CONFAB: Protest as c'ttee raises derivation to 18%

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62183

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THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

FIFA suspends Nigeria

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CONFAB: Protest, as c'ttee

raises derivation to 18% •Elders Committee also okays 5% for exploration •Delegates bicker over 5% allocation to insurgency areas •Falae, Okon, Uwazurike, Rasaki, Bakare, Umeh, CSOs, others kick

BY HENRY UMORU, LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU & JOSEPH ERUNKE BUJA—THERE were protests on the floor of the National Conference, yesterday, as the Elders’ Committee raised the 13 per cent derivation to 18 per cent. In their harmonized position, the committee, which has elder statesmen as members also recommended five per cent of federal revenue for exploration and development of all mineral resources, as against Continues on page 5

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Activist lawyer, Aturu dies at 49 •Pgs.14&16

Mr & Mrs NEW MINISTERS—From left, Science and Technology Minister, Alhaji Ahmed Gulama; Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Dr. Steve Oru; Minister of State, Works, Barr. Adebayo Adeyeye and Minister of Education, Alhaji Ahmed Shekarau, taking oath as ministers in the Federal Cabinet before Presidernt Goodluck Jonathan at the opening of the Federal Executive Council Meeting at Aso Chambers, State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

COLUMNISTS:

Thoughts and ideas 2014: Shall we Changing dynamics ever get there? for Kwara State's liberation •P.17 of state creation •P.19 •P.19

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INSURGENCY: Army finds links to politicians in Boko Haram base 8

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POCKET CARTOON

BOOK LAUNCH—From left: Chief Executive Officer, Avon Medical Services Limited, Dr. Awele Elumelu; former United States Secretary of State, Mrs. Hillary Clinton; Chairman, Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elemelu and Foundation Advisory Board, Lynn de Rothschild, at the official release of Clinton's book "Hard Choices" in London, recently.

CONFAB: Protest as c'ttee raises derivation to 18% Continues from page 1 the present 4.5 per cent and that 50% of money allocated to each state on derivation must go directly to the communities from which the mineral resources are extracted.

The committee also recommended that five per cent of federal revenue should go for the rehabilitation, stabilization and reconstruction of areas affected by insurgency in the North-East, NorthWest and North-Central geo-political zones.

However, the recommendations did not go down well with delegates, especially the recommendation that five per cent be set aside for the reha-

bilitation, stabilization and construction of areas affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in the North. This came amid a looming crisis as delegates reconvene today to vote on recommendations of the Committee on Devolution of Powers with delegates shouting their rejection and threatening to scuttle the conference.

To avert uproar from delegates after the presentation of the Devolution of Powers Committee report led by Obong Victor Attah and former Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Coomasie, the conference on Tuesday raised the elders’ committee to three

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Malcolm Forbes said: ‘The biggest mistake people make in life is not trying to make a living at what they enjoy.’ As a result, they simply endure their working lives instead of making the most of it.

They live for the weekends. They try to hang on until retirement. That’s a shame, because your chance of success is directly proportional to the degree of pleasure you derive from what you do.’

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us — Socrates When you’re truly at your edge, do not take unnecessary risks. You’re already at your edge so there is no need to compound it. As you approach the edge, pay attention to your body and mind. Are you going too far? Do you feel fatigued? Ask yourself if you’re really committed to this level of edginess. If you’re not, pull back. At this point, pushing yourself to keep going is just ego creation and is harmful to the self.

Beware of artificial pride keeping you on the edge.

Do you know you should pull back but you’re too proud to do so? Is fear keeping you frozen on the edge? Leave Out Expectations!

Likewise, make sure that going to your edge is not something you’re doing to feed your ego. You don’t go to your edge in order to get a certain outcome, because lots of time when we’re at the edge, the outcome isn’t what we expected.

delegates each from the six geo-political zones.

The panel was enlarged, yesterday, following protest by delegates on the platform of Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, Organized Labour, Women groups and professional bodies, among others, to deliberate on contentious issues.

Members of the elders’ panel are Bashir Dalhatu; Dr. Fatima Lami Adamu; IGP Ibrahim Coomasie for North West Zone; Mohammed Kumalia; Kashim Imam; Adamu Maina Waziri for North East; Senator Iyorchia Ayu; Prof.

Ibrahim Gambari; Prof. Jerry Gana for North Central; Gen. Alani Akinrinade and Dr. Kunle Olajide for South West.

Others are Chief Edwin Clark, Chief Raymond Dokpesi and Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga for South-South; Gen. Ike Nwachukwu; Prof. Anya O. Anya and Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife for South East.

How the report was presented

Slated for discussion as Item 4 b on the Order paper, yesterday, was continuation of discussion of Committee on Devolution of Powers. At exactly 9.32 a.m. after the adoption of Tuesday’s votes and proceedings, the Chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi, who told delegates that they could not take the devolution of powers because the leaders from the zones were still meeting, said: “I am sure you are aware that your zonal leaders are still meeting and once they report to us, we go to the Committee on Devolution of Power.”

While waiting for the Elders, delegates moved to Item 4(C) which was on Modalities for the Im-

plementation of the decisions of the Conference and this lasted from 9.33 to about 2.45 pm when Gen. Ike Nwachukwu and others came in from the meeting on consensus.

Nwachukwu then told the house that a delegate on the platform of Elder statesmen category, Prof.

Ibrahim Gambari would read the position of the Elders Consensus Committee.

Gambari, who presented the report at 2.50 pm said: “I have the honour to present to this plenary the outcome of the consultation that was held in view to find the way forward and promote consensus on a very key issue that has capacity to divide this house and even, maybe, this country.

“Mr. Chairman, there was a big relief and high expectations at plenary, yesterday, when General Ike Nwachukwu announced that a group of delegates had been working to broker agreement on the issue of derivation and related matters because we all know how emotional the matter is and it has to be handled carefully.

“The group started with the leaders of six geopolitical zones and was later expanded to include the representatives of labour, employers association, women society and civil society. For two nights and two days, the group has been engaged in promoting consensus on the way forward with regard to derivation and related matters.

“After the two days and two nights here is what we arrived at: We arrived at this conclusions and in doing that among us, there have been shift of positions on the parts of the two positions already taken by our members in the spirit of compromise and putting Nigeria first and above the interest of our respective zones and constituencies, recognising that status quo is not sustainable. We have always felt that anytime we reduce our discussion to our village level, primordial level, state level, zonal level, we are likely to run into problem.

“Now one pole began with the position that was embodied in the recommendations of the committee on Devolution of Powers all the way from 13% to 15% to 17% and not less than 18%. Another position shifted from the high figure of 100%, 50% to 21.5% to 20% and finally to not less than 18% to be reviewed every 10 years.

“Therefore, this group adopted a position and to recommend to the plenary not less than 18% as the derivation formula but the group did not end there, as a package we propose two recommendations: One, for 5% revenue allocation to be made for solid minerals development; we know we are over-relying on oil and the time has come to pay

attention to other resources throughout the country.

“The second and perhaps much more urgent is that we have recommended a new fund to be established which we will call fund for stabilisation, rehabilitation and reconstruction, 5% of revenue allocation, principally for the North-East, NorthWest and the North Central.

“These recommendations, if endorsed, will be reflected in the Revenue Allocation Act. We have also recommended that what is happening now is not the problem of NorthEast but that of Nigeria but more dramatically in the North-East. We have also recommended broadly a safeguard and mechanism to ensure that monies go to those who need them most and to also enhance production of mineral resources that our country is endowed with.

“Finally, in reaching this conclusion, this group is only motivated by one thing which is just to provide an avenue to reach consensus rather than voting, we do not believe that voting will really move us forward.”

Rapid protests

After the presentation, there were shouts as delegates protested.

Members of the committee who picked holes in Gambari’s presentation said the five per cent for rehabilitation, stabilisation of and reconstruction of areas affected by insurgency was a national matter and not for Northern zones as presented by Gambari.

A host of them said that Gambari betrayed the people with a northern agenda.

We will ask for 25% derivation — Okon

Delegates like Senator Aniete Okon, who is representing Akwa Ibom State who were not happy with the recommendation threatened that the recommendation of five per cent to the North on insurgency must be jettisoned or the South will ask for 25% derivation.

5% is discriminatory —Umeh

All Progressives Grand Alliance chieftain, Chief

Victor Umeh, who described the 5% as discriminatory, said that it should be for the entire country and not the North alone, adding that the South East people have not been compensated since the civil war ended.

They want us to use violence — Bakare

Also condemning the recommendation, a South-West delegate, Pastor Tunde Bakare said, “What they are saying now is that all of us should go and do insurgency to get what we want. In this arrangement, nothing for the South-East and SouthWest, it is not acceptable.

It’s deceitful —Uwazurike

Also reacting, President of Aka Ikenga, Chief Goddy Uwazurike said, “We the South-East delegates reject the recommendation of 5 % of the national fund to any section. It is uncalled for. This is very deceitful.”

Gambari veered off the written agreement—General Raji Rasaki

In his condemnation, a delegate on the platform of Retired Army, Navy and Air force Officers, RANAO, Gen. Raji Rasaki who noted that Prof.

Gambari veered off the written agreement, said, “I saw the written resolution of the committee saddled with consultation on this issue and from what I heard Gambari reading here, I could say that he veered off from what was agreed and written down."

Demand on how Southern govs spend 13% is insulting –Ozekhome

Also commenting on the recommendation, a Federal Government Delegate, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, said: ”Northern delegates have insulted our sensibilities by saying that South-South governors must tell them what they have done so far with the allocation they have received from the 13 percent derivation before they support any increment in derivation. Northern governors use their money to buy aircraft and flaunt them. How many southern governors have used their allocation to buy aircraft? There is a northern governor who bought his own air jet, flew it and crashed."

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

Ogun Police arrest 1,227 robbery suspects, others

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

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BEOKUTA — THE Ogun State Police Command said it had arrested 1,227 suspects for various crimes across the state in the last six months.

The command also disclosed that of all the suspects arrested, 157 were suspected robbers while others were arrested for cultism, murder, stealing, fraud among others.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, stated this, yesterday, while giving stewardship of the command between January and June.

Adejobi explained that the command had been able to arrest 26 suspected rapists, 57 cultists and killed 24 robbers within the period.

He also said the command had recovered 90 firearms and 390 ammunition, adding that 87 vehicles were recovered within the period under the review.

Banker arraigned for stealing customers' N3.2m

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS — A BANKER, Musari Ayodele, was yesterday docked before an Igbosere magistrate's court, in Lagos, for forgery, and stealing N3.2 million, belonging to customers of Skye Bank Plc, at Ikorodu branch.

Ayodele, 35, was arraigned before Magistrate O. Olanipekun.

The defendant, who resides at 2, Muba Abiru Street in Ebute area of Ikorodu, is facing a two-count charge of stealing and forgery preferred against him by the Police.

The defendant, who is a marketing supporting staff of the bank, was said to have committed the offence sometime in 2011.

The prosecutor, Innocent Odugbo, told the court that the defendant fraudulently withdrew N3,253,290 belonging to customers and converted same into his use.

The prosecutor also alleged that Ayodele forged the signature of one Ganiyu Moshood and withdrew N430,000 from his account.

Earlier, the defendant had pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.

How vulcaniser was killed, buried in shallow grave by herbalist

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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WKA—A NATIVE doctor, Nze Sunday Asika (alias Aboy Ekwensu) and another person, Mr. Uchenna Ibeh, were yesterday paraded by the Department of State Service, DSS, in Awka for killing one John Nwosu, a vulcanizer, from Ahiazu Mbaise in Imo State and burying him in a shallow grave at Nkpologwu in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Both Asika and Ibeh admitted that they killed the diseased, but disagreed on who masterminded the killing.

Asika told Vanguard at DSS headquarters in Awka that though he shot John to death, it was Ibeh that carried the body and buried him in the grave.

He said further that Ibeh threatened to kill him if he allowed John to go because John had not been giving them money brought by his brother in South Africa, adding that it was the same Ibeh that brought the gun he used.

Ibeh, however, said that he was only working for the native doctor as an electrician, but admitted that he was the person that took security operatives to the place where John was buried.

Charm for business to flourish

Anambra State Director of DSS, Mr. Alex Okeiyi, told newsmen in Awka that the deceased was an intermediary between his brother residing in South Africa and the native doctor, who he (the deceased) approached to prepare a charm that would make it possible for his brother's business to flourish in South Africa.

Okeiyi said: "Nwosu's brother had sent him to the native doctor for a charm to make his business in South Africa flourish, but the charm seemed not to be effective as his brother in South Africa was still having problems with his

business.

"This forced his brother, John, to demand refund of the N500,000 he said he paid for the charm and this was his mission to the house of the native doctor. There, the native doctor and Ibeh lured him out of the native doctor's house at about 8pm and murdered him.

"Asika shot him with a gun and they buried him in a sitting position in a shallow grave they prepared earlier.

Victim buried in shallow grave

"Ibeh confessed the native doctor had asked the deceased to stay back for a sacrifice on the fateful night, only for him to shoot him to death and he (Ibeh) buried the victim in an already dug pit and they headed to an unknown destination.

"Thereafter, the native doctor ordered the dismantling of the deceased's motorcycle and used the parts to repair his faulty CG motorcycle with number plate, Enugu QP 782 UWH, and threw the dismantled motorcycle into a stream to obliterate evidence that would show that the deceased visited the native doctor."

According to Okeiyi, a homicide team from the Anambra State Police Command led by a pathologist exhumed the remains of the deceased in the shallow grave at Nkpologwu in Aguata Local Government Area.

He said the native doctor has been a terror in his Nkpologwu community, adding that available information indicates that he has been providing spiritual protection to high profile criminals in Anambra and other neighbouring states.

Wife of the deceased, Mrs. Ndidi Nwosu, a mother of three, said she was three months pregnant when her husband disappeared, adding that when the native doctor was suspected of

The suspects being responsible for the death, many people warned her to be careful because the man was very dangerous.

Mrs Nwosu said she had been going through hardship since the

2 policemen docked for stealing N30m from Oba’s palace

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS — TWO policemen, who used to provide security at the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu's palace were, yesterday, arraigned before a Lagos magistrate's court sitting at Igbosere for allegedly stealing N30 million.

The policemen are Victor Ikudehin, 34 and Philip Hunsa, 34.

The defendants, who are standing trial before Magistrate

Man kills elder brother during family sqabble

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BY IKE UCHECHUKWU

ALABAR— A 29-year-old man, Udo Nya, has been arrested in the ancient city of Calabar, the Cross River State capital for stabbing his elder brother, Ekpeyong, to death with a knife over a minor family squabble.

An eyewitness had it that the incident which started at their 27, Beecroft Street, Calabar residence took the assailant to a barber's shop at Efut Street where the deceased was later allegedly hacked to death.

A source, who preferred anonymity, told Vanguard that the fight started when Ekpeyong

returned from his base and learnt that Udo had incessantly been assaulting their mother, unknown to him the brother was still nursing a grudge.

The source said: "Some years ago, the assailant was stabbed by the deceased because of assault on their mother, but he (Udo) had since vowed to retaliate. The opportunity, however, came for him Friday night when the brother pummeled him for his misbehaviour.

"Udo who is now at large did not hesitate to hack his brother down with a knife. He died on the way to the hospital."

murder of her husband, adding that it was members of her church, neighbours and relations that had been assisting her and her children.

The landlord of the house, Mr. Okokon Asako Inyang, who spoke with Vanguard said he was not at home when the incident took place but confirmed that the deceased came to visit their mother when he was allegedly killed by his brother.

His words: "I was not at home when it happened, I came back to meet a crowd in front of my house and my wife told me everything that happened between Udo and Ekpeyong."

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Hogan Bassey, confirmed the incident to Vanguard, adding that it is still under investigation.

Helen Omisore, are facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing.

The Police prosecutor, Superintendent of Police, SP Charles Odii, told the court that the duo committed the offence between March 2012 and March 28, 2014.

He said the incident took place at the Oba’s Palace in Iduganran at Lagos Island of the state.

Odii said the money that was stolen belongs to His Royal Highness, Oba Rilwan Akiolu.

The prosecutor further said the policemen conspired to steal the said amount, adding that they also did not prevent one teenager (names withheld) from committing the offence.

According to the prosecutor, the offences are punishable under Section 409, 285 (7) and 408, of the Criminal Laws of Lagos state of Nigeria, 2011.

Sections 285 prescribes three years imprisonment, for any offender, if found guilty.

Earlier, the defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

However, Magistrate Helen Omisore granted the defendants bail in the sum of N250,000 each with two responsible sureties each in like sum.

She adjourned the matter till July 31.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014 — 7

Robbers kill 2 policemen, cart away money in 3 ATMs

BY TONY EDIKE

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NUGU— ARMED robbers, last weekend, attacked a bank branch in the premises of University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, carting away millions of naira from the bank’s Automated Teller Machines, ATMs. It was gathered that two policemen on duty that night were killed while the private guards were bound and locked up inside the strongroom in the bank.

But a lady, who was in the company of the private security guards at the time of the robbery, sustained gunshot wounds.

The incident which occurred barely one month after a similar robbery attack on another bank branch on the campus, Vanguard gathered, has generated anxiety among residents of the university community.

Sources said the dare-devil robbers took advantage of the downpour on Friday night to launch the attack.

Said the source: “The robbers came in the middle of the night and shot the two policemen. One of them died on the spot while the other died on the way to hospital.

“After that, they ordered the other guards into the strongroom and tied them together. With this, they operated without hinderance and succeeded in removing the three ATMs. “We also learnt that a girlfriend of one of the security men was equally shot. They are believed to be the gang behind the attack on a nearby bank one month ago. It is a strange development because we have not witnessed such criminal activity on the campus.”

Three big holes from where the ATMs were removed by the gang were seen when Vanguard visited the bank, yesterday.

The machines were said to have been fully loaded with cash ahead of the weekend withdrawals by customers and this may have attracted the bandits who reportedly spent sometime in the bank with-

out being challenged.

Contacted, spokesman of the Enugu State Police Command, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the robbery but said detectives had swung into action to unravel what actually happened that night.

Urging residents of the state

to remain calm, the police spokesman said the police were on top of the situation.

“We are handling the incident as effort is on to unravel the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident,” Amaraizu stated.

Vanguard learnt that the po-

Ondo monarch docked over allleged forgery

lice are looking at the possibility of insider involvement more so when security guards manning the main gate of the university that night could not give a clear explanation of how the gang members came into the campus and how they left without being confronted.

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE— A chief mag istrate's court sitting in Ore, Odigbo council area of Ondo State has ordered that a traditional ruler, Oba Pius Akinfesola Adewola, be remanded in prison custody for not meeting his bail conditions.

The Oba, who is the Akamuja of Igburowo land, was charged to court on a four-count charge of stealing, impersonation, fraud and forgery.

According to the charge sheet, the monarch and others at large allegedly committed the offence in Igburowo between 2004 and 2014.

He was also accused of stealing N16.1 million, property of Idowu Adegunloye, Akinsebi Modesayo, Celina, Ariyo and Adebayo Adewola.

Other charges preferred against the monarch include that (Oba Adewola) at the same time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did fraudulently convert the aforementioned amount of money and forged the signatures of persons who he claimed to be workers of Odigbo Local Government and allegedly collected their monthly salaries in the Local Government.

Some equipment used for illegal broadcasting within Onitsha and Awka recently seized by the Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC), Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN

2 die, 15 injured in Ebonyi auto crash A

BY PETER OKUTU

BAKALIKI — TWO per sons yesterday died while 15 others sustained injuries following an accident that occurred along Enugu-Abakaliki expressway.

Acting Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Ebonyi State Com-

mand, Mr. Elemchi Ibekwe, who confirmed the incident, said both drivers (names witheld) of Enugu Transport Company, ENTRACO and EMEM Mass Transit involved in the accident, lost their lives.

Ibekwe said of the 17 passengers involved in the fatal accident, 15 were seriously injured

Collaping ceiling of a classroom at Government Day Junior Secondary School (GDJSS) in Gubi, Bauchi State, where students are writing their third term examination, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

and are currently receiving treatment at Felix Memorial Hospital, Abakaliki and Christ the King Hospital, Abakaliki.

The FRSC official, who attributed the road crash to overspeeding and dangerous driving added that the accident might not have occurred if the two drivers had exercised patience and considered the risk involved in such dangerous overtaking.

Vanguard learnt that the two vehicles involved in the accident were a Toyota bus with number plate, AFK 195 AA belonging to EMEM and another bus with number plate, XH 759 KTU, belonging to ENTRACO Mass Transit.

According to him, "yesterday being July 8, 2014 at about 03.30 pm along Ezillo farm axis of the Enugu-Abakaliki express road, our team at Nkalagu unit command on patrol got a distress call that a Toyota bus belonging to ENTRACO and another bus belonging to EMEM Mass Transit had a head-on collision and immediately they rushed to the scene of the accident and were able to rescue some of the

victims.

“From their report, the two drivers died on the spot while 15 passengers, who sustained various degrees of injury, were rushed to the Felix Memorial Hospital and Christ the King Hospital, Abakaliki.

"From the observation of our men, they attributed the accident to dangerous driving by the drivers. Seventeen persons were involved in the accident, 13 males and four females; unfortunately the two drivers died."

Ibekwe regretted that while the commission took the injured victims to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki for treatment, they were rejected following the national industrial action embarked by the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA. He added that his men had to rush the victims to private hospitals to enable them save the lives of the victims who were in critical condition.

When Vanguard visited the hospital in Abakaliki where four of the accident victims are currently receiving treatment, it was observed that the bus conductors, Mr. Ndubuisi Onuoha and Stephen Nwankwuda, were in critical condition.

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

SAFE SCHOOL: President Goodluck Jonathan (5th right), at the inauguration of the Presidential Committee on Safe School Initiative in Abuja, yesterday. With him are (from left): Alhaji Mohammadu Sidi, Director-General, NEMA; Mr. Nyesom Wike, Minister of State, Education; Hajia Zainab Maina, Women Affairs Minister; Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Group; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Coordinator, Safe School Initiative, Nigeria; Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, Publisher, ThisDay Newspapers; Vice President Namadi Sambo; Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State; Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State and representatives of National Council of Women Society. STATE HOUSE PHOTO.

INSURGENCY: Army finds links to politicians in Balmo Forest zDSS describes BringBackOurgirls as franchise

BY EMMA UJAH, Abuja Bureau Chief

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BUJA—SOME prominent politicians are presently being interrogated following the discovery of their identity cards and other incriminating items when troops destroyed terrorists’ camp in Balmo Forest, Bauchi State last week.

The Coordinator of the National Information Centre, NIC, Mr. Mike Omeri, told newsmen in Abuja, yesterday: “Following the last successful operation carried out by security forces to dislodge terrorists from their forest bases in Darazo Local Government Area end of Balmo Forest, some politicians are currently being interrogated following the recovery of some sensitive registration cards and other materials of a prominent political party that were found in the possession of some of the suspects arrested.

“Those who are being interrogated are prominent politicians belonging to a frontline political party.

Troops even recovered the identity cards of some of the politicians.”

He, however, declined to mention any particular party.

Faults pro-Chibok girls groups

Omeri, who has been coordinating information regarding the efforts towards finding the Chibok schoolgirls, decried the activities of some organisations and individuals

championing the cause of the abducted girls as, according to him, they were aiding insurgency in the country.

He said: “Some of these groups are augmenting and supplementing terrorists by their activities because they create diversion for security operatives from promptly responding to insurgent activities.”

Responding to a question, Army spokesman, Major General Chris Olukolade insisted that the military and other security agencies were getting results in their fight against terror.

He noted that the regular arrests of terrorists and their backers were indicative of such results which should be encouraging to all Nigerians.

He said: “Nigerians should be assured that there is hope of finding and bringing back the girls; there is hope that the terrorists will be defeated and good progress is being made.

“We told you earlier that over 250 sorties have been flown while President Goodluck Jonathan once announced that over 20,000 troops have been deployed.”

‘BringBackOurgirls deceives public’

Spokesperson for the Department of State Services, DSS, Mrs.

Marilyn Ogar, accused the BringBackOurGirls campaigners of turning the issue into a franchise.

She said: “BringBackOurGirls movement has become a franchise and security forces know what they are up to. If it is an ordinary movement seeking to pile pressure on government or security agencies to free these girls, there will be no need for the group to begin to have tags and insist that you must be registered.

“Security forces also know that they have bank accounts.

We also know that they want to simulate a protest march

inside Asokoro Extension in Abuja and claim that they were doing so inside Sambisa Forest, to be reported in some foreign media.

Getting security training

“We also know that they brought in some experts from outside the country to teach them how to beat security when they are demonstrating; to withstand police teargas and security operations. We are waiting to see when these things would work.

“We also know that they are dividing themselves into groups and zones giving

each other specific assignments.

“They were also paying courtesy calls to money bags to solicit support. It is getting very ridiculous, but we are still watching.

“There is no need to hire people to come and claim that they have children among the girls that were abducted. It has become a franchise or why would those involved in the movement decide to carry out smear campaign against certain government officials?

“If we have to fight for our rights, let us genuinely fight for our rights by being more transparent.”

Nigeria comes tops in global crude theft zLoses more than budgets of education, health

BY MICHAEL EBOH

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IGERIA has been listed as the country with the highest incidents of crude oil theft in the world, according to data released by Oilprice.com.

According to the website, with as much as 400,000 barrels of crude oil stolen daily, Nigeria is ranked worse than Mexico, Iraq, Russia and Indonesia on the top five countries most plagued by oil theft.

The report put Nigeria’s losses to crude theft at $1.7 billion, about N272 billion per month, representing 7.7

percent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP. The report said: “This represents 7.7 percent of Nigeria’s GDP vanishing, or more than the country spends on education and healthcare.

“These numbers paint a harsh picture about the inability of the Nigerian government and the multinational oil companies in Niger Delta, to do anything about this rampant theft.

“With oil theft hitting record levels in 2013, the G8 has been reminded of its 2000 pledge to help Nigeria solve this crippling problem.

“However, as the Global

Financial Initiative points out, ‘stolen Nigerian crude oil is transported on internationally registered vessels, sold to international buyers, processed by international oil refineries and paid for using international bank accounts’.

“With one group of thieves admitting to profits of nearly $7,000 a day from their illicit activities, it will take some doing to stop them.”

On Iraq, the report said there have been substantiated reports of complex networks taking thousands of barrels right from the refineries and selling them illegally to Iran and Syria.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014—9

Nyako to shun panel over method of invitation

BY SONI DANIEL, NORTHERN REGION EDITOR, BEN AGANDE & UMAR YUSUF

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S embattled Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State returns to Yola from Abuja today, there are indications that he might not honour the invitation of the seven-man probe panel, which has invited him to appear and answer to the allegations of misdeeds, as directed by the state House of Assembly.

He has, however, taken a crucial step towards appeasing aggrieved lawmakers, who have slammed an impeachment notice on him and his deputy, James Bala Ngilari.

As the impeachment moves against him thickened, the governor temporarily relocated to Abuja, the nation’s capital, to seek help.

He was reported to be at the Presidential Villa on Monday, Tuesday and yesterday for some engagements and also meet with President Goodluck Jonathan, who was once his party leader.

The panel, yesterday, pasted the notice of invitation to the governor and his deputy on the walls of the Government House, deeming it sufficient for the purpose of its assignment.

The two page document dated July 9 and signed by the secretary of the panel under the seal of the chairman.

a governor and give credence to what he called the “illegality being perpetuated” by enemies of the governor.

The source said: “The governor is not going to appear before the panel until they comply with the laws relating to the impeachment of any governor in Nigeria.

“If they insist that they have served the governor by pasting the notice on the walls, let them go and check what the position of law is on that matter.”

DAAs exco

Nyako, it was gathered, will formally inaugurate the chairmen and secretaries of 34 Development Area Authorities, that had been

zInaugurates excos for 34 devt areas set up but without administrative heads for many years, leading to a spat between the House of Assembly and the executive arm of government.

It could not be ascertained, at press time, if the move would even marginally appease the aggrieved lawmakers, who are bent on sending him away for alleged maladministration.

Nyako, who was in Abuja for most part of yesterday, was said to have also met with some key officials of the House of Assembly on Tuesday and yesterday night in an attempt to plead with them to stop the impeachment move against him.

But a source at the meeting said not much progress was made when the two parties met in Abuja, as most of the lawmakers insisted on going ahead with the plan to remove the governor.

On Jonathan's intervention

Meanwhile, Governor Nyako has said that he was in support of former heads of state asking President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene in the dispute between him and the state House of Assembly.

Governor Nyako, who was at the presidential Villa yesterday, however, ruled out the possibility of his

resignation, saying the matter was in court and he expected members of the state House of Assembly to obey court order.

While saying that he has not approached President Jonathan to intervene in the matter, he however said that there was nothing wrong asking the President to intervene if need be since he had also supported the President in the past.

Meantime, the panel had announced that it will commence sitting tomorrow having secured a venue for its deliberations at the secretariat of the state branch of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria.

Why he won’t be present

However, a senior government official in Yola told Vanguard that Nyako was not going to honour the invitation as the panel had not deemed it fit to serve him and his deputy the impeachment notice as stipulated by the 1999 Constitution and directed by the court.

The source said appearing before the panel would give the impression that the House had complied with the relevant section of the law regarding the impeachment of

CONFAB: From left— Mr. Christian Udechukwu, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, Chief Victor Umeh and Senator Ike Nwachukwu at the National Conference in Abuja. PHOTO: Gbemiga Olamikan.

CORRUPT JUDGES: Prosecute, don't dismiss— STAKEHOLDERS

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

L

AWYERS and judges in the country, yesterday, agreed that henceforth any judge found guilty of cor-

rupt practices must be referred to anti-graft agencies for prosecution to win the war against graft in the system.

According to participants at the just concluded three-day conference on judicial reforms in Abuja, with the theme Putting our best foot forward: The Judiciary and the Challenges of Satisfying Justice needs of the 21st Century, the age-long practice of merely retiring or dismissing judges found to have subverted the course of justice after receiving huge bribes must stop.

In a statement at the end of the event, they agreed that “any valid complaint bordering on corruption must not only be treated as mere misconduct, but be referred for prosecution.”

Participants agreed that

judges and lawyers were vital in securing the integrity of the judiciary, hence “lawyers should support the judiciary by desisting from playing any part in the corruption and subversion of the judicial process.”

The conference was organised by the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Judiciary Committee, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, and Access to Justice with the support of Open Society Initiative for West Africa, the NJC’s Performance Evaluation Committee and funding from the European Union.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, had at the event said corruption in the judiciary “has become a cankerworm that has refused to depart.”

Subsequent speakers also

insisted that for graft to be successfully tackled, the judiciary must set an example by not covering up its corrupt members.

To reduce case backlogs in states with limited judicial manpower, the option of appointing and using ad-hoc judges was suggested to avoid delays in justice delivery.

“Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs, competent senior lawyers and retired judges could also be appointed on an ad-hoc basis to fill these positions as is the practice in other jurisdictions,” it added.

The statement suggested that performance evaluation of judicial officers should also be extended to the lower courts where majority of disputes are resolved, to strengthen justice delivery.

10—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

Lawmakers raise alarm over existence of illegal tank farm

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

L

AGOS — L A G O S State House of Assembly, yesterday called on governor Babatunde Fashola to direct relevant agencies to investigate an alleged illegal oil tank farm being operated on Oduduwa Crescent, GRA Ikeja to ensure safety of lives and property in the state.

The Chief Whip of the House, Razaq Balogun raised the issue Under Matters of Urgent Public Importance, saying the illegal tank farm posed danger which should be investigated for necessary action.

In his contribution, Rotimi Olowo representing Shomolu I, said such illegality should not be condoned, adding that the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) should seal off the premises.

Gbolahan Yishawu EtiOsa II, maintained that the dastardly act called for proactive measures.

While advising residents in the state to be proactive in reporting any suspicious movement. He said adequate step should be taken to forestall dangers capable of degenerating in the state.

The lawmakers unanimously agreed that such tank farm was tantamount to an illegality that called for concern and urgent action.

The Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji who presided over the sitting said the state governor should wade in immediately to prevent loss of lives and property.

Osun 2014: We'll send APC packing — PDP

BY HENRY UMORU

A

BUJA—AHEAD of the August 9 Osun State governorship election, National Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP yesterday boasted it would send the All Progressives Congress, APC and its candidate, Governor Rauf Aregbesola packing.

According to PDP, it was the only party that would lose five governors and nothing would happen to the fortunes of the party.

Speaking in Abuja when he received an award of excellence from Nigerian Progressive Youth Congress (NPYC), PDP National Secretary, Prof. Adewale Oladipo, who alleged that Governor Aregbesola was demolishing traditional institutions in the state, said, “as an indigene of Osun, I can tell you that Governor Rauf Aregbesola is in trouble. We will run him out of town.

“But come next year, we will also run them out of Lagos. The South West has decided enough is enough. Their policy is tax and loot. Ours is to allow people realise their potentials. That PDP is the only party that anybody can decide to quit and heavens will not fall politically because no religion, tribe or an individual can claim it we have wonderful Christians and really really good Muslims who cohabit, we don’t quarrel.

“We don’t throw bombs or incite people to violence. We don’t commit crime.

I

NTERNATIONAL Labour Organisation, ILO, has said there is a shortfall of around 10.3 million health workers worldwide making it difficult to ensure that those in need receive quality health services, saying; “This is particularly a problem in low-income countries where, as a result, close to 90 per cent of the population has no access to health care.

According to the latest estimate of the ILO’s World Social

Fashola explains funding of Lagos HOMS

BY MONSUR OLOOOPEJO

L

AGOS—GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State yesterday debunked claim that the state borrowed money either internationally or locally to finance the construction of houses under the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme, Lagos HOMS. The governor who disclosed this at the 5th raffle of Lagos HOMS held at Agidingbi, Ike-

ja, said the housing project the state had executed and executing in over 20 construction sites across the state were not financed with loans.

According to him, the housing projects were executed 100 percent by the state government.

His words “we have not borrowed a dime from any bank. So, there is no bank charge on this scheme. It is executed with the tax payers’ money. The state government is not paying interest to

Body of boat mishap victim recovered in Lagos ing for Tin-Can Island when it

BY EVELYN USMAN, BOSE ADELAJA & MONSUR OLOOOPEJO

L

AGOS—THE bloated body of a passenger who drowned after a boat capsized Tuesday at Coconut Island, Lagos, was yesterday recovered.

The ill-fated boat reportedly left Iba with 10 passengers and was head-

Report puts health workers’ shortfall at 10.3m worldwide

BY VICTORAHIUMA-YOUNG

LAGOS HOMS DRAW: Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State (2nd right); Commissioner for Housing, Bosun Jeje (middle); Executive Director, Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (Lagos HOMS), Mrs. Bola Fashola (right); Iyaloja General, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo (2nd left) and the Executive Chairman, Lagos State Internal Revenue Services (LIRS), Mr. Babatunde Fowler (left) during the Fifth Draw to pick winners of the Lagos HOMS at the Blue Roof, LTV 8 Complex, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos yesterday.

Protection Report, a country should have on average 41.1 health workers per 10,000 people to be able to provide essential health care to its entire population. But in many low-income countries this is far from a reality.

“For example, in countries like Haiti, Niger, Senegal and Sierra Leone, there are only five or fewer health workers available for as many as 10,000 people, compared to 269 in a high-income country such as Finland. Asia is the continent where most additional health workers are needed (7.1 million), followed by Africa (2.8 million).

capsized.

Nine passengers were reportedly rescued alive, while rescue operators battled in vain to rescue one of them identified as Idris Adekunle same day.

Spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, South West zone, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, disclosed that Adekunle’s remains were recovered by 4.15pm yesterday.

He noted that men of the Marine Police Corps, Onikan, and relatives of the deceased were deliberating on how the body would be released for burial.

Farinloye claimed the tragic incident occurred after wave from a tug boat belonging to the Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA which was towing a ship to habour , swept off the local boat, making it to lose balance and capsized.

Passengers on the boat who were reportedly with their life jackets were flung in different directions in the process.

While some of them managed to swim to safety, others could not, until rescue operators arrived .

Farinloye said: “Two of the passengers that had minor injuries were rushed to the hospital where they were treated and discharged while others left for their respective destinations.

any bank because of this scheme.”

The governor who provided an insight into housing projects that are under construction, noted “We have expanded to Ilubirin, Iponri and Akerele Extension among others.

“Working is ongoing 23 additional construction sites. We have equally engaged 193 contractors.

Also, about 2,483 persons of diverse qualification have been employed as a result apart from consultants.''

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014 —11

PDP RECONCILIATION: Shape up or

ship out, Fayose tells Obasanjo

Ekiti PDP writes Speaker over proposed LCDAs

BY OLAAJAYI & DAYO

JOHNSON

BY GBENGAARIYIBI

I

BADAN—EKITI State Governor–elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has advised former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former senators in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to either align with the on-going reconciliatory moves in the party or be shown the way out.

Speaking yesterday in Ibadan during the zonal rally of the party, Fayose said the party would not hesitate to sack any of them no matter how highly placed who wanted to further fan embers of disunity.

He said this just as he promised to ensure that the recent victory of the PDP in Ekiti State would be repeated in Osun, Oyo and other South West states.

Specifically, Fayose showed red card to Governors Abiola Ajimobi and Rauf Aregbesola to be prepared to leave because their time was up.

For the first time, all factions of the party came under the same umbrella and told people of the state to give maximum support to the party.

Various aspirants of the party in Oyo State were given opportunities to address the rally.

Governorship aspirants at the rally included Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, Engr. Olufemi Babalola, Engr. Seyi Makinde, Senator Teslim Folarin, Prof. Soji Adejumo and Prof. Taoheed Adedoja.

Other aspirants like Dr. Azeez Adeduntan and Mr. Kehinde Olaosebikan were absent.

Fayose noted that “this is the

A

MEETING: From left; Ekiti State Governor-Elect, Mr Ayo Fayose; former Secretary to Ondo State Government, Prof Olu Agbi and former PDP National Legal Adviser, Chief Olusola Oke during PDP Stakeholders meeting held in Akure, Ondo State on Tuesday. last time I would sound this note of warning to those people who want to disparage the party to stop. If you want to disparage the party, whether you are a former president, senator, irrespective of your position, we will sack you.

When I fought with the party, I left the party, I did not stay in the party. You are free to go to any party you want, but don’t stay in the party and disparage it.”

According to him, the national leadership of the party should not impose any candidate on Oyo

PDP but should give all aspirants a level-playing ground, saying “If there is a level playing ground, we will win Oyo State also. If we must win this state, there must be no imposition.

“I am showing the APC a red card. I am the first governor to defeat two incumbent governors at two different times. The time is up for the APC in the South West.

They gave us the impression that they were saints, but they are looters. I am not in any leadership contest with anybody.”

Promises to work with party leaders At another forum, apparently thinking that his emergence as the only governor of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the South West may ruffle some feathers, Fayose has said he is not in any leadership struggle with any of the party leaders in the zone.

Fayose spoke in Akure during a breakfast meeting with leaders of the party from the South-West.

SDP sends open invitation to Osoba, loyalists

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA—AS specula become rife that aggrieved members of the All Progressive Congress, APC in Ogun State, led by Aremo Segun Osoba, may dump the party for the Social Democratic Party, SDP, the leadership of SDP in the state,

has described the former governor as a level-headed politician who will add value to any party.

The party, recently resuscitated in Abeokuta, also said the APC does not know the political worth of the former governor, noting, “The SDP knows the worth of Aremo Osoba, hence, the door of the party is open to

him and his teeming loyalists anytime they decide to be part of the party.”

Chairman of the party in the state, Pekun Awobona, in an interview with Vanguard, insisted that the SDP was not a new party to Aremo Osoba as he had been elected governor of the state under the party.

Ondo Radio station recalls suspended workers

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

KURE—THE eight journalists suspended indefinitely over the crisis rocking the Ondo State government owned Radio Vision Corporation, OSRC, have been recalled on the orders of Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

Affected journalists from the News department are the current chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, OSRC Chapel, Wahab Bankole, his predecessor, Taiwo Ibitoye, Sola

Obagbemisoye, Akinwumi Abodunde, Obafemi Sogbe and Lanrewaju Bankole Kole.

Others are Bayo Olanusi of the programmes department and Tunji Ogidan of engineering department, who is the incumbent RATTAWU chairman in the corporation.

Their recall, according to the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, state chairman, Bosede Daramola, was without any condition attached.

Daramola led other leaders of Trade Union Congress of Niger-

ia, TUC and Joint Negotiation Council JNC leaders to meet with the governor to appeal on behalf of the journalists.

At the end of the meeting, the workers were asked to return to the corporation.

The NLC had written an apology letter to the state government and the management of the Corporation on behalf of the suspended journalists.

There are insinuations however that the journalists may be redeployed out of the corporation to serve as deterrent to others.

There have been series of reports on the perceived planned defection of Chief Osoba and his loyalists from the APC to the SDP as a result of alleged injustice done to them.

While reacting to the reports on the alleged planned defection of Osoba’s faction to SDP, Awobona claimed there had been a working relationship between the SDP, Osoba and his people, saying “If Chief Osoba and his group decide to be part of SDP, of course, they are welcome. He is my boss.

We have a working relationship. He is one of the top leaders in politics and he is a level-headed person in terms of performance and politics. ''His being part of us is a welcome idea. Chief Osoba and his group are part of us. He had contested under the party. They (APC) don’t know his value but we know his value. We want him in our party. There is a working relationship between us, it is already in the public domain.”

DO EKITI—THE controversy trailing the planned creation of additional 18 Local Government Development Areas, LGDAs, by Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state, has taken a new twist, as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state yesterday wrote the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Omirin, warning him about the consequence of contempt of court should the House decide to take further action on the matter.

PDP, in a letter dated July 8, 2014, signed by its Legal Adviser , Mr Kolapo Kolade, claimed it would be contemptuous for the Assembly to pass the bill intended to create more LCDAs into law, when there was a pending suit in court against such policy.

Newly completed school hall collapses in Osun BYGBENGAOLARINOYE

O

SOGBO—THE multi-million naira newly completed ultramodern High School, Ejigbo constructed by the Osun State Government collapsed in the early hours of yesterday.

Though no life was lost, collapse of the structure has been a source of concern to the state government.

It was gathered that the project which was billed for commissioning tomorrow by Governor Rauf Aregbesola had earlier been inspected by government officials few days ago.

The state government in its official reaction to the development through a statement by Mr Semiu Okanlawon, Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy yesterday said “the state government regrets to inform members of the public the suspect incidence of the collapse of the Main Hall of the newly completed ultramodern High School, Ejigbo State of Osun.”

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

PDP plots FG's imposition of emergency in Edo —Igbe

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—SPEAKER of Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Uyi Igbe, yesterday, raised alarm that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the police had perfected plans to ensure that a state of emergency was declared in the state.

He warned that the people of the state would not be intimidated by the “the federal might as being boasted by the PDP godfathers and leaders in the state.”

He also called on the police to stop the blockade on the Benin city centre in the interest of the people of the state, saying that the situation had inflicted pains on road users and businesses in the state.

Igbe, who addressed newsmen yesterday, lamented that the suspended PDP lawmakers and the leadership of the party were using the police to “perpetrate illegalities in the state,” warning that the 15 All Progressives Congress, APC, lawmakers will continue to follow due process in the interest of the state.

According to him, “These same policemen actively disrupted the renovation work going on at the House of Assembly Complex and in the process sprayed tear-gas and/ or other noxious chemicals on the Speaker and other mem-

bers of the House. It is instructive that in their arrogance these renegade PDP legislators, actively supported by officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, have been cheered on by the PDP leaders and godfathers who have openly boasted of their federal might and presidential connections.

“As legitimate representatives of the people of Edo State, as responsible lawmakers, and as

peace loving citizens, we have no wish to see our state turned into a battle field where the PDP and their agents seek to gain by force, intimidation and threats, the political victory they couldn’t secure in open, free and fair electoral contests conducted in the past seven years across the state.

“We condemn the continuing display of naked ag-

ANIOMA FESTIVAL: Sales Manager, Globacom, Delta State, Mr. Aaron Johnson (right); Mr. Paddy Ugboh, Vice President, Organisation for the Advancement of Anioma Culture, and the Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Obi Chike Edozien, during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for the sponsorship of Anioma Festival by Globacom.

Gunmen kidnap Rivers lawmaker

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

P

ORT HARCOURT—A MEMBER of Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr. Golden Chioma, has been abducted in the state.

Chioma, who repre-

sents Etche constituency II in the House, was taken hostage in Diobu area of Port Harcourt, Tuesday. Details of the incident were hazy at press time, but the state Police Command confirmed the development, yesterday.

Police spokesman in the state, Mr. Ahmad

Muhammad, said the anti-kidnap unit of the Police had swung into action with a view to securing the release of the lawmaker and also arrest those behind the abduction.

Chioma is one of the pro-Governor Rotimi Amaechi lawmakers.

Burutu youths endorse Clark’s son

BY EMMA AMAIZE

B

URUTU—YOUTHS of Burutu, Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, have endorsed Chief Ebikeme Clark as chairman of the council in the forthcoming local government elections slated for October 25.

President, Burutu Youths for Good Governance, BYGG, Mr. Peter Mezeh, in a statement, said: “Ebikeme is Burutu’s choice and we have confidence in him to bring rapid transformation and empowerment to

the area.”

He urged the various aspirants for the chairmanship seat to step down and lend their support to Ebikeme to take Burutu to the next phase of development.

“Ebikeme Clark is a vibrant young man who has a passion and love for the people, just like his father, Papa Edwin Clark. Everybody is convinced that if given the opportunity, he will transform Burutu for the betterment of the people.

“I tell you, Burutu is awaiting to deliver him in the chairmanship

election coming up in the state soon. It is time to pay back Papa Clark's good measures for all he has been doing for us.”

gression and show of power by those who believe that they control the organs of state power. We urge the Inspector General of Police to call his officers and men to order and ask all concerned to note that the only legitimate authority for the resolution of all disputes is the judiciary whose orders and directives must be scrupulously enforced by authorities in Nigeria."

Group alleges marginalization in N-Delta

A

Niger Delta group, the Peace, Development, Security and Humanitarian Rights Association of Niger Deltans, PDSRAND, has called on the people to embrace peace and collectively agitate for the development of the region.

President of the group, Mr. Mike Tiemo, in a statement in Warri, Delta State, also expressed concern over the continued marginalisation of the oil rich region by multinational oil companies.

“We are aware that the economic activities of our customary occupations had been massively destroyed due to exploitation and exploration of crude oil related activities in the region. It is time the people of the region come together to make necessary moves to compel oil multinationals in the region to rebuilding and develop the region.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014 —13

14 — Vanguard , THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

Activist lawyer, Bamidele Aturu dies @ 49 zAgbakoba, Sagay, Odinkalu, Yusuf Ali, others mourn

BY INNOCENT ANABA,

VICTORAHUMA-YOUNG, ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH, DAYO ADESULU, LAJU ARENYEKA, BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE & IKENNAASOMBA

L

AGOS—FOREMOST labour lawyer and rights activist, Bamidele Aturu, is dead.

Vanguard gathered that Aturu, who was billed to attend the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, delegate conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, was said to have taken ill, yesterday and was rushed to hospital where he died.

He was aged 49.

Reactions trail sudden death Meanwhile, reactions poured in yesterday to his death, with lawyers and unionists describing his passing as a great loss to the legal profession and workers union movement in the country.

Agbakoba

Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, said: “This is a terrible shock. It is a massive loss. I am shockingly stunned hearing it. He was a fantastic man. He was one of the guys I had pleasure working with.

What I cherish about his attitude was that he was very dispositional on issue people were disagreeing with. If it is true that Bamidele Aturu is dead, it is a massive loss.”

Prof. Sagay

Professor Itse Sagay, SAN, said: “His death is a national loss. It was from my chamber that he set his own. He was a straight forward man of integrity. He was a man of the highest honour. He was a man of God.” Chief Morah Ekwunoh, said: “I am utterly astonished and dumbfounded over his death, which translates to mortal arrows in the hearts of

the human rights community, the labour, the downtrodden and the voiceless, among countless beneficiaries of his activism and selfless services to humanity, who should all be submerged in ocean of tears.

“The country, as a whole, will also miss such a young and tireless talent, who in his lifetime, shone like millions of stars in the sky and who obviously was seen as an indispensable tool in future nation building.”

Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, said: “It is a very painful death. He was somebody who was concerned about the people’s rights, though he was a human rights activist. He was a person who was concerned about the future of Nigeria.

He was on the side of late Gani Fawehinmi, who made sure that the people’s rights were not violated. I will not say that he was a social crusader, but he was close to that.

“He used his legal machinery to e n s u r e justice, particularly the fate of Nigeria. He had many cases where people’s rights were violated and he brought same to the limelight and brought justice to it.

It is a sad loss to his family, also to our country because we need people like that.”

Yusuf Ali

Mallam Yusuf Ali, SAN, said: “ T h e announcement of his death is a rude shock to me.

His death is a monumental loss to the l e g a l profession, the human r i g h t s community and the country at large. May

Late Bamidele Aturu his gentle souls rest in peace.”

Mr. Lai Babatunde, SAN, said: “Haa, Haa! I am short of words. I don’t know what to say. It’s very sad. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”

Odinkalu Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, Chairman, Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, said: “Aturu was my brother, partner and lawyer.

I just landed in Dakar, Senegal now to receive this sad new. I am working on rushing back to Nigeria over the sad loss.”

Mr Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman of CLEEN Foundation, said: “It is a sad loss. Why are we losing our finest in this country? Last week, it was Kunle Fadipe and this week, it is Aturu. I am too shocked to speak further.”

Mr. Ebun Adegboruwa, said: “It is a big loss to Nigeria, a big loss to his beautiful wife and his children. One of the promising young lawyers and young Nigerians is gone. He was transparent to a fault. He would have been 50 years by October 15. We will miss him so well.”

Ubani

Immediate past chairman of Ikeja branch of the NBA, where he belonged, Mr Monday Ubani, said: “It is a traumatic and shocking news I have ever heard in my life.

We were together in Abuja last week and also we were together when he went to

address the newsmen over the de-registration of the Fresh Party. He never showed any signs of ailment.

“He is a genuine Nigerian who never fought because of political office. He was only out to protect the interest of the downtrodden.

I can’t understand what kind of death that is.”

Ms Carol Ajie said: “I am stunned, so is everyone who heard the horrific news of Aturu’s sudden death. May the good Lord comfort his dear widow, family and friends. It’s a colossal loss to Nigeria.”

Lagos NUJ

Chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalists, Lagos Council, Mr Deji Elumoye, said: “Aturu was an activist and somebody who had the interest of the country at heart and it is unfortunate that he died at this particular time. He was somebody that was personate about the Nigerian project throughout his life time. As a lawyer and activist, he was very close to the people and offered free legal services to people who he believed had been wronged, particularly by the government or law enforcement agencies.

“You will recall that during his National Youth Service Corps, he rejected an award as the best corps member, because the award was being given to him by the Military.

In the last 15 years of our democracy, he was an advocate of true federalism and he believed that what we are practicing now is not democracy.

We shall miss him.” contues on page 16

Vanguard, THURSDAY,JULY 10, 2014 — 15

Reps to probe N76bn Abuja, Lagos CCTV contract

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE BUJA—THE House of Representatives yesterday directed its Committees on Information and Communication Technology, ICT, Public Safety and National Security to probe the failure of ZTE Corporation to execute contract for the installation of Close Circuit Television Cameras, CCTVs, in Abuja and Lagos, years after it was awarded by the Federal Government.

The contract allegedly awarded at the cost of $470 million (N76 billion then) by the late Umar Musa Yar ’Adua’s administration had been a subject of litigation, as an Abuja-based lawyer, Olugbenga Adeyemi, had in the past gone to court, seeking an order to compel the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to

A

C M Y K

investigate the failed contract.

However, not much was heard afterward, even after a High Court sitting in Abuja granted leave for Adeyemi to apply for the judicial review of mandamus compelling the 1st respondent, EFCC, to investigate and prosecute those involved in the contract.

Apparently disturbed by the current spate of insecurity in the nation, a member of the House, Saviour Udoh, in a motion on the urgent need to deploy CCTV cameras to check the security challenges in Nigeria, prayed that the matter be investigated by the Committees, which are expected to turn in their reports within two weeks.

The contract was for the Chinese telecommunications giant to install 2,000 digital solar powered

cameras, (1,000 each for Abuja and Lagos), 37 switch rooms, MW backbone, 37 coalition emergency response system, 38 video conference subsystem, 37 e-police system, six e m e r g e n c y communication vehicles and 1.5 million subscriber lines, designed to be funded by the Nigerian government and the China Export Bank as contained in the contract papers.

Udoh recalled that the security system was intended to capture images on a 24-hour basis for the analysis of the relevant security agencies, but noted that despite the alleged completion and handover to the government since 2012, no criminal activity had ever been detected through the security cameras.

BRIEFING: From left: Isa Omagu, Deputy General Manager, GTB & Global, Chairman, Alumni Association, Marietjie Wepener, Marketing & Business Development Director, and Edith Kennedy, Manager, Stakeholder Relations, University of Stellenbosch Business School, USB, South Africa, during a briefing, in Lagos.

TETFUND: Wike warns stakeholders

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE

A

BUJA—THE federal government yesterday said it would not tolerate any act that will delay needed transformation of tertiary institutions in the country.

The Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, stated this at the interactive workshop organised by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, on its

guidelines for accessing intervention funds by benefiting institutions.

The Minister, who was represented by the Director of Tertiary Educatio at the Education Ministry, Mrs. Hindatu Abdullahi, said the workshop was organised to allow both the TETFund and its benefiting institutions the opportunity to reach agreeable shifting ground and present better

means of accessing the fund.

He said: “I want to state clearly that it takes years for investment into education to manifest and the Federal Government will not condone any act that will delay the much needed transformation of the tertiary institutions in the country as is being championed through the transformative interventions of TETFund.

16— Vanguard , THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

continues from page 14

Bamidele Aturu dies @ 49 NUEE mourns

National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, General Secretary, Mr Joe Ajaero, said: “We have lost one of the best friends of labour movement in the country.

He was a fine gentleman, a straightforward lawyer and a defender of the oppressed. He was indeed the people’s lawyer. I am very sad. It is tragic, a sad loss to the labour movement, the civil society community and indeed the down trodden in the country.

“He was our lawyer and we have many cases he was handling for us.

I am just short of words.”

MWUN

On his part, the President-General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigerian, MWUN, Mr. Nted Emmanuel, said: “We are very shocked and sad to hear this tragic news of

Aturu’s demise. He was our lawyer, a very intelligent and straightforward lawyer.

The whole labour movement in Nigeria will miss him, the Nigerian masses will miss him, and the Nigerian workers will really miss him. He was a defender and a fighter for the oppressed and suffering masses. It is a loss that we are not going to forget in a hurry. He has left a vacuum that will be difficult to fill.”

NANS

Coordinator, National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Zone D, Mr, Monsur Adeyemo, said: “Aturu was a great freedom fighter that will be greatly missed by Nigerian students both at home and in diaspora. He was a liberator of the masses and his passing on will be a great loss to

Nigeria and Africa as a whole.”

President, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Dr. Chibuzor Asomugha, said: “It is a sad news, in fact, a big loss to tertiary institutions in Nigeria, to civil society and to the movement of democracy in Nigeria.”

Student Union President, Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo, Mr Nurudeen Yusuf, said: “Aturu will be missed mostly by the entire Nigerian students.

He was a former student union leader, who fought even to the detriment of his life against military repressions. I, personally will never forget the hope he gave us during our struggle against the outrageous fees hike in our school. Mr. Aturu was willing to give us free legal services in court. In fact, his death is a great loss to human rights activism in Nigeria and Africa in general.”

NYAKO: Impeachment panel commences sitting tomorrow zServe Governor, deputy hearing notice

Y

BY UMAR YUSUF

OLA—ADAMAWA State Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria has come to the rescue of the sevenman investigative panel to probe Governor Murtala Nyako and his deputy, Mr. Bala Ngilari over alleged corrupt practices, by providing it with accomodation.

The panel which was constituted by the former Acting Chief Judge, Justice Ambrose Mammadi , whose, tenure elapsed last Tuesday had been facing the challenges of finding a venue for its sittings following its ejection by the management of the J&J Holiday Villa Hotel where it held its first sitting.

However, officials of the state branch of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, including its

chairman, Mr Jeremiah Nkyekwar said he was not aware of leasing its secretariat to the panel.

Meanwhile, the panel which announced that it would commence sitting

tomorrow, having served both Nyako and Ngillari with notice of hearing by pasting same on the entrance of the Government House, Yola.

Oritsejafor accuses Boko Haram of plot to Islamise Nigeria

BY PETER DURU

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AKURDI—THE National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has accused the Boko Haram Islamic sect of working to Islamise Nigeria.

Oritsejafor spoke yesterday at the Quarterly National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the association in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

He said: “I symphatise with families that have lost their loved ones to the activities of Boko Haram in the country. Let me also

inform that about 80 per cent of those killed are Christians.

“I agree that some of our Muslim brothers are also killed, but such groups of Muslims are those the Boko Haram think have betrayed them.

“The fact is that the hidden agenda of Boko Haram is to have an Islamic state in Nigeria as we now hear and see in Iraq and Syria. I think the insurgents are gradually advocating for a Jihad in Nigeria, which is not a good development for the country.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014 — 17

I

WAS in Ilorin last weekend, to present a paper at a retreat organised by the Kwara State branch of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Most of my readers might recall that I have been a most scathing critic of Nigeria’s ruling party,over the past fifteen years. I have always quoted the late Chief Sunday Awoniyi, one of the party ’s founders, who on seeing what the party morphed into, in the hands of former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, said PDP was a basket of scorpions, with the scorpions stinging themselves to death. Under the PDP’s watch, Nigeria has witnessed some of its worst indices of development and the enthronement of an ethos criminal impunity in political and economic life. So accepting to present the paper would have surprised a lot of my readers.

But all politics is local. In Kwara state today, the greatest threat to our people and state, is Bukola Saraki’s continued hegemony. If we do not vote out Bukola Saraki’s elaborate charade, pretending to be governance, then Kwara is doomed. It is that simple. So when Bukola left the PDP for the APC, all those in the opposition and genuinely committed to the struggle to liberate our state, moved into the PDP. We can interrogate the content of Nigerian politics and ask the difference between the six of the PDP and the APC’s half a dozen.

There is no defining ideological ethos in the nation’s party system. That was why Bukola Saraki a very reactionary rightwing politician, with consistent antipeople politics and policies, suddenly became beatified as “progressive”, by the APC and

properties all over the state capital. In the meantime, the poverty of the majority of our people has deepened. This is the situation of our dear state, Kwara state, today.

Danger to democracy n my view, one of the greatest dangers to democracy, an d the well

I

Thoughts and ideas for Kwara State's liberation our state. I grew up in those years we look back upon fondly today, as some of the happiest in the history of our country.

Certainly, the Kwara State of my youth was making a steady transition to modernity, in all spheres of development. It was a state of genuinely talented people, being woven into a multi-ethnic tapestry, that gave us an identity and pride in the possibilities available to us as a state, in a Nigeria, that was also looking forward with optimism, about its potentials. That was a period of duty to community and pride in intellectual and physical labour for the welfare of our people. This contrasts sharply with what exists today, where state power has systematically been used to transfer public wealth into private pockets, especially since 2003.

The theme of your stakeholders’ summit is: “ A NEW DAWN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF KWARA”. You asked me to speak on “KWARA’S

Football Academy and SHOPRITE. WHO IS THE PRIVATE SECTOR OWNING projects built using loans taken in Kwara’s name? A new dawn must lead to RECL AMATION OF OWNERSHIP of EVERY SINGLE project; EVERY government house sold to individuals and cronies in the past eleven years! But does your party possess the vision, the commitment and determination to effect a radical new dawn? Are you ready for the hard work and organisational discipline to mass mobilise the people of Kwara State, to end the elaborate fraud that has masqueraded as governance since 2003?

Tapestry of brotherhood and love

T

hose who defined Kwara as the STATE OF HARMONY had a very good vision of a state where its various peoples are woven into a tapestry of brotherhood and love. The

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One of the greatest dangers to democracy, and the well being of Kwara State, as a STATE OF HARMONY, is the hegemony of an individual. When one person dominates the political process and that individual has complete control of the financial and economic resources available to the state, the state is in trouble

its media! The PDP in Kwara, has become a formidable platform to uproot the Bukola Saraki hegemony in 2015.

Most of the Kwara PDP leadership are my friends anyway, so I felt obliged to assist their platform, in order to help create the momentum to sweep away the regime of deceit, heist and mass poverty instituted in Kwara since 2003.

Today ’s piece, is an edited version of the paper presented last Saturday, in Ilorin.

Let me thank the leadership and members of the Kwara State Branch of the PDP for the invitation to talk at your seminar. Everyone knows the depth of my passion for this remarkable city and our beautiful Kwara state. Here I was born; here I attended primary and secondary schools and it was here, that I cut my teeth as a broadcaster, with Radio Nigeria. My growth into adulthood; the development of my social and political consciousness are directly related to this city and

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COMMONWEALTH: THE IMPERATIVE FOR C O L L E C T I V E LEADERSHIP”. Our people yearn for a new dawn. They want a new lease of life, away from governance by deceit.

They are fed up with Bukola Saraki’s personality cult. He ruled from 2003 to 2011, but continues to dominate political life, deluding himself as ‘political leader ’ of Kwara State. Fundamentally, a new dawn represents the conscious achievement of liberation from a process where state resources feed a personal economic, political and social agenda.

Since 2003, practically every project here instituted by public finances, in a most dubious sleight of hand, is said to belong to a “private sector ”, not the people of Kwara State! They range from such utterly irrelevant “flagship” projects like the Tshonga Farm Project; the white elephant Aviation College; Diagnostic Centre;

idea was simple and profound.

We are a state of interesting historical and social currents.

The idea offers our peoples opportunity to flower in the interest of our families, communities, state and Nigeria at large. We were lucky, because in the old Northern Region, we had been relatively better educated.

Kwara state had one of the best civil services in Nigeria.

Educational opportunities were opened for children from all backgrounds; and because we are multi-ethnic, the elites learnt skills of consensus building, which allowed different communities a place in building the state. Our commonwealth was then genuinely commonly owned.

For as long as no single individual dominated the political process, things could work. This was not possible up to the creation of Kogi and the removal of Borgu. Yes, the late Dr. Olusola Saraki was probably the leading

individual amongst an array of political giants of the period: Chief J.S. Olawoyin; Alhaji AGF Abdulrazq; Alhaji Akanbi Oniyangi; Chief Sunday Awoniyi; Chief SB Daniyan; Alhaji Haliru Dantoro; Alhaji AbdulRahman Okene, Dr. Amuda Aluko; Alhaji Ado Ibrahim; Alhaji Shehu Usman, to mention a few. This talented array of individuals was a match for Olusola Saraki.

The creation of Kogi and excision of Borgu, reduced Kwara State’s size and it made it easier for Saraki’s hegemony to become almost completely instituted by 1999.

The big fish completely dominated the small pond that Kwara State became. A street wise and wily politician, Olusola Saraki crushed all that opposed him and using federal might and with the active backing of then Vice President Atiku Abubakar, he placed his son, Bukola in power. That is the point, from 2003, when Kwara’s commonwealth, became completely, the personal fiefdom of a single family. And by the end of his eight-year administration, even the family ’s fief morphed into Bukola Saraki’s PERSONAL ESTATE. He even routed his father ’s choice for governor,Gbemi, his sister; rammed his long-term sidekick into power and in one of the most elaborate charades that Nigeria has ever known, Bukola, the senator, actually has more power than the state governor. He really “owns” the state; sits atop the state’s resources; controls sinecures; he appoints or fires government officials and the most important criterion is not competence but loyalty to the TINGOD, Bukola Saraki.

The state exists to cater to his creature comfort, thanks to the pension scheme he pushed through a compromised, complicit and supine Kwara State House of Assembly in the twilight of his administration.

The way things are today, we don’t exaggerate by saying that Kwara state exists only for Bukola Saraki’s personal comfort and by extension his cronies, who have been appointed, sacked, reappointed, disgraced and rehabilitated since 2003, in a most incestuous and peculiar form of political inbreeding!

The same individuals have largely been in government positions since 2003; and many of these never made significant professional successes before 2003, but they now own choice

being of Kwara state, as a STATE OF HARMONY, is the hegemony of an individual.

When one person dominates the political process and that individual has complete control of the financial and economic resources available to the state, the state is in trouble.

To oil the hegemony, a regime of divide and rule, is then perfected against all the people of the state. The false consciousness of divisive rule makes it difficult for people to unite to for the collective organizational work to end the condition they all suffer from.

This inability to work together; the placement of individual ambitions above the collective interest of the people have been some of the reasons why Kwara’s commonwealth has for long remained inside Bukola Saraki’s pocket. If the people of Kwara state, especially the elite groups, do not work together, you will inadvertently ensure that Kwarans remain Bukola Saraki’s slaves and the reactionary, and anti-people politics that he represents. A state of talented and hardworking people has been reduced to one where people grovel like slaves and serfs in the presence of an individual who NEVER contributed ANYTHING to our state’s development! He became governor in 2003, creamed opportunities to become a billionaire and continues to hold Kwara by the jugular!

This is the situation of Kwara state today. The imperative is to END the situation. We must END the condition that impoverishes our people while Bukola Saraki, his family and cronies live in luxury. Kwara’s Commonwealth must be restored to our beautiful people.

Bukola Saraki did not grow up here; he is not one of us; he does not share our values or our traditions. Kwara is an investment and when they invest, they take away the returns. That is why he is desperate to continue the process of enslavement of Kwara State in place since 2003.

That is why his posters are still all over Ilorin, as an expression of control, he hopes never ends!

But if Kwarans work with creativity and collective resolve, the end is in sight for the regime of deceit. There is an interesting ray of hope on the horizon. Bukola Saraki made a strategic mistake when he left the PDP. The Saraki hegemony has lasted largely because they have always used federal might, to “ win” elections. But by leaving PDP for APC, Bukola Saraki has to pitch his waning popularity against the PDP and the President Goodluck Jonathan he has been serially rude to.

Bukola Saraki’s political empire, like Humpty-Dumpty, is about to crumble! That is the window of opportunity in Kwara state. You have your work cut out!

18— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014 WHERE laws are flouted with impunity, lawlessness reigns. Impunity nurtures the constant lawlessness of the military. Nothing justifies lawlessness or its perpetration.

The mayhem last week on Ikorodu Road Lagos, where soldiers burnt buses, disrupted public transportation, and brutalised civilians, is lawlessness – it should be punished. The army statement excusing the unruly conduct of the soldiers and blaming street urchins for the destruction of public and private property is an insult on the public and a re-statement of the comfort the military enjoys in operating above the law.

It should not. Both civilian and military authorities have to bring the soldiers who staged the breakdown of law and order on Ikorodu Road to book. They always get away with it. We must end the lawlessness.

Our sympathies go to the family of the soldier a BRT bus killed on Ikorodu Road.

His death could be the immediate cause of the soldiers’ misbehaviour, but the issue is deeper. Soldiers have disdain for civilians.

They refuse to be law-abiding. They abuse the BRT lane that is reserved for specific public transport buses. The death of their

Militar dmit, Militaryy Must A Admit, Check Lawlessness colleague merely gave them cover to vent their anger on the public. They are willing, ready, and often spoiling for a fight with civilians.

Their conduct on Ikorodu Road, and other parts of the country, where they unleash mayhem at the slightest incident, questions control of their operations. How did about 100 armed soldiers take over Ikorodu Road within minutes of the accident? Who authorised their release? Who commanded them? Who issued the arms they bore? What operation did they log for their movement?

Was the army embarrassed that it disrupted a city’s transportation system for hours over

a traffic accident? It was not.

The army’s official statement said, “The Nigerian Army is a professional force which is law-abiding. The military is a highly disciplined organisation which also takes necessary steps to see that its erring members are brought to book at any time the need arises to enforce discipline.” There is need to discipline those unruly soldiers.

It is insulting for the army to state that, “The mayhem visited on the BRT buses was the handiwork of hoodlums. ” The rampaging, uniformed soldiers are identifiable, which is why they beat up those who took pictures of the commotion. The army is protecting its own.

Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah was commanding Bonny Camp, Lagos, three years ago, when soldiers imposed similar chaos on Ikorodu Road.

Their anger was that traffic managers stopped them from using the BRT lane.

Minimah then promised an end to such incidents.

Lawlessness persists when its perpetrators are not punished, but protected, maybe promoted.

OPINION

BY ADA APIAFI

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WO incidents occurred recently that show us all that leadership can change the way we do things in this country, and within a short period. In fact, the entrenchment of a “new order” in the way we carry out our respective assignments – at any level, or even in our individual businesses - could be much sooner than we can ever envisage.

The history of elections in Nigeria is almost that of violence and rancour. Since the pre-independence days leading to the First Republic, the Second Republic up to the aborted Third Republic, and now the Fourth Republic, election periods have been characterised by palpable apprehension among citizens. It is easy to recall the cross carpeting episode at Ibadan, “Operation Wet e” in the First Republic that eventually led to the truncation of that Republic, the landslide victory of the National Party of Nigeria, NPN, in the Second Republic, and the annulment of the June 12 presidential election of 1993.

And since the return to civilian rule in 1999, there has not been no single election held in any part of the country which was not eventually adjudicated upon by the law courts.

It was therefore, a pleasant and most welcome surprise when the incumbent Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi’s first reaction to his defeat by Mr. Ayo Fayose, at the recently held gubernatorial election in the State,

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Conducts w or th om public of wor orth thyy of emulation fr from offficer icerss was that of concession of defeat even before most of the electorate became aware of the final results. It was a very rare show of patriotism and nationalism by a politician, as well as a gallant sign of respect for the electorate itself, when he actually expressed in his concession speech a willingness to work with the incoming governor, “to institute a smooth transition programme.”

Dr Fayemi’s acceptance speech, itself, gives kudos to his sense of sportsmanship: “I stand in deference to your will. If the result of the elections is an expression of the voice of our people, we must all heed your voice…”.

The second incident occurred at the 17th Hotel Kaduna, the venue of an International Conference on Security and Development Challenges of Pastoralists in West and Central Africa. Against official protocol, some overzealous security personnel insisted on searching the vehicle conveying the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwwal, to this event. The Speaker, who was one of the keynote speakers at the Conference, had arrived the Hotel at about 9:16 a.m., but was accosted and his car barred from entry by the security personnel at the gate. A visibly shaken Mr. Tambuwal stormed out of his car and

walked the remaining distance to the event venue.

Even as controversy raged over the issue, and many began to see the issue from a partisan angle, the convener of the event, Mr. Sambo Dasuki, the National Security Adviser, ordered an immediate probe into this breach of protocol, and went even further to forward an official letter of apology to Mr. Tambuwwal.

Dasuki tendered an unreserved apology to the Speaker and stated that the action of the security personnel was not directed at the person of the speaker but was just a case of poor discretion. He therefore regretted any embarrassment it could have caused.

We at I-Nigerian Forum would like to commend the rare show of humility displayed by these two gentlemen - Dr Fayemi and Mr Sambo Dasuki. We in particular commend them, and the maturity displayed in the discharge of their positions, to all public officers, and the rest of Nigerians, as worthy of emulation.

Their behaviour only goes to emphasise to us all – irrespective of level in society, but MORE IMPORTANTLY, to our public officers - that issues can be dealt with, and addressed in a manner that reflects our collective national interest, and in fact the good name of Nigeria that

Nigerians are all deserving of. This could not have come at a better time.

At a time like this, we all agree that such encouraging behaviour is much needed to uplift our sense of patriotism and belief in ourselves; to calm all frayed nerves; and most of all to show example to the rest of the citizens that change IS possible, and that it starts from us.

It is observed that Mallam Sambo Dasuki is a gentleman of standards, ethics and values and has raised the standard of the code of behaviour, conduct and practice of public officials. I-Nigerian also lends its voice to this call for us all, and for our public servants in particular, to make it a point to address issues that concern us – regardless of how aggrieved one might be in any instance – with a high sense of decorum, humility, maturity, and in the highest interest of the nation, in which we all, either by “accident or by design” have found ourselves as its citizens.

That “TIPPING POINT” is possible!!

*Mrs. Apiafi, national coordinator , INigerian Initiative wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014— 19

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When the war ended in victory for the federal side, the North started surreptitiously, through their sons who were in power in the military, to award themselves a greater number of states and local councils

Changing dynamics of state ated on September 23, 1987 (when creation Akwa Ibom and Katsina states were find it amusing when people use created), August 27, 1991 (when the concept of “viability” to dis- Abia, Enugu, Osun, Delta, Taraba, Icredit the clamour for more states Kogi, Kebbi, Jigawa and Yobe states

were spawned by the General Ibrahim Babangida regime) as well as those created by General Sani Abacha on October 1, 1996 (Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Gombe, Kebbi and Nasarawa states). You will notice the quantum of both human and capital development which cannot be compared to what they experienced as backwater areas of the old Regions. In fact, it is people from these areas that are in the forefront of kicking violently against a return to the regional structure. I know for a fact that Generals Babangida and Abacha are regarded as “liberators” in states like Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Ekiti and Ebonyi, in spite of what people say about them to the contrary.

States are created in Nigeria to provide political platforms for emerging local elites to assert their clamour for political space. The defunct three regions – East, West and North – were created by the British colonial masters to allow the nationalists agitating for independence

to have platforms to lead their people. When the lot fell on the Majority Igbo, Yoruba and “Hausa/Fulani”, the various Minorities within the regions started demanding for their own states. The politics often verged on armed struggles, subterfuges and cross-regional alliances.

It became possible for the Ijaws of Eastern Nigeria to go into an alliance with the leaders of Northern Peoples Congress, NPC, with a view to upstaging the Igbo-dominated Eastern leadership, which was blocking the creation of the Calabar Ogoja/Rivers, COR, State. The Ibibio areas preferred to ally with Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the leader of Western Nigeria. Through the Minorities, the North and West made inroads into the East.

The situation was the same in Western Nigeria, where most of the

2015: Shall we ever get there?

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OING by the lessons of history, it is clear that the cane reserved for Iyale (the first wife) shall someday be used on Iyawo (the new wife). At the very height of the reign of terror in the Second Republic, the Umaru Dikkos of this world employed the police and other security agencies to hound perceived political opponents.

In a quick twist of fate, the same security agencies were on hand, in due season, to also pull down the maximum rulers from their exalted positions, to the extent that the hands of the same security agencies were bold enough on the wooden crate in which the same Umaru Dikko was later to be consigned as cargo from England to Nigeria.

By 1581, the people of Dutch Netherlands had become totally fed up with the high-handedness of King Philip II of Spain. That was why they foreswore their allegiance to him and established the Dutch Republic. They justified their revolt on the ground that Philip had destroyed their liberties and treated them as slaves. The moral lesson here is that, the moment an administration becomes tyrannical, its subjects have a right to depose it. Indeed, nothing lasts forever, not even a jungle administration!

The visible signs of the 2015 war already provide a most frightening glimpse. We must be worried that the presidency is gradually descending into despotism as it has become an army of occupation everywhere, with open assault on our freedom of expression and the press.

Eight full months to the war, they have deployed their major arsenals to the various war fronts. In recent times, they have embarked on steps that are purely reminiscent of the dirty politics of yesteryears.

For them, Edo State must be captured by all means and at all costs! The push

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has started. Being deaf to history, they have retreated to their 1987 position, where their forebears, the NPN, had planned to capture the entire country.

As we speak, Edo State is under siege.

With the instrumentality of the so-called federal might, a microscopic minority in the House of Assembly has ousted an overwhelming majority and today, they speak with impunity about the PDP Speaker and the APC Speaker; the PDP Assembly and APC Assembly.

At the weekend, the army of occupation moved into the House of Assembly premises and sacked everyone in sight – both workers of the Assembly and contractors who were engaged in some renovation work – after giving them the beating of a life time.

The other day, we watched helplessly while Governors Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State and Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State were constructively prevented from travelling to Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital to attend a political rally organised by their party, the APC, two days to the election in the State. Amaechi’s plane was allowed to land in Akure but his convoy was intercepted at the boundary between Ekiti and Ondo states by soldiers “who were acting on orders from above”. His aircraft was also later prevented from flying out of Akure.

Oshiomhole’s chopper was prevented from flying out of Benin Airport by soldiers who claimed they were acting on instructions from above. For similar reasons, the aircraft that took the national leader of the APC, Asiwayi Tinubu, to Akure was equally grounded at the Akure airport, thus preventing him from flying back to Lagos in the aircraft.

It is only a fool that would argue with a mad man with a gun. A few days to the Ekiti election, a police officer threatened

to shoot Governor Kayode Fayemi.

It was even worse in Benin City where we saw a rookie with his fingers on the trigger, reigning abuses on the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Uyigue Igbe, and threatening to shoot him. And this was at the premises of Edo State House of Assembly – property of Edo State Government, not the Federal

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in Nigeria. They parrot it without pausing to ask themselves why states are created in this country.

Regions or states are not business enterprises or profit-making ventures which have to be adjudged “viable” before they are gone into.

They are political and governmental structures and platforms, simpliciter. The fact that they operate their own economies does not mean they will shut down, like companies, even if they go “bankrupt”.

Creation of states has served very useful purposes. It has given people a sense of ownership of their slice of the Nigerian political commonwealth. It has benefited both the Majority and Minority groups.

The further clamour for more states is merely a sign that smaller Minority groups in some states which have not found political and economic fulfillment want to have something of their own.

Secondly, state creation has taken development closer to the grassroots. Go and check the states cre-

Minorities sided with Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe’s political party, which helped make it possible for the National Council for Nigerian Citizens, NCNC, to win majority of the seats in the Western Regional House of Assembly in the early 1950s before the “carpet crossing” even took place in Ibadan.

Awolowo’s party (the Action Group) also won several constituencies in the Minority areas of the North, which in their quest for self-determination, started identifying themselves as the “Middle Belt”.

It was the strength of the accord between the NPC and the NCNC, as well as the support that the NCNC had in the Midwest that made it possible for the Midwest Region to be carved out of the Western Region in 1963. The Mid-Western Region was never created because of any perceived “viability”.

This was further validated when on May 27, 1967 General Yakubu Gowon created the 12 states.

Gowon’s primary purpose was to secure the support of the Minorities by giving them the states they had long fought for. He carved out the defunct East Central State (the core of the breakaway Republic of Biafra) and isolated it by given the Minorities and fringe Igbo-speaking groups two states (Rivers and South Eastern State) which took away the Biafran coastline. This not only secured the support of the Minorities to fight along with Gowon, it also gave him open access to set up the blockades that starved Biafra of food and weaponry, thus eventually leading to the end of the secession attempt.

The primary factor in the 12 states creation was the survival of Nigeria as a united entity. For the

By the time we dispatch our military personnel to the Houses of Assembly and other innocuous places where they are least required, we would have virtually nothing to send to the Sambisa forest

Government’s.

A

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few weeks ago, the army of occupation took over the print media and armed soldiers detained delivery vehicles and confiscated bundles of newspapers across the country on the pretext of searching for bombs or materials for making bombs.

Soldiers invaded the vendors’ distribution centres in Abuja and stopped the circulation of newspapers in the Federal Capital Territory, in utter defiance of the constitutional guarantees for free speech, free press and free movement.

Everything meets at a point: the greatest foolery comes from doing, even

first and only time in our history of state creation, a balanced federation in which the South had six states and the North also had six was established. The North never complained about sharing equal number of states with the South because they needed the cooperation of everybody to overcome Biafra. But when the war ended in victory for the federal side, the North started surreptitiously, through their sons who were in power in the military, to award themselves a greater number of states and local councils. They created a constitution that put a permanent stamp on Northern “Majority”. They have done everything since then to prevent the restoration of a balanced federation.

Before the war, the North insisted on maintaining its “unity” as a region. In fact, all the regions made strenuous efforts to ensure new states were not carved out of them.

On the other hand, they ganged up with their cross-regional allies to ensure that the kingdoms of their most prominent political foes were reduced at any handiest opportunity. But after the war, everyone started agitating for more states to be carved out of their regions while making efforts to frustrate a similar gesture in regions they considered to be their traditional foes, as evident in a section of the North’s rejection of a sixth state for the South East.

There was a very overwhelming reason for this. We will discuss it on Monday, by His Grace.

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with the greatest dexterity, that which ought not to be done. This shows up in various aspects of our lives. Any wonder that the entire country has been totally consumed by insecurity? By the time we dispatch our police and military personnel to the Houses of Assembly, street corners of state capitals and other innocuous places where they are least required, we would have virtually nothing to send to the Sambisa forest. So, Boko Haram would continue to have a field day.

Elsewhere, it is possible to strip the word despot of all ugly connotations. In the age of enlightened despotism, the true despot was the servant of his people, exercising his power solely for their good; and recognising their welfare as his own.

There were two methods by which society was regenerated – one, a slow and laborious method that depended upon the gradual spread of enlightenment until it reached all classes and individuals in society. The second, promising swifter results were set in motion when a wise ruler suddenly embarked on necessary laws for social harmony.

An enlightened ruler, provided his powers were adequate, could reorganise and reinvigorate the life of a nation by a few well-reasoned programmes and thus earn the gratitude of his people.

The same sun beats the tortoise and its seller. If we must get to 2015, shall we not be interested in having people to rule over when we get there? It cannot be by the oppression, suppression or repression of the citizens. Force may only succeed for a while, not forever. And the tree of liberty shall be watered by the blood of tyrants!

20 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

SHOCK IN LAGOS COMMUNITY:

Pregnant woman, three others found dead T

IME was 11:30 pm of Sat urday, June 28. Superior Evangelist Isaiah Adebola and his wife Deborah had already gone to bed after the day ’s activities when suddenly they heard a knock at the door of their makeshift apartment located within their temporary church premises.

The cleric who was just recovering from an undisclosed ailment managed to open the door only to see his brother inlaw, simply identified as Femi aka One-man Mopol. Femi, according to Evangelist Adebola’s son, was a landlord in the neighbourhood.

The visibly agitated Femi was alleged to have beckoned on the cleric to come and pray for his pregnant wife who had some health complications after dinner.

In a jiffy, the cleric and his wife allegedly followed their visitor to his house and that was the last time they were seen alive.

A

search for Superior Evangelist Adebola who was the Shepherd of Celestial Church of Christ, Gethsemane parish, Ofin in Igbogbo-Bayeku Local Council Development Area, was allegedly called by the Community Development Association, CDA, in the neighbourhood. The Celestial Church also raised a team of prayer warriors to unravel the mystery surrounding the disappearance of the cleric and his wife who was a commercial try-cyclist driver in the locality.

A member of the church told Vanguard Metro, VM, that while the search parties and prayer sessions were still ongoing, neighbours started perceiving an offensive odour and swarm of flies around One-man-Mopol’s house.

A member of the CDA who pleaded anonymity told VM that One-man-Mopol who worked with a private company in Lagos, had been absent from his place of work for days, prompting his colleagues to also raise a search party to locate his whereabouts. Their efforts proved futile until they visited the Ofin community. Calls put on his cell phone and that of his wife were not picked. The putrefying odour and swarm of flies within One-man-Mopol’s residence heightened their C M Y K

anxiety and suspicion. The CDA which was also involved in the search brought in local security.

Eyewitnesses told VM that the said building was locked from within, thereby preventing people from gaining access into the house. After failed efforts to gain entry into the house, the local security organisation in Ikorodu which was invited by the CDA, climbed into the building through the roof.

T

o their greatest shock, they found the remains of the cleric and his wife as well as that of One-manMopol and his wife. Two of the corpses were allegedly lying in the pool of their own blood while foam was oozing out from One-man- Mopol’s mouth. His deceased wife was said be having a mould of food on her hand. This discovery led to the invitation of the men of the Nigeria Police.

VM learnt that it took a

,

By BOSE ADELAJA

To their greatest shock, they found the remains of the cleric and his wife as well as that of One-man-Mopol and his wife; two of the corpses were allegedly lying in the pool of their own blood

•Gethsemane parish last Sunday. Photos by Bose Adelaja as Alfa and Segun, said the cleric was murdered at a time they needed him most.

Some residents told VM that noise from generating sets may have contributed to the tragedy. ‘’There is no way all of them would have died without crying for help but the sound of the generators made it impossible for their distress calls to be heard,” one of them said.

Meanwhile, a source in CCC said plans are in top gear to retrieve the corpses from the Corona Court for interment.

•The building where the bodies were found

, LCC trains drivers on road safety

By JUDE NJOKU

while before the corpses were removed from the scene and taken to the morgue for autopsy.

A resident who pleaded anonymity said One- man-Mopol had a queer character. He was alleged to have divorced his first wife who gave birth to five children for him. He was also described as a bully.

When VM visited the Celestial Church in Ofin community last Sunday, a guest speaker was on hand to conduct the service with only three other worshippers. The five children of the deceased could not be located as relations had taken them away.

Two members of the church who simply gave their names

A

s part of the on-going campaign

by Lekki Concession Company, LCC, to promote road safety and positively influence road user habits, the company recently completed the second edition of training and re-certification for 100 drivers in Lagos State. They were among the 200 drivers selected from commercial bus operators popularly known as danfos, from motor parks located in Lagos Island, Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Lekki.

The training and re-certification programme which took place at the Lagos State Drivers Institute, Lagos Island, was organised to enlighten commercial bus drivers on the proper use of roads, traffic signs and general car maintenance as well as adherence to the Nigerian highway code of conduct.

LCC’s Head of Commercial, Mr. Charles Imevbore, used the training to re-affirm the company’s commitment to reach out to com-

mercial drivers with the road safety messages. “We also maintain regular dialogue with recognised road transport unions and private operators, all of which provide an avenue for continuous coaching on road safety guidelines and best practices, including features such as proper use of roundabouts and illegal parking,” he said.

“Improving road safety in a sustainable way ultimately means that road users themselves need to adapt their behaviour accordingly, and to learn to drive more responsibly. LCC alone cannot achieve this, and others (law enforcement agencies, the wider community,) have a major role to play. Our hope is that our modest contributions and initiatives so far and those we plan to develop in a foreseeable future, will help to bring about positive change and save lives. We also encourage the commercial operators to register on our e-Tag, the electronic toll payment device, which charges N80 exclusively for danfo buses at the toll plaza. With eTag, similar drivers won’t waste time queuing in the cash lanes at the plaza, which means they can make more trips with passengers which translates to more income for them,” Mr. Imevbore said.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014 — 21

Oshodi-Apapa gridlock destroying Nigeria’s economy — LCCI …Seeks relocation of tank farms, rail revival

By NAOMI UZOR

T

HE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, yesterday, warned that the chaotic traffic situation on the Apapa-Oshodi expressway and other access roads to the ports in Lagos is destroying businesses and the economy of the country.

Speaking at its 2014 quarterly press conference on the economy in Lagos, the President of LCCI, Alhaji Remi Bello, lamented the total collapse of transportation logistics and access to the major ports in the country – Apapa and Tin Can Island Port complexes, saying this has brought about an urgent need to relocate the tank farms to the outskirts of the city.

Bello said getting to the ports has become an unprecedented nightmare; moving out of the ports is even a greater nightmare, saying that the entire system has become totally dysfunctional and delivery of empty containers and the evacuation of cargo has become a terrifying experience.

He said, “To fix these, there is urgent need to relocate the tank farms to the outskirts of the city. Current location of the tank farms is a major factor in the huge traffic congestion.

They also

-2.55

3,112.00

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17.55

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110.25

-0.39

103.49

-0.57

154.73 264.8978 210.4173 173.0954 1.5192 0.3029 238.5186 24.9395 41.2558 28.2179 238.8876

CENTRAL SELLING 155.23 265.7538 211.0973 173.6548 1.5241 0.3129 239.2893 25.0205 41.3891 28.3091 239.6596

“This in fact, is the most efficient and cost effective mode of transportation of petroleum products.”

He noted that this development has been taking its toll on the private sector and the entire economy, especially in frequent accidents resulting from fallen containers in transit because of the state of the roads; high demurrage resulting from the slow evacuation of cargo.

He disclosed that charges by haulage vehicles had

increased astronomically because of the long travel time as well as turnaround time, high demurrage by terminal operators and shipping lines resulting from the slow pace of cargo evacuation from the ports, paralysis of other businesses along the axis because of reduced patronage due to reduced access by customers.

He is of the view that the development has had profound adverse impact on

From left: Director, Business Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr Lucas Dada; Head, Corporate Sales, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr Eric Uwaoma; winners of the Etisalat ESP Activation Promo, Chief Executive Officer, Jokie Global Resources Limited, Mrs Ekuase Egbe; and Chairman, Jokie Global Resources Limited, Mr James Egbe at the presentation of a bus to the winners of the Etisalat ESP Activation promo at Etisalat Head Office, Lagos.

166.85

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

constitute a serious safety hazards to citizens. There is an urgent need to revive the rail system for the purpose of evacuating cargo from the Lagos ports; urgent need to make the refineries functional to reduce importation of petroleum products which will reduce the convergence of tankers at the various ports and an urgent need to improve the reliability, safety and integrity of pipelines across the country as a means of moving petroleum products.

155.73 266.6098 211.7772 174.2141 1.529 0.3229 240.0601 25.1015 41.5225 28.4003 240.4315

CBN Exchange rate as at 09/07/2014

the welfare of citizens that are resident in these locations and posed a serious risk to the many bridges and flyovers along the axis which carry heavy load of stationary vehicles, including tankers for several hours.

He further commented on the new cement grade policy, saying that the new policy, which specifies high grades of cement for building, plastering and pillars, is seen by most operators to affect their turnover.

He noted that there was no enough transmission time allowed for operators to adjust their plants and inputs.

“The few available were highly priced,” he said.

He noted among others that many technically skilled labour have taken up the job of commercial motorcyclists which apparently was relatively more financially rewarding; Late passage and signing of the Appropriate bill; High cost of building materials, especially cement and iron rods, Late payment for work done and duly certified.

“The policy implication is that there is need for more government investment in vocational and technical education. There should also be a deliberate policy to reduce cost of building materials.

Governments at all levels should as well promptly pay contractors after due certification” he stated.

Reps mandate committee to work out modalities to curb smuggling

T

HE House of Representa tives has mandated its Committee on Customs to liaise with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to workout modalities to curb the activities of smugglers.

The committee is expected to report back to the house within four weeks. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the motion, moved by Rep. Odebunmi Dokun (PDP-Oyo), was adopted when put to vote by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Emeka Ihedioha.

The motion was entitled: “Need for proactive measures by the Nigerian Customs Service to check the activities of Economic Saboteurs in the country”.

Leading the debate on the motion, Dokun said the transformation agenda of the Federal Gov-

ernment included the optimisation of production level of local industries.

“The transformation agenda includes the optimisation of the production level of local industries by prohibiting the importation of certain categories of products that compete with those of local industries producing similar products,” he said.

Dokun said the NCS had a major role to play in the enforcement of the policy. He expressed concern that the nation’s borders were so porous that palm oil and other consumables were being easily smuggled into the country.The legislator noted that the porous nature of the borders had affected the marketability of locally-produced palm oil and other consumables.

“The rate at which rice and other food items are being smuggled into

the country through our borders is so high that Nigeria has lost much revenue,” he said. Dokun said the NCS was not doing much to curb the activities of smugglers and the sale of prohibited goods within the country.

In their contributions, Rep. Fort Dike (PDP-Anambra) and Rep. Friday Itulah (PDP-Edo), said the motion was timely and expressed concern that the NCS had not done much to curtail the activities of smugglers.

It was reported that most of the legislators, who contributed to the debate, spoke in favour of the motion.The Deputy Speaker, who presided over plenary referred the motion to the committee for further action.

22—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

Without a clear idea of where you want to go and how you plan to get there, you may find yourself stumbling through the stages of starting a business

Questions to ask before starting a business

BY ALYSSA GREGORY

S

tarting a business is exciting ... and scary.

One of the best ways to boost the excitement and shrink the fear is by being prepared. You can get yourself on the path to success by considering these five questions: Have I set goals and do I have a plan for reaching them?

As the proverb says, “He who fails to plan, plans to fail,” and this is especially true when starting a business.

Without a clear idea of where you want to go and how you plan to get there, you may find yourself stumbling through the stages of starting a business and facing unwanted stress and frustration.

One of the most important steps is setting goals that outline what you want to accomplish in the short term (1 month, 3 months, 6 months, etc.), as well as over the long term (2 years, 5 years, etc.).

Once you have created your

leaving behind a steady paycheck and if your business has significant start-up expenses.

Some business financing options to consider to ease the financial transition include starting your business on the side while continuing to work full time, working a part-time job until your business becomes established, waiting to start your business until you have saved up a financial reserve, and borrowing the necessary funds to bridge the gap.

Is my support network in place?

Even if you plan to be a sole proprietor, you can benefit tremendously from creating an external support system to keep you on track.

Your support network may include family, friends, colleagues, a mentor, a coach, and anyone else who can help you navigate roadblocks.

When you have an effective support system in place, you will find that you have a cheerleader, consultant, moral support and even a devil’s

Being a successful business owner requires a unique mix of personality and small business character traits

,

goals, it’s time to make sure you have a plan for your business that will guide you along the way. It’s also helpful to understand your motivation for starting a business in the first place.

Will I be able to follow my plan without breaking any laws or regulations?

There are a number of legalities that you should consider when starting a business. Here is a list of some of the legal areas you should explore: Deciding on the structure of your business (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company); Registering a business name; Obtaining necessary licenses and permits; Planning for business taxes Have I fully considered the financial implications of starting a business?

Money is a major concern when you start a business, especially if you will be

,

advocate when necessary.

Do I have what it takes to make it as a business owner?

Being a successful business owner requires a unique mix of personality and small business character traits. While there isn’t a standard formula that makes one type of person more successful than another, some entrepreneur-friendly personality traits that can ease the process of getting started as a business owner include passion, drive, dedication and self-discipline. And it doesn’t hurt to be an effective communicator and someone who is willing to take measured risks.

These five questions are likely to spur a few more specific to your situation. Now is the time to consider all of the possibilities ... then you can let your enthusiasm trump the fear. *Courtesy: About.com

BUSINESS NAIRA EXCHANGE RATES Date 08/7/14

Currency DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

T

he value of global trade in honey and other bee products is over $600 million (about N96 billion) every year. Most people think honey is the only valuable product bees make. As a matter of fact, honey bee produces up to six different high-demand products used in a range of industries from food processing to medicine.

Following are the products and their lucrative potentials in the market.

Honey is the sweet tasting juice produced by honey bees, popular for its taste and flavour. Due to its natural sweetness and chemical properties, it is preferred over processed sugars and other sweeteners used in baking, beverages and foods. In medicine, honey is used as a sweetening agent for children•fs drugs and the treatment of sore throat, cough, hay fever and burns.

It is also used to produce cleansers, lotions and creams in the cosmetic industry and used as a nutritional supplement for children, athletes and people suffering from diabetes. Other applications of honey are in animal production (where it is an ingredient in animal feed, and used to increase milk production in dairy cows). Honey is also used in chemical industries where it is used to produce mice and rat repellant compounds.

Beeswax is a wax material produced from the honeybee's body. Most people who keep bees are unaware of the economic benefits of beeswax and often throw it away after harvesting honey from bee hives. A lot of manufacturers still spend a lot of money importing beeswax which can be produced locally.

Surprisingly, beeswax has a much wider use than honey.

It is used in food processing industries as an additive and a common ingredient in chewing gum. It has much wider use in the skin care and

Buying(N) 154.73 264.9287 210.3245 172.9793 1.521 0.3016 238.1176 24.9475 41.2569 28.2091 238.9031

Central(N) 155.23 265.7848 211.0041 173.5383 1.5259 0.3116 238.887 25.0286 41.3903 28.3003 239.6751

155.73

Selling(N) 266.6409 211.6838 174.0973 1.5308 0.3216 239.6565 25.1096 41.5236 28.3915 240.4471

Making money from bee-keeping busin

BY YINKA KOLAWOLE, with agency report cosmetic industry where it has been found better than petroleum jelly in making products like lip balm, lip gloss, hand creams, moisturizers, eye shadow, blush and eye liners. It is also commonly used to make shoe and furniture polish, and has been used for centuries to make candles. Above all, beeswax never goes bad and can be heated and reused over and over again. Beeswax has over 100 industrial uses and is widely known to have a ready market both at home and abroad. Currently, suppliers in Europe buy processed or bleached beeswax from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania while other African countries purchase processed wax from Europe.

Propolis (also known as bee

glue) is a sticky substance collected by bees from leaves, buds and sap of certain trees. Bees use this stuff to fill cracks in their hive, to seal the entrance hole when it is too large, and to keep the hive clean and free from diseases and parasites. Propolis possesses several properties that make it very suitable as an antibiotic and antifungal agent in the pharmaceutical industry. It is also used in natural medicine to treat various conditions, including inflammations, viral diseases, ulcers, skin burns and scalds.

Pollen is basically food for bees. It is a powder-like material found on flowering plants that is collected, eaten and stored by bees in honey comb cells.

In many developed countries, pollen is used in some expensive dietary supplements, since it is believed to have valuable medicinal properties.

Royal jelly (or bee's milk) is a special substance produced by worker bees and fed to the

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014—23

& YOU

There is nothing like superior or inferior stakeholder. All employess are stakeholders and as such should take ownership of the business

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Running your organisation as your own business

medicine as treatment for rheumatism and other joint diseases due to its antiinflammatory action. It is also used to desensitize people who are allergic to bee stings and insect bites.

m N96bn ess

GETTING STARTED Acquire some knowledge and skill in beekeeping: You need to know how to attract a swarm of bees to your hive, how to feed them, how to harvest honey and other bee products, how to avoid bee diseases, the types of equipment you should use, how to avoid getting stung by the bees and all the other dos and don'ts of the business.

There are beekeeping training programs organised by government Agriculture departments and NGOs across Africa. Also, there are several good resources on the internet that can give you all the information you need to get started.

Honey bee produces up to six different highdemand products used in a range of industries from food processing to medicine

,

queen bee. Studies show royal jelly to be a good source of Vitamin B. Like pollen, it is thought to have medicinal value and is used in certain expensive dietary preparations. It is consumed more in Asia than any other part of the world. Consumption of royal jelly in China alone is more than 75 tonnes annually. In fact, China makes royal jelly chocolate candy and wine, as well as lotions and tonics for natural healing.

Honey bee venom (scientifically known as Apitoxin) is used by the bees as a defensive weapon to protect the colony from intruders and attackers. This substance is responsible for the bee's painful sting and is produced in the abdomen of worker bees that defend the bee colony. Bee venom is used in

Get the required equipment: To get the best results, it's important to use the right type of equipment for your beekeeping business.

The hive, a wooden box used to keep the bees, is the single most important piece of equipment you will need because it allows you to manage the bee colony and determines the volume of honey you will harvest. While hives can be bought readymade from bee equipment suppliers, you can also get a carpenter to make it for you as long as you have the right specifications. These specs are VERY important and you are likely to get very poor results if some measurements are too small or too large.

Again, there are very good resources online that provide the ideal specifications for your hive. Other important tools and equipment include: protective clothing, gloves, long boots, feeders, a small knife and a couple of other basic stuff. *Source: smallstarter.com

BY ‘UJU ONWUZULIKE

"Ownership: ‘A commitment of the head, heart, and hands to fix the problem and never again affix the blame" - John G. Miller

O

ne debilitating factor that has caused business failures in today's organisations is "I don't CARE attitude" exhibited by some employees. This "I don't CARE attitude" is also reflected in phrases or statements like "It is not my business", or "it is not my father's business". The harsh truth is that regardless of any amount of money invested in transforming your organisation - with this "I don't CARE attitude" exhibited by some staff members, achieving a sustainable growth/ progress could be a herculean task. Proactive organisations have employees "that always care."

A misleading belief or assumption has existed for a long time and that has been, "it is not my responsibility to take my organisation to the next level - it is the responsibility of others". Most employees do not take ownership of the business or where they work seriously.

They think that it is only the CEO or the board of directors that own the organisations and as such would not be required to give their all. One of the goals of this insight is to inform all of us that we are all stakeholders in where we work (earn our salaries).

There is nothing like superior or inferior stakeholder. All employees are stakeholders and as such should take ownership of the business.

Taking ownership is a sure way to show that we want the growth and sustainability of our organisations. It is not by paying lip service. It is by

taking actions to do things differently.

Many people are confused and sometimes do not understand what taking business ownership means.

They have misconstrued the primar y meaning. Taking ownership does not mean you have bought over the business/ organisation or you are the CEO/Director, it simply means doing one's duty as if you are the owner of the business. It also means doing all you can to ensure that the customer is not just satisfied, but will be a "free marketing agent" for your business. It means going the extra mile and doing things

,

Cocoa

When we are employed to work in an organisation, that organisation becomes our business

,

differently with the intent of delivering better result for your organisation.

It means being delighted to be in your place of work. Finally, it means taking care of the business same way you will take care of your personal belongings e.g car. It requires a paradigm shift – from me "it is not my business" to "it is my business".

During one of my workshops, I asked the participants to name their best day of the week. Much to my chagrin, more than 70 percents said Fridays, and about 20 percent of participants said Mondays.

The point here is that most employees do not even want to work; they want to close their eyes and meet Fridays.

I am not against Fridays, but the fact is that someone who takes ownership of the business and who is committed will know that his/ her success story will start on

a Monday. Mondays should be every employee's delight.

The person will be keen to go the office. Surprisingly, most employees on getting to Sunday evening will start grumbling and saying here comes Monday again. That thought alone has set the stage for failure ahead of the week. Funny enough, that same person who has grumbled on a Sunday evening will never say at the end of the month, here comes salary again. The only way to justify our salaries is to take ownership of what we do.

Points to ponder: Anybody that earns a salary in an organisation is a stakeholder, and should no more say, "It is not my father's business" when dealing with the affairs of the organisation. The business takes care of us (there is no fatherly role than this), and as such requires us to give in our best. The CEOs, board of directors and executives are not the only stakeholders, every employee is. Nobody should see him/her self less.

When we are employed to work in an organisation, that organisation becomes our business. It is only our business that will put money in our pocket and enables us to settle our bills. It is not only when people are self employed that they will think they are running their businesses, anything that puts money in your pocket (legally) should be treated and viewed as your business and requires high level of seriousness. What did you do last week that shows ownership? CEOs, Senior Management, Managers and all employees should be required to answer this question every week. After chairing (weekly) meetings, the CEO, Senior Management, Managers or Head of Departments etc that presided over the meeting should ask (openly) what everyone has done to take ownership in the last one week?

C M Y K

24 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

is in addition to the seaport I mentioned earlier. The airport, as we speak, is under construction in the state. These are the key things-infrastructure, human capital and creating the needed conducive environment for business. It is like creating another Dubai. Dubai ensured there is infrastructure, that they have qualitative human capital, and their laws are business friendly. That is the same approach we are adopting and with that we are sure we can become the Dubai of Africa. We want to be the model of African business success story.

Bayelsa: We're targeting $1bn investments from investors' forum

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

Bayelsa State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Barrister Kamela Okara, in this interview says the state hopes to attract over $1 billion investment through its first investment forum, holding next week.

What is the role to be played by the private sector at this forum?

The private sector is the key and central force in this event.

The theme of the event is “Unlocking Bayelsa State Economic Potential, Opportunities and Challenges". As you know, to unlock the potentials of a state requires active participation of the private sector. This forum provides an avenue for the private sector to partner with the government in unlocking the potentials of the state. What the government is doing is to facilitate dialogue with the private sector. We are saying that the private sector can come from the comparative advantage of Bayelsa State from the economic point of view.

And how they can benefit from this is the entire objective of the Forum. Private sector is very key. They are the target audience for this event.

What are the economic potentials available in Bayelsa State?

The major area which is not only of benefit to Bayelsa State but to the entire country is power. As you may know, Bayelsa State generates one quarter of the total oil production in Nigeria. Gas is what we have in great abundance. Gas is also the feedstock for power generation. What we are doing is to encourage power companies that want to set up in Bayelsa State to take advantage of the accessibility of gas and site their power plant in the state because we want the

Mr Kamela Okara, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Trade and Investment: Our focus is: how can we transform Bayelsa's economy to what we want it to be? state to become the power hub of Nigeria. We know that in the short time, if we are able to get power companies to site and generate as much as 3000 megawatts, if we add that to the current 3,500 to 6000 megawatts, it will make a huge difference in Nigeria.

Bayelsa has a natural geographical environment for cultivation. If you look at rice cultivation belt across the globe, it falls within the same belt such as Thailand, Vietnam and other countries. We have the same kind of environmentmangrove forest which is good environment for rice farming.

That is another major area.

Aquaculture is another area.

We are rich in fish and all of that. We also want to expand the value chain in oil and gas through the Nigeria Local Contempt Development and Monitoring Board (NCDM).

In partnership with the NCDM, we also want to expand the access of small and medium scale enterprises into the entire value chain. There are lots of opportunities in the state. These are few examples of opportunities that are available in the state and we are ready to explore them.

What concessions are you offering to prospective investors in Bayelsa State?

Take the power sector for instance, we are currently working on an industrial masterplan, which has provisions for areas that will be assigned to power. We are already making the preparation, making the land ready, doing the acquisition and getting ready for industrial park. That way, it will make it easy for them to deter-

mine their area of focus. That is one major area. If you look at it, the cost of land and the cost of preparing the land is quite huge. Land preparation is going to be a major capital discount.

Is there anything like tax holiday for prospective investors?

In reality, tax holidays do not form a major incentive to investors. I have found that what most businesses want is the ease of doing business in the environment. Bayelsa is one of the safest places in the country because we have worked really hard to put the issue of militancy, kidnapping and pipeline vandalisation behind us. Even if you look at the is-

,

What are the preparations for the first Bayelsa State Investment Forum slated for next week?

I can tell you confidently that we have gone a great length to ensure that we have a successful programme next week in Bayelsa State. All the key elements that will make it a huge success have been put in place in terms of the speakers being invited, the participants who will attend and in terms of logistics. So we are ready to host the world at the First Bayelsa State Investment Forum.

a deep sea port because we have a natural deep sea port environment.

How achievable is the ambition of Governor Seriake Dickson to turn Bayelsa into” Dubai” of Africa?

It is very achievable if we remain focused on our drive for human capital development. Aside other things we are doing, we are focused on providing training so that we can build the skill level. What makes an economy really very strong is the quality of human capital. That is the key backbone. When the Governor came on board, one of the first things he did was the emergency in education and there

As you may know, Bayelsa State generates one quarter of the total oil production in Nigeria. Gas is what we have in great abundance.

Gas is also the feedstock for power generation

sue of tax holiday, strictly speaking, it is really the incentive of the Federal Government. Taxation is within the jurisdiction of the federal government. It is under the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) and Export Promotion Council, among others. But we will try to ensure that there is no local taxation in those free trade zones. One will be in a place called Elemebiri and the other one is planned for a place called Agge. There is also the site for

,

has been a major drive to build more schools. Not only that, we also have high number of Bayelsa people pursuing various degrees and PhDs in various universities across the world. Our bill alone for 2013 was in the region of N6 billion in scholarship for students studying abroad. This effort is geared to ensure we have qualitative human capital. The second thing we are doing is massive investment in agriculture. We are linking the entire state with road network, this

How is Bayelsa doing in terms of internally revenue generation?

In Bayelsa, the IGR is still on the low side. It is not what we want to achieve yet but we are not so concerned about IGR today because we are now concerned with what we can build for the future. So our focus is how can we transform Bayelsa economy to what we want it to be. Our major focus today is to grow the economy and once we do that, internally generated revenue will grow so our plan is to diversify the economy, provide opportunity, provide the jobs, the foundation will have a knock-out effect on the IGR that will accrue.

Are you saying the government relies essentially on revenue from oil?

There is no state that relies solely on oil. Most states apart from Lagos and Kano rely predominantly on oil resources because they base what they do on revenues from federal allocation. That is the fact for most states in Nigeria. But what we want to achieve in Bayelsa State through this forum is economic diversification because we realise we cannot depend on only one source of income.

If the IGR is on the low side, how can the state survive other than revenue from oil and gas?

This forum is not about government’s responsibility. This forum is to grow the private sector. It is to encourage the private sector to take advantage of the opportunities in the sector. We aren’t asking the private sector to come and build schools for us. We are capable of doing that and we are doing so. We aren’t asking the private sector to come and build hospitals or roads for us. Those are the responsibilities of the state government. What we are saying to Nigerians is that we want people who are successful, who have jobs to come and create jobs, create business opportunities and to do that we have to grow the private sector.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014 — 25

*Will Nigeria's over 10.5 million out-of-school children benefit from the $28.5bn pledge? Inset is Board Chair of GPE and Australia's former Prime Minister, Ms. Julia Eileen Gillard

Global education gets $28.5bn pledge

…over 60 developing countries to benefit

BY EBELE ORAKPO with Agency Reports

H

elp seems to be on the way for the basic education sector of over 60 developing countries as the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Replenishment Conference, on June 26, in Brussels, Belgium, received new

UniAbuja: Labour unions laud choice of Adikwu as VC Pg. 27

Faith-based varsities and students' protests Pg. 30

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

We want to get young people back to the farms - Jelena Zivkovic

Pg. 29

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pledges of more than US$28.5 billion from donor and recipient countries. The Global Partnership for Education whose mission is “to galvanize and coordinate a global effort to provide good quality education for children, prioritizing the poorest and most vulnerable,” has allocated US$3.7 billion over the past decade to support education reforms in developing countries.

The additional funding, described by stakeholders as unprecedented, is for the education of tens of millions of children in over 60 developing countries, including Nigeria which has over 10.5 million out-ofschool children.

According to a release made available to Vanguard Learning, the US$28.5bn “was driven by extraordinary commitments by 27 developing countries to increase their own education budgets by US$26 billion, which represents an increase of 25 per cent between 2015 and 2018, in addition to donations from donor countries including Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the United Kingdom which pledged over US$2.1 billion for the GPE Fund, an increase of US$600 million or 40 per cent on the last replenishment pledging conference in Copenhagen in 2011. Pledges were also received from the European Union, multilateral organisations, Non-gov-

The conference which was hosted by the European Commission brought together 800 delegates and more than 40 ministers, education experts, and representatives from multilateral organisations, civil society, business and youth leaders from 91 countries.

Speaking at the event, Board Chair of GPE and Australia's former Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, said: “We have secured a record commitment of new funding for education in developing countries around the world. This exceptional result is a vote of confidence in the power of education to lift the lives of millions of children, and is a tribute to farsighted leadership in our partner countries, donors and developing country partners

,

Gillard

ernmental organisations, private sector, and – for the first time – two foundations contributed to the GPE Fund. In addition, the Islamic Development Bank will contribute US$400 million in loan buydown arrangements.

“The conference marks the start of the Partnership’s fouryear replenishment period (2015-2018), which aims to raise a total of US$3.5 billion in donor commitments,” the release noted, adding that the over US$2.1bn from donor countries has taken the Partnership more than half way towards the ultimate goal of US$3.5bn.

education systems.”

While expressing his delight at the outcome of the conference, European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, said: “I am delighted to see all of the pledges being made here, in particular those by our developing country partners, which will help make a difference in the lives and the futures of millions of children across the world. It is vital that we continue to work together and step up our efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals, and their replacements after 2015. The EU will continue to stand by the Global Partnership for Education on this ongoing journey, to give all children a chance to go to school and receive quality education, no matter where they live. We encourage all donor partners to match the commitments made by partner countries here.”

The GPE aims to improve access and equity, address quality and learning outcomes, and improve data and education management systems in the coming replenishment period.

Some of the topics addressed at the conference include: Because We Promised: Inclusive Quality Education for All Children with Disabilities; Empowering Teachers; Domestic Resource Mobilization;

GPE aims to improve access and equity, address quality and learning outcomes, and improve data and education management systems in the coming replenishment period

alike. No other organisation has a partnership structure that has leveraged such substantial funds from developing countries. The Global Partnership for Education provides the long-term, systemic support that governments need to build stable, effective

,

Education Cannot Wait: Protecting Children and Youth’s Right to a Quality Education in Humanitarian Emergencies and Conflict Situations; Moving Beyond Access: Accelerating Progress for Girls’

Continues on page 26

Crisis over CONTISS 15 arrears extends ASUP strike to 352 days

BY LAJU ARENYEKA he Academic Staff Un ion of Poly-technics, ASUP, has now been on strike for a total of 352 days.

Several mitigating factors have contributed to this, but the most contentious is the payment of workers’ salary arrears on the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure, CONTISS, 15 to the tune of N40bn.

Recall that during a meeting with the chairmen of

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Governing Councils of federal polytechnics in March, the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, said government was committed to paying CONTISS 15 in two installments in March and November 2014. “At our exhaustive meeting with ASUP,’ Wike said, "we agreed on two installmental payments of the CONTISS 15. We have since raised a memo to the President to this effect. I took the risk of committing govern-

ment because we are deeply worried over the prolonged strike.

Thereafter, ASUP wrote to inform us that they have rejected this offer. Please, as chairmen of Polytechnic Governing Councils, we ask that you communicate our commitment to adhering to the schedule of payment. All the processes are on and we are committed to resolving the strike action.”

That was three months ago.

Wike’s spokesperson, Simeon Nwakaudu told Vanguard Learning earlier this week: "The only

issue left is the payment of the CONTISS 15 arrears and ASUP is mostly to blame for that. ASUP missed the opportunity in January when government said that it would pay the money in two installments. I think the ASUP president should take responsibility and be bold enough to accept the fact that he made an error. He wrote to the government saying that ASUP would only accept

Continues on page 26

26 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10 2014

*Donation: Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Rahamon Bello (centre), receving the keys to an 18-seater bus donated to the English Dept from Mr. Austin Oniyokor, General/Media Adviser to Prince Kashamu Buruji, Founder/ Chief Promoter of Omo Ilu Foundation while Prof. Babajide Alo, Deputy VC (Acad) and others look on.

Global education gets $28.5bn pledge Continues from page 25 Education; Strengthening Accountability in Education and Investing Urgently in Early Childhood Care and Education.

Meanwhile, a new Chief Technical Officer has been appointed for the GPE. She is Dr. Karen Mundy, a globally recognised leader and specialist in basic education.

Mundy comes to GPE from the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), where she has

served as the Associate Dean of Research, International and Innovation, and a professor in the Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education. She also held a Canada research chair from 2002 to 2013.

“I am delighted that Karen Mundy has accepted to play such a key leadership role for GPE,” said Alice Albright, Chief Executive Officer of the organisation. “I am impressed by the depth and breadth of her experience and expertise in the sector and her ambition for real progress on global education’s major challenges.

With Karen on board, GPE

will be well positioned to face the education challenges for the post-2015 development agenda,” added Albright.

Dr. Mundy began her professional career as a teacher in rural Zimbabwe, and became an assistant professor, international and comparative education at Stanford University prior to joining OISE. Her published research has focused on the global politics of “education for all” programs and policies; educational policy and reform in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Crisis over CONTISS 15 arrears extends Pursue science infusion ASUP strike to 352 days into culture – Prof Banjo Continues from page 25 one installment. Then, by the time ASUP changed its mind and agreed to pay in installments, the budget had already been passed, and it was not included in the budget."

The ASUP Chairman, Dr. Chibuzor Asomugha, however, told Vanguard Learning that the union did not at any time refuse the Government’s offer to pay the money in two installments. "ASUP never refused it," he said, "we never rejected it at any point; we had our own options for installments, and the Government had its own.

We proposed that the first installment be made in February, and the second in May. Government wanted to pay in March and September, and later said it would pay in March and November. In March, at the meeting, we agreed that the payments will be made in April and July. We had that meeting with Wogu on the directive of the President, but up until now, not a kobo has been paid."

Asomugha argued that the Minister is simply "just trying to buy time with this argument.

The money is not in the budget. If they have the money, they would not even ask about installments, they will just pay what they have. It doesn’t even make any sense. We have been owed since 2009; even if they were going to pay it in 10 installments, wouldn’t it have been included in the budget?

The argument that it was not included in the budget because of difference over installments does not hold water at all."

Other issues When ASUP first embarked on the strike on April 29, it tried to press home a 13-point agenda based on the union’s agreement with the Federal Government in 2009, ASUP suspended the strike in July 2013 as a result of Government’s promise to fulfill four of the 13 issues in

the contentious 2009 agreement between both parties.

These four issues include release of the White paper on Visitation to Federal Polytechnics, the completion of the constitution of the governing councils for federal polytechnics, the migration of the lower cadre on CONTISS 15 salary scale, and the commencement of the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Polytechnics.

Three of these, apart from the CONTISS were settled after the union resumed its strike in September. A committee has also been set up to look into the issue of dichotomy between university and polytechnic graduates in job placements and career progression.

Nwakaudu told Vanguard Learning that 90 per cent of ASUP’s demands have been met. He said: "Concerning the other issues, they are extraneous. They are issues that will require a long process because they involve different sectors of government. The essence of negotiation in unionism is that you should be willing to make compromises; that is why, about seven polytechnics have pulled out of the strike."

These other, less popular issues first postulated by ASUP include: the worrisome state of state-owned polytechnics in the country; the continued appointment of unqualified persons as Rectors and Provosts of Polytechnics, Monotechnics and Colleges of Technologies by some state governments; refusal of most state governments to implement the approved salary packages (CONPCASS) for their Polytechnics, Monotechnics and Colleges of Technologies and the 65-year retirement age in some state polytechnics; among others.

Wike’s absence at Senate intervention meeting Recall that the Supervising Minister of Education last

week was absent at a meeting scheduled to hold with delegates of the Senate Committee on Education, ASUP, and it’s striking counterpart, the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union. Wike's spokesperson, Simeon Nwakaudu told Vanguard Learning that Wike "wrote officially to the Senate about a week before the meeting with the Senate; we were even surprised that the meeting held. He took permission because he was in a policy meeting with JAMB, vicechancellors of universities, and rectors of polytechnics to place cut off marks for admission into tertiary institutions."

The ASUP boss, however, contradicted this saying that "there were two meetings with the Senate that he missed. The first time, we were told that he had taken permission not to be around, but the second one which held last week, the Senate told us that he did not have the courtesy to take permission."

Asomugha also spoke on the issue of some chapters pulling out of the protracted strike. "Which Polytechnics are pulling out?" he asked our reporter, "Oko Poly for example is not pulling out. The management decided to call students back to school. It is the prerogative of management to decide whether to send students home or to ask them to come back to school. That was never ASUP’s call.

ASUP decided not to give our services, and at Oko Poly, we are still not giving our services. Of course, there are a few ASUP chapters that have pulled out of the strike because of external pressure, but Oko Poly is not one of them."

BY TARE YOUDEOWEI

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rofessor Ayo Banjo while giving the 2012/ 2013 Convocation Ceremonies lecture on Learned Academies and Social Responsibility, stated the need for the use of the mother tongue in early education, particularly science education and the roles learned academies are to play in nation-building.

His words: “Language plays a major role in the design of a science curriculum in a country like Nigeria. The language factor looms as large in the Nigerian education system as the science factor. With the education system, there is research evidence from the University of Ife to show that teaching in the mother tongue in the early years of schooling is far more productive than going straight for English.

“By discovering the way in which science was practised in ancient cultures of Nigeria, links can be established between cultural and modern science. This is pertinent because modern science looks alien to the ordinary Nigerian, particularly in the rural areas and an important part of this has to do with the use of language.

The efforts of linguists may yet provide a method of making modern science yield its secrets even to monolingual Nigerians by establishing a metalanguage which provides equivalents between the ancient Nigerian apprehension and analysis of natural phenomena and the modern Europeanised mode.”

Professor Banjo, who explained that “modern Learned Academies are a collection of individuals who are eminent in their fields but who wish to give society the benefit of their learning, both individually and collectively, would appear to be indispensable catalysts for development in developed and seriously developing

countries of the world,” suggested that the Nigerian Academy of Science, established in 1977 to engage in vigorous advocacy for the application of science to the solution of the country ’s problems and creation of scientifically enlightened citizenry, pursue science infusion into culture.

“Leadership of the Academy of Science is vital in helping to infuse scientific attitude and method into the indigenous cultures of Nigeria, so that modern science becomes fully domesticated in the cultures. One simple way of doing this is by giving enough prominence to scientists in the public life of the country as is the case in developed countries. The public needs to be exposed constantly to rational explanations of phenomena instead of having the mysteries of the unknown reinforced. Scientists need to be more evident in the media helping the public acquire the scientific attitude,” said 80-year-old Prof. Banjo.

On education in Nigeria, the Professor had words, particularly for the Academy of Education which attempts to influence government policy through regular annual lectures and conventions; “it is generally recognised that Nigeria faces gargantuan problems in the area of education on which genuine national development ultimately depends.

The entire education system needs to be subjected to bold and original thinking in form and content, paying greater attention to Nigeria’s unique problems than to the facile borrowing of practices from abroad. Primary and secondary levels of education need to be entirely reconstructed to provide, on one hand, suitable inputs into the tertiary level, and on the other hand, produce truly civilized morally upright and refined Nigerians.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014 — 27

Anambra Varsity, Police collaborate on campus security

BY IKENNA ASOMBA

I

N a bid to fur-ther strengthen the security measures to protect lives and properties on its Uli, Igbariam and Awka campuses and other parts of the state, the Anambra State University, (ANSU), Uli, has received a hand of fellowship from the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Usman Qwary, who paid a courtesy visit to the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Fidelis Okafor.

Qwary who was deployed to the state in December 2013, said the visit became imperative as the university was one of his flashpoints and therefore deserved special attention.

Receiving the CP alongside the vice-chancellor were the Registrar, Okwudili Okechukwu; Bursar, Prince Chinedu Okeke; Librarian, Dr. Nobert Agbanu; Chief Security Officer, Obi Okonkwo and the university’s spokesperson, Chinwe Nnedum.

The Anambra Police boss, who expressed optimism in the efforts of the VC and the entire university community in partnering with the Police, said: “The hallmark of good policing is being proactive.

My VC, I urge you and the

university’s Chief Security Officer to always call on me whenever the need arises, as my utmost desire since arrival is to give the state unparalleled security of lives and property.”

While receiving CP Qwary, the VC, who lauded his efforts in effectively policing the state since arrival, cited the sack of notorious hoodlums from Upper Iweka, Onitsha, as a good omen, that is in line with Governor Willie Obiano’s Operation Kpochapu security strategies in the state.

Okafor said: “Thank you once more for including ANSU in your security map.

Like other institutions, ANSU deals with youths of different colorations and backgrounds, battling with cultism and other negative tendencies of the youth. As parts of our determination to rid the school of cult-related activities, at least 497 students denounced cultism in 2012. Since then, the school has been enjoying peace and tranquility, unlike what obtained before then.”

Similarly, the Registrar, Okwudili Okechukwu thanked the CP for visiting the university, assuring him of a good working relationship and cooperation with the state’s Police command.

OGF organises Mathematics competition

BY SIMON ADEWALE

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HE 3rd edition of mathe matics is simple competition for senior secondary school students organized by Our Generation Foundation without the use of calculators was held at the Gem International School, Owode, Yewa in Ogun State.

The bi-annual competition which is to inspire the love for mathematics and to solve mathematics without the use of calculators and rewards hardwork amongst the senior secondary school student ( SS1- SS2) started in June, 2014, andthe grand finale was held 26th of June 2014 is designed for the senior category for over 35 schools in Ywea asnd Ipokia local government.

After a keen contest amongst

Winners of the competition C M Y K

the five candidates, Ogundimu Oluwatosin from Yewa( Egbado College) Ilaro, a Senior Secondary School student 1 ( SS1) took 1st position, Adelowo Adedamola, SS2 student from Great Grace Science Secondary School took 2nd position, while the 3rd position was clinched by Denado Moses Damilola, SS1 student from Great Grace Science Secondary School .

Medals, gifts and textbooks was given out to all contestants, best mathematics teachers and representative from other schools. Mrs Gbonjubola Odumusi, organizers of the competition said that Our Generation Foundation is a non – profit making organisation that focus on how to get the best from Secondary students.

Solid foundation in Maths pivotal to tech devt —Wike ...as Cowbell Maths winners emerge

BY DAYO ADESULU Supervising Minister of E d u c a t i o n , Nyesom Wike has asserted that a solid foundation in Mathematics can help Nigeria realise its dream of becoming a technological giant in the comity of nations.

He said: “Nigeria’s realisation of its dream of being a technological giant depends on the solid base we lay today in Mathematics, the foundation of all sciences and everything in life.”

Wike who spoke through the Federal Inspectorate Service Officer, Mrs. Chioma Philips at Uyo during the 2014 Cowbell National Secondary Schools Mathematics Competition prize-giving ceremony noted that for any student to do well in sciences, such must have a solid foundation in Mathematics. According to him, the Cowbell Mathematics competition has helped in re-awakening students' consciousness and interest in the subject.

Presenting the 20 winners to the world, Wike lauded Promasidor Nigeria Limited for its effort in demystifying Mathematics thereby helping to improve the quality of education in Nigeria. “I call on other stakeholders to take a cue from Promasidor.”

The Managing Director of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr Olivier Thiry stated that for Nigeria to remain competitive and relevant in the comity of nations, it is required to develop and nurture its human capital to meet challenges and the nations it influences. He pointed out that transformational development will come from the quality of human capital Nigeria has, adding; “this can only be developed through education, especially the learning of Mathematics and science.

“The world faces numerous challenges in the 21st Century especially in this era of digital revolution and rapid globalization.” To this end, he added that Nigeria as a nation no longer competes with other African nations alone, but with all other nations across the world.

He asserted that because Promasidor believes in the future of Nigeria, it will continue to support the academic development of the Nigerian youth. “For the top 10 winners of this year’s competition who desire to continue to study Maths at the university level, Promasidor is willing to assist in their education. We have also made special effort to encourage our girls to increase their participation across the country,” he promised.

Meanwhile, the duo of Master Akintokun Adegboyega and Miss Adesina Deborah

*2014 Cowbell Mathematics winners in junior and senior categories emerged first in senior and junior category respectively. While Adegboyega is from Ota Total Academy Afobaje, Estate, Ogun State, Deborah represented Graceland International School, Elekahia, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Adegboyega, a 13-yearold, scored 87 per cent to beat nine other contestants in the senior category. Incidentally, this same boy also came first in 2012 in

the Junior category.

In the case of Deborah who emerged first in the junior category, she will immediately proceed to Ghana on a sponsored vacation. She beat other nine contestants by scoring 81 per cent.

He said: "While I was in Junior school, I won the Cowbell junior category in 2012, and I am glad winning it again in the senior category. I have been training myself since JSS1 for the Cowbell competitions.

UniAbuja: Labour unions laud choice of Adikwu as VC

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE HE leadership and members of labour unions in University of Abuja including Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities,NASU and National Association of Academic Technicians, NAAT, have in their separate congresses endorsed the emergence of Professor Michael Umale Adikwu as the Vice-Chancellor of the institution.

UniAbuja chairman of ASUU, Dr. Ben Ugheoke who spoke to journalists on behalf of the other unions, said that the unions have already written the governing council and other relevant authorities conveying their readiness to cooperate and work together with Prof. Adikwu in the interest of the university

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Meanwhile, Prof. Adikwu has assured the university community that he would reconcile all the aggrieved groups in the university.

The leadership of ASUU also denied a report that a group of lecturers have dragged the school to National Industrial Court Abuja over the allegation that the appointment of the third best candidate as the vice-chancellor didn’t follow due process.

ASUU insisted that the council did not flout any known law particularly the university Autonomy law in the appointment of Professor Adikwu, as the tradition in the appointment of vice-chancellors for the university have always favoured any one of the candidates in the final three-man list submitted to the council.

It added that the council reserved the discretionary right to elect any one from the final three-man shortlist based on merit only and irrespective of their positions in the screening exercise.

28—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

We want to get young people back to the farms – Jelena Zivkovic he unemployment situation in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, is on the rise and the agricultural sector, it is believed, holds the key to mass employment and poverty reduction while at the same time, making food available to millions of poor and hungry people. To this end, the Rockefeller Foundation led a Challenge Competition based on key global problems identified at the 2011 Innovation Forum. One of the challenges, called ‘Farm Now,’ aims to encourage unemployed youth to enter the agricultural industry to help revitalize the sector and generate greater employment opportunities for the poor. Convinced that Nigeria could benefit from this, Fatimah Adama, then student of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), entered the competition working together with AUN's Interim Director, Academic Advising & Retention Unit, Ms. Jelena Zivkovic. They carried out a research on how to get young Nigerians interested in agriculture. Zivkovic spoke to Vanguard Learning in Yola. Excerpts: Research: The research stemmed from one of my students, Fatimah Adama who graduated in 2011.

She entered a competition by the Rockefeller Foundation. Our interest was in social entrepreneurship modeled after Martin Burt and what he is doing in Paraguay. So she became a finalist with Rockefeller Foundation and that was how I got involved. We put a proposal together seeking funding.

We were awarded funds to conduct our research. The research topic was in the area of youth agriculture as a social enterprise for Nigeria. We were primarily interested in understanding the attitudes, perceptions and interests of young people in agriculture.

So we went around the country, distributed over 1,000 questionnaires and got back 1,000 where the participants established that youths in Nigeria are eager to secure employment, but they need to be assured that agriculture can be a better means of earning money.

We did focus groups and interviews with young people, policymakers, farmers, different interest groups; again, to gauge the interests, perceptions and attitudes of young people towards agriculture.

Self sustaining centre: From the social enterprise perspective, we wanted to model our idea after what was happening in Paraguay and in Songhai Centre in the Republic of Benin. What is really special about the San Francisco School for Rural Entrepreneurs, a rural secondary school in Paraguay and Songhai Centre, is that they run a training facility that is self-sustainable which is really amazing. So there is no waste because everything gets turned back into something good.

We wanted to go see how they do it, to meet with the trainees, to see what they get out of it because we wanted to know if we could do something like that in Nigeria. So we had one year to do our research and to use up all the funds. Basically, we have found that young people will always be interested in having a training centre that specializes in different aspects of agriculture because they are tired of sitting C M Y K

around doing nothing and they do want to do something.

Earn-while-you-learn: But what makes our training centre unique is that we will introduce this concept of earn-while-you-learn. So while the trainees are with us, they would actually earn, so they would learn poultry – how to take care of chicken, how to brand and market it and whatever money they could generate will be brought back to the school and the student will be given an allowance. We really want them to have a hands-on experience

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BY EBELE ORAKPO

Youths in Nigeria are eager to secure employment, but they need to be assured that agriculture can be a better means of earning money

There were a few governors and they wanted to establish the same in their states so we definitely need state and federal support.

Overall outcome: The overall outcome that we expect to achieve in this project is to encourage and engage youth in pursuing agriculture as a meaningful and viable career option. The environment of engagement will emphasize experiential learning, which takes the form of relevant hands-on experience.

Entrepreneurial skills will give participants real-life simulations and *Jelena Zivkovic...Nigeria needs a self-sustaining applications to the agri- youth agriculture entrepreneurship training centre culture sector. *The Songhai Model an integrated farm which combines livestock, arable farming, fisheries, snail farming and poultry.

Songhai Farms, Rivers State

,

not just coming to get all the theory part but the whole cycle – from breeding, to packaging, to branding etc., so obviously, there was really interest in that. That was a kind of highlight for Fatima and I. We finished that in 2013 and made our final submission.

So now, we are at the point of sourcing funds. We were encouraged by the results we got, having a self-sustaining youth agriculture entrepreneurship training centre would be something that the country and the young people need. Operating a self-sustaining training centre will ensure a sustainable revenue stream while also creating a real-life, holistic training environment for participants; that is, one in which participants can engage in applied learning situations. Empowering youth and stimulating the agriculture sector may help alleviate poverty and create a lifelong-learning generation.

Site: The school will be sited in Abuja. We have actually located a farm so we are already in partnership with the owner of the farm. Because he has already set it up, it will be much easier for us, we will just have to get a training centre. The thing about the training centre is that it is very capital-intensive so I am starting now to kind of shift not my interest but the urgency. Setting up an agricultural centre is wonderful, but because of the capital needed, it is kind of very slow.

We are also looking at using the selfsustaining principle in service industry which will require less capital. So although I have not done much research but I am kind of looking at setting it up for electricians, carpenters and beauty salons using the same principle because they don’t require as much capital.

Government involvement: When we went to Songhai Centre, we noticed quite a few representatives, actually from Nigeria who were there to see what they were doing.

Regent Varsity partners RCA to boost entrepreneurship skills

BY VERA ANYAGAFU

I

N its quest to ensure that students and entrepreneurs fulfill their potentials in their fields of endeavor, Regent University, USA has partnered with RCA School of Business, Lagos to boost these areas. RCA School of Business is a faith-based human capital development programme that focuses on business courses that can be used by managers, entrepreneurs and leaders. Meanwhile, its partner, Regent University is ranked one of the best online education in the US. Speaking to journalists at Ogba, Lagos, the President, RCA School of Business and General Overseer, Revival Assembly, Apostle Anselm Madubuko said: “Our goal is to recreate a more God-reliant, resourceful, successful and enterprising individual ready to fulfill their purpose and make an impact in the marketplace.

Since it is going to be online, he said that any person is free to apply without any stiff qualifications attached to it. “It is going to be online/live streaming contact model,” he said. The President who explained the uniqueness of the courses said that the special courses will include, the Art of Effective Negotiation, Time Management and Organisation for Managers, Emotional Intelligence for Effective Leadership Practice and Managing Workplace Communication. Others are; Entrepreneurship and Business Launch, World-Class Consulting, Dig-

ital Media and Web Design and Project Management.

Madubuko, however, disclosed that the certificate which will be issued by Regent University will not be academic degree but a world class certification recognised anywhere in the globe.

He said that their unique online learning model provides anyone with the control they need to go through a structured distance study with good success.

Speaking in consonant, the Assistant Vice-President, Professional and Continuing Education, Regent University, USA, Dr. Julianne Cenac noted that the only requirement is for students to register and pay their fees.

She disclosed that the certificate which will be issued will be on entrepreneurship. She explained that Regent University is a faith-based university that teaches students from a biblical perspective and that "we have chosen to partner with RCA School of Business, a faith- based school." According to her, that has nothing to do with other non- Christians attending the school. "We do things in excellence.

We expect students that come to be transformed and will never be the same again in their business. We want to equip them to make impact in Nigeria and all over the world.

I want to build up people and make them better. The kind of education we run in this country makes difficult for young graduates to do many things.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2014—29

Faith-based varsities and students' protests

T

he students' protest at Bowen University, Iwo, a private university, is not the first; neither will it be the last Nigeria would experience. University students protests are as old as the first university ever established on earth. It might come as a surprise to many people; but the world s first university was not established in Europe, America or Asia; it was here in Africa that university education had its origin. The world s first university, the Karaouien University was established in Fez, Morocco in 859 A.D as a co-educational institution. That was, approximately, three hundred years before the University of Bologna and close to five hundred years before Cambridge and Oxford universities in Great Britain.

University students, then, were generally older than the teenagers we now pack off to tertiary institutions. In fact, they were more like young adults. Legend has it that the university s first upheaval resulted from disagreements between the authorities of the university and male students over visits to the female hostel housing less than fifty girls.

Pardon me for bringing back what was written as far back as March of this year when Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, a faith-based university experienced an orgy of violence which led to temporary closure of the institution. As I predicted then, the incident at Bowen had been followed by others at Caleb University, Imota, Lagos State and Bingham University, New Karu, Nasarawa State. One does not need to be a prophet of doom or possess the intelligence of a rocket scientist to predict other upheavals in the future in other faith-based institutions, not just universities, but especially universities irrespective of whether they are operated by Christians or Muslims. What should be of concern to all of us, because tertiary institutions ultimately should serve the needs of society at large, is the need to determine the causes of such disruptions to normal processes of education at the university level and the losses of properties and time (which is an economic resource very much as money and manpower are) which result from them.

The three universities had one thing in common. The disruptions to education occurred

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on account of the universities authorities attempt to enforce the regulations embodied in the universities handbooks and which were provided to the students on admission. So, one might assert that the university authorities were right to insist on total obedience to the rules and regulations otherwise, the university is inviting chaos. That is partly true.

However, one fact about university or other institutions' handbooks is often overlooked, the students receive admission first, accept the admission, pay the fees, enter the university and are then handed the handbooks. The rules and regulations which will govern their existence at the university are made known after they have been fully committed to the association. It is similar to those parking spaces which collect the car owners parking fees and he is confronted with a sign reading: PARKING AT OWNER'S RISK. While that sort of, to me, is unethical business deal, can be allowed at parking lots, they should not be condoned with regard to universities and other institutions. And, the problems which had led to disruptions in faith-based insti-

tutions had been closely linked with the failure of the universities to disclose their rules and regulations in advance. Let me quickly explain why the universities have the primary responsibility to avoid conflict.

FULL DISCLOSURE BY UNIVERSITIES REQUIRED A Christian or Muslim university advertising for students enrollment owes it a responsibility to disclose that it is a Baptist, Pentecostal, Catholic, NASFAT, or Ahmaddiya university. Furthermore, it must disclose to prospective students how much latitude they will have with regard to practice of any other religion on the campus. Any Christian or Muslim seeking admission to a university other than one operated by members of his/ her faith and which does not allow much latitude in religious practice does so at his/ her own risk. What should not be acceptable is for a university to fail to make full disclosure and then present the students with a handbook full of dos and don ts which amounts to forcing them to practice the faith of the university. By, the time new students are enrolled in a university, they have invariably forfeited the opportunity to go elsewhere; at least that year.

They have also lost part of the funds committed to the university. In America that sort of trade is called buying a pig in a poke that means paying for something whose quantity, quality or value is unknown to the buyer.

It is quite possible that a prospective student might opt for

a university operated by people of other faiths usually because of established reputation for excellence but, a significant number might decide that attending a university operated by other faiths is not worth the trouble if it means denying their religious beliefs in the interim. That is why the matter of full disclosure should come first. Even a Catholic student might choose not to attend a university operated by the Anglican Communion if he is going to be compelled to worship the Anglican way.

I was at Iwo a few weeks ago, and my visit coincided with Ogbeni Aregbesola s campaign rally at Iwo, which took place at an open field directly opposite the university. Still, I managed to locate two students to interview, under conditions of anonymity, of course. One was comfortable with the regulations because she had been brought up living under those beliefs; the other was not. He had attended a Catholic secondary school and his father did not give a damn about religion. So, to him the regulations were too restrictive. He was unaware of the conditions before applying and gaining admission; otherwise he would not have tried it. Incidentally, the girl also made the point that she could not possibly attend a Catholic university if she was forced to attend Mass on Sundays.

The point here is clear. Universities can reduce tension by making their positions clear in advance — and not after.

NEXT WEEK: THE NEED FOR FLEXIBILITY IN ENFORCEMENT.

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Right wrongs and make fewer mistakes

nce upon a time during the emergence of com puters Zig Ziglar convinced of the immense ben efits that will accrue to his company decided to purchase a computer for his organisation. Zig Ziglar bragged about the computer wherever he went.

However, six months after the purchase of the computer he changed his mind; he decided to sell the computer. All that could ever go wrong went wrong with the computer; Zig Ziglar Corporation was overbilling, under-billing, late-billing, and early-billing customers. The computer that was designed to be of immense help became a total disaster. At the nick of time before the computer could be sold out a friend walked in and said to Zig Ziglar, “Mr. Zig Ziglar, we can make that computer of yours laugh and talk and whistle and sing. Why we can make it work.” Ultimately, the computer did work with perfect accuracy. What was the magic? Obviously, the input was changed. And when the input was changed the output automatically changed.

Conversely, if Zig Ziglar’s friend had just hit the print key of the computer in order to correct the mistake, he attempts to erase the typo off from the printout. After erasing the typo from the print-out, he hit the print key again and out comes the same typo. In frustration he erases the typo even harder and hit the print key again and out comes the re-occurring problem. The source of the mistake is not rooted in the out-put. The source of the problem is in the in-put; the programming. To change the out-put the in-put; the programming must first be changed because input determines output; garbage in, and garbage out.

Life is an arena of choices and most of them are subconscious choices. We are free to make choices but we are not free to determine the consequences of our choices. Consequences are determined by natural laws. Therefore, when we make choices that are in alignment with natural laws we reap positive consequences. However, when we make choices that are against principles we attract negative consequences. And this choice that produces negative conse-

quences is known as mistakes.

Everyone makes mistakes and no one is immune to making mistakes. The vital focus is not the mistakes we make but our response to these mistakes is what makes us or mar us. When we make a mistake are we quick to acknowledge it? Or do we cover up or fail to admit the mistake? Do we study and analyze why we made the mistake and learn from it? Or do we deny, justify wrongs, and rationalize wrongful behavior? Do we react with ego and pride whenever we make a mistake? Or do we respond with humility, integrity and restitution whenever we are confronted with a mistake? The answers to these questions determines if we will keep on repeating the same pattern of mistakes and drowning deeper in the failure ocean or if we will grow above the mistakes and use it as a spring board to attain higher heights of success.

In order to overcome mistakes tendency we need to develop the psychology of rightness; we need to build up the right content in our minds. As the beginning story indicates that if we make the input right the output will be right; if we stop fighting our results or behavior and start reprogramming our minds then our behavior and our results will automatically produce the expected outcome. To eliminate the mental slant of mistakes, increase your spiritual understanding; “empty your mind” of all errors and allow the inflow of truth through prayer and faith.

Delete all mental images of past mistakes and build up mental images of a right and impeccable behavior.

Develop an organised personality and thinking habits.

Feed your mind daily by reading books or materials that contain truth, not error.

Believe in yourself; improve on yourself spiritually, mentally and emotionally on a daily basis.

Strive to always be the right person and the psychology of rightness and truth will eliminate mistakes off your life.

30 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014—31

32— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

Brazil traumatised afte humiliation B

RAZIL licks its physical and mental wounds after suffering one of the most humiliating World Cup defeats that saw Germany thrash the hosts 7-1 to reach Sunday’s final.

Its population of 200 million will wake up in shock yesterday trying to come to grips with the record defeat that saw them humiliated in front of the rest of the world in a sport they regard as a pillar of their global standing.

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and captain David Luiz apologised for Germany’s demolition of the pride and joy of Brazilian football but that will not diminish the shame or the opprobrium that will be unleashed on the national side.

Scolari, whose over reliance on injured star Neymar and loyalty to outclassed striker Fred has been held up as a prime example of the inherent weaknesses in the team, brought home the last of Brazil’s five World Cup trophies in 2002 but that is now erased with the scars that will remain etched on the country’s psyche for decades to come.

“An embarrassment for eternity,” read the headline in Correio Braziliense which summed up the feeling in the country.

Brazil played into our hands - Loew G ERMANY coach Joachim Loew says his team’s clinical response to Brazilian emotion laid the foundation of their stunning 7-1 victory.

Brazil had gone into the match amid a mood of feverish national expectation and strident rallying cries to win for injured striker Neymar.

A hair-raising rendition of the Brazilian national anthem saw skipper David Luiz holding Neymar’s No.10 shirt aloft in a gesture of support.

But Germany met the raw emotion head on and when the opportunities arose, they struck.

“It was important to meet this passion and these emotions with calm, courage and with our own strength,” said Loew whose side will now meet Argentina or the Netherlands in Sunday’s final in Rio de Janeiro.

The game was won in an extraordinary burst which saw Germany rattle in four goals in six minutes midway through the first half.

Loew said Germany had exploited the chaos in the Brazilian defence mercilessly.

Luiz for W

B

•Loew

RAZIL World to Germ Chelsea s admitted what sho acceptable Paris Sai David Lui the Brazili the hosts s 1 defeat World Cup Luiz cap absence o Thiago Si as he walk the maulin “They w the forme “It’s a very a day from “Apologi people. I j people sm Luiz m summer fo

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014 — 33

er German Germany’s thrashing was a ‘hammerblow’ to Brazil, says Maradona

D

IEGO Maradona believes Brazil’s 71 FIFA World Cup

Brazil battering no surprise to ex-England coach Hoddle

B

R A Z I L ’ S capitulation in their staggering 7-1 defeat by Germany in the World Cup semifinal sent shockwaves around the world and cast the country into mourning but it came as no surprise to former England manager Glenn Hoddle.

Brazil were 5-0 down inside 29 minutes in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday as Germany ripped them apart with ease in a complete mismatch which left fans

z apologises to Brazil fans W/Cup loss

L crashed out of the Cup with a 7-1 defeat many, and for mer star David Luiz has they fell far short of ould be considered e. int Germain defender iz has apologised to ian fans who watched suffer a humiliating 7to Germany in the p semi-finals. ptained the side in the of suspended skipper lva, and was in tears ked off the pitch after ng by the Germans. were better than us,” r Chelsea man said. y sad day but it’s also m which to learn. ies to all the Brazilian ust wanted to see my mile.” oved to PSG last or £50 million. He did

humiliation at the hands of Germany has damaged the national

team’s image.

The hosts capitulated in their World Cup semi-final in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday, conceding four times in six first-half minutes as Joachim Low’s men took a 5-0 advantage into the break.

A combination of dreadful Brazil defending and ruthless attacking play from Germany stunned the partisan home crowd, with substitute Andre Schurrle adding two more in the second half before a late strike from Oscar that failed to provide any form of consolation.

very little to justify his colossal price tag, putting in a performance that the BBC’s Alan Hansen described as “one of the worst I have ever seen”.

SCOLARI: ‘Please excuse us’

F •Luiz

OLLOWING Germany’s historic 7-1 thrashing of Brazil in their World Cup’s semi-

final in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday, the coach of the Seleçao took full responsibility and apologised to the Brazilian people.

“Who is responsible for this result? I am, it’s me.

The blame for this catastrophic result can be shared between us all, but the person who decided the line-up, the tactics was me. It was my choice. We tried to do what we could, we did our best – but we came up against a great German team,” Luiz Felipe Scolari told the media after the game.

“My message for the Brazilian people is this.

Please excuse us for this performance. I’m sorry that we weren’t able to get to the Final – and we’re going to try to win the third place match.

We still have something to play for,” he added.

of the hosts in tears.

It was Brazil’s heaviest World Cup defeat and first loss at home in a competitive match since 1975 but Hoddle thought it had been coming.

“For me it was no surprise that Brazil fell apart defensively last night, because from before the tournament started I made the point that Brazil cannot defend,” he said in his column for British bookmaker William Hill.

“Only the margin of the defeat by Germany

•Hoddle

Don’t blame David – Mourinho J

OSE Mourinho thinks it is unfair to single out David Luiz after the former Chelsea defender made a number of mistakes during Brazil’s humiliating 7-1 defeat by Germany.

In the absence of suspended captain Thiago Silva, Brazil’s back four was ripped apart by Germany in the World Cup semi-final in Belo Horizonte.

And Luiz, who started alongside Dante in the centre of defence and skippered his side, endured a torrid evening as Joachim Low’s side tore through the hosts at will.

But Mourinho, speaking in his capacity as Yahoo’s Global Football Ambassador, thinks the whole Brazil team are to blame, not just Luiz.

34 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014—35

36—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

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ith barely four days to the much awaited Nigerian Bar Association NBA election, candidates have been perfecting plans to win highest number of delegates’ votes . Apart from the botched 1992 conference that sent NBA into limbo for six years before it was revived in 1998, the association’s election, especially its presidency has not generated much interest as this one. It is the first time that four senior advocates are vying for topmost slot of the NBA. Contrary to pundits prediction, none of the four namely Mrs Funke Adekoya SAN, Mr Niyi Akintola SAN, Mr Dele Adesina SAN and Mr Augustine Alegeh SAN has stepped down. Rather, they have been criss-crossing thecountry since the ban on campaign was lifted at the last quarterly National Executive Council NEC meeting of the association.

As the candidates intensified their campaigns ahead of the poll slated for July 14 and 15 in Abuja, stakeholders have put their fingers on some of the issues that may shape the election. One of such is gender issue as the NBA affair is male dominated. Apart from Mrs Pricillia Kuye, who completed the tenure of late Mr Clement Akpamgbon SAN, no woman has been elected NBA president. Another issue that may play a role is seniority at the bar but it is uncertain whether delegates will be swayed by this sentiment.

Since a lawyer is expected to be fit and proper in learning and character, the one that would lead the bar must be above board especially in integrity. Hence good character rating at the Bar will be at the back of delegates’ minds while casting their votes.

The financial muscle of contestants is also likely to be a factor. Given the number of existing branches all over the country, it is on record that this is perhaps the most expensive NBA election campaign as candidates have been visiting the different states. It is not known how far government endorsement will go in deciding the election outcome, but a candidate that enjoys federal government’s backing stands a better chance when the chips are down.

NBA PRESIDENCY:

On whom will the lot fall?

*Funke Adekoya

*Niyi Akintola

*Augustine Alegeh

*Dele Adeshina Beyond these factors, who are these contestants and what do they intend to offer NBA?

Mrs. Funke Adekoya SAN:

P

opularly called mama by her admirers, she is the only female among the four.

She had a shot at the NBA presidency in 2006. Mrs

,

BY DAYO JOHNSON

Given the number of existing branches all over the country, it is on record that this is perhaps the most expensive NBA election campaign as candidates have been visiting the different states

Adekoya believes she has what it takes to lead the association considering her experience.

Plea Bargain: Company asks court to set aside order over violation

Page 39

C M Y K

,

She obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree from the then University of Ife, Ile-Ife in June

1974 graduating with a 2nd Class Honours, Upper degree coming top of her class. She was called to the Bar in June 1975. She was appointed a Senior Advocate in 2001. She also obtained a Master of Laws degree from the prestigious Harvard Law School, Boston Massachusetts, USA. She qualified as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, United Kingdom in 2000 and a Chartered Arbitrator in 2006. In 2004, she requalified as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales, and was entered on the Roll of Solicitors of the United Kingdom in July 2004.

She has maintained a practicing license in the United Kingdom every year till date.

A consummate Bar activist, Mrs. Adekoya has served the profession in various capacities both at domestic and international levels. In Nigeria she commenced her service to the NBA in 1979; she was then only 4 years at the Bar. It was then that she was co-opted into the National Executive Committee as the first National Assistant Secretary of the NBA when the then incumbent was appointed as a High Court Judge.

Elected NBA National Treasurer between 1990 and 1991, Mrs. Adekoya acquitted herself excellently and won a hotly contested election for a second term. Since 1998 when the NBA was revived as a national Association, She has been called upon by each succeeding NBA President to serve the association gratis.

Accordingly, aside from being elected NBA 1st Vice President in 2002, Mrs. Adekoya has variously been a Member of the NBA National Judiciary Committee, ByeLaws Committee for NBA Sections, and Committee for the Review of Proposed Amendments to the Legal Practitioners Act. She has also been Chair of various NBA committees, including the NBA National Human Rights Committee,

Continues on page 37

No hiding place for

tax defaulters!

Page 40

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014 — 37

Continues from page 36 Stakeholders Conference Committee on State of the Legal Profession, Section of Legal Practice, CLE’s Legal Education Review Committee, and 2009 and 2010 Conference Planning Committees. Currently the Chair ofNBA Branch Capacity Building Committee and Co-Counsel for the NBA in the SCUML Case, Mrs. Adekoya spearheaded the advocacy for the use of stamps and seals by all lawyers practicing in Nigeria.

Niyi Akintola SAN:

A

delegate at the on-going national conference representing Oyo State ,is a familiar name in the rank of the silks. A core litigation lawyer, he described himself as one of the few senior lawyers who has traversed the entire 36 states of the federation practising his profession. This feat, he says makes him eminently qualified to be the next Nigeria Bar Association president. A product of University of Ibadan, Chief Akintola became a senior Advocate in 2001 after 14 years at the bar.Better known as one of the king makers in NBA politics, speaking on his ambition to lead the bar, he said “ Right from the word go when I became a lawyer, I picked interest in the affairs of my profession. My local branch can testify to that. I served in my capacity as an executive and I even rose to the position of vice chairman, and at the nick of time I became the substantive chairman . Beyond that after the Port Harcourt debacle, I was one of those who midwifed the coming back of the bar, as a conference of chairmen and secretaries . I have been participating in the bar activities favourably.

As a stakeholder, I know what has been happening at the bar. I know the inner workings of the bar and I have been a good follower of my seniors who brought the bar back from its comatose to-

EDITORIAL TEAM Dayo Benson (Editor) Innocent Anaba ( Head) Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri

NBA PRESIDENCY: On whom will the lot fall? gether with our elders. So we feel that if our leaders have played their parts successfully, nature demands that we too who have been following them can take after them. We cannot just be there as onlookers.

The drive to contest really is the pathetic state of the junior at the bar. You know, I’m a core litigation lawyer. I have seen it all. I practice across the 36 states of the federation. At the risk of being immodest, I think all of us, the four contestants that have shown interest, are eminently qualified to contest for the post of NBA President. But I think that I am the only one that can say I know the terrain of the country. I’m not just there because of the course of election. I know where the shoe pinches people in the profession”.

Dele Adesina SAN:

F

ormer general secretary of the NBA during the administration of Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, Adesina describes himself as an active bar man.He has participated in various NBA activities including its crisis period.A fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Adesina was called to the bar in 1982. He was elevated to the inner bar in October, 2007.

Speaking on his contributions to the bar, he said “I have played some roles which have clearly led to change.After I was called to the bar in 1982, by 1984 I was already active in the affairs of Ikeja branch, by 1986 I was the publicity secretary. From there, in 1989 I was secretary of the branch. I became the NEC rep in 1989 and 1991, in 1998 - 2000 chairman of the branch. 2002 – 2004, the general secretary of the bar at the national level and from 1987 I have been a factor at every NBA presidential campaign.

There is no election that I have not been involved”.

Adeshina who has been a life member of body of benchers since 2012 is also former member , legal aid council , 2002 – 2004. Former member, council of International Bar Association, and member Ekiti state judicial service commission, 2012 till date.

His 9-point Agenda for the NBA include good governance, welfare of lawyers, capacity building/economic empowerment,efficient justice delivery and professional discipline / enthronement of high ethical standard.

Augustine Alegeh, SAN:

T

he youngest among the four silks , Alegeh who turns 50, August 10, is coming to the election with the full endorsement of the mid-west bar forum. He is a 1985 graduate of University of Benin. He was called to the Bar in 1986 with Second Class Upper Division .

He was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate in 2007.

He was Chairman, Database Committee of the NBA, 2010 – 2014. Chairman, NBA Election Petition Review Work-

shop, Alternate Chairman ,Technical Committee on Conference Planning, 2012, Member, NBA House Fund Raising Committee, Member , NBA National Executive Committee, 2010 – 2012 and Member, NBA National Executive Committee, 2012 – 2014. If elected president, Alegeh promised to Refocus on the welfare of members, reform the secretariat, organs and operations of NBA, continuing legal education, discipline and reinvigorate public confidence in the Association.

Speaking on his agenda, he said “I have put forward different programmes. I propose to institute an insurance policy for lawyers from our bar practicing fees. The policy would be flexible to meet the needs of lawyers. It would be a choice based policy where each member would be able to

opt for the policy that meets his peculiar expectations.

I propose to increase the share of branches from bar practicing fees from the present 10% to 20%. It is a constitutional matter and I intend to seek an amendment to the NBA Constitution to achieve this proposal. The proposal would also have a tied on proposal to allow remittance of BPF share to branches by direct debit via a standing order from the BPF account.

I intend to seek constitutional amendment to enable us have electronic voting at our NBA National elections with the hope that same will eventually apply to NBA branches.

My definite promise is to have reduced affordable conferences fees. “ For the four contestants, the die is cast.

PLEA BARGAIN: Company asks court to set aside order over violation

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

S

IDOCHEM Industries Nigeria Limited, a company owned by the defunct Oceanic bank, has asked the Federal High Court (FHC) sitting in Lagos to set aside its previous order made on November 12, 2013 on the grounds that it violated the Plea Bargain Agreement entered into by Mrs Cecilia Ibru and the Federal Government.

In Charge No. FHC/ L/297/ 2009, on behalf of the Ibru Group, the applicant accused Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) of violating the said Plea Bargain agreement, which led to forfeited assets worth N191bn.

Sidochem Industries along with two applicants; Edgar Sido and Dr. Francis Sido stated that that having perused the fact upon which the court granted the ex-parte order of November 12, 2013 in favour of AMCON (respondent) it was discovered that the said order was procured on misrepresentation and

suppression of material facts.

The applicants in a Motion on Notice filed by their lawyer, Chidinma Osaji, and brought pursuant to Order 26 Rule 2(1) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) noted that the transaction and the funds released under the exparte order were part of the transactions considered to be maters of “direct and indirect receipt by Mrs Ibru, the Ibru Group and other assets belonging to Oceanic Bank.”

Besides, in a 17-pragraph Affidavit in support of the Motion on Notice deposed to

by Edgar Sido (2nd applicant), he stated that by clause 6.1.1 of the said Plea Bargain agreement, members of the Ibru Group, of which the applicants are part, were released and discharged from any civil or criminal liability to the Federal Government, Group of any kind, whether direct or indirect.

“It was due to the above reasons that they were included in the Plea-Bargain and Settlement Agreement as members of the Ibru Group and were made each to execute a Deed of Ratification of the Agreement in which they undertook not to press or assert any claim against

AMCON in respect to the assets forfeited by Mrs. Ibru to the Federal Government,” he explained.

Meanwhile, in a sister case filed by Mrs. Ibru, on behalf of herself and the Ibru Group, against the Attorney- General and Minister of Justice AMCON, she is praying the court for an order mandating the defendants to release the lien on the properties and unfreeze their bank accounts with 72-hour of being serve with the order of the court as it relates to them.

In the suit, filed before a Federal High Court, Abuja, through their lawyer, Dr. Ted Iseghohi-Edwards, the plaintiffs are demanding for N5 billion against the defendants for the embarrassment, humiliation, mental trauma and unwarranted inconveniences necessitated by the actions of the defendants.

Her fresh suit had arisen following an order by Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court in Lagos in November 2013, when the judge granted an ex-parte application filed by AMCON with respect to the assets of a company, Sidochem Industries Limited.

38— VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

E:mail:joligien@yahoo.com

W

HICHEVER way we look at it, the taxman has a problem. People hate him with passion and he is looked upon with disdain. The world around him is shrouded in open ambivalence: people like what is done with tax money but they hate to pay tax.

There is yet a worse dimension to the issue of taxation – the aspect of withholding tax. It is bad enough that people hate to pay tax; it is worse that organization default in the remittance of taxes that are withheld by them on behalf of government, such as Pay As You Earn, PAYE, deductions form their employees as well as other taxes and Value Added Tax, VAT, deducted from contractors for onward transmission to government; and it is worst that when tax authorities demand the remittance of such withheld taxes, they are hounded and persecuted, even for moneys that rightly belong to them.

The law soon steps in to introduce an approach known in local parlance as, “If you love me, love my dog” – if you appreciate the development programmes that come from tax money, you must pay tax and any taxes collected on behalf of government must be promptly remitted to the appropriate authorities. Put differently, you cannot eat your cake and have it.

Government has never taken kindly to the issue of tax default because of the importance attached to taxation as the main source of revenue for all tiers of government. Essentially, history books are replete with the fact that the earliest pre-colonial tax system was practiced in Northern Nigeria because of its consistency with the principles of the prevalent Islamic religion in that Region. With the amalgamation, tax was first introduced by Lord Fredrick Luggard in 1904 and the Native Revenue Ordinance was passed in 1918. The Ordinance was first applied in Abeokuta in the present Ogun State and in Benin City in the present Edo State from where it extended to Eastern Nigeria in 1923. The Ordinance and other associated regulations were modified and incorporated in the Direct Taxation Ordinance No. 29 of 1943, which formed the foundation of modern taxation in Nigeria.

For a very long time to come, the case, Independent Television/Radio vs. Edo State Board of Internal Revenue will remain relevant to students of contemporary studies, legal minds, judicial employees and tax authorities. The case is as intriguing as it is interesting. It bespeaks, on the one hand, an organization unwilling to remit to government, the PAYE tax deductions from its employees during the period 2005-2010; and a tax authority fully alive to its responsibilities, unwilling to let go.

The case was kick-started by the Edo State Board of Internal Revenue (the Board) when it approached the State High Court presided over by Hon. Justice J.I. Acha, on a motion ex parte, supported by a three-paragraph affidavit and a written address

INDEPENDENT TELEVISION/RADIO VS. EDO STATE BOARD OF INTERNAL REVENUE:

No hiding place for tax defaulters! filed on 1November 2012 praying the court, inter alia, for “An order to destrain upon the land, premises or place of business in respect of which the Defendant is the owner of Glass House, Airport Road and Communication Village, Oluku, Benin City; and an order to distrain against any movable goods, chattel, bond or securities or any kind of property belonging to the defendant as final and conclusive taxes due to the applicant”.

On 2 November 2012, the court granted all the relief sought and that gave the Edo State Board of Internal Revenue the needed permission to distrain upon the property of Independent Television/ Radio (ITV) aforementioned.

The ITV attempted, but in vain, to upturn the order obtained ex parte by the

,

By HON. JOSEF OMOROTIONMWAN

Board of Internal Revenue.

In the wee hours of 5 December 2012, the Board moved to the premises of ITV and sealed it up.

On the same day, 5 December 2012, ITV filed a motion to unseal its place of work as well as other injunctive relief. The motion was taken and argued on 6 December 2012. The Court ordered that: 1. The defendant/applicant pay the sum of N12,882,596.43 as contained in the order of court made on 2/11/2012 into the coffers of the Treasury of Edo State; 2. Upon the presentation of a receipt of such payment, the claimant, that is Edo State Board of Internal Revenue shall forthwith unseal and open the premises of the Defendant/ Applicant; 3. If upon the determination of the defendant’s application filed on 9/11/2012, the issues are resolved in the defendant’s favour, the said sum of N12,882,596.43 or any part thereof shall be refunded or paid over to the defendant within 48 hours of the ruling and receipt of the order by the claimant and/ or Edo State Government; and 4.The motion on notice filed on 9th November 2012 and all other applications are adjourned till 22nd January, 2013.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, the Appellant, Independent Television/Radio proceeded, post-haste, to the Federal Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City with Honourable Justices Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, Ibrahim Musa Saulawa and Tom Shaibu Yakubu.

In the protracted trial, Counsel to the Appellant, Chief (Dr) A.O. Eghobamien (SAN), ferociously attacked the lower court ruling on two principal grounds: First,

that the ex parte procedure under which the Board obtained the order to distrain upon the appellant’s property was anti-democratic as it is injurious to the principle of fair hearing; and second, that Section 104 of the Personal Income Tax Act, PITA, 2004, which granted the tax authority the power to distrain on the defendant’s property is unconstitutional as it negates the provisions of Section 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, which prohibits the compulsory acquisition of the citizen’s property.

On his part, Ken Mozia (SAN), Counsel to the Respondent, posited that the special circumstances of the case at hand must be considered – the principles and polices relating to tax issues. If Counsels are allowed to involve in the hide and seek tactics inherent in our adversarial jurisprudence, the purpose of specialized tax laws and regulations would he defeated.

Counsel harped on the dictum of Justice Uwais in 7UP Bottling Co. Ltd vs. Abiola and Sons Ltd (1995) 2 NWLR Pl.383 p.257 at 250-280 that; “there is no doubt that the right of fair hearing under the Constitution is synonymous with the common law rule of natural justice. However, because of the nature of certain preliminary steps that have to the taken before the commencement of the substantive matters, the rules of the court have made provision for ex parte application and there is nothing unconstitutional in such rule.”

He led evidence to show that

For a very long time to come, the case, Independent Television/Radio vs. Edo State Board of Internal Revenue will remain relevant to students of contemporary studies, legal minds, judicial employees and tax authorities

,

Section 104 of PITA does not compulsorily take away the property of a defaulter in the manner prohibited by Section 44 of the 1999 Constitution and more so, the Lagos State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye submits, quite succinctly, “Tax payment is an obligation of a citizen as provided under Section 24(f) of the Constitution and failure to pay tax shall strip him of the protection clothed him under Section 44(1) of the Constitution”.

How diligent could anyone be?

It is not often that you have a court inviting experts as amicus curiae (friends of court) to offer their views on contentious issues of law as the Appeal Court did in the present case. It is instructive that Mr. Ade Ipaye, Attorney–General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, filed his amicus brief on 25 February 2014; C.A. Ajuyah (SAN) filed his on 4 March 2014; Chief F.O. Orbih (SAN) filed his on 24 February 2014; Olu Daramola (SAN) filed his on 16 February 2014, Paul Usoro (SAN) filed his on 27 February 2014; and Dr Oladapo Olanipekun filed his on 4 March 2014.

This is certainly a positive innovation in our judiciary, which bespeaks of the diligence of the drivers of the judicial system. We recommend this type of cooperation to the other branches of government.

How meticulous could anyone be? Respondent showed preponderant evidence of the step-by-step actions taken to get the Appellant to come for tax review meetings to which the Appellant turned deaf ears.

The import of the decision of the Court as delivered by Hon. Justice Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, to which Hon. Justices Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Saulawa and Tom Shaibu Yakubu duly concurred, can only be fully appreciated when reproduced in extenso: It is overwhelmingly beyond doubt that the respondent/tax authority had exercised unreasonable patience with the appellant who kept frustrating the respondent’s invitation for tax review. How then can such party who was given ten different invitations for tax review meetings but failed to attend, now come to the court to have been deprived of fair hearing? I am of the firm and humble view that the respondent followed the provisions of PITA even to an overstretched extent and that the distraining order given against the appellant was a well deserved one.

Let us not forget that the tax being scuffled over is the tax of the appellant’s employees from 2005-2010 which could have long time been deducted from the employees’ salaries but which the appellant failed to remit to the appropriate authority. The tax of 2011 to date has not yet become an issue. I must say this is a most despicable way for any taxpayer to act and it is seriously detrimental to the development of any nation. Following the decision of the court in Phoenix Motors Ltd v. NPFMB, I am of the view that the status under scrutiny is revenue oriented, the interpretation must be construed liberally in favour of deriving revenue by government in the interest of the public…

For all the reasons set out above by me, all the issues in controversy being resolved against the Appellant, the appeal is totally without merit and is hereby dismissed.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014—39

40—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

Okorocha’s registration rumpus in the Senate

Boko Haram: T

he reported plan by the Rochas Okorocha administration to register northerners in the state has raised a fuss between the regime in Owerri and the Senate. Was it really misdirected fire or what?

G

OVERNOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has been famed for some weird policies since he came to power nearly three years ago. His latest policy of registering northerners in the state has, however, received blistering criticisms from several quarters including the Senate.

The proposed policy was reported to be part of the administration’s attempt to protect life and property in the state following the upsurge in the Boko Haram insurgency.

The scheme it was learnt was originally designed by members of the Hausa community in the state to keep away people with strange ideologies from their midst. The scheme it was learnt was bought over by an aide of the governor who is himself a nonindigene, a development that seemed to give it government approval.

The government was as such quick to deny any role in it.

Despite the denial, this purported policy has attracted the wrath of the Senate and especially, the governor ’s most formidable opponents in the legislative chamber.

The first to express disgust over the purported policy was the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Abdul Ningi from Bauchi Central who brought a motion to that effect last Wednesday to condemn the policy.

In his motion titled: “The Issuance of Identification Card to Northerners residing in Imo State - Urgent call for policy reversal”, he argued that the policy contravenes the provisions of section 41(1) and 42(1) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended which guarantee amongst others, free movement of Nigerians from any part of the country to the other and right of residence without any inhibition or condition whatsoever.

Senate Leader, Victor NdomaEgba in support, described the policy as wrongheaded,

unconstitutional and discriminatory and lampooned the governor for even contemplating such a policy at this level of our nationhood.

He said: “ Yes, right away, Nigeria is passing through the most difficult period of our history even worse than the civil war going by the kind of anxiety enveloping the country presently as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency but that should not be used as a licence by any governor or anybody to go out of our constitutional provisions in coming up with a policy to tackle the problem.

Also condemning the policy, Senator James Manager, PDP Delta South stated that the policy was evil and dangerous for the survival of Nigeria as a Nation.

Senator Ahmed Lawan, APC, Yobe North while threatening retaliation by the North said: “The policy is abominable, unacceptable and certainly driven to cause disunity in the country.

We Northerners will not accept this. If you do this to us in Imo, we shall definitely retaliate.”

His threat drew the quick interjection of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike EKweremadu who presided over the session as he called on the Senators to debate the motion as patriotic Nigerians and not as senators from the South or North.

What appeared to be the worst salvo on Okorocha came from Senator Chris Anyanwu, a one time political ally of the governor, both of whom were elected in 2011 on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, in Imo State before they separately dumped the party.

Senator Anyanwu, Imo East, who is aiming to take over Okorocha’s job in 2015 made good use of the opportunity as she descended on the governor to the chagrin of some other senators especially those of the APC. She described the governor as a stranger who has brought shame to the people of the state and one who lacked the knowledge of the country’s constitution, stressing that the governor’s action was part of the arrogance and disrespect she

•Okorocha

•Ngige and friendly. Peaceful coexistence is in the marrow of the people of Imo State.

“We have lived with Hausa people for many generations some of them speak better Igbo than I do. I even sponsor some of them to Mecca. But suddenly, you have someone from somewhere, who is not from us, who is not for us and does not believe in or respect the constitution.

“He does not believe in advice.

He is alone and all alone, there are many court decisions that he has refused to obey.

“We cannot plead on his behalf because we did not believe in his policy and he is a governor that doesn’t listen to the advice of his

•Anyanwu claimed he is known for.

She said:“Today, the governor of Imo State has drawn an unusual attention to himself because he failed to respect the constitutional provision of free movement, free association, free worship which are well cherished by our people.

“Our people are the best travelled and most liberal minded in the World.

We are highly accommodating. We are a people that are very friendly to the extent that we have a settlement for the Hausa people in Owerri who have been living there for generations.

“We have somebody who has brought insult to the people of Imo State. This is somebody who does not believe in the constitution. Our people are well travelled, liberal

,

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

the Senate called on President Goodluck Jonathan to direct security agencies not to partner with Imo state government in the implementation of the policy and also urged the Imo state government to rescind the policy.

Following the Senate resolution, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo denied the existence of the policy.

He stated, “Governor Okorocha’s government has not begun to register northerners in the state and does not have any plan to do that.” He accused the governor’s political opponents of being behind the report as he stated, especially where those

Today, the governor of Imo State has drawn an unusual attention to himself because he failed to respect the constitutional provision of free movement, free association, free worship which are well cherished by our people

people.”

Her tirade forced Senator Chris Ngige, APC, Anambra Central to raise a Point of Order against perceived use of offensive and insulting language on the governor.

Tying up the proceedings, Senator Ekeremadu while thanking senators for being patriotic in their contributions lamented that ethnicity still remains one of the problems affecting Nigeria’s drive for nationhood.

Upon the motion as amended,

,

behind the malicious claim could not mention where the claimed registration involving human beings could not be done in vacuum.”

He stated, “We know those behind this blackmail. The same people who deceived Charley Boy into action of absurdity were also behind the blackmail in the Senate. They used the senators because the three senators in the senate are all of the PDP and all governorship aspirants who want to replace governor Okorocha.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014—41

Delta North 'll produce a compromise candidate — Mbulu

Delta 2015: C

hief Dieyi Mbulu, a businessman contested the Delta North senatorial seat under the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in 2007. In this interview, he explains why he wants to re-contest the seat next year and why other zones in Delta state should give Delta North a chance to produce Governor Emmanuel Udughan’s successor. Excerpts:

BY GBENGA OKE

W

HY are you recontesting the Delta North Senatorial

seat?

FIRST of all, I will like to appreciate my people from Delta North for calling on me to come and re-run the race to the Delta North Senatorial Seat which I ran for in 2007. I have equally told them I will be coming to talk to them in due course, am still consulting and soon. I will let them know my plans.

If after consulting, I make up my mind to run, what I intend to achieve for my people are so numerous. First of all, the incumbent Senator I must say has done his beat, he has done well, if I get there, I will build on those values he has been able to achieve. I will give quality representation, I intend to touch

Re:

the lives of people at the grassroots through various programmes that will alleviate poverty which includes grants for elders, scholarships for students. They know what I can do and that is why there is clamour by my people to come and run for that same position.

Delta North has been clamouring for the governorship seat in Delta State and it seems to be causing some disquiet among the political gladiators in the state. What is your assessment of the situation?

First, I like to say that Delta as a whole belongs to all segments of the three senatorial districts namely Delta North, Delta Central and Delta South. Delta South has produced a governor, Delta Central has done same, it is only equitable for peace to reign that Delta North should be given a chance. I am equally

• Mbulu happy that many agreed there was a gentleman agreement, sure there was an understanding and I am not thinking that our brothers from the two other senatorial zones would repudiate on that gentleman’s agreement

by conceding that position to Delta North. It is our turn to produce the governor of Delta state.

Many have argued that zoning does not produce the best candidate. Do you agree?

Well, it depends on the angle one looks at it. You will not tell me that in the whole of Delta North, there are no qualified men to occupy the position of the governor. You will not equally tell me that other zones have more qualified people to run Delta state affairs. It is only equitable that all the three senatorial zones would have a shot at that seat and that is why we are saying, they should stand by the gentleman’s agreement we had and let Delta North produce the next governor of the state.

If the gentleman’s agreement eventually takes place, how will Delta North settle the scheming and infighting that is likely to happen among the candidates emerging from zone?

You must know that for every race of this magnitude, people that are qualified will want to throw in their caps into the ring but I want to say from experience, when we get to the bridge, Delta

North will cross it. I know we will come to a compromise, come to a consensus to support one of our own, there will be no fighting or rancour because we all know that we have one purpose, and that purpose is for us to provide quality leadership for Delta state.

That I can assure you.

On the National Conference You will not blame sceptics for what they feel that something meaningful may not come out of the conference based on past experiences. I must however say that this very national conference might come out to be a different conference from what we have had in the past. If you listen to the opening address of Mr President, I looked at him when he was making that speech, I saw sincerity in him and I believe that he will not want to waste resources that has been put into this conference only to throw the reports under the table. If you look at the arrays of personalities there, I dont think it is a jamboree. I feel very strongly that something will come out of it.

On the issue of insecurity The issue of insecurity in this country is a very big problem to every right thinking Nigerian.

Search Tambuwal, why not?

BY IMAM IMAM

O

N Thursday, June 26, 2014Vanguard Newspapers published an editorial captioned “Search Tambuwal, Why Not?”. The editorial was based on the unfortunate incident of Monday, June 23, 2014 during which the Number Four citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Right Honourable Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, was embarrassed by security men who insisted on searching his official vehicle as he arrived for an international conference organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) in Kaduna. In protest at this anomalous course of action by the security personnel, Honourable Tambuwal took the unusual step of alighting from his vehicle and trekking the distance to the Conference venue.

Though the action of the security personnel received widespread condemnation, and led to an apology by the NSA, there is a constituency of Nigerians that would rather blame Speaker Tambuwal for the incident than hold the overzealous security

• Tambuwal men and their sponsors accountable for this grievous breach of protocol. Obviously the Vanguard Editorial Board belongs to this constituency because the editorial of June 26 did not see anything wrong in the actions of the security personnel but canvassed instead the contrary viewpoint that not searching Speaker Tambuwal and his vehicle would have amounted to placing the man above the law, would have unfairly accorded to the man special privileges not available to the ordinary Nigerian, and may indeed represent a

security risk.

This is not and has never been about Aminu Tambuwal as a person. This much has been said by the Speaker himself.

This is about the degree of respect that should be accorded to the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and by extension, to the occupant of that office at a particular point in time.

Indeed we must hasten to agree with The Vanguard that there is absolutely no reason why Aminu Tambuwal should not be searched like every other Nigerian.

But that is about searching Aminu Tambuwal the man. It is well documented that Tambuwal has always subjected himself to search at home and abroad if and when the situation demands.

However, searching the official vehicle of the Speaker of the House of Representatives is a different matter altogether.

Individuals come and go but the office remains. The privileges, power and prestige of the office attach to the individual whilst he occupies the office.

At the end of his occupancy of the office, he leaves behind the power and the privileges as well as the responsibilities.

Any ill treatment of the occupant of a high office at the time he occupies such office diminishes the office itself.

The suggestion that not searching the

Speaker provides some security loophole that insurgents may explore is unfortunate, to say the least. This suggestion unfairly questions the commitment and competency of the dedicated security and intelligence personnel that oversee security matters around the person and office of the Speaker.

If indeed it is the opinion that the Speaker of the House of Representatives should be subjected to the same search at every checkpoint, perhaps the newspaper may wish to answer these questions: What then is the sense of the high level security clearance that the Speaker of the House of Representative enjoys? What then is the value of the security and intelligence details that are attached to the office of the Speaker and without whom he never travels anywhere? Does the same “no-one-is-above-the-law” argument apply to the other officials in the hierarchy of succession to the Presidency of Nigeria such as the Chief Justice, the Senate President, the Vice President, or even the President himself? If not, why not? Are they not all human beings? Going by the argument, none of these officials is any more special than any other Nigerian.

42

— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

TAURUS: BETTER than yesterday as you will be at a more comfortable place today and suddenly discover that your hope is alive. Venus bring you money GEMINI: ROMANTIC Venus at positive angle may bring matters-of-the heart related temptation through friends. But your best bet now is moderate ambition.

CANCER: The best bet for you is to consolidate on progress you made yesterday and look for best way to pacify your new friends.

LEO: EVERYBODY needs other people’s co-operation just like you today but you will not be compelled by situation to dance to others’ tune; meaning that you can do things your own way and rightly expect success VIRGO: THOSE of you willing to give others the needed co-operation will be in better position to consolidate on progress you have made recently. Don’t allow sex to distract you.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

I

F there is anything people don’t like to share, it is money.

Money is the most renowned symbol of riches. Some people kill in other to have it. Any wonder, it is difficult to part with?

Share your money There are people who hold on to money as if it will never be exhausted.

The truth is that money shared is money gained. That is the way the world

TERROR MUDA

goes round. No one comes to the world with money. And no one goes away with it at the point of death. Money therefore should be like

in “Never say goodbye”

sport.

Honestly, if you have money and you refuse to touch people’s lives, you are the poorest man on earth. Do you want to be poor with all your money?

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

LIBRA: WATCHOUT for minor and avoidable but costly mistake within your working arena, especially if you are in charge of other people’s money. If you develop new romantic liaison today, it may not last.

SCORPIO: AS the saying goes “time waits for nobody” it’s important you guard against unnecessary procrastination capable of putting you at tight corner tomorrow. Be loving.

SAGITTARIUS: IT’S better you conclude what you’ve been doing for a while rather than starting something new you don’t know when to finish it. Be more family minded.

CAPRICORN: IF careless remarks are made by you today, it would back-fire at resumption of work tomorrow morning. Those who are eager for romantic attention will have their dream coming true. Be more loving

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

AQUARIUS: IF you wait too long before an important (financial) decision is taken, you may find yourself keeping date with what you don’t bargain for.

PISCES: Placement of the Moon influences your associates to become more self-assertive. If you take good advice you’ll fare better. However, it’s important you don’t forget your tomorrow with others.

ARIES: BETTER than yesterday and luckily for you, opportunity to rectify mistakes made yesterday may come today to the betterment of your finances. Don’t try to buy love with money.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

What abut me?

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Joshua, You have done many people’s horoscope; what about me? I want you to kindly analyse my star and tell me everything about my self. Please take note that I value my health and career than any other thing.

Bonny, Lagos.

Dear Bonny, What space can take will be given to you here-under Scorpio and Libra that hosted both your natal sun and moon are members of very strong star signs-health wise.

Scorpio, in particular, has unusual survival ability.

That is to say, even when health related challenges come, your survival endowment will always see you through.

Your major challenge is from your constant worries about too many things, especially on career related issues. Business miscalculation can be another source of health related challenge. You will agree with the fact that both constant worries and business miscalculation can affect one’s circulatory system.

Other things to watch-out for include: Urino-genital organs, minor accident (fire), bones dislocations, a few other times, skin infections and, of-course, fever.

Always take care of the stomach. Please take note that all these are mere warnings as there is nothing fatalistic about them; a good guard, though.

Oil related Neptune was the closet heavenly body to the sun when you were born at positive angle to Pluto in Leo. Thus, having things to do with oil along your career/business lines is not by accident.

Then preponderance of water element and fixed quality in the distribution of the planets when you were born are favourable to commercial involvement with anything liquid.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014—43

Youths told to shun thuggery in 2015 elections

HONOUR : Director General, National Centre for Women Development, NCWD, Abuja, Lady Onyeka Onwenu (left) and President, Rotary Club of Asokoro, during the conferment of h o n o r a r y membership of the club on Onwenu.

BY ONOZURE DANIA

S

UNICEF to blacklist Imo over N13.8m scandal

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—IMO State government is on the verge of being blacklisted by the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, following the inability or unwillingness of the state to adhere to due process.

Vanguard gathered that UNICEF advanced N13,817,116 to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for the training of a specialised unit of the Nigeria Police, which was, however, botched due to internal wrangling.

It was also gathered that when UNICEF officials from the organisation’s ‘A’ Field Office, Enugu, visited the Ministry on March 11 to assess the situation, there were no documents to support retirements for the direct cash transfers totaling N13.8 million.

Some staff of the Ministry, who spoke on strict grounds of anonymity, expressed shock that “there was no record of monies advanced to the Ministry by UNICEF.” While some staff of the Ministry blamed the UNICEF Desk Officer, Mrs. Patricia Nsofor, for “the nonproduction of the financial

documents on demand,” the later denied culpability.

She recalled that she wrote and got UNICEF approval for the training of the special police unit, adding that the programme was cancelled by the Commissioner, Mrs. Nma Onyechere, who was then new in the Ministry.

Nsofor equally recalled that when the programme was cancelled, some of the participants had already checked into their hotels in readiness for the training.

She said: “After the

U

MUAHIA— FORMER Power Minister, Professor Bath Nnaji, has urged Nigerians, particularly Igbo youths, to forget the controversial circumstance under which he left office, saying his greatest interest was that the country move forward.

Nnaji, who spoke while responding to concern raised by a delegation of Ohanaeze Youth Council, who visited him, to the effect that President Goodluck Jonathan ought to compensate

programme fund. UNICEF equally demanded immediate refund of any outstanding balance for programmes executed.”

Other sympathetic staff told Vanguard that instead of obeying UNICEF, some people erroneously felt that Nsofor masterminded the development.

“She is a level 14 officer and because of this development, she has been posted to Orlu, to occupy a position meant for a level 8 officer. This is Imo for you,” the staff said.

Enugu PDP to Anglican cleric: Stay off politics

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu State has chided the Anglican Bishop of Enugu, Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma, over what it described as his meddlesomeness in the politics of the state.

The party asked Chukwuma to design a platform where he would field candidates of his choice to contest elections instead of criticising its zoning policy in the state.

This was even as the leader

Nnaji tasks Igbo youths on patriotism

BY ANAYO OKOLI

cancella-tion, I immediately wrote to the Ministry ’s Director, Child Development on the need to return the unused money to UNICEF. My letter was dated November 26, 2013.”

She said that instead of returning the money as requested, an instruction to change signatories to the Ministry’s UNICEF account was given.

She said: “On December 2, 2013, UNICEF sent a demand notice to the Ministry for the return of the unused

him with another appointment.

He urged them not to bother about his leaving office as he was very happy contributing to the development of the country from the private sector.

National President of the group, Mazi Ikechukwu Isiguzoro, while presenting an Award of Excellence, to Nnaji, commended him for building the Geometric Independent Power Plant at Osisioma Ngwa, Abia State, which services Aba.

of the Nsukka Zonal Awareness Forum, NZAF, Chief James Ugwu, described Chukwuma’s comments as not only dangerous, but that he would be seen as an enemy by all good sons and daughters of Enugu State.

Chairman of PDP, Chief Abba, who reacted to criticisms

by Chukwuma over the zoning of the 2015 governorship position to Nsukka, dismissed the cleric’s comments, saying everybody was entitled to his or her opinion, saying “in our party, we have procedure to ensure equity and fair play while making choices for elections.”

Bishop Chukwuma, who briefed newsmen in Enugu last week, had called for the abandonment of the zoning arrangement which he said was undemocratic.

The NZAF leader, Chief Ugwu said: “Bishop Chukwuma did not raise any objection of this nature when it was the turn of the other two zones. Why is he against Nsukka zone? Is he insinuating that Nsukka zone is made up of incompetent people? Or is it that he hates them?

“That would be a position

unbecoming of his personality as a Bishop.”

Reacting to the criticisms through a text message to Vanguard, Bishop Chukwuma said: ‘’Nsukka people should be serious and not wait for Governor Sullivan Chime.

Nsukka people do not contribute to me, in anyway; so be careful.’’

PECIAL Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Security, Major Babatunde Panox (rtd.), and Chief Judge of the state, Ayotunde Phillips, have advised youths to resist the temptation of being used as thugs during 2015 elections.

The duo, who urged youths to take more meaningful part in the election, spoke at a s e n s i t i s a t i o n programme organised for youths by a group, The Youth of All Nations, YOANEA, in Lagos.

Panox, who addressed the youths on security challenges facing the country, called on every Nigerian to partner security agencies, and always report any strange or suspicious movement and objects around them to the security agencies., He further said that the best way to overcome the security challenges was for every Nigerian to join the local security outfit, the Neighbourhood Watch, in their communities.

On her part, Lagos Chief Judge, Ayotunde Philips, also charged the youths to desist from any act that contradicted the electoral law, and to desist from taking laws into their hands.

Umeh advocates amnesty for MASSOB, BZM youths

BY TONY EDIKE

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NUGU—NATIONAL Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, has called on the Federal Government to institute an Amnesty Programme for the rehabilitation of Igbo youths in the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, and Biafra Zionist Movement, BZM. He urged Federal Government to, unconditionally, release all members of the pro-Biafra groups being held in various detention cells across the country in the spirit

of the ongoing national reconciliation.

He said the Federal Government should halt the ongoing prosecution of members of BZM who were arrested in Enugu and all MASSOB members currently standing trial at the various courts in the country in the spirit of the amnesty.

Umeh, who made the call while speaking with journalists in Enugu yesterday, said the Amnesty Programme for MASSOB youths and members of BZM had become imperative as Nigerians were now in search of a peaceful and united country.

44—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

PHCN pensioners cry out over N19bn gratuities

LG POLLS: Aspirant assures on devt

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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BY FESTUS AHON

ENIN—NO fewer than 4,000 Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, pensioners across the country have lamented the non-payment of their four months pension arrears and gratuities estimated at N19 billion by Federal Government.

The pensioners, in a statement in Benin, Edo State, by the Secretary, PHCN Pensioners Ugbowo District, Mr. Monday

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G H E L L I — OSHIMILI South Local Government Area chairmanship aspirant, Lady Sandra Demian in Delta State, has assured the people of the area that she will bring the needed development to the area if elected in the forthcoming local government elections.

Demian, who gave the assurance during her visit to Ward 11, Asaba, yesterday, described herself as a change agent, who the people could trust.

She noted that she remains the most enlightened among the aspirants, insisting that her knowledge of the area and the people makes her a better candidate.

According to her, having been called upon by her people to represent them due to her contributions to society in various ways, she would, as Chairman of the council, do far more than mere empowerment.

Also speaking, the former Secretary to Oshimili South council, Mr. Chika Osadebay, said the people have confidence in Demian and believed in her experience, which he described as sound.

He said: “We have confidence in her deep knowledge of the public and private sectors.”

Adodo, urged the Federal Government to stop playing the ostrich with their plight, including staff who retired in April and May 2013.

They appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to set up a panel of enquiry to ascertain the reasons for the delay.

The statement described the attitude of the Managing Director of Nigerian Electricity Management Company, NELMCO, Dr. Samuel Aigbogun, to their plight as intolerable.

Aigbogun had said, during

Delta politician denies death threat allegation

the June 23 meeting with the pensioners, that “no fund has been released to him to effect the four months pensioners’ payment.”

The statement said: “Who is holding the gratuity fund since the Minister of Power had told stakeholders that the money has been released over eight months ago?”

The pensioners appealed to the President to intervene and save the affected retired staff and their families and dependents from hunger and untold hardship they are currently experiencing.

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prominent Delta State politician, Mr. Festus Okoh, has denied allegation of threatening to kill a fellow politician in Ika South Local Government Area of the state over political differences.

In a statement in Agbor, Delta State, Okoh said that he did not issue any threat to the politician, describing the allegation as false.

He accused the said politician of peddling false allegation against him, adding that he will not have his hard earned reputation soiled because of politics.

He said: “It is the figment of his imagination and had been motivated by political consideration to make such an allegation.”

Navy intensifies security, nabs 2 for forgery

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT— THE Nigerian Navy has evolved measures to ensure its rank was not infiltrated by unwanted elements.

Commandant of the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School, River State, NNBTS, Commodore Theophilus Okoro, made this known yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while handing over two persons arrested for fraudulently enrolling in the Navy’s ongoing 2014 training for new recruits in the state to the state Police Command.

According to Okoro, the suspects, Shehu Alhasan and Yusuf Yakubu from Kano State allegedly used the same National Examination Council, NECO, certificates to enlist

in the exercise?

He said: “On June 13, the Reception Committee for NNBTS Batch 23 trainees uncovered a NECO certificate forgery and impersonation by Yusuf Yakubu and Shehu Alhassan both from Kano State.

“Yakubu was registered on June 12 in NNBTS with credentials bearing Shehu Alhassan.

“Equally on June 13, Alhassan also came to register for the training at NNBTS with NECO certificate bearing same Shehu Alhassan.

“Both candidates had same NECO result bearing Shehu Alhassan with the same application number. Alhassan actually bought the form for navy batch 23 trainees’ (exercise), and the form for the Nigerian Air Force recruitment, but unfortunately for him, there was a clash in the screening period.

“Alhassan could not go for both screening at the same time, and so employed Yakubu to come on his behalf.”

Uduaghan, DSIEC tasked on candidates imposition

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HE Burutu Integrity Development Initiative, BIDI, has appealed to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and Delta State Independent Electoral Commission, DSIEC, to discourage the imposition of candidates on the people in the forthcoming local government elections slated for October 25.

The group, in a statement by Mr. Shedrack Agediga, its President, said it decided to appeal to the governor and DSIEC because there were rumours that the council chairman and councilors

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

would be handpicked by leaders of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Burutu council.

It said: “We are only concerned about true democratic process in electing credible persons to represent us in Burutu council because that is the only way those in elective and appointive positions can develop the Ijaw nation and Burutu council in particular.”

The group also urged the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to consider citing viable projects in Burutu.

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

On Super Eagles' N20.8m

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HE players should just collect the money and buy houses in Nigeria. With that they will know that they got the millions of naira for sluggish football and their love for money rather than for their country. It is all about money.— Ms. Joy Amos, Worker.

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T is cool. the footballers that played the qualifiers are entitled to the money. If they didn’t qualify in the first place, will there be appearance fee? Those that protest the such entitlements are a bunch of thieves and gluttons.— Mr. Fredes Fred, Businessman.

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F the delegates to the national confab are getting millions each, money they don’t deserve, and nobody complains, why then should anybody complain about the Super Eagles getting N2.8 million each?— Mr. Ako Amadi, Commentator.

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OLDIERS and innocent Nigerians are being killed every day in the North-East, and nobody cares to do the right thing. Players are being paid such a huge amount for not doing much at the World Cup. It is wrong. Very wrong— Mr. Agada Raphael, Worker.

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OR me, I think skipper Joseph Yobo did well by saying that all other footballers that participated at the World Cup qualification level should be included. That is a good leader. Yobo, you will never lack.— Mr. Abogu I z u c h u k w u , Businessman.

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ELL, although the boys did not really play well in their last match, but they worked.

If in that sense, then yes, they should be paid.

But if it is on the basis that they deserve it, then they shouldnt be paid.

What did they play anyway?— Mr. Iboro Moses, Worker.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014—45

Rivers 2015: Drop guber ambition, group tells Wike

Delta 2015: Ossai-Opone declares guber interest

BY GBENGA OKE

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F F I R M AT I V E Bloc for Credible Democracy, ABCD, a pressure group in Rivers State, has advised the Supervising Minister for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike to drop his ambition of contesting for the gubernatorial seat in the state come 2015, after Governor Rotimi Amaechi would have concluded his tenure.

The group, in a statement, said Wike's ambition was unpopular in the state.

The statement by Alatubo Harry insisted that it was the turn of the riverine area of Rivers State to produce the next governor of the state.

According to him “The public perception in the state is that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, with the tacit approval of the Presidency, intends, against the will of Rivers people, to install backto-back Ikwerre governors for 16 years and thereby perpetuate an upland hegemony of 24 straight years in power in Rivers State, at the expense of Rivers Ijaws."

Itsekiri leaders laud return of Benin artifacts

LAUNCHING: From left: Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe; Engr. Chris Ogienwonyi, former Minister of State for Works and other guests, during the launch of Chris Ogienwonyi Movement in Benin City, Edo State, a lobby group calling on the former minister to join the Edo 2016 guber race.

Police arrest 39, mop up arms from warring Delta communities

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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SABA—DELTA State Police Command said it has arrested 39 suspects in connection with the communal crisis between two neighbouring communities, Ibabu and Iselegu, which has led to the beheading of a young man.

The command, in conjunction with soldiers, also recovered arms in the warring communities, stored in readiness for con-

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C M Y K

mop-up of arms operation in both communities and arrested 28 suspects from Iselegu community while11 were arrested from Ibabu community.

“The mop-up operations were geared towards the recovery of illegally acquired fire arms in circulation in the area and to restore lasting peace to the communities. So far, sizeable number of arms and ammunition have been recovered.”

Minister blames housing deficit on lack of finance, land

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI ARRI—ITSEKIRI Leaders of Thought, ILT, has expressed joy with the Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa, over last month's return of the original Benin bronze, Ibis and Cloche, to Nigeria.

In a letter of felicitation to the Oba, by its Chairman, Johnson Ayomike and Secretary, Edward Ekpoko, ILT said: “The return of these prized bronze looted during the unfortunate invasion of the Benin Empire in 1897 is a thing of joy and pride not only to the Benin Kingdom but to the entire black race.

“May you live long to see the return of more stolen artifacts now scattered over Europe.”

tinued onslaught against each other.

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Celestina Kalu, in a statement, said: “Following the recent communal clash between Ibabu and Iselegu communities in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the state, during which one Efe of Iselegu community was allegedly beheaded, the state police command in synergy with the military carried out joint

BY EMMA UNA

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ALABAR—MINISTER of Lands and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Eyakanyi, has said that limited access to unencumbered land and finance for people to build houses were the cause of 17 percent housing deficit in the country.

Mrs. Eyakanyi, yesterday in Calabar, Cross River State, at the groundbreaking ceremony of Brick Estate, the constituency project of Mrs. Nkoyo Toyo at Esuk Odot, said that housing was a social responsibility of government, but that the stumbling block has been the lack of land and adequate finance.

She said: “Government is encouraging corporate organisations to partner it towards providing affordable and decent housing for the teeming population and this is achievable, but the major challenge has been

lack of access to unencumbered land and finance to build the houses.”

She noted that President Goodluck Jonathan in his transformation agenda has the provision of shelter to the people as top priority.

“Nigerians and future

generations deserve good accommodation and it is the responsibility of government and that is precisely what this government is focusing on with the ongoing construction of 10,000 housing units across the states of the federation.”

Crisis brews in Delta LG over alleged imposition of chairmanship aspirant

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RISIS is brewing in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State over the alleged imposition of an Itsekiri chairmanship aspirant on the Ijaws from the area, as Mr. Pius Jorka, a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chairmanship aspirant in the council has vowed to mobilise against the move.

Jorka, who addressed party faithful in Warri, accused the Itsekiri political class in the area of trying to pitch the Ijaws and Itsekiri against

each other, noting that Ijaw youths were ready to defend their political right.

He added that the Ijaw elders who attended the purported meeting with the high calibre Itsekiri delegation at Government House, Asaba to subjugate the Ijaws in the area, did so without the consent of the generality of the Ijaws. “They do not speak for us and we don’t recognise them. We will go ahead to exercise our political freedom,” he said.

PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant in Delta State, Chief Johnson Ossai-Opone, has promised to consolidate on Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s legacy of Delta Beyond Oil, with policy thrust in agriculture, education, power, works, housing, environment, healthcare, women and youth empowerment and sports development.

Chief Ossai-Opone, a chartered accountant, made the disclosure during his consultation with Senator Patrick Osakwe in Ugili-Amai, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of the state, He said he will transform Asaba and Warri to look like Dubai in Nigeria with infrastructure and security to boost industrialization and economic activities in addition to developing 15 urban towns into commercial cities, with five located in each of the three senatorial districts.

DESOPADEC commissions 6 classroom blocks in Ughelli, Agbarho

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—DELTA State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, has commissioned six classrooms blocks at Ekiugbo Grammar School, EkuigboUghelli and St. Endas College, Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking during the commissioning, the member representing Ethiope East and Ughelli North Local Government Areas on the board of the commission, Chief Ominimini Obiuwevbi, said the classroom blocks were in line with the infrastructural development agenda of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of the state.

“Development in a society starts with education and today, Governor Uduaghan is aware of that and he is developing the state educational system in that line."

46—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

Kebbi deputy gov's son dies in auto crash

Taraba Accountant-General remanded in prison over alleged N1.56bn fraud

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IRNIN KEBBI— THE Deputy Governor of Kebbi, Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu, lost a son, Muazu Ibrahim Aliyu, 22, in an auto accident which occurred on Tuesday on Birnin KebbiJega road.

Aliyu, who addressed newsmen at his official residence in Birnin Kebbi, described the deceased as “a very religious and obedient boy who respected all.”

He said the deceased was a 100 level Political Science undergraduate at the newly established Federal University, Birnin Kebbi, He added that “I will forever remember him as somebody close to me.”

The deputy governor said his late son died along with his friend, Mubarak Bagudo, an undergraduate of Alhikmah University in Kwara State.

“Only one of them survived the accident and is currently receiving medical attention at the Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi,” he said.

Meanwhile, top government officials and personalities have been trooping to the residence of the deputy governor to sympathise and condole with the family over the death.

APC chieftain urges FG to set up refugee camps in North East

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BUJA—MR Bibi Lawal, an All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain yester day appealed to the Federal Government to establish three Refugee Camps to alleviate the sufferings of displaced people in the Northeast.

Lawal, the APC National Vice-Chairman, Northeast, made the call at a news briefing at the end of the meeting of the Northeast Caucus of the party in Abuja.

He expressed concern over the deteriorating socio-political and security situation in the region.

He stressed the need for the government to intensify efforts at improving the welfare and safety of communities affected by the worsening security challenges in the Northeast.

BY SONI DANIEL Taraba J ALINGO—THE State Accountant–General,

Joel Lengbang was yesterday remanded in a Jalingo prison over alleged stealing of N1.56 billion belonging to the state.

The man was charged before Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Jalingo by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on an 8-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence, offences contrary to and punishable under the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

However, when the charges were reeled out, Lengbang pleaded not guilty.

The fraud came to light following a petition received from a concerned Taraba State indigene, sometime in February 2014, alleging massive looting of Taraba state funds by the state accountant general.

The petition triggered investigation of the lifestyle of some of the officers mentioned in the petition and who were believed to be living above their means.

The investigation led to the discovery of systematic and sustained withdrawal of state funds through a scheme mastermind by the accused.

The suspect allegedly made the huge withdrawals were under the guise of making sun-

INSPECTION: From left; Senator Sadiq Yar'Adua, Senator Gyang Pwajok, Senator Zaynab Kure, Chairman of the committee, Dr. James Galadima, Director NIMASA Institute for Maritime Studies IBBU Lapai and Senator Saidu Alkali inspecting on-going construction work at the permanent site of the NIMASA Institute for Maritime Studies at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai, recently. dry payments on behalf of ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, as well as payment of bank charges and Value Added Tax, VAT on a monthly basis.

Investigations by the EFCC revealed that between 2012 and 2013, Lengbang had withdrawn and stashed away

the sum of N1.567 billion from the state treasury.

In view of the plea of the accused, prosecuting counsel, Al Qasim Ja’afar applied for a date to commence trial.

But Counsel to accused, Abayomi Akamode, informed the court that he had filed a motion for bail this morning

and urged the court hear it.

However, Al Qasim told the court that he was just served the motion on notice in court and would need time to peruse and respond appropriately.

Justice Okorowo adjourned the case till July 11 for hearing of the bail application and remanded the accused in prison custody.

Kogi to set up gender desks in Ministries, Parastatals

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OKOJA—THE Kogi Government is to establish Gender Desks in Ministries, Parastatals and ExtraMinisterial Departments as part of measures to address gender imbalance in appointments.

Malam Usman Jimoh, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, announced this at a one-day forum in commemoration of Public Service Day 2014 in Lokoja.

Jimoh said, “ we have discovered that there is serious gender imbalance in terms of appointments to political, civil and other public offices and it is to the disadvantage of womenfolk.”

He said of the 37 permanent secretaries in the state, only three, or 8.1 per cent, were women, adding that in line with the 35 per cent Affirmative Action, not less than 12 of them were expected to be women.

Jimoh urged women to use their population advantage, presence and competence to compete for positions rather

than write-off themselves on the grounds that men would not allow them.

“The hand that nurtures every human being from cradle to maturity is a woman. This can be replicated in nation building, let the women help us to build this nation,” he said.

The state President of the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS), Mrs

Fumilayo Olowosegun, said “the quietness” of women over serious gender matters was rather frustrating their cause.

Olowosegun said appointments, although based on merit and qualification, should be gender sensitive.

She urged government at all levels to accord women special slot.

Mrs Christie Adejumo, who

represented the state chapter of Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, called for sustained enlightenment for women on their rights and awareness on steps to take in vying for positions.

Adejumo suggested that government should allot certain percentage for women in all available vacancies instead of making them to compete with men on equal terms.

We'll complete all on-going road projects — KWARA GOVT ry out shoddy jobs.

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IORIN—THE Kwara Government said yesterday that it would complete all ongoing roads projects and culverts across the three senatorial districts of the state by December 2014.

The Commissioner for Works and Transport, Dr Abubukar Kannike, made this known when he inspected some ongoing roads projects in llorin.

Kannike, who described good road network as one of the indices that aid development, said the state government was making effort to ensure completion of all ongoing projects by December.

He urged the contractors to execute the projects on schedule and according to specifications, and warned that the government would not pay contractors who car-

The Commissioner expressed satisfaction with the pace of work on some of the roads, and urged the contractors to sustain the tempo.

The Commissioner appealed to residents living near road construction sites to exercise patience and cooperate with the contractors to ensure durability of the roads.

He inspected the Coca cola Road, Omosebi, Safura Junction and Okelele Road, in llorin.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014—47

Re-opening of Okopoly excites host communities

Katsina distributes inputs to 1,805 farmers

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HE host communities of Oko, Atani and Ufuma have expessed their happiness with the Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic Oko, for taking the decision to pull out of the 12 months strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP. The communities in their letters to the management of the institution said the reopening was timely to save standard of education.

They also expressed regrets that the prolonged industrial action had devastated the economic growth of their areas.

The Public Relations Officer of Oko People’s Union, OPU, Mr Jeremiah Nwafor, said business activities had picked up since weekend in the community following the re-opening, and promised to support the administration of Prof.Godwin Onu in achieving his plans for the polytechnic.

Auta, Chike-Obi, others for NAJUC seminar

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HIEF Judge of the Fed eral High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta and Managing Director of Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, Mustafa Chike-Obi are among dignitaries expected to grace the 2014 annual workshop of the National Association of Judicial Correspondents, NAJUC, Lagos chapter.

A statement by Chairman and Secretary of the association, Mr Tunde Opeseitan and Mr Olugbenga Soyele respectively, disclosed that the two-day event will start today with free medical check-up and discussion on healthy living for NAJUC members at the Press Centre of Lagos High Court, Igbosere.

The statement added that the main seminar will take place tomorrow at the Function Room of Muson Centre, Ikoyi in Lagos by 10a.m., prompt.

According to the statement, Director of Lagos Multi-Door Court House, Caroline Etuk will be on hand to lecture NAJUC members on Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR and its branches, while Chief Godwin Obla, SAN will educate NAJUC members on “Prosecutorial Powers: Limits, Challenges And The Role Of The Media.”

Also, the AMCON MD will educate the judicial correspondents on the law governing the operations of the agency.

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From left: Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Michael Arrion; UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, Daouda Toure; Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu; and Director of the UNDP’s Democratic Governance for Development in Nigeria, Dr. Mourtada Deme during a visit to the Deputy President of the Senate in Abuja, yesterday.

Cook your food 60 degrees before consumption, NAFDAC advises A

BUJA — THE National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has advised Nigerians to cook their foods up to 60 degrees before consumption, to prevent infection.

Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer, Food Safety & Applied Nutrition Directorate of the agency, Mrs Benedicta Obaseki, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja.

According to her, poorly cooked food can cause infection, leading to diseases such as diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid and cholera.

She said the right temperature for food was between five degrees and 60 degrees Celsius,

adding that all cooked and perishable foods should be properly refrigerated and not stored for too long, even in the required temperature.

Obaseki said since food is a basic necessity of life, people must consume food that is safe, nutritious and tasty, adding that poor food hygiene practice predisposed people to infections and illnesses.

She said: “Refrigerate promptly all cooked and perishable foods and all cooked food should be kept hot more than 60 degrees Celsius prior to serving and consumption.

“A study done in the United States has suggested that improper food handling contributes to approximately 97 per

cent of food-borne illnesses in food service establishments and homes.”

The regulatory officer further advised that meat, poultry, eggs and sea foods should be thoroughly cooked, adding that the water used in boiling these sources of protein should be clear and not pink when boiled.

She also said that stews and soups should be boiled at 70 degrees Celsius.

On food storage, Obaseki said cooked foods should be properly separated from raw food to prevent cross contamination.

She also emphasised the need for proper hand washing before cooking and after touching raw foods, to avoid infection.

NAF rolls out security tips to public, Air Force schools

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HE Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has rolled out security tips to public and Air Force schools on detection and actions to be taken in case of suspicious objects or Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs. Air Commodore Yusuf Anas, the out-going Director of Air Force Information and Public Relations, told newsmen that the pamphlet would guide the public on how to be security conscious.

The pamphlet has the following tips: “Action on sighting suspicious objects/improvised explosive devices; remain calm; move away from suspicious objects; be wary of crowd, unattended vehicles and damaged building; do not attempt moving/touching any

suspicious object from its position; “Report such immediately by any fastest means possible by calling 112 Emergency Line, nearest police station or contact any security officer.”

During bomb explosions, the pamphlet also advised on the following: “Avoid panic; crawl under a study table or a solid object if things are falling and remain there for a least one minute.

“Stay away from glass or fixtures like windows, mirrors, cabinets and electrical equipment; follow the orders of police or safety personnel; evacuate the building as soon as possible; do not forget handicap people who may need help.

“Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in obvious danger; do not go near gas lines, fire hazards or kitchen; do not use elevators, lay flat on the ground and keep your mouth open and breathe at small intervals.

“After explosion, evacuate the building as quickly as possible; do not stop to retrieve personal possessions or make phone calls; Bystanders must avoid rushing to the scene of the blast to avoid secondary explosion.

“Open door carefully; watch for falling objects or debris; avoid using telephones, mobile phones and hand radios; electrical sparks or signals could trigger other bombs,” the document said.

ATSINA — THE Katsina State Government has distributed farm inputs worth N700 million to 1,805 farmers in the state under its Special Animal Traction Loan Programme, Gov. Ibrahim Shema has said.

Launching the programme in Kaita town, Shema said the inputs included ox-cart, ridger, plough and two work bulls, all valued at N250,000 for each of the beneficiaries.

Represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Musa Adamu, the governor said the animals had an insurance cover, and that the loan was payable in four years.

He said that five farmers were selected to benefit from the package in each ward across the 34 local government areas of the state.

Nigerians 're not stranded in Brazil —Wakanow

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AGOS— Wakanow.com, a travel and tour company, who were responsible for the visit of Nigeria national team, Super Eagles, supporters club members and others to the current World Cup tournament going on in Brazil, has debunked claims that Nigerians they took to Brazil were stranded as the company made flights arrangements and hotel accommodation eight months before the commencement of the tournament on June 12.

Briefing journalists on the outcome of the tour arrangement for the club members to Brazil, Managing Director of Wakanow.com, Mr Obinna Ekezie, said some club members only missed watching some of the football matches as alternative accommodation had to be made for them outside match venues as despite the advanced bookings and arrangements for the comfort of the people the company took to Brazil, there were hitches as the Brazilian government made last minute cancellation of some of the internal flights to match venues in Brazil.

According to him, “hotel bookings and arrangements made for the people at match venues were unilaterally cancelled by the Brazilians. This led to some of the people not able to get to match venues in Port Allegri and other venues where Nigerian national team played.

48— Vanguard , THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

MEETING: From left: Mr. Ademorin Kuye, Commissioner for Local Government VISIT: Speaker, ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and Chieftaincy Affairs, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Mr. Bosun Jeje, Housing Commissioner and Mr. Kayode Opeifa, Commissioner for Transportation, (left) welcoming the new President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, during the Governor's meeting with artsans and transport owners, NURTW, mechanics, Justice Maria Do Ceu Monteiro Silva, during a familiarisation visit market men and women on Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme, HOMS, in to the Parliament in Abuja, yesterday.

Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

GRADUATION: From left: Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Nonny Ugboma, Director, MTN Foundation, Dennis Okoro, recipient of MTNF Prize for Best Graduating Student, Chukwunomso Diali and Abasi-Ekong Udobang, Manager, Education Portfolio, MTN Foundation, at the 7th MTNF MUSON Music Scholars graduation in Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

From the left: Uwaowa Gabriel,Keyomah Okeriete, Adedayo Talabi, Philip Nwaoboli, Adelowo Adekunle, Alabi Idowu, all winners of the New Horizons promo in Brazil to watch the ongiong 2014 FIFA World Cup.

AGM: From left: Mr Jean-Christophe Barbant, Vice Chairman, Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria Plc., Mr. Joseph Hudson, MD/CEO, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, Chairman, and Mrs Uzoma Uja, Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, during the 55th Annual General Meeting of the company at City Hall, Catholic Mission Street, Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

From left: Mr. Saliu Aliu, Regional Operations Manager, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Ugbe, Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Cross Rivers State and Mr Efe Obiomah, Public Relations Manager, GOtv, during the briefing to kick-off the 5th Cross River State Athletics and Swimming Championship in Calabar.

LECTURE: From left: Mr Yusuf Fadeyi, Mrs Abiola Folami, President, Lagos Women Vanguard, Mr. Opeyemi Ahmed, National Coordinator, The Ambassadors, Mr. Ademola Olarewaju, guest speaker, and Mr. Segun Adamson, at the annual lecture of the Ambassadors in Lagos.S

BRIEFING: From left: Tayo Ogundun, Mr. Nnamdi Ezeani, Senior Brand Manager, Seamans Schnapps, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, Ataoja of Osogbo and Mr. Ayo Olumokun, Chief Festival Consultant, during the briefing on 2014 Osun Osogbo Fesitival in Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

EXCURSION: From left: (Back row); Miss Ginika, Miss Kemi and Mr. John Ojiakor, Proprietor, Pupils Heights School, Yakoyo, Ojodu, Ogun State, during an excursion trip by some teachers and pupils of the school to Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

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Total Foundation donates to St. Kizito

High end vegan A

NY idea what kind of food you see in the photo? Chances are that you won't not know. The culinary art is artichoke "oysters" with artichoke puree, crispy oyster mushrooms, kelp caviar and "crab cakes” composed of, hearts of palm, apples, and beets, with nuts refined into non-dairy cheeses. Confused?

Well, you will certainly have the chance to soon find out more about 'High End Vegan'. According to Forbes Magazin 'High End Vegan' was a leading top ten food trend in 2013 based on the observations and extensive comments from dozens of experts: food writers, chefs, restaurateurs and food educators all across America.

'High End Vegan' food has come into limelight to some large extent by the patronage of celebrities. Chef Tal Ronnen opened L.A.'s vegan restaurant Crossroads after catering vegan for celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and the wedding of Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi. atthew Kenney of M.A.K.E. in Santa Monica does similarly photogenic dishes and has a cooking school to back it up.

Similar stories from other parts of the Western world. In Germany, Attila Hildman is making waves with his book series of Vegan dishes and lifestlyle. Each of his cookery books called 'Vegan for Fit' or Vegan for Fun' esthetically put together. Forbes Magazine

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Hakeem Jimo’s

Ve ggie Victory

veggienaija@gmail.com

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OTAL Foundation, an Employee Initiative Programme of Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria (TUCN), recently donated an AutoHaematology Analyser to Loving Gaze, St. Kizito Clinic in Lagos.

The device allows simulteneous qualitative and quantitative. screening of blood and generation of data At the handing over, the TUCN Project Head of Communications, Silvia Polski, said through its Foundation, Total enables its employees to commit themselves personally

towards non-profitable associations.

“It is an honour, undoubtedly, to be able to contribute to the help given to less-privileged people, in the country we are working in.

Loving Gaze General Manager, Barbara Pepoli said: "We are grateful to Total because the beneficiaries of this equipment for the first year, will be roughly 60,000 patients as against 10,000 patients ", adding that the Auto Haematology Analyser will support the medical care of the most vulnerable patients, viz, children, pregnant women, HIV/AIDS and TB patients.

HIV/AIDS public lecture in Ifo July 11 •Vegan artichoke "oysters" with artichoke puree, crispy oyster mushroom and kelp caviar and "crab cakes” composed of hearts of palm, apples and beets, with refined nuts. quotes Mike Thelin, co-founder Some signs are already visible. of Feast Portland: "The new wave Though not a vegetarian or even of veganism is more about health vegan institution, the Culinary than animal welfare. For better or A c a d e m y , worse, this is why it will have (www.culinaryacademy.com.ng) more staying power." in Lagos has equally spotted the The 'High End Vegan' is, of trend and will offer chef courses course, not limited to the West- with 'High End' veg focus. A ern world. Not surprisingly, East- chance to experience this excitern cultures have a long tradition ing and healthy lifestyle will be of high quality and skilled veg at Lagos Veg Fest on October 10th food. The trend might also come to 12th 2014, happening at Freeto Nigeria in not so far distance. dom Park, Lagos Island.

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HE HIV/AIDS and Health Awareness Community Development Group, Ifo Local Government Area holds a public lecture Friday, 11th July, 2014 at the NYSC Secretariat Hall, Ifo. Topic is "Tropical Vector Control: Challenges of Attainment at the Community Level." The Programme Coordinator, Dr Anuri Emeh, said the topic was chosen to align with theme of the World Health Day 2014 which is centred on vector control.

The public lecture as a consolidatory event will afford

guests and stakeholders in the health sector a forum to discuss and enlighten the general public on pragmatic ways to achieve and sustain a healthy environment.

Guest speakers at the lecture include Dr Samson Awolola, Public Health Entomologist, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, and Mrs . Comfort Ojodu, Manager, Ifo Local Agency for the Control of AIDS. Other guests are Dr. G.D. Odeniyi, Permanent Secretary, Ogun state Ministry of Health, Chief Oluwole Enilolobo, Executive Chairman, Ifo LGA, among others.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014—54

Why is PenCom important and how safe are contributed pensions?

Our conservative and modest philosophy may not permit me to say how important PenCom is.

However, by the time we look at the numbers in terms of where we were before the reform and our position today, you should arrive at the answer. First of all, the CPS has engendered a regime of a fully-funded pension scheme with assets in excess of N4 trillion today. This has been a remarkable growth when compared to estimated pension liabilities of over N2trillion before the reform.

Over 98,000 workers have retired so far and are receiving their retirement benefits as and when due without any hassles. In the past, they joined long queues and some even died in the process. In terms of safety, the pension fund assets are ring fenced. That is, there is a separation between management and custody. While the Pension Fund Administrator, PFA, manages the assets, the Pension Fund Custodian, PFC, maintains actual custody of the funds and these functions and the investment of the funds are all guided by the Investment Regulations issued by PenCom. The pension assets are only invested in safe and secure instruments. The commission monitors this daily by requiring PFAs to submit daily valuation reports which are reviewed to ensure compliance.

These are the things that speak to the importance of PenCom. You have been involved with PenCom from the reform stage, passing of the law, being legal adviser and now acting D-G. How has the journey been and what lessons have been learnt?

The journey has been very challenging but rewarding when one looks at the successes recorded. Concerned by the magnitude of issues and lack of transparency in pensions in Nigeria, then, former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo constituted a Pension Reform Committee chaired by Mr. Fola

We want Pension to play more active role in Nigeria’s economic growth—PenCom Adeola. I served on that committee. It was the committee’s work that culminated into the PRA 2004. At the time, there was a lot of apprehension on the part of stakeholders, (organized) labour for example. Their concerns were understandable, considering some not so pleasant outcomes of other reforms by government in the past. Ten years now, I am glad that having seen PenCom’s steadfastness in protecting the interest of retirees, labour is one of our greatest supporters. We have tried to continue sustaining the reform by being proactive.

That is why we embarked on a major review of the PRA 2004 in order to strengthen the reform by expanding its coverage and enhancing benefits to retirees. We are pleased that both chambers of the National Assembly have passed the bill. One of our strategic focus areas is to bring on board the informal sector of the economy where most of our active em-

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ETWEEN Monday July 6 and Tuesday, 7, Nigeria, through the National Pension Commission, hosted the World Pension Summit, WPS, the only platform ‘for and by’ Pension Professionals, exchanging knowledge and innovative ideas on how to secure sufficient pension provisions. It is an annual gathering of over 400 professionals from 40 countries coming together to exchange expertise and best practices to further essential development in social security, innovation and pensions. The WPS was founded in 2010 with its inaugural and all other successive editions holding in The Netherlands.

In this interview, the Acting Director-General of PenCom, Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, speaks on WPS among others. Excerpts:

gathering of pensions professionals worldwide where issues on how to advance the provision of pensions are discussed. The WPS Organization is based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands where its annual summits take place and they have welcomed well over 1,000 senior pension professionals from three continents across the globe since inception.

The partnership b e zActing Director-General, PenCom, Chinelo Anohu-Amazu tween WPS and PenCom to bring that wealth of and social security, amongst oth- huge infrastructure gaps in terms experience to Africa is perhaps an ers. We also want to share these of roads, power supply, housing, indication of the confidence be- learning experiences with other etc. However, we must emphaing reposed in PenCom over the African countries. That’s why size that any investments that successes of the pension reform invitations were extended to all pension funds partake in must be in Nigeria. For the commission, African countries, with speakers through safe investment vehicles. the summit is aimed at providing attracted from global thought What does the future hold for a platform to find solutions to some leaders with diverse expertise.

What is the vision of your team PenCom and the industry and of our pressing challenges in for PenCom, (i.e. double cover- what is your message for Nigeage, focus on pensions for rians? infrastructure development, enThe future appears bright inabling more sustainable and deed and quiet challenging. deep investments etc.?

PenCom has a social responsibilOur vision is to sustain and ity to discharge. The Nigerian improve on the reform by ensur- worker must derive the benefits ing that retirees are more of belonging to the CPS; and the comfortable at retirement. We also country as a whole must be moving our industry to the next seek to expand coverage by significantly impacted by the level. Major issues include dis- bringing the informal sector to effective deployment of pension cussions around Pension funds in- come on board. We seek to get assets. This is the challenge for vestments in infrastructure and pension funds to play a more ac- us at PenCom and we must focus real estate, enhancing contribu- tive role in the economic devel- to deliver on it. z Culled from PenCom press tor satisfaction through technolog- opment of the nation by, for in- z ical innovation, risk management stance assisting in solving the kit

The Nigerian worker must derive the benefits of belonging to the CPS

ployees earn their living. However, the rules would be tailormade to suit their peculiarities.

Why the WPS Africa Special, and why now? Who is driving this and is the local industry on board?

The WPS is the largest annual

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Lagos Water Corporation retirees send SOS to Fashola over unpaid entitlements

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ETIRED employees of the Lagos State Water Corporation, LSWC, have petitioned Governor Babatunde Fashola, pleading with him to intervene and ensure payment of their entitlements.They urged the governor to do this, if necessary, by deducting from source the subvention to the parastatal to ensure they are paid their benefits.

In an SOS letter to Governor Fashola, the retirees recalled that after the Federal Government introduced the new contributory pension scheme, the Lagos State Government keyed into it in 2007 to ease payment of workers pensions and gratuities after retirement.

According to them, “The new

scheme requires both employees and their employers to contribute 7 ½ % each, making a total of 15 % of the retirees' salaries to the coffers of Pension Funds Administrators (PFAs) on a monthly basis till maturity date. The LSWC embraced this scheme as directed by the state government in 2007. Since then all workers that had more than three years to their retirements contributed a token 7 ½% of their salary towards the scheme while Lagos Water Corporation, LSWC, contributed 7 ½%, but till date the chunk of funds deducted by LSWC were not remitted to the PFA as required by law.

“Thus on retirement, each worker under the new scheme will

collect their benefits/ personal emoluments within a period of two weeks; but as at today no staff of LSWC has collected a dime from the scheme since 2010 till date. This is contrary to the fundamental intentions of the new pension scheme. As at today, about 300 staff of LSWC and numerous retirees from other public agencies of Lagos State Government are affected.

“Consequently, retired staff of the Lagos State Water Corporation have been going through untold hardship, such as illhealth, inability to pay children's school fees, and inability to meet social commitments and self care.

Many have died and those alive cannot pay their house rents and

meet other obligations, causing untold embarrassment to the affected retirees. The question is: Is it a curse for someone to work for his state government?

They added: “We appeal to the Lagos state government, the custodian of LSWC, Governor Babatunde Fashola, to quickly intervene in this matter by deducting from source the subvention given to these agencies and also institute a legal frame work for defaulters who refuse to remit such funds to the appropriate authorities (PFAs). We shall be grateful if prompt action is instituted that will bring relief to the enormous problems of Lagos State Water Corporation retirees.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014—55

BY PRISCA SAM-DURU "Next to being published, recognition brings joy and buoys up one's confidence as a writer. At my being nominated people's reception to the book changed: it's heartening that people are noticing and talking about the book again. Now as winner, I can only imagine what is to come"

Gathering of writers The occasion which was a gathering of writers, politicians, academics, artistes, students and captains of industry, featured lots of performances in poetry, music as well as tributes to Wole Soyinka and speeches which all preceded the announcement of the winner.

Bello was crowned by Professor Wole Soyinka, assisted by the board of the Lumina Foundation, the organisers of the prize, Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi and Globacom’s Head of GloWorld, Titi Ebinisi, at the grand finale of the award at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

By this feat, Bello has written his name on the sands of time alongside winners of past editions which include Sefi Attah from Nigeria, Nnedi Okoroafor also from Nigeria, while the third edition was jointly won by Kopalno Maltwa from South Africa and Wale Okediran, from Nigeria. The fourth edition was won by Sifiso Mzobe from South Africa.

The fifth edition of the award, sponsored by the National Carrier, Globacom, was keenly contested by three authors, Bello, Othuke Ominibohs and Toyin Abiodun, whose entries were adjudged the best three of the total of

163 works submitted from 17 African countries. For this 5th edition, the chosen genre is Drama.

One of the judges of the Prize, Professor Olu Obafemi, a prolific playwright, novelist and poet, who has himself published 14 scholarly and 15 creative books, formally announced the winner, who was promptly presented the much coveted trophy and his cheque.

The Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, in whose honour the prize was instituted, who handed out the grand prize of $20,000 to the winner, commended the organisers, Lumina Foundation and supporters of the project, particularly Globacom, for the success of the event.

Prof. Soyinka, while commending the efforts of the writers in the contest, condemned the action of some military men who allegedly assaulted civilians and burnt down six BRT buses in Lagos.

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HOSE were the words of 65 year old Play wright and former Chairman of Oyo State chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Akin Bello, who was not well known untill last Saturday when his play ‘Egbon of Lagos,’ was declared the winning entry for the 5th edition of Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa.

Akin Bello’s play, ‘Egbon of Lagos marked the turning point in his life as he became richer by $20,000 prize money for the Award.

‘Egbon of Lagos,’ defeated The Trials of Afonja and Odufa by two other shortlisted playwrights Toyin Abiodun and Othuke Ominiabohs, to emerge the winning entry for the prestigious Prize, a situation that has placed him on the spotlight.

Bello was educated at Oyo, Ghana and the University of Ife. He holds a BSc in Political Science in the 2nd Class (Upper) Division in 1975 and lives in Ibadan where he runs a non-government organisation. He has published three novels and a poetry collection. Egbon of Lagos which is his first play, has brought him recognition and fame at the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa.

L- R. Mr Akin Bello , the Winner of Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa display the Award while Prof. Wole Soyinka , the Chief Host and Mrs Francesca Y Emmanuel , Chairman Wole Soyinka Prize for Liiterature watch during the awrd Photo By Diran Oshe

People's reception of my book changed since nomination — Akin Bello, winner WS Prize for literature mayhem in Lagos without fear or favour. He said while it is

As a teacher, role model, social activist and advocate, Professor Wole Soyinka has directly impacted millions of lives on the continent of Africa and beyond

In what he titled "Our soldiers have gone mad again", he likened Nigerian soldiers to the dreaded Islamist sect, Boko Haram.

He called on President Goodluck Jonathan to punish the perpetrators of the

,

true that soldiers stake their lives in protection of the citizenry, they should also remember that they are funded by taxes paid by civilians.

The renowned writer said “the life of one Nigerian is not more important than another ”, citing the example of

thousands of Nigerians that had been killed in the flashpoints in Northern Nigeria.

“I demand the Commanderin-Chief to do something about it; example must be set.

This is not the first time. We have had enough,” he said.

He further wondered why those soldiers considered their lives more special than those of the citizens, particularly in a country where people have continued to die through senseless acts of terror.

In a goodwill message read on his behalf, Globacom’s Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga, said

that “Globacom is delighted to be part of the successful execution of the project, which honours one of the world’s biggest literary giants, Professor Wole Soyinka and seeks to promote excellence in the literary arts on the continent of Africa.”

Dr. Adenuga said, “As a teacher, role model, social activist and advocate, Professor Wole Soyinka has directly impacted millions of lives on the continent of Africa and beyond. We are deeply honoured to be part of a project like this, which celebrates this living legend and seeks to encourage the coming generation to aspire to attain such academic excellence in the literary world”.

A peep into Adekola’s visual striking images L

BY JAPHET ALAKAM

OVERS of good images will be treated to the latest in the world of photography as Ruinart, world’s oldest champagne in collaboration with photographer and conceptual artist, Ade Adekola presents a three day photography exhibition tagged “Pret a Installer” – a collection of fine art photography from July 11th till 13th 2014 at a private residence in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The exhibition which will open with a VIP Preview on the first day will be hosted by Nigeria’s former Ambassador to the United Nations, Chief Arthur Mbanefo, while it will be opened to interested members of the public from Saturday, 12th July – Sunday 13th July 2014.

“Pret a Installer ” reveals how Ade Adekola captures images with a par- *One of the photographs by Ade Adekola ticular emphasis on looking beyond what the normal eye would register, memories, to tease the mind and invite viewers the artworks often pose philosophi- to engage, as a means of reflecting on their own cal questions about identity, geogra- lives and that of the society in which they live.

Using juxtapositions and often pairing distant phy and culture. He uses perceptions as interplay, to trigger associative cultural environments Adekola creates a dichot-

omy that makes for visually striking images. Street environment and architectural landmarks highlight a myriad of global differences and complexities; the resulting work is compelling and pulls the viewer into the image.

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s a patron of contempo rary art and design, Ruinart will indulge visitors and art world personalities to a special treat of the original expression of the Ruinart taste with the Blanc de Blanc and Rosé champagne. Guests will also enjoy fine champagne while browsing the artworks, enhancing the total experience.

Ade Adekola’s intellectual and innovative use of moments, colours and symbols makes for a natural collaboration, linking his craft to Ruinart’s historical attachment to art.

56—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

Delegates bicker over subjecting outcome to referendum

BY HENRY UMORU, JOSEPH ERUNKE & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

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ELEGATES disagreed sharply yesterday on how the outcome of the National Conference should be implemented. They bickered over whether or not their decisions should be sent to the National Assembly for consideration or subjected to the approval of Nigerians through a referendum.

While most delegates want the report to be taken to the parliament to formally give it a legal force, others vehemently challenged the view, countering that taking the report to the people through a referendum was the best option.

For instance, Magdalene Dura, a delegate from Benue State while making her contribution to the matter reminded the conference that it did not have powers to make a new constitution for the country.

She further stated that the 1999 constitution which is currently in use was sworn to by the President and as such was still relevant and binding on everyone.

“We do not have any powers to make a new constitution for the country. The law does not recognise referendum. The president has sworn to uphold the 1999 constitution of the

•From left, Chief Raymod Dopkesi discussing with Chief Mrs. Sani Felicia on Monday

during Consideration of Devolution of Power Committee’s Report at National Confab in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.

Federal Republic of Nigeria, that constitution is binding on him and everyone,” she said.

Similarly, Senator Mimibariya Amange, a Federal Government delegate cautioned that care should be taken in referring to the 1999 constitution as an illegitimate document.

“If the constitution is illegitimate, Mr. President is illegitimate and this conference is also illegitimate. We can call for referendum. This body is not a legitimate body. We can advice

or appeal to Mr. President to put our recommendation to plebiscite.

After that, the president can forward the recommendation to the National Assembly.”

Senator Femi Okurounmu from the South-West, in his own contribution, backed an earlier suggestion that the conference should categorize the report into three volumes, accommodating the harmonized constitutional issues, policy matters and judicial issues agreed by the conference.

Land Use Act: Confab A

FTER weeks of controversies over whether or not the Land Use Act should be removed from the constitution, delegates yesterday resolved to retain the law after some amendments.

The conference, which had earlier suspended the matter after series of disagreements among delegates, later referred the issue to a special group it called “Consensus Building Committee”, comprising elders, to resolve.

The special committee comprising leaders of geopolitical zones and other selected delegates was to handle the contentious argument of whether or not it should be removed from the constitution.

The argument for its retention in the 1999 Constitution was based on the belief that allowing the Act to go would allow oligarchs to take over lands which the Land Use Act has democratized with government as the intervening body.

Supporters of this school of thought also said that since land is not a renewable commodity, it must not be left at the mercy of land speculators; and that removing it from the constitution would be discriminatory and

unjust to the poor.

It was their position that removing the Act from the constitution would create dichotomy apart from being a grand design for the rich to buy land at cheap prices, a situation they said would lead to crisis that cannot be managed.

On the other side, the argument was that the Land Use Act should remain a law but must be removed from the constitution to make it easy for amendment.

They argued that at present, amending the Act through the constitution has become too cumbersome and that in other countries, land tenure is universal while governments nearest to the communities serve land tenure better.

They complained that governments had taken peoples land and have refused to pay compensation; and that since the promulgation of the Act, access to land has remained a major problem thus hindering economic development.

It was also stated that the power of compulsory acquisition vested on state governors has been, in most cases, used arbitrarily without adequate compensation to land owners.

“I agree with all those who agree that our report should be in three volumes but I think we need to do more than just forwarding the three volumes to the president. We have a duty not just to forward the recommendation but also to recommend how the outcome of the conference should be used.

We need to set up a committee to prepare a draft amendment constitution taking into consideration all the

amendments we have made at this conference,” he suggested.

Okurounmu’s contribution got support from Senator Adefemi Killa, who represents the Nigerian Society of Engineers at the conference.

He said: “I share the view that a committee should be created to push our recommendations. We need even three committees. We need to lobby the executive to make sure that our policy issues are executed on time. There is no way we can rush aside the National Assembly. They are elected people. We need a committee to lobby the National Assembly so that whatever we arrive at would not be countered.”

Senator Iyochia Ayu, North central zone and Ibrahim Coomasie, a former Inspector General of Police agreed with the view that the recommendations of the conference should be forwarded to President Goodluck Jonathan.

“We are not a constitutional conference but we are a very important conference. We should put together our recommendations and send them to Mr. President. He works with the National Assembly. We were not elected. Second, we are not equal. There is disparity in the number. I require that we divide our recommendations into three,” Coomasie said.

retains status quo

The committee noted that both sides of the argument were convincing; unfortunately none of them agreed with the other and no side agreed to back down.

Thus, in its decision which was accepted by the Conference, it was stated that the Act would be retained in the constitution while certain amendments would be carried out.

For instance, one of such amendment would enable land

owners to determine the price and value of their land. It allows government to negotiate with land owners and not compensate them.

It was also resolved that the customary right of occupancy in Section 21 of the Act be amended to read: “Customary Right of Occupancy should have the same status as statutory Right of Occupancy, and should also

be extended to urban land”.

It was also agreed that Section 7 of the Act which deals with the restriction on rights of persons under the age of 21 to be granted statutory right of occupancy should be amended to read “restriction of persons under the age of 18”.

This, it was argued, is because the Child Rights Act stipulates that a person attains adulthood at the age of 18.

NASS has no business making constitution — Ozekhome

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HIEF Mike Ozekhome, a Federal Government delegate stunned the conference when he stated that the National Assembly had no business with the enactment of constitutions.

Citing the constitution of the United States of America that emerged through a conference in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, he submitted that constitutions of countries were also the product of the people through a similar conference, stating that the core mandate of the National Assembly was to amend the constitution.

“I want to make a point that the virus that has afflicted Nigerian

constitutional framework since 1914 has been the fact that Nigerians have never bought into their constitution. The constitution were either colonially imposed or militarily imposed. The Nigerian people are yearning for s brand new constitution; a constitution that is homegrown, a constitution that derives its legitimacy from the people of Nigeria.

We are not undermining the National Assembly. They are well respected but under Section 9 of the present constitution, their job is to amend the existing constitution. There is no where in the world that the National

Assembly makes a new constitution,” he said.

But former Governor of Rivers Sate, Dr. Peter Odili urged delegates to commit themselves to the collective cause of entrenching the unity of Nigeria.

“We have made a historic decision. I feel bold to say that we have made a foundation for a new Nigeria, a Nigeria you feel proud to protect.

A very important decision that all of us must make is that we must commit ourselves to the irreversible position of keeping the country together”, he stated.

The debate which was inclusive continues today.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014—57

Why APC is jittery — PDP national scribe

BY HENRY UMORU

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HE recent spate of violence in Ife is a reflection of the anxiety that now prevails among APC stakeholders who are determined to frustrate the conduct of the August 9 election, the PDP national scribe, Prof. Wale Oladipo said yesterday.

Affirming that the PDP is set to snatch another state from the APC after last month’s outing in Ekiti State, Oladipo said the security clampdown that allowed one man, one vote was another reason the leadership of the APC in the state was also panicking.

Oladipo who denied insinuations of the involvement of the Presidency in Ekiti and ruled out any plans by the ruling PDP to drag the Presidency to intervene on behalf of the party said: “I make bold to say that the Presidency is not in any way involved in funding our campaigns. PDP is a grassroots party. This is the only party found in every village in this country and we have legitimate means of raising funds for our needs. This is a party that is not dominated by a few individuals,” Oladipo told

reporters in Abuja yesterday.

Reacting to the violence that recently rocked IleIfe, the national secretary said that having lost Ekiti, ”APC is a super minority in Ile- Ife”, adding “Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the APC are jittery and are trying to do everything so that the election won’t hold.

“I make bold to say, come August 9, Omisore will convincingly defeat Aregbesola. We believe (with) one man, one vote they were stopped in their tracks when they tried to rig in Ekiti .”

“I call on security agencies and others to •Prof Oladipo: PDP scribe wade in and arrest those raiding people. Ife is known for had raised questions over the peace and we will continue to be neutrality of the REC. peaceful.”

“A court of competent jurisdiction Commenting on the alarm questioned the neutrality of Akeju, raised by the APC over the yet the APC was just defending decision to send the Resident him. Why would they continue to Electoral Commissioner, (REC), defend him, unless they have a Amb. Rufus Akeju on leave during deal? Why should they cry? Why the election, Professor Oladipo is Lai Mohammed complaining? explained that a competent court It was obvious Akeju cannot be

neutral. He was an aide to Tinubu.

INEC has done the right thing in moving him away.

“I don’t think APC is questioning the neutrality of the new man, Agbaje. I am confident that the PDP will win hands down. ”Aregbesola has not deemed it fit to call a meeting of traditional leaders despite the fact that one of the highest traditional leaders in Yorubaland is in Ife, the Ooni of Ife.” He also rubbished allegations by the APC that Omisore was moving round the state with thugs, noting “Omisore is followed by lawful security officers. Omisore is on ground, he knows the terrain of Osun. We don’t rent crowds.

Omisore is not afraid of anybody.

I am telling you confidently that Aregbesola is scared stiff .”

On the fate of his predecessor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Oladipo said “I am sure he will not do anything to jeopardise the PDP. He is my big brother, he is a prince and I am also a prince. God used some people like the Ooni of Ife and Omisore to bring him in to be candidate for governorship.

I know God has been faithful to him.”

APC advises Christians to vote their choice

BY DAPO AKINREFON

T

HE All Progressives Congress, APC, has advised Christians in Osun State to disregard the false information being circulated

by PDP agents in some churches that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has instructed Christians in the state to vote for a Christian candidate in next month’s governorship election.

In a statement by its Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Mr Kunle Oyatomi, the APC said that it is not impossible that some officials and members of the churches involved may have received gratification from the opposition PDP to introduce religious sentiment into a purely political matter.

According to the APC, the Osun State branch of CAN leadership has categorically dissociated itself from such sentiment.

The party argued that the religion of a leader has nothing to do with the choice before citizens of Osun on August 9 saying “what is important is the quality of service which either of them has rendered to the people of Osun.”

It said “the vital question before our people is, between Aregbesola and Omisore who would you rely on to make life in Osun State better for the people? Omisore and his party, the PDP had been in the politics of Osun for nearly eight years between 2003 and 2010.

Their most outstanding achievement was the creation of Osun State University which was made beyond the reach of the poor.

But for the most part, the duo of

the PDP and Omisore practically ruined the State.

“There is no discrimination whatsoever between Christians and Moslems in his administration. When Aregbesola decided to feed 300,000 primary school children- he did not discriminate between Christian and Moslem children. Our balance, when you look at Christian- Christian governorship of PDP administration between 2003 and 2010 in comparison with the Moslem-Christian ticket that he has ruled Osun since 2010, responsible and reasonable Christians know the wide margin of difference between both. The latter outclasses the former”, it

stated.

Besides, the party said “Christians don’t need any church, pastor or bishop to tell what is best for them. Christians

•Gov. Aregbesola

are among the most rational people in Osun and they know that Omisore, the Christian candidate of the PDP is a notorious fellow.

They cannot prefer him to the M o s l e m Aregbesola of the APC who has so transformed Osun from among the worst governed to one of the best administered states in the country today.

His Moslem religion may have influenced his attitude to governance.”

Olunloyo endorses Aregbesola

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

F

ORMER Governor of old Oyo State, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, yesterday, endorsed the APC candidate, Rauf Aregbesola saying the PDP’s “robbery” in Ekiti last month cannot be repeated in Osun.

Speaking at a rally in Ede, Olunloyo who governed the old Oyo State in the last three months of 1983 said he was convinced that the governance and style of Aregbesola was the best for the state.

“The last two weeks they robbed the APC in Ekiti. God will never allow that to happen

again. Secondly, of all the Governors, Ogbeni Omoluabi Rauf Aregbesola knows the grassroots politics best.”

Advising other Nigerian governors to learn from Aregbesola’s governance model, he said many today drop the name of Chief Obafemi Awolowo to reap political benefits.

The former Oyo governor said, his first discussion with Aregbesola was on the improvement of education, saying “anyone who feeds school children is taking care of education.”

Olunloyo said if care is not taken, the problems of social and economic tension could consume Nigeria. “There is Boko Haram in the North and there is kidnapping

in the South. May the two evils never meet.”

He flayed those he claimed had put a religious toga on the governor saying that such sentiments could not be true given the kind of colourful burial he gave the late Prophet Obadare.

Olunloyo said he was pleased with Aregbesola’s achievements as an alumnus of the Polytechnic of Ibadan.

“Aregbesola is the best among the South-West governors. He understands politics very well and he is using it to serve the people, old and young. I am highly delighted that he attended the Polytechnic of Ibadan, which we founded during our time”, he said.

Abiola’s son endorses Aregbesola

BY DAPO AKINREFON

O

NE of the sons of the late Chief MKO Abiola, Mr Abul Abiola, yesterday, endorsed the second term bid of governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos, Abiola, who confessed that the endorsement was beyond partisan politics, said “Aregbesola has done what is in line with my father’s vision for education in Nigeria which is very germane to the development of any country.”

He said Aregbesola’s education policies “is not only amazing but a feat that is transforming Osun education to enable its students be part of the global education/ computer age. The introduction of the free computer tablet which encompasses all the text books for all public secondary school students in Osun is highly commendable.”

According to him, for a state like Osun that is rated as 34th in education among states in Nigeria to come up with such programme is a feat.

Also, he said “I met with the governor on the ‘Well of Education’ computer tablet distribution and I was amazed at how easy it had become for the students to not only read all their textbooks but to also have them free. I was also humbled by his ability to merge the basic education in Osun with computer education.”

“Between now and 2018, Osun will become an ICT hob in Nigeria which is the dream of the governor”, Abiola said.

SDP ‘ll review all punitive taxes — Akinwusi

BY GBENGA OLARINLOYE

T

HE governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Osun State, Mr. Olusegun Akinwusi, has assured that if voted into power, his administration will review all punitive taxes.

Akinwusi in a message yesterday to private schools proprietors and hoteliers in the state said he understood their current plight and how several private schools and hotels have been closed down due to harsh economic situations in the state.

The former Head of Service (HOS) disclosed that his administration would ensure that businesses across the state grow unhindered while further financial assistance will be given to entrepreneurs to help them boost their trade.

58 — V anguard Vanguard anguard,, THURSDAY, JULY 10 , 2014

BRIEFS

Israel ‘to intensify Gaza attacks’

I

Ukraine threatens to retake territory from defiant rebels U

KRAINIAN govern ment forces yesterday warned separatists in the eastern town of Donetsk that a plan was now in place to take back the territory they occupy, but defiant rebels reported a steady flow of new recruits who were ready to fight.

The Ukrainian military pushed the rebels out of their best-fortified stronghold in the town of Slaviansk on Saturday, but they have regrouped for a stand in Donetsk, a city of nearly a million people. Rebels also still control strategic buildings in Luhansk near the Russian border.

Separatists said on Tuesday that Igor Strelkov, a Russian military officer from Moscow who until the weekend led rebels in Slaviansk, had assumed command of the “defence of Donetsk”.

President Petro Poroshenko has ruled out using air strikes and artillery that might endanger civilians

Ukrainian President , Petro Poroshenko meets with Ukrainian servicemen near the town of Slaviansk and said on Tuesday night: “There will be no street fighting in Donetsk.”

But the government says it has a plan to retake Donetsk and Luhansk and

deliver a “nasty surprise” for the rebels.

Military spokesman Andriy Lysenko spelled out the threat on Wednesday,

saying: “There’s a plan to liberate Ukrainian territory from the terrorists, and it doesn’t depend on the readiness or the unreadiness of Strelkov and his underlings to defend, as they call it, the Donbass.”

But separatists in charge of a ‘mobilisation’ centre for the self-proclaimed ‘people’s republic’ said on Wednesday that recruitment of new fighters was continuing at a pace since Strelkov made an appeal for fresh recruits on Tuesday.

About 300 volunteers had come forward to join up since Tuesday, many more than the usual number of 25-30 people per day, separatists at the centre said.

Pro-Russian separatists have been fighting government forces in the Russianspeaking east since April in a conflict in which more than 200 Ukrainian troops have been killed as well as hundreds of civilians and rebels.

S/Sudan president asks to revive talks S

OUTH Sudan’s presi dent has called on rebels to resume peace talks as the country marked its third birthday with celebrations overshadowed by fighting that has killed thousands and brought it to the verge of famine.

South Sudan has been in political turmoil since Salva Kiir, the president, sacked his former deputy Riek Machar last year, triggering an ethnic conflict in a country which only won independence from Sudan in 2011.

“Put down your guns and come home,” Kiir said in the capital Juba during a ceremony on Wednesday marking the anniversary of independence.

“I still renew my call upon him [Machar] to accept the logic of peaceful resolution to the conflict so that we resolve this issue.”

Clashes erupted in Juba in December pitting the government forces of Kiir against supporters of Machar. The conflict has reopened deep ethnic tensions in the world’s youngest country which only won independence from Sudan in 2011.

Peace talks have stalled after the two sides met in

Addis Ababa in May and agreed on a ceasefire.

The mood in Juba on Wednesday was markedly more muted than in 2011 when revellers draped in South Sudan flags thronged the streets and danced the night away.

Three years on, a much smaller and reticent crowd listened as the president gave an independence day address. An ongoing curfew enforced by the army every day at 6pm local time was expected to further curtail any celebrations.

More than 10,000 people have been killed since the clashes broke out in Juba in December and violence spread to oil-pro-

ducing regions, slashing output by a third and crippling South Sudan’s oildependent economy.

ONFRONTATION between China and the United States would be a disaster and both must respect each others’ sovereignty, Chinese President Xi Jinping said as he

De Mistura succeeds Brahimi as U.N Syria mediator

V

ETERAN United Nations official Staffan de Mistura, a former U.N special envoy to Afghanistan and Iraq, will replace Lakhdar Brahimi as the international mediator seeking an end to Syria’s civil war, diplomats said yesterday.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will speak to the media later on Wednesday, said spokesman Stephane Durjarric. Ban will announce the appointment of de Mistura, a dual citizen of Italy and Sweden, said diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The move comes amid worsening violence as Islamist militants seized swathes of Syria and Iraq and after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was re-elected in a June 3 poll described by Ban as a blow to international efforts to end to the conflict.

S/Sudan crisis: UN calls for talks

U

N Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called on the leaders of South Sudan’s warring sides to resume peace negotiations to end the country’s months-long conflict.

Ban made the plea in a Tuesday statement as he marked the third anniversary of the founding of the world’s newest nation.

“On the occasion of the third anniversary of South Sudan’s independence, the secretary general recalls the hopes and expectations of the people of South Sudan when their country was established on 9 July 2011,” the statement said.

Ban added the conflict that erupted in the African country last December has dashed people’s hopes.

“Thousands of South Sudanese have been killed, and atrocities have been committed against civilians.”

Syria conflict: National Coalition elects new leader

S

South Sudan’s armies flying their flag in jubilation

China urges ‘respect’ as Kerry visits

C

SRAELI PM Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to “further intensify attacks on Hamas” in the Gaza Strip after talks with his defence chiefs.

He said the Palestinian militants would “pay a heavy price” for their rocket attacks on Israel.

Israel’s military said Hamas had fired 72 rockets at Israeli cities yesterday, after dozens of overnight air strikes in Gaza.

Some 40 Palestinians are reported to have died in the recent hostilities.

Gaza medical officials say half of the casualties were civilians, a number of them women and children.

opened annual talks between the world’s two biggest economies.

The two-day talks being led by US Secretary of State John Kerry and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew is

US Secretary of State, John Kerry and Chinese President, Xi Jinping exchanging pleasantries

likely to take in China’s currency, North Korea’s nuclear programme and escalating tensions between China and neighbours in the South China Sea, and with Japan in the East China Sea. Charges over hacking and Internet spying have also been a factor in tensions between Beijing and Washington. In May, the US charged five Chinese military officers with hacking US companies, prompting Beijing to suspend a SinoUS working group on cyber issues. China has denied wrongdoing.

YRIA’S main opposition alliance, the National Coalition, has elected a new president.

Hadi al-Bahra, the coalition’s chief negotiator at the failed Geneva II peace talks with the Syrian government, was chosen at a meeting in Turkey.

Like Ahmed al-Jarba, whom he replaces, he has close ties to Saudi Arabia.

Though the coalition is backed by the US and Gulf Arab states, it has little influence over the rebels trying to topple President Bashar al-Assad.

Indonesia: Both Widodo and Subianto claim victory

B

OTH candidates in the Indonesia presidential election have claimed victory based on unofficial results.

Jakarta governor Joko Widodo told a news conference shortly after polls closed that “at the time being” early vote counts showed he was the winner. An hour later, former army general Prabowo Subianto said estimates showed he had “received the support and mandate from the people of Indonesia”.

The official tally is expected to be announced on 21-22 July.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014 —59

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014 — 60

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014 — 61

— 58

Implications of FIFA ban on Nigeria: Lagos FA explains absence from NFF

T

HE suspension of Nigeria from international football by FIFA would have a lot of implications on the development of the game in the country. . No Nigerian team can compete in any international (CAF and FIFA organised) competitions .As a result of this decision, no team from Nigeria of any sort (including clubs) can have any international sporting contact (art. 14 par. 3 of the FIFA Statutes).

. During the period of suspension, the NFF may not be represented in any regional, continental or international competitions, including at club level, or in friendly matches. .The most immediate effect is that Nigeria will not be entitled to participate in the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup (5-24 August 2014) should the suspension not be lifted by 15 July 2014.

Katken appoints adviser, heads of departments Services.

A

CTING General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Lawrence Katken has appointed Mr. Tunde Aderibigbe as senior special adviser, as well as heads of departments as the ship of the Football House steadies for immediate challenges.

Mr. Bola Oyeyode is now Head of General Competitions while Mr. Ademola Olajire is Head of Communications and Barrister Okey Obi is Head of Legal/Corporate

Former international striker Rafiu Yusuf heads the Technical Department; Mr. Ayo Abdulrahaman is Head of International Competitions and; Dr. Christian Emeruwa is Special Assistant to Ag. General Secretary.

Mr. Emmanuel Adesanya is Head of Inter-Clubs; Mr. Alizor Chuks heads Marketing Department; Mr. Afolabi Olusola heads the Internal Audit Unit and; Mr. Sunday Okayi heads the Referees Unit.

FIFA Continues from BP NFF Congress from running the affairs of Nigerian football was granted by a High Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The said court order compelled the Nigerian Minister of Sports to appoint a senior member of the civil service to manage the NFF until the matter was heard in court, without giving any date for such a hearing. The authorities then appointed a person who decided to convene an extraordinary general assembly on 5 July 2014.

This extraordinary general assembly was convened in violation of the NFF statutes.

Originally, an elective congress had been planned by the NFF to take place on 26 August 2014.

The suspension will be lifted once the court actions have been withdrawn and the properly elected NFF Executive Committee, the NFF C M Y K

general assembly and the NFF administration are able to work without any interference in their affairs.

As a result of this decision, no team from Nigeria of any sort (including clubs) can have any international sporting contact (art. 14 par. 3 of the FIFA Statutes). During the period of suspension, the NFF may not be represented in any regional, continental or international competitions, including at club level, or in friendly matches. The most immediate effect is that Nigeria will not be entitled to participate in the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup (524 August 2014) should the suspension not be lifted by 15 July 2014.

In addition, neither the NFF nor any of its members or officials may benefit from any FIFA or CAF development programmes, courses or training during the suspension period.

. In addition, neither the NFF nor any of its members or officials may benefit from any FIFA or CAF development programmes, courses or training during the suspension period.

Extraordinary Congress

T

HE Lagos State Football Association has distanced itself from the purported extra-ordibnary congress of the NFF that sacked the Aminu Maigariled board. In a statement

Falconets

Continues from BP section of the football fraternity that brands itself as ‘congress’.

This indication came to light following the refusal of FIFA to issue traveling tickets to Nigeria’s U20 Women national team, Falconets to take part in the upcoming U20 Women’s World Cup tagged Canada 2014. The tournament runs between August 5-24 and the Nigerian side was scheduled to travel out early for acclimatization and play some preparatory games before the tournament.

A confused official of the team said the team went to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in the course of the week but were told that the team

does not have tickets from FIFA to travel out.

They have since returned to their hotel abode in Abuja and have been training under darkness as the foisted NFF leadership seeks to conceal FIFA action against Nigeria.

The team handled by Peter Dededvo, have been in darkness as to the next line of action, even as there are indications that FIFA will not blink an eye in its determination to ensure that Nigeria tows to international football order by reinstating the Maigari led board and wait for the August 26 Congress to take necessary action instead of the current state of brazen interference of the Sports Ministry that is being witnessed.

made available to Sports Vanguard yesterday, the FA said, “as a law-abiding football association and even though we were shocked that in the breach of the NFF ststutes, it was the chairman of a football club that filed the suit against the NFF and others. “Accordingly, the LSAFA could not have

attended nor send its chairman, Secretary or any proxy to the purported extraordinary congress which in our view would have been an act of contempt of court, particularly as the convener of the meeting himself had been restrained from acting as an executive member of the NFF..”

Williams Continues from BP against all known statutes that govern local and international football.

“I saw it coming,” Kojo said yesterday in Lagos.

“I am disappointed that the Minister of Sports was not properly advised. FIFA has got structures and you cannot tamper with its structures and go free.”

Williams observed that the Sports Minister who is still new at the helm of Nigerian sports got it all wrong when he allowed himself to to be misled by his advisers.

“If they wanted to sack the Maigari board, they should have waited for

the August election.

That is when they should have executed all their plans. They are in a hurry. I don’t really know what they want. If they claim Maigari spent money, they should have asked him to explain how he spent the money. It is a shame,” Kojo said.

On his part, Paul Bassey, a member of FIFA and CAF committees said the FIFA sanction could have been avoided.

“I am shocked that we can still find ourselves in this kind of situation given our level of exposure. Some of us saw it coming. It is unfortunate”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014 — 62

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014 — 63

Nigerian officials in Brazil for talks with FIFA

N

IGERIAN officials arrived Brazil yesterday for talks with Fifa as the west African country aims to avoid a suspension from world football.

Ex-Fifa executive committee member Amos Adamu is among the Nigerian party.

Fifa, which prohibits government intervention in football, had given Nigeria’s government until Tuesday to reinstate the sacked Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) executive committee.

The NFF was dissolved last week and replaced by a sole administrator.

Nigeria’s government said the move was essential while legal proceedings against the country ’s football authority were ongoing.

The situation was compounded 24 hours later when the NFF

C M Y K

president Aminu Maigari was arrested upon his return from the World Cup. All this comes in the wake of a high court ruling which granted ‘an interlocutory injunction’ to suspend Maigari, his executive committee and the NFF congress.

An extraordinary general assembly of the federation went ahead in Abuja on Saturday, which voted out the NFF leadership who have

•Adamu been accused of derailing the country’s World Cup campaign in Brazil, despite Fifa’s

warning of a possible suspension.

The government says the NFF have sent documents to show that the general assembly was held according to Fifa statutes and so the vote to remove the board at that meeting should stand.

African champions Nigeria reached the second round of the World Cup in Brazil for only the third time in their history after they did so in 1994 and 1998.

Schweinsteiger sorry for Brazil battering

G

ERMANY midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has apologised to hosts Brazil after thrashing them at the FIFA World Cup. Schweinsteiger’s men

Sunderland seek Babatunde’s signature N

IGERIA midfielder Michel Babatunde claims Sunderland are one of several Premier League clubs looking to sign him.

Babatunde made two appearances for his country at the World Cup before breaking his wrist in Nigeria’s final group

game against Argentina.

The 21-year-old says his agent has subsequently been contacted

by Sunderland and expects to leave Ukraine outfit Volyn Lutsk this summer.

“I have received an offer from several clubs but the one from Sunderland

is the one that interests me,” Babatunde said.

“I have received several offers from different places, but I’m interested in the one from Sunderland. They have contacted my agent and we will see how it goes from there.

“There are about two

offers from clubs in Turkey as well, which are both under consideration and will be discussed at the right time.

“I’m probably going to leave Volyn. We have to discuss the offers on ground but most likely, I will be leaving this summer.”

were rampant 7-1 winners over Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday, going 5-0 up prior to the half-hour mark as they coasted into the World Cup final.

The Bayern Munich man offered his apologies to the home nation, with several of Brazil’s players in tears after their semi-final exit.

“I would like to apologize to Brazil. We did not expect such a score. We try to be respectful playing football and scoring goals. For us this World Cup is a dream,” Schweinsteiger said.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

Nigerian officials in Brazil for talks with Fifa — Pg.63

FIFA suspends Nigeria T

HE FIFA Emergen cy Committee has decided today, 9 July 2014, to suspend the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with immediate effect, on account of government interference. Article 13, par. 1 and article 17, par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes oblige member associations to manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third parties.

The decision follows a letter sent by FIFA to the NFF on 4 July 2014, in

which it expressed its great concern after the NFF was served with court proceedings and consequently an order preventing the president of the NFF, the NFF Executive Committee members and the Continues on Page 61

F

ORMER Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation,

Kojo Williams has said that FIFA’s suspension of Nigeria did not come

as a surprise to him because events that followed the elimina-

tion of Nigeria from the World Cup were Continues on Page 61

Falconets caught in FIFA web

W

ORLD soccer governing body, FIFA has tacitly commenced the process of ostracizing Nigeria from global football

•Maigari

•Danagogo

I saw it coming – Kojo Williams •It was avoidable — Bassey activities following the recent ousting of the Alhaji Aminu Maigari led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), by a Continues on Page 61

INCONSOLABLE: Brazil captain Thiago Silver consoles David Luiz after the 1-7 loss to Germany

•Blatter

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Go by (4) 4 Beaker (3) 6 Wisdom (4) 9 Wonder (3) 10 Novice (8) 11 Breed (4) 14 Sever (3) 16 Trivial (5) 19 Dead (8) 21 Renovate (5) 23 Gift (8) 24 Tendency (5) 27 Wand (3) 31 Dingy (4) 33 Unusual (8) 34 Each (3) 35 Mirth (4) 36 Colour (3) 37 Cultivate (4)

DOWN 2 Elderly (4) 3 Uttered (4) 4 Baffled (8) 5 Divide (4) 6 Huge (5) 7 Be indebted (3) 8 Respond (5) 12 Confess (5) 13 Twenty (5) 14 Vehicle (3) 15 Singer (5) 17 Shy (5) 18 Youthful (5) 20 Condemn (8) 22 Lump (3) 25 Rustic (5) 26 Peer (5) 28 Impetuous (4) 29 Courage (4) 30 Bucket (4) 32 Beer (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Fracas 2, Pillar 8, Business 9, Unit 10, Shy 12, Anger 15, Out 17, Inn 18, Elf 19, Ape 20, Gruff 21, For 22, Lie 23, Eke 24, End 26, Layer 29, Row 33, Idea 34, Deranged 35, Pester 36, Letter.

DOWN: 2, Rough 3, Crib 4, Stern 5, Paste 6, Lout 7, Adieu 10, Scare 11, Yield 12, Angel 13, Gaudy 14, Refer 15, Offer 16, Throw 25, Nudge 27, Adder 28, Enrol 30, Obese 31, Cant 32, Knot.

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.

C M Y K

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