How Saraki, Dogara outfoxed APC leaders

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62419

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

Why we are RIVERS GOV POLL: asks tribunal to dismiss supporting Buhari INEC petitions against Wike 13 9 — G7 N-ASSEMBLY LEADERSHIP:

News Analysis: Superior strategy over party supremacy — P.9

How Saraki, Dogara outfoxed APC leaders •Party cries foul, alleges treachery, indiscipline, disloyalty •Says their emergence unacceptable; vows to sanction 'traitors' •Constitutional process has occurred, says Buhari

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor, Emman Ovuakporie, Henry Umoru, Levinus Nwabughiogu , Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Joseph Erunke

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BUJA — THE dramatic election of four key officers of the National Assembly yesterday unsettled the Continues on Page 5

34 Enugu schools shut for 5 yrs over pro-Kogi agitations See Inside

Mr & Mrs NEW NASS LEADERS: Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki raising the gavel at the inauguration of the 8th National Assembly in Abuja, yesterday. RIGHT: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara after inauguration, yesterday. Photos: Olugbemiga Olamikan/ NAN.

COLUMNISTS: Change and theories of development

Will Nigerians take up the oil marketers' •P.19 •P.17 challenge?

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I want this improved ex-wife back •P.39

Boko Haram kills 15 Borno 14

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POCKET CARTOON

CONGRATULATION—Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila (L) congratulating the new Speaker Yakubu Dogara, after his election at the inauguration of the 8th National Assembly in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

NASS LEADERSHIP: How Saraki, Dogara outfoxed APC leaders Continues from Page 1 ruling All Progressives Congress, APC and breathed life into the Peoples Democratic Party which lost its prime position to the APC. At the end of intrigues and drama that followed the battle for the four presiding officers’ positions in the National Assembly, all the candidates of the APC lost to the candidates backed by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. In his immediate reaction to the emergence of the National Assembly presiding officers, President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged that a constitutional process has occurred in the election even though he wished the process had followed the initiative by the APC. Senator Bukola Saraki of the APC was returned

unopposed as Senate President as the game of intrigues which played through Monday night to the early hours caught the APC leadership on the wrong side.

His emergence was facilitated by the solid backing of the 49-member strong PDP caucus with unalloyed support from APC Senators from Zamfara, Sokoto, Adamawa, Kogi and Kwara States. As part of the quid pro quo from the PDP, the Saraki elements backed the return of Senator Ike Ekweremadu of the PDP as Deputy President of the Senate, the first time a bipartisan leadership was enthroned in the Senate.

The emergence of Saraki and Ekweremadu bounced off negatively for the official APC candidate in the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who lost to

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

If you have nothing nice to say about a person, then do not say a thing— Bambi

W

E show love by demonstrating our actions to others, and one way to do this, is to show appreciation. Always help others to build their dream castles. These are aspirations and goals that we all pursue. Help another understand their divinity through your uplifting actions but remember there is a thin line that separates you too, for freedom to be, it comes with responsibility. Be nice and people will be nice, be friendly and people will be friendly.

Look at the fine qualities in your fellow man... and you too will radiate those virtues. Do not try to influence others deliberately or through subtle means to dislike or hate another.

Build solid foundation through your actions and imbibe attributes that will uplift you. Love comes only to those who give love. And even if you know all these already, just practice it more. Life is a Journey. We get the best ride through our most uplifting actions.

the unofficial APC candidate, Yakubu Dogara.

Gbajabiamila was also widely reported to be strongly backed by the party leadership.

The rout of the APC leaders' choices was completed late last night when the party ’s candidate for Deputy Speaker, Tahir Monguno also lost to the unofficial candidate backed by the PDP, Lashan Yusuf. The contest for the deputy was after Gbajabiamila had, after his defeat, spurned entreaties from the Dogara camp to take the position of Deputy Speaker. Rep. Leo Ogor, coordinator of the PDP in the chambers and Deputy Leader of the House in the Seventh House of Representatives also spurned the offer.

Saraki’s emergence as Senate President was preceded by hard negotiations and intrigues that played for most of Monday night into the early hours of Tuesday.

Game of intrigues Having rejected last Saturday’s internal party caucus which it claimed was skewed to favour Senator Ahmad Lawan who emerged official candidate of the party, Senator Saraki had through Monday made moves to concretise an alliance with the PDP which came into the Eighth Senate with 49 members compared with the 59 seats occupied by his own party, APC. PDP leaders, including virtually all governors belonging to the party in meetings gave their

commitment to Senator Saraki after it emerged that 41 out of the 49 senators-elect in the party were already committed to him. That was based on the strong lobby put forward by Ekweremadu, Senator Andy Uba and former Akwa Ibom governor, Godswill Akpabio.

The PDP senators, it was learnt, saw Saraki who served two terms as governor and a Senate term on the platform of the party as a prodigal son of better consideration than an enemy which they saw in Lawan.

However, consideration was given to the strong support being given Senator Lawan by immediate past Senate President, Senator David Mark, who had for the past eight years had Lawan as part of his inner caucus. Besides was the lack of cordiality between Saraki and Mark. Upon the strong support for Saraki, governors and members of the PDP National Working Committee, NWC including the immediate past chairman of the Board of Trustees of the party, Chief Tony Anenih persuaded Mark to drop his objection to Saraki in the interest of party unity.

Mark, according to sources, heeded the appeal and immediately brought relief to all present at the high-level meeting. However, the quid pro quo was that Senator Ekweremadu would run for the office of Deputy President of the Senate.

Upon the agreement which was sealed sometime around 2.a.m yesterday morning, Saraki and his entourage moved over to Senator Mark’s Apo Mansion residence where he thanked the immediate past Senate President for his hand of conciliation and support.

Mark, according to sources, was visibly moved by the entreaty from Saraki and further reaffirmed his support.

The PDP quickly issued a statement following the agreement with a directive to senators-elect and members-elect on the platform of the party to vote for Saraki and Dogara in the leadership contest in the two chambers. The APC meanwhile had the previous night been making furtive attempts at reconciliation. A move by Lawan to reach Saraki according to sources was frustrated by Saraki who put himself out of reach to the party leadership.

APC summons meeting Early yesterday morning the APC, apparently

aiming to undercut the agreement reached between the Saraki/Dogara groups and the PDP, summoned a meeting with all senators-elect and members-elect using the name of the president, Muhammadu Buhari who had just returned from his outing at the G7 summit in Germany.

To give vent to the meeting, security was tightened around the National Assembly complex and senatorselect and members-elect were initially refused entry.

However, supporters of Saraki and Dogara were quick to dismiss the meeting as they alleged that the president did not summon the meeting as they accused the party leadership of using the name of the president.

Meanwhile as if bound by some agreements, the rebel APC senators-elect shortly before 10.00 a.m. drove into the National Assembly complex within a ten-minute period to team up with the 49 senators-elect from the PDP. At exactly, 10:03, the Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, began the day’s business with the roll call, after which it was discovered that out of the 108 senators-elect, only 57 were in attendance, leaving 52 others, mostly of the APC fold still outside.

At that time, the 33 senators-elect committed to Senator Lawan, the party’s official candidate were still waiting for President Buhari who was nowhere to be found at the International Conference Centre, about two kilometres away.

Seated, waiting were members of the National Working Committee of the APC led by the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, former Abia state governor, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, former Interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande and Yobe state governor, Ibrahim Geidam.

Meanwhile in the Senate chambers, with a quorum in place, senatorselect were asked to confirm their attendance in a roll call.

Saraki emerges Senate president Remarkably, Senator Saraki’s entry into the hall was hailed by wide applause from the seated senators-elect.

Following the roll call, the Clerk of the National Assembly read the proclamation address to him from the president.

He thereafter, requested the senators-elect to nominate someone among themselves for the position of the Senate President and Senator Ahmad Sani, Yeriman Bakura (APC, Zamfara Central), immediately nominated Senator Saraki and he was seconded by Senator Dino Melaye, APC, Kogi West.

After the first nomination, Salisu, again, requested for other nominations, but there was a deafening silence as no other nomination for the post of Senate President was made and he immediately closed nomination upon which Saraki was adopted as the sole candidate and returned unopposed as the Senate President.

APC meeting breaks up Meanwhile, word of the development in the National Assembly reached the ICC, forcing a break-up of the meeting as APC senators-elect waiting for the president started dashing back to the National Assembly.

After his election, he was immediately sworn in by the Clerk of the National Assembly following which he asked senators-elect to make nomination for Deputy President of the Senate.

Senator George Sekibo from Rivers State nominated Senator Ekweremadu for the position of the Deputy Senate President and he was seconded by his kinsman, Senator-elect, Continues on Page 56

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

Valentine day robber to spend 21 years in jail

By Bartholomew Madukwe

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AGOS—A bus conductor, Sunday Olalekan, was, yesterday, sentenced to 21 years imprisonment by a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, after being found guilty of robbing one Nkong Remi on February 14, 2013 (Valentine Day).

The convict, 22, who lives at Papa Unity Road, Imedu-Ibafo area of Ogun State, was arraigned by Lagos State Government on a one-count charge of robbery, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Olalekan was alleged to have, on the said date at Gani Fawehinmi Garden, Ojota, in the Ikeja Judicial Division, robbed the victim (Remi) of her handbag, phones and other valuables.

According to the prosecutor, Mr. Akin George, the offence was contrary to Section 294 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

During trial, Remi had told the court that she was driving an ash-coloured SUV on February 14, on her way to drop her sister at the park around 6:15a.m., when the robbery took place.

She said the assailants also robbed her sister, rough handled and fondled her before she could drive off.

She said: “I returned to the park around 7a.m., and was told some boys were caught and taken to Alausa Police Station.

“At the station, they asked me if I can recognise the boys and I said I can recognise the one with a swollen eye. They took me in and I recognised him (convict).”

However, the convict, who testified in Yoruba language, denied all the allegation.

He said he went to 7-Up at Ojota to wait for his boss (Tunde), but did not see him.

Delivering judgment, Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye held that the testimony of Remi was unshaken during cross-examination and she was able to identify the assailant (Olalekan).

“I, hereby, find you, Sunday Olalekan, guilty of the offence of robbery and sentence you to 21 years imprisonment as stated by law,” the judge ruled.

23-yr-old bread seller raped, murdered In Benin

By Gabriel Enogholase

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ENIN—UNKNOWN assailants reportedly kidnapped, raped and murdered a 23-year-oldwoman, simply identified as Joy Okoh in Benin, Edo State, and left her body in the boot of an SUV at Upper Mission Extension in the state capital.

It was learned that the deceased, who was said to be a bread seller at Lucky Way Junction by Ramat Park was alleged to have closed for the day ’s business at 7.30p.m., when she was kidnapped.

The car was said to have been snatched by the gunmen, used for the act and abandoned.

When contacted, state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Stephen Onwuchei who confirmed the story, said the police have commenced investigation into the incident.

Lover killed

In a related development, a

middle-aged man, whose name was given as Osayande Edoigiawerie, was allegedly stabbed to death by his lover’s son at Zabayor Street, Benin, Monday night.

Edoigiawerie was said to have gone to his lover ’s to have his dinner when the son

Man killed by lover's son of the woman, who is now on the run, attacked him with a dagger.

The mother of the assailant was said to have raised alarm, which attracted the people in

the area to the scene. He was rushed to a nearby clinic, where he was confirmed dead.

Contacted, Onwuchei said he was yet to be informed of the incident.

LAUTECH student dies playing football

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO—TRAGEDY stuck, yesterday, when a student of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, Fatai Morenikeji, suddenly died on the football pitch.

According to sources, the deceased, a 400 level student of Chemical Engineering, was playing football with his friends, when he slumped and died.

Reacting to the occurrence, Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Adeniyi

VC declares 3 days of mourning Gbadegesin, commiserated with the students who gathered in front of the Senate Building of the university.

He also expressed sympathy with the parents of the deceased.

He immediately inaugurated an investigative panel to probe issues surrounding the incident, with a view to forestalling a future occurrence.

The panel has 72 hours to submit its report to the university authorities.

The university’s Director of Medical Services, Dr. Caleb Adegbosin, who also spoke on the incident, said the deceased was rushed to the university’s clinic before being certified clinically dead, and that all efforts to save his life failed.

The Vice-Chancellor, in declaring a three-day mourning period, assured the students that their welfare, including medical care, would continue to be given topmost priority attention at all times.

SEIZED: Frozen poultry products seized by the Nigeria Customs Services at Seme Border Command in Lagos, yesterday.

NAN PHOTO.

Lagos bizman docked over N10.3m petroleum products

By Onozure Dania, Opeyemi Lepe & Precious Akubueze

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AGOS—A 29-year-old businessman, Ahmed Ismaila, was, yesterday, docked before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, for allegedly obtaining petroleum products valued at N10.3 million, with a promise to pay back within a week.

The defendant is facing a fourcount charge of conspiracy, obtaining, stealing and issuing of dud cheques preferred against him by the police.

The prosecutor, Idowu Olawale, told the court that the defendant and others, who are still at large, committed the alleged offences sometime in

August 2013.

He said the defendant obtained petroleum products valued at N10,362,000, from one Khadija Awwal, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Cariads Petroleum Energy Limited.

Olawale also claimed that the defendant, on September 11, 2013, issued two dud cheques of N8 million and N2.3 million in favour of Cariads Petroleum, which was dishonoured when it was presented at the bank due to insufficient funds in his account.

According to the prosecutor, the office is punishable under Sections 409, 312 (B) and 319 (B) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The defendant, however,

pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

Magistrate Ali Balogun granted the defendant bail in

the sum of N3 million with two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the matter to June 23 for mention.

Gunmen ambush, kill policeman, soldier in Benue

By Peter Duru

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AKURDI— A police officer and an Army Lance Corporal were, yesterday, ambushed and killed by gunmen near Zaki Biam in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

Vanguard learned that they were members of Benue State Special Anti-Robbery Squad

code-named Operation Zenda, who were on routine assignment in the area.

According to sources, the deceased were killed while on their way to a crime scene after receiving a distress call, but were ambushed by a gang of armed men, who opened fire on their vehicle.

Confirming their deaths, Police Public Relations Officer,

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015—7

24-yr-old girl accused of stealing N.5m

By Onozure Dania, Opeyemi Lepe & Precious Akubueze

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PROTEST: Bonfire set up by protesting students of Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic in Bauchi, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

VANDALISM: Pipeline explosion rocks Lagos community

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

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AGOS—A pipeline explosion occurred at IjeOdodo in Ojo Local Government Area, Lagos, following the activities of suspected pipeline vandals.

Vanguard gathered that the explosion occurred at 11:15p.m., Monday, causing panic in the community.

When Vanguard visited the scene at about 12:30p.m. yesterday, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, officials and men of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, were not around.

Only members of Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, contracted by the Federal Government to secure pipelines, were sighted few metres from the explosion point.

Sources said accessing the scene was difficult as the plank bridge constructed by NNPC for easy access to the point had been damaged by the vandals to avoid any disturbance from security officials.

Mr. Tajudeen Olaosebikan, a commercial motorcycle operator, said the explosion occurred few Austine Ezeani, said: “The police Sergeant was attached to 13 Mopol Unit, Makurdi, while the soldier was from the 72 Special Battalion, Makurdi.

“They were killed around 6a.m. at Alibiam village in Ukum council in an ambush by suspected robbers, while on routine duty.

“They were part of the team that responded to a distress call by robbery victims in the area.”

Ezeani said Police were already on the trail of the armed men, assuring that the masterminds of the killing would be apprehended.

minutes after a downpour.

According to him, “this was few minutes past 11p.m. At that time, I was on my way to IjeOdodo when there was thunder and few seconds later, I heard a loud bang. The next thing I saw was fire from the pipeline.”

Olaosebikan said vandals must have commenced their operations immediately the heavy downpour started.

OPC on ground

However, the leader of Ikotun-Igando division of OPC, Mr. Taiwo Famuyiwa, said: “We do not know what caused the explosion. What we saw was fire and we have informed NNPC. They will visit the place to ascertain the cause of the explosion.”

The OPC coordinator for the zone, Mr. Mauruf Lawal, said they could not say if the pipeline was ruptured by vandals because the bridge to access the entire stretch of the pipelines had been damaged by the vandals.

He said: “If we can access the point, we will be able to know who perpetrated the act.”

He lamented that the bridge had been damaged for months, adding “ we have contacted NNPC to help rebuild it. But all we received was assurance that it would be done.”

Lawal said: “When the bridge was still functioning, we were able to arrest vandals and impound their stolen products. But since it was damaged, we could neither access the point nor arrest any vandals.”

NEMA reacts

Confirming the incident, South-West Information Officer, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, said: “Vandals struck again on the

NNPC pipeline at Ije-Ododo line around 11:15p.m., Monday.

“NNPC has shut down flows and locked the supply valves to stop feeding the fire. Action will commence to put out the fire after securing access to the difficult terrain that has proven extremely difficult due to the

swampy nature of the area.

“Ije-Ododo line is directly from Atlas Cove, which supplies products to Mosinmi and further distributes to other part of South-West zone.

“Ije-Ododo and Arepo have been very volatile and extremely dangerous due to activities of the vandals in recent times.”

AGOS—A 24-year-old cleaner, Faith Ofeimu, was, yesterday, arraigned before a Tinubu Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, for allegedly stealing phones and cash, valued at N532,800 from a businessman who offered her a lift.

The defendant is facing a two-count charge of stealing preferred against her by the police.

The prosecutor, Koti Aondohemba, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on April 24, at 11:30p.m.

He said that the incident took place at the residence of the complaint, Benson Bright, at 4, Tokunbo Street, Lagos Island.

However the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Magistrate Salama Matepo, granted her N100,000 bail, with two sureties in like sum and adjourned till June 24.

Edo police arraign 98 suspected cultists

By Simon Ebegbulem

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E N I N — N I N T Y- e i g h t persons arrested by the Special Squad deployed to Edo State by Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, for alleged cultism, were, yesterday, arraigned before a Special Magistrate’s Court in Benin.

The court, it was learned, was set up by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Cromwell Idahosa, due to the ongoing strike by judicial workers in the state.

Besides, 129 of the suspects were earlier arraigned last week, bringing to 227 the number of suspects standing trial over cult-related offences.

State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Samuel Adegbuyi,said cultrelated activities in the state became worrisome so he sought the assistance of the IG. He said on completion of investigations, 129 were arraigned on June 2 and 3, while today (yesterday) “98 suspects were equally arraigned in connection with the offences mentioned.”

Recovered

He added that the command

Court holds at command's premises recovered several dangerous weapons and other items bearing the marks of some of the cult members.

Two locally-made pistols, four cut-to-size guns, four doublebarrelled guns, eight singlebarrelled guns, four AK-47 rifles, three pump action guns, 146 live cartridges, eight cutlasses, two battle axes, one tear gas canister, one short sword with cult symbol, plague, two neo-black movement regalia and one baton were recovered from the suspects.

The proceedings of the court, presided over by Magistrate Adiaken, were shifted to the premises of the state Police Command, while journalists were barred from the proceedings held amidst tight security.

The court was relocated to the state Police Command due to the four-month-old industrial action embarked upon by judicial workers in the state.

The suspects were said to have variously participated in the activities of rival secret cult groups that unleashed terror in

the state, leading to the death of over 20 persons.

Charge

Part of the charge preferred against the accused read: “Between February 1 and May 12 in Benin in the Oredo Magisterial District, being public officers and professionals in the Edo State Civil Service system, did conspire amongst yourselves and others now at large to engage in Black Axe, Marphites, Eiye, Aiye, Jurist, Vickins, Norsemen secret cults initiations and illicit cult activities in Edo State and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 4 (b) of the Edo State Secret Cult (Prohibition) Law, 2000.”

The suspects were remanded in prison, while the magistrate ordered that their case files be referred to the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, for advice following an application by counsel to the defendants/ accused, Mr Anthony Orunkoya.

The case was adjourned to September 9 for hearing.

8—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

Recover N4trn from oil firms, NEITI tells Buhari Indicts NNPC, NPDC over 8 oil wells deal

By Michael Eboh

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BUJA — NIGERIA Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), yesterday, indicted oil and gas companies operating in Nigeria of defrauding the country to the tune of $19.1 billion, about N3.82 trillion, over the last couple of months, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the recovery of the money from the companies.

NEITI, in a statement in Abuja, disclosed that the amount represents clear cases of underpayments, underassessments of taxes, royalties, rents, among others, revealed in its several independent audit reports which have not been adequately addressed in the past.

NNPC, NPDC oil wells sale lack transparency

Executive Secretary, NEITI, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, also described the transfer of eight oil wells sold by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) in 2010 and 2011 as lacking in transparency and called for a full investigation into the transaction.

She said: “The position of NEITI is that the whole transaction is not transparent.

The Federal Government needs to carry out a full investigation into the sale to ascertain the actual cost of the oil blocks and revenue loss to the Federation in the whole transaction."

Recover N2.32trn from NNPC, NLNG

Giving a breakdown of some of the amount the country has lost to oil and gas operators, she noted that $11.6 billion, about N2.32 trillion, which represents outstanding total dividends arising from loans and interest repayments from Federal Government’s investment in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) also needs to be recovered into government coffers.

She said: “Our 2012 Audit Report discovered that total dividend loans and interest repayment from LNG paid to the NNPC in 2012 was $2.8 billion. However, in the course of NEITI’s Audit NNPC was unable to provide any evidence to provide that the funds were remitted to the federation as required by law."

Scarcity: Marketers disburse 8 million litres of fuel Criminals cashing in on crisis to defraud Nigerians — DPR

By Michael Eboh

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BUJA — The Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, yesterday, stated that the current fuel scarcity witnessed across the country will ease before the end of this week, as about eight million litres of premium motor spirit, also known as fuel, have been disbursed to Abuja and environs.

Zonal Operations Controller, Abuja, DPR, Mr. Mohammed Usman, who disclosed this during an enforcement activity in Abuja, said the meeting between the Federal Government and oil marketers had started to yield positive results, as it had brought about a slight improvement in the fuel situation.

According to him, after the intervention last week, oil marketers, on Monday, mobilised about eight million litres of fuel to Abuja and environs, He further stated that the DPR had put in place strict measures and also stepped up its monitoring processes to check diversion of petroleum products.

He said: “We have been able to put in place measures that will check diversion.

These measures include the use of the internet and loading manifest. Using these and other measures, DPR officials will be able to identify cases where a truck destined for a particular petrol station at a particular location is diverted elsewhere.

“The DPR officials will only need to visit the petrol station in question, check its tank, and where the quantity in the tank does not reflect what it is supposed to receive, the marketer will be asked to provide explanations; and where the explanations are not satisfactory, the station would be booked for sanctions.”

Criminals cashing in on crisis to defraud Nigerians

Also speaking, Mr. Mohammed Saidu, Head, Public Relations, DPR, Abuja, lamented the fact that fraudsters have cashed in on the fuel crisis to dupe unsuspecting members of the public.

According to him, fraudsters posing as DPR officials are taking advantage

of the crisis and are going about defrauding petrol station owners and even job seekers.

He said: “In the last couple of days, we were inundated by reports of certain unscrupulous individuals posing as DPR officials going to petrol stations across the country, threatening to seal them while extorting money from them.

“In some cases, the fraudsters tell the owners of the petrol station to give them certain amount of money so that they can give them the go-ahead to sell above the regulated price.

These marketers go ahead to bribe the fake DPR officials and then they resort to selling above the official pump price.

“In some cases when our

officials mete out sanctions to these petrol stations, they claim DPR had already given them clearance to engage in these unlawful acts.

“In another instance, the fraudsters also collect money from job-seekers, telling them that the money is for a DPR permit that is required before they will be able to get employment in the petroleum industry. In some other instances, they promise to help the job-seekers get jobs in multinational oil companies.”

Saidu stated that the activities of the fraudsters are currently undermining DPR’s quest to effectively regulate and monitor operators, especially in this period of fuel scarcity.

He called on Nigerians to be alert to the devices of the fraudsters, stating that officials of the DPR on enforcement activities always wear their badges, will never request for money from petrol stations and will always come in their official vehicles, branded with the DPR logo.

The situation had improved in some of the stations visited

by Vanguard over the last couple of days. Mr. Kingsley Iyiegbu, the Dealer of Mobil petrol station in Utako, Abuja, said it currently has about 40,000 litres of fuel in its tanks and is still expecting a truckload of fuel before the end of the day.

Also, Mr. Dauda Yahyah, Manager, Eterna petrol station in Utako, said the queues on his station had lessened, adding that it has about 30,000 litres of petrol in its tanks.

CONFERENCE: From left: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Alhaji Ismaila Aliyu; Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh and Executive Secretary, Lake Chad Basin Commission, Mr Sanusi Abdullahi, at the Conference of Chiefs of Defence Staff of the Lake Chad Basin Commission's Members Countries and Benin, in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

FG re-opens Maiduguri airport 18 months after closure

By Ndahi Marama

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AIDUGURI — THE Federal Government, yesterday, re-opened the Maiduguri International Airport for commercial activities, 18 months after it was closed following persistent Boko Haram attacks in the city.

The airport was shut down early December 2013 few days after the insurgents launched a daring attack on the 79 Composite of the Nigerian Air Force base in Maiduguri and destroyed three military helicopters.

Since then, commercial

airline operators deserted the state, with road transport being the only alternative means for travellers.

Similarly, intending pilgrims for both hajj and lesser hajj had to travel by road to Kano before being airlifted to the holy land.

However, Borno State Deputy Governor, Zanna Umar Mustapha, told newsmen that the Federal Government resolved to re-open the airport following the seemingly security improvement recorded in the recent times.

He said: "It is interesting to announce that the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, has confirmed to me

that the Federal Government issued a directive for the reopening of the Maiduguri International Airport for commercial activities.

"In fact, the Chief of Air Staff told me that the Nigerian Air Space Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) were already directed to work out effective modalities for the effective resumption of the flight."

Zanna further explained that Medview Airlines has announced its decision to fully commence flight from Maiduguri en route AbujaKano and Jeddah.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015—9

Superior strategy over party supremacy

By Owei Lakemfa

NEWS ANALYSIS

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alliance that became the APC. Yesterday, in the Senate, he took a firm stand against his new party, and carried the day.

While his father, was Senate Leader in the Second Republic, Saraki has surpassed that mark with his election as Senate President. APC which had been caught napping, woke from its slumber after the elections in the National Assembly to state the obvious; that Saraki and Dogara were not its candidates.

It is unclear what this caveat emptor will achieve. Since being the official candidate of a political party is not part of the criteria to be elected an officer of the National Assembly, of what use is this declaration, more so when the party cannot annul the elections.

On the other hand, it has vowed to take disciplinary action against its dissident law makers.

I doubt whether it will be wise for the party to suspend or expel holders of the third and fourth highest political offices in the country.

This can lead to crisis and serious problems for the APC which became the ruling party only eleven days ago. If Saraki and his supporters were to be expelled, or are pushed out, they are likely to team up with the PDP which would become the majority party, at least in the Senate. The APC is in a self-afflicted dilemma; how can a ruling party claim it has no interest in who leads the National Assembly? On the eve

HE contest for the Senate Presidency yesterday, was billed to be one of the major fights of the current political dispensation. It was one between Senator Ahmad Lawan backed by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and his fellow party man, Senator Bukola Saraki who refused to step down despite losing the party’s endorsement.

But it ended a no contest as the Saraki group, backed by the additional punching power of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delivered a technical knockout. It was a master stroke; while 51 Senators-elect of the APC were meeting outside the National Assembly confident that the inauguration of the Eighth Senate will be held up for them, the Saraki group and the PDP Senators constituting a majority 57, got the Senate inaugurated and in the absence of his rival and the majority APC Senators, Saraki was returned unopposed and sworn-in.

To worsen the day for the ruling party, another dissident law maker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, riding on the crest of the Saraki victory in the Senate, was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives with 182 votes, defeating the official party candidate, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila of the NASS who scored 174 elections, the votes.

The cerebral National Saraki group It will not be in Publicity Secretary seemed to have of the APC, Alhaji the interest of also partly Lai Mohammed resolved a the APC or the told the press that dilemma of the “Contrary to the country for the B u h a r i n e g a t i v e administration; NASS to be information being how do you passed to the bogged down bring in the public, the South East with inleadership of the elites who seem APC did not fighting over completely left endorse anyone out of the these elections neither does it country ’s back anybody” political With its hierarchy? It performance did that by yesterday, it seems that either the getting the immediate past APC is just settling down or is Senate Deputy President, unraveling. The ‘PDP’ part of the Senator Ike Ekweremadu of APC alliance seems intact. All it the PDP re- elected. did when it faced challenges, was Saraki, two-term Governor of to return home like prodigal Kwara State is a master political children seeking some player. He had ridden to forgiveness and support. prominence on the back of his Like a good father, the PDP father, the late Senator Olusola admonished them, and gave Saraki, the grand master of them the necessary backing. In Kwara politics. the NASS elections, the PDP But when the duo had a clash, became the king makers and the younger Saraki triumphed presented itself as a conscious and sent his father into political and focused party. retirement. His sister, Senator It will not be in the interest of Gbemi Saraki who had the the APC or the country for the backing of their father, was sent NASS to be bogged down with into political oblivion. He in-fighting over these elections.

The APC needs to rethink its marched into the Senate from where he spear headed a revolt strategy; this is its first real test against the then ruling party, the as the ruling party. By the way, PDP. Saraki and his fellow does anybody know where dissidents split the PDP and President Muhammadu Buhari carried their faction into the stand in all these? Just curious.

MEETING: National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun (4th left), addressing pro-Lawan Senators from left: Barnabas Gemade (APC, Benue North-East); Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna North); Abdullahi Adamu (APC, Nasarawa West); Ahmed Lawan (APC, Yobe North); Robert Boroffice (APC, Ondo North) and others, at a meeting of the APC leadership with elected legislators for the 8th National Assembly, in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN

Why we are supporting Buhari —G7 A

BUJA — MEMBERS of The G7 group of industrialized nations gave reasons, yesterday, why they have resolved to support President Muhammadu Buhari.

The G7 nations comprising the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom said they are backing Buhari because they, among other reasons, acknowledged “the way and manner of his emergence and the tremendous challenges faced by the government he leads, not of his making, especially in its efforts to combat the Boko Haram.”

A statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the President, said at the end of President Buhari's presentation on Monday, “the G7 leaders said to him that they recognized the President's massive amount of confidence and expectations behind his government.

"They acknowledged him as having emerged from an election adjudged to be the freest in the country's electoral history, but regretted the severe handicaps his new government has to face from the outset.”

According to the statement, "they told President Buhari that they took cognizance of the fact of the several handicaps, including the lack of resources, leaving him with a government over-stretched in capacity, itself riddled with mismanagement. They noted that the country's army lacked training and equipment with little or no will to engage.

"In recognition of the fact that the security threat of the Boko

Haram had gone beyond Nigeria, equally affecting other countries in the region, the G7 conceded that no one country can tackle it alone.

Warm sentiments towards Buhari

"They expressed warm sentiments towards the Nigerian leader and praised him for reaching out to the country's neighbours and the group of industrialized nations within a week of his takeover of government.

"In view of the seriousness he has shown in tacking this problem, the group pledged that they would 'engage, cooperate and collaborate' with President Buhari's government in tackling the serious

problems that Nigeria faces.

"They left it to President Buhari to come up with the specifics on his requirements, assuring that they would study the requirements either individually or collectively and offer help. They asked to know the nature and the scale of the problems in order to know the nature and the scale of the assistance they will provide.

Suffice it to say that they assured President Buhari that 'Nigeria will find a partner in the G7.'"

President Buhari, who had the privilege of being the first to address the G7 among the invited presidents and prime ministers was warmly received at the summit. He returned to Nigeria yesterday.

Presidency dismisses rumours on Buhari's delayed relocation to Presidential Villa

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By Ben Agande

BUJA — THE Presidency has described as baloney the rumours being circulated that President Muhammadu Buhari refused to move into the Presidential Villa because of purported advice from Senegalese spiritualists.

In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, the Presidency expressed “utter embarrassment at such suggestion,” saying that President Buhari is a practising Muslim who believes his fate belongs to God. According to the statement, no true believer combines faith in God and reliance on

the power of ordinary mortals, who can neither protect themselves, nor protect others from the hands of fate.

Malam Shehu said the socalled “spiritual cleansing of the Aso Rock Villa by Senegalese marabouts before President Buhari moves into the villa” was the figment of the imagination of rumour mongers.

The statement said it was ridiculous to attribute President Buhari’s delay in moving into the villa to any advice from fictitious marabouts.

According to Shehu, renovation works in the villa was largely responsible for the delay in Buhari’s movement into the Presidential Villa.

10 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

Expert recommends energy-saving practices for poor power supply

By Laju Iren

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AGOS—THE Head, Department of Building, at the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Prof.

Godwin Idoro, has said that there is the urgent need for Nigerians to imbibe energysaving practices to make up for productivity losses arising from incessant power outage in the country.

Idoro disclosed this to Vanguard recently.

According to him: “For several years now the nation has been facing several challenges on power generation transmission distribution. The existing power plants are grossly inadequate to generate the electricity need of the nation, the electricity generation known to vary between 3275% of the installed capacity of existing power plant while the distribution loses are known to be about 28% of electricity generated. The result is obvious-incessant power outage which has almost paralyzed the nation’s social and economic activities.”

Idoro said that the power situation in the country led to the decision of his department to organise a public lecture titled: “Energy Efficient And Healthy Buildings; Emerging HAVAC Technologies For Hot And Humid Climates.”

$330,000 FRAUD: Accused court registrar was deceptive – Witness

By Abdulwahab Abdulah & Bartholomew Madukwe

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AGOS—A quality control operative, Mohammed Umar, attached to the Polygraph Unit of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday told an Ikeja High Court that a court registrar, Oluronke Rosolu, was deceptive during a polygraph examination conducted to determine if she lied about her involvement in a $330,000 fraud carried out on former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi.

Rosolu, who is a former registrar to Justice Joseph Oyewole, was accused of aiding a Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua, to defraud the former Chief of Army Staff (Lt-Gen. Bamaiyi) while they were being remanded at Kirikiri Maximum Prison for separate criminal charges between November 2004 and June 2005.

The anti-graft agency said Ajudua obtained the money from Bamaiyi by claiming it represented the professional fee charged by Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) to handle his case.

Ajudua is also alleged to have claimed that the money would help to facilitate Bamaiyi’s release from jail.

Led in evidence by the EFCC counsel Mr. Seidu Atteh, the witness explained that a polygraph test is not a lie detector but detects deception.

“Deception is a polygraph terminology where the examinee is not being truthful during the examination,” Umar said.

DEJI GETS STAFF OF OFFICE: Ondo State deputy governor, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo (right), presenting the staff of office to the new Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi Odundun II, at the governor's office, in Akure, yesterday.

The witness told the court that he studied the video recording of the polygraph examination and other documents and was able to determine that the examinee was being deceptive during the polygraph examination.

Umar, who further told the court that he has a diploma in psycho-physiological detection of deception, and a member of the American Polygraph Association, said Rosolu’s polygraph examination was not the first of its kind conducted by his team.

During cross-examination by the defence counsel, Mr Bamidele Ogundele, the witness said that his team did not carry out a polygraph test on Lt. Gen Ishaya Bamaiyi and a prison official ACP Abdullahi Garba to determine if they were lying

Mortgage scam: Subscriber drags firm to court

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS—A home subscrib er, Mr. Abraham Omokanye, has dragged a real estate firm, Gran Imperio Group, before a Lagos High Court, sitting at Ig-

bosere, Lagos, over alleged attempt to defraud him of N4.036 million, through mortgage scam.

Joined as co-defendants in the suit are Metropole Interproject Limited, and the managing director of Gran Imperio Group,

Deji of Akure gets staff of office

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KURE—ONDO State government on Tuesday presented staff of office to the new traditional ruler of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II. Aladelusi was installed as the 48th Deji of Akure after the demise of Oba Adebiyi Adesida.

Aladelusi was unanimously selected by the kingmakers on Sunday and was subsequently approved by the State

Executive Council on Monday.

Gov. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State said the installation of Adeludi was part of the present administration’s efforts to ensure peaceful existence among communities and towns.

Mimiko, represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, said the installation of the new monarch marked the beginning of a new era in Akure.

Mr. Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

Omokanye, in the suit number LD/267CMW/2015, is seeking a court order directing the defendants severally and individually to pay him by certified bank Durant the sum of N6, 397,852.50, with interest at the rate of 35 percent per annum before judgment and 19 percent per annum from judgement, until judgment is liquidated.

At the resumed hearing of the suit yesterday, the claimant’s counsel Chukwuemeka Amaghiro, informed the court that the matter was for hearing of all pending applications in the suit.

The defendants’ counsel Mr. Olanrewaju Jolaoso, also informed the court that his clients are making steps to settle the matter out of court and then urged the court for a short a d j o u r n m e n t .

Consequently, Justice A. J. Coker, adjourned the Matter till June 30, for report of settlement.

against the defendant.

After listening to the witness, the presiding judge, Justice Lateef Lawal- Akapo, adjourned the matter till June 23, 2015.

Veteran DJ, Abbey Lincoln dies at 73

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NE of Nigeria’s veter an disc jockeys, Abiodun Okusanya otherwise known as Abbey Lincoln has passed on at the age of 73.

He was a scion of the late renowned Chief Emmanuel Badejo-Okusanya, one of the first indigenous music recording magnates in Nigeria.

With such contemporaries as

By Lawani Mikairu Late Segun Shonibare, Late John Chukwu, and Chief Eddie AGOS—PRODUCERS of Ugboma; his life revolved around Ogogoro under the entertainment, from his days at umbrella of Raw Gin Producers Fiditi Grammar School, through Association of Nigeria, RGPAN, to Molusi College, where he has urged the federal government was the fastest mile runner in the not to ban the local gin popularly whole of the then Western called Ogogoro based on recent Region. He also participated in casualty recorded from its several sporting activities like consumption in some states of the javelin, long and high jump. country.

He will be laid to rest on The Chairman of the Saturday June 13, 2015 in his association, Mr. Aritson hometown Ijebu Imodi, Ogun Kroboakpo said in Lagos State after a funeral service at the yesterday that native gin, whose St. Matthew Anglican Church. production and consumption in Abbey Lincoln is survived by Nigeria pre-dates independence five children, several grand and is not injurious to health , children and siblings, which unless when adulterated. include; Chief Opeolu OkusanFaking of products, the ya, Olori Labisi Tejuosho and the Association also noted, is not only Managing Director of CMC peculiar to local gin, even as the Connect Burston Martsteller, Mr. group promised to work with Yomi Badejo Okusanya. government to ensure that quacks in the local gin production are eliminated.

The Association is reacting to the call for the ban of ogogoro by the government following the unfortunate incident that happened in Ondo State, where it was reported that some okadariders collapsed after drinking ogogoro in a popular relaxation spot, and the most recent incident .Late Abbey Lincoln that occurred in Rivers State.

Producers kick against Ogogoro's ban

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 — 11

N8BN CBN FRAUD: EFCC opposes bail for accused

By Ola Ajayi

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BADAN—AS the trial of some bankers, including the staff of Central Bank of Nigeria and some commercial banks over alleged fraud amounting to N8 billion continues, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has urged the Federal High Court in Ibadan to reject their bail applications, noting that the accused persons might jump bail due to the weighty allegations against them.

The anti-corruption agency, which was represented in court by Mr. Rotimi Jacobs and other retinue of lawyers, argued that if the accused persons were granted bail, they could obstruct the course of justice.

Another argument raised against the bail applications filed by the accused persons was that some of them were allegedly harassing the witnesses that could testify

against them.

Making reference to some of the accused, who are now at large, he said there was tendency that they too could run away.

When the 31-count charge was read to the accused, the EFCC told the court that some of them, including Idowu Oguntade and others had run away and up till yesterday, the fleeing accused persons were yet to appear in court.

Instead of granting the accused bail, the EFCC counsel urged the court to grant the cases accelerated hearing.

But, counsels to the accused persons submitted that since the offence was a bailable offence, the court should not deny their clients their prayers, adding that their clients had previously proved that they would not jump bail if granted.

The accused persons, who were arraigned in the first

batch include, Patience Okoro Eye, Afolabi Olufemi Johnson, Ilori Adekunle Sunday, Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Muniru Adeola and Fatai Adedokun Yusuf.

They were all charged with a five-count charge.

Those docked in the second

Isiaka asks Ogun PDP lawmakers to block anti-people bills

By Daud Olatunji

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B E O K U TA — T H E Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, g o v e rnorship candidate in Ogun State, Gboyega Isiaka, has urged the nine legislators who were elected on the party’s platform not to entertain bills that seek to promote selfish agenda.

Isiaka, who spoke in the presence of the party chairman in the state, Adebayo Dayo, maintained that bills considered as anti-people and aimed at promoting personal interests must be blocked.

He spoke at the PDP state

Aregbesola admits pains of unpaid salaries workers and government.

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S O G B O — GOVERNOR Rauf Aregbesola, of Osun State yesterday described as very painful the inability of some states to pay workers’ salaries.

Aregbesola disclosed this in Osogbo when a non-governmental

organisation, Osun Action Strategy Development Group, paid him a courtesy visit.

He stated that it is disheartening for people to work and such work fails to translate into wages, saying it is a harrowing experience for both

Adesina'll replicate performance at continental level – AIDE

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AGOS—DR A k i n w u m i Adesina, the Presidentelect of the African Development Bank (AfDB) plans to replicate Nigeria’s energy nutritious foods model at the continental level, an official has said.

Mr Olukayode Oyeleye, the spokesman of the AfDB presidentelect, disclosed this in an interview in Lagos yesterday.

He said Adesina was prepared to bring to bear his experience as Nigeria’s immediate past Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development at the continental level by enhancing the nutritional value of African foods.

“Nutrition issues are very broad-based and there are so many drivers of nutrition development.

“His (Adesina) involvement and knowledge about this will also benefit Nigeria very greatly.

“Take for instance, he started on the issue of high energy nutritious foods and also linking that with poverty, especially in some part of the country like in the North East and North West.

“And then of course linking it with the fact of this insurgency which is actually displacing a lot of people. He is going to be involved in support in the area of nutrition too.''

batch are Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Muniru Adeola, Toogun Kayode Philips, Salami Ibraheem and Oddia Emmanuel. The commission slammed them with an eleven-count charge.

The third batch includes; Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran

Muniru Adeola, Toogun Kayode Philips and Tope Akintade.

They were charged with a 15-count charge.

They were alleged to have made false entry of cash deposited by the EcoBank.

They were accused of making false entry of N490 million at CBN against N79.7 million of N1000 mutilated notes between 2010 and 2015

The governor, however, said the challenge of unpaid salaries should not be seen as opportunities by some to pillory either his government or any other facing the same challenges.

According to him, though the regime of unpaid salary is tragic and painful, all stakeholders must gloss over the challenges it created so as to find a lasting solution to it.

Describing the situation as an economic tragedy, he attributed the current misfortune to gross mishandling of the nation’s economy by the last regime of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In his response, the Chairman of Osun Action Strategy and Development Group, Mr. Gbenga Ojo, commended the tireless efforts of the governor at positioning Osun at the front burner of development and global recognition with his laudable programmes.

Ojo said the group is optimistic that the good governance, which is the hallmark of Aregbesola’s administration would also influence the policy trust of the Federal Government in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

secretariat in Abeokuta while hosting the nine members of the state House of Assembly.

The PDP lawmakers include; Wale Alausa, Jemili Akingbade, Bowale Solaja, Oyenuga Olufowobi, Jimi Otukoya, Adebowale Ojo, Sesan Soyebo, Rasaq Oduntan and Folakemi Akintayo.

According to Isiaka, the PDP legislators as opposition party members should always promote issues that border on the welfare of the people.

He said, “This opportunity to serve your constituencies is a call to service. You must see yourselves as eyes and ears

of the people to better their lot.

Any bill that seeks to promote the interest and wellbeing of our people should be wholeheartedly supported by all.

“But if it is not, if it is to promote personal agenda or personal interest, I think that will not be in our interest and I want to enjoin you to do what is necessary for that.“ Earlier in his address, the PDP state chairman, Chief Adebayo Dayo, urged the lawmakers and the generality of party members to remain loyal to the party. He assured party members that the PDP would reclaim its governorship

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

Governor Wike dissolves RSIEC, RSJSC …APC describes action as illegal

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has dissolved the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC and the state Judicial Service Commission, RSJSC. The development was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Opunabo Inko-Tariah, directing the Chairman of RSIEC, Professor Austin Ahiazo, to hand over to the most senior civil servant in his commission.

The statement further asked the Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission to hand over to the acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Daisy Okocha.

“The governor of Rivers State, Mr Wike, has dissolved the RSIEC and the RSJSC. The governor ordered the immediate dissolution of both commissions relying upon the directive from the Rivers State House of Assembly which indicted both commissions for official misconduct and recommended the dissolution of the commissions.

“The governor directed the chairman of RSIEC to hand over to the most senior civil servant in the commission while the chairman of the state Judicial Service Commission is directed to hand over to the acting Chief Judge of the state,” the statement said.

In reaction, the All Progressives Congress, APC, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Chris Finebone,

condemned the action of the governor, saying it was illegal.

Okowa’s inaugural speech, reassurance of greater Delta —Okere-Urhobo forum

By Onuzure Dania

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ARRI—THE promise by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State to provide employment opportunities, flourishing agriculture and agro-business sector, renewed urban infrastructure and enhanced security as well as consolidation of peace to bolster economic growth and development has been described by OkereUrhobo Grassroots Political Forum, Warri, “as a reassurance of greater years ahead in Delta State.”

In a statement by the immediate past commissioner in-charge of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development C o m m i s s i o n ,

DESOPADEC, Mr. Matthew Opuoru, leader of Warri South Legislative Arm, Sunday Aguweye, a former member of Warri South Local Government Council Transition Committee, Mr. Alex Eda and Chairman of OkereUrhobo Youths, Mr. Cyril Eboh, the forum felicitated with Governor Okowa, his deputy, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, and the re-elected member of Delta State House of Assembly, Dennis Omovie, for their inauguration as well as Omimi Esquire on his appointment as political adviser to the governor.

They said: “The exemplary and invaluable experience” of the governor and his deputy would be brought to bear in the

movement of Delta State to greater heights.

They noted that Okowa’s agenda encapsulated in the acronym, SMART, which lays emphasis on strategic wealth creation projects and provision of political and social harmony, agricultural reforms and accelerated industrialisation, relevant health and education policies as well as transformed environment through urban renewal, speak volume of an administration poised to annex the great potentials and resources in Delta State.

The forum assured Okowa of its readiness to collaborate with the state government to provide the needed development across the state.

INEC declares rescheduled Brass Constituency II poll inconclusive

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By Samuel Oyadongha

E N A G O A — ANXIETY has heightened on Brass Island on the Atlantic shores of Bayelsa State, following the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to declare the rescheduled Brass II constituency election inconclusive.

The Returning Officer for the rescheduled poll, Perekere Bertola, had earlier declared the

candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Mr Alfred Watson, as winner of the poll.

But INEC on Monday, declared the rescheduled poll for the constituency inconclusive.

Supporters of the APGA candidate have, meanwhile, described INEC's action as shameful saying that the commission is being tele-guided by vested interests in the area.

Other groups within the

ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and All Progressives Congress, APC, has meanwhile, called on the APGA candidate to stop parading himself as the winner of the rescheduled election.

INEC, in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Timidi Wariowei, in Yenagoa, declared that the last Saturday’s House of Assembly rescheduled elections in Brass Constituency II was inconclusive.

He said: “The APC, Rivers State Chapter, condemns in strong terms, the wanton and

illegal dismantling of state structures by the governor of Rivers State, Wike.”

SWEARING-IN: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State (left), congratulates Mr Reginald Okun after being sworn-in as Chairman, Owan West Local Government Area of the state, yesterday.

14—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

Boko Haram kills 15 in Borno F

IFTEEN PEOPLE were killed when Boko Haram attacked a remote village in Borno State opening fire and burning homes to the ground, three residents told AFP on Tuesday.

The attack happened at about

ITPC holds business meeting

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NDONESIAN TRADE Promotion Centre, ITPC, will hold a business meeting on June 11 at Tahir Guest Palace Conference Hall, No.4, Ibrahim Natsungune road, off Ahmadu Bellow Way, Kano.

The meeting which will kick off at 10 am with the theme ‘Trade with Remarkable Indonesia’, is co-hosted by Vanguard newspaper, Indonesia Trade Promotion Centre and Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture.

In a statement, Nino Wawan Setiawan, Director of Indonesian Trade Promotion Centre, disclosed that the business meeting is being organised to sensitise companies in Northern Nigeria to participate in the upcoming 30th Trade Expo in Indonesia.

According to him, this year’s edition, scheduled to hold from October 21-25, 2015 in Jakarta, will be used to improve bilateral trade between Indonesia and Nigeria, especially Northern Nigeria.

2:00 pm on Monday in Huyum, in the Askira-Uba district of Borno state which residents said has been hit repeatedly in recent weeks by the Islamist militants.

"The whole village was burnt by Boko Haram gunmen. We lost around 500 homes," said Bukar Zira, who fled to the commercial hub of Mubi in neighbouring Adamawa state as the rebels moved in.

Zira said the insurgents surrounded the village and opened fire before moving in, sprinkling petrol on homes, many of which are mud-brick with straw roofs, then setting them alight.

"We have so far lost 15 people and one was injured. People in the whole village moved out to different parts of Borno and Adamawa," he added.

Another resident, Peter Malgwui, said Boko Haram had mounted several raids against neighbouring villages in recent weeks, looting food supplies and homes.

"They completely burnt the whole village. Not a single home has been spared," he added, giving the same death toll as Zira.

One Huyum resident, Ishaya Ayuba, said: "The attackers remained up to 4:00 am this morning until they withdrew.

There were troops stationed at about 20 kilometres (13 miles) away but they didn't respond. We have lost everything."

The attack is the 12th since

Buhari became new president on May 29. A total of 109 people have been killed.

Troops apprehend mastermind of Gombe bombing Meanwhile, the Defence headquarters disclosed, yesterday, that two masterminds

of last year bombing at the Gombe Line Transport Services that killed scores of persons have been arrested after a shoot-out with troops in Gombe, on Sunday.

It said in a statement, yesterday, that, “the two suspected high profile terrorists were eventually arrested following surveillance

INAUGURATION: Speaker of Adamawa House of Assembly, Alhaji Kabiru Mijinyawa (right), taking oath of office before the Clerk of the House, Mr. Francis Gbansenso, at the inauguration of the state's 6th Assembly in Yola, yesterday. Photo: NAN

‘Matrix Energy delivered 104m of PMS in May’

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ATRIX ENERGY Limited, a frontline private oil marketer in Nigeria,

has distanced itself from the charge that oil marketers were responsible for the oil scarcity

which brought the economy to a Matrix’s DMD/Chief Operating halt for weeks, a few weeks back. Officer, Mr Loqman Salam-Alada, In a statement yesterday by the oil company said it has been trucking out over 12 million litres of PMS and AGO on daily basis since NUPENG called off its strike on May 25, 2015, and is currently category. expecting another cargo of 22,000 Others are Deeper Life Bible metric of PMS and 18,000 metric Church, Mansard Insurance as tonnes of Diesel this week. well as Nigeria Bottling Matrix, which owns a state of the Company, NBC, and 7-Up art oil terminal in Warri said it Bottling Company in the Food and imported 101million litres Beverage sector.

Premium Motor Spirit in the Mr. Shonibare disclosed that Glo month of May 2015 alone and was also popular in the public sector, with the Presidency, trucked out over 104 million litres Nigerian Immigration Service, of the product.

According to Salam-Alada, “We NIS, Ministries of Internal Affairs and Aviation, the Nigerian Police currently store and distribute AGO Force, NPF, Federal Road Safety (Diesel) from four depots namely Commission, FRSC, Nigerian Matrix Depot, Warri, Bluefin Army and Nigerian Navy being Energy Depot, Warri, OBAT Oil some of the government Depot, Lagos and Capital oil establishments whose telecom Depot, Lagos.

Salam-Alada added, “Matrix requirements are provided by the network. has been trucking out over 12 He listed other factors which he million litres on daily basis since said endeared Glo to different key NUPENG called off its strike on industry players as the company's May 25, 2015, and is currently very proactive and responsive expecting another cargo of 22,000 sales team, highly flexible metric of pms and 18,000 metric packages and reliable tonnes of diesel to be discharged connectivity for voice and data this week.” services.

NUPENG, according to him, He added that Globacom also was the problem as it gave has an efficient account instruction to marketers to shut management system which is complemented by a very down operations and forced them courteous and effective team that to do so. He added that for puts a personal touch to customer instance, the union blocked service and relationship Matrix’s Warri oil supply terminal with four trucks. “ management.

Why Globacom is the preferred network for Corporate Nigeria

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LOBACOM, NIGERIA’S National Carrier, has said that its superior network services have made it the number one service provider for Corporate Nigeria.

According to the information made available by the Head of Corporate Sales of Globacom, Mr. Kamaldeen Shonibare, the company’s 2014 massive network upgrade, which was aimed at

enhancing service delivery, and the wide network coverage of the entire Nigerian landscape have given it the edge over other operators.

Checks around the Nigerian corporate world showed that many corporate organizations have opted for Glo for their voice and data needs. The organizations are key players across international agencies, oil

and gas, manufacturing, banking, food and beverage, insurance and religion, amongst others.

Some of the organizations are the United Nations in the international agencies segment, Dangote Plc in manufacturing, Chevron, Seplat, Halliburton Energy, Addax, NIPCO, Sterling Oil and Septa in the oil and gas sector and Sterling Bank, Stanbic IBTC and FCMB in the banking

Nigerians in Diaspora elect officers in Qatar

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IGERIANS IN Diaspora Organisation-Qatar (NIDO-Qatar) elected new officers to run the affairs of the community group, during the much anticipated rescheduled poll at the Aspire Dome in Doha, last Friday.

In a keenly contested presidential poll, Amadi Nwokocha, a chartered accountant defeated Mutiu Adedeji, a quantity surveyor after he garnered 304 votes from the 422 votes cast.

Other elected officials include: Michael Asemota, VicePresident; Victor Ikoli, General Secretary; Victor Ayegba, Assistant General Secretary; Famous Aluya, Financial Secretary; Bisi Bello, Treasurer; Tauheed Jibril, PRO; Ekene C M Y K

and intelligence operations that tracked them to a check-point at Bajoga in the state.

"One of them sustained serious injuries during the encounter. He is being treated at a military medical centre. Interrogation of the suspects has started.”

Osunwoke, Social Secretary; Ayo Solomon & Usman AhmaduSuka, Welfare Officers, and Kazeem Ademola, Chief Whip.

The new President in his postelection speech, said the result of the election was indicative of the resolve of the Nigerian community to change the status quo and to ensure grassroots representation. According to him, the elections were conducted in a professional and transparent manner, devoid of any rancour.

“The new Executive Committee under my leadership will ensure that the elements of the two-year restoration plan in which my campaign was premised are achieved.

"We are committed to delivering on our mandate to the Nigerian people in Qatar, as well as

contributing to the ongoing change process in Nigeria.”

In his reaction, the new secretaray general, Mr. Victor Ikoli, who was also the immediate past PRO of the organization, said following the wind of change in Nigeria as seen in the election of President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigerians in Qatar resolved to join hands to put the community in the right stead.

“At NIDO-Qatar, we provide ecessary assistance to Nigerians resident here in areas of community welfare, social welfare, legal assistance, immigration support, resolution of disputes with sponsors, education advisory, job hunting assistance, job placement, health, arts and culture and the development of Nigeria” Ikoli added.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUN E 10, 2015 —15

Sabotage stalling NIPP projects in South-East —Okorogu

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI —THE realisation of stable public power supply may remain a mirage if the current level of sabotage being experienced across the country is not immediately checked.

Executive Director (Networks) of Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, Dr. Albert Okorogu, disclosed this, yesterday, in Owerri, Imo State, on why the nation is yet to achieve stable power supply.

“At Oronta community in Umuahia South Local

Government Area, saboteurs vandalized a standing high tension steel tower. Another set of armed hoodlums stormed our contractor’s base at Umuahia, Abia State, tied the security men and removed 10 drums aluminum conductors used for high voltage tension wires, in broad day light,” Okorogu lamented.

Fielding questions, he said that while sand excavators were doing serious damage to the high tension lines in parts of Imo State, a different scenario was playing out in Nenwe, Aninri Local

Government Area of Enugu State.

“We had acquired the line because we were asked to avoid the living areas in Nenwe. It took four years to achieve this but midway into the process, people not only started dwarf walls along

the high tension line, but also took us to court. It stalled the project.”

Confirming the destruction of the steel tower at Oronta, the Secretary of Oronta Development Union, Mr. Okoro Michael, described it as “economic

sabotage.”

“Our Community is not happy about the felling of the steel tower.

It is an economic sabotage. We are not in support of this. We have reported this to the police,” Okoro said.

APGA spokesman pushes for restructuring, reconciliation

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA — THE newly elected National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives

Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, has said that the immediate task before the new leadership was to restructure the party in such a way that the people at the grass roots level became the

real stakeholders in the party.

Speaking in Awka, Obi –Okoye, said that the party would reach out to all the aggrieved members of APGA with a view to achieving true reconciliation.

He said that APGA will explore its emerging spread as exemplified during the last general elections to ensure that it establishes presence in all the states of the federation in readiness for the 2019 general elections.

According to him, APGA will strive to play its opposition role to ensure the growth and sustenance of democracy in the country, adding that with the calibre of people elected to pilot its affairs at the national level, the party would not be found wanting.

Obi –Okoye expressed optimism that APGA will recover the governorship seat in Abia State at the election petition tribunal which, he said, the party won, but was later upturned by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP agents in the state, as well as the national election seats in Anambra State which, he said, were also won by APGA.

Monica Okoji for burial

M

RS. MONICA Okoji (nee Gbemudu) is dead, aged 78.

Funeral rites start June 17 with a vigil mass at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Illah, Oshimili North Local Government Area, Delta State.

On June 18, 2015, late Mrs. Okoji will be buried at her residence, Ogbuenyi Mathias Okoji compound, Ukwumege Quarters, Illah, after a funeral mass at the same church.

She is survived by husband, children, grand children, and great grand children.

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16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUN E 10, 2015

MEETING: Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina (middle) with members of the State House Press Corps, after a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

Sen Paulker asks Bayelsa election tribunal to strike out amendments to NCP petition

By Emem Idio YENAGOA—THE Senator representing Bayelsa Central senatorial district, Senator Emmanuel Paulker, has urged the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Yenagoa, to strike out the amended petition by the candidate of the National Conscience Party, NCP, Chief Diekedie Diekedie for lack of merit.

In their joint submission during the pre-hearing proceedings, the counsel to Senator Paulker, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Feude Zimughan and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mr Adebayo Adebiyi, argued that the purported amended petition already filed was a surreptitious attempt by the petitioners to amend their petition by bringing in documents that were not there in the first place.

They are consequently asking the tribunal to strike out the amended petition as the tribunal lacks the power to grant the petitioner the leave to amend the petition already filed.

The counsel to the NCP candidate Mr. Egbulonu Chucks, had appealed to the tribunal for an application to amend its earlier petition on the grounds that the amendment sought was not a new issue but aimed at throwing more light on the petition already before the tribunal.

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N400M CAMPAIGN FUND: APC gov candidate,

Ezea orders arrest of partyman, journalist

By Austin Ogwuda ENUGU—THE crisis rocking the Enugu chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, over the alleged misappropriation of N400 million during the last general elections took a new dimension, yesterday, following the arrest of the party’s zonal Vice Chairman for Enugu-East

senatorial zone, Chief Anike Nwoga.

The arrests followed a petition to the state Police Command by the party ’s gubernatorial candidate in the April 11 election in the state, Mr. Okey Ezea, accusing Nwoga of defaming his character in a statement where he (Nwoga) alleged that the over N400 million campaign funds

sent to the state was misappropriated by him (Ezea) and other party officers.

The police also invited a journalist over a report on the said “misappropriated” money.

Ezea in the petition had asked the police to arrest Nwoga and also prevail on him to prove the alleged misappropriation of funds and had threatened to

GAY MARRIAGE: Bishop Ekwe urges

Nigerians to pray for President Buhari

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

N

NEWI—THE Bishop of Niger West Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev, Johnson Ekwe, has called on Nigerians to support and pray for the newly elected political leaders in the country, especially, President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice Prof Yemi Osinbajo, if they want them to fulfil in all their election promises.

Bishop Ekwe who succeeded retired Rt Rev Prof Anthony Nkwoka, who addressed newsmen shortly after his enthronement service at Cathedral Church of St Gabriel Umueri Anambra East Local Government Area, Anambra State, said “Nigeria is too big for two men to govern,” adding that what they and other political leaders need support and prayers for them to succeed.

He also said “Now elections have come and gone, President Buhari and his Vice Prof. Osinbajo should play down on partisan politics and shun anything that will make them look sympathetic to tribalism, nepotism,” adding that at their level, “they should see themselves as fathers of the nation and their languages should not be parochial or have tribal coloration.

“President Buhari and his Vice Prof Osinbajo can only succeed if Nigerians support and pray for them and their team. Nigeria is too big for two men to govern, they equally need to play down on partisan politics, there should be no tribalism and nepotism, at their level they should see themselves as the fathers of the nation, their languages should not be parochial, it should not have tribal coloration, it should not be against any religion, they should have broad minds.”

He said he “is confident that the President as an ex-military man has the training of working anywhere he was posted without regard to tribe or religion. Military is a wonderful industry, you work in a place where you do not know anybody.

Having that background, I strongly believe that by the grace of God, the President and his Vice will do well.”

On the issue of gay marriage, Bishop Ekwe, said “Gay marriage is from pit of hell, it is just one of those end time phenomena, it is not natural, it is not just a sin, it is an aberration, it is a distortion of order of creation, God by creation made them male and female, he did not say female to female, if a woman has sex with a woman, it is not just a sin, it is an abomination that causes desolation.

“I am happy on the stand of the Primate Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh. Ffortunately, I was with him in United Kingdom when a team of British journalists interviewed him on the matter and he equivocally denounced any sex outside the order of the scriptures, that the Bible remains our final authority, no other word except the word of God.”

initiate legal action in event the police failed to get to the truth of the matter.

Nwoga and the journalist, after being quizzed were however, left off the hook temporarily and were asked to return to the station on Friday this week.

Nwoga told reporters on phone that “I got a call when I was away that policemen besieged my house, but when they couldn’t see me, they dropped an invitation letter. Immediately I returned, as a law abiding citizen, I had to go to the police. As I speak with you, am making statement at the State CID,”he said.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 — 17

O

UT with the old, in with the new. If only it were that simple. In the field of political science, various theories and methodologies exist to advise government, thought leaders and the private sector on strategic planning; that is, how to bring about change or modernisation in any organisation. The theory of change, in particular, promotes social change by defining long term goals mapped backwards in order to identify the preexisting conditions which enable the said change. Indeed, unlike the haphazard way in which many African states have conducted their affairs, there are often clear, somewhat predictable pathways to development, as each desired outcome is chronologically and causally linked to a prior circumstance. Change is thus the result of a plan (preferably a transparent one) where power dynamics are properly managed. Change must be inclusive and rewarding for its many accomplices and contributors for it to function.

Hence, the conundrum the APC is currently facing: Is the idea or the prospect of change rewarding to the average politician? Which politicians should be rewarded for their contributions? How many of said politicians could withstand the scrutiny of their actions and moral values, which the promise of change entails? What is therefore the APC’s “change model” and how will it motivate its members to disavow the actions and attitudes that are now unfortunately part of our popular and political culture?

What specific interventions will bring about change and most of all, how will these plans affect the citizenry? Nigerians are being kept in suspense as the change train gathers momentum. Let us also look at something perhaps a little less joyous, but necessary: why change fails. When expectations are not met, obviously, change has failed. But more specifically, when happenings within a culture evolve into norms, conventions and traditions society no longer questions and “changemakers” are unable to assert a new rulebook because they placed little emphasis on the short term realities that must change in order to achieve long term goals, then, “transformation”, to use a now loathed word, fails. So, let us ask, what must change in the short term in Nigeria for longterm changes to occur? An immediate change should perhaps be the reduction of the cost of governance, in order for government funds to be used more wisely. Let us not be afraid of reassessing and repealing even some ill-thought out constitutional requirements: the practice of government featuring one minister from every state of the federation has not brought more development to the people, nor has it brought more peace to our country; right now, it is merely costing us money in payment of salaries, etc, which could be better spent C M Y K

tprincewill@yahoo.co.uk

Change and theories of development elsewhere. Of course, politicians who benefit from the situation will tell Nigerians, should Buhari propose to modify this aspect of our Constitution, that Buhari does not want to share power with all ethnic groups or some other such nonsense. It is thus up to the President’s media team to come up with solid communication plans to explain his reforms and ideas in order to convincingly sell them to Nigerians. Moreover, it is up to us, the citizenry to be open-minded, reasonable and judicious in our discourse: research, fact-find, get as much information as you can, explain things to those who do not understand, refuse to be used as a tool for politicking and discord, by the enemies of the state, the members of the old order, parading themselves even in this new dispensation as “changed”. Such people still walk among us. For too long our leaders have taken advantage of the Nigerian inability to reason intelligently and dispassionately, our collective amnesia and unwillingness to not make excuses for wrongdoing because we hope to benefit from the ever widening loopholes of the system. Education is thus a long-term panacea to all of our country’s woes as many of our citizens might have paper qualifications but have not benefitted from the critical thinking and analysis taken for granted in other climes.

As a country we have become accustomed to looking to the heavens for miracles, whereas nothing we have put into place on ground could realistically upport or allow the wonders we expect

President Muhammadu Buhari Every ministry, department and agency at the state and federal level, every local government, should be forced to come up with a sequence of events, planned activities that are expected to lead to certain outcomes and unveil said plans to the public, enabling us to

track whether these outcomes actually occur. This might seem like common sense but having experienced the workings of some government ministries, I can say that it isn’t. As a country we have become accustomed to looking to the heavens for miracles, whereas

nothing we have put into place on ground could realistically support or allow the wonders we expect from everything and everyone except ourselves. On paper, Nigeria might have embraced modern sciences and rationality but in practice much of our thinking is antiquated and has not allowed for the depersonalisation of relations: can we look at a man or woman as competent or incompetent, honest or dishonest, rather than from “my village”, “my place” or Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa? Can we see people for what they are rather than speak of whom they know or are related to? The Nigerian experience is still predicted by destructive structures: life in the free, modern society we hope to become should be predicated on individualisation and risk, which shape life chances. Defining who we are, or who we hope to be is a collective risk we must be willing to take. So, government can change, we have proven this but can the social order that nurtures it, change too? We must free ourselves from the restrictive social prism and networks of ethnicity and religion; we must be individuals with our own ideas and values, and not just amass unanalysed and undigested “take aways” from our pastor or our friends.Rather we take the risk of finding greatness within ourselves than jeopardise a prodigious future lost to the tyranny of insignificance, which we defeated by electing a new president.

Aisha Buhari

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NE could say she “broke the internet” during the inauguration. In fact, she continues to fascinate and enthral Nigerians. But rather than focus on her pleasing exterior, I would rather we concern ourselves with what the “ wife of the president” (she prefers to be called this) will do now. The Office of the First Lady in the United Statesis actually constitutionally provided for, unlike its Nigerian illegitimate, debased equivalent. It oversees a council on women and girls where an assistant to the President on domestic policy and an assistant to the First Lady on special projects (often the same person) play a key role. Indeed, the First Lady assists the

Aisha Buhari, wife of the President President, not by designing targets to improve the lives of random, unfeasible or women and families. How do unquantifiable projects that are women and girls fit into our avenues for corruption and national domestic policy and what abuse of office, but by setting real can be done to alleviate their suffering? Mrs Buhari’s desire to work on fielding off child marriage is a welcome development as it results in a eager for the opportunities cycle of poverty from which education provides, felt forced families often don’t escape. to take drastic action: she Finally, a first lady who is both poisoned her husband and apparently sincere and inadvertently, the friends who understands the issues. shared a meal with him. She Tabia Princewill is a spent a year in prison (what sort of prison, with what strategic communications conditions of confinement?) consultant and public and one can only imagine the policy analyst. She is also horrors she has been exposed the co-host and executive to. Mrs Buhari, we await your producer of a talk show, input specifically on children’s WALK THE TALK which airs on Channels TV. law and policy.

Nigeria is no place for kids

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HIMAMANDA Adichie spoke of “likeability ”, which is very much an issue for women in our society where girls are taught not to rock the boat and to conform at all times. Challenging the status quo is not an option for most women in this country who are, more often than not, expected to suffer in silence.

Wasila Umar, a 14-year-old girl from Kano, forced into marriage, desperate to escape,

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

WITHIN two weeks, a series of deadly petrol-laden tanker accidents brought sorrow, tears and blood to Nigerians, most of them uninvolved in the process. In Onitsha, disaster reaped a grim harvest of over 90 lives when a fully loaded fuel tanker ran into a bus and set it and everything else around on fire. A similar accident had taken place in Makurdi, Benue State, and claimed the lives of a newly-wedded couple and their guests in a bus.

In separate incidents days apart,two tankers fell in Idimu and Iyana areas of Lagos State, consuming houses, cars, goods and valuable property in the ensuing conflagration. These tragic incidents led to gruesome deaths and grave misery for survivors and their families.

They rendered people homeless and left many with their means of livelihood gone in a flash.

In most cases, these avoidable disasters take place as a result of indiscipline and neglect.

Some articulated vehicles carrying highly inflammable liquids are often operated by drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding dangerously on narrow or

Epidemic of fuel tanker disasters poorly maintained roads in densely-populated areas. Many of the drivers are not properly trained to handle these specialised vehicles, and they get away with it because the lawenforcement agencies do not live up to their responsibilities. Many of the vehicles are also barely road worthy.

Over the years, trailer and tanker owners and drivers have become laws unto themselves.

Most of these vehicles are owned by highly connected individuals, particularly those in military and security agencies. Moreover, the drivers belong to unions that are always ready

to hold the society to ransom by going on strike any time the law reins in their members.

We commend the Lagos State Government for responding promptly and promising to provide the victims with immediate financial support, at least to enable them cope with the refugee status that the tragedies bestowed on them. In other places similar tragedies took place, governments should not abandon the hapless citizens to their fate. Efforts must be made to provide them succour to assist them to get back on their feet. That is a dividend of citizenship that must no longer be overlooked.

Since there is a limit to what governments can do, it is important that we take the issue of insurance serious. It is a great way to recover some losses.

Governments should expedite measures to reduce the number of fuel tankers on our roads by striving to get the pipelines and railways back into use. Law enforcement agents should also do their jobs.

These incidents are becoming epidemic and endemic.

OPINION

By Jamin Ohwovoriole

M

UHAMMADU Buhari is in trouble. However, I am not cringing in sympathy for him: he asked for it, and he must bear his cross alone like a messiah. Nonetheless, I must confess that I am not treating his plight lightly because I know he is a human being who is devoid of any tripartite personality. In spite of this knowledge, I vow to urge him on with joyous ululation that is indicative of my unbridled trepidation for a man whose countrymen have bequeathed with a magic wand. Not just that, Buhari has been placed on a supernatural pedestal by mere mortals seeking salvation in a wasteland. Of course, I am sure that many Nigerians may abhor my apprehension, but it is their unguarded optimistic outlook on Nigeria’s future with Buhari that gives me the jitters. Unfortunately for me, Peter Claver Oparah has aggravated my discomfort with his great expectation, which he generously unleashed with his “Buhari: The Nation Waits in Patient Expectation of a New Era”. In other words, I am really afraid for Muhammadu Buhari now because this lanky ex-general may not be prepared for the burden that may become his greatest enemy.

But it seems Oparah and his ilk may think otherwise since, according to him, in his Sahara Reporters’ op-ed, “Buhari is coming prepared to cleanse the badly desecrated Augean stable. He is kitted for a very drastic mission to rescue a well endowed but viscerally crumbled country

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Buhari and Nigeria’s future from the deepest pit of rot where a purblind outgoing government has plunged it.

Buhari is fully clothed for war against the deliberate vicissitudes that were employed to reduce Nigeria to a region in hell … He is preparing no excuse and he will give none to anybody.” Above all, Oparah declared: “Buhari is primed to meet the eager expectations of his genuine followers and supporters.” But, didn’t the new president say that change cannot happen overnight? If he did, then I may have missed the memo issued by Buhari to the contrary.

Besides that, hasn’t Buhari signalled on many occasions since his election that the reality at hand overwhelms the fantasy that galvanized and motivated his campaign for the highest office in the land? Perhaps, a quick perusal of Femi Aribisala’s “Does

The making of a new Nigeria is not Buhari’s prerogative because it should be the responsibility of every patriotic Nigerian!

Our President-Elect Intend to Keep His Word?”, as published by Premium Times, will serve as a reminder of the litany of Buhari’s plausible apologies.

In my view, Oparah’s statements as repeated above are fallacious since his claims are not backed with any evidence that shows, empirically, Buhari’s level of preparedness for the huge task before him.

However, to the naïve, Buhari will... hit the ground running with a pouch, hidden in his babariga or suit, full of solutions to the myriad problems facing Nigeria today.

“Kitted” like an agile athlete, Nigeria’s freshly minted president, according to Oparah, possesses the stamina and the strength that a total overhaul of a failing nation demands of its leader. In this season of anomy in Nigeria, it is the belief of most citizens that this General going to battle has no Achilles heel, and he has no chink in his armour.

Buhari’s previous public service record may have informed this crazed adulation of his invincibility. However, such a sentiment, which strongly appeals to those who believe that the making of a new Nigeria that every Nigerian must love and embrace is the function of Buhari, is an anomaly because I am of the view that the general optimism expressed in Nigeria today is not backed with any measurable substance; in essence, emotions are running amok while a people are agog

because of a blinded and urgent quest for a revalidation of a nation by a single individual. Here is the sad truth, though: the making of a new Nigeria is not Buhari’s prerogative because it should be the responsibility of every patriotic Nigerian!

Therefore, it is unfair to make it the sole liability of the President: he must not be weighed down by a contrived moral obligation towards an unreformed populace. For Nigeria to become great, every hand must be on deck – not just Buhari’s!

By the way, what is the guarantee that it will not be business as usual since all the President’s men are members of the old brigade? My crystal ball tells me that Buhari may be poised as a catalyst for change but, with ambitious personages like Bola Tinubu possessing ubiquitous powers in the flank as king makers, there is a dark cloud that must hang over Buhari’s head while there is an albatross around his neck. This is the one reason that I am afraid for Buhari, the President who may be powerless without the might of the barrel of a gun: The Buhari Nigerians knew ruled with decrees, but the Buhari Nigerians will now know shall be guided

by Nigeria’s Constitution and all the universal tenets of democracy. Will this new Buhari become a conflicted soul in this new environment? Wait.

It is good to dream. However, dreams may become nightmare.

•Dr. Ohwovoriole is a professor of Communication Studies in the US.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015—19 —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Will Nigerians take up the oil marketers’ challenge?

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HIS indeed is the pertinent question to ask: whether Nigerians are ready to take on the challenge thrown at them by the oil marketers that have in the past few weeks held the rest of the country to ransom? Put differently, what the foregoing question demands of Nigerians is whether they are ready to accept the cheap blackmail of any group that is insisting on making them suffer for no apparent reason. Is it acceptable to us all that a group of apparently greedy people should hold us at the jugulara group of common profiteers that had up until now been on the bandwagon of the merrymakers in Abuja and elsewhere, fleecing Nigerians in the name of governing them and denying them their share of our common patrimony?

Otherwise, should we not begin to call on the new government in place to take appropriate measures to rein in the destructive excesses of Nigeria’s oil marketers that are punishing Nigerians by their refusal to lift and supply oil? With their unverified claims of billions

of naira owed them by the departed government of Goodluck Jonathan, these marketers have brought on Nigerians a regime of artificially induced scarcity of petroleum products to the extent that the country has been brought to a virtual halt. This situation has gone on now for at least five weeks in a row and the effects are not at all funny. Lives are being ruined just as businesses are being sent into premature extinction. Yet, the marketers, already sated in unearned wealth, are sitting pretty in complacent greed and watching to see how much more they could tighten the noose on Nigerians before we all succumb to their wish.

While governance is a continuum and it can be said that a new government inherits both the assets and liabilities of its predecessor, the Buhari administration must closely scrutinise any claims of a financial nature being made on it by socalled creditors of the outgone government. The truth is that Nigerians have pretty little to show for whatever subsidy the former

government might claim to have paid individuals or groups that operated with it in the oil sector. As far as the claims of the marketers are concerned, even the Jonathan government disputed them. Why then should a new government that knew nothing of it carry the can?

The oil marketers saw nothing wrong in doing business with a chronic debtor, like they would like us to believe the Jonathan administration was- they saw nothing wrong doing business with that administration until it became clear in the wake of the March 28 elections that another leader was due to take office, before they started throwing their unwarranted tantrums at Nigerians.

Since then, it has been a game of subterfuge and outright lies with the marketers promising with one side of the mouth to resume the lifting of oil, while threatening not to do so until they are fully paid what they claim they were owed with the other side of the mouth. Either way, oil continues to be a scarce commodity that Nigerians get at cutthroat prices. The effects of these have been passed on to consumers of other

The fuel situation should not be allowed to continue or we would be playing with naturalising or making an abnormal situation look normal

products (which are virtually all products) whose production or supply depend on the availability of oil. We are thus the proverbial children of butchers who feed on mere bones. Nigeria, the sixth largest producer of crude oil, is now a country whose citizens cannot afford a product they are supposed to have in abundance. Our oil blessing has now become a curse.

Which is why we must come together to urge the Buhari administration to stand up to these oil marketers and recognise their action for what it is- a threat to the country’s economy. No group of people should be allowed the latitude to destroy the lives of others the way oil marketers have been allowed to since they started their ‘work-to-rule’ strike in the oil sector.

Enough of this nonsense from people who are millionaires several times over but who continue to pretend they are beggars scavenging for what to eat from waste bins. It is not impossible that there were some of them being owed by the Jonathan government, but the actual amount must be determined while no room is left for anyone to make the kind of spurious claims that might have been honoured by the previous government. There is the likelihood that these same marketers now shedding false tears of owing banks large sums of unpaid loans used in importing oil for the Nigerian market, under the so-called subsidy regime, were fronts and cronies of the same government they now want Nigerians to see as owing them. They even probably made use of their connections in government to access in an unfair manner what they now claim as a matter of right.

But Buhari has no obligation to honour any potentially spurious

2015: Jonathan’s place in history

By Dan Amor

A

LL over the world, people choose their heroes for different reasons. Some designatelegendarycreaturesfromeveryhistorical epoch and every field, such as Christopher Columbus, Florence Nightingale, Joan of Arc, Louis Pasteur, Alfred Nobel or even Napoleon Bonaparte. Yet, there are also those who believe that some heroes are unknown to the general public,theirheroicdeedsunrecognisedbutfarfrom insignificant. These heroes include school aides, foster parents, security and medical personnel-all kinds of people who struggle, often against daunting odds, to make life better for others. As Victor Hugo said: “Life, misfortunes, isolation, abandonment,poverty,arebattlefieldswhichhave their heroes; obscure heroes, sometimes greater than illustrious heroes”. In choosing former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as the reigning King of African Democracy, a successor to the famous Nelson Mandela of South Africa, this writer believes that, like every other hero, he is a human being, with everything that it implies. I also believe that recognising a hero-warts and allmakes it possible to become a hero and to encourage others to do the same.

In 1944, as Franklin Roosevelt was running for his fourth term as President of the United States with World War 2 still raging, Harry Truman was nominated for the position of Vice President. Just 82 daysintothenewterm,Rooseveltdied.Shocked tohisfoundation,Trumansaid: “Ifeltlikethemoon, the stars and all the planets had fallen on me”. No one ever thought he was equal to the task of replacing a beloved Commander-in -Chief. But Truman weathered the storm. So it was Truman who helped established the United Nations, negotiated the German surrender, attended the Potsdam Conference with Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin. It was also Truman who made the contesteddecisiontodropthebombonHiroshima and Nagasaki, thereby ending the war. He it was who fought the first battles in the Cold War; established the Truman Doctrine, which opposed the Communist aggression; and backed the Marshal Plan. When asked who his hero was, this

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great American leader posited that his hero was nolessapersonalitythantheConfederateGeneral Robert. E. Lee, who was admired by a generation of Americans for being gracious in defeat.

Like Truman, Jonathan became President against all odds following the untimely death of PresidentUmaruMusaYar’AduaonMay5,2010.

HethusbecamethefirstNigerianfromtheminority to assume such a position in a democratic dispensation on May 6, 2010 when he was sworn in. He ran and won the 2011 presidential election widely accepted locally and internationally to be free and fair, the first minority to be so elected in the history of Nigeria. He is from the minority Ijaw in the oil-rich Niger Delta of Nigeria. Yet he has had a cult following by the Igbo who occupy the South Eastern fringe of the River Niger, second only to their Civil War leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu who died in 2011, and to whom a state burial was given by Jonathan. And likeGeneralLee,Truman’sultimatehero,Jonathan conceded victory and graciously accepted defeat through a heroic call to his opponent even before the announcement of the final result of the March 28, 2015 presidential election in Nigeria. That singular act of statesmanship saved so many lives whowouldhavebeenkilledbyethnicandreligious jingoists who see politics as a do-or-die affair and rulership of Nigeria as their birth right. These

As president of Nigeria, Jonathan held a promise as a symbol of the national emblem even in his disarming simplicity; without necessarily being a strong man, Jonathan’s personal frailties or weaknesses were an essential part of his strength

people never gave Jonathan a chance from the very first day he stepped in as Acting President because they saw him as a stranger. Some of them even openly vowed that they would make the country ungovernable for him; and they did. Yet, Jonathan succeeded in recording more groundbreaking achievements than most of his predecessors.

Indeed, when the time comes for historians to offer a kind of formal review of the Jonathan years in Nigeria, the task is likely to be morally complicated. Given the role the immediate past Presidentplayedintheefforttoextricatethecountry from the jaws of establishment political pythons most of whom had employed the services of a section of the media to annihilate his political career for daring to challenge them, an unbiased verdict might be difficult to come by. Yet, we fancy that beyond the diabolical antics of political opponents, there is a latent eagerness in the public mindtobedonewithanabsolutelysadisticpolitical witch-hunting to allow for a free reign of liberty, which may have more of it for the fulfillment of hope and restoration of dignity to our nation. For, the last six years of Jonathan in the saddle, if not greater than any other era which preceded it, certainly did secure for Nigerians some elements of freedom and liberty. Not only did Jonathan rebase the Nigerian economy to becoming the biggest in Africa, he rebased politics in Nigeria to the fundament of a virile and an unfettered opposition, freedom of speech, of association and above all, the freedom for Nigerians to choose theirleaders.Whatismore,noNigerian,including his opponents who mistook his magnanimity and democratic temperament for cluelessness can finger Jonathan in any case of political assassination which was the norm during Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s misbegotten civilian dictatorship.

In every democratic society the idiosyncrasies and failures of presidents are as diverse as their accomplishments. Even in the United States of America from where we copied our executive presidential system of government, where the president is assumed to be the most powerful man in the world, where almost all of their modern

claims that are not verifiable. But more than that, the government must begin to address the persistent scarcity of oil. There is no doubt there are many things competing for the government’s attention right now, but it cannot wait for too long before addressing those that are definitely impacting negatively on Nigerians in the immediate present. He is already addressing the issue of insurgency in the North by his meeting with leaders of neighbouring countries in the trans-national force combating the insurgents. He must also start addressing the issue of fuel scarcity in the country before other sector workers start joining in the sabotage being obviously executed by oil marketers under the illusion that there can be no consequences since Buhari is now a politician.

I don’t know of other places but in my part of the country there seems to have been some improvement in the supply of electricity since Buhari came into office. Perhaps, this may be the honeymoon period between the electricity companies and the Buhari administration. Once they can reach their skewed conclusions from reading the signals from the oil sector, they will go back to their old ways. The fuel situation should not be allowed to continue or we would be playing with naturalising or making an abnormal situation look normal. Already, Nigerians are beginning to say they would rather pay more for fuel than endure the stress of struggling for the commodity at fuel stations or in the black market. They are once more being compelled to improvise or make up for the inadequacies of government in order to meet their basic needs. This should not be happening in a country with leaders and under the law.

presidents have acted in what they believed to be the country’s best interests, most of them fell short of the challenges of an impossible job. Therefore, to treat the modern presidency to be a complete successstoryanywhereintheworld,istofalsifythe historical record. Even though Jonathan was blissfully unaware of the ultimate decline of the party system and the increasing importance or inevitability of the media in modern democracy, resulting in the rise of the role of the President as celebrity,henonethelessmaderemarkablestrides in the annals of our political development.

Consider: our mission since 1999 had been a fruitless one, for it had led to no positive growth in the political culture, to no unifying ideal for the Nigerian nation, and had generated no spark to kindle the fire of genuine progress and liberation.

But Jonathan has brought all these self-inflicted negativesbehindusbychangingthecourseofour political engineering.

No president or head of state since our nationhood, could be more fun than Jonathan.

No one more appealing with impulses of irony, bravado,gentlenessandvulnerabilitysocuriously intermingled in his vivid but unassuming personality.AspresidentofNigeria,Jonathanheld a promise as a symbol of the national emblem eveninhisdisarmingsimplicity.Withoutnecessarily being a strong man, Jonathan’s personal frailties orweaknesses,asthecasemaybe,wereanessential part of his strength. At crucial moments, he acted in the light of what he conceived to be the highest interest of the nation as a whole: against party, against section, even against the will of his constituents. It is this intrinsic quality which has established his common nature and essential humanism.Theunpopulartraitscommontorulers with messianic impudence- egomaniac, untrustworthiness, coarseness, mean of spirit, unforgiving, and I-know-it-all bravura- are very farfromJonathan.Yes,hewasaneophyteorgreen horn in the gallery of power, but as a thoroughbred ivory tower intellectual on the exalted throne, who had been a deputy governor, governor, Vice President,ActingPresident,andPresident,hewas not a mediocre. Rather, he learned fast on the job.

Heplaceisfirmlysecuredinthepantheonofglobal political history. Such is the stuff heroism is made of.

•Mr. Amor, a political analyst, wrote from Abuja

20— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

My narrow escape from death —Nonagenarian survivor of tanker inferno Regrets loss of money saved for her funeral rites

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ords could not express the emotional and psychological trauma 98-year-old Aishat Olushi, was going through as she sat on a bed which served as seat for many who came to sympathise with her over the destruction of her building and other property in the fire that gutted 34 buildings and 70 shops at Idimu area of Lagos, at the weekend.

Shaking her head intermittently, the nonagenarian clapped her hands in amazement and amidst tears, lamented: “This kind of calamity has never befallen me in my 98 years existence on earth.”

At this point, sympathisers began to console her afresh.

By Evelyn Usman PREMONITION ama, as she 1s fondly called may have had a premonition of what was to befall her, as she had reportedly called her children three weeks ago to inform them not to bother about money for her funeral rites when she would pass on to the great beyond. She told them that she had saved about N150,000 from money given her to live on. She also told them that the amount would be enough for all they wanted to do when she passed on.

Charred remains of the tanker

Midnight inferno Little did she realize that tragedy was not far away. She had retired to bed penultimate Friday, without the slightest inkling that danger lurked ahead. The incident that changed the scenario she planned for her own passage happened at about midnight along Ikotun – Idimu road, following an explosion from a 33,000-litre capacity tanker fully loaded with diesel. The content of the tanker spilled to the gutter and extended to the stand of a bean cake seller who had reportedly closed few minutes before the incident occurred. Fire from the stand was said to have ignited from the spillage and razed 34 buildings. Residents who were jolted from sleep by the deafening bang, reportedly rushed out from their respective houses only to discover balls of fire raging fiercely and spreading to adjoining buildings. In the state of confusion, they scampered to safety in different directions, with most of them leaving family members to their fate.

Mrs Olushi's building

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Struggle for survival Madam Olushi,was among several others who put up a brave act to escape being trapped in the burning building where she lived.

She told Vanguard that when she woke up, fire had C M Y K

Mrs Aishat Olushi

engulfed her building, stating that her shouts for help yielded no results and the last thought on her mind was that she was going to die in the fire. She added that she woke up her two grand children who were in the same room with her but found it difficult to escape owing to arthritic pains in her knees.

In a brave attempt to fight for her life and those of her grandchildren, she revealed that she crawled right from her room to an open space outside before she passed out, apparently after inhaling much smoke.

Mama reportedly woke up to find herself in a nearby hospital, from where she was resuscitated and thereafter, taken to a relative’s apartment on Gbada Salami Street, not far from the scene of the tragedy.

Lamentation She asked : “Where do I start from? Who do I run to?

Everything I have laboured for in life is gone. The house

our father left for us, all the clothes I had, money that my children gave to me that I have been saving, as well as those given to me to keep; are all gone in the fire. I did not come out with even a pin.

When I opened my eyes and

I was informed on the telephone that some buildings around my mother’s house were on fire. I also saw thick smoke billowing from my house in Dopemu and concluded it was a huge one

saw fire, I thought my end had come. I did know where to run to. Even if I knew, with what would I run? I could not walk majestically with my legs as I used to, let alone to run with them. I managed to crawl, instructing my grandchildren to follow me.

But before I knew it, they ran in different directions on sighting the fire. In my confusion, I forgot to put on my clothes. I crawled until I got outside. Immediately some sympathisers saw me, they carried me and that was all I could remember. My appeal to Ambode is to have mercy on a poor old woman and make his palliative gesture fast because I cannot work to generate income at my age. Lagos State Government, please come to my aid,”she pleaded amidst tears.

On closer observation, it was discovered that the Awori, Lagos -state born nonagenarian sustained injuries on her legs during her struggle to come out of the burning building. She had on a cream-coloured shirt and a wrapper, given to her by some good Samaritans.

Re-united with grandchildren It was further gathered that it was not until 10am next day that her grandchildren were

reunited with her. They were said to have been taken to a safer place by some fleeing residents.

Meanwhile, before she emerged from where she was taking refuge, information had spread to some of her children that mama could not be rescued from the burning building. One of her panicstricken children, Chief (Mrs) Fausat Orebanjo, who resides in Dopemu, reportedly fainted.

She was among the first callers at the scene of the fire incident from where she was taken to where her mother was.

Daughter speaks Speaking with Vanguard, Mrs. Orebanjo said: “I was informed on the telephone that some buildings around my mother’s house were on fire.

From my house in Dopemu, I had seen thick smoke billowing from that direction and concluded it was a huge one. I enquired to know if my mum’s own was affected and the caller answered in the affirmative, saying that my mother was burnt to death. I fainted on hearing that. Only God brought me back. I am glad she is alive and well.

The only thing we regret is the destruction of our father’s house.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

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NIMASA charged to focus on manpower training

By Godfrey Bivbere

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PRESS CONFERENCE : From left: Vice President, Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Danladi Yaro; President, Mr Charles Chijide; and immediate past President and Chairman, 2015 Poster Awards Committee, Mr. Kole Ademulegun during a press conference on the 2015 Poster Awards, in Lagos.

Tax Appeal Tribunal adjourns N1.2bn suit against FIRS T

HE Tax Appeal Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday adjourned till July 13, and Aug. 3, respectively hearing in the N1.2 billion suit filed against Federal Inland Revenue Service(FIRS) by 44 companies. The suit was filed by Continental ReInsurance and 43 others, seeking refund of N1.2 billion excess stamp duties from FIRS. They are seeking refund of excess stamp duties paid on various increases on their share capital from January 2003 to March 2011.

Mr Nnamdi Ibegbu, the Acting Chairman of the tribunal, adjourned the suit to enable the parties amend and filed their preliminary objections,

to be heard on the adjourned dates. “ The appellant counsel (44

There were new issues raised in the preliminary objection filed by the FIRS. He urged the tribunal to grant him 21 days to react to it

insurance companies) is hereby given 21 days to file further submission to the preliminary objection. The respondent counsel (FIRS) is hereby given 14 days to file further preliminary objection. The preliminary objection will be taken in Aug. 3.”

Mr Ayuba Kwari, counsel to FIRS, had earlier told the tribunal that he has filed a preliminary objection to the appeal raised by the 44 insurance companies. Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, counsel to the 44 insurance companies, said there were new issues raised in the preliminary objection filed by the FIRS. He urged the tribunal to grant him 21 days to react to it.

BoI boosts SME devt with five digital applications

By Favour Nnabugwu

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ANK OF INDUSTRY (BOI) has released five digital applications that will enhance development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the nation.

The five products include SME Mobile App, SME Accounting Application (SAAPP) Software, Online Loan Application Portal, Loan Application Tracking System, and SME Customer Portal.

The digital solutions is to give allow SMEs access the bank’s website at all times and also address SMEs challenges in the digital age while it is expected to also promote entrepreneurial business in the areas of funding and business exposure among SMEs. Managing Director and Chief

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Executive Officer of the bank, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, said the products were tailored to address new demand for digital solutions, occasioned by the increase in the number of internet users in the countr y, which include SME operators.

“As we have re-positioned our systems, processes and services to take advantage of this new digital and mobile world, in order to offer our customers the benefits of speed, mobility and convenience that came with it,” Olaoluwa said.

He disclosed that the bank, in March this year, upgraded its banking application from Equinox to a more robust version called Rubikon, in order to serve its customers better.

Demonstrating how the Mobile Apps

works, Group Head, Information and Strategy of the bank, Mr. Thomas Akphororo, said the objective is to provide members of the public, especially entrepreneurs, easy access to information on their mobile phones, about the key activities and products of the bank, as well as how to avail themselves of the bank’s services.

The mobile app gives overview of the bank and what it stands for, the category of customers the bank could assist, as well as list of the bank’s accredited business development service providers, with download features. It also provides news about events concerning the bank and the success stories of the bank and its customers.

HE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA has been charged to focus on empowerment of indigenous operators in the maritime sector to grow the economy and create In an exclusive chat with Vanguard in Lagos, factional leader of the Nigeria Ship-owners Association, NISA, Capt. Niyi Labinjo, said that the federal government through NIMASA need to enforce various policies in the sector if the economy must grow.

According to Labinjo, there is need for socio economy policy as regards the maritime sector and when this is done we will own ships and so many shipping companies would spring up.

“They (shipping companies) would employ more Nigerians, they would pay taxes and our Gross Domestic Product, GDP, would increase but if they don’t encourage the development and growth of shipping companies, they would not own ships, they would not employ Nigerians, we would not pay taxes and our GDP would not increase.

“If everybody coming to NIMASA can see it like that, it would help in the growth and development of shipping in Nigeria so that the shipping companies that are in existence can grow. The manning agencies that want to come into existence would get work to do very well” he explained.

$137.55

1.00

$3,109.00

-8.00

$12.06

-0.10

$64.79

2.10

59.99 CURRENCY BUYING

1.85

CENTRAL

DOLLAR 195.9 196.4 196.9 POUNDS 298.963 299.726 300.4891 EURO 218.7615 219.3199 219.8782 FRANC 208.8486 2093817 209.9147 YEN 1.5634 1.5674 1.5714 CFA 0.3189 0.3289 0.3389 WAUA 275.4548 276.1579 276.8609 RENMINBI 31.5663 31.6474 31.7284 RIYAL 52.2372 52.3705 52.5039 KRONA 29.3193 29.3942 29.469 SDR 273.5744 274.2726 274.9709

CBN Exchange Rate as at 9/ 06/15

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

The limited risk appetite of Nigerian (re)insurers to provide terrorism coverage means that the international markets will continue to thrive from the profitability of these risks

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Creation of PPF will give security to low level pension contributors — Yola

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hairman of Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria, PenOp, Mr. Misbahu Yola has said that creation of the Pension Protection Fund, PPF and Minimum Pension Guarantee, MPG, is a welcome development for all stakeholders.

Yola who spoke at a stakeholder conference on the Pension Reform Act 2014 in Abuja said that the creation of the PPF and MPG would give more security to low level contributors.

Speaking on the topic “Establishment & funding of the pension protection fund & minimum pension guarantee under the PRA 2014” Yola stated that funding the scheme would require will and commitment as it will foster greater confidence in pension administration and attract more participation.

He explained that a PPF is a (usually statutory) fund established by governments to offer additional support for pension payment to eligible pensioners ( UK – Pension Protection Fund / US – Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation) while MPG refers to the minimum pension which an occupational pension system has to provide for employees/contributors irrespective of contributions.

Recall that the Pension Reform Act, 2004, Section 71-(1) provides that all RSA holders who have contributed for a number of years to a licensed Pension Fund Administrator, PFA, shall be entitled to a guaranteed minimum pension. However, the modality for funding of the MPG was not provided for in the Act, Yola added.

Also, the Pension Reform Act, 2014, Sections 82 and 84 provided for the establishment of a statutory PPF as a means of actualisation of the MPG. It mandates the National Pension Commission, PenCom, to set up a Pension Protection Fund to be utilised for payment of compensation to eligible pensioners who have insufficient funds to enjoy the payment of pension upon retirement. According to Yola, the MPG provide a backup in case of financial losses arising from investment activities as well as any other purpose deserving protection with the PPF as the Commission may determine from time to time.

He said that the fund shall consist of the following; an annual subvention of one per cent of the total monthly wage bill payable to employees in the public service of the Federation, annual pension protection levy paid by the Commission and all licensed pension operators at a rate to be determined by the Commission from time to time as well as income from investment of the Pension Protection Fund.

Yola said that the Commission shall utilise the PPF for funding of the MPG pursuant to section 84 of the Act; augment pensions in case of financial losses arising from investment activities as well as any other purpose deserving protection with the PPF as the Commission may from time to time determine.

On the benefits of the PPF and MPG, Yola said that it would bring about social harmony and security which means that the MPG would ensure support for eligible retirees by augmenting their balance through such support for a reasonable monthly pension payment to be determined by the Commission.

He said that it will bring about greater confidence in pension administration and the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS; encourage participation by other groups; would encourage informal sector participation as well as accumulated funds can further deepen the financial market.

Send comments & enquiries to insuranceandyou@yahoo.com C M Y K

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INSURAN ‘Nigerian insurers unprepared to cover terrorism risks’ Stories by Rosemary Onuoha

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igerian insurers remain inadequately prepared to capitalise on the underwriting of emerging risks, such as the on-going campaign of terror by Boko Haram, A.M Best has said.

The rating agency in its report titled, “Nigeria’s Insurance Sector Faces Economic Challenges, but New Government Improves Prospects,” said that the situation reflects the absence of data and other capabilities to support the understanding and quantification of potential loss exposures to the sudden and severe catastrophic nature of these events.

Since the re-emergence of the militant Islamist group in 2010, there has been a rising spate of bombings and kidnappings in Nigeria, with the violence mainly in the North-Eastern region of the country.

According to A.M Best, political and terrorism risks are generally prescribed as a standard exclusion on all policies. However, in cases where cover has been requested, domestic players have effectively acted as fronters, utilising international reinsurers for technical expertise to price and implement the appropriate terms and conditions. Many regional and multi-national companies

have gone directly to the international markets to find appropriate cover rather than utilise local capacity.

“The limited risk appetite of Nigerian (re)insurers to provide terrorism coverage means that the international markets will continue to thrive from the profitability of these risks, as local insurers will partner with foreign reinsurers to support this business.

Government intervention is likely to be required to support the industry’s ability to increase their participation on political and terrorism risks, as has been the case in certain markets around the world; for example, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program ReAuthorisation Act (or TRIPRA) in the U.S. Terrorism pools

The economy remains subject to fiscal and structural weaknesses, including the country’s dependence on oil revenues, the high levels of corruption and subsequent distrust in the financial system

worldwide have also acted as an alternative approach in supporting the industry ’s terrorism risk retention, as per the UK’s Pool Reinsurance Company Ltd (Pool Re) and the Arab War Risk Insurance Syndicate (AWRIS) in Bahrain,” A.M Best noted.

“To aid in the industry ’s ability to retain some of this and other emerging risks in the country, insurers will need to advance themselves in the understanding and handling of these exposures, as well as finding ways to increase their capacities to support the underwriting of this business,” A.M Best said.

According to the rating agency, the young and growing population of Nigeria continues to present a huge potential for the growth of the underpenetrated insurance industry, with annual nominal growth rates of up to 10% expected for the coming five years. However, the economy remains subject to fiscal and structural weaknesses, including the country ’s dependence on oil revenues, the high levels of corruption and subsequent distrust in the financial system. These factors restrict the development of the insurance sector, particularly given the high poverty levels and persistent inequality between the various demographics that continue to be ignored.

PRESENTAION: From left, Mr. Kayode Oluremi, Operations Director, Fortunate Impex Ltd; Alhaji Afolabi Abdulazeez, Treasurer, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA); Mr. Davies Ben Chukwuenye, Secretary, ANLCA; Nze Aloy Igwe, Chairman ANLCA, and Emanuel Njoku, PRO ANLCA during the presentation of ANLCA Biometric Identity Card to members at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja. Lagos.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

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CE & YOU

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To aid in the industry’s ability to retain some of this and other emerging risks in the country, insurers will need to advance themselves in the understanding and handling of these exposures, as well as finding ways to increase their capacities to support the underwriting of this business

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Wapic launches Moov motor insurance and group life products

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VISIT: President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mr. Ayodapo Shoderu in a handshake with the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Professor Julius Ihonvbere during a courtesy visit of NCRIB delegation to the SSG in Edo State government office, Benin City, with them are NCRIB Executive Secretary, Mr. Fatai Adegbenro (left); Deputy President, Mr Kayode Okunoren (2nd Left); Permanent Secretary, Office of the SSG, Mr Mohomod Abu (2nd right) and NCRIB Vice President, Mr. Shola Tinubu.

Edo promises engagement of insurance brokers

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do State government has promised the engagement of insurance brokers in the insurance and risk protection of its human and material assets.

Edo state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole made the promise at the 2015 Chief Executive Officers’ Retreat of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), held in Benin City, Edo State.

Speaking through the Commissioner for Finance, Barrister John Inegbedion, the governor said that poor awareness about the value of insurance had militated against

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oyal Exchange General Insurance Company, (REGIC) said it has paid out N1.976 billion as claims settlements to its clients at the end of the year 2014.

Making this disclosure in Lagos, Managing Director of REGIC, Mr. Richard Olutayo Borokini said that his company’s focus is the prompt settlement of genuine insurance claims and this will continue to be the business philosophy of the company in years ahead, adding that the company will continue to support the business community as it strives to increase the manufacturing capacities of industries in the country.

According to Borokini, “Royal Exchange has once again demonstrated its strength and ability to honour its financial

the engagement of insurance by government in the past, noting that the trend could change forthwith. He implored the NCRIB and the entire insurance industry to accelerate the tempo of public awareness and strategies engagement of all sectors of the Nigerian economy as it obtains in developed countries of the world.

Oshiomhole applauded the efforts of the NCRIB in widening the horizon of the insurance awareness in the country through its various outreaches to government institutions and individuals and urged other players in the industry to emulate this

approach in order to grow the industry.

In his remark, President of the Council, Mr. Ayodapo Shoderu implored government institutions to patronise the insurance industry as a step towards protecting their risks and lamented their poor attitude for risk identifications and protection.

He used the occasion to advise the new government under President Muhammadu Buhari to give premium attention to risk protection as bases for wealth creation in order to make a desire of the government to create wealth for Nigerians realisable.

apic Insurance Plc has announced the reintroduction of its motor insurance product suite while its Life subsidiary, Wapic Life Assurance Limited announced its revamped Group Life insurance product.

At the Launch of the products in Lagos, the company said that its motor insurance suite has been rebranded and is now called “Moov” while the Group Life Policy has been re-designed to address critical consumer needsbut keeping them adequately protected against the financial impact of life’s risks whilst in employment.

The motor insurance product in its new form has been designed to meet the yearnings of customers for budget and life style flexibility. An integral feature of the new product is the fact that the consumers can custom-create their motor insurance cover. The motor product comes in four variants, which are the basic Moov to cover third party motor insurance; Moov Plus for third party, fire and theft; Moov Prestige to cover basic comprehensive insurance while Moov Luxury is the maximum motor cover available.

Within each option, there is a menu of covers from which customers can make a choice based on their needs and budget. Each cover is priced separately while the customer can work out the cost using the online calculator provided.

The Company has also made the product more accessible for the insuring public as there are now various product purchase channels available to consumers.

Group Life Insurance is a compulsory class of cover for all employers with three or more employees. With this in mind, the Life business, Wapic Life Assurance Limited, had similarly revamped this product to meet the needs of employers through simplified documentation, seamless payment process and enjoyable claim settlement for the benefit of their employees.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Niyi Onifade, Managing Director, Wapic Life Assurance Ltd stated that “Group Life Insurance as prescribed by law has now been simplified for the benefit of employers of labour, clubs, associations, unions, religious groups, cooperatives and social organisations who exist as a group such that the purchase of the product is enjoyable and can be done with ease. This was our commitment and we have fulfilled this today” Deputy Group Managing Director, Mr. Bode Ojeniyi stated that “With the roll out of Moov and Group Life, Wapic Insurance is on course to meeting its goal of delivering customer-relevant solution in both the life and non-life segments. While the insuring public can now enjoy affordable and flexible insurance solutions to cover their vehicles and life, we assure you that more solutions will follow shortly.”

Royal Exchange paid N1.9bn claims in 2014 obligations and also protect the interest of its various corporate and individual clients, as there is a conscious effort to have a genuine partnership with the clients based on trust and integrity, core values which was instilled by the founders of the company and have continued to drive the operations and strategic directions of the company”.

He further added that “customer satisfaction is the fulcrum of insurance business and this inevitably builds customer loyalty. Once Royal Exchange is able to pay customers claims as they arise, more and more customers and the general public will have faith to take out insurance policies on

their lives and properties because they are convinced that should a claim/loss arise, Royal Exchange will be able to meet its financial obligations to its clients”.

Giving a breakdown of the various amounts paid in the different insurance classes, Borokini said a total of N639 million was paid on Motor and Accident insurance policies accounting for 32.37 per cent of the N1.976 billion paid out as claims, while N552 million was paid out on Fire and Industrial All Risks (IAR) policies, representing 26.4 per cent of total claims paid and Special Risks insurance policies accounted for 25.9 per cent, amounting to N512 million as

claims.

Other classes of insurance with claims payments include marine insurance policies with N212.2 million paid out as claims, representing 10.7 per cent, while Engineering Insurance policies resulted in total claims payment of N67.8 million paid out, which is about 3.4 per cent of the claims paid to various clients.

Claims paid on other classes of insurance such as Bonds, Guarantees and other such classes of insurance accounted for N21million of the total claims paid in 2014.

Speaking further on the import of the huge sums paid out in the last one year by Royal Exchange, Borokini said “It is

a testament to our enduring capacity to shoulder any form of risk and evidence of our financial depth derived from prudent and conservative accounting system, a highly motivated workforce as well as a professionally structured organisation”.

According to Borokini, “The payment of these claims has shown that Royal Exchange General Insurance is more than capable of meeting its various claims demands, especially as in the past, the company paid close to N4billion to Nigerian bottling Company for the fire in its Benin plant in 2010 and was the lead insurer in a consortium that paid out over N3.63billion to Friesland Foods West African Milk Company (WAMCO) over the major flood disaster that occurred in its Lagos factory in 2011”.

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

Shareholders okay Mainstreet Bank take-over by Skye Bank Quoted companies and their shareholders in 2014

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BOND LISTING: From left, Mr. Kobby Bentsi-Enchill, Head, Debt Capital Markets, Stanbic IBTC Capital Ltd., Mr. Yinka Sanni, CEO Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC, Mr. Jibril Aku, Vice-Chairman, FMDQ OTC PLC and Mr. Bola Onadele. Koko, MD/CEO FMDQ OTC Plc during the signing of the FMDQ Bond listing register.

By Peter Egwuatu

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HAREHOLDERS of Skye

Bank Plc have unanimously endorsed the acquisition of Mainstreet Bank Limited at the court ordered extra ordinary general meeting held immediately after the bank’s 9th Annual General Meeting held in Lagos.

During the consideration of the bank’s proposed scheme of external restructuring which deals with the acquisition and how to consolidate the operations of both banks, the Chairman of the bank, Mr. Tunde Ayeni, disclosed that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), had given its clearance to the scheme.

According to Ayeni, after the receipt of the scheme clearance from the SEC, an application was filed at the Federal High Court which directed the meeting of the shareholders of the banks be convened and the scheme be presented for their consideration and approval.

Explaining the benefits and effects of the scheme which gives legal seal to the

acquisition, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, said the proposed restructuring would create a platform where significant synergies could be obtained for the benefits of the shareholders, employees, customers and the economy as a whole.

He further identified other benefits of the restructuring to include the opportunity to reposition the enlarged Skye Bank as a tier 1 bank within the Nigerian financial services space based on the expected benefits arising from economies of scale and scope.

A business combination of this nature will potentially lead to revenue enhancements and cost savings for the enlarged Skye Bank with a wider customer base

“A business combination of this nature will potentially lead to revenue enhancements and cost savings for the enlarged Skye Bank with a wider customer base”, Oguntayo explained.

The Skye Bank boss explained that the scheme would provide an additional buffer to the existing capital base of the bank in the event of subsequent recapitalization directives by the CBN, addition to presenting an opportunity to create a stronger risk asset portfolio for the enlarged bank. The shareholders also approved the appointments of four new executive directors by the board of the bank. The new Executive Directors are Mr. Bayo Sanni, Executive Director, Lagos Commercial Banking; Mr. Idris Yakubu, Executive Director, Abuja and Northern Region; Mrs. Markie Idowu, Executive Director, Technology and Service Delivery Channels; and Mrs. Abimbola Izu, Executive Director, Corporate services.

Eurofinance to host West Africa conference on treasury, risk & cash mgt

T

reasurers, Financial Controllers, Chief Financial Officers, CFOs and senior public and private sector decision-makers has concluded arrangement to hold a conference at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos.

The conference sheduled to hold for 23-24 June 2015 is the 5th EuroFinance West Africa Conference on Treasury, Risk & Cash Management, where risk management will be a major point of discussion.

2015 has been particularly challenging for companies operating in West Africa. The value decrease of oil and the Naira have meant that best practice treasury processes have been brought into sharp focus, with many treasurers feeling uncertain as to how to achieve business growth.

In a time of unpredictable markets

C M Y K

EuroFinance’s West Africa event will show you how to push your business forward and take the positives from the negative. This world-class treasury event will have a strong focus on risk management and the tools and strategies companies can adopt to help mitigate against credit, foreign exchange and operational risks the current market has created.

Speakers include high-level financial executives at home and abroad, including British American Tobacco, Central Bank of Nigeria,CBN, World Food Programme, MTN Communications Limited, Citi, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, etc. Key topics to be discussed will include: Seeing a clearer regulatory picture, maximising the potential of derivatives,operational risk management and update from the CBN on new payments initiatives

he Annual General accounts as well.

The ability of a company Meetings, AGMs, of companies that are quoted on to reach its shareholders would the Nigerian Stock Exchange, determine the success of efforts dematerialize share NSE, have taken place in the to certificates and to end the past few months. These AGMs have considered the reports incidence of unclaimed and accounts of the various dividends. I recently looked at companies for the year 2014. the websites of Nigerians Forte Oil Plc published its Breweries and Dangote Sugar. reports and accounts early Nigerian Breweries in its 2014 although it was not the first annual reports simply stated that company to have its results some dividends and share published as it was the certificates have remained previous year. Forte Oil Plc has unclaimed. In contrast, Dangote a 57 per cent stake in Amperion Sugar, in several pages in its Power Distribution Company 2014 annual reports, gave the which in turn has a 51 per cent names of shareholders with stake in Geregu Power Plc, a unclaimed dividends. I am thermal power station located aware that the company in Ajaokuta, Kogi State. The registrar for Nigerian Breweries, gross profit from all of Forte Oil First Registrars, believes that the Plc various operations is publication of lists of unclaimed dividends would N18.46billion out encourage of which power fraudulent claims. generation is The ability of a According to its contributing company to 2014 annual N4.74billion. This reports, Nigerian reach its is an indication Breweries has shareholders that the power 1 1 3 , 0 3 1 generating would shareholders. The companies on the determine the company is very national grid can success of active in make a profit at promoting all its efforts to current electricity products and I dematerialize tariff levels. One believe the share hopes that the company can Bureau of Public certificates and organize a Enterprises/ to end the promotion that Ministry of incidence of would bring out its F i n a n c e shareholders with unclaimed Incorporated unclaimed would be able to dividends and share certificates. tell the public what dividends Some of the banks have have been earned from the large numbers of shareholders Federal Government’s 49per cent stake in Geregu Power Plc. arising from the share offers in We would see from the above 2007 and thereabouts. FBN example that the reports and Holdings in its 2014 annual has 1,215,146 accounts of a company can reports provide useful information to shareholder accounts. First the company’s shareholders Registrars should be able to tell and to others. The idea that the us how many of these accounts reports and accounts are meant are held as share certificates and solely for the purposes of the how many are held with the AGM is mistaken. A Central Securities Clearing shareholder in a company has System Limited. This would give the right to know how his an idea of the work that has to investment is performing and be done if we are to get all share the shareholder can at any time certificates dematerialized. Out ask for the company’s financial of the 1,215,146 FBN Holdings statements. The piles of shareholder accounts, 836,923 of company annual reports that these hold between 1 and 5000 are found in the offices of some units of shares with their total company registrars have clearly holdings being less than 5 never been sent to any post percent of the company ’s office. This year, I have not 32.63billion units of shares. I received any reports and hope that whatever policies are accounts either in CD format put in place for the or paper format. One of the dematerialisation of share companies did send me certificates would recognize the indication of its rights issue and need to cater for the large if this got through to me, I numbers of investors with small should have received the holdings. company ’s reports and TO BE CONTINUED

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015—25

DIARY

Africa Cape Town, South Africa July 15-16, 2015

Tel e

ICT

com

Inf

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tur e...

The law says...

Preview Shoes that grow ...Vandals' ll be prosecuted

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HE Shoe That Grows is far from the most stylish pair of footwear you can slip your feet into. In terms of practical utility, though, it’s tough to beat, with its ability to adjust in size, making it ideal for growing children.

Developed for the millions of children in impoverished countries with limited access to proper footwear, the shoes are designed to provide their feet with adequate protection, all while being able to adjust in size for the next five years. They ’re billing it as a better alternative to traditional shoe donations, which the children will almost always end up outgrowing sooner rather than later. With a pair like this, they won’t have to go barefoot because the only pair of shoes they owned no longer fit – the kids can simply adjust the straps to accommodate their newfound size

C M Y K

How telecom finds protection in new cybercrime law •A peep into punishments that’ll come with infrastructure vandalism

By Prince Osuagwu

T

HE integration of computer tech nology as a global issue, where the economy of most nations in the world becomes accessible through the use of Information communication and technology, has left countries like Nigeria open to many cyber risks.

In such states, proper law to check Cybercrime becomes an eluding factor in cyberspace transactions. Computer related crimes become so endemic, that the economy feels the impact negatively.

The issue became so problematic and embarrassing that relevant stakeholders put heads together and began to push for a cybercrime law to protect cyberspace transactions in

I N S I D E

LG launches selfies conscious G4 smartphone in Nigeria PAGE 26

Nigeria.

However, for many years, the bill became a still birth in the country’s National Assembly throwing up many debates as to whether the country has the capacity to sustain its burgeoning Information and Communications Technology, ICT status.

Fortunately on May, 25, 2015, just at the tail end of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, the bill was signed into law.

The bill which went through the rigorous process of 60th Chambers of the National Assembly before it was passed into an Act lists offences and penalties including unlawful access to computers, unlawful operation of cybercafes, system interference, intercepting electronic messages, emails, e-money transfer, tampering with critical infrastructure, Com-

It,therefore, means that the passage and signing into law of the bill, automatically prohibits any crime or injury on critical national information infrastructure PAGE 27

WOMEN IN ICT: A game changer in NCS 2015 election

puter-related forgery.

Also, crimes like theft of electronic devices, electronic signature, child pornography and related offences, racism and xenophobic offences are punishable under the Act. However, besides the objective of providing an effective and unified legal, regulatory and institutional framework for the prohibition, prevention, detection prosecution and punishment of cybercrimes in Nigeria, there was a critical objective of the bill which interests ICT professionals particularly those in the telecom sub sector.

The bill, sought to ensure the protection of critical national information infrastructure.

It therefore means that the passage and signing into law of the bill, automatically prohibits any crime or injury on critical national information infrastructure, sales of pre-registered Sim cards, unlawful access to computer systems, Cyber-Terrorism, among others and make them punishable by law.

A peep into part II of the bill which deals with “protection of critical national national information infrastructure” the Act stipulates that (1) The President may, on the recommendation of the National Continues on page 28

26—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

TD @ 16, re-strategizes for increased market share

By Prince Osuagwu

I

CT distributor, Technology Distributions, has underlined its readiness to stake a claim for the leadership of the African market at its annual retreat to usher in the new financial year. This is coming just as the organization marked 16th year of operation as a ICT distributor.

TD announced that the retreat which provided an opportunity for the company to take stock of its performance and growth indices for the last financial year, was a huge success, with the significant performance figures declared showing an upward trajectory.

It stated that the records put the company on a sound footing to take a larger share of the market in the new financial year.

While TD’s mainstream business saw a healthy return in its sales revenue, the other arms of the business also put in a strong showing in the just-ended financial year, with TD Solutions impressive book balance complimenting TD Mobile’s pre-dominance in the smartphone sector – indicative of the latter’s growing presence in the market and newly signed partnerships with a plethora of smart phone brands such as Lenovo, Techno, Infinix, Injoo, Wiko, Yezz just to mention a few.

In addition to the ambition of taking a larger share of the market in the financial year, the retreat witnessed the unveiling of strategies targeted at ensuring better value delivery to solution providers, resellers and end-users while building a more rewarding relationship with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and enterprise partners.

Managing Director of the company Mrs. Chioma Chimere, said that “we have come a long way especially as the pioneer in the field. Sixteen years of sound industry experience and excellent operations are just few factors which set TD apart in the market place. This is why this new financial year is a key one for us.

Our main focus this year is to position the business more strategically as the market leader in the field.

“Apart from empowering more startups in the field, the run rate business and our relationships with partners, OEMs and solutions providers will be key. Internally, we have also done a rigorous review of our entire operations for better output in the new financial year. We have recruited more capable hands in key areas of the business and also diversified the TD Solutions arm into the Volume and Value segments as part of our strategies to take control of the market place.” She added.

BY LAJU IREN

L

G Electronic, maker of the acclaimed selfie conscious smartphone, LG G4 is ready to bring the smartphone to Nigeria. In fact by Friday, the smartphone will be launched in the country, apparently flagging off competition among Nigerian fashion lovers and style impresarios on who will first grab the device.

One of the smartphones major strength is its selfie phenomenon which the manufacturer says can be as good enough to frame and keep as souvenir. The selfie phenomenon is one that has literally taken the world by storm. It is no longer a makeshift plan when there is no one to hold the camera. Mobile device manufacturers who know this fact are now building their devices to be ‘selfie-conscious.’

Apart from its very many advantages, the new LG G4 comes to mind in this regard.

For selfies good enough to frame, LG included an industry-leading 8MP frontfacing camera for sharp, detailed portraits and group shots.

New for G4, Manual Mode allows experienced photographers the ability to exercise more artistic expression by letting them directly control the focus, shutter speed, ISO, exposure compensation and white balance for every shot.

Advanced photographers can also save their photos in RAW format, in addition to JPEG, for more precise editing with no loss of details.

With the G4, LG focused on delivering comfortable elegance, a great visual experience and a human-centric user experience. The LG G4 camera features

•LG

LG launches selfies conscious G4 smartphone in Nigeria a rare-in-smartphones F1.8 aperture lens which allows 80 percent more light to hit the image sensor than in the LG G3. The innovative camera module is paired with the new IPS Quantum Display that is better in every way than the innovative Quad HD display introduced to the world in the LG G3. The LG G4 embodies human sensibility that is clearly visible in its Slim Arc exterior design and graphical user interface.

The G4’s genuine leather back is soft and supple, without feeling out of place on a phone.

Its natural full grain gives the device a comforting amount of grip.

The LG G4’s design is defined by the Slim Arc, which runs along its entire body, highlighted by a display with a subtle curvature.

With G4, the higher quality display doesn’t come at the expense of battery life. The LG G4 is equipped with a highcapacity 3,000mAh removable battery. Combined with the benefits offered by the snappy yet energy-thrifty Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor with X10 LTE, the LG G4 has no trouble getting through a full day of normal use. In fact, the LG G4 is estimated to last 20 percent longer than the G3, from the same capacity battery.

SOCIETY & SOCIAL MEDIA

By Agbolade Omowole @iamagbolade

Four magic steps to creating workable social media strategies If you care to know, people are not interested in you or what you have to say or sell. They are only interested in what will benefit them. People will prefer to talk about their tooth ache with you, than talk to you about an earth quake in Japan that kills 300 people. Here, we will look at four social media strategies that work like magic

B

e genuinely interested in others: Being self-centered is human. It is part of everyone’s default configuration. But how can you shift people’s focus from their own self interest to what you really want them to hear?

Show interest in people. Give people your hand and they will gladly give you their heart. The most important on Facebook is not the number of friends and fans you have. The most important thing is the degree of interaction and influence. Listen to others. Talk to friends on Facebook. Show concern.

Be Trustworthy. I recently did a survey of 1000 girls. I asked them what they value most in a relationship and about 72% of the respondents say that the most important thing to them in a relationship is trust.

The reason you have to build trust with fans and friends is because people associate with people they like and trust.

Experts say you can build trust on social by communicating in a consistent, personal brand voice, making time for humor and entertainment, posting unique, original ideas, responding to as many comments and questions as you can, being transparent, holding yourself accountable, not advertising and committing to a greater good.

Become an Expert. If you want to influence people on social media there is one shortcut become a renowned expert. Fans and friends have no problems trusting a well established brand like say MTN or an entertainment brand like Don Jazzy. That is why

they get retweets easily on Twitter.

They have loyal fans and friends.

If you are not a well established brand, then you have to start from the bottom up. To become a brand you can start with associating with brands. Try to build a relationship with experts in your field, and then invest in their platform.

Attend their trainings, do something for them for free, retweet their tweets, and celebrate them.

Then the next thing you can do is to find a way to align your brand with their brand. If a brand is retweeting your tweets, their fans will notice and some of them will follow you.

Measure your Outcome: Most times, to get a Return On Investment (ROI) on social media, you need a clear cut overall goal.

You need a social media strategy.

Most posts on social media that go viral were planned in advance.

Once your strategies are articulated, you have to implement them one at a time and monitor their efficacy. What is planned and monitored is usually achieved.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015—27

•Women in ICT

WOMEN IN ICT: A game changer

in NCS 2015 election

By Emeka Aginam

W

ITH the participation of more women in the Nigerian Information Technology ecosystem, the game is changing, closing the existing gender gap.

Although recent report by the Broadband Commission Working Group on Broadband and Gender report has indicated that women account for fewer than 20% of ICT specialists in developing economies, the participation of more women in the 2015

Nigerian Computer Society international conference to elect new leadership will be a game changer.

By next month, the IT stakeholders in the Nigerian IT industry will gather in Akure, Ondo State for the 2015 NCS international conference to elect new leadership.

Credible candidates for different elective positions, are already expressing their interests to make change in the umbrella organization of all Information Technology Professionals, in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the ongoing 2015 Computer Registration Professional Council of Nigeria, CPN, IT Assembly will be a good avenue for the candidates vying for different positions in NCS 2015 election to campaign and network for the challenges ahead.

Already, the NCS Chairlady , Credentials Committee, Mrs. Veronica Ola Owolabi, will be vying for the Deputy President of the IT interest group.

Certainly, her leadership ambition in the NCS, keen observers say, would enhance

the push for more participation of women in ICT by Nigerian Women In Information Technology, NiWIIT, a special interest group of the NSC. It would be recalled that the strategic role of Women in IT has been advocated world-wide for a very long time by Chris Uwaje, the Presidential aspirant of NCS. Uwaje has passionately advocated for the establishment of Nigerian Women in IT Group for a very long time, dating back in 2003 when he made similar proposal.

As a member of CPN Council, he had promoted the same advocacy and supported his views with documented write-up.

It was not until during Uwaje’s tenure as NCS Council member between 2008-2012 that he was lucky to find a listening ear, willing mind, and a committed and dedicated personality in person of Dr. Adeola Ilechukwu , the President of NIWIIT who embraced the idea with great passion and has succeeded in building NIWIIT to what it is today..

The President of NIWIIT, Dr Adeola Ilechukwu who spoke to Vanguard Hi-Tech on Monday on women inclusion in ICT said that there was need for gender balance in ICT to strike a balance .

Speaking on NCS election, she said that there have been women participation in NCS. With the participation of Mrs. Veronica Ola Owolabi as the Deputy President of NCS, it will going to be a game changer. She has been active in NCS. She knows the terrain.

She understands the industry.

She has all it takes to deliver her mandate” Ilechukwu who was one time second Vice President of NCS explained.

‘She will connect:’

Intel’s response to ICT gender divide

By Laju Iren

G

irls run the world. Even before singer Beyonce’s hit song, this phrase already enjoyed worldwide attention.

Across Nigeria, it is synonymous with another popular phrase: “What a man can do, a woman can do better.” As great these might seem for the advancement of the fairer sex, the figures in education, economic empowerment and even access to Information and Communication Technology prove that it would take a lot more effort for women to truly run the world.

One in four girls in developing countries is out of school.

Women perform 60 percent of the world’s work, produce 50 percent of the world’s food, but earn ten percent of the income and own only one percent of the world’s assets. With these facts, it is not surprising that according to Intel’s 2013 Women and the Web Report, women make up minority of the world’s in-

ED, WITIN, Martha Alade, Director of Education, Ministry of Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Yetunde Akin-Taylor, ?MD, Intel West Africa, Olubunmi Ekundare, ED, Junior Achievement Nigeria(Partner), Ehizefua Edeh and ED, Women Technology Empowerment Center (Partner), Oreoluwa Lesi at the Intel “She Will Connect” Media Capacity Training session with Female ICT reporters in Lagos.

ternet users.

According to the report, nearly 25 percent fewer women than men are online in emerging markets. This represents 200 million fewer women than men who are online today. This gender gap is highest in Sub-Saharan Africa with 43%, followed by the Middle East and North Africa with 34%, South Asia with 33%, Europe and Central Asia with 29%, East Pacific

and Asia with 20% and Latin America and the Carribean with 10%.

These alarming figures, coupled with Intel’s objectives to increase access to, and affordability of technology to improve everyday life, led to the birth of the Intel She Will Connect Programme, which has digitally empowered over 6,000 girls and women for free across the country since its launch in 2013.

Intel’s Manager for Nigeria and the West African Region, Mr. Olubunmi Ekundare at the recently concluded capacity building workshop for female ICT journalists, said that Intel through SWC, hopes to reach five million women and girls across Africa by 2016. His words: “Here at Intel, we believe that smart girls are the equivalent of a smart world.

Technology and access to the internet are essential to women empowerment across the continent, and instrumental to overcoming barriers such as poverty, illiteracy and discrimination.

SWC hopes to have reached five million women and girls across Africa by 2016. This would empower them to get and stay online and help others like them, thereby reducing the gender gap by 50%.” Ekundare also added that bridging the gender gap is not something Intel can do alone, hence the company’s partnership with international organizations, nongovernmental organizations and various

w BOI’s neve apps pauture digital f s for SME

By Laju Iren Experts have proved that in Nigeria, and indeed across the world, Small and Medium scale Enterprises, SMEs, are the lifeblood of any economy. What is even a more obvious fact is that the world today is a global village powered by Information and Communications Technologies, ICTs. In this era of web 2.0, ICT is no longer just an independent phenomenon in itself; it permeates every aspect of human life.

It only makes sense that a union between SMEs and ICTs when rightly consummated would bring about the right kind of fruits for the economy. All over the world, success stories abound in this direction, the prerogative to ensure success in Nigeria however lies in ensuring that the right technologies are readily available, affordable and user friendly for SME operators.

The Bank of Industry, BOI, aware of this need, recently launched five mobile digital product offerings to offer SME customers the benefits of speed, mobility and convenience that come with the digital world. The offerings include the SME Mobile App, the SME Accounting App, the Online loan application portal, the Loan application tracking system, and the SME Customer portal.

The bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa speaking at the launch said: “This is the era of the ‘Internet of Things’ where digital technology and the internet are key drivers of leading edge business processes worldwide. I have the pleasure of presenting the BOI’s five digital product offerings for the benefit of our Small and Medium scale Enterprises. The purpose of all this is to develop a positive ecosystem for Nigerian SMEs. This is something we are trying very hard to develop.”

A demonstration of the new apps’ functionalities at the launch proved that they would truly be an instrumental addition to the SME ecosystem. One of the major weaknesses of SMEs is poor record keeping and weak financial management which makes it difficult to evaluate their financial performance and invariably inhibits their ability to attract investors. The SME Accounting App, SAAPP, which the bank developed in partnership with Kinesis Consulting Limited, is a user friendly, simplified and menu-driven accounting tool that does not require formal accounting knowledge by the entrepreneur.

28—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

NBTI unveils entrepreneurship scheme to empower Youth Corps members

By Emmanuel Elebeke

and entrepreneurship.

Speaking at the maiden training organized for Batch C of the Youth Corps members posted to NBTI headquarters, Abuja, the Coordinator of the programme, Engr. Mike Amonye, said that henceforth, every Youth Corps member posted to the headquarters and the TICs would be requested to conceive Youth entrepreneurs a business enterprise in his or her area of interest, preferably from the area of their u n d e r graduate research work and ac- plan had been approved, the cordingly, produce a bankable Youth Corps member will be exbusiness plan, which would pected to establish a business pass through a process of scru- out of the enterprise he or she tiny and evaluation to render it had conceived, “but whatever commercially viable and, con- business enterprise chosen and sequently, approved. conceived must be innovative, Amonye said after the business so that any youth corps mem-

OISED to bolster job cre ation and wealth generation among the youth, the National Board for Technology Incubation, NBTI, has introduced an entrepreneurship scheme called Youth Corps Business Empowerment Initiative, YCBEI. The scheme is designed to train and empower not less than 300 Youth Corps members on entrepreneurial skills at the end of every service year nationwide under the programme.

Justifying the initiative, the Director-General of the Agen-

cy, Engr. Dr. Mohammed Jibrin, said the move apart from creating a new window for job creation in the country, the scheme is expected to expedite the country’s economic growth at the long run.

According to him, each of the Board’s 29 Technology Incubation Centres, TICs, and six extension offices spread across the country is to train no fewer than eight youth corps members accordingly posted their for their primary assignment, to save university and polytechnic graduates from roaming the streets in search of nonexistent jobs, and launch them into gainful self-employment

Continues from page 25

How telecom finds protection in new cybercrime law

Security Adviser, by Order published in the Federal Gazette, designate certain computer systems or networks, whether physical or virtual, the computer programs, computer data or traffic data vital to this country that incapacity or destruction of or interference with such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, nationaloreconomicsecurity,nationalpublic health and safety or any combination of those matters as constituting Critical National Information Infrastructure.

(2) The Presidential Order made under subsection (1) of this section may prescribe minimum standards, guidelines, rules or procedure in respect of(a) The protection or preservation of critical information infrastructure......

4.

The Presidential Order made under section 3 of this Act may require the Office of the National Security Adviser to audit and inspect any critical National Information infrastructure at any time to ensure compliance with this Act. Also in part III of the Act which stipulates offences and penalties, It is now law that: (1) A person who, with intent commits any offence punishable under this Act against any critical national information infrastructure designated under section 3 of this Act, is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years without option of fine.

(2) Where the offence committed under subsection (1) of this section results in grievous bodily harm to any person, the offender is liable on convictiontoimprisonmentforaterm of not more than 15 years without option of fine.

(3) Where the offence committed under subsection (1) of this section results in the death of a person, the offender is liable on conviction to life imprisonment.

•(1) A person who, without authorization, intentionally access in whole or in part a computer system or network for fraudulent purposes

and obtains data that are vital to national security, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than N5,000,000.00 or both.

(2) Where the offence provided in subsection (1) of this section is committed with the intent of obtaining computer data, securing access to any program, commercial or industrial secrets or classified information, the punishment shall be imprisonment for a term of not more than 7 years or a fine of not more than N7,000,000.00 or both.

(3) A person who with the intent to commit an offence under this section, uses any device to avoid detection or otherwise prevent identification or attribution with the act or omission, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not more than 7 years or to a fine not more than N7,000,000.00 or both such.

(4) A person or organization who knowingly and intentionally traffics in any password or similar information through which a computer may be accessed without lawful authority if such trafficking affects public, private or individual interest within or outside the Federation of Nigeria, commits an offence and is liable on Conviction to a fine of not more than N7,000,000.00 or imprisonment for a term of not more than 3 years or both.

The Act in part III, section 7, also sets out the guidelines and requirements for operating a cybercafe in the country.

It also makes clear the punishments for perpetrating crime through cybercafes.

8.

A person who without lawful authority intentionally or for fraudulent purposes does an act which causes directly or indirectly the serious hindering of the functioning of a computer system by inputting, transmitting, damaging, deleting, deteriorating, altering or suppressing computer data or any other form of interference with the

P

computer system, which prevents the computer system or any part thereof, from functioning in accordance with its intended purpose, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not more than 2 years or to a fine of not more than N5,000,000.00 or both.

9. A person who unlawfully destroys or aborts any electronic mail or process through which money or valuable information is being conveyed, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment for 7 years in the first instance and upon second conviction, is liable to 14 years imprisonment.

10. From the commencement of thisAct,anypersonbeingemployed by or under a Local Government of Nigeria, private organization or financial institution with respect to working with any critical infrastructure or electronic mail commits any act which he is not authorized to do by virtue of his contract of service or intentionallypermitstamperingwith such computer, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N2,000,000.00 or imprisonment

Being a core critical national infrastructure itself, telecom facilities may seem to have been covered and duly protected by this law

HI-TECH

8-06-2015

for three years.

In section 11 of Part III of thuis Act, the law also sets hurdles for those who deliberately misdirects electronic messages for selfish reasons. they could go to as much as 3 years in jail with even a fine of up to N1M. 12.

(1) A person who intentionally and without authorization, intercepts by technical means, nonpublic transmission of computer data, content, or traffic data, includingelectromagneticemissionsorsignals from a computer, computer system, or network carrying or emitting signa,s, to or from a computer, computer system or connected system or network commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment of not more than 2 years or a fine of not more than N5,000,000.00 or both.

(2) A person or organization who, by means of false pretense, induces any person employed by or under the federal state or local government of Nigeria or any person in charge of electronic devices to deliver to h9im any electronic message which including e-mail, credit and debit cardsinformation,facsimilemessages which is not specifically meant for him or his organization (in the latter case except he is authorized to receive such messages for and on behalf of his organization), commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment for 2 years or a fine of not more than N1,000,000.00 or both.

(3) A person who, being employed by or under the authorities of the Local, State or Federal Government of Nigeria or private organization who intentionally hides or detains any electronic mail, message, electronic payment, credit and debit cards which was found by him or delivered to him in error and which to his knowledge ought to be delivered to another person, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 1 year or a fine of N250,000 or both.

13. A person who knowingly

ber who is able to produce a good proposal can, at the end of his or her service year, start the business either as an incubatee at one of our centres in his or her state of origin or any chosen location near any of the Technology Incubation Centres”.

accesses any computer or network and inputs, alters, deletes or suppresses any data resulting in inauthentic data with the intention that such inauthentic data will be considered or acted upon as if it were authentic or genuine, regardless of whether or not such data is directly readable or intelligible, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than 3 years or a fine of not less than N7,000,000.00 or both.

14. (1) A person who knowingly and without authority or in excess of authority causes any loss of property to another by altering, erasing, inputting or suppressing any data held in any computer, whether or not for the purpose of conferring any economic benefits on himself or another person, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than 3 years or to a fine of not less than N7,000,000.00 or both (2) A person who with intent to defraud, sends electronic message materially misrepresents any fact or set of facts upon which reliance the recipient or another person is caused to suffer any damage or loss, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than 5 years and to afineofnotlessthanN10,000,000.00 or both.

(3) A person who with intent to defraud, franks electronic messages, instructions superscribes any electronic message or instruction, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not more than 3 years or to a fine of not more than N5,000,000.00 or both.

Being a core critical national infrastructure itself, telecom facilities may seem to have been covered and duly protected by this law. Industry practitioners believe that all things being equal, a greater percentage of the headache of the telecom operators has been taken care of and that there is no reason the country will not begin to see an improved telecom services in the shortest time possible.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 —29

C M Y K

30— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 —31

C M Y K

32 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

U20 World Cup: Tension mounts as knockout ties begin

T

he temperature is sure to rise in New Zealand today as the Round of 16 gets under way at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, with the first eight teams knowing that even the slightest mistake could leave them packing their bags for home.

The opening instalment of games features a pair of continental jousts as Serbia take on Hungary and Mali get to grips with Ghana. A little later in the day, Colombia will tackle USA in what ought to be a very open encounter, while Ukraine and Senegal will bring their contrasting styles to bear in Auckland.

Sokari, Matthew resume training with Flying Eagles

E

NYIMBA midfielder Kingsley Sokari and Ifeanyi Matthew from El Kanemi both trained with the Flying Eagles ahead of tomorrow’s U-20 World Cup Round of 16 clash against Germany in Christchurch.

Sokari suffered a knock on his ankle in the team’s final group game against Hungary and was replaced by Kelechi Iheanacho in the 82nd minute.

He did not show any ill effects from the knock as he took part in all the exercises.

Matthew, on the other hand, has missed the last two games against North Korea and Hungary after he suffered a deep cut in the foot in the opening game against Brazil.

• Sokari

Success pays Awoniyi bonus for Hungary brace

F

lying Eagles striker Isaac Success has paid out a bonus of $200 to fellow striker Taiwo Awoniyi after his goals against Hungary. Granada striker Success had promised Awoniyi the cash before the match and he made good his promise when the lanky striker hit a brace last Sunday in New Plymouth. “He paid Awoniyi from his match bonus from the game,” disclosed a team official.

Asked who will be the next beneficiary of his generosity, Success simply smiled before he said, “We just have to wait and see.” Awoniyi tops the goals’ chart for the Flying Eagles with two goals and two assists, while Godwin Saviour has two goals and one assist.

Success and Musa Yahaya have scored a Saviour (far left) and Taiwo Awoniyi (far goal apiece. right) are leading scorers for the Flying Eagles

Pepsi Academy youngsters vie for UK scholarship

P

epsi Football Academy students from across 14 centres in Nigeria will storm Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital tomorrow June 11 through Saturday June 13, 2015 to compete for spaces in the annual Pepsi Academy UK Scholarship Scheme.

Pepsi Academy UK Scholarship is a life changing initiative which provides opportunity for outstanding young lads of the Academy to study and play professional soccer at Brooke House College in United Kingdom for two years.

Director Pepsi Football Academy, Chief Kashimawo Laloko described the C M Y K

programme as one of the best things that has ever happened to grassroots football in Nigeria. He said the Pepsi UK Scholarship has been a source of motivation for the youngsters who are keen to take their football careers to Europe.

Head of Marketing, SevenUp Bottling Company Plc, Mr. Norden Thurston said Pepsi through the Pepsi Academy is committed to identifying and nurturing young talents right from the grassroots to pave way for the next Mikel Obi, Osaze Odemwingie, Elderson Echejile amongst other successful soccer stars who started their careers at the Academy.

BY: JUDE OPARA, Abuja

R

ECENTLY the news broke out that the president of the most powerful Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), Sepp Blatter announced that he will be stepping down from office after overseeing the affairs of the world body for 16 years.

The news may not have come to many soccer analysts as a surprise given the mirage of criticism that has trailed the activities of the organization in recent years especially with regards to the manner the body awarded the hosting right for the 2018 and 2022 editions of the global fiesta.

However the only thing that was a bit hazy was why Blatter had to take the hard decision just few days after winning another mandate to run the body for the next four years. But this nevertheless goes to show that what the Swiss born administrator has been doing was damage control.

There has been a lot of corruption allegation leveled against FIFA for a very long time but each time Blatter who is said to worth over $20 million dollars has a way of shoving that aside or at worst sacrifice any member of his exclusive executive committee.

But the bubble began to burst last week during the elective congress of the 209 members of FIFA where Swiss police pounced and arrested seven members of the body in a hotel in Switzerland on alleged corruption charges. The development began the beginning of the end as most of the delegates called for the postponement of the election but the adamant Blatter insisted on going ahead with the polls.

Expectedly he easily defeated his only challenger, Mohammed Ibn Hamman pulling over 130 votes. Despite that controversial reelection, Blatter who had been in FIFA for about 40 years said he was not going to step down because doing so will suggest that he was aware of the corruption and bribery issues ravaging the body. He also promised to stay put to rebuild confidence in FIFA and that he was poised to handover a FIFA that will have the trust and confidence of every stakeholder.

Even as Blatter has announced his resignation, he should not stay in office for one more day because since the organization he ran for over 16 years is under such scrutiny, he does not have the moral grounds to remain in office to organize the election that will produce his successor. Secondly he had said that resigning will mean he knows something about the massive corruption in FIFA so now that he has

The demystific ANALYSIS resigned, it then means that he really knows something and if properly quizzed, will begin to sing.

But reviewing the whole issues with regards to what have happened in many countries especially Nigeria where FIFA was elevated to the position of the angels that cannot sin. In Nigeria the fear of FIFA was really the beginning of wisdom for any government as any attempt to ask the affiliate body the NFF questions on its activities was always interpreted to be government interference in the administration of the beautiful game.

I recall the crisis that rocked the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA) under the

•Blatter

chairmanship of Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima which was unarguably the genesis of the crisis that has continued to rock the nation’s football after every four years. Expectedly FIFA was called in and after a lot of scheming here and there, it was agreed that a meeting would be held by the congress to determine whether the then disputed Kano elections will stand or repeated.

Then FIFA General Secretary, Urs Linsi was on hand to monitor the congress which was now brought to Abuja.

And it was very amazing, that Linsi contrary to the electoral rules of FIFA, allowed the then federal government officials to determine the way forward by asking people to indicate by raising their hands instead of the usual open secret balloting which FIFA allows. As typical when the heat became too much, Urs Linsi was sacrificed.

But many people have been questioning why FIFA was so bold to

•Hamman

•Jack Warne

ALSO IN THIS EDITION

VOL. 1 NO 36

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

Pot-holes volunteer fillers rescue Imo roads PAGE 2

Veteran journalist monarch in Enugu community

When my children were young, we were very poor, says Ebonyi gov’s mother

crowned PAGE 3

PAGE 6 & 7

•One of the schools shut-down for five years.

34 Enugu schools shut for 5 yrs over pro-Kogi agitations N

o fewer than 34 schools in five border communities of Ette, in Enugu State have remained closed in the last five years, thus denying hundreds of school children access to education.

Ette, a border town between Umuopu Umueze in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State and Ogugu in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State had not known peace in the last 20 years but the problem escalated in 2011, following skirmishes over agitation by some youths that the communities be merged with the neighbouring Kogi State.

Sources told the South East Voice that apart from 10 secondary and 24 primary schools illegally closed, hospitals, churches, markets and other government offices were equally forcefully shut down in the area within the same period.

The Catholic Church which was the dominant Christian C M Y K

denomination in the area was sacked from Ette sometime in 2012 and was yet to re-open for full church activities at the time South East Voice visited last week.

...apart from 10 secondary and 24 primary schools illegally closed, hospitals, churches, markets and other government offices were equally forcefully shut down in the area within the same period.

‘’The church’s celebrations on Sundays and week days were rudely disrupted just as the Parish Priest of St. James the Apostle, Rev. Fr. Sabastine Onah was sacked from the Parish House with the church and the Parish rectory vandalized, prompting the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Dr. Gregory Onah to recall Fr. Onah to the Catholic Secretariat in Nsukka, where he had since become an itinerant priest without a parish,’’ sources said.

It was further alleged that some prominent people in the community including five traditional rulers and political office holders, who pledged allegiance to the Enugu State government have not only lost their household property to the activities of the pro-Kogi agitators, but also fled their homes to avoid being killed.’’

Lull in violent activities Although there was a lull in violent activities at the time of this

•One of the schools shut-down for five years.

•Schools shut-down for five years. report, following the arrest of the leader of the youth gang who had been terrorising the people whose name was given as one Goddey Eko, alias Warrior, by the Enugu State police command, investigations showed that there are about 24 primary and 10 secondary schools in the five

communities that make up Ette, which had three major tribes including Igbo, Idoma and Igala.

How cricis started Ette as a community speak three different languages. While

Continues on page 4

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

A

new trend is emerging

within Owerri metropolis and it is the rising number of young men who take to major roads filling potholes and seeking financial gratification.

Owerri, the capital of Imo State, is considered one of the hubs for entertainment or what the Owerri man refers to as the centre for good life.

Unfortunately, most of the roads are in a bad shape.

From Dreamland Hotel Roundabout on World Bank road, to Newcastle Hotel road, or the Ideal Suites and Hotel Roundabout, there are dangerous potholes one may describe as wicked as they could make a car owner visit the mechanic.

Even the state owned broadcast medium, Orient FM and Television on Akanchawa road is not left out of its own share of potholes as it has one directly at its entrance.

While some roads have been out-rightly abandoned by commuters, because they have become impassable like the roads from Ideal Suites roundabout leading to the Federal Secretariat and the one leading to Irete on the opposite sides, forcing many to drive against traffic, driving on one way.

However, while many complain about the state of roads, certain young men have resorted to repairing them albeit temporarily. As early as 7:30a.m., they arrive the spot for repairs and scout

By FRANCIS IGATA

E

NUGU — Motorists in the Enugu metropolis who ply the Ezikwo Road beside the Enugu Government House have accused the former administration of Governor Sullivan Chime of deliberately erecting bumps along the road to protect his perimeter fence.

Chime had at the twilight of his administration, acquired an expansive mansion few metres away from the Government House perimeter fence.

The tall fence of Chime’s mansion stood inches away from the busy Bisala road leading the Government House.

South East Voice gathered that such bumps does not exist in any other part of Enugu metropolis. A source revealed that the bumps were erected to force motorists to slow down, in a desperate bid to avert vehicles from ramming into the fence.

Motorists angered C M Y K

•Youths filling potholes on roads.

Pot-holes volunteer fillers rescue Imo roads

By ANGELA NKWO-AKPOLU

round for sand, gravel, and or stones which they use to fill the holes on the roads.

Working in groups of twos, threes, and the highest being four, they fill the potholes with the materials which the get by digging up spots on the same road or from construction sites nearby.

Working in groups of twos, threes, and the highest being four, they fill the potholes with the materials

While one or two of the men do the actual sand filling, another stands with a bag collecting money from commuters who appreciate their efforts.

They work in a committed manner and change location as the need to fill up new potholes arises.

While you see them on Newcastle hotel road on a Monday, by Tuesday they would have moved to World Bank road working quietly,

raising little income in the process, and no d o u b t contributing their quota to the efficient running of the state.

When sought to know their reasons, one who simply gave his name as Ugo said it was an avenue to keep themselves busy and stay out of crime.

He explained that they engaged in such r o a d rehabilitation in their local communities which he declined to mention, saying it also provided income to take care of their families at home.

According to him, government may not be able to maintain all the roads at the same time and that it was their own little way of contributing to the development and peace of the society.

Ugo explained that if not maintained, such spots could become dark spots where miscreants could attack innocent road users when it was dark, adding that they were indirectly helping to maintain law and order by extension.

He, however, said they had not received any form of acknowledgement from the government .

So the next time you are in Owerri metropolis, be on the lookout for Ugo and his road rescue missionaries.

Motorists accuse Chime of erecting bumps on Ezikwo road to protect his home perimeter fence Mr. Sunday Igwe,said: “That is how they spend stupendous wealth. They erected the bumps to protect this fence just because he was a governor. Look at the demolition he did across the

road.

“It is because he does not want neighbours. He wants to be in his own paradise alone where poor people will not be around.

Mrs. Ifeoma Eze, regretted

•Vehicle wading through the bumps on the road.

that the bumps were too high for her car, lamenting that each time she passed through it, the underneath of her vehicle hit the bump.

She said: “The height of the bumps have increased the tear

and wear on my vehicle. The erection is purely unnecessary. It is because Chime is living there. That is why they erected the bumps to force motorists to slow down. When he was not living there, there were no bumps on the road.”

•Former Gov. Sullivan Chime’s perimeter fence.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 — 3

Ohanaeze Youth Council wants IGP to investigate death of its member

By ANAYO OKOLI

U

M UA H I A — T h e youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo – Ohanaeze Youth Council, has called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Solomon Arase to ensure proper investigation into the murder of its late National Vice Chairman in Ebonyi State, Mishack Chinedum Ukpa.

Ukpa was said to have been clubbed to death in his home town, Ndiakparata Igbeagu Izzi in Izzi Local Government Area of state on December 10, 2014, allegedly by some of his kinsmen over communal

Ukpa was said to have been clubbed to death in his home town, Ndiakparata Igbeagu Izzi in Izzi Local Government Area of state on December 10, 2014,

•The late Ukpa land dispute town.

Ukpa, whose remains still lie in the morgue, left behind a wife with two months old twins.

His death also came few months after the death of his father.

According to information from the community, the late Ukpa had stopped some natives who were said to be encroaching on the said communal land, an action which had angered some of the interested powerful land speculators in the area, adding the suspected killers were allegedly backed by a former Commissioner for Works in the state.

With the backing of the former commissioner and another prominent person said to be a senior staff of Ebony State University, the attackers were said to have used machete, sticks and other dangerous weapons on Ukpa, leading to his death.

T h e O h a n a e z e Yo u t h leader was said to have been killed in the compound of one of the suspects who was arrested by the police but later released.

Though the matter was reported to the police, the detectives were said to have demanded N50,000 to enable them carry out investigation and arrest of the suspects, the family was able to provide N30, 000 but regretted that the police were yet to pick all the suspects even as the three

earlier arrested, one of them was said to have since been released.

The family lamented that despite coughing out N30,000 to some policemen for investigation and arrest of the suspects, nothing had happened since then.

A family source alleged that the former commissioner and the Ebonyi State University staff allegedly used their influence to stop the arrest of more people as the family, insisting that most of the suspects were roaming the streets of the village.

A younger brother of the late Ukpa, Peter, alleged that the family had been under threat by the suspected killers of their brother over their alleged refusal to withdraw the case from the police.

According to him: ‘’Even the man in whose house Ukpa was attacked was not arrested by the police. Six persons that attacked and killed my late brother are walking freely in the village.

Ohanaeze Youth Council had, therefore, urged the IGP to take over the matter f r o m t h e E b o n y i Po l i c e Command and supervise the investigation.”

Veteran journalist crowned monarch in Enugu community

By CHINENYEH OZOR

N

SUKKA — A veteran journalist, John Akor, has been crowned as the king of Nimbo Community in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, Akor, who worked with the defunct National Concord Newspapers, received his staff of office as the Agaba Idu of Nimbo, from the immediate past administration of Governor Sullivan Chime in his Nimbo Community through the then Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, Pastor Emeka Abugu.

Presenting him with his warrant certificate and staff of office, Abugu said that the coronation was symbolic and unique for the fact that royal father occupied the kingship position (Eze) which was the most respected traditional authority in Igbo land before he received the certificate as the traditional ruler of Nimbo community.

Abugu also noted that the state government decided to coronate the royal father on the last day of its administration after eight years of good governance to mark the end of a successful tenure which was anchored on honesty, transparency and accountability, adding that Nimbo had been a peace C M Y K

*John Akor, Igwe Nimbo, Uzo Uwani LGA, Enugu State. loving community for ages.

He then, urged the traditional ruler to carry everybody along his cultural and traditional activities to enable the state government pay attention to the needs of the community.

The former commissioner appealed to the royal father and entire community to be supportive of government policies mostly as the mantle of governance has changed for the good of the state, explaining that the history of

the community flowed from its ancestral kingship tradition.

Speaking shortly after his coronation, the royal father Igwe John Ikemefuna Akor appealed to the community, mostly those that contested

the traditional stool alongside him to join hands for the development of the ancient kingdom.

He added that the community used to be first in the scheme of things in UzoUwani Local Government Area and must return to its preeminent position.

The royal father also sued for peace among the 10 villages that make up Nimbo Community to enable it stand on a better pedestal both in culture, tradition and governance, adding that he would do his very best to put things in place for the unity and progress of the community.

The coronation was attended by many government officials, clergy men, local government council chairmen, politicians, among other people from different walks of life, while different cultural dancers entertained the teeming audience.

4 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,

JUNE 10, 2015

34 schools shut for 5 yrs over Enugu/Kogi states’ border skirmishes Continues from page 1 a large population of Ette people speak Idoma language, others speak Igbo and Igala. This had been the situation right from the old Eastern Region through the defunct East Central State, to old Anambra State; old Enugu State and now the present Enugu State.

Christians, who are of the Catholic denomination had also been in the Immaculate Heart Parish, Aji, Enugu–Ezike in the Catholic Archdiocese of Nsukka until it became a full fledged parish - St. James the Apostle Parish, Ette, on September 28,1998.

The administrator of Igboeze North West Local Development Authority, and an indigene of Ette, Chief Emmanuel Alachi traced the problems in Ette to some natives, who joined the army, police or other security agencies or the civil service, under the false claims that they were natives of Kogi State and asked the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase to upgrade the police post in Ette to a full fledged police station to reduce incidences of crimes in the area. ‘’The problems we are facing were caused by some of our sisters and brothers who joined

Some of the people who falsely entered the federal and state civil services of the neighbouring state have now retired and have found out that they cannot get political appointments from Kogi State, knowing that they are not from there. ‘’They now resorted to engineering problems, claiming that Ette is in Kogi State.

C M Y K

the army and other security agencies or the civil service in Kogi State based on false claims that they were from Kogi. Some of the people who falsely entered the federal and state civil services of the neighbouring states have now retired and have found out that they can not get political appointments from Kogi State, knowing that they are not from there. ‘’They now resorted to engineering problems, claiming that Ette is in Kogi State. This is not true. I am among those who have suffered deprivations for not going along with them... ‘’It was those who took this fraudulent path in the past that now want to rectify their situation by trying to push the whole of Ette community into Kogi State. ‘’They burnt my houses, those of Hon. Tony Ogidi, John Amedu as well as those belonging to my wives, among others,” he said.

Public institutions destroyed Earlier in a Save our Souls, SOS, message sent to the immediate past governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, the National Executive of Ette General Assembly and jointly signed by the five traditional rulers of the five autonomous communities as well as the Catholic faithful, the people listed public institutions shut down or destroyed by the pro-Kogi agitators to include- Igbo- Eze North West Development Centre Secretariat, a cottage hospital, health centres, magistrate and customary courts, primary and secondary schools and the borehole in Ette, among others.

The petitioners also stated that the violent pro-Kogi agitators caused the rejection of the treated mosquito nets as well as their share of free fertilizers from the Enugu and Igboeze North local governments just as they stopped the various polio vaccination exercises in the affected communities since 2011.

Apart from the closure of public and private schools and institutions, there had been no collection of taxes or levies by either the state or Igboeze North Local Government council in Ette since then.

Meanwhile, in another SOS jointly signed by Tony Ogidi, the lawmaker representing Igbo-Eze North 11 Constituency in the House of Assembly, Chief Emmanuel Alachi, Igwe Aloysius Akor of Efuoda Autonomous

•One of the schools shut-down for five years.

Community, Aaron Alachi as well as the President, Ette General Assembly, among others, they had asked Chime to intercede in the restoration of peace in the area by ensuring adequate punishment to the perpetrators of crises.

Resort to self-help The resort to self- help started when the agitators for Ette to be merged with Kogi, lost their case at the Supreme Court sometime in 2002. The apex court had ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter and asked the plaintiffs to approach the National Boundary Commission, NBC, which it stated was empowered to resolve such matters.

This led to alleged coercing of other people from the area to kowtow to their wishes. In the process, the agitators reportedly resorted to burning houses and killing their own brothers and sisters as well as denying children and youths from the area access to education over the years with its unimaginable consequences in the future.

Customary court judge, others killed, 47 houses burnt Apart from closure of schools, hospitals, government offices, markets and churches, among others, no fewer than 47 houses have so far been burnt as a result of the problem.

Sources said that those killed included Matthias Eje, the former head of Ette Vigilante group; David Adejo, former Customary Court judge; Sam Ogidi, younger brother of Hon. Tony Ogidi as well as Ape Ojoma, a prominent community leader, among others.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, was also stopped from embarking on registration of voters in the area, even as the last general elections did not hold in Ette.

Eligible voters in the area were said to have been registered in the nearby communities of Umuopu, Aji, Umogbo Agu and Imufu where they travelled to exercise their franchise during the elections.

This was even as there had been tension and apprehension as most leaders of the area had relocated either to Enugu, the Enugu State capital, Abuja, Lokoja or Kaduna, among other northern states, depending on which divide they belonged to.

But number of casualties have

continued to increase on both sides.

Relative peace as Warrior is arrested by police Men of the police Special AntiRobbrey Squad, SARS, Enugu State command, have however, arrested one Goddey Eko, alias Warrior, who hails from Uyi-Ette in the the area over the alleged killing of one Gabriel Apula, his cousin.

The police said that the deceased allegedly died following ‘’the injuries inflicted on him by the suspect and members of his group over border related conflicts in some communities in Ette, Enugu State.’’

Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ebere Amaraizu, who spoke on the arrest said: “The suspect and his gang members tied the victim’s (Apula’s) legs, roasted him and set some houses ablaze. Our operatives, through intelligence reports, swooped on them at their hide-out in Ette and arrested the suspect.

“The police are on the trail of other fleeing members of the gang. The suspect was largely responsible for the burning of 47 houses during the communal clashes in the border communities of Ette in Enugu State.

“Items recovered from the suspects’ hide-out included a locally made single barrelled shot gun and a locally made single barrelled rifle with two cartridges.

“The command is appealing to members of the public to report any person seen with gun-shot wounds to the nearest police station.”

When South East Voice visited the community, most of the houses were deserted. It was also noticed that construction work on the Nsukka -Igboeze South – Enugu Ezike – Ette road which was reportedly awarded by the Enugu State government in conjunction with Nsukka and Igboeze South and Igboeze North local governments, had abruptly stopped at the Umuopu Umeze Centre’s border with Ette as a result of the violent activities of the pro- Kogi residents.

Pro-Kogi leaders The leader of the pro-Kogi movement, Chief Aaron Akor, was not in Ette when South East Voice visited there. His supporters, however, said that they sacked the Catholic Church

in particular because of its aggression towards the people of the area.

They alleged that ‘’the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka started ordaining our people priests as far back as 1990,’’ adding that ‘’in Ette, we speak Igala and Idoma mainly but till today , 95 per cent of the church prayers and rites are done in Igbo language. You come to church and they begin to pray in Igbo which we don’t understand... These are at the root of our grievances...,’’ they said.

We shall always seek for peace amid provocation –Catholic Church However, the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka has maintained that it would not resort to violent means in protecting its members, just as it would not join issues with the pro-Kogi agitators ‘’although they had told half-truths.’’

Meanwhile, the Igboeze North West Development Authority, has been relocated to the defunct Social Democratic Party, SDP, office located at the Federal Low Cost Building Estate, Imufu, a few kilometres from Ette due to the inability of workers to access the secretariat in the last five years.

Apart from closure of schools, hospitals, government offices, markets and churches, among others, no fewer than 47 houses have so far been burnt as a result of the problem.

Sources said that those killed included Matthias Eje, the former head of Ette Vigilante group; David Adejo, former Customary Court judge; Sam Ogidi, younger brother of Hon. Tony Ogidi as well as Ape Ojoma, a prominent community leader.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 — 5

By CHINONSO ALOZIE, Owerri

A

grassroots based organization led by Hon. Justice Nmaduforo in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area L.G.A, Okigwe Zone in Imo State, has advised the electorate in the state to preserve their Permanent Voters Card, PVC, as their greatest assets.

He stated this recently in Isiala Mbano while speaking with the South East Voice on the need for the electorate to prepare themselves for next electioneering period.

He said that even after the elections were over that the PVC ought to be kept in a safe place because it was the only key that could be used to open the door of power for qualified leaders to emerge and manage the scarce resources in the country adding that the PVC as the only strength a citizen possesses to determine how the future should be must be taken serious.

The President said that the next electioneering period was not far the way some

Grassroots based organization led by Hon. Justice Nmaduforo in Isiala Mbano LG

Electorate in Imo urged to preserve their PVCs people thought and that they should be prepared to take decisions for the betterment of the society adding that the electorate should not relent in exercising their franchise when the time comes.

Nmaduforo told the South East Voice that the objectives on which the organization

was formed has not changed and that the Isiala Mbano Grassroot Movement which it cardinal objective was to carry out political sensitisation to the rural areas for the aged men and women to be informed on the appenings in the political scene would hence double its

effort to this direction.

He also encouraged the members of the group not to derail in their commitment to the actualisation of the vision of the movement and that as they were in selfless service to their people posterity would not forget them.

He however, condemned

the report that some electorate indulged in selling their PVC and described it as not healthy for the democracy adding that it would rather result to having bad leaders enthroned in the seat of power and that the consequence could set the society backward.

COOU Vice-Chancellor bags commonwealth leadership award in style

By OBIALUNAMMA NWADIOGBU

T

he Leadership of Commonwealth Students’ Parliament, CSP, has conferred on the ViceChancellor Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Univer-sity, COOU, Igbariam, Anambra State, Prof Fidelis Okafor, an award of excellence as the Common-wealth ViceChancellor of the Year.

Presenting the award at the institution’s auditorium, Peter Mugisa, speaker of the CSP, said that the award was in recognition of Okafor ’s strides in infrastructure develop-ment, contribution in educational advancement and in providing a congenial learning atmosphere for students.

Mugisa explained that the decision to confer the award on Prof. Okafor was to reward, salute and encourage his positive changes as the VC of the university.

His words: “Okafor has contributed and is still contributing his quota to nation building, humanity and the promotion of qualitative education which remains the best legacy that can be bequeathed on the children of the common man in any society.

C M Y K

“As we develop within our democratic dispensation in Africa, it is important that the youths, who constitute the most cohesive and articulate component in the society should be fully involved in the task of societal development and consolidation of the achievements that is being recorded in our

Presenting the award at the institution’s auditorium, Peter Mugisa, speaker of the CSP, said that the award was in recognition of Okafor’s strides in infrastructure develop-ment, contribution in educational advancement and in providing a congenial learning atmosphere for students.

educational sector.”

In an earlier letter from the students body nominating him for the award , Clerk of the CSP, Peter Rwolekya, wrote that Okafor was nominated for the award because of his, ‘’untiring commitment to the development of education in Africa and perhaps in the Commonwealth as exem-plified by your investment in human capacity develop-ment and leadership of one of Africa’s leading university, Anambra State University, Uli,Anambra Nigeria now Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, COOU, Igbariam. ‘’…There is no doubt that only few individuals in other Commonwealth countries have deepened their commitment to education in the area of promoting qualitative education than you, Prof Okafor. Earlier this month our parliament adopted a resolution proclaiming you as the Commonwealth Vice Chancellor of the year 2015. ‘’Bearing in mind that our generation is presently facing with the yearning for quality leadership , the objective of honour is to analyse Educational development in the Commonwealth Africa and the role of Governments and individuals in youth development through Education. ‘’It is therefore our desire to formally confer on you this award

Professor Fidelis Okafor... the awardee. during a familiarization visit by selected leaders of the Parliament to you in Nigeria on Tuesday 26th May, 2015,” the Clerk concluded.

In his response, Okafor said he was overwhelmed by the honour bestowed on him by the CSP with headquarters at Uganda and lacked words to describe his joy.

He remarked that his administration was willing to do more to improve the standard of education in the university.

His words, “I am happy the group could spot me in my little efforts here and there in the nation. I don’t know how they spotted me and I wish I had done more. I urge you to still go out of your way and fish out lots of

people who have sincerely contributed to the society. Such people need to be recognised.

We are all looking forward to a better society.

“We don’t feel we have done enough, those of us who have seen the standard of education in other countries are pained by the level of education in Nigeria; we will continue to do our best to make it better,’’ he said.

Okafor added that the secret behind the success of his administration was the passion to do the right thing regardless of the opinion of others. “We have not done anything to impress anybody, all we have done was out of our passion to do the right thing and we will continue to do what we are doing despite the changes.”

A staff of the Faculty of Law, Dr Pascal Oguno in a vote of thanks on behalf of the institution said Okafor is a motivation and an inspiration to both students and staff and deserved the award.

Prof Okafor had earlier announced that JAMB rated the institution second best in performance in the country after the University of Ibadan adding that because of that his institution would be hosting the JAMB technical meeting on peer review on how they did it for other universities in Nigeria.

Cross section of students and cross section of management

6 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

*Resident bailing water from flooded home.

*Flooded home

Tension in Anambra as flood wreaks havoc, displaces residents

By OBIALUNAMMA NWADIOGBU

E

KWULOBIA - Property worth several billions of Naira were destroyed in many communities in Anambra State due to massive flood occasioned by last Friday’s heavy downpour in the state.

The areas affected include Ekwulobia, Umunze, Onitsha, Nnewi, Ihiala and Awka, the state capital. Villagers and passers-by were in trouble as it rained cat and mouse especially in some agrarian communities.

It was a serious battle as some residents vacated their homes due to the heavy downpour which resulted in great flood that lasted up till Monday morning.

In Awka North Local Government Area some communities like Amanuke, Isuaniocha, Urum and Achala counted their losses but those of Urum and Isu-Aniocha were the worst hit as at press time.

The flood cut off roads leading to Amanukle and Urum communities even as it surged into homes, destroying appliances, fences, farms, economic trees and public utilities. Toilet facilities at St. Patrick’s Anglican Church Isu Aniocha were destroyed by the flood even as houses were submerged and valuable property worth several millions of naira were damaged.

Speaking in an interview with South East Voice, a resident of Isuniocha, Mr. Bethram Chukwuma blamed the flood on the poor drainage from a neighbouring community.

He said they lost vital documents and other valuables to the flood, adding that he managed to sleep in his car because his house was in a pool of water after the rain.

He blamed the incident on poor drainage system constructed by the firm handling a road project in the area, while calling for government attention to solve the problem permanently.

Also, another victim, Rev. Elochukwu Obi, who is the C M Y K

resident priest at St. Patrick Anglican Church Isuaniocha, said the rain took them unawares, and called on Governor Willie Obiano to assist victims by prevailing on the contractor handling the road project to construct good drainage.

Rev. Obi regretted that the flood entered his room and destroyed all his documents just as he lost valuables in the church to the flood.

The Chairman, Awka North Local Government, Chief Cosmos Okonkwo who visited the scene also said the community had been suffering from the challenges of flood that ravage their economic trees and crops.

He however, attributed the flooding to the poor construction of the of the road leading to the area.

“We have written to the Commissioner for Works and complained about the poor drainage constructed by the company which handled the project (name withheld). You can see work is already going on here,” he added.

The Vicar of the Church, Rev. David Nkemmelu said the flooding had been a recurring experience at the premises, adding that all efforts made to draw the attention of the relevant authorities failed.

Nkemmelu said: “Since last year flood has been ravaging this church. It destroyed our water cistern toilet facilities and even sank our pit toilet. Each time it rains we record a very low population of worshippers like 15 persons unlike a large number it used to be. This time around, the rain began at about between 1a.m. and 2a.m. It struck again and filled the entire premises.”

“I informed the President General of Isuaniocha, Chief Alfred Nkwonta, but he did not do anything to that effect. In fact, he even asked us to construct gutters from the coffers of the church for the community, but we had no money.”

Another victim, Mrs. Catherine Okoye from Umulem village, but resides in Umueze village of the same community said: “We have

been living here since 1983 but have never experienced this kind of flooding before. This flooding occurred after the water channel was redirected, it wreaked havoc here. It destroyed property, pulled down houses and fences. When this one started we had to evacuate our property from the house throughout the night. We were denied sleep.”

But Governor Willie Obiano has assured his government is

set to tackle all environmental challenges as part of activities to achieve the Medium Development Goals by 2015.

Before Evarist Uba was made Commissioner for Environment, his predecessor, Mr. Sebastine Okoye had lamented over havoc caused by heavy flooding in the area during one of his visits for inspection of damages caused after such erosion.

*The Chair man, Awka North LGA, Chief Cosmos Okonkwo

When my children were young, we were H

er name is Madame Margaret Umahi, 80.

She is the mother of the Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi.

In this interview with South East Voice, she bares her mind on the victory of her son at the polls, his trust and service to God and the background of the Umahi’s family. Excerpts:

We thank God for the great thing he has done for your family. As your son is now the governor of Ebonyi State, what are your prayers to God on his behalf?

I’m asking God for long life, a very good life, a wonderful life, a life full of blessings. I’m also asking God to give this my tenacious and persistent child a very fruitful tenure.

God is the one that gave him the governorship position and it has nothing to do with his human strength or resourcefulness. I’m asking this same God to grant him strength and wisdom to rule the land of his birth and the good people of Ebonyi State well because my son, Ekubaraoha is a very good son.

I also ask God all the time to give me more of such favours as my wonderful son, Ekubaraoha.

I’m also asking the great God to give children as good as Dave to women who are still giving births.

He is a wonderful son; can’t you see how beautiful I look? He is the one taking care of me. My son takes great care of me.

*Gov. Dave Umahi Mama, when your son was growing up, were there certain things about him that made you suspect that he will be a great man one day?

The thing is that he started walking earlier than all my other children. He started walking early at the age of just seven months.

As a child, whenever he came back from school, he would throw away his school bag and immediately inquire about where I went to work for the day; he knew all the places I used to work in those days and he used to meet me anywhere I was to help me with the work at hand until late in the day and then the two of us come home together.

He called me his friend and always said ‘let me go and help my friend.’

The way he looked in those days, people used to ask me

*Madam Margaret Umahi, Ebonyi governor’s mother. whether I am the one that really gave birth to him and he always said ‘Mama, don’t mind them, you are my mother, o!’ He is a wonderful child (she burst into a praise song for her son amid laughter).

Why were people saying he was not your child; was he not looking or behaving like the rest of your children?

They said he was not as fine and plump as the others; as at that time, he was too slim.

Did you mean he was too slim and too ugly?

Not so, he had a good, fine face, but they complained that he was too skinny and looked too tender while all the others looked well fed and fat.

While the campaigns were on and you heard about some of the frightening things happening in the state were you

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 —7

Sen Ben Obi receives heroic welcome from Awka people after national assignment

By VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA-FOR doing Awka people proud in all the political positions he had held since his entry into politics, Senator Ben Obi, the immediate past Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Interparty Affairs, has been given a heroic reception by the leadership of the town.

The event, which took place at the magnificent Barnhill Hotel, Awka barely few days after the change of government at the national level, witnessed the gathering of who’s who in Anambra State and beyond.

In his political career that had spanned decades, Senator Obi had been a Vice President candidate, a national secretary of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, a senator that represented Anambra Central senatorial district, among other positions.

To Awka people, in all these positions, Senator Obi showed that he was a true son of the blacksmith city, which was why he was honoured with such titles as Ojeligbo (Messenger of the Igbo), Okuzunagbazeigwe (Great smith that melts the iron), among other titles.

Apart from the traditional ruler of Awka, Obi Gibson Nwosu, there were the deputy governor of Anambra State, Dr.

*Senator Obi displaying the souvenir presented to him during the reception.

Nkem Okeke, the Anglican Bishop of Awka, Rt. Rev Alex Ibezim, Vice chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Professor Joseph Ahaneku, former Vice Chancellor of Anambra State University, Professor Paul Orajaka, Major General Arinze Ebenebe, former member of the House of Representatives, Chief Chudi Ofodile, Professor Emma Nnabuife of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, President General (PG)of Awka Development Union Nigeria, ASUN, Chief Tony Okechukwu, serving commissioners in the state, as well as friends of Senator Obi from outside the state.

In the words of the Awka PG, Okechukwu,whose idea it was to give the honour to whom it was due, the grand reception was to appreciate Obi’s contributions towards the development of Awka.

According to Okechukwu: “This noble gesture is to demonstrate the way we feel about your exemplary leadership qualities, which have in no small measure, benefited the people of Awka in particular and Nigeria in general. Your contributions towards the development of the society should not be allowed to go unnoticed.

“Our brother, Senator Obi,

very poor, says Ebonyi gov’s mother scared; and how did you take it?

While the campaigns were on, I told God, if you are really the one that called Engr. Dave, then go before him and behind him and give him strength to do well.

I was not scared but there was something I told God. I said to God, if you give him victory, we are all still strong and willing to serve you but if he fails, we will re-think the matter, but people around shouted me down and said, that was not the way to say prayers.

However, God proved his supremacy. He is a great God. He has done great for my son, I thank Him. I also thank all those who stood behind my son, the people of Ohaozara, and the entire Ebonyi people.

The entire Ebonyi people showed great love for Dave, may God reward all the people of Ebonyi; may God also help my son to work day and night for the good of his people in Jesus’ name.

Mama, what are his likes and dislikes?

When he was younger and in secondary school at Afikpo, he used to come back once in a while, call children together, buy soft drinks and ask them to sing and dance.

They would all sing gospel songs and he would sing and dance with them and after they would all pray and share the drinks and he would go back to school at Afikpo.

After some time, he would come C M Y K

back and do the same thing again. The best thing about him is that he is close to God. He knows his God well. There are no hidden or secret sections in his house; everything is laid bare and in the open when you come to his house.

Even in Uburu, his people are always surprised at how he lays bare every corner of his house.

What makes him angry and how does he react when angry?

It is hard to make him angry, he doesn’t easily get angry. Even those that offended him badly at a time, he later forgave them and even found them means of being gainfully engaged.

Have you always been as comfortable as you are today?

There was no money while my children were young and were being raised. We were very poor, we often cooked soup without even crayfish in it then; but God was with my family in those days.

Despite the abject poverty, we all looked well fed and people often wondered at how well we all looked. We suffered much, but to the glory of God we were happy and people often asked, “what are these people eating that they are all looking this robust?”

If he is visiting you at Uburu now, what food would you cook for him?

I will still prepare for him the dish I used to serve him as a child; I will keep ofe ukpo for him.

Ofe ukpo with akpu or pounded yam.

Did you beat him often as a child when he went against the rules?

He was a good child; he never did anything that warranted a beating.

Not even for one day?

What a question! Soon, you will have yours and you will realize that when a child offends you and you beat him, in a little while, you will draw him back and console him. But he was a good child. He was very good as a child.

How many children?

Some are dead now; I have seven sons left now. God has brought them all up for me now.

You have worshipped God for many years now; in your relationship with God, did He ever reveal to you that your son will one day be a governor?

It was never revealed to me that my son will be a governor, but there were prophecies that someone great will emerge from my family. One thing is that any time my son comes across servants of God, he sows into their lives.

When he graduated and finished serving, he came home to me and said, ‘Mama, I’m done but I don’t have any job yet,’ and I replied, let’s go and tell God about it. He is the only one I rely on, I don’t have any other God

and so the two of us went to the village church.

It happened that at that time, I was the only person still going to that church as many people got tired and dropped out. When we got to the church, he wondered about the dust and accumulated dirt in the church and I told him I was the only one worshipping there and so I was the one that swept the church each time I got there.

So, the two of us swept the church, knelt down and prayed, there; he promised that if God would help him get a job, he would build a house for God. After a while, he returned and told me he had got a job. He brought out his first salary and said it should be used to start off a church building in our village.

I took the money from him and with the help of a young lady around, we got sand and other things and the church building project started. It was completed and we are still using it as a church today.

Where is the church?

Christ Ascension Church at Egu-Ugwu, Umunaga, Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area, we still worship in the church till today.

What of all those that got tired of worshipping God with you, are they back now?

They have all come back and we are all worshipping God there.

went to Abuja and did us proud and we are thanking God for guiding him well. Our prayer is that having done well in his former assignment, he would be given more opportunities to serve the nation.”

Obi Gibson Nwosu, the traditional ruler of Awka said Nigerians were rejoicing after the general elections, adding, “it was possible that the good advice Senator Obi gave to the former President to accept the outcome of the election, might have come from this illustrious son of Awka Kingdom, who was the Special Adviser on Interparty Affairs.” The monarch said further that if he was asked to nominate any trusted person from his kingdom for future appointment, he would not hesitate to nominate Senator Obi because of his exemplary qualities.

Senator Obi, who said he was surprised at the promptness of the civic reception which came soon after his tenure as the Special Adviser to the President, described his former boss, Dr. Jonathan, as the most important political figure in Africa in view of the way he handled the outcome of the last general elections in Nigeria.

According to him, if Jonathan had not conceded defeat the way he did, the story would have been different in the country and in the entire Africa, adding that for that singular act, the former President had written his name in gold.

“By that singular act, former President Goodluck Jonathan has emerged the most political figure in this continent and we pray that God will continue to keep him and give him the wisdom to continue to work for mankind,” Obi said.

He said that what surprised him when Jonathan appointed him his Special Adviser was that he was not in his political camp before the primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2010 as he (Obi) was supporting General Mohammed Gusau for the presidential ticket of the party, adding, however, that once Jonathan emerged the flagbearer of the party, everybody worked together for the success of the PDP presidential candidate.

According to him, despite his initial opposition to his candidature, Jonathan picked him as his Special Adviser and gave him the national honour of the Commander of the Order of Niger, CON. For the new administration, Obi prayed that God would give President Muhammadu Buhari the wisdom to govern the country well, adding, “he has all it takes to make Nigeria great.” The distinguished Senator also had an advice to Awka people and that was to ensure that they maintained peace at all times, reminding them that it was only when the people were united that the town, as the host of the government of Anambra State, could witness the desired development.

8 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,

JUNE 10, 2015

*Ehere Road in Aba *A heavy-duty construction equipment at work during the flag-off exercise.

ROAD REHABILITATION:

Aba residents demand quality work

By UGOCHUKWU ALARIBE

R

esidents of Aba, Abia State has called for quality work on the ongoing rehabilitation of seven roads flagged off on June 1 by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

Enthusiastic residents, who witnessed the flag-off ceremony at the Obikabia

junction on Ururuka road, Ogbor Hill, Umuocham and Old Express areas appealed to the governor to ensure that the construction companies do not do shoddy jobs.

Mr. Okey Nwankwo, who lives at Ehere road, which is one of the roads billed for rehabilitation, recalled that the road was rehabilitated in 2012, but has been abandoned due to shoddy work done.

He called on the governor to ensure that the roads will be rehabilitated with drainage to avoid flooding

He called on the governor to ensure that the roads will be rehabilitated with drainage to avoid flood washing off the rehabilitated ortion.

According to him: “If you look at Ehere road, it is now a river. I want the governor to ensure that quality work is done this time around because the dilapidated portions of Ehere, Umuola and Ukaegbu roads were rehabilitated in 2012, but got bad due to lack of drainage.

We want him to ensure that if one road is done, let it be seen that it has been done.”

A trader at the Ariaria International Market, Alozie Iheanacho, who lives at Old Express road commended Ikpeazu for flagging off the rehabilitation of the road which he said, was abandoned by successive administrations and called

for a thorough job.

Tricycle riders, who spoke to South East Voice at the flag-off ceremony, lamented that the poor roads network in the Ukaegbu Ehere and Umuola areas had adversely affected their businesses and called on the governor to ensure quality work.

South East Voice reports the road flagged off for rehabilitation include Ukaegbu (1.4km), Ehere (700metres), Umuola (1.4km)Kamalu (1.5km) awarded to Raycon, and Faulks Road by Ariaria (5.5km) awarded to Bills Limited Civil Engineering, Others are Old Express Road (six km) awarded to Irishgreen Global Concepts, and Umuocham Road (1.7km) awarded to Ferotex Construction Company Limited.

How Anambra community broke stranglehold of deity with prayers

By VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA - FOR centuries, the people of Umuchu in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State lived in bondage, no thanks to the alleged dedication of the town to Uchu Idol by their ancestors.

With development getting to all nooks and crannies of the state, the people of Umuchu began to worry about their stunted development and Christians among them felt that it was time they did something to extricate Umuchu from the powers of Uchu Idol.

Their worry, it was gathered, heightened when they noticed that most of their sons were unable to sustain their progress after reaching a certain height.

Following investigations, they were told that it was due to the abandonment of the worship of Uchu Idol by succeeding generations of Umuchu people due to the advent of Christianity.

Though the early Christians ignored the call for continued worship of Uchu deity, it later dawned on them that the C M Y K

*The large crowd during the prayer session. apparent lack of progress in the area could be attributable to the abandonment of the deity.

Some new generation churches have been exploiting the situation by demanding all kinds of things from those who felt that their inability to make progress was as a result of the Uchu deity in Umuchu.

Worried by development, the Anglican Bishop of Amichi Anglican Diocese in Nnewi South Local Government Area, Rt. Rev Ephraim Ikeakor, an indigene of the community, set machinery in motion to break the yoke of Uchu deity on

Umuchu town.

For the past five years, the community has been holding prayer sessions at the community’s market square for God to destroy the powers of Uchu deity.

During this year ’s prayer session, Bishop Ikeakor said the only way the people could liberate themselves from the stranglehold of Uchu deity is for Christians to embrace God totally and shun idol worship.

According to him, Christians should always avoid the temptation to doubt their faith in God no matter the trials that

*Bishop Ephraim Ikeakor; Mr. Godwin Ezeemo and other worshipers during the prayer session. come their way because God is the ultimate power.

Preaching on the theme, ‘It is still possible,’ Bishop Ikeakor urged the people remove their minds from the Uchu deity if they want to make progress in life. According to him, some churches who operate with aim and objective to exploit and extort the people out of ignorance because their preaching was cosmetic and based on materialism, were mostly run as family business.

The bishop urged the people to join and worship in churches that preach the word

of God rather than joining family churches whose aim is to make money.

Ikeako said: “Our ancestors deceived the people that Umuchu people are the children of the Uchu River. I want to tell you that Uchu River has no children. It is just a river like every other one. Why must people worship it, leaving God that created them? Whoever that worships the river will not see good things in his life.

Whoever that deceives the people using the river, religion and other means will be made to suffer.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 — 33

Ghana shot-stopper Ati-Zigic ready for Mali clash

B

LACK Satellites goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi is relishing Ghana’s showdown with Mali in the FIFA U-20 World Cup round of 16 tie this morning.

Ghana, under the stewardship of the Red Bull Salzburg goalkeeper, have cruised the round of 16 stage – finishing top of Group B ahead of Austria and tournament giants Argentina.

The Satellites must tame West African neighbours Mali in Wellington this morning to move closer to the feat they achieve at the last edition of the competition.

And, goalkeeper Ati-Zigi says he is ready for the clash and looking forward to it. “[We’re really prepared and ready for the game today],” he told GHANAsoccernet.com.

Ati-Zigi, a keeper who has progressed through the ranks in the Ghana junior national teams after playing for the U-17s in 2013, spent last season on loan at Liefering.

Senegal U-20 eye last eight against rock-solid Ukraine

U

KRAINE and Senegal will battle for a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2015 U-20 FIFA World Cup, when they meet in Auckland today.

The young Lions earned their presence in the round of 16 of the international junior tournament with a thirdplace finish in Group C, while Ukraine secured top spot in Group A to cruise to the knock-out stage.

Defeated 3-0 by Portugal in their campaign opener, Senegal bounced back with a 1-1 draw against Colombia before sealing a 2-1 win over Qatar in their final group outing.

Set to pack their bags with ten minutes remaining against the Qatari, the West Africans owed their survival to 18-year-old winger Moussa Koné, who struck home the winner from close range in the 81st minute.

“It’s a dream come true to be playing in the World Cup, and scoring such an important goal makes it even more special,” Koné told FIFA.com.

cation of FIFA

er

•Ati-Zigic

breathe down on sovereign nations so much so that the president of FIFA could be said to be the most influential person in the world. Wherever he goes he dines and wines with world leaders yet any attempt by these governments to know how the same federations they were funding were running was described as interference.

The truth is that over the years, most if not all the members of the executive committee of the word body were involved in one messy deal or the other especially when it comes to the hosting rights for world cup tournaments.

Nigeria must have been a goldmine for the corrupt FIFA officials who were always here to inspect the facilities meant for the hosting of FIFA tournaments. I recall the buildup to the Nigeria 2009 World U-17 championship where the ‘almighty’ Jack Warner who was the head of the inspection team praised the Bauchi stadium as one of the best in the world.

•Urs Linsi

But interestingly, the same Warner had after his first visit about a week earlier ruled out the stadium as not meeting with the minimum standards. Till today most soccer analysts are still confused on what made Warner to make the sudden change.

I hope that the Nigerian government which I will say has been a big victim of the undue FIFA intimidation and harassment over the years should join forces with the countries that are unmasking FIFA because the way of doing business with the global soccer body will never be the same again.

People so manipulated the system with the name of FIFA so much so that at a point we saw a letter purportedly written by FIFA with a Nigerian telephone dialing code. Investigations later revealed that the letters could be written by anybody who wants to manipulate the system, sent to Zurich and the relevant signature would be appended to it.

It got so irritating that at a point it was like FIFA was established only for Nigeria because in two days you could be inundated with as much as three different letters from FIFA threatening a whole sovereign nation because of the so called government interference. Little did we know that the same thing that could be interpreted to be interference n Nigeria may not be interference in Switzerland?

We expect to hear of more intrigues from the mystery house of FIFA as the days go by.

• Kone

Oparanozie: No words to explain this feeling

O

FTEN times, football comes down to perspective. After an enthralling 3-3 draw played out between Nigeria and Sweden at the Winnipeg Stadium in the first match of Group D at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™, the one point earned by the Europeans likely feels like two points lost.

But for Desire Oparanozie

and her Nigerian team-mates, that singular point is something to be treasured, and it could be an essential one for the Super Falcons and their hopes of reaching the knockout stage at the Women’s World Cup for the first time since USA 1999. “This draw feels like a win,” Oparanozie told FIFA.com after the match.

Things were not going as

planned for the Super Falcons in the first half as Oparanozie scored an own goal 20 minutes in to give the Swedes the lead, despite Nigeria having the majority of the attacking chances at the other end of the pitch.

Sweden were just lucky, says Okobi

S

Desire Caption - Desire Oparanozie of Nigeria in action during their FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 Group D match against Sweden at Winnipeg Stadium in Winnipeg, Canada..

Photo:- FIFA

UPER Falcons ace Ngozi Okobi, who was voted player of the game in a six-goal thriller against Sweden, has said the Swedes were lucky to escape with the draw as they were not better than the Nigerians.

Okobi, who scored Super Falcons first goal in the spirited comeback, said costly mistakes on the part of the team gifted Sweden a point.

“We went into the game with the aim and determination to beat Sweden. It was not as if they played better than us, they were just lucky not to lose the game, they got their goals due to the costly mistakes we made,” Okobi said.

34—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

Gumsu Abacha I

n what is fast appearing to be a tradition, daughter of late despotic Nigerian head of state Sani Abacha, Gumsu, has tweeted in honour of her father on the anniversary of his death.

17 years ago, my father and icon left us, were her words. Nigeria’s finest head-of-state and C-in-C. Allah ya jikan ka Baba!

Most of the commentary is unprintable.

Angela

Merkel T

he eye of the world is on Europe’s numero uno lady Angela Merkel, who presides over Europe’s healthiest economy- Germany.

Though she trends globally this week, the German Chancellor is trending particularly in the Nigerian cyberspace as pictures of her have appeared everywhere as she welcomes Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, who was received by Merkel and Germany Chief of Protocol, Juergen Christian Mertuer, to the working session of the G7 outreach program at Schloss Elmau.

The Nigerian blogosphere is so loving her right now.

Funmi Tejuosho O

NE politician who has trended in the weeks following the general elections in Lagos state has been Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, a representative from Lagos West who has left no stone unturned at the attempt at being Speaker of the state’s House of Representatives, to which she has been elected for the 4th time.

Tejuosho, a former Deputy Speaker of the House and until Monday, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance who might have been the first female Speaker had become most prominent of the contestants as she was constantly in the news.

Some of Tejuosho’s colleagues are said to have continued to raise issues involving her activities as Deputy Speaker and her impeachment even though she was later absolved of all the allegations that led to the impeachment.

Tomorrow’s another day...

Dora Ak un yili Akun unyili

R

emembered with far more fondness has been former NAFDAC boss professor Dora Akunyili, who lost a battle with cancer a year ago. The outpouring of love has been palpable. Dora will never be forgotten, and continues to trend on the Nigerian cyberspace.

Serena Williams S

erena Williams beat Lucie Safarova to win the French Open Saturday, yet frenemies on social media have deluged her with some of the same racist and sexist comments that have followed her for her entire career. Most of the tweeted comments centered on her prominent anatomy, her muscles and her dark skin.

Aisha Buhari H

ardly had the presidential inauguration ceremonies been over than the going viral had begun on blogosphere of allegations that the new Nigerian ‘First Lady’ wore a ten Million Naira Cartier Baignoire Folle 18-Carat White Gold Diamond wristwatch to her husband’s inauguration on May 29.

Fans have however debunked this claim, sharing a page on Amazon on which the said watch was advertised for $100$130.

A commentatopr writes: This mandate is not Buhari’s mandate.

It is the mandate of the Nigerian people. A comparison of Nigerian ruling elites with their counterparts in other climes reveals a lot about vision and ethics. The dilemma remains for Mrs. Buhari’s handlers- to comment or not to comment?

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 — 35

R

unning a successful business as a woman takes more than just having talents or the financial backing. If you do not put yourself into improving your talents and making a go of them, they will remain dreams. It is enlightening for everybody to envision something but we would find out that dreams without work is vain. Every business woman lives to see her works blossom through hard work and it is this that Mrs. Jumoke Ayinla depicts through every piece she creates. She is a firm believer that the learning process enables you grow as a person and a business woman. In her chat with women in business, she tells more.

How did you end up choosing the business you ended up doing?

Actually, when I finished from the university, I wanted to have my own business because of our empowerment. I read Economics and did not want to go into the banking sector.

I wanted to do something for the communities out there. I discovered I loved building other peoples business apart from having mine. I had to make a decision on whether to build others business before building mine since I did not have the capital to start up. After spending three years at home without having anybody’s business to build, I decided to wake up, go ahead and run my business in whatever way. I started out by printing my flyers even though I did not have a space. I have always been good with my hands. I just felt that by creating the awareness of what I wanted in the minds of people, I would be pressurized to start something.

What are your visions as a business woman?

The vision for Sassysaint is to empower people out there most especially because the youths have something in them. They say catch them young. As children, you catch them but they may not have the zeal or capability to work with it. It is when they become youths that they can go out there and manifest what they learnt since they were young. The nigeria of today is not giving us that chance as young ones. We have to wake up within ourselves to do that.

Let’s talk about Sassysaint as a business….

Sassysaint is caught between being a business or a ministry as my husband would call it. It could be called a ministry because I make money from it and at times I don’t make money from it. Either way, am firstly for impact, then the money. I decided to call people in . I started with free classes for crafts, tee shirt making, beadmaking, paperworks,Ankara crafts, leather works and make up. I held this in a very remote area and funny enough people really turned up.

Through that, I knew there were people out there that really needed this amd most people who showed up didn’t have the money. They had no where to. They just wanted to do something for themselves.

It was a platform for people to build themselves and feel they can actually do something in the world.

Has your experience working with other people had a great impact in your business?

Yes, it has made a very mighty impact. I tell people that being a boss of yourself doesn’t mean you cannot be a

Building up businesses is a training ground for me — Olujumoke Ayinla, Sassysaint Boss

By Anino Aganbi

They say catch them young. As children, you catch them but they may not have the zeal or capability to work with it. It is when they become youths that they can go out there and manifest what they learnt since they were young servant. The true test of leadership is being a servant.

If you cannot be a servant for someone then you can’t be a true leader. You might think everybody out there is supposed to be your footstool, and that is not just the truth. A great leader has to serve by putting himself out there to help others.

•Olujumoke Ayinla

C M Y K

How do you improve yourself when building other peoples business?

When building other people’s business, I see them make their mistakes and try to give them that chance to avoid such mistakes.

Sometimes we just don’t see the mistake and it happens.

That way she learns and at the same time, I am learning not to make that mistake in my

own business. The thing is while I am on the job, am actually learning. I am doing something for somebody and also doing it for myself; thereby building myself up. I see building other peoples business as a training ground for me. It’s building myself to get up there later and when I get there I can show people who were in my position the way. I do not want a situation where at the beginning of my life, am impacting people and later when I come into the big bucks I am nowhere and cannot impact those around me.

Why did end up choosing your line of business?

I could have gone into the white collar jobs, banking or politics but the thing is for creativity, you do not need anything except your brains and the willingness to learn.

You do not stay at one spot when you’re creative. You can always work on what you have. You diversify a lot when you are creative unlike the white collar jobs where you do the same things day in day out. And when you look back over the years, you realize you haven’t improved in anything. Creativity is not just handy work. You do not have to know how to use a scissors to be creative. For me, it is learning. You should always open yourself to learn more. I chose that line because I know there is no stopping for that line. If I can’t do sewing, I can design and if I can’t design then I can cut.

So it is wide. It’s not

streamlined into one place. It is something that is vast. Am looking at the world as a global place and impacting it.

What are your business plans and how have you been able to implement them?

My business plan is to get a school where I can teach the poor. It is going to be a free school where people can come in and get educated. It would not just be restricted to the formal education but also encompass vocational studies with which you can work with. I also want to have what I call a fashion village where people can come in and have every area of their needs met. Fashion is your life and goes beyond clothing. It is a way I can reach out to the rich.

Improving your business…

The social network is beautiful. It has helped the business people reach out more than they could have ever imagined. Personally, I plan on working more with the social network, having my business online where I can teach online without having to see the person. I also would want to have seminars where I can talk to people about what they can do, who they can become as a person and reaching out without putting a lid on their creativity. I also plan on taking my business outside the shores of Nigeria and within different states in the country.

36—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

•Saraki:

Saraki’s super stunts

path and sacrifice his family interest in the collective interest of the polity.

The next episode of Senator Bukola Saraki’s act of rebellion was his role in the break-up of

SENATOR Bukola Saraki, who yesterday emerged as the President of the Senate, has led a life of political rebellions the latest of which was his revolt against his new party.

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

S

ENATOR Bukola Saraki, who emerged as the seventh President of the Fourth Republic yesterday, has trudged a political course laced with repeated uprisings unusual for one born into a conservative, nay politically adventurous family.

His enthronement as the President of the Senate has now eclipsed his late father’s acclaimed political standing.

Those who until recently referred to Oloye, that is the late Senator Abubakar Olusola Saraki as the most acclaimed Senate leader in Nigeria’s political history would now have to revert to his son who has transcended his father’s

political height.

To get to this stage Senator Saraki upturned permutations, zigzagged political platforms and yes, even temporarily hurt his own family.

Senator Saraki started political life as a special assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo on budget matters and was instrumental in the formulation of the fiscal responsibility bill pushed by that administration for the promotion of budget discipline in the country.

Though he served in a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP presidency, his father ’s role in the opposition All Peoples Party, APP put him as a member of that party. When

in the approach to the 2003 election his father moved over to the PDP, Bukola moved with him and subsequently obtained the governorship ticket of the party.

As he ended his second term as governor, Bukola’s instinct for political rebellion came to the fore when he moved against his father and family in their support for his younger sister ’s 2011 governorship ambition.

While his opposition to sister, Gbemisola Saraki’s ambition and support for Alhaji Abdulfathah Ahmed’s raised issues within the family, in the larger political environment he was hailed as a hero who could trudge an independent political

To get to this stage Senator Saraki upturned permutations, zigzagged political platforms and yes, even temporarily hurt his own family

the PDP on August 30, 2013.

Senator Saraki’s role in that breakup was largely altruistic.

With the control of the state chapter of the PDP firmly in his grip and with no visible threats against him within or without the party, Saraki still chose to join the rebellion. He had been miffed by President Goodluck Jonathan’s control of the country and was the first to publicly raise questions on the oil subsidy scam.

It was not as if he simply chose the life of rebellion.

President Jonathan apparently forced him. He had privately met the president and expressed his concern about the ballooning subsidy payments that had jumped from less than N300 billion under President Yar‘adua to more than N1.2 trillion under Dr. Jonathan’s first year.

When the president did not show any concern on the issue, Saraki like a rebel brought the issue to public light.

When he joined the nPDP in the rebellion, he acted in selfassurance as he easily dismissed the concerted pressures brought by the presidency against his control of the political firmament.

He subsequently became a rallying point in the campaign to push out the PDP from the control of the Federal Government. Saraki also acted as coordinator for the APC in the campaigns in the NorthCentral, a position that provided him an opportunity also to build up his then latent ambition for the presidency of the Senate.

Party sources said that he was also a channel for the financial mobilisation of many of the party’s senatorial candidates.

Saraki’s latest rebellion was against his new party, the APC. Though the party had originally set the office of Senate President for the North-Central, other interests intervened to challenge what Saraki thought would be an easy battle against Senator George Akume.

That led Saraki to the fight of his life, climaxing early yesterday morning with his acceptance before the PDP leadership that he was a prodigal son desirous of their help. His meeting with the PDP was apparently a meeting of minds, men and women with the common interest in power and determined to stop the ascendancy of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

After the agreement with the PDP had been sealed, Saraki, unusual for a ‘rebel’ toed the path of humility early Tuesday morning when he visited Senator David Mark to say thank you.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015—37

•Enwerem

•Nnamani

•Okadigbo

•Anyim

•Mark

•Saraki

•Wabara

SENATE PRESIDENCY:

The intrigues, from Enwerem to Saraki LEADERS of Nigeria’s most distinguished Club of 109 are men and women who have played politics to the extreme as was seen yesterday.

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

T

HE first president of the Senate in the Fourth Republic, Senator Evan(s) Enwerem emerged under the same controversial circumstances as Senator Bukola Saraki did yesterday.

Enwerem became Senate President against the desire of the majority of his party members in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who in a straw poll had chosen Senator Chuba Okadigbo.

Okadigbo had days after his emergence as senator-elect traversed the country visiting every senator-elect to canvass support for his ambition to be Senate President.

But days before the leadership contest, President Olusegun Obasanjo moved against him and used the minority parties, the Alliance for Democracy, AD, All

Peoples Party, APP and a sprinkling of PDP senators.

In the end, Enwerem triumphed principally because Obasanjo backed him against the desire of the majority of PDP senators.

Only yesterday, President Muhammadu Buhari who had vowed not to follow the same path refused to interfere and

despite pressures stood his ground.

A last-minute move to force him into action after the PDP endorsed the All Progressives Congress, APC rebel candidate, Saraki was unsuccessful as the rebels refused to come for the meeting insisting that the president did not call the

Past Senate Presidents Evan

Enwerem

1999—1999

Chuba

Okadigbo

1999—2000

Pius

Anyim

2000—2003

Adolphus Wabara

2003—2005

Ken

Nnamani

2005—2007

David

Mark

2007—2015

meeting.

Enwerem’s stay in office was for barely five months before his removal by a majority of senators in November, 1999.

That was the only one of two

Senator Mark’s endurance, some claimed, was largely because he avoided the banana peel of disproportionate sharing of funds that felled many of his predecessors

successful impeachment moves against any principal official of the Senate in the Fourth Republic. It happened on the day that his backer, President Obasanjo jetted out of the country. And in came Okadigbo, who was himself removed in July, 2000.

Okadigbo’s era had its full surfeit of parliamentary drama. Anyim Pius Anyim, who succeeded him, led a Senate that moved from subservience to Obasanjo to a senate that tackled the president and almost impeached him.

Having handled the tail of a lion, Anyim in his valedictory address as the life of the Senate came to an end said he was leaving the PDP. After Anyim, a dutiful Obasanjo protégée in the person of Adolphus Wabara emerged. The gist around was that Wabara became Senate President even before his election as a senator was confir med. The Wabara Senate wisely shied away from the indiscriminate scrutiny of the administration as Obasanjo had warned.

But when Wabara supposedly toyed with the idea of becoming the first Igbo President, his end came quickly.

His quick end was expedited by the disproportionate sharing of Senate funds which led senators to rebel against him leading to his forced resignation in April 2005 after he was indicted in the Education Bribe for Budget scam.

Senator Ken Nnamani, who replaced him as Senate President, perhaps led the most stable Senate of the era and when the life of the second Senate of the Fourth Republic came to an end it was no surprise he was severally cited as a candidate for vicepresident.

Senator David Mark emerged as the President of the Sixth Senate and became the first and only person so far to complete a four-year term as Senate President.

He repeated the same feat in the Seventh Senate whose term came to an end last week. He was in good position to retain the same position but for the humiliation his PDP suffered in the polls last March.

Senator Mark’s endurance some claimed was largely because he avoided the banana peel of disproportionate sharing of funds that fell many of his predecessors.

Mischief makers allege that he was in fact the onewho put those banana peels!

38—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

Dogara's dogged drive T

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

HE Right Honourable Yakubu Dogara who emerged as the speaker of the House of Representatives yesterday won the plum position apparently based on the trust he garnered from fellow members who knew and had worked with him in the last House.

For many it became a matter of irony that Dogara who was famed for his discipline and loyalty to authorities became the whip that broke the back of his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC. As a steadfast member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP who was also pals with Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Dogara chose to align himself with the party and against Tambuwal when the later broke the party order that Mulikat Adeola-Akande should be elected as speaker in 2011.

He was one of the most visible supporters of AdeolaAkande, but it was a reflection of the simplicity and trust that many saw in him that he subsequently became one of the closest allies of Tambuwal in office. It was as such no surprise that Governor Tambuwal was one of the

By Uche Anichukwu

B

ORN on May 12, 1962, Senator Ike Ekweremadu hails from Mpu, Aninri Local Government area of Enugu State. He holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree, LL.B (Hons) from University of Nigeria, Nsukka and was called to the Bar in 1987.

He also holds a Master of Laws, LL.M from UNN and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Laws, from the University of Abuja.

Senator Ekweremadu practised Law extensively and was an Associate Lecturer in Law at the University of Nigeria between 1991 and 1997 before he ventured into politics in search of a larger platform to touch the lives of his people as well as render service to his fatherland.

He was elected Executive Chairman of the Aninri Local Government Council on the platform of the United Nigeria Congress Party, (UNCP) in 1997 and was voted the Best Local Government Chairman

passionate driving forces of the Dogara for Speaker campaign.

Tambuwal’s support for Dogara was apparently driven by the trust and confidence which the new speaker exhibited in his duties as chairman of the House Committee on House Services in the Tambuwal House between 2011 and last June.

As chairman of the House

For many it became a matter of irony that Dogara who was famed for his discipline and loyalty to authorities became the whip that broke the back of his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC

•Dogara: Committee on House Services, the all important job of keeping watch over the affairs including finances of members in the last four years, he is fondly adored for not once attracting scandal to himself. Not many given that position of trust had vindicated themselves with the level of integrity and discipline Dogara by several accounts brought to bear in the job.

Before then, as chairman of the House Committee on Customs, Dogara also became the subject of local folklore over his integrity when he

reportedly rejected a $5 million bribe in the course of oversight.

As a Christian minority from the North, Dogara’s crossed boundaries with his integrity winning friends from all religious beliefs. Christian and Muslims stood up for him in validation of the trust they saw in him.

A lawyer, Dogara is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association, the Nigerian Institute of Management, the Chartered Institute of Mediators and Conciliators, the Cyber Bar Association and

the Social Policy Association.

He is an graduate of the University of Jos, and is an associate member of the Institute of Environment Management and Assessment, and the World Jurist Association. An alumnus of the University of Jos, Robert Gordons University, Scotland, Oxford University and the Harvard Kennedy School, Dogara is qualified in terms of certificates, deep knowledge of the legislative process, and the desire to enact pro-people laws.

Ekweremadu:Making and changing records in Enugu State for his sterling and record-setting performance.

Other appointments he held at the State level include: Chief of Staff, Government House, Enugu, (1999 to 2001) and Secretary to the Enugu State Government (2001 to 2002).

Before his formal foray into politics, however, Senator Ekweremadu already learnt the rudiments of leadership early in life as he was elected the President of his age grade association at the age of 10 and also served as the President of his community’s town union for so many years.

A high-ranking Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Ekweremadu was first elected Senator in 2003 to represent the good people of Enugu West Senatorial District. One good term, they say, deserves another, hence, he was reelected Senator in 2007. He

•Ekweremadu: was unanimously elected the Deputy President of the Senate upon the inauguration of that 6th National Assembly, a position he was to hold

again from 2011 to June this year, having been re-elected th by his people into the 7 National Assembly.

He was appointed into the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Parliament) in September 2003, and elected the First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament in 2007. He was unanimously elected the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament on August 11, 2011, a position he still holds.

A formidable intellectual and legislative force to recon th with, this 4 term Senator has to his credit so many legislative achievements. But his role in spearheading the first amendment to the 1999 th Constitution in the 6 National Assembly has earned him local and international accolades, especially given the impact of the extensive electoral reforms

engendered by the constitutional amendments on the nation’s electoral system.

He is the lead author of the book, “Constitutional Review in an Emerging Democracy: The Nigerian Experience” and has been invited by many important international organisations and educational institutions to speak on the subject of constitutional amendment as well as on the themes of democracy, federalism, security, anticorruption, economy, and good governance.

Ikeoha, as admirers fondly call him, is a recipient of several awards, including Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).

This gender-friendly politician and renown philanthropist is happily married to Lady Nwanneka Ekweremadu, PhD and they are blessed with four children.

VANGU ARD, WEDNESD A Y, JUNE 10, 2015—39 ANGUARD, WEDNESDA

She leaked my secret!

I want this improved ex-wife back!

Dear Bunmi, AFTER less than five years of marriage, I’d had enough and asked for a divorce. That was two years ago. We’d sort of grown apart in spite of our son. We recently met up in my office to try to be friends and discuss ways of bringing up our son.

I was amazed to see how confident and sexy my ex looked. It was impossible to take my eyes off her body, which I once knew so well, and we ended up having sex.

I was really surprised because sex was boring in our marriage and she went off it altogether when she had our son, which is one of the reasons I left her. But since the divorce, she’s had several lovers and is now really adventurous and hot in bed.

She’s also lost a lot of weight and looks fantastic again. I was struck by her beauty when I first met her. Now, I feel myself wanting to be with her again.

Do you think the good sex will last?

Taofik, by e-mail.

Dear Taofik, Great sex is a big plus in any relationship but, sadly, just because you’re getting on better in bed doesn’t mean you’ll get on better out of it.

The reason why sex is great two years on from the divorce is because all the frustration, anger and resentment that were responsible for the demise of your marriage have disappeared. You’ve both forgotten the bad bits, idealized the good and are enjoying the lovely sex reunited exes often experience... temporarily.

Divorce is often painful, messy and horribly upsetting.

You’ve both now had the chance to recover, licked your wounds and feel stronger.

Seeing each other again when you’re both on your behaviour helps to shroud the past in a fog of romantic idealism.

Of course, sex is better than it was when you left— it’s familiar so it feels safe, but forbidden as you’re not supposed to sleep with your exwife.

Your ex is also eager to show off the new tricks she’s learned to impress you— and reinforce that even if you didn’t want her, other men do. Your initial attraction to your wife was physical and yet the marriage still didn’t survive.

Again, the attraction here is physical. She looks great again and the lusty sex is back. These are dodgy reasons to return,

because they can change so quickly.

Successful long-term relationships are based on qualities that don’t easily alter— like personality, intelligence, a sense of humour due to kindness. You’ve not mentioned any reasons for reconciliation that are not

related to sex or appearance.

The time to try again is when both of you have worked out what went wrong the first time.

You must both be willing to change and have sensible strategies of how to stop it falling apart again. I don’t see any evidence of that having happened here.

He is a sex-machine!

Dear Bunmi, MY boyfriend is far too randy for me. He wants lots of hot sex every night, and he goes at it fast and furious.

Sometimes we go on for hours and I end up sore and exhausted. It may sound like I’m the luckiest woman on earth, but too much of everything is bad and I’m getting bored and upset by it all— to the point where I don’t look forward to sex with him.

How can I tell him I don’t want sex all the time?

Ramat, by e-mail.

Dear Ramat, The earlier you told him the

truth the better for your relationship. It is not possible to keep doing something you don’t want.

Your body and mind will eventually say no, plus he might only be doing it every night because he thinks you enjoy it.

He may actually be forcing himself to go on for hours to keep you happy. In which case explaining how you feel will be a relief to him.

So, reassure him that it is not the quality of the sex that puts you off, it is the quantity.

It is not what he’s doing. It’s how often he does it. But tell him, you must.

Successful long-term relationships are based on qualities that don’t easily alter— like personality, intelligence, a sense of humour due to kindness How do I get rid of my boring boyfriend?

Dear Bunmi, I am in my late twenties and have been with my boyfriend for over two years. In those two years we’ve had what could best be described as an on/off relationship.

Twice I’ve called off the relationship because I thought we weren’t right for each other, but he always convinced me to get back together.

He is a very caring and generous man, but he’s very boring and critical of the modern society. We don’t go anywhere or do anything. Now he’s talking of marriage and I feel trapped.

I don’t want to marry him, so how do I let him down without

hurting his feelings?

Lanre, by e-mail.

Dear Lanre, You have to summon up the courage to tell this man how you feel. Even though he is nice to you, you don’t love him enough to commit to a lasting relationship with him.

Know that even if he’s the most wonderful man in the world, you will never be happy with him if he irritates you. Pity is no reason to stay in a relationship.

So, let him know you are not ready for commitment. Release him to seek his true soul mate and if he pleads to come back, stick to your decision.

Dear Bunmi, I recently ran into my boss at a get-together party and was so drunk that I agreed to go to his flat with him. I ended up sleeping with him and told one of my friends, who’s also a co-worker, about it.

I thought I could trust her, but she’s blabbed it around the office. My boss hasn’t asked me anything yet.

Do you think I should admit it so people will stop talking or should I just keep quiet and hope it goes away?

Gbemi, by e-mail.

Dear Gbemi, It’s your so-called friend’s word against yours, so keep quiet. Be deliberately polite

and friendly to the “friend” who blabbed so people don’t suspect how furious you are— this will discredit her and make your co-workers doubt her story.

If people ask you outright if it’s true, smile and say ‘I’ve heard that rumour, I find it very amusing,’ then change the topic. You’re not lying by saying this, but you are insinuating there’s no truth in it.

In a few weeks it will probably die out. If it doesn’t, outright sealed lips will do the trick. There’s a reason why sleeping with the boss often tops the list of sexual no-nos and this is a good one. The fact that you were drunk when it happened is no excuse.

My pregnancy is bound to disappoint my mom!

Dear Bunmi, I’m just over 20 and my boyfriend is a couple of years older. He has a decent job with a manufacturing firm and I work as a Secretary/ Receptionist for a group of lawyers.

I have just discovered that I’m pregnant and I can’t wait to shout it from the rooftop.

My boyfriend is all for our getting married, but I don’t know how to tell my mum.

She’s brought me and my younger brother up singlehandedly since our dad died and has always encouraged me to further my studies.

I can’t hide this pregnancy forever, so please tell me how to go about things without hurting her.

Julie, by e-mail.

Dear Julie, I can’t really tell you exactly what to say to your mum, but I can tell you how to say it.

Your boyfriend and you should meet her face to face— you owe her that much— and being together shows her you’re sticking to each other to bring up the baby through marriage.

Say what you have to say confidently or she’ll pick up your anxiety and think there’s something to be worried about. Don’t give her the impression that you’re on the defensive and say whatever you have to say with love not defiance.

If she reacts badly, hang in there. She’ll just need time to adjust to being a grandmother.

I’m not ready to commit to him yet Dear Bunmi, I’ve only met this chap and all he wants is sex. We were introduced by a mutual friend and I agreed to go out with him because he has a pleasant personality.

In spite of the fact that things haven’t been serious between us, he’s hinting that we should ‘cement’ our relationship by sleeping together.

I feel he’s rushing me a bit and I’m scared I’ll lose him if I say no. I’ve been able to put him off so far, but I’m going to have to tell him how I feel soon. What’s the best thing to do?

Amaka, by e-mail.

Dear Amaka, Follow your gut feeling on this. If you don’t you’ll end up feeling bad about sex, resentful of him and down on yourself. If you know you’re never going to want to sleep with him, tell him and let him off the hook.

But if you want more time, you have every right to ask him to wait. If he won’t wait or leaves you for someone else, then he’s not the man you should want to make love with.

You’d be better off waiting until you meet someone who respects your sexual needs and doesn’t insist on rushing things.

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos, or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

40— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

Ladipo market: Uneasy calm as leadership succession crisis lingers

By Evelyn Usman

L

adipo Market, located in the sprawling low-class community in Mushin area of Lagos, has for some time been in the news for the wrong reason due to the disturbance of public peace by some warring factions fighting over supremacy and control of the market.

Described as one of the largest spare parts market in Africa, Ladipo has unfortunately been embroiled in violence which left several persons injured. At the root of this intermittent outbreak of violence is a supremacy struggle for control of the market by members of some rival associations.

Unfortunately, the unabating orgy of violence has continued to take its toll on the businesses of most of the traders there. Indeed, reports have it that many customers have been giving the market a wide berth due to fear of falling victim to the fracas that has become common place there.

Of particular mention is the Aguiyi Ironsi International Trade Centre which has become prone to crisis.

Vanguard Features, VF, learnt that the situation recently attracted the attention of the Lagos State Government.

Genesis of crises The crisis in this section of the market was traced to an

alleged refusal by members of the then executive council to leave office,even after the expiration of their tenure in 2007.

The crisis reportedly lingered, thereby forcing the state government to issue a threat to shut down the place if a truce was not reached. It was on account of this that a Police patrol van has been stationed at the entrance of the market till date, apparently to forestall any possible break down of law and order.

VF was recently informed that traders were being attacked by thugs allegedly hired by the present executive. When approached, the Chairman of Aguiyi Ironsi International Trade Centre Traders Association, Mr Cyril Onyemaechi described the claim as false. He boasted that the era of crisis in the section is over. According to him, there has been no record of fracas in the complex in the last eight months.

Onyemaechi reiterated his administration’s resolve to ensure that peace and tranquility reigned in the section .

He recalled, however, that before his administration took over, “ there were series of crises which forced the state government, through the Mushin Local Government Area, the Police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,

to intervene. This was because the past leader of the association refused to leave even after the expiration of his tenure”.

Litigation to settle rift Lending a voice to the chairman’s explanation, the Association’s General Secretary, Mr. Anthony Nwazelibe, explained that although he was a member of the former executive council, he was beaten to a pulp by thugs allegedly hired by leader of the then association for urging him to vacate office.

His words: “ I served in the last administration. We were meant to serve a two-yearterm but when it expired, the chairman refused to leave office. That was the beginning of the crisis in the market. Some of us who knew what it meant for one’s tenure to expire, vacated our seats.

But the chairman handpicked some people to fill the vacancy. He did not stop there. He moved straight to Ebute Metta Magistrate Court 8, Botanical Garden, to institute a case against us and to obtain an injunction barring us from disturbing him for another one year, so that he would accomplish that which he wanted. But after going through the court papers, the learned Magistrate discovered that our tenure was over and consequently ordered that the chairman should stop

parading himself as chairman of the association. The court further ruled that a 13- man caretaker committee should take over the administration of the section of the market pending the termination of the case in court. “ Feeling aggrieved over the ruling, he went ahead to write a petition against the Magistrate and the matter was reassigned to another Magistrate for continuity. But instead of the Magistrate to continue with the case, he said the matter should start afresh.

A petition against the Magistrate was made before Justice Oyebanji of the High Court of Lagos State. After studying the matter, she reinstated the order made by

Not long after the ruling, thugs invaded the market; some of us escaped death by the whiskers; I was thoroughly beaten and was subsequently hospitalised for a month

the learned Magistrate, May Igbokwe, that Jonathan Okolie should stop parading himself as the chairman of the market.

“Not long after the ruling, thugs invaded the market.

Some of us escaped death by the whiskers when the thugs struck. I was thoroughly beaten and was subsequently hospitalised for a month.

Some people lost their fingers, some suffered partial loss of hearing as a result of the beating. So many people were injured. In fact, on getting to the market then, you will think it was a war zone. You would see cutlasses, different weapons which they used to attack people.

Petitions OPD “The immediate past administration also petitioned the Office of the Public Defender,OPD, to intervene.

In response, it (the OPD) used the Ministry of Environment to carry out its investigation and when the OPD report was eventually released, every other party signed but the chairman of the then administration refused to sign . Instead, he accused the OPD of partiality . Again, he went to the Lagos State House of Assembly to complain and the House set up a committee headed by one Hon. Agunbiade to look into the

Continues on page 41

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 —41

Continues from page 40

issue. At the end of the day, the House of Assembly released its report which empowered the Mushin Local Government Area to conduct an election since the tenure of that government had expired.

“Based on that, the Mushin Local Government came and inaugurated a nine-man caretaker committee comprising three traders, three representatives of the developers – Paramo Development Ventures Limited and three others from the local government, to organise the election. The government was in place for about one year after which an election was conducted and Cyril Onyemachi was elected as the chairman of Aguiyi International Trade Centre, Mr Festus Obinani as Vice chairman, myself as the general secretary, with other members of executive. Since then there has been peace in the market”.

VF further learnt that before the current executives came on board, the case was taken to the Senate Committee on Police Affairs where members of the committee reportedly urged the traders to go and make peace since the tenure of the previous executive had expired. Other petitions were written to the Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, Abuja which allegedly asked the former executive to tread the path of peace since their tenure had expired.

Asked why the previous chairman’s shops were still under lock and key, in spite of the seeming truce , Anthony explained: “Nobody is after Jonathan Okolie. He is a stakeholder in the market and is therefore allowed to come and do business here.

What happened was in heat of the crisis, the Department for State Security wrote a report to the Governor of Lagos State detailing what was happening at the Aguiyi Ironsi Market. Based on the report, Okolie was arraigned before Justice Okunu of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja.

The Judge imposed conditions for his bail. One of the conditions was that he should not be seen within a three-kilometre radius of Ladipo Market until the case was determined. But after he got his bail, he went to the Appeal Court to appeal against that particular order.

The Appeal Court gave a judgement that Okolie be granted access, on humanitarian grounds, to his shop and do his business. But he went to the Supreme Court challenging his nonparticipation in the affairs of the market”.

Uneasy calm after leadership succession storm

Aerial view of Ladipo Market

*Jonathan Chibuzo Okol

*Members of the new executive of the market

My story— Jonathan Chibuzo Okoli However, when the man at the centre of controversy, Jonathan Chibuzo Okoli, was contacted he described the allegations against him as false. According to him, the current leadership of the market assumed office through the back door.

He described the action of the present leadership as unconstitutional, stressing that the market constitution did not recognise the place of chairman as leader of the union but that of the President.

He stated emphatically that he still remained the President of the union. He alleged that some government officials in connivance with some security agencies and a faction of the traders, sent him to prison on trumped up charges, in order to clear the coast for “an illegal election to take place”. He further wondered why Mushin Local Government Area interfered in the election process, in spite of a restraining court order.

Okoli said he was arrested on several occasions.

According to him, he was

arrested on November 4, 2011 by operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

He was arrested on October 23, 2012, by personnel of the Department of State Service,DSS and in 2013 by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. I am still the President When VF, addressed him as the former Chairman of Aguyi Ironsi International Traders, Okoli interrupted : “I am the President. The truth is that we

I was remanded at the Ikoyi Prison for the murder of one Maduabuchukwu Ejike; I spent four months in the prison before my bail was perfected; this was after the traders protested against my illegal incarceration

*Mr Cyril Onyemaechi have a constitution that governs the association which states a three year tenure.

After the three years tenure,I still have another chance to recontest. But trouble started when some people who claimed they owned the state, wanted to impose leadership on us. They did not allow me to contest, rather they put me in prison without committing any crime.

“I was in the village when some men of the Department of State Service (then SSS)called to say they wanted to see me. I had to take a night bus for the first time in my life, to Lagos. When I reported, I was told I would meet the immediate past Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko. On reaching the command, Manko asked me what the matter was at the market. I explained and even showed him pictures of people that were maimed by my detractors. The next thing I heard was that operatives from the Criminal Investigation Department ,Panti, Yaba were coming to pick me from the command.

On reaching Panti, a policeman in charge of the cell asked what offence I was

being charged for before they would throw me into the cell.

But nobody could give any.

After some hours, they came up with a charge of attempt to cause the breach of peace.

I spent 10 days inside the cell. From there , they took me to Igbosere High Court, where I was remanded at the Ikoyi Prison for the murder of one Maduabuchukwu Ejike. I spent four months in the prison before my bail was perfected. This was after the traders protested against my illegal incarceration,” he alleged.

He stated that while in prison, those he described as ‘powers that be’ conducted an election, which prevented him from re-contesting. “ The matter at the Supreme Court is to challenge the fact that I still remain the president. When Justice Latifat Okunu of the Lagos High court granted me bail, she barred me from going to the market and interfering in the union affairs. But how can you bar an innocent trader from trading . I went to appeal the judgment and the Appeal Court asked me to go back to the market and do my business. The court also asked me not to report to the police as earlier ruled by the Ikeja High Court. The court also said that I could only participate in union affairs on peaceful resolution. But the present leadership is not for peace. They believe they have taken over and there was no need to discuss with me. That was why I went to the Supreme Court to challenge my position as the President of the union,” he explained.

Continuing, he said, “For close to three years now, I have not been to the market.

My shops have been broken into,with all the machines and medium generators stolen.

But while I was there, such things never happened”.

42—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

Amnesty programme: Court fixes Sept 28 for hearing in Kuku’s objection

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—A Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has adjourned till September 28, for hearing in the preliminary objection by the outgoing chairman of the implementation committee of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, challenging the suit by some ex-militants against their non-inclusion in the amnesty programme of the Federal Government.

Kuku, in the preliminary objection, is challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the suit by the aggrieved ex-militant youths from Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states.

The ex-militants, Asenekir Oyile, Angiamaowei Oyindoubra, John Government, John Sawyer, Trydy Okpeke, Dollar Motor, Selebi Ayowei, Bobra Angese, Henry Gomeromo and Ekerebi Ombe in the suit, are contending that the Amnesty Committee erred by refusing to include them in the ongoing amnesty programme after series of

resolutions from meetings with the past and present National Security Advisers to the President, Late General Owei Azazi and Col. Dasuki Sambo, respectively.

The ex-militants are asking the court to declare that they were former militants that had accepted amnesty under the Third Phase and surrendered their weapons to the Federal Government through the Amnesty Office in 2011 under the peace initiative of

the Federal Government.

At yesterday's hearing in the matter, trial judge, Justice H.A. Nganjiwa, ruled that though the defendants, the Chairman of the Amnesty Committee and the Amnesty Committee, Kuku and the Attorney-General of the Federation, did not make an appearance, it will hear the preliminary objection by Kuku challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.

The aggrieved ex-militants are praying the court to compel the Amnesty Committee to approve reasonable slots for them as agreed at one of the peace meetings on December 19, 2011.

They also want the court to compel the defendants to pay due allowances to the plaintiffs and their foot soldiers from March, 2012 until the plaintiffs are fully settled under the Niger Delta Amnesty Committee.

Odogwu hails two Delta lawmakers

By Festus Ahon

A

S A B A — A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, Mr. Tam Odogwu, has congratulated the lawmakers representing Burutu constituencies I and II in the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Dan Yingi and Mr. Kennedy Daubiri, on their being sworn -in as members of the Assembly.

Speaking with newsmen in Asaba, Odogwu expressed optimism that the duo will give quality representation to their constituents.

Odogwu, who vied for the Burutu constituency II seat at the party ’s House of Assembly primaries, urged the people of Burutu Local Government Area to give their support to the legislators to enable them deliver the dividends of democracy to the people at the grassroots.

He maintained that the legislators have good developmental plans to take Burutu beyond its present level.

RECEPTION: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and his wife, Iara Oshiomhole, dance with students of Iyanogie Primary School, Benin City, winners of the 7th Channels Kids Cup, during a reception for the champions at the Governement House, yesterday.

Abductors of 3 construction staff yet to contact families

By Perez Brisibe

U

GHELLI—THREE weeks after a sevenman armed gang stormed the Patani- Oduophori Road project site in Patani, Patani Local Government Area of Delta State and abducted three workers of Okmas Nig. Ltd., the construction company in charge of the project, no contact has been made by their abductors to the company or their families.

The three staff are Sari Naser Karin and Tarek Maroun, both Syrians and a Nigerian identified as Sahara.

Speaking to Vanguard yesterday, Public Relations Manager of the company, Owhondah Ebere, said that they were yet to resume work at the project site till their colleagues, whose whereabouts are still unknown, are release.

He said: “Whether they are dead or alive, we do not know, as we are constantly

interfacing with the state police command on the position of things. But as I speak with you, there has been no news.”

Contacted, the state Police

Public Relation Officer, Mrs Celestina Kalu, said: “Nothing has been heard for now, but we are doing everything possible to rescue the victims and arrest the kidnappers.”

I'll be fair to all, Obuah assures Rivers Waste Mgt Agency workers

T

HE sole administrator of Rivers State Waste Management Agency, RSWMS, Mr Felix Obuah, has said that all the workers of the agency will be treated fairly as no worker will be victimised irrespective of political party affiliation.

He gave the assurance, yesterday, during his maiden meeting with workers of the agency in Port Harcourt.

Obuah said: “I will operate an open door policy. I will not victimize any worker irrespective of political party affiliation. I will be father to all workers. I will put smiles on the faces of all the workers

of this agency.”

He enjoined the workers to join hands with Rivers State governor, Mr Nyesom Wike, in his effort to return Port Harcourt to its Garden City status.

He charged them to be ambassadors of a clean Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, assuring that workers who put in their best for the growth of the agency and the return of Port Harcourt, the state capital to its garden city status, will be appreciated.

Urging workers to be diligent to duties, Obuah warned workers against disinclination to work.

Maritime Varsity to commence academic activities Sept —VC

By Akpokona Omafuaire

W

ARRI—NIGERIA M a r i t i m e University, NMU, Okerenkoko, Delta State, is to commence full academic activities in September this year with potentials to be one of the best in the world.

Prof. Ongoebi Otebu, Vice Chancellor NMU, in her address, at Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area, at a reception by the Gbaramatu people for the Governing Council of the university, said: “I know that it is your prayer that the university commences full academic activities. By reason of my position as the Vice Chancellor, I tell you that we shall commence full academic session in September this year.

“The ship of the Maritime University has berthed and we shall continue to sail on. I am one of you and we shall do our best to ensure that the light will shine on. I promise that we shall do our best in guiding the university to achieve its goals.”

Earlier in his speech, HRH, Patani Heavens, Regent of Gbaramatu Kingdom, said: “We have been looking forward to this day. We are happy that this day is coming to pass. We are sure that with this visit the university will soon begin full academic session.”

NIMASA to provide funding On his part, Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, Director General, NIMASA, promised that adequate funding of the university will be provided as the establishment of the university was one of the best achievements of his administration.

He noted that when former President Goodluck Jonathan heard their manifestoes, he had doubted the vision but gave his support and today the vision is has become a reality.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015— 43

Otti tasks members-elect to work hard for their people

By Anayo Okoli

U

MUAHIA—ABIA State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in the 2015 general elections, Dr. Alex Otti, has charged members of the party elected into the state House of Assembly to make a difference in the House through quality and effective representation of their

people.

Otti at a two-day retreat organised by APGA for the legislators-elect, charged Assembly members to focus on “legislations that will enhance the quality of lives of the people and overall development of the state.”

According to him, the retreat was designed to expose them to global best practices in the conduct of the business of legislation.

“The two-day retreat is part of efforts being undertaken by the party to ensure that the legislators hit the ground running for the benefit of Abians,” Otti explained.

He said that the knowledge acquired at the retreat would equip the elected lawmakers to the challenges ahead and also enable them to make great impact in the lives of their people and the state during their tenure.

Otti assured members-elect that

the party will continue to organise similar programmes as part of the deliberate efforts aimed at helping them to upgrade their skills and capacity for legislative functions.

In their remarks, some of the members-elect commended the party for organising the retreat which they said had exposed them to the enormity of their legislative responsibilities.

Fed Neuropsychiatric Hospital denies unleashing thugs on protesting workers

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—THE management of Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, FNHE, has denied using thugs and the police to disrupt the protest by union members.

The hospital also denied that one Mr. Alozie Ejimmadu, who is the leader of the protest, was attacked with an axe, describing the allegation as a political gimmick to gain cheap popularity.

The management of the hospital, in a statement in Enugu, by a Director in the hospital, Mr. Ebi I. S said “At 5a.m., on June 4, 2015, Mr. Ejimadu, a suspended nurse in the hospital in collaboration with two other suspended staff, locked the gate of the hospital from outside with chains so that both patients and staff of the hospital could neither leave nor go into the facility on the pretext of strike action.

“Some staff of the hospital who did not understand why Ejimadu could do that, tried to open the gate to enable patients and staff access to the hospital. Confusion ensued, because Mr. Alozie and his suspended colleagues tried to prevent opening of the locked gate. Mr. Alozie, Mr. Tony Ozurumba and their cohorts engaged the staff that were trying

to open the gate in a fight.

Eventually, the gate was opened when the police came and calmness returned.”

On the reasons that led to the suspension of some staff, the hospital management said “Mr. Ejimadu was suspended for some unethical posting he sent to

facebook on high lethal dose he gave to a patient. The Nursing/ Midwifery Council had started to investigate him while the whole world is reacting to the facebook post to get a clear picture of the magnitude of this gross misconduct and violation of

patient’s rights.

“Mr. Anthony Ozurumba an auditor was suspended because while doing his National Service, he was still receiving full salary for the service period in the hospital without a break and getting paid also by the hospital.”

AGM: From Left, Mrs. Abimbola Azu, Company Secretary / Legal Adviser, Skye Bank Plc, Dr Olatunde Ayeni, Chairman, Skye Bank Plc, Mr Timothy Oguntayo, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Skye Bank Plc, Mrs Amaka Onwughalu, Deputy Managing Dirextor, Skye Bank Plc, During the 2014 Annual General Meeting, of Skye Bank Plc, at Eko Hotel Victoria Island Lagos,on Monday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

Anambra NLC demands full implementation of minimum wage

By Enyim Enyim

O

NITSHA—THE Nigeria Labour Congress, Anambra Ctate council, has called on Governor Willie Obiano of the state to implement the national minimum wage for workers in the state.

Chairman of the NLC in the state, Mr Jerry Nnubia made the demand when he led the new executive of the council on a courtesy visit on Governor Obiano.

“The upward review/ increase in workers salaries has become extremely imperative considering the harsh economic situation and rising cost of things in the country for which the static

salary earners are at the receiving end.”

The union also demanded the cancellation of contract appointments of retired officers in the civil service that was introduced by former Governor Peter Obi to enable serving officers to reach the peak of their career for the unemployed youths to have employment.

He appealed to the governor to wade into the problem of the local government staff that have not been able to be upgraded to GL 16 as their counterparts in other states and the federal service.

Besides, Nnubia who appealed that the 2014 promotion exercise result should be released, called for the establishment of Local

Government Pension Management Board in line with the new contributory pension scheme as provided

by Anambra State Pension

Reform Law 2013.

Nnubia requested that the July to October 2014 salary arrears owed some council staff should be paid them.

HRJA replies police on claim of having least number of corrupt officers

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

N

NEWI—THE Inspector General of Police, IG, Mr Solomon Arase has been told to caution his senior police officers, who represent him on occasions and make embarrassing statements and comments that are being credited to him, as some of their comments would ordinarily not represent the IG's opinion or position.

Reacting to the comment that “The police has the least number of corrupt officers of all institutions in the country” made by the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory,Mr. Wilson Inalegwu, which was credited to the IG, a rights group, Human Rights and Justice Advocates, HRJA, said that the Nigerian Police has the highest number of corrupt officers of all the institutions in the country, contrary to their claim.

According to the national Coordinator of HRJA, Mr. Anthony Ogomegbulam, “In as much as the new IG is a fine and respected police officer who has records of good conduct, as he rose from ranks to become IG, he should not allow the officers he delegates to represent him at events rubbish his hard earned image, by making unguarded and wild claims to launder the image of the police when in actual sense he knows they are not representing the facts from their comments.

EDO 2016 GOV: Partymembers, friends want Edebiri

C

HIEF SOLOMON Edebiri of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been called upon by friends and party members to contest the forthcoming 2016 governorship election in Edo State.

Speaking at a reception in Benin, Edo State following the conferment of an honourary doctorate degree award Doctor of Science, DSc., on Edebiri by the Commonwealth University, Mr. Abimbola Ladejo, Chairman Committee

of Friends, said: “We, your friends who have come here to appreciate your stirling qualities, we share in the thoughts of the Commonwealth University, which have conferred this award on you. That is why we are also calling on you to contest the next governorship election in the state.

“Most of us, your friends, who are hosting you today, are successful businessmen and ordinarily would not spare an interest in politics, because we

know you to be a shrewd, prudent and successful businessman and good manager of human and material resources, we dare to ask you to contest the next governorship election in Edo State.”

Ladejo said that they would also mobilize both moral and financial support for Chief Edebiri, also a major investor in the oil and gas sector, sitting as chairman of several companies all over the world, in case he decided to contest.

44 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

APC, PDP men emerge Nasarawa Assembly’s speaker, deputy

By Abel Daniel

L

AFIA—THE new members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly have unanimously elected Mr Ibrahim Balarabe (APC Umaisha/Ugya) and Mr. Godiya Akwashiki (PDPNassarawa Eggon West) as speaker and deputy speaker of the state’s 5th assembly respectively.

The election of the two officers was unopposed.

It commenced with a motion for nomination of Balarabe as the speaker of the state’s 5th assembly by Alhaji Abubakar Imam (APC-Lafia Central).

Moving the motion, Abubakar said: “My colleagues, I want to nominate Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe of Umuasha/ Ugya constituency to serve as speaker of this 5th assembly considering his track record as a politician and an elder statesman in the state”.

His motion was seconded by Mallam Ibrahim Alkali (PDP-Lafia Central).

Also, Mr Muluku Aggah (PDP-Nassarawa Eggon East) moved a motion for the nomination of Mr Akwashiki as the deputy speaker and his motion was seconded by Mr Makpa Mala (APCWamba). Clerk to the house, Mr. Ego Maikeffi, while announcing the results yesterday, said all due processes of election were followed.

Maikeffi who read Gov Tanko Al-Makura’s proclamation said that the inauguration of the new members was in line with section 105 sub-section 3 of the 1999 constitution as amended.

Lalong tasks journalists on professionalism

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

J

OS—PLATEAU State governor, Simon Lalong has tasked journalists in the state to demonstrate professionalism in carrying out their responsibilities, especially while reporting crises situations, so as not to create chaos.

Lalong said though he is an advocate of free flow of information for journalists to have access to credible information, they should contribute meaningfully and create an informed public who would contribute to nation -building and development.

The governor made the challenge yesterday in Jos while declaring open a two day training workshop organized by the Institute of Governance and Social Research, IGSR in collaboration with Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme, NSRP and the UK Department for International Development, DFID for editors and reporters of various media organisations in the state.

Represented by his Deputy, Prof. Sonny Tyoden, he added that ethical and professional standards are required to make the best out of the pivotal roles good journalism play in the society.

According to him, “As we all know the media plays an increas-

J

ALINGO—TARABA State governor, Darius Ishaku, has ordered for immediate overhauling of the entire water plants in the state.

The order came on the heels of shortage of portable water in the capital city of Jalingo and environs.

The governor wondered why the people would continue to go about in search of drinking

Maiduguri airport to resume flight on Friday

By Ndahi Marama

M

AIDUGURI—THERE are indications that the Maiduguri International Airport, which was closed down almost two years ago following sustained attacks by Boko Har-

CEOs' FORUM: From left; Morin Desalu, MD, Risk Watch Insurance Brokers; Clare Omatseye, MD, JNC International Nigeria Ltd; Dharnesh Gordhon, MD/CEO, Nestle Nigeria Plc; Abubakar Suleiman, Executive Director, finance and strategy, Sterling Bank, and Ndidi Nwuneli, founder, Leap Africa, at the 10th Leap Africa annual CEOs Forum in Lagos, yesterday. Photo by Akeem Salau.

am insurgents may resume operation on Friday.

This was disclosed by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zannah Kumar Mustapha in an interview with journalists in his office at the Government House, Maiduguri.

The Deputy Governor said, “ I am happy to inform you that our closed down international airport will be officially reopened for flight operations on Friday, 12th June 2015. “ We have met with Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Officials, Stakeholders, relevant security agencies and agreed that our International Airport be open for passengers to ease the hardship being faced in the state.

“Likewise, most of our closed down roads/federal highways will equally open to motorists and passengers as the security situation improves very soon”. Zannah stated.

He also solicited support and cooperation from all the people of the state to compliment the effort of the security operatives and the state government in the fight against insurgents and restore peace back to the state.

ATAP poly students protest, seek removal of rector

By Suzan Edeh

B

AUCHI—STUDENTS of the Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, ATAP, Bauchi, yesterday blocked entrances to the school, preventing vehicular movements in or out of the campus.

The protest according to the students was in seeking the removal of the Rector of the institution, Mr Bala Azare.

The placard-carrying students barricaded the ever busy Bauchi road accusing the Rector of corruption and injustice.

The protesting students claimed

Ishaku declares state of emergency in water sector

By John Mkom

ingly important role in today’s society, and that freedom of the press has a clear impact on development, democracy and security, journalists must be well informed and must have access to credible information to be able to positively form the opin-

ion of public for nation-building and development.”

The governor pledged support and good working relations for journalists in the state .

Former Director-General, Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, NBC, Dr. Tom Adaba, who delivered a keynote address at the event, called on journalists reporting in a conflict situation to be peacemakers, peacekeepers and peace builders.

water, when the much-needed equipments to pump water to the nooks and crannies of the state were available. He urged those in charge of making water available to the people to urgently do so or face severe actions.

The governor, who gave this directive yesterday through a press statement signed by the Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Sylvanus Giwa, also ordered for imme-

diate repairs of all the boreholes in the state through water pipe networks.

He said he had voted N8.5 million to the state water supply agency for immediate action on the water supply.

He frowned at a situation where due to the lack of portable water in the state, people were compelled to find alternative in unsafe water resources which according to him was hazardous to community health.

that the management of the institution in connivance with the rector embezzled the funds of the institution to the tune of several millions of naira and acquired properties of the institution illegally.

They also protested the poor state of infrastructure in the institution.

One of the protesters, Garba Mohammed, alleged that the management of ATAP Bauchi was insensitive to addressing the pending issues of the institution, particularly the plights of students and staff.

“We will not sit and continue to watch the greed of some people in this institution to subject us to unnecessary sufferings and exploitation. We want the rector to go because he has deprived this institution of development” Reacting to the development, the state Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Haruna Mohammed said that on about 10:00am, over

2,000 students of Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic Bauchi went on rampage and blocked the Bauchi -Jos Federal Highway with tyres and heavy stones to protest against the Rector, thereby causing heavy traffic congestion and public nuisance which deprived residents and road users in the area.

He said Police patrol teams led

by ACP Tony Okpara rushed to the scene and all efforts to pacify the students to disperse peacefully proved abortive, instead the students pelted the Police with stones and set bonfires on the highway.

DSP Haruna added that the situation nearly degenerated into total breakdown of law and order until when minimum Force was applied to disperse the rampaging Students.

He however claimed that normalcy was restored and the road was cleared for motorists who were stranded for more than two hours.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015—45

CIPM/COVENANT:

From left— Dr. Charles Ugwu, Director, Professional Development; Mr. Sunday Adeyemi, Registrar/ CEO; Mr. Anthony Arabome, President/Chairman of Council, all of Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, CIPM; Professor Charles Ayo, Vice Chancellor, and Dr. Olumuyiwa Oludayo, Registrar, both of Covenant University, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, between CIPM and Covenant University on HR development in Otta, Ogun State. PHOTO: Diran Oshe.

State Governor; Joseph Ogbuka, Assistant Manager, Youth Segment, MTN; Yusuf Shuaibu, winner of N10 million in MTN Cash Quest promo; Dapo Olawale, Assistant Manager, Masterbrand, MTN, and Maureen Akpata, Zonal Cordinator, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Benin, at the prize presentation to winners in Benin.

ETISALAT'S ENVIRONMENTAL DAY: From left— Mr. Muhammed Suleh-Yusuf, Head, Government Relations; Mr. Adekunle Durojaiye, Deputy Director, Network Deployment; Mrs. Oluseyi Osunsedo, Head, Environmental Compliance, all of Etisalat Nigeria; Mrs. Nana Mede, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, and Mr. Kola Adeleye, Director, Network Engineering, Etisalat Nigeria, at the ministry's World Environment Day symposium sponsored by Etisalat in Abuja.

ULTIMATE SHOWDOWN: Omo Brand Ambassador, Funke Akindele, alias Jenifa (left), showing off the new 100g Omo fast action at the Ultimate Showdown at Pen Cinema, Agege, Lagos. PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

WORKSHOP: From left— Paul Wilson, Managing Director, Brian Munro Ltd; Abayomi Ajao, Marketing Manager; Thomas Mannel, Marketing Manager, Jagermeister; Oreoluwa Amao, a participant; and Lewis Jones, Regional Director, Jagermeister, MEA, during a training workshop for bartenders sponsored by Jagermeister in Lagos.

DEDICATION: From left— His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martin, Archbishop of Metropolitan See of Lagos; Very Rev. Fr. Jerome Akinyemi, Dean, Festac Deanery; Rev. Fr. Henry Ogbonna, Parish Priest, Our Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos, during the dedication of new church building.

P & G: From left— Mr. Marco Colachia, Director of Finance, Procter and Gamble Nigeria Ltd; Mr. George Nassar, Managing Director; Mr. Mohammed Samir, President, P&G India, Middle East and Africa; and Mrs. Temitope Iluyemi, Director, Global Government Relations, P&G, during the inauguration of the company's corporate head office in Lagos. PHOTO: Biodun Ogunleye.

CASH QUEST: From left— Moye Maleke, Special Assistant to Edo

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IBTC: From left— Ulf-Peter Noetzel, Director, Head of Global Transaction Banking, Trade Finance, Financial Institutions, Africa and Western Europe, Deutsche Bank; Mrs Adeola Azeez, Deputy Country Head, Deutsche Bank AG, Nigeria; Inwang Akpan, Head, Sales, Transactional Products and Services, West Africa, Stanbic IBTC; and Mr. Russell Brown, Director, Head of Trade Finance, UK, Global Transaction Banking, Deutsche Bank, at the presentation of gold award to Stanbic IBTC at the Deutsche Bank 2014 US Dollar Straight Through Processing excellence award.

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54—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

Customs destroys N4m poultry products

By Ifeyinwa Obi

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AGOS— THE Seme Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, yesterday, destroyed cartons of poultry products valued at N4 million.

The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Ndalati Mohammed, said the seizure was made over the weekend by patrol teams coordinated by Deputy Comptroller in Charge of Enforcement Section, Abdullahi Mohammed.

Mohammed said the seizure was made possible by increased enforcement at the border area, including various footpaths, to forestall attempts by smugglers to evade duty and bring in prohibited items through unapproved routes.

He said: “Today (yesterday), we are destroying these poultry products in compliance with government directives and wish to use this opportunity to warn smugglers to desist from the anti-economic vice and face lawful trades.

“Investigations are on to arrest those behind this smuggling act.

“We are also on the lookout for any individual or group of persons that will dare our resolve by attempting to smuggle through Seme Border or any area within our coverage.”

Atiku, Tambuwal, Owie, others hail lawmakers

By Henry Umoru & Olasukonmi Akoni

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IXED reactions, yesterday, trailed the emergence of the leadership of the two chambers of the National Assembly.

Reacting to the development, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State commended the lawmakers for exhibiting maturity and for the defence of legislative ethos in the choice of their leaders.

He said the outcome of the elections indicated that democracy had come of age in Nigeria, adding that the doctrine of the independence of the legislature was gradually taking firm root.

Tambuwal admonished those who were unsuccessful in the contests to regard their actions as positive contributions to democratic process and accept their defeat in good faith.

He urged Nigerians to rally round the new leadership for them to execute their mandates.

Similarly, a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, congratulated the newlyelected leaders, admonishing them to see their elections beyond the interests of their respective political parties.

Atiku, in a statement, noted that with the elections of its presiding officers, the eight assembly should swing to work and put the overall national interest beyond the personal political interests of its members.

He said: “The Nigerian people look up to the new National Assembly to work with the executive arm in finding solutions to the problems of insecurity, poverty, illiteracy and joblessness in the country.

“Their election is indeed a call to duty, and it is a call for which they cannot afford to fail the nation.”

APC calls for sanctions On its part, Lagos State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, called for sanctions against the members who voted against the party’s directives.

The party, in a statement, affirmed that party discipline must be enforced.

The statement reads: ‘’As a party and given the circumstances of our present politics, APC stands no risk of being eroded by this treachery.

“Rather, we see the clear road to enforce discipline in the treacherous conduct of some members of the National Assembly.

“We see the need for the

As Lagos APC kicks party to wield the big stick now to send a message home that treachery will not profit those who might want to cash in on similar circumstances to spite the party and cash personal benefits in the long run.

“It is certain that these sell outs are not members of APC and we feel the party must weigh in now and discipline these betrayers.”

Owie, Agbaje

Also speaking, a former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Rowland Owie said: ‘’I congratulate my colleagues for making the legislative arm proud by the way they elected the new leaders of the red chamber.

“It is only in a democracy

that the legislative arm exists and that is what gives a government anywhere in the world democratic status.

“Therefore, responsible legislators all over the world must guard jealously the independence of the judiciary.

I congratulate distinguished Senator Saraki and distinguished Senator Ekweremadu on their elections.”

Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, said: ‘’The honourable members and distinguished Senators have clearly demonstrated that lawmakers need not be divided along party lines, when it comes to matters concerning the country’s interest and the people’s welfare.”

PARTNERSHIP: From left— Mr. Felix Ho, Operations Manager, Marine Offshore Services, MOS, Limited, Singapore; Mr. Elijah Odigie, Operations Manager; Mr. Goddy Oki, Executive Director; Chief Henry Ojogho, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, all of Broron Oil and Gas Limited; Mr. Sam Yeo, CEO, MOS; Mrs. Elizabeth Yeo, Director, MOS; and Mr. Jerimy Yeo, an official of MOS, at a partnership meeting in Lagos.

Osanebi, Delta Dep Speaker preaches selfless service

By Oboh Agbonkhese

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HE Deputy Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Friday Osanebi, has said the desire to serve the people must override any other sentiment in order to “build the Delta State of our dreams.”

Osanebi, who spoke during the inauguration of the 6th Delta Assembly, said since the elections were over, everyone must work as a team with the collective desire and objective of bringing about development and sustainable growth through the instrumentality of legislation.

He said: “I will support Mr. Speaker to provide the needed efficient and purposeful leadership in collaboration with other arms of government to positively impact on the lives of Deltans.

“God helping us, we will vigorously strive to foster a

cordial working relationship with the executive and the judiciary without compromising the independence of the legislature.”

Memorial

A

memorial service will be held in honour of late Helen Eke Eguabor at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Creek Road, Apapa, on Sunday June 14 by 8.30a.m.

Reception will follow at 5, Ladipo Oluwole, off Oduduwa Road, Apapa, G.R.A, Lagos.

A statement by the widower, Felix Ide Eguabor, described late Helen, who died on June 12, last year, as an uncommon mother and dutiful wife.

23-yr-old undergraduate wins Bi-Courtney’s competition

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23-year-old undergraduate, Miss Gbemi Shotade, has emerged winner of an online competition, MMA2KIARACE, as it came to a close in Lagos, with a ceremony at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two, MMA2, Lagos.

The Instagram-driven competition was sponsored by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, operator of MMA2 and co-sponsored by Kia Motors.

Over 2,000 people from different parts of the world took part in the monthlong competition.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 — 55

Wage total war against corruption, Bello charges Niger lawmakers

By Wole Mosadomi

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INNA—NIGER State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Bello, has charged the newly

inaugurated 8th state House of Assembly members to wage total war against corruption in order to move the state forward.

El-Rufa’i slashes number of Kaduna commissioners

By Agaju Madugba

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A D U N A — HARPING on the need to reduce the cost of governance, Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i, yesterday announced the reduction in the number of commissioners in the state from 23 to 13.

According to a statement

by El-Rufa’i’s Media Assistant, Samuel Aruwan, the governor will also place limits on the number of aides that the commissioners can have.

According to the statement, “El-Rufa’i has repeatedly stated that the Kaduna State government must direct more of its resources to delivering public services and as such, the move requires a reduction in the proportion

consumed by government.”

The statement announced the scrapping of the Ministry of Information, explaining that the functions of the ministry were being decentralised.

“Each ministry will henceforth have its own public relations unit attached to the office of its chief executive. The realignment of mandates has also resulted in the emergence of two new departments.

“The erstwhile Ministry of Lands, Survey and Country Planning is being moved to the Governor’s Office as a department.

“Similarly, the former Ministry of Rural and Community Development becomes a department in the Deputy Governor ’s Office,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, Marafa Guni has emerged Speaker of the state Assembly.

The governor who gave the charge while inaugurating the 8th Niger State House of Assembly in Minna, yesterday, said that it was the responsibility of the legislators to appropriate funds and carry out effective oversight functions but at the same time must fight corruption while discharging their official duties.

According to him “It is

pertinent to point out that the legislature needs to concentrate on its constitutional duties of law making, appropriation, exposing corruption and inefficiency in the management of public funds and oversight functions.

“The challenge before us is enormous and herculean but definitely surmountable. You must make effective laws, review them, repel where necessary and enact new ones, appropriate funds and carry out effective oversight functions so that good governance ethics can be enthroned to deliver campaign

promises to the people.”

The governor who was represented by his Deputy Ahmed Ketso also called on the legislators to personally contribute to the development of their areas by donating to projects in their constituencies as their personal contributions.

Marafa Guni was nominated by Mohammed Lokogoma from Wushishi constituency and seconded

by Bako Alfa representing Bida I constituency.

The speaker in his acceptance speech, promised to serve the House and people diligently and consscientiously.

OPENING : From left: District Sales Manager, Print and Personal Systems, Africa, HP, Mr Jean Panc-Pinto; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Lagos State, Mrs Nike Animashaun; and Commercial Channels Director, Middle East and Mediterranean Africa, HP, Mr Davis Rozzio during the opening of HP Technology Tour 2015, Held at Oriental Hotel, Lekki Lagos, yesterday. Photo by Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Why we insist on judicious administration of resources – ICPC

By Caleb Ayansina

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BUJA—THE Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, yesterday, said that it was cheaper to prosecute corruption through public enlightenment than prosecution of offenders.

The commission attributed the slow pace of development in the country to mismanagement of resources, adding that it will concentrate on public education to block corruption prone processes.

The Commissioner for Administration, ICPC, Mr Gad Bako, spoke when the commission received students of Hill Top Academy, Suleja, who were on an excursion to the commission to acquaint themselves with the mandates of the ICPC, in Abuja.

The students were taken thorough the mandate of the commission while each head of department and unit took time to explain their functions and the way to avoid falling into the wrong side of the law.

Bako said corruption had to do with attitude that people develop or emulate irrespective of their economic status.

CULT WARS: IG deploys special team to Kogi ...Assures transporters of safer highways

By Kingsley Omonobi

A

BUJA—THE Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, has assured transportation companies of police's determination to sustain the Safer High Ways initiative to complement the ban on police road blocks.

Arase, who gave the assurance, told transporters that the police have deployed massively to Kogi State as part of ongoing campaign to rid the country of criminal elements that include cultists, armed robbers and kidnappers.

Reacting to the robberies on transporters, he

said, “We have just deployed now to Kogi, we have been able to sanitize Edo and Ekiti, though we still have some problems in Kogi and Rivers, we are going to deploy to those areas to make sure that we are able to clear the areas.”

Arase, who spokewhen he received the Chief Executive Officer of the Young Shall Grow Transport Company, Chief Vincent Obianodo, who led a delegation of transporters to his office in Abuja, assured that apart from removing road blocks, the police will continue to keep the road safe through the Safer High Ways initiative and other patrol initiatives from the state commands.

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8TH SENATE—Senate Chamber during the inauguration of the 8th National Assembly in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

NASS LEADERSHIP: How Saraki, Dogara outfoxed APC leaders Continues from Page 5 Ekweremadu for the position of the Deputy Senate President and he was seconded by his kinsman, Senator-elect, Olaka Nwogu.

Senator Ndume was nominated for the same position, setting the stage for an epic battle that however, melted into an easy sail for Ekweremadu who won with 54 votes to 20. He becomes the first senator to be elected to the office three times and the first principal officer of the National Assembly in either House to be elected presiding officer three straight times.

Saraki's victory paves way for Dogara The defeat of the official APC candidates immediately translated into a bounce for Dogara who had formed a partnership with Saraki in the rebellion against the official candidates of the party. The election of Saraki as the Senate President prompted wild jubilation on the floor of the House of Representatives, especially among the supporters of Dogara.

Hon. Emeka Azubugu (Anambra PDP) brought the news at exactly 10.19 a.m. and Pat Asadu, (Enugu PDP) walked and signalled the victory of Saraki to the members.

Amid the jubilations, members began to sing solidarity songs like “All we are saying, give us Dogara”, “solidarity forever, we shall always fight for our rights”. The

songs later gave way to shouts of “Dogara, Dogara”, in unison.

But the chants changed when Femi Gbajabiamila rushed in into the chamber from the ICC at 11.00 a.m. apparently to undercut a unanimous vote for Dogara.

His entry also led to a chorus of his name by his supporters. While his fans shouted “Sai Gbajabiamila”, Dogara’s supporters in a surprise response loudly re-echoed “Sai Dogara”, meaning “It is Dogara”.

The mother of all chants, however, came when Dogara walked into the chamber at 11:12 a.m. But feeling provoked, Gbajabiamila’s supporters joined the fray in the chants, showing a clear division of the camps.

This continued until 11:58 a.m. when the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Maikasuwa came into the chamber and introduced himself as the clerk It took about 30 minutes for the house to get ready for the election. At exactly 12:33, the House was called to order with the clerk reading the proclamation letter from President Buhari.

Following the letter, the roll call of members-elect was taken and it lasted for 25 minutes between 12:35 pm and 1:pm in alphabetical order of the states. In the end, 358 members were announced by the clerk to be present.

Motion for nomination of candidates In line with Section 60

of the 1999 constitution and Order 2, Rule 4 of the standing rule of the House, Hon. Abdulmumin Jubrin from Kano State nominated Dogara as a candidate for the speakership. The motion was seconded by Hon. Dike Okafor, a member from Imo State.

Thereafter, Dogara stood up and acknowledged the nomination. He said: “I rise to accept my nomination as the speaker of the 8th House of Representatives”.

His acceptance was greeted with standing ovation by his supporters, prompting shouts of “unopposed”. When this died down, Hon. Mohammadu Saleh from Bauchi State also moved another motion, nominating Gbajabiamila.

The motion was also seconded by Hon. Shuaibu Philip from Edo State.

“It is with great humbly and profound gratitude that I accept my nomination for the speakership position of the 8th House Of Representatives”, he said.

With the rituals concluded at exactly 1:21pm, the clerk later said “We are proceeding with the election and according to the rule. The election will be by secret balloting.”

Voting formally commenced at 1:27 pm and ended at exactly 3:31 pm with sorting and collation of results commencing almost immediately. In the end, Dogara was announced the winner with 182 votes to 174 votes.

Gbajabiamila embraces Dogara Sensing that he had lost the election even before the results were announced, Gbajabiamila stood up from his seat, walked up to where Dogara sat and embraced him, a development that was admired by many members of the House.

Following his election, Dogara pledged to join the administration in waging war against the cancer of corruption, health problems, insecurity, bad governance among others. Hon. Lasun from Oyo State was also returned as Deputy Speaker having defeated Monguno from Borno State. The developments in the Senate and the House of Representatives drew different reactions from the PDP and the APC last night.

APC rejects outcomes, says it's treachery The APC was quick to reject the outcome describing it as the height of treachery as it promised to sanction those who betrayed the decision of the party.

"Senator Bukola and Hon. Dogara are not the candidates of the APC and a majority of its National Assembly members-elect for the positions of Senate President and House Speaker. The party duly met and conducted a straw poll and clear candidates emerged for the posts of Senate President, Deputy Senate

President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, supported by a majority of all Senators-elect and members-elect of the House of Representatives.

All National Assembly members-elect who emerged on the platform of the party are bound by that decision. ‘’The party is supreme and its interest is superior to that of its individual members,’’ the party said in a statement issued in Abuja Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

"Consequently, the APC leadership is meeting in a bid to reestablish discipline in the party and to mete out the necessary sanctions to all those involved in what is nothing but a monumental act of indiscipline and betrayal to subject the party to ridicule and create obstacles for the new administration ‘’ it said. ‘’There can be no higher level of treachery, disloyalty and insincerity within any party,’’ the party said, vowing to resolve the matter using all constitutional and legal means available to it.

Meanwhile, the APC has asked all its loyal Senators-elect to report to the Senate to be sworn-in in order to discharge their constitutional duties.

PDP welcomes election The PDP in its own reaction, however, welcomed the election saying that no section of the country should be neglected on national issues.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh in a statement on Tuesday described the development in both chambers of the National Assembly as “victory for democracy and triumph of the time-honored value of the PDP that every zone and segment of the country must at all times be given a sense of belonging in governance”.

The PDP assured that it would continue to partner with like minds in other political parties and groups to ensure that the nation’s democracy, which it nurtured in the last 16 years is sustained in the overall interest of the Nigerian people.

“What is paramount to the PDP is the sustenance of our democracy and the wellbeing of our people, irrespective of creed, class or ethnicity. The PDP is therefore willing and ready to partner with likeminded individuals in other political parties and groups to sustain our

democracy, ensure good governance and promote the unity and stability of our dear nation. Nigeria as a nation belongs to all of us. Its interest, therefore, must be put over and above personal, partisan or group interests at all times.

“In this regard, the PDP notes with gratitude, the immense contributions of the immediate past Senate President ‘the Baba of the National Assembly ’, Senator David Mark for the decency and mature manner with which he ensured the smooth take off of the 8th National Assembly”, the party said.

The statement also commended the PDP Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus for successfully galvanizing PDP members in both chambers of the National Assembly, which contributed to the peaceful conduct of the elections.

The PDP charged its members in the National Assembly to continue to uphold the tenets of democracy and enforce the constitutionally vested parliamentary role of check and balances to ensure the much desired accountability and probity in the polity.

Finally, it urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop whining and accept the will of the people, respect the independence of the legislature, as the PDP is not responsible for their naivety and crass inexperience.

Buhari lauds outcome of NASS polls President Buhari on his part noted the outcome of the just-concluded election of leaders of the National Assembly.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Femi Adesina, said the President would rather that the process of electing the leaders as initiated and concluded by the All Progressives Congress (APC) had been followed.

Nonetheless, the President took the view that a constitutional process has somewhat occurred.

“President Buhari had said in an earlier statement that he did not have any preferred candidate for the Senate and the House of Representatives, and that he was willing to work with whoever the lawmakers elected,” Adesina said. “That sentiment still stands, though he would have preferred the new leaders to have emerged through the process established by the party”.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 , 2015 — 57

UN expects more than 100,000 migrants in Europe

Burundi's president declares third term ‘non-negotiable’ B

U R U N D I ’ s government has defied opposition demands for President Pierre Nkurunziza to end a third-term bid for power, as the UN warned the country risked being “catapulted” back into civil war.

“This decision is non negotiable,” Philippe Nzobonariba, a government spokesman, said on yesterday.

Nkurunziza’s opponents say his candidacy is unconstitutional and goes against the 2006 Arusha peace deal that ended 13 years of civil war.

About 40 people have died and scores more have been injured in protests that began when Nkurunziza announced in late April that he would stand again, after Burundi’s constitutional court gave him the green light.

The president survived a coup attempt last month and has since faced down

President Pierre Nkurunziza international pressure, including aid cuts, aimed at forcing him to reconsider.

The opposition has rejected proposals for the new election timetable, saying conditions for holding fair polls were not met.

“If things remain as they are, we consider that it will be a masquerade, a parody of elections,” Charles

Nditije, an opposition leader, told the AFP news agency late on Monday,

demanding the setting up of a new independent electoral commission.

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ORE than 100,000 migrants made the perilous crossing over the Mediterranean to Europe this year, the United Nations said yesterday, reporting a huge spike in arrivals that will add to Europe’s migration worries.

The immigration crisis is a burning issue for EU governments with member states trying to put in place ways of tackling human trafficking, while arguing over how to share the burden of the tide of people arriving on the continent’s shores.

Since January, 103,000 refugees and migrants have risked their lives often on flimsy boats to reach Europe, the UN refugee agency said.

UNHCR “is stepping up its presence in Greece and in southern Italy in response to the dramatic increase in numbers of ref-

ugees and migrants who we have been seeing arriving,” spokesman Adrian Edwards told journalists in Geneva.

A frantic weekend of rescues saw nearly 6,000 people, most of them subSaharan Africans, pulled to safety from packed fishing boats and rubber dinghies off Libya, and taken to Italy, bringing the year’s total of new arrivals in the country to 54,000.

Pregnant women and children were among those picked up in the weekend’s major international rescue operation, coordinated by the Italian Coast Guard, Edwards said.

While the numbers arriving in Italy mark about a 10-percent increase on the same period last year, the situation in neighbouring Greece has worsened dramatically.

Gambia’s Jammeh wants ICC to investigate migrant deaths

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AMBIAN President Yahya Jammeh has called for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the deaths of African migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean by

boat to Europe.

Nearly 2,000 migrants had died by early May, according to the International Organization for Migration, with about 800 killed in a single shipwreck in

April.

Many thousands have reached southern Europe by the sea route. Gambia, with a population of only 1.9 million, is one of the leading countries of origin of the migrants.

“We have a right to call the ICC to investigate not only cases of Gambians but the case of thousands of African young people who have died on the European coast under unusual circumstances,” Jammeh said.

•Yahya Jammeh Jammeh, who met visiting ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda at the weekend, did not say who should be investigated or for what crimes.

EU envoy complies with Gambia’s expulsion order

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HE EU representative in the Gambia has left the country under an expulsion order which drew criticism from opposition politicians and left Brussels “astonished”, an airport source said yesterday.

A member of the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority told AFP he saw the envoy Agnes Guillaud at Banjul International Airport on Monday night.

“Madam Guillaud

boarded (Brussels Airlines) on Monday night for Belgium. She passed through the VIP entrance to go to the flight,” the source said.

Guillaud, the charge d’affaires of the European Union delegation in the capital Banjul, was on Friday given 72 hours to leave the country, according to a government statement read out on state television.

Eritrea denounces U.N. human rights findings

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ritrea yesterday dis missed what it called “indecent hyperbole” in a U.N. human rights report that described alleged extrajudicial killings, torture and sexual slavery in the secretive Horn of Africa state.

Suggestions the Asmara government had committed gross human rights violations against

its own people was “totally unfounded and without merit,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

“Clearly, the resort to extreme charges and indecent hyperbole, including cynical and unwarranted reference to ‘possible crimes against humanity,’ is intended to forestall a sober reflection on the realities in Eritrea,” it said.

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Keshi: We won’t handle Chad with kid gloves T

HOUGH ranked 129 places below Nigeria (43) in the latest FIFA rankings, Super Eagles’ trainer, Stephen Keshi posited that Chad (172) would not be handled with kid’s gloves in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Gabon 2017 Group G opener scheduled for 13 June 2015 at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.

Reappointed last month after signing a two-year contract, this is Keshi’s third time on the job. He won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations on his first tenure but his contract was not renewed after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil where the Super Eagles failed to progress beyond the Round of 16.

He was later drafted on a match-by-match deal, which ended in November after failure to reach the finals of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, which took place in Equatorial Guinea few months ago.

Speaking further, Keshi admitted he’s now wiser since the Super Eagles’ humiliating 3-2 home loss to Congo in their 2015 AFCON qualifier opener, which largely contributed to their not being able to defend their crown in Equatorial Guinea.

On the upcoming fixtures, the 2013 African Coach of the Year, said the Super Eagles would have to work their luck in a campaign that also includes Egypt and Tanzania, adding that the rule of success for his new team is focus, unity and discipline.

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EAGLES' TACTICIANS. . . Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi (2nd L), Goalkeeper trainer, Ike Shorounmu (L), Assistant coach, Salisu Yusuf (2nd R) and Keshi’s assistant, Valerie Houdenmou \ready for the match against Chad.

Enrique extends Barcelona tenure L

UIS Enrique has confirmed he will stay on as head coach of treble winners Barcelona by signing a contract extension.

He is now committed to the club until the end of the 2016/17 campaign.

A degree of doubt had surrounded the future of the former Spain midfielder before Barcelona club president Josep Maria Bartomeu said on Tuesday that a deal due to expire next year had been increased by a further 12 months.

Enrique, who played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid before turning to coaching, led Barcelona to Champions League, Primera Division and Copa del Rey titles in the 2014/15

F/Eagles Continues from BP said he was not affected by the adverse weather conditions.

“I like playing under the cold because I last a lot longer. I don’t get tired easily. Once you get properly warmed up, you will be fine,” he said.

Skipper Musa Mohammed missed the session as he was at the dentist over a bad tooth ache.

“I feel a lot better now and I will be ready to play on Thursday,” Mohammed re-assured on his return from the dentist.

Team spirit was skyhigh as players sang on

F/Eagles will excel against Germany — Anyansi-Agwu

their way from training to their Rydges Hotel, which was completely rebuilt after it was partially destroyed during the February 2011 earthquake which killed 185 people.

The players’ confidence was further boosted when Nigerian residents in Christchurch treated them to local dishes of semovita and pounded yam with egusi soup.

The team’s final training will be at 1pm local time on Wednesday.

The match will kick off at 7.30 pm on Thursday, which is 8.30am in Nigeria.

season.

Barcelona stated on Twitter: “President Bartomeu has announced Luis Enrique’s contract extension for another season.”

Bartomeu was quoted as saying in a ‘state of the presidency’ address: “The treble symbolises more than any other thing, the unity of the Barcelona family.”

•Enrique

Chad arrives tomorrow

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

T

HE Chadian national team will arrive Nigeria tomorrow for the all important 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier with the Super Eagles of Nigeria billed to take place on Saturday at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.

General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr. Mohammed

Sanusi who revealed this in a chat with Sports Vanguard also said that the team will be arriving aboard an Air France aircraft.

According to him the NFF held a meeting with the Charge d’ Affairs of Chad who they informed the federation that the Chadian contingent will be arriving with their players and supporters.

“The Charge d’ Affairs of Chad came here on Monday and informed me

Okon Continues from BP sang Korede Bello’s song.

Meanwhile Sweden coach Pia Sundhage said she was unhappy with the draw that seem to have put her team in tight spot ahead of their game against the USA. .

“We’re not happy that we gave up three goals, however, at the end of the day we got one point and there are good things to bring to the

next game,” Sundhage said.

“The game plan was different than what you saw. Again, we got one point and next time, when we play the States, I hope we will follow the game plan.”

Nigeria face Australia in their next game on June 12 while Sweden will be eying their first win of the competition against former Champions, the United States of America.

that their contingent will arrive Nigeria on Thursday from France where they have been training. He told me that they will feel at home in Nigeria because it is like a second home for them. “I also assured him of the maximum support and hospitality of Nigerians and to feel free to demand for any assistance from us.

However I told him of the need for members of their supporters club to be of good behaviour just as we have always ensured that our

HAIRMAN of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu believes the Flying Eagles will triumph over Germany in their FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16 clash in Christchurch on Thursday, because the Nigerians have a good idea of how the Germans will play.

“The Flying Eagles know what to expect when they go in there against the Germans. Apart from having watched tapes of the German team in action in the group phase, our boys had their final training camp in Germany and played friendly matches against German teams, winning all three games.

“I am not in any way saying that the match will be easy. It is going to be tough, very tough. But I believe that knowing what to expect, the Flying Eagles’ technical crew and players will perfect their plans on how to get the better of the European champions.”

During their final training camp in Nurnberg, Manu Garba’s wards thumped FC Nurnberg’s second team 5-0, drilled Hoffenheim’s second team 5-2 and walloped Freiburg FC’s second team 4-1. own behaved well wherever they go.”

Sanusi also revealed that the Chadian team which is billed to head straight to Kaduna have been training in France for the past two weeks. The scribe also reassured Nigerians that the Super Eagles are poised for a total victory against Chad, adding that the NFF on its part has done its bit by ensuring that the players and their officials get all that they need to be on top of their game.

Ghana, Mali Continues from BP the third-placed playoff.

But Mali were without goalkeeper Djigui Diarra and star midfielder Adama Traore who plays for Ligue 1 side Lille.

Ghana also had goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Cagliari midfielder Godfred Donsah and defender Emmanuel Ntim absent.

Sellas Tetteh and his boys finished Group B leaders ahead of Austria, Panama and Argentina while Mali advanced as one of the best thirdplaced teams.

They were behind Group D winners Serbia and Uruguay.

Ghana are seeking to reach the last four for the second successive time but Mali will not be pushovers.

60— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

Hazard is worth more than Ronaldo C

HELSEA forward Eden Hazard would cost more to buy than Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo this summer, according to the latest report by the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) Football Observatory.

As part of a comprehensive study of players plying their trade in Europe’s top five leagues the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1 - the Belgium international was valued at between £99110million.

The PFA Player of the Year was second only to Lionel Messi, who is worth up to £207m, while Real Madrid forward Ronaldo completed the top three.

The research group applied a number of factors, including a player ’s age, the length of their contract and the level of their performance as well as taking into account their club’s results and achievements, to work out how much the player would

be worth in the transfer market.

This would explain why Ronaldo is valued at less than Hazard; the Belgium star is six years Ronaldo’s junior and has a contract at Chelsea until 2020 - two years longer than the Portugal international.

Meanwhile, Tottenham sensation Harry Kane, who enjoyed a standout season in which he scored 31 goals for the north London club, is valued higher than his former team-mate Gareth Bale.

Wales international Bale moved to Spanish giants Real Madrid in the summer of 2013 for a world-record £85m fee, but according to the study his value has dropped by half.

Bale has endured a difficult season in La Liga and is now valued at just £42m, while Kane, who has been linked with a £45m-plus switch to Manchester United this summer, is worth up to £44m.

...Kane has a higher value than Bale

Mourinho: I’ll complicate any Cech deal with Arsenal insisting that Arsène owner is the owner, he I can find a player that is the person with the I like in that team, too.”

J

OSÉ Mourinho has warned that he could complicate any attempt

by Arsenal to take Petr Cech to the Emirates by

Warner diverted funds for Haiti earthquake victims

J

ACK War ner, the embattled formerFIFA vice-president at the centre of corruption charges, faces a new slew of allegations as more details emerged of payments that were reportedly diverted to bank accounts he controlled.

In papers drawn up by US investigators and seen by the BBC, Warner is accused of diverting US$750,000 in emergency funds donated by FIFA and the Korean Football Association intended for victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

The BBC reports US investigators alleging the money went to accounts controlled by Warner, at “Warner’s direction” for his “personal use”.

Warner was arrested last month in Trinidad at the request of US authorities, and faces extradition on charges of corruption and money laundering.

In 2012, the Trinidad & Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) claimed that funds donated for Haiti were paid into a bank account controlled by

Warner. It said the money from Fifa ($250,000) and the South Korean FA ($500,000) was paid into a T TFF account it claimed only Warner – a special adviser to the federation – controlled.

At the time, Warner said the allegations were a conspiracy: “I have nothing to answer to anybody. Who wants to make allegations, make allegations.” Fifa froze its funding to the TTFF. Warner has continued to deny any wrongdoing.

•Ronaldo

•Hazard

•Mourinho

Wenger send a player to Stamford Bridge in return.

Mourinho accepts that his employer, Roman Abramovich, can grant Cech permission to move to any club the goalkeeper wishes as a reward for a decade of service at Chelsea – and Cech this week hinted at a preference for Arsenal by intimating he would like to remain in London – but the manager added with a mischievous smile that he could still add a twist to any deal that Arsenal hope to do.

“My answer is not important because the

perspective I admire a lot, respect a lot,” said Mourinho. “He respects a lot of people who do important things for him. Since 2004 to 201415, Cech has had 10 years of success with the club, 10 years of unbelievable behaviour. I will have to accept any decision that the owner has.

I’m different. I have the same respect for Petr that everybody at the club has, but my answer [to a proposed move to Arsenal] would be: ‘No way.’ If the answer is different I will accept that. But at every club that is interested in Petr,

Mourinho added that he aims to recruit three players this summer to ensure his Premier League-winning team do not lose their appetite. He also expressed his satisfaction that none of his key men are likely to leave. “I think [the most important business] is done, which is to keep the players I want to keep. In other seasons I was very happy to sell a few players, even good players. This season I’m not happy to sell my best players so that is the real challenge to keep them.''

FIFA WWC: We're ready to face any team — Oparanozie

S

UPER Falcons strik er Desire Oparanozie said that the draw

against Sweden has embolden the team ahead of their other group D

Fighting Spirit... Super Falcons Desire Oparanozie gets the better of Sweden’s Sofia Jakobsson during their group D encounter of the FIFA Women World Cup.

matches.

Oparanozie, deflected in the first goal scored by the Swedes in their six goals thriller on Monday night. She stated that it was quite a relief the Super Falcons fought back and earned a precious point.

“This draw feels like a win. After today, we are ready to take on any team.

“We are not afraid to face anyone. We are ready.” said Oparanozie.

She was able to put the unfortunate feeling of that first-half own goal behind her as she set up Ngozi Okobi for Nigeria’s first goal.

“There’s no word to explain this feeling. It’s a great feeling. Having gone down two goals and having come back to level it is quite tremendous. We feel very happy.”

She added that the Nigerian support in the stands never faltered and it was a motivating factor for their fight back.

“It really did help,” Nigeria’s No9 explained. “It motivated us a whole lot. It was a good thing knowing that the crowd was behind us.

They wanted to see us score; they wanted to see us do more. That really made us push harder and give our all.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 — 61

Man Utd ‘approach Madrid for Bale, Ronaldo’

M

ANCHESTER United have made inquires about Gareth Bale and Ronaldo.

The news is reported

by Spanish paper AS, which claims that Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane are the other two Real stars.

Real Madrid reportedly replied to the query over the four players’ availability with one simple word: No. Bale and Ronaldo have long been linked with possible moves to Old Trafford, with speculation intensifying over the past few months as Bale’s lacklustre performances resulted in him getting booed regularly

by Real Madrid fans.

But despite Real’s trophyless season - their first since 2009-10 - the Madrid giants apparently have no plans to break up their famous “BBC” trio. Indeed, AS’s report claims that Real would demand the full release clause value for either player: an astonishing 1 billion!

AS does suggest that a

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deal could go through for Benzema, however, which tallies with reports that the French striker who was just ninth on the Liga scoring table this season - is a possible makeweight for Real to sign Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero.

•Bale

AFCON 2017 qualifiers: We need to have winning mentality, Onazi tells Eagles

S

UPER Eagles mid fielder, Ogenyi Onazi has told his teammates to imbibe a winning mentality as they resume the chase for continental soccer glory with an African Nations Cup qualifier against Chad on June 13.

Onazi was speaking against the background of dwindling performances by the Super Eagles, a development, which led to their ouster from the 2015 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea. “ We need to have a winning mentality. If we have a winning mentality, we won’t be losing our matches.

“This is what we must

imbibe in the team even the young ones coming into the team should have this in mind,” said the Lazio of Italy player.

He also enjoined the national under-20 team doing battle in the FIFA world cup in New Zealand to rise up their game and stake a claim in the Super Eagles.

“The Flying Eagles team that is currently playing at the U20 World Cup in New Zealand is a very strong team “Personally I speak to some of the players of the U20 national team and the ones I know are Taiwo Awoniyi, Dele Alampasu and others.''

62 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 — 63

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

Okon sings ‘Godwin’ after Falcons’ draw with Sweden

S

UPER Falcons coach Edwin Okon was all praises to God for his team’s fight back against Sweden in

F/Eagles battle cold ahead of Germany ‘war’

their opening match of the FIFA Women World Cup in Winnipeg Canada.

The Falcons came from behind three times to earn a valuable point and a chance to move to second round by snatching a draw from the fifth ranked team in the world.

“Prayer is the key for the Nigerian team. We praise God. That is the

key. I thought in the first half we were the stronger team.”

“I feel OK after our first match. They expected to win, and at the end of the day we got a draw. Everything that happens ‘’na Godwin’’ an overjoyed Okon Continues on Page 59

Top stories inside

Kick-off: 8.30 a.m (Thursday) Ghana, Mali in African battle

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HANA face plucky Mali in an all-West African last 16 clash at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Wellington today.

It will be the third meeting between the two sides this year after both sides won one each at the 2015 CAF African U-20 Championship.

Les Aiglons won 1-0 during the Group stage and the Black Satellites avenged that defeat with a 3-1 scoreline in Continues on Page 59

•Enrique extends Barcelona tenure

F

LYING Eagles had to battle the cold and wind for their first training at the Ferrymead Park ahead of Thursday’s U-20 World Cup Round of 16 clash against Germany.

Tuesday night’s training was under floodlights under a cold weather with a strong wind. The temperature was put at a “ warm” 16 degrees, but locals warned that it will be much colder on match day as forecasts say it will be between 10-0 degrees then.

However, full-back Mustapha Abdullahi

Continues on Page 59

•Mourinho: I'll complicate any Cech deal with Arsenal •Hazard is worth more than Ronaldo •Man Utd 'approach Madrid for Bale, Ronaldo' CELEBRATION - Super Falcons players and their coaches celebrate after pulling a 3-3 draw with Sweden on Monday.

Keshi: We won’t handle Chad with kid gloves — P.59

•Warner diverted funds for Haiti earthquake victims

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

DOWN ACROSS 1 Under (5) 2 Expel (5) 2 Stray (3) 7 Carry (4) 3 Epoch (3) 8 Mysterious (6) 4 Child (3) 9 Respond (5) 5 Deed (3) 11Turf (3) 6 Beg (5) 13 Rotter (3) 10 Fashionable (4) 15 Pitcher (4) 11 Obtained (7) 16 Man’s (3) 12 Erased (7) 18 Cipher (4) 13 Tree (7) 19 Division (7) 14 Postponed (7) 20 Employed (4) 22 Prima-donna (4) 16 Barrier (5) 17 Brace (5) 23 Thrilled (7) 18 Fish (3) 25 Paradise (4) 21 Noise (3) 27 Fish (3) 24 Departed (4) 28 Lake (4) 26 Dullard (5) 30 Defective (3) 29 Rascal (5) 31 Wand (3) 32 Snoop (3) 33 Strict (5) 33 Fixed (3) 36 Scanty (6) 34 Self (3) 37 Adjoin (4) 35 Sleep (3) 38 Company (5)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Drama 5, Father 8, Elder 10, Needle 11, Earn 14, Ermine 15, Shallow 16, Men 19, Tan 21, Deal 23, Began 24, Vote 27, Dot 29, End 31, Nunnery 32, Rancid 34, Done 35, Alight 38, Allot 39, Extend 40, Tease.

DOWN: 2, Roe 3, Meddle 4, Ail 5, Free 6, Termed 7, Reveal 9, Demoted 12, Arm 13, Nine 16, Hero 17, Wagon 20, Natural 22, Aver 24, Virile 25, Tend 26, Encode 28, Incite 30, Din 33, Dead 36, Lot 37, His.

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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