Another bloodbath in Yobe

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62272

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

Another bloodbath in Yobe •Suicide bomber kills 47 students, injures 79 in Potiskum school •Students, teachers, medics relay gory tales of incident •Israel, America join military to flush out Boko Haram from Mubi •Jonathan should explain continuous killings during emergency rule — Gov

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By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North, Kingsley Omonobi & Johnbosco Agbakwuru BUJA—RUNNING away from the school assembly ground with his white uniform Continues on page 14

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Kidnappers of Diezani’s sister arrested

Lagos traders petition Mark, allege intimidation by Police boss

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State Police Command has arrested a notorious kidnapper in the state, who was allegedly behind the recent abduction of the sister of Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Allison-Madueke.

According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Muhammad,“the Rivers State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public of Benjamin Bob Manuel's arrest.

“He was arrested around Nembe water front on November 9.

“He is the leader of the gang that abducted Osiya Agama, the sister to Diezani Allison-Madueke, in October.

“His accomplice, Whokows Ekine was also picked today. They all confessed to the abduction of Osiya Agama.”

Ifaki youths protest 10-month power outage

By Gbenga Ariyibi

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DO EKITI— YOUTHS in IfakiEkiti in Ido-Osi Local Government area of Ekiti State, yesterday, took to the streets in protest over 10 months of power outage caused by outright disconnection of their electricity from the national grid by Benin Electricity Distribution Company.

The protesters marched through the major streets of the town as early as 7a.m., bearing placards with various inscriptions.

The protest led to the disruption of social and economic activities in the town, as commercial vehicles plying the town to Abuja and those going to Ibadan and Lagos were forced to park on the side of the road throughout the duration of the protest.

The Public Relations Officer of the company, Mr. Kayode Brown, said the town had to be abandoned because it owed the company N57 million accumulated electricity bill.

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By Esther Onyegbuna

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AGOS—AGGRIEVED traders at Aguiyi Ironsi International Trade Centre, Ladipo, Lagos, have sent an SOS to the Senate President, David Mark, to check the excesses of the police inside the market, alleging that a serving female commissioner of police was using her influence to deprive them of their only means of livelihood.

The traders, who spoke through their solicitors Ugochukwu Ezekiel, in a petition to the Senate President, complained about unlawful use of the police for personal advantage, abuse of office by the serving police commissioner, intimidation and extortion of traders.

Alleging that the police boss had been frustrating their efforts to seek justice from the Senate, the traders stated that all efforts made by the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, that was directed to look into their complaints, had been thwarted unjustly by the inability of police authorities to send a representative to the committee after they were summoned.

They alleged: “They have been invited several times but they refused to put up appearance and even the chairman of the committee had cause to warn them, but they are yet to go.

“It is obvious that they are playing for the time of the Senate to elapse.”

Tracing the genesis of their problem, the traders said a long standing civil dispute between them and the female police boss and her son over the ownership of the market culminated in series of arrests and long incarceration of their President, Jonathan Okoli,

and many others after they received about 150 police invitations from various police stations in Lagos on trumpedup and spurious allegations.

They said: “Presently, traders are on daily basis hauled to various police stations in Lagos upon refusal to pay the illegal levies and taken to court on spurious charges.

“Some of them have been in prison for more than one year without trial and all moves to effect their release were thwarted.

“The police we know is an organisation of seasoned professionals committed to the welfare and security of citizens.

“We are, therefore, surprised that the force could be involved in such wicked conspiracy against poor traders in Lagos State.”

They further alleged that after they attended the sitting of the Senate committee recently in Abuja, all their members present at the sitting were later attacked and brutalized by some hoodlums in the full glare of policemen

inside the market for attending the session.

After the assault, according to the traders, they were also forcibly chased and evicted from the market and warned sternly never to return there again or they would face the consequences.

They called on all relevant agencies of government to prevail on police authorities to allow justice to prevail in the market, stating that they had been losing billions of naira and living in fear as a result of the crisis in the market.

Traffic caused by a broken down fuel tanker on Abuja-Kaduna highway at Zuba, yesterday.

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N5 billion recovered, 40 arrested over oil subsidy fraud— EFCC

By Austin Ogwuda

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NUGU—EXECUTIVE Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, yesterday, in Enugu, said the commission had cracked oil subsidy fraud in which over N5 billion had been recovered and more than 40 suspects arrested.

Lamorde, who disclosed this at a workshop on effective reporting of financial crimes organized by the commission for journalists in South-East

zone, also said a couple had been arrested in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for allegedly defrauding a new generation bank of N855 million.

Represented by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs Department, Mr. Osita Nwajah, the EFCC chairman said: “Cases abound in our offices across the six zones of the country.

“In the oil subsidy fraud being investigated by the commission, over N5 billion has been recovered, while more than 40 suspects are being prosecuted

in court.

“In the pension fraud matter, the commission has secured one conviction and recovered property valued at over a billion naira.

“We need to pay attention to these cases. It is not only when a former governor is arrested that the media would be interested.

“As I speak, the commission is investigating a case of fraud in a new generation bank in Port Harcourt where a customer, working with his wife who is a staff of a new generation bank, defrauded the bank of N855 million.

“The suspect, one Ochenna

Ogbonnaya Dike cashed in on system glitches to perpetuate the scam over a period of five months by transferring funds from the bank into accounts in the new generation bank.

“Other accomplices in the scam,” he went on, “are currently on the run. But EFCC will get them as we are determined to check all incidences of fraud in the banking sector.

“I urge you (media) to take greater interest in cases that are either being investigated or prosecuted by the commission.

“Where media interest in corruption cases fizzles out after arraignment is unhealthy.”

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Renowned televangelist, Myles Munroe, wife, daughter die in plane crash

By Sam Eyoboka, with Agency reports

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HE world woke up yesterday to hear the shocking news of the death of world-renowned televangelist, Dr. Myles Munroe, his wife, Ruth and their daughter, Charisa in a plane crash close to his hometown.

The Munroes and six others died as their plane flew low and was mangled in a crane in Grand Bahama Ship Yard, Bahamas.

Born on April 20, 1954 in Nassau, Bahamas, Dr. Munroe until his tragic death on Sunday, was the president and founder of the Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BFMI) and Myles Munroe International (MMI), a Christian growth and resource centre.

He was chief executive officer and chairman of the board of the International Third World Leaders Association and president of the International Leadership Training Institute.

Dr. Munroe, a renowned motivational speaker had authored 69 books.

Myles Munroe was born in Nassau, Bahamas in 1954 and had been a lifetime resident of the Bahamas.

His wife, Ruth was copastor at BFMI. He had a son Chairo and daughter, Charisa and said his family is his greatest responsibility and his marriage, his most sacred trust.

Dr. Munroe travelled throughout the world as a speaker, addressing government leaders, businesses, schools/ universities and church congregations.

He once said, “My vision, is wrapped up in one statement: I exist to transform followers into leaders. My philosophy is trapped in every follower is a leader. My belief is, if that person is placed in the right environment, the leader will manifest himself or herself.”

Myles Munroe was the author or co-author of over 100 books, study guides, and audio tapes currently in print, and he is a contributing writer for various Bible editions, journals, magazines, and newsletters, such as The Believer’s Topical Bible.

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Jega, commissioners in crucial meeting over polling units today

By Jide Ajani

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HAIRMAN of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, is set to meet with national commissioners of INEC today, with a view to taking a decision on the controversial lopsided allocation of 30,000 Polling Units, PUs. The meeting is taking place on a day the case instituted over the matter by the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN is scheduled to commence.

The meeting is also coming at a time when INEC’s last phase of the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, has run into a hitch in states, forcing the postponement of

the exercise in others.

The hitches have also led to finger-pointing and allegations of bias on the part of the Commission.

Earlier, in an attempt to defy the court, INEC had issued a memo titled “Reconfiguration of polling units structure and the creation of new polling units” which was signed by one Musa Adamu, directing Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs, to commence the implementation.

The memo stated in part: “I have been directed to request you to submit your report on the reconfiguration of polling units structure and creation of polling units to the Commission on or before Thursday, 30th October, 2014.”

The allocation of the 30,000 had seen the North get 21,615 and the South, 8,412.

Fasheun in the suit has asked the court to as a matter of urgency put a stop to the plan, declaring that the purported creation of additional 30,000 Polling units in Nigeria by INEC was not only ultra vires, unconstitutional, mala fide, null, but void and has no effect whatsoever. He argued that the allocation of what he termed, a mere 8,412 polling units out of 30,000 additional polling units, was discriminatory against the states in Southern Nigeria and has put the voters in that part of the country at a disadvantage.

The 30,000 additional polling units were distributed as follows: North West-7,906; North East- 5,

291; North Central-6,318; South East-1, 167; South West- 4, 160 and Souht-South-3,087.

In the suit filed on its behalf by a consortium of lawyers headed

by Mrs. Nella Andem-Rabana [SAN], the plaintiff is asking the court for an order of perpetual injunction against INEC, its Chairman, Commissioners, officers, agents, privies from further creating any additional 30,000 polling units before the 2015.

The prayers before the court, among others, were that “unless restrained by an order of the court, the defendant will use the 30,000 additional polling units to provide additional voting facilities in the Northern part of the Nigeria during the 2015 general elections which would create opportunity for massive manipulation of the figures emanating from such polling units to the disadvantage and discrimination of the Southern part of Nigeria.

NLC laments Nigeria’s vulnerability to Boko Haram

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

AWARD: From left, GM, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho; Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries, Walter Drenth; Africa Marketing Director, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (GSK), Lampe Omoyele; Marketing Professional of the Year, Kachi Onubogu and MWA Industry Personality of the Year, MWA Lifetime Achievement Awardee, General Manager Business Development (MTN sales and distribution) President of ADVAN; Advertisers Association Of Nigeria, Mr Kola Oyeyemi, at the recently-held 4th Marketing World Awards 2014 at Oriental Hotel Lekki, Lagos.

POWER: 11bn cubic feet of gas required for IPPs, says Minister GW for which about 11 Bcf/d of gas will be required,” he said.

HE Minister of Power, The minister explained that if Professor Chinedu Nebo, the gap was to be filled by IPPs yesterday said that Nigeria’s of the size of Gbarain or Omoku, independent power plants, Nigeria would be looking at NIPPs require about 11 billion over 170 of them, each requiring cubic feet of gas daily to operate. some 60 MMscf.

Addressing participants at the According to the minister, the annual conference of the reason for the focus on gas is Nigerian Association of that as significant as the other Petroleum Explorationists sources of fuel are, gas will NAPE, Nebo said that presently, remain the main source of fuel Nigeria’s daily power output is for the electricity industry, filling about four gigawatts of which 3.1 about 70 percent of the demand. gigawatts are fuelled by about He said, “Associated gas is 880 million standard cubic feet currently providing some 880 daily.

MMscf/d of gas to fuel the “Today, Nigeria’s daily power generation of some 3,100 MW output is some 4 GW of power of power per day. This is against of which some 3.1 GW is fuelled an available capacity of about by about 880 MMscf/d. The 7,800 MW of thermal power, for opportunity for gas-fuelled IPPs which some 1.9 Bcf/d of gas therefore stands at roughly 39 would be required. This

By Sebastine Obasi

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represents a deficit of about 1 Bcf/d today.”

The minister also said that to address the shortfall in gas supply as well as meet the anticipated demand, calls for different approaches to the exploitation of available gas resources.

“We now need to look more at the exploitation of nonassociated gas. This means that in addition to our traditional sources in the prolific Niger Delta, we need to look farther afield at marginal fields and the inland basins including the Anambra and Bida basins and the Benue Trough.

“In order words, our gas growth needs for power have to be met through dedicated gas developments, targeted at producing gas for power,” the minister added.

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IGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday, said Nigeria was now in full blown war with insurgents and called on the Federal Government and armed forces to as a mark of honour, do everything possible to reclaim occupied territories, and also stamp out insurgency from the country.

NLC in a statement by its General Secretary, Dr Peter OzoEson, said it was alarmed at the rate the nation was losing grounds in the war against the Boko Haram insurgents, lamenting that congress was worried about Nigeria’s vulnerability.

According to the statement “We stand by our security forces in these trying times in their engagement with Boko Haram insurgents. We believe in their capacity and resolve to get done the job of containing the insurgents. We acknowledge that this is not a regular war. We appreciate other challenges of our security forces among which are logistics, numbers, indiscipline, motivation and others. ''We are however worried by the consistent loss of territory by troops that are supposed to be the pride of the nation to a band of insurgents, perhaps not more than a battalion or two, poorly trained and relatively ill-equipped.''

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Jonathan to project key gains at today’s declaration ...TAN, others flood ceremony

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor, Clifford Ndujihe & Kingsley Omonobi

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HE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP is to use today’s expected declaration by President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term to project his delivery on key strategic promises made ahead of the 2011 elections, campaign officials have disclosed.

A document formulated by a strategy team at the national party headquarters has projected that the president would be the candidate to beat if key achievements of the administration are brought into focus.

Meanwhile a host of interest groups including party stakeholders and youth groups have flooded the federal capital for the ceremony. In anticipation of the mass influx into the federal capital, the police has mapped out alternative routes for motorists and other road users.

The achievements of the Jonathan administration expected to be tabled at today’s declaration will comprise key indicators in economic growth, transport, agriculture and energy inside sources have disclosed.

Security which was not a major issue ahead of the 2011 campaign is not expected to be used as a template by the party strategists in the presentation. The administration has been hard pressed in tackling the insurgency fuelled by the Islamist Boko Haram group.

The document read in part: “Apart from being an incumbent who would not have to learn on the job, the President has delivered on set targets and he is stabilizing the polity.

“He has given hope to Nigerians by his performance and his support of democratic structures.

His support base is not regional or ethnic base, he is delivering on the objectives of the party and none of his opponents can claim to have widespread support base close to his own. You do not change a horse in the middle of a race.”

A party source said: “We will be thumping up the president’s achievements in the last four years and we will ask our opponents to dispute them. A lot of documents have been put together to communicate to Nigerians including the one by the One Nigeria Coalition. We are going to be stating clearly what Jonathan has done to lift the country.

“If we take just three areas, Agriculture, Transport and Energy, Nigerians will agree that no one can dispute our achievements. Are you going to say agric is not better under this government? We are importing less food and we are feeding our people. Transportation is also

Fayemi, Obanikoro, others for symposium on 2015 election today

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ANNIVERSARY: From left; Actor Nkem Owoh, Prof. Chiweyite Ejike, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, Governor T.A. Orji of Abia State, Col. Joe Achuzia, Mrs. Maria Okwor, Evang.

Elliot Uko and Com. Samuel Edeson cutting Igbo Youth Movement, 15th anniversary cake in Enugu. better whether it is rail, air or road.

In energy sector, the President is working assiduously to end the era of darkness.

Support groups invade Abuja, JYV unveils new campaign office

Apart from the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), notable groups that are in Abuja and expected at the Eagle Square today for the ceremony include the Jonathan Youth Vanguard (JYV), which will open its new campaign office in Abuja, today and the National Coalition for Jonathan and Sambo Presidency (NACOJSP).

JYV Director General of the group, Mr. Ebis Orubebe, in a statement yesterday, said the office, which has a media centre, conference room and other

facilities and centrally located at Garki Mall will officially be launched on a day President Jonathan will declare his reelection bid.

Orubebe, who said the job of the group “is to mobilise youth and women support for Mr. President’s transformation agenda,” said after unveiling the office, members and supporters drawn from all parts of the country will proceed on a procession to Eagles Square, President Jonathan’s presidential declaration.

Also, the NACOJSP National Secretary, Dr. Benjamin Onoriode Irikefe, said the president’s second term bid will be a coronation.

Irikefe who said the second term bid would be a good omen for Nigeria said: “The truth is that

the 2015 presidential election would be a mere coronation ceremony for President Jonathan.

When you say coronation ceremony, it means the king makers, in this case, Nigerians, have already decided and they are saying this is the man we have chosen. Nigerians are going to vote in February 2015 to ratify the re-election of President Jonathan as Nigerian leader for another four years. Nigerians have decided to return him for another four years. The 2015 election is a self-fulfilling prophecy and in fact, it is going to turn out to be a coronation ceremony for President Jonathan.’’

Meanwhile, the Police in Abuja have said there will be diversion of traffic around the Abuja Metropolis which it was gathered was for security purposes.

12-week long symposium that will address issues surrounding the 2015 election in Nigeria will begin today at the Alvan Ikoku Hall of the Dream centre, 8, Gbagada expressway, Anthony, Lagos.

Expected at the election series as guests are former Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Former Minister of National Planning, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi; former PDP National Chairman, Chief Audu Ogbeh; Chairman, Civil Society Network Against Corruption, Mr. Lanre Suraj; former Minister of Defence, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro amongst others.

Fayemi will speak on the theme; “2015 Election: What has faith got to do with it?” while Chief Gbadamosi and GLEEHD Foundation’s trustee will chair the opening of the series.

The symposium organised by GLEEHD Foundation is expected to explore how religion is playing a role in the forthcoming election, especially in terms of choice of aspirants and party flag bearers.

BOKO HARAM: Nigerian envoy berates US over ‘no weapon deal’

By Jonah Nwokpoku

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IGERIA’S ambassador to the United States of America, Prof. Ade Adefuye has chided the United States of America for refusing to sell weapons to Nigeria to effectively contain the Islamic insurgency in Northern Nigeria.

He said the war against the insurgency would have been won long ago, had the US agreed to sell weapons to Nigerian government.

Adefuye who stated this while delivering an address at a meeting with U.S. Council on Foreign Relations yesterday, said America’s response to Nigeria’s request has been so far surprising, as it is disappointing given the cordial diplomatic relations that the two countries have enjoyed.

“The Nigerian leadership: Military and Political, and even the general populace, are not satisfied with the scope, nature and content of the United States’ support for us in our struggle against terrorists. We find it difficult to understand how and why in spite of the U.S. presence in Nigeria with their sophisticated military technology, Boko Haram should be expanding and becoming more deadly,” Adefuye told the gathering in Washington.

He explained that at first, Nigeria had problems with the manner in which intelligence was being shared and that the U.S. Government claimed that the problem has been addressed, but it is still there.

He said: “The U.S. Government has up till today refused to grant Nigeria’s

request to purchase lethal equipment that would have brought down the terrorists within a short time on the basis of the allegations that Nigeria’s defence forces have been violating human rights of Boko Haram suspects when captured or arrested. ''This is based largely on reports submitted by human rights groups and sections of the Nigerian media that have sympathy for the opposition parties and are prepared to use whatever means possible to embarrass the government of President Goodluck Jonathan. ''The Americans claim that lethal law forbids the sale of lethal equipment to governments that violate human rights.”

Speaking further, Adefuye said: “We implore the Council on Foreign Affairs to put pressure on the State Department and the

Department of Defence to reexamine the basis of their refusal to sell the equipment to Nigeria.

Our people are not very happy with the content of America’s support in the struggle against Boko Harm. The terrorists threaten our corporate existence and territorial integrity. There is no use giving us the type of support that enables us to deliver light jabs to the terrorists when what we need to give them is the killer punch. A friend in need is a friend indeed. The true test of friendship is in the times of adversity.”

According to him, the United States has nothing to lose if Nigeria is a secure nation, adding that Nigeria has played prominent role in ensuring sustenance of democracy in Africa and ensuring stability which America will benefit immensely from.

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Paucity of funds forces aspirant to quit Lagos gov race Gbenga Oke AGOS—THE sole governorship aspirant of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Lagos State, Mr Ayo Akintayo last Thursday announced his withdrawal from the contest, due to financial constraints.

Akintayo, who is also the Lagos State Chairman of Justice Party, had earlier decided to run for the election on the platform of the ADC. Akintayo said in Lagos that he could not raise the funds needed to run for the governorship election in 2015.

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....As Ope joins gov race

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AGOS—FORMER member of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Olanrewaju Ope, has declared his intention to run for 2015 governorship election in Lagos on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC. Ope during the declaration said despite the good works of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, the job is not done yet.

Yaba Lions Club pledges support for the blind, less privileged IkennaAsomba AGOS—THE President, Yaba Lions Club, YLC, Lion Ladi Awotinde, yesterday, affirmed the club’s continuous commitment to ensuring that people with sight challenges in Nigeria and all over the world, get their sights restored through its “Give your sight campaign.”

Also at the occasion, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, Editorin-Chief/General Manager (Publications), Vanguard Newspapers; Mr. Femi Adesina, President, Nigerian Guild of Editors and M/Editor-in-Chief, The Sun Newspapers and Mr. Ajibola Ogundipe, were recognized as friends and supporters of the club.

Speaking yesterday, in Lagos, at his investiture as the President for the 2014-2015 Lions year and the installation of Club Officers, Awotinde, stated that the Sight First campaign is a major significant programme of the Lions Club International.

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By Olasunkanmi Akoni, Dapo Akinrefon, Monsur Olowoopejo, Bartholomew Madukwe & Ebele Okafor

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AGOS—MEMBERS of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and many Lagos residents, yesterday, protested shoddy distribution of the Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. In their thousands, the protesters stormed the Birrel Avenue, Yaba, office of the commission and later the Alausa, Ikeja, office of Governor Babatunde Fashola, to register their complaints. They got to INEC’s office at about 9 am and Fashola’s office around 1pm. They displayed various placards with indicting inscriptions against INEC. Some of the placards read: “The electoral body is hoarding the PVCs to disenfranchise residents in 2015 elections!” “We Lagosians detest rigging, give us our PVCs!” “Lagosians reaffirm one man, one woman, one vote, give us our PVCs, period!”

“Jega, be warned, don’t act FG's script in Lagos’!” “We beg una to give us our cards!” “The totality of Agege Youth, women and men are demanding an extension for PVC collection!” “INEC, Agege demands more time for our PVC collection!” “Enough of your show of shame INEC, we need our PVC!” They sang several solidarity and anti-INEC songs, vowing that they would never allow election to be rigged in the state.

The protesters, under the aegis of Activists for Good Governance, AGG, The Nucleus Group, TNG, consisted of party members from the 20 local councils and 37 local council development areas.

At the INEC office, there was tight security as scores of armed policemen ensured that the protest did not degenerate into violence.

Speaking on behalf of the AGG, Comrade Declan Ihekaire said Nigerians were afraid that INEC is planning to rig next year’s elections, especially in states controlled by the APC, which informed the hoarding of the PVCs. “2015 is here already and any attempt to disenfranchise Nigerians will mark the beginning of action. What we see is that INEC is short of staff and you are already being nicknamed as trying to rig the election next year,” he told the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Lagos State, Dr

PROTEST: Members of the Nucleus Group, TNG, during a protest over alleged poor distribution of Permanent Voters' Cards, PVC, by INEC at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

APC, others protest in Lagos zFashola appeals for calm VOTERS' CARDS:

zAs INEC extends exercise in Mushin, others Adekunle Ademola.

“INEC must ensure the PVCs get to the people and they should not attempt to rig the election. Those in power know that there will be protest votes in 2015 and that is why they are trying to rig the election,” he added.

Spokesperson of TNG, Comrade Olusola Odubiro called on INEC to extend the exercise by two weeks so that all Lagosians would get their PVCs. Responding, Dr. Ogunmola admitted that the body had been encountering problems in the distribution of PVCs in Lagos but assured that at the end of the exercise, every Lagosian duly registered will get his or her PVC. "Our intention is to ensure all registered voters in Lagos State get their PVCs before the 2015 elections. There have been hiccups; we are only distributing materials given to us,” he admitted.

Extends exercise till tomorrow in Mushin, others

Ogunmola said: “Due to the problem encountered on Friday, we added Monday.

Beyond that, there are some local governments that would be addressed on case-bycase basis like Mushin Local Government. We received some PVCs yesterday (Sunday) and we have deployed our officers to the local governments. We will extend the exercise till Tuesday (today) for that local government.

“In Mushin, yesterday, we distributed PVCs to 529 polling units. By the time we complete the 11 Local Governments, all will be

captured. We are also doing continuous voters registration to capture everybody,” he said.

Data for some polling units no longer exist

Ogunmola continued: “The reason why you cannot find INEC officials at some polling units was that the data for those units no longer exist. We will be taking our machines to those polling units to re-register the residents, and two machines have been allocated for those units.”

'Unclaimed PVCs will be transfer red to council INEC offices' After the exercise , he said, “ residents are expected to visit the councils to collect their PVCs. The beauty of the arrangement is we will be following the process up with the Continuous Voter Registration. For those who didn’t see their name on the list, they should re-register when the voters registration starts.”

Voting in 2015 election

For next year ’s election, Ogunmola said: “Anyone whose fingerprints does not correspond with what is on his PVC will not be counted.

What we are doing is because of the political class. We want to ensure that we block all loopholes, and that was why it has taken the commission this long to provide the cards.”

Why we couldn’t retain 6.2 million register for Lagos “If we retain the number we captured in 2011, residents

will get to their polling units and will not be able to find their names. It amounts to disenfranchising them. That was why we have decided to inform them earlier. When we started the registration in 2010, there were some hiccups and some of them didn’t revisit the polling units for ratification when we announced that they should go revisit the polling units.”

Fashola appeals to protesters

Responding, Governor Babatunde Fashola who led the members of the State Executive Council to address the protesting residents, expressed disappointment with INEC’s handling of the PVC distribution exercise.

While also calling for extension of the exercise in view of the population of Lagos State, he said: “If our sizes are different why don’t we have different cloths?

When they spend certain days in states that are not as populated as Lagos, why should they spend same days with Lagos which is more populated?”

“Why should INEC keep deceiving us? What if INEC is the one running our banks?

What if INEC is the one producing Coca-cola and Guinness and other popular consumables,? We wouldn’t have had them in the market again What is difficult in the distribution of the PVCs?” He wondered why it is becoming increasingly difficult for the nation’s electoral umpire to do the necessary things by ensuring all Nigerians are not disenfranchised.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 —11

LAGOS GOV RACE: Tinubu lists ground

rules for aspirants

By Emmanuel Aziken, &

Olasunkanmi Akloni

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AGOS—ALL Progressives Congress, APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has listed the ground rules for all 13 aspirants for the governorship ticket of the party in Lagos State.

At a meeting with the aspirants alongside major party stakeholders in attendance Sunday night, Tinubu called for fair play from them even as he assured of a level playing ground in the contest to succeed outgoing governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola.

The aspirants present at the meeting included Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Supo Sashore, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Dr. Femi Hamzat among others.

Party stakeholders present at the meeting hosted by Tinubu at his Bourdillion, Ikoyi Lagos residence included former acting national chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, state chairman of the party, Chief Henry Ajomale among others.

Tinubu who presided at the meeting, it was learnt, told the aspirants he was not personally involved with any of the candidates as has been previously reported even as he assured them of a level playing ground.

The meeting with aspirants is

in the wake of what is being promised as a major challenge to Tinubu’s political dominance of the state from within and outside the party. A number of stakeholders have protested the alleged endorsement by major party officials.

The meeting lasted from 8.30 p.m. till about 10.00 pm, a source revealed.

“Asiwaju assured the aspirants that there will be primaries and that it would be open and transparent as he assured the aspirants to apply fair play in their

zAffirms open primaries campaigns,” the source revealed.

The APC leader also got a commitment from the aspirants to ensure that whoever loses does not rock the boat and that they should all back whoever emerges as candidate of the party.

Another source disclosed: “Our leaders advised us to take things easy. They promised to be fair to all of us. He (Tinubu) made it clear that there is no plan for consensus candidate."

“But they asked us to work

ahead of primaries. In fact, they all insisted on primaries and no suggestion of consensus candidate came up. Tinubu implored that whoever loses should take it in the spirit of sportsmanship, with the assurance that all will be given a level playing field.”

Following the Sunday night meeting, Tinubu had another meeting with only the aspirants yesterday during which he was understood to have reiterated the issues canvassed on Sunday night.

ANNIVERSARY: From right: Imam Yunus Akanbi Kehinde, Chief Imam/National Missioner, NUD World-wide, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, National President, NUD, and Professor Ishaq Oloyede, Secretary General, NSCIA, guest lecturer, during the activities marking the 75th anniversary of Nawair-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria in Abeokuta. Photo: Wumi Akinola.

OSUN: Tribunal stops Omisore from tendering

duplicate documents

O

By Gbenga Olarinoye

SOGBO—THE Osun governorship election petition tribunal yesterday refused the application by Senator Iyiola Omisore to tender duplicate copies of electoral documents from the bar.

At the beginning of hearing of his petition against the declaration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola as the winner of August 9, 2014 governorship election, Justice Elizabeth Ikpejime delivered the ruling of the tribunal which insisted that only certified true copies, CTCs, of election documents could be tendered from the bar.

Dr. Alex Izinyon, SAN, leading counsel to Omisore had, at the opening of hearing which was the first of 14 days allocated to the petitioner to make his case, sought to begin tendering of documents rather than calling witnesses for oral testimony before the tribunal.

In furtherance of this, Izinyon who led two other Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Titus Asholu and Nathaniel Oke, told the tribunal that the petitioner was ready to tender certified true copies of Form EC.8A as well as duplicate copies of election results for individual polling units through the bar.

This application, he hinged on the need to save time arguing that

objections to admissibility of duplicate copies could be taken at a later stage of the hearing, adding that there were a plethora of authorities to back his position.

Reminded by the tribunal chairman that parties had agreed at pre-trial session that certified true copies would be tendered through the bar and with consent of parties, Izinyon

insisted that his suggestion was just the difference between six and half of a dozen that made to save time and assist the tribunal in achieving speedy hearing of the petition.

Chief Akin Olujinmi, SAN immediately raised objection to Izinyon’s application wondering why the silk was trying to take a step that was unknown to Nigerian law.

MDCAN disowns NUAHP strike

I

By Ola Ajayi

BADAN—MEDICAL and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, University College Hospital chapter has dissociated itself from the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, NUAHP. This was disclosed by the General Secretary, Victor Makanjuola of the association yesterday in a statement.

Describing the notion that MDCAN was part of the strike as complete falsehood, Makanjuola said, “NUAHP commenced an industrial action on the 16th of October over unresolved issues it has with the Federal Government which has resulted in minimal disruption of services so far in most public health facilities as reported by national dailies”.

IGP urged to reopen murder case against former commissioner

By Evelyn Usman KURE—A group, Ifedoore Good Governance Movement, IGGM, weekend, charged the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, to reopen the case of murder leveled against a former commissioner in Ondo State(names withheld), with a view to bringing him to book as well as to serve as deterrent to other politicians.

In a petition, the group’s chairman and secretary, Segun Adu and Tayo Faleyimu respectively, the group alleged that the former commissioner under late Olusegun Agagu’s administration had hands in the murder of one Major S.O. Fadeyi(rrtd) a native of Ilara Mokin town, 15 years ago.

A

PDP CRISIS: 50 disqualified assemby aspirants protest in Ondo

By Dayo Johnson KURE—NO fewer than 50 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, aspirants to the Ondo State House of Assembly yesterday protested their disqualification from participating in the party’s primaries by a screening committee from the National Secretariat of the Party.

Consequently, the state exco of the party has called on the “National Secretariat to cancel the

A

reports of the two Committees and send fresh people to Ondo State to screen aspirants in the interest of the Party.

The aspirants who accused the screening committee of been compromised have unanimously disowned the report of the exercise.

Under the aegis of PDP House of Assembly forum, the aspirants alleged that they were disqualified on spurious

allegations such as none payment of tax clearance, none provision of NYSC certificates amongst others.

Their secretary, Adegunloye Adewusi said in Akure that after they were screened certificates were not issued immediately but were dumped in an hotel in the state capital two days after with spurious reasons for their disqualification.

In a swift reaction to the

development, the state chapter of the party which had been polarised alleged that both the screening committee and the Appeal Committee were hijacked by members of the new PDP and agents of government.

The statement signed by the Director of Publicity of the party in the state Ayo Fadaka accused the agent of the state government of compromising the committeemembers.

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

Okoko assures A'Ibom on inclusive governance

By Emmanuel Aziken

P

EOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial aspirant in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Benjamin Okoko, has promised to bring justice to the administration of the state, vowing that he will not leave any man or group behind.

Answering questions from newsmen, the gubernatorial hopeful affirmed that he would bring probity and transparency to bear in governance.

He said: “I will not leave anybody behind, because Akwa Ibom needs us now more than ever before.

“The issue of unemployment, creation of wealth in the polity and industrialization will be addressed through the provision of constant power supply during my regime.

“I hope that sacrifice of my stewardship will help the cause of our people and inspire others, who will come after me, to truly see that there is greatness in giving your own and greatness in poverty; that there is greatness in contentment.

“After my tenure, if I leave office with a pair of trousers, when I wear it, I will be a happy man— a very satisfied man.

“I will be a true soldier and die at my post, provided the needs and welfare of the people of Akwa Ibom are met. That is why I have christened my aspiration Uncommon Sacrifice.”

VISIT: Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, Editor-in-Chief/GM, Publications, Vanguard Newspapers (left) and Mr. Victor Ochei, Delta State governorship aspirant, during Ochei's visit to Vanguard in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTOS: Diran Oshe.

From left: Mr. Mideno Bayagbon, Editor, Vanguard Newspapers; Mr. Victor Ochei, and Mr. Gbenga Adefaye.

Our condition worse than Ebola victims— BAYELSA PENSIONERS

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—THE Bayelsa State local government pensioners have decried the hardship and pains that non-payment of their entitlements has exposed them to, saying “they are facing financial starvation that is worse than the dreaded Ebola Disease Virus, EVD.” Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Pensioners, Bayelsa State branch, Prince Renner Hobobo, in a chat with Vanguard, noted with sadness that they had written over 35 letters seeking audience with the state government to no avail.

Hobobo lamented that the backlog of the indebtedness due to local government new pensioners had increased from N285, 668,469.92 by May 1, 2013 to about N830, 010,201.72 by July 31, 2014.

He blamed the arrears on the failure of the state government to contribute to financial allocation to the Local Government Pensions Board, and failure of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development to source the share of Federal Government

contribution to the pension’s board.

One of the letters by the union, dated July 1, addressed to the Secretary to Bayelsa State government corroborated the claim of the chairman.

The union, in the letter, claimed that in spite of Bayelsa State's budgetary provision for 2012, 2013 and 2014 which amounted to N411, 464,962.43,

not a dime had been released to the Local Government Pensions Board, since the commencement of the present administration.

According to him, “similarly the federal share, which ought to have been twice that of the state at 2.5 and 5 percent respectively, would have been N822, 929,924.86.

“From the above calcula-

tions, N1,234,394,887.28 is the supposed provisions from the state and Federal governments for these three years. It is therefore inexplicable why the Local Government Pensions Board is not funded.

“We commend the state government for the infrastructure development, but earnestly appeal that the it should come to our aid.

UPU assures Emerhor of Urhobo bloc votes

By Egufe Yafugborhi & Godwin Oghre

S

APELE—URHOBO Progress Union, UPU, has assured gubernatorial aspirant of All Progressives Congress, APC, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, of the bloc votes of Urhobo nation in the 2015 Delta governorship election.

President-General of UPU, Chief Joe Omene, gave Emerhor the green light when he visited UPU executives at Omene’s Mosogar home to intimate the Urhobo apex leadership umbrella of his determination to run for the 2015 governorship election in the state.

Omene told Emerhor: “Urhobo is unwavering on the spirit of the Ovwiamughe declaration which affirms that Urhobo will mobilize its over one million majority votes in Delta for the alternate party, APC, for both the governorship and the presidential elections, should PDP r e f u s e Urhobo candidacy for the 2015 governorship in Delta.

“Following

our reaffirmation of the Ovwiamughe declaration at the UPU House in Warri a week ago, we have been reached by the Presidency and the governor.

“But as I speak, we still do not understand the language they are speaking. If APC has found our own son worthy to fly its flag, then we are solidly behind you.”

Earlier, Emerhor said he appreciated UPU on its unwavering stance on the 2015 Delta governorship election.

He said “People all over Delta are tired of the PDP, whose administration has been hijacked by a tiny proportion who lords it over the majority even in their own party.

“Now it has degenerated to a point where to determine succession, one man presents his messenger to take over, or they begin to talk of zoning, but they still present their own brother.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014—13

MOSOP advocates pardon for Saro-Wiwa, others

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— MOVEMENT for the Survival of Ogoni People, MOSOP, yesterday, called on the Federal Government to reverse the conviction of Ken Saro-Wiwa and nine others by the military government of late General Sanni Abacha.

President of the body, Mr. Legborsi Pyagbara, who made the call in Port Harcourt, at a programme to mark the 19th anniversary of the death of SaroWiwa and the other nine, said their trial by a military tribunal was designed to achieve an end from the beginning, noting that it violated every known sense of justice.

“On this remembrance day, we are sending a strong note of request to the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration to immediately set in motion the process for clearing the names of the Ogoni Nine. The Presidency has gone to sleep for too long on this issue and now is the time to act.”

Continuing, Pyagbara, who said Ogoni had not resolved its differences with the Federal Government on issues around oil exploration in the area, advised prospective investors to wait until all matters were resolved before coming in.

According to him, “Shell and Ogoni are in dispute and the issues surrounding the disputes have not been settled. It is on record that in 2008, late President Musa Yar’Adua had announced the removal of licence over Ogoni from Shell.

“MOSOP vehemently condemns the present attempt to

divest Ogoni oil blocs without clear and focused discussions with the Ogoni people.

“We are also seizing this opportunity to warn all would-be investors to steer clear of Ogoni until matters around this divestment have been properly discussed with

PEAKER of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal; Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State; Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, are among dignitaries expected at the public presentation of a book in honour of an emeritus Professor of Political Science, John Ayoade, tomorrow.

Other dignitaries also expected at the event scheduled for the conference room of the National Institute of Social and Economic Research, NISER, Ibadan, Oyo State, include Ogun and Osun states governors, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, respectively.

Also expected to grace the book launch are: the Timi of

Needam, lauded the Ogoni for their struggle for fairness and justice, adding that it was time for their effort to be rewarded.

He said: “The chairman, Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Felix Obuah, says the supreme price paid by the Ogoni martyrs for social justice and equity is never in vain and must be rewarded.”

NYSC: From left— Mr. Waheed Olagunju, Executive Director, Small and Medium Scale Enterprise, Bank of Industry, BoI; Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, MD/ CEO; Brig. Gen Johnson Olawumi, DG, National Youth Ser vice Corps, NYSC, and Mrs Mary Dan-Abia, Director, Skills Acquisition and Enterpreneurship Development, NYSC, during a courtesy visit by the DG to BoI in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: Lamidi Bamidele.

Ex-gov Osunbor announces fresh bid for Edo governorship

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—ALMOST six years after he was removed from office as governor by the Appeal Court in Benin, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, yesterday announced his intention to run for the governorship of Edo State in 2016.

Tambuwal, Fashola, Ajimobi for Ayoade’s book launch

S

Ogoni people.”

The MOSOP President drummed up support for an Ogoni governor in the state in 2015, saying all political parties should field their standard bearer from Ogoni, to enjoy vote from the area.

State chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Felix Obua, in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Jerry

Ede, Oba Munirudeen Lawal and the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola.

The book, entitled The Legislature and Governance in Nigeria, and edited by Dr. Emmanuel Olugbade Ojo, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Political Science, University of Ilorin and Dr. Shola Omotola of the Redeemers’ University, Ogun State, is in honour of the emeritus professor, who turns 72 on November 12.

A statement issued in Ibadan by Ojo, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Oyo State on Political Matters, named Mr. Yinka Fabowale, the South-West Regional Editor of The Sun newspapers, as the reviewer of the book.

He spoke when youths across the three senatorial districts of the state, on the aegis of Edo Visionary Network, honoured him with Award of Excellence at his Iruekpen country home.

The youths, led by Mr. Innocent Ebhotemen, said the award was in recognition of Osunbor’s leadership quality both as a senator and former governor and appealed to him to make himself available to run for the governorship election in 2016.

Osunbor, who expressed joy for the award, said he felt elated that the people of the state appreciated his contributions, although the

developmental strides of his administration was cut short.

According to him, “as you said in your address, the journey has not ended; and I should make myself available for service as governor of Edo State.

“Many groups and personalities across Edo State have been making this appeal to me to make myself available for continuity. I have always restrained myself from coming out.

“Because of the honour done to me today, I think it is appropriate for me to tell the people of Edo State that I am willing and ready to come back.”

Why I want to represent Warri South— OKUMAGBA

By Egufe Yafugborhi

W

ARRI—MR. Erutega Okumagba, has said he is in the race for Warri South Constituency II seat in the Delta State House of Assembly primarily to restore inter-ethnic harmony among Urhobo, Ijaw and Iteskiri in Warri.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, assembly hopeful, while highlighting his aspiration mission to Vanguard yesterday in Warri, said he is determined to redress the pains of watching the gradual fall of the Oil City from a metropolis of peaceful

co-existence into a community of ethnic bigotry and political disharmony.

He said: “As a young boy, growing up in Warri was an exciting experience until the bubble burst. My coming into politics is to take Warri to what it was when everyone lived as brothers and sisters.

“If, God willing, I become the legislator representing Warri South Constituency II, I will commit my resources and the leadership capacity gathered in my career over the years into uplifting the wellbeing of the constituents.”

Uduaghan swears in Igrakpata, Ayemidejor, 8 others as commissioners

By Festus Ahon

A

S A B A — GOVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, yesterday, swore in 10 new commissioners and urged them to remain committed to projects and programmes of the state government.

Those sworn in were; Chief Solomon Igrakpata, Mr. Austine Ayemidejor, Mr. Joel Bisina, Pastor Powel Ojogho, Mr. David Anuku, Mr. David Peters Ekerekosu, Dr. Chris Ekiyor, M r. Omolobi Newumi, Mr. Matthew Opuoru and Mr. Benjamin Iwezu.

Speaking during the swearing in, Uduaghan said the injection of new commissioners into the State Executive Council, SEC, was aimed at ensuring the success of his administration as it entered the last lap, challenging them to bring fresh ideas to the running of the government.

Those inaugurated to the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, were: Mr. Elijah Ologe as Chairman, while Mr. Emmanuel Amgbadugba, Mrs May Inijei and Mr Azikiwe Ako are members.

Also yesterday, the Governor swore in Mr. Olumami Oyibo as chairman the State Local Government Service Commission.

Other members of the commission include Mr. Paul Uwechue, Mrs Catherine Ilolo and Mr. Peter Abugewa.

Also yesterday, Governor Uduaghan announced the appointment of the Commissioner for Housing, Chief Paulinus Akpeki as the new Chief of Staff.

He replaces Dr. Festus Okubor, who resigned recently to pursue his political ambitions.

Congratulating the appointees, Uduaghan said: “I urge all those sworn in today to bring the desirable winning attitude and deep insight to their various assignments, as that is the only way to assist government leave a desirable legacy.”

14—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

POCKET CARTOON

many because we are now evacuating the victims to the hospital which is just 100 metres away”.

A medic at the Potiskum General Hospital, where the victims were taken, said scores of students had been admitted. He said: “We are still receiving casualties from the school which is a stone’s throw from here. Our priority now is to save the injured, so we have not started a headcount of the victims.” A resident, Adamu Alkassim, said there was confusion in and around the school.

NMMA—From left: Member, Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Media Explain why our

Merit Awards (NMMA) and former Minister of Information, Prince Tony Momoh; former Managing Director, Lintas Advertising and member ,Board of Trustees of NMMA, Mr. Dele Adetiba; Mrs. Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett; former Director General Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Chairman Nigerian Media Merit Awards Board of Trustees, Engr. Vincent Maduka and Director, Public Affairs and Communications, Clem Ugorji during the 2014 edition of the NMMA held last weekend in Owerri, Imo State.

Another bloodbath in Yobe Continues from page 1 stained with blood and

bits of flesh, a traumatised student of Government Comprehensive Senior Science Secondary School, Potiskum, Yobe State, who survived a suicide bomb attack that claimed the lives of 47 of his colleagues with 79 others injured, yesterday, recounted his experience.

The incident was considered one of the worst attacks on schools.

Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, in his immediate reaction challenged President Goodluck Jonathan to explain why more people in the state were being killed by insurgents under a state of emergency declared by him.

The explosion was said to have ripped through an all-boys school in Potiskum just as students gathered for morning assembly before classes began, causing panic and chaos.

The massacre came a day after the release of a

new Boko Haram video in which the Islamist group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, again rejected Nigerian government claims of a ceasefire and peace talks.

Students at the school were waiting to hear the principal’s daily address when the explosion happened at 7:50 am. Several witnesses described the blast as “thunderous”, leaving the assembly ground littered with abandoned footwear, books, bags and body parts.

Police Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu said: “There was an explosion after a suicide bomber detonated a bomb. We have 47 dead and 79 injured.” He added that Boko Haram was believed to be responsible.

One rescue worker said the wounded had “various degrees of injuries”, while those who survived complained of hearing problems from the deafening blast. The school has more than 1,000 students and caters for boys aged

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Him over whom you have no power has power over you’ Be who you have been created to be.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

“Whatever you do, don’t get stuck on the one thing that ruins your day. Smile and be grateful.

Life is too short to waste on negativity.”

Your attitude can improve your situation, or degrade it. – No matter how bad things are, you can always make things worse. Remember this. You can’t have a positive life with a negative attitude.

When negativity controls your thoughts, it limits your behavior, actions, and opportunities. If you realized how powerful your thoughts were, you would never think another negative thought again.

Other people’s negativity isn’t worth worrying about.

– Truth be told, what others say and do, and the opinions they have, are based entirely on their own self-reflection. Don’t take things too personally.

Anger is poison. Always forgive people and move on, even if they never ask for your forgiveness.

Don’t do it for them – do it for you.

15 to 20. The victims are all believed to be in their teens.

One of the surviving students, Adamu Abdullahi said those at the centre of the blast near the principal’s office were flung in all directions and others were knocked off their feet. Recounting his experience to AFP, he said: “I found myself under the weight of another student, who fell over me. I’m certain he was dead. I was dazed and disorientated for a moment. When I realised what had happened, I managed to push the body on top of me and started running like everyone else. It was confusion all over. Everybody was hysterical. I saw many people on the ground. Human flesh and blood were splattered all over the place. I ran out of the school and went home. When my father saw me he was terrified. I didn’t realise my white school uniform was stained with human blood and bits of flesh.”

The dead and injured were taken to the Potiskum General Hospital, just 100 metres away.

A teacher at the school, a medic and a rescue worker confirmed the blast happened at the Government Comprehensive Senior Science Secondary School in Potiskum, Yobe State.

One of the rescue workers told AFP that 13 bodies had been taken to hospital with more than 30 others left “ with various degrees of injuries”.

One of the teachers who witnessed the explosion but asked not to be identified, said: ”The students had gathered for the morning assembly when something exploded in their midst with a thunderous sound at exactly 7:50 am. The explosion has affected many students but I can’t say how

people are being killed under emergency rule, Gaidam taks Jonathan

Reacting to the attack, Governor Gaidam who demanded explanation from President Jonathan why more people were being killed by insurgents under a state of emergency declared by the President said that the emergency rule had failed to achieve the desired goal.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Press Affairs and Information, Abdullahi Bego, he said: “This is the fifth time in about one year when our schools are being brutally attacked and students killed. Governor Gaidam deeply regrets that all of these dastardly attacks took place under a climate of Emergency Rule declared in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states by President Goodluck Jonathan.

“In theory, the Emergency Rule Declaration was a signal that more vigorous steps would be taken to protect the lives and property of people in the affected states and deploy the full might of the Federal Government to restore peace and security.

“Unfortunately, this has not been fully the case.

Instead of forcing insurgents and criminals to flee; the insurgents are forcing innocent people to flee and making life miserable for everyone."

Israel, America, join Nigeria to flush out Boko Haram from Mubi

In a related development, the Nigerian military, working in concert with foreign military collaborators have commenced a major offensive to retake Mubi, Michika and Madagali towns from Boko Haram terrorists.

Vanguard gathered that the operation to retake the towns which was being prosecuted with Air Force fighter jets and helicopters providing air support to soldiers, was being supported by foreign troops from friendly nations.

The foreign troops in-

clude those from Israel, and America. The troops who are in the battlefront with surveillance aircraft and other equipment were said to have recorded several successes in the operation to regain the seized territories.

Towards this end, Vanguard gathered that troops have pursued Boko Haram terrorists to Marara-Mubi which is the outskirts of Mubi town and that the onslaught was moving towards Michika at press time.

A senior military source told Vanguard that unlike in the past whereby such onslaught witnessed a pause and the terrorists had the opportunity to regroup and carry out reprisal attacks, the present offensive would be continuous until the objectives are attained.

Air Force helicopter crash-lands

Meantime, the Defence Headquarters yesterday issued a statement disclosing the crash landing of a Nigerian Air Force helicopter, noting that no casualty was recorded.

Vanguard gathered that the aircraft crashed as a result of technical problems and that an Israeli and two Nigerian Air Force personnel have returned to base.

The statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, said: “A Nigerian Air Force helicopter with call sign Shark 23 on a training mission executed a controlled forced landing four minutes after take-off at the runway approach end of Yola International Airport today (yesterday) at about 0930hours.

“There is no casualty recorded as all the crew members have been recovered back to the base.

“The Nigerian Air Force Headquarters has already set up an investigation panel to unravel the circumstances that led to the incident.”

Senate President, David Mark, yesterday, condemned the massacre of students of Government Science School, Potiskum, Yobe State and called on the security operates to step up intelligence and surveillance.

Senator Mark who decried the massacre of stu-

dents at the Assembly ground by a suicide bomber, described the attack as barbaric and inhuman, adding, “it is condemnable by any right thinking member of the society.

Attacks on schools since July 2013 blamed on Boko Haram

June 17 2013: Extremists kill nine students as they took an exam in Maiduguri.

July 6 2013: Gunmen attack a secondary school in Mamudo, near Potiskum, killing 42 people, many of whom are students.

September 29 2013: Gunmen open fire on sleeping students in a dormitory in Gujba, in Yobe state, killing 40.

February 25 2014: Suspected Islamists kill 43 in attack on sleeping secondary school students in the town of Buni Yadi in Yobe state.

February 26-27 2014: 25 people killed during an attack against a Christian school in Shuwa, in Adamawa state.

April 14 2014: 276 high school students, all girls, are kidnapped in Chibok, Borno State.

June 23 2014: Eight people die and 12 are wounded when a bomb explodes at a public health school in Kano.

September 17 2014: 13 people die, 34 wounded in a suicide attack at the campus of the federal institute of higher education in Kano.

November 10 2014: A suicide attack kills at least 47 people and wounds some 79 students at a boys school in Potiskum.

Mr & Mrs

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014—15

Ohanaeze fails to endorse Jonathan

By Francis Igagta

E

NUGU — THE apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday, failed to endorse President Goodluck Jonathan for re-election in 2015.

Although the motion for the adoption of President Jonathan was moved at the flour of the meeting, it was shut down by majority of Igbo leaders.

Speaking with newsmen, Senator Chris Ngige, representing Anambra central senatorial zone said,”we have agreed to insulate Ohanaeze from partisan politics. CONGRESS: From left, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Imo State governor; Senator Chris Ngige, Osita Izunaso, All “We will support no presidential candidate. We will be Progresssives Congress, APC, Deputy National Chairman, Chief Emma Enukwu; Anyim Nyerere, and South neutral because Ohanaeze is made up of people from East Deputy Woman Leader, Chief Mrs. Tina Adike, at the South-East APC congress, in Enugu. diverse political parties. People who belong to parties should go to their parties and canvass for Governor said, “I will be Nigeria’s marginalized the people of the

By Francis Igata their own candidates. They can President in 2015." talk to Nigerians from their own South-East.

He made the declaration at a NUGU — IMO State political parties and not from According to him: “Jonathan is Governor, Chief Rochas rally organized by the Enugu State not from the South-East, the Vice Ohanaeze.

“They will be doing so from the Okorocha, yesterday, declared chapter of the APC at the President is not from here, the standpoint of their party and not his intention to run for the 2015 Igbozurume Hall, in Emene, Senate President, the Speaker of from Ohanaeze.

The presidential election on the Enugu State. the House of Representatives, the The governor said Jonathan was Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, the

By Chidi Nkwopara endorsement will not be platform of the All Progressives not an Igbo man and that the PDP- Inspector General of Police, IGP, obtainable. That is our Congress, APC. WERRI — WORLD In an emphatic statement, the led government had consistently and the security chiefs, none of agreement.”

Bank assisted them is from the South-East. Igbo Nigeria Erosion and people have no place in Nigeria.

Watershed Management How can we say that PDP Project, NEWMAP, has belongs to Ndigbo? commenced work at some "Niger Bridge is 419, Enugu/ erosion sites in Imo State, there is no internal democracy in because nobody has said Onitsha and Port-Hacourt as government said it has

By Bashir Adefaka APGA, where a sitting national anything about it yet. Everybody Express way are all evidences of paid its N100 million chairman as a candidate, is is not happy. There is the saying, their hatred for Ndigbo; they counterpart fund.

HE IMMEDIATE past organising, conducting, vox populli vox dei, voice of the don’t remember the poor, all our Speaking, yesterday, leaders in PDP are only Anambra State supervising and declaring the people is the voice of God. during the official launch of interested in their pockets, they Commissioner for Special Duties results of election he, himself is the project at Government “I am speaking and what I am don’t care about our children’s and chieftain of All Progressives contesting, in a party that is so saying here today is the voice of House, Owerri, Governor Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief divided. What this has caused is the majority of the members of the education.

Rochas Okorocha, who was “We are angry and we said we Vincent Ezenwajiaku, has said that, a lot of people have lost faith party at the state level. But nobody represented by the have to come out; in Imo State, the decision of national chairman in the course.

Secretary to State dares speak. But everybody poor people are happy now, they of the party, Chief Victor Umeh, “I am supposed to run for cannot be a ‘yes man’. I am not Government, SSG, to vie for the Anambra Central Aguata Federal Constituency. I that kind of a ‘yes person’. If good study from primary to university Professor Anthony Senatorial position, while still in obtained a bank draft of N2.5 men fail to speak when things are without paying penny; our God Anwuka, noted that Imo office as chairman of the party, is million for the expression of going wrong, the society will party is bigger than their God, if was one of the seven states not only undemocratic, but also intention form on October 28, and never develop. This is an ugly what they are doing to the poor in the South-East and injurious to the image of APGA. on getting to my constituency on precedent. It has never happened people here is good, let them South-South geo-political Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, the 30th to pick the form, I saw in the politics of this country and continue but if it is bad, God will zone of Nigeria hit by Ezenwajiaku, “I do not think this that Victor Umeh also went to buy I have never seen where a uproot them. erosion menace.

In 2015, I will be the president is a good omen because it does a form. Then I had to withdraw national chairman of a party, still Okorocha did not only not portray us well and the image so that I will be able to protest for sitting, is contesting election and of Nigeria, I have gone to appeal to the Federal of the party is important. The things to be put in proper shape. yet, he is conducting the same Kaduna, I have gone to Lagos, I Government for financial am in Enugu today, they are attitude ridicules and puts the The position of the party in the election he is contesting in.” assistance in tackling the already afraid; they are now party to disrepute. It means that state is that Umeh is running erosion menace, but also calling for dialogue. If they are commended it for attracting discussing those contesting for the World Bank that is now presidency on the platform of providing financial and APC, Owelle will be the first, technical support.

Buhari and then Kwakwanso; “We can proudly say that aberration for the presidency, or keeping in touch with their they said it was zoned to the

By Nwabueze Okonkwo knowing the benefits of the senate and PDP to introduce roots that should be asking for North, I told our party, when did land reclamation and the meeting take place? I also met remediation, Imo State NITSHA — such a new method at a time such cheap and undemocratic with my brother Ngige and we Government did not waste STAKEHOLDERS from internal democracy was favour. zoned it to Ndigbo.

Apparently reacting to a any time in paying the Anambra North Senatorial becoming more matured, “APC is an emergency party for Counterpart Fund. This Constituency of Anambra State, interesting and attractive to publication to that effect in some new Nigeria, if PDP is doing project is launched in comprising Onitsha North, both local politicians and the national dailies, entitled: well, I would not have joined “Senate Race: President APC, when God wants to do fulfillment of the processes Onitsha South, Ogbaru. international community.

In a communique read on Jonathan concedes tickets to 40 something, he does it from for the full roll-off of the Anambra East, Anambra West, project,” Okorocha Oyi and Ayamelum local their behalf by Chief Frank senators,” the stakeholders anywhere, it doesn’t matter whether Nwobodo, Ken, Nwodo, explained. governments areas, yesterday, Oramulu, a one-time Anambra declared: “It is a terrible Ekweremadu are with us or not.

The governor expressed opposed the plan by the State Chairman of PDP, at aberration. To allow such "I heard that some of them are hope that NEWMAP will Presidency, the Senate and the Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government representatives to go back boasting of money, but tell them positively impact not just in Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Area of the state, after the without the support of their that Rochas has come; any day those areas where erosion to give automatic tickets to 40 emergency meeting, the people smacks of anything you hear that PDP brought money has done severe havoc to with pick-up, tell me so that I will incumbent senators to contest stakeholders said it was only decent and civilized. non-progressive representatives "We think that we have passed bring money with trailer. All these our land, but will also the general elections. enhance the lives of They said it was who alienated themselves while that era and like Biblical PDP leaders in South-East, if you persons living in the state. undemocratic and an in office and who never Israelites – there is no going put their money together, it is not bothered visiting their electorate back to Egypt." equal to half of my money."

Rochas declares for presidency E

Ex-commissioner condemns Umeh's decision to contest while in office

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Anambra PDP stakeholders oppose automatic tickets to senators

O

World Bank erosion control project commences in Imo

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16 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

15 females aspire for offices in Niger

M

INNA — THE P e o p l e s Democratic Party, PDP, in Niger said that 15 female aspirants have shown interest to contest for various political offices in 2015 in the state.

Alhaji Hassan Shaba, Publicity Secretary of the chapter, announced this, yesterday, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Minna.

He said that the aspirants would be given equal opportunity like their male counterparts, adding that the party was ready to support and guide them. ‘’As part of the party’s philosophy, female aspirants will be supported to contest with their male counterparts. We will not allow anything to hinder their decision. ‘’The state sees the number as an encouragement and showed the policy of the PDP to have balanced representation,” he said.

Award contracts to people in your database only, Jonathan directs BPP

By Providence Obuh

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RESIDENT GOODLUCK Jonathan, yesterday, directed the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, to ensure that only contractors captured in its database were awarded contracts in the country with effect from next year.

He warned that any contractor

not in the database would not be allowed to do contract business of any sort with the Federal Government.

Jonathan spoke while declaring open, the first National Conference on Public Procurement, NACOPP, with the theme, 'Public Procurement: A tool for Good Governance,” in Abuja.

The directive followed BPP’s

categorization and classification of federal contractors and service providers as having equal competencies and capacity for bidding purposes.

Speaking through the Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo, Jonathan also said that any company barred by the World Bank, Africa Development Bank and UNDP, as well as other development partners also, stood

PVC DISTRIBUTION: Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, displaying his Permanent Voters Card, PVC, shortly after receiving it from Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor, Celina Okoh, during the INEC distribution of Permanent Voters Card, PVC, exercise in Imo State, at St. Peters Anglican School, Mbutu in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area.

automatically barred from contracting processes in the country.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, to the Vice President, Umar Sani, the president said, “This action is intended to eliminate distortions in bidding costs that tend to create the impression that project costs in Nigeria are higher than in other countries.”

He noted that reforms in the procurement process had yielded positive results on the economy, adding that, “being a good governance tool, procurement reform has enhanced the activities of other agencies of government.

“Nigeria is setting up the first International Procurement Platform to facilitate an interface between a regulatory authority and procuring entities and service providers.

“It is important to reiterate that Nigeria runs one economy and therefore the need for one set of rules governing our contracting processes cannot be overemphasised. ‘’All states that are yet to pass the law are urged to pass them while those that have passed the law are urged to strengthen it in order to ensure delivery of services at best cost to the people.”

Kwara APC denies anointing any aspirant

By Demola Akinyemi

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LORIN — THE Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kwara State, Alhaji Ishola BalogunFulani has said that the party has not endorsed any of its aspirants for various elective posts in the state aside that of the governorship whose public declaration was done last Wednesday.

Balogun Fulani spoke at a news conference at the party secretariat in Ilorin, yesterday, explaining that the clarification became necessary in view of rumours among members in the state that the leadership has anointed some aspirants for certain elective posts.

According to him,”apart from that of the governor, our great party has not endorsed or anointed any aspirant for any elective post in this state. I have taken my time to find out who generated this kind of misinformation, I was told by my members that

someone told them, hence, it became necessary to make this clarification. ‘’As I am talking to you, all the forms from the aspirants for the Senate, House of Representatives and as well as those of the state House of Assembly are available for sale and we are expecting those who are interested to come and purchase them.”

He then reiterated that there were no anointed aspirants, adding that all the aspirants would face what he described as in-house screening by the party in the state before the national leadership of the party’s screening prior to the emergence of the candidates. ‘’At a date we are yet to be informed, our national leadership would send their representatives who would conduct screening of our aspirants. But I need to state that our aspirants would first face the screening at our local level,” he added.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 — 17

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HAT is the forthcoming 2015 presidential election about? Let us first identify what it is not about. It is not about improving the economy of Nigeria. If you insist it is, then you will need to tell me what either the PDP or the APC has told Nigerians it will do with regard to the economy. As a matter of fact, the only party whose economic programme we know is the PDP. At least, we can see what it has been able to achieve in the last 16 years. However, the APC is barely one year old. I need someone to tell me the economic policy of the APC. It is non-existent.

Voodoo economics Let us see if we can get some indications by focusing on those currently in the running for the APC’s presidential ticket. In the first place, we have Muhammadu Buhari. I must confess that I don’t have a clue as to what Buhari’s economic policy is because he has not told us about it. In spite of the fact that he is running for president for a marathon fourth time, the truth is that Buhari does not have an economic policy.

Worse still; Buhari is a retired military officer. He has no economic background or training.

Buhari knows little or nothing about the Nigerian economy; how much more how to transform and improve it. A man who claims he had to borrow N27.5 million from a bank in order to pay for the presidential nomination papers of his party is not likely to have the resources to put together a serious economic think tank.

We also have competing for the APC ticket, men like Atiku Abubakar and Rabiu Kwankwaso. Quite apart from the fact that these men have also been economical as to what precisely they would do with regard to the Nigerian economy, they were until just yesterday, members of the ruling PDP. Atiku was even the vice-president of Nigeria under the PDP for eight years. Kwankwaso was a PDP governor. Therefore, we cannot expect anything different from either of them than what we have been getting under the PDP. Let us face the facts, Atiku and Kwankwaso defected to the APC, not because of any policy or ideological differences they had with the PDP, but because they realised that they could not run for the presidency under the PDP, which has a sitting president.

These men are in the APC for reasons of expediency and not of policy. When the APC loses the election in 2015 and, with Jonathan out of the way, they can be expected to make their way back to the PDP with their tails between their legs.

C M Y K

Voting for Nigeria’s future insistence that a SouthA n t i - c o r r u p t i o n for its presidential primaries is the South man should not rule the even more extortionate than malarkey country are mainly to be found There are those who insist the election is about dealing with endemic corruption. If so, the only political party in Nigeria that has addressed in any way, shape or form the issue of corruption in Nigeria has been the PDP. If we have anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria today, they were instituted by the PDP. If we have jailed corrupt politicians, after taking them through due process, it has only happened under the PDP. If we have recovered monies stolen from abroad, it has only taken place under the PDP. The PDP has even on occasion prosecuted some of its own members who were corrupt.

There is nothing anti-corruption about the APC. The APC cannot claim to be anticorruption when the fee for procuring the nomination papers

that of the PDP. In short, as far as corruption is concerned, there is no difference between the PDP and the APC. They are Tweedledee and Tweedledum.

The person who brings the illusion of an anti-corruption debate into the 2015 presidential election is Muhammadu Buhari. But if Buhari is so anti-corruption, what is he doing in the APC? In any case, Buhari has not for one minute told us what he would do about corruption in Nigeria.

What we have is just a lot of grandstanding. How does he propose to contend with a legislature which will surely comprise the usual staple of corrupt politicians? How does Buhari hope to address the issue of corruption in the judiciary? Not a word on any of these issues. All we are told is that he is anti-corruption.

Unfortunately for the APC, it is only the PDP that has an anticorruption policy, even if this policy is currently implemented imperfectly.

Nation building

In every material particular, the PDP is today the party that is best positioned to secure Nigeria’s future, while the APC is inclined to jeopardize it

If the 2015 presidential election is not about the Nigerian economy and not about corruption what then is it about? The election is first and foremost about building the nation of Nigeria. Do we vote to go forward as a viable and united nation, or do we vote for the eventual disintegration of Nigeria?

There can be no question that, to date, these have been the most pressing questions concerning the forthcoming presidential election.

The question then is this: which political party is best able to move forward the Nigeria project. Which political party will be best able to promote the unity of Nigeria: is it the PDP or is it the APC? As far as I am concerned, this question is a no-brainer. In every material particular, the PDP is today the party that is best positioned to secure Nigeria’s future, while the APC is inclined to jeopardize it.

As a matter of fact, the people who have been threatening the internal cohesion of Nigeria over the last six years by

in the APC. For this very reason, someone like me will continue to support the PDP over the APC for the duration of this election cycle.

Inclusive Nigeria Nigeria cannot be a country for the majority tribes alone, especially in a situation where oil, the mainstay of the Nigerian economy, comes from the minority South-South states. My faith teaches me to always support the weak.

In a situation where the North-West has produced the leadership of this country for 14 years, the North-Central for 18 years and the South-West for 11, no one should begrudge the South-South if one of its sons were to occupy the presidency for 10 years; according to the dictates of divine providence.

The truth is that, in spite of its many shortcomings, the PDP is the only truly national party we have in Nigeria. The APC is a coalition of ethnically chauvinistic parties. ACN was primarily a Yoruba party of the South-West. CPC was a oneman Northern party formed principally to advance the political ambitions of Buhari. In the 2011 presidential election, ACN barely got votes from the North, while CPC barely got votes from the South.

In coalition as the APC, these South-West and North-West parties remain ethnically chauvinistic. APC cannot get 25% of the votes in two-thirds of the states in the federation. All its presidential candidates are from the North. The overwhelming majority of its governors are Muslims.

Such a party is not in the interest of the growth and development of a united Nigeria.

The PDP, on the other hand, is a North-West, North-Central, North-East, South-West, SouthSouth and South-East party.

It has roots in all parts of the federation.

No brinkmanship At different points in the history of Nigeria, we have been

able to step back from the brink and recalibrate our trajectory towards a united nation. That was the reason why, in 1999, it was generally agreed that the next president of Nigeria should be a SouthWest Yoruba man. Accordingly, the major contenders for the presidency were Yorubas.

That decision was taken in the interest of national unity. Such a sober and enlightened consideration needs to be taken again in the political climate of the 2015 election.

Nigerians must be careful not to give the people of the SouthSouth the impression that while we continue to exploit their oil, we refuse to recognise them as equal partners in Nigeria. It can be argued that we have already accommodated them since Goodluck Jonathan has been president for six years. But I beg to disagree.

In the last six years, the “born to rule” elements in the North have not allowed Goodluck Jonathan to rule.

All sorts of schemes have been used to frustrate his administration. Even the prerogative for a party with a majority in the House of Representatives to have its own speaker was betrayed on the altar of ethnic chauvinism. We also had the unedifying situation where the Governor of the Central Bank went rogue, gave government funds to the opposition and cast aspersions publically against the government. That is not done.

Presidential election The 2015 presidential elections are about the continued existence of Nigeria as a nation. The only party that can guarantee that now is the PDP. If Goodluck Jonathan loses the presidential election, even in a free and fair poll, I am convinced the future of Nigeria would become even more problematic. The South-South would not take his rejection kindly.

We cannot continue to drink their oil and then reject their rule. They would either demand secession, or they would sabotage the oil wells.

With Boko Haram insurgency, Nigeria limps on because the economic jugular of the country is safely tucked away in the South. But with South-South insurgency, the Nigerian economy would grind to a halt.

If the North would not allow Jonathan to rule, don’t expect the South-South to allow Buhari or Atiku to rule. As far as I am concerned, the economic disaster that would follow the rejection of the PDP in favour of the sectarian APC is too high a price to pay; just because some people feel the Nigerian presidency is their birthright.

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 OIL has a central importance in our lives. Some have reasoned that without the easy revenue oil heaves into government coffers, the attractions of elective office would have dried up long ago. Oil runs government budgets, and with it the web of corruption often associated with oil. An erroneous belief that relevance of oil approximates to the life span of Nigeria’s oil reserves fuels the askance with which the authorities treat diversification of the economy from oil.

Concerns over dependence of the economy on oil are not new. Total dependence on oil is the current worry, yet the matter gets no attention among the league of issues that disturbs the authorities.

Nigeria is mostly about oil and its depleting consequences on developing national resources, some of which are in more abundance and could provide more multiplier effects on the economy than oil.

Oil depletes the environment in a manner few enterprises can.

Agitations for equitable use of oil resources fail in securing renewal of the

As Our Oil Goes… ruined environment. Where would we find the funds to repair the environment?

Perhaps more frightening is that with all the positions on laying more solid foundations for the economy, not much has been done in changing the focus of our oil-driven economy.

Oil could become irrelevant quicker than the most optimistic predictions.Its damages to the environment, its unpredictable high prices that task planning, the West’s inability to control the vital resource, are increasing the pace of searches for alternatives to oil. America is making advances in this direction.

Nigeria’s economy remains primed on oil. Instead of investing the proceeds, they are shared, awaiting the next allocation.

Suggestions that the economy should be diversified, some more than 40 years old, are unimplemented. Oil still accounts for 95 per cent of exports and 75 per cent of consolidated budgetary revenues. When prices dip, or more thieves help themselves to oil, like now, the authorities panic.

Concerns are more for funds to run their budgets than creating an economy protected from the volatility of oil.

A May 2013 World Bank’s Nigeria Economic Report read, “Despite the recovery in oil prices, Nigeria expanded its fiscal stimulus significantly, increasing consolidated spending by an estimated 2.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product, GDP, and drawing down the remaining balance of the Excess Crude Account at the same time that many other oil exporters were building back their reserves.”

Some would argue that the current reserves are about $38 billion; they obfuscate the issues of a broad-based, sustainable economy, away from the deceits of oil. Our governments should rescue Nigerians from the blight of oil. Even if it is late, at least we can start.

OPINION

By Godwin Etakibuebu

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HE Right Honourable Aminu Tambuwal, incumbent Speaker of Nigerian’s House of Representative, has undoubtedly established himself as a master of masters in the game of politics, albeit the Nigeria’s muddy waters of politics. The truth of the matter as evidenced, so far, by the way he emerged as Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2011 and the master stroke presentation of decamping from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives, APC, shall remain a good case study of political manoeuvring. Even the late great Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe would have paid tribute to this young man on his political sagacity.

Take a brief look on how he presented his crossing from the PDP to the APC to his colleagues on Wednesday October 29, 2014, before he brought the gavel down while adjourning the House "till December 3, 2014”. Can you beat that? It was a master stroke of a great strategist. He got the ruling Party [PDP], the government of the day, ditto Nigerians where he wanted them. The presentation, the way it came, left no room of harming his political interest: constitutionally, politically or legally with anybody. This is the Exodus but let us go to the Genesis for a moment.

It was Monday, June 6, 2011. The newly inaugurated lower House of the National Assembly met to elect its own officers. The election was faith accompli, so it looked as members came with a road map of the ruling party on who to be elected to which office.

C M Y K

2015 elections: Tambuwal as game changer The position of the Speaker for the House of Representatives had been zoned to the South West of the country and the person expected to take the chair was the favoured Alhaja Mulikat Akande-Adeola from Osun State.

This was the clear directive of the ruling, largest party in Africa. But on the floor of the House that morning, another arrangement was put in place by an “obscure group of dissidents”. The PDP even sent some of its “intimidating” national officers to the floor of the House to ensure that the “status quo ante instruction” of the Party was carried out.

At the end of the election on the floor of the House, an “unknown” Tambuwal from Sokoto State had beaten the favoured Mulikat from Osun State, to become the Speaker with a deafening “sky and moon slides" votes. The Nigerian House of Representatives had spoken! That became the “death” of the ruling party' supremacy in the House of Representatives. This happened despite the fact that the PDP had the overwhelming majority in the House at that time. That act signalled the birth of an independent House of Representatives. And the characteristic of that change was Honourable Aminu Tambuwal! That was in 2011.

Here again, on Wednesday, 0ctober 29, 2014, the same man – Tambuwal, created new rules for the game; a master rule that will see him remaining the Speaker of the House of Representatives till the end of this 7th Assembly, by the grace of superior political display. There is something

politically thick in this young man that all young politicians can learn from. Yes, l shall make him my case study for the next few years by the grace of God. The appropriate question, therefore, is what are some of the changes that Tambuwal has brought to the political game between now and 2015?

One, if any institution, ditto the National Assembly, is allowed a free hand of operating its own rules and regulations without outside interference, fact remains that such institution will perform better to the benefit of the larger society, the populace and the citizenry. Contrast the matured leadership and performances of this 7th House of Representatives to the previous ones to understand my presentation.

I am not saying that this very 7th House of Representatives has reached the “promised land” but surely it is “closer to Mecca than Medina”.

Two, there is no power in this land of Nigeria that can remove Tambuwal as Speaker of the House between now and when the House tenure shall expire next year. Yes, not even deploying any reckless exercise of Executive powers can remove him; the Judiciary cannot do it or the House members under whatever type of inducement, would want to pull down the concrete house they unanimously and maturely built. It is Tambuwal “for life” in this Assembly session!

Three, if he goes on to contest the governorship of his home state of Sokoto, it is obvious that PDP shall lose that state to

APC because there is no enough force-joining between Bafarawa/Shagari that can dislodge Wamako/Tambuwal. This is a concluded historical fact.

Four, until this 7th National Assembly mostly at the lower House, ends officially, it is for PDP to tread gently on what it can push through the House of Representatives. This is a naked truth for obvious reason: this man called Tambuwal enjoys the confidence of his colleagues because they elected him in the first place. And fact is that he has avoided any banana peel while leading them so far.

He has led with respect, decorum and maturity, the same way David Mark has led the Senate with respect of maturity, honour and decorum.

Both Principal Officers of the two Houses presently, shall lead their members to “Jerusalem” unhindered, on this trip. No Jupiter can stop them.

What more can l say about this game changing man? He shall remain a cherished catalyst that deepened the refining methodology of democracy in Nigerian. He shall remain, in the annals of Nigerian history, a man who changed the political game positively at a time when there was scarcity of such people in Nigeria. His shall remain a historically vindicated Voyage of discovery!

*Mr. Etakibuebu, a commentator on current affairs, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014— —19

Carpet crossing: Is the judiciary asleep?

By Sunny Ikhioya

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HE defection of Tambuwal from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Party, APC, did not come as a surprise to close watchers of the political affairs of this country. The ‘Judas Iscariot’ in him has been manifesting for a very long time.

The shameful part is the decision of our judiciary to go to sleep when the situation calls for their decisive intervention. They have allowed this shameful aspect of our politics to rear its ugly head unfettered. It is indeed a shame that our judiciary, through passiveness and apathy, allowed the nation’s politics to be thrown into avoidable confusion.

The history of carpet crossing in this country has been very well recycled over the years. In the Western House of Assembly election of September 1951, a group of NCNC members crossed over to the Action Group. Since then, every political dispensation in this country has witnessed the movements of politicians from one side of the divide to the other, without logic or shame, except for their own personal aggrandizement.

What we have witnessed this past year is close to madness. As

I write, the Tambuwal affair has opened up another floodgate.

To put the issue of carpet crossing to rest, the framers of the 1999 Constitution included it in sections 68(1)(g) thus: “being a person whose election to the House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that house was elected; Provided that his membership of the later political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored”. The same views are expressed in section 109(1)(g) as it concerns the state houses of assembly.

Ademola Adewale in his online piece, ‘The History & Law Of Political Carpet Crossing In Nigeria’ of Saturday November 21, 2009, summarizes it thus: “Cross carpeting by any member of the legislature at both federal and state levels i.e. Senate, House of representatives and state houses of assembly automatically makes the seat of such a member vacant, except where such persons come within the exceptions provided in sections

68(1)(g) and 109(1)(g) of the constitution”. What we are witnessing now is, people taking advantage of the exceptions provided by the Constitution.

They will first arrange to create confusion within their political party, making it seem as if the party is divided and using that as a reason to carpet cross.

Many cases have been filed in court, claims and counter-claims from both parties are yet to see the light of day. Our judicial processes in this country are too slow. We have two brothers – the Okahs, the same case, one in South Africa and the other one in Nigeria. The South African

The Tambuwal and other carpet crossing controversies would have been laid to rest by now but for our sleeping judiciary; they should wake up

our country, why are our courts or judges dilly-dallying?

Nations survive and become great through the sound institutions and structures.

Human beings come and they go away but structures and institutions remain.

It is important that we begin to put sentiments aside and begin to work at putting these structures and institutions in place. The Chief Justice of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, the Bench and with Federal and state Attorney Generals and indeed all that matter in the profession of law in this country, should convene a special session to give exact interpretation of such an ambiguous law as the carpet crossing section of the Constitution and put this embarrassment to rest.

The judiciary consists of people who have given themselves the appellation of ‘learned men’; if the learned men cannot put the house in order, what do you expect from ordinary folks like us?

The Tambuwal, Edo State House of Assembly imbroglio and other kinds of carpet crossing controversies would have been laid to rest by now but for our sleeping judiciary, they should wake up.

judicial process did not take more than one year to bring the whole matter to conclusion, including sentencing. Over here in Nigeria, it is over two years now and the case has not gone beyond the preliminary stages. Does this not say something about our judiciary?

The prime function of the judiciary is the interpretation of the laws; to determine the facts of the laws and to apply to particular circumstance. Also, the judiciary, while interpreting the laws, performs the role of law maker. Such provisions arise when there is ambiguity in the existing laws or sometimes, two or more laws of a particular government appear to be in conflict under a given circumstance. Under such circumstances the judicial view is held as the law.

In the judicial parlance, the term “Jus dicere and not Jus dare” means to declare the law and not to make the law”. How long will it take for our judiciary to give an interpretation to a matter of such huge political significance as the carpet crossing of politicians?

When there is confusion, it is the judicial interpretation that is taken Ikhioya, a commentator as the law; in the midst of the *Mr. on national issues, wrote from confusion going on presently in Lagos.

2015: Entrapment of the South West by Northern oligarchy

By Bolaji K Oyefeso

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HERE is minuscule disputation with the fact that the South West remains one of the most politically sophisticated parts of Nigeria. Many politicians have used different vehicles of political mobilization to woo the South West, but they have often only succeeded where they have a track record of public benefits. Unlike most other zones, the South West people are not easily swayed by eleventh hour democrats, hence in the 2011 general elections they voted along the patterns of their permanent interests within the dynamic body politics of Nigeria.

Perhaps this track record must have informed the recent anxiety by oligarchic political forces from the Northern political axis to woo the South West zone. However, given the history of how the South West has suffered recurrent political deception, persecution and condescension from that axis, it should not come as a surprise if this attempt only elicits indignation and amusement from the people of the South West zone.

Many from the South West zone are indignant, just like many from the Igala, Nupe, Tiv, Idoma and Wukari political axis will be indignant about such political courtship, because it has historical parallels with the alliances of Alimi.

For the South West zone specifically, the mention of Alimi throws up the deception and bitterness of the Mugbamugba wars, the entrapment of Afonja into a deceptive political alliance which was used as an entry point to subjugate his people in a southward expansionary quest for imperial power.

It is the same mindset which sought to fragment the South West, along with other progressive forces, who were intent upon making the best out of the enforced amalgamation of Nigerian nationalities to create a developing nation. Such attempt at fragmentation is best captured by the following differential perceptions of early Nigerian nationhood. While other C M Y K

progressive forces were pursuing the independence of Nigerians from British colonialism, the stalwarts of the Northern People’s Congress, NPC, such as Tafawa Balewa indicated that there was no basis for Nigerian unity because it was merely a British intention (Time Magazine October 10, 1960). Nonetheless, having attained the same independence, others like Ahmadu Bello stated that Nigeria was an estate that was inherited from their grandfather Othman Dan Fodio, in which they would ruthlessly prevent any change of power by using minorities in the North and South as tools (THE PARROT of October 12, 1960).

Similar mindset Similar mindset informed why another stalwart of the NPC, Mallam Bala Garuba, while gloating about their political victory after independence, stated that: “The conquest to the sea is now in sight. When our God-sent Ahmadu Bello said some years ago that our conquest will reach the sea shores of Nigeria, some idiots in the South were doubting its possibilities. Today have we not reached the sea? Lagos is reached. It remains Port-Harcourt. It must be conquered and taken” (WEST AFRICAN PILOT, December 30, 1964). Today, It appears that Governor Chibuike Amaechi and a few others have granted them that wish.

That same mindset was replayed when S.L. Akintola was used as a fragmenting bastion to instigate political disarray within the South West; with such determination that in both the public field and the courtroom, the forces fortified the combatants with such vehemence that development, which had gone on in the South West at a pace that was unparalleled anywhere else in the country, was brought to a standstill and ramified into a widespread conflict which ended the First Republic.

The same forces were awakened again in 1979, pointedly under General Obasanjo

independence. A control that was influenced and the structural capture of the electoral by post- independence British favour, which and administrative systems to frustrate any gave them 174 seats out of 312 in the efforts by the South West to come to the parliamentary house, without prior “mainstream”, they repeated same in 1983 demographic evaluation to consolidate with the most blatant parody of democratic their control of national leadership; competition, and remained steadfast in however, they have been placed on panic recruiting their militicians (military mode by the deconstruction of the oligarchic politicians) to hold forte where political control arising from the 2011 general deception proved unsuccessful. elections in which the Northern minorities, It is for the latter reason that, despite the who actually have a significant pretensions that Chief MKO Abiola was a demographic advantage, used the calculus friend to many of the politicians from that of the federal constitutional requirements axis and their military factions, he could for presidential election victories, based on not be entrusted with power because they 25% of the votes in at least 24 states to alter were suspicious that the South West could the dynamics required for national electoral see opportunity in the threat of imposing a victories. candidate that the axis considered a friend.

This new dynamics has cemented a new Thus, irrespective of the widespread scenario, and makes the assertion by Remi mandate received by Chief Abiola, he was Oyeyemi, who first highlighted the strategies of this oligarchic axis in 2010, that it pointedly denied his is hoped that the inheritors of this mandate to rule as an power axis should “see the handwriting elected civilian on the wall and cease their arrogant president. But the South attitude and allow Nigeria to be reWest and other negotiated or be broken up progressive Nigerians peacefully” because it is in their saw through the interest to note that this oligarchic deception and kind of approach to politics and power understood the in Nigeria was unsustainable. oligarchic forces behind But oligarchs do not understand the it; this was why they language of win-win or compromise, could not be pacified for them it is dominion or nothing. even when General Hence, rather than join other Obasanjo was presented Nigerians who have called for the full as their front to mollify This implementation of the report of the the indignation arising national dialogue that they opposed, from the persecution of oligarchic sabotaged and reluctantly Chief Abiola. For that power axis is participated in with an unholy alliance reason, the very politically aware and unrelenting in with a few political merchants from our South West, they are making sophisticated voters of spurious efforts to rebuild alliances of the South West did not its quest to deception, hiding behind the hard work concede any constituency retain the of a few progressives to try to capture to General Obasanjo in power before they show their true the 1999 general control it has oligarchic nature. This new posture election. calls for vigilance.

But this oligarchic maintained power axis is unrelenting since in its quest to retain the *Dr Oyefeso, a political analyst, control its has independence wrote from Lagos maintained since

20 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

Incredible! Woman puts to bed after 5 years pregnancy

By Augustina Anyaegbu

I

T sounds like a fairy tale without any scientific or empirical proof. But eyewitnesses confirmed the story of an Abuja-based woman, Mrs Adenike Kolawole who allegedly put to bed after being pregnant for five years.

Adenike who was allegedly delivered of her baby on October 26, 2014, at the Evangelical Church of Cherubim and Seraphim located at Pipeline Road, in the Mafon area of Ejigbo Lagos, claimed to have suffered from bareness for 27 years.

The visibly elated woman narrated her story to Vanguard Metro, VM. ‘’I suffered series of miscarriages in the early years of my marriage. After these experiences, I found it *Proud mother...Mrs Adenike Kolawole difficult to conceive newly delivered baby boy again. I sought for both spiritual and medical help but husband marry another woman none could solve my problems. who can give him a child since Rejected by relations: “Surpris- that is the bone of contention. ingly, I took in five years ago. But “Things turned around when even in my pregnant state, I was five years ago, my pastor told me still having my menstrual cycle. I to go and meet my husband. He was rejected by my relations and said the directive came from husband’s family who did not give God. Initially, I was reluctant to me a chance of conceiving a baby. go but I later gave it a thought. I My only consolation was the faith met my husband and after two I reposed in God,” she said. months, I went to the hospital for tests which showed that I was pregnant. With joy, I called my Pastor’s

wife Continuing, she said: “I was in the church for our Sunday service when I noticed that water was gushing out from my body and within a few minutes, my baby came out. I called the attention of the pastor and his wife who rushed immediately to assist me.

The pastor’s wife called a midwife who came and cut off the placenta”.

Asked how she met her husband, Adenike replied: ‘’I met my husband when I was in school.

We started dating and along the line, he deflowered me and I got pregnant.

I terminated the pregnancy because I didn’t want anything to jeopardise my studies. “We later got married when I graduated from school but since then, no child came forth.

Because of the insults and humiliation that I was getting from my husband’s relations, I decided to quit the marriage to enable my

I noticed that water was gushing out from my body and within a few minutes, my baby came out

husband and told him about the new development. Of course he was highly elated because God had answered our prayers.

Beginning of a long wait “But that was the beginning of a long wait.

After nine months and without any sign of being in labour, I became perplexed. I called my husband and told him about it but he consoled me by assuring me that God is alive.

“I later came to Lagos and stayed in the church as my pastor directed. He started praying for me and we did midnight prayers often until God answered our prayers. I have not slept with any man since the last five years that I took in,” she said.

C o n f i r m i n g Adenike’s story, the with her pastor ’s wife, Mrs. Dorcas Olawale said the delivery took everybody by surprise. ‘’ Since she came to this place, we have been conducting special prayers for her and her unborn baby. We were all surprised when she called the attention of my husband, that her baby just came out.

I shouted on seeing the baby because God has done it for us. I ran outside and called one midwife nearby who came and cut the placenta and bathed the mother and child. God is really wonderful,” she asserted.

Passed through hell A member of the church who identified herself as Mrs. Goodness Achibong also gave her own account of the mysterious delivery to VM. ‘’ From the first day that she came to this church, I noticed that she was passing through hell. I started praying for her when she narrated her ordeals to me. She has conquered the devil by delivering the baby. I was meditating when I heard the cry of a baby. I looked up and saw that it was Adenike’s baby.” she said.

The excited husband, Mr Kayode Kolawole, told VM that initially, he did not believe that his wife was pregnant. “I did not believe that my wife was pregnant all these years after nine months of pregnancy had elapsed. Words alone cannot express how grateful I am to God for what he had done for my family. I thank my wife’s pastor and his wife for accepting and praying for my wife when she came,” he said.

INSURGENCY: GEJ should do something now or step aside (1)

BY EBELE ORAKPO

“Oh my God! What is really going on in the NorthEast with Boko Haram, the ceasefire and our military?” asked John in the CMS-bound commuter bus as the radio newscaster said that thousands of Mubi residents in Adamawa State were fleeing as Boko Haram insurgents took over the second largest city in the state.

“My brother, I don’t know anymore and if I may ask, where were the soldiers and other law enforcement agents?” asked Ade. “I heard they all fled, that they did not fire a single shot in resistance. They simply fled and allowed the insurgents to take over the town and even hoisted their dirty flag,” said Rita adding: “And that is why I am saying that this war will never end as long as there are Boko Haram sympathisers in the military.”

Replied John: “A begi, let’s forget this saboteur story, it’s beginning to sound like a broken record.

The buck stops on the President’s desk. He is the Commander-in-Chief, for God’s sake. Fine, if your strategy is not working, why don’t you re-strategise? I am beginning to believe what some people are saying, that all the man is interested in is to be re-elected so whatever those who are enjoying the killings want, he is willing to bend over backwards to please them. Otherwise, why not declare full war on Boko Haram the way Nigeria declared war on Biafra? In that case, make people understand that since these people have declared war on Nigeria, they are enemies of Nigeria and Nigerians should treat them as such. Let those who are not in support leave the hot zones and then move in military from the South and fight the insurgents until the last man surrenders or dies. If not, we will continue to go round and round in circles.”

“And to think that the politicians are busy buying forms and campaigning, including the President! I weep for Nigeria. Nobody cares about the poor masses of this nation. The only time the greedy politicians remember them is when election is by the corner. They use and dump them. So many towns, villages and their inhabitants have been destroyed in the North-East and Abuja. What makes these tin gods think that the destruction

Since Boko Haram has declared war on Nigeria, they are enemies of Nigeria and should be treated as such will not get to their fortified cities?

With what I am seeing, if nothing urgent is done to stem the tide, then it’s only a matter of time,” said Ade. “I read on Facebook how an entire village in Borno State was burnt down and the males killed, leaving the old women, such wickedness, such barbarism!” said Rita.

“My take is that GEJ should not contest the Presidency in 2015 in the interest of peace because from what is going on now, as long as a Christian is at the helm of affairs at the centre, there will not be peace,” advised Chris.

Asked John: “So what you are saying is that Christians should give up leadership at the centre?”

“Exactly! For the sake of peace,” replied Chris.

“You are incredible! Peace of the graveyard! So they are not part of Nigeria? Then let’s go our separate ways. Divide Nigeria into Moslem North and South, and Christian North and South,” suggested John.

Said Chris: “That will still not solve the problem.

You see, a Moslem friend of mine told me that there are two houses on earth – the house of peace which is Islam and the house of war (other faiths).”

Continues next week

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 — 21

Vice President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chief Michael Olawale-Cole, Deputy President, Chief (Mrs) Nike Akande, President, Alhaji Remi Bello, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu and the Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Olusola Oworu when the Oba cut the tape to declare open the 2014 Lagos International Trade Fair.

AfDB’s boss commends African businesses for initiative against Ebola

By Jimoh Babatunde with agency reports

P

RESIDENT of African Development Bank (AfDB), Donald Kaberuka, has described the pledge of $28.5 million by leading companies in Africa to fight Ebola as a key step in creating a sustainable mechanism to deal with the scourge.

West Africa got a sigh of relief Saturday as the African business community pledged $28.5 million towards the fight against Ebola, which has damaged the

USC 183.95 USC -1.55

2,900.00 11.00

USC 15.60 USC -0.15

USD 83.22 USD -0.39 USD 77.78 USD -0.09

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR STERLING

EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI

RIYAL KRONA SDR

154.8 246.8441 193.794 1607978 1.3504 0.2754 226.7194 25..3255 41.2591 26.0422 227.4786

155.3 247.6414 194.4201 161.317 1.3548 0.2845 227.4517 25.4o77 41.3924 24.1263 228.2134

155.8 248.4387 195.046 161.8366 1.3592 0.2954 228.184 25.4.49 41.5256 26.2104 228.9481

CBN Exchange Rate as 10 /11 / 2014

social-economic progress of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. In an African Business Roundtable, organised by AfDB and the African Union weekend in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in which over 60 private business representatives participated, leading companies in Africa pledged US $28.5 million, while others indicated that they will come up with a contribution figure, within seven days, after consultations with their boards.

In this first wave of pledges, other

companies guaranteed to provide logistics and services as their contributions towards fighting back Ebola.

In his remarks, Kaberuka said that whereas financial contributions are very important, competences provided by private companies are much needed.

“I salute the business people of Africa for making such a statement in dealing with an epidemic that has ravaged out continent. We cannot emphasize the

importance of finances in overcoming this problem, but competences are very critical as well,” he said.

“Governments have responded well and a number of them have pledged over 2,000 health workers. Private companies can offer to train health workers or equip those on the ground. We need the knowledge they have and services they can offer in responding to this.”

Business leaders at the meeting comprised CEOs and entrepreneurs from various sectors including banking, telecommunications, the extractive industry, among others.

The Chairperson of Africa Union, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, commended Governments, NGO, international organizations and private enterprises that have been at the forefront of the Ebola response. She said that all sectors in Africa must unite against Ebola, and urged the business community to implement the commitments they made, as well as reach out to their counterparts to support the cause.and development of the continent, and this Roundtable was aimed at mobilizing business support, as well as opening the dialogue on the post-Ebola economic recovery of the countries,” she said.

“The resources mobilized from this meeting will part of a longer term program to build Africa’s capacity to deal with such outbreaks in the future.”

The business leaders agreed to set up a fund under the auspices of AfDB and AU through which they can always contribute financially or logistically to disease outbreaks.

They also agreed to turn the business roundtable an annual event in order to solidify collaborations between government, non-government and private enterprises against disease outbreaks. To date, Ebola has ravaged communities and infected more than 13,000 people and killing over 4,900.

Nigeria, which suffered the scourge alongside Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, was in October declared Ebolafree.

Government has responsibility to manage risks – Fashola

By ROSEMARY ONUOHA

L

AGOS State government has em phasized that individuals and governments have a responsibility to manage riskfor the betterment of lives and those of the people they serve.

Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, stated this at the first public lecture on ‘the role of government in management of risks in the society’ organized by the National Association of Insurance Correspondents, NAICO, in Lagos.

According to Fashola, government is responsible for the wellbeing and welfare of the people they serve, adding, “We have a responsibility to provide social security for both the young and the elderly; a responsibility to provide security of lives and property and also a responsibility to ensure that the infrastructures put in place are properly maintained in a way and manner that

the State can be described as having a ‘developed economy status.’

Fashola who was represented by Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Ben Akabueze, said that where they fail to take pre-emptive steps to attend to the risks that come with the responsibilities that have been placed on them, they would be perceived as a failed government.

According to him, Lagos State Government has always been the vanguard of identifying risks and taking steps to eradicate those risks. “To list a few: the climate change risks which could expose the State to flooding and other natural hazards but which we have successfully tackled in the past few years; health risks posed by the incursion of ebola virus disease to Nigeria and the prompt steps taken by the State Government to curtail the spread of the disease,” Fashola said.

“We face security challenges: kidnap-

ping, ritual killings, armed robberies etc. These are threats to peaceful co-existence of inhabitants of the State. To mitigate those risks, the Lagos State Government equipped the Rapid Response Squad and other Law enforcement agencies.

“Our youths and the elderly are exposed to social protection risks which if not addressed could result in poverty, and a resultant security hazard in the community. Risks of danger to lives and property of the citizens exist where, due to fraudulent practices on the part of those involved in construction, substandard materials are used in construction.“On this front, the Lagos State Government realized that the risk faced is in two folds: i.e. risk of lives and property and secondly the risk of the construction being delayed or never completed due to paucity of funds.

22— Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

,

While the banks would promise to offer the best and most efficient services, occasional errors and service failures should be expected. This is because the services are rendered by imperfect staff, in environment replete with infrastructural deficiency and regular breakdowns.

INVESTORS ,

TOP 10 PERFORMING STOCKS

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

U

NFORTUNATELY, last week, only one company, Beta Glass Plc, manufacturers of glassware, made it to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, gainers’ list due to the lackluster performance of the market in the last few weeks, which worsened last week, resulting in 11.54 percent decline in both the equities market capitalization and the All Share Index, ASI. Consequently, the market capitalization and ASI fell to N11.002 trillion and 33,216.31 from N12.437 trillion and 37,550.24 points respectively during the previous week. Development market operators believe is tied to the activities of profit takers.

Breakdown of price movement during the week ended November 7, 2014 showed that 73 equities depreciated in price as against one stock that appreciated in price while 126 equities remained unchanged higher than 121 recorded in the preceding week.

Beta Glass, which showed resilience to market development by standing alone in the top 10 performing stocks, recorded five percent or N1.05 price appreciation, closing at N22.05 from N21.00 Listed on the packaging/ containers sub-sector of the NSE, Beta Glass manufactures and sells glassware in Nigeria and internationally and also offers glass bottles and containers. It serves breweries, soft drinks, wine and spirit, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics companies. Besides, being the lone

gainer the previous week, the company is also the highest priced equity in its sector, pointing to investors’ positive disposition towards the stock.

Already, the stock has delivered over 60 percent return to investors, rising from N13.75 at the beginning of the year to the closing price last Friday. The available three months unaudited financial statement of the company for the period ended March 30, 2014, indicated a mixed performance as its net income fell by 23.22 percent to N479.79 million from N625.25 million, while the revenues spiked by 13.33 percent to N3.91 billion from N3.44 billion a year earlier. The company’s gross profit fell to N 865.97 million as against N 914.67 million in the previous Q1 in 2013.

Similarly, the company’s profit after tax decreased to N 343.55 million compared to N447.9 million achieved in the preceding year. The total assets reduced by 1.82 percent to N26.67 billion in Q1 2014, compared with N27.16 billion as of Q1 2013.Beta Glass Plc is a subsidiary of Frigoglass Industries Nigeria Limited.

Looking at the decliners, which dominated the market during the period, Lafarge Africa, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Ashaka Cement Plc, PZ Cusson Plc and Transnational Corporation of Nigeria

(Transcorp Plc) led the pack.

Lafarge Africa’s shares slumped by significant 30.14 percent or N33.15 price depreciation to close at N76.84 from N109.99 per share. The depreciation in the company’s share price, according to operators, is as a result of profit taking by investors and shareholders. Consequently, its 52weeks and year-to-date, YTD, performance fell by 5.47 percent and 13.67 percent respectively. The company recently completed acquisition/merger of its operation with its South Africa subsidiary, Lafarge South Africa Holdings (Pty) Limited, a development, which has positioned it

as the sixth biggest equity by market capitalization on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Post consolidation, Lafarge Africa’s market capitalization stood at N521.9 billion. With current cement capacity of 12 million metric tonnes per annum, the company is already on the path to further growth with an additional 5.5 million metric tonnes (2.5 million metric tonnes from Unicem’s on-going expansion project by second half of 2016 and three million metric tonnes in Ashakacem by mid-2017).

Dangote Sugar Refinery followed with price loss of 29 percent or N2.03 to close at N4.97 from N7.00.

The company’s consolidated unaudited financial statement for the third quarter ended September 30, 2014, showed that its gross earnings fell to N73.797 million as against N77.701 million, representing five percent decline while profit after tax at N9.146 was five percent slide over N9.629 posted in the same period in 2013.

Ashakacem, which shares has been on decline since attack on the

company’s facility by Boko Haram members, about a week ago, lost N28.62 percent or N8.97 to close at N22.37 from N31.34. PZ Cusson fell by 26.43 percent or N6.30 to close at N17.54 from N23.84, while Transcorp Plc, which had almost risen to its Public Offer price before it was hit by profit taking activities, slumped by 23.76 percent or N0.96 to close at N3.08 from N4.04 per share.

Before you choose a bank (4)

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE “My ATM card will expire December 2014 and to my surprise, the sum of N1000 and N500 were deducted from my account twice this month (October) for new ATM card. The first deduction was on the 17th while the second one was yesterday 29th of October. Is it not supposed to be N1000? How am I going to get my money back?

T

he above complaint by a bank customer was featured in the last edition, and we promised to investigate it. The bank confirmed that it usually renews the ATM cards of its customers before the expiry date, and that it charges N1000 for this.

This, it said, however applies only to active cards i.e. the customer must be using the card regularly. So, if the card is to expire December 31st 2014, and it is an active card, the bank will automatically renew it some weeks before the expiry date (12 weeks as in the case above). And debit the customer for N1000. Why? This is because sometimes, the customer may travel or forget that the card has expired and tried to use it, only to be told that the card has expired.

Definitely, this can be embarrassing and costly. I know the case of a woman who wanted to use her card to withdraw cash for an urgent family need, only for the ATM to inform her that the card had expired. She had to go to the branch

where the account was domiciled to complete form for another card, wait for twenty four hours before she could use the card again. This is the stress and embarrassment the bank does not want its customers to experience.

The reality is that many bank customers don’t know that their ATM card have expiry date. And this applies to customers who seldom use their ATM cards. Even the internet banking token provided by banks have expiry date and it is your duty to always check for the expiry date every time you have to use it. While renewing the card and debiting the customer ahead of the expiry date is good, banks can improve on this by sending text message to remind the

MARKET NEWS

International Breweries 6 month revenue grows by 16.71%

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

I

NTERNATIONAL Breweries Plc has recorded an impressive growth in all performance indicators for the six months period ended 30 September, 2014 with its revenue rising by 16.71 percent within the period.

Specifically, the revenue rose to N10.07 billion from N8.63 billion posted in six months in 2013.

Similarly, the profit before tax grew by 24.84 percent to N1.99 billion from N1.60 billion, while the post tax profit was up 24.92 percent to N1.36 billion from N1.09 billion in the equivalent period in 2013.

Also, the basic earnings per share at 41 kobo was 23.71 percent increase over 33 kobo achieved in the previous year.

Other highlights of the result showed that cost of sales and marketing and administrative cost were still on the rise.

While the cost of sales rose by 15.36 percent N5.03 billion from N4.36 billion, the marketing and admin expenses rose by 33.75 per cent.

It would be recalled that the company had in 2013 beat the projected profit forecast by 30.05 percent.

Breakdown of the financial statement

for 15 months ended 31st March, 2013, showed that International Breweries met and surpassed the projected figures across all primary indices, except for cost of sales, which witnessed slight increase above the targeted figure.

While the company had projected N1.93 billion profit after tax, it ended up with N2.506 billion, a 30.05 percent increase, despite significant increase in tax paid in the year. Similarly, the profit before tax rose by 31.69 percent from the projected figure of N2.84billion to N3.74 billion in the review period.

However, both the revenue and the turnover saw slight difference between the targeted figure and the final result delivered. The turnover, which was projected at N17.67 billion dropped slightly to N17.39 billion, while cost of sales seen at N8.43 billion rose to N9.69 billion within the period.

Meanwhile, the company last week announced changes in its Board with the appointment of Mr. Andrew Ross as the Chief Operating Officer to take over from Mr. Carlos Gomes.

Mr. Ross is a graduate of Accounting and Business Economics with a Master ’s degree in Business Administration from

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 — 23

customer that his card would soon expire, or to inform him before renewing the card and debiting the customer’s account.

Now in the case of cards that are not active i.e. cards that the customer never used between the times it was issued and the expiry date, the bank explained that it does not do renewal for such cards. The customer would have to physically visit the bank and complete form for another card to be issued.

The bank, however, explained that the incidence of debiting the customer N1000 and N500 for card renewal twice was an error, which occurred when it had system failure. And such debits were reversed immediately the system failure was solved.

The above is a lesson for prospective bank customers, the millions of Nigerians that would soon have to choose a bank,

courtesy of the financial inclusion drive of the CBN to ensure that millions of unbanked Nigerians are banked. While the banks would promise to offer the best and most efficient services, occasional errors and service failures should be expected. This is because the services are rendered by imperfect staff, in environment replete with infrastructural deficiency and regular breakdowns. However, whenever you experience such failures, you have to exercise your right to quality services by complaining in order to get redress. However, you need to be familiar with the channels provided for bank customers to make complaints against poor banking services. This would be discussed in the next edition.

the Gordon Institute of Business and Science.

He has significant experience in every aspect of financial planning, marketing and business development spanning over 20years.

He held at various times, key managerial positions in the Brewery industry in South Africa and East London from where he joined the company effective 1 October, 2014.

According to the Board, Mr. Ross’s wealth

of experience will further boost stakeholders’ value and increase the company’s profitability.

International Breweries Plc was incorporated as a private limited liability company on 22 December, 1971 and became a public limited liability company on 26 April 1994.

The principal activity of the company is the brewing of beer and non-alcoholic malt drinks.

From left: Executive Director, Business Development, the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri; CEO, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema; Chairman, Omoluabi Savings & Loans Plc./Commissioner for Finance, Osun State, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro and General Manager/CEO, Mr Babatunde O. Alao at the listing of Omoluabi Savings & Loans Plc shares at the Exchange.

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FORUM

While renewing the card and debiting the customer ahead of the expiry date is good, banks can improve on this by sending text message to remind the customer that his card would soon expire, or to inform him before renewing the card and debiting the customer’s account.

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INVESTORS SPEAK Stockbroking firms are supposed to be heavily capitalised – Shareholders in the banking sector why not in the stockingbroking sector. I believe this will HAREHOLDERS have expressed help check a lot of irregularities in the support for the increase in the capital stock broking firms. I lost part of my shares base of capital market operators by the to some banks during their recapitalisation Securities and Exchange Commission. , so whatever happens this time around They also support the stance of the may not be new.

Proactive Shareholders Association Commssion against call for extension of the deadline beyond January 1st 2015 by of Nigeria Mrs. Bisi Bakere The duty of regulators is to regulate the operators. They argued that it is better to have 10 vibrant stock broking firms than market, if the authorities feel that the stock 100 without requirements and that stock broking firms are operating below broking firms are supposed to be heavily expectations and knowing the level that they should be operating, then they are capitalised. in a better position to ask for increase in Excerpts: Former Publicity Secretary, Nigeria capital base.

They are in the right position to tell Shareholders Solidarity Association of stockbrokers and other operators in the Nigeria, Alhaji Gbadebo Olatokunbo The point is this; there is no place in the market to recapitalise. I think this world where there is no regulation of any recapitalization is for their own good as organization. Am quite sure SEC and the well for we investors. The regulators are stock broking firms must have been talking not going to collect the money from them, for some time before they came up with there is nothing wrong about the recapitalisation issue, from a lame recapitalisation. It has been on for about man's point of view, the stock broking firms some years now. They have given them were not prepared, they thought it was a about 12 months to comply in order to joke, since they have been talking about meet the deadline. As regulators they this issue I expect that they too should have have the right to penalize any operator been prepared. If you are asked to that fails to comply. The stockbrokers recapitalise there will be changes. If there cannot be left to continue to operate the is a need for extension, I think they would same way, for instance, something have settled that before now, every person happened to one of my investment is under regulation in one way or the other partners. .A stock broking firm sold their so I don’t expect less from them. I support shares worth over N40 million, there is what SEC is doing, I commend the CBN's no way to get such money back but if effort because whenever they come up with they are well recapitalized and they are an initiative you see other regulators strong the better for the investors. It is following in that direction, you will see better to have 10 vibrant stock broking some moving ahead or some dragging firms than 100 that cannot meet the back. In Nigeria we like to pretend, we requirements and this is the problem wait for opportunities to capitalise on. with Nigerians. Once they have money, There is always a way out, recapitalisation instead of merging they want to establish has nothing to do with job loss. We like their own. But what we tell investors is that the regulators might have excuses, people fail to look into their fault, but we know they certain things in this country. understand it better than us The regulators did not ask because they are regulating anybody to close shop, rather this system. Investors will not people can come under one lose anyting because all the umbrella and form a name shares of the investors are not and begin to operate, with the stock brokingfirms but everybody wants to keep his with CSCS, even if any stock own identity. Nobody wants to broking firm collapses, that move with time, there is always does not mean the owners of a way out in solving problems the shares would lose their if we are open to changes. The shares. recapitalization, I think will If you want to change your not lead to retrenchment of staff. shares from one stock broker I believe there will be to another, what you do is to understanding between investors and if they wish to Investors will fill form to CSCS because the shares is with the company come together under one and not the stock broking firm, not lose umbrella they can do that and it is the share of the company answer one name. anyting not the shares of the stock Chief Joseph O k e l a n o , C h a i r m a n , because all the broking firm. If the stock broking firm is quoted for Shareholders Mobilisation shares of the instance, is a different thing, Association of Nigeria but they are not quoted. It is The stock broking firms must investors are the company shares that they be highly capitalised, their not with the are buying for unbehalf of their liquidity must be high, it is a clients that are quoted, so serious business and if they are stock what you have is your registrar given deadline they should brokingfirms and CSCS. look for every possible means but with CSCS to recapitalise. If it can happen

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

S

24— Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 —25

Estimated billing: FG licenses 138 companies to provide meters

By MICHAEL EBOH

T

HE Federal Government has given approval to about 138 companies to function as Metering Service Providers in the Nigeria power sector.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, in a document obtained

by Vanguard, disclosed that the companies were certified after due inspection and consideration.

Specifically, five companies were certified as meter manufacturers; 13 companies were given government approval to import meters into the country, while 28 companies were certified as meter vendors.

Also, thirteen companies were approved by NERC as individual meter installers while 79 companies were certified as corporate installers.

The five companies approved as meter manufacturers are Elsewedy Electric Nigeria Limited, Momas Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company Limited (MEMMCOL), Uni Star Hitech Nigeria Limited, Electricity Meter Company Nigeria Limited (EMCON) and Mojec International.

However, Memmcol, apart from the approval given to it to manufacture meters, was also

given approval to function as a meter vendor and corporate installer.

Also, EMCON, in addition to its meter manufacturing certification, also got approval to act as an importer, vendor and corporate installer.

Mojec International also got approval as a meter importer, meter vendor and a corporate installer of meters, while Uni-

star Hitech got approval to also perform as an importer, vendor and corporate installer.

The NERC had, a couple of days ago, given electricity distribution companies (Discos), two weeks within which to provide electricity consumers whose meters are yet to be delivered months after payment with the products.

Chairman of NERC, Dr. Sam

Award: L-R: Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company, and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu; Manager, NGOs and Stakeholders Relations, Dr. Alice Ajeh; and General Manager, Shell Nigeria Content Development, Mr. Igo Weli, at the 2014 Social Enterprise Report and Awards Ceremony in Lagos, where Shell emerged the best Nigerian company in Stakeholder Engagement and in Human Rights, and the Second Most Responsible Nigerian Company.

Greenhouse gas levels at highest point in 800,000 years, says IPCC report

By SEBASTINE OBASI

T

HE world’s top scientists have given their clearest warning of the severe and irreversible impacts of climate change.

In the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report just released, it warned that greenhouse gas levels are at their highest they have been in 800,000 years, with recent increases mostly due to the burning of fossil fuels.

“Continued emission of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and longlasting changes in all components of the climate system, increasing the likelihood of severe, pervasive and irreversible impact for

Amadi, said the Commission will view very seriously failure to meter these consumers.

According to him, the NERC will give Discos two weeks to make sure they fully meter all those who have paid because the order of the commission is 45 days.

He said, “After two weeks, we will be conducting public hearings to ascertain whether all those who have paid for CAPMI meters have been metered.

people and ecosystems,” the report said.

“Limiting climate change would require substantial and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions which, together with adaptation, can limit climate change risks.”

Speaking on the issue, IPCC chairman, Rajendra Pachauri said the comprehensive report brings together “all the pieces of the puzzle” in climate research and predictions.

“It’s not discrete, and highlights distinct elements of climate change that people have to deal with, but also how you might be able to deal with this problem on a comprehensive basis by understanding how these pieces of the puzzle actually come together,” Dr Pachauri

said.

The report reiterates that the planet is unequivocally warming, that burning fossil fuels is significantly increasing greenhouse gas emissions and the effects of climate change like sea level rises are already being felt.

The report also said most of the world’s electricity should be produced from low carbon sources by 2050 and that fossil fuel burning for power should be virtually stopped by the end of the century.

Last month, Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott said coal is “good for humanity” and will be the “world’s main energy source for decades to come” as he opened a new mine in central Queensland.

IPCC vice-chair Jean-Pascale van persele said while Mr

Abbott was correct to point out the world could not end its reliance on fossil fuels for energy immediately, change was necessary.

“The continued usage of fossil fuel could damage not only the environment but more substantially even the habitability of the planet and could erode the possibility to keep this planet habitable,” he said.

“He’s right, but the IPCC is right as well, and this is why climate negotiations, where the different bits of information including about the importance of energy in development, need to be taken into account and that’s also why the climate negotiations are so difficult.

Speaking on the report, United Nations secretarygeneral Ban Ki-moon said it was the most comprehensive appraisal of climate change yet and that human influence was clear.

Seplat to acquire more assets in Nigeria

S

EPLAT Petroleum Development Company has announced plans to acquire naturalgas assets to take advantage of higher prices in Nigeria.

Dr. Bryant Orjiako, Chairman of the company told Bloomberg that the company is to tap into any available source of gas, adding that the company is considering acquiring some more oil fields to be sold off by oil majors.

He said, “Two things are driving the gascommercialization business: the gas price and increasing demand.

Another thing that we are doing is to find any available source of gas.”

“We are interested in every divestment in the onshore and shallow water.

Shell, having the largest footprint, obviously has the ability to put up all these assets so we are looking at all of these.”

Seplat had projected a gross oil production of 85,000 barrels of oil per day from its existing assets by the end of 2016.

The company, with an average gross gas production of 99 million standard cubic feet per day, in 2013, had also announced plans to triple its gas production by the end of 2016 through massive investment in processing and delivery infrastructure.

The Base Manager of the company, Dr Chukumah Igelenyah, who stated this in Sapele, Delta State, also attributed the feat partly to the success of Grand Memorandum of Understanding, GMoU, that the company has entered into with the people of the area.

Austin Avuru, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company further stated that the company is committed to the intellectual capacity development of the people, especially the female students who are often disadvantaged on account of gender, of its host communities.

26 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

TEM to take off before the end of 2015, says Power Minister

By SEBASTINE OBASI

I

F the assurances of the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo are anything to go by, the much awaited transitional electricity market, TEM, would come into effect before the end of 2015.

The Minister had earlier this year given indications that the federal government has suspended the planned implementation of TEM, indefinitely when he said that the government is not concerned about the declaration of TEM, but is instead bothered about putting the right market conditions in place for the sector to thrive.

According to him, the new owners of the distribution companies (Discos) of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, were responsible for the delay in the declaration of the Transitional Electricity Market, TEM. He also explained that there were no plans to remove the N700 fixed electricity charge per customer, in the next couple of years, saying that Nigerians will continue to pay the charges irrespective of whether there is power supply or not.

The Minister further said that the DISCOs needed to be sure of their ability to recoup their investment, especially through revenue collection.

The TEM was initially slated to commence, March 1, 2014,

after the initial postponement last year. The postponement was due to the fact that certain conditions were not met.

Nebo also blamed the delay in the implementation of the TEM on challenges in gas supply, inadequate transmission network and security challenges, especially in the protection of power installations and facilities.

However, speaking at the just concluded Power Nigeria exhibition and conference, held in Lagos, the Minister

said that TEM would take off in a few weeks time.

“That would be in a few weeks time. The transition electricity market is going to kick off the contractual agreement and ensure that everybody plays his or her own role in a way that is governed by contracts which are legally binding.

“We know that it is going to help shore up investment. We don’t want the baby to be born prematurely, that is why we are hoping. We believe that by the end of the year we

would declare the transition electricity market,” he said.

When TEM comes into effect, DISCOs are required to activate extant vesting contracts with the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), while generation companies (GENCOs), would activate their power purchase agreements (PPAs). The gas supply agreements (GSAs) with gas suppliers would also be activated.

•Power plant

Royal Niger to invest N8bn in umbilical manufacturing facility

By MICHAEL EBOH

R

OYAL Niger Emerging Technologies, a Nigerian indigenous company in the oil and gas sector, has stated that it will invest more than $50 million, about N8 billion in the setting up of a plant for the manufacture of Finished Umbilical Products in Nigeria.

Umbilical is a cable which supplies fluid, power and data to drilling and production equipment. It is a sub-sea equipment composed of cables and elements which supply power and fluids as well as transmit data via fibre optics to other subsea hardware such as the Christmas tree and distribution equipment Speaking at a briefing in Lagos, Mr. Anthony Okolo, Managing Director, Royal Niger, said the facility, which is dedicated to the local market

is expected to begin operations in the second quarter of 2015 and will be capable of receiving umbilical components from multiple manufacturers in a variety of configurations, lengths and materials.

According to Okolo, the umbilicals will be manufactured at Royal Niger’s facility at Angel Park, Iworo, Badagry with ease of logistics from the Apapa Port and offers optimal logistics to all successful tenders of umbilical projects in Nigeria.

He said Nigeria lost more than $400 million in capital flight, about N64 billion in seven years, between 2008 and 2014, over its inability to domicile the technology for the manufacture of umbilicals for use in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.

According to him, previous industry efforts to domicile this

technology have not been embraced by foreign investors and major manufacturers, despite the fact that the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, requires that 60 per cent of Umbilical product tonnage be manufactured in Nigeria.

With the setting up of the facility, he said Nigeria will save hundreds of millions of dollars over the next four years, as a number of oil and gas companies plan to award about 400 kilometers of umbilical projects in the next couple of years.

He said, “The plant will be a key element in ensuring leading manufacturers of umbilical products are able to meet their Nigerian Content compliance requirements by ensuring up to 60 per cent of the equipment tonnage is

manufactured in Nigeria while offering benefits in reduced cost in logistics and operations.

“The plant will also support aftermarket services including umbilical repairs, reeler management and splicing.” Okolo further stated that the plant will complement the efforts of the Minister of Petroleum Resources through the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to domicile this capacity in Nigeria with the intention to limit capital flight of approximately $400m which will occur on projects between 2015 and 2018 without the development of this plant.

Consumer group plans protest over estimated billing

By Udo Ibuot

C

ONSUMER Rights A d v a n c e m e n t Organisation, CRAN, has promised to undertake a protest against electricity distribution Companies (DISCOs) and the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) over the issue of estimated billing.

To this end, Mr. Deolu Ogunbanjo, President, CRAN, in a statement obtained by Vanguard, said the group “ will from this month, commence a ‘no meter, no more payment of crazy/very high estimated bill’ nation-wide protest in order to stop the rip-off, open exploitation and also to ensure that electricity consumers are served with meters without any further delay.”

According to him, electricity consumers can no longer tolerate nor accommodate DISCO’s exploitation and very high estimated bills, adding that consumers will no longer pay for DISCO’s technical and commercial losses.

He said, “November 1, 2013 to November 1, 2014 is exactly one year after the DISCOs took over electricity distribution in Nigeria.

The issue of non-supply of prepaid and post-paid meters has been recurring both before and after the due-diligent privatization of the Power sector.

“The Nigerian Electricity Consumer without meter has been very accommodating to the extent of tolerating crazy billings and very high estimated bills being served every month. It must be noted that, before privatization, crazy and high estimated bills have not been as repelling as after the due-diligent privatization of the DISCOs, where they are currently four times higher.

“This has encouraged the Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to deliberately continue to stall the supply of Meters to Electricity Consumers in Nigeria.

This has brought untold economic losses and hardship to Consumers.

“We make bold to state that meter manufacturers in Nigeria currently have over 2,000,000 (Two million) meters that meet local and international standards, waiting in their warehouses for interested electricity consumers.

“It must also be noted that all industry regulators, stakeholders and players like the Federal Executive Council, the National Assembly, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the DISCOs are very well aware of the availability of this very large stock of standard meters in Nigeria.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 — 27

Youth apprenticeship scheme to bridge skills gap in power sector, says Jonathan

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has said that the National Power Sector Apprenticeship Scheme, NAPSAS, would close the existing skills gap created by many years of embargo on recruitment in the nation’s power sector.

Jonathan who stated this while inaugurating the scheme in Abuja, noted that apart from enhancing his administration’s transformation of the power sector, the scheme is a deliberate effort of the government to engage the teaming unemployed youths across the country in meaningful job opportunities.

Jonathan, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, at the flagging- off the NAPSAS at the Presidential Villa, noted that the programme is meant to provide employment to the youths and sustain the developmental strides in the sector.

He urged all the states and the Federal Capital Territory to key into the programme. The President enjoined the participants to apply themselves to the programme in order to gain the necessary expertise for which the scheme is meant.

Also speaking, the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo said about 8, 200 artisans and craftsmen are needed in the sector between now and the year 2020, noting that the power industry in the country had suffered acute lack of manpower.

Nebo described the NAPSAS as a fast-track capacity building through an apprenticeship scheme designed to deal with the yearning skills gap, adding that the successor companies inherited business concerns that have not recruited for 15 years.

He said that the first batch of trainees is 7,400 drawn from the 36 states of the federation and Abuja, adding that the training will be handled by the National Power Training Institute (NAPTIN) in collaboration with National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

Nebo stated that 3, 700 of the trainees are under federal government sponsorship while participating states will sponsor 100 each.

“One of the critical challenges within the Nigerian power sector which has become even more acute at this moment in the reform is the lack of adequate human capital and

human capacity, embargo on employment in the defunct PHCN since 1998 which created a wider skills gap in the sector.

“The successor companies inherited companies that have not recruited for over 15 years.

And there has not been structured skills training for over 23 years.

“The sector is bedevilled by an ageing workforce. Presently, there is a huge deficit especially among the technicians, artisans and craftsmen who account for less than 20 percent of the entire present workforce.

More than 20 perecnt of these artisans were between 51 – 60 years as at 2012. One can only

imagine the number two years after. With the expansion of access to power, It is projected that the sector will require additional 8200 artisans and craftsmen between now and 2020.

“It is on the back drop of the precarious situation that this novel intervention is being implemented. The National Power Sector Apprenticeship Scheme (NAPSAS) was initiated by the Federal Ministry of Power to bridge the wide gap in the low end skill cadre of the power sector,” he said.

NAPSAS is a fast track capacity building and skills acquisition program through

an apprenticeship scheme.

The scheme is expected to provide adequate skills training in four (4) core technical staff categories; distribution substation operators (DSO), cable joiners, linesmen/pole climbers and electrical fitters.

Chairman, House Committee on Power, Mr. Patrick Ikhariale corroborated the minister noting that during the oversight functions, his committee observed there was a dearth of workforce. The lawmaker said that if the nation fails to get what needed to be done to get the power sector reform right, Nigeria may be worse for it.

Schneider electric appoints new country president

S

CHNEIDER Electric, the global specialist in energy management has announced the appointment of Mr. Walid Sheta as the new Country President of its subsidiary in Nigeria. This is part of the global energy giant’s strategic positioning to align with its growth plan for Nigeria and English West Africa.

The new Country President has over 19 years work experience within the Schneider Electric group, serving in various top management capacities. Walid takes over from Marcel Hochet who has served as Country President for the past 10 years.

A 43 year-old Degree holder in Engineering from the National Institute of Applied Sciences (INSA-Rennes), France, Walid, first began his long professional experience at Schneider Electric, taking up the role of Project Manager, Schneider Electric, Egypt in 1995 mainly focusing on Industrial and Infrastructure Projects.

Nigeria to host clean energy summit

By PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

N

•Photovoltaic solar system

Sea Truck gets N40bn facility from Access Bank

By EDIRI EJOH

A

CCESS Bank Plc has granted a $250 million credit facility to Sea Truck Group, an international group of companies offering offshore installation, accommodation and support services to the oil and gas industry worldwide.

In explaining the capacity of the Bank to undertake deals of this magnitude, the Group Managing Director Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe said that the bank has recorded commendable expansion and growth in the last decade; “This has positioned the bank within the top 5 banks in the country. With regards to our regional spread, Access Bank is currently in 7 countries inclusive of the UK and now has an office in China with

plans to establish presence in Dubai next year”.

In expressing his appreciation to Sea Truck Group for the opportunity afforded the Bank, he said that “Sea Truck Group is a company that is dear to our heart. We will always support the company in its dealings, as we are confident that this mutually beneficial relationship will provide the backbone for future robust dealings”.

Leading the Sea Trucks Group, its President/Chief Executive Officer Jacque Roomans thanked Wigwe for arranging the signing ceremony and also commended the bank for the successful close on the transaction.

“The manner with which Access Bank handled this

transaction is highly commendable. This is a demonstration of how far the bank has come overtime. Sea Truck Group is proud to associate with Access Bank and will not hesitate to build on this existing relationship. I admonish other financial institutions to emulate Access Bank”, he opined.

The Executive Director, Corporate and Investment Banking, Access Bank Plc, Elias Igbinakenzua in describing the deal said that Access Bank’s capacity to support big businesses is never in doubt. In our bid to stimulate growth in the economy, we have established first class relationships with corporations and multi – nationals to position us to better support our customers” businesses.

IGERIA is aiming to lead the way in increasing solar power penetration in Africa as it hosts the first African clean energy summit, ACES, 2014 in Abuja.

The summit is coming on the heels of the current debate at the international level on the need to shift focus from fossil fuels to renewable energy The Chief Operating Director, COD, Africa Clean Energy Summit, Mr. Olawale Akinwumi, said the event will include a world-class meeting, an international exhibition, technical conferences, business fora and other activities billed to hold on the sideline of the event.

“The hub will operate as a 24/ 7 permanent climate-friendly energy solution initiative for exhibition and sales of renewable energy products and services. The initiative highlights both new and planned developments, helping to source technology, secure financing and enter into business partnerships with development partners,” he said.

28— Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 —29

30 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

Dangote Cement consolidates position, rolls out 32.5 cement STORIES by Jude Njoku

D

ANGOTE Cement Plc last week, consolidated its leadership position as Africa’s largest cement manufacturing company, when it formally introduced the 32.5 grade of cement meant only for plastering, into the Nigerian market.

With an annual production of over 42 million metric tonnes of cement in all its plants scattered across about 14 African countries, Dangote Cement Plc is the undisputed leader in the cement manufacturing sector in the continent. In Nigeria, the company produces29.5millionmetrictonnes of cement annually in its three plants located in Gboko in Benue State, Ibeshe in Ogun State and Obajana in Kogi State.

Speaking at the formal launch of the new product, the Managing Director of the company, Mr. DevakumarV.G. Edwin explained that Dangote Cement ventured into the production of 32.5 grade of the product because the regulatory agency -the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, has clearly spelt out the different uses of the various grades of cement which must be complied with by the cement manufacturing companies.

Recalling the bitter controversy that greeted the clamour for the standardization of cement, Edwin maintained that the 42.5R grade of cement will remain Dangote Cement’s flagship product because of its superiority and varied uses.

Numerous pleas by customers Edwin said the company had resisted numerous pleas by its customers to produce the lower 32.5 grade and sell at a cheaper price, because it didn’t want the product to be misapplied . “Now the regulatory authority, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON has stepped in.

SON has taken controlling measures and they (SON) have re-emphasised that anybody producing the 32.5 cement must design their bags in a specific manner and the bags should carry clearly that this cement is meant for plastering only and not for any other application.

The regulator has also said they are constituting teams to go into all the states and monitor how the product is being used because of the various incidents of building collapse in the country. So with these regulations in place, we have the confidence that we can now go into the production of 32.5 for plastering only,” he said.

C M Y K

•Mr Edwin, GMD, Dangote Cement

•Dangote Cement plant going to the southern states will According to him, about 80 percent attract N100 as transport fee. “The of cement produced by the transportation fee has been precompany will still be the 42.5R determined and announced to grade. protect the consumers from The Dangote Cement GMD also indiscriminate high cost of gave reasons for the recent transportation and ensure the reduction of the price of the 50kg customer gets best value for the premium bag of cement. product. We have enough trucks According to him, the 32.5 grade to deliver the cement to your door of cement will now sell at N1,000 steps whether it is rainy season or ex-factory while the 42.5R will go dry season,” he said, adding that for N1,150 ex factory (excluding those demanding only one truckcost of transportation), because the load of cement will now be supply has outstripped the attended to directly by the demand for the product. With the company. recent addition of nine million These measures, according to metric tonnes ( six million metric the Dangote Cement boss, is the tonnes from Ibeshe plant and three company’s own way of helping million metric tonnes from millions of homeless Nigerians to Obajana plant) into the Nigerian build their own houses thereby market, the demand for the reducing the housing shortfall product is now lower than the 29.5 million metric tonnes currently produced by the estimated at 16 company. He noted million units. He that it was difficult to called for the use effect a price of the pensions reduction when fund in housing demand was higher delivery. On the than supply because company’s drive retailers would still for expansion, Mr have a way of Edwin said circumventing Dangote Cement whatever measures will be operating were put in place to in about 14 bring down prices. countries in sub“Now, we have more Saharan Africa products chasing and producing fewer customers,” he about 42 million said metric tonnes of On transportation, Edwin cement by the end Mr Edwin said the of this year. company has enough maintained that According to him, trucks to deliver the 42.5R grade the ravaging Ebola cement to any part of Virus Disease in the country. The of cement will Sierra Leone company is charging remain Dangote prevented the a transportation fee of commissioning of N200 for every bag Cement’s Dangote Cement of cement delivered flagship product plant in that to the far north, N150 country last because of its per bag for those month. going to the Middle superiority and Doyen of the Belt while those varied uses cement industry in Nigeria and

Honorary Adviser to the President of Dangote Cement Plc, Mr Joseph Makoju, an engineer, said the cement industry in Nigeria has come of age. He noted that Nigeria has moved from being a net importer of the product to a net exporter. This scenario, Makoju said, will help to stimulate growth andhealthycompetitionamongthe different manufacturers.

The Director -General of SON, Dr Joseph Odumodu, who was represented by Mrs Cynthia Ifeagwu, praised Dangote Cement for being the first to comply fully with the new cement standards set by the organisation. He restated the commitment of the regulatory agency to monitor and enforce compliance with the new standards. Representatives of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, NIA, and Bricklayers Association in their remarks, lauded the company for producing the new grade of cement.

Standardisation will create global confidence in Nigeria’s goods and services —Odumodu

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HE Director-General of the S t a n d a r d s Organisation of Nigeria, SON, Dr Joseph Odumodu has called on regulatory agencies in the country to always insist on international standards. They should also have zero tolerance for non-compliance with approved standards.

Dr Odumodu who made the call in Lagos when he delivered the state of standards address at a press briefing to mark the 2014 World Standards Day, also enjoined consumers to demand quality and insist on improving quality.

He explained that the falling price of oil should awaken Nigerians to the reality that standardisation is “Nigeria’s last ditch effort to avoid becoming a failed economy ”. Said he: “There are areas where we cannot compete with Japan but the industries in which we have comparative advantage, we must weigh in with all powers of standards.

By so doing, we create global confidence in Nigeria’s products and services, grow richer, expand our spheres on influence, grow even richer by leveraging our boosted productivity and export trade

and have a victory to celebrate”.

Odumodu who said he has succeeded in reducing fake and substandard products in the country from 80 percent to 40 percent, called on Nigerians not to play politics with the issue of standardisation.

“It cannot be business as usual to no end. Each of us needs to make the commitment to help in reinventing Nigeria and take her one step to where the rest of the world stands. No nation, however powerful can go it alone or play its own standards that is not in tune with the global community,” he said The SON DG who stated that standards are universal, noted that there is nothing like Nigerian standard. “Anything that falls short of the global setting is substandard,” he said, adding that made in Nigeria for the world means thinking global, even if you are playing local.

He maintained that foreign investors in Nigeria are not likely to drive Nigeria to the global market. “Indian and Chinese ventures in particular are welcome. They are good friends and our partners in progress but the future of Nigerian trade visa-vis the global market lies in the hands of indigenous players.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 — 31

L-R: Oba Lateef Olayinka of Alado Land, Brig. Gen. Tunde Reis (retd), LABSCA GM, Dr. Abimbola Amimashaun-Odunayo and Mr Femi Falana (SAN) at the Forum

COLLAPSED BUILDINGS: Stakeholders demand enforcement of building laws, return of inspectors

By Kingsley Adegboye

A

GAINST the backdrop of rising incidents of collapsed buildings in Nigeria, stakeholders in the built environment have called for the enforcement of building regulations and the engagement of inspectors to certify buildings under construction. The stakeholders also posited that the menace of building collapse can only be curbed by the collaboration of professionals.

The experts who brainstormed on “curbing the menace of building collapse by collaborative effort” at the 1st stakeholders’ forum and exhibition organized by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild, Amuwo-Odofin Cell in Lagos, maintained that contravention laws must be duly enforced to stem the rising scourge.

Speaking on “Promoting building control compliance through appropriate enforcement by control agents’’, the President of First World Communities Ltd, Brigadier-General Tunde Reis (retd) stated that where there

is no rule of law, anything can happen, which is the problem of the under development.

Reis who is a former boss of Federal Housing Authority, FHA, and the Post-Army Housing Scheme declared: ‘’What we are witnessing today is basically poor education and lack of rule of law. Building collapse is a function of illegality and lack of enforcement. Where there is no sanction, people can get away with any thing. There should be enough testing laboratories everywhere for testing building materials rather than having just two in Lagos”.

Problem of building collapse Continuing, he stated that “the problem of building collapse is not with perpetrators, but with our leaders who cannot create jobs for professionals to appropriately monitor construction sites”.

“We should have certified building inspectors to certify buildings. This will address or eliminate building collapse in

the country,’’ he stated.

In her own submission, the General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency LASBCA, Mrs. Abimbola Animashaun Odunayo said her two-year old agency is trying within its limited personnel to monitor the state. She explained that with 121 staff, it is not easy to do effective monitoring of buildings across the entire state.

The LASBCA boss who decried the lack of cooperation from members of the public, added that cooperation becomes more difficult when it has to do particularly with public buildings such as Police and Army Barracks.

Mrs Odunayo said her agency noticed several distressed buildings at the Police Barracks in Ikeja, but all efforts to carry out necessary rehabilitation on the buildings have been resisted by the men and officers of the Force.

Pointing out that the agency now has its own task force, she said LABSCA has concluded plans to engage the services of approved building inspectors to monitor buildings at sites.

These inspectors must be certified building professionals

with registered office addresses. They are expected to carry out stage certification at construction sites to ensure that every stage of the construction is duly certified

Substandard building materials

What we are witnessing today is basically poor education and lack of rule of law.

Building collapse is a function of illegality and lack of enforcement

Developer hires SY Design for Accra’s Ambassador Heights

T

HE developers of Ambassador Heights, in Accra, the capital of Ghana, have hired Messrs SY Design, an internationally recognised hotel architecture and interior design firm to design the new luxury residential development.

The firm was responsible for the creation of the coveted suites and Presidential Suite at the Ambassador Hotel in addition to recent work at the Four Seasons London, Four Seasons Beirut and and Moevenpick Beirut.

A statement by the founding principal, Mr. Simon Yammine.explained that SY’s vision for Ambassador Heights is”to create a secure sense of place that allows each homeowner to feel as C M Y K

though they are on vacation while in the heart of the city”. “We have paid particular attention to allowing nature and the outer green spaces and surrounding gardens to compliment the interior of the homes, blending outside within through the use of beautiful glass features throughout the residence.”

“The exterior and interior of the homes will be an extension of the 5 -Star luxury reflected within the surrounding hotel.

Timeless elegance and sophistication will be felt across all elements of the residences from the fixtures, to the fittings, to the

before the next stage. ”Every month, we look at our target and the number of collapsed buildings. So far, it is only the Synagogue case for now. We partner Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON to ensure use of standard materials in buildings. Our big challenge is non-approval of the land regulation by the government,’’ she said.

The LASBCA boss who lamented harassment and physical attacks on officials of the agency by ‘Omo niles’ and property owners while carrying out their duty, further decried the delay in prosecuting cases her agency has instituted against some offenders. ’’We wish there could be a magistrate court dedicated to LASBCA alone to hasten the long list of pending cases in court,” she said.

Blaming the cause of building collapse on the activities of quacks, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) regretted that in Nigeria, impunity is the order of the day. “We must all fight impunity together if we want to put a stop to building collapse in the country,” he said..

The legal luminary regretted that ‘’builders compromise the ethics of the profession by using sub-standard building materials”. He called for the enforcement of the relevant laws of the building professions in order to forestall building collapse.

appliances. In addition, custom designed furniture packages are currently being produced by SY Design for the owners of Ambassador Heights,”he said.

“The Ambassador Heights Furniture Package will”further upgrade the luxury of the residence and will include the furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) and operating, supplies, and equipment (OS&E). This will encompass everything from stylish yet comfortable living areas, to beautiful chandeliers, to fine cutlery, to high-end branded technology, to one of a kind artwork.

”Building Collapse Prevention Guild should sit with the state government to decide how to fight impunity in the building industry. This is certainly going to be a herculean task for you because of massive corruption in government offices. It is not going to be easy for you, but you must find a way round it’’, Falana advised.

Mr Onipede Adeoye an engineer, who stood in for the Director-General of SON said the agency will continue to ensure that standard materials are specified for manufacturers of building materials to prevent building collapse. SON, according to him, is partnering with various bodies across the country to ensure standard buildings.

In his own contribution, the Regional Sales Manager, Dangote Cement PLC, Mr. Johnson Olaniyi stated that the right usage of cement will check the rising incidents of building collapse in the country Mr. Olaniyi who said inadequate mix of cement ratio is the cause of weak blocks being used at construction sites.

According to him, most of the people who call themselves block moulders are actually sand mixers. He maintained that the right usage of cement will result in standard blocks .

32— Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

Sweet, sour in Delta PAGE 2

It’s smooth ride in Calabar

Water everywhere in Burutu, but none to drink

PAGE 4

VOL. 1: NO. 23

PAGE 6

TUESD AY, NOVEMBER 111 1 , 20 14 TUESDA 201

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: GRA, Benin, Edo State; Ekrejete Road, Abraka, Delta State; Uyo, Akwa Ibom State; Yenagoa, Bayelsa; Okpogrinya Junction, Cross River; and Port Harcourt, Rivers.

‘Contractors sabotage Amaechi's road projects in Port Harcourt’>>Page 3 PROLOGUE: How S’South states’ capitals stand on link roads

By Emma Amaize

G

OVERNORS of the six SouthSouth states, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Delta; Comrade Adams C M Y K

Oshiomhole, Edo; Hon Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa; Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi, Rivers; Obong Godswill Akpabio, Akwa Ibom, and Senator Liyel Imoke, Cross River, have done quite a lot, since they

assumed office, to open up their states in terms of road network, which is of the rudimentary ingredients of development.

Niger Delta Voice visited Asaba,

Benin, Yenagoa, Port Harcourt, Uyo, Calabar and adjoining cities to assess the condition of the internal roads in the

Continues on Page 2

2—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

It's sweet, sour in Delta DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

Selective construction in Yenagoa BA YELS A ...

BAYELS YELSA THE GLORY OF ALL LANDS

By Samuel Oyadongha & Emem Idio

Y

E N A G O A — A D I S P A S S I O N AT E scrutiny of what the Bayelsa State Government has

the three key senatorial road projects, which, hitherto, were in limbo. The roads are designed to open up the hinterland, where hundreds of communities are locked up in the mangrove swamps, just as major roads construction are ongoing in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Others Other major roads under construction in the capital city include the Isaac Boro

By Festus Ahon, Egufe Yafugborhi & Perez Brisibe

A

SABA—DELTA State Government prides itself on provision of basic infrastructures designed to attract investments to the state in line with its Delta Beyond Oil initiative.

It readily points at the Asaba International Airport, Asaba; ongoing dualization of UghelliAsaba Road, Koko Road, flyover projects in Warri and Asaba, Bus Rapid Transit, BRT in Warri and a host of other development projects.

Continues on Page 5 C M Y K

Internal roads abandoned However, the story is not the same on most of the internal roads. While the major link roads and expressways have received greater government attention, internal roads, especially within the Yenagoa metropolis, have been abandoned and in awful state of disrepair, begging for government intervention.

Driving through some of these roads is a nightmarish experience for residents as some of the roads are riddled with craters and deep gullies that could submerge a child.

Most residents are forced to park their vehicles far away

from their homes because the failed portion of the roads could damage their vehicles.

In so doing, however, they expose such cars to vandals and thieves.

Their plight is more severe during the rainy season as motorists and pedestrians can hardly differentiate the deep spots on these failed roads when the streets are flooded.

It is instructive to note that it was the administration of Mr. Timipre Sylva that constructed most of the internal roads in Yenagoa metropolis.

That administration claimed to have constructed and

Continues on Page 7

How S’South states’ capitals stand on link roads Continues from Page 1

Unspeakable experiences But in terms of internal roads, driving through Asaba, the state capital, Warri, Ughelli, Sapele, Agbor and Abraka, especially in the rainy season, the aforementioned strides almost pale into insignificance because of the horrible experiences.

Not even the ramshackle roads revamped by government in Asaba, War ri and Ughelli would assuage the acerbic tongues of sceptics.

Okpanam road’s misfortune For most residents of Asaba and Okpanam in Oshimili North Local Government Area, which has melted into the state capital, the community was at the verge of being cut-off from Asaba and other neighbouring towns because of poor drainage system.

Mrs. Therma Okafor, Frank Okonkwo and Ifeanyi Okonji, who spoke to Niger Delta Voice, said the community needed proper drainage system to channel the water to the Anwai River.

visitors to Yenagoa.

Inside Yenagoa. achieved since February 14, 2012, when Governor Seriake Dickson assumed office, shows that he has registered improvements in virtually all sectors.

Dickson has kept faith with his promise to make infrastructure development the centrepiece of his policies and programmes. His commitment to complete ongoing projects inherited by his administration has largely been met, except in few cases where some contractual hitches are yet to be ironed out.

Critical works are ongoing on

Expressway dualization and flyover project, OpoloElebele, Igbogene-Glory Drive, and dualization of the Igbogene-AIT Outer Ring Road, among others.

The Alfred Diette-Spiff Road, linking the Safety Road, Civil Servants Estate, Black Market Estate, Hospital Junction and Melford Okilo Road by the Samson Siasia Stadium, had been completed, thereby enhancing the aesthetics of the area.

Interestingly, these critical projects are strategically located and visible to all

state capitals. The findings, which should propel the governors to do more for their states, are revealing.

It was observed that some of the governors concentrated efforts on the visible parts of the state capital, leaving the interior areas in very bad condition.

Only few paid equal attention to internal road network in their capital cities.

In Bayelsa, for instance, where Governor Dickson scored an appreciable 70 percent in opening up roads to the hinterlands and repaired major roads in Yenagoa, residents told Samuel Oyadongha and Emem Idio that the condition of roads in the state capital is like washing the outside of the pot, leaving the inside dirty.

Despite the strong showings of Governor Amaechi, respondents, who spoke to Jimitota Onoyume in Port Harcourt, maintained that internal road network in Port Harcourt was a write off.

Remarkably, he awarded contracts for same when he assumed office in 2007, but the contractors have obviously failed. Currently, the governor is tackling drainage problems in parts of the city to redeem the situation.

Governor Akpabio is known to have taken road development to a new level in the state, but on internal roads in Uyo, Tom Moses said residents scored him low, saying they contribute money monthly to repair bad roads.

Festus Ahon, Egufe Yafugborhi and Brisibe Perez, who went round Delta State, were informed that the efforts of Dr. Uduaghan, who is racing to finish strong with his urban renewal programme, are not enough to earn Asaba the position of state capital, with the

state internal road network in the region.

Simon Ebegbulem reports that Benin, which was derogatorily referred to in the past as Ancient City, is pulling strong on internal roads. The governor, Comrade Oshiomhole, who finally conquered the age-long flood problem in the state capital, changed the tide by calculatingly fixing internal roads in the downtrodden areas of the prehistoric city, leaving the Government Reservation Area, GRA, where the rich resides.

There is, however, indication that he may start work after the rains in the GRA. From our findings, Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, is showing the way to other state capitals in the SouthSouth region with matchless internal road linkage.

Emmanuel Unah said the foundation was laid by former governor, Mr. Donald Duke, built on and sustained by the incumbent governor, Senator Imoke.

Read the reports on Niger Delta Voice pages.

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

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014—3

‘Contractors sabotage Amaechi in Port Harcourt’ RIVERS… THE TREASURE BASE OF THE NATION

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— SOME of the internal roads in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State, and local government areas around the capital city are in a discreditable state. Residents principally blamed contractors for the situation, accusing them of doing shoddy jobs.

They recalled that when Governor Rotimi Amaechi assumed office in 2007, he awarded contracts on roads reconstruction, but that sadly the contractors did not deliver good jobs. In many cases, they abandoned the jobs midway and disappeared into thin air.

At Oyigbo Local Government Area, one of the inhabitants, Ms Chioma Rose, said the governor gave out contracts for the roads barely six months after he come into office in 2007. She said contractors did not deliver quality jobs.

Among them was Camp Road, also called PH/Aba Mbano Camp Road; Isaiah Eleto Road, Imo Street, Ijeoma Road, Zenith Bank Road, School Road and Andy Road.

Rose said: “These roads were awarded by the governor when he assumed office in his first term. But the contractors did poor jobs, so they have all gone bad again.”

No drainage In Diobu to Mile 3, residents also complained of bad roads.

They mentioned Ojoto, Udi, Abakiliki, Azikiwe, Anozie, Abonema Wharf, Obudu by Nsukka, among many others, which had failed in the area.

Some of the residents blamed lack of drains to evacuate water from the roads, when it rains, for the let-down.

In D-Line and Oroworoko parts of Port Harcourt, it is basically the same story. A portion of Khana Street had gone very bad, while in Oroworoko, a community in the neighbourhood, most of the internal roads are similarly in very deplorable states.

The Eastern by-pass road has already failed at the portion that connects Marine base and Alfred Diette-Spiff Sports Complex.

SOS With the dry season around the corner, residents expressed hope that the government would revisit these bad roads, spread all over the state capital and local

Azikiwe Road, Diobu, Port Harcourt. governments around it.

“We are hoping that the government will use the dry season to fix these bad roads,” Ogan Fred asserted.

Another resident, Mr. Daniel Chisom, noted: “We have been crying to the state government to come and fix roads in Oyigbo. Sadly some of these roads were done during the first term of the administration, but they are bad now.”

He urged government to ensure credible contractors handled the jobs when they are re-awarded.

Govt constructs drainage Meantime, the state government has embarked on construction of drainage in Town part of Port Harcourt, Lagos Street, Barthurst Street and D-Line.

It is also expanding the Ada George, NTA/Ngbuoba, and UTC, Ikwerre roads, the way connecting Trans Amadi from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, and StadiumElekahia Slaughter Road.

“Nobody can take it from the governor that he has done appreciably well in road construction in the state,” Alfred Eju said.

Chairman of Trade Union Congress, TUC, Rivers State,

Mr. Chika Unuegbu, said: “We would like to advise the federal and the various states’ governments to take advantage of the coming dry season to fix all the deplorable roads across the country.

“The deplorable conditions of roads in the country have negatively impacted on the welfare and even security of the people. Workers and other road users spend several agonizing hours on the road.

There is no reason why the Eleme/Onne Road should not be fixed.”

Port Harcourt.

In Uyo, residents pay levy to fix bad roads AKWA IBOM...

LAND OF PROMISE

By Tom Moses

U

YO—INHABITANTS of seemingly neglected communities and streets in Uyo, the Akwa-Ibom State capital have bemoaned the

deplorable condition of their roads and implored Governor Godswill Akpabio to act quickly.

Disgraceful roads Some of the very bad areas observed by Niger Delta Voice within Uyo are Information Drive, Atan Offot Road, Iman Street, Nsetip, Asutan, Umanah Uko, Ubi Inyang, Atim Atakpo, Etim Okon

Usangha, Udo Idionka and Udo Street, many of which are located just by major roads such as Nwanga Iba, IBB Way, Abubarkar Atiku Avenue, Idongesit Nkangha Avenue and Aka Road.

Residents grumble A leader of Ikot-Obio Atai and Afaha Oku community,

Continues on Page 5 C M Y K

4—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

CROSS RIVER… THE PEOPLE’S PARADISE

C

By Emmanuel Unah

ALABAR—THE capital of Cross River State and other major cities in the state like Ogoja in the Northern senatorial district, Ugep and Ikom in the Central senatorial district have well -paved roads, which make for captivating drive.

The good roads in the aforesaid cities are a product of the Urban Renewal Programme started by the erstwhile governor of the state, Mr. Donald Duke, in his second tenure between 2003 and 2007.

This programme was inherited by his successor, Senator Liyel Imoke, who expanded and value-added the scope.

Imoke raised the bar In addition, Imoke established the Cross River State Roads Maintenance Agency in 2009 with the mandate to regularly ensure that potholes and any form of devastation on any portion of the roads in these cities were worked on frequently.

1,500km rural road across the state The state being an agrarian state, Senator Imoke also established the Rural Access and Mobility Board, RAMB, to work on rural roads.

Through this agency, h e unswervingly confronted the rural roads and infrastructure development. He set a target of constructing two roads in each of the 18 local government areas every budgetary year.

This approach had since seen the construction of over 1,500 kilometres of rural roads across the state.

Beneficiaries Several communities have benefitted from this programme. They include the 20-km Yahe-Wa n i h e m , Aliforkpa-Ijegwu, IbilBansara, Ukpe-Aladim-Igodo, Shekpeche-Ablesang, UkwelOhon, Ubang-Wula, Majugha-Osueghui and Ofumbugha-Aton roads, which have opened up communities that were hitherto cut off from the rest of the state.

This significantly improved the lot of the rural dwellers, who could not take their farm produce to markets located outside their villages.

Federal Govt roads, Achilles heel However, even as the state is committed to the construction of urban and rural roads in the city, the major arteries that link the state to other states have consistently worsened, making movement on them a nightmare.

These roads commonly C M Y K

Okpoigrinya junction.

Akpabuyo Road.

It’s smooth ride in Calabar *Former Governor, Duke initiated vision; Imoke caught it called federal roads are terribly devastated.

Among them are the IkomObubra-Calabar, the CalabarItu, Calabar-Ikang, IkomObudu highways, which are all death traps.

Controversy Several efforts by the governor to draw the attention of the federal government to the state of these roads have not yielded result. The state carried out some palliative

measures, which the state Commissioner for Works, Mr Legor Idagbo, said, gulped over N20 billion. But officials of the Federal Ministry of Works strongly disputed the figure, saying it is not more than N11 billion.

His words: “We have in the past three years expended the sum of N20 billion on the repairs of federal roads in the state and officials of the Ministry at Abuja are saying the money is just N11 billion

and even the N11billion, they have refused to release to us”.

Angry youths lay siege Mr. Idagbo said paucity of funds accruing to the state from federal allocation has made it virtually impossible for the state to inject more funds into the construction or repairs of federal roads, which has further worsened the condition of the roads.

“As I talk to you now, the spot at Okpogrinya, along the

Ogoja –Ikom and the one at Akpabuyo, along the Calabar –Ikang road have become impassable. Vehicles and even pedestrians cannot go through there,” he said.

On Thursday, last week, while the PDP was preparing for its delegates election, protesting youths laid siege to the Akpabuyo road to express their anger over the terrible state of the road, which had claimed many lives lately.

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014—5

It's sweet, sour in Delta

In Uyo, residents pay levy to fix bad roads Continues on Page 3 Elder Imo Abia, who resides on Urua Ekpa road, located behind the University of Uyo, UNIUYO, which has remained in an appalling condition for the past eight years, lamented that the Godswill Akpabio administration has been unfair to residents of the area.

His words: “It is inconceivable that government could neglect a road like Urua Ekpa which is not just located in the heart of the city and less than one kilometre to the Government House, but has a thick population of taxpayers.”

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (left) inspecting drainage work on DLA Road, Asaba.

Continues from Page 2 On a bad day, most government and private establishments on Okpanam Road are totally cut-off by flood and the present administration has not found solution to the challenge.

Calling on the state government to take more practical step towards addressing the problem, Mrs. Okafor said the existing drainage were not properly channelled.

Advising that houses built on natural water channels be demolished to pave way for free flow of water, she lamented that it takes about one hour, 30 minutes to get to Asaba from Okpanam due to heavy traffic occasioned by the bad road.

Ogbeogonogo Market gridlock Motoring on the Nnebisi Road, which passes through the length of Asaba, Ogbeogonogo Market axis is the albatross. Not that the road is not tarred, but traffic congestion caused by heavy population conspire to make nonsense of the state capital.

The introduction of traffic wardens has not solved the chaos.

Awful in Warri In Warri, which is the commercial capital of the state, driving on the streets during work hours is nerveracking. This is mainly due to

deplorable by-passes around the vast road network, which, ironically, was meant to reduce vehicular concentration on the limited major motorways.

The government reconstructed the Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, Road, Airport Road, Warri, Refinery Road, Okumagba Avenue Road and some others, but the situation on most major roads in Warri is appalling.

Flashpoints Enerhen Junction, Jakpa Junction, front of Urhobo College, Effurun Roundabout, Hausa Quarters, Okere Market, Udu Road, NNPC Housing Complex Road are among the perennial points of traffic jams in Warri and neighbouring Effurun and Udu communities.

The story is not different at Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government, which plays host to the state- owned Delta State University, DELSU; Sapele in Sapele Local Government Area and Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Areas.

While the College Road, Beach-Land, Ekrejeta Road are among the distressing areas at Abraka community, the Sapele-Amukpe Junction before the Amukpe Market, one of the entry points into Sapele, is a monster to road users. A deep ditch currently sits on the road and welcomes vehicles that manoeuvre into the town.

Residents, motorists lament A resident of Afiesere community, Akpobome Efemena, appealed to the state government to, as a matter of urgency, extend the ongoing maintenance work on the AbrakaEku Road and other areas to Afiesere-Ofuoma Road.

She said: “If not for the peaceful and crime-free nature of the community, bandits would capitalized on the nature of the road to dispossess road users of their possessions at will.

Ese Komone, resident at Okuokokor community, said: “Since moving residence and my business to Okuokokor, I have drastically limited driving into Warri for the safety of my car and loss of man hour.

“Before now, there were one or two free routes and detours to navigate into town without being locked in Effurun Market or Jakpa Junction Market gridlocks. But now, everywhere you pass, you are held up on the road.”

An intra-city commercial bus driver, Freeborn Mukoro, lamented: “The bad road coupled with the traffic jam is killing business for us.

“You are aware that we cannot hike fares on commuters because of the competitively low fares set by the Uduaghan buses (Delta City Taxi).

Continues on Page 8

Levy To maintain the road, Elder Abia said, “We charge every household here certain fees on monthly basis to buy trips of red sand and then, mobilize the youths to come out and fill the bad spots so as to make the road manageable for our use. The month we do not do that, when it rains, this road becomes almost impassable and why the road is this bad now is because of the rain which did not allow us to come out in the last one month or so and do what we used to do.”

“Look at the road; look at UNIYO, the road is very bad and not befitting to be noticed in the heart of the town and very close to a federal university. Look at the next road, Ikot Anwa Nsa Road also, they came and tarred a section of it and left one section undone for over seven years now and the section they tarred is wearing off by the day, while the section not tarred is developing into gullies because of rain and human activities,” he said.

Alleged unfairness Another resident, Mrs. Udeme Celestine, complained that even though the present government has done much in developing and transforming the state, government was biased by not considering the street in its development plans.

“We are happy that the press is concerned about the poor state of our roads. Please, we want government to come and assist us fix this road in accordance with its promise to provide us good roads, water and electricity.

“Government should not make us feel that it is biased in its development plans. This road is in Uyo and if government is developing or transforming Uyo, it should not be excluded from such plan.”

The head of Afaha Oku community where UNIUYO is

located, Eteidung Edet Daniel Essien, was not at home when the Niger Delta Voice visited, but Chief Benson Udo Udo, who spoke for the people, said, “It is my belief that when you want to decorate a house, you start from the sitting room where your guests sit and then, you move to the inner rooms, but government by the neglect of Afaha Oku, is dressing or decorating the house from the inner rooms.

“Government should please, give us a sense of belonging as it has done to other parts of Uyo”, Elder Udo appealed.

Akpabio has done well—CPS Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to Governor Godswill Akpabio, Pastor Anietie Ukpe, however, rated Uyo, the AkwaIbom State capital as one of the most beautifully organized and blessed evolving cities in Nigeria in terms of road infrastructure.

“For you to understand the road situation in Akwa-Ibom State, you need to compare what is happening in AkwaIbom State with what is happening in other states, then, you will understand that what is happening in AkwaIbom State is exceptional.

“You need to know how many roads were tarred before the present administration came in and how many roads have been tarred by the present administration.

“You also need to know that one government cannot tar all the roads in a particular state because more roads are being constructed.

“So, government does what it can, given the available resources and in this particular case, Akwa-Ibom State government has broken records in the tarring of roads and if we have one or two roads that are not good, that is what the next administration can handle.

“That is why we are concerned about the succeeding administrations sustaining the momentum of development so that if they keep doing what the present administration has done, we will have fewer bad roads in the state.

“Within Uyo, the state’s capital, it is rare to see bad roads, not that they do not exist but they are few, very, very few.”

He attributed the current road situation in the state capital to topography and the haphazard building methods of the people, which did not allow proper channelling of water into the drainage facilities.

C M Y K

6—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

By Perez Brisibe

B

URUTU—IT is said that those who live near a river do not wash their hands with spittle. But the reverse is the case in the riverine communities of Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, which lies on the two flanks of the Forcados Rivers, a channel to River Niger.

The riverside dwellers have no water fit to drink.

Burutu is one of the Ijaw ethnic nationality councils in the state with the highest monthly allocation. But the life of the inhabitants, mainly fishermen and women, and small-scale farmers, do not echo the finance that comes in.

Water everywhere in Burutu, but none to drink *Residents drink from same water they defecate in *Use alum to 'purify' water *Looking up to Ebikeme Clark

Life of misery A visit to the headquarters, Burutu, and Ojobo, Ofougbene, Ogbogbabene, Okpokunu, Ebeberegbene and Opuapele by Niger Delta Voice revealed that residents are living in penury, as they battle with hunger and the challenges of oil spills on their waterways and farms.

Besides the problem of despoliation of the environment by oil thieves and oil companies, residents defecate in makeshift toilets built along the riverbanks. In fact, adults go to the makeshift toilets covered with zinc to defecate, while children just settle on canoes and empty their bowels into the river.

Incredibly, they also drink from the same river. The result is different kinds of waterborne diseases.

Chairman of Burutu community, Jonatus Ogodobiri, told Niger Delta Voice: “Residents of Burutu buy the water they drink from Warri and also get from rain.

Those who are unable to afford water from Warri are faced with the alternative of getting drinking water from the sea, where they defecate in.”

Between local wisdom and doctor Though, the river water in Ojobo has a high level of salinity, looks hard and brackish, 53-year-old mother of four, Clara Fufeyin, who paddles to the middle of the river to fetch water for drinking, said she applies alum to purify the water, after which she filters the dirt and store for drinking.

A medical doctor attached to Burutu General Hospital, Burutu, told Niger Delta Voice: “We have treated numerous cases of cholera, typhoid and schistosomiasis as a result of residents of the area C M Y K

ABOVE: Ojobo community.

LEFT: Answering nature's call.

BELOW: A typical Burutu toilet.

BELOW LEFT: A queue to the 'loo.'

drinking water from the river.

“The water have a high level of organic materials and are diseases infected, hence as medical experts, we have consistently preached against its

consumption, but the people still go back to it out of what we think is ignorance and poverty.”

Ebikeme Clark’s task It is, however, expected that

the new chairman of the council, Chief Ebikeme Clark, son of former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark, would make provision of potable water a pri-

ority for the wretched communities in Burutu Local Government Area.

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014—7

Selective construction in Yenagoa

Roads getting better in Benin the years.

The governor stated in an interview, “I have not built any road in what is generally called the GRA where the big people reside and that is a conscious decision.

“I have chosen to put public resources in those depressed neighbourhoods where the forgotten majority resides. It is thus a pity that this commendable attitude of directing public policy towards the betterment of the majority of the populace is now in serious reverse across the different tiers of government.

“It is this lack of consciousness in helping the majority of the populace that has made several governors to focus on building Government Houses at great cost above other felt needs of the citizenry.”

Continues from Page 2 upgraded over 50 internal roads within the state capital.

Less than three years after, most of the roads had been washed away and in many cases worse than they were before construction due to the shoddy job, while others were abandoned after the contractors had collected mobilization fee.

Inhabitants score govt low Commenting on the state of the internal roads, a Yenagoa resident and environmentalist, Mr. Alagoa Morris, expressed sadness over the state of affairs and scored the government low.

He said: “In terms of internal roads in the state capital, I will score the government low. In fact apart from about four roads, the present government has done practically nothing on internal roads. It is indeed sad that most of the internal roads are in very deplorable state.”

Underscoring the importance of internal roads, Morris said: “While I appreciate efforts so far made on some major roads, it should be noted that the internal roads are the locations where the people file out from every morning to their various offices and places of interest. They return to the same streets at the end of the day.

“Therein lays the significance of this needed infrastructure.

Wadding through water and potholes daily, while going out and coming in, is unacceptable.”

Chairman, Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, Bayelsa branch, Alabo Nengi JamesEriworio, lamented that the state government was not giving internal roads the desired attention.

James-Eriworio said: “I think the internal roads have not been given a boost; maybe for now it is not a priority to the state government.

However, even the ones that were done before now are getting bad and

Continues on Page 8

Benin.

EDO...

HEARTBEAT OF THE NATION

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—BEFORE the advent of Governor Adams Oshiomhole administration in Edo state, the state of roads in the state capital was appalling. But it was obvious from the onset that he wanted to prove critics, who hold that labour leaders are failures in government wrong.

Apart from the roads built during the administration of two-time governor of defunct Bendel state, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, there was practically no passable road in the state capital when he took over. Though, the short-lived administration of Prof.

Osariemen Osunbor made attempts to embark on road projects.

Oshiomhole, after a lengthy

survey of the state of roads in Benin City, discovered that no meaningful road can be constructed in Benin City without finding solution to the flooding problem which had sacked many residents in the city.

Solution Consequently, the government came up with the Benin Water Storm project estimated at over N30billion.

The project is geared towards channelling the floods, which had continuously ravaged the popular Five Junction, Upper Mission, Airport Road, Ekenwan and other adjoining roads in the heart of Benin City to the Ogba River.

While the Benin master plan was being perfected, Oshiomhole embarked on massive road construction in Edo North and Central senatorial districts of the state.

The roads were fortified with solid drainage systems and walkways and in most cases

street lights. It was after finding solution to the overflow problem in Benin City that the state government constructed several roads in the city, including Mission, Airport, Akpakpava, Dawson, Oba Market, Ugbowo, Upper Mission, Costain-Isinorho roads and many others.

Between the rich and poor Peculiarly, Oshiomhole refused to commence road construction in the Government Reservation Area, GRA, but rather preferred to work in areas where he believes the poor masses reside. And that is why the Costain-Isinorho road is very significant in this regard.

This was a road that was neglected and overtaken by refuse. But the governor decided that rather than construct roads in GRA, he would begin with CostainIsinorho road to assuage the sufferings of the people of the area, who felt abandoned over

‘How I overcame Benin flood challenge’ The governor reaffirmed his commitment to aggressive urban renewal in the state, saying, “When we came out to ask for your votes in 2007, I did make the point that the problem of Benin City is not beyond solution and that the problem of flooding, which is making people to be afraid whenever the rain is threatening is not an act of God, but a result of many years of neglect by various governments.

“I said I am not coming to Edo to lament, but that I am coming to Edo to fix it, and to lay foundation for the future.

As you can see, we are right now standing on a huge underground drainage, part of the Benin City Water Storm master plan, which is that water that drains from this area get into the underground drainage , it will take it to the river.

“The problem of this community is solved forever.

The most difficult part has now been completed. You have seen the side drains that they are doing, when we finish it, this place we are standing on will be asphalted.

“So you will be driving on it and will not know that you are driving on top of an underground drainage measuring about 40feet deep and 20 - 30 feet wide,” he asserted.

Residents happy A resident, Mr. Peter Osawe said: “The governor is not lying; you will see the show of appreciation each time he inspects some of these projects as people throng out to hail him: Osho Baba! Osho quake! Osho caterpillar!

Continues on Page 8 C M Y K

8—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

Roads getting better in Benin Continues from Page 7 “Just last week, when the governor inspected Igbinaduwa road, residents of the community trooped out in their large numbers to expressed joy for the flood and erosion control measures he had put in place in Benin City.”

Another resident, Mr. Edo Aguebor, asserted, “We are making history today, the comrade gover nor, the performer is in our midst.

“Since we entered this community for the past 30 years, we have experienced serious problems of erosion to the extent that many were driven from their homes, but as you can see today, our roads are now accessible, we can easily get to our various homes and the problem of erosion is now a thing of the past.”

Ailefoba of Benin Kingdom, Chief Jonathan Idada Erinwioghae, Mr. Emma Iyase and Mrs. Esther Obanor, commended the governor for his good works, promising that the people would continue to support his laudable projects.

Oshiomhole has done well—ESOGBAN Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, told Niger Delta Voice, “It is an open secret that the performance of the comrade governor in infrastructural development is unparalleled in the whole of this country, especially on road construction and rehabilitation.

“The Edo state government has performed creditably well in the area of roads generally.

Not just constructing roads but constructing durable roads.

“We see in other areas where roads are constructed this year that after one rainy season, the roads give way, but the comrade governor makes sure that all the roads he has constructed are such that will survive many years.

“In addition to that, he introduced to the state the idea of constructing gutters and walkways to ensure that the roads last. The state government in matters of road construction and rehabilitation has scored over 99 per cent.”

The respected Benin chief added, “At Iyekorionwon in Orhiomwon local government area, there were areas that were not accessible before unless you go through Delta state, but today, you can just start from Agbor Road, you will access Orhiomwon all through to Benin.

“It is opening up the place, which is a typical example. For instance, the Airport Road has been opened now for commercial activities, it is there we have the only zoo in this state, people now troop to C M Y K

the zoo more than before.”

Reminded that the roads in GRA are so bad, Chief Edebiri, who also is the Odionwere of Benin Kingdom, stated: ”I want to, hereby, call the attention of appropriate agencies of government to take the opportunity of the next dry season to see to the rehabilitation of all the roads in GRA and other periphery towns around Benin City.

“I understand that there is an agency that is charged with that responsibility of attending to such roads.

“I am calling on them to do its work so that by the next rainy season, people in the GRA and other adjoining areas can have a good ride on their roads.”

Govt to reconstruct GRA, Textile Mill, others—OGIE Edo state Commissioner for Works, Barr. Osarodion Ogie, who reacted to the state of roads in the state capital, said government would commence the reconstruction of roads in GRA after the rainy season, adding, “Areas such as Textile Mill, Second East Circular and many other roads will be worked upon during the dry season.

“For GRA, the comrade governor earlier stated it that he will prefer to commence work where the downtrodden live and that is why it looks as if the GRA is bad.

“But we have an outfit like the Rapid Response Agency, working on the roads now, but the state government intends to intensify works in GRA after the rainy season.

“Like everybody knows, the federation account is dwindling every day but the comrade governor is doing all he can to ensure that Edo people gets the best.

“He is not relenting in investing the little we are getting into projects that will benefit the majority of our people, not a few leaders. He is the governor of the masses and he is doing his best for the people,” he said.

It's sweet, sour in Delta

ABOVE: Ekrejete Road, Abraka.

BELOW: Asaba.

Continues from Page 5 “The only way to make a little for ourselves, after the bus owner takes the lion's share, is by ensuring we travel the routes many times daily.”

We’re working — COMMISSIONER However, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan had, at different briefings, consistently

harped on continuity in governance, saying another government would continue on infrastructure development from where his administration stops.

The state Commissioner for Works, Mr. Solomon Funkekeme, told Niger Delta Voice that government had never relented in terms of provision of infrastructures.

He said: “We work every day and have never at any point

Selective construction in Yenagoa

stopped working as regards road maintenance in the state.

These roads are being used every day and they break down with wear and tear through consistent usage.

“Road maintenance is continuous and very soon, every part of the state would be touched. We are working and would get to these areas with time.”

Continues from Page 7

need rehabilitation.”

No drainage He added: “Apart from that, I think the state capital also needs effective drainage, because residential buildings are getting flooded as most of the major roads are constructed without proper drainage.”

Inside Yenagoa.

Govt ‘ll start work soon Reacting, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Lawrence Ehwrudjapkor, appealed to residents of Yenagoa to be patient as the state government would soon begin work on internal roads in the state capital.

He, however, blamed the delay on the fact that some of the internal roads had legal issues; pointing out that the state government would not hurriedly go to work on roads for which money had previously been paid to contractors.

U.S.: Politics, Judges and Justice

W

ITH its huge population of over one billion citizens, India is the world’s largest democracy. But, the U.S. believes it is the beacon of democracy in our world. Last week, U.S. citizens went to polls for the mid-term election. It was a democratic exercise that left President Obama and his Democratic Party bruised and battered. Despite the president’s remarkably good work in reducing unemployment to a level unknown and unseen in the past decade, and getting the U.S. economy moving again in a positive direction, voters flashed their red cards at the Democrats.

To complete the electoral humiliation, Republicans took control of the governorship mansion in Illinois, Obama’s home state.

As the political side of the elections - the executive and legislature - are still being debated across America and the world, very little is mentioned

about the electoral battle that was also fought on the terrain of the U.S. judiciary. This is my focus in this column. And, my first salvo is to say that I believe that not so many people know or think that in some states in the United States, seven of them, judges are elected by the people.

Here is what the Illinois constitution (Section 12) says about electing judges: “Supreme, Appellate and Circuit Judges shall be nominated at primary elections or by petition. Judges shall be elected at general or judicial elections as the General Assembly shall provide by law.”

In other words, a candidate for the Illinois Supreme Court, the highest court in the state, will have to go through the process of primaries to be nominated, then the person will campaign and win the election in order to have a seat at the court. Of course, running for office demands money; plenty of it.

Here again is an Illinois

example. Justice Lloyd Karmeier is a justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. Last week, he won another 10-year term of office in a highly controversial and tension-filled election. This stems from how he won and became a Supreme Court justice in 2004, and some of the decisions he is associated with since that year. The 2004 race for the Supreme Court cost all parties concerned some $9.3 million. In his 2014 re-election campaign, Justice Karmeier is reported to have spent around $4.8 million.

Soon after Justice Karmeier got to the Illinois Supreme Court, he cast his lot with the court’s majority decision to set aside an earlier decision of a lower court against Philip Morris, the cigarette manufacturing giant.

The lower court had imposed a whopping $10.1 billion judgment against the company. In another case, the same Supreme Court vacated another judgment

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014—33 against an insurance company In the case of Illinois, the fact that known as State Farm. The amount Justice Karmeier sided with big involved was $1.2 billion. Both business that are associated with cases are now back in court. Republicans makes his case quite Lawyers for the plaintiffs against difficult to understand. The same State Farm are arguing that the Illinois constitution recommends company doled out money to that judges who find themselves Karmeier’s campaign so that in such a situation should recuse upon getting to the bench, he themselves from the cases. But would return the favour. A similar Justice Karmeier is not a argument is being made in the supporter of this provision, as he Philip Morris case that is now at once argued that if all judges the federal court. declined to sit in every case Justice Karmeier is a involving their campaign and Republican and is known to be political supporters, the judicial supported by big businesses. This system “would come to a grinding open political party affiliation and halt.” big-money election support for What plays out in the states also judges going for election are surfaces in a different form at the some of the issues raised by U.S. Supreme Court. There, opponents of judges being justices are well-known for their elected to office. political beliefs. Right now, the nine-person U.S. Supreme Court tilts in favour of justices with Political conservative credentials. The party affiliation Supreme Court justices do not How does such judge maintain campaign to be “elected” to the even a semblance of objectivity or highest judicial office in the neutrality in cases involving country. They are nominated by existing or potential supporters or the president and approved by the political constituency? But, there U.S. Senate. That process in itself is the counter argument that once stirs up another form of politics in office, such elected judges have as Republicans and Democrats in the ability to cut themselves off the Senate strive to block potential from all extraneous influences in U.S. justices of the Supreme Court their sense of justice and fairness. who do not represent their There may be some tissues of political beliefs. And U.S. authenticity in this argument, but presidents strive to fill vacant it will always have some Supreme Court spots with judges believability problems. Once in that belong to their political office, politicians reward their corner. Here is a practical example of what happens when benefactors; so will judges To argue that justices are so justices of a particular political incorruptible that they will not do persuasion form the majority in the same is a hard nut to chew. the U.S. Supreme Court.

34 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

By Theodore Opara

If it is not Toyota Hiace, it is...

•Toyota Hiace bus

‘I

T can have the shape of Toyota Hiace bus. It can also look like the Toyota Hiace, but it cannot perform or last like the Toyota Hiace and can never be Toyota Hiace.”

This was how Pastor Emmanel Oluwaniyi, General Manager, After Sales, Elizade Motors, foremost Toyota dealer in Nigeria described the Toyota Hiace look-alikes, commonly found on Nigeria roads today.

Pastor Oluwaniyi was speaking at the just concluded Elizade Motor fleet customers forum organised to enlighten their customers on the difference between Toyota Hiace and the cloned versions, mostly from Chinese manufacturers.

According to him, there is only one original Toyota Hiace and it is manufactured by

Toyota Motor Company, in accordance with Toyota standard.

Pastor Oluwaniyi’s clarification on the original Hiace cannot be faulted as the Hiace has carved a niche for itself since it first hit the market some decades ago.

With a globally respected reputation for reliability and endurance, the Hiace commuter combines functionally elegant design with a complete range of practical and convenient onboard cabin appointments. It offers comfortable ride throughout the duration of the journey. The Toyota Hiace is available in wide and super long versions as well as standard long body style, which makes it the first choice of many

transporters and corporate firms. The wide and super long body version provides an exceptionally spacious cabin for 16 people while the standard version seats 15.

Available in Nigeria with 2.7litre gasoline engine, the Toyota Hiace has transported more passengers in Nigeria, than any other brand, especially, with the state of Nigerian roads. Many transporters have found the Toyota Hiace maneuverability

Stallion begins free Nissan service campaign

S

TALLION Nissan Motors Nigeria, NMN, has announced amazing offers and value-for-money services that would enable contemporary

L-R: Peter Leyland, Export Operations Manager, General Motors Sub-Sahara Africa (GMSSA); Brian Olsen VP Sales, Service and Marketing, GMSSA, Ladi Abiodun Head, CFAO-Intermotors, Thomas Pelletier, MD CFAO Motors Nigeria Ltd, Ian Nicholls VP, Operations GMSSA during the presentation of certificate of commendation to CFAO Intermotors in recognition of 10 years loyal service as authorised GM dealer.

C M Y K

a plus for their businesses.

Ruggedly built for years of reliability, Hiace has proved itself as the most dependable on roads around the world including Nigeria. Designed to be tough and durable from the ground up, its dependability is legendary.

Starting from the suspension, a front double-wishbone tension bar spring suspension and a rear leaf spring suspension provide optimised straight line stability, ride

comfort and versatile load carrying capacity.

The rigid body too forms part of the Toyota Hiace reliability.

Computer analysis of the body and chassis assure designedin durability with minimal transmission of vibration to the cabin, resulting in excellent running stability and comfort for the life of the vehicle. Also, corrosion-resistant materials are used in key areas throughout the vehicle to provide long lasting protection against rust.

It comes in manual and automatic transmissions. The manual transmission is tuned for optimum shift ease while the automatic transmission features electronic control for smooth natural response.

Hiace offers comfortable seating for everyone. High quality materials are used throughout, adding to the sense of spacious, refinement and comfort that surrounds the passengers.

Safetywise, the Hiace incorporates both active and passive measures to help protect the driver and passengers. From good visibility that contributes to collision avoidance, to crumble zone construction that helps minimise collision damage, Toyota Hiace ranks high in safety.

SRS airbags, brake pedal and steering shaft intrusionreduction system with rotary mechanism, ABS protection, crumple zone construction, high-mount stop lamp and Wil Concept seat design, are some of the safety features incorporated in the Hiace.

Nissan owners take advantage of its third nationwide free s e r v i c e campaign with comprehensive 80-point checkup during a two-week car care clinic from 3 – 15 N o v e m b e r, 2014.

T h e campaign, slated for designated Nissan cars up to 2012 model year, is aimed

at extending the advantages of Nissan excellent services to customers and delivering world-class consumer experience to Nissan growing clientele as the yuletide approaches, the dealership assured.

Announcing this incentive in Lagos, Mr. Srinivasa Jayaram, General Manager, After Sales Service, Stallion NMN, said: “The free service campaign is a comprehensive 80-point check-up and thorough examination of the engine, transmission, electrical, underbody, AC, exterior et al with series of discounts on mechanical and body repairs.”

And for the first time, Stallion NMN will extend these services to three other locations including Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt, where customers will be availed of Nissan first class car wash,

special discounts on oils, select accessories, consumables and other value added services.

The dealership service cocoordinator meanwhile said: “We understand the evolving needs and preferences of our customers going by the overwhelming requests we have received lately and we intend to provide the best of products and services to customers to enable them enjoy value-added experience.”

Also adding Nissan’s obligation is to make ownership of Nissan an enjoyable experience, Mr. Srinivasa said: “We recognise the importance of excellence both in the quality of our vehicles and in after sales service.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 — 35

By Theodore Opara

New auto policy to create 700,000 jobs —FG

T

HE new government auto policy is expected to generate about 700, 000 direct and indirect jobs and boost both petrochemical and tyre sector of the nation’s economy.

The Director General of the Nigerian Automotive Council, (NAC) Engr. Aminu Jalal gave the hint at the opening ceremony of the 16th edition of Abuja Motor fair, organized by BKG Exhibitions Limited.

The DG, who was represented at the occasion by the agency’s deputy director, administrations, Alh. R.B. Salau, maintained that the new policy will also salvage the honour and tastes of Nigerians and bring out the component of the new national industrial revolution plan.

This is even as the Vice President Arch. Namadi Sambo reiterated that to achieve the full potentials of the new National Automotive Development Plan (NAIDP) all stakeholders in the automotive industry must support and key into the project.

Sambo, who was represented at the occasion by the Minister of State, FCT, Mrs. Olajumoke Akinjide, said government is working hard to promote manufacturing of automobiles as against importation into the country.

Sambo expressed optimism that soon made-in-Nigeria cars will jostle for space in motor fairs around the world, stressing that with tenacity of

the organizers of the annual fair, Nigeria will become gateway to the African auto market.

“The commitment of this administration in the promotion of manufacturing and assemblage of automobiles as a strategy of launching Nigeria into the class of car manufacturing nations is without doubt.

Automobile consumer nation The necessity to move Nigeria from an automobile consumer nation to producers cannot be over emphazied. We hope that very soon, made-in-Nigeria cars will jostle for space in motor fairs both in Nigeria and globally, along with the Toyotas, the Hondas, and Peugeots of this world” stated the VP. The FCT minister, Senator Bala Mohammed urged the automobile dealers in the country to take advantage of the large parcel of land earmarked in Tunga-Maje, near Zuba by the FCT administration for automotive market.

According to the minister, the land will provide the benefits of localization of the industry as well as build synergy and spin-off the necessary multiplier effects.

“I would like to remind automobile dealers and

L-R: Mr. Ifeanyi Agwu, CEO, BKG Exhibitions, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, Minister of State, FCT, Abuja, Engr. Jonathan Ivoke, Secretary of Transport, FCT and Mr. Toyin Akigbogun, General Manager, Marketing, CFAO MOTORS at the Chevrolet pavilion during the 2014 Abuja International Motor Show.

stakeholders of the large parcel of land earmarked by the FCT Administration in Tunga-Maje, near Zuba, for an Abuja Automart. This is envisioned to stem

the chaos in the sales of automobiles, especially of the second-hand type, in every nook and cranny of the city. It is, therefore, envisaged that the

place will secure for dealers, the benefits of localization of the industry, build synergy and spinoff the necessary multiplier effects” he stated.

Porsche revenue, profit, up in first nine months

P

ORSCHE AG remained on its successful course during the first nine months of the 2014 fiscal year, with deliveries, revenue and profit all again going up. A totalof135,642deliveredsportscars represented an increase of 13 percent.

Revenue grew by 17 percent to 12.24 billion euros and operating profit rose by two percent to 1.93 billion euros. At 21,950 employees, staff numbers also reached a new high. A year ago the number of

people working at Porsche was still 18,882. The year-on-year growth is 16 percent.

Lutz Meschke, Member of the Executive Board - Finance and IT at Porsche AG, emphasized the company’s profitability, which continues to be strong.

“Despite our very high expenditures, for example for the new drive system technologies and expansion investments for Porsche’s sustainable growth, our operating profit is continuing to

show a year-on-year increase after nine months of 2014, and with an operating margin of 16 percent we are continuing to hit our strategic target.”

The financial situation would not change significantly in the final quarter of 2014, added the CFO, looking ahead. “I anticipate that we will end the 2014 business year with an operating profit slightly above that of last year,” predicted Lutz Meschke.

What they say about LC70 pickup V

ISITORS who trooped to the Old Parade Ground, Abuja, to have a feel of the all new Toyota Land Cruiser LC70 pickup during a recent test drive, gave a thumb up for the all-terrain conquering pickup.

Mr. Naji Mehanna, Plant Engineer, Setraco Nigeria Limited, who spoke to Vanguard Motoring after a brief test drive, commended Toyota Nigeria Limited for introducing the pickup into the Nigerian market, describing it as an outstanding vehicle and a workhorse.

"The LC70 is a workaholic. It is at home on-road and off road. As a construction company, we have few units of the LC70 and it goes where other pick-ups cannot go.

It is good in swampy areas and more rugged than the Hilux. Its engine is very powerful and the auxiliary is more powerful than the other pickups we have tested," he said.

According to him, comparing the LC70 and other pickups is not proper, because it is a C M Y K

heavy duty vehicle.

“May be, its competitor should be the Hummer H1 which is no longer in production”, he said.

“It can push beyond expectations, it can cross any river. It has more torque, it tows more load, it is smoother and more comfortable to ride in. In fact it is like a diamond.

The plant engineer, who further noted that his company has been using six units of the LC70 since 2004, explained that they have only changed brake pads after many years.

For Mr. Adah Anthony, of Marrest Nigeria Limited, an NGO, which collaborates with the Ministry of Health, the LC70 will conquer the terrains

where small pick ups cannot cross.

“We work in 48 countries and we are in 26 states in Nigeria.

Our activities focus on communities where government cannot easily reach to produce service. So we need a pickup like the LC70 to overcome the tough terrains in the far north, such as

Dogondaji and Lila in Sokoto State.

"We have more of the 50 units of Hilux pickups but the drivers complain, so from what I have seen, after the test drive, the LC70 wil do the job in the desert with much ease with its auxiliary gear and other functions."

For Umar Abubakar, the LC70 is “classic and legendary.”

Emeka Nwosisi of Galaxy Backbone Limited, commented: “It is rugged with a lot of power and excellent drivability. It feels like a military armoured vehicle in motion."

Engr. Bashir Sale, one of the visitors, described it as an all purpose, all terrain vehicle. It is rugged and the torgue is amazing,” he said.

Other visitors who attested to the strength of the Toyota LC70 include military personnel from the Defence Headquarters, Nigerian Prisons, Nigerian Police, representatives of Comptroller-General of immigration, among others.

36 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

By Theodore Opara

Elantra surpases 10m units in global sales H

YUNDAI Motor’s awardwinning Elantra, badged as Avante in some markets, recently sold its 10 millionth unit globally. Elantra is Hyundai’s first model, and one of only 10 cars in the history of the auto industry, to reach 10 million sales.

Elantra was launched 24 years ago in 1990 and was able to reach this mark by selling an average of 420,000 per year or approximately 1,100 a day.

“Reaching this historic mark is a testament to Elantra’s staying power and the global appeal of a vehicle that delivers attractive design, functionality and class-leading performance,” said Tak Uk Im,

Hyundai Motor ’s Chief Operating Officer. “As a company it also shows our ability to quickly adapt to changing consumer preferences and continue to push the compact car segment with features once reserved for luxury vehicles.”

The fifth generation of Elantra continues its high value proposition as a strong choice in the highly-competitive compact car segment.

This has been validated by several coveted accolades over the model’s lifecycle, including ranking the highest in its segment for initial quality in the influential J.D. Power 2014 U.S. Initial Quality StudySM

(IQS). Elantra also won prestigious awards globally including Car of the Year in

Nigeria, North American Car of the Year, Autobest in Europe, and was named as national Car

of the year in South Africa and Canada, all in 2012.

Toyota tops automakers in 2014’s Best Global Brands list

T

OYOTA is the most valuable automotive brand on this year’s Interbrand’s Best Global Brands ranking—moving from number ten to number eight.

Although Toyota was fined US$1.2 billion by the U.S. Justice Department in March 2014 and recalled nearly 6.4 million vehicles worldwide just a few weeks later, the Japanese automaker met the crisis head on and kept the reputation of its 77year-old brand intact. This year’s increase in sales demonstrates growth not only in the US, but also in markets like China and Europe.

This is the 15th annual ranking of the 100 most valuable global brands. The value of each brand is converted into a dollar value to produce the table. The Best Global Brands study is Interbrand’s annual report on the world’s most valuable brands.

Interbrand’s method looks at the ongoing investment and management of the brand as a business asset, taking into account financial performance, the role of brand in the purchase decision process, and the strength of the brand.

Strength of the brand Mercedes-Benz, Germany’s automotive pioneer, has revitalized itself with new models and fresh expressions of its brand, resulting in a record 14 percent increase in sales. Sales rose 9.5 percent in the US (MercedesBenz’s largest market), demand has been revived in Europe, and the brand is closing in on competitors in China. In India too, the brand is on a roll. Continuing to provide the comfort, performance, and safety consumers have come to expect from the brand, while also offering dramatic styling and innovative new features, it’s no wonder Mercedes-Benz’s models still C M Y K

captivate.

Interbrand says “the timeless appeal of the Mercedes brand, currently summed up by its tagline ‘The best or nothing’, is seductive the world over and appeals to drivers of all ages. But the brand also owes much of its recent success to continual innovation and its commitment to debuting new products and services. (Mercedes-Benz plans to roll out 30 new models by 2020.)

In addition to updating product design, Mercedes has made positive contributions to clean mobility with emissions-reducing technology (BlueTEC) and an intelligent energy management system for hybrid vehicles (Intelligent Hybrid).

Strengthening its position as a best-in-class global automotive brand, BMW (No. 11) has been able to build upon its premium status, while driving sustainable mobility forward. The brand’s EfficientDynamics initiative, for example, continues to offer customers outstanding fuel economy and low emissions across the BMW range. Looking toward the future, the brand has increased its relevance with new models like the i3, an emissionfree car for city driving, and the i8, an impressive and progressive sports car. Accompanied by the ‘Born Electric’campaign, the i series brings BMW’s mobility

ideals to life, proving that the brand is indeed ‘Fueled by Innovation’.

Honda has been ranked 20th.

Although its ranking in 20th place remained the same from last year, according to Interbrand the dollar value of the Honda brand increased by 17 percent to US$21,673 billion dollars (Rs 132,963 crore). Interbrand’s primary analysis for this increase in value included the fact that Honda is returning to FIA Formula 1 as an engine supplier for McLaren, after a break of more than 20 years. The car and motorcycle manufacturer hopes this will ignite the kind of brand awareness it enjoyed during the golden age of ‘Powered by Honda’.

Volkswagen comes at No. 31. It is hard to find a global car brand that is as clear and consistent in its design and brand story.

VW has made German engineering and reliable technology its hallmark. Its latest models, particularly the seventhgeneration Golf and the up!, remain true to the brand but benefit from minor changes that give them an edge.

Remaining relevant and responsive, Volkswagen has persistently strengthened its ‘Think Blue’ sustainability initiative. It recently won Germany’s National Energy

Globe Award for the initiative and for its commitment to making its global car plants more sustainable by 2018.

Ford Motor Co is at No 39. With record sales in key markets and its biggest-ever new product lineup, Ford is on a roll. As a result of growth in the North American and Asia-Pacific markets, Ford increased global sales by 12 percent. The Focus is the bestselling car in the world and the F-Series has been the best-selling pickup truck in the U.S. for 37 consecutive years. In China, the brand experienced an almost 50 percent increase in sales last year and, by making the new Mustang globally available, Ford is making up for lost ground in Europe. The company is also refreshing 2,000 dealerships in key European markets. And in India, it is all set

The brand’s EfficientDynamics initiative, for example, continues to offer customers outstanding fuel economy and low emissions across the BMW range

to open an all-new plant in Sanand and is fast revving up production for its best-selling SUV, the EcoSport.

Hyundai drives in at No. 40.

Delivering on the brand direction ‘modern premium’, the Korean carmaker is riding on its brand slogan, “New Thinking, New Possibilities.” Hyundai is one of the fastest growing automotive brands, in terms of both volume and brand value. At the heart of Hyundai’s growth is its strategy to differentiate and increase relevance by creating customized products.

Audi ,at No 45, has been clear and consistent for over two decades about what its brand stands for: sportiness, progressiveness, and sophistication, united through the lens of technology. Audi’s position is apparent in the market and has resulted in robust sales. With more than 1.57 million delivered vehicles in 2013, the brand outperformed its previous recordsetting sales year by 8.3 percent.

In Europe and China, Audi led the premium automotive segment again as the top-seller in 2013.

Meanwhile, Nissanhas been ranked No. 56, up from 65 in 2013. The study cited the strength of Nissan’s financial performance, product portfolio and leadership position in electric vehicles among the drivers of the company’s brand health. The value of the Nissan brand was estimated at $7,623 billion (Rs 44,558 crore), an increase from last year’s estimated value of nearly $6.2 billion.

In June Nissan was named one of the world’s greenest brands for 2014 in Interbrand’s Best Global Green Brands report. Nissan moved up one spot to fourth overall powered by the Nissan Leaf, the world’s best-selling 100 percent electric vehicle and making the company the global leader in Zero Emissions mobility.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 —37

Inadequate funding, low access threaten Nigeria’s TB control programme

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By Sola Ogundipe

NSUFFICIENT funding and poor access to proper treament services are hampering Nigeria’s efforts to combat the menace of tuberculosis, a disease that killed an estimated 1.5 million people in 2013 including 360,000 people who were living with HIV. Although Nigeria has developed a new National Strategic Plan on TB, it documents a relatively weak programme, with poor public awareness and gross insufficient federal, state and local funding. The plan which has charted a bold vision for effectively stopping TB, is, however, bogged down by serious shortage of funds.

Last October, the WHO expressed concern over dire shortage of the tune of an annual shortfall of $2 billion (N320 billion)out of an estimated $8bn (N1.28 trillion) that is required each year, to fully tackle TB in the world.

With an HIV/TB average mortality of 85, 000 deaths in 2013, an average prevalence of 570,000, and TB incidence rate of 81 per 100,000 population, Nigeria is classified as a high TB burden country by the World Health Organisation, WHO.

• One of the TB treatment Centres in Nigeria.

Results of a high quality survey of the TB burden in Nigeria revealed that the country’s TB case detection rate is 16 percent, and not 51 percent as previously reported.

Worse still, many more people are dying of TB than previously anticipated as investigations revealed that Nigeria’s TB prevalence and incidence are actually

Lagos prepared if Ebola resurfaces—FASHOLA

• L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba and Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale Ahmed during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos

By Chioma Obinna

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HE Lagos State Government has given assurance that chances of future outbreaks of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, and other infectious diseases occurring in the state are minimal in view of a strengthened emergency response mechanism in place to check incursions by infectious diseases.

This is coming on the heels of plans to upgrade the Infectious Diseases Hospital, IDH, Yaba, to a full research centre that would meet standard of handling all infectious diseases including Ebola and other haemorrhagic fevers.

Declaring the State officially open for business last week, Lagos State

Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola who said the state is safe for business, conducive to live and work, assured local and international visitors of the readiness of the state to tackle any emergency as it did in the case of Ebola outbreak.

Represented by Deputy Governor, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Fashola noted: "Ebola was a test case for Nigeria and Africa due to the negative information from other countries. Now we have a positive story to tell.

We have been tested and trusted, we can lead now. The fear of Ebola and the unknown was a serious challenge but Nigeria has done it. Lagos is safe and secure for business and visitors. We will

do whatever we can to further move the hospitality industry forward," he stated.

Recounting how Lagos fought what he described as the good fight, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris said the state was more prepared to battle Ebola and other infectious diseases as structures put in place during the EVD outbreak were still in place.

On plans to upgrade the IDH to meet standards of tackling haemorrhagic fevers, Idris said the facility would be utilised as a training facility. In line with establishing a research group, a master plan has been designed to divide the the upgraded IDH into zones - highly infectious, incinerators, sewage treatment, among others.

"There will be a plasma unit collecting serum from survivors, freezing them and using for research to tackle not just Ebola but any other condition it can work for.

He said the State Government has support of Bill Gates Foundation to bring a mobile laboratory with facility to take the serum from Ebola survivors to treat others. Also, the ARM Research Group from the US is partnering with Lagos because of the number of survivors.

"The future of medicine is going to genomics. Nigeria should not be left behind. At the end of the day, that is the future. So, we need to start now."

He said it is necessary to sensitise Nigerians and the research community on the initiatives because "this is not a joke, it is not a myth but something that is going on and it is going on at a fast rate. If we do not link up now, we could be left behind."

double and triple, respectively, of previously reported figures.

Data from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, GFATM, which mobilises and invests nearly US$4 billion (N640 billion) a year to support programmes run by local experts in Nigeria and at least 139 other countries, show that for 2014, TB control in Nigeria (as at November 1) is 53 percent unfunded, translating to about US$73.67 million (N1.178 billion). Out of the total National TB programme budget for the year amounting to US$139 million (N22.24 billion), 38 percent, US$52.82 (N8.45 billion), is internationally funded while just 9 percent or US$12.51 million (N2.02 billion) is funded domestically.

In 2013, a funding shortfall of US$100 million or N16 billion was recorded out of a total US$150 million (N24 billion).

Data for 2013 also showed that the total TB case notifications (including new and relapsed) was 100,401. Among these cases, the male to female ratio was 1:5, while 6 percent (5,776) were aged below 15. Newly confirmed TB cases in 2013 totaled 52,811 for bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary cases, and 33,873 for the pulmonary, clinically diagnosed cases. Also last year, a total of 435,216 HIV positive persons were screened for TB, 10,410 MDR-TB cases were reported out of which 426 were started on treatment.

Reactions

In the view of the National Coordinator, Civil Society for the Eradication of TB in Nigeria, Dr. Baba-Gana Adam, the development is a wake up call. “TB is to me even more dangerous than HIV/AIDS and Ebola because condoms and hand sanitisers cannot stop it because it is transmitted through the air.” he stated.

Transmission of Ebola He argued that the poor health-seeking attitude of most TB patients, coupled with with a combination of low quality, inaccessibility of services and preference for traditional healers were challenges.

“Access is an issue because only about 25 percent of the primary health clinics are partially functional with less than 10 percent personnel available to offer services to the grassroots. Where they are available, they are disconnected with the people in the communities.

He said implementation of the six goals of community systems strengthening (CSS) of the GFATM is the only assurance that will increase funding for TB at the local levels though sustained advocacy to the Local, State and National Governments.

Also lamenting the reality of TB burden in Nigeria, ACT Regional Vice President, Chibuike Amaechi, identified stigma and unfriendly attitude of public health workers as well as limited public health facilities offering TB services.

Urging civil society to rise up to the task of advocating for increased domestic funding for overall health, Amaechi lamented the lack of separate national or state budget for TB alone. “Allocation is made to the Ministry of Health, it will take further budget tracking in the ministry to find out specific allocation to TB. Definitely our health system needs increased domestic funding to compliment the Global Fund and other international donors investment in Nigeria.

38 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

NHIS takes health insurance to grassroots

By Sola Ogundipe

I

N 30 days, hundreds of thousands of Nigerians across the six geo-political zones of the country had a feel of the essence of a health insurance plan.

The eight-city experiential campaign train which took the form of village square meetings, road shows and market shows, by the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, was taken to the doorstep of the people at the grassroots. The campaign programme was designed to increase mass awareness in a bid to open up avenues for better healthcare provision for the populace.

It began in the South West from Lagos to Oyo, then to the South East through Asaba, Onitsha and Enugu. From there, the train moved to the North East through Bauchi, Kaduna and Kano in the North West, before culminating in Abuja in the North Central zone.

The health insurance platforms range from the National Mobile Health Insurance Programme, NMHIP; Public Primary Schools Health Insurance Programme, PPSHIP; Tertiary Institution Social Health Insurance Programme, TISHIP, and Community Based Social Health Insurance Programme, CBSHIP, were targetted to specifically offer access to a comprehensive array of healthcare services.

They include pediatric/antenatal care, minor surgeries, treatment for malaria, typhoid and minor infections, HIV/AIDS and STD Management, eye care, family planning and much more.

In Lagos, the campaign took off from Ikeja ending with a village square meeting at Tabon-Tabon community in Agege Local Government Area, where community leaders were educated on how to register and benefit from NHIS programmes. NHIS Lagos State Coordinator, Mrs. Evelyn

M

• Head, Contribution Management, NHIS, Kaduna Zonal office, Nasiru Yakubu (Centre) flanked by NHIS brand ambassadors during the NHIS road show and market storm in Kaduna recently.

Olokun represented by Senior Manager, Chika Amahalu noted: "The Community based Programme is the one that will serve the community people more. The good thing about this is that the Community chooses the hospital to use, and manage their contributions by themselves through a 7-man Board of Trustees that will be formed to oversee the programme for the community. And because the money is collectively paid, it runs into a "pool" of funds that will enhance the capacity of the community to take advantage of the NHIS Community-Based Social Insurance Programme".

In Kaduna, at the popular Kawo Park, Chairman of the Kawo NURTW, Ahaji Adamu Mohammed Abaji, remarked: "We are happy to hear the good news from

NHIS today. In the past we thought government was deceiving us. Most of us never believed in the programme. But with what we are witnessing in Kaduna today, we would have a change of mind. We are going to set in motion necessary machinery to ensure all our members across Kaduna State are registered with the scheme."

Earlier, Head, Contribution Management, NHIS Kaduna Zonal office, Nasiru Yakubu reiterated determination to make healthcare affordable to the lessprivileged. "The new management of NHIS is poised to register a minimum of 30 million lives by the end of 2015. We are committed to achieving this goal, and even surpassing it. That is why this campaign train is in Kaduna today.”

Arise Women provide free health checks for 5,000

By Chioma Obinna

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ATURDAY 25th of October will forever remain evergreen in the lives of over 5,000 women in Lagos as they benefitted from free health services offered by the Arise Women of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David, Lagos during its 6th Annual Arise Women’s conference.

The women were offered free medical services such as free eye screening and distribution of eye glasses, free medical consultation and treatment, cancer screening, blood pressure and blood sugar checks, BMI, among others.

At the International conference, the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, urged Nigerian women to speak out at all times and supports one another with a view to overcoming life challenges.

Speaking, Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, who commended the Arise women’s conference,entitled: “Seasons & Reasons” noted that women shoulder a lot of burden and as such need spiritual and economic empowerment.

She praised the Nigerian women for her strength as a mother and a home maker.

“We are trying to encourage and motivate our women to attain their potential and greatness in them; indirectly, that growth and inspiration and development they will transform and give to their children at home, support they will render to their husbands and the community services

Kusa, Ihesie bag NIMPA Fellowship Award

they will render to their immediate environment and the service of the state and the nation.”

Convener of Arise Women and wife of the Minister-in-charge of the Church, Pastor Siju Iluyomade, said their activities are geared towards promotion of preventive healthcare at the primary level.

Iluyomade noted that the theme, “Reasons and Seasons”, was apt as the

country is about to witness two most significant things in the next six months, Christmas and 2015 elections.

“If the men don’t need us, women, they need our votes. Before they get our votes they should be able to tell us what they will do.”

She further explained that the conference was also designed to promote regular medical check up and spiritual development for the Nigerian women.

•L-R: Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulure, Deputy Governor , Lagos state; Pastor Siju Iluyomade, Convener, Arise Women; Dame Abimbola Fashola, wife of Lagos State Governor; Mrs Angela Adebayo, wife of former Ekiti State Governor and Mrs Tokunbo Awoniyi, wife of Kogi State Deputy Governor during the 6th Annual Arise Women Conference at City of David, RCCG, Lagos weekend.Photo Lamidi Bamidele

R. Femi Kusa, a prolific writer/ columnist on natural health issues as well as Dr. Godwin Ihesie, a renowned medical laboratory scientist and medical herbalist, have bagged the prestigious Fellowship Award of the Natural Integrative Medicine Practitioners Association, NIMPA. Presenting the Awards to the duo in Lagos during the training of natural health counselors organised by the Association, NIMPA President, Dr Isaac Ayodele chronicled various achievements of the recipients as it relates to the promulgation, dissemination and sensitisation of the public and policy makers in government on the relevance and utility of natural medicine practice.

Further, Ayodele remarked on the tenacious and unequalled commitment of the recipients in selflessly providing the results of their long year's research to health care providers for the benefit of the sick.

Earlier, the General Secretary, NIMPA, Dr Gilbert Ezengige bemoaned the declining state of male and female fertility sexes and noted that the lasting solution to this modern day challenges lie in natural medicine.

At the the training with theme; “Natural Treatment of male and female infertility” topics on the diagnosis, causes and treatments of infertility were presented.

A practical demonstration was given about the effectiveness of local, easilysourced medicinal plants are combined to treat male and female infertility.

Fanta Apple debuts

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IGERIA’S vibrant soft-drinks market was recently sparked-up with the introduction of the new Fanta Apple flavour by beverage giant, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited.

The Marketing Director, Patricia Jemibewon remarked: “The appleflavoured drink is targeted particularly at the youth and has been developed for Nigerian taste buds.We have had an excellent response on our other variants and with the national launch of Fanta Apple, we are extending our market leadership in the fruit-flavoured sparkling drink segment.”

The new flavour is the result of extensive market research in the beverage sector designed to meet expectations of discerning young consumers who constantly desire unique refreshment.”

Senior Brand Manager, Flavours at Coca-Cola Nigeria, Toyin Nnodi spoke on the brand essence of the sparkling drink.

“The Fanta Apple Flavour variant has been specially formulated with a focus on the young, active, daring and unconventional young adults who desire and yearn for a change from the conventional soft drinks.

It comes at a time when Fanta Orange has established itself; the new product complements the company's sparkling portfolio.”

With the addition of Fanta Apple, CocaCola Nigeria now offers consumers a wide range of flavour choice under the Fanta brand which already boasts of the all-time consumer favourite and segment leader, Fanta Orange, as well as Fanta Pineapple.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 — 39

LAWMA promotes safe disposal of medical waste

By Gabriel Olawale

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HE Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, has identified safe disposal of medical waste generated during the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, outbreak in the state, as key to the successful containment of the disease.

Managing Director, LAWMA, Mr. Ola Oresanya , who disclosed this during the 8th Lagos Healthcare Waste Summit, commended the First Consultant Hospital, Obalende for being registered with the Agency and complying with LAWMA and staying with the standard guideline line and procedure in segregation and recycling of waste generated in the hospital, making their medical waste easier to process.

"The hospital where the index case was admitted is registered with LAWMA for healthcare waste programme so its management understood the potency of the waste generated by them and they were able to collect that waste and disposed it appropriately."

"So when they alerted us about the EVD patient, all the points of contact, which include tables, chairs, bedspread, virtually everything in the hospital had to be treated as infected materials and LAWMA was on ground to do that. Even at the infectious disease centre where patients were quarantined, we were on ground to ensure no medical waste got into the community."

Oresanya who said it would have been a sorry case if the waste had not been properly managed, however called for proper sensitisation among the healthcare professionals and the general public.

"People need to be educated that the nearby hospital could be a potential health

risk if the medical waste it generates is not disposed properly. People need to have a good understanding and should be able to ask the hospital beside their house whether it is registered for proper waste management. Unregistered hospitals constitute a potential danger in that environment and beyond. People can alert LAWMA by dialling 5577 whenever they discover such danger."

"After using sharp objects or anything that has contact with blood, dispose them properly to prevent cross infection through careless disposal of injection syringes. If you dispose sharp objects or medical waste ask LAWMA for a free safety box," he added

Hospital fetes IVF children in Warri

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HE Lily Hospital in Warri, Delta State, last week celebrated 185 children born through In Vitro Fertilisation, IVF, in its fertility centre.

At the 1st IVF Children's Party, Consultant Gynaecologist, Lily Fertility Centre, said it was the right time to bring people together to celebrate IVF. “I am delighted to welcome so many families to the baby party. We pride ourselves on providing an ethical and successful service, centered on protecting the health and welfare of both mother and child."

Alekwe who said the party was organised to provide opportunity for women and families to share their experiences with one another said part of the anticipated gains was to demystify IVF and encourage those

• L-R: Chairman on World Health Activities, Dr. Dumebi Owa; Director Corporate Affairs/Health and Value Business, PFizer Nigeria, Ghana and East Africa, Mrs. Margaret Olele; Deputy Director Health, NTA, Dr. Martina Agberien, and Commercial Director, Pfizer Nigeria, Ghana and East Africa, Mr. Yinka Subair, during a media parley ahead of 2014 World Pneumococcal diseases Day at Pfizer's office in Lagos last week.

still suffering in silence and wallowing in ignorance to come forward for help.

In his speech entitled "The Journey So Far," he recalled that the Centre started with four cycles in 2008 which produced two pregnancies and live births and since then we have not looked back.

“So far, we have done 748 cycles, 186 babies already born with so many ongoing pregnancies. It has been tough sustaining this, but God has been faithful.

"The evidence is here before us. If we consider the fact that the two commonest cause of infertility in our environment today are tubal factor and male factor and the proven effective treatment for this assisted conception. Then the need for greater awareness becomes important," he said.

Chief Consultant and Chairman, Nisa Premier Hospital, Abuja, Dr. Ibrahim Wada, who chaired the occasion, urged Federal Government on the need to provide more IVF centres in the country so as to help cushion the high cost of the procedure.

Wada said the Federal and State Government can do a lot to bring down the price of IVF procedures through the establishment of hospitals for this purpose, adding that government must partner with private individuals to achieve this aim.

"Partnership between the government and private individuals will help bring down a lot of overhead. Also, government should establish hospitals that have this kind of technology. This could help in the training of Nigerians from all walks of life who will in turn take the technology back to their people in the grassroots.

“I want you to reflect on GSM technology. When it first came out it was not for the poor. So I believe that what happened to GSM would happen to IVF.”

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40 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

Burnt BRT buses at Palm grove, Lagos

BRT vandalism:

Key revelations as public hearing ends

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

T

HE public hearing by the tribunal of inquiry into the July 4 th , 2014 road accident and subsequent arson and vandalism of the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT buses has ended with accounts by different witnesses of what they believed transpired on the fateful day.

The three-man tribunal chaired by Justice Ebenezer Adebajo, rtd, which commenced its public hearing on September 15th, 2014 was inaugurated by the governor Babatunde Fashola to investigate the incident which occurred at Palmgrove axis of the state and submit its findings to the state government within

60 days after its inauguration.

The public hearing held at the T-block of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, could not establish how the body of the late Lance Corporal Ishaya Mathew who rode on a motorbike with registration number MUS-565 QB, got into the BRT M063, said to have knocked down the deceased.

First, there were conflicting reports of the time of the accident. While some witnesses alleged that the accident occurred on the night of July 3rd, 2014, others said it led to the death of the soldier in the early hours of the day.

But the tribunal however heard, first hand, several activities that occurred before and after the accident.

Five BRT buses burnt, 10 vandalized – NURTW Mr. Egharevba Emoron, the Human resource manager for 1st BRT owned by the NURTW, said “five of our buses were

Five of our buses were burnt while 10 were vandalized by the soldiers

burnt while 10 were vandalized by the soldiers.”

Emoron explained that three of the buses-252, 299 and 254, were completely burnt while two others -bus 256 and 257, were partially burnt by the soldiers.

Emoron said “I saw the soldiers collecting mobile phones from commuters and smashing them on the ground until they were satisfied that the phones could no longer function.”

A female soldier set the first bus ablaze-witness Speaking at the third day of the public hearing in Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, Mr. Rasak Mustapha, an employee of LAGBUS Asset Management, said that a female military officer set the first bus ablaze.

Mustapha explained that the buses “were packed bumper to bumper. And immediately the first bus was set ablaze at the Palm-grove bus shelter, it ignited others.“

Palmgrove bus shelter He noted that the female officer who was armed with a plastic bottle filled with Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, poured the content on the vehicle and ignited the fire.

I can identify female soldier who set first bus ablazeWitness Mr. Oluwole Nejo, a driver with National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW owners of the first BRT bus to be burnt at the tribunal said “I know the soldier who burnt our buses. If I see her (the female soldier) today, I will recognize her.”

Nejo, explained “On that

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

— 41

BRT Vandalism fateful day, I saw several soldiers on the Ikorodu road.

Of these large numbers, three walked towards my bus and attacked us (the passengers and the driver). Of the three soldiers, two were male while the third was a female.

15 drivers resigned over soldiers’ assault -NURTW Speaking at the public hearing in Ikeja, Mr. Olusegun Spencer, the head of project development for National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, owners of the BRT buses, said that no fewer than 15 BRT drivers resigned after theincident.

Spencer explained that drivers who suffered varying degrees of injuries and bus ticketers, resigned over fear of subsequent attack from soldiers in the state.

Fear of attack His words “At least 15 drivers and some ticketers have resigned their appointments.

However, those who stayed behind now work with fear of attack from the soldiers.”

Our officers were meters away to arson scene -- Military Captain Francis Okafor told the tribunal that; “At the time the arson was committed, the soldiers were busy inspecting the accident spot, which was at least 300 meters away from where the buses were set ablaze.

“I could not see the person who set the buses ablaze, all I saw from a afar was smoke from where the buses were parked.

But my soldiers were not at the scene where the arson was committed. They were busy inspecting the bus involved in the accident. I ordered that some officers should leave the scene. And they did,” Okafor added.

LASTMA insists, soldiers harassed residents In his own account, a LASTMA officer at the scene, Kayode Odunuga recounted that on the fateful day, “While we were waiting for the policemen from the Onipanu Police Station to conduct necessary documentation, before the removal of the accidented vehicles, a large number of military personnel arrived the scene.

He added “Following this, the situation became uncontrollable as more men of the Nigerian Army took over the road to sympathize with their dead colleague.

I saw military officers vandalizing BRT buses -Police Chief Superintendent of Police, Mr. Gbolahan Olugbemi, Divisional Police

Officer, DPO for Ilupeju Police Station, accused the military officers of perpetrating the act.

Olugbemi said “I arrived at the scene at about 8:30 am and I discovered that there was breakdown of law and order.

And this was perpetrated by men suspected to be military officers. This was because they were putting on m i l i t a r y uniforms.”

“And due to this, I made calls to senior military officers to help address the situation.

“The area boys did not disturb because if they did, I could have arrested them.

It was because The LASAA driver, Isreal Bright Onyemaechi these men in m i l i t a r y uniforms at the scene were busy disrupting activities; that was the reason I had to call some senior officers whom I believe could help call the officers to order.

He noted that due to action of the military officers, “there were some areas my officers

By Olasunkanmi Akoni military offender, described as could not reach because of the very unfortunate the fact that situation at the scene was tense.”

OVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has arrested a driver working for Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, LASAA, for driving against traffic.

The LASAA driver identified as Mr. Israel Bright Onyemaechi, was arrested by Fashola, during inspection of projects in the Ikorodu and Epe axis.

He was nabbed on Awolowo Road, Ikorodu.

The governor had personally arrested several traffic offenders in recent The situation We cannot past, The popular one was the became build our way interception and arrest of an army Colonel for driving on uncontrollable as out of traffic the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT more men of the congestion; our lane against traffic rules The Colonel and one other Nigerian Army responsibility is officer, were accosted on the took over the road to manage BRT lane at the Outer Marina in Central Lagos. to sympathize traffic and The Colonel was later with their dead manage handed over to Army authorities for further action. colleague congestion Fashola, referring to the

Fashola apprehends LASAA driver for driving against traffic G

those who ought to stand behind in defence of democratic values are the ones violating them.

He, however, added, “But it signifies my commitment and the commitment of the Lagos State Government that all those who will not comply with our laws should leave our state. We will not back down”.

“There is a zero-tolerance for lawlessness. There is zerotolerance for breach of our regulations and we are going to do more of this. We are going to take control of our traffic. We cannot build our way out of traffic congestion; our responsibility is to manage traffic and manage congestion.”

Insisting that people must behave themselves, Fashola declared, “I sit in traffic and I expect everyone who wants to drive his car to do same.”

However, Onyemaechi, has since been handed over to security agents for further action.

42—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

Delta Central: My Kwara experience 'll work in Delta — Edojah CHIEF Solomon Edojah was a former Commissioner in Delta State and member of the House of Representatives. A stalwart of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, he was in Kwara State for six months to revive the state chapter of the party after the mass exodus of most politicians in the state from the party to the

opposition All Progressives Congress, APC last year. In this interview, he spoke on the PDP’s loftier chances of winning 2015 elections across the state and why he wants to represent the people of Delta Central in the senate in 2015.

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

M

ANY people were surprised to see a man from Delta State and from the south chairing the PDP caretaker committee in Kwara State. How? Delta state is entirely PDP and in fact, its presence is overwhelming and solid to the extent that even the national body of our party had to nominate me to go and resolve the crises in Kwara state.

We used the experience we have in Delta State to once again reassemble a functional party structure in that state. And that experience became the guiding point for the party that never again, would our party be placed in the hands of one man. So, the PDP is now saying never again, would they allow one-man anywhere to have absolute control of the party. Kwara state as we speak now has a party that is built around the people, unlike in the past. So, no one man will leave the party and it will ever shake it. For me, that was a turning point in my life.

To leave my state to another and do what the PDP ought to do, became a turning point for me, because the knowledge I have would be useful at the national level.

National interest I have experience as former state commissioner, Special Adviser and also as former House of Representatives member. So, I think, the Senate is just the best place for me, where you look at issues from the perspective of national interest or a statesman.

Zoning of positions has always been a problem in Delta state.

Would you say zoning has favoured your aspiration for Senate in 2015 ?

The people of Ethiope federal constituency are heavily marginalized. We have been the patient dog in the last two or three decades. Beginning from the days of Senator Dafinone who represented us from 1979 to 1983 in the Second Republic. In 1999, Senator Brume had it for four years.

We have three federal constituencies that make up our senatorial district. The first two people were from Okpe and they had five years all together. Then Brume from Ughelli had it for four years and the former governor of the state, Felix Ibru,

•Edojah also from Ughelli represented us for another four years. The late Senator Pius Ewherodo is also from Ughelli and the current Senator is also from Ughelli. So Ughelli would have had it for 12 years and Okpe for nine years.

Ethiope, the third constituency that makes up the senatorial district has never occupied the Senate seat. So, the sentiment is in our favour and we feel 2015 is our time.

But we are also looking for a vibrant person as senator because it is going to affect the quality of laws we make, as it affects the people. But you cannot give out what you don’t have and because I have seen it all in these areas, I think I am a better choice.

And in doing my consultations, so many people have told me

that I am a good candidate, including our respected elder and famous father, Chief Edwin Clark.

Your quest for Senate is spurred by many years of public service. So, what is your vision of representation at the Senate?

My vision for the Senate is a Senate that would be totally representative.

If you are a member of the National Assembly (NASS), you are supposed to be the people’s voice in a modified manner.

You should be able to know or say, this is what my people want and when you come to the NASS, you should be able to espouse the interests of your people and to situate them within the national interest.

PDP favours zoning and continuity. Don’t you think it will

be fair to allow the incumbent to continue in office as decided by the party?

In PDP, we favour zoning, but we don’t favour continuity when you are not performing.

Continuity comes into play when you are doing well because there is no need to change a winning team. These are the principles of my party. So, if you are not performing and you are preaching continuity, nobody will continue with you. Continue in failure? No! Not in PDP. We only continue with celebration and pleasant testimonies of good representation. You don’t continue because you want to hold the people in bondage. So, PDP is a performance driven party and once you are not performing, you are already singing the song of ‘let my soul rest in peace’ for yourself.

How do you intend to face opponents?

I believe politics is supposed to be for men and women who have seen it all. It is not a game for those who want to jumpstart life, but those who have worked and gathered experience, to deploy it to the service of mankind. So, it is not a question of a job seeker wanting to go to the parliament.

To offer what?

You have nothing

to offer. So, let’s now begin to set standards, we have had enough of experiments. The legislative arm of government ought to be a check on the executive, but not to compete with them.

How would you describe the level of success with your consultations so far?

I live with the people and in fact, I am one of the very few politicians who live in the village with my people.

I believe that the only way to resolve the complexities we have today is to stay with the people and explain the situation.

A lot of persons need to be talked to. This is what President Jonathan is doing politically because when you say transformation agenda, many of them don’t understand. You need to explain to them to say this is where we were, this is where we are now and this is what we are aiming at.

APC has shown intimidating presence in national politics. Is PDP threatened by it?

I don’t think APC as a party is still working.

I don’t see any serious politician worth his onion still remaining in the APC. In PDP we had our challenges, but we In PDP, we have settled it through our internal dispute favour resolution mechanism. zoning, but So, APC is unknown and so you can’t be we don’t leaving the known for favour the unknown. So, PDP now has a sound mind, continuity Alhaji Adamu Muazu, when you as national leader. He believes in quality and are not he is a game changer.

performing

Kebbi: Former JTF Commander in new war front

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

M

AJOR General Sarkin Yakin Bello (rtd) who marked his name in the war against militancy in the Niger Delta region is set for another war where the rules of engagement are as maverick as none he could have comprehended.

It is a game sometimes laced with deceit and subterfuge but

not the kind of military subterfuge that made him famous in the Niger Delta creeks.

General Bello is contesting on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the Kebbi State gubernatorial election. Bello as Commander of the Joint Task Force(JTF) in the Niger Delta, won the war for Rivers State government against hoodlums and brigands

masquerading as militants in 2007 while he was Brigade Commander, 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt army barracks. His landmark military operation in the state included the taking over of what was then code named Evil Forest in Okrika local government area in the state by militants for the state government.

He was among top security brass in the country who recommended amnesty to late

President Musa Yar Adua as a way to end insurgency in the Niger Delta region.

Meantime, before the federal government conceded to the recommendation General Bello had successfully overran Camp 5, in Delta state reputed to be the largest concentration of insurgents in Niger Delta.

General Bello said he is in

Continues on page 43

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014—43

I will reproduce Jakande magic in Lagos — Gbadamosi MR. Babatunde Olalere Gbadamosi, popularly called BOG is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos State. In this interview he reviews the affairs of the outgoing All Progressives Congress, APC administration and puts forward his ideas on how government can be better run. Excerpts:

BY BASHIR ADEFAKA

W

HAT inspired you to enter the PDP governorship contest in Lagos State?

I am motivated, first of all, by the level of desperation that I see around me, by the degree of deprivation that is obvious to most Lagosians and by the fact that we have enough in terms of human resources, enough in terms of financial resources to engender massive improvement in the way we live our lives these days in Lagos State as well as the expectations of our people from government.

Even while at the same time not making government to manages every aspect of our people’s lives and to use the weapon of tax destruction to overburden our people with what I would consider these days to be impunity of taxes; tax on prosperity, tax on wealth, tax on success.

up in the pockets of those who want to own every hotel and airline in sight, that, in my opinion, is at the root of the constant state of crisis in which the people of Lagos seem to find themselves or are seen to find themselves in the last fifteen years.

Given that you are a major player in the housing market, how would you approach the housing crisis in Lagos?

When we solve the housing problem, we will not be doing anything unique. I mean we

Discouraging of investments If you are successful you can expect the Lagos State government, currently under the APC, to come after you with its plethora of taxes whose next effect is to discourage investment in the state; to discourage enterprise among the people of Lagos State.

And there is no better example of this than the sustained attacks on the last link in the distribution chain: the retailers, the street traders, the roadside hawkers by the government’s agencies like KAI and the multitude of uniforms.

I am motivated to throw my hat in the ring because I believe that I have the ability to resolve a lot of the issues that are setting the people against one another.

What do you think are the major problems of Lagos and how do you intend to handle them?

I think one thing fundamental in terms of the character of this administration and its personnel seems to be one of inordinate accumulation of wealth. They seem to be fixed on the need to become exceedingly wealthy at the expense of everybody else, so that funds that are supposed to have been channelled into public services end up in the pockets of public officials.

Now, if funds that are meant to provide schools for the children of the poor across the state end

I am motivated, first of all, by the level of desperation that I see around me, by the degree of deprivation that is obvious to most Lagosians

will not be doing anything that has not been done before. The Alhaji Lateef Jakande’s administration, in a period of four years, built 20,000 housing units in addition to building more schools, in addition to adding to the number roads that we had, repairing the existing roads and upgrading previous bush paths into properly tarred roads in addition to building several waterworks across Lagos State.

So you can see that they did all that in four years and they were very, very busy. They were very focused and they were very determined to achieve as much as possible within the space of time that they had. They did not waste time studying the final point of government as it were and that was especially interesting considering the fact that Alhaji Jakande had never been in government prior to the time that he got elected as governor of Lagos State. He had no previous experience of government whatsoever!

If Alhaji Jakande was able to achieve 20,000 housing units in four years, 30 years ago, you have to agree that today, 30 years later with the several technological advancements in the construction industry would have made it possible to achieve at least double of that within the same period of time. Now I say to you that I will achieve ten times of that within the same period of time and I am saying this because of my knowledge and cognate experience of the construction industry. Not only that I can achieve that, but also at much cheaper than the current administration is offering.

•Gbadamosi: APC has failed in Lagos Achieving provision of housing units at cheaper than the current prices?

Yes. I hear Fashola’s administration say that there is no such thing as affordable land and all that, which I find very, very uncharitable on the part of the governor.

I find it to be quite uninformed and I find it to be quite lazy considering the fact that, in general, the government does not pay full value for land. Note that I did not say government does not pay for land. I said they do not pay full commercial market value for land. And many examples abound in Lagos State of forcible government acquisition of land belonging to the indigenes of Lagos, which have been left fallow or handed over to estate developers, who, because they do not have the

funds, put fence, put a few roads in and then wait for buyers to come and buy.

So, my intention as governor is to make homes for as many Lagosians as possible within the first four years of our administration.

So to that end, we will be pursuing a very focused, affordable housing policy and you will see a large amount of affordable housing estates springing up across the state.

And from my experience and in a very sustainable manner, those houses will be built with time in mind, with longevity in mind and the infrastructures provided to such estates will be of much higher standard than we are seeing now. That I must assure you.

Kebbi: Former JTF Commander in new war front Continued from page 42 politics to win the war against underdevelopment, unemployment, poverty, in Kebbi state, assuring that he would bridge the gap between the ruling and the subject class.

As General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian army, GOC, General Bello also ended the reign of terror unleashed on residents of Abia state when he led the military operation that terminated the life of a kidnap kingpin, Obioma

•General Bello leading his troop in the Niger Delta Nwankwo aka Osisikankwu, in the state.

General Bello who holds a degree in Law from the

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria attended Makerar Gandu Primary school, Nagari college all in Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna, Law school, Lagos state.

SYB as he is called in military circle was Coordinator Counter terrorism for Nigeria. He was conferred Officer of the Order of the Niger(OON).

“I am out to serve my people. Provide quality service, deliver dividends of democracy to the people”, he said.

44—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP ward congresses held nationwide on November 1 has come and gone with controversies trailing the exercise across the States.

While some lauded the exercise, many others described it as “fraud, robbery, illegal” and called for its cancellation.

In Plateau state, the case is not different as the party’s Acting Chairman, Raymond Dabo has not failed to brag about “the huge success of the ward congresses.”

However, many party aspirants and supporters maintain they were robbed.

Although the aggrieved members have already petitioned the national leadership of the party in Abuja, internal bickering and reactions continue to trail the exercise in the State.

Among the latest to complain are the immediate past Speaker of the State House of Assembly and member representing Mangu South, Rt. Hon. John Clark Dabwan and the Plateau PDP Youths of Conscience who called for the cancellation of the entire exercise in the state.

Dabwan, a governorship aspirant condemned what he called “obvious hitches which characterized the ward congress of the party in the state.”

Equity and fair play He called on the national secretariat of the party to address the problem in the interest of equity and fair play and urged the people to be vigilant throughout the electioneering process and ensure that only those who have the interest of the people at heart and not impostors are elected into various offices.

Similarly, a group, Plateau PDP Youths of Conscience through Mangut Peter and Mizim Haruna, its coordinator and secretary respectively, called on the national secretariat of the Party to conduct a fresh congress in the State.

According the duo, “We are not unaware of the overflow of petitions that followed the poor conduct of the special delegate congresses held on the 1st of November, 2014. It is on record that there were no congresses conducted anywhere in the State.

“The attempt to conduct one in Pankshin local government area led to its cancellation and we are yet to know the outcome of the rescheduled congress that held the following day.

“We hereby urge the national secretariat to as a matter of necessity dissolve the State congresses and another exercise be transparently conducted. The committee that conducted the earlier exercise be disbanded and relevant state organs which encouraged the flouting of the constitution should be

•Jang: Stop complaining against God's choice

•Pwajok: Jang and God's choice, says only God gives power

PDP:Murmuring on the Plateau sanctioned.”

The group maintains its members will stand against all who seek to use and destroy the party and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to take note and address “these threats to internal democracy in the state chapter of the PDP. In another development, another group under the aegis of Plateau Youth Vanguard said the exercise was credible and vowed to resist any attempt to short change the lists of delegates who emerged during the exercise.

Jonah Jang took a swipe at the State’s gubernatorial aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP saying they should prove their worth if they want to govern the State

The group urged the national chairman of the Party, Alh. Adamu Mua’zu to maintain the delegate list provided by the State PDP Acting Chairman, Hon. Raymond Dabo.

Chairman of the group, Joel Jonathan in a press statement issued in Jos described the process leading to the emergence of the delegates as rigorous, credible, free and fair and applauded the PDP family in the state for conducting itself in an orderly manner during the congress.

Peaceful character He challenged Plateau citizens to exhibit the same peaceful character during the subsequent polls in the overall interest of peace and unity in the state.

The statement reads, “We wish to commend the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State for a peaceful conduct of the recent PDP Ward Congress. This attests to the fact that Plateau State is a PDP state, and the people have totally accepted PDP as a political party.

“We will therefore resist any attempt made by any individual or group of persons to change the original list of delegates which emerged during the congress, we want the national chairman of the party, Alh. Admau Mua’azu to honour only the list of delegates provided by the State Chairman, Hon. Raymond Dabo.

Jonathan chided those who petitioned the national chairman of the party and President Goodluck Jonathan against the conduct of the exercise

describing them as agents who are not interested in the unity and success of the party in the state.

They warned that any attempt to change the list of delegates submitted by the state secretariat will be resisted, adding that “the delegates emerged during a free and fair contest where a level playing ground was provided and anybody who is aggrieved should go and lobby to win support of the delegates.”

To support the latter group’s stance, Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang took a swipe at the state’s gubernatorial aspirants on the platform of the PDP saying they should prove their worth if they want to govern the State.

Jang who lambasted the aspirants for “black-mailing him before the presidency and the party leadership at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja stated, “instead of you to campaign, you are running to Abuja, Abuja will not come and vote for you.”

Political offices The governor spoke at the Government House, Rayfield after swearing in four newly appointed Commissioners to fill the spaces created by four of the Executive Council members who resigned to contest other political offices.

According to him, “Politicians should stop black-mailing me and accept God’s will. There is no zoning in the Plateau governorship seat, those running to Abuja to report me should

cease henceforth.

“It is God that gives power and no human being can stop who God has anointed and if you are not anointed, nobody can bring you into power.

“God has already anointed someone, instead of people to go round and campaign and tell people what they can do, they are busy running to Abuja, Abuja will not come and vote in Plateau.”

Senator representing Plateau North Senatorial zone, Gyang Pwajok who is generally believed to be the anointed has on his part urged the people of Plateau State not to allow the forthcoming elections to divide them but all should work together to achieve greatness and a better Plateau for the coming generations.

“With or without zoning, I am eligible to run for the seat. There was no agreement from any quarter that after Jang’s tenure the northern zone should step down for any candidate from the southern zone.

“With the submission of my nomination form at the National Secretariat of our Party, I am determined to continue to reach out to all the people of Plateau state in the 17 local government councils. We should not allow the issue of zoning to divide us but we must stand together to achieve a greater Plateau.”

He reminded the people that “only God gives power” and tasked the youths to see themselves as people who have the opportunity to make a different in the coming dispensation.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014—45

Bomadi picks Bozimor as delegate to PDP primaries

By Daniel Gumm

B

OMADI—THE leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bomadi Local Government chapter, has adopted former Minister of Police Affairs, Alaowei Broadrick Bozimor, as its consensus ad hoc national delegate ahead of the party’s primaries.

At the party’s secretariat in Bomadi, headquarters of the local government area, the chairman of the council, Oluwole Karetimi, party chieftains, women and youth groups, including a large crowd of party supporters, converged to give the consensus voice of the party to Bozimor.

His choice is said to have reflected the best interest of the party at the grassroots.

In a motion by the assistant secretary of the party, Godbless Keneke, and seconded by Delta State chairman of PDP Youth Circuit, Dagidi Andaye, the ex-Police Minister was unanimously adopted amid ovation of cheering applauds that expressed their acceptance.

While addressing party members, Karetimi said “having jointly agreed by all interest groups of the party, the leadership resolved to adopt the candidate at the grassroots, where every stakeholder will be involved to reflect consensus. “ He explained that the decision was to promote internal democracy within the party in the selection process on issues of consensus mandate.

Communications sector contributes N6.9trn to national income— NCC

By Emma Una

C

A L A B A R — EXECUTIVE Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, yesterday said the communications sector contributed N6.9 trillion, translating to 8.68 percent of the nation’s total income annually.

Juwah, who spoke in Calabar at the beginning of a two-day workshop for

justices of superior courts in Nigeria, said the recently rebased figure showed that the telecommunications industry was one of the key contributors to the nation’s national Gross Domestic Product, GDP, making it a star performer in the country’s revenue sources.

“There is no gainsaying the fact that the communications sector is one of the key contributors to the national GDP. “This is evident in the

RECEPTION: Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (left) and Obong Victor

Attah, former governor of the state, during the reception of President Goodluck Jonathan at the Ibom International Airport, Uyo.

A'Ibom debunks report of stampede, death during stadium commissioning

A

KWA Ibom State government has debunked insinuations of deaths and stampede during the opening ceremony of the ultra modern Ibom international stadium in Uyo. Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, told journalists, who were physically present at the event, that the news making

the rounds on the internet that two deaths were recorded due to stampede, was complete falsehood, intended to discredit the very successful event that has attracted commendations from around the world.

According to him, “though there were cases of exhaustion and tiredness due to the massive crowd that turned out to be part of the grand occasion, no death was recorded throughout the duration of the

Ekere restates welfare plan for elderly

T

HE immediate past Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State and leading governorship aspirant in the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Nsima Ekere, has restated his plan to institute a welfare scheme for the elderly in the state, as part of his people’s development programme, if elected governor next year.

Ekiti is the only state in Nigeria presently where such a scheme, instituted by former C M Y K

recently rebased GDP figures for 2013, wherein the telecommunications and information technology services sector contributed 8.6% to Nigeria’s rebased GDP figures.”

Dr. Juwah, who was represented by Dr Ikechukwu Itanyi, the NCC’s Executive Commissioner Stakeholders Management, said the reforms in the industry required that judges be up to date with legal issues on the industry.

Governor Kayode Fayemi, is in place.

Speaking during the 83rd birthday celebration and thanksgiving of his father, Sir Gabriel Ekere, at Methodist Church, Nigeria, Ikot Oboroenyin, Edemaya, Ikot Abasi, on Sunday, Mr. Ekere explained that such a scheme, which would be patterned after what obtained in the Western World, would take care of

elders of 65 years of age and above.

The member representing Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo/ Mkpat Enin Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr. Akpan Micah Umoh, who spoke through Pastor Udo Isaiah, stated that though prayer and fasting were good, thanksgiving was equally important as it opened doors for more blessing.

event that lasted for about seven hours.”

Mr. Umanah said the robust medical team of over 100 specialists and ambulances on standby, effectively took care of the few cases of exhaustion and minor injuries.

The commissioner who said that the 30,000 seats of stadium were filled by 4.00 p.m., explained that the excited crowd of Akwa Ibom people outside of the stadium was successfully persuaded to leave the venue and be part of the ceremony through the various viewing centres provided in the state capital by the government or from their homes through the different television channels that beamed the event live.

He wondered why people would seek to diminish the success of the ceremony that had President Goodluck Jonathan, his counterparts from Ghana, Dr. John Mahama and that of Cote d’ Ivoire, Dr Alassane Outtara, among others, in attendance.

GGM's bishop anoints son

By Egufe Yafugborhi

W

ARRI—THE Founder and Bishop of God’s Grace Ministry, GGM, Worldwide, St. Daniel Dikeji Miyerijesu, has consecrated his eldest son Rt. Rev. Samuel Jesutekevwe Miyerijesu, as a Bishop of the church.

At the ordination service at the church’s headquarters in Warri, 63 other priests were also anointed as venerables and evangelists of the ministry.

The founder, better known as Bishop of the Whole World by his faithful, charged Bishop Jesutekevwe Miyerijesu, and the other ordained priests to follow his footsteps and that of Jesus Christ and his disciples in leading their flocks diligently.

Those consecrated as venerables included another son of St. Miyerinjesu, Matthew Atiabokijesu Miyerijesu, E. Otarufuoma, Ovwiudo Evwru Ovie, Oborogheneoghenure Ogbariemu, Isaac Oghenefega Ogunjor, Oghenero Amuku, Edafevwivwioni Ogudu, Oghenekohwiroro Kubeni, Samuel Scotte Fobofieyano Mutor Ahwnevu, Efurhievwe Bayagbon and Abraham Etetuvwe.

Isoko students hold summit

T

HE National Union of Isoko Graduates, yesterday, said it had lined up activities to mark her maiden summit with the theme The Isoko Nation: Past, Present and The Future, December 20.

Mr. Avinyeze Oghenebrozie, in a statement in Warri, said the union will, as part of the summit, honour prominent sons and daughters of the land.

He said: “These are individuals who, through their contributions, have made positive impact to the socio-economic, political, cultural and educational advancement of the Isoko nation.”

46 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

2015: AGPA crisis deepens as Okwu

Dangote showcases products at Lagos trade fair

faction begins sale of nomination forms O

By Enyim Enyim

NITSHA—THE protracted crisis in the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, has deepened as the Chief Maxi Okwu-led faction of the party has begun the sale of expression of interest forms and nomination forms to aspirants seeking various elective positions in the 2015 general poll.

The Chief Victor Umeh-led APGA had late last month started the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms to aspirants for various elective positions and officially ended the exercise on November 4.

Surprisingly, on November 6, the Okwu faction rolled out a time table for the purchase of forms and conduct of party congress in preparation for the 2015 general election.

Okwu said, besides the commencement of the sale of forms, expected to end on November 14, his group had set up a screening committee

L

AGOS—PANA F R I C A N conglomerate, Dangote Group, has hit the Lagos International Trade Fair which kicked off on Saturday at Tafawa Balewa square in Lagos as the subsidiaries of group showcased their products.

The global brand is, however, spicing this year’s fair with a special introduction of new products and packs from the stable of its subsidiaries to its customers and other visitors to the fair.

Chief Corporate Communication Officer, Anthony Chiejina, said in a statement in Lagos that the company was offering a huge discount on its products during the fair to appreciate its teeming customers and visitors to the fair.

The statement indicated that Dangote Group would be using the fair to appreciate the patronage of its array of products by the customers by giving them the products at rock bottom prices.

The group’s participation at the trade fair was part of strategies to expand market share and reach more customers.

for aspirants seeking to contest on the platform of the party.

“Today, we have started the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms to our aspirants and I would want to tell you that we are selling the forms at a very low fee when compared to other parties and

WERRI—GOVERNOR Rochas Okorocha has promised that henceforth all school uniforms in Imo State will be sewn by the state tailors, with a view to creating mass jobs and enhancing local content in public spending.

He also promised to establish

Imo to engage state-owned tailors

a garment institute in Imo State to offer professional training courses in fashion design and garment technology.

The governor spoke at the formal inauguration of Imo Tailors Association, ITA, on the auspices of the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring

Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, which was also used to honour him.

Governor Okorocha expressed appreciation to the leadership of the union for the inauguration of tailors in Imo State and promised to give the necessary support to the

2015: Women group endorses Arenyeka for House of Reps

W

ARRI—VAL ARENYEKA Ladies Vanguard, a socio political group in Warri, Delta State, has endorsed the aspiration of its patron, Mr. Ada Val Arenyeka, for the 2015 House of Representatives election, describing him as best suited to

W

e had more challenges in 2011. Data capturing machines found their way to the homes of some politicians. More than 87,000 Nigerians did double registration and we were told that they will be prosecuted. Miss Okwuna Juliet- Secretary C M Y K

give the Warri Federal Constituency the true representation it deserved.

The group also commended the political leadership in the zone for insisting that the position should shift to Warri South council in 2015.

would start on November 28, while the constituency special congress would take place on December 1, noting that the local government congress would hold on December 5, while the senate delegate congress would hold on December 8.

SWEARING IN: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (4th right), his Deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama (4th left), with the 10 new commissioners in Asaba, yesterday.

SCHOOL UNIFORMS:

O

we have made it in such a way that women pay only a token which makes it almost free. We have also written a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission in respect of the party primary we intend to hold,” he said.

Okwu said the ward congress

Making the declaration in Warri, the group’s chairperson, Mrs. Mercy French, maintained that Arenyeka as a former Delta State representative on the board of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, had displayed high level of maturity

when duty beckoned.

According to the group, Arenyeka’s decision to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives “was borne out of his desire to effectively represent the good people of Warri Federal Constituency."

organized tailors.

He thanked the union for the award and recognition and said he would continue to partner with organized labour in his effort and commitment to promote the welfare of workers and create mass decent employment in Imo State.

As part of its organizing efforts, NUTGTWN had successfully inaugurated the tailors in Imo State to its fold.

With the inauguration of ITA, members automatically become part of the union like their counterparts in Rivers, Cross River, Edo, Lagos, Ogun, Benue, Kogi, Kebbi, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Katsina and Abuja among other States.

to think of it, I 94 days to general elections - what is your view? Come do not know where to get registered so that I will

I

see many contradic tions and confusion that characterized the preparation for 2015 general elections but let me still believe that it is still a work in progress. But Nigerians must learn to condemn evil.

Mr Jaiyeola TimileyinFreight Forwarder

E

very right thinking Nigerian knew the 2011 general election was a fraud. After that election, we were assured that lessons had been learnt and there was going to be credible elections in 2015.

Mrs Morayo Simeon- Self Employed

I

think Jega is a good man, he did well in 2011, the problem might lie in the people he is working with and, to a greater extent, we Nigerians. We should all kick against any form of rigging. Mr Emmanuel Iyoke- Worker

W

e individually have to change our mindset, and put Nigeria ahead of any party, tribe, religion etc. We have to put Nigeria first!

Except that is done, our elections, will still be rigged. Miss Chioma Ani- Model

be able to vote in the upcoming election. Unlike in the pastwhere at the end of your street you will see a place to register. They have made it difficult now, which will discourage many people. Miss Chinonye Chinny- Student

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 — 47

Those opposed to govs contesting for senate greedy, selfish — ALIYU

By Wole Mosadomi

K

M

INNA—CHAIRMAN of the 19 Northern Nigeria Governors’ Forum and governor of Niger State, Dr. Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu has described those opposed to some governors contesting the Senatorial election in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as not only greedy but selfish.

Aliyu also said the 2015 general elections can only be held in the North east if the Boko Haram insurgents were crushed by December this year.

He spoke in an interview in Minna yesterday to mark his 59th birthday, saying that it would not be practicable for elections to hold in the area except the insurgents were defeated as promised by President Goodluck Jonathan by next month. ‘’Our prayer and hope however is that Boko Haram should be over before next month so that elections can hold in this areas in 2015,’’ he said.

On some governors contesting the senatorial election, he said, ‘’Yes that is true, but it could be out of their own greed. I was giving somebody an example when they came to me and said do you know that so, so person did not even purchase the Form for Senate but that it has been sent to him from Abuja . ‘’I said yes I am aware and I said what am I supposed to do. I am aware that people go out of frustration and are saying sentimentally that they should not allow governors to come to the Senate because they said nobody can control people like me and I said that I thought I am going to represent my people in the Senate.

MEETING: From left; Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal; All Progressives Congress, APC, National Vice Chairman, North-West, Barr. Inua Abdulkadir and former head of state, Gen Muhammadu Buhari at the APC north-west zonal executive committee meeting in Kaduna on Saturday. Photo by Olu Ajayi. ‘’If I win, I am going to represent my people in the Senate. But the question that readily came to my mind is that, how are you sure that in 2015, you would be where you are that already you are planning or discriminating against those you don’t want governors to be there because of two or three governors that were in the senate are giving

L

OKOJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has pledged to support the Nigerian Navy with more equipment to effectively secure the nation’s maritime environment.

Jonathan spoke yesterday at Lokoja, the Kogi State capital during the on-going 2014 Chief of Naval Staff Annual Conference, CONSAC. He said the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, was working with the Federal Government towards securing the Exclusive Economic zone in their region.

Jonathan, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence,

them tough time or making things difficult for them and they are now saying they did not want some governors. And they are even sending forms to people to come and contest election into the senate against other people. ‘’So, you see it is for their own selfish reasons, not for the benefit of the people or for the country.

They are just protecting their jobs.

The whole idea of political differences is the situation where you can debate and see which one is superior or which idea is better to help the people; that is the purpose of the differences, particularly in politics. But where the differences is simply because I must make it impossible for the other person to get or I must be the one, that is selfish interest.''

Despite PDP ban, Ngilari may join gov race ...As hawks use First Lady’s name to peddle influence in Ilorin

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

T

HERE were indications yesterday that Governor James Ngillari of Adamawa State,

MARITIME SECURITY: Jonathan pledges more equipment to Navy

By Boluwaji Obahopo

Yero tasks northern govs on rapid devt of region

Alhaji Aliyu Ismaila Numan revealed that the nation’s maritime interests were threatened by various forms of insecurity, especially piracy, illegal bunkering and crude oil theft, illegal fishing and proliferation of small arms.

According to him, “Efforts will be made at equipping the Nigerian Navy to enable it meet with global best practices, global strategic contest, technological advancement in line with current global security challenges, so as to assist in our administration’s transformation agenda.

“Apart from our porous borders, the Nigeria maritime environment present another avenue for terrorists in the execution of their plans.''

might have been drafted into the governorship race despite being barred from doing so by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Ngillari, who became governor last month on the orders of the court which sacked Ahmadu Fintiri, is from Adamawa North Senatorial District of the state, which has been producing all the governors of the state while Adamawa Central, which the PDP has zoned the seat to has never produce one since its creation.

But a source close to the governor said he had been under immense pressure by some influential politicians in Abuja to join the race so as to stop the Central Senatorial District of the state from producing the next governor of the state in line with the NWC’s decision.

The politicians are said to have told Ngillari that they were under the instruction of Mrs Patience Jonathan, to install him as the governor of the state so as to fence off other candidates.

The use of the First Lady’s name, it was gathered, immediately emboldened Ngillari, who dispatched a trusted allies, Lawrence Ngbale, to secure the nomination form for him while pretending to have abided with the NWC's decision.

Finding showed that Ngillari’s nomination form is marked No. 178 0378 and had been registered at the Wadata Plaza, which had earlier asked to not to collect the form.

A top source in Yola told Vanguard in confidence that the NWC was in a dilemma following the claim that it was the First Lady, who gave the order that the governor should jettison his senatorial ambition for the governorship next year.

The source said: ''It is true Ngilari has obtained his nomination form and is banking on First Lady's support who assured him of the PDP ticket.

“The governor was reliably told that the wife of the President had directed him to purchase the governorship forms which he immediately did through proxy.

The Governor has since returned the form.

Although there were fears that Ngillari would not get enough support to win even the primary election, having not done well at the ward congress last week, the source said influential elements working for Ngillari had assured him that the delegates list would be altered at the ‘highest level’ to accommodate his interest once an order was given.

ADUNA State Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero has asked the 19 northern state governments to initiate a harmonized blue-print for the rapid development of the old northern region.

Speaking while commissioning the secretariat of the Sardauna Foundation yesterday in Kaduna, Yero said that the time had come for the entire North to reflect on the times of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, Premier of the defunct region by introducing policies and programmes that would directly affect the lives of the citizenry.

He wondered how the North had retrogressed since the demise of the late Sardauna saying “We keep on talking about the legacies of the late Sardauna but we are yet to act like him. What happened to the North since his demise is it of leadership or follower ship?

“Let me suggest the adoption of a common development plan for the entire region. It is time for us to revisit the development model of the late Sardauna, which has the entire North as a single entity.''

PDP elders in Plateau warns jang against imposition

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

J

OS—ELDERS of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Plateau have asked Governor Jonah Jang not to provoke the people of the state by imposing an unpopular gubernatorial candidate on them for the 2015 general elctions.

A former Chairman of the party in the state and Director General of Jang’s Campaign Organisation in 20017, Prof. Dakum Shown who spoke on behalf of the elders yesterday said that the governor had plans to impose his kinsman, Senator Gyang Pwajok as his successor against the desire of the people, adding that doing so would amount to slapping the people on their faces.

48—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

SIGNING: From left, Jonathan Rigby, Head of Marketing, Manchester United; Probal Bhattacharya, Head of Marketing, Chi Limited; Anirban Sarkar, Brand Manager, Chi Limited, and Anthony Banerjee, Relationship Manager, Chi Limited, during the signing of partnership between Chi Limited and Manchester United in Manchester, United Kingdom. Players at the back are Robin van Persie, Valencia, Anders Lindegaard and Angel di Maria.

DECLARATION: Chief Lateef Kolawole, Magaji Ope of Lagos; Hon. Lanre Ope, All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship aspirant, and his wife, Mrs. Nike Ope,(left), during Hon. Ope's declaration of intent to contest 2015 Lagos state governorship primaries, Ekotedo, Lagos. Photo: Shola Oyelese

BIRTHDAY: From left, former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Nsima Ekere; former SouthSouth Zonal Auditor of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Engr. Akan Okon; former Commissioner for Agriculture, Professor Etok Ekanem, and former Commissioner for Finance, Sir Obot Etukafia, during the 83rd birthday celebration of Ekere's father, Sir Gabriel Ekere, at Methodist Church Nigeria, Ikot Oboroenyin, Edemaya, Ikot Abasi, weekend.

CAMPAIGN: From left, Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation,MTNF, Nonny Ugboma; Economic Empowerment Portfolio Manager, MTNF, Foyinsola Oyebola; Sponsorships & Events Manager, MTN, Okundola Bamgboye, and Senior Manager, Segment Marketing, MTN, Saidat Lawal-Mohammed and Danjuma Adamu, a beneficiary of MTN Surprise campaign, who got a wheel chair, at Falomo Round-About, Ikoyi, Lagos.

PRESENTATION: Mr. Festus Ekechi, Zonal Controller, Nigerian Depositors Insurance Coporation, NDIC, Port Harcourt, presenting donated items to Rev. Lucky Abaadam, President, Lifetime Caring International Foundation Orphanage Home; his wife Abigail Abaadam, and Dr. Jacob Afolabi, Director, Research, NDIC, representing the MD/CE of NDIC, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, during a visit of the corporation to Lifetime Caring International Foundation Orphanage Home, in Port Harcourt, as part of activities to mark its 25th anniversary. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke

SERIES: From left, Pikie Monaheng, Chief Executive Officer, Amdocs, South Africa; Dion Jerling, Chief Executive Officer, Connect Africa, Sifisco Dabengwa, Group Chief Executive Officer, MTN Group, and Anne Bouverot, Director General, GSMA, during the just concluded GSMA Mobile Series Africa, in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo: Emeka Aginam

UNVEILING: From left, Executive Director, Dangote Cement, Knut Ulvmoen; Chief Operating Officer, Dangote Cement, Olakunle Alake; Special Assistant to the Group Managing Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Fatima Aliko-Dangote; Honourary Adviser to the President/Chief Executive, Dangote Group, Engr. Joseph Makoju; Group Managing Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Devakumar V. G. Edwin; Special Assistant to the President/Chief Executive, Dangote Group, Halima AlikoDangote; and Deputy Director, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, Cynthia Ifeagwu, during the unveiling of Dangote Cement 32.5 grade cement bag, in Lagos.

Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

From left, Lagos East lawmaker, Senator Gbenga Ashafa; the Onitedo of Oke Odo Iwerekun, Oba Tujudeen Elemoro, and officials of Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC, during the on-going Permanent Voter's Card, PVC, distribution exercise, at Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, weekend.

VISIT: Councillors of Owan Federal Constituency led by Hon. Pally Iriase , during a working visit to National Assembly, in Abuja.

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 —53

Nicki Minaj, One Direction, Ariana Grande, others win big at the Emas!

•As MTV Celebrates 20TH Anniversary

Egypt's political struggle re-echoed at AFRIFF '14

By Ayo Onikoyi & Benjamin Njoku

T

HE political struggle that claimed hundreds of thousands of innocent lives in Egypt between 2011 and 2013 re-echoed Sunday night, when "The Square", a documentary film exploring the country's political history was screened to open this year's Africa International Film Festival, AFRIFF, holding in Calabar, Cross River State.

The film, screened at the magnificent Cultural Centre, in the heart of Calabar drew a lot of applause, sympathy and condemnation that have continued to trail the fallen Mubarak-led government of dictatorship at the end of the one and half -hour screen-

ing.

Screened immediately after the opening ceremony, the documentary titled The Square is an Egyptian production dedicated to the hundreds of innocent protesters who were brutally murdered during the recent revolutions that swept through the country, and also to those who have continued to fight for the freedom of the people.

Although the producer, Jehane Noujaim was unavoidably absent at the event, in his place, the director, Sheriff Awaad acknowledged the global recognition the documentary has received since it was produced last year, having gotten an Oscar nomination.

According to him, the docu-

mentary epitomizes the struggles of the new generation of Egyptian people and the transitions they're going through presently.The film also projects the deep cravings of the people for peace, fairness and equality, and also promotes the concept of dialogue even in the face of the deepest conflicts of interests, opinions, religion, and beliefs.

Staged at Tahir Square in the center of Cairo, Egypt, the film takes its title from the final showdown that ousted the tyrannical regime of Hosni Mubarak which had held the average Egyptian in terror for over 30 years.

Lead character cum narrator is a youth known simply as Ahmed, who grew up witnessing the corruption and injustice all around.

O

NE of the biggest global annual music events celebrating the hottest artists from around the world, the 2014 MTV EMA was marked with unexpected moments, once-ina-lifetime collaborations and rousing performances.

This year’s show transformed Glasgow’s SSE Hydro into an unforgettable time, taking the audience on a wild journey inspired by memories of the most outlandish moments in the MTV EMA’s 20-year history.

The 2014 MTV EMA in association with Smirnoff Ice Double Black with Guarana broadcast live from the SSE Hydro in Glasgow on MTV and MTV Base on Sunday 9 November.

The show kicked-off by transporting viewers back to 1994,

where a young Nicki Minajwatched the first-ever MTV EMA from her bedroom before travelling into the future, making a grand entrance into the 2014 MTV EMA by soaring across the stage.

“Her Minajesty” truly commandeered the evening, taking home the award for Best Hip Hop, and even giving the audience a show-stopping blend of her biggest hits including ‘Super Bass’, ‘Anaconda’ and a global debut performance of her new track ‘Bed of Lies’, with a surprise appearance by Skylar Gray.

One of the greatest rock bands of all time, U2 took to the MTV EMA stage for a fourth time with a poignant, understated rendition of ‘Every Breaking Wave’, accompanied by a strings section.

Strings section Alicia Keys serenaded the crowd from the nearby viewing party at the O2 Academy Glasgow, with an inspired performance of her Best Song with a Messagenominated track ‘We Are Here’ being beamed into the SSE Hydro and to MTV EMA viewers the world over. Best Song and Best Female winner Ariana Grande flew over the audience in a perspex bubble chair, before treating fans to a Barbarella-esque medley of her smash hits ‘Problem’ and ‘Break Free’, and Ed Sheeran brought his chart-topping track ‘Thinking Out Loud’ to life, lighting up the stage with an elaborate music box.

Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne made his triumphant return to MTV to accept this year’s Global Icon Award. In a surprise closing performance, Biffy Clyro’s Simon Neil joined guitar legend Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators to pay tribute to Ozzy with an epic rendition of his classic hit ‘Crazy Train’.

Before closing out the evening, Queen Nicki announced that the 2015 MTV EMA will take place in Milan, Italy at the Mediolanum Forum on Sunday 25 October 2015. Italy and the city of Milan will serve as the official location for Expo 2015, the Universal Exhibition, and the MTV EMA will close out a year of international events taking place in Milan.

54—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

Nigerians deserve effective justice system —CJN

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

BUJA—THE Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, yesterday, harped on the need for a holistic reform of the justice system in the country to meet the needs and aspirations of Nigerians.

The CJN, who stated this while commissioning two newly-built data centres at the Supreme Court and the National Judicial Council, NJC, maintained that Nigerians deserved a justice system that was simple, fast and effective.

She said her support for the implementation of the Judicial Information Technology Policy was borne out of her desire to enable judges perform their statutory duties with utmost professionalism, adding that the court automation project would improve efficiency, access to justice and, thereby, increase public trust and confidence in the courts.

She said: “What we are witnessing today is the solid foundation for tomorrow ’s fully automated court.

“Indeed, this aligns with the vision of transforming from the current predominantly manual court processes and its attendant weaknesses, to technological solutions ‘tailor-made’ for the Nigerian judiciary.

“On a recent visit to South Korea, I learned that the judiciary there had painstakingly achieved its present level of technological excellence over a period of about 30 years and improvements made continuously.”

AGM: From left: Mr. Emeka Akwuaka, Company Secretary; Mr. Sina Alimi, Executive Director; Alhaji Garba Ahmed, Director; Chief Tessa Egbe Ikimi, Director; Mr. Dolapo Atekoja, Chairman; Mr. Chris Oshiafi, Managing Director/CEO, and Professor Peter Nwangwu, Director, all of PanAfrica Plc, at the company's annual general meeting in Lagos.

Senate shuts National Assembly, as Jonathan declares for 2015 presidential race

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Joseph Erunke

A

BUJA—FOLLOWING the scheduled formal declaration of President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2015 presidential election on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, today, the Senate has put off its earlier planned resumption of plenary today.

The Senate has instead, rescheduled resumption of the plenary for tomorrow.

Although the Senate, in a formal statement through its clerk, Benedict Efeturi, announced the postponement in the resumption, it did not give reason for the action.

Vanguard gathered that the development was not unconnected with the Presidential Jonathan's declaration.

The statement, entitled Rescheduling the Resumption of the Senate in Plenary, informed all senators that there would be no plenary session today, following the postponement.

Efeturi’s statement read in part: “This is to inform all distinguished senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that the resumption of the Senate in plenary has been rescheduled from Tuesday, November 11, to Wednesday, November 12.”

Some PDP senators who would not want to be mentioned, told Vanguard that the official declaration of President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2015 presidential election at Eagles Square, which is less than 400 meters away from both the Senate and the House of Representatives

chambers, was the reason for the shifting of their resumption to tomorrow.

The Senate President, David Mark, according to findings, will lead a group of PDP senators to the event expected to start at 10a.m. today.

One of the senators told Vanguard: “Yes, the President

... Reps, workers desert complex over cash crunch

By Emman Ovuakporie

A

BUJA—THE National Assembly complex that is always bubbling with activities was, yesterday, deserted by lawmakers and staff as most offices remained empty.

This development is a direct effect of the Presidency ’s decision not to release funds for the management of NASS. Few of the workers were seen around the massive complex.

A senior management staff of NASS who spoke to Vanguard on condition anonymity, said: “I am scared because if this trend continues, budget 2015 will suffer an unprecedented setback like never before.

“From all indications, presentation of the 2015 budget summary by President Gooduck Jonathan may no longer take place.

“As soon as they resume in

December, they would hardly do any legislative work and if they do, it may be just for 5 days.

“In the history of this assembly, we have never had it this tough, to the extent that our colleagues cannot even fuel their cars to the office.

“Look at our parking lot, you can see that there is more than enough space to park. But this time last month, you can hardly get a space to park even a bicycle.

“From all indications, there is no hope that we will get paid, because if there was any hope we know the signals. But as at today, we have not seen any signal.

“It was this same scenario that played out in 2011 that made Dimeji Bankole, the then Speaker, to collect the loan that got him into trouble.

“This present management learned a bitter lesson from that singular experience,

N3bn education grant too small for research —NNAJI

By Laide Akinboade

A

BUJA—FORMER Minister of Power and Chief Executive Officer of Geometric Power Limited, Professor Bart Nnaji, yesterday, said the N3 billion intervention grant given

for research by the Federal Government to tertiary institutions was too small to encourage development.

He stated this at the National Higher Education Forum organized by Tell magazine, in collaboration

is formally declaring tomorrow (today) at the Eagle Square and I can tell you that we, the senators in his party, are expected to be there to show our support to his re-election bid.

“We will all be there with the Senate President as our leader.”

with Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TetFund, in Abuja.

Nnaji also urged the Federal Government to establish an agency to oversee research and award grants to researchers in the country.

He said: “N3 billion is not

enough. Though it sounds a lot to an individual, for a country it is nothing.

“If we do not have adequate funding, we cannot have adequate infrastructure and we would not have enough teachers.”

which made the then Speaker to suffer for nothing on behalf of his colleagues.”

It will be recalled that due to the inability of NASS management to access funds in the federation account required for the last quarter of the year, October salaries had not been paid till date.

Odumodu re-appointed SON DG

T

HE Federal Government has announced the reappointment of the Director-General of Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, for another term.

The reappointment, which becomes effective on February 1, 2015, at the expiration of the current tenure, is in line with the provisions of Standards Organisation of Nigeria Act, CAP S9 LFN, 2004.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, disclosed this to journalists in Abuja.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 — 55

Ebonyi Assembly boils over alleged impeachment of speaker, suspension of four members

By Peter Okutu

A

exercise in futility.

According to him, two members, Odefa Obasi Odefa, member representing Onicha East constituency and Francis

Ogbonna Nwifuru, member representing Izzi West constituency were suspended through a motion moved by Ikechukwu Ogbu and seconded

by Princess Lilian Igwe.

Meanwhile, members loyal to Nwazunku insisted that he remained the speaker of the State House of Assembly.

BAKALIKI—EBONYI State House of Assembly, was yesterday thrown into crisis, following alleged controversial impeachment of the Speaker, Chukwuma Nwazunku and suspension of four members; including the Chief Whip, Ogbonnaya Ikoro, representing Afikpo North West.

But members loyal to Nwazunku, insisted he remained the speaker of the Assembly.

Other suspended members are; the member representing Abakaliki North, Oliver Nwachukwu, Odefa Obasi Odefa, member representing Onicha East constituency and Francis Nwifuru, member representing Izzi West state constituency of the state.

At a briefing immediately after their sitting, spokesman for the House, who represents Afikpo South West Constituency, Eni Uduma Chima, said the suspension by COMMISSIONING: Dr Omobola Johnson, Minister of Communication Technology (left), members loyal to Nwazunku making the first phone call after commissioning a Base Transceiver Station BTS at Igbo Olodumare was contrary to the House rule in Ondo State over the weekend while Mr. Ade Ayoola, Chief Executive Officer of O’net looks on. and had been declared an

Enugu wards congresses successful — EKWEREMADU

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—DEPUTY Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday dismissed the controversy over conduct of congresses in the 260 wards in Enugu state, affirming the successful conduct of the exercise.

He spoke at a meeting of all the 3-man elected ad-hoc delegates in Enugu State at the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN, office, in Enugu.

The delegates would participate at the House of Assembly, National Assembly and governorship primaries to be held later this month.

According to Ekweremadu, “I came to congratulate these delegates you seeing here because they are going to decide the faith of the people going to House of Assembly, House of Representatives and the Senate. ''They will determine who will be their candidate for Enugu-West senatorial zone. I assembled them this afternoon, to say congratulations to them as our 3man delegates for this important assignment. I expect them to vote according to their conscience.

When the time comes, I will appeal to them to vote for me. I also congratulate you for going to court to protect you mandate.

You do not hold elections and then cancel it. It can only

happen in military era. PDP is a law abiding party, the appeal panel set up by PDP has not recommended a cancellation of the ward congresses held on

November 1.

“They are the only people that can cancel election and nobody else. The appeal decided that the congresses that took place in

Enugu were perfect and unassailable.

So they recommended to the PDP to uphold the congress that held on November 1.”

CBN receives 4,400 complaints, refunds N17bn in 2yrs

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—CONSUMER Protection Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has said it received no fewer than 4,400 complaints, while close to N17 billion had been refunded to complainants between 2012 and November 2014.

The Director, Consumer Protection Department of the CBN, Mrs. Umma Aminu Dutse, disclosed this yesterday at a briefing to flag off the consumer sensitization and awareness campaign in Owerri.

“We have received no fewer than 4,400 complaints from aggrieved customers and close to N17 billion has been refunded to the complainants between 2012 and now”, Dutse said.

She also said CBN had developed disputes resolution and redress mechanism that was fair, transparent, accessible, timely and inexpensive.

According to the CBN Director, there were several opportunities in the nation’s financial sector, stressing that if Nigeria profitably

tapped the opportunities, especially the agricultural sector, a lot of employments would be generated.

On the reports associated with ATM frauds, Dutse, whose message was delivered by the Head, Consumer Education Division, Hajiya Khadijah Kasim,

said with biometrics, the fraud would be reduced to the barest minimum or eliminated completely.

“Account holders are therefore urged to get their biometrics captured and uploaded by their banks without further delay”, Mrs. Dutse pleaded.

Group sensitises Lagos traders on voter’s registration

By Esther Onyegbula

A

South East sociopolitical group, Ndigboamaka, has called on Igbo resident in Lagos to fully participate in the voter’s registration exercise, saying the “voices of the Igbo must be heard in 2015.”

The group spoke during its one-day voter ’s registration campaign at the trade fair auditorium in Lagos.

Addressing the delegates from the 58 market associations in Lagos, National Coordinator, South East Ndigbo, Nse Basil Osuokwu, said the purpose of the campaign was to educate the market community in Lagos State to ensure that members, who had registered collected their permanent voters cards at the venue of their registration while those who had not registered should do so during the upcoming registration.

He urged the delegates from the various market associations to register during the forthcoming registration exercise, and warned them not to sell their votes to desperate politicians.

“Nigeria will move forward if we perform our civic responsibility in the way it should be done.

“Instead of complaining that this government is not doing well; this government is corrupt and insensitive. I like this government official, I am happy with what this government is doing. Now is the opportunity to make our voice to be heard and our votes to count,'' Osuokwu said.

NECA raps CPC over assaults on companies

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

N

IGERIA Employers Consultative Association, NECA, has faulted perceived increasing act of impunity by Consumer Protection Council, CPC, decrying alleged punitive actions against member companies by CPC. NECA cited among others, a the punitive charge of almost N100 million imposed on a bottling company over allegation of substandard product, wondering the justification for the fine.

In a statement by its Director General, Mr. Segun Oshinowo,

NECA insisted that it subscribed and fully supported the noble idea of Nigerian consumers deriving optimum utility and value from products they used their hard earned money to purchase.

According to the statement “We equally believe that any Nigerian producer and manufacturer should accord the highest premium to the safety of their products. It is for these reasons that we have, over the years, worked in collaboration with such ombudsman and regulators like SON and NAFDAC to ensure that these noble ideals are delivered at the doorsteps of

Nigerian Consumers. It is also for these reasons that we did not oppose the enactment into law of the Consumer Protection Council even though it would have been cost effective and appropriate to get SON to discharge the role.

“It is, however, unfortunate that the current leadership of CPC, probably out of the desperation to survive under a dispensation of a declining budget funding, has focused more attention on revenue generation through the milking of the private sector all in the name of consumers’ protection.''

56 —

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

BRIEFS Catalan leaders independence poll results

T AU meets over Burkina Faso's transition

T

HE head of the African Union held urgent talks in Burkina Faso yesterday on the West African country’s political transition following the ouster of veteran president Blaise Compaore.

With the military regime that took power after Compaore’s exit under heavy international pressure to quickly hand over to a civilian government, delicate negotiations loomed to hammer out a transition plan.

“We have come to participate in a solution,” Mauritania’s president and current AU head Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz said after talks with Lieutenant-Colonel Isaac Zida, the officer the army installed to lead the nation after Compaore fled.

Abdel Aziz’s visit came a day after the opposition and civil society groups agreed on a blueprint for transition that provides for new elections in a year. The deal now has to be negotiated with the military.

The blueprint was handed over to the military on Monday, but a range of sensitive questions must still be resolved, including who will serve as interim president and the allocation of seats in the interim parliament.

After publicly

embracing Zida, the AU head went straight into private talks with the soldier in a lounge at Ouagadougou airport. No details emerged from their discussion, which preceded talks in the city itself between Abdel Aziz and other parties to the political process.

Mauritanian President and African Union Chairman Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz (C) speaks next to Burkina Faso’s Lieutenant-Colonel Isaac Zida (R) at Ouagadougou airport yesterday.

“The African Union has not come to sanction Burkina Faso,” Abdel Aziz stated on emerging from the talks with Zida, adding that a settlement would come from “the Burkinabe people”.

The AU chief then travelled to a luxury hotel in the capital for meetings with opposition politicians and leaders of civil society, as well as loyalists who had backed the increasingly unpopular Compaore in office.

“The African Union is there to accompany them (the parties to transition). They have already taken the essential steps for more democracy in their country,” Abdel Aziz said.

Though Zida’s regime rejected a recent ultimatum from the AU to stand down within a fortnight, Abdel Aziz said he wanted “to congratulate” all parties to the succession crisis and urged them to go on working together “in tranquility, security and social peace”.

Obama, Putin engage in sidelines diplomacy

U

.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke briefly on the sidelines of APEC summit events on Monday night but did not delve into the issues that divide their two countries, according to U.S. and Russian officials.

The informal contact between the two leaders, who have been deeply at odds over Russia’s role in the Ukraine conflict and its backing for Syrian President Bashar alAssad, took place during events to welcome participants to the Chinesehosted summit.

Both sides played down the significance of the moment.

“They only had a brief encounter where they didn’t have time to cover issues,” a senior U.S. official said. “We’ll let you know if they interact/cover issues tomorrow.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also described a short exchange while holding out pros-

pects for further discussions. Both will also attend a G20 summit in Brisbane later this week.

“There were no talks.

They greeted each other,” Peskov told Russian journalists in Beijing.

“They exchanged a few lines. The presidents assume they will have a chance to talk on the sidelines (of the G20) in the coming days.”

They would seem to have much to discuss but little chance of finding

common ground. Communicating mostly by telephone over the past year, their occasional interactions have been described as tense as U.S.Russia ties have sunk to a post-Cold War low.

Abe, Xi in awkward handshake

A

N uneasy hand shake ydesterday

between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, left, and China’s President Xi Jinping, right, shake hands during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Beijing, yesterday,

Shinzo Abe marked the first meeting between the two men since either took power, and an awkward first gesture toward easing two years of high tensions.

As the two men approached each other, stern-faced, to shake hands in front of cameras, Abe briefly tried to say something to Xi, who gave no response and turned away, appearing distinctly uncomfortable, to fix his gaze toward the cameras for the rest of the handshake.

The tense moment seemed to show how far apart the two sides remain.

HE Catalonia region’s president was riding a wave of enthusiasm among independence seekers Monday, a day after a non-binding vote on secession from Spain showed strong though not overwhelming support for breaking away.

Artur Mas received an ovation from jubilant government workers as he returned to his party headquarters to analyze the results of the unofficial referendum.

“Catalonia wants to decide its own future,” regional government spokesman Francesc Homs said.

Unhappy at Spain’s refusal to give the wealthy region more autonomy and fiscal powers, Catalan politicians have been pushing for a referendum for months.

Catalonia’s secessionist moves follow Scotland’s recent independence vote that resulted in a No vote and kept it part of Britain.

Fresh South Sudan’s cease-fire floops

F

ORTY-EIGHT hours after the latest ceasefire deal in South Sudan, a battle broke out on Monday between government troops and rebel fighters in which 29 combattants died, said a military spokesman.

South Sudan military spokesman Col. Philip Aguer said the fighting killed 24 rebels and five government soldiers. There was no way to independently verify Aguer’s casualty toll.

Aguer blamed the battle on rebels, saying they launched an attack on government positions in the northern part of Upper Nile state. A rebel spokesman said that government forces launched the first attack.

“The government is entirely responsible for these unnecessary attacks motivated by its desires and attempts to recapture oil fields under our control before a permanent cessation agreement could be signed,” said rebel spokesman Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang.

Rwandan sect members jailed for inciting revolt

R

WANDA’s high court convicted eight people on Monday of inciting rebellion for processing to President Paul Kagame’s residence to deliver what they said was a message from God, and sentenced them to five years in prison.

The seven women and one man, arrested in July 2013 outside Kagame’s home, belonged to a sect called The Inseparable Heroes of Jesus and Mary, and hoped to pass on a message that criticized his leadership, the prosecution told the court.

Kagame, who won re-election by an overwhelming margin in 2010, has secured international praise for rebuilding Rwanda after ethnic genocide in 1994. But critics accuse him of being authoritarian and trampling on civil rights, charges he rejects.

Zambia holds final requiem for late president

Z

AMBIA yesterday held a final requiem service for president Michael Sata ahead of his burial on Tuesday, after a week of lying in state in the capital city.

Clerics from different faith groups led prayers in parliament, in a ceremony attended by diplomats and politicians, including the country’s founding president Kenneth Kaunda and Sata’s predecessor Rupiah Banda.

The public had until Sunday been streaming in to view the body of the 77-year-old leader who died on October 28 in a London hospital while undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness.

“His wish and desire was to develop this country.

His wish and desire was to bring economic development,” said Bishop Alick Banda.

Bishop Banda called on the country’s new leader to fulfil Sata’s wish of enacting a new constitution, a process which has been marked by delays.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 — 57

Eagles to check Mikel’s injury N

IGERIA officials have maintained Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi, who recently suffered a knee injury, will have to be cleared by the team’s medical staff before he is fielded in the country’s mustwin AFCON 2015 qualifiers against Congo and South Africa.

Nigeria are away to Congo in Pointe-Noire

on Saturday and then host South Africa on Wednesday at the brand-new Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo to round off the qualifying campaign for next year ’s AFCON. Mikel was listed for Chelsea’s weekend win at Liverpool, but was an unused substitute with speculations over his fitness still in doubt.

“We know Mikel is just returning from an injury and was listed for Chelsea’s win at the weekend. But just to be sure our medical team will still have a look at him when he arrives,” said team spokesman Ben Alaiya.

“But we have no fear what so ever over his fitness for the double header.”

Nigerian Sports Award: Danagogo, Quadri, others confirm attendance

A

S the countdown to Thursday November 13, date for the 2014 edition of the prestigious Nigerian Sports Award draws closer, Sports Minister, Dr Taminu Danagogo and Nigeria born world top 30 ranking table tennis player Aruna Quadri are among the dignitaries that have confirmed their attendance at the event.

According to Kayode Idowu, General Manager, Unmissable Incen-

•Mikel Obi

tives Limited-organizers of the award, Dr. Danagogo would be the special guest of honour at the event billed to hold at the Muson Centre, Lagos.

Idowu also disclosed that Aruna Quadri, Nigeria’s table tennis player who was recently ranked 30 in the world is also confirmed for the award and will be travelling all the way from his base in Portugal to attend the award Gala Night.

*Blessing Okagbare

Umanah lauds Gov Akpabio over Ak/Ibom Int'l Stadium

C

OMMISSIONER of Information, culture and Ethical ReOrientation , Aniekan Umanah has heaped

World Cup money Continues from BP

stage of Brazil 2014 and are therefore entitled to more than what teams who crashed out in the group stage received.

The NFF are due to get about $9 million (about N1.4 billion) as the Super Eagles share of the spoils for berthing the round of 16 at the World Cup, but FIFA will only pay a net of that amount after deducting tax, accommodation, feeding, transport, security and sundry costs rendered to the Nigerian delegation at the World Cup. The FA are also to refund a soft loan of $3.8million advanced to them by the country’s government for the payment of the Super Eagles appearance fees after the players went on strike in Brasilia on the eve of their round of 16 match against France.

plaudits on Governor Godswill Akpabio for his uncommon foresight of building an international stadium for Akwa Ibom and Nigerian youths.

The 30,000 seater stadium was unveiled by three Presidents, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of Nigeria, Alhassan Quattara of Cote d’Ivoire and John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, the first time in Ni-

geria that three Presidents were present in a function in a state. ‘’Governor Akpabio has shot Akwa Ibom into international reckoning.

Not only has the state become a tourist destination, it has become the Mecca of sorts for sports’’, an overwhelmed Umanah who worked tirelessly to coordinate the world press that were in attendance for the opening of the

Ike Uche joins Eagles today Continues from BP

media to recall the nippy forward for two crucial AFCON qualifiers against Congo and South Africa beginning on Saturday.

AfricanFootball.com has been told that Turkey-based defender Godfrey Oboabona was the latest arrival in the Eagles camp.

The arrival of Oboabona takes the number of foreign-based players in the Eagles camp to five.

However officials of the team said they expect

almost a full house by Wednesday morning as several players have already arrived the country’s commercial capital city of Lagos.

“Several of the players are in Lagos. Emmanuel Emenike, Efe Armbrose and Raheem Lawal are in Lagos already,” noted a top official. Mikel is expected to come in tomorrow (Wednesday) alongside Ike Uche. But I am sure we will have a full house before tomorrow evening training session.”

stadium said. ‘’Akwa Ibom are blessed to have him as Governor. He has changed the face of the state, touched the lives of the people, provided indelible infrastructures. He has taken us to the pinnacle and the people are happy’’, Umanah said.

At the Commissioning of the monumental stadium, Governor Akpabio said that he was more interested in placing Akwa Ibom youths at the forefront to compete favourably with other youths of the world and to bring honours to the state and the country. ‘’There are going to be more Serenas to be dis-

Umanah

covered in Akwa Ibom.

More Evander Holyfields will emerge from this state. We have realised that sports is a multi-million Dollar earner.

Lagos to honour Federation Cup legends

L

AGOS State Government has revealed that 13 former stars of the Federation Cup, formerly known as the ‘Challenge Cup’ will be honoured and rewarded during the finals.

The finals which will hold at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos will see the Federation Cup defending champions, Enyimba Football Club take on Dolphins Football Club in the Men’s final, while the finals of the Women category will be between defending Champions, Rivers Angels and Sunshine Queens.

Lagos State Commissioner for Sports, Waidi Enitan Oshodi said the state was ready to honour 13 former stars of the competition for their past contributions. Giving the names of some of them as Ayo Ositelu, Aloysius Atuegbu, Ogidi Ibeabuchi and Sunday Dankoro who are all going to be honored Post humosuely.

Others are Pa Herbert Omohkaye, George Hassan, Yomi Peters, Peter Fregene, Kadiri Ikhana, Henry Ogboe, Festus Bolaji Okubule, Jonathan Nwaiwu and Peter Anieke who are all expected to be present for the finals.

Keshi keeps Eagles waiting Continues from BP

two weeks ago via a presidential directive was conspicuously absent from the team’s bench when the Super Eagles played against the Black Meteors of Ghana during the opening of the new Akwa Ibom International Stadium.

In Uyo, Friday.

An official of the team who pleaded anonymity confided in our reporter that the former national team captain was yet to report to the team’s camp even as he added that they expected the coach to be with the team before their first training session this morning.

“Yes, the coach is yet to report to camp but there is nothing to worry because he is still in contact with the team

and will be available when the team starts training this morning”.

Meanwhile five foreign based players have reported to the team’s camp by the time of filling this story.

Media officer of the team, Ben Alaiya confirmed to that Sammy Aluko, Hope Akpan, Godfrey Oboabona, Sunday Emmanuel and Aaron Samuel were the early birds. He however assured that the rest of the foreign based players were expected by last night.

Alaiya equally confirmed that all the invited home based players have reported to camp adding that they are all eager to confront the Congolese and pay them back in their own coin.

58 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 — 59

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60 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

As AFCON race hots up...

Enyeama battles Toure, Gervinho for BBC award

•Enyeama

T

HE five-man shortlist for the BBC African Footballer of the Year 2014 has been revealed.

Title holder Yaya Toure has been nominated for the sixth consecutive year, along with PierreEmerick Aubameyang, Yacine Brahimi, Vincent Enyeama and Gervinho.

The winner will be decided by fans of African football, who have until 18:00 GMT on Monday, 24 November to vote for their choice.

The winner will be announced on Monday, 1 December.

Four of the nominees played at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil, where for the first time in the tournament’s history two African sides made it out of the group phase.

Goalkeeper Enyeama played in the last 16 of the tournament with Nigeria, while Brahimi reached the same stage with Algeria.

Enyeama, 32, went into the event off the back of an outstanding campaign for French club Lille - he kept 21 clean sheets for them last season.

Ivory Coast forward Gervinho has also been C M Y K

exceptional. The Roma player has been a revelation in Italy since leaving English Premier League side Arsenal, scoring 10 goals in 39 games for the Serie A

•Gervinho

•Toure side. He and his compatriot Toure did not make it out of their group in Brazil, but on a personal note both have enjoyed impressive seasons.

Afcon 2015 hangs in the balance A late replacement must be found to host the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) or the continent’s showpiece soccer tournament could be called off. This comes after Morocco rejected an ultimatum to go ahead with the event in January.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) refused to entertain a change of dates and must now find an alternate host as quickly as possible, or face cancelling the event at great financial cost.

A Caf meeting in Cairo today now faces the prospect of having to cancel the gala event, unless organisers have a solution in their back pocket.

“We will not be making any statements until after the meeting reaches a final decision,” Caf media director Junior Binyam told Reuters.

A risky gamble to call Morocco’s bluff looked to have backfired on Saturday, as the country ’s sport minister repeated a fear the tournament could spread Ebola.

•Emenike

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 — 61

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62— Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

By Ben Agande

A

BUJA — President G o o d l u c k Jonathan has vowed that no matter how long it takes, his government would do everything possible to ensure that those behind the suicide bombing in Potiskum where over 47 school Children were killed are brought to justice.

In a message to parents, the government and people of Yobe state yesterday, President Jonathan reassured the nation that despite the seeming set back en-

Potiskum Bloodbath: Jonathan vows to bring perpetrators to justice countered in the fight against terrorists, the country’s security services would do everything to defeat the terrorists.

A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati reads: “President Jonathan extends heartfelt commiserations to the Government and people of Yobe state on the

death of many students in a bomb attack on Potiskum earlier today (yesterday) “President Jonathan also conveys his deepest sympathies to all parents who lost their beloved children in the heinous attack on the Government Science Secondary School which appears to have been carried out by a suicide bomber.

“The President condemns the dastardly murder of the students on their school’s assembly ground as they prepared to begin another week of study in pursuit of a better life for themselves and their families.

“He assures the grieving parents and people of Yobe state that no matter how long it takes, the Federal Government will

ensure that all those responsible for the senseless murder of so many promising youngsters and the continuing acts of terrorism across the country are brought to justice and made to pay for their atrocious crimes.

“The President similarly assures all Nigerians that in spite of seeming setbacks, his Administration remains fully

committed to winning the war against insurgency and terrorism.

“Nigeria, President Jonathan affirms, will ultimately overcome the current security challenges imposed by domestic terrorists and their foreign allies, with the dedication of its Armed Forces and national security agencies, as well as the continued support and cooperation of all patriotic citizens” the statement concluded.

Crude oil fall: Jonathan calls for greater cooperation P

RESIDENT Good luck Jonathan has called on oil producing countries, especially in Africa to cooperate more and work together to overcome the current challenge of falling crude oil prices.

The drastic fall in the price of crude oil has significantly affected countries that depend on oil for their national budget

C M Y K

and national expenditure.

Speaking at an audience with Angola’s new Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Eustaquio Janeiero Quibato, in Abuja monday morning, President Jonathan said that African oil producing countries need to come together and strategize on the best ways of protecting their domestic econ-

omies from the vagaries of fluctuating oil prices.

The president noted that “We are blessed with oil and we must continue to do all that we possibly can to maximize its benefits for our countries and the African continent”. The President called for the expansion of trade, economic, cultural and political cooperation between the two

countries pointing out that Nigeria and Angola have always had cordial bilateral relations.

“For years, we have had a solid relationship.

Historically, we have been together. So Nigeria and Angola should also work with greater synergy at continental and global fora” he said.

The presidenr who also received the new Hun-

garian Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Ternak Gabor, in his office yesterday reiterated his appeal for greater international support and assistance for West African countries that continue to be plagued by the Ebola Virus Disease.

President Jonathan also received Letters of Credence from the new ambassador of Burundi, Mr.

Mathias Haranungarawe and the new ambassador of Serbia, Prof.

Jovan Maric. He wished all the new ambassadors very successful tenures in Nigeria and assured them that they will receive the full cooperation of the Federal Government as they work to enhance bilateral relations between their countries and Nigeria.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 — 63

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VANGUARD, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

N

War in Congo:

IGERIA are yet to receive their cash prize for featuring at this year’s World Cup in Brazil.

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick has formally asked FIFA to remit the cash prize.

It is believed that the lingering leadership crisis that has ravaged Nigeria football since the

World Cup money: NFF yet to receive largesse World Cup may have played a part in the delay of the payment to the country almost four months after the tournament.

The African champions reached the knockout •Continues on Page 57

Keshi keeps Eagles waiting

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

T

WO days before the departure of the Super Eagles to Congo for the all important return leg of the 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) clash against

•Pinnick

Congo, Coach Stephen Keshi was yet to report to the team’s Bolton White Apartment in Abuja as at press time.

Sports Vanguard can also recall that the Coach who only returned to the team about •Continues on Page 57

Ike Uche joins Eagles today

R

•Keshi

ETURNEE Villar real striker Ike Uche is expected to join the Eagles training camp in Abuja today just as several Europe-based stars have already reported.

Uche is staging a much-talked about comeback to the African

champions after he last played for them in February 2013 against Burkina Faso.

He has been at daggers drawn with coach Stephen Keshi, who has finally bowed to pressure from the fans and •Continues on Page 57

•Uche

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

Across 2 Rage (5) 7 Form (5) 8 Unadorned (5) 10 Strayed (5) 12 Frequently (3) 13 Vision (5) 15 Long (7) 17 Rue (6) 19 Heave (3) 20 Exhausted (7) 23 Worry (4) 5 Ooze (4) 26 Lured (7) 30 Faucet (3) 31 Keep (6) 34 Discussed (7) 37 Insect (5) 38 Noise (3) 39 Turf (5) 40 Obscure (5) 41 Forbidden 5) 42 Gloss (5)

Down 1 Portion (5) 2 Javelin (5) 3 Called (6) 4 Stagger (4) 5 Jammed (7) 6 Supple (5) 9 Astern (3) 11 Liberate (7) 13 Sketch (5) 14 Heron (5) 16 Sister (3) 18 Caught (7) 21 Fear (5) 22 Backbone (5) 24 Lockjaw (7) 27 Rug (3) 28 Relegate (6) 29 Foot-lever (5) 32 Giant (5) 33 Ice-house (5) 35 Large (3) 36 Bowl (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Arena 7, Paid 8, Lethal 9, Droll 11, Sea 13, Cot 15, Eddy 16, Rat 18, Door 19, Minimum 20, Rued 22, Epic 23, Risible 25, Tied 27, Doe 28, Echo 30, End 31, Tor 33, Sleep 36, Rebate 37, Ugly 38, Tramp.

DOWN: 1, Hated 2, Add 3, Ego 4, All 5, Sty 6, Kazoo 10, Lean 11, Secrete 12, Adhered 13, Compact 14, Tractor 16, Rigid 17, Title 18, Due 21, Did 24, Bowl 26, Infer 29, Holly 32, Cad 33, Set 34, Era 35, Pup.

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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