PDP, APC trade words over plans to rig polls

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62381

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N150

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

CRITICISM OF OJUKWU: Achuzia, Ezeife, Ikokwu blast Danjuma 9 24 HRS TO GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION:

PDP, APC trade words over plans to rig polls •PDP plotting to disrupt polls in S-West —APC •APC jittery over imminent defeat —PDP •Only those with PVCs will vote —INEC IMPEACHMENT:

Ekiti House asks CJ to set up probe panel 10

BUJA — BARELY 24 hours to the governorship and houses of assembly elections, the two major parties, All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have engaged in a war of words, trading accusations over alleged plans to disrupt and rig the elections.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman

COLUMNIST:

Unfair •P.17 criticisms!

GOVERNORSHIP:

Pitched battles everywhere

Mr & Mrs

•Pages 25, 26, 27, 28, 51 & 52

LAGOS POLL: Clash of the titans C M Y K

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Continues on Page 5

CBN, banks to bar bad debtors from purchasing forex 8

See pull-out inside

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

AGENDA FOR BUHARI: Insane gridlock on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos due to indiscriminate parking by fuel tankers, yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

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POCKET CARTOON

CONDOLENCE VISIT: President-elect, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari

(retd) (left) and the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar, during the President-elect's condolence visit over the attack on March 28 election in Nafada and Dukku Local Government Areas of the state, Wednesday. Photo: NAN

PDP, APC trade words over plans to rig polls have relocated from the Continues from Page 1 PDP plotting to disrupt polls in Abba, however assured S-West —APC

on the preparedness of the police to ensure hitchfree elections even as he approved the immediate redeployment of senior police officers to the states.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, also warned voters in tomorrow ’s elections against going to polling units without genuine Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, accusing a governor of a North Central state of directing voters to disregard PVCs. The APC in a statement by its National Publicity Secretaty, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, alerted the security agencies to alleged moves being made by a governor in a South-West state to disrupt tomorrow ’s elections in the area by instigating widespread violence.

The party said the governor has already met with the thugs, who have been trained specifically for the purpose of disrupting the elections, giving the thugs N350 million for their devilish assignments.

According to the party, "the strategy is to deploy these thugs to various parts of the South-West with the express instruction to violently disrupt elections through sporadic shootings and stealing of ballot boxes.

"This is the governor’s answer to the massive defeat he received from the electorate in the region during the March 28 presidential elections.

"The fear of the thugs have already sent many APC leaders, who have been targeted for attack, scampering for safety.

While some have gone underground, others

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

K

EEP love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead— Oscar Wilde.

Maybe, someone hurt you physically or emotionally. Maybe you’ve survived something else even traumatic or maybe you’ve just come out of a trying situation, and though you know you’ll eventually recover, you still feel pain that seems unbearable.

Whatever the case may be, you’ve been scarred and you carry it with you through many of your days.

One can free the heart and mind of hurts and slights, this is important, for the positive is as insidious as the negative when it comes to holding on to whatever is from the past or in the future.

There must be an attainment of freedom from the past and the future in whatever form it takes. Living in the moment is a beautiful place to start healing.

Let go and enjoy life.

region entirely.

"These developments do not augur well for a free, fair and peaceful elections, hence the need for security agents to face the challenge posed by the hired thugs squarely."

APC said the thugs had already started unleashing violence, killing one person at a rally in Igbara-Oke in Ifedore Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday "It is important to alert the sponsors of terror and electoral malfeasance that whether or not they have immunity from prosecution, ultimately they will be made to face the full wrath of the law to account for their unbridled penchant for violence," the party warned.

It called on all APC members and supporters to be vigilant and to document all cases of brigandage and rigging across the region, while also alerting local and international observers to pay close attention to the conduct of the elections in the region, as well as in other flash points like Rivers State, on Saturday.

APC jittery over imminent defeat —PDP

Responding to APC's allegations, the national leadership of the PDP said the APC was already jittery of what it described as imminent defeat.

The PDP also dismissed as frivolous, APC’s allegation of plots to disrupt the elections in the SouthWest, adding that the APC was merely crying wolf for fear of defeat at the polls.

In a statement signed, yesterday, by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr Olisa Metuh, the PDP

stressed that the false alert by the APC was part of its plot to heighten tension in the zone and scare away voters from exercising their franchise, having realised that the wind of change blowing in the region will sweep them away tomorrow.

Metuh said: "This latest false alert is in continuation of APC’s desperation which made it drag the revered traditional institution to rain death threats on people ostensibly to sway the voters.”

According to PDP, such antics would not save the APC in the zone. It, therefore, urged its members and supporters in the region, especially in Lagos, not to be deterred but completely disregard APC’s gimmicks.

Only those with PVCs will vote —INEC

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, warned prospective voters in tomorrow’s elections against going to polling units without genuine PVCs. This was even as it reassigned the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kogi State, Alhaji Hussaini Halilu Pai, to supervise the conduct of tomorrow’s elections in Kano State, following the tragic demise of the state REC, Alhaji Mukaila Abdullahi, last weekend.

In a statement yesterday from Mr Kayode Idowu, Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, the commission explained that its warning was against the backdrop of alleged statement from a particular state governor from one of the North-Central states directing voters to go out to vote with Temporary Voters Cards, TVCs, even if they do not have the PVCs. He said: “A particular state governor in the North Central geo-political zone is reported to have assured voters in the state that they could go out to vote on election day with Temporary Voter Cards, TVCs, if they do not have the PVCs, and that INEC will not be allowed to insist on the use of SCRs for voter accreditation.

“The commission reaffirms that only voters with genuine PVCs should come out to the polling units on the election day, saying that guidelines issued on the use of SCRs for the April 11 elections will be strictly applied.

“Any action infringing these guidelines will be an

electoral offence, and security agents will be on hand to apprehend offenders.”

INEC said it was in possession of “reports that some political leaders are asking members of the public to disregard its stated resolve to use PVCs and Smart Card Readers, SCRs, for the April 11, 2015 governorship and state Assembly elections.

“Members of the public are strongly advised to disregard false assurances that contradict the regulations INEC has outlined for the governorship and state Assembly elections.

INEC commends voters

“The commission commends voters for their peaceful conduct and exemplary resilience, even in the face of minor challenges during the Presidential and National Assembly elections on March 28, 2015.

“It, however, considers it unfortunate that some leaders would misguide the public and thereby prepare ground for needless disruptions to the polling process on April 11.

“INEC hereby warns that any obstruction to the processes it has put in place for the elections by any person, no matter how highly placed, will constitute an electoral offence punishable in law,”it insisted.

IGP redeploys senior officers

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, has ordered restriction of vehicular movement in the 36 states from 8 a.m. to 5p.m.

A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu, yesterday, in Abuja explained that the measure was to ensure safety and security during the polls.

“There is no restriction of vehicular movement in the Federal Capital Territory as there is no election taking

place there on the said date,” the statement said.

It added that the restriction excluded “vehicles on essential duty such as fire service, ambulances and vehicles used by INEC and law enforcement/security agencies.”

The statement assured that adequate security logistics and manpower had been strategically deployed to achieve conducive atmosphere for the polls.

It said that policemen on election duty had been properly briefed on their roles as stipulated in the Electoral Act.

Those deployed

In addition to the deployment of six Deputy Inspectors-General of Police to co-ordinate Police activities in the six geopolitical zones, the Inspector-General of Police, has also deployed Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to supervise tomorrow's elections.

Those deployed to states are AIG Usman Gwary, Abia; AIG Olufemi Adenaike, Kwara; AIG Mbu Joseph Mbu, Ogun; AIG Patrick Dey Dokumor, Kaduna; AIG Tambari Muhammed, Jigawa and AIG Mohammed Jinjiri Abubakar, Gombe.

Others are AIG Ikemefuna Okoye, Oyo' AIG Tunde Ogunsakin, Rivers; AIG Jubril Adeniji, Bauchi; AIG Yerima Irimiya, Imo; AIG Baba Bolanta, Akwa Ibom; AIG Lawal Tanko, Lagos; and AIG Ballah M. Nasarawa.

Also redeployed are AIG Musa Abdulsalam Daura, Edo; AIG Aderele Shinaba, Plateau and AIG Bala Hassan Sokoto.

Affected in the ranks of the Commissioners of Police redeployed for the elections are CP Sam Okaula, Anambra; CP EJ Ibine, Ekiti; CP Adamu Mohammed, Enugu and CP Valentine Ntomchukwu, Osun.

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

Keke NAPEP operators protest colleague's killing in Owerri

He abandoned us for his second wife, says mother of abused brothers

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

W E R R I — COMMERCIAL tricycle, Keke NAPEP, operators, who ply Owerri Main Market-MCC RoadUratta axis in Owerri, have protested alleged ritual killing of one of their colleagues.

One of them told Vanguard that their colleague was last seen alive on Monday, when he was hired by passengers to move them to a village located along Owerri-Aba federal highway.

The tricycle operator said when their colleague did not return, they quickly reported his disappearance to the police.

He said: “A search party was organized. The lifeless body was later discovered, but some of his vital parts were missing.”

Their peaceful demonstration resulted in commuters trekking to and from their destinations.

... as Mbaise monarchs curse colleague's kidnappers

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

W E R R I — TRADITIONAL rulers in Mbaise, yesterday, converged on Ahiara Junction and rained curses on the persons involved in the kidnap of their colleague, Eze P. I. P. Onu and his wife, Ugoeze Regina Onu. Eze Onu, who is the traditional ruler of Nnemere Mpam in Ahiazu Mbaise and his wife were kidnapped on March 15, at the Chukwuma Nwaoha/ Egbu Road Junction, Owerri.

While the royal father was dropped by his captors along Ohii-Orogwe Road, Owerri West, after ransom was paid, his wife was still in captivity at press time.

The action of the Mbaise royal fathers may be in connection with feelers from another captive, released alongside the royal father, that his wife might have died in captivity and buried by the kidnappers.

Mrs. Mojisola Faniyi.

By Esther Onyegbula

M

RS. Mojisola Faniyi, biological mother of Damilare Odebunmi, and his brother, Michael, who were rescued by residents of Owutu, Ikorodu, has said her exhusband and father of her two sons, Seun Odebunmi, lied when he said she abandoned her children when they were

toddlers.

Speaking to Vanguard, 28year-old Mojisola, said although they were not officially married, they dated for about a year before their introduction when she was pregnant with their first child, Dami.

She said: “After I had our second child Michael, he abandoned me and our children. He said he was going

to Lagos to get a job, but disappeared and never came back.

“Unknown to me, he was with another woman. Because I was naive, I thought things were difficult for him, so I kept struggling, taking care of the children.

“I did all sorts of menial jobs to put food on the table. He never for once sent money for our upkeep, neither did he ask about the welfare of his children or how I managed to feed, clothe and send them to school.

“I kept on keeping faith and praying that he would be successful, unknown to me that he had remarried.

“When my father passed on and the burden of catering for the children became overwhelming, I kept struggling and believing God. “Exactly three years after he abandoned us, Dami fell very sick; he was about four years old, while Michael was two. I called to notify Seun of Dami’s health condition.

“Instead of coming to see how we were faring, he ordered me to take the children to his mother. He said if anything happened to his children, he will deal severely with me.

“Left with no option, I took our children to his mother, who resides around Iju and kept visiting them from time to time.”

During one of my visits, I received the shock of my life, when she told me that Seun had come to take the children from her because she requested for money for the upkeep of the

Onitsha bizman petitions Foreign Minister over son's death in China

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

N

NEWI—AN Onitshabased businessman, Dr. Alfred Nwosu, has petitioned Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Aminu Wali, over the circumstances surrounding the untimely death of his 32year-old son, Mr. Kingsley Chukwuemeka Nwosu, who until his death was a businessman resident in China.

In the petition dated February 13, 2015, written by his lawyer, Mr. Victor Ejide, Dr Nwosu alleged that his son died in controversial circumstances.

He said he was personally called by Ambassador Ayo Otepola from the office of the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of China, Shanghai office, on phone informing him of the death of his son.

He said he later called and

wrote back to Ambassador Otepola in a letter dated January 27, seeking reasonable and useful information on the whereabouts, facts and circumstances surrounding the death of his son, but lamented that no information had been given to him.

The petition read: “Ambassador Otepola drew attention of Dr. Nwosu to the sudden death of his son with several promises of unmasking the circumstances surrounding his death but till date, no reply, phone calls or information has been received, just as no action has been taken to the complaint by Dr Nwosu.

“Dr Nwosu, by this petition, hereby, applies to your office for formal, official invitation to China to see things for himself, hear from the real sources and get a first hand

information on the whereabouts of his son, as he is continuously being traumatized over the death of his son, the unclear circumstances surrounding his death and, therefore, seeks speedy investigations into the circumstances surrounding his sons alleged death.

“You have reason to agree with us that the death of a son in a prime age is an unparalleled source of mental anguish and emotional trauma, that is the exact condition of Dr. Nwosu, and as our ambassador, we believe that you have all it takes to speak for him as that is the constitutional role you play for us.

“We urge you to expedite action in unmasking the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Kingsley Nwosu.”

children and to pay their school fees.

“Since then, Dami and Michael had lived with him and his wife for the past three years. Each time I called him to send me the address that I wanted to see the children he would refuse.

“It was not until this incident occurred that I received a call from a concerned resident in the neighbourhood, that my son Damilare was unconscious in the hospital.

“When I saw them in the hospital, I could not recognise them because they were so malnourished, sickly and unkempt, with scars all over their body.

“I do not want any trouble with him or his wife; all I want is to have custody of my children.”

Oil marketer docked for assaulting policeman

By Bartholomew Madukwe, Victor Ogunsola & Jane Echewodo

A

N oil and gas marketer, Tunde Bamigbose, 31, was yesterday arraigned before a Kirikiri Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly assaulting one Police Officer, Cpl Oludele Olosunde, with a blow to his left eye and damaging his service uniform.

The accused was said to have committed the offence on April 7 at Keystone Bank

by Dillion Street, Kirikiri.

Bamigbose (accused) was arraigned on a three-count charge of assault punishable under Sections 172 (B), 171, and 348 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State Nigeria, 2011.

However, when the charge was read to the accused before Magistrate Ademola Adesanya, he pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate Adesanya granted the accused bail in the sum of N150,000 with two responsible sureties that must show evidence of tax payment and verifiable addresses.

Meanwhile, the victim is currently receiving treatment on the injured eye at a hospital in Kirikiri.

The matter was adjourned to April 27.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015—7

CRUSHED: Vanguard Newspaper's bus (above), two pick-up vans (left) are three of the company's four vehicles among the five crushed by a container that fell off a trailer, with number plate LND 258 XL, at Berger Yard Bus Stop, yesterday. PHOTOS: Biodun Ogunleye.

Staff escape death as 40-ft container crushes four Vanguard vehicles

By Evelyn Usman

E

IGHT Vanguard staff narrowly escaped death yesterday, after a 40-foot container fell off a truck and landed on five vehicles, four of which were Vanguard’s, at Berger Yard Bus Stop, along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos.

Time was 4am.

The vehicles, two Toyota Hilux pick-up vans with number plates AKD 509 AH and AKD 507 AH; a bus, AGL 51 BJ, and a black Hyundai Verna, JJJ 513 CM, were for circulation of Vanguard newspapers.

The fourth vehicle belongs to a staff of Julius Berger Construction Company.

The vehicles were parked by the entrance to Julius Berger's Euro 65 facility premises because of the perennial traffic gridlock along the expressway, which

usually affected the circulation of the national daily.

Vanguard’s circulation staff usually cross the expressway with piles of the newspaper on their heads, to load the vehicles, for onward distribution in Lagos and the South-West.

However, yesterday, the circulation staff were said to have finished loading vehicles leaving for the South-West states.

They were on the verge of loading those heading for Ikorodu, Badagry, Kakawa and Ajah areas of Lagos, when a speeding truck, with number plate LND 258 XL, veered off its lane. Its container fell on the parked vehicles.

The truck driver, his escort and the Motor Boy were flung in different directions.

Motorists trapped in traffic also abandoned their vehicles and ran for safety, apparently thinking it

was a bomb explosion.

The truck driver and his motor boy were said to have been rushed to New Nigeria Hospital on Dillion Street, Kirikiri, from where they were referred to Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi-Araba.

‘Driver was smoking Igbo’

The escort and a clearing and forwarding agent were arrested by policemen from Trinity Street.

At the station, the escort revealed that the driver was

smoking Indian hemp, when the accident happened.

He said: “We left Tin-Can Island Port at 2am and the driver took out a wrap of hemp.

“As we were approaching Berger Yard Bus Stop, he asked the motor boy to wrap a second one for him.

“He had barely puffed four times when the accident occurred.

I do not smoke and I did not feel comfortable with the whiff of the Marijuana. But there was nothing I could do.”

‘My estranged wife conspired with her husband to rob me’

By Onozure Dania

L

AGOS—A real estate developer, Mr. Abraham Okoro, Wednesday, told a Lagos Magistrate’s court in Ikeja how he identified one of the suspected robbers, who attacked him some years ago after he had sold a property, at Surulere Magistrate's Court on March 27, 2013.

Okoro, who was testifying before Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe, said the suspect, Babatunde Ogunmefun, was married to his estranged wife, Adedoyin Ogunmefun (nee Ajaba).

He said his estranged wife and the suspect had written a petition against him over paternity of his two children.

He said it was when he got to the court at Surulere, that he identified Adedoyin's new husband as one of the robbers that came to his house.

Okoro further stated that after he recognised Ogunmefun in court, he wrote a petition to Lagos State Police Commissioner on

March 29, 2013 to investigate the matter, adding that he had earlier reported the robbery incident to the police when it happened.

According to him, Ogunmefun was arrested on May 3, 2013 for questioning and that while the case was ongoing, one Ashiru, who undertook his bail, happened to be one of the property agent that his (estranged) wife introduced to him to help sell a property.

He said after he identified the agent (Ashiru), he denied, saying it was his brother who looks like him.

Okoro, who said he discove-red that Ashiru was brother in-law to Ogunmefun, concluded that given the scenario, his estranged wife had conspired with them to dupe him.

At the last sitting, Okoro had told the court that his estranged wife brought another man’s pregnancy to his house, pleading with him to accept it.

Magistrate Komolafe adjourned the matter till June 24 for cross examination.

Charred remains of the NLC buildings.

Bayelsa lawmaker dies of leg injury

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—A serving member of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mr. Obedient Emoto, who represented Ogbia Constituency II on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, reportedly died Tuesday at about3.30pm in Port Harcourt from a leg injury sustained in a domestic affair.

The deceased’s information officer, Mr. Majesty Inegbegha, confirmed the demise of his boss.

He said: “He died of complications from leg injury and his body has been deposited at the morgue of the Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital in Rivers State.”

20 gunmen invade Delta community

By Perez Brisibe

Fire guts Bayelsa motor park, razes NLC building in Rivers

By Samuel Oyadongha, Emem Idio & Davies Iheamnachor

F

IRE, yesterday, gutted a section of the popular Ekeki Motor Park in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, leaving two persons injured.

Similarly, the state secretariat of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Rivers State, located at Igboku Street, D-Line in Port Harcourt was also razed by fire yesterday.

Shops, goods and cash worth millions of naira were destroyed as owners of stalls at the park watched helplessly.

Eyewitnesses said the inferno began at 8a.m. as a shop owner attempted to switch on his power generating set.

In Port Harcourt, the fire, which engulfed the building at 4a.m., razed all the administrative offices and destroyed all the union's documents.

Some people in the area said the inferno was ignited from an electrical spark, but an eyewitness, Mr. Ovundah Bekee, and Personal Assistant to Rivers State chairman of NLC, Mr. Chris Oruge, said: “I was alerted about the fire at the office around 5a.m.

“I think it is an explosive that may have been detonated there.

It is a deliberate act.

“I had to call the state fire service. When they arrived, they could not do much because the building had already been burnt down.”

E

KU—GUNMEN numbering over twenty suspected to be armed robbers, yesterday laid siege to Eku in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, robbing and shooting motorist and passersby along the EkuAbraka express road.

The gunmen ,who invaded the community at about 5:10pm, blocked the road leading to Eku Baptist Theological Center, were they robbed and shot over five persons, including a trader at the Eku Market and a male commercial motorcycle operator.

According to a staff of Eku Baptist Government Hospital who spoke on condition of anonymity, five persons with series of gunshot wounds were rushed to the hospital.

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

Era of military rule gone forever — CDS

T

HE Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh has disclosed that the era of military rule is gone and the military will continue to respect democratic institutions.

Badeh disclosed this when he received members of the National Peace Committee for the 2015 General Elections in his office.

“The era of military rule is gone forever in this country.

In fact if there was military rule I am not sure if I could have been here. We are the armed forces of Nigeria and not that of any political party and will be subordinate to the constituted authorities”, he said.

The Defence Chief said that the military leaders are the product of democratic governance and would therefore not embark on any activities that could jeopardize the electoral processes in the country.

He further assured that the military would remain nonpartisan while carrying out their legitimate duties of providing the enabling security environment for tomorrow’s elections.

Badeh also commended the efforts of the Peace Committee and expressed gratitude that the roles of the military in the whole electoral processes were being recognized and appreciated.

He said: “The Armed Forces is indeed very proud that members of the peace committee are here to give us a part on the back for what we have done. I want to again thank you for recognizing what we have done in the North East. ''I remember when we ask more time to embark on what we are doing but there was a lot of misgivings. But we are happy that we are able to ensure that Nigerians exercise their choice of who to govern them even though we did not achieve 100 per cent but we are able to secure the major ones.

“We want to say that Nigerian Armed Forces have been participating in the past elections and there was no much misgiving. We, as service chiefs were beneficiaries of democracy because we were confirmed by the National Assembly.

“We promise that we will tomorrow replicate what we did during the last elections.

I am sure we can do better than last time and at least get another pat on the back”.

UN launches $174m appeal for Nigeria’s Boko Haram refugees T

HE United Nations launched an appeal, yesterday for $174 million in what it called “life-saving aid” for almost 200,000 Nigerians who have fled brutal attacks by Boko Haram jihadists.

The insurgents, who are seeking to create an Islamic state in the country ’s predominantly Muslim north, have killed more than 13,000

people since 2009.

“Displaced people in northeastern Nigeria and across borders are in a very dramatic situation,” Liz Ahua, W est Africa representative for the UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, said at the launch in Dakar.

“They continue to fear for their lives, and are at this point unable to return to their homes.”

Some 192,000 people have fled

over Nigeria’s borders into Cameroon, Chad and Niger seeking refuge from relentless violence, according to the UNHCR. A further 1.2 million have been displaced within Nigeria as a direct result of the bloodshed, the agency said at the launch of the Nigeria Inter-Agency Regional Refugee Response Plan.

Staff and volunteers in 23 aid

VISIT: From left; State Coordinator, National Youth Service Corp, Rivers State, Mrs. Ngozi Nwatarali; Director-General, NYSC, Brig-Gen. Johnson Olawumi; and Commandant, 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Rivers State, Brig-.Gen. Koko Essien, during the pre-election and advocacy visit of the DG NYSC in Port Harcourt, Rivers State yesterday. Photo by Nwankpa Chijioke

organisations and UN agencies say they are struggling to provide shelter, food, education and sanitation for the refugees.

“Adequate funding is crucial to make sure aid agencies can improve living conditions for refugees in asylum countries and respond to their protection need,” Ahua said.

“We need to continue to relocate refugees away from the conflict border areas, and establish additional refugee camps where needed.”

Largely peaceful presidential elections on March 28 saw Goodluck Jonathan lose to challenger Muhammadu Buhari in Nigeria’s first ever democratic transfer of power.

But security fears remain high ahead of this weekend’s regional elections.

Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon last month launched an unprecedented joint campaign against Boko Haram after the militants widened their offensive with attacks in the neighbouring countries.

Chadian President Idriss Deby vowed on Wednesday to “wipe out” the organisation and called on its commander Abubakar Shekau to give himself up, warning that he knew where the militant leader was hiding.

CBN, banks to bar bad debtors from purchasing forex zTo reduce dollar limit on Naira Visa, MasterCard debit cards zTo publish their names in newspapers

By Babajide Komolafe

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and banks, under the aegis of the Bankers Committee yesterday have decided to bar bad debtors from purchasing foreign exchange in the interbank foreign exchange market.

The committee comprise the top management of CBN, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and chief executives of banks. The Committee also decided to reduce limit on naira debit Visa and Mastercard. The limit represents the amount of dollars that card holders can spend or withdraw through the cards when they are out of the country.

Director, Banking Supervision Department, CBN, Dr. Tokunbo Martins disclosed this at a press conference at the end of the Bankers Committee held in Lagos. Also at the press conference are the Chief Executive officer of Union Bank, Mr Emeka Emuwa, Chief Executive of Standard Chartered, Mrs Bola Adesola,

Chief Executive of Citibank Nigeria, Mr. Omar Hafeez, and the CBN Director of Corporate Communications, Alhaji Ibrahim Muazu.

Speaking on the decision to stop bad debtors from purchasing dollars from interbank market, Tokunbo Martins said, “We realise it is becoming increasingly difficult to get some debtors to pay up on their loans. So there was a lot of discussion on what can be done to make them pay up on their loans. So it was decided that one thing that we may do is to stop them from getting access to foreign exchange. Another thing that we also considered, that we might do going forward is to publish the names of borrowers that refuse to pay up their loans.

All this is in bid to ensure continued safety and soundness of the banking industry.

“It is not all debtors. It is the bad, the chronic debtors, those ones that are just deliberately refusing to pay. Those are the kind of debtors we are talking about. The industry has a standard. We don’t want non performing loans to be more than five per cent of the total

loans in the industry.

“Currently total loans in the industry is between N13 trillion to N15 trillion. Right now we have not reached that upper limit of five percent but we don’t want to get there and that is why we decided we need to come up with this measure. Currently the non performing loan in the industry is about 3.3 percent, but we don’t want to get to the limit of five percent.

“On whether we can stop the bad debtors from purchasing foreign exchange at the parallel market, there is no way we can do that, but that will come to them at a cost because it is much more expensive. What we are much concerned is the official market which is much cheaper.

“It is not only the bad debtors that would be stopped from purchasing foreign exchange and have their names published in the newspapers. It would be the bad debtor, the company, the directors of the company, the subsidiary, every member of the group. So the entire group will be subjected to that treatment.”

Speaking on the decision to

reduce amount of dollar that holders of naira debit Visa and Mastercard can spend abroad, Emeka Emuwa said, “We also looked at the use of naira debit cards. We realise that people were using the cards in a manner they were not expected to use them. There were some arbitrage going on, and in order to continue to support the stability in the foreign exchange market. So it was agreed at the committee that the limit would be reduced for the use of the naira debit cards. You will still have, as a customer, unfettered access to your dollar account (cards) but the naira cards the limit will be reduced to a judicious level.

Adesola, Ecobank CEO, explained that, “This specifically applies to the use of these cards abroad. When they used abroad, the merchants have to be settled, even if it is ATMs, the provider, which may be Visa or Mastercard, we will have to be settled in foreign exchange. ''We found that they put a drain on the foreign exchange resources available to finance industries.

And so there would be a reduction in the annual allowable drawdown using naira debit cards abroad”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 — 9

By Clifford Ndujihe, Charles Kumolu & Peter Okutu

S

OME Igbo leaders, yesterday, blasted former Chief of Army Staff, General Theophilus Danjuma (retd) over his comments that if former Biafran Leader, late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, had conceded defeat quickly during the 1967-1970 civil war like President Goodluck Jonathan did after the 2015 presidential polls, Nigeria would have been saved one year of bloodshed.

Danjuma spoke on Wednesday shortly after a closed-door meeting with President Jonathan, who visited him at his Abuja residence.

He said the President averted civil war in the country by timely conceding defeat and congratulating Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move he said Ojukwu failed to make and thereby causing the country avoidable blood shed.

Coming at a time the Igbo are still seething over Oba of Lagos, HRM Rilwanu Akiolu’s threat that Igbo living in Lagos would drown within seven days in the Lagos Lagoon, if they did not vote his governorship candidate in tomorrow’s election, Danjuma’s comments elicited caustic criticisms.

Reacting to Danjuma’s comments yesterday, some Igbo leaders accused him of ridiculing the president, insulting Ojukwu and continuing the genocide against the Igbo by other means.

Among those who berated Danjuma are former SecretaryGeneral of Ohaneze Ndigbo and officer in the Biafran Army, Col Joe Achuzia; Second Republic Politician, Chief Guy Ikokwu; botched Third Republic Governor of Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife and former Deputy National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chief Abia Onyike.

He is no longer strong mentally –Ezeife

Piqued at the comments, Ezeife said: ‘’I know Danjuma is not very well. So I am not surprised.’’

Igbo will respond – Ikokwu

Alleging that Danjuma killed Nigeria’s first military Head of State, General Ajuiyi Ironsi (an Igbo), Ikokwu said General Danjuma will get a full response after the elections because by talking about Ojukwu, he is talking about the South-East and SouthSouth geo-political zones, which constituted most of the former Eastern Region and later the defunct Biafra.

His words: ‘’I don’t think we should take issues with Danjuma until after the elections. Jonathan went to him and not him to Jonathan. We shall respond to him.’’

Danjuma’s comments confirm the genocide against Igbo – Achuzia

In his reaction, Col Joe Achuzia said: ‘’I am happy that my friend

CRITICISM OF OJUKWU: Achuzia, Ezeife, Ikokwu blast Danjuma zHe's no longer strong mentally — Ezeife zFMG was bent on wiping out Igbo — Achuzia zStatement confirms genocide against Ndigbo Danjuma owned up that there was bloodshed and pogrom against the people of Biafra. I don’t understand what he meant

by Ojukwu conceding defeat. If the Federal Government had implemented the Aburi Accord, the bloodshed would have been avoided. ‘’Ojukwu believed in Aburi as the road map for peace at the time of the crisis but the Federal Government reneged on the agreement reached in Ghana.

One does not concede defeat half way into a battle. Doing that would have amounted to cowardice. I don’t know where Danjuma got the idea of Ojukwu not accepting defeat from. He

has little knowledge of the intricacies of the war. He didn’t even know the terrain of the Enugu that he talked about. If the necessities of capitulating were there, why did the war last for three years? I fought the war for three years and I know that the necessities were not there.

Sometimes people talk for talking sake. ‘’The President’s visit to him was a private one and he should not have used that opportunity to insult all that Ojukwu stood for. To say publicly that the President was defeated was even a mockery of the President.

It does not portray the President in good light. Of course what

he said was an insult on Ojukwu.

His reference to the fall of Enugu is laughable because the war was just starting then. Which military officer will surrender in that kind of situation even before firing a bullet? When some people make wrong comments on the civil war, I wonder what often inform their judgement. Ojukwu was a General and was right on all the decisions he took in the interest of the Igbo.’’

His comments ‘re diversionary – Onyike

In a chat with newsmen in Abakaliki, Onyike, one-time commissioner for Information and Orientation in Ebonyi State, said

VISIT: From left; Vice President, Iinstitute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, Otunba Olufemi Deru; Director-General, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Dr Gloria Elemo and Chairman, Ikeja District Society of the Institute, Mr Seyi Ogunjobi, during their visit to FIIRO in Lagos yesterday. Photo: NAN.

it was most unpatriotic of Danjuma to make such comments at this point in the country’s political history.

He alleged that Nigeria’s problem now is not from the Ndigbo but from Danjuma’s North-Eastern zone occasioned by the Boko Haram and Hausa/ Fulani herdsmen insurgency, insisting that the General’s comments were mere diversionary tactics deployed to denigrate the integrity of Ojukwu.

Onyike said: “In the first place, it was Danjuma that backed the spilling of the blood of the Igbo, with the killing of Aguiyi Ironsi in Ibadan in 1967 and we want to say that Danjuma belongs to the group of Army Officers who led the gruesome genocide and massacre of over three million Igbo during the Nigerian civil war.

“We want to say that the problem with General T. Y. Danjuma is mainly psychological because at a time when some of them felt that they had become great statesmen and patriots for presiding over the attempted extermination of the Igbo, unfortunately for them, the Igbo people survived and have come to assert themselves and their identity in the Nigerian federation.

“Secondly, a twist emerged in the Nigerian scene where people like Danjuma and the minority group where he comes from in the Northern have been subjected to the same gruesome murders by militant elements of the same northern oligarchy which they serve, and to that extent Danjuma cannot go to his village.

“So, let him go and resolve that problem first because when Ojukwu was making them understand the nature of the Nigerian federation and the dangers inherent in the politics that was emerging, Danjuma preferred to be a surrogate. So let him stop using the Igbo to hide his inadequacies.”

SERAP sets agenda for Buhari to end corruption

By Abdulwahab Abdulah

S

OCIO-ECONOMIC Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has challenged the president-elect General Muhammadu Buhari to “implement a five-point programme against corruption if he is to send a strong signal of change and ensure improved governance throughout the country.”

SERAP in a statement by its Executive Director, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni, said that “The biggest obstacle to reconstruction and development in Nigeria is corruption. For many years, systemic corruption has distorted incentives,

undermined critical institutions of governance, slowed economic progress and redistributed wealth and power to the undeserving. No wonder the percentage of Nigerians living in poverty has continued to rise.

“Today the level of confidence in Nigeria is low but there is clearly public enthusiasm that the incoming government will be able to bring about a society that serves its people’s interests,” the organisation said.

“Nigerians have heard plenty of rhetoric about corruption and now is the time to take concrete action to combat the problem. We urge the president-elect to consider and implement the following five-point programme

against corruption to make sure that Nigeria does not drop deeper into a pattern of corruption and impunity of perpetrators,” it said.

The five-point programme reads in part: “The president-elect must appreciate the legacy of systemic corruption, its human rights costs; and anticipate the scale and challenges of reconstruction.

“First, the president-elect should demonstrate the political will to prevent and combat corruption not only within his presidency but also at all levels of governance. His strategy should reflect the importance of transparency, accountability and participation.

“As a first step, the presidentelect should immediately after

May 29, 2015 demonstrate his total rejection of corruption by publicly declaring his assets and publicly instructing all members of his government to do the same.

“Second, to break through a culture of corruption, the president-elect should not shy away from “frying big fish” including members of the National Assembly and regardless of the political party they may belong. ''The president-elect should promote and ensure the naming and punishment of big corrupt politicians so that a cynical citizenry can believe that his anticorruption drive is more than words. Such prosecutions can send a powerful signal of change.

10— Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

By Leke Adeseri, South West Regional Editor, Innocent Anaba & Gbenga Ariyibi

A

DO EKITI—THE face-off between members of the 19 All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State House of Assembly and the state governor, Mr Ayo Fayose yesterday took a new dimension as the lawmakers have formally written the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, to set up a seven man panel that would investigate the allegation of gross misconduct raised against Fayose and his deputy, Dr Olubunmi Eleka in the impeachment notice Dr. Adewale Omirin, the Speaker, confirmed the telephone yesterday. He was apparently travelling back to Osogbo from Ekiti.

The lawmakers who reappeared in Ado Ekiti, the state capital yesterday, after similar efforts were frustrated by security officials on Tuesday sat at Mary Hills Boys High School, Ado-Ekiti, in line with Section 101 of the 1999 Constitution as amended which empowers the Assembly to regulate their sittings, including sitting in a public building within the state capital if conditions in the hallowed chamber endanger members’ lives.

According to the statement by Special Assistant on Media to the Speaker, Mr Wole Olujobi, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Churchill Adedipe, Irepodun/Ifelodun Constituency, relying on Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) moved the motion empowering the chief judge to set up the panel Adedipe further explained that the sitting ought to have taken place in the hallowed chamber on April 7, 2015 but members were prevented from coming to the state by hoodlums who in collaboration with some security operatives mounted roadblock and threatened their lives with dangerous weapons, thereby making them to abandon going to the Assembly.

His motion was, however, seconded by the deputy speaker, Adetunji Orisalade, representing Ido/Osi Constituency II. According to Olujobi; “After debates, the lawmakers in a unanimous vote supported the motion directing the chief judge to set up the panel “The lawmakers, according to the statement gave the chief judge maximum of seven days to set up the panel and adjourned till the next sitting day.

But the Chief Registrar of the state High Court,Mr David Fasanmi in a telephone interview said no such directive from the lawmakers have been received by the chief judge.

According to him, if such a letter comes to the state’s judiciary, it would first be received and registered in his office before going to the appropriate quarters.

However, the governor has urged members of the public to

CRISIS: Members of Ekiti State council of traditional rulers during a meeting over the crises between Governor Ayodele Fayose and the 19 APC lawmakers of the State House of Assembly in Ado Ekiti, yesterday. Photo: Dare Fasube.

Ekiti House asks CJ to constitute probe panel

IMPEACHMENT:

z19 APC lawmakers withdraw suit zEkiti CP redeployed as monarchs wade in disregard the information, insisting that the House is on recess.

In a statement by the Special Assistant to the governor on Public Communication and New Media, Lere Olayinka; ‘’No such meeting took place in any part of the state.’’

He said: ‘’Adewale Omirin who claimed to be Speaker had been impeached since last year November and that Omirin is in court challenging his impeachment “Kindly disregard information being circulated by the APC that their lawmakers are sitting somewhere in Ado Ekiti., “Of course, members of the House of Assembly can gather anywhere in the world to have social or political meetings.

“Parliamentary business is done in the hallowed chamber of the House of Assembly.

“Besides, Dr Adewale Omirin, who claimed to be the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly was impeached on November 20, 2014 and he is in court, challenging his impeachment."

Lawmakers withdraw suit

But in Lagos, some three and a half hours drive from the Ekiti State capital, the 19 members of Ekiti State House of Assembly under the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, filed a notice of discontinuance to the suit they instituted before a Federal High Court in Lagos.

The lawmakers in suit against the state governor, Mr Ayo Fayose and others had to challenge the purported impeachment of Adewale Omirin as Speaker, and the running of the House by only the seven members of the House who are members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The notice, reads: “Take notice that the plaintiffs doth hereby wholly discontinue the suit against all the defendants.”

The surprise move to discontinue the suit was said to be connected with the fresh impeachment moves against Governor Fayose.

The APC lawmakers had earlier fled the state after Omirin’s impeachment and left the legislative duties to the PDP lawmakers.

But when the APC lawmakers returned to Ekiti State, Fayose had told them to await the determination of a suit which they filed before the Federal High Court in Lagos, before taking “laws into their hands.”

The development was said to have informed the decision of the APC lawmakers to move to discontinue the suit.

According to the suit, the plaintiffs (APC lawmakers) had specifically argued that by the provision of the constitution, the seven PDP lawmakers lacked the legal right to take decision on behalf of the House.

Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, the Department of State Security Services, DSS and the new “Speaker,” Dele Olugbemi, Samuel Ajibola, Adeojo Alexander, Adeloye Adeyinka, Isreal Ajiboye, Fatunbi Olajide, Olayinka Abeni and the Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, including the three commissioners cleared by the House under OlugbemiOwoseni Ajayi (AttorneyGeneral), Kayode Eso (Commissioner for Works) and Toyin Ojo (Commissioner for Finance).

The plaintiffs, in their originating summons, had prayed the court to declare that Omirin and his deputy were entitled to occupy their offices except removed by the assembly’s two-third majority

votes.

They also want the court to declare that Fayose’s alleged attempt to force them to join the PDP and denounce the APC was against their constitutional rights to freedom of association.

But Fayose, in a preliminary objection by the three “commissioners” (12th to 14th respondents), prayed for an order striking out or dismissing the suit in its entirety for lack of jurisdiction.

They argued that Fayose, being the governor of Ekiti State, cannot be sued outside the state where the “cause of action” took place.

They further contended that the Federal High Court in Lagos lacked the “territorial jurisdiction” to decide the case.

Ekiti monarchs wade in

In a related development , the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers have advised Governor Ayodele Fayose and members of the APC caucus in the Assembly to sheathe their swords for peace to be restored in the State.

In a communique read by the Council’s Chairman and the Onitaji of Itaji Ekitoi, Oba Adamo Babalola, after their meeting in Ado Ekiti yesterday, the council noted that the face-off between the executive and the legislative arms of government has been on since Fayose was sworn in on October 16, 2014.

Oba Babalola pointed out that efforts made by the council to broker truce between the feuding political gladiators had consistently been stalled by claims by the two sides that the case challenging the removal of Omirin from office is pending in court and that it will be subjudiced to discuss it.

“The position stalled all further deliberations and efforts to find an amicable settlement of the matter.

“The recent development in our dear State is a source of concern and embarrassment to all wellmeaning people of Ekiti State.

“It is sad that the unfortunate incident which resulted in the death of one Mr Modupe Olaya of Efon Alaaye could have been avoided.

“Council appreciates the representations from various individual groups, and associations such as, the Ekiti State Council of Elders, the labour Unions , both serving and retired, religious leaders, business and professional bodies for their concerns and suggestions.

“Council hereby appeals to all political gladiators to sheathe their swords , eschew violence and give peace a chance, as we believe that violence cannot solve the problems at hand,” the council stated.

The monarchs called on the law enforcement agencies , to ensure the security and safety of lives and property during and after the April 11 House of Assembly election.

The traditional rulers equally charged the Independent National Electoral Commission to be impartial during the Saturday’s poll, urging the politicians and the electorate to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act for the poll to be peaceful.

Ekiti CP moved

The police high command in Abuja gave notice of the redeployment of the Ekiti Commissioner of Police, Mr Taiwo Lakanu, to the federal capital.

While some said the movement had to do with tomorrow’s elections, unconfirmed reports said he was redeployed after he could not ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order in the state.

An AIG, M. J. Gana, has been posted to Ekiti State to oversee affairs and he is also expected to supervise the election into the state House of Assembly on Saturday.

Lakanu was said to have been implicated for allegedly colluding with thugs associated with Governor Ayodele Fayose to attack the 19 APC legislators who were on their way to the legislative Assembly to begin impeachment proceedings against the governor.

It was gathered that the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, on Tuesday, ordered that Lakanu be relieved of his job after investigating a petition detailing the connivance of the state commissioner of police with Governor Fayose.

Supporters of the embattled Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state, on Tuesday, as early as 4a. m blocked all the gateways and entry points to the state with luxurious buses and set bonfires on the roads.

In the same vein, the Deputy governor, Mr Olusola Eleka, on Monday, led supporters of the PDP and some hoodlums to block the two major roads leading to the state House of Assembly following indications that the 19 lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress, APC, were planning to impeach Fayose.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 —11

‘Oba Akiolu addressed us, his Igbo friends' L

By Emma Nnadozie

AGOS—A Lagos-based lawyer and industrialist, Mr Chukwudi Atueyi, yesterday, gave vivid account of what transpired between Igbo leaders and Oba Akiolu of Lagos State which has resulted in controversy.

The lawyer who regretted the uproar that accompanied the meeting said the Oba’s statement was not directed at the whole Igbos in Lagos but jocularly to his Igbo friends that visited him.

According to him; “All the Eze Ndi Igbo honorary in Lagos went to pay HRM solidarity visit on Sunday and I was fortunate to be among those present at the said meeting. What the Oba said was fully and simply directed to only the Igbos present at the meeting who his majesty considers to be very close to him and should understand him well enough.

“You know when one talks to his very close friends and subjects, he tends to be very free with them, so he was being very free with those present at the meeting and wanted us to realize how serious and close he takes us and our votes, because he cannot imagine us giving him our words only to turn back and do the very opposite.

“He did not force us to the meeting, we were the ones that went to him on solidarity visit, so

it would be very evil of us to only go and deceive him there. He only jokingly (at least as it appeared to me then) warned the people present at the meeting who he considers his own people.

The said warning that we are supposed to be very conversant with since we have all the “Ëze Ndi Igbo” present there, as that was not the first time we visited him. We are all already aware of the Yoruba culture and understood perfectly what he meant. There was no specific place he referred to all the Igbos

in Lagos.

“He was only addressing the Igbos with him present there whom he considers his own people and he simply observed his culture which we all quite understood and this explains why there was applause and laughter at the end of his speech. We were expected to, thereafter, talk to our people in civilized manner to convince them and canvass for their votes if we truly believe we are capable of doing so.

“The tradition of lagoon water

threat was directed only to those present at the meeting as culture demands. Though he appeared serious but we all understood it as a joke, that was why we all applauded him and made fun of it there.

“So I suspect serious politics at play here. I wouldn’t know who recorded the speech and decided to play politics with it.

It is most unfair to his majesty to be portrayed in this manner and I think I owe it as a duty to speak up before things get out of hand.’’

MEETING: Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (2nd left), Commissioner for Rural Development, Cornelius Ojelabi (left), state Chairman, Community Development Committee, CDC, Alhaji Tajudeen Kadiri (2nd right) and Director, Community Development, Ministry of Rural Development, Mr. Eniola Owolaru, during the governor’s meeting with CDAs and CDCs in Lagos, yesterday.

LASWA distributes safety jackets to boat operators L

By Aderonke Adeyeri

AGOS—THE Lagos State Water ways Authority, LASWA, yesterday, distributed over 200 life jackets to 17 boat operators in Aiyetoro, Epe, Lagos State in continuation of the agency ’s Water Safety Awareness programme which was inaugurated in 2012.

Mr Yinka Marinho, LASWA’s Managing Director told newsmen during the distribution of the life jackets that the gesture was to boost waterways safety in the state.

He said: “This is in continuation of our water safety programme which we have been doing yearly.

Governor Fashola flagged off

the distribution with 2,000 life jackets at the Ebute-Ojo terminal and boat operators in Badagry, Ikorodu, and Ojo had previously received similar gestures.”

Marinho emphasized that the distribution of life jackets at this time was a preventive measure to curtail boat mishap like what happened during the presidential elections where four persons lost their lives.

“It is unfortunate we had a boat mishap here in (Epe) during the presidential elections when four persons lost their lives. We have come to sympathize with their families and also distribute life jackets to prevent future mishaps. Lagos State

government will continue to see to the safety of the citizens regardless of elections.”

In the same vein, he advised operators to disembark any passenger who refuses to use the life jacket which represents the use of seat belt in vehicles.

“We know it’s another busy weekend of elections where many people would use the waterways to their polling booths. Please, disembark any passenger who refuses to use the life jacket,” he said.

However, Mr Anthony Agadi, a boat operator thanked the agency for the gesture saying, “if they had life jackets, last week’s mishap may have been avoided.

Ajimobi commiserates with Muslims over death of Chief Imam

I

BADAN—GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has commiserated with the Muslim community over the death of the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Busari Haruna III. The governor, in a statement issued in Ibadan yesterday, said the death of Haruna was unfortunate and disheartening.

He described Haruna as a religious leader who used his position to ensure cohesion among the Islamic faithful in Ibadanland and the entire South-West zone of the country.

Ajimobi also praised the deceased for his commitment to the peaceful co-existence of Muslims with adherents of other religions in Ibadan in particular and Oyo State in general.

“The death of our father, Sheikh Busari Suara Haruna III came to me as a rude shock," the governor said.

Ekhomu tasks Buhari on securing of N-East schools

L

By Evelyn Usman

AGOS—A security expert, Dr Ona Ekhomu, yesterday, in Lagos, advised the incoming Buhari’s administration to focus on the security of schools in the north eastern part of the country, warning that terrorists might attempt to abduct students again.

Speaking ahead of the first anniversary of the mass abduction of over 250 school girls from the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, Ekhomu described the plight of the girls as tragic, stating that the lessons from such abduction was for authorities to be more proactive.

He said: “I’m sure that most of the girls have been given away to terrorist commanders or sold off as wives or as sex slaves by Shekau. The Boko Haram terrorist organization may abduct more school girls from the northeast of the country unless robust school security measures are put in place to forestall such occurrence."

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

POLLS: Uduaghan urges traditional rulers to ensure peace

By Festus Ahon

A

the way to go during the elections. He who kills to get a position will never attain such position because no position is worth someone’s life. Let people know that any

property destroyed cannot be recovered. We desire violencefree election,” he said.

Uduaghan said that it was important for traditional rulers to make their domains

peaceful throughout the election period, disclosing that adequate security measures had been put in place to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

SABA—GOVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has appealed to traditional rulers in the state to impress on their subjects the need to be peaceful before, during and after tomorrow's governorship and state House of Assembly elections.

Uduaghan, in Asaba while addressing traditional rulers from Delta North senatorial district, urged the royal fathers to prevail on their subjects not to do anything that could breach the prevailing peace in the state.

According to him, “April 11 is the day fixed for the governorship and House of Assembly elections. To the glory of God, the presidential and National Assembly elections were peaceful in the state. This is due to your support in sensitising your subjects on violence free elections.

“In tomorrow's elections, SERVICE OF SONGS: From left: Pastors Akinola Fakeye; Alaba Fakeye; Sister Tola Fakeye; please appeal to your subjects Sister Tosin Fakeye and Sister Anuoluwa Fakeye, children, during the service of songs for to maintain the peace, let late Prophet Gabriel Olubunmi Fakeye, General Leader, Cherubim and Seraphim Movement them know that violence is not Church (Ayo Ni-o) Worldwide, at the Surulere District, Sanya Bus Stop, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

INEC told to consolidate gains from use of card readers

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has been called upon to consolidate on the gains recorded from the use of card readers in the conduct of the presidential and National Assembly elections.

A member of the All Progressives Congress, APC’s, Board of Trustees in Delta State, Sen. Francis Okpozo, made the call yesterday in Benin, Edo State.

He insisted that despite the failure of a few of the card readers during the elections, their deployment had helped to bring credibility to the electoral process and curb election rigging to a large extent.

Senator Okpozo urged INEC to ensure that only the card readers were used for the conduct of this weekend's governorship and the Houses of Assembly elections across the country.

Delta community commends Gbagi over FGGC location

By Egufe Yafugborhi

W

ARRI—FORMER Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, has been commended for the delivery of a Federal Government Girls College to Oginibo, his home town, in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, during his tenure as minister.

Gbagi received the commendation from his kindred and the Ughievwen Kingdom when the school project was handed over to the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, preparatory to its take off.

President General, Oginibo Community, Mr. Do-Well Uduvwive and President General, Ughievwen Union, Chief Michael Akponoka, in their separate addresses, noted that the project marked the first federal presence in Ughievwen Kingdom. They thanked Gbagi for making it possible in his short period as minister.

“This is a lesson for the political class and other well placed sons and daughters of our land, to do the best for their people while in office. Others have been appointed to high places and did nothing. We thank Gbagi for what he has done. This is an achievement for the entire Urhobo nation whose daughters are to benefit from the project,”

Akponoka noted.

Acknowledging the complement, Gbagi said he also ensured the siting of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun in Urhoboland during his tenure as minister, adding, “I revamped Urhobo College, Effurun and Government College, Ughelli and brought computer lab to Federal

Government College, Warri among other interventions.”

Nelson Oyaide who received the facility’s keys from the project contractor on behalf of UBEC charged the host community to join efforts with those to manage the school in protecting and preserving the structures and equipment expected to be delivered soon.

Surveyors urge Buhari to invest in surveying, mapping

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—THE Nigerian Institute of Surveyors, NIS, has urged the Presidentelect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to promote massive investment in surveying and mapping in order to overcome the problems facing the country's development and protect the environment.

In a congratulatory message to the President-elect by the President of NIS, Bern OmoAkhigbe, the surveyors urged Gen. Buhari to institute a government that will operate a deliberate policy of involving professional bodies to promote sustainable development, adding that Nigerians were yearning for change in policy such as enhanced infrastructural

development.

He said as a former military Head of State, the President-elect will appreciate the menace posed to the country due to the absence of an up to date map of strategic locations in the country, adding that any serious investor in any sector of the Nigerian economy will require appropriate information better provided by current maps which the nation presently lacks.

“Nigeria lacks maps of our road infrastructure, location of natural resources, power distribution, transport system and other infrastructures, market potential and consumers distribution along income lines," he said.

Mysterious leg injury kills Bayelsa PDP lawmaker

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—THE Bayelsa State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was yesterday thrown into mourning following the mysterious death of a serving member of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Obedient Emoto.

Emoto, who represented Ogbia constituency II at the state House of Assembly, reportedly died Tuesday at 3.30p.m., in Port-Harcourt following a leg injury sustained in controversial circumstances.

When contacted, the Information Officer of the deceased lawmaker, Mr. Majesty Inegbegha, confirmed the demise of his boss.

According to him, “He died of complications from a leg injury and his body has been deposited at the morgue of the Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital in Rivers State.”

Delta PDP chieftain defects to APC with 5,000 supporters

A

chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, Chief Michael Johnny along with over 5,000 supporters, yesterday joined the All Progressives Congress, APC. Johnny, who announced his defection to APC in Warri, said; “I am glad to announce my defection from the PDP to the APC. Today history is being made in my life and also thousands of my supporters across Delta State.”

He noted that the reason for joining the APC was very obvious, and not for any personal interest but for the countless problems and challenges confronting the people in Niger Delta, particularly the youths, who have been denied access to good living.

“Mohammadu Buhari’s incoming government has a good plan for the Niger Delta. Interestingly, our youths have resolved to support and work with Buhari’s government to transform the region," he added.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015—13

Don’t vote until you see result sheets, Amaechi tells Rivers APC members

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNOR Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has warned that members of his All Progressives Congress, APC,will not vote in tomorrow’s election if they do not see result sheets at polling centres.

He also said that an alleged renewed upsurge in militancy in parts of the state ahead of tomorrow’s governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections was as a result of the alleged quest by Mrs. Patience Jonathan, the First Lady, to control the affairs of the state and further mastermind the rigging of the elections in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The governor, yesterday in Port Harcourt, at a stakeholders meeting, said: “We will not vote if we don’t see result sheets. Ask the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, officials for the result sheets.

If they fail to produce them, then form a human ring around the INEC officials and together with the security men escort the ad-hoc staff to the local government headquarters and lodge your

complaints. But make sure nobody votes in any unit where the original result sheets are not produced. We will not accept photocopies.

“We will do what we did in our village; we call it the Obima formula. Our youths usually lock down the village.

No one comes in and no one goes out. I am pleading that

INEC should not endanger the lives of its staff by holding on to the original result sheets.

“Don’t allow any INEC official to leave your unit or your village if he or she fails to do the right thing. This time nobody will write fake results and go scot free. Don’t allow voting to commence until you see the result sheets. And also

ensure that the results of your units are announced and pasted by the INEC officials before they leave,” he said.

The governor also said he had assurances from security agencies that adequate security arrangement had been put in place to secure lives and property during and after the elections.

BIRTHDAY: Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, of Trinity House, with children of St. Stephen Home, at a reception he held for them on his birthday.

Ijaw youths urge Buhari to sustain Amnesty packages

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By Chris Ochayi

BUJA—THE Ijaw Youths Congress, IYC, has identified seven critical development areas which the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari of All Progressives Congress, APC, must give adequate attention to when the new administration takes the reins of power come May 29, 2015.

It also alleged that President Goodluck Jonathan was rigged out of office by the core North in connivance with some foreign powers and a section of the South- West.

President of IYC Worldwide, Udengs Eradiri, who set the agenda for Gen. Buhari while addressing newsmen yesterday in Abuja, said the youths in the region were not in a hurry to return to the creeks or resume militancy because President Jonathan lost his re-election bid.

Eradiri said a resolution was reached by various youth groups in the Niger Delta under the umbrella of IYC, on April 5, in Tuomo community, Delta State, on the recent political development in the country, especially on the outcome of the presidential and National C M Y K

Assembly elections.

He said: “Consequently, the IYC, after exhaustive deliberations, resolved that Ijaw and Niger Delta youths should be calm, peaceful and maintain the existing peace in the region.

“Congress expressed profound appreciation to Nigerians especially the people of the South-East who supported President Jonathan during the elections and the

Ijaw nation, satisfied with the performance and conduct of President Jonathan in office would warmly welcome him back home from national service.

“The Presidential Amnesty programme for ex-agitators in the Niger Delta region which has greatly contributed to the sustenance of peace in the region should be sustained by the incoming administration to

maintain peace in the region.

“The existing federal structures set up to develop the Niger Delta, such as the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, NigerDelta Ministry and other schemes should be strengthened and properly funded to rapidly develop the region by the incoming administration."

A-Ibom elders warn against infractions in governorship, House of Assembly polls

By Tom Moses

U

YO—ELDERS of Akwa Ibom State, led by Otuekong Donald Etiebet and Obong Sunny Jackson, yesterday, warned the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC in the state, that they would no longer tolerate infractions in the governorship and House of Assembly elections scheduled for tomorrow.

The elders drawn from the three senatorial districts of the state include Mrs. Imo Isemin, Mrs Rita Akpan, Chief Nkpubre Nkpubre, a former

National Vice-Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, South-South.

Etiebet expressed the disappointment of the elders in the alleged partisan disposition of many of the Electoral Officers in the elections of March 28 and hoped that the April 11 elections would be devoid of such compromise and irregularities.

“We’ve told the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, REC that a lot of lessons have been learned from the conduct of the presidential and National

Assembly elections and that the state will not accept a repeat of the negative situations in the April 11 governorship and House of Assembly elections.

“We cited instances of collaborations right from the INEC office to the polling units. We also told the REC that nobody will tolerate any infractions in the elections anywhere in the state.

“We told him to warn all his officials from INEC office to those at the polling units not to allow a repeat of the actions of the March 28 presidential election,” Etiebet said.

Group sues for peace in guber, Assembly polls

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WARRI-based non-governmental organisation, Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, has urged Nigerians to replicate the peaceful atmosphere which characterised the presidential and National Assembly elections on March 28, in tomorrow's governorship and state House of Assembly elections in the interest of national development.

CEPEJ, in a statement by its Coordinator, Sheriff Mulade, commended the courage and statesmanship of President Goodluck Jonathan for showing a good example for others to emulate by accepting defeat gallantly and peacefully, thereby helping to shore up Nigeria’s image in the international community.

He charged the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari to take advantage of the peaceful situation to articulate his development plans.

Arhiyor remains Uvwie NURTW chair —OBI

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HE Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Delta State, Chief Ifeanyi Obi, has denied media reports of a new executive for Uvwie NURTW, saying that Francis Arhiyor remains chairman of the union at the branch.

Obi, who was reacting to a publication that Uvwie NURTW got a new executive, in his office at Denis Osadebe Road, Asaba, denied the said publication, adding that the Arhiyor-led executive is the one recognised by the state chapter of the union.

He said: "It is no longer fashionable and acceptable to overthrow constituted authority. We don’t accept it anymore in NURTW except the state chairman gets a letter from the Uvwie branch of the union on that issue.

“I am appealing to everybody to be calm. This is not the time to foment trouble.”

14—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

Fuel scarcity worsens in Abuja ...panic buying, elections blamed

By Michael Eboh & Grace Udofia

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BUJA — THE persistent fuel crisis in Abuja, yesterday, attained a worrisome dimension, as scarcity of the commodity heightened across the Federal Capital Territory, with motorists spending several hours on long queues at the petrol stations.

The scarcity is gradually becoming a way of life in Abuja and respite seems not to be in sight as the authorities seems unconcerned about the sufferings of the people due to the absence of the commodity.

However, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, blamed the scarcity on panic buying due to the elections, stating that it had been supplying petroleum products across the country over the last couple of days.

According to Mr. Ohi Alegbe, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, who spoke to Vanguard in Abuja, the panic buying is a result of the governorship elections scheduled to hold this weekend.

He said: “It is the same old story, the same issue of panic buying. If you noticed, immediately after the presidential elections, the queue disappeared.

Now because we are going for the governorship elections they have gone into the practice again, because people want to travel, they want to have enough fuel to take them to their villages to go and vote for their governors and so on. That is majorly the problem.

He also queried the role played by petroleum marketers in the supply of fuel to the FCT in the last couple of days, saying the NNPC and its subsidiary, the PPMC have been solely responsible for the supply of the products in the last couple of days.

He said, “People think that it is only NNPC or PPMC that is responsible for this. This is not so. There are also independent marketers; they also should be asked questions of what is happening.

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NGF tasks INEC, security agencies, electorate on gov/state Assembly polls

By Henry Umoru

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buja—AHEAD of tomorrow’s Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF and governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi yesterday called on the Professor Attahiru Jega led Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and all security agencies to improve on the March 28 presidential and national Assembly elections by giving Nigerians the best.

In a statement signed yesterday by the NGF Director- General,

Asishana Okauru, Amaechi who urged politicians across board to according to the rules, stressed the need for losers to emulate President Goodluck Jonathan who conceded victory and congratulated the winner and the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, General Muhammadu Buhari,retd.

The statement read, “As Nigerians return to the poll on Saturday, April 11, 2015 to elect governors and state lawmakers, we call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to continue improving on its performance as was done

during the March 28 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

“Although there were complaints here and there, local and international observers rated the last elections as largely free and fair. This is huge progress for our country and its electoral system.

“We expect that the Governorship and State Assembly elections will be even better, with INEC correcting the lapses observed in the March 28 elections.

“The logistics of distributing sensitive election materials should be perfected. Steps should be

PRESENTATION: Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Mrs. Feyisetan Fayose (2nd right), presenting beverages and food items to the Matron of Erelu Adebayo Children's Home, Iyin-Ekiti, Mrs. Josephine Abiodun (3rd left), during Mrs. Fayose's visit to the Children's Home. With them are: Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Janet Olusola (2nd left), wife of the Head of Service, Mrs. Tola Faseluka (left), and Director of Child Development in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Boluwatife (right).

taken to ensure card readers work smoothly while ballot snatching and other forms of electoral fraud should be blocked.

“INEC should ensure that anyone caught sabotaging or violating the electoral process, no matter how highly placed, are investigated and prosecuted.

“We urge the security agencies being deployed for the election to carry out their duties professionally and in line with the Constitution. They should not allow themselves to be used by politicians to intimidate voters or perpetrate electoral fraud.

“We expect that heads of security agencies will investigate complaints across the country, that during the presidential and national assembly elections, some personnel colluded with unscrupulous politicians to engage in malpractices. Heads of security agencies should reorientate their personnel to shun partisanship and discharge their responsibilities on Election Day in line with global best practices.

“We also like to admonish politicians from all political parties to abide by the rules and refrain from any action capable of undermining the electoral process or plunging our country into crisis. We urge eventual winners of the elections to be magnanimous in victory while losers should take a cue from our President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, and exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship. Nigeria is bigger than any one of its citizens.

PDP National Secretariat stinks, as cleaners down tools

By Henry Umoru

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BUJA — BARELY two weeks after it lost grip on power after sixteen years, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP was already going through the agony of losing an election and being in the opposition, as

workers and cleaners engaged in cleaning the National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza have down tooled over non payment of salaries for three months.

As a complete contrast to the shining and glittery National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Secretariat of PDP has been over

taken by filth.

Following the refusal to pay the cleaners their salaries and them not ready to work, the entire premises of the imposing building, all the offices,toilets,board room and its National Executive Committee,NEC, hall among others have remained unkept for

....NYSC pleads for Corps members’ continued protection

By Caleb Ayansina

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BUJA — AHEAD of tomorrow’s governorship and House of Assembly elections in states across the country, the Director General of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brigadier General Johnson Olawumi, has solicited for the continued protection of corps members participating in the conduct of the polls.

Olawumi made the plea when he paid an advocacy visit to the Commissioner of Police, lmo State

command and the Commander 34 Artillery Brigade, Owerri, Imo State.

In a statement yesterday, by the NYSC Director of Press, in Abuja, the DG acknowledged the extra vigilance of security agents in the last presidential and National Assembly elections in ensuring the protection of corps members.

He said Corps members had done well by abiding with electoral laws.

He also pleaded with politicians to give peace a chance by talking to their supporters not

to use any form of violence against Corps members serving their fatherland.

Addressing the Corps members at the parade ground of the 34 Artillery Brigade, the NYSC boss commended the Corps members for their conduct in the March 28 elections and urged them to brace all odds of violence, logistics shortcomings or threats and give in their best in the forthcoming gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections.

days.

The PDP National Secretariat has now become a ghost of its self as it has been deserted by visitors and party members since President Goodluck Jonathan lost to the APC Presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, retd.

It was gathered that a private company, Sabobak Kleen & Associates, engaged for the cleaning of the secretariat was being owed arrears of unpaid services rendered to the PDP and against this backdrop, it could not meet its financial obligations to the staff which prompted them to down tools immediately the PDP lost out the Presidency to the APC. Following this development the premises was now stinking and a few senior staff who turned up for duty have to clean their offices while the members of the NWC and others have reportedly travelled to their respective states for the Saturday’s elections thus compounding the problem.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015—15

Igbo group, Abia women protest National Assembly election B y Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA — THE Coalition of Youths for the Defence of Igboland, yesterday trooped to the streets to protest the outcome of March 28, 2015, National Assembly elections in Anambra State, which they alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the state was compromised.

The youths, who assembled at Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, where they were addressed by their leaders, later marched round Awka metropolis before heading to Onitsha, Ekwulobia, Agulu and finally to the home of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu in Nnewi.

But in a swift reaction to the protest, former governor of the state, Mr. Peter Obi, said it was unfortunate that the state government had formed the habit of linking everything happening in the state with him.

According to the protesting youths, the rigging was masterminded by some prominent Igbo politicians.

They added that despite the decision of the voters to reject the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, INEC returning officers were used to upturn the results in favour of the party.

Among their demands include a call on chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, to redeploy the Anambra REC before Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly election, as well as ensure free and fair state assembly polls in the state.

Meanwhile, scores of irate women, who are members of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, all dressed

in black attires, have staged peaceful protest march in Umuahia, Abia State, against alleged falsification of the March 28 National Assembly, NASS, election in favour of ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state.

Protesting under the aegis of Abia Women and Good Governance, the women claimed that the results of the election, which they said was peacefully conducted in the state, were allegedly rigged by PDP, in connivance with some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The protesters said that "tomor row, INEC must ensure that people’s votes count, that the results of the National Assembly elections in the state were not the true

reflection of people’s votes."

Bearing many placards with one reading, ‘’We will speak again, this time, you will kill us first before you steal our votes again, APGA won all,” the protesters took their protest to the state headquarters of INEC to register their grievances.

Leader of the group, Ms Jenifer Ukaobasi, said: ‘’We freely voted for the candidates of APGA, for the Senate and House of Representatives but we were surprised that our votes did not count. ‘’We are tired with the status quo, we want a positive change in Abia and we voted for APGA. We went to tell INEC that enough is enough.’’

According to 75-year-old Madam Patience Eleleme, who described herself as the

leader of Grassroots Women, ‘’we stood under the scorching sun to vote for APGA but INEC declared PDP candidates as winners.

"Our grouse is that we voted for APGA but the ruling PDP government rigged the results in connivance with some unscrupulous INEC officials. What we are requesting for is that our votes must count.”

Addressing the protesters, Abia State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Selina Oko, expressed worry over the series of protests that had so far trailed the results of the polls.

Oko said she was disturbed because the protests portrayed her as having not done well, ‘’in spite of my efforts to ensure that the exercise was credible.”

DISCOURSE: From left, General Ishola Williams (rtd), Chairman of the DISCOURSE, Igbini Emmanuel, National President of Vanguard for Transparent Leadership and Democracy,VATLAD, and Mr. Erhuvie Joseph, member of VATLAD, during a recent discourse on sustenance of non-violent elections in Delta State, organised by VATLAD. In attendance were members of the media, British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, and Civil Society Organisations. VATLAD is Peace, Good Governance and Pro-Democracy Non-Governmental Organisation,NGO, based in Delta State.

Tinubu blasts party leaders over loss of Lagos House of Reps seats

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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ATIONAL LEADER of All Progressives Party, APC, and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed disappointment over the loss of five House of Representatives seats to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the March 28th, presidential and National Assembly elections.

Tinubu stated this at an emergency stakeholders meeting to review last election and strategize for the Saturday C M Y K

governorship and state house of assembly election, held at APC Lagos Secretariat, Ikeja.

Those in attendance at the meeting were: State Chairman of the party, Chief Henry Ajomale, Senators-elect, Oluremi Tinubu, Gbenga Ashafa and Olamilekan Adeola, Demola Seriki, all state party leaders among others.

According to Tinubu, who reeled out some of the results across the local government areas in the state, “You, the party leaders have disappointed us. For the first time, we lost five House of

Representatives seats to the opposition party, this is unacceptable, a huge disappointment.

Though in politics you win some you lose some, you have failed. So there is no excuse to fail this time.

“Also you did not come out in large number, were you afraid.? You have no cause to be afraid as adequate security is on ground to protect you and your property. So don’t be intimidated by their sporadic gunshots meant to scare you away from doing your civic right. The Hausa communities had a very good and

encouraging turn-out, we expect better performance this time.”

Tinubu who lambasted the leaders for failing to adequately mobilise the people, including party agents across the wards, charged them to redeem their in-action or be changed according to the slogan of the party.

He stressed that despite APC confidence to continue in the state, the party can not afford to miss it again in the next election as its too risky to leave Lagos in the hands of those without experience

MARCH 28 POLLS: S-East

PDP betrayed Jonathan —Umeh

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA — THE National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh has accused leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the South East of betraying President Goodluck Jonathan during the March 28, 2015 presidential elections, an action, he observed, led to the president losing the election.

Umeh said in an interview in Awka that PDP leaders abandoned Jonathan and concentrated on rigging themselves in at the polls.

He said that since President Jonathan was not running an election tomorrow, he should prevail on members of his party to allow Igbo elect candidates of their choice by providing a level playing ground.

He said: “Jonathan owes Igbo people the honour to elect their governors and members of the House of Assembly who will represent them in the parliament.

“How President Jonathan will do this is by not deploying security agents to truncate the outcome of the election as was done on March 28, “Now that he is not running and having been deceived by PDP imperialists into believing that once soldiers and police are deployed to the polling units, he would win that election, he should provide a level–playing field for all the political parties tomorrow.

“I know that PDP caused the failure of card readers on March 28 so that the South East will be used as a swing zone.

“Why did all the card readers fail? Why did soldiers play the role they played in Igboland? Card readers must not fail as they did on March 28. Jega ought to have rectified the problem by now.

“The South East was not part of the election because there was a pre-determined marshall plan to have false result announced.”

Umeh said that his party shall request for a probe of elections of March 28 and that what anybody did in the South East must be accounted for.

16—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

Obiano, Obi rift deepens

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA — THE rift between Governor Willie Obiano and his predecessor, Mr. Peter Obi, which reared its head before the new administration in Anambra State came into being on March 17, 2014, has degenerated into a media war, with the two camps accusing each other of tarnishing their images.

The latest verbal war came on the heels of a protest by some youths in the state over the outcome of the March 28, 2015 National Assembly election in which the youths accused the former governor of having a hand in the alleged rigging of the election in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state.

Shortly after the protests in Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi on Wednesday, the Media Assistant to Obi, Mr. Val Obienyem, regretted what he called the callous association of Obi’s name with rigging by the state government.

According to Obienyem, the government of Anambra State released N250 million for the

mobiliation of the youths and other logistics for the protests.

Reacting to Obienyem’s allegations, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Obiano on Media, Mr. James Eze, said it was horrifying that what had been

a silent, proxy war launched by the shadowy agents of former Governor Obi on the social media against Governor Obiano, had finally taken a bold physical shape, with Obi’s media aide directly accusing the governor of

instigating "crisis in the state he presides over as the chief security officer."

In the statement, entitled, ‘Setting the records straight,’ Eze said: “We are surprised that anyone in his right mind would

drag the name of Anambra governor into a demonstration staged by aggrieved Igbo youths to register their complaints over the handling of the March 28, 2015 National Assembly election in the state.

Police arrest man with 813 PVCs in Ebonyi

By Evelyn Usman

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HE SPECIAL Election Team of Zone 6 Command, Calabar of the Nigeria Police has arrested a man with 813 permanent voters’ card.

The suspect, identified as Madueke Sunday, 31, was arrested at Izzi in Ebonyi State.

He reportedly concealed the PVCs in a ‘Ghana must go’ bag.

Speaking on the arrest, head of the Special Election Team, Obere Friday, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the arrest took place last Monday, following a call received by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the zone, Tunde Ogunsakin.

“The team was immediately

put into action by the AIG and they moved into Izzi where the suspects were said to have been seen in the wee hours of the morning. On sighting the Police, the suspects took to their heels but were apprehended when they attempted to jump over a fence.

Consequently, one of them, Madueke Sunday, 31, who hails from Izzi, Ebonyi State, was arrested in possession of a ‘Ghana-must-go’ bag containing the PVCs Contacted on phone, the AIG, said he had ordered a thorough investigation to be carried out, with a view to making more arrests.

Commending the Special Electoral Team for its dogged determination and commitment, he also berated those insisting on carrying out criminal tendencies,

despite warnings.

He restated the commitment of the Police to combat every plan against a hitch-free election in the four states under his watch, comprising Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi and Rivers, Ogunsakin also urged members

of the electorate to exercise their franchise without fear of oppression or intimidation.

He called on members of the public to avail the zone of information that could lead to the apprehension of trouble makers during tomorrow’s polls.

Some of the PVCs in the arrested man's possession

President Jonathan condoles with late Oronto Douglas' family in Abuja

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President Goodluck Jonathan signs the condolence Register while Vice President Namadi Sambo and Isoken Omu watch, during a condolence visit to the family of Late Oronto Douglas, former Adviser to the President on Research, Documentation and Strategy, at his residence, Asokoro, Abuja, yesterday. Photos: Abayomi Adeshida

From left, President Goodluck Jonathan, widow of late Oronto Douglas, Mrs. Tarinabo Douglas, and Vice President Namadi Sambo.

From left, President Goodluck Jonathan; Gift Douglas, Otonye Douglas, Amb. Godknows Igali, and Isoken Omu.

President Jonathan, discussing with Otonye Douglas while the widow, Mrs. Tarinabo Douglas watches.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 —17

Unfair criticisms!

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N a statement released on Wednesday, Chief Olisa Metuh, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, complained about the APC’s alleged misconduct in Ekiti State and accused General Buhari and his party of “moving around the country instigating division, engineering crisis and heightening tension” (“instead of settling down to plan a smooth transition and design ways of deepening democracy in appreciation of the mandate given to him”).

The APC is, according to Metuh, also guilty of displaying “sectionalism and insensitivity ”, “odious triumphalism” and “arrogance in victory”. The President-Elect, meanwhile, is said to be “tacitly encouraging his men to…cause panic in a bid to muzzle personal freedom and impose a reign of terror in the land.”

Hmmm! I’ve always regarded Metuh as a pretty reasonable kind guy, but I think it is fair to say that he is being extremely unreasonable on this occasion!

•Chief Olisa Metuh

ing voters).

Would they have allowed to us to rest if things had gone their way? Would the rooftops not have been echoing with their boasts if GEJ had trounced GMB? Would we not be hearing that they had spent billions on the finest champagne for the noisy celebration parties they’d have hosted every day for weeks?

Can you imagine the likes of Dame Patience Jonathan, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode,

Stalwarts and sidekicks I am 100 per cent sure that if the PDP had won the election, its stalwarts and their sidekicks would have been strutting and swaggering around for the past few days, being far less gracious than the APC leadership/ followership has been!

Throughout the election campaign, PDP people constantly taunted me and never stopped bragging about how they would use Federal might, their superior fund raising capacity and Jonathan’s powers of incumbency to crush APC. Where I would tentatively say, “IF we (APC) win”, they would aggressively say “WHEN we (PDP) win” (especially after the election was postponed by six weeks to give them more time in which to try to charm hostile or floatC M Y K

I am 100 per cent sure that if the PDP had won the election, its stalwarts and their sidekicks would have been strutting and swaggering around for the past few days, being far less gracious than the APC leadership/ followership has been!

•Gen Muhammadu Buhari, President-elect

Chief Nyesom Wike, Dr Doyin Okupe, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai and Gover nor Theordore Orji being as restrained – if the boot were on the other foot - as Buhari, his wife Hajiya Aisha and most of his senior subordinates have been?

Did Mrs B direct any retaliatory attacks at Dame P’s hubby after the latter described The General as “brain dead”? Did The General launch any personal insults at the presidential couple during the campaign?

When Madame Peace unpeacefully urged her supporters to stone The General’s supporters, did any high-profile APC member spew out any similar utterance?

When Dame P accused Northerners of bad parenting, did Mrs B abuse the many Niger Deltans whose kids have gone off the rails and are social menaces?

Is The General REALLY heightening tension, etc, etc?

Have he and his team not bent over backwards to be nice about – and nice to – Mr President since he phoned The General to congratulate him? Has Mr President not been lavishly praised for agreeing to go quietly? Has he not been promised a soft landing?

Even Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, the normally outspoken APC boss of Rivers State, avoided vain glorious rhetoric during his Easter broadcast last week…and humbly apologised to anyone he had hurt or offended in the course of his career.

As for Metuh’s Ekiti allegations: Governor Fayose has reportedly been caught on tape bullying security personnel and planning to rig last year’s governorship election.

Fayose is famed for preferring non-intellectual methods of persuasion. Fayose is a no-shaking tough guy I’d rather never have to face in any type of contest! Fayose is, in a nutshell, not a sweet little shrinking violet or naïve boy scout.

Naive boy scout So please forgive me if I sound callous or as if I am not aware that two wrongs don’t make a right; but if there is any misconduct going on in Ekiti at the moment, I’m certain that Fayose is an enthusiastic participant in the skullduggery; and I am more inclined to pity his opponents than to pity him!

Metuh also says that APC has dragged a revered traditional institution into the fray, with Oba Akiolu of Lagos threatening death to Igbo PDP supporters “ while Buhari plays the ostrich…and displays his insensitivity by jetting around the country campaigning for his party.”

Metuh concludes that: “If this sort of insensitivity…is a foretaste of what to expect in a Buhari presidency, then our dear nation and its people are heading for a long trek in the wilderness.”

My take on this Lagos Oba controversy is that Akiolu is

the APC’s Dame P – as in tactless, destructive, tribalistic, prone to outbreaks of verbal diarrhea and VERY different from the more civilised elements in the party he supports (plenty of APC loyalists are even more upset with Kabiyesi than non-loyalists are!).

Nobody dragged the Oba into any controversy. He dragged himself in, headfirst, without consulting anyone in advance; and APC leaders have wearily distanced themselves from his comments. And I don’t see what is so insensitive about Buhari continuing to campaign despite the Oba’s indiscretions.

Did Jonathan not continue to campaign when Dame P was in full toxic flow?!

And, by the way, while I understand why some folks care about the whole traditional ruler thing, I am a staunch modernist, within this context at least; and I am not remotely interested in the opinions of traditional rulers, unless they are known for achievements beyond merely inheriting or purchasing titles!

Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 OR 0811 675 9752 (texts only).

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18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 THE change Nigerians need in their politics has started under out-going President Goodluck Jonathan. In an unprecedented but highly commendable spirit of sportsmanship and patriotism, he called the winner of the presidential election, Maj-Gen Muhammadu Buhari, admitted defeat, and congratulated him, more than eight hours before the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, announced the official result.

His gesture brought a huge relief to millions of Nigerians and interests across the globe, who besieged the country as election observers and monitors. It ensured the 2011 violence, with its attendant losses of lives and property, would not be repeated, and that the predicted end of Nigeria after the polls in 2015 would not take place. With this outcome, Nigerians can look forward to credible elections as a routine in our political culture that would guarantee the good governance and political stability required for the nation’s march to greatness.

Nigerians expect the President-elect to move with the same patriotic spirit and

Change Nigerians Want F rom Buhari From change the factors that have held the nation hostage. Though the elections divided the nation along North and South, Christian and Muslim as well as party lines, it was not different from past elections on those scores. Buhari’s challenges would include approaching issues with the attitude of the father of the nation and not the conquering hero of religious, regional or sectional interests.

His plans would be evident from the composition of his government. Options available to him should draw from merit and the richness of our diversities. Nigerians look forward to Buhari fulfilling his campaign promises of tackling corruption, restoring security and fixing the economy

through diversification and job creation.

The economy affects every Nigerian. The progress of the past 16 years, which got our economy rated as the biggest in Africa, must be harnessed to make ordinary Nigerians feel its impact in their daily lives. Nigerians are waiting for economic programmes that would lead to the promised prosperity.

We expect the President-elect to commit himself to the death of the demonic, ethnosectional nature of our politics. Now that Nigerians have acquired an appetite for free and fair elections, they must be encouraged to depart from the old reflex of clustering around ethnic and regional sentiments in their political conduct. We should begin to coalesce round development issues and pitch our political competition around them for the good of our peoples. These should be ingredients of the change Nigerians crave.

Buhari should lead these efforts, but Nigerians owe themselves a duty to support him and his government to take the nation to the high expectations his campaign created. We look forward to witnessing lasting changes that would benefit all Nigerians

OPINION Who is Jordan”,

killing “Hotel De NTA or Joe Ihonde?

By Usman Abudah

T

HE above title belongs to an extremely popular television slot started precisely in 1973 at the then Midwest Television (MTV) which later became Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) following the take over of all television stations nationwide by the then Federal government.

It is needless to re-call here the journey in detail what popular concepts suffer at the fall of governmental hammer at any given time, but this particular programme’s ill-luck need to be visited, either to establish the absolute ineptitude of governmental failures that can also be further established through bias or simple political ineffectiveness or “bad belly” towards the place of origin of such a popular slot like “Hotel De Jordan”.

Creative disciple Joe Ihonde was the creation/producer of the slot with a theme unveiling the class struggle of the rich, the poor, the opportunist click of cabal that is still sucking the nation: above all, the creativity in the production through Joe’s concept, built in a soothing level of humour C M Y K

painlessly characterised by the leading cast members of the slot in the likes of Chief Ajas (Sam Osamedealive) Lord Mayor (Musa Yusufualive) Idemudia (Agbonifo Enarunaalive) and Bob Allan (Richard Iduboralive and Professor of law at the University of Benin) some of the late members of cast that put life into the slot were Kokori (David Ariyo)_Okhue (Joseph Edobor) Casino Manager (O’Ray slater) and Chief Ukatabribri (Sam Loco Efe).

There is this painful factuality that if at the end, this popular slot is left to fade out in the archives of NTA, the

Even the rich who are mostly the plunderers, feel the guilt of their atrocities as they chuckle and unfold a deceitful smile of guilt

impression carried and still being recalled by members of the public about “Hotel De Jordan” will continue to be an endless river that seizes to dry or buried even bull dozers excavate the soil to level it up, it will continue to be recalled as long as TV slots that are of immense value to soothen the nerves of the citizenry, whose majority is presently being squeezed by the unfocused governance. The slot could indeed be a relief for the people’s nerves at this trying moment.

On Tuesday December 13, 2011, the NTA Ultra Modern Hall in Benin City was filled up with hundreds of fans of the slot who came to witness the much publicized celebration of the slot’s 40 years. This writer was there and felt high that the authorities of NTA and Joe Ihonde have seen it proper to answer the cry of its fans to bring back the slot.

The colour Brochure of this celebration of creativity and Excellence didn’t miss out a full page for the photographs and names of the Organizing Committee and beholds apart from the live sketchy production of the slot that featured the principle characters, nothing has been heard about the slot.

The questions amongst others are: • Who owns the copyright of the opera?

• If it is the NTA, why the celebration of 2011 towards bringing it back on the programme schedule?

• If it’s Joe Ihonde, what is the problem between him and the NTA? I have openly put these questions because all my contacts with the two sides to really let the public know who and why is stalling or killing the popular slot of the people of all classes.

“The New Masquerade” is still on, late Veteran Journalist/Playwright, Chief Segun Olusola, in our chats during his visits through my base in Benin City, had with much passion, told me his efforts to see the “Village Headmaster” back on the screen.

Indeed, my library has a copy of “Village Headmaster” autographed by him which I see every moment I embellish myself in the thought of getting things done if only to let the creative disciples have their widow’s share of the nation’s cake.

The effect of an enticing creative product like the “Hotel De Jordan” has on the majority of citizenry being denied the basic essentials cannot be taken as a simple; even the rich who are mostly the plunderers, feel the guilt of their atrocities as they chuckle and unfold a deceitful smile of guilt and thus dismissing the realistic delivery lines of the artistes in these true-life productions that unfold their shameless onslaught on the citizenry.

Creative productions like “Hotel De Jordan” must not be killed. *Mr. Abudah, a journalist , wrote from Benin City, Edo State.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015— —19

Tough battle for Okorocha in Imo

By Clement Udegbe

L

AST year, as the political gladiators in our beloved nation plotted to remove President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GEJ, former president Olusegun Obasanjo,OBJ was quoted in the print media as saying that for him it was " Anything But Jonathan, ABJ " .

So they plotted, schemed, and hatched their plans till PDP fell, in Abuja. It will be interesting to watch and observe how they will wriggle out of the heavy weight of the fallen PDP on top of all of them, at the centre.

The states are different, for there lies the heartbeat of democratic governance and control, such that a leader's sins could easily stare him in the face, with increased interest by Nigerians in whom governs them and how they do it.

In Imo state, the PDP ruled for eight years from 1999 to 2007, and committed one huge blunder by handing over the state to Chief Ikedi Ohakim, of the PPA,who later changed to the PDP, but not without inflicting considerable damage to the image of the PDP in the state. This failure by the PDP to hand power over to one of their numerous capable hands to continue, but to a man who completely estranged the people to the party, was considered an insult by the PDP, on the sensibilities of the people. So for

Imo people by 2011, it was "Anything but Ohakim" .

This was the situation that was exploited by Chief Rochas Okorocha to cruise into the State House, using APGA as his ladder, and appearing like a friend of the people, and the Church.

The Pentecostals were ecstatic in their hopes and joy because one of theirs, a known philanthropist, who could also flow with the Catholic Church had risen. They all sang, danced and prayed together. Imo loved him and voted massively for him.

Half way into his tenure, things started changing, and people started noticing that most state companies and projects went only to those who had ties or links with Okorochas’ families; Contracts were awarded without proper documentation and due process; contractors were being owed monies,and tongues began to wag. He then started this huge accusation of fraud against his Deputy,Chief Jude Agbaso, thereby dividing his own political house.

The accusation turned out to be false,as the man was cleared

by EFCC in writing. Rather than resolve the matter within his party, Chief Okorocha jumped out of APGA, even tried to kill APGA, and jumped into the APC, expecting Imo to follow him. All attempts to make him reconsider this move failed.

The questions were: Why

couldn’t two brothers who wined and dined together just the other day, resolve their differences in the interest of the people who voted for them, as Governor and Deputy ? What happened to the televised promise which Chiefs Okorocha and Peter Obi made to Late IkembaNnewi to keep APGA alive ?

As Owelle Ndigbo at that time,should Okorocha have abandoned APGA which Ndigbo hoped would be developed as a platform to begin the political reconstruction of the South East?

What then was Okorocha's plan and vision for Imo State within the Igbo nation and the political arrangement in Nigeria?

Imo people know when to say enough is enough, but no matter what, Okorocha’s tendency towards Islam has pitched him against the church, and if he does not make amends, it will be too late, as the church in Imo willnot likely be compromised

The man of the decade

By Tochukwu Ezukanma

T

EARS dripped from my eyes as I watched President Goodluck Jonathan’s nationally televised address.

His speech was short but momentous.

He conceded defeat, and accepted the electoral victory of his political opponent, Mohummadu Buhari. In the lawless and unprincipled milieu of Nigerian politics, that concession of defeat by an incumbent president was unparalleled, almost, inconceivable.

With that speech, President Jonathan levitated from a politician to a statesman; he left a footprint in the sand of time.

I wondered at my effusion of tears, which I thought was a strange reaction to a TV footage of a presidential speech.

It occurred to me that the speech I watched was extraordinary. It was transcendent; it transcended selfish ambitions, arrogance of power, contempt of the popular will, etc. It subordinated personal ambitions and clique interests to the collective good of the country. It encapsulated honour, courage and patriotism. By the vindictive and vicious standards of African politics, it was hagiographic – just plainly saintly. It was the pride that that honourable act of the president evoked in me that explained my tears; they were tears of pride. I am proud of Nigeria and Nigerians. Ours is a great country and we are a great people.

Democracy, the best form of government, is bringing out the best in Nigerians. President Jonathan’s concession speech was an apogee of the Nigerian best.

There was at least one earlier prediction that Nigeria will disintegrate C M Y K

in 2015. In the weeks leading up to the presidential election, it seemed as though the Third World War loomed in Nigeria. With the tension, political desperation, partisan frenzy and the bawdy and hate rhetoric that marked the political campaigns, election violence seemed imminent. Pessimists thought that Nigeria was edging dangerously towards the predicted 2015 disintegration. And optimists thought that there will be violence – massive violence – but that it will not precipitate the dissolution of Nigeria. In anticipation of the impending doom and a total breakdown of law and order,

Goodluck Jonathan exemplified that Nigerian politics can be premised on the rule of law. It does not have to be a do-or –die affair; there is room for humility, honour and the spirit of sportsmanship in politics

If indeed Okorocha’s ambition is to become president, will it be better achieved by destroying the political base the Igbos were trying to form? Was it wise to be working against GEJ ànd what was the dispute between GEJ and Okorocha?

Ndigbo has nothing against GEJ to fight him, and they would not betray GEJ, just because others find it pleasurable to do so.

Afterall,Ndigbo have remained marginalised by every president since 1999, and they know how truly GMB loved them.

However, Okorochacontinued with APC but the voting pattern of Ndigbo in the last election has shown that he is majorly on a frolic of his own. Having lost the three Senatorial seats in the state, he will need a miracle to win in this election.

Okorocha started a form of free education for the first time in the history of Imo State, and his love for school children cannot be disputed or denied.He changed the face of Owerri, built many roads, and buildings although most of them are just empty and unoccupied, and therefore appear ill conceived and wasteful. A second term for him,will be a gain for Imo people, as he will consolidate on the land mark achievements which any man who wants to beat him must improve upon to excel, but Okorocha has made serious mistakes.

First,Okorocha appears now,more like a Muslim in Christian cassock to Imolites.He preached in the chapel, but celebrated the conversion of Christians to Islam, such dual religious faithfulness is strange for an Imo leader, and he is also

many Nigerians made contingency plans and preparations. They stockpiled on food and other necessities. Some left perceived trouble areas for supposed safe havens. On the day preceding the election, some businesses shuttered their doors, and those that opened operated half day, so as to allow their employees enough time to scamper home before the outbreak of the brewing violence.

Refreshingly, to the credit of Nigerians, no violence attended the election.

Over the years, African politicians made nonsense of elections, and showed utter contempt for the popular will. A onetime Sierra Leonean president Siaka Stevens, in his disdain for the electoral process, asked rhetorically, “How can the pieces of paper we printed (ballot papers) remove us from office”? In Ivory Coast, an incumbent president, Laurent Gbagbo, in repudiation of the collective will of Ivoirians, refused to accept the victory of his political opponent, Alassane Quattara. It plunged Ivory Coast into political tumult and an armed conflict. Quattara was finally inaugurated president after the motley of fighters that supported him defeated military forces loyal to Gbagbo. The then Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, said that his party’s victory in the 2007 presidential poll was a do-or-die affair.

Incontrovertibly, do-or-die politics is contemptuous of the rule of law and the tenets of democracy. It countenances no defeat. It disdains the electoral verdict of the people. Thus, it could not have respected the electoral triumph of an opposition presidential candidate.

Therefore, it seemed paradoxical that an incumbent Nigerian president would, so graciously, concede victory and congratulate his triumphant political opponent. Isaiah Berlin once wrote that, “Greatness is the ability to change a paradox into a platitude.”

President Jonathan literally turned a paradox into a platitude. He made that which seemed contrary to reason, and

reported to have Muslim Special Advisers and Aides, showing how deep he has fallen into the matter.

Second, is the issue of conversion of Imo University in Ogboko to his private university using some unclear loan from Imo coffers, coupled with his display of wealth, his sprawling private estate, all of which need to be explained.

Third and most important is his recent loss of love with the Church, led by the Catholic Church. He was reported to have caused the fracas and confusion that disrupted the Gubernatorial Debate which the church arranged recently, in Owerri. If GMB managed to become President Elect without attending the Presidential debate, it is left for Imo people to decide whether such an attitude should be imported and tolerated in Imo State.

Today,there is no clear direction to what his plans are for agriculture, industry, commerce and job creation in the state.

Imo people know when to say enough is enough, but no matter what, Okorocha’s tendency towards Islam has pitched him against the church, and if he does not make amends, it will be too late, as the church in Imo will not likely be compromised.

Okorochaput himself into this situation where all the odds seem to be against him, but as a Christian, miracles still happen and he might return.

•Mr. Udegbe, a practitioner, wrote Lagos.

legal from

even, almost impossible, commonplace.

With that speech, he restrained his crestfallen and agitated supporters, and stunned and sobered his overjoyed opponents. He made good on his earlier affirmation that (his) “ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian”, and saved Nigeria from what would have been a protracted, gruesome and bloody armed conflict.

There will always be men and women to lead Nigeria in future. For the good of the country, it is extremely important that these leaders be guided by magnificent examples. Goodluck Jonathan exemplified that Nigerian politics can be premised on the rule of law. It does not have to be a do-or –die affair; there is room for humility, honour and the spirit of sportsmanship in politics. And that no political ambition should be advanced at the expense of any Nigerian life, thoughtless, of the peace of the country.

Acts of greatness can be appreciated by the number of lives they affected, directly and indirectly. By readily accepting the people’s verdict, President Jonathan guaranteed the peace of the country. He facilitated a peaceful transfer of power, not just from one president to another, but one political party to another. That entrenched democracy and reinforced political stability in Nigeria, and burnished Nigeria’s badly battered international image. And these are of most beneficial effects on the lives of 170m Nigerians.

Goodluck Jonathan is a great man, the greatest Nigerian president, thus far.

Some Nigerians have called him the Man of the Year. In my estimation, he is more than the man of the year. He is the Man of the Decade.

*Mr. Ezukanma, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Lagos.

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

Widows’ day of celebration with Oba Ojora

By Chioma Obinna

F

OR widows in the seven local governments under the domain of Oba Ojora of Lagos, this is a time to celebrate after they were recently presented with various gifts items, including cash. The widows were hosted under the Oba’s annual gathering for women who have lost their husbands and have no one to turn to for assistance.

For His Royal Highness, Oba Fatai Oyeyinka Aremu Aromire, the gathering was at the instance of his empowerment programme for widows which started 21 years ago when he was enthroned the Oba of Ojora.

Since its inception, thousands of women have benefitted from the programme. Many of the widows have been empowered to start their own businesses, while some who have challenges paying school fees and house rents have been assisted.

Every year, a day is set aside to bring the women together at the Oba’s palace to thank and praise God for His mercies and kindness over their lives.

March 21, 2015, widows from the seven local government areas thronged the Oba’s palace in the Ojora area of Lagos where they were presented with bags of rice, clothes, foods and money. Indeed the women had every reason to rejoice at

the end of the day as many of them went home smiling.

One of such widows was 57year-old Mrs. Abigal Adesanya who got a bag of rice, clothes and undisclosed cash gift. For Abigal, many Nigerians may see the gifts as nothing but for her, it was a big relief for her family.

According to her: “The Oba has continued to show us goodness. This is what he does every year for widows in the area. We are praying for long life and prosperity for the Oba. We appreciate what he has been doing every year for women who lost their husbands. Today he gave us clothes and bags of rice.”

Another widow, Mrs. Isiaka Yusuf, who lost her husband eight years ago, could not hide her joy and gratitude as

*A widow collecting her own gift items during the programme

We are praying for long life and prosperity for the Oba; we appreciate what he has been doing every year for women who lost their husbands

she said: “I have five children to take care of. God will bless him. This thing he did today will help widows who have no money to buy food and some of these things will help us.

We are burdened with too many responsibilities. We pay landlords, school fees and other things. I thank God.” At this year ’s gathering, over 500 widows were in attendance. After entertaining the women with food and drinks, they were each handed 20 kilograms of rice,

ROVING CAMERA

*Ambode, Agbaje take note: Homeless Area boys at Oshodi, Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez C M Y K

clothes and cash.

Speaking to Vanguard Metro, VM, President of the Widows, Rev. Sarah Iyabode Taiwo, explained that the gathering was purely for thanksgiving for the life of the Oba and the women. “We are rejoicing with the Oba and when we do this annually he blesses us with gifts. Widows are mothers and nobody cares for us.”

On his part, Oba Aremu Aromire said the annual programme was initiated in mem-

ory of his late mother who died when he was eight years. “I chose widows to honour my mother because she did not eat the fruit of her labour. I lost my mother when I was eight years. I also lost my father.”

Recounting how good God has been to him, he said: “I have been doing this for 21 years now. I have been going to motherless babies homes and old people’s homes. Out of the abundance that God has given, I use it to bless them. My funding is from God . We are sharing over 500 bags of rice, clothes and money.”

Acknowledging the different tribal and religious background of the women, he said: “I miss my parents but God did it for a purpose. I love what I am doing today. My message to orphans out there is to remember God.” He further advised Nigerian youths, especially those who have no father or mother to be wise and reject any politician who may want to use them to cause violence during the elections. “Let peace be your watchword. We are all our brothers’ keeper. If you don’t win today, you will win tomorrow. My own father contested for this stool but none of them became Ojora of Lagos. Now I am the Oba Ojora of Lagos. If you don’t have it today, you will have it tomorrow,” he added.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

— 21

Holcim, Lafarge name Eric Olsen to run merged Cement Makers

C

VISIT: From left: Mr. John Mastorodous, one of the promoters of the Lekki deep sea port and Engr Richards of the business development department of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, during a visit by the Managing Director of the NPA, Mallam Habib Abdulahi to the deep sea port project in Lekki, Lagos.

Tanker drivers seek stringent legislation for pipeline vandals

By Godwin Oritse

T

HE Petroleum Tanker Driver branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, has advocated a stringent legislation that will checkmate the activities of pipeline vandals across the country.

$135.60

-0.10

$2,792.00

-15.00

12.66

-0.3

$56.77

1.22

$51.04

-0.62

CURRENCY

BUYING

DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

196 196.5 291.8048 292.5492 212.66 213.2025 203.6364 204.1558 1.6309 1.635 0.3069 0.3169 272.3859 273.0807 31.6299 31.711 52.2472 52.3804 28.4578 28.5304 271.558 272.2508

CENTRAL 197 293.2936 213.745 204.6753 1.6392 0.3269 273.7756 31.7921 52.5137 28.603 272. 9435

CBN Exchange Rate as at 09/4/15

C M Y K

In an interview with Vanguard in his Ibadan office, the National Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Comrade Otunba Salimonu Akanni Oladiti said the ways vandals are treated when caught leaves much to be desired.

Oladiti said that anybody caught vandalizing pipelines belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) should treated as one who wants to sabotage the economy.

He suggested a 30 year jail term without any option of fine for anyone caught in the act of vandalizing pipelines.

He told Vanguard that billions of Naira are lost to the unscrupulous Nigerians who are out to make quick money without caring about the consequences on the economy.

Our security is very efficient; all they need is directives and funding to protect these pipelines

“What can solve the efficient distribution of petroleum products is for the government to tackle the issue of NNPC’s right of way, if they want to privatise, it is fine and good.

“There should be a strict law that will guard and guide these storage facilities including the pipelines.

“The law should be such that anybody caught damaging property belonging the Federal Government should be arrested and charged for economic sabotage but there are no such laws that can take care of vandals for a long time “The damage these vandals are causing Nigeria and Nigerians is more than the havoc of Boko Haram; in a situation whereby the government is losing billions of Naira to vandals on daily basis is unacceptable.

“I believe that if the government wants anything done, it will be done.

“If the President calls the General Officer Commanding, (GOC), and the Assistant Inspector General of Police in any of the zone and tell them that if there is theft of any drop of petroleum product in their domain, they will be held responsible, the issue of pipeline vandalism will stop.

“Our security is very efficient; all they need is directives and funding to protect these pipelines.

The law should be such that there will be no option of fine and anybody caught should be given 30 years in prison so as to deter other from going into such unwholesome business,” he said.

EMENT makers Holcim Ltd. and Lafarge SA agreed to appoint Eric Olsen as chief executive officer to lead their combined operation as they seek to overcome lingering opposition from some shareholders to their planned merger.

Cement Makers Holcim Ltd. and Lafarge SA agreed to appoint Eric Olsen to lead their combined operation as they seek to overcome lingering opposition from some shareholders to their planned merger.

The nomination of Olsen, who is Lafarge’s executive vice president of operations, as chief executive officer was approved by the boards of both companies, they said in separate statements.

The companies needed to find a new CEO candidate after some Holcim shareholders demanded changes to an initial agreement that would have installed Lafarge chief Bruno Lafont as head of the new $48 billion entity, which will be the world’s biggest cement maker.

Switzerland’s Holcim questioned the ability of the executive to reach savings targets after the results of France’s Lafarge trailed those of its merger partner.

Olsen’s “appointment will tick a number of boxes for concerned investors,” analysts at Davy Research said. “He brings important operational experience as well as experience of integrating businesses.

The appointment is another important step for the two groups in getting the deal over the line.”

Olsen, who has both French and U.S. nationality, joined Lafarge in 1999.

The 51-year old executive, who started his career at consulting firm Deloitte & Touche, holds a degree in finance and accounting from the University of Colorado and an MBA from the HEC business school in Paris.

In his current role, he’s responsible for Lafarge’s operations in major markets such as France, the U.S., Brazil and Egypt. He has led the integration of Egypt’s Orascom, a major acquisition with operations in Africa, Middle East and Asia, and also oversaw an organizational revamp in 2012.

Holcim gained 2.1 percent in Zurich trading as of 11:02 a.m., while Lafarge rose 2.8 percent in Paris. Olsen was one of two candidates to lead the new entity, with Lafarge Chief Financial Officer Jean-Jacques Gauthier being the other contender, two people with knowledge of the matter said last month.

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

Leverage AGMs to effect positive change in coys, shareholders told

By Nkiruka Nnorom

A

CTING Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Mounir Gwarzo, has urged shareholders to use the opportunity of Annual General Meetings (AGMs) to effect positive changes in listed companies and also take the directors of companies to task.

He made the call in Lagos at a joint seminar oragnised by Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN) and PR Plus titled: “AGM as a Platform for Value Optimization’.

Gwarzo, who stated that the main duty of shareholders is to pass resolution at general meetings by voting through their capacity as shareholders, said that the duty is particularly important as it allows the shareholders to exercise their ultimate control over the company and its management.

Represented by Mr. Edward Okolo, Head, Department of Financial Standard & Corporate Governance, SEC, pointed out that notwithstanding that companies hold AGMs to comply with regulatory requirements, it has been observed that shareholders use AGM as a platform to take decisions that will impact positively in organisational wealth creation.

He stated that though the

Board of Directors are charged with responsibility of directing the affairs of their various companies, shareholders must not fail in performing their duty as watchdogs by reviewing the audited reports and accounts prior to the meeting with a view to raising valid observations or criticism on key areas of the reports amongst others.

Speaking on the theme of the event, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, Chairman, Lafarge

Africa Plc said, AGM is the shareholders’ forum where they receive details of the company’s performance in the previous year and the outlook and plan for the coming year.

He noted that AGMs are also fora for shareholders to give specific approval for final dividend, scrip or bonus issues, capital raising exercise, acquisition or divestments. “It is appreciated that shareholders, employees, customers and suppliers contribute to the success of the

company but the AGM is the exclusive platform of shareholders to have their say about the company ’s performance.”

He urged the shareholders to apply their power of advocacy in ensuring that laws and regulations are not inimical to business and investment growth.

Osunkeye said, “The AGM offers an opportunity to seek, protect and enhance the value of the members’ shareholding.

From left: Dapo Ayoola, CEO, Sub-Saharan Africa Upstream Oil and Gas Summit; Phillip Chukwu, Managing Partner, PhilChukwu Associates and Sim Katende,Head, Energy Dept.

Katende & Sempebwa at Sub-Saharan Africa Upstream oil and gas summit in Accra, Ghana.

UBA lists N30.50bn bond on FMDQ, NSE

By Nkiruka Nnorom

U

NITED Bank for Africa

(UBA) Plc’s N30.5 billion bonds has been listed on the Nigeria’s premier debt capital Securities Exchange, FMDQ OTC Plc and the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE. The listed bond is Series-1 of UBA Plc’s 7-year 16.45 percent Fixed Rate Subordinated Unsecured Notes due in 2021.

While the listing on the FMDQ will provide a secondary market platform for institutional and foreign investors to trade the UBA bond, listing on the NSE provides opportunity for retail investors to take advantage of the fixed return on the investment grade Notes through the primary market.

The listing, which marks the admission of the first corporate bonds on the FMDQ platform, followed the recent approval of FMDQ bond listing and quotation rules by the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC. Speaking at the bond listing ceremony in Lagos, Mr. Bola Onadele, Managing Director,

FMDQ, said the listing would deepen the nation's capital market, while reiterating the exchange’s commitment to facilitate growth and development in the financial market through its efficient platform for the registration, listing, quotation and valuation of bonds.

He stated that bonds listed and admitted on FMDQ would be traded by fixed income specialists who would act as market makers to these bonds thus providing trading liquidity to the bond.

FMDQ is a securities exchange and self-regulatory organisation

The bond has increased the bank's capitalisation level and would give the bank the capacity to increase more businesses and sustainability

registered by SEC, positioned to lead innovation and development in the Nigerian DCM space. It provides a platform for listing, quoting and trading of fixed income and currency products.

Through its trading and surveillance systems, and the publication of the FMDQ Daily Quotations List, FMDQ has empowered the Nigerian bond market with price discovery, transparency and market integrity,” Onadele said.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, GMD, UBA Plc,

said the company is the first indigenous firm to undertake dual listing of corporate bond, adding that the listing would avail foreign investors the opportunity to invest in the bond due to appropriate pricing.

He said that the bond has increased the bank's capitalisation level and would give the bank the capacity to increase more businesses and sustainability.“ Oduoza added that it would translate to higher returns and profitability to shareholders.

APR shareholders okay 35kobo dividend payment

By Nkiruka Nnorom

S

hareholders of African Prudential Registrar, APR, have approved the payment of N700 million dividend earlier recommended by the Board of Directors.

This translates to 35 kobo per share dividends, payable to all the shareholders on the register of members as at the qualifying date of Tuesday, March 17, 2015.

Addressing shareholders at the meeting, the chairman, Chief (Mrs) Eniola Fadayomi, noted that APR Plc’s dividend policy aims at rewarding shareholders by consistently increasing their wealth.

She added that though market performance in the first half of the year showed momentary positive runs, the second half was far less impressive. Despite the inclement operating environment, the company recorded significant gains when compared to the previous year, she said.

While giving the company’s financial results at a glance, Mr. Peter Ashade, Managing Director/CEO, APR, stated that whereas the total assets stood at N18.9 billion, having increased by 15 percent from N16.4 billion in 2013, group revenue grew by 14 percent following selective restructuring of the company’s core functions, investments and product developments to offer a wider range of products at different prices.

The profit before tax grew by seven percent from N1.2 billion in 2013 to N1.3 billion in 2014, while the profit after tax of N0.9 billion increased by 33 percent to N1.2billion in 2014.

Earnings per share increased from N0.46k to N0.61k, a 33 percent growth.

FIDSON profit up by 310% in 2014

By Peter Egwuatu

F

IDSON Healthcare Plc has recorded an impressive 310 per cent growth in Profit after Tax, PAT, for the financial year ended December 31, 2014.

It also recorded a growth in Profit before Tax, PBT, by 250 per cent for the financial year under review.

Specifically, the company recorded a PAT of N631.8 million in 2014 as against N154 .9 million in preceding year.

In same way, its PBT stood at N249.6 million as against N249.6 million in 2013.

According to the result released on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, the company reported a modest growth in revenue of five per cent

Year-on-Year, YoY. The earning per share, EPS, of the company increased from N0.10 in 2013 to N0.42 in 2014.

Fidson grew its gross margin by seven per cent from N5.1 billion in 2013 to N5.4 billion in 2014 while operating profit increased marginally by five per cent with operating margin remaining at 15 per cent of revenue.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 — 23

H

E does not come to you as an average Nigerian civil servant who commands enormous power as a Permanent Secretary. For Sonny Echono, the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, humility is the hallmark.

In the course of having this interview, Echono delivers his points lucidly saying that the investors and stakeholders in the agricultural sector need information in forming perspectives about the innovative interventions of the Ministry where he is serving, supporting the reforms being led by Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, as part of the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

In this interview, he talks on the mechanisation component of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda through which they have gone into a partnership with the private sector to provide mechanisation services to all Nigerian farmers.

Here is an excerpt.

On modernisation through mechanisation

The plan for mechanisation, which was conceived by the ministry, envisaged a number of expectations. First, we planned to create 800,000 additional jobs in the sector.

Two, we want to bring 3.5 million hectares of additional land under cultivation.

So, we want to expand or increase production along this line. Three: 14,000 metric tons of additional food will be added to the national food reserve.

Also, 10,000 million additional Nigerian farmers will now have access to mechanisation services.

At the beginning of the ATA, one of the goals we set for ourselves was to modernise Nigerian agriculture. We also wanted to, through that process, make it attractive to a new generation because, we are changing the demography of the Nigerian farmers. Our ageing farmers population, coupled with the need to employ the youths who are, today, unemployed, created the need to make agriculture very attractive and also creating more efficiency: hence Mr. President’s programme to introduce agricultural mechanisation into the country.

A number of progress has been recorded so far. We briefed earlier that Agricultural Equipment Hiring Enterprises (AEHE) centres have been established across the country.

We are pleased to inform you that all the AEHE winners in the first batch have fulfilled their obligations and their equipment have been delivered.

The list of the beneficiaries is available for public scrutiny. But beyond that, additional 28 enterprises were also created

How FG modernises farming, promotes mechanisation— Echono through our various interactions with the states and other stakeholders such as the Cassava Growers Association.

On how it works

As at now, 118 of these AEHEs are on ground and will be running, just in time for the cropping season that is coming up right now. It will also interest you to know that this scheme is conceived purely as a publicprivate partnership.

Government is promoting it , but it is entirely private sector-driven. We know of the efficiency that the private sector has to bring to the table.

Government is providing guarantee and some form of funding through the Bank of Agriculture that will be recovered. For emphasis, this is a private sector-driven programme.

Under the overall scheme, we intend to establish a total of 1,230 units. These units will have those tractors, threshers and planters. So, it is a full complement of mechanisation structure. We are not just putting tractors out there.

And we are dealing with direct producers of these equipment because we also want them to be sustainable. It comes with a package of spare parts and maintenance programmes. We have even gone into a scientific scheme we have designed to the point that it will attract each of these tractors and, at each point in time, we can tell which tractor is where, which one is operating, which is working, how many hectares has it cultivated.

This is an integrated scheme that ensures the returns on investment both for the investors and also enable the banks and other stakeholders to know the

We are talking about aggregation centres. So, we are addressing the entire value chains of agriculture. And we are right on course

•Echono performance and to gauge the actual effective demand before we expand into the subsequent schemes.

The initial funding we got for this was through the courtesy of Mr. President. But we are also expanding this to involve commercial banks, and other development banks. We are also inviting state governments to participate in the scheme. We have advertised for expressions of interest in this regard.

On our target of 1,230, we intend to do this within three years or a maximum of four years time frame to ensure that the entire country is covered and also that no farmer will need to go more than 10 kilometres from his farm in trying to access mechanisation services across the country. Given the level of support we are getting for the scheme, Mr. President, at the launching of the scheme, recently, did promise additional funding for this programme.

Once these funds are available, we are going to fasttrack the implementation: and in no distant future, Nigerian agriculture will be modernised.

We are going to be addressing the entire value chain. We started by addressing inputs, making sure that our farmers have the right seeds, have the right fertiliser, pesticides, and other chemicals. Now, we are moving into preparing the land, to ensure that they get good yields.

We are also moving into postharvest. We are talking about threshing. We are talking about storage. We are talking about aggregation centres. So, we are addressing the entire value chains of agriculture. And we are right on course. I can assure

Nigerians that, given the current support, and continuity in programme implementation, we will get there.

Getting the equipment is not done through the normal procurement in the usual form of government buying tractors and keeping them and allocating them. This is a private sector initiative. We have a situation where we have only those who produce tractors. They manufacture or, through their vendors, provide them.

Government is handling three things here. First, the seed fund that is on-lent to the operators is provided by government through the Bank of Agriculture. Then, we have these Agricultural Equipment Hiring Enterprises. They can help young Nigerians engage in business of creating tractor hiring services.

They put part of their money down, as down payment, but access a portion of these funds provided by the Bank of Agriculture to pay a deposit for the tractors. The manufacturers and owners of the tractors will have a stake in it. So, they also contribute to the cost of the tractors.

We are creating an ecosystem where everybody is participating and everybody has a stake. That is why you ensure that the manufacturer of the tractor will ensure that the tractor works well, because we are discussing availability. He also has an obligation to maintain those tractors. He has an obligation to provide the spare parts for those tractors.

On how subsidy work

So, government did not buy the tractors to sell. Government only makes funds available.

Also, there is some element of subsidy that will come into it in terms of support. Otherwise, the actual seed funds will be recovered. That is what we are going to use for subsequent phases of the scheme.

So, it is a facilitation thing that is going to be owned by the private sector, through a partnership with the manufacturers of these equipment and those who are going to operate them.

Farmers want food manufracturers to harness white star apple potential

N

IGERIAN farmers have called on food and beverage manufacturers in the country to harness the potential in African white star apple as food and drink flavour to reduce wastage.

White star apple (Chrysophyllum albidum), is also known among Yorubas as ‘agbalumo’ and udara among the Igbo.

The farmers, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, noted that fruit often wasted during peak season, with farmers recording wastages.

A farmer, Mr Semiu Ijadunola, told NAN that unlike other seasonal fruits like oranges, mangoes and cashews, the agbalumo was yet to be processed into juice.

“The fruit is being underutilised because fruit juice manufacturers have not

recognised its potential to be used as ingredients. We often harvest them in large quantities during peak seasons but only a few are sold at retail level. Most of the harvests are usually left to rot on the farms because of their perishable nature, which usually results in huge losses for us,” he said.

In another interview, Mr Moses Abioye, another farmer, said that processing the fruit into juice would improve its value chain and create employment opportunities.

He appealed to youths to take advantage of this ‘untapped’ business idea and initiate attempt to make apple juice fromagbalumo.

“Nigerian consumers will enjoy the juice variety, which the African white star apple juice can offer. Researches have shown that the fruit contains more vitamin C than orange and guava.”

24—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

C M Y K

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015—25

GOVERNORSHIP: Pitched battles everywhere

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

Nigerians go to the polls tomorrow to elect new governors for 29 of the 36 states of the country and elect members to the 36 state legislative houses.

P

ERMUTATIONS on the outcome of the election for the chief executives have been mainly upset by the outcome of the presidential election two weeks ago which saw the All Progressives Congress, APC win control of the executive arm of the Federal Government.

The development has undoubtedly led to a variance in the factors that have largely influenced elections in the country in the past. One significant variable is the changing mood of security officials who in the past were accused of favouring the ruling party. Now with a new

ruling party stepping in, next month, security officers are bound to reconsider orders that are at variance with the line of duty.

Another factor that is also coming into play is the quest by some voters not to align with the opposition, a development that would prove testy in some PDP heartlands such as Katsina, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Kaduna and Delta States.

However, expectations that APC governorship candidates would triumph on the coattails of the Buhari phenomenon would, however, be limited in some deep PDP states like Cross River and Delta where the APC insurgency was late in taking off or is limited by internal dissension.

Tomorrow’s election would also be another opportunity for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to showcase its triumph over the inner demons that sought

to smear its case for the use of the card reader. Two weeks ago when about 400 card readers misbehaved, politicians determined to escape the limitations placed on them in inflating the number of voters were quick to induce INEC staff to say that all card readers were not working. Tomorrow, INEC has a responsibility to ensure that the card readers work and that there are no issues.

Sighting of result sheets Voters emboldened by Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s insistence on seeing the results sheets before voting may tomorrow also insist on sighting result sheets before voting, given the reports that some politicians hoarded the result sheets for the purpose of falsifying figures.

After its loss of the presidency and the presidency, top PDP officials

have been relatively off the radar. The party ’s present leader, President Goodluck Jonathan with his well commended concession of defeat in the presidential election immediately turned into a statesman, a

Battle Ground States

•RIVERS •IMO •LAGOS •AKWA IBOM •KATSINA •KADUNA •OYO •BENUE •JIGAWA •NIGER

development that has inadvertently limited his room for partisan brinkmanship.

The president would also have been sobered by the death on Thursday of his right-hand man, Oronto Douglas.

However, ahead of the final battle in Rivers State, where all the president’s problems started from, his wife arrived the state to push the button for her man, Wyesom Wike.

Rivers is only one of about half a dozen states where last minute intrigues are putting this battle in its head. Besides the governorships, the contests for seats in the Houses of Assembly are going to be decisive. For the first time since 2003, it is not likely to be a bandwagon effect where the party that wins the governorship wins almost total control of the legislature.

With pitch battles everywhere, the state legislative houses are bound to be pockmarked with signs of opposition in many unlikely political terrains.

26—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

Rivers Final Battle For many keen observers of political events in Rivers state the governorship election appears to be between the candidates of the All Progressive Congress, APC , Dr Dakuku Peterside and Governor Chibuike Amaechi on one side and the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Barr Nyesom Wike and wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Mrs Patience Jonathan on the other side.

By Jimitota Onoyume

T

HOUGH the First Lady, Mrs Jonathan is not vis ibly involved in the day to day campaign of Wike the way Amaechi has taken to stumping for Peterside, but observers know that she is one of the powerbrokers pulling the strings for Wike.

The campaigns have been very vigorous on the two sides as each of the two major candidates have left nothing to chances. They have gone round market places, motor parks and communities selling their programmes.

Another interesting and dramatic aspect of the campaign is the effort by the two top contenders, Barr Wike and Peter-

By Chidi Nkwopara

The governorship and House of Assembly elections in Imo State has all it takes to make it an epic political battle for the soul of the state. The contending political parties of note are the largely dominant People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

A

PART from the PDP and APC, there are other struggling political parties like All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Accord and United Progressives Party, UPP, that are angling to rule the state.

Similarly, some individuals and realities on ground may ultimately account for the success or failure of the parties in certain areas of the state.

It had been touted that Imo is a PDP state since the current democratic engineering started in 1999. This again played out in the last Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state. The PDP cornered all the senatorial seats and equally captured eight out of the 10 House of Representatives seat, leaving a paltry two seats for the APC. A good lesson learnt from the last electoral outing is that Imo

side to win the Christian community.

They have been very visible in churches. Charles Awiko said the only thing they had not done was to serve as usher in churches. “I am sure they would gladly do so to win the vote of any church if they had been asked to do it”, he said.

Like Amaechi who has led his APC members on several long walk campaigns to show that the party is popular among the people, Wike on his part has done some walk.

There was a day he trekked from GRA bus stop on Aba road through the Port Harcourt Polo club road down to his campaign office to showcase his popularity among the people.

PRESIDENTIAL POLLS SCORE

IMO

APC: 133,253 PDP: 559,185

experienced poor turnout of the registered voters. About 1.8 million people registered to vote in the state but only about 780,000 presented themselves for accreditation.

About 731,921 valid votes were cast and about 28,957 voted rejected. The PDP scored 559,185 votes and the APC managed 133,253.

In Orlu senatorial zone, some PDP political heavy weights, who are going to call the shots includes the incumbent Senator Hope Uzodinma, hard-fighting member of the House of Representatives, Chief Jerry Alagboso, former governor of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa, former speaker of the State Assembly, Chief Goodluck Nanah Opiah and a host of others.

Orlu, the senatorial zone of the incumbent governor, Rochas Okorocha, will definitely turn out to be a “battle area” for the plum gubernatorial job. While Okorocha, who is the only gubernatorial candidate from Orlu zone, will go into the battle with all in him and bearing in mind that he may get sympathy vote from his people, the PDP stalwarts from

Another intriguing aspect is the effort by the two camps to explore protest as a campaign strategy.

It had been endless protest by members of the PDP and the APC in the state in the last two months. Barely twenty four

hours after the APC and some 15 other parties marched in Abuja calling for the transfer of the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dame Gecilia Khan allegedly on account of

PRESIDENTIAL POLLS SCORE

Rivers

APC: 6238 PDP: 1,487,075

her alleged bias towards the PDP, PDP partisans embarked on a similar exercise on Aba Road in Port Harcourt denouncing the action of the APC in Abuja and also calling on the national Chairman of INEC, Prof Atahiru Jega to ignore the demand of the party.

Another curious angle to the campaigns this time is the involvement of pastors. There have been conflicting prophecies on what will be the outcome of the election.

For instance Apostle Eugene

Another intriguing aspect is the effort by the two camps to explore protest as a campaign strategy

Ogu reportedly prophesied that Peterside would win the election. On his part, Bishop Elkanah Hansen during a prayer session with some clergy men organised for Wike recently said the PDP governorship candidate would win.

Propaganda is another tool that have been widely explored by the two parties in the campaigns.

Violence has also been very visible in the campaigns. The two parties have continued to blame each other for alleged cases of political killings in the state. The most recent case was the murder of Chief Christopher Adube, an APC chieftain alongside two of his children and three others on Good Friday night at his residence in Obrikom community, Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government area.

His son Henry Adube believed his father was murdered because of his political affiliation.

Despite the anxiety, the state Commissioner of Police, Hosea Karma and leaders of the various political parties, including the state government have continued to appeal to voters to come to exercise their franchise tomorrow.

Gladiators in final push the area are equally poised to match him “Naira for Naira”.

The situation in Owerri senatorial zone is a little dicey.

There are about four gubernatorial candidates from this area. Prominent amongst them are the Deputy Speaker, Chief Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP and Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho of the APGA. The fear here is that if they effectively and unduly split the votes in this area, Okorocha may carry the day if he gets block votes from his Orlu

The fear here is that if they effectively and unduly split the votes in this area, Okorocha may carry the day if he gets block votes from his Orlu brethren

brethren.

However, PDP big shots like Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Viola Onwuliri, Chief Samuel Anyanwu, Chief Raphael Nnanna Igbokwe, Sir Bede Eke, Chief Ezenwa Onyewuchi and a host of other big party faithful, will go all out to ensure victory for PDP. The situation may not be too different in Okigwe Zone.

While there are insinuations that the likes of Chief Ifeanyi Araraume and the former governor of Imo State, Chief

Ikedi Ohakim, who have large disciples in the state, have dumped the party and are likely going to work against it, some of their close aides have since debunked the rumour.

For the APC, the governor is banking on all his appointees, some of the new decampees, traditional rulers, APC party officials, his friends and relations, to fight his way back into Douglas House, Owerri.

Whichever way the unfolding political battle is looked at, it is definitely going to be the final push of the political gladiators in the state.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015—27

political experience at both national and state levels is overwhelming.

This is also the third time he is taking a shot at the governorship of the state. The growing popularity and acceptance of his party is unprecedented, being the home of the party’s presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.

Masari’s outreach strategies are believed to be earning him more people, he is always ready to accept and participate in any given fora to sell his candidacy and program which would make him accessible to the electorate.

The party is equally enjoying support of other opposition parties who have thrown their weight behind it. They campaign for it at any given moment. The gubernatorial candidates of the PDM and APGA are equally indirectly campaigning for the APC where they called for people to vote for it at national level and for them at state level.

The former Speaker hails from the Funtua senatorial district which has the largest number of voters and a zone that has longed for power shift, having never produced a governor for the state.

This underlining attribute will make the zone to support its candidate for the actualisation of their dream.

Katsina: Tough nut about to be cracked

BY Aliyu Dangida

K

ATSINA State had since 1999 been controlled

by PDP at the state level. However, with the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari as president-elect, the wind of change may see that jinx broken, given the overwhelming victory that was recorded penultimate Saturday.

Though Buhari had in the past won the state for his party in past presidential and National Assembly elections, the governorship had always been a tough nut to crack. Now that nut is about to unfold on its own.

That is mainly because the party and the associates of Buhari in the state may have for once put behind them the spate of intrigues that had in the past disunited them.

The practise was that while they would join hands to deliver Buhari at the presidential elections, they almost always after that brought down one another in the governorship and other legislative elections.

But now for once, the House of Buhari is going into the election as a united body behind the aspiration of Aminu Bello Masari for governor of the state.

The chances of the party were boosted immediately after the presidential elections when the PDP was bestirred by a series of defections. The APC has also

continuously organised rallies where Buhari’s messages are played on audio urging his supporterstovotefortheAPCacross board.

However, it is not as if the ruling party in the state has totally given up. Especially when the outgoing government has a solid testimonial of performance on ground.

However, the ruling PDP still believes that the presidential

The chances of the party were boosted immediately after the presidential elections when the PDP was bestirred by a series of defections. The APC has also continuously organised rallies where Buhari’s messages are played on audio urging his supporters to vote for the APC across board.

By Daud Olatunji

election will not have any impact in next week’s election, given its acceptability and performance.

Though it had happened before, the noise will die down and people will vote according to personality and not party affiliation.

For the PDP, incumbency factor and unhindered access to resources will greatly be explored but APC believes that these cannot stand in its way. Several factors may be brought to play between the two leading candidates as their popularity and acceptance seem to be high while the election is too close to call.

Musa Nashuni, the PDP candidate is being strongly backed

by Governor Ibrahim Shema to win the election. Governor Shema was solely behind his emergence as the flag bearer of the party. The incumbency factor and access to resources will greatly help Nashuni’s bid for the exalted seat.

Another plus for Nashuni is the recent support he is getting from some of the aggrieved aspirants of the party’s primary.

The likes of Aminu Yaradua, Kabir Barkiya and Nura Khalil have sheathed their swords and given him their support. The track record of the party which has been in power since 1999 may boost its chances at the polls.

Nashuni’s academic qualification of having a first class

OBASANJO The former president is one of the personalities that would shape the politics of the state. Obviously, Obasanjo has pitched his tent with the re-election of the incumbent governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Obasanjo has taken his campaign to a popular market in Itoku where he urged the people to repeat the support they gave to APC presidential candidate, MajorGeneral Muhammadu Buhari (retd)

PRESIDENTIAL POLLS SCORE

Katsina

APC: 1,345,441 PDP: 98,937

The facilitators in Ogun

A

S the people in Ogun State go to the polls to elect the new governor and members of the state House of Assembly tomorrow, the outcome of the exercise will be determined by many factors especially political heavyweights of the state, which cut across the major political parties.

The heavy weights include former President, General Olusegun Obasanjo (retd); former governor of the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba; immediate past governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; Chairman, Mobilisation and organisation committee of the PDP in South West, Prince Buruji Kashamu; Governor Ibikunle Amosun; Alhaji Alani Bankole and a host of the governorship candidates among others.

degree in Mining from Camborne School of Mines in the United Kingdom and Masters Degree from Queens University Kingston, Ontario, has always been hammered upon by the party and his role in the government of the day in which it is believed he played a vital role in some key policy decisions which cannot be allowed to discontinue, have equally given him a head start.

However for Masari, his vast

leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and is rooting for the PDP Governorship Candidate, Gboyega Isiaka in this coming election. His structures which cut across the state have been oiled for the polls.

for Amosun tomorrow.

OSOBA Chief Osoba, one of the national leaders of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), is a factor in tomorrow ’s election. The grass-roots politician has thrown his weight behind the governorship candidate of the party, Senator Akin Odunsi.

DANIEL Otunba Gbenga Daniel is another political guru in the state. He is a

KASHAMU Prince Buruji Kashamu is the senator-elect of Ogun East Senatorial district.

His financial war chest makes him a strong factor in this election. He dominated all the nine local governments in Ogun East Senatorial district during penultimate week’s presidential and National Assembly polls.

AMOSUN The incumbent governor is the governorship candidate of the APC. He currently regarded as the man to beat in tomorrow’s balloting because of his performance in the last four years.

Amosun hails from Ogun Central which has the largest registered voters in the state and he also enjoys a measure of goodwill in other two senatorial districts especially Ogun

PRESIDENTIAL POLLS SCORE

OGUN

APC: 308,290 PDP: 207,950

West.

ODUNSI A serving Senator and the governorship candidate of the SDP, Senator Odunsi is another factor whose involvement in the coming election has altered political calculations in the state. Odunsi hails from Ado-Odo-Ota local government, the council which has the largest population and registered voters in the state.

GBOYEGA NASIRU ISIAKA Prince Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka, the governorship candidate of the PDP, is also a political heavyweight in the state. He hails from Ogun West, a section that has not produced a governor since the creation of the state. He is loved by his people who have vowed to cast their votes for him.

ALANI BANKOLE The father of former Speaker of House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, is also a political heavyweight in the state. Chief Bankole, a grass-roots politician is not a member of any political party but is widely regarded as a king-maker, whose influence is expected to count in the election.

28—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

PRESIDENTIAL POLLS SCORE

By Aliyu Dangida

U

N A R G U A B L Y, Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State has executed a quantum of projects since the inception of his administration eight years ago.

Lamido’s journey to the government house was tortuous. He ran for the seat on two occasions against former Governor Saminu Turaki and lost. It was with the intervention of his political godfather, the then President Olusegun Obasanjo and Saminu Turaki’s endorsement his dream of becoming Jigawa governor materialized on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Upon becoming governor, Lamido embarked on numerous projects to empower his people and develop the state, for which, unarguably, he is being called the political father of Jigawa politics.

However, what is arguable is whether or not his political clout and achievements can translate into votes for PDP candidates in tomorrow ’s election. His party was roundly and soundly beaten in the March 28 presidential and National Assembly elections in Jigawa by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The determining factors Rather than Lamido’s influence, watchers of undercurrents of Jigawa politics say that the strength of the actors and their backers, the weight of the two major parties (APC and (PDP) and the candidates, the

JIGAWA

Jigawa: Will APC demystify Lamido? bandwagon effect, the Buhari factor and Jonathan factor.

Following years of hard work, the APC has erected political structures from the polling unit, ward and local government up to the state level. The structures are have become so formidable to the extent that the APC is serious about unseating the ruling PDP tomorrow.

In PDP, people like Muhammadu Daguro who came from Hadejia Emirate are expected to work hard to deliver the area to PDP even though the Buhari factor may hurt his chances and political

Upon becoming governor, Lamido embarked on numerous projects to empower his people and develop the state, for which, unarguably, he is being called the political father of Jigawa politics

influence as was seen in the last elections where APC swept all the seats including the senatorial seat which the incumbent speaker contested.

Talking about Birnin-Kudu, the local government of Governor Lamido, things will not be easy for his lieutenants because the two popular and influential politicians of the area from the APC, Hon. Farouk Adamu and Senatorelect, Hon, Sabo Mohd Nakudu have since set up formidable structures that will work against the ruling PDP. Unguarded utterances and abusive words by PDP chieftains such as the governor and former PDP chairman, Isah Duniya Bahutu, during their political gatherings against Buhari may count against the PDP candidates at the polls.

Battle in the emirates In Gumel Emirate, the recent defection of the deputy governor with his supporters to the APC, which made the PDP to lose the Jigawa NorthWest senatorial election to a former member of the House of Representatives, Abdullahi Ojo, may also play a role in the outcome of tomorrow’s election.

Other people who may determine the outcome of the

APC: 885,988 PDP: 142,904

April 11 elections in the area include Ex-president of NUJ, Malam Sani Zoro; a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ibrahim Garba Hannun Giwa; and Alhaji Mannir Babba among others.

In Dutse Emirate, the APC received hundreds of PDP chieftains such as Alhaji Bashir Aminu and Senator Bello Maitama, who happened to close associates of the governor among others.

The APC has made significant impact in the area with the influence of people like Farouk Adamu Aliyu, Hon. Saidu Miga, Hon. Sule Musa Dutse, Hon. Abdullahi Kemba Madobi and Alhaji Adamu A. Rungumau.

In Ringim Emirate, the home town of the APC and PDP governorship candidates

Dicey battle in Taraba

By John Mkom

T

HE bandwagon effect trailing the outcome f the March 28 presidential election is likely to determine the outcome of the governorship election in Taraba State. The parties fielding candidates for the exercise are the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; All Progressives Congress, APC; and Social Democratic Party, SDP. PDP is being represented by Mr. Dickson Ishaku, while Aisha Arhasan is representing the APC. The SDP has Mr. David Kente as its standard bearer.

Of the three, the candidates of the APC and PDP are considered as frontrunners in the race that has become close lately. The claim that the SDP candidate had stepped down for the PDP candidate was debunked by Kente, who is confident of victory.

There were also allegations that Kente had collapsed his structure into the APC, so as to be given a ministerial position in the next

dispensation. However, observers believe that the race is between the APC and PDP candidates, whose campaigns were marked by concerns over power sharing arrangement and religion. The trio are so confident of victory on the strength of the aforementioned factors.

Isiaku, who hails from the Southern senatorial district is hoping that the clamour for power shift in the state will earn him victory.

He is particularly upbeat as a result of the fact that his zone is yet to produce the state governor since 1999. In addition, Isiaku could be said to have had the most elaborate campaign than anyone else, making many to assume that the odds may favour him.

The support of the acting governor of the state, Alhaji Abubakar Danladi, and members of the state House of Assembly, has been generally described as an asset to Isiaku’s chances.

He also hopes to get block votes in the zone, which is populated by Christians.

(Mallam Aminu Ibrahim hailed from Ringim local government and Alhaji Badaru Talamiz is from Babura local government), the chances of APC are bright given its performance in the March 28 polls.

In Kazaure Emirate which shares border with Daura, the home town of the President elect, the story may be sad for PDP. In spite of people like the Commissioner of Finance, Alhaji Nasiru Roni and his local government counterpart, Alhaji Salisu Saleh Indirawa who are PDP die-hard in the area, their hope and chance have been dimmed with the defection of hundreds of their followers to the APC less a week ago.

Another catastrophe PRESIDENTIAL POLLS SCORE

TARABA

APC: 261,326 PDP: 310,800

Alhassan, who is the APC candidate is a Muslim from the Northern senatorial district.

The governorship hopeful, is also representing the zone in the Senate.

For the serving senator, whose emergence as APC candidate came as a surprise, zoning was never agreed upon as a power sharing formula.

The appearance of Exgovernor Turaki in APC is another catastrophe for PDP and a clear indication that the people of Kazaure Emirate will vote for ‘change.’

The recent reconciliation of Hashimiyya-led Ubale Yusuf Hashim and the Badariyya-led Badaru Muhd Talamiz APC factions will also boosts APC’s chances.

In spite of the signals, which appear to favour the APC, the ruling PDP is not relenting in its effort to remain in the saddle, campaigning intensely for its candidates through radio jingles, advertising its projects and selling the party governorship candidate to the people of the state. Lamido is also upbeat about the chances of PDP candidates saying he does not need to campaign as his projects will campaign for him and PDP candidates.

Will Lamido’s projects speak for PDP candidates? We shall see tomorrow.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 —29

C M Y K

30 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015—31

HARRYSONG:

What sleeping under the bridge in Lagos taught me

By Benjamin Njoku

F

IVE Star Music artiste,Harrison Tare Okiri popularly known as Harrysong recently took a trip down memory lane, recounting the story of his rise from grass to grace.

Recall that the “Beta Pikin”crooner once narrated how he slept under the bridge in Lagos, while struggling to make a headway in his chosen career.

However, recounting that pathetic story, in a recent chat with WG, in Warri, Harrysong said, the horrible experience taught him not only to be strong, but also, to believe in himself. “It taught me how to be strong. It also taught me that in all you do, there would be a point when you will begin to realize that you have to fight your battle of success alone. You have to believe in yourself, and in your dreams.

Everything you want in life is in your hands,” he said.

Harrysong, who is an MTN brand ambassador, relocated to Lagos in 2008, to engage in the hustle for prominence. He was previously signed onto Question Mark Entertainment, but later joined to Five Star Music, teeming up with Kcee to realize his dream.

While struggling to carve a niche for himself in the nation’s music scene, the Delta-State born singer recalled that he was tempted on several occasions to dump singing. He said, “ Those times when there was no money to buy food; those times when people who promised to help you

because they believe in you no longer pick your calls. At a point, I felt like, let me go back to the village. I grew up with my grand mother. But there was this voice that kept giving me hope. What has given me hope is my talent.

Iam a good singer and I am a song writer too. I listen to myself each time I sing and it gives me hope that the sun would one day shine on me.”

Narrating how he relocated to Lagos, “Beta Pikin” singer said, “some guys saw me in Warri, and promised to take me to Lagos.

They took me to the Zinno Fosters Studio, where we recorded some songs. Later, they travelled abroad with some of my songs to mix them. I didn’t hear from them again after two years.

While they were away, the

While struggling to carve a niche for himself in the nation’s music scene, the DeltaState born singer recalled that he was tempted on several occasions to dump singing

Uti Nwachukwu, Toolz to host MayDay Live C M Y K

apartment they rented for me expired, and I had no money to renew it. We were about seven aspiring artistes they brought from Warri to Lagos. But due to hardship and frustration, the other six artistes returned to the village. But I refused to give up the struggle. Today, they are still in Warri, while my own story has changed. I chose to stay back, believing that my dreams would come true someday.

Continuing, Harrysong revealed that even though there is no woman in his life at the moment, his ex-girlfriend wants him back. “My ex-girlfriend wants me back in her life. Before I came to Lagos, I was in a relationship back in Warri, and at that time this lady gave me the option of coming back to Warri to get married to her because she wasn’t comfortable with the distance or face my career and forget about her. So, I thought about it and I begged her to be patient because I had no money.

But she said she couldn’t wait because she had other guys who are interested in her, and her parents wanted her to get married as soon as possible. So I wished her luck, and just recently, she called me asking for a date, apparently she’s still not married.

Right now, there is no woman in my life. These days, we are very busy flying around the globe for shows.

Also, recounting the story of how he slept on the bridge, Harrysong, “It happened one of those days I had a show at O’jez,

Continues on page 32

Private school to deploy iPad in all classrooms

•Harrysong

32—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

‘What sleeping under the bridge in Lagos taught me’ Continues from page 31 in Surulere. I used to perform at O’jez Night Club as the band boy. They were organizing one big show on that fateful day. I had to beg to perform at the show because I wasn’t popular then. But they refused to give me a chance. So, I had to pay the sum of N2000 to be allowed to perform at the show.

Unfortunately, after all my efforts I was still not allowed to perform. The show ended at 2 am, and I couldn’t go home because they had locked the gate to the house of the friend I was squatting with.

So, I was forced to sleep under the bridge in Ikeja till day break. While I was sleeping there, the street boys were coming from time to time to harass me.I woke up around 5 am and returned to where I was squatting. It was an experience that made me strong and one that I can never forget as long as I am alive. I learnt a lot from that experience. When one has to get to a certain level in life, there are certain sacrificial moves that he has to make.”

Harrysong has since released another wave making song, titled ‘Kolombo.’

Synopsis OUTCAST When the heir of the imperial throne becomes the target of assassination by his despised older brother, the young prince’s only hope is the protection of his sister, and the reluctant aid of a war-weary Crusader, Jacob (Hayden Christensen), who must overcome his own personal demons and rally the assistance of the legendary Crusader-turned-bandit, Gallain (Nicolas Cage), to return the prince to his rightful place on the throne.Outcast is an 2014 American-Chinese-Canadian action film directed by Nick Powell and written by James Dormer.

TOP MOVIES OF THE WEEK · · · · ·

FAST & FURIOUS 7 BLACK HAT NIGHT CRAWLER SON OF A GUN CHAPPIE

Schedule commencing from Friday 10th – 16th April , 2014 SILVERBIRDCINEMAS, VICTORIA ISLAND Out Cast : 11:30am,1:25pm,6:35pm Fast & Furious 7 : 11:00am,1:35pm,4:05pm,6:40pm,8:30pm,9:15pm Night Crawler : 9:00pm, SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, IKEJA Out Cast : 6:00pm,8:45pm Fast & furious 7 : 10:35am,1:10pm,3:45pm,6:00pm,6:20pm,9:10pm Night Crawler : 10:30am,2:45pm, Son of a Gun : 5:00pm

•Harrysong

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, SEC Out Cast : 12:10pm,2:10pm,4:10pm,6:10pm,8:10pm Fast & Furious 7 : 1:20pm,2:10pm,4:00pm,4:30pm,6:40pm,7:00pm,8:40pm, 9:20pm Night Crawler : 12:00pm,4:40pm,9:30pm Son of a Gun : 6:40pm,8:50pm Love or Something Like That : 2:10pm,6:20pm Black Hat : 4:30pm,9:00pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS CEDDI PLAZA , ABUJA Night Crawler : 6:35pm,8:50pm Son of a Gun : 6:30pm,8:40pm Black Hat : 11:20am,1:45pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Out Cast : 1:05pm,6:45pm,8:50pm Fast & Furious 7 : 11:00am,1:30pm,4:00pm,5:40pm,6:30pm,9:10pm Night Crawler : 1:20pm,8:30pm Son of a Gun : 12:50pm,6:45pm,6:50pm Love or Something Like That : 3:10pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, WARRI Night Crawler : 4:00pm,6:15pm,8:30pm Fast & Furious 7 : 10:30am,1:00pm,3:30pm,6:00pm,8:30pm

•Dris

•EM2

•Skinnie Twid

‘Ho wK oga Ent er tainment ‘How Koga Enter ertainment changed our lives’

BY JULIET EBIRIM

T

he trio of Dris, EM2 and Skinnie Twid, three young and gifted artistes who were unveiled to the Nigerian music community last year

by Koga Records, an arm of Koga Entertainment Limited, have opened up on how their alliance with Koga has affected their careers positively .

According to Dris, “Koga Entertainment is the right platform for me to show the world what I’ve got.

The moment I arrived at the venue of the audition, I know I was at the right place to fulfil my dreams. Koga has put me on top sites and I have recorded songs with A-list artistes. I have recorded songs with Puffy T, DJ Klem and plans are on course to work with Don Jazzy.”

The rapper is scheduled to release his singles soon,and he urged his fans to keep their fingers crossed as they await verses from Nigeria’s first Fulani rapper with a face pretty enough to make a girl go green with envy.

Reminiscing about hustling days, E2M revealed that he used to work as

C M Y K

a bar man where he was earning a minimum wage. He noted that some Nigerian artistes have failed to evolve and have ended up being relegated to the background.

He also recounts his entry into Koga Entertainment which he said was divinely ordained.

“It was someone who knew someone who linked me with Koga. I was always going there and would have participated in the reality show but I was very busy at work and was eventually signed as an artiste in 2013.

Koga to me is like family and it is the future. It is my dream. Koga has done a lot for young artistes. It is an open platform for young talents and I know this because I have been a beneficiary,” he said.

On the other hand, Skinnie Twid, who parades a fusion of a weird personality and creative complexities looks forward to working with Wizkid, Shina Peters (or Pasuma) and Davido.

According to him, Koga has made a lot of things happen and there’s so much more planned that’s still in the pipeline.

“Koga is a platform that makes dreams come true,” he said.

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, UYO Fast & Furious 7 : 2:00pm,7:10pm,8:20pm Night Crawler : 11:35am,4:40pm Love or Somthing Like That : 11:50am,1:45pm,3:50pm,6:00pm,8:10pm Chappie : 11:40am,2:00pm,4:20pm,6:40pm,8:10pm OZONE CINEMAS SABO YABA Out Cast : 3:50pm,6:20pm, Fast & Furious 7 : 10:10am,12:50pm,2:00pm,3:25pm,6:00pm,7:40pm,8:30pm Night Crawler : 4:50pm Son of a Gun :12:45pm, 4:45pm,8:15pm, Black Hat : 8:40pm Sponge Bob: 11:25am FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, LAGOS Out Cast : 2:00pm,6:00pm,7:55pm,9:50pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, KANO Out Cast : 3:40pm,5:30pm,7:20pm,9:15pm Night Crawler : 1:30pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, APAPA Out Cast : 12:30pm,1:40pm,3:35pm,5:30pm,7:25pm Night Crawler : 4:30pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Out Cast : 1:50pm,3:40pm,5:30pm,7:20pm,9:10pm Night Crawler : 11:30am Son of a Gun : 10:00am FILM HOUSE CINEMAS SAMONDA Out Cast : 1:55pm,5:45pm,7:35pm Night Crawler : 9:25pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, CALABAR Love or Something Like That : 2:20pm,4:35pm,6:50pm Chappie : 1:45pm,6:00pm VIVA CINEMAS,ILORIN Out Cast : 12:40pm,5:55pm, Night Crawler : 2:35pm,9:05pm Son of a Gun : 12:20pm,4:50pm Love or something like That : 2:55pm,9:15pm Chappie : 8:00pm Magic in the Moonlight : 10:30am 7th Dwarf : 10:50pm

VOL. 1: NO. 16

FRIDAY, APRIL 10 10,, 2015

LAGOS POLLS:

Clash of the titans

By Dapo Akinrefon

T

HE April 11 Governorship and State House of Assembly elections will be keenly contested in all the states across the nation especially in Lagos State.

The outcome of the presidential election which threw up Maj-Gen Muhammudu Buhari (retd) is poised to affect Saturday’s voting pattern.

In Lagos, the two front-line contenders for the Alausa House, Mr Jimi Agbaje of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Mr Akinwumi Ambode of the All Progressives Congress, APC, are not resting on their oars to ensure they outwit each other at the polls.

Aside this, the presidential polls results, which saw the PDP C M Y K

and APC in a neck-to-neck battle is already causing stir in the political atmosphere in Lagos.

This remains a major factor.

Buhari got 792,460 votes, while President Goodluck Jonathan got 632,327, about 50 per cent of the votes he received from the state in 2011.

Strategically, Lagos is the commercial nerve centre of the country.

Whereas the control of Lagos by either the PDP or APC, would go a long way in scoring a big political point, some factors will determine the outcome of tomorrow’s polls.

Igbo factor

People from the South-Eastern part of the country have already become the beautiful bride as far as politics in Lagos

is concerned.

Their population and investment in the state has thrown them up to be a force to reckon with. Politicians from the two camps have made overtures to the Igbo traditional rulers, leaders of trade unions and others for their support.

In Lagos, the APC is said to be meeting with several Igbo groups in order to garner their support ahead of tomorrow’s polls.

One significant upset in this year’s general election is the clinching of two House of Representatives seats by the Igbo.

Igbo living in Lagos have made a significant statement by clearing at least two House of Representatives seats out of the five won by the PDP.

IN THIS EDITION APC’s loss

The loss of six seats in the House of Representatives by the APC to the PDP and Accord Party in Lagos State is making the ruling party uncomfortable.

Ethnic inclinations might have influenced the voting in favour of three non-indigenes, Mr. Oghene Egboh, Mrs. Rita Orji and Mr. Tony Nwulu who were massively voted for in their constituencies dominated by non-indigenes.

While Egboh defeated Mr. Ganiyu Olukolu in Amuwo Odofin local government, an area largely populated by Igbo, Orji, on the other hand, won Taiwo Adenekan at Ajeromi/ Ifelodun area of the state.

Another upset was in Oshodi/

Continues on Page 2

Oyo guber: Quest for return and the jinx of second term •Page 3

Impeachment threat: Tension mounts in Ekiti •Page 5

Ndigbo vs Oba of Lagos: Stakeholders in fence mending moves •Page 7

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

OYO STATE

How Oyo political juggernauts kissed dust in National Assembly polls H

By Ola Ajayi

OW are the mighty fallen in the midst of battles, tell it not in Gath nor publish it in the streets of Ashkelon,’ these words aptly capture the political situation in Oyo State especially the results of the National Assembly where the All Progressives Congress, APC, nearly swept opposition parties away from the state in the March 28 National Assembly election.

The results of the election where APC won all the three senatorial districts of Oyo South, Oyo North and Oyo Central and also winning 12 out of 14 seats into the House of Representatives leaving Labour Party, LP and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to one seat apiece, left many political analysts wondering how the party which many had written-off could spring such a surprise.

The results are as follow: In Oyo Central Senatorial District, the Oyo State House of Assembly Speaker, Monsurat Olajumoke Sunmonu of APC scored the highest votes with 105, 378, followed by Ilaka Lukman Oyebisi of Accord with 84, 675. Senator Ayoade Adeseun, who defected to PDP from APC polled 44,045, while Abiala Elijah Oluboade of LP got27,490.

In Oyo North, Buhari Abdulfatai of APC got 104, 056; Kareem Tajudeen Abisodun, PDP, obtained 75, 469; Senator Agboola Hosea Ayoola, PDP, scored 60,480, and Agbejinmi Christiana A.

Oyeladun garnered 35, 220.

The APC still maintained the lead in Oyo South as Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi (APC) got 147, 583, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin who also dumped the APC for Accord polled 93,256, Olanrewaju Otiti of PDP scored 47,152, while Akinyo Nurudeen Owolabi of LP came a distant fourth with 28,993.

House of Representatives results Ogo-Oluwa/Surulere, Odebunmi Olusegun Dokun, PDP, scored 12,418, Ogundiran Akinwumi Israel (LP), 8,577, Abioye Matthew Adegboyega, APC, 8,306, Oloye Folaranmi Oyebanji(Accord), 4,541.

Oluyole-Olagbemi Samson Olasumbo(APC), 13,084, Adeagbo Musibau Tunde (Accord), 6,586, Mogbonjubola Olawale Mojeed(PDP), 4,052, Olaifa Ibrahim Adeniyi (SDP), 1,327.

Ibadan North East/Ibadan South East, Adedapo LamAdesina(APC), 36, 103, Adewusi Ayinde Olugbenga (Accord), 31,582, Adebayo Payne Oluyemisi(PDP) 9, 586, Olanisebe Olalekan(LP), 5, 873 Ogbomoso North/South/ Oriire,Segun Ogunwuyi,(LP) 33, 908, Mulikat Adeola(PDP), 19,514, Oyewumi Oyewole Kazeem(APC), 15,398, Ladoye Edward A(Accord), 5, 529.

Irepo/Oorelope/OlorunsogoOladele Oltunbosun George

(APC)-14,784, Oni Abiodun John(LP) 10,979, Jimoh Afeez Adelowo(PDP) 7,192, Accord(6,577) Ibarapa Central/Ibarapa North-Ayoade Olugbenga Ojoawo(APC), 10,653, Ajibola Muraina Saubana(PDP), 9,773, Fatai Aborode(Accord), 7,072, Salaudeen Tajudeen Amao(LP), 5,934 Egbeda/Ona Ara-Akintola Taiwo Michael(APC), 22,711, Akinola Adekunle Alabi(PDP),13,159, Busari Olayemi(Accord)-12,666, Ogunremi Olatunde Mufutau(LP), 2,141.

Akinyele/Lagelu-Olatoye Temitope S.(APC) 25, 747, Aderibigbe Adeyemi (Accord)17,137, Yusuff Kunle (PDP),8,756, Moses Oluremi Adeniji(LP)2,199 Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/ Iwajowa-Olasupo Abiodun Adeola(APC) 44,152, Maruf Adebayo Alaya(PDP)27,043, Olabiyi Julius Oyekola(LP) 9,669, Abass Olopoenia (Accord) 8,275 Saki East/Saki West/AtisboOlatunbosun Olajide Boladele(APC) 23,036, Azeez Jimoh Adeniyi(Accord) 15,093, Ashiru Azeez Adelani(PDP) 11,623, Abimbola Kolapo Abidemi(LP) 9,536 Afijio/Oyo East/Oyo West/ Atiba-Prince Akeem Adeniyi Adeyemi(APC), 38,519, Mudashiru Kamil Akinlabi (LP) 19,338, Gbadegesin Adebayo Kabiru(Accord) 16,735,

•Ajimobi Arowosaye Saheed Adeyemi(PDP), 38,519, Ibarapa East/Ido-Adeola Isiaka Adeleke(LP) 3,723, Adepoju Adeyemi(APC) 20,036,Sherif Aderemi Adeojo (PDP) 6,864, Busari Olumuyiwa Samson (Accord) 8,915, Ibadan North-Kazeem Adeyinka Adeniyi(Accord) 14,029, Awoleye Abiodun Dada(APC) 34,347, Waheed Aderemi Gbede(PDP) 7,882, Tunji H. Adewale(LP)4,651 Ibadan South West/Ibadan North West-Olajide Adewunmi Enitan Olatunji(LP) 3,994, Saheed Akinade Fijabi(APC) 42,742, Folake Olunloyo Oshilowo(PDP) 15,583, Adegboga Taofeek Adegoke(Accord) 16,938 Before the election, pundits thought that the influence of political juggernauts in the state like Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, governorship candidate of LP, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, gubernatorial candidate of Accord Party and Senator Teslim Folarin, PDP governorship candidate would have effects, but all of them bowed to the APC in the elec-

Lagos polls: Clash of the titans

C M Y K

Continues from Page 1 Isolo Federal Constituency 2, where Tony Nwulu defeated the incumbent member, Mr. Akeem Muniru.

Pundits hold the view that apart from the fact that voters in these areas are majorly nonindigenes, they are also keen supporters of President Jonathan and that is why they voted all PDP candidates.

Mr. Tajudeen Obasa, who contested in Ojo Local Government which is the base of Alaba International market, the largest electronic market in Nigeria, also dominated by Igbo, won the Reps seat.

Mr. Tunji Soyinka of the PDP defeated Mr. Hakeem Bamgbala of the APC in Surulere Federal Constituency 2, an area that also had a high number of non-indigenes who came out to exercise their civic responsibility for the PDP candidate.

In Mushin Federal Constituency 2, the APC candidate, Yemi Alli, lost to Dauda KakoAare who defected to Accord Party after he lost the APC pri-

mary.

Akiolu’s threat

One other factor the APC had to contend with is how to douse the dust raised by the Lagos monarch, where he allegedly threatened and cursed that Igbo will drown in Lagos Lagoon within seven days if they did not vote for Ambode.

While the PDP will be bank-

ing on this strength to win tomorrow’s polls, the APC on the other hand is not resting on its oars to resolve the impasse caused by the Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu.

Though, the Oba of Lagos had said that he was misquoted and clarified what he told Igbo leaders, who visited him, the polity was awash with outrage.

This development pundits posit, is capable of leading to protest votes on the part of the Igbo, if urgent steps are not taken to stem the tide. For Ambode, he has restated his commitment to lead a government of inclusion where every Lagosian, irrespective of tribe or ethnicity, is carried along in the quest to make Lagos greater.

The results in each of the 20 local government areas in the state, are as follows: AGEGE APC: 54,611 PDP: 25,596

EPE APC: 19,179 PDP: 16,400

IKORODU APC: 49,901 PDP: 29,604

OSHODI-ISOLO APC: 42,585 PDP: 48,878

AJEROMI-IFELODUN APC: 37,716 PDP: 57,494

ETI-OSA APC: 28,188 PDP: 21,480

LAGOS ISLAND APC: 33,242 PDP: 13,002

SURULERE APC: 52,798 PDP: 58,649

ALIMOSHO APC: 86,897 PDP: 59,316

IBEJU-LEKKI APC: 12,016 PDP: 10,812

LAGOS MAINLAND APC: 33,898 PDP: 23,857

KOSOFE APC: 56,170 PDP: 33,945

AMUWO-ODOFIN APC: 24,612 PDP: 39,291

IFAKO-IJAIYE APC: 50,607 PDP: 22,980

MUSHIN APC: 60,778 PDP: 33,377

APAPA APC: 23,818 PDP: 17,328

BADAGRY: APC: 24,137 PDP: 23,296

IKEJA APC: 29,893 PDP: 23,836

OJO APC: 26,117 PDP: 40,685

SHOMOLU APC: 45,297 PDP: 32,515

• Akala tion.

The results must have surprised the APC itself. If it was thinking of victory, it would not be thinking in the realm of winning 12 seats and all the three senatorial districts. More surprising were the major opposition in the election. Dazed by the results, they assembled at the Bodija residence of Senator Ladoja where they all rejected the results claiming that the polls were marred with irregularities, orchestrated by the APC. Still nursing the wounds of defeat, the opponents, through Senator Rashidi Ladoja described the election as unholy. The opponents at the meeting included Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala who was represented by his deputy governorship candidate, Mr. Sarafadeen Alli, Senator Teslim Folarin, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Engr. Seyi Makinde of the Social Democratic Party, the Minister of State, FCT, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, among others.

Utmost displeasure Ladoja said, “It is either the election was predetermined to fail or predetermined to favour APC in the state. The position of my party is that the election was the worst to have been held in the state and should be annulled outrightly.”

He showed his utmost displeasure at the results released in Ibadan South West, Ibadan North East/Ibadan South East, Ido, Obasa area in Ibadan and Ogbomoso axis where he believed were his strongholds.

“As far as we are concerned, there is no election in Oyo state.

How can you conduct election at night without light. You can see that the people cannot even jubilate their so-called victory because it is not earned. Security needs to beefed up during the governorship and State Assembly elections as people may resolve to taking measures to protect their votes.

“We have been talking to people to make elections violent free in the state but you know since INEC has shown its partiality, security should be better in the next election so that people may not be forced to take laws into their hands,” he said.

Vanguard gathered that in order to avoid a repeat of what was described as unsatisfactory reContinues on page 3

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 — 3

OYO STATE

•Ladoja sults tomorrow, a chieftain of the PDP in the state had called on other parties to come together and support Folarin so as to defeat the ruling APC. This, it was learned did not go down well with all the aggrieved parties.

Instead, they agreed to outdo one another so as to get the votes of voters in the state. Akala, through his Director of Public Affairs, Oludare Ogunlana, told the people not to liken the pedigree of the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd) to that of Governor Ajimobi, saying they are two separate entities like “light and darkness” which can never work together.

Alao-Akala said “Using Buhari’s name rather than his (Ajimobi) achievement is the greatest undoing a sinking governor can do to win at all cost.

Buhari neither awards contract at questionable amount nor neglects meritocracy for mediocrity.

The APC administration in the state is anti-masses as it has inflicted pains on the people as against its campaign promises in 2011.”

Anti-masses governor He continued: “To save Ajimobi from the imminent defeat in Saturday’s election, plans have been concluded to bring General Muhammadu Buhari to Ibadan on Wednesday under the guise of ‘Thank you tour’ to shore up support for the drowning antimasses governor but we believe that just like nothing was able to stop Buhari’s victory last week, Governor Abiola Ajimobi is on his way out of the government house. What he needs to do at this point in time is to start packing his load and prepare his hand-over note.”

However, in a counter response, incumbent Governor Ajimobi said any vote for the Accord Party, LP or SDP is a vote for the PDP which he said had already crumbled like a pack of cards in the country.

According to him, several initiatives of his administration which required the approval or cooperation of the Federal Government could not succeed because of the Federal Government’s refusal to play its role. But now that the APC had taken over the Federal Government, Ajimobi urged voters to repeat the same massive support for him and the C M Y K

•Makinde party in the April 11 election as demonstrated in the last election.

Also, the APC alleged that the ambition of Alao-Akala to be reelected is “an attempt to secure immunity and shield him from imprisonment in view of many corruption cases hanging on his neck”.

According to the Publicity secretary of the party in the state, Mr. Wale Sadare, “Akala’s renewed bid to infest the Pacesetter State with indecent conduct

•Folarin in power, clueless leadership and reckless mismanagement of public resources would be swiftly resisted by the electorate who are obviously for continuity of value restoration, transformation and repositioning as currently being

by Gov. Abiola Ajimobi.

“Akala turned Oyo State into a theatre of the absurd where it was one day, one trouble for the hapless citizens. He became a governor by default and his reign was characterized with lethal

political violence, high rate of crime and official corruption. In all of this, the former governor could not be absolved since he never left anyone in doubt of his culpability and vulnerability.

“He converted the seat of power into an abode of thugs where decent men and women ran away from. He restricted access to public funds to his family members, political allies, girl friends, loyalists and himself only. Akala was notorious for reckless spending of public funds at social functions even when he was not invited”.

However, Vanguard investigation, revealed that several factors played forth why victory in the March 28 election largely tilted towards the ruling party APC in the state.

First among the reasons was the high illiteracy level of most eligible voters who could not even distinguish the acronyms of each party. Many of them who voted said they thumb printed the APC from the beginning to the

end unaware of the damage they had caused their candidates. To correct this, Accord Party has been moving from one house to the other in all the 33 local government councils in the state with a prototype of ballot papers to further educate their supporters on how to vote.

Another cause was the noticeable betrayal from some party agents who were seen carefully working for another party without the consent of the candidates they represented at the polling units. Some of them even shared money after completing the ‘assignment’ given to them.

In the previous elections, the forces that determined electoral victory always had a field day changing figures and snatching ballot boxes. Election in the state in those days were always being rigged in favour of preferred candidate. In fact, that was why they confidently said “Ibadan people cannot serve the same person(incumbent governor twice).

Oyo guber: Quest for return and the jinx of second term

I

T is entrenched in Nigeria constitution that a governor or president could serve two terms in office.

For instance, former President Olusegun Obasanjo ruled the nation for two consecutive terms as a democratically elected president.

This scenario is, however, different in the political history of Oyo State as no governor has reigned twice. This report examines whether the jinx could be broken in tomorrow’s governorship election as three major contenders out of five have served the state once.

Since the creation of Oyo State 39 years ago, no governor has been able to secure a second term in office.

Past governors who had attempted it but couldn’t make it include late Chief Bola Ige who during the second republic lost his 2nd term bid to Dr. Omololu Olunloyo former governor, late Alhaji Lam Adeshina who ruled the state between 1999-2003 also attempted second term but lost to senator Rashidi Ladoja. Senator Ladoja could not bid for 2nd term as a result of impeachment saga which allowed his then deputy, Chief Adebayo AlaoAkala to clinch the PDP ticket before he was reinstated as the governor prior to 2011 election.

The situation has therefore become a slogan in the state that “Ibadan ki n sinyan lemeji” meaning that the Ibadan people do not serve a leader or king twice, the zone out of the six geopolitical zones which usually accounts for about 60 percent of the total votes in Oyo state.

Interestingly, four out of the five governorship candidates racing for Agodi government house are from Ibadan indicating that

•Bola Ige

Abiola Ajimobi

•Rashidi Ladoja

•Alao-Akala

With few hours to the governorship and house of assembly election, many people who are interested in Oyo state politics are waiting to see who breaks the jinx or the tradition will be sustained

larger percent of votes in contender Ibadan will be heard among these .

They are Senator Rashida Ladoja of accord, chief Adebayo Alao- Akala Labour party, senator Teslim Folarin PDP, Mr. Seyi Makinde of SDP and the incumbent governor, Abiola Ajimobi of APC. However, Chief Alao- Akala lost to incumbent Governor, Mr. Abiola Ajimobi in a keenly contested election in 2011.

Chief then could be said to be behind this yet to be broken fix.

Emeritus professor of political science, Bunmi Ayoade advanced the issue to south west which has to do within political sophistication inhesited by the people of the region.

This time around, the incumbent governor, Mr. Abiola Ajimobi

seemed determined to break the jinx in this Saturday’s governorship election.

But can Mr. Ajimobi actually break the jinx having realized that his predecessors failed in this regard? Special Adviser on political matters, Dr. Gbade Ojo says Governor. Ajimobi’s performance as well as General Muhammadu Buhari victory at the just concluded presidential election would play major role in the coming days.

Labour party governorship candidate Chief Adebayo AlaoAkala and his Accord counterpart, Chief Rashidi Ladoja also believed they can return to government seat.

Director General Alao- Akala campaign organization, Dr. Kola Balogun maintained that the electorate would weigh achievement of Alao- Akala while in government to others and re- elect him.

To the publicity secretary of Accord Mr. Nureni Adeniran and Alhaji kehinde Salau said Senator Ladoja and Senator FOLARIN HAVE BETTER CHANCE OF WINNING THE April 11 governorship poll.

But in his view, Director General, Seyi Makinde campaign organization, Mr. Kehinde Ayoola pointed out that the traditions in Oyo politics favour Mr. Seyi Makinde due to philatrophic gesture and track records his private business adding that such world eventually laid to rest the age long belief.

With few hours to the governorship and house of assembly election, many people who are interested in Oyo state politics are waiting to see who breaks the jinx or the tradition will be sustained. They equally hoped that the electorate will vote wisely.

4 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

O O WA WA MBE MBE

Input by Onozure Dania 08026651636

Mobolaji Ogundiran & Opeoluwa Idowu's Wedding took place at Caroline Hall, Genesis Hall &Suites, Ibadan, while the White wedding took place at St David’s Cathedral Church Kudeti, Ibadan the Reception was at Adeline Hall, Lead City University Ibadan •Mobolaji Ogundiran & Opeoluwa Idowu cutting their wedding cake

•Mobolaji Ogundiran & Opeoluwa Idowu during their white wedding

•Mobolaji Ogundiran with bride's maids in a group photograph

• the Couple during their traditional marriage

Tomi Olayinka & Soji Adegbenro’s wedding took place at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church in GRA Lagos, while the Traditional Wedding took place at The Haven, GRA, Ikeja; the Reception was at Marquee Giwa Barracks, Ikoyi, in Lagos

•Tomi-Olayinka-Soji-Adegbenro during their Traditional wedding

•Soji-Adegbenro and his friends in a group photograph during hisTraditional marriage C M Y K

•Soji-Adegbenro- being prayed for while he was prostrating with his friends to the bride's family at theirTraditional marriage

•Bride'smaids atTomi Olayinka Soji Adegbenro White Wedding reception

•Guests at Tomi-Olayinka-Soji-AdegbenroWhite-Wedding

•Tomi-Olayinka-Soji-Adegbenro

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 — 5

EKITI STATE

By Gbenga Ariyibi

T

HERE is palpable tension in most communities across Ekiti State, as the 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers are threatening to impeach the governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose from office.

Though, there had been no love lost between members of the dominated APC assembly and the governor, Mr. Fayose since October 16 when Fayose emerged as the new heads man in the state.

But what is worrisome is the lawmakers who had since November, 2014 left the House suddenly staged a come back the second day the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) declared Major General Mohammadu Buhari ,winner of the presidential election The APC has 19 lawmakers ,while the PDP has seven ,even among them,only 6 of them crossed over to PDP few weeks to October 21, 2014 governorship election in the state,before the emergence of Fayose,PDP has two members in the House,one of them later dumped PDP to APC The APC lawmakers, apparently basking on the opportunity of the success of Buhari at the poll decided to stage a come back and exert themselves in the House,but it appears they are resolute and bend in kicking out the governor in office.

Embattled speaker

C M Y K

Matters became more disturbing when it was apparent that most of the APC lawmakers who have indicated their interests to go back to the House and stand for election on April 11 are the same set of people busied themselves on how to remove the governor from office Prior to this time,the seven PDP lawmakers who were loyal to Fayose had met where they had impeached the embattled Speaker,Adewale Omirin and put Hon Dele Olugbemi as the new Speaker.

Expectedly, Omirin has taken the seven PDP lawmakers up by challenging the impeachment of Omirin in courts ,have jettisoned their suit in court and rocked the boat with the governor.

Some of the allegations they raised against the governor which they expected him to answer within seven days are invasion of the House of Assembly with thugs and miscreants, instigating unconstitutional take over of the House by seven legislators to sit in contravention of Section 96(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, prevention of the nineteen APC legislative members from performing legislative duties with the use of security agents and armed thugs and sponsoring an unlawful impeachment process in the house.,

Impeachment threat:

Tension mounts in Ekiti

•Fayose Other allegations listed in the notice are spending Ekiti State funds without the requisite constitutional approval in contravention of the constitution, running the government of Ekiti State without legally constituted Executive Council in contravention of Section 192(2) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, operating an illegal 2014 Budget as well as sponsoring and instigating illegal sitting of the House in contravention of Section 96(1) of the Constitution., The lawmakers have given the governor seven days notice to respond to the allegations.

Fayose in a swift response has condemned the lawmakers,describing them as acting like jesters. Fayose who said he read the notice of the

•Omirin impeachment like any other person through the online,noting that Adewale Omirin has seized being a speaker of the House “The script being acted by the APC is a failed one because no one, no matter how highly placed will be allowed to test the will of Ekiti people.”

Fayose who described the purported impeachment notice posted online by the APC lawmakers as “joke of the century” said; “The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly is Hon Dele Olugbemi and not Dr Adewale Omirin.”

In a statement issued on Saturday by the his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said; “Omirin is already in court, challenging

•Olugbemi his impeachment and common sense dictates that when you are challenging an action already taken in court, you have accepted the consequences of such action pending the determination of the suit you filed.”

He said the APC lawmakers should stop advertising their ignorance and crudity in the market place by posting impeachment notice online. “Since last year November, these so-called lawmakers abdicated their duties and ran to Lagos only for them to resurfaced on Wednesday, but they hurriedly ran away again.

“Now they are posting notice of impeachment signed on March 9, 2015 and Ekiti people are asking; was the motion for impeachment moved and adopted in Lagos or Osun State

House of Assembly?

“Is impeachment of a governor done along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway inside a moving bus?

“Rather than going about advertising their ignorance and crudity, the APC lawmakers should wait for the court to adjudicate on the case they filed because even the President-Elect, Major General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd) will respect the rule of law when he assumes office,” the governor said.

Though,House has been sealed off by the combined team of security operatives,both the mobile policemen,the DSS and soldiers This ugly development has led to the loss of one life,Modupe Olaiya at itawure ,near Efon Alaye during a commotion on Tuesday when the APC lawmakers were coming from Osun State to Ekiti and were disallowed from coming by the soldiers With this development ,the residents of the state are under perpetual fear as they cannot even predict on what happens to them the following day if the present situation continues,as they are not prepare to witness what happened in the state in 2006, during the first term of Fayose when the then Obasanjo regime declared a state of emergency in the state That is why ,the state Council of Traditional Rulers led by their chairman,Oba Adamo Babalola,the Onitaji of Itaji Ekiti is showing serious concern on how to bring the much expected peace and orderliness back to the state.

Buhari’s victory belongs to God— Aregbesola

By Gbenga Olarinoye

T

HE Governor of Osun State, Mr Rauf Aregbesola has said the Victory of the All Progressives Congress APC and that of Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari at the just concluded presidential election should be ascribed to God and not any single individual.

Aregbesola in a statement by the Director Bureau of Communication and Strategy Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, was quoted as speaking when a group of royal fathers paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Osogbo the state capital.

The royal fathers of Osun State commended the monarchs who refused to be tempted by the alleged last minute distribution of foreign currencies by the ruling party to sway votes for its candidate.

The group of traditional rulers was led by the Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Abdul Rauf Adedeji to the Government House to congratulate Aregbesola and offer prayers on the victory of APC and it’s candidate at the last Presidential election.

•Aregbesola Aregbesola stated that no man on earth should ascribe the success and the outcome of the election to himself, but all praises to the Lord who in His infinite mercies granted Nigeria a peaceful election.

He noted that there is nothing new that the Progressives have done this time that is better than what the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the acclaimed winner of the 1993 presidential election did.

According to him, “sixty-three years ago, politicians who were of the view of a political climate that will give life abundantly to

•Buhari the people did all they could but they were unable to achieve their desire. Despite all their struggle and the will to give a better leadership could not make it to the presidency.

“After the first attempt by Obafemi Awolowo and others came the advent of Moshood Abiola when Nigerian voted and he won but never become the president of the country. Here we are today, the victory is still looking to me as a dream. All the glory must be given to the Lord”.

The governor commended the doggedness and the fighting spirit of Asiwaju Bola Hammed

Tinubu and the former governor of Osun, Chief Bisi Akande at ensuring that the Yoruba get their votes for a central government for the first time in 63 years.

He also congratulated governors of APC, both serving and former saying after God, APC leaders in all the states of the federation and party faithful deserves commendation.

Aregbesola charged traditional rulers in Yorubaland to take seriously the development of their areas, noting that God has endowed them with the power to make sure that they at all time seek the development of their God’s given domains.

He said, “ I am particularly happy that the Yoruba is no longer in the opposition. This is the first time in 63 years that this is happening in the history of Nigeria.

“No Yoruba born or alive in this dispensation should not be happy. It is the first time that Yoruba will have a government that the majority of the people wanted. I will only pray that God will make this government have impact on our region.''

6 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

ONDO STATE

How 16 sea pirates met their Waterloo in Ondo

By Dayo Johnson

T

HEY came in five speed boats fully armed to the teeth. But after about an hour gun battle on the high sea, sixteen suspected sea pirates cum armed robbers said to have been committing serious crimes along the coastal areas of Ondo/Ogun/Oyo and Lagos states were shot dead by the combined team of the military, police and a private security outfit in Ondo state.

Police authorities in the state has however declared the commander of the gang, General Ibori whom was described as an unrepentant Militant wanted after the bloody clash.

Corpse of the deceased pirates were later picked up from the sea after the shoot-out with their charred bodies. The suspects in a commando like manner reportedly invaded the coastal area of the state two days to the last Presidential election ostensibly to commit electoral malpractices and wrecked havoc in the state.

South west voice learnt that the suspects intention was to enter the state through Agadagba in Ese-Odo council area of the state but were restricted by the private security outfit called Gallery Security outfit.

It was gathered that on the 26th of March the suspects at about 8am in Military Uniforms and in speed boats attacked the private Security outfit which mounted a barrier at its base in Akanaku Community in Ese Odo. They reportedly pretended as if they were military intelligence patrolling the high sea.

Their military attire reportedly

deceived the men of the private security who waved at them not knowing that they came to survey the base.

By the time they returned, it was with additional four speed boats and they reportedly shot sporadically at the men and destroyed the security base.

South West voice learnt that men of the private outfit who mounted other barriers not too far from the main base engaged the hoodlums and casualties were recorded from both sides.

The number of casualties recorded on the part of the joint security operations could not be ascertained but dependable source said some of them were injured but no death was recorded. The exchange of gun shot reportedly attracted a nearby Military base mounted in the area for the surveillance of the coastal areas ahead of the general election.

Security operatives South West Voice was informed by police source that seven of the suspects were arrested alive by the security operatives who battled them frontally.

Arms and ammunition recovered from the include pump action guns, AK47 riffles, one GPMG riffle with 38 rounds of 7.62mm,one SMG with 18 rounds of 9mm, empty magazines, Army pull overs, Nato Metal links, cutlasses and UTC axes. Suspected criminal arrested include Ikes Omosebi 32, Akpos Atunwaseye 21, Uyeweri Zacchaeus 25, Augustine Goto 23,

•Two suspected sea pirates arrested in Ondo

Ekuiwasemi Loghoga 26, Worifaifa Simon 41 and Omonipere John 31.

The state police Commissioner Isaac Eke told South West Voice that efforts are in top gear to arrest the leader of the gang by code name Commander Ibori.

Eke said that upon interrogation the suspects admitted committing the crime and fingered one General O C Ibori as their gang leader.

“They further stated that the gang is involved in sea piracy, armed robbery and other serious crimes along the coastal areas of Ondo, Ogun, Oyo and Lagos State. The police Chief told South West voice that the effort of the state police command to rid the

state of the menace of cultism yielded result in the build up of the general elections.

According to him the Special Anti-Cultism Squad SACS was mandated to step up its activities with a view to guarantee peaceful election in the state.

“As at date, the effort of the squad has yielded positive result with 76 die hard cultists arrested.

Eke pointed out that they will soon be prosecuted.

Speaking with South West Voice, the Chairman of the Gallery Security outfit Bibopri Ajube said the suspected attacked the base of the outfit.

Ajube said that the aim of the suspects was to come into the state through Agadagba to cause

Osun monarchs urge Buhari to re-unite Nigerians

By Gbenga Olarinoye

P

ROMINENT traditional rulers in Osun State have charged the President-Elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, and his vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo , to run an all inclusive government and re-unite all parts of the federation.

The monarch In a congratulatory message urged the president elect not to disappoint the electorate that voted for them by ensuring that their expectations are met.

The traditional rulers include, the Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal; Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Olayiwola Olawale Adedeji; Olokuku of Okuku, Oba Abioye Oyebode Oluronke II, Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdulrasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, Olunisa of Inisa, Oba Joseph Oladunjoye Fasikun II, Elende of Eko-Ende, Oba Rauf Adebayo Olaniyan, Oloyan of Oyan, Oba Kelani C M Y K

OSUN STATE Adekeye Oyedare, Onirun of Oke-Irun, Oba Isaac Adetoyi Adetunlurese, Elerin of ErinOsun, Oba Yusuf Omoloye Oyagbodun, among others .

The monarchs, who congratulated the President-Elect and his vice on the victory at the Saturday March 28, 2015 election, commended their doggedness, persistence and perseverance in

the days preceding the election which they said was marked by blackmail, intimidation and falsehood.

The traditional rulers regretted the division among Nigerians along ethnicity and religion occasioned by many politicians in a bid to canvas votes for their candidates, therefore, urging Buhari to use his power when he is eventually sworn in on May 29, 2015 as the executive president to reverse the trend.

They prayed for God’s wisdom for Buhari to guide him in the arduous task of steering the ship of the nation.

The monarchs said Nigerians could not wait to put the issues of insecurity brought about by the dreaded and terrorist group, Boko Haram, the epileptic power supply, poor economy and non performance of the national budget among others behind them and begin to experience a new lease of life as a nation.

havoc during the election.

According to him men of the outfit restricted the suspected criminals which led to a gun battle. He added that with the collaboration of the Military and the police the criminals were killed which some were arrested and handed over to the police.

Ajube said the fleeing criminals would soon be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law. In another development a leader of a kidnap gang Ufete Romanus 28 has been arrested for the kidnap of the woman leader of the PDP in Ore area of the state Mrs Ayobami Adepoju 46 last month.

Release by abductors The police Commissioner said she was kidnapped at about 830pm at showboy area in Ore. He said that detectives from the CID swung into action following compliant by her husband Williams Adepoju.

The victim was eventually released by her abductors after paying a ransom of N500,000.

The suspect was later arrested in Omotosho, Lagos/Benin Expressway and confessed hatching the crime with five others.

Romanus led detectives to Ore to arrest another principal member of the gang named Akeem Lasisi aged 40.

Lasisi was said to have developed complications and was rushed to Ore General Hospital where he was confirmed dead.

The police Chief noted that it was later discovered that Lasisi was suffering from chest pain as a result of a motor accident in which he was involved.

Eke pointed out that investigation is still in progress as efforts are in top gear to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 — 7

LAGOS STATE

Ndigbo Vs Lagos Oba:

Stakeholders in fence mending moves

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

I

N a build up to the forth coming elections, the news that first filtered around in the early hours of last Sunday was that members of Transformation Agenda of Nigeria, TAN, led by Ifeanyi Uba was coming to visit the traditional ruler of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu I, to express their support for All Progressives candidates in this Saturday governorship, state house of assembly elections.

In a swift reaction, Uba, held a media conference to debunk the statement, saying, “It’s not true.”

Later, at about 4 pm, Igbo monarchs and leaders in Lagos at Iga-Idugaran Palace, visited Akiolu where he urged the Igbo indigenes in Lagos to vote for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode in the next Saturday’s governorship elections in their own interest.

Akiolu added, “When they were coming to the state, they didn’t come with all their houses.

But now they have properties in the state. So they must do my bidding and that is the bidding of God and the ancestors of Lagos.”

Akiolu said the Igbo have to show appreciation to Lagos indigenes who have warmly welcomed them in the state.

According to him, “Because of Ambode, I went to Mecca, Saudi Arabia for the Holy pilgrimage last year and I gave all the groups there $250, 000 to pray for Ambode. So how can I say something and some people will go against it.

Blood relation “On Saturday, if any one of you goes against Ambode who I picked, that will be against your interest. If it doesn’t happen within seven days, just know that its not my father who gave birth to me.”

“Am not ready to beg you, nobody knew how I picked Ambode. And Jimi (Jimi Agbaje) is my blood relation and I told him that he can never be governor in Lagos for now.

“The future belongs to God am not begging anybody, but what you people cannot do in Onitsha, Anambra State or anywhere, you want to do it in Lagos. If you do what I want, Lagos will continue to be prosperous for you, if you go against my wish, its doom.

“I am for the progress, growth and development of Lagos, Ambode is highly cerebral, he’s a symbol and he is going to deliver the message which I the Oba of Lagos have said. And he will govern the state for another C M Y K

•Oba Akiolu eight years. He is going on a mission and God will give him the wisdom and knowledge to fulfil that mission.

The Oba noted, “Politicians don’t quarrel but they disagree to agree on issues that concerns the development of the country.

“They are part and parcel of us, after he (Jimi Agbaje) must have been defeated if he has any good thing for the state he should present it.

“They (politicians) are all the same thing. Politics has come and it will go. I don’t wish him bad because he is part and parcel of this state. There is no going back on Ambode.”

Responding, Chairman Council of Ndigbo in Lagos, Chief Gordian Dimojiaku said that the Igbo in the state have completely declared their intention to support the APC candidate in the state.

He explained, “Just yesterday (Saturday) we shut Alaba International Market and other notable markets in the state to campaign for Ambode and that is one of the measures we have taken.

There are other plans to ensure that all the Igbo in the state throw their weight behind the APC candidates in Lagos.”

Expectedly, the statement by the Lagos monarch generated hot reaction from the Igbo who demanded an immediate retraction. It went viral on social media.

Reactions: Different kinds of condemnations came from Chief Olabode George, Mr Femi FaniKayode, Mr Tony Nwulu (Oshodi-Isolo Rep-elect), the Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Afenifere, Igbo Youths Movement (IYM), AkaIkenga and Igbo Professionals Lagos (IPL), Oodua Youths Congress, Oodua Democratic Coalition, Yoruba Thinktank, Oodua Nation in Diaspora and United Self-Determination Platform of Oodua, among others.

Worried by the issue, umbrella body of Igbo socio-cultural organisations, the Ohanaeze

•Bode George

• Bola Tinubu Ndigbo also went into an emergency meeting to take a stand on the Oba’s threat.

President General of Ohanaeze, Chief Gary Igariwey, said: “All the Igbo leaders in Lagos will meet tonight (Monday) on the issue. Once they are through, they will communicate me and an official stance will be made known.”

According to statement by the President of Ika Ikenga, Chief Goddy Uwazurike, it said that “We have stated it repeatedly that people should vote according to their conscience without any fear or favour. Freedom of choice is an inherent right ad nobody can take it away from Ndigbo. For the avoidance of doubt, threat to one

Expectedly, the statement by the Lagos monarch generated hot reaction from the Igbo who demanded an immediate retraction. It went viral on social media

•Jimi Agbaje

•Akinwunmi Ambode Igbo man is a threat to us all. We shall do our civic duty as directed

by INEC and security agencies to whom we have copied this press release.”

APC appeals for calm: APC, Lagos chapter also urged Ndigbo in Lagos to ignore and forget the statement credited to the Oba of Lagos. The State Publicity Secretary of the Party, Joe Igbokwe, apologized most sincerely to Ndigbo to bury the hatchet in the interest of peace and harmony, considering the long standing relationship that has existed between Igbo and Yoruba since the inception of Nigeria.

“No human being is above mistakes. People can make mistakes and correct it thereafter.

The Oba of Lagos can make a mistake and we believe that the statement credited to him was a mistake. If to err is human, we plead with Ndigbo to let the sleeping dog lie” “After the March 28 2015 Presidential elections Ndigbo in Lagos have been trooping into the Lagos APC fold in droves.

They have pledged to throw their full weight behind the APC guber candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. The support was total and unprecedented. You can therefore imagine how we feel as a party when this incident came just few days to the governorship elections” “Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos is not a card carrying member of APC. He is not a leader in APC. He does not speak for APC. He

did not speak for governor Fashola of Lagos State. He did not speak for our National leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He did not speak for the incoming governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode. His Royal Highness is at liberty to speak for himself and he spoke for himself only. Lagos APC appeals to Ndigbo not to take the statement as the position of the party in Lagos” “We passionately appeal to Ndigbo not to carry the statement credited to Oba Akiolu too far so as not to put a knife on things that have held us together for more than 50years now. If out of annoyance you throw your cap away a mad man will take it and use it forever” “A lot is at stake in Lagos.

Lagos has been fair to Ndigbo and Ndigbo have reciprocated by taking Lagos as their home no matter whose ox is gored. Lagos APC believes that Ndigbo will not burn the bridges because of this minor setback” Igbokwe said Lagos APC had worked so hard with other Nigerians to enthrone a government at the centre and could not afford to throw all those gains away by allowing the mistakes of the last weekend to stand on the way to link Lagos effectively with the centre.

Excuse by Ndigbo “Our own Oba Rilwan Akiolu’ slip of tongue should not be used as an excuse by Ndigbo to reverse these huge gains. Ndigbo should forgive and forget by voting APC en mass this coming Saturday” he pleaded.

Igbo still mobilise for Ambode According to the Secretary, Ndigbo for Ambode Campaign Organisation, Chief Chuks Nnalugha, Igbo people will still vote for Ambode because Akiolu is entitled to his own opinion.

He stated, “Igbo people in Lagos would support the candidacy of Ambode to ensure continuity in Lagos State.

“We endorse Ambode as governor of Lagos State. Our being here is to assure our sons and daughters and ask them to vote for Ambode enmasse. You have been doing it since 1999 and this time will not be an exception.

We have maintained this relationship for many years and we must ensure that it continues.

“We are not here to talk about rights and wrongs, but politics and businesses. We will do our best to vote for Ambode. Our mind is made up and we love APC government and we have agreed to vote for the APC massively on Saturday,” he stated.

On Akiolu’s statement, he stated the monarch simply wanted the Igbo to show their love and it is only by voting for Ambode that we can show that love and have hope. A vote against Ambode is a wasted vote stressing they (Igbo) must join hands together and ensure that Ambode wins.

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

Lamentations in Ogun as over 1m voters are disenfranchised

BRIEF WITH IKENNA ASOMBA

Aregbesola sponsoring Ekiti lawmakers against Fayose – Rights Group

A

human rights group, the Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Osun State governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, of sponsoring the attack and impeachment moves

by APC lawmakers against Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

In a statement by the Centre’s Executive Chairman, Adeniyi Sulaiman, Wednesday, he also alleged Aregbesola of “reckless spending of the state resources to fuel the ongoing political crisis in Ekiti State when his government failed to pay the salary of the Osun State workers for period of six months now”.

Sulaiman said: “Aregbesola’s sponsorship of Ekiti State APC lawmakers to plug the State into an unending political crisis is evil, ungodly, anti-people, illegal, and undemocratic. It would not augur well for the factional lawmakers to hide under the impression that their party, APC would form the central government in the next political dispensation to cause political turmoil for the state.”

By Daud Olatunji

O

ver one millions eligible voters in 236 wards across Ogun State wore forlorn looks as they could not exercise their civic duty during the Presidential and national Assembly elections held penultimate Saturday in the state.

Abnitio, more than 1.7 million eligible voters had been registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission ahead of the last elections, but, over one million voters could not cast votes to their choice candidates due to their failure to obtain Permanent Voter Cards before the elections.

Most of the affected voters had besieged their polling units across the state with Temporary Voters Cards, but, we’re turned back by the officials of the INEC. Out of 1.7million registered voters in the state, about six hundred luckily cast their votes while over one million were disenfranchised by the INEC in the state.

According to the state collation officer for INEC, Dr. Duro Oni from University of Lagos, number of registered voters was 594,975 while the total number of votes cast was 559,613. Out of the votes cast, the All Progressives Congress polled 308,290 to defeat the People’s Democratic Party which scored 207,950 while 26,441 votes were voided.

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Oba of Lagos is not APC spokesman – Tinubu

N

• Odunsi

Prominent persons

None of the incumbent Senators were returned, but two out of nine members of House of Representatives who were members of the APC got returned tickets

Some prominent persons including former Speaker of House of Representatives , Dimeji Bankole , ex-Special Assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on women affairs, Mrs.Titilayo Ajanaku, a senatorelect from Ogun Central, Prince Lanre Tejuoso among others were disenfranchised due to their inability to obtain PVC. In many polling units such as ward15 unit 13 Ibara 11, Abeokuta South many people especially old people were turned back because they did not have PVCs. Also at ward 11 unit 21 , voting did not take place as the INEC officials were absent prompting the voters to be stranded.

At ward 10 unit 1and 2 Abeokuta north, out of 704 registered voters only 18 persons cast their vote. The total sum of the eligible voters who were disenfranchised was 1,082146 .

In Ijebu North-East which was won by APC had 36,058 as registered voters , but, 15,214 voters received PVCs . At Odogboolu which was also won by APC, the

registered voters were 70,685 while 25,752 obtained their PVCs. Abeokuta North won by APC recorded 125,485 as registered voters while 30,556 had PVCs .

In Ogun waterside which was won by the PDP had 37,739 voters registered while 17,092 voters had PVCs. In Ado-Odo/Ota won by APC, 228,261 voters registered but, only 60,635 got their PVCs. Abeokuta-South won by APC had 180,218 as registered voters but, recorded 51,905 as those that collected their PVCs. Remo-North which was won by PDP, 39,180 were registered voters while 16,960 voters were accredited. At Ewekoro which was won by APC, the registered voters were 62,425 while 14,193 got the PVCs. Obafemi-Owode which was won by APC had 74,871 as registered voters while 24,402 voters got the PVCs.

The situation in Imeko-Afon which was won by PDP was not different as the registered voters were 74,871 but, those who were accredited for the elections were 24,402 voters. Sagamu whichwas won by the PDP had a sum of 77955 as registered voters while those who were accredited for the election were 37772.

In Ijebu-Ode which was won APC 55127 voters were registered while 25,973 voters were accredited. In Odeda which was won

by APC those who registered for the elections were 63,935 while those who were accredited were 17,463.

In Ijebu-East won by PDP, the number of those that registered was 55,641 while 22004 voters were accredited. In EgbadoSouth which was won by APC, number of registered voters was 88,754 while the number of those that were accredited was 29,713.

In Ijebu-North which was won by the PDP, number of the voters registered was 95135 while those who were accredited were 16,706. In Ifo which was won by APC, 146,686 was recorded for those that had registered for the election while 41,561 was recorded for those that have collected their PVCs .

Egbado-North won by APC 92,312 was recorded for those that registered for the election while 36,222 was registered for those that have collected their PVCs. In Ikenne which was won by PDP, the number of those that registered for the election was 44,728 while the accredited voters were 22,213. The Ipokia situation was the same with others as it recorded 98,905 as registered voters, but, had 41,258 as those that have collected their PVCs.

ational leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has said the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, is not a member of the APC and cannot speak on behalf of the party.

Tinubu said this on Tuesday, at a rally in Orile-Iganmu, Lagos, while reacting to the controversial comments of the monarch on Tuesday.

Noting that he was the first Yoruba governor to ever appoint an Igbo commissioner, he said the Peoples Democratic Party, having failed to win last week’s presidential elections, were desperately trying to pull the APC into the Akiolu controversy.

He said the Coordinator of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, Ifeanyi Ubah, and the PDP leader, Bode George, were only making baseless accusations against the APC.

GOV POLL: Oyo political parties sign peace accord

A

head of Saturday’s governorship and House of Assem bly elections, the Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Police, Tuesday, held a stakeholders’ meeting at the Eleyele, Ibadan headquarters of the command with the representatives of the political parties in attendance.

The State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Katsina, who spoke before the peace accord was signed, disclosed that arrangements had been put in place all over the command to deal decisively with trouble makers and their sponsors before, during and after the election.

Represented at the meeting by the command’s Deputy Commissioner, Operations (DC Ops) Sanusi Buba, the CP told the parties that the peace accord was not to intimidate anyone but to ensure peace and stability in the state before, during and after the elections.

The political parties including All Progressives Congress (APC), Accord, Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) among others were represented at the parley.

THE TEAM Editor: Adeleke Adeseri

Correspondents: Ola Ajayi Gbenga Olarinoye Dayo Johnson Gbenga Ariyibi Dapo Akinrefon Daud Olatunji Olasunkanmi Akoni Monsuru Olowoepejo

Ibadan Osogbo Akure Ado Ekiti Abeokuta Lagos

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015—33

SHOWBIZ NEWS

Uti Nwachukwu, Toolz to host MayDay Live

BY JULIET EBIRIM

O

RGANISERS of upcoming music concert, ‘MayDay Live’ have disclosed that popular actor, model and presenter, Uti Nwachukwu will be anchoring the event alongside beautiful and curvy OnAir-Personality, Tolu Oniru popularly known as Toolz. The duo will be hosting the show featuring American Grammy Award winner, Ms Lauryn Hill together with top Nigerian acts on Friday, May 1, 2015 at the luxurious Eko Hotels and Suites.

The one-time Big Brother Africa winner, Uti described the event as a laudable one. “I love music.

I’m a hard worker and so I believe that it’s a good idea to celebrate all the workers out there. Music is food to my heart”.

On her part, sexy voluptuous Toolz said the event is a perfect treat for workers. “I love Lauryn Hill and I believe it will be a once in a lifetime concert. I also believe it’s going to be a perfect treat for those of us wanting to celebrate workers’ •Uti Nwachukwu day in style”.

Speaking on the rationale behind the show, t h e organizers disclosed

that the event is all about celebrating workers. “MayDay Live is a corporate event specially packaged for workers, not just a day off but a day to be celebrated. It is a chance for management of companies to treat staff to an evening of elegance and glamour, so we at MayDay Live decided to package a night with Ms Lauryn Hill ‘Live in Concert.”

Ms Lauryn Hill will be performing solo hits from her debut album ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’. The event will be her first time ever in Nigeria performing to a 20-man Live band, with hit solo songs like her duet with Bob Marley ‘Turn your lights down low’, Sweetest thing and many more as well as hits from her ex-group ‘The Fugees’ – ‘Killing me softly’, ‘Ready or not’ amongst others.

HipTV presenter features Orisefemi in ‘Shomara’

U

rban music station, HIPTV presenter, Jenny O has dropped a new single, ‘Shomara‘ featuring musical taliban, Oritsefemi.

The new song, a catchy dance track, is a follow-up to her previous single titled ‘Follow you go.’ The new song, ‘Shomara‘ (Are they ok?) is produced by Fliptyce. The pretty broadcaster, who featured top music producer, Ex-O in her debut music video, ‘Follow You Go’ once said that she was influenced into music by the likes of late King of pop, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Beyonce among others. She started singing while she was 11, as a member of the Catholic Church choir. Five years ago, she decided to do music professionally. Her other songs include, ‘Surugede’ and ‘Osho free.’

Eldee’s former artiste joins Big Baby Entertainment

O

•Noble

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NE year after parting ways with Eldee’s Trybe Records, Noble Ezeh popularly known as K9, has signed a new record deal with Big Baby Entertainment.

K9, who recently cleared the air on how his record deal with Eldee went sour in a lengthy Instagram post, is now set to drop his new single titled ‘Coup D’etat‘ under his new label. K9’s new label is owned by an Abuja based businessman popularly known as ‘Chief ’.

Genesis Studio set to launch BeTV

G

•Toolz

•Jenny O

enesis Studio, a TV unveil its latest of and Film Production Company, is set to fering to the publ BeTV. According ic, a TV station ca to th e m an lled ag em en will be launched t of the outfit, the in Explaining the ra the second quarter of the year. TV station Olaegbe Olatubo tionale behind the move, CEO the need to fill thsun said that, it became pertinentof the outfit, content for Niger e void created by an absence of because of ia interesting “It is a full scal n television viewers. showing differente family entertainment channel so to adult programm genres of programmes, from childwe will be We have acquired es. It is a DTT channel on Startim ren shows day. BeTV is currchildren content sufficient for six es platform. from the second haently in the process of producinhours every g co lf of the year, we w he said. ill be doing up to ntents twenty,” Genesis Studio Entertainment N s also has a sister company, C with close to 2000etwork (CREN), a content distrib ross Roots Ogun State and Abdistributors in Lagos, Ibadan, Po ution outfit and Film content fo uja. CREN will also be acquiringrt Harcourt, qu r syndication on Be TV and other TV chality TV annels.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015—37

With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com 08050498513

Private school to deploy iPad in all classrooms

By Prince Osuagwu

A

PPARENTLY aiming to become one of the most technologically advanced schools in Africa and prepare its students for the new competitive knowledge economy, a Nigerian private school, Olashore International School says it is integrating technology fully into its curriculum.

The school says it will soon introduce Apple iPads in all the classrooms as part of the daily learning process.

When this plan is rolled out, the school authorities said that students and the teachers will be solving complex problems and discovering latest research information simultaneously with the teachers in real time.

The deployment is expected to be powered by Apple’s authorized representative in Africa, Core Group Africa, which would provide Apple iPad devices and a full educational technology back up for the systems.

The school announced this resolve after attending a recent Core Group Africa organized Apple iPad Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

According to the Chairman, Board of Governors of the School, Prince Bimbo Olashore,“this new and unique technology enhanced teacher-student connection will fast-track learning.

Nigeria can no longer be playing catch up with technology or keep waiting for technology transfer.

Technology transfer We have to leapfrog to catch up and get our young Nigerians prepared for the new technology driven world. We are pleased to be making substantial investment in this direction.”

The iPads in Classrooms program is expected to be achieved by setting up LAN Network Distribution in Classrooms and Hostels, Proper Wireless Distribution in the classroom, indoor wireless device with high frequency, Firewalls to manage internet access on the iPad, Proper audio and visual multimedia systems in the classrooms that will support the iPad integration, Learning Management System that will not use the Internet, and a Mac Server for Mobile Device Management that will be used to manage the iPads.

Also, the School Principal, Mr Derek Smith added that “Olashore International will also review its overall technology framework, through a curriculum mapping program, faster internet connection, a new mobile device management to check unproductive online presence.

It will also make professional development for teachers mandatory, constant and purposeful, and reinforce Students’ responsibility in taking charge of their lives.”

C M Y K

Could this be the future of Nigerian classrooms?

Why you use more than one mobile line

By Laju Iren

I

F you are a Nigerian, you probably own more than one mobile phone sim and bank on multiple service providers to meet your communication needs.

However, according to an Accenture 2015 Digital Consumer Survey, this is not a popular trend around the world. The survey revealed that globally, consumers engage the use of a single service provider to manage communication and entertainment products because they believe that this aids security.

Tom Loozen, Accenture’s Managing Director at the recently concluded Mobile World Congress said:”Consumers’ preferences for a single, trusted provider also place Service Providers in the spotlight.

This can be a distinct advantage for SPs, because they can combine their expertise in building and managing IP networks with their increased capabilities to develop and deliver new, customer-focused services that incorporate data analytics for highly personalized services.

As a result, SPs are positioned to do well in the digital ecosystem.”Loozen added:

“However, in Nigeria this is not the case as individuals and organisations use different SPs on their different devices. Businesses may stand on the fact that the use of different SPs makes it easier to connect with their customers.

Also connected to this is the issue of signals in different areas in Nigeria.

Due to the terrain of the country,the networks provided by some SPs may or may not work in some locations.

Thus it may be wise to employ the services of more than one SP in order to be within reach at all times.”In line

with this, Group Managing Director AccentureDigital, Jim Bailey, at the 2015 MWC opined that “with the potential of digital technology to transform business and thus the economy at large, a unique partnership with mobile manufacturers and service providers should be considered.

Though it may seem like the functions of mobile manufacturers and service providers are clearly different in the business of digital technologies, collaboration with both parties can transform not just individual lives but the face of business.”

According to Bailey,”Mobile manufacturers shouldcontinually design, manufacture and sell wireless technological equipment that allow for seamless business transactions and interactions. And on the other hand, service providers should ensure that information is efficiently and effectively transmitted. The benefits of this partnership are innumerable with some including the ability to create new revenue opportunities, increase product and service development speed, an increase in customer engagement and also help create new markets for business.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 — 35

communications shape and prescribe identity. Noting the hyper-consciousness of self-representation that is brought about by the digital revolution, Amoda focuses his attention to the prevailing presence of the camera in our daily lives. Whether self imposed or brought about by increased modes of surveillance, the omnipresence of cameras and recording devices in these works suggest a cultural obsession with our “public” selves. Set amidst these works are new series that reference religion and t h e sacredness of the private, as well as depictions of women that highlight the conflicting forces of s e x u a l i t y.

Guests at the opening exhibition These nude influences of technology and and seminude women, shown how virtual in varying states of undress,

Celebrating female sensuality through arts

Artists and guests at the opening exhibiton

By Anino Aganbi

F

RINGE, a solo exhibition of renowned mixed media artist Olu Amoda was organized by Art Twenty- one.

Showcasing Amoda’s newest body of work, Fringe brings together the artist’s recent experimentations in sculpture, drawing, and installation as he

explores questions of privacy and public space in the Nigerian urban environment.

Amoda’s use of unconventional materials and processes, combined with an interest in pertinent social and political issues, charters new depths by examining the relationship between surveillance, religion, and the female form. Central to Amoda’s investigations are the

represent the workers of the commercial sex industry in Nigeria. Rather than preaching morality or situating the pornographic as taboo, Amoda celebrates female sensuality.

Eschewing the line between vulgarity and intimacy, Amoda points out that the public and the private are two sides of the same coin and intimately inform one another.

Caline Chagoury Moudaber (CEO Arts Twenty- one) stated that she felt there was the need for arts in lagos. “ I am a photographer who studied film and media. Growing up, I was surrounded by arts so this came natuarally. I opened the arts space two years ago with Olu Amoda, I loved the artist behind the work. Olu Amoda is someone who needs breathing space for his art work so it was a perfect match between wanting to open this art space and showing an artist who needs breathing room .

Eventually, its either the artists contact me or I contact them.

The idea behind fringe is that we are always on the edge of the public and the private; we do not really know if we really live in a private world or if we really have the privacy. We could be making a private phone call and do not know if anyone is listening in on our conversation.

Ugoma Adegoke host women at woman rising 2015

By Esther Onyegbula

C

O-Founder of The Life House, Ugoma Adegoke, last weekend hosted leading women across different fields for the 5th edition of the “Woman Rising”.

Held annually, “Woman Rising” celebrates the International Women’s day with a series of inspiring and thoughtprovoking events. This year’s event was held over Saturday, the 21st of March 2015 and Sunday, the 22nd of March 2015 and was hosted by Kemi “Lala” Akindoju and Aderonke Adebanjo.

Speaking about the event, Adegoke said, “We are delighted about the crop of great women that joined us for this year’s event and we are positive that women all across the country have been inspired.”

The first event, sponsored by champagne brand Bollinger, took place at the prestigious Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi and it hosted prestigious guests including Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, the former Minister of Education who gave a powerful speech on how women making a change in our world by choosing not to settle for being a stereotype.

She was followed by Chief Mrs Oyenike Okundaye, one of the most respected internationally renowned female artists from Nigeria, who has made astounding strides in textile, visual arts and mixed

C M Y K

media painting.

This was followed by the screening of the award-winning documentary film The Supreme price directed by Joanna Lipper, which held at The Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island.

The film explores a tumultuous time in Nigeria’s through the remarkable story of Hafsat Abiola.

As the daughter of human rights heroine Kudirat Abiola, and Nigeria’s President-elect M.K.O. Abiola, who won a historic vote in 1993 that promised to put an end to years of military dictatorship, her unique perspective shed new light on the controversial elections. The thought-provoking film triggered meaningful con- Ugoma Adegoke, Chief Elemanya Ebilah, Chief Nike Okundaye Davies, versation on how women can help Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili and a guest. make Nigeria better and the future of female leaders in a male-dominated society. The final event was held at Federal Palace, Victoria Island Lagos. Sponsored by SKYY Vodka the evening showcased a host of homegrown and international female musicians.

Rolake Akinkugbe, an oil and gas investment banker by day pianist and songstress by night and Modele with her ambitious sound also wowed the crowd. Other performers included Tonye Garrick, Bumi Thomas, Irene Bill aka girl with bass and a host of other live female musicians. The fun-filled evening was touched by poets and guest speakers that entertained the varied crowd of CEOs, artists, and supporters of the cause.

Cross section of guests

36 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015—37

With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com 08050498513

Private school to deploy iPad in all classrooms

By Prince Osuagwu

A

PPARENTLY aiming to become one of the most technologically advanced schools in Africa and prepare its students for the new competitive knowledge economy, a Nigerian private school, Olashore International School says it is integrating technology fully into its curriculum.

The school says it will soon introduce Apple iPads in all the classrooms as part of the daily learning process.

When this plan is rolled out, the school authorities said that students and the teachers will be solving complex problems and discovering latest research information simultaneously with the teachers in real time.

The deployment is expected to be powered by Apple’s authorized representative in Africa, Core Group Africa, which would provide Apple iPad devices and a full educational technology back up for the systems.

The school announced this resolve after attending a recent Core Group Africa organized Apple iPad Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

According to the Chairman, Board of Governors of the School, Prince Bimbo Olashore,“this new and unique technology enhanced teacher-student connection will fast-track learning.

Nigeria can no longer be playing catch up with technology or keep waiting for technology transfer.

Technology transfer We have to leapfrog to catch up and get our young Nigerians prepared for the new technology driven world. We are pleased to be making substantial investment in this direction.”

The iPads in Classrooms program is expected to be achieved by setting up LAN Network Distribution in Classrooms and Hostels, Proper Wireless Distribution in the classroom, indoor wireless device with high frequency, Firewalls to manage internet access on the iPad, Proper audio and visual multimedia systems in the classrooms that will support the iPad integration, Learning Management System that will not use the Internet, and a Mac Server for Mobile Device Management that will be used to manage the iPads.

Also, the School Principal, Mr Derek Smith added that “Olashore International will also review its overall technology framework, through a curriculum mapping program, faster internet connection, a new mobile device management to check unproductive online presence.

It will also make professional development for teachers mandatory, constant and purposeful, and reinforce Students’ responsibility in taking charge of their lives.”

C M Y K

Could this be the future of Nigerian classrooms?

Why you use more than one mobile line

By Laju Iren

I

F you are a Nigerian, you probably own more than one mobile phone sim and bank on multiple service providers to meet your communication needs.

However, according to an Accenture 2015 Digital Consumer Survey, this is not a popular trend around the world. The survey revealed that globally, consumers engage the use of a single service provider to manage communication and entertainment products because they believe that this aids security.

Tom Loozen, Accenture’s Managing Director at the recently concluded Mobile World Congress said:”Consumers’ preferences for a single, trusted provider also place Service Providers in the spotlight.

This can be a distinct advantage for SPs, because they can combine their expertise in building and managing IP networks with their increased capabilities to develop and deliver new, customer-focused services that incorporate data analytics for highly personalized services.

As a result, SPs are positioned to do well in the digital ecosystem.”Loozen added:

“However, in Nigeria this is not the case as individuals and organisations use different SPs on their different devices. Businesses may stand on the fact that the use of different SPs makes it easier to connect with their customers.

Also connected to this is the issue of signals in different areas in Nigeria.

Due to the terrain of the country,the networks provided by some SPs may or may not work in some locations.

Thus it may be wise to employ the services of more than one SP in order to be within reach at all times.”In line

with this, Group Managing Director AccentureDigital, Jim Bailey, at the 2015 MWC opined that “with the potential of digital technology to transform business and thus the economy at large, a unique partnership with mobile manufacturers and service providers should be considered.

Though it may seem like the functions of mobile manufacturers and service providers are clearly different in the business of digital technologies, collaboration with both parties can transform not just individual lives but the face of business.”

According to Bailey,”Mobile manufacturers shouldcontinually design, manufacture and sell wireless technological equipment that allow for seamless business transactions and interactions. And on the other hand, service providers should ensure that information is efficiently and effectively transmitted. The benefits of this partnership are innumerable with some including the ability to create new revenue opportunities, increase product and service development speed, an increase in customer engagement and also help create new markets for business.”

38 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

People queuing to vote during the presidential and national assembly elections

Governorship/state assembly elections: When fear of intimidation, violence rules the land

By Mike Ebonugwo, Jude Njoku, Jimitota Onoyume, Samuel Oyadongha, Gabriel Enogholase & Suzan Edeh

I

T is just a day to the governorship and state assembly elections. As expected, the election fever has days to the D-day been on the rise across the country as politicians, especially contestants in the elections, intensified their campaigns to attract and garner last minute endorsement from the electorate. As political parties and contestants made frenzied efforts to outdo their opponents and rivals before tomorow’s elections, expectations were high that victory could be around the corner.

But one question most of them have failed or refused to ask is: Would the Nigerian electorate come out in their numbers to vote this Saturday April 11, 2015 given the spate of violence that almost marred the presidential and national assembly elections on March 28. Feelers from states affected by violence during that election seem to suggest many are already apprehensive of a repeat occurrence of violence which claimed lives in some states.

Among the states identified as possible flash points based on this and other recent

disturbing developments are Rivers, Edo, Bauchi, Benue, Ekiti and Lagos. Indeed investigations suggest that with the possible exception of a few states, many Nigerians across the country are very worried over the fight-to-finish posture adopted by some contestants in the leading political parties of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the All Progressives Congress, APC as the election day draws near. The fear in some quarters is that this could translate to voters apathy, with many preferring to err on the side of caution by staying at home rather than risk life and limb by coming out to vote. Reports across the country have it that the fear of intimidation and molestation by political thugs has become palpable among the populace.

Rivers State governor, Chibuike Amaechi, may have anticipated this scenario when he recently appealed to the electorate to forget the violence that took place in the state during and after the March 28 elections and come out to vote tomorrow, assuring them of adequate security.

“On Saturday I expect everybody to come out and vote. There will be no police molestation again; there will be no army harassment again...”. It was not clear if the average Rivers electorate was impressed by the Governor’s

assurance.

The die is cast in Lagos The political temperature of Lagos rose weekend when the custodian of the traditional institution in the State, Oba Rilwan Akiolu stirred the hornet’s nest by insisting that Igbos must either vote for his preferred candidate or perish in the lagoon. Although his palace has come out to deny the report, those who watched the video and audio clips of the Oba’s outburst, see it as a futile damage control.

Based on the Oba’s threat, a journalist of Yoruba extraction jokingly advised his Igbo colleagues to either learn how to swim or buy life jackets to safeguard themselves in the event that they find themselves in the lagoon.

Indeed, Lagos presents an interesting scenario because none of the two leading candidates can claim to be home and dry yet. A mistake or unguarded utterance may therefore swell greater support for the opponent.

The statement credited to the Oba, some pundits say, may scare Igbo voters away from exercising their franchise, while others claim it will spur them to come out in droves to cast their votes. Whatever happens will be seen on Saturday when Lagosians troop out to vote for Babatunde Raji Fashola’s successor.

Port Harcourt: Political killings scare voters Apparently jolted by the numerous alleged political killings in Rivers State, some eligible voters in the state say they would prefer to remain indoors on Saturday when the governorship and House of Assembly elections are billed to hold across the country.

Vanguard Features, VF, checks show that no fewer than 15 persons were shot dead at different points in Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area by suspected political thugs, a development that further heightened the tension and fear.

The most pathetic of these killings took place in Obrikom community where unknown assailants killed Chief Christopher Adube, a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC, three of his children and five others at his

Jolted by the numerous alleged political killings in Rivers State, some eligible voters in the state say they would prefer to remain indoors on Saturday when the elections are billed to hold across the country

residence.

VF recalls that during the last Presidential and National Assembly election, about six persons were shot dead at different locations in the state by suspected political thugs.

Among them was a soldier who was killed around Whimpy junction area of the state.

VF investigations further revealed that parents have begun to warn their children to stay indoors on the election day. “ I am afraid because of the number of deaths recorded during the presidential election and the politicallymotivated killings that we have seen after the last elections in the state. I had to tell my family members to remain indoors on Saturday,” a man who simply identified himself as Sylvanus said.

Also trying to escape an imminent danger, Emeka who runs a small boutique in Mile One, said he would travel with his newly wedded wife on Friday. He said he was disturbed by the proliferation of illegal fire arms among youths in several parts of Port Harcourt.

“The other day, there was fracas between members of the APC and PDP in this Diobu.

I heard a young boy on phone saying they should bring him two AK at night because they were set for war. Quietly I relocated to another place to pass the night with my wife,” he said.

Some other residents who spoke to VF said their relatives residing outside the state call them almost daily because of stories of killings from Port Harcourt. “ I get calls on daily basis from my relatives in Lagos who are worried about the killings in Port Harcourt.

We are from Rivers State but my brothers said they are not happy with the stories of violence coming out of the state regularly,” Nonso said.

A taxi driver, who identified himself as Olayinka said he would not come out a day after Saturday’s election because, according to him, tension could still be in the air.

Need for increased security presence The President of Kalabari Youth Federation, Mr Livingston Memberi called for more security presence on the election day in Asari Toru Local Government Area for residents to have a peaceful election exercise.

According to him, there was heavy shooting and snatching of ballot boxes in the last elections in the area.

Livingston who monitored the last Presidential and National Assembly election in the local government on the platform of Reclaim Niger said he over heard some youths in Buguma, headquarters of the local government saying that

Continues on page 39

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 —39

When fear of violence rules the land Continues from page 38 the last time bullets were shot into the air but this Saturday it may be directed at political opponents.

“I fear that their might be violence in Asari Toru local government during the governorship election. So to avoid it there should be heavy security presence to save the situation,” he said.

In spite of the fear of violence, chieftains of the major political parties, the APC and the PDP have continued to appeal to their supporters to come out to vote, expressing hope that the exercise would be peaceful.

Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Hosea Kamar, also enjoined residents to feel free to come out to vote for candidates of their choice, assuring that the Police would be on ground to guarantee adequate security of lives and property.

Crestfallen voters in Bayelsa Fears that Bayelsa, home state of President Goodluck Jonathan and by extension the oil rich Niger Delta would be plunged in violence if the result of the presidential polls does not favour the incumbent president has turned out to be unfounded.

Surprisingly, the state, regarded as one of the flashpoints of the Delta during elections, has been an “oasis of peace” in spite of statements credited to some ex- militants that anything short of a Jonathan victory could spell doom for the nation. However, the voters are crestfallen following the loss of their son. How this play out will be seen on Saturday when the Governorship and House of Assembly elections will be held in the state.

Electorate vow to resist intimidation The Presidential/National Assembly elections in Edo State may have come and gone, but its ripple effects on the polity have continued. In the results of the elections so far declared by INEC, the PDP won one senatorial seat and five of the nine House of Representatives seats while the APC won one senatorial and three House of Representatives seats. The Edo South Senatorial seat and House of Representatives seat are yet to be declared due to the suspension of elections in Orhionmwon Local Government. The election would hold this weekend in the area along with the State House of Assembly elections.

Against this backdrop, pundits are asking what would be the outcome of the elections in the state this weekend?

Fears are already rife that the elections may not be free, fair and violence-free judging by statements credited to some

politicians in the state.

It would be recalled that during the March 28, 2015 Presidential/ N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y elections, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole alleged that some soldiers got an illegal order from their Commander to lay siege on his home town of Iyamho.

He further alleged that reporters *The ugly face of violence during the presidential and national assembly elections were forced to sit on the ground, alongside their that no intimidation or threat Due to the security herdsmen lead to voters police escort for several hours. would stop them. challenges in the areas, the apathy They were later allowed to For instance in Bauchi State Government There is heightened tensions leave after they got calls from Orhionmwon where the imposed a 24-hour curfew in in Benue State, especially in their superiors.

National Assembly election the affected areas to prevent A man was allegedly killed was suspended, youths who any loss of lives and properties. areas that hitherto came under heavy attacks from suspected in Obagie in Ikpoba/Okha staged a protest at INEC office With the security situation Fulani herdsmen. The crisis Local Government Area in Benin on Tuesday, said the still hanging in the balance in which displaced many during the election. In a related elections would be free of some of these areas, some families and left some dead development, tension has violence. Speaking through residents in the state have and maimed, has became a enveloped Orhionmwon Local their spokesman who simply expressed fears about the topical issue in most pasts of Government Area over the identified himself as Ozakpolo, forthcoming gubernatorial and the state ahead of the coming suspension of the National the youths pledged to use their State House of Assembly elections.

Assembly elections by INEC. The reason for this may not PVCs to elect those who will elections scheduled to hold on be far-fetched. A tour of the bring development to the April, 11.

Participation of voters area.

Some of them who spoke to ravaged areas in parts of Feelers from Etsako-West Meanwhile, the Edo State VF said they do not trust the Guma, Agatu and Logo local Local Government indicate Police Command has warned security agents to protect government areas, shows a that in spite the alleged that it would not entertain any them, hence they may not vivid picture of a people who deployment of soldiers to the form of thuggery. The come out to cast their votes are completely disillusioned by area, they will come out in Command advised politicians during the election. According their tragic situation.

The relics of the unending their numbers to exercise their to abide by the rules of the to them, most of the polling invasion still dot the landscape civic responsibility. game. units lack adequate security of the besieged communities A journalist from the area The Command’s Police presence, hence they may and the expression on the faces who pleaded anonymity said: Public Relations Officer, Mr. become targets for insurgents’ of the people clearly shows the “Our people are fully Joseph Edoigiawerei, gave attack. psychological torture and mobilised to ensure that they the warning in Benin amidst Musa Mainoma, a farmer pains the people are subjected vote in this weekend’s speculations that politicians who resides in Yelwa, a suburb to. From the young and old, election despite what are arming their thugs with a of Bauchi informed VF that his male and female, the people happened in the last election. view to causing mayhem younger brother and members wore pained expression, just as We will not allow that during the election. of his family who lived in they feel dejected and incident to disfranchise us. We Alkeleri, almost lost their lives abandoned. need security during the It was also gathered that Bauchi: Lapse in security when gunmen stormed the election, but that must be done may affect turnout of polling units where they voted. many of the people in these in such a way that the voters “My brother said he thought areas could not exercise their electorate are not harmed or The conduct of the election that they were security agents franchise at the last deprived of their civic rights.” particularly in the North-East who were guarding the area presidential and national Eligible voters in Ikpoba/Okha was marred by violence, a until they started shooting assembly elections because and Orhionmwon council development that has sent a sporadically. Because of my many could not be captured in areas have also vowed to vote wrong signal to electorates brother’s experience, I don’t the registration exercise during the election, insisting who are supposed to think I will vote during the conducted by INEC in the participate in the April 11 gubernatorial election. Nobody state.

Besides, those who were Governorship and State House knows what these people are lucky to be registered by the of Assembly election. planning and where they are electoral body showed apathy In Bauchi State, for instance, targeting this time around,” he to the process and the conduct of the Presidential said. situation might not be Some said they do the and National Assembly An official of the NYSC in different in the forthcoming election was marred by Bauchi State, Walbe, said he polls. not trust security activities of insurgents in three may not participate in This accounted for the poor agents to protect local government areas of Saturday’s election because of turnout of voters in those Alkeleri, Darazo and Kirfi. the negative experience he areas, unlike what obtained in them, hence they the past.

According reports, gunmen had while working for INEC. may not come out to attacked polling units in the VF also discovered that “I was posted to Alkeleri areas, burnt election materials Local Government to monitor many of the displaced are still cast their votes and set ablaze police stations. some corps members who taking refuge in makeshift The Bauchi State Police were recruited as INEC adhoc camps in Daudu, Guma local during the election; Public Relation Officer, Haruna staff in the area. Prior to the government area, just as many most of the polling we received have sought safe haven in Mohammed, who confirmed attack, the attack said the gunmen information that insurgents homes of relatives in units lack adequate came in a convoy of ten were coming to the area. I told neighboring villages.

One of the survivors of the security presence, vehicles and destroyed many the corps members about the crisis at Ukpam, in Guma local information I received, but electoral materials in the they may become they ignored it,” he said, government area, Pa James polling units. They were adding that he had barely left Ikpa, 68, said the people were however repelled and pursued the polling unit with some not interest in the elections targets for towards Dindima Town along corps members when the because they are yet to insurgents’ attack Bauchi Gombe Road by insurgents struck. overcome the trauma of the security personnel. last Fulani massacre in the community.

Relics of invasion by Fulani

40— VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

By AbdulwahabAbdulah

THE President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari has been admonished to fulfil all his electoral promises to Nigerians in line with his party ’s manifestos.

According to statements issued by cross-section of Muslim groups in Nigeria, including the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, the President elect was asked to commence the onerous task before him, while cautioning him to be careful of those who hail him, while reflecting on the criticism of his critics.

In their respective congratulatory messages, the Muslim groups also prayed for the newly elected President for a successful tenure that would ushered in the much-promised change to Nigerians.

The other groups include the Jamatul Nasirul Islam (JNI), Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN) and Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUSCOYS).

Others were Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates Association (UNIFEMGA), Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) and Muslim Consultative Forum (MCF).

NSCIA in a message signed by its , Secretary-General, Prof.

Is-haq Oloyede, said: “Your Excellency, as you savour the joy of a well-deserved victory and the whole world celebrates you and the values that have defined your unique personality, let us reminds you of what a former vice-chancellor once said when he was being congratulated on his appointment.

“The person said that no one would congratulate a Surgeon who was to perform an operation.

He would only be congratulated after a successful surgery. Hence, rather than congratulations, well wishers should pray for him to

Jumada Al-Akhir 21, 1436 A.H.

Fulfill your electoral promises, NSCIA, Muslim groups tell Buhari perform the operation well.

“Similarly, please be reminded of the Qur’an Chapter 28 Verse 76: “Exult not; verily God loveth not the exultant.”

“As you are set to commence this onerous task before you, we urge you to be careful of those who hail you and reflect on the criticism of your critics. Know that every failure is a test and every success, a trial.

“You have passed the test of past failures and it is the wish of the Almighty Allah to try you with success. For every action, there is a reaction; for every opportunity, there is a responsibility and for every appointment, there is accountability before men and Allah”, NSCIA said.

In the same vein, the religious body commended President Goodluck Jonathan for displaying unprecedented leadership at the national level by not only conceding defeat in the presidential poll, but also congratulating the winner.

In its message, JNI through its Secretary-General, Dr Khalid Aliyu congratulated Nigerians for their “doggedness, courage, resilience, maturity, and above all, persistent prayers for a credible and hitch free Presidential poll”.

“JNI therefore reiterates its call for peace and urge all and sundry to go about their lawful businesses and remain calm and law abiding.

This is a time for sober reflection, humility to Allah the Exalted, gratitude and glorification to Him”, It said.

The group advised against

wreckless and rough celebrations and indecorous utterances by all Nigerians “so that our gratitude and glorifications would be accepted by the Almighty”.

While rejoicing with the new President elect, JNI called on him to fear Allah in his stewardship, and be just and fair to all Nigerians regardless of their

tribes or religious affinity.

“He should consider his victory as victory for Nigeria and Nigerians”.

Prof. Dawud Noibi, MUSWEN Executive Secretary in his message entitled: “ Let the Nation Show Gratitude” said despite pessimism, Allah has granted Nigeria peace during the Presidential election.

“The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) cannot afford to wait any longer before congratulating the entire Nigerian nation on Allah’s quick and full response to our prayers for free, fair, credible and peaceful elections.

“However, it is the people of Nigeria that are the ultimate victors, by the special grace of Allah. They are the ones that have thus been saved from potential danger the kind of which usually characterised past elections.

“We appeal to the people of this nation to reflect profoundly so that we may see the success of the elections as a mark of Allah’s favour and His merciful response to our prayers”, MUSWEN admonished.

FOMWAN in its congratulatory message signed by Alhaja Sururah Oyero, National Public Relations Officer, reminded the President-elect on his promises to provide adequate security, enhanced health care delivery and jobs for Nigerians.

Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Haruna, buried amidst encomiums

T

...the religious body commended President Goodluck Jonathan for displaying unprecedented leadership at the national level by not only conceding defeat in the presidential poll, but also congratulating the winner

HOUSANDS of Islamic faithful stormed the Oja’oba Central Mosque in Ibadan for the Janazah prayers held for Sheikh Baosari Haruna III, the Chief Imam of Ibadan land, who died on Thursday morning.

The shout of “Allah Akbar” (God is Great) rented the air as devotees struggled to catch a glimpse of the corpse as it was being brought into the mosque for the prayers.

The short prayer on the corpse was led by Sheikh Bello Kewulere, the Chief Imam of Ado Ekiti and Deputy President General of the League of Imams and Alfas at exactly 4.35 p.m.

The late Islamic scholar was buried at his Agbeni residence in Ibadan at 6.05 p.m.

Earlier, Sheikh Habeebulah Adam-el-Ilory, the Director, Markaz Islamiyya, Agege, Lagos, had described the deceased as a good ambassador of Islam.

“Everybody will become history by his or her deeds, the most important thing is to live in a rightful way so that people can say good things about you,” he said.

The Islamic scholar led other

scholars to pray for the late Imam and the Muslim community he left behind.

In his remarks, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State said that he was sad upon receiving the news of the death of the revered cleric.

“He died at the age of 93 and was the longest serving Chief Imam of Ibadanland. “ He served as the Chief Imam of Ibadanland for 20 years; we will miss him so much and may his soul rest in perfect peace,” Ajimobi said.

Dignitaries at the Janazah prayers included Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Secretary-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

Others present were Prof.

Dawud Noibi, Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) as well as Islamic scholars from Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo, Edo and Delta states. Until his death, Haruna was the President- General, League of Imams and Alfas in South West Zone, including Edo and Delta states.

He was turbaned as the Chief Imam of Ibadan land in 1995 and died at the age of 93.

IMA congratulates Nigerians, Buhari

T

Judge Bola Ajibola(left) with former Attorney-General of Ogun State, Justice Ademola Bakre at the special prayer recently.

HE Islamic Mission for Africa (IMA) has congratulated Nigerians for the peaceful conduct of the presidential election in which Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd) of the All Progressives Congress emerged winner and President Goodluck Jonathan of Peoples Democratic Party conceded defeat.

The congratulatory message was given by the founder of the mission, who is also the former judge of the world court, Prince Bola Ajibola during a thanksgiving service held in Abeokuta with the recitation of the whole Quran.

In a release by his media aide, Idris Katib, Ajibola expressed God’s wonders in the orderliness

and itch free elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission,chaired by Prof. Attahiru Jega, saying that “God has answered our prayers as a nation”.

Ajibola maintained that “ we are overjoyed that Almighty Allah answered our prayers and allowed peace to reign in Nigeria despite all the cry of the pessimists that doom would descent on Nigeria”.

He said anything could have happened but President Goodluck Jonathan was swift to accept defeat with magnanimity, stressing that his early acceptance of defeat to General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) forestalled possible agitations and violence in our nation.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 — 41 to set in.It is not about endorsing a candidate or not and also not about promising to deliver many votes to them. We can only advice and pray for them.

In a publication of this newspaper where your reaction was also published, it was said that inviting southwest Muslim leaders to Akure by president Jonathan ought to come through the Sultan of Sokoto.

BY BASHIR ADEFAKA AND DAMILOLA IGBEDION

S

HEIKH Abdul-Hakeem Yayi Akorede, the Grand Imam of Akure Kingdom, is the youngest man to lead a versatile community of Muslims in Ondo State, Nigeria. In this interview, he spoke on why he and other Imams Muslim leaders from South West attended what later turned out to be a political meeting with Vice President, Namadi Sambo recently. He advised politicians to always respect the office of the leader of Nigerian Muslim Community and Sultan of Sokoto by always engaging units of Muslims he leads through him as any further attitude will be invalid. Excerpts: We have heard much about the position of Chief Imam of Akure as very influential being officially recognized Muslim leader by government of Ondo State. How true is it?

The position of Chief Imam particularly of Akure is a religious office. It is not political.

That is why we don’t go to the governors office to receive our own staff of office, because it is ordained by Almighty Allah (SWT) and not by government, that the decision on who becomes the Imam is by the Muslim ummah. It was the Muslim ummah of Akure that nominated me to a Shurah (Electoral College) through which process I eventually emerged as the Chief Imam.

We do not go the the government to do any of our things. We are religious people and the process of appointing our leaders is done religiously.

When my father was alive, he did his best but against my thinking that he had done everything, I later realized that there was quite so much more to be done.

During the time of your father as Chief Imam and the Galadima, Alhaji Kasunmu Adefaka as Chairman, the Akure Muslim Community mosque structure was quite different from what it is today. Is that part of the things you discovered that was yet to be done?

Yes. If you look at the mosque, you will discover that it is an allmodern structure. But that is not a feat achieved by me alone. It is the very product of all of us in the Akure Muslim Community because we are a very cooperative unit of the Nigeria Muslim community and we thank Allah for that.

Again, my father was very careful dealing with people in government or in politics. All he did was to relate with them with Hikma (Wisdom). I inherited that from him, despite the fact that he became so old in the position as the Chief Imam of Akure and the first President – General of the league of Imams and Alfas, Southwest, Edo and Delta, My father soiled his hand or destroyed his name by unnecessary mingling with government and politicians. So, he was very highly respected, particularly by all governors of the state including Commodore Bamidele Otiko, now late. But now Commodore Olabode Ibiyinka George, Colonel Moses Fasanya, Colonel Ahmed

Jumada Al-Akhir 21, 1436 A.H.

Imams should not allow themselves to be used by politicians —Sheikh Akorede leaders deviate from the path trying hard to satisfy their selfish interest and that of the government without even considering whether or not their actions are in line with dictates of the books of their faiths.

Today, much as we still have many religious leaders who are But would you say that is exempted, there are also many of them who have chosen the missing today among imams?

Thank you very much. You see person interest in enriching themselves against t h e personal integrity expected o f religious leaders.

T h e y w o r k hard to g e t money no matter w h a t because t h e y believe t h a t pocket is m o r e important t h a n anything else.

B u t again, I must say that there are some religious •Sheikh Abdul-Hakeem Yayi Akorede leaders who are people call our fathers illiterate forced to do what they are not particularly those Islamic Clerics interested in doing. And prophet who did not have formal (May the peace of Allah be upon education but they have good him said Allah would forgive Islamic training. I want to start three sins: the one you did by my response to that question by mistake, the one you did saying that they are not unconsciously or forgetfully and the third one is the one that you illiterates.

Being able to read, write and were forced to do against your understand Arabic language will.

Most of the religious leaders alone shows that they are literate.

They used to understand Arabic, today in the Southwest they could pronounce it and they particularly in our area here could give its meaning. The only (Ondo State), don’t have thing is that the language they personal security. It is only by know as their own means of our prayers to Allah that we live educating is different from and get protected. If you prove English that is used in the formal to be strong, how would you sector. With that Arabic–based protect yourself when they come Islamic training they had, they attacking?

So, what they do is try to be in were able to put it into practice the dos and donts and other the middle, neither here nor there. required etiquette.

Having said that, I will say that Was that the reason you and the self discipline that our fathers used to display in discharging other Chief Imams of their religious duties in the Southwest attended the society is missing today to an meeting in Akure here with extent. That is the reason President Goodluck Jonathan religious leaders would not only in the buildup to the be seen to mingle with people Presidential and National in government but also speak for Assembly elections held them. And so many religious recently?

Usman, Colonel Kayode Opaleye now a brigadier general, late Pa Adebayo, Olusegun Agagu and all others.

That was how he played his roles as religious leader to those military and political office holders.

No. That was not the reason.

We attended the meeting where the President was represented

by Vice President Namdi Sambo because Allah (SWT) said that we should obey Him (Allah), His messenger and those in positions of authority. The President falls in this category just like the Imam and even people in authority in our respective places of activities and work. We must respect them.

The President invited us and we did not know why he invited us. So, he deserves to be honoured with our presence.

Again, we would not know what he wanted to say until you meet.

You know that already we are given all sorts of names: Boko Haram, terrorists. If he now invited us and we refused to honour his invitation, you will know how many more names we might be given.

And what, in essence, are you saying?

I am saying that while the religious leaders must not allow

...for any Muslim to be true representative of Islam, he should be eager to learn, know and follow the teachings of the Qur’an, follow the ways of Prophet Muhammad (peace of Allah be upon him) and help all manners of humanityQuotes

themselves to be used by politicians or people in government, they should also know that they have a role of guidance to play in how the government achieve success in their work for the good of the generality of the people. Only Jonathan invited us, no other party did. Whosoever invites us, we should go there and give them advice because if we fail to do so, we may live to regret it when maladministration begins

Was there anyway it was viewed as attempt to divide the Muslims of the country?

You we have chosen and have pledge our allegiance to the Sultan of Sokoto His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III as our leader. Even though the president invited us and we went to meet with him already, it is important to make it clear here that whoever at the federal level deals with any unit of Nigeria Muslim Community should do it through our leader that is the sultan. That message inviting us to the meeting here in Akure of Chief Imams of Southwest should have been channeled through the Sultan Because the Sultan is the leader of Muslims all over the country.

So whatever anybody would do, that office must be respected.

And we Muslims too should let that get into our heads that whoever does that kind of things with us bypassing the sultan in future should be told to come through our leaders. We should know that any know that any message that bye passing him or his delegated authority is invalid. Here I am not talking about the tribe. I am talking about Islam. As far as Islam makes it compulsory on us to respect our leader and we know the sultan to be our leader, we must respect him as such. That explains why I observe and worked based on monthly moon sighting as announced by the office of the Sultan, because I have my allegiance to him. That is also why I always make sure that I get information from his office before I embarked on anything concerning the collective interest of Nigeria Muslim Community.

At this point, what do you say about the attitude of Muslims?

Thank you very much. That question is very simple and so the response is so simple.

Now, for any Muslim to be true representative of Islam, he should be eager to learn, know and follow the teachings of the Qur ’an, follow the ways of Prophet Muhammad (peace of Allah be upon him) and help all manners of humanity.

Allah says, “Whatever the messenger as given you, take it.

And whatever he has forbidden for you, distance yourself from it and fear Allah”. And the prophet said, “Pray the way you see me pray”. So, for that, you don’t need to go to anybody for anything. Isla is a religion of peace and any act that will make this happen in the society, Muslim should represent it. A Muslim must submit himself to the will of Allah. The problem we have in Nigeria today is because people do not fear God much more that will submit themselves to Him. The unfortunate thing is that they have no choice but to do just that except that they will never live a good life.

42—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

Tourists exploring the Kynsna lagoon in a flying boat.

Discovering a different South Africa

By Tope Ogbeni-Awe

M

y first trip to South Africa was sometimes in 1994 shortly before the revered icon Nelson Mandela became the first democratically elected black President of the country. I had gone on a oneweek FAM trip sponsored by the defunct Air Afrique airline for their selected top selling travel agents. I was chosen in my capacity as a travel journalist to accompany the group.

We spent two days touring Johannesburg and its suburbs and travelled by road for about 2 hours to Pilanesberg Games Reserve near the famous Kruger National park where we slept over night in tented camps before we made our way to the scenic Sun City, where we spent days in revelry, soaking in the sun, enjoying the exotic scenery and attractions of the famous family holiday hotspots.

I have been fortunate to travel back and forth to South Africa since 1994 till date, travelling on FAM trips and VFR (visiting friends and families) with different categories of Nigerians-mainly travel journalists and travel agents.

During the course of my numerous travels to South Africa, I have repeatedly visited the ‘three must visit’ principal cities of Johannesburg (Jo’Burg), Durban and Cape Town (the Mother City). Each visit leaves me with a nostalgic feeling for a return trip.

Majority of the more than C M Y K

60,000 Nigerians that annually travel to South Africa mostly visit the three principal cities.

If you visit any or all the three cities, you will erroneously believe you have seen South Africa in all its tourisitic totality.

But there is much more to see in other villages, towns and cities in South Africa than what Jo’Burg, Durban or Cape Town has to showcase. If you did not venture to see or experience other parts of the country, you have missed a lot and ‘ you haven’t seen nothing yet’.

This much I discovered during my last and recent trip to South Africa in which I was part of a delegation of stakeholders and business partners hosted by the trio of South African Tourism, South Africa Airways and South Africa Consular- General in Lagos, Ambassador Mokgethi Monaisa.

The best and most comfortable way to travel to South Africa is the less than 6hours direct flight on South African Airways, (SAA), the national flag carrier. We flew on SAA’s gigantic skybird Airbus A340-600, seating in business class and enjoying all the onboard fine cuisine, wine and pampering available to front cabin passengers.

Even though we arrived and departed from OR Tambo International in Johannesburg, the major gateway to South Africa, the plan was for us not to enter or tour the city and all we saw of the ‘City of Gold’ was from the airport as we connected straight away to George, the heartland of the

The purpose of the trip was “to forge relations among our partners but also to allow you to experience South African leisure offering

Garden Route, on South African Express (SAX) – a low cost carrier owned by South African Airways.

The purpose of the trip was “to forge relations among our partners but also to allow you to experience South African leisure offering”, so read the invitation letter to all delegates from Hloni Pitso, Regional Manager: West Africa, South African Tourism.

Apart from our three distinguished hosts, Ambassador Monaisa accompanied by his adorable wife, SAA Country Manager Nigeria, Thobi Duma and SAT Regional Manager: West Africa, I was in the company of A-list entertainers, media gurus, top corporate executives and travel professionals.

The 6-day, 5-night FAM trip took us to George, a major tourist centre on the famous Garden Route stretch staying at the picturesque Oubaai Golf and Spa Resort where we undertook a crash lesson on playing golf, pampered with a platonic spa and massage treatment to sooth our travelweary nerves after which we went on a Garden Route boating adventure and wrapped up the day with a dinner on the Kysna Lagoon.

We woke up the next morning to beautiful skies and warm weather which was very perfect to drive to Kynsna to visit the Elephant Park for an amazing walk, touch, feel and cuddling of the elephants after which we undertook a scenic drive to nearby Plattenberg Bay for lunch and the day was rounded with a sunset dinner cruise around the lagoon with a close and penetrating view of the Kynsna Heads.

We departed from George

on a 55-minutes flight to Cape Town on another low-cost carrier, South African Airlink (not owned by SAA), where we were joined upon arriving Table Bay Hotel, our abode for three days, by amiable Evelyn Mahlaba, SAT’s Regional Director: Africa and Alex Okosi of MTV Base.

A trip to South Africa will be incomplete without visiting idyllic Cape Town, known as the ‘Mother City”. But during our visit, some parts of the city was engulfed with a raging inferno but this calamity did not ground tourist activities to a halt, even though the fire caused some havoc in several parts of the city.

The fire short -circuited our visit to some tourist attractions, but the group still managed to do half -day city tour on an open bus, including a visit to the legendary Table Mountain.

The next day after an early morning breakfast at the hotel, we were all ‘sent to prison’ on a boat ride to visit the historic Robben Island Prison, where we were shown the tiny cell where late Nelson Mandela languished for 27 years, the solitary cell of another revered freedom fighter, late Robert Sobukwe and the quarry where all the incarcerated leaders of the anti-apartheid movement toiled hours on end.

On the ferry back from Robben Island, we all relived the sad memories but was brought back to reality with an adrenaline-pumping Harley Davidson motor cycle ride from the Victoria and Alfred (V & A) waterfront meandering through some carefully selected routes not affected by the inferno.

Kenya,Cross River State seek tourism cooperation K enya Tourism Board has welcomed the opportunity to engage in close cooperation with the Cross River State of Nigeria and was hopeful to expand such cooperation across Nigeria.

The board also sees an opportunity of doing same with other African countries to enhance tourism ties on the continent.

Kenya’s marketing drive across the African continent has paid off with some 23,000 Nigerians last year visiting the country, which is linked by daily flights. Kenya Airways connects daily to Lagos and the upcoming service to Abuja will no doubt further strengthen business and tourism ties between the

two countries at the opposite side of the continent.

The Director of Culture in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, Dr. Mary Teresa Agba said that her state has a lot to learn from Kenya as they seek to brand themselves as a cultural destination.

She said: “Besides the wildlife and beach safari that we have known Kenya for, we are keen on learning on how to develop and repackage culture as a product as well as embracing sustainable tourism through handicraft business.

“We are aware of Kenya's zeal towards eco-tourism by giving communities priorities in areas such as handicrafts, community-made wares, among other opportunities

that have direct impact on local communities where tourism is being carried out.”

She said empowering the communities through handicrafts and the production of souvenirs was one way of ensuring sustainability as well as embracing eco-tourism practices that is becoming popular in current tourism.

Calabar city is a tourism hub for a Nigeria, attracting slightly over half a million tourists a year through the famous Calabar Festivals that usually take place between November and December. The festival showcases cultural values such as marriage, cuisine, costumes, dances, poetry, and song, among others.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015—43

Prepare for more Ebola-like outbreaks, UN warns T

By Sola Ogundipe

HE Ebola virus has infected more than 24,000 people and claimed nearly 11,000 lives in at least 10 countries since the outbreak began in January 2014, but the United Nations warns that the world may not be out of the woods yet.

Effects of climate change and human encroachment into natural habitats, are threatening to perpetuate future outbreaks of Ebola Virus Disease and other similarly deadly zoonotic or animal-to-human viruses.

Issuing the warning, Special Envoy on Ebola to the UN Secretary General's, Dr. David Nabarro said the world should prepare for future outbreaks of zoonotic diseases.

"There will be more: one, because people are moving around more; two, because the contact between humans and the wild is on the increase; and maybe because of climate change," Nabarro told The Independent of the UK. Nabarro who warned that Ebola and related diseases were already a “local and global threat to humanity” observed that climate change was expanding the range of disease-carrying mosquitoes, posing threats to millions more people from illnesses such as malaria and dengue fever.

•School children washing their hands with soap and running water during the height of the EVD outbreak in Lagos in August 2014 Further, Nabarro said Ebola, believed to have originated in fruit bats is not the only disease that could transfer and spread.

“I’ve been dealing with influenzas and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), they are a tip of the iceberg. The worry we always

Ebola and related diseases are already a local and global threat to humanity

have is that there will be a really infectious and beastly bug that comes along.”

The Ebola virus was introduced into Nigeria on 20 July 2014 when an infected Liberian, Patrick Sawyer arrived Lagos by air.

Sawyer who died in hospital five days later, set off a chain of transmission that infected of 19

people, of whom seven died. In Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, the most affected countries, climate change is said to be expanding the range of diseasecarrying mosquitoes, posing threats to millions more people from infections like malaria and dengue fever.

SARS provoked a global health panic in the 2000s. It is a deadly flu-like illness caused by a virus thought to have originated from wild animals sold at food markets in China.

MERS - an emerging illness killed more than 350 people, most of them in the Middle East. It is thought to originate in bats, and passed on to humans by camels.

Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests a spike of cases in recent days. In Guinea for instance, the number of Ebola cases has been rising.

On April 7, eight new cases were confirmed as having Ebola just after three doctors were infected with Ebola.

The new focus of scientists’ concerns are tropical regions where areas of high biodiversity are increasingly being encroached upon by growing human populations, or where mining companies, loggers and palm oil growers working in untouched habitats bring people into close contact with wildlife reservoirs of disease.

Obiano procures surgery for children with cleft lip and palate

By Obialunamma Nwadiogbu

T

HERE are children born with one deformity or the other especially on their lips or palate.

These children are born with the congenital abnormality of cleft lips and cleft palate. Often times , it brings shake in marriages as accusing fingers go in wrong directions.

Parents of such children are always worried and often times , they may not afford the surgery cost and the children grew like that. But hope came through the wife of the Anambra state Governor, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, who urged the women whose children have cleft lip and cleft palate to come forward and take advantage of the free surgery her project, Caring Family Enhancement initiative, CAFÉ, is sponsoring n collaboration with Smile Train Nigeria at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, NAUTH, Nnewi.

Smile Train Nigeria, an off shoot of the Smile Train, an international charity that provides cleft lip and palate surgery to children in needs.

Country Director of Smile Train,

in Nigeria, Mr. Remi Adeseun, had said no fewer than 5,000 children are born with cleft lip and palate in Nigeria annually and they only way to save these lives is through early corrective surgery.

He pointed out that the children

who are affected by the deformity grow up with a stigma that often results in lack of education, poor speech and opportunistic diseases. And if all adults with deformity are put together, not less than 180,000 Nigerians will be living with the deformity,

which could be corrected with early surgery.

Obiano told the women that the surgery will restore smiles and healthy life to their babies who would thereafter eat well with ease. She advised the women to listen to the nurses on how to take

•Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano (centre) with the CMD, NAUTH, Prof. Anthony Igwegbe,and beneficiaries of the free cleft lip and palate surgery.

care of the babies after the surgery.

“You must know how to feed the babies to avoid infection. Always give them balanced diets to enable them grow healthy. Cleft lip is a mere birth abnormality which can be corrected; therefore make sure you tell others who have children with such problem to come forward. They do not have to pay to undergo the surgery.”

“In CAFÉ we train women in various vocations to acquire skills and also empower them to be selfreliant. Do not sit on the fence and wait for everything to fall on your lap, get something doing so that you can contribute meaningfully to the good health and survival of your family.” Mrs. Obiano added.

Chief Medical Officer of the hospital, Prof. Anthony Igwegbe, said the free surgeries were to correct the abnormality and bring life time joy and smile to the children and their parents.

The CMD said his assessment of the Obiano administration is on the strength of “the interventions of the Governor in the health sector over the past one-year especially at critical periods in the State.

44— Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

In season of sacrifice, Olajumoke's Dairies speaks for women

By Japhet Alakam

A

LL over the world, women occupy a very important position in the family and they ought to be celebrated, but in many homes, it is not so as despite their role, they are not recognized for their efforts. Some have become so oppressed by their husbands that they give up, while others only survive with the help of God. In reaction to most of these anomalies, many have called for a change of attitude, urging men to appreciate them for their numerous efforts. It is in recognition of this that an award winning artist, Lateef Olajumoke is organising a solo exhibition that pays special recognition to women tagged Diaries of a rich man’s wife; an exhibition of paintings.

The exhibition which promises to showcase the vibrant and creative works of the artist is scheduled to open on Saturday,April 18th,at 5pm and will run till April 30th, 2015 at the prestigious Moor House Hotel, Ikoyi, In the exhibition which will be curated by Chigaza Hanum of Strip of Gaza ,whose pri-

mary goal is to offer a variety of excellent professional services to discerning clients in the creative art sector, the 1998 Urban and Regional Planning graduate of Lagos State Polytechnic captures the biting reality of the often referenced tale of a metropolitan wife who loses her vibrant individualism to become the ‘Perfect Wife’.

Olajumoke deploys his craft as a vehicle to comment on socio cultural issues, he uses this pictorial composition to give us a glimpse into the life of a well heeled wife; the blessings, the curses , the

Exhibiting his versatality in the use of different media such as pen,oil, acrylic among others strives to accentuate the attributes of matronly quality with his seeming gallantries

•One of the works to be exhibited

leisure and the travails.

In this outing, Lateef exhibiting his versatility in the use of different media such as pen, oil, acrylic among others, strives to accentuate the attributes of matronly quality with his seeming gallantries and well defined portraits that emanate poise, elegance and grace.

Speaking on his style and influences, Lateef says: “ “It is an African Stylized painting that embraces love, harmony and happiness in respective home and society in general. Its ideology tends to bring true love and togetherness back to many homes” “My influence stems from the

incessant break up in various homes and the continual disorder in the society has a great influence. It is as a result of finding solution to this, gave birth to my kind of art. My environment also plays an important role. Artist like Pablo Picasso,Gustav Klimt,Tom Fedro outside the continent and people like Prof.

Bruce Onobrakpeya,Prof.

Yusuf Grillo, El Anatsul ,Kainebi Osahenye,Duke Asidere and Tolu Aliki also influence what I do”.

Lateef Olajumoke is a Nigerian Contemporary artist who is vibrant and creative. He

Melodies, colours herald Mount Of Ease anniversary

By Prisca Sam-Duru

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ITH the increasing acceptance of music as a vital tool to reaching out to heterogeneous audience across the globe, with the view to imparting positively on the people, the religious appears unrelenting in its efforts to employ this medium for rendering praises to God, making a change in the society as well as during celebrations.

It was music all the way as the Mount of Ease Choir, Christ Apostolic Church, Ebute Metta Lagos, announced their forthcoming mega concert that marks her 70th anniversary.

The ambience of the hall was as alluring as the choristers themselves who gathered at the church hall for the pre-event song ministrations heralding the concert tagged”Array of Choirs”.

Clad in beautifully designed robes, the choristers who came from churches from different parts of the country, took the centre stage and doled out soul inspiring melodies in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Mount of Ease Choir and St. David’s Band.

As a way to strengten plans for a memorable celebration, another interesting activity coming up is a major concert in July, to be held at the MUSON Centre, Lagos.

It will feature classical works of masters like Beethoven, Handel, as well as great Nigerian composers like Ayo Bankole as well as some musicians who are members of the band.

Founded in August 1945, the choir which is described as one of the best when it comes to outstanding rendition and composition of church music, has continued to grow from strength to strength even to the extent of becoming affiliated to the prestigious Royal School of Music England.

The event which according to the Choirmaster and Director of Music of the church, Elder Adekunle Abidemi Oyesanya (SAN), will be featuring 11 choirs which will render any number of their choice for about ten minutes. At the end, there will be a rendition of the popular anthem, the Alleluia Chorus. “It’s going to be a service where we will thank God for this journey; it is an epochal anniversary, a major

• An Easter performance by National Troupe of Nigeria Choir

milestone,” Elder Oyesanya said.

The celebration will also feature a session during which members

Clad in beautifully designed robes, the choristers doled out soul inspiring melodies

who have made tremendous contributions to the growth of the choir, will be appreciated. Members who have passed on will receive theirs posthumously.

Describing the choir as a school to so many other choirs in Christ Apostolic Church in terms of singing to notation and classical music, Elder Oyesanya explained that, the event in July is “Going to be a fund raising concert essentially but we will be singing to the world. And then on the last Sunday of August, we are going to have a grand finale when we will have a major anniversary service here in the

was born on the 23rd of June,1982. He graduated from Lagos State Polytechnic in 1998 where he studied Town and Regional Planning. He started professional art in 2010. He was runner-up in Society of Nigerian Artist art Competition 2010.. His works educate, promote and encourage unity in the Society. He has participated in several exhibitions. He resides in Lagos as a full-time studio artist.

The ‘Diaries of a rich man’s wife’ is proudly sponsored by Lagos Inland Revenue Service and Arian Capital Management Limited.

church,” Other activities lined up for the celebration include a “Re-union Service for most of the choir members who have left the parish. This includes both those still living in Lagos and those outside.

There was also a Remembrance Service for the members who have passed on in the last seventy years. Together with their families, the church came around to remember them. Later there was a dinner and award night where members of the choir received different awards for their good deeds.”

Also speaking, Pastor of the church, Dr M. K. Ehinmode explained that “Seventy is a major milestone indeed and for a choir that has done so well, rolling out her drums to celebrate all year long is appropriate. I’m happy that I am the minister in charge of this church today. One major charge of the church is to preach the gospel, make disciples of all nations and one of the ways to preach the gospel is through singing. To the glory of God, that is what we are known for. All over Christ Apostolic Church, this church is respected when it comes to church music, singing of hymns and so on.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015—45

DELTA GOV POLL: Urhobo's move to field single candidate stalemated U

By Perez Brisibe

GHELLI—LAST minute moves by the Urhobo to adopt a single candidate from its two sons, Chief Ovadje Ogboru and Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, both of the Labour Party, LP and All Progressives Congress, APC, respectively, yesterday suffered a setback as the recommendation by a sixman reconciliatory committee set up by the Chief Joe Omene Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, was declared inclusive.

The committee which had Chief Godwin Ogbetuo as chairman and Mr. Solomon Edojah as secretary, was supposed to submit its recommendation for adoption by the UPU but for some reasons its recommendation suffered a setback.

A member of the committee who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “We have watched with dismay, the transcendent UPU and its pretence to reconcile and unite Urhobos whereas some moles within its executive were planted to disorganise the

Okowa's election first step to Anioma statehood —IJOMAH

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—THE P e o p l e s Democratic Party, PDP, leader in Delta State, Professor Benjamin Ijomah, has insisted that despite the choice of Senator Infeanyi Okowa as the party’s candidate in tomorrow ’s governorship election, the Anioma people still have the hope of getting a state of their own.

Ijomah, in a statement in Asaba, noted that though the emergence of Okowa was a reflection of the aspiration of Anioma people, it was only a first step towards the realisation of the Anioma aspiration.

He said: “The clamour for Anioma identity and for a state of our own began in earnest in 1956.

While we still hope to get the state, the election of Senator Okowa as the governor of Delta State is the first step towards realising that aspiration.”

C M Y K

Urhobo in an attempt to foist the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa on the Urhobo at all cost.

“Someone was planted in our midst to divide the Urhobo so

that the PDP governorship candidate can win in tomorrow's governorship election in Delta State. UPU in playing to this script has made the work of the committee inconclusive.

“As a people, we believe that if we support the Presidentelect, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, it would be better for the Urhobo and all Deltans as a people.”

COMMISSIONING: From right: Commissioner for Works, Mr. Funkekeme Solomon; Governor Emmanuel Eduaghan of Delta State; Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Peter Onwusanya; Deputy Governor of Delta State, Prof. Amos Utuama; Delta State PDP governorship candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, during the commissioning of 120m Six-Span Flyover by the governor in Asaba, yesterday.

Photo: Henry Unini.

Rivers PDP alleges plot by APC to rig governorship poll

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HE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State, has accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state of plotting to rig tomorrow’s governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state.

Mr Emma Okah, Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of the party, in a statement, yesterday, said: “The APC has been using Rivers State resources to defeat the will of the people of the state. They have been hiring and arming hardened criminals to be used against the will of Rivers people during the elections. They have also been recruiting misguided youths in the state to cause aggravated havoc in different parts of the state so that elections will not hold in Rivers State until Gen Mohammadu Buhari is sworn in as President on May 29, 2015.

“With an APC President on seat, the party hopes to have all the powers to rig elections with brazenness. The second leg of the rigging strategy is the reason we are calling the attention of Rivers people and Nigerians to the plot. To the governor and the APC, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, must be compromised at all cost. The

APC is trying to compromise INEC officials at various levels with a view to compromising them in the conduct of the elections in Rivers State.

“On Wednesday, the governor met with 10 Electoral Officers, Eos, who are in charge of conducting elections in 10 local government areas in the state.

At the meeting, they agreed that they will exchange the authentic result sheets with the ones prepared by the APC. Thereafter, the EOs will tomorrow declare the results contained in the fake result

sheets prepared by the party.

“Some of the local government EOs affected are: Ogu/Bolo, Tai, Degema, Ahoada East, Ahoada West Local Government Areas. This is in addition to several threats to cause violence and wreak havoc on the people of the state either before or during the elections. To them, holding elections in the future after Gen. Buhari would have been sworn in as President will give them the opportunity to hide under the federal might to rig and manipulate elections."

A-Ibom stakeholders call for transparent polls

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OLLOWING the controversy that trailed the presidential and National Assembly election over allegations of rigging in Akwa Ibom State on March 28, a group of stakeholders in the state has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and its Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in the state to ensure that the gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections in the state are held in a free and transparent manner tomorrow.

In a statement in Uyo yesterday, the convener of the group, Chief Ubong Ikpat, exonerated the state’s REC, Mr. Austin Okojie, from any involvement in the alleged rigging in the presidential and National Assembly elections of March 28, saying that political stakeholders in the state know that the alleged rigging of the controversial elections were planned and executed in Abuja by the powers that be, without the knowledge and contribution of the REC.

POLLS: NYSC DG charges Rivers corps members to be neutral

By Davies Iheamnachor

P

ORT HARCOURT— H E Director-General of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has charged corps members serving in Rivers State to avoid being partisan in discharging their duties in tomorrow's elections.

The DG, Brigadier General, Johnson Bamidele Olawumi gave the charge, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, while addressing the corps members on his advocate visit to the state.

Olawumi, who congratulated the corps members for their good conduct, thanked God that no casualty was recorded during the presidential election in the state, adding that the stress experienced during the election was part of the national service.

He encouraged them to be neutral and keep away from trouble, adding that the security of the corps members should be paramount.

T

Attack on oil facility in Delta unrelated to presidential poll, says IYC

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

O

R

T

H A R C O U R T — PRESIDENT, Ijaw Youth Council, Mr Udengs Eradiri, has dismissed fears in some quarters that the recent attack on an oil facility in Delta State by some ex militants had something to do with the just concluded presidential elections.

Eradiri told Vanguard that the attack was a reaction to what he dubbed unfair distribution of surveillance contracts recently awarded by the Federal Government.

According to him, residents of host communities to oil facilities were ignored by the government while allocating the jobs.

46—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

ELECTIONS: Navy warns against movement on waterways in Anambra

10 indigent students get Emeka Offor scholarship

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

N

NEWI—Nigerian Navy, yesterday, warned that it would not tolerate movement on the waterways in Anambra State during the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections on Saturday and urged those doing business there to keep off.

The Nigerian Navy said the warning had become very imperative in keeping with the directive of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jubrin, for the waterways to be rid of miscreants and those who might want to use the them to cause trouble during the elections.

Commanding Officer, Naval Outpost Onitsha, Navy Captain Mike Oamen, gave the warning while speaking with Vanguard in an interview on the preparedness of the Navy for the April 11, state Houses of Assembly elections.

He said only Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, officials, ad hoc staff and other accredited election workers, who must have valid means of

By Jacob Ajom

T

EN students, from various universities across the country, have been announced as benefiaciaries of the annual Sir Emeka Offor Foundation scholarship scheme.

A release by C. N. Ofondu, Education Secretary, Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, listed the candidates to include Akudoro Emmanuel Chukwudi, a Biochemistry student of NDA PG School; Onuabuchi Chukwudi, Engineering Physics, University of Calabar; Ezugbo Kosisi, Public Health Parasitology, UNIZIK, and Nwokoye Cecilia, Botany, University of Ibadan.

Others are Akinsilo Tope, Mechanical Engineering, University of Lagos; Ukwuaja Chijioke, Microbiology, University of Sokoto; Nwofor Emmanuel, Federal University of Technology, Akure; Onyeabor Ndubuisi; Akudili Francisca, Agric Education, both of University Nigeria, Nssuka, and Anukwonke Chikaodili, Environmental Management, Anambra State University.

The statement said the scholarship scheme was in honour of Sir Emeka Offor and designed to encourage outstanding but indigent students.

identification, would be allowed movement in the waterways on Saturday.

He said: “Those who may

want to use the waterways to perpetrate electoral fraud and violence should keep off the water ways in Anambra State

... as Umeh tells Jonathan: Call soldiers to order in South East

By Anayo Okoli

U

MUAHIA—AHEAD of tomorrow’s governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections, National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh has called President Goodluck Jonathan to ask soldiers to stop intimidating voters in the South-East zone.

He alleged that such intimidations aided rigging of the presidential and National Assembly elections in the zone.

He said: “President Jonathan should reciprocate the support Ndigbo have been giving him and call the soldiers to order and ask them to go back to the barracks and stop intimidating APGA and other opposition members.”

Umeh, who accused leaders of PDP in the SouthEast of sabotaging President Goodluck Jonathan in the March 28 presidential election, said they just used the President to settle their selfish interests.

The APGA boss said he could not understand how the states in the zone secured a paltry number of votes for the President.

He expressed disappointment at a situation where PDP candidates were commanding soldiers at collation centres to help them manipulate votes.

He said: “President Goodluck Jonathan must call soldiers to order and allow the South-East people to elect the governors of their choice.”

and its environs of Delta State, as the Nigerian Navy will deal with anyone caught around the waterways on Saturday.

“There will not be any commercial activity on, along and around the waterways on Saturday, dragging activities will not be tolerated on or along the waterways.

“We are warning all to keep off, as any attempt to dare the Nigerian Navy on the waterways that day will result to severe consequence for the offenders.”

He told politicians and their party members to play by the rules and avoid inciting the youths to violence in the state.

He said: “The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Jubrin, has graciously provided the Onitsha Naval Outpost with a new gunboat and we will continue to dominate the waterways like we have been doing and are ready to flush out perpetrators of illegal activities on the waterways.”

Transition

Onu warns against rigging in South-East

By Emma Ujah & Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

BUJA—CHAIRMAN of the defunct Presidential Screening Committee of All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has warned against the manipulation of the electoral process and rigging in Saturday’s governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections.

Onu, who was particular

about the exercise in SouthEast and South-South geopolitical zones, said the last presidential elections were massively rigged in favour of People’s Democratic Party, PDP. According to him, there were instances where the card readers were manipulated and result sheets not supplied but in the end, results were written in the houses of some individuals.

Should there be a repeat of

M

RS Esther Obro is dead. She died February 15.

She will be buried on May 2 at Eruogba Quarters, Aviara Town, Isoko South LGA of Delta State. Outing service is on May 3 at National Apostolic Church, Aviara.

She is survived by children, grandchildren and relatives, among who is Mr. Anthony Egboro of First Bank Plc.

such in Saturday’s elections, Onu, who was also the former governor of Abia State, said it would not be acceptable to his party.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja yesterday, Onu further stated that the coming of APC had helped to introduce a healthy competition in the political arena, stressing that power now belonged to the people of Nigeria to chose who their leaders would be.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

On alleged Lagos monarch's threat

Y

oruba people claim they are the owners of Lagos, I am tempted to agree. But they also have to accept that Igbo are the owners of the Lagos economy. So it is owners of the land versus the owners of the economy. Miss Blessing Ubah- Student.

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ell, the Oba has a genuine concern because there are still some Yoruba people who voted for Buhari (APC) at the last election, but would like to vote for Agbaje (PDP) on Saturday. That is the beauty of democracy. Mr Azubuike Christian- Businessman.

T

he burden is on the Oba to apologize to all, tone down his utterances and calm down those who are ready to unleash mayhem if APC is defeated. The Oba’s views and stance regardless, put lives and property of non-Yoruba at risk. Miss Rose OkontaStudent.

I

gbo contributes more than any other tribe in Lagos and somebody is saying we won’t have a say on how we are being governed? It is good that Lagosians are beginning to know that Igbo determine who wins the elections in the state. Mrs Agaga Stella- Worker.

N

o Yoruba like myself would start fighting any Igbo because of a politician that wins or loses an election in Lagos.

That is nonsense! In a democratic system, people are to vote their leaders in or vote them out.

Mr Tunde SpencerSound Engineer.

T

he more I think about it the more I realize that he may have been working for the PDP underground.

I don’t know why the Oba will do this. What he said is completely unacceptable.

Everyone deserves a freedom of choice. Miss Blessing EmmanuelWorker.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015—47

Without PVCs, don't go near polling units, INEC warns voters

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

J

OS — THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Plateau State has warned those without the Per manent Voters Cards, PVCs to stay away from polling units during tomorrow’s elections.

INEC reiterated that only those in possession of their PVCs would be allowed into polling units even as card readers would be deployed for the April 11, 2015 elections.

In a statement signed by the Head, Voter Education and Publicity, Osaretin Imahiyereobo, the commission said that it had taken adequate measures to ensure that the card readers do not pose any challenge during the exercise.

According to him, “The Commission has reviewed the operation of the card readers in the March, 28th elections, identified the challenges and

has taken adequate measures to address them.

“Card readers are to be deployed for the April, 11

Governorship and State House of Assembly elections in the State.”

He assured that if the card

readers malfunctioned and cannot be replaced within a specific period, voting will continue the next day.

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USAU—THE All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Zamfara State, has rejected the result of the Shinkafi/Zurmi Federal Constituency as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, The governorship candidate of APGA, in the state, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, made this known in Gusau, the state capital while speaking in an interview with Vanguard on the recently concluded presidential and National Assembly elections.

He said there was no voting in the said constituency as far as APGA was concerned. ‘’There was no supply of electoral materials and where they were available, it was discovered that such materials

BRIEFING: From left, Laura Oloyede, MD/CEO, Communications Hub Africa Ltd; Israel Bolaji, Manager, Public Relations and Communications, Startimes; Somoye Habeeb, Marketing Manager, and Ayokunle Idowu, Content Manager, during the Startimes Media briefing on the unveiling of new channels on Startimes platform, in Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bmidele

meant for another polling unit were swapped with those of polling units in other areas,’’ he added.

Sani also lamented the delay in the supply of electoral materials, which according to him, made it possible for some people to rig the election in collaboration with security agents.

According to him: “We were

made to understand that the security provided during that election was inadequate which perhaps, gave room for rigging the election and declared those defeated as the winners of that election. ‘’We obtained reports from the affected constituency that the elections were characterised by multiple and under age voting.

ENIN CITY—THE Enojie of Opoji and Vice Chairman, Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Highness, HRH, Aidonojie Ehidiamen 1, has linked the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari as President with the liberation of Esan people from the stranglehold of the chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Tony Anenih.

He accused Chief Anenih of concentrating all federal appointments in his area Uromi to the detriment of other areas in Esan land since 1999.

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We noticed mutilated results’ sheets, and therefore on no account shall we accept the results. We hereby reject the results in their entirety.’’

The governorship candidate, however, asked the party ’s supporters in the state to remain calm while awaiting further instructions.

APRIL 11 POLLS: Bauchi police command tells politicians

By Suzan Edeh

B

AUCHI—THE Bauchi State police command has warned politicians against any attempt to disrupt Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections in the country.

The Police Public Relations

Officer, PPRO, in the state, DSP Haruna Mohammed gave the warning in a statement in Bauchi, yesterday.

The statement read: “It has come to the knowledge of Bauchi State police command that some desperate politicians are planning to disrupt the

Buhari’s emergence'll free Esan people from political bondage —Royal Father

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By Innocent Anaba

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Zamfara APGA rejects Shinkafi/Zurmi Reps poll result

By Salisu Maradun

Group petitions Imo CP over Gov Okorocha's alleged utterances

The royal father declared to newsmen, yesterday, that the emergence of General Buhari of the APC as President came as a sigh of relief to his people, whom he alleged, had been marginalised by successive PDP led administrations, however, commended President Goodluck Jonathan for accepting defeat in the presidential election, and urged many Nigerians leaders to emulate him.

According to him: “ It is sad that people outside Esan land have always accused Esan people of having all the federal appointments, but that is not true;

all the appointments since 1999 are all from Uromi, the home of Chief Anenih. We have cried for so many years but he does not care because he believes that his PDP is in power and nothing will happen.

“All the Ministerial appointments have gone to Uromi. Majority of Esan people are celebrating the exit of PDP because now all the blackmail and promise being given to people for ministerial appointments and governorship are all over. That is what has enslaved Esan people for years, but thank God he has answered us."

forthcoming governorship and House of Assembly elections on April 11, 2015 in the state.

“The police will not fold its arm and watch disgruntled elements truncate the relative peace in the state which the command is working assiduously to maintain.’’

He then cautioned security details attached to political office holders to desist from accompanying their principals to the polling booths and collation centres during the election.

“On no account should unauthorised private/ government security agencies and voluntary organisations such as Boys Scout, Vigilante groups, Boys Brigade, peace ambassadors and other quasi paramilitary organisations be seen in uniform within 300 metres of a polling unit,” he added.

Mohammed also, assured residents of the command's commitment to the provision of adequate security before, during and after general elections.

CIVIL society group, Coalition for Defence of Democracy, CDD, has petitioned Imo State Police Commissioner, over alleged utterances of Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, few days to the governorship and state House of Assembly elections in the state, warning that they were capable of leading to violence during and after the polls.

CDD in a petition by its President, Mr. Peter Okafor to the state police boss, yesterday, said: “We bring to your notice an imminent danger provoked by a series of utterances and action of the governor of Imo State, which if not curtailed could result in a bloodbath in the state during and after the forthcoming elections.”

He alleged that in two major speeches transmitted on local radio stations, the governor set the scene for a massive assault on political opponents, the police, military and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC by Imo youths.

“The governor urged them to come out in their numbers to challenge the law enforcement agents and over-run INEC if the outcome of the elections did not favour him and his party. In his series of utterances ever since, he has publicly warned of crisis in Imo State.

“Going back to the governor's violent utterances, we note in particular that on his live TV broadcast, celebrating the victory of APC on April 3, he most unabashedly threatened INEC officials who succumbed to the wishes of the opposing parties, failing which he would go after them.

"This most certainly is not the kind of talk expected of someone in such an exalted office. What is likely to ensue from such official licence to violence against the innocent.

At a time when events all over the world particularly the recent actions of the International Criminal Court, ICC, has proved that even the “big man” must face justice, it is sad that the Executive Governor is inciting a bloodbath in his own state.”

48—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

MEETING: From left; Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, PDP, Chief O'tega Emeror, APC, Dr. John Onwubuya, ACD, Mrs. Oluremi Mohammed, PDC, and Chief Great Ogboru, LP, during the INEC-select stakeholder’s emergency meeting with all governorship and House of Assembly candidates in Delta State in Asaba, yesterday. Photo: Henry Unini.

DEDICATION: From left: Anglican Bishop of Enugu, Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, Chancellor, Udi Diocese, Prof. Agu Gab Agu, Primate, Anglican Church of Nigeria, Most Revd. Nicholas Okoh, and another Bishop, during the dedication of Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Umuabi, Enugu State.

LAUNCHING: From left: Senior Brand Manager Star, Ita Bassey, Popular football analyst and Star Football Superfans Game Show Host, Mozez Praiz, and Star Brand Manager, Omotunde Adenusi, at the launch of Star Football Superfans Campaign in Lagos.

DONATION: Wife of the Delta Sate governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mrs Rita Emerhor (2nd right) and others when she sponsored free medical check-up and donated drugs to residents in her Evwreni community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.

BOND: Mr. Bola Onadele Koko, MD/CEO, FMDQ OTC Plc (left) and Mr. Bolaji Balogun, CEO, Chapel Hill Denham Advisory Partner Ltd, at the quotation of the N87.5 billion Lagos State bond on FMDQ platform in Lagos.

Photo: Akeem Salau.

From left: DJ Black Chiney, Mrs. Ngozi Nwoji, Senior Brand Manager, Heineken, and DJ English Fire, during Club Quilox in Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

FESTIVAL: From left: Mr Canice Okeke, Host, Regional Trade Marketing Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mrs. Olubukola Dare, and Mazi Eric Ikoro, President, Movement for Arondizuogu Progress, at the Ikeji Arondizuogu festival sponsored by ACE ROOTS in Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

C M Y K

FESTIVAL: From left; Rt. Revd. Sunday Adewole, Bishop, Diocese of Jebba, Chief & Mrs Segun Osunkeye, Rt. Revd & Mrs James Odedeji, Bishop, Diocese of Lagos West, and Dean of AVMCC, Ikeja, Ven. Abel Ajibodu, during the 2015 Jesus Festival organised by Diocese of Lagos West in Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 — 49

Maku campaign organization urges Jega to redeploy Nasarawa REC

Nigerians in Qatar to elect new exco today

By Abel Daniel

L

AFIA—BARELY 24 hours after the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Nasarawa State, Alhaji Umaru Danyaya, the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, in the state has joined the bandwagon of parties opposed to Danyaya.

APGA’s governorship candidate, Chief Labaran Maku yesterday accused Danyaya of allegedly working for the victory of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and called for his redeployment before Saturday’s polls.

The PDP had earlier called for Danyaya’s removal on health grounds, saying that he was running INEC in the state through a proxy.

Director General of APGA’s campaign organization, Musa Saidu who spoke yesterday, at a news conference in Lafia, said the

D

INTERACTIVE SESSION: Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed (left) addressing civil servants in the state, during an interactive session at the State Banquet Hall, Ilorin.

REC planned to rig the gubernatorial elections through his personal aide who was now overseeing the affairs of INEC because of his ill health.

According to him, the plans to rig the election was hatched with the collaboration of some INEC

officials in the state.

Saidu stressed that some returning officers had already been bribed to aid its plan to rig the elections in the state, adding that the election supervisors had been detailed to delay the release of election material in APGA

dominated Local Government of Obi, Doma, Nasarawa Eggon, Kokona, Karu and other wards where the APC was not sure of winning even as the commission planned to announce Governor Umaru Al-makura as the winner even before the collation ended.

Custom seizes goods worth N500m in 1st quarter

By Ifeyinwa Obi

F

EDERAL Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘C’ Owerri, an anti-smuggling unit of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), said the command has made seizures worth N500m between January and March, this year.

An insight of the smugglers’ loss during the period showed a total of 140 seizures by the Customs, consisting of at least, several choice vehicles, bales of expensive clothes, 1500 cartons

of frozen poultry and the arrest of not fewer than 56 suspects.

Speaking on the Command’s performance in the first quarter of 2015, the Area Controller of the Command, Mr. Victor Dimka attributed the success to the recent mobilisation given to the command to tackle smuggling in around the axis. “We have put the new patrol vans we received from the CGC to good use!”.

Comptroller Dimka indicated that the unit recorded a total of 140 seizures with Duty Paid

Value (DPV) of N501, 026, 822:00; made 56 arrest of suspects; and now has 56 cases pending in courts in connection with the items seized.

Dimka gave a breakdown of the seizures made, showing 37 in the month of January with a DPV of N176,483,600.00; a total of 40 seizures with a DPV of N136,708,650 in the month of February; and in March, upped the scale by another 63 seizures with a DPV of N187,834,572.00.

“The latter, is a component of

Igbo women in Diaspora task Buhari on 11-point agenda

By Emeka Aginam

F

OR Nigeria to have a better change in the new dispensation, the UmuadaNdiIgbo in Diaspora, an umbrella organization of Igbo women in abroad has tasked the Presidentelect, Gen. MuhammaduBuhari on eleven-point agenda.

The group in a congratulatory message signed by its Founder/ National President, Grace Agude, among other things, urged the President-Elect to compose a cabinet of skilled, experienced and trusted men and women for a better Nigeria.

According to her, the new government should take urgent steps to encourage women participation in government and national development, since women are mothers of the nation.

Making the case for reorganization and better funding of the Nigerian army so as to bring back the lost pride and glory of the

country’s military that was will not continue to rely once the pride of Africa, she heavily on oil like is currently said that the incoming the case”, she said. government must take steps to wipe out Boko Haram insurgents currently terrorizing Nigeria.

Insisting that the new administration must take all AGOS—SPECIAL necessary steps to bring back Adviser to Lagos State our kidnapped Chibok girls, governor on Information and the UmuadaNdi-Igbo leader Strategy, Mr. Lateef Raji has stated that there was an called on Igbo in Lagos to vote urgent need to stamp out 419 enmasse for the All Progressives and other forms of fraud in Congress, APC, in the Nigeria, for Nigeria to attract governorship election, noting that both local and foreign investors. Lagos is also home to Igbo.

The group according to her He also debunked claims that also pushed for improved the state government has funding for Nigerian alienated the lowest rung of the universities, teaching hospitals, society, saying that most of the and other institutions, so as to programmes and policies of the encourage research and current administration have development. benefited the masses.

“We want the incoming Briefing newsmen in Lagos, government to make plans to Raji stated that the state diversify the Nigerian economy. government has done enough This way the Nigerian economy to carry all ethnic groups

108 vehicles, three trucks comprising 384 bags of 50kg foreign rice, two trucks of 2,126 cartons of imported frozen poultry products, three trucks of 1,181 pieces of used tyres; three trucks containing 780 bales of textile materials; two truckloads of cartons of foreign vegetable oil with other items such as used hand bags, cartons of foreign beverages and 1,755 pieces of imported foot wear.

“Specifically, the seizures made in March comprised a total of 51 vehicles, 184 pieces of used tyres, 284 (50kg) bags of foreign rice; 1,755 pieces of used foot wears; 10 cartons of foreign beverages, and a truck load with 1,500 cartons of imported frozen poultry product”, Dimka said.

Fashola’s aide to Igbo: Consider Lagos as your home

L

along in the day-to-day governance of the state.

His words: ‘’My appeal to the Igbo people in Lagos is that they should consider that Lagos is their home, they live, work and make their money in the state. This is their home and they should join others by voting the APC during the governorship election.”

Raji added that both the state government and indigenous people of the state have over time provided the right atmosphere for businesses of the Igbo speaking people to thrive, saying the only way they can reciprocate the gesture was to vote for APC’s governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

OHA—JUST as Nigerians will go to the polls tomorrow, April 11, 2015 to vote for governorship and Houses of Assembly candidates in the 36 states of the federation, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, NIDO, Qatar chapter will today, at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Doha, elect new officials to manage the affairs of the organisation.

NIDO-Qatar, formerly the Nigerian Community in Qatar Association (Dohanaija) was formed by a group of eminent Nigerians in 2002 as a social, non-religious and non-political forum where members can mingle, get together as well as provide support for one another.

According to the statement by the organisation’s electoral committee, the wind of change occasioned by General Muhammed Buhari’s defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan in the last presidential election has galvanised Nigerians home and abroad to clamour for peaceful, free and fair elections in their various groups and associations.

The high point of the election is the presidential race between Mutiu Adedeji, a Chartered Quantity Survey, and member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, RICS, and Amadi Nwokocha, a chartered Accountant, and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN. The statement expressed confidence that over 7,500 Nigerians resident in Qatar have shown they too can elect theirs peacefully.

The statement reads in part: “The tempo is high with the electrifying campaigns, banners, SMS messages and meetings ahead of the election. In all this, one thing is certain; Nigerian in Qatar will be better for the whole process as the new exco will positively promote the Nigerian brand as a country of Good People and Great Nation.”

50—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

Transition

Jonathan, Sambo, Mark mourn Oronto Douglas

By Samuel Oyadongha, Ben Agande, Dapo Akinrefon & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

P M

RS. Agnes Ojiokpota, aged 85, is dead.

The Christian wake keep will be held at Ewatto, Edo State, on Friday, April 24, while interment is next day at Okaigben, her home town in Ewohimwin, Esan South East LGA, in Edo State.

She is survived by children and many grandchildren, including Friday Osaghae, John Ojiokpota and Henry Ojiokpota of Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Abuja.

Kuramo Conference hosts Earth Day '15

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E S O U R C E Initiative and Solutions Network Nigeria, RISNN, a global solutions initiative, as part of the proposed Sustainability School Lagos, and in partnership with Arizona State University, United States of America, in collaboration with Kuramo Conferences, will be hosting Earth Day 2015 on April 22 in Lagos.

The one-day colloquium aims to bring experts and stakeholders together to discuss new ideas and initiate enterprise partnerships and actions relevant to enabling RISNN and strengthening private-sector initiatives and contributions to growing a circular economy for Lagos and Nigeria.

The Kuramo conferences had become a uniquely African platform for global thinkers to exchange and share ideas, building knowledge and stimulating new development.

This year’s event will be led by Dr. Beatte Kummer of the Scholz Group; Ms. Baerbel Freyer, Head of Energy and Environment Desk of the Nigerian Delegation of German Industry and Commerce; Mr. Ola Oresanya, Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority, and Sir Chris Ogbechie of the PanAtlantic University.

It will be chaired by Chief O. Osunkeye.

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has expressed sadness at the death of his Special Adviser on Research, Documentation and Strategy, Mr. Oronto Douglas, who passed on yesterday morning.

President Jonathan in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, described late Oronto Douglas as “a shining and worthy example for every young Nigerian, who seeks a life of service and achievement.”

Also, Senate President, David Mark, described the late Oronto as a resourceful and dedicated Nigerian, who has left a vacuum too difficult to fill.

In a condolence message to President Jonathan, government and people of Bayelsa State, Mark said the death was devastating.

IYC, too

Similarly, Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, worldwide and the Ijaw nation have described the demise of Oronto Douglas

as a big loss to Ijaw nation.

Also, Nigeria National Summit Group, NNSG, and the Campaign for Democracy, CD, have mourned the death of Douglas.

Meanwhile, President Jonathan said Mr. Douglas was one of the most distinguished sons of Bayelsa State “ who served his country, state and the Niger Delta region passionately and diligently, during his very impactful years on earth.”

Death

Oronto Douglas, who passed away after a protracted battle with cancer, was President Jonathan’s personal aide for close to a decade.

The statement added that the “President will always remember him for his passion for work, excellence, inspiring creativity and outstanding commitment to his duties.

“The President remains thankful to God Almighty for the brilliance and resourcefulness that Oronto brought to bear on every assignment as a loyal and dutiful aide, during his tenure as governor of Bayelsa State and Vice President, acting President and President.

“President Jonathan believes that Oronto will remain a shining and worthy example for every young Nigerian who seeks a life of service and achievement.

“He prays that Almighty God will grant Oronto’s soul eternal rest, and the Douglas family and everyone who knew him the fortitude to bear the pain of his death.”

Speaking at the residence of Douglas, where he went with the Vice President Namadi Sambo, President Jonathan said Oronto Douglas was a strong-willed man who knew he was at the point of death, but was determined to carry on.

My years with him—JONATHAN

He said: “It is quite a sad moment even though we knew. Myself and Douglas are from the same local government in Bayelsa State.

“I knew him first when I was doing my Ph.D. research, when he was environmental activist. I was doing some aspects of the ecology of the Niger Delta and my supervisor then, a Canadian, Professor Powell, knew him and we met in his house.

“But when I came into politics as a deputy governor, he was the Commissioner for Information then and we were very close.

“When I was Vice President, he was my Adviser on Research, Documentation and Strategy, a post he held until this morning.

“He is a very dedicated young man; very committed. I was here last Saturday even though he knew because the doctors told him in America that he was going to die in three weeks, but he was still very passionate about his work.

“I have never seen such a person with such a strong will.

“Oronto was a good man. He left us too early, but God knows the best I only pray that God should provide for the family and pray that his soul should rest in peace.”

VP speaks

In his remarks, the Vice President Namadi Sambo described Oronto Douglas as “a person of integrity, a patriot and we pray to Almighty God that his soul shall rest in perfect peace.

“We pray that the family he left behind will have the fortitude to bear this great loss. Nigeria has lost a very good man; a person that has contributed positively to the development of this country.”

The Senate President, in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, said late Oronto was a scholar in his own right, adding that the Special Adviser who was a lawyer, human rights activist and environmentalist, left when his services were most needed.

He said: “It is sad that Oronto died in his prime, when the nation actually needed his services. He was a scholar in his own right.

“He was resourceful and dedicated; a think-tank who left a vacuum too difficult to fill.”

Passage From left— Chief Segun Jatuwase, National President, Mr. Robison Ogunfeyijimi, National Secretary, and Mr. Afolabi Omojuwo, Public Relations Officer, all of Egbe OmoIlaje Social Cultural Organization, at a briefing on alleged neglect of Ilaje Local Governmnent Area by the Federal Government in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Ansar Ud Deen holds health walk

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HE Lagos State Women’s Council of Ansar Ud Deen Society held its annual health walk in Lagos, to raise health awareness.

Members of the society took off from the Women’s Development Centre, Agege, went through Akilo Road, Guinness Roundabout, Ogba Road through Showonuola Street and finished at Emiloju Street, location of a branch of the Ansar ud Deen mosque.

Alhaja Wasiat Bolajoko, Chairperson of the 2015 Health Walk Committee, said awareness on healthy living is one of the council’s priorities.

She said: “We need to do this more often and I would advise women out there to be dedicated in whatever they do as well as belong to a group.

This would help them focus and find shoulders to lean on in times of problems.”

State coordinator of the

Women’s Council, Princess Ramat Ola, said: “It is important to create awareness about women health and help to bring about the positive changes necessary to bring about healthy living.

“We need to be conscious about all the cholesterol that we consume as well as understand the benefits of healthy living. This is the fifth edition.”

A

Christian wake-keep will hold at Ezeonara family compound, Okpo village, Ekwulobia, Aguata LGA of Anambra State Tuesday, April 14 at 8p.m. for Nze Bernard Ezeonara, Ozor Nkechifotele, who died last December aged 87.

His son, Akaraka Ezeonara, said service of songs is next day by 9a.m, followed by funeral ceremony and other activities.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015—51

Lagos poll: The odds in favour of Ambode, Agbaje

The changing political calculations in Lagos

PRESIDENTIAL POLLS SCORE

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

LAGOS

I

N the run up to tomorrow’s Governorship and House of Assembly elections, all eyes seem to be on Lagos, especially given the voting pattern in the state in the last Presidential election and the anxiety it has raised in the last few weeks across the state.

Interestingly, the two leading contenders are the All Progressives Congress, APC, Governorship Candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, standard bearer, Jimi Agbaje.

The question in Lagos is whether or not there should be continuity in governance or change. There have been several and diverse comments from different quarters on the continuity or change question.

Before, now Ambode is perceived to have been enjoying an overwhelming support with over 50 percent assurance of getting victory in tomorrow’s election but this was punctured by two factors.

Low voters’ turnout for presidential polls First the presidential result as released by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, was a huge shock to leaders, members and

supporters of the APC as well as political analysts.

Outof5.8millionregisteredvoters and 3.8 million Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, collected, only about 1.5 million people voted on March 28,2015,whichthe NationalLeader of the APC and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described as “abysmally low turnout.”

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State also commented on the result thus: “Think of all the pain, the effort, the sleepless nights it took to get the PVCs to you. Think of the best way to show that the effort was not wasted or in vain. It seems to me that the best way is to have all these 3.8 Million voters come out to vote.

By refusing to vote, you surrender decision making to a few and you will be bound by the consequences of your choices.

APC: 792,460 PDP: 632,327

“By refusing to vote, you do a great disservice to many who have lived before you, who fought very hard at great personal costs to themselves, to earn you this right. By refusing to vote, you dishonour the sacrifice of patriots before you who fought for the right to vote.”

Oba Akiolu’s threat to Igbo Secondly, the recent statement credited to the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu (when he addressed some Igbo Chiefs) that Igbo people will perish in the Lagos Lagoon if they did not vote Ambode has altered political calculations.

This threat created tension across the country with Ndigbo condemning the statement and vowing to ensure that they vote for the candidate of their choice tomorrow.

By Gbenga Oke

M

ANY factors have shaped the politics of L a g o s such that it is hard to determine where the pendulum of victory will swing tomorrow.

Since 1999, Lagos state has remained a political enclave of the opposition; from the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and now All Progressives Congress (APC) as opposed to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the federal level.

Ahead of tomorrow ’s election, there are permutations that the state may be ruled by the ruling party at the centre as from May 29, 2015, if APC wins the governorship election.

Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), APC’s presidential candidate won the penultimate Saturday’s presidential polls. The closeness of the polls shows that Lagos State is for the first time experiencing its closest political battle since 1999.

The PDP won a record six seats in the House of Representatives from the

state two weeks ago.

The APC lost the Federal Constituencies in AmuwoOdofin, Ojo, Oshodi/Isolo, Surulere I and Ajeromi/ Ifelodun to the PDP while Accord party, an unknown party in Lagos, trounced the APC in Mushin. The greatest shocker was the emergence and victory of two Igbo candidates namely: Mrs. Rita Orji (Ajeromi/Ifelodun Federal Constituency) and Mr. Tony Nwulu (Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency both of which are members of the PDP. Between 1999 and now, factors that seem to have changed the political landscape of Lagos include the population figure which has moved from about nine million in 1999 to 18 million in 2015.

Lagos is considered to be a cosmopolitan city which consists of several ethnic nationalities most of who now see Lagos as their home and want their presence felt since they live and contribute their quota to the development of the state.

Akwa Ibom: Topsy-Turvy IN the past one week the different political parties in Akwa Ibom fielding candidates for the Saturday April 11, 2015 gubernatorial election have been busy with preparations and series of meetings geared towards delivering their candidates at the poll.

By Chioma Onuegbu

O

UT of about 16 governorship candidates that will be participating in the Saturday governorship contest only four of the candidates can be said to be really popular among the people.

They are Udom Emmanuel of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Umana Okon Umana of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Helen Esuene of the Labour Party, LP and Bishop Samuel Akpan of Accord even as events have shown that the contest is actually going to be between the APC and PDP candidates This is because presently in Akwa Ibom State, the PDP and APC are the popular party platforms that are actually on ground and well recognized by the populace.

Apart from the emergence of C M Y K

General Buhari as the PresidentElect which many view as an advantage for Umana Umana, the campaigns also showed that both candidates have strong structures on ground to be able to win the seat in the state.

PDP supporters are however very optimistic that Udom remains the candidate to beat at the April

PDP supporters are however very optimistic that Udom remains the candidate to beat at the April 11 poll on the ground that Akwa Ibom is a PDP state

11 poll on the ground that Akwa Ibom is a PDP state.

However Eket Federal constituency comprising Onna, Udom’s local government area, Ibeno, Esit Eket and Eket are the key local government areas that Udom is expected to win massively.

In Ikot Abasi/ Eastern Obolo/ Mkpat Enin federal constituency the expectation is that there is going to be split votes among the two candidates.

Other Local government areas where Udom is expected to have upper hand over Umana are Essien Udim where the outgoing governor Godswill Akpabio hails from and Etim Ekpo both in Ikot Ekpene senatorial district The campaigns however showed that Udom has challenges in Oron federal constituency comprising Udung Uko, Mbo, Oron, Urue/Offiong Oruko, and Okobo. Voters there are still aggrieved that they were denied the governorship slot.

The youths of Oro during a town hall and a one- million -man march in support of Umana/ Ukpong in Oron vowed to avert

any move to divert election materials to ensure that their votes are not rigged.

However the major area that would determine Umana’s prospect on Saturday is Uyo senatorial district comprising the majority Ibibio ethnic nationality who also form the largest voting population in the state

The people of Abak are equally not happy with the governor for depriving them their right to produce senator.

The outgoing governor Chief Godswill Akpabio is however working tirelessly to ensure he breaks the jinx that no governor has single handedly nominated a successor in the history of Akwa Ibom politics,

PRESIDENTIAL POLLS SCORE

AKWA IBOM

APC: 58,411 PDP: 953,304

52—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

Babajide Obanikoro

LAGOS POLLS:

In their fathers' steps IT is not unusual for politicians to involve their children in politics.

All over the world, politicians have been known to nurture and prepare their sons and daughters to occupy political offices.

In Nigeria, while this initiative paid off for some politicians, others sulked at the end of the day.

No one in recent memory was able to project his children like the late Senator Olusola Saraki, the strongman of Kwara politics who successfully had two of his children follow his footsteps to the Senate, carving a niche as the

only family in the country to have produced three senators.

Apart from the parents projecting their offspring, some politicians are using the platforms and names of their fathers to project themselves. Now, the list of children of former governors, lawmakers and top politicians who are toeing the line of their parents is endless.

As it is, a new crop of politicians’ children would be contesting in the April 11 governorship and State House of Assembly elections with the influence of their fathers.

By Dapo Akinrefon

Sultan Adeniji-Adele P

RINCE Sultan Adegbayibi AdenijiAdele, is the son of Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele former Chairman of Lagos Island local government area and formerly Commissioner

•Ademola Adeniji-Adele

He is now seeking a reelection. for Youth, Sports and Social Though his father has Development. Sultan was dumped the APC, Sultan elected to the state House of refused to follow his father to Assembly in 2011 to represent the PDP. Amuwo Odofin constituency Pundits are watching to see 1. the interplay of forces between his f a t h e r associates and his son as they struggle for the soul of A m u w o Odofin 1 Constituency, which has now become a battle field zone in Lagos given its high concentration of nonindigenes.

•Sultan Adeniji-Adele

Folajimi Lai Mohammed

A

LSO toeing his father ’s path is Folajimi Mohammed, the son of the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

In 2011, Folajimi was asked to step down for the Speaker

•Alhaji Lai Mohammed C M Y K

of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji to represent Ikeja State Constituency.

Folajimi got the opportunity to clinch the APC ticket for 2015 after Ikuforiji looked elsewhere and he defeated popular gospel musician,

•Folajimi Mohammed

Kenny Saint Brown to win the Ikeja Constituency I APC ticket.

Though a political neophyte, Folajimi will be banking on his father’s looming image to get the needed victory at the polls apart from his ongoing intense campaigns.

Jimi, who is married to Idowu, one of the daughters of late Solomon Ayoku, emerged from his father ’s shadow long ago and has carved a niche for himself in elite circles.

Jimi is presently the managing director of Knightsbridge Dredging Limited and holds an LL.B Honours degree of the University of Kent, Canterbury, UK. He also holds an LL.M from Fordham Law School, New York City, US and B.L. with Honours at Council of Legal Education and Nigerian Law School, Nigeria.

•Musiliu Obanikoro

H

E is the son of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.

In 2011, Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro popularly called IBO, first cut out his political teeth when he attempted to represent Eti-Osa State Constituency I. During the party’s primary, Obanikoro was declared winner but he lost the election to the ACN candidate.

In 2011, he repeated the same feat when he contested for the Local Council Development Area, LCDA of Ikoyi-Obalende.

The elections were keenly contested and in particular, the Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA proved to be even keener as it was a strategic location in Lagos State. Reason was that it had the scion of the Obanikoro family taking on a candidate of the defunct ACN, Mr. Adewale Adeniji of ACN. Adeniji was declared the winner after much controversy prompting Obanikoro to go to the

•Jide Obanikoro tribunal which declared Obanikoro the winner of the election. However, Mr. Adeniji and LASIEC appealed the judgement.

The appeal court upheld the appeal and declared Mr. Adeniji the winner of the election and directed LASIEC to issue him with a certificate of return accordingly, albeit on technicalities. Obanikoro is now set to challenge the occupant of Eti-Osa constituency 2, Gbolahan Yishawu, again on Saturday, April 11.

Obanikoro, who is confident of winning this time around especially with the backing of his father, said “if that is my weapon, I will use it. I will not shy away from using my weapon. I have no iota of doubt in me that this election is wrapped and I believe that I am home and dry.”

Obanikoro is an alumni of Kings College Lagos. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree from St Cloud State University, USA. A Master in Public Administration from Pace University USA.

we lew oyyosore Ogunle Mo lewe is a lawyer OYOSOREyosore Ogun Minister of and is the son of former Ogunlewe Works, Senator Adeseye on the platform of the Moyosore is contesting PDP, to represent Ko, Peoples Democratic Party Lagos State House of sofe Constituency 1 in the Assembly. total change to the He has promised to bring opportunity to the people of Kosofe if given use. represent them in the ho 84, he is a law gradu19 1, ary Born on Febru of Lagos and Burkingate from the University e has promised to ham University. Moyosor int when elected al po make the youths his foc p from the elders.

–u ck ba ed with the need his father’s political Though, he denied that to delve into ion career shaped his decis father’s his t tha t ub politics, but few do ve him the needed influence in the PDP ga ket to contest the edge to get the party ’s tic assembly position.

M

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54 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

Vanguard CLASSIFIED OKPEDI—I, formerly Known and addressed as Miss Mary Efemena Okpedi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ubiomo Mary Efemena. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EZEASOR—I, formerly Known and addressed as Miss Nneka Ogochukwu Ezeasor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nneka Ogochukwu Nwokoye. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

N U R E N I — I , formerly Known and addressed as Saheed Nureni Olatunji, now wish to be known and addressed as Saheed David Olatunji. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGUNROLE—I, formerly Known and addressed as Miss Ogunrole Adedoyin Adewumi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ajayi Adedoyin Adewumi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O G B O D O — I , formerly Known and addressed as Miss Ogbodo Ngozi Beatrice, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chibuike Ngozi Beatrice. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ARINZE—I, formerly Known and addressed as Miss Arinze Uzoma Irene, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amadiegwu Uzoma Irene. All former documents remain valid.

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ISAAC—I, formerly Known and addressed as Miss Isaac Nneka Patience, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Egwuatu Nneka Patience. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NGWU—We, formerly known and addressed as Ngwu family of Obioma village in Udi L.G.A. of Enugu State, now wish to be known and addressed as Chielotam family. Our names are as follows : Maria Obiageli Chielotam, Chinedu Henry Chielotam, Euphemia Nnenna Chielotam, Paul Osita Chielotam, Michael Nwannebike Chielotam, Everistus Chigozie Chielotam. All former documents remain valid.

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ESSO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Esso Moriam Dianaobong, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogbuagu Moriam Dianaobong.

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O F O G B A — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Ofogba Rita, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ududua Rita Efemena. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EYEBOKA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss E y e b o k a Av w e r o s u o g h e n e Deborah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. O b a r o e f e Av w e r o s u o g h e n e Deborah. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ODJOH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adakpor Odjoh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adakpor Idudu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

BELLO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Aminatu Bello, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Aminatu Momoh. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IFERE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Akaase Blossom Ekpe Ifere, now wish to be known and addressed as Dr. Mrs. Akaase Blossom Ndaeyo-Bassey. All former documents remain valid. Cross River University of T e c h n o l o g y (CRUTECH), Calabar; Cross River State Government, University of Calabar and general public please take note.

ADENIYI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeniyi Oyindamola Waliat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. O l a - D a w o d u Oyindamola Waliat. All former documents remain valid. Lagos State Government and general public please take note.

ABIMBOLA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adefunke Olamide Odueke Abimbola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Khafilat Adefunke Olamide Balogun. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SHOBAMOWO—I, formerly known and addressed as Ms Oluwanifemi Sarah Shobamowo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluwanifemi Sarah Owonikoko.

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OGUNS—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oguns Olabisi Peace, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abimbola Olabisi Peace. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKORIE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okorie Nkeiruka Tessy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amagba Nkeiruka Tessy. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O K O R I E — I , formerly known and addressed as Okorie P r e c i o u s Kosisochukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Chukwuemeka P r e c i o u s Kosisochukwu. All former documents remain valid.

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EZEJI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss M a r y j a n e Chinwendu Ezeji, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Maryjane Chinwendu Felix Nwaogwugwu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OMUTALUZUA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss O m u t a l u z u a Chinyere Blessing, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Elewa Chinyere Blessing. All former documents remain valid. Rivers State Polytechnic Bori and the general public please take note.

UMOLO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Umolo Akpevwe Sylvia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. E n e d e Chukwunweike Sylvia Akpevwe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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IKOTT—I, formerly known and addressed as Ikott Ekpenyong Eddy, now wish to be known and addressed as Isaiah Ekpenyong Eddy. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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ISIORHOVOJA—I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Bernice Rumeh Isiorhovoja, now wish to be known and addressed as Ms Bernice Oghenerumeh Richard. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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G UA N A H — I , formerly known and addressed Miss Anne Bobra Guanah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Anne Bobra Ogune.

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EGBON—I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Tina Egbon, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Celestina .O. Omaghomi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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IFIE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogheneyerhovwo Ifie, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogheneyerhovwo Chunu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKPAKO—I, formely known and addressed as Miss Okpako Ovo Doris, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Doris Fischer.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015—55

Vanguard CLASSIFIED C H U K W U — I , formely known and addressed as Miss Angela Chukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Angela Nkechinyere Dimkpa-Nte. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note

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EBENEZER—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Victory Chisaruoka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Imasuen Victory Chisaruoka. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public please take note.

AKINBORO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinboro Iyabo Titilola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oyesiji Iyabo Titilola.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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April 11 polls:

GKS calls for prayers

By Sam Eyoboka

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General Secretary, OAAN, Emmanuel Ajufo (right), Public Relations Officer, Ghana, Linda Agyemang, 2nd Vice President, Ivory Coast, Coulibaly Mahama, President, Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), Charles Chijide, 1st Vice President, Ghana Advertising Association, Torgbor Mensah, Treasurer, Outdoor Advertising body, Republic of Benin, Franck Dossa, Interpreter, Ghana, Patience Agbenya, and Director Ghana Advertising Association, Francis Dadzie during the executive meeting of West African Outdoor Advertising Association in Ghana

WCC lauds new Anglican scribe, Idowu-Fearon

By Sam Eyoboka

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ORLD Council of Churches, WCC, an ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948 with 345 memberchurches representing more than 500 million Christians from Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other traditions in over 140 countries, yesterday, congratulated the newly elected Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Dr. Josiah Idowu-Fearon.

WCC general secretary, Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, sent a letter to Bishop Idowu-Fearon on April 2, congratulating him after the announcement of his appointment by the Anglican Consultative Council and offered him the council’s support in his work. The newly chosen general secretary of the Anglican Communion, Rev. Idowu-Fearon, the Anglican bishop of Kaduna, has served on the World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee and has worked with the Council on interfaith dialogue.

The WCC secretary said in his letter: “This is a role demanding great responsibility and leadership as you impart a vision for the diversity of Anglican provinces. You are called to serve the communion’s needs, lifting up causes for hope and celebration, and discerning strong responses for its challenges. This ministry you are taking up is valuable and sacred. It holds the potential for deepening relationships within the communion and beyond it, and for witnessing to the spirit of reconciliation through

your own faithfulness and vision.”

Idowu-Fearon served on the WCC’s Central Committee between the 9th Assembly in Porto Alegre in 2006 until the 2013, 10th Assembly in Busan, Republic of Korea. He also participated in the Christian-Muslim International Consultation, Geneva in November 2010.

“Your exceptional record of devoted work on ChristianMuslim relations is a specific gift you bring to your new role,” said Tveit in his letter to Idowu-Fearon.

Developing the role of churches as peace-builders and dialogue partners in a time when religiously motivated violence is causing devastation to so many is an urgent demand for us all as faithful Christians,” he noted.

Tveit said that through the meetings of general secretaries of Christian World Communions, in which the World Council of Churches takes part, he would have the opportunity to share in relationship building and collaboration throughout one ecumenical movement. ''The churches of the Anglican Communion are dynamic leaders in the life of our fellowship of churches, for which we give great thanks to God,” added Tveit.

“I pray that your wisdom and experience will inform not only the activities of the Anglican Communion in this regard, but the wider ecumenical family as well.

We seek to work with you in this and many other areas of our common Christian life,” said Tveit.

Former Triumph editor collapses, dies

By Abdulsalam Muhammad

K

ANO—FORMER Editor, defunct Kano based newspaper outfit, Triumph newspaper and the Assistant General Manager Public Relations of Kano Electricity Distribution Company, KEDCO, Mukhtar Baffa Usman, collapsed yesterday and died in his office.

The General Manager, Kano Electricity Distribution Company, Jamilu Gomna, told reporters in Kano that the tragic incident occured around 2.00pm at the Corporate headquarters of the organisation in the commercial city. Gomna said that Usman was rushed to a private hospital where doctors on duty confirmed him dead upon medical examination.

Late Usman was a Director

of Press to the then Military Administrator of Kano State, Col Dominic Oneya (rtd), from 1996 to 1998. He was also a Sole Administrator of Kano Municipal local government during the administration of the late Military Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

Family sources revealed that late Usman was survived by two wives and thirteen children. Late Usman, who has been buried according to Islamic rites also left behind an aged mother. In a condolence message, the Chairman, Kano chapter of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade AbdulJalal Haruna described the “fallen colleague as a thorough bred professional who live his life for others.”

HAIRMAN of the Executive Board of God’s Kingdom Society, GKS, Brother Godwin Ifeacho, has appealed to Nigerians to pray for the success of Saturday ’s Governorship and House of Assembly elections in the interest of the work of God and the well being of His sheep in Nigeria.

Speaking at the closing session of the Laymembers Conference, the chairman said that although the Presidential and National Assembly elections had been conducted in a peaceful atmosphere, “all was not yet over ”, as the Governorship and House of Assembly elections scheduled for this Saturday, April 11, 2015 were still pending.

He pointed out that political leaders are allowed by God to administer the people so that there would be relative peace and order without which people cannot go about their legitimate businesses, including the preaching of the gospel.

Aspirant thanks God for direction

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AGOS State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday, thanked God for His faithfulness and the direction he has received in life.

Ambode who spoke when the youth movement, a coalition of youth groups, visited him in his office in Gbagada, said he had every incentive to become a socially-unhinged street urchin (area boy) when his father died while he was in secondary school ‘because there was no parental guidance’ but bluntly refused because when he had, and still does have, an unwavering faith in God Almighty.

He said, ‘I thank God that I made, and still do make sufficient allowance for God to provide direction in whatever I do in my life”, stressing that he was ready to implement his cardinal programmes which are anchored on the aged, women, education, security and programmes for youth across the state.

56 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

Ukraine outlaws Communist names in fresh break with Soviet past

Iran to sign nuclear deal if sanctions are lifted —Rouhani

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RAN will sign a fi nal nuclear agreement only if economic sanctions against the nation are removed on the first day of the deal’s implementation, President Hassan Rouhani said yesterday.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Islamic republic’s supreme leader, told state-run media outlets that he is neither in favor nor against the proposed deal because it isn’t final, and he’s not certain it will become binding because he has “never been optimistic about negotiations with the U.S.” Meanwhile, six world powers and Iran reached a preliminary deal last week that aims to limit Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for lifting economic sanctions. The United States, however, has stressed that if a final deal is reached with Iran, the removal of any

sanctions will come in phases. But work on the agreement isn’t finished.

Negotiators from Iran and the United States, China, Germany, France, Britain and Russia have until June 30 to come up with a final deal.

Khamenei said he supports the negotiators, but in several not-sosubtle shots at the Unit-

ed States, noted it is too soon to celebrate the proposed deal.

“Everything lies in the details,” Khamenei said in a Thursday address, according to Press TV. “The other side, which is known for backpedaling on its commitments, may want to corner our country when it comes to the specifics.”

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KRAINE yester day outlawed Communist names, symbols and even songs in a fresh break with the country’s Soviet past as its soldiers fight pro-Russian separatists in the east.

The legislation, which also targets Nazi propaganda was adopted by 254 votes in favour in the 450-member parliament, or Rada.

It bans all symbols and propaganda representing “the totalitarian Communist and Nazi regimes” — from street names and flags, to monuments and

•From left, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, British Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, and U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, line up for a press announcement after the end of a new round of Nuclear Iran Talks in the Learning Center at the Swiss federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), in Lausanne, Switzerland.

plaques.

For the former Soviet republic it could mean a major overhaul of public buildings and town squares across the country, with Lenin Streets to be renamed and any remaining statue of the Soviet leader removed.

Even a towering Liberty-like statue 102 metres high (300 feet) and weighing in at 150 tonnes that greets visitors to Kiev will need a revamp. The mammoth “Motherland” statue holds high a huge shield emblazoned with the Communist-era hammer and sickle.

The fate of the Communist leader Lenin’s many statues became the focus of debate during the late 2013 Maidan protests that led to the ouster of then pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych and sparked events that led to the war in the east.

As pro-Western protesters toppled Lenin effigies in rage, pro-Russian separatists in the east gathered at their feet. Yesterday’s ban comes as KievMoscow ties hit an alltime low with the toll of over 6,000 mounting by the day in the war pitting government troops against rebels who often hanker after the Soviet Union.

“The USSR was a great

country,” separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko told AFP in the rebel bastion Donetsk, echoing President Vladimir Putin who has dubbed the collapse of the Soviet Union “the major geopolitical disaster of the century.”

Putin is accused by the West of arming the east Ukraine rebels to stop Ukraine looking to the EU and NATO for partnership, an allegation denied

by Moscow.

Ukraine’s new legislation condemns “totalitarian Communist and Nazi regimes in Ukraine” and bans “all public denial” of their “criminal character” as well as the “production”, “circulation” or “public utilisation” of their symbols, except for educational or scientific purposes — or found in a cemetery.

A list of banned items includes the Soviet flag and anthem as well as monuments and historical plaques commemorating Communist leaders.

Penalties for violating the law range from five to 10 years.

The anti-propaganda legislation said it concerned both Nazi symbols used from 1939 to 1945 as well as Communist ones from 1917 to 1991.

NDLEA quizzes S/African lady over mone moneyy laundering €2,120. Two Nigerians,

By Evelyn Usman

World powers to force S/Sudan to end civil war H EAVYWEIGHT international powers will pressure South Sudan’s leaders to end civil war, diplomats said yesterday as the African Union, United Nations, United States and China to kick start stalled peace talks. Over a year of talks mediated by East Africa’s eight-country IGAD bloc have failed to make headway, with the last attempt breaking down last month, and rebel forces accusing regional nations of bias.

The UN Security Council has passed a resolution paving the way for targeted sanctions.

Now diplomats have told AFP they plan a boosted “IGAD-plus” to bring in extra powers to add pressure.

“The new IGAD-plus formula will bring African peer pressure on the parties, as well as on the IGAD countries to close ranks,” a diplomat said.

South Sudan won independence from Khartoum in 2011, but civil war broke out in December 2013 after its president, Salva Kiir, accused his sacked deputy Riek Machar of attempting a coup.

Kiir and Machar “agree that they have agreed on almost everything and none of them can make further compromises,” one diplomat said. “That

is why a broad international alliance would help the parties make the last difficult choices.”

While IGAD-led talks in Ethiopia brokered a string of ceasefire deals, all swiftly collapsed.

Now, alongside the UN, extra nations to be brought in include five representing the African Union - Algeria, Chad, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa.

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HE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA is currently investigating an alleged money laundering case involving a 39year-old South African lady.

The suspect Nonsisi Ngquula Pam, was intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos, with $373,725 and 2,120 Euros concealed inside packs of oats.

The money was reportedly detected during an inward screening of passengers on a South

*Women carry food distributed by the World Food Program (WFP) in Ganyiel village, South Sudan, on March 20, 2015.

African airline flight from Johannesburg.

Two Nigerians are also being investigated by the anti-narcotic Agency.

NDLEA commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr. Hamza Umar said that it was a suspected case of money laundering.

According to him: “ The mode of concealment presents reasonable grounds for money laundering. Five packs of oats were found to contain $373,725 and

Damian Akamelus and Prophet Cyprian Chigere are also being interrogated in connection with the seized money” Hamza stated.

NDLEA Director of Assets and Financial Investigation, Mrs. Victoria Egbase said that refusal to declare the money and the manner of concealment were criminal and that the case is being investigated to establish possible link with drug trafficking.

Zimbabwe ex-vice president to ffight ight e xplosion fr om par ty explosion from party

Z

IMBABWEAN former vice president Joice Mujuru yesterdays said she would fight her expulsion from the ruling ZANU-PF party after falling out with President Robert Mugabe.

Mujuru, who was previously tipped as Mugabe’s likely successor, was expelled last week

by ZANU-PF for allegedly plotting against the 91-year-old president.

“I am one who can never be expelled from the original and genuine

ZANU-PF,” Mujuru said in her first public reaction to her dismissal.

She said in a statement that the ZANU-PF’s decision to expel her was based on an “unsubstantiated, malicious and hateful campaign”.

Mujuru fell out with Mugabe last year and was sacked as vice-president in December.

Many of her allies in government were also fired and expelled from ZANU-PF after Mugabe accused her of plotting to oust him.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 —57

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58 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

Rufai warns NFF over Afcon 2017

By Solomon Nwoke

F

ORMER Super Eagles, skipper and goalkeeper, Peter Rufai has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to have an in-depth look at the various variables affecting the performance of the Senior national team as it prepares for the next Afcon 2017 qualification to be hosted in Gabon.

Dodomayana as he is fondly called by his fans said the Eagles can pick the Afcon 2017 ticket if these variables are put in check including the administration of the game itself.

He said if the Eagles must qualify for the next African Cup of Nations in Gabon, the preparation must start immediately as there are no minors in African football any more. ‘’We can qualify from that group if we put our

•Rufai acts together. We need to go to the grassroots and get players from different cadres to make up the senior national team. With good invitation of players and good administration, we should pick the ticket in

Mourinho: I have a problem, I am getting better and better

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H E L S E A manager Jose Mourinho believes he is improving in every aspect of his job but insisted his one problem is that he cannot help but be truthful when he addresses the media.

The 52-year-old has won league titles in all four countries that he has managed - Portugal, England, Italy and Spain - and insists he continues to get better as a manager.

But Mourinho regularly finds himself in hot water with the Football Association regarding his comments to the media.

The former Real Madrid manager was fined £25,000 earlier this season after claiming there was a clear campaign against his side after being riled by a number of refereeing decisions.

He amassed a similar amount in FA fines last season after being charged for three separate incidents and Mourinho admits his frankness in front of the press is is one weakness.

‘I think I have a problem, which is I’m getting better at

everything related to my job since I started,’ Mourinho said. ‘There has been evolution in many different areas – the way I read the game; the way I prepare the game; the way I train; the methodology… I feel better

that group’’, Rufai said as he insisted that administration should play its part to ensure that there is no vacuum in the preparation for the Eagles.

“The crop of footballers that we have today are not up to the standard of the likes of players we had in the 1994 and ’98 squads.’’

“The present board of NFF should look at what the previous administrations did.

The baton is in their hands to continue the race. So they should do a good race for Nigerians. Meaning that every area should be looked into”.

Rio 2016 receives 1.2 million ticket applications

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HE 2016 Olympic Games holding in Rio, Brazil has received 1.2 million ticket applications from Brazilian residents since sales commenced on March 31.

A report by an online portal.

Theinsidegames, said that the most popular sports in terms of ticket requests are volleyball, football, basketball, artistic gymnastics and athletics.

Others include swimming, tennis, beach volleyball, judo and handball, making them the top 10 most sought-after tickets for the Games.

According to the portal, Donovan Ferreti, Rio 2016’s

ticketing director, said over Brazil were purchasing tickets.

Requests for all the sports in the programme and fans from throughout Brazil are buying tickets.

“This shows that these are not just Rio’s Games, but all of Brazil’s.

“Majority of the applications came from Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais, Amazonas and Bahia,” the portal quoted Ferreti as saying.

Approximately 7.5 million tickets will be put on sale for Rio 2016, with more than half being priced at BRL R$70 (£15/$22/€20) or less.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 — 59

Eagles drop four places in FIFA rankings N

IGERIA has plunged even further down the latest FIFA rankings released by the world football governing body on Wednesday.

The Super Eagles dropped from 41 to 45. The drop reflects a slump in the team’s fortunes on the field, including the disastrous performance in the last two friendly fixtures against Uganda and South Africa.

The Super Eagles crashed one-nil to lowly ranked Uganda 1-0 in Uyo and were forced to a 1-1 draw by South Africa in Nelspruit.

Many African countries also suffered similar fates, with Algeria also dropping down from 18 to 21, Cote D’Ivoire dropping three places down from 20 to 23 and Ghana dropping two places to 26 while Tunisia dropped five places to 30.

Other African teams ranked higher than Nigeria are Senegal (36), Cape Verde Islands (37) and Guinea (41).

•Hayatou

WHAT NEXT? Brown Ideye (l) Mikel Obi ponder over Eagles future.

AFCON 2017: Outrage in Algeria held in his native

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LGERIAN press on Thursday slammed Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Issa Hayatou after Gabon was chosen to host the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

The 2012 co-hosts won Wednesday’s CAF vote held in Cairo against opposition from Algeria and 2008 hosts Ghana.

The papers accused Hayatou, who has been in power since 1988, of “betraying” and “stabbing” Algeria.

El Watan implied that Hayatou had “preferred to reward neighbours Gabon after assuring the 2019 tournament will be

Falcons

Continues from BP today.

The African champions drew the first leg 1-1 in Bamako and will progress to the next stage even if they end up with a goalless draw today in Abuja.

They have however vowed to play without the handbrakes on, predicting a big win over the Malians at the Abuja National Stadium.

“We are gunning for at least a 5-0 victory on Friday(today) and we know it’s possible. We respect the Malians but we know that a big win is all Nigerians want,” spokesperson of the team, Gracious Akujobi said.

Reigning African player of the year, Asisat Oshoala and En Avant Guingamp striker,

Desire Oparanozie both missed the first leg in Mali but have been called up for today ’s game.

Akujobi says calling up both players does not smack of desperation insisting that the duo “remain players of the team”.

“We have heard people say stuff over the invitation of the team and its puzzling because Asisat and Desire both remain part of the Super Falcons team.

“If the coach feels it is important to call them up for this game, I don’t see anything wrong in that. The truth is it doesn’t really matter.

“We were not at the last edition of the All Africa Games and we want to ensure we are there this time,” she said.

Cameroon”.

Algeria Soir were also critical saying it “was a sporting and political defeat for Algeria” while others cried “scandal”.

NOC congratulates Buhari T

HE Nigeria O l y m p i c Committee (NOC) has tipped President-Elect General Mohammadu Buhari (retd) to revamp the sporting fortunes of Nigeria at major international and continental sports championships.

In a congratulatory message to the former Head of State, the President of the NOC, Engr. Habu Gumel, while extending the warm compliments of the board and members of the Olympic family in Nigeria, said it was a privilege and honour to warmly congratulate “ your Excellency on your remarkable victory at the Presidential elections held on Saturday, 28th March.

Your ultimate triumph at the hotly contested polls is no doubt a

reward for your resilience and passion for Nigeria, which was widely acknowledged by the electorates nationwide.

“We in the Olympic Movement rejoice with Mr President-Elect on this joyous occasion, which is no doubt a progressive landmark for our democracy.''

•Gumel

300 runners for Okpekpe race

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VER 3000 runners are expected to participate in next month’s 3rd Okpekpe 10km road race scheduled to hold in Okpekpe,Auchi in Edo state,organisers of the race have confirmed.

‘We are expecting over three thousand runners for this year ’s race which will hold on May 16,’reveals former Nigeria track and field international,Yusuf Ali who added that interest in the race from various managers across the world have been both encouraging and overwhelming.

‘The runners are expected to submit their registration forms with medical certificate of fitness and they are expected to sign a waiver form to acknowledge among other things the risks inherent in running a 10km race unfit,’ said Ali.

We’ll not joke with Mali – Oshoala

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

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HEAD of the make or mar 2015 All Africa Games qualifier against Mali today, Super Falcons forward, Azizat Oshoala says the Nigerian representatives will not take the encounter lightly because of the importance of qualifying for the continental sports fiesta.

The Liverpool of England female team striker who joined the national team earlier in the week told journalists in Abuja that everybody in the team was aware of the importance of winning the match, insisting that there will be no hiding place for the Malians who held them to a 1-1 draw in the first leg played in Bamako.

The reigning female African footballer of the year

assured Nigerians that the girls have trained very hard to ensure total victory in the encounter taking place at the Abuja National Stadium.

“As a team we are well aware of the importance of the game. With the level of tune-up games we have played, you can see the commitment of the girls, everybody is ready for the clash against Mali. We are not coming here for jokes but we are coming all out to show them that we have a greater team than what they experienced in the first game in their country.”

Oshoala however said the Super Falcons will not underrate the Malians because football is never predictable; hence the decision to take the game to them

from the blast of the whistle.

She also spoke on her experience in England saying she has already overcome the initial hiccups like weather condition and adapting to the European style of play, which she added has a slight difference from the Nigerian

NFF Continues from BP Sanusi was unequivocal that Muhammed and anyone found to have aided his unwholesome conduct would face severe sanctions.

“The player had been drafted to the U-23 team because the Coach believes he has something to contribute to bring glory to the

nation. Whoever is found to be culpable in this shameful act will be punished.”

Muhammed was not part of the 18 –man list released by Coach Samson Siasia for the trip to Zambia, where the Dream Team will on Sunday seek to win a spot at the Men’s Football Tournament of the 11th All-Africa Games.

•Osuala

league.

“Actually it was not very difficult for me to settle down in my new club in England, the girls are very cooperative but the weather might be a little bit difficult but I am adapting to the playing pattern and the weather also.”

60 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

Young prays for City’s fall at Old Trafford

Bayern without Ribery, Robben troubles Guardiola

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EP Guardiola is concerned that Bayern Munich are struggling to break down opponents without star wingers Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben.

The Bavarians have scored just once in their past three games in all competitions and needed penalties to defeat Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday for a spot in the DFB-Pokal semifinals.

Robben was injured early in the first game of their current three-game dry spell while Ribery has not featured in over a month for Bayern, and Guardiola was open about the impact their absence is having.

“We are having a lot of problems,” the former Barcelona head coach told reporters. “We don’t have any others players for the one-on-one situations right now.

“We are a different team without Robben and Ribery fit, but we have to adapt to the current circumstances.”

Bayern are still 10 points clear of secondplaced Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga and are back in action on Saturday when they host eighthplaced Eintracht Frankfurt at the Allianz Arena.

Guardiola will then prepare for a Champions League quarter-final first leg visit to Porto, while they must defeat Borussia Dortmund in the DFB-Pokal semi-final on April 28 to keep their treble hopes alive.

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MANCHESTER MADE... Man Utd players Chris Smalling (right) and Michael Carrick stop Sergio Aguero of Man. City during one of their contests.

Real fight Ronaldo’s yellow R

EAL Madrid have confirmed they will appeal the yellow card shown to Cristiano Ronaldo in the 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old was booked for simulation after going to ground in the penalty area following a tackle by Antonio Amaya, a decision which prompted protests from him and his team-mates.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti also hit out at what he said was an “unbelievable” decision by the referee, which resulted in Ronaldo’s fifth yellow of the season, ruling him out of the clash with Eibar on Saturday.

However, the club

remain hopeful of overturning the caution after releasing a statement on Thursday: “Real Madrid will present an argument against the yellow card shown to Cristiano Ronaldo in yesterday’s match against Rayo Vallecano.”

It wasn’t all bad news for the Portugal captain, though, as he scored the opening goal of the game to bring up his 300th strike in all competitions for the club, making him their third-highest goalscorer of all-time.

James Rodriguez later added a second as Madrid ensured the gap between themselves and leaders Barcelona remains just four points.

Messi: Barca have more work to do ARCELONA have B a long way to go before they can celebrate their performances in 2014-15, according to star forward Lionel Messi.

The Argentine scored a sublime curled strike from the edge of the box on Wednesday as Luis Enrique’s men ran out 40 winners over Almeria to ensure they stayed four points ahead of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

Messi has played a huge part in Barca’s nine-game winning streak - they have only failed to win once since the first game of 2015 but he is refusing to get carried away with their four-point lead over Real

•Messi Madrid in La Liga.

“We won against Almeria, but there is still a long way to go,” the 27year-old, wrote on his official Facebook page.

“We have to keep fighting in every match.”

Next up for Barca is an

extremely testing visit to Sevilla on Saturday, with Unai Emery ’s men battling for a Champions League spot as they sit behind fourth-placed Valencia in La Liga on goal difference.

SHLEY Young is desperate to avoid being part of the first United team to lose five successive Manchester derbies.

United have more silverware in their trophy cabinet, but City have had the better of their local rivals during the last couple of years.

Last November ’s 1-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium was the fourth successive derby win for City. The last time they achieved that feat was 60 years ago.

United have never lost five straight matches to their local rivals and Young wants to end City’s dominance this weekend when the Blues come to Old

•Ronaldo... Scored 300 record goals in Real Madrid

Trafford.

“That’s something you want to put right,’ the United winger said when asked about City’s recent dominance in this fixture.

‘It will be another massive game.”

Despite City’s recent success in derbies, United go into the match as favourites after registering five straight league wins.

That run has helped United move into third, one point ahead of City, who slipped to their third defeat in five games at Crystal Palace on Monday.

Young thinks United have a good chance of defeating the Barclays Premier League champions if they maintain their current form.

He said: “We know it will be tough but as long as we can play the way we have shown, especially in the last few games, and add to that, it’s going to be a great game and hopefully we will get the three points.

‘We want to keep the momentum going and the positive play.”

Finishing above City would represent a major coup for manager Louis van Gaal, especially after the way his team started the season.

Inter Milan check on Cech P

ETR Cech is reportedly close to a move to Italian side Inter Milan.

The long-serving Chelsea keeper has slipped behind Thibaut Courtois this season, and the 32-year-old has been repeatedly linked with a move elsewhere, with Liverpool and Arsenal said to be interested.

A recent report claimed the Premier League leaders had no intention of offloading the shotstopper to the Gunners.

However, Serie A giants Inter are the latest side to be linked with Cech.

Inter have grown frustrated with Samir H a n d a n o v i c ’ s deliberation over a new deal at the San Siro and have decided to pursue Cech, according to Corriere Dello Sport, with the Italian

newspaper claiming the Nerazzurri are now sweating on Jose Mourinho’s green light.

Mourinho is said to prefer Cech moving away from

•Cech

England, and Inter are readying a two-year deal with an option for a third, although a recent report claimed Southampton were also keen.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 — 61

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62 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 —63

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

Falcons promise big win over Mali

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HE Super Falcons have promised a comprehensive victory when they face Mali in an All Africa Games (AAG) qualifier at the Abuja National Stadium Continues on Page 59

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HE Nigeria Foot ball Federation has expressed displeasure with the disappearance of U-20 National Team captain, Musa Muhammed, from the camp of the U-23 National Team that is heading to Zambia for a crucial match.

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, was miffed when officially briefed about the antics of the defender, who captained the U-17 National Team to a record fourth FIFA U-17 world title in 2013 and also led the U-20 to a seventh African title in Senegal last month.

“It will be an understatement for me to say the Nigeria Football Federation is disappointed by the behavior of Musa Muhammed.

•Musa

This is someone who should be a role model for the Nigerian youth.

“He is very good at what he does and we love him for that. But discipline is essential in any vocation and the NFF will no longer condone indiscipline on the part of any player or coach of any of the National Teams.”

Oparanozie (0) to lead Falcons attack

FIFA rankings

Eagles drop four places

Pa ge 59

NFF fumes over Musa’s disappearance

Continues on Page 59

Top ten African countries 1. Algeria 2. Cote D’Ivoire 3. Ghana 4. Tunisia 5. Senegal 6. Cape Verde 7. Guinea 8. Nigeria 9. Cameroon 10.Congo

HUMBLED: Super Eagles players after another poor outing.

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

Down Across 2 Meadow (3) 1 Shut (5) 3 Seek (6) 5 Talented (6) 4 Finish (3) 8 Enlist (5)\ 5 Family (4) 10 Show (6) 6 Left (6) 11 Parched (4) 7 Reiterate (6) 14 Character (6) 9 Regain (7) 15 Peaceful (7) 12 Knock (3) 18 Vitality (3) 13 Cheat (4) 19 Vehicle (3) 16 Singer (4) 21 Adroit (4) 17 Marine (5) 23 Spree (5) 20 Denied (7) 24 Needy (4) 22 Even (4) 27 Tease (3) 24 Cushioned (6) 29 Favourite (3) 31 Baby-clothes (7) 25 Gemstone (4) 26 Tell (6) 32 Trader (6) 34 Thoroughfare (4) 28 Obtain (6) 30 Number (3) 35 Escaped (6) 33 Peruse (4) 38 Tree (5) 36 Guided (3) 39 Guard (6) 37 Newt (3) 40 God (5)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS Across: 1, Ledger 5, Melt 8, Eased 9, Arc 10, Turn 11, Aged 12, Atone 13, Horrid 16, Lees 18, Emit 20, Ate 22, Set 23, Rip 24, Tier 25, Clip 28, Cuttle 30, Magic 32, Heat 33, Bask 34, Kin 35, Sited 36, Disc 37, Stance.

Down: 1, Loathe 2, Decorate 3, Entail 4, Fantastic 5, Member 6, Edge 7, Tidy 8, Era 14, Described 15, Sip 17, Eel 19, Mistaken 20, Aim 21, Erratic 26, Packet 27 Seance 29, Shed 30, Mass 31, Cad.

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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