EFCC to summon Okonjo-Iweala

...towards a better life for the people

**

VOL. 25: NO. 62647

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015

Foreign reserves decline by $5.6bn, as Naira crashes further to N252/$1 9

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North & Ikechukwu Nnochiri

ALLEGED $2BN ARMS DEAL PROBE:

EFCC to summon Okonjo-Iweala •Oshiomhole alleges ex-minister aided diversion of funds •I secured ex-President Jonathan's approval — Okonjo-Iweala •Okonjo-Iweala should tender apology to Nigerians — SERAP

A

B U J A — INDICATIONS emerged last night that the Federal Government would extend its dragnet towards apprehending and prosecuting more individuals and groups which allegedly helped themselves with huge funds meant for the acquisition of arms for the armed forces.

Meanwhile, the war of words between Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala continued, yesterday, as the governor alleged that the former minister facilitated looting of funds by officials of the past admiistration.

Already, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission probing how funds meant for arms were Continues on Page 5

BIAFRA: No Nnamdi Kanu, no dialogue with FG, MASSOB, IPOB insist Dokpesi in Court—High Chief Raymond Dokpesi being escorted by EFCC operatives out of the court in Abuja. Courtesy

Premium terms.

Senate, House of Reps battle over Frivolous Petitions Bill P.19

SOUTH WEST VOICE OSUN STATE TRADITIONAL COUNCIL OF OBAS:

Ooni Ogunwusi’s first litmus test inside See

OWEI LAKEMFA

Go to the Chinese, you sluggard

P.17

DONU KOGBARA

A tragic anniversary

COLUMNISTS:

P.9

BAIL REQUEST:

Dokpesi knows fate Monday 8

P.15

Mr & Mrs

2—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015—3

C M Y K

4—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015—5

POCKET CARTOON

OIL SUBSIDY—Front row: From left: Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, Prof.

Akpan Ekpo, Wazirin Adamu Fika, Chief Philip Asiodu, John C. Nwabueze (Director General), Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, Prof. Osita Ogbu and Prof.

Michael Kwaneshie, during the inaugural session of oil subsidy and budget restructuring held in Abuja.

EFCC to summon Okonjo-Iweala Continues from Page 1 diverted and stolen by top politicians, have stumbled on fresh evidence that senior officials of the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria were actively involved in the transfer of funds to the suspects.

The operatives are upset that rather than help to protect the fortunes of the country, the said officials aided and abetted politicians to bolt away with the nation’s scarce resources.

The agency also discovered that most of the records which the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, used in collecting the huge sums of public funds from the relevant government agencies and paying the slush funds to the politicians, were not kept in the office of the embattled NSA. It was learnt last night that EFCC operatives were set to summon the former Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister for the Economy,

Dr. Ngozi Okojo-Iweala and some top officials of the CBN to shed more light on what they know about the arms budget said to have been diverted by bigwigs of one of the political parties.

Also to be invited based on evidence of disbursement from the apex bank, are some serving and retired top officials of the CBN who helped in the disbursement of the arms cash to the beneficiaries.

Vanguard learnt that the decision to summon the former minister and the apex bank officials followed the discovery that the bank played an active part in wiring various sums of money to persons and institutions at home and abroad without paying attention to due process.

It was the gamut of transaction documents from the CBN that has assisted them to trace and arrest the high profile politicians and their cronies, who benefitted from the public funds meant for arms.

A source said: “It is clear from our discovery that

IT'S UP TO YOU

M

BY AYO ADIO

AKE Today count, do all you said you would do because in the real sense of it, all you would ever have is Today. It's up to you.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Unconditional love includes not only others but ourselves as well —Elisabeth K. Ross

D

IVINE love has no conditions. A bird sings in the forest...does it seek to be admired for its song? No! Its nature is to sing for one and all. Let tears come when your heart tells you it’s sadness, there is a time for joy, for happiness often come unasked, unplanned. When you shape clay into a vessel, it is the space within that gives its value.

Always be yourself and let your life be significant as you spread joy and meaning in the lives of others.

You invariable invite these attributes into yours as well.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE Your can't cover the moon with your hands.

some money taken from the Abacha loot was used to secure some arms and fight insurgency but it is also clear that a larger part of the money was diverted and nobody raised an eyebrow.

“We want these people to come and give us further clarifications on why they released the money and who got what and why."

It was gathered that documents at the CBN have established that the $15 million cash which the office of the NSA ferried for the purchase of arms and was seized by the South African Government was part of the Abacha loot. The country is yet to refund the cash to Nigeria.

It was also learnt that part of the Abacha loot was used to secure the services of mercenaries and guerrillas from some countries to assist in retaking 22 Nigerian territories in the NorthEast from Boko Haram.

The government at the time had engaged some of the foreign fighters to train troops in antiterrorism warfare, intelligence gathering and counter terrorism which enabled them recover the lost territories from the insurgents. In spite of that, it never admitted using any of them for any of its operations.

Already, eight of the suspects have been charged with stealing, money laundering and breach of the Public Procurement Act, while none of them is yet to be released even on bail.

Okonjo-Iweala allegedly aided

diversion of funds, Oshiomhole insists

However, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State yesterday continued his verbal assault on former

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as the governor alleged that the ex-minister only helped the past administration to loot funds.

Oshiomhole who was the guest speaker at a dialogue session that was co-organised by the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, and the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in Abuja yesterday to commemorate the International Human Rights Day, urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to spare the former Minister who he branded “Ali Baba”.

The Edo State governor spoke on a topic entitled “Towards Advancing the Right to Social Security Protection in Nigeria”.

Speaking to journalists at the end of his p r e s e n t a t i o n , Oshiomhole, maintained that Okonjo-Iweala has serious questions to answer with regards to what happened to looted funds that were recovered from former military dictator, General Sani Abacha.

He said it was not enough for the former minister to “sit there in Washington”, and say that she “transferred part of the money recovered from Abacha to Dasuki for security purpose”.

“All I am just saying is that we are in a constitutional democracy.

We are not under an informal arrangement.

When you listen to all the narratives, all the disclosures and defence, you will realise that the Federal Government needs to prosecute everybody, not to exempt anyone.

“For example I have read in the newspapers and online, the former Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy saying that she transferred part of the money recovered from Abacha to Dasuki for security purposes.

“Now, the first question the media should ask is, even under conditions of war, money must be appropriated.

The National Assembly, I recall very well, when Aminu Tambuwal was Speaker of the House of Representatives, they reconvened on Sunday in order to attend to an urgent matter submitted by the President. So, the Constitution is very clear.

“Money was looted and foreign countries helped us recover that money and a minister assisted in ensuring that that money is re-looted again. And she is there in Washington and you are here languishing. I am saying that she also must be brought to justice”, the Edo governor said.

Okonjo-Iweala should apologise to Nigerians —SERAP

Meanwhile, SocioEconomic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked former Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo Iweala to “apologise to Nigerians for claiming recently that recovered Abacha loot was transparently spent while she knew that $322m (about N63billion) recovered Abacha funds were inappropriately released to finance the fight against Boko Haram.”

SERAP’s statement yesterday followed Mrs Okonjo-Iweala’s statement that she released about $322m to the former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki for military operations.

In a statement by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni the organisation said: “The truth about the spending of Abacha loot is now coming out, and it is clear that Mrs Okonjo-Iweala was wrong to accuse SERAP of bias while she knew that we are simply seeking truth, justice and accountability on the spending of recovered Abacha loot.”

“Mrs Okonjo-Iweala’s approach of ‘no answers, no apology ’ on how Abacha loot was spent is doing her reputation more harm than good. We hope that she will take cue from the World Bank (her former employer) when it defined ‘accountability and probity’ as knowing what task has been set, accepting to do it, and going about it with a sense of probity. Probity implying the willingness to self-disclose such information to which a specific stakeholder group has a right as well as tolerance of the scrutiny of such a stakeholder group on information to which they have a right,” the organisation said.

It will be recalled that the former Minister of Finance, had on Wednesday, disclosed that she transferred $322m

(N64.148bn) from the looted funds recovered from Abacha to the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, to aid military operations in the North-East.

I secured ex-President's approval — Okonjo-Iweala

In a statement by her Media Adviser, Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu, Dr. OkonjoIweala, insisted that she secured the approval of ex-President Jonathan before the fund was transferred. She stressed that the approval followed the recommendation of a committee set-up by former President Jonathan to advise the administration on the way forward.

The ex-Minister explained that based on recommendation of the committee, she personally requested that part of the recovered funds be used for security operations while the rest be channelled to developmental purposes.

She said her decision to release the funds to the ONSA, was sequel to accusations that she was starving the military of funds to prosecute war on terrorism.

Okonjo-Iweala specifically accused Oshiomhole “and other powerful and corrupt interests”, of sponsoring a campaign of falsehood against her.

“To achieve their evil propaganda objective of tarnishing her name, these evil elements have distorted the contents of a memo, dated January 20, 2015, in which the former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, responded to a request by the former National Security Adviser, Col. Ibrahim Dasuki (retired), for funds to prosecute the terror war against Boko Haram.

“The central responsibility of the Minister of Finance is to find sources of funding for the financing of approved national priorities such as security, job creation and infrastructure."

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 , 2015

7-month-old baby dies in Lagos inferno L

By Bose Adelaja

AGOS—TRAGEDY struck in Lagos, yesterday, when a seven-month-old baby was killed in a fire which consumed a shanty in Ikota area of Lekki.

The incident was said to have occurred in the morning when the baby was locked inside the shanty while her mother who was preparing

meal on a kerosene stove left the shanty for an errand in the neighbourhood.

Before her return, fire was noticed from the cooking point by one of her neighbours ,who raised alarm which attracted sympathizers to the scene while fire fighters from the state were also invited.

Although the fire was quickly contained and

prevented from spreading to other shanties in the area by the fire fighters, the baby could not be saved.

Vanguard gathered that distress calls were sent to the baby’s parents who rushed to the scene to behold the remains of their baby.

Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Razaq Fadipe, who confirmed the development to

Vanguard, said the fire was aggravated due to the nature of the apartment. He urged parents to ensure their wards are in safer hands before attending to other things within or outside their apartments, ‘’The woman must have left the kerosene stove unattended to before the tragedy struck but my men were able to contain the situation,” he said.

Man weeps in court over wife's divorce bid L

By Onozure Dania

AGOS—THERE was mild drama yesterday at the Agboyi/Ketu Customary Court when a respondent, Mr. Bayo Bankole, broke down in tears, begging his estranged wife, Ejiro Bankole, in the open court not to break their five- year-old marriage.

Bankole, who was brought to the court by his wife seeking for divorce over allegations of his being diabolical, constant beating, which caused miscarriage and other body injuries , told the court that it was his mother and family members that are responsible for the maltreatment of his wife, pleading with her to forgive him and not to go ahead with the divorce processes.

But the wife , Ejiro, who was watching him display in the court said that the husband's cry is coming a bit late as the harm he did to her cannot be erased with tears.

She told the court that her husband had on several occasions inflicted injuries on her, adding that the problem started when she told her husband to bring his mother so that they can take better care of her.

The mother of one said: “I told my husband to bring his mum to live with us so that we can take better care of her not knowing that I was putting myself into a big trouble. As soon as my mother in-law came to live with us the rest of the family members who even had their own houses came in, knowing that my husband does not have a job and that I'm the one taking care of everything in the house from house rent to feeding.

“I thought that they will not stay long but to my surprise they had no plans to leave and I was thinking my husband would take the initiative and tell his family to leave the house but he didn’t.

So one day I told him to ask his people to leave as the financial stress was becoming too much for me to bear. Instead he beat me up and inflicted injuries on me and as a result I had a miscarriage” Ejiro further alleged that her

husband is very diabolical, stating that one day she found a pot filled with charms and asked her husband what it was and why he brought such a thing into the house. Instead of answering, he started beating her, adding that her husband left home for days without coming back and she believes he went to other women and sometimes in a juju man’s house because whenever he came back home he would have the urge to sleep with her immediately, no matter what time it was and if she refused he would

make sure he had his way and after he does that she feels very sick in a strange way.

She said: “When I now decided that I can’t put up with his attitude anymore, I told him that I am divorcing him as I can no longer continue with the marriage, he threatened my life and told me he would kidnap our daughter and pour acid on any man he finds me with. My mother in-law and the rest of his siblings made life difficult for me, they couldn’t even appreciate the fact that I have being the only one taking care of

every responsibility in the house, instead of showing appreciation they intimidated me because I’m not from their place”.

The respondent, who continued with his tears, kept blaming his mother for his woes adding that she instigated him to mistreat his wife.

The President of the Court Mr. O.T Williams, after listening to both parties adjourned the case to January 13, 2016, for further hearing.

Security guard docked for failing to prevent stealing

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AGOS—A 30-year-old security guard, James Akaazu, was on Thursday arraigned in an Ikorodu Magistrate's Court, Lagos State, for alleged failure to prevent stealing from a foodstuffs shop.

Akaazu, who lives at Olu Adebayo Olutoye St., Asolo in Ikorodu, is facing a twocount-charge bordering on stealing and felony.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Bosede Adegeshin, told the court that the offences were committed on Nov. 21 at I p.m. at a shop located at Dayo Akinyemi Street in Ikorodu.

She alleged that the accused conspired with others, now at large to break into a foodstuff shop where he works as a security guard.

While pleading not guilty to the charges, the magistrate, Mr O.O. Olatunji, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The case was adjourned till January 18, 2016 for mention.

Court remands 4 men over theft of 16 generators

G SENSITISATION: A member of International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Mrs Ufuoma Amarachi, speaking to mothers and children on violence against persons under the Prohibition Act 2015, during the FIDA sensitisation outreach at Bwari Area Council, in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Mechanic arraigned over alleged theft of engine oil

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AGOS—A 36-year-old mechanic, Bolaji Ojo, was yesterday arraigned in a Badagry Chief Magistrate's Court for allegedly stealing three gallons of motor engine oil valued at N10, 500.

The accused, of unknown address, is facing a one -count -charge of stealing.

The prosecutor, Inspector Innocent Uko told the court that the accused committed the offence on Dec 1, 2015 at 3p.m., at Akonwonje St. in Ajara area of Badagry.

Uko said that the accused stole the engine oil from one of his customers, Mr Taiwo Akin.

“The complainant dropped his car with the accused for him to fix, and he also left three gallons of engine oil in the booth.

“When the complainant came back to get his car, he noticed that the gallons of oil were missing,” he said.

Counsel to the accused, Mr Jeff Nwaeze, pleaded with the court to grant bail to the accused

since the offence committed was bailable.

He added that his client would always attend future court hearings and would not jump bail.

The magistrate, Mr Abiodun Etti, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N50, 000 and one surety, who must provide evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The case was adjourned till Jan. 7 for further hearing.

USAU—A Gusau Magistrate''s Court has ordered the remand of four men, Murtala Abubakar, Abbas Abubakar, Danladi Abdullahi and Habib Ibrahim, for allegedly stealing 16 heavy duty generators.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Dalhatu Zaphania, told the court that between January and August, the accused persons criminally conspired with three security guards attached to Fortknos Guard to commit the offence.

He said that the accused persons stole 16 heavy duty Mikano generators and back-up batteries, worth N30 million at Kaura Namoda, Zamfara state.

The prosecutor said that five out of the 16 generators were later recovered from the accused persons.

The magistrate, Alhaji Umar Abdulnasir, ordered that the accused persons should be remanded in prison custody.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015—7

Mother, daughter, 6 others killed in Benin

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—A 28-year-old woman simply identified as Itohan Enagbare and her fouryear-old daughter, Iwinosa, have been allegedly murdered by yet to be identified gunmen in Benin City.

Also five persons have been killed in different parts of Benin City over cult related issues.

The killing of mother and daughter is coming on the heels of the killing of a man over revenue collection for Oredo Local Government Area, causing chaos along the busy Oba Market Road, Wednesday night.

The assailants were said to have stormed the victim’s residence on No. 2 Osaze Street, off Dumez Road, at about 1pm before dragging her downstairs where they stabbed her and her daughter as they locked her little baby in the bedroom.

The sources said the daughter was probably killed because she was crying loudly when the gunmen were leaving.

As sympathizers and forensic experts from the Police visited the bereaved family, Mr. Enagbare urged the Police to fish out killers of his wife and daughter.

And in a renewed cult war in

the state, some cult members invaded Usen quarters where they shot a barber and inflicted injuries on his customer, just as sources said four other persons were killed, along Powerline road, beside Ogida Police Barracks on Monday.

In a related development, a man was said to have been killed along Oba market road over the collection of revenue for Oredo Local Government Area.

Wares of traders selling along

the road including some vehicles were destroyed by rival groups just as passers-by scampered for safety as they fired gun shots into the air.

It was learnt that a quarrel ensued after a group claimed that the acting Chairman of Oredo Local Government, Sweet Ikpomwosa, gave them approval to collect revenue from night traders.

Traders who displayed wares along the Oba Market road and

adjoining streets pay as much as N600 daily to different groups.

The group previously collecting revenue for the council was said to have resisted the new group which led to the killing.

Oredo Council boss, Sweet Ikpomwosa refused to speak on the matter and said she was too busy to speak to journalists.

Police spokesman, DSP Abiodun Osifo, confirmed the killings and said some suspects have been arrested.

ATTACK BY SUSPECTED CULTISTS: Osun

shuts 6 schools in Osogbo

By Gbenga Olarinoye

O

SOGBO—FOLLOWING the violent clashes that ravaged some secondary schools in Osun State some few days ago, the state government has ordered that six schools within Osogbo metropolis be shut down immediately.

It was gathered that some suspected cultists, attacked Anglican High Schools 1 to 5 and Adenle Middle School, all located in the same compound at Testing Ground area of the town, three

times in one week, where they unleashed mayhem on teachers and students.

During the last attack,on Tuesday, it was gathered that a member of the Peace Corps who was axed now receiving treatment in a private hospital in Osogbo where he was rushed to.

According to sources within the affected schools, trouble started last week Wednesday when a student, ordered a female Home Economics teacher out of class.

The said student, it was gathered had been coming to school with a

dane gun, because of insinuations that members of Peace Corps were being returned to schools to instil discipline in students.

It was learned that Police and DSS operatives were informed of the development and the said student was arrested within the school premises last week Friday.

Some people believed to be members of his cult group, however, stormed the school and attacked both the Police and students.

Policemen attacked for arresting monarch

By Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS—THREE policemen attached to the Lagos State Police Command are lying critically ill in an undisclosed hospital after they were attacked by villagers in the Badagry area of the state, yesterday.

It was gathered that the policemen attached to the XSquad Unit went to the village to arrest the traditional ruler (Baale) of the community over a petition against him but instead of cooperating with the Police, it was learnt that villagers loyal to the unnamed Baale, allegedly mobilised and attacked the operatives with machetes and other dangerous weapons.

Lagos State police command spokesperson, DSP Joe Offor, said the state Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Owoseni and a team of policemen visited the scene of the attack, yesterday.

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015

RETREAT: From left: Chairman, Bankers’ Committee & Managing Director, Standard Chartered Bank, Mrs. Bola Adesola; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State; Minister for Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele during the 7th Annual Bankers’ Committee Retreat, in Lagos, yesterday.

It’ll be disaster if APC govt fails Nigerians —Dogara As Reps pass 130 bills to first reading same day It’s unprecedented —Dogara

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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BUJA — IN the midst of hardship facing Nigerians, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said that Nigerians will not forgive the present government if nothing was done to ameliorate their living standard.

The Speaker specifically said that it will be disastrous for the country, if the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, that promised the people good governance disappoints them.

He charged the government of the APC to make conscious efforts to deliver on its promises to Nigerians, adding that it will be a disaster if it fails.

Speaking when he received Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State at the National Assembly, yesterday, the speaker urged those saddled with the leadership responsibility to make conscious efforts to deliver its promises.

According to him, it was the yearning of the people for a positive change in their lives that led to the massive support the APC got in the last general elections.

He said: “Our people have witnessed bad leadership, especially in the last eight years.

It will be a disaster if we don’t save this situation.”

Dogara said the people of Bauchi state gave overwhelming support to the APC in all the elections into the two arms of government because they looked forward to a better life under the change regime.

He said, “Everybody knows the

passion of our people in Bauchi State. They embraced us against all odds, against the sitting governor because they feared the kind of situation in which they found themselves under the last regime and they needed change and thank God we came with this promise of change.

Tasks Gov Abubakar

Dogara urged the governor to ensure that he brings together all appointees from the state in order to harness their resources

for the progress and development of the state, adding, “If there is no leadership, this will not happen.

“This time around, we should be careful. Nobody has the luxury to think about himself first. It should be our people first and what will serve the interest of our teeming people from Bauchi State first, is our unity.”

The Speaker assured the governor that members of the National Assembly would give him maximum support in building the state, assuring, “We must deliver on the promise for

change.”

Speaking earlier, Governor Abubakar, accompanied by his Chief of Staff, said they had come to identify with the Speaker for all the good things he had been doing to stabilise the polity.

He noted that having taken over power after 16 years of rule by another political party, the task of stabilising the polity was herculean and required men and women who had clarity of thoughts and ability to stabilse the polity to occupy the positions such as that occupied by the speaker.

He assured the speaker of the state’s support in the task of stabilising the polity and bringing Nigeria out of the dungeons and also lauded the crop of lawmakers in the House of Representatives, saying they will do their people proud.

Reps pass 130 bills to first reading same day

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives, yesterday, passed 130 Bills to first reading in one sitting.

Speaker Dogara, who described the development as unprecedented also assured that about 20 of the bills will pass through second reading next week.

The Speaker further said that it was expected that the bills would be passed into law before the end of the first quarter of 2016.

Though he said that there were still more interventionist bills, he explained that the intention of passing the bills same day was to clean its books, adding that for any change to be sustained, it has to come by way of legislation.

Dogara said the National Assembly owed Nigerians the responsibility of keeping its laws up-to-date.

Among the 130 bills that

NCAA cautions airlines, pilots against flying in adverse weather

By Lawani Mikairu

L

AGOS — THE Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, yesterday, warned airlines and pilots to ensure they get adequate weather information on departure, en route and destination from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, before embarking on flight operations.

Director General, NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman said the warning became necessary because of the forecast by NIMET that there will be moderate to severe outbreaks of dust in the country during this harmattan period from November 2015 to March 2016.

Muhtar explained that severe outbreaks of dusts could reduce atmospheric visibility significantly and thus impact negatively on flight operations, adding that the agency has directed all airline operators and pilots to comply with the set down rules.

According to him, airlines and pilots should “ensure that adequate departure, en route and destination weather information are obtained from NIMET prior to flight operations, exercise maximum restraint when adverse weather is observed or forecasted by NIMET and ensure that flight operations are scheduled with adequate weather information from NIMET to minimise delay or cancellation of flight operations.”

Bail request: Dokpesi knows fate Monday

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

BUJA— The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, adjourned till Monday to consider whether or not the former Chairman of DAAR Communications Plc, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, should be released on bail.

Dokpesi, who is answering to a six-count charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is praying the court to grant him bail on self recognition or on most liberal terms.

Moving application for his bail, yesterday, Dokpesi’s lawyer, Mr. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, placed reliance on provisions of sections 31, 167 and 168 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, as well as the decided case-law in Abiola vs FRN, to insist that

allegations levelled against his client were not such that he could not be released from detention.

He told the court that Dokpesi was scheduled for medical treatment in the United Kingdom before he was arrested by the EFCC on December 1.

Ozekhome tendered into evidence, an appointment letter dated November 30, which was given to Dokpesi by his doctor in the UK. Aside the letter which showed that Dokpesi was originally scheduled to undergo medical examination at the London hospital on December 4, Ozehkome equally tendered a British Airways reservation ticket showing that his client would have departed Nigeria a day before his arraignment.

Ozekhome told the court that EFCC had on December 3, granted Dokpesi administrative bail, only for it to be cancelled after the accused person had

perfected all the conditions that were given to him.

“This is a proper case for my lord to exercise discretion in favour of the applicant to enable him to go and treat himself because if he dies the prosecution will have no one to try.

“Who will go and try Audu Abubakar now? But his case is there! Can they go and exhume his body from his village in Ogbonicha for prosecution?”, Ozekhome queried.

Meantime, the EFCC, yesterday, vehemently opposed Dokpesi’s application for bail.

The agency, via a counteraffidavit filed by its lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, told the court that Dokpesi was being investigated over a fresh allegation involving illegal diversion of public funds.

Jacobs told the court that the

anti-graft is probing Dokpesi over about N8.4billion he collected from the Federal Government when Nigeria hosted Under-17 World Cup in 2012.

He alleged that though it was the world football body, FIFA, that awarded viewing right for the under-age tournament, he said that Dokpesi went ahead and collected “billions of Naira from the Nigerian government.”

“My lord, there are still other issues, we believe that if granted bail, the accused person has the capacity to scuttle ongoing investigation into the matter,” Jacobs submitted.

After listening to both parties, trial Justice Gabriel Kolawole said he would need time to go through all the processes so as to decide whether or not he will accede to the bail application.

While adjourning ruling till Monday, Justice Kolawole ordered that Dokpesi should remain in the custody of the EFCC until his application is determined.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015—9

WORLD PNEUMONIA DAY: From left, Cluster Medical Lead, GlaxoSmithKline, Dr. Olakunle Oladehin; Senior Legislative Aide National Assembly, Dr. Leo Ogba; and wife of Senate President and Founder, Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Mrs Toyin Saraki, at the commemoration of the 2015 World Pneumonia Day in Abuja.

Senate, Reps battle over Frivolous Petitions Bill We came on platter of social media to power – House spokesman No amount of indignation'll stop us —Na’Allah, Dep Senate Leader

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor & Joseph Erunke with agency reports

A

BUJA — THE Senate and the House of Representatives are set for an epic battle over

perceptions that the Frivolous Petitions Bill introduced in the Senate could erode the change mantra that brought the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to power in the last elections.

The opposition of the House to the bill to gag

mainstream media and the social media was articulated by House spokesman, Abdulrazak Namdas. He spoke just as the lead sponsor of the bill in the Senate, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, told Vanguard that there would be no going back on the bill which he claimed arose from the need to stop blackmailers and intimidators on social media.

Na’Allah, deputy majority leader of the Senate, said no amount of indignation from the public would compel the legislative body to abandon the bill midstream.

The bill, entitled, “A Bill for an Act to Prohibit Frivolous Petitions and other Matters Connected therewith,” proposes a twoyear jail term or a N2 million fine or both for anybody that posts or broadcasts false, abusive statements on social media.

We can't close space for free speech Flaying the bill following the late Tuesday meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and members of the House of Representatives, Namdas said: “As Chairman, House Committee on Media, I must say that we cannot close space for free speech.

“We came on the platter of change and it was this social media that brought

us to power and we are making effective changes on that. I think we should live with that,” Namdas was quoted by NAN as saying.

He said: “We would like to ensure that there is free speech. And the only thing we try to enjoin is that journalists, who are trained, who know the ethics of journalism, should also join the social media activity so that we can differentiate between the grains and the chaff.

“I think that is most essential, but we should not leave it for just those who think they can just post anything. Ideally, I think it is very important that we allow free speech. With time we will get to the level that we can regulate. For now I think Nigerians will rely on them.

No amount of indignation'll stop us However, reiterating the determination of the Senate to forge ahead with the bill, Na’Allah in an interview with Vanguard said: “I sponsored the bill to sanitize information flow on the social media.

The social media is a very valuable platform for dissemination of information and it has helped this country greatly but of recent we have seen some few ‘bad eggs’ who have turned it into a business venture.

“They collect money from people and go into the social media to tarnish the image of their political opponents. It is against this backdrop that we felt people should behave responsibly on the platform.

“They ask you to bring money or they post things that will portray you in bad light or alternatively they collect money from other political opponents and post unfavourable things about you. This is not going to augur well for this country.”

Na’Allah said issues between the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki and Saharareporters.com did not influence the bill as he said he was until recently ignorant of any issue between the two.

“I didn’t even know the Senate President has an issue with the Sahara Reporters until after Senator Dino Melaye raised a point of order on it on the floor of the Senate last Thursday.

“We had in our legislative agenda, the idea of making sure that this country is ruled by law and we are of the view that the only way this country can move forward is if there are laws and they are enforced and that was why the ICT committee of the Senate was created.

“We felt the need that all these things must be regulated. All the areas where we have seen hitches in our democratic journey, we want to make sure that they are corrected.”

He said some people just want to misinform the public on the bill, adding: “Don’t forget that the bill is going to go through public hearing wherein; the public is going to say their mind on it.

He noted: “There, they will speak on whether the bill is desirable or not but as a Senate, we should be seen to do something and the public should have a say in it but the public cannot blackmail us into saying that we cannot sit down and make laws for the country.

“If you have freedom of expression, it is not absolute. The fact that you have freedom of expression does not give you the licence to continue to go and make allegations against people because those people too have their own right, which is called dignity of human person.”

Foreign reserves decline by $5.6bn As Naira crashes further to N252/$1

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

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AGOS — SUSTAINED shortages of US dollar has forced Nigeria’s foreign reserves into a massive decline with liquid reserves at $28.882 billion while Naira value deteriorated in the unofficial foreign exchange market, hitting an all time low of N252/ $1, yesterday.

Foreign reserves data of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, shows that the reserves opened the year at $34.468 billion, indicating that at current level it has lost USD5.586 billion, over 16 per cent decline.

At current level which shows that the reserve position has completely eroded the gains it made shortly after the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari regime, Nigeria could barely finance four months import.

The declining trend has been steady this year until middle of the year when it reversed with CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, announcing a major jump to $31.89 billion in July.

However, fresh pressure on the reserves had resumed since then as oil prices hit new lows, a development which forced the apex bank to renew restrictions on utilization of foreign exchange across all segments of the foreign exchange markets in the second half of the year.

The apex bank has also struggled to defend Naira exchange rate by supplying foreign exchange directly to banks and bureaux de change, BDCs, at controlled exchange rate of N197/ $1 and N199.07/ $1 for its clearing rates and inter-bank rates respectively.

But as a result of the sustained pressure on the external reserves and other management bottlenecks the situation in the parallel market remained bleak forcing Naira value down to N252/ $1 by yesterday.

10 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 , 2015

WAEC appoints new Head of National Office

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AGOS—THE West African Examination Council, WAEC, has appointed Mr. Isaac Adenipekun as its new Head of National Office.

This is contained in a statement by the Public Affairs Officer of the council, Mr. Demianus Ojijeogu, yesterday in Lagos.

Adenipekun’s appointment is coming on the heels of the retirement of Mr. Charles Eguridu, the immediate past head of national office.

Eguridu retired from the service of the council on Tuesday.

According to the statement, Adenipekun, hails from Osun State and graduated from the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) in 1983.

The statement said Adenipekun bagged a B.Sc (Hons) degree in Political Science and also obtained an M.Sc degree in International Relations from the same university in 1987.

It said the new WAEC boss in Nigeria joined the services of the body on Oct. 3, 1989, as an Assistant Registrar II. The statement added that he rose through the ranks to become Senior Assistant Registrar in 2000 and a Principal Assistant Registrar in 2005.

According to the statement, Adenipekun was promoted to the rank of a Deputy Registrar in 2011.

DEATH SENTENCE: Supreme Court decides Rev King’s fate next month T

HE Supreme Court sitting in Abuja yesterday fixed February 26, 2016 for judgment in the appeal filed by the General Overseer of the Christian Praying Assembly, Rev. Chukwuemeka Ezeugo, a.k.a Reverend King, challenging the judgement of a Lagos High Court sentencing him to death by hanging.

The apex court presided over by Justice Walter Onoghen adjourned for judgment after entertaining arguments from counsel to prosecution and defence in the matter.

Lagos State Attorney general and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, who appeared before the Supreme Court alongside Mrs. Idowu Alakija, the Director of Public Prosecution and other senior counsels in the state, urged the court to dismiss the appeal and uphold the judgment of the lower courts.

Ezeugo was arraigned on September 26, 2006 on a six-count charge of attempted murder and murder.

He pleaded not guilty to the allegation but was sentenced to death by the then Justice Joseph Oyewole of Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, on January 11, 2007 for the murder of one of his church members, Ann Uzoh.

Justice Oyewole is now a judge of Appeal Court sitting in the Calabar division.

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BUJA—FEDERAL Government has set up a panel of enquiry to investigate allegations bothering on sexual harassment of students,flouting of due processes in procurement and other misdemeanors in selected Nigerian universities and

Church holds anniversary

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HRIST Apostolic Church, Power of Christ (POWEC), Lagos will hold its 14th anniversary on Sunday, December 13, 2015, starting by 9.00 am.

The event, slated to hold at 55, Memudu Street, Orile-Iganmu, Lagos will start by 9.00 am.

The Lagos State Government had said that the convict poured petrol on the deceased and five other persons and that Uzoh died on August 2, 2006; 11 days after the act was perpetrated on her.

Specifically, Ezeugo was convicted and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for the attempted murder and death by hanging for the offence of murder.

Dissatisfied, Ezeugo challenged

the verdict before the Court of Appeal in Lagos, but the appeal was thrown out. ”I hereby rule that the prosecution effectively discharged the burden of proof on it. This appeal is devoid of any basis and accordingly fails.

“The judgment of the High Court is hereby affirmed, and the conviction imposed on the appellant, (which is death by

hanging) is also affirmed,” Justice Fatimo Akinbami, who read the judgement held. The two other members of the panel of Justices, Amina Augie and Ibrahim Saulawa concurred with the lead judgement.

Ezeugo approached the Supreme Court, and urged that the judgment be upturned.

The apex court has now reserved judgment.

POWER: Lagos adds 220MW, inaugurates advisory c’ttee

By Olasunkanmi Akoni & Monsur Olowoopejo

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AGOS—AT least 220 megawatts of electricity would be added to the existing 1,

FG to probe misconduct in varsities, polytechnics polytechnics.

By Laide AkinboadeOriere

AWARD: From left; Country Manager, AstraZeneca Nigeria, Jude Abonu; member, Scientific Review Committee, AstraZeneca Research Trust, Dr. Olufunmilayo Lesi; Dr. Mbakwem; Dr. Ogah, both Consultant Cardiologists; Dr. Rasak Adebayo, representing Prof. Simeon Isezuo, the recipient of N4, 200, 000 grant; Dr. Nwafor, Consultant Cardiologist and Chair, Scientific Review Committee, AstraZeneca Research Trust, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola at the AstraZeneca Research Grant Award held at Protea Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

Minister of Education,Adamu Adamu dispatched the panels to the various institutions after a brief inaugural ceremony in Abuja yesterday.

He said the ministry, since his assumption of office, has been flooded with several petitions, some of which needed to be substantiated before sanctions could be applied.

He said, ”The ministry decided to set up these 10 ad-hoc factfinding committees in response to petitions received from different stakeholders, within and outside the institutions,with variety of allegations bordering on irregularities,abuse of due process, sexual harassment, fraud and corruption among others.

“In order to get to the root of the matter and ensure that justice is done, we deemed it necessary to verify the authenticity or otherwise of the claims in these petitions,this verification is the crux of this assignment.”

000 megawatts being supplied to Lagos as part of measures to boost power supply in the state.

Meantime, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State yesterday said the government will pay the Land Use Charge, LUC of any private organization or individuals who lights up any street especially the inner city roads in the state.

He disclosed this at the inauguration of the State Advisory Committee on power supply, at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja.

Ambode, addressing the gathering, explained that the committee which consists of representatives from the private and public organisations will assist the government to create an enabling environment to ensure 24-hour power supply in the state.

According to him, “The committee will guide in the development of roadmap for reliable power supply for the state.

And foster collaboration and develop a platform for all major power stakeholders in the state.’’

Responding, Chairman of Ikeja Distribution Company, EKEDCO, Mr. Tope Sonubi said; “Tomorrow we will be inaugurating additional 220 Mega Watts dedicated for Lagos. The power will be coming from Egbin power station.

“The problem affecting generation before was finance. But

now, the investors are putting a lot of funds and the management is working

effectively to ensure that power supply increase in the country,” the chairman said.

Man weeps in court as wife sues for divorce occasions inflicted injuries on her,

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS—THERE was mild drama yesterday at the Agboyi/Ketu Customary Court when a respondent, Mr Bayo Bankole broke down in tears and started pleading with his estranged wife, Ejiro Bankole not to break their almost five-year -old marriage.

Bankole, who was being sued by his wife over allegations of being diabolical, constant beating, which caused miscarriage and inflicting of injuries on her body, told the court that it was his mother and family members that are responsible for the maltreatment of his wife, pleaded with her to forgive him and not go ahead with the divorce processes.

Meanwhile, Ejiro said that the cry came a bit late as the harm he did to her cannot be erased with his tears.

She told the court that her husband had on several

stressing that the problem started when she told her husband to bring his mother so that they can take better care of her.

“I told my husband to bring his mum to live with us so that we can take better care of her not knowing that I was putting myself in a big trouble. As soon as my mother inlaw came to live with us, the rest of the family members, who even have their own houses came in, knowing fully well that my husband dose not have a job, that am the one taking care of everything in the house, from house rent to feeding and we have a daughter.

“I thought that they will not stay long, but to my surprise they had no plans to leave and I was thinking my husband would take the initiative and tell his family to leave the house but he didn’t,'' she said.

The President of the court, Mr. O.T. Williams, after listening to both parties adjourned the case to January 13, 2016, for further hearing.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015—11

CBN, Lagos unveil cheap loans for graduates FG won't borrow to finance recurrent expenditure — MINISTER

By Babajide Komolafe

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and the Lagos State Government yesterday unveiled special funds to be disbursed as cheap loans to graduates.

While the Lagos State Government unveiled a N25 billion Employment Trust Fund for on-lending to graduates at three percent interest rate, the CBN said it would soon release details of a special fund for on-lending to one million graduates at concessionary interest rate.

The funds were announced at the opening ceremony of the 7th Annual Bankers Committee retreat held yesterday in Lagos, with the theme, Creating an Enabling Environment for SME Growth.

Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, announced the N25 billion Employment Trust Fund, saying, “It would be difficult, if not impossible to achieve growth in our economy if we do not give proper attention to adequate financing of SMEs. “The Lagos State government is mindful of these challenges and we are taking steps to support young entrepreneurs to create wealth and generate employment. We would soon complete the legislative process of inaugurating our Employment Trust Fund,

CLASFON lecture

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HE public lecture organized by the Christian Law Students’ Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (OAU), in honour of Professor Margaret T. Okorodudu-Fubara, scheduled to hold on December 15, 2015 at the Oduduwa Hall, of the unniversity, has been postponed to January 21, 2016.

The lecture, to be delivered by Professor Ademola O. Popoola, the Dean, Faculty of Law, OAU is titled: The legal profession in nigeria today: issues, challenges, opportunities and strategic options.

The event will be chaired

by Chief (Mrs.) Folake Solanke (SAN, CON.)

through which our youths and entrepreneurs, particularly in the social enterprise sector, would be supported with start-up funds.

“As a government, we are committing N25 billion in the next three years to this Employment Trust Fund.

This is going to be more like an intervention fund for which we believe the interest we are going to charge will not be more than three per cent. This is to checkmate the negative

effect of the growing youth population in Lagos.’’

Speaking on the proposed fund for lending to graduates, CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele said, “In 2016, the CBN is contemplating a programme that would support SMEs at concessionary pricing to our young graduates. We need to get more people to be employed. The central bank would over the next few weeks work out the initiative to create employment for at

least one million graduates in Nigeria in 2016. That would entail the support from Nigerian banks and our development partners.’’

FG won’t borrow to finance recurrent expenditure

Also speaking at the retreat, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun assured the banking executives that while the federal government will borrow to stimulate the economy, it

would not borrow to finance recurrent expenditure but to finance capital expenditure.

She said, “Our debt-toGDP ratio is low, and that gives us some space to try and run and deficit budget.

But we need to do some fiscal house-keeping and we have rolled out some initiatives. We need to borrow in order to stimulate the economy but the significant challenge will have to do with recurrent expenditure.''

COCKTAIL PARTY: From left: Ssgt. Olalere Akinbola; Capt. D.J. Danjuma; Capt. M.N. Jafaru; Maj. Kehinde Abiade; SSgt Ojo Dauud and Ssgt Ukonebu Ekpeyong, during the cocktail party of students of Media Operations Officer Course (MOOC) of 2014 and 2015 of Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information (NASPRI), Bonny Cantonment, Victoria Island, Lagos. Photo by Bunmi Azeez.

Ondo swears in 4 new commissioners

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE — GOVERNOR Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State yesterday swore in four new Commissioners with an advice to their friends and relations not to put undue pressure on them.

He said the advice became imperative because” this is not the best of times in the country.

The four commissioners are Femi Adekanbi who hails from Owo in Owo local government area, Mrs Yetunde Adeyanju from Araromi Obu in Odigbo local government area, Dayo Awude from Iluabo in Akure north and Segun Ayerin from Ilutuntun Osoro in Okitipupa council area of the state.

Dr Mimiko said “I want to urge the family members and friends not to put undue pressure on them, as this will in no small measure assist them in putting their best to the service of our dear Sunshine State.

RIVERS POLL: A-Court sacks Sekibo, 3 PDP Reps members ...Orders fresh election within 90 days

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA—THE Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, yesterday, nullified the election of Senator George Sekibo, who is representing Rivers East Senatorial District.

Sekibo, who emerged on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was dragged before the appellate court by candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, at the March 28 National Assembly election, Hon. Andrew Uchendu.

It was Sekibo that led two

other Senators from Rivers State to present a petition before the Senate, which sought to stop the confirmation of former governor of the state, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as a Minister.

Similarly, the appellate court, yesterday, also nullified the election of Kingsley Ogundu Chindah and Blessing Nsiegbe, both of PDP, representing Obio/ Akpo Federal Constituency

and Port-Harcourt 2 Federal Constituency of Rivers State.

The nullification followed an appeal that was lodged before the court by Anthony Chinedu Okocha and Collins Owhondah of the APC. Equally sacked yesterday was ye House of Reps member for Ikwere/ Emuoha, Boniface Emerengwa of the PDP, whose election was

challenged by Frank Chudi Wihioka of the APC. In separate judgments yesterday, the appellate court, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to within 90 days, conduct fresh elections in the affected districts.

It was the view of the appellate court that the election that produced the PDP candidates was not conducted in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act and Electoral Guidelines that was issued

by INEC for the purpose of the elections.

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015

Jonathan makes case for credible electoral processes

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ORMER President Goodluck Jonathan says credible electoral processes should be encouraged by all Nigerians.

Jonathan stated this at his Otuoke country home when a delegation of local and international observers accredited for the Bayelsa governorship election paid him a courtesy visit.

No fewer than 50 local and international observer groups were accredited for the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The former President said: “Our challenge as a developing nation is to ensure that we encourage credible electoral processes. Elections must be credible, peaceful and transparent. It is only then that we can talk about development. Then leaders will begin to fulfill election promises. Campaigns will be based on issues and such issues will then become obligations. You can see that we are not there yet, but we are definitely making progress.

“As a person, my position on election is known not just here but globally. What that means is that a society that cannot elect their leaders decently can never develop.

“This is because if you should get to office through fraudulent

means, you will only be listening to the few that helped you to get there, and not the people. But if it is the people’s vote that put you there, you will know that you are accountable to them, and your policies and programmes will be built around them.

“In the five years that I was

in office as President, we conducted both general and many isolated elections in different states and my emphasis has always been that if we cannot get human beings to vote people into office, we should not expect such leaders to be accountable to the people.

“What I always advise

young people is that if you want good governance, you should not allow yourselves to be used as local thugs to rig elections.

“Your governors would then know that if they don’t do well they would be voted out.

That is what will force them to come up with programmes and policies that will be beneficial to the people.”

MEETING: From left: Chief Audit Executive, UBA/First Vice Chairman, Association of Audit Executives of Banks in Nigeria, AAEBN, Mr. Udochi Nwaodu; Chief Audit Executive, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Sunday Ilegar; Executive Director, Zenith Bank, Mr. Sola Oladipo and Chief Audit Executive, Skye Bank/Chairman, AAEBN, Bola Dawoodu, at the 32nd meeting of the association hosted by Zenith Bank in Lagos, yesterday.

NOTAP, UNESCO train 100 researchers on Science & Tech Park

By Emmanuel Elebeke

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HEAD of the proposed establishment of Nigeria’s Technology Centres by government, the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, NOTAP, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, have trained over 100 Nigerians on science and technology park research.

The training workshop with the theme, Enhancing the Knowledge and Skills of Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) experts for Establishment of Science and Technology Parks in the Region, was the first regional workshop organized to address the importance of science and technology parks to the development of the region.

Declaring the workshop open in Kaduna, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Dr. Habiba Lawal, who was represented by the Director Technology Acquisition and Assessment, TAA,

Department, Dr. Adeleye Talabi, commended the efforts of UNESCO and NOTAP in ensuring that the continent developed technologically by gathering distinguished and erudite scholars to deliberate on the matter.

She said the mandate of the Ministry was, amongst other

things, to create technology infrastructure and knowledge base to facilitate its wide application for development.

Dr. Lawal further stated that in line with one of the Science, Technology and Innovation policy strategies, which was to popularize and inculcate STI culture in Nigeria, the Ministry

will play a leadership role in the establishment of Science and Technology parks aimed at facilitating the creation and growth of innovation-based companies through incubation and spin-off process and provide other value additions for national development.

Govt urged to stop demolition of houses

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— FEDERAL and state governments have been urged to discourage the demolition of houses as it aggravates housing problem in the country.

Speaking at the Nuelmark Development Foundation inaugural lecture in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Dr Iyenemi Kakulu said that governments should rather be actively involved in reviving derelict neighbourhoods and poorly planned areas with

minimal loss to society.

Kakulu, who spoke on integrated land administration and mass housing development in the Niger Delta, said government should help layouts that developed as a response to housing demand, with basic infrastructure to enhance quality of life of the masses.

“I believe it is time to revisit existing layouts that have developed in response to demand and with minimal intrusion and destruction of property, provide the basic

infrastructure necessary to enhance the quality of life of the masses .”

Continuing, she called on government at all levels to bring in land dispute resolution mechanism as part of the land administration system.

According to her, land dispute had unsettled peace in communities, led to wanton destruction of lives and property, adding that an efficient land registration system should guard against land dispute.

Lawyers urge Buhari to probe electoral killings in Bayelsa

By Charles Kumolu

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GROUP, Lawyers in Defence of Democracy, LDD, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order investigation into the alleged role of security agents in the violence that characterised the Bayelsa State governorship election.

It also warned that if punitive actions are not taken, future elections in the country may follow same trend.

Briefing newsmen in Lagos, the Lead Advocate of LDD, Mr. Ikechukwu Ikeji, frowned at the alleged involvement of security agencies in the violence that marred the poll in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

His words: ‘’The allegation that security personnel handed electoral materials to members and thugs of a political party to rig the election remains a sour point which must be transparently investigated.

“It is clearly a dangerous situation which calls for thorough investigation by the Federal Government before it becomes a routine in future elections."

Pa Jaja, former Daily Times MD passes on

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Emmanuel Jaja, former Managing Director of Daily Times of Nigeria, is dead, aged 80. He was appointed Managing Director of the Daily Times in March 1980 after serving as Group Deputy Chief Executive and Acting Group Chief Executive during 1975 and 1976, after the Federal Government acquired 60% of its equity.

Emmanuel Jaja was born November 20, 1934 in Opobo.

A member of the King Jaja dynasty from Queen OsunjuJaja House and Chief OkoJaja House, Opobo Town, he was born to late Emmanuel Jaja and Hannah.

Burial arrangements will be announced by the family.

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Late Pa Emmanuel Jaja

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015—13

Bayelsa poll: Call your aides to order, candidates tell Buhari Y

By Emem Idio

E N A G O A— A G A I N S T the backdrop of the cancelled governorship election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, 11 governorship candidates in the poll have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to check undue interference by his aides in the exercise by calling them to order.

Addressing newsmen in Yenagoa, yesterday, the candidates, under the aegis of United Governorship Candidates for Credible Elections, alleged that some high ranking political office holders in the Federal Government were the unseen hands who manipulated the electoral process and did everything to skew the election in favour of their preferred candidate.

Political parties whose candidates were present at the briefing include, Social Democratic Party, SDP; African Peoples Alliance, APA; Mega Progressives Peoples Party, MPPP; Progressives Peoples Alliance, PPA; Peoples Democratic Congress, PDC; Citizens Popular Party, CPP; Peoples Party of Nigeria, PPN; United Peoples Party, UPP; New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP; Democratic Peoples Party, DPP; and KOWA. Governorship candidate of United Peoples Party, UPP, William Berezi, who read the signed statement on behalf of the group, also condemned the spate of violence in Southern

Ijaw Local Government Area, and called for the deployment of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG, Hashimu Argungu and immediate transfer of the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Nasiru Oki, over their alleged activities during the

elections.

Berezi said: “ In the spirit of fairness, as a factor of the appalling situation we saw in Southern Ijaw in particular, we hereby call on the military high command in Abuja to withdraw all soldiers deployed to provide

security in that local government area.

“It can only be a fair comment if Mr. President tells the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Army Staff that what they are doing in Bayelsa state is wrong and should be condemned.”

VISIT: Resident Electoral Commissioner for Rivers State, Dame Gesila Khan (left), receiving the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, yesterday.

Sosoliso crash 10 yrs after: Parents hold memorial procession for children

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— SOME parents and relatives of the 60 students of Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja, who died in a Sosoliso plane crash at the Port Harcourt International Airport,Omagwa, Rivers State, 10 years ago had a memorial procession for the children at the airport.

They later unveiled a

memorial statue in honour of the 60 angels, as the students who perished in the aircraft have come to be known, at the Jesuit Memorial college, Aluu, in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

Dr and Mrs Ilabo, who lost the three children they had at the time of the crash, were not at the memorial event.

When Vanguard visited

what used to be their residence in D/Line, Port Harcourt, it was discovered that they had moved out and the structure that was there demolished.

Some of the parents who were decked in white T-shirt recalled fond memories of their beloved children.

They also expressed disappointment with the state of the aviation industry in the country.

According to one of them who gave his name as Mr Lolo, nothing seemed to h a v e changed in the aviation industry.

It will be recalled that Sosoliso Airlines flight 1145 from Abuja to Port Harcourt on December 10, 2015, burst into flames at the Port Harcourt International Airport a few minutes after landing.

The plane, MCDonnell Douglas DC-9-32, had about 170 passengers on board.

A popular tele-evangelist, Pastor Bimbo Odukoya, was among those who died in the crash.

Parents and families of the those who perished in the crash had sustained a campaign to improve the aviation industry.

It is not clear if any substantial changes have occurred in the nation's airports.

It is believed that poor emergency response contributed largely to the death of those in the aircraft.

Elite frustrating Buhari’s reform agenda —Agbakoba

By Ikenna Asomba & Bartholomew Madueke

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UMAN rights lawyer and former President, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, has lauded the economic and political policies initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari, noting however, that the elite are frustrating the President’s reform agenda.

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, yesterday, on the state of the nation, Agbakoba said that since May 29, there has been an economic correction in the country, as well as an ideological shift to the left to serve the people’s interest.

He stated that the implementation of Treasury Single Account, TSA, quality of ministers, blocking finance leakages, social regulations, benefits and stimulus strategy, like paying employment benefits, keeping the oil subsidy, at least in the short term, and the zero tolerance on corruption, are evidences showing that President Buhari fully understands the enormous challenges facing the country.

He said: “I want to warn President Buhari about the conspiracy of the elite and its resolve to frustrate his reform agenda. This elite class, made up of people in high positions in the religious circles, traditional institutions, professions and businesses, represents a small percent of Nigerians but exert tremendous influence, with a view to state capture.

“This class is very dissatisfied about the ideological change of Buhari’s administration. They see the new agenda as a threat to their privileges. As set out below, they are the greatest roadblocks to President Buhari’s economic and political policy agenda.”

Agbakoba, who, however, noted that the reform is yet to be felt, urged President Buhari to avoid communication lethargy in 2016, adding that the President must clearly carry the people along to inspire hope, followership, confidence and practice.

He advised Buhari to create an Office for Strategic Communication to link government with the people.

“There is no need to have two Press Secretaries. One may be assigned to head the Office of Strategic Communication, while the other should cover the President’s diaries,” he said.

14 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 , 2015

PDP warns Buhari, APC over Bayelsa poll •Urges INEC to disqualify Sylva

By Henry Umoru

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B U J A — N AT I O N A L leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP yesterday asked President Muhummadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC not to truncate the nation’s democracy by planning to manipulate the Bayelsa State Gubernatorial election against the wishes of the people, just as it cautioned the federal government against alleged moves to use forceful means to take the governorship of Bayelsa State.

According to PDP, the country has enough challenge, ranging from Boko Haram to insecurity, protests in the East under the aegis of Indigenous People of Biafra, among

others to address, warning that other problems or crises that may affect the peace and unity of the country must not be created.

Addressing journalists yesterday, PDP Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to as a matter of urgency disqualify the candidate of the APC in the Bayelsa governorship election for allegedly announcing fake results, adding that the government should not contemplate hijacking the state from PDP and give Bayelsa to APC like it did in Kogi State.

Secondus, who alleged that Sylva had announced that he knew the true results of the election in Southern Ijaw local government, stressed that

NCWD, UNHCR plan vocational training for female IDPs

By Funmi Olasupo

A

BUJA—NATIONAL Centre for Women Development, NCWD, and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR have reached an agreement to fast track training of female Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs on vocational skills.

The training is UNHCR’s global responsibility to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees worldwide and to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country.

Speaking at the flag-off of the Training in Abuja, the UNHCR representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mrs. Angele DikongueAtangana explained that UNHCR has a mandate for stateless people and is authorized by the UN General Assembly to engage in situations of internal displacement, for which it assumes, in an inter- agency context, global cluster leadership for protection and coleadership for camp coordination/management and shelter.

“In this regard, UNHCR

and the NCWD are signing today a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance their cooperation in implementing livelihood interventions disasteraffected areas/humanitarian situations in order to generate immediate employment (formal and informal) and help identify other livelihood options for affected households, in particular women and children,” she stated.

In her remarks, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan noted that there is a whole lot to do in order to restore the dignity of the IDPs.

his action was a breach of the Electoral Act which empowered only INEC to announce election results.

The PDP Chairman who also warned the APC, the Military against alleged moves to jeopardise the nation’s democracy, by being used to manipulate the election, however advised the Military to channel its energy to fight Boko Haram, adding,”We want to appeal to the to Army to face the military job and avoid anything that can brew crises for Nigeria we have enough to battle.

“Our miitary should face Boko Haram and other insecurity issues in Nigeria not aiding APC in rigging the election. During the last administration, the military were not directly involved in the elections, those of you who have been at the elections recently in Kogi and Bayelsa knew the military were positioned in strategic places far from the polling units. In the case of southern Ijaw they were at the polling booths handing out materials to the people.

“And in the community, the women and the youths barricaded them. You can see the difference, the previous administration, we were not allowed to participate, in this one, they were the people doctoring the elections for both INEC and the APC.” “We were told that security agencies came with armoured cars and harrassed, intimidated the people, which made INEC to cancel the elections.''

According to Secondus, “Southern Ijaw has been a PDP stronghold for 16 years.

So there couldn’t have been any magic overnight to change the will of the people. The people of Bayelsa has spoken and INEC and the security agencies must respect the will of the people.''

Verbatim magazine names APC, Buhari, Oyegun ‘Man of the year’

N

IGERIA’S ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, as well as its flag bearer in the 2015 general elections, President Muhammadu Buhari and Chief John Oyegun, the National Chairman, were yesterday named Verbatim Magazine’s Man of the Year 2015.

Verbatim, a general interest news magazine published in Abuja by former editors of

Newswatch said in a press statement signed

by Tobs Agbaegbu, the Editor-in-Chief/CEO that ‘’Verbatim editors are of the view that the cap best fits APC and two of its leaders, Buhari and Odigie-Oyegun because of their peculiar roles in achieving record breaking success during the 2015 general election and for leading Nigerians in charting a new course for democracy.'’

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015—15

BIAFRA: No Nnamdi Kanu, no dialogue with

FG —MASSOB, IPOB •We won’t be part of negotiations to strengthen Nigeria’s unity – BIM •Kanu must not die in detention like Yusuf – Rights groups

By Francis Igata, Nwabueze Okonkwo & Chimaobi Nwaiwu

Any dialogue without Nnamdi won’t yield fruits Speaking on the proposed dialogue, in Enugu, yesteday, MASSOB Director of Information, Edson Samuel, said: “We are shocked that Akpabio, who disowned MASSOB at the inception of this demonstration, led some northern leaders to broker truce on our behalf. We do not know them, neither can we identify with them because any person moving to dialogue between us and Federal Government must first meet with us and know our demands.

“This demonstration is strictly anchored by MASSOB, IPOB and Akpabio, working with his cohort, Dozie Ikedife, have shown hatred for Nnamdi Kanu.

By enyim enyim

T

E

NUGU—THE ceasefire declared by the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, and the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, to give room for a dialogue with the Federal Government appears headed for the rocks.

The groups are peeved by reports that former governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Senator Goodswill Akpabio led a delegation accompanied by some northern elites on behalf of MASSOB to Federal Government to broker a truce.

Consequently, they said they the only way they would be part of the dialogue is if detained IPOB leader and Director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu is part of it.

This came as the Chief Ralph Uwazuruike-led Biafra Independent Movement, BIM, dissociated self from any negotiation to strength the unity of Nigeria and vowed to actualize the Republic of Biafra Meanwhile, a coalition of human rights groups in the South-East zone cautioned the Federal Government against allowing Nnamdi Kanu to be murdered in the captivity of the Department of State Service, DSS, the way deceased leader of Boko Haram sect, Yusuf Mohammed was killed in Police custody.

Also, residents of Onitsha and its environs had appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the Nigerian Armed Forces to dismantle the road blocks in Anambra State, which were mounted after the killing of nine people in the state over MASSOB and IPOB protests, citing increasing inhuman treatments meted out to innocent citizens by the military men.

Crisis rocks Anambra police command over oficers’ transfers

COMMISSIONING: From left, Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Mrs. Ajibola Ojodu; Managing Director, UACN Property Development Company, Mr. Hakeem Ogunniran; Representative of Lagos State Governor/Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Commerce and Industry, Mr. Benjamin Labinjo, and Group Managing Director, UAC of Nigeria Plc., Mr. Larry Ettah, during the official commissioning of UACN Property Development Company's Festival Mall, in Festac, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Akeem Salau We make haste to disown them.

“Ikedife has his own agenda and belief in the constitution of Nigeria, which we do not believe in. MASSOB and Biafra do not have faith in Nigerian constitution. The Nigerian constitution is a complete fraud, that is why we are protesting to opt out. The framers of the constitution never consulted Ndigbo when it was crafted.

On Biafra we stand —BIM The BIM, a former faction of MASSOB, yesterday, gave reasons it would not be part of any negotiation intended to strengthen Nigeria’s national unity and stability, but rather the one that will ensure the actualization of Biafra.

BIM said it had equally distanced self from the outcome of an emergency meeting in Asaba, Delta State and the one earlier held by the Supreme Elders Council of IPOB at Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Abuja, Wednesday, December 9, 2015, where they agreed that the recent demonstrations in the Southeast and parts of SouthSouth were agitations for the right to “call ourselves Biafrans within the Nigerian equation.”

In a press statement issued in Onitsha, Anambra State, BIM’s Deputy Director for Information, Mazi Chris Anierobi Mocha, said such discussions ‘’with our oppressors have a sinister motive behind it,’’ adding, “our position is to achieve a separate country with the name and tittle: 'Republic of Biafra, no more no less.'

Don’t kill Kanu in detention like Yusuf, rights groups tell FG Cautioning the the government to ensure the safety of Nnamdi

Kanu in detention, a coalition of human rights groups based in the South-East zone given the provisions of Section 1 (3) of the 1999 Constitution, Section 27 (1) of the Terrorism Prevention Act of 2011 as amended, Kanu’s detention and investigation by DSS over involvement in terrorism and terrorism financing are illegal.

In a press statement entitled: 'Before Nnamdi Kanu Is Murdered In DSS Captivity & Goes The Way of Yusuf Mohammed,' the coalition further noted that by Section 35 (4) (a) (b) of the 1999 Constitution (right to personal liberty); the same Section 27 (1) of Terrorism Prevention Act of 2011 as amended (detention of accused citizen for 90 days and above or perpetual pre-trial detention), is also null and void.

Signed by its senior activist, Emeka Umeagbalasi, the coalition in the statement noted that the Supreme Court of Nigeria’s landmark verdict in: Abacha and Others vs Fawehinmi (2001) AHRLR 172 (NgSC 2000); on the supremacy of the African Charter on Human & Peoples Rights, ACHPR, over ordinary legislations in Nigeria, Section 27 (1) of Terrorism Prevention Act of 2011 as amended; is expressly ultra vires, illegal and illegitimate.

The coalition comprises the International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (Intersociety), Anambra State Branch of the Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, Centre for Human Rights & Peace Advocacy, CHRPA, Human Rights Club, HRC, (a project of LRRDC), Southeast Good Governance Forum, SGGF, Forum for Equity,

Justice & Defence of Human Rights, FEJDHR, Society Advocacy Watch Project, SPAW, Anambra Human Rights Forum, AHRF, International Solidarity, INTERSOLIDARITY, for Peace & Human Rights Initiative, Street Law Africa, LawAfrica, and Igbo Ekunie Initiative, IEI, (a pan-Igbo rights campaigner).

INHUMAN TREATMENT: Onitsha residents, CD seek dismanantleing of military points in Anambra Residents of Onitsha and its environs have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the Nigerian Armed Forces to dismantle military road blocks in Anambra State erected on account of the pro-Biafra protests Speaking with Vanguard, Mr. Chinonso Ukaegbu, a trader said that normalcy had returned to the commercial city of Onitsha and its environs and there was no need for the joint military task force operations in the state.

“The IPOB and MASSOB activists are no more protesting in the state. They have also announced the suspension of their protests, and Onitsha is back to normalcy.Why should the people be subjected to dehumanizing act of raising our hands or running past the check points irrespective of age and status?” he said.

The Campaign for Democracy also made similar call, saying that there was no war or tension in Anambra State and therefore, people should not be subjected to dehumanizing situations where they had to raise their hands from three poles to the check points mounted by the Army and the Police.

HERE IS crisis in the Anambra Ppolice Command over alleged non-compliance with the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, that senior officers who had served more than five years in any state be transferred to another state.

Some senior police officers, who spoke with Vanguard on the condition of anonymity, said since the directive was given on November 9, 2015 the affected 177 senior police officers who had served five years and above have been transferred.

According to them, the reason for the non compliance with the IGP directive was because most of the affected officers had been rushing to Abuja to bribe their way so that that they will not be transferred, citing a particular officer of the rank of CSP from the South-West who had been in Anambra State for 10 years who was transferred to Gombe but came back from Abuja and started boasting to his colleagues that he was not going any where.

The officers wondered why a signal that came on November 9, 2015 directing that the affected officers should be released on or before November 18, 2015 had not been complied with in Anambra state when most state police commands had complied.

However, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra state, Mr Hosea Karma, in his reaction, said there was no iota of truth in the allegation, which he described as the handiwork of mischief makers that want to drag the image of the command in the mud in spite of the laudable achievements it had made so far.

“In the police force we comply with directives from our boss and the directive of the transfer of police officers from this command is being complied with fully. We have directed affected officers to move accordingly” Karma said that there was initial problem where some officers’ names that appeared on the transfer list were either retired or already on transfer, saying that the problem had been resolved.

16—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015

Egede for burial

M

R. C, J. Egede is dead, aged 64.

Late Egede will be buried in his hometown, ApaliAfujo, Ugbokolo Benue State, today.

He is survived by his wife, children, grand children and son in-laws among who is Mr. Simon Idoko of NOA, Abuja.

Late Mr. Egede

GOV ELECTION: Umahi, Nkwegu to know fate

today

By Peter Okutu

G

OVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE of the Labour Party, LP, in the April 11 election in Ebonyi State, Chief Edward Nkwegu’s appeal against the judgment of the election petition tribunal, which upheld the election of Governor David Umahi of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will be decided today.

The tribunal had in October this year, in Abakaliki, dismissed Nkwegu’s petition challenging the declaration of Umahi as the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for lacking in

Book presentation

A

BOOK entitled, June 12 Elections Campaign for Democracy & The Implosion of the Nigerian Left, written by one of the champions of democracy in Nigeria, a human rights activist and lawyer, Mr. Onyeisi Chiemeke, will be publicly presented today, at the Science Complex, Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos.

C M Y K

The chief presenter is Stanley Okafor, the managing director of Basalt Oil and Gas Ltd and the event will be chaired by John Odah, former Secretary-General of Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC. The reviewer is Dr. Chijioke Uwasomba of the Faculty of Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University Ilelfe.

merit and the inability of the petitioner to prove allegations of corrupt practices and criminality.

Dissatisfied with the judgment, the petitioner proceeded to the court of appeal sitting in Enugu

to challenge the verdict.

In the appeal filed by his counsel, Chief U.N Udechukwu (SAN), Nkwegu prayed the appeal court to set aside the judgment of the tribunal, annul

the election of Umahi and conduct fresh election in the state.

But Counsel to Chief Umahi, Arthur Obi Okafor (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the appeal for lacking in merit.

Ebonyi proposes N101.2bn budget for 2016

By Peter Okutu

A

B A K A L I K I — GOVERNOR David Umahi of Ebonyi State, yesterday, presented to the state House of Assembly an appropriation bill of N101, 154, 646.000 for the 2016 fiscal year.

The bill tagged: 'Budget of Divine Actualisation,' set aside N62, 396,750,000 for capital expenditure representing 61.68 per cent of the budget while N38,757,896,030.00 was set aside for recurrent expenditure being 38 per cent of the total estimate.

The estimate is slightly above that of 2015 which was N96.52 billion. The economic sector got N36.890 billion the largest chunk, being 59 per cent of the estimate of which the governor said was with the basic aim of tackling challenges in the roads, water, electricity, agriculture, education, commerce and

industrial sectors.

The Ministry of Works got the highest allocation within the economic sector with N25 billion, representing 67.8 per cent; Ministry of Water Resources, N3 billion; and Commerce and Industry, N2 billion. Three other ministries shared N6.89 billion

being 18.7 per cent of the budget for the sector.

The social sector got a total of N10.304 billion representing 16.5 per cent of the capital budget with education having an allocation of N5.909 billion, health N2.445 billion and others N1.95 billion.

Rep decries poor state of federal roads in Abia

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

W

ORRIED BY the deplorable condition of federal roads in Aba and environs, the member representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ossy Prestige, has cried out, fearing that the city may shutdown if nothing is urgently done to fix the roads.

The lawmaker, who stated this at the end of a three-day tour on

federal projects in Aba and environs, described the level of decay of roads linking the city as embarrassing, stressing that in some areas, roads had been completely abandoned with businesses forced to close shop.

Some of the places visited by the lawmaker included Port-Harcourt Road, which links Aba to EnuguAba-Port Harcourt expressway; Aba-Ikot Ekpene highway; Opobo- Azumini highway; AkpuAguwa-Pepple Street road gully erosion project, yet to be completed, among others.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015 —17

A tragic anniversary T

HESE are the names of the 61 youngsters who died in the Sosoliso Airlines plane that crashed a decade ago, on December 10, 2005 to be precise.

The school term had just ended and they were excitedly heading towards their homes to take deserved breaks from academic work and celebrate Christmas.

But they never made it to their respective homes because disaster struck at Port Harcourt airport, as they neared the end of their journeys.

All except Wailafite Wills (a Federal Government College student) were pupils at Loyola Jesuit College near Abuja. Some Wailafite, Ibrah Ellah, Fanye Daniel-Kalio, Vivian Baa, Adachi Nzenwa, for example - were my friends’ beloved children.

And Chigozirim Ukairo - the brilliant son of Tony Ukairo, one of my favourite cousins, and his beautiful and charming wife, Nnenne – was my relative.

Only two people survived. The total death toll was 108; and severaladults-anotherrelativeofmine, Father Obi (a Catholic priest), and Roland Cookey-Gam (a talented architect who was married to my distinguished chum, Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, a former SSG and Attorney-General), for example – perished alongside the children.

Unimaginable horror But it’s not just about my friends and my family. My heart bleeds for EVERYONE, complete strangers included, who lost their lives or lost loved ones on that fateful day of blood and tears. And I will always particularly marvel at thecouragedisplayedbyAndyand IfyIlabor,whosufferedtheunimaginable horror of losing ALL of their three children in one fell swoop.

The airline and airport authoritieswerechronically and criminally negligent, to put it mildly. Sosoliso’s owners spectacularly failed to adequately safeguard their staff and passengers; and the relevant government agencies were woefully unprepared to cope with the crisis that unfolded and had no emergency response capabilities.

Isaac Okemini, whose darling daughter was a casualty, is the Chairmanofthecommitteethatwas

•Wreckage of the crashed Sosoliso plane created by parents to commemorate the children who passed away.

He kindly granted me an interview a couple of days ago and spoke about the multiple lapses that contributed to a tragedy that could have been avoided.

“There was no light at the airport and no functional fire trucks or ambulances. We were so dissatisfied when we gained access to information about the events leading up to the crash - and so very unhappy about the post-crash management issue - that we decided to take Sosoliso and the Federal Government to court,” he said.

Amazingly, instead of admitting guilt, expressing shame, taking responsibility, begging the parents to forgive its appalling incompetence and then respectfully and compassionatelyofferingthemcompensation – at a time when the entire nation was protesting in support of the bereaved - the Federal Government cruelly dugs its heels in and, according to Okemini, “did everything to frustrate our efforts.”

“Judges kept adjourning our case at the request of government,”

Nigeria is not the kind of country in which human rights are a sacred priority; so the Sosoliso victims’ families resigned themselves to harsh realities with dignity

he continues. “There were constant delays. Witnesses were forced to chicken out of giving evidence against the government. And we were eventually forced to forget about the government aspect and negotiate with Sosoliso, which didn’t have appropriate insurance that met with international standards; and we only got $35,000 each,” he said.

Imagine $35,000?! What a terrible,disgusting,disgracefultravesty of justice! As far as the parents were concerned, the money per se was not important. Even if they’d received billions, no amount could mend their broken hearts or bring back the offspring whose demises have left painful gaping holes in their existences.

But compensation is a matter of principle. And I think that every decent individual will share my despairing outrage and view that private- or public-sector organisations that cut corners, commit manslaughter and inflict incalculable suffering should be forced by law to pay HUGE sums to their victims’ next-of-kins.

But Nigeria is not the kind of country in which human rights are a sacred priority. So the Sosoliso victims’ families resigned themselves to harsh realities with dignity and, as Okemini put it: “I wouldn’t wish this level of pain on my worst enemy. But we have buried our dead, managed our emotional anguish and moved on.” Partly because their loved ones were burned to death and partly because Rivers is an oilproducing state in which many workplace accidents are fire-related, Okemini and his “colleagues” have repeatedly called for the establishment of a Burn And Trauma Centre in Rivers State. But their recommendation has been ignored.

1, Abba Kenechukwu.

3. Adebolu Olubusayo.

5. Adeyemi Boluwarin.

7. Ajilore Olawole.

9. Akwiwu Agu. 11. Awaji Ugona.

13. Baa Vivian.

15. Chigbo Chineye.

17. Edet Helena.

19. Egwele Uzo. 21. Ekereuwem Aniefon.

23. Ellah Ibrah.

25. Ibiam Nnanna.

27. Ilabor Chukwuka.

29. Ilabor Busomna.

31. Kamanu Chibuzor.

33. Mba Chinweoke.

35. Monago Augustine 37. Nkaginieme Ubani.

39. Nnaji Alexandria.

Chukwuebuka 41. Ntemuse Emmanuel.

43. Nwigwe Chioma.

45. Nzelu Chidinma.

47. Okafor Zikora.

49. Tony-Okeke Jachimike .

51. Okereke Onyekachuku.

53. Olakpe Chris.

55. Oyebode Mayowa.

57. Udeozor Richard.

59. Ukairo Chigozirim.

61, Wills Wailafite Fortunately, some clouds have silver linings and there have been some positive outcomes. Okemini says that he wants to believe that the crash “was a wake-up call that brought a little bit of sanity into the aviation industry” and that he thinks there have been improvements in areas such as radar coverage.

Meanwhile, a new Loyola Jesuit school – which insists on the same high academic standards for which the original school was famed - has been built in Rivers State, thanks in part to Dr Peter Odili, a previous Governor who lost a niece in the crash and generously provided the land and a large percentage of the take-off

2. Adaka Christian 4. Adewoga Adeleke 6. Aikhionbare Gabriella 8. Allan Obongawan 10. Amachree Owanari 12. Awaji Chisom 14. Badru Omotoke 16. Daniel-Kalio Fanye 18. Egbosimba Chinonye 20. Ekefre Udeme -Obong 22. Ekwem Amanze 24. Gbemudu Sandra 26. Idabor Peter 28. Ilabor Nkem 30. Iroghama Silvia 32. Loolo Immanuel 34. Mba Ijeamaka 36. Njoku Linda 38. Nkaginieme Obioma 4 0 . N n e b e d u m 42. Nwadei Vanessa 44. Nwoko Stephanie 46. Nzenwa Adachi 48. Okafor Chidinma 50. Okemini Ibiso 52. Okpe Daniel 54. Orbih Whitney 56. Ubah Ifeanyi 58. Ugochukwu Uzo 60. Utuk Peter funds.

I think it is fair to say that the new school is a befitting memorial to the kids who never got a chance to complete their educations and were robbed of their futures.

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

PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED, WITH YOUR NAMES AND CONTACT DETAILS ATTACHED.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015 President Muhammadu Buhari’s speeches both at the United Nations summit in Paris on climate change; and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta, dwelt much on the causes of violent crimes and terrorism, which are major problems confronting Nigeria.

While in Paris, he drew attention to the rapidly drying Lake Chad and the consequential displacement and impoverishment of over five million people as a major factor behind the rise of Boko Haram Islamist terrorism. In Malta, he argued: “The reign of terror will only succeed if peace-loving people choose to remain idle. But I am confident that through our collective efforts, we will defeat this scourge and restore peace”.

As a nation in the eyes of these twin storms, it is important that our leaders remain mindful of factors leading otherwise peaceful and law-abiding people

Why terrorism, violent crimes thrive to suddenly become violent. It is a sociological challenge which requires a scientific mindset for solutions.

Apart from natural causes such as the type confronting the Lake Chad basin,it is important to accept the fact that desperation and injustice are the main causes of violent crimes and civil disobedience.

It is a trite sociological fact that when people feel alienated, they first complain, and when this falls on deaf ears, a violent challenge of the status quo could follow. The feeling of oppression and injustice has

been the major factor behind most of the violence in Nigeria over time.

From the civil war to the June 12 struggle, from the Niger Delta militancy to the ongoing agitation for Biafra, from the numerous communal conflicts nationwide to the Boko Haram insur gency, injustice and a corrupt, oppressive system are both the remote and immediate causes.

The greatest antidote to the social ferment that regularly assails Nigeria is to create a system in which all Nigerians will be proud to belong and call

their motherland.

That collective feeling alone has the power to tackle all other social problems, including the much vexed issue of corruption in the system. Even the Boko Haram Islamists found a fertile ground for their evil ideology because they were able to draw large numbers of recruits from a mass of people disgruntled with a system that does not care about the welfare of the common people.

With the support of all Nigerians, Nigeria can defeat violent crimes and terrorism, but not just through the force of arms alon. The Federal government must address this growing feeling that this government is favouring a section of the country more than the others in the appointment of people to vital government offices.

The president must ensure that goodies of governance are felt equitably by all sections of Nigeria.

OPINION December deadline: Another trip to Maiduguri bachelors with parents, others are married

By Yushau A. Shuaib

I

T was neither a vacation trip nor a tour for seasonal ceremony. It was a journey to attend a crisis communication seminar for humanitarian workers and journalists covering disasters which was held in Maiduguri in the first week of December 2015. My family members could not dissuade me from the trip that hopefully would provide me another opportunity to assess one of the Boko Haram worst-hit cities in Nigeria.

The flight was smooth from Abuja to Maiduguri. Driving into the town, it was easy to observe that the city wasn’t bubbling as most roads were deserted, exotic mansions abandoned and fine hotels had low patronage even with their generous discounts on accommodation.

On a visit to the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camps, the sights of orphans and widows were quite disturbing even though NEMA and other stakeholders are taking good care of them.

Passing through security check-points, the sacrifice of Nigerian troops, especially young soldiers in their zeal and determination to defeat Boko Haram terrorists, was obvious from their faces. While some of them are

with children they left at home to defend Nigeria.

Incidentally, almost everyone was concerned about the Presidential directive for the military to end Boko Haram this December. During the inauguration of his service chiefs on July 13, 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari directed the military to end the Boko Haram terrorism in three months.

Immediately after the directive, the National Security Adviser, NSA, Major General Babagana Monguno led service and security chiefs to the frontline to seek the cooperation of community leaders, traditional rulers and pressure groups to support the new drive against war on terror. He also visited and commiserated with IDPs and reassured them that the war would soon be over.

The Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai has not led from the back, he was in the warfront by actively participating in some of the operations where terrorists were either captured or killed. He has so far spent most of his time on the battle field. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Mashall Sadique Abubakar has personally commanded fighter jets in the war on terror to motivate fighter-pilots into putting in their best.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, has ensured effective coordination and cohesion in the operation so far through mechanism of inter-agency collaboration, even as the Chief Naval Staff, Rear Admiral

Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas has also confirmed that Special Forces from the Navy are actively involved in the operation.

The military has so far destroyed dozens of Boko Haram camps and freed more than 1,000 kidnap victims since inauguration of President Buhari. Nevertheless, there is the fear that the military may not be able to end Boko Haram by the deadline. The Executive Secretary of Centre for Crisis Communication, CCC, Air Commodore Anas recently disclosed that there is nothing wrong in imposing targets on the military but due to the asymmetric warfare which Boko Haram is prosecuting against civilian “soft targets” the December deadline is unrealistic.

There are also worrisome reports of fresh kidnap of dozens of girls and burning of buildings in Bam Village of Yobe State; reported missing and fleeing soldiers in Galtumari town in Borno State; destruction of military base in Gulak, Adamawa and media allegations that terrorists snatched military trucks, artillery guns that were bought by the previous administration.

During private conversations with stakeholders, many expressed beliefs that concerted efforts are required through credible intelligence to address the insecurity in the North-East.

Beyond ‘body languages’ theory and political grandstanding, others were of the opinion that some tougher actions taken by the past administration could be deployed in curtailing the excesses of terrorists. For instance, a journalist observed that even though many doubted the sincerity of the former National

Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, when he sought and obtained approval for postponement of 2015 general election to enable the military to degrade Boko Haram and ensure maximum security of voters, all known terrorists’ camps were destroyed before the emergence of new government on May 29; Sambisa Forest was stormed by “Special ‘M’ forces” and about 300 kidnapped women and children were freed; 22 terrorist occupied towns in three states were recovered; and Boko Haram could not disrupt the elections.

It is public knowledge that some of the towns recovered from terrorists during the administration of Goodluck Jonathan include Abadam, Askira, Baga, Bama, Biu, Damboa, Gwoza, Hong, Konduga, Kukawa, Marte, Madagali, Michika, Monguno, Mubi, and others. In fact an official statement by the Defence Headquarters on March 16, 2015, with reference no: DHQ/ABJ/901/32/DDI announced the routing of terrorists from Bama after massive casualty was inflicted on the terrorists before the remnant fled. The statement further stated that the Chadian partners in the MNJTF were mandated to pursue the terrorists who were heading for the borders after being dislodged from Bama.

Gujba, Gulani, Goniri, Buni Yadi were all retaken by Nigerian troops within the month, the statement concluded. It seems Nigerians have forgotten all these.

Mr. Shuaib, a journalist, wrote from Abuja

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015— —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Go to the Chinese, you sluggard

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HE power, impact and influence of China was evident last Friday in Johannesburg when it met over 40 African leaders. It is instructive that a single country which in the 1980s was still considered a Third World country, could convene what was virtually a meeting of the African Union, AU, and so many Heads of State attended. This was no gathering of some old colonial master holding a Francophone summit with its former subjects, or some illusory ‘commonwealth’ of an ex-slave master giving his former servants the opportunity to take tea and have a handshake. Nor was it some summit of international lenders or do-gooders dishing out interest loans with slavish instructions and conditionalities. Rather, it was a gathering of people with shared colonial memories of forced occupation, exploitation and underdevelopment. A people with a common past whose gathering exuded self- respect and dignity for all, and a shared vision of a nonexploitative world.

To me, the issue about the Forum on China – Africa Cooperation is not the huge $60 billion funding for infrastructure and

industrialisation; providing 200,000 Africans technical skills and an additional 40,000 training opportunities in China. Rather, it is the spirit; that spirit that respects the sovereignty of other countries.

The spirit that built the new African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa.

One project which exemplifies China’s attitude to Africa is the TAZARA Railways which runs from the Port of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to Kapiri Moshi in central Zambia. Africa in the 1960s faced a dilemma. The White colonialists ruled Rhodesia (now Zimbabawe) and, landlocked Zambia, a country at the frontline against racist Rhodesia and Apartheid South Africa, had to move its goods through racist territory. It meant that the White supremacists could squeeze or economically strangulate Zambia anytime it wanted.

The alternative was for Zambia to take its imports and exports through an African port which would require some 1,860 kilometre-railway. The African countries could not afford it, and their traditional Western friends were unwilling to assist.

Mohammed Babu, a young

Tanzanian Minister suggested China should be approached.

China was then a poor country, and Tanzanian President, Julius Nyerere, thought it unwise to ask aid from another poor country.

However, during a visit to China in February 1965, a hesitant Nyerere broached the issue and Chinese leader, Chairman Mao Tse-Tung responded in what has become the Chinese spirit of partnership and brotherhood: “You have difficulties as we do; but our difficulties are different. To help you build the railway, we are willing to forsake building railways for ourselves.”

The railway which was built from 1970 -75 required China sending a 50,000 workforce from 1965 to 1976 while about 60,000 African workers participated. Without the needed capital and machinery, this remarkable workers brigade, exposed to wild animals and hunger, sacrificed to build the friendship railways.

The construction cost $500 million, 64 Chinese and about 100 African lives. Given the motive, human sacrifice and determination, the railway was referred to as the Great Uhuru Railway. Uhuru

To me, the issue about the Forum on China – Africa Cooperation is not the huge $60 billion funding; it is the spirit; that spirit that respects the sovereignty of other countries

The real change Ndigbo and Biafra need (2)

By Clement Udegbe ANY Nigerian elites are of the M opinion that Biafra agitators should be crushed. From newspaper

reports, this opinion is predominant among our retired Generals, and some serving top military and para-military personnel. Unfortunately, this is the most misguided of the views on how to resolve the question of Biafra, and held by people who still see Nigeria as their conquered territory. While a few of them remain calm and disposed to peaceful resolution of sensitive issues in Nigeria, the majority of them that we read about in the print media and watch on prime news television exude pride, ego and the body language of emperors addressing their largely uninformed subjects. They don’t care about the welfare of the common man, or the Igbo who they conquered and reduced to second class citizens in the country. To them in principle, any Southerner who is not a Yoruba man is treated and regarded as an Igbo man, hence the hatred for former President, Goodluck Jonathan.

These men have since the end of the civil war ruled Nigeria without thinking of a second Niger Bridge to link the Igbo, Idoma and Tiv, Efik and Ibibio nations of this country from the Eastern axis, while the popular Lagos-Benin Expressway remains, till date, the bad scar on their conscience, being the major link to Igbo, Edo and the Niger Delta areas from Lagos. They specialise in truncating any thing from the Federal Government that will benefit the Igbo man directly or otherwise. After over 16 years of democratic governance, the East-West Road remains a conduit to

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siphon our national wealth into their pockets.

They are the ones who suggest that Biafra agitations should be crushed. To crush a thing implies the use of force, which will be a great disservice to Nigeria in this situation. Peaceful request for self-rule and determination is a fundamental right under the United Nations Charter on Human Rights, and the right to self-expression is guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution. How do you crush a peaceful protest except by firing at them ?

Whose child will you kill and ask him to do nothing ? Yorubas have the Odua Peoples Congress as their youth wing; the North has the Arewa Youth Congress; Niger Delta has Ijaw Youths Congress, and others. In Igbo land, they have MASSOB(now Biafra Independence Movement, BIM), the IPOB and the Zionists. But this multiplicity has exposed them to manipulation by their common enemies. IPOB had organised

Ndigbo need to close the gaps between BIM, IPOB and the Zionists, so that they won’t continue to play into the hands of their common enemies

meaning independence in Swahili.

When I went to China last year, I made enquiries about the families of these Chinese workers who came out to assist Africa, and paid the supreme sacrifice. I intend to do a follow up and also trace the families of the African workers who lost their lives. My intention is to do a documentary or write a book.

Humanity has known extreme poverty and hunger. These are some of the addictive drugs fuelling crimes, conflicts and violence. One of the greatest gifts China has made to humanity is that it feeds 1.357 billion people or 19.24 percent of the world's population. The Chinese are quite ingenious when it comes to food as they eat virtually anything that is not poisonous.

To be able to take cater for themselves, they took hard decisions, including a One-Child Policy which has now been relaxed.

Their strategy of development was to be self-reliant, eat what they produce, be visionary, programmatic and pragmatic while holding on to their culture, language, ideas and ideals. After internal development, they blossomed and stepped out into the centre stage of globalisation outpacing almost all other countries.

In the process they put a lie to the religion that the private sector is the engine of develpoment. They also rejected the theocracy of market forces and pragmatically fixed the value of their currency, and control the stock exchange. That has not stopped them producing some of the biggest companies in modern history like Ali Baba.

Yet, the road was rough for this country with a 4,000-year written record. Of those said to be humanity ’s four greatest

peaceful protests recently in major cities of Anambra, Imo, Rivers and Delta states without any violence. But last week in Onitsha, their enemies planted moles in their midst to cause trouble, which led to their being shot at by armed security agents, leading to the death of over 19 persons. And the reaction from the now irate youths was to destroy properties, including a mosque-an unusual development in Igbo land. Ndigbo need to close the gaps between BIM, IPOB and the Zionists, so that they won’t continue to play into the hands of their common enemies. Well-meaning Igbo leaders should step into this matter now.

Chief Ralph Uwazuruike of BIM will need to change his strategies so as to stop the feud with IPOB, as it is not in the best interest of his avowed cause and that of Ndigbo.

In August 2014, at the heat of the 2015 elections, Aliyu Gwarzo who claimed to be speaking for the Hausa- Fulani, published on the Blanknews.com website, an article that contained unprintable things like: “We also captured Ilorin, killed their local King and installed our Fulani Emir. We took that ancient town away from the barbarian Yoruba and their filthy pagan gods. We liberated all these places and all these people by imposing Islam on them by force.

"It was either the Koran or the sword and most of them chose the Koran. In return for the good works of our forefathers, Allah, through the British, gave us Nigeria to rule and to do with as we please. Since 1960 we have been doing that and we intend to continue.

"No Goodluck or anyone else will stop us from taking back our power next year.

We will kill, maim, destroy and turn this country into Africa’s biggest war zone and refugee camp if they try it.”

They have taken the power and will it be wrong from post-elections

civilizations; Ancient Egypt, India and Babylonia, China is the only surviving.

Its existence was threatened by Britain which produced opium in colonised India and off-loaded it on China, turning it into an ocean of drug addicts. When the Chinese Qing (Manchu) Dynasty decided to criminalise opium and rid the country of the drug, China was invaded and defeated by Britain in what became known as the First Opium War (1839 – 42). Britain then imposed the 1842 Nanking Treaty under which China legalised the opium trade, exempted imports from transit duties and made the English version of all treaties, superior to that in the Chinese . The Second Opium War was in 1856 when an angry Britain again invaded China for seizing a pirate ship flying the British flag.

When the Chinese Revolution of 1949 removed the pro-West Chian Kai-Shek government, China was not allowed to sit in the United Nations for 22 years. But it overcame its adversaries; retook its seat in both in the General Assembly and Security Council as a permanent member, and, displaying deft diplomatic moves, repossessed Hong Kong from Britain. Taiwan remains the major Chinese territory outside the control of the Peoples Republic of China.

I borrowed the title of this piece from my solidarity message as the Secretary General of African Workers, to the 2013 Congress of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) in which I challenged other underdeveloped countries: “Go to the Chinese, you sluggard, consider their ways and be wise.”

developments, to say that the man spoke for his kinsmen in the North?

Just last week,THETRENTONLINE.COM published the audio of a telephone discussion between one Alhaji and his friend Tunde, who called to congratulate him on Buhari’s election as Nigeria’s President. The Alhaji told Tunde very chilly and hateful things against Igbos, including how, for example, only a Northern president can arrest the Boko Haram problem which Igbos in power, meaning Jonathan, refused to stop; how the APC leadership in Yoruba land went to Kano to plead that Igbos will swarm over them if they do not work together with the North to stop Igbos in Lagos; how then Governor Babatunde Fashola in keeping with their agreement, refused to approve any new factories for Igbos during his last tenure; how the North had agreed with the Yoruba APC, to allocate development of Nigeria to themselves: the North will produce the foods, which will be processed in Yoruba land and then exported.

The Alhaji closed by adding that when they finish with the Igbo man, they will complete control of oil wealth in Nigeria.

This Alhaji was not referring to the South East alone.

I am not writing to fan the embers of disunity, but to bring to the front burner those things that worry the Igbo man in Nigeria.

Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, was developed with oil wealth which came essentially from the SouthSouth and South East. So, why should it be a crime for any ‘Igbo Man’ to aspire to be the Minister of the FCT ? Why should it be a taboo for an ‘Igbo Man’ to aspire to be a President in Nigeria where he has investments in almost every state? *Mr Udegbe, a lawyer, wrote from Lagos.

20—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015

— 21

Renewable power solution’ll underdevelop Africa —Ayade G

By Godwin Oritse

OVERNOR Ben Ayade of Cross River State has said that the application of renewable energy solution as a measure to minimize climate change challenges is anti- African.

Speaking to journalists at the ongoing Climate Change Conference in Paris, Governor Ayade said that applying renewable energy as a solution mitigating the effect of climate change will mean that developing countries like Nigeria may have to stop the exploration of its hydro-carbon.

Ayade noted that the exploration of hydro-carbon is key to the development of the economies of a good number of African countries.

He said that there has been so much talk about measure against the challenges of climate changes but that the commitments to these agreements has been very weak.

He was of the opinion that the major resources for African nations are the forests while for the Europeans, it is their technologies.

He explained that while Europeans are struggling to sell technologies to Africans, they (Europeans) are telling African to stop deforestation so that carbon can be conserved.

“Renewable energy is not the way for Africans at this point in time, renewable energy means put an end to the sale of your hydro carbon, it means Nigeria should stop exporting crude oil, but they are busy doing research, inventing technology using solar energy and wind power.

“When all of that happens,

DINNER: From left, President/Chairman, Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC),

Prince Adedapo Adelegan; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule; Chairman of the event, Mr. Fola Adeola; and Coordinator, Directorate of Public Private Partnership, Ondo State Governor’s Office, Prince Adenekan Olateru-Olagbegi, representing the governor, during the inauguration dinner of the 14th President of the NBCC, in Lagos. when the oil price goes down, when you stop producing oil, what are you going to use as an alternative?

“The in balancing of the livelihood that is the alternative to that renewable energy must follow with development, must follow with technology, Africa

alternative economy for now. We cannot cap it.

He advised that African should shut its doors and reinvent themselves.

According to Ayade, there has been a growing concern about the reality of climate change adding that adaptation is not the way to

NIM set to drive national development through capacity building

By Jonah Nwokpoku

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HE Nigerian Institute of Management has restated its commitment to driving national transformation through human capital development and public policy advocacy.

The newly elected President of NIM and 2.35 $124.60 Chairman in Council stated this while $3,356.00 47.00 delivering an inaugural address during his $14.95 -0.14 investiture as the 20th President of the Institute in Lagos. $40.33 0.22 He said: “Having come to the sad and painful $37.14 -0.02 conclusion that one of the banes of the nation’s CURRENCY BUYING SELLING development is paucity of well groomed human 195.97 196.47 196.97 US DOLLAR resource, we will 295.4444 296.1982 296.952 POUNDS continue with the various 214.058 214.6042 215.1503 EURO 197.6102 198.1143 198.6185 local and international FRANC 1.5982 1.6023 1.6063 YEN human capital 0.3057 0.3157 0.3257 CFA d e v e l o p m e n t 270.5555 271.2458 271.9361 WAUA programmes of the 30.4813 30.5595 30.6377 RENMINBI Institute with the sole aim 52.2197 52.3529 52.4861 RIYAL 28.6904 28.7636 28.8368 of inculcating the right KRONA 272.026 272.72 273.4141 SDR values in the nation’s workforce and CBN Exchange rate as at 10/12/2015 leadership. This is a

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cannot be in a haste to adopt renewable technology.

“I would rather have you use fossil fuel with mitigate measures than to cap it and focus on renewable energy.

“While that technology works for them, it is harmful for our economy and until we provide an

go.

He explained adaptation is like accepting the situation and learning to live with it.

Ayade who led the African Governors Forum to the event said that mitigation as against adaptation is the way to go.

“He said “We are here for COP 21 but there is a side event which is very critical for me which is the Governors Forum for Climate Change and I am leading the African Forum for Governors Forum.

“My optimism has since been burnt to cold impotent ash because strong commitments are very weak and the applicability of all the discussions are not seen in the course of time, so essentially, there is this strong feeling that there is so much talk with little work.

“But far more importantly is the growing concern that climate change is real, as real as it is , African must continue to survive and feed.

“Our key resource is our forest, for the developed country, their key resource is their technology.

So while they struggle to send technology into Africa, we are told to stop deforestation and maintain our forest stock so we can conserve carbon.”

daunting task but it is doable if we work on it. Luckily, the strategic management training partnerships the Institute has entered into with government ministries, department and agencies, MDAs, the military as well as leading foreign universities and institutes are still subsisting. We will continue with them and try to expand the frontiers when and where

The nation has continued to perform poorly on all indices of good governance and national development despite a preponderance of material and human resources

necessary.

He also disclosed that the Institute “will be particularly interested in public policy and advocacy which the institute has been known for over the years.”

According to him, “The Institute has never shied away from taking a stand on issues that affect the nation and it will not stop now.

Brazen criticism We will therefore take up the gauntlet from where the outgoing administration left off and make the Institute’s voice better heard and more strident on issues of national importance. This is because the Institute believes that it can help chart a roadmap for government without being unduly critical of its policies. Our role is more of advisory that brazen criticism. In doing this, we will be proactive and professional in our approach.”

He therefore used the opportunity to enjoin the federal government to go back to its agelong tradition of consulting with

professional bodies such as the NIM for professional input before taking decisions on critical issues that border on national development. He added that the Institute is ever willing and ready to avail professional pieces of advice to government when and where needed.

Speaking further on the state of the nation, the new NIM boss said: “The nation has continued to perform poorly on all indices of good governance and national development despite a preponderance of material and human resources. Overall, given our population and resource endowment, our performance in the governance index is to say the least embarrassing. The Institute will continue to be in the forefront of the fight against corruption and other social vices which have hampered the nation’s march towards meaningful development.”

Nigeria cannot take its rightful place among the comity of nations if it continues to occupy the unenviable position as one of the most corrupt countries of the world.”

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015

Oando affirms commitment to enhance shareholders’ value

O

From left: Alvin Huang, Director, South Africa and English-Speaking African Countries, ASUS; Simplice Zaongo, Nigeria Country Product Manager, ASUS; Rufai Oseni, On-Air-Personality, Inspiration FM and Lawrence Lin, Nigeria Product Manager (Phones & Tablets), ASUS, at the ZenFone Family Launch organised by ASUS in Lagos.

C & I Leasing plans to raise capital via bond issuance I

N readiness to take opportunities that are likely to manifest in the coming year, 2016, C & I Leasing Plc is considering raising capital via corporate bond to boost its businesses.

The Vice Chairman, C & I Leasing, Mr. Chukwuemeka Ndu, who disclosed this in Lagos during the company’s investor conference for the year, 2015 said: “We are in the process of reorganisation in order to position our business for higher growth and profitability. With the new auto policy, we would be merging

the C& I Motors into the group as we would only be providing vehicle support services. So, the C& I Motors will serve as division of C& I Leasing, focusing on maintenance, rather than joining the auto policy train.”

He further disclosed that following the retirement of the chairman of the company, Abdul D. Bello, and reorganisation of the entity, Mr. Andrew Otike-Odibi, was appointed as the new Managing Director of C & I Leasing, while himself was

Irish minister applauds Guinness commitment to quality standards

By Nkiruka Nnorom

I

RISH Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, has commended Guinness Nigeria’s commitment to high quality standards which distinguishes the iconic Guinness stout 256 years after it was first brewed at St. James’s Gate in Dublin Ireland by the legendary Arthur Guinness.

Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, the flagship beer brand of Guinness Nigeria and the best loved stout brand globally, is of Irish heritage.

Coveney said this during a tour of the Ogba Brewery of Guinness Nigeria in Lagos. The brewery tour by Ireland’s most influential minister is significant because it indicates support and firm belief in the Nigerian business by senior leaders of the company’s country of origin.

Coveney TD also formally unveiled Guinness Africa Special, a variant of Guinness stout with natural herbs, spices and ginger grown in Africa, and with a packaging that proudly C M Y K

projects African roots and creative spirit.

While unveiling the new brand, he stated that he is most proud of Guinness Nigeria because of its reputation for high quality standards, best-in-class processes, and innovation.

“What makes this even more special for me personally is the rich heritage that the Guinness brand has in Ireland dating back to the 1700s and how much Nigeria has made this iconic brand their own national beer over many years so much that I hear Nigerians will tell you as many stories about the perfect pint as an Irish man will!

“The launch of new Guinness Africa Special just over 50 years since the brewery was built here in Lagos marks a pivotal next chapter in the development of Guinness in Nigeria,” Coveney enthused.

In his welcome remark, Mr. Babatunde Savage, Chairman, Guinness Nigeria Plc, said Guinness Nigeria is home of the first Guinness brewery outside of Ireland and Great Britain.

promoted to the position of Vice Chairman.

In his speech at the conference which coincided with the 25th year anniversary of the company, Mr. OtikeOdibi reaffirmed the diversification process, saying “It will help boost productivity and reduce risk.”

According to him “Over the last two years, the company has divested from peripheral activities to focus on core operational areas starting with the 2014 divestment to a group led by the management of its iconic Red cabs. By end of 2015, we expect to complete the merger. In fact, the company has diversified its leasing business to include sale of automobiles, as well as fleet management services. We have: Hertz Rent-A-Car. We are the sole franchisee and operator of the popular HertzRent- A-Car brand in Nigeria.

The company currently manages over a thousand vehicles and professional chauffeurs around the country; offering, Pick up and drop off, Airport shuttle and daily rental services.

While presenting the financial performance of the company, the Chief Finance Officer, Mr. Alex Mbakogu, said: “C & I Leasing has recorded N27 billion balance sheet .We have issued two bonds to deepen the long term market. The company remains adequately capitalised to meet its entire short to medium growth targets. We have efficiently utilised our capital to generate income. So, next year, we might raise capital by way of bond.”

According to him, “in spite of tough economic conditions, the company has been able to maintain a steady rise in earnings in the course of the year; increasing contribution from the subsidiary businesses reflect benefits of diversification strategy.”

ANDO Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to create value for its shareholders.

Addressing shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting (AGM) in Lagos, the Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc, Adewale Tinubu, said with the continued global economic downturn due to depressed oil prices, many oil companies are facing persistent challenge in generating substantial shortlong term value for shareholders. He, however, said that “Oando Plc has taken proactive measures such as divestments, capex cuts, and suspension of projects to ensure profitability and returns for shareholders in this new reality of low oil prices.”

Tinubu said the company is poised to adapt to the extended period of lower oil prices through aggressive debt reduction, financing via partial divestments, and further diversification into the higher margin upstream.

Additionally, by ensuring a reduced overhead at the group-level and to optimise performance, Oando seeks to drive focused, independent subsidiaries which can raise

stand-alone capital to exploit clear market opportunities, he said.

Shareholders at the meeting ratified the Board of Directors’ decision to raise N80 billion via a Rights Issue and the partial divestment of its midstream and upstream services businesses as was done with its downstream business to attract substantial capital to fuel the company’s growth initiatives.

In 2011, the company received shareholders’ approval to divest part of its downstream business which came to fruition in 2015 with the sale of 60 per cent economic rights and 49 per cent voting rights of the business to a joint venture consisting of Helios Investment Partners, the largest African focused private equity company and Vitol, the world’s largest independent energy trader for a total consideration of $461 Million.

The divestment, he said, will reposition the company for a new era of investment growth and profitability, whilst enabling the Oando Group focus on its midstream and upstream ambitions.

Fidelity Bank redeems prizes for Save4 Shelter promo winners

By Nkiruka Nnorom

F

idelity Bank Plc yesterday lived up to its mantra of keeping to its word by redeeming the prizes to the winners that emerged in the second draw of its on-going Save4 Shelter promotional campaign.

The draw, which took place fortnight ago, saw a customer winning a duplex located in prime area in Abuja and six other winners carting away N6 million cash/rent supports, including other consolation prizes.

Accordingly, presentations were made concurrently to all the winners across the nation. In Lagos, Mrs Risikat Remilekun Jimoh, who won N500,00 rent support and two consolation prize winners – Gloria Ocheuwa and Queen Chukwuma – got their prizes, while in other locations, rent support ranging from N500,000 to N2 million was presented to five winners. Also, the winner of the duplex was presented with her house in Abuja.

In all, three duplexes worth over N100 million at open market value and N35 million cash/rent support will be given out to 42 winners throughout the duration of the promo.

According to Mr. Adeyeye Adepegba, Executive Director, Corporate Banking, Fidelity Bank

Plc, who spoke at the prize presentation, the bank uses the promo to reward its faithful customers and to encourage savings culture among Nigerians, saying “We realised that there is a direct correlation between savings and investment.”

He noted that redeeming the prizes would build confidence in the bank’s customers that as they save with the bank, there are better things that would come out it.

He stated that it is a unique promo that focuses on one of the basic needs of the populace, which is shelter.

“Considering the fact that it is from savings of people that we make out loan to our customers, (small and medium enterprises and even the big companies that seek for loans), we encourage our people to keep on saving so that the country will be better for us,” he added.

Attesting to the transparent nature of the promo, Mr. Afam Ojeh, representative, National Lottery Commission (NLC), who was present to witness the event, said: “each time I am called upon to talk about Fidelity Bank promo, I am confident because it is easier to tell the truth than tell a lie. As the bank’s slogan goes ‘We are Fidelity, we keep our word’, indeed, the bank keeps its word.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015—23

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24—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015

They were wrong to kill lion on the loose in Jos – Runsewe, ex-NTDC boss

By Jimoh Babatunde

T

HERE was tension in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, Wednesday when it was learnt that a lion escaped from Jos Wildlife Park at feeding time, before it was killed. Many felt it was wrong to have killed the lion instead of tranquilising it. On inquiry from tourism officials of the Plateau Tourism Corporation on why the lion, which had been caged since 1972, was shot, they said the zoo lacked the equipment to tranquilise it.

The officials, who did not want to be named, disclosed that a former Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Otunba Segun Runsewe, had warned of impending danger when he saw the condition of the zoo as he was said to have written to the state government on it then.

Special equipment

Unceremonious removal

This led our reporter to go after Runsewe, who had gone under ground since he was unceremoniously removed in 2013, to share his thoughts on how we can make our zoo tourism friendly. Though, he initially refused to talk, after much persuasion, he spoke.

On why he has gone underground since 2013: I have been on spiritual holiday since my leaving NTDC. We will talk about that another day. My leaving office was due to some political undercurrents which is an issue for another day’s interview. I am talking to you now because of the lion incident at the Jos zoo that you raised. But, I promise I will grant you another interview on what led to my exit from NTDC. I know those who did it and I will make their names public as they have destroyed the industry , they have taken us ten years backward in

*Otunba Segun Runsewe

terms of what we achieved in tourism . What we are doing today is no more tourism , it is only caricature tourism.

On the killed lion at the Jos zoo: Let me commend Vanguard Newspapers for this. Yes, like you said you were told, I did a letter in 2011 to the government of the state after visiting the Jos zoo.

What I saw there was unacceptable, it was below the standards of keeping such animals . It was extremely embarrassing. Let me say this that the people of Jos need to do special thanksgiving for having a lion as big as that escaping and not killing anyone. That lion used to be one of the biggest in Africa. When we visited the place,

we saw a couple that came in from Kenya to see that particular lion and they told us they had information on that lion, that the lion was 39 years old. After I visited the zoo and saw what happened, I embarked on a special training at a lion park in South Africa; it was during that training that I realized the mistake we were making and I wrote another letter to the state government again.

This incident in Jos should serve as a warning to other states that have zoos. The standard of keeping zoos here is terrible and dangerous. There is an association of zoos and aquariums in Africa. All those who say they own zoos are supposed to be members of the body. I can tell you lions are loved and feared. There is a special regulation in feeding a lion. To feed a lion , you must have three bar doors. When you open the first one, you lock yourself in between, when you lock the second door, you moved to the third one which still has a boundary between it and the lion.

These three doors must be opened one after the other. The soil where the lion is kept is reinforced so that the lion cannot make an attempt to dig itself out and the same thing was to done with the root.

If you operate a zoo with lions, you must have tranquilizer gum or electric shock. If there is a lion that wants to escape, they use the shock on it that will demobilize it for about three hours and there is a special equipment to pick it in case of emergency

Fiesta of flavours gathers celebrity chefs in Lagos

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ELEBRITY chefs from Ni geria and South Africa were brought together in Lagos recently by eventful on Fiesta of Flavours to present fine dining at the highest culinary level.

For three days, it was fun and family affairs as West Africa’s biggest food and beverage fair brought together hundreds of food and beverage enterprises, offering an opportunity for attendees to experience foods from Africa and the world.

It was also an opportunity for those that attended to be mentored by Chefs such as Chef Coco, Chef Tiyan, Chef Reuben and Chef Fregz who have worked hard to turn their pasC M Y K

You know lions sleep for about 14 hours a day and you feed the lions only once a day, but in most cases the people who feed the lions are trained for a specialized approach.

They are not just zoo attendants, they called them specialized animal keepers. The lions in the zoo must have artificial rocks which is the only thing that makes the lion steady as it sits on it looking at you. The lions don’t like sitting on the floor.

To clean the environment, there must be an inner chamber which is operated electronically; once you press the buttons, the door locks like the ones we have in the banks, and you don’t even go into the chambers bare footed as it is not ideal for humans to walk where lions are. There is a special equipment to evacuate and fumigate where they are kept. You don’t even do that when the lion is around.

sion and flair for food into a viable career option.

Convener of the food and beverage fair and CEO of Eventful limited, Mrs. Yewande Zacchaeus, said with what she saw at the fair that the future of food and beverages can be described as brilliant.

“I see the future of the food and beverage industry being pivotal to the sustainability and growth of the Nigerian economy,” she said.

Yewande Zacchaeus, noted that the initiative is meant to explore the numerous untapped potentials in Nigerian agriculture and food processing sector, “Food is

an essential part of our cultural heritage and identity. We ventured into this to drawing attention to the neglected of Nigerian agriculture industry” she said.

Mrs. Zacchaeus added that eventful limited is supporting the entirety of the agriculture value chain, from food production to transportation, retailing and consumption by initiating conversations in industry.

“Food is the new oil, a welldeveloped agriculture and food processing industry has the capacity to providing jobs, increasing self and community reliance and fostering economic growth.

We aim to be the driving force and partner of first choice in fa-

cilitating this growth and building the future of the nation,” she explained.

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, commended the initiative, saying “it is important that we start discussing about agriculture and food production in this country, the industry is indeed has a huge market, with a population of over One Hundred and Eighty million people, an event of this nature couldn’t have come at a better time.”

One of the celebrity chefs, Chef Titan Alile said the event is a platform for stakeholders in the food and agriculture industry to discuss challenges

I did a research on the safety of where lions are kept as the lions must be checked daily to make sure there is no problem before tourists come around, because once a tourist is attacked, then there is a problem. Even where the tourists view the lions, there are four different bars in case anything happens; before the lion goes through the bars, help would have come.

There is need for regular training for those who work in the zoo as well as health certification.

Veterinary services are important as there must be a full-time veterinarian working in the zoo. We are saying this for the right things to be done. Accurate record of the lions is important and there must be routine examination of the lions to have good medical records.

The mistake they made in Jos zoo is killing the lion. They needed not do that if they have properly trained personnel. What they needed was to have used tranquilizer on the lion.

If you operate a zoo with lions, you must have tranquilizer gum or electric shock. If there is a lion that wants to escape, they use the shock on it that will demobilize it for about three hours and there is a special equipment to pick it in case of emergency. For this accident to happen at the Jos zoo now as it happened some years ago , I am recommending that the state government should close down the zoo and reconstruct it, because every zoo is supposed to have a life span of two years for renovation and adjustment as well as expansion where needed.

In this case, the Jos zoo has not done that; so they should close down the zoo, re-package it and re-brand it as this incident has done collateral damage to the image of the zoo and the country.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015—25

By Omeiza Ajayi

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ROM Lokoja to Yenagoa, it is the same tale of inconclusion. The December 5 conduct of the governorship election in Bayelsa state was declared inconclusive by the Professor Mahmood Yakubu-led Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Now, this followed a similar scenario that played out in Kogi where the November 21 governorship election was also declared inconclusive on the ground that elections could not be conducted in about 91 polling units. In the case of Bayelsa, elections could not be conducted successfully in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state after two attempts.

It is not as though the declaration of elections as inconclusive might detract from the worth of the whole enterprise, it is just that it creates misperception among the voting public who would normally feel that the electoral body is up for a mischief. However, rather than announce results that would be highly-contentious, it is better to delay a little to get it right.

Nigerians do not seem to have a problem with that, but a season of inconclusions such as this, would readily give the impression that it is now a norm for the commission to go that way. If subsequent elections go the way of Kogi and Bayelsa, Nigerians would not be wrong to call to question, the competence of the chief electoral officer.

Growing partisanship What could be responsible for the decisions that INEC took? Is it that politicians have now become too desperate that they would do all to see that elections are cancelled in some areas in order to create a scenario as we now have? Or, is it the incompetence of the new leadership of INEC that is gradually manifesting itself?

And, could it also be because of the growing partisanship of security agencies, especially the military, who have been accused of doing the bidding of certain non-state actors particularly in the Bayelsa situation?

Then, there are pundits who have argued that Prof. Yakubu did not have enough time to prepare for the polls. However, if that is the case, it presupposes that the much-mouthed arrangement that Amina Zakarithe once upon a time acting chairperson of INECpurportedly put in place was perhaps, a ruse.

INEC had often expressed its preparations for the two polls which started before the appointment of Prof. Yakubu? In effect, what the INEC boss was C M Y K

YAKUBU: Two

elections, two inconclusions •Prof. Mahmood Yakubu expected to do was to simply guide the process.

In any case, lack of sufficient time for preparation should not even be an excuse. Yakubu’s

However, as a thoroughbred academic and historian, Yakubu’s knowledge of Nigeria’s political history also comes handy as it should enable him pick the right lessons from the past while avoiding the pitfalls

immediate predecessor, Prof.

Attahiru Jega was appointed in June 2010 and he had a general election to conduct before May 2011. With just about 10 months, he re-invented the wheel because he had to superintend over an INEC that had become highly-bastardized, terriblypartisan and corruption-infested.

Although, the election timetable was at a time tinkered with as a result of logistic challenges, the 2011 general elections was adjudged one of the best in Nigeria’s electoral history.

Electoral history The argument has often been made that Jega succeeded that much because as a unionist he was a member of the civil society movement and he is a political scientist.

However, as a thoroughbred academic and historian, Yakubu’s knowledge of Nigeria’s political history also comes handy as it should enable him pick the right lessons from the past while avoiding the pitfalls.

In one of his strategy-review

meetings with security chiefs in Abuja, Yakubu said, “if 2015 was a litmus test of how far we have gone in our democratic journey, subsequent elections cannot fall below that bar”.

How he concludes the forthcoming supplementary poll in Bayelsa would show if we have gone below the bar and whether Nigerians can entrust him with the conduct of the 2019 general elections.

The INEC boss had also expressed his resolve not to reinvent the wheel as there were already structures on ground at the commission. “I inherited a system which I intend to strengthen and deepen. In 2011, we started what is known as the Inter-Agency Consultative Council on Election Security ICCES, and we are going to continue with that system to ensure adequate security for the polls”, he had stated.

Unfortunately, the less-thanprofessional role of security operatives in the Bayelsa election puts a dent on whatever measures the ICCES had put in place.

Going forward , INEC must try

to assert its independence. The commission must play by its own rules and avoid kowtowing to the directives of security agencies who often-times, are cardcarrying members of some political parties.

INEC must also evolve proactive measures to guard against situations that could force it to declare an election as inconclusive.

Inconclusive election This is why it must strengthen its relationship with security agencies to mitigate or eliminate the activities of political thugs who often disrupt the process.

The commission must also strengthen i ts legal department, for it is a shame that out of over 800,000 electoral offenders in 2011, INEC could only prosecute 200. This only gives room for more electoral impunity.

Has Yakubu failed? Well, Nigerians should not be in a hurry to write his testimonial, but except he sits up, perhaps, the name, Inconclusive National Electoral Commission INEC might just stick.

26—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015

The proxy war in Kogi THE continuing flux in the political vibrations in Kogi State reached another dimension yesterday with the impeachment of the speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Momoh Jimoh. There are pointers that the removal is another step in the continuing political saga that has enthralled the nation.

By Kingsley Fanwo

T

HE Kogi polical saga has shown no sign of abating despite the presentation of certificate of return to the winner of the election, Alhaji Yahaya Bello of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Lokoja on Wednesday.

The Deputy Governor-Elect, Hon. Abiodun Faleke, who is doing everything within his advantage to protest the nomination of Bello as replacement to the late Prince Abubakar Audu, was absent.

First, Faleke wrote a letter to the Independent National Electoral, INEC protesting Bello’s nomination, declining to be running mate to him. He has told everyone who cares to know that he never was running mate to any other person other than the late Prince Abubakar Audu.

Faleke’s return to the floor of the Green Chambers of the National Assembly signalled a near dead end to his ambition of becoming the deputy governor of the state, thus, only a few were surprised that he failed to turn up to pick his certificate of return.

Certificate of return Many reasons have been adduced for why Faleke has declined to be running mate to Yahaya Bello. One, Faleke felt INEC erred by not declaring Audu the winner of the election before his death, a situation which would have made him the beneficiary of Audu’s demise.

Also, Faleke felt he is a superior to Yahaya Bello politically and therefore, cannot be running mate to the latter.

But beyond the ego and the bitter acrimony, political pundits believe that while Faleke and Bello are the masquerades on the dancing floor, the drum beaters are no doubt, President Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom.

While Buhari is keen on Yahaya Bello, Faleke has always been the political godson of Tinubu.

The 2019 battle: Bookmakers are already beating their chest that Buhari is poised to contest the 2019 presidential election, except if ill health stops him.

C M Y K

The Northern Cabal in the presidency and in the political camp of the president are beginning to view Tinubu’s influence as a threat to the president. Tinubu is known to be in firm control of the Southern caucus of the party.

A shrewd politician that he is, Jagaban is believed, could be well positioned to take his influence into the North should Faleke become governor of Kogi State.

The managers of the former Lagos governor believe that Tinubu is capable of taking control of the North Central.

Having Faleke as Kogi governor will no doubt pave the way for an Asiwaju Empire in the North Central. Therefore, Tinubu may consider the battle as his personal political battle to capture the Northern Caucus of the APC. It is still unclear what Tinubu wants in 2019, but whatever it is, Buhari is effectively playing the political chess to confer the domination of the party by its national leader.

Will APC remain the same after this saga?

Questions have been asked about the possible health of APC after the ongoing saga, which pitted powerful forces against one another. The National Working Committee, NWC, of the party has been torn between the interest of the president and the interest of a man who had been the rallying point of the opposition in Nigeria.

Another non-pushover in the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has not been actively involved in the party’s activities of late.

Known to have a lifelong ambition to rule the nation, Buhari quickly put Atiku to check by scuttling his ambition to become the chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees by appointing Pastor David Lawal from Adamawa State as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Sources within the party indicated that both Atiku and Tinubu are on the same page on the Kogi saga.

On the home front, the APC is no less divided in the state along ethnic lines.

National leadership

While Buhari is keen on Yahaya Bello, Faleke has always been the political godson of Tinubu

•Faleke: Late Audu's running mate

•Bello: Governor-elect

A former member of the Kogi State House of Assembly from Kogi East,who craved for anonymity, told Vanguard that Kogi East APC had resolved not to have anything to do with Bello’s governorship.

“We have had a meeting of the Kogi East caucus and have resolved not to participate in Yahaya Bello’s governorship.

As far as we are concerned, the national leadership of the party didn’t handle the issue well and it remains unacceptable to us”.

Also, Faleke is also attempting to pull away some Okun political leaders from the Bello arrangement. However,

he is not achieving the desired result as many Okun leaders and people believe fervently in the power shift project. To them, power must shift away from Kogi East.

The Kogi East people are yet to come to terms with what is fast becoming popular in the state as “Total Power shift”. As things stand, the Igalas are expected to fight tooth and nail to retain power beyond 2015.

The solidarity of the Ebiras and the Okuns during the certificate of return presentation to the governor elect pointed to something: That the ethnic minorities in the state are prepared for power shift and will do anything to protect the Bello governorship.

To another school of thought, APC may lose Kogi if they fail to close ranks against the seeming advantage PDP might derive from their division.

Seeming advantage A close friend of Faleke, who craved anonymity told Vanguard that Faleke’s fears may be beyond playing second fiddle to Yahaya Bello.

“Faleke is a gentleman and should not be seen as someone fighting his party. His fears are beyond being deputy to Yahaya Bello. He doesn’t believe the emergence of Bello will survive legal hurdles and he is being mindful of losing everything.

“What if he submits himself for the swearing in on January 27 2016 and APC loses at the tribunal? Remember, he would have resigned his membership of the House of Representatives. What we are telling him is to fight on in court and refuse to make himself available for swearing in.

“However, nothing is yet decided. There is intense pressure on him to save the party from further embarrassment. The whole problem was a creation of Audu’s death”.

Bello’s body language During the certificate presentation at the INEC office in Lokoja, Yahaya Bello radiated confidence. The Governor-Elect didn’t show signs of being rattled by the undercurrent politics and tension within the party.

He is no doubt, enjoying the support of the people, NWC and the State Executive Committee.

Addressing the audience who witnessed his certificate of return presentation, Bello said he was ready to address the ethnic and religious division in the state as well as deliver good governance to the people.

Yesterday, the political saga that was opened with the death of Prince Abubakar Audu stretched further with the removal of Rt. Hon. Momoh Jimoh as speaker of the House of Assembly.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015—27

BAYELSA POLLS:

A

genuine contest halted by flawed values

By Lindsay Barrett

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HE eagerly awaited Bayelsa State governorship contest proved to be every bit as hotly contested as the main rivals promised in their campaign speeches.

The consequence of the unprecedented competitiveness of the contest is the inconclusive verdict pronounced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC earlier this week.

However, no matter how the final outcome plays out, no one will deny that the first round of polls on December 5 proved to be the most genuine contest of political rivalry seen in the state since its founding in 1996.

Although the incumbent governor Henry Seriake Dickson, of the Peoples democratic Party, PDP, held on to six out of the eight local government areas in the state he did so with greatly reduced majority figures.

As the voting progressed it became increasingly clear that fears that he had expressed over the indiscipline and violence that his main opponent, All Progressives Congress, APC’s Timipre Sylva might provoke in an attempt to undermine the stability of the state were not unfounded.

Brutal attacks In the Brass Local Government Area, Sylva’s home constituency and the only one won by the APC, according to INEC’s results, members of the PDP were subjected to brutal attacks starting on the eve of the elections. The Acting State Chairman of the PDP, HRH Serena Dokubo-Spiff, a Brass indigene, sought protection in a police station when a rampaging mob attacked his residence.

Several PDP members were forced to escape into the forest and to abandon any attempt to vote. Several of those who attempted to cast their ballots were attacked and wounded. In the aftermath of the exercise, the APC has accused the PDP of similar acts of brigandage against its own members in some parts of the state, but it is widely acknowledged that in the course of the exercise the most visible signs of interference with the process involved acts of protest and challenge mounted by the

APC. It is not really surprising that the above should be the case. The PDP e n j o y e d virtually unchallenged supremacy in Bayelsa State for more than 15 years. This ascendancy led to the installation of the state’s own son, Dr. •Dickson: PDP candidate Goodluck Jonathan, as President. The historic political eventually led to the cancellation defeat of Jonathan in the of the polls in the largest Local presidential polls set the stage Government Area, Southern for a bitter contest between the Ijaw, arose as a consequence of Governor, who is supported by planned acts of destabilization. the former President and Sylva, This conclusion has arisen from who has made no secret of the a substantial amount of fact that he believes his earlier circumstantial evidence fall from political grace was suggesting that collaboration engineered by Jonathan. between agents of the Federal In preparing for the contest, the Government and highly vocal two sides traded bitter exchanges supporters of the Sylva campaign that made it obvious that the organization in Southern Ijaw tournament would be extremely was a reality. hostile. However, the level of For example when members of violence unleashed on the PDP two militant gangs led by former supporters, especially after it insurgent warlords who have began to be known that the party publicly pledged their allegiance was retaining its hold on power to Sylva attacked Oporoma the took most people by surprise. LG Headquarters in what was Serious analysts have x-rayed clearly an attempt to disrupt the the actual incidents and come to polls on the morning of Election the conclusion that much of the Day the army units there melted provocative outrages that away claiming that their duty was merely to protect INEC materials.

Protection of INEC materials

Deeper analysis of what occurred on the first day of the elections may reveal more anomalies perpetrated both by the incumbent party and the challenger

The attack was repulsed by a brave small band of policemen and citizens but the elections could not be held.

That was the first sign of serious organized violence against the process in that LGA and it led to protests that caused the Governor to visit the area, in his capacity as Chief Security officer of the state, on Sunday morning.

During this visit, an army officer (a major) virtually insulted the Governor claiming that he should not be there but in his home LGA of Sagbama.

This officer’s attitude seemed to suggest that he entertained partisan sentiments since he seemed to have lost sight of the fact that even during the election the Governor was still a serving

•Sylva: APC candidate official of the state and had the right to continue to supervise the affairs of the government in every corner of the territory. This altercation might explain why Governor Dickson went on air on Monday morning to warn against interference with the democratic process by the security agents who, he said, should remember that they were in the state to protect rather than to direct the peoples’ right to exercise their electoral mandate freely.

Shortly after the Governor’s broadcast, INEC announced the cancellation of the Southern Ijaw election because of widespread irregularities and violence. This decision vindicated the Governor ’s earlier show of apprehension and concern and brought some serious anomalies in the process to light.

Actions taken by the APC stalwarts in the LGA indicated that they had expected to be allowed a free hand to mobilise what they claimed to be the largest number of accredited voters in the state. Southern Ijaw is an almost totally riverine territory and covers an area that is four times larger than any other LGA in the state.

Whereas in all the other LGAs, the trend had been a low turnout of accredited voters, with nowhere fielding up to 50 per cent of registered voters, supporters of the APC took to the airwaves on Saturday evening and Sunday morning claiming that they had evidence to prove that in Southern Ijaw LGA out of 120,000 registered voters about 107,000 would show up for accreditation.

This claim was posted by the APC supporters on social media and in e-mails to correspondents

in the field with alacrity and suggested that this one LGA could wipe out Dickson’s majority in the six other LGAs, if Chief Sylva won an overwhelming victory there. The argument they put forward was that since Sylva’s running mate Chief Wilberforce Igiri was from Foropa (one of the remotest riverine communities in the LGA) the ticket would pick up an almost total victory there going against the trend in the rest of the state.

However when voting that had been postponed on Saturday began on Sunday the first results that began to come in told a different story as Dickson continued to lead.

Remote communities It was after this was known that reports of further attacks by the warlords loyal to the Sylva train on convoys carrying election materials to the more remote communities of the state forced INEC to reconsider and eventually to cancel its operations in the LGA. This exercise has illustrated the fact that the major obstacle to a fully democratic process in Bayelsa State is not the lack of will of the people but rather the imposition of flawed values.

Deeper analysis of what occurred on the first day of the elections may reveal more anomalies perpetrated both by the incumbent party and the challenger but last weekend’s exercise has clearly been aborted because of flaws in the process provoked by the response to results which showed that Governor Dickson had managed to fend off a genuine challenge from the APC.

28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015

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VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015 —29

Safar 22, 1437 A.H.

CIO seeks participation in Lagos governance •Wants govt to pay Imams stipends

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

CIO, Lagos State, Alhaji Abdullah Shuaib who made the call when ONFERENCE of Islamic he led members of his organisation Organisation, CIO, has for the presentation and courtesy called for Public Faith Participation, call to Commissioner for Home PFP, in the running of government Affairs, Hon. Abdullateef by engaging Islamic clerics, the Abdulhakeem, said that Imams Imams to drive home are closer to the people and well government’s policies to the placed to inform the people about people using the pulpits. the policies of government.

The organisation also presented He also appealed to government a booklet of recommendations and to pay Imams honorarium so that demands to the state government they will have the feeling that they for appropriate action. Coordinator, are part and parcel of government

C

Ahmadiyya set for 100th anniversary

T

HE Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Nigeria is set for celebration of its 100 years of existence across the country. The action-packedcelebrationwillbegin early2016.AhmadiyyaNigeria was formally inaugurated in 1916 with 21 members whose membership were confirmed from Qadian and this effectively led to the arrival of the first foreign Missionary, late Maulana Nayyar. The organization started at No 62 Bamgbose street ,Lagos Island, Lagos.

Among the early members were Muslim elites from the Muslims LiterarySociety,theMuslimJuvenile SocietyandtheAl-QuranGroup,led

by Late Alhaji Muhammad Basil, Jubril Martin, Lawal Agusto, Alfa IdowuYakubofIsaleIgangan,Imam Kasumu Rufai Ajose,Badamosi Fanimokun, Alfa I.L. Durosimi Etti,Tijani Adele,Oba Musediku Buraimoh Adele 11, Yinusa Hameed,Imam Yusau Popoola Oyesile Shodeinde, Alfa Muhammad Jimoh Abdul Salam(Selem), Tijani Ariyo, L.A Bada, Abdur Rasheed A. Smith.

OtherswereAlhajiAbassElegbaa, Alfa Ismaila Ayinde Shitta - Bey , Teacher Yunus,Junaid Yusuf,Imam

Imoru of Mushin (Kanuri) Imran Adewusi Onibudo, Buyiaminu Gbajabiamila,andAlfaSakaLawole, AlfaMuhammaduShittu AdeJohn, AlfaAbdusSalamiEbunAgbabiakaA Police Officer, Alfa Muhammad Raji Ipaye, Alfa Abdul Rahaman Ashafa Balogun of Idi-Omo, Isale Eko;AlhajiSakaTinubu,Imam M.B Dabiri,Baidu Balogun,Alfa Bisiriyu Kisu, Alfa Hamzat Adio Subair,Alfa SulaimanWilsonShonibare,andAlfa Ashafa Tijani of Martins Street, Lagos.

Unfortunately, many of them left the Jamaat during the crisis period, while some remained till death.

According to the Head, Media Publicity sub committee of the Centenary Ahmadiyya Celebration Committee, Qasim Akinreti, the celebration will run from the beginning of the year to the end with a thanksgiving centenary conference - Jalsa Salana, later in the year.

During the Celebration Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Nigeria will showcase its peaceful propagationofIslam,unique blazing trail in Islamic education, health, social amenities, newspaper and communityinitiatives.

as well as making them more effective in their callings.

He said that CIO has assisted Lagos State in various interventions in maintaining peaceful atmosphere and coexistence in the state, such as when the former governor of Lagos, Mr. Babatunde Fashola restricted Muslims from wearing Hijab in public schools. He noted that the Muslim community in Lagos did not take the issue for granted and was spoiling for confrontation with the state until CIO intervened.

He said that Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees Freedom of Worship and that even in the advanced democracies, Muslim women are allowed to wear Hijab right from the nursery schools even to tertiary institutions.

While responding to the demands of the group, AbdulHakeem promised to present their demands to the Lagos State governor and urged them to furnish the state with database of members which he said will be used for website while each member will be presented with a unique identification number.

He therefore, called on faithbased organisations to generate employment by setting up business organisations that would create jobs while government will provide the enabling environment for them to thrive since it is impossible for government to employ everybody.

He also charged them to buy into the ‘adopt a school programme’ of the state government and take the lead in moulding characters of the youths in the state.

NASFAT Agency for Zakat And Sadaqat, NAZAS reached out to the victim of mudslide at Magodo which resulted in the loss of his four children recently. Pix show the father of the deceased children Mr Godwin Odia, (2nd left) collecting a cheque from the GM of NAZAS Alh Ahmed Abibu, (right) while the Director of the Agency, Alh Mustapha Bello (left) looks on.

NASFAT in the Diaspora tasked on obedience to constituted authority

N

ASFAT members in the Diaspora have been charged with the task of showcasing the tenets of Islam particularly with regards to optimum compliance and obedience to the laws of their host countries.

This strong admonition was handed down by the President of Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society, Engr. Kamil Bolarinwa at the inauguration ceremony of Houston/Texas branch of the society which took place recently in the United States of America.

Engr. Bolarinwa also urged members that as ambassadors of Islam, NASFAT members were also requested to ensure that their activities are not at variance or in conflict with the laws of the land since it is an act of worship to obey our leaders.

He re-emphasized that Islam has nothing to do with nefarious activities of a few particularly the terrorists whose infamous acts are erroneously used to judge Islam.

In a thought provoking lecture

I‘ll reward winners of Qur’an recitation competition — Gov Badaru

By Aliyu Dangida, Dutse

N

Members of Conference of Islamic Organisation, CIO,with the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon Abdlattef Abdulhakeem (middle) during a courtesy visit.

titled “Leadership in Islam vis-àvis NASFAT Organization” an erudite scholar Prof. Nurudeen Alao, former Vice Chancellor, UNILAG and now of University of California stressed the need to ensure probity, selflessness and the fear of Allah among the rank and file of the newly inaugurated branch.

In a short spiritual diet at the event, the Chief Missioner of NASFAT, Imam Abdullahi Gbade Akinbode reiterated the need for love, unity and forthrightness especially among all stakeholders.

The major highlight of the colorful event was the handing over of the flag of the new branch to the leadership of the branch.

In attendance at the event were the past and present leadership of the society which include Alh. Sheriff Yussuf, immediate past President; Alh. Ogunneye, member, Council of Elders; Alh Rauf Ayodeji, Vice President II; Alh. Kabeer Alaraba, National General Secretary; Alh. Remi Babalola, Secretary, NASFAT BOT; and host of others.

O fewer than 324 students comprising males and females are presently participating in the on going 30th Qur’anic Recitation Competition organized by the Jigawa state government.

Addressing the participants at the Jigawa state polytechnic, Dutse, governor Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar promised to sustain the competition in order to promote Islamic religious Knowledge in the state and beyond.

According to the Governor that, “the state government will support more competitions on Islamic Religious Knowledge, adding, “providing religious education to the general public more especially, theyouthwouldbealastingsolution to the existing economic and security challenges in the country and the world at large”.

He also pledged to support the

on going Qur’anic recitation competition to its logical conclusion, and appealed to the judges to be just and fair to all competitors so that the winners will be adequately rewarded.

In her welcome address the state’s commissioner of Education, Science and Technology, Hajiya Rabi Ishaq said 324 students comprising males and females are participating in the Qur’anic Competition.

Hajiya Rabi Ishaq explained that “12 students were drawn from each of the 27 Local Government Areas of the state. The participants were selected after emerging winners at various categories in similar competition organized at local government level”.

She stated further that the competition would last for seven (7) days and the sum of N9 million was released by the state government for the competition, enjoyed the participants to perform well, as prizes would be given to winners.

30—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015—31

By Favour Nnabugwu

I

NSPIRED to attain and perform well in leadership positions while not forgetting their roles on the home front, the Acting Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita is of the belief that women should erase the idea of competing with men but rather supporting and completing the men.

Oyo-Ita who sees her appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari as a privilege, firmly believes that the President is not at all partial with women in governance.

She says Nigerian women have unflinching belief in the President’s working mantra that he belongs to nobody, but he belongs to everybody which she argues is quite evident in the Mr President’s appointments.

She further states that the advocacy campaign of President Buhari’s wife, Mrs Aishat Buhari for the inclusion of more women in the government of her husband and hopeful that a constitution guarding and protecting the rights of women is pleasing to women.”

Rights of women The acting Head of Service posits that “Women are regularly recruited for upperlevel positions that are associated with a high risk of failure.”

She affirms that President Buhari’ appointment of women in critical Ministries that were hitherto dominated by men, has greatly shown that he is not a partial President.

We are not coming to compete with men, they are not fighting to become a man but they are only a pillar of support to the men in their lives. We are meant to support each other and not to be aggressive and hostile to each other.”

“Suffice it to say that the present Nigerian government has given more women opportunities to serve as leaders in various capacities.”

“There are women who blazed the trail in their various professions and continue to excel in their endeavours in areas such as medicine, pharmacy, public administration and other professions.”

“Women in leadership positions, have proven to have the responsibility and

•Mrs.Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita

Women to complete the men in governance, not compete — Oyo-Ita the potential to influence their society through leadership, particularly when they are enabled.”

“Mr President has selected portfolios for women in his cabinet that are not the usual usual ones; he has picked

Suffice it to say that the present Nigerian government has given more women opportunities to serve as leaders in various capacities

portfolios that are very influential to the economic development of this country, like finance, industry, trade and investments. These are very important portfolios and he has picked women to head those ministries.”

“When you look at the body of Permanent Secretaries, we have quite a good number of women in that body and they were selected on merit based on the capacity in which they performed and not because of their physical form. And the women have proved that Mr President did not make a mistake in appointing them.”

Positive impact “Throughout the ages and in all countries, women in leadership positions have impacted positively on the society. The histor y of mankind is replete with such women.”

Oyo-Ita’s initiative after she assumed office, EPIC civil servant means Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and

Citizen-centered.

Breaking that down, she says, “Efficient with the little recourses that you have put it in and use the time and resources well, one should be able to see that this is what you have achieved.”

She is of the school that a civil servant should move beyond carrying files about in the office.

Hard working civil servants “Civil service should not just be a job where people move files and papers, it should have an impact and in doing this it must be incorruptible you must clear that image that civil servants or public servants only do things on what will have personal benefits to them, that’s a bad impression.”

“This is because there are some very hard working civil servants that do things appropriately and at the right time. And we need to see more of those incorruptibility and citizen centred which is

the essence of all we have talked about in the past.”

Her dint of handwork and performance in her previous assignments must have paved way for her, going by her profile, Oyo-Ita Ekanem hails from Adiabo community of Odukpani Local Council of Cross Rivers State, was born in April 1964, educated at the Queens College Yaba, graduated at the University of Lagos in 1984 with B.Sc Accounting and holds a Master ’s degree from the Nasarawa State University.

She was Director, Finance and Accounts at the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

Before her appointment as the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology in April 2014, Oyo-Ita was Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.

32—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015

What women are writing: Book berates negative effects of gender bias in education

By Esther Onyegbula

A

PROFESSIONAL educationist and the former principal of Queen’s college, FGGC Gboko, and FGC Warri, Mrs Ekwutozia Martha Osime has evoked her experience of her 35-years sojourn in the educational sector and the need to empower the girl child in the book titled: A girl and proud.

In the book, Osime pays tribute to the girl child while essentially highlighting societal constraints impending quality education of the girl child and copiously drawing for her life experiences to drive home her points.

The book gives an insight into the negative effect of gender bias in the provision of qualitative education in particular and girl’s child empowerment in general.

The inspiration to write this book, according to her was borne out of the need to share her thoughts and the compulsion to speak for these voiceless children, especially the greater number who are so marginalized the street

However, the author reinstates that things are looking up.

Gender discrimination in sending the girl child to schools is thinning out, albeit only in some parts of the country.

Reviewing the book Professor FA Osanyin noted that “A girl and proud, is not only a must read but also a must have book for that girl child who also a must have book for that girl who needs to step out as a confident woman to conquer her barriers and that boy child, tomorrow’s father who must now begin to view the girl child as equal in all aspects of human endeavour and social development”.

Social development

•Mrs. Abike Dabri, the author Osime and guest hawkers, the house helps or slave workers, the kidnapped children, the abused child.

Osime opined that yet I single out the girl child for attention, the most compelling reason being the reflections of my childhood days, when quite a handful of girls were denied

secondary education either because of poverty or ignorance, though steadily and reasonably ebbing in the southern part of Nigeria, the fact that of Nigeria, the fact that parts of the country still suffer same fate today does not assuage the ache”.

Recommending the book, Dr Macjohn Nwaobiala former permanent secretary federal ministry of education said that the book will be useful for all parents, guardians, counselors and other caregivers who desire a good future for their children.

Educational institutions nationwide will find the book a valuable aid to teaching the need for meritocracy.

“Apart from reading the book for pleasure. Every family should have a copy. It is a needed asset government agency that is working to achieve peaceful and

progressive community relations, especially those that concern girl child empowerment issues.

International concerns that promote girl child interests will definitely find this book a useful resource material” he added.

In her keynote address titled the Mathematics, Economics and Politics of empowering the girl child Mrs Ifueko OmoiguiOkauru, said that girl child empowerment is important to achieve gender inequality, to empower women and girls to eliminate all forms of violence, eliminating all forms of forced marriage. “You need to be selfdependence before interdependence.

Studies have shown that women are more likely to help in families than men if they are empowered. And if we really want this country to we will not go far if we do not take the empowerment of girl child seriously.

This book helps for those who want to know, we need more book and stories to support Nigerian empowerment. And those who can do something about it are actually perplexed because they don’t know what to do”. Undoubtedly, the book will elicit attitudinal changes in family and public spheres towards facilitating support for girl education and gender attention and respect.

Writing books as a woman is challenging — Djevwudu there is no lighting facilities for planes to come in at 9:00pm, this is a problem but however, the industry will continue to grow and it is growing, only the leaders need a vision to move things forward.

Challenges of writing You write and the editors will make corrections again and again until everybody has punctuated. Anybody I tell I am writing a book, they shout and tell me I must be a genius. All together, it is not easy combining work, family life and a whole lot of things with other business to writing a book, it was not easy but one thing about a vision or dream is that if you drive it to a

The Leader of the South South Women Organisation, Vickie Djevwudu, and authour of the book, “Aviation in Nigeria: History, Issues and Prospects” has said that the process of writing books by women is challenging due to their effort in trying to combine family, work and others.

Djevwudu who authoured the book on aviation said she had no prior training or knowledge on the industry but joined a group, Aviation Round Table and read so much of aviation books.

This gave rise to the overall success of the book publication, she highlighted, explaining that as a media practitioner in the Public Relations field, she is a readymade tool. The book has 10 chapters and 215 pages produced to aid aviation students and stakeholders.

By Providence Obuh

T

HE book: “Aviation in Nigeria: History Issues and Prospects” was thought out of a simple and single question that I asked someone in the year 2000 in the aviation industry.

All I did was to say I want to read a book on the history of aviation in Nigeria and they told me such books would be difficult to get, and I was shocked to hear that I can’t find such a book in an industry like the aviation industry and that was how I summoned courage to write, even if I knew nothing about the aviation industry.

Sourcing for materials I contacted a lot of professionals in the industry and that made me join “Aviation Round Table” a Non Governmental Organisation

in the industry and I read a lot of books on aviation and that was where I realised that safety and security were major constraints besetting the aviation industry. I met a Doyen in the industry, Captain Dele Ore who gave me the boldness with which to stand and became a trustee member of the aviation round table, so that was the starting point and I became more involved in the industry.

To what extent has this book addressed the issues in the Aviation industry It did and don’t forget that I couldn’t have done all the work alone, it involves a lot of research from various people, I had to meet a lot of expert and professionals, in fact what some of them did was to give me paper presentations they have made at

•Vickie Djevwudu one occasion or the other to work on, many of them I spoke with and some via interviews so from there I got a wealth of information of what I actually needed and of course my daily confrontation with happenings in the industry helped me to learn further and example is, we have one of the airports where once it is 6:00pm, they close for the day because

All together, it is not easy combining work, family life and a whole lot of things with other business to writing a book

point with love and zeal, at a point it turns around and the dream will now start driving you, that was what happened in my case and that was the driving force but if it was me driving the dream, it couldn’t have been possible. Don’t forget that you write and take it back to the professionals to look at and do addition and subtraction.

Who should buy the book It is strictly for the aviation industry and aviation schools, travel agent, it good for upcoming people in the industry.

And the women association We started even before former President Jonathan, came into power, as Women in South South but in 2004/2005 we changed the name to South South Women Organisation. I was born and grew up in Lagos State and had seen the way the Western women have been into humanitarian business, they see the other woman who cannot measure up to them as their problem and they find a way to alleviate that problem which is why NGO’s became rampant in Lagos. You will see these women come together in groups fighting for the cause of each other. Our objectives is to Educate, Empower and to give Humanitarian services

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015—33

Bayelsa poll: Murray-Bruce vows to drag perpetrators of violence before ICC

By Abiodun Alade

T

HE lawmaker representing Bayelsa East senatorial district, Ben Murray-Bruce, has vowed to drag perpetrators of violence during the Bayelsa State governorship election that led to the death of at least four people, to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, stressing that citizens have a right to vote for any candidate of their choice in any election without coercion or intimidation.

The senator elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, made this known in a statement following the violence, abduction and killings that characterised the election in Bayelsa, especially in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, which led to the declaration of the poll as inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. He said: “I wish to state categorically that any further killing in Bayelsa State as a result of the ongoing election wherein the law enforcement agents are watching, or the leaders of the political parties seem to have instigated such killing, I will personally ensure that they are charged for murder.

If government fails to prosecute them, I will drag them before the International Criminal Court in The Hague for crimes against humanity.”

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatization,

berated security operatives for failing to protect the electorate from attacks by political thugs and criminals.

“I have observed with dismay, the killings in Bayelsa State in the ongoing governorship election.

The military and the Police have been seen to watch with indifference while thugs and criminals killed law abiding citizens who were out to perform their franchise. So far, about four people have been reported killed, many injured including Youth Corps members serving as adhoc staff to the INEC.

“Citizens have a right to vote for any candidate of their choice in any election without coercion or intimidation. And it is the responsibility of the government to protect these citizens as enshrined in our Constitution.

But it is sad to note that these defenceless citizens were killed without being protected by the law enforcement agents even when they were watching,” he added.

He called on the people of the state to be vigilant and law abiding as they await a new date for the election.

“I therefore advice the good

people of Bayelsa to be vigilant.

Where there is any killing they must ensure that they can identify those responsible either by omission or commission. I also advise them to be law abiding.

“When a new date is set by INEC for elections to hold in Ijaw South, those affected should quietly go to their designated polling booths and cast their votes. No body should allow himself to be used to perpetrate violence in Bayelsa State. Enough is enough,” he added.

A

SABA—THE Delta State 2016 Appropriation Bill presented to the state House of Assembly by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa,Tuesday, has passed its second reading on the floor of the House.

The passage followed the conclusion of debates by the lawmakers on the merits of the bill during Wednesday ’s plenary.

Majority Leader of the House, Tim Owhefere, while leading debate on the merits of the bill, said the appropriation law was key to the good governance of the state, hence the decision of the leadership of the House to attend to it 24 hours after its presentation.

Owhefere said the N265.6 billion budget estimates with a breakdown of N153 billion for recurrent expenditure and N112 billion for capital expenditure, would cater to the needs of all Deltans.

He stated that the proposed budget, christened Budget of

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By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— THE Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, has warned against adulteration of petroleum products in Rivers State.

Handing down the warning yesterday, in Port Harcourt, at this year’s meeting of DPR, depot owners and petroleum products marketers, Zonal Operations Controller, Port Harcourt Zone of DPR, Mrs Chioma Njoku, said DPR will not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law on anyone caught dispensing adulterated products to innocent consumers.

PDP chieftain urges leaders to emulate Okowa's model for Delta

U

ELDERS DIALOUGE: From left: Co-Chairman, North, South-East, South-South Elders Dialogue, Dr. Dozie Ikedife; Convener, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Chairman of Elders Dialouge, Alhaji Maitama Sule, at the opening of the Elders Dialouge, in Abuja, yesterday.

Delta 2016 budget passes second reading

By Festus Ahon

DPR warns against sale of adulterated products

Renewed Hope and Inclusive Government, was based on the expected revenue, adding that the state government had ensured that the mistakes of the past where unrealistic budgets were approved were avoided.

Owhefere emphasized that the state would witness enhanced growth and development in 2016 based on the new approach to governance by the Okowa-led government, saying that funds accruing to the state would be

judiciously used as clearly highlighted in the budget estimates.

The Majority Leader pointed out that payment of salaries, overhead costs, capital projects and several other areas of expected expenditures were all well taken care of in the proposed budget.

Dwelling more on the importance of the 2016 appropriation law to the state, Mr. Samuel Mariere, Ughelli North

1, Efe Ofobruku, Uvwie, Daneil Yingi, Burutu 1 and Rueben Izeze, Ughelli South, commended the proactive measures contained in the budget towards enhancing quality of lives in the state.

They stated that the proposed budget reflected the realities on ground, saying that the era of over bloated budgeting in the state was over and must not be reintroduced into the system of governance in the state.

Reps urge FG to provide welfare points for physically challenged persons

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A

BUJA—MEMBERS of the House of Representatives yesterday, asked the Federal Government to provide rehabilitation points and welfare centres for physically challenged persons and critically ill persons.

To this end, the House resolved that the committees on Healthcare Services, Poverty Alleviation and Women Affairs

and Social Development should liaise with relevant ministries to formulate measures to relocate such persons from major cities in the country.

The House in session also urged the Federal Government to make budgetary provisions in the 2016 Appropriation Bill for this category of Nigerians.

This development was based on a motion entitled: ‘Need to Provide Rehabilitation Centres for the critically ill and Physically Challenged Persons’,

sponsored by Sergius Ose Ogun, PDP, Esan North East/ South East.

Ogun, in his submission had argued that “despite the increasing number of the physically challenged and critically ill Nigerians successive governments have failed, refused to devise a policy framework aimed at addressing the plights of these vulnerable groups who are denied the necessities of life for no fault of theirs.”

By Perez Brisibe

GHELLI—A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, Prince Atigogo Joshua, has urged political leaders in the country to emulate the allinclusive governance model being implemented by Delta State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

Speaking yesterday at Abraka during a townhall meeting with PDP faithfull in the area, Prince Atigogo commended the state governor for his benevolence in political appointments which, he said, cuts across board of all ethnic groups in the state.

He said: "It is clear to everyone that Delta State has come under a very focused and purpose-driven administration prepared to deliver prosperity to all and this has made our state a model for promoting unity towards national integration."

Akwenuke for burial

T

HE remains of late Mrs. Ruth Akwenuke, aged 80, will be laid to rest on Friday, December 18, at her residence, Etevie community, Ozoro, Delta State.

A statement by the family said a service of songs holds December 17 at her residence.

Late Mrs. Akwenuke

34—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015 — 35

Kogi Speaker impeached over incompetence I remain Speaker, says Momoh Jimoh

By Boluwaji Obahopo

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OKOJA—THE political crises generated over the November 28 governorship election in Kogi State, yesterday deepened with the sudden removal of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Momoh Lawal Jimoh.

Apart from Jimoh, who was removed by 17 out of the 25 members, at the floor of the house, other legislators removed were his deputy, Ali Akuh and the Minority Leader, Hassan Bello.

But in a quick reaction, Lawal Jimoh, in a press statement said

he still remains the Speaker of the State House of Assembly asking members to always put the state first before their inordinate interests.

Momoh Lawal, who got wind of his removal when the ‘vote of no confidence’ against him was being read, quickly grasped the Mace and escaped with it.

On his way out, he also said plenary sitting have been adjourned till February 2, 2016, but the 17 members still went ahead to elect Godwin Osiyi, representing Ogori/ Magongo state constituency as the new Speaker.

John Abah from Ibaji state constituency, (Chairman House Committee on Information and Orientation) was elected as the new Deputy Speaker, and Linus Eneche elected the new Minority Leader.

Speaking with newsmen at the NUJ shortly after the impeachment process, the spokesperson of the group, John Abah said the Speaker was impeached because he failed to give adequate leadership to the House.”

He said the motion for the impeachment was moved by Henry Ukubile of Idah

PRESENTATION: Mr Fraser Neil Johnston, Manager, Protea Hotel Select Ikeja (left), receiving gifts from Mr O l a t u n d e Oderinde of GEMS4 Coffey, a guest, for presentation to Hephzibah Orphanage Home, Badagry, Lagos as part of the Corporate S o c i a l Responsibility of the hotel.

DAVID MARK: Middle Belt youths condemn Appeal Court judgment

constituency and seconded by Umar Iman of Lokoja state constituency.

According to him; “We members had been tolerating the situation since the inauguration of the Eighth Assembly in the state, but had to take the step in order to salvage the legislative arm of government and the entire state.

“We (17 members) of the assembly agreed to remove Momoh Jimoh and others when it was obvious that he lacked the capacity to lead the assembly.”

Meanwhile, Lawal in a press statement personally signed by him said he remains the speaker of the state House of Assembly, noting that the name and signature of the member representing Lokoja state constituency, Umar Iman, was forged as one of those that supported the impeachment.

He said, “Although an attempt was made to move an impeachment motion against me, but it was quickly thwarted and the house adjourned.

“The ill motivated attempt to hijack the leadership of the Kogi state House of Assembly by some few members can best be described as most unpatriotic and at variance with legislative practices and principles the world over.”

He also urged members of the assembly to be committed to the ideals of the founding fathers of the state and thereafter said the Assembly had adjourned sitting till February 2, 2016.

By Nkiruka Nnorom

A

LL Middle Belt Youth Forum, (AMBYF) has condemned in strong terms the nullification by the Appeal Court of the election of former Senate President, David Mark, as the lawmaker representing Benue South Senatorial district, Benue State.

In a statement jointly signed by its National Leader, Comrade Moses Ojeh, and National Secretary, Comrade Andzayi Jabez Jonathan, the youths said the judgement has no place in electoral history and Nigeria’s legal system.

They described the nullification as a war against the Middle Belt region and an affront on Benue South Senatorial district electorates who chose Mark through their votes.

They added that the judgement was a fulfilment of the statement by one of the APC leaders; “If we don’t win at polling units, we win at the courts” and called on the Benue South Senatorial district electorates to reaffirm their decision by re-electing Mark at the election re-run.

Labour calls for review of power sector privatization

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

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AFIA—NATIONAL Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, yesterday in Lafia, Nasarawa State, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently review the privatization of the electricity sector if it was interested in ensuring stable power supply in the country.

This came as the union berated the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, over his perceived support for increase in electricity tariff despite unstable power supply and planned reintroduction of toll gates

on the nation’s high ways.

The immediate past government of President Goodluck Jonathan, in 2013, privatised and handed over the assets of the defunct Power Holding Companies of Nigeria, PHCN, to new investors now known as Distribution Companies, DISCOs and Generation Companies, GENCOs. At its 5th Quadrennial and 10th National Delegates Conference, taking place in Lafia, President of the union, Mr. Mansur Musa, lamented that since privatization, the new

investors in the power sector had not added any improvement to the sector, but had been milking the citizenry dry.

According to him, “While the country still groans in darkness, lack of meters, dearth in power infrastructure and high tariff, the investors smile to the banks at the expense of the workers who have little or nothing to show for their hard work.

“Apart from the investment government made in the sector prior to privatization, investors do not consider it expedient to invest on the growth and development of Electric Power

Protea Hotel donates to orphanage

A

S part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and in the spirit of the Yuletide, Protea Hotel Select Ikeja recently donated some items to Hephzibah Orphanage Home, Badagry, Lagos.

Some of the items donated include foodstuff, toys, books, baby accessories, among others.

Speaking at the presentation, General Manager of the hotel, Mr Fraser Johnston, reiterated the commitment of the hotel to its C M Y K

stakeholders “who are not only guests but members of the community where we operate to continuously assist the less privileged.”

According to him, “one of the founding principles of Protea Hotels is the respect for human dignity.

This principle extends not only to our guests, staff and stakeholders but also to the communities in which our hotels function.

“The items were bought by our staff and guests to be delivered on their behalf. We are grateful and thankful to be part of such a good organization that supports the less privileged especially at this time of the year.

Receiving the items on behalf of Hephzibah Orphanage Home, Mr Joshua acknowledged the hotel's contribution and promised that the items will be of importance to the children of the home.

in the country. We strongly advocate for a review of the privatization exercise.”

On his part, General Secretary of the Union, Mr. Joe Ajaero, berated the Power, Works and Housing Minister, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, over

his perceived anti-People stance, insisting that the minister ’s support of electricity tariff increase in the midst of erratic power s power supply, and planned reintroduction of toll gates on the nation’s high ways, were clearly anti-people.

Ortom suspends e-system Directs immediate payment of outstanding salaries need for government to clear all

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A K U R D I — GOVERNOR Samuel Ortom of Benue State has directed the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to suspend the electronic system of payment and ensure that workers yet to receive salary arrears from the bailout funds are paid without further delay.

Governor Ortom gave the directive during a joint account meeting for the month of October held at the old banquet hall of the Benue People’s House, Makurdi.

He said the directive became necessary in view of the challenge that had accompanied the e-payment of salaries and the

arrears from the bailout funds and address all the challenges that have arisen from the electronic payment within a record time.

Governor Ortom noted that with the development, Chairmen of Local Government Caretaker Committees were to be given the remaining part of the bail out funds to use the manual process to pay their verified staff including teachers who are yet to receive their arrears.

Governor Ortom announced the decision of government to collapse into one body, the two commissions set up to verify and address all complaints arising from payment of bailout funds to fast track and ensure unity of direction in the process.

36—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015

FOOD FIESTA: From left: CEO, Oando Marketing Plc, Mr Yomi Awobokun; incoming chairperson, First Bank Ltd, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika; Convener, Festival of Flavors and CEO, Eventful Ltd, Mrs. Yewande Zacchaeus; wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, and MD,Zach and Krome, Mr Teni Zacchaeus; during the official opening of Fiesta of Flavors food and beverage fair in Lagos.

WORKSHOP: From left: Dr Ngozi Chianakwalam,Chairman, Investments & Securities Tribunal; Dr Olisa Agbakoba, chairman of the occasion; Dr Augustine Agom, Head, Department of Commercial Law, ABU, Zaria; Mrs Dorothy Ufot, SAN, and Mr Tola Mobolurin, Chairman, Bancorp Capital Plc., at the Investment & Securities Tribunal workshop in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

LECTURE: From left: Professor Tayo Fagbemi, his wife, Florence, and Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola, at the institution's 73rd inaugural lecture on Food Processing: Guaranteeing Food Nutrition and Health Security , by Professor Fagbemi.

AWARD: From left: Representative of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Yetunde Odejayi; MTN Foundation Director, Ms. Aishat Sadauki; MTNF Science & Technology beneficiary, Ms. Aransiola Eniola and MTNF Executive Secretary, Ms. Nonny Ugboma, at the award ceremony of the MTN Foundation scholarship scheme for blind students in Lagos.

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AWARD: Mr. Tunji Olugbodi, CEO, Verdant Zeal Group (left), receiving the year 2015 Brand Icon award from Sir Demola Aladekomo, chairman of the occassion, during the Grand Investiture Dinner organised by Babba and Ruby Ventures Ltd in honour of Mr Olatunji Olugbodi in Lagos.

BIRTHDAY: From left: Rev Kayode Oloruntola; Barr. Kingsley Essien (Vice President, BIFOBA; Mr. Feyi Dinyo (Global President, BIFOBA); Sir Kesington Adebutu; Mr. Bola Shodipo and Chief Olatunji Shelle, when Eminent Old Boys of Birch Freeman High School, Surulere, Lagos Old Boys Association, BIFOBA paid a courtesy visit to Sir Kesington Adebutu to mark his 80th birthday and installation as Asoju Oba of Lagos by His Royal Highness, Oba Rilwan Akiolu .

EXHIBITION: From left: Mr. Godfrey Nwosu, President, Phones and Allied Product Dealer Association of Nigeria, Rev. Sunday Folayan, President, Nigeria Internet Registration Association, NIRA, Mrs. Sola Salako, President, Consumer Advocacy of Nigeria and Mr. Shina Badaru, CEO, Technology Times, during the inaugural Computer Village Exhibition in Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

OPENING: From left: Dr. Victor Osiafuma, Acting Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Mr. Richard Eruwangboro, Director of Finance and Accounts and Dr. Emmanuel Ezenu, Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, during the opening of pre-qualification and tender bids for execusion of 2015 capital projects in Asaba. Photo: Nath Onojake.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015 — 37

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38—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015—39

Despite all odds, Osun delivers

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By Ayo Akinola

E are all witnesses to the tirades and abuses thrown on the person and government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola over the past months due to his inability to pay salaries of workers as at when due. The criticisms were so fierce that one would have thought that this governor was out to deliberately, as many would put it, punish citizens who voted him to power first and second terms in office.

Yes, salaries were not paid as at when due. Yes, projects were abandoned, and of course, yes things were not as good as many would expect them to be for many in the reputed civil servant oriented state.

But one thing that stands out, and which many would not fail to accept is the commitment of the governor to the future of the state. Ogbeni believes that even with the paucity of funds, the kind never ever witnessed in the history of the state, commitment is the key word.

This commitment was demonstrated this week with the commissioning of a 750m Naira school named after the Nobel Lauret, Professor Wole Soyinka, who incidentally chaired an education summit hosted by the government of Aregbesola.

School infrastructure By any standard, 750 million Naira is a whopping sum, even by a federal government, to invest in one school infrastructure. This singular act

by Aregbesola has superlatively demonstrated unambiguously his avowed commitment to human capital development above all other indices of governance.

This reminds one of an unforgettable experience. As a visitor to Osogbo, capital of Osun State earlier in the year, I noticed some imposing structures seriously under construction.

This was not too surprising to me, coming from Lagos.

It was, indeed, normal for such constructions to go on in any capital city. I reminded myself that local and foreign companies are found to be in the habit of constructing new office complexes to replace old ones or, as the case may be, new companies do set up in capital cites.

But to my surprise, I was proved wrong. Through a prominent resident of Osogbo whom I was interviewing in order to know the true state of things in Osun, I was better informed.

This interview is a resource to an oncoming Report on state of things in the state to be titled Osun: Truth of the Matter. This prominent indigene, Dr. Jimoh Agboola, a retired federal civil servant and hotelier enlightened me on numerous infrastructural C M Y K

renewals presently going on in all nooks and crannies of the state, sighting the examples of schools. He passionately asked me to visit at least one of the senior schools under construction in the state capital.

To this, I responded that I did not know •Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Osun State governor their location.

To my surprise, the “company” in terms of infrastructural construction site which I had facilities for the school. seen in passing, earlier, is one Elementary, Middle and High and same school construction site Schools are currently being built he was referring me to. across the 30 Local Government Disbelieve was the word I could Areas in the State. They are state mutter. In fact, I refused to believe of the art schools with dining him that that imposing structure, halls, potable water supply even at its uncompleted stage, system with standard toilets could pass for a secondary facilities, library, recreation centre school. I had to hurriedly round and computer laboratory. up the interview and took a dash Dilapidated school structures to the site in company with my that pose dangers to pupils have intern assistant. been pulled down and blocks of Shortly on resumption of office classroom in some primary in his first term, the governor of schools are being built to provide Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji more space for the projected Aregbesola convened an s c h o o l educational summit. The need for enrolment. this was not unconnected with The school the rather unacceptable rot in the infrastructure education sector which his project has a government met on ground. In great deal of a short statement, the governor local content said, amongst other things that component as “Our policy seeks an integrative materials and approach to the education of our artisans are children and youth. This spans being sourced education infrastructure in locally for the O’Schools, i.e, massive building growth of the of new school structures to s t a t e replace the present dilapidated economy. ones, within the framework of our But the schools reclassification system…” m a s s i v e It is undeniable that conducive qualitative physical atmosphere aids p h y s i c a l learning. Osun State has structure is deployed resources to revamp just one of the public school infrastructure by m a n y building new school structures to revolutionary reflect the recommendations of steps to put the Osun Education Summit, education in chaired by Nobel Lauret Wole its proper Soyinka and other seasoned place. educationists such as Professor On the Olusola Adeyeye, Prof Peter b r a n d e d Okebukola, Dr Akin Fapohunda, O’Schools, the Dr Isaac Agboola and Lere Osun School Osundina. It was fairly an Infrastructure overhaul of this component of the Development education system as well as Programme is radical idea to provide the best a logical extension from the Osun Schools The structure, Reclassification without being Programme.

U n d e r exaggerated, could O’ S c h o o l , well compare with there are o n g o i n g those in our older efforts to build universities and 1 0 0 elementary structures in schools, 50 advanced economies m i d d l e

•Osun State schools and 26 high school models.

These buildings are not haphazard. Since many of the old schools are aged and dilapidated and the state does not have the funding to replace each and every of the run-down school buildings, the reclassification policy is structured on maximising resources.

This means in the new school models, communities would have to share school facilities in consolidated schools, against the old practice of each community insisting on its own schools, even if the pupil population is sparse and there are hardly enough teachers to go round.

This therefore explains the merger of schools which some critics may have clearly misunderstood. The motive is not to inconvenience communities or missions. It is rather to maximise Osun education resources, in such a way, as Jeremy Bentham would

say, “to ensure the greatest happiness of the greatest number”.

That is definitely what O’School reforms are achieving. As at the last count, there are about six model high school buildings which, on completion, will have capacity for 3,000 students. Construction of these model high schools are on-going and will be a pride of the state on completion. More of these are also in the pipeline. The structure, without being exaggerated, could well compare with those in our older universities and structures in advanced economies.

Gains to the State: The reforms have had tremendous impacts on the Osun educational competitiveness. To start with, Osun, from a 34th placing among Nigeria’s 36 states in 2010, moved to 18th position in 2011 and 8th position in 2012, in performance rankings in the West African School Certificate Examinations (WASCE).

Pupils from the state have also chalked up improved performances in national and international competitions, according to compilations by the Osun Ministry of Education.

Also, the reforms have earned a partnership with UNESCO to build a regional teacher training institute in the state, and a fresh programme in the area of adult education. Asked why the state is embarking on revolutionizing Continues on page 40

40 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015

Despite all odds, Osun delivers

The ambiguity and naivety of the social media bill

By Chris Uwaje

T

AKE a look. A more dangerous bill that established the Cybercrime Act 2015 was passed early this year in a country-blind movement.

Section 24(1 )(b) of the Cybercrime Act enacted May 15, 2015 is indeed capable of sending all of us to jail. Lo! We are all going to jail, three year imprisonment and seven million naira fine? The politicians will fall among the majority of those who will be in jail as tactical innuendo is the data and content of their trade mark!

The “Social Media Bill” currently being debated at the floor of the Senate, couldn’t have come at a better time showing the ambiguity of the Bill and indeed the digital naivety of the proponents when Nigeria’s global ICT performance status rating is at an alarming low rate.

Performance status Meanwhile, the Information and Communications Technology Development Index (IDI) 2015 just released where Nigeria is ranked 134 out of 167 has said it all. It is

CHRIS UWAJE clear that we are going nowhere within the context of 21st Century development, without software innovation and disruptive creative process.

If the objective of the bill is “to jail for two years and fine anybody or group of persons who send any alleged false text message or post false message on social media against any person” (using and/or applying a digital device), then the technological interpretation is a declaration of war on digital natives and the entire knowledge society.

First, there is need for our senators to define ‘digital-truth, digital-half-truth, digital lie and digital falsehood, since digital signature is now the same as manual-hand signature. But technologically speaking, it is a journey in futility.

The truth is that the proponents are foreign to the ICT and the Internet world.

The implication is that to send C M Y K

•Nigeria

•Senate president, Bukola Saraki

SMS from one person to another in Nigeria, we have to go to the Court house to swear and procure an affidavit. Same will apply to the respondent of our SMS! According to available statistics, today there are over 12 billion digital devices connected to the Internet with capability to send SMS from any part of the world. With the advent of the Internet of Things (loT and of Everything - IoE), the number of devices connected to the Internet and various networks will increase exponentially to above 20 billion devices in 2020 enabled by Ipv6 and Cloud computing.

Negative to democratic norms: The Bill is in its origin, grossly negative to democratic norms and indeed, a distinguished limitation of the ability of the human mind to dream dreams and innovate. It is not only undemocratic but inhuman to draft Nigerians to go to court and obtain an affidavit before they speak/talk and send sms ( digital voice) of their choice and freedom. Truth is, there is a gross limitation of the knowledge of the proponents’ of the Bill, on how the Technology, Networks and Internet work. In the current era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Man-in-the-middle agents, Trojan Horse and sophisticated virus/worms and zero PKI, (public Key Infrastructure) the Bill is publicly dead on arrival.

average of about 40,000 cell phones 0-stolen monthly, the bill becomes shadow chasing of an endless mirage. The challenge of Internet censorship liability is embedded in critical online incidents.

These incidents lead to censorship, profiling and surveillance. In pursuit and furtherance of existing regulations, laws and policies governing online freedom of expression in the digital space, there is need to examine the digital space challenge of Internet censorship within the context of African Convention on Cyber Security. The Internet has come to stay. And it will be there for a longer time than envisaged. The most pressing question for the future of the Internet is not how the technology will change, it is about: •How the process of change and evolution itself will be managed. The architecture of the Internet, has always been driven by a core group of designers. The new world is Mobile!

• How will the new Internet look like in form and content as the number of interested parties in the structure, function and operational

Regulation and surveillance

There is need for our senators to define ‘digital-truth, digital-half-truth, digital lie and digital falsehood, since digital signature is now the same as manual-hand signature

Regulation and surveillance of the social media platform is one thing, killing it (which is practically impossible) is another kettle of fish. I am sure that the proponents of the bill are aware that it’s not rocket science to understand that SMS can be hijacked on transit by hackers, Virus can deface the structure and meaning of a digital content and with at:l

dynamics of the Internet has grown all around the globe.

• How to promote Internet self-regulation as the key to the successful growth of the Internet and add more value and flexible conduct to adapt to changing future needs.

Proposed IT Bill assignment for the Senate: In conclusion, the proponents of the Bill should be commended for acknowledging that the present national ICT model, function and operation is directionless and requires a state of emergency and urgent fixing.

Can it, therefore, be said that it was in the midst of the above digital confusion, the Senate has intervened by stepping the left foot forward?

Critical IT tasks The Senate, therefore, is encouraged to engage the following fundamental and critical IT tasks for nation building: •Promotion of a National Information Technology (IT) Framework Bill • Bill for the establishment of the Office of the Chief Information Technology Officer of the Federation. Similar to the Accountant General of FRN. •Bill for creation of Directorate of Information Technology (DIT) in every Ministry, Department, and Agency (MD A) as a matter of urgent priority and immediate implementation.

•Bill for the digital Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and appointment and promotion of IT staff critical office in NSA, Armed Forces, CBN, Aviation, MDA’s etc.

•Review NITDA Act 2007 and reform the Agency to transform into an IT Commission under the Presidency, with Mr. President as Chairman.

•E- Government Bill: Establish a Civil Service Computer Automation program Patronage of Nigeria software and Government paperless Office ACT, among others.

Continues from page 39 the educational system, both physical and contextually, the governor is of the opinion that the new educational system in the state of Osun is aimed at producing the total man who will not just be literate, but be educated enough to effect a positive impact in the state and the nation as a whole. That total man, in the words of the great avatar, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, “ … is what he is because the three main constituents of his entity-his body, brain and mind are fully developed.”

During the inauguration of Wole Soyinka Secondary School, Ejigbo, the governor averred that “”We can build a good road that will last for 50 years and we are doing that, but this can never compare to the enlightenment an educated person receives, in terms of its value to the society and humanity”, stating further that “no government could overspend on education, which is a human resource and the primary way any family could get a lasting benefit from the government”.

In a recent interview by Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo gave credence to the efforts by the Osun governor in revamping the educational sector.

Osinbajo said…”A state that had done very well with onemeal-a-day programme, Osun State, and is number two in terms of GDP in the country today, strangely next to Lagos.

In terms of the number of the poor, I think Osun is number 3 in terms of states that have the lowest poverty.

Lowest poverty You can hear about Osun in the press that they have not paid salaries, of course there are 23 states that havn’t paid salary. That is not the issue.

The indication is that because there is a lot of investment on the people, poverty has been reduced and that is what we are trying to achieve in Nigeria” In other spheres of development, Osun has not been found wanting. Recently, during the official commissioning of the new Ife/ Orile-Owu 33KV feeder line at Orile-Owu, Ayedaade Local Government Area, the Governor assured citizens that the era of economic hardship has come to an end. This assertion was demonstrated with effective efforts at prompt salary payment, which was the bone of contention between government and citizens.

Also commissioned, were the rehabilitation of many township and feeder roads which have been dilapidated due to age and effects of erosion.

•Akinola, arpa, writes from Lagos

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015—41

C M Y K

42—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015

Vanguard CLASSIFIED OHALE—I, formerly

please note.

ADEBIMPE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adaraloye Zainab Adebimpe, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Adaraloye Zainab Temitope. All former documents remain valid. Authorities it may concern and general public please take note.

UDOH—I, formerly

OJIYOVWI-OTARE—

known as Miss Itoro

I, formerly known as

Daniel Udoh, now

Mr. Ojiyovwi Monday

wish to be known as

Otare, now wish to be

Mrs. Praise Gideon

known as Mr. Ovie-

Michael.

Monday.

OLADIMEJI—I, formerly known as Miss Olabisi Rukayat Oladimeji, now wish to be known as Mrs. Olabisi Grace Adejola.

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known as Miss Ekene Ohale, now wish to be known as Mrs. Theresa Ekene Celestina Agbo.

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EGUESHIKE—I,

O S A G I E — I ,

formerly known as

formerly known as

OMOLE—I, formerly

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Osagie, now wish to be known as Edogun Micheal Francis. All documents remain

valid. General public

valid. General public

please note.

please note.

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N WA B U E Z E — I , formerly known as Miss Nwabueze Onyinye Tina, now wish to be known as Mrs. Udogaranya Onyinye Tina. All documents remain valid. General public please note.

KOSOKO—I, formerly known as Miss Abiola Adebowale Kosoko, now wish to be known as Mrs. Abiola A d e b o w a l e Cameron.

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documents remain

documents remain

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valid. General public

please note.

please note.

OGBOI—I, formerly known as Miss M i r a b e l l e Uchechukwu Ogboi, now wish to be known as Mrs. Mirabelle U c h e c h u k w u Oladunwo.

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OFOHA—I, formerly

JOHN—I, formerly

OKOLIE—I, formerly

O G U N TAY O — I ,

known

known as John Joy

known as Chinwe

formerly known as

Christiana Okolie,

Oguntayo Oluwaseyi

now wish to be known

Samuel, now wish to

as Chinwe Chioma

be known as Afolabi

Okoliegwe.

All

Oluwaseyi Samuel. All

documents remain

documents remain

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valid. General public

All

Francis

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All

Edogun

known as Mr. Omole Efe Eloho, now wish to be known as Mr. Umolo Uzezi Afor. All documents remain valid. General public

documents remain

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valid. General public

valid. General public

please note.

please note.

please note.

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JOHNSON—I, formerly known as Rupleni Ejiro Johnson, now wish to be known as Rupleni Ejiro Eunice. All documents remain valid. Ecobank and general public please note.

Correction of Name My name was mistakenly written on my BVN as Christian Okoye Achunike, instead of Christopher Okoye Achunike. My correct name is Christopher Okoye Achunike.

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ESEMELE—I,

LUCKY—I, formerly

formerly known as

known as Idubor

Rose E. Esemele, now

Lucky Samson, now

wish to be known as

wish to be known as

Roseline Egwutu. All

Idubor Julius Samson.

documents remain

All documents remain

valid. General public

valid. General public

please note.

please note.

Correction of Name The correct name is Abdul Mary Mosunmola Adeitan.

The error name on her BVN is Mary Mosunmola Adeitan.

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AJIBESHIN—I, formerly known as Miss Ajibeshin Kemi Tolulope, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adegboyega Kemi Nifemi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UKWU—I, formerly known as Ukwu Ikechukwu Gregory, now wish to be known and addressed as N w a c h u k w u Ikechukwu Gregory.

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Confirmation of Name

A R I O J AY E R E — I , formerly known, called and addressed as Achoja Job Ariojayere, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Achoja Job Oghenechoja Moroh.

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NGWA—I, formerly

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FALESE—I, formerly known as Falese Akinyele Israel, now wish to be known and addressed as Oni Akinyele Israel. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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Confirmation of Name

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Confirmation of name This is to confirm that Uba Martha Uchenna, Ubah Martha Uchenna and Onuh Martha Uchenna is one and same person. I now wish to be known and addressed as Onuh Martha Uchenna. All documents remain valid. General public please note.

OGBU—I, formerly known and addressed as Ogbu Okechukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Fidelis Douglas Okechukwu.

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Confirmation of names This is to inform the general public that the names Ayodeji Adeyinka Adeoye and Samuel Ayodele Adeoye are my names. Any documents that has any of the above names refers to the same person. All former documents remain valid.

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IREOGBU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ireogbu Aretha Eziaku, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Enyia Aretha Eziaku.

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IKECHUKWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Oparaji Patrick Ikechukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Oparaji Patrick Ogu. All former documents remain valid.General public please take note.

as

Ofoha

Chibuike Benjamin, now wish to be known as Bugo Chibuike Benjamin.

All

Nkolika, now wish to be known as Anikpe Joy

Nkolika.

All

I, Nwalioba Tochukwu Nkem is the same person as Onuorah Tochukwu Matilda. All former

documents

remain valid. General

known as Miss Ngwa Doris Ebere, now wish to be known as Mrs. Ihejirika Doris Ebere.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015—43

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OKEOGHENE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okeoghene Cecilia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Dogbey Cecilia.

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ADAJI—I, formerly known and addressed as Abdulkadir James Adaji, now wish to be known and addressed as Abdulkadir Musa.

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Addition of Name

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ADESUNLOYE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Anthonia Egbiameje Adesunloye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Va l e n t i n e - O b i r e Anthonia. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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Confirmation name

ATEM—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Lucy Atem, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Lucy Ebu Yunus. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OZOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Ozor Adaobi Lauritta, now wish to be known and addressed as Ozoeze Lauritta Adaobi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

TAWA KA L I T U — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Tawakalitu Ayoka Shittu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ayoka Tawakalitu Shodipe.

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UDOFIA—I, formerly

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General public please take note.

ENWELIM—I, formerly known and addressed as Omeife Enwelim Gideon, wish to be known and addressed as Omeife Gideon; and that I was born on the 22nd April 1980. All documents bearing both names remain valid. General public please take note.

This is to confirm that the names Goodluck Emmanuel and Ejokirhie Goodluck refer to one and same person. All former documents remain valid. General public, please note.

Confirmation of name This is to confirm that Natufe Edison Onoriode, Natufe Job and Natufe Edison Job Onoriode refer to one and same person.

I now wish to be known and addressed as Natufe Edison Job Onoriode. All former documents remain valid. General public, please note.

AFAM—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Afam Blessing Ndidi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Egbokwu Blessing Ndidi. All former documents remain valid. General public, please note.

OLADAPO—I, formerly known and addressed as Idowu Tajudeen Oladapo, now wish to be known and addressed as Idowu Tajudeen Oluwashina.

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IMOLEDE—I, formerly known and addressed as Imolede Blessing Ikhomehe, now wish to be known and addressed as Blessing Ikhomehe Onoigboria. All former documents remain valid. General public, please note.

A J E I G B E— I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Juliet Titilayo Ajeigbe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Juliet Titilayo German. All former documents remain valid. General public, please note.

OKPE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Celestina Nonye Okpe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Celestina Ike-Agbo.

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AGBE—I, formerly known and addressed as Chinedu Johnson, now wish to be known and addressed as Agbe Chinedu Johnson. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

of

I, Prince Irene Oboh is also the same person as Abisoro Oboh Irene Prince. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name The names Onojeruo Samson Tega and Onovwiona Samson refer to me. I now wish to be known ans addressed as Onovwiona Samson.

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EKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Eke Precious Ifeoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ikechukwu Precious Ifeoma. All former documents remain valid. The King’s Kid School, Abaranje, Ikotun, Lagos, general public, please note.

OJO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ojo Kafayat Omowunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Yusuf Kafayat Omowunmi.

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TAIYE—I, formerly known and addressed as Obisanya Amaka Taiye, now wish to be known and addressed as Obisanya Amaka Martha. All former documents remain valid. General public, please note.

UDOWA—I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Udowa Akpobome, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Special Akpobome Azikiwe. All former documents remain valid. General public, please note.

OFODILE—I, formerly known and addressed as Edith Ofodile, now wish to be known and addressed as Edith Okoye Ilodiba. All former documents remain valid. General public, please note.

ATEM—I, formerly known and addressed as Atem Joseph Ashibekong, now wish to be known and addressed as Atemgweye Joseph Ashibekong.

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IFEANYICHUKWU —I, formerly known, called and addressed as Ifeanyichukwu Ihator .R., now wish to be called, known and addressed as Ihator Ifeanyi Macwin.

Both names are one and the same person. Zenith Bank, other banks and general public please take note for record purposes.

ADEWUMI—I, formerly known and addressed as Adewumi Bukola Victoria, now wish to be known and addressed as Ayodele Bukola Victoria A. All former documents remain valid. General public, please note.

known and addressed as Miss Rita Udofia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rita Amah Attah.

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Confirmation of name

44—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015

Vanguard CLASSIFIED

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EKWELONU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ekwelonu Chioma Joy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Umege Chioma Joy. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public, please note.

OSUJI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Osuji Blessing Ubakum, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Obinna Blessing Ubakum. All former documents remain valid. General public, please note.

ORIAKU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oriaku Chinyere Elizabeth, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ezeh Chinyere Elizabeth. All former documents remain valid. General public, please note.

ABIARA—I, formerly known and addressed as Abiara Charles Anayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Orjiako Charles Anayo. All former documents remain valid. General public, please note.

OHIANI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Lilian Ohiani, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Lilian Ibane. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

DANIEL OKON—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Eno –Obong Daniel Okon, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Deezia Nornubari EnoObong. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OBASI—I, formerly known and addressed as Obasi Emmanuel Ogechi, now wish to be known and addressed as Yomi Kam Emmanuel. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OLAITAN—I, formerly known and addressed as Olaitan Mayowa Adeyanju, now wish to be known and addressed as Adeola Adeyanju. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

DEGHRE—I, formerly known and addressed as Deghre Rukevwe Tessy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Osobor Rukevwe Tessy. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UDINMWEN—I, formerly known and addressed as Udinmwen Osazee Elizabeth, now wish to be known and addressed as Esaghare Osazee Elizabeth. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

RECONCILATION OF NAME: This is to inform the authority of UBA and the general public that the name Obed James and Peter Obed Arerepade, refer to one and the same person. Now which to be know and address as Mr Obed Peter James. All former documents remain valid. UBA and general public please take note.

RECONCILATION OF BANK ACCOUNTS: That I open and operate account with ZENITH BANK PLC with Umukoro Anthony Evuarere and Umukoro Anthony Zachary with Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) Plc, that both names as they apper above belong to one and the same person. All former documents remain valid. Zenith Bank Plc, Guarantee Trust Bank and general public should please take note.

DAVID—I, formerly

public please take note.

ANIEBONAM—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Aniebonam Ann Nkechi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mofunanya Ann Nkechi. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (N.S.I.T.F) and general public please take note.

CHUKWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chukwu Regina, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ekpoki Regina Nkiruka. All former documents remain valid. Delta State University, Abraka and general public please take note.

CHUKWUEKEZIE— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chukwuekezie Cynthia Amara, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ezeife Cynthia Amara.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UZU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Uzu F r a n c i s c a Ugochukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chibuogwu Francisca Ugochukwu.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

N WA N KW O — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwankwo Vivian Zimuzo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ajoku Vivian Zimuzo.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Correction of names The names Dely Benjamin and Fantodji Benjamin refer to one and the same person. This is to affirm that my correct name is Fantodji Benjamin. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Reconciliation of names The names Okeregbe Eseakpevwe Esther and Okeregbe Ejomeyovwi Ese refer to one and the same person. I now wish to be known and addressed as Okeregbe Ejomeyovwi Ese. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Reconciliation of names The names Ugbah Rapheal Iloba and Chukwunwike Caleb Iloba refer to one and the same person. I now wish to be known and addressed as Chukwunwike Caleb Iloba. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Reconciliation of names The names Chukwuji Ifeanyi Emmanuel and Chukwuji Chiedu refer to one and the same person. I now wish to be known and addressed as Chukwuji Ifeanyi Emmanuel. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of name This is to confirm that the names Okafor Chizoba, Okafor Chizoa and Adagba Chizoba Juliet refer to one and the same person. I now wish to be known and addressed as Adagba Chizoba Juliet. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

PEREOWEI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Bodisere Florence Pereowei, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bodisere Florence Ibekwe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EDAFE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Edafe Ogheneruona And E m e s e h Ogheneruona, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. M a e k a e Ogheneruona. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and the general public please take note.

Y I I B A R I BARIBGOMA TOM —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Kate Yiibari Baribgoma Tom, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kate Jones. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

—I, IDEMUDIA formerly known and addressed as Miss I d e m u d i a Emmanuella Osayi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nicol Emmanuella Osayi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O K A F O R — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Adaobi Okafor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chukwudi Adaobi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

USANG—I formerly known and addressed as Miss Franca Ebom Usang, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Franca Famoh Mbang. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O N U O H A — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Onuoha Caroline Uchenna, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eka Caroline Uchenna. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UGBAH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ugbah Chika Peace, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Edordu Chukwuedo ChikaUgbah. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKERE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okere Doris Chigozie, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ihunwo Doris Nyebuchi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IFEYINWA— I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Josephine Ifeyinwa Onuoha, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Josephine Hyginus Onuoha. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AMAESHI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Amaeshi Uzoamaka Faustina, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs.Udemefuna Uzoamaka Faustina.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EBONG —I, formerly known, called and addressed as Miss Delight Sunday Ebong, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Delight Ido Emmanuel.

All documents bearing former names remain valid. General public, please note. Mrs. delight Ido Emmanuel.

OGUNDOLA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Rhoda Olayinka Ogundola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rhoda Olayinka Abu. All former documents remain valid. Light Level Limited, Lagos State University and general public, please note.

ONYEUKWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Onyeukwu Modest, now wish to be known and addressed as Onyeukwu Modestus Chigemezu. All former documents remain valid. GTB and general public, please note.

A K I N S A N YA — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Titilayo Marian Akinsanya, now wish to be known and addressed as Titilayo Israel Oyediran. All former documents remain valid. General public, please note.

N WAO Z U Z U — I , formerly known and addressed as Nwaozuzu Chinyere Sandra, now wish to be known and addressed as Nwabukwa Chinyere Sandra. All former documents remain valid. General public, please note.

DIKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Christiana Ugochi Dike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Christiana U. Nwadigo. All former documents remain valid. First Bank, FRCN and general public, please note.

AARON—I, formerly known and addressed as Aaron Erherhayre Upoko, now wish to be known and addressed as London Erherhayre Okoloba. All former documents remain valid. Diamond Bank Plc and general public please take note.

known and addressed as David Kayode Jaji, now wish to be known and addressed as Ahmed Kayode Jaji.

All former documents remain valid. General

AYISATU—I, formerly known and addressed as Raimi Ayisatu, now wish to be known and addressed as Raheem Aishat. All former documents remain valid. General public,

Vanguard

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015—45

Vanguard CLASSIFIED LEVI—I, formerly known and addressed as Gboluseri Preye Joel Funpere Levi, now wish to be known and addressed as Pastor Gboluseri Preye Chris. All former documents remain valid.

UBA, Stanbic IBTC, Pentecostal Theological Seminary Eleme, PortHarcourt and General public please take note.

T A M U N O JEPHTHAH—I, formerly known and addressed as Ta m u n o - J e p h t h a h Nengi Cordelia , now wish to be known and addressed as Nengi Cordelia Rufus-Spiff.

All former documents remain valid. General public and Nigeria Immigration Service please take note.

OHWOJERO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ohwojero Ufuoma Joy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Tiko Ufuoma Joy. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKOLI—I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Okoli Ifeanyi Samuel, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Okoli Okechukwu Samuel. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EMUKA—I, formerly known and addressed as Emuka Chidiebere Faith, now wish to be known and addressed as Asidigbo Chidiebere Faith. All formal documents remain valid. General public take note.

AGUBA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Aguba Oluchi Chinasa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Odoemena Oluchi Chinasa. All former documents remain valid. National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and general public please take note.

OKON—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Janet Ufot Okon, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Janet Tony Christian Ukpe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OBAYE—I, formerly known and addressed as Obaye Sumaila, now wish to be known and addressed as Obaye Sumaila Christopher.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EGBITA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Egbita Ugbede Hassan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Egbita Ugbede Hassan Success. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

YAKUBU—I, formerly known and addressed as Yakubu Gujor .S., now wish to be known and addressed as Sylvester Yakubu Luchin. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Of Nigeria (FBN) and general public please take note.

Confirmation of name This is to confirm that the names Abiodun Olumuyiwa Karaki, Abiodun Mobolaji and Abiodun Olumuyiwa Mobolaji Karaki is one and same person but now wish to be known and addressed as Abiodun Olumuyiwa Mobolaji Karaki. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

PAT R I C K — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Maureen Ayetu Patrick, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Maureen Okpikpi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to certify that Obasi Nnanna Chukwu,Obasi Ebenezer Nnanna and Obasi Nnanna Awoke is the same and one person but now wish to be known and addressed as Obasi Ebenezer Nnanna.All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of name This is to certify that Ubido Oghenero Daniel and Ubido Daniel is the same and one person but now wish to be known and addressed as Ubido Oghenero Daniel. All former documents remain valid. Niger Delta University (NDU) and general public please take note.

Correction of name I, Francis Oghenerukevwe Stella do hereby state that my name was wrongly written as F r a n c i s Oghenerukewve Stella on some of my documents. The right spelling is Francis Oghenerukevwe Stella. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGHENEVWAIRE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oghenevwaire Oghenevwede Rosemary, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ovwata Oghenevwede Rosemary. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ODUTEMU—I, formerly known and addressed as Odutemu Helen Oshomare, now wish to be known and addressed as Helen Idonor. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of name I, Empire Keseya Samuel do hereby confirm that the name Empire Keseya refers to one and same me.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of name I, Opiah Titi Caring do hereby confirm that the names Opiah Titi and Titi Caring Opiah refer to one and same me.

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Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu (right) welcomes the President Protempore of the Liberian Senate, Senator Armah Zolu Jallah during a delegation by a delegation of the Liberian National legislature to Senator Ekweremadu’s Office in Abuja

Immigration stampede: Reps seek 24 months pay for 176 injured families

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A

BUJA—THE House of Representatives, yesterday, recommended the payment of 24 months salaries and emoluments to the 176 injured and deceased families of the March 15, 2014, immigration recruitment tragedy.

The House Ad-hoc committee that investigated recruitment into the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, which led to stampede and loss of lives said that the payment of the salaries and emoluments should take effect from the date of the presidential directives. The committee was chaired by the Majority Leader, Rep Femi Gbajabiamila with the Minority Leader, Leo Ogor as a member.

President Goodluck Jonathan had through a letter with Reference No. SGF.6/S.18/T/55 dated March 26, 2014, approved the immediate appointment of the families of the deceased and injured persons.

After the beneficiaries of the injured and deceased families had waited in vain for their deployment, they decided to petition the House and also embarked on a peaceful protest which made the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, to set up the adhoc committee to investigate the matter.

In an interactive session with Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs, Director of Immigration, Fire Services, Prisons and NSCDC board as well as NIS Comptroller General, the Committee queried the refusal to issue appointment letters to the injured victims, over five months after their screening.

The Committee also queried why the benefitting family members of the deceased

applicants who have been given appointment letters on national television are still at home after six months. According to the report, “the victims further alleged that the NIS that inflicted pain on them hurriedly within one month in May 2015 conducted a fresh recruitment exercise of new officers into the Nigeria Immigration Services.”

The Committee also recommended immediate issuance of appointment letters and redeployment of the 176 injured candidates whose names were submitted by Directorate of State Security (DSS).

According to the report adopted by the House, “in order to verify the claims of other petitioners who were shortlisted and got injured in respect of the first aborted exercise (whose names are

not in the list of 176) to the public complaint commission, a verification team from the comptrollergeneral office should visit government hospitals in the affected states where injuries were reported and obtain official reports from the hospital management in respect of the injury claims.

The recommendation further stated that “the reports obtained above should be verified along with the medical reports submitted by the protesting candidates.”

To avoid future mishap, the House urged Federal Government to “immediately set up a committee to look at the methodology of recruitment by federal government agencies in Nigeria and evolve a system/modality that will forestall reoccurrence of the NIS recruitment incidence.”

Fayose bans street trading, wife warns against child labour

A

DO EKITI—EKITI State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has declared that any trader caught displaying wares on major streets of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital would be severely dealt with.

This is just as the Governor ’s wife, Mrs Feyisetan Fayose read riot act to parents who engage their children in hawking during the school hours.

The governor also appealed to traders displaced by the reconstruction of the Erekesan Market in AdoEkiti to move to alternative sites provided by the state government.

In a statement, yesterday, by the governor’s chief press secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the governor said street trading and blocking roads with wares would no longer be tolerated.

The governor, who visited Bisi Market, Ojaba

and Atikankan areas of Ado-Ekiti, frowned at the recalcitrant attitude of some traders who refused to move to authorised places for trading.

Meantime, Mrs Feyisetan Fayose, urged people of the state not to hesitate to arrest any erring parents involved in sending their children out on hawking when they are supposed to be in school.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti during a EKTV programme marking the international Day of the GirlChild, Mrs Fayose said the state government has promulgated a law prohibiting hawking by school age child between the hours of 8 am -2pm.

Mrs Fayose also warned the girl child against indulging in any promiscuity, saying act is capable of who according ruining their future.

46 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015

CAF U-23 AFCON

Benzema suspended!

God, Emmanuel saved us —Siasia N

IGERIA Under-23 team coach, Samson Siasia disclosed that beating Senegal in their semi-final match on Wednesday was the work of God and also team goalkeeper, Daniel Emmanuel who made up to four clear cut saves to keep Nigeria on track.

The Junior Teranga Lions had the Nigerian lads on the ropes for all through the first half, but the goals refused to come. They also fluffed a penalty in the dying minutes of the first half.

“I think God was with my team. Senegal created most of the chances but they failed to score.

“Emmanuel Daniel kept us in the match as he made some brilliant saves. On another day,

we could’ve been embarrassed.

“We did the best we could because we had lots of injuries heading into this match but I hope that Senegal can qualify to Rio so as to have a strong African representation in Brazil.

“Creating chances and scoring them are different so I’m not concern that we allowed Senegal to have the best chances of the match.”he added.

He noted that he was very happy that his team qualified for the Olympics, where he won a silver with the Nigerian Under-23 team at the 2008 Games in Beijing China. Nigeria failed to qualify for the London 2012 Games.

K

Movement...Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen in action. His movement caused panic in the Senegalese defence in the CAF U-23 AFCON semi-final between Nigeria and Senegal.

NFF critically broke — Sanusi W N IGERIA Football Federation secretary- general, Mohammed Sanusi said the financial situation at the soccer ruling body has reached an embarrassing level.

Dr. Sanusi listed that the NFF can no longer meet up with its obligations. A direct consequence is the non payment of the national team coaches and players allowances.

“It is rather so unfortunate that we have found ourselves in this ugly situation of inability of the NFF to pay salaries of the coaches. I want to say that it is not only the coaches that this affected, I and some other staff of the

NFF are also affected.

“But I believe that those concerned should understand the position of the NFF that we are making frantic effort to see that we get money to solve all these problems.

“Unfortunately, while we are making effort to get money, the situation has gone beyond the wall of

the NFF and now subject of discussions in the public domain. I think this is not too good for us. We know the complaints of these people, I can assure that we are doing everything within our power to solve the problem as soon as possible,” Dr. Sanusi said.

EST Ham manager Slaven Bilic has disclosed that Nigerian international Victor Moses will be sidelined with injury until 2016.

The 24-year-old has been ruled out with a hamstring problem and becomes the latest in the London club to be sidelined for weeks.

The winger undergone a scan on Tuesday to reveal the extent of his injury.

Moses, on loan from

Victor Moses out for 6 weeks Chelsea to West Ham, pulled up in the game at Old Trafford against Manchester United, and was replaced by Spanish midfielder Pedro Obiang just 37 minutes into the Barclays Premier League match last weekend.

Bilic has described the growing injury list at West Ham as “a blow” to their impressive start to the campaign.

Chelsea can win Champions League — Mourinho

J

OSE Mourinho believes Chelsea can overcome their underdog status to win the Champions League after a 2-0 win over his former club Porto sealed top spot in Group G. Chelsea are toiling domestically but responded to an eighth Premier League

defeat of the season against Bournemouth with a victory which sealed their place in the last 16.

“A team struggling so much like we are is not obviously a candidate to win the Champions League,” said Mourinho, twice a winner of the competition

Clear Coast... Chelsea striker Diego Costa beats Porto’s 22 Hélio Pereira to the ball.

as a manager.

“But when we won at Porto in 2004, we were not candidates. When we won at Inter (Milan) in 2010, we were not candidates.

“When we were candidates, we lost two semifinals with Real Madrid, we lost two semi-finals with Chelsea, so let’s see.

You never know.”

Chelsea can play Paris Saint-Germain - for a third straight season - PSV Eindhoven, Benfica, Juventus, Roma or Gent in the next round.

“I think everybody wants to play us,” Mourinho added. “They don’t want to play Barcelona, they don’t want to play Real Madrid, they don’t want to play Atletico, they don’t want to play Bayern.

“Every team finishing second want to get us, they want to get Zenit.”

Mourinho must overturn Chelsea’s Premier League troubles to ensure

ARIM Benzema has been suspended from the France team until an investigation into his alleged part in a blackmail and sex tape case has been resolved.

The striker, 27, who could miss Euro 2016 hosted in his country, was banned by the France Football Federation.

Benzema is under formal investigation for an alleged blackmail plot against French team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.

The Real Madrid forward denies any wrongdoing but if found guilty, could face a minimum of five years in prison.

FFF president Noel le Great, who had previously supported Benzema, said it was a “heart-breaking” decision.

But he added: “I have decided that he is not available for selection.”

Benzema was put under formal investigation by a French judge last month in connection with an alleged attempt to blackmail Valbuena over a sex video.

he is still in charge when the competition resumes in February, and is adamant they can still reach the top four, despite being 14 points adrift after 15 games.

“While mathematically it’s still possible, let’s fight every game for every point and see if it’s possible to finish fourth,” Mourinho said.

FIFA bribe scandal:

He said Moses is “out for four to six weeks.”

Moses joins the quintet of Winston Reid, Dimitri Payet, Enner Valencia, Diafra Sakho and Manuel Lanzini on the sidelines until next year.

“Victor is out for four to six weeks. It’s a blow, we have had six injuries since the Everton game. Before that we had a full squad, then Payet and Valencia were injured against Everton and now we have four muscle injuries,” said Bilic.

Victor Moses

Platini to hear from CAS today

L

ONDON Sport’s highest tribunal will on Friday announce its decision whether or not to temporarily lift the 90day suspension on Michel Platini, barring him from seeking the presidency of soccer ’s scandal-plagued governing body FIFA. Platini, the European soccer boss who until recently was seen as the man to lead FIFA out of

its worst graft crisis, was suspended by FIFA’s ethics committee on October 8 pending a full investigation into his conduct.

Sepp Blatter, who has been FIFA president since 1998, was also suspended after being swept up by a crisis that has led to criminal investigations into the sport in both Switzerland and the United States.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015 — 47

I’ll bring development to African football – Prince Ali Bin al-Hussein

BY TONY UBANI

P

RINCE Ali Bin alHussein of Jordan has promised to bring developments to African football if he gets the nod to replace Sepp Blatter as President of World soccer-governing body, FIFA. Huussein who flew into Nigeria to consult with NFF President Melvin Amaju Pinnick said that Africa was key in his developmental plans and would fulfill his promises if he gets

elected. ‘’When I make a promise I fulfill it. I am driven by passion and love of the game. I am young and energetic and indeed we need a young man who can withstand the rigours of travelling the length and breadth of all the countries that make up

NFF condoles Keshi over wife’s demise

T

HE Nigeria F o o t b a l l Federation has condoled with former Nigeria skipper and Head Coach, Stephen

Nigeria Continues from BP next year ’s Rio Olympics by virtue of reaching the championship game.

Nigeria edged past hosts Senegal 1-0 in the first semi-final, while Algeria outscored South Africa 2-0.

This will be third time

FIFA. He also promised borrow a leaf from Nigeria’s Football Federation President Pinnick in building human capacity for the good of the game. ‘’I’m impressed with the work my friend Pinnick is doing with

builing human capacity.

It’s important we do this and give scholarships to help grow the game especially among all the developing countries’’.

The Jordanian Prince also caused an uproar of laughter when he said that he shares a lot with Pinnick in being fans of English Club Arsenal. ‘’Nothing will make us change from supporting

both teams will clash in this tournament since the inaugural competition in Morocco in 2011, which was won

by Gabon.

Nigeria thrashed the North Africans 4-1 four years ago, before they drew 0-0 in a group game in Senegal.

Keshi, who lost his darling wife, Kate, on Wednesday night.

NFF President Amaju Pinnick spoke at length with Keshi over the phone on Thursday afternoon, as news of the tragic incident filtered into the public space.

Sources said that Kate, 54, died on Wednesday night in far away United States of America, after a brief illness.

“This is devastating. To lose a spouse is the equivalent of a tragedy. I pray that Almighty God will

give you and the children the fortitude to bear this huge loss,” Pinnick told Keshi over the phone.

The ‘Big Boss,’ who captained Nigeria for over 10 years, in the process winning the Africa Cup of Nations gold, silver and bronze, coached the squad to a third African title in South Africa early 2013.

He was in charge of the Super Eagles between November 2011 and June 2015, during which he also led the team to the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.

Arsenal’’.

Earlier, Pinnick thanked the Jordanian Prince for finding time to stop over in Nigeria but insisted that Nigeria like other African countries would tow the line of Confederation of African Football, CAF, during the elections billed next year.

‘’I’m happy with Hussein because he is the best out of the rest.

He is a go-getter. He has been a success in all his doings and more so, he belongs to my generation. We are united with CAF during the elections and we wish him well’’, Pinnick said.

Dalung Continues from BP they play against Algeria.

Dalung, lamented the long suffering of team players and officials who throughout their camping and campaign in Senegal have not been paid a single dime.

“This is an emergency problem we inherited.

But I have directed the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry and the Director General Alhassan Yakmut to source for intervention funds to settle the players before this Saturday.

“The players have done extremely well under the harsh situation, moreover a workman deserves his

pay. We don’t want negative stories on nonpayment of players’ allowances which are capable of tarnishing the image of the country.

“I have pleaded with the coaches and players to remain focused on their final game billed for Saturday as all possible efforts are being put in by the Ministry to ensure that all outstanding bonuses and camp allowances are offset before Saturday” the minister said.

He added that a team of National Sports Commission will be in Senegal to cheer the team to victory in their last game against Algeria.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015

NFF condoles Keshi .47 g P over wife’s demise —

Nigeria face Algeria in U-23 final tomorrow Kick-off: 8p.m.

N

IGERIA will battle Algeria for the 2015 U23 AFCON crown tomorrow after both teams qualified for the final.

The final will be played 8pm Nigerian time at the Leopold Sedar Senghor in Dakar.

Both teams have already qualified for

Continues on Page 47

Keshi with his late wife Kate.

CAF U-23 AFCON

GRITTY . . . Nigeria’s Ndifreke Udo checkmates Algeria’s Zinedine Ferhat during their first meet.

I’ll bring devt to African football – Prince Ali Bin al-Hussein— Pg.47

Dalung orders immediate payment of players’ allowances

BY BEN EFE

Y

OUTH and Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung has ordered that all the outstanding allowances of the Olympic Eagles be paid.

The team has been running empty at the CAF U-23 African Cup of

Nations in Senegal.

They braved all the odds to beat hosts Senegal 1-0 on Wednesday, to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games and also the final of the tournament. They will attempt to win the trophy Saturday evening, when Continues on Page 47

•Siasia

•Dalung

QUICK CR OSS WORD CROSS OSSWORD

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

FRI DAY'S ANS WERS FRID ANSWERS

ACROSS 2 Fish (5) 7 Ale (4) 8 Sudden (6) 9 Mock (5) 11 Wand (3) 13 Sheep (3) 15 Pitcher (4) 16 Faucet (3) 18 Lake (4) 19 Concerned (7) 20 Harvest (4) 22 Fish (4) 23 Diplomatic (7) 25 Watched (4) 27 Owned (3) 28 Gala (4) 30 Performed (3) 31 Defective (3) 33 Shabby (5) 36 Grasp (6) 37 Wicked (4) 38 Long (5)

DOWN 1 Under (5) 2 Skill (3) 3 Animal (3) 4 Consume (3) 5 Snoop (3) 6 Javelin (5) 10 Close (4) 11 Saved (7) 12 Dedicated (7) 13 Diminished (7) 14 Threatened (7) 16 Cog (5) 17 Haughty (5) 18 Encountered (3) 21 Cushion (3) 24 Front (4) 26 Cede (5) 29 Jacket (5) 32 Pig-pen (3) 33 Timid (3) 34 Epoch (3) 35 Longing (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Scope 5, Dispel 8, Order 10, Ensure 11, Oval 14, Palate 15, Conceal 18, Net 19, Tap 21, Deft 23, Regal 24, Here 27, Den 29, Oaf 31, Radical 32, Eraser 34, Ride 35, Hauled 38, Alert 39, Dagger 40, Merry.

DOWN: 2, Can 3, Pounce 4, Err 5, Drop 6, Scale 7, Latent 9, Debated 12, Van 13, Late 16, Once 17, Lager 20, Panache 22, Flea 24, Heeded 25, Roar 26, Easing 28, Minute 30, Fed 33, Rear 36, Arm 37, Eat.

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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