Gale of sacks sweeps through NNPC

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62465

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

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Village head, 11 others Buhari brought N2.7trn charged with murder of investments from US alleged gay hotelier 6 trip — PRESIDENCY 4

Gale of sacks sweeps through NNPC

By Clara Nwachukwu & Mike Eboh

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•FG sacks NNPC GEDs, subsidiaries' managements •Apprehension grips corporation's staff •Say they expected this, ready to face the possible

BUJA—BARELY 24 hours after the Federal Government sacked the former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr. Joseph Dwaha, and appointed Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu as the new Chief Executive of the

corporation, a gale of sacks, yesterday, swept through the corporation and its subsidiaries.

The eight Group Executive Directors, GEDs, of the NNPC were, yesterday, relieved of their appointments with immediate effect.

The GEDs who were relieved of their duties were: ·Group Executive Director, Refining & Petrochemicals, Mr. Ian

Continues on Page 5

Pension assets hit N4.74trn 4

Zenith adopts strategy of audited half year

21 Mr & Mrs

CLAMPDOWN—From left: Permanent Secretary, FCTA, John Obinna Chukwu and the Commissioner of Police, FCT, Mr. Wilson Inalegwu flanked by security aides, during an emergency visit to the den of illegal Bureaux de Change operators in Wuse Zone 4 District, Abuja, yesterday.

COLUMNISTS: Bukola Saraki in Maiduguri: Tentative first step for 2019 presidency

•P.17

Waiting to exhale •P.19

Compensatory justice for women •P.19

Naira gains N16, closes at N215/dollar 9

2 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015 — 3

C M Y K

4—Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

Buhari brought N2.7trn investments from US visit —Presidency zSays Buhari's son didn’t receive estacode, govs paid their way zRestriction of military support easing mathematics, it is shortsighted

Buhari decries level of debt in aviation sector

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor & Livinus Nwabughiogu

zMulls plan for national carrier

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AGOS— An estimated N2.7 trillion ($13.6 billion) worth of direct investment is part of the immediate benefits accruing from President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent state visit to the United States, the Presidency claimed yesterday.

The presidency also affirmed that the visit cost the Nigerian treasury less than N220 million contrary to assertions in some sections of the media. It further explained that President Buhari’s son, Yusuf, did not receive any estacode for the trip even as it contended that great savings were made by members of the delegation against previous visits.

The five governors who were in the delegation, the presidency said, paid their way while permanent secretaries and other senior government officials only received their entitlements.

The presidency’s explanations followed news reports in some sections of the media that the visit was wasteful, cost N2.2 billion and was not in anyway beneficial.

In a statement, yesterday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said besides the economic benefits, plans were already in motion to lift hindrances to the flow of military support for Nigeria’s war against insurgents in the North-East.

to the Nigerian taxpayer was at the most minimal, in line with the policy of this administration to cut waste and extravagance.

Buhari's son didn’t receive estacode, govs paid their way

“In point of fact, the total amount expended on the trip by the office of the President amounted to nothing near 10 per cent of the speculated figure.

“Owing to the free accommodation provided by the

and misleading of the newspaper to have claimed that President Buhari’s trip to the US achieved nothing.

“Nigerian-US relations had suffered severely over the past few years. That relationship has now been reset. The benefits of this symbiotic relationship will become more and more evident as the Buhari administration continues to tackle the challenges of corruption, security and the economy.”

VISIT: President Muhammadu Buhari (middle) flanked by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Hajiya Binta Lami Adamu Bello (4th left), Chief Executive Officer, AIB, Dr. Felix Abali, and others during an audience with the President by officials of the Federal Ministry of Aviation at the State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Pension assets hit N4.746trn

By Victor AhiumaYoung

Some immediate benefits

According to him, “some of the more immediate benefits of the President’s trip to the US include: the proposed $2.1 billion fund from the World Bank for the redevelopment of the northeast battered by Boko Haram; $5 billion from US investors in Nigeria’s agriculture sector; $1.5 billion investment in the Nigerian's health sector; and another $5 billion investment from the US in our country’s power sector.

“Also, as things stand, the embargo on weapons sales to Nigeria is in the process of being removed. The trip to the US by President Buhari was definitely very successful and beneficial to Nigeria. Only those rabidly determined to find faults unnecessarily will cook up falsehood in a futile effort to rake up murk where none exists.

"It is very sad that in this age of free-flowing information and in this era of change, a media organisation would make itself available as a vehicle to peddle a lie of such low and ignominious quality.

“Contrary to the newspaper’s assertions, the total cost of the trip

host government, all the personal staff who accompanied the President on the trip received reduced allowances.

“His son, Yusuf, received neither allowances nor estacode.

The five governors on the trip each paid their way. Permanent Secretaries who travelled on the delegation did so in accordance with extant rules and none of them exceeded their estacode entitlements.

"Apart from the Nigerian pilot’s mischievous

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AGOS — MORE than 10 years after the inception of the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, following the Pension Reforms Act, PRA, of 2004, the pension assets have hit N4.746 trillion.

The first quarter report of 2015 released by the National Pension Commission, PenCom, said the scheme's membership has increased to 6,515,736, noting that since the fourth quarter of last year, no fewer than 120,046 contributors have joined the scheme.

According to the report, “as at the end of the first quarter, 2015, 26 state governments had enacted laws on the CPS, while the remaining 10 were at the bills stage.

“The total pension contribution by both the public and private sectors into the RSA of employees was N2.953,09 trillion as at the end of first quarter, 2015.

This was an increase of N79.87 billion, representing 2.70 percent over the total

contributions remitted as at the end of December, 2014.

"While the public sector contributed 34.43 per cent of the total contribution, the private sector contributed the remaining balance of 65.57 per cent during the quarter.

The private sector contribution increased from N1.229.77 as at the end of December, 2014 to N1.282.14 as at the end of the first quarter of 2015, representing an increase of 4.26 percent.

"The average monthly contributions by the private and public sectors were N17.46 billion and N9.17 billion respectively during the quarter.”

Ranking the contributions of Pension Fund Administrators, PFAs, the report said the top five PFAs (not named) accounted for 67.83 percent of total contributions received as at the end of the quarter under review. Similarly, the top 10 PFAs accounted for 90.56 percent of total contributions received over the same period.

It disclosed that while the

bottom five PFAs accounted for 1.52 percent of total contribution received, the bottom 10 PFAs accounted for 9.44 percent of total contribution in the quarter.

The report added that “the total value of pension assets increased from N4.611.29 trillion as at the end of the fourth quarter of 2014 to N4.746.00 trillion at the end of the first quarter of 2015, representing an increase of N134.71 billion (2.92 percent) RSA Active Fund accounted for 63.99 percent of total pension assets under management during the quarter.

"The fund also accounted for 80.07 percent of assets growth during the quarter.

This was partly explained by growth in pension contributions that averaged N26.62 billion in the quarter. The Closed Pension Fund Administrators, CPFAs, and Retiree Funds followed with proportional contributions of 33.19 and 4.05 percent of total pension assets respectively."

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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BUJA —President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, in Abuja directed the Ministry of Aviation to contemplate plans of evolving a national carrier for Nigeria.

The president also expressed concern over the enormous debt profile of Nigeria’s aviation sector, saying his administration will act quickly to redress the situation.

He further directed that counterpart funding for the upgrading of the international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu should be captured in the 2016 budget.

He spoke after receiving a briefing from officials of the Aviation Ministry, led by the Permanent Secretary, Binta Bello.

His words: “I am concerned about the enormous debt profile in the aviation sector.

The Federal Government has to do something quickly because safety, security and international respectability are involved here. Our airports are the windows through which people see our country.

Anybody coming into the country will likely come through the airports. If we cannot secure and maintain our infrastructure, it will reflect very badly on us.”

The president then directed the Ministry of Aviation to speed up all processes and projects relating to the safety and security of Nigeria’s air transport system.

Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Bello, told the president that the five new international airport terminal buildings were designed to meet the best international standards.

According to her, the five international terminals would be completed by the first quarter of 2016. She stated that they have the capacity of taking care of 62 million passengers annually.

Specifically, Lagos will move from seven million passengers’ capacity to 25 million, Abuja moving from five million to 16 million, while Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu, will have the capacity for seven million passengers each.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015—5

POCKET CARTOON

PULL OUT—Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah during his pulling-out ceremony at the Abacha Barracks in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Gale of sacks sweeps through NNPC Continues from Page 1 Udoh; ·Group Executive Director, Engineering and Technical, Mr. Adebayo Ibirogba; ·Group Executive Director, Gas & Power, Dr David Ige; ·Group Executive Director, Business Development Dr. Attahir Yusuf; ·Group Executive Director, Corporate

Services, Dr.Dan Efebo; ·Group Executive Director, Finance & Accounts, Mr. Bernard Otti; ·Group Executive Director, Commerce & Investments, Ms. Aisha Abdurrahman.

The former Group Managing Director, Dr. Joseph Dwaha, had also acted as the GED, Exploration and Production, a position he held before being

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO

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ODAY we live in a global village with interconnectedness of systems where solving local problems creatively hands you global relevance. It, therefore, means that to succeed amidst today’s dynamism you must find your uniqueness.

What can you do so well that it seems almost impossible to replace you? Quality and originality, not mimicry and mediocrity will deliver long term prosperity to you. No one takes a second look at average, nobody celebrates being merely good, become the best possible YOU. Great individuals emerge by demonstrating rare and inimitable capabilities. Our nation is in need of a world beater that could just be you only if you are willing to unlock your uniqueness and commit to excellence. It is up to you.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Hold fast to your dreams, for without them life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly —Lanston Hughe

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HERE are a countless number of positives inside of you that you probably don’t even realize. And every now and then when you lose motivation, a quick reminder of what your potential is can really help. Just always keep in mind that to taste success you are always faced with temporary defeat. If you give up at these defeats you will fail, but if you keep going you will become successful. You can remind yourself by listing and writing down the things you excel at and the possibilities of you actualizing your dreams, goals and aspirations.

When you give up, you give up on yourself. Don’t sell yourself short and don’t let anybody bring you down. If you can dream it you can do it. There have been millions of dreamers before you and if they had given up, the world wouldn’t have been the same. Take the example of the Wright brothers who faced several ridicule when they tried to make flight a reality. Everybody laughed at them and told them it was impossible. They proved the world wrong, and now flight is considered a common means of travel and it has changed the world. Remember always that you can be the dream!

promoted group chief executive.

The NNPC, in a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, said: “The new Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, who personally conveyed the Federal Government’s decision to the retiring Group Executive Directors expressed gratitude to them for their services to the Corporation and wished them success in their future endeavors.”

President Jonathan appointed all these GEDs in March, 2014.

NNPC subsidiaries The sledge hammer was also meant to hit all the subsidiary chief executives, but the decision was suspended following further instructions from the Presidency.

The NNPC Group comprises of the following subsidiaries: · Duke Oil Nigeria Limited · Hydrocarbon Services Nigeria Limited, HYSON · International Data Services Limited, IDSL · Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, KRPC · Nigerian Engineering Technical Company, NETCO · Nigerian Gas Company, NGC · National Petroleum Development Company, NPDC · National Petroleum Investment Marketing Services, NAPIMS · Port Harcourt Refining Company, PHRC · Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC · Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, WRPC

Mood within the NNPC Group

From Abuja to Lagos and all around the Group, is a feeling of apprehension on who will be next, as the attitude is

now one of “ wait and see”.

At the NNPC Headquarters in Abuja, those who spoke to Vanguard in confidence on the telephone said the changes were expected.

According to one of them, “ we’re all just watching to see what happens next. These changes are beyond our control, and everywhere is quiet.”

Another noted that the real problem with the NNPC is not within, as “the NNPC is controlled by the political leaders, so if the changes must succeed, then the internal structure of the Corporation must be extricated from politics.”

The story is similar in Lagos, as a staff in one of the subsidiary companies revealed that “everybody is now sitting up,” while another added that “there will even be more changes.”

Another unit top management staff, who said the appointment of Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, as the new Group Managing Director is the best thing that could have happened to the Corporation, also said this is now the time to prune down cost of maintaining “a bloated and heavy management.”

According to him: “Instead of being a pyramid, the NNPC Group management is an inverted pyramid. This is because the GEDs were appointed based on political considerations like geographical spread, which makes it unreasonable.”

Furthermore, he said that many who had served their full terms of 35 years even had their tenures elongated, noting that “this was not fair to the junior workers, as there was no growth in the system. The Group wastes so much money on staff training but nobody can move up because those at the top were not leaving the system, which is a waste of resources.”

He said this was why the NNPC employees lobby to become managers because, “you won’t start enjoying NNPC until you become a manager, either at the corporate headquarters or in the refineries. Their salaries are so heavy and not in the general interest of the public.”

He added that since the All Progressive Congress, APC, won the Presidential elections; there has been this fear and trepidation among the staff.

“Everybody began to sit up right from when Buhari won the elections. The fear of Buhari was the beginning of wisdom because of his reputation as a no nonsense man,” he said.

Across the spectrum The fear is not only limited to the NNPC Group as even the entire Ministry of Petroleum Resources had become apprehensive since Buhari came into power.

At the headquarters of the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, a top management staff told Vanguard on the telephone: “Everybody has been apprehensive since the Buhari Government came into power.

“You know the change started with DPR, and our acting director in his briefing to the staff told everybody to brace up, as the changes will trickle down. He said to us, ‘nobody knows who will be next; you can be summoned by the Presidency or the National Assembly, and if you are summoned you have to be prepared and give them all the answers to the questions. There can be no excuse.’

As a result, he said there has been a noticeable change in work attitude especially among the strategic divisions and operational departments.

Joint venture partners The word is still mum among the Joint Venture partners, particularly the international oil companies, IOCs, where Kachikwu came from.

Apart from Kachikwu’s former employers, none of the JV IOCs, Shell, Chevron, Total, Agip and a host of others have said anything about the changes.

However, a top manager in one of the JV companies told Vanguard that this might not be unconnected with the fact that, Kachikwu’s appointment will also affect the way they do business in Nigeria.

He said: “His ( K a c h i k w u ’ s ) appointment is very good in terms of how the JV partners will be dealing with Nigeria, especially with regard to industry costs. So all the moves the IOCs make to pad projects costs will be

checked.

“This was what happened with the appointment of Bernard Otti, the GED Finance and Accounts, who also came from ExxonMobil.

Since he got to NNPC, no IOC budget can be approved without him, and the manner in which he slashes them shows he is blocking all the leakages especially with budget padding. As an engineer, he knows what every project involves and what possible costs it may involve. So this will happen even more now with the new man.”

NNPC website page not found Possibly due to the ongoing sweeping changes, the official websites of the NNPC and its subsidiaries can no longer be accessed.

Meanwhile, the National Resource Governance Institute, NRGI, in its August Report, titled: Inside NNPC Oil Sales: A Case for Reform in Nigeria, made available to Vanguard identified ways to create more effective checks on NNPC’s decisionmaking under President Buhari.

According to the Report the new leadership should “Require NNPC to establish clear p e r f o r m a n c e benchmarks, for the year and for the mediumterm. These should include spending levels tied to the corporation’s actual budget proposals.

NNPC should circulate these benchmarks to relevant government entities including the National Assembly (NASS), report against them on an annual basis, and use them as a basis against which performance can be concretely assessed. This approach affords NNPC some autonomy (the NASS should not, for instance, get involved in various business decisions), while injecting some accountability into a system where it is sorely lacking."

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

Suspected fraudsters, Musa Azeez, 19, and Tunde Akeem, 31 (2nd and 3rd left, respectively), were paraded by Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Muhammed Katsina, with some of their tools of trade. PHOTO: Dare Fasube.

11 remanded over Kwara NURTW, RTEAN clash

By Demola Akinyemi

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LORIN—AN Ilorin Magistrate's Court, yesterday, remanded 11 persons over the transport workers' clash at Offa, Kwara State, last Sunday, which claimed the life of one person and caused injuries to many.

Police prosecutor, Sergeant Adewunmi Johnson, listed the suspects to include Ganiyu Fowomola, 32; Toafeeq Popoola, 43; Alhaji Rafiu Oyewole, 60; Mudashiru Oyeniran, 47; and Alhaji Fatai Owoseni, 59.

Others are AbdulRauf Ahmed, 48; Aliu Yemi Rasheed, 55; Oyeleke Abdul Lateef, 64; Debo Babatunde, 40; Alhaji Musbau Babalola, 48; and Noah Opatola, 53, all drivers at Offa.

The matter case was transferred from area commander, Omu-Aran, to Criminal Investigation and Intelligent Department, CIID, Ilorin, for discreet investigation.

Police investigation allegedly revealed that the 11 person conspired and instigated the violence.

Sergeant Adewunmi Johnson also told the court that investigation on the matter had not been concluded and urged the court to remand the accused in prison custody.

In his ruling, Magistrate B.A Immam ordered the remand of the suspects at Federal Prison, Mandalla, and adjourned the matter till August 18 for mention.

Some improvised explosive devices, IEDs, materials found at a public function in the state. PHOTO: Dare Fasube.

Village head, 11 others charged with murder of alleged gay hotelier

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS—TWELVE men, including a traditional ruler, Chief Nojeem Abioye, have been remanded in prison custody by an Igbosere Magistrates Court, pending legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, over the murder of an alleged gay hotelier (names withheld).

The other defendants who were arraigned alongside the traditional ruler and his son are Adeola Ogungbade, 37; Ogundare Ogunsanya, 63; Olanlerewaju Ololade, 62, and Bello Lasisi, 60.

Others are Ajani Kasali, 54; Oyedele Musiliu, 64; Jonathan Sanyaolu, 68; Taoreed Bakare, 61; Olaidi Albert, 66 and Wahab Abioye, 38.

The defendants were arraigned by the police before the court over the death of the hotelier, who was suspected to be an informant of the police and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The defendants, were arraigned on five counts charge bordering on conspiracy, rioting, malicious damage, arson and murder, preferred against them by the police.

The prosecutor, J. I. Enang, told the court that the late hotelier was murdered during a riot on July 20 at Alagbado area of Lagos State.

He said that Abioye, the Baale of Temidire Alagbado, allegedly spearheaded the protest that caused the death of the hotelier and one Ganiyu Adebayo, said to be son of a landlord at Alagbado.

Riot

Enang stated that the riot started shortly after a meeting

of landlords and community leaders at Alagbado, who were aggrieved by the hotelier's alleged land grabbing activities in the area.

The prosecutor further stated that the unrest started when the hotelier's thugs engaged some youths in the area in a fight shortly after the elders’

meeting on July 20.

He further alleged that the defendants unlawfully caused the death of the hotelier by shooting him with a gun and also attacking him with other dangerous weapons.

According to the prosecutor, the offences are punishable under Section 221, 45(2) and

409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Magistrate Ajayi, subsequently, ordered that the defendants be remanded in prison custody pending the DPP’s advice.

Man, 24, accused of forcing manhood into 4-yr-old girl's mouth

By Bartholomew Madukwe

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AGOS—AN Isolo Magistrate’s Court in Lagos has remanded a 24-yearold man, Nwanagbaihu Chinonso, in prison custody for allegedly forcing his manhood into the mouth of a 4-year-old girl to suck.

The presiding Magistrate, Mrs A. O. Adedayo, ordered that the suspect be remanded in prison custody, pending when he will be granted bail.

The charge stated that the

sexual activity took place at Fakeye Street, off Isuti Road, Egan, where the suspect lived with the girl’s parents.

It was gathered that the residents handed the accused over to the police at Igando Division, where he said temptation led him to the act.

The accused is facing a twocount charge of defilement and engaging in sexual activity with a minor.

The police claimed the incident happened one afternoon when the victim strolled into the apartment of

the accused.

According to the police, the accused carried the victim and inserted his finger into her private part and thereafter forced his manhood into her mouth to suck.

According to police, “ while the act was going on, a neighbour, who suspected foul play, suddenly opened the locked door and saw what Chinonso was doing with the victim.

“The woman raised the alarm which attracted other neighbours.”

Petrol tanker crushes father of four in Ondo

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—A 40-year-old father of four, Sunday Oladokun, was yesterday crushed by a petrol tanker along Ilesha-Owo Expressway in Akure, Ondo State.

Family members of the deceased, who is popularly known as Sunday Rewire, have called for justice.

The deceased, a mechanic, was heading home after the day’s job in Akure when the

tanker rammed into his car around 7:30p.m.

Vanguard gathered that the deceased was coming from his workshop located at Agbogbo filling station, when the accident occurred.

He died instantly. The tanker and his mangled body were removed after sympathisers used axe to cut throught the wrecked car he was reported to have bought two months ago.

An eyewitness said the tanker driver overtook another vehicle and collided with the

deceased's car.

The accident reportedly halted free flow of traffic for hours just as officials of Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, and police raced to the scene of the crash.

Vanguard learned that the deceased corpse was later removed by the security agents and sympathisers.

Meanwhile, the family of the deceased has alleged that security operatives were trying to shield the driver of the tanker, with a view to pervert justice.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015—7

2 beheaded, 4 injured in renewed Anambra/Kogi oil wells crisis

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA—TWO persons were beheaded at Eziagulu Otu, near the embattled Orient Petroleum Resources Ltd in Anambra East Local Government Area yesterday by armed men suspected to be from Ibaji in Kogi State, who allegedly attacked the people in their farms.

Four others, who sustained injuries have been admitted at a private hospital in Onitsha.

The attack came barely 24 hours after members of Board of Directors of Orient Petroleum informed Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, during a visit, that the company had acquired two new wells in Aguleri and would increase its crude oil production to 3,000 barrels per day in September.

Vanguard gathered that the attackers, who were armed to the teeth, took the farmers unawares and as many of them ran into the river, the attackers caught six of them, killing two and injuring four.

As the news of the attack reached the people of Aguleri in the upland, all those whose relations went to farm became

worried. Shortly after, the victims were brought hime.

At press time, it could not be ascertained if some people in the area were still missing.

SOS

One of the distress messages sent to Vanguard during the attack read: “Information reaching our town indicates

that Kogi people are attacking Eziagulu Otu and Enugu Otu in several groups and are about to overrun the area and the oil field facilities there.”

Another message from the President General of Aguleri read: “Eziagulu Otu is currently under siege by our Kogi neighbours.

“I am informed that serious

fighting is going on and casualties have been recorded.

We are at a disadvantage under their superior fire power. The situation is bad.”

Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hosea Karma, confirmed the incident, saying his men and the Kogi State Police Command had stepped in to stop further clash.

Man, 28, allegedly rapes 14-yr-old girl

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—A 28-year-old man, Bayo Odunayo, who allegedly raped a girl, aged 14, has been docked before a Chief Magistrate's Court in Ondo town for rape and attempted suicide.

Bayo, who was docked at Court 1 in Ondo town, Ondo West Local Government Area, is facing a two-count charge of sexual assault and murder.

Police prosecution witness, Sergeant Olagbayi Bernard, said the accused did unlawfully have canal knowledge of a 14year-old girl at Bolorunduro in Bolorunduro Magisterial

zAttempts suicide in detention District, at about 2p.m. on July 31.

Olagbayi added that the accused, on August 2, at about 1p.m. at the Nigeria Police Station cell, Bolorunduro Division in the magisterial district, did attempt to kill himself by using a long sleeve shirt to hang himself to the ceiling in the cell and, thereby, committed another offence.

The offence, according to him, is contrary to and punishable under Sections 218 and 327 of the Criminal Code Cap 37Vol1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria,

2006.

However, the accused person after listening to the charge, pleaded not guilty.

The police prosecutor presented three witnesses before the court, including the parent of the victim and the victim.

Chief Magistrate Gbenga Awodeyi, in his ruling, transferred the case to the Chief Magistrate Court at Bolorunduro, Ondo East Local Government Area of the state for proper prosecution and adjourned the case till August 12.

JTF rescues 12-yr-old boy from kidnappers in Delta

By Samuel Oyadongha

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E N A G O A — OPERATIVES of the Joint Task Force, JTF, codenamed Operation Pulo Shield, have foiled an attempt to kidnap a 12year-old boy around Ihoro in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The boy (names withheld) is a student of Ohoro Secondary School, Ughelli.

Spokesman of the special security outfit, Lt Col Isa Ado, who disclosed this in Yenagoa, said the operatives were on a special duty in the area, when they ran into the kidnap operation and promptly mounted a condone operation, which scared off the kidnappers.

He said: “One suspect was arrested in connection with the crime, while the JTF is on the trail of other suspects, who are currently at large.”

Demolition of illegal buildings in Zaria, and affected residents, yesterday. PHOTOS: Olu Ajayi.

We're investigating death of Ariaria shoemakers— Abia NDLEA

By Eric Ugbor

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BA—THE Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Abia State Command, Bamidele Akingbade, said on Tuesday that the command was investigating its men to know who killed unarmed Ariaria shoemakers in Aba last Friday.

Three persons were confirmed dead by doctors in Aba, while six others were hospitalised with various degrees of bullet wounds after NDLEA, Police and Army personnel raided a drug hotspot at Ariaria.

Akimgbade said his men, who took part in the operation, had gone to the police to record their statements, adding that the command was willing to find out what happened in order to stop future occurrences.

Akingbade said: “We do not know who killed the man whose body was reportedly taken to the police station. That is why the investigation is ongoing.

“We are collaborating with the police and the officers that went for the operation so that we can find out when exactly the person was shot and with what type of gun and which type of bullet.”

He said he delayed commenting on the saga because he needed to get clearance from the command’s head office in Abuja.

He said: “We had in information that one Martin Luther King, a former BAKASSI member, a known drug baron in Aba, was among the people that attacked our officers last year at Isiala-Ngwa, where three of our members were

seriously injured, to the extent that they had to be flown abroad through the intervention of the former governor, Theodore Orji.

“When we got this information that he is in a place called Black Kingdom in Ariaria, our office mobilised to seize the drug that they claimed he brought to Black Kingdom,

and also effect his arrest.”

Akingbade stated that the officers told him that Martin Luther King brought out a gun and started firing skyward as they moved towards him, causing the release of the arrested drug dealers.

He said that in the ensuing disorder, his men managed to

move the exhibits to the vehicle and left the venue for their office within 30 minutes of the crisis.

He said that his men had returned to the office before they heard the reported killing of one person in the area, stressing that his agency had, since inception, been law-abiding.

Police arrest 50 for armed robbery, rape in Bayelsa

By Samuel Oyadongha

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E N AG OA — BAY E L S A State Police Command, yesterday, paraded a military deserter and 49 other persons over their involvement in armed robbery and other violent crimes in the state.

Spokesman of the state Police Command, Mr. Asinim

Butswat, said the army deserter, identified as Yenabo Presido, 28, from Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state and his accomplice, ThankGod Victor, 22, from Ogoni, Rivers State, were arrested along Sani Abacha way in Yenagoa.

According to him, the Army deserter reportedly confessed that the assault rifle found in his

possession was stolen from a Boko Haram camp in the NorthEastern state where he served.

Also found in his possession was a Highlander SUV stolen in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The police scribe said the other 49 suspects were nabbed during routine raids and stopand-search operation in the capital city.

8 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015—9

Naira gains N16, closes at N215/dollar

By Yinka Kolawole

L

AGOS — THE naira appreciated, yesterday, against the US dollar in the parallel market, closing at N215 to a dollar. This represents an appreciation of N16 from Tuesday when a dollar exchanged for N231 in Lagos and Kano, and N230 to a dollar in Abuja.

Informed sources told Vanguard that the development follows the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to intervene in the foreign exchange market.

It was gathered that the CBN issued a circular to sell additional $30,000 to all licensed bureaux de change (BDCs) in the country on Friday, apart from the weekly sale of $30,000 that the apex bank normally makes to each BDC. Earlier in the day, naira exchanged for as high as N235 to a dollar, but a parallel market source noted that the news of the CBN circular prompted various firms to hurriedly sell off the dollars in their possession leading to increase in supply of dollars to the market and thus crashing the exchange rate.

The hurried sale is in anticipation that the market would be flooded by dollars when the additional sale is made by the apex bank on Friday. The official exchange rate remains pegged by CBN at N197 to a dollar.

Vanguard investigations on Tuesday had revealed that the naira depreciation was as a result of panic buying of the dollar in the hope that it would further depreciate. Sources said that there was hoarding of foreign currency going on at the unofficial market.

They said the appreciation of the naira last week was temporary and that the exchange rate was most likely to return to its previous level.

The naira had last week appreciated by N35 fromN245 per dollar to N210, due to excess

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

Banks reject foreign currencies deposit

Meanwhile, Vanguard gathered that commercial banks have started rejecting deposit of all other foreign currencies in addition to dollars.

It would be recalled that last week, banks stopped accepting dollars because they had too much cash in their vaults –

reported to be in excess of $1 billion —in a desperate measure taken to mitigate currency risk.

Contrary to the reports that the excess was caused by CBN’s refusal to accept dollar deposit from banks in return for credit into their foreign accounts, Head of Foreign Exchange unit of a Tier 2 bank told Vanguard that the decision of the CBN was in response to the increasing volume of dollar deposit from banks for credit into their foreign accounts.

PRESENTATION: From left: Dr Tunde Ayeni, Chairman, Skye Bank Plc; Mr Timothy Oguntayo, Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Skye Bank; Mr Ray Kyles, British Deputy High Commissioner; and Mrs Amaka Onwughalu, Deputy Managing Director, Skye Bank, during the dinner and presentation of ISO certificate to Skye Bank by United Kingdom Trade and Investment, in Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

Standing Order forgery: Court fixes August 13 for hearing zAs Saraki rejects service of court processes

By Ik echukwu Nnochiri

A

BUJA — THE Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, fixed August 13 to begin hearing on the suit seeking to stop Dr. Bukola Saraki from further exercising the powers of the Senate President.

The suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/651/2015, was lodged before the high court by five Senators belonging to the All Progressives Congress, APC. The plaintiffs— Senators Abu Ibrahim, Kabir Marafa, Ajayi Boroffice, Olugbenga Ashafa and Suleiman Hunkuni— are praying the court to restrain Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, from relying on the provisions of the alleged forged Senate Standing Orders 2015 to conduct the affairs of the Senate.

They earlier applied that an interim order of injunction be issued against the duo and the Clerk of the National Assembly,

who were all sued as defendants in the matter.

Other defendants in the suit include the Senate itself and the National Assembly.

The plaintiffs were all members of the Unity Forum in the Senate that supported Ahmed Lawan to emerge as the Senate President in the election that was won by Saraki on June 9.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole had on July 28 declined to grant an ex-parte application by the plaintiffs.

In the ex-parte argued by their lead counsel, Chief Mamman Osuman, SAN, the plaintiffs specifically sought “an interim order of injunction restraining the 1st, 2nd and 5th defendants/respondents (Saraki, Ekweremadu and the Senate) from constituting the chairman and deputy chairmen of committees, or subcommittee whether standing and ad-hoc committees on the basis of the provisions of the Senate Standing Orders 2015

(as amended) or any other order and any other set of rules pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”

Instead of granting the motion, Justice Kolawole ordered the plaintiffs to put the defendants on notice to enable them to appear in court yesterday.

Saraki rejects service of court processes

Meantime, at the resumed sitting, yesterday, Saraki, challenged the manner the court process was served on him.

Saraki, through his lawyer, Mr. Sikiru Oke, contended that the plaintiffs ought to have served the suit on him personally.

He told the court that the court processes were served on the office of the Senate President, contrary to the correct mode of service as prescribed by the Federal High Court Rules 2009.

His contention was, however, dismissed by counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr. Dele Adesina, SAN, who insisted that all the parties in the matter were properly served with the relevant court processes.

Meanwhile, even though Justice Kolawole noted that Saraki’s lawyer, who said his appearance in court, yesterday, was “on protest,” failed to file a “memorandum of conditional appearance,“ he however adjourned till August 13 to enable a new vacation judge to hear and decide on the issue.

Justice Kolawole said he would transfer the case-file to Justice Ademola Adeniyi for hearing on the next adjourned date.

The plaintiffs are among other things, seeking the nullification of the Senate Standing Orders 2015, as well as, the setting aside of the election of Saraki and Ekweremadu for being products of bogus rules.

Boko Haram: Saraki seeks foreign assistance to rebuild North-East

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

A

BUJA — SENATE President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, yesterday, solicited the assistance of the international community for the on-going efforts by the Federal Government to end the insurgency in the north eastern part of the country and thereafter rebuild the area as well as rehabilitate the people.

He said such support would also help to bring succour to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the area.

Saraki made the call at separate sessions he had with the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Zenner and his Spanish counterpart, Alfonso Barnudvo Sdbastian De Erice, who paid him acourtesy visits in Abuja.

He stated that the humanitarian situation and level of destruction in the area ravaged by the insurgents require urgent and wide support across the world.

He said it was clear to him having led a delegation of the Senate to visit the IDPs camps in Maiduguri on Monday for an on-the-spot assessment that the Federal Government alone cannot foot the bills for total rehabilitation of the people and rebuilding of infrastructure damaged as a result of the activities of the insurgents.

Saraki said: “As you talked about insecurity, particularly the insurgency in the North-East, it is a problem that we alone cannot tackle. A couple of days ago, some of us were there in the North-East, in Borno State, to see the effects on the entire community particularly the Internally Displaced Persons, I think that it is clear that a large part of the North-East need reconstruction and rehabilitation and I think this is an area where long term funding will play a role to help us in the infrastructure.

“Those places needed to be rebuilt. There are no schools.

There are no roads. The houses have been destroyed and I think that the international community can assist us by providing funding that will allow us to begin the rehabilitation and reconstruction of these areas."

In their separate remarks, the German Ambassador, Mr. Zenner and his Spanish counterpart, De Erice, commended the Senate for putting behind the crisis that bedevilled its take off, adding that they will not relent in working closely with 8th Senate and President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in achieving social, political and economic stability.

10 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

Traders win as LAGBUS promises to remove abandoned buses

By Ebun Sessou

L

AGOS—THE Managing Director of LAGBUS, Disu Babatunde has promised the Lagos State House of Assembly that his organisation will remove the unserviceable 14 buses it abandoned at Ayangburen Market, Sabo, Ikorodu within two weeks.

Disu made the pledge while responding to questions raised by Hon. Bisi Yusuff, chairman of the Adhoc committee set up by the House to investigate the issue of abandoned vehicles at the market.

The House last week received a petition from the market calling for the intervention of the state Assembly.

The LAGBUS boss explained that, he met the late Ayangbure, council officials and the market leaders before occupying the space.

He however promised the Committee that they would vacate their unserviceable vehicles from the market premises in two weeks. “We promise to move out the remaining 14 buses out of the market premises within two weeks,” he said.

NBA to report lazy, corrupt judges to NJC

By Onozure Dania

L

AGOS—THE President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Augustine Alegeh (SAN), yesterday said the association has set up a committee to monitor the activities of judges and report corrupt and lazy ones to the National Judicial Council, NJC. He said that the committee will liaise with local NBA branches through which lawyers can submit their complaints where they have evidence that a judge has been compromised and has delivered a judgment that has no basis in law, or exhibits laziness by always sitting late, among others.

Alegeh also stated that the association will send a formal petition to the NJC after reviewing the complaint or questionable judgment.

Ambode swears in 19 perm secs, talks tough

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

L

AGOS—GOVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, yesterday, at an elaborate event, swore in 19 new permanent secretaries, with a charge to the appointees to entrench tested principles of civil service, good governance and eschew compromise in the discharge of their duties.

The new permanent secretaries, made up of 10 women and 9 men and their portfolio ministries are: Mrs Adebunmi Adekanye, Office of Civic Engagement, Mr. Folarin Adeyemi, Information and Strategy; Mr. Olabode Agoro, Lands Bureau; Mrs. Ayodele Amosu, Teachers Establishment and Pension Office; Mrs Abiola Anifowoshe, Education District VI; Mrs Olabisi Ariyo, Education; Mr. Caster BadeAdebowale, Office of the Chief of Staff; Dr, Boladele DapoThomas, Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation; Mrs Adebisi Kadiri, Economic Planning and Budget; Mr. Olorunfemi Mustapha, Science and Technology; Mr. Adesina Odeyemi, Public Service Office; Mrs Arinola Odulana, Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment; Mrs Adesola Odunlami, Justice; Olusola Odupitan, Audit Service Commission; Mrs Olanike Oduwole, Wealth Creation and Employment; Adesina Onisarotu, Environment and Dr. Nuriat Sodeinde, Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations.

In his short address at the ceremony at the ceremony, Ambode said the quality of

SWEARING-IN: Mr. Fola Adeyemi, Permanent Secretary, Information and Strategy (left) being congratulated by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, during the swearing-in of new Permanent Secretaries at Lagos House, Ikeja. Photo by Bunmi Azeez. service delivered by this government would be measured on daily basis and the permanent secretary of any ministry any ministry found wanting, would be held responsible.

According to him; “Any ministry where the quality of service is compromised, the Permanent Secretary, as Accounting Officer, should be held liable. I expect nothing but excellence in this centre of excellence.''

He said their appointment from a pool of equally competent and qualified substantive directors, was as a result of a careful selection based on merit, professionalism and proven track record of service.

Ambode recalled that he promised in his inaugural

address to carry out public sector reforms which had witnessed merging and realignment of ministries and agencies as well as the creation of new ones.

“We have established the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, the Overseas Affairs and Investment and the Office of Civic Engagement. These are in line with our campaign promises to run an all-inclusive government and create better opportunities for our people,” he said.

According to him, this phase had also witnessed the realignment of parastatals/agencies reporting through their superintending ministries to the governor. In all, we must be committed to the principles of good governance, probity,

LCCI urges FG to unveil its economic blueprints

By Naomi Uzor

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AGOS—THE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, yesterday, urged the Federal Government to unveil its economic blueprint in order to stem the tide of declining investor’s confidence in the economy.

In a communique by the LCCI council meeting, chaired by the president, Alhaji Remi Bello, the Council alleged that there was yet no clarity in the policy direction of the government, which is a major factor for investor’s confidence.

“The uncertainty that began in January this year seems to have lingered. Council urged the Buhari administration to make a clear pronouncements with respect to its fiscal policy, foreign exchange policy, tax policy, subsidy policy, trade policy, reform of oil and gas sector (upstream and downstream), the power sector, the 2015 Budget, the auto policy, sectoral policies etc. All these are necessary for the investors to have a clear insight into the policy direction

of the government and take strategic investment decisions,” the council said.

It also noted the current macroeconomic challenges facing the nation, especially the decline in foreign exchange inflow, adding that the numerous efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria to protect the foreign reserves and stabilize

the exchange rate were acknowledged.

“However, Council expressed concern over CBN's current methodology in achieving these objectives. CBN's current model of foreign exchange management has profound negative consequences for investors’ confidence,'' the LCCI council said.

transparency and accountability.

The governor disclosed that the next phase will be the constitution of cabinet to consolidate on the foundation that had been laid in the last 60 days.

...Move to tackle outstanding pensions

Meantime, in a bid to bring succor to all retirees in the Lagos State Public Service the governor, yesterday, directed that pension cash assets of N11 billion be immediately deployed to offset pension liabilities in arrears since 2010 not only of the Lagos State Government mainstream retirees but also retirees in Local Governments and Parastatals.

According to a statement by the Head of Service, Mrs. Shade Jaji, the development is part of efforts by the present administration to find a holistic solution to the issue of pension entitlements to retirees under the Pay as you go pension scheme, which was discontinued in April, 2007 as well as outstanding accrued pension rights due to retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme.

MALTREATMENT: Man wants FG compelled to challenge U.S. Immigration

By Innocent Anaba

A

Nigerian, Jacob Ajomale, who accused the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, officers of maltreating him by forcefully inserting a tracking device (chip) in his anus, has asked a Federal High Court in Lagos to compel the Nigerian government to drag the United States before the United Nations and other international bodies.

Ajomale, in the suit, through his lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, is praying the court to compel the

Nigerian government to further his cause before the international community against the United States with the view to looking into the allegation of inhuman treatment he suffered in the hands of ICE officers since 2010.

Ajomale had earlier sued United Airlines and the Nigerian Ministry of Internal Affairs, demanding $100 million and N100 million damages for the violation of his fundamental rights to dignity of human person and right to mental and physical health as guaranteed by Sections 35 and 41 of the Constitution and Articles 6 and 12 of the African Charter on

Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act. But the suit was withdrawn with a fresh one filed before Justice Mohammed Idris against United Airlines, Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

When the fresh suit came up before Justice Idris, the judge noted that considering the nature of the suit, being the one that bordered on alleged violation of human rights, there was need for the matter to be urgently heard.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015 — 11

AREGBESOLA: Osun Assembly declares Judge’s petition fictitious zRecommends sanction by state JSC

By Gbenga Olarinoye

O

SOGBO—OSUN State House of Assembly, yesterday dismissed the petition

by Justice Folahanmi Oloyede, against Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his deputy, Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori over an allegation of mismanagement of the state resources, saying it was fictitious, frivolous and baseless.

In an unanimous decision, the house stated that the petition lacked merit, based on emotion and did not follow due process.

Oloyede had, in a 39-page petition sent to the House of Assembly highlighted, according to her, constitutional breaches of the governor and demanded his investigation and possible impeachment by the House.

The House subsequently set up a seven-member panel chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Adegboye Akintunde, to investigate the allegations and report its finding.

But the House, after adopting the report of the panel said the allegations raised by Justice Oloyede in her petition were mere embodiments of emotions and that she was political, making the House to align itself with the recommendations of the panel that the petition be dismissed.

Earlier, while reading the report, Hon Akintunde Adegboye said the committee, upon receipt of the petition found that it failed to meet the demands of House on any petition that would be considered for investigation.

He added that the committee, however refrained from dismissing it on technical ground so as not to look like the Assembly was shielding the governor from investigation.

He further explained that despite its magnanimity in allowing the petition to be considered, the petitioner again ran foul of Order 26 of Osun State House of Assembly by sending representatives on the day she was to appear before the panel.

Dealing with all issues raised in the petition, the chairman of the panel, said the petitioner could not present any documents to back up her claims, saying Oloyede, through her counsel said she would only appear and present documents when copy of Aregbesola’s response was given to her.

Recommendations

The committee therefore recommended that the petition submitted by Justice Oloyede Olamide Folahanmi should be dismissed on the grounds that; “The petitioner abandoned her claims by refusing to appear

personally before the ad-hoc committee to substantiate the various allegations levelled against the Governor and his deputy in her petition. Besides, the representatives of the petitioner could not produce any document to substantiate the allegations during their appearance.

“The Committee tapped wisdom from a decided Supreme Court case wherein it was asserted that a plaintiff succeeds on the strength of his or her claims and not on the weakness of the defence. To this effect, where the appellants failed to establish their claims, the trial court held that they weren't entitled to the relief sought.

“The petition submitted by Justice Oloyede is frivolous, fictitious and baseless because the various allegations contained therein were based on rumours and hearsay; “The petitioner insisted that her appearance would be predicated

on having a copy of Mr. Governor ’s response to her petition. This amounted to the petitioner giving condition for her appearance before the House.

Her action was considered to be against the standing rules, conventions or even international best practices anywhere, including the Court of law; “The petition brought forward by her was against all known legal norms and ethics for a sitting judge to publicly take a political position. Her action was unprecedented. Judges require sobriety to be able to dispassionately attend to cases before them and they therefore cannot afford to be emotional; and; “Her petition was an embodiment of emotions and political partisanship; and that the State Judicial Service Commission should be requested to institute necessary disciplinary action against the petitioner, having observed that the attitude of

Justice Oloyede Olamide Folahanmi was unethical and unbecoming of a serving Judge in the State Judiciary.”

Civil Societies fault Solanke, Sagay over comments

The Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State CSCEO has faulted Chief (Mrs) Folake Solanke and Professor Itse Sagay over their comments on petition written by a serving Osun state judge, Justice Olamide Oloyede against Governor Aregbesola.

The group described the statement by the two senior lawyers as a predetermined mere opinion over an issue of national importance and was made to save their Aregbesola in the face of the whole world over his financial recklessness and mismanagement of Osun commonwealth.

CSCEO noted that the statement adduced to both Solanke and Sagay was not only in bad taste but very unfortunate, anti-masses, ungodly, evil and uncalled for.

RECEPTION: From left, Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, SSG representing Governor Ibikunle Amosun; Dr. Adewale Abolurin, 1st Commandant-General (retd), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Civic; his wife, Ronke; Navy Capt. Rasheed Raji (retd) Chairman of the event, and Brig. General MD Walis, GOC, Alamala at the reception homecoming for Dr. Abolurin at June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto Abeokuta, yesterday. Photo by Wunmi Akinola.

FG’s anti-corruption stance, a witch-hunt — FAYOSE

A

DO EKITI— GOVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has taken a swipe at the Federal Government's anti-corruption stance, describing it as mere noise-making, witch-hunt and diversionary tactic to hoodwink the public into overlooking the seeming failure of the government to deliver on its electoral promises.

The governor said; “If President Muhammadu Buhari knows exactly where the stolen funds are kept and who looted the funds, he does not need all these public announcements. Rather, he should make public names of the looters and bring back the purported stolen funds from the

locations he has identified. It is when he is able to bring back the money that he should make announcements of recovered funds.”

Fayose, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said; “You don’t announce a process to the public. Rather, you announce the results because it is what interest the people. It is like you are announcing that you know where armed robbers reside, won’t they change their location?”

Speaking further, the governor said; “What the All Progressives Congress (APC) spin-doctors and their collaborators in the Presidency are doing is simple.

It is such that when there is nothing to tell the people as per the rising Boko Haram attacks, Dollar and other foreign currencies exchange rates, petrol pump price and other seeming failed promises of the APC federal government, they will accuse former President Goodluck Jonathan and his men of corruption, insult Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and make noise about fighting corruption.

“President Buhari and his men should however know that Nigeria of today is different from that of 1983 and the system under which they are operating now is also different,'' he said.

OONI: Rites of passage for Oba Sijuade ongoing – SOURCE

By Gbenga Olarinoye

O

SOGBO—THE remains of Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, were yesterday said to be in Ile’gbo, the place where his coronation took place.

According to an informed palace source, Ile ‘gbo, is located within Ile Oodua, as Ooni’s palace is called.

An Ife traditional title holder, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “the body arrived the place and was received by members of Isoro Cult early this week.

His words; ”His journey to the throne started from that place called Ile’gbo. That is where he was installed Ooni.

That is also the place anyone that will succeed him will be installed.

“The body is being preserved through traditional means. All the rites will be done while the body is kept there. But don’t expect formal announcement of his death in next two weeks.

“It may take months depending on how fast the Isoro members are able to conclude the necessary rites.

The body is there as I speak to you but non-Isoro member cannot see it. Even his family members can no longer see him,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, family of Oba Sijuade were said to have parked their personal effects out of the palace.

Ondo Assembly approves Mimiko’s N7bn loan request

By Dayo Johnson

A

KURE—ONDO State House of Assembly, has acceded to the request of the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko tto borrow a loan of N7 billion.

The governor had recently forwarded a letter to the state House of Assembly asking for their approval to source for a loan to enable him complete some on-going projects in the state.

Vanguard learnt that the loan is being sourced from Access Bank.

After argument in favour were adduced by both members of the ruling party and the opposition party APC, the house agreed unanimously that the loan is in the overall interest of the state.

12 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

Group asks court to compel FG, Shell to reassess UNEP report on Ogoni

By Davies Iheamnachor

P

ORT HARCOURT—THE prestigious Ogoni group in Rivers State, Ken Saro Wiwa Associate, has asked a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, to compel the Federal Government and Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, to do a re-assessment of the United Nations Environmental Programme, UNEP report on Ogoni land before its implementation.

The group in the suit is contending that it was necessary for SPDC, to do a revalidation of the report which was abandoned for four years now, adding that more harms had been inflicted on the environment by Shell’s operations in Ogoni land which was not captured in the report.

Ken Saro Wiwa Associate is consequently praying the court to compel the Federal Government and SPDC to do a reassessment of the report on Ogoniland because four years down the line, several changes and damage have been recorded

on Ogoni Land.

The leader of the group Chief Gani Topba, who spoke to Vanguard on why they went to court, said their concern was for the Federal Government to

respond timely, adding that the people of Ogoni need immediate payment of the compensation without further delay.

Topba said, “We have just approached the Federal High

Court. We don’t want that report to be implemented like that because more harms have been recorded on the land since the abandonment of the UNEP’s report.”

COURTESY CALL: President, Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, NIESV, Olorogun James Omeru (6th right), Chief Efe Appih (5th right) and members of the Delta State branch of NIESV, during a courtesy call on the president in Warri, Delta State.

AMNESTY PROGRAMME: Boroh urged to address

alleged marginalization of Ndokwa youths A

By Festus Ahon & Ochuko Akuopha

SABA—NDOKWA youths, under the auspices of Pages Group International, have called on the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig-Gen Paul Boroh (rtd) to address what they described as the gross marginalization of ex-militants of Ndokwa extraction in the programme in the last dispensation.

President of the group, Mr Chocky Chukwuma, who addressed newsmen in Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Delta State after a meeting of the group, said “Ex-agitators from Ndokwa nation were completely excluded in the integration of ex-militants into the first, second and third phases of the amnesty programme by the immediate past leadership of the programme.”

Expressing optimism that they would be carried along in the programme with the emergence of Brig-Gen Boroh as the new Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, they congratulated him on his appointment.

Chukwuma charged Boroh “To make sure that everybody is carried along in the next phase of the amnesty.”

Stressing the need for him to use his new office for the betterment of the people of the Niger Delta region, he said; “I commend President Muhammadu Buhari for

listening to the voice of reason by appointing someone to fill the vacuum created by the expiration of the term of the previous

chairman, which has caused disruption to the entire structure of the programme.”

He called on all stakeholders

to support Brig-Gen Boroh (rtd) to enable him succeed in his new assignment.

CSOs to set up task force on extra judicial killings

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN CITY—CIVIL society organisations, (CSOs), in Edo State, have agreed to set up a task force to check extra judicial killings in the state and also to compile a comprehensive data of such cases.

The decision was reached following the recent death of 26 years old car dealer, Benson Obode, who died in the custody of the police in Edo State. The groups also appealed to Governor Adams Oshiomhole to fulfil his earlier promise to set up a Public Defenders Agency that will give

legal aid to persons who have been victimised but lack financial resources to fight such cases in court.

This was disclosed to journalists, yesterday in Benin City, when members of the civil society groups under the aegis of Network of Civil Societies of Nigeria, NOCSON, paid a congratulatory visit on Executive Director, African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor, who was appointment by the African Bar Association, AFBA, as its Senior Advisor on Corruption and Governance.

Ugolor explained that the setting up of the tax force became necessary following the incessant killings of Nigerians by the police.

He recalled that “Few years ago, we had the case of Momodu, a student of University of Benin who was killed by the police, and after much efforts by the civil society groups, it was revealed that he was killed.

“Then there was the Uteh four which the Commissioner of Police claimed were armed robbers but after our intervention, it was clear that they were just farmers."

Ijaw regent to spend one month in detention over contempt of court 14, 2013 by the Perebiri quarter

By Egufe Yafugborhi & Perez Brisibe

O

GBE-IJOH—A Delta State High Court sitting in Warri, has ordered the detention of the regent of Ogbe-Ijoh kingdom in Warri South Local Government Area of the state, Chief Samson Mamamu, for alleged contempt of court.

According to the enrolled order, Chief Mamamu was sentenced for disobeying an order by the

court in suit No. W/410/2014, involving himself on behalf of the Ogbe-Ijoh traditional council as defendant and Mr. Samson Dudigha on behalf of Perebiri quarters in Ogbe-Ijoh community as claimant.

Counsel to the claimant and others had approached the court, seeking a declaration that the claimant, Chief Simon Dudiegbe was the proper and qualified person duly elected on October

for the position of the secretary of Ogbe-Ijoh governing council.

In his ruling, trial judge, Justice Briki-Okolosi, held that the action of the defendant amounts to intentional disrespect by not obeying the orders of the court, hence he found him guilty of an offence recognizable under section 133 (a) of the criminal code law cap C 21 cap Vol 1, Laws of Delta State, Nigeria 2006.

FG urged to conduct environmental audit in Niger Delta

P

By Jimitota Onoyume

ORT HARCOURT— THE Federal Government has been urged to conduct an environmental audit of the entire Niger Delta region with a view to cleaning up pollution in the region.

A communique at the end of a meeting of Stakeholders Democracy Network and Dawn in the creeks, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said there was urgent need to resolve the challenges posed by environmental degradation arising from oil and gas pollution in the region.

The communique by Dr Kombo Briade, Amaechi Kelechi and others also advised the Federal Government to set up coast guards to effectively police the waterways.

According to the nongovernmental organisations, many lives are being lost to sea piracy and other related crimes on the waterways in the region.

Akwa Ibom to partner BoI on industrialisation

U

By Tom Moses

YO—DETERMINED to tackle unemployment in the state, the Akwa Ibom State Government is to collaborate with the Bank of Industry, BOI, for the industrialization of the state, even as it has commenced instilling entrepreneurial culture among the people of the state.

State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akan Okon, gave the indication in Uyo, yesterday, at a meeting with representatives of BOI, who called on him in his office.

He said that entrepreneurship was an essential ingredient for rapid and sustained economic growth and as such, Akwa-Ibom being one of the highly endowed states in the country in terms of human and natural resources, needed to be properly harnessed to turn the state into an economic giant.

He disclosed that the governmenthadinitiatedpolicies and programmes geared at industrialization, jobs creation and employment generation in the state.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015—13

OIL SPILLAGE: Buhari implements UNEP

report

zMOSOP, Magnus others hail development

By Jimitota Onoyume & Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

B U J A— P R E S I D E N T Muhammadu Buahri has given approval for the cleaning up of Ogoni land polluted with oil spillage.

The presidential directive followed the report of the United Nations Environmental Programme, UNEP, on the environmental restoration of Ogoniland.

President Buhari also approved the composition of the Governing Council and Board of Trustees of Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project, HYPREP, which were majorly facilitated by the recommendations of the Executive Director of UNEP, the UNEP Special Representative for Ogoniland, Permanent Secretaries of the Federal Ministries of Environment and Petroleum Resources, and other stakeholders, including the amendment of the Official Gazette establishing the HYPREP to reflect a new governance framework on the

project.

Members of the governing council and their representatives will include Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Federal Ministry of Environment, impacted statesRivers, oil companies and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Ogoniland, United Nations System, while the Secretariat is to be headed by a Project Manager.

Similarly, the new board of Trustees for the HYPREP Trust Fund will have representatives from the Federal Government, NNPC, International Oil Companies, Ogoniland and the United Nations System.

Ogoni hails FG

Meanwhile, Ogoni have hailed the action by the Federal Government to fast track the implementation of the UNEP report on its area.

Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, MOSOP, said the development was a step in the right direction.

Media aide to the President of the body, Mr Bariaria Kpalep told Vanguard, on phone that the

body was elated by the development. He said the body will issue a formal statement on it today.

Meantime, he appealed to the Federal Government to immediately constitute the various agencies approved to drive the implementation of the UNEP report so that the exercise can quickly take off in Ogoni.

“We welcome the approval so far by the Federal Government.

We also request Mr President to constitute the agencies he approved like the Governing council, a trust fund, a board and so on so that the implementation of the report can commence quickly," he said.

Sen. Magnus Abe

Senator Magnus Abe who represented Rivers South East senatorial district in the Senate lauded the move, describing it as a step in the right direction. He congratulated President Buhari for doing what former President Goodluck Jonathan, a son of the region could not do for the area in his six years as President of the country.

Okowa promises to upgrade Asaba Airport with new cargo terminal

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has promised to upgrade the Asaba International Airport, which was downgraded by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, some months ago to the required standard with an additional cargo terminal to boost business activities.

Okowa, yesterday, in Asaba while performing the ground-breaking ceremony for the Asaba City Mall, which will cost about $40 million, said: “I believe that the airport development in Asaba is something that will help businesses grow, though, there were some issues, we have made progress and

the contractor is already back to site.

“I believe that in another six months, our airport will be of the required standard so that all planes can land and we are planning to build the Cargo airport which will definitely be of much interest to the companies that are developing the Asaba City Mall because they can bring their goods and services to Asaba from other parts of the world with greater speed and ease.”

Expressing joy that the ground-breaking ceremony of the multi-million dollar shopping mall was being done, he said; “This project will steer up and stimulate the growth of the state in terms of commerce and more importantly, it is going

to be an avenue to create a lot of jobs, both direct and indirect for our teeming youths and our people in Delta State particularly those who are residing within Asaba and its environs.

“I want to commend Resilient Africa, Baysol Development Company for bringing this project to Asaba and a similar project in Warri which is already completed.

We are an investment friendly state and we will continue to encourage investors who are coming into the country, especially, Delta State both in the areas of industrialisation and commerce. We will create the enabling environment to ensure that you work under peaceful conditions to enable the industries grow.”

Uvwie councillors fault suspension of chairman by Delta Assembly

E

By Emma Amaize

FFURUN—THE Legislative arm of Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State, has rejected the suspension of the chairman of the council, Mr Henry Minabowanre, by the state House of Assembly, saying it should be upturned.

In a statement by the

Leader of the council’s legislature, Raymond Ebirauwei, Deputy Leader, Emesone Onoriede and 11 others, said: “The chairman has not done anything to warrant the purported action taken by the State House of Assembly.

“We state emphatically that we reject the purported suspension in its entirety

based on its illegality. The House of Assembly should reverse the strange action immediately in the interest of the state and Uvwie council. There should be no action whatsoever by any individual or group that should be capable of threatening the continued peace we have been enjoying in Uvwie.”

“I congratulate the President for doing what a Niger Delta son refused to do for us in six years. I congratulate the Ogoni people for their persistence and non violent disposition. It shows that you can fight for your right without being violent. I congratulate my party, the All Progressive Congress, APC, for this development.”

Akpobari lhails development

A frontline Ogoni activist, Mr Celestine Akpobari, who also lauded the development, described it as a step forward, adding that former President Jonathan failed to take practical and appreciable step on the report all the while he was President.

He urged the Federal Government to allow civil society to be represented in the process of implementing the report.

He said that the development on the part of the Federal Government also took cognizance of livelihood and sustainability of Ogoni area, an

issue the UNEP report according to him did not look at.

“This is a breakthrough. It is a major breakthrough for the Ogoni people. We want civil society to be given representative capacity.

It has been a collective struggle of civil society and Ogoni people for the implementation of the report.”

On its part, the APC in Rivers State said the move had further shown that a good friend was by far better than a bad brother.

State Publicity Ssecretary of the party, Mr Chris Finebone, said it was regrettable that for six years, former President Jonathan ignored the UNEP report.

“The reaction of Rivers State APC, is that this is a confirmation of our earlier position that President Buhari means well for the Niger Delta as a whole and Ogoniland in particular. It further gives credence to the saying that a good friend is by far better than a bad brother.

“For six years that President Jonathan was in the saddle as President of Nigeria with full executive powers, he blatantly ignored the UNEP report for the cleaning of Ogoniland. He carried on as if Ogoniland was not part of the Niger Delta. But today, just 68daysintohisadministration,President Buharihasdemonstratedthatwithstrong will,loveandhonestyofpurpose,nothing is impossible to achieve.

14 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

DEPRECIATION OF NAIRA: Senate summons CBN gov

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

A

BUJA—WORRIED over the continuous depreciation of the value of Naira, the Senate yesterday, summoned the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele.

According to the Senate, the invitation would enable the CBN governor intimate lawmakers the rationale behind the depreciation of the naira.

Also, the lawmakers have urged the Federal Government to diversify the economy into taxation, agriculture, manufacturing, international tourism and solid minerals’ prospecting.

The resolutions of the Senate were sequel to a motion by Senator Nazif

Suleiman (Bauchi North), who expressed “serious concern on the state of the Nigerian economy as it affects the growing rate of the depreciation of the naira.”

The Senator, who noted that the Senate was worried that naira had depreciated in the last few months at a much faster rate than it had appreciated in the last two years, said: “The senate notes with serious concern the state of the Nigerian economy as it affects the growing rate of the naira.

“The cause of the depreciation is the consequence of the negative cash flow as a result of downward trend of oil price, which is further worsened by speculations in the foreign

exchange market.

“It is also observed that the foreign exchange needs of the various sectors of the economy are now not being made available while Nigeria’s commitments in the global economy had dwindled.”

Senator Nazif Suleiman, who argued that the depreciation was the consequence of the negative cash flow, which he said resulted from the downward trend of oil

...To grill DSS chief over interference in Rivers tribunal

By Henry Umoru

A

BUJA—FOLLOWING complaints of undue interference by the Department of State Services (DSS) in the Rivers State Election Petition pending before the Election petition Tribunal, the Senate has summoned the DirectorGeneral of the DSS, Lawal

C M Y K

price, said that situation had been worsened by speculations in the foreign exchange market. He added that there was the urgent need to regulate demand and supply of foreign exchange by the CBN with various options considered to curtail naira depreciation and consequently discourage speculations.

Also contributing, Senator Gbolahan Dada (Ogun West) warned that if the situation was not effectively tackled, Nigeria must

define its economic policies and make laws that will address fraud, even as he regretted that Nigeria’s dependence on imported items without tangible production is the bane of stable foreign exchange.

In his remarks, Senate President Bukola Saraki who noted that all powers must be deployed to defend the naira, said that the influx of foreign items into the country must be adequately curtailed in a way that activities of speculators are brought under control.

Daura to appear before it.

The upper chambers said that it would want prompt response to invitations and questions raised during the investigation.

The Senate had received a petition by the Rivers State House of Assembly and it was last week referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics and Public petitions.

The Committee is chaired by Senator Samuel Anyanwu (PDP, Imo East Senatorial District.

The Senate, which has commenced investigation into the allegations, asked the DSS Director- General to appear before the Senate Ethics, Privileges and Public petitions that would be conducting the

investigation today (Thursday) The Senate moved into action to summon the DSS director general when it got a petition signed by the 31 members of Rivers State House of Assembly.

In the petition, the state lawmakers alleged among others that the DSS arrested some officials of the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) and members of the Election Petition Tribunal and subjected them to intimidation, harassment and coercion to compromise the judicial independence of the Tribunal and pervert the cause of justice.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015—15

PDP CRISIS: Anambra senators, party

leaders defend Metuh, Ekweremadu

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—CHIEFTAINS of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Anambra State, including the three senators, members of the House of Representatives produced by the party and the newly constituted state executive committee of the party, yesterday rose in defense of the national publicity secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh and deputy senate president, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, as it concerns the ongoing crisis in the party.In a statement signed by 30 leaders of the party, the chieftains, including Senators Andy Uba, Uche Ekwunife and Stella Oduah, members of House of Representatives, as well as all the state officials and stakeholders of the party said they would no longer watch while leaders of the party were constantly harassed.

The new state chairman of PDP, Prince Ken Emeakayi, warned those fueling the crisis and trying to intimidate Metuh and others to desist from it.

Emeakayi said: “We are saying that enough is enough. Metuh has our mandate and any further attempt to harass him and Senator Ekweremadu will be met with our collective force.

“We have the right to decide who to vote for in any election and we are proud to have voted for the PDP and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan during the last election and will do so again if the opportunity

comes.”

According to Emeakayi, Nigerians were still expecting the change promised by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, regretting that rather than meet the expectations of Nigerians, the party was busy harassing and intimidating PDP members and

wondered if that was the change they promised.

He said that members of PDP in the state would not fold their hands to allow anybody or group of persons or political party to drag the names of Igbo leaders to the mud.

The prepared statement read

by the party’s vice chairman for Anambra Central, Mr. Ken Enemuo wondered why Metuh should be accused of masterminding the alleged rigging of 2015 election in Anambra, Abia, Imo, Enugu and Ebonyi states, describing such allegation as false.

E

NUGU—ANOTHER two suspects linked with the alleged killing of the traditional ruler of Nkerefi have been arrested, thereby bringing to three, the number of suspectst in police net.

Enugu State police command’s spokesman, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu confirmed the additional arrest in a press statement, yesterday.

According to the statement: “Another two suspects, who participated alongside with the said suspect in the killing of the monarch were on August 2, 3, 2015, nabbed by police operatives at Nara, Nkerefi and Iheokwuru village, both neighbouring communities to Nkerefi, while man-hunt on the remaining suspects, who participated, is intensified.

“The suspects who gave their names as Ifeanyichukwu Eze, alias Nwanwanyi Agbala of Nkerefi and Ogbuife Chinedu, alias Osama bin Ladin, also from Nkerefi, are helping the operatives in their investigations, which is in full scale.

"Ogbuife Chinedu is a carpenter, but has a bunk for the C M Y K

By Enyim Enyim

O

NITSHA—CRISIS is currently rocking the Amanuke community in Awka North Local Government area over who occupies the throne of the Monarch of the town.

Following the death of the traditional ruler Igwe Willie Ezenwa in 2000, Igwe Denis Ezebuilo was said to have been enthroned in 2013 but was not issued a certificate by previous and present state government, a development that is causing tension in the area.

Trouble started in the community three weeks ago when another person, Alphonsus Chijindu Ezebuilo was said to have been recognized and issued a certificate by the government as the duly elected traditional ruler of Amanuke community.

Ikpeazu laments activities of some staff in health sector LAUNCH: From left, Uju Amanambu, author of 'A Broken Rose,' her mum, Mrs. Evelyn Amanambu and Adekunbi Olorun Rinu, MD, Chams Consortium, at the launch of the book.

Photo: Oscar Ochiogu

KILLING OF ENUGU MONARCH: 2 more suspects in police net

By Austin Ogwuda

Kingship tussle rocks Amanuke

consumption of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp as well as the type known as monkey tail where as Ifeanyichukwu Eze, also

claimed to be an upholstery maker, but usually visits the bunk.”

One Sunday Edwin Agbara

was earlier arrested in connection with the alleged killing of the Enugu monarch, Igwe Peter Onuoha on July 11, this year.

It's unconstitutional to appoint retiree of DSS, DG —Group

By Innocent Anaba

A

CIVIL rights organisation, International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law, Intersociety, has insisted that it was wrong for President Muhammadu Buhari to have recalled a retired Director of the Department of State Service, DSS, Mr. Lawal Daura to head the organisation.

Intersociety in a statement, yesterday, by its Chairman, Mr. Emeka Umeagbalasi, said: “On August 3, 2015, we condemned the blundered presidential appointment of retired Senior Agent (director) Daura of DauraKatsina State origin as the “acting” Director General of DSS. "We also called on the appointing authority, Buhari and his ruling party-All Progressives Congress, APC, to present publicly, relevant constitutional or

statutory provisions, which empower the President to appoint a retired director of DSS as Director General of the same DSS that he served and retired from.

“When the defense of the indefensible failed to hold water, its prompters and promoters shamefully resorted to advising those condemning and opposing the constitutionally prodigal appointment “to go to court.

“It is a forbidden culture in the armed forces of Nigeria; likewise elsewhere for out-of-service or retired officers to function officially as in-service/out-service or serving officers. They can only function as “consultants. ”The rare exception is where there is a successful military coup.

Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, including the DSS, are generally governed by the public service rules of the federation of Nigeria, with respect to recruitment, transfer or posting,

promotion, demotion and retirement.

“By the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution, Daura’s appointment as “acting Director General of DSS” is constitutionally prodigal. The 1999 Constitution has since his appointment, been shading tears, following usurpation of her spirit and letters by President Buhari and the prodigal imposition of a wrongful citizen on her envious position of the DGship of the DSS." “From Alhaji Daura’s indisputable profile above, he served and retired as “a director” of the DSS in August 2013 having attained mandatory retirement age of 60 years, and having been born on August 3, 1953.

Therefore, bringing him back from statutory retirement and making him “acting Director General” of DSS, is coupist and unconstitutional.

By Anayo Okoli

U

MUAHIA—ABIA State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has vowed to break the vicious circle in the State’s Health Management Board which has been siphoning funds being generated by the board, saying, it was no longer business as usual.

According to the Governor, it was incomprehensible that the health institutions were not generating any funds to be self sustained, and vowed to ensure that the vicious cycle is broken if the health outfits are to remain in business.

Ikpeazu also called on the striking workers of Abia State University Teaching Hospital [ABSUTH] and the Hospitals Management Board [HMB] to call off their prolonged industrial action and enter into discussion with the government on how best to move the health outfits forward.

The Governor however, lamented that there were a lot of bad eggs in the system that were siphoning government funds who needed to be weeded out of the system.

16—Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

Police parade 34 suspected hoodlums in Anambra ...48 renounce cult membership in Obosi

By Vincent Ujumadu AWKA—NO fewer than 34 suspected members of some cult groups and kidnappers were yesterday paraded in Awka by the Anambra State police command, just as 48 others that had been terrorizing the people of Obosi and its

environs also renounced their membership of the dangerous groups at the police headquarters in Awka.

Twenty one of those paraded were students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Federal Polytechnic, Oko who, according to the Anambra State commissioner of

police, Mr. Hosea Karma, belong to groups such as Vickings fraternity, Aire, among others, while 13 were suspected kidnappers and car snatchers.

Items recovered from them included locally made guns, live and expended ammunition, large quantities of Indian

hemp, black and red candles used for initiating new members, masks and cutlasses.

According to the commissioner, most of the hoodlums use Obosi as their base, adding that his men had been on their trail for a long time until most of their leaders were arrested.

He said that the arrest of

the hoodlums was made possible through a joint effort of the special task force consisting of the police, the army, the navy and members of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, set up by the Anambra State government.

Karma said: “When we

raided Obosi last year, most of them ran to other states and we went there to arrest them. The unfortunate thing is that many of these bad boys are under aged and that is why we are appealing to parents and guardians to monitor properly the movements and activities of their children.”

Bank gave me armed police escort when I withdrew N10,000 —Bishop Ugorji

By Fintan Ibegwam

T

HE CATHOLIC Bishop of Umuahia, His Lordship, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Uguorji, is celebrating his Episcopal Silver Jubilee today.

Born on January 13, 1952 into the Ugorji family of Umuakali Naze in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, young Lucius attended St. Thomas Primary School, Kano and St. Michael Primary School, Umuahia. He later passed the entrance examination to Immaculate Conception Seminary, Umuahia for his secondary school education.

Bishop Ugorji said his interest to seek admission into the seminary and desire to become a priest, started when his father, a railway staff was transferred to Umuahia from Kano. He registered as a mass server at St. Finbarrs Parish and came under the influence of his Parish Priest, Rev. Father John Phyam and other Holy Ghost priests which deepened his religious life at the age of 12.

After his secondary education at the Immaculate Conception Seminary, Umuahia in 1979, Ugorji proceeded to study Philosophy and Theology at the Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, and was ordained a priest at St. Finbarrs Catholic Church, Umuahia, on April 16, 1977.

Ugorji’s first assignment as a priest was to work as Secretary to the Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Most Rev. Anthony Gogo Nwodo and at that time, he also ministered to a community known as

Umuopara Catholic Community and a parish, now known as Assumpta Parish.

He said: "Öne of my significant experiences as a young priest was being given the assignment to begin the construction of the Cathedral, Mater De Cathedral, Umuahia in 1978. It was a tedious task to accomplish.

"At that time, money was very scarce.

The estimated cost of the Bill of Quantities for the total construction was N500,000. The first amount I withdrew from the bank for the construction was N10,000.

"When I took the money from the bank, the branch manager thought I was crazy to carry such huge amount without police protection. I was given an armed police escort to accompany me to my residence. With that amount we were able to begin the initial work on the site and today we have a very large and magnificent cathedral.”

Consecrated the Bishop of Umuahia on July 1, 1990, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji’s big challenge was his territory which was dominated by mostly protestant churches – the Presbyterians, the Methodists and the Anglicans. This challenge made him develop deep interest in Ecumenism, in order to develop a good relationship with leaders of all these churches.

“I was the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Abia State Chapter for 12 years, from 1993 to 2005. That office gave me a unique opportunity to bring our separated brethren to ecumenical dialogue and joint action,” Bishop Ugorji said.

For achievement in the

last 25 years, Bishop Ugorji said: “God has been very gracious to the Diocese in the area of expansion and consolidation. Today, we have 66 parishes as against 23 in 1990. We also have 174 priests in contrast to 33 in 1990. Just as the number of our priests has increased, the number of the lay faithful in the Diocese is also increasing.”

Some of the friends of the Bishop also commented.

The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu congratulated the Bishop on his Episcopal Silver Jubilee and said, “Your Lordship, we thank and glorify God for sustaining you this far in his Vineyard as a good Shepherd of his flock.

"It is no exaggeration that your 25 years as the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Umuahia is replete with outstanding giant strides in the spiritual and physical growth and development of the Diocese."

Engr. Emeka Udokporo, Pastoral Council Chairman, Catholic Diocese of Umuahia said: "Bishop Ugorji is a great man of God and an a c c o m p l i s h e d administrator, Umuahia is blessed to have him as their Bishop. He has excelled in the establishment of hospitals, schools, farms and training of priests in Nigeria and abroad.’’

In her own remark, Lady Victoria Ezeocha, President, Catholic Women Organisation, Umuahia Diocese, said: ‘’The qualiities of Bishop Ugorji are, personal relationship with God as evidence to his love for prayers, his generosity, ability to work with others and respect for other people.

ANNIVERSARY: From left, Mr. Pang Xining, Chairman, Star Times Group; Mrs. Sade Esan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, representing Vice President, Yemi Osinbanjo; Sola Omole, Director-General, NTA; and Emeka Mba, Director General, NBC, at the 5th anniversary of Star Times, in Abuja.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015 — 17

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N Monday this week, Bukola Saraki led a team of his closest senate collaborators on a visit to Maiduguri. Any rookie political analyst could have seen through the stage-managed trip, given the near-presidential halo around it, with hands pumping, photo ops with IDPs and a visit to the Shehu of Borno.

On Tuesday morning, most newspapers carried a syndicated picture of the ‘august visitor’ waving to the IDPs. Never before in the history of Nigeria’s transition to civil rule since 1999, have we had a senate president determined to seize the public space like Bukola Saraki.

Soon after he controversially snubbed his party to emerge, he began to hold court, receiving visitors, issuing statements and for all intents and purposes, wrestling limelight with Muhammadu Buhari, elected as President, with the executive powers that go with it. But determined to defy the controversy around his emergence, Bukola Saraki is seizing political territory and desperately attempting to control the space of public perception as much as possible.

His ultimate goal remains presidency and he can’t even wait for 2019 before beginning to show his hands. The Maiduguri visit is the first attempt at testing the waters with a toe, and more such visits will come in the near future.

An opened Pandora's box But there are serious problems that Bukola Saraki continues confronting from the moment he opened the Pandora’s Box and in a manner of speaking, letting the genie out of the bottle, that morning of June 9th, 2015. He is fighting a battle against public perception because in many quarters in Nigeria, he has not been able to live down the feeling that he betrayed his party.

Bukola Saraki remains defiant and continues to ignore the APC and PMB’s openly expressed preference that APC senators bow to party supremacy; he fills positions with members of his own group, daring the party and PMB to do the worst!

Yet, he is deeply worried that so far, he has not been able to secure an audience with President Muhammadu Buhari. He took desperacy to a ridiculous height on Sallah day; refused to go for prayers in Ilorin, but rushed to Abuja Eid praying ground for a photo opportunity with PMB. He got a short shrift by being publicly ignored! The depth of his despair was made clear in an article published by many newspapers at the weekend, and written by Saraki’s Media Special Adviser, Yusuph Olaniyonu.

Titled “Let the lawmakers move on and work for Nigeria”, Olaniyonu expressing his principal’s troubled mind, stated that: “The President should maintain his earlier position not to get involved in legislative politics…

A way to send the right signal that he is ready to help the National Assembly build on the new found unity is for the President to now OPENLY C M Y K

Bukola Saraki in Maiduguri: Tentative first steps for 2019 presidency MEET AND RELATE WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF BOTH CHAMBERS (my emphasis)”. So as is his wont, Bukola Saraki defied the APC, blatantly ignored PMB’s perspective but expects that this issue be resolved in his favour as a fait accompli.

And the fact that he was not allowed on the presidential entourage to the US visit also hurt him deeply and this was expressly stated by Olaniyonu: “We need to put behind us the past experience in which the President travelled to the United States for crucial bi-lateral discussion on several issues without any member of the legislature. That was an opportunity missed to give legislative backing to executive engagements”. But we know better. Angst was being directed at the fact that Bukola Saraki missed the photo-op with President Barack Obama.

It was therefore no surprise, when reports emerged this week that a very worried Bukola Saraki, unable to secure an audience with PMB, was corralling the Emir of Ilorin to service to find every opportunity for him to get to see the president.

There are also relatedly desperate efforts to press other traditional rulers into the same engagement. What should not be lost to Nigerians in all the developments is that while desperate to get a presidential audience, he nevertheless continues to defy the same president and party in respect of the extant problems arising from his demarche on June 9th.

Presidential election The positions playing out are very complex but there is a consistent pattern. Firstly, for all intents and purposes, Bukola Saraki has finished with the APC. But he will stay in the party for as long as possible to suck into his camp as many members as he can before finally returning to the PDP, where he hopes to become the candidate for the 2019 presidential election. Does this sound farfetched? It does not! Last week, in the wake of the invitation issued to Toyin, Bukola Saraki’s wife by the EFCC, it was revealed that petition acted upon, had been filed by the PDP branch in Kwara state.

What followed next was that the national PDP leadership through Olisah Metuh directed Kwara

PDP to disown the petition, because, according to Metuh, they were working for Bukola Saraki’s to return to the PDP! It could not be any clearer. And the logic of Bukola Saraki’s defiance of APC and President Muhammadu Buhari, makes it impossible for him to stay inside the APC in the long run. Consumed by his presidential ambition, that logic will lead to a denouement that will eventually arrive, as political events unfold in the next couple of months and years in the country.

Chapter of a personal agenda When he entered into the agreement that returned Ike Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President, he consciously chose to trade away the Nigerian people’s desire for change on the platform of the APC. He had finished using SAK and the slogan of CHANGE and was now embarking on the next chapter of his own personal agenda for presidency, as early as in 2019.

Bukola Saraki and his followers deliberately reduced calls for party supremacy, to Bola Tinubu’s ambition to control everything in the APC. So many of those who

used that platform to win positions that they would ordinarily NEVER have, became foot soldiers of Bukola Saraki’s ambition within the APC, especially in the North.

So instead of working to further enhance the North-Southwest alliance, these shortsighted and opportunistic Northern politicians who bought into Bukola Saraki’s anti-Tinubu propaganda endanger PMB’s CHANGE Agenda and willy-nilly, have become as disruptive as Bukola Saraki and are working for his personal agenda NOT the interest of Northern Nigeria or those of our country, in the long run. The vicious propaganda onslaught against Bola Tinubu was actually an onslaught at the individual who played the most vital role in building an alliance with PMB and who together became the champions of a North-Southwest accord that won power for the first time in our nation’s political history.

In the long run, their agenda is really not against Bola Tinubu, but it is just the opening salvo in a targeted onslaught by Bukola Saraki and his political tendency within the APC, against President Muhammadu Buhari. That will come to the fore as we approach 2019!

By getting Ike Ekweremadu into the loop as Deputy Senate President, and contrary to the norms of Senate in respect of ranking, also making Godswill Akpabio Minority leader, Bukola Saraki will claim his political IOU in 2019.

He will posture as having given the Southeast and the SouthSouth recognition and platforms of relevance, when they ordinarily would have lost out in 2015, for voting against the APC and PMB. Secondly, he would calculate that his chances are very bright as PDP’s presidential candidate in 2019, because given the current political reality, the PDP will most likely be obliged to present a Northern candidate to run against PMB.

There are very few real politicians on the Nigerian political scene today, but in his total commitment to his personal Appointment agendas, no one of legislative aides can trump Bukola That is why Bukola Saraki has Saraki today in been appointing legislative aides Nigerian politics from different parts of the North

and beyond who would easily and seamlessly make the transition into becoming his campaign coordinators in different parts of the North and

beyond! This is the most logical background that puts his various steps into context: defiance of the party to run against the party’s candidate; entering into an alliance with the PDP, and thus bringing it back into the loop of legislative leadership even when Nigerians had rejected the party at the polls and had expressly accepted the slogan of CHANGE; continuing to make appointments that suit his own personal agenda not those of the party; ignoring President Muhammadu Buhari and doing everything to contest the space of public visibility with PMB and carrying on as if he is an alternative president of Nigeria, based in the senate!

These steps are carefully thought out and that is the way he will continue to act in the lead to 2019! So when the APC leadership insists that the senate leadership toes the party line and PMB appeals to the morality and conscience of the Bukola Saraki group in senate, we can only wonder where their naivety comes from.

There is no moral suasion that will take Bukola Saraki’s eye off the ball of his personal agenda.

For him, senate presidency is merely a stepping-stone to Nigeria’s presidency. If they doubt this, they should visit my hometown Ilorin, where this has been regularly drummed into the heads of the local people:”Bukola is not interested in the ‘Number Three’ position; he wants Presidency ”! That is the propaganda in Ilorin. So when Bukola Saraki entered Maiduguri this week, he was taking the first tentative step into the very muddy and murky waters on the route to the 2019 presidential elections.

Humanitarian trip for succour Of course, that was not the way that the trip was presented; on the contrary, it was supposedly a humanitarian trip to give succour to people displaced as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency.

He will lull his opponents to underestimating the essence of his scheming until it becomes too late for them to effectively respond.

One of Bukola Saraki’s greatest strengths is a single-minded and ruthless devotion to anything that confers him advantage. He will trample on friendship, honour, patriotism or community good, if they will stand in the way of whatever he desires.

There are very few real politicians on the Nigerian political scene today, but in his total commitment to his personal agendas, no one can trump Bukola Saraki today in Nigerian politics. That is what makes him formidable and a danger at the same time! So when PMB and his advisers analyse the political space, they must reckon with Bukola Saraki’s unrelenting and formidable ambition to become president as soon as 2019.

If they treat that challenge with levity, they would certainly have another thing coming! They will become easy prey for a calculating and politically astute Bukola Saraki!

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015 THE legislature, the executive and the judiciary are the three arms of government and the fulcrum on which democracy functions. Constitutionally and legally, they are supposed to function independently of one another in order to preserve the principle of checks and balances to ensure a healthy democracy.

That is why the reported visit by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to the Supreme Court office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Mahmud Mohammed, raised ethical, legal and moral questions.

The Governor visited the CJN’s office on July 6, 2015 while the latter was said to be away in Saudi Arabia on the lesser hajj.

He repeated the visit two days later while the CJN was in an interview session with shortlisted candidates for the award of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs).

Expectedly, the two visits raised several eye brows. A fundamental question to ask is the propriety of the visits at such an inauspicious time when Governor Wike’s victory at the poll is being challenged by five opposition party candidates at the election petition tribunal.

Nigeria: Religion, and politics ByAlex Atawa- Akpodiete

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DMITTEDLY, Nigeria is a complex country, with over three hundred ethnic groups.

In an interview that appeared in The Guardian of Tuesday, May 28, 2013, under the caption “How to save Nigeria from anarchy by Nwabueze, Asemota”, The Patriots under the chairmanship of Prof. Ben Nwabueze, provided their research-based claim that we have 389 ethnic nationalities in Nigeria. This lack of ethnic homogeneity is compounded by the various religions we have in the country. Though our uncorroborated statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics purportedly states that the country is split evenly between Christians mostly in the South and Muslims mostly in the North, there are other religions, especially our traditional African religion. I hesitate to use the term “pagan” in referring to our traditional religion. Even the phrase traditional African religion is questionable as some theologians will argue that Christianity originated from Africa and was eventually exported, only to be reimported to us, in an "anglosized" form. Also, The United States Institute of Pace in a January 2015 article titled “Religion and Conflict in Nigeria” by John Paden, states that “Muslims in Nigeria include Sufi, Izala, women’s organisations, student

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Go e’s Visits TTo o CJN Govv Wik Wike’s The Governor is a lawyer and he is not unmindful of the likely insinuations that would trail his action. His explanation that the visits were to express gratitude to the CJN for sending the Bayelsa Chief Judge to perform his swearing-in is not enough justification.

The other reason that the Governor wanted to inform the CJN of the need to appoint an acting Chief Judge and acting President of the Customary Court of Appeal for the state did not warrant two separate trips by a state chief executive to the nation’s head of the Judiciary. There are known official communication channels through which the same purpose

could better have been handled.

There is obviously nothing wrong if Governor Wike as a member of Body of Benchers pays a scheduled courtesy call on the CJN to discuss issues bordering on administration of justice in Rivers, but there is everything wrong with the timing and when the visits were not on appointment. It is against this backdrop that ulterior motives were read into the whole issue.

We strongly commend the decision of the CJN to ban politicians from visiting his office and residence. Equally worth applauding is the decision that politicallyexposed lawyers are now to be received by the CJN in the presence of security details.

This, we believe, would not only sustain the ethical standards associated with the office, but it could shield the office holder from unnecessary influences capable of undermining his integrity.

The temple of justice which the CJN personifies is a hallowed and sacred place that commands an aura which must not be violated.

OPINION men and women in the country, with morality searchlight beamed on married women at

organisations, emirate traditions, and ordinary people, as well as Boko Haram extremists. Christians range from Catholic to mainstream Protestant to Evangelical to Pentecostal to African syncretism.” That notwithstanding, I want to look at the interplay of religion, morality and politics in Nigeria, using Christianity and Islam as a general backdrop.

Recently on a trip with some fellow lawyers, we were discussing corruption, religion and essentially morality. It reminded me of an article I wrote four years ago, wherein I asked which was worse: Adultery or Corruption.

Only a naïve person will deny that our moral values have declined as a nation. A gentleman stated that some years back, a young girl would have been ashamed to have even the straps of her brassiere showing in a dress. The counter was that today, some clothes are made to intestinally reveal the bra and young girls will expose their bra and cleavages to entice a man under the guise of being sexy or fashionable. We discussed the incessant adultery committed by married

Deep within many Nigerians, they are tired of the dearth of moral values

NYSC camps sleeping with young men. Also, we discussed why men and women cheat, with a particular man stating that he only cheats when he travels.

With the prevalence of churches and mosques everywhere, why is there still so much corruption and wickedness in the country. A friend of mine stated that he does not like the idea of prayers being offered in many offices before the beginning of the work day, especially at government offices. He also pointed out that in some markets, the traders have morning devotionals (praise and worship session) before the start of the day.

My friend is a Christian but was pointing out the hypocrisy of these people. The same civil servant who just finished praising God, will go into the office to find a means to embezzle money or frustrate a contractor that has not “shown appreciation.” He further added that the trader will leave the morning devotion and immediately start plotting how to defraud or overcharge a customer to increase his profit. I reminded him that in civilised clime where they practice separation of State and religion that will not happen. Keep in mind that Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) states that “The Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion.”

My Muslim friends were not left out of the discussion. How can a Mallam or Alhaji go to the mosque at 2pm, pray religiously five times a day and still swindle you or siphon

billions from the pension funds or our national coffers. Even with the privilege of marrying four wives, some Muslim men still have mistresses/concubines outside.

Morality is usually a set of values in a community. Is it that infidelity, morality, corruption are now acceptable values in Nigeria? If so, maybe we should stop deceiving ourselves and accept it. In fact, we should tell our President not to bother with the fight against corruption because our religion, morality and politics accept it.

Maybe we should stop complaining when we see the “runs” girls chasing after sugar daddy politicians? If we celebrate politicians and fraudsters that display their ill-gotten wealth without being concerned about the source of their wealth, then are we not sending the message that just get the money, no matter how? A friend simply admitted that he has not stolen any money yet, not because he was righteous, but because he has not been given the opportunity. In fact, he said he was looking and “praying” for the opportunity to steal money because everyone he knows has stolen money from government. He even bemoaned how a “small” boy he trained was appointed SA and all of a sudden is displaying wealth without abandon.

President Muhammadu Buhari was elected ostensibly based on an anti-corruption agenda. This means that deep within many Nigerians, they are tired of the dearth of moral values. Nigerians are tired of the stealing with impunity. *Rev. Atawa-Akpodiete, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Asaba, Delta State.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6 6,, 2015— 19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Waiting to exhale

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HERE is an old saying that every artist draws his own wages. The powers of an office are usually defined, especially in a democratic atmosphere governed by the rule of law. But that does not mean that everybody who occupies that office will exude the same amount or aura of power. The power of an office is often measured by the character of the person occupying it at a given time.

It is often said that the Office of President, Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is one of the most powerful in the world. Former President Goodluck Jonathan acknowledged this when he said if he had wielded 30 per cent of the powers of his office, he would be called a dictator. He made it clear that he was not a “general”, emperor or “Pharaoh”.

Ask yourself this question: Why would Nasir el Rufai, who now governs Kaduna State, bolt into exile, when Alhaji Umar Yar’ Adua was sworn into the office of President? He returned soon after Yar’Adua died and insolently poked his finger into the eyes of President Jonathan. Why would Nuhu Ribadu do the same, even

to the point of running for president against Jonathan?

The answer is simple. Jonathan could not exhibit the true mystique of the office of the President which he occupied for over six years. One word can describe the Jonathan presidency in terms of the mystique factor: shallow.

Jonathan only demonstrated the power of the Presidency through one of its many points of efficacy: the power to hire and fire.

Jonathan continued to hire and fire government office holders till his last few days in power. But it did not make him look “powerful”. A jackal’s jaws are useless to a squirrel on a tree branch. If people outside government cannot feel the magnetism of the Presidency, then why bother?

President Muhammadu Buhari has mounted the Presidency in the typical fashion of a man who, like Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Yar’ Adua, understands power. The Presidency has recovered the aura it lost under Jonathan. It was so absent that his wife, Patience (alias Mama Peace) tried to fill the vacuum but ended up demystifying it further.

Buhari is doing what Jonathan failed to do: he strikes fear into those who have reason to fear, and he keeps everyone else guessing.

When Obasanjo came in 1999, he made those who sent him to jail and their collaborators shiver and shake by re-jigging the armed forces, police and security agencies.

Any Nigerian president who will not proclaim a fight against corruption will never be “feared”. Obasanjo used this weapon effectively, but whether he was less guilty of the same crime is a matter for another day. Yar’ Adua fought corruption by simply declaring his family’s assets publicly.

Everybody scampered. But when Jonathan refused to disclose his assets and started making “friends” with members of Obasanjo’s “Corporate Nigeria”, those who scampered

The impact of this approach is magical, everybody stays indoors to observe how Hurricane Buhari is blowing

Compensatory justice for women

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E claim in the abstraction that people are born free, but they are everywhere in chains. Until recently, the woman’s place in Nigeria was in the kitchen. Women were bogusly labelled homemakers – only expected to go to church and pray for the family; come home and cook the meals; and stay at home to take care of the children.

Slightly above that level – particularly in the rural areas – women were “beasts of burden”. They went to the farm to fetch food items and the firewood with which to cook them. They went to far away rivers in search of water for domestic services.

In the beginning, although we realised that education was a major driving force for development, women were denied access to education. The few women who went to school were given access to restricted areas – while their male counterparts went to engineering schools, they went for typing and secretarial studies.

Many people of goodwill have been in the vanguard, agitating for the abolition of discrimination against women. Lately, the wife of the Governor of Kwara State, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed, has argued that women’s rights should be observed in just the same way as we observe other rights and that failing to do so would be akin to running on one leg. For the Late President of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere, “the two legs on which any nation should stand and walk or run are its manhood and womanhood’.

On his part, President Barack Obama of the United States of America is carrying the fight for the liberation of the African woman on his head. During his recent visit to Kenya and Ethiopia, Obama advised that Africans can no longer pay mere lip service to women’s liberation and that the time has come to do away with C M Y K

archaic practices that dehumanise the African woman, stressing the need for total inclusion of women in every aspect of development for greater impact. For Obama, “The single best indicator of whether a nation will succeed is how it treats its women… Nobody would put out a football team and just play half the team”.

In all this, there is no alternative to meaningful affirmative action and compensatory justice for women. It is not enough to tell women that they are now free to compete on equal footing with men.

That would simply be like being engaged in a long distance race in which some of the runners are forcibly held back at the starting line until the other runners have passed the half way mark.

Affirmative action or preferential treatment enjoys full support from the fact that it is required by justice in order to atone for past wrongs. It makes sense for anyone ordering an offender to cease discriminating to also make compensatory award for previous injuries.

There is no reason why a society that has discriminated against women for so long should not be required to make what is at best a most modest compensation for past wrongs.

We have heard of political parties in Nigeria priding themselves for waiving

This fight is for women and they cannot stand aloof while the battle rages

into holes re-emerged and strutted the landscape like lords.

Obasanjo’s “anti-corruption crusade” was a hollow drama, but some Nigerians still believe, even now, that it was worthwhile the way Ribadu went about it.

But Buhari’s anti-corruption agenda appears far more convincing. People see him, rightly or wrongly, as having a credible track record of integrity and the will to crack down on thieves, no matter how highly placed (if there is such a thing as a highly-placed thief!).

Buhari has created an atmosphere of suspense.

Everybody is holding their breaths and waiting to exhale.

Being able to keep people guessing is one of those intangible things that make a Nigeria president seem more powerful than true.

Politicians usually rush to reward their party members and those who helped them to win power with juicy posts. They quickly award contracts to meet the pressures of the conventional “first 100 days in office”. But Buhari will have none of that.

Instead, he sits on his palms and tells us not to expect ministers within the first 100 days. He says he is using the 100 days to “clean up the deep rot” left behind by Jonathan’s PDP. He says he is finding it difficult to get men and women clean enough to be appointed ministers. This sounds like music in the ears of those looking for Change.

The impact of this approach is magical. Everybody stays indoors to observe how Hurricane Buhari is blowing.

Even All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains are forced to watch and wait. The business

the nomination fees for female aspirants. This is benign tokenism and it simply begs the question. We do not know of any serious aspirant to a position whose only handicap is that she cannot afford the nomination fee.

The womenfolk should not be satisfied with any Greek gift that costs society nothing. The goals of gender equality cannot be attained if we do not adopt the type of measures that have been adopted in places like the United Nations and Kenya. The Kenyan Constitution provides that no gender shall occupy more than two-thirds of the positions in any government department. At the United Nations, where a male and female candidate is equally qualified for a position, the female candidate gets automatic preference. We recommend a situation where candidates for principal positions are compelled by law to have the opposite gender as running mates. Under such an arrangement, at no time will you have the female-folk totally missing from governance.

On compensatory justice, this is one area where the entire nation has a big lesson to learn from Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State. For two consecutive elections to the Edo State House of Assembly Uhunmwode has deliberately held down its most eminently qualified male candidates to give the women a chance. This is where the State must remain eternally grateful to Uhunmwode because but for its magnanimity, the House of Assembly would have been made up of only men blowing hot air on themselves. The Uhunmwode initiative is recommended to more areas throughout the country.

community, lost for direction, waits. The National Assembly, fresh from crisis, tries to look for Buhari’s smiling face rather than engage some controversial appointments, such as those of the Director General of the Directorate of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura, and “acting” Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs. Amina Zakari. “Watchdogs”, the media and civil society watch (pardon the pun) and wait the way they never did during the days of PDP’s Jonathan. Even PDP, the unlikely opposition party, complains rather than adopting the APC’s attack strategy when Jonathan was in power.

One thing is sure, though: no one holds his breath forever.

One day soon, everyone will have to exhale, and when it comes, it will be a heavy whoosh! This is a democracy, after all! Just wait until the federal cabinet is in place and the boards are filled. Just wait until Buhari unfolds his economic agenda, and Amina Zakari conducts her first elections. Just wait until Buhari begins to govern effectively. The guessing game will end.

What matters is where the orchestration of power leaves you and I. Will Buhari use the mystique of power to fight for us or against us? Will he leave us better than he met us? Will he defeat Boko by December, return our stolen money, jail those who stole and give Nigeria a chance to work? Would he make you and I feel good equally as Nigerians?

That would be a great improvement of 1984/85. And that would be nice!

Certainly, this can be very painful, particularly to those men that are steppeddown. But again, beneath every preferential treatment lies some reverse discrimination. It is a price that society pays for democracy.

Political leaders must be warned that they are propping up a female candidate, not simply because she has two breasts and two legs; but she must be adequately competitive and combative; and capable of winning the election and representing the people.

Nigeria has started well but a lot more need to be done. We applaud the recent landmark ruling of the Supreme Court, upholding the enforcement of women’s right to inheritance.

No matter how we look at it, this fight is for women and they cannot stand aloof while the battle rages. They must quickly close ranks. For now, self-hatred among them is endemic, with the result that the few of them who have made it choose only to identify with men. This must change.

Above all, shouldn’t charity really begin at home? We are not easily carried away by the male chauvinist argument that there is nothing in a name. We have attended various programmes where even the women members boldly announce, “In this profession, we are all gentlemen”. Is it not yet time to shake off such colonial heritage so that at the bar and bench; in the newsroom; and in the civil service, a female member can remain the lady that she truly is?

20 — Vanguard, THURSDAY THURSDAY,, AUGUST 6, 2015

Vanguard staff’s near-death escape: ‘I give God the glory’

By Mike Ebonugwo

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T was a narrow escape from death for Vanguard staff, Starrys Obazei, on Tuesday. Indeed, he is of the conviction that but for divine intervention, he would have been a dead man, a reason for which he has been showering praises on the Almighty God for sparing his life. His near-death story began with a commercial bus he boarded that fateful Tuesday morning. Along the way the bus got involved in an accident that almost turned fatal.

According to Starrys, the bus was going to BergerUnderbridge via Mile Two along the Oshodi-Apapa Express Road. Trouble began when the bus got to AP Filling Station,opposite Berger Yard.

Although the driver had earlier informed that he would not stop until he reached Berger Under-Bridge, Starrys decided to take advantage of the slow-moving traffic to alight at this point. Then the unexpected happened.

“One of my legs was already on the ground when we heard a deafening bang behind us.

Deafening bang Jolted by this, the driver pressed the accelerator and the bus moved suddenly.

Looking behind I saw a container-carrying truck tearing down at me as it swerved to avoid hitting the bus.

“My first thought was to run quickly across the road to safety, but as the bus moved, I fell flat on my back and watched helplessly as the truck hurtled towards me, and the bus kept moving beside me on the ground. At this point, I was convinced the only way to escape was to crawl under the bus and seek safety between its tyres.

“Before I could execute my dangerous decision, the truck struck, smashing everything on its way, including six motor-cycles parked by the road side. Happily, no life was lost as everyone nearby fled from its destructive path.

“I got up, dazed by the

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*Scene of the accident showing the partially damaged container-laden truck and the wreckage of some of the bikes it crushed. Photo: Akeem Salau dreamlike brush with death.

Indeed people who saw when I fell in front of the rampaging truck took me for dead. So, as I stood up beside the bus, many people rushed to hug me, saying: ‘Your God is wonderful; that you are alive is unbelievable.’ But I also became worried that the truck must have killed some of the Okada operators, some

I got up, dazed by the dreamlike brush with death; indeed people who saw when I fell in front of the rampaging truck took me for dead; as I came out from under the bus, they rushed to hug me

of whom I knew personally, especially the ones favoured by most Vanguard staff.

“So, the deafening pandemonium soon gave way to songs of joy at my fortunate escape. My joy became full when I heard people saying: ‘Nobody was killed; the Okada men were not on their bikes when the truck came crashing, and the man that fell off the bus was not crushed; and those nearby scampered to safety’.”

Meantime, some young men who were rattled by the incident were spoiling for a fight as they threatened to beat the driver of the ill-fated truck. But some others cautioned that the driver be left alone. According to them: “He tried. His break failed and he avoided hitting that bus in front of it. Let’s thank God; at least, no life was lost.’

For Starrys: “I would have actually been the only casualty in the accident, but

the Almighty God miraculously intervened to save my life. I actually saw death at a close range, but God gave me his undeserved kindness.

“My heart wells up with gratitude to God for his love for me. I can’t still believe I escaped, but God did it for me, and I can’t thank him enough. I will praise him throughout my life, and worship him with fear and trembling.”

Be safety conscious, NEMA urges

By Bose Adelaja

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ATIONAL Emergency management Authority, NEMA, has advised Nigerians to be safety conscious and avoid actions that may lead to fire outbreak in their respective locations.

Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Sidi, who spoke through his Soth-

West Information Officer, Ibrahim Farinloye, said this was due to incessant fire outbreaks in Nigeria which had destroyed millions of Naira worth of property and rendered many Nigerians homeless in the past few months.

He advised thus: ‘’Nigerians should be safety conscious all the time so that we can avoid loss of lives and properties.’’

According to him, incessant

fire outbreaks have reached an alarming state and Nigerians should be conscious and guide against colossal loss all the time, ‘’NEMA is more concerned about frequent fire outbreaks at off-season with colossal loss of lives and property.”

He called on Nigerians to be vigilant and report fire occurrences to appropriate authority rather than fighting fire on their own.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015 — 21

Commission to investigate alleged take-over of NNSC by FG

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ENITH Bank may have adopted a new financial reporting policy, with the bank set to publish for the first time its audited half year result in the coming days.

According to sources at The Nigerian Stock Exchange, the bank will henceforth publish audited halfyear results. The source confirmed that the bank’s Board of Directors, which met last week, has already approved the audited half-year result which will be forwarded to the CBN for approval.

Market analysts have welcomed the development and praised the decision of the board.

Over the years, Zenith Bank has consistently posted superior performance results. Gross earnings was N403.4bn for the financial year 2014, profit before tax was N119.80bn while profit after tax stood at N99.46bn making it the most profitable bank in the country.

The bank’s total asset was N3.76tn, with total shareholders’ funds of N552.64bn which ranks the bank as the largest bank in Nigeria and the sixth largest in Africa by shareholders funds. The bank paid dividend of N1.65 per share for the financial year 2014. The bank is noted for its strong asset quality with a non-performing loan ratio of 1.8%, which is one of the lowest in the industry.

The bank’s outstanding service delivery has won numerous international endorsements and awards, including Best Bank in Corporate Governance in Nigeria by Global Banking and Finance (2015), Best Customer Service Bank in Nigeria by Global Banking and Finance (2014) and the Most Customer-Focused Bank in Nigeria

by KPMG (2014).

The bank only recently scored another first, becoming the first Nigerian institution to be awarded a triple ISO certification by the British

$123.55

-0.40

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$50.14

46.18 CURRENCY

BUYING

1.01

CENTRAL

DOLLAR 196

196.5 197 POUNDS 305.2896 306.0684 306.8472 EURO 214.6984 215.2461 215.7938 FRANC 202.5212 203.0378 203.5545 YEN 1.5773 1.5814 1.5854 CFA 0.3085 0.3185 0.3254 WAUA 272.6674 273.363 274.0586 RENMINBI 31.5575 31.6385 31.7195 RIYAL 52.2625 52.3958 52.5291 SDR 273.2828 273.98 274.6771 KRONA 28.7706 28.844 28.9174

CBN Exchange Rate as at 04/ 08 /15

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COMMISSIONING: Executive Director of Bank of Industry, Mr Waheed Olagunju (left); Managing Director, Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa; Niger State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Umar Ketso and Secretary to Niger State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Dan Yahaya during the commissioning of the bank’s corporate office, in Minna, Niger State.

Zenith adopts strategy of audited half year Standards International (BSI): the ISO 22301, 27001 and 20000 standards.

The three standards, which require the bank to subscribe to internationally accepted principles/standards, according to the bank deepen customer

experience through greater information security and IT management system that emphasize the protection of the customers and their investments in an increasingly unpredictable business environment.

BoI grants solid minerals sector N24.6bn loan

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HE Bank of Industry on Wednesday put its total loan portfolio in the solid minerals sector of the economy at N24.6 billion. The Managing Director, BoI, Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa, said this in Abuja at the opening session of the bank’s one day Solid Mineral Sensitisation Forum tagged “ investment opportunities in the solid minerals sector’’.

He said the bank decided to improve funding to the sector due to the challenges facing the economy following the decline in revenue from the oil glut in the international market.

He said the sensitisation was part of measures by the bank to stimulate private sector investment into the solid minerals sector. Olaoluwa said while other African countries took advantage

The mining sector is the gold mine for many African countries. Zambia derives more than 70 per cent of its revenue from copper, Ghana from gold, and Namibia from uranium

of the huge potentials in the solid minerals sector which accounted for over 70 per cent of their revenues, Nigeria had yet to benefit from the sector.

He said there were about 44 solid minerals in the country that were identified by the Federal Government that would generate investments, create jobs and reduce the level of poverty in the country.

“Before independence, Nigeria had a solid mining industry. Later, the economy started relying extensively on petroleum from the 1970s. The dwindling oil revenue in recent times has made solid minerals a tool for diversification and this can be leveraged for economic growth as recommended by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in its 2013 report.

The mining sector is the gold mine for many African countries. Zambia derives more than 70 per cent of its revenue from copper, Ghana from gold, and Namibia from uranium.”

Olaoluwa said the bank had realised the potentials of the sector, thus it had realigned its operation to the financing of the sector through the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP). The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel, Mr Baba Farouk, said over the years, government had established legal and regulatory framework to guide the activities of the sector.

xecutive Secretary, National Hu man Rights Commission (NHRC) Prof. Bem Angwe, yesterday said the commission will investigate the alleged take over of Nigerian National Salt Company (NNSC), in Delta by the Federal Government.

This is contained in a statement in Abuja by Fatima Agwai, Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Secretary.

According to the statement, Angwe made the commitment to investigate the issue, following a petition to the Commission by Falana and Falana Chambers.

The petition alleged the forceful acquisition of 45 per cent shares in the company and the entire land where the company is located. It also alleged that no compensation was paid by the then Federal Military Government as the acquisition was enforced in accordance with provisions of Decree 27 of 1978.

The petition further alleged that this prevented the legal owners of the property from seeking redress in court of law.

6,000 applicants jostle for garment factory jobs in Cross River —Official

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hief Press Secretary and Special Assistant to Cross River Governor Mr Christian Ita,, said that over 6,000 applicants applied for positions in Calabar Garment Factory and the state’s Green Police.

Ita disclosed this in a statement issued in Calabar and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

According to him, most of the applicants are youths and widows of the state origin. He said it was in line with Gov. Ben Ayade’s promise to create employment opportunities for the people.

“Since the job vacancies for the two projects were advertised a few days ago, over 6,000 applicants have so far submitted their resume to the office of Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Forestry Commission.” He said, “this is in line with Gov. Ayade’s promise during his inaugural speech on May 29th 2015, to rekindle hope by breaking the vicious cycle of employment.” The CPS stated that the garment factory and the Green Police were two of several projects designed to create over a thousand jobs for the teeming unemployed population.

“Ahead of its commissioning in a couple of weeks, the garment factory is expected to absorb hundreds of women, mostly widows while the Green Police will employ about a thousand youths, ‘’ he said.

22—Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

All of the best business owners carefully select their staff and the people they choose to work with

,

,

Guide to being a good business owner

O

WNING a business is great, but only if you're a good business owner. Want to know how to be an awesome business owner such as Richard Branson and Sophia Amoruso?

Read on to find out!

Love your business For your business to work, you need to love your business. You need to have so much passion for what it is you're doing that you can't ever see yourself doing anything else. To a certain extent, it shouldn't feel like work. If you don't love what you're doing, the novelty could soon wear off.

Have an eye for detail An eye for detail is essential if you want to be an awesome business owner. You need to concentrate on the smallest details to create an amazing bigger picture. When Sophia Amoruso first started selling on eBay, she made sure every little thing was taken care of. She packaged everything up as neatly as she could, took high quality pictures, and did everything possible to ensure that customer would be happy.

Don't be afraid of failure If you're afraid of failure, you'll never try anything new. For every business idea Richard Branson had that succeeded, he had about 10 that failed. Seriously, research it. You can't be afraid of failure or change, you just need to do what you think is best and learn from everything else.

Carefully select those you work with All of the best business owners carefully select their staff and the people they choose to work with.

They set up a grueling interview process to make sure only the best people work for them. After all, the staff are a reflection of the business. If you try to save money when it comes to your staff, you could end up with problems. It's always worth forking out a little more for staff who will add

something to your business.

When it comes to working with companies, you need to do a lot of research and ask a lot of questions to make sure they're a good fit for you.

Look after your staff When you've found good staff, it's so important that you look after them. When their happy, they'll automatically work harder.

You'll help your business to develop a great reputation, and keep your staff with you for much longer. You might not be able to keep them forever, but you can make sure you have brand ambassadors for life by treating them right.

Keep money in the business

You need to have so much passion for what it is you're doing that you can't ever see yourself doing anything else The worst business owners get a bit of money and buy themselves a flashy new car straight away.

You should keep as much money in the business as you can, especially at the start. Only when you have a steady flow of income can you start to splash out on luxuries. It should take a while for that to happen.

Get decisive All awesome business owners can make good decisions. You can't sit on the fence when you own a business.

Culled from Entrepreneurshipsecret.com

BUSINESS NAIRA EXCHANGE RATES (04/08/15) Currency DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

Buying(N)

Central(N)

Selling(N)

196

196.5

197

306.1324 215.1492 202.1035 1.581 0.308 272.5891 31.558 52.2639 28.8286 273.42

306.9134 215.6981 202.6191 1.5851 0.318

307.6943 216.2469 203.1347 1.5891 0.328

273.2845

273.9799

31.639 52.3972 28.9022 274.1175

31.72 52.5305 28.9757 274.815

Commod Light Crud

Natural G Sugar Coffee Cocoa

Enhance your business with social media

By Yinka Kolawole, with agency report MARKETERS have all flocked to a very powerful platform we call the social media. Because who wouldn't want to take advantage of the benefits of a low-cost marketing campaign with a wider audience reach?

However, just because social media presents a very good deal doesn't mean you can try whatever other marketers do and expect the same shining outcome. Jill Bennett, a marketing specialist with Atlanta-based LitFire Publishing, enumerated some ways to facilitate the growth of your business by the use of social media.

Networking possibilities No matter where you look, every corner of the web is full of people. They spend most of their time looking into their friends' posts, sharing contents that they like and add people into their circle. How can you would fit into all of this? Get connected with them to gain

more followers. Share what you have to say about your products, company or other related posts. Keep them updated on the things that will add value to their lives.

But you have to be careful.

You need to add significant people if you want higher conversion rates. And you have to balance your marketing posts. Because if not, then you might as well take down your social media profile and go home. If you don't know how to harness the networking powers of social media, you might end up adding the wrong people in your circle. Hence, all your content will be wasted since you're not talking to the right audience. And you might even develop the wrong brand image in the process.

Cost-effective marketing campaigns Thank God for Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Marketing campaigns don't have to be too expensive anymore. No more airtime slot reservation or newspaper ad placements. In just a click of a button, your target audience

will know what you're selling immediately. Aside from that, you can also capitalise on your brand image. When you present a good brand image to the world, it can become the guarantee to make people trust you and your business. Trust me, when this happens, profit is already on its way to you.

However, there are two sides of the coin here. And the other not so nice part can also play the game. Because social media marketing is economical yet effective, you have more competitors lurking in the web.

In just a click of a button, your target audience will know what you're selling immediately

Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015 — 23

,

With the challenges businesses are facing today, it will be more difficult to grow profitability by serving the customers with the basis

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Gas

COMMODITIES (05/08/15) Last 46.69

Change ($) +0.95

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If you're not active enough, your marketing efforts might be buried under those marketing campaigns who •'talk' more effectively than you. That is why, you need to make sure that your hard work won't be put behind the shadow of your competition.

Make friends through social media When people are talking about you in social media, you can gain a better ranking in search results. According to the 6 th Annual Social Media Marketing Report conducted

by Social Media Examiner, 60 percent of their marketer respondents said that there is a significant improvement in their search engine exposure and ranking after they started using social media to achieve more traffic in their business websites.

Business websites On the other hand, if people are talking negatively about you, it might also reflect poorly on your brand image. Since those social media posts will rank first on search engines, people might not trust you anymore. Your business might gain a bad reputation online, which can bring your business down the drain in just a blink of an eye.

Take your customer service to another level No more call waiting music or expensive telephone bills.

In just a click of a few buttons, you can already answer questions and resolve issues from your customers.

Moreover, you can give out regular tips on how to effectively use your products and services through your SNS accounts. Instead of calling them for feedback, you can just get their opinions via platforms such as Facebook or Twitter.

But you have to be careful again. There are a lot of instances where a company mishandled a customer issue

and the whole world knew about it because it was done on Facebook. And since it's so easy to rant on social media, your customers might be more inclined to share what they think on your customer service, whether positive or negative.

So, always stand on guard and be careful.

Use social media analytics Take note that one of the secrets of a successful business is knowing your audience.

Therefore, you have to know who to talk to instead of wasting your time by marketing to the wrong crowd. But how would you make sure you're getting the right people?

Social media sites Social media sites help make it easier to determine your target market. With tools like Facebook Insights, you will know the specific details of who is interested in your products.

They are usually the people who view your posts and leave some comments. Like, you will know their language, their age group, their gender and even their economic status. Plus, social media has other numerous tools to help your targeted marketing campaign become effective.

However, you need to take note that interpreting the data can be tricky. There is no way that you can check the accuracy of every information that you get in social media unless you check each profile manually.

Remember that anyone can falsify the information they post in their SNS accounts. So, you still need to double check your data before using it to create a foolproof marketing campaign for business growth. You see, social media can do these things and more for your business. But if you•fre not mindful of what you do, there is also a possibility that whatever can propel your company to its growth can also drag you down.

,

How big your organisation is doesn't really matter By ‘Uju Onwuzulike “Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something”…Anonymous

W

HEN you ask your colleagues or employees if they desire more pay or salary increase, you are likely to get a resounding yes.

As an employee, is it wrong to desire an increase in salary?

No, it is not wrong. The same goes to the CEOs and executives in organisations, they want improved profitability. The catalyst that will propel both the needs of employees and executives (that is seeking for more money or increased profitability) is not by mere wishing. It is not by having a compelling vision statement; it is not by wishful thinking, it is not by trying to outdo your competitor or investing so much in transformation. The catalyst is propelled when every employee decides to go the extra mile for the customers and for the organisation.

Average performance During one of the trainings I had for an Engineering firm, an employee said to me, Sir, but I do my work very well, that means that I have gone the extra mile. I responded to him by saying No, you have not gone the extra mile for your organisation. You have just done the basis - the least that is expected of you.

The confusion here is that some employees thought that doing their assignments or task well means that they are going the extra mile. At the first instance, employees were employed to do their assignments well.

When you do as a staff, you have just achieved an average mark. The danger here is that no organisation can achieve sterling results with just an average performance. They will end up having average or less than average results and this will not bring the desired increase in pay that employees want or the increased profitability that executives want.

Then who is to be blamed?

The real growth comes when

BY ‘UJU ONWUZULIKE expectations are exceeded and not when an average or basic results are met.

Going the extra mile means doing more than is required from you. It starts when you decide to make a difference in your workplace. Over the years, I have been a proponent of the following : don’t just do what you do, don’t just go to work, don’t just serve customers, but make a difference while doing what you do, while working for your organisation, and finally while serving the customer.

With the challenges businesses are facing today, it will be more difficult to grow profitability by serving the customers with the basis. The customers need more than that, and any organisation that can give them more will be their preferred. Spending time and resources to win customers over is one, going the extra for them and making a difference in their lives take the business to the next level.

The true life story of my friend is an example of what going the extra mile can do for an organisation. Despite being an operation staff in a bank, he

To have enduring results across board, employees should always focus on doing more for the customer

went all out to talk to someone that his CEO was not able to win over to the bank. He knew the customer one on one. In less than ten minutes discussions with the prospect, he won the customer over to the bank. Remember, the CEO tried to win him over but did not succeed, but someone who was not a marketer but went the extra was able to achieve what the CEO could not achieve. What my friend did was a clear example of what we can do individually to help our organisations achieve its goals.

The good news is that we are not expected to do everything, but we are expected to do something in a different way that makes the difference!

Points to ponder: We do not have the growth of our organisation in mind when we have the power to bring more business or introduce better ways of doing things - but simply because we were not in the department responsible for those things we decide to bury our contributions.

Enduring results We should not just do things for the customers for doing sake; we MUST make a difference while serving all the time.

What did you do last week to make a difference for your organisation? All employees should have at least three-four activities that will make a difference for the customers on weekly basis.

To have enduring results across board, employees should always focus on doing more for the customer.

Going the extra mile is always less stressful but comes after a decision to make a difference in all you do.

Final note: As employees, below average or average appraisal ratings may not make one exceptional (and usually may not bring promotion). When we have “exceed expectation ratings” even before the promotions or the rewards, we are happy for ourselves. Organisations are also happy when they exceed their growth target. But exceeding one’s target comes with a price – doing more than is required from you. When you do, you will be happy with yourself and you will be celebrated.

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24 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

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HE National Pension Commission (PenCom has disclosed that eight more state governments have commenced the remittance of pension contributions into the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA) of their employees.

This is contained in PenCom’s quarterly review of the commission’s activities made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

It would be recalled that since the scheme was introduced in 2004, PenCom had made frantic efforts to involve more state governments in it.

With the addition of eight states, the total number of states in the scheme has risen to 22.

Fourteen states had enlisted since October 2013.

In a bid to ensure all states enlisted, the 2014 Pension Reform Act (PRA 2014) made it compulsory for states to compulsorily implement the scheme. According to the report, 26 states had so far enacted the laws on CPS while others have initiated a bill but yet to be enacted.

The report stated that six out of the states had also commenced the funding of their Retirement Benefit Bond Redemption Fund Accounts.

The commission reiterated that it had distributed the framework for the informal sector participation in the CPS to all stakeholders for comments.

It stated that the inputs from various stakeholders had been collated and would be incorporated into the framework. It stated that the commission had commenced work on the guidelines and other modalities that would facilitate the full participation of the informal sector in the scheme.

On the update on the refund of pension contributions to the military and security agencies, PenCom said it had undertaken the refund of batch 1 to the retirees.

It stated that the reports from the Pension Fund Administra-

Access Bank launches promo for women

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Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Med-View Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole (2nd left) receiving Capt. Pedro Pissarra, Head of Flight Operations, Capt. Godfrey Ogbogu (left) and Head of Engineering at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

8 more states begin remittance of pension contribution —PenCom tors (PFA) indicated that N9.07 billion was refunded to 71,784 serving and retired personnel.

It added that N1.05 billion and N42.43 billion, representing unutilised accrued rights and employer portion of contributions were also returned.

It stated that the returns were

made to the Retirement Benefit and Bond Redemption Fund (RBBRF) account and the Contributory Pension Account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) respectively.

On the recovery of outstanding pension contributions and interest penalty from defaulting

MDAs have several electronic options to collect government revenues —Expert

By Peter Egwuatu

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he Federal Government does not need to worry with how to collect its various revenues, as several electronic platform options are available to all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies [MDAs], which government has mandated to collect its revenues.

Electronic payment expert and executive director, Systemspecs, Deremi Atanda made the assertion recently at

the 2015 E-Government Summit, which has the theme “Key to Sustainable Development” in Abuja.

Atanda noted that there are several challenges experienced by government MDAs which has to do with how to implement the Federal Government electronic payment policy.

Speaking during the technical session of the event with focus on how to “design and implement electronic payment platform for government

UBA donates N52.9m to UNILAG

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an-African financial services group, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has resuscitated the UBA Professorial Chair of Finance at the University of Lagos, Unilag with an endowment sum of the N52.9 million.

A cheque to this effect was presented to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Rahaman Bello and members of the institution’s governing council on Friday last week in Lagos by Mr. Phillips Oduoza, the Group Managing Director and CEO of UBA Plc. The UBA GMD who led other

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employers, it added that N540.94 million representing principal contributions of N145.85 million and penalty of N395.09 million was recovered during the period.

executive management members the school said UBA is committed to the promotion of a globally competitive educational system in the country.

"We have seen that there is a huge gap in the funding of educational system in the country and UBA as an institution, strongly believes in the future of Nigeria and that a well trained and educated manpower is germane to our growth and development as a nation, which is the reason why we have decided to resuscitate this endowment" he said.

Mr. Oduoza assured that the

bank will continue to promote research and innovation in the Nigerian educational system, to boost man-power development and called on other banks, companies, institutions and individuals to emulate the UBA gesture.

The Vice-Chancellor of Unilag was full of commendations for UBA Plc for resuscitating this chair despite the economic meltdown in the country, just as he recalled the pioneering efforts of the bank in 1972 as it established the foremost chair in the university, the UBA Chair of Finance with an endowment.

revenue collection”, the expert said that electronic collection completes the cycle of processing government transaction electronically. Therefore, “six electronic platform options are available to MDAs in Nigeria.”

According to Atanda, these six available electronic platform options are “bank branches, internet banking, point of sales, debit and credit cards, mobile wallet, and micro finance banks”.

The benefits of these platforms are far reaching.

According to him, “these options give government revenue collectors 168 hours instead of 35 hours a week. It increased collection channels at almost zero cost and provides reliable and verifiable data for planning.”

He added that the MDAs, through these platform options would get “improved service delivery, access to comprehensive and timely reports as well as expanded business opportunities, which would ultimately improve revenue” he concluded.

ccess Bank Plc has announced the commencement of the Women Let’s save promo.

This is a unique, first of its kind promo, aimed at encouraging women to save while the Bank rewards their savings habit.

The Women Let’s save promo kicked off on August 3rd 2015 and will last till November 30th, 2015.

This promo is designed to spawn consciousness of Access Bank’s female customers and the Nigerian woman, on the importance of saving and building a savings culture. This promo comes as Access Bank marks the first anniversary of its Women market program also known as the ‘W’ initiative in its commitment to be the Bank of choice for Women in Nigeria.

Speaking on the promo, Ope Wemi-Jones, Head, Inclusive Banking, Access Bank Plc, said that the promo’s target audience consists of both existing and new savings and current account female customers who would also be rewarded during the 4month promo.

Savings culture She urged women to take advantage of the promo to embrace a savings culture, noting that it would help them in building wealth for themselves and the nation and create a good base for future investments.

“This is particularly important as Women serve as the focal point in every home. We invite all women in Nigeria to take advantage of this awesome opportunity to ignite their savings habit,” she stated.

Also speaking on the promo, Aina Akintonde, Head, Women Banking, Access Bank Plc, explained that savers who make a deposit of fifty thousand naira (and its multiples) and maintain it for the period of the campaign stand a chance of winning the grand prize of a Hyundai IX-35 and other consolation prizes like: Generator sets, Washing Machines, Television Sets, Ipads, Freezers, Microwave Ovens among others.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015 —25

CONTEST: From left; Asuquo Mirabel from Redeemers International Secondary School; Ihejirika Jonathan from Kings College Lagos; Emeto Chisom, Port Harcourt International School; Babayo Muhammed from Premier Academy, Lugbe, Abuja; Dr. Patrick Oloko; Prof. Akachi Ezeigbo; Awe Iyanuoluwa from Chapel Secondary School, Ilorin, Kwara State; Aladegbami Damilola from Hallmark Secondary School and Iro Akanma of Kuramo Senior Secondary School, Victoria Island, Lagos during the 12th Bishop Mike Okonkwo Essay competition, in Lagos.

Women in academia tasked on influencing youth potentials

By Dayo Adesulu

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OMEN in academia have been urged to leverage their acquired knowledge in academics and influence women folk, especially the less privileged youth in the society, to fulfill their innate potentials.

Representatives of selected women in academia from Nigerian institutions of higher learning who stormed the international conference held in Houston, Texas, USA, agreed to harness their God given potentials to empower young women.

Speaking during a workshop titled; The Role of Women in Empowering Change, the Director of the National Assembly

Understanding Your Greatest Asset-your Mind PG. 27

Career counselling for Nigerian universities PG. 29

Special Study Centre, National Open University of Nigeria, Professor Joy Eyisi said: “A girl child should be given the opportunity to be educated, she should go to school, she should acquire education.”

Eyisi who lamented the rate at which the girl child is being denied education in Nigeria and some parts of Africa, urged educated females not to allow the trend to persist. According to her, child bearing is not an excuse for not furthering education.

Academic progress The Professor of English Language, who averred that there was a time in her early education when she was not bright, noted that the turning point was when she got motivated by her teachers and grandmother.

After that decision to make progress academically, she noted; “In my first degree, my result was the best and in my masters degree, I was the best overall at Nnamdi Azikwe University. ''A girl child should not be denied education in her early years because she is not bright academically, but be given more time and opportunity to be educated. If you stop learning today, you stop leading tomorrow,'' Speaking in the same vein, Director of Gender Studies,

Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, Imo State, Dr. Felicia Anyawu said, “I got married at 19 when I was in form three, but

Whatever the competence required in your profession, go for it because it will enhance your promotion

told my husband that he must send me to school.

“With the cooperation of my husband I finished my secondary school and went to teachers training college and he ensured that I enrolled in the university where I studied Economics.

When my husband knew that I was bent on upgrading my status academically, he obliged me because that’s the only way I can have a say in the scheme of things.

“Today, I have two masters degrees, one is professional and the other is an academic masters in Banking and Finance which

enabled me proceed to get my Ph.D. "Presently, I am an Associate Professor and the first female chairman of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Nigeria.”

Anyawu urged all women teaching in primary or secondary schools not to relent in acquiring knowledge that will boost competence in their various professions.

She said: “Whatever the competence required in your profession, go for it because it will enhance your promotion.

“As we are addressing these Continues on Page 26

Alessandra gives success tips to technical students

By Dayo Adesulu

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HE Private Sector Development Adviser for Lagos with the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DfID) Mrs. Alessandra Lustrati has disclosed tips for success to technical students at the 3rd Lagos State Enterprise Day held in Lagos.

Delivering the keynote address, Alessandra outlined success factors as well as barriers to success.

She explained how development agencies, government and the business sector can work together through Private Sector

Development (PSD) strategies at the macro level in improving policies, laws and regulations affecting business. She also pointed out that the micro level will be enhanced by supporting firms in improving their access to skills, information, finance, infrastructure and markets.

According to her, these efforts would provide a more conducive context for young entrepreneurs to launch and develop their start-ups, thereby generating sustainable selfemployment, local income and expanded choices in terms of availability of goods and services at the ‘base of the pyramid’.

Giving some practical

suggestions for future start-ups to students from the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board, LASTVEB colleges, Alessandra noted eight top tips for young entrepreneurs.

Lustrati urged students to build strong skills in their core area of interest which may be technical and design/ innovation-related, as well as business management which are strategic and operational.

She encouraged technical students to develop robust business ideas and be ready to be dynamic, adding that at the core of their start-up, they need to have a strong product or Continues on Page 26

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

Alessandra gives success tip to technical students

ENTERPRISE DAY: From left, Executive Secretary of LASTVEB, Engr. Olawunmi Gasper and Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule during the 3rd Lagos State Enterprise Day, in Lagos.

Women in academia tasked on influencing youth potentials Continues from page 25 inequalities, we need the cooperation of men to achieve whatever we want to achieve. The United Nations Global Standard is talking about 35 percent affirmative action, and I want to tell you that Federal Polytechnic Nekede, has attained the 35 percent affirmative action.

“I want to sound this note of warning to our dear women, clamoring for gender equality; It does not mean you should disrespect your husband, it does not mean you should not plan your home. You need to plan your home and be prayerful, just make your husband know you are not fighting anything, make him to understand that its all for his own good, that when you earn better income, you are in a better position to help him carry the financial responsibility of the family. Gender of course is not all about women, its all about male and female gender working together.”

Empowerment training On her part, the Managing Director, Executive Trainers Limited, Mrs Joke Ogunsan who organized the women empowerment training noted that she is satisfied with the outcome of the programme, noted that the maiden edition held in Dubai last year was a testament.

She said: “When we had our first edition in Dubai, the passion grew and made me move ahead.

The encouragement I had from women in higher education made me organise a special programme for women and that prompted me to have a second edition in Texas.”

Speaking on the theme, empowering change, she posited that women as creative agents in their various institutions should influence the society positively. According to Ogunsan, women should believe

in themselves, be more creative, stand up and be catalysts.

The Managing Director who urged women to be mentors in their various institutions, said they should mentor women in their various fields so as to compete favorably with their male counterparts.

Her words: “This year there has

been a lot of improvement, and it gives me a lot of joy which has really helped me continue in this noble course. I believe that men and women are created the same and should be treated as equals.

I believe they can achieve whatever they want if they are focused and determined.”

New initiative brings soils into classrooms

By Jimoh Babatunde

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new initiative recently launched by the Food And Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in partnership with the Washington D.C.-based National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) looks to bring soils into classrooms around the globe.

The series of educational materials on the critical role of healthy soils is teaching children the importance of healthy soils for our food, environment, livelihoods and well-being.

The partnership developed as part of the 2015 International Year of Soils (IYS2015) targets children aged 5 to 14, using word games, puzzles, drawing activities and other interactive elements.

The four educational booklets are separately designed for beginner, intermediate, advanced and young adult students, with an accompanying educator’s guide for teachers.

Originally produced in English to complement the exhibit on soils at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the materials have been translated into French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Arabic and Russian, and the content has been slightly adapted to suit the needs of different FAO member countries.

All of the booklets are available for download on the FAO International Year of Soils website.

FAO is now collaborating with governments who wish to

translate the materials into additional languages to be used in primary and secondary school curricula.

Once finalized, all of the materials will be available online for free use by member countries, teachers and students, just in time for the beginning of the new school year in the Northern Hemisphere.

“Our collaboration with NACD helps us accomplish one of the main objectives of the IYS, which is to raise awareness about the profound importance of soil for human life. The materials produced will help FAO to educate the public about the crucial role soil plays in food security, climate change adaptation and mitigation, essential ecosystem services, poverty alleviation and sustainable development,” said Mario Lubetkin, Director of FAO’s Office for Corporate Communication."

“The ‘DIG IT - Secrets of Soil’ project — developed by NACD in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the Soil Science Society of America — has been highly successful in reaching U.S. students to help them gain an appreciation for soil and the food and other products that come from it,” said NACD President Lee McDaniel. “We are proud to partner with FAO to expand the reach of these quality educational resources across the globe.”

Continued from Page 25 service, as well as an ability to function swiftly in the market.

She said: “Observe the market structure and dynamics. Look around, research, talk to people already involved in business, talk to those active in providing enterprise support, be curious, be inquisitive! Be aware of the type of game you’re going to play: is it pricebased competition? Is it based on differentiation, marketing, branding? Is it based on the uniqueness of design, quality, service?

“How does your market look - concentrated (few strong players), fluid (many competing players)? Who are your customers? Which segment in the market are you targeting? What are their expectations? How can you influence their preferences?"

Competitive advantage Alessandra who stressed on the need for technicians to identify and constantly develop their competitive advantage and experiment on how to become more effective than their competitors said, they should do it both in the delivery of their goods and services and in communication with customers. “Consider carefully how you project your brand," she added.

Her words: “Have a business vision and a clear enterprise strategy that will help you make that vision into reality – i.e. ask yourself where you want to be or who you want to be in 5 to 10 yrs, and what that

means for your business plan, what that means in terms of risk that you’re prepared to take and in terms of the investment needed from you and from business partners.

“Within your strategy, always be aware of the time element, of the business cycle, of where you are in the life cycle of your enterprise, and what choices you’ll need to make in the short term, medium term and long term.

“Work on improving your access to key resources: further skills, market and legal information, technology solutions and finance.

"Be cautious with how and where you source finance for your business. Estimate your finance needs based on sound, rigorous financial projections.

"Do not take for granted that you’ll need a typical business loan – shop around in terms of offers of small business finance from banks and microfinance institutions where applicable.

Seek innovation grants where available and suitable to your strategy, invest your own savings where possible. This builds ownership and sustainability and shows commitment to financiers and investors.

Get support from family and friends in exchange for equity, look for a ‘business angel’ you can trust … depending on how unique your business idea is and how strong your business plan is, you might be able to attract substantial investors, even ‘impact investors’, i.e. those who might be willing to provide ‘patient capital’, especially if you’re running a social or environmental enterprise.

Environmental enterprise

Seek innovation grants where available and suitable to your strategy, invest your own savings where possible

“Get yourself a mentor or business counsellor who will help you to orient yourself in the market and in the broader system. Somebody who can keep you on track with your business vision - a bit like a ‘compass’ - but who can also challenge you and help you to look beyond your immediate enterprise boundaries. For example, he might help you to spot where support might be available.

“Be part of a network. Don’t underestimate the importance of business associations, entrepreneurs clubs, etc. to exchange experiences and interact with your peers. You might learn about innovations, identify resources, perhaps even get yourself a business partner. “Remember that strategic competition in the market is also about interdependence, so you’re better off being networked with other entrepreneurs relevant to your business line.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015 —27

Westminster College holds graduation, excels in JAMB

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ESTMINSTER College, Lagos, flagship of private secondary schools in the commercial hub of West Africa, held its 2015 valedictory service and graduation ceremony recently, churning out 26 students, consisting 14 boys and 12 girls after completing six solid years of quality education. In addition, the College has three other students who have successfuilly completed nine months International University Foundation programme and offered admission by three different foreign universities– University of Debrecen in Hungary, Conventry and Plymouth Universities in the united Kingdom to study Medicine, Law and Engineering.

In his address at the ceremony, Chief M. Johnson Barovbe Managing Director of Westminster College, reminded them that they owe a duty and gratitude to their parents who gave them the opportunity and privilege to learn from the college, the principles of fairness, uprightness and honesty. He urged the graduating students to go into the world with high moral, ethical values and be virtuous, saying, “the beauty of our Foundation Programme is the automatic placement of our successful students in the UK Universities to study for three years to obtain the first degree in Law, Engineering, Economics, Accounting Business Administration and others.”

According to him, the University Foundation programme has made Westminster College, Lagos synonymous with international connection and partnership with many overseas universities,

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especially in the United Kingdom.

Chief Barovbe said the constant devaluation of Naira and falling oil price will inevitably make Nigerians to think agriculture and technology for sustenance and survival. To this effect,k four plots of land have been acquired for agricultural demonstration with intention to “make agriculture a practical and compulsory subject for all our students, to enable them have the rudimentary knowledge of agriculture and fishery in addition to other academic subjects.”

On computer literacy, he traced the overwhelming success of Westminster College students in the 2015 JAMB examination to the deep knowledge of computer that enhanced the performance of the 23 students who took part in the examination in which all of them scored above the university cut-off mark of 180.

He appealed to the Federal and State Governments to make computer literacy a prerequisite for employing teachers and lecturers into the teaching

HE National Teachers Institute, NTI, Kaduna has strenghtened its programme aimed at tackling the shortage of Science and Mathematics teachers in the country.

Nigeria currently faces inadequacy of Science and Mathematics teachers, a situation that has, for a long time, impeded the country’s stride in the quest for technological and science advancement.

NTI’s strategy is being expressed through the Strengthening Mathematics and Science Education,SMASE, programme.

To ensure the programme got the best of hands as trainers the Chief Executive Officer and Director General of the NTI, Dr Aminu Ladan Sharehu, disclosed that the institute recruited new national trainers with training in Kenya and Japan which qualified them for best global practices.

profession. Tribute was paid to the Management, PTA and gratitude to Deacon Gamaliel Onosode, OFR, Chairman, Board of Governors and his GAMSU Foundation for providing funds for the College Renovation programme.

Present at the ceremony were former Governor of Delta State, Senator Felix Ibru, who was Guest of Honour, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule represented by Dr. T.O. Akintola, Professor M.A. Danesi of University of Lagos, Teaching Hospital, Member, Board of Governors, Mrs Goodie Ibru who read 1st Reading from Bible, a representative of the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education and several eminent personalities from all walks of life while the executives of West African Student Union (WASU) from Kwame Nkrumah University, Kumasi, Ghana gave certificate of Excellence tot eh Managing Director, Westminster College.

RSUST conducts on study, maps ecosystem services on Niger Delta habitats

By Chizoba Nwaizu

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BREAKTHROUGH study sponsored by Wetlands International in collaboration with Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) has successfully completed work on developing coherent information base on the ecosystem services delivered by various Niger Delta habitats.

Results of the study conducted by the Department of Applied and Environmental Biology,

NTI tackles shortage of Science and Mathematics teachers

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SUCCESS RECIPE

“You may witness some changes or differences in their facilitation when compared with the old National trainers. Since the commencement of NTI SMASE trainings, a total of 414 Mathematics and Science Primary School Teachers were trained in Cycle I from 32 States and FCT Abuja out of the targeted 408 teachers from 33 states and FCT Abuja. Similarly, 370 teachers were trained in Cycle II from 29 states and FCT Abuja out of the targeted 429from 32 states and the FCT” he stressed.

Professor Emeritus Thomas Kolawole Adeyanju told participants at the SMASE Cycle II, 6 Cohort Training Workshop for Science and Mathematics Teachers from Adamawa, Jigawa, Ogun and River State in Kaduna that the NTI strategy was what the nation needed to achieve it science and technological development goals.

RSUST, were validated at a recent scientific workshop held in the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt. The research which was conducted between February 2014 and April 2015 examined six ecosystem services associated with the communities identified from a listing and defined through both public and expert focus groups. These include Fish Nursery and Breeding, Forest Carbon Sequestration, Enhancing soil quality of stunted mangrove area, Water Quality Enhancement, Shoreline Protection and Erosion Control.

The workshop held under the sponsorship of Wetlands International’s Sustainable Livelihoods and Biodiversity Project (SLBP) was on the values people place on ecosystem services in model communities of the Niger Delta Among the significance of the workshop was to provide information from the study on the role of wetland ecosystem services in supporting livelihoods in parts of the Niger Delta, with specific emphasis on the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) maps in highlighting the range and distribution of ecosystem service types linked to the different ecological zones, as well as the societal values of these ecosystem services, , stakeholder linkages, and degree of access to services and possibility of improving livelihoods through wise use of resources.

UDEME ARCHIBONG successrecipe2009@gmail.com www.worldlightbearersint.com 0803-509-5243

Understanding Your Greatest Asset-your Mind (1)

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NCE upon a time, there lived a farmer who was barely surviving. Although he owned a large amount of land, a recession and a drought were wreaking havoc.

Circumstances took a downward turn, and in a bid to provide for his family, he started selling parcels of his land.

One day, an oil company executive informed the farmer that there might be oil on his property and agreed to pay him royalties for drilling rights. The farmer consented. The oil company went to work on the land. Guess what? They hit a gusher. In actuality, over a hundred barrels of oil flowed before they were able to cap and control it. What happened to the farmer? He became an instant millionaire or what do you think?

Here’s the catch, the farmer had been a millionaire ever since he acquired the property.

But until the land was explored and oil was discovered, brought to the surface and placed in the market place to cash it in, the essence of the true value of the land was depreciated and undervalued and this resulted in the farmer being buffeted with poverty when he had abundance with him all the time.

Most people drift through life just like the farmer did in the story above. The wallow in poverty when there exists goldmine within; infinite wealth within them. They look for help on the outside when all they will ever need to succeed have

We all have a gold-mine within but just as gold lies deep in the earth and covered with dirt, our own treasures lie deep within us (in our minds), covered with weaknesses, flaws, fears, doubt and ignorance

been packaged on the inside; all the resources you need to live an extraordinary life are all in your mind. Unfortunately, the average person utilizes only 10% or less of his or her potential leaving 90% or more of mind-power to waste. It is a little wonder why the qualities of life of most people are in the base. When gold is mined, several tons of dirt must be moved to get an ounce of gold; but in order to see the gold, one doesn’t go into the mine looking for dirt-one goes in looking for gold. Napoleon Hill revealed, “More gold has been mined from the minds of men that have ever been taken from the earth.” Wow! That’s amazing. However, many people from their childhood up to their adulthood have seen “dirt” in their lives rather than gold; even people around them are more than willing to show them the “dirt” in their lives all because they are looking for dirt.

Conscious and subconscious mind We all have a gold-mine within but just as the gold lies deep in the earth and covered with dirt, our own treasures lie deep within us (in our minds), covered with weaknesses, flaws, fears, doubt and ignorance. To get to the gold, you need to look for the gold.

To discover the gold, you need to deal with the dirt and get past the dirt focusing on the gold. To unravel the gold-mine within we need to explore the mind.

The mind exists in two levels: the conscious mind and the subconscious mind.

The conscious mind is the finite mind. It is our contact with the world. It is objective in nature. It is governs the five senses; operates under the influence of the five senses-sight, sound, smell, taste and feeling. It is often called the feeling mind. The conscious mind is where reasoning and thought processes are carried out. It is the rational mind. It is analytical in nature. It discriminates between right and wrong, wise and foolish.

It is the gate-keeper of the entire mind-the place where thoughts and suggestions are accepted or rejected which means that the mind operates selectively and judgmentally. All thoughts that are believed and accepted in the conscious mind are being transmitted, permeated or impressed on the subconscious mind.

28— Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

RESEARCH & DEVT PROFESSOR Charles Okechukwu Esimone is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The Professor of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology and former dean of Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences spoke with Vanguard Learning in Awka recently on some of his research works on vaccine and how to make them work better. Excerpts:

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IV: We have had so many claims by people of medicinal plants with anti-HIV activities but we had no means of screening them so in 2003/ 2004, we developed a technique called Vector-based Assay technique whereby we can actually screen large number of medicinal plants for anti-HIV activities.

Using that technique, we have been able to screen over 100 medicinal plants that people claim are effective against HIV. We have been able to delineate them and know the ones that are effective and the ones that are not.

Power problem: The major problem is power because we need 24 hours uninterrupted power supply. I believe that if we get funding, we can establish that facility here because I have been able to train post-doctoral fellows and one PhD in that technique and they are all here.

Drug discovery: In the Faculty of Pharmacy, we use a bioinformatics model for drug discovery for ebola virus. One of our staff has that expertise. We can use computer bioinformatics and develop compounds and get plausible targets.

Plausible targets The only limitation is that you need to test those target drugs again in a wet laboratory. So if I am able to establish that laboratory, we can test some of these things. That is how it is done abroad. Once they get those hits using bioinformatics, they test them in the wet lab to confirm the ones that are good because sometimes, they don’t work out and sometimes bioavailability is a problem. In other words, it may not penetrate cells very well even though in the computer, it can target well but in real life, it may not penetrate those cells and there may be some other enzymes that may attack them.

So bioinformatics is a shorter way of drug discovery which my colleague in pharmacy, Dr Uzochukwu, has been able to do.

Recently, we tried to use the same bioinformatics for malaria diagnosis. I did that study in India in 2013 while on a fellowship to develop malaria diagnosis.

Malaria diagnosis: Right now, we only diagnose malaria from blood and in some cultures in Africa, it is a taboo to collect blood so we want to develop diagnostic kits based on urine and saliva but to do that, we need to know the biomarkers of malaria in

urine and saliva so we are trying to use bioinformatics and proteomase to identify biomarkers from urine and saliva. The study is still ongoing. We have seen some putative biomarkers from urine so some of my postgraduate students are working on that to confirm whether those things we saw in bioinformatics can be found in the urine of subjects who have malaria.

In all these, funding is a major limitation because assuming I was doing this work in the US or India,

We only diagnose malaria from blood and in some cultures in Africa, it is a taboo to collect blood so we want to develop diagnostic kits based on urine and saliva

We are developing adjuvants from plants —Prof. Esimone (Concluding part)

By Ebele Orakpo

Photo: www.affymetrix.com

I will get funding but to tell them to fund it for you to do it here is a big problem so we need to get our own indigenous funding.

For now, we sponsor the work ourselves. International agencies are skeptical if the work is going to be done here. *Professor Charles Esimone... funding is a major limitation

Perm Sec lauds Wellspring College

By Glory Ekwenuya

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ELLSPRING College, Omole, Lagos, has emerged second runners-up in the Vision Inter-School Art Challenge organised by Friesland Campina WAMCO recently.

In a keenly contested art challenge among secondary schools, students were instructed to use Peak Milk cans and pouches to create what Nigeria will be in years to come.

Speaking at the occasion, the Principal, Wellspring College, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Oloriade said: "Experts say art helps children to comprehend mathematical concepts and develop their social skills” According to her, the human brain consists of two parts – the left which is used in logical thinking and analysis is stimulated during regular academic work; and the right brain is used for creativity and emotional perception. "At Wellspring College, we assist in the actualisation of the function of both sides of the brain in order to build a total child,’’ she added.

Oloriade, however, attributed

the school’s success at the competition to the quality of teaching received by the students from the College’s competent teachers. She stated that the college places emphasis on the importance on art and craft because of its immense benefits on a child’s development. She con-

tends that they enhance creativity.

Meanwhile, Mrs Omolara Erogbogbo, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education who lauded Wellspring College for their outstanding performance said, “your school has proved to be a

worthy Ambassador of Lagos State with this remarkable performance. You have also justified the efforts of the state government in identifying and developing talents in all school age children.”

Educating leaders starts from schools —Arogunmati

By Glory Ekwenuya

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UTURING of leadership has been said to be established in foundation of the education lives of children so that the education and leadership vision can grow symbiotically.

Diamnods Privae School’s Governess, Mrs. Bisi AkinArogunmati, made this disclosure at the school’s graduation /end of year’s concert.

According to Akin-Arogunmati, everything starts with a good vision and that is what is needed in this country both in terms of better leadership, better implementation of policies in education.

“Everything starts with a good vision. That is what we intend to

achieve with the children. That is what is needed in this country both in terms of better leadership, better implementation of policies.

But unfortunately our generation is as if we are going in the wrong direction, she said “All what we can see is wrong examples and and leadership going down the line. We are trying to build children who are basically assertive and insistent on doing only the right thing in the best way possible. We try to help them not to look at any other way- definitely not to look at short cuts. Always ensure that the best way to do it is only the good way.

“With the benefit of the school’s vision, we align with people of like minds. Diamond is a member of Association of International

School Educators in Nigeria and we have had a very standard curriculum both in terms of academics and social interaction and every facet of life basically.

We believe that even though there are several other schools out there, the diamond edge always give them a lot of confidence.

Confidence to face the realities of life.

Diamond’s Head Teacher, Mr Duodu Elvis Samuel, said: “We basically challenge our students to do the best that they should do. To the right thing and you can be sure that God will guide you through. At fifteen years old this year, Diamonds School has been great and we have made achievements with our children that we nuture.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015 —29

Career counselling for Nigerian universities “I sincerely believe that our students, right from the upper primary school class through senior secondary levels and specifically at tertiary level, will begin to make better and appropriate choices of profession based on information contained in this book…”Professor Olufunmilayo Sotonade, Professor of Counselling Psychology, May 31, 2012, in 40 CAREERS : A CAREER GUIDANCE BOOK.(40 CAREERS henceforth).

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HANDING OVER: From left; Outgoing prefects of Krisbethel College, Akinogun, Ipaja, handing over to the incoming prefects, on the 12th Valedictory Service and Prize Giving Day of 2014/2015 academic session.

We give back to society through education — Saheed

By Elizabeth Uwandu

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ORMER member of Lagos House of Representatives and the founder of De-Yet group of schools, Okokomaiko, Hon Taiwo Saheed has vowed to enhance better development and empowerment of the society through education.

He made this known during the end of session,valedictory and prize giving day of the school.

Saheed who represented Ojo th Constituency 1 in the 6 Assembly said he established De-Yet schools comprising of nursery, primary and college to provide qualitative education in an enabling environment

with quality standards and above all qualitative teachers within the host community.

His words; ‘’De-Yet schools is an international community based school run by competent staff within the community. The staff selection is my way of giving back to the community.

This will enable them benefit and at the same time contribute to the well being of the school and the society at large.

"This does not mean that there are no staff from other communities but the immediate community benefits from the school."

Speaking on the success of the school, Saheed said the school which will be five come the end

of the year, has standards that are incomparable to other schools.

"This standard made the school to get approved by the Lagos State education body.

The population of students is another success story and the fees charged in relation with the standard offered is really affordable."

For the chairman of the PTA, Mr Alani Danlami, "this year’s end of session party is unique in that we parents defied rain to come watch our wards perform and showcase what they are taught."

According to him, considering the prestige and quality standard the school offers, no parent would seat at home.

British International student for World ICT Championship

By Glory Ekwenuya

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STUDENT of the British International School, (BIS), Bendre Sidhant have been nominated to represent Nigeria at the Powerpoint 2010 category of the Certiport Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) world championship coming up in Dallas, United

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States of America.

Bendre Sidhant emerged the overall best student at the national level of the competition which was open to students between ages 13 to22years in the Powerpoint 2010 category thereby qualifying him to represent the country at the

international level.

In a statement on behalf of BIS signed by the schools protocol officer, Mr Gholahan Farri, he said the world championship in Dallas, United States of America will avail him the opportunity of winning up to 7,000 United States Dollars in scholarship funds.

NCE in a while, a professional writer comes across a book, written by somebody else which he wishes he had written himself. The book, 40 CAREERS written by Oluseyi Olusanya is one of those books. For a long time, it had occurred to me that among the various deficits in our education system from primary to tertiary, dearth of career counseling for our kids would rank very high. Indisputably, our kids lack counseling about their possible future careers from middle primary school, when the kids begin to recognize the linkage between what they are taught in school and the careers they will pursue later in life.

Some of us as adults would probably remember our first preferences for career when we were in late primary school. So permit me to offer myself as a case study regarding how Career Counseling can alter the trajectory of one’s career goals – hopefully for the better. I wanted to be a pilot in primary three when one of our tenants, a nice young man (young compared to my parents that is) late Steven Ikebude came to work for the Nigerian Airways wearing snow white uniforms with impressive hat to match. He was a flight assistant but, we, the small kids, called him pilot when we learnt that he actually flew on the planes. That changed to wanting to be a boxer at primary four when the great Joe Louis was knocking off the heads of all his opponents. I ended up wanting to be a medical doctor at primary five.

It was partly by By mid-secondary school it providential was a toss-up between medicine and law. Between the intervention and time I finished School the establishment Certificate, at Igbobi College, of a Career in 1962, started Higher School Certificate at Comprehensive Counseling High School Aiyetoro, in Ogun Office in the State in 1963; received an American Government university that Scholarship in 1964, to study the switch from in the United States and today, I had wandered through pre-medical graduating in Economics, courses to collecting an MBA, spending over twenty five years in Sales economics was and Marketing, and now I live made possible mainly on writing, sales training and consultancy.

It was partly by providential intervention and the establishment of a Career Counseling Office in the university that the switch from pre-medical courses to economics was made possible.

Perhaps I would have become a medical doctor. But, it is doubtful if I would have been happy in that career. About one third of my classmates in the set of 1958-1962, at Igbobi College went into medicine. I don’t envy them. In fact everybody in my class, as well as my mother, was surprised that I dropped medicine for economics – which was not even taught at Igbobi College at the time – especially with WAEC distinctions in English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and high credit in Physics. Although history does not tell us the alternative to what happened, but, I am fully convinced that you probably would never have heard of a Dr Dele Sobowale, a medical doctor. You certainly would not be reading this article today.

From my Freshman year (level 100 in Nigeria) to the end as a Senior (level 400) year, the Career Counselor never left me alone. Together we planned my future; selected the courses and reviewed the progress. Even when I decided on Economics as my major subject, there were more questions regarding what I wanted to do with it. It was my disclosure about concern about poverty and its alleviation among Nigerians which influenced the elective courses. Mostly, I concentrated on Fiscal Policy matters and less on monetary issues. By choice, I could not be a banker; I was, and still am, happy to let others chase money.

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'Some law enforcement agencies are ignorant of human rights' Continues from page 31 alive, his son wants to be President. Clinton is alive. This is because the life-span of an American person is longer, facilities are working, society is improved and leaders deliver.

We should not just think the battle against corruption is to get people and hand them over to EFCC and draft charges against them. We do not know how much money have been recovered. The fight starts with government being sincere with their promises to make life better for ordinary man, that even if you go to public office without embezzling money, you can return and not regret- that is how to fight corruption.

In fighting corruption, the judiciary too has to be lifted up with a massive restructuring because it is a law (EFCC Act, Criminal Code, ICPC law) that you will use in charging those corrupt ones.

Court system The President cannot on his own grab a Minister who has stolen money and lock him up, it is not possible. You have to use the law and the law is abandoned. Law is about the court system, prosecution, police and judges.

You said fighting corruption is about the court system, but at most times cases are adjourned because there is no light and judges do not siteven most courts are decorated with microphones and speakers that are not working.

So do all these suggest that government is not serious about fighting corruption?

If you want to fight corruption, there should be no reason why a case should be adjourned because there is blackout. I know some judges who drive by themselves and when there is accident, they will have to wait- whether their car will be repaired.

By the time they get to court, litigants will be waiting, the judge being tired will ask his

EDITORIAL TEAM Innocent Anaba ( Head) Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri Dayo Benson (Supervising Editor) 08056180119 dayobenson@yahoo.com C M Y K

Leaders don't feel accountable to the people... registrar to adjourn all cases.

Average number of cases on a Cause List of Lagos high courts is about 70. Same in the magistrate courts. The judge is a human being, sitting from 9am to 4pm, how many trials will he take? In a country of about 187 million people, what is the number of our judges and what are we paying them?

You go to a magistrate court in Lagos State, there is even no chair for lawyers to sit down.

The judges in Lagos are less than 50 overall, in a state of about 18 million people. Obviously, criminals will be arrested everyday and there are about 100 disputes to deal with; how would the judiciary cope with all these?

They cannot! I think the court system should be restructured.

I have a case I am handling for a client that we filed the appeal in 2006 in the Supreme Court. I have been told by apex court that it is not my turn to

get a date for hearing, that currently it is treating 2004 appeals. So you can imagine the backlog that we have. And the list keeps enlarging everyday.

How can Nigeria have a single Supreme Court sitting? It is not possible.

When a lawyer goes there (police station) to make case for his client the police gets embarrassed. The police get unduly provocative and have this sense of inferiority as if you are coming to tell them what is not right

Then what is your advice on this?

Divide the Supreme Court according to the zones, at least 200 judges with 10 panels- sitting everyday to avoid conflict of decision. Those panels, one day the Chief Judge (CJ) would say “go to the South-East zonesit in Port Harcourt and treat all appeals coming from Enugu, Calabar and other states. When you dispose of them, then return to Abuja.”

The CJ can send another panel, go to South-West and do the same thing.

How can you be asking people to come to Abuja from Lagos everytime they have a case in Supreme Court and they get there only to see that the court is not sitting. You have wasted money on flight and hotel.

These are not the faults of judges, they are overwhelmed.

And when the politicians saw this, what they just did was to take away their cases and made a law by amending the constitution, saying that every matter that involves election petition must be handled and finished in 180 days. So they removed their own cases out of the glut, out of the problem.

Commercial dispute Now once they file their election petitions, you will see the judges rushing to finish it in 180 days. The politicians have taken away their own interest and that is selfishness. The EFCC cases, landlord/tenant, commercial dispute, husband and wife matter, all these cases are hanging. Immediately election petition comes, it will be taken out. That is not a solution! It is selfish bye-pass which has brought us back to where we are.

Also, judges should be made to retire into peace. Justice Funke Adekeye, when she was reading her final speech on the day she was retiring, she was lamenting that she is retiring without a roof over her head, without a house. This is a

judge of the Supreme Court, a judge who rose to the highest rank in the land, has no bedroom to retire to. How do you want such a person not to be corrupt, if having another chance.

I think the system itself is just talking about corruption just to please international community. If this government is serious about fighting corruption, there should be evidence of it translating into a revamping revival of the judicial system.

They should give the same attention they gave to the National Assembly to the judiciary.

Average senator Take an average senator and look at the number of Personal Assistants he has, look at his salary too. Compare what a senator earn to what a judge earn, and we will say we are fighting corruption. We are not ready but just deceiving ourselves. I have not seen that evidence of really fighting corruption.

In Section 14 of the Constitution states that sovereignty belongs to the people, is that really the case now in Nigeria?

That same section also stated that government shall derive its power and authority from the people. What that means is that, in good settings like America, UK and others- where power belongs to the people and they exercise it during elections, the leadership is always accountable because they know that in the next dispensation if they take up policies that are unpopular the people will speak through their vote.

But in our own system here, where God-fathers determine who rules, or where the ballot is not counting, where the political parties sit down and lord it over the people, we won’t have respect for human rights.

When the leaders get into office, they do not feel accountable to the people; they feel accountable to their God-fathers, sponsors and thread upon the rights of the people. They also trample upon constitutional guaranteed rights and get away with it.

40—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

Lagos NBA Law Week/Dinner

Gadzama clarifies PHCN liquidation contract award

By Dayo Benson

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SENIOR Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Joe Gadzama, has affirmed that the award of PHCN Plc liquidation contract by the Bureau of Public Enterprises BPE to his law firm followed due process and laid down procedures.

The legal practitioner who made this clarification in a signed statement debunked reports that the contract award did not receive the approval of the immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation Mr. Mohammed Adoke SAN. According to the statement “The award of the PHCN Plc Liquidation Contract by the BPE to Messrs J-K Gadzama & Partners LLP, as approved by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the 6th day of March 2013,followed due process and was in strict compliance with all laid down Laws and Procedures”.

It explained that, “Sometime in June 2012, J-K Gadzama & Partners LLP, along with other Law Firms, bidded for the award of the Contract to offer Legal Advisory Services to the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) on the Winding Up of PHCN Plc. Shortly, after the transparent bidding process, J-K Gadzama & Partners LLP was shortlisted as the preferred bidder.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Council on Privatization (NCP) , exercising its statutory powers at its 3rdmeeting of 2013 held on May 9, 2013, approved the appointment of our Firm as Consultants, for the provision of Legal Advisory Services for the Winding Up of PHCN Plc, in conformity with due process of the Law. The Honourable

Attorney General of the Federation [who was said to have kicked against the Contract], is a member of the Council and was present at the meeting where the Contract was awarded”.

While the bunking the claim that the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) did not issue a certificate of ‘No Objection’ for the award of the Contract, it pointed out that “this statement is false as the BPP duly issued a Certificate of ‘No Objection’ dated February 26, 2013 to the Bureau of Public Enterprises for the award of the Contract to our Firm. Also worthy of note is that the purported query by the Honorable Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) , was subsequently withdrawn, thus leading to a full blown approval for the award of the Contract to our Firm”.

“The BPE duly reported the withdrawal of the query to the National Council on Privatization at its meeting on April 16,2015. The AGF was in attendance at the meeting. Since the AGF had withdrawn his query on the procurement of our legal services and confirmed his consent at the said meeting and there being no other tenable reason to withhold it, the NCP duly approved that the BPE should immediately proceed to execute the Contract with our Firm based on the ‘No Objection’ earlier granted by the BPP. The contract was accordingly executed and registered” It further added.

“It is important that the general public is made to know that the privatization exercise is statutorily under the auspices of the NCP as provided for by the Public Enterprises (Privatization and Commercialization) Act Cap P38, LFN 2004."

NBA President assures lawyers of quick collection of stamp & seal

By Dayo Benson

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HEAD of the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference (AGC) taking place in Abuja, NBA President, Mr Augustine Alegeh (SAN) has assured lawyers that their stamp and seal would be ready within 48 hours of payment.

Alegeh spoke against the background of a letter from Chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), who called for the temporal suspension of issuance of stamps and seals, citing reasons of delay in collection of the stamps by lawyers who had paid for months.

Chief Akinjide also noted that adequate arrangements appeared not to have been put in place before the commencement of the scheme.

But in a swift reaction, Alegeh said the scheme was initiated to stamp out fake lawyers and touts from the legal profession.

He pointed out that so far the process had caught many ‘fake lawyers’ who applied for the stamps and seal but their names were not found. Also, their names could not be verified by the Supreme Court of Nigeria and the NBA Database, creating the need for the Association to be cautious in the

issuance of the stamps.

He said: “so far we have received so many applications for the stamps from so-called lawyers who are neither on the Supreme Court of Nigeria Roll nor the NBA Database, and even the branches they claimed to belong to couldn’t verify them.

“If we issue stamps to such suspicious persons, the profession would be in danger and that would make nonsense of our ongoing efforts to eliminate fakes and quacks from our noble profession.

“My assurance therefore to all Nigerian lawyers is that once you pay your Bar Practicing fees and your name and Call to Bar Number is verified from the Supreme Court Roll, you will be issued with stamp and seal within a maximum of 48 hours.

“The NBA had further put in place a smooth machinery to ensure that lawyers who haven’t completed the process so far will do so at the forthcoming Annual General Conference in Abuja and their stamps and seals will be issued to them right there, once they are verified.”

The NBA President further cited Rule 10 (1-2) of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2007 which empowers the NBA to issue the stamps and seals and ensure compliance accordingly.

The new EXCO being sworn-in: From left, Mr. Emeka Nwadioke, Mrs. Omohafe Opara, Mr. Phillips Njeteneh, Mr. Martin Ogunleye, Mr. Stephen Obajaja, Mrs. Uche Ikwueme and Mr. Celestine Nwankwo

From left: Mr. Martin Ogunleye, Ms. Boma Ozobia and Mr. Alex Muoka

From right: Mrs. Funke Adekoa, SAN, Mrs. Stella Ugboma and Mr. Chuks Nwana

Chief Emmanuel Ofulue and other Bar Leaders at the AGM/ swearingin

Some branch members rejoicing with Mr. Martin Ogunleye (middle) and other EXCO members

Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015 — 41

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42—Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

DESOPADEC: Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ijaw ignorant —LORI-OGBEBOR

By Egufe Yafugborhi

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ARRI—ACTIVIST and Igba of Warri Kingdom, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, has said that politicians in Delta State were enjoying unchallenged freedom, which was why they hijacked funds of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, because major oil producing blocs in state were ignorant.

Lori-Ogbebor spoke yesterday in Warri, at a gathering of Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri and Ndokwa nations, the major Delta oil blocs, to take a common position on the recent dissolution of DESOPADEC and the controversial amendment bill by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to reshape the agency.

She said, “I fought Abuja, fought former Governor James Ibori for eight years to create DESOPADEC. I sold one of my property in the process, and today it is sad that the DESOPADEC that had been ran aground is not the one I fought for. And it is because we are ignorant.

“Urhobo are ignorant people, Iteskiris are very ignorant, Ijaws are even more ignorant. When Ibori said the DESOPADEC he created was entitled to only 50 percent of the 13 percent derivation, we should have asked him why it should be so because the entire 13 percent

was intended by Federal Government, solely for the development of oil communities.”

She noted that oil producing communities dissipate their energy in blaming the Federal Government for their woes, “but the real people stealing our money are here with us, yet we are abusing the FG. That’s why even the 50 percent of the 13 percent Ibori agreed to give, we are not seeing it in on the lives of the people in oil communities.”

On the dissolution of the DESOPADEC board and the new amendment bill, she said both moves were mere distractions to

becloud public agitation on the real issue of lack of transparency and accountability in the management of the resources for achieving set goals.

“A second battle has started. We don’t want politicians to lead DESOPADEC. We want development for our women, children and homes to be like Abuja. If a thief is in your compound, if you don’t shout thief, thief the thief will think you are sleeping.

“We want to know how much the 13 percent due to the communities is worth. And we must ask urgently. By the time we visit the Minister for Finance and

the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR once or twice, we will get the needed data and work out the figures. We will then go to the government to tell us where the money is and they must account for it,” she stated.

Also present at the Warri gathering were Benjamin Iwetan, Chairman, Host Communities of Nigeria, Oil and Gas, HOSTCOM, Delta chapter, zonal leaders of the body as well as Oil and Gas Women groups from Urhobo, Iteskiri, Ijaw and and Ndokwa nations who have unanimously opposed the contentious new DESOPADEC bill.

BRIEFING: From left: Mr Babak Tighnavard, Chief Operating Officer/ Head of Marketing, Saltside Technologies Ltd, Mrs. Uche Ajene, Marketing Manager, Efritin.Com Ltd, and Mr. Zakaria Hersi, Head, Efritin.Com Ltd, during the briefing/launch of the Efritin.Com, for used goods online in Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Itsekiri graduates allege marginalisation in Okowa's YAGEP, STEP programmes W ARRI—THE National Association of Itsekiri Graduates, NAIG, under the leadership of Ajagbe Oritsegbegbemi has accused the Delta State Government of marginalisation in the number of persons shortlisted for interview into Skills’ Training and Entrepreneurship Programme, STEP and Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme, YAGEP initiated

by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to empower 6,000 youths in the state.

Oritsegbegbemi in a statement, yesterday, expressed dismay at the list released, despite their resolve to work with the state government. “In as much as we intend to work with the state government, we are dismayed at the outcome of the first batch of the empowerment recruitment.”

Also rejecting ongoing moves by the state government to restructure the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC

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through the proposed amendment of DESOPADEC bill, NAIG urged the state

government to immediately address the perceived lopsidedness of Itsekiri

graduates in the YAGEP and STEP Programmes.

‘Why Jonathan, PDP BoT upturned state party sanctions of members

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By Samuel Oyadongha

ENAGOA—FORMER Bayelsa State Commissioner for Transport and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mrs. Marie Ebikake, yesterday, explained reasons for the weekend’s decision by the former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and the members of the Board of Trustees of the party to upturn the

state party sanctions against some members in the state.

The meeting of the Board of Trustee of the party and Dr. Jonathan, according to her, was not a reconciliatory one but it considered the alleged suspension and expulsion of some party members as a nullity.

Ebikake was relieved of her appointment by Governor Seriake

Dickson in the build up to the presidential poll, over alleged shift in loyalty to the wife of the former President, Dame Patience Jonathan.

The former transport commissioner spoke yesterday in Yenagoa, under the auspices of the Peoples Democratic Party Unity Forum.

Surveyors tasked on support for leaders

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SABA—MEMBERS of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, NIESV, in the country, have been called upon to rally round and support their leaders in order to move the body forward.

Chairman of the Delta State branch of NIESV, Chief Efe Appih made the call when its members paid a courtesy visit to the

President of the Institution, Olorogun James Omeru, yesterday in his Warri office.

Chief Appih, who extolled the leadership qualities and fatherly assistance of the President in both advisory and material grounds to the branch, over the years, expressed optimism that the branch was at an advantage, since the President is from Delta State.

He stated that the Delta State NIESV had taken the first step of a thousand kilometres in the journey towards verifiable improvement and growth of the Delta State branch. “As we speak, our members can now effortlessly access information, interact and analyse issues concerning NIESV withmoderncommunicationgadgets already in place.”

Foundation visits SEC, urges support for kidney patients

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By Onuzore Dania

AGOS—A group, Julie Donli Kidney Foundation, has called on multinationals and corporate organisations in the country to assist on issues of advocacy and treatment of Nigerians diagnosed with kidney related ailments.

The founder of the foundation, Julie Donli, said though the foundation was committed to the issues of advocacy, treatment and sponsorship of kidney transplant for patients, the call for participation of multinationals and corporate organisations will increase the numbers of patients saved from death as a result of kidney related ailments in Nigeria.

Donli, in a statement in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on the advocacy visit to the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Abuja, Mr. Mounir Gwarzo, said as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility of SEC, it was important to partner the foundation to ensure that the awareness was taken to every state of the federation.

Donli, while congratulating Mr Gwarzo, on his confirmation as the Director General of SEC, noted that the Julie Donli Kidney Foundation was a non-governmental organisation set up to create awareness on the importance of kidney health and to offer some financial assistance to indigent patients undergoing dialysis treatment or kidney transplant.

According to her, “The medical options available to participants for different kidney ailments and the importance of the kidney to overall health to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems can't be over emphasized.

As part of the Corporate Social Responsibility of SEC, it is important to partner the foundation to ensure that the awareness is taken to every state of the federation.”

A Patron of the foundation Mr. Collins Pman, President and Consultant Epidemiologist, Dr. David Adesanya presented the certificateofconfermentasPatron ofJulieDonliKidneyFoundation toMr.Gwarzowhogladlyaccepted it.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015—43

Imo NBA moves against plot to slash salaries of lawyers, judicial workers

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI—LEADERSHIP of Imo State Branch of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA,

‘It'll be callous to abandon 2nd Niger Bridge project'

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

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NEWI—THE Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture, ONICCIMA said it will stop at nothing to ensure it persuades the new All Progressives Congress, APC, Federal Government to complete the ongoing Second Niger Bridge project.

This was contained in a communiqué it issued yesterday after addressing newsmen in Onitsha on the recently concluded 8th “Edition of the Perspective” of the Chamber at Sharon House Onitsha, Anambra State.

The communique said that successive governments promised that the existing Niger Bridge needed to be supported with the Second Niger Bridge to strengthen the life-span of the bridge, but all had been promises until the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration kick-started the project. It said that it will be callous for any government to abandon the project now.

has said it will stoutly resist Governor Rochas Okorocha’s plan to slash the salaries of government lawyers and judicial workers.

The position of the Imo NBA was made known by the state Chairman, Mr. Stanley Imo, at a press conference, yesterday in Owerri.

It was the considered opinion of Mr. Imo that Governor Okorocha had no right to determine salaries of workers in the judiciary.

“NBA is urging the governor to rescind the plan to slash the salaries of such workers, as the union will stoutly resist any such move through all legal means available to it,” Imo said.

According to the Imo NBA boss, the executive arm of government cannot arrogate to itself, the power to determine the activities of the judiciary,

including salaries of its workers.

Imo roundly faulted the governor for interfering with the allocation of the judiciary, stressing that such interference

was against the law.

“The governor should understand that the judiciary is a separate arm of government and should enjoy total autonomy.

Hearing of case between Imo govt and labour resumes today

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—HEARING of the trade dispute filed by the organized labour against Imo State government, resumes today at the Arbitration Panel of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity.

It is expected that the state Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Mr. Austin Chilakpu and his colleague of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, would lead the workers' team,

while a senior government official would lead the government side.

The organized labour dragged the state government to the Arbitration Panel over what they termed “government’s unwillingness or inability to clear the arrears of salaries owed workers in the state.”

Vanguard recalls that when both parties met recently, it was deadlocked because labour claimed that the government side was not properly constituted.

Labour insisted at the time that an officer of government that can

do not support the idea of NFF narrowing down Super Eagles coaching job to ex-footballers alone. Must one be a former football player in order to be a good coach? They should open the job. -Mr. Fisayo Aderibigbe, Businessman

take decisions that would not be over-ruled by a higher authority, ought to be there for the meeting.

When contacted, Mr. Chilakpu confirmed that “labour dragged the state government to the Arbitration Panel and we will be there to pursue our matter to its logical conclusion.”

Vanguard recalls that the organized labour last week, called out its members on a five-day warning strike and are likely to take a far reaching decision after the arbitration exercise.

Microsoft crowns Brazil team as 2015 Imagine Cup champion

By Emeka Aginam, in Seattle, Washington

F

OR THE Microsoft judges, it was a difficult task to select the best team out of the three teams that pitched for the final stage in Innovation, World Citizenship and Games, weekend, in front of capacity audience of 5,000 students, judges, partners, Microsoft employees and the media at the Washington State Convention Centre in downtown Seattle.

It would be recalled that Microsoft judges had chosen first-place winners in each of the three Imagine Cup competition categories.

The Teams included IzHard from Russia for Games, Team eFitFashion from Brazil for Innovation and Team Virtual Dementia Experience from Australia for World Citizenship.

Although the three teams from Brazil, Australia and Russia did brilliant presentations, the judges eventually selected the best.

While Microsoft Chief Executive Officer, Satya Nadella advised the innovative students, including Team LifeWatch from Nigeria, whose solution is already attracting market attention to keep the dreams of Imagine Cup alive, he crowned Team eFitFashion from Brazil as the winning team of the 2015

Imagine Cup World Championship during a live broadcast in front of the audience. This development will also allow them to have a meeting with Microsoft CEO. Team eFitFashion’s project, Clothes For Me, is a marketplace for custom-tailored clothes based on a person’s unique body size and shape.

“All of you represent that passion to dream the impossible and make it possible. I want you to keep that dream alive,” Nadella told the Imagine Cup competitors Friday, adding that, “ what you started at this competition is going to grow, because of your passion, your dreams, your ability to take it forward and your ability to learn

On Oliseh as Super Eagles coach W T W W hat I have to say about Oliseh as Super Eagles coach is that such is what it is meant to be, using people with experience and training efficiency to teach the players a thing or two, so as to get positive results. -Mr. Samuel Lilrichey, Student

e should stop wishing our coaches bad luck. The only thing God needs from Nigerians is for us to have faith and believe that Oliseh will bring joy to the Super Eagles and to Nigeria. With our prayers, he might turn to be the best.

-Miss Isaac Chika, Nurse

o have played as a footballer is a completely different thing. If Zinedine Zidane can be appointed as a coach by Real Madrid based on his six years experience, then that is why we are where we are today in all areas. -Mr. Frank Anoh, Self-Employed.

on the way. It’s such a pleasure for me to see the passion and the innovation you have demonstrated today.

Accordingly, Microsoft panel of distinguished judges including Thomas Middleditch, star of the hit HBO show 'Silicon Valley,' Alex Kipman, inventor of HoloLens; and Jens Bergensten, lead developer of Minecraft had decided between the top three Imagine Cup teams, narrowed down from tens of thousands of teams from across the globe.

For 13 years, Microsoft Imagine Cup had inspired and challenged student developers worldwide to master new skills, build strong teams and bring technology projects from concept to fruition.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

I

The state counsel are the lawyers handling all the government cases and if the governor can pay private lawyers handsomely, the state counsel should be paid likewise,” Imo said.

hen Steven Keshi coached the Super Eagles to win the Africa Cup of Nations, we said Keshi was the best, but later rejected him and almost stoned him when he failed to qualify for the same competition next year. -Mr. Benjamin Ukposidolo, Worker

T

o me this is crap.

What has Oliseh done as a coach for him to deserve that position?

Why not start him with Eaglets? Nigerian politics in almost all sectors is just crap. What team had he coached? Does he have the experience? -Miss Ukogu Chinasa, Worker

44 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

INEC commissions N100m REC House in Jigawa

Saraki not responsible for delayed appointments in Kwara — STATE GOVT

By Charles Kumolu

By Aliyu Dangida

D

UTSE—THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced plans to build official residences for all its Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs, across the country by 2019.

The National Commissioner in charge of Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, Ambassador Muhammad Wali, who dropped the hints at the formal inauguration of residential quarter for REC in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, explained that about N100 million had been expended in the construction of Dutse REC’s accommodation.

Ambassador Wali said for the commission to have its full independence, efforts had been put in place to ensure that all RECs across the federation had befitting accommodation built by INEC.

Benue PDP gov candidate closes case at election tribunal

By Peter Duru

M

AKURDI—THE governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Benue State in the last election, Terhemen Tarzoor, Tuesday closed his case at the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Makurdi, the state capital.

This was sequel to the ruling of the Tribunal admitting in evidence, clips of The Sun newspaper publications of May 16 and 23, 2015, and a DVD clip of Channels Television broadcast of January 3, 2015, tendered before the Tribunal by the National Library of Nigeria and Dr. Cletus Tyokia, the second and third petitioner ’s’ witnesses respectively.

Ruling on the admissibility of the newspaper clips, Justice Hadiza Ali held that the evidence was admitted in the interest of justice, contrary to the positions canvassed by the first, second and third respondents on the grounds of improper certification of the materials.

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LORIN—THE Kwara State government has dismissed claims that Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, was responsible for the delayed appointment of commissioners and other political appointees in the state, saying the financial crisis in the country was the cause.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the governor, Dr. Muyideen Akorede, said the need to adjust the programmes of the administration in line with the current economic realities, informed the delay.

His words: ‘’Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed addressed the issue during last week’s interactive programme, The delayed appointment of commissioners and special advisers was caused by the financial challenges facing the state and the need to adjust government programmes and plans accordingly. ‘’Adequate financing is critical to the success of any programme, the state government is presently concerned with growing its Internally Generated Revenue to augment dwindling federal

SYMPOSIUM: From left; Dr. Rizwan Yousuf, Category Business Manager, Maternal & Infant Nutrition, Nestle Middle East; Dr. Chris Isokpunwu, Head of Nutrition, Fed Min of Health, Mrs. Marie Owoniyi, Executive External Stakeholder Manager, Nestle and Dr. Chika Ndiokwelu, immediate past president, Nutrition Association of Nigeria, during the Nestle Maternal and Child Nutrition symposium, themed: Tapping into the Window of opportunity in the 1st 1000 days of Life, at Ilupeju, Lagos, yesterday. Photo by Bunmi Azeez. allocations as a way out of its financial challenges. ‘’Governor Ahmed can only constitute his cabinet and make other necessary appointments after finalising strategies to

ensure prompt payment of workers’ salaries and meet other important obligations promptly. ‘’In line with provisions of the law, Governor Ahmed has initiated the process of constituting the state

executive council by seeking the State House of Assembly ’s approval to appoint 10 special advisers. More appointments will be made in due course.’’

Non-payment of allowances, enhanced salary package worries non-academic staff in Bauchi In his address on the occasion, neighbouring states were already to resort to industrial actions in

By Suzan Edeh

B

AUCHI—THE NonAcademic Staff Union of Education, Bauchi State council, has called on the state government to hasten the implementation of enhanced salary package and allowances for non-teaching staff in the state.

State Council Chairman of the union,Comrade Mukhtar Tukur, who stated this yesterday during the opening ceremony of the 6th NASU State Quadrennial delegate conference at the Development Exchange Centre in Bauchi, lamented that the previous administration was insensitive to the demands of its members, in spite of the fact that non-academic staff in

benefitting from their respective state governments.

He said that one of the resolutions of the 2011 national conference was that the demands of NASU, including payment of allowances and enhanced salary package, should be implemented in all the 36 states of the country.

“At this juncture, we are calling on the head of service and government under the leadership of Mohammed Abubakar to expedite action on this issue which for years is still in the office of the head of service “ “We are worried that each time agreements are voluntarily reached or entered into, the government reneges in implementation,” he said Tukur said during the past administration, NASU refused

order to give room for the government and head of service settle down to address the issue, but lamented that the government, out of neglect, only paid entitlements of teaching staff.

Why we’re tactical in presenting witnesses – GOMBE APC COUNSEL OMBE—COUNSEL to All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in the April elections, Mr. Ayoola Ajayi, has described as tactical his intermittent presentation of witnesses in the ongoing case at the Election Petition Tribunal.

Responding to questions from newsmen after the tribunal sitting in Gombe yesterday, Ajayi allayed

G

Capital Oil blames marketers for worsening fuel crisis

By Michael Eboh

A

BUJA—CAPITAL Oil and Gas Limited, yesterday, accused some oil marketers, especially members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, of aggravating the fuel crisis witnessed in some parts of the country.

Speaking in an interview in Abuja, Managing Director/Chief

Executive Officer, Capital Oil, Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah, accused the oil marketers of engaging in the reselling of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, at exorbitant prices at its facility, a situation which he claimed jerked up the ex-depot price and pump price of the product.

According to him, the abuse of the policy allowing change of truck number makes it easy for some marketers to pay for and

the Head of Service, Mr Abdon Dalla Gin, assured that the government was making efforts to address all the pending allowances and outstanding salary package for non-teaching staff in the state.

collect loading tickets from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, with a particular truck number and then come to our terminal with a different truck not indicated on the loading tickets.”

He further stated that the company had to move in to address the sharp practices of the marketers to ensure that it did not breach the laws and also to save the organization from sanctions.

fears expressed over the ponderous pace of the presentation, explaining that the legal tactics were deliberate as the hearing had just begun.

“We are taking the witness the way we feel will be good for our case. We are bringing them gradually. Maybe tomorrow, we will bring some more and we will continue that way. ‘’It’s just to take care of the circumstance. I told you the other time that we are just starting now.

Very soon, we will take off. ‘’You know it’s an election that involves so many wards, polling units and the rest of them. You don’t just rush in things like that,” said the counsel.

According to him, the forensic examination of materials as ordered by the tribunal is still being carried out in some areas.

He said they would do their best to meet up with calling all the witnesses lined up for the case within the time frame set for them to pursue the case.

Vanguard, THURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015—45

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NULASS: From left— Daniju Sultan, President, National Union of Lagos State Students, NULASS; Senator Oluremi Tinubu, guest speaker, receiving her NULASS Life Membership award; Olusegun Olulade, special guest, and Professor Tunde Babewale, Dean, Students Affairs Division, University of Lagos, UNILAG, at the inauguration and inaugural lecture of the newly-elected NULASS exco and National Council at UNILAG, Akoka, Lagos.

AWARD: From left— Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State; Mr. Tunde Lasabi, President, Nigerian Institute of Building, and Mr. Dachollom Jambol, Chairman, College of Fellows, during the conferment of Fellowship award on the governor at the 45th Builders' Conference and annual general meeting of the institute at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

WOMEN ASSOCIATION: From left—Alhaja Amudat Amusan, Alhaja Sariyu Ashiru and Dr. Oluranti Adebule, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, at the Federation of Women Association Nigeria's 29th Annual El fitri Family Day in Lagos. PHOTO: Shola Oyelese.

NEPAD: From left—Mr. Olasupo Amos, graduand; Mrs Eniola Fadayomi, Chief Christopher Ezeh, Chairman, New Partnership for Africa's Development, NEPAD, Business Group Nigerian; Dr. Nike Akande, 1st Vice Chairman, NEPAD, and Chief Victor Oyolu, Vice, NEPAD Business Group Nigeria, at NEPAD's 2015 students graduation ceremony in Lagos. PHOTO: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

SERVICE: From left—Mrs. Eunice Oghiadomhe, member, JEA Good Women Choir; Rev. David Esosa Ize-Iyamu, General Overseer, Jesus Evangelical Assembly, Allen Avenue, Ikeja; and Mrs. Funmi PhilipAdewunmi, Leader, Jesus Evangelical Assembly Good Women Choir, during the church's annual Unity Service.

ROTARY: From left—Mr. Joe Iyalekhue, former President of Rotary Club of New Benin; Dr. Osagie Ebomoyi, new President of the club, and Mrs Ebomoyi, during the handing over of leadership of the club to Dr. Ebomoyi in Benin, Edo State, yesterday.

WORDS OF WISDOM: From left— Reverend Ogaba Isaac Ogaba, Wesley Chapel; Mr. Ben Akabueze, former Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Lagos State, and guest speaker; and Sir Demola Aladekomo, Convener, Words of Wisdom Session for young professionals, during the session with Mr. Akabueze at Wesley Chapel, Lekki, Lagos.

IMAGINE CUP: From left—Pablo Veramendi, Microsoft official; Ahwin Kevin, Sobola Timilehin, Adeyemo Oluwaseun and Obinaju Raymond, members of Team LifeWatch, at the just-concluded Microsoft Imagine Cup competition in Seattle, Washington DC, USA. PHOTO: Emeka Aginam.

46 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

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48 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015—49

Tambuwal becomes Life Bencher

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OVERNOR Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has been admitted into the Body of Benchers as a Life Bencher.

In a letter with reference number BOB/NIG/ALB/ 7A/70 addressed to the Governor, Secretary of the Body of Benchers, Mrs H. A. Tukur, said that the appointment was ratified by the Body at its meeting.

Membership of the body is highly sought after by legal professionals serving in the bar and the Bench.

The body is made up of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, President of the Court of Appeal, presiding justices of Court of Appeal Divisions and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

Others are the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, chief judges of the states, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chairman of the Council of Legal Education and the President of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA. The rest are 30 legal practitioners nominated by NBA and such number of persons, not exceeding 10, who appear to the body to be eminent members of the legal profession in Nigeria of not less than 15 years post-call standing.

Tambuwal was called to the Bar in 1992.

NMN urges NASS to halt Edo World Bank loan proposal

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AT I O N A L Movement of Nigeria, NMN, has appealed to the National Assembly not to approve the N14.7 billion World Bank loan for Edo State.

It said the loan process negates the principles of accountability, probity and the anti-corruption drive, which are the cardinal points of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

NMN’s President, Mr. Okharedia Ihimekpen, said: “Taking the loan is not the issue, but judicious use and accountability must be assured.

“We, therefore, appeal to the Senate and the Presidency to ask Edo Government to account for past loans, federal allocations and internally generated revenue, before seeking further loans.”

Ortom sets up three c'ttees to probe Suswam’s administration

By Ben Agande

A

BUJA—GOVERNOR Samuel Ortom of Benue State has set up three committees to probe the administration of the immediate past governor, Dr. Gabriel Suswam.

The governor also explained that the resumption of payment of full salaries and overheads in the state were responsible for the increase in the state’s wage bill.

Speaking Tuesday evening when he met with journalists in Abuja, Governor Ortom said the committees were for assets verification, contracts verification and recovery of

monies and moveable assets owed and due the government and people of Benue State.

On his plans to check the insecurity in the state, Governor Ortom said he had proposed an amnesty for those in possession of illegal weapons, with compensation ranging from N100,000 for those with automatic weapons and N10,000 for those with locally-fabricated weapons.

On the probe, he said the panels are to ascertain Benue’s assets, the funds that came into the state and how they were managed between 2007 and May 2015.

He said from preliminary investigations carried out by

his administration, it was discovered that apart from the indebtedness of the state, it appeared that the salary of workers was being spiked.

He said an independent body would be empanelled to determine the actual salary of Benue workers.

Governor Ortom added that biometric data of all Benue civil servants would be conducted to curb the issue of ghost workers.

He said the state’s monthly wage bill ranged from N2.9 billion to N3.7 billion, when overhead was added, while the salary arrears was N12 billion, with pension/gratuity over N19 billion.

LIONS: From left— Lion Aare Lekan Owolabi, District Chief of Staff; Lion Tunji Edward, District Cabinet Treasurer; Lion Taiwo Adewunmi, 1st Vice District Governor; Lion Dr. Funke Adebajo DG; Lion Kayode Olabiran, District Cabinet Secretary; Lion Sola Aregbesola, District Chief of Protocol, and Lion James Oyeyemi, Personal Assistant to DG, at the devotional thanksgiving service of Lions International District 404B-2 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, to mark the beginning of its 2015/2016 Lionistic Year Tenure, in Lagos.

Kwara Assembly threatens to order relocation of military barracks

By Demola Akinyemi

I

LORIN—KWARA State House of Assembly, yesterday, threatened to order the relocation of the military barracks and Nigeria Prison Service from Ilorin over the harassment of residents of the area by officers from both agencies.

This was part of resolutions of the House, while debating on a matter of urgent public importance raised by member representing Ilorin North-West constituency, Abdul-Rafiu Abdul-Rahman.

The Speaker, Dr. Ahmad Ali, while reading the resolution on the floor of the House, cautioned the military and prison authorities to stop harassing residents around Oke-Kura Area in Ilorin West Local Government Area with immediate effect, to enable them go about their normal business activities.

He said the House had constitutional powers and jurisdiction to direct, if the

activities of the federal agencies were affecting the well being of the people residing where such federal agencies were situated.

The lawmaker from the constituency had, among others, called for total relocation of the military base

and Federal Prison, OkeKura, in Ilorin to its permanent site at Mandala in Asa Local Government Area, in view of the harassment being allegedly meted out to residents of the area by the officers of the two federal agencies.

Saraki seeks foreign assistance to rebuild North-East

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ENATE President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, yesterday, solicited the assistance of the international community for the ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to end the insurgency in the NorthEastern part of the country and, thereafter, rebuild the area as well as rehabilitate victims of insurgency.

Saraki made the call at separate sessions he had with the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Zenner and his Spanish counterpart,

Alfonso Barnudvo Sdbastian De Erice, who paid courtesy visits to him in Abuja.

He stated that the humanitarian situation and level of destruction in the area ravaged by the insurgents required urgent and wide support across the world.

In separate remarks, Mr. Zenner and De Erice commended the Senate for putting behind the crisis that bedevilled its take off.

Plateau tribunal orders inspection of election materials

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

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O S — T H E Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos, Plateau State, yesterday, ordered the inspection and analyses of all the election materials used in the last governorship .

The governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the said election, Senator Gyang Pwajok, had petitioned the tribunal seeking the nullification of the election of Mr. Simon Lalong of All Progressives Congress, APC. The tribunal’s Chairman, Justice Johnson Candide, said so far 10 PDP witnesses testified before the court and that the prehearing trial session report was relevant in the application brought before it through counsel to Pwajok, Yilji Gomwalk, his running mate, and PDP.

Media outfit takes professional to Cannes

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media outfit, Media Perspectives, MP, recently sponsored two account executives, Messrs Molade Orioye and Adetutu Kayode to the 2015 Cannes Young Lions festival in France.

The media outfit, which seeks to play significant roles in the lives of consumers through brands, also pioneered an e-learning academy, which was established to overcome the knowledge gap that is pervasive in the advertising industry.

The agency, which specialises in training young Nigerians, proved its hallmark for success by deeming it fit to sponsor the young executives to France.

One of the participants at the festival, Orioye, who expressed gratitude to the management of Media Perspective, said: “At Media Perspective, it is all about people, processes and strategy.

Those were the pillars that took us the heights we reached.”

50—Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6 , 2015

Slash emolument of NASS members Dear sir ATIONAL assignment is a call to serve, and not the punches, the slaps and the scaling of fence movies we have watched at the 8th National Assembly.

Nigerians have not heard anything or known much about what our lawmakers are taking home as their salaries and allowances for years . We got to know few days ago that each Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria receives N506,600 per annum as wardrobe allowance. Nigerians have since then been lamenting over the issue. But to our amazement, the truth about what the lawmakers take home is not told.

Investigation by some National dailies has shown that lawmakers receive allowances nine times higher than their basic pay under different categories.

It was also revealed that senators’ allowances totalled N18,642,880 on annual basis. Alarming? Not done yet, each senator’s salary is pegged at N2,026,400 per annum. To sum up the juicy pay, each senator and a member of House of Representatives is entitled to 19 different categories of allowances. This again excludes the regular and irregular allowances that come quarterly or periodically.

It is important to know some of these allowances for record purposes: Lawmakers allowances include : entertainment allowances, utilities, vehicle maintenance, fuelling, domestic staff, personal assistants, wardrobe, constituency, newspapers, recess, accommodation, furniture and tour duty etc.

In order to come out clearly in this piece, I have discovered what other senators earn per annum world wide.

Just take a look at these few ones: In Bangladesh a senator takes $4000,

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India $5,100, Malaysia $11,200, USA 17,400, Spain $43,900, France $85,900, Britain where we borrowed our democracy takes $105,400 per annum.

A senator in Nigeria is richer and mightier than her counterparts as mentioned above. How did they arrive at the jumbo pay? How comes we are different from those who gave us the system? So many questions begging for answers here!

The average salary of Nigerian workers based on the National minimum wage is N18,000. This means that a Nigerian worker that is regularly paid, will receive N216,000 per year.

This is not realistic because, as I write, over 18 States in Nigeria are owing their workers ranging from four to 11 months . Little wonder members of the National Assembly are warring among themselves. It is all about their interest even though it is obvious that the masses are dying of starvation.

Nigeria’s economy is already in shambles as a result of mismanagement of public funds and leadership failure. It would be an understatement to say it is only State Governors that need bailout; the entire country needs just more than a bailout if things must fall back to shape. President Buhari says the treasury is empty and if his claim is true, then we need the Almighty God’s intervention to survive.

There can always be a way out of any situation. We can not fold our arms until the country is finally drained by the treasury looters in the land. Nigeria need real austerity measures starting from the National Assembly members. Bogus and duplicated allowances should be stopped. Allowances that are paid secretly should not even exist. It is time to work for the interest of the nation.

Alifia Sunday Ilorin, Kwara State 08035850876

Aba’s urban renewal and role of media Dear sir HERE are three major traditional roles performed by the mass media. They are to inform, educate, and entertain. In carrying out these roles, the mass media attain other ancillary functions such as persuading/influencing the society; socialising, and integrating the society.

Through the persuasion role of the mass media, the masses attune themselves to the programmes and policies of the government to make them a reality. It is one thing to articulate a policy and another thing to carry the masses along. As the Fourth Estate of the Realm, the press take it upon themselves as a social responsibility to explain, interpret and urge action on the part of the masses.

Thus, it is only when the press have created the awareness about the necessity and desirability of such governmental policies and programmes that the masses are convinced and persuaded to lend support to them. Persuasion takes the form of constant and consistent efforts to socialise and make people both receptive and responsive to the desirable policies of the state or any other responsible corporate authority.

No project presently demands the de-

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ployment of the ancillary roles of the press more than Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s “Aba Renewal Project” which aims at reinventing and giving, Aba, the “Japan of Africa” and indisputable pride of the Igbo man, a facelift.

The renewal project is manifesting in massive road reconstructions, which has ` generated excitement galore across the city; desilting of drainages;and infrastructural rehabilitation of government buildings and abandoned projects.

In line with the administration’s paradigm shift in information management in the state, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Godwin Adindu, has at different fora laid strong emphasis on “development communication”.

Like Anyanwu D.O posited in his book”Editorial: The Voice of the Media”, “the mass media of communication are not mere watchdogs of the society. They are rather active agents that manipulate the minds of men; influence their values and beliefs; shape their views and lifestyles; take them to places or hold them hostage.

In other words, the mass media are both agenda setters and opinion moulders.”

Media practioners especially in Abia, have enormous roles to play in Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s Aba Renewal Project.

Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu, Abia State.

Slashing NASS’s jumbo salaries

lT will be ethically wrong for the emolument of Nigerian workers to be tampered with, because it is the corrupt political class and oil glut that caused the fiscal doldrums.

They killed the economy through bad economic policies and thievery. NASS members and politicians should reduce their jumbo pay and return their loot and approve death penalty for corruption.

Chief Bobson Gbinije ,Mandate Against Poverty,+2347068621168

Relocation of military headquarters

President Muhammadu Buhari started on a good note by directing the immediate relocation of the military command centre from Abuja to Maiduguri, Borno state, the epicentre of the insurgency, until Boko Haram is defeated.

It was also reassuring when he stated that the country could not claim to have defeated the insurgents until it is able to rescue the Chibok girls and other innocent people in the sect’s enclave.

President Buhari is walking his talk and with this and other steps, it is certain that Nigerians did not make mistake by entrusting the country to him.

Romanus Idiroko +2348024209181

NASS’s leadership crisis

It is a shame for APC’s national publicity secretary, Lai Mohammed to say that Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon Dogara who won the Senate President and House of Rep Speaker are not APC’s candidates because they were not nominated by their party.

He forget so soon how APC encouraged Rotimi Amaechi to go against the wish of PDP during the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, election that saw the emergence of two factions. Lai Mohammed was the chatter box then.

Now, the same scenario has played out in APC and they are wearing sad faces and refusing to shake hands. The South West which the North used to seize power are becoming the losers.

Solo Aloba +2347052624455

Removal of fuel subsidy This fuel subsidy fraud is nauseating and it has unfortunately asssumed a frightening dimension.

President Buhari should take the bull by the horn and cancel fuel subsidy since it is only benefiting the well to do and not the masses who incidentally are the ones always bearing the brunt. Time to act is now.

The pain will be transient but in the long run people will commend that

decision.

Anonymous 2347052624455

Amnesty International’s comments on Boko Haram’s activities

The Federal Government should drag Amnesty Iknternational to the International Criminal court for aiding Boko Haram with its comments on extra judicial killing in Nigeria against the Nigerian Army.

The Amnesty International director should be arrested for sponsoring terorist activities in Nigeria.

Peter +2347061158706

Invitation of President Buhari to G7 meeting

The G7 nations make up the strongest economic block in the world.

Is Russia among the G8 nations? Maybe Russia is sanctioned because of the invasion of Ukraine.

The invitation of President Buhari is a welcome development. This gave him the chance to table Nigeria exact situation.

Anonymous +2348137518785

Fuel subsidy removal

I’m actually taken aback at the position of theNigeria Labour Congress, NLC and Trade Union Congress, TUC leadership on this subsidy issue. Their stance is like some of the beneficiaries of the subsidy scam.

Some Nigerians who were directly implicated in the subsidy scam and corruption are today walking free and nothing was done! NLC and TUC leaders did nothing! I expected NLC and TUC to react and maybe cause national unrest over those that were implicated and found wanting in the fuel subsidy scam.

Anonymous 2348063897516

President Buhari should improve on our economy

It is high time we discussed the state of the economy and what to do to improve in the new democratic dispensation.

To change the living condition of our people, we must have enterprenueurs of different interests and for this to happen, the importance of conducive environment for our businesses cannot be overemphasised.

I really want to seize this opportunity to implore President Buhari to embark on the journey of positive change in all aspects of his administration in order to improve the economic conditions of Nigerians and eradicate extreme hunger and poverty in the land.

Dozie Orji, 08034944060

SAYINGS OF OUR ELDERS The game of life is the game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deed and words return back to us sooner or later.

Be kind to get kindness back in return.

Simon Adewale08056180103, Send us your Sayings of Our Elders. They must be African sayings or proverbs. Biblical or English proverbs are unacceptable.

Address your sayings to: The Co-ordinator, Sayings of Our Elders,Vanguard Media Ltd., PMB 1007, Apapa,

Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015—51

How improper waste disposal damages health

By Chioma Obinna

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ISPOSAL of refuse without proper supervision often amounts damage to the environment and ultimately to the human body system.

A Public Health Physician, Prof Akin Osibogun, says improperly disposed refuse has both direct and indirect health effects. The direct health effects arise from excessive breeding of vermin and agents of disease such as rats, flies and mosquitoes.

“Rats are known to transmit diseases such as leptospirosis, Lassa Fever and some other haemorrhaging fevers, salmonellosis, and plague,” he said.

Oshibogun noted that flies are implicated in transmission of diarrhoeal diseases such as shigellosis while mosquitoes are well known for transmission of malaria.

“Apart from infectious diseases, improper disposal of refuse will also result to leachate and contamination of ground water and this can result in poisoning of bore holes.”

He explains that leachate is the liquid that forms as water trickles through contaminated areas. It is a very harmful mixture of chemicals that may result in hazardous substances entering surface water, groundwater or soil.

The improper disposed refuse also cause injuries e.g from broken bottles, rusted metal objects etc resulting in cuts and slippery constituents resulting in falls.

Refuse also generates methane gas which is highly inflammable and improperly disposed refuse is therefore a fire hazard.

Fidson urges action against hepatitis

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POOR REFUSE DISPOSAL: Heap of refuse dumped in front of Community Primary School Orogwe, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.

Surface water contamination: Waste that ends up in water bodies negatively change the chemical composition of the water.

Technically, this is water pollution. This will affect all ecosystems existing in the

Improper disposal of refuse can contaminate ground water and can result in poisoning of bore holes

water. Hazardous chemicals that get into the soil (contaminants) can harm plants when they take up the contamination through their roots. If humans eat plants and animals that have been in contact with such polluted soils, there can be negative impact on their health.

The bottom line is that bad waste management practices can result in land and air pollution and can cause respiratory problems and other adverse health effects as contaminants are absorbed from the lungs into other parts of the body.

ONCERNED about the prevalence of Hepatitis in the country, Fidson Healthcare Plc recently called for nationwide preventive action of encouraging Nigerians to get tested, vaccinated and seeking adequate treatment so as to avoid acute and chronic liver diseases.

The company made this call, following reports by the Federal Ministry of Health, that over 20 million Nigerians are presently infected with the Hepatitis virus.

Fidson’s Marketing Manager, Mr Friday Enaholo, stated: said the report was alarming, as it shows that on the average, one out of every 12 Nigerians is infected with the Hepatitis Virus.

“This data is worrisome and calls for national preventive actions that should involve every Nigerian. Every stakeholder within the health sector and public has a role to play in the area of policy formulation, compliance as well as healthy and hygienic lifestyle.”

Further, Enaholo said a bigger concern is the fact that the diseases are preventable, but most people, especially those in rural or semi-urban areas, don’t even know how to prevent them. “This is why as a company, we are actively participating in this global campaign by enlightening Nigerians, through all possible communication channels, on how they can prevent the spread of Hepatitis”.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

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The penis enlargement exercises you do through the use of a penis pump is what gives significant and long lasting enlargement. Get the Potent Developer Pump or Machismo Pump for this – Uche I am in my first relationship with a girl. I am nervous because I keep hearing about how women love a man who can perform. I have also heard that you can have sex for thirty minutes and still not be able to perform. So how can one perform? Miles Performing in sexual terms simply refers to the ability to pleasure a woman for a significant period of time.

Many men suffer from premature ejaculation which makes them ejaculate within two to three minutes of penetration. For a woman to enjoy intercourse, sex has to last longer than that. Anything from fifteen to twenty minutes is preferable because it takes the average woman around twenty minutes to reach orgasm. To give a woman a pleasurable time in bed, you must first get her to look forward to it. This is called foreplay and it simply means preparing for what

is to come. Anything from telling jokes to hugging, holding hands, kissing etc fall under foreplay. This is important. Unlike men, women find it harder to just jump into bed except they have already been sensitized and prepared for that final stage of coitus. So foreplay is important in addition to prolonged intercourse and female genital stimulation. Whatever you do in bed, don’t ignore the clitoris. If you are able to effectively stimulate the clitoris before and during penetrative intercourse, you would have passed your ‘performance’ exam with flying colours.

If you are the type that ejaculates early, you can avoid this through the use of an ejaculation delay cream like Gladiator Gel or a desensitizing penis sleeve like the Stud Extension. If you struggle to get an erection or it takes you a long time to get a second erection after ejaculating the first time, then you will need the help of a performance supplement. Magic Mike, Sex Voltz and Max Stamina are all good performance supplements that will help you with that. Some men also run out of energy and find themselves too weak to go on after ejaculating the first time. The above supplements will also help you with performance stamina. And to ensure hands free clitoral stimulation during intercourse, get a Vibrating Cockring or Couple’s Vibrator – Uche I used to have what doctors describe as low genital arousal. Ever since it was discovered, I was directed to you for help. I didn’t speak with you but your staff recommended the Encounter OrgasmGel which I have been using with better results. Please does it have a dosage? Maureen Orgasm gels don’t have a dosage, you can apply them as often as is necessary – Uche The names of people mentioned here have been changed for their privacy. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 08171912551 or 08027901621for help or visit www.zeevirtualmedia.com.

52—Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

A dying breed: Emma Ezeazu!

TRIBUTE

By Chido Onumah

Salary arrears as a misnomer

By Nzeribe Ihekwaba

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OT quite infrequently you get to read of oxymora as news report from Nigerian dailies. Several news outlets are reporting on an ongoing but serious economic sabotage of the working class wherein the practice of Nigeria’s employment law is observed in its breach. The trending but incredulous revelation is that wages are being withheld on a widespread scale.

The worrisome claim is that the very watchdog hired by the sovereigns, and empowered by the constitution, that is the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government are neck deep in an unholy practice of withholding wages of workers.

We must make some clarifications first: the practice in reference is about unlawfully withholding duly earned salary or wages, in part or in full, by an employer. In many jurisdictions, it is a violation of law and the collective bargaining agreements.

We understand that the Nigerian constitution frowns at it too. It may be argued that it falls under the general premise of the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy as enshrined in the 1999 constitution’s Chapter II, Section 17(3)(c ) whereby government is enjoined to protect and ensure that “the health, safety and welfare of all persons in employment are safeguarded and not endangered or abused.”

Bonafide employee In the U.S., it is against the Fair Labour Standards Act (FLSA), which requires a qualifying employer in most cases to pay workers their earned wage, above a minimum level, and with earned overtime pay, if they are not classified as exempt.

Withholding pay or wages may be allowed under certain strict guidelines vide a court order, wage garnishment, tax lien, mutually agreed proffers, or other legally permitted rules. No one will deny that arbitrarily withholding wages does far more grievous harm to the worker. In fact, wrongfully withholding wages from a bona fide employee may result in costly legal consequences for the employer, including governmental agencies. In some places, the repayment penalty may even be a multiple value of what was withheld.

The incredible idea that an employer - notably agencies of government - would retain a retinue of workers to toil on its behalf and render civil service, months on end, and then refuse to pay lawful compensation as well as extend other contractual emoluments to them is beyond fathom. It is almost certainly a fraud, whether the employee C M Y K

in ThisDay newspaper insists that “Nigeria is in a profound crisis of compensation.” The public, and especially the injured workers who have locus standi, without prejudice to their other rights, must take the fork in the road and contest this criminal conversion. It is a task that Map of must be done!

Nigeria What exactly is considered a job - an resides in outer space or on the employment - in today’s Nigeria terra firma of West Africa. Such and who has legitimate claims to an arbitrariness is strange and having one these days? That may indefensible. It must stop. That be the question of the year for all several thousands of diligent the elected public officials to workers have kept their answer. Further, is the Nigerian employment contract but are employer aware of the truism that repeatedly denied the reward of a worker is deserving of his wage? due compensation, their base The other day, an essayist, salary and accompanied benefits, Olusegun Adeniyi writing in the is probably a crime against ThisDay newspaper as part of a humanity. series that debuted on June 18, It may possibly rise to the level 2015, wondered if the tragedy is of a class action pursuit. reflective of the Nigerian situation Obviously the debtor State becoming destitute such that even governments have scant respect religious and charity for their workers that they can organizations are making plans spurn their fundamental rights to to donate groceries to public fair compensation. It is widely employees. What a sad, assumed that the first duty of humiliating situation for the government is the protection of worker. lives and not this conscious plan, wittingly or unwittingly, to Humiliating impoverish them and force them situation into homelessness. The Nigerian constitution recognizes this fact Unfortunately, no one is under the hereinbefore exploring legally sufficient, fair referenced Chapter II, Section compensation for those that oil 14(2)(b) thus: “the security and the wheels of the economy with welfare of the people shall be the the same gusto. The alleged plea primary purpose of government.” by the state governors in asking A former U.S. President, Ronald for economic relief from the Reagan, is credited with federal government as a palliative reiterating this truism when he for the workers is revolting to say opined that government’s chief the least, and is clearly antithetical duty is to protect the people, and to the principle of accountability not run (or, ruin) their lives. and good governance. If the But the trending reports are that previous federal allocation and government entities and their internally (locally) generated agencies are widely involved in revenue from which the wage bill this scam and this is dangerous. is funded was allegedly Several commentators have mismanaged, why would any recently written on this unfolding sane federal government release criminality. Yes, that is what it is more funds into the rat hole when you seize wages duly without an inquisition being earned and then withhold same carried out? for several months, some upwards The Nigerian worker must seize of six to nine months, without the initiative. Why would folks interest credit! Comrade Issa repeatedly go back to an Aremu of the Nigerian Labour organization - an employer - as a Congress in a June 25, 2015 essay daily routine to oil its wheel of sustenance, if that entity has habitually and contractually failed in its basic obligation to compensate its workers? It can be argued that the alleged pension and wage theft compromises the provision of the 1999 constitution’s Chapter II, Section Unfortunately, no 16(2)(d) which requires the government to provide “suitable one is exploring and adequate shelter, suitable legally sufficient, and adequate food, reasonable national minimum living wage, fair compensation old age care and pensions, and for those that oil unemployment, sick benefits and welfare of the disabled are the wheels of the provided for all citizens.” economy with the •Dr. Ihekwaba wrote in from Florida, USA same gusto

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MMA Ezeazu who was buried in Onitsha, southeast Nigeria, on July 4 was one of the staunchest activists of the radical student and civil society movements in Nigeria. His death came as a shock not just to me and many of his comrades, friends and colleagues but to people who knew him only by name and reputation.The news of Ezeazu’s death in mid-May came shortly after a programme I took part in as part of activities to mark the 2015 Global Day of Citizen Action organized by Project Pink Blue in Nigeria on the theme: “speak out, organise and take action.”

In September 2006, Dr. Omolade Adunbi, then a graduate student at Yale University, and I wrote a tribute to a mutual friend and comrade, Chima Ubani.

Arbitrary increase Ubani had died a year earlier in a car accident along the Potiskum-Bauchi Road on his way from Maiduguri, Borno State, on a mobilization tour against the arbitrary increase in the price of petroleum products by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

Ubani was a fiery activist, one of the finest this country has produced. He was a great mobilizer and it was only natural to think about the tenth anniversary of his demise as I reflected on the theme of this year’s Global Day of Citizen Action.

I remembered the call by Omolade Adunbi that fateful day in September 2005 and thought of contacting him to share thoughts on what to do in remembrance of Ubani. In the decade since the death of Chima Ubani, the radical movement in Nigeria has lost a host of young and very brave warriors: Olaitan Oyerinde, Bamidele Aturu, Oronto Douglas and others. Perhaps, apart from the 1920s at the height of the pan-Nigerian nationalist struggle, no other period in our history witnessed

Ezeazu was not all activism and politics. He had a soft side that belied his steely character and powerful voice

the kind of sustained struggle for students’ rights, democracy, human rights, etc., as the periods of the 1980s and early 1990s.

That was the period these late activists held sway.

Theirs was the golden generation of student activism and sustained political struggle in Nigeria. It is sad, therefore, when one reflects on the passage of any comrade who played a key role in that tumultuous period of our national history. But what is even sadder, considering that death is inevitable, is that somehow that generation managed not to reproduce itself.

That, perhaps, explains the sorry state of student activism in Nigeria today and the inevitable death knell of our once glorious organisation, the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS. Memory fails me, but my first encounter with Ezeazu must have been at the NANS convention at Obafemi Awolowo University (then University of Ife) in 1989, at the height of the regime of Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida.

Those who knew Ezeazu as a student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, from where he emerged as president of NANS in 1986 and those who encountered him either as a rights activists, campaigner for democracy, advocate for electoral reforms or politician will attest to the clarity of his ideas as well as his commitment.

But Ezeazu was not all activism and politics. He had a soft side that belied his steely character and powerful voice that gave him a commanding presence during his days as a student activist. In the years before he took ill, an illness that limited his movement and reduced his public appearances, any time that other raconteur, Innocent Chukwuma, was in Abuja was an occasion to reconnect; not only to talk politics, but also to share jokes.

And Ezeazu was not an amateur in this regard.

Touching tributes It was heart-warming, therefore, reading the touching tributes to Ezeazu, particularly that of Salihu Mohammed Lukman who succeeded Ezeazu as president of NANS in 1988, reflecting his contributions not just to the student movement but the bigger issue of national identity formation and the future of our blighted nation.

I draw inspiration from the tribute by Lukman about Ezeazu’s nationalism. One can say confidently, Emma was born an Igbo man and died both an Igbo man and a Gwari. In our generation, Emma is about the only Marxist that practically lived based on Lenin’s dictum of recognizing your own nationality but never campaigning for the hegemony of your own nationality over others.” conumah@hotmail.com

Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015—53

PDP asks NASS to reject proposed N14.7bn World Bank loan for Edo zAs two Senators from the state disagree

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By Henry Umoru

BUJA—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has urged the Senate and the House of Representatives to reject in its entirety, the proposed $75 million credit loan which amounts to N14.7 billion from the World Bank for Edo State, just as it warned that if granted, it would impoverish the state.

Speaking with journalists yesterday in Abuja, Chairman, PDP, Edo State, Chief Dan Orbih noted that this was not the time for what he described as endless borrowing against the backdrop that the state is one of the most indebted states.

the first tranche, said: “I want to call on the leadership of the Nigerian Senate to kindly reject the request for the President to grant this money to the Edo state government. The issues that come to mind at the mention of this loan are; what is the governor going to use this loan for? How has he utilized previous loans obtained by his government because you must look at what he has done with the previous facilities he has taken before considering offering him any new financial lifeline.

“Don’t forget not too long ago, he went to the capital market to

obtain N35 billion loan for the Benin Water Storm project, as we speak, the only thing after paying out billions of naira in respect of that project all that is visible today in Benin city is the pool of stagnant water littered all over Benin city and the attendant emergence of what people now refer to as Oshiomhole mosquitoes, very stubborn and deadly mosquitoes. That is what that project has brought to the city.

“There is nothing to show that the N35 billion which he took from the capital market for that particular project has been

utilized. In fact what the governor is asking the Senate to grant him permission to access is not up to what he collects as security votes for undisclosed security challenges. It is on record, that Oshiomhole takes up to an average of N500 – N700 million every month for what he refers to as urgent security challenges, what these challenges are, he never disclosed and from the records available to us from the police headquarters, since he came into power, Edo State has never witnessed any major, urgent security challenges that will warrant the expenditure of N20 million in a month talk less of N500 – N700 million in a month."

Senators disagree

Also yesterday, two Senators from Edo State disagreed sharply on the proposed loan.

Speaking to Vanguard yesterday, the Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Francis Alimikhena, APC, Edo North described the loan as very important, stressing that the previous ones have been useful and effectively executed in carrying out World Bank projects in the state, warning that people should not play politics with the proposed loan.

But disagreeing with his colleague, Senator Matthew Uroghide, PDP, stressed the need for verification of the previous tranche to ascertain if the loan was used properly and for what it was given, adding that Edo State cannot afford to go for such a loan now when it was presently unable to pay salaries.

Also disagreeing with the proposed loan, Senator Clifford Ordia, PDP, Edo Central who opposed the request on the grounds that it will plunge the state into further indebtedness, stressed that if the loan was approved, it would raise the Edo State’s debt profile under Oshiomhole to N44.1 billion ($225m) at World Bank.

Buhari's letter

President Muhammadu Buhari had written to the Senate requesting for the approval to obtain a total of $75 million credit loan amounting to N14.7 billion from the World Bank for Edo State.

According to the president, the proposed loan facility of $ 75 million would be a second leg of a Development Policy Programme the World Bank had approved in 2012 which was a total sum of 225 million dollars (N44.1 billion) to Edo state government designed to be implemented in three tranches of 75 millon per annum.

Speaking further, Orbih who called on the national assembly to first verify what happened to

VISIT: From left: Marketing Manager, Mortein, Qaiser Rashid, Director General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Prof. Innocent Ujah, Marketing Director, Mortein, RB West Africa, Oguzhan Silivrili, and Deputy Director, Research & Head, Malaria Research Programme, NIMR, Dr. Samson Awolola, during a courtesy visit by the Mortein team to NIMR office in Lagos.

Abia, PDP's stronghold, says party chieftain

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MUAHIA—A Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain and former special assistant to Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Mr. Ben Onyechere, has debunked the insinuation by the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Abia State, that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was responsible for the destruction of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s, office in the state.

He said this was to divert attention of the security agencies whose duty it was to investigate the criminal activity.

He said: “The allegations are fictitious and pretentious attempts as well as an after thought to distort the facts

by APGA. This is because Abia is the strongest hold and base of PDP in South East and as such it is inconceivable for any party to nurse the ambition of contending with PDP in Abia.

“The strength of the PDP in the South East cannot be contested and as such, APGA’s claim is a far cry from the reality which is an over whelming popularity of PDP. The destruction of INEC office is a well crafted plot by the opposition to attract attention in newspapers to make it seem as if they are in contention with PDP."

Mixed reactions trail publication of bank debtors

By Providence Obuh & Ediri Ejoh

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AGOS—MIXED reactions have trailed the publication of banks’ debtors list by various banks in the country. While some affected individuals have denied owing any money to banks that published their names as debtors, other stakeholders have commended the move, saying it is a step in the right direction.

Reacting to the publication, immediate past Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Abike Daibiri-Eruwa and DEC Oil and Gas have said they have no knowledge of the said facilities that had gone bad in the books of the affected banks.

NLC commends CBN

But Dr. Peter Eson-Ozo, the General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, reacting to the publication commended the Central Bank of Nigeria’s, CBN, directive to banks to publish names of chronic debtors, saying it would strengthen the

economy, Eson-Ozo told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja that the measure would help to strengthen the nation’s economy.

He said that the banks did the correct thing by going ahead to heed the directive of CBN to publish names of the debtors. He said that it would be inimical to the country’s economic growth for anyone to owe banks millions of naira without paying back.

“I think the banks have done well by publishing the names of debtors because it is not good for anyone to borrow money and not pay back, it endangers the economy,” he said.

The debtors are to be blacklisted and banned from participating in the foreign exchange market, as well as trading in the Nigerian Government Securities market.

In his own reaction, Dr. Uche Uwaleke, also commended the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, for directing commercial banks to publish the names of bad debtors in newspapers.

Uwaleke said that when debtors were embarrassed, they would be forced to repay whatever they collected. He said: “The idea of naming and shaming in my view will make these people at least seek ways of making repayment. These people had been given ample time to pay their debts and they refused to pay, so they do not have any excuse for non compliance. I think the directive by the CBN is a step in the right direction, it is the way forward.”

Former Minister of State for Works, Dayo Adeyeye has, however, threatened to institute legal action against Unity Bank Plc for publishing his name as a debtor to the bank.

He denied owing any bank both in Nigeria and anywhere in the world, in his response to the publication in some newspapers that he was among those indebted to Unity Bank Plc. He explained that he was only nominated as a nominal director by the owner of International Payment Devices

Limited, Senator Ayo Arise.

His words: “Truly, a friend of mine, Senator Ayo Arise, owner of International Payment Devices Limited, included my name as one of the directors just to satisfy the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, requirements.

“I have never been part of the operations of the company since it was incorporated. I have never shared any dividend from the company or carried out any function on behalf of the company.

“Most importantly, I was never involved in any transaction between the company and Unity Bank Plc and the bank never informed me that I was involved in any transaction on behalf of any company.

“The company also did not inform me that it had any financial obligation or transaction with Unity Bank Plc or any financial institution until I saw the publication in the newspapers today.

Besides,itiswrongforanybanktopublish names of customers with which it transact business in newspapers when the court had not adjudicated and ascertain whether or not the customer actually owed the bank."

54—Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

Lafarge, foundation kick off literacy competition

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ETERMINED to further inspire Nigerian children towards academic excellence and promote quality education in Nigeria, Lafarge Africa Plc. in partnership with Ovie Brume Foundation has commenced the 2nd edition of Lafarge-Ovie Brume Literacy Competition.

The competition is organized yearly to promote literacy skills across public primary school pupils in the country and to engage them in activities that will showcase their ability to read, write and spell correctly.

Speaking on the initiative, the Group MD/CEO, Lafarge Africa Plc, Peter Hoddinott said the company remains committed to promoting academic excellence among pupils in primary schools across the country and creating opportunities for them to sharpen their literacy skill and build their self-confidence in line with its corporate social responsibility, CSR.

Intel paves way for young developers

By Laju Iren

A

N organisation known worldwide for its culture of investing in people, Intel Corporation has reached thousands of youths across different African countries through its Intel Developer Zone, IDZ. IDZ, is a programme that connects young local developers to the right development and business resources, as well as a rich engaged community to foster innovative growth.

Although IDZ has been launched in Kenya and South Africa with tremendous results, Intel believes that the launch of the programme in Nigeria, which took place recently, is the beginning of greater things.

For Intel’s Regional Director for South and SubSaharan Africa, Mr. Sven Beckmann, although there is a hunger for innovation across Nigeria, “the entrepreneurial spirit in Nigeria is a very exciting.”

AWARD: From left— Mr. Tajudeen Obasa, representing Ojo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives; Mr. Oladotun Hassan, National President, Yoruba Council of Youth; Miss Oyinleye Atinuke, Miss Mary Adebanjo and Mr Foluwasayo Mesele, during the presentation of award to the lawmaker in Abuja.

Pharmacists task FG on taxing imported drugs

By Sola Ogundipe

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HE Federal Government has been cautioned against imposing a 20 percent import adjustment tax on imported finished pharmaceutical products, as recommended by the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group of the Manufacturer’s Association of Nigeria, PMG-MAN. Making the call yesterday in Lagos, President of the Association of Nigerian Representatives of Overseas P h a r m a c e u t i c a l M a n u f a c t u r e r s , NIROPHARM, Mr. Lekan Asuni, said such move lead to higher cost of several imported, life-saving drugs, against the Common External Tariff, CET, of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, of which Nigeria is a signatory.

Speaking at a press conference, Asuni, in a presentation entitled: Access to Essential Medicines in Nigeria: Implications of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET), faulted the assertion by the PMG-MAN for higher taxation on imported products of HS Code 3003 and HS Code 3004.

“Whilst it is a development imperative for the Nigerian government to support local manufacturing across all industrial sectors, NIROPHARM affirms that the

PMG-MAN position, albeit, based on an unsubstantiated premise that any additional taxes on the products will be passed to patients – should be deemed invalid.

He said: “More benefits are accruable to the wider Nigeria pharmaceutical industry and Nigerians as a whole, if the CET Tariff is retained, supported and sustained.”

Noting that the position of

NIROPHARM was that the Federal government “should ensure that the input into local pharmaceutical manufacturing, that is, raw materials, excipients and packaging, be allotted zero percent importation tariff.”

As a way forward, Asuni called for access to funds at lower digit interest rates by overseas drug importers as was currently being enjoyed

by the local manufacturers.

He said: “Local manufacturers recently engaged in the prequalification of their facilities using this low interest funds.

They also source for foreign exchange directly from the Central Bank, wheareas importers of pharmaceuticals do not have access to such facility.

“This is a policy error which needs to be reviewed to make medicines more affordable.”

Adamawa First Lady makes case for Boko Haram victims T

HE wife of the Adamawa State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Miracle Martins, has called on corporate organisations in the country not to neglect the victims of the Boko Haram insurgency.

Mrs. Martins made the call in Adamawa state at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp over the weekend at the distribution of Ovaltine beverages food drink to the victims of the Boko Haram in the state.

The wife of the Deputy Governor said that the victims did not envisage of being in this present predicament adding that its individual and corporate kind gesture would erase the memory of the barbaric act by the Boko

Haram While commending the Ovaltine for the philanthropic gesture, she quickly added that more still need to be done as the victims require urgent rehabilitation and reunion with their families.

In her welcome address the Senior Brand Manager, Twining Ovaltine Nigeria, Mrs. Taye Adewunmi said that the company recognizes the plights of the victims, hence the need to support the government efforts to make life meaningful before their reunion with their families.

Mrs. Adewunmi disclosed that Ovaltine is all about nourishment adding that the

gesture was part of the company social responsibility policies to always give back to the society it operates.

“Ovaltine recognized that this is the right time to respond to the plight of the Internally Displaced Persons because they require our collective support and empathy at this critical moment of their life,” she said.

Mrs. Adewunmi further said that the Ovaltine gesture is all about responding to the humanitarian need of the displaced persons at this critical moment of their life.

“We feel their pain and the need to be provided with nutritious food so they can remain healthy and be able to live active life in spite of their current predicament,” she said.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015 — 55

Boko Haram kills nine fishermen in Baga

By Adekunle Aliyu with Agency report

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OKO Haram Islamists shot dead nine fishermen in a village near the shores of Lake Chad in northeastern Nigeria, a leading fisherman and a survivor said on Wednesday.

The men were heading towards the fishing town of Baga on Tuesday when they were stopped by the militants, dragged out of their van and gunned down, said Abubakar Gamandi, head of the fishermen’s union in Borno State.

“From the information I got from survivors of the attack, nine of my members were killed by Boko Haram gunmen on their way to Baga from Monguno. They were ambushed at Maduwari

village,” he told AFP. “Soldiers engaged the attackers in a gunfight and killed 13. They also recovered an all-terrain vehicle from the gunmen as well as the vehicle of the victims.”

Two vans were taking a group of 17 fishermen to Baga when the convoy spotted the militants blocking the way ahead, said Grema Ari, who was in the second vehicle and survived the ambush.

“They dashed into the road when they heard us approaching. Our driver managed to turn back and headed to Monguno,” he told AFP. The vehicle in front was forced to stop however and its passengers were brought out and shot dead, Ari and Gamandi said.

We'll maintain NYSC for national unity --Buhari

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BUJA —PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has pledged that his administration will take all necessary actions to maintain and improve the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme as functional vehicle for the promotion of national unity and integration.

Buhari gave the assurance after receiving briefing from officials of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, led by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Rabi Jimeta.

The President affirmed his confidence and trust in the scheme, saying that the objective for which the scheme was established in 1973 was still very relevant for national development.

He said “I firmly believe in NYSC and I

think it should remain a national programme to promote integration.

“Whenever I go home to Daura, I look out for corps members from Lagos, Aba and other parts of the country.

“I am always thrilled to learn that except for the NYSC, some of them have never left their states of origin to visit other cities in the country,.” Jimeta had informed the President that the increasing number of NYSC members was a challenge to the scheme due to dwindling revenue from the national budget to cater for their needs.

She also told the President that the annual enrolement of corps participants had increased from 2,364 at inception in 1974 to 229,016 in 2014.

“Later soldiers brought the bodies of our nine colleagues bearing bullet wounds to Monguno,” Ari told AFP. “They also brought the vehicle that was conveying our colleagues and another one belonging to the gunmen.”

Boko Haram’s bloody insurgency in Nigeria has left more than 15,000 people dead since 2009 and has increasingly spread across the country’s borders, with Chad and Cameroon suffering deadly suicide bombings in recent months.

Music legend and Airtel Brand Ambassador, Tuface Idibia; dance hall singer, Patrick Okorie ‘Patoranking’ with Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya exchanging pleasantries at the launch of Airtel Touching Lives Season 2 held in Ikoyi, Lagos on Wednesday.

Saraki challenges Omoworare’s Committee on e-parliament S

ENATE President Abubakar Bukola Saraki yesterday challenged the Senator Babajide Omoworare-led Committee on Rules and Business to evolve an eparliament for the country which would open a new chapter in legislative business in the nation.

Saraki while inaugurating the committee in the National Assembly complex noted that the Vice Chairman of the Committee who is also the Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, and other members of the Committee including Senators Barnabas Gemade, Kabiru Marafa, Joshua Lidani, David Umaru, Clifford Ordia, Chukwuka Utazi and Uche Ekwunife were specially chosen to make a difference in managing the day to day business of lawmaking by the 8th Senate.

Saraki said: “The challenge to us particularly

is how do we take Eighth Senate to the issue of e-parliament. I think that is my charge to the members of this important Committee.

“You must start this new page in the history of the Senate and I believe those who are members here have the capacity to do that and that is where we begin to say that the Eighth Senate did make a difference and started to do something innovative and useful”.

“I know that being led by the chairman, the majority leader and also distinguished senators, you must be the one that will change operational modalities of the Senate because that is one of the things that we want you to do as you prepare the Order Paper of the Eighth Senate on a daily basis."

He added that the composition of the committee also show that the 8th Senate is operating a policy of inclusiveness

Airtel pledges to transform more lives

By Adekunle Aliyu

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AGOS — After recording monumental success with the maiden edition of its revolutionary CSR initiative, Airtel Touching Lives, leading telecoms operator, Airtel Nigeria, has announced the commencement of the second edition of the initiative, which has been described by many as a ground-breaking approach to Corporate So-

cial Investment.

The Airtel Touching Lives is focused on empowering, uplifting and creating life-changing opportunities for underprivileged individuals, communities and groups in the Nigerian society.

Speaking at an event held on Wednesday in Ikoyi, Lagos, to mark the commencement of the second edition, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Air-

tel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, said the telco is rolling out the second edition of the revolutionary programme based on the monumental successes recorded with the first edition.

According to him, Airtel went the length and breadth of the country, last year, scouting for people who needed help and for causes to support, noting that “the journey yielded great

results as we touched the lives of many Nigerians.

He also noted that the Airtel Touching Lives initiative marks a significant milestone in the company ’s history of CSR interventions just as it perfectly aligns with the telco’s vision of connecting Nigerians to their dreams, enriching lives, uplifting people and creating prosperity for the people and communities we serve.

having put politics behind it to face the real work of legislating for the country.

The Senate President said: “I think what we are also doing here is showing the world what we have always said that this is an inclusive Senate. This is the Senate that is here to serve the people and leave politics behind and I think that having someone like Senator Babajide Omoworare as the Chairman of the Committee also goes to confirm that we are beginning to work

our talk about composition of committee and allocation of responsibilities based on competence, experience and qualification.” Earlier, Omoworare while thanking the Senate President for the honour, pledged that the committee would be innovative and proactive in the execution of its mandate.

He said: “We will carry out our mandate diligently, passionately and resolutely. We will ensure that there is fairness in the scheduling of the business of the Senate."

We'll ensure a level playing field for business in Nigeria —Osinbajo

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BUJA —Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says the Federal Government will ensure that business environment in the country is transparent and fair.

Osinbajo, who gave the assurance when he received a delegation of Lafarge Holcim Executives in the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday, said that the APCled administration would always ensure no one was unfairly treated.

According to him, it is important that government creates a level playing field and that no business process should seem disadvantaged to one or the other.

The vice-president reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to provide conducive invest-

ment environment for both local and international investors.

“The rules of the game should be fair and should not be that one is cheated or disadvantaged, but that everyone gets a fair chance,” he added.

The President of Lafarge Holcim in Africa, Mr Peter Hoddinott, said his company had invested heavily in the cement industry in Nigeria and subsequently creating job opportunities for thousands of unemployed youths in the country.

He said that the company would continue with partner with the Federal Government in addressing the nation’s housing deficit of about 17 million.

56—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

POLLS: Jonathan’s violation of zoning agreement cost him victory — Dorgu CHARLES Dorgu, was a close associate of the late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar‘Adua and member of his Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM as well as a convener of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in his native Bayelsa State. Dorgu served as executive secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA. In this interview, Dorgu reviews the issues that led to the defeat of his Ijaw kinsman in the last presidential election and previews the chances of his party in the forthcoming governorship election among other issues. Excerpts:

By Sam Oyadongha

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OW would you react to the crisis rocking the PDP at the national level and the defection of its members?

One thing you must know is that defection is a natural thing in politics. Defection does not necessarily mean quarrelling.

It simply means that I differ from your political position on a number of issues and if those issues are so overwhelming and I cannot accommodate them, I move on. That is the way it is.

Now, initially, it will appear that the PDP provided a veritable platform for all Nigerians and by the time, they moved beyond the first election, they discovered that the PDP was the only party.

There were other parties but they did not appeal to the people the way PDP did.

So because of that the PDP swept the poll and over 25 states belonged to the PDP. We were enjoying that popular position because of the principle of zoning at the national level and states. We were expecting everybody to respect it.

Political bigwigs

Councillorship position Even in my community, we zoned councillorship position.

It was a culture within the party and anything against it will be simply not acceptable. The party enjoyed relative popularity until Obasanjo served his term.

Presidency went to the North and because in all our human calculation, we did not build in contingency such as deaths.

When it came, we found the doctrine of necessity and it saw us through. And the North was complaining and they said as our own had died and it was our turn, how do we do it?

Our Northern brothers complained that ‘Yes, our brother died and Jonathan had served their term. So, Jonathan should not contest in 2011.

It was a big issue and some people felt since Jonathan was there, why don’t they allow him to be there? After much talk.

Family talk I would say, the North agreed and said let us

demands by our Northern brothers. And our situation was self inflicted and I think it would be better, we learn to be in opposition. The PDP era was getting to a situation of impunity.

At the home front (Bayelsa) don't you see the present crisis in the PDP destroying the party?

What I have seen is a family issue. None of these issues are created in concrete, it is a human situation. If you have hurt somebody, you should go on and apologise. And if all of us are just talking about legal positions, we won’t get anywhere. We should draw the lines. And am sure we are going to resolve it.

With all these misunderstanding how do you see PDP's chances in the December 5 governorship elections.?

Frankly speaking, the chances of the PDP are quite bright in Bayelsa. I appreciate that APC won election at the national level, and I appreciate that some of their bigwigs comes from Bayelsa. No big deal.

•Dorgu: When Jonathan reneged, we knew we were heading for failure support him.

In 2015, it became an issue again. And politics is about agreement. When people hold a perception and when agreements are broken, anything can happen.

For me, I had my reservations then. And knowing the Northerner, they have a deep mind, when they make up their minds, it is difficult to bend it.

It was necessary the agreement be upheld. When Jonathan reneged, we knew we were heading for failure.

When governors started defecting and party members showing anger, all these were signs that things were not right. And any discerning person should have known that PDP was in crises and if not properly resolved may lead to destruction.

Jonathan is blamed for disrespecting the agreement,

do you agree?

Well, as President, he will naturally take the blame because he is the leader of the party. He had party exco, the National Working Committee,

The former President is our leader. On the face of it, anybody can make a claim. If they feel he does not have such influence, that is their opinion

Board of Trustees under his influence.

If all of these did not help to resolve any of the contentious issues, then the party was bound to self destruct, because I am sure that if a Northern candidate had emerged, we would not have been completely swept out of office.

That is my personal reflection.

Again, it also boils down to accepting agreement.

Do you mean PDP loss was self inflicted?

Yes. It was self inflicted. And maybe due to the fact that the party leaders have been there for sixteen years. I think the current leaders do not appreciate the level of negotiations and understanding we had before a party like the PDP emerged.

If not so, they would have consented to some of the

But it is not the big name that wins election. It is the people.

We have to interact with the people.

Three and half years into the Governor Seriake Dickson’s administration, how would you rate his performance?

It would appear that I am a fan of the Dickson’s administration. Before Dickson came to campaign, he came to me. And I told him that if he will work for the people, I will support him.

I demanded an assurance that his administration will not act the way of the previous one (Sylva administration) acted.

We had three administrations, (Alamieyeseigha, Jonathan and Sylva), they thought they were too big and could not listen to the people.

Dickson asked me to package a blue print for Bayelsa development.

The document is there.

Myself and some other notable engineers put together a blueprint which he has implemented well so far.

He has shown commitment and performance not just in terms of development or human capital development, he has shown performance in all the areas he has promised to touch.

Three and half years is not too long a time. At least, for the first time, the state had a direction on where we were going in terms of infrastructure,

Continues from page 57

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015—57

MEET YOUR LAWMAKERS

Why we can’t judge APC govt in Imo now— AGBIM •Says Imo remains a PDP state Hon. Ken Agbim (PDP, Ahiazu Mbaise Constituency) is one of the six Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers in the Imo State House of Assembly. In this interview, the former media and entertainment executive, spoke on his plans for his people, collaboration with other legislators to assist the state government to increase its internally generated revenue and why it is too early to judge the All Progressives Congress, APC government in the state.

By Ikenna Asomba

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N fears that belonging to a minority party will hinder his legislative accomplishments This question has come up severally and my answer has been that as soon as we were elected and became members of the House of Assembly, everything about party politics comes to an end. All of us in the House are representing various local governments and we are equally elected. We all represent the interests of our people. I am representing my people of Ahiazu Mbaise and was elected on PDP platform. I think I represent the conscience of the government because I have the right to speak my mind whether what I think is right or wrong.

Of course, I know that being in the opposition means that I have to face challenges to be able to get my voice heard.

That is the most interesting part. I want to say that my people will not lack anything that rightfully belongs to them.

Ruling government I will not allow what should come to my people to be taken to another local government because I am not a member of the ruling government.

Your party was formally in control of Imo state, but with the way things are now, can PDP rise again in the state?

We are six PDP members in a House of 27 members. I still believe that Imo is a PDP state up till today. You know, there were some issues during the election; after PDP lost the presidency some members quickly shifted ground probably because they thought they stood a better chance of benefiting from the new government. There were many PDP members who didn’t work as expected to see the victory of their party ’s candidates because they did not want to be seen to be opposing the new government at the centre, especially big

What is the pressing need? So, beyond constructions, there must be employment opportunities for people to engage themselves and be able to get something for themselves at the end of every month. It is not just enough to have block work everywhere for people to know that you are working. The question is, how does such block work positively impact directly on people’s well-being?

The Imo State House of Assembly recently raised a joint committee to look at how to assist the state government increase its IGR). How far have you gone?

As a member of the House, we are all committed to ensuring that government can

increase the IGR of the state.

We are aware that such a step could bring some burdens on the people.

But we are looking at it to ensure that there are palliative measures and that the steps taken are not draconian to avoid the good intention proving counter-productive. What we are trying to do is to ensure that levies, taxes and other payments that should be made to government coffers are done.

That is to ensure that all collections on behalf of government are remitted appropriately without allowing touts to have their way. This will check leakages and make more funds available to government to provide needed services to Imolites.

POLLS: Jonathan’s violation of zoning agreement cost him victory — Dorgu Continues from page 56

•Agbim: We can't at the moment judge the APC government in Imo time contractors and financiers.

I want to put it on record that we won three senatorial seats in Imo State. We won eight out of 10 Federal House of Representatives positions. So,

We cannot really at the moment judge APC government in Imo. The APC administration as I told you is just about two months old in Imo State; before now it was APGA

Imo remains a PDP state.

Some people believe that going by the number of roads constructed under the Okorocha administration and other visible achievements, the APC government has been a blessing to the state. What’s the true position of things in Imo? We cannot really at the moment judge APC government in Imo. The APC administration as I told you is just about two months old in Imo State; before now it was APGA. Also, roads have been constructed but sometimes it depends on the quality and also what people are looking for from a government. Are people looking for road or food to eat, employment, etc? If a government constructed a big market and there’s nobody to sell and buy in that market, it does not benefit the people.

I am not saying that construction of roads is not good, but you have to find out what the people really want.

development, education and others.

And I feel the man who has kept his words should be supported. Let him have a second term.

The instability that we have in Bayelsa is a result of this claim that nobody does second term in Bayelsa. Who told them nobody does two terms? We just have to break the jinx this time around because we need some stability But some people feel if they don’t get anything out of this government, like sharing money and getting jobs, he has not done well.

Public money Those things just simply annoy me. That man is sitting on public money. You are expecting him to share it.

How does he get it out to share it? That is simply asking him to go and steal.

How is the support of the former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan relevant

in the race for governorship in the state?

The former President is our leader. On the face of it, anybody can make a claim. If they feel he does not have such influence, that is their opinion.

But among party faithful, we will continue to have respect for him.

He is a former president and will participate in Council of State meetings. What influence do you expect from him? Do you want him to go and be commanding the Army? His silence is the wisest thing to do.

For those his former aides who defected to the APC? It shows you that they are opportunists.

That brings the questions that these Senators and House of Representative members, what have they done for Bayelsa and their people?

They spent four years in Abuja, and how has that translated to development?

They don’t have political relevance.

They were handpicked and they demonstrated it with no achievements. Let them point to one achievement?

58 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

African Jesus last super preach peace in troubled times

By Elizabeth Uwandu

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S one enters the gate of St. Pio Catholic church, Surulere, one will be greeted with two gigantic art works that depict Jesus and his disciples designed on the interiors of the walls of the church. The two creative works , carefully put together by an upcoming artist, Mr Valentine Ihemenwa are so monumental as it showcase the rich culture of Nigeria, and also promote unity among the heterogeneous groups.

The first is the piece which depicts Jesus and his disciples breaking Bread during the last super, while the second is the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, but one unique thing about the works is that the works showcase Jesus and his disciples in black skin and in traditional attires depicting the real African nature of Jesus and his disciples.

According to the artist, the concept of Nigeria Last Supper is to change the stereotypical belief that anything from Africa and indeed Nigeria is not good; project the image of Africa that we blacks can be Christ and lastly promote the idea of unity in diversity.

his disciples having black skin as it took his community two years of persuasion by Rev. Fr Vincent Orji to allow him do the Supper.

He said, “during those two years of waiting, community members accosted me on why I should think Christ as black man. However, when the work

The artist has done other works such as Omalicha, Christ head, Money Christianity located in the theatre garden of Imo State University

¶ The triumphant entry of Jesus to Jerusalem, one of the works by Valentine was completed the same people praised me.

So, the disputed Last Super I did in the East got recommended to the priest in Lagos, who saw the pictures and asked if I can do a replica of the last supper only that the Jesus this time will be white while the disciples will be black.

Unlike the one I did where all the disciples including Jesus had black skin in. So I had to do a design of the last supper and the triumphant entry at Jerusalem for the church.” the artist attested.

On his journey into sculp-

ture, the sculpture graduate of Imo State University said he faced many challenges from the beginning up till his university days, his fathers rejection of the course, his teachers failure to register him for WAEC examination and other challenges said he took a bold step which made him to succeed in the course.

The artist who has done other works such as Omalicha, Christ head, Money Christianity located in the theatre garden of Imo State University, lamented on the absence of a strong national body such

Unity in diversity Ihemenwa said” I wanted to show the world that we blacks can be Jesus , promote Nigerian culture through the attire and dishes displayed n the painting . And lastly, I wanted to pass the message of unity in diversity as you can see that all the ethnic groups in Nigeria are represented and they all ate and drank together.

He further added that projecting Jesus black gives Africa and indeed Nigerians credit.

On the design of the Catholic church, Ihemenwa said that the recommendations he got from doing the Nigeria Last Supper in his home, Egbeada, Ubomiri in Imo state brought the job as someone who saw the work , liked it and told the priest about it.

Although, the Last Supper he did in the East suffered set back when he first brought the idea to do it with Christ and

• Lines, patches, pathos; Erasmus Onyishi's winning entry for the 2014 NAC

At NAC retreat, artists explore Nigeria's future histories

By Prisca Sam-Duru

I

N preparation for the unveiling of the 2015 National Arts Competition NAC, finalists which takes place today, at the Nigerian Breweries Plc, Iganmu Lagos, the 12 finalists began a 4-day retreat on Monday, to enable them interact with leading artists, scholars and practitioners in their fields.

The retreat which offered the finalists, the opportunity to exchange ideas and dialogue with other finalists, as well as the platform on which to delve deeper into their project proposals, was sponsored by Nigerian Breweries and organised by the African Artists’ Foundation, AAF. At the AAF headquaters, Ikoyi, Lagos, venue of the retreat, the participating artists were guided throughout the duration of the retreat by some of Nigeria’s finest practising artists, on how best

to present a personal interpretation of the theme for the competition, Future Histories.

Workshop facilitators and artists’ mentors were Theo Lawson, Patrick Koshoni, Oliver Enweonwu, Uche Uzorka, Olu Ajayi, Wura Oguniji and many others.

The retreat was moderated by Olayinka Sangotoye, and had panelists, Wura Oguniji and Uche Uzorka. It began with a review of the portfolio of each participant.

They shared past experiences, works and also, presented a peep into what they intended offering in the competition.

At the end, the panelists also shared their own experiences working as established artists, their challenges and how they were able to hang on, with the view to encouraging the participants.

Some of the workshop themes included; Future Histories:

African Contemporary Art-Past, Present and Future, handled by Oliver Enweonwu; Challenging your Comfort Zone: Dare to be different! which was facilitated by Victor Ehikamenor, Interactive Session on the Evolving Role of the Artists, was handled by Ore Disu and Yegwa Ukpo while The Spirit Of Africa Lies Abroad, was facilitated by Theo Lawson.

The major vision of AAF is to encourage the best practice of arts in Africa stressing that the retreat was to enable them share their thoughts and ideas

as the Society for Nigeria Artists ( SNA) in the East which he said, had made young artists not to be recognised and also make art lovers and business mogul to look outside for art collections.

The artist added that the absence of such a strong body has resulted in the exodus of artists from the East to places like Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt where they are better appreciated. Hence, he plead for a strong body and patronage from art lovers as lots of rare talents are in the East.

Ifedayo Durosimi-Etti who made a presentation on behalf of Nigerian Breweries, NB, said NAC is part of the company’s effort to encourage and promote the development of creativity, arts and artists in Nigeria. NB she noted, recognises that arts play an important role in strengthening cultural values in any society adding that the sponsorship is only part of a broad initiative to support arts development in Nigeria as well as development of talents in various fields of endeavour.

Olayinka Sangotoye on his part, stressed the essence of organising the retreat which he said was to enable them groom the participants. According to him, the major vision of AAF is to encourage the best practice of arts in Africa emphasising that the retreat was to enable them share thoughts and ideas between upcoming artists and practising artists to know what is needed to represent Nigeria and Africa in the global world of arts.

"This is to teach them to learn beyond the studio. The competition is open to both artists and art lovers with exceptional ideas and they are guided during the retreat so that the works they produce will be outstanding enough to represent Nigeria in the art world.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015 — 59

Awontanmi explores the dynamics of Christian leadership

By Japhet Alakam

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INISTERIAL ethics are the standards, principles, and broad guidelines that Christian leaders must observe, as ethical practices are upright, honorable, moral, lawful, above-board, and full of integrity. In view of the above, the conduct and lifestyle of modern-day Christian leaders must be defined . But, in this end time when the devil and his agents have invaded the church, and many antichrist are on the prowl, the need for followers to be guided so that they will not fall to the tricks of the so called wolves in sheep clothing becomes a neccessity. And the only way they can do that, apart from constant reading of the word of God is to understand the ethics of Christian leaders.

The need to put right some of the wrongs in the present day life stlye of christian leaders is one of the reasons why a seasoned man of God and Provost of The Apostolic Church LAWNA Theological Seminary, Ayegbaju, Ilesa, Osun State,PastorI.GAwotanmicameout withanewbooktitled ThePrinciples and Practices of Christian Leadership Ethics.

The 109 pages book published by Deeman Shalom Press, Ilesa, Osun State explores the dynamics of leadership from the Christian faith and moral perspective. According to Pastor Mark O. Ighile, who wrote the foreword, “ It is the contention of the versatile author and pastor that spirituality is not a substitute for ethicality but rather the latter reinforcesandstabilizestheformer.”

Christian leadership The author in the six chapters book conceptualizes the term Christian leadership, articulates the relevance of Christian leadership to the churches and posits that without due observance of ethical leadership practice, chaos will be inevitable.Healsosituatestheplace of effective Christian followership in effective church growth and stability.

In chapter one titled, Christian leadership, the author explains the meaning of Christian leadership, the qualities and the difference between it and political leadership.

Here, he takes a holistic look at Christian leadership, pointing out that some of the so called leaders are no longer guided by the holy spirit, hence they are into some unethical practices. He also gave examples of some biblical leadership styles.

Since the church exists in the physical world and has human beings not angelic beings as her membership, the author in chapter 2 looks at some of the Christian leadership theories as a way of revealing their relevance to Christian leadership.

As a result of the importance of power and how people look for it at all cost, the author in chapter three

The Principles and Practices of Christian Leadership Ethics; Pastor I.G Awotanmi; Deeman Shalom Press, Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria; 2014; PP. 109. discuses the possible power abuse

by Christian leaders, how they do it and proffered eleven solutions on how to prevent such power abuse.

In chapter four, which can be seen

The book conceptualises the term christian leadership, articulates its relevance and a call for its due observance

as the major core of the book, the author takes a critical analysis of some ethical expectations of church leadership. Since ethicality is quite different from spirituality, the learned man of God taking a cue from the life of apostle Paul who separated ethical expectation from spiritual gifts highlights eight attributes expected of a christian leadership in order to live a worthy life.

Since there will be no leader without a followership, the author in the next chapter also takes a look at some of the ethical expectations of Church followership. Here, he explains some of the those things the followers must do to help the leaders.

Finally, Awotanmi concludes by exploring the intricacies of leading God’s fold ethically in an unethical world. In this age, where there is a new wave of immorality and christian leaders cover up many un-ethical living with spirituality, ministers of God should as matter of fact first of all purge God’s church of unethical tendencies and living.

The bible in Proverbs 14 vs 34 says, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach.” In thisendtime,wheretheantichrist is already here, there is the need for ministers of God to live a righteous life, sound character, integrity and Christ-likeness in their every day life. Heaven is real.

The book is wake up call to any child of God who wants to make it on the last day especially, the leaders, I therefore recommend it to all.

Abuja theatre alive with Ola Rotimi's stage comedy

By Prisca Sam-Duru

A

T last, the stage rendition of late Professor Ola Rotimi’s award winning play, ‘Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again’ comes up at the Sheraton Abuja Hotel on August 8th and 9th, 2015.

The staging of the comedy play which takes place in partnership with theatre practitioners and Sheraton Abuja Hotel, will feature popular Nigerian Actors and actresses- Ramsey Nouah, Ann Njemanze, Patrick Diabuah, TY James and a host of others. It will be performed four times, 3pm and 6pm on both days at the Ladi Kwali Conference Centre, Sheraton Abuja Hotel.

The A-list actor, Ramsey Nouah had announced in Abuja, a few weeks ago, that he will be acting in the play being presented by Mosaic Theatre Production, Cruise Entertainment in partnership with Sheraton.

The play, Ola Rotimi’s ‘Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again’, is a rib cracking comedy that contains no politically stimulated scenes and makes no di-

rect reference to any personality.

The practitioners organising the event are working towards a ‘Theatre at Sheraton’ initiative, that will lead to quarterly production of live stage acting at the Hotel, in order to improve the theatre going culture in the Federal Capital Territory.

Sheraton Abuja's commitment towards supporting the art with it’s involvement in theatre and its affinity with cultural events, is evident in the name of the hall, as Ladi Kwali’s legacy is related to culture.

Sheraton’s involvement culminated in the offer of a dinner for people attending with VIP tickets and a night’s stay and breakfast at Sheraton for anyone who purchases the VIP table tickets.

Ramsey Nouah is of the opinion that theatre gave impetus to screen acting, and is one of the reasons he agreed to act on stage, 16 years after his last stage drama performance.

A Drumcall for Herod: An evaluation

By Chuks Agu

A

DRUMCALL for Herod is a musical dramatization of a popular Biblical story – the life and times of John The Baptist.

The opening Act deals with the fall of man. Lucifer, through Adam and Eve brought sin into the world. Man has thus ‘sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God’ and is driven out of the Garden of Eden.

Strife, hunger, pestilence, diseases and death became his portion on earth. God in his infinite mercy gave man another chance with the promise of a MESSIAH. But before the arrival of the Messiah, he sent a forerunner in the person of John The Baptist to announce his coming and preach Salvation. John preached from the Wilderness.

John the Baptist also emphasized that the coming of the Messiah is “your insurance in this world against fire in the next.”

These messages do not go down well with King Herod who had taken Herodias, his brother Phillip’s wife while he is still alive.

The greedy and covetous Herod is quick to indict John.

While in prison his disciples announce the arrival of the Messiah who has been performing wonders and miracles across the land. John’s heart is gladdened and he rejoiced.

On the eve of his birthday, Herod is rattled with the news of some Angels visiting John in the prison as his mission continued to gain momentum.

Herodias admits that: “the atmosphere is heavy with tension, my lord... How can we guarantee a peaceful atmosphere?”

Herod in a sober mood decides as an act of clemency to mark his birthday to release John The Baptist. Herodias insists “he must be kept in captivity till the party is over” During the party, Herod asks Salome, Herodias’ daughter to dance for him for a prize. “I shall give you whatever your heart

Lari Williams’ literary craftsmanship has lifted the presentation from what would have been a gory tragedy to a spectacular drama

desires” Herodias instigates her daughter to demand John’s head. John The Baptist is beheaded and his head given to Salome on a sliver tray, A SAGE cries out.

A Drumcall for Herod is a beautiful adaptation of a Biblical event.

The setting is Africa. The costume is African. The language is apt and didactic, and the message, as relevant as ever. “Power corrupts.”

Worthy of note in this drama is the twist towards the end when the head on the tray was unveiled and instead of John’s head, it was that of Elijah seen. The Author has perhaps taken a dramatic license to weave together, two separate Biblical incidents: the demise of Prophet Elijah and later that of John The Baptist who is believed to be Prophet Elijah reincarnated.

To achieve this, the author introduced a character simply identified as WOMAN who exhibited all the traits and attributes of the Biblical JEZEBEL, a Baal Worshipper who had a score to settle with Elijah. Elijah in the course of his evangelism persecuted the followers of Baal. The moment WOMAN (Jezebel) appeared on the scene, she made it clear that she must avenge the death of the disciples of Baal.

Spirit of Jezebel Perhaps, what Lari is saying here is that, it’s not John The Baptist that murdered, but Elijah, John a harmless ‘voice in the wilderness’ did not commit any crime, Elijah executed about four hundred and fifty disciples of Baal. The spirit of Jezebel must have entered into Herodias and in revenge, demanded that Elijah (John) must die.

Though, this dimension is not explicit in the Biblical account, but it is quite profound here in the sense that indeed, it requires a great mind and creative ingenuity to come up with this revelation. This is the hallmark of a good adaptation, ‘yet being faithful to the source.’

A Drumcall for Herod though a tragedy, Lari Williams’ literary craftsmanship has lifted the presentation from what would have been a gory tragedy to a spectacular drama spiced with African music, poetry, chants, comic slants, witty dialogue and pageantry.

A Drumcall for Herod is a stage drama by Larry Williams.

60 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

PPP can solve unemployment crisis in Nigeria—NECA

negotiation. In a system where an agreed procedure for grievance settlement and statutory procedure for dispute settlement exists, one wonders why strike should be the first resort to conflict resolution.

“Our industrial relations system is at the precipice and time has come to halt this fast ride else the economy and the people will be the victims. We recommend, as a matter of urgency, a reform agenda that should start with the convocation of a Tripartite Forum that will take ownership of the agenda and enthrone a system that will ensure decency, orderliness, industrial harmony, adherence to the rule of law, justice and equity, and enhancement of national productivity.”

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

M

ANY commentators have argued that the high army of able bodied idle hands in the country is providing the fertile ground for the upsurge in all manner of crimes including insurgency that have created the general insecurity of lives and properties in the country.

While the challenge of high unemployment rate has defiled government and other efforts, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, believes it has a panacea to solving the unemployment quagmire in Nigeria.

NECA gave this hint at its 58th Annual General Meeting, AGM, in Lagos, which attracted social partners including representative of the International Labour Organisation, ILO. Addressing the gathering, President of NECA, Mr. Larry Ettah, sounded the warning that to say that unemployment was one of the major crises facing the nation today would be an understatement.

Proffering solution to the scourge, Mr. Ettah decided to share with the audience what he called the success story of a Public-Private Sector Partnership, PPP, that had created employment through the NECA-Industrial Training Fund, ITF, Technical Skills Development Project.

Middle level manpower According to him, “this is a joint initiative designed to promote the availability of middle- level manpower with appropriate Technical and Vocational Skills to meet the identified needs of industries. It also prepares participating youths for life-afterschool by raising their awareness of entrepreneurship and job creation through entrepreneurship development programme which empowers them to establish and manage their own businesses / workshops as an option to searching for elusive salaried employment.

The programme runs on a simple modus operandi that entails the following: Identification and upgrading of private sector technical training facilities (usually NECA members) to train beyond the level of their needs so that the excess is released to the larger economy, screening of interested applicants to enlist at the said schools, which run based on full scholarship to successful applicants in addition to payment of a monthly stipend for the

Left : President of NECA, Mr. Larry Ettah and Director-General, Mr. Segun Osinowo, at the AGM in Lagos. duration of the programme. The school curriculum is a combination of technical skills/ competences and entrepreneurial empowerment based on the world-acclaimed ILO's Generate Your Business Idea, GYI, and Start and Improve Your Business, SIYB. At the end of the programme, graduands are free to exercise the choice of working for the companies where they have been trained, other employers or launch into entrepreneurship.

Ettah explained that “the project supports entrepreneurial-minded graduands with Business StartUp Grants to fulfill their dreams.

The project invests in the improvement of infrastructure at public sector technical schools in order to improve the quality of their output. The Federal Science & Technical Colleges, FSTC, at Orozo and Yaba, and the Government Technical College, Ikorodu, have been beneficiaries of the project. The following highlights the achievements of the project over the years: Over 2,000 unemployed youths have been empowered to secure employment or set- up their own businesses.

“A veritable and practical work place industrial training programmes that lead to employment has been established at a

micro level because of paucity of funds. The quality of instructors at public Technical Colleges has been improved through Study Tours and Train the Trainers workshops. We call on the new government to embrace this model and expand its capacity so that more youths can be taken off the streets.”

Faults Social Security Bill Commenting on the Social Security Bill which is awaiting the assent of the President, he said “while this legislation will to a large extent address the need of Nigerians for social safety net, we are, however, averse to some provisions of the Bill. The Bill, among other sources of funding, provides for 1% of profit after tax

This is a joint initiative designed to promote the availability of middlelevel manpower with appropriate Technical and Vocational Skills to meet the identified needs of industries

of corporate bodies; property, and 1% of the income of every employed adult individual. In addition, the employer of a tax payer has the responsibility of deducting the tax from the wages of his/her employees even though the employer is indemnified against the claims and demands of any employee.

“We urge the current administration not to sign the Bill into Law. It should send it back for more inclusive dialogue. Enterprises are already over taxed. The overriding consideration of government should be how to introduce a social security safety net within existing fiscal space.

We know this is achievable and would be ready to share our thoughts on this at the appropriate time.”

Chaotic industrial relation system The NECA President was also not happy with the present Industrial Relations System, particularly in the public sector, describing it as “decadent, chaotic, lawless and strike-prone.

The rule of law, cherished ageold values of good industrial relations practice, and respect for structure and jurisdiction have all given way to the law of the jungle.

Now, there is no limit to the rights of the unions on issues which it can establish prima facie right of

Labour decries increasing casualisation Delivery a fraternal factional President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, lamented increasing perceived unfair labour practices by employers especially NECA members, threatening to picket companies involved should they continue.

Represented by one of the faction’s Deputy Presidents, Mr. Peters Adeyemi, Wabba said “it is important to state that abuse of workers’ rights in Nigeria by any employer both in the public and private sectors anywhere in Nigeria will be met with stiffer resistance. As social partners, we must be resolute in keeping a relationship that strengthens mutual respect, concerns and goals.

This will easily be threatened when any employer unilaterally decides to impose policies that are legally and constitutionally anti workers. It is in this direction that we feel disturbed by recent directives by some employers, allegedly acting on NECA's advice, converting regular workers to casuals and contract staff, while some production lines were outrightly outsourced, for example in Nigerite and Wapco Lafarge Cement Company.

Workforce management centre rebrands, unveils new name, others

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ORKFORCE Management Centre,WMC, a consulting firms offering business & Human Resource, HR, consulting , learning , talent management and outsourcing services, has unveiled its new corporate identity following an organisationwide transformation initiative.

The company changed its name from WMC to Workforce Group, WG, and also introduced a new logo to convey the company’s strong and unique value proposition.

At briefing in Lagos, Chief Executive Officer, CEO/Lead Consultant of Workforce group, Bolaji Olagunju, said the rebranding decision was informed by the need to

ensure the new brand reflected the broad range of services the company provides as well as to realign the service and product offerings of the firm to allow for better focus, depth, quality, responsiveness and value for money.

He said “Workforce Management Centre celebrated her 10th year anniversary in 2014 and naturally, we spent some time reflecting on our past, reviewing our present and considering our future. We wanted to get at the core of what made our firm the professional services firm it is today and what will shape our tomorrow. The result was a restructured, more nimble organisation and a new corporate identity which we are unveiling.’’

According to him, WMC was founded in 2004 with its sole service being recruitment and selection at the time, but today, the company’s offerings had been expanded to include four distinct sub brands/lines of business. The CEO said "Over the past decade, the company has built a track record of working with leading organisations across Nigeria to design and implement Business and Workforce Management solutions that help clients meet their business objectives. From large multinationals, to small and medium size enterprises in various sectors such as Financial Services, Telecommunications, Oil & Gas.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015—61

MH370: Malaysia PM confirms debris of wreckage

Trump heats up GOP presidential debate

By Hugo Odiogor

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AVERICK American billionaires, Donald Trump is making wave in the race to clinch the Republican party presidential ticket but for the wrong reasons. Hee seems to have attracted the desired attention of his countrymen and perhaps the world as he took a commanding position in the crowded field of 18 aspirants and pretenders for the White House next year.

A debate involving ten of the aspirants will take place today while the second set will square up later as there are over four hundred more days to the election. So far, Donald Trump, has caught the limelight as indicated in the recent opinion polls released last week.

Donald Trump, who is a Real Estate magnet, International pageant sponsor and Reality TV host, has distinguished himself as the candidates willing to generate controversies to attract all manners of attention. His views on immigration have portrayed him as a xenophobic racist.

He has espoused false and

•Bush

comes with its unique features and candidates that add to the excitement even with their eccentricism. “In 1992 we had Billionaire Ross Perot, who ran as an independent candidate. We had the likes of CNN PresenterPatBuchanan,who came as the disenchanted social conservative.

•Trump

•Bencarson

•Christie

personality attacks, and crude taunts. Trump is pushing the other GOP candidates into making outrageous statements directed et the Hispanics, Muslims,just to catch the headlines. They seemed too anxious to attack Obama and Mrs. Hillary Clinton as they feel the need to out do

•Florina

M

A L AY S I A N Prime Minister Najib Razak confirmed yesterday, that the debris found on an Indian Ocean island a week ago is from flight MH370, which mysteriously disappeared 17 months ago had crashed.

“Today, 515 days since the plane disappeared, it is with a very heavy heart that I must tell you that an international team of experts has conclusively confirmed that the aircraft debris found on Reunion Island is indeed from MH370,” Prime Minister Najib Razak told reporters.

French prosecutors used more cautious language, saying only that there was a “very high probability” the wreckage came from MH370.

The Malaysia Airlines jet disappeared on March 8 last year, inexplicably veering off course en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board, sparking a colossal but ultimately fruitless multinational hunt for the aircraft.

Last week’s discovery of

a two-metre-long (almost seven-foot) wing part called a flaperon on the French island of La Reunion has provided the first glimmer of hope for relatives desperate for answers.

It was examined at a military lab outside the French city of Toulouse in the presence of Malaysian and Australian experts, Boeing employees and representatives from China — the country that lost the most passengers in the disaster.

Some families said the confirmation was not enough to lay the matter to rest, as they reiterated demands to know why the

plane went off course, flying for hours after its communications and tracking systems were shut off, in what remains one of the biggest mysteries in the history of aviation.

•Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah.

MH370 FACT SHEET

•Ehrlich

•George Pataki

•Recovered debris of the wrecked plane being taken to France for investigation.

•The Malaysia Airlines plane vanished on March 8, 2014 during a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

•On board were 239 people, sparked off the world’s greatest aviation mysteries and search operations.

•The debris of wrecked plane found last week on the French territory of Reunion Island in the Indian ocean, an island near Madagascar, thousands of miles (kilometres) from the site near Australia where the plane is believed to have gone down.

•French investigating

team say based on an analysis of satellite data, the Boeing 777 was believed to have ended its journey in seas west of Australia.

•Aviation experts have said there is no other plausible explanation for a Boeing 777 part to be found in the Indian Ocean unless it came from MH370 but Malaysian officials have urged people to be cautious about declaring the part as being from the plane until it has been forensically examined.

•Aviation experts were flown to France to help

examine the debris with officials from Malaysia, France, the United States and China.

•There were theories that MH370 may well have been hijacked with a mobile phone. It could then be landed or made to crash by remote control.”

•Another variation of the theory was that someone else - maybe a crew member - got into the cockpit, overpowered the pilots and took the plane down, but investigators found no indication of a third person in the cockpit.

Rescuers search for bodies of migrants of capsized boat •Jim Gilmore unproven ideas about immigration which is a hot cake in today’s America.

While 60% of Americans support the idea of offering undocumented immigrants in America, by giving them some form of legal status.

Americans believe that immigrants strengthen.

Trump pulled ahead of the other GOP candidates in an NBC-Wall Street Journal with 19%. This was four points ahead of Wisconsin Governor, Mr. Scott Walker. Trump has taken on controversial issues such as immigration, international and homeland security, law and order in America, gay marriages, abortion, and healthcare.

There is no doubt that every US presidential election

•Jindal Buchanan wanted to promote a particular ideological agenda.

We have seen the likes of Sarah Palin, and Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain and the former speaker Newt Gingrich, who made a come back in 2012. The Republican party has seen a large turn out of aspirants.

There are about 18 aspirants so far but we have about300 list on the Federal Electoral Commission.

Although, most political observers believe that Donald Trump is not likely to clinch the ticket, so far he has stolen the lime-light.

Trump has been feeding his hearers with anger and insult that he is dishing out based on xenophobia,

•Everson Trump who continues to draw the most media attention.

They have continued to xenophobic attack immigrants whom they refer to as “illegals”; some of them have taken their turns to slam the Nuclear deal without providing a better option. For instance, Mike Huckabee claimed that with the Iran deal amounts to President Obama marching the Israelis into the ovens.

Watchers of the unfolding drama would observe that so far none of the candidates on the Republican side has thrown up any ideas worth debating. It is still a long way to go but the Trump phenomenon is reeving the race to the White House.

R

ESCUERS are searching for hundreds of migrants in the Mediterranean after a boat carrying as many as 600 people capsized off the coast of Libya. The Irish navy said “significant loss of life” was feared and Medecins Sans Frontieres confirmed “many deaths”.

But the Italian coast guard and the UN refugee agency say about 400 have been rescued and 25 bodies recovered so far. More than 2,000 migrants are said to have died in 2015 trying to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe.Yesterday’s incident occurred when the packed fishing boat ran into rough weather about

Rescue workders on the Mediteranean sea.

15 miles (25km) from Libya’s coast. A distress call was picked up in Sicily and one of the first ships on the scene was an Irish navy vessel, Le Niamh. But as she launched her boats, the migrants apparently moved to one side of the fishing boat, causing it to capsize. At least three oth-

er ships and three helicopters were reported to have arrived in the area shortly afterwards.

Cmdr Filippo Marini of the Italian coast guard said the rescue operation was still ongoing and now involved seven ships.

62 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

6th Hope 4 Girls camp begins

Enyimba remain top after draw with Akwa Utd

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N Y I M B A maintained their leadership of the Nigeria league table after they played out a 2-2 draw at Akwa United in a Week 21 game in Uyo on Wednesday.

Enyimba lead with 38 points from 21 games, while closest rivals Sunshine Stars will play against Sharks in Akure today.

Hosts Akwa United started on a good note when Aniekpeno Udoh leapt highest to head his team in front in the third minute.

On the half hour mark, Enyimba’s new man Musa Najare levelled

scores for ‘The People’s Elephant’.

Aniekan Ekpe restored Akwa United’s lead from the penalty spot in the 57th minute after Enyimba captain Chinedu Udoji was penalised for bringing down Aniekpeno Udoh.

In the 63rd minute, debutant Alloy Browne, who replaced Najere at the beginning of the second half, restored parity for Enyimba to make it 2-2.

Ten minutes to the end of the game, Akwa goalkeeper Olufemi Kayode denied Ezekiel Bassey from point-blank range before Harrison cleared the danger.

Wolves go second after thrashing Ifeanyi Ubah FC

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ARRI Wolves shot to second place in the Nigeria league after they thrashed FC IfeanyiUbah 3-0 in a Week 21 game with Gbolahan Salami netting twice on return from suspension.

Wolves now have 36 points from 21 games, two points behind leaders Enyimba.

Salami opened scoring in the 18th minute, before midfielder Bartholomew Ibenegbu made in 2-0 for in the 63rd minute.

Salami got his brace in the 68th minute.

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) boss Amaju Pinnick watched the game live at the Warri City Stadium.

T

Pix shows members of Special Olympics Nigerian Team for the 2015 World Summer Games in Los Angeles on arrival at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja on Tuesday. Photo Lamidi Bamidele

Siasia

Continues from BP the gold medal of the soccer event.

Siasia who also revealed that the team will resume camping next week added that he was not afraid of the group compromising Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria and Ivory Coast which many analysts have described as the ‘group of death’ because he has the calibre of players to prosecute the tournament.

The former international who recently returned from Congo where he led his team to qualify for the next round of the qualifiers for the 2016 Olympics told Sports Vanguard that the game in Congo was very difficult but the team got the desired result by playing to instruction.

“The All Africa Games is going to be a good preparation for us because that will keep the team in competitive mood, instead of looking for friendly games to play. It is good

for preparing to go for Olympics and we have to improve with the quality of games we will be playing.

“Again the All Africa Games may not just be a challenge for me, it is a goal because that is why we are going to the championship. Why are we going there if we don’t want to win it? We will do our best to win because that will boost our own rating and many more so since we have qualified, we will do our best to win it. And talking about the so called group of death, nobody will die but we will try the best to make sure we survive and playing against those teams will be difficult but it is better than playing the weaker teams which may beat you at last, so we will not run away from it but we will do our best.”

“The match on Congo was very difficult game because they could have scored just one goal even in the last minute and that

would have been it, so that was what I told the players to be very very careful and for to be in a better position we had to score first. We had a very open chance in the next first 10 minutes but somehow we missed it but sometimes it happens like that. The bottom line is that we have to qualify.”

On the issue of his players being wasteful in front of goal, Siasia said; “ well this problem has to be there for a while but you know that things don’t just happen overnight.

But these boys have once scored four goals in an sway match in the past in the first game against Gabon. Yes we have this goal scoring problem but we will still continue to work on them, we will not relent because for us to win we have to score goals.”

Siasia also stated that his team is open for any good player who has something to offer because the team is not for friendship but pure business.

Eaglets Action from an NPFL match.

Black Stars/Eagles Continues from BP World football governing body FIFA cancelled a similar proposal earlier this year because it contravened a new rule which said a team could not play international friendlies within three days in two confederations.

A top source informed, “There is a proposal for Nigeria to play against arch-rivals Ghana in London after they would have played the AFCON qualifier in Tanzania.

“Discussions are onC M Y K

going and we will just have to wait and see if this comes through.”

Both West African rivals have clashed several times in London with their last such clash being in October 2011, when they played out a goalless draw, Earlier this year, a home-based Super Eagles team pipped Ghana Olympic team courtesy of an Emem Eduok goal to open the Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo.

Continues from BP The 24 teams that qualified for the World Cup will be drawn into six groups of four teams each.

Defending champions Nigeria and host Chile would most likely be the seeded teams in their respective groups of this year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup. Speaking ahead of the draw, Golden Eaglets coach Emmanuel Amuneke said he was not expecting an easy draw since all the qualified teams have the same ambition of winning the FIFA U-17 trophy, adding that the Nigerian

youngsters would be at the ready to defend their title.

“We are waiting to see who and who we are going to meet after the draw on Thursday,” the former African Footballer of the Year told the Nigeria Football Federation website.

“Though we don’t have the luxury of choosing the teams we want, we are preparing well for the tournament and we would be ready to give a good account of ourselves.”

Meanwhile, the 24 teams that will be in Chile are: Belgium, France, Germany, Russia, Croatia

and England (Europe); Australia, Korea Republic, Syria and Korea DPR(Asia); Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica and USA (North America); Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Paraguay and host Chile (South America); New Zealand(Oceania) and Mali, Guinea, South Africa and Nigeria (Africa).

The 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup would be held between October 17 and November 8 across eight Chilean cities, namely La Serena, Coquimbo, Vina Del Mar, Chillan, Talca, Santiago De Chile, Concepcion and Puerto Montt.

HE annual Hope 4 Girls basketball Camp put together by former Nigerian international, Mobolaji Akiode commences today at the Nigeria Institute for Sports Gymnasium inside the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos.

According to the Athens Olympics 2004 star, the camp is geared towards giving the girl child a sense of belonging and an opportunity to express their talent as they forge ahead in the game of basketball.

This year’s camp which is the 6th in the series will have the esteemed presence of Quint Clarke of the famous Blair Academy, USA. Clarke is not new to Africa as his Blair Academy has been in Kenya for some time now.

He is known for his flair with girls and has been responsible for coaching many top high school players currently holidaying in Nigeria.

Oliseh Continues from BP August 17, when Super Eagles’HeadCoach,Sunday Oliseh, will perform the significant ringing of the bell at the closing of business at the Nigeria Stock Exchange.

Oliseh will attend the symboliceventattheNigeria Stock Exchange house in Lagos in company with NFF president,Mr.AmajuMelvin Pinnick and vice presidents Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko.

“The ringing of the bell at the closing of business at the NigeriaStockExchangefloor is a very significant event. It meansthatCorporateNigeria is warming up to Nigeria footballasaresultofextensive consultations that we have been making over the past months,” Pinnick said on Wednesday.

It is the first time in history that the Nigeria Stock Exchange would offer a Nigeria football figure such a gesture, and Pinnick says it is the beginning of what would turn out to be a wonderful relationship between Corporate Nigeria and Nigeriafootball.

“We are looking at taking this to a level where even clubs in the Nigeria League will be quoted on the Nigeria StockExchange.Itisagradual processbutwewillgetthere.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015 — 63

RIO OLYMPICS: — Onyedinma

Why Falcons crashed

*Reveals Oshoala, Ordega, Ebi, Sunday didn't play E/Guinea clash

By John Egbokhan

C

HAIRMAN of the Nigeria Women Football League Mrs. Dilichukwu Onyedinma has revealed that the absence of eight key members of the Super Falcons made the team to lose 2-1 loss to Equatorial Guinea in last weekend’s 2016 Rio Olympics Games qualifier in Bata. The African champions have been eliminated from the race to play at the Olympics, after losing 3-2 on aggregate to their rivals from Equatorial Guinea, who will now play South Africa in a two-legged match-up to decide the team that will progress to the Rio Games.

Speaking for the first time on what she felt led to their exit, Mrs Onyedinma told Sports Vanguard that the players may have shunned the game because of the poor treatment they got from government after winning the African Women Championship last year in Namibia.

She said that the likes of Asisat Oshoala, Francisca Ordega, Onome Ebi and Esther Sunday would have made the difference had they played the return leg.

“The real issue as a mother who has been with the team for a long time is that the players were not happy with the treatment they got from the government after they won the AWC last year. While other victorious teams were rewarded by the government, these players got nothing for their effort.

They felt they were not appreciated and that somehow, made them not to honour our invitation against Equatorial Guinea. “It was not easy to beat them without our key players. If players like Oshoala, Ebi, Sunday, Halima and Ordega are not in your team, the tendency to lose is higher and that was what happened to us in Bata. We were supported by the NFF President, Amaju Pinick, who even threatened to take Equatorial Guinea Airline to court for initially not allowing us to enter the plane from Cotonou.

“If not for Pinnick’s intervention, who even told them he was ready to charter a plane to airlift us to Bata, our story would have been more disastrous. They used everything against us but the major problem was that our players were not there when we wanted them most”, added Onyedinma, who said that efforts were afoot by the NFF leadership to contact all the clubs where Super Falcons players are playing their club football.

“Our women football will rise again because the current NFF boss is desirous of correcting all the wrongs in the game.

He was with me at the FIFA Women Symposium in Canada and his passion and enthusiasm are genuine. He means well for the game and we must support him.

He has held seven board meetings in the last nine months of his administration.”, added Onyedinma.

*Oshoala

Terry backs Chelsea to retain title T

Mourinho: I can’t say if Costa will play Swansea

J

OSE Mourinho failed to ease concerns over Diego Costa’s fitness just four days before the start of the new season. Asked if he could reassure Chelsea supporters that Costa is not more susceptible to injuries than other players, the manager said “No, I cannot say that.

The only thing I can re-

ERRY is fully con fident Chelsea will be the first team in seven years to retain the Premier League title.

“I am excited to go again and looking forward to retaining the Premier League title.

“It is going to be tough because other teams have strengthened. Not only the physical side but mentally we have to be ready, too. “The manager feels we have a good enough and big enough squad to do a job and we will put up a fight.

“We are very lucky to have Jose Mourinho. He pushes us on a daily basis. He hates losing and the intensity is 100 per cent. If you do not give everything you will not fit into his regime and that is why we have seen players come and go over the years. “His desire is to win on a daily basis and that hunger is what sets him apart. He pushes people to the maximum and gets what he deserves from his players.”

Terry

assure about it is that he is working hard."

*Terry

Cech tips Arsenal to win more trophies

P

Cech

ETR Cech is confi dent that he has joined an Arsenal side who have just got the taste for trophies, and are on course to win

more.

“A lot of times, people say that if you win a major trophy you get satisfied and stop working.

I think it’s the other way

around. “Once you win a big trophy, it’s such an amazing feeling of achievement and accomplishment that you want to live it again.

This group now knows how to win trophies and they enjoy it very much.

"I’m sure that everybody wants to at least repeat that this year.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015

Eaglets know W/Cup foes today T

HE Golden Eaglets and other big names like Brazil, Argentina and Germany will today know their group opponents as the draw

Black Stars, Eagles to clash in London N

IGERIA have proposed a friendly against perennial rivals Ghana in London next month, it has been gathered.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) wish to make the most of next month’s FIFA friendly window which will allow them to play another match outside the 2017 AFCON qualifier in Tanzania on the weekend of September 4-6.

Continues on Page 62

for the FIFA U-17 World Cup will hold in Santiago, Chile.

The Eaglets are defending champions, having won the championship two years ago in the United Arab Emirates.

Continues on Page 62

•Amuneke

Siasia eyes All Africa Games gold •As camping resumes next week

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

A

HEAD of the 2015 All Africa Games (AAG) taking place in Congo Brazzaville next

month, Chief Coach of the national U-23 team, the Dream Team IV, Samson Siasia says his target at the championship is to win

Continues on Page 62

Oliseh to ring closing bell at NSE

T

HE Amaju – Pinnick led Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation will record another first on Monday,

Continues on Page 62 NFPL Results

Why Falcons crashed —Onyedinma — Pg.55

•Mikel •Gyan

Ab/Warriors Akwa Utd Rangers Kano Pillars Kwara Utd Lobi Nasarawa 3SC W\Wolves

2 2 1 2 2 3 4 2 3

Giwa 0 Enyimba 2 Taraba 0 H/land 1 Dolphins 1 Bayelsa Utd 0 El Kanemi 2 Wikki Tourists 1 Ifeanyi Uba 0

•Oliseh

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S ANSWERS YESTERDAY'S

ACROSS 1 Fashionable (4) 4 Child (3) 6 Creep (4) 8 Customer (6) 9 Modern (6) 10 Lair (3) 12 Outcoming (5) 14 Avarice (5) 15 Leaf (5) 18 Instrument (6) 20 Simply (6) 24 Long (5) 26 Essential (5) 28 Entice (5) 30 Astern (3) 32 Pursue (6) 33 Recluse (6) 34 Discharge (4) 35 Craving (3) 36 Consider (4)

DOWN 2 Throw (5) 3 Defile (7) 4 Nurse (4) 5 Rotate (4) 6 Encounter (5) 7 Hide (7) 11 Epoch (3) 12 Cur (3) 13 Beverage (3) 16 Attempt (3) 17 Meadow (3) 19 Regular (7) 21 Skill (3) 22 Scoffed (7) 23 Still (3) 25 Sprite (3) 27 Apportion (5) 29 Cost (5) 30 Crooked (4) 31 Lean (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Sense 7, Devil 8, Urban Tuni 12, Eat 13, Aimed 15, Donated Headed 19, Wed 20, Deleted 23, Avid Dome 26, Cajoled 30, wit 31, Decent Bridged 37, Money 38, All 39, Droop Asked 41, Tenet 42, Speed.

10, 17, 25, 34, 40,

DOWN: 1, Belie 2, Sited 3, Eluded 4, Said 5, Dreaded 6, Later 9, Bat 11, Cowered 13, Ahead 14, Magic 16, Net 18, Devoted 21, Dozen 22, Deity 24, Dawdled 27, Jig 28, Demote 29, Crash 32, Coped 33, Never 35, Ilk 36, Drip

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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C M Y K