Vanguard Newspaper January 7 2014

...towards a better life for the people

**

VOL. 25: NO. 62052

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

BUDGET 2014:

14

Opposition lawmakers plan showdown with Jonathan

Bloodbath in Plateau, Kaduna; 40 killed P9

You're trouble maker, Clark lambasts OBJ •Writes ex-president, calls him liar, hypocrite

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR & HENRY UMORU

•Says Jonathan's govt not run by his Ijaw kinsmen A

BUJA—ERST WHILE Federal Minister of Information and Ijaw leader has written a blistering open letter to former President Olusegun Obasanjo describing him as an unrepentant trouble maker and hypocrite guilty of

BACK TO SCHOOL

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COLUMNISTS:

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Mr & Mrs

SCHOOLS RESUME—University of Ibadan students (top left) and Gombe State University students (top right) in school, yesterday, after the ASUU strike. Below left: Pupils and teachers of Supreme Basic International Schools, Magada-Onimale off Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State. Below right: Pupils of LEA Primary School, Maiduguri Road, Kaduna, resume after the Christmas and New Year holidays, yesterday. Photos: NAN/Lamidi Bamidele.

Explosion rocks Rivers High Court 45

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POCKET CARTOON

AFRICAN UNION—Contingent Commander, Ehide (R) introducing Lagos State Police Command, Ward Ogbu (2nd R) to other contingent Commanders from different countries of the African Union but are members of the Formed Police Unit in Mogadishu, yesterdy, at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia. Photo: AFP.

You're a trouble maker, Clark lambasts OBJ Continues from page 1 many of the things he recently accused President Goodluck Jonathan of.

In a 10-page letter to Obasanjo, Chief Clark drew reference from the time of their common service in the Yakubu Gowon government and Obasanjo’s relationship with all former heads of

state that succeeded him to describe the former president as one who is determined to shape Nigeria according to his own whims.

Clark traced Obasanjo’s opposition to Jonathan to frustration arising from his failure to manipulate the president on issues just as he defended the president

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

It is never too late to be what you might have been —George Elliot A meaningful story on the principle of change, a virtue that must come from within an individual.

This story is all about Charles Dickens’s classic “Christmas Carol.” Dickens never meant for the character Ebenezer Scrooge to be a villain in the story.

Yes, Scrooge was a miser and disliked by pretty much everybody. But the story doesn’t end there. It doesn’t end with Scrooge dying miserably and lonely. The point of the story is that Scrooge “Wakes Up”. After the restless night of seeing all sorts of apparition, he wakes up and decides that things truly can be different. He can choose to be compassionate, generous and happy. He understands that he can behave toward others in a different way. He can look at things differently. His miserable past does not need to determine his future. His life story illustrates the words of George Elliot “To this day,” “the name of Scrooge is synonymous with somebody stingy and selfish when it should be just the opposite. Scrooge woke up and made different decisions. He lived the rest of his life a model of generosity and joy and goodwill toward all. Nobody ever “kept Christmas,” Dickens tells us, like Ebenezer Scrooge.

In the wise words of Goodier, “ we can wait for things to change or we can change ourselves. One way rarely works while the other rarely fails.” We all can remind ourselves that it is not too late to be what we might have been. In life, anything can happen, when we wake up and make different decisions that impact our lives and those around us for the better.

on his linkages with his Ijaw home base, saying that the president has unlike his predecessors, not given preferences to his people.

Clark wrote: My Dear Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, LET THE TRUTH BE TOLD BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE This indeed is a season of open letters, the session of which you heralded with a contemptuous one to His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Your eldest daughter and a former Senator.

Dr. lyabo Obasanjo, feeling uncomfortable with your antics quickly fired a response to your now infamous letter that has gone viral and continue to generate negative national discourse.

President Goodluck Jonathan GCFR, an amiable gentle man to whom you routed your vicious open letter would not tolerate Presidential aides writing nor commenting on your letter, and so ordered a stay of action.

He in his characteristic manner of respect and decorum said he would personally reply. I am quite certain that the President did not want to join issues with a ben-

efactor and former President. He would have wanted the charged atmosphere your open letter orchestrated to ride itself out until normalcy and calm return to the polity, as witnessed in other incitive comments by well placed Individuals in the recent past.

However, as you well intended the echoes of your vicious letter continue to reverberate negatively. The President had no option left but to reply you through the same medium of an open letter. With a deep sense of responsibility the President touched all the damaging allegations you heaped on his administration and today Nigerians are better informed.

In the light of the forgoing, it has become incumbent upon me at this point in our national life to refute some of the issues highlighted in your letter especially about the Ijaws so that Nigerians must know that you are not the saint you claim to be, but a mischief maker, an ego maniac who always wants to play to the gallery. As rightfully put by your daughter lyabo “Nigeria does not belong to Obasanjo”.

In addition, I want to buttress the assertion that all Nigerians are equal no matter where they come from, that is, no one is a second class citizen of this nation. You have no right to plunge Nigerians into crisis as your past actions and recent open letter to the President connotes. The generality of Nigerians think your letter is treasonable.

Why I write Ordinarily, I never intended to join in the affray of accusations and counter accusations between a former President and a sitting President and a daughter in between. But, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in your usual characteristic hatred and use of sarcastic remarks about Ijaw, you have again berated and insulted us the Ijaws in your letter to Mr. President. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has never for once acted nor behaved as an Ijaw man since he took office as President, and we hold no grudge against him for that.

Secondly, as a Nigerian and an Ijaw man, I

am proud to belong to both entities. Unlike you Obasanjo who is a Yoruba man first before being a Nigerian, I Chief E.K. Clark am the accepted leader of the Ijaws, while unfortunately you, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, are not accepted as leader of the Yorubas despite being Head of State twice, because you lack the virtues and honour deserving of a Yoruba leader. Your devilish and inciting remarks about the Ijaws are unfounded.

My dear former President, I know my letter will not come to you as a surprise because you know I would respond in equal measure, I have written several open letters to you in the past for your mismanagement of Nigeria affairs with Atiku Abubakar between 1999-2007, when you were the President and he your Vice President.

I have also criticized and commented on your incessant interference with the government of Late President, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar ’Adua and I have commented on your unwarranted interference with his administration because of the confusion you generate. Reproduced hereunder is your myopic, rude and irresponsible remarks about Ijaws in your desperate letter to Mr. President: ‘For you to allow yourself to be “possessed” so to say, to the exclusion of most of the rest of Nigerians as an Ijaw man’ is a mistake that should have never been allowed to happen. Yes, you have to be born in one part of Nigeria to be a Nigerian if not naturalized but the Nigerian President must be above ethnic factionalism. And those who prop you up as of, and for ‘Ijaw nation1 are not your friends genuinely, not friends of Nigeria nor friend of ‘Ijaw nation1 they tout about.

To allow or tacitly encourage people of ‘Ijaw nation’ to throw insults on other Nigerians from other parts of the country and threaten fire and brimstone to protect your interest as Ijaw man is myopic and your openly quieting them is even more unfortunate. You know that I have expressed my views and feelings to you on this, issue in the past but I have come to realize that many others feel the way I have earlier expressed to you.”

I am indeed very sad and disturbed that you can make such a malicious, mischievous statement about an ethnic group which you did pejoratively knowing fully well that it has no single iota of truth nor foundation purposely to instigate and incite the rest of Nigerians against Mr. President and Ijaw come 2015.

Your statement: “For you to allow yourself to be possessed so to say, to the exclusion of most of the rest of Nigeria as an Ijaw man is a mistake that should have never been allowed to happen” One may wish to ask why you think Jonathan is being possessed by Ijaws in the Presidency? The answer is definitely no.

A few following instances may suffice; i) The NSA in-charge of security in the whole country is Fuiani from Sokoto state. if) The SGF is Ibo from Ebonyi State iii) The Principal Secretary to the President is Fuiani from Adamawa iv) The Commander, Brigade of guards is from Cross River v) The ADC to the President is from Kogi vi) His Speech writer is from Edo State, while the Senior Special Adviser on Media is Yoruba from Ogun State vii)Chief of Staff to the President - Edo State

Continues on page 47

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

3 in court over attack on police station

Court remands pastor, 4 others over N6.5m theft, burglary

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SOGBO — AN Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ court, yesterday, remanded a man believed to be pastor and four others for allegedly breaking into a shop in the city and carting away goods worth N6.5 million.

The accused are Peter Olawale, 34; Sunday Job, 27; Ajagbe Babatunde, 25; Olaiya Saidi, 23; and Adedeji Musibau, 24.

The Chief Magistrate, Adebayo Lasisi, said the men should be remanded in Ilesha prisons until their bail application is considered.

The prosecutor, Inspector Isiaka Ajadi, had told the court that the accused committed the offences on December 22, 2013 at 10.30 p.m. at Igbona area of Osogbo.

He said the men broke into a shop and a warehouse belonging to one Josephat Onwubufo.

According to Ajadi, they stole 40 laptops, 16 digital cameras and memory cards valued at N6.5 million.

He said they also stole 62

KEJA — THE police in Lagos yesterday, arraigned a 41-year-old bus driver, Wahab Taofeek, and two women, who allegedly attacked a police post and assaulted an officer.

The other accused are Funke Bello, 48, and Saratu Moradeyo, 40.

They are standing trial on three-count charge of rioting, assault and malicious damage at an Ikeja magistrates’ court.

The trio reside at 20, Ipaja Road, Agege; 14, Unity Road, Agege, and 1, Omoyajuowo St., SangoOta, Ogun, respectively.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Chinalu Uwadione, told the court that the accused with others at large unlawfully assembled and attacked Elere Police Post, Agege.

He alleged that the accused used stones and broken bottles to damage aluminium window glasses, windscreens of cars and other things within the station.

“The accused attacked the station because the police arrested two of their colleagues dealing in hemp.”

According to Uwadione, the accused also assaulted one Sgt. Festus Omotosho and members of his patrol team.

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mobile phones valued at N484,950 belonging to one Egwuogu Uche from the shop.

He noted that the offences contravened Sections 390 (9), 413 (1), (2), 417(c) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun 2003.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

Counsel to the accused, Mr Hasheem Abioye, Mrs Muslimat Nagode and Miss Olatunbi Tobi, urged the court to grant them bail.

The prosecutor, however, opposed the bail on the

3 escape death as commercial bus crashes into shop in Lagos

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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AGOS — AS Lagos busi ness life gradually returned after the yuletide, no fewer than three people escaped death by the whiskers, yesterday, when a commuter bus veered off the road at the ever busy Awolowo Road in Ikeja and rammed into a boutique.

The accident occurred at about 11 a.m when the commuter bus with number plate Lagos XU 272 AGL, suddenly

crashed into shop 10 and 11 in new Ikeja garage and destroyed the entrance door and wares on display in front of the shop.

The shop attendant and two other bystanders, escaped unhurt as they quickly fled the scene.

According to an eye witness who identified himself as David Lateef, “We were in front of our shop when a commercial bus just cleared a woman off the road into the drainage channel before brushing two others into the

SOGBO — AN Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ court, yesterday, remanded one Azeez Wale, 28, in Ilesha prison for allegedly snatching a car and some valuables at gunpoint in Ikirun.

The Chief Magistrate, Adebayo Lasisi, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody pending advice from the state Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP. The accused, whose address is unknown, is facing charges bordering on armed robbery.

The prosecutor, Inspector Wilson Mereti, had told the court that the accused with others at large committed the offences on November 18 at 7.00 a.m. at Eweta on Inisha road, Ikirun.

shop.”

Another unidentified woman said: “God saved my life. I was very close to the woman who was knocked down by the reckless driver before he climbed the pavement and destroyed this shop. I really thank God.” The accident resulted into a traffic gridlock as passers-by took over the road.

However, police officers from Ikeja police station were seen assessing the accident with arrangement to tow the vehicle to the station.

Mechanic docked for raping teenager

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Man, 28, remanded for car snatching

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grounds that the amount involved was big and that the accused were not resident in Osun, saying: “If they are granted bail they may jump bail.”

Ruling on the bail application has been adjourned to January 17.

Part of the 14 shops at Kuje market in Abuja gutted by fire, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN.

Ondo police arrested 203 suspects last year

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE — NO fewer than 203 suspected criminals were arrested within the last one year by the Ondo State Police Command Briefing newsmen in Akure on the activities of the state police command last year, the state Police Commissioner, Patrick Dukumor, said all the suspects were being prosecuted in courts.

Dukumor explained that 105 of them are armed robbery suspects.

He said 26 of them are suspected kidnappers while five are 419 suspects and pipe-

line vandals.

According to him, eight cases of kidnapping were unravelled by the state police command during the period under review.

Others include 45 rape suspects, two cases of defilment, eight human traffickers and 12 suspects who stole some children.

He said 45 stolen vehicles and motorcycles were recovered and handed over to their owners.

Dukumor pointed out that 61 arms and 570 ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

Arms recovered include AK-

47, AK-49, pump action riffles, assault rifles, Magnum gun, locally made pistols, Tokarev pistol and locally made double barrel guns.

Dukumor described as very painful the killing of an ASP by some robbers who robbed a bank in Ekiti State and were passing through the state recently.

He vowed that “nobody kills a policeman and gets away with it. We are still on their trail and very soon we will get them."

The murdered policeman had only three years to retire from the force before he was shot dead by the robbers.

AGOS — AN auto me chanic, Michael Bonoba, yesterday, appeared before an Apapa Chief Magistrate’s court in Lagos, for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl.

The prosecutor, Mr Soji Ojaokomo, told the court that Bonoba, 38, resident of Ijegun area of Satelite Town, Lagos, allegedly committed the offence on January 2.

Ojaokomo said the accused lured the girl into his apartment with the intent of unlawfully having carnal knowledge of her.

“The accused threatened the complainant with a knife in order to have sex with her,” he told the court.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened Sections 56 and 137 of the Criminal Code, Lagos State, 2011.

Section 137 stipulates life imprisonment for convicted offenders.

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

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Oluyemisi Adelaja, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case to February. 3.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014—7

Kidnappers demand N50m ransom to free 6-yr-old boy in Bayelsa

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA — THE kid nappers of Olali, sixyear-old son of the former chairman of Yenagoa Local Government Area and exCommissioner for Local Government and Community Development in Bayelsa State,

Mr. Godknows Powell, have demanded N50 million to set him free.

The boy was abducted on new year day at the Etegwe suburb of Yenagoa by some gunmen while returning from a church service with his mother.

The kidnappers, weekend, established contact with their

victim's family.

According to a security source, the abductors whose whereabouts were still unknown warned the victim’s family against involving security agencies in their negotiations.

The source who pleaded anonymity said the hoodlums

insisted on N50 million ransom.

“We know the kidnappers will reduce their ransom. It is their normal practice. They always place high amount of money on their victims only to reduce it later through negotiation,” he said, adding that the police are working round the clock to rescue the boy.

Mob kills man for shooting landlord’s daughter to death

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

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DO EKITI— THERE was pandemonium at Ise Ekiti in Ise Orun Local Government Area of Ekiti State, yesterday, when a trader whose name was given simply as Austin shot his landlord's daughter to death.

Reason for Austin’s action was not immediately known, but Vanguard gathered that he shot the girl after a minor augment.

Immediately the girl was shot, according to reports, Austin, who is from one of the eastern states, made a futile bid to escape but was caught by the mob.

Vanguard gathered that the killer was set ablaze at a motor park.

The Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of Ise police station was hit on the head for attempting to rescue Austin just before he was lynched.

Austin, said to be in his late 30s and a trader, reportedly shot the girl in front of her father’s house at Iro Oraye area of the town.

Before Austin finally met his waterloo, he was reportedly taken to the palace of the monarch of Ise Ekiti, Oba Adetunji Ajayi possibly to save his life, but the mob overpowered the palace guards, took him to the town’s main motor park where he was burnt.

The remains of the slain girl and that of her alleged murderer, already burnt beyond recognition, have been deposited at a mortuary in the town by the police, while the injured DPO has been hospitalised.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Mr Victor Babayemi said he was yet to be briefed on the matter.

Some arms and fake currency recovered from suspects in Adamawa State in 2013 on display during a news conference in Yola, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN.

NDLEA discovers S-Africa-bound 9.2kg of meth inside palm oil at MMIA

By LAWANI MIKAIRU

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AGOS — THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has aborted a plot to export 9.2 kg of methamphetamine hidden inside palm oil to South Africa.

The discovery was made during screening of cargoes on a South African Airline flight at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

A taxi driver who brought the consignment has been apprehended by the anti-narcotic officials.

NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Mr. Hamza Umar, while confirming the arrest, gave the name of the taxi driver as Okwuokei Peter.

He said: “A taxi driver by name Okwuokei Peter has been arrested for attempting to export 9.2 kg of methamphetamine to South Africa. The drug was packed in 41 parcels and hidden inside a gallon containing palm oil.”

According to Ofoyeju

Mitchell, Head, Public Affairs of the agency, the suspect in his statement said he was sending the drug to his regular passenger.

In his words: “One of my regular passengers asked me to send the gallon of oil to him.

I thought I was doing him a favour but little did I know that it will land me in a big trouble.

"He asked me to collect a gallon of palm oil from somebody.

When I got to the estate junction as directed by him, a young man walked up to me and asked if I am Peter, I said yes. Then he gave me the gallon of sealed palm oil.

"At the airport, it was found to contain drugs during search.

In fact, I am speechless, confused and frustrated.”

The suspect who hails from Delta State lives in Lagos with his wife and four children.

Commenting on the incident, Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, said: “Members of the public are advised in their interest to shun drug trafficking. Igno-

rance is not an excuse under the act. If you are not sure that consignment is drug-free, then do not take it for export otherwise you are liable. People must be cautious.”

Gombe NDLEA arrested 115 drug suspects in 2013

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OMBE — THE Na tional Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in Gombe State said it arrested no fewer than 115 drug suspects in the state in 2013.

The Commandant, Mr Aliyu Adole, who made this known in Gombe, yesterday, said it recovered 164.03 kg of hard drugs during the period.

Adole said drugs recovered comprised 118.48 kg of cannabis and 45.54 kg of psychotropic substances, adding that the drugs were being freely sold in “markets” in the city.

He added that 93 pinches of cocaine and 108 pinches of heroin were also recovered in the state during the period.

The commandant said 108 suspects were males, while seven were females, adding that two of the female suspects, who were from same family, deal on cocaine.

He explained that 64 of the suspects, who had been released to their families, were “drug-dependant” people.

The commandant added that 37 suspects were prosecuted and convicted while 14 cases were still pending at the Federal High Court, Gombe.

He said nine people were counselled on drug abuse during the period.

Police arrest woman over stabbing of 19-yr-old girl

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA — THE police in Bayelsa State, yesterday, arrested a 27-year-old woman, simply identified as Ebiere, over her alleged complicity in the stabbing of one Miss Jennifer Ibomo by suspected cultist in the state.

Miss Ibomo, an indigene of Amassoma community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state now bed-ridden at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa was sometime last October stabbed close to the spinal cord with a knife by a suspected cultist known as Slizzy in Ovom, a

suburb of the state capital.

It was learnt that the ‘A Division’ of the state police command had, shortly after the attack was reported, launched manhunt for the suspect and his girl friend.

The suspected cultist was said to have evaded arrest last week by diving into the creek and escaped, his girl friend was not that lucky as she was arrested by the police, yesterday.

Though the suspected cultist was said to have met his untimely death when he dived into the creek to evade arrest, sources close to the police dismissed the claim as mere rumour.

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH, OKEY NDIRIBE, MOHAMMED ABDULSALAM, PETER DURU & UMAR YUSUF

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BUJA—AS the National Reconciliation Committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, intensifies efforts to ensure harmony in the party, the status of former Governor of Osun State and immediate past National Secretary of new Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola is still unclear within the state chapter of the APC. A tussle for the soul of the party in Kano between Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and his predecessor, Ibrahim Shekarau is still raging.

This came as members of the G5 governors that defected to the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said they did not join APC to become leaders.

Indeed, National Secretary of APC, Mr. Fidelis Tumza in a telephone interview with Vanguard, said that the ongoing reconciliation effort in the party was proceeding despite minor hitches.

He said that Governor Kwankwaso and his predecessor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, were already working together as members of the same party.

“What we are trying to do now is to find a way of accommodating their followers within the leadership structure of the state chapter of the party,” he said.

In Benue State, a new faction of APC led by Baba Agan also emerged yesterday, accusing Senator George Akume of imposing unpopular officers on the party.

Agreeing that the status of Oyinlola in Osun was not clear, he denied reports in a section of the media that the party’s reconciliation efforts in Adamawa State had collapsed following Gen. Buba Marwa’s refusal to attend a meeting to which he was invited alongside incumbent Governor Murtala Nyako.

However, sources close to Gen. Marwa have dismissed Tumza’s statement that the recent reconciliation meeting in Adamawa ended smoothly. One source said that Gen. Marwa is not interested in holding any meeting with Governor Nyako for now.

Said the source: “Gen Marwa has dismissed the idea of holding any meeting with Governor Nyako as nonsense.

He is actually waiting for the national leadership of the party to intervene and settle the matter.”

Dismissing the five PDP governors who defected to APC as political lightweights who have no followers in the APC, the source asked: “How do they think they can come from no-

We didn't join APC for positions—G5 govs zOyinlola's status in Osun unclear — APC scribe where to take over structures of the party which have been built over time?”

It would be recalled that APC had set up the reconciliation committee led by former National Chairman of nPDP, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, in a bid to ensure that internal rancour does not erupt within its ranks.

The committee has commenced the process of reconciling the warring parties in the five states, where the G-5 governors are locked in a supremacy battle with local leaders of the party.

It was learnt that as part of the party’s effort to harmonise its affairs in the affected states, the National leadership approved the inauguration of interim state executive committees.

The party, at its last meeting in Abuja, gave approval for all the zonal chairmen to immediately inaugurate the interim state executives and for them to commence mobilisation for new members. It also proposed a plan to hold the party’s congresses this month.

It was learnt that following a directive to the committee by the interim national executive of the party to commence action immediately after the Christmas holiday, the seven-man reconciliation committee has decided to also look into the protest letter submitted by some stakeholders in Kano In Kano, the task of harmonizing APC executive was handed over to Governor Kwankwaso by stakeholder last week.

And what made the former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau look like a prisoner of war in the dirty political war in Kano played out last week following the massive endorsement of Kwankwaso as the undisputed leader by erstwhile loyalists of Shekarau.

The five governors who recently defected from the PDP to the APC have said that they did not go to the new party to become leaders in their respective states.

Rather, the governors said they took their decision in an altruistic move to provide Nigerians with a viable opposition platform that could check the current drift towards anarchy in the polity.

The governors, who spoke through their Adamawa counterpart, Murtala Nyako, explained that contrary to insinuations by the opposition, they moved over to the APC to join forces with other patriots to form a pan-Nigerian national platform that would serve as a veritable vehicle for the enthronement of genuine unity, peace and progress in Nigeria.

Nyako said in a statement made available to Vanguard by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mr. Ahmad Sajoh, that at the time

PASSING OUT PARADE—Vice President Namadi Sambo (2nd right); Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar (right) and others, at the passing–out parade of cadet police officers in Kano State on Saturday.

they moved to the APC they had other options, which they would have exploited if they were propelled by selfish interests.

Among the several options open to the five governors, were forming a new political party, joining any of the newly-formed parties or any

of the existing political parties in Nigeria.

“But we opted to join the APC because it represents a broad-based coalition of democratic forces built on the ideals of progress and development,” Nyako said.

“Governor Murtala Nyako believes that it is only by the

coming together of progressive forces that Nigeria will be saved from the grip of a cabal that has held the presidency captive and has continued to provide excuses for countless failures rather than advance ideas on the provision of dividends of democracy to the people of Nigeria."

Tukur rebuffs opponents' sack bid zAs 5 govs pay solidarity visit to embattled chairman, back Jonathan's re-election in 2015

BY SONI DANIEL & HENRY UMORU

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MBATTLED National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has rebuffed moves by his political opponents to edge him out of office.

Vanguard learnt that just as some of the party ’s governors are angling for his removal and replacement with another candidate fron Adamawa, no fewer than five governors of the party have paid him a solidarity visit to him and asked him to continue to lead the party.

The governors, it was learnt, are of the opinion that Tukur should not be disgraced out of office having shown unalloyed loyalty and support to President Goodluck Jonathan.

The governors said to be led by the Bayelsa State

Governor, Seriake Dickson, are reported to have individually paid solidarity visits to Tukur in his Wuse 2 residence in Abuja and assured him of their unflinching support.

Some of the governors, who are sympathetic to Tukur are, Jonah Jang of Plateau, Ramallam Yero of Kaduna and Garba Umar of Taraba.

A source at the meeting with Tukur said that the chairman used the occasion to restate his commitment to working for the return of President Jonathan in 2015.

The chairman’s loyalists, it was also gathered, are expected in the days ahead to move a vote of confidence on him and Jonathan and condemn any move to drop him.

Some of the governors have already begun nationwide consultations to save Tukur from being disgraced out of his office.

The pro-Tukur governors are said to have argued that the removal of Tukur would pose more problems for the party and diminish its chances of winning the next election.

One of the governors told Vanguard that they were tired of the intra-party crisis and were ready to forge ahead so as to win the next polls.

The governor said: “I can tell you that we are tired of the present political quagmire in the party and we really need a united and indivisible PDP ahead of 2015 presidential election.

“We don’t want any of our members to defect again to the opposition because this is a game of numbers and we cannot afford to do it as a divided house,” the governor said.

The crisis of confidence among the PDP stakeholders forced the leadership to postpone its NEC and BoT meetings, which will now hold in the middle of the month.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014 —9

40 killed in separate attacks in Plateau, Kaduna

BY TAYE OBATERU & LUKA BINIYAT

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OS—THERE was bloodshed in Plateau and Kaduna states, yesterday, leading to the death of no fewer than 40 people, including policemen, women and children.

At least 30 people, mostly women and children, were killed when suspected Fulani herdsmen attacked Shonong village in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The assailants who stormed the village at about 7.am, according to eyewitnesses, left 25 people injured and razed over 40 houses.

Most of those killed were children who, frightened by the sound of sporadic gunshots, ran out of their homes but were gunned down by the attackers who had positioned themselves around the community.

Also, 10 other persons were killed including four policemen in Kaduna. The policemen attached to a commercial bank in Rigasa area of the metropolis were reportedly ambushed and killed by unknown persons while they were going home after closing from work along the Nnamdi Azikiwe by-pass just as the discovery of two fresh corpses in Mifi, on the Atakad Hills in Kaura Local Government Area of the state sparked another round of skirmishes leading to the death of four other persons said to be Fulani.

The two incidents happened on the heels of last week’s violence that left the Emir of Jere, Jere Local Government Area, Alhaji Sa’ad Usman critically injured, and four others feared dead.

However, in Jos, a survivor currently on admission at the Vom Christian Hospital, Toma Shom told newsmen that he got shot at the back of his house where he was moulding blocks.

He said the attackers came early in the morning when many of the villagers had gone to their farms leaving behind mostly women, children and the aged who were the major casualties.

Another villager who confirmed that about 30 corpses had been recovered so far explained that the number of death could be more as some of those shot escaped into the bush. He said a search of the surrounding bushes was on to see if their were more corpses.

The Majority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly who represents the local government area, Mr. Daniel Dem, described the killings as unfortunate coming some days after the burial of the acting traditional chief of the village who was killed with two others sometime back.

According to him, “I was called at about 8 am that there was a fight in Shonong and that some women and children who went to look for fire wood in the farm were shot dead; that the Fulani surrounded the entire community firing sporadic gunshots and several people were killed and many injured.

"We have security men there and if the attack which started

from 8. am till afternoon, I think something must be wrong. What are the military there for? If we will have attack from morning to after oon and people killed, houses burnt, I think the military should be asked why they were there to protect lives and property of the people.

"We have tried to get in touch with them and they said they are on ground, but what then

happened that over 30 people were killed with so many casualties lying in the hospital?”, he wondered.

There has been an upsurge in attacks on villages by suspected herdsmen in the past few weeks resulting in loss of lives and property. Last week, about three communities were attacked in Bokkos Local Government Area in Plateau State.

CELEBRATION—Chairman Bonny Local Government Area, Edward Pepple (right); Joseph Alagoa, representing MD/CEO of LNG Nigeria Limited (4th right); Tony Ogadi, representing NIMASA, friends and staff of LNG Nigeria Limited at a ceremony to mark the export of 3000th cargo by NLNG Plant, Bonny Island, Rivers State yesterday.

Fraud: EFCC budgets N284bn for prosecution of 17 ex-govs

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

P

IQUED by the slow pace of the trial of 17 former governors in the country over large scale fraud perpetrated while they held sway, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has taken steps to ensure the conclusion of the prosecution of the affected politicians this year.

The country lost at least N350 billion to fraud allegedly committed by the suspects and their cronies, leaving the people to wallow in poverty.

In a bid to expedite action on making the former governors to face justice, the EFCC has made provision for N284.6 million in this year’s estimates to hire competent and reputable lawyers to pursue the trial of the affected politicians to logical conclusion.

Sources said that not much progress has been made in the trial of the politicians, whose corruption cases are still pending in various courts, after the initial charging of the suspects to court.

The former governors being prosecuted include, Orji Kalu, Chimaroke Nnamadi, Attahiru

Bafarawa, Adamu Abdullahi, Boni Haruna, Jolly Nyame, Michael Botmang, Saminu Turaki, Joshua Dariye, Ayo Fayose, Danjuma Goje, Akwe Doma, Adebayo Alao-Akala, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Timipre Sylva and Rashidi Ladoja.

The Acting Head of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed to Vanguard that efforts were

being intensified to ensure the early prosecution and conclusion of the cases.

Uwujaren pointed out that it was wrong for the public to hastily conclude that the commission had abandoned the cases, pointing out that criminal cases were not time-barred and that the matters were already before courts of competent jurisdiction.

SEC cancels registration of Sterling Registrar, imposes N5m fines

BY PETER EGWUATU & NKIRUKA NNOROM

T

HE Administrative Proceedings Committee, APC, of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, yesterday, cancelled the registration of Sterling Registrar Limited, a subsidiary of Sterling Bank Plc, for unlawful allotment of shares of Japaul Oil & Maritime Services Plc. The commission also barred Kalstead Farms and five people, including staff of Sterling Registrar from engaging in capital market activities for specified period.

Furthermore, it imposed N5million fines on Sterling Registrar and ordered it to pay N5,000 from the day of the illegal allotment (6th May 2008) to the date the decision was made, even as the case has been referred to law enforcement for action.

SEC also said that 1st Sterling Registrar issued questionable return money warrants of N445, 867.71 and N791, 447.32 respectively to Mr. Akin Ekundayo and Aina Folasade.

In the rulings, the SEC said that Sterling Registrar colluded with Mr. Kolawole Teluwo to allot Japaul Oil shares to an unregistered company, Kalstaed Farm Investment.

Consequently, Kalstead Farms Investment Ltd, the company, unlawfully allotted shares in irregular transaction.

Health workers declare 5-day warning strike from Jan 15

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

T

HE Joint Health Sector Unions, in league with the Assembly of Health Sector Professionals, yesterday, directed its members to proceed on a 5day warning strike from Wednesday January 15, to Tuesday January 21, 2014, except government addresses their grievances through constructive dialogue.

Stating their grievances/ prayers in a jointly signed position paper presented on contemporary developments in

the health sector, the workers, comprising pharmacists, nurses, physiotherapists, radiographers and laboratory scientists among others, insisted that the dialogue with the President is the minimum and non-negotiable conditionality, as the President, who they described as “the father of the nation”, must be willing to give all his children a listening ear in a conflict that continues to fester as a rotten and infected wound.

Spokesperson of the group, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, Pharm

Olumide Akintayo, warned: “In the event that government does not enter into meaningful dialogue within two weeks of this notice, we shall be left with no option than to commence a more excruciating and total nationwide strike to enforce our liberties.

Noting that the declaration was a follow-up to the expiration of the 15-day ultimatum earlier given, Akintayo stated: “We call on all men and women of goodwill to admonish government on the need to urgently redress this avoidable crisis it has also assisted to worsen.”

10—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

Fashola swears in new perm secs

BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

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SWEARING-IN: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN); his Deputy, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (6th left), with the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and their families after the swearing-in ceremony into Lagos State Public Service, at the Executive Council Chamber, Lagos House, Ikeja, yesterday.

ASUU: UNILAG lecturers promise to cover lost grounds L

AGOS — AS academic activities resumed at the University of Lagos, UNILAG, yesterday, the institution’s branch of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has promised to make sacrifices to make up for lost time.

The Chairman of the university’s chapter of ASUU, Dr. Oghenekaro Ogbinaka, gave the assurance in Lagos.

Lecturers in public universities embarked on an indefinite strike under the aegis of ASUU on June 30, 2013. They called off the strike on December 17. 2013.

The lecturers were agitating for Federal Government’s full implementation of an agreement it entered into with the union in 2009.

Ogbinaka said that the union was satisfied with steps the government recently took to ensure that the country ’s university system was on the same pedestal with those of many other countries.

He said that University of Lagos lecturers would ensure that areas that suffered during the strike were covered qualitatively.

He urged students to work hard to make up for the lost time.

According to him, the Federal Government had demonstrated willingness to create a conducive teaching and learning environment in public universities.

He said that it was necessary for lecturers and students to play their respective roles well. ‘ The government, as part of its efforts to encourage us, has paid all our salary arrears; we are indeed happy with the development.

“The same government has set up a NEEDS Assessment Committee in public universities with members of other labour unions in the system well represented.

“With the development, we are optimistic that we shall be seeing a system that will be able to compete favourably with its counterparts in other climes.”

“Given this development, we see a situation where, not only students, lecturers and parents will be happy, but where the entire country will be better.”

Blackout: TCN employs 522 engineers L

AGOS — THE Lagos Regional Office of Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, yesterday, employed 522 engineers as part of efforts to stabilise electricity supply.

Mr. Iwuamadi Charles, Principal Manager of TCN, Lagos Region, said in Lagos. Charles said that the employment of the young engineers was part of TCN’s contribution to reduce unemployment and boost electricity supply.

Addressing the engineers e a r l i e r, Charles

commended them and said that the job was a call to be part of the nation’s transformation programme.

“You are in the right place.

What makes the power industry in Nigeria is the transmission.

The power industry has come to change and you are the change agents,” he said.

He also urged the engineers to be dedicated, stressing that the nation expected them to move the industry forward.

“Someone among you will become the head of transmission one day, hence you need to put your heart on it and the sky will be your limit,” he said.

Corrigendum

W

E REFER to our full page colour advert of yesterday, Monday, January 6, 2014 edition - TO WHOM THE CAP FITS on page 2.

The caption should have read, “Signed: Sunny Ofili, Special Adviser to the Governor on Information Communication Technology, ICT, & Head of Directorate of Science and Technology,” and NOT “Information Computer Technology” as printed.

The error is regretted.

— Advert Manager

O V E R N O R Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, tasked civil servants to always discharge their duties in the interest of the tax payers.

Fashola who gave the charge at the swearingin ceremony of the eight newly appointed Permanent Secretaries at Lagos House, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja. Some of the eight new Permanent Secretaries are: Engr.

Olujimi Nunayon Hotonu; Mrs. Oluwatoyin Onikoyi; Mrs. Jokotola Ogundimu and Mr. Michael Dawodu.

Other Permanent Secretaries/Tutors-General are: Mrs. Florence Ogunfidodo, Mr. Yinka Olaniyi and Mrs. Margaret Solarin.

Gov's convoy in fatal crash

BY NDAHI MARAMA

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AIDUGURI One person reportedly died yesterday in Borno State, when the convoy of Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State was involved in an accident. The governor was on his way to attend the burial of late Emir of Shani, Alhaji Mohammed Mailafiya who died last week in India following a protracted illness when one of the Jeeps on his convoy lost one of its tyres and rammed into a tree.

Sources said that the driver of the ill-fated vehicle/Jeep, brown in colour lost control just some few metres to the emir ’s palace before ramming into a tree opposite the Shani Generel Hospital which is now under renovation.

The dead man was said to be a close associate to the governor, while the driver sustained serious injuries and was rushed to a hospital in Biu Local Government area for treatment The remains of the former Emir was however, laid to rest at his palace in Shani council. The burial attracted many dignitaries, politicians and traditional rulers including the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai El- Kanemi.

When contacted on phone to confirm the incident, the Special Adviser to governor Shettima on Information and Communication, Alhaji Isa Kumar Gusau said that he was not aware of the incident as he was in Abuja.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014 —11

Court restrains IGP, DSS from arresting Kashamu

BY INNOCENT ANABA

LAGOS — A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, restrained the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar and the Department of State Services, DSS, from arresting a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State, Prince Buruji Kashamu on the basis of a petition written against him.

Justice Okong Abang, the trial judge, also restrained the Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs Service; Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and former Ogun State governor, Mr. Gbenga Daniel from prosecuting the applicants.

The court awarded N50,000 as cost against Daniel.

Kashamu, had in the suit, prayed the court to declare that the allegations contained in a petition dated December 18, 2009, by a group – “Concerned Citizens of Ogun State” – to the police, DSS, Customs and NDLEA were false.

In the petition, the group alleged that Kashamu was under the United States, FBI, investigation bordering on criminality, narcotic smuggling, among others; was indicted by a grand jury and was declared a fugitive by a US Federal High Court.

Kashamu had argued that the said allegations were subject of previous

investigation by the International Police (Interpol) and litigation in competent courts, which exonerated him, adding that they were “rehashed” by his political opponents allegedly led by Daniel “in a maliciously contrived attempt to breach the applicant’s fundamental right to liberty and freedom of association.”

Justice Abang in his judgment, held that going by the facts before him, there was no evidence that the applicant committed any of the offences mentioned in “the ill-motivated” petition.

“I think that the court can restrain the first to fifth defendants from acting on the petition which may lead to the violation of the applicant’s fundamental rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement.”

The court added that his restraining the police was an exception to the principle that the force cannot be restrained from carrying out its constitutional responsibility.

“The findings made in this case are based on peculiar facts and circumstances. This is a case where the court will have expected the sixth respondent (Daniel) to come

forward and prove the allegations made by him against the applicant. But this is not the case.

“Upon being served with the court processes, the sixth respondent only briefed a counsel that appeared in court once and later abandoned the proceeding. I think the suit of the applicant deserves to succeed,” the court said.

Kashamu had claimed that the allegations were a campaign of calumny against him to create the impression that he is a criminal, adding that the petition was actuated by malice.

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

O

SOGBO — SPEAKER of Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salaam has charged people of the state to imbibe maintenance culture, noting that public asset would have durable value if the culture is adopted.

The speaker in a statement by his Press Secretary, Mr. Goke Butika in Osogbo, yesterday, noted that it was high time members of the public claimed the ownership of the public projects and utilities.

Tambuwal, Fashola, Aganga for J9C lecture

VISIT: From left, Mr. Yinka Fasuyi; President, Chief Wole Olanipekun; Vice Chairman, Mr. Adebayo Jimoh; member, both of Ibadan Business School; Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, and Professor Oladapo Afolabi, Chairman of the school, during the visit by the governing board of the school to Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state. Photo: Dare Fasube

You are bad losers, Ogun APC tells PDP, LP rating governor Ibikunle Amosun below average.

The party which described the rating ABEOKUTA — THE All Progressives Congress in Ogun State by the two opposition parties in the has described the leadership of the state as mischievous, misleading and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and myopic, accused the parties of Labour Party, LP, as bad losers for deliberately closing their minds and eyes to the ‘on going u n p a r a l l e l e d transformation’ being recorded by the Amosun administration in the state.

APC’s state publicity the party as a party of secretary in the state,

BY DAYO JOHNSON clowns who are desperate Sola Lawal, yesterday, for power without offering stated that the KURE — A Nigerians an alternative. difference between the chieftain of According to him the LP and PDP is that Labour Party, LP, in party is only popular on the between six and half a Ondo state and a pages of newspapers and dozen and that the two member of the House of cannot win in the 2015 parties are led by those Assembly, Hon. general elections. who misruled the state Akindele Adeniyi Speaking with newsmen between 2003 and 2011. yesterday said that the in Akure, he described the Both the PDP and LP to selfish ambition of the latest development in APC while reacting Ibikunle leaders of the All where some politicians are Governor Progressives Congress, decamping as “mere Amosun’s new year APC, would soon political rehearsal that message to the people factionalise the party. could not stand the test of of the state in which he scored his Adeniyi also described time."

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

'...APC will soon be factionalised'

A

Osun speaker charges citizens on public assets

administration high, scored him zero in some areas and less than 10 per cent in infrastructure development.

According to them in separate reactions, Amosun had failed the people of the state in many areas including health, education, among others.

But, APC in its statement, yesterday, said it understood the frustration of PDP and LP leaders, who instead of bringing development to the state, resorted to foisting a culture of violence on the people.

"These failed politicians in the two parties should either bury their heads in shame or keep quiet as the people will no longer tolerate their shenanigan," APC said.

APC further stated that since these opposition parties failed to make positive impact in the lives

of the people of the state while they were in power, they are of the opinion that no other administration should be acknowledged as having recorded any success.

THE GROUP, January 9 Collective (J9C) has announced that Speaker of the House of Represen- tatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal GCON will be the key note speaker at the second edition of its annual lecture series scheduled for Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on Thursday, January 9, 2014.

The group also stated that the event which will have Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babtunde Fashola, SAN as Host Governor/Chairman, with the theme, 'Nigeria Beyond Petrodollar: A Realistic Perspective.'

The lecture will feature key presentations from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment as well as the Lagos Internal Revenue Service.

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

Edo Cabinet Director dies of bullet wounds

Three remanded over attempted kidnap of octogenarian

BY AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

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...two weeks after attack by suspescted assassins

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM & GABRIEL ENOOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—EDO State Government, yesterday, mourned the death of a cabinet Director with the state government, Mr Friday Ewansigha, who died two weeks after he was shot by suspected assassins.

Ewansigha, Director of Cabinet responsible for convening state executive council meetings, died at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital on December 27, 2013, aged 56.

It was learnt that members of the state Executive Council, led by Governor Adams Oshiomhole, were shocked when they arrived for the weekly executive council meeting and heard about the death of the man responsible for organising the weekly meeting.

A family source who spoke to Vanguard, said that the deceased, who was a former Director at the state Pensions Board, died of wounds he sustained when he was shot bullet shots inflicted on December 13, 2013, at his residence in Evbotubu, Benin City.

“He was shot while trying to find out why his generator suddenly went off. The assassins had pulled off the wire from the generator in order to lure him out,” he said.

Governor Oshimhole, during the first state executive council meeting for the year, described the late director as a dedicated man, saying that everything would be done to bring his killers to book.

He said: “The late director was a dedicated man. He was dedicated to his duty and we will surly miss him.

The police are already investigating the matter and we will do our best to get the killers and bring them to justice.”

When contacted, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Moses Eguavoen, said he would confirm the incident from the Divisional Police Officer, Evbotubu police station.

BRIEFING: General Manager, Rivers Newspaper Corporation, Mr Celestine Ogolo; Managing Director, Rivers Television Authority, Mr Tonye Ekong and Rivers Commissioner For Information and Communication, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, during a news conference on an explosion at Ahoada East High Court, in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Police not under pressure to release 6 suspects —PPRO

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT—RIVERS State Police Command has denied reports that it was under pressure to release the six suspects who were arrested by the Joint Task Force, JTF, weekend, in Ogu Bolo Local Government Area of the state and handed over to it for further investigation.

The JTF in the Niger Delta had arrested the six suspects for alleged illegal possession of fire arms. Among items recovered from them were AK 47 riffles and ammunition.

A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Muhammad, yesterday, said the Police were yet to interrogate

the suspects because the JTF had not handed over the weapons allegedly recovered from the suspects during the arrest.

The statement added that the Police only got a letter from 2 Brigade of JTF, Port Harcourt, on the arrest.

He said: “Rivers State Police command would like to inform the general public that at 2030 hours on January 3, 2014, the command received a letter from the 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, on the arrest of some suspects, alleging that the men were in possession of seven AK 47 rifles and ammunition. Neither the arms nor ammunition were handed over to the Police.

“The Commander of Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Mr. Tunji Disu, is still waiting for the transfer of the exhibits before he can commence interrogation. The police do not rush into conclusion, but carry out discreet investigation before making things public.

The Command, hereby, debunks the insinuation, as reported, that it was under pressure from powers that be, to release the suspects. In essence, the statement is untrue, misleading and mischievous.”

Spokesman of the JTF in the region, Col. Onyema Nwanchukwu, could not be reached for comments as his phone rang out when Vanguard called.

UGBORODO CRISIS: Former Chairman calls for truce zAccuses parties of self interests

BY AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

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ARRI—FORMER Chairman, Ugborodo Community Trust, Pa Sandys OmadeliOvu, has called for truce in the ongoing crisis in the oil-rich Ugborodo, in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, in which the actual number of casualties is yet to be ascertain, with scores injured.

Omadeli-Ovu, in Warri, yesterday, noted that the warring factions were kettle and pot, fighting for personal interests.

He called on the state government to call both parties to a roundtable, just as he kicked against deployment of troops to overwhelmed the peaceful town.

Omadeli-Ovu said: “I call on

both parties to cease fire.

They should know that development cannot come during war. What they are fighting for is personal interest, so, they should spare the citizens this unwarranted battle.

“No group is better than the other, they are kettle calling pot black. They do not have the interest of the community at heart, but their personal ambitions and goals only.

I am against deployment of troops because it will not solve the problem. Even when two countries are at war, they still come to a roundtable and discuss peace. The government should call both parties to a meeting to discuss peace.”

Omadeli-Ovu promised to

open the can of worms on the genesis of the crisis, which had plagued the community.

He noted that if certain resolutions taken in the past were implemented, the community would not have been going through the current crisis.

He appealed to parties to embrace peace as the tenure of the current leadership would elapse by August this year.

Vanguard gathered that the corpse of a victim, identified as Afejuku Oritseneye, was brought to Warri on Sunday night along with some injured victims, who were admitted at a hospital in the town.

ARRI—THREE men were, yesterday, ordered to be remanded in prison custody, pending the advice of the Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP, over their alleged attempted kidnapped of 83year-old Pa Sunday Esegba.

The accused persons were charged on a four-count charge of conspiracy to commit, attempted kidnap, unlawful possession of firearms and attempted robbery.

The accused, Onajite Obrogor, Pius Obrogor, Ejayeta Osharigbe and five others at large, were alleged to have been involved in the foiled kidnap of Esegba in Akperhe-Olomu, Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state on December 6, 2013.

Chief Magistrate, D. O. Imakunu of Otu-Jeremi Magistrate Court, ordered that the accused be remanded in Okere prison while awaiting the advice of the DPP.

PDP chieftain lauds Uduaghan, DESOPADEC commissioner

A

PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain, Mr. Ayodele Lijoka, has commended Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, for his transformation agenda, following his winning of Vanguard Newspaper’s Man of the Year award.

Lijoka, who took particular interest in how the governor was achieving his three-point agenda, described the governor as a highly focused man, who brushed aside distractions and negative criticisms.

“Before Uduaghan became governor, there were a lot of security challenges, but today, Deltans can sleep with their two eyes closed as was witnessed during the last yuletide.”

He commended the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Commissioner representing Isoko ethnic nationality, Mr. Joseph Ogeh, who he said has used his expertise in community development to transform Isokoland from what it used to be.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014 —13

C M Y K

C M Y

14 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

2015: Jonathan’s posters flood Umuahia

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA— AHEAD of 2015 elections, campaign posters of President Goodluck Jonathan has flooded the major streets of Umuahia, Abia State capital.

The campaign posters, captioned “no going back in 2015”, are seen posted in some major streets of the capital city.

It was sponsored by a certain South East Youth group.

But in a swift reaction, Ohanaeze Youths Council dismissed the posters and those who sponsored them, urging them to first allow President Jonathan to declare his interest to run before campaigning for him.

The National Organizing Secretary of the council, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said the group should wait for the President to declare his interest before talking of campaigning for him.

According to Isiguzoro “what we should be talking about now is for the President to show us what he has done for Igbo youths who voted for him in 2011.”

Abuja indigenes task FG on devt commission

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

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BUJA—ABUJA indigenes have called on the Federal Government to create a development commission in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to take care of displaced indigenous communities in the territory.

The indigenes, acting under the umbrella of Original Inhabitants Development Association of Abuja, OIDA, also urged the Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, to upgrade traditional rulers and name major streets in Abuja city centre after FCT-indigenous heroes and royal fathers.

President of the association, Pastor Danladi Jeji, made the demands at the second FCT Heritage Day celebration in Gwagwalada, Abuja yesterday.

BY LEVINUSNWABUGHIOGU

A

BUJA—THE All Progressives Congress, APC, controlled House of Representatives has set stiff hurdles for the passage of the 2014 Federal Government budget including a comprehensive answer to the 50 questions on the economy presented to the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala.

Elements in the emerging new leadership of the House who disclosed this yesterday also said that the 2014 budget must be scrutinised to ensure that it meets the felt needs of Nigerians.

The lawmakers who spoke to Vanguard ahead of next week’s resumption of the House of Representatives ruled out early passage of the N4.6 trillion budget presented to the House by Okonjo-Iweala last December.

Among those who spoke are the presumptive Majority Leader in the emerging new leadership, Femi Gbajagbiamila, spokesman of the House,Zakari Mohammed and a member of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Ogbonna Nwuke representing Etche/ Omuma Federal Constituency.

Budget to be treated according to merit

Submitting that the budget would be treated according its merit, Gbajagbiamila said yesterday that the proposal laid before the House of Representatives by the president through OkonjoIweala was hurriedly and unprofessionally coupled up by the executive.

“The budget looks hurriedly prepared, sloppy and unprofessionally done. There are manifest errors that one is unsure if they are due to carelessness or intentional which would make it a fraudulent document. We will look at the proposals and go through them with a fine tooth comb and heighten scrutiny with only one objective...to give Nigeria and Nigerians a workable budget, credible and implementable,” he said.

Continuing, Gbajagbimila who is set to assume the office of Majority Leader in the House following the emergence of APC as the leading party in the House said the minister of finance would also be made to answer the 50 questions bothering on the economic conditions of the country posed to her at the end of last year by the House committee on finance. At a meeting before the House committee on finance on December 20, 2013, the minister was given a 50 question home work to answer mostly dealing with key economic indicators.

Waiting for the minister’s answers

MEETING: From left: National Vice President, Association of Water Well Drilling Rig Owners & Practitioners, AWDROP, Mr. Dayo Opeyemi, Executive Director, Business Development, Bank of Industry, BoI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, Managing Director, BoI, Ms. Evelyn Oputu and President, AWDROP, Mr. Micheal Ale, after the meeting between BoI and the AWDROP team in Lagos.

2014 BUDGET: APC House leadership insist Okonjo-Iweala must aswer 50 questions zAs lawmakers plan showdown with Presidency “We will wait for the Finance Minister to give satisfactory answers to the questions posed by the Committee that oversights her and her ministry. Her answers or non-answers will determine the next step. But the House is determined to unearth the rot in our economic system,” Gbajagbiamila stressed.

Similarly, the House spokesperson, Mohammed submitted that the parliament was not bound to rubber stamp the budget as submitted by the executive saying that questions would be asked.

“The Committee of Finance has taken over the matter. I think they have passed their questions to the Finance Minister requesting certain explanations on issues.”

He, however, said that there was no organised opposition to the budget.”I am not aware that the opposition is planning a showdown. But whether opposition or whatever, we are all Nigerians now. Once people ask valid questions, people will begin to say they want to stall.

No”

House not a rubber stamp

“The House is not supposed to be a rubber stamp institution, right? So, when we ask questions, you begin to think that we are posing anything.

It’s not true. People must know that the parliament will take its rightful place on

issues as we have been doing.

Ask questions where necessary.

They have started the process and we will continue from there.”

On the early passage of the budget, Mohammed said “I can’t tell. That is putting the cart before the horse. Will there be passage if the requirement has not been met? Issues will be considered. As it comes, we will look at every issue according to its merit for the benefit of Nigerians. No strings attached.

That is the truth. Again, you will ask, has the Finance Minister answered the questions?

Lending his voice also, Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke underscored the necessity of a workable budget for the country in 2014, revealing that the budget was not an asset of the Executive or the President. Saying that Okonjo-Iweala must answer the 50 questions posed by the House committee on finance, he said: “I think the House Committee on Finance was in order to have raised those questions. Okonjo-Iweala owes Nigerians the responsibility to explain those issues. And these are economic issues she is expected to deal with; issues that we think she deals with on daily basis. So, the people’s representatives are asking questions. She has to say what transpires under her watch. I believe she has the responsibility to answer those questions.

Respect

“The issue of whether or not she has been treated respectfully is immaterial now. What is material in my opinion is that OkonjoIweala should answer those questions. They are not personal questions. They are probing questions which will give lawmakers greater insights as to how the economy has been managed; questions which will prove that under her watch, we have had good management given the tags she goes with as the one who oversees the economy. So, there are so much at stake.

Copies of the budget

“We will get to the floor of the House, we will get to have copies of the budget and as lawmakers, we will go through those copies line by line, Committee by Committee and then we will come to some position as to whether or not the budget is worth the while.

I believe that Nigerians have some expectations of us that we will pass a workable budget. I will go to the floor of the House with my mind open to see exactly what’s on the card. Whether the budget was put up very hurriedly, that’s the business of the Executive.

“In as much as we know, We have said to the Executive that there is a period to put the budget on the table. And for some reasons, the Budget was not laid on time; And so, we have work to do. I believe that members of the National Assembly should rather not say anything now until we get to the plenary; until we have much information on the budget. Let’s wait until we get there.”

Vanguard , TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014 —15

ENEJERE’S REMOVAL: UNN JAC wants FG to set up panel of inquiry

BY CHINENYEH OZOR

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SUKKA—AS the demand for the immediate removal of the Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Professor Bartho Okolo, and reinstatement of the prochancellor, Dr. Emeka Enejere, gets messier, the Joint Action Committee of the institution has called on the Federal Government to set up panel of inquiry to look into the crisis in the university.

ASUU chairperson and chairman of JAC, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, chapter, Dr. Ifeanyi Abada, announced this in a prayer rally held at the freedom square of the university yesterday, explaining that illegality and criminal tendencies had taken the centre stage of the university administration since the inception of Prof. Bartho

Okolo as the vice chancellor.

Dr. Abada said JAC comprises ASUU, SSANU, NASU and NAT, adding that they all demanded the express removal of the vice chancellor.

He said the Federal Government should as a matter of urgency and necessity set up a panel of inquiry to stop the illegal internal deduction and refund such money to members of staff.

The JAC chairman explained that they were not only protesting the removal of the vice chancellor but also demanded the immediate recall of all staff of the institution on suspension for the past two years on the orders of the vice chancellor, explaining that the committee also demanded a total stoppage of deductions

of electricity bills for staff on campus.

Counting the many faults of Prof. Okolo as vice chancellor of the university, the committee requested for the lifting of ban on nonpromotion of security staff of the institution for the past five years.

Dr. Abada, who was in company of SSANU Chairman Comrade Paul Obododike and his NASU counterpart, Mr. Godfrey Ugwu, called for the implementation of Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure, CONTISS II, and implementation of the recommendations of the university council petitions and appeals committee.

Dr. Abada also noted that the prayer rally of JAC would continue until the Federal Government looked into the demands.

APC chieftains fault Ngige on Anambra LG polls

BY CLIFFORDNDUJIHE

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W KA — D E P U T Y National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC, South, Senator Annie Okonkwo, and Anambra State chairman of the party, Mr. Chuks Chinwuba, have picked holes in comments attributed to Senator Chris Ngige that the party would not take part in the January 11 local council election in Anambra.

Senator Ngige, who flew APC’s flag in the November, 2013, governorship election and currently represents Anambra Central, last Thursday said the party would not take part in the council polls and urged APC’s supporters, chairmanship and councillorship candidates to boycott the election.

His reason: The Acting Chairman of the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission, ANSIEC, should not have requested political parties to submit their list of candidates and their forms to the commission “when

issues leading to a free, fair and credible election in the state are yet to be addressed.”

Commenting on the issue, yesterday, Senator Okonkwo said after a stakeholders meeting in Awka, the Anambra State capital, APC will participate in the election.

Okonkwo said those who were saying the party would not participate in the council election did not

mean well for the party and Anambra people.

Urging Anambra people to ignore such calls, he said: “We should concentrate in pushing our party forward. APC is not anybody ’s personal property. A member of the party cannot say APC will not participate in the election. APC is a national party and not private property of any individual.”

New Oji River LG boss takes over

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JI RIVER—THE newly elected Chairman of Oji River local government council in Enugu State, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemaechi, has assumed office In a ceremony which lasted over two hours, the former chairman of the council, Ozo Gab Onuzulike, took the new chairman round the premises to acquaint him with the facilities within the council.

Speaking to newsmen at the end of the handover, Ikechukwu thanked the former chairman for his orderly conduct in the

hand over and reiterated his desire to take the council to a new level, in line with the transformation agenda of the governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sullivan Chime.

On his expectations from the staff of the council, the new chairman said he would not condone truancy during his tenure so that the set goals will be achieved for the people of Oji River.

He pledged to run an all inclusive government that will ensure that the dividends of democracy were enjoyed by every community in the council.

16— Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

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the Super Eagles after you just before the World Cup? I have tried all I can with the Boko Haram issue. However, the situation has not improved.

I don’t know what else to do.

I would greatly appreciate it if you could go personally and convince them to lay down their arms. If you go with one hundred million naira of newly-minted cash, I am sure they will listen to you. You can meet them wearing the latest bullet-proof vest we just procured from the Americans.

I can assure you that, should they kidnap you, we will pay to the nearest kobo any additional amount that they ask for your ransom. I can send the bank statement of the account we have already opened for this purpose, so that you can be confident that we will not leave you in the lurch.

VERY good evening to you, Sir.

I am replying your letter with a very deep sense of humility, mindful of the fact that you are, and will always be, my Godfather. I learnt all the tricks of the Nigerian political scene at your feet. You taught me all the tactics I employed in securing the nomination of the PDP in 2011. I also relied on your wealth of experience in rigging the 2011 presidential elections. I am not an ungrateful son as you allege. I agree that you are the real president. It is just that I wish you would not continue to embarrass me publicly.

I have had occasion in the past to come and prostrate in Otta to beg for your forgiveness. I declare, without reservation, that I am wellinclined to do so again. I am begging you to have secondthoughts about supporting someone else to replace me in 2015. I have already created a high falutin committee to look into all the issues you raised in your letter. They should give a full report within 12 months, at which point I will take appropriate action almost immediately. In the meantime, I would like to place a number of issues on the table for your fatherly consideration.

It is true that I gave an undertaking in 2011 not to run for a second-term if elected.

However, that agreement was made with politicians. Surely, everybody knows that an agreement made by politicians with politicians is not likely to be kept. If you check the agreement I signed, you will notice that I did not even use my usual signature. Instead of putting my name, I put Jonathan Ebele. I can easily deny that I signed that agreement. Even James Ibori successfully denied in a court of law that he was James Ibori.

Certain critical parts of the agreement were also typed with disappearing ink. I have also ensured that all the CCTV recordings during the signing have been misplaced.

I have even intercepted the ones sent to Femi Otedola.

I learnt all these tactics from you. You also signed an agreement to be a one-term president. But later you contested not only for a second-term; you even tried to wangle a third-term. You gave legislators 50 million naira each to support your thirdterm agenda. This is what I am also trying to emulate, hopefully with greater success than you had. I would have thought that you, Sir, of all people, would understand my position. The presidency of Nigeria is so sweet. Every day, people fight over who will lick my boots. Nobody in his right mind would relinquish such an office without a fight. I look at myself in the mirror every morning and say: “GEJ; this goodluck thing is no joke.

Who would ever have thought you of all people would be

Dear President Obasanjo president of Nigeria?”

Therefore, I am begging you, Sir, with everything you hold dear, that while you might continue to pretend to be my opponent publicly, you would do all in your power to support me privately. I am too young to retire from office. I need more time to persuade the National Assembly to add five or ten billion naira to my future pension. I also need time to allocate some new oil blocks, rebuild some of the toll-gates you destroyed, achieve 24/7 electricity and remove the petroleum subsidy. If I don’t get a second term, I tell you I will just die. Why should I be in the Guinness Book of Records as the first president in the history of Nigeria to be so foolish as to lose an election?

Since you have now opened a channel of communication with those members of our party who have defected to the APC, kindly find out from

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014 — 17

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President (ex) Olusegun Obasanjo need be, I can always defect at the last minute to the APC as well, as long as I can buy the presidential nomination there too. Also let them know that if they don’t agree to play ball, we shall be coming after

I wonder if you have any suggestions as to how I can galvanise Yoruba votes. Perhaps I could change the name of the country to the Federal Republic of Chief Obafemi Awolowo

them how much money they want in order to come back.

You might also wish to make some recommendations in this regard. Would five billion naira for each of the governors be sufficient? Or do you think this is too little and would be considered an insult?

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lease let them know that money is not an object.

Whatever it takes, we will provide the funding for it. We have already prepared a warchest far in excess of what we used in 2011. This is the reason why there is a big shortfall in the monies given to the states in 2013. We are leaving no stone unturned that, come rain come shine, the PDP will again win by a landslide in 2015. The only condition is that I must be the presidential candidate. In that, I am craving your indulgence and understanding.

Please let them know that, if

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every one of them after the election. EFCC will probe every kobo they spent as Governors. I graduated with honours at your school of political manipulation. The choice before them is clear-cut: they either support me or go to jail for embezzlement and corruption. You know as well as I do, Sir, that no politician in Nigeria is clean, not even your good self.

I quite agree with our critics that corruption remains a major problem in Nigeria.

However, the matter is way beyond my ability to control.

I am a president: I am not a pastor. I do not know any other way to run the country.

Politics is a dirty game.

Everybody expects to get paid.

If I don’t bribe legislators, and turn a blind eye when my ministers are looting, I cannot survive in this office. I also learnt this from you, so I am surprised that you are now frowning at it. I am not the

first president under whose watch huge sums of money will disappear from the treasury, and I will not be the last.

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ther parts of the country chopped when their kinsmen were in power. It is now the turn of the SouthSouth. It is part of my unofficial mandate that the South-South should be represented on the Forbes list of the world’s billionaires. If this does not happen under my administration, I will be regarded as a bastard. Before I came to power the big money was in the North and the South-West. By the time I leave, the South-South should have its own homegrown billionaires. This is only fair; after all, the oil comes from us.

That is the reason why, under my presidency, there have been greater incidence of pipeline vandalisation.

I am trying my best, but for some reasons, my best does not seem to be good enough.

I desperately need the support of the South-West. My advisers told me if I changed the name of the University of Lagos to Moshood Abiola University, it would result in several million South-West votes.

However, this backfired and I had to get rid of those stupid nincompoop advisers. I wonder if you have any suggestions as to how I can galvanise Yoruba votes.

Perhaps, I could change the name of the country to the Federal Republic of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Or would you prefer it if I were to name

he policies I am pursuing need time to mature. Four years of the presidency is really inadequate for this.

Only ten years will do. It is one of the issues I would like to sponsor at the forthcoming national conference. My people will propose that there should be a one-term presidency lasting ten years.

If I am able to have my way, there will be no election whatsoever in 2015.

Everybody will have to wait until 2021. We are simply going to declare that the security situation in the country and the threats of violence from different quarters indicate that it would not be in the national interest to conduct any elections.

I hope I have been able to convince you that I am the same GEJ. I have not changed. I am still your loyal servant. You will always be a father to me. If you could see me now, you would realise that I am prostrating as I am writing this letter to you. I will do whatever you say, but please let me remain as president at least until 2019.

I am prepared to marry a Yoruba wife, if that will do the trick. I will come to Otta at night to see you in person.

Please let pounded yam and egusi soup also be prepared for me.

Please Sir, I would greatly appreciate it if you were to ensure that the contents of this highly-classified letter are not leaked to the press. I think you will agree that our enemies should not know what we are planning in order to advance democracy in our great country and to ensure that the dividends are equitably distributed on a turn-by-turn, chop-I-chop, basis.

I wish you Sir, most excellent architect of the Nigerian confusion, a very happy New Year, long life and senility.

I agree totally: you dey kampe!

Yours party faithfully, GEJ Self-effacing president.

18 Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014 POLITICS is steadily being reduced to the contest for power at all costs. The biggest casualty to date is the people. Politics should be about service to the people through enhancement of opportunities that should sustain society.

It did not take long for the politicians to realise that in the quest for power, the most important thing is service to the power centres that would aid their ambitions. The emphasis on party loyalty over service to the people who elected them is at the centre of growing contentions among the peoples of Nigeria and their representatives.

Politicians think their control of Nigerians, better still, the resources of Nigeria, is divine. They are reluctant to answer questions about their loyalty to the electorate, who they swear at inauguration to serve.

There are only flashes of possibilities of using politics to serve our peoples who have suffered neglect over the years, under the watch of those who at election campaigns promise to change their lives from poverty, illiteracy, disease and deprivations. Politicians see politics as the

Politics Over People veritable platform to place themselves above the people, far from their challenges.

Our servant-leaders serve themselves; they disregard the dictates of democratic governments. They cannot digest the tenets of democratic governance.

Elected officials and political appointees have become mini-dictators who act as they please across party lines. Even local government chairmen arrogate the title of “chief security officer” of their domains to themselves, and act accordingly, though the Constitution does not provide any security role for that tier of government.

Party politics for all its importance to the growth of democracy, has been a growing challenge, essentially as party officials hold self-serving positions on issues. The parties

are less democratic than some authoritarian regimes. Nigerians’ interests are distant considerations for most of them.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal once told a gathering in Benin City, “What concerns us as a House is the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The moment you are elected a member, you are expected to serve and represent that particular constituency irrespective of which platform of the party you have contested the election and won.

Whatever we do in the House, we consider the federation of Nigeria as a basis of our decision”.

What decisions in the House of Representatives reflected these ideals?

Granted broader platforms are required for attaining national objectives, how has the House done this?

Elections are drawing nearer. Politicians would make more promises without committing to the point that service to the people is the essence of governance. It is up to the people to use every lawful means to extract a constitutional democracy from these self-serving leaders.

OPINION

BY ADEWALE KUPOLUYI

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HE nation’s political landscape is becoming more and more interesting with the dumping by the ‘rebel’ governors of the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress, a move seen as the climax of months of unending political intrigues in the ongoing political realignment ahead of 2015.

Whatever name it is called – defection, decamping or carpet crossing – the affected PDP governors; Hon. Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers), Alhaji Ahmed Abdulfatah (Kwara), Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), Alhaji Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), and Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto) - have simply taken a hard decision that may or may not add much value to the county’s political system.

With this development, there is certainly going to be significant alteration to the nation’s political configuration in a number of ways. First is the whittling down of PDP’s state dominance, which previously had 23 out of the 36 governors, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance and Labour Party have one each, with the APC now controlling the rest.

What this translates to is that the opposition can no longer be described as ‘weak’ in terms of party structure, grassroots mobilization and firm control of state governments including the South-South, where the presidency is zoned to under the current dispensation. The opposition’s lead in the North-west states of Kebbi, Kaduna and Kebbi and Kwara, Northcentral is also a clear indication that it has now become a formidable force.

Secondly, the realignment is bound to reshape the existing power structure and alliance in both the House of Representatives and Senate. It has the tendency to draw up dislocations and

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e a dif When the Go vs' def Govs' defection make diffference ection can mak threats of impeachment in the bid to wrestle power from the executive, the moment the opposition becomes conscious of controlling a reasonable amount of followership.

Thirdly, the 2015 general election is directly likely to be most affected, going by the stance of the G7 governors that power should go back to the north, accord recognition to Amaechi as the real Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the resignation from office, the PDP national Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the APC alliance with five elements in G7 could further ignite political torch.

We recall that the NGF election ended in stalemate as the incumbent chairman, Amaechi and Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State laid claim to victory. While the former allegedly polled 19 out of 35 votes, Jang reportedly secured 16 votes, resulting into the two governors running parallel leaderships and Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State leading another body called the PDP Governors’ Forum.

Fourthly, the strength of opposition is bound to soar remarkably in the polity. This merger is expected to breed a coalition that could rival the ruling party, which once boasted that it will rule the country for the next 60 years.

Fifthly, in the Upper House, the PDP hitherto had 74 senators as against that of 29 by the opposition, APGA had one and the Labour Party had four while the current configuration may bring about a reduction in the number of senators under the PDP roof.

Already, 49 members of the House of Representatives have joined their governors in decamping to the APC. Spokesman of the defecting group, Hon. Suleiman

Abdurahman Sumaila stated that legislators in the Lower Chamber from Adamawa, Kwara, Kano, Rivers and Sokoto were following their governors, in which Kano has 14, Rivers -13, Sokoto -11, Adamawa - 6 and Kwara - 5 members.

If this slide continues, we could have a situation where the PDP may lose its overwhelming two-thirds majority and invariably migrate from being the majority to the minority party. This will become a great problem for the ruling party, especially when issues like getting the nod of the legislators come to play as failure to maintain PDP’s dominance, in both chambers may weaken the enormous power of the President in terms of pushing through his interest in the National Assembly.

Also, in terms of litigation, the defection could bring about the demise of a series of pending court cases. The tendency is there that other aggrieved members of the PDP may take solace in the merger and discontinue their cases against the ruling party.

Irrespective of what the politicians would gain or lose from the power tussle, that should be of less importance to us. Rather, what should be of utmost interest to any lover of democracy are the benefits such a change is capable of bring to the nation and its peoples, both in the short and the long run.

Ordinarily, the existence of political alternatives encourages healthy completion that allows the electorate have ample opportunity to take their destiny in their hands by truly deciding who should govern them.

This is the essence of democracy.

Over the years, the nation has been privileged to experiment various party structures and

platform to elect their leaders. Unfortunately, things have not really worked out well, as desired by the people.

Naturally, as a growing democracy, one should expect some imperfections. This is still part of the learning process as no nation has ever obtained full democratic dividends on a platter of gold. Nigeria should, therefore, not be an exception.

While we strive for the El-Eldorado, we should put in place, the conducive atmosphere that will propel the nation into development, made possible by the political actors. It is on this basis that the dominance of one party should not be encouraged.

Therefore, it will amount to nothing if the merger is unable to synergize positively by blending together and taking advantage of where other parties have failed to better the lot of the people in the provision of unemployment, security, good and affordable education, health and sound economic base that will spur our country into global reckoning.

To begin with, the merger should lead to the emergence of a party manifesto that will address the challenges facing the nation as well as the policies and programmes it intends to implement when voted into power. Nigerians are no more ready for deceit and any rhetoric that will translate into meaningless leadership, governance and the idiomatic fable of ‘jumping from frying pan into fire’.

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

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014 — 19

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HE administration of Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan of Delta State, inaugurated for the first term on May 29, 2007, has a trademark three-point agenda of Peace and Security, Human Capital and Infrastructural Development.

Uduaghan, undeniably has been pursuing the agenda with determination and doggedness and there are measurable evidence and results across the state.

But followers of the administration have also come to associate the governor as a man with an eye for decency, public order, aesthetics and discipline.

The Asaba and Warri Beautification Committees inaugurated in the early days of the administration, the Street Light projects across the state among others are eloquent testimonies of his vision of a clean, beautiful, serene and orderly Delta State.

Delta State, like most other states in the country, has been characterized by a disturbing public behaviour and general display of lawlessness among motorists and blatant disregard for public decency and morality in the display of signage. Most motorists both commercial and private, park indiscriminately thereby causing unnecessary traffic hold up. Campaign and religious posters, billboards and banners most times are displayed

at public places in total breach of public decency. These acts of impunity deface not only public structures but even private residential buildings with none of the perpetrators called to account for their actions.

Uduaghan, disturbed about this state of affairs, which negates the state of his dream, in furtherance of his war against indiscipline, recently assented to two executive bills passed by the State House of Assembly. The laws are meant to establish agencies that would restore order both in the areas of traffic management and display of signage in the state. One of them is a Law to establish Traffic Management Authority and the other to provide for the establishment of Delta State Signage and Advertisement Agency.

The Traffic Management Authority when established and inaugurated as provided for under Section 4 of the enabling Law would among other things: control traffic and enforce State and Federal Laws, regulate the safe use of vehicles on roads in the State in co-operation with vehicle inspection unit of the Directorate of Transport, the Nigeria Police Force and relevant Federal Agencies; undertake proactive and targeted enforcement of traffic laws in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force; deter and apprehend traffic offenders; take practical and effective steps to reduce causalities on roads.

Other functions of the authority

It is obvious from the functions and powers of the authority that when established and properly managed, there would be some degree of sanity on our highways

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are: employ mobile and random breath testing methods to detect drunk drivers; safeguard motor vehicles, motorcyclists and pedestrians at railway level crossing or during any public processing on the road; safeguard vehicles and pedestrians in construction zones, highways and streets; enforce the use of strategic public transport infrastructure by transport operators to ensure safe and efficient boarding and disembarkment of buses and other transport modes.

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nother important function of the authority would be to carry out regular and effective public awareness campaigns to discourage the activities of traders, street hawking and alms begging on the highways. This is one function that analysts see as very crucial in ridding the state of unnecessary hold up that are common places in major cities across the state. The activities of street traders and the serious nuisance they cause in Effurun, Amukpe, Agbor, Warri, Udu, Ughelli and other cities in the state warrants an enabling law to check their excesses.

Sadly, local government

Nigeria's political gridlock: Origins and outcomes

BY CHARLES ONUNAIJU

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INCE the elections debacle in Anambra state, questions and fears have been reasonably raised in several quarters as to the prospects of organising a credible nationwide election in 2015. Most of the comments on the disastrous outing of the Professor Attahiru Jega-led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra state has hinged on the incompetence, technical shortcomings and the lack of sincerity on the electoral body’s personnel.

However, the issue of the election debacle in Anambra would have to be situated in the wider context of the routine failure of electoral politics and the current stage of deepened electoral crises in Nigerian politics. The crises of election is not an autonomous political stalemate, but reflects the profound malaise of the State and the consequence of mis-governance and institutional dysfunction.

Given, the profound and fundamental disaggregation of the internal structure and mechanism of the State, can a competent and even more honest electoral umpire, rescue a malfunctioned state, and set its crucial agency, the government on the course of good governance and efficient service delivery?

My humble answer is no. One is even very deeply, embarrassed, that Mr. Jega, a professor of political science, seemingly believed that the credibility of electoral personnel, can turn around, a critically disorientated political process fuelled by a deconstructive state, pushed further to the Principe, by the subjective activities of an inchoate political actors taking advantage of the objective condition of a

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disabling state.

The condition of the Nigerian chaotic politics and the routine crises that flows from it, including the degeneration of its economy and the consequent anomie in its social landscape, cannot be fixed by the mere craft of election rectification, even though, as could be seen, that has even proved an uphill task. The fundamental disconnect, which include the disaggregated structure of the Nigerian state are not matters to be resolved in the political exigency of routine administration.

The debilitating issue of state malaise and atrophy requires an unusual political intervention of fundamental magnitude either in the form of a revolutionary upheaval or a deliberate and conscious recreation of the state through the framework of a national conference, bringing under a forum, all critical stakeholders, including mostly, the outside and marginalised political actors. To this extent, the President Jonathan conference is a comic distraction to the seriousness of and the critical desiderata for national conference or dialogue. For the avoidance of doubt, national conference or dialogue are not called or summoned at the pleasure of the ruling elite.

Objectively, national conference are called when the ruling elite have exhausted the bag of political tricks and deception and are therefore mortally threatened by a complete obliteration by a contending political force. The ruling elite concedes to a national conference in a place of a disgraceful eviction from the political stage.

It is usually the last desperate act of an exhausted political cabal, looking for a

officials whose duty it is to maintain order at markets that are under their control, do nothing about this ugly trend. Rather, their concern is pecuniary. Council revenue agents collect rates and levies from such street traders with no concern for free flow of traffic and even on the prevailing sanitary conditions.

It is in the light of these, that another function of the agency, conducting highly visible day and night traffic patrols, to enforce traffic rules and regulations and clear the highways of obstructions, should be extended to roads where markets are located to save motorists the menace of tradersinduced hold ups.

Section 5 of the Law Empowers the Authority to: arrest any person suspected of violating or having violated any provision of the law; impound any vehicle which violates any provision of the law; remove and detain any vehicle which is not road-worthy or parked in a manner that causes traffic obstruction and remove impounded vehicle to designated vehicle park.

It is obvious from the functions and powers of the authority that when established and properly managed, there would be some degree of sanity on our highways.

Uduaghan gave strong indications to this while assenting to the bill.

“There is no doubt that for some time now we have been very worried about sanity in our state.

The way we behave, especially in public places has been a cause for concern.

“Very worrisome is the way we drive and the way we pack cars recklessly. In essence, our traffic behaviour in the state has been a cause for concern and we felt it was necessary to put a law in place.

Although some of us know the right

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BY EJIRO IDAMA

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Merits of Uduaghan’s move to restore public sanity

The condition of the Nigerian chaotic politics and the routine crises that flow from it, including the degeneration of its economy and the consequent anomie in its social landscape, cannot be fixed by the mere craft of election rectification

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forum to concession its enormous priviledges without the humiliation of revolutionary extinction. Where a forum of national conference or dialogue is offered at the comfort of the regime as in Nigeria, with a regime that is well seated in the wheels of the state, but enormously rattled by the uproar in its house of commotion as in the case of the PDP-led federal government, the aim is not to address the disorderly and chaotic political process, but a house cleaning exercise, to restore the hegemony of the ruling cabal, without affecting the broader context of social anomie and economic degeneration.

It has nothing to do with effort to re-address the fundamental lacuna of a deconstructing state. National conference as was well known was a political framework for accommodating outside political forces that has grown enormously restless and felt itself strong enough for a political showdown with the traditional political establishment.

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he Nigerian dialogue process and the mechanism set in motion to realised it, pales into elaborate caricature when set

thing to do but I believe that with this law and with very serious enforcement, we would be able to achieve some sanity in the area of traffic management.”

The Second Law on the other hand seeks to establish a Delta State Signage and Advertisement Agency to be charged with such functions as: control outdoor structures to be used for signage and advertisement; protect the environment from potential adverse impact from visual blights/pollution controlling; the posting and display of posters on public structures and highways; control the number, size and location of outdoor structures.

Section 21 of the law makes it an offence for any person to establish or operate any billboard or commercial advertisement without being a member of a recognized advertising body except such a person is carrying on the business of outdoor advertising.

Section 28 of the Law prescribes penalty for infraction ranging from fines to prison terms.

These functions clearly underscore the administration’s determination to restore public order and decency. The trend where billboards, posters, banners and outdoor advertisements are carried out unrestrained not only offends public sense of decency but undermines government’s beautification schemes and structures.

The current administration has made conscious efforts at beautifying major cities across the state.

Uduaghan while assenting to the law lamented, “Most of the time we have people putting billboards, and putting posters anywhere especially in public places".

*Mr. Idama, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Asaba, Delta State.

a against the fundamental process of national dialogue in other chimes and what it aims to achieve. In the Nigerian case, and for the inveterate political elite wedded to obscene privileges and far from any serious threat to loose it, the national conference or dialogue could conveniently become a circus show to maintain a modicum of public activity, while entrenching deeply in the public sphere to maintain a façade and the banality of a political order. In the specific context of the highly vulnerable President Jonathan administration, the national conference would provide alternative to a seemingly electoral vulnerability for the clannish regime to maintain itself in power. I dare predict that the President Jonathan national dialogue or conference will deal with one single issue of tenure, where the regime obsession of a six or seven year single tenure will dominate.

If the commotion in the ruling PDP persist where by, it would become impossible to win election, even by massive rigging, then the framework of the national conference will be used to push for a single tenure of seven years, whereby the regime can completely avoid any elections. An unpopular national and state assemblies whose most members could win any credible elections, would quickly ratified the adoption of a single term of six or seven years by the national conference. It is important for Nigerians to understand the regime’s sudden conversion to national conference and appreciate the regime’s insidious ploy to perpetuate itself in office, using a disfigured version of a long advocated and popular platform. The Anambra state election debacle is no eye opener to the looming disasters about overvaunted 2015 but a confirmation of a long started political gridlock.

*Mr. Onunaiju, ajournalist, wrote from Abuja, Federal Capital Terrority.

20—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

• The dilapidated bridge.

• Members of Yamshi community

ENR: Indigenous approach to HIV/AIDS menace

BY VICTORIA OJEME

I

N Yamshyi, a small, sleepy community of farmers and rural dwellers in Kaduna State, routine incidences of rape of young girls are commonplace.

The abominable act is usually perpetrated by males and other sexual predators under the pretex of assisting the unsuspecting victims to cross the dangerously water logged bridge which is the only bridge linking the settlement with the outside world.

With an approximate population of 6,470, Yamshyi has just one primary school and a secondary school and is a distance of about seven kilometres walk outside the community. The journey across the bridge during the rainy season is a must, for those who must to go to school,

State, through the State Coordinator, Risikat Toyin Muhammed, turned her life around.

One of the none- state actors in the anti- HIV/AIDS campaign is the Enhancing Nigeria’s Response to HIV/AIDS, ENR, programme, focused on key concepts of strengthening sustainable, effective and evidenced –based HIV prevention strategies. Aimed at revolutionising HIV and AIDS prevention in Nigeria, the ENR is a six-year year programme of support to the Government of Nigeria to reverse the HIV epidemic , mitigate the impact of the HIV/AIDS on individuals, households and the wider society.

In 2011, the Societies Tackling AIDS Through Rights, STAR (a

,

Most young girls were exchanging sex for motorcycle ride to and from school which is about five kilometres outside the community.

This led to a situation whereby most young girls in the community dropped out of secondary education

the market and visit other communities.

Apart from constituting a deathtrap for the unwary, the bridge is unwittingly contributing to the rising incidences of HIV infection among the dwellers.

Peter Jessica, a deaf and partially dumb indigene, was once a victim of rape. The 27-yearold suffered depression, emotional and mental trauma for almost two years until an encounter with the Network of Persons with Disability Against HIV/AIDS, NEPSHA, in Kaduna C M Y K

,

programme under the ENR) was implemented at Yamshyi, aimed at creating platforms through which selected residents of the community in question convene every first Friday of the month to discuss pertinent issues affecting the community.

One of such key concerns at that time was the rising incidences of rape and how to effect a change in the situation through the efforts of the Community Development Network, CDN, using and every last Friday of the month to create awareness and sensitisation on

HIV/AIDS. The STAR cycle members are appointed and answerable to the STAR facilitator, the Enhancing Nigeria’s Response to HIV/AIDS, ENR, and together, joined with the CDN to influence and advocate a change in decisions that will benefit the community.

A decision was the construction of a half concrete and half wooden bridge to enhance free passage. STAR and CDN project members joined hands to raise N100,000 used to construct the bridge.

Dilapidated bridge The now dilapidated bridge has once again drawn attention to the dark days of incidences of rape, and provides a poignant picture of the ties between lack of infrastructure and spread of HIV. Presently, the community expresses a collective wish for government to provide better facilities as part of measures to control the spread of HIV. A field visit to Akwa Ibom State revealed impact of STAR programme on indices of HIV/ AIDS in Uko Itak Eyulor community as well Adakat community in Mbo and Ikot Ekpene local government areas respectively. In 2010, Uko Itak Eyulor community, nominated by the Akwa Ibom State Action Committee (AKSACA)as one of the four pilot communities for ENR-STAR intervention Their selection was premised on their being one of the poorest communities, abandoned by authorities, with no social services or infrastructure.

Just like Yamshyi in Kaduna, the community was cut off from other communities owing to the collapse of the bridge/culvert earlier built by it, leaving the only means of going out and coming into the community by foot or on motor cycle over a narrow plank.

Cases of rape of teenagers to or from school were reported with incidences of STIs and unplanned pregnancies These led to many students dropping out from school but ENR intervention saw to the completion of the abandoned school project, ultimately resulting in the reversal of some of the negative HIV/AIDS indices.

In Adakat community, a rural settlement in the State, there were high incidences of unplanned teenage pregnancy and the major cause was the long distance young girls had to trek

to school.

Village Head, Chief Cyprian Ikono, recounted: “Most young girls were exchanging sex for motorcycle ride to and from school which is about five kilometres outside the community. This led to a situation whereby most young girls in the community dropped out of secondary education.

To solve this problem, the community held series of meetings to develop various strategies aimed at tackling this issue but to no avail. In 2010, the community made it mandatory for young people especially young girls in the community to attend STAR meetings and engaging their ENR Inter Personal Communication (IPC) conductor as their resource person during meetings.

They were told that unprotected sexual intercourse does not just expose them to unplanned pregnancy but also to sexually transmitted infections like HIV etc. The phrase “No condom, no sex” became popular and condom use was widely accepted by the community members.

The impact was dramatic, with a sharp down ward spiral of teenage pregnancy as well as incidences of the spread of HIV/ AIDS in 2011.

Help! Favour with hole in the heart needs N2.5m to live

BY BOSE ADELAJA

E

LEVEN months ago, Mrs Maureen Falemara, 32, was proudly expecting the arrival of her second child. Maureen who holds a National Diploma, ND, in Marketing from Ondo State Polytechnic, Owo, however had her joy cut short when it was discovered that the baby girl she was delivered of at a private hospital in Agege, was not altogether a normal child. Baby Favour was discovered to have a large ventricular septa defect.

She was thereafter referred to the General Hospital for further diagnosis and treatment. Unable to proffer solutions to Little Favour’s ailment, the medial doctors at the General Hospital again referred them to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital LUTH, Idiaraba for further diagnosis and treatment. Going from one hospital to the other depleted Favour’s father’s lean resources which he earned from his printing job.

The plight of the couple attracted the sympathy of members of their family and friends who contributed their widow’s mite to find a permanent cure for Favour’s ailment. Fresh diagnosis on the little girl revealed that she needs to undergo proper medical attention in India or risk sudden death. The bill for the treatment in India was put at N2.5 million.

A medical report from LUTH reads in part, “Clinical assessment shows that Favour has features consistent with congenital heart disease and echocardiography confirmed the heart disease to be a large ventricular septa defect with enlargement of the heart.

Favour requires further evaluation and cardiac surgery to correct the heart abnormality.”

Vanguard Metro learnt that Favour’s parents have expended all their life earnings including selling their personal belongings in a bid to save the life of the frail looking baby. The condition of Favour has become a source of endless wailings for the unemployed Maureen. Speaking to Vanguard Metro in tears, Maureen appealed to well meaning Nigerians, governments and corporate organisations to come to the family’s aid to enable the 11-month old Favour live.

Meanwhile, an account has been opened with First Bank for any assistance to save Favour’s life. Account name: Falemara Oluwaseyi Favour, Account No: 3078488127. Mrs. Maureen Falemara could be reached on 08033624008

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014 — 21

NIMASA seeks judiciary support to tackle maritime crimes

By GODFREY BIVBERE

T

HE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has called for the support of the country’s judicial system to enable it curb criminal activities in the nation’s maritime sector.

The Director General of the Agency, Mr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi,made the call during the fifth Strategic Admiralty Seminar for Judges, organised by the Agency in Lagos.

He said the support of the judiciary will aid the Agency in the timely prosecution of persons involved in illegal activities in the nation’s territorial waters.

The NIMASA boss said that the agency had made several arrests of persons involved in illegal bunkering, oil theft and piracy-related activities who are yet to be prosecuted due to challenges in the system.

Akpobolokemi noted that very little result had been recorded in prosecution and therefore called on the judiciary and other legal officers to assist the Agency in its relentless fight against maritime crimes.

While stating that NIMASA has been effectively collaborating with the Nigerian Navy

and other security agencies to curb crimes at sea, Mr. Akpobolokemi noted that their gains can only become tangible when the judiciary plays its part effectively.

Commenting on human capacity development, the Director-General declared that significant gains had been recorded through the Nigerian Seafarers Development Pro-

L-R: Executive Director, Maritime Labour &Cabotage Services, Barr. Calistus Nwabueze Obi, Executive Director, Maritime Safety&Shipping Development, Capt. Ezekiel Bala Agaba and Barr. Mathew Egbadon at a sensitization workshop on the Implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention (2006) in Lagos.

Mike Susan Foundation pledges to sustain humanitarian services

By FRANKLIN ALLI

0.75

112.15 2,652.00

+16.00

16.31

0.02

107.98

+0.20

95.47

+0.03

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

154.7 255.5799 211.6451 171.9271 1.4673 0.3061 237.4729 25.5655 41.2456 28.3671 238.2225

155.2 256.4059 212.3291 172.4828 1.4721 0.3161 238.2405 25.6486 41.3789 28.4588 238.9925

gramme (NSDP), which is expected to outlive the present management of the Agency.

He said: “We have embarked on a conscious effort to develop manpower for the Nige-

SELLING 155.7 257.232 213.0132 173.0385 1.4768 0.3261 239.008 25.7317 41.5123 28.5505 239.7624

CBN Exchange rate as at 3/1/2014

rian maritime sector with the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme.”

In order to further advance the capacity development initiatives, Akpobolokemi stated that the Agency had received approval from the Federal Executive Council to establish maritime institutes in four Nigerian universities. These are: University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State; and Niger Delta University Amasomma, Bayelsa State, in addition to on-going plans for the establishment of a Nigerian Maritime University.

He pledged the Agency’s commitment to continuously fund the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, noting that partnership with the institution would be strengthened.

Participants at the seminar thanked the management of NIMASA for organising the programme, noting that it would broaden their appreciation of the application and practice of admiralty law in Nigeria.

The Strategic Admiralty Seminar, an initiative of the Agency, is an annual programme which brings together Justices of the Appeal Court, High Courts and lawyers to brainstorm on contemporary issues in Admiralty law and practice.

A

WKA-based Mike Susan Foundation has pledged to sustain its humanitarian services to the less privileged in the society.

The Foundation is renowned for organising free medical screening for blood pressure and hypertension, free drugs and food as part of its philanthropic gestures to the people.

Mr. Chike Odumodu, the executive director of the Foundation, gave the assurance at an outreach programme organised by the Foundation in Amawbia, Awka, during the festive season.

He said the gesture was inspired by their parents – Mike and Susan – after whom the foundation was named, to assist the less privileged, especially widows and other underprivileged in the society.

He said they lived a philosophy of extending the milk of human kindness to others in the society, promising that the children had revolved to

sustain the ideal.

“What we have been doing emanated from their thoughts; their convictions that people, no matter how highly or lowly placed should not live for themselves alone. Through this foundation, we saying, one does not have to own the entire town to be able to give. And that life becomes more meaningful when we are able to extend our goodness and hands of fellowship to other. So, for us their children, hosting people like we have been doing under the humanitarian umbrella is fulfilling a cherished dream. In making available an opportunity for people to know their health statuses, in whatever way we can, is a privilege and we do not take it for granted,” he said.

Dr. Ifeanyi Okoye, the Chairman of the Foundation, said there is need indeed for non-state actors to help towards ensuring adequate healthcare and welfare of people since government alone cannot do it all.

“Our engagement is as well to motivate and encourage other non-governmental bodies to equally show concern

and get deeply involved in addressing the human condition”.

At the programme, a deaf and dumb girl was among other beneficiaries who went home with free household gifts such as electric generating set, Samsung refrigerator; colour television set and rechargeable lanterns.

In her solidarity message, erstwhile Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Dora Akunyili congratulated the family for the gesture observing that despite not being the only wealthy family in the town, that yet it decided to be of assistance to the underprivileged in the town.

She emphasized the importance of proper diagnoses which the foundation was doing, describing it as an important step towards administering the right treatment.

Professor Akunyili who was represented at the event by Pastor Nkiru Emeka Iloanya , also urged the foundation to continue the good works it was doing, and also prayed for God’s support to ensuring the gesture remains.

22— Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY

7, 2014

Accessing shares of deceased relatives (3)

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

I

N the last edition, the process of obtaining Letter of Administration was explained. The edition was concluded with the first step to take before applying for the letter i.e. engaging a lawyer. The next critical step is to get the buy-in of other relatives. Even if the deceased nominated you as next-of- kin, without a Will, it is difficult to access the property. You need to get the buy-in and agreement of other relatives. This is necessary to avoid a situation where one or two of your relatives counter the advertorial of the application to the courts. This is a challenge for most people because of the greed factor.

They don’t want to seek the buy-in and agreement of other relatives so as to avoid sharing anything with them.

Before you proceed, there should be a meeting involving the lawyer and key relatives, where the lawyer explains the process, all the necessary requirements, and also addresses the questions and

concerns of all the parties.

Another important step is to gather information and documentation of the shares of the deceased, with appropriate valuation.

This can be very challenging, especially if the deceased did not keep adequate records. There are investors who have shares in different companies but they did not

have relationship with a stockbroker, and also did not dematerialise the shares.

To compound this, they have lost some share certificates, while those that

From left: Mr. Kazuhiko Nakamura, Director, Audio Video Network Business Division, AVC Network Company, Panasonic Corporation, Japan; Mr. Masao Motoki, MD, Panasonic Marketing, Middle East and Africa, and Mr. Kota Plumaf, Panasonic, Dubai at the unveiling of Panasonic high definition video camera MDH2, in Lagos.

Top 10 performing stocks L

AST week, Neimeth I n t e r n a t i o n a l Pharmaceuticals Plc, UBA Capital Plc, Oando Plc, N.E.M Insurance co. (Nig.) plc, Africa Prudential Registrar plc and Japaul Oil & Maritime Services Plc made it to the top 10 performers in terms of price movement on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE. Trailing these were May & Baker Plc, Wapic Insuurance Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc and Eterna Plc.

N

eimeth led with 37.14 percent or N0.39 price appreciation to close at N1.44 from N1.05. Neimeth recently released its third quarter financials for the period ended 30th June, 2013 with revenue increasing by 26.2 percent to N1.33 billion from N1.05 billion in the previous year. Though the cost of sales and distribution, administrative & o t h e r expenses rose by 45.2 percent to N696.197 million and 19.2 percent to N543.68 million respectively, the company was able to record appreciable increase in both profit before tax

and post tax profit. While the profit before tax increased to N38.703 million from N27.355 million in 2012, profit after tax went up to N26.318 million as against n18.600 million in the previous year, representing 41.5 percent increase on both sides. Neimeth is involved in the manufacturing and sales of pharmaceuticals, chemicals and animal health products .The company has operated in Nigeria for 40 years, producing, marketing, and distributing Pfizer brands of pharmaceutical and veterinary products. The stock had risen to N1.76 before it was hit by sell pressure from both its shareholders and investors.

U

BA Capital followed with 33.72 percent or N0.58 increase from N1.72 at the beginning of the week to N2.30. Just in November 2013, it concluded rights issue of 2 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at 90 kobo per share, which was offered on the basis of one new share for every two previously held by the shareholders as at the close of business on August, 2013. The proceed, according to the offer

document, would be deployed towards regional business expansion across Africa (Kenya, Ghana and Cameroun); seed funding for an African Equity Fund, investment centres in Abuja and Port Harcourt, IT infrastructure and upgrade, as well as working capital enhancement.

For the nine months ended September, 2013, it grew its profit after tax by 341 percent from N389 million to N1.716 billion, while profit before tax rose by 336 percent from N494 million to N2.161 billion. The gross earnings also grew by 306 percent to N3.23 billion from N795 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2012.

O

ando Plc went up by 33.50 percent or N6.69 to close at N26.66 from N19.97.

The company recently announced the sale of one its subsidiaries, East Horizon Gas Company, EHGC, to Seven

Energy International Limited through a Share Purchase Agreement (“SPA”). The proceeds of the sale is expected to be channeled to boost overall Group liquidity in furtherance of its main growth initiatives in the upstream petroleum sector. Available unaudited financial statement for the third ended 30th September, 2013, showed Group turnover of N386.25 billion compared to N487.77 billion in 2012. Operating profit was N18.37 billion as against N25.04 billion in the same period of 2012.

N.E.M Insurance recorded 30.88 percent or N0.21 price appreciation from N0.68 to N0.89. Investors swooped on the shares after the firm released its first, second and third quarter financial statement for the periods ended 31st March, 30th June and 30th September, 2013. Though there was a reduction in gross premium for the nine months, expectation of possible dividend declaration at the end of the year, according to market watchers, has been propelling buy posture in the stock.

Gross premium for the nine months fell to N5.513 billion

are still remaining, have been defaced. In a situation like this, you need to exercise patience, and painstakingly investigate to identify all the shareholding of the deceased.

To achieve this, it is advisable to engage the services of a stockbroker. Of course, if the deceased has relationship with a broker, and meticulously kept records of his/her investment, identifying his/her shareholding becomes easy.

Now, take note that these are preparatory steps you have to take, to reduce the time and stress of obtaining the Letter of Administration. The challenge for most relatives of deceased investors is that they are always in a hurry, and assume that reclaiming the shares of a deceased shareholder, is like a 100 meters dash. Furthermore they assume it is something they can achieve without the services of experts and professionals. No. It is a marathon, and you will need the services of one professional or the other. But the preparatory stage and steps are crucial to longevity and smoothness of the process.

By NKIRUKA NNOROM from N7.99 billion in the corresponding period of 2012, while profit after tax went up to N2.045 billion from N1.352 billion.

African Prudential Registrar, APR, the first registrar to be listed on the NSE, added by 27.08 percent or N0.78 from N2.88 to N3.66. It recently acquired UAC Registrar, the oldest non-bank-affiliated registrar in the Nigerian capital market, through a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement (SSPA).

The company reported a profit after tax of N312.23 million for the half year ended 30 June 2013 as against N220.997 million in the same period of 2012, representing 41.3 percent increase.

Japaul went up by 26 percent or N0.13 from N0.50 to N0.63; May & Baker advanced by 23.33 percent or N0.49 from N2.10 to N2.59; Wapic Insurance appreciated by 21.78 percent or N0.22 from N1.01 to N1.23; UBA went up by 17.99 percent or N1.43 from N7.95 to N9.38, while Eterna Plc advanced by 17.76 percent or N0.76 from N4.28 to N5.04.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014 — 23

29 stockbrokers involved in unauthorised sale of investors shares in 2 years

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

D

ESPITE efforts by the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, to reduce contraventions in the equities market to the barest minimum, a total of 29 dealing member firms were involved in unauthorised sales of investors shares between January, 2012 and December, 2013.

The stockbroking firms are Adamawa Securities Limited, Bytofel Trust and Investment Limited, De-canon Investment Limited, Dominion Trust limited, ECL Asset management Limited, Finbank Securities & Asset Management Limited, First Alstate Securities Limited, Fittco Securities Limited, GTM Securities and Assets Management ltd, Gosord Securities, ITIS Securities, Kapital care trust & Securities, Lakesworth Investment & securities Ltd, Lighthouse Asset Management, Lion Stockbrokers Ltd, Mact securities Ltd, Mainvest Asset Management and Marriot Securities limited.

Others are Maven Asset Management, Mountain Investment and Securities, Nova Finance & Securities,

Omas Investment and Trust, Prime Wealth Capital, Royal Crest Securities, Securities Solution Limited and WT Securities Limited.

Individual stockbrokers involved are Mr. Kingsley Nnaji, Mr. Joel Okafor and Mr. Okafor George Nchedo. While Nnaji has been blacklisted for misconduct, Okafor is presently facing the disciplinary committee of the NSE, while

Nchedo was investigated for misconduct.

Out of this, 26 were stockbroking firms, while the remaining three involved individual stockbrokers.

According to information obtained by Vanguard, 14 out of the 29 cases have been resolved after the firms and individuals concerned made restitution to the affected investors, while 15 are still

pending with some of them already referred to the Disciplinary committee of the NSE for necessary actions.

Some of them have also been suspended from participating in any capital market activities pending the determination of their cases.

In related development, the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, said it suspended 16 stockbroking firms for

From left: One of the winners at the Lagos Countdown 2013 raffle draw, Osawaru Eginsa; Managing Director, Lagos State Signage and Advert Agency, LASAA, Mr. George Noah; Hyundai representatives, Timilehin Tairu and Stand-up comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka, at the presentation of prize to the winners at Lagos Countdown 2013 raffle draw, in Lagos.

operating with an inadequate shareholders’ fund in 2013.

The firms affected are Colva securities Limited, Consolidated Investment limited, Dakal Services Limted, Empire Securities Limited, First Equity Securities, Genesis Securities & Investment, Lion Stockbrokers, LMB Stockbrokers, Mainstreet Securities, Mayfield Investment, and Midland Capital markets Limited.

The rest are Penisula Asset Management, Professional Stockbrokers Limited, Securities Trading & Investment Limited, Wema Asset Management Ltd and Northbridge Investment & Trust Ltd. It would be recalled that in a bid to improve investors’ confidence in the market, the NSE had commenced a strong campaign against market infraction by its dealing members with introduction of Broker Trak.

The portal allows investors to monitor the performance and compliance level of dealing member firms, thereby enabling them to make more informed investment decisions. ?The aim by the NSE is to reduce contravention of market rules to its barest minimum while doing all within its means to restore confidence.

MARKET NEWS

Custodian & Allied announces new group structure, promises better outlook

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

C

ONSEQUENT upon a successful merger between Custodian & Allied Insurance plc and Crusader (Nig.) Plc, the resulting entity, Custodian & Allied Plc, has announced the composition of a new structure under the group. This is even as it assured of a brighter future following the synergy expected from merger.

In a statement to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Custodian & Allied said it has started experiencing enhanced top and bottom line growth as well as improved operating efficiencies as a result of its expanded product portfolio, enhanced revenue opportunities resulting from economic scale and the unlocking of hitherto nonrevenue yielding assets, without a corresponding increase in operating/ administration costs.

The company expressed optimism that barring any unforeseen circumstance, the trend would continue in the

years to come.

Meanwhile, the new Custodian is currently organised as a group of companies with the holding company, Custodian & Allied Plc having controlling equity interests in the following flagship subsidiaries: Custodian & Allied Insurance Limited – A wholly owned general insurance subsidiary that is poised to be the leader in the industry following the combination of the general insurance business of CAI Plc with that of erstwhile Crusader General Insurance Limited.

Custodian Life Assurance Limited (formerly Crusader Life Insurance Lim-

ited) – A wholly owned life insurance subsidiary with a long and respectable history in the Nigerian life insurance arena; Crusader Sterling Pensions Limited – Majority shareholding in the leading pension fund Administration Company with an enviable record of return on investment to its contributors and Custodian Trustees Limited (formerly Crusader Trustees Limited) – A wholly owned Trust Company providing secretarial and trusteeship services to the group and external clients.

Consequently, the company has been reclassified under ‘’Other financial institutions’ sub-sector from the ‘Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services’ sub-sector.

Skye Bank announces change on directorate W

ITHIN the week, Skye Bank Plc also notified the NSE that on December 12, 2013, the Board of the bank approved the retirement of Mr. Gbenga Ademulegun having served on its directorate for eight years, completing two terms on the as Executive Director. His retirement was effective, January 1, 2014. Mr. Ademulegun was one of the pioneer Executive Directors of the Bank upon its consolidation in January 2006, and

was in charge of the Commercial Banking and Public Sector, overseeing the North, Abuja, Lagos Island and the South West Region.

The retired Executive Director is a graduate of Economics, with a Bachelor’s degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and a Master’s degree in the same field with specialisation in (Money & Finance) from the University of Jos. He traversed the nation’s financial landscape and rose to the position of Executive Director in the legacy EIB International Bank, a position he held until the consolidation of the Bank in 2006.

Cadbury seeks share price suspension

C

adbury Nigeria Plc has notified the NSE that pursuant to a Board written resolution dated 3rd day of January, 2014, it was resolved that: “In compliance with the Board Resolution of the company dated 13th November 2013, pursuant to which the directors were authorised to take all actions that are necessary to make the share capital reduction (“Capital Reduction”) effective, that the register of members of the company be closed with effect from Wednesday 8th January, 2014 (the “Closure Date”) so as to enable the registrars of the company to determine the shareholders that qualify for the capital reduction as approved by the order of the Federal High Court, on 30th December, 2013 (the “Court Sanction”).

In view of the Capital Reduction exercise, the company has requested the Nigerian Stock Exchange to place Cadbury Nigeria Plc.’s shares on full suspension from the closure date (8/ 1/2014) until the requirements of the court sanction approving the capital reduction have been complied with.

24—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

Nigeria, other MINT nations to drive global economy growth

Access Bank sells Ivorian unit to Cameroon’s Afriland

M

A

INT nations, of Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey are set for strengthening economies and a boost in overseas housing demand, say experts The economist who identified the BRIC economic powerhouses of Brazil, Russia, India and China has now named four emerging nations.

While working for a series of BCC Radio programmes that being broadcast this week, Jim O’Neill coined the term MINT counties, which consists of Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey.

And agents believe that as the MINT economies take off, overseas property demand will grow, too.

Julian Walker, of Turkish specialist Spot Blue tells OPP Connect, “It is already happening. A market moves before the event rather than the event itself.

“Our statistics from Google as of this morning for the last three months of 2013 versus 2012 show visits up 67%, unique visitors up 54%, page views up 154% and average visit, in

minutes, up 65 per cent.”

Mr O’Neill, formerly chief economist and head of asset management at Goldman Sachs, came up with the BRIC

acronym in 2001. Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey have been tipped as those most likely to gain economic success by 2050, he says.

The MINT term was coined as Mr O’Neil put together a series of programmes for BBC Radio 4 that investigate, Where next for the world economy?

From left: Mrs Titilayo Gbadamosi, General Manager, Sales and Marketing; Mr Yemi Ejidiran, Director, Business Development; Mr Hakeem Ogunniran, Managing Director and Mrs Sade Ogunde, Finance Director, all of UACN Property Development Company, at a press briefing to unveil a "Tale of Five Cities" , in Lagos. PHOTO: AKEEM SALAU.

T-Mobile to buy Verizon spectrum in $3.3bn deal

T

-MOBILE US Inc yesterday said it would buy spectrum licenses from Verizon Wireless to improve its high-speed wireless services in a deal worth $3.3 billion.

T-Mobile, majority owned by Deutsche Telekom (DTEGn.DE), said the deal includes $2.365 billion in cash and a transfer of spectrum worth $950 million.

It had been raising money to buy more airwaves as it beefs up its network to catch up with rival services.

Reuters reported in November that T-Mobile was

seeking to buy the spectrum from Verizon Wireless, owned

by Verizon Communications Inc (VZ.N) and Vodafone Group Plc (VOD.L).

T-Mobile, the No. 4 U.S. mobile provider, said the licenses cover more than 150 million people in areas such as New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles. It expects to roll out services using the spectrum as early as the fourth quarter of 2014.

It said that the transaction, which requires regulatory approval, is expected to close around the middle of 2014.

T-Mobile had raised $1.8 billion through a sale of its common stock in November and sold about $2 billion in bonds to fund future spectrum purchases.

Wells Fargo analyst Jennifer Fritzsche said the spectrum would boost T-Mobiles network

UK regulator starts enforcement action against Co-op Bank

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an

RITAIN’S financial regulator has launched investigation into

Entrepreneurs tasked on personal development

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NTREPRENEURS have been called upon to develop themselves as this will ensure that they are strategically placed to exploit opportunities whenever they appear.

Speaking at the MTN Link Forum, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Managing Director, EST Company Limited, Mr. Opriebo West, also encouraged entrepreneurs to engage in networking with other entrepreneurs.

He said, “Networking is perception and perception is everything, as your network is your net worth.”

Link Forum, a project that brings together teeming young entrepreneurs, to learn firsthand from established business icons, who put them through processes that will make them successful entrepreneurs in any field they choose.

The forum is a means of making youths believe more in their capabilities to excel, even with the harsh business realities in the country. The young men and women are made to relive the experience of business gurus without going through their pains, like financial losses, mistakes,

capacity and coverage, but estimated that it could cost another $1 billion to add spectrum to its network.

T-Mobile also said the companies will realign spectrum blocks in markets such as northern California and Atlanta.

while venturing into a particular business.

Participants at the forum were taught, time-saving, near risk-free and multiple ways of owning and doing business.

The forum was designed to bridge the gap between accomplished entrepreneurs and young ones who aspire to make it one day, as the project has, over time, brought established names like Olusola Lanre, Tonye Cole, Joyce Jacob, Etim Bassey, Patrick Ugbeh, Nzan Ogbo and a host of others, to give lectures in various parts

problems at the Co-operative Bank (CPBB_p.L), including the role played by former senior managers, it said on Monday.

“The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) confirms it is undertaking an enforcement investigation in relation to the Co-operative Bank and as part of that investigation will consider the role of former senior managers,” it said in a statement.

Co-op Bank fell under the control of investors including U.S. hedge funds after a 1.5 billion pound ($2.5 billion)capital shortfall was exposed. Its problems were exacerbated when former chairman Paul Flowers was arrested as part of an investigation into the supply of illegal drugs.

CCESS Bank Plc has sold its loss-making Ivory Coast subsidiary to Cameroon’s Afriland First Bank Group for $1 million, according to a bank official and a filing with the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Access Bank is Nigeria’s fourth largest bank in terms of assets, according to its website. It held total assets of 1.745 trillion Nigerian naira ($10.99 billion) at the end of 2012.

However, it has failed to make its mark in Ivory Coast, French-speaking West Africa’s largest economy, since it began operations there in 2008.

Access Bank filed a statement with the Nigerian Stock Exchange over the weekend announcing the transfer of ownership.

It said the sale had received regulatory approval from both the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Central Bank of West African States but gave no further details regarding the deal.

“Afriland First Bank Group purchased the majority shares of Access (Bank Cote d’Ivoire), which were nearly 97 percent. The bank will now be called Afriland First Bank Cote d’Ivoire,” Jacob Amematekpo, a bank administrator and minority shareholder in the Ivorian unit, told Reuters.

China to curb shadow banking, contain debt risk

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HINA’S cabinet has published guidelines strengthening regulation of risky off-balance-sheet lending in a new effort to address growing financial risks from an explosion in debt.

The State Council’s guidelines call for tighter regulation of banks’ offbalance-sheet lending and say that trust companies - the biggest non-bank players in what’s called “shadow banking” - should return to their original purpose as asset managers and not engage in “credit-type” business.

A copy of the council’s Document 107, dated December 11, was obtained by Reuters.

There’s been no official confirmation of the document, which was addressed to government agencies at the central and local level.

An index of the biggest mainland stocks closed at its lowest level in five months on Monday, as concerns about the new regulations weighed down the market.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014 — 25

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26 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

By Theodore Opara

•Nissan assembly plant in South Africa

Nigeria auto policy is attracting attention from auto makers — NAC DG T

HE Director-General of the National Automotive Council, Engr. Aminu Jalal has disclosed that the council has been receiving inquiries from leading automobile manufacturing companies from across the globe since the announcement of the new auto policy by the Federal G overnment with the aim of setting up plants in Nigeria. He identified some of the auto companies as Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen, Honda, Kia, Tata, etc.

Attracting investments into the sector The Director-General in a paper titled “measures to transform the Nigerian automotive industry and attract investments into the sector, said that in many countries of the world, the automotive industry plays both a strategic and catalytic role in economic development in respect of employment creation, GDP contribution, economic linkages, skill development, technology and innovation as well as SME development in respect of automotive parts, components and services.

According to him, “an automotive industry will create significant good quality employment and wide range of technologically advanced manufacturing opportunities. This industrial base can then form the foundation of other modern advanced manufacturing activities such as C M Y K

commercial vehicle production which will lead to the manufacturing of agricultural, mining and railway equipment, military hardware and transport.

The Director-General noted that data from the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA), the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development show that a total of 400,000 vehicles (300,000 used and 100,000 new) valued at N550 billion (US$3.451 billion ) were imported in 2012 alone.

He argued that at full capacity, the Nigerian Automotive industry has the potential to create 70,000 skilled and semiskilled jobs along with 210,000 indirect jobs in SMEs that will supply the assembly plants.

490,000 other jobs would also be created in the raw material supply industries, adding that currently about 2,584 persons are directly employed by the assembly plants.

The NAC boss further stated that manufacture of vehicles would enable the country to ac-

quire the technologies of mass production, quality control, lean manufacturing, computer aided design, manufacturing and engineering which can develop other sectors of the economy and industrialization. On the prospect of the automotive industry in Nigeria, he explained that Nigeria and Bangladesh were the only countries in the top 10 by population without a developed automotive industry, adding that “with our current population and economy, our potential vehicle market is about a million vehicles annually which is

more than sufficient to support an automotive industry. Meanwhile, he said, Nissan, Renault and Toyota have indicated keen interest to invest in Nigeria, if we develop a comprehensive automotive development plan.

According to him, Nissan and Renault have already reached agreement to assemble cars in the former Volkswagen plant, now VON Nigeria Limited, in Lagos. Toyota and others are now conducting feasibility study on vehicle assembly in Nigeria, assuming that a comprehensive automotive development plan would be in place.

Also speaking on the Nigerian tyre industry, Engr.

Jalal, blamed radical government policies for their death through drastic reduction of tariff on imported truck tyres from 40 per cent to 10 per cent while keeping tariffs on car tyres the same which made local producer uncompetitive against imports from Asia and Europe.

He pointed out that although car tyre tariffs were kept at 40 per cent (20 duty and 20 levy) the disparity in car and tyre tariffs has led to a situation were imported car tyres were declared as truck and bus tyres so as to pay 10 per cent duty instead of 40 per cent as stipulated. This, he said led to the closure of the two tyre manufacturing companies (Dunlop and Michelin) in Nigeria.

To this end he disclosed that the development plan has introduced measures to revive the tyre industry. He also pointed out that the revival of the plants will create over 3,000 direct jobs and save Nigeria N120 billion annually which is currently being used to import tyres into the country.

Response by auto makers to new auto policy

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CCORDING to the Nigerian Automotive Council (NAC), there has been massive response to the new auto policy.

A week after the approval of the policy, NISSAN announced that it will assemble vehicles at VON Nigeria ltd., with the first vehicle to roll-out in April 2014.

The Embassies of EU, Japan and South Korea were briefed on the policy at their request so that they can inform their companies of the opportunity offered by the policy.

Toyota and VW are conducting a feasibility study on assembling vehicles in Nigeria and Peugeot is considering resuming operations. Honda, Kia, Tata and others in Brazil and China made enquiries about assembling vehi-

cles in Nigeria, Michelin Tyres and DN Tyres Plc have received briefing and are both in consultation to resume manufacturing activities in Nigeria; GAC Gonow Auto Company of China and Xiamen Golden Dragon Bus Co. Ltd of China have both signed Completely Knocked Down (CKD) agreement with Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company( IVM) Limited to increase capacity for the production of Buses; SUVs models and set up a training center in Nigeria; CJSC Kamaz Foreign Trade Company of Russia has consulted with the Ministry with a view to building its wide range of trucks including its popular all terrain commercial and military vehicles; The OEM dealer for

KIA automotive products DANA Group, has discussed extensively with a view to investing In a Kia Semi Knocked Down (SKD) plant in Nigeria; The Japan External Trade Organisation has led a group of Japan companies including Messrs Marubeni, Mitsubishi and NISHIZAWA (Nig.) Limited to obtain clarification on policy. Investment proposals are expected; Fullmark Urja Ltd has submitted application to the Ministry to commence the manufacturing of Tricycle with 70% local content by April 2014 in Kano.

Installation of all necessary equipment has been confirmed; COPE and CIA LTDA of Brazil, the world second largest manufacturers of Machines for General purpose including for Rub-

ber, Plastic and Tyre rethreads consulted with the Ministry with a view to setting up in Nigeria as a preferred base for global supply; Discussions were held with CAIO-INDUSCAR of Brazil on the assembly of its products in Nigeria. They have been introduced to Leyland-Busan of Ibadan as potential Nigerian partners.

A company assembling trucks at the Calabar Free Trade Zone, CC Auto Fze, plans to start assembling cars.

Tetralog Nigerian limited, Enugu (Mercedes Benz truck dealers) has commenced civil work for a world class automotive factory to assemble CKD for Mercedes Trucks. A vehicle distributor, Lanre Shittu Motors informed the NAC of their plan to assemble vehicles.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014 — 27

By Theodore Opara

Coscharis lauds Nigeria Auto Journalists Awards •There can’t be better way to start new business year, says GMD

I

T was a glorious day for the leading auto dealer giant, Coscharis Motors at the recently held Guild of Motoring Correspondents Awards night at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos.

The automobile company carted home two awards with the Range Rover Vogue winning the Luxury SUV of the year Award while the Coscharis-Ford Week of Caring won the CSR Auto Company of the Year Award. The Nigeria Auto Journalist Award (NAJA) is an annual award by all Motoring Journalists in Nigeria.

The award for the luxury SUV category was keenly contested with other tested luxury brands but the Range Rover Vogue came tops according to the organizers after strong consideration of the market acceptance of the Range Rover Vogue in all ramifications.

The Range Rover Vogue brand has its special appeal and style that resonates with its priority audience when it comes to class and comfort. Presenting the award to the representative of Coscharis Motors Limited, the

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Range Rover Vogue NAJ Award Luxury SUV of the Year 2014 Honorable Commissioner for Transport, Lagos State, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, equally endorsed the choice of the Range Rover Vogue as the winning brand in this category as he confirmed that it is revolutionary, reliable and a class on its own.

He equally commended Coscharis Motors for maintaining the global standard of positioning the brand to the ever dynamic Nigerian market as the sole franchisee of the Land Rover brand in Nigeria.

Likewise, Coscharis Motors’

efforts in helping the needy in conjunction with its partner / manufacturer (Ford Motor Company) was equally recognized at the award night when the company was awarded the CSR Auto Company of the Year for its celebration of the orphans. Cos-

charis yearly participate in an activity that underpins its love and care especially for the less privileged within its locality to commemorate the globally recognized Ford Week of Caring.

Commenting on these awards, the excited Group Managing Director of Coscharis Motors Limited, Mr. Josiah Samuel dedicated the awards to the company’s ever loyal customers for their patronage and acceptance of the brands with a promise to continually create more value in the automobile industry in Nigeria.

In his words, ‘there can’t be another best way to start a new business year in 2014 than with these set of prestigious awards and more importantly coming from a very critical stakeholder / partner like the media’. The ever exciting annual award ceremony that usually bring stakeholders in the automobile industry together under one roof expectedly lived up to its standard with industry players from both the private and public sectors fully represented.

28—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

By Theodore Opara

FRSC to publish state rating on safety management T HE Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Osita Chidoka has said that plans have been concluded for the publication of states’ rating on road safety management as part of measures to instigate improved investment and engagement of states in the country, in road safety matters.

Reacting to questions from media correspondents on the Corps’ monitoring of the Operation Zero Tolerance activities in all the states of the Federation, the Corps Marshal said “the nationwide patrol is going on simultaneously with the monitoring of road crash pattern in various states during the yule-

tide but we will soon publish the states’ rating in this direction” According to him, the rating which is being handled by a constituted committee, will make public, the performance of the various states on road safety management to stimulate public consciousness and improved investment on road safety matters at the state level.

Speaking further, Chidoka who was on the Onitsha-Asaba highway to distribute safety handbills to motorists as part of the 2nd phase of the Operation Zero Tolerance special patrol, said that in comparison with 2012, the 2013 exercise

has so far, witnessed a downward trend in road crashes and injured persons with attendant increase in number of road crash victims who were rescued alive without injuries.

He attributed this to the numerous initiatives by the FRSC which ensured prompt response to road crashes such as massive deployment of personnel, ambulances, tow trucks, patrol vehicles and bikes in addition to the toll-free emergency line 122 which enhanced the Corps’ interface with the motoring public, in the event of a road crash.

Giving an insight to the Corps’ projection for 2014, the

Corps Marshal recalled that 2013 has witnessed the introduction of the new number

plate, driver’s license, E-ticketing, building a data base on fleet operators and total transition from analogue to application of digital process in traffic management

LAMATA to address challenges with Lagos Connect card

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AGOS Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, is working with the vendor of the e-ticketing system to resolve identified teething challenges associated with the payment platform.

LAMATA, the regulator of the BRT and BFS systems, said it was not unaware of the challenges which commuters have been experiencing with the use of the Lagos Connect

Card, which was introduced in July, 2013 to improve commuters’ experience using the bus services.

The authority said that one of the major drawbacks of the system was the significant drop in the operator’s revenue, a development which had seriously affected its operational effectiveness, typified by the non-availability of the payment equipment on all the buses, a situation that has discouraged many users of the bus system.

The drop in revenue has been linked to slow pick up of the scheme with large number of commuters still using paper tickets thereby making the discount offered on the e-ticket card non-effective as planned.

This is further worsened by the dishonesty displayed by some commuters who do not pay the correct fares by tapping in and tapping out after they travel short distance while remaining on the bus, thus robbing the operator of the expected revenue.

According to LAMATA, the drop in revenue has continued to impact on the operator’s operational effectiveness including deployment and servicing of validators among other responsibilities. This has necessitated the need to review fares for the minority undertaking short journeys.

As a result, LAMATA has approved an adjustment in the minimum fare paid using the card to N50 during peak period and N45 during off peak period.

The cost is still lower than the minimum fares of N70 for the paper tickets. The adjustment is to enable the operator recover cost in order to be able to meet up recurrent expenses and overhead costs.

LAMATA has assured that the new plan will ensure the fixing of all the identified teething challenges associated with the system which includes dysfunctional bus validators, nonavailability of the Lagos Connect card at all stations, absence of bus validator on some buses and inability to top up at all stations, among others.

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014 — 29

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30 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

Old Oshodi

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

T

HE insanity in the ever bustling Oshodi Market in Lagos, popular for cheap goods, a haven for pick pockets and shades of criminals and perpetual traffic gridlock, was on January 2, 2009, brought to a halt when a Special Taskforce of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment stormed the area and demolished all illegal structures and squatters.

The spontaneous task was

to achieve the onerous feat.

As early as 3 am that day, the combined taskforce team, led by then Superintendent of Police and now Chief Superintendent of Police,

The beautification has portrayed Lagos as a clean state, the beautification has turned Oshodi to a tourist attraction

,

applauded by all Nigerians and even the international community, who acknowledged the courage and the will of a civilian administration led by Governor Babatunde Fashola C M Y K

Five years after, old pro ones surface in Oshodi

,

Bayo Sulaimon, stormed Oshodi and reduced the area including Abibat Mogaji Mini Market to a rubble by 6pm .

The taskforce, as well as the Physical Planning and Urban Development agency, which

carried out the operation enlisted the help of Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) officials and the Police.

Governor Fashola afterwards explained that government was forced to pull down the illegal structures as part of measures to tackle traffic congestion in the state particularly at Oshodi.

According to Fashola, most residents and road users in Lagos avoided the area and preferred to travel long distances to their destinations instead of passing Agege Motor Road which is shorter.

He lamented that though the demolition was painful, the interest of a few could not override the general interest of the people of the state.

Speaking after the demolition, Sulaimon said the exercise was in continuation of ongoing sanitization of Lagos in line with the mandate given the task force by the governor.

He said: “This is an ongoing exercise and we intend to drive it until all illegal acts being perpetrated on the roads with attendant traffic consequences are dislodged. We have achieved a lot in restoring sanity to the area as evident in what is obtainable now at Oshodi. You can also attest to this fact.

“The state government is committed to ensuring that all the illegal structures and trading posts within the Oshodi market which is

breeding all manner of nefarious activities are stopped so that the people can live well and be comfortable.

“Right now, a lot is going on in Oshodi in terms of beautification as there are flood lights all over the area, such that the area is well_lit at night.. We are determined to keep miscreants completely out of Oshodi.

“We have consistently raided the area. No fewer than 1,000 miscreants have been flushed out of the area and the exercise is on-going.”

Then, traders who could not hold back tears sobbed as they claimed they were not given any notice to evacuate and lamented that it was a bad way to start a New Year.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

— 31

New Oshodi

oblems solved; new i

•Residents’ assessments However, five years after, it appears the challenges are returning if the assessments of rsidents are anything to go by.

Mr. Moses Andero said: “To me, the old Oshodi, where people traded on the road, is gradually returning.

“The Agege motor road and other inner roads that were deserted after the clean- up of Oshodi now have traders selling by the road side.

“This causes traffic gridlock on this axis. The link road from Agege motor road to Apapa-Oshodi express road slow down movement because drivers slow down for pedestrian ssince the walkways built for them are now occupied by traders.

“I will want the state government to call the officers of the KAI to order because they are responsible for this development. They have compromised the effort of the

state government. *Pastor Segun Oluwatosin in his remarks said; “The beautification has brought sanity, cleanliness and orderliness to Oshodi. The well-lit highways and environs have pushed the bad boys away from the vicinity, though with exception of some recalcitrant ones who have refused to budge.

“Gone are the days you find Oshodi as dirty as a dump site. But now the place is clean and one can receive fresh air that will not be injurious to one’s health.

“The beautification has portrayed Lagos as a neat and clean state. The beautification has turned Oshodi to a tourist attraction.

,

The Iyaloja of Abibat Mogaji Mini Market then, Omolabake Banjo, criticised the exercise, saying the traders obtained council permission to set up shops.

KAI Marshall General, Danjuma Meigeri, also said that KAI would continue to ensure total sanity in the area, “no matter whose ox is gored in an operation that is aimed to keep Lagos clean.”

*Nurudeen Owodunni: “To me it’s a very good development and I am in full support of it, although the

them.

“Formerly there were people who used to arrest those that cross the expressway at Oshodi, but now I guess they are no longer there, the way people cross the road without using the two beautiful and modern pedestrian bridges is annoying, they should return the enforcement agents so

At Oshodi, drivers now slow down for pedestrians since the walkways built for them are now occupied by traders

development affected some of my family members who had shops and businesses around the axes but what we need to understand is that no development comes easy.

“Some people will definitely be affected, now you can proudly say oshodi is safe and free compared to some years back.

“But I will like to tell the state government that some hoodlums are still hanging around there waiting for people’s cars to break down so that they can descend on

,

that the rate of car accidents around Oshodi will be reduced. *To Mr. Kofoworola Olowoopejo: “The initiative is very good. It has reduced criminal acts around Oshodi.

Presently, only those who have business around Oshodi, go to the motor parks.

Criminals can no longer pretend to be commuters.

“The issue of people endangering their lives while hawking around Oshodi has been eliminated.”

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32—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7 , 2014

By JUDE NJOKU

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ITH an estimated 17 million housing units required to accommodate homeless Nigerians, built environment experts have called on the Federal Government to carry out a comprehensive land reform, strengthen the mortgage sector and invest massively in infrastructure development, if the dream of making housing affordable would be realised.

The experts who spoke to Vanguard Homes & Property in separate interviews, also called for deliberate measures to bring down the high cost of building materials. They posited that the government should create an enabling environment that would make it attractive for private sector investors to invest in the development of housing for the middle and low-income earners.

President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, NIESV, Mr. Emeka Eleh identified three major platforms upon which the government must build, if the dream of housing the millions of un-housed Nigerians would be actualised. According to him, land reforms that would make it easier for individuals and private developers to have titles to their land, a viable mortgage sector that would provide mortgages to those who want to build or buy their own houses and massive investment in infrastructure to open up new areas, are key platforms upon which the government must anchor its housing programmes.

He contended that these three platforms constitute the engine not only for the growth of the housing sector but the overall development of the economy.

Different result “Reforming our land tenure system is key to development. It will help boost the economy, it will help create wealth, it will help the Agric sector which is key,” he said. He wondered why the government would keep doing the same thing and expecting a different result.

Mr. Eleh who observed that most Lagosians are residing in the mainland because of the availability of infrastructure in those areas, stated that if the suburbs of Ikorodu, Epe and Badagry are provided with good infrastructure, particularly roads, many people will relocate to those neighbourhoods and come to work in the city centre.

Corroborating Mr Eleh’s views, the President of Building Collapse Prevention Guild, BCPG, Mr. Kunle Awobudu, explained that affordable housing or housing for the low-income will continue to be a day dream in Nigeria until the mortgage sector is fine-tuned to make it easier for people to have access to long terms mortgages at single digit interest rates. “The bottom line is that the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN does not have sufficient funds to provide long-term loan facilities to potential house owners. The Government should raise a funds reservoir for the primary mortgage institutions to C M Y K

•Housing estate in Abuja …land reforms, viable mortgage required to make them affordable.

•Mr. Emeka Eleh

•Kunle Awobodu

•Moses Ogunleye

Land reforms, viable mortgage sector key to affordable housing development •As experts set housing agenda for government enable them attend to millions of Nigerians who need housing loans to build or buy their own houses,” he said.

Awobodu called on the Government to invest money from the accumulated Pensions Fund into housing development. He noted that because Nigeria operates a cash economy, it is usually very difficult for the average Nigerian to save money to build his/her own houses, hence many of them live in disjointed accommodations.

Decrying the high interest rate on mortgages, Awobodu who was the image maker of the Nigerian Institute of Building, NIOB, posited that interest rate on mortgages should not exceed 10 percent as it is done in US, Britain and other economies. He noted that the interest rate on housing in Nigeria which oscillates between 25 and 26 percent, is a great disincentive to housing development as it discourages private investments in the sector.

On land reforms, the BCPG President

called for a review of the Land Use Act. Awobodu was particularly irked by the bureaucratic redtape associated with the acquisition of the Certificate of Occupancy, C of O. This bureaucratic bottleneck, he said, is responsible for the scenario in which majority of Nigerians are occupying buildings that have no legal documents. He also decried the activities of so-called land owners, Omoniles and called on the government to check their meddlesome activities in land

transactions. Awobodu commended the Ogun State Government’s recent policy to make land documentation/titling easy. According to him such titles are accepted as collaterals by banks.

Another area the former NIOB image maker would want the government to look into is the high cost of building materials. He called for a deliberate measure to force down the prices of cement and reinforcements. The Government, Continues on page 33

Retreat for NIQS exco

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he newly inaugurated executive council of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, NIQS will tomorrow commence a four- day retreat at the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru, in Jos. A statement by the Secretary, Marketing and Corporate Affairs of the

Institute, Mr Jide Oke, said the retreat will fashion out a new strategic course of action for construction cost managers in the country. The meeting which will be guided by the NIQS President, Alhaji Murtala Aliyu, will be attended by eminent resource persons on management and past presidents of the institute.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7 , 2014—33

Lekki-Epe Road: Lagos still negotiating with LCC on concession buy back

By KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

T

HE ultimate beneficiary of the proposed buy back of the concession entered into in 2006 between the Lagos State Government and Messrs Lekki Concession Company, LCC for the expansion of the Lekki Epe Expressway, Lagos State Government, would be residents of the mega-city Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, an engineer, told newsmen that the plan currently being negotiated with the company is to ensure that the State’s economic interest is served.

Responding to a question on the delay in the commencement of tolling at the Conservation plaza located just after Chevron Round-About on the expressway, the Commissioner explained that negotiations are still on-going and appropriate position resulting from the negotiations will be made known. He pointed out that part of the issues being considered is the payment structure especially given the fact that credits were obtained

by LCC in dollar terms while toll is being collected in Naira; a situation which implies that fluctuations in exchange rate will affect the company’s remittances and repayment plans.

Hamzat further stated that a decision is yet to be taken by the state government on the second toll but that government has so far resisted any proposal to increase the amount payable as toll.

On the delays in completing various projects being handled by his ministry, he stated that some road projects are sometimes delayed through court actions and procedures when Federal agencies are involved.

Citing the examples of pedestrian bridge at the Cement Bus Stop, the Ago Palace Way

Continues from page 32

•Conservation toll plaza at the Lekki-Epe expressway and Ipaja Ayobo Road, he explained that court actions by owners of properties affected by the projects and delayed their completion.

On the Ipaja Ayobo Road, the Commissioner said obtaining approval for relocation from NNPC, Federal Ministry of Works and PHCN all of which had facilities on the road meant the completion date had to change.

He also noted that relocation of services in built-up areas often put significant strain on project cost. According to him, PHCN’s Pylons are difficult to

roperty prices in Dubai increased by more than 22 percent in the 12 months to the end of November 2013, according the latest index.

On an annual basis they are up 22.4 percent and on a monthly basis they are up 2.44 percent compared with October, according to the data from REIDIN which measures the average change in house prices in certain districts in Dubai. The report was published in Property Wire.

Apartment prices increased by 2.9 percent in November on a month on month basis and were up by 24.5 percent

relocate as is the case with the Ayobo road. He however assured that the project will be delivered soonest.

While also stating that the completion of Ago-Palace Way, Meiran Road and Egbe-Liasu Road have been awarded to companies already engaged in their previous phases, Dr. Hamzat assured that the State Government is committed to completing all on-going projects rather than commencing new ones in the current year. He also stated that there was no discrimination against indigenous contractors in the

award of its contract. According to him, the only condition for award is performance.

He commended the performance of Consteng Nigeria Limited for the realisation of the Adisa Ajibulu Road and Bridge project originally awarded to Moreno but terminated for non performance.

The Commissioner further urged the people affected by the construction of drainage channels along the Ejigbo road to bear with the State Government saying that the need for a proper drainage cannot by overemphasised.

he argued, should make energy not only accessible but cheap so that investors can locally produce these building components.

The Chairman of Lagos Housing Fair, an (annual exhibition of building and construction materials put together

by Eko FM and Beachland Resources), Mr. Moses Ogunleye also toed the footsteps of Messrs Emeka Eleh and Kunle Awobodu. He called for a rejuvenation of the mortgage sector, creation of a secondary mortgage market and reform of the land tenure system by removing the bureaucratic bottlenecks that make it almost impossible to obtain the C of O. Besides these, Ogunleye who is a former chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, NITP, stressed the needfor Nigerian towns and cities to have development plans. The development plans, he said will ensure urban renewal or regeneration of our towns and cities.

He lauded the governments of Imo, Lagos and Ogun states for taking some giant strides to improve the housing stock in their states.

Adediji counsels estate surveyors on financial reporting

By JUDE NJOKU

I

MMEDIATE past President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, NIESV, Mr. Bode Adediji has has enjoined estate surveyors and valuers to have a better grasp of the accounting concepts and principles underlying the relevant International Accounting Standards before

Dubai property prices up by 22% in 2013 — Survey

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Land reforms, viable mortgage system key to affordable housing development

on an annual basis, the index also showed.

Villa sales prices registered an increase of 0.73 percent compared to the previous month and were 14.9 percent higher than in November 2012. The REIDIN rental index showed Dubai rents rose 1.33 percent in November and were up by 16.6 percent compared to the year earlier period.

Apartment rents showed an increase of 1.37 percent month on month and 17.6 percent year on year while villa rents rose by 1.11 percent and 12.6percent respectively.

conducting their valuations.

Adediji who spoke through Mr. Yinka Omotosho, a portfolio executive at Broll Property Services Limited at the 10th Annual Corporate Reporting summit organised by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, explained that this understanding has become imperative in view of the fact that reliable value must be put on a company’s assets. “Accounting valuation is important because the value of assets on company’s financial statement needs to be reliable and valuation analysis is as important as the valuation itself,” he said Valuations carried out for financial reports and indeed for many reports need show that the definitions are market based and objective and presented in a format that show full disclosure of the relevant indices used,” he said.

Adediji who observed that financial reporting has moved from measuring assets and liabilities at historical cost towards fair value, gave reasons

why this is so.

“Since the 1990’s, financial reporting is moving away from measuring assets and liabilities at historical cost and more toward fair value. This is largely because financial information is seen as more relevant and transparent to companies’ stakeholders when fair value accounting is applied as against historical accounting that focuses on the cost of acquiring assets and the expiration of these costs.

IFRS 13 establishes a single framework for fair value measurement when it is required or permitted by IFRS. IFRS was first published in May 2011 and established for the first time a single source of guidance for fair value measurement of assets and liabilities under IFRS. It is effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1Jan 2013, although earlier application was permitted.

IFRS 13 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date,” he said.

•Adediji The former NIESV boss declared that use of external appraisers, as is common for property interests (including investment property interests), does not reduce management’s ultimate responsibility for the fair value measurements and related disclosures in the entity’s financial statements.

“Therefore, regardless of whether valuations are performed externally or internally, management must understand the methodologies and assumptions used in the valuations and determine whether the assumptions are reasonable and consistent with the requirements of IFRS 13,” he said.

C M Y K

34

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014 YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

GEMINI: YOUR best bet today is to seek important co-operation of influential people and that of your spouse/partner. The more legal conscious you are, the better for you.

CANCER: IF others want you to conclude an important financial transactions that can possibly be done today, you’ll need to say no and go ahead as tomorrow may not be as conducive as today.

LEO: IT’S important you don’t take things and people for granted now because they may not be as co-operative tomorrow as they are now. Be more loving.

VIRGO: ALTHOUGH there seem to be an air of understanding within your working arena today, tomorrow’s full-moon may turn the whole thing the other way.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

I

guess you may think that I wish you a Merry Xmas.

This is not absolutely correct. For I have no right and or power to wish you what you do not wish yourself. In order words, a thousand wishes

I wish you... from me will not change the fact concerning you if what you chose by yourself is failure and irreversible backwardness.

For example, what purpose will my wish

serve a man who has chosen to do nothing in life other than to sleep and eat always; what magic can my wish serve a man who has given up on life and therefore chose not to redeem

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”

his situation? etc.

To be honest with you, my wish for you is what you wish yourself by your thought, by your belief and by your action.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

LIBRA: HERE is an exciting day that will climax tomorrow. After a long time, others will see how passionate you can be even in love. Don’t gamble, please.

SCORPIO: IF your desire is to make money today, you will need to be less emotional and prepare for domestic challenges tomorrow. Enjoy your love life.

SAGITTARIUS: GOOD relationship between the Moon and lucky Jupiter will bring you good opportunities. Be less argumentative.

CAPRICORN: THIS is your day when things will go according to your plans. Financial success indicated but if you wait till tomorrow, opposition’ll bring disappointment.

AQUARIUS: THE moon in your star sign that encourages you to be as assertive are likely to oppose you tomorrow. Try to be more friendly.

PISCES: HAPPENINGS within your working arena should be taken more seriously now or else, avoidable trouble would start tomorrow. Again, it’s important you are more practical about your health.

Be more loving.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

ARIES: EVEN, if friends and others are helpful and pledging loyalty today, they may be forced and get on your nerve tomorrow when effects of full-moon’ll come to play.

TAURUS: WHATEVER can lead to avoidable trouble tomorrow, either at home or along your career/business lines, should be well taken care of today. Be very open.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

What’s my immediate future?

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Joshua, I am interested in what you are doing. Please tell me what I should expect concerning my immediate future. Would I succeed travelling abroad for business ?

Akinyemi. Mushin.

Dear Akinyemi, Few years back you have started a very longer (years) great cycle of success and happiness, and this year you will be moving closer to the peak of the said cycle; meaning that your 42nd year on earth will be much more better than all your previous ones on earth.

Visible signs of the positive things will physically manifest during your major first period of the year 2014 that will come between January 19 and February 16, 2014. Then because of transiting lucky Jupiter in Sagittarius – your Solar 9th house of travelling and distant affairs you can be successful at acquiring visa and have a fruitful foreign travels.

However that is not to say that there will not be any challenge during the year. Actually like it happened about six/seven months ago when work and accident related issues were the major challenges, there will be repeat of such when Lunar Eclipse of April, 2014 will hit the position it occurred around April last.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014—35

Did Nigeria legally expire on January 1, 2014?

The case of JahiMcMath

J

A

S the year 2013 wound up, an argument gained considerable grounds. A supposed ‘Treaty of Amalgamation 1914’ was in focus. According to the proponents, the 1914 amalgamation of Nigeria would expire by 12.00 am on December 31, 2013, when it would have lasted for 100 years. The burgle was apparently sounded by a notable lawyer and amplified by an ethnic nationality coalition.

It was alleged that Nigeria’s ‘treaty’ of amalgamation 1914 was to last for 100 years.

Among the cacophony of voices was one that claimed that a consolidation of British treaties with ethnic nationalities formed an amalgamation ‘treaty’, which had a lifespan of 100 years. Are these position legally valid?

First is clarification of issues, for clear premises. The notion of a ‘Treaty’ of Amalgamation has no validity in law, fact or even history. Also the position of the emergence of a ‘treaty’ of amalgamation through a consolidation of several treaties with ethnic nationalities, is also legally unfounded. Assuming there was in fact a treaty of amalgamation, there is no rule in the Law of Treaties that fixed the lifespan of treaties at 100 years.

Contrary to the position of many of the expirationists, there is no document known as ‘Treaty’ of Amalgamation 1914 in Nigeria’s history. The British and other European traders made early contact with some indigenous kingdoms. The kingdoms were treated with diplomacy in recognition of their sovereignty.

The Europeans included the Portuguese, Spanish, French, Italians and the British, who dealt with Benin, Lagos, Bonny, Opobo, Calabar, Onitsha, Asaba, Egba, Oyo, etc. in trade and missions even before colonialism.

Map of Nigeria

began to exercise sovereignty over Lagos, and in 1862 created it a Colony. With the return of Kosoko and his lieutenant, Tappa, to Lagos in 1863, Kosoko, who had earlier been exiled and later settled with Palma and Lekki, also ceded them to the British in exchange of pension.

With the success recorded in Lagos and environs, the British used similar device to exact treaties of “protection” from other indigenous sovereigns. Thus there was “friendship” and “protection” treaty with King Jaja of Opobo in 1884, signed onboard the HMS Flirt, anchored on Opobo River. A similar treaty of “protection” was entered with the Obi Akata and other 12 Obis and Queen Omu Nwanuka of Asaba on 1st November, 1884 with Edward Hyde Hewett.

On June 1, 1885, the then National African Company Limited (later Royal Nigeria Company) entered into a similar treaty with the Sultan of Sokoto, Umoru bin Ali, which was confirmed in 1890. Hundreds of similar “friendship” and “protection” treaties were signed with Native Chiefs across North and South. A treaty of commerce and friendship was signed with Abeokuta on 18th January,1893 between Gilbert T. Carter and Alake Osokalu, which “fully recognized” the independence of the Egba country.

Apart from the Treaty with the Alake which ‘disingenuously’ (as later realized by the British after the amalgamation) allowed The notion of a ‘Treaty’ of Amalgamation Egba independence as has no validity in law, fact or even history. a country, the rest asAlso the position of the emergence of a ‘trea- signed entire territories sovereignty to the ty’ of amalgamation through a consolidation and British Crown in perof several treaties with ethnic nationalities, petuity. Material considerations were furis also legally unfounded nished in exchange of Before the treaties of cession, Europeans “protection”. The treaties were published in concluded bilateral treaties with some of these the London Gazette and competing foreign kingdoms. For example on January 1, 1852, powers put on notice for recognition at inKing Akitoye of Lagos went on board the Britternational law. ish ship, HMS Penelope, and signed a treaty Against this background, by January 1, with Commodore Henry W. Bruce and Mr. 1914, British authorities would not feel the John Beecroft for the abolition of slave traffic, necessity for an amalgamation treaty, an acencouragement of legitimate trade and protion seen as mere administrative decision, tection of missionaries. The British imperialin the same way a Managing Director would ist scheme culminating in full colonization was merge his Personnel department and Hugrounded in 1861 with the treaty of cession man Resources department for administrawith Oba Docemo (Dosumu) of Lagos. tive efficiency. Such a CEO wouldn’t need a The Treaty of Cession of Lagos 1861 was General Meeting resolution for this ‘interachieved through gun boat diplomacy, liternal re-arrangement’. Amalgamation should ally. The ostensible reason given in extendbe understood in this sense and not in the ing British sovereignty over Lagos was to stop nature of corporate mergers and acquisislave trade and check-mate the ravaging King tions, which would have required more. of Dahomey. But with the Royal Navy’s cruisFor economic reasons for amalgamation, er HMS Prometheus, purposely brought into some reports claim the Northern Protectorthe Lagoon, and its guns pointing menacingate ran on budget deficit, while the Southly at Lagos, Oba Dosumu had little choice. ern Protectorate ran on surplus. The amalDosumu transferred the port and Island of gamation was primarily to use the surplus Lagos to the British Crown “forever”. Norman to off-set the deficit. Some other reports inB. Bedingfield and William McCoskry signed dicate it was simply for ease of administrafor the Crown and Dosumu signed with four tion. others. The British unfurled their flag and thus To be concluded

,

"I can’t play God. She’s going to get better or she’s not, but I see her getting better.”

Here are the facts. Jahi is (or was) a 13-year-old girl who had gone for a tonsillectomy surgery at the Oakland hospital last December.

Things went awry thereafter.

Massive blood loss commenced.

A cardiac arrest followed. She was put on a ventilator, but doctors later pronounced her brain dead.

The hospital authorities want to remove the ventilator but Nailah and her people refused the “offer” claiming that Jahi was still alive.

They went to court and got a stay of action on the ventilator issue.

,

BY CHIJIOKE EMEKA

AHIMCMATH is neither dead nor alive. It all depends on who you ask; as well as on what you want to believe. Doctors at the Oakland, California, hospital where her body lies have pronounced her brain dead.

Three independent physicians have also reaffirmedthat diagnosis. Even the coroner’s office has already issued a death certificate in her name. But to her mother, NailahWinkfield, uncle and some relatives, Jahi is not dead. In fact, her mother claims that she is “improving.” Nailah further told the San Francisco Chronicle that “I will always fight for Jahi until she is ready to go, her own self.

claims to see in her child is more psychological than real, no one can tell. For sure, she is clinging onto the belief and prayer that her daughter is still alive. Who can blame her?

For the doctors who apply science in their profession, Jahi can longer be counted among the living. Brain death, they say, is an irreversible condition. Their willingness to pull the ventilator off Jani and their decision not to perform any procedure on the “dead” child in order to move her to another hospital might seem inhuman. But, can you really blame them? By training and experience, they know when the fire of life has gone out. However, doctors cannot play God. Jahi’s case has brought back memories of Terri Schiavo who had brain damage in 1990 and was put on life support. Her husband saw the hopelessness of the situation and wanted to pull the plug and allow her to die. But, her mother, father, brother and relatives refused to let her go.

They, like Nailah, always saw a flicker of life in Terri. It later became a court battle which Michael Sciavo eventually won.

On March 31, 2005 Terri’s feeding tube was shut down and she “died” several years after her death.

,

The hope in Jahi’s case is that it should not go on as long as that of Terri Schiavo. Such long periods stretch emotions to the brink But now, the hospital cannot keep Jahi’s body forever or continue “treatment” on what it claims to be a dead body. Nailah and her relatives have now found a new hospital that will accept Jahi. The only problem is what might happen between the hospital where she lies and the new hospital where she is to be taken. Jahi will be moved while on the ventilator, but the Oakland hospital refused the family’s request that some complex feeding tubes be inserted in the body for the transfer on the ground that there was no point performing a procedure on a dead body. The County court agrees with the hospital. And, Nailah has undertaken full responsibility for whatever that might happen to her daughter in the process of moving her to the new hospital.

Jahi’s case directly pits human nature against science. Nobody wants to lose his or her son or daughter. Nailah, the mother she is, appears to see what doctors cannot fathom. Where they see a cadaver, she sees a human being capable of emotions and movement. If the movements she

The hope in Jahi’s case is that it should not go on as long as that of Terri Schiavo. Such long periods stretch emotions to the brink. No one is ever happy as long as it remains an issue. In this case, Nailah and her clan will not be emotionally stable as they anticipate a miracle somewhere down the line. On their part, the doctors who want to switch off her ventilator will always be looked upon as people without a soul.

One thing though is that in both cases, and many more, it shows the extent to which human life is appreciated in the American society. There are societies where the death of a thousand people will mean very little, if anything at all. Not here in the US. The death of one American is enough to create a fireball which will run across the nation. As a society, a lot of premium is put on human life, even the lives of criminals and the mentally deranged who take other people’s lives. Perhaps it time to let science prevail over human nature so that Jahi can rest in peace. But, even as I say so, I doubt if I will not take her mother’s position if I were in her shoes.

,

36—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

Uduaghan's awards, testament of excellent performance — AIDE

W

ARRI—SPECIAL Assistant to Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan on Special Duties, Mr. Matthew Opuoru, has described the recent award of Man of the Year by two leading print media in Nigeria, Vanguard and The Sun newspapers as a testament of his excellent performance as the chief executive of the state.

Opuoru, a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain noted that the awards, which came after earlier ones by the National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, as Grand Patron for being worker-friendly, the Central Bank of Nigeria as Best Agric Support Governor and later Best Governor under Micro Finance/Small and Medium Enterprises as well as the Zik’s award for good governance were enough to confirm Uduaghan’s worthy achievements in peace and security, education, healthcare, transportation, infrastructure as well as bridge building across the ethnic divides both within and outside Delta State.

Community honours philantropist

B

OMADI—BOMADI community in collaboration with her neighbouring communities have conferred true leadership award on a philanthropist, Chief Godspower Oporomor, who they described as ‘General Leader One’ of Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.

Also, a youth group, Progressive Youth Leaders Forum in Bomadi council, presented award of excellence to the philanthropist in recognition of his disposition to youth empowerment in the area.

Chief Oporomor was conferred with the awards at the end of year party organised by Sisters of Niger Delta, a women group, to honour and inaugurate him and Madam Linda Maka as patron and patroness of the organisation.

Oshiomhole sets target for 2014; assures on improved provision of amenities

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM & GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN CITY—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, assured the people of the state that government would redouble efforts this year to sustain and complete all on-going projects.

He gave the assurance at the first State Executive Council meeting in the year 2014.

He said: “2014 marks the beginning of my sixth year in office and obviously, we have learnt a lot in the past six years. Edo people would expect that we have perfected the game and that quality of service delivery should improve.

“We want to see a much cleaner environment, more greens and light permanently on. We want to have our drains clean and we will take full advantage of the dry season to commence work on the number of roads within Benin City, across Edo Central and Edo North.

“We will sustain and redouble efforts to complete the Central Hospital, which suffered a setback as a result of an unfortunate incident. I am confident that this year, we will make a lot of progress and have the hospital completed and commissioned.

“We will redouble our efforts to

build more schools, both primary and secondary and give attention to tertiary institutions. We will deal with the problem of pensioners retiring and not getting their pension. This will become a thing of the past,” he said.

The governor said that expectations would be high as we move towards the 2015

elections, adding that there would be political pressure on all of us.

“Let me advise strongly that we must recognise that politics without purpose is a meaningless exercise. The purpose of politics is to use the power to address the concerns of the society. So, as much as we are not going to be indifferent,

we must remember that Edo people expect us to give more attention to development, which is why I have advised those with political interest that it is still too early to go into politicking,” he said.

Oshiomhole stressed that the selling point for All Progressive Congress, APC, was the achievements as time lost cannot be recovered.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole presides at Edo State Executive Council meeting, the first in year 2014, yesterday.

Jonathan not seeking N1.8bn to fund ghost projects in Bayelsa, says Bayelsa govt

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—THE Bayelsa State Government, yesterday, dismissed as misplaced, allegation that President Goodluck Jonathan was seeking N1.8billion to fund ghost projects in his home state.

The state government described the allegation, as not only mischievous and embarrassing to the collective sensibilities of Bayelsa State, but also aimed at furthering the smear campaign orchestrated by a group of persons against the President.

The government said its decision to seek Federal Government’s intervention was not only to avert the imminent collapse of the only transmission station serving the state, but also ensure that power allocated to the state was adequately evacuated and accounted for.

Addressing newsmen, the Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Power, Engr.

Olice Kemenanabo, flanked by the Commissioner for Energy, Mr Francis Ikio, said though the state was connected to the national grid through a 2X30/40 MVA transmission station at Gbarain in Yenagoa Local Government Area in

2006, “only parts of Yenagoa, Kaiama, Odi, Opokuma, Agudama and Tombia are the communities benefiting from the station.”

According to Kemenanabo, “this constrain has compelled every other local government area, but Yenagoa and a few communities in Kolokuma/ Opokuma Local Government Area to depend on independently generated power. Indeed Sagbama, Ekeremor, Brass, Southern Ijaw, Nembe and Akassa are

unconnected to the national grid.”

He said that apart from the transmission in Gbraintoru that has become unstable due to overload, the transmission station was not accountable, as most of it were currently lost as heat because of the poor state of the distribution system occasioned by the rigidity of the network.

“The current situation is that the only 40 MVA transmission station is grossly inadequate and is under serious stress arising

from overload even as the supply is limited to the state capital and few communities. Indeed the station is at a brink of collapse and if urgent steps are not taken to upgrade it, there is imminent total outage in the state.

“Therefore, if the Federal Ministry of Power in their wisdom is proposing the upgrade of the existing station to 90MVA and a newspaper interprets it as Mr. President seeking N1.8billion to fund ghost projects in his home state as published online, then same is most unfortunate,” he said.

DESOPADEC commissioner donates 6 cars to leaders in Ughelli North

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—MEMBER representing Ethiope East and Ughelli North Local Government Areas on the board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Chief Ominimini Obiuwevwi,

has presented six Toyota Camry cars to outstanding opinion leaders in Ughelli North council of the state as part of activities to mark the end of year 2013.

Presenting the cars to the beneficiaries, which include Mr. Tennyson Oriunu, Mr. Daniel Emaye, Mr. Samson Onovwata, Mr. Johnson Orih, Ezekiel Agbalagba and Lucky

Ofuomukoro, Obiuwevbi said that the gesture was in fulfillment of the human capital development agenda of the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.

“This first batch is meant for opinion leaders in Ughelli North; the next batch will be for those in Ethiope East. DESOPADEC as an interventionist agency is out to meet the yearnings of the people.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014—37

Oshevire hails Uduaghan’s over man of the year awards

Delta LG boss doles bursary awards to students

B

OMADI—CHAIRMAN, Transition Committee, Bomadi Local Government Area, Delta State, Mr. Collins Olorogun, has made good on his administration’s policy to contribute towards the educational development of Bomadi council in particular and the state in general as 110 students in different institutions of higher learning across the country, have been awarded bursary to mitigate their academic needs.

Speaking after the commencement of the payment of the bursary to students of Bomadi origin, he said that the policy direction was to alleviating the huge financial burden on students most of whom according to him are “indigent students passing through financial hardship,” adding that education is capital intensive and the amount, no matter how little, will be helpful to them.”

He explained that the payment would be made in phases given the financial strength of the council.

Meanwhile, students have converged at the Bomadi council secretariat to check their names on the list of 110 beneficiaries.

Olejeme boosts inmates of prisons, elderly, orphanage homes in Delta

C

HAIRMAN of U & I Development Foundation, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, has embarked on a tour of orphanages, prisons and elderly peoples home across the three senatorial districts of Delta State.

The tour is part of her tradition of assisting widows, the elderly and other less priviledged persons.

At the Paracletan Hope Home on Okpanam Road, in Asaba, Olejeme, said she was at the orphanage home as a way of servicing and maintaining her covenant with God to always be a voice to the voiceless.

Dr. Olejeme, who is also Chairman of Olejeme Children Ambassador Foundation, adopted the 14 children in the centre as ambassadors under the Olejeme Children Ambassador educational watch and care.

BY FESTUS AHON

U

COMMISSIONING: From right: Deputy governor of Delta State, Prof. Amos Utuama; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan; Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Ben Ibakpa and Chairman, Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers, Delta State Chapter, during the commissioning of 100 units 18-seater Toyota Hiace and 30 Innoson Marcapolo buses in Asaba. Photo: Henry Unini.

Utuama to Gbagi: Keep your advice on 2015

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

D

ELTA State deputy governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, has faulted the call by former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Keneth Gbagi, for him (Utuama) to quit politics in 2015, saying that Gbagi was the least qualified person to advise him on such a matter.

He noted that he had not declared or told anybody that he was running for the governorship in 2015, saying that the former minister was free to pursue his ambition.

Utuama, in a statement by his

Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Austine Avowde, said: "Our attention has been drawn to a publication where a former Minister of State for Education, Gbagi, reportedly gave an unsolicited and ill-conceived advice to quit politics after 2015. Ordinarily, one would not have replied, but because of the need to disabuse the minds of the unsuspecting teeming Deltans and the general public, it is pertinent to state that Gbagi’s advice is borne out of a morbid fear of even the shadow of the deputy gov-

ernor, whose political profile, in the last 14 years, has continued to soar like the eagle. ‘’Besides, as a true party man, he has observed strictly, the instruction from Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that nobody should be engaged in political campaign for any office for now. Prof Utuama has not declared or told anybody that he wants to run for governorship in 2015.

Gbagi is free to pursue his ambition, but he is advised to refrain from all attempts to run down an obviously innocent and harmless man.’’

Workers vow to shut Calabar, Onne, Warri Ports over alleged poor pay

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

P

ORT workers have threatened to shut down Calabar, Onne and Warri Ports, over alleged poor wages and condition of service by Modern Stevedoring Company Limited.

The workers, in a protest letter to the management of the company, threatened to petition President Goodluck Jonathan over the poor condition of service it has exposed them to, lamenting the absence of a condition of service in the firm.

The workers said that unlike other stevedoring firms, where there are good conditions of service with workers having gratuity, pension and a N50,000 per worker Christmas bonus, among others, their employer has no such pay package for staff.

According to the letter, while "other stevedoring firms pay N100 per tone to its workers, ours pays N80. We can no longer cope with this condition. If nothing urgent is done by the management to positively address our poor condition of service, we will have no

choice other than to shut Calabar, Onne and Warri Ports where we operate. We cannot understand why we are being paid less with very poor condition of service compared to others since we do the same job and operate in the same ports.”

Speaking on the development, Operations Manager of Modern Stevedoring, Mr. M. Abduralman, blamed the problem on Vitsa Maritime, a subsidiary of Intels services, arguing “it is what Vitsa Maritime pays to Modern Stevedoring that is paid to the workers. Vitsa Maritime pays N80 per tonne to workers. That is what we pay them without deducting a kobo. No pension, gratuity or even Christmas bonus. This last Christmas, we battled in vain to ensure that the workers got Christmas bonus.

However, a meeting has been scheduled with Vitsa Maritime to ensure that the matter is addressed within this week. We do not want

industrial unrest in the ports.”

GHELLI—FORMER member of Delta State House of Assembly representing Ughelli North constituency II, Mr. Abel Oshevire, yesterday, said that the awards conferred on Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan by Vanguard Newspapers and three other newspaper houses as the Man of the Year 2013, were eloquent testimonies of his outstanding performance in Delta State.

Oshevire, in a statement, said: “It is remarkable that prior to the Vanguard Newspaper award, three other media houses, namely the Sun, Leadership and the Nigerian Pilot had conferred same award on him.

“This accomplishment by Governor Uduaghan is unparalled in the history of governance in Nigeria where one governor, in a particular year, gets honoured by four media houses as their Man of the Year.

This is, no doubt, a rare feat and it reflects the giant stride the governor had recorded in the state over the years.

“Governor Uduaghan’s sterling performance and great works are manifest in the various sectors of the economy. The government’s micro-credit programme is outstanding and has made very much impact on the state’s economy, providing employment to hundreds of thousands of men, women, boys and girls in the state."

I'm not hospitalised —OSHIOMHOLE

G

OVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, in Benin, has debunked rumours that he was hospitalised after a traffic accident on December 28, 2013.

Oshiomhole was reacting to media reports which claimed that he was lying critically ill in hospital.

The governor said, while addressing members of the State Executive Council, that he was not hospitalised after the accident involving his official vehicle and a J5 bus.

“The rumours of being hospitalised and under intensive care were the figment of the imagination of my detractors,” he said.

Narrating the incident, the governor said it occurred around 10 a.m on December

28, close to Ewu town.

He said he was on his way to Benin from his village, Iyamho, to receive Vice President Namadi Sambo, when the J5 bus conveying tomatoes, veered off the road and rammed into his official vehicle.

The governor said none of the occupants of the official vehicle including himself was injured.

He said that though the vice president was on a private visit, he was obliged, as the state chief executive, to receive him at the airport.

Oshiomhole thanked God for saving his life, saying that despite the accident, he was still able to receive the vice president who was in the state to felicitate with Chief Tony Anenih on his birthday.

38—Vanguard , TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

Party chieftain asks Atiku not to dump PDP

APC, LP differ on conduct of Anambra LG polls

BY CHIDINKWOPARA

O

WERRI—FORMER Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has been advised to resist the temptation of leaving the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, if he was still interested in actualizing his presidential ambition.

National Coordinator of Concerned PDP Democrats, Chief Elvis Agukwe, who gave the advice, noted that neither the All Progressives Congress, APC, which is currently wooing the former Vice President, nor Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM, could offer a veritable platform for the realisation of Atiku’s presidential ambition.

He said the only viable option for Atiku was to “stay in PDP, support President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term bid and then succeed the President in 2019.”

Chief Agukwe, who recalled that he risked his life to campaign for Atiku in 2007, also regretted that those who frustrated Atiku’s ambition then were such people as Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the new leaders in APC. ‘’He ran under ACN and what happened? People like Bola Tinubu, Muhammadu Buhari, Bisi , Ikimi, Murtala Nyako and others who are now wooing him to APC frustrated him. They are not about to change; Atiku’s friends are in PDP not APC,” Agukwe argued.

Ex-Imo dep gov hails FG on CAR

BY CHIDINKWOPARA

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WERRI—FORMER Deputy Governor of Imo State, Chief Ebere Udeagu, has lauded federal government’s prompt evacuation of stranded Nigerians out of crisis-torn Central African Republic, CAR, Udeagu bared his mind in an exclusive interview with Vanguard at his country home, Ihube, Okigwe local council area of the state.

“It is heart-warming to note that President Goodluck Jonathan dispatched aircrafts to Central African Republic to rescue our nationals trapped in the war-torn country,” Chief Udeagu said.

He also expressed happiness that aside from bringing the distraught Nigerians into safety, the federal government also took steps to give medical attention to those in need.

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BY ENYIM ENYIM

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NITSHA—BARELY four days to the rescheduled January 11, 2014, local government election in Anambra State, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has reiterated its stand to back out of the poll on ground that it was a rape on democracy.

However, the Labour Party in the state, led by Mr. Sam Onyearugbulem, yesterday differed from the APC position, saying the party would participate in the poll because local government election in the area had been long over due.

Addressing journalists after a stakeholders meeting of the party in Awka, the governorship candidate in the November 16 ,2013 governorship poll, Senator Chris Ngige, who read out the communique, said the party decided to boycott the election because the state electoral body, ANSIEC, headed by an acting chairman, Mr. Sylvester Okonkwo, was ill-equipped to conduct the election.

Ngige said: “ In reviewing the local government election fixed for January 11, 2014, the meeting was of the view that ANSIEC has planned a charade in the name

of council poll. There is no revised and authentic voters register given to parties. “ From reports from ANSIEC, it became clear that it is not even sure of the three voters register from INEC it would use. The party, therefore, resolves that our local government candidates and councillors are

directed not to participate in the election. our party has also withdrawn from all participation in all the processes until further notice.”

On Labour Party’s position on the poll, its chairman, Onyearugbulem, said his party decided to participate because the state for the past 14 years

had not had local government election to bring about democracy and good governance to the people in the rural areas.

He said.: “We are participating in the election. We have been clamoring for this election and however badly conducted it is going to be we will participate.

Half bread is better than none,”

CAMPAIGN: Acting FRSC state co-ordinator, Special Marshals in Anambra, Mr. Ben Osaka, (left), and the FRSC Unit Commander, Onitsha, Mr. Anthony Metta, distributing safety leaflets to motorists, during the FRSC Campaign Against Over-loading and Over-speeding, at Onitsha, Anambra State, yesterday.

Passengers stranded in S-East over rise in fares

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BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

BUJA—PASSENGERS going back to their various working places from the Eastern part of the country are stranded in different loading parks in South East states, following a sharp increase in transportation fares.

The over 100 percent increase in transport fares forced some of the passengers returning to their various working places after the Christmas and New year break to return to their homes as they could not afford the new fares.

Investigation revealed that those mostly affected were passengers in Owerri, Imo State, heading for Lagos, Abuja, and other cities in the North.

It was gathered that before the Christmas break, motorists paid between N3,000 and N3,500 but the fare was increased to N6,500 excluding charges on luggage no matter how light the luggage is.

A passenger that gave her name as Ikechukwu lamented that he could not make his journey from Owerri to Abuja on Monday as a result of the hike on transport

fare by various transport companies.

He said: “I had to go back to my village because of the high increase of transport fare. Can you imagine that before Christmas, we used to pary N3,400 from Abuja to Owerri in Peace Mass Transit,

PMT, but when I got to their pack, they were charging N6,500 to Abuja.

“Some of us could not afford that amount, you know we have spent all we had for the Christmas, we pleaded with them but nobody was ready to listen, I have to go

back to my village so that I can look for money.”

The stranded passenger said his surprise was that there was no increase in the pump price of petrol and that the Police had stopped harassing drivers on the road.

Senator sympathises with victims of Ile-Ife market fire show concern on matters

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI BUJA—A member of the National Assembly, Senator Babajide Omoworare, has expressed concern over the fire that razed Oja Tuntun, Odo-Ogbe in Ile-Ife, Osun State, even as he sympathized with the victims of fire incident.

The January 3 fire at the market destroyed property worth several millions of naira.

Senator Omoworare, who spoke in Abuja, also expressed regrets over such a tragic incident that befell a strategic commercial center of the ancient town of Ile- Ife at a time of festivity and celebration of the New Year. “ It is our prayer that God Almighty will comfort the affected people, put an end to tragedies of this nature and replenish the purses of

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the victims of this undesirable and unpleasant development,” Senator Omoworare said.

He said as a resident of Odo-Ogbe, the site of the market, he owed it a duty to

relating to safety and security of the market.

He, therefore, appealed to all residents to improve on safety awareness and security consciousness to prevent any recurrence of fire in the future.

Enugu PDP lauds Chime on LGs' autonomy Ugwu,

BY CHINENYEH OZOR NUGU—ENUGU State chapter of People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has commended Governor Sullivan Chime for granting financial autonomy to local government chairmen in the state.

State ‘chairman of the party, Chief Vita Abba, gave the commendation at the commissioning ceremony of the multi-purpose Adada Hall Auditorium built by outgoing chairman of Nsukka local government council, Mr Tony

E

The hall was built in memory of late former chairman of the state council of traditional rulers, Igwe Charles Abangwu.

Abangwu was in the forefront of the struggle for the creation of Adada State, out of the present Enugu State.

He praised the outgoing chairman for his vision in building ‘such a gigantic and all important edifice for the people of Nsukka zone, adding that such a worthwhile venture could not have been possible without the financial autonomy that Governor Chime granted council chairmen in the state.

Vanguard,TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014—39

PARTY: Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio (middle), with executive members of PRESENTATION: Mrs. Yemisi Suswam, (right) presenting items to the matron of Mama Abayol Orphanage, in Akwa Ibom Youth Caucus, during their End of Year party, in Uyo. Makurdi, during her visit.

PRESENTATION: From left, one of the winners at Lagos Countdown 2013 Raffle Draw, Osawaru Eginsa; Managing Director, Lagos State Signage and Advert Agency LASAA,Mr. George Noah; Hyundai representatives, Timilehin Tairu, and comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka, during the presentation of prizes to the winners, at Lagos Countdown 2013 Raffle Draw, at Bar Beach, Lagos.

PRESENTATION:Commissioner of Police (Welfare), Mr. Usman Yakubu (left), presenting a bag of rice, to the son of late ASP Salisu Ahmed, during the presentation of gifts to Police widows, in Kaduna. Wth them is Kaduna State Commissioner of Police (right), Mr. Olufemi Adenaike.

PRESENTATION: FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed (right), presenting President Jonathan’s New Year message to the Emir of Bauchi State, Rilwanu Suleimanu Adamu, weekend.

WEDDING: From left, AmaopuseniboWilliams, Chief Bob-Abbey Hart, and Amaopusenibo Jumbo, during the reception of traditional wedding ceremony of Alabota Bob-Abbey Hart, at Chief Reginald Hart's residence, in Bonny Local Government Area, Bonny Island, Rivers State. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke

AGM: From left, Paediatric surgeon consultant, Professor Michael Bankole, in a chat with a consultant/specialist, Dr. Ayo Akintemibola, and the immediate past chairman, Lagos State Medical Guild, Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote, at the 2013 Guild's Annual General Meeting, in Ikeja.

WEDDING: From right, the Ekiti State Accord Party candidate,Barrister Kole Ajayi; bride's father, National Leader of Accord Party, Senator CONFERENCE: From left, Chief Salisu Odeyinka, Vice President; Chief Babamusa Adewolu Ladoja, and the Ekiti State Chairman, Accord Party, Dr. Dayo Shukuri, President; Dr. Ogunpeju Ayoka, Iyalode General, and Dr. Abobola Awe Kayode, during the wedding ceremony between the former Miss Bolatito (Babasegun), all of National Union of Medical Herbal Practitioners, NUMHP, at Abebi and Mr. Bez Idakula, at Landmark Village,Victoria Island Annex, the annual national conference of the union, in Lagos.

Lagos, weekend.

40—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

Kaduna Govt to rehabilitate five tourism sites

Zamfara govt to disburse N350m to 3,450 poor people

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BY SALISU MARADUN

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USAU—THE Zamfara State Zakkat and Endowment Board is to disburse N350 million to 3,450 people across the state in a bid to alleviate poverty in the area.

The amount, which was allocated to the board by the state government would be disbursed to three categories of the less privileged in the society.

They include those with various illnesses who can not afford medical treatment and those whose businesses had crumbled as well as those experiencing matrimonial problems.

Governor Abdulaziz Yari of the state made this known while presenting money to some of the beneficiaries in Maradun and Bakura, adding that the fund for the programme was generated from the two per cent tax from every contract awarded by the government as well as the N2 million monthly given to the board for the purpose by the government.

Nasarawa workers embark on strike

BY DANIEL ABEL

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AFIA— CIVIL serv ants in Nasarawa State, yesterday, commenced an indefinite strike action over non promotion and payment of their entitlements by the state government.

Governor Tanko Almakura had declared that promotion of workers in the civil service was not a right but privilege.

“In our quest to boost workers moral, my administration has gone extra mile by increasing staff salaries from the lowest to the highest,” Almakura said.

“We expect labour to appreciate our efforts. Even after we had discussed after the 14-day ultimatum served us by Labor, we want to say that promotion is not a right but a privilege,” Almakura declared.

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HAND OVER—NYSC new Director-General, Brig-Gen. Johnson Olawumi (L), taking over from his predecessor, Brig-Gen. Nnamdi Okore-Affia in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Abuja indigenes seek development commission A

BUJA—THE umbrella body of FCT indigenes, Original Inhabitants Development Association of Abuja, OIDA, has called for the creation of a development commission to cater for displaced indigenous communities in the territory.

The call is contained in a statement, yesterday, in Abuja and signed by OIDA Media Adviser, Mr Shagari Sambo.

According to the statement, the commission should be fashioned in the mould of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC or the Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission, HYPPADEC. The association in the statement alleged that some communities in the territory had been displaced by the FCTA without compensation.

“The proposed Abuja Original Inhabitants Development Commission (AOIDC) should be statutory and derive its funding from 30 per cent of all sales accruing from allocable lands within the FCT." It said that the commission, if established, would be saddled with the responsibility of dealing with the lingering issues of relocation, resettlement and compensation for communities displaced by government projects.

It said that Abuja’s original inhabitants needed structures for self-governance, adding that the second-tier would provide the basis for a local government system that would be people-oriented.

The association urged the Minister of FCT, Sen. Bala Mohammed to upgrade traditional rulers and name major streets in Abuja city centre after indigenous heroes and royal fathers in the territory.

“Naming streets after royal fathers and other distinguished Abuja indigenous sons and daughters, will engender a greater sense of belonging and appreciation of our place in the scheme of things in FCT.” It said that since there was a council of chiefs in place, it should be empowered to advise government as well as

contribute to debates on issues in the public domain without restrictions.

“The FCT Administration should upgrade existing chiefs to make them at par with their colleagues in other parts of the country.

“There are dynasties in the FCT that have ancient histories, yet communities in neighbouring states with recent histories of migration to their current habitation have higher status than them.

“Posterity will bless the Honourable Minister if he does this for us, “ the statement said.

ADUNA—THE Kaduna State Government will expand and rehabilitate five major tourism sites in the state this year, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Kakangi, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, has said.

Kakanji said this in Kaduna, yesterday, in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria, NAN. He said that the government would renovate the Gamji Park Multipurpose Hall, the Bakwa Tomb, Queen Amina site at Turunku and the Zaria Dam Holiday Resort, to boost tourism and enhance the revenue of the state.

The commissioner disclosed that the state government was also partnering with the Fifth Chukka, a polo club, to develop the Kanji Dam Holiday Resort.

Kakangi noted that the state was blessed with various tourist sites and pledged that the government would transform them into world class centres.

He said the aim was to transform the tourism sector and place the state on the World’s tourism calender.

On the activities of the ministry in 2013, Kakangi said more than N34.7 million revenue was generated during the year largely from Tourism Development Levy.

The Commissioner said N20.8 million revenue was generated from the two per cent levy, while N6.8 million was generated from Parks and over a million naira by the state cultural troupe.

Kaduna govt lost N18m revenue in 2013 — Finance Commissioner K

ADUNA—THE Kaduna State Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Samaila Aliyu, yesterday, said the state government had lost N18 billion out of the N29 billion revenue it projected in 2013.

Aliyu told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Kaduna that only N11 billion was realised as Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, by ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, during the period.

He said the loss had impacted adversely on the execution of capital projects in the state.

“The 2013 budget projections were too ambitious and unrealistic as the state only has two major revenue generating MDAs. “Though we have 70 revenue generating MDAs but the Board of Internal Revenue and the state Ministry of Lands are the two major revenue sources in the state,” the commissioner said.

Aliyu said his ministry had set out modalities to boost the 2014 revenue by various MDAs and avoid problems encountered last year.

He said the government

would reinforce the revenue machinery of the MDAs through direct assessment and other strategies.

“We will also work with the legislators to ensure that relevant laws were initiated to replace obsolete ones in order to enhance revenue generation.

“We would also enhance revenue collections at various levels to enable us implement the budget as planned,” the commissioner said.

He assured residents that the state government was committed to the development of infrastructure this year.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014 —41

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44— Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014—45

RECEPTION: From left: Chief Young Tobim; Sa-Alabo Horace Okojumbo and Sa-Alabo Godswill Benstowe, during the reception of the Kalaegenbite Traditional ceremony of Alabota Abiealedoghu Bob-Abbey Hart, at Chief Reginald F. P Hart's residence, at Bonny Island, Bonny Local Governement Area, Rivers State, yesterday. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

Explosion rocks Rivers State High Court

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME & EGUFE YAFUGBORHI N explosion rocked the Rivers State High Court, Ahoda, premises, in the early hours of yesterday, though no casualty was recorded in the blast. The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, building was partially affected in the incident.

The court was to have heard the application by the factional Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Evans Bipi, for the vacation of an interim order granted by the court, restraining him from parading himself as Speaker.

A second blast, was, averted, following the intervention of the bomb squad of the Police, which isolated the second device, concealed in a black cellophane bag.

Meanwhile, a fire incident at another River State High Court, Okehi, yesterday, affected the judge’s office. Some documents and furniture were also destroyed in the fire. When contacted on the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Muhammad, said he was aware of the fire, adding that no life was lost. He said that the Police was investigating the incident.

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Ahoada blast On the Ahoda incident, Muhammad said: “We received a report that an object suspected to be explosive was sighted at the premises of the state High Court, Ahoada. Our anti- bomb

squad was dispatched to make it safe. One unexploded improvised explosive device, IED, was recovered and rendered safe while traces of an exploded IED were identified.

“At the end of the operation, it was established that two IEDs were thrown into the premises from outside. The two were initiated, but one went off while the other failed to go off due to technical error. The exploded IED caused a minor damage to court building. Neither death nor injury was recorded.

Considering the strength of the materials used in making the devices, they were very weak and couldn't have caused severe harm.

“Investigation into the incident has commenced with a view to apprehending the perpetrators.” he added.

Rep condemns Okehi fire incident Meantime, the member representing Etche Omuma constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Ogbona Nwuke, has condemned the fire incident at the state High Court, Okehi, Etche Local Government Area of the state, saying that it was the handiwork of enemies of democracy.

“My immediate reaction was that enemies of democracy are at work.

Those who do not want to respect the rights of others, those who do not believe in the rule of law and those who have no regard for people’s lives are at work,” he said.

He called on security agencies to fish out those behind the act.

“The law enforcement agencies should apprehend these faceless

persons, who for political reasons, think that the best thing to do is to turn Rivers State into an environment of terror.

This is the worst thing that should happen in this country.

“The law enforcement agents should protect the interest of the common man, which the judicial process represents,” he said.

Some staff of the court, who spoke to Vanguard on the explosion at Ahoada, said it occurred before they resumed for the day's work.

Residents, who live close to the premises of the court, said the night before, they heard an explosion at the canteen in the court premises operated by the Ahoada Branch of the NBA. Media aide to Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Area, Kassidy Ikegbidi, Blessed Oyagiri, who spoke to Vanguard on the incident, said it was discovered this morning (yesterday) that the canteen of the Ahoada Branch of the NBA at the state High Court, Ahoda, was destroyed.

“We contacted the police, who drafted an anti-bomb unit and confirmed that dynamite was employed in the blast.

The state High Court itself was not affected. I suspect those who carried out the blast were not property briefed on the real target by the masterminds, but the damage was enough to shut the court as police continued investigation,” Oyagiri said.

The council boss condemned the incident and warned the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State against playing politics with the judiciary.

Ikegbidi, who described the incident as barbaric and uncivilized, said: “The Judiciary is not the property of PDP, but a property of all Nigerians. It is very wrong for any right thinking individual or group to attack the judiciary, which is the last hope of the common man in the name of politics.”

It was gathered from workers in the court premises that if the second explosive had gone off, it would have had more devastating effect on vehicles and probably claimed lives because it was dropped at the car park, where most people would have left their vehicles.

The court, meanwhile, could not sit, yesterday, because of the incident. The workers said there was still tension in the air even after the police had scanned the whole area.

However, All Progressives Congress, APC, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the state, have engaged in a war of words over the incident.

Interim Chairman of APC, Mr Davies Ikanya, in a statement, said that those behind the act were allegedly uncomfortable with the recent ruling of Justice Charles Wali of the state High Court ordering Bipi to stop parading himself as Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly.

He said: “It is very unfortunate and sad to note that the state High Court in Ahoada, was bombed this morning (yesterday) by agents of undemocratic elements. Those that perpetrated this act may not be far from those who are not comfortable with the ruling by Justice Wali, of December 16, 2013 barring Bipi, leader of the G6 rebel members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, from parading himself as Speaker of the Assembly.”

On its part, PDP, in its statement, blamed those allegedly against the High Court sitting to reverse its decision on Bipi as being behind the explosion.

State Chairman of the party, Mr Felix Obuah, said those behind the explosion at the state High Court, Ahoada, also wanted to create a picture of an insecure Rivers State.

“The case that temporarily restrained Bipi from parading himself as Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, was to come up today (yesterday) at the court.

Our team of lawyers made up of over 10 Senior Advocates of Nigeria from Abuja and Lagos arrived the state high court, Ahoda, this morning (yesterday) to argue for the vacation of the interim order, and saw the senseless and barbaric destruction of the court.

“The PDP makes bold to suspect that the reported bombing was carried out by agents of Rivers State Government to prevent the court from sitting, so that the court would not be able to vacate the interim order made by Justice Wali.”

46—Vanguard, TUESD AY, JANUARY 7, 2014 TUESDA

It is not easy to achieve peace in the health sector — CHUKWU

BY VICTORIA OJEME

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INISTER of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu has declared that there cannot be peace in the Nigerian health sector as long as there are diseases to cure and illnesses to treat.

In a chat with Good Health Weekly in Abuja, Chukwu, who was reacting to recent developments in the sector said the health sector is always on the move.

“There will not be peace in the health sector, you are talking about peace amongst health practitioners. There can never be peace in the health sector because we deal with sicknesses, accidents and so on. We are always on the move. Right now we are bothered about the cholera breakout in Kano state so there is no peace as far as there are diseases but if it is amongst ourselves it is possible we can have peace.”

Although he declared that the Ministry was currently in the process of attaining peace, Chukwu said it was a difficult

•Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu process.

“Right now we are in the process. Usually peace is not something you can achieve easily otherwise go and ask in the Middle East. It is not

as easy as that but I believe we are making progress.

“Some of the issues are gradually been handled but they are some turning ones which the President has

stepped in by setting up a Presidential Committee of experts to look into the matter and ensure that there is greater harmony amongst those who work in the health sector.”

The Minister observed that there are areas in which people may clash. “As long as there are just two people in a particular room there is always bound to be disagreements whether they are identical twins or husband and wife, but what we are saying is that it shouldn’t be such to the degree we have today where sometimes the primary purpose of a hospital been established is hampered.

As to whether the President of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, met with the President, of course as Minister, I never declared I was going to go on strike. It was the NMA that said they were going to go on strike, so if the NMA in its wisdom, after meeting with the government and for which I really thank them for showing

such maturity, we are now talking to our members.

“We are not going on that strike we have planned,at least for the time being. That has to be done by the President of NMA. The Minister cannot announce just like the President of NMA cannot announce on behalf of the Minister of Health.

But the only thing I can say as Minister, having listened to the President of the NMA saying that they are suspending their initial plan of an indefinite strike, I can only say I thank the NMA for two reasons - for having entered dialogue with the government and agreeing to abide by the agreement but secondly and which is more important to me is the show of maturity.

“It is not all the time you get everything you ask for, some many still be in progress like some of the things NMA asked for are still work in progress and for them to have accepted that this work can be done within a certain time limit is a show of maturity

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014 — 47

VISIT—President Goodluck Jonathan looking through a calendar with the out-going Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Deng Boqing (l) while the Ag. Foreign Affairs Minister, Prof. Viola Onwuliri (r) watched during the farewell visit the Ambassador paid the President at the State House, Abuja.

Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

You're a trouble maker, Clark lambasts OBJ Continues from page 5 viii) Principal Secretary to President is Fulani ix} The ComptrollerGeneral of the Nigeria Custom Service is Fulani from Katsina x) The Chief of Air Staff is an Ibo from Delta State; xi) The Chief of Naval Staff is from Kwara xii) The Chief of Defence Staff is from North xiii) The Chief of Army Staff is Ibo from Abia The Inspector-General of Police is Hausa xiv) The Director-General of DSS is from Cross River xv) The Director-General of Immigration Service is from Plateau State xvi) The Director-General of NSCDC is Yoruba from Ogun xvii) The Executive Secretary of PTDF is Yoruba from Ekiti xviii) The Chairman of FERMA is Yoruba from Osun while the MD is Ibo from Delta -xix) The GMD NNPC is from Kaduna State xx) The Acting DG NTA is from Eco State xxi) Director-General of Inland Waterways - from the North xxii) The MD of NPA is Hausa Fulani xxiii) The CBN Governor is Hausa/Fulani from Kano xxiv) The FRSC Chairman is Ibo

xxv) The Director-General of NAFDAC is from Benue.

INEC Chairman is Hausa/Fulani from Kebbi NDDC Chairman is Ibibio from Akwa Ibom State Director-General National Orientation Agency is from Nasarawa State The Economic Adviser to the President is Ibo. The Chief of Protocol to Mr. President is a Yoruba man.

Even in the field of ambassadorial appointments, there is no Ijaw man or woman holding any senior ambassadorial appointment as underlined below: The Ambassador of Nigeria to United States is Yoruba. The Nigerian Permanent Representative to United Nations is Ibo. The Nigerian High Commissioner to United Kingdom is Hausa/ Fulani. Nigeria Ambassador to Russia Akwa Ibom. Nigeria Ambassador to China is Hausa.

Nigeria Ambassador to Argentina, Benue. Nigeria Ambassador to France - Yoruba. Nigeria Ambassador to Spain – Ibo. Out of the 64 ambassadorial posting to various Nigerian missions abroad, only three are Ijaw. No Ijaw person is Vice-Chancellor of any of the 36 Federal Universities.

The President has 18 Advisers approved by the Senate, only Mr, Oronto Douglas is Ijaw. The number of Ijaws in the Federal Civil Service under Jonathan’s Administration has not increased and the number of Permanent Secretaries is only three Ijaws out of about seventy. There are only two Ijaw Ministers out of 42. Only one Ijaw man from Rivers State owns Oil bloc even though most of the oil comes from Ijaw land. No Ijaw man is an oil marketer and no Ijaw man lifts oil. You have agreed that the amnesty programme has not been implemented properly.

The second phase which is infrastructure development is yet to take place. The 45-Man Technical Committee recommendations White Paper under the Chairmanship of Comrade Ledum Mittee is yet to be released. This is one of the few areas Ijaw people could have benefited.

Where are the Ijaws who have taken possession of President Jonathan?

I shall soon publish the full details of all those who held important federal positions and beneficiaries in line with ethnic quota in your government between 1999 2007. This will enable us determine who was pos-

sessed by his people and groups that were marginalized to show the extent President Jonathan is possessed by Ijaws. It may be necessary to state that: 1. Hausa language was the lingua franca at the Presidency while Alhaji Shehu Shagari was the President of Nigeria from 1979-1983.

2. Hausa language continued to be lingua franca in the Presidency when the military was in power between19831998.

3. Between 1999-2007, the Yoruba language became the lingua franca during your Presidency.

4. Between 2007-2010 the Hausa language returned to the Villa as lingua franca during late Umaru Musa Yar ’dua administration and in fact, he was accused of bringing nearly all members of the State Executive to the Federal government. Is the Ijaw language the lingua franca at the Presidency now?

The answer is NO. My Dear Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, you have become an unrepentant trouble maker, as Nigeria gave you more than you truly deserve. Hence you see yourself as lord of the manor. You have without recourse in the past embarrassed all past Heads of State and Presidents in Nigeria through open letters and unsavory comments. In such letters, you have always alleged maladministration, corruption and incompetence against them.

At this juncture, I may wish to quote a piece from a concerned Nigerian, Senator Uche Chukwumereje: “He has since after his first stint in Aso Villa, consistently played the role of the Praetonia Guard pontificating to every successor and awarding marks like a headmaster to each pupil-President. Every regime from Shagari through Buhari to Babangida and Abacha, has benefited (or suffered) from the corrective tongue lashes of the guard.’’

Nigerians are aware that you set the stage for the emergence of Goodluck Jonathan as President of the Federal Republic. But the saying goes that if you present a gift of a goat to a friend you must let go of the tether. You are probably different. Right from the inception of the Jonathan presidency,

your body language indicated you wanted to play the role of the piper, that is, dictate how Jonathan runs, the phenomenon you did not tolerate from those who put you in office in 1999.

An incident that played itself out then will suffice.

You masterminded the removal of Chief Tony Anenih then PDP Chairman, Board of Trustee, and appointed yourself thinking the position will give you powers to control and manipulate the President. The futility of your actions dawned on you when you realized Jonathan is his own man.

And in frustration you resigned as PDP Board of Trustee Chairman. You had thought the President will kneel before you begging that you stay on; but he never did.

Every Nigerian therefore, knows that you connived, with PDP renegades and opposition parties to ridicule and undo President Jonathan and the government because he refused to be your puppet.

In the cabinet of General Yakubu Gowon, you always pretended to be the most loyal and honest man. I was in London with General Murtala Muhammed when the coup of 1975 took place.

Murtala came back to Nigeria through a KLM flight to Kano, On that fateful day you were at the Kano Airport to receive General Muhammed, and that was how that government was formed and you were part of it. Later, I met you at Dodan Barracks and asked you why you betrayed General Gowon by .going to Kano to receive Muhammed.

You explained to me that you were in Kano for sporting activities, which I disagreed with.

You went all out to frustrate and humiliate your Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, when he declared his intention to contest the 2003 and 2007 Presidential elections. You associated him with US Congressman William Jefferson, prompting the FBI to investigate and search his residence in Maryland.

The FBI could not find any connection between Atiku and Mr. Jefferson.

You were determined to stop your deputy at all cost from contesting the presidential election. A letter from Jefferson to you was handed over to the EFCC to enable it investigate Atiku, to de-

clare him unqualified for the 2007 election. The EFCC report led to the establishment of an administrative Inquiry headed by the Minister of Justice and your boys and girls in the Cabinet.

They hastily found Atiku guilty as charged by you.

You sent the report to the National Assembly.

You declared Atiku a persona-non-grata, his aides and vehicles were taken from him, and you declared his seat vacant.

All these you did as if the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not exist. You can see how petty you are.

You did all these just because you felt Atiku worked against your third term presidential ambition.

Jonathan not training snipers My dear Obasanjo, your allegation that President Jonathan is training snipers in preparation for 2015, is a diabolical concoction and a figment of your imagination. As you have no shred of evidence to authenticate this bogus lie.

The same is applicable to the supposed 1000 political leaders being on the watch list of the President, Time and time again President Jonathan has said his election is not worth shedding a single Nigerian blood for, which is very much unlike you who played “do or die politics”. You made up these stories to whip up ethnic sentiments not only against Mr. President, but the Ijaws and the entire South South geopolitical zone.

On the security issues stated in your letter I have already stated that the President should leave this serious allegation for the Security agents to investigate for no one is above the law of this country. As I also mentioned in my letter to you, I stated that the contents of your letter is a revisit to your own activities in your eight years rule between 1999 and 2007. The President in his reply referred to the attack of Bayelsa State Government House and the bombing of his personal house in Otuoke, Yenagoa, all in the attempt to assassinate him and cause chaos in Nigeria. He also mentioned the Petrol tanker incident. You were the sitting President in Nigeria at

Continues on page 50

48—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

House Leadership:

PDP, going, going…

EVENTS around the National Assembly now amply suggest that the leading opposition political party in the country, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to wrest power from the ruling Peoples Democratic party (PDP) in the House of Representatives. The prospects for some in the House leadership are ominous.

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

F

OR a party that has lost so much flesh to a point that is considered very critical in an election campaign year, it is not surprising that the PDP’s bony looks in the House of Representatives has now become a matter of amusement to stakeholders.

The jitters in the House Though it is presently on Christmas break which would terminate on January 13, 2014, palpable tension has enveloped the flanks of the House. The tension first mounted weeks before it rounded up for the year.

Speculations had been rife that the present House Leadership provided by the PDP would give

way for an APC controlled leadership. Such suggestions have been fired since the 37 former members of the PDP crossed carpet last month.

Prior to the defection of its 37 members, the PDP House members were 208 out of the 360 members in the House, while the APC had 137 members after the amalgamation of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria’s Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the three political parties that formed it.

With the 37 members that have joined the former opposition party, the APC is now 174 while the PDP which had until now dominated the House since the return of democratic rule has now been reduced to a minority with

171 members.

Expect the increase next week Apparently, APC is not losing sleep over its prospects in grabbing the leadership of the House as the House resumes plenary next week.

Their chances are not in any way latent. The feelers from some of the members appear indicate an early change in leadership later this month.

Honourable Ogbonna Nwuke from Omuma/Etche Federal Constituency of Rivers State who is one of the lawmakers that defected from the PDP to APC in an interview with Vanguard gave vent to an early take over of the leadership by APC upon the House’s resumption. He also said that the APC would in a matter of few days hit the 181

,

•Ihedioha and Tambuwal

expected to form a simple majority.

“Within the House, 2014 will be a remarkable year for Nigeria, remarkable in the sense that, of course, the trend which began in late 2013 in terms of power shift will continue and what that means is that APC should be able to get the 181 members which give it complete majority. When that happens chances are that the leadership will shift from PDP to APC.” “What we just need, I think is between 8 and 9 new members in terms of those crossing from PDP to APC. And that will be the APC requisite that will shape the House and points the future direction of the House. But what is certain is that if everything does not change, the leadership, the majority leader will need to relinquish that position because at the end of the day a party cannot be in the minority and still hold the position of the majority Leader”, he said.

Tambuwal and Ihedioha’s fate The tinkering of the House Leadership presupposes a complete metamorphosis in the chain of command excepting the offices of the Minority and Deputy Minority Leaders. But it does appear that the 7th House of Representatives has some unique character that does not raise eyebrows on the party affiliation on the Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

This has strengthened insinuations that the speaker is hobnobbing with the opposition APC. Nwuke observed that Speaker Tambuwal and probably his deputy, Emeka Ihedioha may survive the sack.

“I think that because of the popular way they have led the House, I think that the sentiments within the House still support that the two of them can continue in the driving seat. The Speaker is not threatened in any way. A lot of members in the House also think that Ihedioha has been a good deputy.” “Whatever

former members. However, the members were well prepared having obtained court orders before their action and it was not surprising that it appeared to be a lost battle.

Aware of this, the PDP immediately dangled the carrot of automatic tickets to run in 2015 general elections.

This, Vanguard learnt, was a measure to woo them back to the “family” and also prevent further mass exodus of its members. But it obviously did not work as the Rubicon had been crossed already.

Personal decisions Could Tambuwal move over to the APC immediately? Nwuke said: “Everything is possible.

What matters is his conviction in relation to what is happening in the country. Does he really believe that the PDP has what it takes to contain the House even on the floor of the House as Speaker? Those are personal decisions. But I am sure Tambuwal is very mature politically and will take the right decisions when the time comes on his own.

“I think that the PDP should look at the constitution. They should look at the powers that are conferred either on the leadership of the House, on INEC or even on it as a party platform. I don’t think it has the capacity to declare any seat vacant. The other day, INEC chairman made the declaration that INEC hasn’t got the power to do so. He even said that no presiding office has the power to do so. I think that matter should be led to rest.

“There is also Goni Versus FEDECO ruling, Atiku Versus OBJ ruling, many more rulings in those areas which shows that in the event of crisis within the party, people have inalienable right to move to where they think they can function. I believe that PDP has used that as an

With the 37 members that have joined the former opposition party, the APC is now 174 while the PDP which had until now dominated the House since the return of democratic rule

happens, people are looking at them on the basis of their own recognition, their track record, not on the basis of what platform they belong to,” he stressed.

Vacant Seats Declaration threats, Automatic Ticket Deal and No going back decision Given the ego and size of the PDP, it was not surprising that soon after the defection of the 37 members that the party issued threats to vacate the seats of its

,

instrument to coarse members from moving. But I am sure you know of some order from the court which also forbade the Speaker, President of the Senate, the PDP even INEC from declaring the seats of those of us who have crossed over. It still subsists and nobody can do anything about that.

“But to answer directly, I doubt

Continues on page 49

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014—49

Like I said, the party did not fail because we did not have followership but because there were certain faces that were not expected to see. So as a party we are together and intact and we are moving forward.

His reaction to the recent defection of some PDP governors and lawmakers to the APC It is a welcome development and it is something that we knew that will certainly happen. The signs were there.

It was obvious that the PDP house was in shambles. It was obvious that so many things were happening in PDP which were not proper. We were originally in PDP that was where I took off from.

We were in PDP and saw that things were increasingly derailing. The governors are like kings of the party in various states, he who plays the piper dictates the tune. These governors have the machineries and they formed it, and all of a sudden they began to see themselves as no longer welcomed.

Anambra why APC 'll contest council polls — Chinwuba ANAMBRA State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Chuks Chinwuba, in this interview speaks on why the opposition party will take part in Saturday’s local council election. Excerpts:

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

W

HAT is your reaction to speculations that the APC is not taking part in the Anambra council election holding on Saturday?

Our party will participate in the election. I don’t know who said that but I am the chairman of the party. My Exco has not taken such decision; the National leadership of the party has not also taken decision. It is not true. And by the way, why will the party not want to be part of the election?

This is a neighbourhood election for goodness sake.

This is an election that will bring us close to the people.

Anambra people have been yearning for local government election because this is the lowest level of democracy and someone from the party will come and tell you that APC is not participating in the council election, that person does not mean well for our dear party.

Anybody who means well for this party must allow the party to grow. Our people have to

participate in the council election His take on the November 2013 Anambra governorship election The election has been contested; it wasn’t the best conducted election. In fact, I was one of those who subscribed that the election was backward. The process and what we saw during the election was not right. There was indeed substantial noncompliance with the Electoral Act. In Anambra, the winner has emerged but I believe the legal process should go on to enable us have the best for the future of Anambra. When people participate actively, it is better for us to make a better choice.

May be who won could have still won, but then it would have been better that everybody participated.

On claims that he had defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP It is not true. I did not defect to PDP. I am still a strong member and the interim

,

Our people have to participate in this election and I can tell you that APC is in this election

participate in this election and I can tell you that APC is in this election.

Our list of chairmanship and councillorship candidates has been submitted to ANSIEC long before now and they have been campaigning. The same thing that affected the party in the governorship election is what they are bringing back.

People are interested in joining this party; they should not be frustrated by selfish interest. We should think of the greater interest of the greater members of our party. If you allow the local government to thrive, you engage a lot of young people and bring development to the people. Of the 25 political parties that are participating, why is it only our party that is claiming we are not participating? What is the reason for our party not to participate? We don’t have to do things that will continue to give people the impression that we don’t want the local government system to thrive or we don’t want to empower young people. Our party will

,

chairman of the APC. How can I run from the house I built? I was in the National Steering Committee that led the foundation for this party. Where will I leave the party and go to?

So I did not defect to any party. I was in the party but I was not carried along during the Anambra governorship election. That was part of what I was saying about the internal things that happened in the party. We were not carried along. We were left like orphans. So I didn’t leave the party. I am in the party and still in the party.

On reports that he is not the authentic chairman of the party in Anambra with someone presenting himself as the chairman If he is, he is only an impostor. Anambra State is the only state that has conducted its congress on the instruction of the national leadership of the party because we had to do it to prepare for the governorship primary election, that was the directive from the party and we

Mass movement

•Chinwuba followed it. It was in that process that the chairmanship and the councillorship candidates were elected and the end effect to that was the September 2, governorship primary election that produced our governorship candidate.

The party dully instructed that; and it was published in the national dailies, where the national secretary of the party gave a rundown of programmes and activities of the party. The party organised that and we had to do our own registration.

The national secretary was in charge of the committee that came to conduct the registration exercise and after that we went ahead and did our congresses to elect officers at the state level. And again, because our party recognizes both committees and we have it. So Anambra is the only state that has a functional state

executive because Anambra is the only state has done the registration which other states are doing. In other states, you find interim chairman but I am not an interim chairman and I will serve under the constitution of the party and that is the way it will be.

On what he is doing to restore peace in APC ahead of the 2015 general elections to avoid what happened in Anambra governorship election If you talk of restoring peace in the party, it will be as if there is war in the party. There is no such war in the APC. The party is intact. There could be personality issues but the party is intact and we are on cause.

We have had several meetings.

What we are doing as a party is we have looked at what happened in the election, we did a postmortem and have seen what happened.

And of course, the option they had was to move their things to the next place.

And because in APC, we are progressive-minded democrats, we have a bigger door and a wider room to accommodate them all. More governors will join. More legislators will join. It is a mass movement and that is why we are worried in Anambra.

So that when this movement is been made at the national level let it also permeate to Anambra. But if you have a situation where one person is seeing this party as his personal party there will be problem because that is not the attitude at the national level.

At the time we all worked to bring this party, the idea was to bring in all progressive minded persons because this is a party for the progressives and not party that will be excluding some people.

PDP, going, going…

Continues from page 48 very seriously that the PDP has the capacity to declare any seat vacant. Those are empty threat and I am sure that by now, they should turned full circle and that explains why PDP is promising those who have left automatic ticket.

“From what we understand, the last interaction between and members of the national assembly, PDP offered automatic ticket to its members in the House of Reps. So, I think, for it is an indication of a change of rhetoric, a realization that their threat is

not working. They found out that they need to be more engaging in their relationship with its members and members of the Nigerian populace.

“But we have always said that we have crossed the red line. We have crossed the Nile; we are not going back to Egypt. There is no.

Way we can return to Egypt. We are looking forward and we are convinced that we have acted in the best interest of the Nigerian people and in the best interest of democracy”, he said.

Bottomline Given the opposition’s

influence on the official businesses of the House; Motions and Bills since the beginning of the PDP crisis, the ruling party might just be on its way to difficult times.

Many believe that the politics that prompted President Goodluck Jonathan to mandate the Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iwela to lay the 2014 Budget proposal before the House on his behalf is one indication of the dread the PDP and the presidency have for an APC controlled chamber.

50—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

You're a trouble maker, Clark lambasts OBJ Continues from page 47 the time, you did not investigate the matter nor comment on it.

I am fully aware of the incident because our late President Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar ‘Adua who was very much embarrassed and seriously shaken by it, discussed the matter with me and he appreciated the role I later played in the matter.

That was the beginning of Yar’Adua’s loss of confidence in you. I am fully aware that the late President Umaru Musa Yar ’Adua was ready to stop you from meddling and parading yourself with this holier than thou attitude. You were eternally lucky that the late President did not carry out his intention before he fell ill and later passed on.

Your two eldest children, Senator lyabo and Gbenga have publicly denounced you and have sworn not to ever speak nor have any communication with you again until “thy kingdom come” because of the wrongs you did to them. OBJ what manner of a man are you to deserve this? You cannot carry on like a bull in a China Shop. I advise you take some time off to reflect on some of these things.

On a personal note, both of us are regarded as President Jonathan’s father, in fact, according to you after God and his parent you come next before me and others.

You and some of your children are always at the Villa for one thing or the other while my children do not know where the Presidency or Villa is. The only position you have not occupied is to rule the Presidency from your Ota farm in Ogun State. In his book “Accidental Public Servant”, El-Rufai stated that you informed your kitchen cabinet or economic committee that they should not disband because you would be ruling Aso Rock from Ota and you needed them.

President Jonathan has not identified himself to the nation as an Ijaw man. He hardly attends their social ceremonies. But he attends social gatherings when invited by other Nigerians from all over the country. I can confirm

that apart from Yenagoa and Otuoke his village, in Bayelsa State, President Jonathan has not visited any Ijaw village or town for official function or social outing. He is the most deetribalized President of Nigeria and in most case keeps away from his own people for fear of accusation by you and your cohorts. We have prominent Ijaw politicians both men and women who participated fully in the 2011 election and today they have not been able to enter the Presidency or received any patronage from the Jonathan’s government.

Our people believe this is the sacrifice they have to make. And they are indeed very grateful and appreciative of the roles being played by other Nigerians of all ethnic and religious divides to make their son President.

As the Ijaw leader, I have gone out of my way to remind Mr. President publicly that Nigerians expected much from him hence they voted for him overwhelmingly in 2011 and will vote for him again 2015 if he performs. I have therefore not for once advocated for fire and brimstone or that blood will flow if Jonathan is not elected in 2015. I have gone further to apologize to all Nigerians that if at any time I made a statement that threatened the unity and stability of Nigeria, I should be forgiven.

Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State himself commended my statement.

It must be recalled that some of the ex-militant leaders like Asari Dokubo, Ateke Tom Boyloaf, etc. have openly attacked Mr. President to the delight and applause of the President’s political opponents. It is therefore very unfair of you to envelope all Ijaws in your attack of President Jonathan and his people. At this juncture, I would like to challenge you to name other Ijaw persons or groups that throw insults on other Nigerians on account of Jonathan. One may therefore wish to ask you to refresh your memory when you recruited Femi Fani Kayode to attack your political opponents including your own ethnic group and you compen-

sated him with a ministerial appointment and kept him until your last breakfast with your other kitchen cabinet members in the Villa. Is it therefore fair to accept Fani Kayode’s recalcitrant and irresponsible statements on other Nigerians, as acting on behalf of an ethnic nationality?

It will be madness of anyone to do so as you have done with Ijaws because of Asari Dokubo’s statements which did not receive the applause of the generality of Ijaws. My people started voting for other Nigerians even though they had no candidates, since 1951. And they formed alliances with other people or political parties in other parts of Nigeria. For instance, in 1959 both late Dappa Biriye and Chief Melford Okilo stood election on the platform of Niger Delta Congress (NDC). Chief Melford

ship. You may not also know the South-South relationship with the Middle Belt of Nigeria made up of North Central and North Eastern zones, Mr. former President, 1 will also like to use the language of your daughter, lyabo to describe you to Nigerians. You are “a liar, manipulator, two faced hypocrite” and that “you have an egoistic craving for power and live a life where only men of low self esteem thrive”.

You know over the years, I have always criticized you about your performance starting with the Ibori’s ex-convict case even though he may not have a good case.

Your vindictive and mischievous attitude towards political opponents was unacceptable and very few of us were able to criticize you. You felt former governor Ibori of Delta State and

I can confirm that apart from Yenagoa and Otuoke his village, in Bayelsa State, President Jonathan has not visited any Ijaw village or town for official function or social outing Okilo won his election to the Federal House of Assembly. . The NDC entered into alliance with the Northern Peoples Congress [NPC] which was the largest party in Nigeria but had no national spread in the south of Nigeria. It was therefore the NDC alliance with the NPC that made it a national party. It is therefore very arrogant and insulting of you to berate Ijaws as immature politicians. Today, the 17 states of the south are cooperating with one another and meeting from time to time to discuss the progress and unity of Nigeria. We have successfully met in Uyo, Enugu and Lagos.

We shall also meet in Delta State soon. In this association, the Ijaws are playing a leading role under my leader-

,

Alameyeseigha, his counterpart in Bayelsa State were being used by the former Vice President, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, against you and you decided to punish them. But when Ibori gave you money he became your good boy, despite the position held by Delta Elders against him, In the case of Alamieyesiegha you tried to use his deputy, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, against him but he refused. You went on to use the Chairman of the EFCC to intimidate members of the Bayelsa House of Assembly and they carried out a kangaroo impeachment to remove him from office.

You then immediately directed the security agencies after the impeachment to handcuff the governor and took

him to Abuja for prosecution. I also criticized you when you asked your security men to arrest the candidate who was standing against your daughter in the senatorial election in Ogun State even though there was no case against him in Nigeria.

You may also remember my open letter to you published in the Vanguard Newspaper in which I asked you to leave Yar ’adua alone to run his government.

That you attempted to rule Yar ’adua’s government from Ota farm is unacceptable. I quoted the example of France and Great Britain to buttress my case. I continued my attack on you and your cohorts when President Jonathan refused you to run his government from Ota farm. However, everything you asked President Jonathan, he gave to you. The first two important Ministerial appointments, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Foreign Affairs, who are not politicians were given to you for Ogun State, You had a hand in almost every appointment in the South West hence the party collapsed in the South West. El-Rufai said in his book “Accidental Public Servant” that you sent him to General Buhari inviting him to be the Presidential candidate of the PDP in 2011 with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Itweala as his running mate. El-Rufai told the story of how together with Dr. Odumegwu, former Chairman of the NPC and two others drove from Lagos to Ota in the night only for you to say that Jonathan should be given another chance.

They discovered that your daughter lyabo had won her Senatorial case in a High Court.

You can see how petty you are, You are today one of the richest men in Nigeria if not in Africa. In 1999, it was widely reported in the media that you came out of Gashua Prison very broke. As a matter of fact, it was stated you had N20,000 in your bank account as declared in your Code of Conduct Bureau Form. In just 8 years, as President of Nigeria,

you metamorphosed from a struggling exhead of state, into a life of opulence. You must tell Nigerians the magic behind the sudden affluence. When corruption is mentioned, informed Nigerians know those that foisted the malady on our nation.

The Halliburton bribe scandal and the Siemens case were lightly touched by President Jonathan in his open reply to you. These two high profile corruption cases happened during your tenure as President.

How dare you point accusing fingers at others when you have a cupboard filled with skeletons? You have forgotten the saying that “a man who lives in a glass house should not throw stones”.

The anti-corruption apparatus became a coercive instrument in your hands to browbeat perceived political enemies. Your vendetta against political opponents and those you believed were working counter to your third term ambition knew no limits. Chief Obasanjo your former Minister of Defence, General T,Y, Danjuma, was the first to call you a pauper, when he fell out with you. He tagged you “Stone broke”, a phrase he used to describe your pathetic financial predicament before you came to power.

My dear former President, what do you really want from President Jonathan? Most of the various issues you raised in your letter are mere re-visitation of the many things you did and failed to do in your 8 years of mis-governance.

In conclusion, I would like to borrow the words of Peter Howard, “the petty plans and plots of small minded men rob every nation of their destiny”. This is my new year message and response to your open letter and other subterranean activities designed to destabilize Nigeria because of your personal interest. My best wishes of the season to you and your esteemed family.

EDWIN KIAGBODO CLARK

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014 —51

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52— Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014 — 53

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54 —

Vanguard, TUESDAY JANUARY 7, 2014

Eusebio passage.... Eusebio passage.....

Thousands line streets to say farewell

T

•All for Eusebio... Fans mourning Eusebio yesterday.

Eusebio leaves rich legacy

P

ORTUGUESE forward Eusebio died of a heart attack in Lisbon at the age of 71y leaving behind a legacy that marks the Benfica legend out as one of the greatest players in soccer history.

Born Eusebio da Silva Ferreira in the Mozambique capital Maputo on January 25, 1942, he rose to i n t e r n a t i o n a l prominence at the 1966 World Cup in England and went on to cement his reputation over the following decade, winning many admirers with his speed, technique, athleticism and a ferocious rightfoot shot.

Eusebio began playing football barefoot as a child on Mozambique’s dust track pitches before jumping into the spotlight at Benfica. He helped the club reach four European Cup finals, the last in 1968 when they lost to Manchester United in extra-time at Wembley.

Benfica won the trophy in 1961 and 1962.

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Nicknamed the ‘Black Panther’ for the fear he instilled in his opponents, he was the top-scorer at the 1966 World Cup with nine goals that helped Portugal reach the semifinals and his performances at home inspired Benfica to 11 domestic titles.

In one of the most memorable moments of his career, Eusebio helped Benfica overcome Real Madrid in a thrilling 1962 European Cup final, the striker scoring a penalty to put his side ahead in the second half before sealing a thrilling 5-3 victory with an exquisite free kick.

A humbled Alfredo Di Stefano handed Eusebio his Real Madrid shirt after the final whistle as Portugal’s newfound star rejoiced in both beating his idol and getting his hands on a treasured piece of soccer memorabilia.

“The king” was carried around on the shoulders of celebrating fans that night, in an iconic

image engraved in Portugal and Benfica’s history books and repeated time and again on Portuguese television screens since.

In 1963, Eusebio’s trademark surging runs and fearsome shots guided Benfica to their third consecutive European Cup final, where they were beaten

by AC Milan 2-1, and another final two years later which they lost to Inter.

On the domestic front, Eusebio’s Benfica dominated, winning three consecutive league titles on three separate occasions during his 15 years at the club.

For Portugal, Eusebio hit his stride at the 1966 World Cup in England.

After easing past Hungary and Bulgaria, Portugal rounded out the group phase with a 3-1 win over reigning world champions Brazil as Eusebio scored twice to outshine Pele.

He then inspired Portugal to a remarkable comeback win over

surprise package North Korea in the quarterfinals. The underdogs raced to a 3-0 lead at Goodison Park but Eusebio almost singlehandedly dragged his team back into the contest, scoring four goals either side of halftime as Portugal advanced with a 5-3 victory.

Eusebio’s campaign was brought to an abrupt and jarring end when an overworked Portugal struggled against England’s physical approach and Bobby Charlton’s two goals left an inconsolable Eusebio in tears at the end of the Wembley encounter which the hosts won 21.

Cup he ever played in and overall, he won 64 caps for Portugal and scored 41 international goals.

He played his last game for Benfica in 1975 and went on to represent clubs in North America and two minor sides in Portugal, eventually calling time on his decorated career in 1979.

ENS of thousands of Portuguese have turned out to say a final farewell to football legend Eusebio, who died on Sunday.

In Lisbon, mourners lined the streets applauding as the coffin, draped in the colours of his club Benfica, passed by in a funeral cortege.

Earlier, the coffin was placed at the centre of the pitch in the Luz stadium where thousands of fans sang and cheered.

Eusebio will be buried later.

Portugal has declared three days of national mourning for the footballer, who died from a heart attack at the age of 71.

He has been described as Portugal’s first and greatest football superstar.

Born in Mozambique when it was still a Portuguese colony, Eusebio da Silva Ferreira went on to play 64 times for Portugal, scoring 41 goals.

The Benfica striker was top scorer at the 1966 World Cup in England, with nine goals, including four against North Korea.

•My hero.... Ronaldo poses with the late Eusebio before his death.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014 — 55

Glo-Caf Awards: Nigerians dominate F

OR the first time in decades, and underlining the tremendous success that year 2013 was for Nigeria football, several Nigerian players and teams are in line for honours on the night.

Nigeria’s National Team, winner of the 29th Africa Cup of Nations and first African team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014, is nominated for National Team of the Year, while the U-17 Team, record fourth winners of the FIFA U17 World Cup in United Arab Emirates, is nominated for Youth National Team of the Year.

Midfield lynchpin John Mikel Obi is nominated alongside Ivorians Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba for Player of the Year, with Coach Stephen Keshi in the race for Coach of the Year alongside compatriot Manu Garba of the U-17 side, and Kelechi Iheanacho, Most Valuable Player of the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013, in the race for Most Promising Talent.

Attacking midfielder Sunday Mba, who scored the only goal of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations Final, is nominated for African Player of the Year (based in Africa) while the Nigeria Football Supporters Club will pick up the Fair Play Award.

Continues from BP At the weekend, NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari held a meeting with a delegation from the telecommunication giants, where several issues, especially the r e c e p t i o n , transportation, accommodation and security of the CAF delegation as well as the role of Nigeria Football Federation were highlighted.

Noting that the NFF is one of the most respected football Federations in the African continent and that the Aminu Maigari administration is a brand to associate with, C M Y K

Eagles depart for SA today

S

UPER Eagles Team B will jet out this evening to South Africa to participate in the 2014 Africa Nations Championship beginning Saturday.

The team which will fly to Lagos from its base in Abuja this morning to take the flight to South Africa.

Media officer of the team, Ben Alaiya confirmed to Sports Vanguard that the Eagles

will take a South Africa Airways flight from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Ikeja to the former apartheid enclave.

The Eagles are billed to take on Mali on Saturday in their debut appearance in the tournament. Hosts South Africa and Mozambique are to clash before the Nigeria versus Mali encounter.

Oldham fan stabbed after FA Cup match with Liverpool •Keshi

A

•Mba

Rivers shine at Maryam Babangida tennis tourney The match was billed to

T

HE 3rd Maryam Babangida Memorial National Junior Tennis Championship ended Sunday at the Minna Sports Club, Niger State with Fortune Aniso and Godsgift Timibra both of Rivers State emerging champions in the Boys and Girls 14 and Under categories.

Joy Sunday of the FCT and Chidera Anozie of Niger were the winners of the Girls’ and Boys’ 12 and Under as they defeated Timipre Maxwell of Rivers and Musa Mohammed of Katsina respectively.

Fortune Aniso justified her top ranking as she

defeated Oluwabunmi Are of Kwara with a comprehensive 6-1, 6-2 score to win the top prize in the girls’ category of the championship sponsored

by El-Amin Foundation in memory of the former first Lady of Nigeria Mrs Maryam Babangida.

Globacom

huge success, “to the glory of our country.”

At the meeting inside the NFF Secretariat were NFF President Aminu Maigari, Chairman of Technical Committee, Barrister Chris Green, General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, Director of Competitions, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi and Assistant Director (Media), Ademola Olajire.

From Globacom were Olabode Opeseitan, Mr. Vincent Oparaeke (Head, Marketing Communications, North West) and Mr. Afolabi Otufowora (Head of Events).

Globacom’s Director of Public Relations, Mr. Olabode Opeseitan declared that “our objective is to deliver a world class event interspersed with unique brand of African entertainment, and we need the support of NFF to achieve this.”

Former Nigeria captain Sunday Oliseh will anchor the event alongside renown South African broadcaster Carol Tshabalala.

NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, pledged the support of the Federation to ensure that the showpiece is a

Late Maryam Babangida

keep fans, that included Hon. Daniel Shashere, the Sorts Commissioner of Niger State, on the edge of their seats as Are was in great form heading into the tournament having won the School Sports Festival Senior category while she also caused few upsets at the 2013 Central Bank of Nigeria Open in Lagos.

Aniso was in a class of her own racing to a 5-0 lead in the opening set which set the tone for her all-round dominating display.

Continues from BP against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa ensured Nigeria had an easier task in the second leg of the final qualifier in Calabar. Since moving over to Turkey where he pitched tents with Fernabahce early this season, the powerful striker has netted eight goals in sixteen matches thus reinforcing the belief that he could be the redeemer of Nigerian football, particularly as the Eagles are preparing for the World Cup in Brazil this June.

Last week, telecommunication giants, Globacom appointed him their brand ambassador. He was asked if his appointment by Globacom and the general World Cup

N Oldham Athletic fan was stabbed after watching his team play Liverpool in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Merseyside Police said the 35-year-old man flagged down a passing ambulance in the Anfield area after a disturbance at about 17:00 GMT. A spokesman said the fan, whose injuries were not life-threatening, is refusing to talk to detectives.

Police have appealed to other fans and passing motorists for information. Liverpool won the third round tie 2-0.

Emenike expectations from millions of Nigerians had put him under any pressure “I am not under any pressure. If anything, the pressure will be on the entire team. It will be shared by all members of the team. I am just one player.”

Emenike sounded modest on his chances in the World Cup bound squad as he said, “I will have to work harder to ensure I make the team to Brazil because Nigeria is blessed with a lot of strikers. A striker ’s place is the easiest to replace in Nigeria He boasted that the Super Eagles will be one of the toughest teams in Brazil, adding, “ we have a very good

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers kisses son, Rodgers Jnr. who plays for Oldham after the match. team with excellent players. “We have a very good team,” he said repeatedly, adding, “mind you, there is no small team at the World Cup. We will give equal respect to all our opponents and face them as they come.”

Emenike said he bore no grudge over his inability to make the final three nominees for the Glo-CAF Player of the Year Award. “No such feelings,” he said, pointing out that players like Mikel Obi, Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba were big names in the continent and that he was just a beginner.

“They are all great players. I cannot fault the last three, but I am praying for my team mate, Mikel to win the award.”

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

Globacom, NFF plan for a grand show •Oliseh, Tshabalala ready to dazzle guests

T

2014 W/Cup:

I’m not under pressure — Emenike

BY JACOB AJOM

H

E is just 26 but hugely gifted with the talent of a footballer and he does well in the art of goalscoring.

Emmanuel Emenike led Nigeria’s charge for the 2013 AFCON triumph in South Africa. He

OP officials of the Nigeria Football Federation and G l o b a c o m Communications have been perfecting strategies and methods for a highly successful Glo-Caf African Football Awards, which will take place at the Eko Convention Centre,

Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday, 9th January, 2014.

The Glo-Caf Awards traditionally rewards the best men and women performers in several sectors of the game in the continent in the past year.

Continues on Page 55

emerged the highest goal scorer in the tournament with four goals even when he missed Nigeria’s final two matches.

The 5 feet six inches tall striker was also instrumental to Nigeria’s qualification for the World Cup as his brace

Continues on Page 55

Portugal say farewell to Eusebio — Pg 54 •Emenike

HEROIC EXIT: Thousands mourn as car with the coffin of Benfica football legend Eusebio da Silva Ferreira passes by Lisbon's city hall yesterday. Photo: AFP

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Harm (6) 5 Area (6) 8 Unaware (8) 9 Raise (4) 10 Serpent (3) 12 Seat (5) 15 Skill (3) 17 Wrath (3) 18 Sphere (3) 19 Groove (3) 20 Famous (5) 21 Hatchet (3) 22 Lettuce (3) 23 Obtained (3) 24 Tree (3) 26 Nest (5) 29 Consume (3) 33 Unfasten (4) 34 Amiss (8) 35 Disconnect (6) 36 Ruling (6)

DOWN 2 Sponsorship (5) 3 Soon (4) 4 Precise (5) 5 Proportion (5) 6 Squall (4) 7 Bid (5) 10 Artery (5) 11 Throw (5) 12 Feeling (5) 13 Exterior (5) 14 Deposit (5) 15 Diminish (5) 16 Handle (5) 25 Because (5) 27 Youngster (5) 28 Bury (5) 30 Pinafore (5) 31 Roster (4) 32 Sprig (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS The printer's devil visited our Press yesterday leading to the repetition of this crossword and Sudoku. We regret the repetition — Editor

ACROSS: 1, Stop 4, Dug 6, Rash 8, Report 9, Tavern 10, Ale 12, Astir 14, Claim 15, Solid 18, Delete 20, Eraser 24, Genus 26 Siren 28, Given 30, Old 32, Diadem 33, Animal 34, Knew 35, Tan 36, Ever.

DOWN: 2, Tress, 3, Promise 4, Data 5, Gate 6, Rival 7, Servile 11, Lei 12, Aid 13, Rot 16, Leg 17, Den 19, Edition 21, Rug 22, Asinine 23, Run 25, Eel 27, Endow 29, Evade 30, Omit 31, Dawn.

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.

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-8944295. Advert Dept: 01-7924470; Hotline: 01-8737028; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

C M Y K