PDP govs kick INEC insists on card reader

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62358

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

We want our children back, 9 not rebuilding of school — Chibok parents, community

Chadian, Nigerien troops recapture Damasak, kill 200 insurgents 16

PDP govs kick as INEC insists on card readers

By Charles Kumolu, Gbenga Oke & Jude Opara

zPDP wants Jega's exit to follow public service rules zRECs meet tomorrow zTo look at complaints generated during trial run

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BUJA — THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday endorsed last weekend’s trial run on the card readers and resolved to use the device for the forthcoming general elections.

The INEC stance nonetheless, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governors were last night locked in a meeting in Lagos where they were articulating strong objections to the Continues on page 5

See Inside

DELTA GAS PROJECT

How Ijaw, Itsekiri struck deal COLUMNISTS:

•P.17

Why Buhari will not agree to a debate with Jonathan

Celebrating ‘Bloody Sunday' in America •P.59

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Mr & Mrs

VISIT: From left: Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd); former South African President, Mr Thabo Mbeki and All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential candidate, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) when he received the former leaders in his Kaduna residence, yesterday. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

Oando Qua Iboe production rises to 2,150bpd

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POCKET CARTOON

to vote, but such people will fill the incident form.”

Tomorrow’s meeting of the RECs would also appraise the distribution and collection of PVCs. The Election Management Body, EMB, had extended the distribution and collection of the cards till March 22.

On the newly registered YDP

VISIT: From left: Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd); former South African President, Mr Thabo Mbeki and All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential candidate, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) when he received the former leaders in his Kaduna residence, yesterday.

Photo: Olu Ajayi.

We don't want card readers —PDP govs Continues from page 1 use of the device.

The PDP governors, who had erstwhile deputy national chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George and other stalwarts in attendance at the meeting, Vanguard learnt, were also raising issues on the term of INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega.

Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, who was present, canvassed at the beginning of the meeting that Jega should leave office three months to the end of his tenure in accordance with public service rules.

The endorsement of the card reader was given at a meeting of the 12 national commissioners of the commission at INEC

headquarters in Abuja.

The meeting was presided over by INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega.

Yesterday ’s meeting came ahead of further preparatory meetings with the 37 Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs, who are in charge of the 36 states of the federation and Abuja.

The use of the card reader had divided the political class with the two major political parties taking divergent positions on the device. INEC claims the cards would stop multiple voting by ensuring that only possessors of the Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, can vote at voting points where the PVCs are programmed to.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had following last Saturday’s trial run,

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Focus 90 per cent of your time on solutions and only 10 per cent of your time on problems —Anthony J.D. Angelo.

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URING the American Civil War, a delegation of well-meaning patriots tried to impress upon the President, Abraham Lincoln, the gravity of the war. They implied that his administration was neither as wise nor good as it ought to be. He listened carefully, and then responded with a memorable anecdote.

A man travelling home one night during a terrible rainstorm had to cross a river. It was so dark he could not see well enough to cross the bridge.

Lightning flashed and he saw his way for the briefest moment. But there seemed to be more thunder than lightning. Finally, he decided to pray.

“O Lord, if it is just the same to you, give me more light and less noise.”

The delegation clearly got the point that the president needed more solutions and less complaining – more light and less noise.

expressed reservations, noting difficulties in the accreditation through the failure of the biometric confirmation among some voters.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, on its part said it was satisfied with the device and urged the commission to go ahead with the use of the card readers.

The issue, Vanguard learnt, came up at the meeting of the national commissioners and at the end it was resolved that INEC should forge ahead with the use of the device.

A source at the commission, who pleaded anonymity, told Vanguard that “the National Commissioners have decided to stick with the card reader following the huge success the machine recorded during the field test in some 12 states across the country last Saturday.”

A source equally said that the prospects of going back was now unthinkable as the commission had now crossed the bridge having also collected the Temporary Voter Cards from registered voters.

Tomorrow's RECs meeting

Tomorrow’s meeting of the RECs with Jega and the national commissioners will take another look at the complaints generated during the trial run.

A source said: “There is a huge possibility that the commission will allow voters whose fingerprints are not read by the device

The meeting is also expected to deliberate on the controversy arising from the forced registration of the Young Democratic Party, YDP. The newly registered party had recently demanded its inclusion in the ballot papers following a court order that compelled the commission to register it and include it as a participant in the forthcoming elections.

The demand, sources disclosed, would inevitably lead to the postponement of the elections given the fact that the ballot papers had been printed prior to the registration of the party.

One of the options being canvassed to INEC is to appeal the judgment of the court to register the new party.

The commission, Vanguard, learnt is expected to come up with a definite pronouncement on the way out of the emerging crisis.

Tomorrow’s meeting which was earlier scheduled for last week was postponed because the commission decided to wait till the conduct of the mock accreditation exercise which was meant to test the functionality of the card reader machines that is to be used to conduct the elections.

PDP govs meet to strategise

Governors present at the meeting which was holding at the Eko Hotel and Suites at press time were Governors Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Jonah Jang (Plateau), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) and Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo).

Also present were Mukthar Yero (Kaduna), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina) Liyel Imoke (Cross River) and the party ’s governorship candidate in Lagos State, Jimmy Agbaje.

Speaking to newsmen ahead of the meeting, Governor Akpabio, chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, said the card reader had proved to be ineffective and a burden to the accreditation process.

“We came here to brainstorm on how to win the election and how to take Southern Nigeria. We expect to win on the first ballot. PDP cannot panic, we have presence in over 120,000 polling units and PDP is a national party,” Governor Akpabio said before the meeting entered into closed session.

He said: “We are going

to discuss all issues. Unlike others, we have a responsibility to Nigerians. It is our responsibility, we will look at all the issues bordering on the election. Many have not received PVCs. Would you allow 80 percent to be disenfranchised?

“If the election had been held, there would have been serious opposition.

We have a responsibility to ensure stability. Even the press did not receive their PVCs. Supposing only 22 per cent voted, would the election have been credible?

We want to discuss and strategise to ensure we have free and fair elections.”

Sources also disclosed that the governors were going to raise strong objections to the card readers in closed session.

Governor Jang, speaking in that direction, flayed INEC for not test running the device in last year’s governorship election in Osun and Ekiti States.

Governor Aliyu in his perspective said Jega’s stay in INEC should follow public service rules which entails officers going on a three month pre-retirement leave.

Jega’s term took effect from July 1, 2010 and his term is expected to end on June 30, 2015.

Thugs hold Sambo hostage at BUK

By Abdulsalam Muhammad

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ANO — Vice President Namadi Sambo had a raw deal in the hands of suspected thugs in Kano, yesterday, when he was held hostage for 20 minutes before a negotiated settlement.

The incident occurred at the old campus of Bayero University Kano shortly after the number two citizen rounded up official engagement in the university.

It took the intervention of the Assistant Inspector

General of Police in charge of Zone 1, Tambari Yabo, before the vice president regained his freedom.

The drama began when dozens of heavily armed thugs who posed as loyal party men beat the security cover around the vice president.

Like a well rehearsed script, some of the thugs in unison chorused on top of their voices “Bamuayi, Bamuayi, Bamuayi” which means “we are no longer with you,” while others shouted "mungaji da aiki banza,” meaning "we are tired of the job."

Before the visibly shocked

Sambo could utter a word, an equally embarrassed AIG Tamara Yabo ordered his men to disarm the protesting thugs.

However, it was at this juncture that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stalwarts in the vice president's entourage moved in and demanded to know from ‘the boys’ why they chose to embarrass the vice president.

The thugs, explaining their position, told the vice president how they had risked their lives for PDP in the state, but that no one has paid them anything despite promises.

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Ericsson, Rwanda govt sign agreement on smart city initiative

Seven PDP govs in secret meetings with APC — OKOROCHA

By Olasunkanmi Akoni & diverted money meant to insure security men, especially those Monsur Olowoopejo

By Emeka Aginam

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ARCELONA, SPAIN— WORLD leader in Communications and technology and services, Ericsson has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, (MUo ) with Government of Republic of Rwanda on smart Rwanda project.

The project is part of the Rwandan vision 2020 and its subsequent mid-term economic development and poverty reduction (the EDPRS II) and the ICT sector strategic plan from 2013 through 2018.

The project is part government initiative that seeks to apply the power of ICT in the development agenda to transform the social and economic development of the country.

With the new development, Ericsson will provide ICT infrastructure to help Rwanda achieve its ICT for development vision, one village at a time.

Speaking during the signing of the agreement at the juist concluded Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona, Spain, the President Ericsson SubSaharan Africa, Fredrik Ledling, told African IT Journalists that the project is part of the vision to drive smart Africa.

According to him, “Ericsson will invest in ICT infrastructure and also implement the project. We are committed to helping other countries to build smart city.

We are happy to drive African mission to Rwanda. We will deploy smart solutions for Rwanda smart city initiative.

We are pushing to expand smart Rwanda to other countries. The focus is on education, health, agriculture, service sector, among others.

We are also discussing with other African countries in the same project”.

Also speaking, Jean Philbert Nsengimana, Minister, Youth and ICT, Rwanda said with the optimism that the project will enable Rwanada to achieve its vision 20-2020 agenda.

He said that structured deployment of ICTs can have maximum impact. Areas to cover in the project, according to him will include, smart education, smart healthcare, smart governance, , smart business, smart agriculture, agriculture, job, infrastructure, among others.

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HAIRMAN of All Progressives Congress, APC, Governors Forum, and governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Ojorocha said yesterday that seven Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governors were secretly holding meetings and strategizing in favour of his party for the polls.

This came as national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said the federal government has allegedly

fighting insurgency in the North East.

Okorocha, who spoke at APC campaign rally in AmuwoOdofin Local Government Area of Lagos, did not, however, name the PDP governors involved.

According to him, the action of the PDP governors further indicates that the ruling party was afraid of the APC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.)

He said: “Buhari’s victory has been sealed and delivered

and today, about seven governors who are not APC are coming to hold meeting with us privately. There is fear in the country and the fear was that they know that Buhari is a good man and he will win.

“They know that once the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC announce Buhari as the winner of the presidential election, all the bad people who are embezzling the country’s fund will leave the country at night. The fear of Buhari is the beginning of stoppage of corruption.’’

He noted that after Buhari

assumed office in 1983, he stopped open defecation before it became entrenched again and eradicated all forms of indiscipline.

Okorocha said the glory of the country would be restored because the change that gave rise to APC had started.

“PDP died immediately APC was formed and we scheduled the burial of the party for February 14 but they postponed it to March 28. We are waiting patiently to bury the party forever. But let me tell you that you can change the date of burial but you cannot change the burial. It must take place.

“The worst thing that can happen to any nation is to have a bad government and the worst thing that can happen to any family is to have a bad father.

“Today, it is obvious that PDP is a bad government and we thank God that we came together to change the bad government,” he said.

Tinubu knocks Jonathan for failed promises

PRESENTATION: Group Managing Director, Union Bank, Mr Emeka Emuwa (left); Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Digital Jewels, Mrs Adedoyin Odunfa; Deputy Director, UK Trade and Investment,Mr Bukola Dosunmu; and Head of Information Technology, Union Bank, Lucky Jayaratne at the presentation of ISO 27001-2013 Certification to Union Bank in Lagos.

CBN rejects proposed amendment of NDIC Act ...Says NDIC wants to usurp its role; ‘No, we’re only collaborating with them'

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Joseph Erunke

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BUJA—THE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday opposed the proposed amendments of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, Act, alleging that the Act was a deliberate plan to strip the apex bank of some of its regulatory functions.

But the management of NDIC said there was nothing new in the proposed amendments as most of the proposals had been on the Act, adding that the commission will not compete with the CBN, rather will collaborate with the apex bank to ensure sanity in the financial institution.

Speaking at a-one day public hearing on the “NDIC Act 2006, Cap N102 LFN 2012 (repeal and re-enactment) Bill, 2015” organised by the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial

Institutions in Abuja, the CBN, Godwin Emefiele, rejected the proposed amendments, saying it was capable of causing chaos in the financial sector.

The CBN governor represented by one of his deputy, Sulieman Barau said that the NDIC is risk undertaker and cannot seek to be a judge and prosecutor in its own case, adding that some of the proposals on the amendments bill seek to confer coordinate functions and powers on the Corporation.

He said there was the need to distinguish between an institution that was in the business of buying risk and other institution saddled with the responsibility of managing business.

According to him, an insurance company basically buys risks. It is an institution that manages risks and in position to ensure that risks do not happen, and advised that in this era of

global financial crisis, there was the need to address issues that border on conflict of interest.

The Managing Director of NDIC, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, in his presentation said even though disagreements exist, they were not seeking any role out of their lawful mandate and that what the Corporation was seeking for was the amendments to ensure safety and soundness in the banking system.

He added that the agency was not in competition with the CBN but however cherish its operational independence and mandate as provided by its Act. Ibrahim, who was represented by the Acting Board Secretary of NDIC, Delema Taribo said, “Yes, we may have disagreements here and there, we are not reinventing the wheel. I noticed from the presentation of Mr. Barau that apparently he may not be aware of the fact that a lot of these have been resolved and will be resolved.''

Also speaking at the rally, former governor of Lagos State and a chieftain of APC, Bola Tinubu, lamented that in spite of failing to fulfill promises made to Nigerians in 2011, the Federal Government, under President Goodluck Jonathan, was yet to apologise to Nigerians and explain the reason for the failure.

He said: “Jonathan never says to Nigerians, I am sorry.

Today, he cannot pay insurance for the life of the soldiers and the police who are working in danger. ‘’They have concentrated money in bribing people. The exchange rate is very high and he says he wants to make vehicles for Nigeria.

“Majority of Nigerian youths are looking for jobs. Six years ago, he appealed to Nigerians that he had no shoes and because of that people voted for him. The President has spent six years in office and he is yet to do what he promised Nigerians.

“He has failed in the area of power and that has affected many small and medium scale businesses. Today, they are asking for people to pay for electricity they don’t use. That is double jeopardy; money for diesel, money for electricity failure. Can we allow that one to continue? We need change.’’

While noting that the forthcoming elections was not about religion or ethnicity, Tinubu urged the electorate not to vote on the bases of ethnicity, tribe or religion.

“If a government has been there for 16 years and you don’t see progress, you must move out of that government; send them away. Enough is enough.

Failure is not part of us.

“Our brothers and sisters from East, there is no difference between us. The vote is about salvation, happiness and together in unity; we can rescue Nigeria and lead it to prosperity,” Tinubu said.

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CHIBOK GIRLS: We want our children back, not rebuilding burnt school — PARENTS

By Ndahi Marama

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AIDUGURI—ALMOST one year after more than 200 secondary schoolgirls were abducted from their school in Chibok, Borno state by Boko Haram terrorists and their school set ablaze, members of the community and some of the distraught parents yesterday rejected attempt by the Federal Government to rebuild the burnt school insisting that all they wanted was to have their children back home Federal Government officials led by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala had two weeks ago visited the Chibok community during which she announced plans by the government to rebuild the school that was burnt by the insurgents as well as resettle some of the displaced persons.

Some parents of the 219 abducted schoolgirls and concerned members of Chibok community however yesterday condemned the visit by the Federal Government officials and the pledge to rebuild the school, insisting that what they wanted was to bring back their children.

Addressing journalists in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital

which was attended by hundreds of Chibok people residents in Maiduguri, the Caretaker Chairman of Chibok Council Area, Mallam Ba’ana Lawan accused the Federal Government of making failed promises of rescuing their 219 abducted schoolgirls.

He also expressed dismay over the government move to rebuild Government Girls Secondary School, GGSS, Chibok which was destroyed by the insurgents after abducting the schoolgirls.

According to him, “It is disheartening to inform you that since the abduction of these girls, the Federal Government did not bother to send delegations to Chibok to sympathize with the parents, instead, the parents were invited to Abuja and conveyed in cargo military plane with no comfort whatsoever.

“We still observed that recently, President Goodluck Jonathan visited Mubi and Baga, but failed to visit Chibok to sympathize with our people.

“We also observed that the President and Chief of Defence Staff, Air Vice Marshal Alex Badeh had severally promised that these girls will soon be released, but it is now more than 300 days, and nothing has happened. We thank God and

appreciate Governor Kashim Shettima and his wife, Nana Kashim Shettima who not only visited Chibok when the incident took place, but also secured admission to the 59 schoolgirls that escaped from the Book Haram to study in various schools in the country and all assistance he has rendered to the parents.

“It is most unfortunate that Chibok

Local Government Area has witnessed six different attacks by insurgents and about 300 people lost their lives with property worth millions of naira destroyed, hundreds of houses razed down as well as food and cash crops looted. The most recent attacks being that of Gatamwarwa, Kautikari and other surrounding villages

where several lives were equally lost. Yet there was no response from the Federal Government.

“We therefore condemn the move by the Federal Government to embark on the reconstruction of the school (GGSS Chibok)instead of bringing back our girls as severally promised”.

He however appreciated the persistent efforts of the ‘#BRING BACK OUR GIRLS’ group in Abuja which has been mounting pressure on the Federal Government to intensify effort in rescuing the innocent girls as well as the media in their consistent effort to ensure that the girls are rescued.

INSPECTION TOUR: From left; DG, National Institute for Legislative Studies, NILS, Abuja Dr. Ladi Hamalai; Abuja Divisional Manager, Julius Berger Nigeria, JBN, Engr.

Harmat Warnecke; Chairman of NILS Governing Council, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, and MD, JBN, Engr. Detlev Lubasch assessing level of work during the inspection tour of the NILS Permanent site project by the Senator in Abuja yesterday.

SANs, politicians divided over move to prosecute Mrs Jonathan at ICC ...Amaechi to dispatch petition today

By Emmanuel Aziken, Dapo Akinrefon, Charles Kumolu, Gbenga Oke & Bartholomew Madueke

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OME of Nigeria’s top lawyers were yesterday divided over the move by the All Progressives Congress, APC to have Mrs. Patience Jonathan, wife of President Goodluck Jonathan prosecuted by the International Criminal Court over alleged hate speech.

The move which was derided by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP was, however, thumbed up by a number of Nigeria’s prominent political actors who said it would serve as a deterrent to other political actors from inciting violence.Among the lawyers who spoke on the issue, yesterday were constitutional lawyers, Prof. Itse Sagay, Mr. Frank Odita, QC and Chief Olisa Agbakoba.Political actors who spoke on the development included the speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salam, former Lagos State commissioner of police, Mr. Abubakar Tsav, Labour Party chieftain, Chief Frank Kokori, former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Junaid Mohammed and Chief Olisa Metuh, the spokesman of the PDP.

Mrs. Jonathan had at a PDP women rally in Calabar, Cross River State last week reportedly told her audience to stone anyone coming to them with the message of change. Change is the slogan of the opposition party, APC. “I’m telling you, anyone that comes and tell you change, stone that person,” Mrs. Jonathan had reportedly said.

The director-general of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, Governor Rotimi Amaehci had upon her assertion vowed to report Mrs. Jonathan to the ICC for promoting hate speech that he said could lead to widespread violence. He had drawn allusions to the ongoing trial of former Ivory Cost First Lady, Mrs. Simone Gbagbo, who is currently facing trial for similar allegations.

The letter to the ICC is to be dispatched today by email after being signed by Amaechi, sources in the APC campaign headquarters confirmed yesterday. A paper copy is to follow subsequently.

She adds no value to Jonathan’s re-election bid —Sagay Sagay, who spoke with

Vanguard on the issue, expressed displeasure over the First Lady, said the remarks was of poor taste.

He said, “I feel very sad given the level of the person it is coming from. It is extremely in bad taste because it is purely abusive and insulting, it has no value because it does not add to the value of the PDP. It does not enhance the possibility of the president being re-elected. It was a very bad insult and raw abuse, which is not expected of people of the status of the First Lady. I am extremely disappointed. It is below the status of the First Lady.”

I do not see how ICC would entertain such matter — Prof Fidelis Oditah, SAN, QC On what issue would the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, be dragged to the International Criminal Court, ICC? I do not know what the issue is, so it will be difficult for me to give my view. But if it is for allegedly mobilizing a hate campaign against the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari him, I do not see how the ICC would entertain such matter. So I do not

think anything has been filed.

ICC is made for more serious issues, not for political issues Dr. Olisa Agbakoba SAN I have actually not followed that story. But I do not know whether the ICC is the appropriate venue.

The worst case is to say that Nigeria laws can deal with whatever issue that APC is making. There are two ways to do it. First is to approach our national laws on defamatory so that you can go to court and sue the person. Secondly, they can say that she is criminally inciting. My point is that the ICC is made for more serious issues and not for political issues, for God’s sake.

Whatever the First Lady must have said right or wrong, the point is that there are national laws.

First Lady’s languages do not satisfy criminal wrongs in ICC — Chief Morah Ekwunoh Notwithstanding the highly abhorrent languages and phraseology of the First Lady on the person and office of the APC presidential candidate, same, stricto sensu, do not satisfy all the legal trappings and ingredients of criminal wrongs triable at the lCC in the terms threatened by APC. My view is that the APC threats are intended for political purposes only, and not founded in law,

except within the ambit and scope of the law of libel and defamation, actionable in Nigeria and not at Hague.

Matters that can lead to anarchy can be taken to ICC - Emeka Ngige, SAN I think anything one is doing now, once it does not conform to International Court practices, you can find yourself answerable in or outside the shores of your country.

And one of the issues that are taken to ICC are matters that could lead to anarchy, like seen in Ivory Coast.

She should be called to order —Tsav Supporting the move, Tsav said: “As far as I am concerned the decision of the APC is in order.

The First Lady is a woman who should have been on the path of peace. She recently started calling herself Madam Peace, but her utterances are not in line with such name. She even made statements to debase the north. That was insulting. It is wrong for her to say that Buhari is brain dead. It is wrong to speak about a former Head of State in that manner.

What she is doing is not different from what Mrs. Gbagbo did in Ivory Coast. We have had First Ladies in this country, and none ever conducted herself like the current one.''

10— Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

Why I asked Kashamu to contest Senate seat —CLARK

By Etop Ekanem

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B E O K U TA — E L D E R statesman and national leader of the Ijaw, Chief Edwin Clark yesterday revealed that he was one of those who asked Prince Buruji Kashamu to contest for the Ogun East senatorial seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Chief Clark, who disclosed this while addressing party leaders and faithful at the Goodluck Jonathan Political Centre, said he was buoyed by “Buruji’s commitment to justice and his love for the party and President Goodluck Jonathan,” adding that Kashamu is “a very intelligent person who has got the resources.

He cannot be bought over by anyone.”

He said he asked him to go to the National Assembly so that he will be able to continue to defend the interest of the party at the upper chamber.

Clark recalled the role played by Prince Kashamu and others in stabilising the PDP for President Goodluck Jonathan when those he called “the Gang of 7 rose against the President.”

He said he was not surprised at the crowd that came to welcome him despite the a 24 hours notice because, according to him, he knows Kashamu’s capacity.

Responding, Prince Kashamu expressed his gratitude to Chief Clark for visiting Ogun State and Ijebu Igbo, in particular.

He said the Goodluck Jonathan Political Centre was not built as a

commercial venture but a place for strategic political meetings and empowerment initiatives.

Kashamu informed the octogenarian that former Governor Gbenga Daniel sent his apologies for not being around to receive him as earlier planned owing to a situation that occurred yesterday morning and that he needed to personally attend to issues outside the state.

Chief Clark, who had been earlier received at the State PDP Secretariat in Abeokuta, by Aare Tunde Alabi, State

Secretary, Alhaji Semi Sodipo and Dr. Yomi Majekodunmi, among other party stalwarts, paid homage to the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, alongside his wife, Dr. Abisola Sodipo-Clark, who is the PDP candidate for Ogun Central Senatorial District.

The royal father noted that Mrs Sodipo-Clark was a true daughter of Egbaland and that her father was a member of the House of Representatives in the First Republic, adding that she was qualified to represent Ogun Central at the red chamber.

He prayed for her and wished her well in her endeavours.

Among the dignitaries who received the elder statesman were the PDP governorship candidate, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka; his deputy, Prince Tunde Makanjuola; State Chairman, Adebayo Dayo; party leaders, such as Chief Kola Ogunjobi, Alhaji Agboola Alausa, Otunba Adeleke Adedoyin, Chief Pegba Otemolu, Chief Fatai Ajibode, Elder Yemi Akinwonmi, Comrade Niyi Osoba and Mrs. Ibilola Solaja, among others.

CAMPAIGN: From left: Cardinal James Odunbaku, Deputy Chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, National leader of APC, Mr. Abdulahi Enilolobo, Chairman, Mobilising Committee, Prince Rabiu Oluwa, APC, leader in AmuwoOdofin Local Government, Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, APC, governorship candidate in Lagos State, during the APC governorship campaign rally in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

Dame Jonathan tasked over hate campaign

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AGOS—MORE reactions yesterday trailed the campaign comments of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, on the opposition party, APC, and its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

The First Lady had in her recent campaign in Calabar reportedly asked PDP supporters to stone APC supporters chanting the “change” slogan of the party and described Buhari as a man without brain at another campaign in Kogi State.

In a statement in Lagos yesterday, a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Mr. Oladipo Johnson, said such comments were in bad taste and capable of creating violence and ethnic division among the people ahead of the elections.

He expressed concern that instead of the First Lady to use her position to campaign on the issues in the elections, she had by her comments preached violence and resorted to character assassination.

He said: “It was simply in bad taste and unacceptable. The First Lady’s hate campaign must be condemned to let the world know how desperate the PDP and its

affiliates have become in their futile attempts to paint the opposition black and hold on to

power. But it’s all a charade and obviously the Nigerian people can see through such deceit and

have already made up their minds for an inevitable change come March 28."

‘Accessing bank loans, epileptic power supply, bane of small businesses'

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By Ikenna Asomba

AGOS—THE Creative Director of one of Nigeria’s fastest growing fashion stores, Elpis Megalio, Olufunke Afolabi, has lamented the inability of young entrepreneurs to access bank loans to start-up businesses, as well as the epileptic power supply in the country, describing these as the bane of small and medium scale enterprises in the country.

Speaking yesterday, at the opening of her fashion store, Elpis Megalio, sited at Idowu Fatai Arobieke Street, Admiralty Way, Lekki, Lagos, Afolabi appealed to the Federal government to fix the nation’s power problem, adding that banking executives should also enable young and growing entrepreneurs to access bank loans easily. This according to her will help create more jobs,

thus improving the nation’s economy.

Lamenting the situation, the lawyer turned fashion entrepreneur said: “At first, when I wanted to start this fashion business, I tried to get a bank loan, because I wanted a bigger space owing to my vision.

I spoke to some banks but they turned down my loan requests.

So, I had to downsize. At the moment, to start-up I had to use my savings, help from family and friends. Even before I thought of going to request for a loan, someone had told me that I won’t be able to get loan in any Nigerian bank."

Okorocha admits Ambode into Governors' Forum ahead of polls

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AGOS—IN an unprecedented move, the Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has admitted Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the governorship candidate of the All progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos into the Forum ahead of the polls scheduled for April 11.

The action, said to be prophetic, took place during the town hall meeting at Amuwo Odofin Local government yesterday where Governor Okorocha said he was very sure of the victory for Ambode at the forthcoming election as the people of Lagos have already accepted him.

He said: ‘’Ambode, a man with a track record of excellent performance who served for 27 years in Lagos as Auditor General of Local governments and later the Accountant General of the State is the best thing to happen to Lagos. ‘’He possesses the wealth of experience to take Lagos to the next level.’’

He charged all the Igbos in Lagos to cast their vote for this man of destiny who God has prepared for this season. He noted that their lot will only be better under an APC-led government in Lagos. He later presented Ambode and the deputy Governor candidate, Alhaja Adegbule to the people.

Ambode thanked Okorocha and all the people in attendance at the meeting. He promised to complete at least 25 roads in all the local government in four years. He also promised accelerated and all encompassing development for Lagos.

Bode George urges INEC to make contingency plan as Adams kick against use CARD READER:

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By Dapo Akinrefon

AGOS—Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George yesterday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to have a contingency plan in case the card reader for the 2015 general elections failed.

George, who said that there was need for a back up plan in case the readers failed noted that

“it is brilliant to come up with the card reader. But INEC must come up with two, three or four systems per polling unit as back up instead of saying people will vote the next day in areas where it failed.”

He argued that “there are millions of polling units across the nation which means millions of untested card readers for the Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs. Asking people to come back the second day may lead to chaos.”

Gani Adams kicks

Meantime, the National Coordinator Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, Otunba Gani Adams has kicked against the use of the card reader for the 2015 general elections saying it is aimed at confusing voters and disenfranchising voters.

He,however,assuredNigeriansliving in the United States of America, USA, that the forthcoming elections will be peaceful and violence free.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 —11

Fayose wants APC, Buhari to withdraw from presidential race A

By Gbenga Ariyibi

DO EKITI—EKITI State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has said that the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its presidential candidate, General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd), no longer have moral rights to participate in the March 28 presidential election having lied to Nigerians on several occasions.

According to a press statement issued in Ado-Ekiti by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the governor noted with dismay the contemptuous manner in which the APC and Buhari hold Nigeria and its people.

The governor, who vowed that Nigeria will never be ruled by deceit, said: “In saner climes, you can’t lie and be discovered to have lied repeatedly as done by the APC and still want to stand for elections.

“The new deceit from the APC is to use a photoshoped picture of Buhari for posters in Lagos, making him look like a 50-yearold man, whereas he is as old as my mother and cannot survive the rigours of office even as a governor not to talk of President of Nigeria.”

He noted that it was appalling that despite being found to have lied on several occasions, the APC has never deemed it

necessary to apologise to Nigerians for trying to deceive them.

His words: “First, the APC Vice Presidential candidate, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, a supposed pastor posted picture of Reinhard Bonke crusade on his Twitter Handle, claiming that the picture was that of APC campaign rally in Kano.

“Second, the APC claimed that Buhari made a surprise visit to Chibok and went further to lie that the people and parents of Chibok

girls were filled with hope and joy upon sighting Buhari and his entourage, and escorted him into Chibok with singing and dancing.

“Third, the APC cabal claimed that Buhari travelled to the United Kingdom on a working visit and used fake pictures to back up their lies that Buhari met with exBritish Prime minister, Tony Blair and had a television interview in London.

“Even when Buhari’s wife

admitted that her husband was in the UK to rest, the APC cabal went on with their lies, using pictures taken in Transcorp Hilton, Abuja as proof of Buhari’s activities in London.

“If a party and its candidate could lie so brazenly as done by the APC and Buhari, do they still have moral rights to want to rule Nigeria?

“God forbid, can Buhari and his APC cabals that are not truthful about their existence as human beings be trusted to be truthful to Nigerians if they take over power?”

FUND RAISING: Former Ogun State governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel (middle), former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro (right) and Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, at the fund raising dinner organised for Isiaka, in Lagos

I'll complete Amosun's uncompleted projects —Odunsi zAs 1,000 PDP, APC members defect to SDP

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By Daud Olatunji

B E O K U TA — T H E governorship candidate of Social Democratic Party, SDP, Senator Akin Odunsi has pledged that all uncompleted road projects embarked upon by Governor Ibikunle Amosun would be completed by his administration if elected.

Odunsi who was flanked by his running mate, Prince Segun Adesegun at Ijebu-Igbo Central Mosque, where he observed his Jumat service before he continued his campaign which spread to Ijebu-East Local Government Area, also promised that his government would make teachers’ welfare paramount.

Meantime, no fewer than 1,000 members of the Peoples

Democratic Party, PDP, and All Progressives Congress, APC, have defected to the SDP, at Sagamu and Remo North Local Government, Ogun State.

Receiving them at Ita-Oba in Sagamu and Isara Motor Park, in Remo North the state chairman of SDP, Chief Olu Agemo,

assured them of equal treatment, saying that in SDP, there’s no preferential treatment for any group or anyone in the party.

He said: “In our party, we espouse the ideals of democracy, among which are equity, justice and fair play. Everyone in in SDP enjoys equal treatment and

opportunities. No preferential treatment for anyone or group.”

In his remarks, the deputy governor, Prince Segun Adesegun, said that he passed through hell in Amosun’s administration, saying, that Amosun broughtintechnocratsandfavouredhis familymembersagainstthemassesthat voted him in.

743,367 yet to collect PVCs in Oyo

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By Ola Ajayi & Bukola Ifegbayi

BADAN—THREE weeks to the 2015 general elections, about 743,367 eligible voters are yet to collect their Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, in Oyo State.

This was disclosed by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ambassador

Rufus Akeju yesterday in Ibadan while fielding questions with journalists shortly after the presentation of voter education materials written in braille form to representatives of people living with disabilities.

According to him, out of 2,381,102 PVC’s the electoral

body received from its parent body, only 1,637,735, representing 68.78 per cent have been collected so far.

When Vanguard visited some wards where PVCs are being collected, there were so many cards yet to be collected despite the extension of the deadline by two weeks.

POLLS: APA

candidate vows to defeat Jonathan, Buhari

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—THE Presidential candidate of the African Peoples Alliance, APA, Alhaji Musa Ayeni, yesterday, boasted that he has received divine assurance that he will win the March 28 election.

Ayeni who spoke with newsmen in Akure said that his entry into the presidential race was in obedience to divine instruction from God. He was optimistic that he would defeat both the PDP presidential candidate, Goodluck Jonathan and that of the APC, Gen. Muhamadu Buhari in the election if the election is free and fair.

Ayeni, a former deputy governor in the old Ondo State and who hails from Emure Ekiti, Ekiti State, said his emergence would surprise Nigerians.

He words: “I came into the race because God directed me to contest the election. God told me categorically that I will succeed President Goodluck Jonathan and I believe what God says, hence, my resolve to contest the forthcoming presidential election.”

OYO GOV: Suit

challenging Makindes's eligibility stalled

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BADAN—A suit challenging the selection of Mr. Seyi Makinde as the Social Democratic Party, SDP, gubernatorial candidate for Oyo State was yesterday stalled at the Federal High Court in Ibadan.

Messrs Oluwagbemiga Boyede and Rasak Adegboyega, both SDP members, had instituted the legal action.

Also joined in the suit are the SDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The plaintiffs had claimed that Makinde did not participate in the party ’s governorship primary election conducted on December 6, in which Mr. Samson Aworinde emerged the flag bearer.

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

No plan to frame Jonathan, Wike with C4I operatives —POLICE

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State Police Command has denied the allegation by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that it planned to frame President Goodluck Jonathan, state governorship candidate of the party, Mr Nyesom Wike and some other chieftains of the party in a phoney crime, using one of its branches, C4I. Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Ahmad Muhammad, in a statement, said the C4I was a creation of the state Police Command in 2007 to tackle challenges of cultism, kidnapping and other related crimes, stressing that it had not deviated from that mandate.

The Police image maker said there was no truth in the allegation by the Rivers State chapter of the PDP. He said: “It is on record that C4I is a well-trained operational unit of the command established in 2007 specifically to tackle the rising wave of violent crimes in the state. The unit is under the strict control and supervision of the command’s Directorate of Operations and has recorded huge successes in crime prevention and fighting

in the state, particularly in terms of rescue of kidnapped victims, arrest of suspected vicious criminals, recovery of firearms/ammunition, stolen vehicles, illicit drugs and narcotics, feats which stand the unit out.

“As a matter of fact, the

command as a responsible law enforcement agency or any of its units, has no plan whatsoever to abduct, assassinate or frame and arrest leaders or members of any political party in Rivers State or to orchestrate political violence, chaos and anarchy

in the state. Therefore, there is no iota of truth in the allegations.

“The Commissioner of Police until now is not aware of the allegations. However, he has ordered an in-depth investigation into the allegations.”

MOU: Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (right) and Dr. Yemi Johnson of Cadiocare Medical Services Ltd, after they signed an MoU on the management of the Ibom 20th Anniversary Specialist Hospital.

Delta PDP not affiliated with Accord Party —UZOR

By Festus Ahon

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SABA—DELTA State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has described media reports linking it with Accord Party as mischievous, insisting that it has no affiliation with the Accord Party.

Chairman of the party in the state, Chief Edwin Uzor, in a statement, said: “The attention of PDP, Delta State chapter, has been drawn to a report in the media credited to one Chief Kainji Obia purporting that Accord Party is part of PDP in Delta State.”

Similarly, immediate past state chairman of PDP, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, yesterday urged the electorate in Delta North to discountenance the purported alliance between the party and Accord Party in the forthcoming general elections.

Continuing, Uzor said: “Chief Obia is not a bonafide member of the PDP. If he was, he should not be working for the opposition which amounts to anti-party activity, which the PDP in Delta State views very seriously.

“The PDP in Delta State is not in alliance with the Accord Party as it had earlier announced the suspension of its members seeking election in other political parties, including the Accord

Party. It is not true that PDP leaders in Ika South worked for the opposition in 2011, hence Chief Obia could not name any of the leaders concerned in the report.

“Members of the public should

discountenance the report in its entirety as it lacks merit and amounts to blatant falsehood,” he added.

Meanwhile, Uzor has wooed aggrieved youths in Oko Ward One back to the PDP fold.

Assuring youths in the area that the era of neglect for genuine PDP members was over, Uzor said that the act of a few leaders hijacking what was meant for party members would no longer be tolerated by the PDP under his watch.

Delta REC hails turnout in card reader test run

By Tommy Anaduaka

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ESIDENT Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Delta State, Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak, has described the large turnout of the electorate in last Saturday ’s demonstration of the use of the card reader for the forthcoming general elections as an indication of the readiness of the people and acceptability of the card readers for polls.

The state REC spoke with members of the Media Frontiers for Good Governance, MFGG, a group which ensures good governance at all levels, led by Mr Emma Fejokwu.

Elder Ikoiwak said that with the adhoc staff of the commission and other staff including some management officers trained on the technicalities of the operation of the card reader machine, any

eligible voter can easily be accredited within a space of five seconds before exercising his or her franchise during the election.

He remarked that with the smart card reader demonstration, Deltans have now overcome the initial fear of the use of the card readers.

N-Delta group drums support for Buhari

By Perez Brisibe

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GHELLI—A NIGER Delta-based advocacy group, Niger Delta Volunteers for Buhari, NDVB, has urged Nigerians, especially those in the Niger Delta region of the country, to vote for the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, whom it described as a symbol of positive change for the country.

The group, in a statement by its National Youth Leader, Onoriode Ojarikre, advanced 13 reasons why Gen. Buhari

should be supported to become the next president of the country, noting that with his antecedents as former Head of State, Buhari has the ability to stamp out corruption from Nigeria and uphold the rule of law to ensure that democracy and its tenets were clearly observed in the country.

He said: “Buhari is a man who has the political clout to position the country ahead of the challenges. We can trust this man to pilot the affairs of this country in a way that would benefit all Nigerians irrespective of ethnicity or religion.”

Emerhor meets with professional bodies

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ELTA State All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Olorogun O’Tega Emerhor, has met with professional bodies, civil society groups and nong o v e r n m e n t a l organisations at an interactive session in the state on how he hopes to effect changes in the governance of the state, if elected.

Speaking to the participants, Emerhor reiterated the determination of his party to bring the desired change to the state, adding that 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, government in Delta State has left a legacy of bad roads, uncompleted bridges, corruption, unemployment and lack of ideas.

He noted that funds from government and internally generated revenue alone cannot develop the state and assured Deltans that an APC government would be prepared to partner relevant development agencies across the world to bring the needed development to the state.

NDDC to tackle erosion in C-River Army Barracks

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IGER Delta Development Commission, NDDC, is to assist the military check the gully erosion ravaging some parts of the Eburutu Military Cantonment in Calabar, Cross River State.

Chairman of NDDC board, Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw and the Managing Director of the commision, Mr Bassey Dan-Abia made the pledge when they were taken round the erosion sites by the Commanding Officer of 146 Battalion, Major David Mamuno.

At one of the sites, a two-storey building which used to serve as living quarters for soldiers, was on the verge of collapse.

The road in front of the building was literally swallowed by a ravine that is now a big threat to the buildings around it.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015—13

Amaechi signs N388bn appropriation bill into law

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNOR Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, has signed the N388 billion appropriation bill passed by the state House of Assembly into law.

The governor, shortly after signing the bill into law at the Government House, Port Harcourt, said his administration will continue to work until the expiration of its tenure on May 29 this year.

The governor praised his administration, saying that he also recorded huge successes in the health and other sectors.

He said: “We will implement this budget until May 29. Nobody can say that we did not perform, from education to health sectors.

When people say our legacy is education, I laugh. The health centres that we have built all over the state are there as projects that will be remembered by all. The roads, if you remember when we took over, how narrow our roads were and how many motorable roads we had in the state.”

Drumming support for his All Progressives Congress, APC, in the coming elections, the governor accused the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of allegedly diverting funds meant for construction of some roads in the state, an allegation the candidate had consistently

denied in the past.

“I have not done a contract neither have I taken Rivers State Government money and refused to execute the job. I have said here that Nyesom Wike has the contract to execute the road project inside the stadium. He has abandoned the contract. He has collected N3.5 billion and has abandon the job.

He has not addressed that and then he’s accusing us. I am talking about abandoned contracts.

“I have told Rivers people that the road from Eneka to Rukpokwu was done by Nyesom Wike. The road is completely in a state of disrepair. That same man is going to Rumuagholu and saying he will do roads. Does he want me

to name the companies that he used to do the roads? The worst thing that can happen to a people is for the governor to be a contractor.

“The moment the governor is a contractor then everything is finished. That means, what you are seeing is an attempt to hijack the treasury of Rivers State and we will not allow that."

DEFECTION: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State (2nd left) receives Mr Edegbe Ugbogbo, former Peoples Democratic Party chieftain (left); Mr Victor Ekhator (2nd right) and Chief Osaro Idah, Secretary, APC Edo State, during Mr Ugbogbo's defection to the All Progressives Congress in Benin City, yesterday.

Ogulagha demands inclusion in $16bn EPZ project

By Godwin Oghre

Prof. Amos Utuama, as the head, was set up which reported that Ogulagha Kingdom owns the land on which the project is now located, but the report did not see the light of day. Since only the Itsekiri, the GbaramatuIjaw and even Illajes that are not indigenes were the people

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GULAGHA—AN Ijaw group, Movement for the Actualization of Rights of Ogulagha People, MAROP, yesterday, called for the inclusion of Ogulagha community in discussions on the ground breaking ceremony of the $16 billion Export Processing Zone, EPZ, project, warning of imminent danger in the area if they were not made party to the

By Simon Ebegbulem project.

The group, in a E N I N — statement by its GOVERNOR Chairman, Dose Adams Oshiomhole of Miyenkiriya, said: “We Edo State has accused were never allowed to the Peoples Democratic take part in the Party, PDP, of stoking discussions. We have religious sentiments to discovered that it was sway voters in the only Itsekiri agenda that forthcoming elections, was played out in the adding that in its meetings and we wish to desperation, the PDP has state that there will be allegedly bought some grievous danger if we are church leaders to preach not made party to the against the All project.

Progressives Congress, “A fact finding APC, and portray it as a committee with Delta Muslim party.

State Deputy Governor, Receiving a former

who took part in the meetings and not Ogulagha Kingdom that are the real owner, there will be no ground breaking ceremony for now.

“Therefore, if President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Minister of Petroleum, Governor

Emmanuel Uduaghan and some foreign investors deem it fit to go ahead with the ground breaking thinking that all is well, we wish to tell them that all is not well and that they cannot do the ground breaking without us because there will be trouble."

PDP preparing ground for religious crisis, Oshiomhole warns

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C M Y K

council chairmanship aspirant of the PDP and about 2,000 of his supporters into the APC, yesterday, Oshiomhole warned the PDP not to polarize the country along religious lines, saying that it was dangerous for the polity as both Christians and Moslems have been victims of PDP’s misrule in the past 16 years.

He alleged that the PDP has a documentary, which had been distributed to churches to the effect that General

Muhammau Buhari would Islamise the country if he was voted as the next President of the country in the March 28 election.

He said: “Some pastors after collecting money are now preaching that Buhari wants to convert the nation to Islam. When Buhari was Head of State with absolute power, did he convert Nigeria to Islam? Did he convert Dodan Barracks to an Islam enclave? Are there not Christian Generals all over the place?"

Emerhor to tackle insecurity with employment

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LL Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Delta State, Olorogun Otega Emerhor, has said that keeping Delta youths gainfully employed was the best way to solve the insecurity problem in Delta State.

He said that this informed his plan to set aside a N10 billion employment fund for women and youths to support small scale businesses within his first 100 days in office.

He said: “We have a lot of talented men and women who have skills but there is no money to encourage them. We want to attract businesses to the state. We will encourage businesses to come to the state and we want to make sure that each local government area has at least one major industry that will employ young graduates.”

Emerhor spoke in Effurun, Delta State, when about 20 groups of former PDP members defected and endorsed him as governorship candidate in the coming elections Spokesman for the groups, Mr. Ebah, said they have all decided to endorse the APC candidate because they were tired of supporting the PDP, stressing that in the past 16 years the ruling party has brought nothing but pains to the people. He vowed that members of the group will mobilise voters through out the state for the APC candidate.

14 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 — 15

EFCC arrests 2 over $2.25m forex scam

By Ifeanyi Okolie

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WO SUSPECTED fraudsters, Uwem Antia and Alhaji Yerima Suleman, have been arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for allegedly stealing $2.250 million from two bankers in a foreign exchange deal.

Vanguard gathered the bankers, Gladys Aginwa and Ale Dennis, fell for the fraudsters in February, 2015, when the suspects offered to sell forex to the tune of $10 million to them.

Spokesman for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said that after agreeing on the exchange rate, a sum of N672 million was transferred from BlueBeam Capital Investment Limited, Capital Field Investment and Trust Limited into the account of one of the bankers.

Uwujaren explained that immediately Antia collected the foreign exchange, he reportedly headed for Number 17A, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, where the two bankers and his accomplice, Suleman, were waiting for him.

However, rather than handing over the entire foreign exchange to the bankers, he only gave them $1million, claiming that he could not source the entire amount.

He said: “Findings showed that the entire sum of N672, million actually entered Antia’s account and A Bureau de Change operator who

changed the money into its dollar equivalent, told EFCC’s investigators that he went with Antia to his bank along Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, where the transaction was confirmed.

“The Bureau de Change operator further disclosed that he worked out the dollar equivalent

of N666 million, which was $3,127,000. He said he could only give $3,124,000 to Antia, leaving a balance of $3,000, which he promised to give him the next day.”

He was said to have allegedly promised to give them a balance of $2,250 million the next day.

And he disappeared thereafter.

COMMISSIONING: From left, Mrs. Angela Akinyemi, Olufunke Efosa Afolabi,Creative Director; Elpis Megalio, Mrs. Florence Afolabi, and Mrs. Adetola Adeleke, during the commissioning of Elpis Megalio Fashion House, at the Fashion House, in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

Igbo Youth Movement warns against post election violence

By Austin Ogwuda

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GROUP, Igbo Youth Movement, IYM, has staged a peaceful rally in Enugu, calling on the international community and Federal Government to caution supporters of the two

leading political parties against any form of postelection violence, especially within the Northern part of the country.

Founder of IYM, Evangelist Elliot Uko, who made the call weekend, explained that they decided to embark on the peaceful demonstration to

Ebonyi workers embark on indefinite strike

By Peter Okutu

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B A K A L I K I — ORGANISED Labour in Ebonyi State, yesterday, embarked on an indefinite strike over the non-implementation of the National Minimum Wage and payment of September 2011 salary by the state government.

In a statement by the chairman, Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Ikechukwu Nwafor, the organised labour union accused the present administration of its unwillingness to fully implement the payment of the new wage and meet other demands affecting workers' welfare in the state.

“Following Ebonyi State government’s unwillingness to meet up with the demands of organised labour, with respect to implementation of the

submitted report of the committee that revisited the table of the Ebonyi State Civil/ Public Service Salary Structure and September 2011 withheld salaries, the organised labour in Ebonyi State hereby declares an indefinite strike, effect from Tuesday, 10th March, 2015.

sensitise Nigerians on the need to eschew violence and blood shed during and after the elections.

Various placards with various anti- election violence inscriptions were displayed.

Uko said: “Over the years, especially in 2011, thousands of Nigerians, especially Ndigbo, were slaughtered in post-election violence, mostly in the Northern parts of the country.

“We pray and plead with our compatriots to remember that destruction of lives could lead to more disunity.

“Our message to those who usually pounce on Ndigbo, and slaughter us is, do not kill us again, because enough is enough this time, as there is always a limit to what a people can endure.

“Ndigbo have suffered over

and over in Nigerian riots of all shades and forms. From Maitasine crisis to Sharia riots, Igbo lives had been sacrificed unnecessarily.

“Our message to the Federal Government is to provide enough security to secure life and property, during and after the elections. We believe it is the duty of government to protect the citizens during and after elections.

“Our plea is that everything should be done to avert crisis; we do not enjoy being slaughtered like chicken. We believe Nigeria can hold peaceful elections without blood shed.”“Our plea is that everything should be done to avert crisis; we do not enjoy being slaughtered like chicken. We believe Nigeria can hold peaceful elections without blood shed.”

Enugu Prison houses 1,754 inmates against 600 capacity

By Austin Ogwuda

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NUGU — A total of 1,754 inmates are currently being housed at Enugu maximum prison, while 160 condemned prisoners have been on the death roll for years awaiting the hangman’s noose.

This startling revelation came from a one-day strategy meeting of stakeholders in the justice and prisoners welfare sector organised by the Catholic Institute for Development Justice and Peace, CIDJAP, in Enugu, weekend.

In attendance at the forum were the host, the Director of CIDJAP, Monsignor Ike Obiora, Anthony Ikechukwu Ani, SAN, the Attorney General and the Commissioner for Justice Enugu State, Sir Alloy Uchenwa, the Comptroller of Prisons, Enugu Prison, the Commissioner of Police, who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner, Mr. O. A. Oyekunle, representatives of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, and the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, among others.

The forum noted: “It is worrisome to discover that Enugu State maximum prison was established in 1915 with a capacity for 600 inmates, but is currently housing 1,754 inmates. ‘’Nsukka Prison was built in 1926, Oji Prison in 1992 and Ibite Olo Farm Centre in 1976. All these prisons are housing more than their capacities and the inmates are sleeping in turns in the cells that are meant for two but taking eight persons per cell.”

Court grants activist right to sue Service Chiefs, others over 2015 elections

By Bartholomew Madukwe

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FEDERAL High Court in Abuja, yesterday, granted leave to a human rights activist, Mr. Richard Akinnola, to seek for an Order of Mandamus compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,

the Service Chiefs and the National Security Adviser, NSA, from further postponing the March 28 and April 11 elections.

Justice Abdul Kafarati granted the leave following an ex parte motion filed on his behalf by Festus Keyamo.

In the suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/ 142/15 Akinnola is also seeking an order to compel the

Inspector General of Police, IGP, to provide men and materials for the security and protection of INEC staff and materials during the election.

The activist is seeking for an Order of Mandamus compelling INEC to conduct the scheduled March 28 elections, irrespective of “the advice, position or opposition of the 3rd to 6th respondents (Chief of

Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and the National Security Adviser.

Akinnola, who is a journalist and pro-democracy activist, is also seeking for on order of injunction restraining the Service Chiefs from further interfering with INEC conduct of the 2015 elections.

The suit has been adjourned to March 23.

16 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

Chief Stella Ajomo celebrates 70th birthday

From left, Chief Femi Asekun, Chief Yetunde Animashaun, and Mrs. Adenike Mabinuori.

Photos: Lamidi Bamidele

From left, Olori Ladun Sijuwade, Dr. Doyin Abiola, and Mrs. Leila Fowler.

‘Anatomy of Marriage' book presentation

Chief Stella Olubukunola Ajomo, Celebrant, and her husband, Dr. Olu Ajomo, during the Holy Communion and Thanksgiving Service to mark the celebrant's 70th birthday at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, yesterday.

From left, Mrs. Nta Lijadu, Mrs. Mercy Adeyinka, and Mr. segun Adeyinka.

Chadian, Nigerien troops recapture Damasak, kill 200 insurgents

By Ndahi Marama

M

From left, Chief Idowu Sofola, SAN; Chief Kayode Ogunmekan, and Chief Olayinka Ogunmekan, Author of the book, 'The Anatomy Of Marriage,' on how to make marriage work, during the book presentation at the Country Club, Ikeja, Lagos, weekend. Photos: Shola Oyelese

From left, Engr. Chief Manny Igbenoba, Aare Kola Oyefeso, Chief Sam Bolarinde and Chief Idowu Sofola

AIDUGURI — CHADIAN and Nigerien troops, yesterday, succeeded in liberating another Nigerian town, Damasak, the headquarters of Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State, killing over 200 Boko Haram insurgents, following a two-day “coordinated joint border military operations.”

The operations, according to reliable sources, involved both “aerial and ground bombardments” along the Nigerian-Nigerien border areas and Kumadugu-Yobe River Basin.

Confirming yesterday’s incidents, Colonel Nedurum of Nigerien military troops said: “Our two-day joint military operations with over 180 Chadian soldiers, were successful today, after the fleeing insurgents in Damasak and the ones along the Kumadugu-Yobe River Basin, were killed, including the destruction of their operation vehicles, some rifles and ammunitions used in terrorising our people in the border areas of Bosso, Diffa and five other villages in the border with Nigeria.”

He said the insurgents attempted to flee across the River into Niger, but Nigerien and Chadian soldiers, intercepted the terrorists at Damasak and three other villages along the Nigerian borders.

“The success of today ’s joint military operations was, however, challenging, as we had to block terrorists’ escape routes at the borders, when Nigerien military lost five of its members, while Chad lost 10 on Sunday and yesterday,” said Col. Nedurum.

He said 29 Nigerien soldiers were also injured and they had been ferried to a military hospital in Diffa.

In a telephone interview, he said “before today’s (Monday) successful joint military operations, these terrorists had been making life very difficult and frustrating to the point that many residents were killed in the last one or two months. But now our people can sleep with their two eyes closed.

Residents of Diffa, also told our Correspondent that they had been hearing sounds of artillery gunshots and explosions near Damasak and two other border villages on Sunday and early hours of yesterday (Monday).

According to Mallam Bunu Muktar of Diffa town, “the sporadic exchanges of gunshots and explosions at the border areas with Boko Haram gunmen, forced us to be awake throughout Sunday and Monday, because many of us feared that the insurgents could cross this River to attack and kill us as they did last week at a mosque”.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 — 17

I

N all my years of studying elections, I have never seen a campaign as bogus as that of Muhammadu Buhari. It is amazing that, for a man who is running for election as president for a marathon fourth time, Buhari is so bereft of ideas as to how he would do anything if he were to become president. Campaigning in 35 states, Buhari has spoken for a total of less than 60 minutes in all. Surely, he wants to be president; but he clearly has no presidential agenda.

Buhari’s blueprint for the presidency is similar to his Cambridge/WASC certificate; it is yet to be discovered. It is an article of faith of things hoped for by his admirers, the evidence of things neither seen nor articulated. No man becomes president of Nigeria on the basis of vain platitudes. No man becomes president as a result of social media blogs and soundbites. No man becomes president by giving two-minute speeches in craftilypackaged rallies, one minute of which is spent introducing his entourage.

Empty promises What would Buhari do differently to fight Boko Haram?

He would study the situation and restore morale to the military.

What would he do to restore the economy? He would increase the international price of oil singlehanded. What would he do to create jobs? He would build interstate highways in the middle of a drastic slump in Nigeria’s income in order to energise motor-mechanics and bukaterias.

Buhari says: “I will revive and reactivate our minimally performing refineries to optimum capacity.” How does he propose to do this? “I will provide one meal a day for children in public primary schools.” Where is the money to do this? “I will generate, transmit and distribute electricity on a 24/7 basis whilst simultaneously ensuring the development of sustainable/ renewable energy by 2019.” Is he now going to nationalise the GENCOs and the DISCOs? “I will make direct cash transfer of 5,000 naira to the 25 million poorest and most vulnerable citizens, if they immunize children and enrol them in school.” My o my! Did Buhari do the maths before coming out with this pie in the sky? This amounts to a 125 billion naira handout; nearly equal to the entire annual income of Edo State.

Style without substance: Goodluck Jonathan’s APC opponents like to denigrate him as “clueless.” But what shall we say of Muhammadu Buhari, a general who did not know the name of his running-mate; calling him Yemi Osunbade instead of Yemi Osinbajo. Buhari referred to Imo State as Ibo State. In an interview on CNN, he called INEC the Independent Nigerian Electoral Commission. He also called his party the All

Why Buhari will not agree to a debate with Jonathan Progressives Confidence. No wonder President Jonathan observed that Buhari cannot remember his own phonenumber.

Let’s face it: General Buhari has become an embarrassment to the APC. He should not be allowed to become a Nigerian embarrassment. An absentminded old man is not the kind of person we need as president.

Electing Buhari amounts to jumping from the frying-pan into the fire.

Buhari’s campaign elevates make-believe over reality. It asserts the primacy of propaganda over commonsense.

It proclaims the superiority of fiction over facts. Buhari and the APC need to be told some hometruths. You don’t build roads by attacking Goodluck Jonathan. You don’t create jobs by attacking the PDP. You don’t destroy the Boko Haram by undermining the authority of the commander-inchief of the armed forces. You don’t proclaim a mantra of anticorruption slogans, while being surrounded and funded by corrupt politicians.

Shouting change changes nothing. Change is championed by the young, and not by a 72 year-old retired soldier receiving cheers from a coterie of dyed-inthe-wool political dinosaurs. How

As a former coup-plotter, Buhari does not have the moral right to seek election as president under a democratic dispensation

can Buhari represent change from the PDP, when a large chunk of his change-sloganising APC members are poached PDP turncoats? How does Buhari’s endorsement by Obasanjo, a former PDP president, commend him as an agent of change from the PDP?

Counterfeit change Instead of change, Buhari’s agenda is the “same old same old” of the mundane and the substandard. I challenge APC supporters to point out one; just one, single original idea that has emanated from him. The truth is that it does not exist. Buhari is the master of the fluff and the bluster. He will fight corruption, but he cannot say how. He will revive the economy, but cannot say how. He will end the Boko Haram insurgency in no time at all, but he cannot say how.

In effect, Buhari is asking Nigerians to elect him on the basis of some voodoo that he will only concoct after the election.

Nigerians should not fall for this ploy. Buhari is an old has-been: banking on the forgetfulness of Nigerians and on our disregard for history. The APC has spent far more time strategizing on how to manipulate public opinion than on policy-formulation. Its manifesto is shallow and phony; a very poor cousin to Goodluck Jonathan’s well-articulated and unfolding transformation agenda.

On the basis of his performance in office, President Jonathan has done much better than any of his predecessors. His legacy is there for all to see in agriculture, aviation, road construction, education, health (especially Guinea Worm, Polio and Ebola eradication), railways, electricity and political reform through the National Conference. Those who are insisting he should not be given a second-term need to come up with cogent reasons why we need to change the stewardship of an economy recording one of the highest growth-rates in the world.

No wonder therefore that Buhari is running away from a presidential debate. His reticence confirms the view that he has nothing concrete to offer. Every excuse he and his handlers come

up with only further exposes their vacuity. One thing is for sure; Buhari cannot agree to a debate because his campaign is all smoke and mirrors.

Chatham house: Indeed, nothing exemplifies the bankruptcy of the APC presidential campaign more than the decision of Buhari to deliver a vapid speech in London, rather than engage Jonathan in a presidential debate in Nigeria. I am still looking for someone to explain to me the relevance of Buhari’s London junket to a Nigerian presidential election.

Britons don’t vote in Nigerian elections. Even Nigerians living abroad don’t vote. So what was the point of that charade?

Instead of giving a speech at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Lagos, Buhari chose the Royal Institute of International Affairs, in far-away London.

Nevertheless, nobody would mistake Buhari for a scholar. The APC presidential candidate has never written a book. He does not even have an article in a journal or newspaper to his name.

We have yet to sort out the nagging issue of his missing school-leaving certificate.

Indeed, his trip might have made more sense if it had involved a dash to Cambridge to secure a bona fide copy of his fictitious 1961 WASC results.

Buhari’s Chatham House speech was intellectually empty.

It was full of bells and whistles signifying absolutely nothing.

There was nothing newsworthy in it. It only made the news abroad because there was protest against him in the streets. From beginning to end, his speech was a flimsy rationalization of his dubious transition from dictator to democrat; and from coup-plotter against democracy, to presidential candidate in a democratic election.

Buhari is certainly not a Maitama Sule or a Barack Obama. By no stretch of the imagination can he be called an orator. His delivery was poor and laboured. His heavily-accented diction mutilated the English language, as usual. It did not help that he read his prepared text word-for-word; scarsely looking up at his audience. It is too late now to advise his handlers that he should have been hidden

behind tele-prompters.

Questions begging for answers: There were elephants in the room at Chartham House; nagging questions begging for answers. How would Buhari react as president if a military coup were to be undertaken against his government? Would he accept this in good faith, since he was also guilty of the same offence?

The truth of the matter is that, as a former coup-plotter, Buhari does not have the moral right to seek election as president under a democratic dispensation.

How can he justify jailing Odumegwu Ojukwu in 1984, even though Ojukwu did not hold any political office? How can he justify jailing septuagenarian Pa Michael Ajasin, an honest and upright governor of Ondo State that did not steal any public funds? How can he justify seizing Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s passport, thereby preventing the old man from seeking medical attention abroad; while he sent his own wife and children for medical treatment in the United States?

How can he justify killing Nigerians for committing a crime that did not attract the death penalty when they committed it?

How can he justify the jailing of journalists, even for writing truthful reports? Buhari is determined to avoid addressing such probing questions. But such questions are precisely what a political campaign is designed to answer. Frankly, Buhari’s past record is malicious and indefensible. He can keep running away from it, but he cannot hide from it.

Questionable health One question was answered fulsomely at Chartham House: Buhari does not have the good health or stamina required for the job of president.

After campaigning for barely one month, he needed a long rest in London. He literally disappeared for two weeks to recharge his batteries, bang in the middle of an election campaign. This is nothing short of bizarre. A man who cannot withstand the rigours of a one-month presidential campaign is not fit to be president of Nigeria.

Ekiti governor, Ayo Fayose, put it succinctly: “A man who campaigned for four weeks, speaking for less than one hour in all the rallies put together and needed to rest for 15 days should just stay at home and be playing with his grandchildren rather than struggling to take up a job that he does not have the required mental and physical strength to do.”

When Buhari finally returned back home, APC was foolish enough to organise a so-called One Million Man March (attended by barely one hundred thousand people) in Lagos; when it knew its presidential candidate was too old to march. Buhari was glaringly absent from the event.

To use the local expression, “he was nowhere to be found.”

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 POLITICS is replacing the attention our country needs to make progress. The biggest casualty is the people. Politics should focus on the collective future of Nigeria, a future that appears to be in abeyance. The consistent and flagrant abuses of individual and group rights, with a veneer of official seal, muddle issues to resolve Nigeria’s unworkable politics. These abuses have become features of our politics.

They are dangerous and must be stopped.

When last June the military seized newspapers with spurious excuses, few attached any importance to the abridged freedom of the business to operate or the rights of individuals to information. No apologies were offered for the seizures that were explained away as security checks.

When freedom of individuals is abbreviated, there are no explanations too.

We think the authorities should pay attention to running Nigeria well. Many issues deserve attention that the inconveniencing of some individuals should not be promoted to statecraft. Our people are suffering. Our country is at the fringes of global interests. We no longer elicit the type of importance we need to command relevance.

It’s Still Our Country An increasing tendency to “militarised” security increases tension, alienates the people from their governments, and creates the impressions of a country at war with itself. The quest for power, which is at the centre of these infringements, should have boundaries.

The disruption of the constitutional rights of people over power contests is illegal and an embarrassment to democracy. Politics that excludes people or deny their rights to association, belief and sharing these rights with others should not be encouraged.

Politicians should stop thinking their control of Nigerians is divine. These abuses

have no room in a democracy. The deployment of the military to act in favour of one side in a contest has deeper implications the authorities must contemplate. Our people are still clinging to promises politicians make each election season. The changes promised them have translated to more poverty, illiteracy, disease and deprivations.

It is unimaginable that while politicians are unable to improve the lives of our people, they gloat all over the place without concerns about the dictates of democracy and the tenets of democratic governance.

Illegal acquisition of arms and courting of security officials for personal use and particularly for the elections should be halted, no matter who are involved. Nigeria is more important than individuals’ ambitions. The militarisation of politics and the harassments should stop.

We deserve to live peacefully, without these abuses, and under governments that consider our welfare more important than seasonal electoral victories. The 2015 elections would deduct from the gains of civil rule, if they are all about breaching rights of people, just to contest office.

OPINION

By Nwobodo Chidiebere

I

N a political sense, conspiracy refers to a group of persons united in the goal of usurping or overthrowing an established political power. In the Nigerian context, political conspiracy can be defined as an amalgamation of entrenched parochial interest of a cabal or cartel to keep exploiting the nation at the overall expense of the masses.

The emergence of Goodluck Jonathan as Nigeria's President five years ago via divine orchestration, was greeted with a lot of positivism termed "Breath of Fresh Air". But the cabal which see Nigeria as an extension of their private estate swore to high heavens that they would never be alive and watch this man from the “creek” restructure this country which would shake so many of them off their privileged positions as political war lords and economic merchants.

Prior to 2011 general elections, the overwhelming cloud of conspiracy started gathering when some disgruntled elements of Northern extraction began threatening to make this country ungovernable if President Jonathan won the 2011 election.

The subsequent destruction of lives and properties by BokoHaram insurgents in the North today is seen as a fulfilment of that threat which forms part of well-hatched grand conspiracy to frustrate President Jonathan out of power during 2015 presidential election.

It is very unfortunate and disgusting that the international community, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC; APC; the Northern Elders Forum, the Media, ex-Generals, etc, have all bought into

Unending

conspiracy

this anti-Nigerian plot to rig President Jonathan out of power at all cost not minding the consequences this for the survival of a fragile state like Nigeria. The fact that President Jonathan is a Christian from the oil-rich Niger Delta fuels this conspiracy theory that the “wrong” person is occupying the seat of power in Aso Rock, exclusively reserved for the children of born-to-rule advocates. This beleaguered mindset that President Jonathan was born on the “wrong” side of the country is the main reason the Nigerian military initially found it very difficult to defeat insurgency in the North.

The moles which infested the military worked against the government’s efforts to defeat insurgency. It is no longer news that Boko Haram is a political creation of Northern elites in conjunction with international Western powers to force President Jonathan out of office by portraying Nigeria as a nation under the leadership of a weak leader who is unable to protect its citizens against Boko Haram. The opposition party, the APC, is also perceived in some quarters as part of this conspiracy to use insurgency as a strong campaign instrument to push President Jonathan and the PDP out of government.

Unfortunately, this menace has become an ill wind that is blowing no one any good. It is very condemnable the way and manner the APC has been discrediting the Nigerian

The Nigerian Media has bought into this conspiracy

military in the eyes of the international community as a weak force without considering the fact that terrorism is a global challenge, that all hands must be on deck to defeat it.

These are some of the thought-provoking and mind-illuminating questions plaguing the anxious minds of patriotic Nigerians whose allegiance are not to any political party, religion, sectional interest but the Nigerian state: Who are the sponsors of BokoHaram?

Why are Northern Elders sympathetic to these miscreants? Why would they demoralise the military by attacking its modus operandi whenever the Army is recording successes against insurgents? Why would America refuse to sell arms and ammunition to Nigerian and also going ahead to block the country from purchasing arms from other countries? Why is United States supplying arms and technical assistance to other countries fighting similar terrorist groups like Islamic State, IS, Taliban and Al-shabab but decline to help Nigeria to fight BokoHaram? Why are Western media houses like CNN, BBC, The Economist, Washington Post, New York Times, etc, always coming up with fictitious stories in order to discredit the Nigerian government under President Jonathan?

What offence has President Jonathan committed against the Western powers, especially the United States and Britain? Is it because he refused to surrender Nigeria’s sovereignty to former colonial masters, whose interests are not being service by President Jonathan’s administration? Is President Jonathan’s administration closeness

to rival world powers like China and Russia inciting Western powers against him? Why will a so-called beacon of democracy in the world be conniving with the APC to help a former dictator who truncated Nigeria's democracy in 1983 to emerge as Nigerian President under a democratic setting? Will the American government wish someone whose antecedents are like that of Gen.Buhari to become a governor in the US, let alone a president? Why are they wishing Nigerians what they could not wish themselves? Why did the US government react angrily when elections were postponed in Nigeria, knowing full well that the electoral umpire was not ready as claimed

by Prof. Attahiru Jega? Are they supporting the APC and INEC to rig President Jonathan out of power against the wishes of Nigerians? Only well-thought-out answers to these burning questions would assuage the agitated minds of Nigerians.

The Nigerian Media which is supposed to be the Fourth Estate of the Realm has bought into this conspiracy to undermine the present administration by under-reporting all its transformational strides that cut across every facet of the economy; while delighting in highlighting all the perceived weaknesses of the government. One may ask, why the Nigerian media celebrates the barbaric actions of Boko Haram members, at the same time being hostile to the military through the information they churn out for public consumption. These unpatriotic actions portray these media houses not only as wicked but anti-Nigeria.

*Mr. Chidiebere, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015— —19

By Sunny Ikhioya

A

MIDST the cacophony of voices, claims and counter claims by various shades of politicians, have we really paused to consider the type of elections we like to take place on the March 28th and April 11th respectively? Do we desire a truly free and fair election? Do we desire that every eligible voter must be allowed to cast his/ her vote? Do we desire that no one, no matter his standing, be disenfranchised? Do we desire that the elections should have a truly even and national spread?

If the answer to these questions is yes, then it is time to take a realistic view of the whole situation. Beyond all the excitement, is the need to tell ourselves the truth.

Is INEC really ready? What kind of election do they want to conduct? Apart from the efforts of the political parties, I have not seen real attempts by INEC to enlighten the citizenry.Thus, there is so much ignorance on the part of the electorate. What happens to those candidates who have changed residence during the period between registration and the election dates? Will they be allowed to vote in their new places of abode? What are the conditions for ensuring this?

Because the politicians are busy fighting themselves, iinsinuating various motives for certain INEC decisions, the obvious lapses and shortcomings of INEC has taken back stage. For

Posers for INEC example, but for the postponement, I wouldn't have succeeded in collecting my PVC. The first time it came out, I was told that my name was not in the list where I registered. I finally got my PVC a week after the February 14th date, the PVC was there lying fallow all the while, it did not take them three minutes to fish it out. If this happened to me, I wonder what the millions who have not been privileged to access these information face.

The quality and quantity of personnel engaged by INEC to conduct the elections will also determine whether the outcome will be credible or not. What type of personnel have they decided to engage for this exercise - both adhoc and permanent staff?

What trainings have they been subjected to? Is there enough to go round all the 774 local government areas of the country? Or, are we going to decide some areas by sampling techniques? What security or self defence training have been given to these staff? Do they have special numbers to contact when they are in danger or they will have their own guards and personal weaponry?

Some are canvassing that we exclude the military from the election security process. If the military are excluded, will it be possible for the Police Force to see the process through, given our present circumstances? Can they

By Aaron Ukodie

I

T is my wife who has been passionately involved in the social media arguments about the best candidates for the 2015 presidential elections. Observed from the social media stand-point, the campaigns pendulum seems to be swinging in favour of the candidacy of Dr Goodluck Jonathan. It was not so from the beginning. If you were following the social media and the traditional media commentaries in the early days of the presidential campaigns of the All Progressive s Congress, APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, you would conclude that the APC had the upper hand and Candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari would carry the polls if they were held then.

Even at this point though, my wife still insists that the seeming advantage that candidate Buhari enjoyed in the media and the various opinion polls that were conducted thereby, that suggested that Buhari was leading would not count much for him on election day. She pointed to a similar case in the 2012 United States elections where the Republican candidate Mitt Romney was adjudged, by the media conducted opinion polls, as being ahead of President Barack Obama. A CNN team of expert commentators had, however, drawn attention to those who cared to listen that the United States media opinion polls and rating should be taken with a pinch of salt because, according to it, a greater percentage of Republican supporters with better education and access to various media platforms were more likely to be involved in the opinion polls and media conversations than the Democrats would. This was a time when the majority of Black Americans, Hispanics and other minority groups were rooting for Obama.

She noted that the same scenario seems to be playing itself out in Nigeria. I agree. If you look at the media commentators you would agree with me that many are largely from the more educated and media savvy South West. This group of persons control a greater percentage of the media content and C M Y K

give adequate security cover to both the INEC staff and to those who decided to conduct themselves peacefully during the exercise? These questions are very necessary given the ease with which police security were disarmed in recent political campaign activities.

Talking about security, it is one area that must not be taken for granted by anybody. Remove the military from the streets, then we have anarchy in our hands and we must forget that Boko Haram is only a distance away.

I do not see how a truly credible election can take place in the North eastern part, in deed many areas in the country, without the military's presence.

INEC says that it is ready because it conducted the last presidential election with only 55% registered voters. The question is: Is this the ideal standard? What was the spread

The interesting thing about this election is the high level of awareness and competitiveness amongst the participants

of the voters across the length and breadth of Nigeria in 2011?

Was it then, as it is now, with the north recording almost double the PVC collection rate of voters in the south? If people did not complain about it then, maybe they have reasons to do so now as the stakes are higher. That is why issues of certificate, religious fundamentalism and democratic credentials have come to the fore. INEC must therefore be very clear and transparent in all ramifications as it releases information.

Again, we must ask the question, have all PVC cards been adequately and fairly distributed? It is rumoured that in the north, the PVCs are given to the traditional rulers on behalf of their subjects. Is this the ideal?

How do we fish out ghost PVCs in this instance? To collect your PVC, there is a section to be personally thumb printed by the recipient, how does INEC account for this, amongst the ones handled by traditional rulers?

Given the challenges the electorate face, why can't people be allowed to vote with their national ID card, driver's licenses as long as there are proofs of their legal Nigerian status?

Again, there is the debate on the use of card readers. What happens if the card reader develops fails, which is a common occurence once a little pin out of position; the reader becomes ineffective. Are we really technologically advanced enough and ready to use card readers in this election? We must

not play to the gallery, it is really verifiable.

For the approximately 60-70million voters, I doubt if it will be error free.

The interesting thing about this election is the high level of awareness and competitiveness amongst the participants. It is said that, those who seek equity must come with clean hands, it is therefore expedient for us, to encourage INEC to carry out a very transparent election. I have also noticed that despite our chanting from both sides of the divide, most of us have not received and don' t have PVCs. This group of individuals make the most noise. We are encouraged therefore to correct this shortcoming before the March 28 date.

If INEC conducts a free, fair and credible election, Nigeria's democracy will be very well enriched. We must therefore encourage INEC to do the right thing and not hide under any cloak.

They must carry everyone along, through proper enlightenment campaigns, transparency and effective collaboration with our security apparatus to see out a credible election that the whole world can acclaim as free, fair and credible.

This is to the pride of every Nigerian.

This is the task for Professor Attahiru Jega and his team. *Mr. Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

The presidential campaign swings chart the path of its conversation. Many of them have openly declared their sympathy for the APC that is obviously controlled by the vivacious Bola Tinubu media machinery and strategists.

No doubt, the APC campaign machinery, mostly on the media platforms, had been formidable. APC’s publicity secretary, Lai Mohammed, has been doing a yeoman’s job.

His message which he had harped on at every opportunity for the campaigns was that the PDP gave birth to and bred corruption; that its governors were never do wells and nothing good had ever come from the PDP states. He painted President Jonathan as a clueless, hapless and failed leader; one who could not fight corruption and that, with him as leader, Nigeria could never come out of the present mesh of insecurity. He even, at a point, succeeded in creating the impression that the Jonathan government gave birth to Boko Haram.

Most in the social media space bought into the product as marketed by Lai Mohammed and his team of publicists. Media commentaries latched on to the theme and went to town with these base opinions which mostly favoured the Lai Mohammed mantra. Many media commentators and opinion writers never interrogated the APC

The several endorsements that Jonathan now enjoys speak to where the pendulum is now swinging; the messages seem to be getting to Nigerians

messages leading some to suggest that many media practitioners may have been bought to tag along; a case of the payer of the piper dictating the tune. Initially the timid approach by the PDP publicity team which never countered the APC claims revved the APC engine. At a point, it appeared that the PDP campaign team and the Jonathan administration expected that the Nigerian media would motivate itself to finding out if APC’s claims about the PDP-led Jonathan administration were true or not. Those who watch the evolution of the Nigeria media are likely to agree that the days when the media set its own agenda and pursues it with altruistic gusto had long gone by. Some would argue that the Othman Dan Fodio aphorism: Conscience is an open wound, only truth can heal it, from which the Guardian motto: "Truth Nurtured By Conscience" was derived, has for many media practitioners become "Truth Nurtured by Coins". As it is now across the globe, the media most often pursues the agenda that is set for it by different interests.

The seeming silence of the PDP which for long would not sing its own songs and engage in self-praise gave vent to APC and its team of writers’ claims that the Jonathan government had done nothing to warrant a re-election.

But what has changed the game and is swinging the pendulum the other way? The PDP campaign, the behemoth that it is, has woken up and is now interrogating the APC claims through various adverts and advertorials and putting a lie to them.

The PDP is now coming out to tell Nigerians that contrary to the APC claims, the Jonathan PDP-led government and its governed states have achieved much and leading Nigeria on the right paths. Governor Godswill Akpabio is leading these claims with a documentary of his uncommon transformations in Akwa Ibom. The other day, the Bayelsa Governor, Seriaki Dickson, was on AIT to showcase the developmental strides in his state. The ministers who initially appeared to have watched from the

sideline have also entered the field, telling Nigerians that the Jonathan government has achieved much. This they are doing with visuals that they are putting on the media; some through painstaking documentaries in the broadcast media. The PDP now knows that it would take a long time to change the lie and half-truths that had been sold to the Nigerian voters and is flooding the media with these messages, though at great cost. PDP campaign messages have also gone ahead to tell Nigerians that corruption is not limited to the PDP ecosystem, but also a culture in the APC. The wrap-around messages are a great hit. Many Nigerians who do not watch television and may not buy a newspaper are likely to see the front- page visuals and messages from the newsstands, where many Nigerians mill around these days, and as vendors carry them along the roads.

They are telling Nigerians that candidate Buhari is not the purists, the democrat and the messiah that he has been portrayed by the APC spin doctors. Efforts by the APC media machinery to dissuade PDP from this line claiming that the approach did not speak to the issues failed. Beaming on the character of leadership had always been an issue of campaigns anywhere. It was for APC which for long vilified Jonathan's leadership character. When the lever came upon their candidate they protested. It would have been foolhardy for PDP to swerve off it.

This strategy seems to be paying off handsomely going by the change in the slant of commentaries that are flooding the media in the past weeks and many others on the street who are now armed with both sides of the story.The several endorsements that Jonathan now enjoys also speak to where the pendulum is now swinging. The messages seem to be getting to Nigerians. In the coming weeks, we hope to see the PDP campaign push out more of these messages.

•Mr. Ukodie, publisher of eWorld magazine, wrote from Lagos.

20 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

Confession of a kidnapper:

I abducted my brother to raise money for a car

By Suzan Edeh

T

HEY were young, ambitious and eager to be rich. And they also thought the best way to actualise this dream of joining the millionaires club was to take to kidnapping for ransom.

And not long after, the four teenagers decided to put their decision into action.

Unfortunately for them, it was a wrong and regrettable move to make as they are presently cooling their heels at the Bauchi State Police Command for kidnapping a three-year-old boy and demanding a ransom of N10 million from the parents.

The suspects, Salisu Abdullahi Salmanu, 19 years, of Kofar Idi, Bauchi; Imrana Abdullahi 17 years; Abdullahi Mohammed and Umar Musa, 19 years, were arrested by Police detectives in the state.

Vanguard Metro, VM, learnt that one of the suspects, Salisu Addullahi, said to be a cousin to the Federal

Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Bala Mohammed, kidnapped his younger brother, Abdulkadir Salmanu.

When he was paraded before journalist along with three of his friends, 19year-old Saliu Abdullahi Salman said the decision to kidnap his three-yearold step-brother was motivated by his desire to raise money to buy a car.

Hence, the N10 million ransom demand from his father. Salman, a 100 level student of the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, conspired with his friends in carrying out the evil act.

He said: “I am accountancy student of Federal Polytechnic Bauchi. Though my father is very rich, but any time I demanded money from him, he will refuse to give me. He usually would tell me that he has three wives and will have to cater for other children. So, I planned with my friends to kidnap my step brother who is three years old. I wanted my friends to call my father and demand for

a ransom so that when he pays the ransom, I can collect my own share and use it to buy a car.

“I want to be like my rich friends who have their own cars. I usually feel inferior when I am in their midst because I don’t have a car. I can’t understand why my father is so rich and yet will refuse to give me money to buy a car. I want

I planned with my friends to kidnap my step brother; I wanted my friends to call my father and demand for a ransom so that when he pays, I can collect my own share and use it to buy a car

*The suspects... After their failed mission to get N10 million ransom for a threeyear-old boy they kidnapped my rich friends to respect live an honest life and wait saying that they had no and accept me. So, in order patiently for his time to get intention of harming the to realise my desire, I the good things of life. boy. “We took the child not decided to kidnap my Another suspect, with the intention of brother”.

Abdullahi Mohammed, harming him but so we He, however, regretted told VM why he conspired could get money from his his actions, saying that with his friends to kidnap father and then release when he is released he will the three-year-old boy, him,” he said.

Continuing, he said: “We demanded for N10 million but his father said he could only afford to pay N3 million and we insisted it was too small. We finally the best way to fight crime church beyond the altar. agreed that he would pay is to make people That is why we are N5 million. If we had or well. The way the comfortable.

If somebody is travelling from one state to succeeded we wouldn’t engine is designed comfortable, he will not the other. Recently, we were have returned the money enables you to get clean think of crime because he in Kwara State where we but this would have been water with ease. Another is busy and gainfully held series of crusades to our last”. model of it is designed like Confirming the incident, engaged.

So the idle mind free people from both water dispenser which can the Police Public Relation is the Devils workshop.

For physical and spiritual generate water that can be Officer of Bauchi State it is when someone is idle bondages. dispensed as hot or cold.

Command, Haruna that he will think of “We have Okafor So, it also very cheap and Mohammed, said the wreaking havoc.

Foundation through which easy to install.” suspects were arrested by “So this project besides we reach the less “As a church, we are providing pure and clean privileged people. A lot of police detectives attached looking at how we would water, it would also give job students are benefiting from to Township Division . be able to give back to the He said: “On 28/02/2015 to our youths. This is my scholarship scheme.” at about 12.00pm, police society. The detectives attached to function of Township Division arrested church should one Salisu Abdllahi not just be to Salmanu of Kofar Idi for b u i l d kidnapping three years old auditorium and Abdulajdir Salmanu. collects tithe Abdullahi conspired with every worship Imrana Abdullahi, day, we have Abdullahi Mohd and Umar gone beyond Musa with four others that that and that is are at large in the kidnap why we are into saga.

They took this project to Abdubdukadir Salmanu to empower our Gwalameji in Bauchi and t e e m i n g demanded N10 million unemployed ransom from the parent.” youths.

The Police PRO said “There are a effort is ongoing to lot of graduates apprehend the other in our fleeing suspects. He said community. Year the police are investigating in year out, the matter after which the they are there *The wind-to-water machine. INSET: Chris Okafor suspects would be charged without job and

Safe drinking water? Wind-to-water machine to the rescue, courtesy of church

By Etop Ekanem

W

ATER, it is said, is life. But certainly not unclean water which instead of enhancing life shortens it by harbouring disease-bearing germs.

The dearth of potable or safe drinking with attendant prevalence of water borne diseases among the populace in Nigeria was a situation that had bothered a Pastor of Mountain of Liberation Miracles Ministries, Dr. Chris Okafor, hence he decided to do something about it. The man of God recently commissioned a machine that converts wind to water, which according to him, had exceeded the World Health Organisation, WHO, standard for safe/ clean drinking water. He said with the coming of the machines, the era of digging boreholes to get water would soon be over. has called on men of God to embark on projects that will be beneficial to indigent members of their churches.

Okafor who spoke

C M Y K

during the commissioning of the water machine, used the opportunity to call on men of God to embark on projects that will be beneficial to indigent members of their churches.

On the objectives of the church in procuring the wind to water machine, kafor said: “Right now if you go to many parts of the world, especially Africa, it is difficult to get drinkable water. For example what is packaged in nylon and sold as pure water is not actually clean.

“This is not just another kind of business but a solution to ensure that each family is able to get affordable clean water. You see, at times, it is reported in the media that most deaths recorded among infants are water borne diseases. So this wind-towater machine will meet the need of the people and quench their thirst.

“So the water harvester makes water production very easy. With this technique, you can generate your water without digging borehole

to court.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 — 21

CBN begins entrepreneurship programme for 500 IDPs in Adamawa

T

From left : Divisional Director, Large Scale Enterprises, Bank of Industry (BOI), Mr Joseph Babatunde; Chairman, Lufodo Productions, Mr Olu Jacobs; Group Head, Creative Industry,, Mrs. Uche Nwuka, BOI and Group Head Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hadeeza Olaosebikan after a meeting between BOI and Olu Jacobs at the bank’s head office in Lagos.

Terminal operators lament drop in revenue by 58%

By Godwin Oritse

M

EMBERS of the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) have said their income has been significantly eroded as a result of the sliding value of the naira and low import volume.Speaking over the weekend, STOAN Chairman, Princess (Dr.) Vicky Haastrup said at the current exchange rate of the Naira to the U. S. Dollar, Terminal Handling Charges (THC) have effectively been

$ 136.55

0.05

$ 2,995.00

-28.00

13.37

$59.40

-0.33

$49.78

0.41

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

-0.07

196 297.5672 214. 6004 200. 409 1.6329 0.3116 273.1776 31. 294 52. 2611 28. 7964 273.8708

CENTRAL 196.5 298.3263 215.1479 200.9202 1.6371 0.3216 273.8745 31.3743 52.3944 28.8699 274.5695

CBN Exchange Rate as at 9/3/15

C M Y K

197 299.0854 297.5672 201.4315 1.6413 0.3316 274.5714 31. 4546 52.5277 28. 9433 285.2681

eroded by 58% in value.“Most of our commitments are in dollars whereas we charge in naira but due to the devaluation of the naira, you’ll see that what we charge today is effectively 42 per cent of its value in 2006 when you convert to the USD.“This is significant for us because we now need more naira to fulfill our dollar commitments.“It might be recalled that in 2006, one USD exchanged for about N130 but today it is more than N220 to the dollar which implies a significant decline of about 65 per cent in the value of the national currency since port concession,” she said.Princess Haastrup added that the situation has been

compounded by a drop in cargo volume at the port since the beginning of the year.“Vessel call dropped by half in the first month of this year. Volume also dropped significantly by an average of 27 per cent across the various terminals.

Some terminals suffered more drop in volume than this,” she said.The STOAN Chairman said that only 29 vessels were declared for the Lagos Pilotage District (LPD) between the last week of February and the first week of March 2015.“This number includes tankers, container vessels, general cargo vessels and all. It is very unusual. Ordinarily, about 60 vessels would be declared within the same period” she said.

he North East Entrepreneur Development Centre (EDC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has commenced an entrepreneurship training programme for 500 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Adamawa.

The EDC Director, Mr Idris Bawa, made this known in Yola.

Bawa who said the training was in its second week, added that it was organised for IDPs selected from five camps in the state. He said a similar programme would be extended to 500 other IDPs in Borno. Bawa said the EDC was set up in 2013 by the CBN as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives to address the problem of unemployment through capacity building of Nigerians to manage successful businesses.

He said the centre decided to extend its services to IDPs to enable them start a new life based on a sound footing.

Bawa explained that participants of the EDC initiative were required by CBN to pay a commitment fee of N5, 000 each while a waiver was given to the IDPs due to their peculiar situation.

He said the firm handling the EDC training for CBN decided to offset the fees for the 500 IDPs in Adamawa as part of its corporate social responsibility.

Bawa appealed to interest groups, government and philanthropists in Borno to help pay the outstanding N5, 000 fees for the 500 IDPs in Borno.

The director said that the training, which was expected to build the capacity of the IDPs to start and manage successful enterprises, would also link them with financial institutions to access loans.

“After establishing their businesses, we will also provide them with free business advisory services for 18 months by monitoring and advising them whenever they faced problems, ”he said.

CBN maintains high interest rate with N2.1tr Tbs

By Babajide Komolafe

I

n an apparent bid to maintain the tight money supply and high interest rate regime in the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is set to mop up N2.17 trillion from the economy through sales of government securities.

This represents 170 percent increase when compared with the N1.2 trillion withdrawn from the economy through the sales of government securities from December 12th to the first week of this month.

This emerged from the government securities (treasury bills) programme for the second quarter of the year released by the apex bank on Friday.

The programme, which would run from March 19th to June 4th, revealed that the CBN would sell

N945.51 billion worth of secondary market (open market operation) treasury bills and N995.49 billion worth of newly issued (primary market) treasury bills.

Further analysis showed that the apex bank would sell N215.02 billion

In April, the CBN would sell N261.55 billion worth of OMO bills and N261.55 billion worth of primary marker bills

worth of OMO bills and N265 billion worth of primary market bills from March 19th to March 26th. In April the CBN plans to sell N353.09 billion worth OMO bills and N353.09 worth of primary market bills.

Also in April, the CBN would sell N261.55 billion worth of OMO bills and N261.55 billion worth of primary marker bills. On June 4th the CBN would sell N115.85 billion worth of OMO bills and N115.85 billion worth of primary market bills.

While the huge treasury bills sale would allow the CBN maintain curtail the amount of money in the banking system, hence reducing the supply of money available for lending in the economy, thus aggravating the high interest rate regime in the country.

But the high interest rate occasioned

22 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

Note also that saving money is not investing it. For example, you may choose to save specific amount of money and keep it under your pillow. The money will remain there in as much as it is not stolen. However what you saved or kept is what you will get

,

TOP 10 PERFORMING STOCKS

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

I

nterestingly, the list of top 10 performing stocks was dominated last week by the shares of banking stocks as they begin to issue their 2014 financial statements and accounts to the investing public.

This is also coupled with dividend payment that is already recommended by the two banks that have released their results and expectation of similar performance by others being expected.

Accordingly, Zenith Bank Plc, which released an improved financial performance, last week, topped the list, followed by United Bank for Africa Plc and Union Bank of Nigeria Plc. Others were National Salt Company, NASCON Plc, Ikeja Hotels Plc, Diamond Bank Plc, FBN Holdings Plc, Aiico Insurance Plc, Red Star Express Plc and Skye Bank Plc. Zenith Bank led with 18.98 percent or N3.34 price appreciation to close at N20.94 from N17.60 per share, propelled by reactions to its just released financials. The bank posted14.76 percent growth in its gross earnings to N403.3billion from N351.5 billion in 2013. Its profit before tax rose by 12.8 percent to N120 billion compared to N106 billion posted in the previous year, while the profit after tax rose by 8.6 percent to N99.5 billion from N91.5 billion achieved during the year ended 31 December 2014.

Consequently, the Board of Directors has recommended N1.75 as dividend for the year ended December 31, 2014. It was one of the 10 Nigerian banks that Fitch Rating affirmed their Long-term Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs), with stable outlook. Just last year, the bank issued a $500 million Eurobonds Notes from its $1 billion Global Medium Term Note programme, which was over 200 over subscribed. The bank since March 2013 listed on the London Stock Exchange, LSE, through a non-capital Global Depository Receipt, GDR, listing for greater accessibility b y international investors.

Zenith Bank is rated BB-/Stable/B by S and P, being the highest rating awarded to any Nigerian bank and in line with

the country’s risk rating. The Banker Magazine also adjudged the bank as “Bank of the Year (2013)” in Nigeria while World Finance named Zenith Bank as “Best Commercial Bank in Nigeria (2013)”. The bank has consistent dividend history to its credit, paying 95kobo in 2011, N1.20 in 2012 and N1.75 in 2013.

UBA followed with 17.29 percent or N0.60 gains to close at N4.07 from N3.47. The bank recently emerged winner in three categories of the maiden edition of the MasterCard Cashless Champion Awards. The bank won in three, out of six categories namely: Cashless Transactions Champion, which represents the highest increase between Q3 2014 and Q4 2014 in the number of Point of Sale (POS) transactions, Cashless Volume Champion, for having achieved the highest growth in the value (Dollar or Naira) of POS transactions between Q3 2014 and Q4 2014, and Cashless Cross-border Champion for the best improvement in international acquired volumes by enabling all its merchant locations to accept international EMV Chip and PIN payment cards.

UBN ranked third with 16.87 percent or N 1 . 6 6 appreciation to close at N11.50 from N9.84 per share. By the price appreciation recorded last week, Union Bank has succeeded in joining the league of banking stocks that have crossed the two-digit price level. With this, the bank has delivered 78.2 percent 52 week return to investors. Available unaudited financial statement of the bank for nine months ended 30th September 2014 showed that the group’s gross earnings fell to N74.8 billion from N79.9 billion recorded in the same period in 2013. Also, its interest income declined to N56.2 billion from the N60.6 billion in the third quarter of 2013. The group’s profit before tax, however, climbed to N8.3 billion from N6.8 billion posted in the previous year. Commenting on the bank’s third quarter activities, its Group Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Emeka Emuwa, has said: “Our third quarter activities were focused on continuing and consolidating our transformation efforts to ensure we maintain strategic focus in key areas and deliver operating results according to plan.”

, INVESTOR How about non-financial investment? (2)

By Babajide Komolafe

S

ome readers requested for non financial investments.

They want to invest but not in financial instruments like shares, bonds, bank deposits etc.

Before delving into the alternatives to these financial instruments, it is pertinent to understand that investment is basically lending your money to somebody that needs it and is ready to pay for borrowing or renting it. The borrower may use the money to start a new

business, expand an existing one, and finance an urgent business or personal need.

The financial institutions like banks finance companies etc play the critical role of linking those who want to lend (or invest) their money with those who want to borrow that money. The financial instruments (shares, bonds, bank deposits) are the formal means or methods of how the money is lent and borrowed.

To ensure the safety and interests of the lender

(investor) and the borrower, the financial institutions and financial instruments are heavily regulated by agents of governments such as the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Thus there are rules and laws that guide how money is lent (invested) and borrowed and any aggrieved party (lender, borrower or operator) can have recourse.

So with financial instruments, you are spared (to a large extent) the stress and time of looking for who is willing to borrow your money, and the fear or possibility of being cheated or duped. The laws and regulations also provide

MARKET NEWS

SEC, EFCC collaborate to check money laundering, terrorism financing

By Peter Egwuatu

T

HE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have agreed to to fight illicit financial flows within the Nigerian capital market.

The Ag. Director General of SEC Mounir Gwarzo, disclosed this when he received the Director of NFIU, Usani Francis in his office in Abuja .He also expressed the commission’s readiness to work with all relevant Government agencies and stakeholders to ensure strict enforcement of all applicable laws against money laundering or financing of terrorism.

Gwarzo said the need for collaboration with all relevant stakeholders has become necessary given the important role the SEC plays in the financial system and the need to effectively police the market and ensure that activities are properly scrutinized to enhance

integrity and confidence in the Nigerian Financial System. According to Gwarzo, “SEC considers compliance to anti-money laundering laws as an important factor in appraising capital market operators. From the onset, having a knowledgeable compliance officer is a prerequisite for registration of a firm that seeks to operate in the Nigerian capital market. Secondly, the compliance officer must prove during interviews to be very conversant with the

SEC considers compliance to anti-money laundering laws as an important factor in appraising capital market operators

anti-money laundering and counter financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) framework”.

Disclosing that the SEC had facilitated training for NFIU officers in the past, the Ag. DG indicated the Commission’s willingness to work with the NFIU to further build capacity through workshops or training exercises for compliance officers. He also noted that the responsibility of a compliant officer goes beyond knowledge of the relevant laws that govern their operations. “It is important that we collaborate to organize workshops for market operators especially the fund managers and the stockbrokers that deal with collection of money on the latest developments in the AML/CFT regime” Gwarzo stated. Speaking earlier, the Director NFIU, Usani Francis, said since they co-ordinate all the activities that have to do with money laundering and terrorism financing in Nigeria, the Unit is enjoined to cooperate with all Stakeholder Agencies to carry out its duties effectively.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 — 23

confidence, certainty and assurance that there is an authority in charge of the transactions.

Now while there are other forms of investment outside the financial market described above, they are also about lending your money in the form of savings to somebody that needs it or use it and return it to you with increased value. But because they are not as regulated as the financial institutions and instruments, they don’t provide the same level of security and confidence.

Note also that saving money is not investing it. For example, you may choose to save specific

The financial institutions like banks finance companies etc plays the critical role of linking those who want to lend (or invest) their money with those who want to borrow that money

amount of money and keep it under your pillow. The money will remain there provided it is not stolen. However what you saved or kept is what you will get. The case of Esusu is even worse. In this case somebody comes around every day or week and collects the saving from you for safe keeping.

However, the saving of the first day belongs to the Esusu man, to cover for his cost of collecting and keeping the money for you.

Meanwhile there is the risk that the Esuse man/women may bolt away with your money. If you save that money and lend it to a bank, you are spared the risk of losing your money and in the process you earn some interest on your money.

Furthermore, you may also decide not to lend the money to anybody or institution, but decide to invest it yourself in a business activity. In this case, in addition to the money you are investing, you would also have to devote time and effort to the business to manage it, so as to make profit. This of course is if you even have the time to do so. Meanwhile there is always the risk that your projections and assumption may not work, leading to failure of the business and loss of your money.

(To be continued next week)

Access Bank, WDC partner on technology empowerment for women

By NKIRUKA NNOROM ccess Bank Plc has collaborated with Wild Fusion Digital Centre, WDC, to empower Nigerian women on the effective use of technology to improve their economic and social status.

The bank in conjunction with WDC, weekend, organised a one-day training programmes for women themed ‘Empowering Women with Technology’ at Access bank’s Head Office in Lagos.

In his welcome remark at the event, the Managing Director/CEO, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, said the training is in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and International Women’s Day. Speaking on ‘Technology and the Nigerian Woman’, Mrs. Mobola Johnson, Honourable Minister of Communication Technology, said in rural Nigeria, 60 to 79 percent of the rural work force is made up of women but men are five times more likely to own land. She stated that irrespective of social level, where ever she has

A

access, the Nigerian woman will use (basic) information and communication technologies (ICTs) however, due to factors such as income, education and social position, fewer women than men own, access and use ICT. Johnson stated that the adoption will result in increased gender equality in households, markets, and society and future poverty reduction and economic growth for women in particular and Nigeria in general.

She added that women who adopt technology improve their businesses, while those who use and/or are skilled in the use of technology are more efficient and effective in their jobs.

“With technology the future of the Nigerian woman will be different as technology is helping to highlight, and also provide avenues for addressing, the systemic discriminations that women face in the country,” she said.

Speaking on ‘My Personal Experience using Technology’, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, a former Education Minister, said technology is the greatest tool of progression in efficiency that humankind has known throughout history.

,

S FORUM

We have always agreed that the Nigerian Stock Exchange should be demutualised, the council of the exchange has lacked the courage and the will power to pull the demutualisation bill through

,

INVESTORS SPEAK

Shareholders throw weight behind demutualisation of NSE

By Providence Obuh

S

ecurities and Exchange Commission SEC, the apex regulatory agency of he Nigerian Stock exchange , stepped up efforts for the demutualisation of The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), when it issued “Exposure draft rules on demutualisation of exchanges in Nigeria.”Shareholders in this interview have further •Adeleke backed the move.

•Okezie

own private estate but that the whole thing will go round to all Nigerians; everybody in the 774 local governments will have equity and be a stakeholder as soon as they demutualise the We have always agreed that the exchange and no individual or single Nigerian Stock Exchange should be organisation will own more than five percent demutualised, the council of the but the NSE and dealing member will have at exchange has lacked the courage and the least 30 percent stake holding because the will power to pull the demutualisation bill dealing members are owners of the stock through and it is not unconnected with exchange. If that has been carried out, for me personal interest because quite a number it’s alright and that will foster growth. Stock of them are trying to personally exchange is non-governmental, non profit manipulate and manoveur shares when organisation, so if it is demutualised and quoted it is eventually demutualised. I think that as Plc, they will begin to make money because is why they have not been able to pull now it belongs to private people. Nigerians who that through. With the SEC coming out own equity will have the council on the board to give out some guidelines will bring out on merit. It will foster growth in the capital some issues, I think the issue is not about market and people will have confidence. Even capital members or current members of if you are bringing government, they shouldn’t the exchange being allotted certain have more than five to ten percent given to percentage because that is where we are them. That is at the federal level so that the having challenges. When you say shares government can nominate somebody to be on are made available then there is no reason the board, because government raises bond and why you should allot certain percentage equity on the market which qualifies it to to anybody, you allow the market to nominate somebody to represent its interest on determine the flow of that particular the board. This is the only way but they should shares. People have right to buy and sell, go back to the working paper by the former there are normal processes of allocation DG of the exchange, it has degree of SEC to the exchange.

The of shares. We are in tune with the demutualise demutualisation must come from within the demutualisation, we are okay if SEC has suddenly found the courage to do the exchange. If there is a working paper already needful which Arunmah Oteh failed given to the council by the former DG and woefully to do after five years. We are also council for approval, what SEC should do is to saying that the entire product can be fine- revisit the working paper and find out the tuned such that the possession of the understanding they have reached in the past shares will go through the normal course and start from there to work out the where people have access. You can demutualisation process not imposing new ideas. The idea should be restrict people in terms of regenerated so that no Nigerian stealing but we dont want one will be marginalised or sidelined. person to corner it.

The paper is already there. They It will should go back and revisit that Mr. Boniface Okezie, paper, if they work on that foster President of the Progressive template it will be better for Shareholders Association of growth in everybody and it will attract Nigeria the capital confidence among foreign and would be foreign market and investors I don’t have any disapproval investors and the local investors of demutualisation as long as people will as well, so there is going to be the process will carry all transparency in that order. But if have Nigerians along and as long as they go against that agreement soon as they demutualise; one confidence earlier reached then they might person will not own Nigerian be open to something else.

Stock Exchange, convert it as his Mr. Adebayo Adeleke, General Secretary, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, ISAN

24 — Vanguard, TUESDAY,

MARCH 10, 2015

Nigeria loses N8bn to gas pipeline vandalism

By Michael Eboh

N

IGERIA has lost a mini mum of N8.04 billion since January, to the incessant vandalism of the country’s gas pipelines, according to the Nigerian Gas Company, NGC, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. Speaking at a press briefing in Warri, Delta State, the Managing Director, NGC, Mr. Dafe Sejebor, disclosed that since the beginning of this year the country has witnessed an unprecedented increase in the spate of gas pipeline vandalism.

He added that within the last two months, it has recorded three major attacks on its pipeline network, mainly in the Niger Delta region.

According to Sejebor, who was represented by Executive Director, Services, Mr. Joseph Olisa, “whenever these pipelines are sabotaged, we are forced to shut down the pipeline, and we defer a minimum of 200 million Standard Cubic Feet, SCF, of gas per day.”

He put the average price of gas at $3 per unit of1,000 scf, adding that it takes an average of two weeks to repair the damage, and an average of one week to locate the damaged spot and mobilise personnel, equipment and materials to site.

Also, the minimum cost for

the repair of a damaged pipeline in the Niger Delta region, according to Sejebor, is about N160 million.

To this end, at an average price of $3/1,000SCF, multiplied by 200 million SCF product loss plus repairs, Nigeria may have lost about N8.01 billion between January and now.

This is put at 1,500 megawatts, as a number of power plants will be deprived of gas to generate electricity.

The NGC boss decried that the recent increase in the spate of

vandalism is negatively affecting the economy and the operations of the company.

He said, “The spate of vandalism of our pipelines has been on the increase and this is alarming. We are hurting, especially as it has affected us negatively. It is a willful damage and not as a result of our inability to maintain our pipelines.”

He further stated that the NGC is already holding talks with all its key stakeholders, such as contractors, security agencies and leaders of communities in its areas of operations, on ways to ensure the

safety of the pipelines.

Also speaking, the Executive Director, Operations, NGC, Mr. Gabriel Aggrey, argued that the spate of pipeline vandalism in the last three weeks is alarming and queried the rationale for the act of sabotage.

According to him, “we continue to wonder why anyone would want to vandalise a gas pipeline, especially as gas cannot be stolen with a basket.”

Describing vandalism as an act of sabotage , Aggrey condemned the colossal amount the company incurs on repairs whenever a pipeline is sabotaged.

CANT FIND ANY OF THE PICTURES

Commissioning: From left: Chief Wale Olanipekun (SAN); Mr. Ernest Nwapa, Secretary, Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board; Chief Onasanya, Managing Director, FirstBank Plc; Mr. Bisi Onasanya; and Dr. Vincent Ebuh, Chairman, Petrolog Group at the launch of a new Petrolog's DP2 Saturation Diving Vessel, DSV VINNICE at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos.

NCDMB tasks Petrolog on capacity building … As Group invests $100m in diving vessel

By Clara Nwachukwu

T

o foster capacity building in the nation’s petroleum industry, the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board, NCDMB, has charged the management of Petrolog Group to adopt one of the tertiary institutions in order to integrate the youths in marine engineering and allied disciplines.

The Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Ernest Nwapa, gave the charge last week in Lagos, during the inauguration of Petrolog’s dive support vessel, DSV Vinnice.

Nwapa said such adoption is one of the ways the investment in the vessel could foster capacity building and employment generation in the sector.

While commending the entrepreneurial skills of Nigerians and attendant breakthroughs since the signing of the Nigerian Content Act 2010, the NCDMB scribe argued that there was still room for greater exploits and successes.

He noted that all the vessels operating in the Nigerian waters are foreign built, adding that the Board hoped for a Nigerian constructed vessel to demonstrate capacity in this area. He argued that the excuse of financial incapacity is no longer valid, as Nigerian banks like First Bank and its peers have shown that they can fund such huge investments. He said; “In the past, people didn’t believe that Nigerian banks can fund such capital intensive projects. But it has become apparent through projects like these that they have the capacity.

“What we are seeing today, is also

a continuation of the Federal Government’s trajectory since the signing of the Nigerian Content Act, which has set Nigerians free with their entrepreneurial skills so much that there is no sector of the

The law protects investment in Nigeria, and as such, industry jobs will be given to this vessel and any other Nigerian vessel first before it can given out to a foreign vessel

economy that Nigerians cannot play in today.”He re-assured investors in the industry of Federal government’s support to boost investments such as the DSV vessel, saying, “the law protects investment in Nigeria, and as such, industry jobs will be given to this vessel and any other Nigerian vessel first before it can be given out to a foreign vessel.”

He, therefore urged Nigerian entrepreneurs not to be intimidated by the seeming challenges, but to use their initiatives for greater breakthroughs.

Speaking at the vessel inauguration, Petrolog Executive Chairman, Dr. Vincent Ebuh, said the vessel is the Group’s latest addition to its marine assets to enhance oil and gas production in Nigeria and beyond.

Golar LNG, Rosneft agree on floating liquefaction

G

olar LNG Limited (Golar) reported that the firm and Rosneft Oil Company (Rosneft) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that foresees cooperation between the companies in the area of floating liquefaction (FLNG) and transportation of natural gas.

Under this MoU the companies will enter into discussions to develop opportunities for the use of Golar’s Go FLNG facilities in Latin America and potentially other locations.

The parties are targeting signing of two FLNG tolling agreements for projects within Rosneft’s portfolio.This memorandum between Golar and Rosneft represents an opportunity for both companies to clearly align their objectives, combining Golar’s leading midstream LNG credentials (liquefaction, transportation and regasification) and Rosneft’s world class upstream portfolio.

Rosneft is the third largest gas producer in Russia.

Rosneft gas production reached 1.486 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) or 42.1 billion cubic meters (Bcm) in 2013, while the recoverable natural gas reserves topped 229.519 Tcf or 6.5 trillion cubic meters. The company target is to reach 3.531 Tcf (100 Bcm) of annual gas production by 2020.Golar is one of the world’s largest independent owners and operators of LNG carriers with over 40 years of industry experience.

Golar ’s innovation delivered the world’s first Floating Storage and Re-gasification Units (FSRU) based on the conversion of existing LNG carriers.

Golar ’s latest strategic move is to extend its business model further upstream by deploying its floating liquefaction technology (GoFLNG).

The objective is to become the industry’s leading integrated midstream LNG services provider, supporting resource owners, gas producers and gas consumers.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 — 25

Power: FG charged on marginal gas rounds

Nigeria to account for 60% power investment in W/Africa

By Sebastine Obasi

By Sebastine Obasi

T

he challenges to unstable power supply can only be solved if the Federal Government holds a special marginal gas field bid rounds soon, said Mr. Dada Thomas, Managing Director, Frontier Oil Limited.

Thomas, who spoke at the weekend in Lagos, said the power problem may remain a pipe dream, except the Federal Government unlocks the domestic gas potential in Nigeria through special marginal gas field bid round with conditions that the gas fields must be tied to the power projects.

“I say to the government that solution to power problems is to hold a special marginal gas field round in which the condition must be that the gas fields must be identified with a power project.

“The total value chain must be realised in the project development.

Government should also leave the commercial terms to the parties and I guarantee you that we will have gas for power in abundance in a five-year period.

“It is a solution I present everywhere because only the indigenous oil and gas companies can unlock the domestic gas of Nigeria. The International Oil Companies, IOCs, do not owe allegiance to Nigeria. They owe it to their shareholders in their home countries. “A visitor cannot come and build and maintain your house for you. The responsibility to do that is yours,” he said.

According to Thomas, a look at recent developments in the gas sector showed that Frontier Oil, which focuses primarily on gas exploration, and Seplat Plc, have been responsible for recent gas projects in Nigeria, while TOTAL only completed 50kilometer gas pipeline.

“In terms of domestic gas development, only Seplat and Frontier remain the leaders, and we are the future on Nigeria in terms of gas,” he stated.

He expressed concerns that there has been no deliberate policy to promote exploration of gas, as the 182 trillion standard cubic feet,scf, gas reserves Nigeria has were never explored for but were discovered while exploring for crude oil.

“You can imagine what our reserves would have been if we deliberately explored for gas. Remember, when everybody considered gas project to be unprofitable, we took a leap of faith because that is the resource we have. We took the chance, sat down and thought carefully on how to optimize the benefit of this asset,” he stated.

The Frontier MD also said that gas pricing should be in the region of $4$5 per 5000 SCF to make the gas business attractive.

“At $4-$5 per 5000 SCF, you will generally have an economic gas project that lenders will be willing to lend to you and it will ensure you generate reasonable profit that would ensure you can pay your staff. You don’t have profitable business at $2$3 per 5000 SCF. A typical gas project costs at least three times the cost of

N

igeria is expected to account for about 60 percent of the projected investments in power in the West African sub-region by 2040, the International Energy Agency, IEA, has said.

In its latest report, IEA said that bringing the electrification rate in subSaharan Africa up from 32 percent today to 70 percent in 2040 is estimated to cost about $205 billion in capital investment, less than one-fifth of total power sector investment in the region.

According to the report, projected investment flows largely mirror the split by the type of access. Most of the investments go towards providing ongrid access, with more than half of the total required for new transmission and

distribution lines. Mini-grids and off-grid solutions that are less capital-intensive and require less investment in infrastructure account for about 30 percent of the total.

Broken by sub-region, the report said the largest share will go to West Africa with $75 billion over the projection period, 60 percent of which is in Nigeria. Southern Africa followed with about $65 billion, East Africa with $50 billion and Central Africa with $15 billion.

Averaged over the projection period, the report stated that this amounted to capital investment in energy access of about $7.5 billion per year, a figure not far from the current estimate of total annual power sector investment in sub-Saharan Africa.

It represents a significant increase in spending for this purpose over the coming decades, reflecting declared

government intentions.

“Achieving this level of investment will require not only steady improvements in the investment conditions for electricity access-related projects, but also rapidly improving capacity and effective co-ordination among the various actors involved.

“Realism, clarity and consultation over the pace of grid extension allows the stakeholders, including local communities, to make an informed assessment about the best options for expanding access, whether through co-ordinated development of the grid, minigrids or off-grid systems.

“Donor programmes likewise need to be managed carefully, both to ensure that the beneficiaries are fully involved from the outset, not least to guarantee adequate and ongoing maintenance, and to avoid undercutting fledgling commercial energy providers.”

The report also explained that grid extensions are set to remain largely within the domain of the public authorities and utilities. This will rely on a combination of selffinancing from within the power sector (if the tariff structure allows for a degree of crosssubsidisation), government b u d g e t a r y allocations and funding from international donors.

Gas pipelines

Egbin to increase capacity to 2,700 MW

By Sebastine Obasi

H

ope for improved power supply which has eluded Nigerians for a long time may be rekindled if the assurances of Egbin Power Plc are anything to go by.

The Chairman of the Power Plant, Mr Kola Adesina, who said the company is determined to resolve some of the age-long legal, technical, commercial, regulatory and funding issues besetting the sector, also said that the capacity of the plant will be doubled in the next four years.

“We have commenced an ambitious plan to double the capacity of Egbin within the next four years, with the addition of 1,350MW Combined Cycle plant of which we have commissioned the Front End Engineering Design, FEED study. All these have been possible because of President Goodluck Jonathan’s commitment to the power sector reforms and dogged determination to give

our citizens a new lease of life through the provision of reliable power supply,” he said.

“It is important to acknowledge and salute Mr. President for the audacious N213billion CBN Intervention Fund initiative. The facility is to help offset legacy gas debts and address the revenue shortfall in the sector. “Notwithstanding the liquidity challenge, we have made

With appropriate models and investment recovery mechanism, this holistic PPP approach will engender a faster, cheaper and more productive result in rapidly growing the value chain

significant investments in the rehabilitation of Unit 6, overhauling and retooling of Unit 4, renovation of the office space, computerisation of processes, and increase in staff remuneration and recruitment of 107 engineers to shore up the capacity deployment in the plant.

According to him, “By this development, over 1 million homes in Lagos will enjoy additional six hours per day of stable power supply. Over 6,000 direct jobs and over 10,000 indirect employment will be created in terms of support and maintenance services, engineering, procurement, supplies to power sector, including support for the small and medium scale industries.”

“With appropriate models and investment recovery mechanism, this holistic PPP approach will engender a faster, cheaper and more productive result in rapidly growing the value chain,” he added.

Adesina explained that Egbin Plant as presently constituted is an example of the benefits that privatisation of the power sector is bringing to Nigeria.

26 — Vanguard, TUESDAY,

MARCH 10, 2015

Festac residents protest against outrageous billing

By Ediri Ejoh

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ESIDENTS of Festac town under the aegis of Festival Town Residents Association, FTRA, last week, kicked against the poor power supply and outrageous billing being suffered in the community.

The protest took the group to the headquarters of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company, EKEDC,at Marina, where they met with the management of the company.

The President of the Association, Mr Jola Ogunlusi, told Vanguard that the protest became imperative after series of complaints to the district office without any solution; and were therefore constrained to make their feelings known to the company headquarters.

Ogunlusi, said the mission of the Association to Marina was to submit a protest letter as regards the non-availability of the already paid for prepaid meter, and outrageous billing in Festac town in the face of epileptic power supply.

According to him, “Since 2006, when 8,300 houses were given free prepaid meters, other houses have remained under the bondage of estimated billing which has transcended to crazy billing. ‘’We therefore demand unequivocally the supply of prepaid meter to all houses in the five communities in Festac Town, and also putting an end to the exorbitant charges which are not based on meter

reading,” he stated.

He also complained that a resident was given a bill of N4000 in September 2014, but suddenly received a bill of N11,000 in December and N40,000 in January 2015.

Specifically, they demanded to know the basis for the outrageous billings, adding that there was neither addition of appliances nor occupants in the flat.

The President argued that officials from EKEDC have not been reading the meters, and this is why the billings were based on unreasonable

estimations.

He called for the supply of more transformers to areas experiencing over loading and continuous load shedding in the community.

Continuing, he said, ‘’The issue of coded bills should be looked into and all forms of disconnection of electricity to consumers who had not been able to pay under coded bills should stop, and we demand that fixed charges should be abolished immediately.”

Ogunlusi said that the association would continue to cooperate with the EKEDC as

long as all their demands are met.

Responding, the General Manager, Public Affairs Division, EKEDC, Mr Godwin Idemudia, appealed to the association, saying that the management is aware of the entire problems in their communities, and promised to resolve them amicably.

He also commended the union for the mature way it made its demands, adding that the management of EKEDC would meet with all the electricity consumers in the Festac business Unit to resolve all outstanding issues in due course.

A power plant

Epileptic supply: Ogun SMEs consider alternative power

By Ediri Ejoh

I

LISAN community traders in Ogun state have contracted the services of solar experts to find solutions for efficient electricity delivery to boost their businesses, in view of the poor power supply, which has lingered for a long period.

Speaking to Vanguard, the President, Tailoring Union, Ikenne Local Government, Mr Olayiwola Rasheed, decried that power supply in the community had gone very bad, and urged fellow traders to seek other alternative power sources like solar for small scale businesses to thrive.

He said: “We have been asking ourselves a very bold question like what has the community done to warrant this ill treatment from the

DISCOs. It is so bad that we cannot boast of three hours of power supply a day or sometimes in a week.

Most times, we don’t earn anything tangible for the day. It has become so bad that we have to live on generators and still pay bills monthly irrespective of whether or not we receive power in that month

“For the past one year, we have been faced with this lingering issue of poor power supply, with no hope for improvement to boost our businesses and other uses of power.

“As such, we have sought for an alternative power source which is solar for our SMEs in the community. We are looking forward to the use of solar panels as an end to the prevailing conditions.”

Also, the Vice Chairman of the Barbers Association, Mr. Samson Adebayo, argued that the very poor electricity supply situation has even deprived them of a descent means of livelihood.

“Most times, we don’t earn anything tangible for the day.

It has become so bad that we have to live on generators and still pay bills monthly irrespective of whether or not

we use power in that month.”

The African Contractor for Solar Kits for change, Mr. Harry Olupitan, said his company developed the project because of the epileptic power situation in the country.

According to him, Renewable Energy for Clean Environment & Development, launched the project to provide a better opportunity for barbers to be able to use their clippers for at least 10 straight hours without the fear of power failure.

He explained that the panels can be guaranteed for up to 25 years before going for a change, while urging users to always maintain and clean the panels for better services, as dust and other cloudy substances can undermine the longevity of the device.

Eunisell, Ammasco set new engine oil technology

E

UNISELL, a leading specialty fluids management company, has introduced synthetic engine oil product, into the Nigerian market.

The new product formulated for Ammasco International Limited, an indigenous and independent lubricant blender was unveiled over the weekend.

Speaking at the launch, Chief Executive Officer, Eunisell Chemicals, Mr Ken Amadi stated that the new Ammasco Synthetic Oil as it is called “ was formulated by Eunisell and Lubrizol, meets and exceeds the requirements as specified by the American Petroleum Institute, European Automobile Manufacturing Association, International Lubricants Standardization and Approval Committee, Standards Organisation of Nigeria.

“We are happy to be the first company in Nigeria to have introduced this new technology and we can confirm that with this, your automobile engines will last longer than you will expect,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Ammasco International Limited, Mr. Mustapha Addo expressed his satisfaction with the quality and high standard of the product. He added that he was happy with the level of innovation displayed by Eunisell over the years, adding that the fully synthetic oil will further position Ammasco as the number one quality conscious lubricant blender and marketer in West Africa, with Nigeria as a hub.

Also speaking, the General Manager, Quality at Ammasco, Mr. Joseph Idume expressed satisfaction with the standards put in place in the blending of the Ammasco Synthetic Engine Oil.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 — 27

Oando Qua Iboe production rises to 2,150bpd

O

ando Energy Resources Inc., a company focused on oil and gas exploration and production in Nigeria, said commercial production from its Qua Iboe field has grossed 2,150 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

Oando in a statement in Lagos, also said the commercial oil production from the field's reservoirs has now commenced at an initial rate of 2,150boepd gross to the partners.

The company also announced the completion of all civil and pipeline works associated with the field, and its associated crude delivery and sales infrastructure.

It disclosed that although the crude processing facility was commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2014, but commercial production was delayed until the completion of the associated cluster crude delivery and sales infrastructure into the Qua Iboe Terminal.

"We are delighted to have achieved this milestone, having taken this field through the full cycle of asset development, from drilling to facility engineering, construction and commissioning, and also increasing our organic production contribution from our portfolio," said the Chief Executive Officer, OER, Mr. Pade Durotoye.

He added, "We will now be focusing our attention on maturing the potential of this field through seismic acquisition and interpretation, and a possible multi-well drilling program.

We hope the Qua Iboe field will follow in the footsteps of our successful Ebendo field, where production has increased from 900bopd (gross) at inception to over 7,500bopd (gross) through the identification and drilling of new reservoirs in the field."

OER holds a 40 percent working interest in the field. In its capacity as technical services provider, OER, together with the operator and 60% owner, Network Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, NEPN, brought the field from conceptualisation, through development to first oil delivery.

Oando identified the asset in 2012 and an agreement was reached with NEPN for OER to technically lead and fund certain aspects of NEPN's costs until first oil.

Upon post recovery of all loan repayments, OER is entitled to 90 per cent of NEPN's sales proceeds from its 60 per cent share of crude oil production until NEPN's obligation is paid in full, with OER earning an additional 10 per cent fee on the funded amount.

Qua Iboe is located at the mouth of the Qua Iboe River in the eastern Niger Delta and covers an area of 14 km2 (3,459 acres). The field is immediately adjacent to the ExxonMobil Qua Iboe Terminal.

US running out of room to store oil, gas

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he U.S. has so much crude that it is running out of places to put it, and that could drive oil and gasoline prices even lower in the coming months.

For the past seven weeks, the United States has been producing and importing an average of 1 million more barrels of oil every day than it is consuming. That extra crude is flowing into storage tanks, especially at the country's main trading hub in Cushing, Oklahoma, pushing U.S. supplies to their highest point in at least 80 years, the Energy Department reported last week.

If this keeps up, storage tanks could approach their operational limits, known in the industry as "tank tops," by midApril and send the price of crude — and probably gasoline, too — plummeting.

"The fact of the matter is we are running out of storage capacity in the U.S.," Ed Morse, head of commodities research at Citibank, said at a recent symposium at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.

Morse has suggested oil could fall all the way to $20 a barrel from the current $50. At that rock-bottom price, oil companies, faced with mounting losses, would stop pumping oil until the glut is eased. Gasoline prices would fall along with crude, though lower refinery production, because of seasonal factors and unexpected outages, could prevent a sharp decline. The national average price of gasoline is $2.44 a gallon. That's $1.02 cheaper than last year at this time, but up 37 cents over the past month.

Other analysts agree that crude is poised to fall sharply — if not all the

A refinery

way to $20 — because it continues to flood into storage for a number of reasons: U.S. oil production continues to rise. Companies are cutting back on new drilling, but that won't reduce supplies until later this year.

The new oil being produced is light, sweet crude, which is a type many U.S. refineries are not designed to process.

Oil companies can't just get rid of it by sending it abroad, because crude exports are restricted by federal law.

Foreign oil continues to flow into the U.S., both because of economic weakness in other countries and to feed refineries designed to process heavy, sour crude.

This is the slowest time of year for gasoline demand, so refiners typically reduce or stop production to perform maintenance. As refiners process less crude, supplies build up. Oil investors are making money buying and storing oil because of the difference between the current price of oil and the price for delivery in far-off months. An investor can buy oil at $50 today and enter into a contract to sell it for $59 in December, locking in a profit even after paying for storage during those months.

The delivery point for most of the oil traded in the U.S. is Cushing, a city of about 8,000 people halfway between Oklahoma City and Tulsa at an intersection of several pipelines. The city is dotted with tanks that can, in theory, hold 85 million barrels of oil, according to the Energy Department, though some of those tanks are used for blending or feeding pipelines, not for storing oil.

The market data provider Genscape, which flies helicopters equipped with infrared cameras and other technology over Cushing twice a week to measure storage levels, estimates Cushing is two-thirds full.

Hillary Stevenson, who manages storage, pipeline and refinery monitoring for Genscape, says Cushing could be full by mid-April. Supplies are increasing at "the highest rate we have ever seen at Cushing," she says.

Statoil to delay development of Johan Castberg, Snorre projects

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tatoil ASA and its respective partners have reported the post ponement of the development of both the Johan Castberg and Snorre 2040 field projects to cut costs.

“We see that our efforts have yielded results, and we are focused on reaping the full benefits of this in a way that ensures a sustainable and profitable utilization of the resources in the Snorre and Johan Castberg fields,” said Ivar Aasheim, Statoil’s senior vice-president for field development on the Norwegian continental shelf. “The recent decline in oil prices emphasizes this.”

The Johan Castberg partnership has decided to postpone the decision to continue until second-half 2016, “with expectations for an investment decision in 2017,” Statoil said.

The Statoil-operated discoveries Skrugard from 2011, Havis in 2012, and Drivis from 2014 comprise what is now the Johan Castberg project.

Proved volumes in Johan Castberg are estimated at 400-650 million bbl

of oil. Licensees in the Johan Castberg licence are Statoil, Petoro, and Eni. Statoil said that “studies are continuing on the alternatives for an oil infrastructure in the Barents Sea by a group of operators in the area including Statoil, Lundin Norway, Eni, and OMV.” The company said the aim is to “assess the foundation for an onshore terminal that could support multiple fields in the

The selected concept to construct a new platform, Snorre C, forms the basis for the work leading up to a new time for the decision point, which is fourth-quarter 2016

Barents Sea.” The Snorre 2040 partnership, meanwhile, has decided to extend the progress plan. The new schedule for the preliminary decision to implement is fourth-quarter 2016.

Snorre is one of the fields with the largest remaining oil resources on the NCS. The subsurface is complex, and major investments will be required to produce the resources, Statoil said.

“The selected concept to construct a new platform, Snorre C, forms the basis for the work leading up to a new time for the decision point, which is fourthquarter 2016. A final investment decision is scheduled for fourthquarter 2017, with production start in fourth-quarter 2022,” Statoil said.

Snorre field reserves are currently estimated at 1.63 billion bbl of oil. The original estimate, when the plan for development and operation was submitted in 1989, was 760 million bbl of oil. The licensees in the Snorre license are Statoil, Petoro, ExxonMobil, Idemitsu, RWE Dea, and Core Energy.

28—VANGUARD, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

Aerial View of Abuja

By Henry Umoru

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he National Integrated Infrastructure Master plan will require a total investment of three trillion US dollars over the 30-year period (2013 – 2043).

President Goodluck Jonathan who disclosed this at the ground-breaking ceremony for the provision of Engineering Infrastructure in two Sectors of Phase IV (South), Federal Capital City of the Land Swap Districts at Waru District, along Apo Mechanic Village in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja. The sectors for investment, according President Jonathan who was represented by the Vice President, Arc Namadi Sambo, include: Energy – USD$ 1,000 billion; Transportation - US$ 775 billion; Agriculture, Water and Mining – US$ 400 billion; Housing and Regional Development – US $350 billion; ICT – US $325 billion; Social Infrastructure – US$ 150 billion and Vital Registration and Security – US$ 50 billion.

“In this Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan, the FCT will require about 2.6 trillion Naira in the next four years, and 65 percent of these resources, will be targeted at providing infrastructure in the territory. It is in this regard, that the FCT is partnering with 15 investors presently in the provision of engineering infrastructure, in the two sectors of Phase IV. We estimate that this initiative will provide additional housing for more than 1,000,000 residents. This will further reduce the housing deficit by about 35 percent in the next five years, as well as put more money in the hands of the FCT Administration for human

FG requires $3trn to finance infrastructure master plan development activities, particularly in the areas of health and education. It will further provide more than 500,000 jobs.”

The President who stressed the need for cooperation and synergy between the investors and the original inhabitants said: “ I am encouraged that the FCT Administration had, for the first time, provided a realistic platform for synergy, amongst the major stakeholders to tackle issues of compensation and resettlement, of the original inhabitants affected in the landswap districts. It is my hope that this synergy will mark the beginning of a permanent solution to compensation and resettlement issues of the original inhabitants in Abuja. As much as we desire the rapid development of Abuja, we must do so with the greatest fairness and least discomfort to the

original inhabitants”.

FCTA Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed disclosed that 15 investors would spend over $2.8 billion (about N560 billion) to provide the needed engineering infrastructure for the Abuja Land Swap Initiative for the districts. He said that they would spend over N64 billion on resettlement and compensation challenges, which include their infrastructure, housing and compensation.

According to Senator Mohammed, “the total land area designated for the Land Swap investment is 3,886 hectares. This represents less than 0.50 percent of the Federal

and 334km of telecommunication Ducts.

Other components include 2,566km of Electricity Distribution lines, 643km of Water Distribution lines, 626km of Foul Water drains, 672km of Storm Water drains and 226 Culverts. “The total value of private capital to be deployed for the comprehensive development of these two sector centres by our developers is $6 billion, which comprise infrastructure investment amounting to $2.4 billion and secondary investment in residential, commercial, multipurpose, Institutional and active recreation development to the tune of $3.6 Billion.

Firm unveils plans to invest N15bn on housing in three S/W states

By Kingsley Adegboye

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We estimate that this initiative will provide additional housing for more than 1,000,000 residents

Capital Territory and less than 15 percent of the Federal Capital City. We succeeded to get to this level of project preparation because, as can be seen from the list of these investors, we attracted the best of Nigerian investors including the richest person in Africa and the richest black woman in the world as well as prominent construction and property development companies to key into the initiative. We hope in the next four- six years to increase the Abuja infrastructure stock by more than 27 percent as the 15 Land Swap investors are providing a total of 464km of new roads, seven bridges, 696km of Street Lighting lines

essrs Le’ Venue Property Development Company, LVPD, a member of the Le’Venue Group, has concluded plans to spend more than N15 billion in the construction of various housing types in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states. The houses will be constructed at estates owned by LVPD which include Clara’s Court Estate, Ibeju Lekki, Eden Park Estate, Magboro, Ogun State, Rose Court Garden Estate, Ikorodu and Rose Quartz Garden Estate 2, Oyo State The Group Managing Director of the company, Mr. Jemine Adollo who disclosed this in in Lagos last week, said the investment is in keeping with the company’s vision to partner with the governments in their efforts to provide affordable housing

for all by 2020.

LVPD, Adollo said, intends to contribute between 500-1000 housing units yearly to the housing stock across the South-West region of Nigeria. He added that in order to deliver on the vision, the company has started shortlisting contractors for the construction of fully/ semi- detached four-bedroom duplexes, semi–detached, three-bedroom bungalows and fully detached two-bedroom bungalows at Clara’s Court, Eden Park and Rose Quartz Garden Estate 1 & 2.

A statement signed by Adollo explained that in order to achieve this momentous feat, the company has implemented certain plans such as partnering with major financial institutions and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN to ensure a seamless mortgage application for buyers who need a mortgage to fund their acquisition.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 —29

UPDC redefines lifestyle with Abuja Pinnacle estate

By Paul Ojenagbon

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he Pinnacle, a residential estate located at Plot 343, Potoka Close, off Madeira Street, in the highbrow Maitama District area in the nation’s Federal capital, Abuja is endowed with a picturesque landscape dotted with ample trees and with lush vegetation. It is on the exclusive stable of UACN Property Development Company, UPDC Plc known for exceptional houses that have redefined lifestyle over the ages.

The project which started 2013 is now at an advanced stage of construction. It in partnership with Imani & Sons Nigeria. Limited, the luxury estate is billed for delivery midyear. It is covered with the certificate of occupancy issued by the Federal Capital Territory.

The premium development comprises 26 luxury apartments made of 20 units of threebedrooms, four units of four- bedroom flats and two units of four-bedroom maisonnette respectively.

Roofing of the units has been completed, and work has moved to the finishing stages particularly the tiling and delivery is slated for September.

All the units are to have luxury finish and come equipped with fitted kitchens and air conditioners. The apartments are an excellent choice for families who are growing, a perfect getaway for retired couples who desire a place to enjoy their retirement and a fantastic accommodation for those who desire five-star living in Abuja.

The estate alters an extremely secure environment with state of the art finishing, appliances and conveniences.

The apartments are well planned and laid to make family living easy and comfortable C M Y K

It is designed as a totally private place to be.

The location is an exclusive part of the town which is home to many foreign embassies in Nigeria. It is planned for the high end echelon of society and business has the reputation of being very exclusive. It is also home to notable places such as Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Ministers’ Hill, The Dunes, and the Millennium Park among others. It is near enough to exclusive

boutiques / shopping centres and yet lacking the hustle of city life.

The apartments are well planned and laid to make family living easy and comfortable. The furnishing and fittings are excellent.

The Pinnacle is equipped to the tilt with state of the art facilities that provide comfort and convenience including gym, swimming pool and children’s playground. The estate is designed with

beautiful landscape filled with ample trees and high vegetation, thus providing a calm environment with a serene ambience, healthy home and general well being.

Pinnacle is commercially, designed as a “reward for great success” being an investment opportunity for high networth individuals and corporates looking to maximize value. Targeted are top earning professionals, politicians, diplomats, and entrepreneurs. It is at once a great address and great investment. The price varies from N175 million for the 3 bedroom flat, N185 million for the 4 bedroom flat and N275 million for the 4 bedroom maisonnette respectively.

Clearline’s head office beautifies Ikorodu Road skyline

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he head office building complex of Clearline International Limited, a health maintenance organisation, has joined several other bluechip corporate buildings beautifying the skyline of the ever busy Ikorodu Road Lagos. Situated at 290 Ikorodu Road which is a few metres away from Anthony Bus Stop, the ultra modern complex with imposing twin building, is a reference in architectural design and finesse.

Completed in December 2014, the first building has four floors with each of the departments occupying the floors. The adjoining building houses the board room, an ultra-modern staff canteen and a conference hall that can accommodate at least 120 people. The conference hall is equipped with facilities for training, seminar and workshop. A walkway bridge links the two buildings together.

The bridge is reinforced with solid steel and concrete which further add beauty to the building. The aesthetics effect of the building is also a major attraction. The floor is constructed with paved stones and well laid out flower gardens and walk away.

The complex, which has an expansive compound, is also fitted with security fittings and fire prevention equipment. It also has a spacious parking lot that can accommodate several cars.

Safety engineers blame rising occurrence of building collapse on design errors

By Jude Njoku

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afety experts under the aegis of the American Society of Safety Engineers, ASSE, have blamed the rising occurrence of collapsed buildings in the country on design errors by architects and engineers. President of the Nigerian chapter of ASSE, Mr Kamil Abiodun told Vanguard Homes & Property, at the just concluded Professional Development Conference and Exhibition tagged Nigeria PDC 2015, in Lagos, that safety professionals should be carried along from the conceptualization and design of any building project to stem their collapse.

“The root cause of building collapse is beyond the safety professionals. It is more of design error in the area of architectural design which has now resulted in the unsafe situation where workers in Nigeria now find themselves. What we have to do is to start incorporating safety professionals in the course design, that is, looking at safety in design. That’s why we are

looking at the human error in design engineering in this conference. For us to actually get it right in Nigeria, we need to equip our safety professionals to align with design safety and ensure that they take this back home. I don’t want us to address it from the top buildings are collapsing, what should we do? make sure the safety officer is there so that it does collapse and all that. That is not the root cause. The root cause is the design. What is the design requirement, what is the load test, what is the structural requirement, what is the standard code that you need to keep to in the course of carrying out design in various topographical areas? The design you will do in Ikeja which is an hardcore is different from the design you will do in Victoria island or Lekki which is a low soil,” he said.

Mr Abiodun said ASSE is collaborating with with other professional bodies as regards to safety.

As part of our commitment and reachout strategy, ASSE Nigeria chapter

increased collaboration with other safety professional bodies, that is, Institutes of Safety Professionals of Nigeria, ISPoN; Federal Roads Safety Corps, FRSC, National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria, NISCN, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria, APWEN, the Lagos State Safety Commission and other Nigeria government agencies.

The intent is to increase advocacy and promote good safety culture nationwide,” he said. He regretted that most professionals in the industry today do not engage in professional development after qualification. He therefore charged safety professionals to improve their competencies by engaging in continuous professional training and development.

In her address, the Director General, DG Lagos State Safety Commission, Mrs Dominga Odebunmi said the commission was set up to monitor and enforce compliance with all relevant laws, bye-laws and registrations on safety at all levels.

30 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

Reps seek full implementation of Great Green Wall Project •Say it will increase Nigeria’s GDP

By Funmi Olasupo

T

Maidan-Aina-Agiliti road network in Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Lagos State commissioned last week

he House of Representatives Committee on Environment has called for stakeholders’ collaboration to ensure the full implementation of the Great Green Wall Program, GGWP because it has the potential of of increasing the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP. The Chairman of the Committee, Mrs Uche Ekwunife also called for synergy between stakeholders to ensure the full and successful implementation of the programme in view of its enormous benefits not only to Nigeria but also to the entire West African sub-region. The Great

Lagos finds solution to Oyan dam flooding •Commissions 3.1 kilometres road in Ikosi-Isheri

By Kingsley Adegboye

S

uccour came the way of residents of Maidan, Aina and Agiliti communities in Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area as the state government formally commissioned 3.1 kilometres of road in the area.

The newly completed road is expected to solve the flooding problems being experienced by residents of the neighbourhood.

The scope of work on the project which was handled

by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, CCECC covered earthworks, provision of 200mm crushed stone base, pavement and surfacing with interlocking stone, provision of service ducks and installation of street lights. Others were the construction of outfall drains, retaining wall, relocation of water pipes, beautification and landscaping as well as construction of 300 metres long bridge.

Handing over the project to the communities, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola explained that when he first visited the area in 2007, the residents who had been cut off from Kosofe for the past 50 years, passionately requested for a box culvert or jetty to enable them have a platform for parking their canoes.

Fashola said the road is a practical example of slum C M Y K

regeneration and urban renewal.

“I told them then that if you are willing to cooperate with government and pay your

The construction also offers an opportunity for the construction and upgrade of other inner roads

taxes, we will not give you a jetty but will build a road with a bridge. It is your right and not a matter of pleading.

I told them I would construct a first class bridge that will connect the communities within the area. I am happy that it has become a testimony today,” he said.

The State commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Obafemi Hamzat, an engineer, said the road will offer opportunity for a strategic link from Ikorodu Road around Mile 12 that will connect with Lagos Ibadan express way. .

He added that the construction also offers an

opportunity for the construction and upgrade of other inner roads such as Oremerin, Oniyanrin, Ajanlekoko-Oluwo, Adeyeye and By-Pass.

“This area was prone to heavy flooding that usually accompanies the opening of Oyan Dam,.” he said.

Hamzat said the roads were built to an international standard . “The total length of the road network 3, 078 metres or 3.1 km. The road is as standard as it can ever be with service ducts, drainage system, outfall drains along with fully serviced street lights backed up with a generating set”, he said.

Egypt joins Pan-African Climate and Environmental Justice Alliance

E

gypt has officially joined the network of African civil society championing climate change and other environmental processes. The Pan-African climate and Environmental Justice Alliance, PACJA welcomed the membership of Egypt on the sidelines of the ongoing 15th Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment. Josephine Kamel will head the Egypt Civil Society platform in coordinating Civil Society Organizations, CSO activities at the national level.

The launch comes at a time when Africa is upbeat in the mobilisation and engagement towards Paris climate change agreement and the Post 2015 sustainable development goal processes.

It was attended by Egyptian CSOs working on various development issues including climate change, and Sustainable

Development as well as other African CSO’s participating in the AMCEN Sessions.

PACJA has been championing coordinated national networking and advocacy at the national level and this has led to the formation of national platforms at the country level.

During the meeting, National chapters’ coordinators from Mali, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Morocco and Senegal shared their experiences managing national platforms.

Josephine Kamel said Egypt was adversely affected by the adverse impacts of climate change as well as other environmental challenges and it was time for CSOs to unite and work together. She pledged that Egyptian CSOs will join the rest of the African CSOs in building a movement that will deliver a climate change agreement in Paris and beyond which aligns with the aspirations of the African People.

Green Wall Program has potentials for increasing the country’s poverty alleviation, biodiversity conservation as well as increasing the nation’s forest cover in line with United Nations requirement of 25 percent forest cover for member nations.

Ekwunife assured that the National Assembly will diligently exercise its oversight responsibility to ensure the success of the programme. She called on the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Laurentia Laraba Mallam to ensure that the inputs of the International Community, the African Union and non-governmental organizations, NGOs as well as other relevant stakeholders are properly harnessed for the faithful implementation of the programme in line with Global Environment Facility, GEF standards.

Ekwunife suggested that the implementation of the Great Green Wall programme should be anchored on the blue print of the project and a carefully designed work plan in order to avoid the pitfalls of past efforts.

She called on Minister of Environment to expedite action on the bill to create an Agency for the Great Green Wall. She said the bill should be brought before the National Assembly, and promised that her committee will do everything within the ambit of the law to ensure the expeditious passage of the bill so as to provide the desired enabling environment for the programme to thrive. Mrs Mallam had earlier informed the Committee that the proposal for a bill for an act to establish the Great Green Wall Agency has already been approved by the Federal Executive Council, FEC). According to her, the Ministry is putting finishing touches to it before it will be sent to the National Assembly for enactment.

The Minister said the implementation of the programme is effectively on course, and appealed to members to visit the eleven (11) frontline states to see for themselves what has been accomplished on the field of implementation.

On the Green-Cook Stoves, the Minister told the Committee that the Federal Executive Council has approved a whooping sum of N9.2 billion for the production and distribution of 750,000 Green-Cook Stoves nationwide. “The contract has already been signed and that the sum of N1.2 billion has been paid out to the contractor to commence the production of the Green – Cook Stove in Nigeria,” she said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015—31

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32—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

C M Y K

2011 BONGA OIL SPILL: Swindlers sell phony compensation forms in Bayelsa

PAGES 3

VOL. 1: NO. 40

PAGE 6

56 dead, as NDDC battles cholera in Rivers, Bayelsa

TUESD AY, MAR CH 110, 0, 20 15 TUESDA MARCH 201

DELTA GAS PROJECT How Ijaw, Itsekiri struck deal

By Emma Amaize & Godwin Oghre

W

ARRI—WITH the tense build-up to last Wednesday’s consultation between Ijaw and Itsekiri nationalities at Government House, Asaba, capital of Delta State, over the $16 billion Delta Gas City, it came as a syrupy surprise that the leaders finally agreed to the groundbreaking of the gas city by President Goodluck Jonathan in less than one hour.

The cutting-edge ceremony had been postponed on three different occasions in the past before the March 3 talk and when President Jonathan visited Asaba last month, it was a blustery session between him and the Itsekiri delegation, led by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, over his alleged perambulation on the matter on one side, and a shouting match between ex-militant and Ijaw leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo and Itsekiri leader, Chief Ayiri Emami, aka Akulagba, on the other end.

Chairman of Ugborodo Interface Committee on the Ugborodo Export Processing Zone, EPZ, Mr. Austin Oboroegbeyi, Ijaw leader, Chief Godspower Gbenekame, who led Itsekiri and Ijaw sides separately to last Wednesday’s sounding, presided over by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, told newsmen after the meeting that both sides have agreed on Delta Gas City, Ogidigben and Deep Sea Port, Gbaramatu, and asked President Jonathan to fix a date and go ahead with the groundbreaking.

Group Executive Director, Gas and Power, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mr. David Ige, substantiated their proclamation.

Threats to groundbreaking However, few hours after the longawaited resolution, two Ijaw communities, Sokebolou/Yokri in Ogulagha Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area, threatened to sabotage the groundbreaking ceremony, which President Jonathan had promised to perform before the

Part of the 3,000 hectares of land initially donated by Koko community for the project.

ABOVE: File photo of a gas project.

LEFT: Koko River.

March 28 presidential election, on grounds that as stakeholders, they were not invited to the Asaba meeting

by Governor Uduaghan.

Before the Ogulagha-Ijaw intermezzo, the people of Koko, an Itsekiri community in Warri North Local

Continues on Page 7

*Igoba, Ogulagha-Ijaw communities kick *Koko demands relocation of project *Resolved and lingering matters

2—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

Youths lay siege to ExxonMobil over compensation AKWA IBOM...

LAND OF PROMISE

By Tom Moses

I

BENO—YOUTHS from communities in Niger-Delta numbering over 2,000, weekend, halted activities at the Mobil Producing Nigeria, MPN, Unlimited, Qua Iboe Terminal, in Akwa Ibom State, over non-payment of compensation for oil spill that occurred over 10 years ago.

The irate youths, comprised of the Ijaw Youths Congress, IYC, Ijaw National Congress, INC, Ijaw Survival Movement for Niger Delta, ISMOND, and Movement for the Survival of Ijaw Ethnic Nationality, MOSIEND, chanted war songs and brandished placards with various inscriptions.

Workers bolt away They took their protests to the gate of the ExxonMobil forcing the panic-stricken staff to scamper away from their offices to avoid unpleasant happening.

Some of the placards read: “Mobil is not Sincere, No payment, No election, “Mobil pay us now’’, “Delta youths demand individual and community claims”, “ExxonMobil please, don’t act on sentiments, “Octopus, Wuku and Mobil, stop trading with our spillage money, pay us now”, ”Mobil, all we need is our money since 1998 oil spillage today ” and ”ExxonMobil don lie too much to us, enough is enough”, “A child that says his

parents will not sleep, he will not sleep also.’’

The protest which lasted for about four hours, paralyzed activities at ExxonMobil as the workers scampered out of their offices while vehicular

movement into the premises was restricted.

Speaking, Chairman of MOSIEND, Mr. Godwin Robert, who is also the coordinator of the groups, said the protest was in pursuit of the inclusion of the names omitted in the 1998 oil spill that occurred in Idoho platform in the state.

He claimed that the court had ruled in favour of the youths, but since then, “We have been waiting for Mobil

P

ORT HARCOURT— YOUTHS under the aegis of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, weekend, staged a solidarity protest in PortHarcourt, Rivers State, in support

said.

He urged Mobil to pay the oil spill compensation to individuals and communities; else the company would be shut down pending when they would pay.

Robert noted that the incessant oil spills had devastated aquatic life and destroyed fishing equipment of fishermen in the area, thereby causing hardship to the Niger Delta communities and the people of the area.

POLLS: Community leaders, stakeholders rally to avert crisis in Akwa Ibom

Participants from Uruan, Ikot Abasi, Abak, Okobo, Nsit Ubium at a voter education seminar.

AKWA IBOM...

LAND OF PROMISE

By Chioma Onuegbu

U

YO—COMMUNITY leaders, politicians and stakeholders in Akwa Ibom

State have embarked on grassroots sensitization and awareness campaigns at communities in the state to ward-off violence in the forthcoming elections.

Speaking to Niger Delta Voice on the campaigns, legal adviser of Uyio Ikpaisong Ibibio and member, Uyo Traditional Rulers Council, Obong

Rivers youths back Belema Oil for Ogoni job

By Davies Iheamnachor

to pay the compensation for the Niger Delta youths but they refused,” adding that several groups had written letters to the management of ExxonMobil, but they turned deaf ears to the grievances.

“They have been delaying and this is a long time issue and we have made several writeups to their management, we have to approach the security department to bring them to a round table discussion,” he

of oil exploration activities of indigenous oil company, Belema Oil Producing Limited in Ogoni land.

Chairman of the youth group, Sara-Igbe Sukubo, said youths of the state have accepted that Belema Oil Company should

commence exploration activities in Ogoni land without further delay.

Sukubo said that the youths were happy with the company because it is owned and managed by a Rivers man, adding that their stand was in consonance with the Nigerian Content Act, which encourages indigenous products.

He said the company has been in oil exploration for over 15 years and could handle the issues in Ogoni.

Sukubo discredited the claims made by the leader of Niger Delta Peace Coalition, NDPC, Zik Gbemre that Belema should not operate in Ogoni saying Gbemre is not from Rivers and cannot dictate for the people. He also accused him of floating an unrecognized organization.

Udoh George, said, “I condemn election violence in totality. We have also called on the different political parties and elders to warn their supporters against being used to perpetrate political violence and killing of innocent people.

“We do not want the political killings of 2011 election to repeat itself in 2015. So we have been preaching peace and advising our people on the need to eschew violence and embrace peace,” he added.

Village head of Mbiabong Ikot Ntem, Etteidung Essien, said: ”We are not politicians, we can only advise our subjects. I have been interacting with the youth leaders, men and women to see the need to shun violence but make sure they exercise their mandate as citizen by going out to vote wisely without causing any trouble. And my prayer is that they will heed to the advice we give to them” Paramount ruler of Ikono local government area, Edidem Nyong Obop, said, “For us to achieve violencefree election, we must indulge in peaceful campaigns. It is my place as the Edidem of Ikono to ensure that there is calm, objectivity, and peace before, during and after the elections.

“And my advice goes to all the

political class in Ikono. So I am making sure that I achieve those parameters in my domain in view of the general elections.

And I am fair to all the prospective candidates that come to me to seek my people’s mandate.”

Head of Iwuokpom community, Ibeno local government area, Obong Okon Akpanowong, said, “To ensure peaceful elections in my community, we have already rang the bell warning the people to make sure that no faction or party must plan any form of evil throughout the period.

“So we have been preaching the gospel to our people and any of the candidates that emerges we believe it is Gods design.”

Former military administrator and member, Board of Trustees, All Progressives Congress, APC, platform the APC, Group Capt Sam Enwang (ret), said, “I know that every meeting we have had, it has been insistently announced and pronounced that we must not and nobody must encourage violence no matter how provoked we are.

“I know that the APC in every state has ensured that that happened.”

People’s Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain and chairman, Udom/Moses 2015 Campaign Council, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, said: “I want to say that the state

Continues on Page 8

THE TEAM Emma Amaize, Editor Jimitota Onoyume Samuel Oyadongha Simon Ebegbulem Gabriel Enogholase Festus Ahon Egufe Yafugborhi Emmanuel Una Akpokona Omafuaire Godwin Oghre Tom Moses Chioma Onuegbu Ike Uche Davies Iheamnachor Emem Idio Brisibe Perez Barnabas Uzosike Nath Onajoke Chijioke Nwankpa

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015—3

BA YELS A ...

BAYELS YELSA THE GLORY OF ALL LANDS

2011 BONGA OIL SPILL: Swindlers sell

phony compensation forms in Bayelsa

By Emem Idio

K

OLUAMA—INDIGENES of Koluama riverine communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, have raised the alarm over the sale of compensation forms for Shell Nigeria Production and Exploration Company, SNEPCO’s 2011 Bonga oil spill by different syndicates of fraudsters.

Niger Delta Voice gathered that unsuspecting members of the communities have been scrambling to purchase the oil spill compensation forms for the December, 2011 Bonga oil spill incident, which devastated the oil producing communities across the Niger Delta region.

Thousands of such forms are in circulation in the state, including the capital city, Yenagoa, with even community leaders purchasing the forms in bulk.

Some 40,000 barrels of crude were discharged into the Atlantic in an operational mishap by SNEPCO in 2011.

The House of Representatives and National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, reportedly in December, 2014, recommended a compensation of $3.96 billion for victims of the incident.

Firm approached us with 10,000 forms—KOLUAMA YOUTH LEADER Youth Leader at Koluama II community in Bayelsa, Mr Ebrasin Leghemo, confirmed to Niger Delta Voice that the Koluama communities were approached by a firm, which allocated 10,000 forms to the community.

He said: “There are three groups that are involved and we negotiated with them to give us 10,000 slots at the rate of N1, 000 for indigenes and N2, 000 for non- indigenes and we were meant to understand that each claimant will get N400, 000.

“We heard that the House of Representatives had mandated Shell to pay N3.98 billion to the affected communities and we have secured the 10,000 slots for our community for impacted people amongst us,” he added.

‘I bought my form for N1,000' Some of the people, who purchased the forms, disclosed that each was sold at between N1, 000 and N1, 500 each in coastal communities in the state.

One of the buyers, James Wilson, said that he had filled and returned the form he

File photo of Koluama communites residents protesting bought for N1, 000 and filed his claims for both Bonga oil spill incident of December 2011 and Chevron’s Rig explosion of January, 2012.

Wilson said that he had filed individual claims for N350, 000 for damages from the two incidents.

Shell, Chevron officials keep sealed lips

Public Affairs sources in Shell and Chevron, the oil firms on whose oil fields the damages are claimed, declined comments on the development when contacted.

Environmental and Human Rights activist, Mr. Alagoa Morris, said he was aware of the forms being circulated in respect of oil spill compensation forms by

syndicates in oil communities in Bayelsa.

He urged state government to investigate the firms behind the scheme to save unsuspecting members of the public from falling victims of a scam.

Police swing into action Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa Police Command, Deputy Superin-

tendent of Police, DSP, Asini Butswatt, who confirmed the development disclosed that the command has swung into action and investigations were ongoing to track down the syndicates.

He noted that no arrest has been made and urged the people to remain calm as the police would get to the root of the matter.

36-yr-old kidney patient cries out for help •Needs N6m for treatment in India

By Festus Ahon

S

APELE—BARELY two years after clothes dealer, Martha Adimora, had a kidney transplant at New Dehli, an India hospital, the ailment has rematerialized.

Adimora who was already recuperating after the kidney transplant on August 11, 2013, saw her world crashing again

after another kidney failure, few weeks back, and her doctors have requested her to go to India for another kidney transplant.

Narrating her ordeal to our correspondent, Adimora, who was diagnosed of renal failure, three years ago, said, “I need the help of good people and government to stay alive.”

She said she spent all her life

savings on the ailment, lamenting that her family cannot sponsor her trip to India for another surgery.

Her words: “It all started in 2012. I always felt sick and was treating fever but my condition worsened. I was later referred to a bigger hospital where I was diagnosed of renal failure.

“I did my kidney transplant in New Dehli Hospital in India two years ago and was doing well, but now it has started again. The kidney wants to fail again. I am surviving with only one kidney.”

“I want the public to help me.

I don’t want to die. I don’t have any money to go back to India.

I need help. I need roughly N6 m to go to India.

“They have sent me letter to come to India by the end of February. I have not been able to raise any money for the treatment. The little money I have I used it to do dialyses at Oghara Teaching Hospital and buy my drugs.

“I do not have money to buy drugs or do dialyses any longer. The church has assisted me before and my reverend father did a lot for me.”

The 36-year-old who now lives in No. 46, Lawrence Road, Sapele, Delta State, with her 60-year-old mother whose recharge card business has since crumbled in her efforts to save the life of her daughter, is soliciting for funds from the government, public and private establishments as well as well-meaning individuals to help save her life.

Martha, who still has great hope to live, pleaded with tears in her eyes that she should not be left to die.

You can save her life by donating: First Bank Account: 3021506281, Name: Martha Adimora or call 08033954381 to speak to her.

4—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

CELEBRITY REV COMFORT OKAH: I met my husband at a yam market WARRI—REVEREND Dr. (Mrs.) Comfort Okah, wife of the General Overseer of Flock of Christ Mission International, Enerhen, near Warri in Delta State, Bishop Simeon Okah, clocked 60 years on planet earth today.

The God from whom all blessings flow blessed her marriage with six children.

In this interview, she speaks on how she met the love of her life at a yam market, why other men of God mock him and what life had taught her.

She spoke to Niger Delta Voice’s Egufe Yafugborhi Who are you?

I am Comfort Okah, married to Bishop Simeon Okah. We got married 1974. We are blessed with six children, five girls and one boy. The boy came with a twin sister.

What has life taught you with every birthday that passes?

As one’s birthday passes, one sees that we are getting older. I also see that life without Jesus Christ, like my husband normally say, is not fair. So it is Jesus Christ that has made me what I am today. I am grateful to God for what he has done in my life and my family. Even with the children he has given to me and the husband he has blessed me with.

How has it been like being mother and wife to a church minister?

Today, we will say that things are fine. But when we started it was not easy. It was really difficult, particularly in the early years through the days of my bearing children. The ministry work was not easy.

The most challenging period was when God blessed me with twins in my fourth delivery. My husband had to take me from hospital, dropped me at home with no helper and he was off to a crusade because then we were having a crusade in Cross River State. So it was really difficult at that time. It was God’s grace that saw me through.

What kind of person is your husband; some people say he talks too much?

From the beginning, my husband has been a bold man and it is one of those things that attracted me to him. He is bold, he loves and he is

kind. He says things that his colleagues would not like to say.

He is ready to die for Christ no matter the situation and that is the type of person I know him to be.

On the issue of him talking too much, I personally feel that when you see some things happening and you decide to close your mouth; that is not the way it is supposed to be. When things are wrong, say what you can say and do what you can do to correct the wrong issues, not just murmuring when things are going bad.

I prefer my husband speaking out and doing what he can to correct issues.

What are the things that make him angry?

He smiles a lot, but that does not mean he cannot be angry.

When people feel offended generally, there is bound to be anger. Anger is one of the attributes of God, because God is also angry when people do things that are not right.

So when he expects you to do certain things in certain ways and he does not find those things happening, there is cause for anger. And like the scripture says, it is human for everybody or every leader to be angry when occasion demands.

How did you meet your husband?

It happened in 1966, when the Civil War was building up. I was 11 years old then.

I tell myself That was the that God has first time I met It was at no other major him.

Umoru, a task for me r i v e r i n e than being my community in the Ndokwa husband’s area of Delta helper. I have State. We are from same imbibed that I s o k o from the community of beginning Canaan.

Then, he was living in Ndoni, Rivers State. My parents, who were traders, went to Umoru to sell yams, oranges and other items, along the coast at that time. He too came from Ndoni, the other side of the river to sell his father’s yam.

That was where we first met and that was where it clicked in my heart that this is the man I am going to marry. When I saw him, I liked him as a teenager.

One of the things that convinced me that this is the man I would marry was that the very day I met him was the first day I started experiencing my menstrual cycle.

From your experience as a minister’s wife, what do some pastors do that you don’t like?

Every individual has his own way. There are pastors who do not want to associate or recognize or go along with their wives in the ministry, but my husband has always carried me along in the ministry through the years even before I started having my children.

We go to crusades together.

We handle everything in the ministry together.

There was a time I was sort of serving as secretary to him when we started because there was no means to employ anybody. Like when we started the End Time Broadcast Ministry, I was the one receiving and reading letters, then I will type and put together responses and all that.

So from the onset, we have been working together, and some of his pastor colleagues and associate used to mock him then. They say he gave himself to his woman and all that, but that never made him change his mind.

Many would call you a very strong woman God has given me the inspiration to add my own quota in manners meaningful to the work we are doing. It has never been by my own ability. I have always felt we should be a blessing to people, and that is one of the things we are called for. We have been a blessing to people, although some of them reward us with evil.

So when such occasions demand, I will suggest my own idea and he would also delegate me on areas where he feels I could be of assistance and I go along. That is how we have been getting the results; working with the team involving other assistants in the ministry.

One added strength I must mention here is that I have not been a wife in the habit of opposing my husband’s ideas.

When he mentions to me that this is what God is telling us to do, I agree with him because I see it as God’s idea and it is the same God dealing with all of us and controlling our hearts.

When we started Flock of Christ from our former church, Jesus Revolutionary Mission, I know what we went through because I know the sweat I put in to contribute to building that ministry. Even the land for that church, it was my husband who signed as the purchaser.

Despite the challenging inadequacy of fund, the little we had, he would use to buy things in the name of the ministry.

But when, one day, he told me that God said we should leave everything and go, I agreed, because I know that the God that we serve is leading us right. And if He is leading us

right, He will provide to build where He said we should go.

What are the lessons you have learned as the wife of a church minister that you want wives of young pastors to absorb?

Number one is obedience. I believe that when I am obeying my husband, I am obeying God because God had placed him as a head over me. Two is submissiveness. The younger ones, particularly the women folks should be submissive.

Personally, I tell myself that God has no other major task for me than being my husband’s helper. I have imbibed that from the beginning.

Even this idea of being Mama of the Church, playing founder’s watch and wanting to control everything has never been in me. You will never find it in me, because those days I used to sit at my corner, do the little things I can do to assist.

Whether I am recognized or not is not my concern. That is why, even this 60th birthday, it was my husband who said “you do for everybody, let us do something for you this time.”

That is why he gathered the children to say let us celebrate your mother; she is always doing for others.

Where do you see yourself in the next 20 years?

If Christ tarries, I will like to see myself as young as possible.

That is on the lighter mood. But gratefully, we thank God for 60 years. God has made me healthy and the whole thing too is in the hands of God. As we desire more years, we keep asking God to help us. As long as He wants me to live, I will keep living in His Grace.

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015—5

6—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

56 dead, as NDDC battles cholera in Rivers, Bayelsa A

NDONI—AT least 56 persons have been killed by cholera epidemic in more than 25 communities in Rivers and Bayelsa states in the last few months.

Worried by the spate of death and apparent helplessness of the state governments, President Goodluck Jonathan directed the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to quickly intervene.

NDDC responded by donating truckloads of drugs and medical supplies to the affected communities through the two state governments.

Presidential directive Presenting the items to officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Health at the Basic Health Centre in Ebukuma, the representative of Rivers State on the NDDC board, Chief Ephraim Etete-Owoh, who stood in for the Managing Director of the commission, Mr. Bassey Dan-Abia, said, “President Goodluck Jonathan was concerned about the loss of lives in Andoni communities and he directed that we take care of the sick people urgently.”

Giving details of the drugs and medical kits, the head of NDDC Health unit, Dr. George Uzonwanne, said the medical items were meant to cater for up to 1,000 patients.

He said the items included 50 cartons of disinfectants, 2,000 gloves, 500 insecticidetreated nets, 5,000 doses of deworming tablets, 40 bags of intravenous giving sets, 100 hand sanitizers, 250 cartons of dextrose, among others.

Rivers identifies 14 communities Receiving the medical supplies, the medical officer in charge of Andoni local government and a representative of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Theophilus Dagogo, thanked the NDDC for coming to the aid of the 14 communities affected by the cholera outbreak.

He said that the items would help in alleviating the sufferings of those undergoing treatment at the health centres, as well as assist the health teams to check the spread of the disease in the communities.

Dr. Dagogo observed that the provision of potable water for the people was posing a big challenge because water in the area had a lot of iron and thus needed to be treated.

“Efforts are being made to address the water problem, but we have many settlements to deal with. So, the challenge is enormous,” he added.

Polluted water One of the medical officers attending to the patients at

Ebukama Health Centre, Dr. Fingesi Idante, attributed the outbreak to absence of potable water.

The medical officer described cholera “as an acute disease that can kill thousands of people within hours if not treated. This disease occurs due to a break down in environmental sanitation and personal hygiene.

“Therefore we are appealing to our people and residents to make sure that they keep their surrounding environment clean at all times.”

He advised: “We must ensure that our food is properly cooked at all times. We must maintain a clean household, and you wash your fruits before eating them. Proper disposal of wastes far from our immediate environment or residential areas will also help to check the disease.

“Most importantly, members of the public must ensure that they take any suspected case to government hospitals and health centres immediately for proper medical attention.”

No potable water in our community—PATIENTS One of the patients at the Basic Health Centre in Ebukuma, Mrs. Ann Ebenezer, lamented that some of her family members died in December when the disease was first noticed. “At that time the health centre was not giving out any drugs and there were no doctors to attend to the sick ones,” she said.

Another patient, who was still down with cholera, Mrs. Mercy James, traced her predicament to the use of contaminated

water. “We get water from the well.

“We also have a stream that is not clean because everyone uses it for bathing, washing of clothes and all kinds of things.

The only government borehole in our village is not good again,” she said.

Mrs. James and the other patients at the health centre were the lucky few, as many others in remote areas had no access to medical help. Even for those in rural health centres such as the one in Ebukuma, the facilities are nothing to write home about.

We were caught unawares Community chair Ebukuma Community Development Chairman, Mr. Collins Ikwut, commended NDDC for its quick intervention and appealed for more assistance in equipping health centres in the area.

He also called for urgent action to tackle the water problem in the area, adding that the cholera outbreak took his people unawares and threw the affected community and its neighbours into confusion.

The outbreak of cholera in Rivers State was reported on January 5, 2015. According to the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, 20 people died of the disease in Andoni within one month. He said that about 171 cases of the disease had been recorded so far in the state.

Spread to Bayelsa Not long after, the disease also surfaced in neighbouring Bayelsa state. Six persons, including a child died at

ABOVE: A nurse attending to one of the patients.

BELOW: Donating drugs for the fight against cholera.

Nembe and Brass areas of Bayelsa East Senatorial District, last month. Before then, two died in Otuan, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa Central.

Eight persons lost their lives to the epidemic in Osiama and Ekede in Sagbama Local Government Area, Bayelsa West, while 13 persons died at Igbomotoru II in Southern Ijaw.

Again, the NDDC quickly rushed in assistance for the victims in the state. The intervention impressed the Bayelsa State Government and it said so without equivocation.

It commended the NDDC for coming to their aid in tackling the health emergency which affected communities in Sagbama and Southern Ijaw local government areas.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ayiabatonye Owei, expressed the government’s appreciation while receiving drugs and medical supplies for the treatment and prevention of cholera at the state secretariat complex in Yenagoa.

The commission’s Director

of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr. Solomon Ita, who represented Dan-Abia stated that the interventionist agency was always prepared to assist in ensuring the well-being of the people of the Niger Delta region.

He said that the truck-load of drugs and medical supplies included several cartons of disinfectants, hand gloves, insecticide-treated nets, doses of de-worming tablets, bags of intravenous giving sets, hand sanitizers, cartons of dextrose, among others.

Integrated water schemes The NDDC director promised that the commission would in no distant time build integrated water schemes with treatment plants at appropriate locations to help the state in checking future occurrence of the waterborne disease.

He urged the state government to identify the areas where the water projects would be cited to facilitate proper planning by the NDDC.

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015—7

DELTA GAS PROJECT: How Ijaw, Itsekiri struck deal

Chief Victor Nanna, Olara-Aja of Koko.

Continues from Page 1 Government Area, which was first chosen for the EPZ project, but later discarded, had urged the federal and state governments to relocate the project back to the town or return its already acquired land, as there was no love lost between Ijaw and Itsekiri people in Warri South-West over the project.

Also, Igoba community, an Ijaw community in Warri South-West Local Government cried blue murder by its Gbaramatu-Ijaw brothers and also swore to disrupt the groundbreaking if its demands were addressed.

Unrecorded accord A Gbaramatu-Ijaw leader confided in Niger Delta Voice before the meeting commenced: “We, including the Ugborodo-Itsekiri people, have come to understand that there are some Ijaw and Itsekiri people, who do not want the project to take off.

“These are the people fanning the embers of war and we were playing into their hands all these months. So, there was an unwritten understanding to get rid of them before they cause further havoc.

“This was the mood that pervaded Gbaramatu-Ijaw and Ugborodo-Itsekiri leaders that attended the meeting with Governor Uduaghan, last Wednesday.”

We settled before Asaba meeting—BEBENIMIBO The understanding actually played out at the deliberations. Ijaw youth leader and activist, Mr. Paul Bebenimibo, who attended the meeting, told Niger Delta Voice: “When we met on Wednesday, the governor just introduced the issue and told us that the President, Dr. Jonathan was eager to perform the groundbreaking before the March 28 elections and had instructed him to ensure that all the nuts and

bolts were screwed properly.

“Itsekiri delegation, led by Mr. Austin Oboroegbeyi, was the first to speak.

“He said the resolution did not start on that day, but December 23, 2014, when NNPC invited the two ethnic groups to Abuja.

“He said that NNPC stated that the project is one big project but with different components. One of them is the Gas City, which many call EPZ and the other, a Deep Sea Port. The Gas City is to be in Ogidigben and the Deep Sea Port in Gbaramatu.

“The project is an NNPC project and if it decides to split it into two components, nobody is against it. But before now, the Itsekiri people wanted to know where the Deep Sea Port will be sited because much of the hoopla had been over a location Itsekiri calls Kpokpo and we call Ikpokpo.

“They asked for the design of the project showing the location. We also agreed that it was the right thing for NNPC to do.”

Bebenimibo said the Abuja meeting at which these pertinent matters were raised ended with the understanding that NNPC would produce the drawings for the project and that was the situation until Uduaghan convened the March 3 meeting, following a directive to the effect by President Jonathan.

He said Tompolo and Ayiri had never been part of the Ijaw and Itsekiri delegations to the various meetings and were not at the Abuja and Asaba meetings either.

No land acquired for Deep Sea Port yet—EYENGHO A member of the Ugborodo EPZ Interface Committee, Mr. Alex Eyengho, who threw more light on what transpired in the Abuja and Asaba meetings, said: “The agreement did not just start that day (March 3).

Mr. Paul Bebenimibo.

“It started December 23, 2014 when NNPC met with representatives of both sides.

“That was the first time NNPC made the proposal of splitting the project— Gas City, Ogidigben, and Deep Sea Port, Gbaramatu.

“Naturally, Ugborodo people did not agree and we said we will get back to our people. But we know it is a Federal Government project and NNPC reserves the right to split it the way it likes, but what we do not want is our land being used for a project that will be named after another tribe.”

He said the Itsekiri delegation came back and briefed their people and at a meeting, presided over by the Olu of Warri, the ethnic group took a decision that on no account should its land, Kpokpo, be ceded for a project that will bear the name Gbaramatu.

Eyengho said NNPC repeated at Asaba that the Deep Sea Port would be sited outside the contentious area between the Itsekiri and Ijaw, which means it would cut-off Kpokpo, adding that no drawing was brought to show the location of the project and when the Itsekiri delegation asked, “ we were told that it was not ready as no land has been acquired for the deep sea port.”

The Itsekiri youth leader said: “The NNPC made it clear that it is not its duty to acquire land for the project, but that of the state government.

“At the meeting, we insisted that since no land has been acquired, due process should be followed when it is to be acquired as was done in the EPZ case so that those who have objections would raise them within the statutory period of 28 days or thereabout.

“What the governor did last Wednesday was to hear the reaction of the three parties to the Abuja meeting and we restated that we (Itsekiri)

insisted that we want to know the land the NNPC is situating the Deep Sea Port to be sure that it is not Itsekiri land.

“The governor made it clear that the state government has not acquired land for the Deep Sea Port and so we agreed in principle that land should be acquired for it and sited in Gbaramatu area as proposed by NNPC. “We also agreed that the groundbreaking of Delta Gas City, Ogidigben, which is not in contention be done.”

For the avoidance of doubt, he said: “The land for the deep sea port has not been acquired and there is no way it can be acquired before the March 28 presidential election.

“We agreed in principle that it will be put in an exclusively Gbaramatu area and that due process must be followed in acquisition of the land.”

Ogulagha-Ijaw asks for fresh meeting or…

While the Gbaramatu-Ijaw and Ugborodo-Itsekiri are waiting to hear the official date of the groundbreaking from President Jonathan, who had been informed of the resolution, the Sokebolou/ Yokri People’s Congress is kicking.

A statement by its chairman, Mr. Bob Towei, said: “We are calling on the Federal Government to call Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to order by reconvening a meeting with all stakeholders, including the Ogulagha kingdom before the proposed groundbreaking or he will be blamed for whatever actions that would be carried out by the Ogulagha people.”

The Ogulagha Kingdom Traditional Council of Chiefs in a similar statement by Chief Francis Temewei and others, warned, “Mr. President, we wish to emphatically state that any understanding reached with other stakeholders that does

not include the people of Ogulagha kingdom, that is date for groundbreaking, naming of the facilities and land acquisition, will be an action in futility.”

Koko people furious At Koko, the headquarters of Warri North Local Government, where the project was originally earmarked, the irate people are demanding relocation of the EPZ back to the community.

In the alternative, they asked government to return the over 3,000 hectares of land supposedly acquired in the community, three years ago for the project.

They alleged that government officials were already using the Certificate of Occupancy to obtain loan from banks and transact other businesses.

Community leaders, Messrs. Samuel Asorkpinimi, Mike Eyide and others, who spoke to Niger Delta Voice in Koko, said to avert a looming carnage between Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic groups over the project, the Gas City should without delay return to Koko.

Aborted dream Indeed, Koko was proposed, four years ago, as the EPZ site, and the community released over 3,000 hectares of land to the government for the project.

Olara-Aja (Oldest man) of the community, 93-year-old Chief Victor Nanna, a grandson of the famous Nanna dynasty, who the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, appointed as his representative in Koko and the entire citizens, were overjoyed with the choice and applauded the Federal Government.

Chief Nanna personally sent messages of appreciation to President Jonathan and the governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan for the proposed project in his domain.

They never knew that their happiness would be cut short the way it happened.

But it came to pass all the same, as the proposed project was reassigned to Ogidigben two years after Koko people had been celebrating that the project would catapult the community and its neighbours to higher economic pedestal.

Chief Nanna said the people were greatly saddened by the development and expended huge amount of money to ascertain the reason.

Community disagrees with govt on relocation He said the only reason adduced by the Federal Government was that the Koko River was too shallow for big ships, a claim that was poohpoohed in two separate investigative reports commissioned by the community.

A community source said

Continues on Page 8

8—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

DELTA GAS PROJECT: How Ijaw, Itsekiri struck deal

Alex Eyengho Continues from Page 7 investigations were carried out by a private consultant hired to verify the depth of the river and an expert attached to the Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, both of which faulted the Federal Government’s claim of shallowness of the river.

He claimed that the Federal Government was given incorrect reports, one of which conveyed erroneous information about what transpired between 1972 and 1973 when one of the biggest cargo carriers, called African Carrier, sailed through the length of Koko River and berthed in Koko Port.

Give us back our land or…

An irate villager said: “It is our desire that government should revoke the Certificate of Occupancy, which the state government issued to the contracting company that was to be in charge of the EPZ project in Koko and give us back our land.

“We already hear that some people are using the C of O to obtain loans from the banks.

It is a big land of about 3,000 hectares. We need it back; since we could not get the project, we can resell it to develop our community.

“In the alternative, the Federal Government should bring the project back to us. It is bound to bring much economic development to us.

It is not safe where it is proposed now. In fact it is seating on a keg of gun powder. That is what all of us want.

“Let no one play politics with the project; no single individual or group of persons can be greater than a whole community or the federal government.

“If the project is in Koko the benefits will spread to neighbouring Ijaw and Itsekiri communities and even

beyond, so why pinning it down in crisis-ridden area.

“The government ought to have learned lesson from the Ogbe-Ijaw and Ogidigben crisis of 1994, which devastated several communities in Ijaw and Itsekiri lands.

“They should not wait until a similar thing happens. They should relocate the project to Koko now.”

Igoba community protests As the people of Koko seek relocation of the project, Igoba community in Gbaramatu

Kingdom, have called for inclusion in the EPZ project, saying its land were part of the lands acquired for the project but “the community is not considered in the ongoing negotiations amongst host communities to the project.”

Chairman of the community, Captain Isaac Bobo, told Niger Delta Voice that Igoba shared common boundary with Ogulagha, Obuede, Sokobulu communities, which were allegedly listed as host communities, adding that his community should be included to avoid bad blood.

He said the people of Igoba wrote to the chairman of the EPZ Interface Committee to address the shoddy arrangement, pointing out that the community was not ready to cede any portion of its land to anybody.

Igoba community said it would definitely impede the groundbreaking of the project if its non-violent grievance was not addressed.

He called on President Jonathan, Governor Uduaghan and Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani-Alison Madueke to expedite modalities on its inclusion as host community to the EPZ project to avoid breakdown of law and order.

POLLS: Community leaders, stakeholders rally to avert crisis in Akwa Ibom Continues from Page 2 government has put in place the necessary machinery working with the security agencies to ensure safety of lives and property during the elections and beyond. Akwa Ibom is peaceful so I don’t envisage any problem.”

Archbishop Emmanuel Udofia of Methodist Church Nigeria of Uyo Archdiocese, said, “Generally, I have always been talking to politicians that they have to play politics with Christian understanding because the best principle that God has given to us is that we should not kill.

“So it will be an abomination for any politician to engage in killing because you want to win a political position.

“I have been telling them, as people that worship God that they don’t need thugs, or to import weapons. The security agencies are there to ensure law and order. So I am begging them to play politics with the fear of God. I am optimistic that we will achieve free and credible elections in Akwa Ibom state and in the country,” he said.

However, the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom state, Justice Idongesit Ntem-Isua, during a two-day seminar organized, last week, for practising journalists and Civil Society Organisations in the state on ‘Responsible Reporting of 2015

General Elections’ was quick to point out the crucial role of politicians in promoting peaceful election.

“Once there is a transparent, free and fair election, there will be no violence. I wish that politicians would try to make all efforts to ensure that elections are credible, free and transparent.

“I know that if the results at each polling unit are also the same result submitted at collation centres and eventually announced at the end of the elections, there will be no violence. People who loose will know that they have lost fairly”, she asserted.

Youth president, Itiam Edem Akai village, Uyo local

government area, Ifureuwem Ekpe, said, ”Any time we talk about elections, I have to let my fellow youths know that it is not all about collecting money from politicians to indulge in ugly acts and malpractices.

“As a youth leader, if I don’t warn my people against being used by desperate politicians, it means that I have failed them in my responsibility.

“We have been meeting and I can assure you that our youths will not be involved. I did it before as a unit coordinator and now that I have been elected as the youth president, I am working hard and talking to them on why we cannot indulge in any election violence.”

Bayelsa to hold maiden Ijaw cultural festival

By Emem Idio

Y

E N A G O A — COMMISSIONER for Culture and Ijaw National Affairs, Bayelsa State, Dr. Felix Tuodolor, has hinted of plans by the state government to host the first ever Ijaw Traditional Games and Festival to boost cultural tourism and promote the Ijaw cultural identity.

Tuodolor, who described the Ijaw culture as unique, stated this in Yenagoa while hosting the Akuanalapu Union of Nembe-Se, a socio-cultural performing group, adding that the objective of the festival was to revive traditional games and aspect of cultures, which were facing extinction and bring local groups to limelight.

He said the festival, expected to hold later in the year, will see communities compete against each other in various traditional games, including dances, masquerades and various forms of cultural expressions.

The Commissioner, who was named as a patron of the group, stated that the state government had met the necessary requirements to commence the smooth takeoff of the teaching of indigenous languages in all schools in the state, starting from next academic session.

In his remarks, chairman of Board of Trustees, Akuanalapu Union of Nembe-Se, Chief Stephen Agama, said as a community-based cultural performing group, they were in Yenagoa to name the commissioner as their patron and to seek ways of partnership with the ministry in promoting and propagating Ijaw cultural identity.

MOSOP advocates unity to stop crisis in Ogoni RIVERS… THE TREASURE BASE OF THE NATION

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT—THE Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, MOSOP, has appealed to Ogoni to remain united to forestall unpleasant crisis in the area.

President of the body, Mr. Legborsi Pyagbara, who made the appeal while inaugurating a 15- man committee on the divestment

of Ogoni oil concessions recalled that Ogoni lost about 2,000 sons and daughters in the crisis it had with Shell years ago over issues bordering on compensation and oil exploration.

The committee has Prof.

Johnson Nnah as chairman and 14 others.

While charging the new committee to go about its job diligently and submit its report in a month's time, Pyagbara said the committee was a product of a recent meeting of Ogoni over issues relating to resumption of oil exploration

in the area.

According to him, the enlarged meeting of Ogoni empowered the leadership of MOSOP to set up a committee, to among other things, meet with stakeholders on how to go about resumption of oil exploration in Ogoni.

“Let me inform you that today, we are taking a historic and concrete step that will further strengthen our understanding, expand the frontiers of our discussions and deepen our bond as one people,” he said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015—33

C M Y K

34—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015—35

36—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

• Stakeholders at the public hearing of the Violence Against Persons’ Prohibition, VAPP, Bill 2014, held at the Senate Monday last week in Abuja.

Gender & domestic violence:

Agitation heightens for passage of VAPP Bill zFIDA urges Senate leadership to act now

By Shola Ogundipe

‘M

AKE it Happen. Pass the VAPP bill”. This was the crux of the message from Nigerians to the country’s Senate as the world marked this year’s International Women’s Day, IWD, Sunday, March 8.

Worried by the persistent and consistent rise in gender-based violence in the country especially the rape of minors, and the inadequate legal framework to prosecute such atrocious acts; The International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA Nigeria, has charged the Senate to prioritise passage of the Violence Against Persons’ Prohibition, VAPP, Bill 2014, in the interest of society.

Lending voice to the issue, FIDA, Nigeria, urged the leadership of the Nigerian Senate to “make it happen” for the Nigerian women, children and vulnerable groups, by passing the VAPP bill before the end of this 7th Assembly.

Making the call in Abuja, FIDA National President, Hauwa Shekarau remarked that “the VAPP bill is the only holistic legal instrument that succinctly addressed issues of gender based violence, domestic violence, some

obnoxious customary practices and other forms of violence prevalent in Nigeria today.

Thus its importance can never be over-emphasised.”

FIDA, which has been at the forefront of soliciting for partnership with numerous stakeholders in the advocacy process for the passage of the bill., regretted that a lot still needed to be done to maximise the existing synergy.

Shekarau, who spoke during the public hearing of the VAPP bill at the Senate Monday last week in Abuja, said time was running out in the tenure of the present Assembly to ensure the passage of the bill.

Abuja, the responce was tremendous as expected.

Agitation for legislation of a domestic violence law in Nigeria has been on the high ever since March 2013, when the nation’s 360-member House of Representatives, approved VAPP, bill 2014, on the third reading.

The VAPP bill aims to enact a law to eliminate, or reduce to a minimum, cases of sexual, domestic and indeed all forms of gender based violence. But such a law could only be given

Public hearing Following a resolution by the committee of the House after the bill scaled its second reading on October 16, 2014, the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Legal Matters and Human Rights was mandated to organize the public hearing on resumption of the Senate to plenary.

Monday last week, when the Senate Committee finally held the much awaited public hearing on the VAPP bill 2014, among three other bills, at the National Assembly Complex,

Stakeholders are unanimous in demading for passage of the bill, based on the ever increasing cases of violence against persons, especially women

legal teeth through approval of the Nigerian Senate.

When passed into law, the VAPP bill would provide a more comprehensive definition of rape, enforce harsher sentences for rape and other sexual offences, in addition to providing compensation for rape victims.

The bill also promises to herald institutional protection from further abuse through restraining orders and a new fund to support the rehabilitation of victims of violence.

In the wake of the approval of the House of Reps, at least 50 stakeholders on Reproductive Health and Rights, RHR, drawn from a wide section including women and youth groups, Faith Based Organizations, professional bodies, the media, the Ministry of Women Affairs and the Network of the Bar, Bench and Police, among others, met in Abuja, to unite and speak with a common voice to call on the Nigerian Senate to pass the VAPP Bill before expiration of its seventh session.

Stakeholders are unanimous in demading for passage of the bill, based on what they described as the ever increasing cases of violence against persons, especially women in the country coupled with the fact that the bill had been with the National

Assembly for the past 13 years.

But over the months, lack of action by the law makers on the all-important bill, has been a real cause for concern among stakeholders in Nigeria and the world in general.

The push for passage of the VAPP bill has been long and sustained. Efforts have included high level advocacy visits, lobbyings, public enlightenment and education talks to the Senate President and other principal officers, as well as Pro-VAPP Bill Senators.

Aggressive campaigns and engagement of mainstream media and social media to effectively mobilize the general public as well as give a face to the victims and survivors of domestic and gender based violence have been an on-going exercise.

Widespread support Solidarity rallies in support of the VAPP Bill in addition to engagement of traditional and religious rulers have not been left out, all in the effort to towards ensuring widespread support.

A general review of domestic violence against women in the country reveals that the problem of violence against women has not been given adequate attention both at the individual and government levels.

The Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry, notes that girls and women that account for more than half of the Nigerian population, routinely experience gender based social injustices, notably domestic violence, that prevents full exploration of their potentials.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015—37

PCN set to standardise pharmacy practice Ebola: Airtel — Elijah Mohammed, Registrar

By Sola Ogundipe

E

LIMINATION of fake drugs and standardization of the pharmacy practice are among the main priorities of the newly repackaged Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, PCN, Registrar of the PCN, Pharm. Elijah Mohammed, who gave insight into ongoing efforts to kick start improved pharmacy practice in the country, remarked that the system is faced with moral and ethical crisis arising from decades of neglect, disobedience and passivity by many which have produced a culture of pharmacy practice that lacks selfactualization, control and the true commitment to the ethics of the profession.

Mohammed, in a chat with Good Health weekly, stated: "The system is bedeviled by landmark legislation and executive recklessness, a situation that has assumed illegality on demand and removed the essence of pharmacy practice from the public arena".

Elijah likened the present system to the Nollywood industry with all shades of actors acting various scripts to suit a hodgepodge of producers and directors alike.

The pharmacy practice, he explained, has long suffered from a "generational gap with little genuine appreciation, understanding and co-operation between the older and younger generations of practitioners".

Mohammed lamented that the pharmacy profession and indeed the nation has watched, mostly in silence, as the voice of reasoning and the laws of the practice have been progressively legislated out of the public arena just as the gladiators

• Pharm Elijah Mohammed, Registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria. worship at the alter of greed, materialism and selfishness to perpetuate the malevolent deeds.

He said his mission was a revolution devoid of violence and destruction but of love, professional sanctification and radical devotion to what is good that can bring the pharmacy community out of the woods.

On the way forward, Mohammed, who spoke with so much emotion and zeal, said the system must create the opportunity for self-transformation through training and re-training, education and mass enlightenment campaign.

That, he said, was the only way to elicit the spirit of self-conviction and embedment of the mentality of "what must we do to be saved, the passion for and to do good for humanity which is the essence of the pharmacy practice".

On his 4-point agenda for the PCN and pharmacy practice in the country, Mohammed who spoke on the need for synergy said he was set in the bid towards repositioning of the registry for effective services delivery, a mind set for the new business culture of transformation. Others include: institutionalisation of good pharmacy practice in Nigeria.

Transformation of career professionals into intellectual practitioners; redesigning, restructuring and strengthening of mandatory continuing professional development programme and appropriate definition and designation of doctor of pharmacy and post-graduate programmes in the scheme of things.

“Under the new partnership for progress initiative, there is the Patient right initiative, (partnering with consumer protection council and creating an IT driven pharmacy regulation with result oriented inspectorate activites in all aspects and ramifications of pharmacy practice in Nigeria.

Promoting the use of pharmacy emblem as a symbol of professional service as well as a research and development initiative are also in the works, he concluded.

unveils 7979 shortcode

F

OLLOWING its recent partnership with the African Union (AU) Commission to support the fight against Ebola in West Africa, telecoms operator, Airtel Nigeria, has announced the 7979 SMS short-code, to help raise funds and drive awareness for the initiative.

The initiative, operating under #AfricaAgainstEbola, will use the 7979 dedicated platform to raise funds for the deployment of African health workers to affected countries.

To support the initiative, Airtel customers are encouraged to send ‘StopEbola’ as an SMS and as a single word to the shortcode, 7979 at N100 per SMS. All monies realised from the SMS campaign will be donated to the AU Fund set up to kick Ebola out of Africa.

Ebola has claimed over 9,637 lives across some parts of West Africa since it was first reported in Guinea in December 2013.

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, said Airtel Nigeria is committed to the partnership with the AU on the initiative.

“As a major stakeholder with operations in 17 African countries, we are intensely interested in the communities and people we serve just as we are passionate about creating platforms to uplift the less privileged. This partnership with AU provides a fine opportunity for all of us at Airtel Nigeria to join in kicking Ebola out of Africa”.

Ogunsanya had also donated mobile phones, SIM cards and airtime to all the 290 Nigerian doctors, nurses and other care-givers, who volunteered to join the fight against Ebola.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

H

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38—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

Last Ebola patient in Liberia leaves treatment ward •

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Beatrice, 58, reunites with family

EATRICE Yardolo, 58, spent 16 days in a Chinese Ebola treatment unit, but she returned few days ago, singing and dancing while her husband looked on and cried. He was so happy and overwhelming.

"Words are inadequate to even express how I feel," Steve Yardolo, 61, disclosed, stopping at times to stare at his wife in awe. "If people could see the inner part of a mind, of an inner being, they would have seen the happiness in me."

The Yardolo family caught the deadly virus from their son, who had been working in another Ebola treatment clinic. Three of their children died in January and February, Yardolo noted. In the days after her foster daughter died, she started to have Ebola symptoms and decided she needed to go to the Ebola treatment unit.

Ebola treatment "My walking from here to go to the (Ebola treatment unit) centre, it wasn't easy. My] children crying behind me, 'Don't go! don't go.' I said, 'If I don't go, it will be bad again.'"

Since the outbreak began in March, the World Health Organization has reported 23,934 Ebola cases and 9792 Ebola deaths in the West African countries where the virus is prominent: Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

In Liberia, WHO reported 9,249 cumulative cases and 4,117 deaths.

According to WHO, 384 new Ebola cases have been reported in the past 21 days, six of which were in Liberia. And one of them was Yardolo. And if there are no new cases for 42 days, twice the length of the virus's incubation period, Liberia can be declared Ebola-free.

Liberia has 19 Ebola treatment units, and none of them has any confirmed Ebola patients now, said Tolbert Nyenswah, Liberia's assistant minister of public health. The country has gone

By Chioma Obinna

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• Steve Yardo welcomes Beatrice, his wife back home after 16 days in the Ebola treatment centre in Monrovia. Photo: Courtesy ABC News.

13 days so far without any new confirmed cases, he said.

"This is significant progress, and this is why we are celebrating, but Ebola is

Yardolo, who has four living children, left the ward surrounded by doctors, nurses and her family that isn't under quarantine. Holding bright-red flowers as she stood before a crowd of onlookers, she thanked God and the Chinese treatment unit

not out yet," Nyenswah said. "We are not out of the woods yet. We must continue all of the measures, and I said it is now up to the Liberian people to maintain the vigilance. And we sustain ourselves to zero and look at our borders to protect our people from the Ebola crisis."

Yardolo, who has four living children, left the ward surrounded by doctors, nurses and her family that isn't under quarantine. Holding bright-red flowers as she stood before a crowd of onlookers, she thanked God and the Chinese treatment unit.

"So this is what I have to say: Xiexie to the Chinese [Ebola treatment unit]!" she said to a round of applause and smiles. She'd just said "thank you" in Mandarin.

-- Courtesy ABC News

Dentists seek sustainable oral care services

By Chioma Obinna

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IGERIAN dentists have called for an urgent development of sustainable strategies for national preventive and therapeutic oral health services to cope with the magnitude of oral health challenges in the country.

Making the call in Lagos, President of the Nigerian Dental Association, NDA, Dr. Olabode Ijarogbe explained that these strategies have become necessary following insight into sporadic studies and oral health surveys which showed that periodontal diseases, dental caries and oral cancers are three major oral health problems in the country.

Ijarogbe who stressed that good oral health is essential to general health and over all well being of individuals lamented that even simple things like daily oral hygiene using fluoridated toothpaste are not yet a common practice everywhere in the country.

According to him, healthy smile and the ability to speak and eat without pain or discomfort are critical to general health and well-being.

Liver cancer kills 11,663 Nigerians yearly — EXPERT

“Easily preventable or treatable oral diseases left unchecked can lead to major negative health consequences. It is time to speak openly about and to address the great inequalities that exist in terms of oral health.”

Ijarogbe who spoke during a press conference to reel out activities lined up the NDA to mark this year’s World Oral Health Day regretted that appropriate services are not available for many people in low-income and middle – income communities.

He added that any investment in oral health will lead to an improvement in oral health status a will yield dividends of good general health.

Stating that the theme for this year is “Smile for Life”, he announced that NDA will be focusing on prevention of oral diseases adding that both governments, NDA, schools, communities and families have a role to play in effective prevention strategies, by raising awareness of good oral hygiene and habits contributing to good oral health.

Speaking, the Secretary of NDA, Dr. Kola Obagbemiro who listed the activities to

celebrate the day in Lagos said, the NDA is organising an awareness Walk, from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital to Fadeyi bus stop, Ikorodu road, while there will be dental outreaches to two rural communities in Lagos State, Badagry and Ikorodu and dental awareness activity at the indoor sports hall of the university of Lagos amongst others.

Obagbemiro who admitted that oral health awareness was increasing in Nigeria urged Nigerians to stay away from lifestyles and foods that can lead to oral health diseases.

“Prevention helps to achieve a healthy smile for life. There is no good health without good oral health as the mouth is the gateway and mirror to the body,” she added.

Speaking, the sponsors of the programme, Unilever Nigeria Plc noted the importance of oral health stating the need for Nigerians to adopt the culture of twice brushing daily.

Represented by Brand Building Director, Home and Personal care, Mr David Ukeme said Unilever have been in the forefront to ensure access to products needed within the oral care sector.

O fewer than 11,663 Nigerians die every year as a result of liver cancer disease alone, Executive Secretary, Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, CECP-Nigeria, Dr. Abia Nzelu has disclosed.

Nzelu, in a statement to announce free Breast and Cervical screening to mark this year’s International Women’s Day, said Nigerians should take advantage of the possible solutions available and accessible to fight cancer. The exercise is billed to hold tomorrow at the Presbyterian Church, Yaba; Lagos for all females aged 18 years and above.

Nzelu further noted that Hepatitis B, which is the major risk factor for liver cancer could be nipped in the bud with vaccination. According to her, Hepatitis B, HBV vaccine, which is now part of the country ’s National Immunisation Programme, NPI, could used with the first dose being given at birth.

“Also, Human Papilloma Virus, HPV, is the root cause of more than 5 percent of cancers, including nearly all cervical cancers and a substantial percentage of cancers at other sites.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the world, with the highest prevalence in subSaharan Africa; 26 percent of women in Nigeria are positive for the virus, “she explained.

HPV vaccination Emphasising the importance of HPV vaccine, she said: “The protection from the vaccines is expected to be life-long. The vaccines are best given before the start of sexual activity and therefore, exposure to HPV. The recommended age-range for routine immunisation against HPV is nine years to 26 years. The HPV vaccines have been taken by millions of people worldwide and have been found to be safe.”

“HPV vaccines cost about US$130 per dose in developed nations, excluding the cost of giving the injections. Fortunately, in 2013, the vaccine manufacturers offered the Global Alliance on Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) a reduced price of US$4.50 per dose. This reduction was made in order to ensure access for developing countries, who need the vaccine most. Nigeria, with DTP3 coverage of 41 percent does not qualify for full GAVI support. However, Nigeria is eligible for the HPV Demo programme.

To combat cancer menace, she said organisations like the Mass Medical Mission pioneered community-based mass cervical cancer screening campaign in Nigeria, known as the National Cancer Prevention Programme, NCPP, following the inclusion of other cancers.

She said the current focus of the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, (CECP-Nigeria) is to acquire and deploy Mobile Cancer Centres (MCC), which will energise the impact of NCPP. The MCC is a veritable tool that could potentially improve the immunization coverage of Nigeria, thereby facilitating the full support of GAVI in providing nationwide free HPV vaccination for Nigerians.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015—39

40 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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ONTROVERSY has continued to trail water supply as organized Labour had condemned what it called planned privatization of water supply by the Lagos State Government, threatening industrial action among others to force the state government to abandon its plan.

In a swift reaction, the Managing Director of Lagos Water Corporation, LWC, Engr. Shayo Holloway, debunked the claim by the union, saying the state government had never at any time considered the sale or divestment of any LWC water assets. On the contrary, the LWC Water Law of 2004 only seeks to “partner ” with the private sector for accelerated development of water infrastructure to meet the state’s current water demand, which presently stands at 540 Million Gallons per Day (MGD) for a population of over 21 million.

How it started Potable water supply in Lagos started in 1910 with Iju Waterworks, with capacity of 2.42mgd and 28' trunk main “A” was commissioned in1915 to serve Lagos Island (Old Lagos).

Iju was later upgraded to 6 mgd with trunk main “B”, and 24' to serve Lagos Island, Apapa and Ebutte-Metta.

Further expansion of Iju works in 1954 to 11mgd with third trunk main “C”, and 42' constructed in 1962 expanding coverage to residential/industrial areas of Ikeja, Ikorodu Road via Iddo and east of the metropolis.

Iju waterworks was modernized in1982 to 45mgd to boost pressure in the existing mains with additional 10 mini-waterworks (Capacity 24.6mgd). Isashi waterworks was commissioned in 1977 to serve west of the metropolis– Isashi, Satellite Town and FESTAC town.

Later, Adiyan water works, Phase 1, was constructed and commissioned in 1992 under the Lagos Water Supply Expansion Project with 80km trunk mains, 284km Secondary trunk mains, 1600km tertiary mains and provision of 88,200 property connections.

Labour’s angst The Labour Union, under the auspices of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, AUPCTRE, had this week, in a statement by its President, Adelegan

*Lagosians queue for water in Lagoon city Solomon, called on well meaning citizens of the state to rise up against the plan to privatize water supply in the state.

“We condemn in strong terms the intention of Lagos State Government to go ahead with the planned privatization or commercialization of Lagos Water which in turn will further pauperize the down trodden people of Lagos. The union wishes to call on all well meaning Lagosians, in particular and Nigerians in general to join and support the union in this noble struggle,” the worker said.

11 million Lagosians don’t have potable water According to the World Health Organisation/ UNESCO, 66 million Nigerians do not have access to potable water; premature death from water-related diseases cost the country $2.5billion, while $191 million was spent on healthcare for diarrhoea alone in 2012.

It was gathered that the total available water assets in the state, even if run at 100 percent efficiency, stands at 210mgd, leaving a shortfall or deficit of 330mgd. Hence, only 9 million of the 20 million will get water, while 11 million will be without!. The current shortfall is characterized by the proliferation of boreholes all over the state, with its attendant environmental and health hazards.

It is projected that by year 2020, the population of Lagos State will be about 29 million, with a water demand of 733mgd, making Lagos the

Potable water supply controversy:

No plan to privatise LWC, LASG tells Labour •Targets 745mgd by 2020 as 55% of Lagosians lack water third largest mega city after Beijing and Mumbai.

The studies have also indicated that if the proliferation of boreholes is not promptly addressed, Lagos runs the risk of saline water (salt water) from the Atlantic Ocean percolating inwards to pollute the aquifers (ground water). This will make all boreholes draw salt water.

According to LWC, this phenomenon is already happening in boreholes along Lekki and Victoria Island because majority of the domestic boreholes draw water from shallow unconfined aquifers, which are prone to pollution with attendant

It was gathered that the total available water assets in the state, even if run at 100 percent efficiency, stands at 210mgd, leaving a shortfall or deficit of 330mgd

health hazards. Confined aquifers, which are protected from such pollution, run as deep as 200 meters and more.

AUPCTRE’s claims The union in its claim, lamented that today, the World Bank is aggressively promoting private water contracts to governments through “Public Private Partnership, PPPs,” adding: “The experience of the past 30 years shows that PPPs in the water sector has failed all segments of the society. Look at cities that have decided to take back from public hands: In the North, you have Paris, Berlin, Budapest, Atlanta; Buenos Aires in Argentina; Bogota in Colombia and on our continent: Amman, Bamako, Rabat, Tanger, Johannesburg, Dares-Salaam.

Jakarta in Indonesia will be next.

“In Nigeria, Lagos is among the many cities in the global South where investment in water supplies is desperately needed. There is no consensus on where the answer lies- in private management, public sector or a combination of both.”

The union posited that the

answer still lies in public ownership of water in view of its importance. “As we speak, more than 80 percent of Lagos piped water supply are thought to be stolen; only five percent of people receive it in their houses, taps are often dry, sanitation is non-existent in most of the metropolis and the hospitals are full of people suffering from diarrhoea and other water-related diseases.

“But we won’t stop there, we will continue our campaign to ensure that all levels of government deliver on their commitments and their obligations to all Nigerians, to implement the human right to water and sanitation, to invest our common resources in a transparent and corrupt free manner,” it maintained.

LWC insists on PPP for water supply/Lagos Master Plan However, Holloway said to address the current water demand and meet the projection of the near future, LWC developed a Water Master plan to take the state from its current 210mgd to 745mgd by 2020, through the development of additional large water schemes taking

Continues on Page 41

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 — 41

Continues from page 40 raw water from Rivers and Lagoons for treatment into potable water.

He disclosed that the estimated cost is projected at $3.5billion. “This is an investment which the state government cannot solely undertake as this will take the state government two and a half years to fund it with every Naira income going into the water sector only! With other equally demanding sectors (health, education, security, social services, among others), no state can undertake this financial burden on its own.

“We have commenced the implementation of the Master Plan with the ongoing construction of Adiyan Phase 2, which will give us additional 70mgd. It will be completed in 2016. It is noteworthy that this is coming 23 years after Adiyan Phase 1 due to the huge investment required. In addition to this, the state government completed the Otta-Ikosi water works this year, ready for commissioning soon.”

Holloway continued: “ Consequently, in view of the growing population, the state thus seeks to partner with the private sector, to develop existing water assets with private capital to make water available to all.

Such investments typically are recovered over a negotiated concession period over several years in order to make water tariff affordable to the public.

Concessions usually range from about 25 to 30 years, depending on the size of investment, and financial model.

“Through crosssubsidization, the vulnerable segment of the society is protected as the more affluent pay more for water use. A win-win situation whereby water of good quality and regularity is made available to all.”

However, superintending over such transactions with LWC, are; The Lagos State Public Procurement Agency; Office of PPP, Lagos Water Regulatory Agency and Lagos State Ministry of Justice to ensure due diligence, transparency and fairness both to the investor and the public.

Holloway concluded, “The management of Lagos Water Corporation unequivocally reiterates that the state government is not divesting or selling off water assets. On the contrary, it is a strategy to grow our existing water assets to make water available to all while LWC remains a holding company, with LWC staff managing the various PPP contracts thereof.’’

Lagos: 417 fire incidents, others in two months •Records 10 fire disasters in eight days

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By Monsuru Olowoopejo

AGOS State has recorded at least 417 fire incidents and other emergencies in the first two months of 2015, destroying property worth billions of Naira.

Vanguard gathered that the Lagos State Fire Service has responded to 10 fire disasters within the first eight days of March.

This came barely a week after the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA said that 1,064 persons were displaced by major fire disasters recorded in Lagos.

The state had in 2014 recorded over 1,621 fire incidents and 1,537 fire incidents occurred in the state in 2013. A breakdown of the statistics showed that the state recorded 263 fire incidents and others in January. And in February,154 were recorded.

March disasters In March, one of the fire

disasters occurred at 12b Ereko Street, Lagos Island, where a 3 storey building stacked with textiles materials was razed.

On March 2, another serious fire outbreak occurred at Baruwa village, Igboefon, EtiOsa Local Council where the topmost floor of a two storey building was razed, destroying properties worth several millions of Naira.

Four days into the month, fire engulfed the state Magistrate Court, at Igbosere. The fire burned Court 13 on the fourth floor, destroying furniture and

Today, we have responded to five fire disasters. And we don’t know what will happen before midnight

Fire Service speaks Speaking on the state of fire disasters in the state, the Director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Mr. Rasaq Fadipe said that the above statistics represent the number of fire incidents and other disasters they responded to. He blamed residents for the increase saying, “larger percentage of the disasters was due to

unprofessional handling of domestic equipments especially gas cookers.”

He lamented: “Today, we have responded to five fire disasters. And we don’t know what will happen before midnight. And among these, we rescued a couple that sustained burns from the inferno that started from their kitchen. Many who had used cooking stove for several years, switched to gas cooker suddenly without understanding how best to use it and the precautionary measures that must be put in place before purchasing it. But because they discovered that it is cheap, they jumped at it,” he added.

Fadipe however warned the people against self-help in such emergencies saying they should rather notifyappropriate authorities to avoid preventable losses.

He cautioned residents that fire spread faster during the high temperate and urging them to take precautions against fire outbreaks, particularly during the dry season.

Reduction in noise The LASEPA general manager, however, said that the noise level in the state had reduced drastically.

Shabi affirmed that in 2014, the Agency sanctioned a lot of religious houses, including churches and mosques. Apart from religious houses, the Agency also sanctioned some club houses.

He said that the rate of noise pollution was always related to population, adding that the Agency had been trying to reduce the noise pollution in a state of over N20 million people. Shabi said that once a complaint or petition is received, the Agency moves in immediately to ensure it was stopped.

He enjoined Lagos residents to always report such distractions within their areas to the Agency, for quick action.

The reduction is as a result of the Agency ’s sensitisation programmes around different communities in the metropolis Shabi stated.

“When the Agency gets such petitions, it arranges a meeting with those involved to first educate them on noise pollution and the need to reduce the number of speakers in their premises,’’ he said “averagely in a day, we have 10 to 15 petitions on issues of noise pollution and air pollution from generators and generating sets and religious houses. After the meeting, most of them do comply but the few that failed to comply we then shut down their premises. They will then sign an agreement with the Agency to comply fully before the premises are

other electronic appliances in the court room.

Also on the fourth day, a storey building at ADRAO International School located beside Nigerian Television Authority, NTA at Victoria Island was razed.

On the fifth day, Ewutuntun Grammar School, in Mafoluku axis of the state was engulfed and furniture were destroyed.

On March 8, a local rubber processing company at Gberigbe road, Ikorodu and a shop on the 1st floor of a four storey building at 23 Obun-Eko Street, Lagos Island were razed.

LASEPA moves in to curb noise pollution •Gets 10 to 15 petitions daily

By Dotun Ibiwoye

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OISE from traffic, public address systems and loud music are gradually becoming the primary sources of noise contamination and pollution in Lagos with the attendant hearing problems and health issues.

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) General Manager, Mr Adebola Shabi, recently disclosed that the agency receives an average of 10 to 15 petitions on noise pollution daily.

According to Shabi, LASEPA considers sensitisation of the people and the authorities at the grassroots as a quick means of solving the problem of noise pollution in the state.

“We have even taken the crusade on the issue of noise pollution down to the traditional rulers and local chiefs. We are involving the traditional rulers and local chiefs now because they are the custodians of their localities and they have to educate their

people on noise pollution, he said.

“We started at Oworonsoki to Ikosi, Ketu, Ojokoro and some other areas too. In these areas, we met with the traditional rulers, local chiefs, CDAs, all the religious houses and everybody in the locality on the need to check noise pollution.

He said that there is the need for the local people to understand the negative effects of noise and check it.

Averagely in a day, we have 10 to 15 petitions on issues of noise pollution and air pollution from generators

42—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

muscle to showcase some cultural jamborees by way of campaign rallies. That is luxury for those who can afford it but for those who cannot afford it; they have to be a little more cost effective in their approaches.

So, we have adopted traditional methods of reaching out to the people - going to the market places, door to door, social media and the result is beginning to show some promise.

But Ohaneze has recently said it endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for presidency.

When it comes to politics, this kind of thing has always happened. Even though what Ohaneze has done this time is a little scandalous, it has not been different from what has always happened in Nigerian politics especially the Igbo politics aspect of it.

Igbo politics •Okorie: I feel sorry for my Igbo people

PRESIDENTIAL ENDORSEMENT:

Ohanaeze has made itself cheap — Chekwas Okorie CHIEF Chekwas Okorie is the Presidential candidate as well as National Chairman of the United Progressive Party, UPP. In this interview, he previews the forthcoming contest, his chances and the lot of Ndigbo among other issues. Excerpts:

By Chioma Gabriel and Johnbosco Agbakwuru

H

OW did you emerge as UPP presidential candidate?

There was a consensus among members of the National Working Committee of the party that I should be the candidate of the party for the 2015 presidential election.

This was on the eve of our national convention which took place at Aba, Abia State, on December 11, 2014. So, at the National Executive Council meeting, that motion was moved and adopted by NEC, especially in the light of the fact that the party had zoned the presidential slot to the South-East zone where I come from and for the fact that nobody else came forward to contest.

On the day of the convention, there was a proper election as required by the Electoral Act, which was supervised by INEC officials and being the sole candidate, I garnered all the votes.

I requested NEC to approve my

nomination of Barrister Bello Umar as my running mate, because according to our constitution, the candidate makes a choice, but the party will approve or vice-versa, and he was approved.

Some Nigerians have expressed fears that the rescheduled elections may not hold. What is your view?

I expressed my great reservation and suspicion when the postponement was done. I made it very clear at a press conference I addressed that by that postponement, the credibility of INEC has been put to serious question and the independence of the commission has been eroded based on the fact that the decision to postpone was orchestrated by people in the executive arm of government.

My fear is that having considered the reason given for the postponement as not convincing, I fear that what happened might be a prelude to other sinister motives.

It appears my fears are not misplaced in the sense that shortly after Nigerians accepted

the postponement for the sake of it, other things started coming out, especially from the PDP. Some of their campaign officers started querying the proposed use of PVCs by INEC. They also began to suggest the use of TVCs and queried the use of card readers and all the measures to be put in place that will help to bring about credible and transparent elections that will be acceptable to the Nigerian people.

We saw the PDP attacking these things one after the other.

In other words, trying to throw us back to the dark days where anything went as elections and results were announced, and people were asked to go to court and resolve their differences.

Do you have the backing of Ndigbo having ceded the presidential ticket to South East?

Of course, the Igbo people are known to be very sentimental and emotional and now that they have their person running for the Presidency, you do not rule out that sentimental attachment to the opportunity they have not had for a long time and that is beginning to rub off positively on the party.

Thus, we expect that we will make a major impact in the election though we do not have the capacity in terms of financial

The second republic people will remember very well that almost every Igbo political leader was in NPN, and they were all fighting for number two position.

It was so bad that what NPN did was to decide to give it to any Igbo man provided that he brings N2million at that time.

It was for the highest bidder and that was how Alex Ekwueme being an extremely successful contractor and consultant paid.

He did not become running mate because Igbo people sponsored him but because he out-paid the others and that was what prompted Nnamdi Azikiwe to come out because he had already stated that he was not going to run.

So, when he saw his people clamouring for number two position, he could not reconcile it with the fact that he led the struggle for Independence. That was how he came and he came late and chose the smallest of the

What has happened is that Ohaneze is simply hawking endorsement as if it is hawking pure or sachet water

parties at the time – NPP (Nigeria Peoples Party) which was founded by Waziri Ibrahim.

And when he was asked why he did not go to a big party where all his associates were waiting for him, he said his people were better off being majority in a minority party where their voice would be heard than being the minority in a majority party where they would be assimilated without trace.

And the masses identified with their own and they voted for him while others who went to majority parties lost in their domains and NPP dominated the area (South East). Not just that, Plateau State had a shoulder to lean and Solomon Lar became the emancipator and liberator of his people.

Now is not different, those who will always go to ‘food is ready’ will not be part of building anything. I founded APGA; it was worst in the case of APGA than I have it now. It was only after we had won Anambra State through the court that the party became attractive.

So, I am not surprised. As a matter of fact, I am not much disappointed by what Ohaneze is doing now but I feel sorry for my Igbo people. What has happened is that Ohaneze is simply hawking endorsement as if it is hawking pure or sachet water.

Satchet water An endorsement should be a logical outcome of a negotiated understanding contained in a written memorandum of understanding.

There are so many problems confronting the Igbo people that any patriotic, caring Pan-Igbo organization will present on the table and have it negotiated and as a result of that, endorsement will come.

Look at Afenifere, they are now telling you the reason they are supporting the government which are justifiable endorsement. What did Ohaneze say? Instead, they are busy denying whether they were given a particular amount of money or not.

Is it not scandalous that the umbrella organization that is supposed to speak for the interest of Igbo people has made itself so cheap? This is not the first time Ohaneze is doing this. It did it in 2011 but that time, there was no opposition, and people could get away with it.

Now, the situation is different.

I am running and you will see what will happen. As I said, UPP will be the revelation of 2015 election when the results start coming in. Why is it that in spite of the spate of endorsement, the beneficiaries are afraid of the popularity contest that would be tested on the basis of one man, one?

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015—43

By Chioma Onuegbu

F

EW days after the state chapter of the party rounded off its local government and major markets campaigns, she kicked off a two-week ‘Meet-the-Women local government tour’ in an obvious move to woo and ensure the party did not lose grip with the women at the grass-roots to the opposition.

Apart from Obong Umana Okon Umana of the All Progressives Congress, APC, another major governorship candidate seeking to stop PDP’s Udom Emmanuel is Bishop Samuel Akpan of the Accord Party.

Many PDP stakeholders have confidence in Unoma Akpabio’s mobilisation power following her efforts in the 2011 election that contributed immensely to the successful re-election of her husband, Obong Godswill Akpabio.

Unoma’s fiery team PDP women stakeholders and party campaigners in her campaign train include wives of commissioners, wives of state legislators, women Commissioners, the deputy governor, Lady Valerie Ebe, and wife of the governorship candidate, Martha Udom Emmanuel.

Also in the team were officials of Family Life Enhancement Initiative, FLEI, her pet project; wife of the Managing Director of the NDDC, Mrs. Christy DanAbia; wife of the DG Udom Campaign organization Mrs. Funmi Idongesit Nkanga; the State PDP woman leader, Mrs. Gloria Effiong and chairmen of councils to mention a few.

Campaign flag-off Flagging off the grass-roots women rally on Monday at Godswill Akpabio Unity Hall Ukana, in Essien Udim Local Council before proceeding to Obot Akara and Ikot Ekpene local councils, the governor’s wife said that the continuous interaction with the women became important especially as the elections are approaching.

Why women should vote PDP She spent time to convince the womenfolk on why they should vote PDP candidates both at the state and national levels at the polls.

She told them that no other political party apart from the PDP would be able to promote their welfare and their interest in politics and therefore charged them to resist any temptation from the opposition to rob them of such benefits.

The achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan and the need to consolidate on the uncommon transformation of Akwa Ibom State were among the reasons she gave on why the PDP should

•Unoma Akpabio (middle) Martha Udom Emmanuel (2nd L), Chairman Ikot Ekpene LGA, Gloria Useh (1st R), wife of the state PDP Chairman, Mrs Vivian Paul Ekpo and Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Glory Edet digging it out for Udom Emmanuel

AKWA IBOM: Unoma Akpabio's dance and drums for Emmanuel AKWA Ibom State First Lady, Mrs Unoma Akpabio is living up to her reputation as the campaigner-in-chief of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. be returned in the elections.

She listed the revived railway transportation, establishment of federal polytechnics and overall improvement in the education sector, agricultural sector, youth empowerment and especially being the first Nigerian President to accord the womenfolk 35 percent affirmative action in appointments to buttress her call

to return President Jonathan She added: “In Akwa Ibom, your governor has done everything for you. He has performed very well and I assure you that Udom Emmanuel will do more. We want the uncommon transformation to continue. And I assure you that Udom Emmanuel will do more.

“We are not here to campaign

because there is nothing we have not told you before. We are here to emphasize that the broom should not confuse you. On the day of the elections vote the sign of the umbrella. Do not go to where there is broom. That is APC. On March 28, we will vote for President Jonathan because he has performed more than any other president of this country.

“Market women, I hope you are holding your cards. Let nobody come and deceive you.

We are with the umbrella. When the opposition come to you tell

them to leave, that you are for the PDP. Chapter women leaders, mobilise our women so that they can go into the villages to sensitize others. Go from unit to unit,” Unoma pleaded.

She stressed that they would have no regret returning the PDP because it is the only gender friendly party made possible by the Jonathan administration.

Don’t allow your children to be used for violence – Mrs Emmanuel On her part, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel charged the women to caution their children against being used by self seeking politicians to perpetrate violence during and after the elections.

She assured them that she would carry them along and consolidate on the laudable footstep of the outgoing first lady if her husband was voted into office. Other women PDP stakeholders and campaigners at the different local government areas toured so far took turns to convince the women that the PDP remained the party to depend and rely on.

The PDP state woman leader, Gloria Effiong said: “We are here to tell you that the PDP has performed well; our dear governor has performed well too.

And for us to continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy and empowerment, PDP is the answer. The only way women can appreciate the support given to us is by voting PDP during the elections.”

IKA FED CONSTITUENCY: Our deal with Doris — Obia MR. Kainji Aluge Obia is the Deputy Director-General, Doris Uboh Campaign Organization, the campaign platform of Doris Uboh for House of Representatives, Ika Federal Constituency, Delta State. Obia is also the Ika South Co-ordinator of Team Ochei, the political platform for the senatorial aspiration of Hon. Victor Ochei for the Delta North Senate seat.

Obia in this interview gives reasons why Obuh is the candidate to beat in the election, why he is championing the aspiration of non- PDP candidates for the National Assembly and also canvassing for Senator Ifeanyi Okowa to be governor. Excerpts: Egufe Yafugborhi

W

HAT are the chances of your candidate?

We have done our job well.

Our campaign is grassroots oriented. You are aware I am a card carrying member of the PDP, despite the fact that I am working for Hon. Doris Uboh and Rt. Hon Victor Ochei, Accord Party House of Representatives and Senatorial candidates respectively. We are working on the precedents set by our PDP leaders in Ika South who worked for the opposition in 2011. As we campaign for Uboh and Ochei, we are very much aware that the PDP governorship candidate for Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa is a very good and sella-

ble material. He is an asset to us as we go on with our electioneering campaigns, we are also using the medium to campaign for Okowa. We have been told by some PDP exponents that Accord Party is part of PDP. Will the aspiration of Senator Okowa not hurt Uboh’s chances?

No, Hon Doris Uboh is on the right track and we are praying to the Almighty God to give her victory come March 28.

Uboh during the time she represented Ika federal constituency in the National Assembly executed over fifty-two projects. She sponsored over three bills including the popular National Minimum Wage Bill, unlike her successor, Doris Uboh

•Obia

was fully involved in the day to day business of the House. she was a fighter, outspoken, intelligent, purposeful and a result-oriented lawmaker. She made sure the dividends of democracy got to her people. In 2011, when Uboh was the PDP House of Representatives candidate for the federal constituency those saying today that she is in the opposition worked for the Accord Party House of Representatives candidate. However, we should put sentiments aside and cast our votes for Doris Uboh.

So is history repeating itself?

Doris Uboh is going to win because for the sake of equity. It is the turn of Ika South to produce the next House of Representatives member in our constituency. Our dear brother Senator Ifeanyi Okowa today, by the grace of the Almighty God is the governorship candidate of the PDP for Delta State. If equity is preached uphold and at the state and national levels, it will also be good we preach and uphold it in our federal constituency.

That is the way I see it. It is proper that Ika South has a representation in the House of Representatives, otherwise it will mean 8 years of nonrepresentational from Ika South. It is good and pertinent to note that in this current dispensation, both senator and Reps. Seats are occupied by Ika North East leaving Ika South with nothing at the federal level, then in the next dispensation. Governor and House of Representative will still be in Ika North East if Uboh is left out.

Don’t forget that you get more prominence when you are part of a decision making than if you are absent.

44—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

•Ivwurie: People are drifting to Labour

ETHIOPE EAST: My chances are bright — Ivwurie Chief Evans Ivwurie is contesting the Delta State House of Assembly seat for Ethiope East constituency on the platform of Labour Party, LP. In this interview, Ivwurie expresses optimism that he would defeat other aspirants for the seat in the election to claim the seat. Excerpts:

By Dapo Akinrefon & Charles Kumolu

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HAT informed your decision to want to represent Ethiope East?

I was greatly inspired by the living standard of the people, I have seen my people live the kind of life that I survived, which is poverty. I have seen my people live in excruciating and chronic poverty in the midst of so much.

I have seen in the last 16 years of democracy in Nigeria, that Delta State even if one of the richest states in Nigeria, but we have absolutely nothing to show for it in terms of infrastructure, economy. Growth, is stifled. In terms of growth, there is no growth and development. I have seen the yearning and aspiration of our people on a daily basis.

I have seen the poorest of representation for Ethiope East.

In the last 16 years, Ethiope has sent two people to represent them in the Delta State House of Assembly and I believe these people failed them woefully.

I am a student of leadership and I am an expert of leadership and I am a strong student of economic development and I also know that I have struggled all of my life to escape poverty, so I know what it means to manage wealth.

I know too very well that I have the intellect and wisdom to provide very effective leadership

but the reason I am aspiring to go to the Delta State House of Assembly is not to acquire power, it is not to acquire fame, it is not to acquire wealth.

The singular reason I am aspiring, which is the minimum, is because it is the position I can use to drive and enforce very good laws that will protect the future of Ethiope East and the generality of the people of Delta State. I know that I can initiate good laws to bring about development into Ethiope East.

I know that I can use this position to let Nigerians and Deltans especially know that you can get the best out of government.

Do you have the needed structure to actualise this your aspiration and how is it like?

I have a very effective party structure. The Labour Party in

I know that I can initiate good laws to bring about development into Ethiope East

Delta is a very effective structure led by Chief Great Ogboru. It is the same structure that metamorphosed from the Rainbow Coalition to the Alliance for Democracy, to the Democratic Peoples Party and presently to Labour Party.

It is a structure that is anchored on the will of the people of Delta State. When a people are determined to make a change, there is nothing that is going to stop them. This is the machinery that we are using which is the Labour Party.

I have been opportune to live the life of a politician, I reach out to everybody. I am using the party to access power and when I have that power, I will provide qualitative life to everybody, I have been reaching out to everybody irrespective of the party they belong to, provided they are from Ethiope East .

I can assure you that it is going to be rewarding because I have seen groups embracing what we are doing, I have seen women contribute to our campaign organisation just because they want to be part of a thing that is bigger than them. They see me winning this elections and they are going to partake from the reward that comes out of the election.

You are running against an incumbent, whose party is strongly rooted in that constituency, where does that put your chances?

The candidate if the People’s Democratic Party is not an incumbent, in fact, he did not participate in the primaries.

Participation in primaries That provided us the people of Ethiope East to make a choice between a political neophyte, who does not have the capacity to provide leadership and that is where I have the biggest advantage because I am able to provide leadership.

I am able to drive development, I am able to represent the people of Ethiope East robustly. The people also know that I am with them in the grassroots, if I win, they win. These are the things the people of Ethiope East are looking for, they are not looking for an arrogant PDP candidate for the House of Assembly. I see my party as the light for the state and Ethiope East.

Can one know the chances of your party in winning the governorship election?

The candidate if our party, is overwhelmingly loved by Deltans. He has a ratio of over 95 per cent acceptance in Delta State. I can assure you that in the 2015 the stakes are high, our people have come to know the the level of injustice leveled against him, Chief Ogboru. This is an election that matters most for them. It is going to be a clear victory for Chief Ogboru because he is a grassroots man.

•Permanent Voter Cards

What if you still don’t have a PVC?

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

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SSUES arising from last weekend’s field demonstration of the card reader may remain unsettled pending a definitive report on the exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. However, there are no doubts on the efficacy of the Permanent Voter Card, PVC, that has almost become a treasure in the consideration of many voters.

There were relatively no issues with the PVCs during the demonstration and virtually everyone in the political class is now adjusted to the fact that the PVC would be used during the election.

The campaign for the return to the Temporary Voter Card has also fallen flat and contestants would be expected to further push their campaigns for voters to pick up their PVCs.

Registration points Remarkably, INEC has again pushed forward the deadline for the collection of the PVCs. Those who had given up on collecting their PVCs still have an opportunity and should go to their registration points to pick their cards.

However, if the distribution of the PVCs has ended in your area, you could still pick up your card by going to the INEC Ward Centre of the area you registered to check out yours.

Voters who have registered can confirm the status of their registration by visiting the Voter status page on the INEC website http:// inecnigeria.org/?page_id=2160 A potential voter can also check his or her status by sending an SMS with your State, Last name, Voter Identification Number (VIN) to 081-7164-6879.

Format: State, Last name, VIN. Example: Lagos, Aziken, 12345 A response would be received within 15 minutes.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015—45

FG moves to reduce road accidents on highways

By Gabriel Enogholase

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ENIN—MINISTER of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen, has said that moves were on by his ministry to forestall accidents on newly constructed federal roads in the country, even as he appealed to drivers and other road users to adhere to standard traffic regulations to avoid accidents on the roads.

He noted that following the construction of a link bridge at Utor, Delta State, travellers from the eastern parts of the road, who now access the road as a short cut to Abuja and other parts of the North, needed to adhere to standard practices for road users.

The minister, who spoke to newsmen in Uromi, Edo State, shortly after a tour of ongoing federal roads in the state, said that his ministry was working with the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, to step up enlightenment campaigns especially on the reconstructed Ubiaja-Emu Road.

Noting that the cost of the road

projects was over N9.8 billion, he commended the contractor handling the project, Mothercat Nig. Ltd., pointing out that the contractor was ahead of schedule and that the job was of high quality.

He said one of the objectives of the Goodluck Jonathan administration was to make rural communities accessible from urban areas, a factor he said before now had stalled the development of the economy of the rural areas for years.

He added that ongoing road projects in Edo State including the

Ivue- Edeinu-Ewu Road in Edo Central and the Auchi-EkperiUzea-Uromi-Afuda-Road in the Central and Northern districts of the state, were targeted at connecting the rural communities to the urban areas.

He said: “A few months ago, we commissioned the pedestrian bridge by the Auchi Polytechnic gate as well as the Okhio Bridge and the Weppa Bridge. Today, we undertook the inspection of ongoing federal roads in Edo State, particularly the road that starts from the Auchi Polytechnic gate through Ekperi Uzea,

Uromi Afuda and Usugbenu. The other section is from Ivue to Ibore and Ewu section.

“The one from Ivue to Ibore to Ewu was done by the former Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, before I was born. The road is part of the old network of federal roads under the Western Region government of the 50s.

“One of the objectives of the Jonathan administration is to provide access to the rural areas.

We want to remove the problem of inaccessibility that had crippled the economy of the rural areas.”

IYC tasks FG on action against ocean surge

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA—THE Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, has called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to avert what it described as the looming humanitarian and environmental disaster at Koluama 1 and 2 communities, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State due to ocean surge threats.

Though Chevron Nigeria Limited had sometime last year, through ex-gratia funding for its host communities embarked on massive dredging and sand filling of the troubled coastal communities to stem the ocean threat, IYC yesterday, raised a fresh alarm that the communities, especially Koluama 2, was at the risk of being overtaken by the rising ocean.

Spokesman for IYC, Mr Eric Omare in a statement in Yenagoa, said: “This is an impending humanitarian and environmental disaster which can be averted if urgent proactive steps are taken.”

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RALLY: Professor Christopher Dime (middle) and other Ijaw leaders during a rally by Ijaws of Edo State to drum up support for President Goodluck Jonathan's re-election.

Police in Delta arraign lawyer over alleged malicious damage

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By Festus Ahon

SABA—THE police in Ovwian, Udu Local Government Area, Delta State, have arraigned a 32 years old lawyer, Mr Rume Ono Sorhue, in court on a threecount charge of wilful and malicious damage of a Toyota Highlander SUV belonging to one Mr Esiri Jaho, also a lawyer.

The accused who was arraigned before an Ovwian Magistrate Court, pleaded not guilty to the charge and was admitted to bail by the trial Magistrate, Mrs I. Eshemitan.

The charge preferred against the accused read: “That you Ono-Sorhue ‘m’ and others now at large on February 20, 2015, at No. 12 Asagba Street, off Izomo Road, Ovwian town, in Ovwian magisterial district, did conspire among yourselves to commit misdemeanor to wit: malicious damage, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 517

of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C21, volume 1, laws of Delta State.

“That you Ono-Sorhue and others now at large on the same date, place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did willfully and maliciously damage one Toyota Highlander SUV front

door with registration number JRT 102 GE, value yet unknown property of one Jaho Esiri ‘m’ and thereby committing an offence punishable under section 451 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C21 volume 1, laws of the Delta Delta State of Nigeria, 2006.”

Maku-Eyituoyor decries smear campaign against Uduaghan

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HAIRMAN of Warri North Local Government Area, Delta State, Mr. Francis Maku-Eyituoyor, has advised Itsekiri natives making smear statements against Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of the state to desist from doing so.

He said that the allegation that the governor did not do anything for the Itsekiri in his almost eight years in office, was not only mischievous but also completely false.

Maku-Eyituoyor commended Governor Uduaghan for

completing the road through very difficult swampy terrain from Sapele to Abigborodo community, a thing people thought could not be achieved. He said that it was not possible for the governor to sufficiently address all the development needs of the Itsekiri people within a short period of eight years.

“While our people reserve the right to criticize the governor albeit, constructively, they should also be sincere to extol him for the dividends of democracy he brought to them,” he said.

Itsekiri, Ijaw leaders endorse Eyeoyibo for DTHA

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ABOUR Party, LP, candidate for Delta State House of Assembly in Warri North Local Government Area, Mr. Bemigho Eyeoyibo, has been described by Itsekiri and Ijaw leaders as the most credible man to represent the people.

Spokesperson for the candidate, Mr. Yemi Neburagho, said that Eyeoyibo is a man of impeccable integrity who, through dint of hard work, has carved a niche for himself as a successful businessman.

He described the Labour Party candidate as a man that is not only well educated and widely travelled, but has the political and business exposure needed to better the lot of the people of Warri North.

Neburagho called on the Itsekiri and Ijaw in the council to look beyond party lines and cast their votes for Eyeoyibo.

Delta PDP candidates vow to complete work on Oko road

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HE hope of resumption of work on Oko road a satellite village near Asaba, in Oshimili South Local Government Area, Delta State, has been rekindled as Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidates have promised to revisit the road contract abandoned years ago.

The candidates, led by the state party Chairman, Chief Edwin Uzor, said they shared the pains of the people and would ensure that the problem of Oko road was solved by the coming administration.

The candidates, who made the pledge during their campaign to Ward 1 and 2 (Oko), are Mr. Peter Nwaoboshi, PDP Delta North senatorial candidate, Amaechi Mrakpor, PDP House of Representatives candidate for Aniocha/ Oshimili federal constituency and Mr Peter Onwusanya, the PDP candidate for Oshimili South constituency.

46—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

APC blasts Ohanaeze over Jonathan’s endorsement

Court awards N603m against construction firm

By Francis Igata

By Abdulwahab Abdulah

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NUGU—PERTURBED by the recent endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan by the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the All Progressives Congress, APC, in South-East geopolitical zone, yesterday, took a swipe at the leadership of the group, calling on it to desist from mortgaging the future of Igbo.

Spokesperson of APC in the zone and chieftain of Ohanaeze, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, wondered why the group should endorse Jonathan, when the 2nd Niger Bridge his administration promised to build was not in the budget.

He said: “Jonathan, in 2011, promised to revamp Enugu Coal facility to

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FTER eight years of legal battle, the Owerri Division of the Court of Appeal has awarded N603.180 million against construction giant, Julius Berger Plc, as damages and compensation for the treatment of Mrs. Philomena Ugo, who had a collision with the company’s truck.

In a lead judgment delivered by Raphael Chikwe Agbo, the court ordered the company to pay N603,180,560 million and 150,000 Indian Rupees as general damages against the company and the cost of Mrs Ugo’s treatments in Nigeria and abroad.

In a unanimous judgment by Justice Peter Olabisi Ige, Justice Frederick Oho and Justice Agbo, the appellate court held that Mrs Ugo’s counsel, Mr. Emeka Ozoani, had proved his appeal and the cross appeal in the case.

The court held: “It seems to have been established by judicial authority that in personal injury cases, two main factors have to be taken into consideration in assessing damages in cases of liability.

“These are financial loss resulting from the injury and the personal injury involving not only pain and suffering, but also the loss of pleasures of life.”

complement electricity generation. Till today, it remains a campaign promise.

“If he had fulfilled the promises, jobs would have been created and it will have a multiplier effect on the economy of the zone.

“Look at the Enugu Airport, his administration has been mouthing as international.

He has not provided the necessary parameters to make it an international airport.

“These parameters include making Enugu a trade free zone. Our people should not be deceived any longer. How many international carriers fly in and out of Enugu? It is because it remains a mantra that the airport is international.

“Look at the 2nd Niger Bridge; if built, it will be the only bridge in the country that is a toll fee bridge, but

funds for the construction is not in the budget.

“Our people will pay for the construction. Go to Loko/ Owede Bridge linking River, Benue to Nasarawa which is of the same size and length with the 2nd Niger Bridge. It is nearing completion because Jonathan put it in the budget three years ago.

“How can Ohanaeze say they are endorsing a man who does not love the Igbo?

Ashafa says card readers will checkmate rigging

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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ENATOR Gbenga Ashafa has urged Nigerians to insist on the usage of electronic card reader by the

Court quashes N50m charge against trade complex's ex-boss

By Bartholomew Madukwe

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Lagos High Court in Ikeja has dismissed the N50 million charge brought against the Executive Director, Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board, LITFCMB, Mr. Bassey Eyamba, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Eyamba, alongside Okafor Eunice, Francis Dajilak, Okocha Lazarus and Kolo Barnabas, were arraigned by the agency in 2013 on a 20-

count charge bordering on conspiracy to steal and stealing of over N50 million.

Justice Kudirat Jose dismissed the charge, following a preliminary objection by the defence counsel, Mr. John Kalu, who asked the court for an order to strike out the charge for want of jurisdiction on the ground that it was premature, an abuse of court process, incompetent and ultra vires to the powers of the EFCC. The defence counsel further sought the court for an order for N500 million

compensation for the unlawful detention and malicious prosecution of the defendants.

Meanwhile, the commission had on March 4 filed a notice to discontinue the criminal proceedings.

Attached to the notice, brought pursuant to Section 172 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law No 11, Laws of Lagos State, 2011, was an eight-paragraph affidavit and a letter to discontinue by the Attorney General of the Federation, Bello Adoke (SAN).

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C M Y K

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N this 2015 election, if President Goodluck Jonathan wants my vote, he should simply bring back the abducted Chibok schoolgirls. This is a message I just want to pass to him through this medium because I am tired of promises. Bring back our girls.—Mr. Adogah Ibrahim, Entrepreneur.

On the Chibok schoolgirls Over 300 days after the Chibok schoolgirls went missing, I am getting more confused. I thought some people in some quarters said no Chibok girl went missing. Please let us be factual in this country. So we do not end up breaking it into pieces.—Mr. Emmanuel Ikechukwu, Businessman.

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F President Jonathan had acted on time on intelligence report of the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping, the poor girls would have been rescued over 300 days ago.

So Nigerians would appreciate a situation where the girls are resc u e d . — M i s s Amamchinefe Okoji, Banker.

Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the forthcoming general elections, saying it would checkmate rigging.

Ashafa, who represents Lagos East senatorial district and also Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Land, Housing and Urban Development, also described the plot to remove from office the INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, as an attempt to scuttle the general elections and discredit him.

Ashafa, who spoke at the party’s campaign rally at IbejuLekki Local Government, urged the residents to vote for all APC candidates, assuring that the lawmakers representing the state at the federal level would ensure Lagos State was given special status consideration in the constitution.

He said: “Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has come with another conspiracy to indict Jega and scuttle the electoral process. They are now kicking against the use of e-card readers.”

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

T is so unfortunate that the fate of the Chibok schoolgirls, in the hands of the deadly sects, is yet to be ascertained. I sincerely hope with the Military intelligence, AU troops and the Armed Forces combating the deadly sect members, there shall be good news at the end.—Miss Ezzy Suzan, Commenter.

Why will Igbo pay for the construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge? Why will they construct the bridge with borrowed funds?

“Look at electricity tariff in south-east. It is the highest nationwide. The manufacturers in the region are threatening to pull out.

“Jonathan had to award the electricity of the zone to Enugu Electric Distribution Company, EEDC, that failed in the biding process. Ohanaeze leadership is self-serving and that’s a pity.”

I

agree that the use of coercive force in rescuing the Chibok schoolgirls will do more harm than good. Everyone needs to be patient; the girls will be brought back alive. Nigerians should never stop praying for the President Goodluck Jonathan. He needs us.—Miss Brenda Okereke, Businesswoman.

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HE President had said the Chibok girls are still alive. Perhaps, he could have received information from the military that the abducted Chibok girls are alive. But the delay we have witnessed so far concerning these girls does not speak well for Nigeria.—Mr. Peter Ekpo, Worker.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 — 47

Sambo, Algerian PM parley over trade, devt A

BUJA—VICEPRESIDENT Namadi Sambo on Sunday in Algiers, met with the Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal where they discussed bilateral issues relating to the development and co-operation of their two countries in various fields.

This information is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by the vicepresident’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Umar Sani.

It stated that the vicepresident, who arrived Algiers on Saturday, was received by the Foreign Affairs Minister of Algeria Ramtare Lamamra at the Houari Bounediene International Airport Algiers.

According to the statement, Sambo used the occasion to solicit for the support of Algeria towards the candidature of Dr. Akinwumi Adeshina for the Presidency of the African Development Bank, AfDB. The statement maintained that Sambo, who was in Algiers as a special envoy of President Goodluck Jonathan, presented a letter from President Jonathan to Abdelazeez Bouteflika the President of Algeria The meeting, according to the statement, had in attendance the Foreign Affairs Minister of Nigeria, Amb. Aminu Wali, the Minister of Agriculture Dr. Akinwumi Adeshina and the Nigeria’s Ambassador to Algeria, HarunaGinsau.

Also, the Algerian Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture and Rural Development RamtaneLamama and Abdelouahab Nouri respectively, were part of the exchange of views on a number of regional and international issues of mutual

interest to both countries.

“Highlights of the event was a presentation to the Prime

G B O R — A coalition of youth groups across the three Senatorial Zones of Delta State has adopted Olorogun O’tega Emerhor as its candidate for the governorship of the state, hinging its support on what it described as the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate’s unique vision and detribalized credentials.

Addressing newsmen in Agbor, yesterday, the group, through its General Coordinator, Mr. Kemse Osa, commended O’tega Emerhor for the straightforward and lofty ideas he has reeled out so far, observing that they mark him out as a man with a genuine commitment to the welfare of all Deltans across all three Senatorial Zones.

Osa declared that hardly before in Delta has a candidate of Emerhor’s insight into the core nature of the administrative ailments plaguing Delta emerged

outlining his plans for the bank if elected as its President,” it further stated.

By Ifeyinwa Obi

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FREE HEALTH CHECKS: Rotarian Kayode Aderinokun, past president; Ololade Onasanya, doctor, Chike Okoli Foundation; Rotarian Eme Agha, president, Rotary Club Lekki Phase1, and Rotarian Chuks Ikokwu, past president, at the free health checks conducted by the Rotary Club Lekki Phase1 in partnership with Chike Okoli Foundation at Ogombo village in Lagos.

Empowering youths key to enhancing security — YERO

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HE Kaduna State government, weekend, said it had adopted a robust policy of empowering youths to reduce the level of insecurity in the state.

Governor Ramalan Yero made this known in Kaduna while speaking in an interview with newsmen.

Yero spoke through his Media Aide, Mallam Ahmed Maiyaki, saying that, the government had already trained 14,000 youths in the last two years in various skills to make them self reliant and employers of labour.

“You cannot address insecurity where the youths are virtually

Youth groups back Emerhor

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Minister by Dr. Akinwumi Adeshina in flawless and impeccable French

Vehicle imports down at Tin-Can Port — CUSTOMS

on the governorship scene, asserting that with the APC candidate, Delta is favoured to be blessed with someone that can be relied upon to make a real difference in the governance of the state.

According to him: “O’tega is the game changer, and unless something truly diabolical is afflicting us in our state, he should be the next Governor. We are excited to have a true intellectual who did admirable exploits in the business world to be running for the governorship of Delta State.

Our prayer and determination is that he wins for genuine change to be our portion here in Delta.”

Claiming that all Delta State has seen so far is sixteen years of PDP misrule, Osa insisted that youths across the state where fearful for their future should PDP continue for another eight years of what he described as “continued misrule.”

useless to the society; you need to engage them in useful ventures to make them productive and responsible in life.

“That is why the administration devised various programmes to train the youths; offer them the required facilities and funding to set up their own businesses.

“Through that way, most of them have settled down and even employed others around them,” Yero said, explaining further that the bulk of the beneficiaries were engaged in various skills under the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, while 2, 000 others were trained under the Graduate Intern- ship Programme of the government.

The governor added that 1,000 graduates were also trained to create additional four thousand jobs through a partnership between the state government and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, SMEDAN. He also, said that another partnership between the state and Bank of Agriculture, BOA, for a loan package of N1 billion that had been disbursed to farmers in the area.

Similarly, plans had been concluded to disburse another N1 billion to Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs in the state through a partnership between the government and the Bank of Industry, BOI, he added.

According to him, the state government had also concentrated on the resuscitation of dormant

industries to open up new opportunities for job creation and economic growth, adding that the initiative had led to the leasing of the Ikara Food Company to an Indian firm for 10 years, to process tomatoes for local consumption and export.

Yero, then solicited for the support of the youths and other stake holderes in the state, in encouraging entrepreneurship, and making the state safe for all.

Group plans mega rally to drum support for Jonathan

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socio-political group, Yoruba Youth Initiative, in South-West, has concluded plans to host People Democratic Party, PDP, in diaspora to a mega rally at the Seme international border nest week to drum support for reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan.

A statement by its President, Alhaji Fayemi Gbenga said the descion was taken as a recognition of the success of the President’s transformation agenda.

He also informed that those party member in diaspora are most from West Africa countries who has see the good work of the ruling party.

Alhaji Gbenga said the the group will visit royal fathers from the South west for their blessing for President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo.

AGOS—THE Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS),Tin-Can Island Port Command, Mr Chris Osunkwo, has said that vehicle imports had been down in the port.

Osunkwo, who stated this in Lagos,explained the low import was due to the decline in subsistence imports by small occasional importers of cars who seized opportunity in sending cars to their relations for sale in exchange for cash.

He said that nowadays such people had resorted to using the “Western Union Money Transfer”, adding that this had affected importation of used cars.

Osunkwo, however, said the low vehicle imports had not affected the revenue of the command, adding that there were many sources of revenue for government, like the general cargo.

According to him, officers that are technically sound are managing strategic positions and they collect maximum revenue for government.

The spokesman said that to check corruption in the system, some disciplinary matters were usually referred to the headquarters of the service in Abuja.

According to him, the command has keyed into the management’s zero tolerance for corruption.

“If you are caught, you face the music. Nobody is spared no matter whose ox is gored.

“As it comes up, it is handled. Officers are aware of the penalty awaiting defaulters, so they are careful and cautious in doing their jobs.

“The gospel of compliance is being preached,” he added.

He said, “The blue print for clearance of cargo has taken care of any intention to be fraudulent because the system will immediately fish out any tendency to be corrupt.”

“Let things be done procedurally.

Let everybody follow the procedures,” the Public Relations Officer said.

48—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

SESSION: From left: Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi of Beat FM, Lagos, President Goodluck Jonathan, and Oscar Oyinsan of City FM, Lagos, during the Youths Meet with President Goodluck Jonathan in Lagos.

COLLATION: From left: Venerable & Mrs. Odidi Martin Odidi, Diocesan Archbishop, Josaih Idowu-Fearon, and Venerable & Mrs. Peter Atanda, at the collation of Archdeacons, at the Cathedral of St. Michael, Kaduna. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

FORUM: From left: Head, Customer Experience & Retention, Etisalat Nigeria, Biola Edun, Head, Regional Sales, South-South, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Enekwachi Aja, Etisalat customer, King of Bangha Kingdom, River State, King Suanu Timothy Yormaadam, and Territory Manager, South-South 1, Etisalat Nigeria, Nkechi Amadi, at the Etisalat 2015 customer forum in Port Harcourt.

VISIT: From left: Jeremiah Onu (third runner up), Azeez Balogun (second runner up), Christos Giannopoulous, Chief Executive Officer, PZ Cussons Nigeria, Jamiu Abayomi Animashaun (first runner up) and Justin Ifeanyi Nwaoha (winner), all finalists of the 2014 PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge, during a courtesy visit to PZ Cussons Nigeria in Lagos.

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MEETING: From left: Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Lagos West APC senatorial candidate, Hon. Olamilekan Solomon Adeola, and Lagos State APC governorship candidate, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, during a Town Hall Meeting at Amuwo Ododfin Local Government Area, Lagos, yesterday.

BRIEFING: From left: Provost, Akwa-Cross Indigenes Nigeria, Idongesit Essien; chapter President, Surulere, Lagos, Chief Ubong Umoh, National President, Dr. Unyime Samson, his wife, Elizabeth and Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees, Chief Francis Abang, during a briefing on the state of political development and endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan's re-election, in Lagos.

INSPECTION: From Left: Mr. Chibuzor Nwachukwu, Acting Director, Finance and Administration, Federal Airport Authority of Nigerian, FAAN, Mr. Sale Dunoma,MD, FAAN, Alhaji Muktar Mohammed, Airport Manager, Mr. Wale Osituyo, Regional General Manager and, Mr. Niger Temlong, GM, Procurement, during the inspection tour of the newly constructed Pilot Lounge, at Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.

TRAINING: From left: CEO, West Atlantic Resource & Equity House Ltd, Mr. Adegboyega Adebajo, Regional Manager, South-West 1, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mrs. Bolawa Adenuga, CEO, Greenmark Ventures Ltd, Dr. Jones Akinbolade, and Regional Head, SME, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Tayo Adediran, at a small and medium enterprises training organized by the bank in Ibadan.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 — 49

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015—53

I'll end killings in Kaduna, if...— el Rufai

By Luka Binniyat

K

ADUNA—KADUNA State governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, said he would end killings in southern Kaduna villages and Birnin Gwari if elected.

This was contained in a statement by his Media Aide, Samuel Aruwan yesterday.

Aruwan quoted El-Rufai as having made the pledge while

speaking on the Freedom Radio programme, Barka da Warhaka in Kaduna.

He said: “He also explained that jobs will be created through the utilization of natural resources and agricultural products that abound in the state.

“El-Rufai said the cultivation, processing and marketing of ginger, which abounds in southern Kaduna, can employ about 500,000 persons.

From left: Mrs Abimbola Izu, Directorate Head, Corporate Services, Skye Bank Plc; Mrs Nimuta Mbamalu, Chief Executive Officer, Jumbo Nominees Limited; Mrs Ibiye Ekang, Executive Director, South South /South East, Skye Bank Plc, and Mrs Funmi Ajila Ladipo, Fashion Designer Assiocation of Nigeria, FADAN, during the bank's interactive session for women in business in Lagos. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

“Similarly, shea butter from Birnin Gwari can be made to be economically viable.

“El-Rufai was emotional over lingering killings in Southern Kaduna, Birnin Gwari and Giwa areas. He asked how can they be freely killing our people in southern Kaduna areas like Kaura, Sanga, Birnin Gwari and Giwa?

“Who are they and where are they coming from? How can these killers be committing such crimes without being arrested and prosecuted?

“Something is wrong somewhere, part of which is negligence and insensitivity.

We will not tolerate it and by the power of Almighty God, we will crush them for maximum security and stability in the state.”

On whether he is bothered by religious blackmail against his candidature, El-Rufai explained: “By the special grace of God, I am not worried because it is a blessing and has exposed those peddling

religious and ethnic sentiments as those short of ideas and manipulating religion for election purposes and personal benefits only.

“No matter their manipulation, the people of Kaduna State have rejected their sinister interests.

“What the people of the state need is a government that will be honest and lead with justice to all people irrespective of religion, ethnicity and without sentiment.

“Go and see my record. I have I never compromised merit on religious and ethnic grounds. Is there anyone that I let down because of his or her religion?

“I am guided by merit and competence and above all, social justice as instituted by Almighty God. “They assume the best way they can stop me is through lies and blackmail, but the people will soon confirm to them that this has failed.”

Vehicle imports down at Tin Can port

By Ifeyinwa Obi

T

HE Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Tin Can Island Port Command, Mr. Chris Osunkwo, has said that vehicle imports have been low in the port.

Osunkwo said the low import was due to the decline in subsistence imports by small but occasional importers of cars, who send cars to their relatives for sale in exchange for cash.

He said they now used Western Union Money Transfer, adding that this had affected importation of used cars.

Osunkwo, however, said the low vehicle imports had not affected the revenue of the command, as there were many sources of revenue for government, like the general cargo.

According to him, officers now collect maximum revenue for government.

NiMeT now world class— MINISTER

M

INISTER of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka yesterday said the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMeT, has been transformed into a world class technologydriven organization whose operations are in consonance with contemporary global best practices.

Chidoka made this assertion in Abuja, yesterday, when he commissioned the Information and Communications Technology centre and Scientific and NiMeT’s Technical Information Library in Abuja.

The Director General of NiMET, Dr Anthony Anuforom, in his address, said the commissioning was part of the strategic plan of the agency which was reviewed in 2012 and fits into the transformation agenda of the Federal Government.

He said that presently NiMet has 54 synoptic stations across the country.

Urhobo youths tasks FG on Ibori

T

HE Urhobo Youth Forum for Change, UYFC, has asked the Federal Government work towards the release former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori, from prisons using diplomatic channels, before the general elections.

In a statement in Asaba, leader of the group, Mr. Israel Akpodoro, said Ibori, who is serving jail term in a British prison, had been subjected to enough “political persecution” over “nothing.”

He said Ibori was made a scapegoat, while those he empowered were not bothered over the “ whereabouts of our illustrious son.”

Akpodoro said: “While President Goodluck Jonathan granted pardon to Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Ibori who was acquitted of any wrongdoing by a Federal High Court in Nigeria, was hounded into prison and left to rot in a foreign land.”

He blamed the political leaders of Urhoboland for the marginalization of the people by all tiers of governments in the country, adding that they rejoiced over “evils meted out on their own.”

He said Ibori’s issue would play a vital part in the coming elections.

INEC faulted on PVC distribution

A

civil society group, Move on Nigeria, has warned that the rescheduled March 28, presidential election may be thrown into crisis following the poor distribution of permanent voter ’s card by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in many parts of the country.

National Coordinator of the group, Mr. Clem Aguiyi in a statement in Abuja, said: “In the North East and North West for instance, INEC has not obeyed its own rules and standard, raising concerns.

“The chances of the rescheduled election being credible is further worsened by the less than average performance of the card readers deployed

by INEC during its mock election exercise.”

54—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

By Theodore Opara

GA3, new definition of compact sedan B

ARELY one year after its entry into the Nigerian market, Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Limited (GAC MOTOR), has made impact on the Nigerian auto market with the unveiling of charming models being appreciated by auto enthusiasts.

GS5, the tough, smooth driving Sports Utility Vehicle, and the GA3 sedan are setting new standards in their various segment in terms of safety, performance, comfort and reliability.

The new sensational sedan, the GA3 is powered by a 1.6L petrol engine, with a Dual Continuity Variable Valve Timing and a front vented disc brake/ rear disc brake. Coming with a fuel tank of 50 litres and truck space of 450 litres, the car offers features beyond its contemporaries and is competitively priced.

Equipped with automatic air-conditioning system and power-adjusted front seats, a large central display and one-touch engine start/stop system, the GA3 sets new standard in comfort. It is available in various attractive body colours, such as Latin red, Persia blue, Netherlands orange, silk silver, ivory white and elegant black.

Available in two versions of MT or AT, other features of the car include the option of leather seat, leather steering wheel, rearview mirrors with defogging and defrosting functions as well as front dome light.

You can also get the rear foldable central armrest with cup holder, alarm for headlight on, headlight

•Infiniti QX50

•GA3 sedan

lighting time-delay function, driver’s power window with anti-pitch function and luggage lamp.

When it comes to safety, GAC has ensured that safety features required in modern automobiles are provided in the sleek, car being sold in Nigeria. CIG

Motors, representatives of GAC in Nigeria is providing the best after sale service to the customers at it Victoria Island office.

The GA3 comes with AntiLock Braking system, and depending on the version, it also comes with dual front and front side airbags,

curtain airbags, parking sensor, backup visual system among others.

Other safety features are children safety locking system, crash sensor activating central locking release, rear central 2points seat belt, front pretension and limit stress

seatbelts (height adjustable) etc.

The GA3 has also been commended for being an intelligent car as it comes with intelligent trip computer, cruise function and control button, Bluetooth and CD player, volume adjusted by driving

speed and others.

GAC Motor is a Chinese automobile maker with headquarters in Guangzhou, China. GAC Motor insists on pursuing scientific development, enhancing the core competition, and achieving the sustainable development.

At last, Stallion Motors brings in Infiniti brand

S

TALLION Motors, authorised Nissan sales company in Nigeria has completed plans to launch the Infiniti car brand into the Nigerian market. Infiniti is Nissan Motor Company’s luxury car brand and competes with premium brand like Mercedes, BMW and Lexus.

Managing Director, Stallion NMN, Mr. Parvir Singh gave the hint while briefing newsmen at the inauguration of new Nissan multi-million naira 3S facility in Victoria Island Lagos, weekend.

According to the Managing Director, the Infiniti brand will share the new outlet with Nissan but

not the same showroom.

Vanguard gathered that while the Nissan brand which has been adjudged the fastest growing auto brand in Nigeria, will occupy the ground floor of the showroom, the Infinity brand will occupy the upper floor, which can accommodate more than 20 cars.

Infiniti has exciting models both in the Sedan and Sport utility vehicle segments including the Q50, Q70, QX50 and QX70 which compares with other premium models from BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Lexus.

Vanguard gathered that while the Nissan brand which has been adjudged the fastest growing auto brand in Nigeria, will occupy the ground floor of the showroom, the Infinity brand will occupy the upper floor

Fielding questions from reporters, Mr. Singh, stated that the brand will be hitting the Nigerian market this year.

“Infiniti is coming this year, I can assure you. It is a model Nigerians like very well and we shall give it to them”, he said.

Mr. Singh observed that a lot of Infinity cars were already on Nigerian road as used cars and grey import into the country, hence they have decided to officially introduce the brand so Nigerians can enjoy them more.

He noted that even the used imported ones are being maintained in their workshop, adding that there was no much difference between the Nissan and the Infiniti technologies.

“There is no much difference in the technology except that the Infinity model is of advance technology and higher luxury finishing compared to the Nissan models,” he said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015—55

By Theodore Opara

Nissan woos customers with new 3S facility in Victoria Island S

TALLION NMN, authorised Nissan sales company has inaugurated another multimillion billion naira 3S (sales, spares and service) facility in highbrow Victoria Island –Lagos to provide one-stop shopping convenience to customers.

The new facility which is coming barely two years since the Nissan franchise was re-launched in Nigeria between Nissan Motor Company and renowned West African business conglomerate -Stallion Group would allow customers to see a more complete line-up of Nissan vehicles.

The third in the series after the Gbagada – Lagos and Abuja showrooms, the Stallion NMN Victoria Island facility would not only help discerning patrons evaluate the Nissan models but ensure a faster and efficient service for their existing vehicles.

Managing Director Stallion NMN Mr. Parvir Singh who made these viewpoints in his keynote address at the media inauguration of the outlet said: “The construction of this new Nissan facility is in line with our business expansion plan to provide a higher level of customer satisfaction through integrated facility and enhanced hospitality.”

He also said the project was part of the company’s core strategies of delivering world-class customer experience and asserting Nissan’s increasing

•All-new Nissan X-Trail potential in Nigeria’s automobile market.

Describing Nigerian market as significant to Nissan’s cardinal objective to meet global corporate identity for quality service and customer satisfaction, Mr. Singh said “Nissan’s global objective has conveyed the responsibility of repositioning and enhancing Nissan’s influence in Nigeria on Stallion NMN.” Stallion NMN futuristic Victoria Island outlet is yet another reflection of Nissan’s spirit and style and a commitment to excellent brand image and reinvigoration of customers’ confidence in Nissan products and services. Mr. Singh said the facility will

create an improved atmosphere for quality experience and enhanced customers’ interactive relationship with the Nissan brand. An initiative of Stallion Group, Stallion NMN Victoria Island outlet follows adaptable Nissan module for current corporate

identity and standards used across Nissan dealership network worldwide.

Modern and spacious, the showroom is built to standard with generous theatre-like display arena and a cantilever exhibition platform on the second floor capable of holding up to 10

vehiclesatatimewithaquick service facility, canteen, offices and conference room.

Also incorporating Nissan’s latest Retail Visual Identity, customers can view their cars from the comfort of the customer lounge and enjoy facilities such as coffee bar, wide-

screen TV and Wif service.

An essentially worthy Nissan identity, the entire showroom offers ample vehicle display area with an entrance portal fitted with automatic doors on the ground floor and an imposing Nissan badge behind the reception desk that guardedly welcomes the customer.

The vehicle delivery arena provides convenient atmosphere for business interface while the upper floor section overlooking the customer lounge, ground floor vehicle display area accommodates sales offices and meeting rooms.

The Nissan genuine parts counter will ensure reliable all-time availability for genuine parts and the service centre will offer periodic maintenance services and all mechanical repair jobs. Customers would similarly admire the stylishly adorned lightings with down lights that draw emphasis on displayed vehicles with a must see night view that sets the showroom alive with striking illumination elements in the front façade.

There is also ambience and spacious climatecontrolled reception area with comfortable customer lounge and amenities that makes this showroom one of its kinds.

Coscharis wins Rolls-Royce award

I

T was a glorious day for, Coscharis Motors at the recently held Rolls-Royce Motor Cars 2015 Regional Dealer Conference in Dubai where the Company was awarded the best performing new dealer in the Middle East Region in 2014.

The award which was presented to the Coscharis team led by its Group Managing Director, Josiah Samuel at the Gala dinner during the Conference at the prestigious Park Hyatt Hotel, Dubai by Mr. Brett Soso, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ Regional Director for

From left: Richard Collar, Head, Bespoke Sales & Marketing, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Goodwwod; Brett Soso, Regional Director, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Middle East, Africa, Central Asia & South America; Tolulope Gbadamosi, Sales Manager – Rolls-Royce, Coscharis Motors; Josiah Samuel, Group Managing Director, Coscharis Group; Ayman Ghanem, General Manager - Sales, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Middle East, Africa, Central Asia &South America; Abiona Babarinde, General Manager – Marketing & Corporate Services, Coscharis Group; Mohamed Fawzi, Regional Dealer Development Manager, RollsRoyce Motor Cars, Middle East, Africa, Central Asia & South America at the award ceremony where Coscharis Motors was awarded the best performing new dealer in the Middle East Region at Park Hyatt Hotel, Dubai.

Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and South America for the outstanding performance of the dealership during the 2014 business year. The award according to the Regional Director is in recognition of Coscharis Motors for the outstanding sales record and maintenance of the global standard of positioning the luxury brand of RollsRoyce in the Nigerian market within the short time of having the exclusive franchise of the brand.

Commenting on the

There can’t be another best way to start a new business year in 2015 than with this recognition on a globally respected luxury brand like RollsRoyce that is timeless and iconic

award, the excited Group Managing Director of Coscharis Group, Mr. Josiah Samuel who received the award on behalf of the Company dedicated the award to the company’s ever loyal customers for their patronage and acceptance of the brand with a promise to continually create more value in the automobile industry in Nigeria. In his words, ‘there can’t be another best way to start a new business year in 2015 than with this recognition on a globally respected luxury brand like RollsRoyce that is timeless and iconic. This award will definitely gear us up as a team to further delight our esteemed customers and the new prospects to equally come and share in the seamless luxury experience a Rolls-Royce car delivers at all times’’.

Coscharis Motors has the exclusive franchise of the Rolls-Royce cars with the availability of the Phantom, Ghost I & II series and the new Wraith models in their Lagos and Abuja showrooms respectively with after sales offerings for both existing and new owners of the cars.

56 —VANGUARD, TUESDAY, MARCH 10 , 2015

Colleagues say Islamist motive for killing Nemtsov is nonsense

Putin reveals secrets of Russia’s Crimea takeover plot R USSIAN President, Vladimir Putin has admitted for the first time that the plan to annex Crimea was ordered weeks before the referendum on selfdetermination.

Crimea was formally absorbed into Russia on 18 March, to international condemnation, after unidentified gunmen took over the peninsula.

Mr Putin said on TV he had ordered work on “ returning Crimea” to begin at an all-night meeting on 22 February.

The meeting was called after Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted.

Speaking last year, Mr Putin had said only that he took his final decision about Crimea after secret, undated opinion polls showed 80% of Crimeans favoured joining Russia.

The findings of these polls were borne out by

the outcome of the referendum on 16 March, he told Russian state TV last April.

Speaking in a forthcoming Russian TV documentary, Mr Putin said a meeting with officials had been held on 22-23 February to plan the rescue of Ukraine’s deposed president.

“I invited the leaders of our special services and the defence ministry to the Kremlin and set them the task of saving the life of the president of Ukraine, who would simply have been liquidated,” he said.

Russian marines take part in a military parade during celebrations marking the forces’ annual holiday in the Crimean port of Sevastopol.

S

UGGESTIONS that Russian politician Boris Nemtsov was killed

by Chechen Islamists are nonsense designed to deflect suspicion from President Vladimir Putin, associates of the slain opposition figure said yesterday.

Investigators have charged two men, including a former Chechen police official, over the shooting of Nemtsov within sight of the Kremlin walls on Feb. 27. Three more men have been arrested, and another blew himself up late on Saturday as police in Chechnya tried to detain him, Russian media said.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said the charged expoliceman, Zaur

Kurdish forces attack Islamic State west of Kirkuk

K

URDISH forces yesterday drove Islamic State militants back from the oil-rich city of Kirkuk in northern Iraq , in an attack which was backed by heavy air strikes from a U.S.-led coalition.

Speaking to a local

television channel near the frontline, Kirkuk governor Najmaldin Karim, who was wearing a helmet, said the purpose of the offensive was to secure Kirkuk, which the Kurds have held since last summer.

Kurdish peshmerga

fighters began shelling Islamic State positions at dawn before advancing along an approximately 30 km (20 mile) front southwest of the city, seizing several villages and gaining around five kilometers (three miles) in some places.

“This morning we launched an attack on three axes,” Major-General Omar Saleh Hassan told Reuters by telephone from the frontline near Tel Ward.

“Our advances are continuing.”

Dadayev, was a pious Muslim who had been angered by publication of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad in French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

Nemtsov had condemned an attack on Charlie Hebdo in which Islamist militants killed 12 people in January. But friends reject this as a motive, saying they do not believe Islamist gunmen acting alone could have shot him dead in one of the most closely guarded areas of central Moscow unless they had powerful and well-connected backers.

These associates believe it was Putin who stood to gain from his killing, though Russian officials have denied involvement and the president has called it a shameful tragedy.

“Our worst fears are coming true,” Ilya Yashin, the co-leader of Nemtsov’s small liberal opposition party, said on Twitter late on Sunday. “The trigger man will be blamed, while those who actually ordered Nemtsov’s killing will go free.”

Chad, Niger troops in fresh move to attack Boko Haram F ORCES from Chad and Niger opened a new front in the regional military fight against the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram, as army vehicles full of soldiers crossed the border into northeast Nigeria, officials and witnesses said yesterday.

The escalation in a joint military campaign against the Nigeria-based Boko Haram comes just weeks before Nigerians head to the polls for an election which many fear will turn violent, and after the militants have attacked neighboring countries who have pledged to help Nigeria defeat the extremists.

Chadian Brig. Gen. Zakaria Ngobongue said Monday that his soldiers, alongside troops from Niger, had entered Nigeria. He declined to give details about the ongoing operation.

Already Chadian forces had crossed into northeastern Nigeria from Cameroon to fight the jihadists, he said.

Boko Haram has been fighting a nearly 6-year insurgency against the Nigerian government, and on Saturday declared their allegiance to the extremist Islamic State group in the Middle East, raising fears that the conflict could be internationalized with IS fighters from North Africa.

Boko Haram has carried out mass kidnappings, including of schoolgirls.

“They are bandits and criminals who have nothing to do with religion,” Ngobongue said. He spoke to reporters after the closing ceremony for Flintlock, a training in counter-terrorism tactics that included U.S. special forces and involved 20 countries.

Witnesses in the Niger town of Bosso reported about 200 military vehicles

crossing over into Nigeria since Saturday. Adam Boukarna, one resident, said the deployment was followed by loud detonations, signaling heavy combat with Boko Haram.

Nigerian special forces participate in an hostage rescue exercise at the end of the Flintlock exercise in Mao, Chad, Saturday, at the weekend.

Libya: IS 'kidnapps' 9 foreign oil workers I SLAMIC State (IS) militants are said to have kidnapped nine foreign oil workers in a raid in Libya, when they reportedly beheaded eight guards.

Four Filipinos, an Austrian, a Bangladeshi, a Czech and a Ghanaian were taken with an unidentified ninth foreigner, Austrian officials say.

The foreign ministry in Vienna said IS had attacked the al-Ghani oil field.

A Libyan army spokesman told the BBC the field 700km (440 miles) southeast of Tripoli had been

attacked on Friday.

One oil worker died of a heart attack after seeing the beheadings, he added.

The foreigners were

working for oilfield management company Value Added Oilfield Services (VAOS) at the field.

VAOS said it did not know which militants had carried out the attack or where the oil workers had been taken.

U.S. withdraws $3m for Somali Islamist

T

HE United States has withdrawn a $3 million bounty linked to the capture of a high-level member of Somalia’s al Shabaab Islamist group who had since defected, a U.S. official said yesterday.

The Somali government welcomed the move and thanked Washington for

supporting its efforts to persuade senior figures to quit the al Qaeda-linked organization, which has launched attacks across east Africa.

The U.S. State Department offered a total of $33 million in 2012 for information leading to the capture of Zakariya Ismail

Ahmed Hersi and six other al Shabaab leaders.

Hersi — described on local media as the general secretary of al Shabaab’s finance department — surrendered to Somali government forces in December, Somali and U.S. officials said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015—57

Dep Director of Education assassinated in Benue

By Peter Duru

M

A K U R D I — SUSPECTED assassins have murdered Deputy Director of Education in Benue State Ministry of Education, Mr. Akpa Onyilo, at Otukpo town.

Vanguard gathered his mutilated corpse was later picked up by officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, around GRA area and deposited in the General Hospital, Otukpo.

A father of six, Onyilo was said to have left his home on the evening of March 5 for a wake keep at Agben-yojo area of the town.

His widow, Ada, a teacher at the department of Home Economics, College of Education, Oju, urged the authorities to fish out his killers.

When contacted, state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Austin Ezeani, said he was yet to receive briefs on the incident.

‘My wife committed suicide because I caught her cheating'

By Esther Onyegbula

A

33-year-old man, who is currently being investigated by operatives of the homicide unit of Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Yaba, has denied killing his wife.

“My wife took poison after a misunderstanding over her infidelity,” he said.

It was gathered that the couple, who had been married for over seven years, had three children. The 27-year-old Togolese reportedly committed suicide after her husband, Seun Alabi, confronted her over allegations of extra-marital affairs.

Alabi, a tiler, had used his wife, Bose’s phone to call a colleague before leaving for work. Afterwards, Bose called the same number, thinking it

was her lover’s number, and requested that they met at her friend’s place.

Surprised by the request, the husband’s colleague (names withheld) told her that she had mistaken him for someone else.

She apologized and ended the call.

However, trouble started when Seun’s colleague told him about the call. When he returned from work and confronted his wife, she initially denied the allegations but later admitted to engaging in extramarital affair.

According to Seun, “I threatened to report her to her family members, so she confessed and pleaded for forgiveness. I was surprised and could not imagine that she could cheat on me after seven years of marriage.

“I was angry and slept on the

APC Reps' candidate alleges brutalization in Edo

three-seater. It was her legs that were hitting me, that woke me from sleep and I saw her in severe pains. I then saw an empty bottle of sniper insecticide on the table.

“I raised alarm and neighbours rushed inside to help. One of them brought palm oil, which I gave to her.

But when we realized that it was more than we can handle, we rushed her to the hospital. On our way to Ogba General

Hospital, she died.”

A relative of the deceased (names with held) accused the suspect of having a hand in the death of the victim, adding that until the demise of Bose, Seun had not paid her dowry, despite living together for years and bearing him children.

Seun said: “I could not pay my wife’s bride price because my wife’s family asked for about a million naira, which I could not raise.”

Man, 78, allegedly rapes 6-yr-old girl in Ebonyi

By Peter Okutu

A

BAKALIKI—A 78-year-old man, identified as Oji Nnachi of Ezi-Nkelu-Ezi, Ogwuma Edda, in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, has allegedly raped a six-year-old girl.

Reacting to the incident, father of the victim, Nnachi Ndukwe, who expressed shock and disappointment, blamed the ugly episode on his ex-wife, Ogechi, who he said left him and remarried without considering the future and welfare of their daughter.

He said: “Assuming my wife did not leave me to start living a care-free life with another

man, my daughter would not have fallen into the hands of this old rapist.”

Ndukwe accused the septuagenarian of being in the habit of raping young girls in the community and called on the police to ensure that the suspect was arrested and prosecuted in line with laws of the land.

Contacted, the state police spokesman, ASP Chris Anyanwu, said his office was yet to be furnished with report of the incident.

He, however, added that any suspect arrested for committing such a crime would be prosecuted according to the law.

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—A House of Representatives candidate on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, for Esan Central/Esan West/ Igueben Federal constituency in Edo State, Mr. Gideon Obhakhan, has alleged that he was brutalized by soldiers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area.

The APC candidate alleged that he was beaten by the soldiers and made to sit on the ground in front of Ambrose Alli University, AAU, gate, while he was addressing protesting students.

However, the Army Public Relations Officer, 4 Brigade, Benin, Captain Abubakar Abdullahi, said: “I cannot comment without proper investigation into the issue you have just raised. We have, however, stepped up investigation into the matter.”

NATURE CALL: An okadaman takes a nap at Apapa, Lagos.

LEFT: Blocked drainage at Adekunle Fajuyi Road, Ikeja GRA, Lagos. PHOTOS: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

Man dies preparing for mother's funeral

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

W E R R I — UMUOKOROMA, Umungwa, in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State has been thrown into confusion and grief, following the death of Mr. Japheth Okafor, two days after choosing a date for his mother’s funeral.

Vanguard gathered that Japheth, the only surviving son of Mrs. Patricia Okafor, came home from his base in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, concluded the funeral arrangement and went back.

A villager, who pleaded anonymity, recalled that Japheth, a father of two, was hale and hearty before he left

for Port Harcourt, adding that they received the shocking news of his death two days after, adding that the deceased lost his only brother last November.

The villager said: “This is one death too many. It is a triple tragedy. We are yet to ascertain the real cause of his death.”

A female resident of the

community recalled that “the story we received concerning his death, was the same as that of his elder brother, who died few months ago.”

Close family sources told Vanguard that mother and child would be buried the same day, while efforts made to reach the widow for comments failed.

58—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

My project is to build a foundation for future generations —Etikerentse Following Nigeria's clocking of 100 years in 2014, Mr. Archibald Etikerentse, an artist, has concluded plans to celebrate some Nigerian families and organisations which contributed to the making of the nation. In this interview, Etikerentse says Nigerians and organizations that have been part of the growth of the country will be showcased at an award ceremony. Excerpts:

By Godwin Oritse

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HAT informed your decision to embark on the Centenary project ?

Nigeria is a country in a hurry. We are competing on the internet with America and Britain, we put the best cars in the world on the worst roads.

We travel all over the world but refuse to understand that culture has no replacement. These cultures we try to emulate came to Africa, studied our culture, transformed it into modern technology and exported it back to us. The Yoruba would tell you today that there is a correlation between the Odu-Ifa and computer. That is how far we can go.

The Egyptian Pyramids remain one of the wonders of the world, the state of Punt, the Moroes, the Cushites today form the basis of some of the comics our children watch because we have abandoned our history. Today, there is so much information on the internet but our minds are still empty, because we do not know who we are.

ing for like minds to synergize with so that we can build on our present using our past as a guide. Nigerians are hardworking, creative and industrious.

All these should be shown in places called “Centenary Unity Gallery”. These unity galleries are not there now, so what do we do? We would study every ethnic group/families in Nigeria and document them in books titled “Who is Who in Nigeria.”

Apart from the books, we would now use our research findings to establish the first centenary tourism centres for development and history.

How do you intend to raise money for this project?

Everybody or family who takes part in this project would contribute a promotional fee, because there are millions of families. We cannot possibly record all, but those who feel they have prominent people to showcase, and know that their progenitors sustained them to become part of the building of Nigeria’s

Tourism industry My project, therefore, is to try and build a foundation for the Tourism Industry, create avenues for people to learn about their past, know their family members in order to form a bond in our society.

How do you intend to achieve this, considering its financial implication?

A journey of a thousand miles starts with a step. The project is expansive and started about 15 years ago, so I decided to narrow it to my locality. The Warri Kingdom project is greatly appreciated by the Itsekiris. The project is to give back to our background as well as bring up people in the society to save for future generation what used to be in Nigeria’s first centenary.

As a Nigerian citizen, who worked at the top of the culture ministry, and is privileged to know that in some parts of the world, record keeping is good for future generations, I am look-

My project, therefore, is to build a foundation for the Tourism Industry, create avenues for people to learn about their past, know their family members to form a bond in our society

umentation is not an easy task, but I am giving all the information gathered for this project to local, state and Federal Government agencies in the Tourism sector to form the basis for a genuine tourism development policy for the country. We travel to South Africa, East Africa, Britain, America etc, to see museums, we should build such for others to come and see.

How have you managed since you left paid employment 24 years ago?

I took God’s words which says that He would cater for me if I left everything I was doing and joined his team. To the glory of God, I have not been disappointed. I would not say I am a rich man or pastor or anything like that but God Archibald Etikerentse...Itsekiri history is one of the oldest histories has always raised help for me at distress points.

People have stood up for first and second centenaries. people in Warri Kingdom. I travFamilies that hope to produce elled and compared ancient and me and taken my most heavy children who would carry their contemporary histories and burdens. I take everyday as it family names into the third cen- then backed them up with pic- comes, listen to my inner mind tenary would be asked to pay tures and illustrations. People and take decisions which I think the fees. were able to see for the first time are good.

There are of course many other persons or companies who share the goodness and wellness of Nigerians, such companies would be approached to participate as part of their corporate social responsibility and also advertise their products in the books.

Itsekiri history We shall also approach local, state and Federal Government agencies to support the project.

Can you summarize your input into this aspect of Itsekiri history? Also, why do you think this book makes your style unique?

What I brought into Itsekiri history were illustrated in pictures. Like they say, necessity is the mother of inventions. As you may know, Itsekiri history is one of the oldest histories around, no body can claim to know how long the Itsekiri people have lived on surface of the earth except from histories written down by those who first knew how to read and write.

These writers were not artistes, they could not put down pictorial interpretations, and that’s where I come in. I studied Fine Art, and by God’s Grace, have experience as a theatre artist because I started as a theatre artist. I have therefore brought to bear the dramatic personae involved in the histories and further than that I travelled far and wide to do consultation for 11 years before I published my first book.

I traced the origin of the Itsekiri and went to places hitherto mentioned in history books but which were unknown to

Kings that lived long ago and were able to associate themselves with their forbearers. If they were real, I think that is novel and today people, students in Europe are using the book for Ph.D studies because they are able to match pictures and letters.

For instance, I travelled to Ode-Omi in Ijebu waterside of Ogun State and established the fact that the present King/Oba there goes by the name Lenuwa and corroborated the story of Omadino people who have Lenuwa Hall as a tribute to the founder of their community. According to oral history, Lenuw a migrated from Ode more thanover 900 years ago. Today, studies are on going to trace Itsekiri history to the Atlantic civilization.

Atlantic civilisation African history has been left at a point where the colonial masters stopped writing. There are of course a few writers who took it upon themselves to write but there is no encouragement.

So what I do is to try and teach with pictures because from explanations offered earlier, pictures appeal better to human minds. Concisely, my contribution to Warri Kingdom history is the reinvention of the history to explore areas hitherto forgotten. I have also connected it with Ijebu, Benin, Portuguese and British cultures by using pictures to teach.

What is your contribution since you are expecting companies and families to contribute?

Collating information and doc-

Original profession In 1997 when the Warri crisis began, I saw reasons to go back to my original profession (Fine Art) but this time doing works that would expose things hitherto covered in ignorance. I reasoned that Nigerians can easily be deceived by people who have their hidden agenda but hide under the cloak of ethnicity. They blow up situations to illiterate minds, fuel situations, hire thugs in the name of militancy, buy ammunition, kill and destroy government properties.

They also siphone oil from pipelines to enrich their pockets. I started, therefore, to study history of the people of Warri area and found out that there was a gap between what was written down as history and what was seen or what was on ground. Unfortunately, Nigerians don’t read.

As humans, we are more interested in seeing pictures, children are taught with pictures, films are made of pictures, football matches are pictures so there must be something about pictures that speaks more to the human minds.

As you know life is full of chances, so I took my chance, I decided to channel my talents to putting in histories of various cultures of the country and the world in books as my contribution to mankind, after all, why should a man come to this world, walk the earth and just leave like that.

That was what informed my first book (Quincentenary Souvenirs from Warri Kingdom) 1480 – 2012.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015—59

Celebrating ‘Bloody Sunday' in America

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ARACK Obama was just about three years old when the police in Selma, Alabama, unleashed unprecedented brutality on a group of “Negroes” marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, to assert their rights as human beings and demanded to be treated as full American citizens.

Ironically, the same Barack Obama stood at the threshold of that bridge last week in his capacity as an African American president of the United States. Several people who participated in the march at Selma fifty years ago could not contain their emotions at the unbelievable twist of fate before their eyes.

One of them is John Lewis, currently a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Almost with tears in his eyes, Representative Lewis had the honour to introduce President Obama at the occasion. An emotional Lewis told the 40,000 crowd that never in his imagination did he envisage that he would be standing on the same bridge, not being hounded by the police as it was 50 years ego, but introducing the president of the United States, an African American.

President Obama lived up to expectation in his speech. Saluting his forebears who challenged the system that made them second class citizens, the president said: “The Americans who crossed this bridge were not physically imposing. But they gave courage to millions. They held no elected office. But they led a nation. They marched as Americans who had endured hundreds of years of brutal violence, and countless daily indignities – but they didn’t seek special treatment, just the equal treatment promised to them almost a century before.”

That courage was marching from Selma to Montgomery to demand that they be accorded voting rights, and despite the police beatings, shootings and dog bites, they got the 1965 Voting Rights Act. In the same speech, President Obama admitted that a lot had been achieved on the American civil rights front, but much more needed to be accomplished. He told the crowd that “We just need to open our eyes and our ears and our hearts to know that this nation’s racial history still casts its long shadow upon us. We know the march is not yet over; we know the race is not yet won.”

Parts of the “long shadow” can still be Fifty years seen in modern American society. from And one large Bloody “shadow” has to do with voting rights, 50 Sunday, our years after Selma. In march is July, 2013, the U.S. not yet Supreme Court handed down a 5-4 finished. majority decision that But we are pulled the rug from under the voting getting rights act. The Act had closer… required parts of the

U.S. with a history of denying minorities their voting rights, to get clearance from the federal government before effecting any change in their local voting laws. The court felt that the requirement was no longer tenable in modern America. The aftermath of that ruling was that some conservative states have gone ahead to modify voting laws, such as requiring voter ID before casting ballots. On the face of it, the law appears quite innocuous. But, the reality is that such voter ID requirements weigh heavily on minorities, most whom cannot afford the cost of obtaining the official state ID required to vote.

The Ferguson cop, Darren Wilson, went scot-free because of insufficient evidence to even bring him before a grand jury for an indictment. But, last week, as “Bloody Sunday” was being celebrated, the U.S. Attorney General’s office released its investigation into policing and law enforcement in Ferguson, Missouri.

Evidence of racism Outgoing Attorney Eric Holder was so furious with evidence of racism and injustice in the Ferguson police department that he said this: “We are prepared to use all the powers that we have, all the power that we have, to ensure that the situation changes there. That means everything from working with them to coming up with an entirely new structure … If [dismantling the Ferguson Police Department is] what’s necessary, we’re prepared to do that.”

Why this outrage? Here are some of the contents of the report about that police department: black people are about 67 percent of the Ferguson population, but in the 2012-2014 period, they had 85 percent of all police traffic stops, 90 percent of citations issued by the police and 93 percent of all police arrests; the city’s municipal courts are routinely used by the city as a revenue earner as blacks are likely to be more heavily charged for crimes and other violations; 90 percent of all incidents of police use of force were against African Americans; only 3 out of some 50 plus police officers are African Americans; some e-mail messages exchanged by officials of the city and police, according to the report, referred to Obama as a chimpanzee and a photograph of some Africans dancing was captioned “Michelle Obama’s High School Reunion.” Another message joked about a black woman who received a $5,000 cheque in the mail for terminating her pregnancy. When she wondered where it came from, she learnt it was sent by the police “crime stoppers” (for getting rid of a potential criminal).

The gains which minorities in America have recorded since the “Bloody Sunday” march in Selma, have been substantial.

But, as Obama noted in his speech: “Fifty years from Bloody Sunday, our march is not yet finished. But we are getting closer…. Our job’s easier because somebody already got us through that first mile. Somebody already got us over that bridge…..We honor those who walked so we could run. We must run so our children soar. And we will not grow weary.”

60—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

CSOs insist on use of PVC, card reader

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

BUJA—A coalition of over 60 Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, yesterday, insisted on the full use and deployment of the Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, and Card Reader Machines, CRM, for the general elections.

The group, in a statement in Abuja yesterday, said its insistence on the use of both the PVC and CRM was based on the outcome of the mock election conducted in select states last Saturday by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Though the CSOs, under the aegis of Nigerian Situation Room, rated the mock exercise as fairly successful, it decried the low turnout of voters for the exercise due to INEC’s inadequate sensitisation and urged INEC to intensify its efforts on voter education and civic education on why and how to vote with PVC. The Situation Room is made up of CSOs working in support of credible and transparent elections in Nigeria and includes Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, PLAC; CLEEN Foundation; Action Aid Nigeria; Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD; Enough is Enough Nigeria; Wangonet; Partners for Electoral Reform; JDPC and Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth & Advancement, YIAGA, and CWAE. Others are Development Dynamics, Human Rights Monitor, Election Monitor, Reclaim Naija, Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, CITAD, Stakeholder Democracy Network, SDN, CISLAC and several others.

The group said it deployed observers that monitored the field test of the smart Card Readers in 225 polling units and 358 voting centres across 12 states of last Saturday.

They urged INEC to endeavour to make alternative Card Readers available and accessible on election day to avoid unnecessary delay.

GROWING GIRLS, WOMEN: From left— Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, Water Resources Minister; Dr Omobola Johnson,

Minister for Communications Technology; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Finance, and Coordinating Minister for the Economy; President Goodluck Jonathan; Dr Khaliru Alhassan, Minister for Health; and Mrs Laurencia Mallam, Minister of State for Agriculture, and Minister for Environment, at the launch of Growing Girls and Women in Nigeria, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: Abayomi Adeshida.

PDP planning to harass our supposed sponsors—APC

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HE All Progressives Congress, APC, has raised the alarm over alleged plans by one of the security agencies, apparently acting at the behest of the Presidentcy, to harass and intimidate supposed sponsors of the party as part of ongoing efforts to cripple its activities in the run up to the March 28 presidential polls.

In a statement issued in Lagos, yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party, however, said the agency can only target phantom financiers, since APC is, in reality, being financed by Nigerians, not some money bags.

It said: “We made it clear early on that our party, which

has now become a peopledriven movement, is being bankrolled by ordinary Nigerians, who have contributed generously to the party through the platforms that we published in the newspapers for all to see.

“Though the Federal Government has used some national institutions to stifle

PDP denies rift between Jonathan, Mu’azu

By Henry Umoru

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HE national leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, denied any rift between President Goodluck Jonathan and the Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, saying they had an excellent relationship.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, PDP noted that ahead of the presidential and general elections scheduled for March 28 and April 11, respectively, the party remained focused.

Metuh said PDP was resolute as one united family, saying “no amount of media fabrications and malicious insinuations” would distract them from their focus ahead of the elections.

His words: “In the light of various attempts to drag down the National Chairman of our great party, Adamu Mu’azu, using spurious publications in a section of the media, PDP wishes to state clearly that our leaders and members

nationwide are impressed with his style of leadership, which has in the last one year enhanced our support base and public rating ahead of the general elections.

“As one of the founding fathers of PDP, the national chairman has continued to add immense value with his mature and decent approach to issues in keeping with the tradition and vision of our great party, a disposition that has continued to attract massive support across board for our presidential flag bearer, President Goodluck Jonathan.

“It is incontrovertible that the national chairman has been at the forefront of our presidential campaign train and enjoys an excellent working relationship with President Jonathan as exhibited in their bond at rallies, visits and meetings with stakeholders across the country.

“Whereas we recognise the zeal and enthusiasm of some of our supporters, who are repaying the opposition in

their own stock, our national chairman, as the face of PDP, has remained restrained despite numerous unwarranted provocations, a stance which does not in any way detract from his commitment to the campaigns, but reinforces our values and dedication to unity, peace and stability of our dear nation.

“This exemplary style of politics played significant role in reducing the tension in the polity ahead of the elections and has also endeared our party to a majority of Nigerian citizens and key stakeholders in the electoral process.

“It is to the credit of the National Chairman that his leadership stabilised our party at its critical moment and successfully achieved unity among our leaders and members, while strengthening the confidence of Nigerians in PDP as the only vehicle to deliver democracy dividends.”

our party’s fund-raising efforts, Nigerians have utilised the available platforms to make their donations.

“It is, therefore, a futile exercise for anyone to harass some innocent people for supposedly financing APC.” The party said security agencies should only serve national, rather than partisan interests because while governments will always come and go, Nigeria as a country will remain.

It added: “The information at our disposal about the role of the security agencies in the forthcoming elections is very disturbing, despite the public opprobrium that has greeted the role played by the military in the 2014 Ekiti State governorship election.

“For example, there is a plan for at least 500 security agents to apply to work as ad hoc INEC staff so they can rig for PDP. “Military and police uniforms are being sewn in a PDPcontrolled state in the SouthWest with a view to making them available for PDP thugs to wear on election day, so they can harass and intimidate the opposition.

“There is also the disturbing case of four senior officers of the Department of State Services, DSS, who are being retained for some ignoble role during the general elections, even though they are already due for retirement.

“It is interesting that these officers, including three at the states and one at the headquarters of DSS, are all from the South-East and the South-South, which the Jonathan-led administration considers its stronghold.

“Put Nigeria first and do not favour PDP; do not favour APC or any other party,” APC advised security agencies.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 — 61

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62—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

Keshi makes Mali shortlist •As Kasperczak gets the boot E

VEN as the Nigeria Football Federation continues to wait for Stephen Keshi’s response after being handed a new offer to handle the Super Eagles, the former Hawks of Togo coach is one of the frontrunners for the Mali job.

Mali parted ways with coach Henryk Kasperczak following the side’s poor Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

The Mali Football Federation said that after a meeting with the 68-year-old Polish coach

“it was agreed his contract will not be renewed”.

Kasperczak was unable to steer the team out of their group at the recent tournament in Equatorial Guinea.

Mali finished tied with Guinea but were eliminated after the drawing of lots to separate the teams.

The Eagles plan to name their new coach by 25 March with former handlers Alain Giresse, Stephen Keshi and Patrice Carteron believed to be the frontrunners to fill the position.

•Kasperczak

Emem's best athlete as Ikot Ekpene wins Mobil Schools sports

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T was thrills galore at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium Saturday, as the week long activities of the 14th AKS/NNPC/MPN Scholls Athletics Championships was brought to an end.

Governor Godswill Akpabio was on hand to watch the best of schools track and field, especially the display of Emem Peter Ekwo of Modern Comprehensive Secondary School Ikot Ekpene, who emerged the best athlete of the day winning the girls, 100 metres, 200 metres and 400 metres races.

Emem also anchored her school relay team to win bronze in the 100 and 400 metres relay races, carting home a personal cash prize of N115,000 ( One hundred and fifteen thousand naira) Her windfall increased

after a delighted Governor Akpabio, impressed by the promising display of the students rewarded them with cash incentives.

Each of the 500 students got N 5,000 cash while an extra N5,000 was donated to each of the 72 medals winners.

The display of Miss Ekwo contributed greatly in helping Ikot Ekpene Zone emerge the winner of this year’s competition with 9 gold, 5 silver and 7 bronze medals.

Uyo Zone was to follow closely with 8 gold, 2 silver and 3 Bronze medals, while Eket Zone emerged third best with 4 gold, 8 silver and 4 bronze medals.

Best Male athlete was David Jeremiah Uko of Tp Faith College Essien Udim, who won gold in the Long Jump and High Jump.

Super sand Eagles Continues from BP go through to the finals scheduled for Seychelles April 14-19.

The Supersand Eagles returned to the country on Monday following a third place finish at the Power Horse Invitational Tournament in Durban, South Africa, and were set to continue training in Lagos ahead of the first leg of the qualifying fixture

against Libya which was to be played this weekend.

Coach Audu Adamu Ejo said: “We would have loved to use the fixture against Libya as part of our preparation for the African Beach Soccer Championship.

However, there is nothing we can do other than to now start our final camping for the championship proper.”

If not Keshi, get Mourinho, Guardiola — Minister S

PORTS minister, Tam Danagogo has warned the Nigeria Football Federation not to employ a lesser coach than Stephen Keshi should the ex-Togo coach decline to lead the Super Eagles.

Keshi has until Thursday this week to revert to the NFF over the contract offered him.

“What I have urged the NFF to do is to make sure that should Keshi not be given the job, a coach with a lesser pedigree than Keshi should not be employed. I have said we should encourage our local coaches,” Danagogo said.

“Many have argued that presently Keshi is the best we have for now, while others are of the view that he has done his best.

“What I am saying is this, if Keshi declines the job, let’s look for another competent hand from the home front. But if we must get a foreign coach, then we must get the best hands not just any

foreign coach.”

He added: “And when we say the best hands, we should be looking at coaches in the class of the Jose Mourinho’s of this world, Pep Guardiola... Those are the kind of coaches we should be looking at.

“But if we say Keshi is the best hand locally, I am not saying we should give him the job, but what we can do is help our local hands get better by sending them to refresher courses to make them better.”

•Danagogo

Ujah apologises to goat mascot after goal celebration

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STAR- Emem (314) Coasting home in the 200 metres final race.

ITTF Star Player, Quadri visits Greensprings

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NTERNATIONAL Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Star Player of the year, Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri will today visit Greensprings School as part of his support for efforts to encourage students to combine sports with education.

The Portugal-based star that arrived on Sunday from his base in Porto for the ITTF World Tour, Lagos Open will be received by the management of the school at the Anthony Campus and he will also have session with the students.

He is also expected to play

an exhibition match with the students.

According to the Head of Sports, Oluseyi Oyebode, the visit of the World Table Tennis Player of the Year marks another major effort by the school to inspire students to aim high in their studies and sports.

“We are delighted with this visit and we hope that Aruna Quadri’s visit will inspire the students. We have hosted top stars like Kanu Nwankwo, Mary Onyali-Omagbemi and Chika Chukwumerije and their visits have indeed inspired the students to embrace sports.

OLOGNE’s Anthony Ujah has apologised after admitting he was too rough celebrating a goal with the club’s mascot, a goat named Hennes.

Ujah scored in the 82nd minute on Sunday to put Cologne 4-1 up against Eintracht Frankfurt and immediately ran over to the touchline where the goat was stationed, before he pulled sharply on Hennes’s horns and attempted to mount the animal.

Ujah posted on Instagram with the caption “Apologies to Hennes for my hard celebration” and in a

•Ujah

tweet that was later deleted the Nigerian striker said “Yeeeeees.

Finally a win for us at home and what a special way it came. Sorry to Hennes i was a bit too hard on him.”

The goat, named after former player and coach Hennes Weisweiler, is a regular feature at Cologne’s home games and is said to be in a good condition, despite the seemingly excessive celebrations.

Cologne moved up to 11th in the table with the 4-2 victory, whilst Bayern Munich extended their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to 11 points after they came from behind to beat Hannover 3-1 on Saturday and second-placed Wolfsburg lost 1-0 at Augsburg. Thomas Müller scored twice after Xabi Alonso had curled in a wonderful free-kick in the first half to help Bayern to the victory.

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015 — 63

Manu pleased with F/Eagles performance H

EAD coach of Ni geria’s U20 football team, Manu Garba has expressed satisfaction with his charges’ 3-1 win over Senegal in the opening game of this year’s Africa U-20 championship in Senegal.

Goals from Ifeanyi Matthew and Taiwo Awoniyi who bagged a brace, saw the Nigerian side cruise to a straightforward 3-1 victory over the Senegalese at Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor in Dakar.

The Flying Eagles seemed to run out of steam in the second half following a blistering start to the game but Manu stressed that winning their first game was more important than the actual performance.

“It is our first three points of a very important competition,” said Manu said.

He went on to state that the side had taken a giant step towards qualifying for the Fifa U-20 world cup in New Zealand.

Danagogo lauds F/Eagles, U-23, Junior athletes

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JUBILATION ... Flying Eagles coach, Manu Garba jubilates after his team beat Senegal 3-1 Sunday

PORTS Minister and Chairman, National Sports Commission, Dr. Tammy Danagogo has relished the harvest of victories posted at the weekend by Nigerian athletes in various competitions held around the continent and has showered praises on them.

The Minister who followed the minute by minute account of the Flying Eagles 3-1 victory over their host, Senegal in Sunday’s opening match of the African Youth Championship in Dakar was elated that the Manu Garba-tuotored side adhered to his message that they should be focused in their games and prove that they have matured from being the world’s U-17 champions to a conquering side.

He equally hailed the

Amuneke seeks succour in Delta State

By John Egbokhan

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FTER failing to win any type of medal at the last African Under17 Championships in Niger, Golden Eaglets Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke plans to start building afresh for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, with fresh trials to unearth talented players tomorrow in Delta State.

Amuneke, whose side merely qualified for the World Cup holding later in the year in

Chile, has turned to the products of the Delta State football development initiative, set up

by Governor Emmanuel Udughan to unearth and groom the next set of football talents in the state.

Facing a torrent of criticisms from fans, who are still livid with his coaching style in Niger, Amuneke yesterday said that he was aware of the problems and intends to stop the slide, by rejigging the team, with these three

days trials ending this Friday in Ugwashiukwu, the hometown of former Super Eagles captain, Austin Okocha, who is now the Chairman of the Delta State Football Association.

Coach of the Governor ’s Cup programme in Delta State, Sunday Lucky, who once played for Julius Berger said last night that he was thrilled at the prospects of having some of his products tested for trials by

Ancelotti unleashes Modric, Khedira Sergio Ramos. on Schalke EAL Madrid are defender Real Madrid coach

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•Modric

boosted by the availability of Luka Modric and Sami Khedira for their Champions League last 16 second leg tie against Schalke.

The Spanish giants, who won the first leg 2-0, have won all of their Champions League games so far and will be bolstered by the return of the midfield pair from injury for the clash at the Bernabeu.

Real are without injured

Carlo Ancelotti says under-fire Gareth Bale will remain in the starting line-up against Schalke, despite criticism of the Welsh winger from a section of Real’s fans and the local media.

Ancelotti is confident his side can rediscover their best form, despite a disappointing draw with Villarreal and a defeat to Athletic Bilbao in their last two games.

Amuneke for possible considerations for integration into the Golden Eaglets squad.

“I am very happy that we will be hosting Amuneke i n Ugwashiukwu and feel confident •Amuneke that some of our players have the potentials to make the team”, said Lucky.

It is recalled that on the inauguration of the Governor ’s Cup, Governor Uduagha said any CHALKE boss player good enough and Roberto Di Matteo desirous to pursue a cais hoping Real Madrid reer in football will be will have an off-day encouraged all the way when the teams meet in and it appears that the Champions League Amuneke’s mission to tonight.

Delta State may well be The Bundesliga outfit the beginning of a jourare bidding to overturn ney to football stardom a 2-0 deficit from the first for the players who will leg in Germany and the eventually make the Italian, who guided grade to play for Golden Chelsea to success in Eaglets. the competition in 2012, also feels his own side

performance of Team Nigeria athletes at the just concluded Aican Junior Athletics Championship in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia were they placed tops with 12 gold, 8 silver and 7 bronze medals, a total haul of 27 as against the 19 they won in the last edition in Mauritius.

Another victory the minister is happy about is the 2-0 win of the U-23 team tutored by Samson Siasia over their Gabonese counterparts in the All Africa Games qualifier in Abuja on Saturday which brought their aggregate win to 6-1 having won the first leg in Libreville 4-1.

“Our teams did so well at the weekend. The junior athletes were wonderful in Ethiopia, topping the medals table with 12 gold medals and improved on their performance from the last edition. The Flying Eagles started their campaign in Senegal on a very good note and I have no doubt they will continue in that spirit until the very end,” the Minister said, adding that the Under-23 football team “were not left out in the winning streak.”

In a statement by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Patrick Omorodion, Dr. Danagogo added that “The National Sports Commission will continue to provide the various federations with the enabling environment and support to prepare their athletes to be able to post podium performances in international competitions.”

Di Matteo hopes for Real’s off-day need to put in a flawless

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performance.

“To be able to compete against a team like Madrid our team needs to have a perfect day and hope that they are not in top form,” Di Matteo told UEFA.com.

“Then we could get a positive result. We have a good side and the players are all very willing and ready to develop further and improve day in, day out.

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2015

If not Keshi, get Mourinho, Guardiola — Minister Scape goat!

•Guardiola

•Mourinho

Keshi makes Mali shortlist •As Kasperczak gets the boot Page 62

Super sand Eagles through as Libya withdraws

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Ujah apologises to goat mascot after goal celebration P

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IGERIA has qualified for the 2015 African Beach Soccer Championship finals after Libya announced its withdrawal from the qualifying competition.

Libya’s withdrawal has been communicated to the Nigeria •Keshi Football Federation, Today's Champions League matches meaning the 2007 and 2009 champions Porto v Basel 8:45pm Continues on Page 62 Real Madrid v Schalke 8:45pm

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 2 Brittle (5) 7 Supple (5) 8 Container (5) 10 Wrath (5) 12 Be indebted (3) 13 Begin (5) 15 Interfered (7) 17 Human (6) 19 Turf (3) 20 Restricted (7) 23 Pip (4) 25 Ooze (4) 26 Cut (7) 30 Vehicle (3) 31 Give (6) 34 Weapon-store (7) 37 Object (5) 38 Noise (3) 39 Huge (5) 40 Seat (5) 41 Bordered (5) 42 Shabby (5)

DOWN 1 Same (5) 2 Map (5) 3 Hire-charge (6) 4 Appear (4) 5 Poked (7) 6 Precipitous (5) 9 Boring-tool (3) 11 Lived (7) 13 Shatter (5) 14 The Ram (5) 16 Spot (3) 18 Prosaic (7) 21 Vision (5) 22 Higher (5) 24 Propriety (7) 27 Pantechnicon (3) 28 Evaded (6) 29 Command (5) 32 Penniless (5) 33 Adjusted (5) 35 Transgress (3) 36 Tardy (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, First 5, Savour 8, Titan 10, Bearer 11, Item 14, Pirate 15, Satanic 18, Per 19, Nut 21, Deft 23, Rebel 24, Mass 27, Red 29, Has 31, Distant 32, Violet 34, Taxi 35, Unison 38, Miser 39, Groyne 40, Teeth.

DOWN: 2, Ire 3, Stream 4, Tie 5, Snip 6, Veered 7, Reject 9, Trainer 12, Tip 13, Mare 16, Aura 17, Cubed 20, Tedious 22, Fawn 24, Moving 25, Shot 26, Salary 28, Attire 30, Sex 33, Time 36, Net 37, Out.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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