Chibok girls dispersed, some married off— BUHARI

...towards a better life for the people

**

VOL. 25: NO. 62490

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

Chibok girls dispersed, some married off— BUHARI •Says they're being guarded at different locations •Their condition can't be ascertained yet •Adds: I appointed people I can trust in office

By Clifford Ndujihe (with agency report)

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AGOS—MORE than 513 days after the abduction of the Chibok Secondary School girls in Borno State, hopes of rescuing the girls en bloc vaporized as President Muhammadu Buhari, Tuesday, disclosed that they have been dispersed and some of them, especially Christians, married off against their faith.

President Buhari made the comments in an interview on BBC Hausa service on Tuesday.

Asked if he received any information about the whereabouts of the kidnapped Chibok girls, he said: "They (Boko Continues on Page 5

Donu Kogbara's kidnap: DAY 11

RELEASED—Gov. Kashim Shetima of Borno (R), commiserating with one of the 128 military detainees handed over to the state government after they were cleared of allegation of being members of the Boko Haram sect, in Maiduguri, yesterday. With them is the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (M). Inset: A cross section of the detainees handed over, yesterday.

Photos: NAN.

Family of 6 dies in Lagos fire COLUMNISTS: Aliko Dangote: Cementing Africa's economic development •P.17

Brand Buhari’s encounter with •P.19 Diogenes

Compensating the Victim: Agenda for Legislative action •P.19

Mr & Mrs >>7

Drama as power failure disrupts Senate probe on power >>9

SHAKE-UP IN NAVY: New FOCs, PSOs appointed; 61 officers deployed >>8 C M Y K

2 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 — 3

C M Y K

4 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015—5

POCKET CARTOON

VISIT—President Muhammadu Buhari (M) welcoming Leader of APC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu to his office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while former chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Bisi Akande (left) watches, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Chibok girls dispersed, some married off —BUHARI Continues from Page 1 Haram insurgents) have scattered them, and (they) are being guarded at dispersed locations. Most of the girls are Christians and were forced to embrace Islam. The sect’s cruel leaders have married some of the girls, obviously against their wish. Others have been left to practice their religion but their condition could hardly be ascertained.

"Both ground and air security personnel in the Sambisa forest could spot where the girls are, but since the insurgents have also kidnapped housewives and other women, no one could say whether they mixed them or how they dispersed them. But efforts are being intensified and as people know, the three n e i g h b o u r i n g governments of

Cameroon, Chad, and Niger are helping us since these suicide bombers are now going to their areas and detonating the bombs in mosques and other places."

On his efforts to check the Boko Haram insurgency, Buhari said: "One of the decisions we took soon after we came into office was to change the service chiefs and we overhauled the infantry.

We mandated the military chiefs to change the infantry, re-train them, equip them with adequate weapons and put trained and qualified commanders for the soldiers. The three states of Yobe, Borno and Adamawa know the successes being recorded now."

Locals must help fight Boko Haram

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO

T

O change anything on the outside, something on our inside must change. To live a rewarding life, we must develop a strong character that strengthens our inner man which enables us to influence the world around us. It's up to you.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Write in your heart that every day is the best day of the year —Ralph Waldo Emerson

A

PERSON who lives in a state of gratitude is more aware in the moment. Every moment is a gift. You haven’t earned it. You haven’t brought it about in any way. You have no way of assuring that there will be another moment given to you, and yet, that’s the most valuable thing that can ever be given to us, this moment, with all the opportunity that it contains. Be grateful. We can avail ourselves the opportunities the moment offers or miss out from lack of awareness, but the key to happiness is in our own hands. Moment by moment, use it well and make this life count.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE

O

UR life begins with our cry, our life ends with others' cry. Try to utilize this gap and laugh as much as possible.

Told that despite this success of the military, suicide bombers have continued to strike, the President fingered the international dimension of the insurgency and stressed the need for the support of local people in the war.

"Boko Haram members have pledged their allegiance to ISIS — an insurgent group from the Middle East, with enough money and its members were brainwashed into killing innocent people, including Al-Shabbab around Somalia, and AlQa’eda from Yemen, plus the ISIS itself around Syria and Iraq. If you can recall, ISIS even went to mosques in Saudi Arabia and killed people on about three to five occasions not to talk of doing same in Nigeria.

So, the biggest problem here is how they brainwashed young people, including young girls, who go to mosques, churches, markets, motor parks and detonate bombs, kill themselves and other civilians. How we are going to overcome this is going back to the traditional security apparatus — community leaders, neighbours, district heads, emirs, who should begin to identify new faces in their localities and ask them where they come from and what brought them. They can identify them in either markets, or any other place. This is what will help us in that regard so that those planning to undertake suicide missions could be identified and they would be dealt with appropriately," he said.

I appointed people I can trust

In the interview, Buhari also defended his recent appointments criticized by many Nigerians as lopsided, saying he nominated people he

could trust, and who had worked with him for years.

An overwhelming majority of the President’s senior appointees are from the northern region of the country, where he comes from, and about 33 per cent of the appointments is from his native Katsina State. The South East has no appointee yet.

Asked why his appointments are lopsided, he said: "This is the nature of Nigerian politics. If they will do justice to me, as an elected Nigerian president, let them look at the Constitution a Nigerian president works with; there are people who will closely work with me that don’t need to be taken to the Senate. If I select people whom I know quite well in my political party, whom we came all the way right from the APP, CPC and APC, and have remained together in good or bad situation, the people I have confidence in and I can trust them with any post, will that amount to anything wrong? I have been with them throughout our trying times, what then is the reward of such dedication and suffering? They did not defect because of positions, they did not involve themselves in the pursuit of personal gains, and they accepted their fate throughout our trying moments. What is wrong if I make you the secretary (of the federal government) because I have confidence that things will go normal?"

NNPC, big theatre of theft

On his anti-graft war and whether he has made some recoveries since he came to power, the President identified the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as the biggest arena for stealing the country’s funds.

His words: "The biggest area of stealing of Nigeria’s funds was through NNPC, which is the apex oil selling corporation. That was why we dissolved their board and brought someone who knows the oil sector very well, but who is not from NNPC and entrusted him with the leadership of the NNPC. And instead of the eight major departments, four were liquidated and four continue to exist. This is because, for the past 10 years, the crude oil stealing has been going on using some vessels. By law, their owners, captains and where they are taking the crude must be known.

"So, the method for the crude oil stealing was that those involved shipped the crude through smaller vessels and then transfer the crude to the larger vessels at distant locations in the ocean, before they

head to other countries.

Some of them carry the crude but later change the destination.

"Our new approach is to get support from European countries, the US and China. Those doing the bunkering, you need to know the amount first and the banks they deposit the monies, etc.

These are the things we are doing currently. And you know, those developed countries are strict on evidences and you have to show the evidences of such cases before they can assist you.

If you recall, during the military regimes, such people were arrested, thoroughly interrogated and arraigned before the courts with evidences.

"But that is impossible now. It is democracy and even the foreign countries, where the money is being taken to, practice democracy. The companies involved in buying the crude and the banks that kept the money would be identified so that we would determine whether they are Nigerians or not; whether the stolen crude and its quantity was actually taken from here, sold with the Nigerian name and how what accrued to Nigeria was diverted.

"So, the situation is a complex one, but we are getting support from governments of those countries, including their security agencies. When we get the relevant documents, we would bring them (culprits) back to our courts and try them.

We would then show the evidence to the world that the crude oil they traded was actually stolen or shipped with Nigerian name but later changed the papers and took away the money, instead of depositing them into the Central Bank of Nigeria."

Asked when he would prosecute the looters given his recent promise that within weeks, Nigerians would witness the prosecution of such looters in the courts, he responded: "Actually, we are at the verge of doing that. I have just explained the difficulties involved. In the past, around 1984, the process we underwent to recover the stolen monies was different from the one we

are adopting now. It was a military regime at that time, but now, ideologies of the countries involved are that until you are proved guilty, you remain innocent. And that is what we have been trying to establish; the actual identity of the people, where they took the crude to, did they really pay back the money to the CBN or to the pocket of some individuals? Was the entire crude shipped or part of it? This is not an easy thing and we have never realized its complexity until recently when some foreign countries agreed to support our course."

Appointing ministers tough

The President who reassured that his cabinet would be in place before the end of the month, however, disclosed that he is finding the process difficult to finish because of the massive rot in the polity.

"The process is difficult to finish. So, we would continue the screening to come up with people that deserve to hold the positions. This is because, what I see daily in terms of the damage inflicted on Nigeria in the last 10 years is enormous. Only God knows its magnitude," he said.

Asked if there were names that he earlier lined up for appointments that he later discovered their complicity and then changed his mind, Buhari said: ‘’There are people that deserve to hold the position because of their knowledge in either financial issues or oil sector or even in governance. But you discover that in one way or the other, and whether they knew it or not, they were dragged to such unwholesome practices.

Bringing such people will be tantamount to leaving your doors open when you have gone to rest in your apartment. Putting such people in either financial, petrol or works ministry would be dangerous because behind the scene, some people control a person.

They would be dictating to them with a threat to award them contracts."

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

Gunmen kidnap Bayelsa gov's aides  Abducted Okpoama chiefs regain freedom

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA—BARELY twenty-four hours after the two Okpoama chiefs kidnapped last week in the mangrove swamp of Bayelsa East senatorial district regained their freedom, gunmen struck again yesterday in the riverside town of Sagbama and abducted the Special Adviser on Political Matters to the Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Fyneman Wilson.

Also abducted was the personal assistant to the governor’s aide, Mr. Fred.

This is the second time in six years that Wilson, a close confidant and associate of former President Goodluck Jonathan, would be kidnapped by armed men in the state.

Wilson, a former commissioner under the Timpre Sylva administration, was a noticeable figure at the formal declaration of Governor Seriake Dickson on Tuesday.

The kidnappers, said to be four in number, reportedly stormed the residence of the governor’s aide, which is some distance away from the community waterfront at about 4am on Wednesday.

According to a community source, Wilson and his personal assistant were seized at gunpoint by their assailants and dragged to a waiting speedboat by their captors who escaped through the Forcados River to an unknown destination.

Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Asinim Butswat, confirmed the incident.

Bayelsa State government yesterday condemned the abduction of the Special Adviser, calling for his immediate and unconditional release.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Esueme Dan-Kikile, the government, while confirming the abduction of Wilson and his personal assistant, Fred, said it would not wish to impugn any motive behind the abduction, “except to state that these acts of criminality will not be condoned.”

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By Boluwaji Obahopo

OKOJA—UNKNOWN gunmen on Monday killed one of the youth leaders of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Abu Jeremiah, at Ejule in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Vanguard gathered that the five gunmen invaded the deceased compound at about 6pm while he was playing draft with some of his friends.

Eyewitness account said the gunmen went straight for the victim as they alighted from a car that took them to the scene and shot him several times, as others scampered for safety.

The assailants were said to have left the scene immediately they confirmed that the youth leader was dead.

PDP blames APC

However, the PDP in the state blamed the opposition, All Progressives Congress, APC, for the death of its members, saying the opposition had been sponsoring violence in the state in the last three months.

PDP state youth leader, Stephen Onoji, who stated this in Lokoja yesterday, while addressing newsmen, alleged that the incident was the second murder that had befallen the PDP in the last couple of months.

“A Similar incident happened in the same local government on June 7, when three members of our party were killed by armed

COLLAPSED BUILDING: A section of the collapsed three storey building, housing Makaval Hotel, Effurun, Delta State, yesterday, where some people are still feared trapped.

Gunmen kill PDP youth leader in Kogi As PDP, APC trade words over killing thugs. ‘’All efforts to get justice over the matter did not yield any result as the security agencies in the state are yet to make any arrest in connection with the murders,” Onoji said.

24 hours ultimatum

He, however, said the party was giving the security agencies 24 hours to arrest the culprits, declaring that “the killing of the youths of the ruling party in the state must stop or we would have to resort to self defence.”

Onoji said the state governor, Capt. Idris Wada, had since assuming

office, stamped out crime from the state.

However,APCstatechairman,Haddy Ametuo, said he was not aware of any killing by members of the party.

Ametuo, who said his party should not be linked with criminal activities in the state, urged the security operative to investigate the incident to identify those behind it.

7 rescued, others feared trapped in collapsed Effurun hotel

By Egufe Yafugborhi & Akpokona Omofuaire

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ARRI—RESCUERS, mainly neighbours and members of Mercy Land Church, yesterday, pulled out seven persons from the debris of collapsed wing of Makaval Hotel located off Refinery Road, Effurun, in Delta State.

Medical officials at nearby Divine Grace Hospital, where the wounded victims were admitted for medical attention, said it was too early to allow visits and talks with the patients as a result of injuries and shock suffered in the mishap.

Akpoguma Davis, a landlord in an adjacent building, who witnessed it all, said: “At about 3am, my dogs were barking seriously, so I came out not knowing they were reacting to the noisy cracks from the first vibration.

“I took torch and went round, wondering if there were robbers lurking. After three minutes, this whole wing of the building collapsed. About seven persons have been rescued alive. I heard one woman shouting ‘I am Mercy Land visitor, help me. We got her out after four hours.”

Benjamin Hosu, 51, from Lagos, said: “I and a colleague came to town to execute a project yesterday. We were lodged in the first floor. Around 3.10am, we

heard noise and thought they were armed robbers.

“Suddenly, our room went down to the floor. Some rescuers came out with torch lights as we shouted for help. They started breaking in till they got us out.

We have been to the hospital, checked and confirmed okay.”

When Vanguard reached the scene, rescue efforts were on to pull out a pregnant woman trapped in the building, after she had shouted for help.

The rescuers got to her by 10am, and pulled her out to the waiting arms of her father, a Bayelsan, simply identified as Gambia, who whisked her out immediately, while declining press comment.

Ayo Ameye, a neighbour who

participated in the rescue operation, said: “More persons could still be in there. A man on the other side has been in contact on his phone. The phone probably ran out on battery because we have not been able to hear from him any more. The line went dead.”

When Vanguard was leaving the scene, two excavators provided by the Mercy Land, host to most of the guests lodged at the hotel, were seen still clearing debris, hoping to rescue more of the trapped victims.

None of the hotel staff present was ready to speak on the situation, but early callers at the scene said they had indicated that only seven persons were lodged in there, but it was gathered that the number could be more as some lodgers had companions

with them.

Meanwhile, the state government yesterday shut the hotel to ensure protection of lives and properties.

The Deputy Governor, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro,who gave the directive when he spoke to Vanguard shortly after visiting the collapsed building, said the hotel remained shut until an integrity test was conducted by certified engineers to ascertain the cause of the collapse of the twin storey building.

While noting that officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and the Red Cross were on ground to rescue trapped victims in the collapsedbuilding,Otuaropromisedthat the state government would take responsibility for hospital bills of the injured victims.

Abductors kill Israeli during kidnap attempt in Abuja during exchange of gun fire with to have shot the Israeli, said to be

A

By Kingsley Omonobi

BUJA—AN Israeli national (names withheld) was yesterday killed by suspected kidnappers at Wasa in Apo Mechanic village after he resisted his abduction.

This came on a day two members of an armed robbery gang that had been terrorizing residents of AMAC Estate, along Airport Road in Abuja in the last 4 months, met their waterloo

the police. The duo were killed, other members of the gang fled before they could be apprehended.

Eyewitness said the Isreali, a staff of Gilmor, a construction company, was on his way to the construction site at about 8:30pm when four young men suddenly forced his car to a stop, dragged him out and attempted to force him into their Toyota salon car.

While trying to resist the attempt, the kidnappers were said

between the ages of 30 and 35 years.

The Police is, however, on the trail of the kidnappers.

On the dead armed robbers, Vanguard learned that victims of the gang include journalists, medical doctors, traders and senior civil servants as well as church goers when returning from vigil service.

In one attack, the robbers shot a medicaldoctorintheface,thusdisfiguring him for daring to question them.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015—7

6 family members die in Lagos fire Only surviving member, 8-yr-old Chidinma still in critical condition

By Abdul-Lateef Ligali & Ebere Afam

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AGOS—TRAGEDY struck yesterday after a family of seven were roasted in a fire that engulfed a building at Lawanson, Surulere, Lagos.

However, doctors at the Intensive Care Unit of Gbagada General Hospital are battling to save the life of the seventh member of the family, eight-yearold Chidinma who sustained serious burns.

Among those who lost their lives in the inferno, whose cause could not be immediately ascertained, were Mr. Kelechi Ali, his wife, Nkiru, Onoja, their baby boy of about three weeks old, their son, Favour, of about three years old.

Also killed in the fire were Onoja’s mother, who was on a visit to care for her nursing daughter, and two other children, aged eight and ten years respectively, who were said to have visited for the summer holiday.

The grandmother, said to be in her 60s, had reportedly concluded plans to return to her base at Nsukka , Enugu State yesterday before the unfortunate incident.

The fire, it was gathered, started in Ali’s self-contained apartment located on 21, Michael Ogun street, Obele Lawanson, at about 11pm Tuesday while the family was asleep.

It reportedly raged for over an hour before the arrival of the fire service. Their shout for help alerted other residents but no one heeded the call.

Vanguard gathered that their charred remains were recovered in different positions by men of Lagos State Fire Service.

The charred remains of the father was said to have been mangled together with two of his children, while that of his wife was seen with her little baby on her chest.

When Vanguard visited the scene yesterday, those on rescue were still sighted clearing the debris. An eyewitness who identified herself as Abure Hanna, said: “A few minutes into my sleep, I heard voices which sounded like people were quarrelling. ‘’Later, I heard shout of fire from the next compound. I ran out and started calling neighbours to come and help. I think the fire had been on for about 30 minutes before I came out. The fire service came late to the scene after the fire had been doused by residents.”

Another resident, who pleaded anonymity, stated that the family members could have been rescued had neighbours went for their rescue on time.

“Everybody stayed put in their houses even when the family was shouting for help. This is because of the lingering quarrel between

the family and their neighbours. ‘’As you can see , there are three houses in the compound but the middle one occupied by the Onojas was the one affected. This is not ordinary because even the connecting wires to other buildings were not affected.“

good terms. ‘’This is just too much. How could this type of thing escalate to this level when the victims had neighbours?.“ At this point, he stopped, shook his head and burst into tears again before leaving the scene.

Traditional ruler breaks down

Attempt to burn other buildings foiled

The traditional ruler of Surulere, High Chief Kareem Jinadu Awoyemi, broke down in tears as he arrived the scene, blaming other neighbours for not rising to the help of the affected family.

Awoyemi said: “There are issues brought to me that occupants of the three buildings in the compound were never in

When news of the neglect by other neighbours filtered round, some aggrieved persons suspected to be members of the deceased family attempted to burn down the two other buildings whose tenants were accused of turning deaf ears to their relatives’ cry for help.

Attempt by some sympathisers to stop this move resulted in an

The 8-yeare-old Chidinma who survived the inferno that claimed all family members.

altercation that almost led to a fight. It took the intervention of policemen from Surulere Division, led by the DPO, Mr Monday Agbonika, to arrest the situation.

But when Vanguard approached him at the scene, he declined comments, referring Vanguard to the State Police Public Relations Officer.

One of the aggrieved relatives who refused to disclose his identity said: “The family went to the market yesterday to get items for the mother-in-law as their tradition demands to celebrate the arrival of the new born baby after one month of Omugwo. ‘’This morning, they were supposed to go to the village, the man has already purchased bus tickets and now they are dead.

The father was a trader who sold sewing materials on Lagos Island, while his wife, is a parishioner at Saint Mulumba Catholic Church, Lawanson, Lagos.’’

Donations for survivor

Meanwhile, a man was seen collecting money from sympathisers . When asked what the money was meant for, the man who spoke on condition of anonymity, said : “We are donating for the treatment of the little girl that is in the hospital.

Chidinma (survivor ) is in critical condition in the hospital and we are doing all we can to ensure her survival. Doctors said she has a fifty-fifty chance of survival.’’

Lagos State Fire Service Director, Rasaq Fadipe, said fire trucks were deployed to the scene immediately the distress call was received.

The razed apartment.

UNILAG students protest over electrocution of colleague

By Evelyn Usman, Dayo Adesulu & Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS—STUDENTS of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, yesterday, took to the streets protesting the electrocution of one of their own, Tuesday night.

The deceased, a 300 level Accounting student identified as Oluchi Anekwe,who hailed from Aku in Enugu State, was electrocuted by a high tension wire which snapped from a pole at about 7:20 pm.

This is just as a motor boy with an undisclosed identity was also electrocuted by a high tension wire at Jakande Estate gate, Isolo yesterday.

Unsuspecting Anekwe, said to be returning from fellowship, was walking back to her room in Sodeinde New Hall on the campus, when a high tension wire snapped and fell on her.

Eye witnesses said that the pole from which the wire fell, had been faulty for a while, without necessary repairs by the school management.

Vanguard gathered that the

University of Lagos has its own electricity distribution cable which it monitored, inspected and fixed in case of any problem. But for unknown reasons, the repairs, was reportedly never done on the faulty pole until it snuffed life out of Oluchi.

Explaining how Oluchi was electrocuted, a first year student

The late Oluchi Anakwe

who identified himself simply as Muyiwa, told Vanguard: “When the wire fell on her, she was screaming for help but nobody could help her as everyone was afraid because it was a high voltage wire. By the time some people summoned courage and rescued her it was late as she was confirmed dead a few minutes later."

Lamenting, a course mate of the deceased who spoke to Vanguard on the condition of anonymity said: “I believe the school management wanted to see the height of the damage before f i n d i n g solution to the problem. Now that it has claimed the life of the student, I guess they will take action.”

Students protest

Irked by what they described as negligence on the part of the school management, the aggrieved students barricaded the main gate of the university, thereby preventing vehicles from coming in or going out of the school premises. They sang solidarity songs and kicked against a statement credited to one of the lecturers whose name was given simply as Ajape. The lecturer was quoted to have told the protesting students to forget about the dead and carry on with life.

One of the protesting students who spoke on condition of annonimity said : Ajape was one o f the deceased’s course advisers. How could he make such a reckless statement? He said ‘she is dead and gone, there is nothing anybody can do’, without any feeling of pain for the deceased.

"Another thing that sparked the outrage was that lectures went on today(yesterday) as if nothing happened. If Oluchi was a lecturer's child, would they treat the case this way?“

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

Adefuye to be buried Sept 18

SHAKE UP IN NAVY: New FOCs, PSOs appointed; 61 others redeployed

By Kingsley Omonobi

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T

HE family of late Professor Adebowale Ibidapo Adefuye, former Nigerian ambassador to the United States of America, who died on Thursday, August 27, has announced the burial arrangements.

According to the burial programme signed by Mr. Babatunde Adefuye on behalf of the family, there will be a Christian wake keeping on September 17 at Harbour Point, 4 Wilmot Point Road, off Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos, by 5p.m.

The funeral service will hold the following day at Christ Church Cathedral, Marina Lagos at 10a.m., while interment follows immediately at Ikoyi Vault and Gardens.

The family, in a eulogy, said: “Ambassador Adefuye’s life and living were akin to that of the psalmist who was inspired in one of his many songs to say ‘The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage’.

“Like a man with a truly godly heritage, our late son, husband, father, brother, uncle and cousin lived his life very much as a practical Christian in c o n s t a n t acknowledgement of his Creator, in passionate and unstinting service to mankind and the promotion of and support to great causes, seeking always to make the world a better place. He was an exemplar in virtues.

“And so consoled by his good works and the Grace of God upon us, we reach out, respectfully, to you to join us as we use this opportunity of his rites of passage to appreciate and celebrate God for the beautiful life he lived and to thank God for making us a part of him.”

BUJA—THE Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, yesterday, effected the redeployment of 61 senior officers of flag ranks, even as he appointed new Flag Officers Commanding Naval Autonomous Commands and branch chiefs.

This is just as the Nigerian Army reiterated that recruitment into the service is free, warning unsuspecting members of the public to beware of fraudster who may attempt to defraud them.

The appointments in the Navy affected 28 Rear Admirals and 33 Commodores.

Rear Admiral R. O. Osondu, is now Flag Officer

Commanding Western Naval Command; Rear Admiral E. G. Offik is Flag Officer Commanding Logistics Command; Rear Admiral A. A. Osinowo, Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command, while Rear Admiral A. S. Abdukadir is Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command.

A statement by Commodore Kabir Aliyu, Director of Naval Information, said: “Rear Admiral S. U. Chinweuba, formerly Admiral Superintendent Naval Dockyard Lagos, resumes as Chief of Naval Engineering, Naval Headquarters, while Rear Admiral P. A. Agba, formerly Chief of Logistics, has been appointed Chief of Naval Transformation.

“Read Admiral J. A. Ajani

has been moved from Defence Headquarters to Naval Doctrine and Assessment Centre as Admiral Superintendent, while Rear Admiral S. I. Alade, formerly Chief of Naval Transformation, moves to National Defence College as Commandant.

“Furthermore, Rear Admiral A. A. Dacosta moves from Defence Headquarters to Naval Headquarters as Chief of Naval Safety and Standards; Rear Admiral K. B. Ati-John is now Director of Plans, Naval Headquarters.

“Rear Admiral B. A. Egbedina moves to Defence Headquarters as Chief of Administration from Naval Training Command, where

KADUNA REFINERY: From left— Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu; Managing Director, Kaduna Refinery Petrochemical Company, KRPC, Engr. Saidu Mohammed, and Manager, Power Planning and Utility, Engr. Kolawole Timothy, during a working visit by Kachikwu to Kaduna Refinery, yesterday. PHOTO: Olu Ajayi.

Women still face economic restrictions globally— WORLD BANK

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

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BUJA—WOMEN still face various barriers to economic advancement in most parts of the globe, the World Bank has said.

In its Women, Business and the Law 2016 report released yesterday, the institution said that the womenfolk were mainly shut out of opportunities to certain jobs, credit and unprotected from violence.

A statement by the bank said: “The report, which examines laws that impede women’s employment and entrepreneurship, finds that women face job restrictions in 100 of the 173 economies monitored.

“For example, women are

barred from working in certain factory jobs in 41 economies; in 29 economies they are prohibited from working at night; and in 18 economies they cannot get a job without permission from their husbands.

“Only half of the economies covered have paternity leave, and less than a third have parental leave, limiting men’s ability to share childcare responsibilities.

“In 30 economies, married women cannot choose where to live and in 19 they are legally obligated to obey their husbands. These and a range of other disparities monitored by the report have far-reaching consequences, negatively affecting not only women themselves, but their children, their communities,

and their countries’ economies.

“The report counts nearly 950 instances of gender inequality, under seven indicators.”

Commenting on the report, bank’s President, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, was quoted in a statement by the bank as saying, “it is a grave injustice when societies place legal restrictions on women’s ability to get a job, or participate in economic life.

“Women, like men, deserve every opportunity to fulfill their potential, no matter where they live.

“These restrictions are also bad economics as women represent over half the world’s population. We cannot afford to leave their potential untapped.”

he was Flag Officer Commanding, while Rear Admiral M. M. Salami resumes as Director of Policy Naval Headquarters.

“Rear Admiral O. C. Medani, formerly Chief of Training and Operations is now Director, Project Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate. Rear Admiral G. A. Anyankpele, formerly Chief of Administration is now Chief of Logistics Naval Headquarters.

“Rear Admiral H. H. Babalola, former Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command is now Chief of Training and Operations at Naval Headquarters, while Rear Admiral A. L. Akintola is now Admiral Superintendent Naval Dockyard Ltd, Lagos.

“Rear Admiral J. K. Z. Ango, formerly Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command resumes as Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters, while Rear Admiral J. D. Michika resumes at Defence Headquarters as Director of Logistics.

“Rear Admiral J. O. Okojie, formerly Admiral Superintendent Naval Ordinance Depot, moves to Defence Headquarters as Director of Plans.

“Similarly, Rear Admiral J. O. Oluwole resumes as Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Navy Holdings Limited.

“Additionally, Rear Admiral R. O. Osondu, formerly Admiral Superintendent Naval Doctrine and Assessment Centre, is now Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, while Rear Admiral A. O. Odeh, formerly Managing Director, Naval Engineering Services Limited, resumes at the Naval Shipyard Limited as Admiral Superintendent.

Rear Admiral U. E. Essien resumes at the Naval Headquarters as Director of Operations from the Defence Headquarters, while Rear Admiral S. O. Paul resumes as Admiral Superintendent Naval Ordinance Depot.

Rear Admiral A. O. Suleiman, formerly Chief Staff Officer at Naval Training Command, is now Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Yenagoa.

Other affected are Rear Admiral B. E. E. Ibe-Enwo, Deputy Commandant, AFCSC Jaji, Rear Admiral S. A. G. Abbah, Director of Logistics, Defence Intelligence Agency, Rear Admiral T. Dick, Director of Training, Defence Headquarters and Rear Admiral D. O. Ajatoye, Commandant, Nigerian Navy Engineering College, Sapele.

The redeployed senior officers are expected to resume in their new units in the third week of September 2015.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015—9

NNPC approves interim swap agreement with 3 subsidiaries

By Clara Nwachukwu & Michael Eboh, with agency report

T

VISIT: Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State (left), presenting the state's emblem to National President, Nigerian Statistical Association, NSA, Dr. Muhammed Tumala, during a courtesy call on the governor at Abere, Osogbo.

Drama as power failure disrupts Senate probe on power

By Henry Umoru

A

BUJA—THE ongoing probe of the power sector from 1999 till date by the Senate ad hoc committee was characterized by drama and confusion yesterday, as the proceeding was disrupted by power failure eight times.

Yesterday’s proceeding started at about 11:30a.m. and ended abruptly at 4p.m. due to about 15 minutes of power failure at intervals, for eight different times, from 2p.m. when the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali, was making a submission on behalf of the various electricity companies.

The situation forced operators from the power sector to make use of their phone light and video camera light to make presentation before the committee.

Despite the situation, the lawmakers continued with the proceedings without microphones and other electrical appliances needed.

The cameramen, on their part, had to use their camera lights to capture the meeting.

Following the power outage, the committee had no choice but to resort to the use of rechargeable lamps and camera lights Chairman of the Committee, Abubakar Kyari (APC, Borno North) also had a dose of the power failure as he was interrupted while commenting on issues raised by some of the stakeholders.

‘It's sabotage’

Moved by the development, Senator Kyari, after the session,

told journalists that the committee would investigate what led to the power outages during the session, alleging that it was sabotage aimed at frustrating the committee.

He vowed that the public hearing proper on the sector would hold in due course, adding “the power outages experienced here today (yesterday) further underscores the relevance of this committee at this critical time, but we shall investigate whether or not they are deliberate.”

Other stakeholders of the power sector, who were caught in the power outage, while making presentations, were the Director-General of Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, Benjamin Ezreal Dikki; Chairman of National Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Sam Amadi and some of the Managing Directors of electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOs.

consumers were not metered and about 30 percent were not even on the billing system of the service providers.

He also alleged that the N100 billion subsidy injection into the sector promised by the Federal Government was not fulfilled.

The CEO, Ibadan Electricity Generating Company, Adeoye Fagbembi, who spoke on behalf of the six GENCOs, said transmission loss between them and the electricity distributors have been a big issue.

The BPE Director- General, Benjamin Dikki, in his submission, said the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has paid N5 billion of the N100 billion promised by the government, just as he admitted that the sector was presently being run at a loss by the investors, adding that the losses at initial stages were envisaged as embedded in the performance agreement reached with the investors.

Investors state challenges

50% of Nigerians don't use meter

Earlier, investors in the sector in their various submissions lamented that they were running it at great losses on monthly basis due to myriad of factors.

In his presentation, the Managing Director of Enugu Distribution Company, Mr. Robert Dickerman, who spoke on behalf of all DISCOs, disclosed that the entire industry was being run at a deficit of N20 billion per month, which he argued was attributable to the fact that over 50 percent of electricity

In his own presentation, Chairman of NERC, Dr. Amadi, who refuted allegations that the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, will soon be privatized by the Federal Government, revealed that over 50 percent of Nigerians do not have meters, thereby reducing revenue generation potentials of distribution company.

Amadi noted that lack of meters, which was a major problem, had left many Nigerians saddened, saying

that one megawatt of power cost as much as $1 million.

... on power distribution

He said: “We are working hard so that none of the DISCOs fail. Consumers are very angry about lack of meter. Only less than 50 percent of Nigerians have meters. It is one of the major problems. In the past decade, we did not invest in metering.

“A moderator brought the idea of paying for meter since customers cannot wait for too long; the customers can pay for their own meter but when the new owners came, they had to take some time to understand the way it goes.”

He agreed that metering is the major problem in the power sector because it is more expensive although it will help the country save revenue.

According to him, “each time we hit 4500 megawatts, people always say that the electricity has improved and there is always a level of comfort. We also want to put more pressure on the distribution companies and they want to see Mgbede generation.

“What has delayed many of these companies till now is because the licences could not get financed.

“In the next 20 years we will be able to have about 2000 megawatts.”

He concluded by saying that the power sector was getting better as there is need for improvement in capital investment, which should come from the private sectors.

HE Nigerian National P e t r o l e u m Corporation, NNPC, yesterday said it signed an interim Offshore Processing Agreement, OPA, contracts with three of its Joint Venture, JV, companies.

The corporation in a statement issued upon Vanguard enquiries on the deal identified the companies to include Duke Oil, Carlson and Napoil.

The statement said the move is meant “to boost the supply of refined petroleum products,” adding that it “will lapse with the advent of the fresh OPA contracts envisaged to come into effect at the end of the ongoing public tender process.”

However, a Reuters report said the Corporation signed an interim crude oil swap contract with four companies that is expected to last from October to December 2015.

Quoting inside sources, the report said that two of the agreements are with NNPC JV companies one with Swiss trader, Vitol called Calson, and the other with commodities trader, Trafigura called Napoil.

The other two are with non-incorporated Joint Ventures between oil major BP and Nigermed Limited, and NNPC’s trading arm, Duke Oil Company with Sahara Group.

But NNPC’s spokesman, Ohi Alegbe, who could not explain how the Sahara Group, which contract was among those revoked by the Corporation reentered the deal when contacted by Vanguard, was then forced to issue the statement.

He explained that the interim agreement is in a bid “to sustain the prevailing unimpeded nationwide supply and distribution of petroleum products.”

10 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

26 ships with petroleum products, others arrive Lagos ports

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AGOS—26 ships laden with petroleum products, food items and other goods are expected to arrive Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports in Lagos between yesterday and September 20.

The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, stated this in its daily publication - Shipping Position - made available to newsmen yesterday in Lagos.

The document indicated that the expected ships contained general cargo, fresh fish, truck heads, containers, bulk gypsum, bulk salt, bulk sugar, bulk wheat, empty containers, diesel and petrol.

NPA stated that 18 other ships had arrived the ports, waiting to berth with petrol, bulk gas and crude palm oil.

The document explained that other ships were waiting to berth and discharge general cargo, bulk rice, military equipment, frozen fish and steel products.

Twenty-five other ships are in the ports discharging bulk rice, fertilizer, container, empty containers, truck heads and a repaired vessel.

The document stated that other ships were discharging kerosene, bulk gas, petrol, bulk soya bean, bulk wheat, crude palm olein, bulk wheat, frozen fish, and soda ash.

FOREX: CBN foreign currency policies killing us — LCCI

By Naomi Uzor

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AGOS—THE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, yesterday, said the biggest challenge facing investors currently is the dislocations caused by the recent foreign exchange policies of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. Speaking at 2015, third quarter press conference, the President of LCCI, Alhaji Remi Bello, said the chamber appreciates the challenge of scarcity of foreign exchange as tough choices have to be made, but that the chamber has serious reservations over the policy choices of the CBN in managing the current crisis.

He said the CBN should put in place policies that would encourage inflow of forex without necessarily creating a tolerance for money laundering, adding that, the chamber believes this can only be done through intelligence.

“Significant disruptions, distortions and dislocations have been created in the business environment by the CBN as a consequence of the following policy measures: restrictions on the use of export proceeds, denial of access to foreign exchange market for 41 broad categories of products, including critical inputs needed in manufacturing and service sectors, prohibition of cash lodgements into domiciliary accounts and tight exchange controls and admintrative allocation of foreign exchange are typically characterized by lack of transparency, corruption and considerable abuse” he stated.

He noted that the economy is now faced with a scenario where there is much greater pressure to move funds out of the economy than move funds into the economy.

“This can be likened to a run on a system. This is a typical

VISIT: From left: Mr. Madhav Kolkar, Chief MG, Civil Engineering, Dangote Oil Refinery Company Ltd; Brig. Abel Osemwota retd, Security Coordinator; Otunba Segun Jawando, Chairman, Lekki Free Zone and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, during the governor's visit to the firm as part of his inspection tour to Lekki Free Zone, in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, yesterday. Photo by Bunmi Azeez. scenario which a confidence crisis would create. Future international trade transactions, financial and investment relations are now at risk. Round tripping of forex has continued to flourish because of the disparity in the exchange rate between the official and parallel market. Inflow of forex into the two autonomous sources has been adversely affected. It is worthy of note that Diaspora funds into the country was about $23 billion in 2013. The current policy will discourage the inflow of such funds which normally help to strengthen the supply side of the foreign exchange” he said.

According to him, the sovereign risk perception of Nigeria has worsened over the last months and several credit lines for Nigerian investors have been lost following the numerous cases of payment defaulted to foreign suppliers.

“Even reputable blue chip companies have defaulted for the first time in the several years of

business relationship with their foreign suppliers. Considerable damage has been done to the image of many companies and the country in the international trade and investment arena. A major confidence crisis has been created for investors,” he stated.

On the way forward, Bello said, the CBN should be compelled to engage with relevant economic ministries in order to bring about coherence in the management of

How apprentice barber died, by firm

By Innocent Anaba

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AGOS—A Nigerian firm, Owoeye and Owoeye Nigeria Ltd, has described as false and misleading, reports that a policeman from Sango-Ota Police Area, Ogun State, killed an apprentice barber, Bidemi Akinde, on the instruction of one Alhaji Mutairu Owoeye.

Public Relations Manger of the organisation, Mr Alex Oni, in a statement, yesterday, in Lagos, said

Sen Tinubu counsels partymen over bribery, corruption

By Charles Kumolu & Iheoma Nwanaynawu

L

A G O S — S E N AT O R Oluremi Tinubu, of the All Progressives Congress, APC,

Lagos Central, has admonished the members of her constituency to shun corruption, noting that such sacrifice is needed for the APC to successfully deliver on its mandate.

Ex-Concord newspapers staff re-unite

F

ORMER Concord newspaper staff will Friday honour their colleagues, Tunji Bello, Femi Adesina, Waheed Odusile, Ohi Alegbe, Eric Osagie, Sani Zoro and Jide Orintunsin, who were recently appointed into various positions at the federal and state government and private sectors.

The event to be attended by both editorial and non-editorial personnel of the defunct

publication, is holding at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

Coordinator of the programme, Ogbeni Goke Odeyinka, stated; “The event is not just a reception but a reunion of all those who had one-time or other served or worked in Concord Press, whether in editorial, advert, accounts, security, canteen and or any department to meet, interact and network after they were compulsorily separated in 2001.”

She assured that the change the nation desires would require patience, love, hardwork and selflessness to fully manifest, noting that adherence to the rule of law would be meaningful to the party’s pursuit of a better Nigeria.

Tinubu said this yesterday in Lagos at a town hall meeting titled: New Chapter, Renewed Hope, convened to interface with the members of her constituency.

The event which was the 15th edition, was a platform to update her constituents on her activities in the Senate since the inception of the 8th Senate.

Tinubu at the forum which witnessed the presentation of scholarships to beneficiaries of her Post-Secondary School Scholarship Scheme, PSSS,

the Nigerian economy.

“These other key ministries and agencies include the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Ministry of Finance, National Planning Commission and Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment. ''There has to be proper coordination between the key ministries and the CBN to give a credible direction to the economy and ensure a better quality of economic management” he said.

also gave an up to date account of the constituency development projects initiated in the seventh Senate.

Those at the event include; Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, Sen Maniru Muse, Lagos State APC chairman, Chief Henry Ajomale, Deputy Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly; Mr. Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni, Mr. Wale Edun and Mr. Tajudeen Olusi among others.

According to Tinubu: “Our theme for this town hall meeting is timely and pregnant with meaning. We all craved for a better Nigeria and worked towards it as manifested by the result of the last general election, which saw our great party emerging victorious at the state and national levels.''

that Bidemi was felled by bullets from the barrels of the guns of hoodlums and thugs in army uniform led by a suspected leader of the Eiye confraternity, simply identified as ‘One Hour’.

The statement said Owoeye’s present travail started when he was appointed an estate agent in respect of a vast expanse of land at Oke-Ore in Ado-Odo, Ota Local Government area of Ogun State by the customary owners of the land, who were also adjudged owners of the land by virtue of judgment of court in suit no number HTC/392/05 delivered by Justice Mobolaji Ojo on April 10, 2014.

He said that as the land was occupied by illegal occupants, Owoeye decided to inform the occupiers of the judgement of the court in respect of the land as many may not be aware of it and to this effect, he printed a public notice to be pasted on the land as the debtors in the judgement are persons who have no respect for the law and are prone to violence.

The statement added that “Owoeye decided to seek Police protection to avoid an unpleasant scene. He forwarded a letter of assistance to the Police which was approved by the Inspector-General of Police, who directed the Ogun State Police Commissioner to treat the matter. The office of the Ogun State Police boss equally directed the Area Command at Sango to implement the directive.''

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 — 11

CONFERENCE: From left; Prof. A. A Amusan, representing the Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile Ife; Bishop Dapo Folorunsho, Keynote speaker; Prof Muiz Opeloye, LOC Chairman and Prof Celestina Ezeranum, keynote speaker at the opening ceremony of the 36th Conference of Nigeria Asssociation for the Study of Religions with the theme: Religion and DemocraticSustainability in Nigeria, Oba Almarouf Magbagbeola; Olufon of Ifon Osun (left) and Chief Abdulrasheed Olaolu, representing Timi of Ede at the conference. Photos by Dare Fasube. held at the Obafemi Awolowo University, ile-Ife, yesterday.

Harassment of PDP leaders is Buhari’s achievement – FAYOSE As Ekiti Assembly approves loan, bail-out package

By Dapo Akinrefon & Rotimi Olaleye

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D O - E K I T I — GOVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State yesterday took a swipe at President Muhammadu Buhari saying the only achievement recorded by the administration has been the harassment of leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. In a statement, Governor Fayose commended the president for his efforts at ending the Boko Haram insurgency saying “I wish to call on all Nigerians to support the President in restoring peace to the Boko Haram ravaged North Eastern part of Nigeria.”

He, however, berated the Buhari administration for the alleged lopsided appointments, selective anti-corruption crusade and the recent invasion of the Akwa Ibom State Government House by officials of the Department of State Security, DSS. Besides, he said “As at today, the only achievement recorded by the President Buhari’s government is the harassment of leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and those perceived as not on the same political page with the president in his party.”

In addition, he said: “President Mohammadu Buhari’s government is now 100

days and even though I align with most Nigerians, who opined that 100 days is too short in the life of a government, it is important to make some clarifications as regards the administration.

This is more so that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and some political jobbers that are looking for appointments are praising the President, citing imaginary achievements.”

Also, he said: “Former President Goodluck Jonathan and those who worked with him as well as PDP governors and leaders are now targets of harassment, and by this, the president is telling Nigerians

‘Nigeria’s democracy hanging in the balance'

By Gbenga Olarinoye

O

SOGBO—A lecturer at Lagos State University LASU, Professor Dapo Asaju has warned that the nation’s democracy as presently constituted is hanging in the air.

Professor Asaju who is the first Nigerian Bishop Theologian, also said only religious environment can produce right leaders for the country.

While delivering a keynote address on the theme: ‘Religion and the democratic sustainability in Nigeria’ at the opening session of the 36th Annual Conference of Nigeria Association for the Study of Religions, NASR, held at Oduduwa Hall of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, the university don said honest leaders are hard to come by in the country, the development he said portends dangers for the country.

According to him, inability of President Mohammodu Buhari to form cabinet over three months of coming on board, said to have been caused by the search for people of impeccable character, tells much about the total neglect of religion as a guiding principle in Nigeria’s democracy.

that it does not pay to be honourable. Dr Goodluck Jonathan was honourable enough to allow a peaceful transition and conceded to the president even though it was obvious that his victory was questionable. Visiting such a person and those who worked with him with persecution as being done now, is no doubt a sad reminder of the reason we have many sit-tight leaders in Africa.

Interestingly, some of those who worked with Dr Goodluck Jonathan that the APC called thieves are now being appointed to manage the affairs of international organisations like the World Bank and African Development Bank.”

Assembly approves bailout package

Meanwhile, the Ekiti State House of Assembly has permitted the state governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, to obtain loans and explore avenues to help the government extricate itself from current financial crisis.

It resolved that the governor should partake in the Excess Crude Account (ECA)-backed loan being made available to states facing challenges of finance to the tune of N10 billion.

In a statement by the Special Assistant (Media) to the House Speaker, Stephen Gbadamosi, the assembly also passed a resolution on the intention of the state government to partake in the Federal Government bailout package for payment of backlog arrears of workers’ salaries and bonuses.

The Speaker, Pastor Kola Oluwawole explained that the state governor had written a letter to the House seeking its resolution over the matter.

About N19.6 billion loan will be accessed by the state, apart from the N10 billion from ECA, the government would access N9,604,430,000 from Skye Bank on a 20-year repayment plan at nine per cent interest.

NJC queries Osun judge over petition against Aregbesola

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO—THE National Judicial Council NJC has queried a serving judge in Osun State, Justice Olamide Falahanmi Oloyede, over her petition to the state House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings of Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his deputy, Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori for allegedly mismanaging the state’s resources.

A committee was set-up by the House of Assembly to look into the petition and the house subsequently dismissed the petition for lack of evidence against the respondent.

But the Osun Civil Societies Coalition later petitioned the National Judicial Council, NJC, alleging that the judge over-stepped her limit as she failed to conduct herself in such a manner as to preserve the dignity of her office being an impartial and independent organ, thereby exposing the judiciary to ridicule and disrepute.

The query lette,r which was personally signed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed is expected to be answered within 14 days by the judge.

We’ll pay our workers soon — Aregbesola

Meantime, Governor Aregbesola has disclosed that his administration would ensure the payment of workers’ salary arrears before the forthcoming Sallah festival.

He disclosed this while addressing some workers and other stakeholders of the state Tuesday evening in Osogbo.

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

Oshiomhole drops four commissioners in cabinet shake-up

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—IN what seems to be a mini-cabinet shakeup in Edo State, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday, sacked four commissioners in the state, saying that the decision was part of efforts to strengthen the ministries they headed.

The affected Commissioners are Chief Lucky James (Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs), Mrs. Maigida Blessing, (Women Affairs), Mr. Patrick Aguinede, (Basic Education) and Mr. Chris Ebare, (Energy and Water Resources).

A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Public Affairs, Prince Kassim Afegbua, said the sack of the commissioners was “In line with government’s commitment to strengthen the system towards optimal performance.

“They are directed to hand over all government property in their possession to the Permanent Secretaries in their respective ministries. The governor expresses his appreciation to the former

commissioners for their services to the state and wishes them well in their future endeavours.The termination is with immediate effect.”

Vanguard learned that more heads may roll in the state executive council, following

the political interest of some of the commissioners ahead the 2016 governorship election.

It was learned that some of them have been involved in nocturnal meetings despite the warnings by the governor that the activities of his

administration must not be distracted because of the 2016 governorship election.

The sacking of the four commissioners could be a clear warning by the governor to others who may want to distract his administration in the name of politics.

VISIT: Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State (right) and the new Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Mr. Musa Kimo, during a courtesy call in Government House, Port Harcourt.

CPEJ tasks FG on proactive measures against flooding

By Perez Brisibe

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GHELLI—THE Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice, CPEJ, has urged the Federal Government to put adequate measures in place to avert an impending flooding in some parts of the country.

Addressing newsmen during an interactive session in Ughelli, Delta State, national coordinator of the group, Sheriff Mulade, urged the Federal Government to dialogue with the Cameroonian and Guinean authorities towards working out modalities on how to tackle the challenges of flooding in their respective countries.

He said: “With the opening of Cameroonian and Guinean dams coupled with the heavy rainfall experienced between May and September, no fewer than 20 states in Nigeria are affected by flood. This, however, did not come without several warnings, yet the government and people treated the warnings with levity.”

Bemoaning the loss of lives and property as a result of the flooding, he explained that some communities affected by the floods were yet to be restored to their pristine nature.

C M Y K

He reasoned that given the harsh socio-economic impact of the flood, it was essential

that explanatory and attenuating measures were put in place to forestall

resurgence, stressing the need for proactive rather than reactionary measures.

Tight security at C-River Election Tribunal

By Emma Una

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ALABAR—SECURITY was unusually tight at the Cross River State Election Tribunal, yesterday, as Senator Gershom Bassey, the senator representing the Southern senatorial district of Cross River State, testified before the tribunal.

The Murtala Muhammed Highway, Calabar, premisis of the state High Court, where the tribunal is sitting was

blocked to traffic and those going into the tribunal were thoroughly frisked while a large number of those who could not give cogent reasons why they were going into the tribunal were sent back.

Though no reason was given for the tight security, a source said the tribunal was no longer prepared to allow over crowding of the hall by people who have no business in the court.

The tribunal on Tuesday

heard evidence from Professor Ikipbi, a forensic scientist, who said that there were two types of forensic analysis, the latent and patent forensic analysis of thumb prints. “The latent approach to finger print analysis focuses on a crime scene analysis where the marks of a suspected criminal are not visible but can be detected with the use of machines while the patent analysis focuses on visible ink mark on paper,” he said.

DELTA TRIBUNAL: Ogboru’s witness queries non-inclusion of ballot stuffing in petition

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By Festus Ahon

SABA—SHOCK gripped the three-man panel of the Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Asaba, at its resumed hearing, when one of the witnesses to Chief Great Ogboru of Labour Party, LP, expressed disappointment that the petitioner failed to mention in his petition that ballot boxes

were stuffed with papers during the election.

Ogboru is challenging the victory of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa at the April 11 poll. At the resumed hearing in the matter, the petitioner's witness, PW5, Mr. Hero Inetiabor, who claimed to be LP local government election agent and supervisor, under-cross examination, agreed with all the depositions in his witness

statement on oath as a polling unit agent.

Inetiabor said he felt disappointed that LP and Ogboru did not mention in their petition that ballot boxes were stuffed with papers, adding that as a party agent, he saw people carrying ballot papers in their pockets but could not clarify which party they represented.

BAYELSA GOV POLL: Okoya withdraws from race

By Henry Umoru

A

BUJA—AHEAD of the primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the Bayelsa State governorship election, one of the aspirants, Chief Reuben Okoya, has withdrawn from the race.

In a statement, yesterday in Abuja, Okoya explained that his decision became imperative following recent developments in the state and the need to support the incumbent governor, Seriake Dickson to ensure that the PDP retains the seat.

According to him, he withdrew in deference to the strong views and positions expressed at various levels by top leaders and key stakeholders of the party.

He explained that the position of leaders of the party in the state is that the incumbent governor should fly the party's flag in the December 5 poll, a decision he said that became apparent during the national stakeholders meeting held at Yenagoa on September 6.

60 pupils get Shell’s scholarships

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IXTY pupils from primary schools in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states have been awarded full secondary school scholarships under the ‘Cradle-to-Career’, C2C programme run by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd, SPDC, operated Joint Venture.

They are the latest beneficiaries in a scholarship scheme that has placed 360 bright children in top secondary schools since the initiative was launched in 2010.

“The C2C approach marks a significant improvement in our portfolio of scholarship schemes,” General Manager, External Relations, Mr. Igo Weli, said at the award ceremony which held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“It is designed to bridge educational inequalities resulting from geographic and socio-economic differences.

SPDC and its joint venture partners are proud of the achievements of the scheme, which has received local and international accolades,” he added.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015—13

Invasion of A-Ibom Govt House aimed at kidnapping Emmanuel —A-IBOM ELDERS

By Tom Moses & Chioma Onuegbu

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YO—THE elders and people of Akwa Ibom State, yesterday, raised alarm over what they described as unwarranted invasion of the state’s Government House complex by agents of the Department of State Security, DSS, last Friday.

President of Akwa Ibom Elders Forum, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, who addressed newsmen in Uyo, said that the invasion by DSS operatives was carried out under the pretext of routine surveillance operation, whereas the real intension was to kidnap Governor Udom Emmanuel.

“We see this action as a clear breach of the immunity of the governor and a continuation of the programmed harassment which the federal authorities have persistently visited on opposition elements after the elections.

“These actions are obviously meant to harass, intimidate and humiliate the government of the state and its people, otherwise, why are we being consistently visited by this level of crude action by a

federal agency in a democracy?”

He decried the partisan nature in which the DSS has been interfering with normal procedural matters and called for a stop to same before things get out of hand.

“The strong-arm show exhibited by the invading team which held the

Government House Complex and the adjourning areas of Uyo, the Akwa-Ibom State capital to ransom, is a clear evidence that the action was not just a routine surveillance act but a calculated attempt to intimidateg the governor and his government with the federal might.

“We are, therefore,

compelled to speak out and condemn this emerging face of fascism before it consumes our wellcherished democracy. We, the elders of the state, will not keep quiet and watch our cherished institutions being raped and desecrated on the altar of partisanship,” he insisted.

AWARD: From left, Massad Boulos, GMD SCOA Plc; Andy Isichei, MD, Cybernetics; Henry Imasekha, Chairman, Berkeley Plc, Helen Onyibe, MD, Trevira Travels/Tours and wife of awardee; Magnus Onyibe, Dir SCOA Plc and awardee; Henry Agbamu, Chairman SCOA Plc and Ebube Onyibe, daughter of awardee.

Rivers Poll: No election in Tai LGA, Army tells tribunal

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

BUJA—THE Nigerian Army, yesterday, testified before the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja,maintaining that the governorship election did not hold in some parts of the state on April 11, 2015.

An Army officer, Captain Garba Sani, told the Justice Mohammed Ambrosa-led tribunal that violence by political thugs marred the electioneering process, saying that he did not see where election took place in Tai Local Government Area of the state, where he and his team were deployed to maintain peace and order on the governorship election day.

He told the tribunal that the quick intervention of his team led to the rescue of some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, whom he said were harassed by thugs on that day.

The tribunal earlier overruled objections by Governor Nyesom Wike, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and INEC, which sought to bar the

Army officer from mounting the witness box, yesterday.

Sani, a subpoenaed witness, who said he led 37 other soldiers on a patrol of the entire Tai council, said he appeared before the tribunal, yesterday, on the directive of Army authorities.

Led in evidence by Chief Akin Olujinmi, SAN, counsel to the APC and its governorship candidate in the state, Dr Dakuku

Peterside, the witness, confirmed arresting some of the armed thugs and handing them over to the Police for further actions.

Under cross examination by Chief Okey Wali SAN, counsel to Wike, the witness informed the tribunal that he led a team of 38 soldiers deployed to the place by the military authority.

He denied insinuation that the military aided election

rigging, adding that the army was a disciplined organisation and would not indulge in such a crime of aiding a political party to rig.

Also under cross examination by Dr Onyechi Ikpeagu, SAN, counsel to INEC, the army officer said that he was not stationed at any specific place but moved round in two Military Hilux vans.

A-Ibom gov poll free, fair, PDP witness tells tribunal

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Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, witness, Andrew Uwanta, has told the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal for Akwa Ibom State that the April 11 governorship election in Etinan Local Government Area of the state was free and fair.

Uwanta, a pastor based in Etinan, gave evidence in Abuja, during cross examination by the APC counsel, Mr Solomon Umoh, SAN. He said that the election was conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner.

The witness told the tribunal

that he was the collation agent of PDP in Etinan council.

“My lord, Etinan had 11 electoral wards and PDP had collation agents in all the wards and the election was conducted peacefully. Other party agents were present during the collation, including security personnel.

“There was no issue of hijacking of election materials, except for Etinam Urban Ward II result, that came late around 10:30 p.m., and the results were signed by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and PDP agents,” he said.

The APC candidate, Umana Okon Umana had dragged Governor Udom Emmanuel to the tribunal, seeking the nullification of the April 11 governorship election.

At the resumed hearing in the case, the PDP had presented three witnesses to testify before the tribunal.

Among them were Mr Chris Okoriya and one Anthony Ekpenyong.

Both witnesses testified that the election was conducted under a peaceful atmosphere.

C-River APC woos Ndoma-Egba

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By Iheoma Nwanyanwu

HE Cross River State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, has urged former Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, to come on board the party.

A delegation of the state executive which visited Senator Ndoma-Egba said the party had identified his integrity and character as a virtue and attributes that will make him valuable to the opposition party in the state.

The delegation was led by the Vice Chairman, Central, and Chairman of the Stabilization and Mobilization Committee of the APC in the state, Cletus Obun, who said that the decision to woo NdomaEgba followed a resolution taken by the party, adding that he was targeted following the ill-treatment he suffered in the hands of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state.

Rivers to collaborate with British govt on security, agric

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State Government has expressed its willingness to collaborate with the British government to enhance security, agriculture and the education sector in the state.

Governor Nyesom Wike, who spoke, yesterday, when he played host to the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Ray Kyles, said there was still room for improvement in the security situation of the state, noting that there were several British investments in the state.

Earlier, Mr Kykes thanked the governor for the reception, describing the state as the future economy of the country.

CORRIGENDUM

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N page 13 of Vanguard of Wednesday, September 9, it was erroneously noted that the Deputy Governor of Abia State is Chris Akomas instead of Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, FCA. The error is regretted.

14 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

TOWN HALL MEETING: From left; Chief Henry Ajomale; Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Chief Kemi Nelson and Prince Tajudeeen Olusi, during the Lagos Central Senatorial District Town Hall Meeting at the Muson Centre, Lagos, yesterday. Photo by Biodun Ogunleye.

NPA moves to shore up revenue

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HE Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), is set to double its revenue, to boost the nation's economy and meet the finances expectations of the Federal Government.

NPA’s Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr Olumide Oduntan said in a chat with Vanguard that, with the full automation of the operational process of the NPA, its revenues from the ports would exceed its projections based on the positive efforts of its management.

The official said the overall budget performance for 2013 and 2014 showed that NPA was doing fine. He said with

the Port reforms management of the NPA had been able to monitor the activities of the terminal operators to ensure strict compliance and track revenues through the several automation platforms they have introduced.

"With the introduction of Revenue Invoicing Management Systems (RIMS), the current management of NPA under the leadership of Mallam Habib Abdullahi will be able to track where the revenue is leaking and it was based on his commitment that they have been able to achieve over 95 per cent of their annual budget in the last three years."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015—15

How 4 dead female bodies were found in room in Anambra

By Vincent Ujumadu

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W K A — D E TA I L S emerged, yesterday, on the discovery of four female dead bodies in a room in Ifite area of Awka, the Anambra State capital.

The Anambra State police command discovered the dead bodies in a room occupied by a couple on Olisa Onyeka Crescent near the Commissioners’ quarters in Awka GRA. Two of the dead bodies were said to be holding Holy Bible at the time they were discovered and they might have gone to pray with the tenant of the room when they met their death.

One of the victims and a tenant in the building, Mrs. Chinwe Obi, a Grade Level 14 officer with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, hailed from Uruagu, Nnewi. Until her death, she was the electoral officer for Onitsha South Local Government Area.

It was also gathered, yesterday, that the husband of Mrs. Obi, who returned to Nigeria from Cotonou, Benin Republic, died about a week ago in the same room and the body is still in the mortuary.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hosea Karma said that following volunteered information, he went with his men to the scene and discovered the

bodies after neighbours tried Mrs. Obi’s telephone line severally without any response.

According to Karma, the decomposing bodies of the women had been taken to the hospital for autopsy.

The CP said: “A report came to us that a woman was being called on phone without anybody picking it for two days and we had to mobilize to her residence.

On getting there, we had to force the window open and saw the bodies lying on the floor.

“The bodies found in that room were without bruises which was an indication that there was no attack from anyone.”

Karma said that the other three women, whose identities had not been known, were being suspected to be her church members who came to

sympathize with her over the death of her husband.

The police commissioner said, however, that the police discovered a generating set and a remnant pot of soup suspected to be carbon monoxide or food poison respectively.

The commissioner disclosed that the soup as well as their bodies had been taken to mortuary for examination.

PRESENTATION: From left, Ebonyi State Deputy governor, Kelechi Igwe, Governor David Umahi, his wife, Rachael Umahi, during the swearing-in-ceremony of chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries of the 13 Local Government Council Caretaker Committees, and presentation of staff of office to the new traditional rulers, in Abakaliki, yesterday.

Cultists on rampage in Obosi: 5 injured, 2 arrested .They want to dethrone our monarch, frustrate his Ofala festival —Victim

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

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NITSHA—SUSPECTED cultists numbering about 30, yesterday, allegedly went on rampage, attacked and injured at least five persons at Obosi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of

Anambra State, after which two of their members were arrested by the police.

Their first victim to be injured was the Chairman of Obosi Land Management Council, Mr. Ezeugo Zion, who they allegedly beat up and macheted his skull near in his own office.

The rampaging cultists also wounded four other victims who

were with Zion.

They were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where they are currently responding to treatment.

Speaking to newsmen from his hospital bed, Zion said: “Just because I am not their member and I was picked as the chairman of Obosi Land Management Council, the cultists numbering

Police presence at Nkpor women August meeting averts crisis

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

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NITSHA—THE presence of heavily armed policemen and vigilante operatives, yesterday, saved what could have led to a crisis at Nkpor community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State during this year’s annual women August Meeting, at Nkpor Civic Centre.

The meeting was nearly disrupted following an announcement by a hired town crier, who went around the community the previous night with a loud speaker, saying that

the meeting would not hold, for security reasons.

The town crier noted that the traditional ruler of the town, Igwe Christopher Ibegbunam and others, who, he said, identified themselves as stakeholders, had decided that the meeting should not hold as a result of fragile security in the area arising from the crisis rocking the Nkpor Development Union, NDU. The town crier also noted that Igwe Ibegbunam was particularly sad that the community rather than conducting an election that would usher in a democratically elected executive committee of NDU, is still being ruled by an Interim Management Committee,

IMC, set up by the state government some years ago.

However, after the town crier had finished the announcement, the Chief Ngozi Anyakora-led incumbent Interim Management

Committee of NDU swung into action and invited the police and the vigilante operatives to maintain security at the meeting, insisting that there was no insecurity in the town.

Eventually, with the presence of heavily armed policemen from Ogidi Police Division and vigilante operatives, the meeting went on peacefully.

about 30, who have continued to terrorize our community, stormed my office to kill me and they succeeded in cutting my head with a machete."

He accused a community leader of sponsoring the cultists, adding that two of them were arrested with the concerted effort of the local vigilante group led

by Arthur Ilongwu and the Special Anti-Cult Squad, and taken to Enugwu-Ukwu.

According to him: “God was so kind, they could not kill me because my land committee members prevented those that were butchering me and four of them were equally injured in the process. I managed to called the police,” he disclosed.

He accused a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG, from the community and some wealthy people of sponsoring the cultists.

Also speaking, one of the victims, Mr. Chukwudi Ilobi said, “the cult group members are from 22 fraternity. They hit me with a club on my mouth when I was defending our chairman.

“What they are planning is to frustrate Ofala festival of His Royal Highness, Igwe Chidubem Iweka and possibly dethrone him and install their member as Igwe.”

Poly lecturers protest Fr Osuagwu's death Stories by Chidi Nkwopara

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T IS no longer news that an Obowo-born Claretian priest of the Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Dr. Dennis Osuagwu, was murdered by yet-to-be identified assassins.

Unable to bear the loss, as well as the likelihood that their own lives were not secure, members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic, ASUP, of the institution, trooped into the streets of Owerri, to protest the murder of their colleague, Rev. Fr. Osuagwu.

The protesting lecturers called for justice over what they termed “the gruesome murder” of their colleague, as well as to intimate the state government of the heightening insecurity at Umuagwo, which is harbouring the institution and its adjoining communities.

Addressing the obviously angry lecturers, the Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration), Government House, Owerri, Mr. Uju Chima, who spoke on behalf of Governor Rochas Okorocha, said the death of Fr. Dennis Osuagwu was not only painful to the Polytechnic community, but also to the state government.

Police deny storming MASSOB leader’s residence

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WERRI—IMO State Police Command has denied that its officers and men stormed the Owerri residential home of the leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, who stated this yesterday, during his maiden press conference at the Police Headquarters, Owerri, also denied that the Police High Command specifically sent him to Imo to exterminate loyalists of MASSOB. Explaining what actually happened, the CP said that Chief Uwazuruike was summoned by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, adding that Uwazuruike responded.

"In respect of the so called raid, I state clearly that it is sheer propaganda," Lakanu said.

16—Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

NNPC signs interim crude swap agreement

By Michael Eboh with Agency Report

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HE NIGERIAN National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has signed an interim crude oil swap contract with four companies that is expected to last from October to December 2015.

According to reports obtained from Reuters, two of the agreements are with NNPC Joint-Venture companies — one with Swiss trader Vitol called Calson and the other with commodities trader, Trafigura called Napoil.

The other two are with non-incorporated Joint Ventures between oil major BP and Nigermed Limited and NNPC’s trading arm, Duke Oil Company with Sahara Group.

The contracts, according to industry sources and a source inside the NNPC, were entered into to replace those cancelled last month.

The sources said the cancelled deals will run through September before being replaced by the interim offshore processing agreements, OPAs.

FIRST 100 DAYS:

APC faults PDP in Delta

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SABA—THE All Progressive Congress, APC, in Delta State, has condemned the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for celebrating the first 100 days of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa administration, claiming that “everyone in Delta knows there is absolutely nothing to celebrate, but much to lament.”

Addressing newsmen, yesterday, in Asaba, Delta APC Senior Media Adviser, Ogbueshi Sam Abumujor, faulted various claims of achievements by Okowa’s aides, supporters and party faithful, while describing the Okowa administration as “a colossal failure in its first 100 days.

Insisting that what the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, government,had constituted in the state was a “cabalistic agglomeration of largely recycled daily bread politicians that have woefully failed the state before,” the APC claimed that “this madness will come to an end once, O’tega Emerhor of APC emerges governor.”

Anambra govt officials escape death for allegedly locking up Onitsha market

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

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NITSHA—OFFICIALS of Anambra State Urban Development Board, ASUDEB,

yesterday, escaped death by whiskers as angry traders from the Electronics International Market threatened them for allegedly locking up three access gates leading into the

market.

It took the timely intervention of the market leaders to rescue the ASUDEB officials from the hands of the angry traders who had already organized

PRESENTATION: From left, Sales and Distribution Executive, MTN Nigeria, Mr.‘Tsola Barrow, Winner, MTN Best 11 Retailers Promo, Mrs. Shittu Kafayat and Frank Edoho, during the cheque presentation of the MTN Best 11 Retailers Promo, in Lagos.

Govt appointments must reflect federal character —IWA ...says 2nd Niger Bridge needs priority attention

By Emeka Aginam

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HE APEX Igbo organization in Diaspora, the Igbo World Assembly , IWA, has faulted the recent appointment by the current administration, saying that it must be reversed to maintain the Federal Character as enshrined in Section 14 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Calling for priority attention on the second Niger Bridge, the President of IWA, Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze in his keynote address at the just concluded World Igbo Congress (WIC) 2015 Convention held in Los Angeles, California, the United States of America said that the present government appoint- ment lacks gender balance and regional equity, adding that the appointments must be reversed for a better Nigeria.

Describing the appointment as violation of federal character law, Anakwenze said that under the provisions of the Constitution, the government must ensure “the principles of proportional sharing of all bureaucratic, economic, media and political posts at all levels.

“We, therefore, call on President Muhammadu Buhari to adhere strictly to the demands of our constitution with respect to the Federal Character clause and to the wellbeing of all Nigerians.

“President Buhari should be reminded that the change promised should be a positive change, not a change driven

by a pattern of bigotry, religious or ethnic chauvinism. We call on Nigerians to join hands with us in ensuring that all Nigerians are treated as equals and not as vassals to imagined ruling class,” he added.

The Diaspora group,among other things, further demanded that the National Confab decisions must be honoured and implemented, as well as construction of the Federal roads in the South-East and South-South zones, construction of the airports and seaports in the South-East and South-South zones, which are also to be completed.

President Mohamadu Buhari’s previos appointment, he said were disproportionate for a nation that holds together six geopolitical zones, 36 states and a federal capital territory, 774 local governments and over 250 different ethnic nationalities, adding that records have showed that only 25 per cent of the president’s appointments were from the south while an overwhelming 75 per cent are the north.

According to IWA President, who had been in the vanguard for a better Igbo state, said that Buhari’s appointments so far havd not been encouraging to most Nigerians, particularly to those in the south.

“What President Buhari is doing is not new. It is the re-enactment of the northernization policy of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, who canvassed and practised the policy where all good positions were occupied by the northerners.

themselves into a mob to deal with their unwanted visitors.

According to the source, the ASDUDEB officials led by its General Manager, M r.

Nathan Enemuo and the officer in-charge of Ogbaru Local Government Area, Mrs Ngozi Atisele had stormed the market in the early hours of yesterday and allegedly embarked on the locking up of the three gates which the traders used as access into the market located near the bridge-head, along the Enugu/ Onitsha expressway.

Confirming the development, the Secretary of the market, Comrade Damian Ogudike and its Public Relations Officer, PRO, Ikechukwu Onwuama blamed the General Manager and his officials for being biased in locking up the gates, adding, “he might have been bribed by those at Ogboefele market and Orange Drug, our close neighbours and that could be the reason the officials did not lock-up their own gates.

“We call on Governor Willie Obiano to investigate the illegal activities of the ASUDEB General Manager and his officials before they run into trouble or else we can’t guarantee their safety next time they come into the market for this kind of illegality,” Ogudike and Onwuama warned.

According to the duo, “the General Manager and his team would have been lynched by the traders.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 — 17

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N Thursday, August 27, 2015, I joined a long list of Nigerians in Lagos, for the hour-long flight to Douala, Cameroun, a city and country I have not visited in about 21 years.

A few days earlier, I had received an invitation from Aliko Dangote to the commissioning ceremony of the $250 million dollar, 1.5 million metric ton cement plant, located at the Base ELF, Douala.

It was certainly a very important economic development initiative in Cameroun, because it was the main story in English and French, on radio most of that afternoon.

But in a sense, the story of the day, was not even the ceremony itself, but the way nature expressed itself, because we visited during the Central African rainy season and the rains had welcomed us into Cameroun, and as we discovered, the approach to the marquee laid up for the ceremony was also soaked up in knee height water, so getting out of the bus was a real feat! But the rains didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the community receiving such a huge economic boost from Africa’s richest man, nor washed away the fact that, in his inimitable way, Aliko Dangote was, in a manner of speaking, cementing his way (no pun intended!) right into the grand development of the African continent.

On the same day, THE GUARDIAN newspaper reported that Dangote Cement had signed a $4.34billion deal with a Chinese construction firm, Sinoma International Engineering Company Limited, to build integrated cement plants in 11 countries in the next two years.

Cement complex They include Nepal in Asia (3million tons); Ethiopia (2.5m); Kenya (1.5m); Zambia (1.5m); Senegal (1.5m); Niger Republic (1.5m); Mali (1.5m); Cameroun (1.5m); Cote D’Ivoire (1.5m) and Ghana (1.5m). And just last week, I saw a report and accompanying pictures of his visit to Zimbabwe and the plan to build a huge cement complex in that country.

A couple of weeks earlier, the $400million Dangote cement complex had been commissioned in Ndola, Zambia. And with a market capitalisation of $14billion dollars, the Dangote Group has the largest production complex on the African continent and it has also set eyes on expansion into Asia. This is an incredible story of a conscious effort at developing Africa’s productive forces, since cement is central to the construction process that can unlock Africa’s economic potentials. Remarkably, an African entrepreneur is at the heart of these stunningly progressive developments.

I have not sat down with him to explore the man’s mind and what really drives him, but Aliko Dangote has taken panAfricanism to a different height; and he is confronting the challenge of African development, with the cement factories that he has commissioned or is planning to C M Y K

Aliko Dangote: Cementing Africa's economic development set up all over Africa. Job opportunities are directly created with these new factories and they

Those who set up the Bandung Conference of African and Asian countries in April 1955, on the eve of decolonisation, would have been proud of Aliko Dangote’s industrialisation process today

have an immediate impact on the economic potentials of host communities in the African countries while there are also multiplier effects on what they call the entire value chain. The African economies certainly become better and the remarkable fact that an African entrepreneur is directing these developments, challenges the dominant patterns of capitalist relationships of the centreperiphery, between imperialism and the neo-colony, that has been the hallmark of Africa’s relationship with the West for generations. These are very important developments of a progressive strain of “Africapitalism”.

I had written critical pieces in the past about Aliko Dangote, especially when he first emerged in the Forbes’ Billionaires List. I argued then, against the fetishism being made of Dangote’s personal capitalist success. It was good to be a billionaire I said, but if there was no social purpose to the money he made, then it was not relevant to society. To his credit, Aliko Dangote took our criticisms on board and since then, he has established the Dangote Foundation that is putting a lot of money into socially worthy causes all over Nigeria. That must be acknowledged along with the incredible work that he does with his pan-African development of

industrialisation at a level that should shame the colonial powers. In centuries of colonial domination, they plundered our continent; left underdeveloped and often broken societies, that succeeding elites ran, as caricatures of the dictatorship of colonialism, with dominantly arrested developments and kleptocratic, personalised power.

This is the old trend that Aliko Dangote’s industrialisation drive, with the cement companies, is challenging all across Africa. He is creating wealth and a new African working class, and in settings that can only redound to the benefit of our continent. When Aliko Dangote made the transition from importing finished consumer commodities to industrialisation, he made an important transition from what Chinese Communists used to call a Comprador bourgeoise into a genuine industrialist, a real national bourgeoise, but he has even taken developments into the panAfrican scene and he is expanding into Asia. Those who set up the Bandung Conference of African and Asian countries in April 1955, on the eve of decolonisation, would have been proud of Aliko Dangote’s industrialisation process today. I think we should welcome what Aliko Dangote is doing all over Africa: cementing Africa’s economic development!

The political symbolism of dressing

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WO issues of dressing have triggered this piece today.

First was a picture newspapers carried a while ago, of the leadership of the Nigerian Football Association (NFA) visiting President Muhammadu Buhari. Each member of the delegation was dressed in babanriga, including the chairman, Amaju Pinnick, who looked very much like a Northerner.

It was an expression of the powers of symbolism: a new leader is at the helm and he is Northern, therefore, the new becomes reality reflected in dressing. The second picture came from the All Nigerian Editors’ Conference that held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state. The new President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Garbadeen Muhammed, wore a Niger Delta dress, with a “Resource Control” hat in tow. Jocularly, I phoned him to say I had edited his name, from Garbadeen Muhammed to Garbadeen Godswill Godspower Government Owei Muhammed!

The symbolism was also very apt;

Nigerian Editors were meeting in Bayelsa, so the president dressed in solidarity with the host community. Nigerian politicians, especially those contesting for presidency, normally produce posters with pictures targeted at different parts of the country: Northern dresses target the North; the Yoruba ‘power shift cap’ is worn to appeal to the Southwest, while a red cap and beads will target the Southeast and the dress with the golden chain and golden buttons with an accompanying ‘resource control’ hat will be looking to harvest South-south votes.

In the lead to the last election, President Muhammadu Buhari had an incredible makeover, dressed in ways that he did not, in previous attempts at the Nigerian presidency. He reflected the “Federal Character ” of Nigerian dressing as he moved from one part of the country to the other! The Saraki family used to have a rather unique approach.

There would be posters that emphasized their Yoruba roots and their names (Olushola for the

Sam Nda-Isaiah: Vindicated

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HEN Nigerian banks published a long list of their debtors a couple of weeks ago, Sam Nda-Isaiah, the publisher of the LEADERSHIP group of newspapers, was a troubling presence on that list.

Those of us who know Sam were naturally worried but he was as combative about protecting his name and protesting his innocence, as ever. And his vindication came eventually, because on August 31, 2015, Heritage Bank wrote him a letter

which acknowledged that it erred by including Nda-Isaiah’s name on their list: “We wish to state regretfully that the inclusion of Banana Republic Limited, your name and that of your wife on the list was done in error”, according to Heritage Bank.

It added that it “holds you, your family and Banana Republic in high esteem. Again, we regret whatever insinuation or public harm done to your person”. I am very delighted that Sam NdaIsaiah has been vindicated!

late father and Bukola for the son) for posters in the Yoruba speaking region, while Abubakar will be prominent in posters distributed in Northern Nigeria. In the long run, it was all about the extraction of mileage out of the power of symbols.

During the Second Republic, 1979-1983, the long Shagari cap was very much the dominant symbolic wear and Nigerian newspaper cartoonists never stopped drawing caricatures of the cap. And who cannot see the symbolism of the glasses that Bola Tinubu wears and the associational intentions with Chief Obafemi Awolowo and even the continued popularity of the Awo cap amongst Yoruba politicians who lay claims to the Awoist tradition? The vestment is very much part of the myth making often exploited for political or ideological advantages.

Ideological advantages In 1999, a strong political current swept President Obasanjo to power. The annulment of the June 12, 1993 elections had badly shaken Nigeria and one of the points of elite consensus that took Nigeria away from the brink, was the political decision to field only Yoruba candidates for the presidency. General Obasanjo faced off with Chief Olu Falae.

When Obasanjo came to power, the good old Yoruba cap became the symbol of the new period of ‘power shift’. Nigerian politicians took a cue from Obasanjo. The same pattern was reflected in the years that President Goodluck Jonathan was at the helm with the ‘power shift’ hat; even former Vice

President Namadi Sambo wore them quite regularly to show loyalty to his boss. In politics clothes and caps represent a very powerful expression of values.

But there even older symbolic expressions associated with religion in Nigeria. Islam came to the land that became Nigeria over a thousand years ago and part of the baggage is a tradition of dressing which expresses entrance into the world of Islam and its symbols all over the old Western Sudan. In the same way, there are patterns of dresses, which are directly related to the commencement of Christian missionary activities in Nigeria.

These are still dominant in the ways and manner that each religious community continues to reflect its origins.

In 1324, the famous Emperor of Mali, Kankan Musa performed the pilgrimage to Mecca and on his return journey, came home with a famous architect that was commissioned to design the great mosque of Tombouctu. It set a standard of design and construction that was copied and reproduced, or inspired related efforts all over West Africa.

So when I told my friend, Garbadeen Muhammed, that I have added a few Izon (Ijaw) names to his original name, given his conversion to “Resource Control” dressing two weeks ago in Yenagoa, I was merely attempting to show the very strong symbolic powers of dressing in the political space of Nigeria. There is no politician that will underrate the power of symbols and dresses and often express those symbols in a very powerful and politically relevant manner.

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 FAILURE of the Federal Government and Nigeria Ports Authority to dredge the Calabar port channel is adversely affecting economic activities the port was meant to sustain. Previous efforts to dredge the port ended without improvements in the capacity of the port to take bigger vessels.

More than 30 years ago, the Calabar Port was envisaged to serve the South East, parts of central Nigeria and the North East, for which a train service was planned. Also, vital projects by the Cross River State Government designed to create wealth and jobs (such as Tinapa, and the Export Processing Zone, a federal project) are among the projects that the poor depth of the port has affected.

The Calabar port in its current poor state cannot attract investments.

Businesses, like cocoa and palm produce exports that boomed through it have ground to a halt. The higher costs of importing through Lagos alone, and the congestions that imports meant for

Imperatives of Dredging Calabar Port other parts of Nigeria that are forced to pass through Lagos have created, are among reasons why the port in Calabar needs immediate attention.

By extension, the congestions in Lagos ports mostly accounts for the devastations that the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway faces. It is therefore disturbing that the federal authorities have continued to undermine the strategic importance of the port, which is closer to the big commercial centres and cities in the eastern flank of Nigeria.

Shippers finally abandoned the Cala-

bar Ports after considering the extra costs of using smaller vessels to transload cargo to the port. A dredged Calabar port would admit bigger vessels, which would make shipping to the destination cheaper.

It could, with its proximity to Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tome and Principe, compete as a hub in the Central African oil and gas industry.

The on-going construction of the twolane bridge over the Cross River at the Cameroun - Nigeria border (Ekok/ Mfun) coupled with the Bamenda-

OPINION Senate and shenanigans of a unity forum

By Nwobodo Chidiebere

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ENATE Unity Forum was formed as a political pressure group made of Senators elected under the platform of All Progressive Congress, APC, for the sole purpose of bargaining for political power and influence peddling in the 8th Senate.

Since the unprecedented emergence of Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki as Senate President and Senator Ike Ekweremadu of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as Deputy Senate President of the 8th Senate against the permutations of APC leadership, things have fallen apart for the Senate Unity Forum, which campaigned vigorously for the aborted ambitions of Senators Ahmed Lawan andGeorge Akume of the APC. Both men threw all they had at their disposal in the ring of political contest for Senate Presidency and Deputy Senate Presidency, respectively.

After the constitutionally certified elections of Senators Saraki and Ekweremadu as Senate President and Deputy Senate President, respectively, Senate Unity Forum, instead of towing the part of honour, which is in line with spirit of sportsmanship to congratulate the winners of the elections, resorted to mudslinging and blackmailing by alleging that the Senate Standing Rules used in the conduct of election of principal officers of the 8th Senate was forged.

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Yet, this group of Senators went ahead to submit themselves to the same Senate leadership, which they accused of emerging via “forged” Senate Rules for swearing-in. Some of them have also accepted and are carrying out adhoc Committee assignments from the same leadership. This is hypocrisy number one.

After licking its wounds of defeat in the election of Senate Presidency and due consultations with its “oracle” in Lagos, Senate Unity Forum embarked on another wild goose chase where the selfish interest of a godfather was packaged and branded as party supremacy, with which they intended to use to foist the remaining principal officers of Majority Leader, Deputy Majority Leader, Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip on the entire 8th Senate. For the first time in the history of democracy anywhere in the world, a political party sent a letter of list of accolytes for Senate leadership positions.

But thanks to the wisdom of the indefatigable Senate President Bukola Saraki who saw the hypocrisy in the party supremacy mantra and stood his ground to safeguard the independence of the 8th National Assembly and long-susbsisting

On August 27, 2015, political earthquake shook the already foundation of the APC

tradition of allowing various party caucuses to elect preferred senators for each position alotted to them.

In order to blackmail Senate leadership into accepting the list of senators endorsed

by APC leadership for the above mentioned principal officers positions, Senate Unity Forum allegedly hired the services of immediate past Senate Committee Chairman on Ethnics, Rules and Business Senator Ita Enang, who incidentally was a PDP Senator of 7th Senate but left for the APC when his bread was no longer being buttered by his former party, the PDP to execute henchman’s job by writing a baseless petition adopted by the Forum to the police alleging forgery of Senate Standing Rules of 2015. It is incontrovertible that Senator Enang was compensated for consulting for Senate Unity Forum. Ironically, Senator Enang is coming to work on behalf of the President with the same Senate leadership he has been antagonising. Senator Enang’s appointment exposed the poor advise President Buhari has been getting with regard to the legislative arm of government.

After painstaking and water-tight investigations of the allegation of forgery against current Senate leadership by the police, the petition was thrown into waste bin where it belongs, not minding propagandist noise deplored the media to arm-twist the Nigerian Police into

Mamfe-Ekok-Abakaliki-Enugu Road would create more users forthe Calabar Port and spur the establishment of ancillary developments in those areas.

A working Calabar Port would serve as a trans-shipment hub for Nigeria’s landlocked neighbours of Chad and Niger. Even the planned re-construction of the North East would benefit from a functional Calabar port.

Calabar’s challenges centre on absence of a channel management policy unlike ports in Lagos, Onne, and Port Harcourt, with channel management policy that ensured their dredging and maintenance even after concessioning of the port terminals.

We call on the Federal Government to dredge the Calabar Port and unlock the economic potentials of the agricultural, commercial and tourism businesses that thrive in that flank of Nigeria.

Further delays in dredging the port would result in continued waste of government and private investments in those zones.

indicting Senate leadership in its report. As Senate Unity Forum was busy working hard to invalidate the elections that brought Senators Saraki and Ekweremadu in, the master strategist, Senate President Saraki nailed the political coffin of the forum by announcing the names of Principal Officers as presented by each geo-political on the floor of the Senate ,which ran contrary to dashed expectations of the Senate Unity Forum. Seeing that their party supremacy jargon could not hold water, Senate Unity Forum dragged Senate leadership to Court with two major prayers: stopping Saraki-led Senate from constituting Committees and nullification of elections that brought Senators Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu, respectively.

On Thursday 27, August 2015, political earthquake shook the already foundation of the APC, which collapsed political tall dreams of some of its stakeholders, who hitherto were expecting to be announced as Kitchen Cabinet of President Mohammadu Buhari-led administration.

The unprecedented lopsided appointments made by President Buhari without consultation with the party hierarchy; made mockery of the so-called party supremacy championed by bewildered Senate Unity Forum; violated Sections of 1999 Constitution as regards to Federal Character and deflated over bloated ego of sponsors of Senate Unity Forum. *Mr. Chidiebere, a political analyst, wrote from Lagos.

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

Brand Buhari’s encounter with Diogenes

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WAS enthusiastically looking forward to the public unveiling of President Muhammadu Buhari’s declared assets, and I will tell you why. Buhari is one of the most intensely branded political leaders in Nigeria’s history. Since he started running for president in 2003, a consistent mental image of him has been monogrammed in the minds of millions of Nigerians, such that even his foes often accept his portraiture as “Mr Integrity”. In the North, they call him: Mai Gaskiya (Man reputed for telling the truth always).

Here is a man who, even in the heat of the 2003 presidential campaign, was absolved by former President Olusegun Obasanjo of the $2.8 billion “missing” NNPC fund. Buhari was Minister of Petroleum under Obasanjo’s tenure as military head of state. Buhari is probably the only known public officer to be openly vouchsafed by the usually self-righteous Ota chicken farmer. It was a spectacular testimonial for Obasanjo to do so even when Buhari was his major opponent at the 2003 presidential election.

I covered the 2007 presidential

election in Katsina State, being that two of the foremost contenders, Buhari of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and Governor Umaru Yar’ Adua of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came from there. On polling day, we visited Buhari in his country home in Daura on the border with Niger Republic.

Before he appeared to talk to the visiting media team, one of his aides, Alhaji Zakari Ya’u Darazo, disclosed that the former head of state was squatting in the home of a relation. The roof of his own humble bungalow next door was blown off by a storm and he could not afford the cost of mending it!

Add this to the story which made the rounds in 2012 that the then former presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) was ejected from his N20 million rented home at 11, Queen Elizabeth St, Asokoro, Abuja over his alleged inability to pay his rent, even when the cost was reduced to N15 million. Fancy that: a former Petroleum Minister, former Head of State and ex-Executive Chairman of the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) not having a comfortable home in Abuja! It

sounds unbelievable, even unfair, when you juxtapose him with his fellow win-the-war former military rulers such as Generals Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar, TY Danjuma and even (to a much more modest extent) General Yakubu Gowon, who remain firmly rooted as the overlords of the Nigerian commonwealth.

Juxtapose these, also, with the cases of the first elected President and Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Usman Shagari and Dr Alex Ekwueme, respectively. When Buhari came st to power on December 31 1983 and started the War Against Indiscipline (WAI), he set up the various Military Tribunals for recovery of government funds and property from “corrupt” politicians. President Shagari was put under house arrest, and according to elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai in a recent

Till today, Buhari has not found it fit to apologise to these two gents for the miscarriage of justice of his military days.

Instead, the now famous “body language” of the “new sheriff in town” shows he would do it all over again

Compensating the Victim: Agenda for Legislative action

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UR Justice System as currently structured is patently unjust and leaves much to be desired. The thought of any change here must begin with a critical examination of the relationship between society, the criminal and the victim. For now, Nigeria is one country where the victim counts for nothing.

Elsewhere, people have realised that society has no justification whatsoever to keep taking from the victim without giving back to him.

Originally, crime was regarded as a wrong done to the individual, in which case, the victim and his family could seek vengeance in any way deemed necessary.

Over time, government stepped in, ostensibly to act as the agent to the victim, and of course, with promises to provide uniform treatment for cases.

With every effort made, the victim became further alienated because government soon converted its protective efforts into some money-spinning venture for itself.

The separation of civil and penal functions introduces a serious defect to the system of fines, which go entirely to the State, while the injured victim suffers all the hardships of the civil process. Today’s victim cannot seek satisfaction on his own since the State forbids him from taking the law into his hands.

Yet, our laws operate to make the victim of crime a loser all the way. Besides suffering the loss or injury, he soon becomes a state witness where he must waste his time and money going to court to witness for government. At the end of the trial, the offender is either set free, sentenced to prison or he pays a fine.

Where the offender is set free, he returns to the same community with his victim – now better equipped and more

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experienced to deal with his accuser, the victim. It is even worse for the victim where the offender returns to the community after paying some fines to the court. If the offender goes to prison, government wins for itself, free labour for the duration of his sentence. And nothing goes to the victim!

The point being made here would be better appreciated within the context of a concrete case: In the 1960s, Citizen Okoh was a big-time yam farmer at Oghada, some 60 kilometres, East of Benin City.

At the end of every year, Okoh took his yams to Benin for sale. In one of those expeditions, Okoh lost the entire proceeds from his sale to some swindlers, the area boys of that age.

The swindlers were subsequently arrested and charged to court. The case dragged on. Okoh must travel from Oghada to Benin to appear in court on every adjournment date. He eventually became impoverished because at a point, he sold all his seed yams to be able to finance his journeys to Benin.

One day, Okoh returned home, jubilating that he had won the case – two of the offenders paid some fines while two were sentenced to prison. We all joined in the wild celebration where palm wine and “Krola” (the soft drink of that era) flowed

All we need now are laws that would compel the offender to refund to the victim all the salary and allowances he collected for the three years

Channels Television interview, the windows of Shagari’s glorified cell were painted black to prevent the sunshine and daylight from entering the house, thereby making it impossible for him to see the world outside.

He was even luckier, because his Deputy, Ekwueme, was whisked away to Kirikiri Maximum Prison.

They were both accused of corruption. But much later, a Judicial Panel headed by Justice Sampson Uwaifo which looked into the Gestapo-like military tribunals of the Buhari era not only cleared them, but also declared Ekwueme not only innocent of corrupt charges but that he actually came out of government poorer than he went in! Till today, Buhari has not found it fit to apologise to these two gents for the miscarriage of justice of his military days. Instead, the now famous “body language” of the “new sheriff in town” shows he would do it all over again.

The truth of the Shagari/ Ekwueme matter is that they were the only former leaders who came out of their tenures as president and vice president without buying up blue-chip companies, oil wells and becoming fabulously rich after public office at the presidential level. In my ardent wait to see Buhari’s declared assets, I was anxious to decide if he fitted into this Shagari-Ekwueme mold given the contrary indications we often get to sow seeds of doubt about him. As my president and leader, I want to be able to know just how far I can rely on Buhari’s brand reputation, always bearing in mind, however, that no man on this mortal plane is without his own fair share of blemish.

Coming further to the just-

concluded presidential campaigns, we were also treated to another round of Brand Buhari’s alleged impecuniosity in spite of the juicy high public offices he has occupied in the past.

This helped in buying over a lot of young people, especially the change-demanding electorate to Buhari’s side during the campaigns. Buhari’s campaign team “leaked” a story saying the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had to borrow the N20 million for the purchase of his presidential nomination from a bank. His campaign team also adopted the Barrack Obama strategy and sent out a request for Buhari’s supporters to contribute to his campaign fund.

I am not sure if the team has rendered an account of how much was realised from that effort as Obama did, and what has happened to the left-over, if any, as former President Yar’ Adua did when he made public his assets declaration in July 2007.

With this consistent branding over the years, Buhari’s pledge to fight corruption sounded credible, and even the main opposition, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has committed to supporting his anti-graft war.

On Monday, we will turn the other side of the coin because every coin has two sides: the obverse and the reverse sides. I will tell you the story of Diogenes the ancient Greek philosopher.

We will see where President Buhari and Diogenes meet and where they part ways. Make it a date.

freely. There was plenty of “orhue” (native chalk) for the body.

What did Okoh really win? What a P y r r h i c victory! His money was gone; his farm was gone; and his wealth had evaporated! On the other hand, government had reaped a windfall where it sowed nothing – it pocketed the fines of the two offenders and acquired an enhanced labour-force by an additional two able-bodied men.

With the criminal aspect over, the victim is on his own. Our twisted system now tells him he can kick-start the civil aspect with all the attendant odds. First, he is totally worn-out by the rigour of the criminal proceedings. Second, many offenders are judgment-proof in the sense that they are too indigent to afford the victim’s claims; and in any case, where the offender is sent to prison, the victim must wait for him to return before civil proceedings can start.

The victim should no longer be satisfied with just seeing the offender cast into prison. In addition to the protection of law and order in the abstract and reform of the criminal; the victim’s claim to restitution should be a third element of punishment.

In the more humane societies, they have the type of restitution, which is civil in character but intermingled with penal characteristics and awarded in criminal proceedings.

There is another form of compensatory fine, where the court asks the offender to pay to the victim an amount over and above the actual loss he occasioned. This practice can be found in many jurisdictions in the United States of America.

Another form of compensatory justice is where the State sets up a pool of funds from which it compensates victims of some peculiar crimes. This type of compensation, which is civil in nature but awarded in criminal proceedings existed in pre-Castro Cuba. Here, the State steps into the legal shoes of the offender and undertakes to indemnify the victim following the decision of the court.

In yet another form of compensation, which is neither civil nor criminal in procedure and which applies where the offender is judgment-proof, the victim applies for the intervention of the state and as soon as his application is approved, he is compensated to the extent of the injury occasioned by the crime. This system has existed in Switzerland since 1937; in New Zealand since 1963; and in the United Kingdom since 1964.

The foregoing experiences from other lands are instructive and will come handy in the overall reform of our justice system.

Meanwhile, charity must begin at home.

We are reminded of those cases of brazenly stolen electoral mandates, which are discovered by our tardy tribunal processes sometimes after three years into a fouryear tenure. All we need now are laws that would compel the offender to refund to the victim all the salary and allowances he collected for the three years. Apart from curbing the natural propensity for election rigging, this practice is also in full accord with the principle of reward and punishment.

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World Economic Forum selects Waltersmith as global growth firms

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From left, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers’ 2nd Vice President, Mr. Dapo Adekoje, Acting President, Mr. Oluwaseyi Abe and Registrar/Chief Executive, Mr Adedeji Ajadi during press interactive session in Lagos.

HE World Economic Forum (WEF) has announced the selection of Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited, a wholly indigenous Nigeria exploration and production company as a member of the forum’s Global Growth Companies (GGC).

According to Olivier Schwab, head of business engagement at WEF “when choosing entrants to our community of global growth companies, we assess companies on their business model, annual revenues and growth rates, executive leadership and market position.

Waltersmith is a dynamic company with a clear potential to shape the future in its relevant business sectors and so is a perfect fit to our GGC community

NDIC carpets banks over contract staff, unreasonable targets for female workers Haddi Birchi, yesterday quioted the MD as saying that bank examination reports had indicated that the high incidences of fraud and forgeries in the banking system had beenlinkedtooutsourcedorcontract staff.

According to Alh. Ibrahim, “In as much as regulators appreciated the necessity for banks to cut costs, it is incumbent on all stakeholders to fashion out capacity building and other strategies to motivate all employees to contribute positively rather than engaging in criminal acts that impact adversely on the entire banking system”.

The NDIC CEO also expressed concern about the plight of female employees in the banking industry.

He noted that banks often engaged female employees and set

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

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HE Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has carpeted the nation’s Deposit Money Banks, DMBs, over the unwholesome practice of engaging contract or outsourced staff in the industry.

The Managing Director of the corporation, Alh. Umaru Ibrahim, told Council Members of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN, in his office in Abuja, that the practice was detrimental to the overall health and soundness of banks.

A statement by NDIC’s head of Corporate Communications, Mr.

116.20

0.35

$3,226.00

58.00

$11.31

$48.49

-1.03

45.07

-0.787

CURRENCY

BUYING

DOLLAR

196 302.0948 218.8928 200.3066 1.6342 0.3137 274.0281 30.7746 52.2569 275.0664 29.3268

POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL SDR KRONA

-0.24

CENTRAL 196.5 197 302.8655 303.6361 219.4512 220.0096 200.8176 201.3286 1.6383 1.6425 0.3237 0.3337 274.7271 275.4262 30.8536 30.9325 52.3902 52.5235 275.7681 276.4698 29.4016 29.4765

CBN Exchange Rate as at 09/ 09 /15 C M Y K

for them very high targets on deposit mobilisation and other asset creation ventures, which put undue pressure on the female employees.

According to him, although some improvement had been recorded with regards to the situation, there was still need to provide a more conducive working environment in order to attract and retain a talented female workforce in the sector. In his response, the President of the Institute, Otunba (Mrs) Debola Osibogun admitted that over 75 per cent of fraud cases in the sector had been traced to outsourced bank staff who were neither professionals nor members of the CIBN. She regretted that the Institute had no control over the banks but disclosed that a Committee of the

Institute was already working with heads of operations of banks on the challenges being posed by the outsourced staff and would soon submit its report to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for consideration.

The CIBN President also said the Institute had been mandated as the agency for competency framework for banking industry by the CBN, adding that the CIBN had visited banks’ academies and had issued accreditation certificate to the academies of the First bank, Access bank and Guarantee Trust Bank.

To further strengthen professionalism in the sector, Otunba Osibogun said that the Institute had harmonised the

With the selection, Waltersmith becomes a member of a group regarded as the most dynamic, high-growth companies, which are trailblazers, sharpers and innovators, committed to improving the state of the world, Waltersmith Petroman oil limited was incorporated in 1996 as a joint venture between Waltersmith associates limited, a Nigeria investment company, and Petroman oil limited of Canada, to operate as an oil exploration and production company. In 2001, Waltersmith became a wholly indigenous company after the divestment of Petroman oil.

Global growth companies Responding to the honour, the company’s chairman/CEO, Mr. Aldurazaq isa said: Waltersmith is delighted and proud to be selected as a member of the global growth companies of the world economic forum. This is clearly recognition of the giant strides the company has made in the past 10 years in the realisation of its long term goals and objectives. Waltersmith is focused on creating a resilient and robust enterprise with clear vision of being an integrated energy company, with interests in gas, power and petroleum refinery. The emergent Waltersmith will have a significant impact on employement while making important contributions to the national GDP.” With almost 400 members from about 65 countries, the economic forum believe each GGC has the potential to become a leader in the global economy arising from their business models, growth records and unique markets.

Ex-NNPC manager seeks closer ties between mgt, labour

By Victor AhiumaYoung

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ORMER President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, and immediate past Employees Relations Manager, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr. Brown Ogbeifun, has called on both managements and oil workers to collaborate to stay afloat amidst the global challenges especially drop in crude oil prices.

Speaking at a social gathering organised by the Oil Producers’ Trade

Section, OPTS, to mark his retirement as the Manager, Employees Relations (ER) NNPC, Ogbeifun said the collaboration was necessary for operating companies in the nation’s oil and gas to weather the storm of the dwindling business as a result of slump in oil prices.

He said there was need for unions and managements to think outside the box to explore ways that could guarantee their organisation’s future, noting that while managements should evolve a system of inclusiveness and reach the unions with truth, the union

should also consider the their managements and prevailing global situation in their actions.

The former PENGASSAN President, who emphasised the need for service to the good

There was need for unions and managements to think outside the box to explore ways that could guarantee their organisation’s future

of the general society, noted that unfolding events in the global oil market were source for concern and warranted both managements and labour to develop strategies of survival.

According to him, “The slump in the global oil prices, the entrance of some countries such as Iran into the oil market, the glut and entrance of the United States of America (USA) and Australia into the global gas market coupled with local problems of crude oil theft, continuous pipeline vandalism and corruption have greatly impacted on the industry.

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Buhari’s 100 days in office

By Daminabo Franklin

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OR a government that is yet to deliver any spectacular benchmark against its selfimposed messianic mission and the wellspring of support that heralded its rise to power, it is understandable that Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari’s first 100 days in office has been mired in controversy.

It need not have been so. The controversy arose largely from the divergent views expressed by the President and leaders of his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) on the matter. While the APC leaders had confidently asked Nigerians to wait for Buhari’s scorecard after his first 100 days , the President had left no one in doubt that he did not subscribe to any form of jamboree to showcase his performance.

The crux of the argument is the legitimate expectation that a leader should be able to establish the benchmarks of his administration after 100 days in office. In other words, a leader who is still groping for a roadmap after 100 days risks being dismissed as ill-prepared for the task.

Constitution of the cabinet Paradoxically, people are beginning to regard the Buhari Administration in that light particularly with his failure to constitute his cabinet, a group whose membership he should have known even before being elected. Nigerians are not excited by the argument that he is looking for ‘saints’, the unblemished extra- terrestrials whose monklike distaste for material things would accord Nigeria respect on the global transparency index.

At the other end of the assessment, it is tempting to subscribe to the argument that operating without a cabinet (a violation of the Constitution?) gives him the opportunity to run the country as a sole administrator while implementing some hidden agenda.

Let us look at the matter differently: not as the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) would see it but from our own perspectives as voters and citizens. So how has he fared in his first 100 days? We should be able to assess his first 100 days against the background of his election promises and our expectations from the mandate freely given to him. And that is without prejudice to whether he subscribes to the principle of first 100 days or not.

Let us recall that Buhari had hinged his voter appeal on three cardinal premises: waging a war against corruption, rolling back terrorism and revamping the economy to create jobs. Full power supply and such other economic indices were all embedded in these broad

categories. We can proceed to examine his performance against these parameters.

However, before we go any further, it is remarkable that in spite of the bitter campaign that preceded his election, it has not occurred to the President to unambiguously benchmark national reconciliation or healing as an important and urgent national challenge.

National challenge Most Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief when, at his inauguration, he stated that he would be President for all.

However, it will appear that the applause went off too early: indeed, it is a source of immense anguish that in his first 100 days, President Buhari has, through his utterances and appointments deepened the religious and ethnic divides that have been the bugbear of national life in Nigeria.

When he made the tacit reference about discriminating against those who did not vote for him, many had thought that it was a slip of tongue. But those who know Buhari very well had no doubt whatsoever that he meant every word of his. That explains the fact that out of all his appointments so far, he has conveniently ignored the south east geo-political zone as if it does not exist.

Some have argued that it is a throwback to his first coming as military head of state when there was no military officer of south east extraction in the first Supreme Military Council he constituted; others have pointed to the low coverage of the south east when he was chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) during the reign of General Sani Abacha.

To make matters worse, statistically, it can be argued that, going by the appointments he made in his first 100 days, Buhari regards the entire south as a mere supporting cast in the Nigeria project. It is not surprising, therefore, that the south west zone sees Buhari’s action as a betrayal, taking into account the gamechanging contribution of the zone to his electoral victory. This inexplicable failure to run an inclusive government within his

What about the improved power supply situation?

Nobody expects Buhari to take credit for this

President Buhari first 100 days casts a huge slur on the integrity of the Buhari Administration.

Yet there is a sense in which Buhari’s efforts have become the vindication of Goodluck Jonathan: the inability to dismantle Boko Haram was not for lack of trying by the former president.

What has emerged is that the internal and external conspiracy to undermine Jonathan’s effort, all in a bid to send his administration packing, allowed Boko Haram to acquire a life of its own. Buhari now wears the shoes and to the dismay of all, contrary to his promise to secure the release of the Chibok girls once elected, nothing has been heard of them. Meanwhile Boko Haram is still with us!

Nigerians expect the APC propaganda machinery to provide convincing explanations for this glaring failure to honour an electoral promise instead of portraying virtually all the public officers who served u n d e r Jonathan as looters of the treasury even before being arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.

What one f i n d s particularly baffling is the contradiction thrown up these past 100 days. On the one hand, Jonathan is held up as a patriotic Nigerian who saved the country from disintegration and the West African subregion the frightening ogre of a destabilizing refugee crisis.

On the other hand he is demonized as a villain who superintended over a corrupt government.

Yet, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina

whose candidacy for president of the A f r i c a n Development Bank (ADB) was spearheaded by Muhammadu Buhari served the J o n a t h a n Administration as minister of agriculture. For sure, Buhari would not have campaigned for a corrupt person to represent Nigeria on such a sensitive international Board.

Besides, the administration needs to convince the public that limiting the anticorruption fight to the Jonathan era meets the tenets of fair play and does not amount to a witchhunt or selective justice.

Not with scandals like Halliburton and Siemens still very fresh in our minds and begging for resolution. To be seen to be fair, Buhari should throw his searchlight back to 1999. That’s not too far back: the records of oil receipts, power and road sector projects as well as the privatization process are still available.

As a matter of fact, it has been suggested that to give his anticorruption fight greater credibility, the President should start by probing the sources of funds for his campaign. Sure President Buhari is familiar with the adage that to come to equity, one must

do so with clean hands! We can only wait and see how this drama plays out.

Meanwhile, it is too early in the day to pass a verdict on the economic programmes of the government. But critics are quick to point out that his promise to firm up the value of the Naira has not been fulfilled. Such critics argue that failure to anticipate the collapse in oil price is indicative of a weak economic team and a clear danger that we are in for a government by guess work.

Inescapable conclusion What about the improved power supply situation? Nobody expects Buhari to take credit for this. For this is one sector where his administration is yet to take any major step in its first 100 days.

What we are left with is the inescapable conclusion that the country is beginning to reap the dividends of the sustained implementation of the power sector road map even into the dying days of the Jonathan Administration.

To acknowledge this contribution will not, in any way, diminish the stature of President Muhammadu Buhari, a stature that has been adroitly demonstrated in his commanding presence in the West African subregion in the past few months.

•Franklin wrote in from Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State of Nigeria.

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WINNERS: From left; former governor of Lagos State and guest speaker, Babatunde Fashola; Bishop Peace Okonkwo; second runner up, Jonathan Iherijika of Kings College, Lagos; Bishop Mike Okonkwo; winner of the 2015 Bishop Mike Okonkwo Essay Competition, Chisom Emeto of Port Harcourt International School, Rivers State; first runner up, Asuquo Mirabel of Redeemers International Secondary School, Port Harcourt, River State and the event Chairman, Chief George Obiozor at the 16th Bishop Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture to mark the 70th Birthday of Bishop Mike Okonkwo held at Muson Centre on Thursday in Lagos.

Alarm, as private varsities can't enrol enough students •Despite huge admission deficit, private varsities are losing appeal

By Dayo Adesulu

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HE establishment of private universities in Nigeria dates back to 1979 when education was placed on the concurrent list in the nation’s constitution, permitting individuals and organisations to establish private universities.

Within a period of four years, 24 of such universities were established in the country. Some of the universities were hurriedly established without proper planning. It was observed during this period that the threat to qualitative university education was so real that its subsequent devastating effect in

More on the 65 illegal tertiary institutions PG. 28

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Nigeria would be irreparable hence the promulgation of Decree No. 19 of 1984 and 16 of 1985 to sanitise the system.

The growing increase in the number of prospective candidates for admission into universities and increasing inability of existing public universities to cope with the increase in demand for university placement, necessitated a review of the 1984 ban.

Private universities The review led to the enactment of Decree No. 9 of 1993, which allowed individuals, organisations, corporate bodies as well as local governments to establish and run private universities upon meeting laid down guidelines and obtaining approval of government.

According to Prof. Peter Okebukola, the NUC scribe, the decree stipulated the conditions that must be met to enable the National Universities Commission (NUC) assess the adequacy or otherwise of applications for government’s approval.

Six years after the promulgation of Decree 9 of 1993, the first set of private universities were licensed. These are Igbinedion University, Okada, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo and

Private Universities Application Statistics 2015 Top 10 and Bottom 10

Rank INSTITUTION

TOTAL

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

3144 1985 1247 587 566 558 373 342 306 292

COVENANT UNIVERSITY, CANAAN LAND, OTA BABCOCK UNIVERSITY, ILISHAN-REMO, AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY , ADO-EKITI MADONNA UNIVERSITY, OKIJA BOWEN UNIVERSITY, IWO AL-QALAM UNIVERSITY, KATSINA IGBINEDION UNIVERSITY, OKADA, BENIN CITY BAZE UNIVERSITY, FCT, ABUJA BENSON IDAHOSA UNIVERSITY, BENIN CITY BINGHAM UNIVERSITY, KARU

39 GREGORY UNIVERSITY, UTURU, ABIA STATE 40 OBONG UNIVERSITY, OBONG, NTAK 41 PAUL UNIVERSITY, AWKA 42 SAMUEL ADEGBOYEGA UNIVERSITY, OGWA, EDO STATE 43 EVANGEL UNIVERSITY, AKAEZE, EBONYI STATE 44 RHEMA UNIVERSITY , OBEAMA, RIVERS STATE 45 RENAISSANCE UNIVERSITY, OJIAGU-AGBANI, ENUGU 46 SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, OKUN-OWA, OGUN STATE 47 WELLSPRING UNIVERSITY, IRHIHI/OGBANEKI, BENIN 48 KWARARAFA UNIVERSITY, WUKARI Source: JAMB Madonna University, Okija.

Thereafter, five others were licensed between July 31, 2001 and May 28, 2003. In 2005, 15 private universities were established and the rate had maintained a slow and steady climb bringing the total to 61 as at September 2015.

Thus, North-East geopolitical zone has two private varsities, North- Central has 10, NorthWest has one, South-East has nine, South- South has 11, South-West has 28, bringing the total number to 61.

The increasing number of secondary school leavers angling

19 16 14 11 10 9 6 6 5 3

for limited university spaces was a key factor in the Obasanjo's administration, giving room to private university providers.

The expectation was that not less than 20% of enrolment in the university system will be ascribed to the private university Continues on Page 27

Vanguard, THURSDAY,

Lowering the cost of education to be borne by students or their parents in private universities is a promising option

MEETING: From left; Dr Ayo Ogunsan, Chairman, Executive Trainers; Mr David Lubowa, Admission Officer, Paris Business School; Mrs Ajoke Ogunsan, MD Executive Trainers and Prof Finck Guillame, Dean, Paris Business School during the contract signing meeting at the Business School in Paris, France.

Alarm, as private varsities can't enrol enough students Continues from Page 26 sub-system, according to Prof. Okebukola In the early days, especially between 2000 and 2004, the private universities that were granted licences, had respectable enrolment, raising the hope of attainment of the 20% target by 2015.

The factors which accounted for the choice of private universities in the early days included their credentials of providing more conducive environment for learning and the non-traditional courses which they offered. The factor of preference of parents for small class size that the private universities offered and the possibility of individualised attention to their children and wards was also strong.

Perhaps, the most important of the factors was the notoriously unstable calendar of public universities. Between 1992 and 2001, the public university system suffered protracted strikes for a cumulative period of 37 months which led to the loss of three academic sessions.

Strike-free environments The private varsities offered a strike-free environment and a guarantee of graduation in normal time. Therefore, candidates, inspired by their parents, headed for private varsities.

Not long after, at least three factors conspired to reverse the upward swing in enrolment. First was the relative stability which has returned to the public university system. By 2002, apparently weary of strike actions, the staff unions took a long break from the usual national strikes and academic calendars were hardly interrupted for long spells. The pull back to public universities gained momentum and application to private varsities took a plunge.

Secondly, the number of private universities grew and this caused a reduction in the total number of applicants to each university. The third factor was the increase in the national poverty rates which hindered parents from generating enough resources to pay the high tuition for private university education. It got so bad that some private universities had less than 10 applicants for their degree programmes in 2015.

The data below shows the private varsity application statistics of 2015, top 10 and bottom 10.

errors in the original business plans.

"The counter arguments of those who believe that TETFund should provide a place for private universities in its intervention net are equally strong and convincing. There are three strands of arguments. Over 70% of the intake into TETFund is from taxes of private companies. Excluding private universities from benefitting from what its sector has amassed is adjudged inequitable and discriminatory.

From their point of view, private varsities should be apportioned larger share of the TETFund revenue. The second line of argument is that all graduates from the university system whether from public or private varsities are prepared to serve the national economy. The national economy will be severely hurt peradventure products of private varsities end up being of lesser quality than the public.

If the goal is to produce quality graduates regardless of the source (public or private), then private varsities need to be equally served by TETFund in its intervention. Champions of the argument have often asserted that the chief executive officers of former ETF and now TETFund have been from the northern part of Nigeria where private universities are sparse and where the belief to slow down the south from further outpacing the north in educational development is prevalent.

There is no empirical proof for this assertion.

"It is not impossible, though will be timetaking, to amend the TETFund law to offer a line of support for private universities.

Even within existing law which supports only public universities, it should be possible to indirectly support private universities. How this can be achieved should be creatively explored.

The answer to improving enrolment into private universities rests largely on TETFund support which will translate to significant lowering of the fees which in turn will attract a larger proportion of candidates than currently witnessed. The TETFund offer should support provision of teaching and research equipment,

By 2014, and to the dismay of university planners, the private varsity sub-system was only able to attract less than 6% of the total enrolment in the Nigerian university system. The 20% anticipated enrolment flopped. Today, even with the encouragement by JAMB that candidates should apply to private universities within and outside their geopolitical zones, the response has been largely negative. Our investigations confirm that the key factor shaping interest or otherwise, is the high fee regime of most private varsities.

If the aspiration to get at least 20% of the candidates enrolled is to be achieved, what strategic options should we explore? In its quest to proffer solution to the imminent collapse of private varsities, Prof. Peter Okebukola during his speech at the maiden convocation lecture of Samuel Adegboyega University, Ogwa, gave few suggestions.

He said: "Lowering the cost of education to be borne by students or their parents in private universities is a promising option.

This cannot be ordered by governmental fiat but induced through financial support systems and tax incentives. Governmental financial support is applied to public universities through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). The enabling law of the Fund partials out private universities in the regular support system.

Strong opinions for and against the provision have been argued. Those in favour have hinged their argument on the simple logic that being private p r o v i d e r s , ••As Mike Okonkwo government has no business in offering

By Kelechukwu Iruoma financial support in PROFESSOR at the any form to private Department of English, universities. After all, University of Nigeria, Prof. the argument Akachi Ezeigbo has urged the continues, the owners Federal Government to of the universities immediately reinstate the paraded a business teaching of history in the plan to the NUC secondary school curriculum so claiming to have the that Nigerian children can enjoy financial muscle to the benefits of a mediated carry the load of learning of history. th delivering quality She stated this at the 16 varsity education if Annual Mike Okonkwo Lecture, granted licence. The to mark the 70th Birthday of same individuals or Bishop Mike Okonkwo. The groups cannot turn topic, The Nigeria Political Class round few years down and the Citizens' Quest for Good the road to claim Governance, was delivered by

SEPTEMBER 10, 2015—27

training (capacity-building) of lecturers and infrastructure development. Its annual renewal should be based on positive inspection reports and evidence of judicious and transparent use of funds.

Such grant-aiding of private institutions is not new. The 1882 Education Ordinance and the 1890 Education law make explicit provisions for grant-in-aid to private schools. Government of the Colony of Lagos as well as the Southern and Northern Protectorates instituted the grant-in-aid scheme to ensure that privately-owned schools, especially those owned by missionary bodies did not fall below established quality standards.

"While awaiting the realisation of TETFund intervention to private universities, there are a number of actions that the managers of these universities can take to boost enrolment. Intensive publicity is one such way. Newspaper and radio adverts will hardly do the trick. Big gains can be achieved by a more sonorous chorus across the country and outside of it.

Great deal of fluency Relatively new British universities have attained a great deal of fluency in the enterprise of selling their schools. They run fairs as a consortium in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt and in other cities in West Africa. Their harvest is usually rich.

Private universities in Nigeria can learn a lesson from this model. Samuel Adegboyega University can enter into a marketing consortium arrangement with a number of private and public universities in Nigeria to undertake roadshows, exhibitions and fairs in choice locations in Nigeria and some neighbouring West African countries. In a couple of years, the harvest of candidates will be bountiful.

"Equally worth adopting is publicity through activities of the university and its staff. Public lectures organised by the university or a particular department or faculty should be accorded huge media publicity. Laurels won by students and staff should be celebrated in the press. The VC should honour invitations to academic events outside the varsity and use the opportunity to sell his or her university.

Radio and TV discussion programmes are other avenues which the VC should take advantage of to publicise the university.

With the name of the university made popular in the media, prospective candidates will have increasing awareness of the existence of the university and this will raise the volume of application for admission.’’

Reinstate history into curriculum, don urges FG

A

2015 essay competition winners emerge the immediate past governor of taught in secondary schools, our Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde children have through self-effort, Fashola (SAN) held at the come to understand the Muson Centre, Lagos. importance of engagement with Prof. Ezeigbo who was the history. They have started to teach examiner of the Mike Okonkwo themselves how to read and 2015 essay competition in her interpret history since the report and recommendations government ‘unwisely’ deleted revealed that “many participants the subject from the secondary in this year ’s competition school curriculum. If students can engaged the topic (the lecture show the level of skill we have title) from the point of view of seen in their self-taught history to show how the quest for interpretation of Nigerian history, a political class that would then we can leave to the deliver good governance has imagination what they will do if been a long and abiding quest they receive expert guidance in in our national history. the endeavour.” She noted.

“It means that even though The Don who revealed that a history as a subject is no longer Continues on Page 28

28—Vanguard, THURSDAY,

SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

More on the 65 illegal tertiary institutions “The National Universities Commission, NUC, has released a list of illegal degree awarding institutions operating in the country.”

VANGUARD, Friday, August 28, 2015, p 6.

O

PRESENTATION: Staff of Save Our Needy, representatives of the Shoprite Community Network, representative of Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), head teachers of Progressive School and parents during the presentation of teaching materials to Progressive School, Festac, Lagos.

Reinstate history into curriculum, don urges FG Continues from Page 25 thorough knowledge of history could help in preventing ethnic, religious and political polarities among Nigerians stated, “More importantly, in a nation where ethnic, religious, economic and political parties are so firmly and constitutional entrenched, if students are left to their own devices in coming in terms with our history, it would be extremely dangerous”.

Prof. Ezeigbo who frowned at the use of the internet in learning and studying history said, “The internet is a repository of all materials and it is not wise to let our children get all their knowledge of our history from that source. Consider for example the negative uses that youths in the Middle East and other parts of the world are making with the knowledge of chemistry and physics, which they often acquire freely from the internet. We need to re-insert history in the secondary school curriculum urgently.” She said.

She, however, urged teachers and parents to avail to the students the materials and equipment needed to access information on the internet to make learning easier, adding that teachers and parents must create limits as to how the internet can be accessed, in order to avoid students ‘copying and pasting’

works gotten from the internet and presenting them as their own. She also advised parents and teachers to avoid writing assignments for the students.

Rather, they should guide them to do the assignment themselves.

On the other hand, the guest speaker, Mr. Fashola in the lecture revealed that “education (formal education and public enlightenment), participation in governance, rule of law and application of science are the four ways in which any government can achieve good governance.

According to him “the purpose for which government exists is to provide good governance.”

Good governance Adding “quality education, provision of water supply, regular power supply, welfare, security etc are what constitute good governance and every government must ensure that these are met for the betterment of the society”.

He, however, urged citizens to always participate fully in governance by voting during elections, paying their taxes and obeying other rules and regulations, adding that with the help and support of the citizens, good governance will be achieved. He therefore

described Bishop Okonkwo who also marked his 70th birthday as a dependable man who impacted millions of youths both in Nigeria and Diaspora.

The chairman of the event, Prof.

George Obiozor, former Ambassador of Nigeria to the United States, described Bishop Okonkwo as one of the most inspiring Nigerian alive. In his words “he is a pan Nigerian, a nationalist, a philanthropist, a cosmopolitan, a pan African and a humanist.” Adding, “His selfless service and inspiration has been an influence to many Nigerians.” He said.

Furthermore, awards were given to the essay competition winners. Chisom Emeto, a student of Port Harcourt International School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State emerged the winner of the 2015 essay competition and was awarded with an accolade, a brand new laptop and a cheque of N100, 000.

Mirabel Asuquo from Redeemers International Secondary School, Port Harcourt came second and was awarded with an accolade and a cheque prize of N75, 000 while Jonathan Ihejirinka from Kings College, Lagos State, came third and was awarded with an accolade and a cheque prize of N50, 000.

SON partners Shoprite to boost students' learning

T

By Dayo Adesulu

HE Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Save Our Needy, Marvella Odili has reiterated her commitment to promote early childhood development and encourage basic education among disadvantaged children.

Speaking during Shoprite facilities donation to Progressives Nursery and Primary School, Festac Town, Lagos, Odili who expressed a deep concern for vulnerable and disadvantaged children said: “We believe that every child no matter their circumstances has the fundamental right to quality education.’’

She posited that the efficiency of pupils’ learning is dependent on their environment.

According to her, owing to this, Save Our Needy and Shoprite partnered to make learning conditions better for all the children of Progressives Nursery and Primary School.

Her words: ‘’We believe in children as the future of Nigeria.

We believe in education for all.

We are therefore, doing all we can within our means to make life better for every undeserved child in Nigeria. ‘’It is obvious that the government cannot do it all on their own. They need our support.

We cannot abandon these

children because we expect the government to take care of all their needs.

Meanwhile, Shoprite Branch Manager, Festac, Olajide Amade who spoke with Vanguard said that education empowerment is the cure point of development in youth. ‘’We want to let the people in the environment feel our impact as a corporate organization as we improve the community around us,’’ he said.

On her part, the Head Teacher of Progressives Nursery and Primary School w Mrs Ajaitie who received the donation with thanks promised to monitor students and teachers to ensure good use of the equipment.

RDINARILY, one would have commended the NUC for identifying and publishing the names of the illegal tertiary institutions. But, this is an extra-ordinary development and it might have been inspired by the fear that President Buhari would not condone the acts of corruption which had made it possible for so many illegal institutions to get established and flourish in the first instance. The truth is, many of those illegal universities, as well as those considered legal, had been allowed to admit students only for them to discover, years after, that they have laboured in vain and their funds had been taken from them by 419 institutions while the NUC turned a blind eye to their predicament.

Several of them have been operating for more than eight years.

Some of them were discovered by the NUC and ordered to close down – only for them to move to other locations even extend their illegal operations to other places. The questions Nigerians should be asking Professor Julius Okogie is: why wait until the figure reached sixty-five to announce a blanket shut-down and promise to prosecute the offenders now when the NUC was aware of their existence years ago? Certainly, Professor Okogie must have heard of the old adage, “A stitch in time saves nine.” Why were the proprietors of the first illegal institutions to be identified not prosecuted in order to send a strong message to anybody else wanting to attempt the crime that it would not pay?

Let me provide one answer which should not shock most Nigerians, and if he is honest with himself, should not come as surprise to Okogie himself. The answer is CORRUPTION. The NUC had become increasingly corrupt and The first shock had allowed institutions in came when the Nigeria to evolve a culture of “hand-outs” were “anything goes”. Professor will almost develop a brought to me. They Okogie heart attack if some of the top were full of officials of the NUC were forced to declare their assets publicly. typographical and To be quite candid, he heads one other errors which of the most corrupt organizations in Nigeria today. The sudden should not have effort to sanitize the NUC is been made by nothing but a face-saving device for the Commission. secondary school Before Okogie and his top teachers handling officials cry “foul” they need to be reminded of some criminal Commerce activities which had been going on for years. Permit me to limit the discussion to one for now.

Accreditation exercises are supposed to be conducted with integrity and dispassionately. The university authorities present to the panel whatever is honestly available, in terms of human and material resources, in the university and the panel decides whether they have met the minimum requirement for accreditation of the course(s) on offer. Unfortunately, that straight forward process had been subverted by the Nigerian Factor. Irrespective of who pays for the transport and accommodation of panel members, there is always an “envelope” at the end.

Generally, the university favours an all-male panel. Invariably, there are members of the accreditation panel wanting to be “entertained” with “Bush Meat”. Falsification of reports become easier if the leader of the delegation is the one most disposed to “entertainment”. To facilitate the corrupt transactions which will follow, almost all the staff of the university attending to the august visitors are females, young ladies “dressed to entice”, and giving the impression they are “available”. From that corrupt beginning, everything else follows like clock work.

One of our staff at VANGUARD who resigned his appointment to join one of the private universities, as well as a close associate at the Nigerian Institute of Management, NIM, told me of their experience with two universities. There was a great deal of similarities between the two experiences. For instance, the two universities borrowed laboratory equipment from complaisant universities in order to beef up their accreditation results. They also paid heavily for established Professors to be listed among their faculty even when it was understood that those luminaries would never teach in their universities. Once the panel departs, the laboratories take their real shape and the compromised and compromising professors disappear into thin air.

Permit me to close this article by focusing on one university listed among the 65 – University of Education, Winneba, Ghana.

Vanguard, THURSDAY,

SEPTEMBER 10, 2015—29

Research & Devt

Top row, from left: Tristan Bassingthwaighte, Sheyna Gifford and Christiane Heinicke. Bottom row, from left: Carmel Johnston, Cyprien Hawaii) Verseux and Andrzej Stewart. (Photos: University *The of volunteers

latest mission would be the longest.

“We hope that this upcoming mission will build on our current understanding of the social and psychological factors involved in long duration *One of the volunteers space exploration,” said in front of the dome.

Binsted.

Human nature: R e s e a r c h e r s acknowledged that interpersonal conflicts are expected to happen in such long-term missions even with the best people.

"The eight-month mission was marked with inter-personal issues albeit the members managed to solve them and made sure that the mission would very small space. The University push through as planned," said of Hawai'i said that the the report. experiment focuses on the One of the volunteers, Sheyna cohesion and performance of the Gifford, described the experiment crew, which could help identify on her blog, LivefromMars.life as the best way to travel to and from "six people who want to change Mars. the world by making it possible Previousexperiments: It isn’t the for people to leave it at will." first time that this experiment was The location was chosen conducted. Two teams have because the only scenery around already been sent to live in the the dome is reddish volcanic rock, dome. The first team stayed for which creates the impression of four months and the other team being on the Red Planet. stayed for eight months. The

Six scientists simulate life on Mars living in a tiny dome

By EBELE ORAKPO with Agency reports

THE earth has supported life forms for millions of years because it has features that set it apart from others. "The most impressive attribute of the Earth is the existence and amount of liquid water on its surface. No one knows why it has the exact amount of water it does, which is relatively small considering that water molecules outnumber silicate molecules in the galaxy," said Geoffrey Marcy, an astronomer at the University of California, Berkeley.

"The Earth is remarkable for its precisely-tuned amount of water, not too much to cover the mountains, and not so little that it's a dry desert, as Mars and Venus, our 'sister' planets," he said.

Unfortunately, man has almost succeeded in making the Earth virtually uninhabitable so scientists are seeking alternative abode in other planets and the Red planet, Mars, seems to be the most suitable. Others like Jupiter and Saturn have strong gravity, high pressure, strong winds (225 miles per hour to 1000 miles per hour) and freezing temperatures of -270 degrees to +32 degrees. So the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), US government agency responsible for civilian space program as well as aeronautics and aerospace research, has planned a manned mission to Mars.

Excerpts:

B

EFORE men are sent to Mars, NASA began funding a research at the University of Hawai'i (UH), the Hawai'i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HISEAS) mission aimed at simulating or imitating long duration space exploration.

Volunteers: So last Friday, six volunteers - German physicist (Christiane Heinicke); French astrobiologist (Cyprien Verseux); American engineer/pilot (Andrzej Stewart); soil scientist/ crew commander (Carmel Johnston); architect (Tristan Bassingthwaighte) and doctor of medicine/journalist (Sheyna Gifford), went into isolation in an 11-meter wide, six-meter tall solar-powered dome on the slopes of the 4,000-meter Mauna Loa volcano in Hawai'i to simulate a manned mission to Mars.

Aim: According to reports, the volunteers will live in the dome for one year literally cramped together.

This is the longest HI-SEAS mission yet in the project and it will focus on crew members cohesion and performance. The researchers are working to develop effective team composition and support strategies to allow crews to successfully travel to Mars and back, an estimated three years

journey.

"The crew will be monitored using cameras, body movement trackers, electronic surveys, and other methods.

UH Mânoa researchers and their collaborators will be studying the group’s cohesion over time, gathering data on a wide range of cognitive, social and emotional factors that may impact team performance," said the report.

“The longer each mission takes, the better we can understand the risks of space travel,” said Kim Binsted,HI-SEAS principal investigator and UH professor of Information and Computer Sciences Dept. “We hope that this upcoming mission will build on our current understanding of the social and psychological factors involved in long duration space exploration and give NASA solid data on how best to select and support a flight crew that will work cohesively as a team while in space,” he added.

Feeding:"Although the volunteers each have a tiny room with enough space for a

desk and a sleeping cot, they need to wear a spacesuit every time they go outside. They do not also have access to comfort food and have to bear consuming foods that are no longer fresh such as powdered cheese and tuna, the report said.

The experiment is deemed important as NASA wants to know what conflicts can emerge when people live together with very limited privacy in such a

Konga sponsors 10 motherless childrento Audax Code School

By Amaka Abayomi

T

EN motherless children who were sponsored by Konga have graduated from the Audax Code School which specialises in fostering long lasting interest in technologybased careers and developing vital problem solving skills that will be essential in the future.

These beneficiaries were excited and privileged to be among the 93 kids who graduated from the 2015 summer classes. During the period of the training, they were exposed to real life practicals and allowed to develop personal websites and design their own games in addition to teaching them the place of coding in the fast

growing digital age.

Happy to be part of this initiative, Konga’s Marketing Associate, Nneka Obiano, at the graduation and presentation of certificates to the graduands, said Konga was happy to invest in the future of these young ones eager to learn how to use technology to solve problems in the near future.

She said “As a tech-based company empowering the next generation of tech minds out of Nigeria, this initiative naturally aligns with our focus. We are particularly pleased to have been part of empowering these motherless children to acquire the web skills like their peers in the society.

“We believe that the country has many children with the potentials of being among the best in the world in the area of information technology if given the right exposure and encouragement, and we believe that these children could be part of this number.”

Appreciating Konga for its financial commitment, Audax Solutions’ Business Director, Emeka Onyenwe, noted that Audax Code School came to be as a result of the challenges facing web solutions companies sourcing personnel in Nigeria.

He added that the school aims at training children in web programming so that before they get to adulthood, they would have honed these skills to a satisfactory level.

30—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

•Nigeria’s immediate past President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan (2nd R), Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (2nd L), PDP BoT member, Senator Stella Omu (L), and a former Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Boyelayefa Debekeme (R), acknowledging cheers from a mammoth crowd, shortly after the former President officially endorsed the governor for second term, at Otuoke.

SECOND TERM:

And Jonathan steps out for Dickson

By Samuel Oyadongha & Emem Idio

C

OMMERCIAL and governmental activities were on Tuesday brought to a stand still as Bayelsans besieged the Samson Siasia Stadium to witness the formal declaration of Governor Seriake Dickson to run for second term in the forthcoming governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The occasion attracted prominent Bayelsa elders and top PDP members led by chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State; Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; Deputy Governor of Delta State, Kingsley Otuaro; Abia, Chris Akomas; Ebonyi, Kelechi Igwe and Kogi, Yomi Awoniyi among others.

The former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, was accompanied by his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, who received a thunderous applause when her name was mentioned.

Jonathan said though his decision to endorse the second term bid of Governor Dickson has attracted some reactions through bulk SMS in circulation, the action was based on the conviction that the

incumbent has performed in the areas of prompt payment of workers’ salaries, proper management of state resources without recourse to borrowing, improved infrastructural development and road construction.

He said: “I have stayed in government for 16 years. I stayed with Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha for six years and stayed in the Presidency for another six years. And in all those years, I think I know much about what some state governors have done.

that of borrowing. Dickson has done well. On infrastructure and development, Dickson has tried.”

In his goodwill message, Olusegun Mimiko said the decision to call for Dickson's reelection was based on noticeable development trend in the state, adding, ''when you have a governor that has lifted his people, there is need for him to return. Some people are

Declaring for second term “I may not know all that state governors do. And I also may not known all they don’t do.

And I know what pained the people too. When he told me that he wants to declare for second term, I said he should do it. As I said, he should do it some people were asking me questions through bulk SMS. “But I want to tell him that I would also be here when he is presented with the flag of the party. One of the things worrying the Federal Government is the issue of workers money in the states.

Dickson has done well in that aspect. Also, another issue is

One of the things worrying the Federal Government is the issues of workers money in the states.

Dickson has done well in that aspect

Abuja based giants and newspaper giants in terms of politics. Dickson is a man of accomplishment.”

He added that a meeting of the PDP Governors Forum, held on Monday night, also dwelled on the rising and dangerous incursions made by the All Progressive Congress (APC) led administration into the PDP controlled states of the South-South.

“The South-South people can not allow the APC to trample on the states. More than 50 per cent of the governors in the APC are products of the PDP. For us in the PDP, there is no shaking. We know that the truth will come out one day,” he declared.

Also speaking, the pioneer executive governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha described the gathering of PDP stalwarts at the event as an indication of victory for the party come December 5.

The event, according to him, is nothing but a pre-electoral victory celebration for the party.

In his declaration, Governor Seriake Dickson said the decision to run for second term was a call for his team of administrators to re-dedicate themselves to the stability and development of the state.

According to him, “some people came here sometime ago to say the PDP is finished in Bayelsa, the gathering here today is that the PDP is in charge of the state.

Political offices “Of all the political offices in the state, the opposition party has only one at the state Assembly.

“Out of all the 105 councillors, they have none. From 1999 till date, we have had four governors and three are still in PDP. “Only one went astray. It shows that this is an unshakeable party. Bayelsa has no room for any other party.

The other party has no message for us.

“It is not because they have federal might behind them but because we have you, the people of the state.

“The good news is that they are not on ground in the state and they are not our match. The good news is that unknown to them, they are another arm of the PDP. After their primaries, we will appoint for them interim party executive committee and we will shut them down gradually.”

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015—31

PDP TICKET: I'm

not scared of any opponent — WADA

We're not behind your travails, PDP replies APC

By Kingsley Fanwo

T

HE Governor of Kogi State, Capt. Idris Wada, has declared his readiness for the November 21 governorship poll, if given the nod by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to fly its flag, saying he is battle ready to defeat any opponent.

Wada, who is vying for a second term, disclosed this during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja.

According to the governor, he has prudently managed the resources of the state in the face of dwindling revenue from the federation account to the state for policies and projects with direct bearing on the people.

Wada said the people of the state will assess him based on the available resources at his disposal to provide service to the people, saying that he offered himself to the service of the people to make life meaningful for them.

His words: “This is the only reason I am here. For me,

By Boluwaji Obahopo

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•Wada: Incumbent governor leadership is about service to the people. Once you are selfless, the people will be with you.”

••Why

I need second term — Wada

By Boluwaji Obahopo

G

OVERNOR Idris Wada has begged delegates to vote for him in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, primary election.

Wada who made this known through a message he sent yesterday to party members said the PDP ticket will enable him to contest for second term; which, if he wins will enable him to consolidate and complete all his ongoing projects.

The message read: “Dear

esteemed members of our great party, PDP, you have supported me through thick and thin. Together, we have recorded progress in peace, health care, roads, water supply, education, agriculture and youth development, among others.

“There are many projects that are yet to be completed.

There are new ones to be done. I need a second term to finish what I have started and to do new ones. Please vote for me at our primary election on September 14, 2015. God bless you.”

When asked if he is scared about facing a former governor in the November 21 governorship poll, Wada said he is prepared for any opponent in the election.

“I am certainly not scared of anybody. We have done it before during the last governorship election. We must remember that power comes from God and he gives it to whom he pleases”.

A

SOCIO-POLITICAL group, Smart Adeyemi Forum has absolved the former Senator of plotting against the interest of the party.

Speaking to pressmen in Lokoja, the spokesman of the group, Suleiman Ibrahim said Sen. Adeyemi remains committed to the victory of the party in the November 21 governorship election.

According to him, those peddling the rumour that Adeyemi is working against

the PDP are mischievous and ignorant.

“Our leader, Sen. Adeyemi is currently at the tribunal to retrieve his mandate and so far, we give glory to God that the case is going on well. If the tribunal orders a rerun, Sen. Adeyemi will definitely have to work with the party to secure victory.

“Whatever speculations people might be peddling now is dependent on a number of political variables and dynamics. As a leader in the party, the former Senator will always put the interest of

HE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Kogi State has denied the allegation that it was behind the recent protest at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja by some angry youth over the candidature of Prince Abubakar Audu as the APC candidate for the November 21 governorship election.

Kogi PDP chairman, Engr.

Sam Uhuotu, described the allegation made to that effect by one, Abdulkadiri Ahmed as mischievous and a calculated attempt to smear the integrity of his party (PDP).

The chairman, who spoke through the party Publicity Secretary, Hon. Bode Ogunmola said APC has formed the attitude of always pinning their problems on others, “The APC has formed the attitude of always looking for scapegoat even when it is responsible for its own problems. We advised that the APC come to terms with the reality that it has made an unpopular choice which is presently threatening to tear the party into shreds.

“The APC allegation is the ranting of a drowning party.

We advised them (APC) to

•Audu: APC gov candidate channel their energy to winning the confidence of the electorate, who, have since lost every modicum of respect for them for wanting to foist a man they have rejected four times in the past.

“It was not the PDP that asked the APC to field a candidate that is standing trial with the anti-graft agency over allegation bordering on fraud. Failure at the November 21governorship poll stares the APC on the face because of the choice it has made”.

PDP postpones primary to Sept 14

By Henry Umoru & Kingsley Fanwo

T

HE PDP yesterday announced the postponement of Kogi State

Group absolves Adeyemi of working against PDP

By Kingsley Fanwo

2015: KOGI DECIDES

the party first.

“In the past few weeks, we have heard a lot of speculations. But I want to assure all that Adeyemi is not fighting anyone and at the end of the day, the party ’s position will be the supreme decision.”

•Adeyemi

governorship primary election by four days.

The party in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, atttibuted the postponement to logistics constraints, saying the primary earlier slated for today will now hold on September, 14.

Metuh said: “The postponement is with regard to some logistic issues pertaining to the exercise.

“The NWC reassures members of the party and other critical stakeholders, particularly the gubernatorial aspirants, of a transparent, credible, free and fair primary election.

“The NWC has approved a new date of Monday, September 14, 2015 for the primary election and directs all members to be guided by this.”

Before the postponement, delegates from across the

state had started arriving Lokoja for the primary.Indications to the possible postponement earlier emerged when the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Prince Bode Ogunmola cancelled a press conference by the State Chairman, Mr. Sam Uhuotu.

•Secondus: PDP acting chairman

32 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 — 33

C M Y K

34—Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

MASSOB charges Igbo on favours from Buhari

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—THE splinter group of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has told the various Igbo groups in the country to stop demanding political favours from President Muhammadu Buhari, arguing that no amount of pressure would make the president change his mind in view of his alleged dislike of the Igbo nation.

The movement’s director of information, Mr. Uchenna Madu listed the Igbo groups that have been calling for political recognition and agitating for appointments to include Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ohaneze Youth Council, political, traditional, religious leaders, among others.

In a statement in Awka, yesterday, Madu described Igbo people as the architect of their political humiliation in President Buhari’s administration because of what he termed “their individual selfishness, personal ego and lust for money.”

The statement read in part: “President Buhari is just paying Ndigbo back in their own coin as they did not vote for him or his party, the APC because the Igbo men openly and shamefully campaigned for Goodluck Jonathan who politically deceived them."

Account for LG funds, Awka bridge contract, others, PDP tells Obiano

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—THE Anambra State branch of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, called on Governor Willie Obiano to make public the statement of account showing income and expenditure of the 21 local government areas of the

state since the inception of his administration.

The state chairman of the party, Prince Kenneth Emeakayi, in a four-point demand also urged the governor to declare publicly the total contract sum of the ongoing three overhead bridge projects in Awka, as well as tell the people of the state how the ruling All Progressives Grand

Alliance, APGA, acquired the vast land where it is building its secretariat in the state capital.

Similarly, it requested the governor to, without delay, direct the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission, ANSIEC, to conduct the inconclusive election of chairman for Ihiala

NASS PROTEST: We stand by Ajaero NLC faction —NUPENG

By Victor AhiumaYoung

L

AGOS—NIGERIA Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, yesterday, in Lagos, said its members fully stood by the decision of the leadership of the Joe Ajaero-led faction of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, not to participate in today’s anticorruption protest being organised by the National Assembly in collaboration with Ayuba Wabba faction of NLC. In a statement by its President, Mr. Igwe Achese, NUPENG said NLC should be more concerned with the payment of backlog of unpaid salaries and allowances to workers, lamenting that public sector pensioners had also not been paid their arrears.

It would be recalled that the Ajaero faction had over a week ago declared that “to collaborate with the National Assembly to protest against corruption when they have not allowed their salaries to fall in line with the minimum wage, is wrong. If we do that, that is hypocrisy at its highest level.

"We are saying this without mincing words. The two NLC factions can still meet and agree on a date to protest in support

of the anti-corruption fight by President Muhammadu Buhari, but not to be hypocritical about it.

"Before we do that, we must cleanse our house; we must make sure that the allegations over the Kriston-Lally Housing issue, over the Labour City Transport, and NLC election rigging and all others that have been destroying labour are cleared.

“Part of the issues that Comrade Oshiomhole and others looked into and which we all agreed to, was that we must go through the ethics of the movement, the rule of law and procedures in handling issues.

"If we have not gone into all

these ones and we want to play to the gallery that we are protesting in support of antigraft efforts, we think the public will mock us and that is not the kind of NLC some of us want to see.

"The issue is that the other party (Wabba faction) did not consult with us. They were supposed to consult before we even take certain decisions in the spirit of reconciliation.

"No party was supposed to fix a date to take an action without the two factions rubbing minds.

But if one party goes out and takes a decision, it may be a good decision, but that may not be in line with the ideals of the other faction.”

Arrears of salaries to be paid this week —Okorocha

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—THE Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has promised to clear the salary arrears owed civil servants and members of the Community Government Councils, CGC, before the end of this week.

Okorocha, who made the promise while addressing members of the CGC in Owerri,

however, disclosed that pensioners whose take home pay is more than N50,000, will be paid much later.

“All pensioners with a monthly take home of less than N50,000 will receive the arrears this week, while those whose pensions are more than N50,000 will be paid later”, Okorocha said.

Although the Governor did not explain the rationale for the

horough battle with corrupt public officials meets the yearning of all patriotic Nigerians. Thorough, means subjecting to due process, not arbitrary process. It must sweep through the period of military dictatorship cum occupation of Nigeria. -Mr. Adesoji Shiyanbola, Businessman C M Y K

On Buhari’s anti-corruption war B W M B uhari should begin his probe from the time of Obasanjo’s first coming, up to General Abacha days, Gen. Gowon and Abdusalami administrations. He should particularly probe the PTF N26 billion over payment scandal, then we will know he is serious with the fight. Mr. Femi Fos, DJ

ill the Buhari we know succeed in this corruption battle? The Buhari Nigerians know is sly, vindictive, sectarian and too much of an ethnoreligious jingoist. If PDP people will be there APC people too should be probed. -Mr. Papp Alumona, Lawyer

any have come out with the weird proposal that there should not be probes, but change, and have not given how change will occur without containing or curbing or eliminating this monster called corruption. -Mr. Tanko Kokwain, Civil Servant

dichotomy in the payments, he, however, assured the citizenry that his administration would not scrap the CGC He restated his belief that the CGC system, which he established in the state, “is the best system of government in Africa”.

It was the considered opinion of Okorocha that the CGC practically demonstrates the principle of democracy.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

T

local government area and chairman and councilors for Nnewi North Local Government Area, in compliance with various court decisions on the matter.

According to Emeakayi, the governor ’s response to the demands would restore the confidence of Ndi Anambra in his administration, adding that it would also show the people that he is ready to subject himself to accountability as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and the Freedom of Information Act. He alleged that following his letter to the governor on the issues last month, there were threats by some members of APGA, noting that PDP’s aim was to ensure that Anambra State was moving on the right track.

He said: “While we have chosen to remain focused and to engage only on issue-driven and constructive opposition, we wish to assure the governor that no amount of threat, harassment, intimidation, personality attacks and namecalling by over-zealous and ignorant APGA officials and state government agents can distract and deter us from exercising our fundamental rights as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

uhari’s government would be of no significance, if corruption is not fought, if Jonathan’s government was not probed severely. The masses that voted for “change” and the “change” to us from our view is for some loot to be recovered.

-Mr. Demmy Akintunde, Worker

T

he only way PMB will prove that his hands are clean and make Nigerians happy is not just to fight corruption, but to probe one or two publicly, including stripping them of all their loot. Even if he wants to rule till death, Nigerians will grant him. Mrs. Morayo Simeon, Worker

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 — 35

KSU convocation

holds Sept 19

By Boluwaji Obahopo

L

OKOJA—KOGI State University, Anyigba has been ranked 12th best of the 125 universities in Nigeria.

This was contained in the August 2015 National Universities Commission’s result on the accreditation report which also ranked the institute as the 1st best among all existing state universities in Nigeria.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Hassan Isah, who disclosed this yesterday at the 5th preconvocation press conference activities preluding the September 19, 2015, convocation ceremony for 2012, 2013 and 2014 sets, said 24 of the 32 programmes run by the university had received full accreditation, while eight received interim accreditation.

According to him, no course was denied by the NUC. “The result of the NUC was based on the quality of the courses being runned, the standard of the academic workforce and infrastructural as well as academic facilities in the university,’’ he said.

Ortom sanctions LG chairman over missing N40m

By Peter Duru

M

A K U R D I — GOVERNOR Samuel Ortom of Benue State has directed the probe of newly appointed Caretaker Chairman of Gwer Local Government Council, Mr. Godwin Uzuku, for the alleged misappropriation of over N40 million.

Vanguard learned that the missing money was part of the N68 million monthly allocation to the council for the payment of local government staff

salaries and overhead.

Speaking to reporters on the issue yesterday in Makurdi, Governor Ortom said the embattled council chairman was specifically directed to pay the July salaries of workers, adding that he defied the order.

The governor said: “He only utilized N28 million of the N68m allocation for the month of July to pay workers’ salaries because he fell back to a payment voucher of 2011, when the N18,000 minimum wage was not being implemented.

“When we got wind of what he did, we asked him of the balance of N40 million and he could not explain the where about of the money. I issued him a query which he answered.

“The matter has been referred to the Benue State House of Assembly, though we have also recommended sanctions because he could not provide answers to questions put before him and also completely disregarded our directives on the payment of salaries.’’

The governor, who urged members of the public to blow the whistle whenever there was suspicion of fraud in any sector of

Mrs Aliyu is dead

M

RS Veronica Titilayo Aliyu, a veteran broadcaster with Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation, Lokoja, has passed on.

The deceased, a devout Christian and Gospel musician, was also a unionist and an activist.

She attended Amuro Community Secondary School and the University of Ilorin.

Her commendation service is scheduled to hold at the late Elder J.K. Obaro’s residence, beside Diato Hotel, Lokoja, while Internment will follow immediately at Adankolo Cemetery, Lokoja.

Thanksgiving service is also expected to hold on the same day at The Apostolic Church, Ajara, Lokoja.

She is survived by a widower, children and grand children, among who is Fanwo Kingsley Olorunfemi of Vanguard newspaper, and grandchildren.

.Late Mrs. Aliyu C M Y K

SWEARING-IN: Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State (right) congratulating his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam after administering oath of office to the aide at Government House, Sokoto...Tuesday

PDP postpones Kogi gov primaries ...As Wada begs delegates for 2nd term

By Henry Umoru & Boluwaji Obahopo

A

B U J A — N AT I O N A L leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP yesterday announced the postponement of Kogi State governorship primaries by four days, saying the process would be free, fair and transparent.

This came on a day Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State begged delegates to vote for him in the governorship primaries, which would have taken place today.

The party in a statement signed

by National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the primaries earlier scheduled to start today would now hold September on 14.

The statement read: “The postponement is with regard to some logistic issues pertaining to the exercise. The NWC reassures members of the party and other critical stakeholders, particularly the governorship aspirants of a transparent, credible, free and fair primary election.

“The NWC has approved a new date, Monday, September 14, for the primary election and directs all members to be guided by this.”

Mean while, Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State has begged delegates to vote for him in today’s Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, primary election.

Wada, who made this known through a message he sent yesterday to party members, said the PDP ticket would enable him to contest for second term which, if he won, would enable him to consolidate and complete all his ongoing projects.

The message read: “Dear

esteemed members of our great party, PDP, you have supported me through thick and thin.

Together, we have recorded progress in peace, health care, roads, water supply, education, agriculture and youth development, among others.

“There are many projects that are yet to be completed. There are new ones to be done. I need a second term to finish what I have started and to do new ones.

Please vote for me at our primary election on Thursday, September 10, 2015 (today) God bless you.”

the state, said he would continue to run a government that was anchored on core values of transparency, accountability, probity and due process.

Yuguda’s commissioner clears air on Bauchi aircraft

By Suzan Edeh

B

AUCHI—A former commissioner in the immediate past Isa Yuguda’s administration in Bauchi State, Alhaji Ahmed Barau, yesterday explained the circumstances that landed the state’s aircraft, marked 145 5N-BJM, in Morocco, saying it was ferried to the North African country for checks, for which $600,000 was paid.

He said that the aircraft which was purchased in 2007 by former Bauchi State Governor, Ahmed Mu’azu administration and inherited by Yuguda and subsequently by Abubakar administration, was initially leased to Messrs IRS Airlines and subsequently for safe keeping.

Alhaji Barau recalled that the aircraft was also leased to Messrs Hamsal Air Service on a monthly rental fee of N15 million before the company withdrew from the agreement in 2011.

He said: “The outstanding rental fee of the airline for the months of August, September and October 2011 was N45 million. Bauchi Aircraft was in November 2011 leased to Associated Aviation Limited on a monthly fee of N17 million.

“Hamsal ferried the aircraft to Ogma facility in Portugal for 5 “A “checks in March 2012 during which the aircraft also became due for “C” checks, but the company requested the Bauchi State government to assume responsibility of maintenance in line with the provision of the lease agreement.''

IPAC sets up conduct enforcement committees

By Chris Ochayi

A

B U J A — DETERMINED to run an effective administration that will impact positively on the affairs of political parties, the new leadership of Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, has constituted the Technical and Standing Strategy Committees to enforce the agency’s code of conduct.

This development followed the inauguration of the new IPAC leadership under the

chairmanship of Chief Peter Ameh on August 25, 2015, when it was agreed by the general assembly that people should be appointed into the committees.

Consequently, the National Chairman of Labour Party, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam has been appointed as the Chairman of the Standing Strategy Committee, with the National Chairman of APGA, Dr. Victor Oye as member.

Others members of the committee are, Mr Benjamin Emeka Igwe of PDC, Senator

Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa of AD, Onwe S. Onwe of PDP and Oluwadare Falade of MPPP, respectively.

Members of the Technical Committee, headed by Chief Ralph Nwosu, the National chairman of African Democratic Congress, ADC, include, Alhaji Gani Galadima, National chairman of ACPN, Manga S. Asha of ACD, Rev. Olusegun Peters of DRC, Senator Tunde Kelani of Action Alliance, AA, Abdullahi Dan Azumi of DPP and Idris Adamu of NCP.

36 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

MEETING: From left—Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Barnabas Bantex; Rev. Haruna Gaga, and Senator Sulaiman Hunkuyi, at the Zone 3 town hall meeting in Kafanchan, Kaduna State. PHOTO: Olu Ajayi.

FRIESLAND: From left—

Operations Director, Mr. Doyin Ashiru; Corporate Affairs Director, Mrs Ore Famorewa, and Human Resource Director, Mr. Tominiyi Oni, all of Friesland Campina Wamco Nigeria, at the company's 1000 days of zero accident in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

DEEPER LIFE CRUSADE: From left—Group Pastor, Ikeja Group of Districts, Deeper Life Bible Church, DLBC, Pastor Steve Obidi; General Superintendent, Deeper Christian Life Ministry, DCLM, Pastor William Kumuyi, and Lagos State Moderator of DLBC, Pastor Joseph Fasanmi, at the flag off of Lagos City-Wide Crusade by DCLM in conjunction with Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigerian, PFN, at Police College, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday.

NEW 5 ALIVE: From left— Country Commercial Director, NBC, Matthieu Segun; President/CEO, Transcorp, Emmanuel Nnorom; One-Way pack dealer, Mushin, Tosin Ojuri; Operations Marketing Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd., Peter Ekunkoya, and Stills & New Business Director, NBC, Prahlad Gangadharan, at the unveiling of the New 5 Alive Puply Orange in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

Representatives member for Amuwo Odofin, Mr. Emma Egoh; Mrs Tare Ugulah and President, South-South Women Organization, Mrs Vickie Djevwudu, during a courtesy call on the lawmaker in Lagos.

DONATION: From left— Secretary, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Mr. Felix Adeoye; Acting Rector, Rivers State Polytechnic, Nekede, Engr. D. M. Princewill; Deputy Director, Policy Competition, NCC, Dr. Henry Nkemadu, during the donation of ICT/telecommunication and engineering books to the polytechnic.

ANNIVERSARY: From left— Head, Client Service, Taiwo Agboola; Chief Executive Officer, Steve Babaeko, both of X3M Ideas; Chief Executive Officer, Camara Studios, Yetunde Babaeko; President, ASAAN, Kelechi Nwosu, and Head Creative, X3M Ideas, Oje Ojeaga, at the celebration of Steve Babaeko's 20th anniversary in advertising at BlackHouse Media.

HEALTH WRITERS: From left— Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, East & West Africa, Mr. Fred Chiazor; Consultant and Senior Lecturer, Department of Community Health, College of Medicine, LUTH, Dr. Kemi Odukoya; Senior Research Fellow, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Yaba, Dr. Bartholomew Brai; Country Representative, International Confederation of Dietetic Association, Dr. Chika Ndiokwelu; Health Editor, The Sun, Azoma Chikwe, and Director, Public Affairs & Communication, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Clem Ugorji, at the 2015 Health Writers Workshop in Lagos.

VISIT: From left— Mrs Rose Okobiah; Mrs Josephine Johnson; House of

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2015—37

DEBTOR LIST: Bank apologises to Nda-Isaiah F

ORMER Enterprise Bank, now Heritage Bank, has apologized to Mr. Sam NdaIsaiah for erroneously including his name, his wife’s (Zainab) and Banana Republic Ltd. in the list of debtors published by the bank in two national dailies.

Nda-Isaiah is the Chairman of Banana Republic Ltd. The bank, in a letter to NdaIsaiah, dated August 31, said: “We wish to state, regretfully, that the inclusion of Banana Republic Limited, your name and that of your wife on the list was done in error.

“We hold you, your family and

Banana Republic in high esteem. Again, we regret whatever insinuation or public harm done to your persons.”

The apology is coming on the heels of a petition by NdaIsaiah to Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, over the defamation of his character by Enterprise Bank Limited.

The commercial bank had on Monday, August 10, published Banana Republic Limited among its delinquent debtors.

However, Nda-Isaiah, in a petition to the CBN governor, called for an investigation into

the loan granted to him by the bank.

The petition explained extensively how Banana Republic Limited applied for a facility of N80 million for a new branch in Maitama and then engaged an international consultancy company to commence feasibility study on a five-star hotel project.

He insisted that Enterprise Bank had impugned his reputation and that of his family, stressing that all his life, he had tried to be very careful.

He said: “I have built a

public image and a brand, which I cherish and protect jealously. I will not just sit by and watch such a brand rubbished because of the incompetence and unfathomable motives of some people.

“I am, therefore, suing Enterprise Bank. They are going to have their day in court and I promise to give the proceedings maximum exposure.

“I also request that you investigate my claims. I shall be available for further details.”

POWER: Controversy reigns as BPE hands over Aba, Ariaria to Afrigem

By Clara Nwachukwu

C

USTOMERS in Abia, Ariaria and its environs may be in for a rough ride as far as electricity supply and distribution is concerned, as the Bureau for Public Enterprises, BPE, officially hands over the disputed Ring Fence Zone to Afrigem Integrated Utilities Limited, today in Abuja. The matter is however a subject of litigation as Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC has dragged Afrigem before a Federal High Court, Abuja claiming N10 billion for alleged inducement of breach of contract.

The Ring Fence Zone includes the Aba area, Owerrinta, Osisi Oma, Ogbor Hill, Factory Road, and Port Harcourt Road in Aba, Abia State, which according to the BPE has been under “a subsisting Lease Agreement” since April 29, 2005.

Consumers in the zone have been plunged into constant darkness for the past two years, since the end of the power privatisation programme, when the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, was sold to private investors, Interstate Electricity.

In this regard, a former Minister of Power, Prof.

Barth Nnaji, blamed the lingering controversies on the Federal Government/BPE, who sold the EEDC with the Ring Fence Zone, which already had a lease agreement.

However, amid the controversies which bother on technical issues on distribution, commerciality and cost of power to consumers in the zone, the BPE in a letter dated August 24, 2015 insists on the official handover of the ring fence.

N100bn investments The development comes as industry regulator, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, disowns investments worth about $500 million or over N100 billion claimed to have been made by the promoters of the ring fence, as the costs have not yet been verified by it.

According to the NERC Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, in a telephone interview with Vanguard, “We don’t know how much of the budget ($500 million) is prudent.

“We need to verify if these costs are prudently incurred and if they are relevant to the lease agreement, otherwise they will be discountenanced.

Besides, the NERC boss reiterated that the operators of the Ring Fence Zone must work with the owners of the EEDC under agreed commercial terms, in which cost of electricity to the consumers must not exceed what is currently being charged by the EEDC.

38—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

By Charles Mekwunye

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ENTRAL Bank of Nige ria, CBN, fixingtime limits for Resolution of Customers’ Complaints is morally and legally wrong, unlawful, unconstitutional and against the current prevalent mood of the nation in its fight against corruption.

In the first place, CBN has no power to make subsidiary legislation on this subject of banks negligently, recklessness or fraudulently over charging its customers in various clever ways including but not limited to: •Excess interest charges; •Excess management fees charges; •Excess Team Loan Repayment charges; •Fees charged above Bankers tariffs; •Excess charges on restructured team loans; •Excess penal interest charges; •Excess COT charges.

This is because these acts of banks amount to civil wrongs, criminal offences and constitutional breaches of the rights of their customers.

It is a civil wrong and amounts to breach of contract if these charges are not in accordance with the terms of the facilities granted the customer.

Offence of stealing It is criminal in many ways as it amounts to an offence of stealing under the Criminal Code Cap C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. Section 383 provides: 383. “(1) A person who fraudulently takes anything capable of being being stolen, or fraudulently converts to his own use or to the use of any other person anything capable of being stolen, is said to steal that thing.

(2) A person who takes or converts anything capable of being stolen is deemed to do so fraudulently if he does so with any of the following intents1. an intent permanently to deprive the owner of the thing of it; (b) an intent permanently to deprive any person who has any

EDITORIAL TEAM Innocent Anaba ( Head) Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri Dayo Benson (Supervising Editor) 08056180119

dayobenson@yahoo.com

C M Y K

CBN can't legislate on customers' complaints time limit special property in the thing of such property; (c) an intent to use the thing as a pledge or security; (d) an intent to part with it on a condition as to its return which the person taking or converting it may be unable to perform; (e) an intent to deal with it in such a manner that it cannot be returned in the condition in which it was at the time of the taking or conversion; (f) in the case of money, an intent to use it at the will of the person who takes or converts it, although he may intend afterwards to repay the amount to the owner.”

(3) The taking or conversion may he fraudulent, although it is effected without secrecy or attempt at concealment.

(4) In the case of conversion, it is immaterial whether the thing converted is taken for the purpose of conversion, or whether it is at the time of the conversion in the possession of the person who converts it. It is also immaterial that the person who converts the

property is the holder of a power of attorney for the disposition of it, or is otherwise authorised to dispose of the property.”

When any bank unlawfully debits the customer’s accounts and takes away (money) which is a

When any bank unlawfully debits the customer’s accounts and takes away (money) which is a property capable of being stolen with intent to deprive the customer of it, it is stealing

*CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

property capable of being stolen with intent to deprive the customer of it, it is stealing.

Economic sabotage That it is done by a bank and not an individual makes no difference – as a bank is in law, a legal person and the Criminal Code simply says “a person”. It will certainly amount to financial/ economic crimes under the EFCC Act, and other Acts that EFCC is empowered to enforce, particularly where the customer is a Government – Federal- State – Local or their parastatals, it could amount to a greater offence of economic sabotage of the developmental efforts of the Government.

When the bank’s unlawful actions are done with the connivance of the government officials of a particular time, for any pecuniary benefit of such government officials, it will amount to aiding and abetting a crime – corruption.

Therefore setting a time limit

like CBN has done is really dangerous and it will shelter, encourage and protect the perpetrators of these crimes – bankers and government officials - because we all know that some elected officials have two terms of 4 years each, that is eight years. Therefore an elected official may connive with bank officials to fleaze the government confers with excessive charges on facilities (shared with the bank) in the first 2 years of his tenure, knowing that his immunity will cover him during his tenure and when he has left office and his immunity has expired, CBN’s time limit will continue his protection.

It is also unconstitutional because, Section 44 of the Constitution provides 44. “(1) No moveable property or any interest in an immovable property shall be taken possession of compulsorily and no right over or interest in any such property shall be acquired compulsorily in any part of Nigeria except in the manner and for the purposes prescribed by a law that, among other things Continues on page 40

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015—39

Innovations at NBA Conference will affect service delivery — Ogun HON. Sergius Ogun is a lawyer and member of the House of Representatives representing Esan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency in Edo State. He is a practitioner in the oil and gas sector, including youth empowerment in his state.

In this interview, he spoke on the implementation of innovations from the just concluded Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference, need for government to focus on education and effects of stalling the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). Excerpts:

By Bartholomew Madukwe

B

Y next week, a new legal year would start. What are your expectations?

The legal industry is going through a process of improvement for the better. In the speech of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, at just concluded NBA Conference, he unfolded new criteria for appointing judges. The way is now open for Judges to be appointed from law practice to the Court of Appeal and even the Supreme Court. This is remarkable.

Also, in the presentation of Justice Zana of Borno State, he talked about the implementation of electronic process for service of court processes. This is also very good and innovative. The judiciary is not impervious, the bar is not impervious, and it listens to the opinion and views and yearning of people.

Implementation of innovations So I am very optimistic. We will see the implementation of innovations and it will affect the service delivery and output of our national social life. I am very optimistic. Law is my professional constituency and I believe strongly in the progress of the sector.

At the just concluded NBA conference, President Buhari reportedly urged lawyers not to defend corrupt clients, though the NBA President clarified the issue. What is your reaction to this?

It is a constitutional issue.

Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. Therefore from the perspective of the constitution, the allegedly corrupt client is not corrupt until the court pronounces him so.

The law affords every citizen the right to a legal representation by lawyer. It will be unconstitutional to deny a citizen that right of representation and defense. The allegedly corrupt person should have his day in court and if found guilty, he/she will be convicted. I am sure PMB was quoted out of context.

I am sure he was not talking about legal representation in the law courts; maybe he was talking about conniving with perceived corrupt persons to perpetrate C M Y K

fraud. In that case, it is a case of being an accomplice to a crime and that is a different ball game, for which, the police is very well equipped to deal with.

Some experts in the Nigerian oil and gas industry have called on the leadership of the new National Assembly to review the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), what would you say about that?

The Petroleum Industry Bill easily comes to mind. Stalling this bill is costing Nigeria several billions of dollars. I am particularly interested because it affects me personally and challenges my vast years of experience. The essence of experience is to put them to work.

I intend bringing my over 25 years’ experience in the Oil and Gas sector to bear in this regard. As a member of the house and an experienced industry player, Nigerians will see the extent I will invest in the subject. I expect difficulties in all ramifications; we might have to educate our colleagues on the danger of not passing the bill or advice the ministry of petroleum resources to rework the bill for easy passage. I have always known that nothing is easy in this world; this knowledge guides me properly and prepares me to brace up for any challenge.

What is your view on the fluctuation in global oil price?

It is unfortunate that Nigerians are surprised about the fluctuations in the price of crude oil. As a practitioner in the oil and gas sector, I understand that this occurs every now and then.

•Hon. Sergius Ogun At the federal level, I will explore avenues to source for grants and intellectual support to improve their farming activities.

This can be in form of agricultural extension support, provision of improved seedlings, simple farm implements and where possible, mechanized farming to improve productivity.

I recall a chat with a young man in my constituency last year, wherein I was informed that between 2012 and 2014 over 200 people died in a particular ward.

He suggested that this could be as a result of elevated blood

Foreign exchange So the question is, “how come Nigerians were not prepared for it?” Nigeria, being the largest black nation in the world, has no business importing commodities like milk and other food items that have cost the nation billions in foreign exchange. For this reason, I am interested in agriculture.

We have arable and fertile land within my constituency with favourable weather condition. We have supported farmers previously and the solemn promise is to do more. Through my agents, I guided them on modalities for applying for FADAMA loans. This was of tremendous benefit to some of the farmers.

Nigeria, being the largest black nation in the world, has no business importing commodities like milk...

pressure levels. It is common knowledge that due to the agrarian nature of most of my constituents, staple food consumption is common practice.

Their dieting is not stringent or healthy and unfortunately, for lack of information, they may be inadvertently consuming food detrimental to their health. A case in question is a diabetic consuming starchy food, if he does not know of his medical status; he may continue indulging in unhealthy dieting.

Unhealthy dieting There is a plan to sensitize my constituents through medical outreaches. This I have engaged in previously, I recall instances in Ugboha in 2012 and another in Obedu, 2014, which was done in synergy with another foundation, flyers, handbills and oral dissemination of information were done. Liaison with political leaders on the subject turned out to be incredible and quite revealing.

The medical outreach which comprised of mobile testing units helped to inform people of their medical status and proffered interim care. This proved a huge success and one that should be consistent.

Unemployment is having a corrosive effect on our

economy. Do you have any plan for the unemployed graduates in Edo State?

There is a concrete plan to start a dairy farm as we speak. We have held positive discussions with partners in Ireland. This was facilitated during my visit to Ireland last year where I saw a lot of farms. I engaged a group to explore areas of mutual partnerships, this culminated in a meeting in Abuja with a positive agreement. We intend making a formal presentation after which we make progress. This has a potential to employ a good number of graduates and other downstream individuals for marketing adverts. We intend to benefit from the ready market in Nigeria.

We have several varieties of cassava, a staple crop which thrives well in all of our communities. These days, better improved varieties are available which can be cultivated with proper management up to three times in a season.

The market for cassava is limitless, and interestingly it is used for Cassava flour, and glucose syrup-a veritable ingredient for confectionary industries like Nestle and others.

The market for cassava syrup is almost wholly international (imported). This is a useful vista for encouraging youths and unemployed graduates to go into serious farming.

Serious farming Like I have mentioned, with the kind of support we intend to provide, we will create a robust environment needed for them to excel in Agriculture, which will further drive down the rate of unemployment in the constituency and Edo State in general.Many youths, today, seem to have lost hope in the country.

Do you see this National Assembly make any meaningful impact in the lives of Nigeria youths?

Teach a youth how to fish and you have solved a long term problem. We have industrious youths who can benefit from skill acquisition. This is another area where attention is needed.

It is disheartening that due to a dearth in expertise, our people still go to Togo and other foreign nationals for their semi-skilled jobs. Good enough, we have an Institute of Construction Technology in Uromi, Edo State, which is in my constituency and they advertise short term programmes.

Their aim is to train people on tiling and fittings, diagnostic machines, automobile repairs, plumbing and close circuit television system connections. I have a foundation calledSergiusOseasochieOgunFoundation (SOOF).

40—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

EU-UNODC-NIALS TTraining raining Cour se ffor or Pr osecut or Course Prosecut osecutor orss

Electoral Act needs to be amended — Onwuenwunor

EU-UNODC-NIALS recently held a training for legal practitioners across Nigeria

By Jane Echewodo

Clement Onwuenwunor is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). In this interview he spoke on election petition tribunals across the country, need to review the Electoral Act and challenges of legal practice in the country.

Excerpts:

(Left)Prof.

A d e d e j i Adekunle, DirectorGeneral, NIALS, and Mr K e l l y Cavanaugh, US S t a t e Department.

W

HAT is your as sessment of the on-going cases at the election petition tribunals across the country?

One of the greatest benefits of democracy is the ability to go to court to challenge an election when you feel that you have been robbed of your victory. And the Nigerian law even made provisions for it in the 1999 Constitution and specifically in the Electoral Act 2010, as you would see that election results were being challenged across the country.

This is an opportunity for the growth of our democracy to be able to have unrestricted access to come to court to complain that this person has compromised the result of the election. I am at present handling about five election matters and already I have had two decisions from the trial tribunal; one have been ruled in my favour before the Ondo State House of Assembly election petition tribunal, while the other one is in Lagos State which was actually ruled against us. We are very dissatisfied with that, and we cannot accept the reason for striking out our application. We felt the petition was wrong in law and already issues

*Clement Onwuenwunor are been put together to know the next line of action to take before the grace for appeal expires. We are working on that seriously and by the grace of God we shall have a report on that very soon.

Election petition I have been privileged to be involved in senatorial election petition in Delta State and that also has gone on very well because the tribunal there is working very hard. The three other ones we have in Lagos have been progressing very well and we almost concluded the trial in one of the petitions. We are still at the interlocutory stage in two others, and we expect that before the end of next month we should conclude most, if not all, the petitions.

What steps are you taking in those election petitions that were ruled against your clients?

The law provides that if you are not satisfied with an election petition tribunal or any court, you are entitled constitutionally to proceed and appeal against such decision and under our law; once a decision is given in a tribunal and you are not satisfied you can appeal against it at the Court of Appeal. The one we won in Ondo State of cause, there is an appeal already pending before we take that decision. And the one that was ruled against us here in Lagos like I said before, we are putting everything together to know the next line of action to take before the expiration of our time to appeal.

From left: Mr Ayodele Ale, UNODC, Mr Sunday Mbona, NDLEA Head of Legal and Prosecution Services. Prof.

A d e d e j i Adekunle, NIALS Director-General, Mr Kelly Cavanaugh, US S t a t e Department, Dr. Uwem Eteng, AG. I n s t i t u t e Librarian of NIALS and Mr James Bathnna, I n s t i t u t e Secretary of NIALS.

From left: Mr Sunday M b o n a , NDLEA Head of Legal and Prosecution Services and Prof. Adedeji Adekunle, N I A L S DirectorGeneral.

CBN can't legislate on customers' complaints time limit Continues from page 38

1. requires the prompt payment of compensation therefore and 2. gives to any person claiming such compensation a right of access for the determination of his interest in the property and the amount of compensation to a court of law or tribunal or body having jurisdiction in that part of Nigeria” (2) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall be construed as affecting any general law... (i) relating to limitation of actions”.

Therefore no one can be dispossessed of his property movable/ immovable – and money is property – without due process. Therefore if any bank C M Y K

has unlawfully debited into a customer’s account some millions or billions of naira, the customer has the right to complain under Section 44 of the Constitution and CBN has no right to limit when the complaint can be made, inspite of the provision of section 44(2) (i) of the Constitution, as CBN is not the National / State Assembly.

The CBN is also a creation of statute, the CBN Act. It can only exercise powers granted to it under that Act and under the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act. These statutes give CBN limited powers to issue subsidiary legislations to regulate banks. This right does not include right to limit the rights of Companies and

individuals who are customers of banks. Their rights are more than banking rights. Some of these rights are constitutional, some are civil like contract or torts.

It is trite that any subsidiary legislations that is outside, beyond or ultra vires the CBN is null and void and of no effect whatsoever, which is the fate of this latest CBN regulation on time limits. There are several decisions of the appellate courts on this position. It suffices to refer to one of the latest NNPC v.

FAMFA OIL LIMITED (2012) LPELR -7812(SC) where the Apex court held “It is the principal law that provides subsidiary legislation the source of its existence.

To be concluded

(Right) M r Ibukun Ajomo a n d another official.

Vanguard,THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015—41

42 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

Labour movement, Nigeria’s economy and the promise of change

By Rufus Olusesan

A

BOUT a year ago, Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, after rebasing of the economy was put at $510 billion, thus making Nigeria the largest economy in Africa and 26th in the world. Ordinarily, this should be cheering news to the working masses of the country and a great boost to the economic profile of our country.

But our social realities have not benefited from documented economic improvements.

In a manner characteristic of the immediate past administration, Dr. Ngozi Okojo-Iweala, the controversial former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy had boasted that Nigeria's economy had recorded tremendous improvement and that more than 1.5 million jobs had been created.

But, in reality, the conditions of the Nigerian working people had become more miserable.

More than two million workers have lost their jobs largely due to either retrenchment or closure of factories in the same period. The challenges of rising inflation and naira devaluation have further pauperized the Nigerian workers as real wages keep falling notwithstanding the nominal increases in salary.

Statistical fundamentals In terms of the statistical fundamentals, the Nigerian economy is growing but the growth is not impacting on the well being of the people. As the economy grows, so is the gap between the rich and the poor.

Unemployment and poverty indices at 23.9 per cent and 70 per cent respectively confirm our retrogressive reality.

This disconnect between economic growth and people's well being is creating a state of anomie in many parts of the country and no genuine foreign investor would invest in a country where security of lives and properties are lacking.

Government must create the necessary macro-economic environment for investment in value added manufacturing to thrive. It is only through industrialization that we can address the challenges of unemployment and poverty.

Industrial development will not happen by accident, the government must address the power supply, stabilize the naira ex-

Ayuba Wabba change rates and address quickly infrastructure deficit.

Notwithstanding the huge dollar revenue from crude oil sales, basic infrastructure like electricity, roads, security, railways, water supply among others remain in a poor state. Economy which according to them is improving is not propelled by value added activities. We cannot continue to run voodoo economy, an economy that does not benefit the mass of our people.

The serial attacks on the welfare of the poor and the working class is increasing in this era of neo-liberal economic policy and there is nothing to suggest that the present administration will embrace a new economic paradigm.

Joe Ajaero of the working class. Neo-liberalism thrives on experimental policies with destructive impact on the economic and social fabric of many third world countries. Policies such as deregulation, privatization, commercialization, civil service reforms etc. are forced on developing economies by the rich nations through IMF and World Bank to consolidate their strong hold on the world economy to further enrich their self – serving interests and improve on the profit margin of trans-national corporations. We are in an era where big businesses are rich-

Economic paradigm The Social Welfare Bill which is to cater for the up keep of the aged, unemployed and the youths suffered another major setback before the National Assembly on, September 29, 2014.

This is not the first time the Bill will experience setback from the National Assembly as it equally experienced same in 2012.

We are waiting to see how this administration will address its electoral campaign promise of welfare for the aged.

The Nigeria Labour movement must unite and rise up to challenge the destructive wave of neo-liberalism and exploitation

The serial attacks on the welfare of the poor and the working class is increasing in this era of neo-liberal economic policies and there is nothing to suggest that the present administration will embrace a new economic paradigm

er than many nations of the world.

The overwhelming control of the world economy by the imperialist is becoming difficult to sustain as a result of the severe poverty inflicted on the working class. For instance, more than 70 percent of Nigerians are living below $2 per day. This simply means workers and the poor lack the purchasing power to make meaningful impact in a market driven economy.

When workers lack the real purchasing power, goods and services suffer low patronage.

Purchasing power In advanced economies, workers are pushed to borrow and when they reach a point that they are not able to repay the loan, that leads to the world economic crisis.

This global economic crisis created by the capitalist class which the class itself is trying to avoid led to all sorts of reforms and rationalization being put in place by the class to fight back in order to continue the profit making trend. The goal of capital is profit and not people's welfare.

The Nigeria local capitalists in the last sixteen years of the nation’s democratic dispensation have contributed to the poor state of the economy. In fact, virtually every sector has been paralyzed, there is high rate of unemployment, health delivery

system is in comatose, insecurity of lives and properties dominate national discourse, education is in shambles, infrastructure are in decay. Our woes and agonies are endless. We are faced with tragedy of misgovernment, mismanagement and clueless government.

The Labour movement must brace up to develop an agenda for engagement with the new Government. It should be clear that as the Afro beat singer Fela anikulapo Kuti would say, no one will dash the people their human right, it has to be fought for and earned.

We must recognize that nothing has significantly changed and nothing will change except that that we clamour and fight for. PDP under President Jonathan and the new Government of APC under President Buhari are of one side of the same coin (Capitalist class).

The Labour movement must agitate for decent work with decent pay while unfair labour practices such as casualization, out sourcing child labour e t c, must be eradicated.

Beyond this, Labour movement must be ready to contend with impending massive job loss as a result of factory closure, privatization of public enterprise, decline in social security\infrastructural development, low wage, retrenchment and other anti-poor agenda in a neo liberal economy.

Neo-liberal economy Organised Labour must embark on massive training to educate members at all levels through programmes to raise class and trade union consciousness, stand firm for the defense of workers’ rights, run open, transparent and accountable administration, fight for the protection of the sanctity of collective bargaining agreements, participate in the process of enacting laws that will protect or promote workers’ rights and also be acquitted with the industrial relations issues.

Finally, Labour must draw agenda for the new government on the road map to industrialize the country which will not only boost the economy but will equally guarantee job opportunity for thousands of youths seeking employment.

The Labour movement should know that the working masses cannot continue wallowing in abject poverty in the midst of plenty. We need change to move the nation forward, but the change we need is not just regime change or party change but system change.

•Comrade Olusesan, is the Vice Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress, Lagos State Chapter

Vanguard,THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015—43

FG owes 50,000 disengaged PHCN workers—Union Stories by Victor Ahiuma-Young

N

ATIONAL Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, has alleged that almost 50,000 disengaged defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, workers have not been paid their benefits.

The union claimed the unpaid benefits arose from one and half years of uncalculated emoluments to other sundry issues.

NUEE in a statement by its General Secretary, Mr. Joe Ajaero in response to the ongoing Senate probe of the Power Sector, said “ we wonder if this probe will be fruitful as expected.

From the revelations so far, we also believe that the respondents have been economical with the facts. It is noteworthy that almost the 50,000 disengaged defunct Power Company of Nigeria, PHCN, staff

have not been paid their benefits arising from one and half years of u n c a l c u l a t e d emoluments to other sundry issues. The 10% equity share holding in a privatized PHCN due to workers as contained in Electric Sector Power Reform Act, EPSRA, 2005 is yet to be allotted to staff.

Point of intention “The whole privatization process was characterized by fraud and indecent activities. It is equally imperative to find out that the process behind the sale of PHCN, because some of the reasons they gave at the point of intention to privatize were to attract Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, which have been grossly missing at the end of the transactions.

Government did not

sell off everything and from available documents, the Government still maintains about 40% of shares of the privatized Power Sector while the Investors control about 60%. However, the Government has even unofficially relinquished everything to the Investors.”

NUEE added that it felt “perturbed about the efficacy, fruitfulness and potency of this probe panel, given the history and how such probes have always ended. We recall, the House of Representative took up the probe of the same Power Sector. The Committee headed by Hon. Ndudi Elumelu did and submitted their Reports but nothing came out of it. It is our prayer that this Senate Probe of the Power Sector Reforms will not be another wishful exercise.”

Ex-SMIT workers seek FMLP intervention over unpaid benefits

T

WO former employees of SMIT (Nig) Limited, Ogbeide Pius and Amoma joseph, have petitioned the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, FMLP, Dr. Clement Illoh, seeking the Ministry ’s intervention over unpaid benefits since six years ago.

In the petition routed through the Lagos office of FMLP dated August 24, 2015 and was received on August 25, 2015, the petitioners said “The company is contracted to Nigeria liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, in bonny for its vessels to berth and cast off loaded NLNG ships from their jetty.

It also operates with Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL. We were legitimately employed by the company. Our last salary payment was in February, 2008 which was paid on March 30, 2009.

“Ogbeide Pius was employed on 25/08/2005 and Amoma Joseph on 12/07/1999. Sometime ago, some of the

employees were paid off but we were retained under the pretext that when their new vessels arrive for operations, we would continue with our service. But we have been denied that continuation of the service. After several unanswered phone calls and un-replied letters,

we have no other alternative than to write this petition to you for help. We are requesting that you use your office to ensure that our accumulated salaries and entitlements are paid in full to us. Also without a pay off letter, we cannot be paid our Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF monthly deductions from our salaries.”

Full entitlements

The company is contracted to Nigeria liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, in bonny for its vessels to berth and cast off loaded NLNG ships from their jetty

The petitioners added that “We have waited patiently to be paid off by the management of SMIT Nigeria Limited, but nothing of such has taken place. We will be grateful if you use your good office to ensure that we are paid our full entitlements to ameliorate the untold hardship that we have been going through.”

Attempts to speak with management of SMIT proved abortive.

Text message to the Executive Director's GSM phone, after several unanswered calls, was not replied to at the time of this report.

44 —

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

NTN Children rekindle hope for survival of culture Stories By Japhet Alakam

O

NE of the major problems facing the promotion of culture is bad economy and the quest for riches which has forced many parents to abandon their traditional role of bringing up the children, leaving them in the hands of teachers in the schools.

But the presentation last week by the participants of the 6th edition of the Children/teens Creative Session workshop organised by the National Troupe of Nigeria, a culture parastatal saddled with the mandate to package, sustain, promote and hand it over to the younger ones for sustenance was a clear message that all is not lost. The children from ages five to 18 who underwent two months of rigorous training in music, drama and dance, came out with a bold statement that the culture will not die.

It was indeed an evening of real entertainment, education and fun as the National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN), organisers of the programme hosted parents, guests to series of dance, music and the command performance of a play to draw the curtains on this year’s edition of children and teens’ creative station workshop.

The cinema hall 2, venue of the event which wore a glamourous look courtesy of one of the sponsors, telecommunications giant MTN came alive with several superlative displays of what they have learnt with colourful costumes that attracted intermitent applauses from the audience .

Intermittent applauses It started with a welcome song by the children glad with their MTN yellow colour who demonstrated their singing ability, and their a young rapper who took everybody by surprise was discovered. After that, the children through dance, took an excursion into all the tribes of Nigeria, the Nigerdelta Ijaw dance, Acrobatic dance of the east (Ngbokiti), Egwuomumu, Fulani dance and the body twisting dance of the west where they deomonstrated what they learnt with local instruments, drums, bata etc.. Thereafter, the children also brought the other side of their voice when they performed some songs to the delight of the audience.

Chief of the performances was the staging of the play Akrifa(Amazons Empire), written by Mike Anyanwu.

The play is said to be set in 1807, weeks after the abolition of slavery act in Great Britain, as it revolves around a slavery expedition by a band of British slave merchants who attacked the people of Akrifa at the height of their annual thanksgiving festival with other events following.

Meanwhile, the thematic thrust of the play includes slavery, human trafficking leadership crisis, gender empowerment and reviving the agricultural potentials of the African continent. And as would be expected, the play also brought to the fore the various aspects of slavery to the knowledge of the children.

The creative station workshop which held for five weeks, July 27 to August 30 and brought about 140 participants, according to the initiator and director in charge of drama to the NTN, Josephine Igberaese, is aimed at bringing children and teenagers together to learn in a fun way during the holiday. As they were trained on singing, contemporary and traditional dance, acting, creative writing, debate etc.

Creative writing The special command performance is a product of the one month intensive training workshop. The children’s creative station project is to encourage and nurture talents in young children or youths who otherwise may not have an avenue to develop their talents outside the walls of a formal school.

Speaking about the performance of the children, art collector/promoter, Engr Prince Yemisi Shyllon who was the chairman of the day commended the children and the organisers of the programme. "Nigeria is a great country with a lot of resources and potentials taht are yet untapped. We have a lot to offer to the world, we need to develop it

Nigeria is a great country with a lot of resources and potentials that are yet untapped, we have a lot to offer to the world, we need to develop it to encourage those coming behind us

• Nigerian children at their best, a scene from the play, Akrifa put away class discrimination.

Her words; “The creative station has metamorphosed into a family. From what I hear the interactions among the children continued beyond the station which is one of our objectives of breaking barriers and social class. I call them children without borders for the singular reason.”

Singular reason • The children singing in their MTN colour to encourage those coming behind us. The advanced countries are well developed technically, the only area we can beat them is through art. Tourism provides great opportunity for our country. So we must do anything within our resources to develop the young ones."

For an elated Akin Adejuwon, artistic director of the National troupe, who was very glad the programme is getting the desired attention said I am happy to present the children after the two months workshop. He however stated that despite the problem of funding, they were able to hold the sixth edition.

Though, there was an improvement in this year's programming as it received support from parents, guardians and some cor-

porate organisations.

On her part,Mrs Kehinde Kamson, Managing Director of Sweet Sensation, one of the sponsors who was thrilled with the performances described the them as great children and a hope for Nigeria said, "when I saw these children, I feel like going back to the labour room, but you don't have to go into the labour room, but you pick a child and bring them up. I am happy that Nigeria children can still demonstrate such at a tender age."

Josephine Igberese, who was incharge of the workshop speaking on the growth of the initiative and its objectives, she said that the workshop overtime has helped built relationships and

Commenting on the theme of this year’s play, she said that; “This year we explored slavery, Trans Atlantic Slave Trade which span a period of 300 years, most of the slaves taken were from West Africa and Nigeria in particular from the various sea ports.

“In our time, slavery has a new name, human trafficking, child and forced labour, child marriage, kidnapping and caste system, these are all other forms of slavery. It is our desire to bring to the consciousness of our children the issues they may face as possible leaders of tomorrow.”

Advising parents, the coordinator urged them to always allow their children explore their talents during the break so to grow into productive adults.

NGE, PAU book on 75 years of Nigerian media for launch

A

LL is now set for the pub lic presentation of a new book on the Nigerian media and its leading figures over the past 75 years.

The book, which focuses on the contributions, challenges and exploits of Nigerian media leaders on the scene for more than seven decades, titled Nigerian Media Leaders: Voices Beyond the Newsroom will be launched on September 22, 2015 at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos.

The four volume book edited

by Richard Ikiebe, a media scholar at the School of Media and Communication, Pan Atlantic University, Lagos features conversations with more than 80 media leaders across print, broadcast and the academia. .

The research is a collaborative work between the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the School

of Media and Communication, Pan Atlantic University (PAU).

Ikiebe said he was motivated to undertake the work to fill the gaps in the study of Nigerian journalism since the pioneering work of Alfred Omu’s Press and Politics in Nigeria, 1880-1937 published in 1978.

“It became imperative as many of the pioneers have passed on without sharing their experiences and know-how,” he added.

Significant contribution The book represents a significant contribution to the knowledge of the media. It consists of interviews with 75 media players in the Nigerian print and broadcast media, spanning 1935 to 2010; and covers various themes of media leadership and

management, circulation and distribution, readership, changing media landscape, media and military, as well as the effects of social media and changing demographic patterns. Those featured in the work include Sam Amuka, Patrick Dele Cole, Christopher Kolade, Vincent Maduka, Segun Osoba, Garba Shehu, Tony Momoh, Lade Bonuola, Ray Ekpu, Kevin Ejiofor, Muhammed Haruna, Adamu Ciroma, Doyin Abiola, Areoye Oyebola, Ted Iwere and Laban Namme.

Others are John Momoh, Frank Aigbogun, Femi Kusa, Kabir Yusuf, Idowu Sobowale and Festus Adesanoye .

Ikiebe who serves as a Senior Fellow and Director of the Centre for Leadership in Journalism at the PAU, also serves as ViceChairman and Director of Cornerstone Insurance Plc.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2015 — 45

We’ll come stronger against Egypt – Musa

S

UPER Eagles stand-in captain Ahmed Musa has said Nigeria should expect a much improved performance from the team in their next 2017 AFCON qualifier against Egypt in March.

Nigeria will first welcome the Pharaohs between March 23 and 26, before they travelling to Cairo between March 26 and 29.

Musa, who opened scoring for the Eagles from the penalty spot in a 2-0 win over Mena of Niger on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, said the new team coach Sunday Oliseh is building will strike a better understanding before the double header against Egypt.

“I am very happy that we beat Niger Republic and played better than we did against Tanzania. Though it was a friendly, I am sure it served the purpose of getting us to player better as a team,” CSKA Moscow star Ahmed Musa told AfricanFootball.com “Nigerians should therefore expect to see a better Eagles by the time we play against Egypt in our next Nations Cup qualifiers next year.

“We are on track and improving as a team.”

On why he celebrated his goal with Oliseh, the flying forward said: “Just to say congratulations to the coach that we are on our way to our first victory for the new coach.

“The goal is for my lovely wife Jemila, who always encourages me and keeps the home safe when I am away.”

Continues from BP

CAPTAIN'S STUFF: Ahmed Musa in action for Nigeria.

Eagles resume training in 3 weeks

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FFICIALS have disclosed the Super Eagles will resume training camp at the end of the month ahead of a series of friendlies in Europe as well as a 2016 CHAN against Burkina Faso.

“The team will resume training at the end of the month, which will be in three weeks, to prepare for a CHAN qualifier against Burkina Faso and a number of friendlies in Europe,” an official informed yesterday.

“The players from the domestic league will

Dream Team Continues from BP in the second half of the game, which was Nigeria’s opening match after Egypt pulled out its soccer teams from the event.

Ghana who are the defending champions hardly troubled the Under-23 Eagles. Both teams fought for dominance of the game, but it was Nigeria with a better team understand that dominated. Junior Ajayi calmed the nerves of the team, when he coolly finished off a cross by Etor Daniel in the 55 minutes.

There was no serious fight back from the Ghanaians, and the C M Y K

Kirikiri Warriors

Eagles pressed on to consolidate their lead.

They sealed their victory with a goal, which came off the boots of Sokari in the dying minutes of the encounter. It was from an excellent combination with Captain Ikechukwu Azubuike whose pass brought Sokari face to face with Richarcd Ofori in goal for Ghana.

Sokari chipped the ball over the on rushing keeper to kill off the game.

Nigeria is topping the group, while Ghana and Senegal have a point each. Nigeria will play Senegal in the next game to determine who tops the group.

form the preliminary squad with the foreignbased stars to join up in Europe.”

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are already in discussions with Cameroon FA, FECAFOOT, for a friendly during the FIFA-free window next month.

The home-based Eagles will also

welcome their Burkina Faso counterparts in a 2016 CHAN qualifier between October 16-18 with the return leg between October 23 and 25 in Ouagadougou.

The overall winners of this tie will qualify for the African Nations Championship in Rwanda next year.

Akin-Amao Continues from BP the national sports commission and its affiliate sports federations embark on any sports development without putting in place the entire requisite components of sports development in place.

According to him, these include sports science, training of coaches, discovery and grooming of young athletes and building infrastructure.

Amao, was speaking against the background of Nigeria, with a population of over 150m having to rely on only one athlete to perform at major international events.

“We are only just scratching the surface in Nigeria. There are so many things we are doing wrong and we are thinking of getting good results.

“Sports science is one crucial aspect we are not looking at. This is one of

the major reasons our athletes are not doing well physically and psychologically. Take a look at the performance of Blessing Okagbare, we may ask why she is doing well at smaller meets and then at the big occasions, she fails to show up when it matters.

“Physically, she is more endowed than the Jamaican runner, Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce. But the difference is that the Jamaican lady has a very good start and mentally she is tough. These are the things lacking in Okagbare. If we had our sports scientists working, she and indeed other growing athletes will do well.

“We have high performance centres, but they are not functioning the way they ought to be. Go to South African and see what they are doing there,” Amao stated.

with their noses in front after they chalked up four points from two matches and won the honesty test that threatened to smear the NUJ Games.

The match against Business Plus provided a test case for the NUJ Games, but officials rose with one voice to condemn evil and follow the right way. Adhering to the rules of the Game, Vanguard produced players with identity cards while their opponents came with questionable players who could not mention the names of their employers. The hired professionals displayed stark ignorance, not even knowing the name of their Editor. It was a drama that Nollywood star Mr Ibu would have benefited from. And the Technical Committee of the Games did not waste time in hauling them out of the Games and awarding three goals and three points to the spotless Kirikiri Warriors.

The victory brought back memories of what Sophocles said; ‘’I would prefer even to fail

with honour than win by cheating’’. ‘’It’s not a do or die affair. We’re in the Games to enjoy ourselves and to play to the rules. We’re happy that truth prevailed against cheats’’, coach Prince Osuagwu, Vanguard’s Head Hitech desk said.

Chapel Chairman, Innocent Anaba commended the uprightness of the Technical Committee of the NUJ. Overwhelmed by the victory and steadfastness of the team, Weekend Vanguard Editor Onochie Anibeze, News Editor Kayode Mathew, Political Editor Emma Aziken, Crime Editor Emma Nnadozie, and Political correspondent Charles Kumolu rewarded the team handsomely but begged that their donations be not announced for fear of EFCC and kidnappers.

The Vanguard Kirikiri Warriors will be on the march again today against The Source magazine. Venue is Legacy pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Journalists Continues from BP Committee just can’t get it right.

Majority of the journalists covering the Games are doing so, without accreditation.

And in gaining access to the event centres, they are made to pay the normal gate fees, being charged by the local organizing committee COJA. As if that is not enough, the media centres are non functional, the only thing going on, is the WIFI network at the main office of COJA. “It has been a nightmare covering this event. Nothing seems to be working and the ANOCA officials are pretending as if everything is ok,” roared a Kenyan journalist here.

“And can you imagine?

They told us that we have to wait till next week Friday, when the Games will close before we can get our tags.

They probably want us to

go home with it as souvenir.”

A group of Nigerian journalists led by President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Seidu Abubakar and chairman of the Lagos State chapter, Fred Edore were prevented from entering a hall where the volleyball contest was taking place.

“We haven’t got our accreditations, and we cannot just move anywhere. We can get into the buses going to Kintele, the main venue and transport fare down there is exorbitant,” lamented Yinka Adebayor.

A Congolese official in charge of accreditation stated that the process was reversed by the individual that was awarded the contract.

“We have to jettison the online registration and make do with what we have. Now we have run out of cards.”

46 —Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

Shun Africa Games, forget Rio Olympics •Yakmut tells Okagbare, others •Okagbare may run in Congo •Amata to get $5000 for shunning Diamond League •Nigeria will abandon drugs cheats

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

T

HE Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Al Hassan Yakmut has opened a window of opportunity to embattled Beijing Olympics bronze medalist, Blessing Okagbare to compete at the ongoing All Africa Games, with a stern warning that failure to run in Brazzaville will end her dream of racing for Nigeria at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Speaking to the final batch of athletes and wrestlers set to depart for Brazzaville today, Yakmut, a former national volleyball player, clarified that the NSC has not banned the 100m track queen from the Games but was not going to hesitate from wielding the big hammer on any erring athlete, who took the nation for granted.

“Let me use this forum to clarify that the NSC has not banned Okagbare from the Rio Olympics.

She remains our athlete but if she does not show up at the All Africa Games in Congo, she should forget about the 2016 Olympics. The same rule applies to other Nigerian athletes who take this country for granted. It is the directive of the federal government that any athlete who fails to represent the country in international competitions without cogent reasons, should forget about the Olympics.

“It is very wrong for athletes to make u-turn very

close to the Games and we would not tolerate such an act of indiscipline”, Yakmut added.

And we gathered last night that Okagbare may yet reconsider her decision to drop out of the All Africa Games.

A usually reliably source who spoke to the Commonwealth Games double gold medalist said that “she seems inclined to running for Nigeria and we hope that she comes to Brazzaville”.

And for shunning the last Diamond League, Yakmut has promised to reimburse Doreen Amata with the the $5000 appearance fee which she

missed at the athletics meeting.

Yakmut also said that the era of giving foreign training grants to elite athletes are over, noting that all athletes would be treated equally henceforth by the NSC. “It is until you make it into the team that we will start giving training grants. The era of different pay for different athletes, which to me is highly discriminatory is over””, said Yakmut, who warned the athletes not to enhance their performance with drugs, warning that “Nigeria will abandon any athlete who uses drugs in Congo””.

Oshonaike: We’ll clear all table tennis gold

N

•Amata — ready to go.

Nigeria miss out of swimming medals

BY BEN EFE, Brazzaville, Congo

E

GYPT and South Africa dominated the swimming events yesterday, leaving nothing for Nigeria at the ongoing All African Games in Congo Brazzaville .

Nigerian swimmers were obviously not prepared for the Games.

They were initially ruled out, only for the National Sports Commission to reinstate them after President Mohammadu Buhari had tasked the NSC to ensure Nigeria compete for the swimming medals alongside the continent’s heavyweights.

In yesterday ’s concluding events Le Clos Chad of South Africa came first in men’s 50m

•Nigerian swimmers

Declare national fitness day – ABBFN tells Buhari

BY JACOB AJOM

T

HE Amateur Body Building and Fitness Federation of Nigeria has called on President Mohammadu Buhari to select a day in the month of May every year and declare it a national fitness day.

In an open letter to President Buhari, signed by the President of the federation, Soye Elekima the federation observed

C M Y K

that although there was remarkable advancement in modern medicine, it was sad to note that there was a corresponding increase in deaths resulting from preventable, noncommunicable diseases.

“The health situation in Nigeria is frightening as there is a sharp rise in preventable deaths caused by diseases such as heart diseases, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases,” the letter

reads, pointing that unless there was a deliberate policy-driven plan to change people’s habits towards healthy living, the scourge will continue.

“While some people have come to appreciate the fact that physical fitness training actually goes a long way in solving such problems and accord people more fulfilling life. Fitness training helps to improve and protect the heart, bones,

skeletal frame, immune system and balance blood and sugar levels.”

The federation therefore urged President Buhari to “Proclaim/adopt a National Fitness Day in the month of May every year which observance is already customary in countries such as the United States of America, United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, among others.”

butterfly with a time of 0.64 , bringing the final record to 23.51 to beat Eissa Omar of Egypt to second position with a time of 0.67 to a final record of 24.18.

In the 50 metres B r e a s t s t r o k e women,Tatjana of South Africa returned a time of 0.70 to a final record of 32.49 to beat Atif Mali of Egypt to second position.

South Africa and Egypt again won the Gold and Silver in the 200 metres Backstroke men, 100 metres Freeystyle men, 4x100 metres Freeystyle women and 4x200 metres Freeystyle men .

Zimbabwe Coventry Leigt Kirsty won the Gold medal in the 100 metres Backstroke women with a time of 0.64 to a final record of 29.69 to beat Prinsloo Karin of South Africa to second position .

“We were told that our swimmers will not participate in the Games; this was after we camped them. However, we had only two on standby, but the when the NSC told us another thing, we had to bring in another two. The whole thing was very confusing to the swimmers,” said a top member of the swimming federation.

IGERIA will battle Tunisia, Sudan, Botswana and Namibia in group two of men and women team events of table tennis at the ongoing All Africa Games in Congo.

The women team will also battle Tunisia, Mauritius and Botswana for a place in the second round of the tournament.

Defending champion Egypt is in group one while host Congo Brazzaville and Algeria are in group three and four respectively.

Matches will commence today with the male team taking on Namibia while the female will open their campaign against Botswana.

Speaking on the event, team captain w stated their intention was to win all the gold medals available. “Our aim here is to dominate the events and we are on course.”

•Oshonaike

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 — 47

Serena Williams the greatest female player of all time, says Venus

V

ENUS Williams be lieves her sister Serena is the best female player of all time, with or without the calendar grand slam.

Serena beat Venus 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 to reach the US Open semi-finals and now stands two victories away from becoming the first player to hold all four major titles in a year since Steffi Graf in 1988.

It was the 27th all-Williams clash but, despite a mid-match lull where Venus staged a fightback, Serena proved why she has been the dominant

force in recent years with a ruthless display.

The world No1 managed 12 aces, 35 winners and three breaks of serve under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium and, on this form, it seems inconceivable she will not be writing her name into the history books after Saturday’s final.

“I think that would be huge, not just for me, but for my family, just for what it represents and how hard we have worked and where we come from,” Venus said.

“So it would be a moment

for our family. But at the same time, if it doesn’t happen it’s not going to make or break you. We don’t have anything to prove.

She has nothing to prove.

She’s really the best ever, so what are you going to do? Just try to make it. If you don’t, then that’s that and go to the next one.”

Serena would be only the fourth female player to achieve the calendar grand slam and success at Flushing Meadows would also see her tie with Graf’s Open era record of 22 major titles.

•Serena

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

Shun Africa Games, forget Rio Olympics •Yakmut tells Okagbare, others •Okagbare may run in Congo •Amata to get $5000 for shunning Diamond League •Nigeria will abandon drugs cheats

AAG: Dream Team restore Nigeria’s pride •Whip Ghana 2-0 STORIES BY BEN EFE,Brazzaville, Congo

F

OUR days after the Super Eagles poor showing in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania in Dar es Salaam, the national U-23 team, handled by Samson Siasia, yesterday in Congo restored Nigeria’s pride The Dream Team VI quest to dominate the All Africa Games soccer event remains on course as the coach Samson Siasia led squad beat traditional rivals Ghana 2-0 in yesterday’s group B match at the Kintele Stadium.

Junior Ajayi and Kingsley Sokari scored Continues on Page 45

•Siasia

Our sports need total overhaul — Akin Amao

O

NE of Nigeria’s foremost sports medicine practitioners, Dr. Akin Amao has called for a total overhaul of Nigerian sports industry, if the country were to rediscover its sports process.

He argued that it will be an exercise in futility, if Continues on Page 45

Journalists, guests groan over chaotic Games

I

T is a week into the All Africa Games, yet the organizers COJA and the franchise owner of the event, the Association of Africa National Olympic Continues on Page 45

Med-view/NUJ Games: Kirikiri Warriors win again

D

EFENDING Champions of the Med-View/ NUJ Media Games, Vanguard’s Kirikiri Warriors held their heads high yesterday and walked Continues on Page 45

•Okagbare

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

DOWN ACROSS 1 Calf (6) 4 Tally (5) 2 Rivulet (6) 7 Snare (6) 3 Knock (3) 9 Sorrowful (3) 4 Masculine (4) 10 Through (3) 5 Grown-up (5) 12 Clear (5) 6 Hairstyle (8) 13 Insect (4) 8 Fairy (4) 15 Repulse (5) 11 Respect (9) 17 Come (6 14 Region (4) 19 Argument (4) 16 Fuel (4) 20 Womaniser (5) 18 Part (4) 22 Consume (3) 21 Disused (8) 24 Warned (7) 23 Rip (4) 27 Sheep (3) 25 Pitcher (4) 28 Pointed (5) 31 Unaccompanied (4) 26 Food (4) 29 Ungenerously (6) 33 Meal-course (6) 30 Cheat (6) 35 Roost (5) 32 Entertainment (5) 37 Lofty (4) 34 Melt (4) 38 Stitched (5) 36 Paradise (4) 39 Spike (3) 40 Managed (3) 41 Material (3) 42 Moaned (6) 43 Started (5)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Fair 4, Cad 6, Tart 9, Ape 10, Distance 11, Stab 14, Dim 16, Berth 19, Demeaned 21, Beret 23, Disabled 24, Dwell 27, Ten 31, Jolt 33, External 34, Tie 35, Deer 36, Pad 37, Deem.

DOWN: 2, Avid 3, Rite 4, Confined 5, Deep 6, Taste 7, Apt 8, React 12, Edged 13, Amaze 14, Dab 15, Merit 17, Reply 18, Handy 20, Deserted 22, Tan 25, Wrote 26, Later 28, Help 29, Prod 30, Safe 32, Lie.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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C M Y K