Buhari okays N804.7b lifeline for states

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62443

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

EKWEREMADU: Police storm NASS 8

How we robbed Ikorodu banks — SUSPECTS 7

UNPAID SALARIES:

Buhari okays N804.7b lifeline for states

By Clifford Ndujihe, Dapo Akinrefon, Levinus Nwabughiogu & Gbenga Oke

•Fresh N413bn LNG proceeds, N391bn ECA fund to be shared •States to get at least N250bn soft loan •Utomi, Sagay, Ajulo, hail move, task govs on prudence

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AGOS—TO end the lingering and back-breaking burden of unpaid workers’ salaries in several states of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a comprehensive relief package.

Sources said, yesterday, that President Buhari okayed a three-pronged relief package including sharing of fresh allocations, granting of soft loans and restructuring of states’ Continues on Page 5

THE IKORODU ROBBERY SUSPECTS

JOS BLAST: NEMA confirms 44 dead, 47 injured 39

Mr & Mrs SUSPECTS—Four suspected robbers of the Ikorodu banks being paraded by Police in Lagos, yesterday.

Twists, turns of Ogedegbe murder C M Y K

Se eI ns ide

COLUMNIST: 1st 100 days in office

•P.36

15m bank customers register for BVN 14

2 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

C M Y K

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C M Y K

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POCKET CARTOON

SCREENING—Boko Haram victims from Adamawa, Borno and Yobe,

during the screening for UN one year skills acquisition programme in Gombe, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

UNPAID SALARIES: Buhari okays N804.7b lifeline for states Continues from page 1 debt-servicing payments.

The packages are expected to go into effect this week as the President is said to have directed that release of the funds should be made urgently to assuage the plight of thousands of Nigerian workers in the federal and state governments.

The packages are: z About $2.1b (N413.7bn) will be shared in fresh allocation between the states and the federal government.

The money is sourced from recent Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) proceeds to the federation account. z A Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)-packaged special intervention fund that will offer financing to the states, ranging from between N250bn and N300bn. This would be a

soft loan that states could access to pay the backlog of salaries. zImplementing a debt relief programme proposed by the Debt Management Office, DMO, which will help states restructure their commercial loans currently put at more than N660bn, and extend the life span of such loans while reducing their debtservicing expenditures.

Also, a total of N391 billion from the Excess Crude Account, ECA, will be shared among the three tiers of government, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, disclosed yesterday.

With the N413.7 billion LNG proceeds it means the three tiers of government will share a total of N804.7 billion.

By extending the commercial loans of the states, according to the third package, more funds would be made available to the state governments,

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moment of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy — Martin Luther King

T

OO often we view challenges as irritating annoyance, when in fact it may hold a great opportunity to learn and grow! If we start by asking ourselves, “what can I learn from this experience?”, it immediately puts a more positive spin on the situation.

It allows us to discover something worth appreciating about our experience. It makes it possible to recognize true value that might have gone unnoticed, and to see opportunity and possibility instead of inconvenience and annoyance. One major reason why a challenge might intimidate us is because we don’t feel capable of handling it.

We may have a limited perception of our own abilities, so we automatically believe that the challenge is bigger than we are. If we learn to see each challenge as an opportunity to become stronger and more capable, everything changes. We can use challenging situations to unlock our untapped strengths and abilities. Try to see most challenges as opportunities to harness your personal power to an even greater degree.

which otherwise would have been claimed at source by the banks.

Vanguard gathered that the Federal Government has agreed to use its influence to guarantee the elongation of the loans for the benefit of the states.

Sources explained that this package, which was considered at the National Economic Council, NEC, last week, is designed specifically for workers, adding that President Buhari reviewed and approved the package in his bid to intervene and alleviate the sufferings of workers, some of whom have not been paid for over 10 months.

Contacted, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina confirmed the development, adding that the President is deeply concerned about the plight of the workers.

While inaugurating the NEC last week, President Buhari asked the council to, as a matter of priority, consider how to liquidate the unpaid salaries of workers across the country, a situation he observed has brought untold hardship to the workers.

While the N413bn LNG proceeds would be shared among the three tiers of government using the revenue allocation formula, the CBN will also make available the special intervention fund to states and then negotiate the terms with individual states.

At the NEC meeting, the relief measures were extensively discussed between the state governors and top officials of the Federal Government including the CBN governor, and the permanent secretaries from ministries of Finance and Petroleum Resources.

Other agencies that were actively involved in the process include the DMO and officials from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, it was learned.

Currently, 12 of the 36 states of the federation are owing their workers more than N110 bn. The most affected states are Osun, Rivers, Oyo, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Ondo, Plateau, Benue, and Bauchi.

However, sources said the Finance Ministry and the CBN may have pegged the amount needed to settle all the outstanding public workers salaries at about N250 billion. There are also workers in the federal government’s employ whose salaries have not been paid for months and their cases would be taken care of by the new package.

FG, states to share N391bn ECA fund On the N391 billion ECA fund, Idris, who was at the Presidential Villa alongside the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Anastasia DanielNwaobia to brief President Buhari on the state of affairs in the ministry, said the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) would meet to determine sharing formula.

Idris took over from Jonah Otunla after his appointment on June 25.

Speaking to State House Correspondents, he said what the new regime met on the ground was between the $1.6 to $1.7 billion which is equivalent to N391 billion.

“It is hovering between $1.6 and $1.7 billion, and that is what we are going to distribute among all the three tiers of government — federal, states and local governments based on the approved formula.”

Speaking on the outcome of their meeting with President Buhari, he said that the President advised on prudent management of scarce resources.

“The general message is clear. Mr. President had a clear direction, and we all have to fall in line; prudent management of resources and identify more alternative ways of generating revenue which we are set to do and to manage the meagre resources we found on the ground very efficiently and effectively for the betterment of the economy,” Idris said.

Addressing journalists earlier, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance, Nwaobia also revealed that the meeting with the President was to formally brief him on the

state of the nation's finances.

She also hinted that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Budget Office of the Federation were verifying oil subsidy payments.

Nwaobia however dismissed insinuations that there was massive looting going on in the ministries due to the absence of ministers, stressing that their absence cannot stall progress in the business of governance.

She said: “The state of Nigerian finances is okay.

Our finances are okay, though we are still going through challenges of revenue stream to government and this you know obviously is from the oil shock, the price of oil that has dropped. It has significantly reduced the revenue stream to government but we are working on other ways to see how we can shore up the revenue, so that we will be able to meet our expenditure.

“We did not say that we will not pay subsidy. As the former minister said, there is a liability on subsidy which is being verified by the CBN and Budget Office of the Federation. The issue had to do with the forex differentials which they were claiming and this committee is looking into it, and as soon as it is resolved we will be able to say the verified amount also.”

The bailout package elicited commendations from some eminent Nigerians, who, however, urged our leaders to be prudent in the management of the scarce resources. Those who spoke on the issue included legal icon, Professor Itse Sagay (SAN); former presidential candidate, Professor Pat Utomi and Labour Party scribe, Kayode Ajulo.

It’s a welcome development—Sagay P r o f e s s o r Sagay,described the bail out as a welcome development, saying: “Since they are owing salaries and all states have a share in the

excess crude oil account and because they are in a desperate situation, I think it is a welcome decision.”

The legal icon, however, dismissed the notion that the bailout is a sign of weakness on the part of the President.

“People believe in extremism but to be strong does not mean that you have to be extreme. It does not mean that you have to lack any feelings for people. He (Buhari) must be thinking of thousands of workers, who have not been paid for six months."

It is imperative for Nigeria’s survival — Utomi On his part, Professor Pat Utomi said the bailout for states is imperative for the economic survival of the country. His words: “It is important to recognize that without such bailout, the economy will be in danger as there will be no spending going on while those offering services will be unable to offer anything. The bailout is very important for the economy."

Besides, he said “this development should now make government impose conditionality that will stop mismanagement and unnecessary spendings”.

Priority needs to be set right—Ajulo, LP scribe On its part, the Labour Party, which accused the state governors of allegedly mismanaging resources meant to run the states, advised that the bailout funds must be judiciously spent.

LP National Secretary, Dr Kayode Ajulo, said: “Priority needs to be set right on the granting and usage of the bail out. It is unfortunate that governors, most of whom operate flamboyantly and mismanaged their states’ resources are begging for bailout.

Salaries have to be paid, therefore the bailout must come with a condition that the money must be used to offset

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

Gunmen abduct Delta poly lecturer

By Ochuko Akuopha

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LEH—A LECTURER at Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, Mr. Chike Gbemudu, was weekend kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

Gbemudu, who is of the Directorate of General Studies in the institution, was abducted in the early hours of Friday in his residence along NDC Road, Ozoro, and whisked away to an unknown destination.

A source in the polytechnic who spoke on condition of anonymity, told journalists that contact had not been established with the kidnappers.

Contacted, Police Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Celestina Kalu, confirmed the incident, saying efforts were being made to secure his release.

Reacting to the incident, chairman of Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro chapter of the Academic Staff Union of

Polytechnics, Comrade Thomas Ojuye, described Gbemudu’s kidnap as painful.

He disclosed that the

union had concluded plans to undergo a fasting and prayer session for his release.

“This is the second time a lecturer of this polytechnic has

been kidnapped. A situation where lecturers are kidnapped for ransom is condemnable,’’ Ojuye said.

....As Police rescue kidnapped 15-year-old girl in Bauchi B

By Suzan Edeh

AUCHI—THE police in Bauchi State have rescued a 15-year-old girl who was kidnapped by two middle-aged men in Bauchi metropolis.

The kidnappers, identified as Suleiman Yahaya, 23, and Kamalu Abdullahi, 26, were said to have kidnapped the girl on July 3, 2015, at about 4:50pm, took her to an unknown destination and raped her in the process.

The state Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed the arrest to newsmen, said the suspects had confessed to the crime.

He said: “You may recall that on July 3, 2015, at about 4:50pm, unknown persons kidnapped a 15- years-old girl and took her to unknown destination.

“The kidnappers apprehended were identified as Suleiman Yahaya, 23, of Wunti and Kamalu Abdullahi male, 26, of Bakaro ward, Bauchi. They were apprehended, following investigations by the command.

was rushed to the hospital for medical examination where laceration of her hymen and penetration was confirmed.

He listed the exhibits recovered from the suspects to include a Sim card, a Sim pack

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BUJA—FIVE Nigerian students have been arrested and detained in Malaysia over alleged involvement in an internet fraud amounting to N125.2 million (RM2.4 million) in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

The five students, aged between 20 and 30, and pursuing Information Technology courses in a leading private college in Kuala Lumpur, were arrested on June

30, 2015, in different areas in the country, including Petaling Jaya, Cyberjaya, Damansara and Kuala Lumpur.

Following the arrest of the five students, police also detained two local women, aged 40 and 55, who are the owners of the accounts used by the syndicate, said Penang Commercial Crimes chief ACP Azmi Adam.

ACP Azmi said police also seized five laptops, 20 smart phones, ATM cards, SIM cards and documents believed to have been used to con their victims.

Man eletrocuted in Ebonyi A

By Peter Okutu

BAKALIKI—A man, Jonathan Agwu, was weekend electrocuted at Agba Abor-Isu in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Vanguard learned that the victim was electrocuted when he went to tamper with a high tension power line isolated by Enugu

and the handset used by the hoodlums in contacting the parents, and a cable wire used to tie the victim.

The PPRO said the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigation was concluded.

5 Nigerian students detained in Malaysia over N125.2m internet scam He said police launched

By Favour Nnabugwu with agency report

Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC. Speaking on the incident, the Public Relations Officer of EEDC in Ebonyi, Mr. Lazarus Chiedozie Onyearugbulam, said the victim was not a staff of the company.

“The man went to do our work, he decided to turn himself into EEDC staff by force by climbing up to tamper with a line that

was isolated by the company to help them trace where there is fault. So, he went there on his own, a 33KVA high tension line and unfortunately he paid the ultimate price,” Onyearugbulem said.

The deceased, according to sources, is said to be a native of Umufu village, Amanato in Isu but was not known to be an EEDC staff in the state.

By Jane Echewodo

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GRIDLOCK: Heavy traffic on Ikorodu Road at Anthony Bus-stop in Lagos, yesterday.Photo: NAN.

“The suspects, who confessed to kidnapping the girl, admitted that they also had unlawful carnal knowledge of their victim.”

DSP Mohammed said that after rescuing the victim, she

Man docked over $119,060 theft

"Operation Merpati" after receiving a report from the owner of an ice block producing factory in George Town who claimed he had been cheated by the syndicate.

The 62-year-old victim said he received an e-mail from the syndicate in March, informing him that he was among 50 recipients selected to receive RM15.9 million from the government of the United States.

“The e-mail requested the victim to follow certain procedures to ensure he did not miss the opportunity. ‘’Convinced by the contents of the e-mail, the victim carried out 51 transactions involving money, to accounts numbers given by the syndicate before realising it was a scam. He later lodged a police report,” he said.

Azmi said initial investigations revealed that the syndicate had conned several victims to the tune of RM2.4 million.

Police have also found transactions involving up to RM1 million that were banked in a neighbouring country.

AGOS—THE police in Lagos have arraigned a 48-year-old man, identified as Adewale Williams, for stealing $119,060 belonging to one Captain E. Olubadewo.

The defendant was docked on a two-count charge of conspiracy to commit felony and stealing before Chief Magistrate Y.O. Aje-Afunwa of a Lagos State Magistrate's Court sitting in Ikeja.

According to the p r o s e c u t o r , Superintendent of Police, SP, Samson Ekikere, the defendant committed the alleged offence in October, 2014 at Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.

Part of the charge read: “That you Adewale Williams ‘M’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did steal 1,500 pieces of battery charger valued at fifty thousand US Dollars ($50.000), and 900 pieces of assorted TV Antennas valued at twenty-three thousand US Dollars."

....Another arraigned for stealing N490,000

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By Bartholomew Madukwe

AGOS—A 42-year-old man, Sunday Folajimi, has been arraigned before an Oshodi Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing N490,000 from one Bose Abayomi.

Folajimi, whose address is unknown, was alleged to have obtained the said money from Abayomi by false pretence of buying her a Passat car but deliberately converted the money into his own use.

The accused was arraigned by the police on a three-count charge of stealing and obtaining money by false pretence.

According to the charge, the accused committed the alleged offence at the back of PZ Cussion Company along Industrial Road, Ilupeju area of Lagos.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015—7

We planned Ikorodu bank robbery in 30 minutes— SUSPECT

By Evelyn Usman & Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS—AS fresh facts begin to emerge about the Ikorodu banks robbery operation where N80 million was reportedly carted away a fortnight ago, one of the suspects has revealed that they planned the operation at a meeting that lasted 30 minutes.

It was also discovered that 12 members of the gang were recruited from the Niger Delta region.

This is just as the four suspects arrested in connection with the operation, which lasted close to two hours, have confessed that their gang was responsible for similar operations at Ijede road three weeks before that of Ipakodo also at Ikorodu, and that of Lekki, where five persons, including three policemen, were killed.

The arrested suspects include Omoboye, alias Alarm blow, 39; Bright, 25; Ikuesan, 37, and Abiwa, 20.

The bank robbery, according to Bright, was carried out by an 18-man gang. Bright, a graduate of English/Christian Religious Study, CRS, from the College of Education, Ekiadolor, Edo State, said a meeting with members of the gang, chaired by the gang’s leader, whose identity he gave as Million, was held in Abule area of Lagos same day the operation was carried out.

‘My role’

The father of two said: “Million is our leader. I was introduced to the gang by a friend named Akpan. I joined because I had no means of feeding my family. I am a wood logger, but business has been bad.

“Akpan took me to the gang’s meeting same day of the operation, on June 24, at Abule Ishawo area of Ikorodu. Those of us from Lagos included myself, M. O., Kelvin, S. K. Careboy and Million, while the rest were recruited from Warri, Delta State, by Million.

“He also brought eight rifles and two pump action guns from Warri, including the two operational vehicles. He taught us how to aim at our targets during the meeting, which lasted 30 minutes, with each of us instructed on what to do on reaching the venue.

“My role was to stand outside, with one of the pump action guns, shooting sporadically. I was also instructed to shoot at anyone who dared to intrude, while the boys recruited from Warri confronted the police.

“I had over 900 cartridges.

At the end of the operation, we escaped in a fibre boat and went to the creeks, where the

z12 members recruited from Niger Delta

Car crushes 10-yr-old girl in Bauchi

zPolice would have caught us; boat developed fault—OPERATOR

zI fired 900 cartridges—SUSPECT

CAUGHT: The suspects arrested over the Ikorodu banks robbery and the charms recovered from them (inset). The cars recovered from them (main). loot was shared. At the creeks, we analysed the operation and Million said we did well, promising to use us for subsequent operations.”

‘I got N2m’

“I was not allowed to go near where the money was counted.

Million and other leaders counted the money. But Akpan told me they got N80 million.

I was given N2 million.

“I bought a Lexus SUV for N1.5 million and I gave my wife N30,000 to enrol for an exam. I also gave some of my friends out of it and also bought jerry cans for my brother, who is a pipeline vandal.

“Million instructed those from Warri to set the operational vehicles ablaze before leaving the scene. That was after the numbers plates were removed.

“He collected the cost of the cars from the loot before sharing the rest among us. That was my first time of joining them. I did not go with them to the Lekki and Ijede banks operations.”

Lekki, Ijede’s robbery operation

On his part, Omoboye, a boat operator, said that he conveyed the gang to all the three bank operations.

Omoboye, popularly known as Baba Ibeji, said he was given N400,000 from Lekki’s operation and N2 million each from the Ijede and Ipakodo bank robberies.

He said: “At the end of the last bank operation at Ipakodo, my boat developed a fault as we were escaping. If

the police had come after us, they would have arrested some of us. But the leader of the gang called another boat operator to take us.

“On reaching their hideout at Abule Ishawo, they did not allow us in because we were considered strangers that could sell them out to the police.

“I got N400,000 from the Lekki operation, N2 million from the Ijede's and N2 million from the Ipakodo operation.

“We are into illegal oil bunkering; we vandalise pipelines and also rob people in the creeks. I have two wives

and five children, but my wives do not know I am into armed robbery.

“I bought a Lexus SUV for N1.15 million, four days after the last operation.”

My promise to Lagosians—OUTGOING CP

Briefing journalists earlier on the arrest, the outgoing Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, pointed out that the arrest was a demonstration of his earlier assurance to Lagosians that no criminal would perpetrate any sinister motive without being arrested.

By Suzan Edeh

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AUCHI—A 10-yearold girl, identified as Hafsat Ibrahim, met her untimely death yesterday in Bauchi as she was killed by a fast moving vehicle along Murtala Mohammed Way. Vanguard gathered that around 6.30p.m., a blackcoloured Golf 3 car, with number plates BG 927 MKA, driven by one Muhammad Muhammad, 40, of Unguwan Jaki quarters, Bauchi, knocked down Hafsat while she was attempting to cross the road.

The State Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed the accident, said that due to the impact of the crash, the girl became unconscious.

He said the scene of the accident was visited by the police traffic division attached to GRA Police Station, adding that the victim was later rushed to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, where she was certified dead by a medical doctor.

Mohammed added that the victim’s corpse was deposited in the mortuary for post-mortem and later released to the parents for burial, according to Islamic rites.

He said the driver was arrested and detained, while the case was being investigated

20 persons, 25 cows die in Kogi road accident

By Boluwaji Obahopo

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OKOJA—NO fewer than 20 persons were killed yesterday in an early morning crash around Irepeni, along Abuja-Lokoja-Okene highway.

About 25 cows were also killed in the incident.

Vanguard gathered that the accident was caused by a road block mounted by armed robbers along Irepeni axis of the highway. The robbers were said to have fled the scene afterwards.

An eyewitness said a luxury bus with number plates KRD 799 LC, which was heading to Abuja from Lagos, suddenly ran into the road block mounted by armed bandits.

As the bus was trying to avoid the blockade, a truck, with number plates KTN 711 YZ, loaded with cows, reportedly rammed into it, killing several people on the spot.

The eyewitness said the impact of the accident caused the truck to separate from the trailer and compressed the front section of the bus with passengers and driver inside the wreckage.

He said scores of corpses and mangled bodies of some of the victims littered the road before men of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, arrived the scene to evacuate them.

He said: “About six heads were severed from their bodies.

FRSC officers, police and sym-

pathisers all combined to gather body parts into nylon bags, which were conveyed along with the corpses to the mortuary.”

Vanguard also gathered that 25 dead cows were counted at the scene of the accident, while the surviving ones were seen milling around the scene of the accident.

The accident was said to have resulted in a traffic gridlock along the highway, as motorists had to take bush paths to escape the gridlock.

When contacted, the state sector commandant of FRSC, Mr. Charles Abochi, who confirmed the accident, however put the human casualty figure at 12.

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

Police storm NASS over alleged alteration of Senate Standing Rules zEkweremadu, NASS clerk may go over NASS polls

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North, Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

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BUJA— MEN of the i g e r i a Police from the Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, Abuja, stormed the National Assembly, yesterday, as part of investigations into the alleged alteration of the Senate Standing Rules just before the leadership contest.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP alleged on Sunday was a target of the investigation, was not in Abuja at the time of the visit and the men left a directive for him to report today.

The seven-man police squad led by a Commissioner of Police, whose identity was not revealed, arrived the National Assembly complex around 1.30 p.m.

On arrival, the team went directly to the office of the Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, where they had a meeting behind closed doors for about 15 minutes.

Following that, the policemen proceeded to the office of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, but did not meet him, following which they proceeded to the National Assembly annex buildings, where the administrative offices of the National Assembly are located.

Vanguard gathered that while at the annex buildings, the team met with some principal officers of some departments.

Although details of what transpired during the visit were not disclosed, Vanguard gathered that the team was availed with some information on the Senate Standing Rules.

A source in the office of the Deputy Senate President said the police officers left a written message inviting Ekweremadu to a meeting today at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, located at Area 10,in Abuja by 10am.

“They told us they merely came to discuss with oga and probably to invite him for a meeting tomorrow (today) in their office,” the source said.

It was believed that the detectives were availed both copies of the 2011 and 2014 Senate Standing Rules besides some documents considered vital to the investigation.

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Ekweremadu, NASS clerk fingered

Meanwhile, the Deputy Senate President and the Clerk

LAUNCH: From left: Chief Michael Uwaka, Chairman and CEO of Melka (W.A) Ltd; Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, former Chief of General Staff; Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, immediate past Chief of Naval Staff and Chief Ephraim Faluoghi, Chairman Sovereign Trust Insurance at the launch of M/V Naomi Princess, a marine tugboat by Melka West Africa Ltd at Naval Dockyard, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos. Photo: Oscar Ochiogu. of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, may be sacrificed over the roles they played in the emergence of the principal officers of the NASS on June 9, 2015.

Some of the Senators are angry that the two men allegedly amended the rules regarding the election of the principal officers of the NASS and gave the impression that the action was undertaken by the 7th Senate.

One of the senators, who is familiar with the business of the NASS, confided in Vanguard that the Senate Standing Rules in relation to the election of principal officers were amended for purely selfish reasons.

The Senator, who is preparing to confront both men in the days ahead because of the controversial NASS principal officers’ election, challenged both men to explain to Nigerians why rules of the NASS were altered.

Moral burden

The Senator, who is from the south pointed out that Ekweremadu and Maikasuwa had moral burden on their hands to explain to Nigerians why the rules of the Senate were amended just a few days to the election into the 8th National Assembly.

The Senator made it clear that the two men were aware that the Constitution did not make any provision for anyone

other than the Senate to alter the rules of Senate.

The Senator pointed out that if the Clerk of the National Assembly, who is a civil servant, could take a wrong decision, the Deputy Senate President should know better .

7th NASS didn't approve new rules

He pointed out that contrary to the claims that the 7th NASS approved the new rules used in electing the 8th NASS principal officers, no such action was undertaken before the dissolution of the Senate.

The Senator said: “If anyone claims that the rules used in electing the principal officers of

the 8th NASS had been approved before the dissolution of the 7th NASS, let them produce the votes and proceedings for Nigerians to see.

“It is the sacred duty of the Senate in plenary to have approved the rules but that did not happen till they left. At no time did the 7th Senate take the decision to alter its Standing Rules with regards to the emergence of principal officers for the 8th Senate.

“He, the Deputy Senate President and the Clerk of the National Assembly should be ready and able to explain to Nigerians who altered the rules of the Senate in relation to the

election of new officers of the upper chambers of the NASS or step aside. Nigerians deserve to know the truth in the light of what has happened in the NASS since June 9.”

Another senator defends Ekweremadu, Maikasuwa

But another Senator defended both the Deputy Senate President and Clerk of the National Assembly, saying that the rules of the Senate are often changed before the new set of members is sworn in.

The Senator said: “Neither Ekweremadu nor Maikasuwa should be blamed for what happened because it is a tradition that a new set of rules be made available for the election of members of NASS. “As at the time Saraki and Ekweremadu came into the Senate to be elected as principal officers, none of them knew what they were given as the standing rules of the Senate in a sealed envelope.

“What I can say is that it is a tradition for the Clerk of the National Assembly to bring up new rules to deal with the election of new officers of the NASS and the last one was not an exception.”

It was learnt that apart from the petition sent by some aggrieved Senators against Ekweremadu, Maikasuwa had been sighted at the Presidency last week, during which he might have spilled the beans over what transpired at the Senate on June 9.

That notwithstanding, he is yet to make a public statement following the raging controversy over his role in the emergence of Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara as Senate President and House of Representatives Speaker.

Although the provisions of the 7th and 8th NASS Standing Rules are not substantially different, there are claims that the one that covered the June 9 election was forged and tailored to produce a premeditated outcome.

Again, PDP vows to reclaim power from APC in 2019

By Henry Umoru

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BUJA — AGAIN, the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has vowed to reclaim power from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2019.

Speaking with journalists, yesterday, at a meeting with North-Central members of PDP, Chairman of the North-Central sub-committee, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, said that mistakes which led to the party’s poor performance in the March 28 Presidential, National Assembly and April elections were being corrected to reposition the party for future

victory.

Part of the efforts to reclaim power was the post election committee set up by the National Working Committee, NWC, under the leadership of Prince Uche Secondus to look into the remote and immediate cause of why PDP lost to the APC in the last election.

The post election committee headed by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has reiterated its commitment to correct whatever led to the party ’s poor performance during the just concluded 2015 general elections.

According to Ihedioha, “the party cannot afford to lose in some states elections

including Kogi State, which is expected to hold next year.”

Explaining why the committee was set up, the former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives stressed that much was expected from the committee set up to address issues of post elections’ grievances, why the party lost amongst other issues, adding that much was expected from the party as some governorship elections were around the corner, but however lamented the party’s lost both at the Presidency, the Senate and House of Representatives as well as some states to the APC.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015—9

Acting INEC boss reconstitutes 14 c'ttees zHeads finance, security c'ttees

By Clifford Ndujihe

A

BUJA — THE Acting Chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs Amina Zakari, yesterday, reconstituted 14 standing committees of the commission.

According to daily bulletin (Vol 1, No 755) released yesterday by the electoral umpire, Zakari will chair the Finance Committee.

In a memo by the secretary to the commission, Mrs Augusta Ogakwu, the committees commenced operation on July 1, 2015.

Going by the new arrangement, the Appointment, Promotion and Disciplinary Committee (APDC) is headed Amb. Lawrence Nwuruku with Amb M.A. Wali and Dr. Chris Iyimoga as members.

The Planning, Monitoring and Strategy Committee (PM&SC) has Dr. Chris Iyimoga as chairman. The members are Prof. M.A. Salau and Amb. M.A. Wali.

Dr Iyimoga also heads the Information and Voter Education/Outreach and Partnership Committee. The members are Amb. Wali and Nwuruku.

The rest are: Health and Welfare Committee: Dr. S. Abdulkadir Oniyangi (chairman), Amb. M.A. Wali and Prof. M.A. Salau; Operations and Logistics Committee: Dr. Chris O. Iyimoga (chairman), Amb.

Nwuruku, member and Amb. Wali.

Estate, Works and Transport Committee:Amb. M.A. Wali (chairman),Amb. Nwuruku and Iyimoga; Election and Party Monitoring Committee: Amb. Wali (chairman), Dr. Iyimoga and Prof. Salau and Board of Survey and Technical Equipment Acquisition Committee: Amb. Nwuruku (chairman), Prof. Salau and Amb Wali.

Others are Tenders Board Committee: Amb. Wali (chairman), Amb. Nwuruku and Dr. Iyimoga; Legal Services Clearance Committee: Dr. Abdulkadir Oniyangi (chairman), Amb. Wali and Amb. Nwuruku; Board of Electoral Institute Committee: Amb. Nwuruku (chairman), Dr. Abdulkadir Oniyangi and Dr. Chris Iyimoga.

Information Technology and Voter Registry: Hon. Amina

Bala Zakari (chairman), Amb. Wali, Amb. Nwuruku, Dr. Iyimoga, Dr. Abdulkadir Oniyangi and Prof. Salau; Finance and General Purpose Committee: Hon. Amina Bala Zakari (chairman), Amb. Wali, Amb. Nwuruku, Dr. Chris Iyimoga, Dr. Abdulkadir Oniyangi and Prof. Salau and Security Committee: Hon. Amina Bala Zakari (chairman), Amb. Wali, Amb. Nwuruku, Dr. Iyimoga, Dr. Oniyangi and Prof. Salau.

MEETING: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (right) and Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State during a meeting at the State House, Abuja. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Fuel scarcity: C-River, Delta govs inaugurate Fynefield’s N3bn depot

C

By Michael Eboh

ALABAR — SUPPLY of Petroleum products in the country is expected to receive a significant boost in the next couple of days, with the inauguration, by the Governors of Cross River and Delta states, of Fynefield Petroleum FZE’s 40 million-litre capacity ultra-modern petroleum products depot located at the Calabar Free Trade Zone in Cross River State, built at the cost of N3 billion.

The company, in a statement, yesterday, disclosed that the facilities, which was built to international standard, have a combined capacity for 40.7 million litres of petroleum products, of which petrol, also called Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) is 20.41 million litres, while the storage capacity for Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) or simply called kerosene is 10.157 million litres and that of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) generally called diesel is 10.164 million litres.

Ayade lauds promoters

Speaking at the commissioning

of the depot, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State commended the promoters of Fynefield Petroleum FZE for the huge investment which he described as a significant milestone and a big boost to the economic and social development of Cross River State and Nigeria.

He said the facilities would provide direct and indirect employment to tens of Nigerians as well as enhance speedy distribution of products across the country.

Ayade, while thanking Fynefield Petroleum FZE management for choosing Cross River State as the location for the 40-million litre capacity petroleum products depot, said: “We are very glad you chose to make this huge investment in Calabar. We can assure you that it is a very good decision.”

In his welcome speech, Managing Director, Fynefield Petroleum FZE, Gabriel Ogbechie, revealed that the depot was built to enrich the distribution chain of petroleum

products in the country.

He said the depot will in addition to Cross River State serve neighbouring states such as Akwa Ibom, Abia, Imo, Taraba, Plateau and some other states in the North-East as well as the Northern part of the country.

He added that the investment which cost over N3 billion was the company’s contribution to the economic development of Cross River State in particular and Nigeria at large.

“This facility will provide direct employment to over 50 individuals and hundreds indirect jobs because tank trucks will come to the facility from all over the country to lift petroleum products,” he stated.

Challenges in distribution of products

On challenges being experienced in the distribution of products, Ogbechie said poor road network was the most critical while urging both the state and federal governments to urgently attend to road infrastructure challenge especially the CalabarIkot Ekpene road and Calabar-

Ikom-Ogoja road which links Cross River with the Northern part of the country.

He also said due to the low draft of the Calabar River channel, which is 6.4 meters; they have to load 15,000 metric tonnes of products into vessels as against the 30,000 tonnes capacity thereby increasing operational cost.

Okowa hails project

In his goodwill message, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State applauded the project as a huge investment, a source of employment for youths as well as a boost to petroleum products distribution in the South-South and some Northern parts of the country.

Acknowledging the challenges faced by depot operators in the area, the governor appealed to his Cross River counterpart to look into the areas of concern raised while assuring that he was confident that Prof. Ayade appreciated the importance of providing an enabling environment for business to thrive.

BBOG group meets Buhari tomorrow

By Emmanuel Aziken

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BUJA— Members of the BringBackOurGirls group are to meet P r e s i d e n t Muhammadu Buhari tomorrow as part of their campaign to focus attention on the 219 schoolgirls kidnapped from Government Girls' School, Chibok, Borno State in 2014.

The meeting with the President, it was gathered yesterday, is aimed towards appraising members of the group who have led international and national focus on the plight of the girls whose fate has remained uncertain since the night of April 14, 2014 when they were kidnapped by insurgents of the Boko Haram group from their school.

Two hundred and seventy six girls were initially kidnapped but 77 escaped from the clutches of the group with 219 not heard from since then.

An official of the group told Vanguard, yesterday, that the meeting with the President was aimed towards “finding out how efforts to rescue the Chibok girls are going.”

The BBOG had in the past, especially during the Goodluck Jonathan administration, sought to bring moral pressure on the government to intensify efforts towards rescuing the girls but their efforts were often interwoven with politics as J o n a t h a n administration officials often saw their activities as politics.

President Jonathan did not meet the BBOG and on one occasion sent administration officials and ministers to meet with their representatives.

However, a BBOG official, Mr. Adejoh Momoh, confirmed yesterday that the appointment with President Buhari had been confirmed.

10—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

Lagos govt urges runaway dad of twins to return

By Leke Adeseri, South West Regional Editor

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—LAGOS State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, yesterday hosted Mrs. Ruth Uche and her last set of twins, who were abandoned by her husband, Mr. Benjamin Uche.

Dr Adebule, at the meeting advised the run-away husband to come forward and take up the responsibility of caring for his family, admonishing him to be appreciative of the divine blessings that have come his way through the children.

Mrs. Uche’s visit to the deputy governor’s office is a follow-up to the directive of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who directed that the woman and her children be rehabilitated and assisted by all relevant government agencies to ensure they are in good condition.

Speaking while hosting the woman, the deputy governor sympathized with her over the traumatic experience of trying to raise six children following the disappearance of her husband, assuring that the government will ensure the children's wellbeing.

“As a woman and a mother, I can only imagine what you have gone through managing six children, it must have been energy sapping and depressing, but I salute your courage and I want to assure you that this government will not abandon you, we will stand by you and ensure that you are assisted to get back to a normal life,” Adebule said.

She thanked the woman for coming forward to seek help instead of abandoning the children, which some other people would have done, noting that if she had dumped them. It

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SUCCOUR FOR MUM OF 3 SETS OF TWINS: Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule (2nd left), the mother of three set of twins, Mrs. Ruth Uche (2nd right), Perm Sec, Office of the Deputy Governor, Mr. Michael Dawodu (left) and his Ministry of Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation counterpart, Mrs. Omobolanle Ogunmola during the presentation of welfare support gifts from the Lagos State Government to Mrs Uche at the Deputy Governor's Office, Ikeja, yesterday. would still have been the lot of government to see to their wellbeing but her determination to raise her children further encouraged the government to offer the necessary assistance.

The Deputy Governor added that the governor had approved the release of some amount of money, which will be paid into an account and part of it used to

Young

L

AGOS—MARITIME Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, yesterday in Lagos, issued a 14-day ultimatum to Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, over eight months unpaid salaries to over 2, 500 dockworkers who are working as tally clerks and onboard security men at all ports formations nationwide.

At a briefing, President-General of MWUN, Mr. Anthony Emmanuel Nted, threatened that at the expiration of the ultimatum, the union would withdraw members from the ports and shut all ports operations, lamenting that several meetings and

attend to some of the immediate needs of the children and their mother, adding that officials from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation have been directed to provide the necessary logistics support to her.

In her reaction to the government’s gesture, Mrs. Uche thanked the administration for

supporting her, noting that the love shown to her and her children could only have come from a government that truly cares about the well being of its people.

Highlight of the visit was the presentation of the token from the government to Mrs. Uche.

LASU crisis lingers; exams postponed indefinitely

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

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AGOS—THE crisis rocking the Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo Local Government has continued to linger, as the school management postponed the first semester examination scheduled to commence yesterday, indefinitely.

Maritime workers threaten ports mgt over unpaid wages

By Victor Ahiuma-

Ambode replaces LASEMA boss

agreements with NPA over the issue in the past, yielded no result.

According to him, “Tally clerks and onboard security men are dockworkers duly registered by Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA. Tally clerks are statutorily empowered to perform the duty of tallying all import cargoes being discharged into our seaports, from ships and also tallying all export cargoes being loaded into ships in our seaports and terminals, on-shore and offshore. Similarly on-board securitymen are statutorily empowered to provide security onboard ships.''

Meantime, the LASU Student Union Government has condemned the postponement, saying “The postponement has delayed our academic progress, and the reason given by the school management was wrong and untenable.”

The indefinite postponement was contained in the management bulletin released by the centre for Information, Press and Public Relations, CIPPR of the Vice Chancellor’s office dated July 3rd, 2015.

Sources said that the school management three weeks ago reviewed the protracted 2014/2015 academic calendar, saying examination for the first semester which was already seven months old would commence on July 6th, 2015.

But three days to the commencement of the first semester examination, the University management backtracked on its earlier statement.

The statement issued by the institution management reads in part: “The University Management hereby informs students, Staff and Members of the University community that the 2014/2015 Harmattan Semester Examination earlier

scheduled to commence on Monday, July 6th, 2015 has been postponed till further notice.”

Reacting to the indefinite postponement, the President of LASU SUG, Mr. Adeyemi Onikoro said that the review of the academic calendar by the school management three weeks ago returned sanity to the university environment.

A G O S— L A G O S State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has appointed Mr. Michael Kolawole Akindele as the new General Manager for the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA. He made the announcement in a statement by the Public Relations Officer, LASEMA, Mr. Adebayo Kehinde.

Akindele who replaced Dr. Femi OkeOsanyintolu, was a former Vice Chairman Ikeja Local Government Area, before he became Special Assistant on Health to former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, between 20042007.

He also served as Senior Special assistant on LASEMA, between 2007-2011.

Akindele, most recently, between 20112015, served as Senior Special Assistant on Housing to immediate Governor Babatunde Fashola.

The new LASEMA boss has a robust experience in Health and Public Administration.

The governor expressed appreciation to the former LASEMA boss for serviing the state and wishes him success in his future endeavours.

NAFDAC shuts malls in Lagos

By Chioma Obinna

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AGOS—NATIONAL Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC yesterday sealed a popular Lagos mall (names withheld) for stocking, selling and distributing counterfeit wines and spirits.

Vanguard gathered that the regulatory officers of the agency from its Investigation and Enforcement Directorate stormed the three branches of the mall in Ajah, Gbagada and Magodo-Isheri areas of the state in a simultaneous and well-coordinated operation in company of security men.

Confirming the sealing of the outfit, the team leader of the Magodo-Isheri operations,

Mr. Andy Tamanuwa, who is also a Chief Regulatory Officer at NAFDAC, claimed the exercise was part of the agency's routine to ensure that products sold to consumers conform to the approved regulatory standards.

Tamanuwa said the seized items were mainly popular brands and expensive imported alcoholic beverages.

According to him, “There were complaints about the sale of cloned wines and spirits against the company which were discovered to be true. We got here to inspect the place. We found the products and accordingly seized them.

“They will be evacuated from the outlet for further investigations.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015 — 11

OYO: Again, absence of Tribunal chair stalls Ladoja’s petition

By Ola Ajayi

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BADAN —THERE was growing anxiety at the Oyo State Governorship election petition tribunal yesterday, when the hearing of the petition filed by the former governor of the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja against the election of Governor Abiola Ajimobi was again, postponed due to absence of the panel chairman.

The panel had barely been inaugurated when Justice F. C Obieze announced his retirement from service and since then, delay in the appointment of a new chairman has always stalled the tribunal sitting.

UI ranked best Nigerian varsity

By Ola Ajayi

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BADAN—THE Vice chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Isaac Adewole could not hide his joy yesterday following the ranking of the institution as the best university in tbe country and 8th in Africa.

Though, he was happy that the school had greatly improved during his tenure, he said his vision for the university is to be a worldclass institution for academic excellence geared towards meeting societal needs.

The don added that the institution would not rest on its oars until it is ranked among the renowned universities and Higher institutions globally stressing that his administration was poised to expanding the frontiers of knowledge through provision of excellent conditions of learning and research.

Professor Adewole used the forum to call for special funding status for the university from the federal government for its vision and mission to be fully realized towards transformation of the Nigerian society through creativity and innovation.

The university was ranked best in Nigeria and 8th among 1,447 Africa universities in the latest 2015 ranking which was conducted by Journals Consortium.

IMPEACHMENT: Mass rally against Aregbesola slated for today zHold Omisore responsible — APC zAPC, sinking govt engaged in buck passing — PDP

By Gbenga Olarinoye, with Agency Reports

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SOGBO—SCORES of Osun State citizens were yesterday said to be warming up towards participating in today’s rally in support of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s impeachment, according to the organisers, Civil Societies’ Coalition for Emancipation of Osun State, CSCEO. According to the group at a press briefing held in Osogbo yesterday, over 20 civil and faith based societies who are members of CSCEO are already mobilising their members towards the mass rally.

The group’s Chairman, Comrade Adeniyi Sulaiman Alimi, gave the names of association ready for the rally as The Voices, KIMPACT, Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice, Grassroot Democratic Network, Christian Initiative for Nation Building, Christian Leadership Mobilisation and Better Future Initiative.

Others are Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), Justice, Development and Peace Commission Movement (JDPCM), Positive Movement, Good Governance Support Group, Democratic Socialist Movement and Conference of National Political Parties (CNPP).

Alimi explained that over three petitions including the one sent by a state serving judge, Justice Folaranmi Oloyede, calling for Aregbesola’s probe and impeachment are presently before members of the state House of Assembly and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

Hold Omisore, PDP responsible - APC

Meantime, the All Progressives Congress in the state has called on security agencies to hold the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Iyiola Omisore and his party responsible for any breach of the peace in the state.

The party, in a statement by the Directorate of Publicity, Research and Strategy yesterday said it was aware of plans by a group of profiteers who were being sponsored by Omisore and his party to unleash violence on the state, using the issue of workers’ salaries as camouflage. ‘’ Specifically we must alert the whole world to a threat issued

by Omisore on June 14 this year at the secretariat of the PDP in Osogbo where he promised members of his party that he was prepared to make this state

ungovernable for Governor Rauf Aregesola. ‘’ We are therefore certain that the crisis being orchestrated in the state is to get what the people of Osun denied him through a democratic process on August 9, 2014. This was his resolution after the Supreme Court decision which finally sealed his ambition through a pronouncement on May 27, this year. ‘’ We are using this medium to inform the public and the media to be wary of activities of this set of opportunists who are the real profiteers behind the undeserved focus on Osun among the more than 20 states that are currently facing salary challenges. ‘’ The APC government under

Aregbesola in Osun has been having very fruitful negotiations with the labour and we can therefore say without any contradiction that the labour has no hand in this proposed protest.’’

APC, sinking govt passing buck – PDP

The PDP in response said; “PDP observe with disillusion the allegation by Aregbesola and his paid agents that Otunba Iyiola Omisore and PDP are sponsoring workers to protest unpaid salaries.’’

A statement by the PDP spokesperson in Osun state, Prince Diran Odeyemi added, “It is unfortunate that the sinking government still be engaging in

buck passing when he should be busy looking for money to settle unpaid salaries and allowances of workers.

“In the last one week, we have not issued any statement because we observe workers are rising to the occasion to fight for their rights.

“We are not involved as a party, Omisore is not involved and will never be party to any act of lawlessness but we demand from the governor to explain if he has paid these workers.

“Have they been paid their salaries? If no, whatever the steps they take inasmuch as such is within the ambit of the law, nothing can stop workers from demanding for their rights.

INSTALLATION: From left; The celebrator, Otunba Bola Onabadejo, District Governor, Rotary District 9110, Nigeria 2015-2016, his wife, Sarah and HRH Oba Rilwan Aremu Akiolu 1, Oba of Lagos and Royal Father of the occasion, during Onabadejo's installation as the District Governor of Rotary District 9110,Nigeria 2015-2016 at the Intercontinental Hotel, V/I, Lagos over the weekend. Photo by Biodun Ogunleye.

Alleged murder charge against our chairman hypocritical – EKITI APC

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has slammed the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for criticizing President Muhammadu Buhari for hosting the APC State Chairman, Olajide Awe, along his counterparts from other states in the Aso Rock.

It said PDP’s charge that Buhari should not have allowed Awe into the seat of power over alleged murder hanging on him after vowing to prosecute murder cases

was hypocrisy carried too far.

It explained that Nigerians knew the difference between murder charge and contrived cases of alleged murder to hound opponents out of political field.

It would be recalled that shortly after President Buhari made a public declaration to probe unresolved murder cases, Governor Ayodele Fayose was jolted into official reaction, urging the President not to play politics with murders investigation.

Following up, PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Adebayo Jackson, criticised Buhari for

hosting Awe in the Aso Rock along other APC state chairmen , saying he should not have been allowed to meet the President until after his trial.

But APC Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, reacted in a statement, saying PDP was being hypocritical in Awe’s matter.

Explaining that Fayose and the PDP contrived Erijiyan crisis that led to the death of a PDP member in a daylight street brawl between political rivals, Olatubosun said Awe could not be blamed for the death that happened when he was not in the town.

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

No LG can meet statutory obligations without 10% IGR —Ex-Edo council boss

By Gabriel Enogholase

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ENIN—FORMER Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State, chairman, Mr. Victor Ebomoyi, has said that until the 10 percent meant for councils from the total Internally Generated Revenue from the states was remitted to them, no council in the country can meet its statutory obligations, including payment of salaries.

Ebomoyi, while reacting to the directive from the Edo State Government to all chairmen and councillors in the state to stop the collection of security votes, payment of allowances to themselves and their councillors until they pay workers’ salaries, said: “The directive is uncalled for. My advice to the state governments is to take a second look at the law as it affects the IGR of the states and what the law says should accrue to the councils.”

Meanwhile, Edo State President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Mr. Young Ilenikhena, in his reaction to the directive, insisted that the decision reached by the state government that council chairmen should forfeit their security votes and other allowances until the salary arrears of their workers were

paid was not a permanent cure to the problem.

Ebomoyi, in an interview with Vanguard in Benin, said: “I am not aware that the law has been amended. What the law says is that 10 percent of the total IGR of the state is supposed to be given to the local governments.

A situation where most of the councils have lost their revenue

beats to the state governments especially metropolitan councils, is not good enough as the state has eroded their revenue base.

“I believe that if the 10 percent of the total IGR of the state is given to the councils, it would give the councils a good mileage and if that is done and you now said, let’s make

sacrifice, that will make sense.

So, what the government has done is cosmetic.”

Mr. Young Ilenikhena, added that the summation of the total allowances of the 18 council chairmen and 192 councillors in the state would not be enough to pay salaries of council employees, adding that “It is just a tip of the iceberg.”

REPORT: From left: Ugo Asibelua (member); Chief Edwin Uzor, PDP Chairman, Delta State; Mrs Felicia Adowei-Ajagu (Chairman of the committee) and Mr. Chuks Nwaebuni, Secretary, during the submission of report of PDP fact finding committee on anti-party activities in Ika South Local Government Area, Delta State, to the party chairman, in Asaba. Photo: Nath Onojake.

Edo judiciary workers suspend 6-month-old strike

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—MEMBERS of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, Edo State chapter, yesterday, suspended the six months strike embarked upon by the union.

The union said it decided to suspend the strike for one month following interventions from the committees set up by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Cromwell Idahosa and a second committee made up of eminent personalities in the state led by the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri.

It will be recalled that the Executive Director of African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor, had assembled eminent personalities including the Catholic Archbishop of Benin Diocese, Bishop Augustine Akubueze, to mediate in the matter with a view to calling off the six-month-old strike which had crippled the judicial arm in the state.

The workers are demanding judicial autonomy and payment of seven months’ salary arrears which the state government earlier insisted it C M Y K

would not honour since the workers were on strike during the said period.

However, Secretary of JUSUN, Ekhator Hope, who confirmed the suspension of the strike to Vanguard, said:

“We want to also give the governor the opportunity to commence the implementation of some of our demands, with the key one being the issue of autonomy for the judiciary

which he promised that if we call off the strike he will implement. He should pay us the six months salary areas and the one for July 2014 when we went on strike, making it seven months."

We didn't buy job slots, sacked Delta civil servants tell Okowa

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By Festus Ahon

SABA—THE Congress of Newly Employed Civil Servants in Delta State, yesterday, insisted that they did not buy job slots, but rather, they followed due process in getting employment into the state civil service.

The workers, who were laid off

by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa administration, in a statement by their chairman, Mr Regha Obus, said: “We are Deltans, we passed through all the stages.

The commission advertised, we applied, we were shortlisted for interview, which we passed and appointment letters were given to us which we graciously accepted with the intention of serving our state.

“Many of us resigned from our previous jobs to accept the civil service offer. Those who bought their slots and the sellers

should be exposed and those of us who are Deltans should be allowed to go back to work.

“Injecting fresh blood who are Deltans by origin into the civil service is not only necessary but a means of

tackling unemployment in the state. We discovered that since 2010 till our recruitment on April 20, 2015 there had been vacuum in the service and this is a generational gap which is against the civil service rule."

Lawmaker assures on completion of abandoned bridge

By Chioma Onuegbu

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YO—THE member representing Mbo constituency in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr. Samuel Ufuo, has promised to attract government attention to the completion of the abandoned Ukontigha bridge in Uda community as soon as possible.

According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mr. Mbosowo Essien,

yesterday in Uyo, the lawmaker gave the assurance at the project site while inspecting the extent of work done so far.

The statement added that Ufuo, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Labour and Productivity, urged the people to be patient, adding that the Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration has indicated interest and commitment towards the completion of the bridge and improving the quality of roads in the constituency.

Oil, gas producing areas demand SFG position

By Emma Amaize

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A R R I — C H A I R MAN, Board of Trustees, C o m m u n i t y D e v e l o p m e n t Committee, CDC, Oil and Gas Producing Areas, Niger Delta, Prince Maikpobi Okareme, yesterday, requested President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint an indigene of the oil and gas producing areas as Secretary to the Federal Government, SFG. Okareme, in an interview with Vanguard, said: “Our appeal is that Mr. President should appoint any person of his choice from the oil producing areas of the Niger Delta as Secretary to the Federal Government to give our people a sense of belonging.

“Since oil revenue accounts for more than 80 per cent or our income, it would be unwise to reward only areas having higher concentration of party faithful."

‘Support Oyegun to reposition APC'

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pro -democracy group, Rainbow Caucus, has called on members of All Progressives Congress, APC, to support its National Chairman, Chief John OdigieOyegun, in his efforts to re-position the party that has for sometime now been embroiled in crisis.

Addressing newsmen in Benin City, Edo State, national president of the group, Mr. Akharedia Ihimekpen, said that Nigerians were aware of Chief Oyegun’s contribution which has made history in the APC. He said that Oyegun brought the various political groups together to form the APC and went ahead to secure victory for the party.

He lamented that for such a man to be so denigrated by a few opportunists was unfortunate.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015—13

Emefiele recommends micro-finance initiative to grow nation’s economy

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—THE Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr Godwin Emefiele, has said that if the country must witness accelerated development and become one of the top 20 economies in the world, it must take the microfinance initiative, which seeks to integrate the poor and the economically active low income households into the national financial system seriously.

He said that this will also be critical to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals which, according to him, would have very serious impact on the rural populace in terms of reducing poverty, generating employment, providing access to health care, education and improve living conditions.

The CBN boss, yesterday in Benin City, Edo State, at the 2015 LAPO Institute Annual Conference on Micro-Finance and Enterprise Development, said: "The result of lack of access to finance, in addition to other factors, is pervasive poverty which needs to be addressed through identified programmes such as

microfinance,” adding that the challenge is “how to integrate the low income people, especially the most vulnerable groups, into the financial system.”

He said: “In order to deepen access to finance by the most vulnerable groups in the

society, CBN, in August 2013, launched the N220 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund and commenced disbursement in August 2014.

A minimum of 60 per cent of the fund is committed to financing women

entrepreneurs because of their peculiar exclusion challenges.

“We must see microfinance as a viable tool which has positive impact on inclusive finance, social inclusion and serves as an important policy tool for policy makers."

OATH OF OFFICE: Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State (left) administering the oath of office on the newly appointed Commissioners and Special Advisers, at Government House Banquet Hall, Uyo.

Salaries: We're not indebted to workers —Dickson B AYELSA State governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, yesterday, re-assured workers of the state that payment of salaries for the month of June 2015 will commence this week.

Speaking on a live interview on Focus Nigeria, aired on the Africa Independent Television, AIT and monitored in Yenagoa, the governor said that he had already authorised the payment of the salaries to

commence today.

Dickson, who lamented the current economic downturn in the country, maintained that Bayelsa State was not owing its workers, as is the case with most states in the federation due to the sharp drop in oil revenue.

The governor said there had been a drastic reduction in government’s expenditure, adding that his office had not

received security votes and some other statutory allowances in the last three months.

According to him, Bayelsa was one of the heavily indebted states upon his assumption of office, adding that the state was now ranked among the least indebted as a result of his administration’s prudent management of resources of the state.

Rivers commission of inquiry calls for memoranda

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT—THE Judicial Commission of Inquiry constituted by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State to look into the expenditure of the previous government has called for memoranda.

In a statement, Chairman of the Commission, Justice George Omeregi, said that the submission of memoranda will end on July 10.

“Sequel to the appointment and inauguration of the C M Y K

Judicial Commission of Inquiry for the investigation of the administration of Governor Rotimi Amaechi with respect to the sale of valued assets of Rivers State and other related matters, under the hand of the governor of Rivers State, the commission hereby calls for memorandum.

“The terms of reference of the Commission are: the sale of Omoku 150mw gas turbine, Afam 360mw gas turbine, Trans-Amadi 136mw gas turbine and Eleme 75mw gas turbine; the sale of Olympia Hotel; the Mono-rail Project; the

non-execution of the contract for the construction of the Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital after the payment of the sum of $39.2million to the supposed contractor."

“We are not owing our normal monthly obligations to our workers. Just yesterday, after reviewing the financial reports for the month, I authorised that salaries for June be paid and the process will commence today. But we have been slowed down in the execution of most of the infrastructural programmes that we got involved in the past three years."

Emmanuel swears-in 18 commissioners, 2 Special Advisers

By Chioma Onuegbu & Tom Moses

U

YO—GOVERNOR Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, yesterday, swore in 18 Commissioners and two Special Advisers to constitute the next State Executive Council.

They are the 20 persons whose names were sent to the state House of Assembly by the governor a few weeks ago for confirmation.

The House ratified all the names last Friday after the screening exercise.

The Commissioners are Uwemedimo Nwoko, Mr Akan Okon, Aniekan Umanah, Etido Inyang, Godwin Ntukude, Aniekan Akpan, Dr Dominic Ukpong, Prince Uwem Etuk, Enobong Uwah, and Dr Iniobong Essien.

Others are Emmanuel Enoidem, Ekong Sampson, Dr Matthew Ekaette, Victor Antai, Elizabeth Obot, Emmanuel Atting, Emmanuel Ibiok, Dr Glory Edet, and Monday Uko while Mr Eyina Ekpenyong and Anietie Etuk were sworn in as Special Advisers.

In his brief remark after the ceremony, Governor Emmanuel congratulated the new appointees and charged them to be committed to the development of the state.

“Your selection was based purely on merit. If you are a returnee, your records spoke for you and you must endeavour not to derail," he said.

14 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

BVN enrolment hits 15million mark .As UBA introduces simplified process

By Peter Egwuatu

T

CONFERENCE: Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, addressing newsmen during maiden worid press conference in Umuahia. with him, from left, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezuo SSA Media, Mr. Godwin Adindu, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, and Elder John Nwagborogwu, Deputy Chief of Staff.

Itikaf: Benefits of the last ten days

W

E ARE moving to the last ten days of Ramadan. It is not too late to do what you have not been doing very well. The remaining days can still earn you fantastic rewards, you can still make up for the lost twenty days in ibadah. Seek for forgiveness of sins, supplicate to Allah on all your desires, commit yourself to doing ibadah regularly day and night like you have never done before.

Given the state of most Muslims today, with the pressure of work, businesses, and ways of making ends meet for a jolly Ramadan, those who really know the benefits inherent in this period damn all the encumbrances of worldly affairs and take a short break off work, businesses for Allah. It is loaded with rewards so much that you can’t imagine.

They embark on Itikaf (seclusion) for the remaining period to solidify their relationship with Allah.

This period should be spent in prayer, seeking His mercy and asking for forgiveness, studying the Quran and reflecting in your deeds.

One of the greatest traditions of Islam, the spark of which has become a popular issue at this period of Ramadan, is Itikaf. This is a tradition which has been in Islam from the early days of the revelation and is also something known and recognised as the practice of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) as ordained by Allah (SWT).

Itikaf means to stay in the Mosque with the intention of abiding in it for the sake of Allah (SWT). The purpose of such stay in the Mosque is ibadah and to get closer to Allah. During Itikaf, nothing is required other than observing nawafil, reading, studying the Holy Quran and doing Zikr which remembrance of Allah. For those who are not able to embark on seclusion, they should use the period very well in getting closer to Allah, obey the commandments of Allah (SWT), refrain from the things which He has prohibited and to be in His service.

This night opens its gates of treasures; the angels with the permission of Allah descend with peace, more importantly, the blessing will dwell with us till Fajr.

The Prophet (s.a.w) said: “The person who offered prayers to Allah in the Night of Majesty with faith and with hope of reward from Allah, all his past sins have been forgiven” (Bukhari).

This holiest and most blessed night is likely to occur on one of the odd nights on the last 10 days of Ramadan and the reward of worship on this night is better than the worship of a thousand months of worship, equivalent to a person’s lifetime put together.

Although the odd nights have been given as clue for locating the Night of Majesty, no one night has been fixed so that the yearning to find it may increase and people may spend more nights in worshiping Allah. This is the reason for Itikaf (seclusion) during the last 10 days of Ramadan so that we can locate the night and reap the benefits.

“Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhib-bul af-wa, fa-afu anni” (O Allah, You are the One who grants pardon for sins, so forgive me.)

Sundiata Post for unveiling today

S

UNDIATA POST, An online news paper, will be formally unveiled in Abuja, today.

According to a statement issued by Mr. Max Amuchie, publisher/CEO of Sundiata Post Media Ltd., the event will hold at 10am at Bayelsa State Guest House, Maitama, Abuja.

Malam Mohammed Haruna, a syndicated columnist and former chief press secretary to former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, will deliver the keynote speech with the theme: ‘Has online publishing come of age?’ Mr. Emeka Mba, director-general, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) will be chairman of the occasion.

A panel led by Mr. Azubuike Ishiekwene, former managing director of Leadership Newspaper Group, will discuss the theme.

Other members of the panel are Mrs Omobolanle Omotunde-Bruce, former special adviser, media in Ekiti State; Dr. Otive Igbuzor, Executive director, Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, Abuja; Mr. Ima Niboro, managing director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN); Mallam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Prof. Anthony Kila, director, Centre of International Advanced Studies, Lagos; and Mr. Tony Ojobo, director, public affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission,NCC.

HE NATIONWIDE enrolment of banks’ Biometric Verification Numbers, BVN, has reached a landmark of 15 million customers, just as United Bank for Africa, UBA introduced a simplified process for registration.

The simplified process of registration is to complete the exercise so that customers who registered in other banks can link their BVN to UBA account automatically rather than going into the branch to do it physically.

Group Managing Director/ CEO of UBA, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, who disclosed this, yesterday, said “UBA’s initiative will help give a tremendous boost to the overall success of the exercise.

“With 2.7 million registrations as at today Monday July 6, 2015, UBA is currently the leading bank in BVN registrations among banks in Nigeria.

We invite all customers to take advantage of this innovation, one of many initiatives of the bank to provide convenient banking solutions and excellent service to our customers.

Commenting on the challenges that people in Diaspora are likely to face as a result of the introduction of BVN, he said “The banking industry is working on a solution to solving the problem because without the BVN they cannot be able to do any transaction in the banking industry. Transactions such as foreign exchange, internet banking, transfers, among others, would be difficult to execute, hence the need to get them registered.”

According to him: “BVN is going to be another revolution in this country just like we had in the telecom indus-

try. It is a good thing for the country and the people and that is where cashless economy is taking us to. Consumer finance is what drives the development of a country and cost of doing business will go down when this commences fully.”

Meanwhile, leveraging on its robust information technology infrastructure, UBA launched a short code number *919*6# through which customers can send their BVN to automatically link their respective accounts. In his words “The process is very simple.

All a customer has to do is to send his or her valid BVN from the telephone number that was used to open their account to the short code number and it will become automatically linked their account with the bank” Mr. Rasheed Adegoke, Director, Group Information Technology, UBA Plc has stated.

The introduction of this simplified process was in response to some of the challenges associated with the ongoing BVN exercise. “UBA has come up with this novel process to ensure that customers who already have their BVN do not have any issues submitting it to their alternate banks” explained Adegoke.

Once customers submit their BVN through the code, they will get an immediate response letting them know whether their BVN is valid or incorrect.

The responses will be accompanied by a phone number through which further enquiries can be made by the customers if required. In addition to this phone number, customers can also reach UBA on social media though Facebook and twitter or by calling UBA’s Customer Fulfilments Centre for further clarifications.

Visafone boosts customers experience with new internet data

F

OLLOWING THE successful commissioning of its upgraded data infrastructure, Visafone Communications Limited has added new capabilities to her bouquet of data services, offering entirely new and pleasant experience to her customers.

A statement from the company explained that in its usual proactive ap-

proach to service delivery, Visafone has deployed innovative technologies to improve the customer experience by offering network visualization, intelligent traffic management and increased value proposition to customers. According to the statement, the upgrade has ushered in features like usage notification at different

thresholds by SMS, flash messages and instant redirection to notification pages to help customers renew their data plans even at zero data volume.

Further, customers have the ability for selfservice to manage their volumes, the release added.

A pilot group of customers hailed the up-

grade as timely, and consistent with the network’s determination to always provide its customers with reliable and consistent data speed.

Visafone added that the new upgraded data plans which comes with more volume at the same price along with the additional convenience, makes the value proposition of its data solutions very attra

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015—15

My son was drowned in lake, ex- Air Force officer laments

By Luka Binniyat

K

VISIT: From left, Mr. Segun Odegbami, Ogun State chapter Coordinator, Afenifere Renewal Group, ARG, Prof. Anthony Onipede, member; Mr. Segun Balogun, Programme Officer; Dr. Ade Adeagbo, ED,Yoruba Academy, and Mr. Ayo Afolabi,General Secretary, ARG, presenting a painting to Mr. Sam Amuka, on his birthday, and Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, GM/Editor-In-Chief, Vanguard, during ARG Executives' courtesy visit to the Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka, on his 80th birthday, at Vanguard head office, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

ADUNA – HON. Danladi Angulu Kwasu, a retired Wing Commander, with the Nigeria Air Force, at a Press Conference in Kaduna yesterday accused the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, of deliberating pushing his 19- year -old son, Elshadai Kwasu, (NDA/ 10037) , into a 100 metredeep lake, and drowning him during a training .

Kwasua, now a member of Kaduna State House of Assembly, KDHA, representing Zangon Kataf State constituency, alleged that out of negligence, about 20 cadets had died in swimming exercise with the NDA doing nothing to change the situation.

Suspected cultists kill 20-year-old man in Yenagoa •As kidnappers abduct 6-year-old boy in Calabar

By Emem Idio & Emma Una

Y

ENAGOA—A twenty-year old man (names withheld) was last

weekend gunned down when suspected rival cult groups clashed in Amarata,

a suburb of the state capital. This came on at a time 6-year-old son of proprietor of a private primary / nursery school in Calabar, Master Eyo Antigha, was yesterday abducted by persons suspected to be kidnappers.

Eye witnesses said the suspected cultists, numbering over thirty, invaded the suburb at about 8:30pm on Saturday and killed the deceased in the presence of his family members, even as the mother, a teacher, pleaded helplessly in vain for her son’s life to be spared.

Confirming the incident, Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP, Asinim Butswatt, said policemen who arrived the scene of the incident met a lifeless body, adding that the corpse had been deposited in the morgue at the Federal Medical Centre awaiting autopsy.

According to him, three suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime, while investigation are ongoing to fish out the other gang members.

Meanwhile, Master Eyo Antigha, the 6-year-old son of the proprietor of Faith Nursery/ primary school, Michael Antigha, in Calabar South, was yesterday abducted by persons suspected to be kidnappers. An eyewitness, who lives opposite the school, said a strange person, suspected to be a kidnapper, waited around the school

premises, adding that the moment the boy alighted from the vehicle that brought him to school that morning, he was grabbed by the suspected kidnapper and taken away in a speed boat. “We have been noticing an increase in the number of strange people living around our area as squatters in this Antigha area recently and we suspect they have been responsible for the incessant kidnappings of people in Calabar of recent."

When contacted, the Commandant of NDA, Major General Mohammed Inua Idris, said the NDA would only state its side of the story.

Kwasu said: “My son died on April 30, 2015, as a result of drowning, occasioned by gross negligence. The NDA took them for a camping exercise (Camp Highland). In the course of the exercise, the NDA staff pushed him into the water of Kangimi dam on (the outskirt of Kaduna) at the deepest part of the dam. “ He was pushed into this deep water from a platform that was very high above the water. The NDA only tied a rope loosely around his waist with somebody else standing on the platform above the water and holding unto the other end of the rope.

“Before my son was pushed into the water, he expressed to his colleagues his reservations on the idea of using a rope as a safety measure since he had never swam in his life before. The NDA staff overheard him. While he was standing on the platform, the same NDA staff suddenly pushed him off the platform into the water.

“In the process of pushing him, the loose rope round his waist was further loosened."

Man 32, docked for slashing woman’s neck with razor ,” he said.

By Onozure Dania & Opeyemi Lepe

L

agos—A 32-year-old man, Ahmeh Balogun, was yesterday arraigned before an Apapa Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly assaulting a woman by slitting her throat with a razor blade and also stealing from her.

This came on a day one Stephen Anyanwu, 30, was arraigned before a Tinubu Magistrate court over alleged theft of a commercial bus worth N1.5million.

Balogun, who has no fixed address, is standing trial on a two-count charge of assault and stealing preferred against him by the police.

The prosecutor, Supol Olu Ojaokomo, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offences on June 30, 2015,

at 24, Sapejo Street , Amukoko, a suburb of Lagos.

He said the defendant stole a Tecno phone H3 valued at N15,000 and N20,000 cash from his victim, one Chioma Ajonuma.

Ojaokomo also accused the defendant of unlawfully slitting the neck of the complainant with a razor blade and also caused her bodily harm.

According to the prosecutor, the offences are punishable under section 285 and 243 of the criminal laws of Lagos State Nigeria 2011.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

Magistrate T. Abolarinwa granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two responsible sureties, one of whom must be a blood relation.

16—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

EKWEREMADU TO OHANAEZE: Cooperate

with other regional groups

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—THE Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu yesterday called on the apex Igbo socio- cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, to reach out to similar groups in the country in order to strengthen Nigeria’s unity and enhance the realisation of the nation’s enormous potentials.

Senator Ekweremadu spoke during his conferment with the title of, “Onu-NekwuruIgbo”(mouth-piece of the Igbo)

by Enugu State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo at Mpu, Aninri LG, Enugu State.

Ekweremadu, who described Ohanaeze as a symbol of unity for the Igbo nation, noted that Ohanaeze preserved the culture and tradition of the people.

He also urged the group to interface with other regional groups in the country to bring about a larger accommodation for Ndigbo within the nation.

He said: “Ohanaeze for me is the symbol of the unity of the Igbo.

It is an effort to keep our culture and our tradition. ‘’But within these two principles, I believe that we can also find a bigger accommodation

“Today, we have had challenges and mutual suspicion, so it is now time for you to link up with the Arewa group, the Yoruba cultural group to ensure that we are now more united as a country than ever. There is a lot of potential for our country but this can only be achieved if we are all united. ‘’We must fight the forces of division in this country or those who want to cheat others or those who want to ensure that others are not accommodated in Nigeria; we must fight against such people because these are enemies of our country.

“So, I appeal to you that while we play our politics, we must ensure that there is unity in Nigeria. You must also prevail on politicians, irrespective of their political parties, to ensure that there is peace in Nigeria, that VISIT: From left, Dr. Nick Idoko, Communications Director, South-East South- there is peace in our South Professionals of Nigeria, SESSPN; Emeka Ugwu-Oju, President, SESSPN; state and that every Solomon Arase, Inspector General of Police, and Nuhu Yakubu, Deputy Nigerian should be President,SESSPN, during a courtesy visit of SESSPNExecutive Committee, free to live and settle led by its President, Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju, to the Inspector General of Police, in any part of Nigeria Solomon Arase, at the Police Headquarters,Abuja. without molestation." within the Nigerian nation through your interface with other such groups.

“I also believe that you can link up with your other state chapters to bring about a stronger Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the geopolitical of the South East and the South South and be able to interface with other sister organisations in the south west

and the north to ensure that we have greater unity in our country.

“Today, the trend is to form regional groupings and that means that, there is advantage in numbers and this advantage can only be created by unity so I believe that we will be better off as a united Nigeria; as a big country; as a country that sees one another as brothers and sisters.

Ikpeazu promises to clear salary arrears soon, warns illegal tax collectors

UGWUANYI TO COMMUNITIES:

Help govt to boost IGR

By Francis Igata

E

N U G U — GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has urged indigenes of Awgu Local Government Area to join hands with the government in its initiatives to generate revenue through massive investment in agriculture.

The governor made the appeal while receiving the delegation of a sociopolitical group known as Save Awgu Forum Enugu,SAFE, led by its leader, Prince Chris Baywood Ibe, which was at Government House, Enugu, on a solidarity visit.

He commended the people of the area for their prayers and support before, during and after the election, stressing that they were among those that made his dream to govern the state possible.

Governor Ugwuanyi noted that the cooperation of the indigenes, especially cluster-adjoining host communities would go a long way to assist his administration in achieving its set objectives for the San Carlos farm settlement located in their area.

He added that the success of the agricultural project would not only boost the economy of the state, in view of the perennial drop in the revenue of the country, but also provide employment for the people of the state.

Earlier in his address, Prince Ibe commended the governor for his impressive outing in office and appealed to him to consider

internally generated revenue of state government was within the range of N300-600 million monthly, but promised to raise it to N1.5 billion.

MUAHIA—GOVERNOR Okezie He said that his administration was Ikpeazu of Abia State said ready to partner any group, with a view yesterday that the issue of salary arrears to generating ideas on how to improve in the state would be cleared soon. the internally generated revenue of the The governor also warned the people state. who were in the business of illegal collection of taxes from residents of the state to desist from the act or face the wrath of government.

According to him, the era of multiple taxations in the state is over.

By Enyim Enyim & Ibezim of Awka Diocese, Bishop He explained that only workers of the Chimaobi Nwaiwu Samuel Ezeofor Ogbaru Diocese, state Board of Internal Revenue were Catholic Bishop of Awka, Bishop authorized to collect government taxes NAMBRA STATE chapter of Simon Ezeokafor, which must be paid into government bank Others were Bishop Johnson Ekwe Christian Association of accounts.

Nigeria, CAN, yesterday, protested of Niger West Diocese, General The governor also said he had alleged Federal Government’s Superintendent of Rev. Moses commenced a vigorous war against relocation of Boko Haram detainees Ezedebego of Rescue House ghost workers in the state, and urged to Ekwulobia Prisons in Aguata Christian Centre Onitsha, Rev. John the workers to help government identify Local Government Area.

Ndubisi of Evangelical Church such people, so that the infrastructure The protesters displayed placards Winning All, Archbishop of Onitsha, government was providing could go with inscriptions such as “Anambra Archbishop Valerian Okeke round.

CAN says no to Boko Haram represented by Rev. Fr Theophulus He warned that any worker found to detainees”, “We have no home”, Odukwe, and including many be involved in ghost worker syndicate, WOWICAN Anambra State rejects leaders of penticostal churches in the staff racketeering and padding of staff Boko Haram detainees” Youth wing state, comprising over 500 clergy salary would be declared an economic of CAN says no to Boko Haram” and and 5,000 members.. saboteur and made to face the full wrath “We have no accommodation for Addressing newsmen shortly after of the law.

Boko Haram detainees in Anambra the protest at Emmaus House Ikpeazu, who spoke yesterday during State,” among others.

Complex Awka ,where all five blocks his maiden media chat in Umuahia, The protesting members of CAN of CAN, namely CSN, CCN, PFN, noted that illegal tax collectors still tried Anambra, who were present during OAIC, and ECWA were to cheat people because it was always the protest, include the chairman of represented, CAN state chairman, difficult to drop bad habits.

CAN, Anambra State branch, Special Special Senior Apostle Tim Okpala, He assured that his administration Snr. Apostle Tim Okpala, Dean, said the protest was to show how would work hard to increase the Church of Nigeria, and Archbishop CAN, and people of the state felt internally generated base of the state.

Provence of the Niger, Archbishop about the presence of Boko Haram The governor said the current Christian Efobi, Bishop Alexander detainees in Ekwulobia prison.

By Anayo Okoli

U

Anambra CAN protests relocation of Boko Haram prisoners to S/E

A

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015—17

C M Y K

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015 FEELERS from the Federal Ministry of Works indicate that a bill to create a special fund for the construction and rehabilitation of federal roads nationwide will soon be forwarded to the National Assembly for promulgation into law.

According to the Director of Federal Highways in the Ministry, Alhaji Shehu Dankano, the bill, when it becomes law, will go a long way in reducing the nightmares motorists go through on many roads in the country.

Dankano made this disclosure when he participated in the unveiling of the national headquarters of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) in Abuja, recently.

The importance of finding a lasting solution to the deplorable state of our roads cannot be over-emphasised. Bad roads, and of course, the inability of government agencies charged with the responsibility of ensuring that only qualified drivers and roadworthy vehicles are allowed on our roads, led to the spike in truck and tanker accidents in the past couple of months.

The Proposed Roads Fund Bill According to the Corps Marshall of the Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, more than 30 trucks and tanker accidents occurred around the country in the past month, wreaking a heavy toll on lives and property. Travellers are often forced to sleep on the highways when such accidents block entire roads.

The time has come for a comprehensive policy to ensure that roads are constantly maintained and new ones constructed since the economy depends heavily on the roads as other means of transportation – rail, waterways, air – are either troubled or poorly developed for sustainable commercial use.

We need more than a roads bill. We require a more comprehensive agenda for the upgrade of the entire transport sector. To make it work, we need to create a framework that will involve both the government and the private sector in the development of our transport infrastructure.

A mere roads bill might just scratch the surface.

We need something much more ambitious that can quickly take Nigeria out of her infrastructure deficit.

Something on the scale of the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) will be very useful.

It is very handy that the man who oversaw the successful PTF experiment, President Muhammadu Buhari, is now the leader of the country and is in a position to appreciate what can be achieved with a fund of that nature.

We must also see the transport sector as an area that can be developed to create enormous job opportunities. The only way this can be possible is to get both local and foreign investors and entrepreneurs to key into it.

Nothing short of a grand agenda will suffice in solving the problems in our transport sector.

OPINION Jega's exit and the uncertainty in INEC (2)

By Olufemi Olusola Continued from yesterday pg. 18

J

EGA handed-over to the national Commissioner with a longer exit date.

But the decision to overrule an independent electoral institution over a delegation of task, that has been a routine practice without thought for the wider ramifications of this action for the independence of INEC, is indeed sad.

Beyond the suspicion and condemnation that has trailed this action of the government is the fact that anyone who is selected to head INEC after Prof. Jega, must be one who can command public confidence and must attract close scrutiny because any action taken by such an individual may have skewed elections long before actual election date.

That is why it is important to question Mr. President's choice of Alhaja Amina Zakari who has long standing family ties and from the same north west to take-over the headship of INEC ? What would have been the fate of the 2015 election if President Jonathan had appointed a South south person as INEC chair ? A search light beamed into the public track record of Alhaja Zakari, has revealed that she has a long history of having worked closely under Governor El-Rufai between 20042007 within the health and welfare units of the Federal Capital Territory. She has also worked closely with a consortuim -Afri C M Y K

Project- closely and strongly associated with President Buhari under the Petroleum Trust Fund as a pharmaceutical personnel. Those who know her closely revealed that the working relationship was so cordial that she fondly calls the president “uncle” having lived with her father and some point in time.

This clear conflict of interest is a danger signal for electoral management where professional empathy must supersede the convivial sympathy that this conflictual interest is bound to attract to the job schedule of an autonomous electoral management body. Surely, we in the South West are not ready for a regression to the era of Prof. lwu where instructions would be given to the INEC chairman and the whole of South West taken over except Lagos in the 2003 elections. We must therefore say NO to Amina Zakari even as Acting chairman. lnterestingly, Alhaja Zakari was one of the leading proponents of the 30,000 polling

It is disturbing that President Buhari would make such an early grave mistake

Units, an irredentist and biased but failed decision to carry out electoral gerrymandering that allocated Ibadan one of the most populated cities in Africa less polling units far below insurgent ravaged states of Yobe, FCT than the entire South East on comparative voter numbers. This latter show of irredentism further dents the decision of President Buhari in choosing Alhaja Zakari. Irredentism was a sticking Achilles heels of President Buhari that we all appealed to Nigerians to forgive during the election, an accusation that was corroborated during the electoral campaigns by citations of quotations of his public positions on national matters which had strong regional biases, a matter that is strengthened by his previous advocacies as a former ACF president. All these were airbrushed by the strong and relentless efforts of the South West media axis alluded to by Senator Sani recently as responsible for the loss of President Jonathan at the election.It was leveraged on by APC media machinery for victory.

Is the emerging scenario a case of the leopard that has not changed its spots ?

The current situation in INEC if not reversed quickly will certainly damage the credibility of INEC and erode completely public confidence because that institution is expected to be a neutral and detached body that must be federal in all actions. Even at his worst moments of regression, Prof. Jega exceeded himself to portray INEC as an unbiased, impartial, professional body. The early signs from the recent reflexive actions of the President

negates all the actions that Jega sacrificed so much to build. It reflects nepotism, favoritism, and possibly preparing ground for an obsequious management of INEC, in the same way the Obasanjo government appointed Prof. Iwu to serve the ruling regime rather than the Nigerian nation, a very dangerous development for free and fair elections in 2019 and beyond.

You may not give the South West positions in the government and we do not mind, but to tamper with INEC in the manner of a prewritten script as being played out now, is totally unacceptable and rejected by our people. We cannot have an INEC chair who calls Mr.President “uncle” and would take instructions from the presidency. This is a matter of serious concern and worry for all who desire a sustainable electoral process in this country. We voted for you and we call on you to relieve Amina of that position for the sake of a system that you are now a beneficiary. Above all, It is disturbing that President Buhari would make such an early grave mistake. This unfortunate and regrettable decision seems to follow a disturbing trend of reflexive decisions not well thought out in recent times such as the decision to bar some electronic media before recanting; dismantling of all military check-points but reversed after Council of State meeting; decision on DSS later reversed, among others.

Concluded •Dr.Olusola, Secretary, South West Susutainable Electoral Study Group, wrote from Ibadan.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015— —19

Between party and national interest

By Sunny Ikhioya

T

HE happenings at the National Assembly in recent times have opened our eyes to the inevitability of change. When the time comes for change, you either ride with it or you're blow away with it. It is happening so fast that keeping up with the pace has become a real challenge, more so, with the internet social media and new technologies, people have become better informed and with new insight, are ready to take on and bring down established patterns and beliefs. It is not only in Nigeria but all over the world. The question is, at what point should the line be drawn between national interest and the party interest, constituency interest versus party interest and personal ambition versus the others?

Why must the APC party insist that only those chosen by them should hold leadership positions in the House, irrespective of the decisions of the majority House members, some of whom are also party members? Why will the party members disobey the directive issued from the party

leadership? Which position is right and which one is wrong?

First, let us understand the power and function of a political party in the Nigerian context.

Professor Adele Jinadu in a lead paper at the inaugural Political Parties dialogue series, held on October 4, 2011 with the title “Inter-Party Dialogue in Nigeria; Examining the past, present and future” gave a functional definition of a political party as “(a) Presents the electorate with a choice of candidate and programmes from which to choose; and in doing so (b) helps to decide which party or coalition of parties should govern for a fixed number of years.” He went on to state further that: “…the party provides the medium through which the accountability of the executive and the legislators to the electorate is exercised through periodic elections under a multi party electoral politics.”

According to Jinadu, much of the above definition is theory; the reality on ground is much different “because of the constricting effect on the choice of the electorate of (i) contradictions such as oligarchic and undemocratic tendencies in political party organisations and

(ii) market imperfections and structural distortions in the economic organisation of the liberal democratic state.”

If we are to go by the above explanation of Prof. Jinadu and relate it with the activities in the National Assembly, we can say that; in theory, the party has the prerogative to dictate who constitute the House leadership, therefore the position of the APC leadership that their candidate must prevail is right, legal and constitutional but again, Jinadu says that this is not practicable in our politics of today because of other extraneous circumstances which have come into play and have made it impossible for the rules of the party to be obeyed.

Can the party say that it has truly followed due process in the course of fielding candidates into

For peace and stability to reign therefore, we should allow the two Houses' decisions to remain the way they have chosen to have it

Stop this borrowing madness

By Gabriel Zowan

T

HE way our state governors are clamouring for bailout from President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) shows that some of our political leaders are yet to come to terms with the emerging global oil economy.

Anybody looking for funds to “carry on as usual”appears not to have realised that the present depressed crude oil prices represent the beginning of a new era of whittled-down crude oil power. If crude price should rise in answer to our prayers, it will simply boost the production of shale oil, which is still relatively more expensive to extract than the conventional crude.Therefore, the low crude prices distressing us today have actually slowed down the “shale oil”onslaught.

But with the hectic pace of development of the shale oil technology, its competitiveness will progressively improve. And many nations presently importing oil,have the potential to become “shale” oil producers. In fact, many of them are racing to join the United States which used to be the biggest importer of the Nigerian crude, until it attained its “shale” breakthrough. There are evenprospects of the US going beyond oil self-sufficiency to become a shale oil exporter! Already, we hear of ships laden with Nigerian crude in the international oil market, looking for buyers, even at a discount.

The verdict is therefore clear: Our crude oil revenue going forward,will not even be as high as what we are lamenting today. The chilling situation we all knew would one day come, but did not expect,at least for 30 more years - i.e. Nigeria without its crude oil power – is here! Crude oil is becoming a mere commodity.

If therefore we start piling up debts today in an attempt to bridge the current revenue shortfall, what will the upcoming generations use to repay the debts? If both federal and state governments are already crying about debt burdens today how will our upcoming generations (with the crumbled crude oil revenues) be able repay them? The state C M Y K

governments that are piling up debts today are simplycreating an economic gun powder for their upcoming generations!

Even the banks giving out such loans today might as well start sharpening their disaster management skills – because massive loan defaults may be looming!

The burning task before President Buhari is therefore to urgently re-engineer the nation,to be able to survive with its tumbling oil revenue! I shall make an elaborate submission on this re-engineering. But for now, let me single out one aspect of it, because of the way our politicians seem to be rushing to pile up more debts – that is deflating the monstrous cost of this democracy, including government’s bizarre expenditure structure.

The real culprit is our bloated governance cost.Our democracy can give us world-class governance even from a fraction of what we now regard as diminished revenue. Take the federal government as an example. In 2001, all our democratic institutions had come in place; yet, the federal government budget for that year (by the Appropriation Act 8 of the National Assembly) was less than N1 trillion, out of which 56% was budgeted for capital projects. Government budgeted only N0.4 trillion for its “recurrent” expenditure(what it would spend on its officials and other overheads, rather than on capital development

There is therefore no justification for government at any level, to further endangerNigeria’s unborn generations, by piling up more debts

various positions for elections?

Has the process been transparent?

I am not referring to the presidential election alone but elections to party positions right from the grassroots councilors to governors and senatorial levels, have they been fair to all? Have they made the position open to all and sundry interested in contesting for positions under the party's cover? What happened to candidates with lean financial resources? Have there been impositions of candidates against the will of the people? Can the APC beat its chest and boast that the selection of candidates for party positions along the ranks are not done by a negligible few, whose primary concern is the pursuit of their own interests?

This is the contradiction that Jinadu is referring to. If this is so, then nobody can blame Senator Bukola Saraki and his House of Representatives counterpart Hon. Yakubu Dogara for the stunts they have pulled against the party. If this action was done in the politics of the sixties, they would not have succeeded because then, the tradition of fielding candidates for election was by imposition, anyone the leadership chooses is accepted by all, that was the practice in the NCNC (National council of Nigeria citizens), Action Group (AG) and the Northern People’s Congress (NPC).

projects).Remarkably, by our 2014 budget, the recurrent component had ballooned to N3.6 trillion, gulping 76% of our total budget of N4.7 trillion, and leaving a paltry 24% (orN1.1 trillion) for capital development projects. The 2015 budget is even worse.

Of what good therefore is “more revenue” to Nigerians, if it is only 24% of what comes in that can go into development? Does government exist for itself, rather than for the people?

The problem is not “revenue”; it is what we are doing with it. For example, the total budget for our National Assembly in 2001 was only N15.5 billion. But by 2014 appropriation, it had shot up to a whopping N150 billion that is 10 times the 2001 figure! What on earth is the justification for that? Has there been an increase in the number of elected Senators and members of the House? Similar questions are begging for answers across the entire system.

As another example, I reviewed the data published by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on federally collected revenue, for the period 1961 to 2010 (the data stopped at 2010) and found the results very shocking: In the 29 years from 1970 to 1998, the total federally collected revenue (oil and non-oil) was only N3.6 trillion. However, because of the unprecedented oil price surge that started with this democracy in 1999, we amassed a whopping N24.8 trillion in the next eight years,from 1999 to 2006 (the Obasanjo years), and a further N25.7 trillion in four additional years, from 2007 to 2010 (the Yar’Adua years,mostly).

1970 - 1998 3.6t (before this democracy) 1999- 2006 24.8t (the Obasanjo years) 2007 - 2010 25.7t (the Yar’Adua years) We can all remember many of the achievements of the N3.6 trillion of the first 29 years: the federal highways, refineries, steel plants, power plants, fertiliser plants, dams, river basins, sea ports (in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Warri, etc), NITEL’s telecoms network; federal universities, colleges of education, and Unity schools; our old capital, Lagos

The situation now is no more the same, things have changed. The people are now more informed, enlightened and independent.

Parties are no more formed on ideological basis but on personal interests. The parties that we have today consists of strange bed fellows, of extreme conservatives mixed with social democrats, it will take time for real fusion and understanding to take place. As time goes on, through the dynamics of our political process, the real political parties with true ideological souls would emerge and like minds will stick together.

In the mean time, our democracy is still evolving. Because there is no sincerity at the party leadership level, there is reciprocal disloyalty from the representatives of the party, as a result, we can say that none of the two sides is innocent.

For peace and stability to reign therefore, we should allow the two Houses' decisions to remain the way they have chosen to have it; while the APC party leadership find means of putting its house in order by instituting policies and programmes that will be acceptable to the rank and file of the party and attract party loyalty. That is the right thing to do. *Mr. Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

(including the massive 3rd Mainland bridge and other bridges and flyovers, and the Ikoyi secretariat); and the new federal capital, Abuja (including more secretariats, the massive Gwarinpa estate said to be the largest in Africa, as well as other masshousing estates –constructed ironically by the much maligned Abacha administration!)

Now, what on earth did we achieve with the massive N24.8 trillion that poured into the country in the next eight years?

Repair of existing refineries? Build new refineries? More housing estates?Power plants?Steel plants? Fertiliser plants?

Where on earth then did all that money go? The same questions can be asked of the N25.7 trillion that poured in during the next four years, from 2007 to 2009!

There were two tragic achievements of those windfalls– poverty and higher domestic debt! According to the figures published by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) our population in poverty soared from 67 Million in 1996 to a bewildering 112 million by 2010! So Nigerians became vastly poorer in 2010 than in 1996 – despite all those massive windfalls!

The same sad story greets us from CBN’s data on our domestic debt. In 1998,federal government’s domestic debt outstanding was only N561 billion. But by 2007, it had shot up to N2.9 trillion; and continued upwards, reaching N4.6 trillion by 2010. In other words, not only are we hard-pressed to tell our unborn generations what we did with the massive windfalls of 1999-2010, we even increased the domestic debt burden on them by a whopping 712% during that period! If government incurred such huge debts during that revenue boom, is it with the tumbling oil earnings that we shall repay them? What future are preparing for our unborn generations?

Since this democracy, our leaders have been preoccupied with “more revenues” including massive borrowings, to fund this expenditure monster. That’s why the monster has continued to balloon unabated! There is therefore no justification for government at any level, to further endanger Nigeria’s unborn generations, by piling up more debts.

•Mr. Zowam, a reform & governance expert, wrote from Lagos.

20—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

PRESENTATION: From left: Winners of British Airways Leaders of Tomorrow Season 1, Adachie Gabriel Eneojo, Peter Fajemisin and British Airways CEO, Keith Williams during the presentation of certificate to the winners in London.

‘Why Nigerian vessels cannot lift petroleum products midstream’

By Godwin Oritse

M

ANAGING Director of Union Admiralty Ltd, UAL, Ibi Seddon, has blamed the dominance of lifting of refined petroleum products from mother ships offshore to the storage facilities to the fact that the Nigerian owned ships are not sea-worthy.

Seddon who spoke to Vanguard in Lagos, explained that despite the Cabotage Act which restricts trade within the nation’s coastal waters for Nigerian owned vessels, product owners and owners of mother vessels

$124.90 $3,276. 00

-0.70 60. 00

$12. 42 $58.65

54.14 CURRENCY BUYING DOLLAR

0.12 -1.67

-2.79

CENTRAL

195.95 196.45 POUNDS 306.2894 307.071 EURO 217.5045 218.0595 FRANC 207.8384 208.3687 YEN 1.5945 1.5986 CFA 0.3114 0.3214 WAUA 273. 5045 274. 2024 RENMINBI 31.5698 31.6508 RIYAL 29.1497 29.2241 SDR 274.1928 274.8925

196.95 307.8525 218.6145 208.899 1.6027 0.3314 274.9003 31.7318 29.2984 275.5921

CBN Exchange Rate as at 06/ 07 /15

C M Y K

still prefers foreign ships because the indigenous owned ships are not in class.

He explained that when a ship is in class (it meets all conditions both in terms of maintenance and insurance for engaging in international trade), the mother vessels would prefer to deal with them in case an accident

occurs, “There are very few Nigerian vessels that are up to date in their class, in their insurance and in their paper work that are involved in the transfer of refined products from offshore to storage facilities onshore.

“Some are having some difficulties because of their insurance, their class

— 21

or their paper work because the mother vessels most cases may have one or two problem as a result of the roughness of the sea, scratches and the certification of documentation, they would not wait or hold each other hostage but they will depart and the P&I club would be able to settle the issue.

“So they insist on classed vessels, that means that the master and the crew are up to class and they know what they are doing so as to minimize dispute between two vessels. In case of incident like the above, both parties would sign their papers and they would disperse, instead of situation where one vessel would hold the other one insisting that he has to stay for one month or you must pay for the damages, all because you are not sure of him.

“But I think that most Nigerian owned vessels are updating themselves. The other problem that we are seeing in the world now is that most classed tanker vessels are having double hull and that has not actually taken effect in our coastal trade yet but with time, it will get here. It may be another hindrance that the mother vessels may insist on,” he said.

On the argument that most of the classification bodies make it difficult for Nigerian vessels to be classed, Seddon said it is not true because there are about five classification societies and that all on them cannot conspire not to classify ships from Nigeria.

He pointed out that there is a required standard to be met before any vessel can be given that class.

In some class, you are required to embark on the maintenance of your ship every two years, the vessel has to go for dry dock which Nigerian vessels do not do.

Honda begins production of Accord Sedan in Nigeria

H

ONDA Motor Co’s says it has begun the building of cars in Nigeria by retooling part of its factory that previously made motorcycles. The firm’s new chief executive, Takahiro Hachigo, said this at his first news conference since taking the helm in June, yesterday in Tokyo.

Hachigo said the company, which began production in July (this month), planned to produce 1,000 of its Accord sedans annually at the plant.

The new chief executive said Honda would boost the production if the local market grows, adding that the plant would service other African countries. Meanwhile, Hachigo says it has no plans for now to provide financial aid to Takata Corp, the air bag supplier at the centre of a costly global air bag recall. However, Hachigo said Honda had set aside enough to cover the cost of recalling over 2 million cars with potentially faulty air bag parts made by Takata.

“We have money budgeted for quality-related costs, as we did last

year, and we think we can respond within this allocated amount,” Hachigo told reporters. Last month, Honda revised its operating profit for the year ended March to 606.88 billion yen ($4.92 billion) from the 651.68 billion yen it reported in April to account for expanded recall costs.

The new chief executive said Honda would boost the production if the local market grows, adding that the plant would service other African countries

At 55, Hachigo, begins his stewardship of Japan’s third-biggest auto maker with a mission to restore the firm’s reputation for quality. In the Takata air bag safety scare regulators have linked eight deaths to the component, all in cars made by Honda. Hachigo’s predecessor Takanobu Ito and other executives took a pay cut last October, following a fifth recall of its Fit hybrid subcompact in a year which had quality glitches unrelated to Takatamade inflators. In total, tens of millions of cars carrying Takata-made parts have been recalled around the world by a range of auto makers.

Some Takata air bag inflators have exploded with too much force, spraying shrapnel inside vehicles, regulators have found. As Hachigo seeks to develop business, he said the company remained open to alliances with other automakers - as long as such tie-ups were of benefit to Honda.

In one such deal, the Japanese firm already has an alliance with General Motors Co, to develop hydrogen fuelcell technology.

22 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

Though a big relief to millions of bank customers across the country who were yet to enrol, it was also a huge relief for the banks, due to the cloud of uncertainties and increasing technical issues undermining the exercise

,

TOP 10 PERFORMING STOCKS

BY PETER EGWUATU

L

IVESTOCK Feeds Plc led the cream of price gainers on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE last week, rising by 11.16 per cent or N0.24 per share to close at N2.39 per share from N2.15 per share it closed penultimate week. About thirty three equities appreciated during the week under review, higher than twenty two equities of the penultimate week.

The company which led the top ten gainers had recorded revenue of N7.914 billion in its 2014 financial result up by 20 per cent from N6.113 billion in 2013; Cost of sales went up by 28 per cent to N6.924 billion from N5.424 billion; Profit up by 21 per ent to N402.151 million from N282.798 million; Earnings Per Share went up by 28 per cent to N17.56 from N12.71.

Trailing behind Livestock Feeds on the gainers’ chart was Portland Paints and Products Nigeria Plc, rising by 10.11 per cent or N0.45 to close at N4.90 per share from N4.45 per share.

The company in its financial year ended March 31, 2014 recorded a turnover of N2.798 billion, up by 3 per cent from N2.721 billion ibn 2013; Profit Before Tax grew by 164 per cent to N194.297 million from N73.464 million in 2013; Profit After TAX UP BY 159 per cent to N148.643 million from N57.346 million.

Portland Paints had explained why it did not declare dividends for the financial year ended December 2014.

Addressing the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos recently, the Chairman of Portland Paints, Mr Larry Ettah, said despite the higher profit, no dividend would be paid due to strategic reasons.

“For strategic reasons, the board is not recommending the payment of dividend for the year ended 31st December, 2014 but hoped that with the company’s improved performance, this may not be a challenge anymore.”

According to him, the company was being repositioned for better future performance. This repositioning, he added, would require capital raising.

“We are realigning our portfolio and making strategic shifts where necessary. We will continue to focus on innovation and seek opportunities to introduce new offerings into our portfolio of brands as well as build capacity in our people. In pursuit of plans to improve returns and address the high leverage position of the company and our other business expansion plans, the Board has recommended for your approval a capital raise by way of Rights Issue. The board will therefore be glad to have your kind approval,” Ettah said.

INVESTOR' , BVN enrolment: Facts behind the extension of deadline

By Babajide Komolafe

C

ONTRARY to several official pronouncements, the deadline for bank customers to enrol for the biometric verification number (BVN) was extended by four months till October 31st.

Though a big relief to millions of bank customers across the country who were yet to enrol, it was also a huge

procedure takes about ten minutes and each customer had about nine months to choose a day within these months to spend 10 to 30 minutes to enrol. Hence it was quite surprising that many customers waited till few days before the June 30 initial deadline before they visited their banks for enrolment. With the exception of customers in rural areas, or terror ravaged states of the North East zone, the massive crowd of customers that besieged banking

INTERACTION : From left, Mr. Tayo Shenbanjo (Guest Speaker and a member of CIS), Mr. Oluwaseyi Abe, Acting President/Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, CIS and Maigboje Higo, Managing Director, Capital Bancorp Limited and a member of CIS during an interactive session organised by CIS and Capital Bancorp in Lagos.

MARKET NEWS

Gainenrs' chart Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc occupied the third position on the gainers chart as it appreciated by 9.52 per cent to close at N11.50 per share from N10.50 per share it closed penultimate week. Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc results for the year ended March 31, 2015 shows that revenue dropped by 5.29 per cent to N4.625 billion from N4.883billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2014; Cost of sales dropped by 8.24 per cent to N2.904 billion from N3.165 billion; Profit Before Tax declined by 9.58 per cent to N929.479 million from N1.027 billion; Profit After Tax dropped by 9.58 per cent to N632.046 million from N699.019 million.

University Press Plc occupied the fourth position on the gainers’ chart as it appreciated by N7.49 per cent to close at N6.03 per share from N5.61 per share it closed penultimate week.

The company’s financial result for the year ended MARCH 2014 shows that revenue went up to N2.438 billion from N2.312 billion; Profit After Tax increased to N233.925 million from N260.702 million in 2013. The second quarter results for the period ended September 30, 2014, revealed that University Press Profit After Tax dropped to N315.419 million from N316.872 million; Profit Before Tax stood at N432.217 million from N432.313 million; Cost of sales dropped to N479.966 million from N566.132 million.

Occupying the fifth position on the gainers chart was 7up Bottling Company Plc as it appreciated by 6.09 per cent or N10.90 per share to close at N190.00 per share to close at N179.10 per share.

7up Bottling Company has proposed N1.761, 623,498 for its shareholders for the financial year ended March 31, 2015. The dividend represents N2.75 per share subject to deduction of appropriate withholding tax whose names appear on the register of the members at the close of business on Friday July 10th, 2015.

The company has 56th AGM has been scheduled to hold in September, 2015.

relief for the banks, due to the cloud of uncertainties and increasing technical issues undermining the exercise.

The BVN is a good initiative with many benefits to customers and the economy.

Furthermore there were massive publicity efforts to enlighten the public about the initiative, and ensure early enrolment. All things being equal, the enrolment

NUC inaugurates four- man committee to accredit CIS programme

By Peter Egwuatu

T

HE Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) is on the move to get accreditation for some of its programmes as the National Universities Commission (NUC) has set up a four man Committee to mid-wife the implementation.

The institute, led by its second Vice Chairman, Mr Adedapo Adekoje, had at the weekend visited the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Professor Julius Okojie on the need by NUC to accredit its programme and approve the study of Securities and Investment in the school curriculum. Professor Okojie

assured the CIS team of necessary support for their programmes and other courses being proposed for inclusion in the school curriculum. In his address, Adekoje who was accompanied by the institute’s Council member, Mr Oye Oyeniyi and the Registrar and Chief Executive, Mr Adedeji Ajadi re-affirmed the desire of the institute to work with NUC to achieve the agenda of the Federal Government in the area of capacity building on our universities.

According to him, high quality and competitive programmes should be run in our universities in spite of the tough operating environment and CIS is well-positioned to

assist the government realize this vision.

Adekoje specifically solicited the support of the Commission to work with the CIS to get the CIS Professional Diploma in Securities and Investment

Already, the Committee has been mandated to work with a similar team from the CIS to actualise all the deliverables discussed and agreed upon without delay

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015 — 23

halls two weeks ago was not justifiable.

But the BVN had more problems than the lackadaisical attitude of customers. One of them was communication. I was surprised when a banker of more than seven years, queried the rationale and the purpose of the BVN. I had to spend about 20 minutes on phone to educate her how the initiative would make her job easier.

Furthermore, I was in a banking hall a week to the June 30 deadline, and upon seeing the customers waiting for BVN enrolment, I asked the staff attending to me what would happen to customers who do not enrol before June 30th, she

As at the end of Monday June 29th, there was confusion and uncertainty about what will happen after June 30th. This off course aggravated the mammoth crowd of customers that besieged the banks as early as 7am on Monday June 29th and on Tuesday June 30

recognized and accredited for direct entry to Nigerian Universities; and also to introduce Securities and Investment studies as a course at undergraduate level in Nigeria universities. This, according to him, was to address the wide knowledge gap among the populace about the Capital Market, and introduce our teeming youths early to the basics of the Market.

Basics of the market Responding, Professor Okojie explained that a visit by the CIS team could not have come at a better time than now when the NUC was putting in extra efforts to ensure that courses and programmes that would help support the growth and development of Nigeria in every facet were developed and promoted in our tertiary institutions.

Okojie also lauded the institute’s efforts at investors’

responded, “We don’t know. We are waiting for CBN to tell us what would happen”. By Monday June 29th, some banks were barring customers from accessing their accounts until they enrol for BVN while some issued directives that any customer that fails to enrol by June 30 should not be allowed access to his/her account. Other banks however did not bar or threaten to bar customers before or after the June 30 deadline.

Even among CBN officials there were conflicting signals. A top CBN staff, who is directly involved in the BVN initiative, told Vanguard that the official position was that customers who do not enrol by June 30 would not be allowed to access their accounts until they do so. He spoke on condition of anonymity.

But the Director of Corporate Communications, Alhaji Ibrahim Muazu told Vanguard that the apex bank did not issue any directive to banks to bar customers who could not enrol

by June 30. He said such customers would be allowed to access their money but would be denied some privileges such as online banking etc.

Thus as at the end of Monday June 29th, there was confusion and uncertainty about what will happen after June 30th. This of course aggravated the mammoth crowd of customers that besieged the banks as early as 7am on Monday June 29th and on Tuesday June 30th. (To be continued next week). Send comments and enquiries to vanguardinvestorsforum@gmail.com

education, but noted that more work needed to be done by all stakeholders in this direction as most Nigerians did not understand the Capital Market.

He assured the CIS team of the Commission’s support in ensuring that the CIS Professional Diploma Programme was accredited as requested. He also pledged to work with CIS to actualise the dream of introducing Securities and Investment studies at undergraduate level in Nigerian University.

A major breakthrough from the visit was the setting up of a Committee of four by the Commission, to be headed by Professor Chiedu Mafiana, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Commission. Already, the Committee has been mandated to work with a similar team from the CIS to actualise all the deliverables discussed and agreed upon without delay.

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'S FORUM

If Seplat cannot pay other countries in naira, why pay us in dollar, people do things because nobody challenges them, they take laws into their hands. There are certain things you don’t need to be told, these things they are doing, if they try it abroad, they will be sanctioned immediately

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INVESTORS SPEAK

*Mr. Taiwo Oderinde

*Alhaji Gbadebo Olatokunbo

Dollar dividend: Seplat currently pays in naira, interim still pending The Chairman, Seplat Petroleum Development Company, Dr. Ambrose Orjiako has come out to say that shareholders who bought shares in naira or foreign currency would be paid dividend as such., except otherwise which is applicable to exchange rate of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as at the time the register of the company closes.

Shareholders in this interview argue that the company is paying the current dividend in naira while the initial dividend paid in dollar is still pending.

By Providence Obuh

A

lhaji Gbadebo Olatokunbo, Shareholders' Activist: A shareholder called me yesterday (Sunday) and told me he has received his current dividend from Seplat written in naira, but that is the latest dividend, the one in contention, the interim dividend, have not been paid.

I have not received mine, except they have just sent it to my postal address at Onipanu because I now reside at Ikorodu, anytime I go to Onipanu I will check if they have send it or not. There is nothing the MD can say, if I bought shares at the stock exchange in naira and I reside in Nigeria and the currency in Nigeria is naira, there is no law that says I should collect my money in any other currency unless it has been thus stated that I should collect in that currency, but there wasn’t any policy of such when I bought my shares through the stock exchange, so that is our argument.

Current dividend We are waiting to see what will happen to the previous one’s that has not been paid. I am waiting to see what will happen and from there I will pick the registrar up to explain to me what is happening. It was because of the pressure we put on that t hey paid the current dividend in naira. But they are yet to sort the previous interim dividend.

If they are applying exchange rate it would be as at the date of the payment of the dividend, if they use the current exchange rate they are cheating and surcharging people.

They are being encouraged by some Nigerians who wants to hold dollars and they are individuals but is Seplat that accepted to do the wrong thing. If Seplat cannot pay other countries in naira, why pay us in dollar, people

do things because nobody challenges them, they take laws into their hands.

There are certain things you don’t need to be told, these things they are doing, if they try it abroad, they will be sanctioned immediately by the regulatory authority. But because our regulatory authority refuse to speak out that is why this whole thing dragged this long. If SEC have called them to order to reverse what they have done, we would not be dragging issues.

Mr. Taiwo Oderinde, Chairman Proactive Shareholders Association of Nigeria: At the last AGM, they made it clear that any shareholder that bought their shares in naira would be be paid in the local currency (naira). The company is dual listed, so those people who bought in dollars, even some Nigerians also bought in foreign currency. So those who bought in naira will receive their dividend in naira and those who bought in foreign currency It was will receive their dividend in foreign currency, that is because of conclusion. The the pressure the problem we sometimes have with our regulators is we put on compliance and that t hey enforcement, but the way paid the I have seen the company Seplat is that they are true current to their words and I have dividend in seen some of their Directors to be law abiding naira, but from the various places they are yet they have served before, so I think they will do the best to sort the according to what they previous have promised, some of us that received our dividend interim received it in our local dividend currency.

24— VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

Developer partners German firm to build precast factory

A

A construction project... Where are the workers?

By Kingsley Adegboye

REAL estate developer, BTG Group Nigeria Limited has concluded a partnership agreement with Messrs WEILER GMBH of Germany, to set up a large scale precast factory in Nigeria The agreement which BTG described as “innovative and revolutionary,” is to promote production of large-scale real estate solutions capable of aiding mass housing delivery in Nigeria at affordable prices.

The pilot precast factory would be located in Onitsha where the group has secured a contract to deliver 1,000 housing units for the state government. Besides, there are plans to set up the factory in each geo-political zone of the country.

The Chairman of BTG Group, Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu who disclosed this last week in Abuja, explained that the purpose of the partnership is to boost provision of affordable homes in Nigerians and to reduce the gap in housing deficit in the country.

Aradiogbu noted that the precast concrete elements would be produced to meet low-cost housing on a large scale, townhouse complexes, modern and unique office buildings, schools and hospitals, including commercial and industrial buildings.

High fire resistance He listed precast concrete advantages to include durability and the fact that it can be shaped to meet any design, including high fire resistance.

“BTG Group Nigeria Limited is committed and feels privileged to be investing in the future of Nigerian real estate sector and most especially introducing innovative solution on a large scale to bridge the gap within the affordable homes provision to Nigerians. In these tough economic times, Nigeria needs smart organizations, like BTG Group Nigeria Limited, that has Nigerians’ interest at heart to support government in its quest to uplift Nigeria’s home ownership drive through provision of investment funds,” he said. He noted that the innovation has been nurtured to reality under the total management of Terra Motion, The Netherlands, which over a short period of time has been able to bring all parties together and identified business synergies that finally paved the way for the partnership.

Construction industry marks time, waiting for Buhari

By Jude Njoku

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HE triple combination of the inability of the Federal Government to roll out its economic policies, huge debt owed contractors and the advent of the rainy season, have brought activities in the nation’s construction industry to a near standstill.

The comatose state of the construction industry which contributes about 70 percent of the country ’s gross domestic product, GDP, is having serious multiplier effects on other sectors of the economy.

Vanguard Homes & Property learnt that the inactivity in the construction sector has led to job losses as employers who can no longer cope with the wage bills of their staff, have begun to lay them off.

An Lagos-based developer noted that investors are waiting for the Federal Government to unfold its economic policies to enable them know what next to do. According to him, it would be suicidal for any investor worth his onions to plunge into the murky construction industry without first knowing the policy thrust of the present government.

Apart from the inability of a clear economic policy, the huge debts owed

contractors has thrown many of them out of business. Those who borrowed money from commercial banks to finance their projects, are being hunted by the banks for non-payment of debts. The President of the Federation of Construction Industry, FOCI, the umbrella body for about 126 major construction companies operating in Nigeria, Mr. Solomon Ogunbusola said members of the Federation are being owed over N600 billion for already completed projects.

Ogunbusola who spoke at the just concluded annual general meeting, AGM, of the body, explained that the Federal

The construction companies in Nigeria are working below 30 percent, not because we are interested in doing this, but we have been handicapped due to lack of payment by our clients

Ministry of Works, alone is owing contractors a whooping N500 million for completed jobs.

Construction giants, Messrs Julius Berger Nigeria, PLC, penultimate week, cried out over a N90 billion debt, which the company said is hampering its operations.

The company’s Financial Director, Mr Wolfgang Kollermann who disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists at the company’s 45th annual general meeting, AGM, in Abuja said the Federal Government alone is owing the company N67.5billion representing about three quarters of the debts owed the company. The remaining one quarter (N22.5billion), he said, is being owed by private companies.

Retrenchment of workers Ogunbusola noted that construction companies are either closing construction sites or retrenching their workers, The worst hit are the casual workers who are paid stipends either weekly or on monthly basis.

His words: “ The construction companies in Nigeria are working below 30 percent, not because we are interested in doing this, but we have been handicapped due to lack of payment by our clients and the major client we have today is

the government (Federal, State and the local governments).

Our members are indebted to the banks. I can say authoritatively that the banks are writing and threatening some of our members, that they would publish their names that they are chronic debtors because, according to them, it is a directive from the Central Bank of Nigeria”.

Continuing, the FOCI boss who is also the Managing Director of an indigenous construction company, S&M Nigeria Limited said many companies are downsizing to be able to cope with their lean finances. “We have retrenched a lot of people. Until last week, we are still retrenching people and the process will continue until when we get a stable place. We are merely keeping the offices because we just want to be in existence with the hope that the new administration would be a better one for us. We cannot hide any longer. He regretted that most of the projects done by contractors were financed with money borrowed from banks and very high interest rates.

“The advent of the rainy season has equally helped to worsen the already poor state of construction activities the country. This period is usually not the best of times of construction industry operators, as the rains usually disrupt the tempo of construction works.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015 —25

REDAN demands new housing policy to cater for ‘common’ people find out that inflation has eaten up the money so that whereas what you are getting at the point of retirement as pension fund and retirement savings account is only a negligible percentage in terms of its purchasing power.”

Rev. Chime called on the government to adopt a more creative strategy to see that the Nigerian workers who are contributors to the pension fund, reap from their long years of labour.

Squatter settlements

A low-cost estate...REDAN wants such houses for low-income earners (Inset) Rev Chime

By Chris Ochayi

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HE National President, Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, REDAN, Rev. Ugochuckwu Chime has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to develop a new housing policy which will enable the common people, (the Talakawas) who voted him into power to have their own houses.

The REDAN boss who made the appeal at the end of a oneday multi- stakeholders interactive workshop on housing development in Abuja, noted that this is the first time that the voice on the street propelled somebody into presidency.

“We are looking forward to him to recognise that it is the common people and not the super rich who elected him. He must look after these people who voted for him by fashioning out a housing policy which they would benefit from,” he said.

Rev. Chime further called on the Federal Government to channel part of workers’ contribution into the National Pension Fund, NPF which presently stands at N4.9 trillion, to bridge the country ’s 17 million housing deficit.

Housing deficit He recommended that the National Housing Fund, NHF, which has been workers’ contribution to own their houses through the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN and the Pension Fund be coalesced into a pool to create jobs in the sector and at the same time bridge the housing deficit in the country.

“The NHF and the Pension Funds are funds created to ensure that while in service or retirement, the average Nigerian worker is catered for.

We know that three elements form the basic needs of man, that

is, food, shelter and clothing and government has been intervening on the issue of food.

Unfortunately policy makers have not deemed it necessary to implement some of the provisions of the NHF. The provisions of the NHF and the Pension Fund which is now the contributory scheme, were all dovetailed into the welfare of the worker and there must be a linkage because if you contribute money, the value of the money at the point of contribution is not comparable to the value of the money at the point of retirement,”he posited.

Buttressing this submission, the REDAN boss said: “You will

Inflation has eaten up the money so that what you are getting at the point of retirement as pension fund and retirement savings account is only a negligible percentage in terms of its purchasing power

“Now we are saying that we have to have a creative way of doing these things, because if we can invest in food without Nigerians begging in the streets, why must we allow Nigerians to be homeless and suffering in the squatter settlements before we take a critical look and restructure and reform the housing sector and then inject the needed funds.

We in REDAN are saying that there are supposed to be four sources of contribution to the NHF, but it is only one source that has been working. The banks, government and insurance companies are supposed to be contributors to the NHF. Unfortunately these three are not contributing and the burden is left on the Nigerian worker and it is not fair. This is not fair because it will take a worker to contribute

up to a thousand years before what he has contributed is sufficient to provide him accommodation, baring inflation,” he said.

Chime frowned at the government’s under capitalisation of FMBN. Insisting there must be a synergy between the NHF and the Pension Fund, Chime declared: “We are saying that there should be a linkage and synergy between the NHF and Pensions Fund to ensure that the trillions of naira in the Pension Fund are brought to bear on the welfare of the worker at a time that welfare will make meaning to them now not on retirement when the purchasing power of that money would have depreciated very alarmingly.”

In her remarks, Executive Director, Policy and Corporate Strategy, Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company, NMRC, Mrs. Chika Akporji advocated a common pool of funds for housing development.

“On the Pension Fund, I totally applaud Chime’s recommendation of coalescing all the contributions made by workers to a pool. The whole idea of Pension Fund is not just to keep contributing as workers are supposed to make returns on the investment because they are investible funds and they need to enjoy some returns on it and see the linkages between the NHF and Pension Fund,,” she said.

NITP ponders use of LUPAR template in land use planning

By Jude Njoku

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HE Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, NITP plans to make the recently conceived Land Use Planning and Analysis Reporting, LUPAR template, operational in 2017.

NITP President, Dr Femi Olomola who disclosed this the 17th edition of the Institute’s 2015 Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Programme, MCPDP, in Ibadan, explained that new template is a novelty that seeks to expand the frontiers of Site Analysis Report, SAR applications beyond the tradition of planning approvals.

The settlement experts used the MCPDP which had Development of a Multi User Template for Land Use Planning and Analysis Reporting in Nigeria as the theme to build consensus on the new template among the practitioners and to allow for inputs before the report will be presented at NITP’s annual

general meeting later in October.

The proposed report will also build on the existing SAR processes and procedures, as well as adding details of geographic references and further information relating to building types and conditions, title deeds, the local land use and development setting, and the permits granted on property.

The new format LUPAR, in addition to other benefits, can become a very useful and authentic instrument that supports applications for opening of corporate bank accounts; Bank loan processing; requests for Insurance cover; and incorporation/registration of new companies with Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC..

It will also address the traditional requirements of applications for building plan approval/permits; issuance of certificates of occupancies, Cs of O; potential value to security and regulatory agencies with oversight functions on crime and enforcement of standards

Dr. Femi Olomola, President NITP

among others.

In his keynote address at the two-day second leg of the MCPDP held at The polytechnic, Ibadan, last week, Dr. Olomola said about thirteen different areas of the economy have been identified where LUPAR will be useful .

Observing that the Urban and Regional Planning Decree 88 of 1992 clearly defines the legal and institutional framework for Land Use

Planning in Nigeria, the NITP boss regretted that Nigeria is yet to get a clean environment of our dream. According to him, part of the reasons include, unavailability of tools needed for site visit, shortage of personnel, with less than 5,000 registered town planners in the country among other factors.

Olomola said the Institute will not wait for governments to provide all that is needed to achieve the dream environment, hence the idea of the new template that is aimed at addressing some of the identified gaps.

The Chairman of the MCPDP, Prof.

Adamu Ahmed, said the 17th edition was aimed at building capacity for members with special attention on the evaluation of one of the planning issues now - the site analysis report.

He said the MCPDP was also aim at building consensus on the development of new template, LUPAR, as an advisory instrument for planning institution, financial agencies and other regulatory agencies.

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26— Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

Floods. Wooden canoe to the rescue?

11 states at risk of flooding, NHSA report reveals

By Kingsley Adegboye

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O fewer that 11 states in Nigeria are at risk of flooding, according to the Nigerian Hydrological Agency, NHSA. The Agency which unveiled its 2015 Annual Flood Outlook has therefore advised the concerned states to come up with effective mitigation strategies, capable of preventing flooding within their territories.

The Agency listed the high flood risk areas to include Sokoto-Rima, Niger, Benue Basins and parts of Anambra Basin.

NHSA disclosed that coastal flooding resulting from sea level rise and tidal surges are likely to occur in Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and Lagos states. Similarly, flash floods, according to the Agency, might be experienced in Lagos, Port-Harcourt, Sokoto, Birnin Kebbi, Ibadan and towns along the coastline.

According to NHSA, flood events within these basins are influenced largely by factors operating outside Nigeria.

Some of the runoff generated as far as the foothills of the Futa Djallon Mountain in the Republic of Guinea, may end up in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria.

Some parts of Nigeria, the NHSA report stated are precariously placed in terms

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of flood vulnerability because the factors generating the flood are from areas outside the territorial boundaries of Nigeria. According to the agency, the control of such floods is therefore difficult unless there are regional agreements and cooperation.

“Indeed rain is here and there is every need for Nigerians to put in place responsive mitigation measures that would help in reducing flooding hazards.

There is no gainsaying that flood and other extreme weather and climate events

Indeed rain is here and there is every need for Nigerians to put in place responsive mitigation measures that would help in reducing flooding hazards

are often accompanied by loss of lives and property, damage to crucial infrastructures, disruption of socio-economic activities and in some cases, displacement of people in the affected areas,”the Agency said.. It noted that the devastation caused by extreme events and especially floods have been exacerbated by low level of awareness of the consequential effects of human activities on drainage systems, such as dumping of refuse, erecting of structures on flood plains and other

indiscriminate actions that interfere with the free flow of water.

“These hydrological trends which are attributable to global warming and climate change, occasioned by anthropogenic activities are being tackled using both structural and non-structural measures. Nigeria is not left out in these hydrological manifestations or scenarios”, the agency said.

Speaking at the presentation of the flood outlook, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Mr. Istifanus Musa called on policy makers and stakeholders to promote adequate preparedness so as to reduce the losses from flooding.

According to Musa, there is the need to embark on flood prevention and mitigation measures that would ensure free flowing drainage systems, as well as good operation and maintenance of hydraulic structures such as dams and reservoirs.

The Permanent Secretary further explained that the 2015 edition of the AFO has expanded on models and product interpretations used in the 2014 NHSA probable flood scenarios for 2014.

The Director General, NHSA, Mr. Moses Beckley in the executive summary of the 2015 annual flood outlook stated that in fulfillment of the statutory mandate of the agency which includes to issue forecast for flood, prepared the 2015 flood outlook to provide necessary information to Nigerians especially those living in flood prone areas towards better preparedness to mitigate its effects.

London luxury homes record colossal fall in demand

T

he gulf between the central London property market and the rest of Britain has finally started to close, according to a new research.

A report in the Telegraph explained that demand for homes fell in many pockets of the capital in the last two months, but picked up across the country.

According to the report, the number of houses purchased in the UK has increased by nine percent over the past two months. But this rise is partly driven by the exodus from London into the rest of the South East, triggered by sky high house prices, and an economic recovery

elsewhere in the country.

The latest Hotspots study, from the online estate agent, eMoov, shows that since the beginning of May, demand in affluent London boroughs such as Mayfair, Belgravia, Notting Hill, Chiswick, and Knightsbridge, fell by three percent, with a dramatic drop in areas such as St John’s Wood.

The agent stated that 60 percent of central London boroughs that are classed as luxury have experienced a fall in demand since the start of May. The quarterly study measures the ratio between the number of homes listed

for sale versus the number sold using the major property search websites Rightmove and Zoopla.

“London has been a Monaco in the middle of Britain,” says Russell Quirk, the founder of eMoov. “But what comes up must come down and we are now starting to see a rebalancing with other parts of the country.”

There was an initial surge in sales completed in the immediate aftermath of the election, but the central London property market has now reverted to its longerterm trend of price adjustment.

“Prime central London [the top five to 10pc of the market by value] is still a graveyard, albeit a nice one,” says Mr Quirk. “I don’t think many will shed a tear for the wellheeled, sharp suited Mayfair type property predators…

Given the colossal fall in demand it could be several years before the high-end central London market recovers.”

This was in spite of the general election result, which many people expected would kick-start the London market after a prolonged period of uncertainty.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015—27

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28 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

•Aerial view of Ladipo Market, Mushin

LADIPO MARKET DEMOLITION:

Facts of 3 year-feud between LASG, traders

By Evelyn Usman, Ikenna Asomba, Esther Onyegbula & Monsuru Olowoopejo

A

FTER several years of contention over the impending demolition of the main section of Ladipo International Auto Parts Dealers market, in Mushin, the traders and authorities of the Mushin Local Government Area, may have brokered a truce, if the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both warring parties are anything to go by.

Vanguard gathered that the MoU gives the traders an additional one month to vacate the market premises for onward development by the Council developer.

Since 2013, when about 70 shops were purportedly demolished by the Lagos State Government after shutting the market for contravening the state’s environmental laws, there has been a continued discrete face-off between the traders and government authorities.

Countdown to the April 11 governorship election in the state, aggrieved traders in the market were alleged to had bluntly told Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who was the standard-bearer of the All Progressives Congress, APC, that they would not support him, C M Y K

because of the alleged concurrent witch-hunt they suffered under the administration of his predecessor, former Governor Babatunde Fashola.

In what has been described in some quarters as a vindictive action, penultimate Monday, the traders were caught unawares as armed security men comprising policemen, Operation MESA (OP MESA) and operatives in plain clothes, reportedly stormed the market, ordering traders to vacate their shops. In the process, about 150 shops were said to have been demolished with their roofing sheets pulled off, on the orders of officials of Mushin LGA, penultimate Tuesday. Although, Vanguard gathered that the market was reopened partially penultimate Wednesday.

We lost N300m to demolition—Traders When contacted, Chairman, Ladipo Central Executive Auto Dealers Association, Mr Kingsley Ogunor, who expressed shock over the demolition exercise, decried that traders lost over N300 million in terms of cash and property, because they were not duly informed to evacuate goods in their shops.

Ogunor who alleged that

authorities of the Mushin LGA did not follow judicial process before carrying out the demolition exercise said: “There was no notice to traders before the demolition exercise. The shops were allocated to us by the same Mushin LGA and we have been consistent in paying our tenancy allowance. I see no reason why they decided to demolish the shops and our goods.

“At least if a tenant is to be evicted from the house, due

Though bulldozer of the developer moved in on Tuesday, business activities had continued in the market unhindered and the traders are presently at their stalls doing their normal businesses

process will be followed. The only thing I could remember was authorities of the Council called for a meeting, and when I could not make it to the meeting, the next thing we saw was a letter from the Council, disclosing its intention to come and shutdown the market.

“To our surprise, they commenced the demolition exercise on Monday. The Council authorities should not take laws into its hands, it shouldn’t exhibit executive lawlessness. If the Executive Secretary wants to dialogue with us, there should be due process. We lost over N300 million in terms of cash and property”.

However, when Vanguard visited the market, traders were sighted in different groups bemoaning their fates. A banner which hung on the gate beared an inscription which says: ‘Proposed Commercial Development of Mushin, Lagos.’

It stated that the Mushin Local Government in conjunction with a developer known as Total Value Integrated Services Limited were to commence the building of a modern plaza market there. The duration for completion is 18 months.

We never demolished any part of Ladipo market —LASG Dispelling insinuations that it demolished the Ladipo market out of vindictiveness and fallout of the last governorship elections, the Lagos State Government has denied demolishing parts of the market, adding that Governor Ambode has no plans to relocate the popular auto parts market.

The Executive Secretary, Mushin LGA, Jide Bello, last

Thursday, said the LGA developer had moved in “to take ownership” of the market, but “we have no plan to demolish the market.”

Bello said the council’s plan, as contained in an agreement earlier reached with the traders, was to redevelop the market in phases lasting three to five months of construction work.

According to him, ‘’though bulldozer of the developer had moved in on Tuesday, but business activities had continued in the market unhindered and the traders are presently at their stalls going about their normal business activities.”

Bello explained that because of the eyesore which the unwholesome activities of some traders had caused, the Council decided to redevelop the market that has degraded and not fit into the mega city plans of the state.

He added that after several meetings with the leaders of the various associations in the market, the Council resolved to undertake the market development in phases. ‘’Because of this, we have not collected any form of rent from the traders in the market since the beginning of 2015,’’ he said.

Noting that there would be no going back on the council’s decision to redevelop the market to meet the megacity status of Lagos, the Council boss, however, assured all traders in the market that Mushin remains a home for all of them. ‘’Current owners will be given due attention in the re-allotment of the market once construction is completed, as long as they can provide valid ownership papers,’’ he assured.

MoU that stalled demolition In related development, Ogunor said the traders and the Council authorities had signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which gives the traders additional one month to vacate the market premises, thus stalling the demolition exercise which began penultimate Monday.

The market leader, who made this disclosure to Vanguard, said the MoU was reached to stall the demolition exercise which could have increased the losses suffered by the traders had it continued.

Having spent over 25 years in the market, the market leader said the MoU would also allow traders move their goods to safer areas where it would not be damaged by rain.

He added that what raised this concern was the failure of the State Government to compensate traders who had their shops demolished in 2013, for allegedly contravening the state’s environmental laws.

VI

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015 — 29

By Ikenna Asomba & Mildred Ibrahim

F

OLLOWING last Wednesday ’s boat mishap which led to the death of six school children along the Irewe water-ways, in the Ojo area of Lagos State, investigation by the Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA , revealed that all passengers onboard the canoe did not have life jackets on.

The Managing Director, LASWA, Yinka Marinho, said incident report gotten at 8.30am on that fateful day stated that the accident involved a motorized boat (Fibre boat) which crashed into a non-motorized canoe heading towards Irewe locality along the Ojo axis of Lagos State.

Reckless driving Marinho said the tragedy occurred due to the reckless driving by the Captain of the motorized boat (OLA MOTHER), who colluded into a non-motorized canoe travelling with one adult and 12 children onboard, adding that the LASWA patrol boat was immediately dispatched at about 08.35am to the locality on receiving the incident report.

He said: “On reaching Irewe jetty, the Patrol team met with Oba of Irewe, who led the team to the village police station, where men of the Police Force had been very helpful in the handling of the incident. It was

How Ojo boat mishap occured — LASWA boss •An overloaded boat with passengers not wearing life jackets in Lagos water-ways gathered that immediately after the collision, local boat operators had tried to rescue the children from the canoe which hull had been damage, resulting to its sinking.

“All passengers onboard the canoe did not have life jackets on. Casualty reports show that six children were missing (three girls and three boys), seven children were rescued and were immediately taken to Igando general hospital where they are receiving medical attention.

“Search and rescue team of LASWA and local boat operators recovered three corpses of two girls and a boy at around 17:45pm (day of

Immediately after the collision, local boat operators had tried to rescue the children from the canoe which hull had been damaged, resulting to its sinking

incident) and they were handed over to the families by the Divisional Police Officer in that community. Search for the remaining bodies was still ongoing that time.’’

According to the LASWA boss, “the Captain of the motorized boat is being held at Irewe Police Station, while the boat involved (OLA MOTHER) is also under police custody for further investigation by the police. On Thursday, July 2, 2015, rescue team from LASWA and some of the villagers were in search for the remaining bodies. At exactly 9am, three bodies were recovered from the bed of the lagoon (a girl and

two boys) by the rescue team and handed over to the community ’s DPO, who released the bodies to the family members.

“The names of the deceased children are Jonathan Fiankyu, Nelson Fiankyu, Josephine Ajigbo, Patience Ajigbo, Imonina Briget and Kayode Nathaniel.

From our observation, all the passengers were not putting on life jacket, the collusion caused the boat to capsize and our investigation showed that the root cause of the mishap was due to reckless driving by the fiber boat captain,” he added.

Our problem with Ago-Palace Way — LG boss

By Dotun Ibiwoye

A

S a major link road between Isolo Town and Festac Town, the deplorable state of Ago Palace Way has continued to give motorists and other road users deep concern, especially during rainy seasons.

Following the concurrent rains in the last few months, the Executive Secretary, Isolo Local Council Development Area, Hon. Oluwasegun Jubril, has blamed the nightmare road users go through on the low level foundation of buildings and erected structures close to the road.

The construction of the Ago-Palace road, began five years ago and is divided into three phases. The first phase, has been completed from Amuwo-Odofin axis.

The second phase, which is completed, is from Ago Palace Junction and stops at Century Hotel axis of the

road. The third phase which is in the middle will link the others when completed.

Vanguard learnt that the initial commencement of the road was faced with litigations from landlords and property owners within the area.

To ameliorate the sufferings of road users, Jubril stated that the council has repaired several roads in Okota axis and also de-silted several drainages as the rainy season commenced. He said: “In the community, the problem lies with the people that are

building houses and the people that are buying land in that axis. The level of their foundation is lower than what they ought to build on.

Secondly, you will find a landlord that used about N500 million to build a house but he cannot spend just N100,

000 to construct his frontage drainage.”

He added that “When I came on board, we de-silted Ali Dada Street from the beginning to the end of canal.

I’m afraid at what we will experience this rainy season, because of the limited finance we have. However, we have met the landlord association and will keep meeting them to find solutions to our challenges here. Ago-Okota axis is a water-logged area whereby no amount of allocation that we receive at the local government level can tackle the issues there without the assistance of the state government. ‘’The roads in this Council area can not be categorically called local government roads because the length of each street is too long for a local government like ours to manage alone. It is more than what the local government can manage,’’ he said.

•Inspection of Olusesi Road in Ago-Okota C M Y K

30—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

THIS WEEK July 6-12, 2015

National Childhood Obesity Week 2015 Leading obesity organisations join hands to develop programmes to launch the first-ever awareness week to focus on child obesity issues.

July 11, 2015

World Population Day aims to increase people’s awareness on various population issues such as the importance of family planning, including gender equality, poverty, maternal health and human rights.

The day is celebrated worldwide by business groups, community organizations and individuals in many ways. Activities include seminar discussions, educational information sessions and essay competitions

Science World

How wound healing influences cancer

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ESEARCHERS in the United Kingdom and Denmark have studied the "see-through" larvae of zebrafish to reveal how wound healing leads to skin cancer. Live imaging shows neutrophils, the protective inflammatory cells of the body's immune system, diverted from an induced wound to any nearby precancerous skin cells.

The newly arrived neutrophils cause rapid division of these skin cells, which may cause them to progress to melanoma. The results are published in The EMBO Journal.

"Our results provide direct visual evidence of a physical link between wound-associated inflammation and the development of skin cancer," says EMBO Member Paul Martin, professor at Bristol University and the University of Cardiff. "White blood cells, in particular neutrophils, that typically serve as part of the body's built-in immune system are usurped by nearby precancerous skin cells in a way that leads to the proliferation of tumour cells in our zebrafish model experimental system of human melanoma."

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Whither Nigeria in elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission?

By Sola Ogundipe

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AST week , the World Health Organisation, WHO, validated Cuba as the first country on earth to eliminate Mother-to-ChildTransmision of HIV, eMTCT, and syphilis.

WHO Director-General. Dr Margaret Chan, who recognised that the elimination of transmission of a virus is one of the greatest public health achievements possible, described the feat as a major victory in the long fight against HIV and sexually transmitted infections, and an important step towards having an AIDSfree generation.

Experts say what this translates into is that ending the AIDS epidemic is possible and Cuba is the first of many countries expected to seek validation that they have ended the HIV epidemic among their children.

As treatment for prevention of mother-to-child-transmission is not 100 percent effective, elimination of transmission is defined as a reduction of transmission to such a low level that it no longer constitutes a public health problem.

From the WHO perspective, the term “validation” is used to attest that a country has successfully met criteria (internationally set targets for validation) for eliminating MTCT of HIV and/ or syphilis at a specific point in time, but countries are required to maintain ongoing programmes.

Progress in Nigeria Observers of the progress of the HIV response in Nigeria over the last decade or thereabouts are asking what lessons for the National AIDS Control Agency, NACA, and other Nigerian agencies tasked with the role of ensuring Nigeria meets the relevant criteria for validation as a country that has eliminated HIV transmission from mother-to-child?

In the view of the Director General of NACA, Prof. John Idoko, the lesson is quite clear.

Quoting the WHO report, Idoko reiterates: "Cuba's success demonstrates that universal access and universal health coverage including Prevention and elimination of mother-tochild transmission of HIV, are feasible and key to success even against challenge as daunting as HIV." Further, Idoko stresse that the

•Stella Ibianujulu Ebelu (3rd right) with family. She is living with HIV but gave birth to five healthy, HIV-free children through the PMTCT initiative.

“For example in 2012, there implications of the Cuban feat infrastructure become most es- were 1410 PMTCT sites, 1.2 for eMTCT and syphylis pre- sential. Idoko asserts that Ni- million pregnant women tested vention and control efforts for geria could hope to achieve and collected their HIV test rethe rest of the world and Nige- elimination of mother-to-child sults and 40,000 HIV positive ria in particular, are that if transmission of HIV and women received antiretroviral countries put in the right strat- syphilis and obtain a WHO/ drugs compared to 2014 where egies driven by science and PAHO validation just like there were 6,533 PMTCT sites, evidence and fully fund the Cuba. over three million pregnant “In the last five years, Nige- women tested for HIV and colprogrammes, it is feasible to eliminate mother-to-child ria has made significant lected results and 63,000 HIV transmission of HIV and syphi- progress in prevention of positive pregnant women remother-to-child transmission of ceived antiretroviral drugs.” lis.

“A number of heavily bur- HIV, more so in the last three As Nigeria moves towards opdened countries are already years that consciously we have tion B+, even better results are making significant progress. used data and science to drive expected in the elimination of However, every country needs the PMTCT response. mother-to-child HIV transmisto be looked at differently in sion. terms of the population, the As for syphilis, the DG notes cultural and social issues, the that even though routine testing health infrastructure, the huis recommended in the various man resources available and Nigeria needs to guidelines, the service is very the education and economy of improve it's health poorly offered and the country the country.” needs to do better in this area.

To reach the goals of total infrastructure to “Nigeria needs to improve it's elimination, Idoko argues that guarantee universal health infrastructure to guaranprocess indicators show that access to health and tee universal access to health and more than 95 percent of pregcoverage. We need to fund health nant women are attending an- coverage. We need services adequately including tenatal care; more than 95 per- to fund health MNCH, HIV, TB and malaria. cent must know their HIV sta“We need to train and retain hutus and more than 95 percent services adequately man resources for health and HIV positive pregnant women including MNCH, ensue our programmes are are receiving antiretroviral driven by science through operaHIV, TB and drugs. tion research and implementation “One can therefore see why malaria science. funding, the health and human

CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE:

Aderemi seeks N8.3m for kidney transplant Page 36

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015—31

Aderemi seeks N8.3m for kidney transplant

By Sola Ogundipe

A

DEREMI Ajibade, a patient of chronic kidney disease is barely hanging on to life. The once radiant and active young man was first diagnosed with hypertension and chronic kidney disease in April 2012 and has been receiving haemodialysis.

In a chat with Good Health Weekly, His wife, Temitope, said his health took a turn for the worse suddenly.

“Remi is my best friend and companion to cherish. We were married in 2013 after a courtship that lasted about a year and half and our relationship is one I can describe as made in Heaven. Remi who neither smokes or drink suddenly fell ill.

We ran from pillar to post trying to resolvet the problem until he was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.

“We presently need the prayers and financial support to keep up with dailysis and the estimated N8.3 million kidney transplant to restore him to full health.

In tears, Temitope relived the challenges of caring for her ailing husband, in addition

The young couple is pleading for assistance from Nigerians to help save Remi Ajibade. They have exhausted their savings and cannot raise money for the life-saving procedure

to seeking the fruit of the womb. She spoke of the sleepless nights, frequent absenteeism and lack of fund to keep up with the huge hospital bills, drugs and diet, stressful day of care for him and tears unimaginable and moments unexplainable we still have cause to praise the Lord.

The young couple is pleading for assistance from Nigerians to help save Remi Ajibade. They have exhausted their savings and are unable to raise the N8.3 million for the life-saving procedure. Only with the support of friends and wellwishers have they been able to pay for the dialysis that he undergoes twice weekly.

A medical report signed by Dr. Ngozi Aikpokpo of the Cardiac and Renal Centre of the Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos said when Aderemi was first seen at the facility in April 2015, he complained of recurrent difficulty in breathing that was worse on lying down.

Aikpokpo, a nephrologist, remarked that on examination, Aderemi exhibited marked pallor, bilateral leg swelling and a raised blood pressure. She said ideally, he requires dialysis three times a week, but can only afford one session every one to two weeks. “He is to be treated for anaemia with regular erythropoietin injections. His symptoms are due to the fact that his care is inadequate.”

The nephrologist recommended a kidney transplant as the best option for best quality of life. To be fit for the kidney transplant in the next three months, Aderemi requires three sessions of dialysis per week at

• Ailing Aderemi Ajibade undergoing dialysis.

N25,000 per session and two doses of erythropoietin injections weekly at N16,800 per dose.

The screening of the kidney donor for compatibility is approximately N600,000 while the transplant itself is N5 million.

Cost of post transplant anti-rejection drugs is estimated at N1.5 million for the first year. Total cost for his complete care is N8.268 million.

Like Aderemi loves to say "We are on the winning sir" as he has a strong faith in God.And I am saying ‘To have and hold so help me God’ as I have no intention of quiting the relationship. God bless you as you help save Aderemi.”

If you are moved to assist, kindly send your contribution to Ajibade Temitope, Ecobank 0143001860 or call 08125642722 for further details.

LASUTH doctors empower Police with basic life support skills

By Chioma Obinna

T

O fill the gaps in emergency response skills among first responders in Lagos, members of the Association of Resident Doctors of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH-ARD, last week trained

officers and men of the Nigeria Police, on basic life support during emergencies.

The training was conducted for Area F Command, GRA, Ikeja alongside free medical outreach for members of the Force, even as the doctors called on the Federal Government to

incorporate basic life training into the curriculum of the Nigeria Police College..

Speaking during the LASUTHARD 2015 Ordinary General Meeting, the Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Prof. Wale Oke,l said if the Police are well

• L-R: President / CEO, Care Organisation Public Enlightenment, COPE, Mrs. Ebunola Anozie; MD, Eldorado Medic Jobs Recruitment Limited, Dr. Ibifunke Pegba-Otemolu, former Permanent Secretary, LSMoH, Dr. Femi Olugbile and MD/CEO, Health Bridge Trust Limited, Dr. Eno Angela Attah at a Career Opportunities for Healthcare Professionals Conference held in Lagos recently.

C M Y K

equipped with adequate information and skills to attend to victims of emergencies it would reduce the number of death.

The Director, Clinical Services, Dr Ayo Adedokun who represented the CMD, noted that policemen are usually part of the first responders during emergencies but it had been found that most people either die of their injuries before they get to the hospital or dies as a result of being poorly managed before they reached the hospital.

"For instance, when there is bleeding, if you don't know what to do and the bleeding is persistent, the person could bleed to death. If you know what to do to stop the bleeding you would save a life.

"Again, people who have fractures in delicate areas that might injure the nerves or vessels, if you don't know how to handle that fracture you will complicate issues. "For fractures in the hand where there is a nerve, you need to know how to hold that hand and to fix it in a position so it does not move because if it moves and breaks a vessel, particularly the big vessels of the hand and thighs, all the blood in the body can be lost and the person can die before getting to the hospital,” he added.

Oke posited that enabling the Police to respond at the site of an emergency would go a long way in saving lives.

The President, LASUTH-ARD, Dr Saheed Ahmad, said the choice of the Police was informed by the need to ensure that the three tiers of the Nigerian healthcare system - the pre hospital, intermediate and between the scene of need and hospital care - are fully functional.

Ahmad explained as first respondents, the Police in Nigeria have no basic life support training. He recalled that in the developed world, basic life support training is part of the curriculum of Police Colleges.

"In Nigeria, due to limited resources and other administrative issues, only officers of higher cadre, at some point during their career, get to attend this kind of training. For the rank and file, it is not available.

"So you cannot blame them for the way they handle injured people. This is part of the reason we started this effort to fill that gap. Perhaps the sensitisation will be translated to policy makers and higher administrative levels of the Force so that they can bring the training down to the rank and file and incorporate it into the Police College Training,” Ahmad stated.

32—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

Kuku, Atueyi obtain Lifetime Achievement Award at NHEA 2015

By Chioma Obinna

I

N recognition of their contri butions to the growth of healthcare delivery in the country, Joint Chief Director, EKO Hospital (Ekocorp Plc, Dr. Sunny Kuku and Managing Director, Pharmanews Limited, Pharm Ifeanyi Atueyi were honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award (NHEA 2015) recently.

The event which was graced by over 400 stakeholders in the healthcare sector also honoured Late Dr. Stella Adadevoh, as well as other colleagues from First Consultants Hospital for their heroics in the containment of the Ebola virus in Nigeria.

Winners Other winners include: Chioma Obinna of Vanguard newspaper and Habibat Basanya of TVC in the Healthcare Media Excellence category for print and electronic respectively, Airtel, Reddington Hospital, JNC (Biomedical Engineering Service Provider of the Year) among others.

Speaking at the event, the Project Director and CEO of Global Health & Project Resources, Dr. Wale Alabi, organisers of the award, said the awardees were recognised for their outstanding and exemplary contributions to improving access to quality healthcare in Nigeria.

He said their tireless work to care for Nigerians deserves recognition and

celebration.

Alabi reiterated the need to honour a special few who have demonstrated leadership, brilliance and bravery through their commitment, expertise and selflessness.

Winners were selected by five independent panels of judges from nominations received online and offline through thorough screening and selection.

Affordable oral contraceptive debuts in Nigeria

By Sola Ogundipe

M

ICROGYNON FE, the world’s most widely used oral contraceptive is now available in local pharmacies in Nigeria at a significantly lower price.

The reduced price was made public recently at a ceremony in Abuja, as an innovative public-private partnership between Bayer HealthCare and the United States Agency for International Development, USAID.

• L-R: President , Association of General Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, AGPMPN, Dr. Anthony Omolola; Pharm.Ifeanyi Atueyi; and Joint Chief Director, EKO Hospital (Ekocorp Plc), Dr. Sunny Kuku, being honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award, NHEA 2015 recently.

The reduced price enables middleincome couples to access a quality, affordable family planning product.

The partnership is designed to make more affordable family planning choices available to women through the private sector and address the growing demand for contraceptives and the overall sustainability of supply. Family planning allows couples to plan their families as they desire, reduces the risks from unintended and/or high-risk pregnancies, and improves the health of mothers and their children by allowing time between pregnancies.

USAID Nigeria’s Director, Health, Population and Nutrition office, Dr. Nancy Lawenthal, said the importance of publicprivate partnerships was crusial to helping governments meet their Millennium Development Goals.

“The private sector has an important role to play in contributing to sustainable development and in this case, by ensuring that Nigerian women have access to a sustainable supply of quality, affordable oral contraceptives.”

“Combined oral contraceptives are 99 percent effective when used consistently and correctly. They also provide women with a reversible method that is easy to discontinue and has a rapid return to fertility,” said Dr. Akinola, an Obstetrician/ Gynaecologist, and President OB/GYN Society of Nigeria.

Manufactured in Germany by Bayer HealthCare and marketed in Nigeria by CHI Pharmaceuticals, Microgyn Fe is already in use in at least seven African countries and by millions of women around the world.

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Who will bury me?

96-year-old mother of slain Rivers chief screams PAGES 4

Chur ch, 887-yr 7-yr -old Church, 7-yr-old widow in bitter land squabble PAGE 8

VOL. 1: NO. 57

TUESD AY, JUL 15 TUESDA JULYY 7, 20 201

•David Ugolor, activist, Mrs Ogedegbe and children

•Oghara monarch addressing newsmen on the incident

Twists, turns of Ogedegbe murder * Onos ‘Civilian General’ roars from hideout * Untold story of how they killed him — Mrs. Ogedegbe *Usman Alkali, Delta CP swings into action

By EMMA AMAIZE and GODWIN OGHRE

O

GHARA- MRS Endurance Ogedegbe, wife of the assassinated chairman of the Oghara Vigilante Group, Oghara, Ethiope-West Local Government Area, Delta State, Mr. Benson Ogedegbe, weekend, related a heartbreaking account of how he lived like a fugitive, sleeping outside his matrimonial home for four months because of the deadly manhunt for him by soldiers.

However, factional youth leader in the community, Mr. Onos Okerhibo, aka Civilian General, alleged to have conspired with soldiers of the 19 Battalion, Koko, Warri North Local Government Area, to eliminate Ogedegbe because he was an obstacle C M Y K

to a powerful crude oil syndicate in the area, emphatically denied the allegation.

Meanwhile, the Delta State Police Command accused of apathy in investigation of the incident, geared up, weekend, when the Commissioner, Mr. Baba Usman Alkali, summoned the parties involved in the case, including soldiers of the 19 Battalion for interrogation.

How he tried to escape soldiers’ bullets— WIDOW Mrs. Ogedegbe, who had relocated with her family from Oghara, revealed that for four months, her husband did not sleep in the house to escape the deadly plan of the soldiers against him, but they finally did their wish on June 23.

Her words, “My husband was killed in my presence

at about 10.30 am on that fateful day. The family woke up from bed happily on that day and after our breakfast; my husband then got set for work. First, he visited the Police Station to chat with the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, on the way forward on how to eradicate criminality

He was just few meters away from my shop when I noticed that a Hilux vehicle filled with army men was trailing him, so I got up and glided on a motor cycle and I began to pursue them

in the community.”

“After, he came to see me at my store where I sell provisions. He was hale and hearty and he told me he was going to sign the attendance register in the school where he taught. He taught in this community primary school, so he left me.”

“He was just a few metres away from my shop when I noticed that a Hilux vehicle filled with army men was trailing him, so I got up and glided on a motor cycle and I began to pursue them.

They were pursuing him with a space of just about 20 metres. After about 30 minutes of a hot chase of him, he eventually stopped.

“By the time I got there, I heard him asking the soldiers what offense he committed that made them to be chasing him. They did not answer him a word. The

next thing I saw was that they started shooting him and after several gun shots he fell down,” she asserted.

Mrs. Ogedegbe said, “When the soldiers found out that he was still gasping for breath, they hauled him into their Hilux and started driving towards the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, DELSUTH, Oghara. By that time, I could not believe what I saw. I fell down myself and did not know what to do again.”

I cried to no avail “However, I noticed several motor-cycles riding behind the soldiers’ Hilux towards the General Hospital. I was still on the ground there crying that they should not leave my husband alone. I cried to them not to kill my husband, but all to no avail. Few minutes later, information came that my husband died immediately they arrived at the hospital. That was how they killed him,” she added.

Mrs. Ogedegbe said, “My husband suffered so much in the course of his duty as Continues on page 2

2 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

Ogedegbe cooked up stories against me — Onos Okerhibo, aka Civilian General

*How I tricked police, absconded and surrendered myself to army DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

By GODWIN OGHRE

O

GHARA— FACTIONAL youth leader, Mr. Onos Okerhibo, alias Civilian General, whose alliance vehemently opposed late Benson Ogedegbe’s headship of the Oghara Vigilante Group, in a chat with Niger Delta Voice, said the late Ogedegbe was the person that set him up with the police.

He revealed that he tricked the police and escaped from their custody to the army after he promised to give N400,000 bribe to a senior police officer if allowed to go home and bring money. He tells the story.

According to him, the whole episode began when a top government official in the local government, the late Benson Ogedegbe and a senior police officer in Oghara planned to kill him (Onos), early last month, labeling him a kidnapper. He spoke on phone with Niger Delta Voice.

The plot to kill me “The local government official invited me to his residence, saying he wanted to make me to be the Oghara Vigilante Group leader and that there were some criminal allegations against late Ogedegbe. On getting to his residence, he told me to

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

follow him to the Police Station so that he can introduce me to the senior police officer as the new vigilante group leader.

“However, to my greatest surprise, on getting to the police station, he ordered that I should be detained.

Few minutes later, Ogedegbe came into the station. I was then handcuffed and thrown into the toilet of the police officer. ” “Mr. Ogedegbe dragged me out of the toilet and ordered me to hold one of the locally made guns brought out by the police officer so that they can take picture of me with it, but I refused.

“Later, the Council executive came to the police station, where he brought the names of 46 Urhobo youths to be killed after me and handed the list to the police officer.

“I then told the police officer that I wanted to see him privately, and he asked the official and Ogedegbe to excuse us, but the official told

him that he wanted to be on his way home, telling the police officer to eliminate me as planned,” he said.

Gamble that paid off Onos stated, “I told the police officer that I just withdrew N1 million to celebrate the new appointment as the new vigilante leader, but never knew that the local government official had another plan.

“I pleaded with him to allow me to go with some of his men to my house to give

None of Ogedegbe, the police officer and council official came to pick me from Koko; neither did any of them call the commanding officer to explain why

money to my wife to enable her take care of my children.

I promise to give him N400, 000 out of the money before I would be killed.

“They did not know I was planning my escape. The police officer later ordered his men and Ogedegbe to follow me to my house with instruction that I must give N400, 000 to Ogedegbe when coming back. When Ogedegbe asked him to inform the local government official of the development, he shouted at him to obey his order.

“On getting to my house, I escaped and ran to the Commanding officer, 19 Battalion in Koko, where I informed him of what was happening. The commanding officer seemed to doubt me and detained me and called the police officer to come to Koko so that he can hand me over to him.”

Hanky-panky “The officer told him that he was not looking for me and that I only came to the police on invitation and that I had since left. The commanding officer then called the late Ogedegbe to know if he was aware of any crime that I committed that led to the police arresting me, but Ogedegbe told the commanding officer that he and the police arrested me and I escaped, adding that I was a wanted person.

The Commanding officer told Ogedegbe that his men caught me and that he should come to take me, but Ogedegbe told the commanding officer that he was going to the police so that he could inform the officer to follow him to pick me from Koko. Surprisingly, both the officer and Ogedegbe

refused to appear in Koko,” he said.

His words, “Upon the officer and Ogedegbe’s refusal to appear in Koko, the commanding officer later called the local government official if he was aware of the police arresting me and he told him that Ogedegbe and the police officer called him that they arrested me.

“The commanding officer asked him if he knew the offense for which I was arrested to which he responded that I was a kidnapper and armed robber, maintaining that he was the one that ordered my arrest.”

“The CO then informed him that I was currently in his custody, asking him to call the police officer so that both of them could come and pick me to the police station.

However, he told the commanding officer that he was on his way to United States, promising to call the police officer so that he would come and pick me to the police station.

Why army declared Ogedegbe wanted “None of Ogedegbe, the police officer and council official came to pick me from Koko; neither did any of them call the commanding officer to explain why. It was at that point that the commanding officer declared Ogedegbe wanted.

“He never showed up until his death and before they killed him, soldiers had arrested his son and taken him to DSS in Asaba to explain the whereabouts of his father. He had since been released before his father was caught and killed,” he said.

Twists, turns of Ogedegbe murder Continues from Page 1 vigilante chairperson of the community, particularly in the last four months, he did not sleep at home to escape assassination. He wanted to restore total peace to the community and he was not at rest.

“Sometimes, he slept outside because he was chasing oil bunkers and armed robbers. He refused to quit since he became the community vigilante chairman, even when his life was at great risk.”

•Usman Alkali, Delta CP

Most horrible enemy “My husband's worst enemy is Onos. He is unrepentant, and aside he and his cohort—soldiers, my husband had no other

enemy in this community.

“The people of this community love my husband because of his stand against crime in the community. This is not the first time that soldiers had

•Ogedengbe’s family members

hunted for my husband.

They invaded our homes many times. On one occasion, they whisked away my son and framed Continued on Page 3

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015 — 3

Twists, turns of Ogedegbe murder Continues from Page 2

Why soldiers ‘promptly’ abolished my father — Igho Ogedegbe DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

By GODWIN OGHRE

O

GHARAIGHO Ogedegbe, the first son of the late Mr. Benson Ogedegbe, arrested and tortured in the past by soldiers of the 19 Battalion, Koko, over his father ’s uncompromising crusade, said that crude oil syndicate saw his father as a cat with many lives and was desperate to eliminate him.

His words, “The last time my father was arrested by the soldiers and taken to Koko, he was beaten so much that he had to be rushed to the Oghara Teaching Hospital. It was there he regained his memory because he fainted.”

He added, “We even thought that he would die then, but God helped to revive him. This time, when they got him, they promptly killed him.”

On his nightmare, he said, “I have not been left out. Any time they come for my father and they did not get him, they would pick me in his stead and keep beating me.

Sometimes, I would faint and when they pour water on me, I would revive only for them to start the beating all over again. It has been a terrible ordeal.

“The soldiers’ frequent beating made us to become very lean until they killed my father. I was

My father was their target for a long time before they succeeded in killing him. When they were looking for him, they arrested me to Asaba to the office of DSS but when the DSS found out that I was innocent, they released me

formerly bigger than I look now; it was because of the continuous beating by soldiers that I became lean. We have kept hiding from the army until now.

They have succeeded in killing my father, and I am still in hiding with my mother and eleven other siblings,” he asserted.

Igho said, “My father was unjustly killed by those who felt he was becoming a stumbling block to their shady oil bunkering deals, which they do in collaboration with soldiers.

They used the soldiers to terminate the life of my father.

“My father was their target for a long time before they succeeded in killing him. When they were looking for him, they arrested me to Asaba to the office of DSS but when the DSS found out that I was innocent, they released me.

“My father also showed up at the office of the DSS where the witness they brought to testify against my father told the DSS that he did not know my father, leading to the release of my father too. The DSS declared that we are innocent. But they did not stop, they went ahead to kill my father without any just cause,” he asserted.

criminal charges against him and my husband, but God saved them out of it.

“For the fear of the soldiers, my husband had taken shade in the police station. I tried to persuade him to quit the vigilante group but his love for the peace and harmony of his community would not deter him from the group. Eventually he died in active community service,” she said.

DSS found him innocent The bereaved wife asserted, “When the soldiers and Onos arrested my son and his father to the DSS office at Asaba on frivolous robbery and oil bunkering, the witness, a selfconfessed armed robber, whom the soldiers and Onos arranged to confess them as fellow armed robbers, told the DSS that he did not know my husband and my son.

“When Onos and the soldiers could not prove their case against them, the DSS released them.”

Too early to make any conclusion—Alkali Commissioner Alkali, who spoke to Niger Delta Voice on phone, said the police would carry out a thorough investigation into the murder and that he invited all the parties in the matter, including soldiers of the 19 Battalion and family of the deceased for interrogation, last Friday.

He said, “It is when we complete our investigation that we will be able to say these are our findings and nobody is detained.”

A source close to the family said they were happy with the open manner the police chief handled interrogation of the soldiers, brought to the police headquarters, Asaba, by the commanding officer of the battalion.

“In fact, at one of the interrogation sessions, a soldier tried to bully a member of the family when he was speaking and a police officer snapped at him, asking him to respect himself.

FOR FAILING TO PAY N15, 000 MONTHLY RETURNS:

Police tied me to Hilux van, dragged me along the road — Godspower Daniel, Bayelsa sand dump manager BAYELSA… GLORY OF ALL LANDS

By EMEM IDIO

T

OMBIA SANDFIELD- A 37YEAR-OLD Manager of a Sand Dump at Tombia Sandfield, a settlement in the outskirt of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Mr. Godspower Daniel, has landed in a hospital after policemen in the state allegedly knocked the daylights out of him for failing to make N15, 000 monthly returns to a top police officer.

Daniel, operator of a drinking bar in Tombia and son of a retired army officer, Captain Daniel Udio (retd.) was reportedly handcuffed, tied to a

•Battered Daniel C M Y K

•Battered Daniel

police Hilux van and dragged like an animal along the road by policemen until he passed out. He is from Ughelli in Delta State.

The victim, who spoke to Niger Delta Voice, “I am the owner of this bar and was made the chairman of the sand dump here and so we negotiated with the top police officer that every month we will be giving him some returns.

“Last month (June), we were unable to make the returns, but I called the DPO that business is bad, that he should come and put pressure so that the money will come out.”

“Some policemen came and made some arrest, I was invited but I turned down the invitation

when I learned that they wanted to detain me, however, I was later arrested and had to bail myself with N15, 000.

“Last week Thursday, I was in my bar when six policemen in uniform came in a white Hilux van and immediately grabbed me and ordered me to follow them, they told them to take it easy that I will follow them. They beat and handcuffed me and took me to their van where they tied me to the van. Then, they drove off while I was rolling along the road.

“When they sensed that I was unconscious and with pleadings by sympathizers, they released me and I was rushed to hospital where I am receiving treatment. I lost my gold necklace and N16, 000 cash, but above all, I thank God for sparing my life,” he said.

His father, Captain Udio (retd), who expressed displeasure at the cruel treatment, vowed to ensure that the perpetrators were not only unmasked but also made to pay damages for human rights abuse.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Bayelsa Police Command, DSP Asinim Butswatt, said he had no information yet on the incident, but assured the Command would investigate to get to the root of the matter and urged the victim to remain calm.

4 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

Delta oil community asks NPDC to cancel dredging, sweeping contracts

Who will bury me?

96-year-old mother of slain Rivers chief screams

RIVERS...

THE TREASURE BASE OF THE NA TION NATION

By JIMITOTA ONOYUME

A

KABUKA- “WHO will bury me? Why will anyone do this to me in my old age?

Why will they destroy my two legs now that I am old? A devastated 96 – year-old Madam Fester Arodu fired a staccato of questions, as she related how her 68 –year- old son, Chief Innocent Arodu, aka Dogo, was cruelly murdered by unknown gunmen at his residence in Akabuka community, Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area, Rivers State, penultimate Tuesday.

According to the nonagenarian, the son, Chief Arodu was in the house when the assailants stormed his abode.

“They ensured they pumped volleys of gunshots into him at close range before they fled, Oh, my son, my son, why will anybody do this,” she said amid sobbing, while sympathizers comforted her.

Mrs. Arodu told Niger Delta Voice her son would have survived if the hospital they rushed to after the killers left, had not insisted on Police report before they could attend

to him. “My son bled in his unconscious state while we ran all over for Police report for the doctors,” she cried.

Continuing, she said before policemen from Egi D i v i s i o n a l Headquarters came to see things for themselves so they could issue the needed report for doctors to commence work, her son had given up the ghost.

The distraught mother called on government to bring the killers of her son to book.

One of the wives of late Chief Arodu, Mrs. Gold, •Madam also wept profusely, describing her husband as a man of peace, who would not hurt a fly.

“I still don’t know why anyone will want the blood of my innocent husband,” she wailed.

The late Chief Arodu held brief for an elderly relative as chairman, Amala (Elders council of the community), and was leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akabuka community.

DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

D

Fester Arodu He reportedly ensured that the relationship between the community and oil multinational doing business in the area was cordial and peaceful.

Community folks, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there had been issues in the community over youth-related matters, but they could not say if his death had any connection to the contentions.

IEBIRI-BATANLEADERS and contractors from DiebiriBatan oil community, Warri South Area, Delta State, hosting Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC – operated OML 42, have requested the indigenous oil firm to revoke the multibillion dollars dredging and sweeping contracts in the oil field to guarantee unhindered exploitation.

They said the revocation would enable both parties come to a roundtable and broker enduring truce on some thorny issues.

The demands are contained in a petition addressed to the Managing Director of the firm, signed by Chief Samson Amakubukro, Deacon Wellington Igetei, Engineer Albert Amakubukro, Pastor Ako Samuel, Eric Numa, Prince Emmanuel Orugbene, Henry Suoware and Hon. Moses Douglas.

Besides, they accused NPDC of marginalizing the community three years after it entered into a pact to clean up spills, pay adequate compensations, develop the community and carry out its operations in accordance with international best practice.

They alleged that chairmen from the host communities were lured into granting Freedom To Operate, FTOs, to the firm, and Neconde Group, its major contractor,

even as the community vendors, who participated in the bid were not adequately informed about the contracts, thus denying them participation in it.

These alleged wrongdoings

by NPDC, they stated, were totally against the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding, which both parties signed in 2012 when the firm took over the field after the divestment by Shell Petroleum Developement Company.

“It is pertinent to remind you that since you took over operations of OML 42 in 2012 to date, three years ago, you have not embarked on one development project in our community in spite of all MOU’s signed or entered into with your organization,” they asserted.

They said the posture demonstrates the height of violation and highest provocation that indigenous people experience under the organization.

The leaders, therefore, asked the firm to implement the agreement with Diebiri-Batan community in the areas of contract awards, especially, the on-going 13 wells dredging contracts as it had done with other communities also hosting the field.

They also called on NPDC to pay all pending oil spills compensations and clean up the environment in line with the federal government environmental standard and international best practice, or alternatively, halt all activities on the field pending the resolution of contentious issues.

Dickson begins repairs of ramshackle Yenagoa roads BAYELSA… GLORY OF ALL LANDS

By EMEM IDIO

Y

ENAGOA- RESIDENTS of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, particularly those living in rickety areas may have cause to smile in a little while, as the state government has embarked on rehabilitation of internal roads.

Niger Delta Voice did an indepth report on the dilapidated internal roads in the state capital, which have caused residents great pains to access their homes, especially during the rainy season, some months ago.

Flagging off the exercise, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said government was conscious of its social responsibility of making life conducive for the people by provision of critical infrastructure and blamed the delay on dwindling allocation.

Ewhrudjakpo, who noted the rundown state of internal roads, stressed that government could not do everything at the same time; hence the need to prioritize projects, and called for patience C M Y K

and support from the people to encourage government to do more.

While government has rehabilitated some roads, Osiri, Barrat, Mr. Biggs, NIIT, Erepa, PDP road, many are begging for attention.

A resident of Osiri road, Mr. GodGift Izibedien while commending the state government for giving them a new lease of life with the maintenance of the road, however, said the repairs was long overdue.

Another resident of Barrat road, Mrs. Grace Toyo, a businesswoman, was full of joy, saying, “Before now, we were suffering because of the state of this road.

We could not drive in because it was terrible, but today, we

•One of the newly rehabilitated roads in Yenagoa

thank God that the government has visited us by coming in to maintain the road, and now we can easily get to our homes easily unlike before.”

However, a resident of Agudama, Mr. Innocent Ebi, pleaded for the state government intervention on Royal road, lamenting that the people were going through hell with the deplorable state of the road, noting that the situation worsens with the rains.

“The government said they are maintaining internal roads, but it has not reached our area. We are still waiting and hoping, what the government has done is like a drop in an ocean. The roads that are untouched are more than what has been maintained”, a visibly embittered Ebi said.

•Royal FM road in a deplorable state

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015 — 5

By TOM MOSES

A

TAI-OTORO- THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in Akwa-Ibom State, has made a stomach-turning discovery about drug addicts in the state.

The Commander, Mr. Shedow Gaura, told Niger Delta Voice that drug addicts unbelievably inhale the faeces of human beings and lizards to alter their state of consciousness and body function.

What many people know before now is that drug addicts smoke marijuana and puff cocaine to get the buzz, but Gaura, who insisted on the veracity of the agency’s findings, said the practice was not restricted to human and lizard excreta, but fancy nail cutex used by women.

Deadly indulgence He said investigations by the agency showed that drug addicts cover pit toilets early in the morning to prevent gaseous escape and then, position •NDLEA operatives their nostrils to breathe in the odour oozing from it.

Gaura said the culprits so far apprehended by the agency at Atai-Otoro, Abak Local Government Area of the state, confessed that they get high after sniffing human excrement in the toilet early in the morning.

We gathered that in the desperate and uncontrollable desire by drug addicts to alter their mood, they burn the whitish part of lizard excrement and sniff the substance, which allegedly emboldens them to perform tasks, especially nefarious activities they would ordinarily not have carried out.

Certain nail cutex used reportedly give hallucinating and stimulating effects as other illicit drugs when inhaled by the drugs addicts.

According to him, addicts arrested by operatives of “We discovered this the agency during a routine during our routine raids of raid on dangerous and suspected joints and illicit drug dealers made hideouts that the addicts confessional statements on would cover pit toilets very the out of the dangerous early in the morning for the perversion. heat and the gas in the toilet to gather and then, Adult, schoolchildren begin to draw up the gas involved and the heat through their His words, “The rate of nostrils to get high. dangerous drugs “Also in high consumption consumption is now very are lizard excreta. They will high in Akwa-Ibom state, heat up the whitish part of not only among young the lizard excreta and adults, but also school inhale it to become high. I children in remote villages think these are very where one would hardly dangerous habits, which suspect are into such should be nipped in the bud dangerous habit.” for health reasons”, Gaura “School children are now remarked. . culprits of these dangerous “It is for these reasons and illicit drugs that we have been carrying consumption. Aside from out aggressive raid of smoking cannabis and suspected places where drinking combined, they illicit drugs are sold and now smell pit toilets to get those arrested made to face high.

NDLEA BIZARRE FINDINGS IN A-IBOM:

Drug addicts sniff human, lizard faeces to get high The rate of dangerous drugs consumption is now vey high in Akwa-Ibom state, not only among young adults, but also school children in remote villages where one would hardly suspect are into such dangerous habit

C M Y K

•NDLEA Commander, AkwaIbom State, Mr. Shedow Gaura the full weight of the law so as to serve as deterrent to others”, the commander stated.

End time sign Medical practitionerturned preacher, Dr. Emmanuel James, expressed ignorance of the fact that people could sniff faeces to become mentally charged, but quickly found solace in the scripture, which records that towards the end of time, evil shall flourish the earth and men would become lovers of falsehood than the truth.

It’s harmful- Pharmacists Pharmacist Udeme Eyaekop of Al Jeroms Clinic, Uyo, said though, human excreta contains nicotine and urea chemicals, which could

cause a level of stimulation, the habit was weird.

“In effect, I consider it to be stimulated by a mental disorder occasioned by excessive indulgence in narcotics. It is not a healthy thing to do at all; it is unhealthy. It can lead to complicated health situations aside from the psychological disorder because I do not think any normal individual can inhale a pit toilet for any reason,” he said.

His colleague, Pharmacist Tommy Itoho-Imoh of Daphyl Pharmacy, who corroborated his claim, said, “This type of addiction can only be a function of schizophrenia which means that the person indulging in it needs urgent medical examination before he loses his brain completely.”

Not new in the north – NAPTIP official A staff of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP), who would not want his name mentioned in print, confirmed that the issue of addicts sniffing or inhaling human and lizard excreta and cutex to get high were old news, especially in the Northern parts of Nigeria.

According to him, child trafficking syndicates were discovered to be using certain unconventional methods to lure or coerce their victims, including forcing them to sniff some of these weird substances to become excited to do whatever they were asked to do.

6 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

PODIUM…

•East-West Road

•Shallow drainage at the Eket axis

EAST-WEST ROAD:

Deadlock in Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, residents protest in A-Ibom

By CHIOMA ONUEGBU, DAVIES IHEAMNACHOR and PEREZ BRISIBE

U

YO-CONSTRUCTION work on the EastWest Road, the major artery to states in the South-South region has dragged for many years, starting with the former President Olusegun Obasanjo government, which awarded the contract without design.

Nobody expected his successor, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua to have finished the project in his short-lived tenure, but many thought the immediate past President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, would complete the project, a critical infrastructure to his Geo-political zone.

However, contractors have done their best in some sections, but the project is still uncompleted, despite the posturing of government officials, who had announced different completion dates.

Investigation by Niger Delta Voice showed that construction works have practically stalled in parts of Delta state, while at the Kaiama axis in Bayelsa State, work glided to a hitch in the last few weeks, as the company handling the construction, embarked on massive retrenchment of both skilled and unskilled staff because of financial constraints.

In Rivers state, the uncompleted portions have turned deathtraps to villagers and in Akwa-Ibom

state, where work is ongoing; the people are protesting purported non-compliance of the contractor with the design.

The federal government reportedly owed the contractors huge sums of money for jobs already certified by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and some of them said they could no longer continue unless paid.

Firm to shut down production plant At the Patani Asphalt Production site in Delta State, a senior staff of the company, who spoke on point of anonymity, disclosed that owing to the nonavailability of funds, the company would be closing down its Patani Asphalt Production site on July 13.

An iron bender, who simply gave his name as Oniovosa, said, “We are supposed to have commenced work on the Kaiama Bridge, but despite the fact that the moulds for the bridge are ready, they are still lying fallow at the Patani yard while many of our colleagues were abruptly sacked by the company.”

Attempts to speak with officials of the Patani Asphalt Production site, who are in charge of the Kaiama Bridge work proved abortive, as they directed one of our reporters to their Abuja head office.

Residents slam firm In Rivers state, residents of some communities lying along the East-West road and drivers,

•Construction workers and machine idle at Kiama Bridge site C M Y K

who ply the road, slammed the construction firm in charge of the section over what they described as inability of the construction firm to deliver the road after about four years of mobilizing to site.

Setraco replaced the Julius Berger Construction company on the construction of the Rivers section of the East-West road.

Nevertheless, from Choba to Rumuokoro extending to Eleme component of the road is nearing completion, but there is poor drainage system to manage flood.

The Central Community

The risk now is that when they get to cross, they will have to drop all they are carrying and begin to take them across the road one by one and it has not been easy. Many things have gone wrong in course the of this

•Frank Ajoku, Motor Park revenue collector

•Uncompleted part at Onna axis Development Committee, CDC, chairman of Rumuji community in Emohua Local Government Area, Mr. Emmanuel Uche Miniukwu, said, “When the road was earlier constructed by Dumez Nigerian Limited, it was somehow low to the level of the community, but now that Setraco came in to dualise the road, it was lifted too much.

“The filling was so high that it is now affecting the people, who reside close to the road. Any time it rains, those areas overflow and people who reside there pack out because their houses usually get flooded. Anytime it rains, it displaces the traders at our market too,” he said.

Miniukwu asserted, “I as the CDC chairman, I met the company sometime ago to see what they can do about that, at least construct good drainage in the area as they have done in some parts of the road, but till now, we have not seen anything. We are still calling on them to come and construct drainage system to stop this flooding.

“The distance created for the Uturn on the road is affecting our people; they are supposed to put a turning point within the village, at least one. It is very difficult for our women when going to farm; they go almost to another village to turn even when they are carrying load on the bicycle.

Death trap “The risk now is that when they get to cross, they will have to drop all they are carrying and begin to take them across the road one by one and it has not been easy.

Many things have gone wrong in the course of this. Even the police in Rumuji have recorded most of the accident cases on this junction because of the danger of using one lane with a very high demarcation.

“We are calling on Setraco to come and complete the other side of the road. The one lane has

•Emmanuel Miniukwu, CDC chairman, Rumuji community

been very dangerous, as several people have died on that road.

When people get there, they think that the other lane is completed, not knowing that some cars are driving one-way, they would want to cross, this has caused many accidents here (Rumuji) that has two major junctions: Ibaa-Obelle Junction and Rumuji Junction,” he said.

Mr. Frank Ajoku, a revenue collector, said, “This road is very strategic. It connects Rivers State with every other state of the federation and it is a high way, which needs serious attention but the company has disappointed the people.

“We know how long it took them to cross this one lane to Rumuokoro. The other lane was like that until now. If I tell you the level of casualty that this one lane has caused, you will be surprised.

This is because the other lane is not okay.”

Oduoha community fumes The CDC secretary of Oduoha community in Emohua local government, Mr. Chukundah, accused Setraco of abandoning the construction of the second lane of the East-West road in Oduoha community. He said that the people of the area feel cheated and marginalized because it completed the second lane in some sections of the road.

In Akwa-Ibom state, a Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs engineer, Mr. L.A Oludare, said, “Work is ongoing in Eket Township and between the Eket - Onna bridge and bridge approach, but construction of the bridge has just been suspended because the crane on top of the bridge needed to be removed and that will be done in the next two weeks.

“Then, within Oron area, the Uya Oro-Eket road, work is completed; they will do little work around the roundabout; every other area, work is completed, the contractor has achieved 90 per cent completion. The remaining work in Eket town, we call it 50kilometre job, all things being equal and with funds from Federal government, by December, this year, it will be completed.

Essien, others pick holes However, some of the residents and indigenes of Eket, including a former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Chief Nduesse Essien, who spoke to Niger Delta Voice, expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing construction, saying it was not being done according to the original design of the East - West road.

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015 — 7

•Flooded compound in Ikot Ebidiang Village, Onna

Rainstorm, floods wreck Akwa Ibom communities CROSS RIVER...

THE PEOPLE'S PARADISE

By CHIOMA ONUEGBU

E

KET-INHABITANTS of Ikot Ebidang, Eket and other communities in Eket and Onna Local Government Areas, Akwa Ibom State, hit by preceding Monday’s devastating rainstorm and flood, are still counting their losses several days after the incident.

Residents, who spoke to Niger Delta Voice in Ikot Ebidang village of Onna local government area, lamented that houses were destroyed by the heavy storm and also flooded and destroyed crops in their farms.

A respected community leader, Obong Sunny Udonsek, attributed the ravaging flooding problem in Ikot Ebidang community to bad roads in the area, which has subjected the residents to very serious untold suffering and hardship over the years.

We need good roads, drainageDwellers Udonek said, “We need good roads to be built in this community, we need proper drainage systems that can check this ravaging flooding we experience whenever there is heavy storm. Unfortunately it floods every year, especially when rainy season is at its peak.

Therefore, what we need is the kind of roads and drainage that will take the rainwater away as soon as it drops.

“We had a very terrible experience that Monday when the flood swept away a child.

So why cannot people of this area also enjoy the same kind of privileges which other places in the state have to have good environment that will enable them build better houses. I appeal to Federal and State governments to look into the plight of this community

•Uprooted cassava tubers from flooded farm in Ikot Ebidiang Village Fortunately, however, villagers later rescued the child about a kilometre into the bush. Government should come in and address this problem. It is one of the urgent needs of this community. This particular area needs serious erosion control because this is rain belt area, so you cannot stop the rain from falling.

Victims relocate “Many houses were destroyed, properties lost.

In fact, it is so bad that some people have to pack out of their homes temporarily after the storm.

“So why cannot people of this area also enjoy the same kind of privileges which other places in the state have to have good environment that will enable them build better houses. I appeal to Federal and State governments to look into the plight of this community.”

Some of the women said they had to uproot cassava prematurely from their flooded farms because leaving them one day longer would destroy all their labour.

A-Ibom clan head demands white paper on 11-yr communal crisis AKWA IBOM… LAND OF PROMISE

By CHIOMA ONUEGBU

A

FAHA OKPO- T H E Clan Head of Afaha Okpo, Oron Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Offong Francis Eyo, has called for immediate release of the White Paper on the 11year communal crisis between Udung Okung (EyoAbasi) and Ukpata Afaha Eduok (Idua) communities by the state government.

Okpo, who made the appeal when the deputy governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, visited the communities on a factC M Y K

finding tour, said the release of the white paper and other necessary materials would facilitate relocation of the displaced members of his community to their ancestral home.

The deputy governor stressed the need for the warring communities to dwell in peace, warning that government might not hesitate to acquire the disputed land if the people refuse to listen.

He said, “Let me reiterate here that to think hatred and fight in today’s Akwa Ibom state is to live in the past; we are now in an era of peace and development.

I, therefore, appeal that we

should remember that peace is the only battle worth waging because it precedes and gives rise to development. Let us sweat in peace and not bleed in war. ” “We are known for peace, and we have to re-launch our society to that age-long track of honour and progress.

While government is ready to give the needed support where necessary for us to have a peaceful state, I urge you to maintain and sustain the peace in your area to promote brotherliness,” he added.

Ekpo said both the state and federal governments had donated relief materials to

the warring communities in the past and they would want the people to reciprocate by changing their war mentality for peace.

Responding, Chairman of Oron Local Government Council, Mr. Orman Esin, lamented that the 11- year crisis had led to destruction of 1,200 houses and rendered 9000 people homeless.

He appealed for support in the areas of road network; infrastructure; fishing boats, canoes and soft loans from the state government to assist the affected communities in meaningful ventures to eke out a living.

Strange and vicious rainstorm At Eket , one of the victims, Elder Ndarake Thomas, CEO PEATBON filling station, resident along Udo Umoh street, Eket, bewailed that his household property worth hundreds of thousands were destroyed by the strange and destructive storm.

He said, “It was a terrible rain storm that damaged so many things, my filling station was also affected.

Since I was born, I have never experienced such flooding, I am 67 years old and I have been living here for so many years, but I have never seen anything like this. Unfortunately, the gutters we have here are not deep to contain the volume of water during any heavy rain.

“In the whole of this street, there is no compound that water did not enter. In some areas like Ukpong Street, the situation was worse and people have even vacated their residences. What helped us here is that we had to use pumping machine to remove the water. The level of water reached the window seal, it was horrible and frightening.”

Human Resources Manger of the company, Miss Ndifreke Thomas, asserted, “I have not experienced this kind of flooding before. The pressure of the water trying to force out the petrol underground tank with a capacity of 33 litres each was frightening and there was nothing we (12 staff), could do when it started.

Dep gov pledges AKSG assistance Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, during on-the-spotassessment of the flooding menace in Eket, assured the state government would ensure prompt and necessary assistance and attention to the victims.

8—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

Church, 87-yr-old widow in bitter land squabble *Efut community monarch slams church *We properly acquired land —Bishop U.E. Akpanitiat

By IKE UCHECHUKWU

E

FUT ANANTIGHA— THE Mount Zion Light House Full Gospel Church Inc, Abitu Assembly, Calabar Diocese, Cross River State, is currently embroiled in a land scuffle with an 87-year-old widow, Mrs. Nkoyo Edet Bassey, native of Edik Okon Idem, Akpabuyo, who is pointing finger at the church for allegedly encroaching on her landed property at Efut Anantigha community in Calabar South.

I bought the land- Widow The widow told Niger Delta Voice that she acquired the land from Chief Ita Okonkon Ekpeyong, who later became Muri- Munene (Paramount ruler) of Efut, via a lease dated November 23, 1979, registered as No 2 at page 2, volume 9 of the Registry of Deeds, Lands Registry, Calabar.

Mrs. Bassey, who insisted the structure erected by the church on it was illegal, said, “Since I bought the land in 1979 from Chief Ita Okokon Ekpeyong, I have never sold any portion to any one and I did not mandate anybody to sell any portion of my property on my behalf. So I do not know who sold that portion to the church people, who have been disturbing my peace ever since.”

The land belongs to Mount Zion- Akpanitat, Ekpe Superintendent of the Calabar Diocese of the church, Bishop U.E. Akpanitiat, however, said the church duly acquired the property from the late Muri Munene, who was the same Chief Okonkon that sold to Mrs. Bassey.

In his words, “People can go the extra miles to spoil people’s name, that place was sold to the church by the late Muri Munene (Chief Ita Okokon) with the receipts of payment and agreement.

C M Y K

•Mrs Nkoyo Edet Bassey •Superitendent,Calabar Diocese, Bishop E. U Akpanitiat

•HRM,Muri Munene Efiong Okokon Mbukpa

“The church has struggled to build even when the Muri was alive, but we are amazed that the woman and her son did not come out when the Muri was still alive and we were building, when the Muri died and the building was completed that was when they came out.”

The pastor in- charge of Abitu Assembly, Apostle David Ekpe, corroborated the claim of the superintendent.

Ambo sold land to church According to the deed of lease, Chief Okokon Edem Ambo (Clan Head of Efut Anantigha Clan, Calabar South) sold the land, measuring 434.23 square metres, lying at Mesembe Street, described in survey plan, No JEJ/CR/19615 of 28 September 1997 with beacons Nos 72819, CRN 228118, CRN 72817, CRN 72816 and CRN 72815 respectively, to the church.

HRH Ita Okokon Ekpeyong, now late, signed the lease as the Muri Munene of Efut, his new position at the time of the transaction.

HRH Ekpeyong, then Chief

The church building

I believe that their documents are doubtful, otherwise, they should have come to tender their documents as well as come to settle the matter amicably.

Since they refused to appear, I advised the woman to go to court to seek redress

Ekpeyong, also signed the deed of 100 x 100 square yards land for Mrs. Bassey, located at 11 Ekpeyong Abasi Street, Anantigha, Calabar Municipality, as the head of the Ekpeyong Ekpeyong family, 19 years earlier. Whether he knew the 1997 land had any correlation with the one he sold to Mrs. Bassey in 1979 is not known.

Crux of the matter Chief Edem Ambo issued a receipt of N100, 000 to the church for the land currently known as No 18 Mesembe Street, formerly 11 Ekpeyong Abasi Street. A church official showed the receipt to our reporter.

A source, however, told Niger Delta Voice, “The problem is that somebody else sold part of the 100x100 square yards belonging to Mrs. Bassey to the church and the church went ahead to build on it.”

He disclosed, “When the matter was reported to the current Muri Munene, Efiong Okokon Mbukpa, the Efut Combined Assembly, summoned both parties, but the church never honoured the invitation on two occasions, February 24 and 27, last year.”

Land to Mrs BasseyMonarch Contacted, HRM Mbukpa said his predecessor (Muri Munene Ita Okokon Ekpeyong) sold the land to Mrs. Bassey, adding, “I reject, I detest and will not condone any form of double dealing in land.

“I inherited this matter, it is a pathetic case and I demanded to know their

status as regards the land in question other parties came but the church never showed up. I was shown the agreement that was made between the former MuriMunene; I do not know the status of the church because they did not come to me.

“However, I believe that their documents are doubtful, otherwise, they should have come to tender their documents as well as come to settle the matter amicably. Since they refused to appear, I advised the woman to go to court to seek redress,” the monarch stated.

Injunction still binding on church- Essien Niger Delta Voice investigations also revealed that after the attempt by the monarch to call the church to order failed, Mrs. Bassey went to court and obtained an interim injunction (EDC/ CV/10/2014) from the Customary Court sitting in Efut to stop any development on the land.

Edet Essien Esq, counsel to Mrs. Bassey, however, said when the church started erecting an illegal structure on the land, he wrote the Ministry of Lands, June 24, last year, to stop Pastor Ekpe and co, but despite a court injunction (order) against the church, they went ahead and completed the structure.

The church reportedly secured a transfer of the case to a High Court, but Essien said nobody has served his client any paper, maintaining that the interim injunction (order) was still legally binding, though the church disregarded it.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015—33

•From right: Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekwremadu, Senator Chuka Utazi and

Senator Gilbert Nnaji Unini

during a media chat with the governor and newsmen held in Government House, Enugu, Sunday. Photo: Henry

New thinking in Enugu THE high point of the session was perhaps when five minutes into his speech, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi stood up to plead with the visiting media men to help project a positive image for the state

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

I

T was a plea that made sense against the background of political crises that had blemished the Peoples Democratic Party’s unquestioned hold over the state.

Indeed the new image the governor sought to project had been shown few minutes earlier when he stepped out from a caucus meeting with the three senators from the state in one of the adjoining rooms beside the Banquet Hall of the Government House.

Indeed, the sight of the three senators seated beside the state governor was an unusual experience for the Enugu State political class. Since the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1999, Enugu State has without break been noted for a spate of political crises in its leadership, with its governors almost always at odds with the political leadership.

However, last Saturday, Governor Ugwuanyi, popularly hailed as Gburugburu, was flanked by Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senators Gilbert Nnaji (Enugu East) and

Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North).

Also present were the Deputy governor, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, the state chairman of the PDP, Chief Ikeji Asogwa, Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Gabriel Ajah and chairman of the State chapter of the Association

The past stories of wrangling were despite the unquestioned supremacy of the PDP in the affairs of the state. It is perhaps the only state in the country where no other opposition party has been able to break through

of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Prince Cornelius Nnaji among others.

The past stories of wrangling were despite the unquestioned supremacy of the PDP in the affairs of the state. It is perhaps the only state in the country where no other opposition party has been able to break through.

Whereas its neighbours such as Anambra, Ebonyi, Benue have all separately been wooed by other parties such as the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Labour Party and the All Progressives Congress, APC respectively, Enugu has seemingly remained aloof to the entreaties of other parties.

That, however, did not translate to peace within the ruling PDP. Within months of his coming in 1999, a war of acrimony broke out between then Governor Chimaroke Nnamani and most of the patrons in the party who were not taken along in the beats of the Ebeano phenomenon.

The rancour continued even with Nnamani’s chosen successor, Sullivan Chime. Not long after his emergence, Chime fell out with his predecessor leading to the dismantling of the Ebeano machine that threw him up. Chime who governed

between 2007 and last May was not only at war with his predecessor, he also fell out with the state’s highest political office holder, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who some claimed, helped to stabilise him in office when he had challenges in his re-election quest in 2011.

Chime was to also fall out with his deputy, Sunday Onyebuchi leading to the controversial chicken impeachment episode last year.

However, Governor Ugwuanyi, who took over last May has seemingly effected a paradigm shift with his determination to forge a consensus among the political class. That was evident last Saturday evening as the three senators and the governor rose from a consensus building meeting to meet the team of visiting journalists.

The need to project peace, the governor said, was especially because of the need to augment the falling revenue to the state on account of the slump in oil prices.

In that direction he conceived the Enugu State Economy Advisory Board with stakeholders such as Senator Ekweremadu, former Minister of power, Prof. Barth Nnaji and local

motor manufacturer, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma (Innoson) among others as members.

It is arguable to assume that Governor Ugwuanyi was forced by the economic circumstances of the time to alter the attitude of political bickering that was prevalent in the state before his coming.

Indeed, many laud the governor as a peace builder who before his election was one of the few politicians in the state with a reach to the different political tendencies in Enugu.

Political tendencies It was as such not surprising that even though he emerged from the camp of Governor Chime, the Senator Ekweremadu led stakeholders who were in control of the PDP structure in the state did not raise opposition to him. Gburugburu as he is popularly called is almost everybody’s friend.

Giving his determination to forge ahead irrespective of the challenges facing him last Saturday, he said: “A friend of mine told me that this is not the best time to be governor, but I told him, do you believe in the miracle of five loaves and two fishes? If it is true that happened, then, it will happen now. I believe in God and I also know that we have the instruments with which God will use to assist us. We want you to know that we need your support,” he told the newsmen.

Maybe as a matter of tact Governor Ugwuanyi did not refer to the history of political belligerence but the way and Continues on page 34

34—VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

APC CRISIS: Oyegun’s

exit isn't a

solution — SEN ALIMIKHENA •I 've not seen the jumbo pay in the Senate SENATOR Francis Alimikhena, APC, Edo North is the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate and a retired military officer. In this interview with Vanguard, Senator Alimikhena, who is in his first term in the Senate and the only APC senator from the SouthSouth, speaks on topical issues affecting the Senate and his party. Excerpts:

By Henry Umoru

W

HAT should one expect from you as the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate?

I am going to do the best I can for Edo North and Nigeria in general. As deputy chief whip, I will make sure that I make my office very attractive and robust and do what is right for all manner of people.

What are the issues stoking the crisis in your party?

Well, it is a leadership issue and at the same time, it is a family affair. You know in every family, there must be issue and it is good to resolve the issues among the family. It all goes down to misunderstanding. As I can say by my own perception, misunderstanding and wrong direction are the causes of the wrangling.

There are calls from some quarters that the National chairman of your party, Chief John Odigie Oyegun should resign or be removed. What is your take on this?

I do not believe that he should resign because any decision taken rightly or wrongly is a collective responsibility. If they feel that Oyegun has not done well, it is not only Oyegun that should go, all the National Working Committee, NWC of the APC should go. But I don’t think he should go, it is just a matter of consensus.

When mistakes occur then they can be rectified because if you say one mistake occured here

and you say the people that made that mistake should go, what of other people that will come? If they make similar mistakes, will they have to go? I don’t think that it is fair on him for anybody to clamour that they should go because of what has happened.

What is your agenda for the Senator Bukola Saraki led 8th Senate?

Well, I don’t have to set agenda for him because he is an agenda person. He can set good agenda that he believes can be good for the country. You should bear in mind that he was once a governor and he did well in Kwara State and this is his second term in the Senate. He should be able to know the agenda that is good for the country.

For instance, today he has set up two committees. There is the legislative committee which has •Alimikhena: I don't believe Oyegun should resign

If they feel that Oyegun has not done well, it is not only Oyegun that should go, all the National Working Committee, NWC of the APC should go

not been done before in the Senate. And he also set up a finance committee to look at the finances of the Senate in a way to prune it down so that a lot of people talking about what goes to the Senate should be able to know. Information matters.

If they come up with a blueprint, then Nigerians will know what comes to the National Assembly and it is in the right direction that he has set up those two committees.

is your take on the controversy concerning the huge allowance for lawmakers?

First and foremost, my colleagues and I expect that we should work in peace and harmony. It is when there is peace that there will be development. I don’t expect anybody to have any ulterior motive whereby you come to the Senate to fight. The Senate is not a place to fight, it is a place to make laws for the good of the country.

What do you expect from your colleagues and secondly, what

Wardrobe allowance

New thinking in Enugu Continues from page 33 manner he spoke showed his intention to avoid the pitfalls of the past.

Given the difficult experiences of past deputy governors, he also showed his determination to give his own deputy, Mrs. Ezeilo a better experience. He openly referred to her as his ‘ wife’ explaining that is now married

to her by politics!

Also speaking, Senator Ekweremadu urged media support for the governor, who he said had rallied all political stakeholders irrespective of tribal and political differences towards the collective goal of developing the state.

“We want you to let the world know that Enugu is peaceful, let the world know the potentials of

Enugu, that there is no tension and that there is no prospect of tension in Enugu State and this is quite clear. We have a governor who was with us in Abuja and you can understand clearly, that there is no line of division between Abuja and Enugu based politicians.”

Like all these talk about jumbo pay and the rest, I have not seen the jumbo pay. For instance they were talking about wardrobe allowance of about N6 million or thereabout. But we were told the wardrobe allowance is N42,000 and N42,000 cannot be a jumbo pay.

I have not seen the jumbo pay.

Whether the jumbo pay will come tomorrow, it is only when I see it that I can comment on it.

Meanwhile what they read on the floor of the Senate to us is what I have just told you now.

They said wardrobe allowance which the papers published as

N6 million for every Senator is N42,000 and I don’t think that N42,000 is a thing that somebody should make noise about.

And if you calculate all these as you were told, the take home pay of a Senator is about 900thousand a month, so I don’t see the jumbo pay there. Maybe probably they calculated what you take in a year or added the furniture allowance which you receive once in four years.

And the 42thousand wardrobe allowance that they are talking about is paid once in a year.

So I have not seen any jumbo pay, maybe the jumbo pay will come, I don’t know.

It is based on this thing that the Senate President set up a committee on finance to look at all the loopholes.

This Senate is not going to be an extravagant Senate and you should also bear in mind that this is change. The slogan of APC is change, change for the good and not change for the bad. The change from the wrong way of doing things to change to good things so that Nigerians will benefit. I don’t think the 8th Senate is insensitive to the yearnings of Nigerians.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015—35

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru Rep. Johnson Agbonayinma represents Egor/Ikpoba/Okha Federal Constituency, Edo State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He was before now an associate of President Muhammadu Buhari, having been his coordinator in the 2003 presidential election on the platform of the All Nigeria People’s Party, ANPP. In this interview, he describes the leadership crisis in the All Progressives Congress, APC as disgraceful and urges the party to redirect itself for the good of the country.

Excerpts:

I 've promised my children we won’t fight in the House again — Rep Agbonayinma •APC practices politics of catastrophe — Hon. Agbonayinma course is what we are experiencing now. Things were going well but what we are experiencing now is politics of catastrophe whereby they cannot even get their house together.

They have succeeded in defeating Jonathan, now they cannot even come together to share the food. They are not able to come together as one because they did not plan prior to getting this victory. Success has extended family, it has great grand parents, failure is an orphan. Yes, we lost the election, but guess what, we are more formidable as ever now in PDP. So, all the changes that they have been talking about, they now found that they are more in a deep shit let me use

H

OW do you describe the crisis in the House where some members were throwing punches?

It is unfortunate, appalling, disheartening and pathetic. It is very disgraceful, unacceptable and I was very worried especially when my children called me and said "Daddy we were watching you fighting on the floor of the House". As a father, I have to try to do whatever to correct my children and make sure that they are responsible children, to guide them and direct them.

So, for my children to be telling me about men and women, adults fighting, I was embarrassed.

I had to try to educate them and tell them, well, it happens sometimes but I think we have to get it right, we will work at it to make sure that it does not repeat itself because we are sent here to represent our constituency, we are elected by

•Agbonayinma: What happened is an unfortunate situation the people to represent their interest. So, we must put Nigeria’s interest on the first burner and it must be an utmost priority, we shouldn’t circumvent that.

What happened is an unfortunate situation and I pray it doesn’t happen again.

Some are of the view that going by the way the APC is sharing political positions, the party is undemocratic, do you

share the same view?

Their only agenda was to make sure that they removed President Jonathan, they never had any plan, they say if people fail to plan, they plan to fail, they never had any policy or to say these are the things we are going to do.

The change they were talking about, they came up with name change, we are coming for change, but they are changing from good to bad which of

We must put Nigeria’s interest on the first burner and it must be an utmost priority, we shouldn’t circumvent that

the word.

They are more in a deep problem they never expected.

Now, people believe that they have been ignored, they have been used and dumped. They used the people and dumped them. That is the reason they are fighting among themselves because they never thought that it was that easy.

So it is their problem. You see their blame game. They are claiming that their National Chairman, Chief Oyegun collected bribe. I am not holding brief for Oyegun but I know that man, I know him very well, he is a man of integrity. I am of PDP, he is in APC, but I will tell you, that man is a man of integrity for years. I worked closely with him and Buhari in 2003. I was the coordinator of Buhari in ANPP in 2003 presidential election. And again Oyegun was one of the leaders.

He is very meticulous. So, when you are now blaming such man just to castigate him and mess him up, that is their brand of politics.

If you don’t want people to know how you were born, how your grand father, how some of your parents stole bicycle, don’t join politics because there are so many lies in it. They will lie against you just for cheap blackmail. You don’t blackmail people because of your selfish interest, we should be selfless.

Reduction of NASS budget 'll save money for Nigeria — Rep Egoh Hon Oghene Egoh is a member of the House of Representatives.

In this interview, he speaks on the slashing of NASS members' renumeration as a way of reducing cost of governance among other issues. Excerpts:

By Simon Adewale

A

S a non indigene elected in Lagos State, what are the needs of your constituency that you are taking to Abuja and what are you bringing back as dividends of democracy ?

The needs of my constituency are numerous. But the most important is infrastructural decay. I have three major estates in my custody. Two are federal while one is state owned. I am talking mainly of Festac Town and Satellite Town owned by the Federal Government and Jakande estate for Lagos State.

Infrastructures in these estates have not been renewed since they were built.

The result is that roads are in dilapidated state. The drainages are not only blocked, they have collapsed. When there is rain the estates face serious flooding. The areas that are worst affected are the new areas developed after the three initial

•Rep Egoh

establishment of the estate over 30 years ago. No single road is tarred and infrastructures are non-existent.

The recurrent expediture takes the largest chunk of our budget which is about 76 percent while capital is about 24 percent.

It is said that 76 per cent of our budget is spent on recurrent expenditure. I don’t know how it got that bad but what I know is that we must correct the imbalance. It is clear that 24 per cent of the budget is clearly inadequate for capital projects. No nation can develop with this low rate of investment in infrastructure.

We must reorganize our priorities to ensure that more money is directed to infrastructural development. No investor will come to invest in our economy if the state of infrastructure remains at this level.

We need to invest to create employment.

Is the suggested slashing of the remuneration of members of the National Assembly and public officers, to reduce the cost of governance and bail

the country out of economic distress, a welcomed development from your?

I am not too familiar with the emolument of the National Assembly staff but I do know that the National Assembly budget has been slashed by about 30 per cent.

And I do think it is good that way to cut national cost and make some savings.

The process that bought you in as a representative is perceived to be free and fair, meaning that votes can count in Nigeria. What is your advice to those who want to follow your part and participate in politics?

Just work hard and have an ambition, vision and be focused, don't relent in your ambition. Join a political party and work hard with party members and the people.

Don't be discouraged, if you did not win the first time, try the second time and just keep trying because God can decide to favour you and open doors for you so you can win just like I tried and I won the third time.

36—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

1st 100 days in office A

MERICANS have a variety of political Senator John Fitzgerald Kennedy and vice traditions. Each presidential election president Richard Milhous Nixon. Nixon cycle, as is happening now, some of these who appeared on stage looking ruffled was traditions are replayed as the system makes a contrast to Kennedy with good looks and its way towards meeting a crucial part of dashing mien. People who heard the debate on radio thought that the normally its democratic destiny and objective.

One of the traditions that have withstood erudite Nixon won; but people who time and history is that of running a two- watched it on television had no doubt that party system: the Democratic and Kennedy trounced Nixon.

Today, a gaffe on such debates is a oneRepublican Parties that are perpetually in competition to outdo each other in way ticket out of the presidential race.

Other interesting traditions include the occupying the seat of state power and politics. But, you might have thought that expectation that candidates for the as democratic as the country presents itself, presidency should declared their assets as more political party voices would have been well as let people know the state of their let into the electoral system. Well, nothing personal health.

The tradition I’m paying more attention prevents a political party from sprouting up. However, the political culture and to in this column is that of the 1st 100 days tradition in the U.S. have a way of killing in office. This tradition was introduced in off any planned attempt to destabilize the July 1933 by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt who, in fact, had meant it to be two-party structure.

Two fairly strong and recent attempts to used to judge the efficiency level of the break the two-party mold came in the form Congress. Today, it is a tradition that is of presidential candidates Ross Perot and applied to practically all levels of Ralph Nader. Twice in 1992 and 1996 Texas governance.

Here is what Kenneth T. Walsh wrote billionaire Perot tried hard to de-couple the two-party engine of U.S. politics. He failed about the idea of the 1st 100 Days in a on both occasions, having spent millions 2009 article: It’s not a perfect measure, but of his wealth in the process and despite it’s a useful one—the 100-day standard making media waves with his decision to for gauging presidential effectiveness. The underlying truth is that presidents tend to run for the highest office in the land.

In 2000, maverick Ralph Nader of the be most effective when they first take office, Green Party emerged on the scene and when their leadership style seems fresh ran for the presidency. He failed, but and new, when the aura of victory is still garnered about 2.8 million votes which the powerful, and when their impact on Democrats felt should have legitimately Congress is usually at its height. There is gone to Al Gore who campaigned against nothing magic about the number, and George Bush. Democrats never forgave many presidential aides over the years have complained Nader for spoiling that it is an artificial the political soup for yardstick. But it has Americans also have them. By the time been used by the Nader ran again in another politically public, the media, 2004, the system and scholars as a traditional expectation had so taken care gauge of of him that he was that is tied to the 1st presidential success a highly and activism since 100 days in office: marginalized and D. Franklin ineffective man.

Roosevelt pioneered leaders are supposed Historian the 100-day concept Richard Hofstadter to hit the ground when he took office aptly summed up in 1933. running the “third party” I have no phenomenon as follows: “Third parties are like bees. Once philosophical opposition to assessing any they have stung, they die.” Perot and president after 100 days in office. True, I Nader fully understand this truism about do not expect tangible results. Neither is it a realistic expectation. But, I believe any American politics.

Another piece of tradition is that of one running for office should arm himself candidates going through the excruciating or herself with a blueprint for governance primaries to determine the flag-bearer of and start reeling off pages of that book once each of the political parties. No candidate the person sits on the saddle. The 100skips the primaries and caucuses, whether day landmark is about an examination of a challenger or an incumbent. The Iowa what is being done or implemented; not caucus is the first crucial and real test of what has been achieved. This idea of political popularity. In 2008, Hillary Clinton winning a presidential election and who thought she was the front-runner was turning around to tell people who elected humbled to the third position in Iowa. She you in good conscience that you did not never fully recovered until she bowed out know the extent of the rot left behind by of the race. In that test of strength, Obama your predecessor, is as laughable as it is won 38 percent, John Edwards came lamentable. It is the equivalent of driving second with 29.8 percent and a surprised a car at night without headlamps, only to Hillary landed on the third position with exclaim surprise upon running into a ditch.

Americans also have another politically 29.5 percent. Today, Hillary is not taking Iowa for granted. She is very busy traditional expectation that is tied to the campaigning in Iowa with all arsenal in 1st 100 days in office: leaders are supposed to hit the ground running; work begins on her political armoury.

Doing the television debate is another day one! Put in soccer analogy, hitting the strong tradition. 1960 marked the ground running is the equivalent of a good beginning of the debates and it showed striker like Ronaldo already knowing what even then that the power of such debates to do with the ball as it is in flight to him. cannot be underestimated in the electoral The unintelligent striker gets the ball, and process. It is about intelligence, knowledge begins to think of what to do with it.

Let me simply say that with Buhari of the subjects, poise, eloquence and all the razzmatazz of television screen battling to name his cabinet as his 1st 100 Days in office approaches, it appears he appearance, especially appearance.

Several studies have been conducted might reverse the American (and indeed about the first of such televised debates a reasonable) expectation by running to which took place on September 26, 1960, hit the ground, not hitting the ground, between the young and handsome looking running.

Seaports monopoly: The imminent economic crisis

By Sadiq Abubakar

“The President hereby designates the Onne/Ikpokiri area of Rivers CASCADE of directives in the state as an Export Free Zone. (in dying days of former president, Dr this Act referred to as “The Export Goodluck Jonathan’s administration Free Zone”. There was no mention created eerie feelings in many a of ‘oil and gas’ anywhere. department of the country’s life.

This monopoly coated move to The maritime industry is one of the hand over oil and gas cargo to one casualties of the former president’s organization was totally rejected by agility at dusk. One of such alleged Jonathan’s predecessors, former directives, gleefully carried out by the Presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) ordered and significantly, Umaru Musa LADOL Integrated Free Logistics Zone Yar ’dua whose family are Enterprise to relocate its $500 million shareholders in INTELS. And these Egina FPSO currently going on in rejections were based on the clear Apapa, Lagos, South-West Nigeria, to dire economic consequences a Bayelsa State in South-South Nigeria monopoly would have on the ports or to any convenient facility in the and the nation generally. Despite area. the patriotic stance taken by Now, the only convenient facility that Obasanjo, late Yar ’dua and the LADOL could possibly relocate its House of Representatives in 2012, massive Egina Project to, is the Onne/ the oil and gas cargo issue sizzled Ikpokiri Free Zone which is exclusively again in 2013. Precisely on April 22, controlled by INTELS. 2013, Ports and Terminal Operators What this directive connotes then is Nigeria Limited (PTOL) sent a that LADOL, an INTELS’ competitor, petition to the House Committee on should run its business from INTELS’ Marine Transport to the effect that facility, under INTELS’ control. vessels carrying cargoes to its The grave implication of this ominous terminal were being diverted to directive is a tragic economic Onne terminal controlled by prognosis for LADOL. It will in lucid INTELS Nigeria Limited because language put a tinge of distress for such cargoes LADOL and its were wrongly Egina FPSO facility and strangely This monopoly projected to employ tagged ‘oil and about 50,000 coated move to gas cargoes’, Nigerians in the causing PTOL hand over oil and next five years; a to lose millions massive project gas cargo to one of dollars and hailed worldwide naira. organization was as a magnificent The House milestone in totally rejected by Committee held Nigeria’s Local a Public Hearing Jonathan’s Content drive. of the Therefore, any predecessors Stakeholders on fracture or even the matter on

A

strain of the economic hope held aglow by LADOL, the poster child of local content and other Free Zones, which will be the inevitable grim consequence of this monopoly inspired directive, will spell failure for Nigerian content Law, a revolutionary edict that has attracted over $5 billion investments into Nigeria’s petroleum industry since its signing in 2010, with a projection of another $10 Billion between 2015 and 2016.

But let us pause and look at the second arm of the directive. Here, the NPA says that all oil and gas cargoes must be handled at the designated terminals at Onne, Warri and Calabar Ports. Again these three ports are controlled exclusively by INTELS. Before coming to the economic implications of this branch of the directive, let’s ask a vital question.

And it is this, “what does NPA mean by ‘oil and gas cargo’?” This question becomes very critical because the term ‘oil and gas cargo’ was neither mentioned in the contract between the sea ports and terminal operators on the one hand and NPA and Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) on the other nor was it in the 2004 Oil and Gas Export Free Zone Act (OGEFZA). Indeed Section 1(1) of OGEFZA states,

April 30, 2013 where INTELS, NPA and PTOL, all made presentations. At the end, the House Committee on Marine Transport upheld the House Resolution of 2012 – That operators should be free to choose ports of discharge of their cargoes within designated ports of Onne, Calabar, Port Harcourt and Warri”. By their pronouncement, they asked that the status quo prevailed while INTELS’ attempt to justify the ‘oil and gas cargo’ theory fell flat on its face.

Even as late as September 18, 2014, the Senate Committee on Privatization waded into the same simmering issue after a protest letter from the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria, (STOAN).

In its letter to the Honourable Minister of Transport, which it copied the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises and Nigerian Seaport Concessionaires/ Seaports Terminal Operators Association, the Senate committee stated clearly that “Terminals in Eastern Ports, in particular, are all general cargo terminals ……………That the Lease Agreements contain the operations which each Terminal is entitled to undertake and none was designated for any special purpose. The distinction as to oil and gas cargo therefore does not arise under the terms of the Lease Agreements.”

To be continued

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015—37

Nigerians'll beg PDP to come back in 2019 —Ojougboh zSays APC's crisis regrettable

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— NATIONAL Vice Chairman, South-South, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, has decried the crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress, APC, saying that Nigerians will beg the PDP to come back in 2019.

Ojougboh, yesterday, at the South-South secretariat of the PDP in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said that the APC had shown convincingly that it lacked coordination and ideology.

He said that a committee of the PDP headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi was at the PDP South-South secretariat to receive memorandum on how the party can rebound ahead of 2019 general elections.

He added that the PDP will not succumb to any form of intimidation to lose its cases at the various election tribunals in the South-South,

insisting that the party won freely and fairly in the elections.

“Rivers and Akwa Ibom states tribunals are sitting in Abuja. No amount of intimidation will make the PDP lose the elections it won freely and fairly in those states. Any move to rig us out at the tribunals will be resisted,” he said.

He further reaffirmed the stand of the PDP rejecting the appointment of Hajia Amina Zakari as acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. “We have said that the appointment of Zakari is completely unacceptable to us.

The example that ex-President Goodluck Jonathan gave should be followed. We know

that she is not apolitical,” he added.

On the crisis of leadership rocking the PDP in Bayelsa State, he said that a committee had been set up to resolve the problem.

Meantime, Senator Markarfi told newsmen that he had received several memoranda from members on how to advance the fortunes of the party.

Delta govt assures on power supply

D

ELTA State Commissioner for Energy, Mr. Newworld Safugha, has assured Deltans that the state government will partner power generation and distribution firms as well as explore all avenues to light up the state, since development is hinged on electricity.

The commissioner posited that the development of every sector of the economy largely depends on power supply, hence the state government’s SMART programme which is prosperity for all Deltans. He said that the state government will encourage both local and foreign investors to invest in the state by encouraging adequate power supply.

Safugha called for patience by all and sundry and to exercise the confidence exhibited during the general elections that produced the present government so that the administration can fulfil its prosperity for all Deltans agenda for the state.

He spoke shortly after the inauguration of the state commissioners by the state governor in Asaba.

C M Y K

INSPECTION: From left: Mr. John Nani, Commissioner for Environment, Delta State and Mrs. Felicia Adun, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, during the inspection of office facilities by the commissioner, in Asaba,yesterday. Photo: Nath Onojake.

IG, others dragged to court over alleged human rights violation

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—CHAIRMAN and Chief Executive Officer of a Benin-based Security Company, Chief Sunny Erhengbo, has dragged the Inspector-General of Police to court over alleged breach of his fundamental human rights.

Other respondents in the suit before a Federal High Court sitting in Benin, Edo State, are the Assistant-Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5, Wale and Corporal Adamu of the AntiVice Section of the Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin.

The applicant is praying the court to direct the respondents, jointly and severally, to pay the sum of N5 million for the unconstitutional seizure and detention of his Honda Pilot vehicle, AKA 271 JK. He is also asking the court to declare that the respondents have no constitutional powers to interfere with the enjoyment of his fundamental rights to fair hearing, freedom of movement and right to moveable property

guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

The applicant wants the court to restrain the respondents, their agents, servants and or privies from arresting and or detaining or harassing, him or further dealing with the subject matter of the suit pending the

final determination of the suit.

He is also asking the court to order the respondents to release the said property, and restrain them, their agents, servants and/or privies from arresting and/or detaining or harassing him or further dealing with the subject- matter of the suit pending its final determination.

Nigerian youths to mobilise support for Buhari’s peace initiative

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—NIGERIAN youths, under the aegis of Supportive Youths for Change, SYC, have pledged to mobilise youths across the country to support President Mohammadu Buhari’s peace and security initiatives in order to create conducive environment for development.

Addressing newsmen after their monthly meeting, National President of the group, Mr Sunny Nwankego, said they had resolved to support Buhari to enable him deliver on his electoral

promises to Nigerian youths and Nigerians at large.

He said: “As youths, we know that without peace, there can be no meaningful development.

Therefore, we are mobilising youths across the country to support the President in ensuring that peace reigns in all parts of the country.

“From the meetings held in the six geo-political zones, Nigerian youths have assured that they will support President Buhari’s peace and security efforts in their different zones by checking the activities of pipeline vandals, insurgency, and kidnapping."

PDP chieftain lauds Okowa over state’s finance profile

A

chieftain of P e o p l e s Democratic Party, PDP, and former presidential coordinator for Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr Basil Ishiekwene, has commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for making public the precarious financial position of the state.

Iswekwere made the commendation, yesterday, while addressing newsmen in Asaba. The PDP chieftain stated that Okowa's boldness in declaring the emptiness of the state government treasury left by the immediate past government in the state while addressing the House of Assembly members in the state was commendable.

He noted that from the information given by the state governor, Deltans now know that the state government has no funds to run the activities of government in the state.

S-South women hail Amori

By Tare Youdeowei

S

OUTH-South W o m e n Organsiation, an association of women of the South-South region resident in Lagos, has congratulated Chief Ighoyota Amori on his emergence as senator, Delta Central, in Delta State.

In a statement by Chief Vickie Djewudu, President, and Mrs Esther Egoro-Ileleji, Secretary, the group noted that Senator Amori has, over the years, distinguished himself in his political career and leadership both in Delta State and the South South region in general.

“His emergence is as a result of his hard work, focus, vision and diligence. He is a man who never sways from what he believes in,” the group remarked.

The group prayed for his success and hoped that his wealth of experience will be brought to bear in the Senate.

38—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

1997 PHANTOM COUP: Monarch unhappy over

Abia govt to take over Enyimba hotel if . . .

—Aide

Jonathan’s selective pardon for Diya, others ...wants justice for Olanrewaju, others .Says, Obi, Obiano should bridge relationship gap for state’s devt

By Bashir Adefaka

F

ORMER PRESS Secretary to the military government of Olusegun Obasanjo and now a monarch, Igwe Alex Nwokedi, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to look into the complaints resulting from selective justice in the pardon by former President Goodluck Jonathan over the phartom coup of 1997.

The monarch’s appeal came against the backdrop of publication of gazette authenticating the March 12, 2013 presidential pardon granted Chief Diepriye Alamieyeseigha and officers involved in the General Oladipo Diya-led phartom coup in 1997.

The gazette, it was reported, saw Alamieyeseigha, the former Bayelsa State governor convicted for corruption, now a free man, and the pardon was extended to only three of the six officers convicted for the phartom coup.

Among those pardoned were former Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant-General Oladipo Diya, former Minister of Works and Housing and military Governor of old Oyo State, late Major-General AbdulKarim Adisa and Major Bello Fadipe and one other.

Those left out included former Minister of Communications and one time General Officer Commanding, GOC, Third Armoured Division, Jos, MajorGeneral Tajudeen Olanrewaju, Col. Jando and late LieutenantColonel A.A. Akiyode.

Igwe Nwokedi, Uthoko na Eze and paramount ruler of Achala Kingdom, Anambra State, also showed his concern about the crisis rocking the National Assembly, saying the best thing the political class needed to do at the moment was to close ranks for

Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to effectively take off.

Nwokedi, who was also former chairman, Eastern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Forum, warned that whoever had a hand in actions capable of truncating the electoral process that Nigerians had struggled for would never be forgotten nor be forgiven by history.

On the relocation of Boko Haram prisoners to Anambra State, which had generated criticisms by some Anambra people, Igwe Nwokedi, said the noise had to do with issues between the former governor of the state, Dr. Peter Obi, and the incumbent, Chief Willie Obiano.

He urged the two leaders to sheathe their swords and work together for the development of the state.

He said: “In a society where I

belong, a current leader depends on his immediate past predecessor for guidance and when the current leader comes to him for guidance, his confidence should not be taken for granted. ‘’My appeal is that Governor Obiano should approach Obi and dialogue, both should dialogue to sort out things and thereafter call the council of traditional rulers and presidents-general of various unions and educate them on the issues, consult and see their supports. ‘’You govern people, not machines and when you govern people, they should be regularly informed about policies of the government for them to reason and come along with you.

“The Federal Government has not told us why they transferred Boko Haram prisoners to Anambra State because the

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

Aguata prison where they are transferred, I learned, is equally congested. They should have also humanized the Boko Haram prisoners to make them think like human beings.

On Buhari’s 30 days in office, the monarch said: “So far so good.

Governance is a continuous process; they don’t complete all the projects in one day.

"All I am appealing to Federal and Anambra State governments is to thoroughly research into our needs, especially our bad roads, our electricity is not in good state in parts of Anambra State and our water system is very bad. ‘’They should look into all these and fix them up. Generally, around the country, yes, the report we get is that power system is being improved under 30 days of Buhari in office. So, so far so good.

A

BA—ABIA State government has threatened to take over the abandoned Enyimba Hotel in Aba, if the owners failed to develop it.

In a chat with journalists in Aba, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Godwin Adindu, said the government was unhappy that the abandoned hotel now constituted security hazards as it had been occupied by all manner of squatters.

He lamented that the hotel which was sold out to Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, ACCIMA, in 1991, had been lying fallow.

Adindu said: ‘’The truth of that matter is that the Enyimba Hotel was sold out to ACCIMA in 1991. It was an outright sale, but since that time, they have refused to do something meaningful with the hotel."

“The hotel became an abode for all manners of miscreants, that as you are passing through that place, you can agree with me that the picture of that place does not pose a good sight to anybody. ‘’No one is happy that since the 1980s when former Governor Sam Mbakwe built that hotel, it has been lying waste. It has become a wasted vision.

Government is not happy about the situation.

AWARDS: From left, Senator Obinna Ogba (Ebonyi Central); Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; his wife, Dr Nwanneka Ekweremadu; and son, Lyod, during the Ikeoha Foundation Adult Literacy and Scholarship/Bursary Awards Day, at Awgu, Enugu State, weekend.

Dangote tasks local investors on investment in manufacturing, agric

By Naomi Uzor

P

RESIDENT OF Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, yesterday, challenged local investors to rise up to the challenges by initiating fresh investments in manufacturing and agriculture as the nation’s economy comes under pressure due to the paucity of funds occasioned by the fall in the price of crude oil in the international market.

He lamented over-dependence on oil to the detriment of other viable sectors, urging Nigerian and international businessmen to lead in the task of diversification of the economy as the only viable option to the current economic quagmire.

Addressing some business executives in Lagos on the new initiatives of his pan-African C M Y K

conglomerate, Dangote stated that it had become apparent that Nigeria needed to move away from a monolithic economy that thrived only on trading of oil and gas.

He explained that the situation in Nigeria in which states

government could not meet their obligation to pay salaries and Federal Government not having enough to meet its needs called for concerted efforts to take drastic step that would move the economy away from its present one sector dominance to other

areas like agriculture, mining and manufacturing.

According to him, his Group apart from building a refinery and a petro-chemical company was also into fertilizer plant construction to help in agric sector while on the other hand, it had

also invested heavily in rice cultivation, adding that, all these ventures were capital intensive, but with prospects for massive job opportunities which Nigeria needed at this time.

Dangote urged Nigerians to see

APC chieftain to PDP: wait for Buhari’s 100 days in office

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

A

BA—CHAIRMAN of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Abia State, Donatus Nwankpa, has faulted the labelling of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of President Muhammadu Buhari’s stay in office so far as a month of all motion, no movement and urged the party to wait for his 100 days in office.

Nwankpa, who stated this in an interview with Vanguard in Aba,

insisted that rather criticism, the President should be supported to select the right people to serve in his administration.

He said: “You don’t assess a government in a month period.

The minimum acceptable standard of assessing any government is 100 days in office. So, PDP should wait for the 100 days in office. ‘’There is no doubt that their criticism of President Buhari’s administration as a month of all motion, no movement is in bad faith. For the PDP, it has always

been fire brigade approach. ‘’They were always hurrying for the past 16 years and where did they take us to? The President is taking his time and should be supported to choose the right people to work with. ‘’Before you choose the captain of a ship that was almost wrecked, you must choose the best hands that can re-navigate the safety. This is what the President is doing. He is not a magician, but a patriotic Nigerian who assumed office at a very

challenging period in the history of the country. ‘’For this, Nigerians must also show understanding of the situation. I am sure President Buhari will deliver on his electioneering promises.”

The chairman said the President was trying to correct what he described as the 16years of disaster of PDP’s misrule, and urged the party to shun politics of bitterness.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015 — 39

JOS BLASTS: 44 dead, 47 injured – NEMA ...CMD decries inadequate bed space in Plateau Specialist Hospital

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

J

OS—THE National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA has confirmed that 44 people lost their lives and 47 others were critically injured in the twin blasts which rocked Jos city Sunday night, just as the Chief Medical Director of Plateau Medical Hospital decried inadequate bed space.

Though the dead have been buried, those injured are receiving treatment at the Plateau State Specialists Hospital, Our Lady of Apostle Hospital, Bingham University Teaching Hospital (Jankwano) and Sunnah Hospital, Angwan Rimi, all in Jos, the Plateau state capital.

Speaking with journalists at the premises of the Plateau State Hospital, Jos, the North Central Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Mr. Mohammed Abdulsalami said, “As at 3am, we had 44 people dead while 47 are injured and majority of them are in the ICU of the Plateau Hospital.

“This is the first hospital we brought them but because of the casualty figure, the hospital facility was overstretched; so we took some of them to Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jankwano and Our Lady of Apostle, OLA Hospital.”

He added that the agency has made provision for some consumables to be used in treating the patients and more will be provided based on the requirements of the hospitals.

His words, “Normally, when situations like this occur, we know that there are emergency items that are required in the hospitals such as bandages that will first of all be applied to the victims to stop the blood flow. So we were able to provide that. Why we are here now is to monitor the

situation and to enquire from the hospital management what more they will require so that we could forward them to Abuja for them to be made available immediately.”

Abdulsalami commended the action of the medical personnel for obeying the call by the state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA for their members to come out and assist in tending the injured.

When Vanguard visited the

B

AUCHI—THE Bauchi State government has debunked the allegation that it has cut down salaries of employees of the local government service in the state.

According to a press statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Hashimu Dori on behalf of the Head of Services, the state government said its attention was drawn to the misinformation pertaining the payment of salaries of local government employees in the state.

The statement said that the

Public Affairs, Emmanuel Nanle called on all inhabitants of Jos North and the entire citizens of the State to remain calm as Government is determined to end the trend in the state.

He also commiserated with the victims .

Meantime, Dr Gomwalk Timothy, the acting Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Plateau Specialist Hospital has decried inadequate bed spaces to admit patients and victims of the bomb blast at the hospital.

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el Rufai (5th left) with his deputy, Hon Bala Bantex (4th left) at the swearing in of the Local Government Caretaker Committee chairmen at Sir Kassim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, yesterday. Photo: Olu Ajayi

Ortom vows to reform LGs in Benue

By Peter Duru

M

A K U R D I — GOVERNOR Samuel Ortom of Benue State has promised to embark on a comprehensive reform of local government administration in the state with a view to

Bauchi denies slashing workers' salaries

By Suzan Edeh

Plateau Specialists Hospital, most of the injured were still at the theatre except for some children with less life-threatening injuries receiving treatment in Ward 3 of the hospital.

Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong lamented the unfortunate incidence ”in this month of religious piety for the Moslem Ummah” saying such is highly condemnable.

The governor in a statement signed by his Director of Press and

administration of Mohammed Abubakar inherited a backlog of workers salary and little in the treasury of the state, hence it sourced for funds and paid the May 2015 salaries barely two weeks on assumption of office.

The Statement read: “What happened regarding June salary of employees of the local government service to the effect that they were not fully paid the components of their monthly salary was that the total amount received as allocation to the local government service and the state universal Basic Education Board SUBEB could not settle the salaries, allowances, overhead cost, pension and gratuities of the local government authorities".

ensuring strict application of funds accruable to that tier of government in the state.

The governor, who made the pledge yesterday while inaugurating the newly appointed 23 local government caretaker committee chairmen, in Makurdi the state capital, said his administration would soon embark on staff audit at that level of governance.

He said, “our administration will respect the local government institution and ensure that funds meant for them are not only delivered but also used for the development of the areas.

“Under my watch and with my experience as a former local government chairman, we are determined to return local governments to their glorious days as centers of development.

“We shall carry out reforms in the system, the reforms will strengthen the system, plug financial leakages especially padded wage bills, restore discipline and effectively ensure that local governments deliver on their mandate of rural development and transformation.

“Moreover, the menace of ghost workers must be eliminated, hence very soon, a staff verification exercise will be carried out in this

direction and the cooperation of all in the system will be appreciated.”

The governor cautioned the caretaker chairmen against instigating political crisis in their areas, saying, “You have not been appointed to visit vengeance on your enemies or political opponents but rather given an opportunity to win them over through good governance.”

Anglican Bishop condemns US on gay marriage, says it’s satan’s agenda

By Wole Mosadomi

M

INNA—THE Bishop of Minna Diocese, the Rt. Revd. Daniel Yisa has condemned the United States of America over its decision to legalise same sex marriage describing it as satanic.

Speaking with journalists in Minna, Niger State, the Bishop said “Gay marriage is not only non-Biblical but also satanic and if God hates it, we should not only hate it but also condemn it and hold on to the Gospel truth.

“We must know the basic truth of the Bible. As far as we are concerned as Nigerians, same sex-marriage is not our portion. Whoever wants to do that in his country should know that it is satanic and not of God and should therefore not be linked to Christianity,” he remarked. “ As Christians and members of the Anglican family, God has remained faithful to us and we as humans should do our best to maintain that relationship with God. We cannot continue to wallow in sin and immorality and then claim that He is our God. “He is a righteous God. If we must serve Him, we must try to keep ourselves righteous as He is so that we can maintain that cordial relationship that He has established from the very beginning. We should not claim privileges without responsibilities”, he declared.

St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral, Minna, Niger state celebrated its 100yrs which ended on Sunday with the theme: Ebenezer.

Lalong sacks council chairmen

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

J

OS—PLATEAU State governor, Simon Lalong has dissolved the chairmen of the 17 local government councils of the state as well all members of the executive arm, councilors and political appointees in the councils despite several assurances to the chairmen.

The governor directed the chairmen to hand over all government properties in their possession to the Directors of Personnel Management ,DPM,of the 17 local government councils.

Similarly, the governor also approved the appointment of Mrs. Hulda Fwangchi as the new Head of Civil Service, HOS, of the State. She replaces Mr. Ezekiel Dalyop who until now was the Head of Service of the State.

In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Rufus Bature, “All security operatives in the local governments and particularly the Divisional Police Officers, DPOs and members of the various labour unions in the local governments are to ensure that all government properties are secured in the custody of all the Directors of Personnel Managements in line with this directive.”

40—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

C M Y K

MASARI: Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State (right) and Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, CEO of Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, during the governor's advocacy visit.

INSTALLATION: From left— Otunba Bola Onabadejo, District Governor of Rotary District 9110; his wife, Sarah; and HRH Oba Rilwan Aremu Akiolu I, Oba of Lagos and Royal Father of the day, during the installation of Otunba Onabadejo as District Governor of Rotary District 9110, Nigeria 20152016, in Lagos. PHOTO: Biodun Ogunleye.

ISPON: From left— Chinaenye Mba-Uzokwu, Secretary General, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria, ISPON; Pious Okigbo Jnr, President, ISPON; James Emadoye, First Vice President, ISPON, and Chris Uwaje, former ISPON President, during 2015 ISPON Annual General Meeting in Lagos.

WAIFEM: From left— Mr. Baba Musa, Director, Debt Management Department; Professor Akpan Ekpo, Director General, and Mr. Ousman Sowe, Director, Financial Sector Management, all of West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management, WAIFEM, at the regional course on computer application in accounting, auditing and financial management organised by WAIFEM in Lagos.

PHILIPS: From left— Mr. Felix Darko, General Manager, Philips Lighting, West Africa; Mr. J. J. Van Dongen, Chairman/CEO, Philips Africa; Mrs Chioma Nweke, GM Philips, Personal Health, West Africa, and Mr. Tunji Bello, Secretary to Lagos State Government, at the Philips 2015 edition of Cape Town to Cairo road show in Lagos. PHOTO: Lamidi Bamidele.

EDE POLY: From left— Dr. Halirat Babalola, Deputy Rector, Academics; Emmanuel Faleye, Director, ICT, both of Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State; Professor Sola Aderoumu, Director, ICT, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and Patrick Hussain, Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, during the unveiling of the polytechnic's logo by Professor Aderoumu.

CHI: From left— Mr. Amitabha Das, Category Head, Juice, Nectar and Still Drinks, Chi Limited; Samuel Nwaokoro, winner, and Mr. Ita Ekpenyong, Sales Director, Chi Limited, during prize presentation to winners of Chi Happy Hour Burst of Refreshment social media campaign.

DELOITTE: From left— Uzoma Dozie, GMD/CEO, Diamond Bank Plc; Tawanda Gumbo, Transitional Leader, Akintola Williams Deloitte, and Uche Erobu, retired Senior Partner, Akintola Williams Deloitte, at the Deloitte client dinner/retirement for Erobu in Lagos.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015 —41

8th Senate committed to zero tolerance for corruption —Saraki

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BUJA— SENATE President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has declared that there is no more hiding place for corrupt elements in the country.

Saraki spoke when the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Ekpo Nta,led other board members of the commission to brief the Senate President and other senators on the activities of the anti-graft body.

Saraki, in a statement by his Media Office, said the 8th Senate which he is leading is totally committed to the zero tolerance for corruption position of the Buhari administration and that he and his colleagues would do everything to make the job of the anti-graft agencies easy and successful.

The Senate President also said most of the present problems confronting the country were a direct fall-out of the monumental corruption in the system.

He noted that even though the Senate was officially on

recess, there are certain issues that cannot wait, especially issues concerning getting appropriate briefing on the fight against corruption and what needs to be done to intensify the war.

He added that corruption in the land has almost reached a crisis point hence the need for better collaboration by all national institutions to reduce it to the barest minimum, if not totally eradicate it.

“It is important for us to meet with you, to let you appreciate where we stand on the issue of corruption and to also listen to you for us to know some of the issues that are challenging to you because the ICPC, EFCC and Code of Conduct Bureau remain the most vital institutions in the fight that we are waging against corruption today.

Earlier, the ICPC boss, Nta, said tackling corruption requires that the substructures that support corruption in the system be addressed before going after the “symptoms of corruption.”

VISIT: Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki (left) and Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Ekpo Nta during a courtesy visit to the Senate President, in Abuja, yesterday.

NASS CRISIS: Reps snub Tambuwal c'ttee recommendations

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor & Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

BUJA— The peace efforts of the Governor Aminu Tambuwal-led committee into the crisis in the All Progressives Congress, APC caucus in the House of Representatives was last night derailing after caucuses in the House threw up names for the four vacant positions.

T h e Tambuwal-led committee, according to sources, had shared the remaining four positions with three going to the Rep. Femi Gbajabiamilaled camp and one going to the Speaker Y a k u b u Dogara-led group.

H o w e v e r, the four caucuses in the House yet to produce principal officers may h a v e jettisoned any plan to have Gbajabiamila from the S o u t h -We s t take the position of House Leader as envisaged by the national leadership of the party.

According to informed sources, the

four remaining zones yet to get a position in the body of principal officers, namely North-West, North-Central, South-South and South-East have between them shared the positions with the position of House Leader going to the North-West, Deputy House Leader going to NorthCentral, Chief Whip going to South-South and Deputy Chief Whip going to SouthEast.

The North-West Caucus of the House, according to sources, has turned against Gbajabiamila by endorsing one of its own, Rep. Aminu Suleiman Goro from Fagge Federal Constituency of Kano State for the position of House Leader. Fifty of the 84 members of the caucus, according to sources, have endorsed a letter to that effect to Speaker Dogara.

The position of Deputy Leader, it was gathered, was

endorsed to Rep. Umar Buba Jibril (APC Kogi) while the position of Chief Whip has been apportioned to Rep. Pally Iriase from Edo State.

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State is expected to propose the member for deputy chief whip.

Earlier, it was gathered that the Tambuwal committee favoured the Gbajabiamila committee with three of the four vacant positions. But it was not ascertained which of the officers positions were relinquished.

“As it stands now, it appears that the committee has agreed to give out three positions to Gabajabiamila’s group and one to Dograra’s group. That’s the latest”, a source close to the talks said.

The source also hinted that talks on the matter may be suspended as many of the federal lawmakers would be proceeding to Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj operations.

CBN bans corporate Naira debit card for overseas payments

By Babajide Komolafe

L

AGOS — THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), yesterday, banned the use of corporate Naira denominated debit cards for cross border transactions.

The ban was announced by the Director, Banking and Payments Systems Department, Mr. Dipo Fatokun in a circular entitled: “Implementation of controls on naira denominated card transactions.”

He stated: “Further to the earlier released circulars on the usage of naira-denominated cards abroad, which limits individual customer’s daily ATM withdrawal overseas with naira-denominated cards to $300 (or its equivalent), and total annual expenditure to $50,000 (or its equivalent), with effect

from April 13, 2015, all authorised card issuers, i.e. the deposit money banks (DMDs) are hereby requested to note and implement the following directives: “Submit reports of all naira denominated card transactions consummated overseas to Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) on daily basis. The report must be sent electronically in CSV format, via a file upload portal as specified by NIBSS, which would include Bank Verification Number (BVN) and the account numbers of the cardholder for each transaction.

NIBSS will consolidate the reports and send details of the violators of the limit to the Director, Trade and Exchange Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, with copies to the card issuers, on daily basis. This is with immediate effect.

42—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

PLATEAU KILLINGS:

Rising voices of discord among farmers, herdsmen, JTF

•Major-Gen David Enetie, STF Commander, Plateau State

By Marie-Therese Nanlong, Jos WHEN in 2010, the then President Umaru Yar’Adua directed the establishment of the Special Task Force, STF, to tackle the rising wave of insecurity in Plateau State, the people of the state heaved a sigh of relief.

But not long after its arrival, the STF, under the control of the then General Officer Commanding, GOC, 3rd Armoured Division, Rukuba, Major-General Saleh Maina, was accused of complicity in the genocide against the Berom people resident in Dyemburuk (Dogo Na Hauwa) where over 500 people, mostly women and children, were reportedly massacred.

To address the issue, the Command of the STF was separated from that of the 3rd Armoured Division with both

having different Commanders.

Again, the people saw the effort as a welcome development. The new arrangement had hardly taken effect when the personnel attached to the STF were fingered in many atrocities in their areas of operation, especially in JosBukuru metropolis, Riyom and Barkin Ladi. Some of the personnel were accused of raping young girls and women, indiscriminate arrests as well as extorting money from motorists.

The situation forced the media and civil society organisations to cry out to the Federal Government to intervene.

There were also allegations that some members of the STF were collaborating with the attackers. A resident of Foron who did not want to be named said: “These soldiers have been compromised to kill us. When a

*Troops of the STF: In the eye of controversy in Plateau C M Y K

Fulani’s cows destroy a Berom man’s farmland and the issue is reported to the STF, they will say it is not in their line of duty to intervene, but when something happens to a Fulani cow even if it is our fault or not it becomes the soldiers’ duty.”

Against this backdrop, residents of the areas have persistently called for the withdrawal of the STF from their areas as they believe their presence was not addressing the problem even with the huge financial commitments by all tiers of government.

The call has intensified since an incident on June 22, 2015 when some STF members allegedly shot dead two women in Heipang, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area over a disagreement on where to mount a checkpoint in the area.

Members of the community demanded an investigation with the aim of bringing to book of the trigger-happy soldiers; but nothing, according to them, has been heard of any investigation by the Force.

But the STF’s spokesman, Capt.

Ikedichi Iweha denied the allegation saying: “I am not aware that anyone died, there were shootings in the area, a woman was hit and she was taken to the hospital; it is not true that our men shot or killed anyone.”

Few days later, on Wednesday July 1, the STF members stormed communities around Mararaba Foron and allegedly destroyed about 70 houses in Foron of the same Barkin Ladi following a purported “search operation” carried out in the area.

“About 10 Hilux vans and one Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC, filled with soldiers and some Fulani herdsmen stormed the community at about 6.30 am,” a resident, Samson Tsok said. He said the soldiers harassed residents, destroying their property and causing pandemonium, thereby forcing the residents to flee for dear lives.

Tsok who is the Acting National Chairman of Berom Youth Moulders, BYM, further said: “One Berom village, Foron, was attacked by unknown gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen on Tuesday night; two of our boys were killed in the attack and four people are still missing.

Special task force Early this morning (Wednesday), some soldiers of the Special Task Force stormed the village without notice. The soldiers came to ransack our village without informing even our community and youth leaders; we don’t even know what they were searching for and they came in company of some Fulani people who were pointing at which houses to raid. At the end of the so-called search, they did not tell us if they found anything.”

Explaining the situation, the Chairman of the local government

The soldiers came to ransack our village without informing even our community and youth leaders

area, Mr. Emmanuel Loman, told Vanguard Metro, VM, the STF should be called to order in the area. A ccording to him: “Some Fulani went to rear cows at the backyard of some Berom and a disagreement ensued which led to loss of lives on both sides. STF later claimed that some of their members were killed and they came with 10 Hilux vans and Armoured Personnel Carrier, breaking into people’s houses and causing confusion. I don’t know what to make of this because the STF members came in company of some Fulani. They also could not produce bodies of the soldiers allegedly killed.”

Harassment by soldiers He further informed that the siege continued for two days, “with the soldiers harassing, flogging and injuring residents”, adding that all his pleas for restraint fell on deaf ears with one of the soldiers allegedly warning him not to provoke them.

However, Leader of the Fulani herdsmen in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Muhammed Adams said: “Some of our boys went for grazing with cows on Tuesday evening; while grazing some armed men suspected to be Berom youths shot and killed eight cows.

“Apart from shooting our cows the herdsmen grazing the cows were killed; we have found the body of a herdsman, but the other five are still missing.”

Reacting to the situation, the STF Media and Information Officer, Captain Iweha: “We did not go to the village for nothing.

It all started last Tuesday evening; at about 4:30pm about 400 cows were rustled in Foron; we followed up the report and recovered the cows. Apart from the cows rustled, eight were shot, six of the cows died, the other two were injured. In addition to that, the herdsmen who were grazing the cows could not be found. So early morning of yesterday, we went to the village to search for the missing herdsmen. We later found one body; we are still in search of five missing Fulani herdsmen up till this moment.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015—43

C M Y K

44—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

CFAO launches all new Mitsubishi L200 pickup C FAO Motors Nigeria Limited, leading distributor of Mitsubishi brand in Nigeria, has launched the all-new Mitsubishi L200 one-ton pickup truck into Nigeria market. The unveiling of the all new L200 pickup took place at theAbuja Sheraton Hotel, last Tuesday.

The L200 is one of Mitsubishi’s long-time global best-sellers. At the press conference, the Managing Director of CFAO Motors, Mr Thomas Pelletier, stated “The all-new L200 gets its full redesign in nine years and CFAO Motors is happy to introduce the all new L200 to the Nigerian Market.”

The all new L200 is now available to the Nigerian customers with 2.4L petrol and 2.5L diesel engine. Mitsubishi Motors was well represented at the press conference by Mr.Taiki Murai General Manager, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, Nairobi Liaison Office.

The all-new L200 has been developed to be the “Ultimate Sport Utility Truck,” combining the comfortable interior of a passenger car with the functionality and reliability of a pickup.

Volkswagen returns to Nigeria

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Dynamic styling Muscular, sleek and dynamic styling, which evokes the form of a wellhoned athlete, the allnew L200 also provides generous interior space, ample payload capacity, and class-leading handling. The all-new L200 achieves high levels of safety performance through its durable and sturdy chassis and frame structures along with MMC’s own RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) impact safety body.

The all-new L200 also delivers quietness and ride comfort at par with a passenger car, thanks to a new engine, optimization of the suspension, the strategic placement of sound insulation, absorption and vibration damping materials.

The all-new L200 is available in single cab and double cab variants, with a three-engine line up. A new 2.4-liter C M Y K

•Managing Director, CFAO Motors Nigeria, Thomas Pelletier (m), shaking hands with representative of Mitsubishi, Taiki Murai, while GM, CFAO Motors, Navin Changer (extreme left), Deputy Managing Director, CFAO Motors, Kunle Jayesimi (2nd R) and representative of the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mariko Chiba looks on.

MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing Electronic Control System) turbo diesel, which provides environmental and motive performance among the best in its class joins improved versions of the well-proven 2.5-liter turbo diesel and 2.4-liter petrol engines.

The all-new L200 accommodates the varying needs and requirements of consumers, everything from commercial to private use.

The muscular new L200 is built tough to handle all kind to terrain. Streamlined styling also contributes to class-leading aerodynamics and a smooth, quite ride.

Key feature of the new L200 pickup include, new

innovative design, high performance, quietness, and better fuel efficiency, driving ease, comfortable cabin, improved reliability and durability, and high safety performance Mitsubishi Motors has been producing pickups since 1978, selling over four million units worldwide. The previous L200 was launched in August of 2005 and has sold a total of 1,260,000 units worldwide as at September 6 last year. The L200 is one of the most important product in the Mitsubishi line up.

The launch of the new L200 is backed by CFAO Motors' commitment to providing customers with sales and service experience of international

standard. With branches nationwide, CFAO Mo-

tors is fully equipped to support customer’s sales and after-sales needs.

HIS is cheering news for N i g e r i a n s .

Volkswagen, the renowned German automobile company, has returned to Nigeria, courtesy Stallion Group.

The company, which left Nigeria about 20 years ago, has returned with the aim of producing cars again in Nigeria. Vanguard gathered that officials of Volkswagen from Germany will, today, be at the Volkswagen Nigeria plant along Badagry expressway for the commissioning of the newly-retooled Volkswagen plant as well as inaugurate the first Volkswagen vehicles on the resuscitated lines 20 years after the plant went moribund.

According to information available to Vanguard, new products like the Volkswagen CC, Jetta and Amarok pick-up, will be assembled on the rehabilitated plant.

Among dignitaries expected at the event are representatives of the Federal Government, led by the Director General, National Automotive Council, delegates from Volkswagen AG Wolfsburg, Germany and Stallion Group officials.

Hyundai reaffirms rating as one of world’s best

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YUNDAI has rea-f firmed its position as one of the world’s leading automotive manufacturers thanks to prestigious awards from international awards body J.D. Power.

As part of the company’s 2015 Initial Quality Study, which surveyed 84,000 customers, the Hyundai Tucson and Accent have reported fewer problems than any other small SUV or small car, respectively.

Overall, Hyundai ranked fourth among all brands in the J.D. Power 2015 U.S.

Initial Quality Study SM (IQS) and second among non-premium automakers, putting the Korean brand ahead of its Japanese counterparts.

“Nothing motivates us more than receiving the verification of quality from our customers,” said Jin (James) Kim, Vice President and Head of Operations in Africa and the Middle East. “The overall ownership experience of the people, who buy our cars is based on our modern premium brand direction,

which provides vehicles with innovative technologies, while ensuring highest levels of initial and longterm quality and services they can rely on,” he added.

IQS, now in its 29th year, serves as the industry benchmark for new-vehicle quality measured at 90 days of ownership. In total, Hyundai had four models ranking in the top two in their segments, including segment awards for Tucson and Accent, and second-place finishes for Elantra and Santa Fe.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015—45

By Theodore Opara

Honda begins production of Accord in Nigeria

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•BMW X6

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WINPOWER Turbo V8 cylinder petrol engine, developing 330kw (450 horsepower), 20 inch alloy wheel V-spoke style 597 with mixed tyres, exterior painted in sparkling storm brilliant effect, adaptive LED headlights, seats in exclusive ivory white/ black nappa leather with grey contrast stitching, finewood interior trim in American oak.

All these, and many more stand out the all-new BMW X6 sports activity coupe which Coscharis Motors unveiled into the market recently.

From its first generation, BMWcreatedtheX6tocompete with no other. A typical sport activity coupe, the X6 has many attributes packed in one car. Call it a sport car, sport utility vehicle, SUV or grand tourer, the X6 fits in with many advantages. And the new generation X6 has improved on the attributes of its predecessor in terms of design, power, safety, comfort, and technological advancements. Agility, sportiness and elegance are three words that aptly define the all-new X6. BMW says the X6 is a blend of the very best of an athletic coupe coupled with the powerful dynamism of BMWX, thereby making it the king of the road.

Apart from the V8 xDrive 50i petrol powered X6, there is also the Xdrive 351i pet-

•BMW X6 rear

rol version X6 powered by a TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder inline petrol engine with 225kw (306 horsepower) and 400Nm of Torque.

This six cylinder engine accelerates from 0 to 100 km/ h in 6.4 seconds, with a top speed of 240 km/h. Its combined fuel consumption stands at 8.5-8.6 litres per 100 km making it one of the most fuel efficient in its class.

The top of the range V8 petrol engine, which delivers 330kw (450hp) and 650Nm of torque is so powerful that it accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds. It boasts top speed of

•BMW X6 interior

ONDA Motor Co’s says it has begun the building of cars in Nigeria by retooling part of its factory that previously made motorcycles.

The firm’s new chief executive, Takahiro Hachigo, said this at his first news conference since taking the helm in June, on Monday in Tokyo.

Hachigo said the company, which began production this month, planned to produce 1,000 of its Accord sedans annually at the plant.

The new chief executive said Honda would boost the production if the local market grows, adding that the plant would service other African countries.

Meanwhile, Hachigo says it has no plans for now to provide financial aid to Takata Corp, the air bag supplier at the centre of a costly global air bag recall.

However, Hachigo said Honda had set aside enough to cover the cost of recalling over two million cars with potentially faulty air bag parts made by Takata.

“We have money budgeted for quality-related costs, as we did last year, and we think we can respond within this allocated amount,” Hachigo told reporters.

Last month, Honda revised its operating profit for the year ended March to 606.88 billion yen ($4.92 billion) from the 651.68 billion yen it reported in April to account for expanded recall costs.

At 55, Hachigo, begins his stewardship of Japan’s third-biggest auto maker with a mission to restore the firm’s reputation for quality.

In the Takata air bag safety scare regulators have linked eight deaths to the component, all in cars made by Honda.

Hachigo’s predecessor Takanobu Ito and other vated seating position, driv- executives took a pay cut er and passengers are guar- last October, following a anteed superior view of the fifth recall of its Fit hybrid subcompact in a year. surrounding traffic.

Expertly crafted, exclusive which had quality glitchmaterials create an interior es unrelated to Takataatmosphere reminiscent of a made inflators.

In total, tens of millions coupe, while the elegant contours that sweep from the of cars carrying Takatacockpit to the rear perfectly made parts have been reexpress the couple style per- called around the world by a range of auto makers. sonality of the new X6.

BMW takes craftsmanship to next level in new X6 250km/h with a combined fuel consumption of 9.7 litres per 100 km/h. This engine delivers far more power than it predecessor, which boasts 405 horsepower. Mated to these engines is an eight speed steptronic sport automatic transmission, which guarantees smooth ride, no matter the terrain.

BMW TwinPower turbo petrol engines in the X6 features remarkably agile power delivery and excellent responsiveness, even at low engine speed.

BMW engineer made solid foundation for superior driving dynamic when building the all new X6.

From the intelligent BMW xDrive four wheel drive system to the optional comfort adaptive suspension package, optional professional adaptive suspension package optional dynamic performance control and optional active steering, the all new X6 raised the bar in driving dynamics.

Safety features are uncountable in the new X6 with latest BMW technolo-

gy. Dynamic stability control, hill descent control, tyre pressure monitor, adaptive headlights, passenger cell with high strength materials, active protection system which brakes the vehicle after an accident has occurred are some of the standard safety features in the X6.

Inside the X6 is extraordinary luxury. With the ele-

PAN 'll bounce back to reckoning, says Gov Ganduje THE Kano State governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has predicted that PAN Nigeria will bounce back to prominence with the new Federal Government Auto Policy. The governor stated this when officials of PAN Nigeria paid him a courtesy call to congratulate him on his victory at the last election.

Governor Ganduje, who bemoaned the neglect of PAN by the Federal government, which is supposed to rear, nurture and protect it from any harm as a ‘father’ over the years, regretted that state governments has little

to do with regards to changes in the fortunes of the company, fiscal policy wise.

The governor, who expressed gratitude to the delegation for the visit, explained that his administration has embarked on prudent measures in the face of dwindling revenue accruing to the state.

According to the governor, cut in the costs of governance by his administration was as a result of the country’s present economic reality that has led to the inability of some states to pay workers’ salaries. He also thanked God for Kano State not be-

ing among such states.

He assured of his administration’s readiness to partner PAN Nigeria Limited in terms of patronage (of cars) and in training the youths on vocational and technical skills to reduce unemployment; and therefore requested that a blueprint of training, from PAN Nigeria training school, be sent to him for consideration.

Earlier in his speech, the Managing Director, PAN Nigeria Limited, Mr. Ibrahim Boyi expressed gratitude to the governor for the warm reception accorded his team.

46—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

Ex-Head of State calls for road map on maritime potential

AWARD : Mr. Jitesh Pamnani, General Manager, Lucky Fibres Plc (left), receiving the award for Best Carpets and Rugs Brand 2015 from Mr. Christian Akpotohwo, Legal Adviser, Africa Quality Assurance Institute, at the 2015 Africa Quality Achievement Awards in Lagos.

L

AGOS—A former Head State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), yesterday, said that there was need to draw a road map to tap into maritime potential for Nigeria to be the hub in West Africa.

Abubakar said this in Lagos in a message to a three-day Nigeria Maritime Expo, NIMAREX, with the theme Regenerating Economic Growth Through the Maritime Sector.

The former head of state, who was represented by Vice Admiral Samuel Afolayan (retd), said Nigeria had over 400 nautical miles and large human resources.

He urged Nigerians to take advantage of the maritime potential, adding that 80 percent of the nation’s maritime resources had not been tapped.

He said: “The abundant water resources, which stretch throughout the vast country’s landscape, make it imperative that more than 80 percent of the country ’s external commerce are borne by sea.

“It just makes sense that the economy of Nigeria must be greatly influenced by shippers and their activities within our maritime domain.

“We have ignored enormous resources on our sea. People who know the importance have taken advantage.

“It is indeed laudable as NIMAREX is showcasing enormous potential in the maritime industry.”

He, therefore, urged the new government to consider the communique expected to be drafted from the conference in order to adopt the germane issues, re-focus and re-jig the economy for national prosperity.

Earlier in a message, President, Nigerian Indigenous Ship Owners Association, NISA, Mr. Aminu Umar, said the maritime industry facilitated over 90 percent of trade.

Umar was represented

by Mr. Tunji Brown, National Secretary of NISA.

UN commences screening of Boko Haram victims for skills acquisition G

OMBE—THE United Nations, UN, has commenced the screening of 2,000 Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, for the first phase of providing means of livelihood and early recovery support scheme to victims of Boko Haram insurgency.

The UN Resident Co-ordinator/UNDP Resident Representative, Dr. Daouda Toure, said in Gombe yesterday, while addressing the IDPs, that the screening was to ascertain if they were actually victims of insurgency.

Toure said 500 beneficiaries would be selected from Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, and UN was partnering with the three state governments to ensure the success of the exercise.

Dr. Toure said: “UNDP, in partnership with the governments of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, is undertaking to ameliorate the suffering of the displaced people in the three states as a result of Boko Haram insurgency.

“UNDP is embarking on the Livelihoods Support Scheme.

Under the first phase, 500 victims will be selected in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

“These victims will be placed in a two-week compulsory orientation programme, where you are going to undergo physical exercise, training, capacity-building on mediation, conflict prevention, conflict transformation, social integration and peaceful co-existence for two weeks.

“And because it is an intensive programme, we are very

mindful of those we select and we are doing this screening because we want people that genuinely need this assistance to be selected.

“Some of you started having hope, but unfortunately, their lives or their means of sustaining livelihood have been cut short, because of the Boko Haram insurgency.

“But let me assure you that for every one that is impacted in one way or the other, you will be accommodated in the various phases of the Early Recovery Programme. This is one of it.”

Training schedule

Toure, who was represented

by Mr. Matthew Alao, UNDP’s Conflict Prevention and Peace Building Analyst, said the beneficiaries would be placed on a six-month or oneyear skills acquisition programme.

According to him, all the beneficiaries would be accommodated and also paid allow-

ances for the entire period.

He explained that the successful candidates would be supported with take-off grants and also equipped with the tools of the skills they acquire.

Toure cautioned the IDPs already shortlisted against lobbying, saying the scheme was not a government largesse, but a specific programme targeted at specific people who really needed help.

He said: “After this (orientation), we will place them between six months and one year depending on the skill.”

Fields, allowances

He said: “If you want to do electrical installation for example, you cannot learn electrical installation in six months because it is technical.

“So, you need to go for as long as one year and for all the phases, we are paying

allowances.

“We will arrange for your accommodation because we are taking you out of your environment to a new environment, and for that, you must be taken care of.

“So, we are paying you allowance for the entire period that you stay and after the training, we are going to support with take-off grant. We are going to give you equipment that you are going to establish.

“Any list of shortlisted candidates is going to be passed on to the state government. They know whom we are dealing with.

“We are bringing hope to you people. UNDP is bringing hope to the North-East. Be assured that we are looking into your problems in phases, and it may get to you at the right time.”

The representative of Yobe Governor, Mr. Suleiman Bakura, commended the UN agencies for their interventions in alleviating the sufferings of the people of North-East since the insurgency started.

Lawmaker condoles with constituents over Lagos boat mishap

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HE lawmaker representing Ojo Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Tajudeen Obasa, has condoled with his constituents over the deaths of school children in an accident, while a boat was conveying 14 pupils to school within his constituency.

In a statement by his media aide, the lawmaker extended

his condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

He urged Lagos State Government to, as a matter of urgency, develop the riverine communities in the state by providing basic amenities.

He said: “Lagos is a coastal state and many indigenes reside in the riverine areas.

“This is not just about Ojo, it is about the safety of Nigerians. In the interim, the agency in charge of water transportation should do the needful in providing life jackets for the school children to avert such crisis in the future.”

Obasa was full of praise for those that participated in the rescue effort and the security agencies that arrived the scene on time for the recue operation.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015 — 47

RIVERS POLL: INEC frustrating our effort

to inspect election materials —APC zAs tribunal delivers ruling July 9

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

BUJA—THE All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday, accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of conniving with Governor Nyesom Wike to frustrate its efforts to inspect the materials used to conduct the April 11 governorship election in Rivers State.

APC, which made the allegation before the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal currently sitting in Abuja, decried that since June 11 when the tribunal granted it leave to inspect the election materials, it said that the First and Second respondents (INEC and Wike) collaborated to make it impossible for the court order to be complied with.

Consequently, both APC and its governorship candidate at the poll, Mr. Dakuku Peterside, yesterday, urged the Justice Muazu Pindiga-led tribunal to dismiss Wike’s application challenging its jurisdiction to okay the inspection of the election materials.

Wike had in a counter motion he filed through his lead counsel, Mr. Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, maintained that allowing the petitioners to have access to the sensitive materials could expose citizens of the state to immense danger.

Begging the tribunal

He begged the tribunal not to allow the petitioners to go near any of the Smart Card reader machines that were deployed to Rivers State by INEC for the election or have access to the voters' register in a manner that would allow them to make copies and store their contents electronically.

He argued that allowing the petitioners to do so could compromise the secrecy of the ballot.

It was his contention that it could pose security concerns as the materials sought to be inspected by the petitioners contained “highly sensitive security information containing the biometric data of all registered voters in Nigeria.”

He, therefore, urged the tribunal to set aside the exparte order for the inspection of the electoral materials, particularly the voters' register and the card reader machines.

His counter motion against the APC and Peterside was dated June 16, 2015.

BRIEFING: Accountant-General of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, briefing State House Correspondents, after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Meantime, at the resumed sitting yesterday, INEC through its lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, said it would not oppose Wike’s applicati on. It said that it would leave the issue to the discretion of the tribunal.

The position of the electoral body infuriated APC lawyer, Chief Akin Olujunmi, SAN, who urged the tribunal to defend its integrity by compelling INEC to release the election materials for inspection.

Alleging conspiracy, Olujinmi prayed the tribunal to dismiss Wike’s opposition to the ex-parte order for want of merit.

In its reaction, INEC insisted that its office in Port Harcourt was yet to be properly served with the order of the tribunal.

After listening to all the parties yesterday, the tribunal adjourned till July 9 for ruling.

It will be recalled that the APC and Peterside had on May 3, gone before the tribunal to challenge the outcome of the governorship election which was declared in favour of Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Joined as respondents in the petition were INEC, Wike and the PDP. Aside APC and Peterside, four other governorship aspirants in the state that also went before the tribunal to challenge the declaration of Governor Wike as the winner of the election are

Mr. Charles Harry of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, Tonye Princewill of the Labour Party , Kemka Elenwo of KOWA Party and Minaibim Harry of the Social Democratic Party.

They are separately praying the tribunal to nullify Wike’s victory on the premise that the election was not only fraught with manifest irregularities, but was conducted with total disregard to relevant provisions of the Electoral Act. The Justice Pindiga-led tribunal had on June 11, 2015 granted an ex-parte order permitting the petitioners to personally or through their lawyers or forensic expert inspect the electoral materials used for the poll.

Governors of the PDP had earlier demanded the relocation of both the Rivers State Tribunal and that of Akwa Ibom State to their original base.

Challenging the competence of all the petitions and the tribunal

Meanwhile, both Wike and INEC have separately challenged the competence of all the petitions as well as the jurisdiction of the tribunal to conduct the proceeding outside Rivers State where the election took place.

INEC queried the legality of the tribunal which it argued ought to have in line with section 285(2) of the 1999 constitution, as amended, sit in Rivers state.

The electoral body, through its team of lawyers led by Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, while challenging the competence of the petitions, insisted that by virtue of Section 285(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), under which the

tribunal was established, “a tribunal sitting in Abuja cannot qualify as a tribunal established in Rivers state.”

It asked the tribunal to strike out the APC petition on the ground that some of the persons it alleged masterminded the rigging of the election in Rivers state, among whom included wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, were not joined as parties to the suit.

According to INEC, “The Second respondent (Wike), was not wrongfully declared the winner of the aforementioned election but on the contrary, was duly declared elected and returned as the candidate who won the governorship election in Rivers State.

“The declaration and return of the Second respondent is not wrongful, invalid, null and void in any manner whatsoever, as the election was duly conducted in substantial compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Guidelines for the election.

“First respondent avers that the names of persons who contested as candidates and the parties which sponsored them at the election are as shown in the Form EC8E which is the summary of the result of the election declared by the Constituency Officer after the collation of all the votes validly scored by the candidates at the election.

“The First respondent was not partisan and remained neutral at all times material in

the conduct of the election.

Declared and valid votes

“First respondent contends that the declared results represents the lawful and valid votes cast in the governorship election in Rivers State and that the petitioners are wrong in contending to the contrary.

“Election was duly commenced, concluded in all the polling units in Rivers State in which the Forms EC8As were dully filled, subsequently collated at the respective Ward Collation Centres and thereafter at all the Local Government Collation Centres as well as at the Constituency Collation Centres.

“In those polling units, there were due accreditation, voting, sorting of votes, counting of votes, collation of votes, announcement of votes cast. The petitioners are put to the strictest proof to establish that the results on which the Second respondent was declared duly elected which results are clothed with the presumption of regularity, were not regularly produced.

“In all the polling units in which results were duly returned, the election was not marred by irregularities, violence, chaos, acts of corrupt practices perpetrated by anybody and there was no predetermined intention to return as duly elected a candidate who did not score the majority of lawful votes and who did not satisfy the constitutional requirements,” it added.

Besides, INEC dared the petitioners to adduce proof that Wike was not duly elected by majority or highest number of lawful votes cast at the election, as well as adduce proof that the election was invalidated by reason of substantial noncompliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended, Manual for Election Official 2015, and the 2015 Guidelines of the INEC. The election was not invalidated by reason of corrupt practices.

“It is not correct as alleged by the petitioners that for Rivers State, not more than 292,878 voters were accredited for the election by the use of Card Reader Machines. Votes on which the Second respondent was declared duly elected emanated from votes duly cast at the polling units by duly registered voters who were duly accredited upon presentation of their voter cards in compliance with the Electoral Act and the Guidelines for the election.

“Though there were few and negligible cancellations, the election was not marred by violence, corrupt practices and irregularities. There were no multiple thumb-printing of ballot papers, stuffing of ballot boxes, over voting, inflation of results, thuggery and violent attacks which, neither as alleged nor at all, marred the result of the election or created atmosphere inimical to the conduct of credible election,” it added.

48 — VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JULY 7 , 2015

Nuclear talks: Iran, Six powers meet amid differences I

RAN’s foreign minis ter said yesterday some differences still remained between Iran and six powers over the country ’s disputed nuclear program ahead of today’s deadline for a final agreement to end a 12-year-old dispute.

“Still nothing is clear. ...

Some differences remain and we are trying and working hard,” Mohammad Javad Zarif told reporters.

The deal under discussion between Iran and the powers is aimed at curbing Tehran’s most sensitive nuclear work for a decade or more, in exchange for relief from sanctions that have crippled the Iranian economy.

The United States and its allies fear Iran is using its civilian nuclear program as a cover to develop a nuclear weapons capability. Iran says its program is peaceful.

Reaching a deal would be the most important milestone in decades towards alleviating hostility between the United States and Iran, enemies since Iranian revolutionaries captured 52 hostages in the U.S. embassy in Tehran in 1979.

Washington is negotiat-

•Thousands of excited Ecuadoreans congregated in the coastal city of Guayaquil on Monday for Pope Francis’ first mass of his “homecoming” tour of South America

Thousands camp out for Pope’s first mass in Ecuador

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•US Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry and his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad

Javad Zarif at the nuclear summit in Geneva, last week.

ing the deal as part of a group of major powers that also includes Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia. It is a major initiative both for the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama and for Iran’s pragmatic elected President Hassan Rouhani, both of whom face

G

REECE’s combative finance minister resigned yesterday, removing one major obstacle to any deal to keep Athens

IS militants killed in US-led air strikes T least 37 Islamic State fighters were killed and scores injured in air strikes by the U.S.led coalition and in clashes with Kurdish YPG militia in northeastern Syria near the border with Turkey, a monitor said.

The British-based Observatory for Human Rights said sources on the ground confirmed the figures from the bodies of fighters and injured militants arriving since Sunday night at hospitals in the de facto capital of the militants in Raqqa city.

The ultra hardline militants had retaken from Kurdish forces the town of Ain Issa and C M Y K

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang-Yi said an agreement was within reach: “What is important today and tomorrow (is that) all parties especially, the United States and Iran, should make their final decisions as quickly as possible.”

Greek finance minister quits after thunderous ‘No’ vote

•Yanis Varoufakis

A

scepticism from powerful hardliners at home.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Sunday that reaching an agreement is possible this week if Iran makes the “hard choices” necessary, but if not, the United States stands ready to walk away from the negotiations.

areas around it some 50 km (30 miles) north of Raqqa in a lightning offensive on Monday, the monitor earlier said.

in the euro zone after Greeks voted resoundingly to back the government in rejecting the austerity terms of a bailout.

Leftist Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras promised German Chancellor Angela Merkel that Greece would bring a proposal for a cash-for-reforms deal to an emergency summit of euro zone leaders today, a Greek official said. It was unclear how much it would differ from other proposals rejected in the past.

Gloomy officials in Brussels and Berlin said a Greek exit from the currency area now looked ever more likely.

Meanwhile, Greece’s top negotiator in aid talks with creditors, Euclid Tsakalotos, was sworn in as finance minister yesterday after the resignation of Yanis Varoufakis, a Greek presidency source said.

“Tsakalotos will be sworn

in with the political oath as finance minister,” the presidency official said.

But they also said talks to avert it would be easier without Yanis Varoufakis, an avowed “erratic Marxist” economist who infuriated fellow euro zone finance ministers with his casual style and indignant lectures. He had campaigned for Sunday’s ‘No’ vote, accusing Greece’ creditors of “terrorism”.

“I was made aware of a certain ‘preference’ by some Eurogroup participants, and assorted ‘partners’, for my... ‘absence’ from its meetings; an idea that the Prime Minister judged to be potentially helpful to him in reaching an agreement,” Varoufakis said in a statement.

His sacrifice suggested Tsipras was determined to try to reach a last-ditch compromise with European leaders.

IMF, ECB discusse Greek bank funding after ‘No’ vote

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HE International Monetary Fund said yesterday it was monitoring the situation in Greece and was ready to lend a hand if asked following a referendum that rejected the bailout conditions of international creditors.

“The IMF has taken note of yesterday’s referendum held in Greece,”

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said in a statement. “We are monitoring the situation closely and stand ready to assist Greece if requested to do so.” This came as the European Central Bank yesterday organised a conference call to decide whether to maintain a key financial lifeline to Greek banks in the wake of Greece’s his-

toric referendum.

Financial markets and analysts were waiting to learn whether the ECB’s governing council would continue to provide emergency liquidity to Greek banks and keep the economy afloat after 61 percent of Greeks voted against further austerity measures in Sunday’s plebiscite.

AMPED on streets with sleeping bags and stocked with food supplies, thousands of excited Ecuadoreans congregated in the coastal city of Guayaquil on Monday for Pope Francis’ first mass of his “homecoming” tour of South America.

On the first full day of his three-nation trip, the Argentine-born pontiff was heading south from Quito to Ecuador’s second city, a steamy port sometimes referred to as the world’s “banana capital,” given its bustling fruit trade.

“It’s going to be a very special day which I’ll share with those I love,” said Silvia Flores, a 43year-old doctor waiting on the streets. “We’re all

brothers in Christ.”

After the mass, Francis was due to go to a local Jesuit-run school to visit an old friend he has not seen in three decades, the cigar-smoking Rev. Francisco Cortes. When he was a seminary director in Argentina, Francis, then Father Jorge Bergoglio, would send seminarians to the school to study theology with Cortes, now a diminutive 91-year-old Spaniard affectionately known as “Father Paquito.”

The pope’s visit to Guayaquil takes on special significance for Ecuador, and its leftist President Rafael Correa, given it has been the epicenter of anti-government protests for weeks.

Yemeni govt raises prospect of truce

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EMEN’s exiled gov ernment said yesterday it expects a deal shortly on a humanitarian ceasefire that would run through the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday later this month, as air strikes

by Saudi-led warplanes killed more than 40 people.

The United Nations has been pushing for a halt to fighting and air raids that have killed nearly 3,000 people in Yemen since March when a Saudi-led coalition intervened against Houthi forces in a bid to restore President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

The government, exiled in Riyadh, said talks were focused on implementing an April U.N. resolution calling for the Iranian-allied Houthis to quit cities

seized since September and for aid supplies to be sent to stricken Yemeni civilians.

“We are now in consultations for guarantees to ensure the success of the truce,” Hadi spokesman Rajeh Badi told Reuters.

“The mechanism we presented to implement (the U.N. resolution) demanded real guarantees to ensure aid is delivered to those who need it,” he said, noting that talks were underway to “lift the deliberate siege on Aden, Taiz, Lahj and Dhalea”.

Major cities in central and southern Yemen have been racked by heavy fighting between the Houthis and a patchwork of military, regional and tribal forces allied with Hadi.

Confederate flag protest in South Carolina

T

HE depth of support for bringing down the Confederate flag gets its first test in the South Carolina Legislature this week as lawmakers return to Columbia to come up with a specific plan.

The General Assembly returns Monday to discuss Gov. Nikki Haley’s budget vetoes and what to do with the rebel flag that has flown over some part of the Statehouse for more than 50 years.

Several bills have been

filed, but details such as when to bring down the flag, whether to put another flag in its place and what kind of ceremony should mark the removal are not specified.

And if South Carolina takes any lesson from the 2000 debate that brought the Confederate flag off the Statehouse dome to its current location at a nearby monument to Confederate soldiers, it is that minor details can trip things up.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015 — 49

Tanzania jails former ministers over gold deal

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Gay rights: Kenya protesters warn Obama K

ENYAN anti-gay protesters marched in Nairobi yesterday warning US President Barack Obama not to speak about gay rights when he visits the country of his ancestors later this month.

“We do not want Obama and Obama, we do not want Michelle and Michelle,” they chanted.

“We want Obama and Michelle and we want a child!”

“It is important for us as Kenyans to know that the US is not God, and thus we cannot follow them blindly,” said protest organiser and evangelical Christian pastor Bishop Mark Kariuki.

Kariuki said Obama was welcome to visit “his father’s home” but should not “talk about the gay issue.”

The demonstration drew around 100 people, wearing T-shirts and waving posters with the slogan “Protect The Family”.

It came a day after Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto, who is on trial at the International Criminal Court in The Hague accused of crimes against humanity, told worshippers at a church service that homosexuality was “against the plan” of God. “We have heard that in the US they have allowed

•Obama

•Kenyan anti-gay protestants on the street of Nairobi yesterday.

gay relations and other dirty things,” Ruto said, according to the Daily Nation newspaper.

“I want to say as a Christian leader that we will defend our country Kenya, we will stand for our faith and our country.”

Ruto made similar comments in May when US

Secretary of State John Kerry visited Kenya.

Homophobia is prevalent in many African countries and gay sex remains illegal in several nations, including Kenya where it was outlawed under British colonial legislation.

The march Monday was

800 million still poor, hungry despite MDG progress — UN

A

BOUT 800 million people still live in dire poverty and suffer from hunger despite the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) being the most successful anti-poverty push in history, the U.N. said on Monday.

The number of people living in extreme poverty

Mozambique destroys tonnes of ivory, rhino horns

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UTHORITIES in Mozambique yesterday burned more than 2.6 tonnes of ivory and rhino horns confiscated during various anti-poaching busts, demonstrating a tough stance on wildlife trafficking.

“This is a very clear signal the government is sending to society and the whole world on the degree of tolerance we have towards poaching,” Environment Minister Celso Correia said after setting fire to the haul.

It was the first time that Mozambique destroyed illegally gotten ivory and rhino horns, following in the footsteps of Kenya and Botswana, who have also torched heaps of ivory recently.

In May, police seized 340 elephant tusks and 65 rhino horns, the country’s biggest find of wildlife contraband.

Mozambique is also used by poaching syndicates as a recruitment ground for rhino poach-

organised by the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya, a coalition of several churches.

Obama’s visit later this month will be his fourth to Africa since becoming US president, but his first to Kenya since taking office in 2009. He will also travel to Ethiopia.

ers, whom they send to attack rhinos across the border in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.

Rhinos are extinct in Mozambique itself.

on less than $1.25 a day has more than halved, to 836 million from 1.9 billion in 1990, the U.N. said in a report analyzing eight development goals set out in the Millennium Declaration in 2000.

“Following profound and consistent gains, we now know that extreme poverty can be eradicated within one more generation,” U.N. SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon said in a statement.

“The MDGs have greatly contributed to this progress and have taught us how governments, business and civil society can work together to achieve transformational breakthroughs.”

•Ban Ki-moon But progress has been uneven across regions and countries, the U.N. said, and the new sustainable development agenda should focus on inequalities to improve the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable people.

Burundian general calls for military action

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Burundian general who backed a failed coup in May threatened to launch an armed uprising after President Pierre Nkurunziza refused to bow to opposition and international demands to abandon a bid for a third term.

General Leonard Ngendakumana, a deputy to the leader of the aborted coup, accused Nkurunziza of dragging the central African country back into civil war, comments that will alarm a region with a long history of ethnic conflict.

In an effort to ease tensions, regional states meeting in Tanzania called for the July 15 Burundi presidential election to be delayed to July 30 to allow mediation between opposing factions. The government dismissed previous

Tanzanian court sentenced two former ministers to three years in jail yesterday over corruption charges related to the award of a gold audit tender, according to court documents.

The convictions of former Finance Minister Basil Mramba and former Energy and Minerals Minister Daniel Yona represent two of the most highprofile convictions in the government’s anti-graft drive. Lawyers said the ex-ministers would appeal.

Businesses have long complained that graft is a major reason for the high cost of doing business in the east African nation.

Former Finance Ministry permanent secretary Gray Mgonja, who was jointly charged with the former ministers, was acquitted by the Kisutu Res-

ident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam.

Court documents seen

by Reuters showed the ex-ministers were accused of abusing their authority in 2002 by “arbitrarily” awarding a contract to audit gold production from Tanzania, Africa’s fourth biggest producer.

The court also convicted Mramba, 75, and Yona, 76, of illegally extending an audit contract for two years after its expiry in 2005, disregarding a team set up to review the deal.

Mramba was also convicted of using his position as finance minister to unlawfully exempt a local subsidiary of the auditor of paying 11.75 billion Tanzanian shillings ($5.3 million) in government taxes.

Lord’s leader, Kony, seriously ill

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HE fugitive leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army is sickly and in retreat from an international manhunt that includes U.S. forces, a Ugandan military spokesman said Monday, citing the accounts of recent defectors who are backing up reports that the rebel group is in decline.

Joseph Kony is possibly suffering from diabetes, according to defectors who surrendered to Ugandan troops last month in Central African Republic, said Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda. That account is probably true, he said, because Ugandan intelligence over the years “also indicates that Kony has diabetes.”

Kasper Agger, a researcher with the watchdog group Enough Project, said he receives many reports of Kony’s failing health but it is impossible to independently verify them. The reports from defectors suggest that the apparently ill Kony “doesn’t have the same willingness to fight,” he said.

Although many of the defectors said Kony is suffering from diabetes, some also suggested the elusive warlord has AIDS,

•Joseph Kony he said.

Kony is believed to be hiding in Kafia Kingi, a Sudanese-controlled enclave on the border of Central African Republic and South Sudan. Watchdog groups have described Kafia Kingi as a safe haven for Kony because African troops hunting for him do not have access to the territory.

The Lord’s Resistance Army, which originated in Uganda in the 1980s as a tribal uprising against the government, became notorious for kidnapping children as fighters and forcing girls to be sex slaves. Kony became infamous across the world in 2012 when the advocacy group Invisible Children released an online video that highlighted his alleged crimes.

The group is reportedly in decline, with many of its fighters surrendering or dying in firefights with African troops across Central Africa.

Thailand seizes illegal ivory marked as ‘marble’ •Burundi coup general says force only way to oust president

calls for delays.

“The next (step) is to organize ourselves just to resist, to make Pierre Nkurunziza understand that he must leave and then that we are prepared to do it by force, by organizing a military force,” Ngendakumana told Kenya’s KTN television, adding that coup leader General Godefroid

Niyombare was still in Burundi.

The government told Reuters that any such move would be confronted. “Anybody threatening the security of Burundi, either inside or outside, will meet the full force of our defense and security forces,” presidential spokesman Gervais Abayeho said.

T

HAI customs officials said Monday they seized 250 kilograms (550 pounds) of ivory — or about 130 tusks and pieces — hidden in crates being shipped from Africa to Asia.

The haul was headed from Congo to Laos and transited through several countries in between, said the deputy director-general of Thailand’s Customs Department, Chamroen Photiyod. He said

Thai authorities received a tip-off and began tracking the shipment when it left Addis Ababa airport in Ethiopia.

On Friday, authorities at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport stopped the shipment which was inside two wooden crates marked “marble pieces” that contained four suitcases with the ivory inside, Chamroen told a news conference.

50 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 CANCER; Many of you may be tempted and give in to the urge to gamble either with love or other important issue to the detriment of your cause. Be practical.

LEO; This is not the right time to take happenings along your career line for granted. Prepare for important domestic challenge. Keep your family secrets.

VIRGO; You may over inflate your ego to the resentment of people that matter. Watch what you do with money before 12.31pm. Try to be more diplomatic.

LIBRA; If care is not taken you would mislead others before 12.31pm while you are close to minor but costly mistakes from 12.31pm. Be wise with money.

SCORPIO; After initial confusion before 1pm you find your bearing and assert yourself but you will need to prepare to take care of oppositions that may come up suddenly.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

R

IGHT from ages man has continued to look for ways of clothing his nakedness. Nakedness does not just mean not wearing clothes alone. It includes cov-

God is watching ering our evil deeds, wicked acts, ways and sins etc.

As it was the days of the biblical Adam and Eve, so it is today.

When we commit heinous crime, we run

TERROR MUDA

for cover under the stone, under the water and under the dark, hoping and praying that we will not be caught. We live a lie. We forget that air bear witness to our

in “Never say goodbye”

cruel act; the sun by our shadow takes our photograph, and our conscience convicts us daily.

Beware, God is watching. Your sins will find you out.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

SAGITTARIUS; It is important you don’t allow friends mislead you before 12.31pm no matter how genuine their intention. Watch what you do with your health. Tomorrow is your best day.

CAPRICORN; Take it easy along your career/business line during the morning period so that costly mistakes will not make things difficult for. Take your social life seriously.

AQUARIUS; What may look like a very good advice from younger members within your base of operation may eventually lead to avoidable trouble.

PISCES; Miscalculation is possible before 12.31pm that is why you will need to be as practical as possible and refuse to take people for granted throughout.

ARIES; Yes it is good to take partnership related issue seriously but priority attention must be given to money.

Watch what you tell others before 12.31pm.

TAURUS; If you take your new ideas too seriously they would mislead you. But taken good advice from your influential friends can prove helpful. As the Moon fluctuates during AM period it is important you practical till after 12.31pm.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

GEMINI; Provided you don’t allow mid-morning blues to get better off you will eventually live up to expectation at work. Take good care of your health, please.

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 sesitive part?

Dear Joshua, I ma interested in your daily analysis in Vanguard Newspapers. The truth is your daily horoscope column always work for me and now I just cant do without reading my Star in your papers.

My believe is since you can be as accurate as possible writing daily horoscope you are in a better position to analyse my health which is very important to me. I want to know which area(s) of my body should be taken more seriously.

Jer ry, Kano.

Dear Jer ry, According to your natal horoscope you have gone above danger zones of your life health-wise. But then what you will find here-under will be of benefit.

Thanks for your commendation.

Opposition between the Sun (an indicator of basic self-hood) and difficult Saturn during your birth hour pointed to a very tough beginning in life but luckily for you both Spiritual Neptune in powerful Scorpio and steady Pluto in healthy Virgo were at positive angles to your natal Sun thus, your chances of surviving are more than the delicate ones. More so as your natal Sun and Moon are members of strongest Star signs-health wise.

Certainly Saturn must have brought you a few number of health related challenges raging from skin, bone, sometimes the stomach and importantly headache . Since you were able to survive infancy and middle age you have very good chances of living to a very old age. While the ailments stated here can easily be managed by yourself one important organ of your body that must be managed by medical expert is your HEART because of many placement in heart related Star sign. This is not to say you must have heart problem but here is an organ you in particular must take very seriously. Yes fever is common in Africa and today fear of STDs is the beginning of good health. STDs are mentioned here because of your natal planets is sexual Scorpio.

Mind you nothing fatalistic here, but mere warnings.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7 , 2015—51

Aregbesola not reckless Dear sir HE delay in payment of salaries in Osun is regrettable and it pains me to no end to see families suffer. I have lived with these people, worked with them and interacted with them.

These are dedicated workers, excellent human beings, rare breed that can hardly be bettered anywhere in the world. I am happy that a word of assurance has come from the governor that by month end workers are going to smile again.

We however need to correct an impression that has gained ground and has largely informed the comments of wellmeaning people as opposed to the rabid partisans of PDP and Aregbesola haters who though appear to be concerned about the workers but are indeed praying secretly that the governor would not find the money to pay them. The wrong impression is that Governor Rauf Aregbesola has been engaged in too many projects and that is why he could not pay salaries. This is false.

The bare bones is that there is not enough revenue to pay salaries. In 2010 when Aregbesola came in, the total monthly salaries and other emoluments are N1.4 billion out of which pension

T

Revenues accruable to Osun from the federation account was an average of N4 billion in 2011 up till July 2013 when it fell to N2.6 billion and has been going down until it dropped to N466 million in April 2015

was N200 million. Today, salaries take N3.6 billion while pension has risen to N530 million.

For those who don’t know, wage bill rises automatically every six months when workers are automatically promoted to the next level. So by the end of this year, Osun would have surpassed the N4 billion mark in wages and this figure will keep growing ad infinitum.

On the other hand, revenues accruable to Osun from the federation account was an average of N4 billion in 2011 up till July 2013 when it fell to N2.6 billion and has been going down until it dropped to N466 million in April 2015.

Indeed, the net statutory allocation to Osun in January was N1.25 billion, Feb N1.12 billion, March N624 million and April N466 million. If we add other accruals like VAT, sure-p, excess crude, exchange rate differential etc., January rises to N1.99 billion, Feb N2.05 billion, March N1.61 billion and April N1.39 billion.

Some would then ask: how about deductions for loans taken? Good question. About N700 million is deducted for loan repayment every month. Add this to any of the figure and do the maths and see if it still pays salaries and other emoluments of N3.6 billion every month.

The highest figure of N2.05 billion in February will add up to N2.75b and will still be a far cry from the N3.6 billion required to pay salaries and other emoluments.

This regrettably is assuming that all the government would do would just be to pay salaries.

From the above analysis, what Nigeria is going through is a financial disaster and we should see it as that. Definitely, it calls for new thinking and a new paradigm on public finance. We must however understand this for what it is: a financial disaster ravaging the land.

Sola Fasure Oshogbo, Osun State

Re: Probe CAN, TAN, super-rich Nigerians Dear sir READ with pains and profound sadness the statement credited to the Bishop of the Kaduna Diocese of Anglican Church, Most Rev. Josiah Idowu Fearon, that President Muhammadu Buhari should probe the Transformational Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN and Christian Association of Nigeria CAN over the allegation of receiving money from former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration The story was published in Sunday Vanguard of May 31, 2015.

One may ignore the allegation against TAN since integrity is now hardly valued in Nigeria, but the allegation against the CAN is difficult to overlook because this is the umbrella body for Christendom in Nigeria.

While many of us believe that humanity is indebted to Christianity as a religion because apart from convincing us that our existence is this world

I

is temporal and that there is a place for us to spend our eternity, it discourages evil practice ` like man’s inhumanity to man.

It is the clerics who make up this body that ask us to be honest and always steer clear of any form of immorality. But for anyone who believes in Christianity to read that this umbrella body for Christians should be investigated over the allegation of sharing campaign money from the former ruling party, gives room for concern.

Rev. Josiah Idowu Fearon should be commended by all the Christians in Nigeria because in him, we still have people who can stand for the truth and the teachings of Jesus Christ. For a man of his status to make such allegation, should be taken seriously because there can be no fire without smoke.

Nigerians, particularly we who believe in Christ, are waiting for the outcome of the investigation.

James Adeyemi Vanguard Staff

On Sam Amuka’s birthday I wish to felicitate with the entire members of staff and the authentic Moses of the Vanguard Family and postmodern Africa journalism, Mr.Sam Amuka Pemu as he marks his 80th birthday.

The poet Edmurd Burke said”the heights reached and attained by great men,were not reached and attained by sudden flight.They toiled all night whilst others slept”.Sam Amuka -Pemu has toiled all night and worth being celebrated. Congratulations.

Chief Bobson Gbinije,Mandate Against Poverty(MAP) +2347050481424 PDP’s defeat in just concluded election The defeat of the People Democratic Party, PDP in the just concluded election was not because the party did not perform well during its reign in power, but it was because the emergence of former President Jonathan was seen as denying the North following the death of late President Yar’Adua.

PDP members from the North wanted power back to the North at all costs even if it meant destroying the party to help All Progressice Congress, APC,. It’s unfortunate that when the North wanted to betray Jonathan by destroying PDP, they refuse to realise that the South South and the South- East who gave all their support to PDP would have voted for Yar’Adua if not for his death.

Solo Aloba.+2347052624455 Estimated billing and electricity tariff The Federal Government should have provided pre- paid meters to all, generated and distributed adequate electricity before increasing tariff. Why introducing new electricity tariff and estimated billing system when there is no power supply in the country?.

Ugonwanne 08064091428 On refineries Our refineries are non- functional, they need Turn Around Maintenance( TAM). The illegal ones in the Niger Delta region are operating.

In the local content spirit we should expand and modernise these illegal refineries and then use them to refine our crude instead of exporting crude for same purpose . We have to grow and challenge Europe and America just as China has done.

Ugonwanne 08064091428 Political office holders Our lawmakers should make it a criminal offence and pass a bill against anybody who spends money to get a

political office because it is not in the interest of the masses. Such abnormalites have been there over the years. A good product needs not much advertisement.

Ndehigwo 08024209181 Senate crisis and leadership It is a shame for APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed to say that Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon Dogara who were elected the Senate President and House of Rep Speaker are not APC’s candidates because they were not nominated by their party. He forgot so soon how APC encouraged Rotimi Amaechi to go against the wish of PDP during the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF election that saw the emergence of two factions.

Lai Mohammed was the chatter box then. Now, the same scenario has played out in APC and they are wearing sad faces and refusing to shake hands.

The South West which the North used to seize power are becoming the losers.

Solo Aloba. +2347052624455 Presentation of Ribadu’s report No doubt, the Goodluck Jonathan government is not committed to fighting corruption. This explains why his administration would spend so much money setting up committees to probe alleged fraudulent acts only for such reports to be rubbished or swept under the carpet.

If government feels it cannot implement committee findings, why subject patriots to rigorous mindtasking assignment? Why the monumental waste?

Mrs. Wale 08056178892 Ekiti politics What is happened in Ekiti state between Gov. Fayose and former lawmakers showed how politicians have turned politics into their full time business and that is dangerous.

Politicians are not even ashamed to show the world that their interest is beyond serving the people.

They are not fighting for anybody’s interest byt for their selfish and wicked interest!

Romanus Idiroko +2348024209181

National Awards

How honourable are our honourables?

Can a manipulator, a deciever be honourable? Can a looter, a criminal be honourable? Our leaders must open their eyes and stop giving honours to any looter who pretends to be leader because a looter cannot be a leader neither can a leader be a looter!

Romanus Idiroko +2348057907482

SAYINGS OF OUR ELDERS The game of life is the game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deed and words return back to us sooner or later.

Be kind to get kindness back in return.

Simon Adewale08056180103, Send us your Sayings of Our Elders. They must be African sayings or proverbs. Biblical or English proverbs are unacceptable.

Address your sayings to: The Co-ordinator, Sayings of Our Elders,Vanguard Media Ltd., PMB 1007, Apapa,

52 — VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

coach for NO to foreign coach! Dutch Super Falcons •Odegbami vows to lead Nigerians to resist foreign coach •Says Oliseh’s our foreign coach

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

1

980 Africa Cup of Nations winner, Segun Odegbami has kicked against the hiring of a foreign coach for the Super Eagles following the dismissal of Stephen Keshi.

Keshi was relieved of his duties by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Saturday night, for allegedly applying to coach African champions Cote d’Ívoire.

Technical Director of the NFF, Shuaibu Amodu has been mandated to handle the team on an interim basis before a substantive coach, preferably a foreigner is named by the Amaju Pinnick-led NFF Executive Committee.

But speaking in an interview with Sports Vanguard yesterday, Odegbami warned that he would lead Nigerians to resist the hiring of an foreigner for the Eagles, insisting that our ‘foreign coach is a Nigerian living in Nigeria’.

Odegbami, while raising the alarm of an hidden agenda behind the hiring of a foreign coach, said that the NFF does not need to go outside the shores of the country to get a coach for the Eagles as there was one in Nigeria, in the person of former Eagles captain, Sunday Oliseh, who he backed to do better than the foreigner the NFF was shopping for.

“We don’t need a foreign coach for the Eagles. If the NFF has plans to hire a foreign coach, it does not need

to go abroad as we have a technical qualified, intellectually sound and world-acclaimed pundit in Sunday Oliseh. “‘The world recognises the immense knowledge of Oliseh on football matters. He has the education and knows about tactical formations. He has worked with academies in Europe and has a deep knowledge of the game and knows how to manage players. Super Sports recognises him.

He has distinguished himself amongst his peers. We have gone beyond the level of going overseas to look for coaches for our national team as Nigeria has its own foreign coach in Oliseh.

“There would be an hidden agenda behind the hiring of a foreign coach. So the best option for us is to make use of Oliseh as he possesses all the requirements to succeed on the job.

Oliseh is the right candidate, so they should give the job to him’’, added Odegbami.

While frowning at Amodu’s appointment as the temporary coach of the Eagles , Odegbami said that the recent appointment was in direct conflict with his job as the technical director of the NFF. “I really have issues with his appointment as he is the technical director of the NFF, with its clear mandate and responsibilities. Now he is being saddled with additional job. It looks untidy”, added the former Shooting Stars of Ibadan striker.

•Oliseh

N

IGERIA are in advanced talks with Dutch coach Hesterine de Reus, who has handled Australia women’s team, to take over the Super Falcons.

The 53-year-old has also worked with the Dutch FA, PSV Eindhoven women’s team as well as the Jordan women’s team, leading them to win the 2010 Arabia Cup. Also on her CV are her stints with the Netherlands U15,U16 and U19 women’s teams between 2002 and 2010.

Over a decade, she won 43 caps for her native country.

“The NFF are in serious talks with Hesterine and it is hoped an agreement will be reached very soon,” a top source said.

Coach of Sweden to the recent Women’s world Cup in Canada, Pia Sundhage, was also being considered to take over the African champions.

Musa to captain Eagles A

HMED Musa has been lined up to be the next captain of Nigeria when Vincent Enyeama is stripped of the captaincy.

Lille goalkeeper Enyeama is expected to be dropped as the country’s skipper after his recent act of indiscipline when on national team duty.

The CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa led the Super Eagles when they faced South Africa in a friendly earlier this year.

The former Flying Eagles star made his international debut against Madagascar in 2011 in

Calabar and he has half a century of caps now.

A top official informed that besides his seniority in the national team, his comportment on and off the pitch has been exemplary.

At only 22, he will be one of the youngest players ever to lead the country’s team.

The jet-heeled winger or forward featured at the 2013 AFCON which Nigeria won in South Africa and scored twice against Argentina at last year ’s World Cup in Brazil.

•Oshoala But she later said she did not consider herself good enough for the post.

Nigeria are shopping for a top-rated coach for Falcons after the country failed to again go past the group stage of the World Cup in Canada despite the quality and class of players in the team.

Rivers Angels coach Edwin Okon has been fired and Chris Danjuma has been appointed in a temporary capacity.

•Musa

Keshi: Leave me alone S

•Keshi

ACKED Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has told Nigerians to leave him alone after being relieved of his duties by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) at the weekend.

Speaking yesterday, the former Togo and Mali coach begged soccer fans to allow

him rest with his family in the United State of America as he was no longer in charge of the national team.

Keshi urged fans to direct their questions on the Eagles to the assistant coach of the team, Abdulahi Yusuf, who will now work with head coach

Shuaibu Amodu on an interim basis until a substantive coach is engaged by the NFF. “Please, I want Nigerians to leave me alone and allow me spend time with my family. The only thing on my mind now is to be with my family and I don’t want to be bothered with any matter

associated with the Super Eagles. “‘I want people to understand that I do not have anything on the Super Eagles.

The only thing I want to do is be with my loved ones. Direct all your questions to Yusuf or whoever is coaching the team”, added the former Eagles captain.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015 — 53

AAG: Weightlifting federation issues code of conduct for lifters •Appoints Ekanem as National coach

By Solomon Nwoke

T

HE Nigeria Weightlift ing Federation (NWF) has started preparations that will see it poach gold medals at the forthcoming All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville in September by calling to camp 30 weight lifters and announcing the appointment of coach Andrew Ekanem as the National coach of the federation.

President of the federation, Prince Chibudom Nwuche speaking through his Media Officer, George Aluo after their three days national open trials held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan, Oyo State expressed confidence in the crop of lifters selected for camping.

He boasted that weightlifting which has won medals for the country at continental and international games would certainly make the nation proud when the Games begin in September.

“Weightlifting has always lived up to its billing whenever it matters most at internationalGames.Toensurewe

C M Y K

maintain that tradition, we have selected the best lifters for camping ahead of the Games and with these crop of lifters, I have no doubt we shall do the country proud at the Games coming up in the next two months “The lifters were selected based on merit after the tri-

als. We mean business, hence we have started two months ahead of the Games.

We have given the lifters the codeofconducttoensurethat no lifter messes around while in camp and any lifter who breaches the code of conduct will automatically be thrown out of the camp.

Army, Lagos dominate Minimah’s Boxing tourney

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HE Nigerian Army Team and team Lagos Boxers at the weekend won 3 gold medals each to dominate the just concluded maiden Kenneth Minimah National Men and women Open Boxing Championship held at the indoor Sports hall of the National Stadium from June 29th – July 4th 2015.

Fighting in the Red Corner, Caroline Linus of the Nigerian Army out punched Chioma Nwakpa from Edo state 2 -1 in their 51kg weight category bout to set the

Army on the victory part while Kehinde Obareh who also fought from the red corner defeated Dupe Akinola from Rivers state 3 – 0 to win the women 6okg weight category thereby retaining her national title in that division.

Glasgow 2014 commonwealth Games bronze medallist, Edith Ogoke – Agu completed the victory song for the soldiers when she beat hard fighting Jacinta umunakwe 2 -1 to win the women 75kg weight category bent to also retain her National title.

54 — VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

Serena: It was good beating Venus in two sets

S

ERENA Williams sank her sister Venus in a battle of the allconquering Wimbledon titans yesterday as the American world number one reached the quarterfinals.

Serena secured her 14th win in 26 clashes with Venus and the sisters hugged at the net after the match on Centre Court finished 6-4, 6-3.

Playing each other “definitely doesn’t get easier... I was out there, I thought, wow, I’m 33 and she just turned 35. I don’t know how many more moments like this we’ll have. I plan on playing for years but you never know if we’ll have the opportunity to face each other ”, said Serena Williams.

As for the match, “it was really good for me to get it done in straight sets and just put this behind me and move forward”, she said.

Wawrinka on course

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TA N I S L A S Wawrinka continued his pursuit of a rare double with an air of calm authority, beating dangerous Belgian David Goffin 7-6(3) 7-6(6) 6-4 to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals on Monday.

The barrel-chested fourth seed, bidding to emulate fellow Swiss Roger Federer and become only the fifth man in the professional era to win the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back, turned on the style on a sun-swept Court One. Wawrinka is yet to drop a set so far, although Goffin forced the 30-year-old to produce some of his best tennis.

ARLI Lloyd put an ex clamation point on her country’s stunning fourgoal barrage in the opening 16 minutes with a hattrick strike from the halfway line as the United States demolished Japan 5-2 in the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday.

Lauren Holiday and Tobin Heath had the other goals for the Americans, who claimed their third title after previously winning in 1991 and 1999.

“It’s been amazing,” said Lloyd. “We just wrote history today and brought this World Cup trophy home, which is unbelievable.”

Julie Johnston put a ball in her own net in the second half, while Yuki Ogimi had the other goal for Japan, which won its only World Cup by beating the U.S. on penalties four years ago.

This one wasn’t nearly as close.

In front of a raucous proAmerican crowd of 53,341 at B.C. Place Stadium that included U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden, Lloyd

opened the scoring in the third minute on a nicely worked corner kick, guiding home Megan Rapinoe’s low drive after making a strong run to the penalty spot.

The American captain then made it 2-0 with her fifth of the tournament just two minutes later by poking home Holiday’s free kick after it was flicked on

by Johnston in a chaotic penalty area.

Holiday went from provider to scorer in the 14th minute, jumping on a terrible mistake by defender Azusa Iwashimizu to volley it home past helpless Japanese goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori.

Lloyd then completed her hat trick two minutes after that on a goal that will be replayed over and over.

She picked up the ball in her own territory and moved towards half before unleashing a shot towards goal. Kaihori stumbled as she tracked back and could only watch as the ball went off her hand, off the post and in.

Tour de Crash!

•Serena

Murray cuts down giant Karlovic

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•Murray

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An American fan celebrates Japan's defeat

HIRD seed Andy Murray dropped a set but emerged unharmed from the sights of bullet-serving Croat Ivo Karlovic to reach the quarter-finals at Wimbledon for the eighth consecutive time with a 7-6(7) 6-4 5-7 6-4 victory on Monday.

The towering Karlovic had walloped down 136 aces in his first three matches and regularly fired down 130mph missiles, but looked on

his way out as Murray took a two-set lead.

A cat-and-mouse third set, however, was decided when Karlovic broke in the 12th game, injecting some muchneeded life into the match on Centre Court.

Murray, however, had too much guile for the Croat and broke in the seventh game of the fourth, before serving out to set up a last eight clash against Canada’s Vasek Pospisil.

Beaten Wozniacki claims women unfairly treated

•Wozniacki

FIFA WWC: USA defeats Japan in 7 goal thriller

A R O L I N E Wozniacki has sparked a Wimbledon sexism row by claiming women do not receive as many chances as men to feature on SW19’s show courts.

“I would love to play

on a big court,” said Wozniacki, after her 6-4 6-4 defeat to Spain’s Garbine Muguruza.

“I think that’s what it’s all about; you work hard and practice to play on the big courts. The women really haven’t

gotten the opportunity here to play on the big courts. You only get one women’s match on Court One and Centre Court.

Most of last week it was only one women’s match on Court.''

•Contador

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HE Tour de France was temporarily brought to a halt by one of the worst crashes in the history of the race during Stage Three on Monday.

Fabien Cancellara, wearer of the Yellow Jersey, was involved in the highspeed collision with several other riders with about 50km left, causing at least four riders to abandon.

The crash, involving more than 20 riders, was

so severe that the race had to be neutralised for more than 10 minutes as riders received medical treatment.

Riders were travelling flat out at up to 50kmh when William Bonnet clipped the wheel of Warren Barguil in front and was sent crashing to the tarmac.

The fallen Bonnet caused those behind to come down too with offficials immediately stopping the race as doctors and team officials tended to the injured riders on the roadside.

Cancellara appeared to be one of the worst affected by the incident but looked as though he wanted to continue despite seeming dazed and disorientated.

The Swiss rider can be seen in replays of the incident flying over his handlebars at alarming speed but groggily made his way back on the saddle.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015 — 55

Transfer...Transfer....Transfer...Transfer....

Pirlo teams up with Lampard, Villa at NYC Allegri extends Juve tenure A I TALY midfielder Andrea Pirlo is leaving Juventus to join Major League Soccer side New York City FC, the Turin club have announced.

“Andrea Pirlo will continue his career in New York, after four years of triumphs with Juventus,” the Italian champions announced on their website.

“I have been wanting this experience for a long time, and now that the opportnity

materialized, I wanted to take it,” Pirlo said in a club statement. “This is a club on the rise that shares my same hunger to achieve important results in the league.”

The 36-year-old Pirlo, a master passer and setpiece taker, joins David Villa and Frank Lampard as Designated Players for New York City FC, who are just three points out of a playoff spot in the East after their 2-1 win in Montreal on Saturday night.

•Pirlo

Snap it up on Schneiderlin, Koeman tells Man.U

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ONALD Koeman wants Morgan Schneiderlin’s future sorted soon after the Manchester United target missed the first day of pre-season training.

The Dutchman also said Southampton were hopeful of retaining Toby Alderweireld despite revealing Atletico Madrid, the defender’s parent club, are resisting their move to make his loan deal a permanent one.

“Morgan was ill but he is coming to training tomorrow and he will travel with the rest of the squad to Austria,” said Koeman ahead of Southampton’s preseason trip. The Saints play RB Leipzig in the first game of their tour on Wednesday.

“He was not feeling well, so he had contact with the doctor and he stayed at home,” Koeman added.

“Two weeks ago we had a big offer from Man United but it wasn’t

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•Guardiola C M Y K

•Allegri That makes Allegri the second-highest paid coach in Serie A after Inter Milan’s Roberto Mancini, who will earn 4 million euros ($4.4 million) for the next two seasons.

City, United, Arsenal, PSG race for De lder managed 15 goals planning to offer a 15 and 25 assists last Bruyne million annual salary to

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OLFSburg midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has become the beautiful bride chased by Manchester City, Man. United, Arsenal and PSG. According to reports in Belgium, both Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City are

•Schneiderlin enough. It wasn’t serious and no more bids today.”

Van Gaal is keen to sign Schneiderlin before United fly out for their pre-season tour of the United States on July 13.

And Koeman is hopeful any deal for the 25-yearold will be concluded in the imminent future.

“Everybody knows the situation of Morgan and if you can get a big move I can understand it,’ Koeman added.

Laporta opens Barca's door to Guardiola

ARCELONA presi dential candidate Joan Laporta has admitted that he would speak with former Coach Pep Guardiola “if the opportunity of his return arose”.

Speaking on the Cuatro show Travelling with Chester, the 52-year-old covered

MONTH after guiding Juven-tus to an unexpected spot in the Champions League final, coach Massimiliano Allegri has had his contract with Juventus extended through 2017.

Juventus made the announcement Monday, while also extending the contract of midfielder Claudio Marchisio through 2020.

The announcements came shortly after Andrea Pirlo’s move to New York City FC was officialized.

While financial details were not disclosed, the Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Allegri’s deal boosts his salary from 2.5 million euros ($2.75 million) to 3.5 million euros ($3.85 million) per season.

a wide range of topics, including Lionel Messi’s role in the Barca team, the chances of Sergio Ramos joining the club, the conduct of former Presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu and the anthem booing that overshadowed last season’s Copa del Rey final.

“I hope Leo [Messi] continues to take centre stage. He’s never asked for a Coach’s head,” he said.

“What we need is a team in which he feels supercomfortable playing in.

We’re talking about the best player in the history of football.''

De Bruyne.

The playmaker, who moved to the Bundesliga perman-ently in 2014, has been tipped for a return to the Premier League following his outstanding showings in Germany.

The attacking midfie-

Nani completes Fenerbache move

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ANCHESTER United winger Nani has completed a move to Turkish side Fenerbahce, the Barclays Premier League club have announced.

Portugal international Nani leaves Old Trafford permanently after spending last season on loan with former club Sporting Lisbon.

The 28-year-old underwent a medical in Istanbul at the weekend ahead of the move worth a reported 4.25million euros. Nani won four Premier League titles and the Champions League after joining United in 2007 and scored 41 goals in 230 appearances.

He signed a five-year contract in 2013 but then began to fall out of favour and returned to Sporting

season, and his fine form has piqued the interest of several English giants.

According to the Express, both Arsenal and Manchester United are understood to be planning a move for the playmaker, although the pair would likely need to pay upwards of £50 million for the player’s signature.

The Express also understand that City are planning to do just that, and that Wolfsburg ought to be braced for a hefty offer from the Citizens.

Het Laatste Nieuws, via Le 10 Sport, add more detail to the story, reporting that both City and PSG have offered a 15 million annual salary to the player, a fee which translates as roughly £11 million per annum. The player is currently under contract at Wolfsburg until 2019.

•Nani as part of the deal that took Marcos Rojo in the opposite direction last summer. He could be back at Old Trafford as

early as next month with Fenerbahce potential Champions League qualifying opponents for United.

Casillas nears Porto switch

P •Casillas

ORTO are believed to be closing in on the signing of Iker Casillas from Real Madrid, with TVE reporting that a deal is only “days away”.

The Spanish television station claims Julen Lopetegui is keen to bring

his countryman to Estadio do Dragao in time for new season and could be about to welcome his arrival.

However, it is not known whether Porto are negotiating a loan or a permanent transfer at this stage.

•de-bruyne

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

Sorry sister!

Serena brushes Venus aside •Kojo blasts NFF over Keshi’s sack

NO to foreign coach!

•Odegbami vows to lead Nigerians to resist foreign coach •Says Oliseh’s our foreign coach

Musa to captain Eagles Dutch coach for Nigeria

The Williams sisters embrace at the net after their sixth meeting on Centre Court at Wimbledon

FIFA WWC: USA Defeats Japan in 7 goal thriller

•Oliseh

Tour de Crash!

Details inside QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S ANSWERS YESTERDAY'S

ACROSS 1 Snub (6) 5 Debase (6) 8 Persuade (8) 9 Informed (4) 10 Novel (3) 12 Booth (5) 15 Donkey (3) 17 Consume (3) 18 Scull (3) 19 Deity (3) 20 Garret (5) 21 Mineral (3) 22 Jewel (3) 23 Point (3) 24 Fasten (3) 26 Danger (5) 29 Enquire (3) 33 Irritation (4) 34 Quarrel (8) 35 Felt (6) 36 Swallow (6)

DOWN 2 Lax (5) 3 3 Donate (4) 4 Principle (5) 5 Live (5) 6 Companion (4) 7 Map-book (5) 10 Darkness (5) 11Jam (5) 12 Impress (5) 13 Performer (5) 14 Regional (5) 15 Fragrance (5) 16 Utter (5) 25 Bury (5) 27 Finished (5) 28 Outcome (5) 30 Charm (5) 31 Emporium (4) 32 Expectant (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Slip 4, Mob 6, Sick 8, Street 9, Silent 10, Hot 12, Hover 14, Stood 15, Duped 18, Scheme 20, Issued 24, Tempt 26, Snare 28, Yearn 30, Wet 32, Repute 33, Rumple 34, Used 35, Tap 36, Dark.

DOWN: 2, Lotto 3, Precede 4, Myth 5, Best 6, Split 7, Console 11, One 12, Has 13, Rum 16, Pet 17, Dim 19, Confess 21, Spy 22, Stemmed 23, Don 25, Eye 27, Round 29, Ruler 30, Went 31, Trip.

How to Play Sudoku

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lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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