BAYELSA GOVT SHOCKER: Sylva left only N4,451in state purse

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61791

**

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

AS VANGUARD/POLICE SECURITY SUMMIT OPENS No Welfare Without Security Jonathan T declares •Pg.6 COMMENT talks open today in Abuja

HE security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. - Section 14 (2b) of the 1999 Constitution NIGERIA has been in aggravated turmoil since July 2009 when insur-

gency in the North East zone kept the country on the edge. What began in Borno as attacks on police and civilians, claiming hundreds of lives, has turned to a routine of arsons, bombings, killings, prison breaks,

and other security breaches in the zone.

Gombe, Maiduguri,

Potiskum, Yola, Yobe have been in the news for those reasons.

The incidents have

spread to Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Niger states, joining the perennial killings in Plateau State.

Hardly a day passed in the last four years without one such incident.

Continues on page 18

BAYELSA GOVT SHOCKER:

Sylva left only N4,451 in state purse

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, CLIFFORD NDUJIHE & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

•It's a lie, I didn't hand over to Dickson — Sylva L

AGOS—BAYELSA State Governor, Seriake Dickson, yesterday, said he inherited N4,451 from his predecessor, Timipre Sylva, in

Continues on page 5

Defining the current security challenge of the country •P.19

Looking ahead and looking back at 2013 •PG.17

Mr & Mrs

INEC OFFICE FIRE—Scenes of a fire outbreak at INEC office, Abuja, yesterday. Photos: Gbenga Olamikan. Story on Page 15.

PDP crisis: Govs to meet Jonathan tomorrow•P.7 C M Y K

2— Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013 — 3

C M Y K

4— Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013—5

POCKET CARTOON

GHANA'S MAHAMA SWORN IN—President John Mahama of Ghana taking Oath of Office before the Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court of Ghana at the Independence Square Accra, yesterday. State House Photo. See more pictures on Page 42.

Sylva left only N4,451 in state purse — Bayelsa govt Continues from page 1 February 2012 and gave a graphic account of how his administration grew the paltry sum to over N16 billion.

The Governor, who spoke before proceeding on a two-week break, said the N50 billion Bond his embattled predecessor secured was also posing a challenge

to his administration, lamenting that the figure would hit N104 billion in 2017.

Dickson made this disclosure while presenting his administration’s financial scorecard for December 2012, yesterday in Abuja. He said his state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) would hit the N2 billion monthly mark by the

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

I shall pass through this world but once. Any good thing I can, do let me do it now; let me not differ, let me not neglect it, for I shall never pass through this world again.

TAKE HEART

I

BY ELLA RANDLE

NNER peace is what we each create in our lit tle bubble of the world. Each bubble is linked to every other bubble. And our little bubble of peace can spread. It can spread right across the world —Mary Jacsch Sometimes all it takes is a shift in perspective and there is a major gain in positive outlook and attitude towards life and this makes all the difference in living beautifully. So when we let go of being right, we can rightly grant others their beingness and still retain our own individuality.

It’s so easy to slip into a thought-pattern of ‘us’ and ‘them’. This estrangement is the root cause of much disagreement among people. Just think of ridicule, bullying, and ostracism, meanness and enslavement, it all starts with the thought of ‘us’ and ‘them’.

Let go of grudges: you hold a grudge? Maybe it’s time to let it go. Do you want to hold onto your grudge for another day, another week, another year, another decade, or even for the rest of your life?

Grudges eat away at the soul and poison relationships.

The good news is that you can let them go. All you need to do is to notice each time a grudge and its poisonous story arises in the mind. Then say to yourself with compassion, “I let go of that story,” and bend your mind toward something else.

end of the year, up from about N300 million when he assumed office.

Dickson, who was represented by his Commissioner for Finance, Duate Iyabi, said 2013 has been dedicated to consolidating the achievements of the preceding year.

I didn’t handover to Dickson – Sylva Countering Dickson’s claim yesterday, Sylva said the governor was not in a position to know how much he left in the state’s coffers because Dickson did not take over from him.

Sylva’s Spokesman, Dofie Ola said Dickson could not have inherited anything from the former governor because Sylva did not hand over to him.

He said after the Supreme Court judgment, Sylva handed over to the former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Nestor Binabo.

“We did not hand over to Dickson, there was an acting governor who took over from us and so the question should go to him (Binabo),” Ola said yesterday.

The former governor is currently facing corruption charges with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, which last week sealed 48 choice prop-

erty in Abuja allegedly belonging to him, although Sylva has insisted that he did not have more than three property in Abuja.

We will complete on-going projects – Dickson However, despite funds constraints, Dickson assured that ongoing projects would be completed.

From the state’s savings, disclosed Iyabi, N1.5 billion was drawn to assist persons displaced by the recent flooding disaster. The flooding notwithstanding, he said Bayelsa was able to implement 85 per cent of capital expenditure for 2012.

Sylva's N50bn bond The governor decried the N50 billion Bond obtained by former Governor Timipre Sylva, and another N16 billion bank loan, he said were abused.

IGR consultants, said a Commissioner, has been appointed to shore up the monthly IGR from the N518 realised in November 2012 to about N2 billion from the end of the year.

He described as unacceptable a situation where 97 per cent of the state’s revenue is from federal allocation and

promised to continue to give priority attention to education, healthcare, farming and tourism, assuring that Bayelsa was set to become one of the most developed states in Nigeria.

Proceeds on two-week break The governor who is to proceed on a two-week break, called on Bayelsans to remain steadfast in their support for the government’s programmes and policies, stressing that his absence would not affect government activities in the state.

The two weeks break is part of Dickson’s 2012 annual vacation, which he did not observe be-

cause of pressing state assignments, IworisoMarkson, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, said in a statement Governor Dickson is, however, expected to take time off of his break to attend the closing formalities and wreath laying ceremony of the 2013 Armed Forces Remembrance day on January 15 in Yenagoa.

The statement recalled the Governor ’s busy schedule during the flood disaster, the worst in the history of the state, the sad event of the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State and General Owoye Azazi and the funeral programmes as well as the normal day-to-day running of government.

Lagos ACN, PDP bicker over Obasanjo’s comments

BY DAPO AKINREFON

L

AGOS —THE La gos State chapters of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have disagreed over comments credited to former President Olusegun Obasanjo that the PDP could win Lagos in 2015.

While the ACN described Obasanjo’s comment as a joke, the PDP said the former President was in order.

It will be recalled that the former president had admonished leaders of the PDP to eschew self centeredness and reconcile their differences in the overall interest of the party and Lagosians to enable it win Lagos in 2015.

In a telephone interview with Vanguard, state chairman of ACN,

Mr Henry Ajomale chided the former president over his remarks to take over Lagos State in 2015 saying “tell him (Obasanjo) I said he is a joker.

"He has been saying that since he was president in 1999 and it was only Lagos State that he was unable to capture and he will not capture it because we are not in a military era.”

Reacting to the ACN, the state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Taofik Gani said Obasanjo’s remarks were in order noting that it was a “morale booster.”

He he said: “For those who have understudied the ACN very well, this is not going to be one of the exceptions. I am very sure that from the day he advised the Lagos PDP, I know that the leadership of the ACN would have been having sleepless nights.”

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

CBN resumes dollar sales, withdraws N83bn from interbank mkt

A

BUJA — AS the first national security summit to be convened by the Nigeria Police Force in conjunction with Vanguard Newspapers kicks off today, Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police from the 12 zones in the country and most of the 48 Commissioners of Police representing commands and various departments in the force have converged on Abuja.

This came as the Force Headquarters disclosed, yesterday, that the summit, coming at a very auspicious time when security challenges plaguing the country have gone from the sophisticated to scientific especially with bombings, kidnapping and sea piracy, would be flagged off by President Goodluck Jonathan.

A statement signed by the Force spokesman, CSP Frank Mba, said: “As part of efforts at encouraging a broad-based approach to tackling emerging contemporary security challenges in Nigeria, the Nigeria Police in conjunction with Vanguard Newspapers will be organising a two-day National Security Summit with the theme 'Addressing Nigeria’s Security Challenges for Sustainable Peace and Development'.

The event is billed to take place today and tomorrow at the International Conference Centre, Abuja from 10a.m. each day.

Public-private partnership initiative The summit which will be attended by military and police chiefs, security experts/ practitioners from within and outside the country as well as other critical stakeholders in Nigeria, is a public-private partnership initiative expected to provide an avenue for Nigerians from all walks of life to make informed input into concerted efforts by the Police and other security agencies at providing lasting solution to Nigeria’s security challenges.

Emphasizing the importance of the summit to the transformation agenda of the Federal Government, particularly as it relates to issues of safety and security of the nation, the statement urged participants to seize the opportunity provided by the summit to make sincere and informed input on matters bordering on the general security of Nigeria and Nigerians.

Rationale for the summit It stated that the rationale for the summit was predicated

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE AND CHINEDU IBEABUCHI

MEETING: From left: Minister of National Planning Commission, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman; Minister of State for Finance, Dr Yerima Ngama and Vice President Namadi Sambo during a meeting on Demographic Database for the country at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

Jonathan to declare NPF, Vanguard's security summit open today zLaunches Code of Conduct for Police zAs AIGs, CPs storm Abuja for the summit upon the belief of the Force that the business of policing and securing Nigeria is the responsibility of all and that no single individual or organisation has monopoly of security knowledge.

While assuring participants that input, suggestions, contributions and decisions reached at the summit will be given their pride of place in new security policies and strategic operational plans by the government and the Police High Command, the IG promised that the Force would do everything humanly possible to guarantee a safe, conducive and democratic atmosphere at the summit to enable participants undertake a free, candid and unfettered intellectual discourse.

Participants Participants expected at the summit include representatives of state governors, special advisers on security to state governors, principal officers of national and state assemblies, CEOs of registered and active private security agencies and representatives of ethnic forums and nationalities.

Others are representatives of National Human Rights Commission, invited NGOs and civil society groups, Labour groups such as NLC, PENGASSAN, TUC, and professional groups such as NBA, NMA, Guild of Editors,

NUJ, representatives of PCRC at national and state levels and other invited participants.

Jonathan launches Code of Conduct for Police Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan will, Thursday, inaugurate a ‘Professional Code of Conduct’ for the Nigeria Police Force.

Making the disclosure in Abuja, the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, said: “On the 10th of this month, a professional code of conduct will be launched by Mr. President for all officers and men of the Nigeria Police for the first time in the history of the Nigeria Police.

“We are putting up this effort to ensure that you (Police personnel) are guided to ensure that our officers are respected, to ensure that Nigerians understand what we should do and what we should not do.

“The new 'Code of Conduct' is a set of rules collated and formulated under the leadership of IGP Abubakar, for guiding and regulating the behaviours of Police officers in Nigeria – while on or off duty.

"The code contains standard policing rules as well as contemporary international best practices in law enforcement as available in various United Nations Conventions, the Nigeria

Constitution, Police Act and Regulations and other domestic statutes. It is intended to be used by Police officers in determining what is right and proper in all their actions.

To promote efficiency, effectiveness “The code is designed to promote efficiency and effectiveness of Police services by promoting transparency, accountability and a deeper sense of civilian oversight on police activities. It is further intended to promote discipline, professionalism and strict adherence to due process in police activities and operations.

“Its institution within the Force is, therefore, part of measures by the IGP to promote the Federal Government's transformational agenda, through deliberate and conscious efforts at encouraging positive attitudinal change among all cadres of officers within the Force.

“Thus, its launch is meant to generate the needed awareness among government officials, members of the Force and the general public; and to formally announce the enforcement of the 'code' both as a guide for all personnel of the Force, as well as an instrument for monitoring the conduct of individual Police officers in the daily performance of their duties, by the Police High Command and the public.”

L

AGOS — THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), yesterday, resumed foreign exchange sales, with $150 million sold to banks in the first foreign exchange auction of the year.

On the other hand, the apex bank also withdrew N83.85 billion from the interbank money market through the sale of debt instrument (treasury bills), which caused interest rates on short term borrowing to rise slightly.

The apex bank suspended foreign exchange auction since December 19 for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Yesterday, it sold $150 million, indicating 50 per cent decline in amount sold when compared to the $300 million sold on December 19. But the official exchange rate remained stable at N155.7 per dollar.

The naira, however, continued to appreciate at the interbank foreign exchange market, where it gained another 10 kobo against the dollar. The interbank exchange rate opened the day at N155.20 but closed at N157.10 per dollar.

Investigation revealed that the appreciation of the naira was due to weak demand aggravated by the foreign exchange sold by the CBN yesterday.

Meanwhile, interest rates moved in opposite direction at the interbank money market, yesterday, with rates on short term borrowing rising while those on long term lending falling slightly. While interest rates on Overnight/ Call and 7Days borrowings rose by 25 basis points and basis points, interest rates on 30Days and 60Days borrowings fell by 12.5 and 20.8 basis points.

The rise in interest rates on short term borrowing was caused by the sale of government debt (treasury bills) by the CBN yesterday which led to outflow of N83.856 billion from the funds available in the market.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013—7

Plane crash survivor, 13 others promoted Brigadiers-General z2,900 soldiers also promoted z10,000 recommended for further promotions

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

A

National Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega (left) and National Chairman, Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Chief Sam Nkire at a validation conference on INEC's 2012-2016 strategic plan to improve on the work of the commission, in Abuja.

PDP crisis: Govs to meet Jonathan tomorrow zInsist on dissolution of NWC, call for caretaker c'ttee

BY HENRY UMORU meet with the President a

A

BUJA — T R O U B L E between the governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the National Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has taken another dimension with the state executives insisting on the sack of Tukur-led National Working Committee, NWC and a caretaker committee inaugurated.

Vanguard gathered, yesterday, that the governors who are already in the nation’s capital, Abuja, will meet with the leader of the party, President Goodluck Jonathan, tomorrow, where they will formally express their grievances to him and call for a caretaker committee that would replace the present NWC when finally dissolved.

The PDP governors who were instrumental to the emergence of members of the NWC will report them to President Jonathan over alleged unsavoury attitude towards them by Tukur in particular.

According to a source, the governors who had wanted to push the case at the National Executive Committee, NEC, if the meeting was held before the Board of Trustees, BoT, will now

Other members, day after the BoT elections. Vanguard gathered, are Gov. Theodore Orji of Cause of the Abia State, two unnamed political quagmire members of the National Assembly, three unnamed It was also gathered that members of the NWC and members of the NWC are the Political Adviser to wooing some stakeholders Vice President Namadi and elders of the party to Sambo, Abba Dabo as the intervene, just as the cause Secretary. of the political quagmire Against this backdrop, between the governors the governors who were and the leadership of the not happy with the party is the decision taken leadership of the PDP, on Adamawa State PDP had to storm the Wadata where the executive loyal Plaza, National to Governor Murtala Secretariat with the Nyako was sacked.

Rivers State governor and It would be recalled that Chairman, Nigeria Gov. Nyako has been Governors’ Forum, having a running battle Rotimi Amaechi, leading with the PDP national the team to plea on behalf leadership over the of their colleague, yet, the conduct of PDP primaries decision was not in Adamawa State which reversed. led to the sack of the state PDP executive committee Follow-up meeting and the suspension of the National Vice Chairman, Vanguard learnt, North-East, Alhaji Girigiri yesterday, that at the end Lawal, by the NWC. of a follow up meeting of The NWC also dissolved the Governor Sule Lamido the state PDP executive led of Jigawa State- led Adhoc by Alhaji Umaru Committee on Resolution Mijinyawa Kugama that of Adamawa State in Abuja was loyal to the governor Sunday night, it was and put in place agreed that the resolutions Ambassador Umar of the NWC on Adamawa Damagun-led nine- State be declared null and member caretaker void as the only way committee to oversee the forward to the logjam. affairs of Adamawa PDP. The sources said the With the problem not decision was taken to resolved by the NWC and ensure that if not nipped being the home state of in the bud, state PDP Bamanga Tukur, President executive members that Jonathan had no option were loyal to other than to put in place an ad- governors would go hoc committee with Gov. through similar experience Sule Lamido of Jigawa as in the hands of the national chairman. leadership of the party.

At the meeting, Vanguard also gathered that members of the Lamido Committee were surprised to observe that there were no meetings of the NWC where the National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola as well as the National Organizing Secretary, Abubakar Mustapha were mandated to write letters that the congresses in Adamawa State be held, even as they discovered that there were no minutes as well as memo.

At the Sunday meeting, besides the Jigawa State governor were the governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji; the Political Adviser to Vice President Namadi Sambo, Mallam Abba Dabo who is the Secretary of the Committee; National Woman Leader, Chief Kema Chikwe; National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh and National Legal Adviser, Kwon Victor representing the NWC, among others.

BUJA — FOURTEEN newly promoted Brigadiers General, among them, Brigadier General Mustapha Denis Onoiveta, former ADC to former President Umaru Yar’AQdua and one of the surviving officers of the ill-fated Donier 228 NAF aircraft that crashed in 2006, in Benue State killing 11 Generals, Brigadier General Nuhu Angbazo, were yesterday decorated with the rank of one-star Generals.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-General Azubuike Ihejirika, declared that he was happy to perform the decoration of the officers because he had no doubt in his mind that they would help move the Nigerian Army forward because of the capacity imbedded in them.

He, however, warned that their promotion should not be seen as the adding of more titles like that of the traditional institution to their name but one that should make them brace up to confront the current security challenges facing the nation.

He said: "Every leader, commander or administrator will consider a day like this his happiest moment, seeing loyal, hardworking and disciplined officers promoted to higher ranks. Though the selection process was

tedious, painstaking and lengthy, it goes to show that hard work pays while the grace of God is also at play.”

"Two years ago, I warned promoted officers not to see promotion as chieftaincy titles.

Promotion in the military is not just a reward but a demonstration of confidence on the part of the leadership that you still have much more to offer the force and the nation.”

To those who missed out of the promotions this year, the COAS said it was not the end of the road, adding that many were qualified but it was due to lack of vacancies that only 37 were promoted BrigGenerals.

He said other opportunities would come for them to be promoted as long as they remain hardworking and dedicated.

For the junior ranks he said, “Promotion is not meant for the senior officers alone. I am made to understand that by today, 2, 900 soldiers have been promoted and more soldiers will be promoted as soon as documentation are verified between now and next month. ""10, 000 soldiers have also been recommended for promotion by their various Commanders and this will be looked into as a way of motivating hard working and highly trained personnel to continue to put in the utmost to service of their fatherland.’’

NNPC borrows N234bn to pay fuel debts

L

AGOS — THE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has obtained a $1.5 billion (N234 billion) syndicated loan to help it pay debts to international fuel traders, a senior banking source with knowledge of the deal said, yesterday.

The deal struck at the end of last year is seen as crucial to easing the burden on big commodity traders, who were facing the prospect of painful multi-million dollar write-offs, oil trading sources told Reuters.

The loan, provided by several Nigerian and international banks and

brokered by Standard Chartered, will be paid back over five and half years. The NNPC has put up 15,000 barrels per day of its oil production as collateral, the source said.

Standard Chartered and the NNPC declined requests for official comment.

8—Vanguard , TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

Gunmen slaughter police woman in Maiduguri

A

female police officer resident in Jiddari Polo area of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital was murdered by gunmen suspected to be members of Islamic sect, Boko Haram. This latest incident has thrown the whole area into fear and sadness.

A resident of the area, Ishaku Timbi told newsmen on phone that, “Somebody called this morning and said that my late brothers’ wife was slaughtered, but I don’t think the female police officer killed was my brother’s wife even though I could not get her on phone since yesterday.

I know that she left the area and relocated to metro police barracks with her children. I am also aware that there are three female police officers in that area.

I hope I got my late brother’s wife on phone and I will let you know as I am currently out of the state since December 16, 2012 because of these killings.”

Also another resident, Usman Sani told newsmen that people in the area are currently relocating because of the unfortunate situation.

Fulani, Gwari clash: Police arrest 25

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE

A

BUJA—COMMIS SIONER of Police in Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mr. Aderenle Shinaba, said yesterday that 25 people have been arrested over the recent clash between Fulani herdsmen and Gwari farmers which led to the death of two people at Gwako, Gwawalada Area Council, of Abuja.

Shinaba stated this while answering questions from newsmen at the presentation of the report of the 19man committee set up by the Minister of FCT, Alhaji Bala Muhammed, to investigate cause of the clash.

It would be recalled that on December 30, 2012, there was a clash between the Fulani and Gwari communities at Gwako Village, Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

Late submission of 2013 budget blamed on politics, bureaucracy

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

A

BUJA—THERE are strong in dications that submission of the 2013 budget passed by the National Assembly last December has been delayed due to bureaucratic and political reasons.

It was gathered that the Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Abubakar Maikasua, whose responsibility is to submit bills passed by the legislature to the Presidency for the President’s assent has not yet handed over the document for reasons that are not yet clear.

However, a source at the National Assembly has revealed that the delay may be attributted to the Yuletide holidays which affected tempo of work in the National Assembly.

Another source told Vanguard that submission of the document has been delayed as a result of the conciliatory efforts of Senate President, Senator David Mark to settle rift between the House and the Presidency over a clause in the budget concerning the fate of the Securities Exchange Commission, SEC. The House had refused to allocate funds for the running of SEC in 2013 and also introduced a clause in the fiscal document barring SEC from spending any fund accruing to it until it is appropriated by the National Assembly.

It would be recalled that the House had earlier in the year adopted a resolution demanding for the sack of the S E C

Director General, Ms Arunma Oteh on the ground that she lacked the requisite qualification to head the commission. The House’s resolution has so far been ignored by the Presidenc y .

Reacting to insinuations in some quarters that the House embarked on vendetta against

the SEC DG while speaking to newsmen about the development recently, the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Media, Victor Ogene said it was laughable for anybody to suggest that the Green Chamber was waging war against the SEC DG as a result of allegations of bribery

she earlier levelled against Herman Hembe, Chairman of the House Committee on Capital M a r k e t .

Hon. Ogene pointed out that the House had already initiated investigations into the activities of S E C before Oteh made her allegations against Hembe.

From left; Minister of State for Education, Mr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Perm Sec, Ministry of Education, Dr. MacJohn Nwabiala and Director Procurement, Ministry of Education, Mallam Shehu Aliyu during a meeting with contractors handling the construction of libraries in Federal Unity Colleges, Almajiri schools and special girl-child schools across the country in Abuja.

Intrigues, subtle battle as PDP elects BoT chair

BY GBENGA OKE

T

HE Peoples Democratic Par ty, PDP, will today in Abuja elect a new Chairman of the Board of Trustees, BOT, for the party. Those angling to occupy the PDP top seat are former Vice President Alex Ekwueme who is 80 years; former Minister of Works, Chief Tony Anenih (79); former PDP National Chairman, Dr. Ahmadu Ali (76); former Senate President Ken Nnamani (64); Publisher of Champion Newspapers, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (70); former Minister of Petroleum, Don Etiebet 68; former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Chief Shuaibu Oyedokun, who is also above 70 years.

One of the contenders told Vanguard that the candidates met and agreed on a low-key but intense underground campaigns after which they would support whomever emerges as the winner.

Said the the high-ranking aspirant: “As you can see, all the contestants for the position of BoT

are elderly people and we are not children of yesterday to be washing our dirty linens on the pages of newspapers.

So we are all going to this contest after doing a well

grounded job among other members of the BOT within the party.

“As elders, we believe our party has created a level playing ground for all and we will

support whomever emerges as the BOT chairman today and forge ahead as a party because the party needs our support and trust as elders and founders of the party”.

NAICOM denies report of ailing insurance companies

BY ROSEMARY UNUOHA

N

ATIONAL Insurance Com mission, NAICOM, has denied news reports that insurance companies were embracing mergers and acquisition as a result of heavy debt portfolio and low solvency margins.

NAICOM in reaction to a news report by a national newspaper (not Vanguard), said the story was a figment of the imagination of the reporter.

The newspaper had on Monday reported that the nation’s underwriters had embraced the option of corporate mergers to stay in business because they

were being weighed down by heavy debt portfolio and threats of sanction by their regulatory body and that already, Custodian & Allied Insurance Plc and Crusader Insurance Plc had applied to a high court for approval to merge their operations.

The newspaper claimed that the realignment became necessary following inspectorate reports by NAICOM which observed the insurance companies’ deficiencies relating to their solvency margin.

Specifically, the report indicated that about 10 underwriting firms were very weak and operating below the minimum paid up capital of N3 billion for gen-

eral insurance business, N2 billion for life offices, as a result of sanctions and penalties on outstanding premium/bad-debt, which impacted negatively on the balance sheet and capital base of these companies.

However, NAICOM told Vanguard that insurance companies were embracing option of mergers and acquisition based on their discretion and understanding that such partnerships will be beneficial to business concern in the long run.

Head of Corporate Communications of NAICOM, Mr. Lucky Fiakpa, told Vanguard that the insurance industry was not distressed in any way.

Vanguard , TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013—9

Man shot dead, LAGBUS vehicle set ablaze as pipeline vandals, NSCDC clash

BY EVELYN USMAN, BOSE ADELAJA & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

L

AGOS — TRAGEDY struck yesterday in Majidun-Ilaje area of Ikorodu, Lagos, after a 35-year-old man was shot dead during a violent clash between pipeline vandals and officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

About eight officials of the Corps escaped death by whiskers the previous day, following attempt by some pipeline vandals to set them ablaze, in a bid to avoid being arrested.

However , at the end of a renewed raid at the vandals' hide-out, yesterday, 60 of them were arrested,with the recovery of arms and ammunition from them.

But their arrest was not easy as the suspected vandals reportedly attacked the officials, injuring some of them and destroying their vehicle in the process.

The suspected vandals said to have taken over the area, also smashed windscreens of unsuspecting motorists plying the route.

Among the vehicles destroyed was a LAGBUS which ran into the rampaging vandals. Several persons were said to have been also injured in the process, while others lost their valuables while running for safety.

Report said NSCDC officials stormed the area to effect the arrest of the vandals who were engaged in scooping petroleum product from broken pipelines belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Sunday night.

Residents said they usually came in trucks and big cans to scoop fuel.

But on sighting the officials at about The burnt LAGBUS vehicle (above) and crowd at the scene where a man was allegedly 10p.m. Sunday night, some killed as NSCDC took on vandals in Lagos, yesterday. of the vandals reportedly laid ambush while others remained at the spot, with Shem Obafaiye, said, “The safety. around Majidun area of their hands raised up, suspects were arrested at Ikorodu, moving petroleum But the arrested suspects pretending to own up to the Majidun area in Ikorodu denied having anything to do products and when our men offence. around 12noon . got there, the vandals went on with the attack on the officials.

But as the officials were It was battle for battle rampage and attacked them Meanwhile, the deceased's about to apprehend them, during the arrest, but at the sister, who simply identified to the extent that they almost their members reportedly end, we arrested 60 people. herself as Iya Wariz, said set them ablaze. came out of hiding and Some of my injured men are she gave her late brother, Today (yesterday), we got immediately struck a stick of receiving treatment in the Sule, N1000 note to buy food intelligence report that the matches on some product hospital. The suspects will . “I gave him money to buy vandals were back to the spot. suspected to be petrol which soon be handed over to the food for me at Majidun BusWe reinforced and went back was in front of the officials.

Economic and Financial stop. I waited for several to make arrest. But on getting Spokesman for Lagos State Crime Commission, EFCC. there, they launched an attack hours without seeing him.

Command of the NSCDC, The incident reportedly Later, one of his friends at our men but our men were Kehinde Bada, when caused a hitch in the free flow rushed to tell me that he was able to apply caution. contacted, explained: of traffic as motorists who shot by Civil Defence Confirming the arrest, ‘’Around 10p.m. of yesterday, apparently thought it was a people,” she said and burst Commandant of the state (Sunday) some pipeline robbery operation, abandoned into tears. command of the NSCDC, vandals were operating their vehicles and fled for When Vanguard visited the scene at about 1 p.m. yesterday, several shops were still shut, with some of the traders' wares charged before Justice

BY INNOCENT ANABA as its representative in the new littered all over the Okechukwu Okeke. charge, settling issue of who ground.

ATIONAL AGENCY Adeyemo Abiodun, Egbele represents the company on the A man who claimed to for Food and Drug Austin Eromosele and Barewa new charge after the death of be an apprentice to the Administration and Control, Pharmaceutical Limited, were reits Managing Director. late Sule, Josuah, told NAFDAC, yesterday, re- arraigned following the The old charge containing Vanguard that his boss arraigned three suspects withdrawal of the earlier charge the name of the deceased was was not a vandal. before a Federal High Court by NAFDAC, which contained later on struck out by the court According to him, “my sitting in Lagos, over the the name of the late Managing and the new charge, a sixboss was on his way to manufacture and distribution Director of the company, count one, was thereafter, read buy food when the Civil of an adulterated teething Gbadegesin Okunlola. out to the three accused Defence man sighted mixture, My Pikin, which At yesterday's hearing, persons, who pleaded not him and shot him in the allegedly killed no fewer than NAFDAC’s counsel, told the guilty to all the counts, and head twice.

80 children in the country. court that the company had further trial was adjourned till The accused persons were agreed to use Egbele Eromosele, February 25, 26, 27 and 28.

My Pikin: NAFDAC re-arraigns 3 suspects

N

Lagos Assembly warns social media users

BY EBUN SESSOU

L

AGOS — LAGOS State House of Assembly has cautioned followers on social media, especially Lagosians using the medium,concerning fraud allegations leveled against the Lagos State Speaker , Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji.

The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy, Security and Publicity, Lagos State House of Assembly, Segun Olulade, who cautioned followers on social media, said some “misguided elements” are capable of tarnishing the image of the Speaker.

Olulade said that dragging the reputation of the Speaker of the House of Assembly in the mud through the use of bad reports in the prints and on the social media, will not only give the Speaker bad image but the state at large.

Navy hands over 15 Russian crew members to Police

BY EVELYN USMAN

L

AGOS — THE NIGERIAN Navy yesterday, handed over the 15-man Russian crew members of MV Myre Seadiver ship, which was arrested on the nation’s waters for carrying arms four months ago, to the Nigeria Police for further investigation.

Recovered on the Merchant Vessel marked E5U2529, were 14 AK 47 arms with 3,643 ammunition and 22 Benelli MR1 20 Barrel rifles with 4, 955 ammunitions.

The handover, however, contradicts earlier report accredited to the Russian ministry that the crew members had been released, after a telephone conversation between both countries.

During investigation by the Navy, it was established that the ship was in the Nigerian waters without permission.

10—Vanguard , TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

Why I ventured into education, established a varsity —Ade Ojo

BY DAYO DOHNSON

A

KURE —CHAIRman of Toyota Nigeria Limited and the Founder of Elizade University in Ondo State, Chief Michael Ade Ojo, yesterday, gave reason why he ventured into the education sector by establishing a university.

Chief Ojo said that the venture was not to make money.

According to him, the economic gain was not the reason why I decided to build the university but I am on a mission to contribute to the revamping of the education sector of the country.

He said this while addressing pioneer students of the school during their orientation programme in Ilara Mokin.

Chief Ojo said: “I have always said it that this university was not built because I want to make money; if I want to make money, I know many better and easier ways of making money.

"But this university is in line with my vision, we are on a rescue mission.”

German agric experts commence training of Osun youth A TEAM of German ex perts on agriculture from the State of Saxony Anhalt, Germany, on Monday, commenced the training of youths of Osun State as part of the comprehensive programmes of the Rauf Aregbesola administration to revolutionalise agriculture.

This training came as a result of the earlier visitation by delegates from Osun State in May last year which was followed by visit of experts from Germany in November last year.

These later crystalised into this segment of collaboration of youth exchange, that is going to be in three phases.

Oyo is difficult to govern —Ajimobi

BY OLA AJAYI

I

BADAN —GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State yesterday admitted that the state was a difficult one to govern.

He said it is the state that harbours “largest party of lies” and a place where you help one person and the remaining nine are offended.

He said this at the interreligious prayer session held to usher in Year 2013 at the Governor’s Office Car Park, Secretariat, Ibadan.

“It is difficult for someone to rule this state. It is in Oyo State that you have the largest party of lies. No matter how good you are, you will have enemies and friends”, the governor explained.

He added that as nobody is perfect, his government has its own faults but all of them are done in good faith.

The prayer which was well attended by politicians, civil servants, and many other notable people in the state also served as beacon of hope for workers as the governor said many times that it would be a “pay back year” for the workers.

He commended them for absorbing all the challenges, pressures and “tsunami of change” that his administration introduced to make them better.

Ajimobi said: “For you to have been able to withstand the pressure that we have brought to bear on you; for you to have survived our shocking treatment and the pyramid of checks and balances, rest assured that this year is your year of reward.

“We have demanded a lot from you and you have given us; and for those of you who have survived the tsunami of change which was aimed at instilling discipline in the system and making

the civil service service-oriented, you will be adequately compensated,” he promised.

While giving glory to God for being with his administration, the civil servants and

the entire people of the state, Governor Ajimobi said but for God, his efforts at transforming and repositioning the state would have been insignificant. The head of of the religious service, Alhaji Taju-

*From left: Chief Moses Adeyemo, Deputy Governor, Oyo State; Gov. Abiola Ajimobi, Senator Ayo Adeseun and Justice Badejoko Adeniji, Chief Judge of the state, at an interdenominational new Year service for Oyo State civil servants in Ibadan, yesterday.

One dies, 14 injured in Ogun auto crash A

BEOKUTA— A middle-aged woman whose identity was unknown on Monday was killed while 14 other persons sustained serious injury in an accident that occurred at Awowo Village on Abeokuta-Lagos expressway in Ewekoro LGA of Ogun State.

Confirming the accident, the Itori Unit Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Fatai Bakare said the accident, involving 18 persons, happened when a passenger bus marked LAGOS XT 788 FKJ had one of its tyre burst and

subsequently lost control.

The Unit Commander added that the remains of the middle-aged woman had been deposited at the mortuary of the same hospital.

“We want everyone to know the importance of using the correct spare parts for their vehicles, buying used tyres will not help anyone.

“It is true that they are cheap but your life is not cheap and you should not die trying to cut cost. It is important to buy new tyres.

“Most used tyres had expired and that it is what our commercial drivers use, it is nothing but suicide mission to be using Tokunbo tyres, “ he said.

Detecting, preventing diseases among flood victims, our mandate — Taskforce

O

SOGBO — FOLLOWING last year flood disaster that ravaged some parts of the country, the Minister of health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu has

NANS threatens protest over TASUED

BY DAUD OLATUNJi

A

deen Aremu had earlier in his welcome address urged civil servants to key into the blueprint of the government for the successful implementation of Ajimobi's laudable programmes.

BEOKUTA —The National As sociation of Nigerian Students (NANS) has threatened to take to the streets if Ogun State governor goes ahead with his plan to merge Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, with Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), AgoIwoye.

The NANS National Public Relations Officer, Clement Olusegun, who stated this at a meeting with union leaders at the school campus, said the entire Nigerian students were against the government’s policy.

It will be recalled that state Commissioner for Education had last February said the first University of Education in the country would become a faculty under OOU, which was being funded by the state government.

The governor had, while presenting the 2013 budget to the state House of Assembly, also included the 2013 budget of the school un-

der that of the OOU. Olusegun wondered why a university, which enjoyed full accreditation of the National Universities Commission (NUC), would be scrapped due to paucity of fund.

“The governor should desist from his planned merger or scrapping of TASUED with OOU because the decision was not popular.

However, if the governor did not reverse his resolution to merge the University of Education with OOU, all students would take to streets”, he said.

Also speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the state Joint Campus Committee of NANS, Comrade Adetola Awobotu, reiterated the support of the committee towards the cause.

The Student Union President of the school, Comrade Oluwafemi Adeniyi, described the action of the governor as an attempt to frustrate all efforts made by the previous administration in the state towards improving the standard of education in the state.

set up a taskforce on management of the problem with specific mandate for health intervention.

The head of a four man taskforce of technical officers deployed to Osun State, Dr. Akin Oyemakinde said in Osogbo yesterday that the Ministry of Health was concerned about the waves of recent flood disasters across the country and the consequent disease incidence among internally displaced persons.

According to him, as a result of this the ministry was committed to prompt detection, control and future prevention of this scourge while also making efforts to mitigate its consequences.

Also, the task force is expected to identify the pattern of injuries, disabilities, mobility and mortality as a result of the flood.

Vanguard, TUESDAY TUESDAY,, JANUARY 8, 2013—11

Lori-Ogbebor warns against kidnap of judges in Delta

BY DAPO AKINREFON

P

ROMINENT Itsekiri leader, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, has said that unless urgent steps were taken to tackle the increase in kidnap of judges in Delta State, it might lead to anarchy in the state.

Chief Ogbebor has, meanwhile, called on the Inspector-General of Police, Chief of Defence Staff and National Judicial Council, to wade into the spate of kidnap of judges in the state.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos, yesterday, she expressed worry over the continued kidnap of judges in Delta State who were about delivering judgment on pending cases, saying, “this might result to anarchy and if not curbed, will throw the state into a state of confusion because some influential persons in the state will not want the confusion to end.

“I had to call for an investigation into the situation where judges are being kidnapped especially when the first in the series, the kidnap of Justice Okon, happened. Justice Okon was kidnapped when he was on his way to give judgment in the suit seeking an injunction, which Okere community brought to stop Delta State Government from building on their land. Justice Okon was on

his way to court when he was kidnapped. Justice Azinage was to be kidnapped but was lucky as he ran away and was absent from the court for two months. It has happened again. Justice Mukoro was on his way to court to handle a case instituted by oil produc-

ing communities in Itsekiri, when he narrowly escaped being kidnapped and killed. He has since gone out of circulation fearing, for his life. This matter has since been adjourned.

“The irony here is that the two cases of kidnap of these judg-

es are over matters involving two Itsekiri communities. When the Okere people instituted their case, Justice Okoh was in charge of the case, but upon his release by his kidnappers, Justice Mukoro took over the case.”

Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Lady Valerie Ebe (right), with the Catholic Bishop of Uyo Diocese, Bishop Joseph Ekuwem, during the 2013 Diocesan New Year Prayer and Fasting Assembly organized by the Diocese in Uyo.

Don’t sack workers without pension, court orders Delta govt

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A

SABA—A DELTA State High Court sitting in Asaba, has restrained the Delta State Head of Service, HOS, from disengaging workers from the state civil service without their pension.

Trial judge, Justice G. BrikiOkolosi, granted the order, followed a motion ex-parte by some aggrieved workers, numbering 1,000, who felt threatened that their jobs were on the line following a circular by the state Head of Service, Mr. Okey Ofili, over their planned

disengagement.

The plaintiffs, V. O. Ogeh and Ost Agoma, suing for themselves and on behalf of all workers of Delta State Civil Service, who are affected by the nonpensionability of the state government policy, had sought for an order restraining the defendants, either by themselves, agents, privies, surrogates, successor in office or any other persons whosoever, from giving effect to the said circular issued by the HOS or dismissing, removing, terminating or retiring the claimants/applicants from Delta State Civil Service.

Defendants in the suit are the Governor of Delta State, state Attorney-General, Delta State Government and Delta State Civil Service Commission.

The court, in its ruling, said: “In the light of the above, it is hereby, ordered that the defendants be restrained in the terms of the prayer on the motion paper from giving effect to the circular No. HOS. ED.172/163, issued by the HOS, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”

Why I retired Perm Sec —Oshiomhole

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—GOVER NOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, explained why the Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Environment was retired, just as he advised civil servants in the state to provide creative leadership in their various ministries.

The governor, who held a meeting with Per-

manent Secretaries in the state at Government House, Benin City, urged them to reflect on the challenges of providing good governance in the state.

He said the retired Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Environment and Public Utilities gave out the Kings Square premises in the heart of the city to a multinational to do business for 31 days at a ridiculous rate of N300,000 throughout

the duration.

“I have a duty and obligation to explain why we had to retire the permanent secretary in Ministry of Environment and hope that this will guide you on how you manage your ministries.

We are all at the mercy of the Edo people and we would have our jobs secured to the extent that we are able to manage our various portfolios to give our people maximum benefit.”

I’ll partner youths to create prosperity —Abe

S

ENATOR Magnus Abe, representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, yesterday, said he would partner youths with good ideas in the district to create prosperity.

Speaking during the second annual interactive session with youths in the district in Bera, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Senator Abe called for ideas that would add value to their existence.

He said: “The things that are important to you are the things that are important to me, because your progress, prosperity, happiness and wellbeing give me satisfaction. There is no house I would build, no car I would drive, that would give me more happiness than to see that my people are happy. So, we must work together. That is the message I have.”

Cleric predicts tribulation, conflict

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—ARCHMINISTER of God’s Kingdom Mission, Mr. Roland Ogene, has said that the present time would herald impending tribulation and conflict that the world has never known.

Ogene, in his homily during the 2012 Christian Feast of Tabernacles, charged Christians to understand the present times, adding that the close of this age would bring an end to all evil in the world.

He said: “No human war, no matter how sophisticated or destructive the weapons are, can be compared to it. It will be worse than Noah’s flood, which destroyed all earthly creatures. The Armageddon will be total and final for evil in the earthly realm as well as in the spirit, visible and invisible.”

Noting that the coming battle of the great day of God Almighty will defy human comprehension, he said there was no way the present evil world would escape God’s judgment.

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY TUESDAY,, JANUARY 8, 2013

Two pastors jailed 10yrs over illegal banking

BY SONI DANIEL

T

WO pastors, Glory Abrefera and Rev. Vincent Okpogo, were yesterday sentenced to 10 years imprisonment each for operating an illegal bank in Warri, Delta State, thereby forcing innocent depositors to lose their money.

An Abuja High Court, presided over by Justice Buba, found the accused persons and their company, Mustard Seed Micro Investment Limited, guilty on a four-count charge of carrying out banking practice without licence.

The accused persons were said to have, between 2006 and 2007 in Warri, Delta State, engaged in illegal banking practice without the re-

quired banking licence, thereby committed an offence contrary to section 2(2) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, Cap B3, Vol 2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The charge read: “That you, Pastor Glory Okeoghene Abrefera, Reverend Vincent Okpogo and Mrs. Nonye Abrefera (still at large) while being directors of Mustard Seed Micro Investment Limited, between 2006 and 2007 at Warri, Delta State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, knowingly consented to the carrying on of banking business without a valid licence by the company and thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections (2) and 49(1)of the Banks

and other Financial Institutions Act Cap B(3), Vol 2, laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

The men were arrested following a petition by some of the depositors to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, detailing their dubious activities.

EFCC subsequently investigated the activities of the fake bank and arraigned the suspects in 2011.

Counsel to EFCC, G. K. Latona, described the judgment as a milestone in Nigerian judiciary. He said it was the first time that persons were convicted for carrying out banking practice without licence, adding that the judgment would serve as a deterrent to others.

FG to expedite action on E-West Road

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

A

BUJA—THE Fed eral Government has promised to expedite action on the dualiastion of the East-West

Road and other developmental projects ongoing in the Niger Delta.

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, who dis-

Airhiavbere vs Oshiomhole: S-Court slates Friday for judgment

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA—THE Su preme Court, yesterday, adjourned till Friday to determine whether it will be proper to compel Governor Adams Oshiomohole of Edo State to prove the authenticity of his educational qualifications before the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in the state.

A seven-man panel of Justices of the apex court fixed the date for judgment after they heard two separate appeals that were filed by Oshiomohole, who is challenging the verdict of an Appeal Court sitting in Benin.

The appellate court had in its judgment on an application by candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the July 14, 2012, governorship election in Edo State, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd.), ordered a retrial of the petition

querying Oshiomhole’s primary and modern school qualifications.

PDP candidate had contended that Governor Oshiomohole was not eligible ab-initio to contest both the 2007 and 2012 gubernatorial elections, insisting that the certificates he (Oshiomohole) used to secure clearance from Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, were bogus.

Airhiavbere argued that Oshiomhole was not eligible to contest the election on grounds of his academic qualification, as provided for in the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.

Though the Tribunal led by Justice Suleiman Ambrusa, had in a judgment it delivered on September 27, dismissed the contention of the petitioner as baseless, however, the appellate court, on November 15, 2012, maintained that PDP candidate’s application had merit and should be heard de-novo (afresh).

closed this in Abuja, assured people of the region that the current administration was committed to the transformation, especially, in the area of infrastructural development.

He said President Goodluck Jonathan was determined to see that after his tenure, the people of Niger Delta will beat their chests and say, indeed, government came, promised and delivered.

He said: “I think so far, I can say that we are on track, and will deliver to the people of Niger Delta and Nigerians in general.

“Mr. President has also approved a Council on Niger Delta, which will formally meet soon for the first time to discuss how far we have gone, where we are now and where we should be. We have also developed a framework where stakeholders would come together to put their resources in one basket to see what we can do.

“The essence is to ensure that projects are not duplicated, resources are managed well and United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, is acting on behalf of the donor agencies and other bodies that are interested in developing the Niger Delta. That frame work is ready and will be presented to the Council of Niger Delta.”

Vanguard , TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013 —13

Imo PDP chair carpets ISIEC over planned LG poll

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—IMO State leader ship of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has described the proposed plan by the State Independent Electoral Commission, ISIEC, to conduct local government poll as a ruse.

State Chairman of the party, Chief Eze Duruiheoma, SAN, stated this while reacting to the announcement issued by the commission’s Chairman, Mr. Teddy Obi Akwari.

He wondered how ISIEC could go on with the planned local government election when there was a valid court order to the contrary, adding that going ahead with the plan was tantamount to fleecing unsuspecting citizens.

“There is a subsisting judgment of the Court of Appeal. This valid judgment is contrary to the current stand of ISIEC and it stands to reason that anybody talking about local council election in April is talking nonsense,” Duruiheoma said.

The Imo PDP boss affirmed that he would not encourage the party’s followership to buy forms as

Corruption, incompetence, bane of devt —Ekiti varsity VC

BY TONY EDIKE

E

NUGU—VICE-Chancellor of the Federal University, OyeEkiti in Ekiti State, Prof Chinedu Nebo, yesterday, reviewed the nation’s experience since the inception of democracy in 1999 and identified what he described as “twin-evil” of corruption and incompetence as the major challenges retarding development in the country.

Delivering the 20th anniversary lecture of Agape Bible College, Enugu, Prof Nebo, who was Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, said until Nigeria started respecting competence and expertise in the choice of its leaders, it would continue to totter.

He expressed dismay that the nation had sacrificed competence on the altar of federal character which bred mediocrity, noting that efforts must be made to change the situation because, according to him, it will be unthinkable for Nigeria to remain backward 14 years after it commenced the present democracy.

The Vice-Chancellor spoke on the theme, “The Role of Theological education in the development of the nation and whole man.”

what ISIEC plannned to do was an exercise in futility.

“I will not encourage PDP loyalists to purchase the purported electoral forms. What Imo State Government and its ISIEC management are plan-

ning remains an exercise in futility,” Duruiheoma said.

He said there couldn’t be any validly conducted local council election unless there was a contrary judgment by a properly constituted law court.

He said: “PDP will readily boycott any such exercise in the state, if ISIEC decides to flout the Court of Appeal judgment and go ahead to conduct election.”

TITLE: From left: Former Minister of Foriegn Affairs, Chief Dubem Onyia; ASUU Chairman, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Chief Gab Agwu and wife, Edna, during Chief Agwu’s Ozor title, at Ngwo, Enugu State, Sunday.

Motorists task FG on failed Enugu-PH Expressway

U

BY ANAYO OKOLI

M UA H I A — M O T O R ISTS and commuters plying Enugu-Okigwe-Umuahia-Aba-Port Harcourt road have appealed to the Federal Government to complete the rehabilitation work on the road began shortly before the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The Federal Government deployed Julius Berger to repair the badly deteriorated Okigwe-Umuahia portion of the road.

Though final work has not been done on the road, the company made it motorable to the happiness of motorists and commuters.

Motorists and commuters who spoke to Vanguard, commended the Federal Government for working on the road but urged that the road be repaired permanently as result of its importance to the economic growth of the South East, South South and entire nation.

“We are happy that the road, especially the Enugu-Okigwe area has been repaired. The Okigwe-Umuahia area is also manageable.

“We are happy that it is Berger that is doing this area because it was the worst area. We pray that Berger will continue the work and complete it.

“Our vehicles suffered so much last year on this road.

We hope that they will not abandon it again.

“We appeal to the President to ensure that the road is completed, because there are so areas that are still very bad on the Okigwe-Umuahia axis.

“So we hope that they will be completed and the other area asphalted by Berger,” a driver who simply gave his name as Emeka said.

For an Abuja returnee, Egbu Onuoha, who came home to celebrate the Christmas and New Year with his people in Umuahia, it was thing of joy to see the road rehabilitated even though it is not yet completed.

....As cleric urges FG to tackle insecurity

A

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

WKA—THE Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese in Anambra State, Most Reverend Hilary Okeke, has called on governments in the country to do everything humanly possible to find a solution to the problem of insecurity in the country.

The cleric, who spoke at Nnewi, regretted a situation where Nigerians had become insecure in their fatherland, saying there was need for

government to evolve better ways of ensuring the security of lives and property.

His words: “In the North, it is Boko Haram. In the South, it is kidnapping and militancy and it appears that government is handicapped in controlling the situation. It is not brute force that should be used in fighting these problems as the method has not proved to be useful.

“Government must use high tech intelligence network to be

able to isolate core people who are dedicated in handling security matters. It is not by amassing armoured tanks that merely intimidate people that can solve this menace.”

The Bishop also condemned those he called microwave preachers who emphasize on miracles among Christians without building on their faith, regretting that even some Catholics were involved in it.

Imo to appoint 15 judges, 20 magistrates

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—IMO State government said yesterday that arrangements had reached advanced stages for the appointment of 15 new high court judges and 20 magistrates.

The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Soronnadi Njoku, who disclosed this in Owerri, also explained that the measure was aimed fast-tracking the administration of justice in the state.

“Arrangements have reached advanced stages for the recruitment of 20 magistrates and 15 high court judges. This is part of government’s effort at fast-tracking the administration of justice in the state”, Chief Njoku said.

According to the Attorney General, government has initiated the construction of an ultra modern court complex in Owerri.

ACN moves to resolve crisis in S-East

BY VINCENT UJU-

MADU

A

WKA—SOUTH East leaders of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, have met in Awka, Anambra State, to resolve the leadership crisis rocking the party in Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu states.

The meeting, which was at the instance of the senator representing Anambra Central senatorial zone, Dr. Chris Ngige, was also aimed at strengthening the party for future elections.

At the end of the meeting, which lasted for about five hours, former member of the House of Representatives, Chief Uche Onyeagocha from Imo State was mandated by the zonal working committee to meet with the two factions of ACN in Abia State and harmonize their activities.

14—Vanguard , TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

Osayande canvasses financial autonomy for Police

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—CHAIR MAN of the Police Service Commission, PSC, Mr. Parry Osayande, has canvassed financial autonomy for the Nigeria Police, saying that the Force will perform better if the Inspector- General of Police was allowed to manage funds budgeted for the security organisation.

He said: “The 1999 constitution as amended did not make mention of the Ministry of Police Affairs. I am not against the ministry, what I am saying is that the Inspector-general of Police should be allowed to manage his own funds”.

“There is security in Nigeria; the fact remains that we are oversensitive; we are too impatient and we overreact. It took the United States of America and the United Kingdom several centuries to get the quality of Police they now enjoy.”

Civil servants in Imo resume after 2-week holidays

O

WERRI—CIVIL servants in Imo yesterday resumed work after the two-week Christmas holiday approved for them by the state government from Dec. 21 to Jan. 7.

Reacting to the resumption in Owerri, one of the workers, Mrs Chidinma Ibe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the holiday gave them time to travel without pressure, adding that it was the first of its kind.

She said the holiday enabled the workers to settle family matters as they participated in meetings for the welfare of their various families.

Ibe noted, however, that valuable manpower was lost during the period, especially as it concerned the state government’s activities.

Obi apprehends tanker driver over traffic offence

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

AWKA- A PETROL tanker driver driving against the run of traffic, yesterday, in Onitsha received the shock of life as he cane to face with Governor Peter Obi along the ever busy Onitsha-Owerri federal highway.

Obi, who was on official duty at the time of the incident, personally intercepted the lorry with number plate ENUGU XY260 ENU and other vehicles following it behind.

Typical of Onitsha residents, many people abandoned their businesses and gathered to witness the development, while other vehicles also driving against the flow of the traffic turned back, thereby causing more traffic jam in the area.

The governor, who repeated his earlier warning to motorists and other road users going against the traffic, described the practice as barbaric, adding that it was capable of causing multiple ac-

cidents on the road.

He made it clear that going against traffic often constituted serious threat to

other road users with the attendant traffic congestion.

He charged security op-

FESTIVAL: Traditional Ruler of Enugwu-Ukwu, Igwe Ralph Ekpeh (2nd left), during the 2013 Igu Aro Festival of Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka Local Governmrnt Area, Anambra State, Sunday.

....Assures flood victims of support

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—VARIOUS com munities in Anambra State affected by last year’s flood that ravaged many states in the country have started counting their losses, even as the state governor, Mr. Peter Obi has been assuring them of government support.

Eight local government areas in the state were affected by the flood, with two, Ogbaru and Anambra West, totally submerged.

As the people returned to their various communities after the flood, they came face to face with the reality of the damage done by the flood.\

Most of the houses, schools, local government headquarters and domestic animals were completely destroyed.

Though the 57 communities affected have received N57 million cash and other materials, including farming implements, from the state government to enable them resettle, they have continued to cry that what they lost was so much to bear.

However, Governor Obi, who has been visiting the communities with the materials and cash, has continued to assure them that they would not be abandoned.

Interacting with the people

of Umuikwu Anam in Anambra West local government which was totally submerged during the flood, Obi announced that the state government would commence immediate rebuilding of water schemes destroyed by the flood in the area.

He argued that it was important to give them regular clean water in view of the terrain of the area.

He also explained that government would soon start emergency repairs of Anam-Nzam-Kogi State road which, though was almost being completed, was devastated by the flood.

Hoodlums destroy block of classrooms in Edo

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN CITY—THE new ly-completed block of classrooms at Eyanugie Primary School, Benin City, constructed by the member representing Oredo Federal constituency of Edo State in the House of Representatives, Mr Rasaq Bello-Osagie, has been vandalised by unknown miscreants.

Consequently, angry community members have appealed to security agents to fish out those behind it, just as the lawmaker who reacted on the incident to Vanguard, described the action as wick-

eratives to be alive to their responsibilities to ensure that nobody drove against the traffic on any road in the state.

ed and unacceptable.

The project, which the lawmaker commenced in October 2012, was completed last November and handed over to the lawmaker last December by the contractors upon the completion of the project.

However, Vanguard observed yesterday that the windows of the classrooms which also contained toilets and borehole, located at 2nd East Circular road Benin City, were vandalised by suspected hoodlums.

A youth leader in the area, who identified himself as Osas, told Vanguard that “we

are still in shock over the incident but we are searching seriously for those that destroyed the windows.

Any body who did this don’t appreciate good things and we must get to the root of the matter”.

Reacting also, Bello-Osagie said: “I received the news with shock because I don’t know the motive behind such wicked act.

These are public facilities which should be protected by the constituents who are the beneficiaries of these efforts.”

Petrol tanker drivers suspend fuel supply to Enugu

E

NUGU—PETROLEUM Tanker Drivers Union has stopped the supply of products to Enugu State following the failure of the state government to pay compensation for a demolished filling station.

Chairman of the union in the state, Mr. Friday Nweke, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Enugu, yesterday, that the government demolished a filling station belonging to the union during the expansion of a road in the coal city.

He said: “In 2011, the state government demolished a filling station jointly owned by the union and Cimeco Investments in Coal Camp while expanding the road.

“During a meeting with the state government last year, it promised to compensate us but up till now, the government has not done anything. “We are urging the government to give us another place to build a new station.”

Nweke said the national body of the union suspended the supply of petroleum products to the state pending the government’s reaction to its demand.

“No depot in Nigeria is supplying fuel to Enugu State until the government compensates us,” he said.

Vanguard , TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013—15

BY JOSEPH ERUNKE, EMMANUEL ELEBEKE & JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

A

BUJA—FIRE razed a section of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, headquarters in Abuja, yesterday, causing pandemonium around the Maitama area of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, where it is located, while staff of the commission ran in different directions for safety.

The incident came barely 18 months after a similar one occurred in the office of the commission’s chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, causing destruction to the visitors’ room and some computer sections.

Meanwhile, some staff of the commission have been picked up for interrogation, following the mystery fire.

The staff were arrested following the discovery that, contrary to earlier insinuations, there was no electrical fault that could have caused the incident.

Although, Vanguard could not ascertain the exact number of the staff arrested, it was alleged that those arrested for interrogation were staff working directly in the office of Director, Voters’ Registry.

The suspects were said to have been picked up at 2pm by plain-clothes security men for questioning.

Unlike the previous one, the latest fire did not cause much damage as men of the Federal Fire Service and National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, were on hand to contain the situation.

Fire guts INEC hqtrs zVoter Registry Dept damaged zStaff arrested for questioning Speaking to journalists at the scene of the incident, the Director of Information Communication Technology, ICT, of the commission, Engineer Chidi Nwafor, said no vital document was affected.

Nwafor said: “There was a fire incident this morning. Between 9:12 to 9:30, we started perceiving a smell like something was burning. So what we did was to look for the place. It was in the department they call voter registry.

“Most of us that were around that time had to use the normal fire extinguisher to try to stop the fire and at the same time we called the fire service. The fire service and NEMA came.

As I am talking to you now the fire has been quenched. It was

only one office that was affected.”

INEC officials speak

The ICT director, who disclosed that only office equipment was damaged, said the cause of the fire was yet to be established and that preliminary investigations were ongoing to unravel the cause.

He said: “Let me also say this: our data, sensitive data system, our saver where all the data and operations are kept are intact. Nothing has been damaged. We are still investigating. Just that some office equipment were burnt.”

Corroborating what the ICT Director said, the Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Umenger, said the incident

started in the office of the voters’ registry and ended there.

He said: “The fire outbreak has no effect on the oncoming elections as no data was affected.”

Confirming the development in a statement, NEMA, through its Head of Operations in Abuja Office, Ishaya Chonoko, said: “A fire occurred this morning around 11am, gutting an office in the Annex Building of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, headquarters in Abuja.

“So far only an one office (Office of the Director of Registry) was affected. There was no record of casualty because of the swift response to the distress call.”

30-minute blaze

The fire, which lasted for about 30 minutes, was said to have started at 9am and ended around 9:30am.

Fire razed a building in Gwagwalada, Abuja, Saturday. INSET: Occupants of the affected house.

No going back on same sex marriage ban— Mark

BY JOSEPH ERUNKE

A

BUJA—SENATE Presi dent, David Mark, has told proponents of same sex marriage to bury their dreams as such acts would not be allowed to infiltrate the Nigerian culture.

He said the bill prohibiting the act was already in place, declaring that people found to have violated the law risked 14 years imprisonment.

In a statement from Mr. Paul Mumeh, his Chief Press Secretary, weekend, Senator Mark told Catholic faithful and guests at the civic reception in honour of Cardinal John Onaiyean in Abuja, that it was a criminal offence for

any one to indulge in such an act.

He assured that in spite of pressures from some sections of the international community, including human rights activists, demanding the legalisation of same sex marriage in Nigeria, the law against its practice was irrevocable.

He said: “We will not compromise on this. I want to invite you all to join the crusade of decency in our society. There are many good values we can copy from other societies, but certainly not this one.

“We have to prove to the rest of the world, who are advocates of this unnatural way that we Nigerians promote and respect sanity, morality and humanity.

Every individual is a product

of the union of a man and woman.”

He acknowledged the cordial relationship between the Nigerian state and church and pledged that the National Assembly would continue to do all within the law to ensure religious freedom and peaceful coexistence in the country.

Senator Mark added that the National Assembly would continue to support religious programmes that had positive bearing on Nigerians, but was quick to condemn in the strongest possible terms religious intolerance or extremism.

He enjoined spiritual leaders to continue to pray for good governance, peace and security, which were major chal-

lenges facing the country at present.

In his remarks, Cardinal Onaiyekan expressed appreciation to Pope Benedict XVI, the government and people of Nigeria for their prayers and support, especially since his elevation to the College of Cardinals.

He said he would continue to be a crusader for peace and unity of the nation where every citizen had a sense of belonging.

Earlier, chairman of the reception organising committee, Rev. Father Innocent Jooji, noted that Onaiyekan, as a worthy soldier of Christ, had brought honour to the nation with his elevation to the College of Cardinals.

Be patient, Reps urge Nigerians as Dana resumes flight

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

A

BUJA—HOUSE of Representatives has appealed to aggrieved Nigerians to remain patient as Dana Air resumed flight operations without fully addressing the concerns of the people after the crash of one of its aircraft which killed 156 Nigerians last June.

This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.

It said: “The Committee on Aviation, House of Representatives, notes the displeasure and concerns of Nigerians over the resumption of flights

by Dana Air. “Chairman of the Committee is particularly worried that all issues relating to the crash have not been resolved, including issues of compensation to victims, air safety and sundry issues.

“He, however advises Nigerians to be patient as the House of Representatives is committed to the safety of our airspace.”

The chairman promised that as soon as the House of Representatives resumed next week, the issue would be looked into.

“The concerns, displeasure and opinions of Nigerians will not be brushed aside,” it added.

It would be recalled that the House of Representatives last month adopted the report of the joint committee of the House and the Senate on Aviation, which investigated the crash and recommended the withdrawal of the air operating certificate of Dana Air. The Joint Committee had also recommended that the Director-General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren, be dismissed and prosecuted for negligence.

C M Y K

16—Vanguard , TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

Dakingari swears in new CJ

HARVEST: From left— Mr. Emeka Ugwakome, Chairman, Harvest Planning Committee; Reverend A. DouglasWest, Vicar, St Peter's Anglican Church, Lekki, and Dr. Joseph Abugu, Harvest Chairman, at the annual harvest thanksgiving service of the church in Lekki.

B

IRNIN KEBBI— GOVERNOR Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi State, yesterday, in Birnin Kebbi, swore in Justice Bala Mairiga as the new Chief Judge of the state.

Mairiga had been in the office on an acting capacity for the past three months following the retirement of his predecessor, Justice Ibrahim Umar.

The governor also swore in Justices Sabi’u Bala and Farouk Bunza as High Court Judges.

Dakingari said the swearing-in of Mairiga was in line with the provisions of Section 271(1) of the Constitution.

Bauchi Water Board advocates govt's agencies' synergy

B

AUCHI—BAUCHI State Water Board, BSWB, yesterday, called for closer collaboration between the relevant government agencies to boost service delivery to the people. General Manager of the board, Alhaji Aminu Gitel, who made the call, told newsmen in Bauchi that the synergy would ensure appropriate deployment of infrastructure.

He said such collaboration would be effective in the new areas being developed by the state government.

Stray bullet hits UNIMAID student as JTF, Boko Haram clash

A

student of the University of Maiduguri has been hurt in an exchange of fire in the metropolis between the Joint Task Force, JTF, Operation Restore Order and Boko Haram militants.

A statement by Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, JTF spokesman, said the incident occurred at 5:50am on January 4 at Gwange, when terrorists attacked a JTF location.

The statement said: “During an exchange of fire, a taxi was caught in the cross fire. Unfortunately, a stray bullet hit one of the passengers who is alleged to be a student of University of Maiduguri.

“The injured student in the taxi was escorted to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, where he is receiving medical attention and responding to treatment.”

64 dead, 302 injured in Zamfara road accidents G

USAU—ZAMFARA State Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Sector Commander, Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar, has said that 64 persons died in 102 road traffic accidents involving 121 vehicles in Zamfara during the Ember months last year.

Abubakar made the fact known in an interview with newsmen in Gusau yesterday, pointing out that the situation was in spite of the intensive safe driving public awareness campaign by FRSC. He said 302 persons sustained various degrees of injuries in the accidents and attributed the high death toll to reckless driving by commercial vehicle drivers.

Abubakar decried the reckless attitude of some drivers and recalled how the driver of a Golf car carried 10 passengers and had an accident with a bus carrying 18 passengers. He said all 28 died on the spot. He

urged motorists in the state to strictly observe traffic regulations to reduce the number of accidents.

He said the FRSC had embarked on aggressive awareness campaigns for a change of attitude by commercial ve-

hicle drivers to instill traffic discipline in them. He urged motorists to cooperate with officials of FRSC in their current efforts to ensure safe traffic and security of lives and property on the highways.

Southern Kaduna youths shift ground on Yero, Bajoga SOKAPU, said at a news con- the constitutional right to ap-

S

OUTHERN Kaduna youths have resolved to support Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State and his deputy, Ambassador Nuhu Bajoga after their initial agitation for a young, new breed politician from the area to occupy the position.

Southern Kaduna Local Government chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria and Youth Wing of the Southern Kaduna People’s Union,

ference, yesterday, that they had decided to put the past behind them and support the governor and his deputy.

Chairman of the council, Danjuma Sarki, who spoke at the conference along with the youth coordinator of SOKAPU, Mr. Sabestine Luka, said they decided to sheathe their sword over the controversy that trailed the selection of Bajoga.

He added that in spite of the agitations, Governor Yero had

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

point his deputy following the death of Governor Patrick Yakowa in a helicopter crash last month.

They said the youths had farreaching discussions with the elders who explained why Bajoga was the best choice.

He said: “Ours was an agitation and as you know the constitutional right to select a deputy governor clearly lies with the governor. He can appoint who he deems fit and who he wants to work with.”

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

Nigerians' New Year messages

N

IGERIA will be greater than last year. Although so many issues called for serious worry last year, this year God shall by Himself take away all our worry as a nation, as He has done to me by blessing me with a baby boy yesterday morning.— Mrs. Morayo Iyoke, Housewife.

C M Y K

P

ERPETUAL optimism is false multiplier. Getting into the New Year, we should be optimistic and not cynical. Even in being optimistic, we need to put our government to task and stand up in demand for what is rightfully ours.— Mr. Ralph Nwoke, Lawyer.

I

expect peaceful and joyful co-existence in Nigeria as we journey through 2013. I also expect an elaborate arrangement to ensure corruption is brought to standstill or minimised.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.— Mr. Jimoh Bankole, Retired NPA Official.

I

wish Nigeria a successful New Year and urge the Federal Government to do all that is necessary to put a stop to the Boko Haram menace. My greatest desire is for there to be political stability and accountability in the country in 2013.—Mr. Martins Nwafor, Student.

N

IGERIANS should stand firm against corruption, bad governance, treasury looting and embezzlement in 2013.

These are basically the things pulling the country back. We have to stand together to move this country forward.— Mr. Ayodele Akele, Activist.

W

E should all pray for our President. God revealed to me that there shall be plane crash and house burning this year.

But as a people, we should pray for divine intervention. In fact, this should be a year of prayer for all.—Prophetess Esupufo Lawrence, Cleric.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013 — 17

emergency this year and devise a special means of dealing with it. It is dangerous to allow millions of educated Nigerians to roam the streets in a nation that, ironically, has so much to do. It does not make sense.

The 2013 budget must open the economy for jobs. At the end of the year, the President must be able to tell Nigerians that he has drastically reduced the unemployment line by so-so millions! Anything less will not do.

J

A critical year

T

he way I see things, 2013 will be a very critical year for Nigeria. I am not saying this in the sense of a numerologist or a prophet. The year may still turn out lucky for many, after all. I am saying this simply because Nigerians have taken a lot of beatings.

Nigerians are now at a breaking point!

Nigerians feel betrayed and angry.

President Goodluck Jonathan: Let Transformation begin Every day is a doomsday yet our socalled leaders pretend not to know.

Nigeria is fighting an undeclared war in which every home has been turned into a war front. Death and destruction haunts citizens everywhere. It seems

The CATALAN Cup is not AFCON

S

INCE Super Eagles pulled off a draw in a friendly with the Catalonians, people connected with our football have been celebrating and running their mouths as if we have won the African Cup of Nations! We must snap out of the euphoria and get to work. The culture of celebrating mediocrity could undermine us in South Africa. The team played well, no doubt. But they lacked the killer instinct that makes teams outstanding.

In short, there is work to be done in rebuilding the Super Eagles. We must, therefore, not put undue pressure on Keshi to achieve what took Clemense Westerhoff five years to achieve!

BY PETER OBI

W

Transformation, law and order

Looking ahead and looking back at 2013

ITH a deep sense of gratitude to God and a profound appreciation of your support in 2012, I thank you all. We thank God for seeing all of us through various challenges last year. All our achievements which were recorded within the ambience of peace and political stability last year were possible because you gave unflinching support to our adopted vision of achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, being pursued through the Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS).

I am confident that our administration will continue to enjoy your support and co-operation in 2013.

Nonetheless, it is important to stress that fresh challenges await us this year. On the 18th of December 2012, I presented the 2013 Budget which is my 6th Budget based on our vision of achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and our strategy of Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS). Though we may not achieve 100 per cent of our goals, I assure you, as I have always done, that we shall continue, with your support, to put in 100 per cent effort.

T

to me that our rulers do not get it yet.

When death that hitherto stalked ordinary unprotected Nigerians breaks through the cocoon of the privileged and now assaults them randomly, it is a wakeup call that the nation is in a grave danger. All it may take to ignite the fuse is a little indiscretion on the part of some misguided politicians. So, at the end of this very critical year we want to look back and see how well our politicians understood the situation and how much the government responded to it.

Today the greatest time bomb ticking for this nation is unemployment. The other day I read that 800,000 applicants turned up for a recruitment exercise for 1,500 vacancies. It is possible that at ten different locations in this country on the same day, another 800,000 turned up for jobs that offered no more than 1,000

,

ANUARY 2012 began with an illtimed fuel tax, called removal of fuel subsidy. That act inflamed passion and caused a nationwide conflagration that nearly consumed the government. It seems that in the absence of such drama this year, some people tried to create their own drama by pasting President Jonathan’s campaign posters in some parts of Abuja. If that was meant to create unnecessary crisis for President Jonathan or distract the nation, it simply showed how irresponsible Nigerian politics is. What the authors of that mischief and the media (especially some television networks) that tried to make needless controversy out of it forgot is that it is not yet a crime to have ANY political ambition. It is still a free world here.

Secondly posters pasted in the affluent neighbourhood of Abuja and not all over the country did not deserve the attention, airtime and ink given to them.

What ought to preoccupy us is the sorry state of the nation and the President’s promise to do better this year. The year kicked off with no one certain of the whereabouts of the 2013 Budget. We heard it was with the presidency. We also heard that it was yet to reach the presidency. We yet heard that it was half way to the presidency. That is exactly the problem with Nigeria as a nation! Lack of precision! Nothing is ever precise, specific or certain; not even figures.

The only thing certain here is lawlessness which breeds indiscipline and corruption. Why would a nation not know for sure where its budget is? If we do not know that, how then can we know where the N69 billion padded into the budget by the National Assembly will go or how many jobs it will create? Ours is the only Legislature that uses its power of the purse to pad the budget. Oh, I get reminded often that they are doing their job and that whatever the Executive sends to the National Assembly is a mere proposal which they must not rubber stamp. Good! But they have been doing this and getting away with it simply because they are lucky that Nigerians lack the capacity to track budget spending!

The only pillar that can support transformation and, in fact our democracy, is law and order; law and order is the foundation of any civilised society

,

vacancies. Now the problem is that Nigeria does not have an accurate statistics of its unemployed. From my experience in Imo State where we took steps to tackle this cancer by directly employing 10,000 unemployed graduates, some of these unfortunate Nigerians have been jobless for up to 10 years since graduation. Therefore the President must treat unemployment as a national

OPINION Anambra in 2013

Last year, we took some critical decisions and actions that were intended for the good of our state. This year, we will renew our commitment to achieve the Millennium Development Goals as follows: Security: In spite of our commitment and effort, we realise that we cannot record meaningful achievements in an atmosphere of insecurity. Every attention will therefore be given to security of lives and property this year. To this end, we shall do everything to tackle criminality in the State, especially kidnapping. We shall therefore continue to support all security agencies by direct funding and provision of necessary equipment for their operations. It is interesting to note that as at this moment, we have provided the various security agencies with over 350 vehicles, including the 100 new ones we have just procured.

To further ensure adequate security of our communities, the Government has concluded arrangements to offer direct support to them by paying salaries of a chosen number of Vigilante groups and through the provision of patrol vehicles to all the

he President’s mantra is transformation. Transformation?

Ninety-nine per cent of Nigerians are doing with freewheeling audacity things they dare not do, if they were in a civilised clime. And that means breaking the law. Unfortunately, our rulers are leading the pack of law breakers and all they do is to manipulate the system to escape punishment. By the end of this year, we want to look back and feel satisfied that our laws have been enforced and criminals have been put in jail. We want to look back and find clear evidence that our system is no longer so scandalously porous that trillions of Naira can fly out of pension funds while pensioners are suffering; or billions disappear from the books while roads remain death traps. We want to see our money working for us. The capacity of corruption to fight back must be curbed. Those exposed must not prevail against the whistle blowers!

The only pillar that can support transformation and, in fact our democracy, is law and order. Law and order is the foundation of any civilised society. We want to look back at the end of the year and feel relieved that people no longer break the law with impunity. If Governor Fashola is doing it in Lagos and transforming the state to a model modern state, the Federal Government can, and must do it. It is a matter of will! Criminals must no longer run around the country shooting, blowing up and killing people at random and getting away with it. The primary responsibility of any government is the security of life and property; that is what our constitution said. The President swore an oath to uphold the constitution. He must take steps to protect Nigerians and their property. These issues are far more immediate than campaign posters. These issues are far more important than mud wrestling for power. These are the important issues that may decide who Nigerians vote for in 2015. To attempt to side track these issues to undeservedly capture power will spell doom for Nigeria.

communities in the State. We have ordered and paid for 300 vehicles for this purpose.

The State will procure state-of-the-art tracking equipment to assist security agencies to assist in tackling criminality of all kinds.

Poverty Alleviation: We will continue with our aggressive mission to provide access to wealth creation as a means of fighting poverty by opening up our rural, hard-to-reach communities with good roads. You may recall that availability of roads has facilitated the movement of persons and goods in our State. We shall therefore continue the reconstruction of existing roads, construction of new ones and completion of roads under construction some of which are: AmaseaEbenebe-Awba-Ofemili road; Awka-MgbakwuIsuaniocha-Urum-Amanuke-Achala road; EnugwuUkwu-Nimo-Okacha road; Atani-Ozubulu road with three bridges that will help to reduce traffic into Onitsha.Nza Ozubulu-Afor Ukpor Road, connecting Isseke and Orlu; Uku Adazi-Ani-Nkwo Adazi-Enu Road as well as Umuchukwu road.

Continues on the Viewpoint pg *Being excerpts of the New year speech by Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra State.

C M Y K

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013 Continued from Page 1

Places of Christian worship, entertainment centres, police stations, and army barracks have been most targeted. The Police Headquarters and the United Nations offices in Abuja were attacked.

The October 1 attack in 2010, as Nigeria marked her 50th independence anniversary, was one of the most scandalous of the attacks.

As the destruction continued, particularly the killings in churches, markets, and schools, Nigerians shrunk away from the unity that the country has fought for over the years.

Government’s efforts at halting the insurgency have met with varying degrees of successes, coupled with the inevitable criticisms that flow from allegations of human rights abuses in areas security agencies have mounted operations against the attackers.

Our Constitution recognises the place of security in the well being of Nigerians. It expects government to promote “the security and welfare of the people” to its “primary purpose”. It is unlikely framers of the Constitution had in mind the type of

No W elf are Without Welf elfare Security insurgency the country is passing through, yet the importance of peace and security for development of the country must get its due emphases.

We are all witnesses to how insecurity has held national attention in the past four years.

Governments, always full of excuses, have found in insecurity, enough explanations for not attaining any heights in “the security and welfare of the people.” The situation is not sustainable. It also has vast implications for the future of Nigeria, as the wasted years

are not recoverable.

The national security summit commencing in Abuja today, themed, Addressing Nigeria’s Security Challenges for Sustainable Peace and Development, is Vanguard’s modest contribution to stemming a national challenge that is impeding development and peace. Investments are not feasible in a climate fouled with insecurity.

Vanguard’s motto, “Towards a better life for the people”, crafted almost 29 years ago, 15 years before the Constitution, raises our agenda setting role to direct intervention in issues that can deter “ a better life for the people.”

We did that successfully in 2008 with the South South Legislative Summit, the report of which formed the fulcrum for government’s decisive intervention in the Niger Delta that pulled the economy out of imminent collapse.

Today marks another journey in the search for peace for a better life for our people which security and welfare encapsulate. We invite everyone to join

OPINION

BY ADEWALE KUPOLUYI

A

S I begin another year, I want to thank the Almighty Father for His love, blessings and protection over me and my family in 2012. May I enjoy sound health, prosperity and all it takes to be a good leader, who will passionately determine what the future of many will be.

In as much as I tried to live above board and be responsive to the numerous responsibilities entrusted to me, many still believe that I’m too slow and have not done much and impacted in their lives and the nation.

The people’s misconceptions about me and their dissatisfaction with my leadership style, going by what I hear and read in the media is definitely going to be the needed tonic and the rationale for me to make New Year resolutions – to become a better leader that will be respected by all.

I am also troubled that the people's patience is running out fast. I pray they will not do something drastic and funny in their bid to show their frustration before I begin to act fast and show them that I have something to offer. There is so much resentment, complaint and mistrust in the land.

So, where do I begin from? After all, I am not the only one in the saddle. I have several political appointees and public servants that we are directly and indirectly working together in this leadership thing.

C M Y K

My new year resolutions How do I retain or get the right people – not necessarily politicians who lobby for positions - that will be genuinely committed to serving this depressed country?

Again, how do I sieve-out the wheat from the chaff without offending my benefactors, party and hangers-on that had contributed immensely to getting me into this exalted office that the high and mighty are - day and night, and over the years struggling at all cost to get into?

How won’t I bite the fingers that fed me?

After all, I can’t deceive myself that I got into this post by pure dint of hard work, if not for the mother luck as well as the untiring sacrifice of those that I have now rewarded with one post or the other.

As we have entered into another year, it means I have just roughly about two more years to go. Anyway, I could still prove my mettle and worth. God helping me, this is a resolution I have to make otherwise, my people will not forgive me and this should be the last thing I would ever allow to happen to me.

Apart from the shame that will be too much for me and my family to bear, it could even be a political suicide that will put to rest my burning hope to come back in 2015, even though I have not made my intention known to the public.

Oh! I am even a man of over 50 years of

age. I should know what I want. I have to show this and even prove to those cynics that claim that I’m too weak to take firm decisions.

To begin with, I will reshuffle my cabinet.

I will send those appointees away that have not added value to my government. I don’t need many aides that will be a burden to the purse of my fatherland. I will fish for men and women of proven integrity, irrespective of sentiments and put the square peg in a square hole. It will no longer be business as usual.

I

will talk less, act more and damn the consequences this time around and chose only those who can perform and deliver the dividends of democracy to the citizens that are already traumatised and are dying in droves on a daily basis from abject poverty, hunger, squalour, common diseases and absence of basic necessities of life, occasioned by bad governance.

I will no longer rely purely on the statistics and sweet talks being churned out to me on a daily basis that all is well with my people when in actual fact, this is not so. Honesty has become a strange word to my countrymen. This has to change because this country is blessed with rich and abundant resources that could make the difference in the life of a country that ought to be swimming in wealth.

Maybe, we should reduce our action ‘agenda’ to fewer and realistic targets that will be easy to implement and realise their objectives within the few months that we just have left behind?

I think we should begin with power due to the strategic role it is capable of playing in accelerated national development because the current transmission level is an embarrassment. It is worrisome that even smaller countries do better. Genuine efforts will be made in generating, transmission and distribution of electricity.

The appalling security situation will be given the urgent attention. The myriads of sectarian crises that had led to the death of hundreds of our people and the destruction of property worth millions of national resources should be stopped. This shameful and barbaric episode is giving us a bad name among comity of nations.

The ugly trend is just like cancer that drives genuine investors away to more conducive climes. Our law enforcement agencies will be given a reorientation and better equipped to discharge their statutory duties irrespective of whose ox is gored.

Continues tomorrow on pg 18

*Mr. Kupoluyi ,wrote from Federal Varsity of Agric., Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013 — 19

, W

HAT is the context of the present security condition of society in Nigeria? Is it one of continuity from the colonial to the post colonial or is it one of transition between the colonial and the post colonial? The process of decolonisation in Nigeria was one of change of the officeholders of the British colonial government. The statecraft of the Nigerian Independence Politicians, or more cryptically phrased, the Nigerian Political Class, from Independence to the present has been one of governance adaptation of the institutions of British Administration for the colony of Nigeria. Independence was instituted by both Britain and colonial Nigeria as succession in office. In the gallery of succession in the offices of heads of ministries or agencies, there is first the picture of the last British Office holder and then the picture of the first Nigerian successor.

When the constitution says there shall be for the Federation a

Nigerian Police Force, an Armed Forces for the Federation, or a Government for the Federationthe context of these stipulations is the pre-constitutional existence of these institutions. There is already in existence the Police for the colony of Nigeria prior to the prescription for a police by the constitution. It is this Police for the colony of Nigeria that becomes on October 1st, 1960 the Nigeria Police Force; ditto for the Government for the colony of Nigeria September 30th, 1960 that becomes the Government for the Federation of Nigeria October 1st 1960.

The 1999 Constitution which apparently establishes de novo the Police for the Federation therefore assumes the existence of the Nigeria Police Force, an inherited Police Force which is adapted for the implementation of Section 214 of the Constitution. The point? It is that while the language of the framers of the Nigerian Constitution is that of transition between the

,

British Colonial Order and the Post Independence Political Order, the fact is that of continuity; the British Government for Colonial Nigeria is adapted by the framers of the Nigerian Constitution as the Constitutional Government for Independent Nigeria.

Nigerian Independence is thus not an outcome of Regime Change.

R

egime Change as instituted by the American-NATO Forces in Saddam Hussein Iraq and in Taliban Ruled Afghanistan and is the case in the present Post Ghaddafi Libya and could be the outcome of the ongoing civil war in Syria, involves a foundationto-roof replacement of one regime of power by another regime. It involves the

Anambra in 2013 Continues from pg 17

BY PETER OBI

W

E have initiated and will initiate more projects which will go a long way in alleviating poverty through employment and creation of opportunities for our people.

Consequently, we have initiated some projects which when completed, will employ our people, such as the Onitsha Hotel and Convention Centre, and the shopping Mall at Onitsha. We shall also start the Hotel projects at the Capital Territory as well as Agulu Lake.

Fortunately, industries that have successfully taken off in our State are all contributing to poverty-alleviation through employment of our people. We have concluded discussion with some other companies desirous of setting up shop here.

Education: As education has remained the best investment for the future of our society and children, we shall, in collaboration with the Church and vocational agencies, continue the aggressive rebuilding of our collapsed school infrastructure. We shall also ensure that our Universal Basic Education remains free and

compulsory. As we are working towards the return of our schools to their past glory, we shall endeavour to train and re-train qualified teachers.

Health: We shall intensify our partnership with the Church in the area of healthcare delivery. As part of our Millennium Development Goals Programme, we are executing over 30 buildings in different Missionary hospitals. We shall complete the projects and initiate more this year.

In line with our promise to secure the accreditation of three hospitals in the State, having achieved two, we shall work on the third one. We shall also continue our policy of offering regular financial support (grant-in-aid) to selected hospitals in the State.

We shall continue to pay attention to our new Teaching Hospital by providing more equipment and facilities to make it one of the best in the country. Special attention will also be paid to our General Hospitals to make all of them functional. I have given necessary directives to the new Commissioner for Health in this regard.

We shall also work closely with the communities to ensure that our

replacement of the old political order by a new political order.

Between the overthrow of the old order and its replacement by a new order, there is a transition that describes the process of replacement.

Nigerian Independence and Post Independence politics was and has not been a regime change politics. An old order, the British order for the colony Nigeria, had and is still being adapted because it was the decision of the Founding Fathers of Independent Nigeria to adopt and to adapt the British Order for the Colony of Nigeria as the order for Independence Nigeria. It is the British Colonial Order For Nigeria that has been adopted as the Nigerian Political Order. The present security challenges facing the Nigerian Government are thus challenges that define the limits of the adaptability of the British state for the colony for post colonial constitutional governance of Nigeria.

The Nigerian Political Class has “managed” to use the colonial state to resolve threats to government including the gravest security challenge of the 1967-1970 Civil War, without seriously addressing the fact that the colonial government of the colony was for the subjection and pacification of a conquered population comprising the colony of Nigeria. The Nigerian Political Class has addressed the issue of an Independence for a Sovereign People of Nigeria only in the preamble of constitutions premised on the continuity of reliance on the institutional capacity of the colonial government to sustain the interest in power of the Political Class in Nigeria.

The present security crises are direct challenge on both fronts simultaneously, the external and

,

Defining the current security challenge of the country

Is the Political Class faced with a problem of review of the 1999 constitution or a problem of change of the constitution? The courage to determine what the issues are is also what will produce the wisdom that makes “a way” where there is presently no way out

In line with our resolve to conduct Local Government Election as soon as possible, we appeal to those who have instituted one court case or another to withdraw them in the interest of the State and democracy

internal, and are directed to the overthrow of the Government. It is therefore a challenge to the power of the Nigerian Political Class whose members constitute the framers of constitutions.

These challenges must first be correctly diagnosed. They are not the result of a failed state. The Nigerian Political class are faced for the first time with the need to review the adequacy of the adoption of the British government for the colony for Nigeria’s post independence governance. What is referred to as state failure in Nigeria is thus not state failure by any means but the empirical facts of the failure of a strategic policy to adapt the apparatus of the British colonial state established for the subjection of conquered peoples of Nigeria for ruling of an Independent Nigeria. The list of security failures often addressed by the media are not indication of the failure of the British Metropolitan State but of the increasing failure of Nigeria’s Post Colonial government for the colony to contain threats to the Nigerian Government’s authority, both external and internal. These threats have taken the form of armed rebellion and ‘terrorism” that threaten the viability of constitutional rule in Nigeria.

The statecraft challenge that therefore confront the Nigerian Political Class is that of defining what its security crises is. Is the Political Class faced with a problem of review of the 1999 constitution or a problem of change of the constitution? Is its task that of regime reform or regime change? The courage to determine what the issues are is also what will produce the wisdom that makes “a way ” where there is presently no way out.

Special attention will be paid to Onitsha and Awka Water Schemes.

P

,

interventions on healthcare delivery get to the people.

The Environment: The environment shall be given due attention as we shall continue the aggressive clean-up of our major cities. We shall immediately re-locate to Onitsha to commence the immediate removal of all forms of shanties and stoppage of street trading. We appeal to those guilty of this menace to, on their own, remove their shanties and take their goods out of the streets before the commencement of the exercise.

We shall continue to work on ongoing water projects and ensure effective take-off of completed ones.

artnership: Today, we enjoy a good relationship with international development partners. We shall continue to strengthen this relationship, while exploring the possibility of new partnerships at local, national and global levels.

Local Government Election: In line with our resolve to conduct Local Government Election as soon as possible, we appeal to those who have instituted one court case or another to withdraw them in the interest of the State and democracy.

Other Sectors: In line with the multisectoral nature of our vision and the strategy we have adopted for achieving it, every sector of our economy will receive attention in 2013. To this effect, we shall continue ongoing projects, while endeavouring to initiate new ones in Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Sports, among others.

My dear Ndi Anambra, I thank you again for your support to this administration. I urge us all to remain prayerful and patriotic. I assure you of our total commitment towards achieving our vision anchored on Anambra Integrated Development Strategy.

Concluded

*Being excerpts of the New year speech

by Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra State.

C M Y K

20—Vanguard , TUESDAY TUESDAY,, JANUARY 8, 2013

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

W

Deplorable East-West road

Help! East-West Road on the verge of total collapse government to compel the contractor to expedite action on the construction so as to deliver the eight-lane expressway road with. Dr. Ekiyor

Cross River fights pneumonia with Calabar Festival

T

HE Calabar Festival Gov ernor ’s Fete (Breath of Life) which is an initiative of Partnership Opportunities for Women Empowerment Realization, POWER, a non-governmental organization NGO, founded by the wife of Cross River state Governor, Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke has been held at the Tinapa Water Parks, Calabar.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health Matters, Dr. Regina Ejemot-Nwadiaro stated that the aim of the fete was to reduce child morbidity and mortality in Cross River State by applying community-directed approaches to prevent and control pneumonia.

Dr. Nwadiaru further stated that the active participation of people to raise funds for the Breath of Life programme,.will go a long way in curbing the menace of pneumonia in the state. The Special Adviser who C M Y K

sought the support of those who attended the event explained that the theme for this year’s event was chosen make Nigerians understand that they should be their brother’s keepers.

The occasions attracted musical performances by a member of Cross River State ‘All Stars’, Mr. Leonard and Addiction Band.

Meanwhile, the Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation NTDC, Otumba Olusegun Runsewe, has commended Governor Liyel Imoke for introducing a golf tournament into the Calabar Festival calendar.

Fielding questions from newsmen after teeing-off the 5th edition of the Mary Slessor Charity Golf Tournament at Calabar Golf Club, Runsewe commended both Governor Imoke and his wife, Obioma for improving the content of the festival by introducing golf into it.

said the new year has presented new opportunities for the government to make appropriate budgetary provision for the road and called on the President to tackle the security challenges facing the country in the new year.

“As a government, the President and his cabinet should look in wards to address the state of our national security. Also, the state of infrastructure should be given top priority. Again, the East West road project, every Nigerians and the Niger Delta people feel that if nothing at all is done by this administration, the East West road should be completed. I am afraid, the slow pace of the job is giving all of us serious concern”, Ekiyor said.

Meanwhile, the member representing Ikwerre/Emohua Federal constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon Andrew Uchendu has charged the Federal Government

to give special attention to the repair and construction of Federal roads this year.

The legislator said he is highly disturbed by the deplorable state of the East West road. According to him, it was painful that a major road as the East West road that bears the burden of oil exploration in the country could be al-

,

ORK on the rehabilita tion and dualization of East -West Road which links Edo, Delta, Rivers, AkwaIbom and Cross River States began a few years ago. But despite the importance of this strategic road which bears the whole burden of oil exploration in the country, the reconstruction work is going on at a snail’s pace. Commuters who ply the ever-busy road literally go through hell on daily basis as they are forced to remain in the traffic gridlock for endless number of hours. In fact, the section of the road around Okosi bridge is at the verge of being lost to the River.

Worried by this development, a youth leader in the Niger Delta, Dr.Chris Ekiyor has called on the Federal Government to expedite action on the rehabilitation and dualisation of the ailing road.

Dr. Ekiyor, a former President of the Ijaw Youth Council, who is currently the Transition Committee Chairman of the Patani Local Government Area in Delta State said the people of the region were eagerly awaiting the completion of the strategic road connecting states in the Niger Delta together.

People from the region, he said, are expecting President Goodluck Jonathan, who incidentally is from the region to complete the road before the expiration of his present tenure.

The Ijaw leader charged the

offence my people have committed that is responsible for the treatment we should be forgiven. The road is impassable. This is the road that bears the whole burden of oil exploration in the country. Mr President owes the people of the country a duty to repair the roads and in particular this East West road”. Continu-

If there is any offence my people have committed that is responsible for the treatment we should be forgiven. The road is impassable. This is the road that bears the whole burden of oil exploration in the country

lowed to remain in the deplorable state.

The former Chairman of the South South caucus of the Federal House of Representatives said President Goodluck Jonathan should as a mark of responsibility address the problem of poor roads in the country. He specifically called for urgent attention be give to the East West road.

“I am from the Niger Delta region representing the Ikwerre people. I am weeping, and I have said so on the floor of the House. If there is any

,

ing, he said the federal government should declare the road an emergency.

On the Petroleum Industry Bill before the National Assembly, he said those opposed to its passage should come to the Niger Delta region to better appreciate what the region suffers from oil exploration.

While expressing firm support for the bill, Hon Uchendu said the bill when passed into law would help restructure the petroleum sector for the overall benefit of the country.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013 — 21

Why FG extends Cotecna, others’ contract

BY GODFREY BIVBERE

T

HE extension of the con tract of the three Service Providers, Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited (CDIL), SGS and Global Scansystems, has been attributed to the unpreparedness of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to fully take over the functions performed by the Service Providers.

Some stakeholders’ weeks before the expiration of the contract have warned that the country might be in for a difficult maritime transaction as NCS is not prepared to take over the Service Providers function.

Just 10 days to the expiration of the old scheme and on a day of Vanguard’s special report on the issue, the NCS hurriedly responded by sending a back dated letter to stakeholders informing them of the new scheme known as Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR). The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) as a result of the letter to it by Customs wrote to inform its members of a planned training programme for them December 27, 2012, just four days before the NCS is expected to take over the function.

Similarly, the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) also got a couriered letter on the 20th of December but was dated on 18th.

The letter states in part, “The PAAR application system is a dynamic , real time and consistent Risk Management platform utilized by NCS and partner regulatory agencies including Commercial Banks for classification, Valuation, Price Verification and added value services in a modernized Risk Management environment.”

It also stated that the new integrated and shared Risk Platform will overcome the inefficiencies of the previous Destination Inspection (D/I ) system.

When contacted on the new scheme, National Secretary of NCMDLCA, Mr. Uchu Block, said he was first contacted by one of his client on Thursday and his first reaction was “ which one is PAAR again.”

Block said it is good the NCS is coming out with this even though it is late in the day, but stressed that there is need

Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in charge of Zone 6, Mamman Tsafe (left) and National President of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu at the stakeholders meeting in the office of the AIG in Lagos. for the federal government through the Ministry of Fi-

nance or the Presidency to come out clearly to state the

directtion which government will be taking on the issue.

Another operator who spoke with our Correspondent on condition of anonymity doubts the success of the new scheme as it seems to have been done in a hurry.

The operator said manpower wise, the NCS claimed to have embarked on massive training of its personnel but doubt if they are ready to take charge. The operator wondered why they engaged the services of three contractors to help them on the issue.

Meanwhile, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has kicked against the extension of the contract.

When Vanguard contacted the National President of ANLCA, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, on the issue, he said it is unfortunate that government will tow this path”. He said the extension was a clear indication of government’s unseriousness about capacity development.

Varsity workers threaten strike over unpaid allowance …Gives FG January ending deadline

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

S

ENIOR Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, has given the Federal Government up to the end of January, 2013 to pay members unpaid Earned Allowance, to avert a protracted industrial unrest in the nation’s university system.

Western zone of SSANU in a meeting at the Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka, Delta State, decried the failure of the government to fully implement the agreement reached with its workers since 2009.

Members in a communiqué issued at the end of its 43rd Zonal Executive Council, lamented that the government did not appreciate the efforts of the union at sustaining industrial peace in the Nigerian public universities in spite of the intense pressure from members over the non-payment of the allowance as contained in the agreement signed with the university non-teaching unions in 2009.

The communiqué said members were also sad by the report of the meeting between the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and the Minister of Education, Professor Ruquyat Rufai, with the unions over the matter, describing it as falling far below expectation.

They expressed outrage at the “highly biased report of Prof. Yakubu Committee on Needs Assessment of Nigerian Public Universities” and called on the Federal Government to be weary of the report which implementation is capable of throwing the university system in the country into disarray.”

SSANU described the observations, findings and recommendations of the committee as an “armchair analysis or an outright mis-representation of fact, to work to a pre-determine answer.”

They rejected all perceived negative recommendations of the Prof. Yakubu led committee against the non-teaching staff of Nigerian universities and challenged him to come up with its findings on Internally

Generated Revenue, IGR, of the universities and how they are being utilized by the chief executives of the universities.

SSANU members challenged Yakubu to come up with a comparative analysis of the quantum of money being spent on

rian workers.

The communiqué added that members condemned the state of insecurity in the country with bomb explosion in some part of the North and kidnap as well as oil theft and bunkering in the South.

both salaries and trainings of teaching and non-teaching staff 5.0 148.8 in Nigerian public universities.

2,250.00 +14.00 The decried the unabated corruption index 19.7 0.19 of Nigeria despite the much talk-about fight against corruption in the country and called 112.40 +1.29 on the government to 92.99 +1.17 stop paying lip service to corruption and take it more seriously by CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING beaming the search154.77 155.27 155.77 light to all the structures DOLLAR POUNDS 247.988 248.7891 249.5903 of governance and gov- EURO 201.3712 202.0218 202.6723 ernment parastatals, FRANC 166.491 167.0288 167.5667 1.7528 1.7584 1.7641 ministries and agencies YEN 0.2891 0.2991 0.3091 with a view to blocking CFA 235.8285 236.5903 237.3522 all leakages, release re- WAUA RENMINBI 24.839 24.9197 25.0004 covered looted funds RIYA 41.2687 41.402 41.5353 for developmental KRONA 26.9921 27.0793 27.1665 237.3553 238.1221 238.8889 projects to create more SDR job for Nigerians and CBN Exchange rate as at 4/01/2013 take good care of Nige-

22 — Vanguard, TUESDAY,JANUARY 8, 2013

Massachusetts Institute of Technology OpenCourseWare

N

From left: Mr Ogunmoroti, Customer Business Manager Kaduna, Cadbury Nigeria Plc; winner of N1million, Aminat Ahmed; Mrs Anike Faseyitan, a distributor and Mr Akomen Omijeh, Corporate Affairs Manager, Cadbury Nigeria Plc during the Cadbury Yummy Life promo prize presentation, in Kaduna.

Analysts foresee increased yield on FGN bonds in 2013

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

I

NVESTORS, who are going to stake their monies in Federal Government Bonds, will enjoy further gains this year, analyst at FBN Capital have said.

Making the projection in their review of the bonds market for 2012, they said their optimism followed favourable disposition of foreign investors to investments in high-yielding frontier markets, including Nigeria.

They however observed that there would be reduction in government’s internal borrowing via bonds the4 federal government increases its external borrowing to take advantage of the low Eurobond yields.

They said in the report, “Investors will certainly enjoy better returns this year because the global landscape remains favourable to investment in high-yielding frontier markets such as Nigeria.”

Continuing, they said, “FGN bonds enjoyed a strong run in half year 2012, and our take is that investors are set to enjoy further gains this year. The largest single driver was the announcement in August that JP Morgan would add three FGN debt issues to its local currency government bond index in stages from 01 October.

“There has since been a further, smaller boost with the news that Nigeria is to be included in the comparable Barclays index with effect from March. Both developments automatically bring foreign investors, most of whom would not otherwise accept Nigerian risk.”

They added that, “Monetary policy is accommodative across the developed world, and the avoidance of the fiscal cliff in the US, if not definitive, means that risk is back “on” for traders. The leading central banks are anxious for banks to lend yet unable to direct that lending as they would wish (to the real economies under their jurisdiction). We should note some domestic positives. Inflation is set to fall, likely to single digits y/y this quarter. The naira exchange rate has stabilised, too.”

C M Y K

Already, the federal government through the Ministry of Finance has announced plans to borrow $7.9 billion (N1.89 trillion) from the World Bank, African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, EXIM Bank of China and Indian lines of credit.

The President indicated that the funds would be used to cover pipeline projects in the 2012-2014 External Borrowing Plan.

NSE names Stanbic IBTC lead stockbroking firm for 2012

T

HE Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, has named Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, the lead stockbroking firm on the secondary segment of the Nigerian capital market for 2012.

According to the NSE, in a report on the top ten stockbroking firms for 2012, the top ten stockbrokers accounted for 66.09 per cent of the total value traded last year, with Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers leading the table and accounting for 16.96 per cent or N223.3 billion of the total value of business conducted on the NSE during the period.

Commenting on the development, Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited, Mr. Oladele Sotubo, expressed satisfaction with the company ’s performance during the period, stating that it confirmed its outstanding work in the Nigerian capital market, part of which involved transactions in the 40 most capitalised stocks quoted on the NSE.

igerian university students at all levels have an opportunity to enhance their studies by accessing educational resources made available on the internet by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT, Cambridge, USA and other universities MIT has set for itself the goals of advancing knowledge and making education more accessible to students in all corners of the world as well as making education more effective for students on the Institute’s own campus. In order to advance these goals, MIT OpenCourseWare, OCW, was introduced in 2002 and MIT OCW makes the course materials that are used in teaching almost all of MIT’s subjects available on the Web, free of charge. The web address is http:// ocw.mit.edu.

Currently 2142 courses that cover both undergraduate and graduate levels and all 33 academic departments are available on OCW. The departments are Aeronautics and Astronautics, Anthropology, Architecture, Athletics Physical Education and Recreation, Biological Engineering, Biology, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Comparative Media Studies, Earth Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Economics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Engineering Systems Division, Foreign Languages and Literatures, Health Sciences and Technology, History, Linguistics and Philosophy, Literature, Materials Science and Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Media Arts and Sciences, Music and Theater Arts, Nuclear Science and Engineering, Physics, Political Science, Science Technology and Society, Sloan School of Management, Urban Studies and Planning, Women’s and Gender Studies, Writing and Humanistic Studies.

MIT OCW has a mirror site programme in which a complete copy of OCW content and supplementary materials are placed on an external hard drive and made available to any university. The content at a mirror site is updated from time to time. Any Nigerian universities interested in having OCW content should please contact me, omigbodunaa@yahoo.com. In the last year, MIT has gone one step further and set up edX with Harvard University. edX offers tuition-free online classes to all comers using an open-source teaching platform developed at MIT. The classes include video lessons, discussion forums as well as virtual laboratories where students can carry out simulated experiments. More recently, the

University of California at Berkeley and the University of Texas system have joined edX. The question that is often asked is why is MIT giving away these educational resources free. MIT is driven by a sense of obligation to maximize human potential. Our societies have to develop persons who are knowledgeable and who would create the new knowledge and innovation that fuel the growth of our societies. Significantly, edX will provide a new form of lifelong education better suited to the modern labour market as edX allows people to fill gaps in their knowledge as the need arises.

The Nigerian university system has the older public universities and the recently established private universities. There have been laments that the public universities have dropped out of the lists of top universities in Africa while a few of the private universities have set themselves the goal of being amongst the best in the world within a generation.

For a start, the universities should compare the content of their courses with similar OCW and edX content. The other thing to note is that MIT has raised funds from foundations, corporate sponsors and donations from individuals to support OCW and edX. For the federal universities, there is no indication of a substantial change in their funding level in the 2013 national budget. I believe our university departments should look at ways of enhancing what the students are taught. For example, it would be a major achievement if a department can find sponsors for the expansion of course notes to the level given in a OCW Scholar course.

The private universities are free from strike actions by various unions that from time to time paralyse activities in the public universities. A student in a private university who meets the required academic standards can be expected to graduate in 4 years. However, there are complaints from the public about the level of fees charged in the private universities in spite of any advantages they may have over the public universities. The private universities can demonstrate their commitment to academic excellence by offering scholarships to brilliant students.

The universities should appreciate that it is the combination of brilliant students and extraordinary professors with appropriate facilities that spark the ideas that would provide solutions to the problems of our communities. The week before this, I did write about the Institute for Industrial Technology, Isheri North, Lagos State. The challenge I would pose to any Nigerian university offering engineering courses is to provide on their campus the level of equipment available at this Institute.

DR. AKINTOLA OMIGBODUN omigbodunaa@yahoo.com

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013 — 23

Attractive prospects for FGN bonds in 2013 — FBN Capital

BY PETER EGWUATU

T

From left: Head, Direct Sales Force, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. John Okon; Principal Confidential Secretary, Consumer Protection Council, Mrs. Ethel Nwobi; Chief Executive Officer, Advalue Ltd, Mr. Charles Monmuba and Assistant Director, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Lagos Zonal Office, Mr. Obi Ireabu, at the Sterling Bank Saver’s promo draw, in Lagos.

E

Ecobank opens 33rd affiliate in Equatorial Guinea

C O B A N K Transnational Incorporated (“Ecobank” or “The Group”), the leading pan-African banking group

C M Y K

HE Federal Government bonds enjoyed a strong run in second half (H2) of 2012, and our take is that investors are set to enjoy further gains this year, FBN Capital analysts have said.

The analysts from FBN Capital stated that the largest single driver in the year 2012 was the announcement in August 2012 that JP Morgan would add

three FGN debt issues to its local currency government bond index in stages from 01 October.

According to the analysts in their review of 2012 said, “ There has since been a further, smaller boost with the news that Nigeria is to be included in the comparable Barclays index with effect from March.

Both developments automatically bring foreign investors, most

announces the opening of its Equatorial Guinea affiliate.

Ecobank Ecobank Equatorial Guinea was

issued a license to operate as a credit institution in Equatorial Guinea and became the 33rd affiliate of the Group in Africa.

Group CEO, Thierry Tanoh said: “We are pleased that the authorities of Equatorial Guinea have issued Ecobank with a

license to operate as the 5th bank in the country and to support the development of the economy with access to financing.

of whom would not otherwise accept Nigerian risk.

The global landscape remains favourable to investment in highyielding frontier markets such as Nigeria. Monetary policy is accommodative across the developed world, and the avoidance of the fiscal cliff in the US, if not definitive, means that risk is back “on” for traders. The leading central banks are anxious for banks to lend yet unable to direct that lending as they would wish (to the real economies under their jurisdiction).”

24—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2012

Sky an Ocean par tner on gas pr ocessing Skyee Bank Bank,, PPan partner processing

S

KYE Bank Plc has again demonstrated its commitments towards development of indigenous capacity in the oil and gas sector with the provision of finances for the Pan Ocean Oil’s Ovade-Ogharefe Gas Processing Plant, Oil Mining Lease, OML98.

The Ovade-Ogharefe Gas Processing Plant was designed as a carbon emission reduction project with the capacity of delivering 200mmscf/d of dry gas to the domestic gas market for power generation and industrial development. The Gas Plant is located in the OvadeOgharefe area of the Niger Delta Region.

Reputed as the largest in West Africa, it earns carbon credits for its operations under the Clean Development Mechanism, CDM of the Kyoto Protocol, where its operations were reported and established.

Pan Ocean initiated a CDM certification for its gas utilization project as part of its contribution to improving Nigeria’s image as a green oriented country in line with the United Nation’s Kyoto Protocol. With the CDM, reductions in greenhouse gas emission from projects in developing countries are registered and monitored under the United Nations Frame work Convention on Climate change, UNFCC, and sold to developed countries that have limits for their emissions.

With the highly capital intensive nature of the oil and gas sector, Skye Bank provided finances to support Pan Ocean Oil in the realisation

of the project.

Pan Ocean is the operator of the OML 98 under a 60:40 Joint Venture with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. Skye Bank provided funding for Pan Ocean’s 40 percent equity under a Joint Venture with NNPC. The Executive Director, Corporate and Investment Banking, Skye Bank, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, said the funding to Pan Ocean Oil was another demonstration of the active supports of the bank towards actualising the Federal Government’s local capacity and content in the oil and gas sector.

He noted that the gas plant

would not only benefit all stakeholders but also improve Nigeria’s environment rating.

According to him, among other things, the plant will ensure zero routine flaring in all areas of its operation due to the adopted modularized plant concept which makes the plant expandable for additional gas finds in her concession areas.

He added that Skye Bank’s partnership with Pan Ocean has been credited with the company ’s success in processing gas which could have been flared from its gas processing plant.

Rather than flare the gas emanating from its operation, Pan Ocean processes its gas

in compliance with the carbon credit scheme of the UNFCC for which the company was qualified in February 2009.

Experts have identified hindrances to the development of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria to include high capital requirement, dearth of critical trading infrastructure, low manpower and poor defining rules.

Oguntayo reiterated that despite the challenges associated with oil and gas finances, Skye Bank would continue to support committed Nigerian investors who have defied the odds by making substantial investments in the sector in order to raise the Nigerian flag high.

•Gas plant Medium

PROJECT EXPENDITURE: NNPC mgt determined to curb excesses T

HERE is definitely apathy from Ni gerians towards the management of our economy by government functionaries. Projects executed on the behalf of the government are basically approved to benefit the officials, as against the general interest of the citizens.

One of the most castigated government agencies is the NNPC. But, the new NNPC management led by Engr.

Andrew Yakubu, a tested engineer with over 25yrs experience in the oil & gas industry is “walking the talk” of transparency in doing government business, the mantra of the Goodluck Jonathan’s led regime, by curbing the excesses in project execution by the oil companies. This new trend is well received by all well meaning Nigerians as an honest initiative to save cost and control project expenditure by oil companies.

Hitherto, international oil servicing companies, in a bid to win bids, have often neglected the local content components of the projects, thereby causing the cost to become prohibitive, further hurting our local economy. Presently, several mega-dollar projects executed by EXXON-MOBIL, TOTAL, Chevron or Shell have seen the new NNPC management directing the oil companies to review their cost downwards thereby saving money for the Government and people of Nigeria. It is interesting to note that never in the history of Nigeria, particularly within the NNPC have we been informed that NNPC has stood their grounds and forced their JV partners to review their project cost. This also includes full implementation of the local content aspect of the bids. Speaking on this effort, a writer on energy business believes that, this new effort by NNPC, has shot lo-

cal content input from 10% to 30%, as the government through NNPC/NCDMB target 70%.

Even though NAPIMS is saddled with the responsibility of managing these project bids, the final approval, resides with the new NNPC GROUP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (GEC)comprising of a six (6) man Group Executive Director team led by ENGR. ANDREW YAKUBU as chairman of the committee, who have not only ensured cost savings for the Federal Government of Nigeria, but also ensured that due process is followed during tender evaluation and that the NIGERIAN CONTENT MANAGEMENT BOARD (NCMB) led by Engr. Nwapa enforce the Nigerian content act by ensuring that renowned international service companies that have earned billions of dollars in Nigerian contracts do not play lip-service .

BRIEF NIPCO advocate policies for a thriving LPG market

By KUNLE KALEJAYE

T

O encourage a wide us age of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, (LPG) across the country, NIPCO an integrated indigenous downstream operator in the oil and fad industry has thrown it weight behind viable policies that would ensure a booming LPG market in the country.

The company also articulated a policy paper on domestic LPG usage for consideration by the Federal Government and overviewed a strategy to develop a viable policy.

The policy paper was presented by the Managing Director of NIPCO, Mr V e n k a t a r a m a n Venkatapathy in a conference held in Abuja recently.

In the conference, stakeholders in the gas sector of the nation’s hydrocarbon industry stormed the venue to fashion out a strategic policy for a rapid growth in domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas [LPG] usage in the country.

They had an interactive strategic policy consultation on how to create awareness on the benefit of LPG usage and best way Nigeria can rapidly develop the market.

The NIPCO boss said his company supported the summit as part of its conscious initiative of deepening the LPG market through a well articulated policy for the benefit of all stakeholders.

The company, he noted, had over the years put in place a massive 4,500 MT LPG storage facility and supported plethora of events for stakeholders to deepen the domestic gas market.

The Managing Director recalled scores of joint sponsorships and sole campaigns aimed at boosting LPG use as cooking gas and vehicular fuel ,citing the LPG summit organised by the Senate ,Federal Ministry of Environment auto gas fuel exhibition ,Cooking gas Awareness programme organised by Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry [LCCI] etc.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2012—25

BRIEF Conoil to build 60 new stations in 2013

P

C

The draft PIB The Task force on PIB was the first to submit its report after the Osten Olorunsola led technical sub-committee completed its work after weeks of painstaking sessions, and the draft bill was submitted to the minister. The draft bill was later submitted to the Federal C M Y K

Diezani Alison-Madueke Executive Council, FEC, following some extensive deliberations, and upon approval subsequently submitted to the National Assembly for legislative considerations.

In view of the controversies that trailed the previous bill associated with forgery and multiple versions, the minister explained the new Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, was imbedded with security features and tamper proof attributes including coding.

Commenting on the PIB, Alison-Madueke said the new PIB was drafted with equity in mind and that the concerns of the international oil companies were taken into consideration so as to engender a win-win situation for Nigeria as well as stakeholders in the oil and gas industry.

She listed some of the new provisions in the Bill to include those creating the Asset Management Company which will take over the management of the Joint Ventures from the NNPC, which will be unbundled to make way for the establishment of a new company, the National Oil Company which will be competitive and profit-driven.

Gas to power In line with the Federal Government’s desire of ensuring sustainable delivery of electricity to Nigerians through adequate supply of gas to the power stations, the minister declared a 12-month gas supply emergency plan to address the inherent misalignment of gas to power.

She said, “During this period, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, together with the NNPC and the gas producing companies will deploy extraordinary measures to accelerate opportunities for quick wins

in order to ameliorate the potential gap between gas demand and supply.”

To achieve this a decision was reached to strengthen the capacity, as well as the roles of the Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria Limited, GACN, which is a DPRregulated company of the Ministry, vested with the responsibility for gas sourcing and allocation, as well as the operator of the commercial framework of the Gas Master Plan.

Part of the functions of the Gas aggregation company include processing requests from gas buyers; managing gas supply/demand allocation, as well as

,

HANGE, they say, is the only constant thing in life, but accepting change is even more difficult than instituting it. And so it is with current reforms in Nigeria’s petroleum sector, where attempts to introduce changes in line with global developments are being resisted every step of the way.

Notwithstanding that last year began on a stormy note with nationwide protests over the partial withdrawal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government and resultant increase in the pump prices of petroleum products, the Ministr y of Petroleum Resources had to forge ahead with the reforms meant to position the industry on a more profitable path.

But one thing that came out from the protests was the call from Nigerians and various interest groups on the need to also enhance transparency and probity in the sector, and there were attempts by various agencies of government to clean up the system, in order to enhance public confidence.

Taking the full responsibilities for the sector, the Minister Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, went on to set up four task forces to look into the different segments of the industry with a view to promoting efficiency and transparency in the industry.

Among the committees were: the Special Task force on PIB headed by Senator Udoma Udo Udoma; Special Task Force on Governance and Control headed by Dotun Suleiman; Special Task Force on Petroleum Revenue chaired by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; and the Task Force on National Refineries headed by Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu.

proactive in compelling suppliers to meet domestic gas supply obligations.

However, about five months into the emergency gas supply programme, the minister declared that the ministry had surpassed its gas to power target for 2012.

Alison-Madueke noted that the underpinning improvement in gas supply which precipitated the noticeable increase in volume of power generations were aggressive infrastructure expansion and gas supply development initiatives.

“Since the roll out of the plan, we have achieved major milestones in the expansion of the Escravos-Pipeline

Alison-Madueke noted that the underpinning improvement in gas supply which precipitated the noticeable increase in volume of power generations

facilitating Gas Supply Aggregation Agreement GSAA negotiations, as well as Identifying gas sources/ suppliers and designing incentives for accelerated domestic gas delivery.

Others are driving the implementation of the findings of the recently constituted Emergency Gas Committee with emphasis on short and medium term gas supply, and on a sustained basis; ensuring integration as well as alignment between gas demand and supply to ensure robustness of longer term gas supply to power; and providing implicit data to enable the DPR to be more

,

System – the major gas supply artery to the power plants.

This is part of the most extensive expansion ever undertaken on this pipeline network since it was built 30 years ago,” she said.

She listed the items completed in the critical pipeline segments to include the 27kmX24inch permanent gas supply pipeline from Itoki to Olorunshogo via Ewekoro all in Ogun State, the 56kmX24inch Escravos-Warri gas pipeline – doubling the pipeline capacity and enhancing gas evacuation from Escravos as well as the 130kmX36inch Oben to Geregu pipeline.

ETROLEUM products marketer, Conoil Plc has said it planned to bring on stream this year, 60 new retail outlets spread across the country as part of its major strategic expansion programme to meet the increasing fuel needs of Nigerians.

The company said in Lagos that the expansion programme, estimated to gulp about N4.8 billion, is envisaged will grow its sales and revenue by over 65 percent, and will complement the company’s plan for massive importation of refined petroleum products this year.

It added that the retail outlets will offer robust and automated network, which will leverage on technology to deliver the assurance of quality products and improve service efficiency, and that the project represented the second phase of a four-year plan which started two years ago.

It would be recalled that Conoil embarked on the plan to adequately prepare for industry-specific challenges, ensure impressive growth in its performance indicators and consolidate its leadership position in the downstream petroleum business.

Hitherto, Conoil had commenced the ambitious plan with the upgrade of its storage tanks at the company ’s depots nationwide to accommodate bulk product imports.

In pursuant of this, the company increased the storage tanks for white products – Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), diesel and kerosene – to 80,000 metric tonne, to double the capacity of its storage facilities at its Apapa installation.

Another major plank of the expansion programme was the construction of the company’s multi-billion naira Port Harcourt depot which has the capacity to hold 70,000 metric tonne of various petroleum products with the propensity to dispense 5.5 million litres per day.

The Port Harcourt depot complements the company’s flagship installation in Apapa, Lagos, providing easy access to fuel imports and easing the pressure on available jetties and other port infrastructures in Lagos.

26 —Vanguard , TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

•Talk of the moment, Hyundai Equus Luxury Sedan that led the Hyundai family to rake awards in Strategic Vision's Total Value recently

Hyundai siblings grab top spots in Strategic Vision's Total Value Award

BY THEODORE OPARA

T

HREE Hyundai models – Elantra, Sonata and Equus – each took first place in their respective categories in the 16th annual Strategic Vision Total Value Awards. Elantra, Sonata scored top marks for medium cars, and the Equus beat out competitors like BMW and Mercedes to take first place in the luxury car segment.

Additionally, Equus received the award for Best Model, and Hyundai ranked second overall in Total Value.

Strategic Vision’s Total Value Index (TVI) reflects all aspects of perceived value; from quality, to economics to customer appeal.

Of the more than 350 new cars to compete for honors in their respective categories, Hyundai was recognized for its innovation in design and technology, value for money, and increase in overall quality.

Strategic Vision is a research-based consultancy with more than 35 years of experience in understanding consumC M Y K

er decision-making processes for a variety of Fortune 100 clients, including most automotive manufacturers.

“Hyundai has increased its Innovation Factor Score (IFS) by 20 points since 2008,” said Alexander Edwards, president, Strategic Vision. “Today, Hyundai’s like Elantra, Sonata, and Equus have some of the highest Total Value scores in the entire automotive industry.”

Total Value Scores are calculated by assessing two factors: Customer assessment of initial value, and customer evaluation of the complete ownership experience.

Initial value was judged on total price paid by the consumer, manufacturer warranty coverage, expected trade-in value, expected affordability, expected durability, and expected operating costs.

Innovation Factor Scores were also calculated for final judging, and reflect each car ’s use of engaging, impactful, and innovative technologies.

“Our 2013 lineup

•The interior of Hyundai Equus

showcases Hyundai’s philosophy behind building cars,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, Product and Cor-

porate Planning, Hyundai Motor America.

“We provide our customers with engaging, efficient vehicles packed

with fun and functional technologies. We’ve bred this philosophy into our entire range of cars, and receiving awards in

three different categories reflects our hard work and commitment to customer satisfaction and value.”

Ssangyong Motor Company posts 6.3% growth

L

ED by a strong growth in the domestic market in South Korea, Mahindra & Mahindra owned Ssangyong Motor Company posted a growth of 6.3% in 2012 with sales of 1,20,717 units.

Ssangyong Motor Company posted highest growth of 23% in 2012, amongst the domestic car makers in South Korea, with sales of 47,700 units driven

by strong volumes of Korando C and Korando Sports.

The company ’s exports for 2012 stood flattish at 73,017 units with almost 40% (32,328 units) of it coming from the Russian market alone. This is the first time the company has recorded annual exports of over 30,000 to a single country. In a statement issued by the company on Thursday,

Lee Yoo-il, CEO of Ssangyong Motor Company said, “It is a very meaningful accomplishment that the company achieved the highest growth among the domestic and imported automakers despite a sluggish global economy,” adding, “We will further increase our global sales through differentiated marketing strategy and reinforced export product line up,

continuously.”

In the month of December 2012, Ssangyong sold 11,871 (5,365 domestic + 6,506 units of Exports) vehicles, posting an increase of 37% for the December. It was a fourth consecutive month for Ssangyong Motor Company wherein crossed sales of 10,000 units in a month.

Vanguard , TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013—27

2013, do or die for Nigerian auto industry

BY THEODORE OPARA

T

HE year 2013 is the year everyone is looking forward to in the Nigerian automobile industry. Having survived the year 2012, most players in the nation’s auto industry wished that a year like 2012 should not come their way again. The year was characterised by untold hardship for automobile marketers which forced many of them to close shops.

According to the Man-

aging Director of Toyota Nigeria Limited, Mr. C.K. Thampsy, “the year 2012 started on a turbulent note with fuel subsidy removal strike which slowed down business activities. He also pointed out that reduced spending by government due to its inability to fully implement the 2012 budget also took its tolls on the industry, while government and corporate purchases were at lowest elb. According to him, businesses continued to

witness difficulties in accessing facilities from banks, while currency fluctuation during the early parts of the year furthers adversely affected the industry. Despite all these, Toyota Nigeria Limited exceeded its target for the year as its import volume from January-November, 2012 stood at 18,123 as against 14,237 during the same period in 2011.

The nation's vehicle import statistics from January to November 2012

revealed seven per cent drop in volume. While a total of 47,267 new vehicles were brought between January and November 2011, only 44,027 vehicles were imported during the same period last year. Apart from Toyota which made steady progress last year, and Tata Africa Services, other automobile marketers said they recorded losses during the period.

The attendance at the last Abuja Motor show was a reflection of the

state of the Nigerian automobile industry as most companies which used to grace the fair for awareness creation could not show up at the fair.

Mack Trust, represented by Lanre Shittu Motors pulled out at the last minute citing unfriendly business climate in the country. A very reliable source told Vanguard Motoring that the company was unable to dispose most of its trucks shortly after the fuel subsidy strike

which caused havoc in the oil industry in Nigeria. According to the source, the company had stocked hundreds of mack truck with the view that they would be in high demand at the beginning of 2012 but turbulent beginning in the year distabilised the company's plans.. But despite the challenges, Lanre Shittu Motor still introduced the Sany range of construction equipment into the country. For the company, the years ahead would be better, hence, their heavy investment in the Nigerian auto industry.

For Hyra Motors, representatives of Geely, Brilliance and Jinbei Motors from China in Nigeria, their determination to succeed has kept them on. The company said they were owed closed to a billion naira by their corporate and individual customers. A source at Hyra Motor who would not like to be mentioned said that they ran into the problem while trying to device means of pushing their stocks and the plan boomeranged leaving them with very huge debt from their customers.

The Korean brands however seem to be finding their feet in the market, especially with the Hyundai and Kia brand.

The Hyundai brand, no doubt, has become the cash-cow for the Stallion Group which apart from Hyundai, represents Honda, Porsche, Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda. Though the company (Kia and Stallion) are still striving in the passenger car market, they also have discovered ways of cutting their cost. One of such strategies was huge reduction in advert campaign. Most of their adverts have been reduced to less than half page from full page in the past.

For the industry, it has been the survival of the fittest, as many have reduced their staff strength to remain afloat, while at the same time curtailing their expenditures. Although most of them would not like the public to know that they have reduced their staff strength, Vanguard gathered that most automobile dealer may close

•Continues on page 28 C M Y K

28 — Vanguard , TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

Cars to watchout for in 2013 These cars, no doubt are the cars to watchout in 2013. They cut across luxury, and passenger segments. Though some of them entered the market late last year and some are yet to be launched into the market, they have the potentials to appeal to descerning auto buyers.

•New Range Rover Vogue

•Kia Qoris (K9) •Jaguar F-Type

•Tata Manza

•BMW 7 Series •Mercedes Benz SLS AMG

•Geely Panda •Chrysler 300 •Porsche Cayenne

•Toyota Avensis

•Honda Crosstour

•Ford Explorer

2013, do or die for Nigerian auto industry Continues from page 27 •Nissan Patrol

•Hyundai Veloster C M Y K

shop or drop their franchises if the situation fails to improve within the first quarter of the year. In the luxury car category, however, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Range Rover, Porsche have continued to remain afloat despite the challenges.

Part of their challenges include the used car and grey import market from Europe and Ameri-

ca. Unlike in the past when these brands used to launch as many models as possible, they have resorted to quietly introducing just few models while watching development in the industry.

Despite the tough time facing the sector, Coscharis Motors which represents BMW, Mini, Jaguar/Land Rover, Ford and other Chinese brands opened the largest auto showroom in sub-Saharan Africa for its brand.

The gigantic edifice sited along Lekki Expressway, according to the president of Coscharis Group, Dr. Cosmas Maduka, is an investment for future.

The local auto assembly plants however, is nothing to write about.

While Mercedes ANAMMCO, has gone under, PAN Nigeria, makers of Peugeot and another Chinese brand is yet to find its feet. For Volk-

swagen of Nigeria whose plant now produces Ashok Leyland, its survival lies on government patronage while Innoson Motors, the Enugu based automobile assembly plant is striving to prove doubting Thomas wrong that a private auto plant can survive, no matter the operating atmosphere. But how far it can goes under the current tariff regime remains unknown to industry players and observers.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013 —29

Tankers: FG engages Army to reclaim rights of way in 22 flashpoints

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU

•Six trailer parks in each of the six geopolitical zones would be built to stem the indiscriminate parking of trucks on road shoulders

P

C M Y K

•The task force will rid the federal highways of indiscriminate parking of trailers •FERMA has identified 22 flashpoint where this illegal parking is dominant

…NARTO lends support but sues for right approach

ISSED by the apparent disregard for sane packing by fuel tankers and other trucks, the Federal Government has engaged the services of military task forces to recover the rights of way of its highways and ensure disciplined parking of trailers on the 22 major flashpoints across the nation.

The Minister of State for Works, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda at a meeting with the army task force chaired by Major-General Funso Samson Owonibi and the Nigerian Association of Roads Transport Owners, NARTO in Abuja, late December, said that the ministry did not engage the army to harass or intimidate other Nigerians but to reclaim government right of way and ensure sanity on the Federal highways “As a taskforce, you are free to co-opt any other arm of government that you feel should be part of this operation. The issue of indiscriminate parking on the road is not acceptable, it endangers the lives of Nigerians, it endangers the lives of road users. Our roads have been abused so what we are trying to do is to make sure that we reclaim our roads and that is why we are partnering with the Nigerian Army to help us recover our right of way and ensure compliance of trailers on the highway,” he said.

Continuing, the Minister said: “We have identified areas where we have a lot of indiscriminate parking by trailers, areas where we have NNPC depots. So, what we have done through the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA, is to develop trailers parks and move the trailers from the highways gradually”.

FERMA Managing Director, Mr. Gabriel Amuchi, an engineer, said that the 22 flashpoints are strategic locations that required urgent attention nationwide.

The 22 flashpoints as identified by the agency are Tegina, along Makwa Road in Nigeri State; Mararaban Jos along Abuja Kaduna carriageway in Kaduna; Nataco in Lokoja, Kogi State; North Bank along Lafia-Makurdi in Benue state; Obajana in Kogi state; Ganye Junction in Adamawa state; Bulunkutu Market juncture in Maiduguri ; Wudil along Kano-

HIGH POINTS

logue so as to resolve issues amicably with them,” he said.

NARTO speaks

N

•Tankers and other articulated vehicles parked indiscriminately at Oghere in Ogun State Maiduguri road; Tafa along Abuja-Kaduna road; Saminaka trailer park in Kaduna; NNPC depot along Gusau in Sokoto state and Obollo Afor in Enugu.

Others include: Lokpanta along Enugu-PortHarcourt dual carriage way in Abia state; Mgbidi along Onitsha-Owerri road in Imo state; Umunede along Benin-Asaba in road in Delta state; Avielle in BeninAuchi Road in Edo state; Oluku Junction on Benin-Shagamu road; Onne, Eleme Junction in Akwa Ibom state border road in River state; Ojoo-Iwo road in Oyo state; Akinyele cattle market along Ibadan-Oyo raod; Ogene, Shagamu along Lagos-

Ibadan road in Ogun state and Ore along Benin-Shagamu dual carriage way in Ondo state.

A

muchi stated that follow ing the problem arising from the illegal parks on most of the Federal highways, the agency has no other option than to embark on the construction of the six (pilot) modern parks with one each in the six geographical areas of the country.

He said the agency would ensure the completion of the parks for articulated vehicles and called for assistance by the road unions.

“We appeal to drivers of articulated vehicles to maintain a straight line on the road shoulders for now, as the arrangement has been made for the speedy completion of the parks”.

Also speaking to Vanguard Homes & Property, Chairman of the task force, Major-General Funso Owonibi sued for the cooperation of the unions in the execution of the assignment.

“We know the sensitivity of their going on strike at any given opportunity. Already we are experiencing scarcity and that is why the army is looking at involving them in a dia-

ational President of NARTO, Alhaji Kassim Bataiya, said the Ministry engaged the army to ensure that trailers park on the right shoulder of the highway and not on both shoulders as a temporary measure until the park being designed for them are ready for occupation. He admitted that the association was not pleased with the way trailers are parked on the highways. According to him, these trucks are usually parked at the owners risks. He however appealed to the federal government to thread softly on the issue.

“Our drivers are not violent.

It depends on the approach. If they are approached wrongly, they will react wrongly but if you approach them in the right way, of course they will respond to the approach.

We have 49 flashpoints across the country where trailers and trucks park indiscriminately for lack of space, parking lot or resting place for the drivers and tankers and we have a mandate from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC to supply 99 percent of petrol to Abuja and its neighbouring states,” he said.

Clean your tiles regularly to maintain their original appearance

C

ERAMIC tile can be a great in vestment for any indoor loca tion. When proper care is taken, it is durable and maintains its original appearance for many years. In order for this to be the case, preventative measures must be taken regularly. If not cared for properly, ceramic tile can break and stain. Keeping the grout around each tile clean is also an important aspect of the cleaning process to avoid a dirty, wornout look Sweeping: When cleaning a ceramic tile floor, sweep the floor regularly, as dirt easily adheres to the surface of ceramic tile. This is especially true if the tile’s surface has any kind of texture on it. If you use a vacuum cleaner to sweep, be

sure that it will not dull and scratch the tile.

•Using walk-off mats to reduce the amount of dirt being tracked in through entryways is a good preventative cleaning measure for ceramic tile floors.

•Washing ceramic tile: Ceramic tile should be wiped with a damp cloth or mop on a regular basis to keep it clean.

Use a mild detergent and a sponge or abrasive-free cloth when washing and scrubbing. If the tile is textured, a soft brush may be a necessity. Sometimes an electric polisher can be used. Always rinse thoroughly when you have removed all the dirt. Wipe the tile dry in order to remove any possible film.

•What to avoid:Never use steel wool on any ceramic tiles. Also avoid scouring powder or other abrasive cleaning detergent. They will scrape the surface of your ceramic tile and make it more difficult to clean in the future because dirt will cake into the tile more readily.

Bleach or ammonia-based cleaners will discolor the grout around your ceramic tile and create a permanently dirty appearance. If the tile is covered with any kind of glaze, do not use an oil-based cleaning solution. Try not to allow any spills to sit for too long upon your ceramic tile because these might stain the tile and/or the grout.

Source http://www.ehow.com

30 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

Focus on houses with cultural designs, AUA presidents tells architects

By KINGSLEY

ADEGBOYE

T

HE President of Africa Union of Architects, AUA, Tokunbo Omisore has urged Nigerian young architects to be innovative and emphasize on indigenous architecture if they must survive in their chosen profession. This call is premised on the high level of unemployment in the country and lack of jobs for practising architects in Nigeria.

Omisore who made this charge last week in Lagos at a prize awards ceremony for winners of the “Africa Union of Architects/Nigerite Prize for Young Architects and Students’ Competition tagged “Beyond Housing,” criticized the emphasis on foreign architecture

by Nigerian architects. He noted that emphasis on foreign architecture have led to construction of mansions by Nigerians that cannot be maintained all over the country.

The AUA President who said he believes in cultural buildings that can easily be maintained by their owners, added that such buildings are cheaper to build because the raw materials can be sourced locally unlike foreign designs which depend largely on imported materials for construction. He therefore called on upcoming Nigerian architects to focus on cultural designs reflecting various cultural heritages to boost housing provision in the country.

Commending Nigerite for sponsoring the competition,

Omisore said the company which is about 53 years old in Nigeria, needs to be encouraged for its efforts at housing Nigerians.

“Nigerite is giving people employment in the country and helping to discourage capital flight from Nigeria. We borrow money from abroad because we are going through economic slavery. The more we buy from foreign countries, the more we make their economies bouyant.

It is better to patronise our local products. Nigeria cannot become an emerging market if Nigerite is not encouraged.

Responding, Mr. Toyin Gbede, an architect and Nigerite’s director of marketing

explained that the passion the company has for Nigeria made it to sponsor the competition.

“We need to ensure that what our leaders before us could not do, we should be able to do them. We have been investing in youth programmes because we believe in the growth of the youths. If we patronise made in Africa goods, we are actually encouraging the sustainability of Africa. But if we patronise foreign goods, we make their economies grow at the detriment of our market,” he said.

On behalf of the three University of Lagos students as a group that won the first cash prize of 3,000 dollars, the Head

of the Department of Architecture, Mr. Mike Adebamowo thanked Nigerite and AUA for organising the competition.

19 entries were received for the competition. Out of the entries, Malawi, Kenya, Uganda and Ivory Coast had one entry each while Nigeria had 15. The first prize of 3,000 dollars was won by Miss Adedoyin Babalola, Master Akinyemi Olalekan and Ordia Efosa of Unilag, while consolation of 1,200 dollars was won by five people.

•Mr Gbede presenting the first prize of $3,000 to Omisore.

New Fund to boost affordable housing in Nigeria underway

By KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

N

IGERIA’S construction sub- sec tor is set to witness a major boost with the introduction of the Construction Ideas Fund, CIF which is meant to stimulate innovative ideas that will boost affordable housing and improve income within the sector.

The Fund is part of a wider project known as Growth and Employment in States, GEMS2 with focuses on the construction and real estate sector of the economy. The programme GEMS2 is funded by the UK Department for International Development, DFID. Mr. Paul Weijers, Team Leader of GEMS2 told newsmen last week the C M Y K

Fund will promote economic growth within the construction and real estate sector.

“Construction Ideas Fund is one of many DFID motivated funds that are globally applied to inspire innovation in key sectors in developing economies. Popular business concepts across Africa are aided by such funds. One key example is the MPESA mobile money concept in Kenya which idea was birthed through similar funding opportunity. Such funds are managed by different international development programmes or projects and known in different names and parlance. In the construction sector in Nigeria, it is known as the Construction Ideas Fund.

“The Construction Ideas Fund in Nigeria is a funding mechanism which

shares the financial risk of innovative projects within the construction and real estate sector. If a Nigerian business or organization has an idea that not only improves her business but can also be shown to have a lasting positive impact on the sector, particularly in terms of increased income and employment opportunities for low-income groups, then such business or organisation can access the fund upon satisfying the eligibility criteria”, Weijers said.

According to him, a company or business is deemed eligible if it is commercially oriented and has its operation in either the FCT, Lagos, Kaduna or Kano States. Other non-commercial oriented (not for profits) organisations can partner with their commercial counterparts to be eligible.

Lagos initiates facility management bill in House of Assembly

By KINGSLEY

ADEGBOYE

A

GAINST the backdrop of rot and decay affecting Lagos state- owned infrastructure, the State Government has initiated a facility management bill in the legislature. If the executive bill is passed into law, it will lead to the establishment of Facility Management Commission in the state.

The proposed legislation will also empower the body to monitor various projects, especially, public infrastructures with a view to enthroning a culture of maintenance in Lagos.

These facts were disclosed to newsmen by the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Obafemi Hamzat, an engineer.

According to him, the State Executive Council has decided that each ministry must as a matter of fact, have a budget for facility management henceforth. This will be a template for all projects to be awarded by the state ministries.

Hamzat who disclosed that his ministry’s budget for year 2013 is N74 billion, assured that a total of 183 ongoing road projects would as a matter of priority be completed this year. He stated that number of roads contracts to be awarded this year will be determined by the completion of the uncompleted ones.

The Commissioner who noted that several factors determine roads which government places priority on, said contracts for over 10,000 roads have been awarded across the state. A total of 443 of these roads have been completed while the rest are ongoing. He debunked the story that some areas were deliberately neglected in the choice of roads being given priority by the government.

He listed some of the criteria to include traffic situation, inter connectivity, waster discharging nature and availability of funds.

Hamzat disclosed that the government has incorporated in its road design, speed breakers and civil infrastructure for traffic light to prevent hazard at roundabouts and T-junctions. He added that the state equally has designed pedestrian bridges for those physically challenged.

Reacting to reports that the work on Lagos/Badagry Expressway is slow and that the state government is seeking partnership with the Federal Government to complete the multi-billion dollars project, the commissioner said there are technical sequences in the construction of the road at some points which are being worked out.

31—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

FG signs MoU with IESCO on ecological safety T

BY CALEB AYANSINA

HE Federal Government has signed a Cooperation Agreement on Ecological Safety with the International Ecological Safety Collaborative Organization IESCO. Nigeria and IESCO will amongst others, engage and develop mechanism for ecological tourism and ecological agriculture as well as the promotion of youth employment.

It is expected that in pursuing the objectives of

the agreement, Nigeria and IESCO will exchange information and materials on ecological safety as well as climate change.

Vanguard gathered that the two parties will equally conduct project cooperation on ecological agriculture, ecological energy and ecological tourism to ensure sustainable development .

Consequently, the Minister of Youth Development, Inuwa Abdul-Kadir who signed for Federal Government called for the mentoring of

youths in the African continent on ecological safety in all ramifications to secure future generations and for sustainable development. Abdulkadir proposed this initiative while delivering an address in Bali, Indonesia, at the recent World Ecological Safety Assembly organized by International Ecological Safety Collaborative Organization.

In a statement made available to Vanguard by the AD(Press and Public Relations), Olusola Abiola,

in Abuja, the minister was said to have stressed the need to involve youths in tackling future ecological challenges in view of the astronomical increase in the population of youths as well as the necessity to groom them for future challenges.

He emphasized the great role the youths can play in world affairs particularly in present and future initiatives which borders on ecologically safe environment for sustainable socioeconomic growth. He

identified drawbacks ecological disasters such as flood disaster, desertification, gully erosion, drought and deforestation bring on the socio-economic and political environment.

On the debilitating effects of these natural disasters on the continent particularly in Nigeria, the Minister lamented that they have been aggravated by inadequate education and lack of infrastructure for prevention or mitigation.

Abdulkadir who suggested an innovative

strategy to address these challenges, advised participants to develop a holistic pro-active programme of action which will allow the youths to participate actively in early warning and preventive advocacy on ecological safety.

The minister among other things proposed youth participation in the design, implementation and evaluation of environmental policies including the conservation of African natural resources at local, national, regional and international levels.

NIQS to collaborate with Lagos to make city tourism destination

BY JUDE NJOKU

T

HE new chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, NIQS, Mr.Olayemi Shonubi has pledged to collaborate with the Lagos State Government in its quest to transform and expose Lagos as a tourism destination. As part of the collaboration, Mr. Shonubi said his council intends to apply for the hosting of the National Conference of the NIQS which will also double as the West Africa Regional Conference of the AAQS in November, 2013, and called for the assistance of the state government to actualise the dream. He also promised his council’s collaboration with relevant professionals bodies in the built environment to influence government laws and policies that affect the industry.

The Ikorodu-born construction cost expert said the focus of his twoyear tenure is “borne out of a vision for transformational change in the perception of quantity surveying in Nigeria,” and pledged to increase the awareness of the benefit inherent in the engagement of quantity surveyors both in the public and private sectors. He regretted that many Nigerians do not know the role of quantity surveyors in the construction industry and promised to redress the trend.

C M Y K

32 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, January, 8, 2013—33 understand. Everything was now rushing through my head very quickly. I came to the conclusion that all three of them were Ibos which will explain why the ‘man of God’ had a funny accent.

I turned to the driver who I then realised had not spoken a word after the initial question he asked me. I told him that I was no longer interested in continuing the journey and that I was not sure about the authenticity of the ‘man of God’, asking where exactly he’d met him.

He pretended not to hear me and did not answer. The ‘man of God’ too kept looking at me uncomfortably. I looked into his eyes for the first time and could not see any godliness in them. All I saw was a desperate con man. He became angry as they realised that their spell was no longer working on me and started reciting some things at me which I suspect must be incantations. I could not understand what he was saying but I refused to allow fear take over me, so, I started praying, asking God to have mercy on me and save me from this ordeal.

About this time, I knew we were not heading towards Badagry Express Road but I did not know where

Deceit, danger all around (2)

H

E unhooked my belt and pro ceeded to probe my private part. This he did three times each producing a small black cowry seed.

I could not believe my eyes and I began weeping while he tried to pacify me. The man in the front seat too told me that I was supposed to be happy that my problems had been solved instead of crying.

He asked me to imagine what would have happened to me if we had not met the ‘man of God’. So, in my foolishness, I thanked the ‘man of God’ for his assistance.

At this pointm, the ‘man of God’ asked me how much money I had in my purse. I told him I had only N8000. The man in front told him he had N15,000 and brought it out.

The man told him to hold on to his money.

He told us that he did not want our money but wanted to do something with it for us. He collected my money and chipped off the edges of the notes before giving them back to me. Then he asked if I had any jewelry, like gold chains and wrist watches. I told him that apart from what I was wearing I had nothing

else. When he realised he could not get anything from me, he asked if I knew where he could get some mercury. I explained to him that I did not know about such things as it is a criminal offense for anyone to be in possession of it. The man in front agreed with me but said he could get it. By this time, I was beginning to be conscious of what was happening gradually. Instinct led me to look out of the window and for some reason, I could not recognise where we were. I became worried that something funny was happening and that we were not going in the direction of where I said I wanted to go. At this point, I still had not discovered that I was the only victim in the cab. I thought the guy in the front passenger was in the same dilemma as I was. So, I

,

HI,As if the stories of kidnap ping and bombing across the country are not enough, the “ember months” including the beginning of a new year are considered precarious whether by design, myth or reality. A lot of weird, incredible stories make the rounds during this period, all of them twisted with violence, spiritual and physical manipulations, loss of property and death.

For those who are lucky of a chance to tell the bone chilling stories, life may never be the same as they once knew it. In this series, some of these people will be sharing their experiences with us. The story you are about to read today was recently told by a young lady who claimed she narrowly escaped being kidnapped after she boarded a taxi right in front of her house.

Tayo, (23), fresh graduate, says she is convinced she was hynotised.

Her story:

I told him that I was beginning to have doubts about the sincerity of the ‘man of God’ since I could not fathom out what he wanted to do with jewellry and mercury

wanted to alert the guy, that I was suspecting something fishy about the ‘man of God’. So, I shifted forward in my seat and leaned close to the back of the front passenger seat. Then I whispered in Yoruba to the young man. I had assumed he was a Yoruba man since he’d told the ‘man of God’ that his village is in Oyo state. I told him that I was beginning to have doubts about the sincerity of the ‘man of God’ since I could not fathom out what he wanted to do with jewelry and mercury.

Instantly he turned around with an angry look in his eyes and asked that I speak in English as he did not understand what I was talking about and that he is an Ibo man. I was stunned. This was a man that just said he was from Oyo state and just a few minutes later, he is claiming to be Ibo. But how could I speak English when the man of God will

,

we where. Then something told me to look up and I saw myself looking at a highway sign direction. It indicated that we were on Lagos Ibadan Express way and we were speeding past Berger area towards the long Bridge. Luckily too, I spotted two Policemen standing not too far away to the right side of the road and a couple of Road Safety men on the other side. I am not familiar with that road but something told me that I should not panic too much and that I will be safe. Inside, I was afraid because they were not talking to me again except for the ‘man of God’ who went on chanting his incantations.

I made a quick calculation that if they refuse to stop at the Road Safety Post, they will at least slow down. So, I quickly summoned up courage even though I didn’t know where it came from.

To be continued Asisted by Onozure Dania

Friends Searching Males

, •Chekwas, 38, handsome, educated and employed, needs an educated, tall, slim, beautiful and well mannered girl, who is ready to settle down, aged 22-26.07033219287, 07033219287 Walter, 27, nice and resides in Lagos state, needs a lady, who is wealthy, sexy and comfortable, aged 40-45, for a relationship.08034395900 Tony, from Delta state, needs a God fearing Christian, lady, from a rich family who can help him financial in his education, preferably, in Asaba.08175749199, 08038987021 Newton, 24, a graduate, Urhobo by tribe, needs an Urhobo or Igbo decent girl, aged19-22, in Delta state, for a serious relationship.08181849272, 08078149174, 08167601639, 08039262097 Mohammand, resides in Lagos, needs a serious Muslim lady, for a relationship, that can lead to marriage.08094261859 A guy, 20, from Warri, needs a girl, aged 19 -22, for a serious relationship. 07067602961 C M Y K

Tope, 35, a driver and resides in Lagos, needs a Yoruba lady, for a good relationship. 08167942147 Kelvin, from Rivers state, needs a nice and beautiful girl, for a serious relationship. 08063867151, 08179154892 Kelly, 36, resides in Lagos state, needs a God •Dear readers, please note that neither Vanguard, nor Yetunde Arebi will be liable for any error in the publication of requests on the Lovezone that may result in any form of embarrassment to any member of the public.

Also note that we do not run any match-making agency in or outside the country. Any reader who transacts business with anyone claiming to be our agent does so at his/her own risk.

Henceforth, only messages sent through the numbers readers want to be contacted on will be published.

This notice is necessary in order to serve you better in our refreshingly different style. To get your requests published, just text it to the code number 33055. For further enquiries, call 08026651636. Cheers!

Living a happy and satisfied life

BY ONOZURE DANIA

I

N each day that pass es by, we stand by and witness how our lives are being lived without the full happiness and satisfaction we crave and need.

Most people spend their time stressed out, worried and on a constant panic about what needs to be done for their futures, raising their children, wired up over work, school, along with everything else. Does this sound familiar?

Well, if it does, it is because so many people live with this style and pattern.

When you can start living that fully happy and satisfied life? The only way you can live a happy and satisfied life, is when you start doing things that make you happy and satisfied.

Sure, it sounds easy, and can be easy if you just remember to make yourself one of your top priorities.

Too many people neglect themselves, feeling that it would be selfish if they took any time out to focus on their own being. While it is good to take care of others and other important things going on in your life, it is mandatory that you never forget about yourself.

Discover who you really are and what matters most to you. Living a great life does not just happen. It requires, planning and following those plans to a life that reflects who you truly are. Most people avoid planning goals and dreams in their lives because they may have a fear of committing to it or failing. They feel that by officially writing it down, they would actually have to go through with pursuing it.

This is where you need to rate the importance of your life missions. What is most important to you? Is it los-

ing a certain amount of weight? Getting your degree? Spending more time with your spouse or children?

Whatever the reason or reasons may be, just write all of them down. You may feel that making a mental note of your goals and dreams is enough, but you could very well be setting yourself up for disappointment and failure.

By writing it down, you will become a visual witness of those goals. Try writing them in an organizer, with a little reminder written in each day. Setting deadlines for these goals would be a great way to assure they will be accomplished. Avoid disappointment by setting realistic deadlines. For example, if you wanted to lose 10 pounds, do not give yourself a week to do so. You will only torture yourself and become depressed when the week is over and see that you did not come even close to losing the 10 pounds. In fact, you may give up losing weight altogether because of the failure you experienced, simply because your deadline was unrealistic.

Take some time everyday to look over your goals and remind yourself of how important they really are to you. Ask yourself why they are important to you too.

Knowing that something is important is not enough.

You must know the reasons behind the importance of the dreams and goals you have, so that your mind can see it more clearly and understand exactly why it is so necessary to go through with your missions. Excuses are demons you must learn to fight off if you wish to start living a happy and satisfied life.

fearing lady for a wife.08100367410, 08034594897 Kingsley, 22, a student and resides in Delta state, needs a rich and busty lady, aged 33- 58, for serious relationship.08162362184 Vincent, 24, slim, tall, light in complexion and from Abia state but resides in Lagos, needs a caring, gentle and intelligent girl, aged 17-24.07030778275 Emeka, a business man in Onitsha, needs an employed or business girl, for marriage.

08183347780 Kachi, 22, a student and resides in Lagos, needs a mature, wealthy and sincere lady, for a serious relationship, aged 20-45.08102542222 Williams, 30, 5.9 tall, dark in complexion, slim, handsome and resides in Benin city, needs a fat, busty and sexy lady, aged 25-45, for a hot relationship.08185773571 Shola, 38, a business man and resides in Lagos, needs a lady, aged 27 and above, either employed or in private business from any tribes for marriages.08024988921

34 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

•From left: Alhaji Lai Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary ACN, Tope Shaba, Sam Itodo, Ishiaka Yakubu and Mrs Toyin Adewale

Our patch-patch Constitution reviews will not lead us to the Promised Land

M

ODERATOR: Distinguished panelists I, welcome you all to this Conference Hall ,which we are devoting to the on-going process of Constitution review. We have seen the process of making of a new Constitution in Egypt ,which is still grappling with massive social discontent, we have seen countries formulate constitutions in open and transparent way, what is the problem with the process of constitution making and constitution reviews in C M Y K

•Tope Shaba

Nigeria?I want to start with Barrister Monday Onyekcachi Ubani, the Chairman of the Ikeja branch of NBA What is going on now is what we call patch-patch constitution review and of course, when you patch a cloth for too long, you don’t expect it to serve the purpose, as you would expect.

What we expect in Nigeria is constitutional conference where we will really sit down as a nation, and spell out the terms and conditions that will guide us to live together, as one in this

•Cynthia Ekwueme

country.For now, Nigeria is not a nation, we are not yet together, and the first questions that we r must eally ask ourselves are: the issues of whether we really want live together or not? We must first settle this before we can even talk about constitution. This is important, so that we don’t write down a constitution for a people that will never live together or will never in any way have a common goal or zeal or purpose, to develop as a people or become a nation.

And so, that question has to be addressed, the earlier we do it, the better. We cannot keep hiding ourselves from reality. The issue is: Do we want to live together as one country, one nation that has one aspiration, one goal? And if that question is answered in the affirmative; then we can now go ahead and give ourselves a constitution; and begin to specify the terms and conditions of various issues.

The issue of corruption that is inherent in the system, a situation where a Governor is allowed to operate a budget that has not been passed, the Governor does whatever he likes without checks and balances, it should not be allowed to stay.

A situation where the President becomes the most powerful President in the world, he is the one that gives oil

•Onyekachi Ubani

blocs, he is the one that does almost everything, he can turn a man into a woman and there are no checks, there are no balances. The President decides who becomes the Speaker of the House and the Senate President, so that he will get a compliant House. He does whatever he wants to do and nobody will challenge him.

The Ministers are so powerful that they are the ones stealing all the money but all eyes are on the House, but I tell you what is going on in the Executive is terrible. So, we really

,

THE ritual of Constitution amendments has become too familiar a end game for Nigerian politicians that nothing cheery is expected to come from the on-going process at the National Assembly.

This pessimism stem from the fact that since 1999, no fewer than three amendments have been made so far to the constitution but none has come near to addressing the critical issues of inter ethic relations, devolution of power, true and fiscal Federalism, enthronement of merit and other issues that have been agitating the minds of millions of Nigerians.

Rather, Federal Lawmakers have capitalized on the popular wishes of the citizens for total overhaul of the the Constitution, to benefit themselves and their cronies. In the process, huge sums oof money and time are wasted on such fruitless exercises.

Democracy in Nigeria has become a business enterprise for elected public office holders, their proxies in a winner takes it all while the losers watch from the side lines. In our tradition of using journalism to building a better society, Vanguard Conference Hall is focusing on the renewed process of Constitution amendment under the theme Nigeria’s Democratic Development And The Constitution Review: Matters Arising. Our panel of discussants who converged at Lagos Sheraton Hotel Ikeja were: Alhaji Lai Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary, Action Congress of Nigeria. Mr. Tope Shaba, Civil Society Coalition. Mr. Sam Itodo, President Youth Alliance on Constitution Review, Mrs. Cynthia Ekwueme, Women & Child Rights Agenda, Mrs. Abiola Akiyode Afolabi, National Coordinator Gender & Constitution Review Network, and Mr. Ishiaka Yakubu of DGD project of UNDP.

Nobody cares about education, health, I do not really know what an average Nigerian stand to gain as a Nigerian but that is where we are and bemoaning our plight

,

need to look inwards and look at a particular constitution that will move the nation forward.

But for now, what we have is a flawed structure and most of our problem is systemic, because we have a flawed constitution, that was penned down by the military. But I tell you that it is very fundamental that the people give themselves a constitution, a law that they will respect.

The constitutional amendment that is

Continues on page 35

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013 —35

We are not addressing fundamental issues Continues from page 34 currently going on now to me is a “patch patch” thing, it is not fundamental and whatever we agree on will not properly reflect the wishes of the people. The people must be well represented and the outcome of the constitution must not tampered with.

For instance, take the issue of state Police as an example, what stops a state like Lagos from having a State Police? to monitor its environment and to ensure that lives and property are protected. Bornu State can come up and say that they don’t want State Police; they want to rely on Federal Police. In a Federal system of government, every state must be allowed to make his own decision everything must not be imposed from Abuja. If a state says it wants State Police, fine. That is the true federal system. Unlike when someone sits in Abuja and passes on an idea, whether the idea is good or not, they want to enforce it down on all the states.

•Seye Adekeyi

•Abiola Akiode

•Nkiru Norom

Running efficient government We need to allow the states to come and take care of some issues in order to run an efficient government, an efficient system that would allow everyone to be happy. But I tell you what we are doing we are not addressing those fundamental issues. By answering: Yes and No, we cannot have a people driven constitution, a structure that would move the nation forward and run an efficient government.

Nigeria is not run efficiently the way it ought to be because there are fundamental flawed, and the earlier we begin to address this flaws the better and we will begin to make progress.

We must address the systemic problems by having a proper constitution

Seyi , the perspective of NUJ on the on-going Constitution Review From the NUJ perspective, where we will be loud, where will be loud and where we are to remain silent, we will remain silent. I would not be as generic as my friend Ubani has been. I am from

What we are practicing is not fundamental; it is not constitutional and thing needs to be done the right way. We need to sit and agree on some certain things and one of them is if we really want to live together as a country

,

and competent institutions to monitor the system.

Our democracy is too cosmetic For now, what we are doing is cosmetic, what we are doing is not fundamental. Even if we agree on some certain things, it will not be reflected in the way we want it because of entrenched interests by those who represent us. And they are not in a better situation to draw a constitution, in the first place, more so when there is no issue on referendum.

We must have a constitution that reflects the people’s interest after each constituency have been visited and the people have expressed themselves on what needs to be in the constitution.

But what we are practicing is not fundamental; it is not constitutional and thing needs to be done the right way.

We need to sit and agree on some certain things and one of them is if we really want to live together as a country.

Moderator: Let us hear from Mr.

•Victor Omoregie

•Alhaji Lai Mohammed

,

a professional and trade union organization, the Nigeria Union of Journalist, NUJ. We cannot be like my friend Ubani, because first of all,they speak as individuals and later on they can put up thier position under the umbrella of NBA But as far as NUJ is concerned, together with the Institute of Media Research and the International Press Center, the Media Right Agenda, we met at Ibadan and we fashioned out this memorandum which has been submitted to the Constitution Review Committee.

Just for an example, we all know how long it took us to get the Freedom of Information Act, it took us nothing less than 12 years, and we all know that it is legal right, not a constitution right, and any National Assembly may come out tomorrow and thinker with what the Assembly has done. The Senate can come and say they want to thinker with one section of the Act or the other and re-

duce it to insignificant, the President can also thinker with it. As I said earlier, I may not be generic on the matter or have a sweeping statement on the entire process.

What I want to say about Consti tution review is that in Nigeria, if you continue to hammer on certain issues over a period of time, it gains ground one way or the other, therefore, if there is anything that is not in the constitution now and people know that it may be difficult to have it.

My personal view is that we should not relent; we should continue to hammer on it. Look at the issue of having Sovereign National Conference, the Civil Society Groups, the Lawyers and the Media have been clamouring for it but the Executive arm of Government that is enjoying power, does not want to hear of SNC, I believe that this country is so free that even if they do not hear us now, let us just not relent, let us just continue to beat the drum as time goes on, when the heat gets to them, they will join those people who are clamoring for it.

Encouraging whistle blowers In my own area of the country, if you want to give a blind man groundnut, you just have to be whistling so that the blind man will know that you are not eating the groundnut. If you want to crack it, you must continue to whistle then you would give it the blind man, so that he will know that the groundnut has not ended in your own mouth.

My point is let us continued to blow

•Hugo Odiogor, Co-Ordinator the whistle. I will encourage the whistle blowers to please continue. There are so many stumbling blocks along the way and Federal Government is so insensitive to so many things, but I still believe within my mind as a Nigerian that, I don’t know what an average Nigerian stands to gain from being a Nigerian.

I use to give example of an old hen that we picked from the bush and let us look at the Agric fowl, you will give it all the necessary medication, feed it three times a day and look at what they leave for you and the one they throw into the bush. It is when the farmer goes to the bush that the local hen will eat that is when it will be taken care of.

I use to liken all Nigerians to that old hen in the bush. Nobody cares about education, health. I do not really know what an average Nigerian stands to gain as a Nigerian but that is where we are and bemoaning our plight. But I know that things will change when it will change.

Moderator: After the vibrancy of the pro-democracy struggle that chased the Military out of power, the Civil Society groups have gone to bed, leaving the Political actors to dominate the political space unchecked and uncensored what is the position of the Civil Society Coalition on the Constitution Review?

I will not agree with you on the fact that all civil society groups have become silent in regards to the entire process but we cannot deny the fact that there has been infiltration.

To be concluded

36—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

PDP BOT CHAIRMANSHIP:

Intrigues as members go for election today

BY HENRY UMORU

A

FTER months of political intrigues, campaigns and nocturnal meetings, the D-Day has finally come for the election of leaders of the Board of Trustees, BoT of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. BOT members of the self acclaimed largest political party in Africa will converge on Aso Rock, the presidential villa to elect a new chairman today.

The 98-member board, constitutionally, is the conscience of the party having being saddled with the responsibility of ensuring highest standards of morality in all the activities of the party and with power to call to order any officer of the Party whose conduct falls below the norms among others.

The highest decision-making body of the party according to the constitution comprises of men and women of integrity who have contributed critically to the conception and nurturing of the party, and who have sacrificed much for it, and as contained in Section 12.76.

Will consensus give way to election?

The emergence of a new BOT chairman had in the last couple of months become interesting and an issue of discourse because for the first time the PDP BoT will get a new chairman through election as against the hitherto consensus arrangement that produced the previous ones since the inception of PDP in 1998 if the party goes ahead with the election.

It is on record that former Vice President Alex Ekwueme who hails from Anambra State emerged as the first BoT Chairman through consensus in 1999. After him was former governor of old Plateau State, Chief Solomon Lar who was National Chairman of PDP in 1999 and became BoT chairman in 2003 also through consensus when Ekwueme went to contest for the Presidential election.

Chief Lar was replaced through consensus when Chief Tony Anenih from Edo State emerged.

Still through a consensus arrangement and to pave way for his emergence as Chairman of BoT, former President Olusegun Obasanjo amended the party’s constitution. Section 12.77(b) of the 2006 constitution read,

*Ekwueme ‘’without prejudice to the provision of this constitution, ensure that an elected Chairman is either a former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria produced by the party or in the absence of such, a former National Chairman of the party who has distinguished himself in the service of the party.’’

The constitution was signed by the then National Chairman and Secretary, Dr. Ahmadu Ali and Chief Ojo Maduekwe respectively. The clause was later changed in 2009. Chief Obasanjo replaced Chief Anenih in June, 2007 at the Kano Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

The intrigues that produced Obasanjo When Obasanjo emerged in a manner that looked like a coup against Anenih, it then became the first time in the existence of the party that the board of trustees meeting was held in the morning as against its usual nocturnal meeting. But Chief Tony Anenih did not attend the meeting.

Though all is now history, it was gathered that prior to the meeting, Anenih had fixed the meeting for 8pm, but the time was changed without his consent.

According to the source, Anenih had kicked against the choice of the time and venue of the

*Anenih:

*Ali:

*Oyedokun:

meeting.

11 candidates scramble for BOT chair The fight for the BoT chairmanship opened up following the resignation of Chief Obasanjo on April 3 2012. In his letter of resignation to the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the former President had said: “I have formally sent in my letter of resignation as the Chairman of BOT of PDP to the National Chairman of the party as prescribed in the party’s constitution. I have formally requested the President to allow

my bowing out and to issue a short statement to that effect.

“By relieving myself of the responsibility for chairmanship of BOT of PDP, I will have a bit more time to devote to the international demand on me.”

Ahead of today’s election, it was gathered that the number of candidates that will need the votes of other members have been trimmed from the initial 20 to 11.

The candidates As gathered, South-East has former Vice President Alex Ekwueme; former Senate President Ken Nnamani;

Publisher of Champion Newspapers, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Senator Onyeabo Obi. South-South has the Chairman, board of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Chief Tony Anenih; and Chief Don Etiebet.

North Central has the former PDP National Chairman, Dr. Amadu Ali. South-West has Chief Richard Akinjide; former Deputy National Chairman, Shuaibu Oyedokun and Yekini Adeojo.

Aspirants like former Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT of All Nigeria People’s Party, ANPP, Chief Harry Ayaode Akande; Senator Bode Olajumoke and others failed to make the list, just as the former Acting National Chairman, Abubakar Kawu Baraje who showed interest in the position did not make the final list.

Ekwueme, Anenih, Nnamani, Ali, Oydokun emerge as front runners The top contenders for the position as it stands now are Chiefs Anenih and Ekwueme; Senator Ken Nnamani; Amadu Ali and Chief Oyedokun.

If Ali who is from Kogi State emerges, it means the NorthCentral will be most favoured in the board against the backdrop that the Secretary, Senator Walid Continues on page 37

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013 — 37

CHIME: Combustible politics in Coal City A state branded as the coal city state has its top stakeholders sitting on hot coal as intrigues shape issues emerging from the prolonged absence of the state’s governor.

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

F

OR a state renowned for its reputation for extreme politics the unfolding intrigues around Enugu State are remarkably extreme.

Governor Sullivan Chime’s absence from the state on account of an accumulated five year leave has sent shudders across many established political foundations in the Coal City State. With varying media reports and verbal assertions of ill-health surrounding the governor, it is now feared that the high expectations and geopolitical permutations of many political power mongers in the state could be sent into a tailspin.

Governor Chime had proceeded on an accumulated vacation on September 19, 2012 after formally handing over power to his deputy, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi after a meeting of the state executive council.

The governor’s action was largely seen as the constitutional process. He had also allegedly transmitted a letter of his leave to the State House of Assembly in line with constitutional provisions. However, neither the letter nor the date of resumption from office has been divulged to the public by those in possession of the letter.

In the absence of documented evidence on the governor ’s condition, rumours have engulfed the polity around the state fueling speculations about untoward circumstances around Mr. Chime. The only response from the state administration has largely been assurances from the state commissioner for

*Chime: information, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke who has repeatedly asserted that Mr. Chime was spending his accumulated leave having not gone on leave since his advent five years earlier.

Noting that the governor’s absence was not impeding any function of government, Ugwoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN last November had said that that Chime handed over to his deputy, Onyebuchi, who was fully in charge of the state’s administration before proceeding on vacation. “Activities have been

on. There is no activity of government that slowed down because you realise that there is an acting governor who is fully in-charge.

“Work is in progress at the new secretariat and on some ongoing road projects. So also with the rural development, where some communities are being connected to the national grid,” he said. Mr. Ugwoke’s assurances nonetheless, the effect of the governor’s continued absence and the web of conspiracy theories arising there from, have continued to unsettle

political currents in the state.

Despite assertions of a plot to impeach the governor on account of his continued absence, Vanguard learnt that there has been no formal or informal discussion on the subject among the state’s lawmakers, majority of whom are believed to be loyal to the governor.

The only concern that was expressed albeit subtly, was the concern on the delayed presentation of the state’s 2013 budget proposals. Expectations from those holding the forth in Chime’s absence that the governor would return to present the budget, it was learnt, delayed the presentation until December 21, 2012 when a delay could no longer be sustained.

However, beyond imagery are reports that the absence of the governor has led to a tie down of many administrative functions of the government.

Unconfirmed sources say that unlike the Goodluck Jonathan scenario when he was empowered by the National Assembly to act as president, that the deputy governor is only acting governor in name only as power continues to reside in the hands of a few people in the Government House.

Remarkably, the deputy governor just like Jonathan at the federal level during his own crisis, has been largely numb on the issues around him. It is not as if he is a political neophyte.

The acting governor would be very conscious of the large intrigues around him and is apparently working to keep himself away from political harm. Any effort towards creating a vacancy in the office of governor is laced with serious geopolitical implications for many political stakeholders in the state.

A vacancy in the office of governor would automatically lift

Intrigues as members go for election today Continues from page 36 Jubrin who hails from Nasarawa State is also from North Central.

Factors that will shape polls As members go into election to get a new chairman from these candidates especially when ego came into play and the candidates refused to step down for one another and President Goodluck Jonathan not achieving his drive to have a consensus candidate emerge before now, age has become an interesting aspect of the race as the candidates are between the ages of 60 and 80.

Former Vice President Ekwueme from Anambra State is 80; Chief Tony Anenih who hails from Edo State, a former Minister of Works and ex- National Chairman of Defunct Social

Democratic Party, SDP is 79; former PDP National Chairman, Dr. Amadu Ali, Kogi state is 76; former Senate President Ken Nnamani from Enugu State is 64; Publisher of Champion Newspapers, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu from Imo State is 70; former Minister of Petroleum, Don Etiebet from Akwa Ibom State is 69; former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Chief Shuiabu Oyedokun from Osun State is above 70 years.

The 2015 presidential election, putting the party in its right and firm situation as well as creating equity will also crop up today.

Equity and distribution of positions both at the party and government level would also feature. As it is at the moment, President Jonathan is from

Bayelsa, South South; Vice President Namadi Sambo, Kaduna, North West; Senate President David Mark, Benue, North-Central; Speaker Aminu Waziri is from North West; the PDP National Chairman, Tukur is from Adamawa State, North East; National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola hails from Osun State, South-West; the Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja hails from Rivers State -South same zone with the President.

The South -East has the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and the National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh.

Major stakeholders of the party like President Jonathan, former President Obasanjo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Chief Olabode George; the PDP governors and Senator Jubril Aminu; the PDP National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur, among others will also dictate and determine the shape, form and pattern of the election. They are expected to play the role of political godfathers especially to butter their political interests.

Politically, the wounds of yesterday must rear their heads as political gladiators try to sell their candidates; the wounds of third term and who did what and who was affected, the wounds of political bickering as the ghost of third term may be visited on aspirants.

Onyebuchi to the office of governor. The effect would be that Onyebuchi who is from Enugu East, and had until now had not be reckoned with in the 2015 gubernatorial jostling, would automatically become the number one contender for that office in 2015.

That would inadvertently become a serious burden for the Enugu North senatorial zone which had until now been regarded as the next senatorial zone to produce the next governor of the state in 2015 after Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu East) and Sullivan Chime, (Enugu West).

However, any untoward circumstances around Chime would inadvertently return the governorship to Enugu East where Onyebuchi hails from.

Even more remarkable, is that a possible promotion for Onyebuchi would lead to the reassertion of the Ebeano Phenomenon and its chief apostle, Chimaroke Nnamani.

Onyebuchi like Chime was drawn from Nnamani’s Ebeano family. He had also silently kept away from the bust-up that followed the parting of ways between Chime and Chimaroke.

It is as such not surprising that Chime’s loyalists now pulling the levers have not been able to reach accommodation with him.

Gubernatorial ambitions Remarkably, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Eugene Odo who is from Enugu North and is also said to habour gubernatorial ambitions would also be loath to follow that path of impeaching Chime as that would allow Onyebuchi to become governor which would inadvertently cripple his own gubernatorial aspirations.

That scenario has now led to further suggestions for the impeachment of the governor, deputy governor and speaker which would create the situation for the present deputy speaker, Chime Oji from Enugu West to emerge as acting governor. That scenario would sooth those who say that it would allow Enugu West to complete its eight years.

Mr. Oji who represents Enugu North State Constituency is Governor Chime’s nephew being the son of the governor’s sister, May Oji. But, alas, any such appointment as acting governor is only for three months during which the speaker acting as governor can organise a substantive election.

That is the extent to which the web of intrigues shaping political thoughts in Enugu are now going. But beneath the veneer of all such calculations are the thoughts of the re-emergence of Chime and the pulling of all such castles now in the air.

C

M Y K

38 —Vanguard —Vanguard,,

TUESDAY TUESDAY,, JANUARY 8, 2013 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

W

HEN the crafty devil wants to deceive Eve, he confused her by telling her what she wants to hear. The holy writ says, the devil told Eve ‘if you eat of the forbidden fruit, you will be like God. But did she actually look like God

Are you on drugs? after tasting the forbidden fruit.

This is the same way drug addicts feel. They believe when they take drugs it makes them high. It gives them bold-

TERROR MUDA

ness. Yes, they are bold: But what kind of boldness? Animal boldness?

Some say, it leads to high performance. But, at what expense? Examples abound of very

in “Never say goodbye”

skillful talents who got themselves destroyed through drugs.

Stop being hooked to drugs. Drugs destroy your life, destroy your family, destroy your health and destroy your destiny.

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.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

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.

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.

Wahab, Jos. Dear Wahab, 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 signshealth 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.

C M Y K

VIRGINIA

Commen3

dadadekola@yahoo.com

by Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard , TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013 —39

MEMORIAL FOR LATE MRS ALADE ODUNEWU

From left: First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs Abimbola Fashola; celebrant, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya and his wife, Oyinkansola during 50th Birthday thanksgiving of Yomi Badejo-Okunsanya at Grace Assembly Church in Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Chief Alade Odunewu, a renowned journalist (right) and Engr. Samuel Adegbayibi at the reception for Late Mrs Elsie Abimbola Aduke Odunewu (Nee Fernadez), wife of Chief Alade Odunewu in Lagos. Pix: Lamidi Bamidele.

Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Presiding Bishop, The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, TREM, (middle); Deaconess Henrietta Otoabasi-Akpan (left) and Pastor Lizzy Ikem, Provost, Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Lagos during the first Sunday of 2013 Church service at the Church Headquarter in Anthony, Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

From left: Aremo Olusegun Osoba and Chief Ajibade Fasina-Thomas.

From left: Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed being decorated by Group Managing Director, Harmony Holdings Ltd, HHL, Mr. Tope Daramola, at the retreat for seed staff of the company, while Chairman, Board of Directors, HHL, Prof. Halidu Abubakar watches in Ilorin.

From right: Alhaji Yahaya Quadri; Chief Oladeinde Lucas and Justice Akin Holloway (rtd).

From left: Cincinni Olawale Wahab (Past President 2005, JCI Eko), JCI Senator Tunji Adekoya (JCI Eko Charter President), Tunde Adewale (Tee-A), guest facilitator and Jide Adeyemi (JCI Eko 2013 President) at the first Business Meeting of JCI Eko in Lagos.

C M Y K

From left Dr Yemisi Kuforiji and Mr Dapo Williams

40—Vanguard, TUESDAY TUESDAY,, JANUARY 8, 2013

Kwara SUBEB spends N872m on schools’ construction

I

From left: Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi LaoyeTomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Amir-L-Hajj, Osun State, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan and Head, Hajj Operation/ Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Sikiru Ayedun, during the submission of 2012 Hajj Report to the governor in Osogbo, yesterday.

Igwe of Aguleri, Eze Christopher Idigo IV, during the Ovala festival, at Aguleri, Anambra State, Sunday.

Group to sue MTN over alleged poor services

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

P

ORT HARCOURT— SOUTH South Youth Leaders’ Forum is set to drag MTN GSM service provider in the country to court over what it termed poor and fraudulent service.

In a statement issued yesterday, Chairman of the group, Odiedim Amachree, accused the mobile telephone service provider of dual standards.

According to the statement, MTN service in the country is the poorest when compared to other countries where the firm does business.

Amachree said despite the poor service MTN gives to Nigerians, its charges in the country is the highest when compared with other areas where they operate.

He said: “It is how ever no

Diabetes, hypertension on the rise —Prof Obodo

BY EMMA ARUBI ARRI—THE Provost, College of Medicine, Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. John Obodo, has stated that diabetes and hypertension has been identified as the most silent deadliest diseases on the rise in Nigeria with about 10 – 15 cases being reported daily.

Professor Obodo said this in Warri, while delivering a lecture titled “Combating Diabetics and Hypertension” during the 2012 Annual Dinner/Lecture of Urhobo College Old Students Association, UCOSA, Warri branch at the Chevron Recreation Club, Warri.

Obodo who lamented that the number of diabetes and hypertension cases are still on the rise in Nigeria added that some are not detected on time while others are not adequately treated.

W

C M Y K

longer secret that MTN operates dual standards and strongly compromise efficiency, efficacy as well as best standard practice in Nigeria for reasons best known to them, even though Nigerian consumers

rank among the highest charged of all MTN users around the world.

“This period was the worse season for those of us using the MTN network, especially during the just passed Christmas

and New Year seasons! As the unfortunate usual frustration, fraud, and practical theft by NTM was in its highest order all in the name of facility upgrade or other flimsy reasons.”

Nsukka USA to name diagnostic centre after slain Edoga

BY TONY EDIKE

E

NUGU—NSUKKAU SA, an association of indigenes of seven local government areas of Nsukka cultural zone, living in the United States of America, USA, has resolved to name the proposed N1 billion diagnostic centre in Nsukka metropolis after one of its member, late Ogbo Edeoga, who was shot dead by un-

known gunmen at Aku in Enugu State on December 26, 2012.

President of NsukkaUSA, Dr. Eddy Agbo said: “Whenever the medical diagnostic centre is completed, it would be named after our very dear Ogbo Edeoga who was shot dead by bandits, for paying the supreme sacrifice in the course of this project.”

Dr. Agbo made the disclosure at the fund raising that took place at Princess Alexandria auditorium, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN. The slain Ogbo Edeoga is said to be one of the motivators of the project and returned in December after over 20 years sojourn in USA, to rally support for the project that the group felt was dearly needed in the area for proper medical care in Nigeria.

Warri Rebirth Initiative plans cleanest area award

BY DANIEL GUMM

W

ARRI—A GROUP, Warri Rebirth Initiative, seeking the restoration of peaceful coexistence in Warri has concluded plans to launch a cleanliness campaign aimed at improving the status of the metropolis and giving Warri Metropolis a new face.

To kick start the campaign, members of the organisation, recently embarked on a cleanup exercise of the Warri Main Market Area.

Mr. Kes Agbosa, chairman of the group said in order to drive its vision, Warri Rebirth Initiative would organise a campaign to identify and reward the cleanest area or street in the metropolis.

He said: “What we have set out to do is to restore a good measure of cleanliness to our beloved city. For too long people see Warri as a hot-bed of trouble and filth and we cannot allow that to continue.

“We are set to turn things around,” adding that the idea of the clean-up campaign was to clean not just the environ-

ment but also the mind of the people.

“Warri used to be the centre of conviviality, we used to live in peace and happiness, all of us watching our brothers back

and enjoying our togetherness.

We have chosen to take the stakes higher by designing to give Warri a total make-over in terms of environmental sanitation, security and behaviour,” he said.

DESOPADEC: UPM congratulates Obiuwebvi

U

BY FESTUS AHON

GHELLI—A PO LITICAL group, Urhobo Political Movement, UPM, has congratulated the commissioner representing Ughelli North and Ethiope East Local Government areas on the board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Chief Ominimini Obiuwebvi on his appointment into the commission’s board.

The group in a statement issued during its congratulatory visit to Obiuwebvi at his residence in Ughelli last Thursday, said the appointment was a blessing to the host communities of the council areas as “we trust that his impressive politi-

cal track records will be brought to bear greatly on his DESOPADEC constituency and indeed the Urhobo nation.”

L O R I N — K WA R A State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, said it had spent N872 million on the construction and renovation of schools so far.

Chairman of the board, Alhaji Lanre Daibu, who disclosed this, yesterday, in Ilorin, while speaking with journalists, also said N972 million had been earmarked for projects in 2013.

He said: “The funds are targeted to improve the standard of education in the state, especially at the basic level.

“SUBEB has embarked on renovation and construction of basic schools in the state to enable them compete favourably with privately-owned schools.’’

Adeboye prophesizes prosperity for Nigeria in 2013

L

AG O S — PASTOR Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, has prophesied that Nigeria would experience abundant blessings in 2013 and beyond in spite of its numerous challenges.

Adeboye made the pronouncement on Sunday, at the National Headquarters of the church in Ebute Metta, Lagos.

He said: “Our tomorrow as a country and as people would be all right.

“The prayers of some of you minimised deaths in the country, before the middle of the year, many will see hope rising.

“The country should learn from 2012 disasters and take precautions to avert bigger ones.”

SAU students to graduate with 3 different degrees, says VC

BY GABRIEL ENOGHO-

LASE

B

ENIN—ACTING Vice-Chancellor of Samuel Adegboyega University, Ogwa, Edo State, Professor Bernard Aigbokhan, has said that graduates of the university would pass out with three different degrees.

Aigbokhan spoke during the matriculation of 65 degree and 35 diploma students of the university, weekend.

He noted that the university had moved from its 117 position by the ranking of the National Universities Commission, NUC, to 90th, adding that the young university was fast gaining global recognition having hosted an international conference on Esan history; an event which attracted participants from all over the world.

According to him, the university also inaugurated its Centre for Research and Development of Esan Land, CERDEL.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013 — 41

C M Y K

42—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

INAUGURATION OF GHANAIAN PRESIDENT, JOHN MAHAMA IN ACCRA, YESTERDAY

President Goodluck Jonathan (7th left) with other heads of state at the inauguration of President John State House photo Mahama of Ghana in Accra, Ghana, yesterday.

Ghana’s President Mahama sworn in, pledges to make country the best

By BEN AGANDE

A

CCRA, Ghana— PRESIDENT John Dramani Mahama was, yesterday, sworn in for another four year tenure at the Black Star square with a promise to Ghanaians that the promises he made of better education, employment creation and good health services would be kept in the interest of the Ghanaian people irrespective of their political, ethnic or religious affiliations.

The inauguration which was witnessed by twelve African heads of state including President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, Jacob Zuma of South Africa and a host of others came against the background of a boycott by the New Patriotic Party in protest against what it said was the fraud that characterised the December Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

But the Ghanaian president who apparently was conscious of the anger of the opposition delivered a speech that was widely seen as conciliatory as he called on the opposition to see his victory from the ‘limitlessness of the potentials of Ghana and not from powerlessness of their defeat’.

His acceptance speech was read from an Ipad.

Challenge by the NDC President Mahama came to power following the sudden death of the former president, John Attah Mills, last year and contested in December in a poll that he was strongly challenged by the New Democratic Congress of former President John Kuffuor.

In a speech that was intermittently punctuated with applause from the capacity crowd, Mahama said the success or failure of Ghana’s C M Y K

future does not lie in the government alone but in the hands of all Ghanaians no matter their position and status in the society.

He said: ‘In the last fifty five years, Ghana has made tremendous progress but also there is no denying the fact that Ghana is still a young country and every young country goes through its share of instability and difficulties as it struggles to find direction towards prominence. Over the course of the last four years, a tremendous amount of work has been done and there is still a tremendous amount of work still to be done.

More jobs must be created, more roads must be built.

Bridges, schools and hospitals must be built. Infrastructures that have been established must be strengthened.

State of the art equipment “Equipment must not be the only that is the state of the art in our institutions. Systems, procedures and staff must be brought up to standard. Best practices must be implemented.

We need to look beyond temporary fixes to find lasting solutions for the complications we have experienced with power, water and sanitation. We must continue to invest in our agriculture sector and grow our economy so that it lifts the bulk off our most crippling financial burdens especially among the poorest of our population.

“A country’s most valuable resource is its human resource and that is why it is imperative that our citizens have access to good health care. These issues and concerns are all works in progress. They are realistic goals that have been set and that are within our capabilities to be met sand in a timely fashion. I have just taken an oath that as the president of this nation, I will work hard to place

us in the right path and I will lead us over the hurdles and pass the obstacles that might threaten to keep us from meeting our goals. The promises that I have made are promises that I intend to keep."

In a apparent reference to Ghana’s new status as an oil producing country, the president said he would ensure that the challenge that comes with such status does not affect Ghana negatively as witnessed in other countries of the world.

He said: “Ghana is on the course of enormous transformation. We are moving forward at a rapid pace. New resources are at our disposal, new alliances are being formed.

These new opportunities could result in self sufficiency that was always imagined and desired but was never a realistic occurrence in our foreseeable future not in the way it is right now. It is true that other countries have made adversities while trying to make the most of such prospects as we have before us but those countries are not Ghana. They do not have the benefit of our history or the examples of our heroes. We have been the best before, we have been a success story, we have blazed the trail before for others to follow and we can do so once again. I believe that with God and in Ghana, all things are possible.”

He promised to provide an enabling environment for Ghana's business community to enable them prosper for the benefit of the people of the country.

Speaking on behalf of other visiting African leaders, the chairman of African Union and president of Benin Republic, Yaya Boni extolled Ghana’s democratic virtues and promised that other African countries would work hard to support and emulate the shining examples of Ghana.

President Goodluck Jonathan (r) congratulating President John Mahama of Ghana after his inauguration at the independence square Accra, yesterday.

President John Mahama of Ghana taking oath of office before the Chief Justice and justices of the Supreme Court of Ghana, yesterday

From left: President Goodluck Jonathan; former President John Kufuor of Ghana; President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d'Ivoire and the former United Nations secretary-general, Kofi Annan at the inauguration of President John Mahama of Ghana in Accra, yesterday.

President Goodluck Jonathan (r) in a handshake with Gov. Godswill Akpabio(m) ,Gov Dankwambo(l) at Accra airport when the President arrived Ghana for the swearing-in of President Mahama, yesterday

3 Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013 —4 —43

American healthcare companies ‘bribe’ women to obtain mammograms

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

I

N what has been described as an innovation, hospitals and cancer centers in the United States of America are advertising “gifts” to women who go for mammograms.

The development began just before the Christmas period, and is fast gaining momentum as thousand of women take up the offers.

In Minneapolis, for instance, women aged 50-69, are to receive a $25 gift card if they get a mammogram. All they need do is fill out, sign and mail in a voucher from their healthcare provider.

The CentraState Healthcare System in New Jersey offers a similar programme to members who agree to get a mammogram.

Women who agree to undergo the mammogram receive a $30 gift certificate towards a one-hour health spa session,and a oneweek pass to the CentraState wellness center.

Affirmative type programmes In Michigan, the Henry Ford Health System rewards women, with $20 gift certificates in exchange for getting mammograms. The approach is aimed at to convincing more women to get mammograms as part of an affirmative action-type programme to "eliminate the racial gap in mammogram screening." Health groups in Illinois, Wisconsin and many other places are offering rewards for compliance with the mammogram agenda.

In some hospitals, staff are encouraging local women to hold so-called "mammogram parties" for the purpose of persuading women get irradiated.

A mammogram is a special type of x-ray of the breasts.

Mammograms can show tumours long before they are big enough to be felt. The process takes only a few seconds and it can help save lives from breast cancer.

However, scientific studies say mammograms are highly dangerous and a direct cause of breast cancer.The Lancet once published a study that showed mammograms offer absolutely no health benefits at all.

C M Y K

• Human egg vitrification in process (left); right sperm cells approaching an egg prior to fertilisation.

‘By freezing their eggs, women can extend their fertility’

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

M

IRANDA, a 29-year-old mother of two has just had her eggs frozen and stored. The decision was not by chance but by choice, she told Good Health Weekly last week at her Lagos home.

Miranda is one of the fast growing group of Nigerian women who opt for egg freezing and storage for the pupose of bearing children in future. The decision to take this revolutionary step was borne out of necessity.

She was diagnosed with

cervical cancer last year and hopes to continue to bear children from the frozen eggs as soon as she completes the series of radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment.

Biologically, a woman’s fertility declines in her 30s.

Thanks to egg freezing, the ticking biological clock can be quietened.

The origins of egg freezing in fertility treatment go back to the late 60s, with experiments on mice.

The first successful pregnancy from a frozen egg occurred in 1986, in Australia.

But while the procedure was developed by doctors to help cancer patients and women at risk of an early menopause, however, fertility experts believe that more and more women flocking to fertility clinics in Nigeria may be doing so more for medically advised reasons than for social reasons.

Dr. Abayomi Ajayi of Nordica Fertility Clinic, Lagos, Asaba and Abuja, notes that egg freezing has become increasingly popular in women between the ages of 21 and 43.

“Some women opt for this procedure because they are not

Maurice Iwu, others record breakthrough in HIV treatment

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

A

S the world continued to battle with efforts aimed at finding cure to HIV/AIDS, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced another breakthrough in the treatment of the disease with the discovery of an oral botanical drug, Crofelemer.

The new drug is the second botanical, and an orally administered drug to be approved by FDA since 2006.

The latest breakthrough owes its success to a pioneering research carried out in the United States by a team of scientists including Nigeria’s Professor Maurice Iwu, an acclaimed pharmacologist and tropical medicine expert.

Prof. Maurice Iwu. The first botanical drug to be approved in the United States was a topical green tea extract, Veregen, in 2006.

Both botanical drugs meet all US pharmaceutical requirements and can be dispensed only by prescription.

However, ‘’Crofelemer is the first drug to be approved

•Continues on Page 45

• Professor Iwu

ready to have a baby, while others are undergoing treatment for an illness that requires chemotherapy or therapy to a part of the body near the ovaries.”

Late last year, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine issued new guidelines declaring that egg freezing should no longer be considered experimental.

Under the new guidelines, fertility specialists and researchers are urging use of the procedure for women who have a medical condition that may destroy their reproductive organs.

Health experts hope to encourage more women to consider the option, and push insurance companies to pay for the procedure.

Nearly 97 percent of eggs studied during randomized trials were found to be functional after they were thawed. Approximately 40 percent to 60 percent of women who undergo in vitro fertilization, IVF using previously frozen eggs were all able to successfully conceive.

The guidelines recommended the use of egg freezing for women who want to preserve their fertility if they are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation; planning to have their ovaries removed because they carry a gene mutation that puts them at high risk of ovarian cancer, or are

•Continues on Page 44

44—Vanguard, TUESD AY, JANUARY 8, 2013 TUESDA

Maurice Iwu, others record breakthrough in HIV treatment Continues from Page 43 in the United States to treat HIV associated diarrhea. It is derived from the latex of the South American sangre de drago tree (dragon’s blood, Croton lechleri). A red, blood-resembling latex leaks from the tree when its bark is cut, and it is this substance that contains the novel polymolecular structure crofelemer, originally developed and standardized by Shaman Pharmaceuticals. Fulyzag is the second botanical drug approved by the agency. The drug’s approval marks an important event in the decades-long history of crofelemer.’’

The latest ‘’Healthnews,’’ in a report entitled, ‘’Nigeria’s Maurice Iwu, others record breakthrough in HIV/ AIDS treatment: Amazon tree-derived medicine cleared for usage in HIV patients with diarrhoea,’’ stated, ‘’On

New Year ’s Eve of 2012, the US Food and Drug Administration announced its approval of crofelemer, marking the second time a botanical, and the first time an orally administered botanical, has received drug approval from the Administration. The first botanical drug to be approved in the United States was a topical green tea extract, Veregen in 2006. Both botanical drugs meet all US pharmaceutical requirements and can be dispensed only by prescription. ’’The latest breaktrough owes its success to a pioneering research carried out in the United States by a team of scientists which included Nigeria’s Professor Maurice Iwu, an acclaimed pharmacologist and tropical medicine expert.The facts about egg freezing Here is our guide to egg freezing, what the treatment involves, the health risks and who to contact.

HOSPITAL NEWS

• Baby Nwoye, the first baby of 2013 at LUTH, with her mother, Mrs. Emilyana Nwoye (right) and the team of theatre nurses at the neonatal unit, LUTH shortly after delivery on new year’s day. Photo by Sola Ogundipe

LUTH restarts IVF programme

A

•On ice: Human egg tanks at an assisted reproduction centre.

Egg freezing and fertility •Continues from Page 43 undergoing IVF with a partner and prefer not to freeze their embryos for ethical reasons such as having to determine whether to destroy leftover embryos in the future.

But there are concerns. Among this is a risk that women who delay starting a family for too long may never be able to have a baby naturally. Also, the British Fertility Society (BFS), a multidisciplinary organisation which represents professionals working in reproductive medicine, expresses ethical concerns about egg freezing being used by women as a way to delay motherhood.

But, According to Ajayi, “There's currently no treatment that will slow down the decline in the number of good quality eggs a woman has. The best we can do is get them out while the eggs are young and plentiful and freeze them.”

Women are born with around two million eggs. And by the age of 30, 95 per cent of women have less that 15 percent of their eggs left The latest advance of the freezing technique called vitrification, utilises chemicals are used to dehydrate the egg before it is frozen. When thawed, 98 per cent of vitrified eggs survive.

Vitrification is a technology used to freeze human eggs and embryos so that they can be stored for later use. It is a technology that has many uses outside of embryo freezing, as it allows something with a crystalline structure C M Y K

to be converted into something very smooth. A classic example is the creation of glass using sand (which is crystalline) as the main ingredient. In recent times, there has been a dramatic worldwide shift to vitrification from slow freezing.

Vitrification is an ultra-rapid process at thousands of degrees per minute. A typical embryo vitrification process cools the cells in the embryo at rates close to 5,000 degrees per minute.

The process also depends on much higher concentration used for slow freezing. Typically, eggs that are vitrified are exposed to 5-10 times more cryoprotectant than slow frozen embryos.

The actual concentration depends on how fast the embryo can be cooled, and the faster the rate of cooling, Essentially, vitrification has three critical components. First, eggs or embryos are exposed to high concentrations of cryoprotectants to allow rapid dehydration of cells. Second, the eggs or embryos are loaded into tiny storage devices (usually straws) that will facilitate ultra-rapid cooling, and third, the straws containing the eggs/embryos are cooled as fast as possible, typically at thousands of degrees per minute.

For egg vitrification, the exposure to the equilibration solution is usually about 15 minutes, and it is broken up into four steps. This slow stepwise approach is designed specifically for the egg and critical to the survival of the eggs and must be followed exactly.

Moving the eggs into vitrification solution, loading and cooling the straws •Continues on Page 45

S part of ongoing efforts to provide succour for couples with challenges having babies, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi Araba, Lagos is restarting its Invitro Fertilisation, IVF, programme this year, Already, work is nearing completion on the space provided for the project as infrastructuture and equipment are on ground.

Findings reveal that services are to take off within the next three months.

Luis Brown, the first baby conceived through IVF was born 34 years ago. There are an estimated 4,000 babies born through IVF in Nigeria and five million globally.

The first IVF baby in Nigeria and Africa was born in LUTH on March 17, 1989 The procedure of IVF involves placing an egg and sperm together in a petri dish for fertilisation to take place.

Part of the missions and objectives of LUTH is to provide quality health services using highly skilled manpower and deploying technology to ensure safety of patients and ensuring quality of services The LUTH management explained that intent is to provide wholistic services delivering those who can get pregnant on their own and providing services for those with difficulty getting pregnant LUTH has also acquired laparoscopic equipment for pinhole or minimally invasive surgery and developed one of the most sophisticated surgical skill centres in the country.

The centre is fitted with laroscopic towers for training of residents and other health workers, all more of service provision and training of health workers to continue to facilitate transfer of skills.

St. Ives Specialist Hospital seeks improved maternal, child care

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

A

CCESS to advanced obstetric and paediatric care have been identified as key factors in the reduction of reduce maternal and infant mortality in the country.

Disclosing this in Lagos, Chief Medical Director, St. Ives Specialist Hospitals, Dr. Tunde Okewale said reduction of maternal mortality associated to child birth, required provision of more dedicated specialist services in all matters of women, children and family especially at an affordable cost if we must check health indices in the country.

Okewale, a gynaecologist, who spoke at the opening ceremony of the hospital complex, argued that "Our hospitals should boost of teams of consultants in gynaecology, paediatrics, medicine and surgery who are all abreast of modern trends and developments in various specialties so that emergency cases are

treated as emergencies."

He said to save more lives, and reach a wider range of patients, the hospital had adopted "on line health counseling: and 24-hour emergency services.

The hospital is offering free registration and care for two residents for three months.

"A hospital should be one that patients can access care anytime of the day. It's a continued service. Services should be provided as quickly and promptly, that is the way to advance health care in the state."

Further, he said equipping hospitals with facilities and man power in addition to resources would help the state government achieve its health-related development goals.

Wife of the Lagos State Governor , Mrs. Abimbola Fashola who opened the new facility said the the state government had re-invigorated its primary health care centres to improve the quality of care of women and children at the grassroots."

Vanguard, TUESD AY, JANUARY 8, 2013 — TUESDA

Finely tuned balancing act: The truth about pH (2)

B

UT because the majority of us do not eat properly and as such, are chronically acidic and unhealthy, this repeated borrowing of alkaline substances without proper replacement, can quickly deteriorate the body. This problem is further intensified by the fact that when these organs and tissues are no longer able to efficiently replace the missing alkaline substances to the blood, it, too, will become acidic. While

this is a problem on many levels, on a basic level, acidic blood blocks vital vitamin and mineral absorption, essentially starving your body of essential nutrients and creating toxic buildup in your cells.

Ultimately this causes the very organs the blood was relying on to help neutralize the excess acidity, to be less effective. They become sluggish and weak leading to any number of diseases and

Julia Oyefunke Fortune

The Cancer

FIGHTER

juliafortune@hotmail.com

ultimately death in severe and chronic cases.

Another important issue when it comes to the importance of proper pH balance is that a slightly alkaline solution can actually absorb over 100 times more oxygen than a mildly acidic one. When

Egg freezing and fertility Continues from Page 44 is the same as is done for embryos.

When patients return to use their vitrified embryos or eggs, the vitrification procedure described above is reversed to allow warming back to room temperature and then 37°C, and to allow for rehydration. Since the eggs/ embryos are not technically frozen (no ice was formed). The procedure “warms” the eggs/embryos in just 20 minutes and they are placed back in the incubator at 37°C in the laboratory.

Embryos can be transferred back to the uterus immediately and eggs can be injected with a single sperm 3-4 hours later.

The vitrification technology is so new that statistics are not yet available.

According to Ajayi, the procedure is carried out in a fertility clinic which offers counselling, information including details about cost of the treatment. In Nigeria, currently there is no body regulating assisted reproductive technology including

fertility treatments such as IVF and the storage of sperm and eggs. But the procedure is designed after what obtains in the United Kingdom, where the statutory regulatory body is the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, HFEA. In an initial consultation, an embryologist assesses the medical health, carries out a blood test to measure the woman's level of Inhibin B - a fertility hormone produced by the ovaries. The more of it, the more eggs the woman has left.

She is given special drugs for around 10-12 days to stimulate her ovaries to “super ovulate” but is monitord closely to avoid over stimulation.

An operation - which takes around 1520 minutes - is then performed using a sedative. The growth of the ovarian follicles are checked by an ultrasound.

A dose of hormone is given to prompt the release of eggs. The embryologist collects around 10 -12 eggs using a fine needle inserted via the vagina into the

45

ovaries to lift out the eggs.

Now, embryologists are using a newer, more effective technique which protects the eggs using a chemical solution based on a type of alcohol. To prevent damage to the egg, the technique now removes most of the water from the eggs and protects them with a kind of 'antifreeze'.

The eggs can be stored for up to 10 years in liquid nitrogen at minus 196 degrees centigrade.

When it is time to have a baby, the egg is thawed slowly with a carefully controlled drop in temperature before being warmed up again. After being injected with sperm, the egg is then inserted into her uterus - rather like a smear test. If the technique is successful, the patient becomes pregnant as normal.

In 2011, almost 27,000 babies were born to mothers over the age of 40 last year - a 50 per cent increase over the past decade. Experts say the figure could be well over 50,000 in 10 years' time.

the body’s pH drops below 7.0, oxygen is essentially driven out. Oxygen is critical in order for the body to metabolize food and create high energy. When cells don’t get enough oxygen to create this energy, they also look to other sources, more specifically they ferment blood sugar.

Ironically, when blood sugar breaks down into lactic acid, it further raises acidity creating the perfect breeding ground for viruses, bacteria and diseases such as cancer. In fact, we now know cancer cells feed on this process and use sugar to multiply.

Despite the many intricate and complicated explanations traditional medicine provides for each unique and specific disease, the answer to how disease starts and spreads is actually quite simple.

Studies dating as far back as the 1930s show pH, or more specifically, cellular oxygen levels, are directly linked to disease. Researchers knew then that disease simply cannot survive in an oxygenated (pH balanced) body.

The body is designed to deal with shortterm pH imbalances and can typically restore balance within hours given the proper tools.

When a body is consistently acidic however, it reaches a point where is can no longer replenish or restore the natural pH balance. It becomes overwhelmed and exhausted and eventually succumbs to disease.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

E

RECTION loss and weak erection are two of the leading causes of male sexual malfunction also known as erectile dysfunction or impotence. This problem is so common that we have had to talk about it several times a month at the request of affected persons, yet we continue to get lots of questions about it. So today, we will dig deeper into the various causes of impotence while discussing treatment options as well.

As indicated above, impotence manifests in two major ways, one of which is the total loss of erection. In this case, the channels that supply blood to the penis in order for an erection to occur are cut off.

The other type of impotence involves the experience of an erection which then weakens or disappears often at the point of penetration or during intercourse itself. There are physiological causes and psychological causes of erectile dysfunction. The physiological causes can be due to illnesses such as diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disorders, atherosclerosis and multiple sclerosis. These illnesses account for around 70 percent of erectile dysfunction cases.

Addiction to alcohol, drugs and smoking can also cause erectile dysfunction by tampering with the nervous system and deflecting the signals from the brain to the penis. Just in case you do not know, sexual arousal begins from the mind.

When you are stimulated, it is your brain that sends signals to your penis through your nerves prompting an erection. Prescription drugs such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, appetite suppressants and anti-depressants also contribute their own quota to impotence. Groin surgeries can also numb the nerve endings in the region of the penis, making it difficult if not impossible for brain signals to reach the penis. Prostate cancer surgery and bladder removal surgery in particular are two main surgical causes of impotence. Hormonal imbalance can cause erectile dysfunction as well with the depletion or loss of testosterone being the usual culprit. Age is another common

cause of impotence and it is not unusual for the quality of one’s erections to begin to wane after the age of 40. By the age of 65 however, most men cannot get an erection. Nervousness and stress, both of whom clearly fall under psychological causes, do affect the quality of one’s erections as well.

I imagine all this information can be both revealing and depressing but there are solutions to erectile dysfunction.

First of all, if your erectile dysfunction is caused by the substances that you are taking such as medications, alcohol, smoking or other drugs, cutting them off is often enough to restore your erections. But if that is not the case, then you are going to be looking at solutions such as Aphrodisiacs, Penis Pumps and Cock Rings.

An aphrodisiac by definition is any substance capable of sexual arousal and it works by facilitating quicker and great flow of blood to the penis for your erections. Supplements such as Virillis , Xzen 1200 and Sex Voltz are 100 percent natural and they give you hard erections if you have weak or no erection, and stamina if you are often too tired to have multiple sex . They also lower your recovery time between erections, so that you can get a second erection soon after ejaculation.

Penis pumps such as the Pistol Pump and the Jack Pump are also good for erections and they work by basically drawing blood into the penile tissues to give you an erection.

However, if you are using a penis pump to get your erection, you will also need a Cock Ring. A Cock Ring is a rubber-like device worn at the base of the penis during sex to prevent erection loss.

That’s it for today. I hope this information has been helpful. Zee Virtual Media is currently closed for the Christmas holiday but you can call us on the numbers here from the 7th of January 2013. We deliver to you wherever you are in Nigeria. You can also order any of these products at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

46—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

Ghana’s NPP boycotts swearing in G

HANA’s main opposition party has boycotted the swearing-in ceremony of President John Mahama following last month’s disputed elections.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) said Mr Mahama won the election fraudulently.

Official results gave Mr Mahama 50.7% of the vote, enough to avoid a run-off against the NPP’s Nana Akufo-Addo, who won 47.7%.

Ahead of his inauguration, Mr Mahama called for unity in Ghana - seen as one of Africa’s most stable democracies.

Mr Mahama was Ghana’s vice-president until the unexpected death of President John Atta Mills in July.

He has served since then as acting president.

In his speech, the

President Jacob Zuma and Nigeria’s Goodluck Jonathan.

Former President John Kufuor attended the ceremony, in defiance of the wishes of his party.

Ghana’s privately-

Obama names Hagel and Brennan to lead Pentagon, CIA

U

•President John Mahama president told Ghanaians: “I will not let you down,” reports the Citi FM radio station.

“The promises that I have made are the promises I intend to keep,” he said.

Just last Friday, Mr Mahama appealed to

members of parliament to work together.

“We don’t see why we should be part of the swearing-in of an illelected president.””

Perry Okudzeto NPP spokesman Thousands of Mr Mahama’s supporters packed Independence

Square in the capital, Accra, for the ceremony, reports the BBC’s Sammy Darko from the scene.

The stage is beautifully designed in the shape of the black star of Ghana, he adds. Mr Mahama was sworn in before several African heads of state, including South Africa’s

Syrians brush off Assad’s speech as fighting continues

F

IGHTING raged across Syria yesterday , including just a few miles from where President Bashar al-Assad had unveiled a “peace plan” that Syrians on both sides said would do nothing to end a 21-month-old uprising.

Hours after Assad addressed cheering loyalists at the Damascus Opera House on Sunday in his first public speech in months, clashes erupted near the road to the city’s international airport, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has said.

The opposition-linked group said artillery hit the district of Arqaba, 3 miles from the Opera House.

Fighting continued all night and into Monday around the capital, as well as in the northern provinces of Idlib and Aleppo, it said.

In central Syria, the towns of Taybet Imam and Halfaya were bombarded with aerial strikes and artillery, said Abu Faisal, an activist speaking over the internet from Taybet Imam.

“Every four to five minutes, we hear the burst from a rocket. We cannot get any wounded out because we are essentially

owned Joy FM radio station reports that about 40 NPP supporters besieged the home of former President Kufuor to prevent him from attending the ceremony.

under siege by the shelling,” he said, adding that many civilians had fled. Taybet Imam sits on an entrance to Syria’s main north-south highway, close to the central city of Hama.

The government restricts access by international media and the accounts could not be verified.

Damascus residents said Assad’s speech, which offered no concessions to his foes, was met with celebratory gunfire in proAssad neighborhoods.

But even there, some saw no sign peace was closer: a loyalist resident of southern Damascus reached by internet said

S President Barack Obama has named Chuck Hagel to be his next defence secretary and counter-terrorism adviser John Brennan to lead the CIA, but the nominations may not go smoothly. Chuck Hagel

would replace Leon Panetta at the Pentagon, but Mr Hagel’s fellow Republicans have questioned the Nebraskan’s views towards Israel.

Mr Obama has also picked his counterterrorism adviser John Brennan as director of the CIA. Both appointments must be confirmed by the Senate.

Mr Obama, who has just returned from a family holiday in Hawaii, said at

a White House press conference that Mr Hagel was “the leader our troops deserve”.

Along with Senator John Kerry, whom Mr Obama nominated last month to replace Hillary Clinton as secretary of state, Mr Hagel and Mr Brennan would help shape the president’s second-term national security agenda.

Five accused in India rape case charged to court Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad (C) waves to his supporters after speaking at the Opera House in Damascus the speech was eloquent but empty.

“It sounded more like gloating than making promises,” said the

woman, who gave only her first name, Aliaa. “I agree with the ideas but words are really just words until he takes some action.

F

IVE men accused of the rape and murder of an Indian student appeared in court yesterday to hear charges against them after two of them offered evidence possibly in return for a lighter sentence in the case that has provoked widespread anger.

Clinton resumes after treatment for clot

U

S Secretary of State Hillary Clinton resumed her official duties yesterday , five days after being released from a hospital for treatment of a blood clot, the State Department said at the weekend.

Clinton, 65, will sit down with assistant secretaries of state for a closed-door meeting on Monday at 9:15 a.m.

(1415 GMT) at the start of a week-long schedule containing nearly a dozen meetings,

•Chuck Hagel

•Hillary including three at the White House.

The secretary was released from New York Presbyterian Hospital last Wednesday, after a stay of

several days during which she was given blood thinners to treat the clot in a vein behind her right ear. She has been resting at home in New York since then.

Clinton has suffered a series of ailments over the last month, including a stomach virus and a concussion.

Her doctors have said they expect her to make a full recovery.

The State Department said Clinton has been keeping up with her

work by talking to her staff and receiving memos.

Her first White House meeting this week will take place on Tuesday and include Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and national security adviser Tom Donilon, the State Department said.

She is also scheduled to meet with the ambassadors of Ireland and South Africa on Tuesday, and with Afghan President Hamid Karzai later in the week.

The five men, along with a teenager, were accused of raping the 23year-old physiotherapy student after she boarded their bus on the way home from a movie in New Delhi on December 16. She died two weeks later in a Singapore hospital.

The attack on the student has ignited protests against the government and anger towards the police for their perceived failure to protect women, provoking a rare national debate about rising violence against women.

A police guard said the men had their faces covered when they entered the courtroom, which had been closed to the public minutes earlier.

The five had already been charged with murder, rape and abduction along with other offences.

Vanguard, TUESD AY , JANU ARY 8, 2013—47 TUESDA JANUARY

Akpabio tasks Christians on constructive criticism

Uduaghan rolls out battle plan against kidnappers zHands over 30 Hilux vehicles to Police

A

KWA Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has urged Christians to be constructive in their criticism of government, its projects and those in positions of authority.

Akpabio, who spoke through his deputy, Lady Valerie Ebe, at 2013 Diocesan New Year Prayer and Fasting Assembly organised by the Catholic Diocese of Uyo, at the Cardinal Ekanem Seminary Ground, noted that prayer by the church, at this period of crisis in the country, was necessary.

He said that it was not enough for Christians to elect leaders but that they needed to sustain the leaders with prayers.

The governor said that the Akwa Ibom example had made him to truly know that “uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.”

He noted that events in recent time had shown that God was still with his people, calling on the church to be fervent in their prayers and obligations to the state and the nation.

Dickson proceeds on two weeks break

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

E N A G O A — BAYELSA State Governor, Mr Seriake Dickson is to proceed on a two-week break after a busy schedule of duty in the last quarter of 2012.

The two weeks break, according to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Daniel Iworiso Markson, is part of the governor’s 2012 annual vacation, which he did not observe because of pressing state assignments.

He noted that the two weeks period will afford the governor the opportunity to rest and prepare for the task of delivering quality service and the dividends of democracy to the people of the state in 2013.

BY EMMA AMAIZE

W

ARRI—IN keeping with his promise to confront kidnappers and other criminals head on in Delta State, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday, in Asaba, handed over 30 Toyota Hilux vehicles to the state police command for special security patrol.

The initiative, tagged, Delta State Government Special Security Patrol, is part of measures to ensure that crimes such as kidnapping and armed robbery were reduced to the barest minimum in the state.

The vehicles are specifically designated for patrol and surveillance of given routes and highways across the state.

Handing over the vehicles to the police, Uduaghan noted that the rate of kidnapping was reducing in the state and promised to continue to intensify efforts towards

providing adequate security.

He said he would provide a safe haven for investors, guarantee peace and secu-

rity so that prospective investors can operate in a conducive environment.

The governor said the current effort was made to beef up se-

COMMISSIONING: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (middle) Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, Delta State Commissioner of Police (right) and Comrade Ovuzerie Macaulay, Secretary to Delta State Government, during the commissioning of 30 Hilux vans for Special Patrol in Delta State procured by the state government, in Government House, Asaba, yesterday. Photo: Henry Unini.

Two herdsmen killed in Delta

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—TWO Fulani herdsmen were Sunday, killed in Egbo-Uwheru, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, by unknown gunmen.

At the time, residents, particularly youths of the hitherto peaceful community, were seen fleeing the community for fear of being arrested by the police.

The deceased, Vanguard gathered, were rearing about 52 cattle belonging to one Akpevwen Akedeye in the premises of late Stafford Obrutse, owner of Imoniya-

me Holdings, who died in the recent Dana plane crash.

According to a reliable source, the Fulani herdsmen were found dead in the premises at 3pm with their stomachs opened up after being shot by their assailants, adding that their locally made guns, bows and arrows were found beside them.

The source expressed fear that some vital parts of their bodies might have been removed by their killers.

The source, who pleaded anonymity, said only two cows out of the 52, were seen wondering in the community, expressing worries that

the suspected assailants might have made away with the other 50 cows.

Efforts to reach police authorities in the state for comments proved abortive at press time.

However, a senior police officer in Ughelli ‘A’ division confirmed the incident.

The police source, who does not want his name in print said: “We suspect that the herdsmen were killed with a rifle. The police had taken the corpses to the mortuary.”

Saying that no arrest had been made, he said the police was already investigating the matter, expressing hope that the killers would be arrested and made to face the law.

LG caretaker c’ttees won’t stay beyond April, says Delta govt

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A

SABA—DELTA State Government has said it had commenced the process of conducting the much-awaited local government elections in the state, just as it dismissed apprehension of opposition political parties over not providing a level playing field.

Senior Political Adviser to Delta State Governor, Chief Ighoyota Amori, who dropped the hint while fielding ques-

curity and sustain the success already recorded in the state, especially in assisting security operatives to maintain peace and security.

tions from newsmen in Asaba, assured that there was no way the current local government caretaker committees would stay beyond April in office, given the fact that they were inaugurated in November last year and cannot exceed a maximum life span of six months.

He said: “We are closer. It is now certain that council polls will be held in the state sooner than some believe. The process had started with the inauguration of transition or

caretaker committees for the councils by the state governor.”

On the controversy surrounding the legitimacy of the committees, he said: “The committees are legal. By law, the committees have a life span of maximum of six months, made up of the first three months in the first instance, and renewable one for another three month period.”

He said the assurance had become necessary because of the “resolve of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration to provide a level playground for all interest groups in the polls.”

All set for Delta monarch’s return to homeland

W

ARRI—ALL is now set for the return of the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, Erhiekevwe I, to his domain on January 12.

The royal father left his kingdom in the aftermath of protests and riots by angry youths against the alleged killing of some indigenes of the clan by security agents on October 10, 2012.

Property, including the palace, vehicles belonging to the monarch, some chiefs and visitors were vandalised or burnt during the crisis.

The unfortunate incident rendered the royal father homeless and had to be sheltered by the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom.

Arrangements have, however, been concluded for the return of the traditional ruler to his kingdom.

Announcing the monarch’s return, Chief John Ogude, the Otota of the kingdom; Chief Gabriel Emeje, the Iyasere of Idjerhe Kingdom; Chief William Atiti, the Unuevworo of Onyobru and Chief John Edafeburu, the Unubrogodo of Boboroko, said the monarch would return to his kingdom, January 12.

They said: “There will be a reception for the return of Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom on January 12 in Jesse Town.”

48— Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

195 Lagosians died from burns last year — Fire Service Year 2012 (January to November) Fire cases 1,100 Deaths 195 persons Rescue calls 277 Rescued persons 47 Cost of property Saved N146bn Fire calls 4,035 Collapsed building 31 cases False calls 281 cases

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

F

Extent of damage And this was corroborated by the Governor, Babatunde Fashola while speaking to pressmen after inspecting the extent of damage done by the firecrackers which exploded at the Jankara market on December 26th, 2012.

According to Fashola: “Two weeks ago, the state fire service responded to over 22 fire cases across the state during the yuletide alone.”

A breakdown of the fire statistics for 2012 showed that 137 houses were gutted in January, 166 in February, 172 in March and April witnessed had 127, showing a decline in the fire incidents.

In May, 136 cases of fire incident was recorded, 92 in June, 88 in July, 95 in August, 92 in September and 88 in October.

The record increased in November, as 116 houses were gutted by fire.

The report indicated that three people died in fire incidents in January, eight in February, 10 in March, and one in April.

In June, the state witnessed

the Dana plane crash which the official figure of the death recorded in the crash was said to be 156.

In July, one died, two in August, three in September and six in October.

While in November, the fire service received 14 rescue calls from incidents such as tanker fire and other disasters while eight people died and three others were rescued alive during the month. And four cases of fuel spillage and two collapsed buildings were recorded.

The report further showed that properties worth N20.7bn were saved by the fire fighters in January, N20.9bn in February, N22.8bn in March, N21.8bn in

,

OR 11 months in 2012, no fewer than 1,100 fire cases were recorded in Lagos state giving an average of 100 cases per month.

The report also showed that 195 persons died from fire related cases including 156 that died in the June 3 Dana airplane crash.

The report also showed that there were 70 rescue calls with 47 victims rescued alive by the fire fighters.

The state Fire Service was able to save property worth N146bn from being destroyed during the fire disasters.

The figures for December 2012, were still being compiled by the state fire service which sources however said witnessed more than 30 fire disasters during the yuletide season alone.

April and May had N23.3bn.

In June, properties worth N8.2bn was saved, N6.96bn in July, N5.7m in August, N7.4bn in September and October N8.2bn.

It will be recalled that in 2011, the former Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture in the state, Mr. Babatunde Balogun, said that since the inception of this administration in 2007 to 2011, 4,724 emergency calls were recorded and attended to promptly.

Balogun added “We had 4,035 fire calls and 277 rescue calls. We also have 31 cases of collapsed building and 381 false calls.”

Speaking on the issue, the Director of the Lagos State Fire

In May, 136 cases of fire incident was recorded, 92 in June, 88 in July, 95 in August, 92 in September and 88 in October

,

•Dana air crash fire Service, Mr. Rasak Fadipe said that the loss would have be more and the property recovered would have been less “if the state governor, Babatunde Fashola had not equipped the fire fighters with modern tools.”

“Only God knows what would have happened if the governor had not been so passionate about the safety of lives of the residents,” he added.

“Immediately he assumed office in 2007, he equipped us with 20 fire fighting vehicles when he came on board. In 2009, he bought another 10 vehicles for fire fighters.”

According to him, “Fashola

has bought the state fire service an equipment to detect if anyone is trapped in a fire accident.”

“This is a clear departure from the old system of fighting fire in the state. The old system of breaking the burglary proof and the iron rods before rescuing trapped persons is over.

We now have sophisticated equipment to rescue trapped victims.”

He noted that the “state fire Service is the only fire fighting agency in the country that has Dermal Image Camera, which is used to identify trapped persons in fire accidents.”

Fashola approves 32 fire fighting vehicles F ollowing the increased activities of the fire service officers, Governor Babatunde Fashola has approved the acquisition of 32 new fire fighting vehicles to the state fire service, to enhance its operations.

The Director of the service, Mr Rasak Fadipe who disclosed this during an interview with Vanguard at the scene of the firecrackers explosion in Jankara market, Lagos Island Local Government, said that the facilities would be delivered before the end of the first quarter of 2013.”

According to Fadipe, “Recently, Governor Fashola approved the

acquisition of 32 new fire fighting vehicles to enhance our capacity to fight fire outbreaks in the state.”

He said “fighting fire is better handled with the right facilities, and with the delivery of some of the facilities our work will no doubt better be enhanced.”

He assured residents that the fire figher “will continue to strengthen its capacities and sharpen its responses to emergencies in the state.”

“As we are getting equipment, we are also training personnel. And we are poised to mitigating the effects of fire disasters in the state. We will do our best to fulfil that mandate,” he added.

•Ikeja fire station

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013 — 49

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

S

IX structures in Makoko waterfront community, Yaba Local Government, Lagos, were yesterday razed; destroying property which monetary value is yet to be ascertained.

This came barely 24 hours after a storey building on Igando road, Ikotun-Igando Local Council Development Area, (LCDA), was gutted by fire.

When Vanguard visited the scene of the fire disaster, it was gathered that one of the structures on the water went up in flames at about 12:45 am, spreading quickly to the others.

It was also gathered that the fire which razed the structures constructed with planks and roofing sheets, located at Mappo area of the community, occurred when an electrical wire in one of the structures malfunctioned.

Vanguard learnt that the inferno was aided by the harmattan weather which had caused the planks to dry; escalating the fire.

It was learnt that victims had since vacate the premises of the

•House on fire

Fresh fire at Makoko, 6 structures burnt incident to take shelter with relatives.

Speaking on behalf of the community, General Secretary Makoko-Iwaya waterfront community, Mr. John Mautin Keke, lamented “it is pathetic that this is happening at this time of the year when the weather is very cold for one to live without shelter.”

Keke further said “We thank our Creator that it was only six structures that were affected by the inferno which occurred at about 1:00 pm. And there was no loss of life.”

He added that that some of the residents sustained minor injurise while trying to save others from the fire

disaster.

The secretary noted that the fire was put off by the residents before men of the Lagos State fire Service could arrived the scene.

Explaining the effort of the residents in putting off the fire, Kayode, one of the residents, who spoke in yoruba, said “Immediately I discovered that the fire was caused by an electrical spark, I ran to the transformer to remove the fuse to avert any electricution.”

“After that, we collected water from the river to extinguish the fire before it spreads to other structures in the community,” he added.

Lagos test-runs locomotive rail

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

T

he first phase of the 27kilometre rail line to run from Okokomaiko– Marina (Blue Line) project is scheduled to commence operation this year Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, has assured.

Lagos Light Rail is a light rail system being developed in Lagos, Nigeria. The system (the first modern rail-based public transport in Sub-Saharan Africa outside of South Africa) is being sponsored by LAMATA and is envisioned to consist eventually of seven lines.

The railway equipment including electric power, signaling, rolling stock, and fare collection equipment will be provided by the private sector under a Concession Contract.

LAMATA is responsible for policy direction, regulation, and infrastructure for the network.

The concessionaire has been mandated to generate its own dedicated electricity.

History The idea of developing rapid transit in Lagos dates from the

1980s with the Lagos Metroline network conceived by the Alhaji Lateef Jakande during the Nigerian Second Republic. The initial Metroline project was scrapped in 1985 by Muhammadu Buhari at a loss of over $78 million to the Lagos tax payers.

The idea was revived by Governor Bola Tinubu in the early 2000s with a formal announcement of its construction in December 2003.

This initial $135 million proposal was part of the greater Lagos Urban Transportation Project to be implemented by the newly established LAMATA. LAMATA initially concentrated on developing a Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, system, running from Mile 12 to Lagos Island.

In 2008, LAMATA began also to make progress with the rail project, focusing initially on the Blue Line and the Red Line.

In September 2011, LAMATA announced that it would be acquiring the older H5 and H6 series subway cars from public transit operator, Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, which are being decommissioned to

make way for the TTC’s new articulated Toronto Rocket series subway cars that are being introduced.

They are slated to be refurbished and converted to operate on international gauge in the United States before being put into service on the new Lagos Light Rail’s Blue and Red lines.[7][8] Confirming this to Megacityspotlight, the External Publicity Manager, Mr. kolawole Ojelabi, the first phase would run from National Art Theatre to Mile2 and would stop at Iganmu and Alaba stations before terminating

service at Mile 2.

Ojelabi, said when fully operational the rail system is expected to move more than 400000 passengers daily.

“The project is delivered on PPP basis. The Lagos State Government is funding the cost of providing infrastructure while the private sector will provide the rolling stock, operation and management.

“The operator is expected to generate its electricity. The rail project will run the third rail line for powering the engines since they are electric multiple unit (EMU).” He stated.

50—Vanguard , TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

Community blames flooding on NDDC project

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

P

ORT HARCOURT— RUMUEWHARA community in Obia/ Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State has petitioned Rivers State House of Assembly over the loss of lives and destruction of property to perennial flooding and erosion caused by alleged poor execution of the Oro-Igwe Road by Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. In the petition to the House, routed through Mr. Martins Amewhule, member representing Obia/Akpor Constituency, the community noted that prior to 2007, when NDDC awarded the contract for the OroIwge Road, the Rumuewhara axis was passable and never experienced flooding.

It said: “Poor construction, which did not put into consideration the topography of the area had formed a lagoon along the Rumuewhara/ Elimgbu axis. When it overflows, people are rendered homeless due to flooding of houses on annual basis from 2008 till date.”

OPF seeks Amosun's recognition

M

EMBERS of Ogun Patriotic Forum, OPF, a socio-cultural organisation, have been urged not to be discouraged by their non-recognition for political appointment in the Amosun administration.

The National President and financier of the group, Mr. Seyi Shodipo, made this remark, weekend, at the forum’s end-of-the-year/ New Year get-to-gether, held at Ota, Ogun State.

It would be recalled that the forum, an independent campaign group, having been persuaded by Amosun’s track record in private and public offices, vigorously canvassed votes for Senator Amosun during the 2011 Ogun governorship election.

DECORATION: From left— Lt.-Gen. Ihejirika, Chief of Army Staff; Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Sabo, his wife, during Sabo's decoration in Abuja. PHOTO: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Jailbreak in Ogwashi-Uku prison

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

O

GWASHI-UKU in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State is in the news again after the kidnap of the mother of the Finance Min-

ister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala. This time, following a jail break reported at the Federal Prisons, Ogwashi-Uku. Three inmates were reported to have escaped.

Circumstances leading to the

escape of the inmates were still sketchy at press time.

However, state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Famous Ijieh, said: “It was a minor incident. We will get them. We have the pictures of the three

escapees and are already in search of them.”

A major jail break occurred at that same prison in 2005, during which four of the escaping inmates were killed in the bid to re-arrest them.

FG to resettle 8,000 Abuja indigenes

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE

A

BUJA—MINISTER of State for Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide, said yesterday that nine communities of over 8,000 indigenes in the FCT would be resettled by the FCT Administration by June 2013.

Of the 8,000 indigenes, 3,200 are to be resettled in houses, while 4,800 are to receive plots of land at Apo in Abuja Municipal Area Council and GaluwyiShere in Bwari Area Council.

The minister, who spoke in Abuja while reviewing the performance of the resettlement scheme of the administration, said the three communities of 2,571 households would be resettled in the first quarter of 2013 in the Apo Resettlement Scheme, while six communities of 5,172 households would be resettled by the second quarter at Galuwyi-Shere.

She listed the three communities to be resettled in the first quarter as Garki, Apo and Akpajenya, while Utako, Maje, Jabi Yakubu, Jabi Samuel, Zhilu and Kpaadna communities are to be resettled in the second quarter.

She said: “The FCT Administration is committed towards resolving the lingering resettle-

ment crisis. Part of efforts to resolve the crisis was the inauguration of a Ministerial Committee on Facts Finding and the Way Forward on Apo Resettlement Scheme.

“This has given the original inhabitants confidence and hope of amicable resolution of the crisis which had lingered over the years.

“The committee has made some useful recommendations to the administration towards peaceful resolution of the is-

sues militating against the resettlement scheme.

“Consequently, about 2,571 households are to move from Garki, Apo and Akpajenya to Apo Resettlement Town in the first quarter of 2013.”

The minister disclosed that engineering infrastructure works were ongoing in Phase 2 of Apo Resettlement Scheme and Galuwyi-Shere.

It will be recalled that the Ministerial Committee on Facts Finding and Way For-

ward on Apo Resettlement Scheme had recommended the capturing of resettlement and compensation of the original inhabitants of the FCT in the National Priority Budget of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The committee, in its report presented to the minister on December 13, 2012, explained that the resettlement and compensation of indigenes could not satisfactorily be funded under the FCT Administration’s Statutory Budget.

Mischievous people behind Jonathan campaign posters— Owie

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—FORMER Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Rowland Owie, yesterday, alleged that some persons he described as mischievous, pasted the controversial 2015 campaign posters of President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja to divert attention from the seeming improvement in the power sector and railway transportation, which had been achieved

by Jonathan’s administration.

He said the President had in

the past said that he will not comment on 2015 presidential election until 2014, and queried the argument by some Nigerians, that the posters may have been masterminded by the President despite the denial from the Presidency.

He said: “I think the people, who are still talking about this posters, are idle Nigerians. It is unfortunate.

“How can a sitting President, who has been governor of a state before, if he wants to run for election, will not tell the

world that he is going to run?

Why will he want to hide his intention?

“The President has said he knows nothing about the posters, why won’t people listen and believe him? The truth is that we are idle. We should face more importation issues.

“I knew he is not behind the posters. The people behind the posters are mischief makers and they know themselves. The posters are the handiwork of mischievous people. It is definitely not from him.”

Vanguard , TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013—51

Iliyasu, ex-Kaduna lawmaker, dies at 67

A

A pothole at Iyana Ipaja, one of the several bad portions along the Lagos-Abeokuta express road. Pix: Diran Oshe

Yet another bad spot.

Our leaders not responsible for poverty in the North — ACF

BY EMEKA MAMAH

T

HE Arewa Consultative Fo rum, ACF dismissed as misinformed comments that northern leaders, who have dominated rulership of Nigeria are responsible for the underdevelopment and rising poverty in the North.

The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, in its latest report said that Sokoto with 81.2 percent poverty level was the poorest in the country followed by Katsina, Adamawa and Gombe states which shared the same poverty rate of 74.2 percent each.

According to the report, other states with high poverty level include Jigawa and Plateau states with 74.1 percent followed by Ebonyi in the South East with 73.6 percent.

The Bureau further stated that Bauchi State had 73 percent poverty level, Kebbi (72 percent) and Zamfara (70.8 percent).

Reacting to the report, the National Publicity Secretary of ACF, Mr Anthony Sani, said although the North seem to have produced more leaders than other sections of the country who could have improved the lot of the North, they were not sectional in the performance of their functions, hence they could not treat fellow northerners differently.

Averring that Nigerians should be blamed on the issue, Sani, who said southern leaders had also been long in power to effect changes, attributed the South’s higher socio-economic growth over the North to earlier contact with western education and not consciously directed efforts.

Sani said: ‘’The time which this country has been under the watch of leaders from the South is long enough to make a difference in the standard of living across the country.’ When people say the North ruled more than the rest of the country, it makes me angry in the sense that they imply that the president or head of state is expected to be

a sectional head and not that of the whole country. Such notion also presupposes that the military heads of state consulted the North before taking over power and on behalf of the North. This is not correct; it is misinformed;

m i s g u i d e d . ’’A president of this country is expected to regard the whole country as his constituency by presiding over a united nation, and not over a divided people.

The president should bring the

people of the nation together and not preside over a divided people. The president should bring the people together and enable them live up their collective challenges for not only public good but also for individual benefit.

Ekweremadu tasks Ghanaian president

BY HENRY UMORU

A

BUJA—SPEAKER of the Par liament of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has called on President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama to unite all political interests in the country by running an inclusive government.

Ekweremadu who is also the Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, however, described President Mahama’s emergence as a “rendezvous with destiny” and extolled Ghana as “a great

inspiration for democracy in the West Africa sub-region.”

In his goodwill message to the President and people of Ghana on the occasion of the president’s inauguration signed by his Special Adviser, Media, Uche Anichukwu, Senator Ekweremadu said, “You have a divine opportunity to be a statesman and true leader to all Ghanaians, irrespective of political and other leanings. It is an opportunity to carve a niche for yourself in the annals of this great Republic in the footsteps of your illustrious processors and great sons and daughters of Ghana who left indelible

marks in the struggles for liberty, democracy, peace, and development in the entire black race. ‘’History, therefore beacons on you to consolidate democratic values and rally your great countrymen and women on the path of unity and prosperity”.

Ekweremadu also urged the President to take another look at the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Foreign Investment Act, 1994 and the recurring issues arising from it with a view to ensuring the protection of the businesses of all West African nationals in the spirit of integration and relevant ECOWAS Protocols.

Sambo canvasses National demographic data

A

BUJA—VICE President Na madi Sambo yesterday stressed the need for the production of a National Demographic Data, NDD, of all Nigerians for rapid economic planning, healthcare delivery, security and educational development.

Sambo made the call in Abuja at the presentation of reports and recommendations by the various sub-committees of the Presidential Committee on Centralised Demographic Database.

He directed that recommendations of the various sub-committees should be harmonised, to produce a single and comprehensive report for presentation to the Federal Executive Council, for pos-

sible approval.

He also emphasised the need for the National Population Commission, NPC, and other related agencies to collaborate in the discharge of their various statutory functions, to ensure better service delivery on their mandates.

Sambo also advised the NPC to focus on its strategic functions “as it relates to delivering a credible census by 2016, achieving an enhanced vital registration system and effective population management”.

The sub-committees submitted various recommendations, some of which include undertaking independent audit of existing demographic data of various agen-

cies by the second quarter of 2013.

Others are the conduct of data producer/users workshop to address integration of the database in 2013, to select base identity management system, IMS, to be deployed by early 2014.

The sub-committees also recommended that the NPC and National Identify Management Commission, NIMC, should create a unique Personal Identification Number, PIN, for every Nigerian citizen by the first quarter of 2015.

It also recommended a centralised demographic database to be functional by early 2016, among others.

LHAJI Mohammed Sani Iliyasu, 67, the immediate past Deputy Minority Leader of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, slumped and died yesterday shortly after his afternoon prayers.

His elderst son, Malam Bala Mohammed, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Kaduna that his father died shortly after saying his Zuhur (afternoon) prayers. He also confirmed that the remains of the exlawmaker had been buried according to Islamic rites in Kaduna.

According to him, special prayers for the repose of his soul was offered at the Sultan Bello Mosque by a congregation of Muslim faithful. NAN also reports that Iliyasu represented Kawo state constituency in the legislature between 2007 and 2011 on the platform of the ANPP and later CPC. He served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Finance as well as a member of various standing and ad hoc committees of the house. Iliyasu, fondly known as “Baba nakawo” in political circles, was survived by three wives and 21 children.

NANS president vows to restore lost glory

BY TAYE OBATERU

J

OS—NEW President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Comrade Prince Miaphen, yesterday admitted that the association has derailed and abandoned its original vision, pledging that the new leadership would restore the lost glory of the body.

Addressing newsmen, he said the body had become an “Abuja Affair ” with some of its past leaders becoming a tool in the hands of politicians thereby losing touch with its grassroots.

He said alienation of members had resulted in the blossoming of various vices like cultism and others on campuses promising that the body would be returned to campuses to play its traditional role among s t u d e n t s .

52—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2012

Church detains Sahara Reporters’ crew STORIES BY UDUMA KALU

T

HE news is everywhere, about who the Security and Task Force team of a major pentecostal church harassed, molested and detained the journalists and of the online news media, SaharaReporters.

Ostensibly, the team was arrested and detained because its leader Omoleye Sowore was wearing neck beads from cowry shells (as mark of his ‘Africanness’), making some of the church security operatives describe him as a ‘sinner’, ‘satan incarnate’, etc.

Sowore and his team had gone to the church’s Lagos-Ibadan express road headquarters to cover its New Year ’s Eve crossover night service.

Sowore was said to have arrived the church bearing a 5D Canon Camera, with a frame holder on his shoulder.

The accompanying citizen journalist, Mr. O’Law, held a dual purpose shots and video-taping mini Panasonic Camera.

Upon entering the church’s main gate, which outlooks the busy Lagos end of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the crew moved into the auditorium and identified themselves to the security officers and ushers they encountered every inch of their way, and telling their mission.

The crew’s mission was to take photos and cover the crossover night service.

Ushers and protocol officers allowed them in and motioned them towards the altar after scrutinizing their identity cards. But as Sowore reached the front of the General Overseer, who at that moment was giving his sermon, he was mobbed by several church Task Force officers guarding the altar, some of them wearing aprons with inscription ‘Prayer City Army’.

Sowore was then

dragged to the back of the altar by a mob that threatened at first to smash his camera. The mob later handed him over to the police and the SSS operatives attached to the church. O’Law, rushed to the scene to identify Sowore to the church. By this time, a larger crowd had gathered behind the altar as Sowore argued that he was only doing his job. The mob was unimpressed.

The argument attracted more church members, one of who ranted that he would wear down the Jesus in him and transform

into Satan to kill Mr. Sowore for wearing neck beads designed from cowry shells.

Moments later, the crew were pushed into a security van and whisked to a detention post within the church’s expansive premises. The Task Force, who had demanded Sowore’s identity card had also seized it, forcefully detained the crew and invited the Division Police Officer of Ibafo Police station, which oversees security in the area.

•Sowore

Meet FRCN, VON new bosses

•Aghaji

T

he Nigerian government last week reconstituted the board of directors of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria FRCN and the Voice of Nigeria VON. This was contained in a

A

•Ben statement issued in Abuja by Anyim Pius Anyim, Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

FRCN has Mr. Ben Murray Bruce as Chairman, with Sunday Editor, Funke Egbemode, Mrs. Bola

major shake-up is sweeping through Punch, one of Nigeria’s national dailies. Its three title editors were last weekend removed from their posts. It was also alleged that 11 key members of staff in the advert unit were also affected.

Joseph Adeyeye, who was until Wednesday the editor of the daily edition of the paper, was promoted Controller, publications. He has now been succeeded by the Business Editor Martin Ayankola.

The Editor of Saturday Punch, Mr. Obafemi Obadare, and the Editor of Sunday Punch, Mr. Chiawo Nwankwo, were redeployed to the Editorial Board of the newspaper while the newspaper’s former Online and New Media Editor, Mr. Emeka Madunagu, was appointed the Acting Editor of Saturday Punch and Sunday Punch’s News and Politics Editor, Ms. Toyosi Ogunseye, was appointed the Acting Editor of the Sunday paper.

The paper last Monday said Joseph will

Doherty, Farouk Dalhatu, Mrs. J. N. Chinedu, Hajia Hauwa Kida, Chief Elvis Agukwe, Abubakar Sarkin Fawa Damboh, representative of the Federal Ministry of I n f o r m a t i o n , representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the director general of FRCN are board members.

Murray-Bruce, a former DG NTA is Chairman of Silverbird Group, a private radio and television outfit.

He was disqualified from participating in the governorship primaries of Bayelsa state during the last elections because of his dual citizenship of Nigeria and the United States.

Married to an

American, Murray-Bruce studied in the US for four decades, has been a major promoter of pop culture in Nigeria.

Agukwe, is a former Imo State Commissioner for Information and Publisher of a newly launched national newspaper, Newstrack.

Voice of Nigeria’s Andy Aghaji, a former chieftain of the United Nigeria Peoples Party (UNPP) is board member of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri. He studied at College of the Immaculate Conception, Owerri in 1980 and Sumacab, Cabanatuan, Philippines. An architect and member of the Imo PDP Congress.

Punch gets new editors

now supervise the newspaper’s three titles, the editorial board, the online division, editorial production and computer departments. He will develop and

drive the company’s digital strategy and generate ideas to strengthen the competitiveness of the company’s titles.

The paper plans to print simultaneously in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja.

Madunagu, at various times, has worked as news editor and member of the editorial board.

Ogunseye joined the paper in 2009 after stints in SUN and News Star. In 2011, she won the MSD Health and Medical Award in that year ’s edition of the CNN/Multichoice African Journalist of the Year Awards.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013 — 53

Keshi out to make Nigerians happy

Ade makes U-turn on Nations Cup

Kojo, Uchegbulam, Obienu advise NFF on him

BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

S

TEPHEN Keshi has one thing in mind as he battles to select his final team for this month’s Nations Cup in South Africa: ”I just want to make Nigerians happy. I want to go to South Africa and earn results that will make Nigerians happy and proud of the Eagles we are building.”

Keshi spoke to us from the Faro camp of the Eagles. ”I’m aware of the expectations especially after the draw in Spain with Catalonia. We are training hard and I will eventually select the best based on performane and not name. Any person in the team should be able to give account of himself in the competition.”

Meanwhile, fomer NFA chairman Kojo Williams has said that the damage done to “our football will take up to seven years to repair and since Keshi is on the right track he would

be allowed to continue work with or without the Nations Cup victory.

Amanze Uchegbulam and Nwabufo Obienu who were at different times vice chairmen of the FA also commended the work Keshi and his crew were doing and reminded the authorities that solution to Nigeria’s problem would not come from the sacking of coaches who are on the right track. ”I have seen some young players that they are bringing into the team and the way that they are using them. I don’t think their future should be tied to this Nations Cup success or not,” Uchegbulam said. “They should be allowed to continue.”

Obienu said that the current team would mature by 2014 and that doing well at the World Cup should be the target. ”We now see the likes of Dike, Omero, Onazi etc. Then the local boys that played against Catalonia. They will all mature to be a solid team by 2014.

Watch out,” Obienu

Keshi Continues from BP Rizespur of Turkey striker, Uchenna Kalu, Rabiu Ibrahim who recently moved from Celtic in the Scottish Premier League to Kilmanock Fc, Enyimba’s Henry Uche and Papa Idris of Kano Pillars. The four players left camp on Monday morning for their various clubsides and Nigeria.

Head Coach Stephen Keshi had during Sunday morning training session hinted that some players will be asked to go in the evening time, admonishing such players to take it in good faith as it does not mean that they are not good but that the coaching crew cannot take everybody to South Africa for the tournament.

Even before the players were asked to go, three coaches, SylC M Y K

vanus Okpala (MON), Ike Shorunmi and Hyoundonou Valere took the players to a section of the dinning hall for special counseling and words of encouragement and assured them that they are still part and parcel of the team and will be recalled once the team returns from the Nations Cup championship and starts hostilities in the World Cup qualifiers.

All the players appreciated the sincerity and fatherly disposition of the coaching crew and promised to keep their heads high at the various club sides to earn future recall to the national team. Kalu said he was personally pained that injury denied him a place in the team and promised to bounce back in the coming months for the national team.

T

THE WAY FORWARD ••• Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi points the way forward to Victor Moses ahead of AFCON 2013.

OGO claim Em manuel Adebayor has changed his mind and WILL play at the African Nations Cup. To t t e n h a m s t r i ke r Adebayor, 28, had previously said that he would not go to the tournament, which starts on January 19 in South Africa.

But reports in Africa suggest the striker has flown to Ghana to meet up with the Hawks for their pre-tournament training camp.

Ameyi Gabriel, Head of the Togo Football Federation said: “Of course we’re in the African Nations Cup with Adebayor, we will be together in South Africa.

“It is very important to have him there be-

cause he is our player and captain of the team.”

Although Adebayor has only scored three times for Spurs this year, his absence will be a big blow to the Londoners as their only other recognised striker is Jermain Defoe.

Should Togo make the final of the competition, Adebayor will miss four Tottenham matches.

He will return early if the team fail to make it out of a tough group that contains Ivory Coast, Tunisia and Algeria.

Eagles await camp commandant

A t

S the countdown o the Nations Cup

championship draws n e a r, the Camp Commandant of the

FIFA Award Continues from BP for rival star Ronaldo.

With his side currently a whopping 16 points adrift of La Liga leaders Barca, Ron made his feelings clear in the build-up to the big night by claiming “life would go on” if he failed to win.

The former

Manchester United man, 27, said: “If I win, perfect — if I don’t, never mind, life goes on.

“But obviously I’d love to win. I’m not going to lie or be hypocritical.

“Fair or unfair, the decision will be what it will. I’ll be very happy maybe or very sad, but that’s life.”

Yobo Continues from BP eclipsed Kanu’s record as the most capped Nigeria star with 89 caps and he could add to this tally on Wednesday against fellow 2013 Nations Cup finalists Cape Verde in an AFCON warm-up game.

“I have been blessed.

Words cannot quantify God’s blessings on me.

Attending my sixth Nations Cup will be great and we will give it our best shot,” Yobo told MTNFootball.com The 32-year-old Fenerbache star

defender has featured at the 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010 Nations Cups, same as the legendary Muda Lawal now of blessed memory.

He managed a thirdplace medal at four of these appearances and now said he wants to go for the top prize in possibly his last tournament.

“It’s not going to be easy (to win the trophy).

But we will give it our best shot. We therefore urge Nigerians to keep praying for us and believe in this team,” he said.

national team, Lt Col Rabiu Yandoto, has yet to report for duty even as officials here say they are in touch with him as he awaits clearance from authorities of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

•Adebayor

Black Stars Continues from BP Stars squad by Monday morning for Ghana’s team doctors to assess the extent of his injury and fitness for the tournament, I have decided to work only with the players currently in camp.”

Under Fifa regulations clubs were required to release players on Saturday, two weeks before the Nations Cup kicks off in South Africa.

Clubs must also allow injured players to be checked out by their national team doctors.

“Andre did not turn up despite being released by his club and air tickets provided by the GFA for him to travel from France to beat the deadline,” the statement continued.

“Unfortunately, Andre failed to report to camp and indicated that owing to the treatment he was receiving

from his doctor he would report to camp on Wednesday 9th January 2013.

“He was further advised to endeavor to report to the camp by latest Monday 7th January 2013 because Wednesday 9th January 2013 was the deadline for submission of the list of 23 players to Caf. “As Andre plans to arrive on Tuesday it means he would be unable to join any of my six training sessions before CAF’s Wednesday deadline for the submission of the final squad.

“In line with my vision of taking only fit players for the Africa Cup of Nations, I have decided that to work only with the players currently in camp.

“I have personally explained the rationale behind the decision to Andre and I will continue to count on him in future matches if he is fit.”

54 —

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

Tevez: I’ll save Mario’s career CARLOS TEVEZ wants to help Mario Balotelli save his Manchester City career.

The Italian’s future at the Etihad is in serious doubt after a training ground bust-up with boss Roberto Mancini.

Argie Tev looked to be on his way out of City after infamously refusing to warm up against Bayern Munich 16 months ago and handing in two transfer requests.

But the striker ended last season with a titlewinner’s medal and is in the side and scoring goals this term.

What’s more, the supporters who wanted him out a year ago are singing his name again.

So when Tevez stops to speak to Balotelli and offer him some advice, perhaps the Italian maverick should listen.

The former Manchester United forward, 28, said: “I try to help Mario. I talk to him personally, on and off the pitch.

“I’ve been in that moment like him.

“I’m always keen to help him and keep him

BOOTROOM BUDDIES •••Mario Balotelli (left) and Carlos Tevez going through these kind of moments, so he doesn’t make the same mistakes that I did in the past.”

Balotelli made his

first City appearance in a month when he came on as a second-half sub against Watford in S a t u r d a y ’ s FA C u p clash.

FIFA 2012 Ballon d'or Award winners Winner of the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2012: LIONEL MESSI. FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year Award 2012 : ABBY WAMBACH. Men’s coach of the year :Vicente Del Bosque FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football : Pia Sundhage

FIFA Puskas Award 2012 : MIROSLAV STOCH. The FIFA / FIFPro World XI: Goalkeeper: Casillas

Iker

Defenders: Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo Midfielders: Xabi Alonso, Xavi Hernandez,

Andres Iniesta Forwards: Lionel Messi, Radomel Falcao, Cristiano Ronaldo FIFA Fair Play Award 2012 : UZBEKISTAN F O O T B A L L FEDERATION. FIFA Presidential Award 2012 : FRANZ BECKENBAUER.

La Liga dominates 2012 FIFPro World XI

B

ARCELONA and Real Madrid stars have both made the cut for last year ’s world XI, alongside a host of teammates and Atletico Madrid’s Radamel Falcao The 2012 FIFPro World XI has been announced during Monday ’s Fifa Ballon d’Or gala in Zurich, with Barcelona and Real Madrid stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo among the standout names.

C M Y K

The FIFPro World XI is a prize from the players for the players, with FIFPro inviting all professional footballers in the world to compose their best team of the year.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas gets the nod between the sticks, while his club team-mates Sergio Ramos and Marcelo have made it into the defence alongside Barca duo Dani Alves and Gerard Pique.

•Iniesta

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013 — 55

C M Y K

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013

Messi wins 4th Ballon d’Or award

L

IONEL MESSI has netted the prestigious Ballon d’Or for an unprecedented FOURTH time.

Barcelona ace Messi, 25, pipped Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo and team-mate Andres Iniesta at the glittering awards ceremony in Zurich.

The European Ballon d’Or, last won by the Argie in 2009, merged with FIFA’s World Player of the Year award in 2010 to become the FIFA Ballon d’Or. And Messi, who broke Gerd Muller ’s 40-yearold record last month by scoring 91 goals in a calendar year, had backed Iniesta to scoop

the prize.

But the humble hitman got the nod to add to his growing collection of

— Page 54

Keshi drops Papa Idris, Uche, 2 others T

HE process of whittling down the number of players in the Super Eagles camp in Faro, Portugal begun on Sunday night during dinner when four players out of the 31 in camp were dropped from the team ahead of the naming of the list of 23 players for the South Africa 2013 Afcon championship.

The four dropped players include injured Continues on Page 53

Yobo set to equal Kanu AFCON record

E

AGLES captain Joseph Yobo will equal a six-AFCON finals appearance record held by Nwankwo Kanu at the tournament in South Africa.

Yobo has already

Continues on Page 53

gongs — compunding what has been a miserable season so far Continues on Page 53

•Henry

HANA coach Kwe si Appiah has dropped Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew from his squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

Ayew failed to report to

a training camp in Abu Dhabi for a hamstring injury to be assessed by Ghana’s medical team.

The midfielder was released by French club Marseille so he could

Keshi out to make Nigerians happy — P.53 TODAY'S

PUZZLE

•Uche

Black Stars drop Ayew from squad

G •Yobo

•Papa Idris

•Rabiu

YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Detain (6) 5 Improve (6) 9 Lubricated (5) 10 Uproar (6) 11 Assistance (6) 12 Mature (5) 14 Part (4) 17 Skill (3) 18 Imply (4) 20 Happening (5) 22 Jam (5) 23 Dallied (7) 24 Command (5) 26 Foundation (5) 30 Freeze (3) 32 Solitary (4) 33 Tell-tale (5) 35 Ointment (6) 36 Attic (6) 37 Flat (5) 38 Tiller (6) 39 Ebb (6)

travel as requested by the Ghana FA. “I’ve decided to exclude Andre Ayew from the Ghana squad for the African Cup of Nations,” Appiah said “Following Andre’s inability to join the Black Continues on Page 53

•Ayew

DOWN 1 Stick (6) 2 Debris (6) 3 Tart (4) 4 Shin-bone (5) 5 Cap (5) 6 Paradise (4) 7 Followed (6) 8 Purify (6) 13 Yield (7) 15 Open (5) 16 Finished (5) 18 Decoration (5) 19 Anew (5) 21 Sailor (3) 22 Network (3) 24 Stableman (6) 25 Cleaned (6) 27 Origin (6) 28 Subside (6) 30 Internal (5) 31 Keen (5) 33 Fish (4) 34 Cabbage (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

ACROSS: 4, Dealt 7, Trench 9, Lax Tot 12, Tunny 13 Meet 15, Broad Arbour 19, Echo 20, Cause 22, Man Dappled 27, Roe 28, Arena 31, Lift Stared 35, Enter 37, Will 38, Inure Rip 41, Sad 42, Defend 43, Tenet.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

10, 17, 24, 33, 39,

DOWN: 1, Atomic 2, Demean 3, Act 4, Data 5, Exude 6, Luncheon 8, Hobo 11, Trumpeter 14, Trod 16, Oral 18, Bear 21, Audience 23, Near 25, Post 26, Drew 29, Edited 30, Allude 32, Terse 34, Arid 36, Neat 40, Pet.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-8944295. Advert Dept: 01-7924470; Hotline: 01-8737028; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

C M Y K