Ceded 34, Waded 36, Hem 37, Eft.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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