BOKO HARAM: Tension heightens in Adamawa

...towards a better life for the people

**

VOL. 25: NO. 62226

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

ADAMAWA: How Fintiri Referring Confab won PDP’s guber ticket report to NASS

13

illogical —EKWUEME

7

BOKO HARAM: Tension

heightens in Adamawa •Terrorists march towards Mubi; fleeing residents narrate ordeal •Nigerian troops kill 50 insurgents in Kawuri, Borno State •Pray for our troops, Jonathan urges Nigerians

By Kingsley Omonobi, Umar Yusuf, Caleb Ayansina

Y

OLA— ANXIETY, panic gripped residents of Mubi, the commercial nerve centre of Adamawa State, yesterday, as news spread that Boko Haram insurgents were closing in on the town. This came as the military vowed that the onslaught to checkmate activities of the terrorists will not stop un

Continues on Page 5

COLUMNISTS:

Economic redemption: Why is govt uncaring P.40

PDP, APC are desperados •P.46

Mr & Mrs DISPLACED—Some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) during the visit of Gov Kashim Shettima of Borno State to their camp in Maiduguri, weekend. Photo: NAN.

China threatens Nigeria's cassava business •P.17

FG working to curtail Ebola •P.12 — Minister

DIMGBA IGWE: $1BN DEBT:

NGE, Govs, NLC, others pay tribute •P.8

Lagos has healthy profile — Govt •P.9

2 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 — 3

C M Y K

4 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014— 5

POCKET CARTOON

Mararaba Mubi and Mubi town as residents fled, joining thousands of displaced persons from Gwoza, Izige, Damboa, Madagali and Gulak.

A civil servant in Mubi, Usman Habu, said many residents headed for remote villages and other settlements south of the state capital,Yola.

My father was killed —Fintiri's aide

ADAMAWA APC— Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) Atiku Abubakar, waiting on the queue to cast his vote at the APC gubernatorial primary in Jada Ward 1, Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State, yesterday.

BOKO HARAM: Tension heightens in Adamawa Continues from page 1 til they are completely wiped out.

The military has also claimed that it raided the terrorists’ hideout in Kawuri, killing more than 50 of the terrorists as it recovered anti-aircraft guns, armoured tank and artillery gun.

An officer and two soldiers were wounded during the raid according to the military.

President Goodluck

Jonathan, on his part urged Nigerians to pray for the security forces as they battle the insurgency.

In the last five days, the insurgents have allegedly taken over five towns in Borno and Adamawa states. The towns are Bama, the second largest town in Borno; Bara and Banki as well as Gulak and Madagali in Adamawa State.

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

We can make every place a starting point toward a better life. The good thing about life is that you can stay over and over again.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great —Mark Twain

T

HIS much I have come to glean about life...the things we believe are trapping or limiting us, may not have as much power as we give them That’s right! No one or nothing is worth stressing over!

Everyone has the right to live a life of well-being.

However, bullies come in all ages and in many positions where they believe that they have the “authority” to cause discomfort and stress. As someone once said, “this is an irresponsible, immature selfappointed authority that is fed by the power anyone gives them!”

Falling apart, crumbling, giving in to unfavourable people and/or situations is YOU GIVING power to them....to trap or limit or even derail your path.

No matter who the person is, no matter what the situation is, YOU have the GENUINE authority to say: ‘My life and well-being is MORE important....because I am God’s loving creation, I respect the sanctity and beingness of others as much as mine. Live your joy each moment and be content.

In Mubi, yesterday, there was stampede and confusion as people ran helter skelter following an alert that the insurgents were closing in on the town. The entire city was almost deserted.

According to one report, the insurgents were also close to Vimtim, the home town of the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshall Alex Badeh. It was gathered that armoured tanks have, however, been deployed to the area to scare away the advancing insurgents.

Fleeing residents narrate ordeal However, fleeing residents interviewed by Vanguard said the insurgents had taken over Michika town yesterday morning, just two days after allegedly capturing Gulak town which had a large presence of soldiers.

A resident of Michika, who arrived Yola said the insurgents slit the throats of young people and shot the elderly at close range, saying the civilian casualty was more than 100 with many others separated from their families.

According to the resident: “They killed several of my friends, they rounded up dozens of young people, laid them on the ground and slit their throats while the elderly ones were shot at close range”.

Pandemonium was also reported in Uba,

Boko Haram fighters had earlier stormed Gulak in the northern part of Adamawa State, near the hilly border with Cameroon, where they were believed to have bases.

Sabo Lukas, a witness, who spoke to Reuters news agency, said he saw men from the armed group moving from house to house and firing at residents. He explained that he was unable to keep count of the number of victims.

“As I am talking to you, they are still there killing people,” Lukas, who escaped to the Adamawa State capital, said.

Tanko Wazumtu, an aide to Adamawa State Acting Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Umaru Fintiri, also confirmed the attack, saying his own father was among those killed.

Military authorities in Abuja however vowed to defend the nation’s territorial intergrity and people at all cost. This was contained in the Defence headquarters twitter handle came against the background of more attacks by the group.

The DHQ tweet read: “All Security operations aimed at containing the terrorists menace and activities will not stop until they give up or are completely wiped out.

We will assert and defend our nation’s territorial integrity and people at all costs”.

Pray for our security forces, Jonathan urges Nigerians Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan, has called on Nigerians to pray for security forces in Nigeria for the country to contain the current insurgency.

Jonathan made the call at the official commissioning of the “Citadel and Towers”, the new complex of the House on the Rock Church, Abuja.

Represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, Jonathan, who described

the structure as a world class architectural masterpiece, expressed optimism that God would rise against the enemies of Nigeria.

“Yes, we have our security challenges, but none of these things should discourage us, we are working very hard to address the insecurity in some parts of the nation. Our security forces are facing enemies of progress, who do not want our nation to prosper; those who maim and destroy.

“We must all arise and pray for our security forces, we must be encouraged everyday and indeed when the enemy shall arise, the Lord will lift a mighty standard against him. We understand the importance of faith-based organisations in building a strong, peaceful, resilient and prosperous nation; your work in this regard is highly commendable,” he said.

Adefarasin revealed that a new generation of Nigerians is coming and will change the status quo, adding, “we must all rise up against those who use our public offices for self aggrandizement.”

He said true transformation required discipline, integrity, unity, commitment, clarity of purpose and sharpness of vision, adding that the citadel being inaugurated was synonymous with the Biblical nation builder Nehemiah and thus Nigeria must stand guard physically and spiritually.

Troops raid terrorists hideout, kill 50 As the battle to dislodge hundreds of Boko Haram insurgents from communities in the North East states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe continued, the Nigerian Military, yesterday, said it killed over 50 terrorists when it raided one of their hideouts in Kawuri, Borno State.

The military noted that during the raid which foiled their plan to attack Konduga community, two Anti-Aircraft Guns, one Armoured vehicle, one Fabricated Artillery Gun, and assorted types of ammunition were recovered.

“Some hardware, weapons, food items and personal belongings were also destroyed in the Kawuri raid. One Officer and two soldiers were seriously wounded”, it said.

Several tweets and reports posted on the Defence headquarters blog yesterday said: “Over 50 terrorists died ,yesterday afternoon, as troops raided their hideout in Kawuri before setting out on a planned attack on Konduga”.

Earlier on Saturday, the Adamawa State government in a statement disclosed that Gulak town, another community close to Michika was under the control of the insurgents.

Secretary to Adamawa State Government, Professor Abdullahi L. Tukur in a statement said: “It has come to the attention of the Adamawa State Government that insurgents were in Gulak, the Headquarters of Madagali Local Government Area and had killed and displaced scores of people.

“The state government deeply sympathises with the people of Gulak in Madagali Local Government and other surrounding villages and towns whose areas have been overran by insurgents.

“The concomitant effects of the insurgency like displacement of whole villages and towns create multitudes of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) whose management and welfare the Government is left to bear. The Adamawa State Government will as much as possible, try to soften the sense of anguish and deprivation the IDPs are going through by providing some basic necessities of life."

6—Vanguard , MONDAY MONDAY,, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

Two die, 11 injured in Ogun auto crash

By Daud Olatunji

A

BEOKUTA — TWO persons have lost their lives while no fewer than 11 others sustained injuries in a lone accident which occurred along the AbeokutaLagos expressway at Awowo village in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, weekend.

An eyewitness told Vanguard that the accident involved a yellow-coloured Mazda passenger bus with number plate, LAGOS KRD 171 XM. Confirming the incident, the Itori Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Fatai Bakare, said the passenger bus had 13 occupants which included five males, seven females and a child.

Bakare further explained that 11 occupants, who included a child, four men and six women were rescued from the bus which was heading towards Lagos, while two others died on the spot.

While attributing the cause of the crash to overspending, the FRSC boss also explained that the dead as well as the injured were taken to state hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta.

NSCDC uncovers illegal refinery in Kogi

By Boluwaji Obahopo

L

OKOJA —THE Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has uncovered an illegal refinery in Achuze, a boundary town between Kogi and Edo States.

The refinery which has an administrative building and capacity to contain 150,000 litres of the petrol, also has a restaurant in front as a decoy.

The Kogi State Commandant, Mr. Dayo Adesuyi, who led the operation, weekend, disclosed that at least 80 drums containing crude oil waiting to be refined were discovered.

He said the refinery had been set ablaze by his men, adding that one suspect was arrested, while others escaped after a gun battle.

He also said the illegal refinery could refine 10,000 litres of fuel per day, stressing that the command is determined to ensure that those behind the act are fished out.

EFCC declares Bauchi guber aspirant wanted for $.5m fraud ...also banker over N6.28bn scam

By Soni Daniel

A

BUJA — A GUBERNATORIAL aspirant in Bauchi State, Abdulahi Usman Adamu, alias Dan China, has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for allegedly obtaining $500,000 from a Chinese company, Shengjia International (HK) Limited, by false pretence.

According to the commission, the suspect obtained the sum from the Chinese firm as part payment for the supply of 3000 metric tons of lead ore but failed to deliver.

Operatives of the agency, acting on a petition by the Economic and Commercial Counsellor ’s Office of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, invited the suspect for questioning but he failed to honour the invitation.

The suspect is currently on the run as efforts to track him, including several visits to his home in Narabi, Bauchi, proved futile.

In a statement signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, the commission enjoined anyone with useful information on the suspect’s whereabouts to contact its head office in Wuse 2, Abuja

or zonal offices in Gombe, Kano, Enugu, Port Harcourt and Lagos or the nearest police station.

His last known address, according to EFCC, was 1, Sabon Gari, Narabi, in Toro

Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

In the same vein, a banker, Godswill Oyegwa Oyoyou, an Information Technology staff of a new generation bank is also wanted by the EFCC in a case of fraud involving N6.28 billion.

Godswill allegedly conspired with some scammers and obtained the sum from his bank after hacking into the bank’s database.

The 38-year- old is from Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Scene of an accident involving a truck and a car at Beach Road, Ebute, Ikorodu, Lagos, on Saturday which claimed one life. Photo: Ovadje Elliot.

Gunmen rob, rape FRCN Training School students L AGOS — IN what is fast becoming the norm, gunmen, Friday, stormed the Federal Radio Cooperation of Nigeria, FRCN, Training School, Lagos State, raping and robbing many of the female trainee journalists.

An eye witness in the school said that was the third time the armed men would be attacking the school.

An insider said: “The armed robbers were many. They attacked the school last week, last two weeks and now this week. They always rape the girls and dispossess others, including male students and workers on night duties of their valuables.”

The three attacks on the school have left many of the workers shocked, especially as policemen were supposed to be manning the school gate.

The last attack occurred at about 2am, with the gunmen targeting the financial records offices. Three of the gunmen wore masks and focused on the new BOND FM station, which has a lot of new expensive transmitting devices.

“Many of them broke into our offices, remove burglar-proofs, raped girls who were in training and living in our hostel. They collected money, phones and laptops. This is the third time this will be

happening,” said a staff.

According to another insider, the school has male and female trainees drawn from across different radio stations in the country who are on special courses. There are also private students studying broadcast journalism.

The insider added: “The gunmen are usually many whenever they attack. The first

time they came, they appeared to be searching for something as they ransacked all offices. This time, they came with three or four men wearing masks. They were apparently the people who wanted something from the school or offices. When they came this time, they were the ones doing the frantic searching.Whether they succeeded in getting what they

wanted this time around is what we don’t know.”

Police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, however said only a case of burglary was reported.

“I just got to hear today that the place has been burgled three times. But they had never reported. It’s only today that an official complaint was lodged. No case of rape was reported.

Nobody has come forward to say that she was raped,” she said.

Health staff, wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), work on September 7, 2014 inside the high-risk area at Elwa hospital in Monrovia, which is run by the non-governmental French organization Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders,MSF).

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 —7

DAVIS REVELATIONS: Nigerians'll hear from us soon — Boko Haram ...Sect leaders reportedly angered by Australian’s claims

Non oil sector boosts Nigeria economy by 6.54 %

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

By Peter Egwuatu, with Agency report

M

N

ORE stunning revelations on the relationship among Boko Haram, the government and the Australian negotiator, Dr. Stephen Davis, may be unveiled by the sect's leadership this week.

The move, according to a source close to the sect, is to put the record straight and clear the air on several controversial issues contained in the interview released by the Australian to the media last week.

Vanguard source said last night that the leadership of Boko Haram was upset by most of the claims made by the negotiator and was set to make a categorical position on all the issues raised

by Davis in the media.

“Nigerians will soon hear from the sect leadership concerning all the issues raised by the negotiator, who, in any case was not hired by the Federal Government to dialogue with the group.

“In fact, what the man has said has really infuriated the sect leadership and they are unhappy with him,” the Nigerian negotiator said.

“As far as the sect leadership is concerned, Davis is being used by some politicians to score some points and they are ready to clear

HAJJ AIRLIFT: National Amirul Hajj, his eminence, Saa'd Abubakar II, the Sultan of Sokoto (2nd left); Vice Presiident Namadi Sambo (centre) and Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, at the flagoff of the first batch of intending pilgrims from Jigawa State for the Hajj. Photo by Aliyu Dangida. the air on the issues.

“Of particular concern to the group is the allegation that the former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sherrif, is a sponsor of Boko Haram. That cannot be possible because with the killing of the leader of the sect in 2009, Sherriff became an enemy of the sect.

“I can tell you that Sherriff is one of the three most wanted enemies of the sect and those who are familiar with the story should know that,” the negotiator said.

But in explaining his position in an exclusive interview with Vanguard, Davis made it clear that several commanders of Boko Haram mentioned the former

governor as one of their sponsors.

Sherriff has however distanced himself from the sect, claiming that he is a victim and not sponsor of Boko Haram.

He said the sect is not only after his life but had also killed his brother, friends and political associates.

ADAMAWA 2014: How Fintiri won PDP’s guber ticket ...Marwa accepts defeat

By Umar Yusuf

Y

OLA—ACTING Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the October 11, 2014 bye-election.

He polled 624 votes out of the 912 votes cast to defeat four other aspirants.

Announcing the result of the 14-hour electoral process, the leader of the PDP Adamawa Gubernatorial Primaries Committee, Dimeji Bankole, said Fintiri polled 624 while Dr Ahmed Modibbo got 197 votes.

Modibbo was followed by Brig-Gen Buba Marwa, who scored 64 votes; Dr. Umar Ardo, nine votes; and Mr Jerry Kumdusi, four votes.

Bankole, a former speaker of the House of Representatives disclosed that of the votes,23 invalid ones were recorded during the exercise.

The 912 delegates were categorized into Statutory (members of the party holding elective and political appointments or holding executive office in the state, zonal or national office of the party) and Ad- Hoc delegates (those at the ward levels).

The primaries scheduled to commence at 10 am on Saturday started at about 6:30pm with the accreditation of delegates from the 21 local councils of the state.

In his acceptance speech, the acting governor, described his emergence as a resounding victory for the party and appealed to other aspirants to join hands with him and other stakeholders to lead PDP to victory in the October 11 election.

Speaking on the primaries, Marwa accepted the outcome of the exercise and declared his support for Fintiri.

Marwa stated that his

decision is to enable the PDP to emerge victorious in the October 11 bye-election.

According to him “after due consultations with my political associates and supporters, I have

decided to support the Acting Governor in the task ahead.”

Marwa declared that all his supporters have been directed to support the PDP flag bearer on October 11.

I G E R I A’ S economy grew at a faster rate in the second quarter this year than the previous three months because of a stronger performance in the non-oil sector, p a r t i c u l a r l y pharmaceuticals, according to data from National Bureau of Statistics, NBS. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose to 6.54 percent in the second quarter 2014, compared with 6.21 percent in the first quarter and 5.40 percent in the same period of last year, the NBS stated in its report posted on yesterday.

Nigeria’s oil exporter pumped an average of 2.21 million barrels per day in the three months to June, up from 2.11 million barrels per day a year earlier, due to an increase in production.

“The fastest growth continues to be recorded in the manufacturing sector,” such as chemicals and pharmaceuticals, the NBS said, and added that the services sector contributed 53.15 percent to GDP in the second quarter.

The non-oil sector grew 6.71 percent in the second quarter, which was lower than the 8.88 percent recorded in the same period in 2013.

Nigeria rebased its GDP calculation in April, almost doubling its economy to $510 billion, making it the continent’s biggest economy.

Legal obstacles won’t stop our efforts to market Jonathan — TAN The founder and national Onwuegbu (Omeiheikwu) and

By Tony Edike

E

NUGU — THE proJonathan organisation, Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN, weekend, said it would not be deterred by any form of legal obstacle in her on-going nationwide rallies to market President Goodluck Jonathan and his achievements in the last four years.

TAN said the rally and roadshows already held in the three geo-political zones of the southern Nigeria would by next Saturday move to Minna, Niger State.

coordinator of TAN, Dr. Ifeanyi Uba, made this known in Enugu during the inauguration of TAN executives in the three senatorial zones, 17 local government areas and 260 wards of Enugu State.

Uba, who was the governorship aspirant of Labour Party in the November 16, 2013 Anambra governorship election, stated that Enugu had braced the tape as the first state in the country to establish state structures for TAN, and commended the state coordinator, Chief Anayo

the facilitator, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu for their untiring efforts.

The TAN national coordinator, who was represented by Chief Ben Etiaba, insisted that as a non-governmental and nonpolitical organisation, TAN was not campaigning, but merely drumming support for the Federal Government, led by President Jonathan with a view to highlighting the achievements of the administration, adding that TAN will enter the campaign stage at the appropriate time in line with INEC regulations.

8—Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

DIMGBA IGWE: Govs, NLC, NGE, others pay tribute

By Victor Ahiuma-Young,

Dayo Johnson, Gbenga Olarinoye & Gbenga Ariyibi

P

OLITICIANS, including three governors, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Nigeria Guide of Editors, NGE, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, among others, yesterday paid glowing tribute to the late Vice Chairman of The Sun Newspapers, Dimgba Igwe, who was killed by a hit and run driver on Saturday.

The three governors are Dr Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, Governor Mimiko, in a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Eni Akinsola, said Igwe's demise had robbed the journalism profession of a great intellectual and one of the finest brains of the profession.

According to him, “Dimgba Igwe, through the practice of journalism and his weekly column blazed the trail in professionalism.

He was sensitive to national development and a worthy role model in mentoring younger Nigerians. He was thorough in his writings, deep in his views and convincing in his logic. His death at just 58, notwithstanding, he led a remarkable and impactful life and left behind legacies, which will serve as a template for would be successful journalists.”

The governor said “the late Igwe was a rare breed among his peers and one of those who raised the bar of journalism profession in Nigeria.”

His death sad, devastating, says Fayemi Governor Fayemi in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Olayinka Oyebode, said losing a media icon with a deep understanding of public affairs like Igwe at this time in Nigeria’s history was devastating.

He said Igwe was one of the pioneers of human angle genre in the print media which brought freshness and excitement to newspaper business and journalism in the country.

The governor said “Igwe served the journalism profession with zeal, candour and integrity,'' adding that Igwe’s place in journalism is firmly secured as he gave much to the job as an editor, columnist, manager and administrator.

Fayemi recalled Igwe’s trailblazing roles at the defunct Weekend Concord and The Sun titles, which recorded great success in the print media.

He added that Igwe’s column in The Sun was a must-read for Nigerians who looked forward to his incisive analyses on burning issues. Igwe, according to the governor, used his pen to speak truth to power and assisted in reforming the society.

Recalling his last encounter with the late Igwe, together with his

partner, Mr Mike Awoyinfa, in Ado-Ekiti earlier in the year, Fayemi said it was painful realising that the celebrated writer with fecund imagination was no more, saying “We will surely miss his frank and deep analyses of issues. On behalf of myself and the good people of Ekiti State, we commiserate with members of Igwe’s immediate and extended family, the management of The Sun Newspapers, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ and the Nigerian Guild of Editors,NGE, and pray that God grants the family and associates of the deceased the fortitude to bear the great loss.”

One of journalism finest — Amaechi On his part, Governor Amaechi described the deceased as a thorough professional who contributed immensely and impacted greatly on the practice of journalism in the country.

The governor in a condolence letter to the Publisher of The Sun Newspapers, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, expressed shock over Igwe's gruesome and sudden death.

He urged the publisher, management, staff of the newspaper, colleagues, family and friends of late Igwe to find strength in the abilities possessed and displayed by the deceased during his lifetime, particularly in his field of journalism, where he stood out as a true and thorough professional.

“It is indeed a sad moment for all of you at The Sun Newspapers, the family of the late Igwe, journalists and all who knew him.

However, you are not alone. We mourn with you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and many others whom the late Dimgba Igwe had touched their lives one way or the other.

“He was one of the finest in the media industry. His Sideview column was always insightful, analytical and compelling to read.

His well informed presentation of facts was indeed remarkable.

From scratch, Dimgba Igwe was a leading member of the team that grew The Sun Newspapers to national tabloid that is widely enjoyed by many. He will surely be greatly missed”, the letter read.

Similarly, Minister of State for Works, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye, described his death as “one death too painful!”

Adeyeye said; “This is another dark day in the journalism profession. It is a loss of one of the biggest Iroko tree in the forest of journalism profession in Nigeria and I am very sad.”

He said; “It is one death too painful! All that we can do now is to pray for the repose of his soul and counsel his family members, friends and associates to take the death as the will of God. It is my prayer that the Almighty God, in His infinite mercies will grant the staff and management of The Sun

TEARS FOR DIMGBA: Mrs Neta Nwosu (left) and another sympathiser consoling Mrs Obioma Igwe (centre), widow of Late Dimgba Igwe, Vice Chairman, The Sun newspaper at their Okota, Lagos residence, yesterday. (INSET) Late Dimgba Igwe.

Publishing company, members of the pen profession in Nigeria and the Igwe family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

A big assault on quality journalism in Nigeria —NLC Lamenting the death, NLC in a statement by its General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, said “We received the sad news of the unfortunate death of the Vice Chairman of The Sun Publishing Company, publishers of The Sun Newspapers, Mr. Dimgba Igwe, who was killed yesterday, reportedly by a hit and run driver as he jogged around his Okota, Lagos residence. We remember him as one of the founding editors of the defunct Concord newspapers and until death, a versatile columnist, whose writings have contributed immensely to shaping thoughts, contemporary political discourse, and progressive journalism in Nigeria.

“The circumstance of Mr. Igwe’s death calls to question the mental fitness of most drivers in Nigeria as we wonder as to what was the speed level of a vehicle that could run down a man within a small street, resulting in his untimely death in few hours. ''We call on the Federal Road Safety Commission to investigate, apprehend and prosecute the driver of the vehicle that allegedly ran down Mr. Igwe. Once drivers who derive joy in reckless driving get to know they could end up in jail, accidents such as this will be reduced. We condole with Mr. Igwe’s family, The Sun Publishing Company, the Nigeria Guild of Editors and indeed, the entire media community in Nigeria as we share in the collective agony his death has brought to all of us.”

A great blow to the journalism profession, says NGE

In the same vein, Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, said his death was a great blow to the journalism profession.

NGE in a statement by is General Secreaty, Isaac Ighure, described him as “a peaceable gentleman, Mr Igwe was said to be jogging near his Okota home at about 10am to keep fit, when the fatal incident occurred. He later gave up the ghost at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, where he was rushed for medical attention. It is painful to recall that only recently, between August 27 and August 31, Mr Igwe was in Katsina, where he actively participated in all activities at the 10th All Nigerian Editors Conference (ANEC).

“His death, therefore, has dealt a great blow to the journalism profession to which he and his inseparable colleague, Mr. Mike Awoyinfa, had made invaluable contributions. Igwe was deputy to Awoyinfa when the Weekend Concord hit the newsstand in 1989. The partnership was replicated when The Sun Newspapers came on board in 2003, and the various books that they co-authored. ''Finally, the Guild wishes to use this medium to urge the security agencies, especially the Nigerian Police Force, to fish out the cowardly driver who committed the dastardly act and inflicted this pain on the Igwes and the Nigeria media.”

Reacting, governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the August 9 governorship election in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, said “I received the news of the untimely death of Mr. Dimgba Igwe , the vicechairman of The Sun Publishing Company with shock and disbelief. It is unfortunate that the media guru, who bestrode the journalism profession like a colossus had to take a bow

when his service is most needed at this moment of our nation’s history.”

“His weekly column in Daily Sun was a must read for policy makers and politicians because of his elegant prose and an attempt to proffer solution to the problem besetting the country through an informed commentary.” .

The PDP chieftain however urged members of his family, associates and colleagues to take solace in the fact that Mr. Dimgba distinguished himself as a thorough bred professional who came, saw and conquered.”

Lagos NUJ wants killer driver found On its part, Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has called on the security agencies to bring to book the hit and run driver that killed him The council in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its Chairman Deji Elumoye and Secretary , Sylva Okereke, said Lagos state police command with the support of both the state government and the State Security Service should as a matter of urgency track Igwe's killer and bring him to justice Describing Igwe's sudden death as a rude shock and a monumental loss to journalism industry, the Council said the vacuum left by Igwe in journalism would be very hard to fill.

According to Lagos NUJ, Igwe, was a seasoned journalist and a media collosus whose wealth of experience and words of advice to young journalists will be missed at this crucial period of the nation's development.

The Council, while commiserating with the management and staff of The Sun Newspaper also prayed to God to give his immediate family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 —9

Labour ministry establishes anticorruption unit

By Funmi Komolafe

T

CONDOLENCE: From left, Senator Rasheed Ladoja, Speaker, Umaru Tambuwal, and Alhaja Mutiat Ladoja, during a condolence visit to Senator Rasheed Ladoja, over his mother's death. Photo: Dare Fasube

$1 BN DEBT: Lagos has healthy profile —Govt

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

LAGOS STATE Government, yesterday, insisted it maintained healthy profile with sustainable ratios both from the country’s Fiscal Responsibility

Act perspective as well as World Bank prescriptions for developing economies irrespective of its current debt profile.

The clarification followed claims by Debt Management Office, in Abuja last week, that

Lagos State Government had 33.86 per cent of country’s sub national external debt (debt owed by state governments).

Statistics obtained from the web sites of the Debt Management Office Abuja showed that, out of the total

....Declares 3,000 intending pilgrims Ebola-free

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

L

AGOS STATE Government, yesterday, commenced airlifting of over 3,000 intending pilgrims from the state to Saudi-Arabia for the 2014 Hajj exercise after successfully passing the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, test.

Chairman of the Lagos State Muslims Board, Dr. AbdulKabir Paramole, who disclosed this said, none of the pilgrims failed Ebola tests and other medical test as required by the authorities.

According to Paramole, on its inaugural flight, 510 intending pilgrims were airlifted from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, early Sunday morning.

“The intending pilgrims were thoroughly, screened for the Ebola Virus Disease, but thank be to Allah, they all came out clean. They left aboard Max Airline,” he affirmed.

He however, disclosed that 3082 pilgrims were scheduled to perform this year ’s holy pilgrim from Lagos to Mecca.

Paramole used that as at press time, 1020 pilgrims had been airlifted in first and second batches “ while the third batch from Epe, Eti-Osa and Ifako-Ijaiye will be

leaving the shores of Nigeria later today. (yesterday).

“The first two flights headed for Medina. The pilgrims are expected back in the country

by the October 15th, 2014, while a total of six flights have been scheduled to take the pilgrims to and fro.” Paramole stated.

Ambode inaugurates campaign committees

A

LL PROGRESSIVES Congress, APC, governorship hopeful in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, will today take a major boost towards his ambition as he inaugurates local Government grassroots committees to drive his campaign for the coveted seat of Governor of Lagos State.

The event which is expected to be graced by thousands of his supporters will take place at his newly opened Gbagada campaign office in the East Senatorial district of Lagos State.

The former Accountant General of the State who hails from Epe will also use the opportunity to interact with his supporters across the nooks and crannies of state.

Mr. Ambode who has always insisted that the vision to be the next Governor of Lagos State is out of his burning desire to consolidate on the foundation laid

by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu whom he described as the pathfinder of modern Lagos and Governor Babatunde Fashola, who he

called the actualiser of modern Lagos.

He said having served as “labourer and carpenter” in the project of Lagos for 27 years out of the 47 years of existence of the State; he is eminently qualified to serve as the Project manager in taking Lagos to the next level of excellence.

Meanwhile, Ambode has commiserated with the Sun Newspapers on the sudden death of its Vice Chairman, Mr. Dimgba Igwe which he described as an irreparable loss to Nigeria journalism and the Nigerian people.

Ambode in a statement through his Special Adviser on Communication, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, said “we can only be consoled by the fact that Mr. Igwe his life by deploying his Godgiven talents and gifts for the benefit of the Nigerian masses and indeed mankind by his writings and diligence in the management of one of the foremost Nigerian newspapers.

external debts of $3.01 Billion, Lagos State owed $1.02 billion leaving the remaining 35 states and the Federal capital Territory with $1.99 billion as of June 30, 2014.

Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Information and Strategy, Alhaji Lateef Raji, while reacting to the record released by Debt Management Office, told Vanguard that Lagos State enjoyed a pride of place in the credit analysis of the Word Bank and the various other multilateral credit agencies such as the French Development Agency (AFD),European Investment Bank, among others.

He contended that the World Bank had put in place a Development Policy Operation (DPO) Loan in the yearly sum of US$200 million for Lagos State Government for three consecutive years starting from year 2011.

Raji explained: “This is a budget support facility usually extended to sovereign entities around the world, which was approved for Lagos State owing to the momentum the state had achieved in improving public service, facilitating inclusive growth and reducing poverty. The Lagos State DPO1 was the first of its kind in Nigeria, indeed the African continent and has continued to serve as a reference for further consideration of sub-National DPOs in Nigeria and Africa.

"The first in the series of the three-tranche loan of US$200 million was drawn in December 2011.Suffice it to say that the judicious application of the proceeds of Lagos DPO-1 in various capital projects has had a positive impact on the well-being of the teeming citizens of Lagos State."

HE FEDERAL Ministry of Labour and Productivity has inaugurated an anticorruption monitoring unit aimed at a new social, economic and political order in support of the Federal Government’s anti corruption crusade.

Inaugurating the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Monitoring Unit, ACTU, on behalf of the minister, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Clement Illoh said: “The reconstitution of the AntiCorruption and Transparency Unit has become necessary in order to refocus the Unit and to strengthen its membership to effectively carry out the war against corruption both within the Ministry and its Parastatals.”

Dr. Illoh explained that the Anti-Corruption Unit was mandated to monitor all financial transaction with a view to ensuring that all such transactions were carried out in strict compliance with extant government rules and regulations as well as draw the attention of the Minister to any identified case(s) of intention or collusion to defraud government.

It is also to recommend any other measure which the committee believed could generally ensure probity and transparency in the nation’s labour sector. For emphasis, Dr. Clement Illoh emphasised the determination of the present administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, in tackling the menace of corruption by providing the required legal frame work of AntiCorruption Act of 2001 to combat corruption at all levels of our society with the aim of bringing about a new social, economic and political order.

In her response, the Chairman of AntiCorruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Mrs. Hata Caroline, stated that the inauguration marked the beginning of the AntiCorruption drive of the Ministry

10 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

Ondo releases guideline for recruitment of 2,000 teachers next week

By Dayo Johnson

AKURE — ONDO State Government will next week employ no fewer 2000 teachers into his teaching service, even as Governor Segun Mimko today flags-off of Cassava planting at the Ore Agro Business City, as part as part of efforts to engage unemployed graduates in the state.

The guideline for the recruitment of the teachers was released weekend.

Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade said Online registration of applicants on TESCOM Website www.Ondotescom.com/ recruitment shall commence today through Sunday, 14th of the same month.

Akinmade said shortlisted applicants would be contacted through Short Message Service (SMS) from Monday September 15th to Thursday 18th, while Aptitude Test/ interview would hold on Tuesday, September 23rd in Akure, Owena, Owo, Oka, Ikare, Ondo, Odigbo, Okitipupa and Irele centres.

Industrial unrest hits Fan Milk

By Ola Ajayi

I

BADAN — INDUSTRIAL unrest has hit the 53-year old in Fan Milk Plc, Ibadan, Oyo State as the National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees, NUFBTE, weekend, directed workers listed for down-sizing no to accept sack letters without full payment of their gratuities and other allowances.

Already, aggrieved workers have been protesting against the perceived management unfair labour practice in the last three days.

It was gathered that the management penciled down 65 workers to be sacked after their refusal to accept cancellation of their gratuities which the company ’s Managing Director, Austin, allegedly proposed to them at a meeting.

PROBE THREAT: I've nothing to hide or

fear, Fayemi tells Fayose was ready for probe as threatened because he had nothing to fear or hide.

Governor Fayemi boasted that his administration ran the affairs of the state transparently.

The governor spoke while reacting to the threat by the

incoming government of Fayose to probe his administration as well as series of allegations by the state Peoples Democratic Party, PDP against his administration since he lost the June 21 governorship election

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode, the DO EKITI — OUTgovernor defended the way his GOING Ekiti State administration ran the state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, since he took over the affairs of yesterday, told the in-coming the state in 2010.

Ayo Fayose Government that he The statement reads in part: “For a party that is set to form government in a matter of weeks to seek to discredit the incumbent administration, through sheer falsehood and blackmail is simply irresponsible and childish. PDP should mention the banks where the alleged illegal movement of funds took place and also where the so called 3,000 workers were recruited illegally.

Equally the establishment of LCDAs went through a process that started with the Justice Ajakaiye’s committee and culminated in the law passed by the Legislature establishing the 19 new LCDAs. If the incoming Government so desires let it go through due process and get the assembly to annul the process that established the LCDAs. “Concerning the delayed payment of August salary to CONFERENCE: CMD, University Teaching Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, Prof. Temitope Alonge, workers in the State, it is showing the temporary quarantine tenth for would-be Ebola Virus Disease victims to the pertinent to note that this is the media, during a press conference to dispel the rumour of Ebola virus presence, in UCH, first time that workers salary has been delayed in almost four Ibadan. Photo: Dare Fasube years of the Fayemi administration and this has been due to the non-availability of the overdraft facility to the state due to the panic created in financial institutions dealing with the state by the Governorelect. While every effort is being Falana had in the suit, asked FEDERAL High Court sitting in Lagos, the court to determine, Government to make loads made to meet our obligations to has directed the Federal whether the continuous available to underprivileged our workers, one should state Government to provide loans refusal to give effect to the Nigerians was not illegal and that even at that, almost all to under-privileged provisions of the Peoples Bank unconstitutional, having states encounter delays in salary Nigerians through the Act, Cap P7 LFN 2004 by the regard to the Peoples Bank payment and despite every Federal Government was not Act, Cap P7 Laws of the effort to avoid this, Ekiti cannot Peoples Bank of Nigeria. be an exception to the rule in Trial judge, Justice M Idris illegal, null and void, having Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The court also directed the the face of dwindling resources in his judgment in a suit by regard to section 1 of Peoples rights activist, Mr Femi Bank Act, Cap P7 Laws of the Federal Government to and reduced federal allocations. continue to give effect to the “Instead of turning this into a Falana, SAN, also held that Federation of Nigeria, 2004. provisions of the Peoples Bank political poker, one would have He had also asked the court the Peoples Bank Act, Cap P7 2004, has not been repealed to determine whether the Act, Cap P7 Laws of the expected the incoming administration to work closely failure or refusal of the Federal Federation of Nigeria, 2004. by the National Assembly. with the outgoing government by closing ranks in the interest of the State. The same goes for the irresponsible accusation of a debt overhang. What the Fayemi administration has done weekend in Osogbo. the state government had set with the state’s borrowings

By Gbenga Olarinoye He said the isolation centres up a committee on the preven- under its watch is public knowledge (in the roads were located in the three sena- tion of EVD in the state. torial districts of the state and The committee, he said infrastructure, the new Govt SOGBO — AS a Osogbo, the state capital. would work with government House, the new EkitiParapo preventive measure to The centres, Ilori said would officials in both the Ministries Pavillion, Lagos Liaison Office, check the spread of the cater for the residents of the of Health and Environment on revival of Ire Clay Factory, dreaded Ebola Virus Disease state who showed any of the modalities for the prevention resuscitation of Ikogosi Warm EVD in Osun State, the symptoms of EVD. of the contagious disease in Springs Resort, the new College government has created four of Agriculture, the markets in the He advised members of the the state. isolation centres in case of public to inform the state Ilori commended the Federal 16 LGAs) and can be obtained eventuality. government officials if they Government for committing from the Securities and Exchange The Special Adviser to the noticed any individual with huge sum of money into the Commission (SEC)”. state Governor, Mr Rauf the symptoms of EVD. prevention of EVD since its Aregbesola on Environment, Ilori who declared that Osun outbreak in the country.

Mr. Bola Ilori, disclosed this state was free from EVD, said

By Gbenga Ariyibi

A

Court tells FG to grant loans to poor Nigerians A

EBOLA: Osun creates 4 isolation centres

O

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 — 11

12—Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

Vice Chancellorship: Why market women protested —UNIBEN authorities

Tebite, Majemite want voters’ registration exercise re-opened

By Festus Ahon

U

GHELLI — WORRIED by the short period given by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the re-registration of eligible voters across the country, a member of Delta State House of Assembly, Olorogun Taleb Tebite and Chief Fred Majemite, Political Adviser to the state governor (Delta Central), have urged INEC to extend the exercise to avoid disenfranchising eligible voters.

Tebite, who represents Ughelli South constituency in the state Assembly, said: “I want to appeal to INEC to give Nigerians, particularly the people of Ughelli South, another seven days to enable all my eligible constituents register.”

Majemite, on his part, said due to the short time scheduled for the just concluded voters registration, many people in the Delta Central senatorial district were not registered, adding that the “registration machines didn’t get to some of the units on time.

I appeal to INEC to open the exercise in polling units across the country.”

B

VISIT: From left — Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark; Hon Edoja Akpodiete of Delta State House of Assembly and Director of Edoja Campaign Organisation during a consultative visit to Chief Clark at his country home in Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, weekend.

FG working to curtail spread of Ebola disease —Minister ...lauds Rivers govt's effort

P

By Jimitota Onoyume

ORT HARCOURT— Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, has hailed effort of the Rivers State government in the fight against Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, in the state.

Chukwu, who spoke, weekend in Port Harcourt, after a visit to the Ebola treatment centre in Emohua Local Government Area of the state,

2015: Only prayers can stop doomsday predictions —Christ Embassy

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—THE leadership of the Believers Love World popularly known as Christ Embassy, has said that only prayers can stop the doomsday predictions of violence and bloodbath over the 2015 general elections.

It said though the predictions were based on projections and study of utterances by politicians within the polity, the power to change such predictions into positive development belongs to religious groups through prayers to God. The Christ Embassy in Bayelsa State led by Pastor George Bunana, while unveiling activities for the 2014 Reach-Out campaign in Yenagoa, said the annual reach-out campaign by the church was to encourage the culture of prayer and use the word of God to heal Nigeria of security and health infirmities.

According to him, the 2014

edition of the Reach Out campaign will witness the reaching out to millions of people with life-transforming word of God as contained in the Rhapsody of Realities and bring hope to the lost, desperate and the dying in the world.

said the Federal Government was working to curtail the spread of the disease in the country.

He said no fewer than 400 contact persons were traced over the disease, while about 350 have been cleared, adding that no fewer than 400 contact persons were traced over the disease, while about 350 had been cleared.

He noted that eight persons had been treated of the virus and discharged across the country out of the 18 confirmed to be infected with the virus. He said only one patient was at the Ebola treatment centre in Port Harcourt.

He said: “I want to thank the Rivers State Government for making the facility available. We encourage other states to also learn from them. It is not for any particular state. We have it in Lagos, and we are now having it in Rivers.

“We are in total control of Ebola in Nigeria. We will deal with it in Rivers State the way we dealt

with it in Lagos State. If we have one or two positive cases in Rivers State, that is not a problem.

“Government is on top of the situation. You are free to come to Rivers State. Be rest assured that you cannot get Ebola because you came to Rivers State. Please anyone who has any legitimate reason to visit Rivers State should be free to do.

“I can assure that the Federal Government has been spending money indirectly in support of the laudable efforts of the Rivers State Government to contain the spread of Ebola in the state. We have joint team comprising doctors and medical experts from different organisations in the world. Rivers State has done well.

“More people die from malaria than Ebola. So, why don’t we stigmatise those who have malaria? Even though there is no known cure, one can successfully manage Ebola.”

By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN CITY— THE authorities of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, weekend, described as mischief and an attempt to distort the facts, claims in some quarters that the recent protest by market women in Benin City was for the elongation of the tenure of the out-going Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Osayuki Oshodin.

Distancing the authorities of the university from the protest, the university recalled that part of the reasons adduced by the women for embarking on the protest was to request that another Benin son succeeds Prof.Oshodin and not that they sought the elongation of the tenure of Oshodin.

About 100 market women last week stormed the palace of the Oba of Benin and the state Government House, demanding that security operatives should fish out those who allegedly poisoned Oshodin, just as they also demanded that another Benin man should succeed Oshodin due to what they described as age long marginalisation of the Benin in the appointment of VCs. But the protest was misconstrued by a section of the media that same may have been masterminded by the VC with a view to elongate his tenure in the university.

But reacting, Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr Harry Osarenren, said “We watch some panellists on TV insinuating that the VC, who has performed creditably well is seeking the elongation of his tenure through the women.

That is not only false but wicked because everybody including the vice chancellor knows that the tenure of VCs now is five years."

EDO ASSEMBLY CRISIS: Ebea formally dumps APC for PDP

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN— WITH barely 24 hours to the resumption of plenary by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, members of the Edo State House of Assembly, acting Speaker of the Assembly, Chief Festus Ebea, formally defected from the All Progressives Congress, APC to the PDP. It will be recalled that following suspicious of his defection, Ebea along with three other APC members in the House, namely Patrick Osayimwen, Friday Ogieriakhi and Jude Ise-Idehen, were suspended on June 9.

Ebea remained in APC since

then while the trio dumped the party for PDP. After his suspension, Ebea was later ‘impeached’ by the APC dominated Assembly, an action that led to the break-up of the 24member House into two factions along APC and PDP lines.

The two factions in the last four months have held parallel plenary along party lines and at two separate locations, with the nine PDP members electing Ebea as their Speaker in July.

Speaking at the event in Ubiaja, Esan South-East Local Government Area of the state, Ebea said his decision to move to PDP was informed by the fact that the APC as a party has lost

direction flowing from the ideals of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, on which platform he contested and won the state Assembly seat in 2011.

He said: “My constituency has been particularly sidelined in the scheme of things despite numerous promises and budgetary allocations for development projects that were never executed by the state government. And my people have wondered if this should continue.”

He said the PDP had proved at the national level with President Goodluck Jonathan at the helm that Nigeria can be transformed with credible and people-centred leadership and development

programmes.

He said: “Even at the state level, the constructive leadership style of the state chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, has helped put the party into reckoning as a competent opposition which can and will take over Government House in Benin City in 2016.”

He formally declare his intention to seek re-election to the state Assembly as representative for Esan SouthEast State constituency, adding that he remains committed to transforming his constituency with ‘trusted, tested and dependable’ legislations that will help bring about the needed development of the locality.

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014—13

Referring confab report to NASS illogical — EKWUEME

By Caleb Ayansina

A

BUJA—FORMER Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, weekend, submitted that it would be illogical to refer the report of the just-concluded national conference to the National Assembly for clause by clause consideration.

The former National Chairman of People Democratic Party, PDP, noted that issue of referendum or taking confab report to National Assembly should have been decided before the commencement of the conference.

Ekwueme, who stated this in an interview with newsmen shortly after the inauguration of ‘Citadel and Tower ’, the new cathedral built by the House on the Rock, in Abuja, urges lawmakers to pass the report without delay.

His words; “Referendum or taking the report to the national assembly, that is a decision should have been taken before the conference itself started.

“During out time, it was a military government and there was no National Assembly, and the document setting us up specified that, whatever decision we arrived at will be accepted without amendment by the military government.

“If it goes to the National Assembly, it would be done the same way they do with Bills. They will take each section one by one, clause by clause, phrase by phrase and they will start catching and patching.

“But bearing in mind that the final report was approved unanimously, I think the National Assembly should go ahead and approve and not taking it sentence by sentence.”

On state creation, Ekwueme noted that to ensure balance

between north and south, which was the purpose of creating six geopolitical zones, another state should be created in south-east.

He said, “Well, you know my attitude. In the 1995 Conference Report, I was of the view that each of the six geopolitical zones

should become a federating unit because in fairness to our founding fathers, what we inherited from them and from the British government was not a multiplicity of states.

“What we inherited and what we agreed (in the 1960

conference) was a country made up of three regions. It was agreed by all our political leaders and given to us at independence.

“My argument has always been that there were two things wrong with the structure we had at independence and thereafter.

DONATION: Hon. Emeka Ihedioha (left), distributing electricity transformers donated by him to communities at Aboh, Ahiazu, Ezinihitte, Ngor Okpala and Owerri local government areas, at St. Peters Anglican Church, weekend.

Uzodinma urges Igbos to re-elect Jonathan in 2015

By Cynthia Alo

C

HAIRMAN, SENATE Committee on Aviation, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has urged Igbos to re-elect President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, saying the President had shown an uncommon leadership to revamp the nation’s economy and deepen democracy through respect for the rule of law and adherence to the provisions of the constitution.

Uzodinma, who represents Imo West in the Senate, made the appeal at the 20th World Igbo

Congress in Houston, Texas, USA, weekend.

He said Jonathan had done the nation proud and deserved the support of all Nigerians for reelection.

“From prompt and popular actions to bolster free, fair and credible elections, maintenance of stable prices for petroleum products, fiscal and monetary interventions in the real sector and the burgeoning film industry, to the silent, but persistent responses to the energy challenges confronting the nation, President Jonathan has proven to everyone, but die-hard critics that, good luck

notwithstanding, he is the right man for today,” the senator said.

Appealing directly for Igbo votes for Jonathan in 2015, Uzodinma added: “I enjoin you (my brothers and sisters) to stand on the right side of history, be bold, be courageous and be counted among the patriots.

Jonathan has done Nigeria proud. “He has done Ndigbo proud. He has brought uncommon dignity and candour to national leadership. He has proven to be a true servant leader who respects the constitution, abides by the rule of law and upholds the civil liberties of citizens.

Obiano pledges to promote Igbo agenda

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA — GOVERNOR Willie Obiano of Anambra State has pledged to work closely with other governors in the South East geo-political zone to promote Igbo agenda to fast–track development in the area.

The governor, who spoke through his political adviser, Chief Joe Uzodike, at this year’s World Igbo Congress in Houston, Texas, in the United States of America, said he was eager to see the zone maintain its leadership status in the area of industrialisation and education, among others.

Uzodike said that because of the importance the governor attached to the Congress, he sent

a powerful delegation, including his wife and other top government officials to represent him, adding

that the governor had promised consistent support to the Congress.

Don lambasts ASUU over elongation of lecturers’ retirement age

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI —THE Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, was weekend, taken to the cleaners for pressing for the elongation of lecturers’ retirement age to 70.

The Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Imo State University, IMSU, Owerri, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba, who made the condemnation, while delivering this year’s Odenigbo Lecture in Owerri, also reasoned that it was most irregular and improper for ASUU to ask for the elongation of the retirement age of lecturers, while millions of unemployed youths roamed the streets.

PPA commends Arthur Eze over remarks on Abia's infrastructure decay

By Chris Ochayi

A

BUJA — PROGRESSIVE Peoples Alliance, PPA, has lent its voices to business mogul, Chief Arthur Eze, in disapproving the governance style of Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, saying the state was doomed because of Orji’s betrayal of trust and mandate.

National chairman of PPA, Comrade Peter Ameh, who reacted to Chief Eze’s recent remarks in a statement in Abuja, weekend, recalled that Governor Orji’s refusal to implement the party’s master plan was responsible for the horrifying state of infrastructure in Abia State.

558 youths benefit from Senator Ashafa’s free ICT training

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

FIVE HUNDRED AND fiftyeight youths in Lagos State have benefitted from the free monthly Information and Communications Technology, ICT, training programme since its inception in 2011.

The programme is sponsored by Senator Gbenga Ashafa, who represents Lagos East senatorial district.

The training Centre, which is situated in Magodo, Lagos, recently graduated the 13th and 14th batches of the exercise.

According to Ashafa, the initiative is in fulfillment of the vision and promise for the senatorial district during his campaign back in 2011.

He explained; “The spirit which has kept this programme alive stems from one of my cardinal points during the electioneering

campaign – Youth Empowerment.

By the grace of God, I have stood by this, empowering youths in the district.

“It is pertinent to point out here that there are 33 youths graduating today and they constitute a fair representation of the communities across Lagos East senatorial district.

“This number is in addition to the 525 youths from the past 12

batches.

“Consequently, by the end of today, we would have graduated a total of 558 youths, with 36 of them going home with brand new computer systems and printers.”

Commenting on the performance of the past batches, he said: “It is instructive to note that feed-back from past graduands, indicate that our efforts have not been a waste."

14—Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

APC condemns presidential directive on ballot papers

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

L

ONDON—THE All Progressives Congress, APC, has described the presidential directive that all electoral materials must be printed by the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company, NSPMC, as a threat to the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and the organisation of a free, fair and credible elections in the country.

In a statement issued in London by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, yesterday, the party said the directive became suspicious because it was followed by the dissolution of the management of the NSPMC, which might be a ploy by the President to inject peoples Democratic Party, PDP card-carrying members into the reconstituted management, so the company could become another rigging tool in subsequent elections, especially the 2015 general elections. ‘’On the surface, there is nothing wrong in having the NSPMC print electoral materials, since this will translate to more jobs for Nigerians and save money.

However, against the background of the PDP-led Federal Government’s

abuse of national institutions like the military and the police, which are used as the enforcement arms of the PDP during elections, it will be dangerous to have them (FG) take control of the printing of ballot papers and other electoral materials via the NSPMC. ‘’Secondly, where is the independence of INEC when the President can just direct it by fiat to do its bidding? INEC should be left to determine where to print its electoral materials to ensure the integrity of such materials. ‘’Thirdly, asking the CBN Governor, an appointee of the President, to now oversee the ‘reform’ of the NSPMC, and the

‘4m nomadic children have no access to education'

By Laide Akinboade

A

B U J A — EXECUTIVE Secretary, National Commission for Nomadic Education, Professor Rashid Aderinoye, yesterday revealed that over four million school-age children of nomads have no access to education in Nigeria.

Aderinoye, who stated this while fielding questions from journalists,

Terrorism: Jonathan to meet Chadian leader today

By Ben Agande

A

B U J A — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan will leave Abuja for Ndjamena, Chad, today for talks with his Chadian counterpart, President Idriss Deby, in continuation of the Federal Government’s efforts to forge a stronger alliance against terrorism and violent extremism with Nigeria’s neighbours.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, said the talks with President Deby, who is also the chairman of African Union’s, AU Peace and Security Council, is a follow-up on their discussions in Nairobi last week on the sidelines of the African Union Peace and Security Council Summit.

Governor’s promptitude in visiting INEC over the presidential directive, raise more questions. While the CBN is a part owner of the NSPMC, it is not INEC’s supervisory ministry and should not tamper with its duties,’’ it said.

APC said the bottom line was that INEC should be left alone to carry out its onerous duties without interference from any quarters whatsoever.

APC said: ‘’There should be a limit to the desperation of President Jonathan and his party to win the 2015 elections at all costs.

“They have perfected the use of the military, police and DSS, to harass and intimidate the opposition during elections.''

It said President Jonathan and his host will discuss the further actualisation of agreements for greater cooperation against insurgents and terrorists reached by Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon at a meeting in Paris earlier this year.

“Their talks are expected to strengthen the Paris Accord on joint border patrols, intelligence sharing and prevention of illicit movement of terrorists, arms and ammunition across shared borders.

“Before returning to Abuja tomorrow, President Jonathan will be a Special Guest of Honour at an international conference on Information Technology and Communication holding in Ndjamena on the same day,” the statement read.

after a meeting with the Minister of National Planning and Deputy Chairman of National Planning Commission, Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman, in Abuja weekend, described the development as a “time bomb.”

He said: “The incessant conflicts in Nasarawa, Taraba and Benue states involving the Fulani herdsmen and people of the states is due to a high level of ignorance and illiteracy among the pastoralists.

“There is high level of ignorance and illiteracy among the nomads and some of these could be sign of protest that they need attention, but are not able to do it in a constructive way.

“The population of the nomads, including pastoralists, migrant fishermen and migrant farmers is about 17 million, with majority of the population unable to read and write.”

He said of about 4 million school-age children of nomads that were supposed to be in school, only about 500,000 of them were in schools across the country.

Aderinoye said the advocacy visit to the Minister of National Planning Commission was to see how to build strong partnership as part the ongoing effort to reposition nomadic education in Nigeria.

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 —15

APC only party that can return Nigeria to greatness —Oyegun •Why I supported my husband to dump PDP — Bukola Saraki's wife

By Demola Akinyemi

I

LORIN— NATIONAL Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, weekend, in Ilorin Kwara State, insisted that APC remained the only party that could return the country to the path of greatness.

This came as wife of the immediate past governor of Kwara State, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, said she supported her husband's defection to APC because it was inspired by God. Chief Odigie-Oyegun led several APC chieftains including Governors Rochas Okorocha of Imo and Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun to honour Mrs. Toyin Saraki as she celebrated her 50th birthday.

While Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal led scores of members of the House of Representatives to the event, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed

was the chief host.

The APC National Chairman commended Mrs. Saraki for supporting what he called the courageous step by Saraki in joining APC, saying APC remained the only party that could return Nigeria to the path of greatness and solicited Nigerians’ support in next year’s general election.

He said the “party is determined to salvage the current situation in the country and give Nigerians a truly visionary and progressive leadership.”

Why I supported my husband —Bukola Saraki's wife

Speaking, the celebrant and founder of the Wellbeing Foundation, noted that her husband’s decision to join the APC was in the best interest of the suffering Nigerian masses.

According to her, “I trust my husband. I believe that my husband is inspired by God and

listen to the wishes of the people and so I will always support him as long as he is with the people.”

She was, however, full of praises for the people of Kwara State and other Nigerians who turned out en masse to celebrate the golden jubilee with her.

“I thank Almighty God and I thank the wonderful and good people of Kwara State who allowed me into their heart, their home, the community and I

thank God that we are all united for the development of Kwara State and the country at large,” she added.

Also speaking, Senator Bukola Saraki said he was humbled by the large presence of the crème-de-lacrème especially in the APC and captains of industry such as Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola who trooped to the state for the sake of his wife.

PDP wins Niger-East senatorial by-election

By Wole Mosadomi

M

INNA — THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won the rescheduled Niger-East Senatorial District by-election.

Its candidate, Dr Shem Nuhu Zagbayi, with 92,056 votes defeated David Umaru of All Progressives Congress, APC, who polled 87,405 votes.

Declaring Zagbayi the winner of the p o l l , y e s t e r d a y, t h e Independent National Electoral

Commission, INEC, Returning Officer, Professor Olakonmi Morenikeji, announced that Isa Bello of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and Mr Abdulahi Diko of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) scored 2,185 and 419 votes respectively.

Morenikeji said the total number of registered voters was 149,851 and the total number of accredited voters who participated in the election stood at 205,765.

He said the total number of valid votes was 182,137, number of rejected votes 8,042 and total number of votes cast was 190,179.

The elections were rescheduled following the irregularities that marked the previous polls.

ADAMAWA GUBER: Atiku calls for stakeholders' meeting

A

BUJA — FORMER Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has called for an urgent meeting of critical stakeholders in Adamawa State to ensure a free and fair governorship election in the state on October 11.

The former Vice President made the call against the backdrop of the need to maintain security in the state and fears being expressed about the probable suffocation of the sovereignty of the people by the prevailing emergency rule in the state.

Abubakar noted that his call for an urgent parley of Adamawa critical stakeholders comprised of the major political parties, security agencies, Adamawa State Government, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), civil society and election observers and religious and traditional rulers followed the results of NOI Polls which revealed that 55 per cent of adult Nigerians want the emergency rule imposed on three states in the North-east region lifted during the 2015 elections.

According to the former Vice President, 72 per cent of those surveyed from the region, however, advocated the lifting of the emergency rule for the purposes of the 2015 election in the states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

Atiku said the envisaged meeting would come up with modalities for ensuring a free and fair election in an emergency rule in Adamawa State, adding that the Adamawa situation could be used as a forerunner of the 2015 elections.

The Turaki Adamawa while expressing the imperative of providing adequate security in the state, especially with the peculiar situation presented by the emergency rule, however, observed that the prevailing emergency rule might pose difficulties, if not impossible for voters in the state to perform their civic rights of franchise.

16 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 THE recent decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to increase the number of polling units across the country was conveyed as an attempt to ease the voting procedure. It was aimed to shorten the queue of voters during accreditation and voting on election days.

That decision and the reason as given, ordinarily should be applauded by all stakeholders, especially given the crave by most Nigerians for free, fair and credible procedures on polling days.

Given the accolades the Commission has received on account of relatively undisputed gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun States, Nigerians expected INEC to build on its positive rating.

However, on the issue of the increase of the number of polling units recently decided by the Commission, there are many questions begging to be answered.

That the decision was taken after the application of the Automated Fingerprint Identification System, (AFIS) when the number on the voters’ roll has been significantly reduced calls the creation of new polling units to question.

Following the application of AFIS, the

Shelve The Controversial New Polling Units Commission was expected to revise or redistribute the polling units across the country based on the new number of voters. However, in a move that put logic on its head, the Commission proceeded to award new polling units to states that were clearly shown to have diminished number of voters.

Shockingly, states that have experienced mass exodus of people on account of insurgency have had their number of polling units increased over those with assimilating populations.

Unnecessary suspicion was created by the confirmation that majority of the

newly 30,000 new polling units were carved out disproportionately in one part of the country, leaving other parts protesting.

That has soured the upbeat mood in the Commission and the nation at large, creating the impression of a devious agenda.

Another fact that the Commission may not have factored into its planned creation of additional polling units is the extra cost that would go into the exercise. The creation of the 30,000 extra polling units would require additional 30,000 policemen, 60,000 polling officers and the 30,000 additional observers each of the political parties would have to provide.

INEC has sought to counter issues raised by concerned stakeholders but the response has failed to soothe frayed nerves.

The suspicion that this exercise has raised calls for its suspension until a thorough and acceptable reassessment is carried out.

We believe that the creation of additional polling units should wait until next year ’s general elections have come and gone. The INEC should commit all its efforts towards ensuring a hitch-free poll in 2015.

OPINION

By Sam Ekpe

“Death is a necessary end which will come when it will come”. - William Shakespeare in Julius Ceaser.

A

ND so death came to Professor Raymond Nnadume Chidubem Okafor-Nwanya on July 31, 2014. Born on February 28, 1940, he attended primary education at Sacred Heart School, Calabar from January 1950, to December 1956. He later enrolled into College of Immaculate Conception, CIC, Enugu from January 1957 to December 1961 and subsequently Holy Family College, Abak, Akwa Ibom State from January 1962 to December 1964 for his secondary and higher school career, respectively.

During his secondary and higher school days, he exhibited excellent academic abilities which earned him a Grade I result in West African School Certificate and a Diploma from University of Cambridge Higher School Certificate, both at principal and subsidiary levels. He joined Union College Schenectady New York from 1964 to June 1967 from where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree in French and Literature. This was achieved not using his parent’s money but by winning the African Scholarship Programme of American Universities, feats only few people have achieved.

His postgraduate studies took place at Middlebury College Graduate School of French in France Middlebury Vermont in collaboration with the Sorbonne University of Paris from 1967 to September 1968 where he was honoured with a Masters of Arts in

Tribute to Raymond Okafor Nwanya, 'Prof and dean' French and Literature. Finally, he bagged his Doctorate Degree at the University of Paris, Sorbonne in 1974.

Professor Ray Okafor Nwanya began his professional career in1968 under the service of Professor Kenneth Onwuka Dike, first Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, as a Personal Assistant. This appointment ended in1970 as he took up yet another one, this time as an instructor in Francophone Literature Fisk University abroad programme, Abidjan, Ivory Coast. His competence at this period earned him the position of a full time lecturer in French and Comparative Literature in the same university.

As a result of his proficiency in French language, his mates and some friends advised him to come back home on assignment here in Nigeria. Thereafter, he humbled himself and returned home to take up an assignment at the University of Port-Harcourt where he served as a lecturer between 1976 and 1980; Senior Lecturer between 1982 and 1985, all in French and Comparative Literature. He also served as Member of Senate in the same school between 1980 and 1997; Member of Governing Council of the University between 1982 and 1985; Chairman, Committee on Lecturers and Cultural Activities between 1983 and 1985; Head of Department Foreign Languages and Literature, between 1982 and 1984; Director of Basic Studies Programme between 1984 and 1985; Co-ordinator, Year Abroad Programme, between 1984 and 1986; Professor of French and Comparative

Literature in 1986 to 1988 and Dean of Faculty of Humanities, between 1992 and 1996. He was also a guest lecturer at a seminar organised

by Association of Universities partially or entirely on French expression at the University of Ouagadougou Burkina Faso in 1997.

Apart from his academic contributions to the development of Foreign Language in Nigeria, he performed competently in other areas of endeavour. In 1983, he was a consultant with NTA on National Election Programme, Verdict 83. He edited JOFRAS, a French journal of the Association of Francophone Studies in 1986. He ran for the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the platform of the defunct NRC in 1992. He retired from service in 1997, hence an accomplished Senior Citizen of Nigeria.

The popular saying, once a soldier always a soldier, can best be used to describe Ray’s position after his retirement from service. He tried his hands in many ventures to prove that as a dynamic and thorough bred Igbo man, he will make a success of any enterprise. Due to his competence he was always called upon to offer his service appropriately. In 1999, he served as Chairman, Federal Visitation Panel, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State.

In 2000, he was a consultant for PDP Training Programme for Organizing Secretaries, Abuja, as well as the consultant, NAPEP Monitoring Programme for 2001. He also consulted for the training workshop of Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters, Abuja. He further served as Political Adviser to the Executive Secretary

FCDA, Charles Dorgu. He published two books: The African Narcissus and The Inheritance of Fashoda. He was a member of many learned society and had attended various international conferences. He understood and spoke five languages. He was the immediate past Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal College of Education Eha Amufu in Enugu State.

Prof. was deeply involved in the activities of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Abuja, the Federal Capital. I recall that he organised a reception for the former National Chairman of the party, Prince Vin Ogbulafor by the PDP South East Forum Abuja. He had gone far in arranging the reception party before the unceremonious exit of Prince Ogbulafor from the seat.

He also ventured into newspaper publishing, establishing the Abuja Tempo, a weekly tabloid that circulated massively in the Federal Capital territory and environs between 2003 and 2008.

With Abuja temple he was a leading voice in the policy of restoration of the Abuja Master Plan under the administration of Mallam Elrufai as the FCT Minister. His vitriolic editorial and comments on national issues were a must read by top government officials.

Prof has run the race and did so excellently. He has written his name in gold in the annals of Nigerian history. His place in the records of the nation’s social and political development is assured. *Mr. Ekpe, a media consultant, wrote from Abuja.

Glo Xchange gives mobile money lift-off

SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

China's low price offering threatens cassava business

BY OMOH GABRIEL, Business Editor

T

HE low price tag put on Nigerian cassava chips by China is frustrating Nigerian exporters of the commodity. This development is impeding the successful execution of the cassava chip export contract entered by Nigeria and China.

Chinese importers, it was learnt, are offering Nigerian exporters $250 per tonne instead of $400 it goes for in Europe and $350 in Israel. Business advisory services officials at the Bank of Agriculture have advised Nigerian cassava chips exporters that if the contract price is less than $400 per tonne, the business will not be viable.

Financial Vanguard gathered that the Bank of Agriculture team suggested that exporters should explore European markets that offer $400 or Israel that offers $350 as against China's $250 offering. The contract for the export of cassava was negotiated by the Obasanjo regime in his cassava initiative and is being undermined by the Chinese.

This aside, indications are also that the desire of the Federal Government to develop a viable value chain in the agricultural sector is being hampered by the current regime of interest rate of 22 per cent among other factors.

Operators in the cassava end of the

•High interest rates, shipping costs, others worsen things •Nigerians advised to seek other markets in Israel, Europe

value chain, especially cassava chips processors are labouring in pain as a result of high interest rate and the farm gate price of raw cassava tubers. They also said that high cost of internal logistics (transportation), high cost of

shipping, hurdles in documentations with Customs, finance needed for capacity-building, are among the numerous challenges facing value added production in the country.

According to submissions by various

stakeholders at meetings with government functionaries, bankers and export financing agencies, which Financial Vanguard sighted, the challenges of cassava chip processors Continues on page 19

C M Y K

18 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

Cover Story

Vocation and technical education – a key to improving Nigeria’s development. (4)

China's low price offering threatens cassava business and the cassava industry are that in Nigeria, most cassava peasant farmers do not make profit and in actual fact, are suffering. Processors said that the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) does not pay attention to them and it has been difficult for them to access credit facilities and that the bank's claims of financing 8,000 cassava farmers'during last year's planting season was a gimmick.

A

ccording to their submission to government, for the average cassava farmer, it costs N200,000 per hectare from clearing to harvesting of cassava. Nigerian peasant farmers currently plant cassava varieties that yield 12 tonnes to 15 tonnes per hectare saying that in their calculation, they operate at a loss. Their submission at the stakeholders' meeting also pointed out that agriculture in Nigeria currently employs 70 per cent of the nation’s population and contributes only 0.5 per cent to non-oil export. This, they argued, is what is playing out in the level of poverty in the country. They said that earnings of Nigerian farmers as compared to other nations with less employment in agriculture and high export contributions or earnings like South Africa, are very low.

Their situation, they said, is further worsened by the activities of middlemen, cassava merchants, who buy from the farmers at a cheap rate and sell to processors at a high rate pinning the cost differential on high transportation cost from the farms to the factories. They said that last year, a pick-up truck load of cassava tubers from different locations in Nigeria, which does not meet the correct measurement of 2.5 tonnes, was going from N50,000 to N65,000

depending on location.

According to them, the international commodity market price of cassava chips is fixed.

Nigeria has other competitors in cassava products such as Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil etc.

To be cost effective, they said that processors want to buy raw cassava tubers for N8,000 per ton knowing full well that the international market price for cassava chips is fixed. They said that when processors are processing, they work with the ratio of four tons of raw tubers to produce one ton of cassava chips with diameter 3mm to 5mm (peeled). They claimed that the cost of transportation of a 30 tonnes truck from

,

Continues from page 17

Counting their woes, they said that lack of a d e q u a t e finance to build capacity is also hampering cassava chip production in Nigeria.

,

Lagos to Sokoto is about N300, 000; this is further compounded by the high shipping cost in Nigeria as compared to the rest of the world.

Also cited as hampering the bid to increase non-oil export through cassava chips export is the bottle necks in Customs, bribery, and fumigation. They claimed that government officials make exporters to buy materials that will be used for fumigating the containers and the documentation hurdles that follow.

Counting their woes, they said that lack of adequate finance to build capacity is also hampering cassava chip production in Nigeria. As a

result of lack of financing, producers are not able to meet production targets, buy more machineries and mop up dry cassava chips around Nigeria i.e. states like Taraba, Nassarawa, Benue, Kogi and Sokoto.

Some cassava peasant farmers allow their cassava crops to stay over two years and above as a result of no buyers, no access roads to their farms to evacuate the products and the tubers rot away. Some dry their cassava in certain areas i.e. Akwanga, Nassawara State and use as fire wood as a result of lack of buyers.

These, they said, are some of the challenges faced by cassava chips processors and exporters and the main reason why Nigeria, after signing a contract with China to export 3.2 million metric tonnes of cassava chips annually, is yet to execute the contract. A cassava chips processor said that the offering price of the Chinese with which the Federal Government signed a contract for cassava chip export is a big issue, when compared with the Nigerian cassava raw tuber price processing and exporting. BOA at the stakeholders’ consultation forum informed that if the contract price is less than $400 per ton, the business will not be viable. The team suggested that the exporter explore European markets that offer $400 or Israel that offers $350 as against China's $250.

They said that they were taken aback by the mere fact that the credit line open for them by Afrinexim bank has not been disbursed. Explaining the rationale for approaching Afrinexim for credit facility, officials of the Ministry of Agriculture said: “The main reason of going to Afrinexim for the loan facility by the ministry is as a result of the high cost of lending by

Continues on page 19

T

he focus is on the roles of technology and vocational education in enhancing entrepreneurial skills that will equip students for entrepreneurship education in Information and Communication Technology (ICT.) driven technological environment. The world has become globalized and the future prosperity depends on comparative advantage. This comparative advantage hinges on people and their technical or technological sophistication.

Towards this, some crucial entrepreneurial and technical skills needed by the students in colleges of education (technical), polytechnics and universities to meet the trends in a global economy is analyzed.

Technology education is to be considered as the key agent of technology development, either as a way of developing human capacity, increasing the shield work force for m o d e r n i s a t i o n , industrialisation, environmental development or as a matter of personnel freedom, developing capability and empowerment.

Technology education is increasingly recognized to be central to both the origins of technological development and challenges and to the prospects for successfully dealing with them (Alam, 2009). Decision makers at all levels, need timely, reliable access to knowledge generated by technology and technical education to introduce rational policies that reflect a better global understanding of complex technical, economic, social, cultural and article issues concerning the society, and our environment.

Technical decision making and priority setting is an integral part of overall development planning and formation of technology development strategies.

Above all, technology education is a human right and, as such, should receive priority in the allocation of national resources.

It has become very necessary not to only keep technology education bound to the role of manufacturing skilled manpower but also to economic

development and global economy.

In Nigeria, technology education was previously not seen as fundamental for national development, or for the economic development, but for the school dropouts, and other social and political development within the nation and for individuals. Hallak (1990) argues that technology education is also linked to human resources development and that this has an impact on more than just economic growth, but also an impact on the wider development of individuals and societies.

According to him, it contributes to: (a). Individual creativity, improved participation in the economic, social and cultural roles in society. (b). Improved understanding of an individual and heir

,

LECTURE - From left: HRM Oba Adedokun Omoniyi Abolarin, The Orangun of Oke-Ila, Royal Father of The Day; Chief Adetokunboh Yusuf, Chairman of the Ocassion; Joseph Okonmah, Esq. Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Lagos State Chapter and Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Lagos Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the Public Lecture/AGM 2014 of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations(NIPR),Lagos State chapter held in Lagos.

Te c h n o l o g y education is increasingly recognised to be central to both the origins of technological development and challenges and to the prospects for successfully dealing with them

,

respect for others, thus promoting social cohesion and material understanding (c) Improvement in health and nutrition. (d) Improved chances of economic development. (e) Improved technological development. (f) Socio-cultural change. (g) Democracy and equality (h) Ecological development/ quality of life (increasing people’s awareness of their environments).

From our analysis so far, it is clear that modernization and economic development depend on investment and appreciation of modern trends in technology education. According to Woodhall (1997) investment in technological education and training produces benefits for the individual and for society as whole.

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 — 19

O

n April 28 we published this article in which I said that Nigeria needs help from within and from outside the country. Event of the last three weeks has shown that help from outside to contain the monster called Boko Haram is imperative. Boko Haram taking over some towns in the North East with the military pleading helplessness connotes that all the reserved army in Nigeria be recalled. This is what I said in April.

Nigeria needs help from within and outside power who sees the kind of carnage, the kind of macabre murders taking place in Nigeria will be mindless not to care. This situation has overwhelmed the capacity, the thinking faculty, ability and experience of top security personnel. They indeed need help and the support of those who understand the present circumstance.

Nations face challenges every so often. Whenever such challenges are daunting and beyond the capacity of those in charge, they call for help. The present set-up in the military is not trained to fight terror. They probably know only conventional war. War on terror globally is more of intelligence gathering, information sharing and effective communication of position of the suspected enemies of the state through effective monitoring. As it stands, intelligence gathering machinery of the military, police and DSS seem very weak. War on terror is not about the superior weapons used by the enemy, it is the element of surprise in the attack that makes the difference.

This administration should swallow its pride and arrogance as it needs men and women with the requisite expertise in intelligence gathering, as well as experts in communication to help and teach Nigerian security forces. Here is where the reserve

army is needed. There are Nigerians who were patriotic enough to help keep Nigeria one during the civil war. Some of those military experts are still alive, there are those who are retired but not tired who

,

Nigeria is a country blessed with intelligent people. It is a country where every man and woman likes to express himself or herself loud and clear.

Nigerians anywhere in the world like to hold their heads high. That was when the economy was booming. But even now, Nigerians despite the economic situation are the same, proud and always assertive.

The nation is besieged by a murderous group from within and outside, further compounding the already bad economic situation in the country.

The security challenges facing the nation have relegated the need for more focus and attention on the economy to the background. It is about how to secure the country. While Boko Haram has taken hold of the North-East, kidnappings and other heinous crimes have taken hold of the South-South and South-East.

Ritual killings is now rampant in the South-West and in the Middle Belt, communal clashes and rampaging Fulani herdsmen have combined to bring about a reign of terror on the people. With wicked Sawyer importing ebola into the country, another dimension has been added to the reign of terror in the country.

In all of these, untimely death is visited on the ordinary Nigerians. Those in position to stop these messengers of death are engaged daily in blame games. Many are feeling that the government is not doing enough to curtail the situation.

No responsible individual in

problem. We need men and women who think Nigeria to help solve this problem. It is not a matter of playing the blame game, it is not a party affair, and Nigerians must rise above this parochial thinking to tackle the

Nations face challenges every so often, whenever such challenges are daunting and beyond the capacity of those in charge, they call for help, the present set-up in the military is not trained to fight terror

,

can help. The benefit of the wisdom and experience of these retired generals who see Nigeria as an entity is needed now.

Nigeria, however, does not need the services of retired generals like Murtala Nyako who is retired and tired. All what these tired people like Governor Nyako see is doom and sectionalism. Boko Haram is not a phantom thing, it is real. The families that have been affected by the insurgency cut across tribe, religion and state . Boko Haram is not just a North-East problem, it is a Nigerian

evil that has befallen the nation.

The President must take the first step by calling those who can help to a round table and seek their cooperation. This is the time for the President to be firm and show that he is in charge and has the capacity to defend the rights of every Nigerian no matter where he comes from. The President must call for sober reflection on what has been happening and put his finger on where he has not acted as a President. The President must muster courage to face whoever stands in the way of progress in the country.

He must as a man, look at

every woman who is doing the wrong thing in the face and say stop or get fired and if such a woman refuses, should be fired.

Developed democracies are where they are today because leaders in those countries are accountable. They stand to say no to evil. They stand and allow institutions to fish out criminals and punish them. When people know that if they do wrong they will get caught and duly punished, crime and criminality will reduce.

The reasons in democratic practice why majority surrender their sovereignty to a few elected officials is that government is responsible for the safety and welfare of citizens and any time the citizens are being killed or their welfare is being abused, government must take some kind of action. What is happening now in Nigeria has gone beyond the stage of blaming government and politicians. Some Nigerians have come to believe that Boko Haram is politically-motivated, some say it is religiouslymotivated; the question is, if it is religious, why should Muslims be killing Muslims and not just Christians and non-Muslims?

Nigerians must now realise that “Boko Haram is now out to prove that it can kill and get away with it. It has gone beyond religion, politics and ideology.

It is a belief: ‘I can kill people and I can get away with it and let me show you I can do it.’

That is what it is now ” .

Nigerians must rise up to the occasion and face this one challenge in unison.

Cover Story Continues from page 18 Nigerian banks, 22 per cent per annum, how do processors and exporters survive? However, two options were opened to the processors and exporters either to access the $40 million loan directly with the Afrinexim Bank or go through the Bank of Industry and BOA Only Thai Farms International Limited at the meeting opted to deal with Afrinexim Bank Egypt directly.

The representative of Flour Mills Nigeria left the meeting on sighting BOA and Bank of Industry representatives, complaining that they are slothful in their dealing and commercial banks are better off.

Other processors, exporters present at the meeting said that the Bank of Agriculture had already taken their applications.

The ministry promised to look into the request that the use of railway lines to convey products from locations to the ports will

China's low price offering threatens cassava business be cheaper and promised to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Transport to work it out.

They were also promised that government will look into shipping cost, bottlenecks of other agencies i.e. Customs, inspection, quarantine; their ministry will liaise with the agencies involved.

Financial Vanguard learnt that a private meeting session was held between the banks (BOI, BOA), some ministry officials and Afrinexim representative, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture officials, Afrinexim Egypt representative, likewise the processors and exporters.

The exporters at the meeting include Thai Farms, Sajaab Farms, Flo Mulvina Nig. The exporters’ presentations were on their success in dry chips export to countries like Israel and China. Basically, their

presentations were skewed towards the numerous challenges they faced in the course of exportation. The summary of their challenges include: Fluctuating prices of cassava tubers; competition with garri producers, overarching bureaucracy at the ports; low demand price for chips in the booming Asian countries; need for support in increasing their own production channels; and logistics problems.

M

rs Ada Osakwe and Chief Awoniyi briefed the meeting on their trip to Egypt to secure $40 million loan and what was discussed and agreed. Processors who had put in their applications were said to have made the following request to have their own farms apart from outgrowers attached to them, trucks, more machineries,

advance drying techniques among others. A time frame, it was learnt, was picked and processors and exporters were made to know that the BOA 8will put in their own charges.

Since cassava chips has the dry season as its season in the world for mass production, the BOA agreed to submit the loan request to Afrinexim on time and once given the green light, will release money to processors, exporters. Bank of Agriculture also promised that

by April this year, they would have attended to all who put in their applications.

According to the processors, up till now, nothing has happened, their books has not been okayed by Afrinexim Bank Egypt. The cassava processors alleged that officials in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development overseeing the BOA are not doing anything about it and

processors/exporters are left to their fate. They said that it was also agreed that once these frontline processors/ exporters are given the money applied for and they are judiciously utilised and repaid, others will come on board. But this is yet to happen as the books of BOA are not properly kept and it is affecting processors/exporters denying them from accessing the loan, since they are passing through the BOA. The cassava bread intervention, they claim, has suffered the same fate.

While revealing Afrinexim partnership profile with Nigeria, Mr. Adomakoh listed successful projects like the Indorama fertilizer plant and Notore’s cocoa processing plants and advised that to succeed in these projects, there must not be an overarching government influence on the cocoa and starch exports of the past.

C M Y K

20 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

Business & Economy

EU laments nonrecognition of 100m Euros investment in Nigeria THE European Union (EU) which has spent over €100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Euros) on various intervention programmes for human and infrastructural development in the Nigeria has express worries over the lack of recognition of her activities by Nigerian government.

The non-recognition of these efforts by the population notwithstanding, the EU said will not deter the Union from continuing to intervene in the critical areas of human development which the people of the 20-member EU country have tasked the Union to pursue on her behalf. The Managing Partner, African Communication Sari, Dr. Ben Norby Bonde made the disclosure yesterday, during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja.

“I am aware that the intervention of the European Union in Nigeria since it started operation in the country is over €100,000,000.00 million Euros in spite of the low recognition of this effort the EU is prepared to do more,” Ben told the reporters.

She Leads Africa encourages female entrepreneurs

By WILLIAM JIMOH

S

HE Leads Africa, a social enterprise fostering the spread of business growth and ideas on the continent, is hosting an entrepreneur showcase, in a bid to provide female entrepreneur an opportunity to pitch their business ventures to a panel of potential mentors and investors while competing for cash and other prizes.

The showcase which comes up in Lagos later in the month will feature female entrepreneurs across a broad range of sectors; retail, manufacturing, ecommerce, information technology, and transportation.

The competition which places a spotlight on women that are driven to developing Africa’s growth story through fostering commerce draws participants form countries including; Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco, South Africa, United Kingdom and the USA. According to She Leads Africa Co-Founder, Afua Osei, “Africa as a whole is poised for greatness, with significant potential for wealth, and with the guidance and mentorship of those that have become proven successes in their fields; we can make sure that this new period of growth creates opportunities C M Y K

FG directs SON to begin full implementation of new cement standards

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

T

he Federal Government has directed the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, to begin full implementation of the new standards for cement.

The cement standard mandated local manufacturers to incorporate the following information on their bag of cement: CEM I 52.5R and 52.5N for use in the construction of bridges; CEM II 42.5R, 42.5N for use in the casting of columns, beams, slabs, blocks moulding; CEM I & II 32.5R, 32.5N for plastering of buildings only.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga at the National Stakeholders’ Forum on Blocks and Allied Products, theme: Safeguarding Lives a Through Compliance with Standard in Abuja on Thursday, said the federal government is committed to continuously provide the needed support and encouragement to its agencies including the SON to ensure effective implementation of their mandates.

“As the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, representing the federal government, am directing SON to commence full implementation of the cement

standard in the country”.

Aganga called on Nigerians to always “demand for quality as a right, take steps to seek redress when dissatisfied with product quality, provide classified information to regulatory agencies on suspected substandard products”.

He also implored all professionals in the building and construction sector, including artisans and Sandcrete Block Moulders to ensure the use of only certified materials and engage only those with requisite knowledge and skills in order

to correctly apply the approved specifications in the standard.

“One key focus of standardization all over the world is continually improvement aimed at customer satisfaction and this is only attainable through the diligent implementation of specifications for products and services as prescribed in the relevant approved standards.

“Standards in the selves are dynamic in that they undergo reviews as necessary towards ensuring continual improvement in products

quality”, he explained.

The minister noted that the event was part of quality assurance initiatives to implement the mandatory conformity assessment programme, MANCAP for all locally manufactured products in the country.

This, he said was aimed at ensuring that they meet minimum specifications in applicable standards, are safe and would give value for money being offered to Nigerians for patronage.

Aganga added that this would also ensure consumer confidence and repeated patronage that will ultimately lead to increased capacity utilization and employment creation in line with the federal government’s transformation agenda.

UNVEILING - From left Mr Lolu Akinyemi, Financial Director, Family Care, PZ; Mr Roy Ekekwe, Head of Category, Fabric Care Africa; Carol Arhere, Head of PR, Daviva Nigeria; Mr Alex Goma, MD, Family Care, PZ and Mr Pieter Stroek, Head of Research and Development, PZ during the unveiling of Canoe Detergent 'Alive with Colour' Campaign by PZ in Lagos.

Photo Lamidi Bamidele.

Nigeria Railways invests N1.6bn in Apapa lines rehabilitation

BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

T

HE Federal Government has said that it has invested N1.6 billion on the rehabilitation of the rail lines linking the ports and some tank farms in Apapa, saying the project will be completed within the next three months.

Managing Director of Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC, Engr. Adeseyi Sijuade disclosed this while inspecting the Apapa loop lines rehabilitation projects in Lagos last week.

Represented by the Corporation’s Director, Mechanical/Electrical Signal and Telecommunications, Engr. Fidet Okhira, Sijuade said, within the next three months, the contractor, CCECC has assured that the laying of the tracks into the farm yards would have been completed, so that petroleum products can be hauled

directly into the rail tank wagons.

He noted that the tracks are being upgraded from 60 to 85 pounds in order for the tracks to be able to withstand the expected increase in weight that will result from direct haulage of petroleum products by rail.

According to him, “The tracks are worn out already because they have been there since the colonial days. We are now changing them to new rails. Apart from that we are changing them from lower to higher poundage, so that they will be able to withstand more stress and carry more loads. So we are upgrading from 60 to 85 pounds rail which means heavier load. So instead of the rails braking under heavy weight, it would be able to carry more loads coming from the ports.”

He also disclosed that the companies captured in the link project include; A-Z Petroleum, Oando Petroleum,

Total Petroleum, Mobil, Eurafric Energy Ltd, and Forte Oil. Speaking further, he said, “All the lines going into the wharf are currently under rehabilitation. We are upgrading the narrow gauge as a maintenance measure and we expect to upgrade to the standard gauge as we go on, especially when the Lagos to Ibadan standard gauge contract kicks off. But in the meantime we do not want to fold our heads and halt rail services and that is the essence of the rehabilitation.

Because that is what we have for now until we get the new standard gauge rails.”

Easing Apapa traffic Sijuade however noted that the upgrade of the rail links will boost customer confidence as the move will enhance the reliability of the tracks.

“After upgrading the Apapa rail links, we believe that our

customers will have more confidence because the rail tracks will be more reliable.

Already we have new locomotives that can take products from Lagos to Kano within 72 hours. By doing this, we are ensuring the reliability of the tracks and that will engender more confidence on our customers,” he said.

He added: “We are also extending the tracks to the tank farms. This is because they are on railway lands and the agreement is that they will carry their products using the rail. The problem we had was that the tracks were not extended into the tank farms.

He noted that at the moment the corporation still hauls petroleum products but that comes with additional cost which makes it unattractive to the petroleum marketers, saying that creating a direct access to the tank farms will scuttle the double hauling and attendant costs.

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 — 21

22 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

Banking & Finance

O3 Capital to drive credit card culture in Nigeria CIBN holds 8th banking & finance conference

T

OWARDS moving the nation’s Payments Systems into global reckoning, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria has concluded arrangements to hold the 8th Banking and Finance Conference from September 23 – 24, 2014, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.

The institute, in a statement stated that it has assembled high profile and seasoned experts from the public and private sectors of the economy to address the topical issues at the conference, among whom are Dr.(Mrs) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, CFR, Coordinating Minister for the Economy/Minister for Finance; Dr. Olusegun Aganga, Hon. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and Mrs. Omobola Johnson, Hon. Minister of Communication Technology who will present the Government perspectives while Mr. Dipo Fatokun, Director, Banking & Payment Systems, Central Bank of Nigeria; Dr. Koyinsola Ajayi, Managing Partner, Olaniwun Ajayi; Mr. Ade Ashaye, Country Director, Visa Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa; and Mr. Jay Alabraba, Cofounder, Pagatech Nigeria Ltd will give the private sector perspective.

By PETER EGWUATU

0

3 Capital Nigeria Limited has pledged to drive a credit card culture in the country that would enable average Nigerians have access to credit.

The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, 03 Capital Nigeria, Mr. Abimbola Pinhiero, while introducing the cards to Nigerians in Lagos said, “O3 Capital intends to drive the evolution of this credit card culture given that there are less than 100,000 existing banks’ credit cards in Nigeria that has a population of 160 million people. We believe that the key to achieve competitive advantage is through our product

differentiation strategy and product efficacy.”

He stated that there is no risk without a reward, adding “ If we as Nigerians don’t take risks, our economy will not develop. It is our philosophy that every Nigerian would have credit card in their wallets. We cannot develop without a credit card system.

According to him “ Our credit card works on the Interswitch network which means they can be used on all Automated Teller Machines, ATMs, Point of Sales Terminals, POS and Nigerian internet payment sites in Nigeria. The main strategic thrust of the company is ssue naira denominated credit cards with limits ranging from N100,000

to N1,500,000. Our mission is to ensure that the average Nigerian is not cash strapped but can have access to funds to meet their day to day needs.”

“Our objective correlates to that of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s financial System Strategy 2020, which includes the cashless policy.

Its objective is to promote economic activity by ultilising innovative payment systems with ease of accessibility to the general populace.

Deployment of credit cards should give the relevant boost to the Nigerian economy by increasing the purchasing power of the consumer by driving activity in the economy across the board. 03 Capital takes the CBN cashless policy to a new level”

Sterling Bank rewards football fans in 'Gunner’s Promo'

S

terling Bank Plc has announced the Sterling Gunner’s Promo that will reward thirty football lovers through an all expense paid trip to the Emirate Stadium to watch live matches.

Announcing the commencement of the promo in Lagos, Sterling Bank’s Head of Retail Products unit, Gbenga Adegoke said the promo is part of the bank’s strategic initiative to reward its customers who are passionate about football and Arsenal football club in particular.

He said the promo which will kick off early September will end in May, 2015. Adegoke said, throughout the duration of the promo, the bank will take the thirty lucky customers to the Emirate Stadium to watch Arsenal matches within the next nine months.

He disclosed that, “The first draw to determine the winners will be in December,” noting that, “To participate in the promo, customers are required to open an account, and afterwards, leave a minimum of N30, 000 in the account for three months. At the end of every three months, there will be a raffle draw to be supervised by lottery and other

LAUNCH - From left: Olukayode Maiyegun, Group Head, Public Sector & Specialised Products, Unified Payments; Victor Etuokwu, Executive Director, Personal Banking , Access Bank; Sina Joseph, Director IT& Operations, Unified Payments and Segun Ogbonnewo; Group Head, Channel Services, Access Bank, at the Presidential Launch of the National eID cards in Abuja.

he explained.

While also endorsing the product, Mr. Tope Adebayo, a representative of NIBBs, said “ NIBBs has been partner of progress with almost all the banks in Nigeria. There has been collaboration with the banks and other institutions to develop this product. We need collaboration to make our system work well. This product is roburst and need the collaboration of all stakeholders to make it succeed.”

The Chairman of 03 Capital Nigeria Limited, Mr. Bode Emmanuel at the official launch of the credit cards said “This is the first time the country will have a proper credit card system, all other cards by banks are not credit card in the real sense but debit cards. So, the 03 Credit Card is the real credit card and has come to stay. Where ever a credit card has started all over the world it began in a small way before spreading.

This is the first time in Nigeria that we are going to have a proper credit card system. It is something that is going to develop the economy. I commend the management for the foresight especially the managing director.”

Speaking as well, Mr.Tunde Popoola , CRC Credit Bureau Limited said “We congratulate Mr. Abimbola and his team for a job well done. It is on threshold of history with the launch of credit card. We hope that it will help people to have access to credit and be seamless.. It will also enhance consumption and because of the cycle it will in turn enhance production and create e employment.”

Accenture, Oracle set to launch data solution centre

By EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

A

global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, Accenture and Oracle are set to launch a multi-year strategic initiative to bring the performance and flexibility of Oracle Engineered Systems to clients more quickly and cost-effectively.

This is coming on the heel of the creation of a set of solutions incorporating Oracle Engineered System into Accenture’s leading data center transformation consulting and outsourcing services by Accenture.

These solutions according to

them, will allow clients to ready their data centers to manage, process and analyze the huge amounts of data being generated in a digital world, and at the same time help reduce total cost of data center ownership through significant consolidation of servers, storage and networking components.

Accenture said it had formed a team of over 300 consultants who combine their experience with proprietary and fieldtested methodologies and tools to help simplify solution implementation, increase productivity and improve the stability of data centers.

According to the company,

the new solutions can help reduce the effort and cost of migrating any vendor database to an Oracle Engineered Systems platform, which can lower cost of ownership by up to 50 percent1.

The Accenture team will be supported by Oracle Enterprise Architects and dedicated Oracle Engineered Systems engineers, who will help deliver and support the solutions while accelerating time to value for clients and reducing deployment risk.

Oracle Engineered Systems, includes Oracle Exadata Database Machine, Oracle Exalogic Elastic Cloud, Oracle SuperCluster and Oracle

Exalytics In-Memory Machine, pre-integrate hardware and software to reduce the cost and complexity of IT infrastructures, while increasing productivity and performance.

With its extensive capabilities in the entire portfolio of Oracle’s hardware and software offerings, Accenture noted that it has built a number of assets to complement Oracle Engineered Systems.

Accenture and Oracle said they are also investing in, working on and implementing transformational industryspecific solutions that utilize Oracle Engineered Systems.

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 — 23

Banking & Finance

ATM: Bank customers cautious over N65 charge

By PETER EGWUATU

A

s the N65 charge on the use of other banks’ Automated Teller Machines, ATMs commenced last week, as announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, customers have been cautious on its usage as most customers used their banks’ATMs. A visit to some of the banks last week showed that about 95 per cent of the people seen withdrawing money from the ATMs was customers of their respective banks.

When asked why they prefered to remain in queue instead of utilising other banks’ ATMs where there were fewer queues, the customers said that they were avoiding the N65 extra charges as announced by the CBN. The CBN had explained that the introduction of fees on Remote –On-Us ATMs was a result of the abuse in the use of ATMs , which provided additional costs to the banks.

Therefore, with the introduction of N65 charge on Remote-On-Us ATMs, customers would be very careful in using the ATMs of other banks other than theirs, since it attracts a little fee on the fourth time usage in a month.

However, some people have argued that the introduction of N65 fees on Remote – On –Us will frustrate cashless policy of the apex bank.

According to them “Some customers may result to dealing with cash instead of using ATMs to make payments or settlement.” But, which ever way one looks at it, there is always a cost, either implicitly or directly.

Meanwhile, the CBN had noted that its intention was not to add any extra burden on the customers, rather to ensure that the abuse is eradicated and excessive cost to the banks, eliminated.

It will be recalled that the apex bank noted some public comments on its recent circular in respect of fees/charges on the extended use of other banks’ ATMs. These reactions have been mixed with most commentators showing great understanding and other stakeholders expressing clear lack of understanding of the rationale for this decision of the Bankers’ Committee.

According to CBN “Our intention in this public communication is to further explain the rationale and the critical need for this measure which has been taken in order to ensure that ATMs across the country continue to function to the satisfaction of all bank customers. Cash withdrawal at the ATMs of a customer’s bank is free; “Remote-on-Us” transaction is when a card

Group unveils initiative to improve bilateral trade, commerce

N

PRESENTATION - From left: The General Manager, Listings Sales and Retention, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mrs. Taba Peterside; Independent Analyst, Mr. Bismarck Rewane; Executive Director, Business Development, NSE, Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri; Group Managing Director/CEO, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. D.V.G. Edwin; Chief Operating Officer, DCP, Mr. Olakunle Alake at DCP presentation of Facts Behind the Figures at the Exchange in Lagos. holder goes to the ATM machine of another bank other than his or her own bank to make a withdrawal.”

In December 2012, the CBN, in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee, transferred the payment of N100 fee on “Remote-on-us” ATM cash withdrawal transactions to issuing banks.

According to CBN, “The N100 was never removed. It was only transferred to customer’s bank to pay, and this was intended to encourage/promote the use of ATMs nationwide.

Having sufficiently raised customers’ awareness, the first three “Remote-on-Us” transactions in a month are free for the card holder but paid for by the issuing bank.

The N65 charge only applies

when a customer withdraws cash from another bank’s ATM other than that of his/her bank.

The N65 starts to apply from the 4th transaction at another banks’ ATM in a month.

“The charge is not intended to discourage financial inclusion.The CBN will not endorse any anti-customer policy .Charging of fees on interbank networks is a widely acceptable practice globally On the reasons for ATM charges, the CBN said “ To ensure customers get better services; To increase healthy competition among the banks.The increased transaction volumes at other banks’ ATM have increased astronomically due to the free cash withdrawal at other banks’ ATM. The wear and tear as

well as the frequency of servicing the ATMs have increased significantly.

Indeed, some customers were beginning to abuse the use of ATMs through countless daily withdrawals.”

The CBN stated that this development has led to increase in cash transactions, which negate the Bank’s Cashless policy.

According to CBN “Maintaining ATM is expensive and it requires economic incentive for owners to deploy and maintain these machines.If a part of this cost goes unabated, the banks may be forced to reject transactions coming from their customers at another bank ATMs, thereby frustrating the interoperability of payment systems.”

EY recommends entrepreneurship to solve youth unemployment ecosystem to flourish.

E

rnst & Young, EY has recommended ten ways for the G20 to tackle youth unemployment through entrepreneurship.

The recommendation was made as EY prepares to host its 11th Annual Africa Tax Conference. The theme of this year ’s conference will be around Building a Better Working World in Africa.

The recommendation includes : To create funding mechanisms, either government run or government backed, that make mentorship and financial education a condition of funding ; Create strong relationships, and provide incentives, with venture capitalists, incubators and business angels to develop or create initiatives that enable alternative sources of capital; Sponsor

start-up growth with low-cost funding for targeted groups; Create a new class of loan for small businesses and young entrepreneurial firms that offer targeted funding to meet expansion capital needs.; Encourage investment in start-ups by offering tax benefits; Encourage top international talent by changing visa rules and offering funding support.; Simplify and streamline tax administration to ease administrative burdens on young entrepreneurs; Create a positive narrative around entrepreneurship to help engage young people from an early age; Encourage and foster hubs, incubators, accelerators and networks to bring relevant talent together and create the foundation for a regional entrepreneurial

While many tax conferences focus on ways that taxpayers can better manage their tax obligations, this year EY, said it \ will look closely at the challenges and the tremendous potential that can be realised if unemployment, and particularly youth unemployment, can be reduced considerably.

EY has recently launched a report, “Avoiding a lost generation – ten key recommendations to support youth entrepreneurship across the G20.” The report, put together in collaboration with the G20 YEA, identifies and analyses the different youth unemployment issues faced by countries across the G20 and seeks to offer actionable recommendations, as well as providing examples of successful entrepreneurship schemes and policies already in place.

igeria Leadership Initiative, NLI has instituted a monthly thinktank programme, Diplomatic Dialogue Series, DDS to boost bilateral trade and commerce between Nigeria and its diplomatic relations.

NLI is a Nigeria based international leadership institute devoted to driving value based leadership.

The group said the maiden edition of the DDS which will have as guest, the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Rangaiah Ghanashyam, will hold this month in Lagos.

It noted that the event is expected to draw participation from corporate Nigeria, government, civil society organisations, academic and diplomatic missions.

In a statement, Chief Executive Officer of NLI, Yinka Oyinlola, said the new initiative would bridge divides, foster peace/ understanding and strengthen human interaction, growth and productivity in Nigeria.”

Firm promotes printing expo to boost employment opportunities

BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

C

ommercial Sales D i r e c t o r , Montgomery West Africa, Mr. Mark Anderson, has said that the Propak exhibition organised by the firm in Lagos for the printing and packaging industry will significantly boost job creation in the country.

He stated this while speaking with newsmen at the opening ceremony of the Propak exhibition held last week in Lagos.

He said, “The local economy will benefit significantly especially in the area of employment generation.

Most of the printing and packaging companies that are present in the exhibition and who will eventually set up in Nigeria will employ not less than 2,500 to 5,000 people locally. The more exhibitions we do, the bigger employment opportunities that will be created.”

Anderson noted that, “Bringing plastics and printing professionals together will really promote the industry in Nigeria on a global scale.”

24 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 — 25

Corporate Finance

Dangote Cement commits N800bn to capacity upgrade Fidelity Bank supports education with N16m

Stories by NKIRUKA NNOROM

D

angote Cement Plc has said it is on track to deliver on its target of achieving 62million metric tons capacity utlisation by 2016 as it pursues its expansion to 13 African courtries.

Consequently, the company said it will commit over $5billion (about N800 billion) towards actualisation of the set goal.

Addressing the stockbroking community at the ‘Facts behind Figure’ presentation on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, the Group Managing Director/ CEO, Dangote Cement, Mr. D.V.G. Edwin, said all the lines in its target markets are nearing completion and would commence operations.

According to him, commissioning of the Senegal Plant, which is expected to contribute 1.5MT per annum by the end of this year, has already commenced, while Ethiopia Plant expected to contribute 2.5MT by year end would commence operation before the end of 2014 financial year.

Furthermore, the Zambian and Cameroon Plants expected to deliver combined capacity utilization of 3.0MT per annum, would commence operation this year, while that of Sierra Leone would be up for commissioning by Q4,

By WILLIAM JIMOH

F

SEMINAR - From left: Kennedy Ojukwu, Business Manager, Nnewi Edo-Ezemewi RoadBranch, Diamond Bank; Chief Chika Emenike, Chairman, Kotec Groupof Companies; Engr Ajulu Uzodike, Founder/Director, Cutix PLC; Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman, Innoson Group and IkennaNwabuwa, Regional Manager, Anambra Region, Diamond Bank, at the 46th BusinessXpress Seminar organised by the bank in Nnewi 2014, he said.

He noted that Dangote Cement currently accounts for 70 percent share of capacity of the cement market in Nigeria if no other plant is built.

He explained that while the cement market has been growing at average of 10.9 percent from 2004 to 2013, Dangote Cement’s monthly growth has been 20.9 percent as new capacity enabled it gain more market share.

“Dangote Cement has exceeded the market’s growth in 32 out of 36 months from January 2011 to December 2013. Only 2/36

months saw reduction compared to prior year,” he said.

He lamented shortage in gas/LPFO in the country, saying that it constrained the cement industry in the first half of the year.

Though he said that gas disruption is expected to continue in the remaining part of the year, the Dangote Cement boss said the company has taken steps to address the problem.

According to him, the company has invested $80 million in coal facilities as gas-fired plants and is set to invest further $300 million

to enable 100 percent use of coal across its plants in Nigeria.

He added that the company is planning to acquire oil/gas blocks to help also secure gas supplies. He stressed that the company is taking advantage of attractive trading condition within the ECOWAS FTZ to increase its reach across West & Central Africa, listing some of the attractions to include duty free trading between member countries, high tariffs on import from nonmember states and cash incentives available when exporting from Nigeria.

NECA secures waiver for quoted companies on returns filing

T

HE Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has secured 100 percent waiver of all penalties imposed on quoted companies from 2008 to 2010 from the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, for late/ non-filing of returns.

Also, the organisation was able to secure 40 percent waiver on outstanding penalties for listed companies from 2011 to 2013.

The waiver followed the outcome of a successful engagement between NECA and SEC. According to NECA, the engagement became necessary following appeals from corporate entities to the SEC to waive penalties slammed on companies that had failed to comply with SEC rules on filling requirements as stipulated by the Investment and Securities Act (ISA) 2007.

It observed that it had to intervene on behalf of the Organised Private Sector, OPS, to make a plea to SEC to grant some forbearance in view of the fact that most

private sector companies were not aware of the requirement.

Commenting on the development, the President of NECA, Mr. Larry Ettah, said: “The outcome of this initiative

by NECA is another testimony of how private and public sector institutions could work

together for the good of the economy.”

NECA has already communicated the outcome of the engagement to private sector operators that are expected to take advantage of it within one week of the agreement, he stated.

NECA is a platform for private

sector employers to interact with the government, labour, communities and other relevant institutions in and outside Nigeria for the purpose of promoting harmonious business environment that engenders productivity and prosperity for the country.

Flour Mills assures shareholders of consistent dividends payment

F

LOUR Mills of Nigeria Plc has promised to sustain an unbroken record of dividend payment to its shareholders in line with its commitment of delivering value to its members.

Speaking at the pre-annual general meeting press briefing in Lagos, the Group Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Paul Gbededo, said the company has consistently paid dividend in the last 23 years, adding that it has achieved 31.8 percent growth in dividend payout in five years.

According to him, the company was able to grow its dividend paid to shareholders from N3.42 billion in 2010 to N5.01 billion in the 2013/14 financial year, which will be ratified by shareholders at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting this week.

In line with this, he said the Board of Directors has also recommended a bonus issue of one new share for every 10 ordinary shares previously held by shareholders, saying that this will also be approved at the meeting.

He assured that the company generates strong cash flows from its operating activities to fulfill its obligation to shareholders.

“Like I said, we are in a very good position and of course there are issues around us as challenges, and these challenges we already know and we are doing all we could to ensure that we deal with them so that our businesses will continue to grow and also to deliver values for our shareholders,” he said.

IDELITY Bank Plc has rewarded 31 customers with N15.99 million in its “Save for Scholarship’ saving promo” in line with the bank’s commitment of building a solid educational foundation for Nigeria’s economic growth.

The lucky winners emerged during the first draws of the N80 million total grand prize promotion, which commenced last month across the six Geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

In total, the promo targeted at students ranging from nursery, primary, secondary to tertiary institutions has produced 31 winners, including N2 million star prize winner, Mr. Nwosu Agozie Chukwemeka of Egbeda branch of the bank and six N1 million winners across the six Geo-political zones.

Other winners includes, 10 individuals that won N500,000 each just as 19 customers won N210,000 each. 12 others won consolation prizes of table top fridges and 2.5kv generator set.

Speaking at the end of the draw in Lagos, the Executive Director, Shared Services, Fidelity Bank, Mrs. Chijioke Ugochukwu, said the promo, which is the fourth to be rolled out by the bank in seven years, focuses on education as part of efforts to provide financial support for the aspirations and yearnings of Nigerians to educate themselves, their offsprings and wards.

“Just as we are supporting our customers attain their educational desire, through winning tremendous sum of money that can ensure generational change for their family, we are also using this promotion to encourage people to save.

“The bank choose scholarship at the moment because of the important that is placed on education across the world, and because in Nigeria we have a large population of youths that are anxious to make their own contribution to the development of the nation’s economy, a dream we believe can only be realised with building a solid foundation irrespective of the area of their preferred,” Ugochukwu said.

Ugochukwu, who noted that presentations of prizes will be made to the winners at their branches nationwide before Friday, encouraged new customers to open a savings C M Y K

26 —Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

Micro-Finance

Commodity Index Aug 29 - Sept 04, 2014

SMEDAN, UNDP train 60 women entrepreneurs

By FRANKLIN ALLI

O

VER 60 women entrepreneurs drawn from various Cooperative Societies in the North and South of Nigeria have benefited from entrepreneurship training organised by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

While the four-day event had thirty participants drawn from Enugu, Ekiti, Lagos and Rivers States, the training

held in Minna also drew participants from Gombe, Katsina and Niger State.

Speaking at the event, Director-General of SMEDAN, Alhaji Bature Masari, said that the women are now in a better position to access the N220 billion CBN intervention fund as well as other soft loans from the federal governmentowned development finance institutions such as the Bank of Industry [BOI] and Bank of Agriculture (BOA).

The Director-General also charged them to ensure that the knowledge acquired in

Jonathan inaugurates council on N220bn MSME fund Stories by PROVIDENCE OBUH

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan, weekend, inaugurated National Council on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), to facilitate management and disbursement of the fund.

Also, Jonathan appointed Vice President Namadi Sambo as the Chairman of the council at the inauguration which took place at the presidential villa, Abuja, where he said that the fund being provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) be made easily accessible by qualified MSMEs, stressing that there is need to develop a Financing Value Chain Intervention strategy for MSMEs to realise its goal.

To underline its importance, he mandated the council to develop support and grow small businesses in the country, saying, “A National T e c h n i c a l Implementation Committee will be chaired by the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, to serve the National Council on MSMEs and fast-track the implementation of its mandate.

“The N220bn MSME fund provided by the Central Bank which I C M Y K

launched last year for small businesses, will begin to address access to finance and the National Enterprise Development Programme, NEDEP, will play a role in ensuring that MSMEs are bankable and viable enough to access these funds, as well as other MSME funds available.

the course of the training reflected in their daily business activities and called on the women to serve as examples and a ‘shining light’ to other women entrepreneurs in their various communities.

The UNDP’s Country Director in Nigeria, Dr. Pa Lamin Beyai, charged the women to share their knowledge with other members of their respective cooperative societies.

He noted that most countries in Africa have similar demographic pattern where women form up to fifty or more per cent of the population.

This, according to him, means that women are critical and integral to the development of the region. He said that this realisation explains why UNDP focuses more on women and the vulnerable groups in countries of operation.

The President of National Association of Women Entrepreneurs (NAWE), Mrs. Adaeze Ozongwu commended SMEDAN and UNDP for building the capacity and improving the lives of women entrepreneurs in the country.

Chivas rewards loyal customers

C

hivas Regal luxury whisky, produced

by Chivas Brothers and owned by Pernod Ricard, has announced plans to reward its loyal customers who buy its brand of the Chivas12, Chivas18 and Chivas25 in selected supermarkets and upscale bars with prizes.

In a statement, Marketing Director, Pernod Ricard Nigeria, Mr. Sola Oke, said, “The brand is all about craftsmanship, a heritage that cannot be rushed and the patience to see it through. Like a bespoke suit from Savile Row, it takes time and skill but the end result is a blend of quality and perfection.”

“Chivas luxury whisky has been distinguished by age since 1909. This simply means the minimum whiskey contained in a bottle of Chivas 12, Chivas 18 or Chivas 25 is exactly that in age,” Oke said.

According to the firm,

“For whisky to legally become Scotch, the new spirit must be matured for a minimum of three years in oak casks and for Chivas Regal, all the casks of whisky selected have been carefully matured for at least twelve years. It is the skill of the Master Blender to select the many different casks of malt and grain whiskies, all at the correct age, harmonising the characters and flavours to ensure the superlative quality and consistent taste experience of Chivas.”

The offer include; an upgrade to the special Chivas Corner with a Butler at your service, a luxury spa experience for two, exclusive passes to priceless events (Concerts & Shows) and instant branded gift items, the company said, adding that it is clearly aimed at sharing its heritage and craftsmanship with its loyal customers.

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 — 27

28 —Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 — 29

30 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 — 31

C M Y K

32 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 — 33

Homes & Housing Finance

FMBN re-strategises for improved performance

By YINKA KOLAWOLE

F

EDERAL Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) has embarked on measures aimed at improving the operational performance of the bank and ensuring delivery of its core mandate of enhancing access to affordable housing.

In a communiqué issued at the end of a two-day retreat of the board of the bank in Abuja, the board of the bank restated its full commitment to the transformation of FMBN to effectively deliver its mandate.

To this end, Chairman of FMBN, Bisi Ogunjobi, said the bank has appointed a reputable international consulting firm to conduct an institutional management study towards improving corporate governance and adopting sound operational and management policies in order to reinforce the bank. He added that the board also resolved to engage with key partners such as CBN, Federal Ministry of Finance and international development partners to address its challenges and explore opportunities for intervention funding for social housing to redress the national housing deficit.

“This is in addition to the reform efforts that we have been making over the last three years, which include an extensive, IT transformation.

President Goodluck Jonathan launched the e-collection recently and many more contributors are now having access. We have also made other intervention, which has resulted in improved

collection of National Housing Fund (NHF). We want to take significant steps on how to meet the challenges in order to deliver the mandate of providing affordable housing for the low and middle income earners in the society,” he stated.

Ogunjobi noted that one of the key challenges facing the bank was its high debt portfolio which accumulated over the years. He however declared that FMBN has embarked on aggressive debt recovery, adding that in the past oneyear the bank has been able to recover about N1.2 billion from its debtors.

The communiqué further stated as follows: “The board agreed to the improvement of corporate governance, the adoption of an enterprise risk management structure and the International Financial

Reporting Standards (IFRS) prior to the expiration of the deadline as key deliverables.

The Board noted significance progress on debt recovery and the need to take further measures including exploring options for addressing nonperforming loans, enhancing the credit review process and streamlining project monitoring. The board noted that over 75,000 housing units delivered by FMBN nationwide is a tangible performance indicator of the bank’s fulfillment of its mandate of providing decent and affordable housing for Nigerians. It therefore agreed to intensify public enlightenment and consolidate on its achievement by delivering an additional 15,000 housing units over the next two years. The board resolved to engage with key partners such

COMMISSIONING - Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Bala Muhammed, cutting the tape to commission N7.5 billion ASO Grove Estate, Maitama, Abuja. He is assisted (from left) by John Chukwu Obinna, Perm Sec, FCT; Aliu Modibo, former FCT Minister; Amina Khadi, member, House of Representatives; Chairman, Mr. Olatunde Ayeni, and Managing Director, Mr. Hassan Musa Usman, both of ASO Savings & Loans Plc.

FRSC plans staff housing scheme T

HE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is set to commence a housing scheme to deliver 20,000 housing units for its personnel across the country.

FRSC Corps Marshall, Boboye Oyeyemi, said the initiative tagged, “Vision 20,000 Housing Project”, was informed by the need to provide necessary incentives for FRSC operatives to enable them deliver on set goals of safer roads and fuller lives in the country.

Oyeyemi disclosed this when the management of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) visited his office. He said the Corps is collaborating with FMBN and other stakeholders in the housing and financial sectors to ensure the success of the project. He added that the scheme is a “one man, one house” residential arrangement to effectively

as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Federal Ministry of Finance and international development partners to address its challenges and explore opportunities for intervention funding for social housing to address the national housing deficit.”

Meanwhile, the bank has collected a total of N100 billion from contributors to the National Housing Fund (NHF) since the establishment of the Fund in 1992, according to Gimba Ya’u Kumo, the Managing Director of FMBN, adding that the bank has created over 60,000 mortgages.

“Out of the N110 billion, if you give an average of N15 billion, you could have created only 7,333 mortgages, but FMBN has created over 60,000 mortgages,” he noted.

provide affordable houses for the 20,000 strong staff of the Corps.

“Under the programme, 70 percent of the houses have been earmarked for junior staff of the Corps with a numerical strength of 15,000 while officers account for 5,000 of the staff strength. Realising that housing remains a critical component for human development, we will vigorously pursue the Vision

20,000 Housing Project to provide succour for our staff during and after their service,” he stated. The Corps Marshall added that FRSC management would subsidise the equity contribution of junior staff to make the units affordable for them.

On his part, Head, FRSC Staff Housing Unit, Ebenezer Adebisi, said that under the first phase of the scheme, the Corps would provide 10,000 housing

units in the Abuja – Niger Nasarawa axis, while Lagos and Ogun will have 5,000 units.

He said Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kaduna, Kano States would each have 500 units while additional 1,000 houses will be staggered in the remaining states of the federation.

In his remark, Managing Director, FMBN, Alh. Gimba Ya’u Komo, noted that FRSC had enjoyed a robust partnership with the bank over the years through provision of affordable housing units at Gwagwalada and Lokogoma.

ASO Savings invests N500m in NMRC

O

ne of the primary mortgage banks in Nigeria, ASO Savings and Loans Plc, said it has invested about N500 million in the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC).

Managing Director, Aso Savings, Hassan Usman, disclosed this during the commissioning of an estate developed by the bank in Abuja. According to him, “NMRC is a unique and transformative initiative and once the NMRC is up and running it will increase loan tenure. Right now, we are doing average of 10 years for mortgage loans, NMRC will help us give 20 year mortgages standard. It

will also lead to a significant reduction in interest rate, right now, mortgages attract about 20 percent interest rate which is very high, I foresee a reduction of at least 5 percent in interest rate if not more, and this will happen between the next 4 to 5 months There is need for a sector-wide initiative that would bring about an alliance between developers, mortgage banks, building materials and supplies, Estate Surveyors and Quantity surveyor, and find ways to reduce cost of houses by redesigning houses, using new building technologies and by getting government to provide infrastructure so that the price of houses will come down,” he stated.

UK homeowners fear mortgage rate rise

O

VER half of UK homeowners believe an interest rate rise of just one percent would have a negative effect on their finances as mortgage payments start to rise.

According to research from Equifax, more than 50 percent feel they will struggle financially to meet an increase in their monthly mortgage repayment.

At the August meeting of the rate-setters at the Bank of England, two members of the Monetary Policy Committee voted to raise interest rates - the first time any member has voted for an increase in over three years. With seven members voting in favour of keeping rates on hold at their historic low of 0.5 percent, no change was made. However, the fact remains that an increase is coming soon, which is alarming some homeowners who fear that a sudden increase in mortgage rates could catch them unawares.

Underlining this fear is that many homeowners do not know how an interest rate rise may affect their ability to meet their monthly mortgage repayments.

Indeed, when asked how much a potential rise of one percent would affect their monthly mortgage repayment, 40 percent of homeowners conceded that they did not know.

US mortgage rate holds steady The average 30-year U.S. mortgage rate remained at a 52week low of 4.10 percent for the third straight week.

Mortgage company Freddie Mac also said the average for a 15-year mortgage, a popular choice for people who are refinancing, slipped to 3.24 percent from 3.25 percent.

At its 52-week low of 4.10 percent, the rate on a 30-year mortgage is down from 4.53 percent at the start of the year.

Rates have fallen even though the Federal Reserve has been trimming its monthly bond purchases, which are intended to keep long-term borrowing rates low. The purchases are set to end in October.

The low rates appear to have boosted U.S. home sales. Also, moderating increases in home prices such as occurred in July should help support sales by making homes more affordable.

Greater affordability has helped the housing market recover over the spring and summer after sales and construction fell earlier this year. Sales of existing homes rose for a fourth straight month in July to their strongest pace in nine months. And a measure of signed contracts also increased in July, suggesting that final sales will rise further in coming months.

C M Y K

34 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

E-Commerce

Kaymu trains youths on entrepreneurship Stories by JONAH NWOKPOKU

N

igeria’s online marketplace, Kaymu.com.ng , has partnered Cool FM radio, Lagos and Mass Communications Student Association of the University of Lagos, UNILAG to train students on successful entrepreneurship.

The students were trained at a workshop organised by Kaymu in UNILAG. Kaymu said it undertook the training having realised that university campuses overtime have become a business haven of sort with students partaking in one form of business endeavour or the other as a secondary source of income while pursuing their studies.

The workshop attracted representatives from Kaymu who spoke on various aspects

of enterpreneurship especially how to exlpoit the enormous benefits of the social media.

Speaking during the workshop, Kaynmu’s Head of Communications, Tomiwa Oladele pointed out the importance of harnessing key personal attributes as well as technical proficiency while

grooming to become an entrepreneur.

On his part, Kaymu’s Community Manager, Abiola Fabio further emphasized the need for social media marketing and advised the students to leverage on the benefits of Kaymu in selling their products.

Speaking on the partnership, Kaymu’s Managing Director, Evangeline Wiles, said, ‘Kaymu’s partnership with Cool FM was founded out of the need to drive entrepreneurship amongst youths who lack the basic knowledge on how to compete in the Nigerian market.’

Konga releases iOS shopping app N igeria’s online marketplace, Konga.com recently unveiled a shopping app for the iOS platform, marking it the latest step to drive convenience and boost access.

In a statement, Konga said, the move will enable their customers who use iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices to shop on the go and have access to the wide range of products

on the marketplace.

They noted that the free app offers a variety of features and allows users secure access to their Konga accounts and pay for items using their debit cards or through Konga wallet, view push notifications on the latest deals and top-selling items, add selected items to cart, order products in three steps and keep track of all orders. “The Konga iOS app is a convenient,

secure and fast way to access the full range of products and services on Konga.com. With the Konga iOS app, shopping on your iPhone or iPad is beyond tempting. Konga has managed to create an intuitive UI and navigation, which makes popular categories and products quite easy to discover, with a clean presentation style for search results and item profiles,” Konga said.

Rocket Internet creates emerging market online fashion firm

G

erman venture capital group, Rocket Internet is bringing together its five emerging market fashion brands to create a company worth 2.7 billion euros ($3.6 billion) and simplify its structure before a likely stock market listing.

Rocket Internet operates a number of e-commerce firms in Nigeria including Jumia, Kaymu, Carmudi, Lamudi, EasyTaxi and Jovago.

The deal, agreed with major Swedish investor Kinnevik , aims to untangle complex crossholdings by investors in Rocket and its most successful start-ups before an initial public offering that could be announced early this week. Rocket Internet is bidding to create the largest Internet Empire outside the United States and China.

Aviation Stories by LAWANI MIKAIRU

T

he Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has warned airline operators against defaulting in the payment of their staff salaries. This warning was issued after the management of the Regulatory Authority, NCAA, held a meeting with all the Airlines culpable in the practice.

According to Mr Fan Ndubuoke, General Manager, Public Affairs, NCAA. “At the meeting, the management expressed serious concern over the non – payment of salaries by the Airlines. It viewed the development as detrimental to the continuous growth the industry has witnessed in recent times.”

NCAA to sanction airlines over non-payment of salaries Ndubuoke also said the warning became necessary when consistently the “financial health reports from the airlines were indicating gaps in financial stability.”

“As far as the NCAA is concerned, the issue of non payment of staff salaries is critical to safety. The moment an airline cannot meet its financial obligations, it is

NAMA tasks Galaxy Backbone on efficient service delivery

N

igerian Airspace Management Agency , NAMA, on last week tasked Galaxy Backbone Plc to provide efficient telecommunications service to the nation’s airports.

According to the General Manager, Public Affairs, NAMA, Mr Supo Atobatele, the Managing Director, NAMA, Engineer Ibrahim Abdulsalam, made the call when he led a delegation to the Galaxy

Airport workers sensitised on fire safety

T

he Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, ARFFS, of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria,FAAN, has conducted a fire simulation and prevention exercise for Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, workers and other stakeholders operating at the Domestic Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, to prepare them for fire emergencies at the airport. The exercise was led by the terminal’s fire officer, Mrs. Dorothy Egwu According to Yakubu Dati , General Manager , Corporate Communication, FAAN, the exercise was designed to ensure that fire safety standards are regularly maintained within the terminal.

C M Y K

believed that the staff morale will be down and this can impact negatively on safety and security of its operations.”

He added that the Airlines were told that NCAA will not

Conducting the exercise, Mrs Egwu said that “ fire safety was based on the principle of keeping fuel sources and ignition sources separate.” She said that oxygen, heat and fuel, which are combustive materials, work together to produce the chemical reaction that result in fire and stressed that the three components must be removed for fire to be extinguished.

She added that the three common types of fire extinguishers were water, carbon dioxide and dry chemical powder extinguishers, adding that “ fire had four categories namely category A, which is for solids that are not metals e.g. paper and wood.

Backbone headquarters on a courtesy visit in Abuja.

Galaxy Backbone Plc is the Information Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure provider charged with providing effective telecommunications service delivery at the nation’s airports.

Abdulsalam urged the ICT provider to “ develop a strategic work plan that would enable the agency to continue to provide cutting edge telecoms services to airports across the country.”

He further said “Galaxy backbone is the sole provider of telecommunications services within the aviation environment. And their mission is to strengthen the existing business relationship between the two organisations, so there is need to develop a strategic work plan for effective service delivery.

condone a situation where their staff will disrupt operations which will affect the travel plans of passengers who have purchased their tickets.

Consequently, the Authority has written a warning letter to the affected airlines, informing them that non payment of staff salaries is unacceptable to the agency.

The Regulator therefore warns the airlines that if this act persists, it will recourse to sanctions, one of which may result in suspension of Air Operators Certificate (AOC).

It will be recalled that three airlines were sometimes last year suspended due to their inability to pay staff salaries. In fact, NCAA is insisting that until all the arrears of salaries are paid these airlines will not be cleared for further operations.

“The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) therefore wishes to reiterate that it will continue carrying out financial health audit of airlines to ensure that our airline operations are healthy, safe and secure.” It will be recalled that some of the domestic airlines currently operating in Nigeria have been battling with irregular payment of staff salaries.

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 — 35

Tax Matters

Basis Period For Assessable Profits (Normal & Abnormal) – Pt 1 FAGBEMIGUN KEHINDE T.

•Cessation of a business The above requires special treatments as adequately provided for in the relevant tax laws

INTRODUCTION According to the Nigerian Tax Laws it is mandatory for companies deriving income from Nigeria to pay various forms of taxes. The laws equally provide for how the taxes are to be computed on the company’s profits and when they should be paid. The focus of this article is on how to determine the basis period for assessable profits to be subjected to tax.

ASSESSABLE PROFIT The accounting profit arrived at in the trading, profit & loss account is not usually the same as “tax profit”. This is because in ascertaining the accounting profit some expenses which are not allowed for tax purposes may have been reported and some income included in the accounting profit are tax-free.

In simple terms, assessable profit is simply computed as adjusted profit less losses (unrelieved c/f) before taking into consideration capital allowances. Adjusted profit is computed as below: Net Profit (as per account) **** Add: disallowable expenses taxable income (not reported) Less: allowable expenses (not reported) non-taxable income (reported) Apportionment of Assessable Profit Section 29 (6) allows for the apportionment and aggregation of profits in order to arrive at the profit of a year of assessment. Any apportionment shall be made in proportion to the number of months in the respective periods.

In practice, this is usually obtainable under the abnormal situations. i.e. under Commencement of new business, Change of date or cessation of business.

MEANING OF BASIS PERIOD Basis period is simply the basis upon which tax liabilities would be computed. Every business has its accounting year end (accounting period) as it suits the company’s operations except for few industries in Nigeria where the permanent year end is determined by the applicable authority. e.g Banks.

More so a company’s accounting date may not correspond with the government fiscal year; which is 1st January to 31st December. Based on the above, it can be said that for the sake of equity; which is one of the qualities of the Nigerian tax system, the Nigerian government through the Tax Authorities provides for the basis upon which taxes would be computed on a common ground.

TYPES OF BASIS PERIOD A Careful study of the provisions in the Nigerian tax laws (CITA,PPTA,CGTA,VAT etc.) show that we basically have two (2) types of basis period applicable to every company liable to tax. They are: •Preceding Year Basis •Actual Year Basis Preceding year Basis Period Section 29 (1) of the Companies Income Tax Act, C21 LFN 2004 (as amended) provides that; ….the profit of any company for each year of assessment from such source of its profits (hereinafter referred to as the “assessable profits”) shall be the profits of the year immediately preceding the year of assessment from each such source.

This simply means that the profit to be subjected to tax in a particular year will not be that earned that same year but the profit of the immediate past year.

Assessable Profits are computed on the amount of the profits of the year ended on that day in the year preceding the year of assessment.

Note that for companies, profit is being ascertained on an annual basis. This means that every basis period determined on preceding year basis must be up to 12 months ending on a company’s permanent year end.

Under normal circumstance, the basis period is the same as the accounting period. What differs are the “accounting year” and “tax year” Example: Determine the tax year and basis period for company that has just filed 2013 financial statement, having 30th September as its permanent year end. The company has been in operation for over 5 years.

Suggested Solution: •Tax Year: 2014 •Basis Period: 1/10/2012 – 30/9/2013 Actual Year Basis Period This simply means that the months in the basis period of a year of assessment shall be within the same year. However, unlike preceding year basis period, the year of account will coincide with the year of assessment.

Considering the earlier example, the year of assessment will not be 2014 but 2013 and the basis period will be 1/1/2013 – 31/12/2013.

Taxes that are assessed on actual year basis include: Petroleum Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Personal Income Tax etc.

Normal Basis Period A basis period is considered to be normal if the following conditions are fulfilled: •The number of months in the basis period must be exactly twelve (12) because year of assessment literally means twelve months •The basis period must have commenced the day after the end of the previous one. There must be continuity •There must be only one permanent year end.

Example: Consider a company whose permanent year end is October 30 every year. What will be the basis period for assessable profits for 2012 to 2014 years of assessment?

Suggested Solution: Tax Year Basis Period 2012 1/11/2010 – 30/10/2011 2013 1/11/2011 – 30/10/2012 2014 1/11/2012 – 30/10/2013 It is worthy of note that it is only a business in continuous operation (say over 3 years) and that has neither changed permanent year end nor cease operations that will have a normal basis period.

Abnormal Basis Period Any basis period that does not fulfill the conditions stated under the normal basis period is said to be abnormal. An abnormal basis period can be obtained under the following circumstances: •Commencement of a new business •Change in the accounting date

Commencement of a New Business Section 29 (3)(a-e) provides that; The assessable profits of any company from any trade or business for the year of assessment in which it commenced to carry on trade or business (or in the case of a company other than a Nigerian Company, for the year of assessment in which it commenced to carry on the trade or business in Nigeria) and for two following years of assessment (which years are in this subsection respectively referred to as “the first year” “the second year” and “the third year” shall be ascertained in accordance with the following provisions: (a)First Year: the assessable profits shall be the profits of that year(i.e. from date of commencement up to the end of the same year) (b)Second Year: the amounts of the profits of one year (i.e. 12 months) from the date of commencement of the business. (c)Third Year: Shall be computed in accordance with Section 29 (1) as earlier highlighted. This means the basis period will be on a preceding year basis except otherwise provided. (d)For the third year, it may not be possible to obtain a realistic basis period as the period might begin in a month earlier than the month of commencement. This arises where the month of commencement is after the month chosen as the permanent year end. In such situation, the repetitive rule will be applied.

Example: OWOGOKE Limited commenced business on 1st October, 2002 and makes up its account annually to 31st May. Its assessable profits were as follows: N Period ended 31st May, 2003 240,000 Year ended 31st May, 2004 516,000 OWOGOKE Ltd – Computation of Assess. Profits YOA Basis Period Assess Profit (N) 2002 1/10/02 - 31/12/02 (3/8 * 240,000) 90,000 2003 1/10/02 - 30/9/03 (240,000 + 4/12*516,000) 412,000 20041/6/2002-31/12/2003

Noticeably, the basis period for 2004 YOA begins in a month earlier than the date of commencement.

The general practice is to repeat the basis period for the second year.

According to the aforementioned section, a new business is entitled, on giving notice in writing within two years after the end of the second year to the Board to require that the assessable profits both for the second year and third year (but not for one or other only of those years) shall be the actual profits of the respective years of assessment (i.e. profits of 1st January to 31st December of the second and third years of assessment). This is same as actual year basis discussed earlier.

In other words, the taxpayer reserves the right to be assessed to tax in the second and third year on actual year basis instead of the rule highlighted under the commencement of business.

Naturally, the taxpayer will exercise this right only where it may result in a lower tax liability.

DORO-DAPO Limited commenced business on 1st November, 1999 and decided to prepare its accounts to 30th April annually. Its adjusted profits were as follows: Period ended 30th April, 2000 420,000 Year ended 30th April, 2001 480,000 Year ended 30th April, 2002 600,000 Compute the assessable profits for the first 3 years of assessments and decide whether or not Doro-Dapo should exercise its right of election.

C M Y K

36 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

Missing $49.8bn and missing organs in the Nigerian economy – 2

S

anusi Lamido Sanusi, former Governor Of Central Bank, CBN, was not only a professional banker, but a professional manager as well. As the Managing Director of the First Bank Plc, it would have been unthinkable of him to announce that a large amount of money was missing from the bank, given the dire consequences for the bank of that revelation, without being totally certain that it was true. Furthermore, when the issue is finance, the Governor of every Central Bank is second only to the President or Prime Minister with respect to such matters. It is absolutely unimaginable that the Governor of the Bank of England would announce that $49.8b of revenue due to the country had not been remitted without crashing the Capital Market the next day and for days until the facts are known. The former CBN Governor, fortunately for hi8m, but unfortunately for us, worked in a country where the Nigerian Stock Exchange does not respond to such alarms – true or false.

In his own case, it turned out to be mostly false. There was no $49.8b thar was not remitted. As pointed out last week, there was no way 76% of crude oil revenue could have gone unremitted and most states would have been able to continue to operate.

“Forgiveness to the injured does belong; for they ne’er pardon who

have done the wrong.” (VBQ p 63).

Certainly, Sanusi must have been aware, even as he sent the letter to President Jonathan, which was later leaked, that he was placing, at least three peoples’ job in jeopardy – the President, the Minister of Petroleum Resources and the Minister of Finance.

Yet weeks, after sending the leaked letter, and generating the mob hysteria which, predictably, followed, he did not on his own correct himself, or tender a public apology to those he had

,

“Nothing is more despicable than a professional talker who uses his words as a quack uses his remedies.” Francois De Felon, 16511715.

(VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS p 202).

read, the following observations were made on pages 45 and 46: “3. The Committee could not see how the figure of US$49.8billion was arrived at by the CBN Governor in the first instance.

4. That the CBN Governor at the first hearing had put forward the figure of US$12billion as the monies to be reconciled and changed his position to US$20 billion at subsequent hearing.

At the conclusion of his written

Any figure specifically mentioned by a professional banker or accountant are expected to be accurate and reliable

indirectly defamed. Professional ethics demands that, after that unpardonable mistake, Sanusi should have issued another statement to the entire global community, admitting his grievous error, and then, voluntarily resign his appointment. He refused to do that.

Instead, he continued to encourage the mob hysteria which he had set in motion – even after he appeared before the Senate Committee which was established to look into the matter.

Permit me at this point to reveal what the former CBN Governor told the Senate, who were collateral victims of his smear campaign against all those who failed to join the lynch mob.

According to the Senate Committee report, which the former Governor of the CBN and his lynch mob failed to

,

submission he [CBN Governor] posited that it could be US$20 billion, US$12 billion $10.8 billion or anything in between. [Italics mine].

Obviously, Sanusi is not one to allow facts to get in the way of demagoguery.

However, anybody, whose brain is not missing, can readily observe that the former CBN Governor had committed a blunder for which any bank Chief Executive Officer could have been sacked by his Board. Any figure specifically mentioned by a professional banker or accountant are expected to be accurate and reliable.

When the amount is so staggering none will ever whisper it, let alone put it in writing without putting his job on the line. Let me illustrate from an example from abroad.

As a Management Trainee, at Polaroid Corporation, in 1972, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, I was sent to the Financial Analysis section.

Financial analysts start where the accountants finish to mine valuable information from various ratios, trends etc. In 1973, the Assistant Vice President, in charge of our section, had sent a report to the Senior Vice President (Finance) – his boss. One of the figures presented turned out to be 5% inaccurate. For being 5% off, the fellow was sacked outright. A lesson had been taught to all of us – accuracy in the presentation of financial data in sacrosanct. No nation in the world would have failed to take action against its central banker for raising such a false alarm.

When we turn to the figures presented by the former CBN Governor to the Senate Committee, US$49.8b, US$20b, US$12b and US$10.8b – the variances range from 40% to nearly 80%. As things stand right now, Nigerians are not sure how much, if any sum, is “missing”. None of those who joined the hysteria has any idea either. Where in the world, except in the world of the mob which still holds Sanusi in high esteem, does a Central banker commit such a blunder, coupled with indirect defamation, without voluntarily resigning his appointment or getting kicked out for monumental incompetence. Jonathan, in fact, was extremely charitable. He proceeded to provide the fellow, who had sent the lynch mob after the President, with the soft landing of suspension. Instead of gratitude, the former CBN Governor went to court. And he continued to plat to the gallery, blaming the victims of his unprofessional conduct and getting hailed for it.

Sanusi, the unprofessional banker was not the only professional who is missing something. There is a lawyer….

Business & Economy

By FRANKLIN ALLI and PROVIDENCE OBUH

O

ver 100 stakeholders in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector of the economy, weekend, called on Federal Government to initiate policy that will restrict multinational Companies from infiltrating into indigenous businesses especially those operated by small businesses.

Meanwhile, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Olusegun Aganga has bagged a Lifetime Achievement Award for his commitment to enterprise development in Nigeria; other awardees include: Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, DG ITF, Mrs. Juliet Chukkas-Onaeko, Special Adviser on Media, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. C M Y K

SMEs: Stakeholders seek policy barring multinationals from indigenous business Yemi Kolapo and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Ayoola Foods Ltd, Engr. Segun Emmanuel Olaye.

Speaking during 4th edition of Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAM) Workshop and Gala Nite/Award 2014, with the Theme: “The Prospects and Challenges of SMEs in Nigeria,” the operators lamented the incursion of multinational Companies into small businesses where indigenous Companies have competences and comparative advantages.

Director General, Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Mr. Muda Yusuf, who spoke at the

event, cited the taking over of small businesses by multinationals such as Table Water, Chin-Chin, Herbal Drinks, among other products.

According to him “A Situation whereby big companies are competing and taking over the businesses of small companies is not good for the economy.”

The DG, argued that, the indigenous companies have more development value to the money than foreign companies who takes the money they make out of the country while the indigenous one’s reinvest in the economy.

Also, the Director General Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria

(SMEDAN) Alhaji Bature Masari, in his Presentation noted that SMEs are the bedrock of any economy, but in Nigeria SMEs experience challenges that affect their over all well being as entrepreneurs.

He told operators in the sector that beyond having a good business plan and accessing funds from government institutions like Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture, especially under the National Enterprise Development Programme, they should upgrade themselves access to information, networking and capacity building programmes put in place by SMEFDAN, saying, “information, training and access to market are key to business survival.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 — 37

38 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

Advertising, Media & Marketing

Interswitch offers aspiring entrepreneurs MEST scholarship

I

NTERSWITCH, a panAfrican integrated payments company, has offered 10 aspiring Nigerian Information Technology, IT entrepreneurs full year scholarships to the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology, MEST in Accra, Ghana.

The announcement follows the launch of the ‘Interswitch MEST’ partnership and will ensure Nigerian entrepreneurs are equipped with the skills they need to grow successful businesses. The Interswitch MEST programme will provide the entrepreneurs with practical training, investment and mentoring as they are encouraged to establish successful enterprises that will serve as vibrant platforms to further create wealth and jobs across Africa.

Verve: Curbing unemployment through creativity Stories by PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

T

HE role of secondary financial services providers as catalyst for economic growth and development cannot be over emphasized in the present cashless policy scheme.

For example, in most advanced economies where the cashless policy is fully implemented, economic growth has attained an astronomical growth and this brings to mind how various services are paid for, for example, from hospital bills to groceries, insurance premiums, car purchase, house rent etc.

The recent pronouncement by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN that Nigeria will join the cashless policy society has prompted various products from the creative ingenuity of Nigerians, occasioned by the

push by secondary services providers like Verve, VISA, Mastercard and others, for services like payment for legal services, and social services such as health challenges for those who require public assistance, abandoned accident victims and more.

Recently, several brands in order to improve on the cashless society brought together application developers to create apps that will advance payment systems in Nigeria for rather unthinkable payment structures.

Of particular reference is the step by Verve International , a debit card product from the stable of Interswitch Nigeria, where it opened a window of opportunity for about 50 app developers through a competition on how to infuse payment into their applications, from which six of the competitors were picked.

The Managing Director of

Verve, Charles Ifedi in an interview in his office said the competition was an opportunity for app developers who are bereaved of ideas of infusing payment into their products occasioned the reason for the competition.

According to him, the apps which are expected to run on Verve’s infrastructure through banks nationwide was described as Verve’s own way of giving back to the society, which essentially is designed to offer users convenience, security, fast and hitch-free solution to the long process of getting solution to attendant social problems.

“So far payment in Nigeria has been Automated Teller Machine, ATM and Point of Sale, POS which the central bank pushed actively through cashless policy which started about two or three years ago and internet payment which is more or less new. So, we wanted to introduce mobile payment as well, not mobile

Guinness #Made of Black campaign storms market

G

uinness has launched its #madeofblack campaign in Nigeria. Speaking at the launch, Mr. Seni Adetu, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Guinness Nigeria Plc, while explaining the idea behind the made of black campaign, said; “#madeofblack is part of the global Guinness Made of More campaign.

Guinness embodies the mindset of Nigerians who are not afraid to express themselves and who are carving their own path in life. It is an iconic beer that has the darkest liquid, but the brightest flavours. A beer that has lived in the hearts and minds of millions in Africa and across the world for over 250 years, Guinness has always had the authenticity, boldness and vision to do things differently.”

In the new Guinness made of black commercial, Phyno joined by other prominent Nigerian acts which includes Olamide & Eva expressed why black is more than just a colour. The cast told their #madeofblack stories in short “Selfie” videos available online. Viewing and listening to their experiences, consumers will also be encouraged to tell their own stories about what they are made of and what makes them ‘special’ as individuals. In his comments, Phyno expressed his delight at working with Guinness on the #madeofblack campaign with other Nigerian stars while encouraging Nigerians to come out and inspire their peers by demonstrating the best qualities Africans are known to express.

FORUM - From Left: Olakunle Soriyan, Principal Transformation Strategist,Olakunle Soriyan Company; Adetayo Eniibukun, CEO, Clean Ace Dry Cleaners; Saidat LawalMohammed, Senior Manager, Segments,MTN; Marek Zmyslowski, Managing Director, Javago.com, Ayo Olashoju, Managing Director/CEO, Tavia at the MTN Link Forum in Lagos .

money, but payment using instrument that you could use as an ATM, POS or whatever on a mobile phone as well, that is the motivation. But the approach to bring it to the market was that, we have developers out there, bring them inside so that we can create interest for them to develop applications on the mobile platform as well.” He stated.

Ordinarily, where the company would have offered the developers job in the company reveals the company’s own idea of teaching the developers how to fish, but rather turned their fortune around, giving them a platform to earn a living from helping the society.

The idea of giving the developers a platform is an indication of thousand of ideas locked in their confines without help coming from an unconcerned society.

Verve on the other hand opted to tap into the ideas of the young Nigerians , giving them its infrastructure that will put paid to their ideas.

Even though the idea of creating apps is not new with Verve, they had consummated partnerships with brands like Microsoft and Nokia. So delving into the creative business is not new with Verve.

Like Mr Ifedi, said: “the objective of the competition is for competitors to build applications, and make payment available inside it. A lot of airlines for example, have applications that you can use to by ticket. So, one of the objectives is also to ensure that payment is inside.”

The plan is to make it available on different forms, but we started with a partnership with Microsoft and Nokia to create something for the Nokia and Microsoft at the beginning and that will run for the next few months of this year. He stated.

StarTimes assures on 80% digital switch by Jan 2015

N

TA - S t a r Ti m e s Television, a pay TV provider has assured that 80 percent of the Nigerian Television landscape will be covered and ready for switch off from analogue by January 2015 against the June 2015, deadline.

Mr. Maxwell Loco, Managing Director, NTA-TV Enterprise made this disclosure during an interactive session with Journalists tagged: ‘Fostering Relationship,’ said the company has the obligation to make sure that every Nigerian is and will have access to digital television by January 2015.

“Our target before January

2015 is to ensure that 80 percent of the Nigerian television landscape is covered and is ready for the switch off of June 2015.”

Continuing, he stated, “So by January 2015 we would and we are saying with all confidence that we would have achieve 75 to 80 percent digital television coverage of the Nigeria TV landscape. We are saying with all sense of humility that it is achievable and that we would do it.”

Mr Loco who spoke among other things also said that as demystified as the pay-tv market is, it is assumed to be strictly for the high end, and again “to let the Nigerian people know that been in over

36 cities of the federation we have indeed set the pace for the digital transmission.”

“We are several steps ahead of even the Digi Team and the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, NBC. We are doing that preparatory, for their coming (Digi Team), so that no analogue over the air broadcast station will be on a digital platform. And in all these 36 cities we are talking about it invariably means that ones any city is switched off they have a digital platform.

As we speak, in these 36 cities we have all the tates, the private and Federal government owned television station already being carried free to air at no cost for now

until the switch over takes off properly, Mr Loco explained.

He went further to say, “those are some of the things we are doing that add to our public social responsibility, because some of the cities that we are in, are basically not because we want subscription or we want to make money, because our cost of operations in most of these cities is not commensurate with whatsoever we make as revenue t, but we see it as part our social national responsibility because we are a national signal distributor unlike most of our competitors who invest where they can get their return on investment, RoI.

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 — 39

40 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 Email:lesleba@lesleba.com, lesleba@gmail.com Blog page:www.lesleba.com/blog2 Website: www.lesleba.com Tel:0805 220 1997

Economic redemption: Why is government uncaring? interest rates, the country can grow at more than 8% for the next 20 years lifting tens of millions into the middle class.

If the oil derived portions of monthly allocations are dollarised, it will lead to an immediate Naira revaluation and a benign tightening in money supply which will help in slaying the nauseating and needlessly high underlying inflation that plagues the economy. A stronger naira and low single digit interest rates will lead to an investment boom.

Manufacturers will lose their timidity and import first class machinery which will boost their productivity and enable them to become internationally competitive.

Low interest rates will enable them to borrow and expand production rapidly and before long the Nigerian market will become too small for them.

Then an export boom can commence. They can take on the world.

The high interest rates and weak naira has been the bane of productivity in Nigeria.

Imagine productivity boost in the housing sector; for instance, if mortgage rates were 7%, people would rather buy houses than buy vacant plots and build piecemeal. So developers, rather than build estates and sell empty plots would now build blocks of flats or houses and sell.

People who otherwise would have only owned a house in their lifetime can capitalise on low interest rates and buy more built up properties.

Developers will be encouraged to increase productivity in order to catch

up with strong demand.

Charles Soludo wanted to dollarise payments in 2007 but Yar ’Adua stopped him after the state governments whinged that they did not understand this new financial invention. We are still paying the price till this day. Let us hope the new CBN governor does the needful. It is about time the country also enjoys tigerish grow rates.

Another reader, Uchenna Ekenwa also wrote as follows: “Present managers of the economy don’t know a thing about economic management

,

T

his week, we will feature excerpts from comments of three regular readers who obviously agonise on the seeming aloofness of government and its economic Team to the selfless and realistic suggestions made in this column to induce economic growth and rescue millions of our countrymen from the jaws of poverty.

Let us begin with this contribution from Ariyo Akinlosotu who wrote as follows: ”I am always impressed by your articles in the media.

Though you are always drawing attention to the need for the monthly allocations to the three tiers of government be dollarised, it is never too much. The simple reason is the continuous payment in Naira (The substitution) has stunted the country for over 20 years now.

Nigeria’s rebasing of its GDP to $510B is a joke. If our country had not lagged in growth, the economy would have been 3 times bigger.

Remember that Nigeria in 1980 was the twentieth largest economy in the world. It aches me that a country in which the Federal deficit is barely 2% of GDP, the States borrowing in double digit rates and the private sector at 20-25%. It is absurd putting it mildly. That is the curse of the substitution.

Many pundits have argued that a weakened naira would boost exports. There was a one off benefit in 1986 when the naira was devalued but ever since, devaluations have not led to consistent double digit growths in exports. If it had, oil exports will today barely account for a third of exports. The opposite - a revaluation-is actually what is now needed; if coupled with single digit

severally this question “How is the MPR of 12% determined such that its determining elements have remained constant over the years? Is it that there are no variable element(s) in its calculation? it political or Was administrative fiat that has left the economy in limbo? Was it personal interest on the part of former CEOs of some banks, latter-day CBN Governors, trying to create a market lead for their erstwhile banks?

I, sometimes, say to myself, why do we complain so much

There was a one off benefit in 1986 when the naira was devalued but ever since, devaluations have not led to consistent double digit growths in exports.

and don’t seem to agree to superior argument. Each time I read your column, the next question that comes to my mind is “is it that the CBN doesn’t read your column or cannot have a discourse with you on your suggestions on how to make Nigeria economically viable” or “is it that CBN management are just reluctant to do the right thing for Nigerians” or “is it that the CBN boss follows the norm rather than deviate from a practice that keeps setting Nigeria primitively backwards?”

I have asked myself

,

about maladministration, yet things aren’t changing, but little did I know that most government policies through its agencies are not really meant for the masses but for the few that are bent on keeping Nigeria’s economy backward while they continue to live on falsehoods. The present Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is a good example on her job creation of 1.8m in 2013, so was President, Goodluck Jonathan, on electricity when he chatted with CNN in 2013.

Resolving our economic challenges shouldn’t be too

much of a task, but will the devil allow a change without a fight? Cartels are everywhere and they are making so much money from a moribund system and they are the devil.

Finally, another reader of this column Soni Lam also commented as follows: “... on the external front, government sits on bountiful reserves of over $40bn which earns little or no yield, while the same government ironically indulges in seeking external loans which conversely carry unusually high interest rates for what are actually risk free sovereign debts.” This is what I call “follow follow economics”. No ingenuity in developing home grown economic derivatives that yield real growth and development; while small businesses lack access to funds, our commonwealth lies in the European vaults thereby giving European businesses enough liquidity to push us out of competition.

If only a fraction of the $40bn reserves is pumped into the Nigerian economy, activities will spring up and the multiplier effect will more than bounce our economy into real productivity, but will our government listen to patriotic local economists? Prof. Aluko (of blessed memory) barked and barked about the unprofitability of adopting the Bretton woods model and he was regarded as being senile.

When will our government listen to patriotic calls without branding them as opposition bickering?” Regrettably, critics of ‘this column’ revel in insults rather than intellectual interrogations of our advocacy; consequently, I will not bore readers with excerpts of such emotive distractions.

Save the Naira, Save Nigerians.

Business & Economy

NERC opens office to resolve BEDC’s power disputes

T

he National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has opened a forum office in Benin, the Edo State capital, to be closer to the consumers in addressing unresolved electricity issues between the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and its customers within latter ’s coverage area of Edo state.

Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, who commissioned the office, said that the initiative would

enhance NERC’s mandate of protecting the right. Nebo, who was represented by a Deputy Director in the Ministry, Omololu Ogunleye, hinged the success of ongoing reforms in the sector on level of interaction among the stakeholders.

He called for support for the distribution companies to ensure that consumers’ rights were protected. “These companies must ensure that Nigerians have adequate power supply,” he stressed.

Ogunleye said that the forum would serve as a platform and a major talk point for the resolution of electricity issues from various communities.

“The commission has the mandate to ensure that Nigerians have adequate and reliable supply of power. Let me use this opportunity to emphasise that the federal government’s efforts are quite glaring and it will not rest on it oars until it has achieved the desire to provide electricity for all.

Omoh Gabriel Babajide Komolafe Clara Nwachukwu Peter Egwuatu Yinka Kolawole Favour Nnabugwu Godwin Oritse Godfrey Bivbere Michael Eboh Franklin Alli Ebele Orakpo Ifeyinwa Obi Rosemary Onuoha

-

Group Business Editor Deputy Business Editor Energy Editor Asst. Business Editor Snr Bus. Correspondent Insurance Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Energy Reporter Industry/Agric. Reporter Energy Reporter Maritime Reporter Insurance Reporter

CONTRIBUTORS Princewill Ekwujuru Nkiruka Nnorom Jonah Nwokpoku Naomi Uzor Providence Obuh LAYOUT

-

Media/Marketing Capital Market E-Commerce Industry Micro Finance Graphics Department

40 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 Email:lesleba@lesleba.com, lesleba@gmail.com Blog page:www.lesleba.com/blog2 Website: www.lesleba.com Tel:0805 220 1997

Economic redemption: Why is government uncaring? interest rates, the country can grow at more than 8% for the next 20 years lifting tens of millions into the middle class.

If the oil derived portions of monthly allocations are dollarised, it will lead to an immediate Naira revaluation and a benign tightening in money supply which will help in slaying the nauseating and needlessly high underlying inflation that plagues the economy. A stronger naira and low single digit interest rates will lead to an investment boom.

Manufacturers will lose their timidity and import first class machinery which will boost their productivity and enable them to become internationally competitive.

Low interest rates will enable them to borrow and expand production rapidly and before long the Nigerian market will become too small for them.

Then an export boom can commence. They can take on the world.

The high interest rates and weak naira has been the bane of productivity in Nigeria.

Imagine productivity boost in the housing sector; for instance, if mortgage rates were 7%, people would rather buy houses than buy vacant plots and build piecemeal. So developers, rather than build estates and sell empty plots would now build blocks of flats or houses and sell.

People who otherwise would have only owned a house in their lifetime can capitalise on low interest rates and buy more built up properties.

Developers will be encouraged to increase productivity in order to catch

up with strong demand.

Charles Soludo wanted to dollarise payments in 2007 but Yar ’Adua stopped him after the state governments whinged that they did not understand this new financial invention. We are still paying the price till this day. Let us hope the new CBN governor does the needful. It is about time the country also enjoys tigerish grow rates.

Another reader, Uchenna Ekenwa also wrote as follows: “Present managers of the economy don’t know a thing about economic management

,

T

his week, we will feature excerpts from comments of three regular readers who obviously agonise on the seeming aloofness of government and its economic Team to the selfless and realistic suggestions made in this column to induce economic growth and rescue millions of our countrymen from the jaws of poverty.

Let us begin with this contribution from Ariyo Akinlosotu who wrote as follows: ”I am always impressed by your articles in the media.

Though you are always drawing attention to the need for the monthly allocations to the three tiers of government be dollarised, it is never too much. The simple reason is the continuous payment in Naira (The substitution) has stunted the country for over 20 years now.

Nigeria’s rebasing of its GDP to $510B is a joke. If our country had not lagged in growth, the economy would have been 3 times bigger.

Remember that Nigeria in 1980 was the twentieth largest economy in the world. It aches me that a country in which the Federal deficit is barely 2% of GDP, the States borrowing in double digit rates and the private sector at 20-25%. It is absurd putting it mildly. That is the curse of the substitution.

Many pundits have argued that a weakened naira would boost exports. There was a one off benefit in 1986 when the naira was devalued but ever since, devaluations have not led to consistent double digit growths in exports. If it had, oil exports will today barely account for a third of exports. The opposite - a revaluation-is actually what is now needed; if coupled with single digit

severally this question “How is the MPR of 12% determined such that its determining elements have remained constant over the years? Is it that there are no variable element(s) in its calculation?

Was it political or administrative fiat that has left the economy in limbo? Was it personal interest on the part of former CEOs of some banks, latter-day CBN Governors, trying to create a market lead for their erstwhile banks?

I, sometimes, say to myself, why do we complain so much

There was a one off benefit in 1986 when the naira was devalued but ever since, devaluations have not led to consistent double digit growths in exports.

and don’t seem to agree to superior argument. Each time I read your column, the next question that comes to my mind is “is it that the CBN doesn’t read your column or cannot have a discourse with you on your suggestions on how to make Nigeria economically viable” or “is it that CBN management are just reluctant to do the right thing for Nigerians” or “is it that the CBN boss follows the norm rather than deviate from a practice that keeps setting Nigeria primitively backwards?”

I have asked myself

,

about maladministration, yet things aren’t changing, but little did I know that most government policies through its agencies are not really meant for the masses but for the few that are bent on keeping Nigeria’s economy backward while they continue to live on falsehoods. The present Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is a good example on her job creation of 1.8m in 2013, so was President, Goodluck Jonathan, on electricity when he chatted with CNN in 2013.

Resolving our economic challenges shouldn’t be too

much of a task, but will the devil allow a change without a fight? Cartels are everywhere and they are making so much money from a moribund system and they are the devil.

Finally, another reader of this column Soni Lam also commented as follows: “... on the external front, government sits on bountiful reserves of over $40bn which earns little or no yield, while the same government ironically indulges in seeking external loans which conversely carry unusually high interest rates for what are actually risk free sovereign debts.” This is what I call “follow follow economics”. No ingenuity in developing home grown economic derivatives that yield real growth and development; while small businesses lack access to funds, our commonwealth lies in the European vaults thereby giving European businesses enough liquidity to push us out of competition.

If only a fraction of the $40bn reserves is pumped into the Nigerian economy, activities will spring up and the multiplier effect will more than bounce our economy into real productivity, but will our government listen to patriotic local economists? Prof. Aluko (of blessed memory) barked and barked about the unprofitability of adopting the Bretton woods model and he was regarded as being senile.

When will our government listen to patriotic calls without branding them as opposition bickering?” Regrettably, critics of ‘this column’ revel in insults rather than intellectual interrogations of our advocacy; consequently, I will not bore readers with excerpts of such emotive distractions.

Save the Naira, Save Nigerians.

Business & Economy

NERC opens office to resolve BEDC’s power disputes

T

he National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has opened a forum office in Benin, the Edo State capital, to be closer to the consumers in addressing unresolved electricity issues between the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and its customers within latter ’s coverage area of Edo state.

Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, who commissioned the office, said that the initiative would

enhance NERC’s mandate of protecting the right. Nebo, who was represented by a Deputy Director in the Ministry, Omololu Ogunleye, hinged the success of ongoing reforms in the sector on level of interaction among the stakeholders.

He called for support for the distribution companies to ensure that consumers’ rights were protected. “These companies must ensure that Nigerians have adequate power supply,” he stressed.

Ogunleye said that the forum would serve as a platform and a major talk point for the resolution of electricity issues from various communities.

“The commission has the mandate to ensure that Nigerians have adequate and reliable supply of power. Let me use this opportunity to emphasise that the federal government’s efforts are quite glaring and it will not rest on it oars until it has achieved the desire to provide electricity for all.

Omoh Gabriel Babajide Komolafe Clara Nwachukwu Peter Egwuatu Yinka Kolawole Favour Nnabugwu Godwin Oritse Godfrey Bivbere Michael Eboh Franklin Alli Ebele Orakpo Ifeyinwa Obi Rosemary Onuoha

-

Group Business Editor Deputy Business Editor Energy Editor Asst. Business Editor Snr Bus. Correspondent Insurance Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Energy Reporter Industry/Agric. Reporter Energy Reporter Maritime Reporter Insurance Reporter

CONTRIBUTORS Princewill Ekwujuru Nkiruka Nnorom Jonah Nwokpoku Naomi Uzor Providence Obuh LAYOUT

-

Media/Marketing Capital Market E-Commerce Industry Micro Finance Graphics Department

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 — 41

42—Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

Ebola: Can you be saved by the blood?

C

AN the blood of patients who recover from Ebola save others afflicted with the deadly virus? This is the poser currently circulating across the world, following the recommendation by the World Health Organisation, WHO. In the last few weeks, a global group of experts have been meeting to assess the relevance of experimental therapies that could contain Ebola.

But the WHO which announced that Ebola vaccines could be used on the frontline by November, recommended use of whole blood components from Ebola survivors based on the fact that people produce antibodies in the blood in an attempt to fight off an Ebola infection.

Theoretically, experts say these antibodies can be transferred from a survivor into a sick patient to give their immune system a boost.

However, large scale data on the effectiveness of the therapy is lacking.

Blood therapy In the 1995 outbreak of Ebola in Democratic Republic of Congo, studies showed that seven out of eight people survived after being given the blood therapy.

Assistant Director General, at the WHO, Dr Marie Paule Kieny, said: "We agreed that whole blood therapies may be used to treat Ebola virus and all efforts must be invested to help infected countries to use them.

"There is a real opportunity that a blood-derived product can be used now and this can be very effective in terms of treating patients."

Kieny said that it was the one positive aspect of so many people being infected.

"There are also many people now who have survived and are doing well.

They can provide blood to treat the other people who are sick."

Vaccines There is no clinically proven drug or vaccine to treat Ebola, but many are in the experimental stage.

Around 150 experts have spent the last two days investigating how to fasttrack promising experimental drugs to make them available in West Africa as soon as possible.

Ebola vaccine trials started in the US this week and will be extended to centres in the UK, Mali and Gambia in the coming weeks.

First patient The first person to take part in a vaccine trial was a 39-yearold in the US. The WHO said safety data would be ready by November 2014 and, if it proved safe, would be used in West Africa immediately. Healthcare workers and other frontline staff would be prioritised for vaccination, the WHO said.

Experimental drugs - such as ZMapp, which has been used in seven patients including a British volunteer

• The World Health Organisation has recommended the use of blood of Ebola survivors for treatment of other Ebola patients. nurse - were also assessed.

However, the supplies of all the experimental drugs are very limited, if not exhausted.

The WHO said efforts were underway to increase production, but it would take several months.

Dr Jesse Goodman, from Georgetown University Medical Center in the US, took part in the meeting.

He said: "This is a unique opportunity to identify what new treatments and vaccines can really help people and then potentially accelerate their use.

Methods "We don't want to end up after this outbreak not knowing how best to prevent or treat the next one."

Yet the WHO warned that all the talk of experimental therapies must not detract from the proven methods of infection control which have defeated all previous outbreaks.

Meanwhile, officials in Nigeria have decided to reopen schools in the country from 22 September.

Movie on fake drugs debuts

I

RKED by the growing incidences of fake drugs in Nigeria and the world at large, Native Filmworks Limited, one of Nigeria’s pioneer Film & TV Company and Producers of narrative feature, “A Place in

L-R: Mr. Toyin Akinoso, Mr. Steve Gukas, Kufre Ekanem Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc during the launch of the film, A Place in the Stars, at Freedom Park, Old Prison Ground - Broad Street, Lagos Island, Lagos State recently.

the Stars” recently unveiled its first feature film aimed at discouraging the sales and production of fake and unwholesome drugs.

The film which was directed and produced by respected film maker, Steve Gukas, “A Place in the Stars” is a riveting account of drug trafficking; it focuses on how fake and adulterated medical drugs are being traded for billions of dollars – dangerous men willing to kill to protect this money and a young man with a nagging conscience sworn to get rich or die trying in a very corrupt country. How far is he willing to go?

A Place in the Stars features some of the best actors in Nigeria and international; the likes of award winning actor, Segun Arinze who is often identified for playing the role of a villain. Also starring in the movie are, Gideon Eche-Okeke, Dejumo Lewis, Yemi Blaq, Femi Branch, Matilda Obaseki, Julian Mcdowell, Armajit Deu and Amaka Mgbor.

A Place in the Stars is scheduled to Premiere in – Lagos/Abuja, South Africa, Kenya and in the West – London & New York/Houston Texas.

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 — 43

44 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 — 45

46—Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

W

E have a very poor quality democracy. Our constitutional order is in shambles, which is why within fifteen years we have already held two constitutional conferences to try and correct the makeshift 1999 constitution hurried assembled by the departing regime of General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

The most telling evidence of our highly compromised renascent democracy is in the political parties that have operated it. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has not only been in power at the federal level for all these fifteen years, it has also dominated at the state and local government levels. It has lost and regained members as the electoral cycles come and go, but has remained largely unchanged as the most dominant political force in the land.

The opposition parties have fared

PDP PDP,, APC are desperados National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) which fought Abacha and agitated for the revalidation of the June 12 presidential election won by Chief Moshood Abiola.

AD leaders did not mind that the APP leaders were behind the

Any political party that is irrelevant to the Minorities will never win the presidency.

And any political party that has strong religious, ethnic and regional outlook will never become relevant to the Minorities

,

far worse. Today, we have the All Progressives Congress (APC), a newly-formed coalition of regional parties of the North and West, trying to leverage on the over-bloated population and voter registration figures associated with the North and West to snatch power from the PDP. Since 1999, the opposition parties have formed all sorts of coalitions, alliances and mergers in their efforts to upstage the PDP, to no avail. In 1999, it was the North’s All People’s Party (APP) and the West’s Alliance for Democracy (AD) that started the effort.

It was the most incredible political magic ever conjured in Nigeria. Two mutual enemy political parties, whose promoters were in the trenches fighting each other to the death just a few months before, came together, spurred on by the lust for power. The APP was the conservative section of the Northern oligarchy which promoted General Sani Abacha’s aborted life presidency ambition. The AD was the political offshoot of the

,

annulment of the June 12 presidential election. They did not care that the APP leaders were responsible for the reign of terror levied against the South West for fighting against a barefaced insult meted to one of their sons. It was none of their business that these people knew what happened to Abiola. All that mattered was that the APP (the bigger party) was willing to allow the AD to take up the presidential slot while they (APP) would play the second fiddle. It did not occur to them that it is against the law of nature for the tail to wag the dog, as it is against the reality of politics for a smaller party to lead the bigger party in a coalition. Ideal democracy is always a game of majority rule and minority rights.

Anything short of that is a scam. It is bound to end in tears, sorrow and blood for someone.

The APP held its 1999 presidential convention in Kaduna and a political dark horse, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, was

elected as its presidential candidate.

Onu was actually a political bellhop manipulated by the Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi faction of the APP to emerge.

On the other hand, the AD held its primaries in Ibadan, an event I covered as a reporter. Chief Bola Ige, the founder of the Party had expected to be picked, but he was dropped because of his perceived regional outlook. AD needed someone who was more nationally acceptable, and Chief Olu Falae got the nod. Ige was not amused. His ploy for taking the AD out of the PDP which he cofounded collapsed in Ibadan. It was partly responsible for his decision to join President Olusegun Obasanjo’s cabinet as Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, a post in which he was brutally murdered and no one, till date, has been brought to account for it.

The final political abracadabra took place, when the APP presidential candidate, Onu, was shoved aside by Shinkafi, who accepted to stand as Falae’s running mate. A man who did not contest for the APP’s primaries became its representative in the combined presidential ticket. It was the first of the series of failed North/ West alliances concocted in a bid to dethrone PDP, which has always posted the advantage of being the most widely-spread national political party.

The opposition parties have always demonstrated uncommon desperation to grab power from PDP through North/West alliances. These have not produced desired results and may never do so because they are up against a non-ethnic or religion, or region-tied nationally spread ruling party. The day the opposition tones down desperation and puts away deceptive regional calculations to build a nationally

relevant political platform, they will become far more competitive. Up till now, the opposition has shown it is not relevant to the Minorities and the South East zone. Any political party that is irrelevant to the Minorities will never win the presidency. And any political party that has strong religious, ethnic and regional outlook will never become relevant to the Minorities. Those who have ears let them hear.

While the opposition has been desperate to snatch power from the PDP, the r uling party has also responded with desperation to hold on to power. The PDP is a party of “everything goes”. There is no moral parameter of eligibility for PDP membership. So long as you can help in winning elections in your area, just walk through the door. It does not matter if you are a convict, murderer, sponsor of terrorism and crimes against humanity. Come to PDP. You are welcome to the umbrella.

T

here is a red carpet reception waiting for you. If the widely acclaimed “father ” of Boko Haram, Alhaji Nmodu Sheriff (SAS) can make such a triumphant entry into PDP, what else do you want me to say?

Remember, Sheriff ’s Borno State was the only one out of the 36 states and the FCT that did not give President Goodluck Jonathan 25 per cent in the 2011 presidential election. Surely, with Sheriff inside the PDP basket, 25 per cent or more is assured in 2015.

Power is the name of the game in our renascent democracy. The lust for power has bleached both PDP and APC of any unique identity. APC is actually mimicking PDP. APC is now zoning offices. How can you win by copying the original? Can you become bigger than D-Banj by copying D-Banj? PDP is open to all sorts questionable characters of politicians. So is APC. In fact, if you are in PDP you are a thief, rogue and robber. But once you cross into APC, you become a “progressive” (they pronounce it as PRO-gressive).

Whatever that means.

Meanwhile, there is no clear-cut PDP or APC way of doing things. There is only a ruling party but no opposition. Nigerians have no choice but to follow individuals, not parties.

Vote for a candidate of your choice.

There is no political party to choose from. PDP and APC - political parties?

Please don’t make laugh!

OPINION

Wole Soyinka, may he never live long

By Taiwo & Kehinde Oluwafunso

Continues from Friday pg 19

S

HE continued: "Later we got to know that Wole was not just pushed forward ahead of us because he was the son of a school headmaster or the teacher ’s favourite, but that our teachers were able to see something rare and special in him, she went further, to be able to save this shiny star, he was given a triple promotion to be able to develop him and not delay his manifestation in life, she concluded, his brain runs at the speed of sound, this is the last standing of the literary prophets”.

One can see that Professor Wole Soyinka, from the onset has set forth at dawn according to the title of

one of his books, in the African context and traditions, from which much of Wole Soyinka’s inspiration, has been drawn, Africans don’t want their good old ones to continue living when events around them are taken bad twists or shapes, “Ojuagbakiiriibi”.

Therefore, we wish Professor Wole Soyinka never live long to continue watching Shekau in his savage rats’ colony ranting and boasting on CNN and our National T.V Screen offending our sensibilities and consciousness as a nation, may he never live long to continue seeing wheat and barleygrindstones becoming ceased in the land, may he never live long to continue seeing gravestones becoming perpetually wet with innocent blood in Borno and Bauchi on daily basis, may he never live long to continue seeing

the Nigerian project becoming a cracking dream on a daily basis, BUT, because this old man is naturally good, we pray, may he live long to see our Chibok girls returned safely to our hands, may he live long to see another Nobel Prize Winner For Literature and Physics emerging (out) from Africa, may he live long to see JospehKonnie, the jungle emperor, caught in the Uganda forest, caged and extradited to the World Court in Hague, to face criminal charges against the souls of African children and women, may he live long, may he live long, may he live long to become and break the record of the oldestwiseman in Africa. *Taiwo and Kehinde Oluwafunso, representatives of Panafest, wrote from Lagos.

—47 Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014—

,

By Bobson Gbinije ”All the ills of democracy can only be cured by more democracy” -(Alfred Smith -1873-1944)

D

EMOCRACY, by Jeffersonian, Lincolnian and Grecian normative standard, is the political doctrine that recognises the institutionalisation of liberal structures of governance that enfranchises and gives the people the rights to elect and remove their leaders. It concretizes the basis of their participation in the decision–making process and enhances their freedoms. Indeed, a government of the people, by the people for the people.

But, in the Nigerian so-called democratic ambience, the above definition of democracy is a consummate misnomer.

Democracy in Nigeria is the wresting of power by rigging, thuggery, assassinations, kidnappings and total Machiavellian acrobatics. It is the stealing of power by a criminal league, concourse and clique called political party for and through their individual members leading to the pauperization of the franchise and breach of all tenets of universal adult suffrage. It is the selling of souls to the devil with power as the quid pro quo.

This politically weird means of power acquisition has often given rise to despotism, political

impunity, unthinkable corruption and fascism. Fascism grew out of the unstable political conditions that followed on the heels of World War I. Its mass appeal derived from its promises to replace weak democratic governments with strong leadership and to rectify the grievances of individuals and states of the post war settlement.

In the 1920s fascist dictators began to gain power in several countries. Once they did, tensions arose between themselves and the democratic states--tensions that would lead eventually to war.

Fascism was not a coherent doctrine like Marxism, but all fascists believed in strong, nationalist, authoritarian state ruled by a charismatic dictator and backed by a single paramilitary party, like the PDP in Nigeria.

Fascist are fanatically opposed to democracy, socialism, Marxism and liberalism, and were often racist and anti-Semitic. Both in opposition and in power, fascists made effective use of propaganda and terror to win support and to dispose of opposition and political rivals like the PDP is doing in Nigeria.

The Nigeria so-called democracy of today reflects all the characteristics of fascism and despotism. We have no opposition, indeed Nigeria is a one-party (PDP) state sunken in the cauldron of masqueraded totalitarianism.

The APC is locked in

Majority of governors, legislators are not our leaders; they got to power through illegitimate means and not through our votes; they therefore cannot meet our needs

,

somnambulistic political slumber.

We therefore need to build structures and introduce reorientations that will enhance and concretise the democratisation of our democracy. Otherwise, we will be re-echoing the observations of the political analyst Dr .H. L. Mencken (1880-1956) that: “The saddest life is that of a political aspirant under a cursed democracy. His failure is ignominious and his success is disgraceful”.

W

e need transparent and credible election process and electoral infrastructures that will make the vote of every Nigerian count as authentic vote. This can only come about through a drastic revolutionisation of the electoral and election process and not the bastardisation (Iwuruwuru) of the system. The INEC as it is presently constituted cannot conduct a free and fair election in 2015 based on its antecedents and precedents in

Consensus: Best option for our ineffectual politics

By David Ifode

P

OLITICS in Nigeria today, like the days of Babylon between the rich and the poor, has brought even more very glaring mixture of grandeur and squalor as represented by the huge wealth of the elected and the poverty of the supposed voters.

In the midst of this uneven comparison, between the elected and voters, the noisy sirens of politicians jostling to push the less privileged off the streets become more daring, provoking the anger of the people.

These daring acts by politicians heighten the grumblings of the masses (who cannot even vote the right candidates into power) over many issues. Among them, that the rule of law is weaker now than in the past; lack of infrastructure, inadequate electricity supply are more prevalent, just as corruption is still rife in the midst of lack of jobs and poor quality education that only promises a bleak future.

Measuring the potential advantage of democracy in the last 15 years among Nigerians can still be described as notoriously difficult, while the attitude of politicians to stem the tide is hardly reassuring.

Majority of our politicians see politics as a business and not service. More worrisome is that our politicians are good at setting ambitious targets before elections, but not good at meeting them.

Today, our economy has been in danger of overheating - not with the many long periods of strike actions by professional bodies, while our level of borrowing is raising concern among economists.

Another area of concern of the people is that prospective leaders who would help to revive our economy and build on recent

C M Y K

modest signs of growth are starved of opportunity to gain entry into the political arena. This is creating a rift between the political class and the people. Like in China, our politicians would rather have personal assistants plucked from obscurity, who often become very powerful and sometimes as largely corrupt as their bosses.

It is so bad at the moment in our political system that even lower ranking officers and personal assistants have them (PAs) in large numbers, all funded by government resources. This expectedly is to fuel the hierarchy.

Many well-meaning Nigerians are now of the view that our political terrain needs a change of political culture that will open the space for people with a sense of probity and modesty. They want a change in our political culture so that our politics would then develop beyond selfishness, greed, unnecessary arguments, senseless criticisms and greed for money. The nation, the people argue, needs leaders who will be open to wise counsel and that have a sense of national values. But not the present situation where 'we the people' are continuously bowing to the hoard of supporters and retinue of cronies of the politicians who must be catered for at all costs after elections.

This situation has led us to the use of consensus to resolve issues of candidates vying for nomination by political parties before elections. There is no doubt that it has been impossible for prospective candidates to acquire a party's nomination ticket without a consensus. These consensus decisions are not without controversy.

Incidentally, not everyone is speaking out against this because the process has helped

our political history. If Professor Jega wants to take any integrity home, he should resign now. The INEC must then be completely overhauled at national and state levels. We call for political socialisation and enlightenment for all politicians.

The mind-set of the politician which believes that politics is a do-or-die game, hideous power tussle and a mutually assured destruction for all, through the acquisition of power by all means must be completely exorcised from his/her political psyche. It is this murderous mind-set that constitute 99% of the problem, because they are insincere and want to win elections by any means, including but not limited to bribing INEC officials, thuggery, kidnapping, rigging, ballot box snatching, assassinations and manipulation of the judicial process.

We find that the vast majority of governors, legislators, etc, which we call our leaders are not really our leaders; hence they owe us no political obligation because they got to power through illegitimate means and not through our votes.

They therefore cannot meet our aspirations and needs. We call for the implementation of the recommendations on electoral reforms in the Uwais Report. The composition of the Electoral Commission should be the responsibility of a broad spectrum of Nigerians and not the exclusive preserve of the ruling political party.

We must have representatives from the Nigerian Bar Association, civil society organisations, labour unions, women organisations, students unions and youth organisations.

This will ensure a free and fair

,

2015 and the democratisation of democracy

Majority of our politicians see politics as a business and not service; more worrisome is that our politicians are good at setting ambitious targets before elections, but not good at meeting them

,

to improve the lot of the people in some instances.

While the arguments in favour of consensus as a result of ineffectual politicians is strongly held by beneficiaries and their supporters, non-beneficiaries and their supporters oppose it on moral grounds.

Others even feel it is in conflict with the principles of democracy. But is there anything unusual in consensus?

I

t is human nature that when faced with dilemmas, societies draw boundaries and carve out exceptions. In situations like this, such boundaries will raise individual opinions that differ or evolve for better or worse. However, in politics, politicians should be seen to reflect society, not just lead it.

Interestingly, for most people disenfranchised from the system, there is a clarion call for change of culture in our political leadership - nominating more of technocrats than core politicians to leadership positions.

The call for more technocrats in positions of leadership is based on the pace of change and development at the

electoral process and will help to lessen political tension.

The question of frivolous and sometimes marathon legal battles after elections have tended to alter our political calendar and precipitate political cataclysm in some areas (Anambra, etc). This is not good for our democracy. It is in the light of this, that we call for the harmonisation of the political calendar by ensuring that no one should be sworn into office or assume position until all judicial interventions and election discrepancies in the matter have been concluded. We believe as recommended by Justice Uwais that there should be an Electoral Offences Commission, EOC and that prosecution under the EOC should be by an Independent Prosecutor not by the fiat of the Attorney General of either of the Federation or the State.

The snatching of ballot boxes and rigging will be greatly reduced if elections are held simultaneously on all fronts across the nation.

The democratisation of democracy will be consolidated if we hold elections between 9am10am till 12 noon.

A voter can come for accreditation, confirm his name in the voters registers and go home.

From 11 am the voter queues up, collect ballot paper, go into the closet, do the thumb printing there and then bring the thumb-printed ballot paper to the open and drop it in the ballot box. The voting process can be over in just one hour.

The votes are then counted and the Continues tomorrow on pg. 18. *Mr. Gbinije, a social critic, wrote from Warri, Delta State.

presidential level or in states, for example, where their governors are more of technocrats than politicians. Their performances seem to mock politicians for their parochialism in terms of dividends of democracy to the masses. Parochialism in our politics has imposed huge costs in terms of governance, effectiveness, creativity and even missed opportunities to excel before seeking re-election.

With the economic situation biting harder on the masses, many believe that what Nigeria needs now are leaders - a team of technocrats - who can guarantee food security, set genuine performance targets, ensure quality education, improved electricity supply, committed to the creation of jobs in order to reduce poverty appreciably and also cut electricity and petrol/diesel prices. Such team must also do more to drive up private sector investment to create job opportunities. The people are tired of politicians who come with mischievous grin during political campaigns, only to abandon the voters shortly after winning.

Politicians losing out of consensus in many instances stir up friends, supporters against the decisions while their foes protest in support of consensus. No doubt, the issue of consensus arouses strong emotions from both sides of the divide.

After 15 years of politicians paying their way through to rancorous nomination tickets and unwilling to step down in the midst of poor performance, many Nigerians are beginning to understand how consensus works. Some are buying into the use, as we experienced during the just concluded National Conference set up by President Goodluck Jonathan.

As we approach the coming general elections, can consensus usher in the right candidates where neither politicians nor political compromise have failed the system, sustained status quo or eliminated political competition?

Mr. Ifode, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

48—Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMPER 8, 2014

It’s legal to gang-up against Jonathan — Balarabe Musa •Says conditions for credible polls in 2015 don’t exist •Accuses FG of conspiracy in abduction of Chibok girls

A

LHAJI Balarabe Musa, former governor of Kaduna State, in this interview, fears that the 2015 polls would not be free and fair because the conditions for credible election are not in place.

He also justifies northern leaders’ gangup against President Goodluck Jonathan so long as it is legal. He accuses the Federal Government of conspiracy and cover-up in the abduction of the 219 Chibok schoolgirls and urges the set up of a commission of inquiry on Dr Steven Davis’ comments on sponsors of Boko Haram.

Excerpts:

By Dapo Akinrefon

I

T has been 147 days that the Chibok school girls were abducted and all attempts to rescue them have been futile. Some say there is a conspiracy somewhere. Do you think so?

I think their abduction is very suspicious because we have to face the reality. We are dealing with politics particularly the 2015 elections, which encourages the incumbent to destabilise the country so that elections will not hold in 2015, in which case the

Is it true that there is a gang up by Northern leaders and elders against President Goodluck Jonathan?

It is legitimate and democratic politics. If you gang up against your opponent what is wrong with it as long as you are doing it legally?

•Musa: It is not possible for us to get over these national crises before 2015 government has not come out with any reliable information about the whereabouts of the girls.

There were some information a few months ago that international organizations have been involved in the identification of the whereabouts of the girls.

It is unfortunate that in spite of the involvement of the international security agencies, the girls are still missing. Nothing is convincing and if there is no government conspiracy, how can this happen? There is no information and action on the

,

It is also not possible for us to conduct free, fair and transparent elections in 2015 because the conditions for it do not exist and there are attempts to bring them about

provisions of the constitution will prevail. It means that the president will continue.

If the election is conducted for whatever reasons, it is rigged because of the insecurity in the country. The abduction of the girls is part and parcel of the Boko Haram and so, this is a serious issue because such thing cannot happen without the government getting serious information on the matter.

Everything is mysterious and nobody knows anything about the abducted girls. The

,

part of the government. There is also another aspect of it, there were reports that 57 of the girls had escaped and then, we now hear a lot of talks about these escaped girls. We don’t know where they are being kept, we hear also that they are being offered scholarship abroad. How sure are we that these are the girls being talked about? You see, everything is mysterious.

How do you see the allegations of Australian terrorism negotiator, Dr Steven Davis, that

former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika and former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff are sponsors of Boko Haram?

It is not impossible because it means there is a conspiracy for political reasons in the action.

Therefore, these allegations should be looked into.

Do you think the president has the political will to go after these alleged Boko Haram sponsors?

He may not even have the moral will because the government itself has been accused of conspiring with an interest to do this and to cover it up. There should be a judicial commission of inquiry over this because the political allegations are becoming very serious.

The Boko Haram insurgents have taken over some communities and towns in Boko State and also hoisted their flags there, what signal does this send?

First of all, it shows that the issue we are facing is not just insecurity but an attempt on the sovereignty of Nigeria. This is serious.

How can the activities of these insurgents be nipped in the bud because it is taking a dangerous dimension?

The only way we can do it peacefully because the government has lost moral credibility on this is to have free,

fair and transparent elections in this country.

For this to happen, we need to rely on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, but unfortunately, INEC is also part of the problem.

And so, the only thing we can do peacefully is to ask the National Assembly to do something about it and really ensure that there is free, fair and transparent elections leading to a legitimate government. If we can have a legitimate government by any means, we can successfully address this issue.

The Northern Elders Forum has given President Jonathan an ultimatum to bring back the abducted Chibok girls or forfeit 2015. What is your take?

This is nonsense because you cannot identify who these Northern elders are. You cannot identify their relevance because anybody can call himself an elder.

Those who can be referred to as elders can only be elected representatives of the people. In that case, they can be members of the National Assembly from the North or State Houses of Assembly and local government councils. These are the elders.

These are the ones who can legitimately represent the people. Let us forget about these sectional elders.

Ahead of the 2015 elections, a group has been going round the six geo-political zones of the country to hold rallies for President Jonathan. What is your take on this considering the mood of the nation?

I hold the president responsible for this act of gross misconduct and it is an impeachable offence because he is undermining the law.

Nobody can absolve the president of this because he cannot say he doesn’t know about it. He cannot deny authorizing it because these campaigns are being funded with the approval of the president. Here, Mr President is been charged with gross misconduct and an impeachable offence.

What are your fears for 2015?

It is not possible for us to get over these national crises on or before 2015. It is also not possible for us to conduct free, fair and transparent elections in 2015 because the conditions for it do not exist and there are attempts to bring them about.

So, it is either we do not have 2015 elections at all or the elections will be rigged.

I want to call your attention to what happened some days ago over a report by the media. The president was saying that the government will print the ballot papers for INEC. Now this shows clearly that INEC is not independent and the president wants to use INEC to rig the elections. If INEC is an independent electoral agency, how can the government print ballot papers for them in an election where the president is contesting? You can now see that the 2015 elections is a myth because INEC is not independent.

This goes to show that even if the 2015 election holds, it is going to be rigged and it will not bring about a legitimate government.

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMPER 8, 2014—49

Ngama; Ibrahim Talba, a retired federal permanent secretary; Alhaji Goni Aji, immediate past head of service of the federation, Alhaji Abu Gulani, the current minister of Science and Technology and leader of PDP in the state.

For the PDP ticket, Ngama, who is considered a leading aspirant will also have to contend with the late Usman Albishir’s group within the PDP family, which played a key role in his emergence as minister of state for Finance. President Goodluck Jonathan dropped him as a minister a few months ago to enable him pursue his governorship ambition.

Some prominent members of the Albishir camp on account of Ngama’s appointment defected to the APC while those who remained in PDP were aggrieved for no other reason than the fact that the former minister abandoned them after they supported him to get into limelight of Yobe politics.

However, the fight for the Yobe seat power, as of now seems to be between Governor Gaidam and Ngama.

To get the upper hand in the forthcoming contest, the PDP in Yobe state through its Youth Leader, Alhaji Ado Bomboy, has been criticizing Gaidam’s programmes, saying there is need for change of leadership which he claimed only the PDP can provide through the election of Ngama. Alhaji Comparing Yobe to PDP ruled states in the North-east, Ado said: “Comparing Yobe state with other neighbouring states like Gombe, Taraba, Bauchi, it can be said that the state did not progress to the level expected, the present administration has failed to implement the promises it gave the electorate, the inability of the present APC led government in the state to construct modern market, airport, provide accessible portable drinking water, youth empowerment among others as they promised, is enough to vote them out of officer come 2015.”

Countering, the APC insists that Yobe is a no-go-area for the PDP and vowed to retain the state in 2015.

horse trading. This is a legitimate component of the political process and to characterize such as conspiracy against an aspirant to any office is suggestive of ignorance of the political process and tyrannical arrogance by Chief Ikimi. It ought to be recalled that Chief Ikimi has not won any electoral contest since the beginning of the current civilian democratic dispensation.

His appointment as the chairman of the NRC during the military transition programme could be attributed to the influence of his high military contacts at the time.

Chief Tom Ikimi has by his own admission accepted that he has a personality trait that others perceive as arrogance which consequently repels people from him. If he knows this about himself, then he should work to change that perception rather than attribute his failure in an electoral contest to a phantom conspiracy theory. He might be a very successful worker but he needs to be popular to be accepted by voters whether in a general election or party election.

It does not require a seer to know that in a political contest between Chief Oyegun and Tom Ikimi the victor will be Oyegun because Oyegun has a more amiable

personality. A historical match up of the past electoral contest between Oyegun and Ikimi shows Oyegun to be the better of the two. Oyegun as the gubernatorial candidate of the SDP defeated Ikimi locally in Edo State and also beat Ikimi nationally when Oyegun’s candidate MKO Abiola won the presidential election by beating Ikimi’s NRC. Chief Oyegun and Ikimi are both independent and objective in their views but while Ikimi is militant and combative tending towards arrogance, Oyegun is persuasive and amiable.

It is a sad commentary on the Nigerian political elite that Chief Ikimi is leaving APC not because of any major ideological or policy disagreement but rather because he did not emerge as chairman of the party. What a myopic arrogant and selfish proposition.

In the course of his lengthy letter Chief Ikimi exhibited deliberate amnesia or propagated unqualified falsehood when he stated that he had been in the ACN, AC, and APC for 13 years struggling to form a credible opposition platform. ·Mr. Edwin Ikhinmwin, a public commentator wrote from Lagos

2015: APC, PDP

battle for Yobe The political atmosphere in Yobe state is getting charged as the electorates and politicians are divided over who to support ahead of the 2015 gubernatorial elections.

By Bala Ajiya

W

HILE some Yobe indigenes are rooting for the incumbent governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam for re-election, some politicians are canvassing for a change of baton, claiming that all the senatorial zones have produced governor except Zone C. Some political pundits are of the opinion that Yobe State, which has been ruled by the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), which merged into All Progressives Congress (APC) since the advent of democracy in 1999, which has denied the state federal presence, there is need to give the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) a chance in 2015.

Reluctant aspirants About seven months to the general election, none of the potential candidates of both APC and PDP has made any statement or declared his intentions to contest the 2015 gubernatorial

election. However, Governor Gaidam’s body language within the APC family in Yobe has in a way forced fellow party men to either bury their governorship ambition or seek alternative political platforms to actualise their dream.

A strong member of the APC from Zone C, who initially hobnobbed with the PDP to achieve his ambition of ruling the state is Senator Ahmed Lawan, who represents Yobe North Senatorial District.

Lawan is serving his second term as senator. He was in the House of Representatives for two consecutive terms between 1999 and 2007. He is considered to have soft-pedalled on his purported plan of defecting to PDP or to contest the primary election of APC with Gaidam.

Gaidam gets lawmakers’ boost What would have boosted the chances of other aspirants against the incumbent was diffused before it gathered

•Gaidam

momentum. The 27 members of the Yobe State House of Assembly have not only debunked reports that they were planning to impeach the governor they also passed a vote of confidence on him and endorsed him to fly the party ’s flag at the 2015 gubernatorial election.

However, the governor ’s endorsement by the legislators and some stakeholders in Yobe has elicited war of words within and outside the ruling party in the state. Those, who want Zone C to produce the next governor are especially bitter.

The PDP’s push Among those aspiring on the banner of the PDP are Yerima

Ikimi’s epistle of frustration

By Edwin Ikinmwin

O

N August 27, the news media widely published the press statement issued by Chief Tom Ikimi announcing his resignation from the All Progressives Congress, APC. In the statement, Chief Ikimi chronicled his stewardship in the APC and his hard work towards the formation of the party. He further discussed his ambition to be the chairman of the party and the reasons he failed.

In the process, he accused the governors of the APC, prominent members of the party and its current chairman, Chief Oyegun of conspiracy to thwart his ambition to become the chairman of the party. He further accused the party elders of being cowards in not being able to confront Asiwaju Tinubu over his so – called domineering posture in the party.

It should be conceded that Chief Ikimi has the right to aspire to any office in the land especially when in his opinion he has worked hard for it. Furthermore,

•Ikimi he has a right to be frustrated and to express such frustration in whatever way he liked for failing to achieve his objective.

However, he does not have the right to discredit respectable Nigerians just because he could not achieve his ambition.

Ikimi’s letter is a validation of why he could not be elected chairman of the APC despite his supposed hard work. An examination of the contents of the letter may reveal the reasons Ikimi could not become chairman

of the APC in a free and fair election devoid of imposition.

Reading from Ikimi’s letter and an unbiased review of the membership structure of the APC, one can identify at least five power centres; the Buhari bloc, Atiku bloc, Tinubu bloc, the Governors’ bloc and others.

None of these voting blocs in the party, acting alone, has the capacity to dominate the others.

Decisions like the appointment/ election of the party chairman and other party executives will require the consent of all the voting blocs or majority of them to be successful. In the absence of executive presidential powers as in the PDP, Tinubu has to be a superman/magician to be able to coerce the other four voting blocs to impose any candidate or decision on the party.

It is therefore self evident that the victory of Chief Oyegun and other members of his executive committee could only have derived from their popularity and acceptance by all or majority of the stakeholder groups of the APC. Party politics and election usually involve negotiations and

50 — V anguard Vanguard anguard,, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

BRIEFS

Ukraine: Truce shaken by new shelling

US to launch offensive against ISIS •As Arab League vows to confront militants

U

S President Barack Obama is to set out his “game plan” against Islamic State militants in a speech on Wednesday.

Mr Obama, who has been criticised for failing to outline a strategy, told NBC TV the US would degrade IS, shrink their territory and “defeat them”.

US jets bombed IS targets in western Iraq for the first time on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Arab League has vowed to take “all necessary measures” against IS, which has seized a huge amount of territory from Iraq and Syria.

The League gave its backing to a Security Council resolution passed last month calling on member states to stem the flow of weapons and money to extremists in Iraq and Syria.

Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Mr Obama said: “I’m preparing the country to make sure that we deal with a threat from Isil.”

IS, also often referred to as Isil or Isis, has taken over large swathes of Iraq and Syria in recent months, declaring the land it holds a “caliphate”.

Mr Obama went on: “On Wednesday, I’ll make a speech and describe what our game plan’s going to be going forward.”

He said he would “start going on some offence” against IS. But the strategy was “not going to be an announcement about US ground troops”, he added.

He said: “This is not

N Afghan judge has sentenced seven men to death for the gang-rape of four women in a case that has sparked nationwide outrage, with angry protests outside the court and proceedings broadcast live on television.

The men were all found guilty on Sunday of kidnapping and attacking the female members of a group that was driving into Kabul, the capital, from a wedding.

In a trial that lasted only a few hours, the death sentences were technically handed down for the crime of armed robbery.

President Hamid Karzai had earlier called

HERE has been fresh shelling near Donetsk airport in eastern Ukraine, raising fears that Friday’s ceasefire may collapse.

The truce held for much of Saturday but shelling in Mariupol, which killed one woman, was followed by the Donetsk airport blasts early on Sunday.

The truce and 12-point peace roadmap was signed at talks involving Ukraine, Russia, separatist rebels and the OSCE. Fighting in the east has left some 2,600 people dead since April.

On Sunday, Ukrainian security official Volodymyr Poliovyi said 864 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed since the conflict began.

Russia has repeatedly denied accusations by Ukraine and the West that it has been sending troops into Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions to help the rebels, who want to establish an independent state.

PALESTIAN: Abbas threatens to end unity deal with Hamas

P

•Seven Afghanistan men, who were sentenced to death yesterday in Kabul for raping four women the equivalent of the Iraq war. What this is, is similar to the kinds of counterterrorism campaigns that we’ve been engaging in consistently over the last five, six, seven years.

“I just want the American people to understand the nature of the

threat and how we’re going to deal with it and to have confidence that we’ll be able to deal with it.”

Mr Obama said the strategy would not involve the US alone but would be one pursued by an international coalition

Meanwhile, Arab foreign ministers meeting in Cairo for an Arab League meeting have vowed to take all necessary measures to combat the Islamic State group while agreeing to cooperate with all international and regional efforts.

North Korea sets trial date for US citizen

N

ORTH Korea is to put a detained US citizen on trial on September 14, state media has said, less than a week after Matthew Miller made a highly unusual televised plea for help from Washington.

Miller, one of three Americans being held in North Korea, was arrested in April after Pyongyang said he ripped up his visa on arrival at immigration and demanded asylum.

“The Supreme Court of

•Miller the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) decided to hold on September 14 a court trial on American Mat-

thew Todd Miller, now in custody according to the indictment of a relevant institution,” the official news agency KCNA said.

The statement offered no further details, the AFP news agency reported.

North Korea said in June it would put Miller and another detained US citizen, Jeffrey Fowle, on trial on unspecified charges related to “perpetrating hostile acts”.

Death penalty for Afghans in gang-rape attack

A

T

for the men to be hanged.

The court heard the men, wearing police uniforms and armed with guns, had stopped a convoy of cars in the early hours of August 23.

They dragged the four women out of the vehicles, robbed them, beat them up and then raped them. One of the victims was reported to be pregnant.

“We went to Paghman

with our families. On the way back, they took us, one of them put his gun on my head, the other one took all our jewellery, and the rest started what you already know,” one victim told the court.

EBOLA: US must fight now or face long-term risk — Obama

T

HE United States needs to do more to help control West Africa’s deadly Ebola outbreak to stop it becoming a global crisis that could one day threaten Americans, President Barack Obama said in an interview.

Obama told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that the outbreak, which has killed 2,100 people in

five African countries, was unlikely to spread to the United States in the short term.

But he added there could be implications if Washington and other powers did not send urgently needed equipment, public health workers and other supplies to the region.

“If we don’t make that

effort now, and this spreads not just through Africa but other parts of the world, there’s the prospect then that the virus mutates. It becomes more easily transmittable,” he said in the interview broadcast on Sunday. “And then it could be a serious danger to the United States,” he added.

ALESTINIAN President Mahmoud Abbas has threatened to break off a unity agreement with Hamas if the movement does not allow the government to operate properly in the Gaza Strip.

Speaking in Cairo ahead of an Arab League foreign ministers’ meeting, Abbas accused Hamas of running a shadow government and said he wanted a single authority and a single system of rule.

We will not accept the situation with Hamas continuing as it is at the moment,” Abbas said on arrival in the Egyptian capital late on Saturday, in remarks published by official Palestinian news agency WAFA. “We won’t accept a partnership with them if the situation continues like this in Gaza where there is a shadow government ... running the territory."

Egypt arrests seven over ‘gay wedding’ video

E

GYPT has arrested seven men for taking part in a gay wedding video that went viral on social media, accusing them of inciting debauchery and undermining public morals.

The seven were arrested on Saturday after appearing in the video purporting to show the country’s first gay marriage as two men exchanged rings surrounded by friends.

“Nine of the 16 participants were identified in an investigation and seven were arrested,” state news agency MENA said, without specifying whether the two men at the centre of the ceremony were among those detained.

The seven were remanded in custody for up to four days, accused of “incitement to debauchery” and “publishing indecent images,” MENA added.

The public prosecutor’s office said in a statement that the party took place in April but the footage went viral in August, causing the police to take action to identify the men.

Prosecutors said they had also ordered “medical tests” of the men, a longstanding practice in Egypt to allegedly identify homosexuals that has been denounced by human rights groups.

Denmark introduces rehab for Syrian fighters

A

N innovative rehabilitation programme is of fering Danish Muslims in Syria an escape route from the conflict zone and help getting their lives back on track without the threat of prosecution.

The programme, a collaboration between welfare services and police in Aarhus, Denmark’s second largest city, offers treatment for shrapnel and gunshot wounds and psychological trauma to returning fighters and humanitarian volunteers as well as assisting them with finding work or resuming their education.

The programme also provides support to the families of those already in Syria, ranging from helping them stay in touch via Skype to liaising with government officials, consulates and intelligence agencies to help get their relatives home when they decide they want to leave.

The scheme offers an alternative approach to the latest tough measures unveiled this week in the UK, where returning Britons already faced likely arrest and the threat of prosecution on terrorism charges.

51 — V anguard, MOND AY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 Vanguard, MONDA YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 TAURUS: Promise made to genuine personalities should be kept if not because of today but for better tomorrow. Be reasonable and clean.

GEMINI: Those of you willing to let go hard feelings at work are for a progressive day to the betterment of your finances. Let go yesterday, move ahead.

CANCER: Once again, you’ll have the needed opportunity to assert yourself to the administration of others. Both love and financial success can be yours with efforts. Reason with your tried and trusted friends.

LEO: You can make it a successful day with positive approach on your part. You will be in a better position to defuse tension within your working arena. Try to be more ambitious.

VIRGO; Yes! You’re not scared a bit even, when opposition and/or competition come your way but, if you give in to diplomatic approach, you’ll fare better today.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

L

OVE or hate the Americans, but there is one thing you can never take away from them -- and that is, the American spirit.

Everything they do, they put that American touch. They talk big, they act big. Have you seen American automobile? How do

The Niger spirit they look like? Big?, Like America, Nigeria too has her own spirit -- it is called the Niger spirit. This is the never say die spirit of Nigerian sportsmen and women especially in football. Notable among these is the Daman Miracle of

TERROR MUDA

1989 where Nigeria came back from four goals down to equalize in a game with socialist Russia and eventually won on penalties. However, Nigeria’s problem is that we have not been able to replicate this Niger spirit in every

in “Never say goodbye”

area of our national life.

In order to fulfill her destiny we must be able to reproduce the Niger spirit in all aspect of our life. And for this to be, every Nigerian must be involved from the least to the highest, from the president to the messenger.

By Lanre Kehinde

LIBRA: Pressure that came your way suddenly will give way unexpectedly, today, to the betterment of your course.

The more financially ambitious you are today, the better for you. Be steadfast.

SCORPIO: You sincerely believe in intelligent argument or discussion. And if you allow your ability to be diplomatic come to play today, you’ll be better for it. Enjoy your love life.

SAGITTARIUS: You’ll tend to become both creative and persuasive to the administration of others. Then those who’ve been resisting secret love may slip suddenly and become excited..

CAPRICORN: Even if opposition persists, supports you are getting from the influential people will be enough to see you through. Yet, the more cooperative you are the better.

AQUARIUS: Your creativity quotient within your working arena will today be enhanced. You’ll be blamed if you keep official issues secrets from your challenges at work.

PISCES: After a few tension soaked days, you’ll have the needed opportunity to look through windows of the world and have your way as well. Magnetic and/or magic days is predicted for lovers today.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

ARIES: Even if you continue to work under pressure via increased workload, you will have good results to show for your efforts today. Be steadfast.

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

What’s my Horoscope?

Dear Joshua, Kindly tell me how the planets lined up when I was born and the day of the week I was born but don’t publish my date of birth.. Please tell me my full horoscope Anonymous. Nigeria Dear Anonymous You were born on a Sunday.

YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA Day of Birth = Sunday Sun Sign = Scorpio. Sun in Zero Degree of Scorpio Moon Sign = Libra: Moon in 5th Degree of Libra Mercury in 12th Degree of Scorpio Venus in Zero Degree of Sagittarius Mars in 1st Degree of Aquarius Jupiter in 29th Degree of Cancer Saturn in 10th Degree of Scorpio Uranus in 27th Degree of Cancer Neptune in 25th Degree of Libra Pluto in 26th Degree of Leo North Node in 8th Degree of Capricorn South Node in 8th Degree of Cancer No planet in earth spar sign, one in available, two in fire, three in air, four in cardinal, fixed and water star signs hosted five planets each.

PHYSICAL INFLUENCE = 50% NON-PHYSICAL INFLUENCE =50% PLANET AT HOME = NONE ANALYSIS OF THE HOROSCOPE DATA You are both an intelligent and emotional person. And as there was no planet at home when you were born, too many ideas will always struggle for prominent place in your mind, thus decision making is difficult but most times, your intelligence comes to the rescue.

Certainly, you appear to other as a gentle person who can be mistaken for soft fellow but your inner-self is the personality with a steel like will power.

You are the consistent type who may find it difficult to change once you have made up your mind as indicated by distribution of the planets as written out in paragraph two of this exercise.

One major challenge you have been battling for a very long time is constant worries, some times, necessarily and the other time, uncalled for, as indicated by conjunction Mercury and Saturn formed when you were born.

Placement of your natal Sun (basic self head) and Moon (your sub-conscious self) in Scorpio and Libra respectively are indications of your being mainly Scorpio born person and partly in Libran. And that is to say basic characteristics of both Scorpio and Libra are highly pronounced in you.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

52 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

Vanguard CLASSIFIED ASEKUTU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Tina Asekutu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Perebiboere Tina Buku. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

A S U Q U O — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Eno Asuquo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eno Divine Micheal.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IFETAYO—I, formerly known, called and addressed as Miss Ifetayo Sade Franca, now wish to be known, called and addressed as, Mrs. Orim Sade Franca. All documents bearing my former names remain valid.

NYSC and general public please take note.

DADA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Yetunde Oluwatoyin Dada, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Yetunde Oluwatoyin Akintayo.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EKWERE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Precious Ekwere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Precious Christopher Ohunyon. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name

UZOUKWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Uzoukwu Chinonye Dorine, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. U g o c h u k w u Chinonye DorineOfoegbu. All former documents remain valid. IMSU and general public please take note.

OKOLI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Uchenna Radiance Okoli, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uchenna Radiance ChidiAnene. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O F O D U CHINENYE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ofodu Grace Chinenye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chigbo Grace Chimary. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKEKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nkiru Gloria Okeke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nkiru Gloria Ehighibe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OFOEGBU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Iheoma Gloria Ofoegbu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Iheoma Gloria Nnorom. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UMEH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Umeh O n y e k a c h i Scholarstica, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Asike Onyekachi Scholarstica. All former documents remain valid. RDA Asaba and general public please take note.

O D U N AY O — I , formerly known and addressed as Giwa Raliat Odunayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Giwa Silva-Ope Raliat Odunayo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EZIKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezike Ukamaka Nwanezeobi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ugwor Ukamaka Nwanezeobi. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

NWOKORO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chidinma Vivian Nwokoro, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chidinma Vivian Nguzoro. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

WHYTE—I, formerly known and addressed as Onengiyeofori Whyte, now wish to be known and addressed as Onengiyeofori Godson. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OSAKWE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Osakwe Nancy Mebizieogor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uzum Nancy Mebizieogor.

All former documents remain valid. Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and general public please take note.

ODUBA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oduba Ada Nkanu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwadiashi Debe Ada Nora. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OHAERI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ohaeri Chinwe Mikella, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nebeolisa Chinwe Mikella. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NDIDIGWE—I, formerly known and addressed as Ndidigwe Chinedu Vincent, now wish to be known and addressed as Nwaonu Chinedu Vincent. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

JEREMIAH—I, formerly known and addressed as Meshack Jeremiah, now wish to be known and addressed as Lawrence Ochoyo Jeremiah. All former documents remain valid.

Federal Po l y t e c h n i c Nasarawa, Diamond Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank, GTBank and general public please take note.

OZOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ozor Nwakaego Clarita, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Aligbe Nwakaego Clarita. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

A N YAG WA— I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Nneka Chimma Anyagwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nneka Chimma Anueyiagu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKONKWO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwamaka Augustina Okonkwo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwamaka Chisom Njoku. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

TOMA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Toma Benedicta Ogaga, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ekakitie Ogaga Benedicta. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ATU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Atu Itohan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Aigberomor Itohan. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

TOWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Esimaje Moses Towu, now wish to be known and addressed as Ejoh T. Esimaje. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IHRIEROMA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ihrieroma Emamuzo Loveth, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. M o g b o l u b e Emamuzo Loveth. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AFFE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Patricia Tejiri Affe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Patricia Tejiri Afe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKONKWO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okonkwo Awulika Patricia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Igwe Anulika Patricia. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EDUN—I, formerly known and addressed as Edun Kenneth, now wish to be known and addressed as Edun Gabriel. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OFOLU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ofolu Henrietta Efe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Diata Henrietta Efe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

APIO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Apio Waka Favour Edijala, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Obire Favour Edijala.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OSEJI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oseji Philomina, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Urhole Philomina. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UNOKODI—I, formerly known and addressed as Unokodi Sunday, now wish to be known and addressed as Chukwuedo Sunday.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name

LADELE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Mosunmola Ibidunni Ladele, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adelaiye Mosunmola Ibidunni. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

OGUNMADE—I, formerly known and addressed as Ogunmade Abimbola Roseline, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adedayo Abimbola Roseline. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

This is to confirm that the name Oghenetejiri Otejere, refers to one and the same person as Tejiri Otejere Idigbe.

All former documents remain valid. UNIBEN, WAEC and general public please take note.

I, Miss Okonkwo Adaeze Nnekusor Jennifer, am the same person as Miss Okonkwo Adaeze Jennifer and Miss Okonkwo Nnekusor Jennifer. All former documents remain valid.

Madonna International College, WAEC and general public please take note.

VANGUARD'S LAGOS OFFICES YOU CAN BOOK FOR ADVERT SPACE AT: LAGOS ISLAND OFFICE VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED (LAGOS OFFICE) K I O S K 4 8 , E A S T PAV I L I O N TBS, LAGOS.

OR: IKEJA OFFICE AT TRINITY MALL, 79/81 OBAFEMI AWOLOWO WAY, BETWEEN ZENITH & DIAMOND BANKS, IKEJA. CALL COMFORT ON 07031183371, OR CECILIA ON 08035449960

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 — 53

Babatunde tips Eagles to bounce back

AFCON Splash.... AFCON Splash....

Mashaba: Eagles are our nemesis B

E

AGLES midfielder Babatunde Michael says he expects the team to bounce back from their opening day loss to Congo in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

He believes the Nigerians will return strongly on Wednesday when they face South Africa.

“I strongly believe we will be stronger against South Africa on Wednesday.

“I believe we will do well in South Africa but we certainly have to play better than we did against the Congolese.

“The South Africans will have so much confidence now having won their first game convincingly, they know they stand a chance against us,” Babatunde said.

•Mashaba

Ghana penalty ‘dubious’—Ugandan coach

U

GANDA coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has blasted as “dubious” the penalty awarded to the Black Stars against his team on Saturday in Kumasi.

“Anyone can go take a look at the recording and see what I am talking about,” said Sredojevic, whose team held the home side to a 1-1 draw in a Group E tie of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier.

The Tunisian referee awarded Ghana a penalty on 47 minutes after defender Denis Iguma picked the ball and Waris Majeed went down in the box as the home fans also booed the decision.

Dede Ayew, son of Ghanaian legend Abed Pele, netted the penalty.

JUMP.....Burkina Faso’s Jonathan Pitroipa (R) eyes the ball as Lesotho’s goalkeeper Kuenane Mohau (L) makes a save on September 6 in Ouagadougou. Photo: AFP

LGERIA’S coach Christian Gourcuff was satisfied with his side’s performance against Ethiopia on Saturday, but believes they have plenty of room for improvement.

The Fennecs enjoyed a 2-1 victory in Addis-Abeba in their Group B opener of

the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2015 qualifiers, thanks to goals by Hilal Soudani and Yacine Brahimi, and took a provisional lead ahead of the game between Mali and Malawi which has been postponed to Sunday due to heavy rains in Bamako.

•Keshi

Eagles goal almost killed us — Le Roy

C

ONGO are head ed for the top if they remained humble, confident and

•Le Roy

Atsu blasts Ghanaian fans

G

We can do better — Algeria’s coach

A

AFANA Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba believes Wednesday ’s African Nations Cup qualifier against Nigeria will be a ‘defining moment’ for his team.

The national team arrived back in the country on Saturday morning and proceeded straight to Cape Town to start preparing for the game.

“We are meeting our nemesis but my gut feel is that all that [never beating Nigeria] is about to change.

Wednesday should be a defining moment,” he said.

Mashaba said that for an absolute change of culture, Bafana Bafana as the torchbearers had to lead the way.

“Of late, Bafana Bafana had become a laughing stock and had lost credit within the football standing and we need to restore that acclaim. We must bring back the pride to our national team and I am glad with the 3-0 win away from home. It is a beginning of that rebuilding process,” said Mashaba.

•Atsu

HANA winger Christian Atsu believes fans apathy contributed to their below par 1-1 draw display against Uganda at home in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

“We need the fans. We apologise to them that things went wrong in

Brazil. We are hoping that it will not continue like this,” the Chelsea-owned player said in a post-match interview.

“If they want the country to move forward, they should not look at what happened in Brazil but look at the future and make it better.”

mentally strong, according to coach Claude Le Roy. Visiting Red Devils of Congo recorded a huge upset when they stunned star-studded Nigeria 3-2 in Calabar on Saturday in an African Nations Cup qualifier.

“If we remain very humble and are confident, we can do many great things,” said the former Cameroon and Senegal coach.

“The early goal against us could have killed us, but our mental level was very high.

“I told my players not to be impressed by the record of Nigeria, who reached the last 16 of the recent World Cup and are the defending African champions.

“Our tactics worked as we worked on all the Nigerian players Ahmed Musa, Juwon Oshaniwa, Efe Ambrose - and the players did what we asked them to do.

“It was a huge result for us, but we now have to focus on Sudan,” he maintained.

54 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 — 55

Etafia warns Nigeria must be 120% vs Bafana A

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

G

REG Etafia has said Nigeria must give 120% if they hoped to get a result against South Africa in Cape Town on Wednesday.

Bafana are on a high after a 3-0 win in Sudan on Friday and will now fancy their chances against a Super Eagles team who were stunned 3-2 at home by Congo at the weekend.

Moroka Swallows of South Africa shot stopper Etafia has now said his native Nigeria must give their best against Bafana, if they hoped to win and get their AFCON 2015 qualifying campaign back on track.

“Bafana Bafana players were given confidence to express themselves, they are rebuilding and the fact that they

Continues from BP

•Etafia don’t have mandate to qualify means they are not under pressure,” said Etafia.

“Eagles must be at their best, give 100%,

Giwa

enjoyed some limelight by being part of the pre-match routine, he was barred by four stern-looking security operatives at the foot of the gate leading to the pitch.

“It was a sorry sight as he could only watch from distance the Cross River State Governor shake hands with the players of both teams before the kick-off,” reported a journalist, who covered the 2015 AFCON qualifier.

His only photo opportunity was with former Nigeria skipper Nwankwo Kanu, who was also at the game.

It was therefore understandable why he slipped away from the match before the final whistle by the Ghanaian referee.

FIFA have given him up till 7am Monday to vacate the NFF office in Abuja or else Nigeria will be automatically banned from international football.

Fashanu Continues from BP (Emenike) out, and starting with a player (Nwofor), who strikes no fear into the minds of the opposition, was a gamble that backfired.”

The former Wimbledon captain said for the Eagles to be at the Nations Cup next year in Morocco, Keshi needs to work on the defence line, which was shaky yesterday.

“It’s not looking good at the moment, but from what we saw in the second half, the Super Eagles are a good side in attack, but defensively there are so many issues.

“All the goals Congo scored are avoidable with some simple basics, but they weren’t there, if we are to be at the Na-

tions Cup next year then a whole lot of work needs to be done on the defence.”

Speaking on Wednesday ’s game against South Africa, Fashanu said the game plan should be about not conceding first before anything else.

“They should focus more on not conceding early because if they concede, the hangover of the defeat to Congo will demoralise them further.

“We have a good record against South Africa, but we must approach them with respect more than ever as they are on a high, winning 3-0 away, a new coach, a new mentality, they will be aiming to re-write history.”

even 120% to beat a very determined South Africa.

“Their danger man is (Sibusiso) Vilakaze, but they play as a team.”

Eagles off to South Africa

S

UPER Eagles have de parted Nigeria for Johannesburg ahead of a AFCON 2015 qualifier against South Africa billed for Wednesday in Cape Town.

The Eagles, who were originally scheduled to depart Nigeria for South Africa on Tuesday, however left last night for the crunch match against the Bafana

S the September 25 elective congress of the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) draws nearer, former international, Dominic Iorfa says he is the right man to succeed the immediate past president of the federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari whose tenure expired on August 25, 2014.

Iorfa who is also the chairman of premier league side, Lobi Stars of Markurdi told Sports Vanguard that having been involved with football all his life by playing the game, administering and coaching it, he has all the experience needed to pilot the now troubled NFF to a more prosperous future.

“You know that all my life I have been involved in football as a player for many years to management and coaching of the game.

Football does not need a professor to mange it but those who know the game in and out. I have the idea and very capable to run the federation at the moment”.

The former executive committee member of the NFF further reacted to the practice of most state FA chairmen to use their position to negotiate their entry into the NFF board only to hold on to their

Emenike Continues from BP prisingly omitted from the starting line-up as the Super Eagles began their march towards successfully defending the Afcon crown won in exhilarating fashion in 2013.

After the final whistle at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar Emenike ignored journalists in the mixed zoned.

He then delivered a foul-mouthed tirade and smashed a water bottle on the floor as he stormed into the changing rooms.

Most of the Nigerian players refused to speak to the press after the game as they trudged on with long faces to the changing rooms.

Scorer of Nigeria’s second goal, Gbolahan Salami however spoke very briefly about his strike

and the result.

“I feel happy and sad. I am happy I scored but sad that we lost,” he told supersport.com.

Nigeria coach, Stephen Keshi blamed his players for the loss and accused them of showboating rather than go for the kill after taking an early lead.

“We didn’t play our game. After the goal, we started playing to the gallery and we didn’t play with aggression,” Keshi said.

Nigeria must now dust themselves and improve quickly ahead of their next game against South Africa next Wednesday.

The Super Eagles currently sit in third place of Group A of 2015 Afcon qualifier with only a better goals difference ensuring they sit ahead of bottom-placed Sudan on the standings.

I have the experience to lead NFF — Iorfa status as chairmen.

According to him, the ideal thing is that when one gets into the federation, such a person should automatically seize to be the chairman of his or her state.

“For me if I win as the president, I will drop my position as chairman of Lobi Stars, but for now you cannot change that because it is what we have in the statutes and to change it means that after this election, you have to get the congress to effect such a change”.

Iorfa also disagreed with the notion that there are a lot of money to be looted in the NFF assuring that if elected, he will ensure that every amount of money at the federation would be used to develop the game which he insisted still has a lot of room for improvement.

He equally explained why the clubs have refused to play league matches saying if they had played, that would have amounted to an endorsement of the disputed election of Chris Giwa which he said the clubs do not recognize.

•Iorfa

Ebola

Continues from BP Ghana to a 1-1 draw away in Kumasi on Saturday, host Guinea in their second Group E match at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

Rugunda told the media in Kampala that Guinean fans will not be allowed into the East African country because of the Ebola scare.

“Although the majority of this team are from France, the risks of importing Ebola into Uganda from the few coming in from Guinea cannot be ignored,” said Rugunda.

“The delegation has been restricted to only 25 members. This will include all players, coaches and support staff. No fans will be allowed to accompany the players into the country.”

Keshi Continues from BP African champions in Cape Town.

Keshi has now called for support while hoping the Super Eagles could redeem themselves in South Africa on Wednesday.

“It’s football. Brazil lost 7-1 and we lost (on Saturday). Everybody is going to lose someday.

We cannot win all the games all the time. This is where we need the media and Nigerians.

They have to be behind the team, so that we can go to South Africa and win,” said a disappointed Keshi.

“I’m very disappointed. It was not just the result but the way we played in the first half. I was like a soothsayer because I saw it coming and I talked to the boys that they had to be aggressive and first to the ball.

“I’ve played against the Congolese team before and I know they play

tip-tap football. We scored the first goal and that was it. It’s a shame that we had opportunities, mostly in the second half, but we could not score.”

Keshi said the Eagles played with a lot more aggression but Congo frustrated them with their defensive and delay tactics.

“I told them (players) they were not playing their game. They were not themselves, they were not playing, they were second to the ball and they needed to change the mentality,” he said.

“They came back in the second half and you could see the difference. But if you are playing a team like this, they are going to come hard and park the bus. And that’s what they did in the second half. Who won’t do it?

“I can understand the frustration, the Congolese team delaying the game, killing the game. It became an anger problem and its part of the game.”

VANGUARD, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

Giwa ‘caged’ in Calabar •Must vacate office today or hammer falls on Nigeria

S

elf-acclaimed NFF president Chris Giwa was stopped by security operatives from parading himself as the country’s football boss at the UJ Esuene Stadium

Fashanu faults Keshi’s tactics J

OHN Fashanu has blamed coach of the Super Eagles Stephen Keshi’s tactics as the reason why Nigeria lost to Congo at home.

The ex England International said Keshi’s tactics from the start cost the Eagles dearly in the game.

“Stephen Keshi is one coach I admire a lot, but his tactics in the first half, and the players he selected cost Nigeria the game, “ he said.

“I understand the idea of resting players because of the South Africa game, but leaving your best striker Continues on page 55

•Salami

Ebola: Uganda ban Guinea fans

U

in Calabar on Saturday.

Giwa, accompanied by his henchman Victor Baribote, had boasted he will lead his “executive committee” to cheer the

Keshi: We can’t always win E

AGLES coach Stephen Keshi has said his team are now pressed to win in South Africa on Wednesday after they fell 3-2 at home to Congo.

South Africa are top of Group A after they won 3-0 in Sudan on Friday and they welcome the

Continues on page 55

GANDAN minis ter of health Ruhakana Rugunda has announced fans from Guinea will not be allowed into the country as only a 25-man squad from the West African nation is expected for a 2015 Afcon qualifier on Wednesday.

The Cranes, who held Continues on page 55

Eagles to victory in Calabar.

He was at the stadium quite alright, but just when he would have Continues on page 55

•Keshi

Emenike furious over Eagles’ loss E

•Emenike

MMANUEL E m e n i k e showed his furious side immediately after Nigeria lost 2-3 to Congo in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier on Saturday.

The striker was sur Continues on page 55

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Purchased (6) 5 Dangerous (6) 8 Flag (8) 9 Close (4) 10 Heated (3) 12 Strict (5) 15 Elderly (3) 17 Tear (3) 18 Sprite (3) 19 Garland (3) 20 Avoid (5) 21 Whim (3) 22 Beverage (3) 23 Expire (3) 24 Owing (3) 26 Shrill (5) 29 Fish-eggs (3) 33 Stupefy (4) 34 Burst (8) 35 Clergy man (6) 36 Totter (6)

DOWN 2 Surpass (5) 3 Crew (4) 4 Characteristic (5) 5 Beneath (5) 6 Sensible (4) 7 Feeble (5) 10 Perforated (5) 11 Commonplace (5) 12 Javelin (5) 13 Delete (5) 14 Penniless (5) 15 Tender (5) 16 Evade (5) 25 Express (5) 27 Evict (5) 28 Cheated (5) 30 Fat (5) 31 Formerly (4) 32 Crease (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Stem 4, Nap 6, Fete 8, Unused 9, Nature 10, Eft 12, Scrap 14, Allay 15, Rower 18, Arcade 20, Ailing 24, Dogma 26, Asset 28, Prong 30, Eel 32, Column 33, Averse 34, Edge 35, Yet 36, Yell.

DOWN: 2, Tonic 3, Mascara 4, Nude 5, Paint 6, Fatal 7, Terrain 11, Fee 12, Sea 13, Pod 16, Wed 17, Rag 19, Respond 21, Imp 22, Larceny 23, Gag 25, Ore 27, Exude 29, Nasal 30, Envy 31, Last.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. Advert Dept Hotline: 014544821; 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.